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Current Affairs

A publication of

Nirdeshak.com

Classified

Current Affairs

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February 2013

February 2013

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01 Current Affairs - January 20131) Afzal Guru, convicted in the Parliament attack in 2001, was hanged at 8 am on 9 February 2013 in

Tihar Jail, Delhi. Death sentence awarded to him by a special court in 2002 was upheld by the Supreme

Court in which year? 2004 (His mercy petition was rejected by President Pranab Mukherjee on 4

February 2013, which was the third rejection of mercy petition by the President, other two mercy

petitions were that of Ajmal Kasab and Ningappa Natikar, who was sentenced to death for murderinghis wife and daughter)

2) What was the name given to the operation of executing Afzal Guru? Operation Three Star

3) The Defence Ministry on 12 February 2013 ordered a CBI probe into corruption allegations in the Rs.

3,546 crore deal to procure VVIP helicopters for the Indian Air Force (IAF) after Guiseppe Orsi, the CEO of

the Italian firm supplying them, was arrested for his suspected role in arranging bribes to bag the

contract. What is the name of the Italian firm which was supplying these helicopters? Finmeccanica

(The deal was for supplying Augusta Westland helicopters for the IAF)

4) The Centre on 20 February 2013 notified the final award of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal(CWDT), under which Tamil Nadu would be given 419 TMC of water and Karnataka would be given 270

TMC of Cauvery water. In which year this tribunal had unanimously given this award? in 2007 (CWDT

was set up in June 1990 and comprised of Justice N P Singh, N S Rao and Sudhir Narain and had in a

unanimous award in February 2007 determined the total availability of water in the Cauvery basin at

740 thousand million cubic (TMC) feet at Lower Coleroon Anicut)

5) The Supreme Court on 7 February 2013 directed Karnataka Govt. to release 2.44 tmcft. of water to

Tamil Nadu after accepting the report of a commission on this matter. Which commission submitted its

comprehensive report to the Supreme Court on Cauvery dispute between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka?

The Central Water Commission CWC (the commission prepared its report after visiting Thanjavur,

Nagapattinam and Thiruvarur on February 5 2013. Supreme Court also rejected Tamil Nadus plea for

releasing 9 tmcft. of Cauvery water)

6) The trial in the Delhi gangrape case began on 5 February 2013. This case started in which fast-track

court of Delhi? In the special fast-track court of Additional Sessions Judge Yogesh Khanna

7) Which locality of Hyderabad was targeted in the two blasts that shook the city on 21 February 2013,

in which 16 persons died and many were injured? Dilsukhnagar (This locality technically comes under

Rangareddy district but is part of Greater Hyderabad and is perceived as part of the city by the city

populace)

8) The Supreme Court on 6 February 2013 said that SEBI is free to freeze accounts and seize properties

of its two companies for defying court orders by not refunding Rs 24,000 crore to investors. Which two

companies of Sahara Group are involved in this issue? - Sahara India Real Estate Corporation (SIREC)and Sahara Housing Investment Corporation (SHIC)

9) On 6 February 2013 UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi launched a new universal child health screening

for birth defects and deficiencies that can lead to disabilities. Where was this new programme

launched? Palghar, a tribal block in Thane district of Maharashtra (This programme was launched
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02 Current Affairs - January 201310) On 1 February 2013, a special meeting of the union cabinet approved the Centres decision to

promulgate an ordinance to implement recommendations of the JS Verma panel to fight crimes

against women. What is the name of the amendment bill which was introduced in the Parliament

pertaining to this issue? - The Criminal Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2012 which was introduced in the Lok

Sabha on 4 December 2012 by Home Minister Shushil Kumar Shinde

11) The Ministry of Defence on 15 February 2013 initiated action for cancellation of contract for

procurement of 12 Augusta Westland 101 (AW 101) helicopters, which were to be used for VVIP

travel. This was done in light of Italian investigators unearthing the role of middlemen and the alleged

kickbacks in this deal worth Rs. 3,546 crore. The AW 101 helicopter is a company based in which

country? The United Kingdom (UK)

12) Indias Defence Ministry during February 2013 cleared the proposal for setting up of a mountain

strike core along Indias border with which country, in which fresh accretion of close to 89,000

soldiers and 400 officers is involved? China (The new strike core is expected to come in Panagarh,

West Bengal, along with two more divisions)

13) How many labour unions/associations gave a united call for General Strike on 20 and 21

February 2013, which witnessed incidents of violence and losses worth about Rs. 26,000 crore, as

estimated by ASSOCHAM? 11 (The call for general Strike was given against the alleged anti-labour

economic policies of Union Govt.)

14) Uttar Pradesh Govt. constituted a committee to enquire into the stampede at Allahabad railway

station on 10 February 2013, in which 36 persons died, most of whom were pilgrims returning from

Shahi Snan at the ongoing Kumbh at Allahabad. Who was appointed as the head of this committee?

Jagan Mathews, Chairman, Revenue Council (More than 3 crore pilgrims had assembled at the

main bathing day of Kumbh, the Mauni Amavasya, which led to heavy accumulation of passengers

after the bathing festivities)

15) Indias first all-women judicial magistrates court (JMC) started functioning in which town of West

Bengal during the first week of February 2013? Malda (This JMC was established in the last week of

January 2013 and was set up on the directions of the Chief Justice of India in the aftermath of the

national outrage over the Delhi gangrape)

16) What was the rise in prices of petrol and diesel respectively, which came into effect from the

midnight of 15 February 2013? Rs. 1.50 /liter (petrol) and Rs. 0.45 /liter (diesel) While petrol prices

were revised in step with the steep rise in international rates, oil firms used the newly accorded

freedom to increase diesel price in small doses to effect the second price adjustment in one month

17) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa on 21 February 2013 announced her govt.s decision tonot to host the 20th Asian Athletics Championships scheduled to be held in Chennai in July 2013.

What was the reason given by her for this decision? The participation of Sri Lankan players in this

championship would hurt the feelings of Tamils of her state (Jayalalithaa is of the view that the

championship can be organized in Tamil Nadu if Sri Lankan team is taken out of it)
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03 Current Affairs - January 201318) The Supreme Court on 20 February 2013 stayed the death sentence of four aides of slain

sandal-wood smuggler Veerappan by how many months? 6 months (The four persons have been

sentenced to death by the Supreme Court itself for killing 22 policemen in 1993 by blowing-off a land

mine)

19) 14th Ministerial Level Meeting of BASIC group was organized in Chennai during February 2013, in

which four member countries of the group gave priority to implementation of Green Climate Fund by

industrialized countries. Which four countries are members of BASIC group? Brazil, South Africa,

India and China

20) In which maha-snan (great-bath) about 3 crore devotees assembled at Sangam on the confluence

of the Ganges, the Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati, which made it the largest single congregation

of humanity at one place? Mauni Amavasya (on 10 February 2013)

21) The last maha-snan (great-bath) for Naga Sadhus of the Mahakumbh 2013 at Allahabad was held

on 15 February, with lakhs of devotees taking holy dip on this auspicious occasion. The last

maha-snan

was held on occasion of which festival? Basant Panchami

22) Mass Surya Namaskar was performed by students belonging to thousands of schools on 18

February 2013 all over the country. This performance was associated with which historical event?

150th Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda

23) During February 2013 the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) announced plans to initiate

National Dairy Programme (NDP) in 8 states of the country with an objective of improving milk

productivity in these states through scientific enhancements in dairy sector. Which are the 8 states

where NDP would be initiated with the help of the World Bank? Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu,

Karnataka, Punjab, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Orissa

24) Which authority on 8 February 2013 slapped penalty of Rs.52.24 crore on Board of Control for

Cricket in India (BCCI) after charges of BCCIs indulgence in anti-competitive practices were proved

against it? The Competition Commission of India (CCI) Charge against BCCI was filed by a Delhi

resident Surinder Singh Barmi, who had charged BCCI on issues related to the Indian Premier League

(IPL) and a professional league tournament conducted by the BCCI

25) The Union Cabinet on 31 January 2013 approved the revised Lokpal Bill in which mention of a

selection committee to select Lokpal was made. This selection committee comprised of how many

members, as mentioned in the revised bill? Nine (9) This nine-member selection committee

included the Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, the Lok Sabha Speaker, ChiefJustice of the Supreme Court and a noted legal luminary as a member recommended by all these and

nominated by the President)

26) Union Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal, who presented the Railway Budget for 2013-14,

became the first Railway Minister belonging to the Congress party to present the Railway budget in

last 17 years. Who was the last Railway Minister from Congress to present the Railway Budget?

