Current Affairs 2013 contd..... ( from January 23 to January 24)

Reliance terminates lobbying activities in US

January 24th, 2013

Mukesh Ambani- led Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) has terminated all its lobbying activities among US lawmakers after having spent nearly 2 million dollars (over Rs 10 crore) to its lobbyist firm,Barbour Griffith & Rogers LLC (BGR), in the past 4 years. BGR has lobbied for RIL in the areas of ‘domestic and foreign trade’ and has provided "strategic counsel on issues related to trade”.

Rajnath Singh takes charge as new BJP president

January 24th, 2013

The BJP unanimously elected Rajnath Singh as its president. Singh replaced Nitin Gadkari who had been on the post since 2009.

Winners of 58th Idea Filmfare Awards

January 24th, 2013

The grand Annual 58th Idea Filmfare Awards event was organized in Mumbai. The following are the winners under various categories:

POPULAR AWARDS:

• Best Actor (Male): Ranbir Kapoor (Barfi!)
• Best Actor (Female): Vidya Balan (Kahaani)
• Best Film: Barfi!
• Best Director: Sujoy Ghosh (Kahaani)
• Best Supporting Actor (Male): Annu Kapoor (Vicky Donor)
• Best Supporting Actor (Female): Anushka Sharma (Jab Tak Hai Jaan)

French, Malian troops retake main towns

January 24th, 2013

The combined efforts of French and Malian troops has led to recapture of two key towns from al-Qaeda-linked Islamists holding Mali’s north.The towns of Diabaly and Douentza were retaken in the 11-day offensive led by former colonial power France, whose aim is the "total reconquest" of Mali’s vast semi-arid north.

However, the reaction of Egypt on this move of France was sharply critical which is not in support of military intervention in Mali saying the move will fuel conflict in the region. 

Diabaly, which lies 400 kilometres north of the capital Bamako.

Douentza is a strategic crossroads town some 100km east of Konna.

The planned deployment of around 6000 African soldiers is slowly taking place into Bamako. The UN-approved African-led force is hindered by cash and logistical constraints, requiring up to 200 million euros.

25 RRBs merged into 10

January 24th, 2013

Restructuring of RRBs by merging geographically contiguous RRBs sponsored by different banks within a state is in progress in order to consolidate RRBs segment. During the first 9 months of the current fiscal 25 such banks have been merged into 10. Now the number of RRBs stands at 67 till the first week of Jan 2013. RRBs have a network of about 16,000 branches spread across the rural and semi-urban centres of the country.

What is the aim of consolidation?

• The consolidation of RRBs has been progressing since 2005 following the recommendation of a committee chaired by RBI Deputy Governor K C Chakrabarty which decided to recapitalize 40 selected RRBs in 21 states.
• These mergers will boost the capital base of RRBs and improving efficiencies as well as optimizing the use of modern technology.

Where did these mergers take place?

• States where the mergers took place are Bihar, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

The Centre’s shareholding in RRBs is 50%, while 35% and 15% are with the sponsor banks and state governments, respectively.

MGNREGA post office accounts ready for cash transfers scheme

January 24th, 2013

Now the 3.5 crore post office accounts of the workers under MGNREGA will be used to make Aadhar-linked direct transfer of benefits such as pensions, scholarships and social welfare payments. Earlier, the post office accounts could not be used to make any deposit other than NREGA wage.

Under the new cash or direct benefit transfer initiative, the Aadhaar number will be used to authenticate the identities of beneficiaries, who will then receive their government benefits directly into their accounts. This requires all beneficiaries to open bank or post office accounts, which will then have to be seeded with their Aadhaar numbers.

Apex Court prohibits fresh shrines, statues on public roads

January 24th, 2013

In order to curb the menace of encroachment and strengthen the hands of civic bodies the Supreme Court has ordered ban on fresh encroachment of roads, pavements and sideways by construction of religious structures or installation of statues of public figures. The court took seriously the common hazard in all Indian cities and towns where illegal religious structures – often thinly disguised cases of land grab – have burgeoned on public and private land and are hindering roads and inconveniencing residents.

Why this order?

• The court responded to the application by K R Pradeep Kumar of Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala challenging government’s permission to a private society to install the statue of public figure on a traffic island on a national highway from Thiruvananthapuram to Kanyakumari at Neyyatinkara. The applicant said that such installations were obstructing the movement of traffic and were causing public inconvenience.

How would it help?

• With this ruling, municipal and government bodies will be empowered to prohibit unauthorized constructions being carried out under the garb of religious structures as often local political interests and religious sentiments make authorities helpless.

TRAI plans common emergency response number for India

January 24th, 2013

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is planning to bring a consultation paper regarding setting up of a single emergency helpline where a call centre will receive all distress calls and then accordingly alert departments or agencies concerned depending upon the type of emergency.

Currently India has separate emergency numbers for handling different emergencies, unlike in the US where there is only one number 911 to tackle any emergency.

PM inaugurates Ghat Ki Guni tunnel

January 24th, 2013

PM Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi inaugurated the Ghat Ki Guni tunnel project.

About Ghat Ki Guni:

Ghat Ki Guni is a 2.8km long tunnel located at east Jaipur and connectsMI Road and NH-11 passing through Jhalana Hills. The passage, built at the cost of Rs 150 crore, will alleviate the congestion due to traffic by providing alternative route to Jaipur-Agra Road.

Russia starts its largest naval exercise in post-Soviet era

January 24th, 2013

The Russian Navy has kicked off a 9-day exercise in the high Mediterranean and Black seas off the shores of Syria. It is the largest naval maneuvers since the collapse of the Soviet Union.  The objective behind the war games is to improve coordination b/w different naval groups during missions in far-away sea zones.

As per experts, the exercises will serve to demonstrate Russia’s naval power to a highly explosive region and render moral support for the embattled regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Russia leases a naval base at the Syrian port of Tartous.

GDP of China plunges to 3-year low of 7.6%

January 24th, 2013

GDP of China plummeted to a new low of 7.6% in last quarter, which is the lowest in last three years.

China’s slowdown undermines a global recovery already threatened by Europe’s debt crisis and limited U.S. job growth.

As per the latest ruling of the apex court, not only an MLA but any interested person has the right to inform the Speaker of the fact that a member has incurred disqualification under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution (anti-defection law) and the presiding officer is bound to take action on the complaint.

What is the issue?

The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) President Utkar Keshari Parida, who is not an MLA, had filed an application to the Speaker seeking disqualification of all 4 MLAs who defected the party and joined Biju Janata Dal (BJD). However. The Speaker took no action. Parida moved the Orissa High Court which held that the writ petition was maintainable. The Supreme Court dismissed the Speaker’s appeal against the ruling which said “Although disqualified under paragraph 2(1) (a) of the Tenth Schedule, in the absence of any application for disqualification to the Speaker, they [the four MLAs] would continue to function as members of the Assembly, which was not the object sought to be achieved by the 52nd Amendment, by which the Tenth Schedule was introduced in the Constitution.” It held that the Statement of Objects and Reasons of the Bill, which finally became the Constitution 52^nd Amendment Act, 1985, indicated that the evil of political defection had become a serious problem and if it was not curbed, it could very well undermine the very foundation of our democracy and the principles which sustain the same. In such an event, if the provisions of the Tenth Schedule are interpreted to exclude the right of any person interested to bring to the notice of the Speaker of the House the fact that any or some of its members had incurred disqualification on any of the eventualities indicated in paragraphs 2 and 4 therein, it would render the inclusion of the Tenth Schedule in the Constitution otiose and defeat the objects and intent of the 52nd Amendment.

