Apr 2017 – Part -2

General Awareness Apr 2017 – Part -2

Answer the following question by choosing the best option from the choices given.

1. In April of 2017, the Union Ministry of Rural Development has released around Rs 23443 crores to the states, under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS). What will be the area of focus in this scheme this year? 1: Water conservation 4: Digital transactions in rural India 2: Clean India 5: None of the above 3: Rural women empowerment Ans: 1 Solution: This is the first budgetary installment for the financial year 2017-18. The money was released to ensure there is no delay in the work towards water conservation. This time under the MGNREGS scheme, the government is laying special focus on water conservation and water management. The Rural Development ministry has also advised all the states to see that water conservation efforts are made wherever required with proper technical and scientific scrutiny. The ministry in collaboration with the Ministry of Water Resources has also developed a set of guidelines for Mission Water Conservation that has already been shared with the states.

2. In April of 2017, the Lok Sabha has passed the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Third Amendment) Bill, 2017. What is the focus of this Bill? 1: Digital Transactions in Rural India 4: Make in India 2: Backward classes 5: None of the above 3: Minority groups Ans: 2 Solution: The Bill seeks to give constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes. The Bill seeks to insert a new Article 338B in the Constitution. The Article provides for the National Commission for Backward Classes, its composition, mandate, functions and various officers. The Bill also seeks to insert a new Article 342-A, which empowers the President to notify the list of socially and educationally backward classes of a state/union territory. In case of a state, President will make such notification after consultation with the Governor. Under the new Article 342-A, the Parliament, by making a law, can include or exclude the classes from the central list of backward classes.

3. In April of 2017, Indian-origin Anuja Ravindra Dhir has become the first non-white judge of the Old Bailey Court. Where is this? 1: New York 4: Delhi 2: Singapore 5: California 3: London Ans: 3 Solution: She is also the youngest circuit judge currently to sit at the court. The Old Bailey Court of London is the Central Criminal Court of London. It houses 15 judges including 10 men and five women.

4. In April of 2017, Paytm has announced the launch of new feature ______on its Paytm Mall application. 1: NFC code 4: QR code 2: IR scan 5: None of the above 3: QR scan Ans: 4 Solution: This QR code will allow consumers to place online orders at physical stores. With this launch, Paytm becomes the first company to invest in QR code-based payment solution. The company in a statement said that the move is aimed at smartphone users of non-metros cities who still do not shop online. QR code feature will be beneficial for the partner retailers and merchants by enabling them to earn additional revenue in form of commission while eliminating the need for keeping the inventory. QR code (abbreviated from Quick Response Code) is the trademark for a type of matrix barcode (or two- dimensional barcode) first designed for the automotive industry in Japan. A QR code uses four standardized encoding modes (numeric, alphanumeric, byte/binary, and kanji) to efficiently store data; extensions may also be used.

5. Identify the winner of the 2016 ACM A M Turing Award in April of 2017. 1: Sir Tim Berners-Lee 4: Sir Dillion Stanley 2: Chaylan Gyaan 5: None of the above 3: Tim Congo Ans: 1

Solution: Berners-Lee received the 2016 Turing Award "for inventing the World Wide Web, the first web browser, and the fundamental protocols and algorithms allowing the Web to scale". The computer scientist is one of the world’s most influential voices for online privacy and government transparency. Tim Berners-Lee is best known as the inventor of the World Wide Web. In November 1989, he implemented the first successful communication between a Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) client and server via the Internet. The ACM A.M. Turing Award is an annual prize given by the Association for Computing Machinery to "an individual selected for contributions of a technical nature made to the computing community.

