Current Affairs Questions & Answers - Mar 30, 2016

1)   RBI has tweaked the rules for lending rates and stipulated that fixed rate loans of up to how many years will be offered by lenders based on marginal cost of funding?

a. 2
b. 3
c. 4
d. 5
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: 3

Explanation:
RBI has tweaked upcoming new rules for lending rates. The central bank said on 29th March 2016 the fixed rate loans of close to three years offered by lenders will be linked to the marginal cost of funding. Loans above that tenor should be exempt. Earlier, all fixed rate loans have been exempted from being set based on marginal cost of funding. The change will apply to new rules implemented from April 1, 2016.

  • The new rules force lenders to base lending rates on marginal cost of funds
  • It is not based on average cost of funding
  • New rules will force lenders to adjust lending rates in relation to market rates removing the sector’s discretion in making a decision as to how much to charge for loans.


2)   The centre has notified rules pertaining to disposal and recycling of what type of waste, for the first time?

a. Construction waste
b. Demolition Waste
c. Plastic Waste
d. Both a and b
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Both a and b

Explanation:
Taking a huge step towards handling air pollution dust from construction activities, centre has notified the first ever Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules for stipulation of proper disposal and recycling of waste. Rules to be implemented by local civic authorities to reduce pressure on fresh resources and tackle air pollution triggered by dust particles. Littering or obstruction to public drains, water bodies, traffic and direct dumping of construction and demolition waste in landfill sites were prohibited under the rules.

  • Local authorities must commission the construction and demolition waste management rules
  • Massive generators of C&D waste will pay charges for collection, transportation, processing and disposal by concerned authorities.


3)   Which Indian cricketer has invested an undisclosed amount in healthcare technology startup HealthEminds through the fund Caffeine Ventures?

a. Sachin Tendulkar
b. Robin Uthappa
c. Viraat Kohli
d. None of the above
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Robin Uthappa

Explanation:
Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa has invested an undisclosed amount in a healthcare technology startup HealthEminds through the fund Caffeine Ventures. The company founded by Ankita Puri and Sunita Maheshwari focuses on tacking emotional and mental problems. Company has created online platform to counsel individuals through the platform.

  • According to WHO, suicide is the third largest cause of death among 15 to 35 year olds in India
  • Uthappa invested close to INR 1.5 crore in iTiffin


4)   Government has permitted 100% FDI in which sector to attract more foreign investments?

a. e-commerce
b. manufacturing
c. services
d. agriculture
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: e-commerce

Explanation:
Government on 29th March 2016 permitted 100% FDI in the market place format of e-commerce retailing to attract more foreign investments. Guidelines issued by the department of industrial policy and promotion on FDI in e-commerce have not allowed the same in inventory based model of e-commerce however.
DIPP has also defined market place model, inventory based model and e-commerce.

  • Market place model: This model of e-commerce provides IT platform by e-commerce entity on digital and electronic network to facilitate negotiations between buyer and seller
  • Inventory based model of e-commerce: A model where e-commerce activity centres around inventory of services and goods owned by e-commerce industries and sold to consumers directly.
  • It has further been said that e-commerce firm will not be permitted to sell more than 25% of the sales through the market place from one vendor or their group companies
  • Government has also allowed 100 percent FDI in B2B commerce.


5)   Incubator Kstart is partnering which tech major to foster a start up ecosystem in India?

a. IBM
b. Infosys
c. Lenovo
d. Dell
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: IBM

Explanation:
Kstart has partnered tech giant IBM to foster the startup ecosystem in India. This is a initiative of venture capital firm Kalaari Capital along with IBM offering training and mentoring sessions to startups.

  • According to a Nasscom and Zinnoy 2015 report, India is third in the world in terms of number of startups
  • It also has the fastest growing startup base internationally.
  • Kalaari Capital has fund value of USD 650 million and has invested in companies like Myntra, Snapdeal and Urban Ladder.


