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February 1, 2016
The 9 countries involved in this matter are China, Britain, France, India, Israel, North Korea, Pakistan, Russia, and
the United States. 1) Which tiny Pacific Ocean country The Marshall Islands had will bring a lawsuit against 9 decided to sue the world’s countries including India for nuclear heavyweights as it has allegedly failing to halt the nuclear a particular awareness of the arms race? –Marshall Islands dire consequences of nuclear weapons. Between 1946 and Explanation: The tiny Marshall 1958 the United States Islands in March 2016 will seek to conducted repeated nuclear persuade International Court of tests in the Marshall Islands. Justice (ICJ) to take up a lawsuit In the cases brought against against nine countries that includes India and Pakistan, the court India, which it accuses of failing to will examine whether the halt the nuclear arms race. tribunal based in The Hague is
The International Court of competent to hear the lawsuits. Justice on 30 January 2016 announced dates for separate hearings for the three cases 2) Novak Djokovic won the men’s between 7 and 16 March 2016. singles title of 2016 Australian Open In 2014, the Marshall Islands on 31 January 2016 to win his sixth
accused nine countries of not title of the career. Whom he fulfilling their obligations with defeated in the final? – Andy respect to the cessation of the Murray (Britain) nuclear arms race at an early
date and to nuclear Explanation: Novak Djokovic of CURRENT AFFAIRS AFFAIRS CURRENT disarmament. Serbia defeated Andy Murray in
2 straights sets by 6-1, 7-5, 7-6 to Page
earn his sixth Australian Open title title? – Angelique Kerber of his magnificent career. (Germany)
Explanation: Seventh seeded This was Djokovic’s 11th Grand Slam title overall. His 11th grand German player Angelique Kerber slam title also means he has ended six-time champion and top drawn level with Bjorn Borg seeded Serena Williams’ unbeaten and Rod Laver. streak in finals on 30 January 2016 and won a major title for the first On the other hand, Murray has now lost all five Australian time. Open finals he has played, four Williams was an overwhelming of them against Djokovic. He favourite to win the final where thus also became only the she had won all six previous second man (behind his former times she’d reached the final. coach Ivan Lendl at the US But Kerber displayed great guts Open) to lose five finals at the to stun Williams by 6-4, 3-6, 6- same Grand Slam since the 4. open era began in 1968. It is worth mentioning that Williams won the Australian
Open, French Open and Wimbledon titles last year before losing to Roberta Vinci in the US Open semifinals.
4) Which state became the first non-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) 3) Who defeated six-time champion state to sign agreement for the Serena Williams (US) in the central government power reforms women’s singles final of the
CURRENT AFFAIRS AFFAIRS CURRENT plan – Ujwal Discoms Assurance Australian Open on 30 January to 3 Yojana (UDAY)? – Uttar Pradesh
win her maiden Grand Slam tennis Page
Explanation: Uttar Pradesh on 30 Explanation: Vice Admiral Girish January 2016 became the first non- Luthra took over charge as the Flag BJP ruled state to sign the MoU for Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Ujwal Discoms Assurance Yojana Southern Naval Command (UDAY). It became the fourth state from Vice Admiral Sunil Lanba on (overall) to sign MoU after 30 January at a function held at the Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Naval base in Kochi. Jharkhand. The total states that have given in-principle approval of On the other hand Vice Admiral joining the UDAY reforms are now Sunil Lanba assumed the 15. charge of the Flag Officer Commanding in Chief, Western For the states that sign up for Naval Command at a function UDAY, one of the first steps is held at Mumbai on 31 January to take over 75% of discom 2016. He took reins from Vice debt as on 30 September 2015 Admiral SPS Cheema, who over two years – 50% in 2015- retired on the same day. 16 and 25% in 2016-17. UP, with its five distribution companies (discoms), has a total debt exposure of Rs 53,200 crore, outstanding as on November 2015, will now be restructured under UDAY.
6) Former Army Chief General KV
5) Who took over as the Flag Krishna Rao, who passed away on Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the 30 January 2016, was known to Southern Naval Command on 30 have played a key role in which
January 2016? – Vice Admiral war? – 1971 Bangladesh CURRENT AFFAIRS AFFAIRS CURRENT
Girish Luthra Liberation War
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Explanation: General Rao was the Sylhet area and liberation of 14th Chief of the Army Staff of North-East Bangladesh. Indian Army and had an illustrious After his retirement he was career spanning over four decades appointed Governors of four in the force. He headed Indian states (Nagaland, Manipur, Army from 1 June 1981 to July Tripura and Jammu & Kashmir) 1983. for different tenures. He was made Governor of Jammu & His Division participated in the Kashmir in 1989, a time when 1971 India-Pakistan War in militancy was at its peak in the Eastern Theatre and was state. instrumental in the capture of
February 2, 2016
military regions into five new battle zones – the East, West, South, North and Middle battle zones. These new zones will now shoulder the responsibility of responding to their respective security threats, upholding peace and constraining 1) Chinese Army on 1 February conflict. 2016 implemented which major It is worth mentioning that step as part of the comprehensive
China is pushing major reforms plan to carry out reforms in in its military establishment for country’s military structure? – It some time now. established military’s five new The reforms include battle zones
establishing a joint operational
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5 Explanation: Chinese Army on 1 command structure by year
February 2016 reclassified seven 2020 and rejigging existing Page
military regions, as well as Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu had cutting troop numbers by promised OBC status to the 300,000. community during Assembly It has already inaugurated a elections in 2014. general command unit for the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) The protest, which was going in 2015. Later PLA’s four on for some days, turned military headquarters were split violent on 31 January 2016 as into 15 new units – covering the agitators went on rampage, everything from logistics to setting four coaches of equipment development, Ratnachal Express on fire at political work and fighting Tuni station near Vijayawada corruption. and blocked the national highway-16 in East Godavari district. However, no casualty took place as all passengers had vacated the bogies. Seven trains were cancelled, four others partially cancelled
and six diverted on the 2) Which community of Andhra Vijayawada-Rajahmundry- Pradesh came to news for being Visakhapatnam section due to engaged in a stir seeking the protest. reservation under OBC category, Later on 1 February 2016 the which turned violent on 31 January leaders of Kapu community 2016 after a train was sent ablaze? called off its agitation after –Kapu Community assurances from Chief Minister Explanation: Andhra Pradesh’s Chandrababu Naidu. Kapu community has been
demanding job reservations under CURRENT AFFAIRS AFFAIRS CURRENT
Other Backward Caste (OBC)
6 category for quite some time. Chief Page
Bajaj Auto purchased the Vikrant metal and processed it to be a part of its new brand. The company feels that the new bike will therefore
preserve a significant piece of 3) Which two-wheeler company on Indian military history. (Photo 1 February 2016 launched ‘V’, a Courtesy : The Hindu) new bike, which contains the metal from India’s first aircraft carrier INS Vikrant? – Bajaj Auto 4) Which Indian player won the Explanation: Bajaj Auto, the men’s singles title of the Syed Modi Pune-based two and three-wheeler Badminton Grand Prix Gold that maker, rolled-out the 150-cc bike, concluded on 31 January 2016 at christened ‘V’. The main attraction Lucknow? – K Srikanth of ‘V’ is that it has been built from Explanation: Top-seeded and metal used in the country’s most world no. 9 Kidambi Srikanth of celebrated aircraft carrier – the INS India defeated Huang Yuxiang of Vikrant. The bike sports a special China in the men’s singles finals of logo to commemorate the aircraft the Syed Modi Badminton Grand carrier. Prix Gold Cup on 31 January. He
INS Vikrant was commissioned defeated Huang by 21-13, 14-21, as the first aircraft carrier of 21-14 in three games to claim the Indian Navy in 1961. After title. years of distinguished service, Srikanth had reached the she was decommissioned in summit clash in the last edition January 1997 and served as a as well. This was his fifth major museum till 2012. In late 2014, title, having won the 2013 Vikrant was dismantled and
CURRENT AFFAIRS AFFAIRS CURRENT Thailand Grand Prix Gold, 2014 sold as scrap metal.
7 China Super Series premier and
Page Swiss Open Grand Prix Gold
and India Super Series during Explanation: T.N. Gopakumar was 2015. the editor-in-chief of Asianet, a In the women’s singles final, Malayalam TV channel. He was also South Korean Sung Ji Hyun the popular anchor of the show edged out Japan’ s Sayaka Sato ‘Kannadi’. 12-21, 21-18, 21-18 to win the title. His show was noted for sharp commentary and revealing However, Indian men’ s doubles pair of Pranaav Jerry portraits of Kerala that was far Chopra and Akshay Dewalkar away from the development wasted two match points in the tapestry as it was hailed to be. second game to go down 14- Gopakumar started his 21, 24-22, 21-8 against journalistic career with ‘The Malaysian pair of V. Shem Goh Indian Express’ and later and Wee Kiong Tan in their worked first-ever Grand Prix Gold with ‘Mathrubhumi’, ‘News summit clash. Time’, ‘Statesman’, ‘Independent’, ‘Ind ia Today’ and ‘BBC Radio’. He returned to Kerala when entrepreneur and journalist K. Sashikumar launched the Asianet channel in 1991. He was suffering from cancer
and passed away on 30 5) T.N. Gopakumar, who passed January 2016 at the age of 58. away during January 2016, was a noted electronic media personality of which state? – Kerala
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with Nepal and Bhutan. The other four paramilitary forces are the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).
1) What is the name of the woman IPS officer who on 2 February 2016 became the first woman to head a paramilitary force in India? –
Archana Ramasundaram 2) State Bank of India (SBI) on 1 Explanation: Archana February 2016 launched the Ramasundaram, a 1980 batch ‘FlexiPay Home Loan’ scheme, officer of the Tamil Nadu cadre, which gives borrowers an option to created history when she was pay only interest during a three-five appointed the new Director General year moratorium period. This (DG) of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB). product has been targeted towards She thus became the first woman which home loan segment? – to head a paramilitary force in the Young working professionals country. Explanation: Under the ‘FlexiPay Archana is currently Special Home Loan’ scheme, which has
Director, National Crime been launched primarily for young Records Bureau. She has been professionals, the borrowers can appointed to the post till the pay only interest during a three- date of her superannuation, 30 five-year moratorium. Thereafter
CURRENT AFFAIRS AFFAIRS CURRENT September 2017. they will pay moderated equated
9 The SSB is entrusted with monthly installments (EMIs).
Page guarding the country’s frontiers
The EMIs will be stepped up 2016-17 as stated in the review? – during the subsequent years, 7.6% capturing payment of the Explanation: Keeping the key principal component. This rates unchanged, the RBI indicated arrangement is expected to that rates would continue to soften. lower the impact of such
additional loan amount on The RBI Governor, however, monthly repayments in the cautioned that the form of EMIs. recommendations of the This scheme is expected to Seventh Pay Commission had enable young working not been factored into its professionals/executives to get growth projections. higher loan amounts compared After the latest review, the to their loan eligibility under repo rate, or the rate at which normal home loan schemes. the central bank infuses liquidity into the system, remained at 6.75%. The cash reserve ratio (CRR), or the portion of a bank’s money maintained with the central bank in cash, remained at 4%. The RBI expected growth 7.6% 3) Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for the financial year 2016-17 Governor Raghuram G. Rajan (ending March 2017).
presented the sixth bi-monthly
monetary policy review on 2 February 2016. All the key rates 4) The World Health Organization were kept unchanged in the policy (WHO) on 1 February 2016 made
review which meant that the most which important announcement CURRENT AFFAIRS AFFAIRS CURRENT important Repo Rate will remain pertaining to explosively spreading
10 unchanged at 6.75%. What the Zika virus? – It declared it as an projected growth rate is for fiscal
Page international emergency
Explanation: The WHO convened 5) Which company replaced Apple an emergency meeting of Inc. as the world’s most valuable independent experts on 1 February company, as reflected in the US 2016 to assess the outbreak after markets on 1 February 2016? – noting a suspicious link between Alphabet (Google’s parent Zika’s arrival in Brazil last year and company) a surge in the number of babies Explanation: Apple Inc., which born with abnormally small heads. has long been on the top of the world’s most valuable companies Later it was declared an international emergency, list, slipped to second place as despite the fact that there was Google’s parent company Alphabet no definitive proof that the Zika Inc. on 1 February overtook it to virus, spread by mosquitoes, is become no.1. This happened after responsible for the birth Alphabet released a fourth-quarter defects. Such emergency earnings report that highlighted the declarations are meant as an robust growth of the digital ad international SOS signal. market. Apple Inc.’s iPhone, meanwhile, is suffering its first WHO estimates there could be up to 4 million cases of Zika in downturn since it debuted eight the Americas in the next year. years ago. The last such public health Based on that after-hours emergency was declared for bump, Alphabet’s market value the devastating 2014 Ebola stood at $555 billion while outbreak in West Africa, which Apple’s was at $533 billion,
killed more than 11,000 people. based on the most recent regulatory filings showing the
company’s outstanding shares.
Apple’s stock has been sliding CURRENT AFFAIRS AFFAIRS CURRENT
amid concerns over slowing
iPhone sales 11
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However, this ranking can change very quickly. February 4, 2016
But the project to develop HTT- 40 has been marred by doubts and controversy. The Indian Air Force (IAF) repeatedly told the Defence Ministry the HTT-40 would be over-weight, over- priced and under-performing. 1) What is the name of the But HAL doggedly continued indigenously built new basic trainer development, committing more aircraft being developed by than Rs. 350 crore of company Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), funds. the first prototype of which was In its place, the IAF wanted to rolled-out on 2 February 2016? – import over a hundred new Hindustan Turbo Trainer – 40 trainers from Swiss company, (HTT-40) Pilatus, to supplement the 75 Pilatus PC-7 Mark II trainers it Explanation: Hindustan Turbo had already bought. Trainer- 40 (or HTT-40) is the name The IAF, is now convinced of the indigenous replacement for about the HTT-40’s viability, the Indian Air Force’s retired HPT- and wants to take charge of 32 ‘Deepak’ that is being developed the project. to be used as a basic trainer The prototype of HTT-40 was aircraft. rolled-out from a hanger on 2
The HTT-40 will be an all-metal February 2016 with all its lights tandem seat aircraft powered flashing and its cockpit
CURRENT AFFAIRS AFFAIRS CURRENT powered on. (Photo
by a 950 HP (708 kW) turbo-
prop engine. Courtesy: HAL)
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workers and almost a third to members of scheduled castes and scheduled tribes. MGNREGA has played a much larger role in revitalizing the labour market in rural areas. 2) The Mahatma Gandhi National Not only has it led to the Rural Employment Guarantee Act creation of a class of workers (MGNREGA), which is the largest who are using the MGNREGA programme of its nature for as a safety net, but these providing employment in rural areas workers are also able to use it anywhere in the world, completed as a bargaining tool for how many years on 2 February extraction of higher wages. 2016? – 10 years
Explanation: MGNREGA, which was earlier known as NREGA, came 3) A unique MAGIC (Modular, Agile, into effect on 2 February 2006. It Intensified & Continuous) Process was implemented by the then Lab of the Council of Scientific and United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Industrial Research (CSIR) was government. Then it covered only inaugurated at which CSIR lab on 2 the 200 poorest districts of the February 2016? – CSIR-National country and was expanded to cover Chemical Laboratory (Pune) all rural areas of the country from Explanation: The MAGIC Process April 2008. Lab at CSIR-NCL (Pune) is expected
to bring about a paradigm shift in In the short span of 10 years the way in which India’s fine and that the Act has been in specialty chemicals industry will existence, it has generated operate in the future.
