Current Affairs Questions & Answers - Mar 31, 2016

1)   India will establish the first Indian chair in the Arab world in which country?

a. Syria
b. Dubai
c. Bahrain
d. Egypt
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Egypt

Explanation:
India will establish the first Indian chair in the Arab world at the prestigious Ain Shams University of Egypt. MoU has been signed between Indian Ambassador to Egypt Sanjay Bhattacharya and Prof Abel Wahab Ezzat of the ASU. ICCR Chair will be the first in the Arab world. Under the agreement, ICCR in conjunction with ASU will appoint an Indian academician to hold the chair.

  • Chair would commence from September 2016; it will form the basis of cooperation between India and Egypt for academic exchanges
  • ASU is the third largest Egyptian university; it was founded in 1950
  • Recently, the university also commenced teaching of Hindi and use of Devanagari script.


2)   Which US actress famous for playing Helen Keller in The Miracle Worker has died at age 69?

a. Patty Duke
b. Cathy Duke
c. Anna Marie Patty Duke
d. Both a and c are the same
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Both a and c are the same

Explanation:
Duke (born Anna Marie Patty Duke) who an Oscar for playing Helen Keller in The Miracle Worker in 1963, has died aged 69. As well as a best supporting actress Oscar, Duke won an Emmy in 1980 for playing Helen Keller’s teacher in a TV movie version.

  • She also started in the Patty Duke Show in the 1960s.
  • She is the mother of actor Sean Astin who played Sam in the Lord of the Rings trilogy
  • She has undergone a heart bypass in 2004 and died from sepsis of a ruptured intestine.


3)   Government has launched which index to mark the next chapter of its flagship campaign Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan?

a. Inclusiveness and Accessibility Index
b. Poverty Alleviation and Inclusiveness Index
c. Index for Poverty Alleviation and Accessibility
d. None of the above
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: Inclusiveness and Accessibility Index

Explanation:
This index was launched to mark the next chapter of the flagship campaign, Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan . Index was launched by Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu, Union Ministry for Urban Devekioment, Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation and Parliamentary Affairs.

  • Inclusiveness and accessibility index is to help companies participate in the Accessible India campaign by examining how accessible the workplace is to PwD
  • 3rd December 2015 marks the International Day of Persons with Disabilities
  • Index aims at assessing inclusiveness and accessibility of persons with disabilities by an organisation.


4)   ADAG Group’s Reliance Defence Ltd has signed a agreement to set up a JV with which Israeli company?

a. Rafael
b. Elbit
c. Fusion
d. None of the above
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: Rafael

Explanation:
ADAG led Reliance Defence Ltd and Rafael Advanced Defence Systems Ltd of Israel have decided to set up a joint venture company in India in the highly specialized areas of air-to-air missiles, air defence systems and large aerostats, that will oversee projects worth USD 10 billion (over INR 65,000 crore) in ten years.

  • Project will have outlay of INR 1300 crore
  • Strategic partnership will mark the entry of Reliance Defence in the complex field of air-to-air and air defence systems manufacturing in India
  • This is one of the biggest JVs between an Indian company with original equipment and an Israeli company in specialised areas of air-to-air missiles, air defence systems and large aerostats
  • New venture will be in Indore, MP and generate close to 3000 jobs


5)   Tata Steel Europe is currently the ______ largest steel maker in the EU

a. second
b. third
c. fourth
d. fifth
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: second

Explanation:
After acquiring Corus to become EU’s second largest steel maker, Tata Steel has announced plans to sell the UK business. Board of one of the largest steelmakers in the world met to assess what to do regarding the deteriorating financial position of the company.

  • Tata acquired Corus, now Tata Steep Europe in April 2007
  • European major was formed by merger of British Steel and Dutch firm Koninklijke Hoogovens in 1999.


6)   Which Japanese company has entered into a partnership with Virtusa Corporation, an IT firm?

a. Hitachi
b. Sony
c. Maruti
d. Toshiba
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: Hitachi

Explanation:
The partnership is to provide joint services to global clients and the market. Part of the collaboration involves joint provision of value to clients by Hitachi and Virtusa through increase in operational and technology efficiency and enhancing functionality

  • Hitachi provides IT solutions through combination of various products and services internationally.
  • Both firms have been working together since 2015.


7)   USAID and ADB have signed an MoU for promoting which type of parks across India?

a. Technology
b. IT
c. Software
d. Solar
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: Solar

Explanation:
US Agency for International Development and Asian Development Bank signed an MoU to provide USD 848 million funding for development of solar parks across India. USAID technical activities will help create investments for construction of transmission infrastructure for renewable energy deployment in western Rajasthan,” the release said.

  • The government has set a target of 175 Gigawatts of installed renewable energy capacity by 2022. Of this 100 GW is to come from solar power.
  • The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has said that it plans to set up 25 solar parks with a total capacity of 20,000 MW by 2020.


