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TOP STORIES MONTHLY
CHAIRMAN MESSAGE
Since inception of KITM this thought of
bringing out a magazine was a dream. Now
this is the time when this dream has come true.
The level of “Top Stories Monthly” has
exceptionally exemplary. Efforts are
undoubtly remarkable. Credit goes to all the
faculty members of Department of
Management Studies for their hard work.
Dedication, Commitment and sincerity are the
only key to success which is proved through
“Top Stories Monthly”. Best wishes to the
editorial team. Sh.Satyapal Aggarwal
DIRECTOR-PRINCIPAL
It is a matter of immense pleasure that
Department of Management Studies is
bringing out a magazine “Top Stories
Monthly” on monthly basis. This is a potential
approach towards true professionalism. I hope
and wish this effort of DMS will lead to a
success in setting standards for coming
generations. Prof. P.J.George
FROM EDITOR DESKS
Mission Statement
The essential purpose of Top Stories Monthly
Magazine is to inform, engage, inspire and
entertain a diverse readership -- including
alumni, parents, students, faculty, staff and
other friends of KITM, by telling powerful
content that present a compelling, timely and
honest portrait of the country and its extended
presence. In the originality of its conception,
in the excellence of its writing and visual
presentation and in its commitment to
accuracy, healthy discourse and editorial
balance, the magazine endeavors to reflect the
values and the quality of the institution itself.
By maintaining the respect and interest of its
readers, the magazine aspires ultimately to
inform their opinion of the institution and to
strengthen their commitment to its welfare.
Editorial Content
The editors of Top Stories Monthly are
ultimately responsible for all decisions
concerning the content of the magazine. In
selecting content, the editors work in
consultation with the staff and with other
members of the Institution community with
several factors in mind, including:
commitment to offering readers a mix of
newsworthy, engaging and thought-provoking
articles about the Institution and its people;
respect and concern for the institution's
history, mission and values; commitment to
providing balanced and timely coverage of
issues; concern for maintaining the
institution's commitment to open discourse;
commitment to diversity of interest, opinion
and representation; and concern for readability
and attractiveness of presentation.
The editors welcome suggestions concerning
content but can make no assurances regarding
the use of suggested or provided material.
Although no single issue of the magazine can
fully reflect the diversity of the institution and
its community, the editors will make every
effort to represent, over the course of time, the
great diversity of interest, opinion and
background inherent in the magazine's
readership.
Statements and opinions expressed in the
magazine are those of the bylined contributors
or of the editorial staff, and do not necessarily
represent the official position of the
Institution.
All articles and all information are subject to
editing by the editorial team of the magazine.
As a courtesy, programs and people
prominently featured in an article are usually
given the opportunity to preview portions of
the story that concern them in order to check
the accuracy of quotes and facts. The final
decision on changes to the article belongs,
however, to the editors.
Editor-in-Chief
Dr. Ranjeet Verma
Associate Professor & Head
Department of Management Studies
Kurukshetra Institute of Technology &
Management, Kurukshetra
Editor
Sunil Kumar
Assistant Professor
Department of Management Studies
Kurukshetra Institute of Technology &
Management, Kurukshetra
In a bid to kick-start manufacturing in the
electronics sector in the country, the Union
Govt. on 15 February launched a Rs. 10,000
crore development fund specifically targeted
at the semiconductor industry. What is the
name of this fund? –Electronic Development
Fund (EDF)
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 technologies
that are required for building hi-tech
capabilities within India
– The Department of Electronics and
Information Technology will be the anchor
investor. Canbank Venture Capital Fund, a
subsidiary of state-run lender Canara Bank,
has been appointed the implementation agency
for EDF.
– The Centre will contribute Rs. 2,200 crore,
while the balance will be brought in by private
entities. The Centre has already provided Rs.
169 crore to the four companies, while the VC
firms are investing close to Rs. 1,000 crore.
………………………………………………
…
The 2016 South Asian Games (SAG)
concluded on 16 February 2016 with a grand
closing ceremony held at Guwahati’s Indira
Gandhi Athletic Stadium. India grabbed an
unprecedented 188 gold medals and stamped
its superiority as an unrivalled region
sporting power. Which country came second
in the medals tally? – Sri Lanka
Explanation: India, hosting the Games for the
third time after Calcutta (1987) and Madras
(1995), overwhelmingly dominated the
12th
SAF Games by winning 308 medals (188
gold, 90 silver, 30 bronze).
– Sri Lanka were a distant second with 25
gold, 63 silver and 98 bronze while Pakistan
ended at third with 12 gold, 37 silver and 57
bronze. India, in fact, bagged more than three-
fourth of the total 239 gold medals on offer in
23 disciplines.
Final Medals Tally
Rank Country Gold Silver Bronze Total
1 India 188 90 30 308
2 Sri Lanka 25 63 98 186
3 Pakistan 12 37 57 106
4 Afghanistan 7 9 19 35
5 Bangladesh 4 15 56 75
6 Nepal 3 23 24 60
7 Maldives 0 2 1 3
8 Bhutan 0 1 15 16
Total 239 240 310 789
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…
SEBI Chairman UK Sinha’s tenure was
extended by the Union Govt. for how much
time as disclosed on 15 February 2016? –
One year
Explanation: The government on 15 February
2016 extended U.K. Sinha’s tenure as the
chairman of the Securities and Exchange
Board of India (SEBI) for a year. With this,
the govt. opted for continuity at a time of
domestic and global market volatility.
– The appointments committee of the cabinet
approved extension for Sinha from 18
February 2016 to 1 March 2017 or until
further orders, whichever is earlier.
– Sinha, a 1976 batch Indian Administrative
Service (IAS) officer of the Bihar cadre,
assumed office as chairman of the capital
market regulator on 18 February 2011.
Initially appointed for a three-year term, he
was later given a two-year extension.
– With the extension, Sinha has become the
second longest serving SEBI chief after D.R.
Mehta, who was at the helm for seven years
ending in 2002.
………………………………………………
…
Who was appointed as the new Vice-
Chancellor of Delhi University (DU) on 15
February 2016 after his name was selected by
President Pranab Mukherjee from among
four persons? – Yogesh Kumar Tyagi
Explanation: Yogesh Kumar Tyagi is the
Dean of the Law Faculty at South Asian
University. His name was selected by
President Pranab Mukherjee from among four
persons. Last week, the Human Resource
Development (HRD) ministry had forwarded
the four names to the President who, as Visitor
of Central Universities, makes the final
selection.
– The other names on the panel were JNU
professor Rameshwar Nath Kaul Bamezai,
former IIT professor and UPSC member
Hemchand Gupta and Bidyut Chakraborty, a
professor in the DU Political Science
department.
………………………………………………
…
Ramesh Chauhan, Chairman, Bisleri
International, came to news as he announced
his re-entry into the carbonated drinks
category, nearly 22 years after selling his
brands to Coca Cola. What is the name of the
new carbonated drink he is launching very
soon? –Bisleri Pop
Explanation: Ramesh Chauhan’s company
Bisleri International is introducing Bisleri Pop
in four variants: Bisleri Limonata, Bisleri
Fonzo, Bisleri Pina Colada and Bisleri Spyci,
from this month, in all the major cities.
– Bisleri Pop took eight months to develop
and Chauhan is expected to put all his
experience to ensure it clicks in the
marketplace. Once known as India’s cola king,
he had sold his carbonated drink portfolio
comprising of iconic brands such as Thums
Up, Gold Spot and Citra, to the Coca Cola
Company in 1993.
– The launch of Bisleri Pop portfolio will be
accompanied by an outdoors campaign,
subsequently moving to media such as
television and digital to attract youngsters.
– The Rs. 13,000-14,000 crore soft drinks
market in India is dominated by Coca-Cola
India and PepsiCo. They straddle the beverage
pyramid with carbonated and non-carbonated
drinks. Ironically, Thums Up, launched by
Chauhan when Coca-Cola first exited India in
1977, remains the largest cola brand in Coca-
Cola’s portfolio.
India’s newest and most modern aircraft
carrier INS Vikramaditya, along with its
support ships INS Mysore and INS Deepak,
reached Maldives’ capital Male on 15
February 2016 on a 4-day visit. What is the
objective of this visit of Indian Navy’s ships?
