Current Affairs Questions & Answers - Nov 25, 2016

ANSWER: Both of the above

Explanation:
China on 22^nd Nov 2016 successfully launched the Tianlian I-04 satellite from Niching Satellite Launch Centre in Sichuan province of Southwest China. Data satellite was launched on the Long March 3C carrier rocket.

The launch of Tianlian I-04 marks the 241^st mission of the China Long March series of rockets.

This satellite was developed by China Academy of Space Technology/CAST under the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.

It will join its three predecessors to attain global network operation

It is based on the DFH-3 or Dongfangghon-3 platform, a medium capacity telecommunications satellite designed and developed by CAST.

The network aims at data relay, measurement and control services for China’s manned spacecraft , space and lab stations .

It will offer data relay services for China’s medium and low earth orbiting resources satellites

It will also provide measurement and control support for spacecraft launches

Know All About Tianlian I satellites

• Tianlian-I-01 was launched in April 2008- it is currently positioned at 77 degree E
• Second satellite Tianlian I-02 was launched in July 2011
• With the launch of Tianlian I-03 in July 2012, the country managed full global coverage for tracking and data relay system
• These satellites provide real time communication between ground and spacecraft
• China’s first experimental satellite was launched in 1984
• It has sent more than 100 spacecrafts in recent decades. This includes 20 BeiDou navigation satellites
• China has also launched its first lunar probe Chang’e-1

ANSWER: None of the above

Explanation:
Turkey will chair the Energy Club of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in 2017.

With it, the nation becomes the first non-full member country to be chairman of the club in the SCO.

Ankara’s proposal for non SCO member countries to host the term presidency of the Energy Club was accepted on 22nd Nov 2016.

The nomination came after President Erdogan pointed to the SCO as Turkey’s alternative to the EU.

SCO Energy Club’s launch was explored on 30th Nov 2006.

The need for the club was restated by Moscow in Nov 2007 SCO Summit.

About SCO

• Also known as Shanghai Pact.
• Founded in 2001 in Shanghai, it is a Eurasian political, economic and military organization.
• Founding members of China, Kazakhstan, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
• India, Pakistan, Mongolia, Iran and Afghanistan are observers of SCO.
• Belarus and Turkey are dialogue partners.

ANSWER: International Telecommunication Union

Explanation:
International Telecommunications Union released the 2016 edition of the Measuring of Information Society Report.

The report was launched on 22^nd Nov 2016 during the World Telecommunications/ICT Indicators Symposium.

ITU Index was prepared after 175 economies of the world are surveyed.

It was topped by the Republic of Korea with the IDI of 8.84.

The Sub Saharan Africa Niger with IDI of 1.07 ranked lowest.

India was at 138^th rank with an IDI score of 2.69; it stood at the 135th position in 2015 with IDI score of 2.50.

About the Index

• Republic of Korea led IDI for the second year
• Asian economies that features in the top 10 were Hong Kong, China and Japan. Other 7 were in EU
• Worst performing region was Africa with score of 2.48 points for 2016 with IDI score half the global average
• Average global ICT Development Index (IDI) said an improvement from 4.74 in 2015 to 4.94 n 2016

ANSWER: 3

Explanation:
The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India on 23^rd Nov 2016 notified 3 sets of regulations.

Regulations inter alia providing for Registration, Regulation and Oversight of Insolvency Professionals

These regulations were notified under the Code and will come into effect from 29^th Nov 2016

All these regulations provide for registration, regulation and oversight of insolvency professionals as part of the Code

Who Can Register as Insolvency professionals?

• These include CA, Advocates, CS and Cost Accountants with 10 years practice/employment
• Graduate with 15 years post qualification management experience on passing Limited Insolvency Exam
• Anyone who passes the National Insolvency Examination
• Limited liability partnership, registered partnership or company can be recognised as the insolvency professional entity under certain conditions
• Insolvency professional can use the organisational resources of recognised insolvency professional entities

ANSWER: An aircraft

Explanation:
In a massive milestone for the military aviation sector, upgraded Jaguar DARIN III twin seat aircraft has received initial operational clearance.

The aircraft is equipped with world class avionics system.

Total design and development covering systems requirement capture, specification preparation, software, hardware, electrical and mechanical design and development were carried out indigenously at HAL’s Mission and Combat System Research and Design Centre (MCSRDC) and aircraft modification was done at Overhaul Division.

DARIN III upgrade is the best in terms of data handling and overall capabilities

ANSWER: Tri-Netra

Explanation:
Indian railways will get an advanced system called Tri-Netra on trains to help lower train accidents by keeping record of track maintenance.

It will also provide better visibility during foggy days

The system is made of a high-resolution optical video camera, high-sensitivity infrared video camera and a radar-based terrain mapping system.

Tri-Netra is short for “terrain imaging for diesel drivers infrared, enhanced optical and radar assisted system”.

The system provides a locomotive pilot a proper view of up to one kilometre on a straight track, even during inclement weather
This helps in maintaining high speed in limited visibility and avoid delay in arrivals.

ANSWER: Yudhvir Singh Malik

Explanation:
Yudhvir Singh Malik, the Special Secretary with NITI Aayog, has been appointed as new Chairman of National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).