6. Identify the winner of the 2017 Chinese Grand Prix in April of 2017. 1: Sebastian Vettel 4: Michael Schumacher 2: Lewis Hamilton 5: None of the above 3: Max Verstappen Ans: 2 Solution: Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton won. Ferrari driver Vettel came second, while Red Bull's Max Verstappen stood third in the race. Lewis Hamilton is a British Formula One racing driver. He is a three-time Formula One World Champion. He won his first title with McLaren in 2008 before moving to Mercedes, where he won back-to-back titles in 2014 and 2015. His 54 Grand Prix victories is the second highest of all-time, behind only Michael Schumacher at 91.

7. In April of 2017, world-renowned sand artist, Sudarsan Pattnaik will be the Indian representative in the 10th edition of Moscow Sand Art Championship. This artist belongs to the state of ______. 1: Bihar 4: Andhra Pradesh 2: Jharkhand 5: None of the above 3: Odisha Ans: 3 Solution: The theme selected for this year’s championship is ‘The World Around us’. It would be held from 22 April to 28 April at Kolomenskoye in Moscow, Russia. The event is going to witness participation from noted sand sculptors from across the world. Pattnaik had won the gold medal in the championship’s 9th edition in 2016 for his sculpture of Mahatma Gandhi on World peace. He was also recently honoured with a place in the Guinness Book of World Records for creating the world’s tallest sand castle at Puri beach in Odisha.

8. In April of 2017, it has been known that the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh is going to set up a ______bank for wildlife. 1: water 4: DNA 2: food 5: None of the above 3: land Ans: 4 Solution: This is the first of its kind in North India. Researchers at the institute are in the process of collecting the DNA of all wild animals. They have up until now collected samples of around 140 species. The bank would be only next to Hyderabad’s Laboratory for the Conservation of Endangered Species (LaCONES), which is currently the only such facility in India.

9. In April of 2017, the Union government has decided to restart the North Koel Irrigation project that was thought of nearly 40 years ago. Identify the states that will benefit from this project. 1: Bihar 4: Both options (1) and (2) 2: Jharkhand 5: Madhya Pradesh 3: Uttar Pradesh Ans: 4 Solution: The project will aim to address the water requirements in Bihar and Jharkhand. The decision was announced by the Union Minister for Water Resources, Uma Bharti during the launch of management information system (MIS) that will monitor the projects undertaken under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKYS). According to the Union Minister, the project after completion is expected to irrigate almost 1 lakh hectares of land in both the states combined. It is estimated to cost around Rs 1600 Crore.

10. In April of 2017, the youngest Nobel Peace Prize winner, Malala Yousafzai has been appointed as the youngest United Nations Messenger of Peace. Malala represents: 1: Pakistan 4: India 2: Iran 5: None of the above 3: Iraq Ans: 1

Solution: The appointment would be carried out by the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Yousafzai’s new role will include helping in the promotion of girl’s education across the world. At the age of 16, the Pakistani activist was shot in the head by a Taliban gunman, as a punishment for defying the group’s ban and advocating for female education. The incident made her fight for human rights and for girls to go to school, grow into an international movement. In 2014, Yousafzai became the youngest Nobel Peace Prize winner.

11. Identify the name of India’s first ever micro-drama festival that was held in April 2017 in New Delhi. 1: Thespis 4: Ethane Hawke 2: Cepsis 5: None of the above 3: Drama India Ans: 1 Solution: Named after Thespis of Icaria, the festival was organised by theatre group 'Vriksh'. The longest play of the festival ran for not more than 10 minutes and the shortest one lasted for only 42 seconds. The day-long event saw screening of 28 independent plays at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Art. Certain Ancient Greek sources and especially Aristotle describes Thespis of Icaria as the first person ever to appear on stage as an actor playing a character in a play. In other sources, Thepsis introduced the first principal actor in addition to the chorus. 12. Identify the World Homoeopathy Day. 1: 10th April 4: 5th May 2: 15th April 5: None of the above 3: 23rd April Ans: 1 Solution: A two day National Convention on 10 April 2017 was successfully concluded in New Delhi. The theme of the convention was 'Enhancing Quality of Research in Homoeopathy'. As per the Ministry of AYUSH, the objective of this convention is to deliberate on the existing scenario of Homeopathy in India and other countries and develop strategies for formulating national policies. The convention was organised by Central Council for Research in Homeopathy (CCRH), an autonomous research organization of Ministry of AYUSH. The event was organised to commemorate the 262nd birth anniversary of the founder of Homoeopathy Christian Friedrich Samuel Hahnemann on the occasion of World Homoeopathy Day 2017. Christian Friedrich Samuel Hahnemann was a German physician, a great scholar, linguist and an acclaimed scientist. Hahnemann and his scientific aptitude helped him to discover a healing system of Homeopathy based on infallible laws of nature.