– To thwart the Chinese Navy from making
any strategic in-roads into the Indian
Ocean Region
Explanation: This visit is part of the overall
policy to shape a favourable maritime
environment in the Indian Ocean Region
(IOR) with both presence and engagement.
– India has been looking to counter the
Chinese aggression in the IOR as the China is
now viewing the ocean region as its own
backyard. An emboldened Chinese Navy had
previously anchored 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 reiterated its
commitment to train the archipelago’s military
and help it in maritime surveillance. India is
also likely to help Maldives in setting up 10
coastal surveillance radar system (CSRS)
stations.
– INS Vikramaditya, one of the two aircraft
carriers of the Navy, is capable of operating a
versatile range of high- performance aircraft,
such as the MiG-29K fighters, KM 31 AEW
helicopters, multi-role Sea-Kings and utility
Chetaks.
………………………………………………
…
The Urban Development Ministry on 15
February 2016 unveiled the list of India’s
cleanest cities that were surveyed for
sanitation and hygiene conditions as per
‘Swachh Survekshan-2016’. Which city
topped this list? – Mysuru
Explanation: Mysuru in Karnataka remained
the cleanest city in the country as disclosed in
the list of 73 major cities surveyed for
sanitation scenario last month. Results of
‘Swachh Survekshan-2016’ were released by
the Minister of Urban Development
M.Venkaiah Naidu on 15 February 2016.
– It is worth mentioning that last year Mysuru
was ranked as the cleanest city in the country
among 476 cities with population of at least
one lakh.
– The top 10 cities in terms of sanitation and
hygiene in order of rank are: Mysuru,
Chandigarh, Tiruchirapalli (Tamil Nadu), New
Delhi Municipal Council, Visakhapatnam
(Andhra Pradesh), Surat, Rajkot, both in
Gujarat, Gangtok (Sikkim), Pimpri Chindwad
and Greater Mumbai, both from Maharashtra.
– Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh), Surat and
Rajkot, both form Gujarat and Gangtok
(Sikkim) improved their ranks to break into
top 10 clean cities in this year’s survey.
– The bottom 10 cities are: Kalyan Dombivili
(Maharshtra-ranked 64), Varanasi (UP),
Jamshedpur (Jharkhand), Ghaziabad (UP),
Raipur (Chhattisgarh), Meerut (UP), Patna
(Bihar), Itanagar (Arunachal Pradesh),
Asansol (West Bengal) and Dhanbad, ranked
73.
– The rankings reflect progress made in the
strategy for open defecation-free towns and
integrated solid waste management, among
others.
………………………………………………
…
What is the name of given to the biggest
military exercise of its kind being held from
15 February 2016 for which 20 armed forces
from Arab, Islamic and friendly countries
assembled in Saudi Arabia? – “North
Thunder”
Explanation: “North Thunder” is the name
given to the biggest military exercise of its
kind in terms of the number of participating
countries and military equipment that
commenced at the King Khaled Military City
(KKMC) in Saudi Arabia from 15 February
2016.
– This exercise features 20 countries from
Arab, Islamic and countries friendly to Saudi
Arabia. These countries are – Saudi Arabia,
UAE, Jordan, Bahrain, Senegal, Sudan,
Kuwait, Maldives, Morocco, Pakistan, Chad,
Tunisia, Comoro Islands, Djibouti, Oman,
Qatar, Malaysia, Egypt, Mauritania, and
Mauritius.
– “North Thunder” involves fighter jets of
different models, a wide range of artillery,
tanks, infantry, air defense systems, and naval
forces in a simulation to reflect the highest
level of preparedness of the 20 participating
countries.
– The exercise aims to send a clear message
that Saudi Arabia, its sister, brotherly and
friendly countries joining the maneuver are
standing together in the face of all challenges
to preserve peace and stability in the region
and the world at large.
– Saudi Arabia is currently leading a military
campaign against Iran-backed rebels in
Yemen. In December, it also announced
formation of a 35-member alliance against
terrorism.
………………………………………………
…
Indian Railway Catering and Tourism
Corporation (IRCTC) tied up with which
wallet subsidiary of Tata Teleservices to
provide an additional payment gateway as
announced on 15 February 2016? –
mRUPEE
Explanation: mRUPEE, a subsidiary of Tata
Teleservices, on 15 February announced a tie-
up with Indian Railway Catering and Tourism
Corporation (IRCTC), India’s largest e-
commerce company, to provide an additional
payment gateway.
– This tie-up will allow users one-tap
payments for rail ticket bookings via
mRUPEE wallet for a significant number of
travellers.
– mRupee expects that the tie-up with IRCTC
will not only give railway customers the ease
of quick and convenient booking, but also give
a thrust to the government’s mandate of
enhancing wider adoption of digital money in
India.
………………………………………………
…
What is the name of the 7th joint military
training exercise between the Indian Army
and the Seychelles People’s Defence Forces
(SPDF) that started at Seychelles Defence
Academy (SDA) from 15 February 2016? –
Lamitye 2016
Explanation: Lamitye is the name given to
the joint military training exercise that takes
place between the armies of India and
Seychelles. Both the countries have been
conducting joint exercises since 2001 under
the ‘Lamitye’ series. ‘Lamitye’ means
friendship in Creole (local dialect of
Seychelles).
– The exercise is conducted biennially with
the aim of enhancing military cooperation and
interoperability between the two countries.
– ‘Lamitye 2016’ is being conducted at
Seychelles Defence Academy (SDA),
Victoria, Seychelles from 15 February to 28
February 2016. The Seychelles People’s
Defence Forces (SPDF) is being represented
by 20 personnel from Tazar (Special Forces
Unit) and 32 from Seychelles Infantry. The
Indian contingent comprises of an Infantry
platoon and representatives from the Special
Forces.
Which public-sector bank on 12 February
2016 announced net loss of Rs. 3,342 crore
for quarter ended December 2015, which is
the largest quarterly loss by a bank in the
history of Indian banking industry? – Bank
of Baroda (BOB)
Explanation: Bank of Baroda (BOB) 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 Rs. 333 crore in the
same period of last year.
– 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.
– It is worth mentioning that the RBI had
asked PSU banks to treat some troubled
accounts as official bad loans and make
adequate provisions.
– Among the worst performers, IDBI Bank
made a loss of Rs. 2,184 crore, IOB Rs. 1,425
crore and Bank of India Rs. 1,505 crore.
……………………………………………….
Which team won the ICC Under-19 World
Cup 2016 by defeating India in the finals on
14 February 2016? – West Indies
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 bowled-
out for a paltry 145 runs off 45.1 overs. West
Indies successfully chased the winning target
in 49.3 overs for the loss of 5 wickets. It is
worth mentioning that India was the only
undefeated team in the tournament.
– This was the maiden ICC U-19 World Cup
title for West Indies.
– The ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup is an
international cricket tournament contested by
national under-19 teams. First contested in
1988, as the Youth World Cup, it was not
staged again until 1998. Since then, the World
Cup has been held as a biennial event,
organised by the International Cricket Council
(ICC). India and Australia have been the most
successful teams in this tournament, having
won the tournament thrice each. Pakistan has
won the tournament twice, while South Africa,
England and now the West Indies have won it
once.
………………………………………………
ONV Kurup, who passed away on 13
February 2016, was a celebrated poet and
lyricist associated with which language? –
Malayalam
Explanation: Ottaplakkal Neelakandan Velu
Kurup (ONV Kurup) was one of the most
celebrated and respected poet of Malayalam
language. His influential presence existed for
nearly seven decades in Kerala’s cultural
landscape.
– As a poet and public figure, he was
associated with the political and cultural Left
all through his life. He also contested
unsuccessfully as the Left Front candidate
from the Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha seat
in 1989.
– He received numerous awards for his poetry,
including the Sahitya Akademi prize (1975)
and the Jnanpith Award (2007), and a dozen
Kerala state film awards for lyrics. He also
received the Padma Shri (1998) and Padma
Vibhushan (2011), the fourth and second
highest civilian honours from the Government
of India.
– He passed away on 13 February in
Thiruvananthapuram at the age of 84.
………………………………………….
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 showdown between the
Union Govt. and the Opposition? –
Kanhaiya Kumar
Explanation: Kanhaiya Kumar, the president
of Jawaharlal Nehru University Student’s
Union (JNUSU) was arrested by the police on
12 February 2016. He was arrested on charges
of sedition one day after a controversial event
organized on the campus against the hanging
of Afzal Guru.