8)   European Union will lend India USD 450 million through EIB. What does EIB stand for?

a. Europe International Bank
b. European Investment Bank
c. Europe Investing Bank
d. None of the above
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: European Investment Bank

Explanation:
The European Union, through the European Investment Bank (EIB), will lend India €450 million (approximately INR 3,300 crore) towards constructing a 23-km long Lucknow Metro rail line and a purchasing a fleet of new trains.

  • The EIB is the EU’s official bank and the world’s biggest international public bank, and its loan will cover half of the total project costs for the Lucknow Metro.
  • The first tranche of €200 million was signed on March 30th, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Brussels, as part of the 13th India EU Summit.
  • The remaining tranches will be disbursed over the course of the project.
  • Lucknow’s Metro is expected to increase the public transport mode share from 10% to 27% in the city of 3 million.
  • This marks the largest transport loan outside Europe for 10 years and EIB’s first sovereign loan to India


9)   Adani Aero Defence has signed a pact with Elbit-ISTAR and Alpha Design Technologies to work in the field of UAS in India. What does UAS stand for?

a. Unmanned Aircraft Systems
b. Unmanned Aerial Systems
c. Unmanned Aeroplane Systems
d. Unmanned Avian Systems
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: Unmanned Aircraft Systems

Explanation:
The company has partnered Elbit-ISTAR and Alpha Design Technologies with which it has signed a statement of intent to cooperate and work together in the field of UAS in India, aligned to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Make in India’ initiative, Adani Enterprises noted in a statement.

  • UAS provides multi functional capability of see and hear to provide information to fighters and net security providers
  • Statement of Intent seeks to realise the dream of Make in India
  • Adani Aero Defence is a completely owned subsidiary of Adani Enterprises
  • Israel based Elbit Systems Ltd is an international high technology company engaged in wide range of homeland security, defence and commercial programmes across the world
  • Elbit Systems is an Israel based international technology company
  • Alpha Design Technologies specialises in design, development and production of numerous types of defence, electronics and avionics equipments and systems
  • Adani is one of India’s leading business houses with revenue of over USD 10 billion


10)   Which company is set to acquire Sharp Corp?

a. Baidu
b. Redmi
c. Foxconn
d. None of the above
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: Foxconn

Explanation:
Taiwanese firm Foxconn is set to acquire Sharp Corp getting a big discount to the original offer

  • Foxconn was formerly known s Hon Hai Precision Industry Co
  • The company is likely to cut its initial 489 billion yen offer for 100 billion yen after two third stake has been acquired
  • This deal is the largest acquisition of a Japanese tech firm by a foreign company
  • The 100 year old company in Japan’s insular tech industry will now come under foreign ownership


11)   Union Minister Smriti Irani conferred an honorary degree on which sportsperson on 30th March 2016?

a. MC Mary Kom
b. Vijender Singh
c. Viraat Kohli
d. Mahendra Singh Dhoni
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: MC Mary Kom

Explanation:
Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani conferred a honorary degree to Olympian and 5 time boxing world champion MC Mary Kom. Degree of Doctor of Letters (honoris cause) of NEHU was awarded to Mary Kom in recognition of her massive achievement in sports

  • The first lady UPSC chairman Rose Milliam Bathew was also honoured for contribution in the concerned field
  • The degrees were conferred at the 23rd convocation of NEHU.


12)   Which two states accounted for 46% of exports in FY2015, according to an ASSOCHAM study?

a. Kerala, Karnataka
b. Maharashtra, Gujarat
c. Bihar, Uttar Pradesh
d. Rajasthan, West Bengal
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: Maharashtra, Gujarat

Explanation:
Maharashtra and Gujarat accounted for 46% of exports in FY 2015. Two states namely Maharashtra and Gujarat accounted for a majority of merchandise exports from the country in 2014-2015industry lobby ASSOCHAM said. Next 3 states were TN, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

  • Top 5 states claimed 69% of the export earnings of the country in the previous fiscal
  • Export earnings in 2014-2015 were pegged at USD 310 billion
  • In growth percentage terms, UP topped the list with Haryana coming second
  • Indicating importance of SEZ in attaining higher export, report noted 3/4th of operational SEZs are found in the top 5 export states.


13)   India and World Bank have signed a USD 1.5 billion loan pact for which mission?

a. Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan
b. Swachh Bharat Mission
c. Make in India
d. Start Up India
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: Swachh Bharat Mission

Explanation:
India and WB have signed a USD 1.5 billion loan pact for the Swachh Bhaarat Mission to support universal sanitation initiative. Pact for the SBM Support Operation Project involves helping citizens in rural areas to access improved sanitation.