19.86 billion person-days of CURRENT AFFAIRS AFFAIRS CURRENT employment benefitting 276 The MAGIC processes
13 million workers, with more than developed in this lab can
Page half the jobs going to women radically change currently
practiced process technologies The UNDOF was established on into modern processes that are 31 May 1974 by UN Security cleaner, greener, safer, Council (UNSC) following the compact, scalable and agreed disengagement of the economical. Israeli and Syrian forces in the Golan. Since then, UNDOF has remained in the area to 4) What is the name of the ex- maintain the ceasefire between Indian Army official who was the Israeli and Syrian forces appointed as the Head of Mission and to supervise the and Force Commander of the implementation of the United Nations Disengagement disengagement agreement. Observer Force (UNDOF) by the UN on 2 February 2016? – Major
General Jai Shanker Menon
Explanation: Major General Jai Shanker Menon was Additional Director General Equipment Management in the Indian Army. From 2012 to 2013, he was General Officer, Commanding an Infantry Division of the Indian Army. 5) Veteran Congress leader and former Lok Sabha Speaker Balram He was appointed the head of Jakhar passed away on 3 February
UNDOF by UN Secretary- 2016. He was a towering General Ban Ki-moon on 2 personality during his prime and February. He replaced Lt. was a 4-time MP. He was best General Purna Chandra Thapa known for his tenure as Lok Sabha of Nepal, who will complete his
CURRENT AFFAIRS AFFAIRS CURRENT Speaker. When he served this post? assignment on 7 February – From 1980 to 1989
14 2016. Page
Explanation: In 1980, Balram Minister Narasimha Rao. He Jakhar became Lok Sabha Speaker also served as Governor of and served till 1989 for two terms Madhya Pradesh from 30 June during which he was instrumental in 2004 to 30 May 2009. automation and computerisation of He was a four-time MP in Lok the House works. He also Sabha starting from his election contributed to the establishment of in the seventh Lok Sabha in Parliament Museum. 1980. He was again elected in 1984, 1991 and 1998. He was Jakhar also served as 92 and passed away in New Agriculture Minister in the Delhi on 3 February 2016 after Cabinet of former Prime battling a brief period of illness. February 5, 2016
Vishakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) from 4 to 8 February 2016.
The theme (motto) for IFR 2016 is ‘United through Oceans’. However, the overall theme of this event is ‘Make in
India’. 1) The second-ever This is the second IFR to be International Fleet Review (IFR) in held in India and the first on India, comprising of navies from 54
the East Coast. The last IFR countries, commenced at which was held in Mumbai in 2001 place from 4 February 2016? – and was reviewed by the then Vishakhapatnam President KR Narayanan. The objective behind this
CURRENT AFFAIRS AFFAIRS CURRENT Explanation: The International
Fleet Review 2016 is being held at International Review, is to
15 signal the Indian Navy’s
Page emergence as a pre-eminent
power that sets the agenda in the northern Indian Ocean. Among the 54 navies taking part, there is a tacit acceptance of this regional primacy, and a shared belief that this is in the 2) Union Government is set to common interest. Participating infuse how much more funds into this year is practically every the state-run banks in the current major navy in the world, financial year 2015-16, as was including the People’s announced by Financial Services Liberation Army (Navy) of Secretary Anjuly Chib Duggal on 3 China. Other important February 2016? – Rs. 5,000 crore countries participating in IFR Explanation: The Government is include USA, UK, Japan and has earmarked fund worth Rs. Australia. 25,000 crore for 2015-16 primarily 54 navies are participating in to strengthen PSU banks’ balance IFR 2016, compared to 29 in sheets. Of this about Rs 20,088 2001, and 24 foreign warships crore has already been pumped into are at Vishakhapatnam, exactly 13 public sector banks. the same number as in 2001 in
Mumbai. During the review, 24 Hence the govt. would infuse foreign naval chiefs are another Rs. 5,000 crore of expected to visit capital in the current financial Visakhapatnam, while some year.
4,000 foreign sailors will also Last year, the government had
be part of this event. Apart announced a plan, called from this, 75 Indian warships ‘Indradhanush’, to infuse Rs. will participate in IFR 2016. 70,000 crore in state-owned banks over four years, while
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these would have to raise a
further Rs 1.1 lakh crore from 16
the markets to meet their Page
capital requirements in line While the modern diabetes with global risk norms Basel- drugs are known for side- III. effects and toxicity, BGR-34 Apart from Rs. 25,000 crore works by controlling blood this year, the PSU banks, Rs sugar and limiting the harmful 10,000 crore each would be effects of other drugs. The infused in 2017-18 and 2018- product has passed several 19. battery tests and showed hypoglycemic activity in experimental subjects. AIMIL Pharmaceuticals (I) Limited has been roped in for commercial production and extended distribution of BGR- 34. 3) What is the name of India’s first anti-diabetic ayurvedic drug, which was launched by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research 4) Which Indian drug manufacturer (CSIR) on 3 February 2016? – came to news on 3 February 2016 BGR-34 after it claimed to have filed for global patents of two vaccines for Explanation: BGR-34 is the name Zika virus, with which it could of the country’s first anti-diabetic become world’s first company to ayurvedic drug (for type II develop a vaccine for Zika? – Diabetes). It has been developed Bharat Biotech (Hyderabad) jointly by National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) and Explanation: Hyderabad-based Central Institute for Medicinal and Bharat Biotech on 3 February Aromatic Plants (CIMAP), the claimed to have filed for global
CURRENT AFFAIRS AFFAIRS CURRENT Lucknow-based research units of patent of two vaccine candidates –
CSIR. a recombinant vaccine and an
17 inactivated vaccine – for Zika virus. Page
It also announced that it could across the globe. Which entity is make available the inactivated partnering with the Department of vaccine in two years if the Indian Economic Affairs (Ministry of Government fast-tracked the Finance) in organizing this summit? regulatory approvals once the pre- – SBI Caps clinical trials proved to be Explanation: The Summit is to successful. showcase and discuss the huge long term infrastructure investment With this Bharat Biotech could become the world’s first opportunities in India. company to develop a vaccine The Government of India has to fight Zika virus. already established National Bharat Biotech claimed that Investment and Infrastructure work on Zika vaccine project Fund (NIIF) as a Category II was started in 2014 and the Alternate Investment Fund patent was filed in July 2015. (AIF) under the Securities and Zika is now present in 23 Exchange Board of India (SEBI) countries. Brazil, the hardest- Regulations. hit country, has reported around 3,500 cases of the Finance Minister Arun Jaitley devastating birth defect called also unveiled the logo of the Rs microcephaly. 40,000-crore NIIF on the inaugural day. The objective of NIIF is to maximise economic impact mainly through 5) The 2-day ‘India Investment
infrastructure development in Summit’ was inaugurated by Union commercially viable projects, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in New both greenfield and brownfield, Delhi on 4 February 2016. This including stalled projects and summit seeks to attract long term
other nationally important CURRENT AFFAIRS AFFAIRS CURRENT
investors including Sovereign projects. Wealth Funds and Pension Funds
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February 6, 2016
rhino is the mascot of these games. The South Asian Games (SAG) is a biennial multinational multi- sport event held amongst the athletes from South Asia and being organized in the similar format of Olympics, Asian Games, and Commonwealth 1) The 12th edition of South Asian Games (CWG). Games (SAG) was inaugurated by In the 12th edition of the South Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 5 Asian Games this year, more February 2016. This biggest multi- than 2600 athletes from eight sporting event of the SAARC region member countries namely, is being held in which two cities of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India? – Guwahati and Shillong Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are Explanation: Explanation: The participating. inaugural ceremony of 12th South
th Asian Games (12 SAG) was held at the Indira Gandhi Athletics Stadium in Guwahati on 5 February 2016. 2) As per the announcement made by the Indian Foreign Ministry on 4 India is hosting the 12th South February 2016, India has ratified an Asian Games, 2016 in Guwahati international convention on nuclear and Shillong from 5 February to energy accident liability. This step 16 February 2016. was the final piece in its efforts to
CURRENT AFFAIRS AFFAIRS CURRENT The motto of SAG 2016 is “Play address a major concern of foreign
for Peace, Progress and nuclear suppliers. What will be the 19
Prosperity“. ‘Tikhor’ the baby main benefit of this ratification? – Page
This makes India part of a million) to cover the suppliers’ global legal regime that has risk of potential liability. established a standard for compensation of victims in the event of a nuclear accident
Explanation: A statement from the Indian foreign ministry on 4 February 2016 said India has submitted the Instrument of 3) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Ratification of the Convention on 5 February 2016 inaugurated a gas Supplementary Compensation cracker project, which became the (CSC) for Nuclear Damage to the first petrochemical project to be set International Atomic Energy Agency up in the North-East. This project (IAEA). costing Rs. 10,000 crore has been
International nuclear reactor setup at which place in Assam? – makers such as General Electric Lepetkata have been reluctant to set up Explanation: Rs.10,000 crore plants in India because of a Assam Gas Cracker Project has 2010 domestic liability law that been established at Lepetkata in makes equipment suppliers Upper Assam’s Dibrugarh district. accountable for accidents and Executed by the Brahmaputra not the plant operators, as is Crackers and Polymers Ltd., the the global norm. project missed several deadlines Therefore no US company had and overshot the budget. been willing to invest in India’s nuclear power market for fear It was envisaged by the then of the liability clause in its prime minister Indira Gandhi in
domestic law. 1984 and given shape by Rajiv CURRENT AFFAIRS AFFAIRS CURRENT
Last year, India launched an Gandhi as prime minister in
insurance pool with a liability 1985 at the end of the six-year- 20
cap of Rs.1,500 crore ($225 long anti-foreigners agitation. Page
The then prime minister Explanation: Krishnamurthy had Manmohan Singh laid the founded Mudra Communications in foundation stone of the project 1980 after he worked as an in 2007. advertising manager for Reliance Gas Authority of India Ltd Industries’ in-house fabric brand (GAIL) has 70% stake in BCPL Vimal. while Oil India Limited, Numaligarh Refinery Ltd and Mudra Communications was Assam government have 10% owned by Reliance and it went each. on to become India’s third largest advertising agency in The project will use naphtha and natural gas from Assam’s 1989, and played a hand in oilfields to produce ethylene, building brands such as Vimal the feedstock for Fabrics and Rasna, a soft drink manufacturing polymers that concentrate brand, into are basic building blocks of industry leaders. plastics. In March 1991, Krishnamurthy set up Mudra Institute of Communications, Ahmedabad (MICA) that nurtured India’s growing adverting industry with trained talent. He retired from Mudra in 2003, and set up his own consultancy AGK Brand Consulting.
4) A.G. Krishnamurthy, a doyen of the Indian advertising industry, passed away in Hyderabad on 5 5) The Trans Pacific Partnership February 2016. He was the founder (TPP), one of the biggest
CURRENT AFFAIRS AFFAIRS CURRENT of which iconic advertising agency?
multinational trade deals ever, was
–Mudra Communications signed at which place by 12
21 Page
countries on 4 February 2016? – TPP pact aims to deepen Auckland (New Zealand) economic ties between these nations, slashing tariffs and Explanation: 12 countries fostering trade to boost involved in TPP are the US, Japan, growth. Member countries are Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, also hoping to foster a closer Brunei, Australia, New Zealand, relationship on economic Canada, Mexico, Chile and Peru. policies and regulation.
These 12 countries have a The first steps towards TPP collective population of about started 10 years when the P4 800 million – almost double Trade Agreement was put into that of the European Union’s effect. This agreement involved single market. The 12-nation 4 countries – Brunei, Chile, would-be bloc is already New Zealand and Singapore. responsible for 40% of world trade. February 7-8, 2016
Board (IPAB) on 5 February 2016? – Seven
Explanation: The GI tag for the basmati rice cultivation will be in Punjab, Haryana, Himachal
Pradesh, Delhi, Uttarakhand,
Western UP and the two districts of Jammu and Kathua. 1) The geographical indication (GI) tag for basmati rice for how many – In this regard, the Intellectual Property Appellate Board (IPAB)
CURRENT AFFAIRS AFFAIRS CURRENT states was ordered by the
Intellectual Property Appellate directed the Chennai-based
22 assistant registrar of the Page
Geographical Indications Registry to Association of Lahore, Pakistan, proceed with registration of a related to the matter. geographical indication (GI) tag for – A GI tag can be issued for Basmati rice according to the agricultural, natural or geographical demarcation manufactured goods that have a conducted by the Agricultural and given quality, reputation or other Processed Food Products Export characteristics attributable to its Development Authority (APEDA). geographical origin. – This meant that seven north – A GI registration gives the Indian Basmati rice-producing registered proprietor and authorised states like Punjab, Haryana, users the legal right to the exclusive Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand use of the GI, and no unauthorised and parts of Uttar Pradesh and person can use the tag. Some of Jammu & Kashmir will get the GI the examples of GI are Mysore Silk, tag. Mysore Agarbathi, Kancheepuram – APEDA, as a statutory authority Silk, Orissa Ikat, Channapatna Toys related to exports of agricultural & Dolls, and Coimbatore Wet products, applied for the GI tag for Grinder. Basmati, a special long grain – Products sold with the GI tag get aromatic rice grown in a particular premium pricing also. geographical region of the Indian sub-continent. ………………………………………… …………………………………. – The appellate authority also
asked the registrar to reconsider
the matter of inclusion of uncovered areas, including Madhya Pradesh, in the area covered under the GI for Basmati.