IOC asks Lance Armstrong to return bronze medal won at 2000 Sydney Olympics

January 24th, 2013

The International Olympics association has requested the discredited cyclist Lance Armstrong to return the Olympic bronze medal he won at the 2000 Sydney Olympics Games. The cyclist was stripped off all the seven Tour de France medals he had won after a report from the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) accused him of leading a massive doping programme on his teams.

Central Government to infuse Rs 3,004 crore in SBI

January 24th, 2013

The Central Govt will infuse a capital of Rs. Rs 3,004 crore in State Bank of India (SBI) as a part of capital infusion plan for the current fiscal.

The liquidity infusion will enable the bank to support national and international banking operations undertaken through its subsidiaries and associates.

The capital will be infused by way of preferential allotment of equity shares to the government.

In the last fiscal, SBI was infused with Rs 7,900 crore to increase its Tier-I capital.

After the capital infusion in March 2012, the government stake in SBI increased to 61.58 % from 59.4%.

The government had recently given nod to capital infusion of Rs 12,517 crore in around 10 state-owned banks by March, 2013.

PNB to get Rs 1,248 cr from Central Govt

January 24th, 2013

The Central Government will to infuse Rs 1,248 crore in Punjab National Bank (PNB) through preferential allotment of shares. The decision is part of recently approved capital infusion plan of Rs 12,517 crore in around 10 state-owned banks by March, 2013.

S S Mundra appointed as the new CMD of BoB

January 24th, 2013

S S Mundra has been appointed by the Government of India as theChairman and Managing Director  (CMD) of India’s second largest lender- Bank of Baroda. He is the former Executive Director of Union bank of India.

U.R. Rao to be inducted in Satellite Hall of Fame

January 24th, 2013

The former ISRO chairman, Prof. U.R. Rao, will be inducted the prestigious international Satellite Hall of Fame. The US based Society of Satellite Professionals International (SSPI) is honoring him for his contribution to the field of satellite-related aerospace scientific research.

Prof. Rao, who served as Secretary, Department of Space, and Chairman of the Space Commission for 10 years from 1984, will join the club of some 40 space personalities who include Arthur Clarke. Currently, Rao is the chairman of the governing council of the Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad.

Rahul Gandhi – Vice President of Congress

January 23rd, 2013

Congress has selected Rahul Gandhi as its Vice-President. The decision was finalized in the Congress Chintan Shivir held at Jaipur. It was organized to discuss Congress’ strategy for elections in 2014.
Rahul is only the third vice-president in Congress history after Arjun Singh who held the post under Rajiv Gandhi in 1986, and Jitendra Prasada under Sitaram Kesari in 1997.

Mahakumbh captivates academics from Harvard

January 23rd, 2013

The Mahakumbh Mela in Allahabad has not only attracted pilgrims from all over the country but also pulled in scholars and academics from Harvard University.  These scholars are closely observing the mega event to study the complex dynamics of the mela. The study dubbed ‘Mapping India’s Kumbh Mela’, is underpinned by the desire to figure out just how tens of millions of Indians gather peacefully in one spot to celebrate this ancient rite of religious passage. The scholars are also studying the logistics involved in the creation of massive Temporary Township which is spanned over 1,940 hectares along the sandy banks of the converging rivers. This study is also expected to generate some very useful data related to public health, use of cellphone network at the mela etc.

Obama takes oath for another term as US president

January 23rd, 2013

Barack Obama has been officially sworn in for a second consecutive term as US President. Obama delivered the oath in the Blue Room of the White House with First Lady Michelle.

Current Affairs 2013 ( from Januay 24 to January 28)

World’s first cloned buffalo delivers a calf

January 28th, 2013

Garima II which is world’s first cloned buffalo has delivered a healthy and normal calf at the Karnal-based National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI).

The calf, named Mahima, was born through ‘hand-guided cloning technique’. It is the first calf born from a cloned buffalo in the world. Garima II was inseminated with frozen-thawed semen of a progeny tested bull of NDRI.

Canara Bank to launch e-Lounge services

January 28th, 2013

Canara Bank is about to unveil its e-Lounge services in Bangalore and Delhi.

What this service would offer?

e-Lounge will cater to the needs of corporate, IT and business professionals. It would offer Services of ATM, cash deposit kiosk, check deposit kiosk, pass book update, internet banking terminal, online trading terminal, corporate web site terminal to offer latest information of bank’s services all under one roof.

The bank would launch first e-Lounge at Koramangala Branch, Bangalore.

‘SKEWPY’ can address unemployment problem in J&K

January 28th, 2013

Minister for Labour and Employment, Planning and Development, Ajay Kumar Sadhotra has said that Sher-e-Kashmir Employment and Welfare Programme for Youth (SKEWPY) is a right initiative to address the unemployment problem in Jammu and Kashmir.

What is SKEWPY?

In J&K the problem of unemployment is at alarming levels and is a matter of serious concern for the Central as well as State govt. To tackle this problem the state announced policy on Employment to simultaneously and comprehensively address all issues relating to the problem of unemployment in the state. The policy was launched on the 5th December, 2009, the 105th birthday of the great visionary of the state,the Sher-e-Kashmir, Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah Sahib and hence named as ," The Sher-E-Kashmir Employment & Welfare Programme for the Youth" (SKEWPY).

SRK tops Forbes India Celebrity 100 chart

January 28th, 2013

Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan stood at the pinnacle of inaugural Forbes India Celebrity 100 list.

The 2^nd spot was held by Salman Khan, while Indian cricket skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni stood at the 3^rd place in the list.

Top 3 earners during October 2011 to September 2012:

• Shah Rukh Khan- Rs 202.8 crore.
• Salman Khan – Rs 144.2 crore
• Dhoni – Rs 135.16 crore

The list considered factors such as celebrities’ income (from the business of entertainment) and fame (as measured by media mentions, online presence and social media followers) in the duration b/w October 1, 2011 and September 30, 2012. The celebrities were positioned across 8 categories — film actors, directors, sport stars, TV personalities, singers/musicians, authors, models and comedians.

India to test fire sub-sonic missile Nirbhay

January 28th, 2013

As per Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), India would test fire sub-sonic, medium range cruise missile Nirbhay in Feb 2013. The missile is being developed by Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), a DRDO lab.

Nirbhay:

• All-weather low-cost medium-range cruise missile with stealth and high accuracy.
• Range of 1,000 km.
• It will carry a ring laser gyroscope for high-accuracy navigation and a radio altimeter for the height determination.
• Capable of being launched from multiple platforms on land, sea and air and shall be inducted into Indian Navy, Army, and Air Force.
• Capable of carrying nuclear warheads.
• Capable of flying at different altitudes ranging from 500 m to 4 km above the ground.
• Good loitering capability, control and guidance with high degree of accuracy for maximum impact.
• Nirbhay will supplement the Brahmos cruise missile by carrying warheads beyond the 300-km range.

