Current Affairs Questions & Answers - May 05, 2016

ANSWER: China, India

Explanation:
Financial inequality is highest in China and India among Asia Pacific countries despite the two being the fastest growing economies.

• As per the IMF, India and China have grown rapidly and lowered poverty sharply, impressive economic performance has been accompanied by increasing levels of inequality
• The report says that China managed to increase middle class in urban areas while India struggled to lift sizeable portions of the population towards higher income levels.
• In China rapid industrialisation in certain regions and concentration of FDI in coastal regions have led to inequality in growth between the two regions
• China intoduced the Minimum Livelihood Guarantee Scheme- Dibao for social protection in the 1990s
• Numerous social programs have been placed to tackle rising inequality in India as well such as the MNREGA and JAM or Jan Dhan-Adhaar-Mobile initiative

ANSWER: All of the above

Explanation:
Persons with annual income of over INR 50 lakhs will have to disclose acquisition cost of assets like land, building and jewellery in the IT return forms for assessment year 2016-2017

• Luxury items disclosed will also include silver, gold, platinum or other precious alloys or metals, according to a CBDT announcement
• As per the directives, for items received as gifts, the assessed will have to declare the cost of acquisition by the previous owner along with value additions
• Where the cost at which assets are acquired by the previous owner is not ascertainable and no wealth tax return may be filed, value estimated should be at circle or bullion rate

ANSWER: Project Management & Information System

Explanation:
Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu on May 3, 2016 launched e-enabled Project Management & Information System at Rail Bhawan in Delhi

• Application will be used for proper monitoring of Railway projects throughout the nation
• Indian railways has 600 major projects of network expansion and modernisation costing INR 4.5 lakh rupees
• Indian Railways requires money as well as proper monitoring of projects for which money has to be spent.
• Newly launched Project Management and Information System will contain data about ongoing projects

ANSWER: Protected cultivation

Explanation:
Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare, GoI under the scheme Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture promotes green house technologies under protected cultivation. Assistance to the degree of 50 percent is provided to farmers for establishing green houses up to 4000 sq mts beneficiary

• ICAR has standardised low cost net and poly houses for cultivating important high value vegetable crops

ANSWER: All of the above

Explanation:
Research for developing HYV of coconut in the country will be undertaken by Indian Council of Agricultural Research- Central Plantation Crops Research Institute Kasaragod, State Agricultural Universities and Coconut Development Board

• Five drought tolerant, tall varieties from ICAR Institutes and one variety from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore have been released for cultivation.
• Veppankulam-3: Drought tolerant, High yield
• Kalpatharu: Drought tolerant, High yield
• Chandrakalpa- Drought tolerant, High Oil yield
• Kalpa Pratibha- Drought tolerant, High Oil yield, tender nut
• Kalpa Mitra- Drought tolerant High nut, oil yield, tender nut
• Kalpa Dhenu- Drought tolerant, high oil yield

ANSWER: Government at the doorstep

Explanation:
As per the initiative of Ministry of Commerce & Industry to provide easy access to the public on export and import trends of India the Minister of State for Commerce & Industry (I/C) Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman launched here today a dashboard on EXIM Analytics.

• This is a portal developed by the Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics, at the instance of the Ministry.
• These simple to use Analytics Dashboards would facilitate the general public to have an accurate perspective on the facts around the trade performance of India. This endeavor of the Ministry is also in tune with the principle of “Government at the doorstep
• The EXIM Analytics dashboard launched today enables analysis of trade information of India relating to:
• Export Overview: provides analysis of data by time period, export destinations and ports of export.
• Import Overview: provides analysis of data by time period, countries of Import and ports of import.
• Balance of Trade: The Balance of Trade (BOT) can be analysed over time periods for different Regions, Countries and Ports.

ANSWER: Mercury

Explanation:
A transit of Mercury over the disc of the Sun will occur on May 9, 2016 in the afternoon (19 Vaishakha, 1938 Saka Era). This transit phenomenon will be visible from India.

• This phenomenon takes place when the planet Mercury will be seen as a small black dot traveling from one limb of the solar disc to the other.
• From the Earth this phenomenon is seen when the Mercury passes between the Sun and the Earth.
• Transit will commence with Contact 1, followed by 2, 3 and 4
• The phenomenon will be a rare one observed 13 to 14 times in the century
• The interval between one transit and another for November is 7,13 and 33 years while it is 13 or 33 years for May transit

ANSWER: Watan Ko Jano

Explanation:
The Government has launched ‘Watan Ko Jano’ initiative for the orphans, children from militancy hit families and weaker sections of the society in Jammu and Kashmir.