– The arrest of Kanhaiya Kumar upped the
Opposition ante over the BJP-led National
Democratic Alliance (NDA) with a huge
opposition show-down held on 13 February.
– The Opposition claimed that the government
was suppressing the voices of the people. This
showdown was attended by senior opposition
leaders including Congress vice president
Rahul Gandhi.
………………………………………….
An Associate Justice of the US Supreme
Court died on 13 February 2016. What was
the name of this judge who served in the US
Supreme Court for almost 30 years and
whose death set up a major political
showdown between President Barack Obama
and the Republican-controlled Senate? –
Justice Antonin Scalia
Explanation: 78-year old Justice Antonin
Scalia passed away at the Cibolo Creek Ranch
resort in West Texas on 13 February 2016. He
served on the nation’s highest court for nearly
30 years. He was appointed to the Court by
President Ronald Reagan in 1986.
– Scalia had a “larger-than-life presence” in
the US judiciary and was known for his
strident conservative views and theatrical flair
in the courtroom. But his death setup a big
showdown between President Obama and the
Republican-controlled Senate, over who will
replace him just months before a presidential
election.
– Justice Scalia was the longest-serving judge
in the Court. It is worth mentioning that once
appointed, the judges in the US Supreme
Court have life tenure unless they resign,
retire, take senior status, or are removed after
impeachment (though no justice has ever been
removed).
– Scalia was one of the eight associate justices
in the US Supreme Court apart from Chief
Justice John Roberts.
………………………………………….
Internet search giant Google on 12 February
2016 announced that with the objective of
fully focusing on ‘Google Photos’ service it
will shut down its photo editing service that
has been in service for over a decade. What is
the name of this famous photo editing
service? – Picasa
Explanation: Picasa is an image organizer
and image viewer application primarily for
organizing and editing digital photos.
– It was originally created by a company
called ‘Lifescape’ in 2002 but was acquired by
Google in July 2004. Google started offering
Picasa as a freeware and it went on to become
the most famous photo editing organizer
application in the world.
– But Google introduced its own photo service
named ‘Google Photos’ on 28 May 2015 and
now wishes to focus entirely on it.
– So on 12 February Google announced that it
was discontinuing Picasa, effective 15 March
2016, and focusing on Google Photos as its
successor. Picasa Web Albums, a companion
service will be closed on 1 May 2016.
– It is worth mentioning that while Picasa was
more suited for desktop applications, ‘Google
Photos’ provides more functionality and works
across mobile and desktop.
In a path-breaking development in the field
of Physics, a group of 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.
Which scientist had predicted the existence of
gravitational waves some 100 years ago? –
Albert Einstein
Explanation: The scientists of US-based
Laser Interferometer 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.
– The discovery came after decades of
instrument research and development, and the
collaborative efforts of around 1,000
scientists, 90 institutions and 15 countries,
including India.
– This was the first time a Binary Black Hole
system has been directly observed. The
discovery, possibly the biggest scientific
breakthrough of the century so far, radically
expands the ways in which the cosmos can
now be observed and understood.
– The study of gravitational waves will offer
scientists greater insights into the origin of the
universe and how planets are created.
– LIGO is a system of two identical detectors
located in Livingstone, Louisiana, and
Hanford, Washington, which were constructed
to detect tiny vibrations from passing
gravitational waves.
……………………………………………..
History was created on 12 February 2016
when Pope Francis, the head of the Roman
Catholic churches, and Patriarch Kirill, the
supreme of the Russian Orthodox churches,
met at Havana’s José Martí International
Airport in Cuba. This was the first meeting of
the heads of the two Christian groups in
around 1,000 years since the Great Schism
shattered Christendom. The Great Schism
took place in which year? – 1054 AD
Explanation: The Great Schism (also called
the East–West Schism) was the event that
broke the chord between the Eastern Orthodox
and the Roman Catholic churches in 1054.
The primary reasons for this split between the
two churches were – the source of the Holy
Spirit, whether leavened or unleavened bread
should be used in the Eucharist and the Pope’s
claim to universal jurisdiction.
– Despite famine, religious wars, worldwide
conflict and the spread of civilization, the
heads of the Roman Catholic and the Russian
Orthodox churches haven’t spoken since the
Great Schism of 1054.
– But on 12 February Pope Francis and the
Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church,
Patriarch Kirill, met in Havana, Cuba and took
historic steps for restoring ties between the
two churches.
– Francis and Kirill also called for political
leaders to act on the single most important
issue of shared concern between the Catholic
and Orthodox churches today: the plight of
Christians in Iraq and Syria who are being
killed and driven from their homes by the
Islamic State group.
– It is worth mentioning that the split between
the two churches nearly 1,000 years ago has
festered over issues such as the primacy of the
pope and accusations by the Russian Orthodox
Church that the Catholic Church tries to poach
converts in Russia.
……………………………………………..
The ministry of corporate affairs (MCA)
ordered a merger between two entities on 12
February 2016 which was the first time that
the government forced a merger between two
private entities, using a provision of the
Companies Act that allows it do so in public
interest? – Financial Technologies India Ltd
(FTIL) and National Spot Exchange Ltd
(NSEL)
Explanation: The MCA on 12 February 2016
ordered a merger between Financial
Technologies India Ltd (FTIL) and its unit
National Spot Exchange Ltd (NSEL), making
FTIL responsible for the liabilities of the
fraud-hit commodities bourse.
– It’s Thus also became the first – ever
instance of the Union Govt. forcing a merger
between two private entities, using a provision
of the Companies Act that allows it do so in
public interest.
– FTIL, controlled by entrepreneur Jignesh
Shah, immediately said it will challenge the
order in the Bombay High Court. FTIL owns
99.99% of NSEL, on which trading was
suspended after a Rs. 5,574.35 crore fraud at
the latter came to light in July 2013.
……………………………………………..
Which important 4-day event associated with
the birds in the country started from 12
February 2016? – Great Backyard Bird
Count
Explanation: The 4th
edition of the Great
Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) India
commenced from 12 September 2016. The
main objective of GBBC is to create an annual
snapshot of the distribution and abundance of
birds in the country. It is the part of a global
event associated with bird-watching and bird-
related activities.
– Over 1,000 birdwatchers from across India
are expected to take part in this global event.
More than 150 educational and other
institutions are documenting their birds
through the Campus Bird Watch.
– The data gathered from GBBC can provide
the first sign that individual species may be
increasing or declining from year to year.
……………………………………………..
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 date? – 15 April 2016
Explanation: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind
Kejriwal announced bringing back the odd-
even road rationing scheme from 15 April
2016 for a period of 15 days. The state govt.
also announced that the government is also
seriously thinking implementing the 15-day
odd-even scheme every month.
– Two-wheelers and women motorists would
continue to be exempted from this scheme.
– The scheme aimed at curbing pollution by
halving the number of cars plying in the city
was first implemented from 1 January to 15
January 2016.
– The govt. claimed that the first phase of odd-
even scheme did not really shift people to
Metro but was successful in encouraging car-
pooling.
Lance Naik Hanamanthappa, the brave-
heart soldier of the Indian Army, passed
away on 11 February 2016 after 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 Betadur village, Kundagol
taluk, Dharwad district, Karnataka.
– Despite being rejected thrice in the Army
recruitment rallies at Belagavi, Dharwad and
Gadag, Hanamanthappa kept on trying and
finally managed to get into the 19 Madras
Regiment of the Indian Army 14 years ago.
– 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 9 February
and was on ventilator since. His condition
steadily deteriorated due to multiple organ
failure.
……………………………………………….
Setting the stage for the phased elimination
of malaria across the country, the Union
Govt. launched the National Framework for
Malaria Elimination (NFME) on 11
February 2016. What is the main objective of
this framework? – To eliminate malaria by
year 2027 from the country, ahead of the
WHO’s target of 2030
Explanation: The Union Govt. launched the
ambitious National Framework for Malaria
Elimination (NFME) on 11 February 2016
which seeks to completely eliminate malaria
in the country by year 2027.
– NFME is part of the 12th
plan document and
will be implemented for the next five years.
After five years, it will be halted briefly for a
review and re-started with the feedback
received from the agencies concerned.
– Under NFME, people with fever will be
diagnosed with rapid tests and prompt
treatment for those tested positive with
malaria will be provided. In the first phase of
the project, states like Jammu and Kashmir,
Himachal Pradesh and Punjab will be covered.
