Current Affairs Questions & Answers - May 08 & 09, 2016

ANSWER: Exercise Chakravyuh- II

Explanation:
In a followup to Exercise Shatrujeet by the Strike Corps in April 2016, pivot formations were holding a major military training exercise called Chakravyuh-II in the area of Pallu, Sardasahar (Suratgrah) in Rajasthan. Exercise was conceptualised by Pivot Corps involving rapid mobilisation and execution of plans in linkage with Air Force. Exercise also aims to validate battle readiness and operational effectiveness of the pivot formation and RAPID division in association with affiliated components.

• Exercise envisages mechanised manuevers in the entire spectra of new generation weapons, platforms and systems employed where rapid development and urbanisation along the border is predominant.
• During the exercise, intelligence and communication systems will be tested.

ANSWER: 9th

Explanation:
India is 9th among 22 countries in crony capitalism index, according to a study by The Economist. Crony wealth sector accounts for 3.4 percent of the GDP. Non crony sector wealth amounts to 8.3 percent of GDP as per latest crony capitalism index. Within the 2014 ranking, India stood at 9th place too.

• Russia tops the list followed by Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines. Of the 22 economies in the index, crony wealth has fallen by US $116 billion since 2014
• If commodity prices rebound, crony capitalist wealth is sure to rise again.

ANSWER: 9.2%

Explanation:
Production of fish in Himachal Pradesh has risen by 9.2 percent during 2015-2016 as against the previous fiscal. Production this year was recorded at 11,798.72 metric tonne. Trout production has reached 417.23 metric tonne which was 61.03 metric tonnes higher than the previous year. according to a spokesperson from the fisheries department. Govindsagar maintained highest level of fish production her hectare in the nation

• Close to 581.73 lakh carp seeds and 17.50 lakh trout seeds were produced and revenue of INR 465.59 lakh was generated at the Fisheries department.
• Three carp hatcheries, five hectare nursery ponds and 29 hectares of large fish ponds were being set up
• Creation of post harvest infrastructural facilities like ice plats, mobile fish vans and insulated boxes are being provided to reservoir fishermen.

ANSWER: Both of the above

Explanation:
To compliment and supplement efforts made by states to protect genotype of indigenous bovine breeds including Gir cow using new scientific methods, the following schemes are being implemented by the government of India:

• Rashtriya Gokul Mission as part of National Programme for Bovine Breeding and Dairy Development
• National Dairy Plan-1
• National Kamdhenu Breeding Centre
• Rashtriya Gokul Mission

ANSWER: Arhar

Explanation:
Indian Agricultural Research Institute has developed early maturing archer genotype which is of determinate habit, short statured and suited for close planting. It can also be used for mechanical harvesting and matures in 120 days.

• The genotype is being evaluated in different agro ecologies in All India Coordinated Research Project on Pigeonpea

ANSWER: National Scheme of Welfare of Fishermen

Explanation:
Government of India has approved a restructured Central Sector Scheme named Blue Revolution: Integrated Development and Management of Fisheries as one of the components.

• National Scheme of Welfare of Fisherman provides financial assistance to fishers during the lean/fishing ban period
• In addition, financial assistance is provided for creation of homes and other basic amenities
• Other components which the CSS scheme has include the following:

i. National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) and its activities,
ii. Development of Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture,
iii. Development of Marine Fisheries, Infrastructure and Post Harvest Operations,
iv. National Scheme of Welfare of Fishermen,
v. Strengthening of Database and Geographical Information System of the Fisheries Sector and
vi. Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) and other need based interventions.

ANSWER: Ratan, Prateek, Mahateora

Explanation:
Three improved varieties of Khesari dal namely Ratan, Mahateora and Prateek have been released for general cultivation in MP, Bihar, Chhatisgarh and Jharkhand.

