General Awareness Test (Feb - 15) - Set 7

ANSWER: Y. V. Reddy Commission

Explanation:
According to an Action Taken Report on the recommendations given by the Commission, the Centre has decided to devolve a much higher share of 42% of the Union’s tax receipts to the States.

ANSWER: Rajendra K Pachauri

Explanation:
Pachauri was elected to the first of two terms as Chair of the IPCC in April 2002 and had been scheduled to complete his second term in October 2015.

ANSWER: State Bank of India

Explanation:
No explanation is available for this question!

ANSWER: Surya Kiran

Explanation:
The 8th Edition of joint military exercise between India and Nepal is being held at Saljhandi in Nepal. The main objective of the exercise is to promote cooperation in counter insurgency and counter terrorist operations and cooperation in humanitarian operations.

ANSWER: Telecom Regulatory Authority of India

Explanation:
Under the full MNP programme, a subscriber will be able to retain the same mobile number across the length and breadth of the country while selecting a service provider. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on 25th Feb’15 issued 6th Amendment to the Telecommunication Mobile Number Portability Regulation, 2009.

ANSWER: Austria

Explanation:
The Austrian parliament has passed controversial reforms to the country's century-old law on Islam. The 1912 law made Islam an official religion in Austria.

ANSWER: 14th

Explanation:
As per the 14th Finance Commission stated that domestic financial institutions (DFIs), such as public sector banks have a dominant role in the financial framework of the economy hence it is recommended that a Financial Sector Public Enterprises Committee (FSPEC) be appointed to examine and recommend parameters for appropriate future fiscal support to financial sector public enterprises.

ANSWER: Mumbai University

Explanation:
The university will start specialized courses at the Post Graduate level related to rail technology. This institute will help the Indian Railways in developing cutting-edge indigenous technologies and turn as a net exporter of such technologies.

ANSWER: Clemson University

Explanation:
Ratan Tata was awarded for his contributions to the global automotive industry.

ANSWER: Ram Naresh Yadav

Explanation:
He is the first sitting Governor to be named in a corruption FIR filed in the case.

ANSWER: Kayakalp

Explanation:
The Union Railway Minister Shri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu announced the Railways intention to set up an innovation council called “Kayakalp” for the purpose of business re-engineering and introducing a spirit of innovation in Railways in accordance with the vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister for Innovation, Technology Development and Manufacturing.

ANSWER: Zero

Explanation:
With this No increase in Passenger fares was also announced.

ANSWER: Operation 5 Minutes

Explanation:
No explanation is available for this question!

ANSWER: National Institute of Design

Explanation:
No explanation is available for this question!

ANSWER: Afghanistan

Explanation:
Afghanistan defeated Scotland on 26th Feb’15.

ANSWER: Ranchi Rays

Explanation:
No explanation is available for this question!

ANSWER: Shanghai

Explanation:
The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on 26th Feb’15 gave approval for establishing the New Development Bank (NDB) and the BRICS Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA).

ANSWER: Supreme Court

Explanation:
The Apex court's judgment came on a plea by a petitioner challenging the Kerala High Court verdict. The petitioner was born a Christian, as his grandfather had embraced the religion after leaving Hinduism, and he became a Hindu again. He was granted an SC certificate of a Hindu caste, to which his ancestors belonged.

ANSWER: TRANSLOC

Explanation:
TRASNSLOC or Transport Logistic Corporation of India (TLCI).

ANSWER: Late Dr. Narendra Dabholkar

Explanation:
The Vice President of India Shri M. Hamid Ansari released the Hindi Translation of a set of books entitled “Andhvishwas Unmoolan - ‘Aachaar, Volume-1’, ‘Vichaar, Volume-2’, and Siddhanth, Volume-3” authored by late Dr. Narendra Dabholkar. The translation has been done by Dr. Chanda Girish and Dr. Sunil Kumar Lawate is the Editor of the books.

ANSWER: Panchagavya

Explanation:
Medicinal uses of Panchagavya and its individual ingredients including cow urine are mentioned in the authoritative books of Ayurveda listed in the First Schedule of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. Its therapeutic uses in Ayurveda include Krimi Roga, Kushtha, Kandu, Shoola, Gulma, Udara Roga, Anaha, Shotha, Pandu, Kamala, Vasti Roga, Kasa, Shavasa, Atisara, Mutraroga etc.

