GK and Current Affairs February 2017

Current Affairs - 5 and 6 February 2017

1. Asim Basu, who passed away recently, was the renowned theatre actor from which state?

[A] Odisha
[B] Assam
[C] West Bengal
[D] Manipur

Correct Answer: A

Answer Explanation:
Asim Basu (81), the renowned theatre artiste and director, art director, painter and playwright, has recently passed away in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. He was known for his set design work in Ollywood movies and designing Oriya book covers and movie posters. He directed around 200 plays and did stage designing for over 500 plays and was the art director for several Odia films. Some of his major works are Indradhanura Chhai, Dadagiri and apana Banika.

2. India has recently signed MoU with which country for technical cooperation in rail sector especially on safety related subjects?

[A] France
[B] Italy
[C] Japan
[D] Germany

Correct Answer: B

Answer Explanation:
The Union Ministry of Railways has recently signed MoU with Italy’s public sector rail company Ferrovie Dello Stato Italiane Group (FS Group) for technical cooperation in rail sector especially in the areas safety in train operations. The cooperation areas identified in this MoU includes safety audit of Indian Railways and measures required for enhancing safety in train operation, assessment and certification of advanced technology based safety products and systems to Safety Integrity Level (SIL4), training and competency development with focus of safety, modern trends in maintenance and diagnostic etc.

3. From which state “Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccination campaign” has been launched?

[A] Puducherry
[B] Goa
[C] Karnataka
[D] Tamil Nadu

Correct Answer: C

Answer Explanation:
The Union Health Ministry has recently launched Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccination campaign at a function in Bengaluru, Karnataka that targets around 41 crore children across India. The campaign against these two diseases will start from Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Goa and Lakshadweep and will cover nearly 3.6 crore children. All children aged between 9 months and less than 15 years will be given a single shot of MR- vaccination. The MR vaccine will be provided free- of- cost across the states. Currently, Measles vaccine is provided under Universal Immunization Programme (UIP). Though, rubella vaccine will be a new addition. Measles is a deadly disease and one of the important causes of death in children. Rubella is generally a mild infection, but has serious consequences if infection occurs in pregnant women, causing congenital rubella syndrome.

4. Bano Qudsia, the renowned Urdu author has passed away. She hailed from which of the following countries?

[A] India
[B] Bangladesh
[C] Afghanistan
[D] Pakistan

Correct Answer: D

Answer Explanation:
Bano Qudsia (88), the renowned Pakistani Urdu novelist and playwright, has recently passed away in Lahore, Pakistan. She was born in November 1928 in Ferozepur, India and migrated to Pakistan after partition. Among her prominent writings include Aadhi Baat, Aatish-i-zer-i-paa, Aik Din, Amer Bail, Asay Pasay, Chahar Chaman, Chhotaa Sheher Baray Log, Footpath ki Ghaas, Hasil Ghaat and Hawa Kay Naam.

5. Which country has won 18th Asian Junior Team Squash Championship-2017?

[A] India
[B] Jordon
[C] Pakistan
[D] Malaysia

Correct Answer: A

Answer Explanation:
Top seeded Indian team has won gold medal in the boys’ team event at the 18th Asian Junior Team Squash Championship-2017 by defeating Malaysia by 2-0 in the final in Hong Kong. It’s 2nd time that Indian boys team has won the championship. Earlier in 2011, they defeated arch-rivals Pakistan in Colombo.

6. Which country will host 2017 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup basketball tournament?

[A] Indonesia
[B] India
[C] Pakistan
[D] Bangladesh

Correct Answer: B

Answer Explanation:
India will host 2017 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup basketball tournament at Bengaluru, Karnataka from July 23 to 29. This tournament will be the qualifying tournament for FIBA Asia at the 2018 FIBA World Championship for Women in Spain. Beside this, India will also host the 2017 FIBA U-16 Women’s Asian Championship, which will be held from October 22 to 28 in Hyderabad. In both the tournaments, 14 teams will compete, with 8 teams in Division A and six in lower Division B. India is in Division B in both the Senior and U-16 events.

7. Which state government has launched “Chief Minister Samagra Gramya Unnayan Yojana (CMSGUY)” to develop villages of the state?

[A] Tripura
[B] Odisha
[C] Assam
[D] Kerala

Correct Answer: C

Answer Explanation:
The Chief Minister of Assam, Sarbananda Sonowal has recently launched the Chief Minister Samagra Gramya Unnayan Yojana (CMSGUY) in Guwahati to develop villages of the state. It’s a mega mission with a financial outlay of Rs. 30,000 crore will be implemented in all the villages in Assam in the next five years culminating in 2021-22. The programme will be implemented through ‘saturation model’ by covering each revenue village through focused interventions in direct economic activities, logistic support including market linkages and community support. The purpose of the mission is to bring revolutionary changes by doubling the farm income in the State.

