Current Affairs Questions & Answers - Sept 10, 2015

ANSWER: J. Manjula

Explanation:
J. Manjula is DRDO’d first woman DG and was previously the Director of Defence Avionics Research Establishment in Bengaluru since the month of July 2014. An outstanding DRDO scientist, she took charge from K.D. Nayak on 9th September 2015. She will report to the Secretary Director General. She is an alumna of Osmania University and joined the DRDO in the 1980s. Her specialisation is in the area of communication configuration and radar ESM and ECM systems. She has won the DRDO awards for excellence in performance, Scientist of the Year award for 2011 and India Today Woman Summit Award for 2014

ANSWER: It has started broadcasting Hindi lessons in China and SE Asia

Explanation:
The External Services Division of AIR has commenced with the broadcast of lessons in Hindi in China and SE Asia. The 20 minute programme is broadcast every Sunday and it aims to counter China Radio International, which broadcasts in 56 world languages including Hindi and regional languages. The airing of this programme commenced on Independence day this year. It is called , Xue Xi Yindiyu Jie Mu (Learning Hindi programme or Aao Hindi Seekhein) and has a JNU professor teaching the language to Chinese persons.

ANSWER: 41.8 MT

Explanation:
Global Waste Management Outlook is the first report of waste management on international level. It was jointly prepared by UNEP/United Nations Environment Programme and ISWA/International Solid Waste Association and released in Antwerp, Belgium. UNEP has estimated that 2 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste is generated each year in its Global Waste Management Outlook. It estimates a generation of 7-10 billion tonnes per annum of urban waste. 100% of urban population must have access to controlled waste disposal as close to 3 billion people lack access to waste disposal facilities, as per the outlook. e-Waste generated rose from 33.8 MT in 2010 by 25% to 41.8 MT.

ANSWER: Anirban Lahiri

Explanation:
On 7th September, 2015 Anirban Lahiri became the first Indian golfer to qualify for Presidents Cup based on his performance in 2015 Duetsche Bank Championship. He will take part as an International Team member in the 2015 championship. The event will be held at Incheon. S. Korea on 2-4 October 2015 . He is of the top 10 international players to qualify for official world gold ranking.

ANSWER: Bottom half of low middle income countries

Explanation:
Report on Inclusive Growth and Developed released by WEF aims to achieve inclusive growth across as well as within countries. It has ranked India 37th of 38 low middle income nations on fiscal transfers and 32nd rank for tax code. On social protection, India’s rank was 36 out of 38 nations. It occupied the last rank in the small business ownership category. Economic growth cannot take place without social inclusion, the report stresses.

ANSWER: Gandhi Peace Prize

Explanation:
ISRO has won the Gandhi Peace Prize for transforming the nation and acting as a force multiplier in as many as 170 space technology projects. It has associated with 60 ministries and departments to improve living conditions of common man. It has also diversified its Bhuavan/ geo spatial platform recently apart from developing own satellite navigation system IRNSS/Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System and GAGAN/ GPS Aided and Geo Augmented Navigation.

ANSWER: UP

Explanation:
NCRB data in a study called `Hanging in Balance: Arbitrariness in Death Penalty Adjudication in India', found that convicts in Delhi and Jammu & Kashmir were 6 and 6.6 times respectively more likely to be given death row than the national average. Disparity in death penalty jurisprudence was noted with a person from Jharkhand 2.4 times more likely to attain a death sentence than national average, while the number was 2.5 for Gujarat, 3 for WB, 3.2 for Karnataka. Law Commission headed by Justice A. P. Shah demanded that apart from terrorism cases, death penalty should be abolished in India.

ANSWER: 1 in 4

Explanation:
1 in 4 people will be above 60 by 2050 according to WHO estimates as between 2000 and 2050, number of world’s population above 60 years will double to 22% from 11%. In absolute numbers, the rise will be from 901 million in 2015 to 1.4 billion by 2030 and 2.1 billion by 2050. The number could rise to 3.2 billion by 2100. Europe will have 34% of its population above 60 by 2050. The percentage in Asia, Caribbean and Latin America will be 25%. India will be facing the feminisation of its raging population. Quarter of the world’s elderly will be in India by 2015 and constitute more than 12% of the population by 2026.