Suresh Kalmadi


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04 Current Affairs - January 201327) Union Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal, who presented the Railway Budget for 2013-14,

announced that Indian Railways has become the fourth in the world with a capacity of one billion

tonnes. Which are the other three railways in this select club? Russia, United States and China

28) What is the name of a new train announced by Union Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal inhis Railway Budget, which would connect different places related to freedom movement of the

country? Azadi Express

29) How many new express trains were announced by Union Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal

while delivering Railway Budget on 26 February 2013? 67 (26 passenger trains were also

introduced)

30) What is the name of a new luxury passenger class announced in the Union Railway Budget of

2013-14, which will be now be the costliest class of Indian Railway? Anubhuti class (Coaches of

this class would be manufactured exclusively at the coach factory in Raebareli and will have LCD

video screens, state-of-the-art illumination, automatic doors, spacious aisle, free toiletries and

zero-discharge toilets. One coach of this class will be attached to every Shatabdi Express and a few

short-distance Rajdhani Expresses as a pilot. If the response is encouraging, the railways may roll out

entire trains of Anubhuti class)

31) How many persons and organisations were named by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on

25 February 2013 in its preliminary enquiry into allegations of kickbacks in the Rs. 3,600 crore

Augusta Westland VVIP helicopter deal? 10 persons and 4 firms (These include former Air Chief SP

Tyagi, his three cousins, European middlemen Guido Haschkhe, Carlo Gerosa and Christian Michel

and Lawyer Gautam Khaitan)

32) What was the voting percentage in the assembly elections of Meghalaya and Nagaland, voting

for whom was held on 23 February 2013? 88 % in Meghalaya and 83.27 % in Nagaland (Votingwas held for 60 assembly seats in Meghalaya and 59 in Nagaland)

33) What was the name given to the recently held first ever day-and-night demonstration of combat

prowess by the Indian Air Force (IAF), grand finale of which was held on 22 February 2013? Iron

Fist (This first of its kind of operation by the IAF was held in Rajasthans Jaisalmer and Pokharan

region. The firing sorties were conducted at Chandhan field firing range in Pokhran and in Jaisalmer)


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07 Current Affairs - January 20131) Govt. of Kerala on 20 February 2013 raised the age limit for purchasing liquor by approving theKerala Abkari Act Amendment Ordinance 2013. After this raise a person with what minimum age canprocure/purchase liquor from liquor shop? 21 years (Earlier the minimum age was 18 years)

2) The Supreme Court during February 2013 quashed Punjab Govt.s decision of appointing H.R.Dhanda as chairperson of Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC) on the ground that any incapableperson cannot be appointed to such posts demanding considerable administrative and academicexperience. This is despite the fact that an article of Indian Constitution pertaining to appointment ofthe chairperson of State Public Service Commission doesnt lays down any qualification for the post.Which article is this? Article 316

3) During February 2013 which states electricity board became the first in India to successfullycomplete the installation and implementation of Go Alive system in its day-to-day functioning? WestBengal (West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (WBSEDC) brought 23 cities of thestate under this system by which WBSEDC would be able to monitor and control electricity distributionnetwork of all these cities simultaneously)

4) A 70 feet high statue of Mahatma Gandhi, which became worlds tallest Gandhi statue, wasinaugurated by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on 15 February 2013 at Patnas famous GandhiMaidan. Which noted sculptor created this statue? Delhi-based Ramsutar and his firm (Ramsutar andSons). This statue included a 32-feet-high pedestal, weights 25 tonnes and cost approx. Rs. 10 crore tobuilt)

5) Which state became the first Indian state to declare its Aerospace Policy during February 2013? Karnataka (Karnataka Chief Minister Jagdish Shettar unveiled states Aerospace Policy on the occasionof Aerospace India 2013 held in Bangalore during February 2013. This policy primarily aims to makethe state an aerospace industry hub of the country)

6) Home Minister of Nagaland was arrested on 18 February 2013 for allegedly transporting Rs. 1.1crore in cash, arms and ammunition and liquor in a vehicle, who later resigned from his post on 19February 2013. What is his name? Imkong L. Imchen (Assam Rifles personnel detained him as hewas driving to his constituency, Koridang, in Mokokchung district of Kohima. This incident took placeust a few days before assembly elections in the state, which were held on 23 February 2013)

7) A first-ever headcount of its type was conducted in which Indian state to estimate approximatenumber of cancer patients, in which 98 per cent of the states population was covered? Punjab(Punjab is one of the worst state as far as spread of cancer is concerned. Hence the state govt.conducted one of the most comprehensive health surveys of its kind in the state, in which data was

collected from 2,64,84,434 person in 50,53,447 households in 12,603 villages and 217 cities andtowns. Results of this headcount were released during February 2013)

8) Which state became the first and so far the only state in the country to have successfully developedBt cotton seeds indigenously and is now ready to produce and distribute these seeds for farmers? Gujarat (Gujarat Seed Supply Corporation (GSSC) successfully developed Bt cotton seeds withassistance from Navsari University and US firm Mahyco-Monsanto Biotech Limited (MMB). The state isnow ready to produce and distribute 1 lakh packets of 450 gm each in the current year)


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08 Current Affairs - January 20139) The People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) on 12 February 2013 came out with an

investigative report that cited multiple violations of the Supreme Court guidelines in organising jallikattu,the bull taming sport. Jallikattu has been in the eye of many controversies pertaining to wild nature of thisgame, in which cruelty is meted out against bulls and hundreds of people are injured every year. In which

Indian state is jallikattu organized? In Tamil Nadus Madurai on the occasion of Pongal (Tamil new year)

10) Ambitious plan of a state govt. to build an iconic skywalk on the line of Grand Canyon (USA) at theMaenam Wildlife Sanctuary of the state was finally given a clearance in 2013. This sanctuary is situated inwhich state? Sikkim (The clearance for this project was given by a standing committee of the NationalBoard of Wildlife, which is chaired by Minister for Environment and Forest Jayanthi Natarajan. SikkimGovt. plans to build a glass skywalk and a ropeway at an estimated cost of Rs. 750 crore)

11) Environment Ministry gave forest clearance to an 800 MW power project in Arunachal Pradesh duringFebruary 2013, apparently after being caught in surprise by Chinas announcement of building three newhydroelectric projects on the Brahmaputra river. On which river this 800 MW project is proposed to be

built? Tawang Chu River

12) Which Indian state during February 2013 claimed it has successfully harvested 22.4 tonnes of ricefrom just one hectare of land without use of GM (genetically-modified) seeds and chemical fertilizers,which is a world record? Bihar

13) Which state became the first Indian state to produce over 500 million kilogram of tea for two years ina row? Assam (Assam produced more than half of Indias total tea production during 2012 with totalproduction touching 588 million kilogram)


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10 Current Affairs - January 20131) China took control of which port of Pakistan on 18 February 2013, due to which India raised itsobjections over security and strategic implications of this move? Gwadar Port (Gwadar Port islocated at the mouth of the Persian Gulf just outside the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.China would import crude oil from Gulf countries through this port as proximity of the Gulf countries toGwadar would facilitate the oil flow to it)

2) US President announced plans to bring 34,000 American troops from war-torn Afghanistan in thenext year. This announcement was made in his State of the Union Address on 12 February 2013 atCapitol Hill. The US, NATO and Afghanistan had made an agreement in which year for full evacuationof Western forces from Afghanistan? 2010 (This agreement was done in Lisbon, Portugal)

3) Pope Benedict XVI, the supreme leader of the Catholic Church and head of the Vatican, surprisedthe whole catholic fraternity with his decision to step down due to ill-health, which he announced on11 February 2013. With this announcement he became the first pontiff to step down in about 600years. Pope Benedict XVI relinquished his post on 28 February 2013 (Pope Benedict 16ths originalname was Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger and he is a German by nationality. He has been hailed as a hero

by conservative Catholics and is viewed with suspicion by liberals)

4) North Korea on 12 February 2013 confirmed that it had conducted its third long-threatened nucleartest defying requests from many countries to withhold this test. North Korea had conducted its earliertwo nuclear tests in which years? In 2006 and 2009 (North Koreas third nuclear test is the mostpowerful test conducted by it till date. This test poses a new challenge for the Obama administrationin its efforts to keep the country from becoming a full-fledged nuclear power)

5) On 5 February 2013 Mahmoud Ahmadinejad became the first Iranian President in almost 34 yearsto visit which Arab country? Egypt (Such a visit would have been unthinkable during the rule offormer Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, who preserved Egypts peace treaty with Israel during his