• These have been found to be safe for human consumption due to the presence of very low level of a neurotoxin called Beta- ODAP.
• Production of pulses during the last 5 years has increased from 14.7MT in 2009-2010 to 19.3MT in 2013-2014. Second advance estimates for total pulse production in 2015-2016 is around 13.2 MT
• While there is no ban on Khesari dal, its sale and storage are prohibited

ANSWER: Both of the above

Explanation:
Recently, DRDO fired the following missiles:

• Medium Range Surface to Air Missile, Akash with a range of 25 km and Multi target handling capability.
• Supersonic Cruise Missile, BrahMos with a range of 290 km.
• Long Range Surface to Air Missile (LRSAM) with range of 70 km.
• Beyond Visual Range (BVR) Air-to-Air Missile, Astra with a range of 75 km.

ANSWER: All of the above

Explanation:
Integration of rupee will facilitate greater degree of integration of the Indian economy with the rest of the world in terms of foreign trade and global capital flows.

• Key benefits of internationalisation of rupee include savings on forex transactions for Indian residents, reduced foreign exchange exposure for Indian corporate, reduction in dependence on forex reserves for balance of payment stability
• An important driver for internationalisation of currency is country’s share in global merchandise and commercial services trade
• Indian government has put in place a framework for issuance of rupee denominated bonds in international sphere by Indian corporate

ANSWER: Ministry of Railways

Explanation:
Ministry has initiated a scheme of project development, financing and monitoring through the formation of SPVs with state governments.

• MoU for setting up a Joint Venture has been signed with Odisha, Maharashtra, AP, Kerala, Telangana and Chhattisgarh

ANSWER: Shri Manohar Kumar

Explanation:
Shri. Manohar Kumar has taken over as Director (Engineering) on the Board of National Projects Construction Corporation Limited.

• He is a graduate from Delhi College of Engineering and MBA from MDU Rohtak
• NPDD is a PSU under Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation

ANSWER: Wasp

Explanation:
One of these wasps has been named Conobregma bradpitti, belongs to a large worldwide group of wasps parasitising in moth or butterfly caterpillars.

• Wasps lay eggs into a host which once parasitised starts hardening>
• Wasp cocoon can safely develop and emerge from the mummified lava
• It is the first from its subtribe spotted in the whole of India, while its closest 'relative' lives in Nepal.
• Pitt’s flying namesake is a tiny creature measuring less than 2 mm.
• It has a deep brown body and is black in colour while head antennae and legs are yellow brown

ANSWER: Atopodentatus unicus

Explanation:
A crocodile sized hammerhead creature called Atopodentatus unicus which lived 242 million years ago in southern China is considered the earliest known example of a plant eating marine reptile

• Fossil was discovered in 2014 and has a poorly preserved head with a flamingo like beak.
• Atopodentatus unicus used its bizarre jaw to help it eat plants, researchers said.

ANSWER: 11

Explanation:
5 islands have disappeared in the Pacific Solomon Islands due to rising sea level and coastal erosion as per an Australian study scientists said could provide insights for future research

• A further six reef islands have been severely eroded in the remote area of the Solomons, the study said, with one experiencing some 10 houses being swept into the sea between 2011 and 2014.
• Total of 11 islands across the northern Solomon Islands have either totally disappeared over recent decades or are currently experiencing severe erosion
• It is feared that the rise in sea levels will cause widespread erosion and inundation of low-lying atolls in the Pacific.

ANSWER: Gujarat Energy Development Agency

Explanation:
In an attempt to scale up the present solar power generation in Gujarat, the state government is now all set to launch its much awaited project of grid-connected rooftop solar power units, wherein residential property owners will be encouraged to install this new system.

• The Solar Rooftop project was initiated by Gujarat Energy Development Agency (GEDA), which is the state nodal agency to promote renewable energy.
• In the current fiscal of 2016-17, GEDA has set a target of generating 50 megawatt (MW) of electricity by installing such rooftop solar photovoltaic (SPV) units across Gujarat.
• This rooftop solar project is for residential consumers only

ANSWER: May 8

Explanation:
The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee in his message on the occasion of birthday of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, which falls on May 8th, reminded Indians of the power of his writings

• He is the author of many great poetic works and novels