On the occasion, the Ministry of AYUSH announced to constitute National Commission for Homoeopathy (NCH) as the regulatory body to standardise Homoeopathy. National Commission for Homoeopathy will have four boards, one each for regulation of undergraduate education; postgraduate education; accreditation and assessment of institutions and regulation of the practice of the profession. Every year, 10 April is celebrated all over the world as ‘World Homeopathy Day' as a tribute to Christian Friedrich Samuel Hahnemann.

13. In April of 2017, Vedanta Ltd has effectively merged with its oil and gas subsidiary Cairn India Ltd. What kind of a company Vedanta Ltd primarily is? 1: Precious rare earth metals 4: Metals and Mining 2: Oil and Gas 5: None of the above 3: Chemicals Ans: 4 Solution: Cairn India is a debt-free firm with cash and cash equivalents of Rs 22838.22 crore as of 30 September 2016. The merged company will have a larger market cap of USD 15.6 billion. As per the deal, Cairn India minority shareholders will receive one equity share and four redeemable preference shares in Vedanta Ltd against each share they hold.

14. In April of 2017, the Parliament has passed the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) (Prevention and Control) Bill, 2017. When did the Rajya Sabha pass this bill? 1: 12th April 2017 4: 20th March 2016 2: 4th April 2017 5: None of the above 3: 21st March 2017 Ans: 3 Solution: The Bill provides for the prevention and control of the disease and protection of human rights of those affected by it. The Bill also prohibits any kind of discrimination against such people on ground of treatment, employment and workplace. The Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (Prevention and Control) Bill was passed on 21 March 2017 in the Rajya Sabha. Key highlights of the HIV and AIDS (Prevention and Control) Bill, 2017: Prohibition of discrimination against HIV positive persons; Informed consent and disclosure of HIV status; Role of the Union and State Governments and Role of the Ombudsman.

15. In April of 2017, the Central Hindi Institute has announced the names of 26 writers from different categories for the prestigious Hindi Sevi Samman Awards for the year: 1: 2015 4: 2017 2: 2016 5: None of the above 3: 2014 and 2016 Ans: 1 Solution: The Hindi Sevi Samman Awards were instituted by Central Hindi Institute, Agra in 1989. The awardees in different categories include: • Ganga Sharan Singh Award: For work in the field of promotion and training of Hindi • Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Award: For work in the field of journalism and creative literature • Atmaram Award: For work in the field of Science and Technology literature and Machinery growth • Subramanyam Bharti Award: For work for promotion of Hindi in constructive or criticism way • Mahapandit Rahul Sankrityayan Award: For work in the field exploration and research as well as for description on its journey • Dr. George Grierson Award: Awarded to people of foreign origin for promotion and training of Hindi outside India • Padmabhushan Dr. Moturi Satyanarayan Award: Awarded to people of Indian origin for promotion and training of Hindi outside India

16. In April of 2017, the G20 Digital Ministerial Meeting on Digital Economy has concluded in Dusseldorf in nation X. Fill X. 1: Germany 4: Denmark 2: Italy 5: None of the above 3: US Ans: 1 Solution: The meeting was attended by the G20 Ministers in charge of digitalization, including the Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology and Law and Justice Ravi Shankar Prasad. Primarily, Ravi Shankar Prasad shared India’s experience in carrying out digital India initiatives with other digital economies. He stressed that India supports better international cooperation in cyber security to fight against growing cybercrime and cyber terrorism. He said that India is also of the view that multi stakeholder model is the best option for the spread of digitalization.

