LATEST CURRENT AFFAIRS FOR THE COMPETITIVE EXAMS

LATEST CURRENT AFFAIRS FOR THE COMPETITIVE EXAMS

1. Maldives on 4 January 2012 lifted ban on Spas in the upmarket tourist destination. Consider the following statements:

i) The tourism industry is an important foreign exchange earner in the Maldives.
ii) Maldives in 2011 received more than 850000 tourists.

Choose the right option:
a)    Both i and ii are correct.
b)    Only i is correct.
c)    Only ii is correct.
d)    Neither i nor ii is correct.
Answer: (a) Both i and ii are correct


2.  India signed MoU( Memorandum of Understanding) on tourism with ASEAN on 12 January 2012. The agreement took place in__.

a) Manado
b) Jakarta
c) Malaysia
d) Manila
Answer: (a) Manado

3. Pravasi Bhartiya Divas-2012 was held in Jaipur. Jaipur is the capital of which one of the following states?

a) Rajasthan
b) Bihar
c) UP
d) Bihar
Answer: (a) Rajasthan

4.  India and Japan on 12 January 2012 agreed to enhance their cooperation in the ___sector.

a) Infrastructure
b) Tourism
c) Road and Transport
d) Coal and Mining
Answer: (a) Infrastructure

5. Newly crowned Miss Belgium 2012, Laura Beyne mentioned that she mostly supports gay marriages. In which year did Belgium become the second country after the Netherlands to legalize gay marriage?

a.    2000
b.    2003
c.    2005
d.    2009
Answer: (b)

6. TiE Chennai (The Indus Entrepreneurs), dedicated to promote entrepreneurship in January 2012 launched a book Dream to destiny — the driving spirit of Chennai's entrepreneurs in January 2012. TiE Chennai is a _.

a.    Non-profit organisation
b.    Committee of Entrepreneurs
c.    Multinational organisation
d.    Entrepreneur arm of the Commerce Ministry
Answer: (a)

7.    State-run Northern Coalfields (NCL) agreed to surrender land required to mine two blocks attached to the Sasan ultra mega power plant to which of the following companies giving the comapany the benefit of over Rs 6000 crore over the life of the venture?

a.    Reliance Power
b.    Adani Power
c.    Birla Power Solutions
d.    DLF Power
Answer: (a)

8.    Which car took home the crown of Indian Car Of The Year 2012 in January 2012?

a.    Toyota Etios Liva          b.    Maruti Suzuki Swift    c.    Hyundai Verna  d.    Hyundai Eon

Answer: (b)

9. B. D. Park was appointed the President and CEO of this electronic major’s South West Asia Operations and Managing Director of its India operations. Which electronic major is in question here?

a. Phillips
b. Videocon
c. Samsung
d. LG
Answer: (c)

10.    Maldives authorities allowed Male International Airport operator to collect airport development and insurance charges from passengers, nearly a month after a local court barred the Bangalore-based company from doing so. Name the operator.

a.    GMR Infrastructure
b.    International Air Transport Association (IATA) 
c.    Fraport AG
d.    DIAL
Answer: (a)

11.    Which French construction major entered the Indian market by buying out 100 per cent stake in NAPC, a Chennai-based construction company?

a.    Sinopec Engineering
b.    Uhde
c.    Vinci
d.    Snamprogetti
Answer: (c)

12.    According to the draft sports policy of this state Government released on 11 January 2012, a special life-time achievement award, in memory of G.V. Raja, the founder-president of the State Sports Council  is to be instituted. Which State is being referred to?

a.    Karnataka
b.    Kerala
c.    Tamil Nadu
d.    Andhra Pradesh
Answer: (b)

13.    Which team defeated Uttarakhand 25-22, 25-22, 25-13 in the men’s category to win the National title for the fourth time, in the 60th senior National volleyball championship, at the Balbir Juneja Indoor Stadium, Raipur on 11 January 2012?

a.    Kerala
b.    Andhra Pradesh
c.    West Bengal
d.    Tamil nadu
Answer: (a)

14.    Which team extended their hegemony by defeating Kerala 25-12, 25-14, 25-16 in a one-sided final in the women’s category at the 60th senior National volleyball championship?

a.    Punjab
b.    Services
c.    Railways
d.    Delhi
Answer: (c)

15.    This footballer was awarded the 2011 FIFA Ballon d'Or on 9 january 2012 in Zurich. He won the award for the third consecutive year for the world's outstanding footballer. Identify the footballer.

a.    Cristiano Ronaldo
b.    Xavi
c.    Sergio Ramos
d.    Lionel Messi
Answer: (d)