30 years in power and deepened ties between Cairo and the West)

6) What is the name of the Siberian town of Russia, which was hit by a huge meteor shower on earlymorning of 15 February 2013, which injured at least 750 people? Chelyabinsk (This town wascenter of a meteor explosion, which exploded over 30-50 km above the earths surface. This explosionresulted in a huge meteor shower which shattered glass and damaged buildings in Chelyabinsk)

7) Who became the new head of the command of the NATO-led International Security AssistanceForce (ISAF) in Afghanistan on 10 February 2013? - General Joseph Dunford, a senior US mariner(Dunford took charge from General John Allen who became the longest-serving ISAF commander inthe eleven year old war against terror in Afghanistan by completing 19 months at the office)

8) Chinas new lunar year, which started on 10 February 2013, is being celebrated as The Year ofthe Snake

9) What was the name of the US minesweeper ship which had been struck on an environmentallysensitive Philippine reef from 17 January 2013 and US Navy in February 2013 decided to dismantleand scrap this $277 million ship? USS Guardian (This minesweeping ship was struck on theTubbataha Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in south Philippines)
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11 Current Affairs - January 201310) Which major coffee producing country on 8 February 2013 declared a national emergency over thespread of coffee rust disease, which affected almost 70 per cent of coffee plantation in the country? Guatemala (Coffee rust and fungus has affected coffee produce Guatemala as well as other South andCentral American countries like Mexico, Honduras, Costa Rica and El Salvador)

11) What was the name of the Bangladeshi anti-Islamist blogger, who was killed on 16 February 2013,following which tens of thousands of protestors took to streets in Dhaka demanding death penalty forthose found guilty of war crimes in the 1971 independence conflict? Rajib Haider, who used to writeblogs under the pen name Thaba Baba

12) Zhuang Zedong, the legendary Chinese table tennis player, who passed away on 12 February 2013,was a proponent of Ping Pong Policy, which became very effective in normalizing Chinas relationswith many countries. Relations with which country were in particular normalized to a very significantlevel with this policy? - The United States

13) Timbuktu, the fabled city of which country came to news during February 2013, where French

forces parachuted recently to liberate this desert city from the rule of Al-Qaeda linked militants? Mali(Africa)

14) What was the name of a worldwide campaign initiated during February 2013 in support of globaldemand to put an end to violence against women and girls, in which almost 200 countries areparticipating and which is supported by the UN? One Billion Rising Campaign

15) The Sindh Assembly of Pakistan approved a bill on 12 February 2013 to rename the southernPakistani province of Sindh as Sind (The assembly approved Sindh Laws Amendment Bill of 2012,whereby the letter h will be removed from the name of the province)

16) A bomb exploded near the US Embassy situated in which country on 1 February 2013, which killedat least 2 persons and injured several others? Turkey (The bomb exploded near entrance of USEmbassy in countrys capital Ankara)

17) Which south-Pacific island nation witnessed major damages during February 2013 due totriggering of a tsunami after an earthquake of 6 February 2013? Solomon Islands

18) Which South-American country on 8 February 2013 announced decision to devalue its currency byhalf as devaluation is expected to push up prices in this heavily import-reliant economy? Venezuela(Venezuelan currency bolivars value devaluation became effective from 13 February 2013)

19) Paralympic champion Oscar Pistorius, who made sporting history by becoming the first doubleamputee sprinter to compete in the Olympics, was on 14 February 2013 charged with murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. Pistorius represented which country in the Olympics? South Africa

20) At least 19 foreign tourists were killed and 3 others injured when a hot air balloon exploded mid-airover a famous tourist destination of Egypt on 26 February 2013. This incident took place at Luxor, theworld famous historic Egyptian town


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12 Current Affairs - January 201320) A Holy Week would be held in Vatican City from 24 March 2013, in which new Pope would be

elected by 117 cardinals of the Universal Catholic Church. How many cardinals from India would takepart in this event? Five (5)

21) Nepals major political parties on 16 February 2013 agreed to form an election government whichwill hold new Constituent Assembly elections in the country. Who will lead this government? NepalsChief Justice Khil Raj Regmi (A working group with members from the Nepali Congress, UnitedCommunist Party of Nepal (Maoist), Communist Party of Nepal-United Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML) andthe Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha was formed to determine the modalities of the newgovernment. Nepals Constituent Assembly had lapsed eight months ago)

22) Which European country on 6 February 2013 came one step close to allowing same-sex marriagesafter a parliamentary approval of a related bill? Britain (British Parliaments lower house, the House ofCommons, approved the bill despite opposition from ruling benches on this controversial bill)

23) Who was sworn in as the first women President of South Korea on 25 February 2013? - ParkGeun-hye (Daughter of former President Park Chung-hee she became 18th President of the country andreplaced Lee-Myung-Bak)

24) Who won the Presidential elections in Cyprus, which were held on 24 February 2013?- NicosAnastasiades (He received 57.5 per cent votes for his Democratic Party (DISY) and replaced DimitrisChristofias who relinquished his post on 28 February 2013)

24) China has recently provided a loan of Rs. 136 billion to Pakistan for establishing two nuclear powerplants, which are to be commissioned by 2016. These two plants are being established at which place? At Chashma Nuclear Complex, Punjab Both of these plants will have capacity to produce 340 MW


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14 Current Affairs - January 20131) What is the fiscal deficit for 2012-13 (FY 2013) as announced in the Union Budget 2013-14? 5.2%

of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which is lower than the targeted fiscal deficit of 5.3% of GDP

2) What is the fiscal deficit for 2013-14 (FY 2014) as announced in the Union Budget 2013-14? 4.8%

of the GDP

3) What is the total outlay for planned expenditure, as announced in the Union Budget of 2013-14? Rs.

16,65,297 crore

4) What is the total outlay for budget expenditure, as announced in the Union Budget of 2013-14? Rs

16,65,297 crore

5) What is the total outlay for non-planned expenditure, as announced in the Union Budget of 2013-14? -

Rs 11,09,975 crore (for 2013-14)

6) Finance Minister P. Chidambaram didnt announce any changes in the tax rates for 2013-14, which

were much anticipated. He however, announced a tax credit for people earning between Rs. 2 lakh toRs. 5 lakh. How much tax credit would be given to people in this income bracket? Rs. 2000

7) A 10% additional tax surcharge has been imposed on super-rich people of the country, by which their

effective tax rate has gone up from the present 30.9% to 33.9%. What is the definition of these

super-rich? People earning an income over Rs. 1 crore per annum

8) What is the name of a special fund of Rs. 1,000 crore announced in the Union Budget 2013-14, which

has been created to empower women and provide safety to them in wake of the Delhi gangrape

incident? Nirbhaya Fund

9) How much TDS (tax deduction at source) was imposed on sale of immovable property in the UnionBudget 2013-14? 1% (This is not applicable to agricultural land)

10) It was announced in the Union Budget 2013-14, that all public sector banks would have ATMs at all

of their branches. What is the deadline for implementation of this announcement? 31 March, 2014

11) What was the total outlay for defence forces for 2013-14, as announced in the Union Budget

2013-14? Rs. 2.36 lakh crore (including Rs. 86,721 crore for capital expenditure)

12) It was announced in the Union Budget 2013-14 that every town with a specific population will have

an LIC branch. What was the announced specification of such towns? Towns with population of over

ten thousand (10,000+)

13) Announcement of Indias first all-woman bank was made in the Union Budget 2013-14. How much

initial capital would be provided by the Union Govt. to open this bank? Rs. 1,000 crore (The proposed

bank will lend mostly to women and women run businesses, support women SHGs (self help groups) and

womens livelihood)


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15 Current Affairs - January 2013

14) Establishment of two new ports has been announced in the Union Budget 2013-14. In which states

these new ports are to be established? West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh

15) An Indian Institute of Agri-Biotechnology (IIAB) was announced in the Union Budget 2013-14. In

which city this proposed institute will be established? Ranchi (Jharkhand)

16) Finance Minister mentioned name of two countries in his budget announcement, which are the

only major countries in the world to have grown at a faster rate than India during the last year. Which

are these two countries? China and Indonesia

17) Excise duty on sports utility vehicles (SUVs) was increased to 30% in the Union Budget 2013-14.

What was the present excise duty on SUVs? 27%

18) Two changes were made in the Rajiv Gandhi Equity Savings Scheme (RGESS) in the Union Budget

2013-14. What are these changes? a) Benefit for 3 years would now be available for investors in

RGESS instead of the present 1 year b) Limit for investing in this scheme has been raised from earlier

Rs. 10 lakh to Rs. 12 lakh (i.e., now an investor with annual income of Rs. 12 lakh can also take

benefit of this scheme, which is for first time investors in equity and mutual funds)

19) How much import duty has been imposed on imported luxury cars in the Union Budget 2013-14?

