Current Affairs MCQs – 8 - 12 August 2018 “Get Unlimited Mock Tests at Rs. 299 Only” For Daily Updates Follow Our Telegram Channel and Group: https://t.me/govjobadda https://t.me/bank_ssc_preparation Q1. __________ has become the 11th Biosphere Reserve from India that has been included in the UNESCO designated World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR) A. Pachmarhi B. Khangchendzonga C. Great Nicobar D. Dibru-Saikhowa Answer: B Explanation: The Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve has become the 11th Biosphere Reserve from India that has been included in the UNESCO designated World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR). The decision to include Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve in WNBR was taken at the 30th Session of International Coordinating Council (ICC) of Man and Biosphere (MAB) Programme of UNESCO held at Palembang, Indonesia, from July 23-27, 2018. India has 18 Biosphere Reserves and with the inclusion of Khangchendzonga, the number of internationally designated WNBR has become 11, with 7 Biosphere Reserves being domestic Biosphere Reserves. Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve in Sikkim is one of the highest ecosystems in the world, reaching elevations of 1, 220 metres above sea-level. It includes a range of ecolines , varying from sub-tropic to Arctic, as well as natural forests in different biomes, that support an immensely rich diversity of forest types and habitats. Q2. The government has appointed ________ as part-time directors on the Reserve Bank of India board. A. Satish Marathe B. Subhra Das C. Himanshu Patwala D. None of these Answer: A Explanation: The government has appointed Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) affiliate S Gurumurthy and Satish Marathe as part-time directors on the Reserve Bank of India board. Both appointments are for a four-year term. With the two appointments, RBI‟s board now has 10 government-appointed members. This is the first time Gurumurthy has been appointed as an RBI director. Q3. The 3rd India-Nepal Coordination meeting held in A. Mumbai B. New Delhi C. Kathmandu D. Pokhara Answer: B Explanation: The 3rd India-Nepal Coordination meeting held in New Delhi. A seven-member delegation from Nepal, headed by Inspector General of Nepal Armed Police Force Shailendra Khanal taking part in the three-day meeting. During the meeting, several important matters like security scenario along the border, coordination meetings at field level, sharing of information about crimes and criminals, training of armed police personnel and mutual visits by officers of two countries will be discussed. Q4. ____ announced entering into a strategic partnership with Reliance Money, to offer instant app-based personal loans, via LazyPay. A. PayU B. Instamojo C. PayPal D. None of these Answer: A Explanation: PayU India announced entering into a strategic partnership with Reliance Money, leading NBFC brands in India, to offer instant app-based personal loans, via LazyPay. The loan amount will start from as low as Rs. 100 and will extend up to Rs. 1,00,000 with a duration varying from 15 days to 24 months. Q5. United India Insurance Company announced the appointment of ______ as its Director and General Manager. A. S Gurumurthy B. S Gopakumar C. Satish Marathe D. Akshay Jain Answer: B Explanation: Public sector non-life insurance firm United India Insurance Company announced the appointment of S Gopakumar as its Director and General Manager with immediate effect. Prior to taking up the new role, Gopakumar was serving GIC Housing Finance Ltd as its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer. Q6. DMK chief M Karunanidhi who passed away recently was ____ time Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. A. 5 B. 6 C. 4 D. 3 Answer: A Explanation: DMK chief M Karunanidhi - five-time Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu died at a hospital in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. He was 94. He served as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for almost two decades over five terms between 1969 and 2011. Before entering politics he worked in the Tamil film industry as a screenwriter. He has also made contributions to Tamil literature, having written stories, plays, novels, and a multiple-volume memoir. He was popularly referred to as Kalaignar, meaning artist in Tamil. Q7. Centre sets up group of ministers (GoM) headed by ______ to decide on Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) talks. A. Arun Jaitley B. Rajnath Singh C. Suresh Prabhu D. Piyush Goyal Answer: C Explanation: The government has set up a four-member group of ministers (GoM) headed by trade minister Suresh Prabhu to advise prime minister Narendra Modi on whether to continue with or withdraw from the 16-member Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) negotiations. The GoM also includes finance and power minister Piyush Goyal, defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman and housing and urban