– It will also focus on 11 endemic states in the
north-east and the tribal belts in east and
central India.
……………………………………………….
Around one lakh jewellery shops all over the
country remained closed on 10 February
2016 to protest against which central
government rule that came into effect from 1
January 2016? – To mandatorily quote
PAN for any transactions of Rs. 2 lakh and
above
Explanation: Around one lakh jewellery
shops registered with over 300
different jewellery associations across the
country observed one-day strike on 10
February 2016 to protest against norms that
make it mandatory to quote PAN for any
transactions of Rs 2 lakh and above. This new
rule was put into effect from 1 January 2016.
– According to leading jewellery associations,
this rule has put a pressure on the sale of
jewellery, particularly in the semi-urban and
rural regions. With only 22.3 crore PAN cards
being issued, people residing in these areas
jewelers finding it extremely difficult to
purchase jewellery as a result of which there
had been a 30% dip in sales volumes since 1
January 2016.
– Nearly 50% of gold jewellers’ business
generally originates from the small towns and
thousands and PAN card availability in these
areas is very low. This has struck the jewelers
hard.
……………………………………………….
The girl child welfare programme ‘Beti
Bachao Beti Padhao’ was extended to how
many new districts by the Union Govt. on 10
February 2016? – 61 districts
Explanation: ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’,
which is the flagship programme of the
Women and Child Development Ministry, was
launched in additional 61 districts (covering
11 states) on 10 February 2016. The scheme
was initially launched in 100 districts.
– The 11 states are: Uttar Pradesh, Delhi,
Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu
and Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra,
Punjab, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand.
– The programme, launched by Prime Minister
Narendra Modi in Haryana last year, seeks to
improve the declining trend of child sex ratio
in selected districts.
– 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.
……………………………………………….
Which state became the first state in the
country to record failure of winter crop, as
announced by it on 10 February 2016? –
Karnataka
Explanation: On 10 February Karnataka
became the first state in the country to witness
a disastrous winter harvest this year after it
requested central assistance of Rs.1,417 crore
after rabi crop worth Rs.7,209 crore was
damaged. The state government claimed that it
has lost rabi crop in more than 70% of the
sown area.
– This development came at a time when an
unusually dry and warm winter has not only
affected planting across India, but also raised
fears of another failed crop, especially in
parched states such as Maharashtra and Uttar
Pradesh. A failed rabi crop will mean the
fourth consecutive crop failure for Indian
farmers, coming on the back of two failed
kharif crops (in 2014 and 2015), interspersed
with a spate of unseasonal rains that damaged
last year’s winter harvest in 15 states.
……………………………………………….
What is the name of the ad-free premium
version of the video streaming site YouTube
that was launched by the company on 10
February 2016? – ‘YouTube Red Originals’
Explanation: ‘YouTube Red Originals’ is an
ad-free premium version of the Google-owned
video streaming site YouTube that also lets
users save videos offline and play videos in
background. It officially went live with its
original movies from 10 February.
– This series is part of Google parent
Alphabet’s efforts to attract users to its paid
service. The move will pit YouTube against
video streaming pioneer Netflix.
– Although this premium service is presently
not available in India, Google has left a back
door for viewers to watch the content.
– YouTube Originals, which is a list of
original series and movies from some of
YouTube’s popular creators, in India can be
viewed either via the Google Play Store or via
YouTube.
In a landmark development, the
environmental panel of International Civil
Aviation Organization (ICAO) on 8 February
2016 reached agreement on long-sought
greenhouse gas emissions standards for
airliners and cargo planes. What is the basic
deadline for aircrafts to meet norms as
agreed to by the said panel? – New aircrafts
should meet the emission standards
beginning 2020
Explanation: The agreement reached by
ICAO’s environmental panel requires that new
aircraft designs meet the standards beginning
in 2020, and that designs already in production
comply by 2023.
– There is also a cut-off date of 2028 for the
manufacture of planes that don’t comply with
the standards.
– The standards would be the first ever to
impose binding energy efficiency 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.
– While the ICAO agreement was welcomed
by the White House, it drew criticism from
environmentalists who said they would be too
weak to actually slow global warming.
………………………………………………
……….
Which public-sector bank’s net profit
plunged by over 90% during the third quarter
(Q3) ended December 2015, as reported in
the results on 9 February 2016? – Punjab
National Bank (PNB)
Explanation: PNB’s net profit for the 3rd
quarter (Sep-Dec 2015) was just Rs. 51 crore.
It was way lower than the average Rs. 700
crore estimated by analysts.
– The bank’s profitability was hit by sharp rise
in provision for bad loans. Its gross non-
performing assets (bad loans) surged to 8.47%
of advances in Q3 against 6.36% in Q2,
prompting the bank to double provisions
to Rs. 3,776 crore in Q3 from Rs.1,882 crore
in Q2.
– 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.
………………………………………………
……….
On 8 February 2016, the Export-Import
(EXIM) Bank of India announced plans to
raise $300 million through ‘Panda Bonds’ to
finance demand for credit. What are ‘Panda
Bonds’? – Panda bonds are renminbi-
denominated (Chinese currency)
instruments from a non-Chinese issuer, sold
in China
Explanation: EXIM Bank is seeking to raise
Panda Bonds because the currency swap rates
to raise money from the Chinese market are
looking attractive at present. However, the
timing for bond offering would depend on
favourable swap rates.
– EXIM was looking at a big issue to finance
some of the major infrastructure projects that
were now coming up. So far this financial
year, EXIM Bank has raised $500 million
through green bonds and another $500 million
through a dollar-denominated bond.
………………………………………………
……….
Sushil Koirala, the 37th
Prime Minister of
Nepal, passed away in the morning of 9
February 2016. He was instrumental
in promulgating the new constitution of the
country during September 2015. He was the
Prime Minister of the country during which
trying period? – 2014-15
Explanation: Sushil Koirala was Prime
Minister of Nepal from 11 February 2014 to
10 October 2015. He was also the President of
the Nepali Congress, presently the most
important political entity in the country, from
2010.
– Koirala was member of the politically
prominent Koirala family. He was the cousin
of former prime ministers Girija Prasad
Koirala, Matrika Prasad Koirala and
Bishweshwar Prasad Koirala.
– He was diagnosed with lung cancer in June
2014. He passed away on 9 February during
his sleep at the age of 78.
………………………………………………
……….
The first-ever joint-tactical exercise of Indian
and Chinese troops was held on 6 February
2016 at which place in India? –Chushul-
Moldo area in J&K’s Ladakh region
Explanation: This first of its-kind exercise
was held in Chushul-Moldo area of Eastern
Ladakh sector of Jammu & Kashmir on 6
February. The exercise focused on
humanitarian aid and disaster relief.
– The exercise was code-named “Sino-India
Cooperation 2016’’. The joint exercise was
based on a situation of national disaster
occurring on the border and subsequent
coordination of rescue mission by joint teams
of both the countries.
– Led by Colonel Ritesh Chandra Singh, thirty
Indian personnel participated in the joint
exercise. The Chinese delegation was led by
Colonel Qu Yi.
………………………………………………
……….
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 the efforts to improve government work,
commenced on 8 February 2016. This event
is hosted by which country annually? –
United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Explanation: The 4th
edition of
World Government Summit (WGS) was
opened on 8 February 2016 at Dubai (UAE).
The theme of this summit is ‘Shaping Future
Governments’.
– Since 2013, the UAE government has hosted
the ‘World Government Summit’ that brings
together government officials, thinkers, policy
makers and private sector executives to
discuss the best ways to develop the future of
government.
In a historic development, India on 8
February 2016 firmly chose ‘Net Neutrality’
and immediately banned differential pricing
for Internet services (data services). This
meant that Facebook’s free internet scheme,
fronted by founder Mark Zuckerberg, will
not be allowed in the country. How much
fine has been announced on violators of net
neutrality policy? – Rs. 50,000 per day –
Explanation: The Telecom 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.
– The regulation clearly mentioned “No
service provider can offer or 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 Rs. 50,000
a day for discriminatory tariffs charged by
service providers. These regulations came
amid an ongoing debate over net neutrality in
the country.
– The issue of net neutrality came to focus
after TRAI’s consultation paper on differential
data pricing was issued in 2015. It had raised
concern over zero-rating tariff models – a
practice wherein service providers offer free
data to users for select applications and
websites.
