Current Affairs Questions & Answers - Nov 19, 2015

ANSWER: Zarin Daruwala

Explanation:
Zarin Daruwala was on 17th November 2015 appointed as CEO of Standard Chartered Bank, India succeeding Sunil Kaushal, who was appointed as Regional CEO for Africa and West Asia. She will report directly to Ajay Kanwal, Regional Chief Executive Officer of ASEAN & South Asia. She is currently a president in the bank and has 25 years of experience in the industry.

ANSWER: K. Rijiju

Explanation:
He became the first Indian to be conferred with this honour.The honour was conferred by Margarete Wahlstrom, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General during meeting for Sendai Framework for DRR in Asia.

ANSWER: Vijay Keshav Gokhale

Explanation:
Currently the country’s Ambassador to Germany, he will be replacing Ashok Kantha whose term will end in early January. He is a 1981 batch IFS officer. He will replace Kantha as envoy to China for a 2 year term.

ANSWER: TAKE Solutions

Explanation:
The deal will strengthen Chennai-headquartered TAKE’s position as a fully integrated, differentiated life sciences services provider to large and small global pharmaceutical companies. It will also help expand the addressable market for TAKE and significantly enhance presence in Europe and the Nordic nations.

ANSWER: T. S. Thakur

Explanation:
Senior-most judge of the Supreme Court Justice T S Thakur was appointed the next Chief Justice of India and will take over w.e.f from December 3. President has appointed Justice Thakur as the next CJI with effect from December 3. Born on January 4, 1952, he will retire in January 2017. Justice Thakur was designated as a senior advocate in 1990. He took over as CJ of Punjab and Haryana HC in 2008.

ANSWER: Interest Equalisation Scheme on Pre and Post Shipment Rupee Export Credit

Explanation:
GoI has announced 3 percent interest subsidy scheme for exporters which will have a financial implication of about Rs 2,700 crore, concerned over declining exports. Financial implication of the scheme will be in the range of INR 2500 to 2700 crore. Rate of interest equalisation will be 3%. This will be evaluated after 3 years. Actual implication will depend on level of exports. Funds worth around INR 1625 crore in the non plan head of account are available under Demand for Grants for 2015-2016. Scheme will be available to exports of MSME and as many as 416 tariff lines.

ANSWER: 7.5

Explanation:
Agro-chemicals sector in the nation will touch USD 7.5 billion by 2018-2019 with majority (60%) of the contribution coming from exports, according to a TATA Strategic Management Group report. Indian crop protection industry is estimated at USD 4.25 billion in 2014 and grow at CAGR of 12% to reach USD 7.5 billion by FY19. Report also indicates that use of original crop protection chemicals can increase crop productivity by as much as 25 to 50 percent.

ANSWER: TN

Explanation:
India's rooftop solar capacity has experienced 66 percent growth over the last year to 525 MW, with TN outperforming other states, according to a report by Bridge to India. The India Solar Rooftop Map has indicated that over the past 1 year, India rooftop solar industry capacity has grown in addition to what the value of the past 3 years combined was. Growth is linked to improved project economics and will continue accumulating up to 6.5 GW of installed rooftop solar capacity until 2020.

ANSWER: All of the above

Explanation:
For exploring life outside Earth, Nasa is developing a `chemical laptop' -the first portable, miniaturised laboratory built to detect both amino and fatty acids on other worlds. The battery-powered device analyses samples for materials linked with life. Chemical laptop is roughly the size of a regular laptop and thicker to make room for chemical analysis components.

ANSWER: SAARC

Explanation:
This is under the scheme where RBI offers the facility of varying sizes not exceeding USD 2 billion in total. The decision was taken by the Union Cabinet which will provide a two year extension with amendments to the framework on 'Currency Swap Arrangement' for SAARC member countries up to November 14, 2017, and extension thereafter, if necessary, by Finance Minister.

ANSWER: Make in India

Explanation:
Government has eased norms for bilateral aid to promote Make in India, easing norms for bilateral Official Development Assistance (ODA) to enable the country access assistance from other countries, a move which will promote 'Make in India' campaign by obtaining new technology and boost infrastructure. Bilateral assistance is currently available from partners like the US, the UK, Japan, Germany, France, Italy, Canada, Russia, European Commission and European Union members. As per the modified guidelines, bilateral assistance for a minimum of USD 1 billion, of which 50 percent should be untied loans, can be accepted for capital intensive projects and other projects of specific nature.

ANSWER: Both a and b

Explanation:
The Lukha river in East Jaintia Hills district and certain sections of the the Myntdu river in West Jaintia Hills district have changed their colour to a bright sky blue indicating a very high acid content, leading to the death of a vast section of aquatic life. The high acid content has also made the water unfit for human consumption. The colouration was first detected in 2007.

ANSWER: Bharti Airtel

Explanation:
Under this agreement, the telecom major will provide its Wi-Fi and DTH services in Oyo branded hotels, initially covering 3,000 rooms within the next 3 months. OYO has the largest branded network of hotels in India and aims to provide seamless Wi-Fi experience for guests through long term strategic pact with Airtel.

ANSWER: Both a and b

Explanation:
Scientists have used lasers to refrigerate bayer and other liquids under real life conditions. Infrared laser has been used to cool water by 2 degree C and could help industrial users "point cool" tiny areas with a focused point of light. Microprocessors can even be used for cooling specific components in computer chips to prevent overheating.

ANSWER: Organic Inorganic hybrid

Explanation:
This LED uses organic-inorganic hybrid paving the way for cheaper and brighter lights and displays in the future. Materials called organometal halide perovskites have been used to build a highly functioning LED. Perovskites are any materials with the same type of crystal structure as calcium titanium oxide. Such brightness is due to the inherent high luminescent efficiency of this surface-treated, highly crystalline nanomaterial.