General Awareness Test (July - 15) - Set 8

1)   Name the city that became the first city to start online police verification for passport?

a. Jaipur
b. Delhi
c. Bengaluru
d. Panaji
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: Bengaluru

Explanation:
The police officer will match biometric data, photo, and address of the applicant in the NPR, Aadhar data and check criminal antecedent on CCTNS, a comprehensive database for crimes and criminals that connects around 14,000 police stations across the country.


2)   Who has been appointed as the new Chairman of TRAI on 27th July’15?

a. Ajit Doval
b. R S Sharma
c. S K Banerjee
d. Rajesh Singh
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: R S Sharma

Explanation:
He is an IAS officer of 1978 Jharkhand batch and replaces Rahul Khullar, who had retired in May.


3)   In which city Indian Institute of Management (IIM) was inaugurated on 26th July’15?

a. Shillong
b. Pune
c. Shimla
d. Nagpur
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: Nagpur

Explanation:
It is Maharashtra's first IIM and is being mentored by IIM Ahmedabad. It will start its first batch with 60 students from a temporary campus in Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology this week.


4)   In which country the political parties have agreed to remove the word “Secularism” from their new constitution?

a. India
b. Cuba
c. Pakistan
d. Nepal
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: Nepal

Explanation:
A majority of people wanted the word to be replaced by "Hindu" or "religious freedom," according to Nepal’s Constituent Assembly. Nepal was declared a secular country in 2007 after Nepal’s hardcore Unified Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist joined mainstream politics after a decade-long insurgency that killed over 13,000 people.


5)   On which automobile company, Competition Commission of India (CCI) has imposed a penalty of 420 crore rupees for unfair trade practices?

a. Hyundai Motor India
b. TATA Motors
c. Mahindra Automobiles
d. Renault India
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: Hyundai Motor India

Explanation:
The Commission found that the company is guilty of indulging in anti-competitive practices as it did not make genuine spare parts freely available in the open market.


6)   Name the company that is bidding adieu its social network product which had launched four years ago hoping it would become a serious rival to Facebook?

a. Microsoft
b. Google
c. Yahoo
d. Rediff
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: Google

Explanation:
Google is bidding adieu to Google Plus, a social network that the American search engine had launched four years ago hoping it would become a serious rival to Facebook. The company announced its most drastic step for breaking up Google Plus on 27thJuly’15. The reason being it did not perform up to the mark as expected.


7)   Indian Post to Release Series of Stamps on well known __________

a. Actors, Writers, Freedom Fighters, Politicians and Dancers
b. Doctors, Engineers, Writers, Painters and Dancers
c. Singers, Writers, Freedom Fighters, Painters and Dancers
d. Singers, Dancers, Architects, Martyrs, Writers and Freedom Fighters
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Singers, Writers, Freedom Fighters, Painters and Dancers

Explanation:
The philatelic advisory committee which met under the Chairmanship of Minister for Communication & IT, Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad 27th July’15 also decided that stamps with picture postcards may be release on tourist places in India such as Taj Mahal, Ajanta and Ellora, Belur Math, Khajuraho etc.


8)   On 28th July’15 former cricketer Clive Rice died. He played cricket for which country?

a. West Indies
b. Australia
c. Zimbabwe
d. South Africa
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: South Africa

Explanation:
Former all-rounder Clive Rice, the first post-apartheid captain of South Africa, died in Johannerburg. An official from national cricket association of South Africa said that Rice, who had been suffering from a brain tumour, played most of his cricket during South Africa's 20-year isolation from the international game. When South Africa returned to the international fold in November 1991, Rice was appointed captain of a team which played three one-day internationals (ODIs) in India.


9)   Who cancelled Sahara Mutual Fund license on 28th July’15?

a. Supreme Court
b. SEBI
c. BSE
d. CRISIL
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: SEBI

Explanation:
The Securities and Exchange Board of India has cancelled Sahara asset Management Company’s license. The market regulator in its order said that the company is not fit and proper entity to carry out the business of mutual fund. It said, Sahara’s fund management license would stand cancelled after 60 days from the date of the order. It has directed Sahara AMC not to take any new subscription from the investors including existing investors in systematic investment plans and also not to levy any penalties on the investors for not depositing the installments.


