GENERAL AWARENESS

OCTOBER 2016 Vol. 5, Issue 04

A PUBLICATION OF GYANM EDUCATION & TRAINING INSTITUTE PVT. LTD. ND SCO 13-14-15, 2 FLOOR, SEC 34-A, CHANDIGARH Contents NATIONAL NEWS

AUGUST 2016

CURRENT AFFAIRS 01-34 JUNE TO AUGUST 2016 MYANMAR PRESIDENT ARRIVES IN INDIA BULLET NEWS 35-53 MARCH 2016 TO MAY 2016 LATEST 100 GK MCQs 54-60

IBPS PO MODEL TEST 61-77

CURRENT GK BYTES 78-100

FIGURES TO REMEMBER

REPO RATE (05.04.2016) 6.50% REVERSE REPO RATE 6.00% MARGINAL STANDING 7.00% FACILITY RATE STATUTORY LIQUIDITY RATIO 21%

CASH RESERVE RATIO 4.00% U Htin Kyaw, President of Myanmar came to India on a four-day visit to step up BANK RATE 7.00% overall bilateral engagement with a major focus on ensuring better BASE RATE(s) 9.30 to management of Indo-Myanmar border. (of various banks) 9.70% INDIA 7TH IN INDIVIDUAL WEALTH INDIA’s RANK IN A study by the New World Wealth to assess the wealth held by the individuals in a country, India with a total individual wealth of $5,600 billion was ranked th World Risk Index 77 7th, ahead of Canada ($4,700 billion), Australia ($4,500 billion). USA topped the Human Capital Index 105th list with total wealth $48,900 billion. Sustainable Development Goals 110th Networked Readiness Index 91st ‘MISSION MILLION BOOKS’ The Alibaba Group, e-commerce giant from China has launched the ‘Mission Global Retail Development Index 02nd Million Books’, jointly with Crossword and Ratna Nidhi Charitable Trust in Ranking in Total Wealth 07th India, a drive to collect textbooks and educational material from public for Ranking in Attracting FDI 10th distributing the same to the underprivileged. Global Peace Index 141st Good Country Index 70th INDIA IMPROVES IN INNOVATION As per the Global Innovation Index, India has improved its ranking to 66 this Renewable Energy Index 3rd year from 81 in 2015. The index measures the performance of 128 countries in World Press Freedom Index 133rd terms of innovation, and is based on 82 sub-indices. The index is topped th Rank in Manufacturing Countries 6 by Switzerland followed by Sweden, United Kingdom. World Happiness Index 118th Intellectual Property Index -2016 37th RAHMAN PERFORMS AT UNGA Overall Growth Prospectus 5th Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman enthralled a packed audience at the Global Talent Competitiveness Index 89th iconic UN General Assembly hall with his renditions of Indian Carnatic legend M Nuclear Security Index 21st S Subbulakshmi’s music, Sufi songs and the foot-tapping ‘Jai Ho’ at a concert to Ease of Doing Business (Forbes) 97th mark India’s 70th Independence Day here. Human Development Index 130th Rahman became only the second Indian artist after Subbulakshmi to perform in ICT Development Index 131st the General Assembly hall.

GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 1 NO RAILWAY BUDGET FROM 2017-18  Tourism Ministry has decided that it will make Prime Minister Narendra Modi the face of the Incredible India campaign.  Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2017 will be held in Bengaluru in Jan, 2017.  First BRICS film festival will be held in New Delhi from Sept. 2 to 6.  A two-day meeting of BRICS women parliamentarian's forum was held in Jaipur  India has provided $ 1 million grant to Zimbabwe to fight the drought disaster in the country.  The United States Postal Service (USPS) on 23 August 2016 announced to commemorate the joyous Hindu

festival of Diwali with the launch of Forever stamp. The Finance Ministry has accepted Railway minister Suresh Prabhu's proposal to merge the Railway Budget JULY 2016 with the Union Budget, ending the 92-year-old practice of presenting a separate Rail Budget from 2017-18 ANSARI VISITS MONGOLIA fiscal.

INDIANS STRUCK IN SAUDI ARABIA Thousands of Indian workers have been facing extreme financial hardships in Saudi Arabia. They have lost their jobs due to slowdown in Saudi economy, triggered by low oil prices and cut in government expenditure. Over 7,700 affected Indian workers are living in 20 camps organised by the Indian Embassy. Indian government has sent its Minister of State for External Affairs, V K Singh to Saudi Arabia to arrange for return of stranded Indians.

MORE SOPS FOR AFPAK MINORITIES Vice-President Mohammad Hamid Ansari visited Government has allowed the Long Term Visa (LTV) Mongolia to attend the 11th Asia -Europe Meeting at holders of minority communities of Afghanistan, Ulaanbaatar, capital of Mongolia. He also unveiled a Bangladesh and Pakistan to open bank account and stone statue of Mahatma Gandhi at Pethub Monastery in purchase property for self occupation. It also decided to the Capital. issue driving licence, PAN card and Aadhar number to them. PM VISITS 4 AFRICAN COUNTRIES Prime Minister made a five days visit to four-nations - ‘PAVA’ TO REPLACE PELLET GUN Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania and Kenya. The Government plans to avoid use of pellet guns in J&K due visit aimed at shoring up economic ties, firm up to their damaging lethal effect and instead use the maritime security and counter balance China’s growing “PAVA” munition. PAVA or Pelargonic Acid influence in the resource-rich continent. Vanillylamide is an organic compound found in natural chilli pepper. A deal was signed with Mozambique to import 1lakh Once fired, the shells burst out to temporarily immobilise tonnes of pulses. A set of 30 SUVs was handed over to and paralyse the target (protesters) in a more effective them for their local use. way than a teargas shell or pepper spray and are much With South Africa four MoUs were signed for bilateral less lethal than pellets. cooperation in information and communication technology, grass root innovation and tourism, arts and INDIA 77TH IN DISASTER MANAGEMENT culture. The World Risk Report 2016 released by the United A Line of Credit of US$ 92 million was agreed for Nations to assess the risk of natural disasters in 171 Tanzania for strengthening of the water resources system countries, has placed India at 77th rank in the World in Zanzibar. Risk Index. This means that India is ahead of 76 Seven pacts were signed with Kenya in the field of defence countries in effective handling of natural disasters. and security and avoidance of double taxation.

GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 2 WORLD BANK’s PROJECT FOR YOUNG GIRLS MODI RESHUFFLES COUNCIL OF MINISTERS Prime Minister Modi expanded his Council of Ministers by inducting 19 new ministers in the government. The new Ministers were administered the oath of office and secrecy by the President Pranab Mukherjee at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Now there are total 78 ministers in the government of which 27 are of Cabinet rank.

PRIME MINISTER Narendra Modi Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions; Department of Atomic energy; Department of Space; and all

important policy issues, and all The World Bank has approved a $ 63 million support for other portfolios not allocated to the project Tejaswini: Socioeconomic Empowerment of any Minister Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Jharkhand. It is CABINET MINISTERS the first World Bank project in India that is solely Rajnath Singh Home affairs focused on the welfare of adolescent girls and young Sushma Swaraj External affairs women. Arun Jaitley Finance and Corporate Affairs Venkaiah Naidu Urban Development and Housing; INDIA GETS 3 SITES IN HERITAGE LIST Urban Poverty Alleviation; The ruins of ancient Nalanda Mahavihara known as old Information and Broadcasting Nalanda University of Bihar, Chandigarh’s Capitol Nitin Jairam Road Transport and Highways; Complex and Sikkim’s national park, home to the Gadkari Shipping world’s third highest peak Mount Khangchendzonga, are Manohar Parrikar Defence the three sites that have been included in the list of Suresh Prabhu Railways UNESCO's World Heritage Site. DV Sadananda Statistics and Programme Gowda Implementation INDIA’s FIRST DIGITAL COURT Uma Bharati Water Resources, River Giving a kick-start to digital judicature, the first Development and Ganga paperless e-court of India was inaugurated in Rejuvenation Hyderabad High Court. The court will use digitised case Ramvilas Paswan Consumer Affairs, Food and Public records thereby minimising the usage of man power. Distribution Kalraj Mishra Micro, Small and Medium LARGEST ‘CHARKHA’ AT DELHI AIRPORT Enterprises A 17 ft tall and 30 ft long 4-tonnes Charkha made from Maneka Sanjay Women and Child Development high-quality Burma teak wood was installed at the Gandhi Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi. Largest Ananth Kumar Chemicals and Fertilizers; of its kind in the world, it aims to promote the rich Parliamentary Affairs cultural heritage of India. Ravi Shankar Law and Justice; Electronics and IT Prasad OP. ‘SANKAT MOCHAN’ IN SOUTH SUDAN Jagat Prakash Health and Family Welfare Govt launched ‘Operation Sankat Mochan’ by sending Nadda two C-17 Globemaster aircrafts to Juba, capital of South Ashok Gajapathi Civil Aviation Sudan to evacuate Indians from the war-torn country. Raju Pusapati The operation was headed by the State Minister of Anant Geete Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises External Affairs, Gen. (retd) V K Singh. Harsimrat Kaur Food Processing Industries Badal NOT MUCH INDIAN MONEY IN SWISS BANKS Narendra Singh Rural Development; Panchayati As per the data released by the Swiss National Bank, Tomar Raj; Drinking Water and Sanitation India has slipped to 75th place in terms of money held by Chaudhary Steel its citizens with banks in Switzerland, accounting for Birender Singh hardly 0.1 per cent of total foreign deposits of around $ Jual Oram Tribal Affairs 1.45 trillion with SNB. U K is the top depositor with 25 Radha Mohan Singh Agriculture and Farmers Welfare per cent share.

GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 3 Thaawar Chand Social Justice and Empowerment Rajen Gohain Railways Gehlot Parshottam Rupala Agriculture and Farmers Welfare; Smriti Zubin Irani Textiles Panchayati Raj Harsh Vardhan Science and Technology; Earth MJ Akbar External Affairs sciences Upendra Kushwaha Human Resources Development Prakash Javadekar Human Resource Development MINISTERS OF STATE Radhakrishnan P Road Transport and Highways; INDEPENDENT CHARGE Shipping Kiren Rijiju Home Affairs Rao Inderjit Singh Planning ; Urban Development; Krishan Pal Social Justice and Empowerment Housing and Urban Poverty Jasvantsinh Tribal Affairs Alleviation Sumanbhai Bandaru Labour and Employment Bhabhor Dattatreya Sanjeev Kumar Water Resources, River Rajiv Pratap Rudy Skill development and Balyan Development and Ganga Entrepreneurship Rejuvenation Vijay Goel Youth Affairs and Sports ; Water Vishnu Deo Sai Steel Resources, River Development and Sudarshan Bhagat Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Ganga Rejuvenation YS Chowdary Science and Technology; Earth Shripad Yesso Naik AAYUSH Science Dharmendra Petroleum and Natural Gas Jayant Sinha Civil Aviation Pradhan Rajyavardhan Information and Broadcasting Piyush Goyal Power ; Coal ; New and Renewable Singh Rathore Energy ; Mines Babul Supriyo Urban Development Housing and Jitendra Singh Development of northeastern Urban Poverty Alleviation region ; Prime Minister’s Office; Sadhvi Niranjan Food Processing Industries Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions; Department of Atomic Jyoti Energy; Department of Space Vijay Sampla Social Justice and Empowerment Nirmala Commerce and industry Arjun Ram Finance; Corporate Affairs Sitharaman Meghwal Mahesh Sharma Culture ; Tourism Mahendra Nath HRD Pandey Manoj Sinha Communications ; Railways Anil Madhav Dave Environment, Forest and Climate Ajay Tamta Textiles Change Krishna Raj Women and Child Development MINISTERS OF STATE Mansukh L Road transport and Highways, Mandaviya Shipping; Chemicals and Fertilizers VK Singh External affairs Anupriya Patel Health and Family Welfare Santosh Kumar Finance CR Chaudhary Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Gangwar Distribution Faggan Singh Health and family welfare PP Chaudhary Law and Justice; Electronics and Kulaste Information Technology Mukhtar Abbas Minority Affairs; Parliamentary Subhash Ramrao Defence Naqvi Affairs Bhamre SS Ahluwalia Agriculture and Farmers Welfare; Parliamentary Affairs Ramdas Athawale Social Justice and Empowerment Ram Kripal Yadav Rural Development Haribhai Micro, Small and Medium Parthibhai Enterprises Chaudhary Giriraj Singh Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Hansraj Gangaram Home Affairs Ahir GM Siddeshwara Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises Ramesh Chandappa Drinking Water and Sanitation Jigajinagi

GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 4 CHILD CAN WORK IN ‘HOME BASED BUSINESS’  The first meeting of the BRICS Working Group on “Energy Saving and Energy Efficiency” was held in Visakhapatnam.  The first-ever meeting of BRICS Employment Working Group was held on July 27 in Hyderabad.  India has set up an apparel training centre in Nigeria to support textiles industry of the West African country.  India to give $ 318 million loan to Sri Lanka for improving railway lines and for supplying required locomotives, bogies and tankers, etc.  The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared India free from Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus and Yaws, an infection of the skin and bones.

 Union Cabinet has approved an Air Services The Parliament has passed the Child Labour Agreement with Mozambique to start the flights to (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2016, Mozambique. seeking to prohibit employment of children below 14 India and Japan have signed a Social Security years in any “profession”, but allows them “home-based  Agreement for benefit of the Indian and Japanese work”, such as helping their families in forests, professionals and skilled workers working in each agricultural fields and small family-run units. other’s country.

INDIA PRETTY LOW IN HUMAN CAPITAL  For the first time in India, a local zoo, Mumbai’s Byculla Zoo, has received eight medium size The Human Capital Index released by the World Humboldt penguins from Seoul, South Korea. Economic Forum for 130 countries has placed India at a low 105th place. The index measures countries’ ability to nurture, develop and deploy talent for economic JUNE 2016 growth. Finland topped the index while countries like China (71) and Bangladesh (104) were ranked above MODI MAKES FIVE NATION VISIT India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a five-nation visit to Afghanistan, Qatar, Switzerland, the US and Mexico, starting from June 4. The visit aimed at broadening INDIA WORST COUNTRY FOR RETIREES: bilateral trade, energy and security cooperation and The Global Retirement Index compiled by the Natixis push for India's bid to become a member of Nuclear Global Asset Management places India at the bottom, Suppliers Group (NSG). making it world's worst country for retirees. The best In Afghanistan, he was conferred with Amir Amanullah country is Switzerland, followed by Norway and Iceland. Khan Award, country’s highest civilian honour. He also

inaugurated the Friendship Dam in Herat province in INDIA FARES POORLY IN SDGs Western Afghanistan. India has ranked a low 110 out of 149 nations surveyed In Qatar, seven MoUs were signed to promote assistance for their achievements in the Sustainable Development on matters pertaining to customs administration Goals prescribed by the UNO. Sweden was ranked at through exchange of information and intelligence. number one, followed by Denmark and Norway. The In USA he addressed the special session of Congress. goals have to be achieved by 2030.

INDIA LAGS IN TECHNOLOGY READINESS The annual Networked Readiness Index released by the World Economic Forum to assess the countries in terms of their readiness for transition to a digitised economy, placed India pretty low at 91st rank in a study of 139 countries. The index is topped by Singapore, followed by Finland.

 The second BRICS Youth Summit was held in Guwahati , Assam. The theme of the summit was “Youth as bridge for Intra-BRICS Exchanges”.  BRICS policy planning dialogue meeting was held in Patna on July 26.

GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 5 INDIA JOINS MTCR GROUP INDIA FAILS TO ENTER NSG, DESPITE SUPPORT The plenary meeting of the 48-member Nuclear Suppliers Group, NSG was held in Seoul, South Korea on June 23. A large number of countries supported India’s request for membership to NSG. However, the same could not be approved as a few countries led by China objected to India’s membership because she has not signed the Nuclear Non- Proliferation Treaty, NPT.

INDIA SECOND IN RETAIL DEVELOPMENT According to 2016 Global Retail Development Index

(GRDI), which ranks top 30 developing countries for India has been admitted as the 35th member of the retail investment worldwide, India has jumped 13 elite 34 nations group on the Missile Technology Control positions from last year to rank second, next only to Regime (MTCR). This would make it possible for India to China. buy and sell missile technology to other nations, including the supersonic Brahmos missile. It will also INDIA 10TH IN ATTRACTING FDI enable India to buy the state-of-the-art surveillance As per the World Investment Report 2016 by the United drones, such as the US predator. Nations Conference for Trade and Development MTCR is an anti-proliferation group of 34 nations that (UNCTAD), India is the 10th largest receiver of FDI in the aims to limit the spread of ballistic missiles and other world, with inflow of $44 billion in 2015. USA tops the unmanned delivery systems that could be used for ranks by attracting $380 billion. chemical, biological, and nuclear attacks. INDIA WORST IN HUMAN SLAVERY US APPLAUDS ‘MODI DOCTRINE’ US administration has termed the Prime Minister Modi’s vision of Indo-US ties that has overcome the “hesitations of history” and working for the betterment of the global good as “Modi Doctrine”. It envisages a joint effort by India and USA in promoting peace, prosperity and stability from Asia to Africa, from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific, including safety and freedom of navigation on the seas.

PRESIDENT VISITS AFRICA President Pranab Mukherjee made a six-day trip to Ghana, Ivory Coast and Namibia to boost trade ties with these countries. The trip began with Ghana where he signed three agreements for mutual cooperation. According to the Global Slavery Index 2016 of 167 In Cote D’Ivoirie (Ivory Coast), he was awarded the countries, India has largest number of people in modern highest honour of that country - Grand Cross National slavery, around 18.4 million people, accounting for Order of the Republic of Cote D’Ivoirie. about 40 per cent of world’s slave population. The modern slavery refers to practices like forced labour, MODI ATTENDS SCO SUMMIT bonded labour, human trafficking, child labour and Prime Minister Modi visited Tashkent, Uzbekistan to exploitation of migrant workers in situations where a attend the two-day summit of the Shanghai Cooperation person cannot leave because of threats, violence, coercion Organisation (SCO). The summit approved India and and abuse of power or deception. Pakistan’s case for the full membership of the SCO.  General Prayut Chan-O-Cha, Prime Minister of ANSARI VISITS MOROCCO, TUNISIA Thailand arrived in New Delhi for a three day visit to Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari visited India with a high level delegation. Morocco and Tunisia. He arrived in Rabat, capital of  India signed two agreements with Thailand for Morocco on May 30. On June 2 he reached Tunis, capital boosting cooperation in culture and educational of Tunisia, and met Tunisian Prime Minister Habib sectors. Essid. He met President Beji Caid El Sebsi on June 3. A  India and USA have signed an agreement for number of MoUs were signed on mutual cooperation exchange of terrorist screening information, in wake between the two countries. of the recent terror attacks.

GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 6  A special commemorative silver coin was released by UTTARAKHAND TOPS IN GROWTH the govt to mark the 300th martyrdom day of Sikh In a study conducted by the Assocham to assess the General Banda Singh Bahadur. growth in the industry and service sectors in Indian  As a goodwill gesture, the US has returned over 200 states in past 10 years, Uttarakhand has emerged as the stolen cultural artifacts to India, some dating back top state in the country, attaining the highest 2,000 years, valued at around $100 million. compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.5% and  All India Radio celebrated completion of 80 years of 12.3% in industry and services sectors, respectively. its existence on June 8. On this day in 1936, the Indian State Broadcasting Service became All India SAWAI MADHOPUR STATION WINS AWARD Radio.  Ex-Cabinet Secretary T S R Subramanian submitted its report on the New Education Policy to the Ministry of HRD.  Champaran Satyagrah Express train has been started from Bapudham, Motihari (Bihar) to Anand Vihar, Delhi.  Gandhiji started his first Satyagrah in April 1917 from Champaran to support the cause of Indigo growers of the region.  MoU signed with Switzerland for cooperation in the

fields of skills development and professional The Sawai Madhopur railway station in eastern education and training. Rajasthan, gateway to the renowned Ranthambore  Mumbai is the most expensive city in India though National Park, has won the National Tourism Award ranked 82nd in world, according to the 2016 Cost of 2014-15 for the ‘Best Tourist-Friendly Railway Station’. Living Survey by Mercer of USA.  Globally, Hong Kong topped the list of most  The Maharashtra government, for the first time, has expensive cities. deployed drones to check rampant lane-cutting and overspeeding on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway.  Andhra Pradesh has become first Indian state to NEWS FROM STATES launch the DNA Index System for DNA profiling of criminals.

AUGUST 2016  Kolkata Akashvani Kendra has started a special Bangla service named Moitree Service, for listeners in ODISHA C’GRH LOCK HORNS ON WATER Bangladesh.  The first ever BIO-CNG project in India was inaugurated in Pune, Maharashtra.  Odisha government rescued about 1051 missing children and united them with their parents by launching the ‘Operation Muskaan’.

States of Odisha and Chhattisgarh have eneterd in to a serious dispute over the issue of sharing of waters of the river Mahanadi. The river emanates in Chhattisgarh and enters Odisha. A multipurpose project Hirakud Dam has been constructed in Odisha to harness the waters of Mahanadi. Odisha has complained that Chhattisgarh is drawing excessive waters from the river, affecting adversely the interests of farmers in Odisha. GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 7  West Bengal state cabinet has adopted a resolution PURI HOLDS ANNUAL ‘RATH YATRA’ to rename the state as ‘Bengal’. The change, however, has to be approved by the Parliament.  Rajasthan has become the first state in the country to approve sewage and wastewater policy to ensure proper treatment of urban waste water for making it fit for irrigation.  In one of the worst animal tragedies, over 221 hog deer and 21 one-horned rhinos lost their lives in Kaziranga National Park due to floods in Assam.

JULY 2016 The world famous Rath Yatra was held in the coastal city of Puri, Odisha. It marks the nine day annual NGT SAYS ‘NO’ TO OLD DIESEL VEHICLES journey of Lord Jagannath, his brother Lord Balbhadra and sister Subhadra in three specially built huge wooden Rathas (chariots) from the 12th century Jagannath temple to the Gundicha temple and back. About ten lakh devotees took part in the celebrations.

CONGRESS GOVT RESTORED IN ARUNACHAL In a historic first time decision, a five judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court, in a unanimous verdict, circumscribed the powers of the Governor to interfere in the matter of political parties. It said that the Constitution does not enjoin upon the Governor the

authority to resolve disputes within a political party, or With a view to curb air pollution in Delhi, the National between rival political parties. Green Tribunal has directed the Delhi Government to The case pertained to restoration of the Congress govt. cancel the registration of all diesel-powered vehicles lead by Nabam Tuki in Arunachal Pradesh which was that are more than 10 years old with immediate effect dismissed on January 26, 2016 as it lost majority because and these shall not be allowed to operate in the city. 14 rebel MLAs were dismissed by the Speaker. There are 2.82 lakh diesel vehicles registered in Delhi.  A three-day Woodpecker Environment and Wildlife Film Festival was held in Shimla. TAMIL NADU TOPS IN ATTRACTING TOURISTS  India’s first ever Water Metro project, comprising of Data released by the Ministry of Tourism shows that the two hi-tec catamarans has been launched in Kerala. number of domestic tourists increased by 11.63 per cent  Madhya Pradesh has passed a law as per which flush during 2015 to 1432 million. Tamil Nadu attracted toilet in a residential premise will be mandatory for highest - 333 million tourists, followed by Uttar Pradesh contesting panchayat elections in the state. and Andhra Pradesh.  Govt has approved Rs. 1,600 crore for Jammu and Country received 23.3 million foreign tourists in 2015, Kashmir under skill development initiative 'Himayat' registering a poor growth of only 4.4 per cent. Tamil to train 1, 24,000 locals in vocational courses. Nadu again topped attracting 4.7 million foreign tourists, As a measure to tackle the increasing rate followed closely by Maharashtra.  of obesity, Kerala plans a 14.5% ‘fat tax’ on junk

food like burgers, pizzas, sandwiches, etc. INDIA’s FIRST COMMERCIAL COURT Assam govt and the Armed Forces jointly launched Country's first commercial dispute resolution centre  exercise ‘Jalrahat’ to efficiently coordinate the rescue and a commercial court was inaugurated in Raipur, operations during the floods. Chhattisgarh. It will focus on resolving disputes of investors to promote ‘ease of doing business’ in the  Odisha to provide education loan up to Rs 10 lakh at state. 1% interest rate to poor students aspiring to pursue professional and technical education. AIIMS TO BE OPENED IN GORAKHPUR  Madhya Pradesh has become first state in India to set Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of an All India up Happiness Department in the state. It will work as Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Gorakhpur for resource centre on the subject of happiness. the benefit of the people in eastern Uttar Pradesh and  Kerala Tourism won two Gold Awards at the adjoining parts of Bihar. prestigious Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) awards for its excellence in marketing initiatives. GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 8 ONLINE LIBRARY FOR DISABLED JUNE 2016 Govt has launched Accessible E-Library 'Sugamya ANDHRA GETS TELECOM LICENCE Pustakalaya' for Divyang under Prime Minister’s Andhra Pradesh has become the first State to have Accessible India Campaign (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan). obtained a telecom license from the Telecom Ministry. It makes accessible contents of over 2 lakh books Now the state can issue phone numbers starting with available online to print-disabled people. the ‘797’ series from August this year. SURROGACY TO BE MADE LEGAL NAGPUR SIGNS AGREEMENT WITH JINAN The Union Cabinet has cleared the draft Surrogacy Bill 2016, aimed at proper regulation of surrogacy in the country. It will safeguard rights of surrogate mothers and make parentage of such children legal.

SIX NEW IITs TO BE OPENED The Parliament passed the Institutes of Technology (Amendment) Bill, 2016 to open way for establishment of six new IITs in Palakkad (Kerala), Goa, Dharwad (Karnataka), Bhilai (Chhattisgarh), Jammu, and Tirupati (Andhra Pradesh).

RELIEF ON CARD TRANSACTIONS

Nagpur and the Chinese city of Jinan (capital of The Finance Ministry has directed that henceforth the Shandong Province) have signed the agreement of Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on all digital payments, 'sister cities' for the exchange of ideas and technology in including payments through cards, pertaining to the the field of education, urban planning, youth affairs, and government transactions would be borne by sports. government departments, giving relief to the public. Some of the items covered are payments for utility  Kerala Tourism won four awards at ‘FilmAT’, one of services, petrol pumps, gas agencies, railway tickets, tax the biggest international film festivals dedicated to payment, tickets at museums, monuments. tourism, art and ecology, held in Poland.  Sikkim has become the first state in India to have an DIGITAL ATTENDANCE IN MEDICAL COLLEGES open government data portal to facilitate free usage The Medical Council of India (MCI) launched the Digital of govt data by general public. Mission Mode Project (DMMP) to monitor online  Maharashtra government has decided to celebrate attendance of faculty members in about 439 medical the 21st of every month as Yoga Day across all colleges of the country through biometric system. schools, colleges and universities in the state.  Odisha has become first state in the country to give NEW STEPS IN TRANSMISSION SECTOR social welfare benefits - such as a pension, housing and food grains to transgender people.  Lakshadweep has become first Union Territory in India to assure 24x7 power to its residents.

GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES

AUGUST 2016 To enhance transparency in power transmission sector, E-BOX TO HELP CHILD VICTIMS govt has launched the ‘TARANG’ Mobile App. TARANG Ministry of Women and Child Development has stands for ‘Transmission App for Real Time Monitoring launched, POCSO e-box, an online platform where a & Growth (of transmission projects)’. child victim of sexual abuse can report the case online. A web portal named ‘e-Trans’ was launched online The facility has been launched on the home page of bidding power transmission projects. Another web National Commission for Protection of Child Rights. portal named DEEP (Discovery of Efficient Electricity POCSO:Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Price) was also launched for e-bidding of power tariffs.

GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 9 TOUCH AND FEEL GARDEN FOR BLINDS INSURANCE FOR RAIL PASSENGERS Railway passengers, booking tickets through the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation, IRCTC, website can now avail a travel accident cover of 10 lakh rupees at a premium of 92 paisa, from Sept. 2016.

NOW A LAW FOR GANGA With a view to provide a legal framework to the mission for cleansing of river Ganga, Ministry of Water Resources has constituted a committee headed by Justice Girdhar Malviya to prepare a draft of Ganga Act.

RIGHT TO PEOPLE AGAINST IAS OFFICERS A first-of-its-kind touch and feel garden of various Govt has issued guidelines for the people who want the herbal and aromatic plants in the country has been government’s permission to prosecute IAS officers. The opened for the visually impaired people, near Calicut guidelines have been issued in terms of the Supreme University campus in Kerala. The visitors can touch and Court’s directions in the matter. smell the plants and can listen to complete details about Under the law, public servants cannot be prosecuted the plant by using a special audio device installed with without the government’s approval to protect the every plant. innocent from unnecessary harassment. AADHAR ALLOWED FOR NEW MOBILE NUMBER The government has allowed online authentication (e- PORTAL LAUNCHED FOR FARMERS KYC) for new mobile connections by using Aadhar A new online portal - kvk.icar.gov.in has been launched number. In e-KYC, a customer authorises UIDAI to to provide district specific agriculture related provide demographic details such as name, address, information to the farmers through the 645 Krishi date of birth and gender, along with the digitally-signed Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), known as farm-science centres, photograph, to the mobile operator. spread across the country. The portal will provide

 For the first time, civilian victims of cross border information related to all farm schemes, firing along the Indo-Pak border will be given a market development, weather updates, besides advisory to farmers. compensation of Rs. 5 lakh same as terrorism or Naxal victims.  Union Cabinet has approved the amendments made to the Maternity Benefits Act which aims to raise maternity leave for women from 12 weeks to 26 weeks.  Government has launched a nation-wide programme MAA – ‘Mothers’ Absolute Affection’ for promoting optimal breastfeeding practices.

JULY 2016

23.5% SALARY HIKE FOR GOVT EMPLOYEES Implementing the Seventh Pay Commission’s recommendations, Central govt has announced an overall increase of 23.5 per cent in salary of over one crore government employees and pensioners. Increased salary will be effective from January 01, 2016. First revised salary will be payable from the month of August, 2016. The minimum basic pay for the peons, drivers, etc has been fixed at Rs 18,000 and the maximum goes up to Rs SAGARMALA DEVELOPMENT COMPANY 2,50,000 for the Cabinet Secretary. The Union Cabinet has approved the incorporation of The 7th Pay Commission was headed by Justice A K Sagarmala Development Company (SDC) under the Mathur. The Pay Commission is constituted every ten administrative control of the Ministry of Shipping. The years to review the salary structure and pension pay outs Sagarmala Project was launched for promoting port-led for Central Government employees. economic development in India. GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 10 CLEANLINESS DRIVE FOR 10 ICONIC SPOTS  Govt has launched an online portal 'Transforming Govt has decided to undertake a clean-up initiative at India', a repository for real-time sharing of the 100 iconic heritage, spiritual and cultural sites under impact of various governance initiatives with citizens. the Swachh Bharat Mission. In the beginning, 10 sites  Cabinet approves Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas have been selected that include Taj Mahal, Golden Yojana with an outlay of Rs.12000 crore to impart Temple, Tirupati Temple, Ajmer Sharif Dargah and skilling to one crore people over the next 4 years. Chhatrapati Shivaji Rail Terminus in Mumbai.  Union Ministry of Health launched nationwide “Intensified Diarrhea Control Fortnight (IDCF)” from P M SURAKSHIT MATRITVA ABHIYAN July 11-23.  Cabinet approves establishment of an All India Institute of Medical Sciences - AIIMS at Bathinda under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana.  The holy Gangajal brought from Gangotri and Rishikesh would be delivered through post offices at the doorsteps of people at nominal prices.

JUNE 2016

SMART CITY PROJECT LAUNCHED IN PUNE Prime Minister Modi formally launched the ‘Smart City

It is a new government initiative for boosting the health Project’ in Pune Maharashtra. Total 69 Smart City care facilities for the pregnant women, especially the projects will be launched in 20 cities with a total poor. They will be given free health check-up and investment of about Rs. 1,770 crore. required treatment on 9th of every month in all the These projects are related to solid waste management, government hospitals and health centers. water supply projects, sewage treatment plants, housing projects for urban poor under Pradhan Mantri Awas NATIONAL GREEN HIGHWAYS MISSION Yojana. Govt has launched the National Green Highways Mission for undertaking plantation drive on 1,500 kilometers of NEW AVIATION POLICY NOTIFIED National Highways at a cost of about 300 crore rupees. It has been decided to make it mandatory to set aside one per cent of the total project cost of any National Highway contract to a Green Fund corpus that will be used for plantation purpose.

‘PRASHIKSHAK’ TO TRAIN SCHOOL TEACHERS HRD ministry has launched a teacher education portal ‘Prashikshak’, for District Institutes of Education and Training (DIETs) for collecting and reporting data from all DIETs for improved monitoring. At present there are

646 DIETs in the country for imparting quality training to government school teachers. Government has approved the National Civil Aviation Policy 2016, capping fares at Rs 2,500 for one-hour PERSONALIZED STAMPS FOR Rs12 LAKH flights and Rs 1200 for flights up to 30 minutes. It also Department of Posts has announced that any individual waived the 5/20 norm for new airlines to fly abroad. or a corporate entity can now get their photo or logo The 5/20 Rule says that an airline can fly to international printed inside the postage stamp for Rs 12 lakh. destinations only if it has served within the country for Department will provide 5000 sheets, each with 12 five years and has a 20-aircraft fleet. stamps.

 Govt has released the National Mineral Exploration ‘VIDYANJALI’ TO SUPPORT GOVT SCHOOLS Policy to adopt comprehensive exploration of non fuel To boost community participation in government and non coal mineral resources. schools, HRD Ministry has launched Vidyanjali scheme  Railways has launched an online portal named inviting volunteers to hold public speaking, storytelling, ‘Nivaran’ to address the service related grievance acting sessions and participate in other co-scholastic of serving and former railway employees. activities.

GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 11 NATIONAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT PLAN DELEGATION POWERS OF MINISTERS HIKED Making changes in the delegation of financial power rules, 1978, the Finance Ministry has advised that now the Ministers can approve non-plan expenditure proposals of up to Rs. 500 crore as against the earlier limit of Rs. 150 crore. Proposals up to Rs. 75 crore can be approved by the secretary of the administrative ministry or department. Proposals beyond 500 crore and up to 1,000 crore rupees shall be sanctioned jointly with Finance minister. Proposals exceeding 1000 crore will be sanctioned by the Union Cabinet.

IRCTC LAUNCHES ‘TIGER EXPRESS’

India’s first ever NDM plan, which aims to make the country disaster resilient and reduce loss of lives was released on June 1. The plan is based on the four priority themes of the “Sendai Framework.”

AADHAAR TO BE LINKED WITH STUDENTS Government has asked all state governments to link Aadhaar number with caste and domicile certificates of school students studying either in Class V or VIII. This is Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation – to ensure that the scholarships to the SC/ST students IRCTC launched a special tourist train - Tiger Express to are granted in time without any harassment. spread awareness among people regarding tiger conservation. It will take tourists to various Tiger Parks DLAMC TO MONITOR URBAN DEVELOPMENT on a six day trip. To promote people centric planning, execution and monitoring of new urban development schemes, govt  TRAI has launched a mobile app for telecom has approved setting up of District Level Advisory and subscribers to register their complaints against pesky Monitoring Committees with the elected representatives calls and SMSs to tighten the noose on telemarketers. of the people across the country. Senior most MP of the  Govt has decided to enhance the age of retirement of area will head the committee. all doctors of the Central Health Service to 65 years PPF WITHDRAWAL ALLOWED AFTER 5 YEARS with immediate effect. The Finance Ministry has allowed the subscribers of the  Railway has started India's first timetabled freight Public Provident Fund (PPF) to prematurely close their train, named ‘Cargo Express’, from Delhi to account after completing five years for reasons such as Bengaluru. higher education or expenditure towards medical treatment.  Government has launched a pilot programme to run two-wheelers on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) in THE UNION MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS has launched New Delhi to curb air pollution in cities. three passenger service initiatives namely- a Janani  The government has exempted PF withdrawals of up Sewa for mothers, optional catering in Rajdhani and to Rs. 50,000 from tax deduction at source. Shatabdi trains, and a children’s menu on trains.  Government has launched a campaign ‘Swachh Yug’ ‘SURYA MITRA’ APP FOR SOLAR ENERGY to make villages located along Ganga free from open Government has launched a GPS based mobile app defecation by motivating people to achieve this goal. named ‘Surya Mitra’ developed by National Institute of  Govt plans to raise a new Indian Reserve Police Solar Energy to facilitate repair and maintenance of Battalion in Rajasthan named after Maharana solar equipments, awareness about availability of solar Pratap, the great Rajput warrior of Mewar region. power capacities and other related issues. The app will be supported by the trained ‘Surya Mitras’ to support  Govt has sanctioned Rs. 10,000 crore 'Fund of Funds the users of the app. for Startups' to boost self-employment in the country by supporting the ‘Startup India Action Plan’. GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 12 ECONOMIC INDICATORS ECONOMY & INDUSTRY

AUGUST 2016 AUGUST 2016

INDIA STANDS TO GROW BY 7.9% GST BILL PASSED BY RAJYA SABHA Goldman Sachs, the global financial giant has projected that Indian economy is expected to clock 7.9% growth in the current fiscal driven by better monsoon, government pay hike, key reforms and FDI inflows.

TRADE DEFICIT SHRINKS TO $7.76 BN

The Rajya Sabha passed the Constitution (122nd Amendment) (GST) Bill, 2014 to introduce the goods and services tax (GST). The Lok Sabha passed it on August 8. Now the bill will need to be ratified by at least 50 per cent of the states Assemblies, to become a

law. Assam became the first state to ratify the GST bill. Exports of goods slipped back into the negative territory The Bill is aimed at bringing uniform tax regime in the in July 2016 posting a fall of 6.84 per cent to $21.68 country by subsuming Central excise and state levies such billion. Trade deficit lowered to $7.76 billion as imports as State VAT, entertainment, entry and luxury taxes to declined at a steeper rate of 19.03 per cent to $29.45 ensure seamless transfer of goods and services. billion.

 Industrial output grew by 2.1% in June, down from EXEMPTIONS FROM TCS 4.2% a year ago, on account of poor show by Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has exempted the manufacturing and capital goods production. government departments, embassies, consulates and UN  Eight core sectors of the economy registered a 5.2 per bodies from the levy of 1% tax collection at source (TCS) cent year-on-year growth in June due to higher on cash purchases of above Rs 2 lakh. electricity, coal and cement output. 1% TCS is applicable on purchase of goods and services in cash exceeding Rs 2 lakh.  India’s foreign exchange reserves rose to $367.16 billion as on August 19, as per data released by the COMMITTEE FOR E-COMMERCE SECTOR Reserve Bank of India. With a view to effectively regulate the fast-growing e- commerce industry in the country, government has JULY 2016 decided to set up a committee to look into all issues INDIA JUMPS IN TRADE HANDLING related to this sector. The committee will be headed by India has improved its ranking in the World Bank the NITI Aayog CEO Mr. Amitabh Kant.