16.    Foreign direct investment (FDI) into India went up by what per cent to $2.53 billion in November 2011, indicating an improvement in investor sentiment?

a.    56%
b.    49%
c.    33%
d.    26%
Answer: (a)

17.    As per the Forward Markets Commission data released on 9 January 2012 that the turnover of the 21 commodity exchanges in India increased by 66% to what amount till December 2011?

a.    Rs 123 lakh crore
b.    Rs 137.22 lakh crore
c.    Rs  100.57 lakh crore
d.    Rs 93 lakh crore
Answer: (b)

18.    Indirect tax collections increased by what per cent to Rs 285787 crore during April-December 2011 driven by an increase in service tax mop-up?

a.    15%
b.    14.56%
c.    16.1%
d.    16.33%
Answer: (c)

19.    The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) notified that the Commerce Ministry on on 11 January 2012 lowered the minimum export price of onions by $100 a tonne to boost exports. What is the changed minimum export price of onion?

a.    $200 a tonne
b.    $250 a tonne
c.    $300 a tonne
d.    $150 a tonne
Answer: (d)

20.    Prime Minister's Office on 11 January 2012 directed cash-rich public sector undertakings (PSUs) to invest around Rs.1.76 lakh crore to act as a stimulus in the next fiscal 2012-13. What is the amount to be invested domestically?

a.    Rs.1.41 lakh crore
b.    Rs 1.57 lakh crore
c.    Rs 2.50 lakh crore
d.    Rs 3.19 lakh crore
Answer: (a)

21.    He was conferred with the first S K Singh Award for excellence in the Indian Foreign Service on 6 January 2012. Identify the diplomat.

a.    Ranjan Mathai
b.    Shivshankar Menon
c.    D Bala Venkatesh Verma
d.    K. Raghunath
Answer: (c)

22.    Which Ministry prepared draft policy seeking to increase private participation and opens the doors for foreign direct investors for expanding its network?

a.    Railways Ministry
b.    Ministry of Rural Development
c.    Ministry of Commerce and Industry
d.    Defence Ministry
Answer: (a)

23.    Six researchers from five science streams were honoured with this prize by the former President, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam in Bangalore on 9 January 2012. Name the prize in question.

a.    Infosys Prize
b.    India Science Prize
c.    Rolls-Royce Science Prize
d.    Young Scientist Award
Answer: (a)

24.  Which one of the following state governments launched Panch Parmeshwar scheme?

a) Madhya Pradesh
b) Bihar
c) UP
d) Kerala
Answer:  (a) Madhya Pradesh

25.  The Cabinet Committee on Security approved the setting up of NCTC. What is the full form of NCTC?

a)  National Counter Terrorism Centre
b) National Trade Cooperation
c) National Central Terrorism Centre
d) National Council for Trade Cooperation
Answer:  (a) National Counter Terrorism Centre


26.    Which of the following companies infused Rs 520 crore equity into BSES Delhi distribution companies as part of Rs 5,100 crore financial package being worked by IDBI

a.    NTPC
b.    RIL
c.    Adani Power Ltd
d.    Birla Group
Answer: (b)

27. Suzlon Energy signed a memorandum of understanding with this State Government as a part of the CII's Partnership Summit that concluded on 13 January 2012. As per the MoU, Suzlon Energy will develop wind power projects totalling 3,000 MW in Andhra Pradesh over the next four years, involving potential investment of up to Rs.18,000 crore. Name the state government with which the MoU was signed.

a.    Andhra Pradesh government
b.    Gujarat governemnt
c.    Orissa government
d.    Arunachal Pradesh government
Answer: (a)

28.    Name the auto making company which launched three new variants of the Eon-D — Lite plus, Era plus and Magna plus in the Indian market in January 2012.

a.    Tata Motors
b.    Hyundai Motor India 
c.    Volkswagen
d.    Maruti Suzuki
Answer: (b)

29.    The Government of which of the following countries acquired 1.09 per cent stake, currently worth about Rs.2500 crore, in Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries Ltd. (RIL), the company's latest shareholding data show?

a.    Malaysia
b.    Japan
c.    Phillipines
d.    Singapore
Answer: (d)

30.    Which Photography Pioneer filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on 19 January 2012 making it likely for the 132-year-old trailblazer to become the most storied casualty of a digital age?

a.    Eastman Kodak Company
b.    Fuji
c.    Nikon
d.    Canon
Answer: (a)

31.    Which company retained its top position in Interbrand's list of the top 100 global brands in 2011?

a.    Apple 
b.    Coca cola
c.    Microsoft
d.    Google
Answer: (b)

32.    As per the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) data, industrial production bounced back with a growth of what per cent in November 2011, marking a five-month high in a reversal from the negative trend witnessed in October 2011?

a.    5.9%
b.    6.5%
c.    7%
d.    8.2%
Answer: (a)

33.    India on 13 January 2012 extended for how many years an anti-dumping duty on import of four Chinese products like nylon filament yarn, Saccharin, cellophane transparent film etc?

a.    3 years
b.    5 years
c.    10 years
d.    12 years
Answer: (b)

34.    Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 13 January 2012 issued guidelines on compensation of wholetime directors, chief executive officers and other risk takers in private and foreign banks. Which of the following facts regarding the above statement is/are not true.