ANSWER: Seven

Explanation:
These seven nodes will be developed in Manesar-Bawal Investment Region, Haryana (402 sq. km.); Dadri-Noida-Ghaziabad Investment Region, Uttar Pradesh (210 sq. km.); Khushkhera-Bhiwadi-Neemrana Investment Region, Rajasthan (165 sq. km.);Pithampur-Dhar-Mhow Investment Region, Madhya Pradesh (372 sq. km.); Ahmedabad-Dholera Investment Region, Gujarat (920 sq. km.);Shendra-Bidkin Industrial Park, Maharashtra; (84 sq. km.); and Dighi Port Industrial Area, Maharashtra (253 sq. km.).

ANSWER: Mani Shankar Aiyar

Explanation:
In an order dated 23rd Feb’15, the Ministry of Culture has stated that the resignation of Shri Mani Shankar Aiyar dated 17th May, 2014 has been accepted by the Government. The order states that the Government has also decided to wind up the CCZCC w.e.f. 16th December, 2014 since all the recommendations made by Shri Mani Shankar Aiyar Committee and CCZCC stands accepted and implemented/being implemented.

ANSWER: 11

Explanation:
Allocation of foodgrains to 11 States/Union Territories (UTs) namely, Bihar, Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab and Rajasthan has started under the Act based on the preparedness and identification of beneficiaries for coverage under the Act, reported by them. NFSA provides for coverage of upto 75% of the rural population and upto 50% of the urban population of the country for receiving foodgrains at subsidized prices under Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), corresponding to which State-wise coverage has been determined by the Planning Commission.

ANSWER: Theatre Level Readiness and Operational Exercise

Explanation:
During Theatre Level Readiness and Operational Exercise (TROPEX-2015), the Navy had deployed two Carrier Task Forces simultaneously at sea, with both Viraat and Vikramaditya operating with their integral flights in an operational scenario. This assumes significance as it makes the Indian Navy, besides the US Navy, capable of deploying more than one Carrier Task Force at sea, at present.

ANSWER: Science for Nation Building

Explanation:
This year’s theme was chosen for the purpose of raising public appreciation on scientific issues for the development of nation. National Science Day (NSD) is celebrated every year on 28th February to mark the discovery of the ‘Raman Effect’, for which a Nobel Prize winning research paper submitted by Sir C.V. Raman was accepted on that day.

ANSWER: Council of Scientific & Industrial Research

Explanation:
The Wax Deoiling Plant based on such indigenously developed technology is set up with an investment of 750 crore rupees at NRL - a subsidiary of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) - situated in north-east part of India. CSIR through its constituent laboratory Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP), Dehradun, in association with the Engineers India Ltd (EIL) has won the international competition.

ANSWER: Royal Bank of Scotland

Explanation:
The bank has decided to close its banking operations in India but will be retaining the back office.

ANSWER: Boris Nemtsov

Explanation:
Few hours before his death Boris Nemstov had appealed for the support for a march to be held on 1st Mar’15 in Moscow against the war in Ukraine. He was also the Russian Opposition Leader.

ANSWER: Kshatrapati Shivaji

Explanation:
He is a 1986 batch IAS officer and was currently Principal Secretary (Expenditure), Finance Department in Maharashtra government.

ANSWER: Above 8%

Explanation:
The growth forecast is for fiscal year 2015-16 as disclosed in the Survey was 8.1 to 8.5%.

ANSWER: Battlefield Management System

Explanation:
The BMS project, categorized as a “Make” programme under the defence procurement procedure (DPP), will be one of the largest indigenous solutions offered to Indian defence.

ANSWER: Martin Crowe

Explanation:
Earlier this Sir Richard Hadlee and Debbie Hockley from the NewZealand were inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony was held during New Zealand – Australia match in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 at Eden Park on 28 February which was eventually won by New Zealand. Martin David Crowe started his career in cricket at the age of 19 and played 77 tests before he retired in 1995.

ANSWER: Hindustani Awam Morcha

Explanation:
He launched a new political front to expose the real face of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

ANSWER: Forward Market Commission

Explanation:
Forward Market Commission functions with Mumbai as the head office and was established in 1953. This was brought under finance sector in 2013. There are four national level and six regional level exchanges related to commodity futures in India.

ANSWER: Chris Gayle

Explanation:
He hit 16 sixes and 10 fours in his 147-ball innings and created a world record partnership of 372 runs in ODI with Marlon Samuels. The match was played against Zimbabwe.