8. Which country is host to the 4th BIMSTEC Summit-2017?

[A] India
[B] Nepal
[C] Bhutan
[D] Thailand

Correct Answer: B

Answer Explanation:
The 4th BIMSTEC Summit-2017 will be held in Nepal, which is likely to be announced in the 17th session of BIMSTEC Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) that has started at Kathmandu, Nepal on February 2, 2017. In the meeting, delegates of member countries will review the progress made by BIMSTEC and recommend future course of action to strengthen regional cooperation among the group. The BIMSTEC was founded in 1997 and is an international organisation involving a group of countries in South Asia and South East Asia. These are: Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bhutan and Nepal.

9. Who is author of the book “A Great Reckoning – A Chief Inspector Gamache Thriller”?

[A] James
[B] Bimal Phukan
[C] K K Paul
[D] Louise Penny

Correct Answer: D

Answer Explanation:
The book “A Great Reckoning – A Chief Inspector Gamache Thriller” has been authored by Louise Penny. It’s a compelling mystery and a rich human drama in which no character is either entirely good or evil, and each is capable of inspiring empathy.

10. Which state government has launched “Kakatiya Hub for Social Innovation” India’s first social innovation centre?

[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Andhra Pradesh
[C] Telangana
[D] Kerala

Correct Answer: C

Answer Explanation:
The Telangana government has recently launched India’s first social innovation centre “Kakatiya Hub for Social Innovation” in Nizamabad on Februray 5, 2017, which is expected to be run by September 2017. The hub is funded by the Telangana government and will function like a rural incubator to encourage entrepreneurship at grassroots level. The purpose of the hub is to create a model for promoting entrepreneurs in rural and semi-urban areas in the country. The incubator will be run through Kakatiya Sandbox, a centre that fosters entrepreneurship and innovation modelled after Deshpande Foundation’s Hubli Sandbox.

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GK and Current Affairs February 2017

Current Affairs - 3 and 4 February 2017

As per Union Budget 2017-18, the Payments Regulatory Board (PRB) will be set up under the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Who will be chairman of the proposed board?
[A] Cabinet Secretary
[B] Finance Secretary
[C] Finance Minister
[D] Governor of RBI

Ans : Governor of RBI
As per Union Budget 2017, the Payments Regulatory Board (PRB) will be set up within the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), which will comprise of six members, of which 3 will be from RBI. The PRB will replace the existing Board for Regulation and Supervision of Payment and Settlement Systems and will exercise the functions relating to the regulation and supervision of payments and settlement systems under the Payment and Settlements Act 2007. The chairman of the board will be the Governor of RBI, along with a deputy governor in charge of payments and settlements as member. It will also have 3 members nominated by the central government. 

How much fund has been allocated to the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) for fiscal year 2017-18?
[A] Rs. 343 crore
[B] Rs. 353 crore
[C] Rs. 333 crore
[D] Rs. 343 crore

Ans : Rs. 333 crore
The National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) is a body responsible for advising the Prime Minister on key strategic and security issues, both on domestic as well as international fronts. It is in news because of tenfold increase of fund allocation from Rs. 33 crore to Rs. 333 crore for fiscal year 2017-18. The NSCS works as an advisory group, consists of various experts on security-related matters and is headed by deputy NSA Arvind Gupta. 

Which state government has recently introduced third gender category in school exams?
[A] Rajasthan
[B] Bihar
[C] Odisha
[D] West Bengal

Ans : Bihar
The Bihar government has recently introduced third gender category in school exams after the Supreme Court recognised transgender people as a third gender in 2014. Now, under the third-gender category the Board exams will be conducted by the Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB). So far, the BSEB did not allow students to take Board exams under the ‘third gender’ category because the exam form specified two categories, male and female. 

Lakshya Sen is associated with which sports?
[A] Badminton
[B] Cricket
[C] Wushu
[D] Chess

Ans : Badminton
Lakshya Sen (15) from India has become the World No. 1 Junior Badminton player, as per latest rankings of the Badminton World Federation (BWF). According to BWF current rankings, Lakshya has 16,903 points in eight tournaments he has played in the season. In 2016, he won the Senior India International Series Badminton Tournament along with the All India Senior Ranking Badminton Tournament at Itanagar. He was youngest-ever player and the first-ever from Uttarakhand to win the title at senior level. Earlier, his brother Chirag Sen was ranked number two in the world junior badminton rankings. 