CURRENT AFFAIRS AFFAIRS CURRENT – The authority also dismissed two 2) Sudhir Tailang, who passed 23 petitions from the Basmati Growers’
away on 6 February 2016 at a Page
private hospital in Delhi, was an eminent personality associated with which field? – Political cartooning
Explanation: Sudhir Tailang came out with his first cartoon in 1970. 3) US astronaut Edgar Mitchell, He started his career with the who was the sixth man to walk on ‘Illustrated Weekly of India’ in the Moon, passed away on 5 Mumbai, in 1982. February 2016 at the age of 85. He was associated with which path- – A year later, he joined breaking NASA mission to the the ‘Navbharat Times’ in New Delhi. Moon? –Apollo 14 He had worked with all major English newspapers including Explanation: Edgar Mitchell was the Hindustan Times, the Times of part of NASA’s Apollo 14 mission of India and the Indian Express. year 1971. As a member of the mission, he spent more than nine – His last assignment was with hours on the Moon conducting the ‘Asian Age’. experiments. – He was awarded the Padma Shri – His mission to the Moon was the in 2004 for his contribution to the fourth in the US Apollo series, and art of cartooning. the first to follow the ill-fated Apollo – He was suffering from brain 13 which aborted its attempt to tumour and had undergone two land after an oxygen tank surgeries and chemotherapy during explosion. the course of his treatment over – Overall 12 persons have the two years. He was 55. unique distinction of walking on the ………………………………………… Moon and Edgar Mitchell was the
…………………………………. sixth person in this list.
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………………………………………… 24
…………………………………. Page
54-seater standard and 18 to 45- seater luxury and low-floor city buses.
4) India’s biggest commercial – The plant produces 60 buses a vehicles manufacturer Tata Motors day for both the local market and declared a lockout at which of its markets such as Sri Lanka and bus manufacturing plants on 6 Bangladesh. February 2016? – Dharwad ………………………………………… (Karnataka) ………………………………….
Explanation: Tata Motors on 6 5) Australian all-rounder Shane February declared a lockout at its Watson emerged as the costliest bus manufacturing plant in player of the IPL player auction that Karnataka’s Dharwad, following a was held on 6 February 2016. He continued strike by workers. The was acquired for Rs. 9.5 crore by plant makes buses under the Tata Royal Challengers Bangalore. Which Marcopolo brand. player emerged as the costliest – Dissatisfied with the revision in Indian player in the auction? – wages and subsequent suspension Pawan Negi of a dozen staff members, a section Explanation: Indian all-rounder of workers at the plant are alleged Pawan Negi was bought for Rs 8.5 to have incited others to disrupt crore by Delhi Daredevils and he work. The company decided to shut thus emerged as the costliest down operations on 6 February. Indian player in this auction.
– Dharwad is one of the youngest – Yuvraj Singh was picked by plants of the Mumbai-based Sunrisers Hyderabad for Rs. 7 company which began operations in crore. Chris Morris was also bought 2009. The plant makes fully-built by Mumbai Indians for Rs. 7 crore
CURRENT AFFAIRS AFFAIRS CURRENT buses for intra-city and inter-city while Mohit Sharma cost Rs. 6.5
transportation that include 16 to crore to Kings XI Punjab.
25 Page
February 9, 2016
charge discriminatory tariffs for data services on the basis of content.” However, reduced tariff for accessing or providing emergency services, or at times of public emergency has been permitted. – TRAI will also levy a penalty of 1) In a historic development, India Rs. 50,000 a day for discriminatory on 8 February 2016 firmly chose tariffs charged by service providers. ‘Net Neutrality’ and immediately These regulations came amid an banned differential pricing for ongoing debate over net neutrality Internet services (data services). in the country. This meant that Facebook’s free – The issue of net neutrality came internet scheme, fronted by founder to focus after TRAI’s consultation Mark Zuckerberg, will not be paper on differential data pricing allowed in the country. How much was issued in 2015. It had raised fine has been announced on concern over zero-rating tariff violators of net neutrality policy? – models – a practice wherein service Rs. 50,000 per day – providers offer free data to users Explanation: The Telecom for select applications and websites. Regulatory Authority of India ………………………………………… (TRAI) on 8 February 2016 issued ………….. the ‘Prohibition of Discriminatory
Tariffs for Data Services
Regulations, 2016’. It barred service providers from offering or charging discriminatory tariffs for data services on the basis of
content.
CURRENT AFFAIRS AFFAIRS CURRENT
– The regulation clearly mentioned
26 “No service provider can offer or Page
2) State-owned oil refining entity Paradip helped IOC overtake Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) on 7 Reliance Industries, which has twin February 2016 overtook Reliance refineries at Jamnagar in Gujarat Industries Limited (RIL) to become with a capacity of 62 million tons. country’s top refiner. This became – IOC also has a subsidiary Chennai possible after IOC’s mammoth Rs. Petroleum Corp Ltd (CPCL) which 34,555 crore refinery was operates refineries with total commissioned on this day. This new capacity of 11.50 million tons. refinery has been established at – Paradip (Odisha) – Paradip refinery took almost 16 years to complete. Its foundation Explanation: IOC’s Paradip stone was laid by the then Prime refinery was dedicated to the Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on 24 country by Prime Minister Narendra May 2000. Modi at a programme held on 7 February. With commissioning of ………………………………………… this refinery, IOC overtook RIL as ………….. India’s largest oil refiner. – Located 140 km from Bhubaneswar, Paradip refinery is one of the most modern refineries in the world which can process
cheaper high sulphur heavy crude oils. 3) Which Indian woman was invited to serve as a panelist on – It will produce 5.6 million tons United Nations (UN) panel on per annum of diesel, 3.79 million women’s economic empowerment, tons of petrol and 1.96 million tons as announced by the UN Secretary of kerosene/ATF. Besides, 790,000 General Ban Ki-Moon on 6 February
tons of LPG and 1.21 million tons of 2016? – Renana Jhabvala petcoke would also be produced here. Explanation: Renana Jhabvala is an Ahmedabad-based social worker, – Paradip refinery thus has capacity who came to news as she was
to refine 15 million tons of crude invited to serve as a panelist on CURRENT AFFAIRS AFFAIRS CURRENT oil. Prior to Paradip, IOC’s eight United Nations (UN) panel on refineries had a cumulative capacity 27 women’s economic empowerment.
of 54.2 million tons of crude oil. Page
– She is the daughter of Booker- prize winning novelist and screen- writer, Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, and well-known architect Cyrus S H Jhabvala. Renana has also been active for decades in organising women into organisations and trade 4) Nida Fazli, who passed away on unions in India and is extensively 8 February 2016, was a renowned involved in policy issues relating to personality associated with which poor women and the informal field? – Urdu and Hindi poetry economy. Explanation: Noted Urdu and – She is the Nation Coordinator of Hindi poet Muqtida Hasan Nida the Self-Employed Women’s Fazli, popularly known as Nida Fazli, Association of India (SEWA), trade passed away on 8 February 2016 in union for poor, self-employed Mumbai. He was 77. women workers in India founded by noted Gandhian and civil rights – Fazli was one of the most popular leader Ela Bhatt. Renana has won writers of present time with some the Padma Shri for her efforts. iconic compositions like ‘Tu Is Tarah Se Meri Zindagi Mein Shaamil Hai’, – The United Nations has ‘Hosh Waalon Ko Khabar Kya’, ‘Aa established the panel to provide bhi jaa, aa bhi jaa’ and ‘Muh ki baat recommendations on improving sune har koi’. economic outcomes for women and promoting women’s leadership in – He teamed up with Jagjit Singh in driving sustainable, inclusive and 1994 to bring an album named environmentally-sensitive economic ‘Insight’, which got appreciation for growth. The role of the panel is its soulful poetry and music. He important in view of the 2030 became known among readers and Agenda for Sustainable ghazal singers for his elegant Development. presentation and exclusive use of colloquial language for ghazals, ………………………………………… dohaas and nazms, while avoiding …………..
complex Persian imagery.
CURRENT AFFAIRS AFFAIRS CURRENT
…………………………………………
28 ………….. Page
5) Two infrastructure entities have – It is worth mentioning that IRB sought the approval of capital was the first company to announce market regulator SEBI to launch plans for an InvIT. India’s first infrastructure ………………………………………… investment trust (InvIT)? – IRB ………….. Infrastructure Developers Ltd and GMR Infrastructure Ltd 6) The 9th edition of the India- Nepal combined battalion-level Explanation: Both IRB military training exercise named Infrastructure Developers Ltd (IRB) ‘Surya Kiran’ commenced on 8 and GMR Infrastructure Ltd. (GMR), February 2016. This 14-day in the application to the Securities exercise comprising of counter- and Exchange Board of India terrorism operations and ‘jungle (SEBI), have identified assets they warfare’ is being held at which want to list under infrastructure place? – Pithoragarh investment trust (InvIT). (Uttarakhand) – InvITs are trusts which manage Explanation: ‘Surya Kiran’ is the income generating infrastructure name given to the series of bi- assets, typically offering investors annual military exercise which is regular yields and a liquid method conducted alternatively in Nepal of investing in infrastructure and India. projects. – This edition of exercise is being – They are expected to encourage held under the aegis of Panchshul higher foreign investment in the brigade of central command. Indian infrastructure sector, reduce the burden on the banking system, and allow developers to unlock tied- up capital.
CURRENT AFFAIRS AFFAIRS CURRENT
February 10, 2016
29 Page
and carbon dioxide reduction targets for the aviation sector.
– When fully implemented, the standards are expected to reduce carbon emissions by more than 650 million tons between 2020 and 2040, equivalent to removing over 140 million cars from the road for a year. 1) In a landmark development, the environmental panel of International – While the ICAO agreement was Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) on 8 welcomed by the White House, it drew February 2016 reached agreement on criticism from environmentalists who long-sought greenhouse gas emissions said they would be too weak to standards for airliners and cargo actually slow global warming. planes. What is the basic deadline for ………………………………………………………. aircrafts to meet norms as agreed to by the said panel? – New aircrafts 2) Which public-sector bank’s net should meet the emission standards profit plunged by over 90% during the beginning 2020 third quarter (Q3) ended December 2015, as reported in the results on 9 Explanation: The agreement reached February 2016? – Punjab National by ICAO’s environmental panel Bank (PNB) requires that new aircraft designs meet the standards beginning in 2020, Explanation: PNB’s net profit for the and that designs already in production 3rd quarter (Sep-Dec 2015) was just comply by 2023. Rs. 51 crore. It was way lower than the average Rs. 700 crore estimated by – There is also a cut-off date of 2028 analysts. for the manufacture of planes that don’t comply with the standards. – The bank’s profitability was hit by
sharp rise in provision for bad loans. Its CURRENT AFFAIRS AFFAIRS CURRENT – The standards would be the first ever gross non-performing assets (bad to impose binding energy efficiency 30 loans) surged to 8.47% of advances in
Page Q3 against 6.36% in Q2, prompting the
bank to double provisions to Rs. 3,776 through green bonds and another crore in Q3 from Rs.1,882 crore in Q2. $500 million through a dollar- denominated bond. – PNB thus joined a string of other banks that have reported higher bad ………………………………………………………. loans following RBI’s order asking banks to treat some stressed borrowers as non-performing even if they have not defaulted yet.
……………………………………………………….
3) On 8 February 2016, the Export- 4) Sushil Koirala, the 37th Prime Import (EXIM) Bank of India Minister of Nepal, passed away in the announced plans to raise $300 million morning of 9 February 2016. He was through ‘Panda Bonds’ to finance instrumental in promulgating the new demand for credit. What are ‘Panda constitution of the country during Bonds’? – Panda bonds are renminbi- September 2015. He was the Prime denominated (Chinese currency) Minister of the country during which instruments from a non-Chinese trying period? – 2014-15 issuer, sold in China Explanation: Sushil Koirala was Prime Explanation: EXIM Bank is seeking to Minister of Nepal from 11 February raise Panda Bonds because the 2014 to 10 October 2015. He was also currency swap rates to raise money the President of the Nepali Congress, from the Chinese market are looking presently the most important political attractive at present. However, the entity in the country, from 2010.
timing for bond offering would depend on favourable swap rates. – Koirala was member of the politically prominent Koirala family. He was the – EXIM was looking at a big issue to cousin of former prime ministers Girija
finance some of the major Prasad Koirala, Matrika Prasad Koirala CURRENT AFFAIRS AFFAIRS CURRENT infrastructure projects that were now and Bishweshwar Prasad Koirala.
coming up. So far this financial year, 31
EXIM Bank has raised $500 million Page
– He was diagnosed with lung cancer in – Led by Colonel Ritesh Chandra Singh, June 2014. He passed away on 9 thirty Indian personnel participated in February during his sleep at the age of the joint exercise. The Chinese 78. delegation was led by Colonel Qu Yi.
………………………………………………………. ……………………………………………………….
6) The 4th World Government Summit (WGS), an event to bring together more than 150 governments and organisations on the global platform to share knowledge and experiences in 5) The first-ever joint-tactical exercise the efforts to improve government of Indian and Chinese troops was held work, commenced on 8 February 2016. on 6 February 2016 at which place in This event is hosted by which country India? – Chushul-Moldo area in J&K’s annually? – United Arab Emirates Ladakh region (UAE)
Explanation: This first of its-kind Explanation: The 4th edition of exercise was held in Chushul-Moldo World Government Summit (WGS) was area of Eastern Ladakh sector of opened on 8 February 2016 at Dubai Jammu & Kashmir on 6 February. The (UAE). The theme of this summit is exercise focused on humanitarian aid ‘Shaping Future Governments’. and disaster relief. – Since 2013, the UAE government has – The exercise was code-named “Sino- hosted the ‘World Government India Cooperation 2016’’. The joint Summit’ that brings together
exercise was based on a situation of government officials, thinkers, policy national disaster occurring on the makers and private sector executives border and subsequent coordination of to discuss the best ways to develop the rescue mission by joint teams of both future of government.
CURRENT AFFAIRS AFFAIRS CURRENT the countries.
32 Page
February 11-12, 2016
– He was buried in a huge avalanche at an army border outpost in the Siachen sector (J&K) on 3 February but amazingly survived for 5 days and was later rescued on 8 February 2016.
