Current Affairs Questions & Answers - Jan 24 & 25, 2016

1)   Exports at the half of the sector of the 30 closely monitored by the Commerce Ministry were in the negative zone in December. Exports declined by 15 percent in December to what number?

a. 22.2
b. 22.3
c. 22.4
d. 22.6
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: 22.2

Explanation:
Exports of half of the sectors out of the 30 closely monitored by the Commerce Ministry were in the negative zone in December on account of fall in global prices and demand. Outbound shipments of close to 15 key sectors such as leather, engineering and petrol have dipped last month due to ministry data. Exporters body FIEO indicated that the pace of fall has moderated in December. India’s exports fell about 15 percent in December to USD 22.2 billion, placing trade deficit to USD 11.66 billion, which is the most massive in the past 4 months. In November, it fell by 24.43 percent and continuous export declines will impact jobs and place pressure on CAD. Government should address inverted duty structure in sectors in the Budget besides exemption of exports from service tac and export development fund. FIEO has indicated that the top 2 sectors engineering and petrol products fell by 15.68 percent and 47.69 percent respectively in December 2015. Gems and jewellery exports shrank by around 7.75% to USD 2.46 billion in the previous month. These 3 sectors make 55% of the country’s total exports in 2014-2015 which was pegged at USD 310.5 billion. Agri products that constitute over 10 percent of the country’s total shipments has recorded negative growth during the month in review.


2)   Department of Scientific and Industrial Research has received which certification for its function, activities and services?

a. ISO 9000: 2008
b. ISO 9001: 2008
c. ISO 9002: 2009
d. None of the above
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: ISO 9001: 2008

Explanation:
Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Ministry of Science and Technology, GoI has received ISO 9001:2008 certification for services, activities and functions in guidance with Performance Management Division, Cabinet Secretariat Government of India. Dr Girish Sahni, Secretary, DSIR, received the ISO 9001:2008 Certificate from Swiss Cert Pvt Ltd for the Department complying with all the requirements.


3)   One of how many lions in Gujarat’s Saurashtra live outside sanctuaries?

a. 23
b. 3
c. 4
d. 5
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: 3

Explanation:
One of every 3 lions in Gujarat’s Saurashtra have lived outside sanctuaries, the final count of the May 2015 census of lions has revealed. Of the total 523 lions in the region, 167 are currently outside protected areas. Of them, around 80 lie in Savarkundla, Lathi and Lilliya areas in Amreili ensuring the best encounters with big cats. Close to 37 lions in Bhavnagar have been spotted here. National Board for Wildlife and Lion Expert has indicated that lions are moving beyond sanctuaries in a search for fresh areas.


4)   British scientists have attained remarkable breakthrough in the transformation of human cells to create human cell type from what other constituent of the body?

a. Another cell type
b. Another amoeba type
c. Another molecule type
d. None of the above
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Another cell type

Explanation:
British scientists have attained the perfect breakthrough in transforming human cells paving the way for fresh treatments for numerous medical conditions. Ability to produce numerous types of human cells leading to tissue therapies of different kinds for treating conditions from macular degeneration to arthritis as well as heart disease. This shows a massive breakthrough in regenerative medicine paving the way for life changing medication and the use of medication for prolonging life. Fuller understanding at the molecular level of cell production may allow researchers to grow massive organs from someone’s own cells. Pluripotent stem cells can be used for treating medical conditions and diseases. Researchers have tested new human cell conversions and succeeded the first time for both. Mogrify is a system used in this technique for predicting human cell type from any other cell type directly.


5)   5 planets will be seen in the southern sky for nearly a fortnight starting January 22nd. These include the following:

a. Mercury
b. Venus
c. Mars
d. All of the above
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: All of the above

Explanation:
The close of January has brought a sky show for the star gazers at 5 planets close to the naked eye- Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn and Mercury. These have aligned in the southern sky for a fortnight starting January 22nd prior to the sunrise. The brightest planet of the system is Venus. Around 80 to 40 minutes before the commencement of sunrise is the best time to view planets before early rays fade into the scene.


6)   BJP chief Amit Shah has been selected for his _________ presidential term.

a. Second
b. Third
c. Fourth
d. Fifth
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Second

Explanation:
BJP chief Amit Shah has been selected for his second presidential term with PM Narendra Modi among the first to propose Shah’s name as he had filed the nomination papers for the election at the BJP headquarters. Modi Shah team has cornered a decisive electoral victory in India after a long time.


7)   The India France Business Summit has been held at which place?

a. Chandigarh
b. Patna
c. Chennai
d. Lucknow
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Chandigarh

Explanation:
PM Narendra Modi has addressed the India France Business Summit in Chandigarh appreciating the manner in which the CoP 21 negotiations have been coordinated. PM Modi also recalled a terror attack in Paris just a few days before CoP-21 meeting and how France has shown the way to combat terror without deviating from core principles. Linking security to the defence sector, Indian talent and French manufacturing capability can ensure that the world becomes a secure place. Around 16 agreements and MoUs were exchanged at the summit.


8)   Fair trade regulatory authority CCI as approved the proposed merger of which seed firm with agrochemical major UPL?

a. Advanta Ltd
b. Advaitya Ltd
c. Adventa Ltd
d. None of the above
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: Advanta Ltd

Explanation:
Fair trade regulatory authority CCI has approved the proposed merger of seed firm Advanta Ltd with agrochemical major UPL. UPL has announced the merger of Advanta as part of the strategy to provide agri solutions through a single entity. Advanta, a group company of UPL is within the development. production and sale of field crop as well as vegetable seeds. CCI has cleared the proposed transaction and considered market for seeds in the nation as a relevant market.