10)   With which bank, the Government of India on 28th July’15 signed a $300 million loan to support the government’s flagship program, the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) that is aimed at improving the health status of the country’s urban population?

a. Asian Development Bank
b. World Bank
c. BRICS Bank
d. European Central Bank
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: Asian Development Bank

Explanation:
The loan – Supporting National Urban Health Mission – will reinforce ongoing government efforts under the NUHM to develop health systems in urban areas that can deliver quality health services and that reach the urban poor and vulnerable. It will focus on strengthening primary health care and also promote better coordination between health and urban sectors and opportunities for public-private partnerships.


11)   The Union Cabinet has approved amendments proposed by Rajya Sabha Select Committee on Goods and Services Tax, GST Constitution Amendment Bill. For how many years, the amendments include compensation to the states for any revenue loss due to introduction of GST?

a. 3 years
b. Upto 5 years
c. 5 years
d. Upto 10 years
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: 5 years

Explanation:
The amendments include compensation to the states for 5 years instead of upto 5 years for any revenue loss due to introduction of GST.


12)   For recruitment of which post Indian Air Force on 29th July launched a dedicated website?

a. Airmen Cadre
b. JCO
c. Flying Officer
d. Pilot
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Airmen Cadre

Explanation:
The website airmenselection.gov.in was launched by Air Officer-in-Charge Personnel, Air Marshal S Neelakantan and dedicated to the nation today. Now aspiring candidates for airmen selection would be able to apply online for all recruitment tests.


13)   Which of the following persons have won the Ramon Magsaysay Award for the year 2015?

a. Kailash Satyarthi & Sanjiv Chaturvedi
b. Sanjiv Chaturvedi & Anshu Gupta
c. Anshu Gupta & Anu Kapoor
d. Anu Kapoor & Kailash Satyarthi
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: Sanjiv Chaturvedi & Anshu Gupta

Explanation:
Sanjiv Chaturvedi, former Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO) at AIIMS and Anshu Gupta, founder of NGO Goonj are among the people who have been awarded the Ramon Magsaysay Award for 2015. In 2014, Chaturvedi was relieved from the additional charge of CVO, although he continued to retain the Deputy Director post at AIIMS. He had alleged that his removal from the CVO post was a result of campaign by corrupt officials.

Anshu Gupta is being recognised for creative vision in transforming the culture of giving in India, his enterprising leadership in treating in cloth as a sustainable development resource for the poor and in reminding the world that true giving always respects and preserves human dignity.


14)   Where would the last rites of former President APJ Abdul Kalam be held on 30th July’15?

a. Chidambaram
b. Chennai
c. Medak
d. Rameshwaram
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: Rameshwaram

Explanation:
Rameshwaram was the hometown of APJ Abdul Kalam.


15)   On 29th July’15, the Supreme Court confirmed its decision of commuting the death sentence to life imprisonment of three persons convicted of killing former Prime Minister _________.

a. Indira Gandhi
b. Lal Bahadur Shashtri
c. Rajiv Gandhi
d. Sanjay Gandhi
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: Rajiv Gandhi

Explanation:
The apex Court dismissed the curative petition filed by the Centre which was seeking a review of the decision in February last year. In February last year, the Court had commuted the death sentence of three persons - Santhan, Murugan and Perarivalan, citing the 11-year delay in deciding their mercy petitions. The three convicts are lodged in a Vellore prison. Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated on 21st May’1921 in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu.


16)   Name the new operating system launched by the Microsoft on 29th July’15?

a. Windows 8.2
b. Windows 8.5
c. Windows 9.1
d. Windows 10
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: Windows 10

Explanation:
Windows 10 will be offered as a free upgrade to most consumers. According to a Microsoft statement, upgrading to Windows 10 would be easy for customers having a genuine Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 PC or tablet. Microsoft said the Windows 10 is the most secure Windows ever. Armed with new innovative features like Cortana, an Xbox app and Microsoft Edge, the software would be available in 190 nations.


17)   In Pakistan, the chief of banned outfit Malik Ishaq has been killed in an encounter with the police in Punjab province. He was the
chief of which group?


a. Jaish-e-Jihaad
b. Lashkar-i-Jhangvi
c. Lashkar-e-Taiba
d. Al-Qaida
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: Lashkar-i-Jhangvi

Explanation:
Ishaq was on a US list of global terrorists and the group he founded has claimed responsibility for the deaths of hundreds of civilians. The police said Ishaq's two sons and eleven top members of the group linked to al-Qaeda were also killed in the encounter in Muzaffargarh district. Ishaq has been accused of masterminding dozens of attacks against the minority Shia community.