– He was admitted at the Research & Referral Hospital of the Indian Army on 1) Lance Naik Hanamanthappa, the 9 February and was on ventilator since. brave-heart soldier of the Indian Army, His condition steadily deteriorated due passed away on 11 February 2016 after to multiple organ failure. battling for his life at an army hospital in New Delhi. He was rescued alive on ………………………………………………. the night of 8 February after being buried under 35 feet of snow for 5 days in Siachen. To which regiment of the Indian Army did he belong? – 19 Madras Regiment
Explanation: Hanamanthappa belonged to a farming family in 2) Setting the stage for the phased Betadur village, Kundagol taluk, elimination of malaria across the Dharwad district, Karnataka. country, the Union Govt. launched the National Framework for Malaria – Despite being rejected thrice in the Elimination (NFME) on 11 February Army recruitment rallies at Belagavi, 2016. What is the main objective of Dharwad and Gadag, Hanamanthappa this framework? – To eliminate kept on trying and finally managed to malaria by year 2027 from the get into the 19 Madras Regiment of
CURRENT AFFAIRS AFFAIRS CURRENT country, ahead of the WHO’s target of
the Indian Army 14 years ago.
2030
33 Page
Explanation: The Union Govt. launched Explanation: Around one lakh the ambitious National Framework for jewellery shops registered with over Malaria Elimination (NFME) on 11 300 different jewellery associations February 2016 which seeks to across the country observed one-day completely eliminate malaria in the strike on 10 February 2016 to protest country by year 2027. against norms that make it mandatory to quote PAN for any transactions of Rs – NFME is part of the 12th plan 2 lakh and above. This new rule was document and will be implemented for put into effect from 1 January 2016. the next five years. After five years, it will be halted briefly for a review and – According to leading jewellery re-started with the feedback received associations, this rule has put a from the agencies concerned. pressure on the sale of jewellery, particularly in the semi-urban and rural – Under NFME, people with fever will regions. With only 22.3 crore PAN be diagnosed with rapid tests and cards being issued, people residing in prompt treatment for those tested these areas jewelers finding it positive with malaria will be provided. extremely difficult to purchase In the first phase of the project, states jewellery as a result of which there had like Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal been a 30% dip in sales volumes since Pradesh and Punjab will be covered. 1 January 2016. – It will also focus on 11 endemic – Nearly 50% of gold jewellers’ states in the north-east and the tribal business generally originates from the belts in east and central India. small towns and thousands and PAN ………………………………………………. card availability in these areas is very 3) Around one lakh jewellery shops all low. This has struck the jewelers hard. over the country remained closed on ………………………………………………. 10 February 2016 to protest against
which central government rule that CURRENT AFFAIRS AFFAIRS CURRENT
came into effect from 1 January 2016?
– To mandatorily quote PAN for any 34
transactions of Rs. 2 lakh and above Page
– It is worth mentioning that malaria has shown significant drop recently with just around 273 people last year (2015) as compared to 562 deaths in 2014.
……………………………………………….
4) The girl child welfare programme 5) Which state became the first state ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ was in the country to record failure of extended to how many new districts winter crop, as announced by it on 10 by the Union Govt. on 10 February February 2016? – Karnataka 2016? – 61 districts Explanation: On 10 February Explanation: ‘Beti Bachao Beti Karnataka became the first state in the Padhao’, which is the flagship country to witness a disastrous winter programme of the Women and Child harvest this year after it requested Development Ministry, was launched central assistance of Rs.1,417 crore in additional 61 districts (covering 11 after rabi crop worth Rs.7,209 crore states) on 10 February 2016. The was damaged. The state government scheme was initially launched in 100 claimed that it has lost rabi crop in districts. more than 70% of the sown area.
– The 11 states are: Uttar Pradesh, – This development came at a time Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal when an unusually dry and warm Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Madhya winter has not only affected planting Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, across India, but also raised fears of Rajasthan and Uttarakhand. another failed crop, especially in – The programme, launched by Prime parched states such as Maharashtra Minister Narendra Modi in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. A failed rabi crop last year, seeks to improve the will mean the fourth consecutive crop failure for Indian farmers, coming on
CURRENT AFFAIRS AFFAIRS CURRENT declining trend of child sex ratio in
selected districts. the back of two failed kharif crops (in
35 2014 and 2015), interspersed with a Page
spate of unseasonal rains that – This series is part of Google parent damaged last year’s winter harvest in Alphabet’s efforts to attract users to its 15 states. paid service. The move will pit YouTube against video streaming ………………………………………………. pioneer Netflix. 6) What is the name of the ad-free – Although this premium service is premium version of the video presently not available in India, Google streaming site YouTube that was has left a back door for viewers to launched by the company on 10 watch the content. February 2016? – ‘YouTube Red Originals’ – YouTube Originals, which is a list of original series and movies from some Explanation: ‘YouTube Red Originals’ is of YouTube’s popular creators, in India an ad-free premium version of the can be viewed either via the Google Google-owned video streaming site Play Store or via YouTube. YouTube that also lets users save videos offline and play videos in background. It officially went live with its original movies from 10 February.
February 13, 2016
scientists on 11 February 2016 announced the detection of
Gravitational Waves. This announcement threw open a new window to the cosmos and to human understanding of space and time.
CURRENT AFFAIRS AFFAIRS CURRENT Which scientist had predicted the
existence of gravitational waves some
36 1) In a path-breaking development in 100 years ago? – Albert Einstein
Page the field of Physics, a group of
Explanation: The scientists of US- vibrations from passing gravitational based Laser Interferometer waves. Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) …………………………………………….. on 11 February 2016 claimed to have detected the sound of gravitational waves from the merger of two black holes.
– This collision of two black holes had been predicted but never observed. 2) History was created on 12 February – The discovery came after decades of 2016 when Pope Francis, the head of instrument research and development, the Roman Catholic churches, and and the collaborative efforts of around Patriarch Kirill, the supreme of the 1,000 scientists, 90 institutions and 15 Russian Orthodox churches, met at countries, including India. Havana’s José Martí International Airport in Cuba. This was the first – This was the first time a Binary Black meeting of the heads of the two Hole system has been directly Christian groups in around 1,000 years observed. The discovery, possibly the since the Great Schism shattered biggest scientific breakthrough of the Christendom. The Great Schism took century so far, radically expands the place in which year? – 1054 AD ways in which the cosmos can now be observed and understood. Explanation: The Great Schism (also called the East–West Schism) was the – The study of gravitational waves will event that broke the chord between offer scientists greater insights into the the Eastern Orthodox and the Roman
origin of the universe and how planets Catholic churches in 1054. The primary are created. reasons for this split between the two – LIGO is a system of two identical churches were – the source of the Holy
detectors located in Livingstone, Spirit, whether leavened or CURRENT AFFAIRS AFFAIRS CURRENT
Louisiana, and Hanford, Washington, unleavened bread should be used in
which were constructed to detect tiny the Eucharist and the Pope’s claim to 37
universal jurisdiction. Page
– Despite famine, religious wars, 3) The ministry of corporate affairs worldwide conflict and the spread of (MCA) ordered a merger between two civilization, the heads of the Roman entities on 12 February 2016 which Catholic and the Russian Orthodox was the first time that the government churches haven’t spoken since the forced a merger between two private Great Schism of 1054. entities, using a provision of the Companies Act that allows it do so in – But on 12 February Pope Francis and public interest? – Financial the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Technologies India Ltd (FTIL) and Church, Patriarch Kirill, met in Havana, National Spot Exchange Ltd (NSEL) Cuba and took historic steps for restoring ties between the two Explanation: The MCA on 12 February churches. 2016 ordered a merger between Financial Technologies India Ltd (FTIL) – Francis and Kirill also called for and its unit National Spot Exchange Ltd political leaders to act on the single (NSEL), making FTIL responsible for the most important issue of shared liabilities of the fraud-hit commodities concern between the Catholic and bourse. Orthodox churches today: the plight of Christians in Iraq and Syria who are – It’s Thus also became the first – ever being killed and driven from their instance of the Union Govt. forcing a homes by the Islamic State group. merger between two private entities, using a provision of the Companies Act – It is worth mentioning that the split that allows it do so in public interest. between the two churches nearly 1,000 years ago has festered over – FTIL, controlled by entrepreneur
issues such as the primacy of the pope Jignesh Shah, immediately said it will
and accusations by the Russian challenge the order in the Bombay Orthodox Church that the Catholic High Court. FTIL owns 99.99% of NSEL, Church tries to poach converts in on which trading was suspended after
Russia. a Rs. 5,574.35 crore fraud at the latter CURRENT AFFAIRS AFFAIRS CURRENT
came to light in July 2013. ……………………………………………..
38 …………………………………………….. Page
……………………………………………..
5) Delhi Government on 11 February 2016 announced bringing back the odd-even road rationing scheme once again for a period of 15 days. This scheme will put into effect from which 4) Which important 4-day event date? – 15 April 2016 associated with the birds in the country started from 12 February Explanation: Delhi Chief Minister 2016? – Great Backyard Bird Count Arvind Kejriwal announced bringing back the odd-even road rationing Explanation: The 4th edition of the scheme from 15 April 2016 for a period Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) of 15 days. The state govt. also India commenced from 12 September announced that the government is also 2016. The main objective of GBBC is to seriously thinking implementing the create an annual snapshot of the 15-day odd-even scheme every month. distribution and abundance of birds in the country. It is the part of a global – Two-wheelers and women motorists event associated with bird-watching would continue to be exempted from and bird-related activities. this scheme.
– Over 1,000 birdwatchers from across – The scheme aimed at curbing India are expected to take part in this pollution by halving the number of cars global event. More than 150 plying in the city was first implemented educational and other institutions are from 1 January to 15 January 2016. documenting their birds through the – The govt. claimed that the first phase
Campus Bird Watch. of odd-even scheme did not really shift – The data gathered from GBBC can people to Metro but was successful in provide the first sign that individual encouraging car-pooling.
species may be increasing or declining CURRENT AFFAIRS AFFAIRS CURRENT
from year to year.
39 Page
February 14-15, 2016
– This was the largest loss by a bank in the Indian banking history. The loss was primarily driven by a 463% increase in provisions towards bad loans which rose from Rs. 1,149 crore in the previous quarter to Rs. 6,474 crore. 1) Which public-sector bank on 12 – It is worth mentioning that the RBI February 2016 announced net loss of had asked PSU banks to treat some Rs. 3,342 crore for quarter ended troubled accounts as official bad loans December 2015, which is the largest and make adequate provisions. quarterly loss by a bank in the history – Among the worst performers, IDBI of Indian banking industry? – Bank of Bank made a loss of Rs. 2,184 crore, Baroda (BOB)
IOB Rs. 1,425 crore and Bank of India
Explanation: Bank of Baroda (BOB) Rs. 1,505 crore. posted a quarterly net loss of Rs. 3,342 …………………………………………. crore for the third quarter of 2015-16
(Sep-Dec), as compared to a profit of 2) Which team won the ICC Under-19 CURRENT AFFAIRS AFFAIRS CURRENT Rs. 333 crore in the same period of last World Cup 2016 by defeating India in
40 year. the finals on 14 February 2016? – West
Indies Page
Explanation: West Indies shocked …………………………………………. favourites India in the finals of 2016 ICC Under-19 World Cup that was played between the two countries on 14 February 2016 at Dhaka (Bangladesh). – Batting first, the Indian team was 3) ONV Kurup, who passed away on 13 bowled-out for a paltry 145 runs off February 2016, was a celebrated poet 45.1 overs. West Indies successfully and lyricist associated with which chased the winning target in 49.3 overs language? –Malayalam for the loss of 5 wickets. It is worth Explanation: Ottaplakkal Neelakandan mentioning that India was the only Velu Kurup (ONV Kurup) was one of undefeated team in the tournament. the most celebrated and respected – This was the maiden ICC U-19 World poet of Malayalam language. His Cup title for West Indies. influential presence existed for nearly seven decades in Kerala’s cultural – The ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup landscape. is an international cricket tournament contested by national under-19 teams. – As a poet and public figure, he was First contested in 1988, as the Youth associated with the political and World Cup, it was not staged again cultural Left all through his life. He also until 1998. Since then, the World Cup contested unsuccessfully as the Left has been held as a biennial event, Front candidate from the organised by the International Cricket Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha seat in
Council (ICC). India and Australia have 1989.
been the most successful teams in this – He received numerous awards for his tournament, having won the poetry, including the Sahitya Akademi tournament thrice each. Pakistan has prize (1975) and the Jnanpith Award
won the tournament twice, while (2007), and a dozen Kerala state film CURRENT AFFAIRS AFFAIRS CURRENT South Africa, England and now the awards for lyrics. He also received the West Indies have won it once.
41 Padma Shri (1998) and Padma Page
Vibhushan (2011), the fourth and with a huge opposition show-down second highest civilian honours from held on 13 February. the Government of India. – The Opposition claimed that the – He passed away on 13 February in government was suppressing the Thiruvananthapuram at the age of 84. voices of the people. This showdown was attended by senior opposition …………………………………………. leaders including Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi.
…………………………………………. 4) What is the name of the President of the Jawaharlal Nehru University Student’s Union (JNUSU) who was arrested on charges of sedition on 12 February 2016 resulting in a huge 5) An Associate Justice of the US showdown between the Union Govt. Supreme Court died on 13 February and the Opposition? – Kanhaiya 2016. What was the name of this judge Kumar who served in the US Supreme Court Explanation: Kanhaiya Kumar, the for almost 30 years and whose death president of Jawaharlal Nehru set up a major political showdown University Student’s Union (JNUSU) between President Barack Obama and was arrested by the police on 12 the Republican-controlled Senate? – February 2016. He was arrested on Justice Antonin Scalia charges of sedition one day after a Explanation: 78-year old Justice
controversial event organized on the Antonin Scalia passed away at the campus against the hanging of Afzal Cibolo Creek Ranch resort in West Guru. Texas on 13 February 2016. He served – The arrest of Kanhaiya Kumar upped on the nation’s highest court for nearly
CURRENT AFFAIRS AFFAIRS CURRENT the Opposition ante over the BJP-led 30 years. He was appointed to the
National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Court by President Ronald Reagan in 42
1986. Page
– Scalia had a “larger-than-life Explanation: Picasa is an image presence” in the US judiciary and was organizer and image viewer application known for his strident conservative primarily for organizing and editing views and theatrical flair in the digital photos. courtroom. But his death setup a big – It was originally created by a showdown between President Obama company called ‘Lifescape’ in 2002 but and the Republican-controlled Senate, was acquired by Google in July 2004. over who will replace him just months Google started offering Picasa as a before a presidential election. freeware and it went on to become the – Justice Scalia was the longest-serving most famous photo editing organizer judge in the Court. It is worth application in the world. mentioning that once appointed, the – But Google introduced its own photo judges in the US Supreme Court have service named ‘Google Photos’ on 28 life tenure unless they resign, retire, May 2015 and now wishes to focus take senior status, or are removed entirely on it. after impeachment (though no justice has ever been removed). – So on 12 February Google announced that it was discontinuing Picasa, – Scalia was one of the eight associate effective 15 March 2016, and focusing justices in the US Supreme Court apart on Google Photos as its successor. from Chief Justice John Roberts. Picasa Web Albums, a companion …………………………………………. service will be closed on 1 May 2016.