100% (This duty was presently at 75%)

20) Duty free limits on gold were increased in the Union Budget 2013-14. What are the new limits

now? Women Travellers Rs. 1 lakh and men travellers Rs. 50 thousand (i.e., no import duty would be

levied till these limits for respective traveller classes)

1) Economic Survey for 2012-13, which was released on 27 February 2913, a day before UnionBudget2013-14, was prepared under chairmanship of - Raghuram Rajan, Chief Economic Advisor(EconomicSurvey is an annual review of the economy by the Ministry of Finance, which presents policyinitiatives ofthe govt. and short-term prospects for the economy)

2) What is the projected growth forecast for 2013-14 for the Indian economy in the Economic Survey

2012-13, which was released on 27 February 2013? Between 6.1 and 6.7%

3) What was the projected inflation for 2013-14 in the Economic Survey 2012-13, which wasreleased on27 February 2013? Between 6.2 and 6.6%

4) What the targeted fiscal deficit of govt. is as announced in the Economic Survey for 2012-13?

4.8per cent of the GDP


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1) The International Court of Justice at the Hague (Netherlands) on 18 February 2013 gave its decisionin Indias favour in a case pertaining to Indias dispute with Pakistan over water sharing in ahydro-electric project. Which hydro-electric project is this? Kishanganga Hydro Electric Project (KHEP)Pakistan has been opposing this project as it was of the view that India has no right to draw extrawater for this project but the International Court has now vindicated Indias stand

2) What is the name of former Maldivian President who sought refuge in the Indian High Commissionin Male, the Maldivian capital on 13 February 2013? Mohd. Nasheed (Nasheeds appearance wassought in a court and to save himself from arrest Nasheed had requested for a refuge. India acceptedhis request but was hence caught in a diplomatic tussle with Maldives over this issue. Later Nasheedmoved out of the commission)

3) India and Bangladesh on 16 February 2013 signed a pact, which will enable a second Indian state

after West Bengal to have direct rail link with Bangladesh. Which is this state? Tripura (An MoU forAgartala-Akhaura rail link was signed during the visit of External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid toBangladesh for the second Joint Consultative Commission meeting between the two countries inDhaka. Akhaura was the rail head for Agartala, prior to 1947, and served as a major link betweenChittagong port and Tripura)

4) India and France concluded negotiations on the Short Range Surface to Air Missile (SR-SAM) on 14February 2013 during the talks between French President Francois Hollande and Prime MinisterManmohan Singh at Delhi. The deal worth US $6 billion (about Rs. 30,000 crore) would involve jointventure between which two organisations of India and France? Defence Research and DevelopmentOrganisation of India and MBDA of France


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21 Current Affairs - January 20131) A committee was recently set up by the Union Environment Ministry to review the kinds of projectsthat require environmental clearance from the Centre. Who is the head of this committee? K.Kasturirangan, Member, Planning Commission

2) Who is the chairman of a newly constituted panel set up by union govt. in February 2013 to look intoand re-examine the Cinematography Act in the light of the Vishwaroopam controversy? Justice MukulMudgal (Retired Chief Justice of the Punjab & Haryana High Court. This 8-member panel wouldexamine the role of Centre vis--vis the powers of the state governments in allowing thecinematographic exhibition of films)

3) Union govt. on 6 February 2013 constituted an advisory panel for the electricity sector with anobjective to iron out the issues impacting the growth of the sector. Who is the head of this panel? Jyotiraditya Scindia, Union Power Minister (This panel also includes industry leaders like Cyrus P Mistry(Chairman, Tata Sons), Anil Ambani (Chairman ADAG), Pratip Chaudhuri (Chairman, SBI) and ChandaKochhar (MD, ICICI Bank) and many senior govt. officials. The panel will delve into the problems

plaguing the power sector, the most important being the raw material insecurity which threatens toupset the electricity production targets)

4) A report on the infamous gang-rape of a 23 year old girl in New Delhi during Dec 2012 wassubmitted to the Union govt. during February 2013, in which it was found that lack of policing facilitiesand lack of coordination between police and transport department results in such crimes. Who was thehead of the committee which commissioned this report? Justice Usha Mehra, retired Justice of DelhiHigh Court (Usha Mehra Commission was constituted on 26 December 2012 to look into this matter)

5) Who was appointed as the head of a panel constituted by Steel Ministry during February 2013 togive its recommendations for appointment of Chairman of National Minerals Development Corporation(NMDC)? Arun Maira (Member, Planning Commission) NMDC has been without a chairman for morethan one-and-half year now


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23 Current Affairs - January 20131) Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 22 February 2013 issued final guidelines for issuing licenses foropening new banks. RBI has thus decided to remove all restrictions on eligibility of corporates and groupsto apply for the banking license. When the RBI had last issued licenses for opening banks? During2003-04, when two banks Kotak Mahindra Bank and Yes Bank were issued licenses

2) What are the important guidelines issued by the RBI for opening new banks in India, as announced on22 February 2013? Private firms, public sector entities and NBFCs are eligible to set up a bank The initial minimum paid-up equity capital to be Rs. 500 crore Applicants should be financially sound with a 10-year track record Application for opening new bank should be via Non-Operative Financial Holding Company

(NOFHC) NOHFC to initially hold a minimum 40% stake in the bank for 5 years, which should be brought

down to 15% over 12 years The new bank has to get listed within 3 years of the commencement of business

Foreign shareholding in the new bank to be capped at 49% for the first 5 years At least 25% of branches of a new bank should be set up in unbanked rural areas

3) What is the last date for submitting application for procuring license for new bank, as announced bythe RBI on 22 February 2013? 1 July 2013

4) During February 2013, the representatives of the US-India Business Council (USIBC) urged Indian Govt.to raise the foreign direct investment (FDI) in defence sector up to 74 per cent. What is the present FDIlimit for this sector? 26 per cent (USIBC submitted its wish-list to Union Finance Minister P.Chidambaram in which this request was made)

5) Which company during February 2013 announced joint venture with Italian company BCS S.p.A todistribute and sell the specialty Ferrari brand of tractors in India? Escorts Limited (The first productbeing launched under the partnership will be a 26 HP model that has four equal-sized wheels, an all-time4-wheel drive and oscillating chassis system suited for use in vineyards and orchards)

6) Which major British bank during February 2013 started laying-off its employees in India duringFebruary 2013 as part of closure of its retail and commercial banking operations in the country? RBS(Royal Bank of Scotland. RBS has sold its Asian assets to Australia and New Zealand Banking) Corp.recently to comply with its bailout norms)

7) A possibility of decrease in life insurance premium amounts was mooted on 21 February 2013 by lifeinsurance experts. What was the reason given behind this probable decrease? Insurance regulator IRDA

on 21 February 2013 released new mortality table for life insurance companies for fixing premium,


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24 Current Affairs - January 20138) What is the name of the first social sector private equity (PE) fund of the country, which was accordedregistration by the market regulator SEBI during February 2013? Incube Connect Fund (This is a Rs.200 crore fund with a tenure of 9 years, which would focus on sectors of social relevance like healthcaredelivery, vocational education and sustainable rural businesses)

9) How many months service extension was given to RBIs Deputy-Governor Anand Sinha on 26 February2013? 11 months (Sinha was to retire on 28 February 2013 but with this extension his tenure willextend till 18 January 2014)

10) What was the important fact associated with Indias inflation figure for January 2013, which stood at6.22%, as announced by the govt. on 14 February 2013? It was the lowest inflation rate of last threeyears

11) Tata Group on 20 February 2013 announced making its third foray into the civil aviation sector in las15 years by picking up a 30 per cent stake in a three way joint venture with a Malaysia-based airline.Which airline is this? AirAsia (The three way joint-venture involves AirAsia, Tata Group and Arun Bhatia

led Telestra Tradeplace. The proposal for new airline has been filed with the Foreign InvestmentPromotion Board (FIPB). AirAsia is the largest budget airline of Asia and will have 49 per cent stake inthis new venture)

12) What was the recommended rate of interest for 2012-13 as suggested by the Central Board ofTrustees (CBT) of Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) for its beneficiaries? 8.5% per annum(This recommendation was made by the CBT on 25 February 2013. Union Labour and EmploymentMinister Mallikarjun Khadge heads this board. Returns for EPFO beneficiaries for 2011-12 stood at8.25% per annum)

13) Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) slapped a Rs. 50 lakh fine on which

micro-finance institution on 20 February 2013 for collecting extra funds, apart from the premium as acorporate insurance agent without proper disclosures to policy-holders? SKS Microfinance

14) Calcutta High Court on 18 February 2013 vacated an interim stay on winding up of Dunlop India, thuspaving the way for liquidation of this once iconic tyre maker of the country. Dunlop India is controlled bywhich business house? Ruia Group, led by Pawan Kumar Ruia (Dunlop Indias tyre plant wasestablished in 1936 at Sahaganj near Kolkata and the company went on to become a leading tyre makeof the country till its fortunes started dwindling rapidly. Ruia Group had acquired the company from lateManohar Rajaram Chhabrias Jumbo Group in 2005)

15) The U.S. Justice Department is expected to file civil fraud charges against a leading credit-rating

agency of the country, accusing the firm of inflating the ratings of mortgage investments and settingthem up for a crash when the financial crisis struck. Which credit-rating agency is this? - Standard &Poors (S&P) This legal suit would be the first significant U.S. government action against the ratingsindustry, which during the boom years reaped record profits as it bestowed gilt-edged ratings on complexbundles of home loans that quickly went sour
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25 Current Affairs - January 201316) Finance Minister P. Chidambaram simultaneously inaugurated 101 branches of which public sectorbank on 9 February 2013? State Bank of India (SBI)

17) During February 2013 Indian telecom giant Bharti Airtel announced decision to split its business inhow many segments as part of a major organizational restructuring? Eight (This organizational

segmentation would come into effect from 1 March 2013. Bharti Airtel announced on 8 February 2013that its operations will be divided into eight hubs from the current three regional hubs)

18) What is the expected growth rate for Indian economy for 2012-13, as reported in a release of theCentral Statistical Organisation (CSO) on 7 February 2013? 5 per cent (This projection is lower than the6.2 per cent growth clocked in 2011-12 and is the lowest since 2002-03 when the economy grew by amere 4 per cent)

19) Indian Govt. during February 2013 announced suspending jewellery exports from which Asiancountry, after it was apprehended that many countries were routing their jewellery exports to Indiathrough this country? Thailand (India and Thailand have bilateral trade agreement, which makes

exporting to India through Thailand much easier)

20) The Union Cabinet on 7 February 2013 approved enhancing the authorised capital of the NationalBank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) to Rs. _________ from Rs. 5,000 crore andexpanding its scope of operations? Rs. 20,000 crore

21) What was the name of the 35th edition of an annual exhibition of Indian handicrafts and gift itemsorganized by the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts, which was held during February 2013? Spring 2013 (This exhibition was held between 8 and 11 February 2013 at India Expo Centre & Mart,Greater Noida Expressway, Greater Noida, NCR)

22) The Reserve bank of India on 8 February 2013 directed which two category of banks not to grantloans for purchase of gold in any form in order to check the significant rise in import of the precious metain recent years? Central Co-operative Banks (CCBs) and State Co-operative Banks (SCBs)

23) The Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) during February 2013 deferred a plan to makeAadhaar numbers mandatory for new entrants to the scheme after facing problems in enrolment. Fromwhich date quoting of Aadhaar numbers was going to become mandatory? 1 March 2013

24) The manufacturer and marketer of iconic Blackberry phones during February 2013 announced that ithas changed companys name to Blackberry to increase brand identity and acceptance. What wascompanys name till now? - Research In Motion (Company has its headquarters in Canada)

25) The Union Cabinet on 31 January 2013 approved a revival package for the ailing public sector unitScooters India Limited (SIL). How much financial assistance would be provided to SIL under this package? Rs. 200 crore


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26 Current Affairs - January 201327) According to a statement of a senior govt. official during February 2013, India has allowed 4G wirelessbroadband airwave holders to provide voice services if they pay an additional $306 million. Whichcompany would be the biggest beneficiary if this announcement holds good? Reliance Industries Limited(RIL), owned by Mukesh Ambani (RIL is the only company with nationwide 4G broadband airwaves, whichit had purchased in auctions during 2010)

28) Which airline announced major fare cuts on 19 February 2013, thus sparking price war in Indiandomestic airline sector? Jet Airways (Jet announced a sale of 2 million seats at fares between Rs. 2,250and Rs. 3800 for travel on all its domestic routes until the end of the year. This move sparked a price waras Jets competitors including Indigo and GoAir announced fare cuts in some sectors)

29) What was the size of the offer for sale (OFS) for selling govt. stake in countrys largest power producerNational Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), which opened on 7 February 2013 and which successfullyachieved the target? Rs. 11,300 (Government fixed the base price at Rs. 145 per share for selling 9.5per cent of its stake in NTPC. 78.32 crore shares of NTPC will be sold in this OFS)

30) What was the fiscal deficit of the centre during the April-December 2012 period according to datareleased by the Controller General of Accounts (CGA) during February 2013? Rs. 4.04 lakh crore or 78.8per cent of the total Budget Estimate (BE) of Rs. 5.14 lakh crore for the pertaining period

31) An RBI panel on 6 February 2013 proposed a slew of measures like mandatory quoting of PAN cardnumbers for high-value purchases, restriction on gold loans and check on NBFC branches dealing with goldloans. These proposals have been given in view of rising gold imports which has widened countrys currenaccount deficit (CAD). Who is the head of this panel? K.U.B. Rao, an RBI officer (Gold import is thesecond major contributor to the CAD after oil. Gold import in April-December stood at USD 38 billion. In2011-12 fiscal it was USD 56 billion)

32) Indian insurance sector regulator IRDA on 19 February 2013 re-introduced the process of automaticclearance to life insurance products in view of demands of various stakeholders of the life insuranceindustry. In which year this system was dispended with by IRDA? 2007 (All products filed from 1 April2013 would be given this benefit. IRDA has dispensed with the submission of policy documents under Fileand Use or the automatic clearance system in 2007)

33) The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) during February 2013 fixed upper limit on rate of interest that can becharged by micro finance institutions (MFIs) in the country. Deputy Governor of RBI K.C. Chakraborty on 16February 2013 announced this upper limit at a seminar on MFIs organized by the Indian Chamber ofCommerce in Moscow. What is this upper limit of interest, above which MFIs cannot charges fromindividuals? 26 % p.a.

34) Which internet companys stock on 19 February 2013 crossed $800 barrier for the first time in historyon the US bourses? Google (The milestone comes more than five years after Googles shares initiallybroke the $700 barrier)


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35) Indias largest credit card issuer HDFC Bank during February 2013 started replacing some of its pointsof sale (PoS) machines at a few merchant establishments. This was done in view of which problem thebanking industry is facing, associated with credit cards? Cases of skimming have been witnessed inIndia of late, wherein the card data is copied illegally in an otherwise legitimate transaction, only to be

used fraudulently later (HDFC Bank is one of the largest players in merchant acquisition space with closeto 2.5 lakh machines and about 6.4 million credit cards)

36) Which stock exchange became Indias newest stock exchange on 9 February 2013 after FinanceMinister P. Chidambaram inaugurated it? MCX-SX (MCX-SX formally launched its trading operations on11 February 2013 as 9 and 10 February were trading holidays. This newest stock exchange of India iscompeting against established stock exchanges of the country NSE and BSE)

37) What is the new name of MetLife India Limited, after Punjab National Bank (PNB) signed anagreement to acquire 30 per cent stake in the company on 4 February 2013? PNB MetLife IndiaInsurance Company Limited (PNB MetLife Insurance was also launched officially by Union Finance Ministe

P. Chidambaram on 4 February 2013)

38) In a major move, the govt. during February 2013 formally started the process of separating thenational grid operator Power System Operation Corporation Limited (POSOCO) from state-ownedtransmission utility Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL). This move has been taken due towhich reason? India witnessed two successive grid failures in 2012 and it was thought necessary thatPOSOCO should be given functional autonomy, freedom to recruit staff and payment of higher pay scalesfor its employees (POSOCO is entrusted with the task of running one of the largest synchronousinterconnections in the world. In spite of such a huge responsibility POSOCO currently operates just as asubsidiary of PGCIL, instead of being an independent grid manager)

39) The 17-member bank consortium, which kick-started the process of recovery of loans from troubledKingfisher Airlines, during February 2013 formed a sub-group of four banks to oversee the loan recovery.Which four banks constitute this newly formed sub-group? State Bank of India (SBI), IDBI Bank, PunjabNational Bank (PNB) and Bank of India (Kingfisher Airlines owe about Rs. 8,000 crore to these 17 banks)

40) What was the growth rate of industrial output of Indian economy for December 2012 as announced inthe Index of Industrial Production (IIP) on 12 February 2013? (-0.6 (Minus 0.6 This means thatindustrial production declined by 0.6 per cent)

41) During February 2013 Warren Buffets Berkshire Hathaway Inc. and 3G Capital announced a dealworth $23.2 billion to purchase which leading ketchup and baby food maker of the US? HJ Heinz Co.