17. In April of 2017, the Union Minister for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Harsh Vardhan has launched a new web portal called ‘nakshe’ in New Delhi. The launch commemorates the ______anniversary of Survey of India (SoI). 1: 100th 4: 250th 2: 300th 5: None of the above 3: 270th Ans: 4 Solution: The portal will offer Topographic maps or Open Series Maps (OSM) for free download in a pdf format through Aaadhar enabled user authentication process. The move is in line with the Indian government’s Digital India programme. Topographic maps or Open Series Maps (OSM) comprise natural and man-made geographical features including terrain or topography. Survey of India is India’s National Survey and Mapping Organization and comes under the Department of Science & Technology. It was set up in 1767 and so, this year the organisation is celebrating its 250th anniversary. It is not only the oldest scientific department of the government of India but also one of the oldest survey establishments in the world. As the country’s Principal Mapping Agency, the department bears a special responsibility to ensure that the country's domain is explored and mapped suitably. The foundation for the scientific survey and mapping of the country was laid with The Great Trignometric Survey (GTS), which was conducted on 10 April 1802. World renowned surveyors, Col. Lambton and Sir George Everest had played a huge role in the survey. They had surveyed and mapped each and every part of the country.

18. In April of 2017, the Government of China has launched a rail freight service between China and ______. 1: Italy 4: Denmark 2: London 5: None of the above 3: Lisbon Ans: 2 Solution: The train is loaded with whisky, soft drinks, vitamins and baby products. The train, with thirty containers filled with UK-produced goods, set off on the 7500-mile journey from Stanford-le-Hope in Essex. The train will reach its destination in 18 days. It is the first direct rail link between China and Great Britain. The route of the train will traverse from Beijing, across Asia and Europe, before terminating in London. The route is a part of the old Silk Road through which Chinese silk caravans carried garments to Europe and Africa.

The train will go pass through the Channel Tunnel. It will then cross France, Belgium, Germany, Poland, Belarus, Russia and Kazakhstan before heading into China. The new rail route is cheaper than air freight and faster than sea freight, unlocking new option for shippers. The first train from China to Britain had arrived on 18 January 2017, filled with clothes and other retail goods.

19. In April of 2017, the Union Cabinet has apprised the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and ______for cooperation in the field of Science and Technology (S&T). 1: Russia 4: Denmark 2: US 5: None of the above 3: UK Ans: 1 Solution: The MoU was signed in October 2016. The MoU is aimed at facilitating and supporting the joint scientific and research activities between scientific organizations that are subordinated to the Agency and scientific organizations and scientists of the Republic of Russian Federation. The MoU will remain valid for 5 years. Moreover, implementation of this present MoU can be extended for further 5 year periods if neither of the parties informs by written agreement of its intention to terminate it at least 6 months before the expiration of a given 5-year period.

20. In April of 2017, a person Y was named as the new administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) by the UN chief Antonio Guterres. Identify Y. 1: Atul Singh Saxena 4: Cate Blanchett 2: Antonio Markio 5: None of the above 3: Achim Steiner Ans: 3 Solution: Achim Steiner, a German with extensive experience at the world organization, will succeed Helen Clark, a former New Zealand prime minister. Headquartered in New York City, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) seeks to reduce poverty, improve social development and encourage women's empowerment. The organization advocates for change and connect countries to knowledge, resources and experience to help people build a better life. It provides training, expert advice and grants support to developing countries, with increasing emphasis on assistance to the least developed countries.