affairs minister Hardeep Puri. The GoM will also help India fine tune its strategy for the upcoming RCEP ministerial meet on 30 and 31 August in Singapore. Q8. Suresh Prabhu launched ______ app that provides a wide range of information required to undertake international trade. A. Niryas Mitra B. Niryam Mitra C. Niryan Mitra D. Niryat Mitra Answer: D Explanation: Union Minister of Commerce & Industry and Aviation Suresh Prabhu launched Niryat Mitra – mobile App in New Delhi. The app developed by the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) is available both on Android and on IOS platforms. It provides a wide range of information required to undertake international trade right from the policy provisions for export and import, applicable GST rate, available export incentives, tariff, preferential tariff, market access requirements – SPS and TBT measures. The most interesting part is that all the information is available at tariff line. The app works internally to map the ITC HS code of other countries with that of India and provides all the required data without the users bothering about the HS code of any country. Presently the app comes with the data of 87 countries. Q9. India‟s gross domestic product (GDP) to grow by ____% in 2019-2020, according to International Monetary Fund (IMF). A. 7.3% B. 7.4% C. 7.5% D. 7.6% Answer: C Explanation: India‟s gross domestic product (GDP) to grow by 7.3% in the 2018-19 fiscal and 7.5% in 2019-2020 on the strengthening of investment and robust private consumption, according to International Monetary Fund (IMF). The International Monetary Fund (IMF), in the report published, said the near-term macroeconomic outlook for India is “broadly favourable.” Headline inflation is projected to rise to 5.2% in fiscal year 2018/19, as demand conditions tighten, along with the recent depreciation of the rupee and higher oil prices, housing rent allowances and agricultural minimum support prices. The current account deficit is projected to widen further to 2.6% of the GDP on rising oil prices and strong demand for imports, offset by a slight increase in remittances. Q10. The Ministry of HRD has embarked on a major and new initiative Project called ___ to provide one integrated platform and portal for online courses. A. SWAYAM B. SWAYAN C. SWAYAS D. SWAYA Answer: A Explanation: The Ministry of HRD has embarked on a major and new initiative Project called 'Study Webs of Active Learning for Young Aspiring Minds' (SWAYAM). It will provide one integrated platform and portal for online courses. This covers all higher education subjects and skill sector courses. The objective is to ensure that the every student in our country has access to the best quality higher education at the affordable cost. Academicians from hundreds of institutions throughout the country are involved in developing & delivering MOOCs through SWAYAM in almost all disciplines from senior schooling to Post Graduation wherein it is intended to develop world class content. The Hon`ble President of India on 9th July, 2017 launched the SWAYAM platform, which can be reached at “htttp://swayam.gov.in”. At present about 1550+ MOOCs courses are listed on SWAYAM of which 800+ courses are already delivered. About 34 Lakhs students have enrolled in these courses. It is intended to host about 2000 courses and 80000 hours of learning material, within two years: covering school, undergraduate, post-graduate, engineering, law and other professional courses. It is expected to support 3 Crores users in the next few years. This information was given by the Minister of State (HRD), Dr Satya Pal Singh in a written reply to a Rajya Sabha question. Q11. International Day of the World's Indigenous People's is observed on A. 7 August B. 8 August C. 9 August D. 10 August Answer: C Explanation: The International Day of the World's Indigenous People's is observed on 9 August each year to promote and protect the rights of the world‟s indigenous population. 2018 Theme: Indigenous peoples‟ migration and movement. Q12. ________ was elected as the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. A. BK Hariprasad B. Harivansh Narayan Singh C. PJ Kurien D. None of these Answer: B Explanation: NDA candidate and JD(U) leader Harivansh Narayan Singh was elected as the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. Harivansh got 125 votes as against opposition‟s BK Hariprasad who polled 105 votes. He succeeds leader PJ Kurien who retired from the House on July 1. Harivansh Narayan, a journalist-turned-politician is a first-time lawmaker and is considered close to JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar. Before being elected to the Upper House, his only stint in politics was during the tenure of former PM Chandra Shekhar, who chose him as a political adviser. Q13. ______________ Sworn in as new Colombian president. A. Juan Manuel Santos B. Ivan Duque Marquez C. Carlos Holmes Trujillo D. None of these Answer: B Explanation: Colombia's Ivan Duque Marquez took oath as the country's 60th president.