Ameet Shah appointed to US Dept committee on renewable energy

January 28th, 2013

The Co-Chairman of Astonfield Renewable Resources Ltd, Ameet Shah, has been appointed to the US Department of Commerce’s Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Advisory Committee (RE&EEAC).

Shah will represent project developers in the renewable energy sector. He will advice the Department’s top official on competitiveness issues facing the US renewable energy and energy efficiency exports, and help provide consensus advice on the development and administration of programmes and policies.

Astonfield’s 12.3 MW solar photovoltaic plant in Nayaka of Patan district of Gujarat, was sanctioned under the Gujarat Energy Development Agency (GEDA).

DRDO begins AWACS programme

January 28th, 2013

India’s  Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has just taken up development of the Rs 6,000 crore Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS).

What is AWACS?

AWACS is acronym of Airborne Warning and Control System.

How is it different from indigenous Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C)?

AWACS is a heavier and high endurance system, which can give you in terms of coverage about 360 degrees as against AEW&C which is about270 degree coverage.

Besides this, (compared to AEW&C) AWACS flies at a higher altitude and it can penetrate into the enemy territory – not physically – (but) by way of radars and EW (electronic warfare) systems to longer distances and it can be in sky for larger durations, besides giving better visibility.

US Senators introduce Malala Yousufzai Scholarship Act

January 28th, 2013

A bill in the name of Pakistani peace activist MalalaYousafzai has been introduced by two top American Senators.

• The legislation named ‘Malala Yousufzai Scholarship Act’ is aimed at expanding scholarship opportunities for disadvantaged young women in Pakistan.

The bill would require a 30 % increase in the number of scholarships awarded under the program for the next four years, and that these additional scholarships be awarded solely to women.

The Malala Yousafzai Scholarship Act would expand and enhance an existing United States Agency for International Development (USAID)scholarship program called the Merit and Needs-Based Scholarship Program.

The USAID program provides scholarships for university studies in agriculture or business administration to economically disadvantaged young men and women from rural areas of Pakistan.

Tata Starbucks launch two outlets in Delhi

January 27th, 2013

The joint venture of Starbucks Coffee Company and Tata Global Beverages, Tata Starbucks, expanded further by opening two outlets at Terminal III of Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) domestic and international terminals in Delhi.

• Starbucks Corporation is an American global coffee company and coffeehouse chain based in Seattle, Washington. Starbucks is the largest coffeehouse company in the world.

‘Vision Life Income’ launched by Birla Sun Life Insurance

January 26th, 2013

Birla Sun Life Insurance has launched its first participating plan ‘Vision Life Income’. It offers a perfect blend of income and financial protection for the customer’s family as it pays survival benefits every year from the end of the premium paying term till maturity and life insurance benefit. The plan offers guaranteed regular income for life post-premium paying term, a discount in premium on high sum assured and income-tax benefits.

Govt to infuse Rs 681 crore in UCO Bank

January 26th, 2013

As part of government’s plan to infuse Rs 12,517 crore in around 10 state-owned banks by March, 2013, UCO Bank will be infused with Rs 681 crore.

The bank will issue equity shares on preferential basis in favour of Government of India for an amount aggregating to the tune of Rs 681 crore.

India committed to implementing TAPI Project by 2017

January 26th, 2013

India has said that it is fully committed to implementing the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) Project by August 2017. It was reiterated by President Pranab Mukherjee when he was interacting with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

US military to remove ban on women serving in combat

January 26th, 2013

The US Defence department is expected to lift a ban on women serving in combat after a decade of war that saw female troops thrust onto the battlefield.

In Feb 2012, US lifted a ban on women for about 14,000 combat-related jobs in an incremental move that was criticized as timid by some activists.

SC prohibits tourists from entering Jarawa tribe habitat

January 26th, 2013

The apex court banned all tourist movements in the habitat of extremely endangered Jarawa tribe in Andaman and Nicobar and also sought to know from Andaman & Nicobar Island administration whether it intended to keep the tribe, which has a thin population of just over 300, in isolation or to be assimilated in the mainstream.

The court banned the movement of all tourist vehicles through the 46-kmAndaman Trunk Road that links North Andaman to its southern part passing through the tribe’s habitat till February 26, 2013.

What is the issue?

The matter dates back to January, 2012, when two British dailies had released outraging videos showing semi-naked Jarawa men and women dancing before tourists as part of alleged ‘human safari’. In the video, the tourists were seen throwing money, food and bananas at the tribal people. After this incidence, the government ordered inquiry.

In May 2012, the court had upheld the island administration’s decision to ban private tour operators from the 5-km buffer zone but sternly warned that no government operated tours would be permitted in the area either.

The notification had declared an area up to 5 km radius of Jarawa Tribal Reserve, from boundary line starting from Constance Bay in South Andaman to Lewis Inlet Bay in Middle Andaman, as buffer zone.

Where do Jarawas live and why they are being protected?

Jarawas are highly vulnerable to diseases and viruses carried by the urban population and they live in forests in the western coasts of South and Middle Andaman Islands.

RBI panel suggests banks to encourage long-tenor FD schemes

January 26th, 2013

A Reserve Bank of India (RBI) committee which studied the feasibility of introducing more long-term fixed rate loan products by banks, made following suggestions:

• Banks should popularize Fixed Deposit (FD) schemes with tenors of above 5 years as they are eligible for tax exemption. It would help banks in meeting their long-term funding requirements.
• Besides plain vanilla fixed rate loan products, banks can offer fixed rate long-term loan products with periodic interest reset provision (say every 7-10 years). However, the resetting of interest rate should be in line with the regulatory guidelines on base rate.
• Banks which have not fully exploited the sector of long-term bonds (minimum maturity of five years) to the infrastructure sector (minimum residual maturity of five years) could make use of the room available to issue more long-term bonds which would aid release resources for extending long-term fixed rate loan products.
• Banks can consider offering longer-tenor fixed rate loans, say up to 30 years, which would help reduce the EMIs of borrowers.
• Banks can also workout the option of take-out financing and can also explore promoting securitization market for better asset liability management.
• Banks should charge pre-payment penalty on fixed rate loan products on the outstanding amount only.

Cleaning drive of Railways target 100 main stations

January 26th, 2013

Railways has undertaken a cleanliness drive at about 100 important stations across the country and equip maximum number of coaches with bio-toilets. Aiming at providing hygienic condition at rail premises, the Railways has decided to undertake cleanliness drive at about

Railway has asked all zonal railways to ensure cleanliness at 100 stations with more than 10 lakh population and with religious and tourists significance.

British PM pledges referendum on EU membership if re-elected

January 26th, 2013

British people may have a choice of opting out of European Union or staying with it, as promised by British Prime Minister David Cameron. He has pledged to hold a referendum on Britain’s membership of the European Union if his party is re-elected in the next general election by 2017.

The move was made to pacify the Eurosceptic crescendos within his own Conservative Party and outside, with a promise to offer the British public a simple choice b/w staying in or leaving the European Union.