Group's bi-annual Logistics Performance Index 2016 by jumping to 35th position from 54th in 2014. The index studies 160 countries on the basis of efficiency of trade performance.

JUNE 2016

GDP GROWTH RATE JUMPS TO 7.9%

Data released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) shows that the economy grew at an accelerated pace of 7.9% in the fourth quarter of 2015-16, taking the overall GDP growth to a five-year high of 7.6% for the year ended March 31, 2016. India’s per capita income rose by 7.4% to Rs 93,293 in

2015-16 from Rs 86,879 in 2014-15. GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 13 NEW TRAIN SERVICE FOR AGARTALA  The Bombay Stock Exchange has introduced For the first time, a rail service has been launched for 'Paperless SIP' that would allow mutual fund Agartala, capital of Tripura. A new train named Tripura investors to make transactions through various Sundari Express started the weekly service from New modes of payments. Delhi to Agartala, coverin g a distance of 2480 kms via  Govt allows oil companies to raise the price of Guwahati in 47 hours. kerosene by 25 paise a litre each month for 10 months to cut the subsidy burden, beginning from ‘ASIAN PAINTS’ IS MOST INNOVATIVE July 1, 2016.  Nirma, the Ahmadabad-based detergents and chemicals giant has agreed to acquire Lafarge India’s cement assets for about $1.4 billion (Rs.9,400 crore).  Bangladesh and India have signed a mega deal for the construction of a 1,320 megawatt Maitree Super Thermal Power Project at Rampal, Bangladesh.  ADB has granted $ 100 million loan to strengthen key irrigation and drainage system in the Cauvery delta in Tamil Nadu.

At number 18, Asian Paints is the highest-ranked Indian  The World Bank has announced $ 1 billion support company on Forbes's list of 'The World's 100 Most for India’s ambitious solar energy generation plans. Innovative Companies'. List that includes four more  The retail prices of non-urea fertilisers including DAP Indian companies is topped by the Tesla Motors of USA have been slashed by up to Rs 5,00 per quintal that manufactures energy storage devices. following a drop in global prices of raw materials.  India’s first Green Rail Corridor has been started on INDIA 3RD IN TECH START-UPs the Rameswaram-Manamadurai stretch in Tamil As per a study conducted by the business body Nadu. It ensures zero toilet discharge on rail tracks. ASSOCHAM, India is home to the 3rd largest number of  Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation technology-driven start-ups in the world, with the US has joined hands with State Bank of India to promote and the UK occupying the top two positions. booking of rail tickets through banking channels.

Maruti Suzuki has launched its first light commercial JUNE 2016 vehicle (LCV) named Super Carry.

WORLD BANK FUNDING FOR CITY TRANSPORT

JULY 2016

JNU PORT STARTS RFID TRACKING Jawaharlal Nehru Port, Mumbai has become the first port in India to start RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag based tracking of containers. This will facilitate importers and exporters in easy and quick tracking of their goods in transit.

ONLY 7 INDIAN COMPANIES IN TOP 500 In the latest Fortune 500 `list of the world's biggest corporations in terms of revenue, there are only seven Indian companies. Top most Indian company is Indian The World Bank has agreed to provide a $ 9.2 million Oil Corporation at 161st rank with revenue of $54.7 grant for financing the Efficient and Sustainable City Bus billion. The list is topped by the retail giant Walmart Service Project in selected Indian cities like Chandigarh, with revenue of $482,130 million. Jaipur and Mira Bhayandar in Thane, Maharashtra.

RAILWAYS TO GET HI-TEC EYES SERVICES TO COST MORE WEF JUNE 1 Railways plan to install TRI-NETRA (three eyes) vision The Krishi Kalyan Cess of 0.5 per cent on the service tax, system on locomotives for enhancing the driver’s vision announced by Finance Minister in the current budget, in inclement weather. It will be made up of high- became effective from June 1. The consumers will now resolution optical video camera, high sensitivity infra- have to pay an extra 50 paise per Rs 100 or Rs 5 per Rs red video camera and a radar-based terrain mapping 1,000 spent on any taxable item like various utility bills, system. parlours, restaurants, AC rail tickets, etc.

GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 14 MSP HIKED FOR KHARIF CROPS PURCHASES OF OVER 2 LAKH TO ATTRACT TCS Payment in cash for buying goods and services worth more than Rs 2 lakh with the exception of jewellery will attract 1 per cent tax collected at source (TCS) wef June 1. In case of jewellery, the cut off is at Rs. 5 lakh and over Rs 2 lakh for bullion.

LOANS GRANTED BY ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK Loan amt Granted to Purpose (in $ million) 120 Odisha to improve irrigation and water management infrastructure 100 Tamil to strengthen and improve water

Nadu management in the Vennar sub- On the recommendations of Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP), government has basin of Cauvery Delta hiked the minimum support price (MSP) of pulses by up 200 Jharkhand to upgrade 176-kms of rural roads to Rs 425 per quintal for the coming season 2016-17, 500 Bihar to build a 9.8 km long bridge effective from Oct 1, 2016. (longest in India) across the Ganges River Crop Rs/qtl hike Paddy–common 1470 60  The Japan International Cooperation Agency has Paddy–grade A 1510 60 granted a loan of Rs. 1,548 crore to Tamil Nadu for Jowar 1625 55 improving the quality of urban healthcare services. Bajra 1330 55  Work has started on the 'Jal Marg Vikas' (National Maize 1365 40 Waterway-1) for developing a 1620 km waterway Tuar daal 5050 425 between Allahabad and Haldia in West Bengal. Moong daal 5225 375 Urad 5000 375  Railways have started a new weekly train from Groundnut 4220 190 Kamakhya (Seat of Black Magic), Assam to Vaishno Sunflower 3950 150 Devi Katra (J&K), linking the prominent pilgrimage Sesamum 5000 300 centers. Cotton 3860 60  The Nuclear Power Corporation of India and the US The MSP is the assured rate at which the government firm Westinghouse have agreed to begin engineering buys the grain from farmers. Paddy is the main crop work for six nuclear power plant reactors in India. grown in the kharif (summer) season.  India has surpassed Japan to become the world’s

NEW AVENUES FOR 100% FDI third-largest oil consumer, consuming 4.1 million bpd With an aim to give impetus to job creation and ease of in 2015, after USA and China. Bpd= barrels per day doing business in the country, Government has  To promote and facilitate South Korean Investments approved 100 per cent FDI in Aviation, Defence and e- in India, the two countries have launched a joint commerce sectors under the govt. approval route. forum named ‘Korea Plus’.

RAJASVA GYAN SANGAM HELD IN DELHI A high level summit of the top brass of the two revenue collection arms of the government—CBDT and CBEC was held in New Delhi by the name ‘Rajasva Gyan Sangam’. Addressing the summit, Prime Minster Modi appealed the officers to widen the tax payers base to 10 crore.

TRIAL RUN OF HIGH SPEED TALGO TRAIN Trial of the lighter and faster Spanish train Talgo, with speed up to 115 km per hour, was conducted between Bareilly and Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh as part of the Railways' strategy to increase the speed of trains.

GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 15 Net banking can be done without IFSC Code, bank name BANKING & FINANCE or account details. The new app can be downloaded from Google Play Store.

AUGUST 2016 SBI & ICICI RENAMED AS D-SIB

INFLATION TARGET FIXED AT 4 % The Reserve Bank of India has retained the ‘too big to fail’ tag for the state-owned SBI and private lender ICICI Bank for the second year in a row, calling them domestic systemically important banks (D-SIBs) for 2016, requiring higher level of supervision.

SBI APPROVES MERGER OF ASSOCIATES The State Bank of India Board has approved merger of its five associate banks and Bharatiya Mahila Bank

with itself. The five In consultation with RBI, the Government has notified 4 subsidiaries of the SBI are - per cent inflation target for the next five years. There is State Bank of Bikaner and provision for variation of 2 per cent above or below this Jaipur, State Bank of Mysore, target. This will form the basis for the new interest rate State Bank of Travancore, State Bank of Hyderabad and setting and formulation of monetary policy. State Bank of Patiala. After merger bank’s balance sheet will jump to Rs 37 NOD FOR ‘ON TAP’ BANK LICENCES trillion or over $555 billion, making it one of the top 50 RBI has announced guidelines for 'on tap' universal global financial giants, with 22,500 branches and 58,000 banking licence regime. It excludes large industrial ATMs serving a customer base of over 50 crore. houses from the purview though they can invest up to  Committee headed by Ratan P Watal set up to 10 per cent in new banks. suggest steps to promote card payments through New bank should have Rs 500 crore as initial incentives like tax rebates and cash back schemes. capital. Applicants should have a past record of sound  RBI is encouraging banks to issue masala bonds financials, credentials, integrity and a minimum 10 (rupee-denominated bonds overseas) for their capital years of successful track record. requirements and for financing of infrastructure. These banks will have to comply with the priority sector RBI has asked banks to provide loans to women self- lending targets and the board of the bank should have a  help groups in rural areas at 7 per cent per annum. majority of independent directors. “On tap” license refers to license on demand, i.e.  RBI Governor Raghuram G Rajan announced the applicants can apply any time for a bank license. 3rd bi-monthly monetary policy statement on August 9. No change in any policy rate was announced. PORTAL LAUNCHED FOR DEPOSITORS  In one of the largest bancassurance partnerships in RBI has launched a web portal named ‘Sachet’ to curb India, LIC has tied up with Axis Bank to sell its illegal collection of deposits by providing information at insurance policies through bank branches. the state level about the entities authorized by the RBI  The RBI has formed a committee headed by Tarun to collect deposits from the public. Ramadorai, Professor in University of Oxford, to review various facets of household finance in India.

RBI TRANSFERS Rs 65,876 CR TO GOVT JULY 2016 The Reserve Bank has decided to transfer its surplus profit of Rs 65,876 crore to the central government. COMMITTEE TO EMPOWER MONETARY POLICY This surplus is generated through RBI's investment Govt has cleared the formation of a six-member activities, primarily in other sovereign bonds like that of Monetary Policy Committee to bring in “value and the US T-bills. transparency to monetary policy decisions”. The committee will comprise three members from RBI, NOW CASH PAYMENTS THROUGH APP including the Governor, who will be the ex-officio National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has chairperson, a Deputy Governor and another one officer launched the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) to of the central bank. simplify electronic cash transfer process with 21 The other three members will be appointed by the participating banks. Cash payments could be done using government. They will be the experts in the field of your cell phone. economics or banking or finance or monetary policy. GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 16 FREE EXCHANGE OF SOILED NOTES  RBI has constituted a Working Group to study the entire gamut of regulatory issues relating to financial technology and digital banking in India.  Reliance Industries has signed an agreement with State Bank of India to start the proposed Payment Bank.  World Bank to provide Rs 4200 crore to the State Bank of India for financing of grid connected rooftop solar photovoltaic projects in India.  Cabinet approves setting up of India Post Payments

Bank with 650 branches to begin with, to be The RBI has asked banks to exchange up to 20 pieces of functional by September 2017. soiled currency notes, up to a maximum value of Rs 5,000, free of charge. Banks may recover reasonable service charges for exchanging notes beyond these JUNE 2016 limits. CABINET NOD FOR INDIA POST BANK 3% INTEREST SUB-VENTION ON FARM LOANS The Union Cabinet has given its approval for setting up Farmers repaying their bank loan in time will get short- the India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) as a Public Ltd term crop loans of up to Rs 3 lakh at a subsidised Company under the Department of Posts. interest rate of 4 per cent in 2016-17, against the Bank’s 100% equity will be held by the Government of normal rate of 7 per cent. The 3 per cent difference will India. The Bank is likely to get license from RBI by March be provided as the interest sub-vention to the banks by 2017 and plans to operationalise 650 branches by the government. September 2017.

FRESH CAPITAL FOR 13 PSBs RBI AIMS AT ‘LESS-CASH’ INDIA The Ministry of Finance has announced capital infusion RBI has released the of Rs 22,915 crore towards the recapitalisation of 13 ‘Payment and public sector banks during 2016-17 to provide liquidity Settlement Systems support for lending operations as also to enable banks in India: Vision-2018’ to raise funds from the market. that aims at building best of class payment ONLY RBI TO ACCEPT PRE-2005 NOTES and settlement The Reserve Bank has announced that from July 1 systems for a ‘less- onwards pre-2005 banknotes will be accepted only at cash’ India and its select branches as majority of the old series ensuring access of banknotes have been withdrawn. mobile banking The pre-2005 banknotes are being withdrawn because of services to even basic fewer security features in them compared to banknotes phone users. The printed after 2005. document focuses on 5 Cs -coverage, convenience, confidence, convergence & cost.

SBI TIES UP WITH IIT FOR START UPS SCHEME FOR HIGH VALUE BAD LOANS State Bank of India has signed a MoU with the Indian RBI has announced the Scheme for Sustainable Institute of Technology Society for Innovation and Structuring of Stressed Assets, S4A, to handle the high Entrepreneurship (SINE), its technology business value bad loans. Under the scheme, a portion of the debt incubator, to promote innovation by startups in the will be converted into equity under supervision of financial sector. Indian Banks Association. The scheme will be applicable

to those projects which have started commercial SBI LAUNCHES SOCIAL MEDIA BANKING operations and have outstanding loan of over 500 crore. State Bank of India has launched a social media banking platform called 'SBI Mingle' which will enable the NRIs ALLOWED TO OPEN NPS ACCOUNTS Facebook and Twitter user customers to use a host of Government has allowed non resident Indians (NRIs) to banking services on their social media accounts. open National Pension Scheme (NPS) accounts online if  RBI has imposed a penalty of five crore rupees on they have Aadhaar Card or PAN card. Till now, NRIs Bank of Baroda for the lapses in the 6,100-crore could open NPS accounts only through paper rupees scam that was unearthed last year. applications by approaching Bank offices.

GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 17 AXIS BANK LAUNCHED ‘GREEN BONDS’ Axis Bank raised $500 million at the London Stock Exchange after it launched India’s first internationally- listed certified green bond to finance climate change solutions around the world. Green bonds are the one where funds raised are used exclusively for renewable energy projects or some other clean energy project.

 Latest RBI data shows that banking transactions through mobile apps have increased seven-fold in three years, between 2013 and 2016.  RBI plans to put into circulation Rs.10 coins bearing the portrait of Swami Chinmayananda to commemorate his birth centenary.

DEFENCE, SCIENCE

EARTH LIKE PLANET DISCOVERED & TECHNOLOGY Astronomers have discovered an earth like planet named ‘Proxima b’ that is orbiting star Proxima AUGUST 2016 Centauri, the sun’s closest star neighbour. Indications are that it is in the habitable zone with possibility of life. ‘DIVYANG YODHA’ MISSION BY BSF WORLD's FIRST QUANTUM SATELLITE China has launched the world's first quantum satellite named Quantum Experiments at Space Scaler (QUESS) satellite, nick named Micius,after a 5th century BC Chinese philosopher. The satellite will help establish hack-proof communications between space and the ground.

 China successfully launched a new high-resolution Synthetic Aperture Radar satellite named Gaofen-3 from its Long March 4C rocket.

A para cycling expedition named ‘divyang yodha’ was  China has successfully launched its first mobile organised by the BSF under the Prime Minister Sugam telecommunication satellite named Tiantong on its Bharat Mission. It covered 583 kms from Manali in Long March-3B carrier rocket. Himachal Pradesh to highest road in world at Khardungla in Laddakh, J&K. JULY 2016

The two week long Indo - Thailand Military Exercise NAVY GETS THE POWER OF ‘VARUNASTRA’ ‘MAITREE’ concluded on July 29 at Krabi, Thailand. Indian Navy crossed another milestone in its fire power as it inducted indigenously-built heavyweight anti- ISRO TESTS SCRAMJET ENGINE submarine torpedo Varunastra. ISRO scripted history on August 28 when it successfully Only seven more countries have such capability. It is test-fired its futuristic Scramjet Rocket Engine that will capable of targeting quiet and stealthy submarines in help to design air-breathing engines. After US, Russia intense counter-measure environment. and European Space Agency, India is the fourth country to achieve this fete. DEFENCE COMMUNICATION NETWORK Super Sonic Combustion Ramjet (Scramjet) uses hydrogen Defence Minister launched India's first Integrated as fuel and takes in oxygen from the atmosphere as Defence Communication Network. The network oxidizer, thereby cutting the weight and heavy cost of provides online connectivity to all the 111 Oxygen tank. It reduces the weight of the launch vehicle establishments of the Army, the Air Force, the Navy and by more than half, enabling it to carry heavier payloads the Special Forces Command to share situational into orbit. awareness for a faster decision-making process.

GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 18 ARMY GETS ITS OWN BOFORS GUN The project will help to better understand the origin of the universe and boost the global hunt for extraterrestrial life (aliens).

JUNE WAS THE HOTTEST MONTH National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), USA in its 137 years of record keeping has found that the June 2016 combined average temperature over global land and ocean surfaces was 0.90 degrees Celsius above the 20th century average, hottest recorded till date.

The Jabalpur-based Gun Carriage Factory has handed JUNO SUCCEEDS IN ORBITING JUPITER over three indigenously developed 155 mm ‘Dhanush’ NASA achieved a big breakthrough on July 5 when it artillery guns for trial to the Army. It has a strike range succeeded in putting the solar powered 1,600 kg of 38 kms. The gun has been developed following spacecraft Juno in the orbit of Jupiter, the largest planet transfer of technology from the Bofors of Sweden. in our solar system. The maneuvering was conducted some 870 million kilometers away from the earth.  India successfully test-fired the medium range surface-to-air missile (MR-SAM) – Barak-8, developed jointly with Israel, from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) near Chandipur, off Odisha coast.  In a major milestone in the military aviation in the country, the first squadron of home-grown Light Combat Aircraft Tejas became operational in the India Air Force at Bengaluru.  INS Tarasa, an indigenously built Water Jet Fast Attack Craft was inducted in Indian Navy. It is named after an island in the Andaman and Nicobar.  Indian Navy launched country’s largest ever search operation named ‘Operation Talash’ over the sea to

trace the missing AN-32 aircraft of the Air Force.  India has signed a one-billion dollar deal with Boeing Juno is a spinning, robotic probe as wide as a basketball of USA for four long-range maritime surveillance and court. It will circle Jupiter 37 times for 20 months, diving anti-submarine warfare aircraft, Poseidon-8I. down to about 4,500 kilometers above the planet's dense  Indian Navy has started INS Karma, a dedicated base clouds. It will help scientists better understand the planet's origin, structure and atmosphere. for Marine Commandos (MARCOS) in Vishakha-

patnam. It is a Special Operation Force of Navy.  Of the total 10,135 bird species in the world, about 12  Armed forces of 26 nations from around the world, per cent of them, 1263 are found in India. This has including India, took part in the Exercise RIMPAC been confirmed in a scientific study conducted by a 2016, held near Hawaiian Islands, USA. group of ornithologists (bird watchers) in India.  China has built its largest ever transport aircraft Y-  Social media giant Face Book has successfully tested 20 Kunpeng, nicknamed “chubby girl”,to transport its solar-powered craft Aquila that will be used to cargo and troops over long distances in diverse beam internet to remote parts of the world. weather conditions.  Google has announced that the next version  China has made the world’s largest amphibious of Android, 7.o, codenamed “N”, will be called Nougat. aircraft, AG-600, to fight forest fires and perform  China has successfully launched its second Shijian-16 marine missions. It can go up to 4500 kms without series satellite for space research and experiments. refueling and can carry up to 53.5 tons of load.

CHINA BUILDS WORLD’S LARGEST TELESCOPE JUNE 2016

The world's largest radio telescope has been built by FIRST WOMEN FIGHTER JET PILOTS China in Pingtang County in the southwestern China. It The Indian Air Force crossed another milestone on June has reflector of the size of 30 football fields, with a 18 when for the first time three women fighter jet pilots diameter of 500 meters, aptly named Five-hundred- - Bhawana Kanth, Avani Chaturvedi and Mohana Singh - meter Aperture Spherical Telescope (FAST). were commissioned in the operations in Air Force.

GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 19 DEAL OKAYED FOR 145 ARTILLERY GUNS NEW RICE VARIETIES DEVLOPED Ministry of Defence has approved the purchase of 145 Researchers at Assam Agricultural University have artillery guns meant especially for deployment in the developed two rice varieties, namely Ranjit Sub-1 and Himalayas by the upcoming Mountain Strike Corps of Bahadur Sub-1 that can be grown successfully even in the Indian Army. The 155 MM, M777 ultra light submerged conditions that are frequent in Assam due to howitzer (ULH) will be supplied by The BAE systems of common flash floods. USA and will be assembled in India in collaboration with Mahindra Defence Systems. CHINA HAS WORLD’s FASTEST COMPUTER Chinese supercomputer Sunway TaihuLight has been BRAHMOS INTEGRATED WITH SUKHOI-30 declared as the world’s fastest supercomputer, achieving a speed of up to 93 petaflop / second. The selection was made by the International Supercomputing Conference held in Frankfurt, Germany.

MICROSOFT TO ACQUIRE ‘LINKEDIN’ In one of the largest acquisitions in the social media space, Microsoft has announced to acquire professional

networking website LinkedIn for $26.2 billion. LinkedIn BrahMos Aerospace successfully tested the integration with its over 430 million users will retain its distinct of the supersonic cruise missile system BRAHMOS on brand, culture and independence. the supersonic fighter aircraft Sukhoi-30. This is for the first time in the world that a supersonic cruise missile FIRST ANIMAL TO BE DECLARED ‘EXTINCT’ has been integrated with a supersonic fighter aircraft. A small rodent (rat) named the Bramble Cay  Hindustan Turbo Trainer-40 (HTT-40), the two- Melomys found only on a single island off Australia seater basic trainer aircraft designed and developed is the world's first mammal to be declared as extinct by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited made its as none of them has been sighted by the locals after inaugural flight successfully. 2009.  It will be used for the first-stage training for all flying Main reason for this is the abnormal rise in sea level cadets of the three services. due to global warming, submerging parts of Bramble  Govt has taken a considered decision to allow export Cay Island of 'Akaash' missile systems to 'certain' countries that have friendly relationship with India.  China launched its 23rd satellite to support its global  Exercise Desert Eagle II was held between Indian navigation and positioning network- BeiDou Air Force and United Arab Emirates Air Force in Abu Navigation Satellite System. Dhabi in last week of May.  Google has tied up with Tata Trusts to launch  India has joined The Hague Code of Conduct against ‘Internet Saathi’ programme to empower rural Ballistic Missile Proliferation, a voluntary legally non- women by enabling them to use Internet in their daily binding multilateral body in Vienna, for preventing lives. the spread of ballistic missiles.  A joint military exercise named ‘Malabar’ was held between the naval forces of India, Japan and the US off the Okinawa coast in Japan.  The North Atlantic Treaty Organization members and partners launched their biggest ever joint military exercise in Poland, named Anaconda-16 Exercise.  Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia’s largest annual security meet held in Singapore to discuss the security issues in the Asia-Pacific region.

ISRO LAUNCHES RECORD 20 SATELLITES The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) created a record on June 22 by launching 20 satellites in one go, including 17 foreign ones, using its flagship rocket Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) C34 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradesh’s Sriharikotta. GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 20  US scientists team has created the world's first ENJOY ‘PANDA TRAIN’ IN CHINA microchip that has 1,000 processors and is thought to China has unveiled a panda-themed subway train that be the fastest chip designed in a university lab. sets a new standard for adorable design in public  Asia’s largest technology trade show COMPUTEX transportation. Both, interior as well as exterior of train started in Taipei, capital of Taiwan on May 31. More have been decorated with artistic Panda pictures. Poles than 1,600 companies from 30 countries took part. in the coaches are painted to resemble bamboo and

even the individual handles over the seats have been sculpted into the outline of a Panda’s head.

INTERNATIONAL  The 7th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Interior Ministers' conference was held in Islamabad, Pakistan. AUGUST 2016  Pakistan will host the 19th SAARC Summit in UNIQUE GLASS BRIDGE IN CHINA Islamabad on November 9 and 10 this year.

JULY 2016

FAILED COUP ATTEMPT IN TURKEY Turkey witnessed a failed coup attempt on July 15 by a faction of its Armed Forces to overthrow the government. Loyal forces and the public lead by the President Recep Tayyip Erdogan thwarted the attempt, terming the attempt as an incident of treason. Around 300 persons were killed and several hundred wounded

World’s highest and longest glass-bottomed bridge was seriously in the aftermath. opened to visitors in Avatar Mountains in Zhangjiajie, Hunan province of China. The 430 meter long bridge WORLD COURT RULES AGAINST CHINA stands 300 meter above ground and has 99 panes of three-layered transparent glass.

DAWN OF PEACE IN COLOMBIA People of Colombia saw the dawn of a new peaceful era after almost 50 years of conflict with local gorillas group FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) when the government reached a final peace deal with FARC. More than 220,000 people were killed in the conflict, tens The Permanent Court of Arbitration, the tribunal based of thousands disappeared and millions fled their homes in The Hague, has ruled that there was no evidence that because of the violence. China had historic rights to the waters of South China Sea or resources that fell within its "nine-dash line", and EARTHQUAKE ROCKS CENTRAL ITALY was violating the Philippine's sovereign rights with its operations there. The case was brought before the tribunal by Philippines.

IMO JOINS UNO The UN General Assembly has unanimously adopted a resolution to treat the ‘International Organisation for Migration’ – IOM, as a related organisation of UNO. The 65 years old IOM assisted over 20 million migrants in 2015.

Around 250 people were killed and 400 wounded in a 4 NEW MEMBERS IN UNSC strong earthquake of 6.1 magnitude that struck central Ethiopia, Bolivia, Sweden and Kazakhstan have been Italy past midnight of August 24, levelling buildings in elected by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) several hill towns as residents slept. Worst affected by as the non-permanent members of the United Nations the quake were the tiny towns of Amatrice and Accumoli Security Council (UNSC) for a period of two years in Rieti province. beginning Jan 1, 2017. GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 21 SHORTEST AND TALLEST IN WORLD WORLD’s LONGEST RAIL TUNNEL A survey done in 200 countries to study the average height of persons has found that shortest women are found in Guatemala, with an average height 150 cms while shortest men are from East Timor – 160 cms. Tallest men are from Netherlands – 182.9 cms and tallest women are from Latvia at 167.6 cms average height.

AMAZON IS THE SMARTEST COMPANY E-commerce giant Amazon has been ranked number one in the annual list of the world’s 50 smartest companies of 2016 compiled by the MIT, USA on the basis of use of The world’s longest rail tunnel, Gotthard Base Tunnel, innovative technology for an effective business model. 57 kms long under the Alps Mountain in Switzerland, was opened on June 1 for running of trains. Set of two  According to a survey of millions of airline passengers tunnels, it is also the deepest train tunnel of world, conducted by UK based research firm Skytrax to going up to 2300 mts below the surface. It will reduce select the best airline, Emirates, the Dubai based the train journey from Zurich (Switzerland) to Milan in airline has been selected as best. northern Italy down to two hours and 40 minutes,  The 2-day long NATO Summit was held in Warsaw, roughly an hour less than it currently takes. Poland. Heads of nations of 28 member countries took part in this biennial summit. BRITAIN VOTES TO LEAVE EUROPEAN UNION  Finance Ministers from the Group of 20 major In the referendum held on June 23 in Britain to decide economies met in Chengdu, China for a two day whether Britain should remain with European Union or summit. leave it, British people voted to leave the European Union to take greater control of its economy and its borders, shattering the stability of the continental unity JUNE 2016 forged after World War II. ICELAND IS THE MOST PEACEFUL COUNTRY The ‘Leave’ side secured 51.9 per cent votes as against 48.1 per cent vote for ‘Remain’.

Prime Minister David Cameron, a passionate supporter of ‘remain’ announced that as a measure of respect for the “will of the people” he would be stepping down as prime minister in October.

SWEDEN IS THE BEST COUNTRY According to the 'Good Country' Index 2015 which surveyed 163 countries to measure how countries contribute to the global good, Sweden is the world’s best country, followed by Denmark and Netherlands. India was placed at 70th spot.

In a ranking of 163 countries in the Global Peace Index AIIB APPROVES FIRST GLOBAL LOANS compiled by Institute for Economics and Peace, Syria Bangladesh has become one of the first countries to get has been named as the least peaceful country, followed a loan from the China-led Asian Infrastructure by South Sudan, Iraq, Afghanistan and Somalia. On the Investment Bank. The country will get $165 million for a other hand, Iceland was ranked as the world’s most power distribution system upgrade and expansion peaceful country, followed by Denmark and Austria. project. The other three borrowers are Pakistan, India ranks a low at 141. Indonesia and Tajikistan.

SWISS REJECT FREE INCOME PAK TOPS IN MALWARE THREATS In a referendum held in Switzerland, 77 per cent Swiss Malware Infection Index 2016 released by the Microsoft voters overwhelmingly rejected a proposal to introduce Asia to identify the key malware threats in Asia Pacific a guaranteed basic income for all. The proposal had region has revealed Pakistan as the location with the called for adults to be paid an unconditional monthly highest malware encounters followed by Indonesia, income, whether they worked or not. Bangladesh. India stands at no. 8 in region.

GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 22  World Health Organisation has recognised Thailand, JULY 2016 Armenia, Belarus and Moldova for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV and Syphilis. IROM SHARMILA CHANU: Famous as ‘Iron Lady of  The Forbes “100 Most Powerful Women” in the world Manipur’, she was in news as she decided to end on list 2016, topped by German Chancellor Angela August 9 her 15 year old hunger strike in protest of Merkel, includes SBI Chief Arundhati Bhattacharya at AF(SP)A in Manipur to contest state elections, instead. 25th rank. In 2000, when she embarked on her hunger strike, she  The World Bank has slashed its 2016 growth forecast also had taken a vow to neither enter her house nor meet for the world by 0.5 per cent to 2.4 per cent, citing her mother till the government repealed the Armed disappointing growth in major emerging market Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958.

economies including China and Brazil. RADHIKA MENON: The first woman captain of Indian  Global aircraft company Airbus has unveiled the Merchant Navy was in news as she became the first world's first 3D-printed aircraft THOR - Test of High- woman in the world to receive the Award for tech Objectives in Reality. Exceptional Bravery at Sea from the International  The World Health Organization on June 01 has Maritime Organisation for saving the lives of seven declared the end of Ebola virus transmission in fishermen. Guinea, one of the three West African countries hardest hit by the epidemic in 2014. K P OLI: Nepalese Prime Minister stepped down from  Norway has become the first country in world to his post before facing a vote of trust in the Parliament. It prohibit deforestation of rain forest to preserve the is reported that he lost the support of the ally parties. balance of ecosystem. DONALD TRUMP: The billionaire businessman from USA has been officially declared as the Republican party’s candidate for US President elections to be held in PERSONS IN NEWS November this year. DAVID CAMERON: Prime Minister of United Kingdom

resigned from his post after he lost the campaign to AUGUST 2016 ‘remain’ with European Union.

OM SWAROOP GOWDA: A six-year-old boy from JIM YONG KIM: President of the World Bank Group was Karnataka has entered the Guinness Book of World in India for a two day official visit. Records for covering longest distance by limbo skating under cars, covering a distance of 65.28 meters under FEDOR KONYUKHOV: 64 years old Russian adventurer 36 cars. has set a world record for circumnavigating the globe solo in a hot air balloon in a time of just over 11 days, covering over 34,000 kms.

JUNE 2016

NIKESH ARORA: One of the highest paid CEO of the world heading the SoftBank Group Corp. was in news as

he resigned abruptly just after two years stay at the corporation. PUSHPA KAMAL DAHAL ‘PRACHANDA’: 61 year old radical leader of Nepal was elected as Prime Minster by S. K. ROY: Chairman of public sector insurance giant the Parliament. A former Maoist rebel chief, he led a was in news as he resigned nearly two years ahead of decade-long insurgency that toppled the Hindu completion of his five-year term. Mr. Roy, who has been monarchy in 2008. with LIC since 1981, took charge as chairman in June 2013. LUKE AIKINS: 42 years old American professional skydiver became the first man in the world history to NITA AMBANI: The chairperson and founder of dive from mid-tropospheric altitude, around 25,000 feet Reliance Foundation, has become first Indian woman to (7.6 km) without a parachute and land safely on a be nominated to the International Olympic Committee 100x100 feet net on land. (IOC), the governing body of the Olympic Movement.

J.K. ROWLING: Renowned novelist of the Harry HILLARY CLINTON Potter series has confirmed that the eighth installment Democratic Party candidate for US Presidential elections in the series, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, will be created history by becoming the first woman to lead a the last story in the saga. There would be no more new major American political party for President’s post in adventures for Harry Potter in future. the 240 years of democracy in USA. GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 23 THERESA MAY: Elected as the new Prime Minister of APPOINTMENTS United Kingdom

MALCOLM TURNBULL: Re-elected as the Prime AUGUST 2016 Minister of Australia.

NEW GOVERNORS APPOINTED GUDNI JOHANNESSON: Elected as the new President of Iceland. Banwarilal Purohit: Governor of Assam P VP Singh Badnore: Governor of Punjab JUNE 2016 Najma A. Heptulla: Governor of Manipur Jagdish Mukhi: Lieutenant Governor of Andaman and ASHOK LAVASA: Appointed as the new Union Finance Nicobar Islands Secretary

Ms SUPRIYA SAHU: Appointed as the Director General VIJAY RUPANI: Selected as the new Chief Minister of of Doordarshan Gujarat DIA MIRZA: Bollywood actress has been named the Dr. URJIT R PATEL: New Governor of the Reserve Bank ambassador for Swachh Bharat Mission's youth-based of India 'Swachh Saathi' (student internship) programme.

SUNIL MITTAL: Chairman of Bharti Enterprises BHASKAR KHULBE: Senior IAS officer has been (Airtel), elected as the Chairman of International appointed as Secretary to Prime Minister Chamber of Commerce (ICC) based in Paris.

RANI SINGH NAIR: Appointed new Chairperson of the ANNE HATHAWAY: Famous US actress and singer has Central Board of Direct Taxes been appointed as global Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the ANANT MAHESHWARI: Appointed as the President of Empowerment of Women. India operations of global software giant Microsoft. PETER THOMSON: Permanent Representative of Fiji, TAKEHIKO NAKAO: (of Japan) Re-elected as the was elected as the President of the upcoming 71st session of UN General Assembly. President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for a period of 5 years, from November, 2016. PEDRO PABLO KUCZYNSKI: Elected new President of Peru PUSHPA KAMAL DAHAL ‘PRACHANDA’: Elected as the new Prime Minister of Nepal HANI Al MULQI: Appointed as new Prime Minister of Jordan. JIM YONG KIM: Re-appointed as the President of the World Bank, USA. AWARDS & HONOURS YOUSSEF CHAHED: Appointed as the new Prime Minister of Tunisia AUGUST 2016

25th VYAS SAMMAN 2015: Hindi scholar and writer JULY 2016 Sunita Jain for her poetry collection "Kshama". This award is given for outstanding work in Hindi literature. N S VISHWANATHAN: Appointed Deputy Governor of Reserve Bank of India in place of H R Khan who retired Ashok Chakra: The highest peace time gallantry on July 3. award was conferred posthumously upon Havildar Hangpan Dada of Assam Regiment, who killed four AJAY BHUSHAN PANDEY: Appointed as the chief intruding terrorists before laying down his life at the executive officer of Unique Identification Authority of height of 13,000 feet in the harsh and icy Himalayan India (UIDAI) range of North Kashmir on May 26, 2016.

PEMA KHANDU: Sworn in as the new Chief Minister of RAJIV GANDHI NATIONAL SADBHAVANA Arunachal Pradesh, after the Supreme Court verdict on AWARD: Shubha Mudgal, well-known Hindustani restoration of earlier CM, Nabam Tuki. classical vocalist for her outstanding contribution towards the promotion of communal harmony, peace RAKESH KUMAR CHATURVEDI: Appointed as the new and goodwill. Chairman of the Central Board of Secondary Education, The award is given by the Indian National Congress party CBSE and carries a cash award of 10 lakh rupees.

GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 24 KAMAL HAASAN selected by the Govt of France for the FUKUOKA PRIZE: Awarded to renowned Indian music Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et Lettres (Knight in the composer A. R. Rahman for his outstanding contribution National Order Arts and letters) for his contribution in towards creating, preserving and showcasing South promotion of art and culture. Asian traditional fusion music. This prize is given by city of Fukuoka in Japan. Madhya Pradesh won the National Tourism Award for best comprehensive development of tourism. SCHOLASTIC ASIAN BOOK AWARD: won by Aditi

Krishnakumar for her manuscript “Love of Indian History". JULY 2016

RAMON MAGSAYSAY AWARD FOR 2016: Six Asians selected for the prestigious awards for social work. Two BOOKS & AUTHORS of them are Indians:

AUGUST 2016

Bezwada Wilson, from Karnataka, a prolific campaigner for eradication of manual scavenging in My Olympic Journey by Digvijay Singh Deo and Amit India, Bose.

T.M. Krishna, Carnatic singer from Chennai, for The Assassination of Rajiv Gandhi by Neena Gopal promoting peace and harmony through music. Me, The Jokerman by Khushwant Singh (late), a compilation of his essays. 51st Jnanpith Award: conferred on renowned Gujarati writer, poet and critic, Dr. Raghuveer Chaudhari. Grassroots Innovation by Prof. Anil K. Gupta of IIM Ahmedabad Gourmand World Cookbook Award for 2015-16: won by Nimi Sunilkumar, cookbook author and food Jihadi Jane by Tabish Khair blogger, for her book “4 o’clock Temptations of Kerala”. Ace Against Odds by Sania Mirza, an autobiography by star tennis champion ADITYA PURI: CEO and MD of the HDFC Bank has been

ranked as the best banking CEO in Asia by the investor JULY 2016 community.