(Heinz is an iconic ketchup brand of the US and is also known for other brands like Ore-Ida frozenpotatoes)

42) Who was appointed as the new Chairman of Italian aviation company Finmeccanica after its CEO andChairman Giuseppe Orsi was arrested by police on charges of bribing officials to seal a helicopter deal forIndia? Alessandro Pansa


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28 Current Affairs - January 201343) Who are the promoters of countrys first infrastructure debt fund (IDF), which was launched by UnionFinance Minister P. Chidambaram on 9 February 2013? Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) of India and theIL&FS Group (IDF has primarily been set up to provide long term finance available for complete lifecycle ofinfrastructure projects)

44) An exclusive bi-lingual in flight magazine of Air India was launched on 8 February 2013. What is thename of this magazine, which would be available in both English and Hindi? Shubh Yatra

45) Seeking to unfreeze idle gold in the country, the RBI made which two announcements on 14 February2013 to make the Gold Deposit Scheme (GDS) more attractive? 1) Lowering the investment time periodof GDS and 2) Allowing mutual funds to participate in the scheme

46) What was net profit of countrys largest Bank, SBI, for the third quarter of 2012-13 as announced on14 February 2013? Rs. 3,263 crore (for Oct-Dec 2012) Net profits of SBI increased by just 4.08%, whichis the smallest increase in profit for last six quarters

47) Who became the latest mobile service operator during February 2013 to join hands with ICICI Bank inits mobile banking service called Mobile Money? Aircel (ICICI Bank has already launched this servicewith Vodafone and Tata Docomo earlier. The service allows the unbanked population of ICICI and Aircel totransfer money instantly and safely through the mobiles without even connecting to data services. Thisservice is made available initially in Tamil Nadu)

48) Which mobile operator during February 2013 launched a new service called Apna Chaupal, a serviceprimarily targeted towards rural and semi-urban users? Airtel (This service provides a plethora ofagriculture-related information to users through a toll free number 58080)

49) Worlds biggest airline was created on 14 February 2013 with the merger of two of the largest airlines

of United States - US Airways and American Airlines. This merger deal was worth $11 billion. What is thename of the newly created airline? American Airlines (But this new airlines would be run by Doug ParkerCEO of US Airways. This merger would reduce the number of major airlines in the United States to four the new American Airlines, United, Delta and South West)

50) Public sector power corporation NTPC during February 2013 tied up for a term loan facility of US$ 250million from two banks - Mizuho Corporate Bank Limited and the State Bank of India (SBI). This loan willenable NTPC to make payments for procuring goods and services for its ongoing projects. With whichbranch of SBI was this agreement made? New York branch

51) How much additional cash subsidy was announced on 11 February 2013 by the union govt. for

state-owned fuel retailers for current fiscal year to make up for the revenue they lost on selling auto andcooking fuel below cost? Rs. 25,000 crore

52) Reliance Communications outsourced operations and management of its network in northern andwestern India to which communication conglomerate as per an announcement made by the company on11 February 2013? Ericsson (Outsourcing deal for 8 years have been signed between Reliance andEricsson recently. Reliance had struck a similar deal with Alcatel Lucent for its operations in eastern andsouthern India last month)


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53) What was Indias trade deficit during December 2012? US $20 billion (Indias total exports stood at$25.5 billion whereas imports stood at a hefty $45.58 billion. Trade Deficit = Net Imports Net Exports)

54) A rating agency during February 2013 downgraded Britains debt rating by one notch from top-grade oAAA to Aa1, citing slow growth and a rising debt burden. Which is this rating agency? Moodys

55) Which FMCG brand became the first FMCG brand of the country to cross sales figure of Rs. 5,000crore? Parle G, the biscuit brand of Parle Products (This sales comprises of retail sale value of Parle Gbrands of biscuits in 2012)

56) Micro-blogging website Twitter started its pay-by-tweet service from 11 February 2013, in whichcardholders of a specific bank would be able to purchase products by tweeting. Twitter partnered withwhich bank to launch this value-added service? American Express (AmEx)

57) YouTube, the video sharing platform owned by Google, celebrated its __________ anniversary duringFebruary 2013? 8th (YouTube was founded in 2005)

58) In what can be termed the toughest action yet in the Indian corporate history, the Securities andExchange Board of India (SEBI) on 13 February 2013 ordered the freezing of bank accounts of twocompanies belonging to which group? Sahara Group (court ordered to freeze accounts of Sahara IndiaReal Estate Corporation Ltd., and Sahara Housing Investment Corporation Ltd.)

59) The Airport Authority of India (AAI) during February 2013 signed an agreement with which internationaauthority to install Common Use Passenger Processing System (CUPPS) at 25 major airports of India,which would provide easy check-in facility to passengers? Society Internationale de TelecommunicationsAeronautics - SITA (SITA has installed the CUPPS facility at 13 major airports of the world. CUPPS provides

automatic check-in facility to passengers and thus saves considerable time as compared to manualcheck-ins)


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1) Which team won the first edition of Hockey India League (HIL)? Ranchi Rhinos (who defeated DelhiWaveriders by 2-1 in the finals held at Ranchi on 10 February 2013)

2) ICC Womens World Cup 2013 was won by Australia (Australia defeated the West Indies by 114 runsin the finals held on 17 February 2013 at Mumbai. This was Australias sixth world cup title, earlierAustralian teams have won titles in 1978, 1982, 1988, 1997 and 2005)

3) Who was declared player of the Tournament in the recently concluded ICC Womens World Cup 2013? Suzie (Skipper of the New Zealand team)

4) Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni became the first wicket-keeper from India to scoredouble-hundred in a test match while scoring 224 runs against Australia on 25 February 2013, playingagainst Australia in the first Test Match being held in Chennai. Who scored the previous best score madeby an Indian wicketkeeper? 192 scored by Budhi Kundaran against England in 1964 at MadrasCorporation Stadium (Dhoni also completed his 4,000 runs in test cricket)

5) Sachin Tendulkar on 8 February 2013 equaled Sunil Gavaskars record of centuries in first classmatches after scoring an unbeaten 140 runs against Rest of India in Irani Trophy. How many centurieswere scored by Gavaskar in first class cricket? 81

6) Which team won the 51st Irani Trophy title for cricket on 10 February 2013? Rest of India (Rest ofIndia defeated 40 time Ranji champion Mumbai at Mumbais Wankhede Stadium by virtue of their lead infirst innings. This was Rest of India teams 26th Irani Trophy win. Irani Trophy is played between yearsRanji title winner and Rest of India)

7) Which Indian cricketer played his 100th test match on 22 February 2013 while playing against Australi

in the first test of the test series at Chennais M.A. Chidambaram Stadium? Harbhajan Singh (He is theonly the second spinner to achieve this feat after Anil Kumble

8) In a surprise decision the International Olympics Committee (IOC) on 12 February 2013 announced itsdecision to drop wrestling from the list of core sports. This move could lead to its elimination from whichOlympics Games as reported in an IOC communiqu? From 2020 Olympics Games (However a finaldecision on eliminating the sport, which has been a part of every games since 1896 barring one, will betaken in September 2013)

9) Who was named as captain of Royal Challengers Bangalore franchisee for IPLs sixth season startingApril 2013? Virat Kohli (He replaced Daniel Vettori of New Zealand)

10) Which team got third position in HIL after winning the relegation match on 10 February? UP Wizards(Who defeated Punjab Warriors by 4-3 to claim third spot, first spot being claimed by HIL 2013 RanchiRhinos and second spot by runners up Delhi Waveriders)

11) Which former member of the Indian test cricket team was suspended by the BCCI from the ongoingInter-state Vijay Hazare Trophy for his unprofessional behaviour against a player of Income Tax team? Praveen Kumar, medium-fast bowler


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32 Current Affairs - January 201312) India lost the Davis Cup Asia Oceania (Group-1) tie to South Korea by what margin on 3 February 2013the final day of the tie? 1- 4

13) Which country won the Africa Cup of Nations, the most coveted title of African football? Nigeria, whodefeated first time finalist Burkina Faso in the finals (This is the first African Cup title for Nigeria, who lastwon the cup in 1994. The finals was played at Soccer City, Johannesburg (South Africa))