18)   For which programme Patna High Court has directed the Bihar government not to go for audio-video recording and its display which aimed at preparing vision document on development for the state till 2025?

a. Badh Chala Bihar
b. Bihar Vikas Path
c. Sabka Bihar
d. Viksit Bihar
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: Badh Chala Bihar

Explanation:
A division bench of Chief Justice L Narsimha Reddy and Justice Anjana Mishra issued the directive to Bihar government after hearing a PIL filed in this regard.


19)   With effect from which day, the Government has finalised arrangements to extend and implement the e-Tourist Visa facility to the passport holders of People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong Administrative Region and Macau Special Administrative Region?

a. 1st Aug’15
b. 31st July’15
c. 30th July’15
d. 29th July’15
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: 30th July’15

Explanation:
The e-Tourist Visa scheme launched by the Government of India on the November 27, 2015 has been extended to 77 countries/territories so far. The total number of countries/territories covered under the e-Tourist Visa scheme will go up from 74 to 77, with the inclusion of these countries/territories.


20)   World Hepatitis Day was observed on ______.

a. 25th July
b. 28th July
c. 30th July
d. 1st August
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: 28th July

Explanation:
The theme for this year was ‘Prevent Hepatitis, Act Now’.


21)   Which automaker company becomes the world’s biggest automaker in the first half of the year 2015?

a. Volkswagen
b. Toyota
c. Hyundai
d. General Motors
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: Volkswagen

Explanation:
Volkswagen surpassed Toyota as the world's largest automaker in the first half of 2015, fulfilling a long-held goal, but the achievement came at a cost. Volkswagen sold 5.04 million vehicles in the first six months of the year, edging Toyota's 5.02 million.


22)   Name the application launched by IITM to enhance public awareness on the hazards of air pollution?

a. SAFAR
b. SAFAR-AIR
c. TROPICAL
d. TROPICAL-AIR
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: SAFAR-AIR

Explanation:
The application provides site-specific information on air quality and the weather forecast for the next 24 hours in Delhi, Pune and Mumbai.


23)   What increase has been observed in the country’s forest cover?

a. 1435 sq km
b. 5871 sq km
c. 2399 sq km
d. 3741 sq km
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: 5871 sq km

Explanation:
Quoting the latest report on the state of forests in India, Environment and Forest Minister Prakash Javadekar on 30th July’15 said that the total forest cover in the country is 697,898 square kilometres which is over 21 percent of its total geographical area. Among the metropolitan cities, Delhi tops with 180 square kilometres of forests followed by Bengaluru with 97 square kilometres, Hyderabad with 88 square kilometres. Mumbai has over 86 square kilometres of forest area while Chandigarh‘s forest cover stands at 34 square kilometres.


24)   In which country, India has given a grant of 50,000 U.S. dollars to the Satyajit Ray Film and Study Centre for conducting lectures, workshops and film screenings?

a. UK
b. USA
c. Russia
d. China
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: USA

Explanation:
India has given a grant of $50,000 to the Satyajit Ray Film and Study Centre at the University of California, Santa Cruz, USA for conducting lectures, workshops and film screenings. Likewise, the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Washington, D.C. has been given 70,000 U.S. dollars to support a lecture series on rising India. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj gave this information in the Rajya Sabha on 30th July’15.


25)   As per the 'World Population Prospects: The 2015 Revision' launched at the UN Headquarters in New York on 29th July’15, within how many years the population of India is expected to surpass that of China?

a. 2 years
b. 5 years
c. 6 years
d. 7 years
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: 7 years

Explanation:
The 'World Population Prospects: The 2015 Revision' launched at the UN Headquarters in New York yesterday projected that within seven years, the population of India is expected to surpass that of China. Currently, the population of China is approximately 1. 38 billion compared with 1.31 billion in India. Around and after 2022, India's population is projected to continue growing for several decades to 1.5 billion in 2030 and 1.7 billion in 2050, while the population of China is expected to remain fairly constant until the 2030s, after which it is expected to slightly decrease. According to the forecast issued in 2013, India was expected to surpass China's population by 2028 but the latest report predicts that India will overtake its Asian rival six years early by 2022.