6) Internet search giant Google on 12 – It is worth mentioning that while February 2016 announced that with Picasa was more suited for desktop
the objective of fully focusing on applications, ‘Google Photos’ provides ‘Google Photos’ service it will shut more functionality and works across down its photo editing service that has mobile and desktop. been in service for over a decade.
What is the name of this famous photo CURRENT AFFAIRS AFFAIRS CURRENT editing service? – Picasa
43 Page
February 16, 2016
its warships and submarines in the Pakistani port of Gwadar and the Sri Lankan port of Hambantota and Colombo, causing ripples in the Indian administration.
– Maldives is a strategically important country for India in the IOR. India 1) India’s newest and most modern reiterated its commitment to train the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya, along archipelago’s military and help it in with its support ships INS Mysore and maritime surveillance. India is also INS Deepak, reached Maldives’ capital likely to help Maldives in setting up 10 Male on 15 February 2016 on a 4-day coastal surveillance radar system visit. What is the objective of this visit (CSRS) stations. of Indian Navy’s ships? – To thwart the – INS Vikramaditya, one of the two Chinese Navy from making any aircraft carriers of the Navy, is capable strategic in-roads into the Indian of operating a versatile range of high- Ocean Region performance aircraft, such as the MiG- Explanation: This visit is part of the 29K fighters, KM 31 AEW helicopters, overall policy to shape a favourable multi-role Sea-Kings and utility maritime environment in the Indian Chetaks. Ocean Region (IOR) with both presence ………………………………………………… and engagement. 2) The Urban Development Ministry on – India has been looking to counter the 15 February 2016 unveiled the list of Chinese aggression in the IOR as the
CURRENT AFFAIRS AFFAIRS CURRENT India’s cleanest cities that were China is now viewing the ocean region surveyed for sanitation and hygiene
44 as its own backyard. An emboldened conditions as per ‘Swachh Survekshan-
Page Chinese Navy had previously anchored
2016’. Which city topped this list? – – The bottom 10 cities are: Kalyan Mysuru Dombivili (Maharshtra-ranked 64), Varanasi (UP), Jamshedpur Explanation: Mysuru in Karnataka (Jharkhand), Ghaziabad (UP), Raipur remained the cleanest city in the (Chhattisgarh), Meerut (UP), Patna country as disclosed in the list of 73 (Bihar), Itanagar (Arunachal Pradesh), major cities surveyed for sanitation Asansol (West Bengal) and Dhanbad, scenario last month. Results of ranked 73. ‘Swachh Survekshan-2016’ were released by the Minister of Urban – The rankings reflect progress made in Development M.Venkaiah Naidu on 15 the strategy for open defecation-free February 2016. towns and integrated solid waste management, among others. – It is worth mentioning that last year Mysuru was ranked as the cleanest city ………………………………………………… in the country among 476 cities with 3) What is the name of given to the population of at least one lakh. biggest military exercise of its kind – The top 10 cities in terms of being held from 15 February 2016 for sanitation and hygiene in order of rank which 20 armed forces from Arab, are: Mysuru, Chandigarh, Tiruchirapalli Islamic and friendly countries (Tamil Nadu), New Delhi Municipal assembled in Saudi Arabia? – “North Council, Visakhapatnam (Andhra Thunder” Pradesh), Surat, Rajkot, both in Explanation: “North Thunder” is the Gujarat, Gangtok (Sikkim), Pimpri name given to the biggest military Chindwad and Greater Mumbai, both exercise of its kind in terms of the from Maharashtra.
number of participating countries and – Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh), military equipment that commenced at Surat and Rajkot, both form Gujarat the King Khaled Military City (KKMC) in and Gangtok (Sikkim) improved their Saudi Arabia from 15 February 2016.
ranks to break into top 10 clean cities CURRENT AFFAIRS AFFAIRS CURRENT
– This exercise features 20 countries in this year’s survey.
from Arab, Islamic and countries 45
friendly to Saudi Arabia. These Page
countries are – Saudi Arabia, UAE, gateway as announced on 15 February Jordan, Bahrain, Senegal, Sudan, 2016? – mRUPEE Kuwait, Maldives, Morocco, Pakistan, Explanation: mRUPEE, a subsidiary of Chad, Tunisia, Comoro Islands, Tata Teleservices, on 15 February Djibouti, Oman, Qatar, Malaysia, announced a tie-up with Indian Egypt, Mauritania, and Mauritius. Railway Catering and Tourism – “North Thunder” involves fighter jets Corporation (IRCTC), India’s largest e- of different models, a wide range of commerce company, to provide an artillery, tanks, infantry, air defense additional payment gateway. systems, and naval forces in a – This tie-up will allow users one-tap simulation to reflect the highest level payments for rail ticket bookings via of preparedness of the 20 participating mRUPEE wallet for a significant countries. number of travellers. – The exercise aims to send a clear – mRupee expects that the tie-up with message that Saudi Arabia, its sister, IRCTC will not only give railway brotherly and friendly countries joining customers the ease of quick and the maneuver are standing together in convenient booking, but also give a the face of all challenges to preserve thrust to the government’s mandate of peace and stability in the region and enhancing wider adoption of digital the world at large. money in India. – Saudi Arabia is currently leading a ………………………………………………… military campaign against Iran-backed rebels in Yemen. In December, it also 5) What is the name of the 7th joint
announced formation of a 35-member military training exercise between the
alliance against terrorism. Indian Army and the Seychelles People’s Defence Forces (SPDF) that ………………………………………………… started at Seychelles Defence Academy
4) Indian Railway Catering and Tourism (SDA) from 15 February 2016? – CURRENT AFFAIRS AFFAIRS CURRENT
Corporation (IRCTC) tied up with which Lamitye 2016 wallet subsidiary of Tata Teleservices 46 Explanation: Lamitye is the name given to provide an additional payment
Page to the joint military training exercise
that takes place between the armies of – ‘Lamitye 2016’ is being conducted at India and Seychelles. Both the Seychelles Defence Academy (SDA), countries have been conducting joint Victoria, Seychelles from 15 February exercises since 2001 under the to 28 February 2016. The Seychelles ‘Lamitye’ series. ‘Lamitye’ means People’s Defence Forces (SPDF) is friendship in Creole (local dialect of being represented by 20 personnel Seychelles). from Tazar (Special Forces Unit) and 32 from Seychelles Infantry. The Indian – The exercise is conducted biennially contingent comprises of an Infantry with the aim of enhancing military platoon and representatives from the cooperation and interoperability Special Forces. between the two countries.
February 17, 2016
Explanation: The Electronic Development Fund (EDF) will provide risk capital to companies developing new technologies in electronics, nano- electronics and information technology. The fund will also be used
to acquire foreign companies and 1) In a bid to kick-start manufacturing technologies that are required for in the electronics sector in the country, building hi-tech capabilities within
the Union Govt. on 15 February India launched a Rs. 10,000 crore – The Department of Electronics and development fund specifically targeted Information Technology will be the at the semiconductor industry. What is anchor investor. Canbank Venture
the name of this fund? – Electronic CURRENT AFFAIRS AFFAIRS CURRENT
Capital Fund, a subsidiary of state-run Development Fund (EDF)
lender Canara Bank, has been
47 Page
appointed the implementation agency dominated the 12thSAF Games by for EDF. winning 308 medals (188 gold, 90 silver, 30 bronze). – The Centre will contribute Rs. 2,200 crore, while the balance will be – Sri Lanka were a distant second with brought in by private entities. The 25 gold, 63 silver and 98 bronze while Centre has already provided Rs. 169 Pakistan ended at third with 12 gold, crore to the four companies, while the 37 silver and 57 bronze. India, in fact, VC firms are investing close to Rs. bagged more than three-fourth of the 1,000 crore. total 239 gold medals on offer in 23 disciplines. ………………………………………………… Final Medals Tally
Rank Country Gold Silver 1 India 188 90 2 Sri Lanka 25 63 3 Pakistan 12 37 4 Afghanistan 7 9
5 Bangladesh 4 15 2) The 2016 South Asian Games (SAG) 6 Nepal 3 23 concluded on 16 February 2016 with a 7 Maldives 0 2 grand closing ceremony held at Guwahati’s Indira Gandhi Athletic 8 Bhutan 0 1 Stadium. India grabbed an Total 239 240 310 unprecedented 188 gold medals and …………………………………………………
stamped its superiority as an unrivalled 3) SEBI Chairman UK Sinha’s tenure
region sporting power. Which country was extended by the Union Govt. for came second in the medals tally? – Sri how much time as disclosed on 15 Lanka February 2016? – One year Explanation: India, hosting the Games
CURRENT AFFAIRS AFFAIRS CURRENT Explanation: The government on 15
for the third time after Calcutta (1987) February 2016 extended U.K. Sinha’s
48 and Madras (1995), overwhelmingly tenure as the chairman of the Page
Securities and Exchange Board of India University. His name was selected by (SEBI) for a year. With this, the govt. President Pranab Mukherjee from opted for continuity at a time of among four persons. Last week, the domestic and global market volatility. Human Resource Development (HRD) ministry had forwarded the four names – The appointments committee of the to the President who, as Visitor of cabinet approved extension for Sinha Central Universities, makes the final from 18 February 2016 to 1 March selection. 2017 or until further orders, whichever is earlier. – The other names on the panel were JNU professor Rameshwar Nath Kaul – Sinha, a 1976 batch Indian Bamezai, former IIT professor and Administrative Service (IAS) officer of UPSC member Hemchand Gupta and the Bihar cadre, assumed office as Bidyut Chakraborty, a professor in the chairman of the capital market DU Political Science department. regulator on 18 February 2011. Initially appointed for a three-year term, he ………………………………………………… was later given a two-year extension. 5) Ramesh Chauhan, Chairman, Bisleri – With the extension, Sinha has International, came to news as he become the second longest serving announced his re-entry into the SEBI chief after D.R. Mehta, who was carbonated drinks category, nearly 22 at the helm for seven years ending in years after selling his brands to Coca 2002. Cola. What is the name of the new carbonated drink he is launching very ………………………………………………… soon? – Bisleri Pop 4) Who was appointed as the new
Explanation: Ramesh Chauhan’s Vice-Chancellor of Delhi University company Bisleri International is (DU) on 15 February 2016 after his introducing Bisleri Pop in four variants: name was selected by President Bisleri Limonata, Bisleri Fonzo, Bisleri Pranab Mukherjee from among four
Pina Colada and Bisleri Spyci, from this CURRENT AFFAIRS AFFAIRS CURRENT
persons? – Yogesh Kumar Tyagi month, in all the major cities.
49 Explanation: Yogesh Kumar Tyagi is the
Page Dean of the Law Faculty at South Asian
– Bisleri Pop took eight months to media such as television and digital to develop and Chauhan is expected to attract youngsters. put all his experience to ensure it clicks – The Rs. 13,000-14,000 crore soft in the marketplace. Once known as drinks market in India is dominated by India’s cola king, he had sold his Coca-Cola India and PepsiCo. They carbonated drink portfolio comprising straddle the beverage pyramid with of iconic brands such as Thums Up, carbonated and non-carbonated Gold Spot and Citra, to the Coca Cola drinks. Ironically, Thums Up, launched Company in 1993. by Chauhan when Coca-Cola first – The launch of Bisleri Pop portfolio exited India in 1977, remains the will be accompanied by an outdoors largest cola brand in Coca-Cola’s campaign, subsequently moving to portfolio. February 18, 2016
highest since 2010-11 when the EPF savings earned a 9.5% rate of return.
– The financial audit and investment committee (FAIC) of EPFO in January 2016 said its earnings in 2015-16 has the potential to offer a rate of 8.95%.
1) What is the interest rate on – It is worth mentioning that EPFO provident fund savings for 2015-16 as distributes interest rate as per the
announced by the Employees’ income generated from its investments
Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) on every year and does not take money 16 February 2016? – 8.8% from the government.
Explanation: The new rate is a ………………………………………………….. marginal increase from the 8.75%
CURRENT AFFAIRS AFFAIRS CURRENT 2) The Union Govt. came out with
interest rate paid in 2014-15. In fact, which major policy announcement 50
the 8.8% interest rate on EPF is the regarding interest rates of all small Page
saving schemes on 16 February 2016? February 2016, was a citizen of which – It announced recalibrating the country? – Egypt interest rates of all small saving Explanation: Boutros Boutros-Ghali schemes on a quarterly basis from 1 was the 6th Secretary General of the April United Nations and served this coveted Explanation: The Union Govt. decided post from 1 January 1992 to 31 to do away with the higher interest December 1996. income earned through Kisan Vikas – He was not only the first Arab to Patras (KVPs) and other small saving serve as UN Secretary General, but schemes below five years of maturity. also the first to serve only one term in With this move it expects to help bring the post. Ghali led the UN during one down bank lending rates. However, it of its most difficult times, with crises in retained the interest rates of social Somalia, Rwanda, the Middle East and security schemes for girls and senior the former Yugoslavia. citizens. – His five years were dogged by – From now on the interest rates of all controversy. During the Rwandan small saving schemes will be genocide in 1994, he was criticised for recalibrated on a quarterly basis from the UN’s failure to prevent the 1 April and will be notified on 15 massacre. March for the April-June quarter. – His opposition to NATO’s bombing ………………………………………………….. campaign in Bosnia had also angered the United States (US), and contributed to his ousting. The US
wielded its veto when Boutros-Ghali sought a second term, which he regarded as a personal betrayal.
