Current Affairs Questions & Answers - Mar 24, 2016

1)   RBI has tweaked liquidity rules for which norm?

a. Banking norms
b. Basel III norms
c. Home loan norms
d. All of the above
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: All of the above

Explanation:
RBI has tweaked liquidity measuring rules for Basel III norms. RBI on Wednesday tweaked the rules on measuring liquidity for Basel III norms, asking banks to eliminate certain loans backed by deposits from liquidity coverage ratio calculations. RBI also changed reporting time periods for some liquidity statements by lenders.


2)   Government today cleared an MOU between India and which country for mobilisation of around USD 75 billion long term investments in NIIF?

a. UK
b. USA
c. UAE
d. None of the above
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: UAE

Explanation:
GoI has cleared MoU between India and the United Arab Emirates for exploring chances for mobilisation of close to USD 75 billion long term investment in the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund. Cabinet meeting chaired by the PM has provided ex-post factor approval for the MoU between the two nations which was signed on February 11, for mobilising long term investment in the NIIF. The objective of NIIF is maximising economic impact through infrastructure development in commercially viable projects, greenfield as well as brownfield. This includes stalled projects. NIIF is category II Alternate Investment Fund as per SEBI.


3)   Which is Asia’s largest open wildlife sanctuary?

a. Abohar sanctuary
b. Periyar sanctuary
c. Gir sanctuary
d. Kaziranga National Park
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Abohar sanctuary

Explanation:
To provide a safe natural habitat for blackbucks and also check poaching, MoEF has declared the 100 metre radius around Asia’s largest open wildlife sanctuary in eco sensitive zone of Fazilka in the Abohar subdivision under the Climate Control Act 1986 and Climate Control Rules also passed in the same year. Fazilika deputy commissioner Isha Kalia indicated this would help administration to develop an open wildlife sanctuary as a habitat for neelgai, wild animals and blackbucks. Protected species in what is Asia’s largest open wildlife sanctuary spread over 188 square kilometres has faced the threat of poaching and attacks by stray dogs, apart from poor upkeep of water tanks in the summer. Sanctuary was established in the 1970s to protect wildlife in Punjab’s border belt. Blackbucks are protected by the Bishnoi community which resides in Fazilika. Cluster is home to over 3500 black bucks, blue bulls and other wildlife species.


4)   Centre has notified new rules to dismantle and recycle electrical and electronic waste in the nation by improving the ambit and introducing penalty for violations. What is the new rule called?

a. e-Waste Management Rules 2016
b. e-Waste Management Framework 2016
c. e-Waste Management Laws 2016
d. None of the above
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: e-Waste Management Rules 2016

Explanation:
Centre on Wednesday, 23rd March notified the new rules to dismantle and recycle electrical and electronic waste by expanding the rules and providing a penalty for violations. The new rule- e-Waste Management Rules 2016 has brought the management of waste of compact florescent lamps and other mercury lamps within its ambit. This also marks the first time the onus of collecting e-waste lies on the manufacturer or producer to ensure collection and disposal of e-waste in environmentally sound ways. India currently generates 1.7 MT of e-waste each year and can only recycle 1/4th of it. Under the new rules electrical and electronic item owners will attain incentive for handing the e-waste to retailers or dealers under the deposit refund scheme.


5)   What is the largest synchronised bird count in the world called?

a. National Backyard Bird Count
b. Indian Backyard Bird Count
c. Great Backyard Bird Count
d. Great Indian Backyard Bird Count
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Great Backyard Bird Count

Explanation:
The recently conducted Great Backyard Bird Count is the largest synchronised bird count event across the globe. More than 1100 people submitted over 7800 bird chuckles. India ranked number one in terms of number of species reported with 785 bird species. The country was third after US and Canada in the number of checklists submitted. Uttarakhand has the highest bird species recorded in any state. Commencing in the US in 1998, the Great Backyard Bird Count was a pioneering citizen science project for data collection on birds. GBBC also matched the Uttarakhand Bird Festival to popularise birds among the public and showcase the state as an ideal birding destination.


6)   After Chennai and Mumbai, which is India’s third largest internet gateway?

a. Agartala
b. Shillong
c. Guwahati
d. None of the above
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: Agartala

Explanation:
After PM Narendra Modi and Bangladeshi PM Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the internet connectivity project from Bangladesh’s Akhaura to India;s Agartala, the state of Tripura gained connectivity. After Chennai and Mumbai, Agartala is now India’s third largest gateway for the internet. The leasing of the internet bandwidth by Cox’s Bazar Internet port by BSNL has opened doors for improving internet connectivity in the entire NE region.