Indian author U.R.Ananthamurthy in race for the International Man Booker Prize for Fiction 2013

January 26th, 2013

Indian Kannada author U.R.Ananthamurthy (80) is one among the ten authors shortlisted for the prestigious International Man Booker Prize for Fiction 2013.  Ananthamurthy became famous with his novel“Samskara” launched in 1966.
The International Man Booker Prize is presented by UK to a living author of any nationality for a body of work published in English or generally available in English translation. It is a biennial event which awards an author for his lifetime work.

Previous Awardees:

• Philip Roth, 2011
• Alice Munro, 2009
• Chinua Achebe, 2007

India is part of World’s largest optical telescope project

January 26th, 2013

Indian scientists will render significant contribution in developing key components of the world’s largest optical telescope to be set up by a 5-nation consortium including India.

The Thirty Metre Telescope (TMT), also known as the world’s most advanced ground-based observatory, will be built at the summit of Mauna Kea volcano in Hawaii at a cost of $1.2 billion.

Who are the partner countries?

There are five nations collaborating in the project:

1. India
2. China
3. Japan
4. Canada
5. United States

What is so special about TMT?

• 81 times more sensitive than the current telescopes of its kind and resolve objects by a factor of 3 times better than the largest ground-based telescopes that are available at present across the world.
• Will be the world’s most advanced ground-based observatory that will be operating in optical and mid-infrared wavelengths.

What will be the contribution of India?

In this project 15% of the 492 mirror segments, each 1.44 m in size, will be fabricated in India. The Indian companies will be supplying high-end components such as edge sensors, actuators, segment support assemblies and provide services such as polishing of the mirror segments, and software to control the operations of the telescope, the mirror, and telescope dome. India is making a contribution of 10% – 70 % of it in kind and 30% in cash. Currently, India has a status of an observer and it is in the process of becoming a permanent member.

Bhutan king igme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck to be Republic Day parade chief guest

January 24th, 2013

Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck will be the chief guest at India’s 64th Republic Day parade on Jan 26, 2013.

• Earlier, the ruler of Oman, Sultan Qaboos Said bin Said, was to be the chief guest at the Republic Day parade, but he declined.
• The Bhutan king is also to be the chief guest at the Confederation of Indian Industry Partnership Summit-2013 to be held at Agra from Jan 27-29, 2013.
• The former king of Bhutan Jigme Singye Wangchuck was the chief guest at the Republic Day parade in 2005.

12 LPG cylinders to BPL households in Delhi

January 24th, 2013

The Delhi government has decided to raise the number of subsidized LPG cylinders from 9 to 12 for BPL families and other marginalized sections. The move is expected to benefit 4 lakh families. A few days before, Centre had increased the number of subsidized cylinders from 6 to 9.

This decision by Delhi government is part of its ‘kerosene-free Delhi scheme’ launched in August, 2012. The scheme was launched with free distribution of gas stoves, cylinder and regulator to all families covered under BPL, Antyodaya Anna Yojna and Jhuggi Ration Card.

Intel to make an interface to help Stephen Hawkins communicate faster

January 24th, 2013

Intel , the world’s largest and most valued chip maker, has revealed that it is working on an interface that will boost the scientist’s speech to up to 10 words per minute. Currently, Hawkins rate of communication is 1 word per minute.  Hawking has a motor neurone disease related toAmyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a condition that has progressed over the years. He is almost entirely paralysed and communicates through a speech generating device.

Virat Kohli becomes second fastest Indian to score 4000 runs in ODIs

January 24th, 2013

Indian cricket star Virat Kohli became the fastest Indian to score 4000 runs in One Day Internationals (ODIs). Virat Kohli played 96 ODI matches and 93 innings to reach this milestone. Before Sourav Ganguly was the fastest Indian to score 4000 runs in ODI who had played 105 inning.

UPPCS Prelims General Studies solved Question Paper 2011

UPPCS Prelims General Studies solved 

Question Paper 2011

1.  Which among the following is the largest software company in India ?

(a) Infosys

(b) TCS

(c) WIPRO

(d) HCL Tech

Ans: (b)



2. Which one of the following is different from the others from the point of view of ownership ?

(a) LIC Policy

(b) Bank Fixed Deposit

(c) Kisan Vikas Patra

(d) Debenture of a Company

Ans: (d)
 

3. In the Union Budget 2011 – 12, the effective rate of interest for fanners on timely repayment of the bank loan is

(a) 7 percent

(b) 6 percent

(c) 4 percent

(d) 3 percent

Ans: (c)



4. ‘Athapoo ‘ is associated with which of the following festivals ?

(a) Dol Yatra

(b) Onam

(c) Pongal

(d) Vishwakarma Puja

Ans: (b)



5. Match List – I with List – II and select the correct answer from the code given below:

List – I                                          List – II
A. Pandit Durgalal                       1. Instrumental Music
B. Lalgudi Jayaraman                  2. Dance
C. Bala Murali  Krishna                3. Painting
D. Amrita Shergil                         4. Vocal Music

Code:

A  B  C  D
(a)  2  1  4   3
(b)  1  2  4   3
(c)  3  1   2  4
(d)  2  4   3  1

Ans: (a)



6. South Indian festival of ‘Onam’ is associated with which of the following ?

(a) Ram’s victory over Rawan

(b) Durga’s killing of Mahishasur

(c) Shiva Shakti

(d) Mahabali

Ans: (d)



7. Which of the following crops are grown mainly in the irrigated areas during Zaid ?

(a) Arhar and Gram

(b) Moong and Urad

(c) Rice and Millets

(d) Maize and Groundnut

Ans:



8. The largest producer of Sugar in India is

(a) Bihar

(b) Karnataka

(c) Maharashtra

(d) Uttar Pradesh

Ans: (c)



9. Which of the following authority sanctions foreign exchange for the import of goods ?

(a) Any Nationalised Bank

(b) Exchange Bank

(c) Reserve Bank of India

(d) Ministry of Financer

Ans:



10. A letter of credit has to be produced by

(a) an exporter

(b) an importer

(c) custom authorities

(d) shipping company

Ans:



11. Which organisation promotes the foreign trade ?

(a) ECGC

(b) MMTC

(c) STC

(d) All of the above

Ans:



12. The main source of fund for the National Highway Authority of India is

(a) Cess

(b) Foreign assistance

(c) Market borrowings

(d) Budgetary support of Union Government

Ans:



13. Golden rice has the highest quantity of

(a) Vitamin A

(b) Vitamin B

(c) Vitamin C

(d) Vitamin K

Ans: (a)



14. Which one of the following is useful in the treatment of scurvy disease ?

(a) Mango

(b) Papaya

(c) Aonla

(d) Ber

Ans: (c)



15. MODVAT is related to

(a) Excise duty

(b) Value Added Tax (VAT)

(c) Wealth Tax

(d) Income Tax

Ans: (b)



16. More than one-third of the crude steel production of the world comes from

(a) China

(b) Japan

(c) Russia

(d) U.S.A.

Ans: (a)



17. The Sun City is located in

(a) Italy

(b) Japan

(c) Mexico

(d) South Africa

Ans: (d)



18. The correct descending order of the leading producers of milk is

(a) China, India, Russia, U.S.A.