………………………………………………
……..
State-owned oil refining entity Indian Oil
Corporation (IOC) on 7 February 2016
overtook Reliance Industries Limited (RIL)
to become country’s top refiner. This became
possible after IOC’s mammoth Rs. 34,555
crore refinery was commissioned on this day.
This new refinery has been established at –
Paradip (Odisha)
Explanation: IOC’s Paradip refinery was
dedicated to the country by Prime Minister
Narendra 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.
– It will produce 5.6 million tons per annum of
diesel, 3.79 million tons of petrol and 1.96
million tons of kerosene/ATF. Besides,
790,000 tons of LPG and 1.21 million tons of
petcoke would also be produced here.
– Paradip refinery thus has capacity to refine
15 million tons of crude oil. Prior to Paradip,
IOC’s eight refineries had a cumulative
capacity of 54.2 million tons of crude oil.
Paradip helped IOC overtake Reliance
Industries, which has twin refineries at
Jamnagar in Gujarat with a capacity of 62
million tons.
– IOC also has a subsidiary Chennai
Petroleum Corp Ltd (CPCL) which operates
refineries with total capacity of 11.50 million
tons.
– Paradip refinery took almost 16 years to
complete. Its foundation stone was laid by the
then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on
24 May 2000.
………………………………………………
……..
Which Indian woman was invited to serve as
a panelist on United Nations (UN) panel on
women’s economic empowerment, as
announced by the UN Secretary General Ban
Ki-Moon on 6 February 2016? – Renana
Jhabvala
Explanation: Renana Jhabvala is an
Ahmedabad-based social worker, who came to
news as she was invited to serve as a panelist
on United Nations (UN) panel on women’s
economic empowerment.
– 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 unions in India and is
extensively involved in policy issues relating
to poor women and the informal economy.
– She is the Nation Coordinator of the Self-
Employed Women’s Association of India
(SEWA), trade union for poor, self-employed
women workers in India founded by noted
Gandhian and civil rights leader Ela Bhatt.
Renana has won the Padma Shri for her
efforts.
– The United Nations has established the panel
to provide recommendations on improving
economic outcomes for women and promoting
women’s leadership in driving sustainable,
inclusive and environmentally-sensitive
economic growth. The role of the panel is
important in view of the 2030 Agenda for
Sustainable Development.
………………………………………………
……..
Nida Fazli, who passed away on 8 February
2016, was a renowned personality associated
with which field? – Urdu and Hindi poetry
Explanation: Noted Urdu and Hindi poet
Muqtida Hasan Nida Fazli, popularly known
as Nida Fazli, passed away on 8 February
2016 in Mumbai. He was 77.
– Fazli was one of the most popular writers of
present time with some iconic compositions
like ‘Tu Is Tarah Se Meri Zindagi Mein
Shaamil Hai’, ‘Hosh Waalon Ko Khabar
Kya’, ‘Aa bhi jaa, aa bhi jaa’ and ‘Muh ki
baat sune har koi’.
– He teamed up with Jagjit Singh in 1994 to
bring an album named ‘Insight’, which got
appreciation for its soulful poetry and music.
He became known among readers and ghazal
singers for his elegant presentation and
exclusive use of colloquial language for
ghazals, dohaas and nazms, while avoiding
complex Persian imagery.
………………………………………………
……..
Two infrastructure entities have sought the
approval of capital market regulator SEBI to
launch India’s first infrastructure investment
trust (InvIT)? – IRB Infrastructure
Developers Ltd and GMR Infrastructure
Ltd
Explanation: Both IRB Infrastructure
Developers Ltd (IRB) and GMR Infrastructure
Ltd. (GMR), in the application to the
Securities and Exchange Board of India
(SEBI), have identified assets they want to list
under infrastructure investment trust (InvIT).
– InvITs are trusts which manage income
generating infrastructure assets, typically
offering investors regular yields and a liquid
method of investing in infrastructure projects.
– They are expected to encourage higher
foreign investment in the Indian infrastructure
sector, reduce the burden on the banking
system, and allow developers to unlock tied-
up capital.
– It is worth mentioning that IRB was the first
company to announce plans for an InvIT.
………………………………………………
……..
The 9th
edition of the India-Nepal combined
battalion-level military training exercise
named ‘Surya Kiran’ commenced on 8
February 2016. This 14-day exercise
comprising of counter-terrorism operations
and ‘jungle warfare’ is being held at which
place? –Pithoragarh (Uttarakhand)
Explanation: ‘Surya Kiran’ is the name given
to the series of bi-annual military exercise
which is conducted alternatively in Nepal and
India.
– This edition of exercise is being held under
the aegis of Panchshul brigade of central
command.
The geographical indication (GI) tag for
basmati rice for how many states was ordered
by the Intellectual Property Appellate 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.
– In this regard, the Intellectual Property
Appellate Board (IPAB) directed the Chennai-
based assistant registrar of the Geographical
Indications Registry to proceed with
registration of a geographical indication (GI)
tag for Basmati rice according to the
geographical demarcation conducted by the
Agricultural and Processed Food Products
Export Development Authority (APEDA).
– This meant that seven north Indian Basmati
rice-producing states like Punjab, Haryana,
Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand and parts
of Uttar Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir will
get the GI tag.
– APEDA, as a statutory authority related to
exports of agricultural products, applied for
the GI tag for Basmati, a special long grain
aromatic rice grown in a particular
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.
– The authority also dismissed two petitions
from the Basmati Growers’ Association of
Lahore, Pakistan, related to the matter.
– A GI tag can be issued for agricultural,
natural or manufactured goods that have a
given quality, reputation or other
characteristics attributable to its geographical
origin.
– A GI registration gives the registered
proprietor and authorised users the legal right
to the exclusive use of the GI, and no
unauthorised person can use the tag. Some of
the examples of GI are Mysore Silk, Mysore
Agarbathi, Kancheepuram Silk, Orissa Ikat,
Channapatna Toys & Dolls, and Coimbatore
Wet Grinder.
– Products sold with the GI tag get premium
pricing also.
………………………………………………
…………………………….
Sudhir Tailang, who passed away on 6
February 2016 at a 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. He started his career
with the ‘Illustrated Weekly of India’ in
Mumbai, in 1982.
– A year later, he joined the ‘Navbharat
Times’ in New Delhi. He had worked with all
major English newspapers including
the Hindustan Times, the Times of India and
the Indian Express.
– His last assignment was with the ‘Asian
Age’.
– He was awarded the Padma Shri in 2004 for
his contribution to the art of cartooning.
– He was suffering from brain tumour and had
undergone two surgeries and chemotherapy
during the course of his treatment over two
years. He was 55.
………………………………………………
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US astronaut Edgar Mitchell, who was the
sixth man to walk on the Moon, passed away
on 5 February 2016 at the age of 85. He was
associated with which path-breaking NASA
mission to the Moon? –Apollo 14
Explanation: Edgar Mitchell was part of
NASA’s Apollo 14 mission of year 1971. As a
member of the mission, he spent more than
nine hours on the Moon conducting
experiments.
– His mission to the Moon was the fourth in
the US Apollo series, and the first to follow
the ill-fated Apollo 13 which aborted its
attempt to land after an oxygen tank
explosion.
– Overall 12 persons have the unique
distinction of walking on the Moon and Edgar
Mitchell was the sixth person in this list.
………………………………………………
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India’s biggest commercial vehicles
manufacturer Tata Motors declared a
lockout at which of its bus manufacturing
plants on 6 February 2016? – Dharwad
(Karnataka)
Explanation: Tata Motors on 6 February
declared a lockout at its bus manufacturing
plant in Karnataka’s Dharwad, following a
continued strike by workers. The plant makes
buses under the Tata Marcopolo brand.
– Dissatisfied with the revision in wages and
subsequent suspension of a dozen staff
members, a section of workers at the plant are
alleged to have incited others to disrupt work.
The company decided to shut down operations
on 6 February.
– Dharwad is one of the youngest plants of the
Mumbai-based company which began
operations in 2009. The plant makes fully-
built buses for intra-city and inter-city
transportation that include 16 to 54-seater
standard and 18 to 45-seater luxury and low-
floor city buses.
– The plant produces 60 buses a day for both
the local market and markets such as Sri
Lanka and Bangladesh.