Who Moved My Interest Rates by Former Reserve Bank of India Governor, D Subbarao JUNE 2016 The Phoenix Moment by Praful Bidwai. INTERNATIONAL INDIAN FILM ACADEMY (IIFA) awards festival held in Madrid, Spain on June 23. Myth Breaker by Seema Singh, a book about the life of Best Feature Film: Bajrangi Bhaijaan by Kabir Khan Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, bio-tech queen of India, CMD of Best Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali for Bajirao Biocon. Mastani The Scout by Shirish Thorat, Sachin Waze

Best Actor: Ranvir Singh for Bajirao Mastani The Gene by Siddhartha Mukherjee. Best Actress: Deepika Padukon for Piku Carefree Days: Many Roles, Many Lives by Pran GD BIRLA AWARD FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH: won Nevile by IIT-Kanpur professor Sanjay Mittal

INDIA BIODIVERSITY AWARD: Won by the Pakke Tiger Reserve is in East Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh.

ASIA NEW TALENT AWARDS: ‘Thithi’, a Kannada film won the best film award and best script writers award at the19th Shanghai International Film Festival.

INTERNATIONAL DUBLIN LITERARY AWARD: won by Akhil Sharma for his novel 'family life'.

PEOPLE’s CHOICE PRIZE: Gold medal won by the renowned Indian sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik at the world championship festival of sand sculpting in Bulgaria.

GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 25 Half-Lion: How PV Narasimha Rao Transformed India by MACHHLI: The longest known surviving tigress in the Vinay Sitapati wild, star tigress of Ranthambore Tiger Reserve,

The Great Derangement: Climate Change and the Rajasthan, died at the old age of 19 years. Famous as the Unthinkable by Amitav Ghosh Queen of Ranthambore, she is believed to be the most photographed tigress in the wild. Courage & Commitment: An Autobiography by Margaret Alva, senior Congress leader, former Governor HANIF MUHAMMAD: Pakistan’s legendary former of Uttarakhand, Rajasthan captain and batsman, who held the record for the

The Wars of Reconstruction by Doughlas R.Egerton longest innings in Test cricket, passed away after a

prolonged battle with lung cancer.

JUNE 2016

Zindaginama by Krishna Sobti JULY 2016

Favourite Ghost Stories From Around The World by MAHASWETA DEVI: Eminent Bengali litterateur and a Ruskin Bond. social activist, Masiha for the welfare of tribals, Mahasweta Devi passed away at the age of 90. She was Old History New Geography: Bifurcating Andhra decorated with Jnanpith Award, Padam Vibhushan and Pradesh by Jairam Ramesh honoured with Raman Magsaysay Award. She is best A Life in Diplomacy by M K Rasgotra known for her iconic work "Hajaar Chaurasi Ki Maa".

The Age of Genius: The Seventeenth Century and the SYED HAIDER RAZA: One of India’s most eminent Birth of the Modern Mind by AC Grayling. painters, the modernist, passed away aged 94 in Delhi.

The Spy by Paulo Coelho Honoured with highest civilian award of France, he spent most of his life in France. He excelled in rare The Unseen Indira Gandhi by Dr. K P Mathur geometrical patterns, usually with iconic ‘bindu’ (point) Muslims Against Partition by Shamsul Islam. at the fulcrum of his artistic odyssey. He was decorated with Padma Bhushan in 2007 and with Padma The Invention of Nature by Andrea Wulf.

Vibhushan in 2013.

MOHAMMED SHAHID: One of the greatest names in OBITUARY Indian hockey, died due to severe liver condition and kidney failure. He was 56.

AUGUST 2016 MUBARAK BEGUM (SHAIKH): Legendary Bollywood playback singer and ghazal maestro passed away after AKHLAQ Ur RAHMAN (AR) KIDWAI: Former prolonged illness in Mumbai, at the age of 80. She will Governor of States including Bihar, West Bengal and always be remembered for her evergreen song "Kabhi Haryana, passed away at the age of 96. Decorated with tanhaiyon mein yoon hamari yaad ayegi" from the 1961 Padma Vibhushan, he was Chairman of UPSC and movie "Hamari Yaad Aayegi". Chancellor of the Aligarh University. LACHHU MAHARAJ: World famous Tabla player of GURDIAL SINGH: World famous prominent Punjabi Banaras Gharana passed away due to heart attack in writer, novelist and short story writer and Jnanpith Varanasi. He was 72 years old. awardee passed away at Bathinda, Punjab. He was 83. His famous works include ‘Anne Ghore Da Daan’ and WILLIAM H. MCNEILL: World renowned historian who ‘Marhi Da Deeva’ wove the stories of civilizations in his book “The Rise of

PRAMUKH SWAMI MAHARAJ: Head of Boachasanvasi the West” and vivid account of epidemics in “Plagues and People,” died at age 98 in USA. Akshar Purushottam Sanstha (BAPS), founder of Akshardham Temples world over, passed away at ABDUL SATTAR EDHI: Noted Pakistani philanthropist, Sarangpur in Gujarat at the age of 95. The spiritual social activist, ascetic passed away in Karachi. He was leader created and consecrated 1,100 mandirs and huge 88 years old. cultural complexes like Swaminarayan Akshardham in Gandhinagar and New Delhi to portray the cultural and ABBAS KIAROSTAMI: Iran’s renowned filmmaker, spiritual heritage of India. winner of several international awards, died at 76 fighting with cancer. KALIKHO PUL: 47 year old former Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh and rebel Congress leader, who quit ELIE WIESEL: The Holocaust survivor, writer and as the Chief Minister in mid July, 2016 as per Supreme Nobel peace laureate (1986) who worked to keep alive Court ruling, committed suicide at his official residence the memory of Jews slaughtered during World War II, in Itanagar. died aged 87 in Israel. GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 26 QUETTA: In one of the deadliest militant attacks, a JUNE 2016 suicide bomber killed at least 70 people and wounded NEIL O'BRIEN: An Anglo-Indian community icon and more than 100 in an attack on crowd of mourners former Lok Sabha member, credited with pioneering the gathered at the civil hospital in Quetta in south western Pakistan. quiz in the country, died in Kolkata. He was 82. His son Derek O'Brien is also a famous quiz master. Typhoon Nida: Squalls, heavy rain and rough seas

MUDRARAKSHASA: Distinguished Hindi writer and battered Hong Kong as the Typhoon Nida landed on the Dapeng Peninsula, some 42 kms away from Hong Kong. veteran intellectual passed away at the age of 82 in Lucknow, following a prolonged illness.

JULY 2016 INDER MALHOTRA: Veteran journalist passed away at a Delhi hospital at the age of 68. He was associated with PETRAPOLE: Town in West Bengal on India and ‘The Statesman’ and ‘The Times of India’. Bangladesh border was in news as a newly constructed modern integrated check-post was opened there. On SULABHA DESHPANDE: Eminent actor and theatre the Bangladesh side the link town is Benapole. personality passed away in Mumbai. She was 79. MAJULI: A big island in River Brahmaputra in Assam SURESH CHATWAL: Veteran TV and film actor passed was in news as it has been up graded as a district, away in Mumbai after a brief illness. becoming the first island district in the country.

MANOHAR AICH: India's first Mr. Universe (1952) TOKYO: In one of the worst mass-casualty attacks, passed away in Kolkata at the age of 104. Famous as the nineteen disabled persons were stabbed to death and ‘Pocket Hercules’ due to his short height – 4’ 11”, he was several other were wounded seriously in a care home a very popular figure in the world of body building. for disabled persons, by a knife-wielding man apparently aggrieved at having been fired from his job. RAZAK KHAN: Veteran comedy actor who worked in films like “Hera Pheri”, “Raja Hindustani” and NICE: City in southern France was in news at least 84 “Baadshah” among others, died in Mumbai. He was 65. people were crushed to death and over 200 seriously

MUHAMMAD ALI: The three-time world heavyweight wounded when a heavy 25 tonne truck was driven boxing champion who ruled the boxing world in late rashly at a high speed mowing down the people attending Bastille Day celebrations on the beach. sixties, died at the age of 74 in Phoenix, USA. Famous as ‘the greatest’, he was suffering from Parkinson disease. DALLAS: City in Texas, USA was in news as in a local Before accepting Islam, his name was Cassius Clay. racial crowd protest, snipers shot down five police

VIKTOR KORCHNOI: Four-time Soviet chess champion, officers and wounded another seven. The protest was Grandmaster, died aged 85 in Switzerland where he had against the killing of two black men a week ago by the police. lived since 1976 after defecting from the Soviet Union.

DHAKA: Capital of Bangladesh was in news as a group of heavily armed terrorists barged into a posh city PLACES IN NEWS restaurant and took around 33 people hostage, mostly foreigners and brutally slained 20 of them. Army

commandos stormed the restaurant and succeeded in AUGUST 2016 killing six terrorists and rescuing 13 hostages.

KOKRAJHAR: Town in Assam was in news at least 14 ISTANBUL: Suspected IS suicide attackers killed 41 persons were killed and 20 injured when militants persons and wounded scores of others at Europe’s third allegedly belonging to the banned National Democratic busiest airport - Istanbul Ataturk.

Front of Bodoland (Songbijit faction) opened fire and hurled grenades at a weekly market near Kokrajhar JUNE 2016 town in the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) in western Assam. ULGAON: The Central Ammunition Depot of Indian Army in Pulgaon, Maharashtra was in news as a massive MAHAD: Over 50 people went missing after two state- fire in one of its bunkers destroyed huge quantity of run buses and a number of private vehicles were swept precious ammunition. It also claimed 16 lives including away in flooded Savitri river when a British-era bridge two Army officers and left 17 persons injured. collapsed on the Mumbai-Goa Highway near Mahad in MAHASTHANGARH: The 3rd century BC archaeological Raigad district, Maharashtra. Due to midnight time, the site in Bogra, Bangladesh, has been declared as the vehicles were unable to notice the ruptured bridge span South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation and plunged into the raging floodwaters. (SARRC) cultural capital for the year 2016-17.

GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 27 GUWAHATI: It became the first city in the country to (II) DRONACHARYA AWARDS 2016, highest national have its own city animal. The city has adopted the award for coaches, carries a bronze statue of Gangetic River Dolphin as its mascot. Dronacharya and cash award of Rs. 5 lacs

MATHURA: The temple town of UP was in news as about 3,000 members of a little-known sect that has S. No. Name of the awardee Discipline 1 Shri Nagapuri Ramesh Athletics encroached upon 280 acres of government land Jawahar 2 Shri Sagar Mal Dhayal Boxing Bagh clashed with the police. The massive violence on 3. Shri Raj Kumar Sharma Cricket June 3 claimed 29 lives, including an SP and SHO and the 4. Shri Bishweshwar Nandi Gymnastics sect head, Ram Vriksh Yadav. 5. Shri S. Pradeep Kumar Swimming (Lifetime) ORLANDO: City in Florida, USA was in news as it 6. Shri Mahabir Singh Wrestling (Lifetime) witnessed one of the worst mass shootings in the US history as a solo gunman killed 50 persons in a gay night (IV) DHYAN CHAND AWARD 2015, Lifetime club. Achievement award in sports, carries a plaque and cash award of Rs. 5 lacs. PARIS: Days of torrential rain forced river Seine in

France to burst its banks causing heavy flooding in city S. No. Name of the awardee Discipline of Paris. Floodwaters have forced thousands of people 1 Ms. Satti Geetha Athletics to evacuate their homes and claiming several lives. 2 Shri Sylvanus Dung Dung Hockey 3 Shri Rajendra Pralhad Shelke Rowing

SPORTS WORLD (V) TENZING NORGAY NATIONAL ADVENTURE SPORTS AWARD, carries a bronze statue and cash

award Rs. 5 lacs. AUGUST 2016

NATIONAL SPROTS AWARDS DECLARED Sr. No. Name of the awardee Discipline 1. Tashi Malik Mountaineering (I) RAJIV GANDHI KHEL RANTA 2016, highest 2. Nungshi Malik Mountaineering national award in sports, carries a medallion and cash award Rs. 7.5 lacs Sania Mirza, India’s ace tennis player has once again S. No. Name of the awardee Discipline topped the ATP Women’s Doubles Tennis rankings. 1. Ms. P.V. Sindhu Badminton 2. Ms. Dipa Karmakar Gymnastics Dipika Pallikal, India's top squash player won the 3. Shri Jitu Rai Shooting Australian Open Squash women’s singles title in 4. Ms. Sakshi Malik Wrestling Melbourne.

Pro Kabaddi League championship was won by the (II) ARJUNA AWARDS 2016, carries a bronze statue Patna Pirates defeating Jaipur Pink Panthers at of Arjuna and cash award Rs. 5 lacs. Hyderabad, Telangana.

S. No. Name of the awardee Discipline The 2016 World Kabbdi Cup will be held in 1. Shri Rajat Chauhan Archery Ahmedabad, Gujarat from Oct 7 to 22, 2016. 2. Ms. Lalita Babar Athletics 3. Shri Sourav Kothari Billiards & Snooker M S DHONI SET A WORLD RECORD for captaining 4. Shri Shiva Thapa Boxing India for the record 325th game, most by a player in 5. Shri Ajinkya Rahane Cricket history, across all three formats, to break Australian 6. Shri Subrata Paul Football skipper Ricky Ponting's mark. He achieved the record 7. Ms. Rani Hockey playing against West Indies in Fort Lauderhill, Florida in 8. Shri Raghunath V.R. Hockey USA. 9. Shri Gurpreet Singh Shooting 10. Ms. Apurvi Chandela Shooting SPECIAL TASK FORCE FOR OLYMPICS 11. Shri Soumyajit Ghosh Table Tennis Prime Minister has announced the setting up of a task force to prepare India’s athletes for the next three 12. Ms. Vinesh Wrestling Olympics. Further, Ministry of Sports has set up a high- 13. Shri Amit Kumar Wrestling level committee to find out the reasons behind India’s 14. Shri Sandeep Singh Mann Para-Athletics disappointing show at Rio. 15. Shri Virender Singh Wrestling (Deaf)

GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 28 CASH AWARDS FOR OLYMPIC MEDALISTS INTERNATIONAL SCENE Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has announced a cash award of 50/30/20 lakh rupees for the  The United States won its 1,000th Olympic gold gold/silver/bronze medal winning athlete in the Rio medal when the American women's 4x100 meter Olympics. Indian Railways has announced cash award of medley relay team won the gold at the Rio Games. Rs 100/75/50 lakh for its athletes winning  Michael Phelps, the most amazing swimmer from gold/silver/bronze in Rio Olympics. USA, rewrote the history when he secured his 23rd gold by winning the 400-meter medley relay in N. Ramachandran, President, Indian Olympic Rio Olympics. Phelps finished a career that spanned Association (IOA) has been awarded the prestigious five Olympics with 28 medals, 23 of them gold. ‘Olympic Order’ for his outstanding efforts in promoting  No other athlete in any sport has more than nine the Olympic movement. gold medals. He became the first swimmer ever to Narsingh Yadav, India’s big hope in wrestling was lost win four consecutive Olympic golds in the same when the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), situated event - 200m individual medley in swimming. in Lausanne, Switzerland, banned the wrestler for four  Usain Bolt, Jamaica's speedster retained his years following an appeal by World Anti-Doping Agency. coveted title "Fastest man alive on the planet" by winning the 100m Final of Rio Olympics, securing RIO OLYMPICS – 2016 - HIGHLIGHTS the third successive Olympic Gold medal in the event, an unprecedented feat. He also achieved the The 16 days of sports extravaganza, 31st Summer record third successive gold in 200 meters and 400 Olympics, hosted by Brazilian City, Rio de Janeiro came X4 meter relay race, claiming 9 golds in 3 successive to an end on August 21in the Maracana Stadium by Olympics. ceremonial handing over of the Olympics flag to the  Katie Ledecky, American swimmer, won four gold officials of 2020 Tokyo Olympics. and silver at Rio, setting new world records in the 400m and 800m freestyle events.  The games had nearly 11,000 participants from 205  Simone Biles, artistic gymnast from USA won five countries, including a first-ever refugee team, medals - four gold and one bronze - from her first featuring in 306 events of 42 sporting disciplines. Olympic Games.  In all 65 Olympic and 19 World Records were  Briton Mo Farah became first runner after 1976 to broken during the course of games. retain his gold in 5000m and 10,000m in two  USA topped the medal tally with 121 medals successive Olympics. comprising of 46 gold, 37 silver and 38 bronze.  Ashton Eaton of the USA became the first man to  Great Britain followed with 67 medals (27+23+17) win back-to-back Olympic golds in decathlon. and China took third place with 70 medals  Jamaica's Elaine Thompson became the first (26+18+26). woman to complete the sprint double in 28 years.  India could get only 2 medals, securing 67th rank.  South Korea completed a clean sweep of four gold  As many as 121 countries had to return empty- medals in archery to continue their dominance. Of handed as they failed to win even a single medal. the 36 archery golds in nine Olympics, South Korea has won 23. INDIAN SCENE  Three nations won their first ever Olympic medal - Fiji, Jordan and Kosovo.  Ace shuttler P V Sindhu from Telangana became the first ever Indian woman to win a silver medal in the Olympics. She lost the gold to the world number Lewis Hamilton of UK won the German Grand Prix one Carolina Marin of Spain. at Hockenheimring, Germany.  Sakshi Malik, star wrestler from Haryana won India’s first medal in Rio Olympics. She defeated Novak Djokovic has won the ATP Toronto Masters Aisuluu Tynybekova of Kyrgyzstan to win the defeating Kei Nishikori of Japan bronze in 58 kg freestyle wrestling, becoming the first ever Indian woman grappler to win an Olympic Cristiano Ronaldo, iconic star player of Real Madrid medal. Football Club has won the UEFA Best Player in Europe  Dipa Karmakar, star gymnast impressed with her Award. 4th-place finish in the vault finals.  Steeplechaser Lalita Babar also made the country The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has agreed proud by becoming the first Indian athlete in 32 to add five new games in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The years to enter the finals of an individual event in new games are Baseball-Softball, Karate, Skateboard, Olympics in track category. Climbing Sports and Surfing.

GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 29 The 56th National Inter-State Senior Athletics JULY 2016

Championships were hosted by Hyderabad. NEERAJ CHOPRA scripted history by becoming the India made a big leap of 11 places to occupy 152nd spot first Indian to hold a world record as he smashed the in the latest world football rankings issued by FIFA. junior world record in javelin throw while securing the OLYMPIANS FORM AN ASSOCIATION gold medal at the IAAF World Under-20 Championships All sportspersons who have represented India in in Bydgoszcz, Poland. Olympics have got together to form The Olympians DIPA KARMAKAR: Star Indian gymnast was named a Association of India. Five-time Olympian, Luge ‘Gymnaste de Classe Mondaile’ (World class gymnast) champion Shiva Keshavan will serve as the association's by the International Gymnastics Federation. She also first President. became the first-ever Indian gymnast to receive this honour. SUPREME COURT REINS IN BCCI The Supreme Court delivered a historic judgment Rohit Khandelwal has become the first Indian to win accepting most of the recommendations made by the the title of Mr. World at a grand ceremony at Southport Justice R M Lodha Committee on the functioning of BCCI. in England. He received a whopping cash prize of 50,000 Major changes include an age cap of 70 years and a US dollars. tenure cap of three terms of three years each. Also,

Harika Dronavalli, India's Grand Master won the Fide ministers and serving bureaucrats have been barred from holding BCCI positions. Women’s Grand Prix Chess trophy in Chendu, China.

Niranjan Mukundan, Bengaluru para swimmer won Keni Harrison, American hurdler, broke a 28-year-old eight medals, including three golds, at the International world record in the 100m hurdles, clocking 12.20 seconds at the London Anniversary Games. Wheelchair and Amputee Sports, U-23 World Games held in Prague, Czech Republic. He suffers from Chris Froome of Britain won the world’s most dysfunction of spinal cord. challenging cycle race, Tour de France after a three-

B Sai Praneet won the Canada Open Grand Prix week rocky ride. The 23 day long race covers roughly 3500 kms in various terrains and stages. Badminton tournament held in Calgary, Canada

Sanjeev Rajput won the silver medal in men's 50-metre Lewis Hamilton of Britain won the Hungarian Grand rifle 3 position event at the ISSF World Cup in Baku, Prix F 1 championship at Budapest, Hungary. He also Russia. won the British Grand Prix title of Formula One at the Silverstone Circuit in Silverstone, United Kingdom and Viraat Kohli, star Indian batsman became the first the Austrian Grand Prix F1 Championship at Spielberg, Austria. Indian test captain to score a double century in an overseas match in past 84 years. He scored 200 off 283 Pakistan’s captain Misbah-ul-Haq became the oldest balls with 24 boundaries playing against West Indies in captain to score test hundred at the age of 42 years and Antigua. 47 days, playing against England at Lord's.

Ravichandran Ashwin, Indian offspinner, has become WIMBLEDON TENNIS GRAND SLAM the number one Test bowler after taking 7 wickets in Men’s title – won by Britain's Andy Murray beating the 1st Test against West Indies Milos Raonic of Canada Naman Ojha, wicketkeeper-batsman has been named Women’s title – won by Serena Williams of USA by captain of the India A team for the four-nation One-day beating Angelique Kerber of Germany tournament in Australia, starting August 14. Euro Cup Football Championship: Portugal lifted the Vijender Singh won the WBO Asia Pacific Super cup at Saint-Denis in Paris beating France 1-0. This Middleweight title of boxing in Delhi by beating Kerry Portugal’s first major international victory in past 95 Hope of Australia. years.

73rd Senior National Squash Championship, International Hockey Federation Champions Mumbai: Dipika Pallikal won the women's title while Trophy (women) won by Argentina by defeating men’s title was won by Saurav Ghosal. Netherlands in the final played in London.

India will be hosting the world’s first Mixed Martial Arts RUSSIA FACES OLYMPICS BAN ‘Super Fight League’ from August 26 to October 1. World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has called for a ban on all Russian competitors and officials at the upcoming P R Sreejesh, goalkeeper of the Indian Hockey team will Rio Olympics and other international sports as they captain the team in Olympics. Women’s team will be were found guilty of state-run doping at the 2014 Sochi captained by Sushila Chanu. Winter Games and other events.

GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 30 IOC TO LAUNCH ‘OLYMPIC CHANNEL’ maiden title in the finals played at the Chinnaswamy The International Olympic Committee plans to launch stadium in Bangalore. the Olympic Channel on August 21st, after the Rio The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has chosen Olympics are over. The channel will be available online, Olympic champion shooter Abhinav Bindra as the flag- worldwide via an app for Android and iOS devices, as bearer of the Indian contingent at the Rio Games’ well as on YouTube and social media - Facebook, opening ceremony on August 5. Instagram and Twitter.

The junior men's hockey World Cup will be hosted by JUNE 2016 Lucknow from the 8th of December this year.

Ace Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal won the Australian Rahul Johri: Appointed first ever chief executive officer Open Super Series Badminton tournament title by (CEO) of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) defeating Chinese Sun Yu in Sydney. in Mumbai on the recommendations of the Justice Lodha

Grand Master Harika Dronavalli won the best Committee. women's player award in the Eurasian Blitz chess N Ramachandran, the President of Indian Olympic tournament in Kazakhstan. Association (IOA) was awarded the prestigious Olympic Anil Kumble: Former spinner has been selected as the Order by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for new coach of Indian Cricket Team for one year. his outstanding services to the Olympic movement.

Tintu Luka won a silver medal in 800 metres in the All India Football Federation plans to launch ‘Mission Josef Odlozil Memorial Athletics Meet in Prague, Czech 11 Million’ in 30 Indian cities with the support of FIFA Republic. to engage more than 11 million children in football- Seema Punia won a gold medal in the women’s discus related activities. throw at the Pat Youngs Throwers Classic in California, Novak Djokovic: World number one tennis player from USA, securing her quota in Rio Olympics. Serbia became the first tennis player in the history to The Indian recurve team of Deepika Kumari and Atanu cross the $100 million prize-money mark in his career Das won the silver medal at the Archery World Cup in of 13 years. The record was created in a match in French Antalya, Turkey. open in Paris by beating Spain's Roberto Bautista Agut.

Dinesh and Tarkeshwari Rathod have become the Cristiano Ronaldo: Star footballer from Real Madrid, first Indian couple to climb the Mount Everest on May captain of Portugal team, has become the first athlete 23. Both are Constables in Maharashtra Police. from a team sport in almost 20 years to top Forbes Ceat T20 Player of the Year - 2016: Star batsman annual list of the World's 100 Highest Paid Athletes, Virat Kohli earning $88 million in 2015-16. There is no Indian in top 100. Ceat Lifetime Achievement Award: Former Indian Captain, Dilip Vengsarkar. Lewis Hamilton (Britain) of Mercedes team won the

Hero Hockey Champions Trophy Tournament: Formula 1 Canada Grand Prix title at Montreal, Canada and also the Monaco Grand Prix. Australia defeated India 3-1 in the final played in London. Nico Rosberg won the European Grand Prix at the

India won the three-match One-Day International (ODI) Baku City Circuit, Azerbaijan. cricket series against Zimbabwe 3-0 and also the three England captain Alastair Cook became the first day T-20 series by 2-1. English cricketer and also the youngest one to reach the NATIONAL RECORD BY MEN’s RELAY TEAM 10,000 runs milestone in Test cricket on May 30, playing The Indian men's 4x400m relay team created a new against Sri Lanka at Chester-le-Street, England. Earlier, national record in relay race at the International Sprint this record was in Sachin’s name. and Relay Teams Cup at Erzurum, Turkey. The team Copa America Football Championship: won surpassed the 18 year old record created at Asian by Chile by defeating Argentina in the finals played at Games, Bangkok in 1998 by clocking 3:02:17 minutes East Rutherford, New Jersey (USA). It is the popular against 3:02:62 of old record. most sports event of USA. The Indian women’s 4x400m relay quartet of Jauna Shocked with the defeat, the Argentine star player Murmu, Ashwini Akkunji, Anilda Thomas and MR Lionel Messy announced his retirement from the Poovamma won the gold medal at the PTS athletics international football. Grand Prix in Samorin, Slovakia. Latest FIFA rankings have placed Argentina at top, IXth Indian Premier League: Sunrisers Hyderabad followed by Belgium and Colombia at 2nd and 3rd rank, defeated Royal Challengers Bangalore to clinch their respectively.

GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 31 FRENCH OPEN CONCLUDES DAUGHTERS DAY AUGUST 11 Men’s singles: won by Novak Djokovic of Serbia by The Ministry of Women and Child Development has beating Britain's Andy Murray launched a social media campaign to observe Women’s singles: Garbine Muguruza of Spain defeated 11th August as the Daughters Day as part of the Beti Serena Williams of USA to clinch her maiden French Bachao Beti Padhao programme to check female Open title. foeticide, improve sex ratio and educate girls across the Mixed doubles: won by Leander Paes with Swiss country. partner Martina Hingis AUGUST 12: INTERNATIONAL YOUTH DAY

The Rio 2016 Olympic organizing committee released Observed globally every year to raise awareness on the official slogan for the forthcoming Olympic Games - issues that affect youth. The theme of this year’s IYD is “A new world”. “The Road to 2030: Eradicating Poverty and Achieving Sustainable Production and Consumption.” A cheerful white tiger cub, named ‘Soohorang’ has been selected as the official mascot for South Korea’s 2018 JULY Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.

Euro 2016: Europe's biggest football extravaganza JULY 01: NATIONAL DOCTORS’ DAY began in Stade de France, Saint Denis (France) on June The day is observed to honour legendary physician, 10. Bharat Ratna Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy whose birth and death anniversary falls on July 1. Wimbledon Tennis Championships begin in London on June 27. This is the 130th edition of the third Grand JULY 11 - WORLD POPULATION DAY Slam of the season. An annual day observed around the world to bring awareness about Population growth and its related issues. Current world population is estimated at 744 cr. DAYS & DATES

JULY 12- MALALA DAY

Observed every year on the birthday of Malala AUGUST Yousufzai, the Pakistan born young crusader for the

promotion of girls' education. August 8: National Handloom Day

Observed every year to promote handloom industry and JULY 15 - WORLD YOUTH SKILLS DAY to honour weavers with Sant Kabir National Handloom Observed globally with UN support to raise awareness Awards for their excellence. about the importance of investing in youth skills

development. This year’s theme is Skills Development August 10: World Bio-Fuel Day to Improve Youth Employment. It is observed globally to create awareness about non fossil-fuels (Green Fuels). On this day in 1893, Sir JULY 26: KARGIL VIJAY DIWAS Rudalph Diesel (inventor of the diesel engine) for the The day is observed every year in honour of the Kargil first time successfully ran mechanical engine with War Heroes. It was on this day in 1999 that the Indian Peanut Oil. Armed Forces, as part of Operation Vijay, recaptured Indian posts in Kargil which had been occupied by Pakistan's army.

JULY 28: WORLD HEPATITIS DAY Supported by the WHO, this day is observed to raise awareness about viral hepatitis, and to call for access to treatment and better prevention programs.

JULY 29: INTERNATIONAL TIGER DAY It is held annually on to give worldwide attention to the conservation of tigers. It is estimated that hardly 3,500 or so tigers are now left on earth.

JULY 30: WORLD DAY AGAINST TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS Supported by UNO, it is observed across the world for raising awareness about the plight of human trafficking victims, and promoting and protecting their rights. GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 32 JUNE 20: WORLD REFUGEE DAY Observed around the world supported by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to raise the public awareness about refugees. According to UNHCR, number of refugees rose by 5.8 million last year to reach 65.3 million.

JUNE 21: INTERNATIONAL YOGA DAY

Millions of people around the world celebrated Yoga Day by organising mass yoga sessions at various places. JUNE In India, main function was held in Chandigarh where Prime Minister Modi himself led a gathering of over JUNE 1: WORLD MILK DAY 30,000 people for a mass yoga session.

JUNE 21: WORLD HYDROGRAPHY DAY Observed world over to highlight the role of oceans and seas in human life. This year’s theme was ‘Hydrography - the key to well-managed seas and waterways’. It is also the establishment day of International Hydrographic Organization 95 years ago.

JUNE 23: UNITED NATIONS PUBLIC SERVICE DAY; Celebrated at the United Nations Headquarters in New York with a high-level knowledge sharing panel

on Leaving No One Behind: Innovative Institutional Observed across the world to increase awareness on use Approaches and Public Service Delivery. of milk and to promote activities connected with milk and the milk industry. It is supported by Food and JUNE 23: THE INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC DAY Agriculture Organisation of UNO. Celebrated every year on 23 June to mark the occasion of the commencement of modern Olympic Games on this JUNE 5: WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY day in 1894 at Sorbonne in Paris. Observed globally to promote awareness for JUNE 23: INTERNATIONAL WIDOWS’ DAY preservation of environment. The theme for this Supported by the United Nations to raise public environment day is "Go Wild For Life - Zero tolerance awareness on the hardships faced by the widowed for the illegal wildlife trade." women. JUNE 8: THE WORLD OCEANS DAY Observed globally to raise awareness of the current challenges faced by the international community in connection with the oceans. The theme this year is “Healthy Oceans, Healthy Planet”.

JUNE 12: THE WORLD DAY AGAINST CHILD LABOUR Observed globally with the patronage of International Labour Organisation to spread awareness about the abuse of child labour. This year’s theme is ‘End child labour in supply chains - It's everyone's business!’

JUNE 14: WORLD BLOOD DONOR DAY Observed across the world to raise the awareness about the need for safe blood donation. The theme for the year ALL THE NEWS ITEMS IN THIS MAGAZINE HAVE BEEN SOURCED 2016 is - “Blood connects us all”. FROM VARIOUS NEWS PAPERS AND GOVT. PRESS RELEASES. GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 33

GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 34

Bullet News

(MARCH 2016 – MAY 2016)

For details visit – www.gyanm.in

 A study by Assocham-KPMG shows that India is the NATIONAL NEWS fifth largest producer of e-waste, discarding roughly 18.5 lakh metric tonnes of electronic waste each year.  Govt has granted status of ‘classical language’ to six MAY 2016 languages - Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam,

Sanskrit and Odia.

 The Indian Railways plans to conduct trial of its first APRIL 2016 solar panel-powered train in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. ]

 The world’s largest cargo aircraft, Ukraine’s  The First Maritime India Summit was held in Antonov AN -225 Mriya — or the Dream, made its Goregaon, Mumbai, from April 14 to 16 to focus on first landing in India port based economic growth of the country.  Census 2011 data shows that there are total 248.8  For the first time, United Nations observed the birth million households in the country of which anniversary of Dr. B R Ambedkar on April 14 at its  202.4 million are of Hindus, 31.2 million belong headquarters in New York. to Muslims, 6.3 million belong to Christians, 4.1  India has been ranked sixth among the world's Top- million of Sikhs and 1.9 million belong to Jains. Ten largest manufacturing countries.  As per 'The Geospatial Information Regulation Bill  The Unique Identification Authority of India has 2016', wrong depiction of the map of India could generated over 100 crore Aadhaar numbers in a attract jail up to 7 years and/or fine up to Rs 100 span of five-and-a-half years. crore.  India signed the Paris Climate Agreement at United  The Supreme Court has appointed a committee Nations in New York along with 175 nations. headed by former Chief Justice R M Lodha to review  President nominated the six personalities from the functions of the Medical Council of India different fields to the Rajya Sabha (House of Elders)  President Pranab Mukherjee visited China from May following the recommendations of the government. 24 to 27, starting his trip from the highly  As per a report from the security solutions firm industrialised Chinese city Guangzhou. Symantec, India ranks third among countries with  President of Sri Lanka Maithripala Sirisena arrived high number of financial Trojan infections in New Delhi on May 13 for a two day visit.  India has joined hands with Germany for the  International Vichar Mahakumbh was held in Ujjain mission ‘Namami Gange’ by adopting strategies in Madhya Pradesh from May 12 to 14. used for cleansing German rivers like Rhine and  The H.R. Nagendra Committee on Yoga Education in Danube. Universities has recommended seven programmes  The Supreme Court has allowed the holding of the for implementation in Indian universities. National Eligibility Entrance Test, NEET for medical  To mark the 155th birth anniversary of courses across the country. Rabindranath Tagore, India organized a cultural  The HRD ministry released National Institutional festival in Cairo, Egypt from May 8 to 12. Ranking Framework for ranking the higher education institutions in the country.

GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 35  Top Management Institute: IIM Bangalore,  India will host the eighth annual summit of BRICS followed by IIM Ahmedabad and IIM Calcutta from October 15-16 in Goa  Top Engineering Institute: IIT Chennai,  Prime Minister Narendra Modi left for a three - followed by IIT Mumbai and IIT Kharagpur. nation tour to Belgium, the US and Saudi  Best University: The Indian Institute of Arabia from March 30 to April 2. Science, Bangalore  Air India on March 6 flew the “world’s longest” all-  Top Pharmacy Institute: Manipal College of women operated and supported flight, nonstop, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal from New Delhi to San Francisco, USA.  World Bank has agreed to provide a $1.5 billion  The first World Culture Festival, a three-day event loan for the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM). celebrating cultural diversity was held on Yamuna  BRICS New Development Bank has started giving bank in New Delhi on March 11-13. loans. India is among the first four countries to get  Supreme Court has now allowed use of pictures of a loan, receiving $ 250 million through Canara Bank Chief Ministers, Governors and Cabinet ministers in  A study of 180 countries by the Paris-based the government's media advertisements. Reporters Without Borders to study the functioning  The Raisina Dialogue, a joint initiative of the rd of journalists has placed India at a lowly 133 place. Ministry of External Affairs and a leading think tank,  President Pranab Mukherjee went on a six-day trip Observer Research Foundation, New Delhi on March to Papua New Guinea and New Zealand on April 27. 2.  Britain’s Prince William and his wife, Kate  India lags behind China, Pakistan and Bangladesh, Middleton, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, ranking 118th in a study of 156 nations, according to visited India on a week’s goodwill tour. The World Happiness Report 2016  India and France have launched a programme with  As per the Grant Thornton’s Women in Business $1 trillion Potential Solar Programme under the 2016 report of 36 countries, Russia topped with International Solar Alliance (ISA). 45% of senior-business roles occupied by women.  India, Afghanistan and Iran have agreed for joint  Global Energy Architecture Performance Index work on development of Chabahar port in Iran. compiled by the WEF placed India pretty low at th  India and Mauritius have signed an MoU on 90 rank and Switzerland at top. cooperation in the field of traditional system of  Meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the South Asian medicine and Homoeopathy. Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) The first ever two day North East-ASEAN  nations was held Pokhara, Nepal. (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Business Summit was inaugurated in Centre in Imphal,  Union Ministry of Shipping will host ‘Maritime India Manipur. Summit’ at Mumbai from 14 to 16 April, with  3rd Asia Ministerial Conference on the Tiger Republic of Korea as the partner country. Conservation was held in New Delhi on April 12.  India hosted a three-day conference in New Delhi  First National Tribal Carnival held in Delhi from with IMF on the theme of 'Advancing Asia: Investing April 29 to May 02, 2016 to showcase and promote for the Future' from March 12 to 14. various facets of tribal culture on a large scale.  6th National Community Radio Sammelan held in  India and South Korea have signed a MoU for cooperation and mutual assistance in port related New Delhi. The theme was ‘Community Radio in matters and their developments. India: Towards Diversity and Sustainability’.  India has signed an agreement with the Islamic  National Conference of Women Legislators held in Development Bank for a $100 million line of credit New Delhi, March 5-6, with theme Women to facilitate exports to IDB's member countries. Legislators-Building Resurgent India.  Govt has released a commemorative coin of Rs.200  India signed a MoU with Bahrain on cooperation for and a circulation coin of Rs.10 to mark the prevention of human trafficking, especially in 200th martyrdom day of Tatya Tope, a war hero of 1857 war of independence. women and children, their repatriation and  A statue of Maharaja Ranjit Singh will be installed in rehabilitation. France's Saint-Tropez town in September this year.  India has signed an agreement with Maldives for avoiding double taxation of income from MARCH 2016 international air transport.

 A new direct shipping service launched between  First meet of World Sufi Forum was held in New Krishnapatnam in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh and Delhi from March 17-20. Sufi leaders from over 20 Chittagong in Bangladesh. countries took part in it. GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 36  The India Aviation 2016, an international exhibition  World’s maiden white tiger safari was opened up at on civil aviation held in Hyderabad, Telangana with Mukundpur in Satna district of Madhya Pradesh. It over 200 participants from across the globe. is a rare breed of tiger, found only in India.  Rajasthan has become the first state to pass land  Parsi Zoroastrians of India celebrated their Navroz title bill to verify land documents with landowners festival on March 21to mark beginning of their new with the state records. year.  To promote the Swachh Bharat Mission, 20  Germany has assured its support for developing ‘Namma’ toilets were established in Delhi. three Indian cities as smart cities. The selected  Bihar has become the fourth state in the country to cities are - Kochi, Bhubaneswar and Coimbatore. ban sale and consumption of liquor. The other three  Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi ranked states are Mizoram, Nagaland and Gujarat. first in 25-40 million passengers per annum  The European Investment Bank has agreed to give Euro 450 million (Rs. 3,300 crore) towards category by the Airports Council International. constructing a 23-km long Lucknow Metro rail line.