• Under the programme, groups of educated youth in the age group of 15-24 years visit various parts of the country and are exposed to the diverse social and cultural heritage of the country.
• The groups during their trip interact both at inter-state and intra-state level and participate in cultural activities at different places. Under the program 769 children have participated so far.
• GoI has also a multi pronged approach which include construction of fencing, floodlighting, Border out Posts (BoPs), induction of latest surveillance equipments like Hand Held Thermal Imager (HHTI), Long Range Recce Observation System (LORROS), Nightvision Goggle/Devices, etc.
• Beside this Government of India has also decided to deploy technological solutions in the form of integration of Radars, Sensors, Cameras, Communication Networks and Command and Control Solutions in various difficult terrains where fencing could not be installed.

ANSWER: Ghar Sodhon

Explanation:
The National Research Development Corporation(NRDC), under the Ministry of Science & Technology, entered into Licence Agreements with M/s Nabagram Resham Shilpa Unnayan Cooperative Society Ltd.., Murshidabad(W.B.) and M/s Dariapur Rural Development Society, Kalia Chak(W.B.) for the commercialization of ‘Ghar Sodhon’ – a room disinfectant for silkworm rearing houses and appliances.

• It has been developed at the Central Silk Research & Training Institute(CSRTI), Berhampore(W.B.), a constituent Research Institute under Central Silk Board, Bengaluru, under the Ministry of Textiles
• Ghar Sodhon is a user friendly and non-corrosive room disinfectant, devoid of the requirement of labour, water, electricity and spraying machines.
• It is gaining popularity among the silk farmers of the States of West Bengal, Odisha and Jharkhand.

ANSWER: Ace Against Odds

Explanation:
Tennis fans across the nation will rejoice as Sania Mirza’s autobiography entitled “Ace Against Odds” will hit the stands in July

• Book published by Harper Collins has been penned by the tennis star and her father
• The 29 year old Hyderabad based player became an overnight sensation after clinching Junior Wimbledon's Championships doubles title
• Sania is currently India’s top tennis player

ANSWER: India

Explanation:
India will overtake the US as the second-largest smartphone market next year, and local players, led by Reliance Industries, will benefit in the near term, says Morgan Stanley in its latest report based on a survey.

• While Apple and Samsung are market leaders, Reliance Industries is set to give them stiff competition
• Jio is focused on 4G and has its own handset brand as well called LYF.

ANSWER: Light

Explanation:
Scientists have developed the world's tiniest engine -just a few billionths of a metre in size -which is powered by light

• This may help develop nano-machines that can navigate in water, sense the environment around them, or even enter living cells to fight disease.
• When the 'nano-engine' is heated to a certain temperature, it stores large amounts of elastic energy in a fraction of a second. Light can be used to power the piston of the nano engine.

ANSWER: National Award for Technology Business Incubation

Explanation:
Pune-based Venture Center (Entrepreneurship Development Center), the technology business incubator hosted by the CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, Pune, has bagged the National Award for Technology Business Incubation for 2016

ANSWER: India

Explanation:
PM Modi congratulated the Indian scientists who along with their team detected the gravitational waves for the first time, for being the recipients of the Special Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics.

• The US $3 million award will be shared between the three founders of the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) who will share US $ 1 million amongst and the remaining US $2 million will be divided among 1012 contributors
• Scientists belonging to 9 institutes in the country are among the recipients of the award namely Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics, Pune; International Centre for Theoretical Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bangalore; Chennai Mathematical Institute, Chennai,RRCAT, Indore; Indian Institute of Technology, Gandhinagar Ahmedabad Gujarat; Institute for Plasma Research, Bhat, Gandhinagar; Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai; IISER-TVM, CET Campus, Trivandrum Kerala; IISER-Kolkata, Mohanpur, West Bengal

ANSWER: Donald Trump

Explanation:
Real estate developer Donald J Trump (69) was declared the presumptive Republican nominee for the U.S presidency after his principal challenger, Ted Cruz, left the race after a crushing defeat in the Indiana primary on Tuesday.

• Hillary Clinton, making her way towards the certain Democratic nomination, took another hit in Indiana where Senator Bernie Sanders beat her. National matchup polls show Ms Clinton ahead of Mr Trump
• The last man standing in Donald Trump’s path to the Republican nomination, Ohio Governor John Kasich ended his campaign Wednesday, making Trump the party’s presumptive nominee.

ANSWER: S. Mahalingam

Explanation:
S. Mahalingam, former chief financial officer (CFO) and executive director of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), is set to become the non-executive chairman of City Union Bank.

• Mr. Mahalingam is currently an Independent Director on the board of the bank.
• The board’s decision comes in the wake of S. Balasubramanian vacating the office of part-time Non-Executive Chairman of the bank at the close of business hours on Tuesday upon his superannuation.
• Board also co opted M. Narayanan as Additional Director of the Bank.