21. In April of 2017, the Committee, constituted to prepare draft Ganga Act, has submitted its report to the Union Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation. Identify the chairman of this committee as valid in April of 2017. 1: Justice Mukun Tilak 4: Justice Girdhar Malviya (Retd) 2: Justice Gandhi Shankar 5: None of the above 3: Justice Shista Malviya (Retd) Ans: 4 Solution: The Chairman of the committee is Justice Girdhar Malviya (Retd), who is associated with Ganga conservation movement. The committee recognized the enormous challenges being faced to maintain the wholesomeness of National River Ganga that was perpetuated due to over stressed water demand from agricultural, domestic and industrial sectors. The draft Ganga Act addresses the critical issues pertaining to National River Gaga on its Cleanliness (Nirmalta) and uninterrupted e-flow (Aviralta) and provides corresponding provisions thereof. It introduces certain stricter provision to increase accountability and responsibility for use of resources made available by National River Ganga. The option and provision made in suggestive bills available with National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) were also considered and discussed by the committee.

22. In April of 2017, the joint military training exercise between India and Mongolia has been carried in: 1: Assam 4: Mizoram 2: West Bengal 5: None of the above 3: Jammu and Kashmir Ans: 4 Solution: Highlights of Nomadic Elephant 2017 (the name of the exercise): It is the twelfth edition of the Indo- Mongolia joint military exercise Nomadic Elephant. It is being conducted at the Indian Army’s elite Counter- Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School Vairengte in Mizoram. The exercise is aimed at training the troops in counterinsurgency and counterterrorism operations (CICT Ops) under the United Nations mandate. The focus of the exercise is to enhance the interoperability between the two armies in adverse operational conditions.

23. In April of 2017, the Central Board of Direct Taxation (CBDT) has tied up with the Union Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) to issue Permanent Account Number (PAN) and Tax Deduction Account Number (TAN) in ______in order to improve ease of doing business. 1: 1 day 4: 4 days 2: 2 days 5: None of the above 3: 3 days

Ans: 1 Solution: Applicant companies will be required to submit a common application form SPICe (INC 32) on MCA portal. Once the data of incorporation is sent to CBDT by MCA, the PAN and TAN will then be issued immediately without any further intervention of the applicant. The Certificate of Incorporation (COI) of newly incorporated companies will include the PAN in addition to the Corporate Identity Number (CIN). TAN will also be allotted simultaneously and communicated to the Company.

24. In April of 2017, the Union Cabinet has ordered the Directorate General of Supplies & Disposal (DGS&D) to wind up operations by ______this year (in an almost certainty) and a special purpose vehicle called the Government e-Marketplace (GeM SPV) will be its replacement. 1: April 30th 4: December 30th 2: October 31st 5: August 31st 3: October 1st Ans: 2 Solution: The GeM would be the national public procurement portal and will be registered as Section 8 Company for providing procurement of goods and services required by central and state government organizations. It will provide an end-to-end online marketplace for central and state government ministries and departments for procurement of common use goods & services in a transparent and efficient manner.

25. Is a documentary proof required for getting advance or withdrawal from General Provident Fund (GPF) as in April of 2017? 1: Yes 4: Yes but when the advance is used for 2: No purchasing land, houses and gold. 3: Yes but when the advance is used for buying 5: No but the IT department will keep a scanner gadgets from Chinese makers. on the amount. Ans: 2 Solution: It is not required according to the Union Minister Jitendra Singh. A simple declaration by the subscriber is sufficient. The government has simplified and liberalised the conditions for taking advance from the fund for education, illness and purchase of consumer durables. Conditions and procedures for withdrawal from the fund for the purpose of education, illness, housing, purchase of motor vehicles etc. have also been liberalised.