7)   Gene known for the ability to repair DNA when mutated causes breast cancer. What is this gene called?

a. GC198
b. GB198
c. GT198
d. None of the above
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: GT198

Explanation:
It is now known that a gene with the ability to repair DNA when mutated instead causes breast cancer. Gene GT198 when mutated by nature or nurture factors can diagnose breast cancer early and serves as a new treatment target. Medical College of Georgia Augusta University said in a press release. The net effect is a tumorigenic environment filled with what scientists calls inappropriate offspring. "Here is a cause-consequence relationship," they opined.


8)   Which well known sitar player also considered the Father of Indian Classical Music passed away on 23rd March 2016?

a. Pandit Shamboo Nath Sopori
b. Pandit Ravi Shankar
c. Pandit Bismillah Khan
d. None of the above
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Pandit Shamboo Nath Sopori

Explanation:
Pandit Sopori died at the age of 98. He is hailed as the Father of Indian Classical Music in J&K with sitar, saunter and classical Hindustani vocal being part of his repertoire.He initiated the mass popularisation of Indian classical music and practically made J&K a new cultural State. He knew Persian, Urdu, Sanskrit, Hindi and Kashmiri.


9)   Which neighbouring country updated its anti-terrorism laws?

a. Mauritius
b. Maldives
c. Mongolia
d. Myanmar
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: Maldives

Explanation:
President of the Maldives, Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has ratified the amendment to the Act on the Prohibition of Terrorism for empowering authorities to prepare a list of suspected terrorist organisations. Maldives National Defence Force will also monitor these organisations under the order of the National Security Council.


10)   Sachin Tendulkar has invested an undisclosed sum in which IoT firm?

a. Smartron India
b. Smarton India
c. Sparton India
d. None of the above
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Smartron India

Explanation:
Sachin Tendulkar has invested a non disclosed sum in Internet of Things firm Smartron India and also become its brand ambassador. The company has been operating in stealth mode since August 2014 and will launch a set of IoT appliances this year. Founder and Chairman M. Lingareddy is also the Co-Founder and CEO of Soft Machines Inc., a US-based semiconductor company with operations in US, India, and Russia.


11)   Belgian authorities have discovered the identity of the Brussels attacker(s). They/he is?

a. Khalid El Bakraoui
b. Brahim El Bakraoui
c. Both a and b
d. Asal Abdeslam
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: Both a and b

Explanation:
Belgian authorities identified two of the attackers as brothers Khalid and Brahim Bakraoui. They are believed to have blown themselves up in the attacks.The third man is at large and has not been identified. The brothers were known to police for past crimes, but nothing relating to terrorism.


12)   Which country became the dialogue partner of SCO?

a. Nepal
b. Bhutan
c. Myanmar
d. Sri Lanka
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Nepal

Explanation:
Nepal on 22nd March 2016 became a dialogue partner of regional security grouping, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. It was officially the dialogue partner after a memorandum was signed during the Nepalese Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli visit to China. As a dialogue partner, Nepal will be able to participate in the multiple field cooperation of the Organisation. Its prototype is known as the Shanghai Five mechanism.


13)   Who are among the founding members of the Ashgabat Agreement?

a. Oman
b. Iran
c. Afghanistan
d. Both a and b
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Both a and b

Explanation:
This agreement has Oman, Iran, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan as its founding members and Kazakhstan joined the arrangement shortly. The aim is to synchronise efforts to implement INSTC or North South Transport Corridor for increased connectivity. India has taken the decision to accede to the agreement and become a party to it.


14)   MoU has been signed by which countries for cooperation in agriculture on 23rd March 2016?

a. India and Lithuania
b. Bangladesh and Lithuania
c. Pakistan and Lithuania
d. None of the above
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: India and Lithuania

Explanation:
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval for signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between India and Lithuania for cooperation in the field of agriculture. This includes horticulture, post-harvest management, organic farming, cold chain development and agro processing industry, animal husbandry, dairying and aquaculture etc.MoU will also help in capacity building.


15)   Who has emerged as a unanimous choice for membership in the ICC of NHRIs Bureau in Geneva?

a. Justice AP Shah
b. Justice HL Dattu
c. Justice CP Thakur
d. None of the above
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: Justice HL Dattu

Explanation:
Dattu has been appointed as a member of the International Coordinating Committee of NHRIs (ICC) Bureau in Geneva. With vast experience and legal expertise, his membership will further the cause of justice and human rights for the ICC. He will also be working to enhance creation of new NHRIs in the countries within the UN framework, including those which have not set up such bodies.