Current Affairs Questions & Answers - Mar 22, 2016

ANSWER: Hamari Darohar

Explanation:
The exhibition entitled “Painted Encounters Parsi Traders and the Community & No Parsi is in island” at NGMA in New Delhi. This is part of the Everlasting Flame International Programme which the Minority Affairs Ministry has taken up as the first project under Hamari Darohar scheme.

ANSWER: Great Indian Bustard

Explanation:
According to forest officials, not even a single Great Indian Bustard has been spotted in the region since 2007. Officials said 3 GIBs were seen in the Ozar strip in the past year. In 2014, the forest department made an effort to conserve the bird, but no results were forthcoming after this. The bird was spotted in early 2000 in grassland regions of Viajapur, Ahmednagar, Sinnar and Ozar. 2011 GIB Census shows there are 150 such birds in the wild in Indian and Pakistan. From 11 states in the 1960s, the number of states this bird is found in fell to 6 by 2005. It is now said GIB exists in 5 states across the nation.

ANSWER: Agasthyamala

Explanation:
India’s special Agasthymala Biosphere Reserve in The Western Ghats is among 20 new sites added by top UN cultural body UNESCO to World Network for Biosphere Reserves. The total number of biosphere reserves has now shot up to 669 in 120 countries including 16 trans boundary sites. Located in the Western Ghats. This reserve includes peaks of 1868 m above sea level. Comprising mostly tropical forests, the site is home to 2254 species of higher plants of which 400 are endemic.

ANSWER: Tibet

Explanation:
China on 21st March 2016 agreed to a request of Nepal PM KP Sharma Oli to construct a strategic railway link between the two nations through Tibet to reduce the total dependence of the country on India. The two sides signed close to 10 agreements including an important landmark transit trade deal.

ANSWER: Both a and b

Explanation:
Ruling party in Tanzania’s Zanzibar were declared winners in the presidential election, according to the electoral commission. Incumbent president Ali Mohamed Shein of the ruling CCM party was declared the winner with 91.4% of the votes.

ANSWER: 7.7

Explanation:
Indian economy will grow 7.7% in 2016-2017, according to rating agency ICRA. It projected Indian economic growth to improve to 7.7% in the coming fiscal led by domestic consumption demand against the backdrop of OROP recommendations and 7th Pay Commission. The agency also said that though fresh project pipelines appear robust, commencement of work will lag announcement provided moderate capacity utilisation is there in some sectors.

ANSWER: 6-8%

Explanation:
Panel says equalisation levy of 6-8 percent on digital transactions is for business to business deals for e-commerce companies. Report also suggested introduction of tax based on BEPS or Base Erosion and Profit Sharing earlier endorsed by G20 and OECD. The CBDT committee also suggested equalisation levy be imposed on amount paid to non resident by Indian resident for specified digital services. It also indicates the Levy should not be part of the Income Tax Act.

ANSWER: Comet 252P/LINEAR, comet P/2016 BA14

Explanation:
Astronomers all over the world trained their high end telescopes on the sky on Monday to observe the closest flyby of two comets that may be twins of some sort. Comet 252P/LINEAR, approximately 750 feet in size, will zip past Earth on 21st March at a range of about 5.2 million kms. On 22nd March, comet P/2016 BA14 will safely fly at a distance of about 3.5 million kms. This will be the third closest flyby of a comet next to D/1770 L1 (Lexell) in 1770 and comet C/1983 H1 (IRAS-Araki-Alcock) in 1983.

ANSWER: Denmark

Explanation:
The ex prime minister of Denmark Anker Jorgensen passed away on March 20th 2016 in Copenhagen at the age of 93. He served as a PM of the country from 1972 to 1973 and from 1975 to 1982. In 1950, he became member of the trade unions. He has been two time PM of Denmark.

ANSWER: Cartridge Based Nucleic Acid Amplification Test

Explanation:
The CBNAAT/Cartridge Based Nucleic Acid Amplification Test is a revolutionary rapid molecular test which detects Mycobacterium tuberculosis and rifampicin drug resistance, simultaneously. This test is completely automated and provides results within two hours. Currently 121 CBNAAT machine are functioning and five hundred more such machines were launched by the Minister.

ANSWER: 21st March

Explanation:
On this day (21st March) the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination 2016 was observed on March 21st with the theme Challenges and Achievements of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action. In 2016, the day is marked by the fifteenth anniversary of the adoption of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action at the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance in 2001.

ANSWER: Rajasthan

Explanation:
Indian Air Force on March 18, 2016 successfully conducted Exercise Iron Fist in Pokhran, Rajasthan. This exercise showcased 22 types of platforms and weapon systems like Jaguar, MIG 29 and RPAs.

ANSWER: Forest and Water

Explanation:
International Day of Forests was observed on 21st March 2016 across the globe. The theme was Forest and water and it highlights the critical importance of forests in sustaining planet’s supply of freshwater essential for life. To mark the Day, a joint celebration of World Water Day and International Day of Forests was held on 21st March 2016 in NY.

ANSWER: March 21st

Explanation:
The idea of World puppetry Day came from Iranian artist Javad Zolfaghari who made the proposal in the XVIII Congress of UNIMA in 2000. UNIMA stands for Union Internationale de la Marionnette, (UNIMA). The first such celebration took place in 2003.