Current Affairs Questions & Answers - Feb 29, 2016

ANSWER: Bharat Stage VI

Explanation:
Moving directly to Euro VI emission norms for petrol and diesel from April 1, 2020, government has come up with draft rules on emission standards for varying categories of vehicles. Specifying mass emission standards for BS-VI for numerous category vehicles including those with gross weight value not exceeding 3500 kg manufactured on or after April 1, 2020 for all models, government has sought suggestion within a month and the rules have been called the Central Motor Vehicles Amendment Rules 2016. Draft of certain rules aims at amending the Central Motor Vehicles Rules 1989 which the central government proposed to make in exercise with powers conferred under the Motor Vehicles Act 1988. Government decided to jump from Euro IV to Euro VI emission norms and oil plus will invest INR 28,750 crore for the transition.

ANSWER: All of the above

Explanation:
MIT scientists have discovered the tiniest, most lightweight flexible solar cells to be produced on any material or surface including clothes, smartphones or soap bubble. Lab proof of concept shows new approach to creating solar cells that could power the next generation of portable electronic devices and the aim behind the new approach is to make substrate of the solar cell and protective overcoating from shielding in the environment along with the cell all in one go. A common flexible polymer called parylene has been used as a substrate and overcoating and organic material called DBP as primary light absorbing layer, Parylene is a plastic coating sued to protect implanted biomedical devices and printed circuit boards from environmental damage. To demonstrate the thinness and lightweightedness of the cells, researchers draped the working cell atop a soap bubble without popping the bubble. The solar cells including substrate and overcoating are 1/50th of the thickness of human hair and 1-1000th of the thickness of equivalent cells on class substrate yet convert sunlight into electricity as efficiently as glass rivals.

ANSWER: Vinod Rai

Explanation:
The Banks Board Bureau will advise FoI regarding top appointments in PSU banks and ways to address NPAs and bad loans. Former ICICI Joint MD HN Sinor, BoB’s former CMD Amit Khandelwal and rating agency CRISIL’s ex chief Rupa Kudwa are also members. PM Modi approved the proposal of the Department of the Financial Services for constitution of Banks Board Bureau with named persons as part time Chairman/ Members besides ex officio official members for as long as 2 years. There are currently 22 state owned banks in India including SBI and IDBI. BBB was earlier proposed by the government as a body of eminent pros and officials who will replace the Appointment Board for appointment of Whole Time Directors and non Executive Chairman of Public Sector Banks. Bureau is mandated to play a key role in reforming PSU banks through recommendation of appointment to leadership positions and boards in the banks. This bureau is part of the Infradhanush plan to revamp banks. In additional to the chairman, the bureau will have three ex officio members and three expert members along with the Chairman.

ANSWER: Both a and b

Explanation:
India has taken the decision to establish a LIGO or Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory where the gravitational waves can be studied. This will be the third lab of its kind following Hanford in Washington and Livingston in Louisiana. Gravitational Waves have been discovered by the world’s scientific community and Indian scientists were also part of this discovery. LIGO or Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory is a national facility for gravitational wave research providing chances for the broader scientific community to take part in detector development, data analysis and observation.

ANSWER: Both a and b

Explanation:
Zee Media Corporation will acquire 80% stake in India Today’s group loss making e-commerce and TV shopping entities Today Merchandise and Today Retail Network Pvt Ltd for INR 166 crore in payments staggered over the next 4 years.Investment will be made in tranches and with this acquisition, the company will lower launch timing of its TV Shopping channel.

ANSWER: International Fund for Agriculture Development

Explanation:
Additional Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance and India’s Governor to International Fund for Agricultural Development/IFAD, Mr Dinesh Sharma has been unanimously elected as chairperson of the IFAD governing council for 2 years in the 39th session held in Rome, Italy. IFAD was established in 1977 as the UN’s specialised agency working towards removing poverty and hunger in rural areas all over the world. India is the founder member of IFAD which is managed by two governing bodies: Executive Board and Governing Council.

ANSWER: Scientific Issues for the Development of the Nation

Explanation:
February 28th was celebrated as National Science Day/Rahstriya Vigyan Diwas. It aims to inculcate scientific temper in people and the theme for this year was Scientific Issues for the Development of the nation. This day marks the novel discovery of Raman Effect by Indian Physicist Sir CV Rama in the year 1928, which earned him a Novel prize in Physics in 1930s.

ANSWER: Resul Pookutty

Explanation:
He was honoured with the Motion Picture Sound Editor’s Golden Reel Awards at the 63rd ceremony of this event. He is the first Asian to win this award from MPSE of US for best sound. India’s Daughter has been banned from being screened in the nation. Competing films in the list included “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”, “ Deadliest Catch”, “Chef’s Table” and many more. Pookutty has won the Oscars for his sound effects in accolade garnering movie Slumdog Millionaire.

ANSWER: Kozhikode, Kerala

Explanation:
This park in Kerala spanning 24 acres will promote research and other important projects and initiatives to facilitate gender equality. Department of Social Justice of Kerala has coordinated with academicians and civil society for setting up this gender institute which will cover transgender and all three genders. Complex christened Thantedam Gender Park has come up in Vellimadukunnu in Kerala’s Kozhikkode District.

ANSWER: Abdul Kalam Vision India Party

Explanation:
Inspired by the memory and vision of late president APJ Abdul Kalam, V. Ponraj, his erstwhile scientific adviser has floated a party called Abdul Kalam Vision India Party. Party will contest in all constituencies of TN and strive to create new history and bring about a revolution and change in Indian politics.

ANSWER: Jaypee Group

Explanation:
UltraTech Limited has taken the decision to acquire Jaypee Group’s 22.4 MT of cement capacity assets for INR 16500 crore. This is the largest deal ever in the cement sector of India. Kumar Mangalam Birla’s flagship cement firm has entered into binding agreement with Jaiprakash Associates Ltd for acquisition of identified cement plants with total cement capacity of 22.4 mtpa and situated in MP, UP, HP, Uttarakhand, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. Deal will also include a 4 metope plant under implementation at INR 470 crore. Jaypee Group is India’s third largest cement group.

ANSWER: Gujarat

Explanation:
The 13th edition of the World Spice Congress began in Ahmedabad, Gujarat and the theme of the two yearly three day event is ‘Target 2020: Clean, Safe and Sustainable Supply Chain’. The World Spice Congress has been organised jointly by Spices Board, Cochin Hill Produce Merchant’s Association and IndiaPepper and Spice Trade Association. It is given support by All India Spices Importers & Distributors Association and Indian Spices & Foodstuff Exporters’ Association.

ANSWER: Sachin Tendulkar

Explanation:
Rajya Sabha MP and cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar has joined ICC and UNICEF in an effort to create a social movement for promotion of sanitation and toilet use. UNICEF and International Cricket Council have launched the Cricket for Good Initiative. ICC and BCCI’s Team Swachh, a national initiative in support of GoI’s Swachh Bharat Mission will be launched in the coming World Twenty20 and tap the power of cricket to create awareness about sanitation.