Current Affairs Questions & Answers - Jan 2, 2016

1)   Which country has signed a new anti-terror law allowing members of security forces to open fire on suspects who are women, children and disabled?

a. Australia
b. Russia
c. UK
d. US
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: Russia

Explanation:
Vladmir Putin has signed a fresh anti-terror law permitting members of the security forces to open fire on suspected women, children and disabled terrorists. Amendment to the rules governing the use of force by Federal Security Service has been carried out. Intelligence agents will now take fingerprints on state borders and conduct searchers of any property in the event of suspected terror activity.


2)   Which is the tallest statue of Jesus Christ unveiled on 1st January in Africa?

a. Jesus de Wisest
b. Jesus de Greatest
c. Jesus de Great
d. None of the above
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Jesus de Greatest

Explanation:
Nigeria on 1st January 2016 launched the 9 meter tall statue of Jesus Christ carved from white marble called Jesus de Greatest. The statue weighs at least 40 tonnes and is 30 feet tall located in Abajah village in southeastern Nigeria. The statue was commissioned by Obinna Onuoha, a local businessman who hired a Chinese company to carve it.


3)   Who has taken over as Deputy Chief of Air Staff on 1st January 2016?

a. Air Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh
b. Air Marshal R. K. Singh Bhadauria
c. Air Marshal Vikram Swaroop
d. None of the above
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Air Marshal R. K. Singh Bhadauria

Explanation:
Air Marshall Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria has taken over as Deputy Chief of Air Staff. He is an alumnus of NDA and was commissioned in the IAF in June 1980. Before taking over as DCAS, he was Senior Air Staff Officer at Central Air Command of IAF. He is also an experimental test pilot and pilot attack instructor with 4200 hours of experience on 25 types of fighter and transport aircraft. He has commanded the prestigious NDA in the past. He is also a recipient of the Ati Vishisht Medal and Vayu Sena Medal.


4)   SEBI has recently kicked in a new form for ASBA. What does ASBA stand for?

a. Application Supported by Brokerage Amount
b. Application Sustained by Blocked Amount
c. Application Supported by Blocked Amount
d. None of the above
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: Application Supported by Blocked Amount

Explanation:
The checklist regime has been included for initial public offerings, whereby capital market regulator SEBI has put in place for ASBA or Application Supported by Blocked Amount facility. ASBA facility has become compulsory for all categories of investors applying for public issue for payments from January 1 2016. Facility allows the bid amount to remain in applicants account till the time of the final allocation of the shares.


5)   e-Commerce industry is estimated to be worth USD 38 billion by 2016 according to which industry body?

a. FICCI
b. ASSOCHAM
c. PHDCCI
d. None of the above
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: ASSOCHAM

Explanation:
This is a 67% jump over USD 23 billion revenue for 2015 as per industry body ASSOCHAM. Indian e-commerce market was worth USD 3.8 billion in 2009 and went up to USD 17 billion in 2014 nd USD 23 billion in 2015. It is expected to touch USD38 billion mark by 2016. Enhanced internet and mobile penetration as well as increased acceptability of online payments and desired demographics will provide the e-commerce sector a chance to connect with customers. ASSOCHAM predicts a 5 to 7 fold increase in revenue generated via e-commerce.


6)   Financing agreement for IDA credit of USD 50 million for Nai Manzil Education and Skills Training for Minorities has been signed with which organisation by India?

a. ADB
b. WHO
c. WB
d. AIIB
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: WB

Explanation:
Financing agreement for IDA credit of USD 50 million for the Nai Manzil Education and Skills Training for Minorities was signed with the World Bank. Total project size is USD 100 million from which USD 50 million will be available as IDA credit and the balance will be in funding from the Union Budget. Project has adopted an integrated and holistic approach towards education and skill development for minority youth.


7)   Maharashtra government has inked an MoU with which defence company to boost tourism?

a. Pawan Hans
b. TASL
c. Honeywell
d. Reliance Defence Industries Limited
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: Pawan Hans

Explanation:
An MoU has been signed by Maharashtra Government and Pawan Hans to boost tourist activity in Maharashtra. MoU between MTDC and Pawan Hans was signed on December 30, 2015. Helicopter services will now be available for those looking to visit Elephanta, Ajanta, Ellora, Ganpatipule, Tarkarli and Ammby Valley.


8)   Which two nations have exchanged a list of nuclear installations under a bilateral agreement on 31st December?

a. India and Bangladesh
b. India and Pakistan
c. India and Afghanistan
d. India and Tajikistan
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: India and Pakistan

Explanation:
India and Pakistan exchanged a list of nuclear installations under bilateral agreement which prevented them from attacking each other’s atomic facilities. Two countries also exchanged list of nationals including civil prisoners and fishermen of each country in their jails. The agreement pertaining to nuclear installations which was signed on December 31, 1988 and entered into force on January 27, 1991 entails that the two countries should inform each other of nuclear installations and facilities to be covered under the Agreement on January 1 every year.


9)   One man committee has been constituted by GoI to examine wage, service conditions etc of Gramin Dak Sevaks. Who is heading the committee?

a. Kamlesh Chandra
b. Atul Srivastava
c. T. Q. Mohammad
d. None of the above
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: Kamlesh Chandra

Explanation:
A one man committee will be examining the wage structure, service conditions etc of Gramin Dak Sevaks under DoP constituted by GOI. It will be headed by Retired Member of the Postal Services Board. Shri Kamlesh Chandra Committee will be assisted by T.Q.Mohammad, an SAG officer who will act as secretary to the GDS committee. Department of Post has 2.6 lakh Gramin Dak Sevaks and all of them will come under the purview of the committee.


10)   Which country has created a new army unit to manage missile and nuclear strike capability?

a. China
b. Japan
c. North Korea
d. South Korea
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: China

Explanation:
China has created a new People’s Liberation Army for enlarging missile and nuclear strike capabilities. This will enhance nuclear deterrence and counter strike capacity, medium and long range precision strike ability and strategic check and balance capacity for building a modern rocket force. The new unit will have Wei Fenghe as the commander.


11)   Which Air Force station was attacked by terrorists on 2nd January 2016?

a. Rajkot
b. Pathankot
c. Hindon
d. Yelahanka
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: Pathankot

Explanation:
Police have shot dead 2 terrorists who attacked the Pathankot Air Force station on 2nd January 2016. Terrorists attached the base from a building in a village close by at 4 am. Number of terrorists who launched the attack is said to be 4 to 6. Operation in progress is on to neutralize all of them.


12)   Scientists have discovered a new way to test basic principles of Einstein’s Theory of General Relativity. What is this new method called?

a. Fast Radio Blasts
b. Fast Radio Bursts
c. Rapid Radio Bursts
d. Quick Radio Bursts
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: Fast Radio Bursts

Explanation:
Scientists have discovered a new way for testing basic principles of Einstein’s theory of general relativity through brief blasts of rare radio signals from space. This new method has been described using radio waves called Fast Radio Bursts which is 10 to 100 times better than previous method using gamma ray bursts. This method is a tribute to Albert Einstein on the 100th anniversary of the first formulation of equivalence principle. Fast Radio Bursts are super-brief blasts of energy lasting just a few milliseconds caused by events beyond the Milky Way.