UPSC - Current Affairs Questions and Answers

ANSWER: Smita Nagaraj

Explanation:
Ms. Smita Nagaraj took the oath of office and secrecy as Member, Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), on Dec 1^st, 2017.

The oath was administered by Prof. David R. Syiemlieh, Chairman, UPSC.

An Officer of the 1984 Batch of Indian Administrative Service (IAS) of Tamil Nadu Cadre, Ms. Nagaraj, during her career spanning over 33 years, has held several important positions in the Central Government as well as in the Government of Tamil Nadu.

She served as Executive Director of the Central Social Welfare Board, Director in the Department of Personnel & Training, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Defence and prior to her joining the Commission, she was working as Director General (Acquisition) in the Ministry of Defence.

In the State also, she held various important positions in the Energy, Finance, Health and Small Industries Department.

ANSWER: Professor. David R. Syiemlieh

Explanation:
President Pranab Mukherjee on Jan 2nd 2016 appointed Professor David R. Syiemlieh as the Chairman of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

Syiemlieh is from Meghalaya and was a UPSC member. The 63-year-old Syiemlieh will assume charge on January 4 and retire on January 21, 2018.

As per reports, Syiemlieh was functioning as a UPSC member from June 25, 2012.

Syiemlieh follows Alka Sirohi, a retired IAS officer of the Madhya Pradesh cadre.

63-year-old is the second person from Meghalaya to be appointed to the coveted post.

Rose Bathew Kharbuli from Meghalaya was the first woman chairperson of the Commission in the 1980s.

Prof. David Syiemlieh, was also was Pro-Vice-Chancellor, North-Eastern Hill University and Vice-Chancellor of the Rajiv Gandhi University, Itanagar.

He is a graduate from Edmund's College in Shillong and a PHD from NEHU. He is currently the vice chancellor of NEHU and Rajiv Gandhi University at Doimukh in AP.

He received the Charles Wallace Grant for research in UK. He is also a Fullbright senior fellow and an author of several books.

ANSWER: UPSC

Explanation:
Transgender or third gender may soon be introduced as a new category in UPSC application forms. Delhi HC has directed the state to take necessary steps to expeditiously modify riles regarding prestigious civil services examinations to incorporate transgender or third gender in exam application forms.

• In regard to the landmark judgement passed by the SC court on April 15, 2014 granting legal recognition to transgenders or eunuchs as a third category of gender, according to the bench asked to take urgent steps in this regard with the Centre
• ASG has told the bench regarding this, as an application seeking clarification that an April 2014 judgement was related only to transgenders and did to include bisexual, gay or lesbians was disposed in June 2016 by apex court which had held that lesbians, gays and bisexuals were not a third gender

ANSWER: Indian Skill Development Service

Explanation:
Central Government has approved the formation of Indian Skill Development Service. This service will be notified following consultation with UPSC and other government organisations. The service’s formation was also discussed in the Indian Parliament.

ANSWER: Ira Singhal

Explanation:
Ira Singhal belonged to Delhi while second and third places were secured by Renu Raj (Kerala) and Nidhi Gupta (Delhi).