Current Affairs Questions & Answers - Apr 03, 2016

ANSWER: Jitendra Jagota

Explanation:
Indian Direct Selling Association has announced a new executive committee at the General Body Meeting. Jitendra Jagota, Director Legal and Government Affairs Avon Beauty Products India Ltd has become chairperson of the association. He succeeded Rajat Banerji, National Head Corporate Affairs, Amway India Enterprises. New executive committee comprises the following:
Vice Chairman: Vivek Katoch, Director Corporate Affairs, Oriflame,
Treasurer: Rajat Banerji, National Head Corporate Affairs, Amway India Enterprises
Secretary: Rini Sanyal along with Amit Chadha as the new Secretary General.

ANSWER: 5

Explanation:
Indian IP Panorama released by Government of India seeks to increase awareness and build sensitivity through IP among stakeholders in the SME sector as well as researchers and academia. It can be accessed here-http://ict-ipr.in/index.php/ip-panorama

• This is a customised version of IP Panorama Multimedia toolkit developed by WIPO in conjunction with Korean Intellectual Property Office and Korea Invention Promotion Association.
• Toolkit is for catering to SMEs and startups in the ICTE sector of the country
• The following five modules of the Indian IP Panorama have been released:

1. “Importance of IP for SMEs”,
2. “Trademark”,
3. “Industrial design”,
4. “Invention and Patent” and
5. “Patent Information”

ANSWER: BeiDou Navigation Satellite System

Explanation:
China has launched a satellite to support global navigation and positioning network. Satellite launched from the Xinchang Satellite Launch Centre in SW Sichuan was taken into orbit by Long March 3A carrier rocket. This is the 22nd satellite in the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System being developed as an alternative to US GPS.

• This marks the 225th launch of the Long March carrier rocket
• Satellite will join others in orbit and provide global coverage for BDS
• BDS comprises 2 satellite constellations and is named after the Chinese word for the Big Dipper constellation.

ANSWER: IMPacting Research INnovation and Technology

Explanation:
Memorandum of Understanding/MoU was signed in New Delhi for promotion of research in premier technical institutions through IMPRINT program by 25 ministries including MHRD. Union HRD Minister presided over the function. IMPacting Research INnovaton and Technology/IMPRINT is a flagship national initiative of the government which was launched on November 5, 2014. IMPRINT is a multi-disciplinary, multi-partner and multiple goal oriented national programme aimed at technology development encompassing engineering disciplines steered by IITs and IISc.
- IMPRINT aims to synergise with major initiatives of the Government of India like Digital India, Skill India and Make in India.

ANSWER: http://startupindia.gov.in

Explanation:
Startup India portal http://startupindia.gov.in has been launched by Secretary DIPP and the mobile app has been launched. Key features of the portal and app are as follows:

• information availability
• startup India hub
• application for startup recognition

ANSWER: 2016-2017

Explanation:
New income tax return forms notified recently for 2016-2017 will be easily checked and annual tax liability on a computer based calculator.

Tax calculator is an online computer based programme hosted on the official website of the department. It is meant to assist taxpayers on computer based calculator hosted by the IT department. It is meant to help taxpayers/filers assess tax liability.

• Facility can be used by any taxpayer regardless of whether they are individual, corporate or any other entity to compute tax liability
• The calculator has been hosted on the website of the department — www.incometaxindia.gov.in

ANSWER: April 1, 2016

Explanation:
Nuclear Security Summit 2016 took place in Washington DC on April 1, 2016 and leaders comprised PM Narendra Modi, UK PM David Cameron, Canadian PM Justin Trudeau, French President Francois Hollande and other world leaders. World leaders have stressed the importance of Convention on Physical Protection of Nuclear Material and its amendment in 2005 as well as the International Convention on the suppression of acts of nuclear terrorism.

ANSWER: Water for All: Striving Together

Explanation:
4th edition of India Water Week will be observed from 4 to 8th April 2016. Union Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation has announced the theme this year will be “Water for All: Striving Together.” Events will take place in New Delhi and the partner country for the event is Israel.

ANSWER: Adani

Explanation:
Indian mining giant Adani moved one step closer to realise the USD 21.7 billion coal mine in Australia after three mining leases were granted for the controversy hit project. Stringent conditions will protect the environment, landholders and traditional owners interest and Great Barrier Reef. Over 200 conditions apply to the project which will be the largest coal mine in Australia.

ANSWER: Uttar Pradesh

Explanation:
Among the larger States, Uttar Pradesh has seen the most massive growth in enterprises and employment generation over the past 10 years, outperforming Gujarat, Punjab and Maharashtra.

UP has seen a 67.4% in the number of economic establishments in the state between 2005 and 2013 compared to national average of 41.8 percent. It fared better than Gujarat, TN, Karnataka, Maharashtra and West Bengal.

UP has been placed third in terms of employment growth over a decade ahead of other states like Gujarat, TN, Karnataka, Maharashtra and West Bengal.

• Urban India performed better seeing a growth of 47% in the number of establishments and 42% growth in employment over the last decade. Rural India saw the growth of 38.4 and 34.8 percent. UP bucked the trend
• A third of the 36 states and UTs saw numerous establishments in rural areas grow faster than urban centres, with UP leading in this respect.

ANSWER: Australia India Business Council

Explanation:
FICCI has just inked an MoU with Australia India Business Council aimed at strengthening and promoting business ties with Australia. Agreement was signed in the presence of visiting Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.

• AIBC is a national membership organisation with active chapters in Adelaide, Perth, Canberra, Sydney and Melbourne.

ANSWER: All of the above

Explanation:
e-Commerce giant Flipkart on April 1, 2016 announced the acquisition of payments start up PhonePe Internet Pvt. Ltd. Startup was launched in December 2015 by former Flipkart executive Sameer Nigam along with Rahul Chari and Burzin Engineer Phone Pe will function as an independent business unit and details of the transaction were not disclosed Product is based on Unified Payments Interface, a new process in electronic funds transfer launched by NPCI.

ANSWER: Vidyut Pravah

Explanation:
Piyush Goyal, Minister of State for Power, Coal and New & Renewable Energy launched mobile app Vidyut Pravah- Electricity, Price Availability and Highlights

• Mobile application provides highlights of power availability in the country on real time basis
• Web/Mobile application provides a wealth of information relating to current demand met, surplus power available and prices in the Power Exchange
• UI ensures that visualisation of power availability and prices at overall country level and at State/UT level is facilitated.
• The Web application can be accessed through vidyutpravah.in.