Current Affairs Questions & Answers - Jan 22, 2016

1)   A new Model Prison Manual has been approved by the MHA. How many chapters does it have?

a. 33
b. 32
c. 34
d. 35
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: 32

Explanation:
Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh has approved the new Model Prison Manual comprising of 32 chapters to bring in basic uniformity in laws, rules and regulations governing administration of prisons and management of prisoners all across the nation. Key revisions in the new manual comprise the following:

  • Access to free legal services
  • Appointment of jail visiting advocates
  • Setting up legal aid clinic in each prison
  • Legal literacy classes in prison
  • Safety and reformation of women prisoners was also of critical importance in prison administration


2)   Smt. Mrinalini Sarabhai has passed away. Where was this eminent danseuse educated?

a. Shantiniketan
b. Annamalai University
c. Jain University
d. None of the above
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Shantiniketan

Explanation:
Well known Indian dancer Mrinalini Sarabhai has created an indelible mark on Indian classical dance as a well known dancer and choreographer. She was educated at Shantiniketan and is a disciple of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore. She was trained in Bharatnatyam, Kathakali and Mohiniyattom. Dance was her life, passion and existence.


3)   BS-VI emission norms for automobiles and auto fuel will be introduced by which year?

a. 2015
b. 2020
c. 2030
d. 2040
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: 2020

Explanation:
With a significant set to reduce pollution in vehicles, GoI has announced that BS-VI emission norms for automobiles and auto fuel run by 2020. Government has also made the decision to advance the earlier deadline of 2023 to 2020 for enforcement of BS-VI emission norms and BS-VI auto fuel across the country.


4)   Which noted environmentalist took charge as ED of Greenpeace India?

a. Ravi Chellam
b. Samit Aich
c. Bittu Sehgal
d. None of the above
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Ravi Chellam

Explanation:
Well known environmentalist Ravi Chellam on 20th January 2016 took charge as ED of Greenpeace India, an NGO. Chellam succeeded former ED Samit Aich. He is a wildlife biologist and conservation scientist by training. Prior to joining Greenpeace India, he worked with Wildlife Institute of India and UNDP.


5)   New Genus of tree frog has been rediscovered in India namely the following:

a. Old World tree frog
b. New World tree frog
c. Outer World tree frog
d. Inner World Tree frog
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Old World tree frog

Explanation:
A fresh genus of tree frogs which have died out more than a century ago have been rediscovered in India. Old World tree frog family has over 380 species and includes some frogs with ambiguous classifications associated with shared characteristics. During NE Indian states fieldwork. DU researchers discovered several populations of tree frogs with unusual characteristics, including tadpoles, that feed on the mother's eggs. To study the phylogenetic relationship of these new frogs has compared molecular data with known tree frog general.


6)   A fresh carnivorous dinosaur species uncovered in Wales dating back 200 million years ago has been discovered near Penarth. What is its name?

a. Dracoraptor hanigani.
b. Kracoraptor hanigani.
c. Hracoraptor hanigani.
d. Tracoraptor hanigani.
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Dracoraptor hanigani.

Explanation:
A new carnivorous dinosaur species uncovered in Wales dates back to 200 million years and is the oldest known Jurassic dinosaur from the UK as per a new study. Researchers have analysed dinosaur skulls and bones discovered in 2014 on a beach close to Penarth Wales and a new species named Dracoraptor hanigani. Dinosaur species were identified by David Martill from the University of Portsmouth, U.K., and colleagues from National Museum Wales and University of Manchester. The new specimen represents the most complete theropod from Wales, and may possibly represent one of the oldest known Jurassic dinosaurs in the U.K. or even in the world.


7)   2015 has been the hottest year in ______ years of record keeping according to NOAA and NASA:

a. 134
b. 135
c. 136
d. 137
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: 136

Explanation:
Last year was not just the hottest year on record as it has left a century of high temperature marks within the dust. National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration and NASA have announced 2015 as the hottest year in 136 years of record keeping. NOAA has indicated that 2015 temperature was 58.62 degrees Fahrenheit passing 2014 by record margin of 0.29 degrees. This is 1.62 degrees above the 20th century average. NASA indicated that 2015 was 0.23 degrees warmer than the record set in 2014. On account of the wide margin over 2014, NASA calculated 2015 was a record with 94% certainty and double the certainty in 2015 when announcing 2014 as a record. 2015 marks the fourth time in 11 years that earth broke annual marks for high temperature. Scientists have said the combination of El Nino and man made global warming together have added a third of the degree of warming to Earth’s temperature.


8)   UrbanClap acquired which company in an equity swap deal?

a. HandyHome
b. ComfortableHome
c. SplendidHome
d. CosyHome
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: HandyHome

Explanation:
UrbanClap, mobile based services marketplace has acquired sales service platform HandyHome in an equity swap deal. Mumbai based HandyHome permits users for booking brand authorised repairs and services for electronic appliances online. HandyHome was founded in earl 2015 and half a million dollars have been raised from Bessemer Venture Partners and Kae Capital in June. Bessemer is an early backer of Skype and Pinterest. UrbanClap was founded in 2014 by Abhiraj Bhal, Varun Khaitan, and Raghav Chandra.


9)   RBI has allowed banks to take which action?

a. Sell Indian Gold coins
b. Buy Indian Gold coins
c. Both a and b
d. Neither a nor b
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: Both a and b

Explanation:
RBI permits banks to sell Indian Gold Coins with Ashok Chakra minted by MMTC via their branches. This terms and conditions shall be as per a contract between MMTC and designated banks. MMC has made the decision that gold used for IGC will be mobilised domestically under the Gold Deposit Scheme and Gold Monetisation Scheme. Coins are available in denominations of 5 and 10 grams while a 20 gram bullion is being manufactured by MMTC. India imports 1000 tonnes of gold each year, draining out the foreign exchange and plain pressure on fiscal deficit.


10)   Actors Amitabh Bachchan and Priyanka Chopra will be brand ambassadors for which campaign to market the nation to tourists abroad?

a. Amazing India
b. Wonderful India
c. Best India
d. Incredible India
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: Incredible India

Explanation:
Actors Amitabh Bachchan and Priyanka Chopra will replace Aamir Khan as new ambassadors of the Incredible India campaign to market the nation to tourists abroad. Bachchan has been made the brand ambassador of Gujarat Tourism and his name was suggested by the PM’s office.