The book “Contemporary West Asia – Perspectives on Change and Continuity” has been authored by whom?
[A] Prita Jha
[B] Warisha Farasat
[C] Selina Sen
[D] Sujata Ashwarya

Ans : Sujata Ashwarya
The book “Contemporary West Asia – Perspectives on Change and Continuity” has been authored by Sujata Ashwarya & Mujib Alam. The book provides a comprehensive analysis of the complexities of change and continuity in West Asia, its society, religion and politics. An overview of the region’s political, social and economic characteristics along with the ongoing turmoil in the region has also been presented. 

Which new scheme will be launched by the Union Government to fund export infrastructure?
[A] Trade Infrastructure for Export Support (TIES)
[B] Trade Infrastructure for Export Supply (TIES)
[C] Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme (TIES)
[D] Trade Infrastructure for Export Standard (TIES)

Ans : Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme (TIES)
The Union Government will launch a new and restructured central scheme “Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme (TIES)” in 2017-18 to create infrastructure for exports. It has been announced by the Finance minister Arun Jaitley in his Union Budget 2017 speech. The aim of the new scheme will be to reduce transaction costs for traders. The scheme will help create modern infrastructure like last mile connectivity to ports, testing labs and certification centres. 

How much amount has been allocated for Bharat Net Project to promote digital transactions into rural India?
[A] Rs. 20,000 crore
[B] Rs. 10,000 crore
[C] Rs. 15,000 crore
[D] Rs. 5,000 crore

Ans : Rs. 10,000 crore
In the Union Budget 2017-18, the Government of India (GoI) has allocated Rs. 10,000 crore for Bharat Net Project to promote digital transactions into rural India. Under the project, the high-speed internet connectivity will cover approx 150,000 gram panchayats with Wi-Fi hotspots and digital services will be access at low tariffs. Beside this, the DigiGaon initiative will also be launched to provide tele-medicine, education and skills through digital technology. 

The 2017 International Conference and Exhibition on Terrestrial & Satellite Broadcasting has started in which city?
[A] New Delhi
[B] Chennai
[C] Kochi
[D] Nagpur

Ans : New Delhi
The 23rd ion of International Conference & Exhibition on Terrestrial & Satellite Broadcasting has started in New Delhi from February 2, 2017. The 3-day conference is organized by the Broadcast Engineering Society (India). Nearly 300 companies from 25 countries displayed their products in BES EXPO directly or through their dealers and distributors in India. This trade show will showcases products like to promote the advancement and dissemination of knowledge & practices of broadcasting in the field of Radio, Television and other media etc. in the Telecom Products & Equipment industry. 

The Dairy Processing and Infrastructure Development Fund will be set up by the which organisation to boost financing of milk processing capacities?
[A] Indian Dairy Association (IDA)
[B] Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)
[C] National Dairy Development Board (NDDB)
[D] National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD)

Ans : National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD)
As per Union Budget 2017, the Dairy Infrastructure Development Fund of Rs.8000 crore will be created over next three years with National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) to boost financing of milk processing capacities. For the first year, the Union Government has declared to give Rs 2000 crore for creation of the fund. With this, the NABARD fund would allow cooperatives to access low cost loan for meeting the expenses towards modernization and ensure supply of quality milk conforming to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) standards to the consumers. 

As per Union Budget 2017-18, the National Pension System (NPS) subscribers can prematurely withdraw how much percentage of corpus tax-free?
[A] 25%
[B] 15%
[C] 20%
[D] 30%

Ans : 25%
The National Pension System (NPS) subscribers can prematurely withdraw 25% of their accumulated corpus before retirement without tax, as per Union Budget 2017-18. It has been proposed to insert a new clause (12B) in the section 10 of Income Tax Act, 1961 to provide this relief to the subscriber of NPS. Beside this, the self-employed individuals have also been allowed to invest up to 20% of their income into the NPS as opposed to 10% earlier under Section 80CCD(1) of the Income Tax Act, 1961. This benefit will be available on contribution made by the self employed persons on or after 1st April 2017. Secondly, if the NPS Trust allows you to withdraw prematurely after five or ten years as per its rules, there will be no tax on that.