26. In April of 2017, the Interbank messaging service SWIFT has said that it will launch a new tool to spot fraudulent messages. What is the full form of the SWIFT? 1: Society for World Interbank Finance Telecommunication Telesystem 4: Society for Worldwide Interbank Fund 2: Society for Worldwide Interbank Funds Transfer Telecommunication 5: Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial 3: Social World Inter Financial Telecommunication Ans: 5 Solution: The Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) provides a network that enables financial institutions worldwide to send and receive information about financial transactions in a secure, standardized and reliable environment. It is seeking to restore trust in the system after millions of dollars were stolen in cyber raids. Last year $81 million was stolen from Bangladesh’s central bank after thieves hacked into its SWIFT system and sent instructions to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York to pay money from Bangladesh Bank’s account to parties in Asia. Now, it will offer clients a service that will be able to learn a user bank’s messaging patterns so that it can spot if a payment is being made to an unusual counter-party or for an unusual amount.

27. In April of 2017, ______has received the RBI’s approval for an e-wallet, which has been applied for early last year. 1: PayPal 4: Flipkart 2: Amazon US 5: Unicorn Dud Ltd. 3: Amazon India Ans: 3 Solution: The license has been issued to Amazon Online Distribution Services and is valid for five years. With this development, Amazon.in can now extend its payment experience to online shoppers which it had enabled in the first month of demonetisation with the launch of Amazon Pay Balance in December 2016. Pay Balance is a closed wallet that runs on Amazon and offers an easy and convenient one-click payment system compared with the two-factor authentication system that is prevalent in India. With Pay Balance, customers can fund their pre-paid balance using internet banking, credit/debit card using two-factor authentication, and thereafter, go cashless on Amazon.in.

28. In April of 2017, the Cabinet has approved a proposal for refund of Rs X crore claims to exporters under an export promotion initiative 'Target Plus Scheme' in pursuance of a Supreme Court judgment. What is the value of X? 1: 2300 4: 2700 2: 2400 5: 2500 3: 2000 Ans: 4 Solution: The decision was taken at the Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Cabinet approved the implementation of Supreme Court's judgment dated October 27, 2015, regarding Target Plus Scheme (TPS) 2004-09. The claims, under the scheme, which were denied as a result of a retrospective notification will now be settled as per direction of the Supreme Court.

29. In April of 2017, Infosys has appointed Independent Director X as co-Chairman. Who is X? 1: Adhura Matram 4: Daldi Malat Swamy 2: Cinder Markovic 5: Ravi Venkatesan 3: Didi Bagulana Ans: 5 Solution: Ravi Venkatesan has been on the Infosys board since April 2011 AND has made valuable contribution to the development of strategic direction of the company during his tenure. Meanwhile, these are Infy numbers as released: Infosys will pay up to Rs. 13,000 crore to shareholders during the current financial year through dividend and/or share buyback. Infosys has reported a net profit at Rs. 3,603 crore for the March-ended quarter, a degrowth of 2.8 per cent, against Rs. 3,708 crore it posted in the December-ended quarter. Net profit came in 0.2 per cent higher than Rs. 3,597 crore in the same period previous year, according to a BSE filing by Infosys.

30. In April of 2017, the solar tariffs in India fell to yet another record low at the NTPC-conducted auction of 250 MW at the Kadapa Solar Park in Andhra Pradesh. What is the winning bid? 1: Rs. 3 per kwH 4: Rs. 3.15 per kwH 2: Rs. 4.15 per kwH 5: Rs. 10.15 per kwH 3: Rs. 1.15 per kwH Ans: 4

Solution: This was made by Solairedirect Energy India, a subsidiary of the French power giant ENGIE, which acquired it in 2015. ENGIE, through its subsidiary Solairedirect, already has an installed capacity of around 325.6 MW of solar power in India across several states, and is building another 140 MW. Solairedirect has a tradition of making record — or near-record — low bids and successfully executing the projects.