………………………………………………
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Australian all-rounder Shane Watson
emerged as the costliest player of the IPL
player auction that was held on 6 February
2016. He was acquired for Rs. 9.5 crore by
Royal Challengers Bangalore. Which player
emerged as the costliest Indian player in the
auction? – Pawan Negi
Explanation: Indian all-rounder Pawan Negi
was bought for Rs 8.5 crore by Delhi
Daredevils and he thus emerged as the
costliest Indian player in this auction.
– Yuvraj Singh was picked by Sunrisers
Hyderabad for Rs. 7 crore. Chris Morris was
also bought by Mumbai Indians for Rs. 7 crore
while Mohit Sharma cost Rs. 6.5 crore to
Kings XI Punjab.
The 12th
edition of South Asian Games
(SAG) was inaugurated by Prime Minister
Narendra Modi on 5 February 2016. This
biggest multi-sporting event of the SAARC
region is being held in which two cities of
India? – Guwahati and Shillong
Explanation: Explanation: The inaugural
ceremony of 12th
South Asian Games
(12th
SAG) was held at the Indira Gandhi
Athletics Stadium in Guwahati on 5 February
2016.
India is hosting the 12th
South Asian
Games, 2016 in Guwahati and Shillong
from 5 February to 16 February 2016.
The motto of SAG 2016 is “Play for
Peace, Progress and Prosperity“.
‘Tikhor’ the baby 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 Games (CWG).
In the 12th
edition of the South Asian
Games this year, more than 2600 athletes
from eight member countries namely,
Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India,
Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka
are participating.
As per the announcement made by the Indian
Foreign Ministry on 4 February 2016, India
has ratified an international convention on
nuclear energy accident liability. This step
was the final piece in its efforts to address a
major concern of foreign nuclear suppliers.
What will be the main benefit of this
ratification? – This makes India part of a
global legal regime that has 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 Ratification of
the Convention on Supplementary
Compensation (CSC) for Nuclear Damage to
the International Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA).
International nuclear reactor makers such
as General Electric have been reluctant to
set up plants in India because of a 2010
domestic liability law that makes
equipment suppliers accountable for
accidents and not the plant operators, as is
the global norm.
Therefore no US company had been
willing to invest in India’s nuclear power
market for fear of the liability clause in its
domestic law.
Last year, India launched an insurance
pool with a liability cap of Rs.1,500 crore
($225 million) to cover the suppliers’ risk
of potential liability.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 5
February 2016 inaugurated a gas cracker
project, which became the first petrochemical
project to be set up in the North-East. This
project costing Rs. 10,000 crore has been
setup at which place in Assam? – Lepetkata
Explanation: Rs.10,000 crore Assam Gas
Cracker Project has been established at
Lepetkata in Upper Assam’s Dibrugarh
district. Executed by the Brahmaputra
Crackers and Polymers Ltd., the project
missed several deadlines and overshot the
budget.
It was envisaged by the then prime
minister Indira Gandhi in 1984 and given
shape by Rajiv Gandhi as prime minister
in 1985 at the end of the six-year- long
anti-foreigners agitation. The then prime
minister Manmohan Singh laid the
foundation stone of the project in 2007.
Gas Authority of India Ltd (GAIL) has
70% stake in BCPL while Oil India
Limited, Numaligarh Refinery Ltd and
Assam government have 10% each.
The project will use naphtha and natural
gas from Assam’s oilfields to produce
ethylene, the feedstock for manufacturing
polymers that are basic building blocks of
plastics.
A.G. Krishnamurthy, a doyen of the Indian
advertising industry, passed away in
Hyderabad on 5 February 2016. He was the
founder of which iconic advertising agency?
–Mudra Communications
Explanation: Krishnamurthy had founded
Mudra Communications in 1980 after he
worked as an advertising manager for
Reliance Industries’ in-house fabric brand
Vimal.
Mudra Communications was owned by
Reliance and it went on to become India’s
third largest advertising agency in 1989,
and played a hand in building brands such
as Vimal Fabrics and Rasna, a soft drink
concentrate brand, into industry leaders.
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.
The Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP), one of
the biggest multinational trade deals ever,
was signed at which place by 12 countries on
4 February 2016? – Auckland (New
Zealand)
Explanation: 12 countries involved in TPP
are the US, Japan, Malaysia, Vietnam,
Singapore, Brunei, Australia, New Zealand,
Canada, Mexico, Chile and Peru.
These 12 countries have a collective
population of about 800 million – almost
double that of the European Union’s
single market. The 12-nation would-be
bloc is already responsible for 40% of
world trade.
TPP pact aims to deepen economic ties
between these nations, slashing tariffs and
fostering trade to boost growth. Member
countries are also hoping to foster a closer
relationship on economic policies and
regulation.
The first steps towards TPP started 10
years when the P4 Trade Agreement was
put into effect. This agreement involved 4
countries – Brunei, Chile, New Zealand
and Singapore.
The second-ever International Fleet Review
(IFR) in India, comprising of navies from 54
countries, commenced at which place from 4
February 2016? –Vishakhapatnam
Explanation: The International Fleet Review
2016 is being held at 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’.
This is the second IFR to be held in India
and the first on the East Coast. The last
IFR was held in Mumbai in 2001 and was
reviewed by the then President KR
Narayanan.
The objective behind this International
Review, is to signal the Indian Navy’s
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 common interest. Participating this
year is practically every major navy in the
world, including the People’s Liberation
Army (Navy) of China. Other important
countries participating in IFR include
USA, UK, Japan and Australia.
54 navies are participating in IFR 2016,
compared to 29 in 2001, and 24 foreign
warships are at Vishakhapatnam, exactly
the same number as in 2001 in Mumbai.
During the review, 24 foreign naval
chiefs are expected to visit
Visakhapatnam, while some 4,000
foreign sailors will also be part of this
event. Apart from this, 75 Indian
warships will participate in IFR 2016.
Union Government is set to infuse how much
more funds into the state-run banks in the
current financial year 2015-16, as was
announced by Financial Services Secretary
Anjuly Chib Duggal on 3 February 2016? –
Rs. 5,000 crore
Explanation: The Government is has
earmarked fund worth Rs. 25,000 crore for
2015-16 primarily to strengthen PSU banks’
balance sheets. Of this about Rs 20,088 crore
has already been pumped into 13 public sector
banks.
Hence the govt. would infuse another Rs.
5,000 crore of capital in the current
financial year.
Last year, the government had announced
a plan, called ‘Indradhanush’, to infuse
Rs. 70,000 crore in state-owned banks
over four years, while these would have
to raise a further Rs 1.1 lakh crore from
the markets to meet their capital
requirements in line with global risk
norms Basel-III.
Apart from Rs. 25,000 crore this year, the
PSU banks, Rs 10,000 crore each would
be infused in 2017-18 and 2018-19.
What is the name of India’s first anti-diabetic
ayurvedic drug, which was launched by the
Council for Scientific and Industrial
Research (CSIR) on 3 February 2016? –
BGR-34
Explanation: BGR-34 is the name of the
country’s first anti-diabetic ayurvedic drug
(for type II Diabetes). It has been developed
jointly by National Botanical Research
Institute (NBRI) and Central Institute for
Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP), the
Lucknow-based research units of CSIR.
While the modern diabetes drugs are
known for side-effects and toxicity, BGR-
34 works by controlling blood sugar and
limiting the harmful effects of other
drugs. The product has passed several
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.
Which Indian drug manufacturer came to
news on 3 February 2016 after it claimed to
have filed for global patents of two vaccines
for Zika virus, with which it could become
world’s first company to develop a vaccine
for Zika? – Bharat Biotech (Hyderabad)
Explanation: Hyderabad-based Bharat
Biotech on 3 February claimed to have filed
for global patent of two vaccine candidates – a
recombinant vaccine and an inactivated
vaccine – for Zika virus. It also announced
that it could make available the inactivated
vaccine in two years if the Indian Government
fast-tracked the regulatory approvals once the
pre-clinical trials proved to be successful.
With this Bharat Biotech could become
the world’s first company to develop a
vaccine to fight Zika virus.
Bharat Biotech claimed that work on Zika
vaccine project was started in 2014 and
the patent was filed in July 2015.
Zika is now present in 23 countries.
Brazil, the hardest-hit country, has
reported around 3,500 cases of the
devastating birth defect called
microcephaly.