(b) India, U.S.A., China, Russia

(c) U.S.A., India, China, Russia

(d) India, China, U.S.A., Russia

Ans: (b)



19. Match List – I and List – II and select the correct answer from the code given below the lists:

List – I                                                  List – II

(Iron-Steel Centre)                             (Country)

A. Hamilton                                        1. China

B. Birmingham                                   2. Canada

C. Essen                                            3. U.K.

D. Anshan                                          4. Germany

Code:

A   B   C   D
(a)   4   3    1   2
(b)   2   1    4   3
(c)   2   3    4   1
(d)   3   4    2   1

Ans: (c)



20. Import procedure begins with

(a) Indent

(b) Mate’s receipt

(c) Marine insurance

(d) Shipping bill

Ans:



21. Private Sector Mutual Funds in india were permitted in

(a) 1964

(b) 1993

(c) 1994

(d) 2001

Ans: (b)



22. The State known as ‘Garden of Spices’ is

(a) Karnataka

(b) Kerala

(c) Maharashtra

(d) Tamil Nadu

Ans: (b)



23. In India two largest producers of coal (2008 -09) are

(a) Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh

(b) Chhattisgarh and Orissa

(c) Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand

(d) Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh

Ans:



24.  Which of the following towns lie in the National Capital Region ?

1. Ambala

2. Khurja

3. Karnal

4. Rohtak

Select the correct answer from the code given below:

Code:

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 3 and 4 only

(c) 1, 2 and 3 only

(d) 2, 3 and 4 only

Ans: (d)



25. Coolgardie lies in the Australian province of

(a) New South Wales

(b) Northern Territory

(c) Queensland

(d) Western Australia

Ans: (d)



26.  Match List – I and List – II and select the correct answer from the code given below:

List – I (Lake)

A. Erie
B. Michigan
C. Ontario
D. Superior

List – II (City)
1. Duluth
2. Detroit
3. Gary
4. Hamilton

Code:

A   B    C   D

(a)   2    1   4   3
(b)   1    3   2   4
(c)   4    2    3   1
(d)   2    3   4   1

Ans:



27.  In India the State with the largest area under very dense forests is

(a)  Arunachal Pradesh

(b) Madhya Pradesh

(c) Maharashtra

(d) Orissa

Ans:



28.  Which one of the following does NOT lie in Maharashtra ?

(a) Balaghat Range

(b) Harishchandra Range

(c) Mandav Hills

(d) Satmala Hills

Ans:



29. Which one of the following is NOT the port town of Gujarat ?

(a) Jamnagar

(b) Okha

(c) Porbandar

(d) Veraval

Ans:



30.  Who among the following has been awarded the prestigious Abel Prize for the year 2011 ?

(a) Isadore M. Singer

(b) John Griggs Thompson

(c) John Willard Milnor

(d) Peter D. Lax

Ans: (c)



31. Assertion (A): Kerala stands first in terms of human development index.

Reason (R) : Its unemployment rate is the highest in the country.

Select the correct answer from the code given below:

Code:

(a) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).

(b) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is NOT the correct explanation of (A).

(c) (A) is true, but (R) is false.

(d) (A) is false, but (R) is true.

Ans:



32. Which one of the following pairs is NOT correctly matched?

(a) Koyali – Gujarat

(b) Nagapattinam- Andhra Pradesh

(c) Numaligarh – Assam

(d) Manali – Tamil Nadu

Ans:



33. Arrange the following States of India in descending order of their forest-area and select the correct answer from the code given below:

1. Andhra Pradesh

2. Arunachal Pradesh

3. Chhattisgarh

4. Orissa

Code:

(a) 1, 3, 4, 2
(b) 1, 2, 3, 4
(c) 4, 3, 1, 2
(d) 2, 1, 4, 3

Ans:



34. According to the World Bank’s Global Development Finance Report 2010 the correct descending order of the world’s five most indebted countries is

(a) Russia, Brazil, China, Turkey, India

(b) Russia, China, Turkey, Brazil, India

(c) Russia, China, Brazil, India, Turkey

(d) Russia, Brazil, India, China,Turkey

Ans:



35. In February 2011 India International Youth Film Festival was held in

(a) Hyderabad

(b) Kolkata

(c) Mumbai

(d) New Delhi

Ans: (d)



36. At the 83rd Oscar Awards the best film award was won by

(a) Black Swan

(b) The Fighter

(c) The King’s Speech

(d) The Social Network

Ans: (c)



37. The foundation stone of the third Indian Research Centre in Antarctica was laid by the name of

(a) Sarswati

(b) Bharti

(c) Anweshan

(d) Yamnotri

Ans: (b)



38. The author of the book “The Emperor of All Maladies A Biography of Cancer”, for which 2011 Pulitzer Prize has been awarded, is

(a) Farid Zakariya

(b) Geeta Anand

(c) Jhumpa Lahiri

(d) Siddhartha Mukherjee

Ans: (d)



39. Who among the following film actors was given Mother Teresa Award in March 2011 ?

(a) Prem Chopra

(b) Rajesh Khanna

(c) Shammi Kapoor

(d) Shatrughan Sinha

Ans: (a)



40. Which one of the following Indian States has recently signed a $220 million agreement with the World Bank ?

(a) Bihar

(b) Kerala

(c) Maharashtra

(d) Tamil Nadu

Ans: (a)



41. India has recently signed Comprehensive Economic Co-operation Agreement with

(a) Indonesia

(b) Malaysia

(c) Saudi Arabia

(d) Vietnam

Ans:



42. Which one of the following districts of Uttar Pradesh has the highest literacy rate as per the provisional figures of 2011 Census?

(a) Gautambuddh Nagar

(b) Ghaziabad

(c) Kanpur Nagar

(d) Lucknow

Ans: (b)



43. Thumri Singer Girija Devi belongs to

(a) Banaras Gharana

(b) Agra Gharana

(c) Kirana Gharana

(d) Lucknow Gharana

Ans: (a)



44. Match List – I with List – II and select the correct answer from the code given below:

List – I (District)              List – II (Headquarters)
A. Jalaun                        1. Akbarpur
B. Kanpur Dehat             2. Navgarh
C. Sant Ravidas Nagar   3. Padrauna
D. Kushinagar                4. Orai

Code:
A      B      C      D
(a)   4      1       2      3
(b)   4      3       2      1
(c)   2      1       3      4
(d)   1      2       4      3

Ans: (a)



45. The first Woman General Secretary of SAARC, elected in January 2011, comes from

(a) Bangladesh

(b) Sri Lanka

(c) Maldives

(d) Bhutan

Ans: (c)



46. The 18th Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhawana Award has been given to

(a) Shabana Azmi

(b) Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

(c) Javed Akhtar

(d) None of the above

Ans: (b)



47. India in February 2011 signed Free Trade Agreement with

(a) Australia

(b) Indonesia

(c) Japan

(d) South Korea

Ans: (c)



48. Match List – I with List – II and select the correct answer from the code given below :

List – I (City)     List – II (Aerodrome)
A. Lucknow     1. Babatpur
B. Varanasi     2. Kheria
C. Kanpur        3. Amausi
D. Agra           4. Chakeri

Code:
A      B      C      D
(a)  4      3       1      2
(b)  2      1       4      3
(c)  3       2       1      4
(d)  3      1       4      2

Ans: (d)



49. The official bird of Uttar Pradesh is

(a) Peacock

(b) Saras

(c) Parrot

(d) Cuckoo

Ans: (b)



50. The most popular religious magazine ‘Kalyan’ is published from

(a) Mathura

(b) Rishikesh

(c) Gorakhpur

(d) Varanasi

Ans: (c)



51. Which One of the following pairs is not correctly matched ?

(a) Vrindavan Mandir – Mathura

(b) J.K. Temple – Lucknow

(c) Vishwanath Mandir – Varanasi

(d) Devipatan Mandir – Tulsipur

Ans: (b)



52. Which one of the following statements regarding uttar Pradesh, according to the provisional figures of 2011 Census is not correct?