6)   Which coral reef is experiencing the worst mass bleaching event in history?

a. Australia’s Great Barrier Reef
b. Apo Reef, Phillipines
c. Florida Keys United States
d. None of the above
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Australia’s Great Barrier Reef

Explanation:
Most pristine section of the Great Barrier Reef is experiencing the worst mass bleaching event in history
Only 4 of the reefs had no bleaching
Results are based on aerial surveys of more than 500 coral reefs.

  • Coral reefs are found from Cairns in Australia to Papua New Guinea
  • Some of the world’s largest coral reefs are found in Australia, Philippines, United States, Caribbean Basin, Red Sea, New Caledonia and Indian Ocean.
  • Coral bleaching occurs when abnormal environmental conditions, like heightened sea temperatures cause corals to expel tiny photosynthetic algae, called ‘zooxanthellae’.
  • The loss of these colourful algae causes the corals to turn white, and ‘bleach’.
  • Bleached corals can recover if the temperature drops and zooxanthellae are able to re-colonise them, otherwise the coral may die.


7)   PM Modi will activate Asia’s largest general purpose optical telescope installed at which location?

a. Devsthal
b. Nainital
c. Dehradun
d. Chandigarh
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Devsthal

Explanation:
PM Narendra Modi has activated Asia’s largest general purpose optical telescope installed in Devsthal 60 km from Nainital.

The telescope will be activated through Remote Technical Activation when the PM visits Belgium on March 30.

India-Belgium ARIES (Aryabhatta Research Institute for Observational Sciences) Telescope will soon be launched.

  • Any telescope undergoes three phases to become fully operational-Assembly, Integration and Verification. The ARIES has completed all the three phases on February 29.
  • The general purpose optical telescope of diameter 3.6 meter and with 150 tonnes will help in the study and exploration of starts, planets, magnetic field and astronomical debris.
  • The mirror of the 3.6 diameter optical telescope has been entirely 'coated' in by the scientists and technicians of ARIES in the coating facility which became operational in January 2015.
  • The second largest 'general purpose' optical telescope is also installed in India in Kavalur by Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bengaluru. The largest specific purpose telescope in Asia is in China with 4 meter diameter.


8)   Which court in Bangladesh upheld the status of Islam as State religion?

a. Dhaka HC
b. District Court
c. Supreme Court
d. None of the above
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: Supreme Court

Explanation:
Supreme Court of Bangladesh on 28th March 2016 upheld the status of Islam as a state religion

Ruling was given out of High Court division of the court while dismissing the petition filed by S.N. Goswami.

The legality of the constitutional provision of Islam as state religion despite secularism as a fundamental state policy under a 2011 amendment to the Constitution was challenged by Goswami.

  • Bangladesh was formed in 1971. As per 2011 census, 87% of the population here is Muslim
  • In 2010, the Supreme Court restored secularism as one of the basic tenets of the constitution and declared the 5th amendment as illegal. However, the provision relating to Islam as the State religion remains untouched.


9)   Defence Procurement Policy has allowed which council to fast track route for acquiring new weapons?

a. Defence Arms Council
b. Defence Acquisition Council
c. Defence Arms Conference
d. None of the above
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Defence Acquisition Council

Explanation:
The policy has been formed with the aim to facilitate fast track acquisition and provide a push for the Make in India initiative.

It has introduced an Indian Designed, Developed and Manufactured (IDDM) category which will benefit the local units.

Parrikar said defence export clearances are to be granted online. He said the policy will also include ‘Start-up India’ initiative.

  • The new DPP would help India reduce its dependency on foreign countries and source defence equipment within the country.
  • The new DPP also allows the Defence Acquisition Council to take the “fast-track” route to acquire weapons.


10)   India has signed how many bilateral or unilateral APAs?

a. 57
b. 58
c. 59
d. 60
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: 59

Explanation:
This brings the total number of APAs India has entered to 59. Advance Pricing Agreement programme was introduced by Finance Act 2012 for providing predictable and non adversarial tax regime. The aim is also to reduce litigation in the Indian transfer pricing regime.