– Serving as Egypt’s foreign minister CURRENT AFFAIRS AFFAIRS CURRENT 3) Boutros Boutros-Ghali – the former under President Anwar el-Sadat, he played a key role in negotiating the
51 Secretary General of the United
Nations (UN), who passed away on 16 Page
Camp David agreement brokered by – It sets the objective of increasing the US president Jimmy Carter. exports to 40% of total production (from Rs. 61,000 crore to Rs. 3,00,000 – He died at a Cairo hospital on 16 crore) by 2025, enabling India’s share February at the age of 93. of global exports in capital goods to ………………………………………………….. increase to 2.5% and making the 4) Union Govt. unveiled the first-ever country a net exporter of capital policy for the country’s capital goods goods. sector on 15 February 2016. What are ………………………………………………….. the three most important objectives of 5) Which Indian defence production this policy? firm was selected by BAE Systems Plc. Three primary objectives of the as its business partner for the Capital Goods Policy: proposed in-country assembly, – To create an ecosystem for a globally integration and test (AIT) facility for competitive capital goods sector to the M777 Ultra Lightweight Howitzer, achieve total production in excess of as announced on 16 February 2016? – Rs 7.5 lakh crore by 2025 from the Mahindra Defence current Rs 2.3 lakh crore Explanation: Mahindra Defence, the – Increase the share of capital goods in defence production firm of the total manufacturing activity from 12% Mahindra Group, was chosen as the at present to 20% by 2025 Indian partner for BAE Systems Plc.’s nearly $700 million deal for the supply – To create 21 million additional jobs of 145 M777 Howitzers, which are
by 2025 ultra-light weight artillery guns having
Explanation: The National Policy on a strike range of 25 km. Capital Goods is envisaged to unlock – Last year, BAE developed and the potential of this promising sector submitted a US government-supported
and establish India as a global proposal offering a higher degree of CURRENT AFFAIRS AFFAIRS CURRENT manufacturing powerhouse. indigenisation on the M777 weapon
52 system. The highlight of this proposal Page
was the commitment to establish – BAE Systems Plc. is a British Assembly, Integration & Test (AIT) multinational defence, security and capabilities in India in partnership with aerospace company headquartered in a domestic Indian company. London.
February 19, 2016
– TPA aims to expedite the movement, release and clearance of goods, including goods in transit, for international trade. For this purpose, it sets out measures for effective cooperation between customs and other appropriate authorities on trade
facilitation and customs compliance 1) The Union Cabinet gave its approval issues. to the World Trade Organization’s – According to the WTO, full (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement implementation of TFA could increase (TFA) on 17 February 2016. TPA seeks global merchandise exports by up to to ease customs procedures to boost $1 trillion annually. The overall boost commerce. India has thus become to world export growth has been …………country to approve TPA – 71st estimated at 2.7% per annum. Explanation: India on 17 February
……………………………………………………. 2016 became the 71st country to give its approval to the World Trade 2) The Securities and Exchange Board Organization’s (WTO) Trade Facilitation of India (SEBI) on 17 February 2016 Agreement (TFA). To implement this constituted a committee for disposing
CURRENT AFFAIRS AFFAIRS CURRENT ambitious agreement, two-thirds of of the land purchased by PACL Ltd in
the total members, or 107 countries, order to refund people who have
53 have to approve it. invested in the company’s various Page
funds for purchase of land. Who was 3) Google’s e-mail service G-mail on 17 appointed the head of this committee? February 2016 launched an option – Justice R.M. Lodha (Ex-Chief Justice under which e-mail users of other of India) services such as Yahoo! Mail or Hotmail/Outlook.com will be able to Explanation: The committee was use features of Gmail despite not formed after the Supreme Court having an email account on Gmail. ordered SEBI to do so to carry out the What is the name of this new service refund process to PACL’s investors. option? – ‘Gmailify’ While Justice R.M. Lodha is heading the committee, S. Raman, a whole- Explanation: The ‘Gmailify’ option links time member of SEBI, and Amit the existing non-Gmail account to Pradhan, the chief general manager Gmail so that those accounts will and regional director of SEBI’s North function like native Gmail accounts. Regional Office, will be the two The process of the so-called members working for the committee. ‘Gmailifying’ actually started last March when the company began – On 2 February, SEBI had penalized allowing its users to link their Gmail PACL and nine of its directors a total accounts with their Yahoo! and of Rs.23.32 crore for allegedly violating Outlook accounts so that all of their SEBI norms on collective investment emails could be accessed from a single schemes (CIS) and illegally screen. This feature has now been mobilizing Rs.49,100 crore from expanded. investors between 1996 and 2014. – With this launch, Google has made – SEBI had said in an order that the sure that all non-Gmail accounts look company and its directors had been and act more like Gmail – aside from mobilizing funds from general public the domain name. through CIS since 1996 without a legitimate licence from it. – Gmailify will be currently available on the Gmail app on Android and will be
……………………………………………………. CURRENT AFFAIRS AFFAIRS CURRENT
made available to iOS users later.
54 …………………………………………………….
Page
5) Who was appointed as the new Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL), the nation’s 4) Japanese two-wheeler giant Honda third-largest oil marketing company on Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) 17 February 2016? – M.K. Surana started its fourth plant in India on 17 Explanation: The Appointments February 2016. This plant is the world’s Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) on 17 largest scooter manufacturing site with February approved the proposal of the production capacity of 1.2 million two- Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas wheelers per annum. Where is this for the appointment of M.K. Surana as plant situated? – Vithalapur (Gujarat) the Chairman and Managing Director Explanation: HMSI’s fourth plant is (CMD) of HPCL. situated at Vithalapur (near Mehsana) – Surana is currently the chief in Gujarat. This huge plant is just 15 km executive officer of Prize Petroleum from Suzuki Motor Corporation’s Co, the upstream oil exploration arm upcoming plant in the state. of HPCL. He will replace Nishi Vasudeva – Spread over 250 acres, the on her retirement at the end of March Vithalapur facility has come up in just 2016. 13 months with an investment of ……………………………………………………. nearly Rs 1,100 crore. Initially, the plant would produce around 600,000 6) Ustad Abdul Rashid Khan, who scooters per annum which would be passed away in Kolkata on 18 February scaled up to 1.2 million scooters per 2016, was an eminent – Hindustani
annum by mid-2016. classical vocalist
– HMSI claimed that its fourth plant in Explanation: Ustad Abdul Rashid Khan India has created job opportunities for was an eminent vocalist of Hindustani
3,000 people (directly and indirectly). music. Apart from khayal, he CURRENT AFFAIRS AFFAIRS CURRENT
performed dhrupad, dhamar and
……………………………………………………. thumri. He was associated with the 55
traditional Gwalior gharana and had Page
imbibed the Gwalior Gayaki from his – He was 107. He was the oldest elders. person ever to be conferred a Padma award when he received the award – A recipient of Padma Bhushan in from President Pranab Mukherjee in 2013 and Sangeet Natak Akademi 2013 at the age of 105. award, he was a resident guru at the ITC Sangeet Research Academy in Kolkata for the past 20 years.
February 20, 2016
Minister Amit Mitra as chairman of the Empowered Committee of state finance ministers. This was announced on 19 February 2016 by Minister of State for Finance Jayant Sinha.
– Mitra, belonging to the Trinamool Congress (TMC), has been the finance minister of West Bengal since 2011, when his party came to power in the 1) On 19 February 2016 who was state. Prior to taking over as the state’s appointed the Chairman of the finance minister, Mitra had held the Empowered Committee of state post of Secretary General at industry lobby, the Federation of Indian
finance ministers that represents all states and will play a crucial role in Chambers of Commerce and Industry implementing the goods and services (FICCI). tax (GST)? – Amit Mitra (West Bengal – The Empowered Panel will play a role Finance Minister)
CURRENT AFFAIRS AFFAIRS CURRENT in putting together the final contours
Explanation: The Union Govt. of GST’s design, spearheading its 56
appointed West Bengal Finance implementation and achieving Page
consensus on some of the differences President’s Rule was revoked in the between states as well as between the state. Centre and the states. – Prior to this, both factions of the – The post fell vacant in November Congress, one headed by Pul and the 2015 after the previous incumbent, other by former Chief Minister Nabam K.M. Mani, stepped down as Kerala Tuki, had staked their claim to form a finance minister following corruption new government in the State. allegations. – At present, the dissenting Congress – The government will miss the 1 April faction consists of 21 leaders. Since 2016 deadline for rolling out GST but is they have the support of 11 BJP MLAs, hopeful of doing so sometime later in they have the numerical majority in the next fiscal year. the 50-member Assembly.
…………………………………………………………. – The total strength of the Arunachal . Pradesh Assembly is 50 seats.
– Tuki, whose authority was challenged by the party rebels, however, questioned the formation of a government without his approval. He
claimed that with the revocation of 2) What is the name of the rebel MLA President’s Rule, power would have to of Arunachal Pradesh belonging to be restored to him and the former Congress, who was appointed the new government should be reinstalled. Chief Minister of state on 19 February ………………………………………………………….
2016? – Kalikho Pul . Explanation: Congress rebel Kalikho 3) In a bid to acquire the capability to Pul became 8th Chief Minister of launch heavier satellites into orbit, the Arunachal Pradesh after he was sworn Indian Space Research Organisation’s
CURRENT AFFAIRS AFFAIRS CURRENT in by Governor Jyoti Prasad Rajkhowa (ISRO) received a big boost on 19 on 19 February 2016 a few hours after 57 February 2016 as it successfully
Page conducted the hotbed test of the
cryogenic engine. This long duration test was conducted at the ISRO Propulsion Research Centre that is situated in –Mahendragiri (Tamil Nadu) 4) What is the name of the former RBI Explanation: ISRO conducted the executive who was named as the chief successful hotbed test of the cryogenic executive officer (CEO) of Paytm’s engine for the upper stage of the GSLV payments bank on 19 February 2016? Mark 3 rocket at ISRO Propulsion – Shinjini Kumar Research Centre at Mahendragiri Explanation: Shinjini Kumar, who is (Tamil Nadu) on 19 February 2016. This currently a director at research and test lasted 640 seconds and was consultancy firm termed as a phenomenal achievement PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), will in the shortest time by ISRO chairman join Alibaba-backed mobile wallet A.S. Kiran Kumar. Paytm’s payments bank as chief – The high-thrust cryogenic engine executive officer (CEO). (CE20) used in the test was developed – Shinjini Kumar served as deputy at the Liquid Propulsion System centre general manager at the RBI for 15 (LPSC) in Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala). years from 1992 to 2007 before she The engine had already undergone two moved to Bank of America (BOI) as its short-duration tests for engine ignition country compliance head. She joined and steady state performance. PwC in October 2010.
– The biggest rocket made in India, the – Mobile wallet and e-commerce
Mk3 will be capable of launching four- company Paytm (One97
tonne satellites into geosynchronous Communications Ltd) received in- orbit. principle nod from RBI to set up a …………………………………………………………. payments bank last year. While Paytm
. was expected to launch the bank by CURRENT AFFAIRS AFFAIRS CURRENT April 2016, the plan was delayed and it
58 is now looking at a launch timeline of
the second half of this year. Page
…………………………………………………………. Prize for Fiction in 1961. It remains a . bestseller, with more than 30 million copies in print. In 1999, it was voted 5) Nelle Harper Lee, the Pulitzer Prize “Best Novel of the Century” in a poll by winning American novelist passed the Library Journal. away on 19 February 2016. What was the title of her iconic novel of 1960 – Though Harper Lee had only that made her famous all over the published this single book, in 2007 she world? – ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her contribution to Explanation: ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ literature. was published on 11 July 2060. It was an immediate bestseller and won great critical acclaim, including the Pulitzer
February 21-22, 2016
2016 to decide on the issue of country’s choice – whether it will remain part of the European Union (EU) or exit from it. British Prime Minister David Cameron made this 1) What is the proposed date for announcement on 20 February 2016 in holding the historic referendum in the Downing Street after briefing the
United Kingdom to decide whether the Cabinet.
country remains in the European – PM Cameron said he would be Union (EU), as announced by Prime campaigning to remain in a reformed Minister David Cameron on 20 EU and described the vote as one of
February 2016? – 23 June 2016 the biggest decisions in UK’s lifetime.
CURRENT AFFAIRS AFFAIRS CURRENT
Explanation: The UK will hold the – The referendum date announcement
59 important referendum on 23 June came after renegotiations on the UK’s Page
relationship with Europe were finalised edition of SIBAT-FICCI event on on 19 February 2016 after intense defence and security. wrangling at a two-day summit in – The seminar will highlight the huge Brussels. potential to cooperate under PM – A British exit from the EU would rock Narendra Modi’s ‘Make in India’ the Union. The organisation has initiative and will deal with the new already been shaken by differences Defence Procurement Procedure for over migration and the future of the 2016, with a special focus on JVs euro zone, by ripping away its second- between industries in Israel and India. largest economy, one of its top two – More than 500 business-to-business military powers and by far its richest meetings are taking place during the financial centre. seminar. Both countries’ defence – UK has been the part of the EU since establishments and industries have 1973. been partnering for many years in various areas. This will be the fourth …………………………………………………… joint seminar for SIBAT and FICCI in 2) In an important initiative about 25 recent years. Indian and 100 Israeli firms came – Another seminar, dedicated to together for a unique business seminar armoured vehicles, is expected to take on defence and security in Israel. The place in Chennai later this year. 5-day seminar started on 21 February 2016 and will mainly focus on …………………………………………………… increasing collaborations and JVs between the MSME ministries on both
sides. Which Indian trade entity is associated with this event? – FICCI
Explanation: The Indo-Israel defence
seminar is organised jointly by SIBAT,
3) What important and interesting CURRENT AFFAIRS AFFAIRS CURRENT
the Israeli defence ministry, the trend in India’s petroleum imports was International Defence Cooperation 60 witnessed recently as reported in the
Directorate and FICCI. This is the fourth Page
data released by Thomson Reuters Oil Exporting Countries (OPEC) the upper Research & Forecasts during February hand in India. 2016? – India’s oil imports from Saudi …………………………………………………… Arabia and Iraq hit the highest in more than a decade during January 4) Who struck the fastest ever century 2016 in Test cricket on 20 February 2016 to overtake the joint record of West Explanation: During January 2016 Indies’ Viv Richards and Pakistan’s country import of oil from Saudi Arabia Misbah-ul-Haq? – Brendon McCullum and Iraq hit the highest in more than a (New Zealand) decade as OPEC’s top producers gained at the expense of Latin Explanation: Brendon McCullum struck American crude exporting countries. the fastest ever test century on 20 February 2016 against Australia as he – Saudi Arabia was the top supplier to reached the three-digit mark in just 54 India in January, with volumes jumping balls on the first day of the second and 29% from the same month a year ago final Test Match against Australia at to nearly 940,000 barrels per day Hagley Oval Christchurch. (bpd). – This knock beat the mark of 56 balls – Just behind was Iraq at 930,000 bpd, set by West Indies great Sir Viv up 52% from January levels last year. Richards against England in 1986, and The daily rates from both were at their equalled by Pakistan’s Misbah-ul-Haq highest since at least 2001. in 2014. – In contrast, total imports from Latin – What was important about this America fell by a quarter in January knock was this was the farewell Test
from a year ago to 706,000 bpd. for McCullum. This was the 101st Test – India is the world’s third-largest for him and the century was the 12th of crude oil importer. Competitive prices his career. and shorter shipping distances are
…………………………………………………… CURRENT AFFAIRS AFFAIRS CURRENT
giving the Middle East members of the
Organization of the Petroleum
61 Page
Managing Director for a second five- year term starting on 5 July 2016.