 Germany’s Development Bank KfW will provide loan assistance of 3750 crore rupees for the NEWS FROM STATES development of metro system for Nagpur city.

 Asian Development Bank has approved a project MAY 2016 loan of $300 million for upgradation of over 400 km of major district roads in Uttar Pradesh. 5 STATES ELECT THEIR CHIEF MINISTER

 Tamil Nadu: Jayalalitha reelected leading the AIADMK - All India Anna Dravida Munetra MARCH 2016 Kazhagam.  West Bengal: Mamta Banerjee reelected  UNESCO has included Agasthyamala biosphere leading the Trinamool Congress. reserve located in the Western Ghats, in its World  Assam: Sarbananda Sonowal becomes the first Network of Biosphere Reserves. BJP Chief Minister.  India’s largest heritage conservation project -  Kerala: Pinarayi Vijayan of the CPI (M) led the Muziris Heritage Project opened in Trissur in left democratic front – LDF to become the Chief Kerala. An ancient port city, it has up to 3000 years Minister. old monuments.  Puducherry: V. Narayanasamy of Congress  Kerala has been declared as the first digital state of elected as the new Chief Minister. India for achieving digital connectivity of all villages  Madhya Pradesh Tourism has won the award for and panchayats. the Best Indian Destination for Wildlife. The state  Delhi has become the first state in the country to has 25 wild life sanctuaries including nine National launch the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine as Parks. a public health programme for school children.  Rajasthan State Transport Corporation has  Surat, Rajkot railway stations in Gujarat stood first launched 20 Nirbhaya buses with multiple safety and second in terms of cleanliness, as per a survey measures to better protect women passengers. conducted by the Ministry of Railways.  Allahabad High Court in Uttar Pradesh is celebrating APRIL 2016 150 years of its existence.  Jharkhand govt launched the Bhimrao Ambedkar  Kerala has started India’s first Gender Park to Awas Yojana for construction of houses for widows. promote the gender equality in development to promote participation of women.  Any male person desiring to contest for Urban Local Bodies in Haryana will now have to be matriculate  Kerala has taken first of its kind initiative by and have a functional toilet at home. launching the Air Ambulance in the state.  Women and a SC candidate will be required to be at least 8th pass while SC women candidates GOVT INITIATIVES have to be 5th pass.

 The Uttar Pradesh government has directed all the MAY 2016 district magistrates for plantation of 5 crore trees at  The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) was 6,500 sites in 24 hours on a date fixed in month of formally launched at Ballia, Uttar Pradesh. July under the ‘Green UP - Clean UP’ programme.  The scheme aims to provide LPG connections to 5 crore BPL families over the next three years.

GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 37  Ministry of HRD has launched the portal Already 20 cities have been selected for this ‘Bharatavani’ - the largest online repository of mission. dictionaries in India.  Moving towards environment friendly solutions,  Govt launched the LED bulbs distribution scheme Prime Minister Modi launched e-rickshaws and UJALA (Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All) at solar powered boats in Varanasi. Bhopal for the state of M P and Maharashtra.  EPFO has decided to increase benefits under the  Govt has decided to replace the five year plans with Employees' Deposit Linked Insurance scheme from 15 year vision documents. The NITI Aayog will Rs 3.60 lakh to Rs 6 lakh. prepare a vision document for this purpose. th  It will be implemented after the 12 five year APRIL 2016 plan which is ending in March, 2017.  HRD ministry has decided to launch ASMITA, an  The ‘Gram Uday Se Bharat Uday Abhiyan’ was online student tracking system for 25 crore launched on April 14, the 125th Birth anniversary of students of India from class I to XII. Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar,  ASMITA is acronym for All School Monitoring  25 Ministries and Departments of the Union Individual Tracing Analysis and shall be Government signed a MoU to join IMPacting launched under Shala Asmita Yojana (SAY). Research Innovation and Technology initiative.  N.K. Singh committee to review and give  Govt has launched the mobile application 'Vidyut recommendations on the Fiscal Responsibility and Pravah' to empower common people to demand Budget Management road map for the future. 24x7 power from the State.  Govt to issue a Unique Business Identification  The Nizamuddin-Agra Gatimaan Express that Number – UBIN for budding entrepreneurs to start started on April 5 is the first semi-high speed train up their new businesses without any delay. in India. It will run at a speed of 160 kilometer per  The Lok Sabha has passed the Insolvency and  Govt has set up a committee headed by Ashok Bankruptcy Code Bill 2016. The bill aims to improve Dalwai, to suggest ways to double farm incomes by conditions for ‘Ease of Doing Business’. 2022.  Govt has approved the single emergency number  Govt has launched the Stand-up India scheme to ‘112’ to help people access directly emergency give a push to financial inclusion programme. services like police, ambulance and fire fighting.  Under the scheme, 1.25 lakh bank branches will  A Parliamentary Standing Committee headed by J C provide loans up to 1 crore rupees to SC/ST and Divakar Reddy, MP has been formed to tackle women entrepreneurs. misleading advertising as well as to fix liability  The Union Health Ministry launched third phase of on endorsers/celebrities. universal vaccination programme Mission  The trial run of India's first ever Metro train Indradhanush to cover 216 districts. equipped to run in the driverless mode was  Government has made it mandatory that mobile conducted in New Delhi on May 18 by the Delhi sold in India from Jan 1, 2017 must have an in-built Metro Rail Corporation. panic button.  Cabinet approved national policy on capital goods  Further, in-built GPS navigation system would aimed at creating more than 2 crore new jobs and be mandatory for all phones wef January 1, tripling the production of capital goods to Rs 7.5 2018. lakh crore by 2025.  Govt has launched a tablet-based application  The Department of Empowerment of Persons with ‘ANMOL’ that allows ANMs (Auxiliary Nurse Disabilities will now be known as 'Divyangjan' Midwife) to enter and update data for the Sashaktikaran Vibhag in Hindi, dropping the word beneficiaries. 'viklangjan' from its previous nomenclature.  Another web-based mechanism launched is ‘E-Rakt  Govt has constituted the Investor Education and Kosh’ that interconnects all the Blood Banks of the Protection Fund Authority to strengthen the State into a single network. framework for safeguarding the interest of  To facilitate online trading of commodities in 21 investors. markets from 8 states, an E-National Agriculture  The Income Tax department has launched an Market was launched on April 14. electronic grievance redressal system named ‘e-  A portal for registration and allotment of nivaran’ to fast track taxpayers’ complaints.. International Standard Book Number was launched  Government has selected 13 more cities for the to facilitate publishers/authors to register for ISBN smart cities mission. The list is topped by Lucknow. online.

GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 38  Union cabinet has approved India’s formal  Govt has launched the Setubharatam project to membership of the regional group Sawen. make all national highways free of railway crossings  SAWEN (South Asia Wildlife Enforcement Network) by 2019.  The government has launched a portal ‘The Indian  Govt has launched the new four colour scheme for IP Panorama’ which will act as a single window re-classification of industries based on the Pollution interface for information on intellectual property. Index (PI) scores.  Union Government notified the Scheduled Castes Pollution Category P I Score No. of industries (SC) and the Scheduled Tribes (ST) (Prevention of covered Atrocities (PoA)) Amendment Rules, 2016. Red 60 and Above 60  Govt has launched its first online interactive Orange 41 to 59 83 heritage portal Sahapedia to serve as one point Green 21 to 40 63 resource for collaborative knowledge on the arts, White Up to 20 36 culture and heritage of India.  Government has allowed women to be inducted as officers in combat roles in the Indo-Tibetan Border  The Department of Disinvestment has been Force (ITBP), the last paramilitary force to do so. renamed as Department of Investment and Public  The Union Cabinet has approved the construction of Asset Management or 'Dipam' under the Finance one crore houses in next three years in rural areas Ministry. under ‘Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana – Gramin’  Railways to create a 1 lakh crore rupees ‘Rashtriya  Union Ministry of Tourism has launched the Rail Sanrakshan Kosh’ to strengthen safety ‘Paryatak Mitra’ programme to inculcate measures on the rail network to prevent accidents. appropriate tourism traits and knowledge amongst the college students.  Govt has launched a Twitter Seva Service, a special  The Rajya Sabha passed the landmark Real Estate Twitter cell to respond to queries from start-ups, (Regulation and Development) Bill, 2015 on March exporters and importer, within 48 to 72 hours. 10 to address corruption and inefficiency in the  The ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ programme has been sector. extended to 61more districts with low Child Sex  Union Health Ministry has started, on trial basis, Ratio across 11 States/UTs. Already there in 100 five healthcare ATMs in four states — Madhya districts. Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.  Govt has decided to increase minimum wages of  The Aadhaar (Target Delivery of Financial and contract workers to Rs 10,000 taking into Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Bill, 2016 consideration the CPI and Dearness Allowance.

has been passed by the Parliament.  Govt plans to construct five lakh ponds under  The UGC has asked varsities and colleges to launch Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana by next year. a special page on their websites for checking  Govt has formed a committee headed by former discrimination against SC/ST students. Lok Sabha passed a bill to amend the Enemy Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta to suggest ways to  Property Act, 1968 to cover properties left behind improve protection along the Pakistan border. by people who became Chinese or Pakistani after  Union government plans to lay more emphasis on leaving India . promoting Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and  Food Safety and Standards Authority of India Events (MICE) tourism in India. (FSSAI) has launched the 'Clean Street Food  Govt has launched a low cost micro solar Project' in Delhi to sensitise the street food vendors about health and hygiene aspects of food. device, Surya Jyoti, to light up homes without  Railways launched an online “clean my coach” electricity and save millions of units of power. service that allows travellers to get their  Govt has issued a new set of income tax return compartments cleaned by sending an SMS to 58888 forms that require people with an income of Rs 50 or by using an app or a designated website. lakh and above per annum to disclose their assets.  Government has decided to digitally connect all the Post Offices in rural areas by March 2017. There MARCH 2016 are about 1,55,000 Post Offices in the country.

 The Telecom Commission has approved the idea of  The NITI Aayog has launched the Women having a common number for emergencies such as Transforming India initiative in partnership with police, fire, ambulance, etc. all over India. The the UN in India and MyGov. proposed number is 112. GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 39  India and Slovenia have signed a protocol to amend ECONOMIC INDICATORS the double taxation avoidance agreement (DTAA) to

include exchange of information to curb tax

evasion.

MAY 2016

 The IMF has retained its growth forecast for India at APRIL 2016

7.5% for the year 2016-17, largely driven by private consumption despite weak exports.  Companies with a net worth of Rs 500 crore or

more will have to follow new Indian Accounting

APRIL 2016 Standards (Ind AS) from April 1.

 Blackstone, the New York based MNC in investment  Niti Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant has stated that India and financial services has signed a deal to buy 60.5 will achieve growth of 10% by 2032 to become a % stake in Mphasis, a Bengaluru based IT company. $10-trillion economy, leading to no BPL population.  As per a World Bank report, India remained the world's largest remittance recipient in 2015 3 MARCH 2016

attracting $69 billion, followed by China at $64  Fitch Ratings has lowered India’s economic growth billion. forecast for next fiscal to 7.7%, but maintained the  India to invest $20 billion in new petrochemicals, GDP growth for current 2015-16 at 7.5%. fertiliser and liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities in Iran.  The Shan-E-Punjab Express, country’s first train ECONOMY with CCTV cameras in all coaches, for safety of

passengers, started from Delhi for Amritsar. MAY 2016  The Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd. has become the number one coal producer in the country by  The World Bank has approved $625 million loan to producing a record 137.90 million tonne of coal in India to support the rooftop solar power generation 2015-16. across the country.  The East Coast Railway has become the largest  The Food Safety and Standards Association of India Freight Loading Railway Zone in 2015-16 with (FSSAI) has recommended banning Potassium handling of 173.49 million tonnes of freight. Bromate as a food additive.  The National Stock Exchange (NSE) has launched a  President presented Niryat Shree and Niryat new index Nifty Mid Smallcap 400 representing 150 Bandhu Awards in New Delhi to honour exporters midcap and 250 small cap companies. for their excellent business achievements.  Govt. has extended safeguard duty of 20 per cent on  The govt has announced The Income Declaration steel imports till March 2018 to protect Indian Scheme, 2016 – ‘Dhan Wapsi’ scheme for declaring industry from cheap China steel.

domestic black money, from June 1 till Sep 30.  Individuals willing to declare their black money in the country will have to pay tax and a penalty, totalling 45 per cent.  In terms of ‘crony capitalism’, India is ranked at ninth position with crony sector wealth accounting for 3.4 per cent of the GDP.  India and Mauritius have signed a protocol amending the double tax avoidance arrangement between the two countries.  MMTC has launched in collaboration with Swiss gold company Pamp, a new gold coin ‘Tola’ of 11.6639 grams on the occasion of ‘Akshya Tritya’, May 9.  World Bank has agreed to provide $ 100 million loan to support ‘Karnataka Urban Water Supply Modernization project’.  The Tata Group has made a foray into the e- commerce market through TataCLiQ.com to sell apparel, electronics and footwear, etc.

GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 40 MARCH 2016 BANKING  The government has allowed 100% foreign direct

investment (FDI) in the marketplace format of e- MAY 2016 commerce via the automatic route  To curb the menace of willful defaulters, the SEBI  The DBS, Singapore's largest bank, has launched has barred them from making a public issue or India’s first mobile (phone) only bank named acquiring another listed entity. ‘digibank’.  Railways have signed a contract to supply eighteen  The Reserve Bank of India has instructed banks to Meter Gauge 1350 HP Diesel Electric Locomotives shift from magnetic stripe based ATM and debit to Myanmar Railways. cards to EMV chip and Pin based cards for better  International Finance Corporation launched its first security. Uridashi Masala Bonds (Japanese bonds) to  The ICICI bank has become the first financial mobilise Rs 30 crore from Japanese retail investors. institution in the country to be selected by the  The government has decided to invest Rs. 69,575 BRICS’s New Development Bank. crore towards increasing India’s quota in the  Union Bank of India has launched e-SBTR International Monetary Fund (IMF). (Electronic Secured Bank Treasury Receipt), a  India’s quota increased from 2.44% to 2.75% to single window facility for payment of both - stamp have increased voting rights of 2.6% from the duty and registration fee for home purchase in previous 2.34%. Maharashtra  India signed its biggest ever overseas credit line,  Saudi Arabia based Islamic Development Bank has extending $2 billion loan facility to Bangladesh, announced to open its first branch in India at repayable over 20 years. Ahmadabad, Gujarat to offer interest free banking  Maruti’s hatchback Alto has achieved cumulative services as per the Muslim law – Shariat. sales of three million units in the Indian market in  UK based HSBC Holding Plc has decided to close its 15 years and 6 months. 24 branches in India, out of total 50.  Mahindra& Mahindra launched Trringo – a digital  A commemorative coin of 100 rupees and a app, to start online tractor rental business. circulation coin of ten rupees have been released on th  The U.S. Agency for International Development the 475 birth anniversary of Maharana Pratap.

(USAID) and the A have signed a MoU to provide $ 848 million to develop solar parks across India. APRIL 2016

 As per the Brand Trust Report, e-retailer Amazon  The RBI announced a 25 basis cut in its policy has been ranked as India's most trusted online interest rate on April 5, lowering it to more than shopping brand, followed by Snapdeal and Flipkart. five-year low. The new repo rate now stands at 6.50  The World Bank to provide $250 million loan for per cent. improving the performance of electricity  The reverse repo rate has been hiked by 25 distribution in Rajasthan. basis points to 6%. The new Marginal Standing  The government has formally withdrawn the Facility and Bank Rate stand at 7%. recognition of Delhi Stock Exchange (DSE) after it  Short-term working capital loans are set to get was de recognised by SEBI "serious irregularities". cheaper as banks start adopting the marginal cost of  The govt has allowed 49% FDI in insurance sector funds-based lending rate (MCLR) from 1 April. without prior approval, as against 26% earlier.  The new framework requires banks to set rates  Railways have tied up with the ISRO to use space based on their marginal cost of funds rather technology for providing the passenger information than their average cost of funds. in all trains and to explore new route alignments.  Airtel M Commerce Services Limited (AMSL), a  India and France have signed a MoU for subsidiary of Bharti Airtel has been granted the India’s first payments bank license by RBI. construction of six nuclear reactors at Jaitapur in

Maharashtra.  World Bank to provide $ 35 million loan for Madhya MARCH 2016 Pradesh citizen access to responsive services project.  RBI has asked banks to pay interest on savings accounts on a quarterly basis or a shorter duration  World Bank to grant $ 300 million loan for the Madhya Pradesh Higher Education Quality as against half yearly intervals at present. Improvement Project  The government has reduced interest rates payable

on small savings including PPF, NSC to 8.1% and

7.8% on KVP wef 1st April. GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 41  The two day meet of public sector banks and  The indigenously built Offshore Petrol Vessel ICGS insurance companies - Gyan Sangam, was held in Shaurya joined the Indian Coast guard at Vasco, Goa. Gurgaon, Haryana on March 5-6 ICGS = Indian Coast Guard Ship  RBI has come out with a draft regulatory framework  Indigenously built Fast Patrol Vessel ICGS Arush for new kind of Account Aggregator Non-Banking joined the Indian Coast Guard at Cochi, Kerala. Financial Companies (NBFC)  The 27th edition of the India-Indonesian CORPAT  They would act as an account aggregator to (Coordinated Patrol) between their navies was held help people view their accounts across financial off the coast of Belawan, Indonesia. institutions in a common format.  India’s first indigenously built fast attack waterjet  ICICI Bank has launched ‘iWork@home’ that uses craft INS Tarmugli was inducted in Indian Navy at technology to enable women employees to work Visakhapatnam. from home for an extended period  The Indian Navy has decided to decommission two  NPCI, issuer of Rupay card, plans to venture into the of its warships – INS Veer and INS Nipat. credit card space by September 2016. It plans to  India successfully tested its first-ever indigenously issue 100,000 such cards in the first year. built space shuttle - the Re-Usable Launch Vehicle -  The RBI has signed a pact with Bank of Israel for Technology Demonstrator or RLV-TD. exchange of information pertaining to banking  As per a global market research, Google Chrome, supervision. claiming 41.7 per cent of desktop browser share has  The Reserve Bank granted the first license for the become the top Internet browser. Small Finance Bank on 4 March to the Capital Local  In the first global assessment of the world's flora by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (London), it is Area Bank Ltd to start operations as India’s first estimated that there are about 390,900 plants. SFB.  In a rare astronomical phenomenon, planet Mercury  Indian Overseas Bank has become the first bank to was seen as a moving dot on the solar disc, from commence the sale of Indian Gold Coin. The coins various places of India, on May 9. are available in the 5, 10 and 20 gram category.  University of Cambridge researchers have built the

world's smallest working engine. The device,

powered by light, is just millionths of a millimeter in size. DEFENCE, SCIENCE &  China successfully launched its remote sensing satellite ‘Yaogan-30’ into space atop a Long March 2D rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. TECHNOLOGY

MAY 2016 APRIL 2016

 The ADMM-Plus (ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting  The Army has raised a new Gorkha battalion-First Plus) Exercise on Maritime Security and Counter Gorkha Rifles (6/1GR), christened “Kanchi Paltan” Terrorism (Ex MS & CT) was held in Brunei. comprising entirely of Indian Gorkhas.  The Advance Air Defence (AAD) missile (supersonic  India has finalised the deal to purchase 36 Rafale interceptor missile) dubbed as Ashwin, was fired fighter jets from Dassault Aviation of France for from the Adbul Kalam Island, off the Odisha coast. 7.89 billion euros (Rs. 59,000 crore).  The Indian Navy bid farewell to the British Sea  India has successfully tested a long range Harriers fighter aircrafts that served since 1983. submarine-launched ballistic missile, codenamed K- They will be replaced by the MiG 29K/Kub fighters. 4, capable of striking targets upto 3,500 kilometres  Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha became the first Chief away. of Air Staff to fly the indigenously designed and  India’s first indigenous composite sonar dome, a produced Light Combat Aircraft Tejas in Bengaluru. ship’s underwater eyes and ears, was launched at  Indian Army conducted its major military training Goa. Designed and produced by DRDO. exercise ‘Chakravyuh-II’ in Suratgarh, Rajasthan.  India has become the world’s fourth largest spender  INS Kalvari (sea tiger shark), the first of the six on defence, following a 13.1% increase in its 2016- indigenous Scorpene-class submarines set out for 17 defence budget of Rs. 2,58,000 crore. sea trials off the Mumbai coast.  12 IAF aircrafts will took part in the prestigious  India signed 4 MoUs for cooperation in defence 'Red Flag' air exercise alongside NATO forces from sector with Oman in Muscat. April 28 to May 13 in skies over Alaska.

GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 42  ICGS Shoor, an offshore patrol vessel was inducted  Defence Ministry has issued the order for purchase in the Indian Coast Guard at it Mangalore base. of transport helicopters CH-47 Chinook and attack helicopter AH-64 Apache, from the Boeing, USA.  The 11th Indo-Mongolia joint army training exercise,

titled ‘Nomadic Elephant - 2016’ commenced on 25  A new 30MHz radar system, Gadanki Ionospheric April in Mongolia to share skills for Radar Interfereometer (GIRI) has been established handling Counter Insurgency and Counter at National Atmospheric Research Laboratory Terrorism events. (NARL) at Gadanki in Andhra Pradesh  The 22nd Indo-Thai Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT)  ExoMars 2016, an unmanned spacecraft was was held from 19-27 April in the Andaman launched jointly by Europe and Russia on a Russian Sea. Missile Corvette INS Karmuk and Dornier Proton rocket from Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan Maritime Patrol Aircraft took part in this exercise.  Australian scientists have created the world’s  The Indian Army conducted its major war exercise thinnest lens which is 2,000 times thinner than named ‘Shatrujeet’ (winning the enemy) in the Thar human hair, a breakthrough set to revolutionise Desert of Rajasthan. nanotechnology.

 The National Institute of Technology (NIT) Sikkim

has developed india’s most powerful supercomputer named ‘Param Kanchenjunga’.  Scientists of ISRO have developed the world's INTERNATIONAL

lightest ever synthetic material called ‘silica aerogel’ or ‘blue air’ or ‘frozen smoke’. MAY 2016  It has an excellent thermal resistance and if used as filler in uniforms, it can save many lives at the  Kenya set fire to 105 tonnes of elephant ivory and Siachen Glacier. more than one tonne of rhino horn, seized from  Asia's biggest telescope has been launched in India, smugglers and poachers. by the Aryabhatta Research Institute of  Heads of states from G-7 nations, USA, Britain, Observational Sciences (ARIES) with the assistance France, Germany, Italy, Canada and host Japan held of Belgium. their meet in the Japanese city of Ise Shima.  It is located at a height of 2,500 metres at Finance ministers and central bank governors meet Devasthal in Nainital district.  of G-7 nations held in Sendai, Japan.  The Airports Authority of India has signed an MoU A two day International Buddhist conference was with ISRO to provide scientific parameters for  held at the birth place of Lord Buddha, Lumbini, construction of airports across the country. Nepal to celebrate his 2,560th birth anniversary.  India and the USA have signed an agreement for a The first-ever World Humanitarian Summit was new Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave  held in Istanbul from 23 to 24th May. Observatory (LIGO) project in India.

 The First World Conference on Tourism for MARCH 2016 Development was held in Beijing from May 18-21.  Harmony of the Seas, world’s biggest-ever cruise  The multinational mega Military Exercise Force 18 ship, capable of carrying 8,000 passengers and was held in Pune, Maharashtra from March 2 to 8. crew, was unveiled in France.  ICGS Arnvesh, the Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV) built by  USA decided to fully lift its embargo on sales of the Cochin Shipyard was commissioned in the lethal weapons to its one-time arch enemy, Vietnam, Indian Coast Guard (ICG) in Visakhapatnam. after a gap of over 32 years.  Iron Fist 2016 - Indian Air Force conducted its  Kenya to close world's biggest refugee camp in biggest fire power combat exercise at Pokhran in Dadaab, citing threat to internal security. Rajasthan on March 18.  USA has approved selection of animal ‘Bison’ as the  Indian army test-fired indigenously built nuclear- first national mammal of the country. This is in capable Agni-I ballistic missile with a range of 700 addition to the present national symbol - Bald kms from Abdul Kalam Island on the Odisha coast. Eagle’.  Garuda Shakti, the 4th edition of joint army  The European Central Bank (ECB) has decided to training exercise between India and Indonesia was stop printing of the 500 euro banknote by the end of held at Magelang, Indonesia, from March 11 to 23. 2018 with a view to curb illicit activities.  The International Bank Note Society has declared New Zealand’s five-dollar note as the Banknote of GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 43 the Year for 2015 in a study of 40 notes from 20  The 13th Islamic Summit Conference was held in countries. Istanbul, Turkey. This year’s theme was Unity and

Solidarity for Justice and Peace.

 The world’s first public dengue vaccination APRIL 2016 programme was launched in the Philippines.  A massive leak of 11.5 million documents from a  In UK, Britain's Royal Mail has launched a set of law firm in Panama revealed how the world's super special postage stamps to mark the 400th death rich, politicians and celebrities hide their money in anniversary of William Shakespeare. Panama.  Bangladesh’s top court has rejected a 28-year-old  In a study of 50 cities conducted by the IT firm Dell - petition to remove Islam as official religion of the ‘Future-Ready Economies Model’, city of San Jose in country, disappointing the activists who wanted the California, USA has been placed at top. country to remain secular.  Australian scientists have reported that over 90 per  UNICEF launched a series of animated films, called cent of the Great Barrier Reef has been affected by Unfairy Tales, to help frame positive perceptions mass bleaching that is likely to destroy half the towards the millions of refugees. coral.  A US grand jury has slapped a $ 940 million fine on  The World Trade Organization has revised its 2016 Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and Tata America global trade forecast downward by more than one International Corp. in a trade secret case. percentage point to 2.8 per cent.  British Petroleum has agreed to pay over $20 billion  Conference on zero was held at UNESCO to the American government as damages over the headquarters in Paris, France to promote the 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. knowledge of Maths for greater global good.  Venezuela has ordered a two-day working week for  The World Bank released the 2016 edition of the public sector workers as a temporary measure to World Development Indicators (WDI). help it overcome a serious energy crisis.  It includes 1400 indicators for over 200 economies

to measure the 169 targets of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by UNO. MARCH 2016  American business magazine Forbes has ranked  The United Nations to set up 20 child and family some of the biggest names in business as the 'Global support hubs known as "Blue Dots" as special Game Changers'. support centres for migrant children and families in  The list is topped by Marcs Benioff, CEO of Europe. Salesforce.com, followed by Jeff Bezos of  US President Barack Obama scripted history by Amazon.com. becoming first US President to visit its island  The annual Spring Meeting of IMF & WB was held at neighbour Cuba, after 88 years of strained relations. Washington. Finance Ministers and Governors of  The World Trade Center Transportation Hub Central Banks from G-20 nations attended the was opened to public on March 3 at New York. Built meet. at a cost of $ 4 billion, it took 12 years to complete.  Heads of about 53 countries took part in the  World Congress of Biosphere Reserves was held at Lima in Peru from 14-17 March 2016 4th Nuclear Security Summit held in Washington,  The US continued to dominate the world of USA. innovation and inventions by filing 57,385 patent  Nauru, the tiny South Pacific island nation has applications last year, followed by Japan and China. become the 189th member of the International  Microsoft’s co-founder Bill Gates continues to be the Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. world’s richest person with a net worth of $75  Summit of the foreign ministers of the G-7 countries billion, according to Forbes’ annual ranking of was held at Hiroshima, Japan on April 11. billionaires.  Japan has become fourth country in world to  According to a new law in Uganda, parents who fail successfully test its first stealth fighter jet – X 2, the to vaccinate their children will face six months in jail. other three being USA, Russia and China.  9th International Abilympics started at Bordeaux in  The latest World Malaria Report from WHO says France. It is a global work skills competition of that Europe has become the world’s first region to disabled persons, held every four years. wipe out malaria with zero cases reported last year.  Changi Airport in Singapore has been voted the World’s Best Airport for the fourth year in a row at the 2016 World Airport Awards

GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 44  The 59th Session of Commission on Narcotic Drugs observe 400th death anniversary of legendary was held in Vienna, Austria playwright.

 World's first fully electric double decker bus service QUEEN ELIZABETH II: The world’s oldest-serving was launched by London's transport authority. The royal and the longest-reigning and longest-lived British buses have been made by China automaker BYD. monarch turned 90 on April 21. China's National People's Congress has set the  MARCH 2016 country's growth target at 6.5 to 7 % for 2016.

ARVIND KEJRIWAL has been ranked 42nd among the world’s 50 greatest leaders by Fortune magazine. He is PERSONS IN NEWS the sole Indian on the list, topped by Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos.

PM NARENDRA MODI is among “The 30 Most MAY 2016 Influential People on the Internet” list compiled by the UDAY KOTAK: Kotak Mahindra Bank Chief, is the only Time magazine, USA, describing him as an ‘Internet star’ Indian in Forbes' 'Money Masters: The Most Powerful who often uses social media to conduct diplomacy. People in the Financial World' list of 40 persons. MOTHER TERESA: The Nobel Laureate was in news as RISHI NAIR: A 6th grade Indian American student won the Pope Francis, religious chief of Christians, the prestigious National Geographic Bee competition announced to confer Sainthood on her on Sep 4, 2016. 2016 at Washington DC, USA. ATIUR RAHMAN: Governor of Bangladesh Bank, FATMA SAMOURA: The Senegalese UN diplomat was country’s beleaguered central bank, resigned after named as the first ever female Secretary General of the hackers stole over $100 million from its accounts international football body, FIFA. maintained with the Federal Reserve Bank, New York.

DILMA ROUSSEFF: 68 years old Brazilian President AMAR SINGH: An Indian-origin Sikh has become the was suspended on May 12 after several weeks of Police Commissioner of Malaysia's capital Kuala nationwide protests for her removal. Lumpur, the first Sikh to achieve the top police post in

CRAIG WRIGHT: The Australian entrepreneur has the Muslim-majority country. publicly identified himself as creator of virtual SCOTT KELLY: The commander of the International cash/currency – Bitcoin, under the fake name of Satoshi Space Station, returned to earth on March 1, completing Nakamoto. 340 days stay in space, becoming the American with LHAKPA SHERPA: A 42-year-old Nepalese woman of longest stay in space. USA climbed Mount Everest for the seventh time on May 20, creating a record for the most summits of the world’s highest mountain by a woman. APPOINTMENTS

APRIL 2016 MAY 2016 SACHIN TENDULKAR: The Ministry for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has named 3 NEW CHIEF MINISTERS cricket icon as brand ambassador of the 'Skill India' Sarbananda Sonowal: Assam, from BJP campaign. Pinarayi Vijayan: Kerala, from CPI (M) P SUSHEELA MOHAN: Renowned playback singer has V. Narayanasamy: Puducherry, from Congress been recognized by the Guinness World Records for singing the most number of songs in Indian languages - KIRAN BEDI: Appointed as the new Lieutenant 17,695 solo, duet and chorus-backed songs in 12 Indian Governor of Union Territory of Puducherry. languages. VICE ADMIRAL SUNIL LANBA: Appointed as the next NITA AMBANI: Reliance Foundation Chairperson has Chief of Indian Navy, in the rank of Admiral. been named the most powerful businesswoman in Asia by Forbes, leading a list of 50 women leaders from the S K BHAGAT: Appointed as Director General of the region that includes only eight from India. Railway Protection Force (RPF).

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE: A host of celebrations were held in England and several other parts of the world to

GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 45 S K SHARMA: Renowned scientist has been appointed SOORONBAI JEENBEKOV: New Prime Minister of the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Nuclear Kyrgyzstan. Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL). HASHIM THACI: Elected as the President of Kosovo, a ANURAG THAKUR: The BJP M P from Hamirpur in small country in southeast Europe. Himachal Pradesh was elected as the President of the Board for Control of Cricket in India (BCCI). SIGURDUR INGI JOHANNSSON: Elected as the new Prime Minister of Iceland SHASHANK MANOHAR: Former BCCI President, who resigned recently, was elected unopposed as the first NGUYEN XUAN PHUC: Elected as the new Prime independent Chairman of International Cricket Council, Minister of Vietnam. for two years. TRAN DAI QUANG: Elected as the new President of ATMA RAM NADKARNI: Appointed as the Additional Vietnam. Solicitor General in Supreme Court for a period of three years. FAUSTIN ARCHANGE TOUADERA: Elected as the new President of Central African Republic. BINALI YILDIRIM: Elected as the new Prime Minister of Turkey. Ahmed Obeid bin Daghr: Appointed as the new Prime Ms. TSAI ING-WEN: elected as the first women Minister of Yemen President of Taiwan

BACIRO DJA: Appointed as the new Prime Minister of MARCH 2016 Guinea Bissau, a small country in Western Africa. VINOD RAI: Former Comptroller and Auditor General RODRIGO DUTERTE: Elected as the New President of (CAG) has been appointed as the first Chairman of Banks the Philippines. He is the Mayor of Davao City in Board Bureau (BBB). Philippines. He is very popular and is known as ‘Digong’.

ENDA KENNY: Re elected as the Prime Minister of JUSTICE BALBIR SINGH CHAUHAN: appointed as the Ireland chairperson of the 21st Law Commission.

HTIN KYAW: elected as the first civilian President of APRIL 2016 Myanmar to lead the country after 53 years of military JUSTICE (retd.) PERMOD KOHLI: Appointed as the rule. new Chairman of Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT). H DEEP SAINI: Noted Indian scholar and plant C P GURNANI: Elected as the new Chairman of the physiologist has been appointed as the Vice Chancellor National Association of Software and Services of the prestigious University of Canberra, Australia. Companies (Nasscom) for 2016-17. ASHLEY JUDD: The American actor and activist has MEHBOOBA MUFTI: Elected as the first woman Chief been appointed as the Goodwill Ambassador of the Minister of Jammu and Kashmir United Nations Population Fund - UNFPA, (formerly the United Nations Fund for Population Activities). LOBSANG SANGAY: Re-elected as the Prime Minister of the Tibetan government-in-exile in Dharmsala, MICHELLE YEOH: Famous action heroine of Malaysia- Himachal Pradesh. China has been appointed as United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Goodwill CLEMENT MOUAMBA: Appointed as the new Prime Ambassador. Minister of Republic of Congo. AHMED ABUL GHEIT: Veteran Egyptian diplomat and IDRISS DEBY: Elected for the 5th time as the former Foreign Minister has been named as new President of Chad, a country in Central Africa. Secretary General of the Arab League.

BOUNNHANG VORACHIT: Elected as the new ALI MOHAMED SHEIN: Re-elected as the President of President of Laos Zanzibar.

THONGLOUN SISOULITH: Elected as the new Prime MAHAMADOU ISSOUFOU: Re elected as the President Minister of Laos Niger for a second term

VOLODYMYR GROYSMAN: Elected as the new Prime HASHIM THACI: Elected as the President of Kosovo, a Minister of Ukraine tiny country in southeastern Europe.

GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 46 DADASAHEB PHALKE AWARD: won by renowned AWARDS & HONOURS actor Manoj Bajpayee for the movie Aligarh. Please note that this is NOT the national award rather it is the regional award in Maharashtra, given by Dada MAY 2016 Saheb Phalke Foundation.

‘ORDER OF THE RISING SUN, GOLD AND SILVER’: 'Officier de l Ordre national de la Legion d Former bureaucrat and parliamentarian N. K. Singh was Honneur’: (Officer of the Legion of Honour), highest selected for Japan’s highest civilian honour, for French civilian honour conferred upon Former Army promoting economic, educational and cultural ties Chief General (retd) J J Singh. between India and Japan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred Saudi MAN BOOKER INTERNATIONAL PRIZE: South Korean Arabia’s highest civilian honour- the king Abdulaziz author, Han Kang, has won the prestigious prize for her Sash. The award is named after Abdulaziz Al Saud, the novel 'The Vegetarian'. The writer and her British founder of the modern Saudi state. translator Deborah Smith will share the $72,000 prize money. MARCH 2016 This prize is given every year for the best book translated in English and published in U K. rd 63 NATIONAL FILM AWARDS MILLENNIUM TECHNOLOGY PRIZE: US engineer Best Feature Film: Baahubali - The Beginning by S S Frances Arnold has become first woman to win this Rajamouli prize for pioneering directed evolution. The award, given by the Technology Academy, Finland, Best Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali for 'Bajirao carries a cash prize of Euro one million. Mastani'

Palme d'Or: Award for the best film at Cannes Film Best Actor: Amitabh Bachchan for 'Piku' Festival won by the film ‘I, Daniel Blake’ by British director Ken Loach. Best Actress: Kangana Ranaut for 'Tanu Weds Manu Returns' PEN’s LITERARY SERVICE AWARD: Won by British author J.K. Rowling for her dedication to free speech and Best Hindi Film: Dum Laga Ke Haisha by Sharat Katariya social justice.

COMMONWEALTH SHORT STORY PRIZE: (for Asia Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment: Bajrangi Bhaijaan by Kabir Khan region) won by Prashar Kulkarni for his story ‘Cow and Company’. Most Film- Friendly State Award: Gujarat

“NORTH STAR": Highest civilian award of Mongolia DADA SAHEB PHALKE AWARD - 2015: Awarded to conferred upon two noted Indian scholars - Lokesh veteran actor and film maker Manoj Kumar who played Chandra and Mansura Haider for their contribution to the patriotic Indian in most of his films, becoming Mongolian studies. famous as ‘Bharat Kumar’.