ANSWER: CMS Info Systems

Explanation:
Baring PE Asia has acquired cash management firm CMS Infosystems in an INR 2000 crore deal. It acquired 53% stake from Blackstone Group, 37% stake from promoter Ramesh Grover and remaining 10% from employees. Blackstone had earlier invested INR 190 crore to acquire 53% stake in CMS. To retain the existing management team, Bearing PE Asia has offered ESOPs. CMS Infosystems is managing 55% of cash circulating in India at present. It also created self service terminals of 8000 plus ATMs for SBI and associate banks.

ANSWER: R. Maria

Explanation:
Rakesh Maria has been appointed as DG Home Guards while Javed Ahmed has been appointed as Mumbai Police Commissioner after post has been upgraded to DG rank. This exchange of positions happened following the commencement of investigations into the Sheena Bora murder case. Maria is currently still in charge of the case, even as the ED has been asked to step in.

ANSWER: Philippines

Explanation:
Philippines is planning Wi-FI services in all its towns and cities by 2016. This free internet will cost the government USD 32 million and push data charges lower down in the country. Access to internet currently costs USD 18 per megabit per second in Philippines. This is more than 3 times the global average of USD 5.

ANSWER: Neo Corp International Limited

Explanation:
In new disclosure on suspected black money being probed by Indian tax authorities, Switzerland has received request for information about Indore origin textile firm Neo Corp International Ltd. This company began as a small woven sack maker in the 1980s and now alleges it is an MNC technical textiles group. It has faced income tax searches in February 2015 for suspected tax evasion. Around 12 names have been disclosed in this high profile crackdown by Swiss and Indian authorities.

ANSWER: Jaiprakash Power Ventures Ltd

Explanation:
JSW Energy Ltd announced on 8th September 2015 that it has entered into a binding agreement with Jaiprakash Power Ventures Ltd to acquire Bina Thermal Power. The Sajjan Jindal firm also indicated it had acquired two hydro power assets from the company as well namely the Himachal Baspa Power Company Ltd owning Baspa II and Karcham Wangtoo- 2 hydropower assets. Jaypee Group owns Jaiprakash Power Ventures. It seeks to reduce debt through this move according to chairman M. Gaur

ANSWER: Queen Elizabeth II

Explanation:
Born on April 21, 1926, Queen Elizabeth II has become the longest reigning British monarch beating her great great grandmother Queen Victoria who sat on the throne for 63 years, 7 months. The Buckingham Palace released an official photo of the queen taken by former Beatle Paul McCartney’s daughter, photographer Mary McCartney. Queen Elizabeth II was educated at home and she was originally third in line to the throne. When her father became King George VI in 1936, she became first in line. She married Philip Mountbatten, who was made Prince Philip, duke of Edinburgh after the wedding. She has 4 children: Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward. She ascended the throne on June 2, 1953 and introduced several reforms to the monarchy.

ANSWER: Ratan Tata

Explanation:
Well known business leader and Chairman Emeritus of TATA Sons, Ratan Tata has joined technology VC firm IDG Ventures India on the advisory board as Senior Advisor. He will manage business growth, international expansion, strategic leadership and team building. IDG Ventures Founder Chairman S. Sethi released a special statement about the appointment. Tata retired as head of the 100 billion dollar TATA Group in December 2012.

ANSWER: 6

Explanation:
The decision to raise DA by 6 percentage points was taken by the Union Cabinet. DA is paid as a proportion of the basic pay. In April, government hiked DA to 113% of basic pay w.e.f January. Proposed DA hike is to come into force from July 1, 2015. According to the agreed formula, DA rate increase comprises an average of 12 month CPI-industrial workers from July to June 2015. Proposed hike is as per recommendations of 6th Pay Commission.