1.    The central bank’s directions are aimed at preventing greed from destabilising the institution.
2.    The guiderlines include provisions to clawback pay if transactions fail years after origination
3.    The norms  provided also include capping the variable component of the compensation at 48% of the fixed pay in a year
4.    As per the guidelines issued, banks are permitted to exclude the Employees Stock Option Plan from variable pay

a.    Only 2
b.    Only 4
c.    Only 3
d.    2 & 4
Answer: (c)

35.    Which of the following bodies unveiled rules for direct investment in stocks by foreign investors, including individuals to put curbs on opaque structures to prevent routing of funds by resident Indians?

a.    IRDA
b.    FICCI
c.    CCI
d.    SEBI
Answer: (d)

36.    As per the Wholesale Price Index, published by the government on 16 January 2012, Reduced food prices caused the inflation to dip to a year low at what per cent in  December 2011?

a.    7.47%
b.    7.65%
c.    6.33%
d.    5.41%
Answer: (a)

37.  Scientists identified a new gene in maize plants called__.

a) Meg1
b) Meg2
c) Meg3
d) Meg4
Answer:  (a) Meg1

38.  Researchers discovered new earthworm species in Port Blair. What is the name of the new species?

a) Moniligaster ivaniosi
b) Annelida
c) Nematoda
d) Onychophora
Answer:  (a): Moniligaster ivaniosi

39.  Scientists recently developed a new wireless device to detect the presence of termites. Consider the following statements: i) when the new device detects the presence of termites, it sends an SMS or email to a pest control firm. ii) The device is made of a tiny sensor, even smaller than a fingernail.

Choose the right option:
a)    Both i and ii are correct.
b)    Only i is correct.
c)    Only ii is correct.
d)    Neither i nor ii is correct.
Answer:  (a): Both i and ii are correct

40.  The scientists claimed that the Meteorite, which fell in Morocco in July 2011, was from Mars. The event happened for the first time in__ years.

a) 50

b) 100
c) 200
d) 150
Answer:  (a) 50

41.  Scientists found the Extinct Monkey, the Miller’s Grizzled Langur in the forests of___.

a) Indonesia
b) Malaysia
c) India
d) Africa
Answer:  (a) Indonesia

42.  10th PBD( Pravasi Bhartiya Divas) was held at which one of the following Indian cities?

a) Jaipur
b) Patna
c) New Delhi
d) Chennai
Answer:  (a) Chennai

43.  Planning Commission of India on 18 January 2012 approved Rudrasagar development scheme. The scheme is related__.

a) Tripura
b) Assam
c) Manipur
d) Sikkim
Answer:  (a) Tripura

44. Writer/diplomat Pavan K. Varma's new book set in contemporary India and in the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, was launched in the New Delhi by Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, the Queen Mother of Bhutan in January 2012. The protagonist Anand is wrongly diagnosed with cancer. He quits his high-power job and loses himself in a Bhutanese retreat.

Name the book.
a.    When Loss is Gain
b.    Ghalib: The Man
c.    The Great Indian Middle Class
d.    The Times
Answer: (a)

45. Identify the photographer with the help of the following clues.

1.    She was India’s first woman photo-journalist and was the only professional woman photojournalist between 1939 and 1970
2.    She was commonly known by her pseudonym Dalda 13
3.    She also captured the first flag-hoisting ceremony at the Red Fort on August 16 1947, the departure of Lord Mountbatten from India and the funerals of Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Lal Bahadur Shastri.
4.    The Padma Bhushan Awardee breathed her last on 15 January 2012.

a.    Ronika Kandhari
b.    Asha Kochar
c.    Prabuddha Dasgupta
d.    Homai Vyarawala
Answer: (d)

46.    Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on 11 January 2012 launched the signature tune of the Indian Customs Pragati ki Dhadkan in New Delhi.  The signature tune was composed by which of the noted music directors?

a.    A. R. Rahman     
b.    Aadesh Shrivastava     
c.    Adnan Sami
d.    Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy
Answer: (b)