  • Project will support the rural component called SMB Gramin over 5 years using a new performance based programme
  • Close to 60 percent of India’s population lives in rural areas
  • The project will be coordinated by MDWS


14)   ADB has cut India’s growth forecast to what figure for 2016-2017?

a. 7.3
b. 7.4
c. 7.5
d. 7.6
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: 7.4

Explanation:
ADB has cut India’s growth forecast to 7.4% for 2016-2017 and global headwinds will pull down the growth rate in the next fiscal. ADB has pegged growth at 7.8% in the earlier instance.

  • ADB’s Asian Development Outlook also projected a rise in consumer inflation
  • This is chiefly on account of the impact of salary hike on government employees and likely mid pick up in global oil prices
  • Indian Finance Ministry has estimated growth to by between 7 to 7.5 percent in the next fiscal year and India is currently one of the fastest growing economies in the world.


15)   Which mobile telecom company has signed a pact to purchase YOU Broadband for INR 400 crore?

a. Airtel
b. Vodafone
c. Idea
d. Aircel
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Vodafone

Explanation:
Vodafone India has signed a pact to purchase YOU broadband for INR 400 crore and sought approval from FIPB, according to reports. This is part of the company’s effort to increase its cable or fixed line network.


16)   Tribunal set up called the Unlawful Activities (Prevention Tribunal) has upheld a ban on which Naga based organisation?

a. NSCN
b. NSCN(IM)
c. NSCN(K)
d. Nagalim
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: NSCN(K)

Explanation:
The Unlawful Activities Prevention Tribunal comprising a Delhi HC judge was set up to assess whether there is sufficient cause for declaring NSCN(K) an unlawful association under sub-section (1) of Section 3 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.

  • It has upheld the ban on NSCN (K) for 5 years
  • MHA on September 16, 2015 declared NSCN (K) an unlawful organisation for 5 years after breaking the unilateral ceasefire by attacking the India Army on June 4.


17)   Which portfolio(s) have/has been assigned to Aung San Suu Kyi?

a. Foreign Minister
b. Education Minister
c. Electricity and Energy Minister
d. All of the above
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: All of the above

Explanation:
Htin Kyaw, a confidante of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, was sworn in on March 30, 2016 as Myanmar’s President, ushering in the first democratically elected government into office after decades of military rule.

  • Htin Kyaw will be remembered as the first civilian president of Myanmar and the head of its first government to be elected in free and fair elections.
  • According to reports. Suu Kyi will hold the following portfolios- Foreign Affairs, President Office, Education and Electricity and Energy.


18)   Which family does a sand eating tadpole living in total darkness discovered on March 30, 2016 belong to?

a. Indian Dancing frog family
b. Indian Jumping frog family
c. Micrixalidae
d. Both a and c
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Both a and c

Explanation:
The researchers have discovered a sand-eating tadpole that lives in total darkness, until it fully develops into a young frog. S.D. Biju from the University of Delhi said in a statement: “We provide the first confirmed report of the tadpoles of Indian Dancing frog family. These tadpoles probably remained unnoticed all these years because of their fossorial nature, which in itself is a rare occurrence in the amphibian world.”

  • Researchers from University of Delhi, the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka and Gettysburg College, California discovered and documented the tadpole in the peer-reviewed PLOS One, an open-access journal.
  • Tadpoles belong to Micrixalidae or Indian Dancing Frog Family
  • They are called so because of their habit of waving legs as a sign of territorial or sexual display while sitting on boulders in streams


19)   Which famous singer entered the entered the Guinness Book of Records for singing 17695 songs in 12 Indian languages?

a. P. Susheela Mohan
b. Asha Bhosle
c. Lata Mangeshkar
d. None of the above
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: P. Susheela Mohan

Explanation:
While the Guinness Book of Records officially recorded her for singing 17695 songs (solo, duet and chorus backed songs) in twelve Indian languages, Asia Book of Records provided renovation to her for singing 17330 songs.

  • Pulapaka Susheela Mohan, known as P. Susheela, is an Indian playback singer.
  • She is associated with the South Indian cinema for over 60 years.
  • She is the first playback singer to receive National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer in the 1960s and thereafter on multiple occasions
  • She was awarded the Padma Bhushan by the GoI


20)   India’s first indigenous composition _____ dome was flagged off by the Defence Ministry on March 30, 2016.

a. Sonic
b. Sonar
c. Solar
d. Lunar
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Sonar

Explanation:
India’s first indigenous composites sonar dome, a ship’s underwater eyes and ears, was on 30th March flagged off by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar to be delivered to Mazgaon docks in Mumbai.

  • Designed and produced by a Defence and Research Development Organisation (DRDO) lab in Pune, the sonar dome is a first of its kind in the country and has been manufactured by a composites manufacturing company.
  • This marks the first time this technology has been indigenously developed in India