14) Which Australian all-rounder fetched the highest price in bids for Indian Premier League (IPL) held on 3February 2013 at Mumbai? Glenn Maxwell (He was purchased for $ 1 million (about 5.3 crore) by MumbIndians. Abhishek Nayar became the highest priced Indian player, being purchased for $ 675,000 (Rs. 3.5crore) by Pune Warriors)

15) World Champion Vishwanathan Anand won the Grenke Classic Chess tournament on 18 February 201after defeating Arkadij Naidirsch of Russia in his final match. Grenke Classic Chess tournament was held inwhich country? In Germany (at Baden Baden)

16) On 1 February 2013 which player became the first player in test cricket history to lead in 100 testmatches? Graeme Smith of South Africa (He achieved this feat while leading his team in the first testmatch against Pakistan in Johannesburg)

17) Which bowler from Kashmir came to limelight on 12 February 2013 while playing for the BoardPresidents XI against Australia at Mumbai, where he claimed 7 wickets for 45 and helping Australia get ofor a paltry total of 241 in their first match of Indian tour? Parvez Rassol (He is an off-spinner with animpeccable record in Ranji Trophy)

18) What is the name of the newly formed tennis association, constituted during February 2013 by a groupof disgruntled tennis players led by Somdev Devvarman, to handle contemporary issues that are not being

addressed by the All India Tennis Association (AITA)? Indian Tennis Players Association (ITPA) Foundingmembers of ITPA include Jaideep Mukherjea, Mahesh Bhupathi, Karti P. Chidambaram, Enrico Piperno,Manisha Malhotra, Prahlad Srinath, Somdev Devvarman, Rohan Bopanna, Aditya Sachdeva and MustafaGhouse)

19) Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni was appointed Vice-President of which company duringFebruary 2013? India Cements Limited (This company is owned by BCCI Chairman N Srinivasan, who isalso owner of IPL franchisee Chennai Super Kings, of which Dhoni has been captain since 2008. Dhoni wasearlier associated with Air India)


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34 Current Affairs - January 20131) Bar Council of India (BCI) during February 2013 completed how many years of its establishment? 50Years (Golden Jubilee celebrations of BCI were held all over the country)

2) Super-12, an initiative to provide free tutorial and guidance support to a group of 12 students, is a newinitiative similar to Super-30, a highly successful initiative to give support to meritorious students in

preparing for IIT entrance exams. Super-12 is an initiative for which exam IAS (Super-12 was launched bDeepak Anand, the District Collector of Banka (Bihar))

3) Visiting British Prime Minister David Cameron visited a historical monument in Punjab on 20 February2013 and by doing so he became the first British Prime Minister to visit this monument. Which monumenis this? Jallinwalah Bagh (Amritsar)

4) National School Games 2013 were recently held in Saifai, Etawah (Uttar Pradesh)

5) Which organization announces the annual World Press Freedom Index a comprehensive rating ofcountries pertaining to amount of freedom provided to press and respect given to press reported by

countries? Reporters Without Borders (Finland has topped this index for the third consecutive time asannounced in World Press Freedom Index for 2013)

6) What is the name of a newly formed association, formed during February 2013 by 30-odd softwarecompanies of India, which is going to evolve as an alternative to NASSCOM? - Indian Software ProductIndustry Round Table or iSpirt (iSpirt has been formed by Indian software companies who believe thatNASSCOM would not be able to provide more growth avenues to them in future. However, iSpirt membersclearly stated that they see no conflict with NASSCOM)

7) Which city-center of Dhaka came into highlight during February 2013 due to protests against warcriminals of the 1971 Freedom War and against the perceived rabid, faith-focused and ultra-orthodoxpolitics of Jamaat-e-Ismali? Shahbagh Square (Thousands of Bangladeshis have been assembling at thiscity-center of Dhaka and are strengthening their movement which mainly demands death for war criminaof 1971 and a ban on politics of religion. Shahbagh Square has therefore became a sort of Tahreer Squarof Dhaka)

8) Which hospital on 17 February 2013 claimed to have started Indias first comprehensive liver transplanfacility? Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai

9) A modest firm named Ferrito Plastronics, dealing in magnets, got mentioned in a report publishedduring February 2013 by the Institute of Science and International Security (ISIS) as a likely supplier of rinmagnets for Irans nuclear programme through China. In which city is this establishment situated? Chennai (This firms proprietor Bala Subramaniam however denied these charges claiming he has never

supplied magnets to China)

10) Indias first Kotler Centre of Excellence (KCoE), lead by renowned marketing guru Philip Kotler is to bestarted at which management institution? JRE School of Management, Greater Noida

11) The Govt. on 20 February 2013 announced that it is against relocating power producer NTPCs 1,980MW North Karanpura power plant. Chances of plants relocation had risen due to uncertain coal suppliesfor this massive plant, which have been assured now by the Union Coal Ministry. In which state is this planbeing set up? Jharkhand


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12) Worlds first mercury treaty, which was accepted by 140 countries in Geneva during January 2013,would be signed by the countries at which place during October 2013? Minamata, Japan (This first of itskind of treaty would legally bound the signatory country from use of mercury, which is one of the mosthazardous substances used for industrial usage. The treaty signing in Minamata would be a symbolic

gesture for residents of this Japanese town, who have been witnessing worst kind of mercurycontamination for decades now)

13) What is the name of the international aviation exhibition which was held during February 2013 inBangalore and which has been a regular feature in Bangalore since some years? Aero India 2013 (Thisexhibition has been held since 1996 and this is the 8th edition of the show. The show is being held at AirForce Station Yelahanka (Bangalore))

14) The 330 MW Kishanganga Hydro Electric Project, which came to news during February 2013, issituated in which state? Jammu and Kashmir (The International Court of Arbitration at the Hague on 18February 2013 ruled in favour of Indias position on the diversion of Kishanganga water and thus setting

aside the objections raised by Pakistan on this issue)

15) Which Gujarat town with overwhelming Muslim population came into news during February 2013 forelecting all 27 BJP corporators, including 24 Muslim candidates? Salaya (in Jamnagar district ofSuarashtra region) BJP for the first time had fielded Muslim candidates from here

16) 27th edition of Surajkund Mela was held during February 2013 in Surajkund in Haryana. Which statewas the theme state for this years Mela? Karnataka

17) Bhojshala, which came to news on 15 February 2013, due to communal tension between twocommunities who tried to outdo each other in offering payers at this disputed site, is situated in which

state? Madhya Pradesh (in Dhar district)

18) Which company was on top of a list of companies from India, whose employees were offered H-1B visby the US Govt. for 2012? Cognizant (9,281 employees of this company were offered H-1B visasaccording to latest data from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services)

19) 12th Summit Meeting of Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) was held between 6 and 7 February2013 at Egypt (Cairo)


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1) What is the title of a book on Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose written by his daughter Anita Pfaff, firstcopy of which was presented to Indian President Pranab Mukherjee on 6 February 2013 by the author? Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and Germany

2) Who is the first Chancellor of the upcoming International University of Nalanda (IUN), who duringFebruary 2013 expressed his displeasure with the central Govt. for slow availability of basic infrastructurefor the setting up of this university? Prof. Amartya Sen (Sen is also chairman of the governing board ofthe university. IUN is to start functioning from September 2014)

3) Wipro chief Azim Premji on 22 February 2013 announced transferring 295.5 million equity shares ofhis company worth Rs. 12,300 crore to a trust, that will utilize the endowment to fund variousnot-for-profit initiatives including primary education. What is the name of this trust? Azim PremjiFoundation

4) Worlds oldest marathon runner Fauja Singh retired from marathon running on 24 February 2013 after

running in his last marathon. Which was the last marathon of this 101 year old British runner of Indianorigin? Hong Kong Marathon (Fauja completed 10 Km race in 1 hr 32 minutes and 28 seconds. He ranfull marathons comprising of 26 mile at London Marathon, Toronto Marathon and New York Marathon)

5) A Nepali woman came to limelight during February 2013 after her feat of conquering Mt. Everest twicein just a week was acknowledged by the Guinness Book of World Records. She became the first woman toachieve this unique distinction as mentioned in the book. What is her name? Churim Sherpa (Shesuccessfully achieved this record after she conquered Mt. Everest on 12 May and 19 May 2012)


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39 Current Affairs - January 20131) What is the name of a Bell Labs industrial psychologist who was responsible for developing pushbutton phones and all-digital dialing technology and who passed away during January 2013? John E.Karlin (push-button dialing technology is now used not just in phones but has become internationalstandard on objects as diverse as ATMs, gas pumps, door locks, vending machines and medical

equipments)