ANSWER: Sea Hunter

Explanation:
United States of America Navy on 2nd May 2016 tested the world's largest unmanned surface vessel named Sea Hunter in San Diego.

• It is a self-driving 132-foot ship able to travel up to 10000 nautical miles on its own to hunt for stealthy submarines and underwater mines.
• It is designed to travel thousands of miles out at sea without a single crew member on board.
• It is the naval equivalent of the self driven car by Google

ANSWER: Manoj Kumar

Explanation:
President Pranab Mukherjee on 3 May 2016 conferred National film awards for the year 2015 in various categories at the 63rd National Film Awards Function held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.

• The President also conferred 2015 Dada Saheb Phalke Award to Manoj Kumar.
• Amitabh Bachchan received the Best Actor honour for his role of a father in Piku and Kangana Ranaut received the Best Actress Award for Tanu Weds Manu Returns.
• Best Feature Film - Baahubali: The Beginning
• Indira Gandhi Award for Best Debut Film Of A Director - Neeraj Ghaywan for Masaan
• Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment - Bajrangi Bhaijaan
• Best Children's Film - Duronto
• Best Direction - Sanjay Leela Bhansali for Bajirao Mastani
• Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration - Nanak Shah Fakir
• Best Film on Environment / Conservation / Preservation - Valiya Chirakulla Pakshikal
• Best Film on Social Issue - Niranayakam
• Best Actor - Amitabh Bachchan for Piku
• Best Actress - Kangana Ranaut for Tanu Weds Manu Returns
• Best Supporting Actor - Samuthirakani for Visaranai
• Best Supporting Actress - Tanvi Azmi for Bajirao Mastani
• Best Child Artist - Gaurav Menon for Ben
• Best Male Playback Singer - Mahesh Kale for Katyar Kaljat Ghusali
• Best Female Playback Singer - Monali Thakur for Moh Moh Ke Dhaag (Dum Laga Ke Haisha)
• Best Cinematography - Sudeep Chatterjee for Bajirao Mastani

ANSWER: EU

Explanation:
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has been apprised of the renewed Agreement for Scientific and Technological Cooperation with European Union (EU) for another period of 5 years as effective from May 17, 2015 until 2020 reaffirming their shared commitment to research and innovation as drivers of social and economic development.

• The purpose of the Agreement is to strengthen the co-operation in research and development activities in science & technology fields of common interest between the research institutions of the European Union Member States and India on the basis of parity, reciprocity and co-investment of resources including funds.
• The cooperation activities include supporting joint research and development projects; exchange of scientists and experts, sharing of advanced research facilities, joint seminars, symposia and workshops, sharing of relevant information on science, technology and innovation policy, program and research & development projects.

ANSWER: UAE

Explanation:
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its ex-post facto approval for the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in February, 2016 between Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and Central Bank of United Arab Emirates (UAE) on co-operation concerning currency swap agreement.

• The MoU commits that RBI and Central Bank of UAE will consider signing a bilateral Currency Swap Agreement on mutually agreed terms and conditions, after undertaking technical deliberations, subject to the concurrence of respective Governments.
• The MoU will further strengthen the close economic relationship and cooperation between India and United Arab Emirates. The swap agreement is also expected to facilitate invoicing of bilateral trade in local currencies

ANSWER: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Explanation:

• The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the signing of Memorandum of Co-operation (MoC) between Ministry of Women & Child Development (MWCD) and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) for the cooperation in Information and Communication Technology enabled Real Time Monitoring (ICT-RTM) of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) and other related technical matters.

The MoC will help in the following:
a. Implementation of ICT-RTM of ICDS which will enable the authorities for timely intervention for ensuring proper service delivery.
b. Putting up in place a shared national communication campaign, communications strategy and guidelines, customizing communications, products and material to local contexts alongwith developing plans for large scale dissemination.
c. Technical support through high quality technical teams of nutrition experts. MoC will cover 8 states

ANSWER: 37

Explanation:
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) of Department of Space, Government of India has signed MoU/ Cooperative agreements for exploration and use of outer space with 37 countries viz. Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Egypt, France, Germany, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Myanmar, Norway, Peru, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Syria, Thailand, The Netherlands, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, United States of America and Venezuela.

ANSWER: CAIPEEX

Explanation:
The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) is putting its effort in understanding the rain formation in clouds through a research program called Cloud Aerosol Interaction and Precipitation Enhancement Experiment (CAIPEEX). Under this experiment, air borne observations are taken through randomized cloud seeding and the impact is recorded.

• The CAIPEEX program uses a combination of radar, other ground based instruments and airborne platforms along with high resolution numerical modeling to plan and conduct the seeding experiment.
• The area for cloud seeding is determined based on convective potential.