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Indian Maritime University jobs

Assistant Professor Logistics in Chennai
 
Last Date to apply: 08 Mar 2017

Eligibility : BBA/BBM, MBA/PGDM, BE/B.Tech, ICWA, CA, B.Com
 
Location : Chennai

Advt. No. IMU/HQ/Faculty/Management/2017, Date : 5ty February,2017

Assistant Professor Logistics & Supply Chain & Management / Port & Shipping Management Job position in Indian Maritime University in Logistics & Supply Chain & Management / Port & Shipping Management on Direct recruitment

Qualification : (a) Good academic record with B.Com /BBA/ B.E/B.Tech at the Graduate level and with either CA/ICWA or with at least 55% marks or equivalent grade at the Post-Graduate Degree level i.e. MBA (International Transport & Logistics)/ MBA (Port & Shipping Management) or an equivalent MBA from a recognised Indian University/Institution or from an accredited foreign University. (b)A pass in the National Eligibility Test (NET) conducted by the UGC or similar test accredited by the UGC like the State Level Eligibility Test (SLET/SET) in Management. (c) Candidates with Ph.D in Management shall be exempted from the requirement of clearing the NET/SLET/SET.

No. of Posts : 02

Pay Band - 3  : Rs. 15600 – 39100 with AGP Rs.6000.

Age : Not exceeding 40 years

Hiring Process : Written-test

Job Role: Teacher / Trainer- Indian government jobs

The application shall be submitted only through the Online.

The last date for submission of Applications through Online mode is 8th March 2017 till 5:30 PM.

 
Click Here For Job Details

 
Apply Online

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National Green Tribunal jobs

Law Clerk in Chennai

Last Date to apply: 15 Feb 2017 

Eligibility : LLB
 
Location : Chennai

No.NGT/PB/106/2016/179
Law Clerk Job vacancies in National Green Tribunal  on contract basis.

Qualification: The candidate should  be a law graduate with minimum 60% marks from a recognized University.

Pay Scale :Rs.30000

Selection:  Interview

 

Hiring Process : Face to Face Interview

Job Role: Accountant- Indian government jobs

The application must be accompanied with two recent seld attested passport size photographs self attested copies of testimonials,should be send to the Registrar General, National Green Tribunal, Southern Zone Bench, 950/1, TNPCB Building, P.H Road, Arumbakkam, Chennai-600106. so as to reach on or before 15/02/2017.
Click Here for job Details

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Ministry of Education Youth and Sport jobs

Scholarships Across India

Last Date to apply: 07 Mar 2017 

Eligibility : Any Graduate, Any Post Graduate, M Phil / Phd
 
Location : Anywhere in India

Scholarships for the Academic Year 2017/2018

The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport  of the Czech Republic (MEYS) annually offers scholarships to foreign nationals within the framework of intergovernmental exchange programmes.

Scholarships of this type are designed for university/college students or graduates and Ph.D. candidates (exceptionally for university researchers/teachers)

Eligible recipients and period of scholarship: The categories of eligible recipients are specified separately by each of the exchange programmes arranged with the countries concerned. Detailed information on the entry requirements, in particular the minimum academic qualifications, can be provided by the authorities collecting applications in the eligible countries.

The period of scholarship usually ranges from 2 to 10 months. Scholarships may be awarded repeatedly to the same recipients, provided that they submit a renewed application for the following academic year and are selected by the appropriate authorities in their home countries.

Scholarship : CZK 9,000 per month for those who do not hold a Master's degree or equivalent and CZK 9,500 per month for holders of a Master's degree or equivalent.

Hiring Process : Face to Face Interview

Job Role: Research/JRF/SRF- Indian government jobs

Nominations and application dossiers must be submitted to the MEYS by the appropriate authorities of the eligible countries.

Closing date for applications:

The closing dates for applications are set by the appropriate authorities in the eligible countries; the deadlines differ in individual countries, but are usually fixed for the very beginning of the calendar year in order to meet the subsequent schedule of admission procedure.

Click Here for job Details

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Indian Navy jobs 2017

SSC Executive Technical Branches Across India

Last Date to apply: 24 Feb 2017 

Eligibility : BE/B.Tech(Aero, ECE, ICE, Marine, Mechanical Engineering, Metallurgical, Mineral / Mining Engg, Electrical, Electronics & Instrumentation)
 
Location : Anywhere in India

SSC (Executive & Technical Branches) Jobs recruitment in Indian Navy

Applications are invited from unmarried Men candidates for grant of Short Service Commission in Executive Branch (General Services/Hydro Cadre) and Technical Branches of the Indian Navy for January 2018 Course at Indian Naval Academy (INA) Ezhimala, Kerala.