(a) It accounts for 16.5 percent of the Country’s population.

(b) It has the largest ‘number of children in the country.

(c) Its decadal growth rate is 18.4%.

(d) Its Sex ratio is 908.

Ans: (c)



53. Famous Charkula dance is associated with

(a) Avadh

(b) Bundelkhand

(c) Brijbhumi

(d) Rohilkhand

Ans: (c)



54. Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel Agricultural University is located at

(a) Faizabad

(b) Meerut

(c) Kanpur

(d) Jhansi

Ans: (b)



55. The winner of All England Badminton championship.2011, Men’s Singles Title, was

(a) Chen Jin

(b) Lee Chong Wei

(c) Lee Yong Dae

(d) Lin Dan

Ans: (b)



56. The Winner of Australian Open 2011, Men’s Singles, was

(a) Andy Murray

(b) David Ferrer

(c) Novak Djkovic

(d) Roger Federer

Ans: (c)



57. The Captain of the Indian Hockey Team for Azlan Shah Cup Hockey Tournament, 2011, was

(a) Arjun Halappa

(b) Rajesh Kumar

(c) Rajpal Singh

(d) Shivendra Singh

Ans:



58. Farrukhabad is known for

(a) Carpet weaving

(b) Glassware

(c) Perfume Manufacture

(d) Hand Printing

Ans: (d)



59. In Which of the following crops Uttar Pradesh is not the largest producer in India?

(a) Polato

(b) Rice

(c) Sugarcane

(d) Wheat

Ans: (b)



60. In ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 the “man of the tournament” was

(a) Kumar Sangakarra

(b) Sachin Tendulkar

(c) Tilakratne Dilshan

(d) Yuvraj Singh

Ans: (d)



61. The “Leures World Sportsman Year” award for 2010 was given to

(a) Lionel Massi

(b) Rafael Nadal

(c) Ronaldo

(d) Sachin Tendulkar

Ans: (b)



62. ‘Smash’ is assosiated with which of the following sports?

(a) Boxing

(b) Wrestling

(c) Football

(d) Volleyball

Ans: (d)



63. Bula Chaudhary is well-known in which of the following sports?

(a) Swimming

(b) Hockey

(c) Football

(d) Archery

Ans: (a)



64. Tejaswani  Sawant is the first Indian woman to be crowned world championship in

(a) Athelatics

(b) Boxing

(c) Shooting

(d) Wrestling

Ans: (c)



65. The correct descending order of the four winners of the highest number of gold medals in the 34th National Games 2011 is

(a) Services, Manipur, Haryana, Maharashtra

(b) Services, Haryana, Manipur, Maharashtra

(c) Services, Manipur, Maharashtra, Haryana

(d) Services, Haryana, Maharashtra, Manipur

Ans: (a)



66. In the 34th National Games, 2011 which State. Won the team title in Badminton in Men’s Section?

(a) Andhra Pradesh

(b) Kerala

(c) Maharashtra

(d) Tamil Nadu

Ans: (a)



67. “Stanley Cup’ is associated with

(a) Badminton

(b) Basketball

(c) Golf

(d) Ice Hockey

Ans: (d)



68. If COMPUTER IS Coded as RFUYQNPC, the code for MEDICINE will be

(a) MFEDJJOE

(b) MFEJDJOE

(c) EOJDEJFM

(d) EOJDJEFM

Ans: (d)



69. Introducing a girl Mohan said. “Her mother is the only daughter of my mother-in-law.” How is Mohan related to that girl?

(a) Brother

(b) father

(c) Husband

(d) Uncle

Ans: (b)



70. The following series has a wrong number:

1 12 65 264 795 1590 1593

The wrong number is

(a) 65

(b) 264

(c) 795

(d) 1590

Ans: (d)



71. Govind is 3 years older than his wife Shyama and four times as old as his son Raghu. If Raghu becomes 15 years old after 3 years, what is the present age of Shyama ?

(a) 60 years

(b) 51 years

(c) 48 years

(d) 45 years

Ans: (d)



72. Ten years ago Ram’s age was half of Moti’s age. If the ratio of their present ages is 3 : 4, what is the total of their present ages?

(a) 25

(b) 28

(c) 32

(d) 35

Ans: (d)



73. Sonu bought a watch with 30 percent discount on the labelled price. He sold it With 20 percent profit on the labelled price. Approximately, what was his percentage of profit on the price he bought?

(a) 50

(b) 65

(c) 70

(d) 85

Ans: (c)



74. Which one of the following will come next in the series given below?

LXF MTJ NPN OLR

(a) PHV

(b) PPV

(c) PTV

(d) PJW

Ans: (a)



75. There are four prime numbers. The product of first three is 385 and the product of the last three is 1001. First and the last numbers are respectively:

(a) 5, 11

(b) 5, 13

(c) 7, 11

(d) 7, 13

Ans: (b)



76. If the number 1 X 5 X 01 is divisible by 11, then X is equal to

(a) 2

(b) 6

(c) 8

(d) 3

Ans: (c)



77. Avinash spent 2/5 of his income for a month on rent and 3/4th of the remainder on other expenses. The balance of Rs.180 he put in his savings account. How much was his income for the month?

(a) Rs. 1,200

(b) Rs. 1,400

(c) Rs. 1,600

(d) Rs. 1,800

Ans: (a)



78. The author of ‘Green Development’ is

(a) M.J. Bradshaw

(b) M. Nicolson

(c) R.H. Whittakar

(d) W.M. Adams

Ans: (d)



79. The missing number in the following series:

0, 4, 18, 48, ? 180 is

(a) 58

(b) 68

(c) 84

(d) 100

Ans: (d)



80. Man as started a business investing Rs. 42,000. After 7 months, Kamal joined him with a capital of Rs. 50,000. At the end of the year, the total profit was Rs. 30,160. What is Kamal’s share in the profit?