The 2-day ‘India Investment Summit’ was
inaugurated by Union Finance Minister
Arun Jaitley in New Delhi on 4 February
2016. This summit seeks to attract long term
investors including Sovereign Wealth Funds
and Pension Funds across the globe. Which
entity is partnering with the Department of
Economic Affairs (Ministry of Finance) in
organizing this summit? – SBI Caps
Explanation: The Summit is to showcase and
discuss the huge long term infrastructure
investment opportunities in India.
The Government of India has already
established National Investment and
Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) as a Category
II Alternate Investment Fund (AIF) under
the Securities and Exchange Board of
India (SEBI) Regulations.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley also
unveiled the logo of the Rs 40,000-crore
NIIF on the inaugural day. The objective
of NIIF is to maximise economic impact
mainly through infrastructure
development in commercially viable
projects, both greenfield and brownfield,
including stalled projects and other
nationally important projects.
What is the name of the indigenously built
new basic trainer aircraft being developed by
Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), the first
prototype of which was rolled-out on 2
February 2016? – Hindustan Turbo Trainer
– 40 (HTT-40)
Explanation: Hindustan Turbo Trainer- 40 (or
HTT-40) is the name of the indigenous
replacement for the Indian Air Force’s retired
HPT-32 ‘Deepak’ that is being developed to
be used as a basic trainer aircraft.
The HTT-40 will be an all-metal tandem
seat aircraft powered by a 950 HP (708
kW) turbo-prop engine.
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. But HAL doggedly
continued development, committing more
than Rs. 350 crore of company funds.
In its place, the IAF wanted to import
over a hundred new trainers from Swiss
company, Pilatus, to supplement the 75
Pilatus PC-7 Mark II trainers it had
already bought.
The IAF, is now convinced about the
HTT-40’s viability, and wants to take
charge of the project.
The prototype of HTT-40 was rolled-out
from a hanger on 2 February 2016 with
all its lights flashing and its cockpit
powered on. (Photo Courtesy: HAL)
The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural
Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA),
which is the largest programme of its nature
for providing employment in rural areas
anywhere in the world, completed how many
years on 2 February 2016? – 10 years
Explanation: MGNREGA, which was earlier
known as NREGA, came into effect on 2
February 2006. It was implemented by the
then United Progressive Alliance (UPA)
government. Then it covered only the 200
poorest districts of the country and was
expanded to cover all rural areas of the
country from April 2008.
In the short span of 10 years that the Act
has been in existence, it has generated
19.86 billion person-days of employment
benefitting 276 million workers, with
more than half the jobs going to women
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. Not only has it led to the
creation of a class of workers who are
using the MGNREGA as a safety net, but
these workers are also able to use it as a
bargaining tool for extraction of higher
wages.
A unique MAGIC (Modular, Agile,
Intensified & Continuous) Process Lab of the
Council of Scientific and Industrial
Research (CSIR) was inaugurated at which
CSIR lab on 2 February 2016? – CSIR-
National Chemical Laboratory (Pune)
Explanation: The MAGIC Process Lab at
CSIR-NCL (Pune) is expected to bring about a
paradigm shift in the way in which India’s fine
and specialty chemicals industry will operate
in the future.
The MAGIC processes developed in this
lab can radically change currently
practiced process technologies into
modern processes that are cleaner,
greener, safer, compact, scalable and
economical.
What is the name of the ex-Indian Army
official who was appointed as the Head of
Mission and Force Commander of the United
Nations Disengagement 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.
He was appointed the head of UNDOF by
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on 2
February. He replaced Lt. General Purna
Chandra Thapa of Nepal, who will
complete his assignment on 7 February
2016.
The UNDOF was established on 31 May
1974 by UN Security Council (UNSC)
following the agreed disengagement of
the Israeli and Syrian forces in the Golan.
Since then, UNDOF has remained in the
area to maintain the ceasefire between the
Israeli and Syrian forces and to supervise
the implementation of the disengagement
agreement.
Veteran Congress leader and former Lok
Sabha Speaker Balram Jakhar passed away
on 3 February 2016. He was a towering
personality during his prime and was a 4-
time MP. He was best known for his tenure
as Lok Sabha Speaker. When he served this
post? – From 1980 to 1989
Explanation: In 1980, Balram Jakhar became
Lok Sabha Speaker and served till 1989 for
two terms during which he was instrumental in
automation and computerisation of the House
works. He also contributed to the
establishment of Parliament Museum.
Jakhar also served as Agriculture Minister
in the Cabinet of former Prime Minister
Narasimha Rao. He also served as
Governor of Madhya Pradesh from 30
June 2004 to 30 May 2009.
He was a four-time MP in Lok Sabha
starting from his election in the seventh
Lok Sabha in 1980. He was again elected
in 1984, 1991 and 1998. He was 92 and
passed away in New Delhi on 3 February
2016 after battling a brief period of
illness.
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
Explanation: Archana Ramasundaram, a
1980 batch officer of the Tamil Nadu cadre,
created history when she was appointed the
new Director General (DG) of Sashastra
Seema Bal (SSB). She thus became the first
woman to head a paramilitary force in the
country.
Archana is currently Special Director,
National Crime Records Bureau. She has
been appointed to the post till the date of
her superannuation, 30 September 2017.
The SSB is entrusted with guarding the
country’s frontiers 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).
State Bank of India (SBI) on 1 February
2016 launched the ‘FlexiPay Home Loan’
scheme, which gives borrowers an option to
pay only interest during a three-five year
moratorium period. This product has been
targeted towards which home loan segment?
–Young working professionals
Explanation: Under the ‘FlexiPay Home
Loan’ scheme, which has been launched
primarily for young professionals, the
borrowers can pay only interest during a three-
five-year moratorium. Thereafter they will pay
moderated equated monthly installments
(EMIs).
The EMIs will be stepped up during the
subsequent years, capturing payment of
the principal component. This
arrangement is expected to lower the
impact of such additional loan amount on
monthly repayments in the form of EMIs.
This scheme is expected to enable young
working professionals/executives to get
higher loan amounts compared to their
loan eligibility under normal home loan
schemes.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor
Raghuram G. Rajan presented the sixth bi-
monthly monetary policy review on 2
February 2016. All the key rates were kept
unchanged in the policy review which meant
that the most important Repo Rate will
remain unchanged at 6.75%. What the
projected growth rate is for fiscal 2016-17 as
stated in the review? – 7.6%
Explanation: Keeping the key rates
unchanged, the RBI indicated that rates would
continue to soften.
The RBI Governor, however, cautioned
that the recommendations of the Seventh
Pay Commission had not been factored
into its growth projections.
After the latest review, the repo rate, or
the rate at which 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% for the
financial year 2016-17 (ending March
2017).
The World Health Organization (WHO) on 1
February 2016 made which important
announcement pertaining to explosively
spreading Zika virus? – It declared it as an
international emergency
Explanation: The WHO convened an
emergency meeting of independent experts on
1 February 2016 to assess the outbreak after
noting a suspicious link between Zika’s arrival
in Brazil last year and a surge in the number of
babies born with abnormally small heads.
Later it was declared an international
emergency, despite the fact that there was
no definitive proof that the Zika virus,
spread by mosquitoes, is responsible for
the birth defects. Such emergency
declarations are meant as an international
SOS signal.
WHO estimates there could be up to 4
million cases of Zika in the Americas in
the next year.
The last such public health emergency
was declared for the devastating 2014
Ebola outbreak in West Africa, which
killed more than 11,000 people.
Which company replaced Apple Inc. as the
world’s most valuable company, as reflected
in the US markets on 1 February 2016? –
Alphabet (Google’s parent company)
Explanation: Apple Inc., which has long been
on the top of the world’s most valuable
companies list, slipped to second place as
Google’s parent company Alphabet Inc. on 1
February overtook it to become no.1. This
happened after Alphabet released a fourth-
quarter earnings report that highlighted the
robust growth of the digital ad market. Apple
Inc.’s iPhone, meanwhile, is suffering its first
downturn since it debuted eight years ago.
Based on that after-hours bump,
Alphabet’s market value stood at $555
billion while Apple’s was at $533 billion,
based on the most recent regulatory
filings showing the company’s
outstanding shares. Apple’s stock has
been sliding amid concerns over slowing
iPhone sales
However, this ranking can change very
quickly.
Chinese Army on 1 February 2016
implemented which major step as part of the
comprehensive plan to carry out reforms in
country’s military structure? – It established
military’s five new battle zones
Explanation: Chinese Army on 1 February
2016 reclassified seven 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 conflict.