SUDARSAN PATTNAIK: Renowned sand artist won the ‘KRISHI KARMAN AWARD’: Given to Himachal gold medal at the 9th Moscow Sand Sculpture Pradesh for its landmark achievement in showing Championship in Russia. highest production of food grains in year 2014-15,

despite adverse weather conditions and rain-fed farming in the state. APRIL 2016 CHAMELI DEVI JAIN AWARD: Priyanka Kakodkar and SARASWATI SAMMAAN: Prestigious prize for Raksha Kumar won the award for 2015-16 for their literature given to the Jammu-born poet and novelist excellent work in journalism to highlight social issues. Padma Sachdev for her autobiography ‘Chitt-Chete’ The award is given only to women journalists. written in Dogri language. The award carries award money of 15 lakh rupees, a citation and a plaque. SKOCH LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: Union Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu for his FBB FEMINA MISS INDIA WORLD 2016 contributions to inclusive growth and towards poverty Winner: Priyadarshini Chaterjee alleviation in India. First runners-up: Sushruthi Krishna Second runners-up: Pankhuri Gidwani ‘KAYAKALP’ AWARD: The PGIMER, Chandigarh won the award for best hospital cleanliness and infection

control, winning prize money of Rs 5 crore GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 47 ABEL PRIZE (for maths): Sir Andrew Wiles, an Oxford University professor has won the 5,00,000 pounds prize OBITUARY for cracking a 300-year-old mystery mathematical theorem. MAY 2016

GOLDEN CITY GATE AWARD: Prestigious award from BABA HARDEV SINGH: Spiritual leader and Head of the world's leading travel trade show Internationale Nirankari Mission was killed in a road accident in Tourismus-Borse Berlin (ITB-Berlin) 2016 won by Montreal, Canada. He was 62. Kerala Tourism's campaign on responsible tourism. BALRAJ MADHOK: Former President of Bharatiya Jan Sangh (BJS) and veteran RSS leader died in Delhi. He TH 88 OSCAR AWARDS was 96. Los Angeles, USA, Feb 29, 2016 Given by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and TONY COZIER: Famous West Indian cricket writer, Sciences, USA to recognize excellence in cinematic commentator / journalist passed away at the age of 75. achievements, they are regarded as the highest recognition in world of cinema. APRIL 2016

Best Picture: Spotlight by Tom Mc Carthy POORNIMABEN PAKVASA: Great social worker from Best Director: Alejandro Iñárritu (The Revenant) Gujarat, known for her exceptional work towards Best Actor: Leonardo DiCaprio (The Revenant) educating tribal girls, passed away at the age of 103.

Best Actress: Brie Larson (Room) SATYANAND MUNJAL: The co-founder of Hero Cycles

group, a great philanthropist, passed away in Ludhiana, GLOBAL TEACHER PRIZE: The one million dollar prize Punjab. He was 99. for innovative teaching has been won by Hanan Al Hroub of Palestine for her innovative approach in PRATYUSHA BANERJEE: TV actress, known for her teaching. role of Anandi in the popular serial “Balika Vadhu”, allegedly committed suicide at her Kandivali residence in Mumbai. Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur: (Knight of the Legion of Honour), one of the highest civil honour by the GUY HAMILTON: Veteran British movie director, who French government was conferred upon Anand directed four hugely popular James Bond films, passed Mahindra, CMD, Mahindra & Mahindra. away at the age of 93.

GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 48 ROGERS NELSON: Pop music superstar, popularly RAY TOMLINSON: inventor of E-mail, passed away in known as Prince in USA, died aged 57. He won seven Washington, USA at the age of 74. He invented direct Grammy Awards and earned 30 nominations. electronic messages between users on different machines on a certain network in 1971. VICTORIA WOOD: Popular comedian, singer and writer from BBC in United Kingdom, died at 62 after “a MARTIN CROWE: Pioneering cricketer, widely short but brave” battle with cancer. acknowledged as New Zealand’s greatest batsman who

DORIS ROBERTS: The popular TV actress from USA laid the foundations for Twenty20 cricket, died of who delighted audiences as the meddling mother next cancer at the age of 53. door on the popular TV soap Everybody Loves Raymond, died at the age of 90. PLACES IN NEWS

BILL CAMPBELL: Silicon Valley’s veteran adviser who mentored technology heavyweights like former Apple MAY 2016 CEO late Steve Jobs and co-founder of Google, Larry Page, died at age 75. CYCLONE ROANU: A strong cyclone lashed the coastal areas of Andhra and Odisha causing heavy rains coupled ZAHA HADID: Renowned Iraq-born British architect with gusty surface winds affecting the normal life passed away due to heart attack. She was 65. She was seriously. world’s most famous female architect and was known for her neofuturistic designs which were her signature FORT MCMURRAY: City in state of Alberta in Canada architectural style. was in news as it suffered one of the worst wildfires, torching over 1,600 homes and other buildings and IMRE KERTESZ: Hungarian author, 2002 Nobel forcing more than 80,000 residents to flee.

Literature Prize winner, died aged 86 in Budapest, after a long illness. APRIL 2016

MARCH 2016 UJJAIN: The month-long Simhastha Kumbh mela, one of the largest congregations of Hindus, began in Ujjain on PARAMESH KRISHNAN NAIR: Indian film archivist and April 22 on the banks of Kshipra River. film scholar died on 4 March 2016. He was 82. LATUR: City and district in Marathwada region of P A SANGMA: Former Lok Sabha Speaker passed away Maharashtra was in news as it faced severe water crisis, at the age of 68. He was co-founder of the Nationalist especially in the villages. Congress Party and ex-Chief Minister of Meghalaya KOLLAM: In the worst-ever pyrotechnics tragedy to KUMARIMUTHU: Famous Tamil Comedy actor died in strike Kerala, 110 persons were killed and close to 400 Chennai. He was 77. injured, when a huge dump of firecrackers stored for celebrations, exploded near the Puttingal Devi Temple Ustad Ali Ahmad Hussain Khan: Eminent Shehnai near Kollam, causing extensive damage to nearby exponent died in Kolkata. He was 77. buildings.

LLOYD S. SHAPLEY: Veteran Mathematician from USA, KUMAMOTO: Town in south-western island of winner of Nobel Prize in Economics for his study of Kyushu in Japan was devastated by several rounds of strategic decision-making called “game theory,” died in earthquake tremors leading to death of over 41 persons Tucson, USA. He was 92. and injuring hundreds of others. Around two lakh JOHAN CRUYFF: The Netherland's soccer legend died persons were affected in the severe earthquake. of lung cancer in Barcelona, Spain. He was 68. He is credited with some of the greatest triumphs of the PEDERNALES: City in Manabí Province in Ecuador was famous Barcelona Football Club. destroyed in a severe 7.8 magnitude earth quake. Reportedly, around 654 persons were killed and several GEORGE HENRY MARTIN: The legendary music hundreds were injured. Coastal city of Manta was also producer, popular as the "Fifth Beatle", passed away in very badly affected.

England. He was 90. Winner of 6 Grammy Awards, he held Guinness World Records for the most successful MARCH 2016 producer ever with more than 50 Numbers. BAGHMARA: The first-ever auction of a gold mine in PAT CONROY: US novelist whose best-selling novels the country was held in Baghmara, Chhattisgarh. The include 'Prince of Tides' and 'Water is Wide', died at the auction was won by Vedanta ltd., a unit of global mining age of 70 in South Carolina, USA. giant Vedanta Resources. GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 49 BRUSSELS: A series of bombings ripped through improve the standard of the sports between the two Brussels airport and the Maelbeek metro station in nations. Belgium, killing around 38 people and injuring 130 Nico Rosberg, the Formula One champion from others. Terror group - Islamic State claimed the Germany, won his seventh race in a row at the Russian responsibility for the attacks.

Grand Prix in Sochi, Russia.

Eric Dusingizimana: Captain of cricket team of Rwanda has set a new Guinness world record by batting SPORTS WORLD out a straight 51 hours, the longest individual net

session, beating the record set last year by India's Virag MAY 2016 Mane, who had batted a straight 50 hours.

Max Verstappen: 18 year old F1 driver from Amit Kumar Saroha, Indian para athlete from Haryana Netherlands representing the Red Bull team has become won the gold medal in men's club throw (F-51) at the the youngest formula 1 winner as he won the title in French Open Athletics Championship in Paris. Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona, Spain. Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam has been selected to Thomas Cup: Denmark won the men’s badminton title, captain Indian women's hockey team for a four-nation overcoming record champion Indonesia in the final tournament in Darwin, Australia. played in Kunshan, China. India's ace cueist Pankaj Advani has created history in Uber Cup: (women badminton), China claimed the cup Abu Dhabi by clinching the Asian 6-Red Snooker title, 14th time by routing South Korea in Kunshan, China. becoming the first in the world to hold both world and continental titles in 6-red snooker at the same time. French Open, Second Tennis Grand Slam –started in

Garima Chaudhary won gold medal at the 2016 Roland Garros in Paris on May 22. This is the only grand Commonwealth Judo Championship finals at Port slam played on clay court. Elizabeth in South Africa. Italian Open Tennis Championship: Andy Murray defeated Novak Djokovic to win Men's Singles title. Indian boxer Sonia Lather won a silver medal at the AIBA Women's World Championships in Astana, 7th Asian Youth Championships: Indian boxers Kazakhstan. bagged three silver and one bronze medal in the games held in Kazakhstan. Sprinter Dutee Chand bagged two gold medals by winning the women's 100m and 200m race at the Madrid Open Tennis: Novak Djokovic of Serbia Taiwan Open Athletics Championships. defeated Andy Murray of Briton to win the finals. Women’s title was won by Simona Halep defeating The Indian women’s 4x100m relay team broke the 18- Dominika Cibulkova year-old national record, though they stood fourth at the IAAF World Challenge in Beijing. World Snooker Championship title was won by Mark Selby of England by defeating China’s Ding Junhui in Indian women's squash team won the Silver medal in finals played at Sheffield, UK. the Asian Team squash Championships at Taipei,China, losing gold to Malaysia. Asia Badminton Championships at Wuhan, China: Malaysia’s Lee Chong Wei defeated the world No. 1 Chen Indian shooters claimed three gold medals and a Long of China in the finals. bronze in the ISSF Junior World Cup in Suhl, Germany. Tobago batsman Iraq Thomas created a record by Federation Cup: Football, Mohun Bagan clinched the scoring 21-ball century in the Tobago Cricket title for the 14th time by defeating Aizawal FC in the Association’s T20 tournament at Louis D'or, Tobago Final played in Guwahati. (West Indies)

IOA APPOINTS 4 GOODWILL AMBASSODORS The International Cricket Council has suspended the The Indian Olympic Association has appointed four Cricket Association of Nepal due to a ‘vacuum of cricket Goodwill Ambassadors for Rio Olympics. They are - leadership’ in the country. Renowned music composer A R Rahman,

Bollywood actor Salman Khan, APRIL 2016 Olympic gold medalist Abhinav Bindra and Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar. CARIBBEANS WON THE T-20 IN STYLE The West Indies lifted the World T-20 title in both the India and Japan have agreed for mutual exchange of men's and women's section. Men’s team defeated sports persons, coaches, experts and administrators to England and women’s team routed the Australian team. The finals were played at Kolkata's Eden Gardens.

GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 50 Virat Kohli was named as the ‘Player of the Tournament’ LAUREUS WORLD SPORTS AWARDS

M C Mary Kom: Indian woman boxer was named one of Best Sportsman of the year: Novak Djokovic, Serbia the eight ambassadors for the upcoming World Best Sportswoman of the year: Serena Williams, USA Championships by the International Boxing Association Both of them won three grand slams in Tennis in 2015 (AIBA). Best Disabled Sportsperson: Paralympic swimmer Dipa Karmakar, 22 year old girl from Agartala, Tripura Daniel Dias of Brazil created history by becoming the first Indian gymnast to Best Sports team: New Zealand's Rugby World Cup- qualify for the Olympics and to win the gold in vaults winning team event at the test event of the Rio Games in Brazil. Laureus World Sports Awards, known as the Oscars of She performed the Produnova vault — the extremely difficult and most dangerous form that involves a front Sports, honour the notable sporting personalities and handspring on the horse and two front somersaults. their achievements of the previous year.

Deepika Kumari equalled the world record in women's Asian Nations Cup Chess tournament won by recurve event at the Archery World Cup in Shanghai, the Indian men’s team in Abu Dhabi China. Sultan Azlan Shah Cup: Australia beats India to win India's star batsman Virat Kohli has maintained his the prestigious Hockey Tournament held in Ipoh, number one position in the ICC T20 batsmen Malaysia. rankings and team India is also ranked at top. Singapore Open Badminton Championship: Men’s -

Asian Kho-Kho championship: both, men’s and Sony Dwi Kuncoro of Indonesia Women’s - Ratchanok Intanon of Thailand, world no 1. women’s title were won by India by defeating respective teams from Bangladesh at Indore, Madhya Pradesh. Malaysian Open Badminton title won by Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia against world number one Chen Long of National Badminton Championship: Men’s title won China in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. by Samir Verma and women’s title won by P C Thulasi in Chandigarh. MIAMI OPEN (tennis) IN FLORIDA, USA Men’s title: Novak Djokovic (Serbia) won by beating

The Commonwealth Judo Congress has allotted the Japan's Kei Nishikori 2018 Commonwealth Judo Championships to India. The Women’s title: Victoria Azarenka (Belarus) won by games will be held in Jaipur. routing Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia.

SPORTSPERSONS TO GET Rs ONE LAKH PM BARCELONA OPEN TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIP Union Sports Ministry has decided to provide one lakh Rafael Nadal of Spain won the title defeating Kei rupees per month as out of pocket allowance to the Nishikori of Japan in the finals played in Barcelona, sports persons under the Target Olympic Podium (TOP) Spain. scheme in their preparation for the Olympics and Paralympics Games at Rio de Janeiro. Monte Carlo Masters: Rafael Nadal Spain of won the title defeating Gael Monfils of France. Government has decided to merge the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Abhiyan with the ‘Khelo India’ programme. MARCH 2016

Britain's Anthony Joshua won the IBF world Gurmeet Singh created history by becoming the first heavyweight title by stopping American champion Indian athlete to clinch a gold medal in the Asian 20 km Charles Martin in London, becoming the first boxer in Race Walk Championships in Nomi, Japan. history to hold the Olympic super-heavyweight crown S S P Chawrasia, ace Indian golfer won the European (2012) and a version of the world heavyweight title Tour Hero Indian Open title in Delhi. simultaneously. Dhruv Sitwala won the Asian Billiards Championship Nico Rosberg, Mercedes driver of Germany won the held at Colombo, Sri Lanka. Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Sakhir, Indian shooter Jitu Rai clinched the 50m pistol gold at Baharin and also the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai. the ISSF World Cup in Bangkok,Thailand.

Danny Willett of UK won the US Masters Golf Deepika and PR Sreejesh won the Dhruv Batra Player Championship for the year 2016 at Augusta National of the Year Award for Women and Men respectively at Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, USA. the Hockey India Annual Awards.

GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 51 Santosh Trophy National Football Championships: World Table Tennis Team Championship: China Services retained the title after beating hosts defeated Japan in both, men’s and women’s category, to Maharashtra in the summit clash in Nagpur. win both the championships at Kuala Lumpur. In the second division, both, men's and women's team Irani Cup Cricket championship: Rest of India team titles were bagged by Indian teams. won the title by beating Mumbai team in the finals played in Mumbai. All England Open Badminton Championship: Lin Dan India clinched the Asia Cup T20 trophy for a record of China won the finals by beating his own teammate sixth time after beating Bangladesh by eight-wickets in Tian Houwei in the finals played in Birmingham, UK. the final at Mirpur, Bangladesh. BNP Paribas Open Tennis Tournament: Novak Col C K Nayudu Trophy won by Mumbai by beating Djokovic of Serbia and Victoria Azarenka of Belarusia Madhya Pradesh in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. Nayudu won the men’s and women’s singles title, respectively, in was the first Indian captain of Indian test match team the finals played at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Southern California. 1st All India Open Invitational Snooker Championship won by Rahul Sachdev in Aurangabad, UCI Track Cycling Championship 2016 held in Maharashtra. London.

National Race Walking Championships, Jaipur: Dubai Tennis Championships: Stanislas Wawrinka of Gurmeet Singh and Khushbir Kaur won the gold in Switzerland won the title by defeating Marcos Baghdatis 20kms event for men and women, respectively. of Cyprus

Pro Kabaddi League Season 3: Patna Pirates beat the MARIA SHARAPOVA: Former world number one tennis U Mumba to emerge as Champions in the finals played in star failed a drugs test at the Australian Open. As a Delhi. result, the 28 year old Russian star, a five time Grand Russia’s Sergey Karjakin won the World Chess Slam champion, was suspended from sports, pending candidates tournament in Moscow further action.

GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 52 Why We Love the Way We Preeti Shenoy BOOKS & AUTHORS Do The Bestseller She Wrote Ravi Subramanian Vanishing Shangri La K N Raghavan. In Other Words Jhumpa Lahiri The Drowned Detective Neil Jordan, Nathuram Godse - The Anup Sardesai by Story of an Assassin Blood on my Hands: Kishalay Bhattacharjee Transendence – a book Former President APJ Confessions of Staged Abdul Kalam based on his Encounters spiritual experiences with The Outside Lands by Hannah Kohler Pramukh Swami Maharaj. A Man Called Ove Fredrik Backman ‘Azad Bachpan ki Aur’ Kailash Satyarthi, Nobel Me Before You Jojo Moyes Peace prize winner An Economist in the Real Kaushik Basu, Chief The Turbulent Years – Pranab Mukherjee, World Economist at World Bank 1980-1996 President of India Swimmer Among the Kanishk Tharoor India’s Foreign Policy Stars Muchkund Dubey, a former Indian Foreign Mercedes-Benz - Winning Adil Jal Darukhanawala Secretary Friends in Wild Places Ruskin Bond. Safeguarding India NN Vohra. The Z Factor: My Journey as an autobiography of The Making of India: The Kartar Lalvani the Wrong Man at the Right Subhash Chandra, media Untold Story of British Time moughal, founder of Zee Enterprise TV. Advantage India — From APJ Abdul Kalam and Maru Bharat Saru Jain Acharya Challenge to Opportunity Srijan Pal Singh. Bharat (My India Noble Ratnasundersuriswarji A State in Denial B G Verghese India) written Maharaj. This is the The Kiss of Life Imraan Hashmi th The Mountain of Shiva Dr Karan Singh. He is a 300 book written by member of Rajya Sabha. Maharaj ji. East of Suez Alice Perrin Go Set a Watchman, the Harper Lee, topped the US Buddhist Biology David P. Barash second novel bestseller list in 2015, Standing Guard—A Year in P Chidambaram. selling 1.6 million copies. Opposition A God in Ruins Kate Atkinson - The book Our Impossible Love Durjoy Dutta won the novel-of-the-year The Girl on the Train Paula Hawkins prize at Britain's Costa Life Mantras Subrata Roy Sahara Book Awards 2015. Gandhi: An Illustrated Pramod Kapoor Biography Anything But Khamosh' – Bharathi S Pradhan. biography of Shatrughan Fixed: Cash and Corruption Shantanu Guha Ray in Cricket Sinha written The Bose Brothers and Indigo —Selected Stories Satyajit Ray Madhuri Bose, the grand- Indian Independence – An niece of Netaji Subhas A Handbook for My Lover Rosalyn D’Mello. Insider’s Account Chandra Bose. Who Was Shivaji Govind Pansare On My Terms: From the an autobiography of An Economist In The Real Kaushik Basu Grassroots to the Corridors Sharad Pawar World of Power Bullets and Bylines Shyam Bhatia, noted This Unquiet Land Barkha Dutt journalist Diary of a Wimpy Kid Jeff Kinney Lal Bahadur Shastri: Anil Shastri and Pawan See Me Nicholas Sparks Netritva ke Sutra Chowdhary Rogue Lawyer John Grisham Dial D for Don — Neeraj Kumar, former Combating Hunger and Inside Stories of CBI Police Commissioner of M.S. Swaminathan Achieving Food Security Case Missions Delhi Chronicles of Time and Ancestral Affairs Raymond Francis Isar Keki Daruwalla. Chance

GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 53 Latest MCQs

ON CURRENT AFFAIRS

AUGUST GK TEST – 01 7. Pandit Lachhu Maharaj, who passed away recently, was a well-known ______maestro.

A. Tabla B. Sarangi 1. Who has become the first-ever Indian to win C. Bansuri D. Vichitra Veena the Mr. World title recently? E. None of these A. Gautham Karthik B. Rohit Khandelwal 8. Mubarak Begum, who passed away recently, C. Ajith Kumar D. Puneeth Rajkumar was related to E. Rohit Malik A. Singing B. Classical Dance 2. The Red Data Book of the World Wildlife Fund C. Poetry D. Sports contains E. Handicrafts A. The locations of ecologically sensitive zones in 9. Who among the following has/have been the world conferred with the 2016 Ramon Magsaysay B. The names of extinct species Award? C. The names of endangered species A. Conchita Carpio Morales D. The names of newly-discovered species B. TM Krishna E. None of these C. Bezwada Wilson 3. Which of the following countries has been hit D. A, B, C by a severe tropical Typhoon Nida? E. Anshu Gupta A. Japan B. United States 10. Neeraj Chopra, the first-ever Indian player to C. France D. China hold a world record in athletics (junior or E. The Phillipines senior), is related to which sport? 4. On which of these global indices is India’s A. Long jump B. Discus throw rank the lowest (among these ranks)? C. Hammer throw D. Javelin throw A. Purchasing Power Parity E. 400 metre race B. Human Development Index 11. The investment made in ………… does NOT lead C. Global Terrorism Index to any tax rebate under Indian tax laws. D. Ease of Doing Business A. Repayment of principal component on an E. Corruption Perception Index education loan 5. Hawala is a term related to B. Repayment towards a home loan A. Banking operations C. New Pension Scheme B. Black money in India D. Equity Linked Savings Scheme C. Forward markets E. Medical insurance policies D. Illegal transactions in foreign exchange 12. The acronym FEMA is related to E. Stock markets A. Financial management of companies 6. Who is the newly elected Prime Minister of B. Fiscal consolidation policies Nepal? C. Distribution of finances between the centre A. Khadga Prasad Oli and the states B. Pushpa Kamal Dahal D. Foreign exchange norms C. Khil Raj Regmi E. The rules regarding inflation targeting fixed by D. Baburam Bhattarai the RBI E. Sushila Kirke

GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 54 13. The minimum number of days for which a 21. Who has been honoured with the 2016 Rajiv Fixed Deposit can be made in India, is Gandhi National Sadbhavana Award? A. 7 B. 30 A.Wahiduddin Khan C. 364 D. 180 B. Shubha Mudgal E. 90 C. Amjad Ali Khan 14. Which of the following is an INCORRECT D. Muzaffar Ali combination? E. Saeed Naqvi A. Sariska: Tiger reserve 22. The new Mental Health Bill passed in B. Dachigam: One-horned deer sanctuary Parliament provides for which of the C. Bharatpur: Asiatic lion sanctuary following? D. Manas: Rhinoceros sanctuary 1. The attempt to suicide (a punishable offence E. Periyar: Elephant sanctuary earlier) will be decriminalized and instead, it will 15. The letter C in the acronym ECS implies be treated as case of mental illness requiring A. Collateral B. Cash medical attention. C. Copy D. Credit 2. The bill decriminalizes homosexuality and does E. Clearing away with the earlier punitive provisions in this 16. Currently, the child sex ratio in India stands at regard. A. 924 B. 927 3. The bill seeks to makes the Right to Mental C. 956 D. 918 Health a fundamental right. E. 1036 A. 1 Only B. 1, 2, 3 17. All major economic indicators like those on C. 1, 3 D. 2, 3 inflation, income and industrial output in E. 3 Only India are released by the 23. Sharmila Irom ended her 16-year fast against A. Central Statistical Office the imposition of the carconian law called B. Finance Ministry ______in Manipur. C. NITI Aayog A. DAA B. AFSPA D. Reserve Bank of India C. POTA D. MCOCA E. National Sample Survey Organization E. TADA 18. The bill which seeks to introduce a Goods and 24. Which of these is NOT TRUE of the latest on- Services Tax in India, is the ______tap licensing regime announced by the Constitutional Amendment Bill. Reserve Bank of India? A. 112nd B.99th A. Big industrial conglomerates have been C. 86th D. 114th permitted to apply for these licenses E. 122nd B. The promoters must be backed by a minimum 19. Arrange the following debt instruments in the 10 years of successful track record in rendering DECREASING sequence of their maturity financial services periods. C. The minimum capital requirement has been 1. Treasury bills 2. G-Secs fixed at Rs. 500 crore 3. LAF borrowings D. The new bank licenses are meant for setting up A. 2, 1, 3 B. 1, 2, 3 Universal Banks. C. 3, 2, 1 D. 1, 3, 2 E. All these statements are correct E. All of these have the same maturity period 25. Pick the odd one out: 20. How much percent of 5- year Consumer Price A. PIN B. EMV Inflation (CPI) target has been set by the C. OTP D. NFC Union Government under the new monetary E. Artificial Intelligence policy framework? 26. The threshold for Priority Sector Lending in A.5% B.4% case of Small Banks has been fixed at C. 6% D. 7% A. 60% B. 75% E. 7% C. 50% D. 30% E. 40% GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 55 27. Sovereign debt refers to 35. The microfinance institutions in India are A. Overdraft extended by the Reserve Bank of regulated by India to States/Centre A. NABARD B. SEBI B. Loans raised by the Reserve Bank of India C. Rural Development Ministry C. Loans granted by the RBI to Commercial Banks D. RBI E. SIDBI D. Government Securities issued by the Reserve 36. The acronym WADA refers to Bank of India A. World Anti-Doping Agency E. None of these B. World Anti-Dowry Act 28. The government of which state in India has C. World Anti-Dowry Agency resolved to change its official name? D. World Anti-Drug Agency A. Jharkhand B. Goa E. World Action on Doping Act C. Madhya Pradesh D. Pondicherry 37. The annual Ease of Doing Business report is E. West Bengal issued every year by 29. Michael Phelps, the world record holder A. IMF B. World Bank American athlete, C. UNCTAD D. UNO A. Runs B. Dribbles E. UNDP C. Punches D. Swims 38. The Reserve Bank of India was nationalized in E. Shoots A. 1949 B. 1950 30. Which of the following is NOT a source of C. 1969 D. 1934 third-party income for a Bank? E. 1935 A. Selling mutual funds 39. The International Monetary Fund gives loans B. Collecting Cheques/Drafts of customers to its member countries for C. Selling pension plans A. Balance of Payments problems D. Selling bancassurance B. Development projects E. Selling Gold/Silver Coins C. Any purpose of their choice 31. Find the mismatched pair: D. Industrialization A. NGT: Environmental protection E. None of these B. CCI: Education 40. The Damodar Valley Project in India is C. TRAI: Telecommunications modeled on the ______in the USA. D. NASSCOM: Software companies A. Thames Valley E. CSSO: Bank customers’ complaints B. Colarado River Project 32. The proposed process of consolidation in the C. Tennesse Valley Project banking sector will give rise to D. Mississippi River Project A. Bigger, financially strong banks E. Rhine Valley Project B. Reduction in the average cost of funds held 41. Which Indian personality will be honoured at with the banks the United Nations on India’s 70th C. Higher profitability for the banks Independence Day? D. All of the above A. S. G. Thakur Singh E. The entry of more foreign banks in India B. M. S. Subbalakshmi 33. Yahoo!, the iconic internet company has been C. Amrita Shergill acquired by ______. D. Sayed Haider Raza A. Cisco B. Kaspersky E. MF Hussain C. Alphabet D. Verisign 42. The implementation of the MNREGS has been E. Verizon quite successful in reducing ______in Indian 34. Pick the odd one out. villages. A. Housing for All B. PMLA A. Disguised unemployment C. NHM D. SBA B. Educated unemployment E. PMGSY C. Cyclical unemployment D. Frictional unemployment E. None of these GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 56 43. The Valley of Death is a place of tourist AUGUST GK TEST – 02 interest in

A. Canada B. Indonesia 1. The ______has made it mandatory for C. The UK D. Japan Participatory Note (P-Note) users to follow E. The USA Indian anti-money laundering laws. 44. The Bank Rate is also called A. Reserve Bank of India A. Base Rate B. MCLR B. Securities and Exchange Board of India C. Floor Rate D. Discount Rate C. Export-Import Bank of India E. PLR D. Industrial Finance Corporation of India 45. Study the following news item, which was E. Finance Ministry recently published in newspapers. 2. Who has been posthumously honoured with “Falling crude gives rude shock, Thousands jobless” the Ashok Chakra on the 2016 Independence Which of the following countries is being referred Day? to above? A. Hanamanthappa Koppad A. Sharjah B. The UK B. Havildar Hangpan Dada C. Nigeria D. Yemen C. Niranjan Eknath E. Saudi Arab D. Gursevak Singh E. None of these 46. The Financial Health Code of the RBI lays 3. Which committee has recently submitted its down guidelines for report on the New Education Policy? A. Rating the banks on their profitability A. Ashok Dalwai committee B. Classification of the banks’ assets B. JS Rajput committee C. Shutting down a bank in case of persistent C. T S R Subramanian committee violation of prudential norms D. Sudhir Mankad committee D. Classification of the banks’ liabilities E. None of these E. Dealing with NPAs 4. A locker holder in a bank is the same as a/an 47. Window-dressing in the context of banking ______is to a ______. implies A. owner, building B. tenant, building A. Making the branch premises look appealing C. creditor, debtor D. debtor, creditor B. Improving the facilities enjoyed by the E. partner, another partner customers 5. Find the wrong pair. C. Both A and B A. GST: Direct Taxes B. FRBM: Fiscal deficit D. Overstating the profits/receivables and C. GAAP: Accounting norms understating the losses/ liabilities D. FATCA: Taxation compliance E. None of these E. GAAR: Corporate tax evasion 48. The acronym UPI stands for 6. Hanif Mohammad, who passed away recently, A. Unique Payments Interface was well-known cricketer of which country? B. Unified Payments Interface A. India B. West Indies C. Universal Payments Interface C. Pakistan D. Sri Lanka D. Unicellular Payments Interface E. Zimbabawe E. Union Payments Interface 7. The first-ever Indian to win an individual 49. The only place, where the Olive Ridley turtles Olympic medal in wrestling is are found in India, is A. Mary Kom B. Geeta Phogat A. Manas sanctuary B. Simplipal sanctuary C. Karnam Malleshwari D. Krishna Punia C. Sariska sanctuary D. Periyar sanctuary E. Sakshi Malik E. Chilka sanctuary 8. The first-ever Indian to sing at the United 50. The term Open General License refers to Nations was A. Foreign direct investment A. Mohammed Rafi B. MS Subbalaxmi B. Industrial production C. Manna Dey C. Imports D. Banking D. Bade Ghulam Ali Khan E. Lata Mangeshkar E. Exports GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 57 9. Which of the following is NOT true of a 16. The Rio Olympics gave a historic chance to the Reverse Mortgage Loan? ------to compete for the first time in history. A. The borrower can dispose of the mortgaged A. physically challenged property. B. refugee players B. The bank pays the borrower regular EMIs of a C. kabaddi players pre-determined amount as part of the loan deal. D. transgenders C. The mortgaged asset in such a loan has to be a E. freestyle wrestlers residential unit. 17. The acronym EMV is used in D. The borrower can occupy, use and maintain A. Medical science B. Computers the mortgaged property as per his will. C. Construction D. Banking E. All of these are true. E. Stock markets 10. Who among the following has completed a hat 18. The name given to the banking arm of India trick of winning three Olympic golds in a Post will be single event in three consecutive Olympics? A. Post Bank of India A. Carl Lewis B. Usain Bolt B. India Post Payment Bank C. Both D and E D. Michael Bolt C. Ind Post Bank D. Post India E. Michael Phelps E. India Post Bank 11. The topmost authority for hearing a bank 19. The Ashok Chakra is awarded for customer’s complaint is the A. Exceptional bravery shown on the country’s A. CEO B. Chairman borders C. Internal Ombudsman D. RBI Ombudsman B. Exceptional bravery while fighting the E. Managing Director terrorists 12. Hotlisting a credit card implies C. Exceptional work in maintaining communal A. Cancelling the credit card harmony B. Declining a card due to its exceeding the credit D. Exceptional bravery and courage in war limit E. Exceptional bravery and courage in peacetime C. Disabling a card as it has been lost/ misplaced situations by its owner 20. The hooch tragedy, which killed several D. Giving preferential treatment to a credit card people in Bihar recently, involved the owner consumption of E. None of these A. Ethyl alcohol B. Propyl alcohol 13. The acronym FCNR refers to the C. Alcohol D. Methyl alcohol A. Money raised through domestic bonds E. None of these B. Money raised abroad through rupee bonds 21. The venue for the 2016 SAARC summit (19th) C. Money raised abroad through bonds was D. Bank accounts opened by the NRIs A. Islamabad B. New Delhi E. Full convertibility of rupee C. Colombo D. Kathmandu 14. Amnesty International, which has been in E. Bangladesh news of late, is an organization working for 22. The UNO is observing the year 2016 as the A. securing human rights A. International Year of Pulses B. refugees B. International Year of the Family C. providing healthcare to villagers C. International Year of Vaccination D. pro-democracy movements D. International Lion Year E. drug de-addiction E. International Girl Child Year 15. Lafarge, a company, which has been hogging 23. Who won the 2016 FIFA Ballon d'Or award the headlines recently, deals in (Player of the Year)? A. IT A. Lionel Messi B. Diego Maradonna B. Heavy engineering goods C. Christaino Ronaldo D. Sebastian Vettel C. Tractors D. Cement E. None of these E. Chemicals GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 58 24. Which of the following is/are true of Savings 32. The world’s first hack-proof quantum Bank Accounts and Current Accounts in India? communication satellite is to be launched by 1. The use of cheque book is allowed in both the A. United States B. Russia types of accounts C. France D. China 2. Both the accounts can be run as long as the E. Japan customer wants to 33. Which of the following is NOT an industry 3. The KYC requirement can be relaxed for association in India? certain categories of savings accounts. A. MAIT B. NASSCOM A.1 only B.1 and 3 C. PAT D. CII C. 2, 3 D. 2 only E. ASSOCHAM E.1, 2 and 3 34. The newly set up Bank Board Bureau is 25. Which one is NOT a popular stock market designed to index? A. Help with top level appointments and strategic A. Kospi B. NASDAQ management in public sector banks C. NYMEX D.CAC 40 B. Grant new bank licenses in India E. Mid Dax C. Make top level appointments in banks 26. The book "Aranyer Adhikar" was authored by D. Suggest ways to handle the problem of rising A. Mahasweta Devi B. Ashapurna Devi NPAs in banks E. Both A and D C. Krishna Sobti 35. The Parsi New Year, which was celebrated D. Manabi Bhaatcharya E. None of these recently, is called 27. Which word/expression denotes freezing of A. Chhau B. Onam the application money by the bank in case of C. Bihu D. Pongal an IPO? E. Navroz A. CDS L B. ASBA 36. Pokemon Go has driven its users crazy with its C.T + 2 D. Trading ring use of E. Demat A. artificial intelligence 28. Find the ODD one out. B. virtual reality A. Online banking B. Net banking C. real people as game characters C. Branchless banking D. augmented reality D. Mortar and Brick banking E. additive manufacturing E. Mouse and Click banking 37. A fiduciary note issue is made 29. The loan/s to which of the following is/are A. By keeping equivalent gold reserves NOT priority sector loan/s in India? B. by the finance ministry and not by the RBI 1. Farmers 2. Minorities C. Without keeping equivalent gold reserves 3. Exporters 4. Big industries D. to create extra money supply to plug the fiscal A.1, 2 B.1, 3 deficit E. None of these C. 4 D.1, 4 38. In the acronym CCI, the first C stands for E. All of these A. Competition B. Control 30. The Indian economy grew by ______% in the C. Commission D. Chief last financial year. E. Controller A. 8.9 B. 7.9 39. Technically speaking, the Parliament in India C. 7.4 D. 7.6 A. Can change/ modify/ delete any fundamental E. 8.6 right 31. The RBI headquarters was originally located B. Is empowered to amend any part of the in Constitution except its basic features A. Delhi B. Mumbai C. Cannot amend any part of the Constitution C. Lucknow D. Kanpur D. Remove the President after a successful E. Kolkata impeachment motion E. Can meet anywhere in India

GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 59 40. Debt-to-equity ratio implies the ratio of 49. The President of Indian National Congress at A. Paid up capital to authorized capital the time of India’s independence was B. Loan of share capital to capital A. Acharya JB Kriplani C. Loan amount to share capital B. Mahatma Gandhi D. Rate of interest to dividend rate C. Sarojini Naidu E. Share capital to loan amount D. Pt. JL Nehru E. Sardar VB Patel 41. Which of these is NOT a term loan? 50. Assertion (A): The Reserve Bank has launched A. Durable loan B. Home loan a new scheme called S4A to help the banks in C. Cash Credit Limit D. Personal loan India. E. Education loan (R): S4A will guide the banks regarding 42. What is the approximate contribution of reorganizing their business on more rational manufacturing to India’s GDP? lines. A.7% B. 9% A. Both A and R are correct and R correctly C. 16% D. 25% explains A. E. 29% B. Both A and R are correct but R does not 43. Which of the following best exemplifies a correctly explain A. sunrise industry? C. A is correct but R is wrong. A. Biotechnology B. Gold D. R is correct but A is wrong. C. Tape recorders D. Oil refinery E. Both A and R are wrong E. Steel 44. Mingle is a banking app launched by the AUGUST GK TEST - 01 A. State Bank of India B. ICICI Bank Q. A. Q. A. Q. A. Q. A. Q. A. C. Small Industries Devp. Bank of India 1 B 2 C 3 D 4 D 5 D D. Panjab National Bank 6 B 7 A 8 A 9 D 10 D E. Reserve Bank of India 11 A 12 D 13 A 14 C 15 E 45. The interest rates of Fixed Deposits in India 16 D 17 A 18 E 19 A 20 B are fixed by the 21 B 22 A 23 B 24 A 25 E A. Reserve bank of India 26 B 27 D 28 E 29 D 30 B B. Bank itself 31 B 32 C 33 E 34 B 35 D C. Banking Department 36 A 37 B 38 A 39 A 40 C D. Finance Ministry E. None of these 46. If a cheque is returned due to “insufficient 41 B 42 C 43 E 44 D 45 E funds”, its issuer can be prosecuted under the 46 B 47 D 48 B 49 E 50 C A. Payment and Settlement Systems Act B. Banking Regulation act AUGUST GK TEST - 2 C. Payment Instruments Act D. Reserve Bank of India act Q. A. Q. A. Q. A. Q. A. Q. A. E. Negotiable Instruments Act 1 B 2 B 3 C 4 B 5 A 47. In the North-East of India, the words Tsang Po 6 C 7 E 8 B 9 A 10 B refer to a 11 D 12 C 13 D 14 A 15 D A. River B. Forest 16 B 17 D 18 B 19 E 20 D C. Plant D. Animal 21 A 22 A 23 A 24 E 25 C E. Dance 26 A 27 B 28 D 29 C 30 C 48. The title “rain forests” is applied to which of 31 E 32 D 33 C 34 E 35 E the following? 36 D 37 C 38 A 39 B 40 C A. Amazon forests B. Pampas 41 C 42 D 43 A 44 A 45 B C. Western Ghats D. Prairies 46 E 47 A 48 A 49 A 50 C E. Himalyan forests

GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 60 IBPS PO - PRE EXAM (MODEL TEST PAPER)

REASONING ABILITY opposite to the centre) what is the position of A with respect to E?