(a) Rs. 10,000

(b) Rs. 20,160

(c) Rs. 10,160

(d) Rs. 8,000

Ans: (a)



81. The surface area of a cube is 384 m2 Its volume will be

(a) 512m3

(b) 516m3

(c) 1032m3

(d) 216m3

Ans: (a)



82. The World Water Conservation Day is observed on

(a) 28 February

(b) 22 March

(c) 5 June

(d) 11 July

Ans: (b)



83. The Periyar Game Sanctuary is renowned by

(a) Lions

(b) Spotted deers

(c) Tigers

(d) Wild Elephants

Ans: (c)



84. Which one of the following cities has the largest slum population?

(a) Bangalore

(b) Chennai

(c) Delhi

(d) Surat

Ans: (c)



85. Which one of the following is the most urbanized country of West Asia?

(a) Israel

(b) Kuwait

(c) Qatar

(d) Saudi Arabia

Ans:



86. Which of the following countries suffer from the acid rains?

1. Canada

2. France

3. Norway

4. Germany

Select the correct answer from the code given below:

Code:

(a) 1 and 2

(b) 1 and 3

(c) 2 and 3

(d) 3 and 4

Ans:



87. The World Tiger Summit 2010 was held at

(a) Bangkok

(b) Nairobi

(c) New Delhi

(d) Petersburg

Ans: (d)



88. The author of ‘Nuclear, Reactor Time Bomb’ is

(a) C.C. Park

(b) E. P. Odum

(c) S. Polasky

(d) Takashi Hirose

Ans: (d)



89. Which one of the following States India has recorded the maximum increase in literacy rate during 2001-2011?

(a) Bihar

(b) Gujarat

(c) Rajasthan

(d) Uttar Pradesh

Ans: (a)



90. As per the provisional figures of 2011 Census the second most populous State of India is

(a) Andhra Pradesh

(b) Bihar

(c) Maharashtra

(d) West Bengal

Ans: (c)



91. Which of the following statements are correct according to the provisional figures of Census of India 2011? Use the code given below to select the correct answer:

1. The lowest population is found in Lakshadweep.

2. Chandigarh has the highest population density.

3. Arunachal Pradesh has the lowest population density.

4. Dadra and Nagar Haveli has the highest decadal growth of population.

Code:

(a) 1 and 2

(b) 1,2 and 3

(c) 2,3 and 4

(d) 1,3 and 4

Ans: (d)



92. According to the provisional figures of Census 2011 arrange the following districts of Uttar Pradesh In descending order of their population size and select the correct answer from the code given below:

1. Allahabad

2. Azamgarh

3. Ghaziabad

4. Lucknow

Code:

(a) 1,3,2,4

(b) 1,4,3,2

(c) 2,3,1,4

(d) 4,1,2,3

Ans: (a)



93. According to the provisional figures of 2011 Census the lowest sex ratio in India is found in

(a) Chandigarh

(b) Daman and Diu

(c) Dadra and Nagar Haveli

(d) Haryana

Ans: (b)



94. The first Gupta ruler who issued coins was

(a) Srigupta

(b) Chandragupta I

(c) Samudragupta

(d) Chandragupta II

Ans:



95. The Prince who was responsible for the death of his father was

(a) Ajatasatru

(b) Chandapradyota

(c) Prasenjit

(d) Udayana

Ans:



96. Who among the following was the earliest Sufi Saint to have settled at Ajmer?

(a) Sheikh Moinuddin Chisti

(b) Sheikh Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Qaki

(c) Sheikh Nizamuddin Auliya

(d) Sheikh Salim Chisti

Ans:



97. With which Mughal General did Shivaji sign the famous ‘Treaty of Purandhar in 1665 A.D?

(a) Jaswant Singh

(b) Jai Singh

(c) Shaishta Khan

(d) Diler Khan

Ans:



98. During the 13th and 14th Centuries A.D. the Indian peasants did not cultivate

(a) Wheat

(b) Barley

(c)  Rice

(d) Maize

Ans:



99. The writer of Mahabhasya ‘Patanjali ‘ was a contemporary of

(a) Chandragupta Maurya

(b) Ashoka

(c) Pushyamitra Sunga

(d) Chandragupta I

Ans:



100. Gautama Buddha had attained Mahaparinibban in the State of

(a) Anga

(b) Magdha

(c) Malta

(d) Vatsa

Ans:



101. Buddha had delivered Maximum sermons at

(a) Vaishali

(b) Sravasti

(c) Kaushambi

(d) Rajgriha

Ans:



102. Consider the following statement and select the correct answer from the code given below:

1. Vikrarn Samvat began in 58 BC.

2. Saka Samvat began in 319 AD.

3. Gupta era began in 319 AD.

4. The era of Muslim rule in India began in 1192 AD.

Code:

(a) 1 and 2

(b) 3 and 4

(c) 1, 2 and 3

(d) 1,2, 3 and 4

Ans:



103. Which one of the following rulers established embassies in foreign countries on modern lines?

(a) Haider Ali

(b) Mir Qasim

(c) Shah Alam II

(d) Tipu Sultan

Ans:



104. Who among the following was the one to have escaped being hanged in the ‘Kakori Conspiracy Case’?

(a) Ashfaqullah Khan

(b) Rajendra Lahiri

(c) Ram Prasad Bismil

(d) Chandra Shekhar Azad

Ans:



105. Who among the following attended all the three Round Table Conferences?

(a) Jawaharlal Nehru

(b) B.R. Ambedkar

(c) Vallabh Bhai Patel

(d) Rajendra Prasad

Ans:



106. Which Sultan of Delhi imposed Jaziya on the Brahmins also?

(a) Balban

(b) Firoz Tughlaq

(c) Allauddin Khilji

(d) Mohammad bin Tughlaq

Ans:



107. Who among the following was the founder of Agra?

(a) Balban

(b) Bahlol Lodhi

(c) Sikandar Lodhi

(d) Firoz Tughlaq

Ans:



108. Which one of the following pairs is not correctly matched?

(a) Ajmer-Quuwal-al-Islam

(b) Jaunpur – Atala Mosque

(c) Malwa – Jahaz Mahal

(d) Gulbarga – Jama Masjid

Ans:



109.  Who among the following leaders of the Revolution of 1857 had the real name of Ram Chandra Pandurang ?

(a) Kunwar Singh

(b) Nana Saheb

(c) Tatiya Tope

(d) Mangal Pandey

Ans:



110. Who among the following led the agitation against the Partition of Bengal (1905) ?

(a) Surendranath Banerjee

(b) C. R. Das

(c) Ashutosh Mukherjee

(d) Rabindra Nath Tagore

Ans:



111. Who among the following leaders escaped from the prison and organized underground activities during the ‘Quit India Movement’ ?

(a) J.B. Kriplani

(b) Ram Manohar Lohia

(c) Achyut Patwardhan

(d) Jai Prakash Narayan

Ans:



112. Arrange the following In the chronological order and select the correct answer from the code given below:

1. The August Offer

2. The Cabinet Mission Plan

3. The Cripps Mission Plan

4. The Wavell Plan

Code:

(a) 1, 2, 4, 3

(b) 4, 3, 2, 1

(c) 1, 3, 4, 2

(d) 3, 4, 1, 2

Ans:



113. After returning from South Africa, Gandhiji launched his first successful Satyagraha in

(a) Champaran

(b) Chauri Chaura

(c) Bardoli

(d) Dandi

Ans:



114. The only session of the Indian National Congress addressed by Mahatma held at

(a) Amravati

(b) Belgaum

(c) Karachi

(d) Nagpur

Ans:



115. Who among the following had moved the Non co-operation resolution in the Nagpur session of the Indian National Congress in 1920 ?