– Lagarde, who has been a former French finance minister, took the IMF’s top spot in mid-2011 after its former managing director Dominique Strauss- 5) Who was re-appointed as IMF’s Kahn was arrested in New York under Managing Director for a second five- rape allegations. She is the first-ever year term on 19 February 2016? – woman to reach this post since the Christine Lagarde institution’s inception in 1944.
Explanation: The Executive Board of – She is known to have steered the IMF the International Monetary Fund (IMF) through some troubled times including on 19 February selected 60-year-old the European financial crisis. Christine Lagarde to serve as IMF February 23, 2016
which village of Chhattisgarh? – Kurubhat
Explanation: The ‘National Rurban Mission’ was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Kurubhat, a
town in Rajnandgaon district of
1) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Chhattisgarh.
21 February 2016 launched the ‘National Rurban Mission’, an – The term ‘Rurban’ used in the name of the mission is the culmination of ambitious scheme that seeks to rural and urban. The mission is transform rural areas to economically,
CURRENT AFFAIRS AFFAIRS CURRENT expected to reduce pressure on the
socially and physically sustainable cities and provide a new avenue to the spaces. The mission was launched from
62 village people. It aims at curbing Page
migration of youth from villages to Haryana. Seeing the continuous spread cities. and ferocity of the movement the Union Govt. on 21 February stated that – Under the ‘National Rurban Mission’ a bill will be brought in the coming 300 rural centers, catering to at least session of the Haryana assembly to four adjoining villages each, will be give Other Backward Caste (OBC) developed as urban clusters with status to Jats in the state. modern facilities. 100 such centres are targeted to be developed this year – Apart from this, a 5-member itself. The mission was approved by committee under Parliamentary Affairs the govt. during September 2015. minister M.Venkaiah Naidu was formed by the Union Govt. to examine (Photo Courtesy: MapsofIndia) the quota demand for the community ……………………………………………. in government jobs.
– Other members of this committee are – Union ministers Mahesh Sharma and Sanjeev Balyan and BJP vice- presidents Satpal Malik and Avinash Rai Khanna.
……………………………………………. 2) Yielding to pressure from agitating Jats, the Union Govt. on 21 February 3) What is the name of the mobile 2016 set up a five-member committee application (app) launched on 22 to examine the quota demand for the February 2016 by Union Minister of community in government jobs. Who State for Tourism & Culture Mahesh
was made head of this committee? – Sharma that facilitates visitors to post M.Venkaiah Naidu photos of unclean tourist areas near 25 monuments? – “Swachh Parayatan” Explanation: The agitation started a
few days ago by Jat community seeking Explanation: “Swachh Parayatan” is CURRENT AFFAIRS AFFAIRS CURRENT
Other Backward Caste (OBC) status for the name of the mobile app that was
the community turned violent with launched on 22 February 2016 under 63
death of at least 10 persons in the ‘Clean India – Clean Monuments’ Page
initiative of the Tourism Ministry. India’ is held at which place? – Visitors can use the app to post photos Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu of unclean tourist areas near 25 Explanation: Mahamaham is a Hindu monuments. festival celebrated every 12 years in – 25 ‘Adarsh Smarak’ monuments the Mahamaham tank located in protected by the Archaeological Survey Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu. Hindus of India (ASI) have been identified for consider taking a holy dip at the inclusion in the app. The application Mahamaham tank on the day of would be scaled up to include more Mahamaham as sacred. monuments as the campaign expands. – To take part in this auspicious festival – This mobile app enables a citizen to lakhs of devotees from all over the take photograph of garbage at the country had camped in Kumbakonam. monument and upload the same along – Last Mahamaham was held on 6 with his/her remarks. The application March 2004 while next event will be then sends an SMS to the ASI Nodal held in 2028. Officer concerned with the monument upon receipt of which the Nodal ……………………………………………. Officer gets the garbage 5) Which franchisee won the Hockey cleared/removed. India League (HIL) title for 2016 by ……………………………………………. winning the final on 21 February 2016? – Jaypee Punjab Warriors
Explanation: Chandigarh-based Jaypee Punjab Warriors (JPW) defeated
Kalinga Lancers by 6-1 in the finals played at the Birsa Munda Hockey 4) The once-in-12-years Stadium (Ranchi) on 21 February to Mahamaham festival, witnessed by win the 2016 Hockey India League (HIL)
over 12 lakh devotees, was held on 22 title. CURRENT AFFAIRS AFFAIRS CURRENT February 2016. This event, popularly – Armaan Qureshi, Matt Gohdes and
64 known as the ‘Kumbh Mela of South
Satbir Singh scored a field goal each for Page
the Warriors while skipper Moritz – Hockey India League (HIL) is the top- Fuerste scored the Lancers’ lone goal most professional hockey league in of the match. The unique feature of India featuring top hockey players all the tournament was that each field over the world. It was first staged in goal counted for two. 2013. This was the fourth edition of Hockey India League (HIL). – It is worth mentioning that JPW had lost the final in the last two seasons. Kalinga Lancers had qualified for the knockouts for the first time in the HIL. February 24, 2016
just a political call away as the submarine has successfully passed all sea-worthiness tests necessary for its formal induction.
– The 6,000 tonne INS Arihant was built under the Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) project at the Ship 1) What is the name of India’s first Building Centre (SBC) in nuclear armed submarine Visakhapatnam (AP). The sea-tests for (indigenously-built) that has recently the submarine were also conducted at successfully completed several deep Visakhapatnam. It is the first of five sea diving drills as well as weapons nuclear missile submarines or SSBNs launch tests conducted over the past planned for induction. five months and is ready to be – The submarine will be powered by an inducted in the Indian Navy? – INS 83 megawatts (111,305 hp)
Arihant pressurised light-water reactor with CURRENT AFFAIRS AFFAIRS CURRENT Explanation: India’s first nuclear enriched uranium fuel.
65 armed submarine INS Arihant’s
Page induction into the Indian Navy is now
– At present, work is already in – The government has been struggling progress on two more Arihant class to meet the disinvestment target of Rs. submarines at the SBC, 69,500 crore for the financial year Vishakhapatnam which will be larger 2015-16. With about 40 days left in the and more advanced than the first boat. financial year, the government has managed to realise only Rs.13,330 ……………………………………………………… crore through divestment which is less than 20% of the budgeted target.
– Prior to this, the government divested its holdings in five other PSUs – Rural Electrification Corporation (Rs.1,608 crore), Power Finance 2) Union Government started 5% Corporation (Rs.1,671 crore), Dredging disinvestment of its stake in which PSU Corporation of India Ltd (Rs.53.33 entity on 23 February 2016? – NTPC crore), Indian Oil Corporation (Rs.9,369 crore) and Engineers India (Rs.640 Explanation: 5% stake sale of Union crore). Government in NTPC through the offer-for-sale (OFS) route was started ……………………………………………………… from 23 February 2016. The sale is expected to garner Rs. 5,029 crore at a floor price of Rs.122 per share.
– The institutional bidders purchased
shares on 23 February while retail 3) Leading Indian automobile company
investors will get opportunity to buy NTPC stocks on 24 February. The retail Tata Motors renamed its new investors have 20% of the shares hatchback ‘Zica’ following its reserved for them. The quota for resemblance to the Zika virus, as
institutional bidders was subscribed announced by the company on 22 CURRENT AFFAIRS AFFAIRS CURRENT fully on the first day. February 2016. What is this new
66 name? –‘Tiago’ Page
Explanation: The new name for Zica Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to settle was selected following a Indian government debt papers in crowdsourcing hunt for a new name. overseas market. What will be the The company had decided to rename main benefit of employing this model the car, which was showcased at the of settling Indian debt overseas? – It Auto Expo 2016 in New Delhi in will ensure that clearing of the debt February, following its similarity to the happens in India using Indian brokers Zika virus and custodians
– Tiago became the chosen name from Explanation: Finance minister Arun the final three entries – Tiago, Civet Jaitley in the Union Budget 2014-15 and Adore – that were opened up for had proposed allowing international audience voting as part of the settlement of Indian debt securities. campaign to rename Zica. Libi Thomas Euroclear is in final negotiations with was announced the winner of this the finance ministry and the RBI to campaign. make Indian government debt securities Euroclearable in 2016-17. – Tata Motors has decided to rename Zica on 2 February and had launched – Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) the contest (campaign) on 5 February using Euroclear platform to trade in 2016. The decision to re-brand the car Indian debt securities will not have to was taken due to its resemblance with register in India for clearing and the ‘Zika’ virus that spread across settlement of their investments. many countries. The virus was put in – International trading and settlement the same category of concern as Ebola will enable foreign investors to by the World Health Organisation transact in Indian securities but settle (WHO). in dollars or other international ……………………………………………………… currencies, thereby increasing access and flexibility in order to widen the 4) According to recent media reports, investor base.
World’s largest securities settlement CURRENT AFFAIRS AFFAIRS CURRENT system Belgium-based Euroclear has ………………………………………………………
67 agreed to a model suggested by the Page
– Stan Chart’s problems began to emerge in 2012, when after a decade of rising profits the bank was hit by 5) Leading international bank Standard U.S. regulatory fines and the start of a Chartered (Stan Chart) reported an prolonged downturn in emerging annual loss in many years on 23 markets and commodity prices on February 2016 as hefty restructuring which much of its fortunes depend. costs and weak commodity prices took their toll on the bank. When was the – The deteriorating environment in last time Stan Chart reported an emerging markets caused the bank’s annual loss? – 1989 gross level of non-performing loans to jump from $7.5 billion at the end of Explanation: Stan Chart, a bank now 2014 to $12.8 billion by end-2015. focusing on lending in the emerging markets, slumped to a headline pretax – Unable to reverse the trend, previous loss of $1.5 billion during 2015. This CEO Peter Sands was ousted in was the first-ever annual loss for the February last year and was replaced by bank since 1989. former JPMorgan investment banker Bill Winters. – Loss emerged after accounting for costs from redundancies and impairments on bad loans.
February 25, 2016
1) Which initiative pertaining to electoral reforms would be implemented in the 2019 General Elections, as announced by Chief
CURRENT AFFAIRS AFFAIRS CURRENT Election Commissioner (CEC) Nasim
Zaidi on 23 February 2016? – Paper
68 trail-based EVMs Page
Explanation: Polling for 2019 General Explanation: A panel headed by Prime Elections will be conducted through Minister Narendra Modi on 23 paper trail-based electronic voting February 2016 selected former Chief machines to enhance transparency. Justice of India (CJI) H.L. Dattu for the This announcement was made by CEC post of the Chairperson of the National Nasim Zaidi on 23 February 2016. Human Rights Commission (NHRC). The meeting was also attended by Lok – The paper audit trail machine or Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail Home Minister Rajnath Singh, leader of (VVPAT) was first introduced by the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Commission in 2013 in order to Nabi Azad and Deputy Chairman of enhance transparency in the polls Rajya Sabha P J Kurien. process and increase electorate’s confidence that their vote goes – Dattu had retired as the CJI on 2 without error to their desired December 2015. candidate. – The post of NHRC chairperson had – Once the vote is polled, the VVPAT been lying vacant since May 2015 after linked EVM immediately takes a Justice K G Balakrishnan completed his printout and it is preserved for later nearly five-year-long tenure. use to tally in case there is a dispute in – Under the Protection of Human the final result. Rights Act, 1993, the President …………………………………………………… appoints the chairperson and members of the NHRC on the recommendation of a committee
comprising the Prime Minister, Lok
Sabha Speaker, Union Home Minister, 2) Who was chosen as the next leaders of Opposition in Lok Sabha and chairperson of the National Human Rajya Sabha, and Deputy Chairman of
Rights Commission (NHRC) on 23 Rajya Sabha. CURRENT AFFAIRS AFFAIRS CURRENT February 2016 by a committee headed ……………………………………………………
69 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi? – H
Page L Dattu (former Chief Justice of India)
4) Who took over as the new Director of the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) on 23 February 2016? – K. N. Vyas
Explanation: K. N. Vyas is a
Distinguished Scientist and Associate 3) Which country’s Parliament became Director, Reactor Projects Group of the the World’s first to run fully on solar Bhabha Atomic Research Centre power on 23 February 2016? – (BARC). On 23 February he took over Pakistan as BARC’s new Director by replacing Explanation: Pakistan Prime Minister Dr. Sekhar Basu. Nawaz Sharif on 23 February 2016 – Basu is the Chairman, Atomic Energy inaugurated the 80 MW solar power Commission (AEC) and Secretary to the system, which provides 62MW to Government of India, Department of country’s Parliament in Islamabad and Atomic Energy. a surplus 18MW to the national grid. With this Pakistan became the first – The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre country to have fully solar-power (BARC) is India’s premier nuclear backed Parliament building. research facility based in Trombay, Mumbai (Maharashtra). The primary – The project was completed in seven importance of BARC is as a research months at a cost of Rs. 280.61 million. centre. First announced in 2014, the venture was funded by China as an act of ……………………………………………………
friendship. It was officially launched 5) With 139th global rank in the
during President Xi Jinping’s visit last 18th Annual Quality of Living Survey, year. which city for the second consecutive – The project is the first project of its time emerged as the best city to live in
kind in a public building in Pakistan. India in the list released by global CURRENT AFFAIRS AFFAIRS CURRENT
consulting major Mercer on 23
…………………………………………………… February 2016? – Hyderabad
70 Page
Explanation: Mercer’s 18th Annual consulting major Mercer’s 18th Annual Quality of Living Survey (2016) placed Quality of Living Survey that was Hyderabad at top in the Indian cities to released on 23 February 2016? – emerge as the best city to live in India. Vienna and Baghdad However, none of the Indian city Explanation: Austrian capital Vienna managed to find a place among the retained its place as the world’s best top-100. city to live while Baghdad (Iraq) – Hyderabad is ranked 139th (one place emerged as the worst city to live in in down from last year) globally, while the list of global 230 cities compiled by national capital Delhi moved down six Mercer. places to 161st rank, lowest among the – In the top-five positions globally, seven Indian cities on the list of 230 Vienna (Austria) is followed by Zurich places. (Switzerland), Auckland (New Zealand), – Pune is at 144th place, followed by Munich (Germany) and Vancouver Bangalore at 145th, Chennai at 150th, (Canada). Mumbai at 152nd and Kolkata at – London is ranked lower at 39th, Paris 160th among the Indian cities, as per is at 37th, while New York is at the list compiled by Mercer. Pune has 44th place. In Asia-Pacific, Dhaka (214) moved up one place since last year, is ranked at the lowest place. while Mumbai has retained its position.