Educational Qualifications : Candidates must have completed BE/B. Tech Degree with minimum 60% marks in aggregate from a recognised university in one of the following specified streams:

Executive (GS) Branch

Executive (GS/Hydro Cadre) : BE/B. Tech (Any discipline)

Engineering Branch (General Service) : (i) Marine Mechanical, Aeronautical, (ii) Production, (iii) Metallurgy, (iv) Control, (v) Electrical/Electronics, (vi) Telecommunication, (vii) Computer Science, (viii) Instrumentation, (ix) Instrumentation & Control, (xi) Automotive, (xii) Mechtronics, (xiii) Aerospace & (xiv) BS Engineering

Electrical Branch (General Service) : (i) Electrical (ii) Electronics (iii) Tele Communication (iv) Computer Science (v) Power Engg. (vi) Electronics and Communication (vii) Control System Engg. (viii) Power Electronics (ix) Instrumentation & Control Engg. (x) Electronics & Instrumentation Engg.

Physical Standards :
(a) Height& weight: Minimum height Male – 157 cm, Female – 152 cm with correlated weight.

Eye Sight :
Executive (GS/Hydro)
Without Glass : 6/12
With Glass : 6/6
Technical (General Service)
Without Glass : 6/24
With Glass : 6/6

Age Limit : The candidates applying for the above entries must born in  02nd January 1993 to 02nd July 1998 inclusive.

Selection Procedure : (a) The candidates will be issued call up for Services Selection Board (SSB) based on their performance in Degree Course. If a candidate possesses higher qualification with better percentage, his higher qualification will be considered for cut off. Integrated Headquarters, Ministry of Defence (Navy) reserves the right to shortlist applications and to fix cut off percentage. No communication will be entertained on this account. SSB interviews for short listed candidates will be scheduled at Bangalore/ Bhopal/Coimbatore/Visakhapatnam during May 17 to Jul 17.

 

Hiring Process : Written-test

Job Role: Engineer (Core, Non-IT)- Indian government jobs

The candidates are to Apply Online (e-application) latest by 24th February,2017.

(Ref : Malayala Manorama ThozhilVeedhi Dated : 06th February, 2017)

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What is today history February 06

Today in History : February 6

1626 : Huguenot rebels and the French sign the Peace of La Rochelle.

1778 : France recognizes the United States and signs a treaty of aid in Paris.

1788 : Massachusetts becomes the sixth state to ratify the Constitution.

1862 : Forces under the command of Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grant and Flag Officer Andrew Hull Foote capture Fort Henry, Tennessee, in the Battle of Fort Henry, giving the Union its first victory of the Civil War. [From MHQ— The Quarterly Journal of Military History]

1891 : The Dalton Gang commits its first crime, a train robbery in Alila, Calif.

1899 : The Spanish-American War ends.

1900 : President McKinley appoints W.H. Taft commissioner to report on the Philippines.

1904 : Japan’s foreign minister severs all ties with Russia, citing delaying tactics in negotiations over Manchuria.

1916 : Germany admits full liability for Lusitania incident and recognizes the United State’s right to claim indemnity.

1922 : The Washington Disarmament Conference comes to an end with signature of final treaty forbidding fortification of the Aleutian Islands for 14 years.

1926 : Mussolini warns Germany to stop agitation in Tyrol.

1929 : Germany accepts Kellogg-Briand pact.

1933 : Adolf Hitler‘s Third Reich begins press censorship.

1936 : Adolf Hitler opens the Fourth Winter Olympics.

1941 : The RAF clears the way as British take Benghazi, trapping thousands of Italians.

1944 : Kwajalein Island in the Central Pacific falls to U.S. Army troops.

1945 : MacArthur reports the fall of Manila, and the liberation of 5,000 prisoners.

1963 : The United States reports that all Soviet offensive arms are out of Cuba.

1964 : Cuba blocks the water supply to Guantanamo Naval Base in rebuke of the United State’s seizure of four Cuban fishing boats.

1964 : Paris and London agree to build a rail tunnel under the English Channel.

1965 : Seven U.S. GIs are killed in a Viet Cong raid on a base in Pleiku.

1968 : Charles de Gaulle opens the 19th Winter Olympics in France.

1975 : President Gerald Ford asks Congress for $497 million in aid to Cambodia.

1977 : Queen Elizabeth marks her Silver Jubilee.

1982 : Civil rights workers begin a march from Carrolton to Montgomery, Alabama.

Born on February 6

1756 : Aaron Burr, 3rd U.S. Vice President.

1895 : George Herman “Babe” Ruth, baseball player with the Boston Red Sox, the New York Yankees and the Boston Braves. The first player to hit 60 home runs in one season.

1911 : Ronald Reagan, film actor and 40th U.S. President (1981-1989).

1913 : Mary Douglas Leakey, archaeologist and paleoanthropologist.

1932 : Francois Truffaut, French film director (The 400 Blows, Shoot the Piano Player).

1933 : Walter E. Fountroy, politician and civil rights leader.

1940 : Tom Brokaw, NBC News anchorman.

1945 : Bob Marley, reggae musician.

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