2) Shanu Lahiri, who passed away during February 2013, was associated with which field? Painting(She was a noted painter of the Bengal School of painting)

3) Noted industrialist Hari Shankar Singhania, who passed away on 22 February 2013, was associatedwith which business house? JK Group (He was the President of the group)


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41 Current Affairs - January 20131) Who was conferred with the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace for 2011 on 18 February 2013? SocialWorker Ela Bhatt, the founder of SEWA (Self Employed Womens Association) The prize was given by thePresident Pranab Mukherjee

2) Departed Indian sitar maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar was awarded a posthumous Grammy Award on 9

February 2013, which was accepted by his daughter Anoushka Shankar. For which album was he awardedthis award? - ''The Living Room Sessions Part 1'' (He was awarded in the Best World Music category. RaviShankar was also nominated for his another album titled Traveller

3) Who was selected for 22nd edition of KK Birla Foundations prestigious Vyas Samman for 2012? Dr.Narendra Kohli for his Hindi novel Na Bhuto Na Bhavishyati (Prof. Ramdarash Singh is to be awardedVyas Samman for 2011 for his poetry collection titled Aam Ke Patte. Vyas Samman was constituted in1991 and is awarded for Hindi literature)

4) Which film won the best film award at the 85th Academy Awards, held on 24 February 2013 at LosAngeles Dolby Theatre? Argo, a hostage-thriller based on 1979s Iranian hostage crisis directed by

Steven Spielberg

5) Who became the first actor to win three Oscars in the best actor category after winning the award at85th Academy Awards? - Daniel Day-Lewis (for his role of Abraham Lincoln in civil war saga Lincoln)

6) Who won the award for best actress at the 85th Academy Awards 2013? Jennifer Lawrence for herwork in Silver Linings Playbook

7) Life of Pi, the film in which many Indian actors had worked, won how many Oscars at the 85thAcademy Awards? 4 (Four) Life of Pi won Best Director award for Ang Lee, award for Best OriginalScore for music director Mychael Danna, Best Cinematography Award for Claudio Miranda and award forBest Visual Effects for Joe Letteri, Eric Saindon, David Clayton and R Christopher)

8) Taiwanese director Aag Lees film Life of Pi is based on which writers novel? - Yann Martel

9) Which film was awarded the Oscar in the Best Foreign Film category? Amour from Austria

10) Which state was awarded the National e-Governance Gold Award for 2012-13 during February 2013? Madhya Pradesh (The state was awarded this award for its Sparsh Abhiyaan targeted towardsempowerment and rehabilitation of the disabled and aged persons)

11) Who was awarded the Ernst & Young Lifetime Achievement Award for 2012 for contribution to Indianbusiness and economy? Ratan Tata (Chairman Emeritus, Tata Group)

12) Which album was named Record of the Year at the Grammy Awards 2013 held during February 2013 Somebody That I Used to Know an album by Gotye and Kimbra (We are Young by Fun and JanelleMonae was named as Song of the Year)

13) Which film won the Best Picture Award at the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA), announced in aceremony held at London on 10 February 2013? Argo (This film is based on real-life events in 1979 ofCIA's attempt to free six diplomats while posing as a film crew)


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58 Current Affairs - January 2013Appointments1) Who was appointed as the new Chairman of the Sahitya Academy during February 2013? VishwanathPrasad Tiwari, Hindi poet, critic and writer (Tiwari became the 12th Chairman of this august academy devotto promoting literature of all Indian languages. This is the first time that a Hindi writer was made chairman

the academy. This appointment is for a period of 5 years and became necessary after demise of formerChairman, Sunil Gangopadhyaya in October 2012)

2) Who was appointed as the next Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations during Februar2013? - Asoke Kumar Mukerji (He will replace Hardeep Singh Puri who retired recently after completing hi2-year tenure. Mukherji is Special Secretary in the External Affairs Ministry at present)

3) Who took over as the new Chairman of insurance regulator IRDA (Insurance Regulatory and DevelopmenAuthority) on 21 February 2013? TS Vijayan, former Chairman of the Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) ofIndia (Vijayans tenure will be for a period of 5 years. He took place of Hari Narayan who retired on 20February 2013 after being at the helm of the authority for about 5 years)

4) Who was appointed as the new Solicitor General of India on 13 February 2013? - Mohan Parasaran (Hisappointment has been done in wake of resignation of senior advocate Rohinton Nariman recently. Parasarais currently the Additional Solicitor General and would have a tenure of 3 years)

5) Who replaced Hillary Clinton as United States new Secretary of State during February 2013? John Ker(He was administered oath on 2 February 2013 by US Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan)

6) Who was chosen as the new Prime Minister of Tunisia by the ruling Islamist Party on 21 February 2013?Ali Larayedh, who was the interior minister of the country till now and was known for his hardline stand(Tunisia had been facing political uncertainty since opposition leader Chokri Belaid was killed on 6 February2013. The country has since witnessing huge protests. Former Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali was trying to

form a coalition govt. in the country but he had to resign from his post on 18 February 2013 for his failure tform a new govt.)

7) Who was nominated by US President Barack Obama as countrys new Interior Secretary (home minister)on 6 February 2013 in place of outgoing secretary, Ken Salazar?- Sally Jewell (She is the first womansecretary in Obamas second presidential term)

8) Who was appointed as the new President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) for2013-14 after his election by the governing council of ICAI? Subodh Kumar Agarwal (K. Raghu was electeas Vice-President by the governing council, which is constituted of 40 members of whom 32 are elected bythe members and remaining 8 are nominated by the Central Government)

9) Who was sworn in as judge of the Madras High Court on 7 February 2013, and since he was thesenior-most judge of the court he became the acting Chief Justice of the court? - Justice Rajesh KumarAgrawal (Tamil Nadu Governor K. Rosaiah administered the oath of office to Mr. Justice Agrawal)

10) Who was appointed as Chairman of Indias second largest oil refiner, the Bharat Petroleum Corp Limite(BPCL), who will take charge on 30 September 2013? S. Varadarajan (He will take charge after presenthead of BPCL RK Singh superannuates on 30 Sep 2013)


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58 Current Affairs - January 2013Resignations

1) Who was the Prime Minister of Bulgaria, who announced his resignation on 20 February 2013, after

massive on-goings protests in the country against high electricity prices? Boiko Borisov

2) Who was the Solicitor General of India, who announced his resignation on 4 February 2013, making him

the second Solicitor General to resign from his post without completing his term during UPAs second

regime? Rohinton F. Nariman (He was the second most senior law officer of the central govt. He

apparently

resigned due to his reported differences with Union Law Minister Aswini Kumar)

3) Raphael Martinetti, the President of global wrestling governing body was forced to resign on 16 February

2013 after a vote of confidence against him was brought at Executive Committee Meeting in Thailand.

What

is the name of this body? FILA (This stern action against Martinetti was taken after International Olympic

Committee (IOC) recommended that wrestling be dropped from the 2020 Olympics)


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46 Current Affairs - January 20131) What is the name of the worlds first smart phone operated nano satellite that was successfully launched

into space along with 6 other satellites by ISROs Polar Satellite Launch VehicleC20 (PSLV-C20) on 25

February 2013? SARAL SARAL stands for - Satellite with ARGOS and ALTIKA (This satellite has been

made in an Indo-French joint venture. Other satellites launched included a space telescope satellite and five

other foreign satellites. This was ISROs 101st successful mission and was done from the Satish Dhawan

Space Centre in Sriharikota (AP). With this successful mission ISRO has placed 35 satellites successfully in

space since 1999, when it launched the first foreign satellite through its PSLV-C2 rocket)

2) President Pranab Mukherjee in his address on the opening day of the budget session on 21 February 201

announced Indias first mission to which planet, which according to the announcement would be taken

during October 2013? Mars (India would send its Mars Orbiter on a mission to look for signature of life an

reasons for loss of atmosphere on the red planet. Under the mission, India will put in orbit a spacecraft usin

the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle. The satellite will undertake a 300-day journey to Mars and is expected to

be put into the Martian orbit in September 2014)

3) What is the name of the asteroid that became the closest to pass Earth, as it passed some 28,000 km

from Earth on 15 February 2013? - 2012 DA14 (This 45 m diameter asteroid was discovered last year byastronomers from an observatory in La Sagra in southern Spain

4) Which is the latest internet browser launched by Microsoft on 26 February 2013? Internet Explorer 10

(Microso

current affairs february 2013 classified opt

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