26)   Name the cyclonic storm that hit the Bangladesh coast resulting into high alert in West Bengal and Odisha?

a. Great Bhola Cyclone
b. Hooghly River Cyclone
c. Komen Cyclone
d. Nina Cyclone
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: Komen Cyclone

Explanation:
Cyclonic storm named Komen over the northeast Bay of Bengal is moving northwestwards. Met department said the cyclonic storm has made landfall and is in the process of crossing Bangladesh coast between Hatia and Sandwip. Northern part of the cloud band already lies over land.


27)   Who is the author of the book ‘Sleeping on Jupiter’ shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize 2015?

a. Kiran Bedi
b. Jhumpa Lahiri
c. Anuradha Roy
d. Aseem Rai
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: Anuradha Roy

Explanation:
The book is based on the malaise of sexual abuse in India.


28)   Name the online payment site that won the sponsorship rights of Board of Control for Cricket in India for Rs. 203 Crore?

a. Freecharge
b. PayTm
c. PayU
d. PayPal
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: PayTm

Explanation:
No explanation is available for this question!


29)   What is the name of the project that is an ambitious project of the Union Finance Ministry to bring into net black money hoarders and tax evaders by using optimum technology?

a. Project Insight
b. Project Black Money
c. Project Money Laundering
d. Project Monitoring
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: Project Insight

Explanation:
For this project ministry recently floated a tender worth over Rs. 150 crore to buy data analytics software and related infrastructure. It will primarily track the Permanent Account Numbers (PAN) being quoted on financial transactions and tally them with income tax filings.


30)   What percent of FDI equity inflows rise during April-May’15 period?

a. 14%
b. 29%
c. 36%
d. 40%
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: 40%

Explanation:
In the first two months of the current fiscal - April to May 2015, the FDI equity flow was 7.4 billion U.S. dollars, an increase of 40 percent as compare to 5.3 billion U.S. dollars received during the same period in April-May 2014.


31)   Name the country from which the maximum equity came into India during 2014-15?

a. Mauritius
b. Japan
c. USA
d. China
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: Mauritius

Explanation:
The top ten countries from where the equity flows came are Mauritius, Japan, USA, Germany, France, Russia, China, South Korea, Canada and Australia.


32)   Name the state that has attracted maximum FDI flows during 2014-15?

a. Gujarat
b. Karnataka
c. Delhi NCR
d. Maharashtra
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: Delhi NCR

Explanation:
The top five states to attract FDI flows in 2014-15 were Delhi NCR, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Gujarat.


33)   Which bank has acquired the Sharekhan.com- broking and trading company?

a. HSBC
b. BNP Paribas
c. Deutsche Bank
d. ING Vysya
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: BNP Paribas

Explanation:
Mumbai based Sharekhan has been valued at Rs. 2200 Crore.


34)   On 31st July’15, Maharashtra govt. announces construction of 800 kms Nagpur-Mumbai expressway. This expressway will also be known as ___________.

a. Vidharbha Marg
b. Marathwada-Vidarbha Expressway
c. Communication Super Expressway
d. Trade Silk Road
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: Communication Super Expressway

Explanation:
This project would be completed in coming five years and the travel time between the state capital and second capital would be brought down from 14 hours to 10 hours. This super-expressway will become a road to development for the backwards regions of northern Maharashtra, Marathwada and Vidarbha in the state.


35)   In which city the integrated underwater harbour defence and surveillance system was commissioned on 31st July’15 to strengthen security on the western coastline?

a. Mumbai
b. Kochi
c. Kachh
d. Pondicherry
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Kochi

Explanation:
According to Defence sources, this system is first of its kind in the country and also part of Navy’s initiative to strengthen coastal security. The system is capable of detecting, identifying, tracking and generating warning for all types of surface and underwater threats to harbour security. It was designed by Israel Aerospace Industries and consists of advance coastal surveillance radars, sensors and sound navigation and ranging systems. Presence of divers and under water threats could be detected with the help of this automatic system.

Such a system is fitted in over 150 locations across the world. Kochi is the first harbour in the country to commission this integrated surveillance system. It will be commissioned in other parts also in the later stage.


36)   As per the statement made by Minister of state for Finance Jayant Singh in the Lok Sabha how many women directors are there in listed companies of the country as on 27th July’15?

a. 267
b. 3785
c. 599
d. 1453
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: 3785

Explanation:
The Companies Act 2013 provides that every listed company having paid up share capital of 100 crore rupees or more or turnover of 300 crore rupees or more, shall appoint at least one women director.