31. In April of 2017, Nepal and China will hold their first ever joint military exercise. Identify the name of this exercise. 1: Sagarmatha Friendship - 2017 4: Everest - 2017 2: China- Nepal Friendship - 2017 5: Sagarmatha Friendship-2016 3: Sagar - 2017 Ans: 1 Solution: The 10 day long joint exercise will focus on combating terror and disaster management. Although, Nepal conducts joint exercises with other countries like India and United States, this is the first time it is holding a joint exercise with China. The joint exercise comes at the backdrop of Nepal’s proposal of such exercise having focus on disaster management during Chinese Defence Minister, General Chang Wanquan’s official visit to Nepal on March 24. Sagarmatha is the Nepali name for Mt Everest, which stands in between both the countries.

32. April 14th, 2017 marks the ______birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Dr. B.R.Ambedkar. 1: 108th 4: 140th 2: 126th 5: 130th 3: 143rd Ans: 2 Solution: It was observed at the Parliament House complex. The President, Vice President and Prime Minister paid floral tributes to the statue of Ambedkar present in the Parliament House Lawns. The celebrations were organized by Dr. Ambedkar Foundation, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment.

33. In April of 2017, the advertising industry watchdog Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) has come up with a set of guidelines for ______endorsing products. 1: Actors 4: models 2: Super-models 5: cricketers 3: celebrities Ans: 3

Solution: As per the guidelines, celebrities are personalities from the field of entertainment and sports and also includes other well known personalities like doctors, authors, activists and educationists who gets compensation for appearing in advertisements. ASCI is a self regulatory, voluntary, non-governmental body of the advertising industry founded in 1985. The aim of ASCI is to enhance the public’s confidence in advertising and ensure that all advertising material is truthful, legal, honest, decent and not objectify women and fair.

34. In April of 2017, the Department of Post has allotted a unique pin code for the Income Tax Department’s Central Processing Centre (CPC) based in Bengaluru. What is the new PIN code now? 1: 560999 4: 560500 2: 560600 5: 560501 3: 561500 Ans: 4 Solution: This will ensure that the letters and mails sent by taxpayers to the CPC are not lost or reach the centre late. Earlier, the CPC was using the pin code 560100 which was marked for the entire city area of Bengaluru. The new pin code will cater exclusively to the CPC of the Income Tax department and will help in addressing the grievances of the taxpayers with respect to the issues of non-reaching of postal mails. The CPC is the central database centre of the Income Tax department based in Bengaluru. It receives both e- filed and postal Income Tax Returns (ITRs), which it processes for issuance of refunds. It also deals with other tax related documents of a taxpayer.

35. In April of 2017, the Union government has constituted an inter-disciplinary committee to come up with an action plan for dealing with virtual currencies. Who is the chair of this committee? 1: Ashish Sharma 4: Din Bankar 2: Dushyant Sharma 5: Dinesh Sharma 3: Delhi Sreepad Ans: 5 Solution: This is to fix the regulatory gaps in the existing framework governing virtual currencies. The committee is required to submit its report within three months. The nine-member inter-disciplinary committee will be chaired by Dinesh Sharma, special secretary in the economic affairs department. The committee will also have representatives from the Department of Economic Affairs, Department of Financial Services, Department of Revenue, Ministry of Home Affairs, IT ministry, Reserve Bank of India, NITI Aayog and State Bank of India.

36. In April of 2017, the Union Cabinet has approved the proposal of the Ministry of Power for signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with member states of BIMSTEC for establishing BIMSTEC grid interconnections. When was this BIMSTEC established? 1: 1979 4: 1997 2: 1980 5: 1995 3: 1990 Ans: 4 Solution: The MoU will be signed at the 3rd BIMSTEC Energy Ministers’ Meeting that will be held in Nepal shortly. The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) is a sub-regional group of seven countries in South Asia and South East Asia lying in the littoral and adjacent areas of the Bay of Bengal viz. Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bhutan and Nepal. It was established on 6th June 1997 through the Bangkok Declaration. It is headquartered at Dhaka, Bangladesh.

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