(Note: Facing the same direction means, if one Directions - These questions consists of a question is facing the centre then the other also faces the and two statements numbered I and II given below centre and vice versa. Facing the opposite it. You have to decide whether the data given in the directions means if one is facing the centre then statements are sufficient to answer the questions. the other faces outside and vice versa) Read both the statements and choose the most I. C stands second to the right of E. E faces appropriate option. outside. C is an immediate neighbour of

both D and B. F stands second to the left of 1) How many people are standing between L D. D faces the same direction as E. and K in the line of 19 people (Note: All the II. Only two people stand between B and E. standing in a straight line facing north)? Both B and E face outside. E is an immediate I. Y stands to the extreme left end of the line. neighbour of both D and F. B is an Only five people stand between Y and K. immediate neighbour of both C and A. A is Only six people stand between K and R. Only not an immediate neighbour of D. four people stand between R and L. a) The data in both statements I and II together II. J stands exactly in the centre of the line. are necessary to answer the question Only two people stand between I and J. Only b) The data in statement II alone are sufficient five people stand between I and L. I stands to answer the question, while the data in to the left of L. K stands third to the left of J. statement I alone are not sufficient to answer a) The data even in both statements I and II the question together are not sufficient to answer the c) The data even in both statements I and II question together are not sufficient to answer the b) The data in both statements I and II together question are necessary to answer the question d) The data either in statement I alone or c) The data in statement II alone are sufficient statement II alone are sufficient to answer the to answer the question, while the data in question statement I alone are not sufficient to answer e) The data in statement I alone are sufficient the question to answer the question, while the data in d) The data either in statement I alone or statement II alone are not sufficient to answer statement II alone are sufficient to answer the the question question 3) How is X related N? e) The data in statement I alone are sufficient I. X is the mother of J. T is married to Z. N is to answer the question while the data in the daughter of T. Z is the brother of J. statement II alone are not sufficient to answer II. X is married to Y. Y is the father of J. J is the question married to M and Z is the uncle of N. 2) Among six people – A, B, C, D, E and F a) The data even in both statements I and II standing around a circle some facing the together are not sufficient to answer the centre while some facing outside (i.e. question

GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 61 b) The data in statement I alone are sufficient immediately above R. N lives on even to answer the question while the data in numbered floor. statement II alone are not sufficient to answer a) The data even in both statements I and II the question together are not sufficient to answer the c) The data either in statement I alone or question statement II alone are sufficient to answer the b) The data in statement II alone are sufficient question to answer the question, while the data in d) The data in both statements I and II together statement I alone are not sufficient to answer are necessary to answer the question the question e) The data in statement II alone are sufficient c) The data in statement I alone are sufficient to answer the question, while the data in to answer the question while the data in statement I alone are not sufficient to answer statement II alone are not sufficient to answer the question the question 4) Among mobiles R, S, T, U, V and W which is d) The data either in statement I alone or costlier? statement II alone are sufficient to answer the I. T is costlier than only two mobiles. S is question costlier than R but not the costliest. V is costlier e) The data in both statements I and II together than only W. are necessary to answer the question II. R is cheaper than only two mobiles. V is costlier than W but cheaper than T. T is cheaper Directions – In these questions there are given four than R. S is cheaper than U. statements followed by five conclusions, one of a) The data in statement II alone are sufficient which definitely does not logically follow (or is not a to answer the question, while the data in possibility or occurrence) from the given statement I alone are not sufficient to answer statements. That conclusion is your answer. the question (Note: You have to take the four given statements to be b) The data even in both statements I and II true even if they seem to be at variance from the given together are not sufficient to answer the statements disregarding commonly known facts.) question c) The data either in statement I alone or 6) Statements: statement II alone are sufficient to answer the No toy is a doll. question All guns are toys. d) The data in statement I alone are sufficient All houses are dolls. to answer the question while the data in All dolls are baskets. statement II alone are not sufficient to answer Conclusions: the question a) All baskets are toys e) The data in both statements I and II together b) No gun is a house are necessary to answer the question c) All guns being baskets is a possibility 5) In a six storey building (consisting of floors d) All houses are baskets numbered 1 to 6, wherein the topmost floor e) No doll is a gun is numbered 6 and the ground floor is 7) Statements: numbered 1) each of the six friends namely Some logics are reasons. M, N, O, P, Q and R lives on a different floor All reasons are arguments. (Not necessarily in the same order). Who All arguments are fights. amongst them lives on the lower most floor? No fight is a discussion. I. M live on floor numbered five. Only two Conclusions: people live between M and N. Q lives a) All discussions being logics is a possibility immediately above P. b) No discussion is an argument II. P lives on floor numbered three. Only two c) All logics being discussion is a possibility people live between P and O. N lives d) All reason are fights e) No reason is a discussion

GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 62 8) Statements: one who likes Up does not have a presentation on All references are mails. chemistry. O likes Lion King. R does not have a All mentions are references. presentation on History and does not like Up. P does not All comments are mentions. like Up. No mail is a declaration. Conclusions: 11) On which of the following subjects P has a a) No reference is a declaration presentation? b) All comments are mails. a) Chemistry b) English c) No mention is a declaration c) Biology d) All declarations being comments is a d) Other than those given as options possibility e) Geography e) Atleast some mails are mentions 12) Four of the following five form a group as 9) Statements: per the given arrangement. Which of the Some moments are flashes. following does not belong to that group? All moments are seconds. a) R – Cars b) Q – Shrek All flashes are instances. c) N – Up d) M – Frozen No instance is an hour. e) P – Rio Conclusions: 13) Which of the following combinations is a) All hours being second is a possibility definitely correct? b) No second is a flash a) N – Chemistry b) R – History c) No hour is a flash c) L – English d) Atleast some moments are instances d) All the give combinations are definitely e) Atleast some seconds are instances correct 10) Statements: e) P – Geography All circles are spheres. 14) Which of the following combinations of All spheres are rectangles. movie and subject is definitely correct with No rectangle is a pyramid. respect to N? No pyramid is a triangle. a) Up – Chemistry Conclusions: b) Other than those given as options a) Atleast some circles are pyramids c) Shrek – Geography d) Up – Geography b) All triangles being circles is a possibility e) Finding Nemo – History c) All rectangles being triangles is a possibility 15) Four of the following five form a group as d) Atleast some rectangles are circles per the given arrangement. Which of the e) No pyramid is a sphere following does not belong to that group? a) Biology – cars Directions – Study the following information and b) Chemistry – Lion King answer the question. c) Civics - Shrek d) English – Frozen Seven friends namely L, M, N, O, P, Q and R like e) Geography – Up the different animated movies namely, Finding Nemo, 16) Which of the following movies does Q like? Rio, Frozen, Up, Lion King, Shrek and Cars but not a) Shrek necessarily in the same order. Each friend is also has a b) Other than those given as options presentation on topics of different subjects namely c) Finding Nemo d) Lion King Civics, History, English, Geography, Chemistry, Physics e) Cars and Biology but not necessarily in the same order. Q has a presentation on Civics and likes neither Directions – In the given question assuming the Frozen nor Up. The one who likes Finding Nemo has a given statements to be true, find which of the given presentation on History. L likes Rio and has a four conclusion I, II, III and IV is true and give your presentation neither on Geography nor on Chemistry. answer accordingly. The one who likes Cars has a presentation on Biology. M has a presentation on Physics and does not like up. The

GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 63 17) Statements: 22) Statements: S > M ≥ D > H ≤ R ≤ T < W P ≥ Q ≤ C ≤ B = M > D Conclusions: Conclusions: I. S > H II. W > H I. M > Q II. D ≤ P III. R < W IV. M > T III. M = Q IV. C > D a) Only I, II and III are true a) None is true b) Only II is true b) Only IV is true c) Only I and II are true c) Only either I or II are true d) Only I and either II or IV are true d) Only II and II are true e) All I, II, III and IV are true e) Only either I or III is true 18) Statements: M > U > L ≤ N; L ≥ Y > A Directions – Study the following information Conclusions: carefully and answer the given question. I. Y < N II. M > N A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H are sitting around a III. N = Y IV. M > A square table in such a way that four of them sit at four a) Only either II or III is true corners of the square while four sit in the middle of b) Only IV and either I or II are true each of the four sides. The ones who sit at the four c) Only IV is true corners face the centre of the table while those who sit d) Only II is true in the middle of the sides face outside. Each one of them e) Only III is true likes a different subject viz. Mathematics, Hindi, English, 19) Statements: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, History and Geography. J ≥ A > D = E; L < A < M (None of the information given is necessarily in the Conclusions: same order). I. M < J II. J > L C sits third to the left of the one who likes III. D > L IV. E < M Geography. The one who likes Geography faces outside. a) Only II is true Only two people sit between C and H. The one who likes b) Only I and II are true Mathematics sits to immediate right of H. c) None is true The one who likes Chemistry sits second to d) Only II and IV are true right of G. G is neither an immediate neighbour of H nor e) Only I and II are true C. G does not like the Geography. 20) Statements: Only one person sit between A and the one who Y > F ≤ O ≤ P; F ≥ U < T likes Chemistry. Conclusions: D sits to immediate left of the one who likes I. Y > P II. T < F Physics. G does not like Physics. III. O > T IV. P < U E likes History. E is not an immediate a) Only I is true b) Only II is true neighbour of A. c) Only III is true d) None is true The one who likes Hindi is an immediate e) Only I and IV are true neighbour of E. 21) Statements: The one who likes Biology is an immediate M ≥ N ≤ Y ≤ R < U = Z ≥ E neighbour of F. Conclusions: I. M > R II. Z ≤ R 23) Who among the following sits diagonally III. R > E IV. Z > Y opposite the one who likes Mathematics? a) Only I and II are true a) The one who likes Hindi b) Only IV is true b) D c) None is true c) A d) Only II and IV are true d) The one who likes English e) Only II and III are true e) The one who likes Biology

GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 64 24) Who amongst the following represent the c) 15 m d) 5 m immediate neighbours of the one who likes e) 9 m Chemistry? a) B, F b) C, E Directions – Study the following information to c) B, E d) D, F answer the given question. e) F, H A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H are sitting in a straight 25) Who amongst the following sits exactly line equidistant from each other (but not necessarily in between H and B? the same order). Some of them are facing south while a) C some are facing north. b) The one who likes Hindi (Note: Facing the same direction means. If one c) The one who likes English is facing north then the other also faces north and vice d) G e) A versa. Facing the opposite directions means. If one is 26) Which of the following is true regarding B? facing North then the other faces south and vice versa). a) B is one of the immediate neighbours of D H faces north. C sits at one of the extreme ends b) The one who Geography is an immediate of the line. A sits third to the left of C. D is not an neighbour of B immediate neighbour of C. G sits third to the right of A. c) B sits second to left of H B sits to the immediate right of G. B does not sit at any d) B likes History of the extreme ends of the line. Only one person sits e) B is an immediate neighbour of the one who between F and D. G sits second to the left of F. E sits likes Mathematics second to the right of B. Both the immediate neighbours 27) What is the position of the one who likes of G face the same direction. Both the immediate Physics with respect to G? neighbours of A face the opposite directions. E faces the a) Second to the left b) Third to the right same direction as B. c) Fourth to the left d) Second to the right 32) Who amongst the following sits second to e) Third to the left the right of F? 28) Which of the following subjects does D like? a) H b) D a) Biology b) Mathematics c) C d) G c) Hindi d) Chemistry e) A e) English 33) Which of the following is true with respect 29) Who amongst the following likes to the given information? Geography? a) G sits at one of the extreme ends of line a) B b) F b) B sits exactly between A and F c) H d) A c) B sits third to the right of E e) D d) A faces north e) A sits second to the left of B Directions – Read the given information carefully 34) How many persons in the given and answer the given question. arrangement facing North? Point N is 8 m to the west of Point O. Point P is a) Four b) One 4 m to the south of Point O. Point Q is 4 m to the east of c) Three d) Two point P. Point R is 6 m to the north of Point Q. Point S is e) More than four 8 m to the west of Point R. Point T is 2 m to the south of 35) Four of the following five are alike in a Point S. certain way and so form a group. Which of 30) How far and in which direction is Point T the following does not belong to the group? from Point N? a) B, A b) D, C a) 4 m to the east b) 8 m to the west c) E, B d) A, E c) 4 m to the west d) 6 m to the east e) G, F e) 6 m to the south 31) If Point T is 4 m to the north of Point E, then what is the distance between E and Q? a) 11 m b) 8 m

GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 65 QUANTITATIVE APTITUDE 40) Total number of foreign tourists who visited all the three places on Tuesday together is

what per cent of the total number of foreign Directions (Q. 36-40): Study the following graph tourists who visited Wagha Border on carefully to answer the questions – Monday and Wednesday together? Number of foreign tourists who visited three a) 168 b) 124 different places in five different days c) 112 d) 224 e) 212 41) The present ages of Vishal and Shekhar are in the ratio of 14 : 17 respectively. Six years from now, their ages will be in the ratio of 17 : 20 respectively. What is Shekhar’s present age? a) 17 years b) 51 years c) 34 years d) 28 years e) None of these

Directions (Q. 42 – 46): Study the following table carefully to answer the questions that follow- Number of Units Manufactured (in thousands) by

Six different Companies over the Years 36) What is the average number of foreign tourists who visited Wagha Border on all the days together? a) 184 b) 172 c) 186 d) 174 e) None of these 37) On which day was the difference between

the number of foreign tourists who visited

Taj Mahal and Golden Temple, second 42) What is the respective ratio of total number highest? of units manufactured by company A and B a) Monday b) Tuesday together in the year 2009 to those c) Wednesday d) Thursday manufactured by companies C and D e) Friday together in the same year? 38) What is the respective ratio between the a) 312 : 329 b) 317 : 311 number of foreign tourists who visited Taj c) 329 : 312 d) 311 : 317 Mahal on Thursday and the number of e) None of these foreign tourists who visited Golden Temple 43) The number of units manufactured by on Friday? company E in the year 2005 is a) 14 : 9 b) 8 : 13 approximately what per cent of the total c) 13 : 8 d) 13 : 7 number of units manufactured by it in all e) None of these the years together? 39) On which day was the total number of a) 31 b) 27 foreign tourists who visited all the three c) 7 d) 15 places together second lowest? e) 23 a) Monday b) Tuesday

c) Wednesday d) Thursday 44) What is the average number of units e) Friday manufactured by company D in the years

2004 and 2007 together?

GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 66 a) 14650 b) 15750 Directions (Q. 51–55): What should come in place of c) 13750 d) 16470 the question mark (?) in the following questions? e) None of these 45) What is the total number of units 51) {(52)2 + (45)2} ÷ ? = 8 manufactured by Company C over all the a) 611.345 b) 487.225 years together? c) 591.125 d) 372.425 a) 783 b) 7830 e) None of these c) 783000 d) 78.3 52) 14.2% of 5500 + 15.6% of ? = 1795 e) None of these a) 6500 b) 6200 46) What is the per cent increase in the number c) 5600 d) 5800 of units manufactured by company F in the e) None of these year 2008 from the previous year? 53) (5696 ÷ 4 - ?) x 5 = 1020 (rounded off to two digits after decimal) a) 1180 b) 1200 a) 3.73 b) 3.62 c) 1240 d) 1220 c) 4.35 d) 4.16 e) None of these e) None of these 54) 118963 – 107958 – 9589 = ? 47) Population of a village increases every year a) 1420 b) 1404 by 15%. If its population in January 2015 c) 1416 d) 1412 was 2,60,000, what will be its population in e) None of these January 2016? 12.5 2.4  5.50.8 55)  8 a) 2,99,000 b) 2,86,000 ? c) 3,43,850 d) 3,38,000 a) 3.4 b) 4.8 e) None of these c) 3.8 d) 4.3 48) Shelly could get equal number of Rs. 25 per e) None of these piece, Rs. 40 piece and Rs. 65 per piece

bangles. She spends a total of Rs. 1,560 for Direction (Q. 56- 60): In each of the following a all the bangles. How many of each type did number series is given. Below it a number is given she buy? followed by (a) (b) (c) (d) & (e). You have to a) 12 b) 14 complete the series starting with the number given c) 16 according to the sequence for the given series? d) Cannot be determined 56) e) None of these 5 12 60 340 49) What is the approximate total surface area 7 (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) of a right circular cone of height 14 cm and Which of the following number will come in base radius 7 cm? place of (d)? a) 510 b) 511 a) 172 b) 5044 c) 490 d) 505 c) 1012 d) 20164 e) 499 e) 28 50) Two stations A and B are 110 km apart on a 57) straight line. One train starts from A at 7 am 11 15 38 126 and travels towards B at 20 kmph. Another train starts from B at 8 am and travels 7 (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) towards A at a speed of 25 kmkph. At what Which of the following number will come in time will they meet? place of (c)? a) 9 am b) 11 am a) 102 b) 30 c) 11:30 am d) 10 am c) 2140 d) 80 e) 12:30 pm e) 424 58) 2 3 8 27 5 (a) (b) (c) (d) (e)

GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 67 Which of the following number will come in 64) I. x2 – (16)2 = (23)2 – 56 place of (e)? II. y1/3- 55 + 376 = (18)2 a) 184 b) 6 a) x > y b) x  y c) 925 d) 45 c) x < y e) 14 d) relationship between x and y cannot be 59) determined 12 28 64 140 e) x  y 37 (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) 12 8 65) I.   (x) Which of the following number will come in (x) (x) place of (e)? a) 1412 b) 164 (18)5/ 2 II. y 2   0 c) 696 d) 78 y e) 340 60) a) x > y b) x  y 2 3 9 40.5 c) x < y 4 (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) d) relationship between x and y cannot be Which of the following number will come in determined place of (b)? e) x  y a) 486 b) 81 66) I. (36)x  (64)  0

c) 3645 d) 18 2 e) 6 II. (81)y  (4)  0 61) The difference between a two-digit number a) x > y and the number obtained by interchanging b) x  y the digits is 36. What is the difference c) x < y between the sum and the difference of the d) relationship between x and y cannot be digits of the number if the ratio between the determined digits of the number is 1 : 2? e) x  y a) 10 b) 9 25 9 c) 11 d) 8 67) I.  17 (x) (x) (x) e) 7 62) In a lottery, there are 15 boys and 10 girls. (y) 5 (y) 3 Three students are selected at random. II.   3 6 What is the probability that 1 girl and 2 (y) boys are selected? a) x > y b) x  y 31 21 c) x < y a) b) 47 46 d) relationship between x and y cannot be determined 22 31 c) d) e) x  y 47 46 68) Three taps A, B and C can fill a tank in 12, 15 21 and 20 hours respectively. If A is open all e) 47 the time and B and C are open for one hour 63) I. x2 – 10x + 21 = 0 each alternately, in what time will the tank II. y2 – 16y + 63 = 0 be full? a) x > y b) x  y a) 9 hours b) 7 hours c) 8 hours d) 10 hours c) x < y e) 11 hours d) relationship between x and y cannot be 69) A and B started a business in partnership determined investing Rs. 20,000 and Rs. 15,000 e) x  y respectively. After six months, C joined them

with Rs. 20,000. What will be B’s share in

GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 68 total profit of Rs. 25,000 earned at the end This illustrates what is wrong with the World of 2 years from the starting of the business? Bank. The World Bank has often forgotten the most a) Rs. 8,000 b) Rs. 8,500 basic lessons of development, preferring to lecture the c) Rs. 9,000 d) Rs. 7,500 poor and force them to privatise basic infrastructure, e) Rs. 9,500 which is untenable, rather than to help the poor to 70) A boatman goes 2 km against the current of invest in infrastructure and other crucial sector. The the stream in 1 hour and goes 1 km along Bank’s failure began in the early 1980s when under the the current in 10 minutes. How long will it ideological sway of then American President and British take to go 5 km in stationary water? a) 80 minutes b) 75 minutes Prime Minister it tried to get Africa and other poor c) 70 minutes d) 72 minutes regions to cut back or close down government e) 84 minutes investments and services. For 25 years, the bank tried to get governments out of agriculture, leaving impoverished peasants to fend for themselves. The ENGLISH LANGUAGE result has been a disaster in Africa, with farm

productivity stagnant for decades. The bank also Directions (71-80): Read the following passage pushed for privatization of national health systems, carefully and the questions given below it. Certain water utilities, and road and power networks, and has words/phrases are given in bold to help you locate grossly underfinanced these critical sectors. This them while answering some of the questions. extreme free-market ideology, also called “structural China’s rising power is based on its remarkable adjustment”, went against the practical lessons of economic success. Shanghai’s overall economy is development successes in China and the rest or Asia. currently growing at around 13% per year, thus Practical development strategy recognises that public doubling in size every five or six years. Everywhere investments – in agriculture, health education, and there are start-ups, innovations, and young infrastructure – are necessary complements to private entrepreneurs hungry for profits. In a series of high- investments. The World Bank has instead wrongly seen level meetings between Chinese and African officials, such vital public investments as an enemy of private the advice that the African leaders received from the sector development. Whenever the bank’s ideology Chinese was sound, and more practical than they failed, it has blamed the poor for corruption, typically get from the World Bank. Chinese officials mismanagement, or lack of initiative. Instead of focusing stress the crucial role of public investments, especially its attention on helping the poorest countries to in agriculture and infrastructure, to lay the basis for improve their infrastructure, there has been a crusade private sector-led growth. In a hungry and poor rural against corruption. The good news is that African economy, as China was in the 1970s and as most of governments are getting the message on how to spur Africa is today, a key starting point is to raise farm economic growth and are getting crucial help from productivity. Farms need the benefits of fertilizer, China and other partners that are less wedded to irrigation and high-yield seeds, all of which were a core extreme free-market ideology than the World Bank. part of China’s economical take off. Two other equally They have declared their intention to invest in critical investments are also needed: roads and infrastructure, agriculture modernization, public health, electricity, without which there cannot be a modern and education. It is clear the Bank can regain its economy. Farmers might be able to increase their relevance only if it becomes practical once again, by output, but it wont be able to reach the cities, and the returning its focus to financing public investments in cities won’t be able to provide the country-side with priority sectors. If that happens, the Bank can still do inputs. The government has taken pains to ensure that justice to the bold vision of a world of shared prosperity the electricity grids and transportation networks reach that prompted its creation after World War II. every village in China. China is prepared to help Africa in substantial ways in agriculture, roads, power, health 71) The author’s main objective in writing the and education. And that is not an empty boast. Chinese passage is to leaders are prepared to share new high-yield rice a) make a case for the closure of the World varieties, with their African counterparts and, all over Bank since it promotes US interests over those Africa, China is financing and, constructing basic of other countries. infrastructure. GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 69 b) illustrate how China can play a more while the World Bank favours private sector concrete role in Africa. involvement. c) criticize the World Bank for playing a crucial e) None of these role in China’s development but neglecting 75) What is China’s view on the development of Africa. the transportation and power networks? d) recommend that China adopt the guidelines a) Development in these sectors is not as of the World Bank to sustain growth. important as investing in agriculture. e) use China’s success as an example of the b) Resources need to be diverted from the rural changes required in World Bank ideology. to the urban areas to meet the needs of the 72) What advice have African leaders received growing population in cities. from their Chinese counterparts? c) The government should be solely responsible a) Focus primarily on innovation, start-ups and for developing these services so all citizens urban development. have access to them. b) To ensure all citizens benefit from economic d) It is more important to develop and maintain development, investment, not the private transportation networks and power grids in sector. rural areas. c) Improve agricultural output through e) None of these government investment to stimulate economic 76) Which of the following cannot be said about growth. structural adjustment? a) None b) Only (C) a) It is the World Bank’s free market ideology c) Only (B) d) Both (A) & (B) adapted by Asian countries. e) None of these b) Under this strategy public sector investment 73) What effect has the World Bank policy had in priority sectors is discouraged. on African nations? c) As a development strategy it has failed in a) The African government has restricted Africa. private sector investment in agriculture. d) With this strategy there has been a lack of b) Africa has focused more on health and adequate investment in critical sectors. education rather than on agriculture. e) It is an ideology advocated by the World c) The agriculture sector in these countries is Bank which needs to be modified to facilitate not as productive as it could be. economic growth. d) US and Britain have volunteered substantial 77) Which of the following is NOT true in the aid to Africa as Africa has complied with World context of the passage? Bank ideology. a) China’s involvement in Africa so far has been e) None of these restricted to advising its leaders. 74) What is the difference in the Chinese and b) The World Bank was created by the US and World Bank approach to development? Britain for the sole purpose of furthering their a) Unlike the World Bank, China favours the interest. public sector and restricts private sector c) China’s economy was once in the same state participation in crucial sectors. as many African countries are today. b) Contrary to China’s strategy of dependence a) None b) Only (B) on the private sector, the World Bank c) Only (A) d) Both (A) & (B) pressurises governments to take the lead in e) None of these investing in agriculture. 78) What has/have been the outcome/s of c) While the World Bank has focused on Shanghai’s economy prospering? agriculture, China’s priority has been rooting a) The World Bank has changed its out corruption so that investment in development strategy. infrastructure is utilised appropriately. b) China’s importance globally has been d) The Chinese government has retained enhanced. control over essential services like transport c) Rural areas are being neglected to promote development of cities.

GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 70 a) Only (B) b) Both (A) & (B) 84) untenable c) Both (B) & (C) d) All (A), (B), & (C) a) viable b) unsound e) None of these c) consistent d) superior 79) Why is the author optimistic about Africa’s e) attractive future? 85) empty a) The World Bank has committed itself to a) full b) objective invest huge sums in Africa’s development. c) meaningful d) occupied b) Africa has decided to adopt a structural e) intelligent adjustment ideology which has benefited many nations. Directions (86-89): Read each sentence to find out c) Africa has committed itself to adopting whether there is any error in it. The error, if any, China’s strategy for economic growth. will be in one part off the sentence. The number of d) China has urged the World Bank to waive the that part is the answer. If there is no error, the interest on its loans to Africa. answer is (e). (Ignore errors of punctuation, if any). e) None of these 80) What advice has the author given the World 86) It is not worthy(a)/the company’s Bank? reputation(b/to compromise on quality(c)/ for a) Support China’s involvement in developing the sake of profit. (d) No error (e) Africa b) Reduce the influence of the US and Britain in 87) The company which has (a) /won the its functioning government contract (b)/ also plans to invest c) Adopt a more practical ideology of structural (c)/ with the power sector. (d)/ No error (e) adjustment d) Change its ideology to one encouraging both 88) Implementing these measures (a) / will help public and private sector investment in basic the government (b)/ to save more of (c)/ 400 infrastructure crores each year. (d)/No error (e) e) Focus on fighting corruption rather than interfering in the governance of developing 89) You have failed to produce (a)/ no evidence to countries support (b)/ the charge that he (c)/ is responsible for the error. (d) /No error (e) Directions (81-83): Choose the word which is most nearly the SAME in meaning as the word printed in Directions (90-93): Which of the phrases (a), (b), (c) bold as used in the passage. and (d) given below should replace the phrase given in bold in the following sentences to make the 81) sway sentence grammatically correct? If the sentence is a) fluctuate b) influence correct as it is and there is no correction required, c) govern d) dependence mark (e), i.e. ‘No correction required’ as the answer. e) unsteady 82) core 90) The minimum eligibility age shall be less to a) centre b) heart sixty years to allow more senior citizens to c) adequate d) intermediate avail of the benefits of the scheme, e) essential a) should be lowered b) should be lower 83) stress c) being lesser d) must be lessen a) highlight b) strain e) No correction required c) taxing d) tension 91) The latest study by Nasscom indicates possibly e) emphasis short of five lakh qualified engineers in the IT industry. Directions (84-85): Choose the word which is most a) the possible shortage off OPPOSITE in meaning of the word printed in bold as b) possibly short by used in the passage. c) possibility of shortage

GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 71 d) a possible shortage of (F) In recent years, however, economic changes have e) No correction required brought business sense and professionalism to the 92) China has to be prepared to meet many age- sector. related social and financial challenges in the 96) Which of the following should be the FIFTH coming years. sentence in the paragraph? a) is been preparing b) was prepared a) A b) B c) have been prepared d) has preparations c) C d) D e) No correction required e) E 93) It is necessary to ascertain that we can do to 97) Which of the following should be the SIXTH attract investment to the manufacturing sector. (LAST) sentence in the paragraph? a) how we can do b) what we can do a) B b) C c) more can be done d) that has been done c) D d) E e) No correction required e) F 98) Which of the following should be the Directions (94-95): In each of the following SECOND sentence in the paragraph? sentences there are two blank spaces. Below each a) B b) C five pairs of words have been denoted by numbers c) D d) E e) F (a), (b), (c), (d) and (e). Find out which pair of words 99) Which of the following should be the FIRST can be filled up in the blanks in this sentence in the sentence in the paragraph? same sequence to make the sentence meaningfully a) A b) B complete. c) C d) D e) E 100) Which of the following should be the THIRD 94) The Chairman in his speech stated the _____ sentence in the paragraph? in company profits was _____ to team a) A b) B building. c) C d) D e) E a) incline, owing b) rise, liable c) slump, accountable d) surge, due ANSWER KEY e) plunge, response 95) The main _____ of Healthcare reforms is _____ Q. A. Q. A. Q. A. Q. A. Q. A. medical care to every citizen. 1 B 2 E 3 B 4 C 5 B a) purpose, available b) cause, providing 6 A 7 C 8 D 9 B 10 A c) challenge, accessing 11 D 12 E 13 C 14 D 15 D d) assurance, qualified 16 A 17 A 18 C 19 D 20 D e) focus, extending 21 C 22 E 23 A 24 C 25 E

26 E 27 E 28 A 29 B 30 A Directions (96-100): Rearrange the following six 31 B 32 B 33 E 34 A 35 B sentences (A), (B), (C), (D), (E) and (F) in the proper 36 B 37 E 38 D 39 A 40 E sequence to form a meaningful paragraph; then answer the questions given below them. 41 C 42 C 43 D 44 B 45 E (A) In fact, today, social entrepreneurship is no different 46 A 47 A 48 A 49 E 50 D from starting a profit-motivated company. 51 C 52 A 53 D 54 C 55 D (B) The major challenge they face is employee selection 56 B 57 A 58 C 59 A 60 D and retention. 61 D 62 B 63 E 64 E 65 A (C) For decades social development in India meant 66 A 67 C 68 B 69 D 70 B charity. 71 E 72 E 73 C 74 E 75 E (D) However, the challenges social organizations 76 A 77 D 78 E 79 C 80 D experience are tougher. 81 B 82 E 83 A 84 A 85 C (E) This is because while volunteering for social work is 86 A 87 D 88 C 89 B 90 A not new, attracting talented people and tapping their 91 D 92 E 83 B 94 D 95 E potential at lower costs is difficult. 96 B 97 2 98 2 99 C 100 A

GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 72 SOLUTIONS

1) b): From statement I and II, we get

2) e): Hint – From Statement I 6) a):

‘A’ is second to the left of ‘E’ and fourth right of E. From Statement II

7) c):

Or Two possibilities come. So answer is ‘A’ is second to right of E or A is second to the left of E. Hence we cannot decide the result.

3) b): From Statement I

8) d):

Hence ‘X’ is grandmother of N. From Statement II

9) b):

Can’t say about ‘N’.

4) c): By combining both the statements mobile is costliest. U > S > R > T > V > W

5) b): From statement II ‘R’ lives on the lower most floor. GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 73 10) a): Solution:

i) M < J (x) ii) J > L () iii) D > L (x) ∵ (opposite sign) iv) E < M () Hence ‘D’ is true. 20) d):

11 – 16): Statement: Y > F ≤ O ≤ P; F ≥ U < T Name of the Movie Subject Solution: Friends L Rio English M Frozen Physics N Up Geography i) Y > P (x) O Lion King Chemistry ii) T < F (x) P Finding History iii) O > T (x) Nemo iv) P < U (x) Q Shrek Civics Hence, ‘D’ is true. R Cars Biology 21) c):

Hint – Statement: M ≥ N ≤ Y ≤ R < U = Z ≥ E 17) a): Hint – Statement: Solution: S > M ≥ D > H ≤ R ≤ T < W i) M > R (x) Conclusions: ii) Z ≤ R (x) I. S > H  True iii) R > E (x) II. W > H  True iv) Z > Y () III. R < W  True Hence ‘B’ is true. IV. M > T  False 22) e): Hence, only I, II and III are true. Hint – Statement: P ≥ Q ≤ C ≤ B = M > D Hence ‘A’ is true. Solution: 18) c): Hint – Statement: i) P ≥ Q ≤ C ≤ B = M > D M > U > L ≤ N; L ≥ Y > A Solution: Same sign  M > Q () ii) P ≥ Q ≤ C ≤ B = M > D

opposite sign D ≤ P (x) i) Y < N False iii) M = Q () ii) M > N False M ≥ Q () iii) N = Y False Either I or III true. iv) M > A (same sign) True iv) P > Q ≤ C ≤ B = M < D Hence ‘C’ is true. 19) d): opposite sign Hint – Statement: J ≥ A > D = E; L < A < M C > D (x) Hence ‘E’ is true. GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 74 23 – 29): 16.7 16.1 46. (a)  100 = 3.73 16.1 115 47. (a) 2,60,000  = 299000 100 48. (a) Total Expenditure for Rs. = 25+40 + 65 Rs. 130 1560 No. of Pcs. = = 12 Pcs 130 50. (d) 30 – 31):

32 - 35): After one hour one train covered distance = 20 km Remaining Distance = 110 – 20 = 90 km Relative speed = 20 + 25 = 45 km/hr

90 They will meet After = = 2 hrs 130190120200220 860 45 36. (b)   172 5 5 Meeting Time = 8 am & 2 hrs = 10 am 51. (c) (2704 + 2025)  ? = 8 37. (a) Monday 4729 38. (d) 260 : 140 ? = = 591.125 13 : 7 8 39. (a) Monday 52. (a) 781 + 15.6% of ? = 1795 537 ? = 6500 40. (e) 100 = 212% 250 53. (d) (1424 - ?)  5 = 1020 ? = 1220 54. (c) 1416 30 4.4 55. (d) = ? 8 4.3 = ? 56. (b) The series is x8 – 28, x7 – 24, x6 – 20, …

57. (a) The series is x1 + 4, x2 + 8, x3 + 12 …….