He will replace Raghav Chandra. Senior IAS officer Chandra was Chairman since August 2015

Before joining the NITI Aayog he was CEO of FSSAI from 2014 Oct to 2015 Sept- which saw the Maggi Noodle Ban bring the food regulatory authority into news.

NHAI is entrusted with the task of implementing National Highways Development Project (NHDP), India’s largest-ever highways project.

It regulates 92,851 km of national highways across the country.

NHAI: Nodal Agency for Highways

• NHAI is an autonomous agency of the Government of India,
• It manages a network of over 70,000 km of National Highways in India.
• It is a nodal agency of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
• National Highways Authority of India Act, 1988 led to its creation
• It signed an MoU with ISRO recently for satellite mapping of highways

ANSWER: 141%

Explanation:
The Indian m-wallet market is expected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 141% to reach Rs 30,000 crore by the end of 2021-22, a study by ASSOCHAM and RNCOS indicated.

The growth, during 2015-16 to 2021-22, would be driven by growing usage of smartphones, robust mobile internet penetration, growth of e-commerce sector together with increasing disposable incomes.

The Indian m-wallet market in 2015-16 was around Rs 154 crore. It is also anticipated that the market value of m-wallet transactions in India will grow at a CAGR of 154% during FY16 to FY22, and reach Rs 55 lakh crore from Rs 20,600 crore.

The study was titled 'Indian m-wallet market: Forecast 2022'.

While mobile wallet service contributed to 21% share in mobile payment volume transactions in FY16, its share is expected to increase to 79% by FY22, the study said.

ANSWER: Both a and b are the same

Explanation:
Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos signed a revised peace agreement with the country's largest rebel movement on 24th Nov 2016, making a second attempt within months to end a half century of hostilities.

Santos and Rodrigo Londono, leader of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, signed the 310-page accord at Bogota's historic Colon Theater.

FARC leader Londono used his address to call for a transitional government to ensure the accord is effectively implemented,

"Our only weapons as Colombians should be our words," said Londono, better known by his alias Timochenko, in a 15-minute speech. "We are putting a definitive end to war to confront in a civilized manner our contradictions.”

New accord introduces 50 changes to assuage critics.

They range from a prohibition on foreign magistrates judging crimes by the FARC or government to a commitment from the insurgents to forfeit assets amassed through drug trafficking.

But the FARC wouldn't go along with jail sentences for rebel leaders who committed atrocities and stricter limits on their future participation in politics.

FARC comprises 8000 plus fighters and this marks yet another attempt at peace.

Peace could trigger more bloodshed, as it did following a previous peace process with the FARC in the 1980s.

ANSWER: Both of the above

Explanation:
The Gujarati edition of a book on the late RSS leader Lakshmanrao Madhavrao Inamdar, co-authored by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, would be released on 25th Nov.

“The Gujarati edition of the book written jointly by Narendra Modi and (RSS leader) Rajabhai Nene on L M Inamdar, popularly known as "Vakilsaheb", would be released tomorrow," said Rajubhai Dhruv, BJP spokesperson.

Born at Satara in Maharashtra, Inamdar was jailed for eight months during the freedom struggle.

He became RSS pracharak in 1942 and handled various responsibilities in the saffron organisation.

He is considered to be the PM’s mentor.

About Narendra Damodardas Modi

• Narendra Damodardas Modi is the 14^th and current Prime Minister of India, in office since 26 May 2014
• He is the first ever PM to be born after India attained Independence.
• Born: September 17, 1950 (age 66), Vadnagar
• Education: Gujarat University (1983), University of Delhi (1978)
• Awards: CNN-IBN Indian of the Year

ANSWER: Merchant Shipping Bill 2016

Explanation:
Union Cabinet on 23rd Nov 2016 approved the introduction of the Merchant Shipping Bill 2016 in the Parliament.

Cabinet also approved repealing of Merchant Shipping Act 1958 and Coasting Vessels Act 1838.

The bill permits substantially owned vessels and vessels on Bare Boat Cum Demise to be registered as Indian flag vessels and recognises Indian controlled tonnage as a separate category.

It provides for issuing the licences to Indian flag vessels for coastal operation and for port clearance by the Customs authorities and separate rules for coastal shipping.

It introduces welfare measures for seafarers and insurance for crew of vessels with net tonnage less than 15 tons.

It also calls for registration of few residuary category of vessels not covered under any statute and makes provisions for security-related aspects.

It also provides for survey, inspection and certification of vessels to enable simplified regime for convenience of Indian shipping industry.

About Merchant Shipping Legislation

Merchant Shipping Bill 2016 affects provisions pertaining to 7 different conventions namely:

• Intervention Convention 1969,
• Search and Rescue Convention 1979,
• Protocol for Prevention of Pollution from Ships Annex VI to Marine Pollution Convention, Convention for Control and Management of Ships Ballast Water and Sediments 2004,
• Nairobi Wreck Removal Convention 2007, Salvage Convention 1989 and
• International Convention for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage, 2001.
• Merchant Shipping Act 1958 has been amended between 1966 and 2014 nearly 17 times
• Sections now total 560 while provisions have been shortened to 280 sections in the bill