……………………………………………………
6) Which cities emerged as the world’s
best and worst cities to live in global
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71 Page
February 26, 2016
90% to 92%. It means that the Railways will spend Rs. 92 to earn Rs. 100 in financial year 2016-17.
………………………………………………………… ………..
2) Two new Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs) were announced in 1) Union Rail Minister Suresh Prabhu the Rail Budget 2016-17. These new presented the Rail Budget for 2016-17 DFCs – North-South, East-West and on 25 February 2016. The main feature East Coast, will connect which places of the budget was that there was no respectively? increase in passenger as well as freight Explanation: charges. The Rail Minister conceded a) North-South will join Delhi to that the impact of the 7th Pay Chennai Commission award will affect the Railways severely. What the proposed b) East-West will join Kharagpur to Operating Ratio is for 2016-17 as Mumbai announced in the Budget? – 92% c) East Coast will join Kharagpur to Explanation: Operating ratio is a Vijayawada measure of efficiency that denotes the – The Rail Budget proposed to put amount spent for earning every Rs.100
these three projects on high priority to of revenue. The lower the ratio, the ensure structuring, award and better it is. It is a key figure to implementation in a time-bound understand the operational efficiency manner.
of an organisation. CURRENT AFFAIRS AFFAIRS CURRENT
For all other important questions on The operating Ratio for 2015-16 was Rail Budget: Click Here
72 90%. Thus it has deteriorated from Page
………………………………………………………… – If the child the types something ……….. ‘unsuitable’ for kids, one of Kiddle’s aliend droids would come hob-nobbing with the message “Oops, looks like your query contained some bad words. 3) Internet search giant Google Please try again!” launched the much awaited ………………………………………………………… customized search engine for children ……….. on 24 February 2016. What is the 4) Union Govt. appointed which three name of this search engine that will officers as Information Commissioners include features like safe search, kid- at the Central Information Commission oriented results, big thumbnails, large (CIC) on 24 February 2016? – Amitava fonts, and modified privacy settings? – Bhattacharyya, Bimal Julka and Divya ‘Kiddle’ Prakash Sinha Explanation: Entering the search site, Explanation: Amitava Bhattacharyya, one finds ‘Kiddle’ written in the 1980 batch IAS officer; Bimal Julka, characteristic colourful Google style. 1979 batch IAS officer and Divya There is also a red droid alien waiting Prakash Sinha, 1979 batch IPS officer to answer all queries. were appointed Information – Safe sites and pages written Commissioners at the Central specifically for kids, which will be Information Commission (CIC) by the handpicked and checked by Kiddle Union Govt. on 24 February 2016. editors, would usually be featured in – Amitava Bhattacharyya was the Staff the first three results.
Selection Commission (SSC) Chairman. – The next rung would include safe, – Bimal Julka retired as Secretary, trusted sites that are not written Information and Broadcasting Ministry. specifically for kids, but have content He also worked as a Financial Adviser
written in a simple way, easy for kids CURRENT AFFAIRS AFFAIRS CURRENT
and Special Secretary in the External to understand.
Affairs Ministry.
73 Page
– D.P. Sinha, who retired from the post Shanghai came in fourth and fifth with of Secretary (Security) in the Cabinet 64 and 50, respectively. Secretariat, was earlier a Special – Mumbai had the highest number of Director with the Intelligence Bureau. billionaires in India while Mukesh He has served the Intelligence Bureau Ambani, Chairman of Reliance in various capacities, in North-East Industries (RIL), once again emerged as States and Delhi. the richest Indian with a personal ………………………………………………………… wealth of $26 billion. ……….. – The study, which comes months after 5) The Chinese capital Beijing has reports suggested China now has more become the home to the most billionaires than the United States, billionaires in the world as disclosed in highlights how China’s elite are a report released on 24 February 2016 continuing to accrue vast wealth by Hurun, a Shanghai firm that releases despite a wobbling stock market and yearly rankings. According to this tepid economy. report Beijing overtook which city to ………………………………………………………… achieve this status for the first time? – ……….. New York
Explanation: According to Hurun’s latest report on number of billionaires worldwide, with as many as 100 Beijing billionaires, Beijing now has overtaken
New York as the ‘World Billionaire
Capital’. During the same period New 6) Hindi film actor Sanjay Dutt was
York had 93 billionaires. released from Pune’s high-security Yerwada Central Jail on the morning of – Beijing took the title from New York 25 February 2016. He came out after minting 32 new billionaires last approximately how many months
year, while New York gained four. CURRENT AFFAIRS AFFAIRS CURRENT
before his actual five-year term for his Moscow came in third place, with 66 role in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts? 74 billionaires, while Hong Kong and
– 8 months Page
Explanation: In 2013, Dutt was prison term. His jail term was also sentenced to 5 years of imprisonment. mired in controversy in which he spent He had already served 18 months more than three months on furloughs behind the bars after being jailed in and paroles. 1996, and so was ordered to serve the – The actor was arrested in April 1993 remaining 42 months. But he spent 8 and later convicted for illegal months less than his stipulated term possession of an automatic assault on grounds of ‘good behaviour’. rifle, a part of cache of arms and – 56 year old Sanjay Dutt has often ammunition that landed ahead of the been accused of being given 1993 Mumbai serial blasts in which preferential treatment during his 257 people were killed.
February 27, 2016
economy, is prepared by which official? – Chief Economic Adviser
Explanation: The Economic Survey for 2015-16, prepared by Chief Economic Adviser Arvind Subramanian termed India as a “haven of stability” and an 1) Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley “outpost of opportunity” amidst tabled the Economic Survey for 2015- gloomy international economic
16 in the Parliament on 26 February landscape.
2016. The Survey primarily called for Main conclusions of Economic Survey fiscal prudence and stable inflation, 2015-16: while acknowledging the risks to
growth. Economic Survey, which is – The Survey expects India’s GDP to CURRENT AFFAIRS AFFAIRS CURRENT often known as the flagship document growth at 7-7.75% during 2016-17
75 pertaining to the direction of country’s Page
– The Govt. is expected to achieve to invest unclaimed redemption and fiscal deficit target of 3.9% of GDP dividend amounts in separate liquid during 2015-16 and money market schemes.
– The Survey argued for adhering to – For the same AMCs would have to 3.5% fiscal deficit target during 2016- start such schemes specifically for 17 deploying amounts unclaimed by investors. AMCs will, however, not be – Consumer price or retail inflation is permitted to charge any exit load in seen around 4.5 to 5% in 2016-17 as such MF plans that are specifically against 4.9% between April to January launched to allow deployment of 2016 unclaimed amounts. – India’s current account deficit is seen – In order to ensure AMCs play a pro- around 1-1.5% of GDP during 2016-17 active role in tracing owners of the ……………………………………………… unclaimed amounts, the fund 2) The SEBI on 25 February 2016 managers will be required to provide relaxed mutual fund norms to allow on their AMC websites a list of names asset management companies (AMCs) and addresses of investors in whose to invest unclaimed redemption and folios there are unclaimed amounts. dividend amounts in separate liquid ……………………………………………… and money market schemes. What was 3) The Union Cabinet on 24 February the pertaining norm till now? – It was 2016 took which important decision allowed to be parked only in call pertaining to payments made through money market or money market debit and credit cards, or over instruments
internet, for public services? – It Explanation: At present, the money decided to do away with levying from unclaimed redemptions and surcharge on such payments dividends is allowed to be parked only Explanation: The move to abolish
in call money market or money market CURRENT AFFAIRS AFFAIRS CURRENT
surcharge on payments made through instruments. The Securities and debit and credit cards, or over 76 Exchange Board of India (SEBI) on internet, for public services aims at
Page relaxed this rule and allowed the AMCs
reducing cash transactions. This will will thus become the first officer who help in increasing cashless transactions is not from the Indian Navy to have for public services. been elevated to the position.
– Decision to promote debit/credit – Till now it has been the tradition that cards and digital payments will help the commissioned officers of the check the menace of black money. Indian Navy held the top post of Indian Cashless transactions have been on the Coast Guards. Rajendra Singh will rise in India, but remain modest in succeed Vice Admiral HCS Bisht who comparison to cash payments. has been promoted as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern – Levy of surcharges on card payments Naval Command. is seen as one important reason for slow growth for card payments. – Indian Coast Guard was established in 1978 with the objective of ……………………………………………… protecting India’s maritime interests and enforces maritime law, with jurisdiction over the territorial waters of India.
……………………………………………… 4) Rajendra Singh was appointed as the new Director General (DG) of the Indian Coast Guard on 25 February 2016. What is an important fact
associated with his appointment for
this post? – He becomes the first non- 5) Bhavarlal Hiralal Jain, who passed navy officer to head the Indian Coast away on 25 February 2016, was a Guard renowned pioneer and entrepreneur associated with which field? – Drip Explanation: Rajendra Singh, the
irrigation and farming CURRENT AFFAIRS AFFAIRS CURRENT
present additional DG of the force, will
take over as the new DG of Indian 77
Coast Guard on 29 February 2016. He Page
Explanation: 79-year old Bhavarlal Jain – His efforts helped bring millions of was the founder-chairman of Jalgaon- acres of barren and fallow land under based Jain Irrigation. cultivation. His success was recognised by the Harvard Business School which – He built his business on the had a case study on the company. foundation of inclusiveness and sustainability over the past five – He was awarded the Padma Shri in decades. He established his billion 2008. dollar company (Jain Irrigation)
engaged in drip irrigation and was a champion of the small farmer. February 28-29, 2016
contract to build the 1,320-megawatt (MW) thermal power station in Khulna in southern Bangladesh on 28 February 2016. This contract is worth $1.6 billion.
– It would be the biggest foreign project by an Indian power firm, 1) In an important development for eclipsing a plant already built in India, state-run power goods Rwanda and a planned one in Sri manufacturer Bharat Heavy Electricals Lanka. Ltd (BHEL) on 28 February 2016 sealed
a contract to build a huge power plant – China’s Harbin Electric International
in a neighboring country, beating out a Company Ltd, which has power Chinese competitor. This $1.6 billion projects in Iran, Turkey and Indonesia contract was won for which country by among others, lost the bid on technical
BHEL? –Bangladesh grounds.
CURRENT AFFAIRS AFFAIRS CURRENT
Explanation: After years of – The Indian government’s external
78 negotiations, BHEL finalized the lending arm, the EXIM Bank, has Page
backed up BHEL’s offer with nearly – The state has successfully linked all 70% funding of the project’s costs at a villages in the state with broadband soft interest rate of around 1% above connectivity under the National Optical Libor, the leading global benchmark for Fibre Network (NOFN) project. It is first pricing transactions. state in country to do so.
– India and China have stepped up bids ……………………………………………………. for infrastructure projects in the region in recent years, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi pushing for a greater engagement with smaller neighbours after years of neglect.
……………………………………………………. 3) Which mine became India’s first 2) Which state was declared country’s gold mine to be auctioned after it was digital state by President Pranab auctioned to Vedanta Resources Inc. Mukherjee on 27 February 2016? – on 26 February 2016? – Baghmara Kerala (Chhattisgarh)
Explanation: Kerala became India’s Explanation: The Baghmara mine is first fully digital state after it was spread across an area of 608 hectares formally declared a digital state by the in a densely forested pocket of the President Pranab Mukherjee on 27 Balodabazar-Bhatapara district, about February. 130 km northeast of Raipur. Based on the exploration and available reports, – Kerala has a mobile tele-density of the mine has an estimate reserve of 95% and Internet covered over 60% of
2,700 kg of gold metal. the population. With broadband connectivity in every Gram Panchayat, – The mine, also known as Sonakhan, Kerala has emerged as a truly digital was put up for auction by the State. The state now had over 600 e- Chhattisgarh state government.
CURRENT AFFAIRS AFFAIRS CURRENT London-listed Vedanta Resources Inc. governance applications covering
almost all departments, and delivering bagged the rights for the mine after it 79
e-services. quoted the highest price to get it. Page
– The company quoted the highest bid – Infantino had entered the of 12.55% of the IBM price at Rs presidential race when it became clear 74,712 per troy ounce (1 troy ounce = that Michel Platini, boss of European 31.10 gram) to win the gold mine. The football’s governing body UEFA, could auction would fetch Rs 80 crore to the not stand. state exchequer in addition to existing ……………………………………………………. royalty. 5) India’s first gender equality ……………………………………………………. convergence centre (called ‘Gender Park’) was inaugurated by President Pranab Mukherjee in which city on 27 February 2016? –Kozhikode (Kerala)
4) Who was chosen as the new Explanation: Spread over 24-acres, President of football’s global governing complex has been christened as the body FIFA on 26 February 2016? – “Thantedam Gender Park”. The Gianni Infantino (Switzerland) foundation stone of the park was laid Explanation: Gianni Infantino, the on 8 March 2013. President of UEFA, succeeded fellow – ‘Gender Park’, an initiative of Kerala’s Swiss Sepp Blatter as President of Social Justice Department, was world football’s governing body FIFA inaugurated on 27 February. It seeks to after he won the election held for the bring together the state, academia and post on 26 February 2016. civil society on a common platform to – Infantino polled 115 votes, 27 more address gender issues. than closest rival Sheikh Salman bin – A dedicated gender Institute at the Ebrahim al-Khalifa. Prince Ali bin al- park would focus on research and Hussein (four votes) and Jerome capacity development in ensuring an Champagne (0) were third and fourth inclusive society. The institute would
CURRENT AFFAIRS AFFAIRS CURRENT respectively. Second round of election
cover issues pertaining to all three was held as the first round of voting genders as per the 2015 gender and
80 failed to determine an outright winner. Page
transgender policies of the state – The Ranji Trophy final was played government. from 24 to 26 February 2016 at Pune. Having allowed Mumbai to score 371 ……………………………………………………. from 268 for 9, Saurashtra suffered a 6) Mumbai defeated Saurashtra to win top-order brain freeze to lose the final. the prestigious Ranji Trophy title for Saurashtra were bowled out for 115 in 2015-16 on 26 February 2016. With 48.2 overs. this title win, Mumbai has now won – The Ranji Trophy is a domestic first- how many Ranji Trophy titles? – 41 class cricket championship played in Explanation: This was the 41st Ranji India between teams representing title won for Mumbai, which has been regional cricket associations. The the most successful team in competition currently consists of 27 tournament’s history. teams, with 21 of the 29 states in India Karnataka/Mysore is the second most and Delhi. successful team with 8 titles under its
belt.
CURRENT AFFAIRS AFFAIRS CURRENT
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