(a) C.R. Das

(b) Annie Besant

(c) B.C. Pal

(d) Madan Mohan Malviya

Ans:



116. Which one of the following pairs is correctly matched ?

(a) Durga Das : The Life of Mahatma Gandhi

(b) Louis Fischer: India From Curzon to Nehru and After

(c) Frank Moraes: Jawahar Lal Nehru – A Biography

(d) Maulana Abul Kalam Azad : India Divided

Ans:



117. Which one of the following pairs is NOT correctly matched ?

(a) James Watt: Steam Engine

(b) A. G. Bell : Telephone

(c) J. L. Baird : Television

(d) J. Perkins : Penicillin

Ans: (d)



118. Who among the following had started ‘Mitra Mela’ Association ?

(a) Shyamji Krishna Verma

(b) Vinayak Damodar Savarkar

(c) Lala Hardayal

(d) Sohan Singh Bhakna

Ans: (b)



119. The statement “I am a socialist and a republican and am no believer Kings and Princes” is associated with

(a) Narendra Dev

(b) Achyut Patwardhan

(c) Jai Prakash Narayan

(d) Jawahar Lal Nehru

Ans:



120. Who among the following had led the Swadeshi Movement in Delhi.

(a) Balgangadhar Tilak

(b) Ajit Singh

(c) Lala Lajpat Rai

(d) Syed Haider Raza

Ans:



121. Which one of the following pairs is correctly matched ?

(a) Silver iodide – Horn Silver

(b) Silver chloride – Artificial rain

(c) Zinc phosphide – Rat poison

(d) Zinc sulphide – Philosopher’s wool

Ans:



122. Which one of the following gases is essential for photosynthesis process ?

(a) CO

(b) Co2

(c) N2

(d) O2

Ans: (b)

123.  Match List – I with List – II and select the correct answer from the code given below:

List – I                       List – II

A. Morphine              1. Antiseptic
B. Sodium                 2. Alloy
C. Boric Acid             3. Analgesic
D. German Silver      4. Kerosene oil

Code:

A     B    C     D
(a)  4     3     1     2
(b)  2     4     3     1
(c)  3      1     4     2
(d)  3     4     1     2

Ans: (d)



124. Which one of the following human organs is most susceptible to harmful radiations ?

(a) Eyes

(b) Heart

(c) Brain

(d) Lungs

Ans:



125. The minimum height of a plane mirror to see the full size image of a person is equal to

(a) the height of the person

(b) half the height of the person

(c) one-fourth the height of the person

(d) double the height of the person

Ans: (b)



126. Helium is preferred to hydrogen in air balloons because it

(a) is cheaper

(b) is less dense

(c) has greater lifting power

(d) does not form an explosive mixture with air.

Ans: (d)



127.  Which one of the following is NOT formed in our body ?

(a) Vitamin A

(b) Protein

(c) Enzyme

(d) Hormone

Ans: (a)



128. Anosmia is

(a) loss of the sense of taste.

(b) loss of the sense of smell.

(c) loss of the sense of touch.

(d) loss of the sense of heat.

Ans: (b)



129.  Assertion (A) : If somebody stops taking green vegetables he will suffer from night blindness.

Reason (R) : He will suffer from Vitamin A deficiency.

Select the correct answer from the code given below:

Code:

(a)  Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).

(b) Both (A) and (R) are true. but (R) is NOT the correct explanation of (A).

(c) (A) is true, but (R) is false.

(d) (A) is false, but (R) is true.

Ans: (d)



130. Insectivorous fish used for mosquito control is

(a) Hilsa

(b) Labeo

(c) Gambusia

(d) Mystus

Ans: (c)



131. With which of the physiological process Thrombin is associated ?

(a) Excretion

(b) Blood clotting

(c) Reproduction

(d) Growth

Ans: (b)



132. AIDS is caused by

(a) Bacteria

(b) Fungus

(c) Helminth

(d) Virus

Ans: (d)



133.  Which of the following is NOT the normal function of the human kidney ?

(a) Regulation of water level in the blood.

(b) Regulation of sugar level ill the blood.

(c) filter out urea.

(d) Secretion of several hormones.

Ans: (d)



134. Retina of the eye is comparable to which of the following parts of a traditional camera ?

(a) Film

(b) Lens

(c) Shutter

(d) Cover

Ans: (a)



135. Which one of the following is used as a moderator in the nuclear reactor?

(a) Thorium

(b) Graphite

(c) Radium

(d) Ordinary water

Ans: (b)



136. Refrigeration helps in food preservation by

(a) killing the germs

(b) reducing the rate of biochemical reactions

(c) destroying enzyme action.

(d) sealing the food with a layer of ice.

Ans: (b)



137. Electric bulb filament is made of

(a) Copper

(b) Aluminium

(c) Lead

(d) Tungsten

Ans: (d)



138. Which mirror is used as a rear view mirror in the vehicles?

(a) Plane

(b) Convex

(c) Concave

(d) Inverted

Ans: (b)



139. Which one of the following is a part of Infotech Terminology?

(a) Protocol

(b) Login

(c) Archie

(d) All the above

Ans: (d)



140. Inventor and founder of www is

(a) Timbernrus

(b) N. Russel

(c) Lee N. Fiyong

(d) Bill Gates

Ans: (a)



141. Amniocentosis is a method used to determine the

(a) foetal sex

(b) kind of Amino acids

(c) sequence of Amino acids in protein

(d) type of hormones

Ans: (c)



142. BMD testing is done to diagnose

(a) Dengue

(b) Malaria

(c) Osteoporosis

(d) AIDS

Ans: (c)



143. The principle ‘of ‘Black hole’ was enunciated by

(a) C.V. Raman

(b) H.J. Bhabha

(c) S. Chandrashekhar

(d) H. Khurana

Ans: (c)



144. Which one of the following has the right to address the Parliament?

(a) Attorney General of India

(b) Chief Election Commissioner of India

(c) Chief Justice of India

(d) National Security Advisor

Ans: (a)



145. Which one of the following statements about the Parliament of India is NOT correct?

(a) The Constitution provides for a Parliamentary form of Government.

(b) The foremost function of the Parliament is to provide a Cabinet.

(c) The membership of the Cabinet is restricted to the Lower House.

(d) The Cabinet has to enjoy the confidence of the majority in the popular Chamber.

Ans: (c)



146. Voting right by the youths at the age of 18 years was exercised for the first time in the General Election of

(a) 1987

(b) 1988

(c) 1989

(d) 1990

Ans: (c)



147. Under which one of the following Articles of the Indian Constitution, the Legislative Assembly is allowed to resolve for the creation of the Legislative Council?

(a) 168

(b) 169

(c) 170

(d) 171

Ans: (b)



148. Missile’ Astra’ is a

(a) land to land missile

(b) land to air missile

(c) air to air missile

(d) water to land missile

Ans: (c)



149. Indane gas is a mixture of

(a) butane and hydrogen

(b) butane and oxygen

(c) butane and propane

(d) methane and oxygen

Ans: (c)



150. Which one of the following States has granted Sanskrit language the status of the second ‘official language of the State?

(a) Bihar

(b) Chhattisgarh

(c) Uttar Pradesh

(d) Uttarakhand

Ans: (d)