41. (c) 58. (c) The series is x1 + 1, x2 + 2, x3 + 3, ….. 1 : 2 59. (a) The series is x2 + 4, x2 + 8, x2 + 12 ……. S’s percentage = 17  2 = 34 years 60. (d) The series is x1.5, x3, x4.5, ……… 42. (c) 32.9 : 31.2 36 61. (d) Always divided by 9, = 4 329 : 312 9 14.1 43. (d)  100 = 15.3  15%  Difference between two digits = 4 91.2 Difference between their ratio = 1 1620015300 44. (b) = 15750  1 = 4 2  No is 48 45. (d) 78.3 (4 + 8) – (8 – 4) = 8

GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 75 1514 x y 10 10 C 15 C 10157 x < y 62. (b) 1 2 21 = 2 18/7 25 25 24 23 252423 C3  x < y 3 21 68. (b) A  12 hrs 5l 21 = 46 B  15 hrs 4l 63. (e) x2  10x + 21 = 0 60 l y2 – 16y + 63 = 0 C  20 hrs 3l 7, 3 7, 9

x = 7, 3 y = 7, 9 A + B, A + C x y 1st hour 2nd hour 7 7 5 + 4 = 9l 4 + 3 = 8l 3 9 In 2 hours tanker filled = 17 x = y 51 + 9 = 60 x < y x < y 6hrs next hour 7 hrs x < y 69. (d) A B C  x  y 20,00024 15,000  24 20,000  18 64. (e) x2 – 256 = 529 – 56 4 : 3 : 3 y1/3 + 321 = 324 B’s share = 2500  3 x2 = 729 10 = 25,000 y1/3 = 3 = 7500/- 1 = 2500 x =  27 y = 27 70. (b) Upstrem (US) = 2 km/hr x y Downstrem = (DS) = 1 km per 10 mins 27 27 or 6 km/hr D U 2  6 27 S of man = S S  = 4 km/hr 2 2 x = y Time taken by him for 5 km in x < y D  x  y stationary water = S 20 185/2 65. (a) = x y2 =  y2  y 5 5 x y = hr =  60 = 75 minutes 4 4 = 185/2 81. In the given sentence 'Sway' means 'influence' 1 5 2 2  82. Here, 'core' means 'important' so 'essential' is x = 20 y 2  185/2  y = 18 2 5 = 18 the right option  y = 18  x > y 83. Here, 'stress' refers to 'highlight' 66. (a) 6x + 8 = 0 84. 'untenable' means 'indefensible' so the 9y + 16 = 0 opposite should be 'viable' x = 8/6 = 4/3 y = 16/9 85. in the sentence, 'empty' refers to 'meaningless' x y so opposite should be 'meaningful' x > y  4 /3 16 /9 86. Add ‘of’ after ‘worthy’  x > y 87. Replace ‘with’ by ‘in’ 34 88. Replace ‘of’ by ‘than’ 67. (c) = 17 x x 89. Replace ‘no’ by ‘any’ 90. 'Shall be less' should be replaced by 'should be 2 y  5 y 3 = lowered' 6 y 91. 'A possible shortage of' is the right option x = 2 7y = 18 92. No error y = 18/7 93. 'what we can do' should be used

GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 76

GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 77

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AUGUST – 2016 awareness about the plight of human trafficking victims: World Day Against Trafficking In 1) Lachhu Maharaj who passed away recently was a Persons prominent personality in which field: Tabla 21) RBI has announced guidelines for which mode of Player licensing for universal banking licence regime: 2) A new train named Tripura Sundari Express was On tap started recently between which two centres: 22) What is meant by 'On tap' licensing: Issuing Agartala and New Delhi Licence on demand, any time 3) ______has been appointed new Chairperson 23) Which country recently faced severe job crisis due of the Central Board of Direct Taxes: Rani Singh to falling oil prices: Saudi Arabia Nair 24) Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has been elected 4) J.K. Rowling, the world famous novelist is as the new Prime Minister of which country: associated with which novel series: Harry Potter Nepal 5) For what reasons Ms. Rowling was in news 25) In which national park 21 one-horned rhinos lost recently: She announced to discontinue Harry their lives due to floods: Kaziranga National Potter Novel Park 6) District Infrastructure Scheme Advisory 26) Kaziranga National Park is located in which state: Committees (DISHA) have been formed for what Assam purpose: For monitoring 28 main Centrally 27) By which number amendment of the constitution Sponsored Schemes GST bill has been passed: 122nd 7) Who will head the DISHA at the district level: 28) The GST bill after being passed by the Parliament, Local Lok Sabha Member need to be ratified by at least _____ per cent of the 8) What is the name of two week long Indo - states Assemblies to become a law: 50% (15 Thailand Military Exercise concluded on July 29: states) Maitree 29) Name two taxes that will be replaced by the GST: 9) Bilateral military exercise Maitree was conducted Central Excise, VAT, Service Tax in which country: Thailand 30) The 7th South Asian Association for Regional 10) Which country recently suffered wide spread Cooperation (SAARC) Interior Ministers' devastation due to Typhoon Nida: Hong Kong conference was held in______, Pakistan: 11) The ATP Toronto Masters tournament was won Islamabad by ______: Novak Djokovic 31) Near which place in Maharashtra two buses and 12) Jihadi Jane is novel written by: Tabish Khair several cars were swept away in Savitri River due 13) What is the title of the Autobiography of Sania to collapse of a bridge: Mahad Mirza: Ace Against Odds 32) The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has 14) Which railway station has won the National agreed to add five new games in the 2020 Tokyo Tourism Award 2014-15: Sawai Madhopur Olympics. Name any two of them: Baseball, 15) Sawai Madhopur railway station is located in Karate which state: Rajasthan 33) ______has become the first state in the 16) Sawai Madhopur railway station is the gateway to country to approve sewage and wastewater which famous tourist destination: Ranthambore policy: Rajasthan National Park 34) Anant Maheshwari has been appointed country 17) Ranthambore National Park is famous for which head of which global software giant: Microsoft animal: Tiger 35) Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavana Award has 18) Pro-Kabaddi League championship was won by been won by which person: Shubha Mudgal which team: Patna Pirates 36) Shubha Mudgal is a prominent personality of 19) ______of UK won the German Grand Prix: which field: Hindustani classical vocalist Lewis Hamilton 37) Which organization awards the Rajiv Gandhi 20) UNO celebrates which day on July 30, for raising National Sadbhavana Award: Indian National

GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 78 Congress Party announced on August 9 was which number: 03rd 38) ______won the National Tourism Award for 59) Which state rescued about 1051 missing children best comprehensive development of tourism: by launching "Operation Muskaan": Odisha Madhya Pradesh 60) Name the star Indian wrestler who has been 39) What is the title of the book which is the banned for four years on charges of doping: compilation of essays by late Khushwant Singh: Narsingh Yadav Me, The Jokerman 61) Union Cabinet has approved the extension of 40) RBI has launched a web portal named ‘Sachet’ for maternity leave for women from 12 weeks to what purpose: To curb illegal collection ______weeks: 26 of deposits from public 62) Government has formed a committee headed by 41) In which place in Assam, 14 persons were killed Mr. Amitabh Kant to review the regulation of and over 20 injured in a militant attack: which sector: E-commerce Kokrajhar 63) Who is Mr. Amitabh Kant: CEO of Niti Aayog 42) Vijay Rupani has been selected as the new Chief 64) Takehiko Nakao has been re-elected as the Minister of which state: Gujarat President of which global financial giant: Asian 43) In consultation with RBI, the Government has Development Bank notified ____ per cent inflation target: Four 65) Which ministry has launched a social media 44) The four per cent inflation target has been fixed campaign to observe 11th August as the Daughters for next ______years: Five Day: Ministry of Women and Child 45) In terms of the growth in the industry and service Development sectors in Indian states in past 10 years, 66) Which important international day is observed on ______has emerged as the top state: August 12: International Youth Day Uttarakhand 67) A first-of-its-kind touch and feel garden of various 46) Government has launched a nation-wide herbal and aromatic plants has been opened for programme MAA for promoting optimal the visually impaired people in which state: breastfeeding practices. What is the full form of Kerala MAA: Mothers’ Absolute Affection 68) Name the Pakistan’s legendary former captain 47) ______appointed as the new Prime Minister of and batsman who passed away recently: Hanif Tunisia: Youssef Chahed Muhammad 48) Who has formed a committee headed by Tarun 69) Name the swimmer who won for the first time Ramadorai to review various facets of household ever, four consecutive Olympic golds in the same finance in India: RBI event - 200m individual medley in swimming: 49) Which automobile company has launched its first Michael Phelps, USA light commercial vehicle (LCV) named Super 70) Which Indian organization transferred its surplus Carry: Maruti Suzuki profit of Rs. 65,876 crore to the central 50) ______has been appointed as Secretary to government: RBI Prime Minister: Bhaskar Khulbe 71) Name the highest peace time gallantry award in 51) Public sector life insurance giant LIC has joined India: Ashok Chakra hands with which bank to sell its policies: Axis 72) Name the war hero decorated with Ashok Chakra Bank in August 2016: Havildar Hangpan Dada 52) A panda-themed subway train has become highly 73) Pramukh Swami Maharaj, a noted religious leader popular in which country: China who passed away recently was associated with 53) Which state assembly recently passed a which temple movement: Akshardham Temples resolution to change its name: West Bengal 74) The Assassination of Rajiv Gandhi is a book written 54) Name the former Chief Minister of Arunachal by which author: Neena Gopal Pradesh who recently committed suicide: 75) Which ministry has decided to discontinue the Kalikho Pul practice of presenting its annual budget 55) Which country launched its first mobile separately: Railways telecommunication satellite named Tiantong: 76) The BSF organized an expedition named 'Divyang China Yodha' in which field: Para cycling 56) National Handloom Day is observed on which 77) The first ever BIO-CNG project in India was date: August 8 inaugurated in which place: Pune 57) National Handloom Awards have been named 78) Usain Bolt, the fastest man on earth won three after which famous saint: Saint Kabir gold medals successively in 3 Olympics, 9 in all, in 58) The bi-monthly monetary policy statement which 3 events: 100m, 200m and 400x4 m

GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 79 relay purpose: To monitor online attendance of 79) Usain Bolt represents which country: Jamaica faculty members in about 439 medical 80) Which country crossed the 1000 Olympic gold colleges medal mark at Rio: USA 99) Dr. Urjit R Patel, the new governor of RBI was 81) Michael Phelps, the sports person with highest holding which post before this appointemnt: ever number of Olympic gold medals, has won Deputy Governor RBI how many of them: 23 100) Minority community members of which country 82) Name the India's top squash player who won the have been allowed issuance of Aadhar card in Australian Open Squash women’s singles title in India: Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh Melbourne: Dipika Pallikal 101) In which country world's highest and longest 83) Which two states have entered in to a serious glass bottomed bridge has been opened: China dispute over the issue of sharing of waters of river 102) Vyas Samman is given for excellence in which Mahanadi: Odisha and Chhattisgarh field: Hindi Literature 84) Which Indian music master recently performed at 103) Who has been honoured with Vyas Samman in the iconic UN General Assembly hall: A R Rahman August, 2016: Sunita Jain, for her poetry book 85) As per the Global Innovation Index, India has "Kshama" improved its ranking to ______this year from 81 in 104) Which global e-commerce giant has started a 2015: 66 charity drive in India to collect textbooks and 86) Which country has launched the world's first educational material from public for distributing quantum satellite named Quantum Experiments the same to the poor: Alibaba group at Space Scale (QUESS): China 105) Tourism ministry has decided to make which 87) Government has approved which new method for person as its brand ambassador for the Incredible online authentication of KYC for new mobile India campaign: Narendra Modi connections: Using Aadhar Card 106) Which film actor has been honoured by the 88) Name the noted author whose famous works French government with Chevalier de l'Orde des include ‘Anne Ghore Da Daan’ and ‘Marhi Da Arts et Lettres: Kamal Haasan Deeva’: Gurdial Singh 107) ______has started a special Bangla service 89) India has provided $ 1 million grant to Zimbabwe named Moitree Service, for listeners in for what purpose: To fight the drought disaster Bangladesh: Kolkata Akashvani Kendra in the country 108) How many sports persons have been selected this 90) Sh Banwarilal Purohit has been appointed as the year for the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Governor of which state: Assam Award: Four 91) Who has been appointed as the new Governor of 109) Name the four winners of Khel Ratna Award for Punjab: V P Singh Badnore 2016: Olympic Medalists P V Sindhu and 92) Name the Rajya Sabha MP who has been Sakshi Malik & shooter Jitu Rai and gymnast appointed as the governor of Manipur: Najma A. Dipa Karmakar Heptulla 110) Which awards are given by the government to the 93) Sakshi Malik, the sole Olympic bronze medal sports coaches for their excellence: Dronacharya winner from India, achieved this fete in which Award event of wrestling: 58 kg freestyle 111) India celebrates National Sports Day on which 94) SBI has decided to merge five of its associate date: 29th August banks and one more bank with its self. Name this 112) Why national sports day is celebrated on 29th other bank: Bharatiya Mahila Bank August: It is the birthday of Major Dhyan 95) Which international sports body banned star Chand, wizard of Hockey wrestler Narsingh Yadav for four years for doping 113) Dhyan Chand awards are given for what charges: Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) achievement in sports: Life Time Achievement 96) Govt has launched the ‘TARANG’ Mobile App for 114) Arjuna Awards are given for what purpose: what purpose: To enhance transparency in Excellence in sports in national and power transmission sector international level in past four years 97) Ace shuttler P V Sindhu became the first ever 115) The 2016 Kabaddi World Cup will be held in Indian woman to win a Silver medal in the which place: Ahmedabad, Gujarat Olympics. She lost the gold to which player: 116) ______has become first Indian state to launch the Carolina Marin, Spain DNA Index System for DNA profiling of criminals: 98) The Medical Council of India (MCI) launched the Andhra Pradesh Digital Mission Mode Project (DMMP) for what 117) Which Indian tennis player has once again topped the ATP Women’s Doubles Tennis rankings: Sania GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 80 Mirza Proxima Centauri 118) In which country over 250 people were killed due 138) The 19th SAARC Summit will be held in ______on to a mid night earthquake of 6.1 magnitude: Italy November 9 and 10: Islamabad 119) Govt. has announced to grant compensation of Rs. 139) Name the star player of Real Madrid Football Club ______lac to the civilian victims of cross border who won the UEFA Best Player in Europe Award: firing along the Indo-Pak border: Five Cristiano Ronaldo 120) ______has been re-appointed as the President of 140) First BRICS film festival will be held in ______the World Bank, USA: Jim Yong Kim from Sept. 2 to 6: New Delhi 121) The Union Cabinet has cleared the draft 141) As per Forbes's list of 'The World's 100 Most Surrogacy Bill 2016 for what purpose: Proper Innovative Companies', ______is the most regulation of surrogacy in the country innovative company in India: Asian Paints 122) Which country has announced to commemorate 142) As per Forbes's list of 'The World's 100 Most the joyous Hindu festival of Diwali with the Innovative Companies', ______is the most launch of Forever stamp: USA innovative company in world: Tesla Motors, USA 123) Name the former Governor of States including 143) Ministry of Women and Child Development has Bihar, West Bengal and Haryana who passed launched POCSO e-box for what purpose: An away in August: Akhlaq Ur Rahman (AR) online platform for reporting of child sexual Kidwai abuse 124) Govt has launched Accessible E-Library 'Sugamya 144) What is the full form of POCSO: Protection of Pustakalaya' for which special category of Children from Sexual Offences persons: Print-disabled people 145) Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2017 will be held in 125) National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) ______in Jan, 2017: Bengaluru has launched the UPI app for what purpose: for 146) ISRO successfully test-fired its futuristic ______easy electronic cash transfer through mobile Rocket Engine in August: Scramjet 126) What is the full form of UPI: Unified Payments 147) What is the specialty of the Scramjet engine: It Interface takes in oxygen from the atmosphere 127) RBI has asked banks to provide loans to women 148) What is the full form of Scramjet: Super Sonic self-help groups in rural areas at ____ per cent per Combustion Ramjet annum: 7 149) Prime Minister has announced the setting up of a 128) Government plans to avoid use of pellet guns in task force for Olympics for what specific purpose: J&K due to their damaging lethal effect and To prepare India’s athletes for the next three replace the same with which new ammunition: Olympics Pava shells 150) Which state has deployed drones to check 129) What is the full form of Pava: Pelargonic Acid rampant lane-cutting and over-speeding on Vanillylamide state's main expressway: Maharashtra 130) Which country has entered to a peace deal with 151) In World Risk Index to assess ability of countries FARC gorillas to end 50 years of conflict: in handling natural disasters, India has been Colombia placed at ____ ranks: 77th 131) RBI is encouraging banks to issue masala bonds 152) Playing against which country, Mr. Dhoni made for their capital requirements and for financing the world record for leading the team for record infrastructure. What are masala bonds: Rupee- 325th time: West Indies denominated bonds issued overseas 153) This record breaking match was played in which 132) Goldman Sachs has projected that Indian country: USA economy is expected to clock _____ growth in the 154) Finance Ministry has set up a committee headed current fiscal: 7.9% by former Finance Secretary Ratan Watal for what 133) RBI has given the status of D-SIB to how many purpose: To suggest steps to promote card banks for 2016-17: Two payments 134) Name the two D-SIBs declared by RBI for 2016- 17: SBI and ICICI Bank JULY – 2016 155) ______has been appointed Deputy Governor of 135) What is the full form of D-SIB: Domestic Reserve Bank of India in place of H R Khan: N S Systemically Important Bank Vishwanathan 136) Name the president of Myanmar who came to 156) How many Deputy Governors are there in the India on a four-day visit in August: U Htin Kyaw RBI: 4 137) Astronomers have discovered an earth like planet 157) Of the four Deputy Governors in the RBI, how named ‘Proxima b’ that is orbiting ______star: many are selected from the RBI cadres itself: 2

GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 81 158) The first squadron of home-grown Light 168) Govt has cleared the formation of a six-member Combat Aircraft named ______became Monetary Policy Committee for what purpose: operational in the India Air Force: Tejas To bring in “value and transparency to 159) As per RBI guidelines, pre-2005 bank notes will monetary policy decisions” now be accepted only at ______branches w.e.f. 169) Who has been designated as the head of the July 01, 2016: RBI proposed monetary policy committee: RBI 160) India recently tested Barak-8, MR-SAM missiles. Governor Write the full form of MR-SAM: Medium Range 170) State Bank of India has launched a social media Surface to Air Missile banking platform called 'SBI Mingle' for what 161) Name the famous airport of Turkey which purpose: To enable the Facebook and suffered a ghastly terrorist attack claiming over Twitter user customers do banking through 40 lives: Istanbul Ataturk their social media accounts 162) What is the name of the recent book written by 171) Govt has launched the National Green Highways Pulitzer prize winner Dr. Siddhartha Mission for what purpose: For undertaking Mukherjee: The Gene plantation drive on 1,500 kilometers of 163) The World Bank announced $ 1 billion support National Highways for India’s ambitious ______energy generation 172) Govt. has made it mandatory to set aside ______plans: Solar per cent of the total project cost of any National 164) Name the President of the World Bank Group Highway contract for plantation purpose: One who was in India for a two day official visit: Jim 173) In the capital of which neghbouring country of Yong Kim India, terrorists brutally slained 20 persons in a 165) Central govt has announced an overall increase restaurant: Dhaka of 23.5 per cent in salaries of over one crore 174) In the World Bank Group's bi-annual Logistics government employees and pensioners in Performance Index, India jumped to _____ terms of which pay commission position from 54th in 2014: 35th recommendation: 7th 175) The second BRICS Youth Summit was held 166) The 7th Pay Commission was headed by in______, Assam: Guwahati ______: Justice A K Mathur 176) Which country won the International Hockey 167) The pay commission is setup at an interval of Federation Champions Trophy at London: ______years: 10 Argentina

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GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 82 177) The Human Capital Index released by the World 197) Name the African country that has been elected Economic Forum placed India at which rank: as a new non permanent member of the UN 105th Security Council: Ethiopia 178) The 56th National Inter-State Senior Athletics 198) How many non-permanent members are there Championships were hosted by which city: in the UN Security Council: Ten Hyderabad 199) A non permanent member of the UN Security 179) Which Indian state has decided to provide Council is elected for how much period: 24 education loan up to Rs. 10 lakh at 1% interest months rate to poor students: Odisha 200) The World Bank has approved a $ 63 million 180) Gudni Johannesson has been elected as the new support for the project Tejaswini for what President of which European country: Iceland purpose: For socioeconomic empowerment 181) Sanjeev Rajput is a champion player of which of adolescent girls sports: Shooting 201) The World Bank has approved the Tejaswini 182) Which state launched a joint exercise-Jalrahat project for which state: Jharkhand with armed forces: Assam 202) Government has launched which programme 183) What is the purpose of the Jalrahat exercise: To for providing free health check-up and efficiently coordinate the rescue operations treatment for the pregnant women: Pradhan during the floods Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan 184) What is the name of the India’s first island 203) India's first Integrated Defence Communication district: Majuli Network (DCN) is aimed at coordinating which 185) Island Majuli is located in which state and river: Indian Forces: Army, Air Force, Navy and Assam, Brahmaputra Special Forces Command 186) Indian Navy recently acquired technological 204) Armed forces of 26 nations, including India, advanced antisubmarine torpedo. What is its took part in the Exercise RIMPAC 2016, held at name: Varunastra which place: Near Hawaiian Islands, USA 187) Which country launched Shijian-16 series 205) Name the Indian who won the Canada Open satellite for space research and experiments: Grand Prix Badminton tournament: B Sai China Praneet 188) The Union Cabinet has approved setting up of a 206) ______won the Austrian Grand Prix F1 Payments Bank with 650 branches to begin Championship: Lewis Hamilton with by which of its department: India Post 207) Switzerland’s central bank has stated that 189) Railways has launched an online portal named India’s share in its foreign deposits is hardly ‘Nivaran’ for what purpose: To address the 0.1%. Name this bank: Swiss National Bank grievances of railway employees 208) Reliance Industries Limited has signed an 190) Which bank has signed a MoU with the World agreement with which bank to start its Payment Bank for financing of grid connected rooftop Bank: State Bank of India solar photovoltaic projects in India: State Bank 209) Which country recently completed construction of India of the world’s largest telescope: China 191) Which company has been ranked number one 210) Name the para swimmer who won eight in the annual list of the world’s 50 smartest medals, including three golds, at the companies of 2016 compiled by the MIT, USA: International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports: Amazon Niranjan Mukundan 192) National Doctors’ Day is observed on which 211) Country's first commercial dispute resolution date: July 01 centre and a commercial court was inaugurated 193) India observes National Doctor’s Day in the in which city: Raipur, Chhattisgarh honour of which legendary physician: Bharat 212) World’s first Mixed Martial Arts ‘Super Fight Ratna Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy League’ will be hosted by which country from 194) Which Indian state attracted highest number of August 26 to October 01, 2016: India domestic tourists in 2015: Tamil Nadu 213) NASA achieved a big breakthrough on July 5 195) Which Indian state attracted highest number of when it succeeded for the first time in putting a foreign tourists in 2015: Tamil Nadu space craft in the orbit of Jupiter. Name this 196) Which ministry has launched a teacher space craft: Juno education portal ‘Prashikshak’, for District 214) The world famous Rath Yatra is held in which Institutes of Education and Training (DIETs): city of India: Puri, Odisha HRD Ministry 215) Which city hosted the Woodpecker Environment and Wildlife Film Festival: Shimla

GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 83 216) Govt. has announced ______per cent subvention the rioters on crop loans up to Rs. 3 lacs, if they are paid in 236) A new online portal - kvk.icar.gov.in has been time: Three launched for what purpose: To provide 217) Myth Breaker by Seema Singh is a book written district specific agriculture related about the life of which Indian corporate: Kiran information to the farmers through the 645 Mazumdar Shaw Krishi Vigyan Kendras 218) Who is Kiran Mazumdar Shaw: CMD of Biocon 237) Govt has decided to undertake a clean-up India, India’s largest bio pharma company initiative at _____ iconic heritage, spiritual and 219) Abbas Kiarostami, renowned filmmaker and cultural sites under the Swachh Bharat Mission: winner of several awards died recently. He was 100 from which country: Iran 238) Which country won the Euro Cup Football 220) All sportspersons who have represented India Championship for the first time after having in Olympics have got together to form an played the game for past 95 years: Portugal association. Can you name it: The Olympians 239) Which country hosted the Euro Cup Football Association of India Championship: France 221) Five-time Olympian, Shiva Keshavan has been 240) Name the tennis grand slam which is hosted by made the first President of the Olympians London: Wimbledon Association of India. He is associated with 241) Name the winner of the Wimbledon’s men’s which sports: Luge title: Andy Murray 222) Which national port has started for the first 242) Women’s title at the Wimbledon was won by time in India, RFID tag based tracking of which player: Serena Williams containers: Jawaharlal Nehru Port, Mumbai 243) The Phoenix Moment is a book written by 223) What is the full form of RFID: Radio Frequency which author: Praful Bidwai Identification 244) Radhika Menon who won the award for 224) In the recent re-shuffle of the Council of Exceptional Bravery at Sea is the first women Ministers, how many new ministers were captain of which force: Indian Merchant Navy inducted in the government: 19 245) Name the noted Pakistani philanthropist, social 225) Who administers oath of office and secrecy to activist, ascetic who passed away in Karachi: the union ministers: President Abdul Sattar Edhi 226) What is the total number of ministers in the 246) The 2-day long NATO Summit was held in_____, India’s council of ministers: 78 Poland: Warsaw 227) At which international airport of India a huge 247) With which country India signed a mega deal wooden charkha has been installed: Indira for the construction of a 1,320 MW Maitree Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi Super Thermal Power Project: Bangladesh 228) What is the name of the Google’s latest android 248) Name the Indian corporate which acquired the version 7.0: Nougat Lafarge India’s cement assets for about $1.4 229) The Networked Readiness Index ranks billion: Nirma Group countries in terms of their readiness for 249) The Permanent Court of Arbitration which transition to a digitised economy. What is ruled against China in case of South China Sea, India’s rank in this index: 91st is located at which place: The Hague, 230) Which country has built its largest ever Netherlands transport aircraft Y-20 Kunpeng: China 250) Which country had challenged the China’s claim 231) Name the Super Typhoon that lashed Taiwan over the South China Sea: Philippines with powerful winds and torrential rains: 251) India has set up an apparel training centre in Nepartak which African county: Nigeria 232) Govt. recently slashed prices of which type of 252) Indian Navy has started its new marine fertilizers: Non-urea fertilizers commando unit - INS Karma at which place: 233) Which star Indian gymnast was named a Vishakhapatnam ‘Gymnaste de Classe Mondaile’ (World class 253) INS Karma is a dedicated base for Marcos. What gymnast) by the International Gymnastics is its full form: Marine Commandos Federation: Dipa Karmakar 254) What was the name of rescue operation 234) Which Indian state has proposed a 14.5% ‘fat launched by Indian Govt. to evacuate Indian’s tax’ on junk food like burgers, pizzas, from the war tons South Sudan: Operation sandwiches, etc: Kerala Sankat Mochan 235) Dallas, a city in Texas, USA was in news for 255) Name the special cargo aircrafts that were used what reasons: Killing of five police officers by GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 84 in operation Sankat Mochan: C-17 273) The Capital Complex of which Indian city has Globemaster been selected in the UNESCO’s list of World 256) In which Indian state, congress govt. was Heritage Sites: Chandigarh reinstated after a direction from the Supreme 274) Name the state whose national park has been Court: Arunachal Pradesh selected in the UNESCO’s list of World Heritage 257) Government has decided to raise the price of Sites: Sikkim kerosene by ___ paise a litre each month for 10 275) What is the name of the autobiography by months to cut the subsidy burden: 25 Margaret Alva, former Governor of 258) Name the Prime Minister of United Kingdom Uttarakhand, Rajasthan: Courage & who resigned from his post after he lost the Commitment campaign to ‘remain’ with European Union: 276) The World Health Organization (WHO) has David Cameron declared India free from Maternal and Neonatal 259) ______has been elected as the new Prime Tetanus and Yaws. What is Yaws: An infection Minister of United Kingdom: Ms. Theresa May of the skin and bones 260) William H. Mcneill, world renowned historian 277) Name the batsman who became the oldest who wove the stories of civilizations in his book captain to score test hundred at the age of 42 “The Rise of the West” was in news for what years and 47 days: Misbah-ul-Haq reasons: He passed away 278) ______has been sworn in as the new Chief 261) Dr. Raghuveer Chaudhari who has been Minister of Arunachal Pradesh: Pema Khandu decorated with the Jnanpith Award is a 279) What is the name of the Indian artillery gun renowned writer of which language: Gujarati developed as per technical support from the 262) Aditya Puri has been ranked as the best banking Bofors of Sweden: Dhanush CEO in Asia by the investor community. He is 280) Dipika Pallikal and Saurav Ghosal are the chief of which bank: HDFC Bank current national champions of which sports: 263) Who Moved My Interest Rates is a book written Squash by D. Subbarao. Who is he: Former Governor 281) ______has become first state in India to set up of RBI Happiness Department in the state: Madhya 264) Rakesh Kumar Chaturvedi has been appointed Pradesh as the new Chairman of which national 282) What is the name of the proposed hi-tech vision educational organization: The Central Board system that railway plans to install on of Secondary Education, CBSE locomotives for enhancing the driver’s vision in 265) Banks have been asked to exchange up to 20 inclement weather: Trinetra pieces of soiled notes up to what maximum 283) Name the legendary Bollywood playback singer amount: Rs. 5000 and ghazal maestro who passed away after 266) Name the India's Grand Master who won the prolonged illness in Mumbai: Mubarak Begum Fide Women’s Grand Prix Chess trophy in 284) Sports persons from which country have been Chendu, China: Harika Dronavalli prohibited by WADA to participate in Rio 267) India made a big leap of 11 places to occupy Olympics: Russia ______spot in the latest world football rankings 285) What is the full form of WADA: World Anti- issued by FIFA: 152nd Doping Agency 268) The Union Cabinet has approved the Pradhan 286) Brazil is hosting the Rio Olympics. Name its Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) with an capital: Brasilia outlay of Rs.12000 crore for what purpose: To 287) What is the currency of Brazil: Brazilian Real impart skilling to one crore people over the 288) What is the name of the mascot of the Rio next 4 years Olympics: Vinicius 269) Which Indian Stock Exchange has introduced 289) The mascot Venicius represents which animal: 'Paperless SIP' for facilitating online None, it is a blend of animals native to Brazil investments: Bombay Stock Exchange 290) What is the official slogan of the Rio Olympics: 270) In a global survey of airlines, The Emirates has A New World been declared as the best. It belongs to which 291) What is the approximate weight of the Olympic country: UAE, United Arab Emirates medals: 500 grams 271) ADB has granted $ 100 million loan to 292) Symbolic beginning of the Olympic Games is strengthen key irrigation and drainage system done by lighting a torch with the help of sun in the ______delta in Tamil Nadu: Cauvery rays. This ceremony is held in which place: 272) Which country recently witnessed a failed coup Olympia, Greece attempt to overthrow the elected govt.: Turkey

GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 85 293) What is the logo of Olympic games: Set of five a new All India Institute of Medical Sciences at interlaced rings which place: Gorakhpur 294) What is the colour of the Olympics flag: White 313) Sustainable Development Goals is an agenda 295) The Olympic motto is made up of three Latin prescribed by which global organization: UNO words – Citius, Altius, Fortius. What do they 314) UNO has prescribed how many Sustainable mean: Faster, Higher, Stronger Development Goals to be achieved by 2030: 17 296) The Ministry of Finance has announced capital 315) India’s first Green Rail Corridor has been infusion of Rs 22,915 crore towards the started in which state: Tamil Nadu recapitalization of which public sector units: 13 316) What is the salient feature of the green rail banks corridor: Zero toilet discharge on rail tracks 297) The National Green Tribunal has directed which 317) Indian Navy launched country’s largest ever state to cancel the registration of all diesel- search operation code named ‘Operation powered vehicles that are more than 10 years Talash’ for what purpose: To trace the missing old: Delhi AN-32 aircraft of the Indian Air Force 298) The Supreme Court delivered a historic 318) Syed Haider Raza, one of India’s most eminent judgment accepting most of the painters died recently. He spent most part of his recommendations made by the Justice life in which foreign country: France ______Committee on the functioning of BCCI: 319) K P Oli, Nepalese Prime Minister was in news R M Lodha recently for what reasons: He resigned from 299) Rohit Khandelwal has become the first Indian to his post win the title of ______: Mr. World 320) Chris Froome of Britain won the world’s most 300) The first paperless e-court of India was challenging cycle race. Can you name this event: inaugurated in ______High Court: Hyderabad Tour de France 301) Malcolm Turnbull has been re-elected as the 321) Who won the Hungarian Grand Prix F 1 Prime Minister of which country: Australia championship at Budapest, Hungary: Lewis 302) The Great Derangement: Climate Change and Hamilton the Unthinkable is a book written by which 322) Neeraj Chopra scripted history by becoming the author: Amitav Ghosh first Indian to hold a world record as he 303) National Oceanic and Atmospheric smashed the junior world record in which Administration, USA has declared which month sports: Javelin throw in 2016 as the hottest month till date: June 323) As per the Global Retirement Index, ______is the 304) The Union Cabinet has approved the world's worst country for retirees: India incorporation of Sagarmala Development 324) As per the Global Retirement Index ______is the Company for what purpose: For promoting best country in the world for retired people: port-led economic development in India Switzerland 305) ______appointed as the chief executive officer 325) With a view to provide a legal framework to the of Unique Identification Authority of India mission for cleansing of river Ganga, which (UIDAI): Ajay Bhushan Pandey ministry proposes to formulate Ganga Act: 306) In the latest Fortune 500 list of the world's Ministry of Water Resources biggest corporations in terms of revenue, how 326) Social media giant Facebook has successfully many Indian companies are there: Seven tested its solar-powered craft Aquila for what 307) In terms of revenue earned, which is the largest purpose: To beam internet to remote parts of Indian company: Indian Oil Corporation the world 308) ______is the world’s largest company in terms of 327) Kargil Vijay Diwas is celebrated on which date: revenue earned: Walmart July 26 309) At which place in West Bengal a new modern 328) World’s largest amphibious aircraft, AG-600 has integrated check-post was opened on been developed by which country: China Bangladesh border: Petrapole 329) IRCTC has offered a travel accident cover of 310) Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corp. has _____ lakh rupees to passengers booking tickets joined hands with which Bank to promote through its portal: 10 booking of rail tickets: State Bank of India 330) Irom Sharmila Chanu, famous as ‘Iron Lady of 311) Name the Indian batsman who became the first Manipur’, was in news for what reasons: She Indian test captain to score a double century in decided to end on August 9 her 15 year old an overseas match in past 84 years: Viraat hunger strike in protest of AF(SP)A in Kohli Manipur 312) Foundation stone was laid recently for starting 331) What is the full form of AF(SP)A: Armed Forces GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 86 (Special Powers) Act, 1958 date: July 29 332) Ramon Magsaysay Award is given for what 350) The UN General Assembly has unanimously purpose: for extra ordinary good work for adopted a resolution to treat the IMO as a some social cause related organization. What is IMO: 333) Magsaysay Award is given by which country: International Organization for Migration Philippines 351) Where in India for the first time, a zoo has 334) How many Magsaysay Awards are given every received Humboldt Penguins: Mumbai year: Six 352) Name the eminent Bengali writer and social 335) Name the Carnatic singer from Chennai who worker, winner of Jnanpith Award and has been given Magsaysay Award for promoting Magsaysay Award, who passed away recently: peace and harmony through music: T. M. Mahasweta Devi Krishna JUNE – 2016 336) Mr. Bezwada Wilson has been honoured with 353) ______is the capital of Morocco: Magsaysay Award for what purpose: For his Rabat dedicated efforts for eradication of manual 354) ______is same in Morocco as Mumbai, financial scavenging in India capital of India: Marrakech 337) As per the new Child Labour (Prohibition and 355) Recently Finance Ministry has hiked financial Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2016, children powers of Ministers to sanction expenditures below 14 have been permitted to work in which up to Rs. ______crore: 500 type of industry: Home based work in family owned businesses 356) Muslims Against Partition is a book written by which author: Shamsul Islam 338) As per a global survey, ______is home to tallest men and ______to tallest women: 357) Name the England captain who became the first Netherlands, Latvia English cricketer and also the youngest one to reach the 10,000 runs milestone in Test cricket: 339) Government has approved 1,600 crore rupees Alastair Cook for which state for skill development initiative 'Himayat': J & K 358) Name the high speed train which was tested in India for speed up to 115 kph between Bareilly 340) India has decided to provide a credit line of $ and Moradabad in UP: Talgo 318 million to Sri Lanka for what purpose: For improvement of railway infrastructure 359) The proposed high speed Talgo train is being provided by which country: Spain 341) As per a scientific study, roughly ____ per cent of total bird species in the world are found in 360) Name the team that won the 9th Indian Premier India: 12 League: Sunrisers Hyderabad 342) Keni Harrison, American athlete broke a 28- 361) For what reasons Gotthard Base Tunnel was in year old world record in which event: 100 m news recently: It is the world's longest rail hurdles tunnel open for operations 343) As per recent ICC rankings, ______has been 362) Gotthard Base Tunnel has been opened in declared as the top test bowler: Ravichandran which country: Switzerland Ashwin 363) Seema Punia won a gold medal in the women’s 344) India has signed a one-billion dollar deal to buy ______at the Pat Youngs Throwers Classic in Poseidon 81. What is this: Long-range California, USA: Discus Throw maritime surveillance and anti-submarine 364) Railways have started a new weekly train warfare aircraft from______, Assam to Vaishno Devi Katra 345) From which country and company India is (J&K), linking the two very prominent buying four Poseidon 81 aircraft: USA, Boeing pilgrimage centers: Kamakhya 346) Which organization has decided to launch an 365) The T S R Subramanian committee has exclusive channel dedicated to sports, named submitted its report on which issue to the Olympic channel: The International Olympic Ministry of HRD: The New Education Policy Committee 366) Aditi Krishnakumar won which award for her 347) The Union Cabinet has approved establishment manuscript “Love of Indian History": Scholastic of an All India Institute of Medical Sciences - Asian Book Award AIIMS at which place in Punjab: Bathinda 367) Govt. has levied which new cess of 0.5 per cent 348) New AIIMS are being established in various on the service tax: Krishi Kalyan Cess states under which central programme: 368) On account of new Krishi Kalyan Cess, how Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana much extra money will have to be paid on any 349) International Tiger Day is observed on which taxable service for Rs. 1000: Rs. 5

GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 87 369) According to the report by New World Wealth, 390) India has joined The Hague Code of Conduct India has been ranked ______in the list of top 10 against Ballistic Missile Proliferation for what wealthiest countries in the world: Seventh purpose: For preventing the spread of 370) According to the report by New World Wealth, ballistic missiles ______is the richest country in the world: 391) Name the author of the book "The Unseen USA Indira Gandhi": Dr. K P Mathur 371) Retirement age of doctors in the Govt. service 392) ______has been appointed first ever chief has been hiked to ______years: 65 executive officer (CEO) of the BCCI: Rahul Johri 372) Govt. has levied 1% TCS on cash purchases of 393) The “Sendai Framework" is related with which more than Rs. 2 lacs. What is TCS: Tax activity: Disaster Management Collected at Source 394) June 1 is observed as the World ____ Day across 373) Data released by the Central Statistics Office the globe: Milk (CSO) shows that the economy grew at an 395) Which UN organisation promotes the World accelerated pace of ______in the fourth quarter Milk Day: Food and Agriculture Organisation of 2015-16: 7.9% 396) Name the world famous boxer, popular as 'the 374) ______is the capital of Tunisia: Tunis greatest', who died in June: Muhammad Ali 375) Which Indian Statesman visited Tunisia on June 397) In the recent five nations trip of Shri Modi, 03: Vice President which was the last country visited by him: 376) Which country has been declared free from Mexico Ebola by the WHO on June 01: Guinea 398) In the recent five nations trip of Shri Modi, in 377) Which Indian authority has launched a mobile which country he addressed the Parliament of application for telecom subscribers to register that country: USA their complaints against pesky calls and SMSs: 399) Which country honoured our Prime Minister by The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India the Amir Amanullah Khan Award: Afghanistan (TRAI) 400) What was the original name of the world 378) Recently the govt. hiked the Minimum Support famous boxer Muhammad Ali: Cassius Clay Price - MSP of which season crops: Kharif 401) Name the veteran Indian tennis star who won (Summer crops) the mixed doubles in the French Open with 379) ______is the main crop of the Kharif season: Swiss partner Martina Hingis: Leander Paes Paddy 402) According to the 'Good Country' Index 2015 380) Which daal (Pulse) has been given the highest ______is the world's best country: Sweden MSP of Rs. 5225 per qtl: Moong 403) According to the 'Good Country' Index 2015, 381) Govt. has approved setting up of a bank by the India has been placed at which rank: 70th Department of Posts. What is its name: India 404) Name the first Indian woman to be nominated Post Payments Bank to the International Olympic Committee: Nita 382) ______became the first tennis player in the Ambani history to cross the $100 million prize-money 405) According to the Global Slavery Index 2016 of mark in his career: Novak Djokovic 167 countries, ______has largest number of 383) The government has exempted PF withdrawals people in modern slavery: India of up to Rs. ______from tax deduction at 406) Which country will be hosting 2018 source: 50,000 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics: South Korea 384) The Japan International Cooperation Agency 407) ‘Soohorang’, the official mascot for 2018 winter has granted a loan of Rs. 1,548 crore to Olympics represents which animal: White ______for improving the quality of urban Tiger cub healthcare services: Tamil Nadu 408) Latest FIFA rankings have placed which country 385) Ashok Lavasa has been appointed as the new on top: Argentina Union ______Secretary: Finance 409) The Pakke Tiger Reserve that won the India 386) Fukuoka Prize is given in which country: Japan Biodiversity Award is in which state: 387) Name the Indian Music composer who has been Arunachal Pradesh honoured with Fukuoka Prize: A R Rahman 410) Manohar Aich, A prominent sports person 388) ______has been declared the Ceat T20 famous as the 'Pocket Hercules' was associated Player of the Year - 2016: Virat Kohali with which sports: Body Building 389) Name the cricketer honoured with the Ceat 411) Why Mr. Manohar Aich was famous as the Lifetime Achievement Award - 2016: Dilip 'Pocket Hercules': Because of his short height Vengsarkar 412) Men's title in French Open was won by which

GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 88 player: Novak Djokovic 432) The World Bank has projected a growth rate of 413) Garbine Muguruza who won the women's title ______per cent for the world in 2016: 2.4 in French Open, is from which country: Spain 433) The Forbes “100 Most Powerful Women” in the 414) Name the special tourist train launched to world list 2016 has been topped by which lady: spread awareness among people regarding German Chancellor Angela Merkel tiger conservation: Tiger Express 434) India has surpassed which country to become 415) Name the first Indian state to grant social the world’s third-largest oil consumer: Japan benefits to transgender: Odisha 435) Government has launched a GPS based mobile 416) Which global aircraft company has unveiled the app named ‘Surya Mitra’ for what purpose: To world's first 3D-printed aircraft THOR: Airbus facilitate repair and maintenance of solar 417) World environment day is observed on which equipments date: June 05 436) World Oceans Day is observed on which date: 418) In terms of retail development, in a world June 08 study, India has been placed at which rank: 437) What is the theme of this year's World Oceans 02nd Day: Healthy Oceans, Healthy Planet 419) Which Indian city has adopted Gangetic River 438) As per the Global Peace Index 2016 _____ is the Dolphin as its mascot: Guwahati most peaceful country: Iceland 420) Name the Indian sand artist who won gold 439) As per the Global Peace Index 2016, what is medal at the world championship festival of India's rank: 141st sand sculpting in Bulgaria: Sudarsan Pattnaik 440) Champaran Satyagrah Express train has been 421) Shangri-La Dialogue is the Asia's largest annual started from ______to Anand Vihar, Delhi: summit on what issue: Security Scenario in Bapudham, Motihari (Bihar) Asia-Pacific region 441) Pedro Pablo Kuczynski has been elected new 422) In which country 77 per cent voters President of which South American country: overwhelmingly rejected a proposal to Peru introduce a guaranteed basic income for all: 442) Which French city is hosting Europe's biggest Switzerland football extravaganza, Euro 2016: Saint Denis 423) N Ramachandran, the President of Indian 443) Who has been named highest paid sports Olympic Association (IOA) was in news for person in the Forbes annual list of the World's what reasons: He was awarded Olympic 100 Highest Paid Athletes: Cristiano Ronaldo Order by the IOC 444) What was the name of the biggest ever joint 424) Tintu Luka won a silver medal in which event in military exercise held recently by NATO the Athletics Meet in Prague: 800 mts race members: Anaconda-16 425) Name the lady who became first woman to lead 445) Ranjit Sub-1 and Bahadur Sub-1 are the names a major American political party for President’s of new variety of which item: Two new rice post in the 240 years of democracy in USA: varieties Hillary Clinton 446) A joint military exercise named ______was 426) India has been admitted as the 35th member held between the naval forces of India, Japan of the elite 34 nations MTCR Group. What is and the USA: Malabar MTCR: Missile Technology Control Regime 447) The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has 427) India will get what major benefit by joining chosen ______as the flag-bearer of the MTCR group: India can now buy and sell Indian contingent at the Rio Games’ opening missile technology to other nations ceremony: Abhinav Bindra 428) Government has launched a campaign ‘Swachh 448) US administration has given what name to the Yug’ to make villages located along which river Prime Minister Modi’s vision of Indo-US ties for free from open defecation: Ganga promoting peace, prosperity and stability from 429) Who has been named the ambassador for Asia to Africa, from the Indian Ocean to the Swachh Bharat Mission's youth-based 'Swachh Pacific: Modi Doctrine Saathi' (student internship) programme: Dia 449) Which index is used in India to measure the Mirza level of industrial production: Index of 430) Exercise Desert Eagle II was held between Industrial Production - IIP Indian Air Force and which other country's Air 450) Which award was won by Akhil Sharma for his Force: United Arab Emirates novel 'family life': International Dublin 431) Which Indian broadcasting organization Literary Award celebrated completion of 80 years of its 451) Internet search giant Google has tied up with existence on June 8: All India Radio Tata Trusts to launch which programme to GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 89 empower rural women: Internet Saathi 5 years of domestic flying and minimum 20 452) Which Indian bank raised $500 million at the aircrafts, will be allowed to fly international London Stock Exchange after it launched India’s 470) SBI has announced merger of its ______first internationally-listed certified green subsidiaries with itself: Five bonds: Axis Bank 471) 'Jal Marg Vikas' (National Waterway-1) project 453) As per the Malware Infection Index 2016, which is for developing a 1620 km thorough waterway country faces highest malware encounters: between ______in Uttar Pradesh and Pakistan ______in West Bengal: Allahabad, Haldia 454) For the first time in the history of the Indian Air 472) Bramble Cay Melomys found only on a single Force, 3 women pilots have been commissioned island off Australia is the world's first mammal into which stream: Flying fighter jets to be declared as extinct. What type of animal 455) China launched its 23rd satellite BeiDou it is: Small rodent (Rat) Navigation Satellite System for what purpose: 473) ______Chairman of Bharti Enterprises Strengthening of GPS (Airtel), elected as the Chairman of 456) Ace Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal recently won International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) which international title: Australian Open based in Paris: Sunil Mittal Super Series 474) What is the official slogan of the forthcoming 457) Which USA city was in news for having Rio Olympic games: "A new World" witnessed one of the worst mass shootout in 475) Which country has launched the world’s biggest the history: Orlando nuclear icebreaker ship 22220 Arktika: Russia 458) Name the veteran journalist who passed away 476) Railway has started India's first timetabled at a Delhi hospital at the age of 68: Inder freight train, named ______from Delhi to Malhotra Bengaluru: Cargo Express’ 459) ______has become the first state in India to 477) HRD Ministry has launched Vidyanjali scheme have an open government data portal to for govt. schools for what purpose: For facilitate free usage of govt data by general participation of volunteers from public for public: Sikkim teaching 460) Which is the first country in world to prohibit 478) Who is Anne Hathaway who has been deforestation of rain forest to preserve the appointed as global Goodwill Ambassador for balance of ecosystem: Norway the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality 461) International Labour Organisation observes and the Empowerment of Women: Famous US June 12, as which global day: The World Day actress and singer Against Child Labour 479) Government has allowed which category of 462) RBI has announced the S4A scheme to handle persons to open National Pension Scheme the high value bad loans. What is the full form (NPS) accounts online if they have Aadhaar of S4A: Scheme for Sustainable Structuring of Card or PAN card: Non Resident Indians Stressed Assets (NRIs) 463) Microsoft has announced to acquire which 480) Hero Hockey Champions Trophy Tournament professional networking website for $26.2 was held at which place: London billion: LinkedIn 481) In the finals of Hero Hockey Champions Trophy 464) World Blood Donor Day is observed on which Tournament, which country won the cup by date: June 14 defeating India: Australia 465) What is the theme of this year's World Blood 482) The book 'The Spy' is written by which famous Donor Day: Blood connects us all author: Paulo Coelho 466) Which Indian organization recently launched 483) 'A Life in Diplomacy' is a book written by M K three service initiatives, namely- a Janani Sewa Rasgotra. Who is he: Former Foreign for mothers, optional catering and a children’s Secretary of India menu: Indian Railways 484) 'Old History New Geography' is a book written 467) Peter Thomson, Permanent Representative of about bifurcation of which Indian state: Andhra Fiji, was elected as the President of which Pradesh important UN forum: UN General Assembly 485) Name the two-seater basic trainer aircraft 468) Government has approved the National Civil designed and developed by the Hindustan Aviation Policy 2016, capping fares at Rs ______Aeronautics Limited made its inaugural flight for one-hour flights: 2,500 successfully: Hindustan Turbo Trainer-40 469) In the context of National Civil Aviation Policy, 486) Government has approved 100 per cent FDI in what is meant by 5/20 rule: Only airlines with which three sectors under the government

GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 90 approval route: Aviation, Defence and E- FDI: 10th commerce 504) As per UNCTAD report, which country received 487) Which UN organization supports the highest amount of FDI in 2015: USA observation of the World Refugee Day on June 505) Which Indian city has signed a sister city 20: United Nations High Commissioner for agreement with the Chinese city Jinan: Nagpur Refugees (UNHCR) 506) All India Football Federation plans to 488) Name the first State that has obtained a telecom launch ‘Mission 11 Million’ in 30 Indian cities license from the Telecom Ministry: Andhra with the support of FIFA for what purpose: To Pradesh engage more than 11 million children in 489) Ms Supriya Sahu has been appointed as the football-related activities Director General of which national 507) The United Public Service Day is observed on organization: Doordarshan June 23 for highlighting role of which segment 490) To promote and facilitate South Korean of society: Public Servants Investments in India, a new forum named 508) World Hydrography Day is observed on June 21 ______has been launched: Korea Plus to commemorate establishment of which 491) The Government has taken a considered international organization, some 95 years ago decision to allow export of ______missile on this day: International Hydrographic systems to 'certain' countries that have friendly Organization relationship with India: Akaash 509) Government has asked all state governments to 492) Main function of International Yoga Day on June link Aadhaar number with caste and domicile 21 was held in which city in India: Chandigarh certificates of school students for what purpose: 493) Govt. has allowed premature closure of PPF To facilitate timely grant of scholarship accounts after how many years: Five 510) Name the CEO of the SoftBank Group Corp. who 494) Who has written the book titled "Favourite was in news for resigning abruptly from the Ghost Stories From Around The World": Ruskin post, despite being one of the highest paid CEO: Bond Nikesh Arora 495) In a recent study of super computers, which 511) The plenary meeting of the 48-member Nuclear country has been declared to have fastest super Suppliers Group, NSG was held in which place: computer: China Seoul 496) Scientists from which country created the 512) Which country objected to India's membership world's first microchip that has 1,000 to NSG: China processors: USA 513) What was China's objection to India's 497) Name the Kannada film that won the best film membership to NSG: India has not signed the award and best script writers award at the Asia Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, NPT New Talent Awards in the 19th Shanghai 514) RBI has released the ‘Payment and Settlement International Film Festival: Thithi Systems in India: Vision-2018’ for what 498) The Indian ______team of Deepika Kumari purpose: To promote mobile banking and Atanu Das won the silver medal at the services Archery World Cup in Antalya, Turkey: 515) Name the former spinner who has been Recurve selected as the new coach of Indian Cricket 499) ISRO created a record on June 22 by launching Team for one year: Anil Kumble 20 satellites in one go. How many of them were 516) Prime Minister Modi formally launched the foreign satellites: 17 ‘Smart City Project’ from which city: Pune 500) Prime Minister Modi visited______, 517) BrahMos Aerospace successfully tested the Uzbekistan to attend the two-day summit of integration of BrahMos missile with which the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation: fighter aircraft: Sukhoi - 30 Tashkent 518) Name the neighbours of India who were among 501) The central government has sanctioned Rs. the first four countries to that a loan from Asian ______crore 'Fund of Funds for Startups' to Infrastructure Investment Bank: Pakistan and boost self-employment in the country: 10,000 Bangladesh 502) Name the famous Sikh General of yore on 519) Name the Anglo-Indian community icon whose 300th martyrdom day a special credited with pioneering the quiz in the commemorative silver coin has been released: country, who died in Kolkata: Neil O'Brien Banda Singh Bahadur 520) ADB to grant $500 million loan to build a 9.8 503) As per the World Investment Report 2016 by km long bridge (longest in India) across the the UNCTAD, what is India's rank in attracting ______River in, Bihar: Ganges

GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 91 521) International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) 531) Why the International Olympic Day is awards festival was held in______, Spain on June celebrated every year on June 23: First modern 23: Madrid Olympic Games were held on this day in 522) RBI data shows that banking transactions 1894 at Sorbonne in Paris through mobile apps have increased 532) Copa America Football Championship is hosted ______fold in three years, between 2013 and by which country: USA 2016: Seven 533) Argentina was defeated by which country in the 523) Grand Master Harika Dronavalli won the best finals of Copa America Football Championship: Chile women's player award in the Eurasian Blitz 534) Wimbledon Tennis Championships are hosted ______tournament in Kazakhstan: Chess by which city: London 524) Sanjay Mittal, Professor in IIT - Kanpur won MAY – 2016 which award for scientific research: G D Birla 535) Deepika Kumari equalled the world record in Award women's recurve event in which sports: 525) Government has launched a pilot programme to Archery run two-wheelers on which gas in New Delhi to 536) Archery world Cup was held at which place in curb air pollution: Compressed Natural Gas China: Shanghai (CNG) 537) ______re-elected as the Prime Minister of the 526) IIFA award for the best feature film was claimed Tibetan government-in-exile in Dharmsala, by which movie: Bajrangi Bhaijaan Himachal Pradesh: Lobsang Sangay 527) Deepika Padukon got the IIFA award for best 538) Railways has decided to create a 1 lakh crore actress for which film: Piku rupees Rashtriya Rail Sanrakshan Kosh (RRSK) 528) Ministry of Defence has approved the purchase for what purpose: To strengthen safety of 145 artillery guns from which global arms measures on the rail network to prevent supplier: The BAE systems of USA accidents 529) The BAE systems of USA shall be producing 539) ______appointed as Director General of the The 155 MM, M777 ultra light howitzer guns in Railway Protection Force (RPF): S K Bhagat India in collaboration with which Indian 540) The prestigious civil award ‘Order of The Rising company: Mahindra Defence Systems Sun, Gold and Silver’ is conferred by which 530) Name the 3rd century BC archaeological site in country: Japan Bogra, Bangladesh that has been declared as the 541) Which Indian bureaucrat was recently SARRC cultural capital for the year 2016-17: honoured with ‘Order of The Rising Sun, Gold Mahasthangarh and Silver’ award: N. K. Singh

GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 92 542) The International Cricket Council has claiming 41.7 per cent of desktop browser suspended which country from its membership: share has become the top Internet browser: Nepal Google Chrome 543) A Parliamentary Standing Committee headed by 562) World Snooker Championship title was won by J C Divakar Reddy, MP has been formed for Mark Selby. He is from which country: England what purpose: To tackle misleading 563) The Supreme Court has appointed a three- advertising as well as to fix liability member panel headed by former Chief Justice of on endorsers/celebrities India RM Lodha to review the functions of 544) Which foreign bank has launched India’s first which apex professional body: Medical council mobile only bank named ‘digibank’: DBS Bank, of India Singapore 564) The European Central Bank (ECB) has decided 545) Garima Chaudhary won gold medal at the 2016 to stop printing of the _____ euro banknote by Commonwealth ______Championship finals at the end of 2018 with a view to curb illicit Port Elizabeth in South Africa: Judo activities: 500 546) North Star is the highest civilian award of which 565) Scientists of which university have built the country: Mongolia world's smallest working engine: University of 547) Name the author of the book ‘Blood on my Cambridge Hands: Confessions of Staged Encounters’: 566) Who has been appointed as the next Chief of Kishalay Bhattacharjee Indian Navy: Vice Admiral Sunil Lanba 548) The International Bank Note Society has 567) Chief of the Indian Navy is appointed in which declared which country’s five-dollar note as the rank: Admiral Banknote of the Year for 2015: New Zealand 568) What is the purpose of the proposed Geospatial 549) Batsman Iraq Thomas created a record by Information Regulation Bill 2016:To punish scoring 21-ball century. He is from which the wrong depiction of the map of India country: Tobago 569) What is the main objective of recently passed 550) Indian shooters claimed three gold medals and Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code Bill 2016: To a bronze in the ISSF Junior World Cup held at promote conditions for ‘Ease of Doing which place: Suhl, Germany Business’ 551) Name the first of the six indigenous Scorpene- 570) Name the public sector trading giant that class submarines that was set out for sea trials recently launched a new gold coin named ‘Tola’: off the Mumbai coast: INS Kalvari MMTC 552) Lee Chong Wei, winner of Asia Badminton 571) Which Indian bank has been selected by the Championship, is from which country: New Development Bank as its partner for Malaysia operations in India: ICICI Bank 553) What is the full form of the acronym UJALA: 572) ‘Cow and Company’, a story by Prashar Kulkarni Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All won which international award: 554) Which UN organization promotes the Commonwealth Short Story Prize observance of International Labour Day: 573) Enda Kenny has been re elected as the Prime International Labour Organization (ILO) Minister of which country: Ireland 555) Govt has launched Ujjwala scheme for what 574) The H.R. Nagendra Committee has been purpose: For distribution of LPG connection appointed by the govt. for which purpose: For to BPL families Yoga Education in Universities 556) Govt has granted status of ‘classical language’ to 575) In a rare astronomical phenomenon on May 09, how many languages: Five which planet was seen as a dot moving on the 557) Which are the five languages that recently have solar disc: Mercury been given the status of Classical Language: 576) As per a recent global study, India was ranked Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and _____ in terms of ‘crony capitalism’: 9th Odia 577) Which country tops in promotion of ‘crony 558) Malayalam is spoken in which state of India: capitalism’: Russia Kerala 578) The Drowned Detective is a book written by 559) Telugu is spoken in which state of India: which author: Neil Jordan Telangana and Andhra Pradesh 579) With which country India has signed an MoU 560) Which UN organization supports the for mutual corporation in the field of sports: propagation of World Press Freedom Day: Japan UNESCO 580) According to Royal Botanic Gardens, world has 561) As per a global market research, ______, over 390,900 plant species. Where is this GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 93 garden: London recently launched in France: Harmony of the 581) Govt has approved the single emergency Seas number______to help people access directly 600) Govt has decided to replace the five year plans emergency services like police, ambulance and with which new concept: 15 year vision fire fighting: 112 document 582) What is the full form of the acronym UBIN: 601) Country is going through the 12th five year plan. Unique Business Identification Number When will it come to an end: 31st March, 2017 583) What is the purpose of issuing UBIN: To 602) Govt. has recently approved the National IPR expedite establishment of new startups Policy. What is IPR: Intellectual Property 584) Which national day is observed on April 11: Rights National Technology Day 603) Which wing of the defence forces has launched 585) Which country elected a dashing flamboyant one of the biggest automated military Mayor Rodrigo Duterte as its President: maintenance systems in the world: Indian Air Philippines Force 586) Which Indian state has won the award for the 604) The Electronic Maintenance Management Best Indian Destination for Wildlife: Madhya System of the Indian Air Force will be based at Pradesh which air force station: Pune 587) Govt of America has approved selection of 605) Max Verstappen, winner of the Spanish Grand animal ______as the first national mammal of Prix F1 Championship was in news for what the country: Bison reasons: He is the youngest (18 years) 588) The RBI has released ‘Draft Guidelines for on winner of F1 championship tap Licensing of which type of banks recently: 606) Name the India’s indigenously developed Universal Banks in the Private Sector supersonic interceptor missile, capable of 589) In a global study by WHO of the cities with destroying any incoming hostile ballistic worst air pollution, four of the five worst missile: Ashwin polluted cities are in which country: India 607) Eric Dusingizimana, captain of cricket team of 590) Union cabinet has approved Rs.1,983 crore Rwanda has set a new Guinness world record package for widening of the 19-km stretch of for what achievement: Batting continuously which expressway: Delhi-Meerut expressway for 51 hours 591) Govt. has formed Sanjay Mitra Committee for 608) Man Booker International Prize is given for what purpose: To prepare a policy which achievement: For the best book framework for taxi and other transport translated in English and published in U K operators 609) Name the winner of the 2016 Man Booker 592) Why international nurses day is observed on International Prize: Han Kang, South Korea May 12: It is the birthday of famous nurse 610) Which novel has been selected for the 2016 Florence Nightingale Man Booker International Prize: The 593) Nursing community of India is honoured by the Vegetarian President on this day by which awards: 611) The World Bank has approved $625 million Florence Nightingale Award loan to India to support the rooftop solar power 594) Shashank Manohar has been elected as the first generation. This loan will be disbursed through independent Chairman of which international which Indian bank: State Bank of India cricket body: ICC-International Cricket 612) Which country launched its remote sensing Council satellite ‘Yaogan-30’ May 2016: China 595) Name the four Goodwill Ambassadors 613) As per the Renewable Energy Country appointed by the Indian Olympic Association Attractiveness Index' prepared by global firm E for the Rio Olympics: AR Rahman, Salman & Y, India has been placed at which rank: 03rd Khan, Abhinav Bindra and Sachin Tendulkar 614) The World’s largest Single Rooftop Solar Power 596) Who is the only Indian in Forbes' 'Money Plant has been established is in which city in Masters: The Most Powerful People in the Punjab: Dera Beas (Amritsar ) Financial World' list of 40 persons: Uday Kotak 615) Govt. has formed NK Singh committee for 597) Who is Uday Kotak: Chief of Kotak Mahindra review of FRBM road map. What is full form of Bank FRBM: Fiscal Responsibility and Budget 598) Baba Hardev Singh, a spiritual leader who died Management in a car accident, was the head of which sect: 616) Name the British author who won the PEN’s Nirankari Mission Literary Service Award: J. K. Rowling 599) Name the world’s biggest – ever cruise ship, 617) The acronym PEN stands for what: Poets, GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 94 Essayists and Novelists 637) Which film won the Palme d’Or for 2016: I, 618) Under the Dhan Wapsi scheme for declaration Daniel Blake of domestic black money, how much tax and 638) USA decided to fully lift its embargo on sales of penalty is payable: 45% lethal weapons to its one-time arch enemy, 619) What was India’s rank in the Asian team squash ______after a gap of over 32 years: Vietnam women championship: Second 639) World Bank Group has launched the Pandemic 620) Name the electronic grievance redressal system Emergency Financing Facility (PEF) for what recently launched by the Income Tax purpose: To protect and support poorest Department: e-nivaran countries against deadly pandemics like 621) Ms. Tsai Ing-wen has been elected as the first Ebola, Zika women President of which country: Taiwan 640) Govt. has decided to replace the word 622) Which three countries have joined hands to ‘Viklangjan’ for disabled persons with which develop the Chabahar port: India, Iran and new word: Divyangjan Afghanistan 641) Millennium Technology Prize is given in which 623) Lhakpa Sherpa, the 42 year old mountaineer country: Finland created which new record: Climbing Mount 642) Heads of state of G-7 nations held their annual Everest by a Lady for maximum number of summit at which place in Japan: Ise Shima times – 7 643) ____ has been elected as the new and the first 624) Name the athlete who bagged two gold medals BJP Chief Minister of Assam: Sarbananda by winning the women's 100m and 200m race Sonowal at the Taiwan Open Athletics Championships: 644) Pinarayi Vijayan has been elected as the Chief Dutee Chand Minister of which state: Kerala 625) Federation Cup is associated with which sports 645) Recently FSSAI has recommended banning the in India: Football use of which chemical in the making of bread: 626) Federation Cup 2016 was won by which team: Potassium Bromate Mohun Bagan 646) What is the name given to the India’s new GPS 627) What is the popular name of the French Open, system: NAVIC second tennis grand slam: Roland Garros 647) What is the full form of the acronym Navic: 628) Thomas Cup and Uber Cup are associated with Navigation with Indian Constellation which sports: Badminton, Men and Women, 648) Employee Provident Fund Organization has respectively decided to increase benefits under the 629) Name the country that won the Thomas Cup: Employees' Deposit Linked Insurance (EDLI) Denmark scheme from Rs 3.60 lakh to _____rupees: Six 630) Name the country that won the Uber Cup: lakh China 649) The Union Ministry of Human Resource 631) In which Indian city the trial run of India's first Development (HRD) has decided to launch an ever Metro train equipped to run in the online system ASMITA for what purpose: driverless mode was conducted: New Delhi Student tracking system programme 632) Government has constituted the IEPF Authority 650) What is the full form of ASMITA: All School to strengthen the framework for safeguarding Monitoring Individual Tracing Analysis the interest of investors. What is the full form of 651) Name the new multilingual portal launched by IEPF: Investor Education and Protection the ministry of HRD: Bharatavani Fund 652) Which State Transport Corporation has 633) India successfully tested its first- launched 20 Nirbhaya buses with multiple ever indigenously built space shuttle – RLV – safety measures to better protect women TD on May 23. Write full form of RLV-TD: Re- passengers: Rajasthan Usable Launch Vehicle - Technology 653) Which Saudi Arabia based bank has offered to Demonstrator open Islamic banking branch in India: Islamic 634) Who has been elected as the new President of Development Bank Board for Control of Cricket in India (BCCI): 654) First bank branch offering Islamic banking is Anurag Thakur proposed to be opened by a foreign bank in 635) ______has been Appointed as the new which city: Ahmadabad Lieutenant Governor of Union Territory of 655) Rishi Nair, a 6th grade Indian American student Puducherry: Kiran Bedi won which prestigious competition in USA: 636) Palme d’Or is the price for the best film at which National Geographic Bee competition famous film festival: Cannes, France 656) Which type of bank borrowers have been GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 95 prohibited by SEBI from making public issue of parameters for construction of airports across shares: Willful defaulter the country: ISRO 657) The 148-year-old Tata Group has made a foray 673) Name the new interest mechanism that into which new field recently by the name requires banks to set rates based on their TataCLiQ.com: E-commerce marginal cost of funds rather than their average 658) The RBI has instructed banks to shift from cost of funds: marginal cost of funds-based magnetic stripe based ATM and debit cards to lending rate (MCLR) which type of cards: EMV chip and Pin based 674) India has become the world’s ______largest cards spender on defence, following a 13.1% increase 659) Which bank has launched e-SBTR (Electronic in its 2016-17 defence budget: Fourth Secured Bank Treasury Receipt) for payment of 675) Which country is the largest spender on both - stamp duty and registration fee for home defence in world: USA purchase in Maharashtra: Union Bank of India 676) Zaha Hadid, renowned Iraq-born British APRIL – 2016 ______passed away due to heart attack: Architect 660) A massive leak of 11.5 million documents from 677) Name the campaign that was launched on April a law firm in which country revealed how the 14 to strengthen Panchayati Raj in villages, world's current rich people, politicians and empowerment of women and upliftment of celebrities hide their money: Panama farmers: Gram Uday Se Bharat Uday Abhiyan 661) Where in India World’s maiden white tiger 678) As per a global study, India ranks third among safari was opened up: Mukundpur, Madhya countries with high number of financial Trojan Pradesh infections. What is Trojan infection: 662) ______elected as the first woman Chief Transactions where cybercriminals defraud Minister of Jammu and Kashmir: Mehbooba customers of online banking services Mufti 679) UNICEF launched a series of animated films, 663) India has been ranked ______among the world's called Unfairy Tales to create awareness about Top-Ten largest manufacturing countries: Sixth which group of people: Refugees 664) In terms of manufacturing level, which country 680) P Susheela Mohan, renowned playback singer is ranked no. one in world: China has been recognized by the Guinness World 665) Name the cricketer who was named as Player of Records for which achievement: For the tournament in the world T-20: Virat Kohli singing the most number of songs in Indian 666) Who is Dr. Karan Singh, author of the book 'The languages - 17,695 Mountain of Shiva': He is a member of Rajya 681) Where in India Asia's biggest telescope has Sabha been launched: Devasthal, Nanital 667) Where in India the Army has raised a new 682) The European Investment Bank has agreed to Gorkha battalion comprising entirely of Gorkha give Euro 450 million towards constructing the troops of Indian domicile: Sabathu, Himachal metro rail line in which Indian city: Lucknow Pradesh 683) Name the India's first semi high speed train 668) The government has launched a portal ‘The launched on April 5: The Nizamuddin-Agra Indian IP Panorama’ to act as a single window Gatimaan Express interface for providing information on which 684) Which country conferred its highest civilian subject: Intellectual property maters honour- the king Abdulaziz Sash on the Prime 669) This portal is a customised version of IP Minister Modi: Saudi Arabia Panorama Multimedia toolkit, developed by 685) Govt has launched the mobile application WIPO. What is WIPO: World Intellectual 'Vidyut Pravah' for what purpose: for Property Organization information on 24x7 power from The States 670) The government has issued a new set of income 686) The HRD ministry released first-of-its-kind tax return (ITR) forms that require people with NIRF for ranking the higher education an income of Rs. ______lakh and above per institutions. What is NIRF: National annum to disclose their assets: 50 lakh Institutional Ranking Framework 671) Which stock exchange has launched a new 687) As per NIRF ______has been declared as the no. index Nifty MidSmallcap 400 representing 150 1 management institute in the country: IIM midcap and 250 small cap companies: National Bangalore Stock Exchange 688) The Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore has 672) The Airports Authority of India has signed an been placed at No. 1 in which category by NIRF: MoU with ______to provide scientific Best University

GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 96 689) As per NIRF rankings, which is the top which European city: Paris engineering institute of India: IIT Chennai 708) According to Arvind Panagariya India is close to 690) With which country India signed an agreement achieving 8% GDP growth on the back of for a new Laser Interferometer Gravitational- satisfactory progress in infrastructure Wave Observatory (LIGO) project in India: USA development. Who is he: Vice Chairman at Niti 691) India’s first indigenous composite sonar dome Aayog, India was launched at Goa. What is its function: It 709) Name the lady who has been named the most acts as ship’s underwater eyes and ears powerful businesswoman in Asia by Forbes 692) Companies with a net worth of Rs. 500 crore or Magazine: Nita Ambani more will have to follow new Ind AS from April 710) Which global body has revised its 2016 global 1. What is Ind AS: Indian Accounting trade forecast downward by more than one Standards percentage point to 2.8 per cent: WTO-World 693) World Bank has agreed to provide a $1.5 billion Trade Organization loan for implementation of which national level 711) Who has been elected as the new Chairman of mission: Swachh Bharat Mission the National Association of Software and 694) Which bank has launched 'NO Services Companies (Nasscom) for 2016-17: C Queue' Mobile app to save its customers time to P Gurnani avail banking services: State Bank of India 712) Mission Indradhanush covers how many 695) Under Stand-up India scheme banks have been vaccine preventable diseases: Seven asked to provide loans up to _____ crore rupees 713) Name the country’s first train with CCTV to SC/ST and women entrepreneurs: One cameras in all coaches: Shan-E-Punjab 696) The loans under Stand-up India may be Express provided without collateral. What is collateral: 714) Hindus in north India observed April 8 as the No need to offer land or building or any beginning of their traditional new year. Can you other security name the year: Vikram Samvat 2073 697) Britain's Royal Mail has launched a set of 715) In Andhra and Karnataka, April 8 was observed special postage stamps to mark the 400th death as ______festival: Ugadi anniversary of which great playwright: William 716) In which Indian state April 8 was observed as Shakespeare Gudi Padwa: Maharashtra 698) Bihar has become the ______state in the 717) The first ever two day North East-ASEAN country to ban sale and consumption of liquor: (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Fourth Business Summit was hosted by which city: 699) In one of the largest environmental settlement Imphal, Manipur in the US history, which oil and gas company 718) Name the author of the book 'A State in Denial': has been asked to pay over $20 billion towards B G Verghese damages: British Petroleum 719) Govt has launched a tablet-based application 700) The world’s first public dengue vaccination ‘ANMOL’ that allows ANMs to enter and update programme was launched recently in which data for the beneficiaries. What is ANM: country: Philippines Auxiliary Nurse Midwife 701) World Health Day is observed on which date: 720) Govt plans to construct five lakh irrigation April 07 ponds under which scheme: Pradhan Mantri 702) World Health day this year shall be focusing on Krishi Sinchai Yojana control of with disease: Diabetes 721) "Advantage India - From Challenge to 703) Nguyen Xuan Phuc has been elected as the new Opportunity" is a book written by one of the ex- Prime Minister of which country: Vietnam Presidents of India. Can you name him: APJ 704) Name the team that won the Asian Nations Cup Abdul Kalam Chess tournament: India 722) Name the winner of the FBB Femina Miss India 705) Govt has constituted a high-level committee World 2016 contest: Priyadarshini Chaterjee headed by former Home Secretary Madhukar 723) In the abbreviation FBB Miss India World, FBB Gupta for what purpose: to suggest ways to stands for what: Fashion at Big Bazaar strengthen the border protection along the 724) A portal was launched in New Delhi for for border with Pakistan registration and allotment of ISBN. What is the 706) Govt has launched a low cost micro solar full form of ISBN: International Standard device, Surya Jyoti for what purpose: To meet Book Number lighting needs in areas without electricity 725) ______has become the first state to pass land 707) International conference on zero was hosted by title bill for verification of land records:

GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 97 Rajasthan which city in USA: Washington DC 726) A statue of which Indian Maharaja will be 744) World Hemophilia Day is observed on April 17. installed in France's Saint-Tropez town in Hemophilia is what type of ailment: Non- September this year: Maharaja Ranjit Singh clotting of blood 727) Who has been named as the brand ambassador 745) Sultan Azlan Shah Cup is associated with which of the Skill India Campaign: Sachin Tendulkar sports: Hockey 728) Why World Homoeopathy Day is observed on 746) City of Ipoh hosted the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in 10th April: It is the birthday of Dr. Samuel which country: Malaysia Hahnemann, a German Physician who 747) What was the rank of India in Sultan Azlan Shah developed system of Homoeopathy Cup: Second 729) Saraswati Sammaan is given for excellence in 748) Which country won the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup literature in which language: Any language by beating India: Australia recognized by Indian constitution 749) Name the gymnastic feat preformed by Dipa 730) Poet and novelist Padma Sachdev won Karmakar as it is one of the extremely difficult Saraswati Sammaan for her autobiography and most dangerous form: Produnova vault ‘Chitt-Chete’ written in which language: Dogri 750) Name the Indian who has been ranked third in 731) Union government plans to lay more emphasis the Forbes list of top 30 Global Game Changers: on promoting MICE tourism in India. What is Rahul Bhatia of Inter Globe Enterprises MICE: Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and 751) Govt has released a Commemorative Coin of Events 200 rupees and a Circulation Coin of 10 rupees 732) Which European country has offered to help in to mark the 200th Martyrdom Day of Tatya ‘Namami Gange’ project for cleaning of Ganges Tope. Who was he: A war hero of 1857 war of like their rivers Rhine and Danube: Germany Independence 733) As per a recent World Bank report, which 752) ______has been declared the Laureus Best country received largest amount of inward Sportsman of the year: Novak Djokovic, Serbia remittances in 2015: India 753) ______has been declared the Laureus Best 734) A study of 50 nations for investment and Sportswoman of the year: Serena Williams, deployment of Information and USA Communications Technology has placed which 754) Which sports team won the Laureus Best Sports country at top: USA Team of The Year Award: New Zealand's 735) India has successfully tested its K-4 ballistic Rugby World Cup-winning team missile. What is the launch pad of this missile: 755) Name the Silicon Valley’s veteran adviser, Submarine mentored of Steve Jobs, Larry Page, who died 736) India has decided to become a formal member recently: Bill Campbell of the regional group SAWEN for what purpose: 756) India, Afghanistan and Iran have agreed for For combating wildlife crime and illegal joint work on development of Chabahar port in trade which country: Iran 737) What is the full form of SAWEN: South Asia 757) Which famous temple was in news for Wildlife Enforcement Network depositing 1,311 kg of gold in a public sector 738) Airtel M Commerce Services Limited (AMSL) bank under Gold Monetisation Scheme?: has been granted the India’s first ______bank Tirupati Balaji Temple, Andhra Pradesh license by RBI: Payment 758) As per the 2016 ‘World Press Freedom Index’, 739) Which National Institute of Technology in India which country enjoys the number one position has developed the fastest super computer for the functioning of journalist: Finland 'Param Kanchenjunga': Sikkim 759) As per the 2016 ‘World Press Freedom Index’, 740) The recently launched E-National Agriculture what was the rank of India: 133rd Market covers agriculture markets from how 760) Rahul Johri has been appointed as the first Chief many states: Eight Executive Officer (CEO) of which major Indian 741) Which tiny South Pacific island nation has sports body: BCCI- Board of Control for become the 189th member of the IMF and the Cricket in India World Bank: Nauru 761) As per the latest World Malaria Report from 742) Which Indian bank got the first loan of $ 250 WHO, ______has become the world’s first million from the newly established BRICS New region to wipe out malaria with zero cases Development Bank: Canara Bank reported last year: Europe 743) The annual Spring Meeting of the International 762) Which day is observed as the Earth Day all over Monetary Fund and the World Bank was held at the world: April 22 GENERAL AWARENESS – OCTOBER 2016 98 763) What is the theme for the Earth Day this year: ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION FORM Trees for the Earth FOR SOFT COPY ONLY 764) Name the leading Bollywood actress who has been named by Time magazine in its list of the (Online Mode) '100 Most Influential People in the World': Priyanka Chopra SUBSCRIPTION PERIOD: ONLY 12 MONTHS 765) Civil servants all over India observe April 21 as FROM (MONTH) …………………..TO……………. (MONTH) ______day to re-dedicate and re-commit

themselves to the cause of the people: Civil AMOUNT: Service Day Rs. 400/-

766) Why April 21 has been selected as the Civil Service Day: On this day in 1947, Sardar Patel addressed the first batch of Indian civil Name: Mr./Ms……………………………………………….……… servants

767) The Olympic Torch for the Rio de Janeiro Olympics was ceremoniously lighted at the Address:……………………………………………………………. Temple of Hera in which place: Ancient Olympia, Greece …………………………………………………………………… 768) The Rio Olympics beginning on August 5 will be City:……………………………District:…………………….

the ____ edition of modern Olympic games: 31st 769) A statement by Amitabh Kant says that India State: ………………..…………………..PIN:

will be free of BPL population by 2032, attaining a growth of 10%. Who is he: CEO of Email: ………………………………………………………………….. Niti Aayog 770) Which Indian city is the host for the popular religious event Simhastha Kumbh: Ujjain, Ph./Mob…………………………………………………..………… Madhya Pradesh 771) Simhastha Kumbh is being held in Ujjain on the banks of which river: Kshipra 772) The Paris Climate Agreement aims at limiting The subscription amount can be global temperature rise to well below ____ degrees Celsius, and to strive for ______degrees remitted to our following account: Celsius: 2, 1.5 773) Name the famous Malayalam actor who has been nominated as a Rajya Sabha MP: Suresh GYANM EDUCATION & TRAINING INSTITUTE PVT. LTD Gopi 774) England and several other parts of the world BANK : ALLAHABAD BANK Branch: Sector 34, Chandigarh are celebrating 400th death anniversary of a ACCOUNT NO.: 502 1311 7700 IFSC CODE: ALLA0211989

legendary playwright. Can you name him: …………………………………………………………………………………………… William Shakespeare 775) What is the popular other name for the William PARTICULARS OF REMITTANCE: Shakespeare: The Bard of Avon Amount remitted: Rs………… Date:…./…./…… 776) Name any two famous master pieces written by William Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet Bank………………………………..Branch……………

and Hamlet 777) Name the world’s oldest-serving royal and the Transaction no………………………….. longest lived monarch who turned 90 on April

21: Queen Elizabeth II DATE:______Signature 778) The Department of Disinvestment has been renamed as Department of Investment and (Magazine will be sent through Online Mode only) Public Asset Management or 'Dipam'. It is in GYANM: SCO 13-15, 2nd FLOOR, SEC 34-A, CHANDIGARH which ministry: Union Finance Ministry PH: 0172-4052124, 09257211740,

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