It is worth mentioning that China is
pushing major reforms in its military
establishment for some time now.
The reforms include establishing a joint
operational command structure by year
2020 and rejigging existing military
regions, as well as cutting troop numbers
by 300,000.
It has already inaugurated a general
command unit for the People’s Liberation
Army (PLA) in 2015. Later PLA’s four
military headquarters were split into 15
new units – covering everything from
logistics to equipment development,
political work and fighting corruption.
Which community of Andhra Pradesh came
to news for being engaged in a stir seeking
reservation under OBC category, which
turned violent on 31 January 2016 after a
train was sent ablaze? –Kapu Community
Explanation: Andhra Pradesh’s Kapu
community has been demanding job
reservations under Other Backward Caste
(OBC) category for quite some time. Chief
Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu had promised
OBC status to the community during
Assembly elections in 2014.
The protest, which was going on for some
days, turned violent on 31 January 2016
as the agitators went on rampage, setting
four coaches of Ratnachal Express on fire
at Tuni station near Vijayawada 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
Vijayawada-Rajahmundry-
Visakhapatnam section due to the protest.
Later on 1 February 2016 the leaders of
Kapu community called off its agitation
after assurances from Chief Minister
Chandrababu Naidu.
Which two-wheeler company on 1 February
2016 launched ‘V’, a new bike, which
contains the metal from India’s first aircraft
carrier INS Vikrant? – Bajaj Auto
Explanation: Bajaj Auto, the Pune-based two
and three-wheeler maker, rolled-out the 150-
cc bike, christened ‘V’. The main attraction of
‘V’ is that it has been built from metal used in
the country’s most celebrated aircraft carrier –
the INS Vikrant. The bike sports a special logo
to commemorate the aircraft carrier.
INS Vikrant was commissioned as the
first aircraft carrier of Indian Navy in
1961. After years of distinguished
service, she was decommissioned in
January 1997 and served as a museum till
2012. In late 2014, Vikrant was
dismantled and sold as scrap metal.
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 Indian military history. (Photo
Courtesy : The Hindu)
Which Indian player won the men’s singles
title of the Syed Modi Badminton Grand Prix
Gold that concluded on 31 January 2016 at
Lucknow? – K Srikanth
Explanation: Top-seeded and world no. 9
Kidambi Srikanth of India defeated Huang
Yuxiang of China in the men’s singles finals
of the Syed Modi Badminton Grand Prix Gold
Cup on 31 January. He defeated Huang by 21-
13, 14-21, 21-14 in three games to claim the
title.
Srikanth had reached the summit clash in
the last edition as well. This was his fifth
major title, having won the 2013 Thailand
Grand Prix Gold, 2014 China Super
Series premier and Swiss Open Grand
Prix Gold and India Super Series during
2015.
In the women’s singles final, South
Korean Sung Ji Hyun edged out Japan’ s
Sayaka Sato 12-21, 21-18, 21-18 to win
the title.
However, Indian men’ s doubles pair of
Pranaav Jerry Chopra and Akshay
Dewalkar wasted two match points in the
second game to go down 14-21, 24-22,
21-8 against Malaysian pair of V. Shem
Goh and Wee Kiong Tan in their first-
ever Grand Prix Gold summit clash.
T.N. Gopakumar, who passed away during
January 2016, was a noted electronic media
personality of which state? – Kerala
Explanation: T.N. Gopakumar was the editor-
in-chief of Asianet, a Malayalam TV channel.
He was also the popular anchor of the show
‘Kannadi’.
His show was noted for sharp
commentary and revealing portraits of
Kerala that was far away from the
development tapestry as it was hailed to
be.
Gopakumar started his journalistic career
with ‘The Indian Express’ and later
worked with ‘Mathrubhumi’, ‘News
Time’, ‘Statesman’, ‘Independent’, ‘India
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 January 2016 at the age of 58.
Which tiny Pacific Ocean country will bring
a lawsuit against 9 countries including India
for allegedly failing to halt the nuclear arms
race? –Marshall Islands
Explanation: The tiny Marshall Islands in
March 2016 will seek to persuade
International Court of Justice (ICJ) to take up
a lawsuit against nine countries that includes
India, which it accuses of failing to halt the
nuclear arms race.
The International Court of Justice on 30
January 2016 announced dates for
separate hearings for the three cases
between 7 and 16 March 2016.
In 2014, the Marshall Islands accused
nine countries of not fulfilling their
obligations with respect to the cessation
of the nuclear arms race at an early date
and to nuclear disarmament.
The 9 countries involved in this matter
are China, Britain, France, India, Israel,
North Korea, Pakistan, Russia, and the
United States.
The Marshall Islands had decided to sue
the world’s nuclear heavyweights as it
has a particular awareness of the dire
consequences of nuclear weapons.
Between 1946 and 1958 the United States
conducted repeated nuclear tests in the
Marshall Islands.
In the cases brought against India and
Pakistan, the court will examine whether
the tribunal based in The Hague is
competent to hear the lawsuits.
Novak Djokovic won the men’s singles title of
2016 Australian Open on 31 January 2016 to
win his sixth title of the career. Whom he
defeated in the final? – Andy Murray
(Britain)
Explanation: Novak Djokovic of Serbia
defeated Andy Murray in straights sets by 6-1,
7-5, 7-6 to earn his sixth Australian Open title
of his magnificent career.
This was Djokovic’s 11th
Grand Slam title
overall. His 11th
grand slam title also
means he has drawn level with Bjorn
Borg and Rod Laver.
On the other hand, Murray has now lost
all five Australian Open finals he has
played, four of them against Djokovic. He
thus also became only the second man
(behind his former coach Ivan Lendl at
the US Open) to lose five finals at the
same Grand Slam since the open era
began in 1968.
Who defeated six-time champion Serena
Williams (US) in the women’s singles final of
the Australian Open on 30 January to win
her maiden Grand Slam tennis title? –
Angelique Kerber (Germany)
Explanation: Seventh seeded German player
Angelique Kerber ended six-time champion
and top seeded Serena Williams’ unbeaten
streak in finals on 30 January 2016 and won a
major title for the first time.
Williams was an overwhelming favourite
to win the final where she had won all six
previous times she’d reached the final.
But Kerber displayed great guts to stun
Williams by 6-4, 3-6, 6-4.
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.
Which state became the first non-Bharatiya
Janata Party (BJP) state to sign agreement
for the central government power reforms
plan – Ujwal Discoms Assurance Yojana
(UDAY)? – Uttar Pradesh
Explanation: Uttar Pradesh on 30 January
2016 became the first non-BJP ruled state to
sign the MoU for Ujwal Discoms Assurance
Yojana (UDAY). It became the fourth state
(overall) to sign MoU after Rajasthan,
Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand. The total states
that have given in-principle approval of
joining the UDAY reforms are now 15.
For the states that sign up for UDAY, one
of the first steps is to take over 75% of
discom debt as on 30 September 2015
over two years – 50% in 2015-16 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.
Who took over as the Flag Officer
Commanding-in-Chief of the Southern Naval
Command on 30 January 2016? – Vice
Admiral Girish Luthra
Explanation: Vice Admiral Girish Luthra
took over charge as the Flag Officer
Commanding-in-Chief of the Southern Naval
Command from Vice Admiral Sunil Lanba on
30 January at a function held at the Naval base
in Kochi.
On the other hand Vice Admiral Sunil
Lanba assumed the charge of the Flag
Officer Commanding in Chief, Western
Naval Command at a function held at
Mumbai on 31 January 2016. He took
reins from Vice Admiral SPS Cheema,
who retired on the same day.
Former Army Chief General KV Krishna
Rao, who passed away on 30 January 2016,
was known to have played a key role in which
war? – 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War
Explanation: General Rao was the 14th
Chief
of the Army Staff of Indian Army and had an
illustrious career spanning over four decades
in the force. He headed Indian Army from 1
June 1981 to July 1983.
His Division participated in the 1971
India-Pakistan War in Eastern Theatre
and was instrumental in the capture of
Sylhet area and liberation of North-East
Bangladesh.
After his retirement he was appointed
Governors of four states (Nagaland,
Manipur, Tripura and Jammu & Kashmir)
for different tenures. He was made
Governor of Jammu & Kashmir in 1989,
a time when militancy was at its peak in
the state.