Current Affairs 2012 Set-6

1- United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN-DESA) data for 150 countries over 40 years showed which two countries as the only two countries in the world where female infant mortality is higher than male infant mortality in the 2000s?

1. Venezuela & Combodia

2. Nigeria & Ghana

3. China & India 

4. Indonesia & China

2- Kamla Persad Bissessar visited India from 5 January 2012 to 14 January 2012.

Consider the following statements on her.

(i) She is the seventh Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago

(ii) She is the country’s first female Prime Minister.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

1. Both (i) and (ii) are correct

2. Only (i) is correct

3. Only (ii) is correct

4. Neither I nor II is correct

3- What is SHADE which was in news in January 2012?

1. A new pact among the naval forces of India, Japan and China 

2. A new pact among the armed forces of India, Japan and China

3. A new pact among the naval forces of India, Japan and Russia

4. A new pact among the armed forces of India, Japan and Russia

4- The Union Cabinet of India on 24 January 2012 renamed the Mana Airport at Raipur as the ___ Airport, Raipur.

1. Swami Vivekananda 

2. Ramakrishna Paramhamsa

3. Mahatma Gandhi

4. Jawaharlal Nehru

5- Which noted film critic who reviewed films for the Times of India died of cancer on 20 January 2012?

1. Nikhat Kazmi 

2. Raja Sen

3. Subhash K. Jha

4. Pauline Kael

6- The Planning Commission of India on 18 January 2012 approved the Rudrasagar development scheme which is related to which of the following states of India?

1. Tripura

2. Bihar

3. Uttar Pradesh

4. Assam

7- Pavan K. Verma's new book set in contemporary India and in the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, was launched in the New Delhi by Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, the Queen Mother of Bhutan in January 2012. Which is the book in reference here?

1. When Loss is Gain 

2. Ghalib: The Man

3. The Great Indian Middle Class

4. The Times

8- Which of the following statements regarding Homai Vyarawalla, who passed away on January 15, 2012, is/are correct?

A. She was India's first woman photo-journalist and was the only professional woman photo journalism between 1939 and 1970.

B. She was commonly known by her pseudonym Dalda 13.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

1. Only A

2. Both A and B 

3. Only B

4. Neither A nor B

9- Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on 11 January 2012 launched the signature tune of the Indian Customs Pragati ki Dhadkan in New Delhi. Who is the composer?

1. Jatin Lalit

2. A. R. Rahman

3. Aadesh Shrivastava 

4. Pritam

10- Who among the following diplomats was conferred with the first S K Singh Award for excellence in the Indian Foreign Service on 6 January 2012?

1. Ashwin Shastri

2. Ranjan Mathai

3. Shivshankar Menon

4. D Bala Venkatesh Verma 

11- A judicial commission set up by Pakistan’s Supreme Court to investigate the memo scandal in January 2012 summoned ISI Chief Lt. Gen. and the former envoy to the U.S., Husain Haqqani, to appear before it. Who is the ISI Chief?

1. Shiekh Walid

2. Mohammad Noor

3. Ahmed Shuja Pasha 

4. Suleiman Pahwa

12- Which country joined the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on a two year term as a non-permanent member on January 1, 2012?

1. Greece

2. Italy

3. Pakistan 

4. Bangladesh

13- World renowned military strongman Voreqe Bainimarama said in January 2012 that he would lift emergency laws in place since a 2009 political crisis and begin discussions on a new constitution. Which country is in reference here?

1. Colombia

2. Morocco

3. Egypt

4. Fiji 

14- U.S.President Barack recently signed into law a massive defence spending bill that also seeks to suspend a big chunk of $1.1 billion military aid to Pakistan. How much is the total spending?

1. $662 billion 

2. $1000 billion

3. $525 billion

4. $1250 billion

15- Which of the following schemes is launched by the Govt. of India to provide nutritious food to school children?

1. Food for work

2. Kutir Jyoti

3. Mid day meal

4. ASHA

16- India and Pakistan on 25 January 2012 agreed to transit fee formula for Tapi gas pipeline project in New Delhi. Tapi gas pipeline project comprises

1. India, Pakistan and Tajikistan

2. India, Pakistan and Russia

3. India, Pakistan and Iran

4. India, Pakistan and Afghanistan

17- Poll Monitoring System was recently implemented in which among the following states of India for the first time?

1. Goa 

2. Uttarakhand

3. Uttar Pradesh

4. Manipur

18- The military rulers declared partial lifting of emergency in Egypt. The move came into effect from_.

1. 22 January 2012

2. 20 January 2012

3. 25 January 2012 

4. 28 January 2012

19- India signed agreement with OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development) to check both tax evasion and avoidance. The headquarters of OECD are in which of the following cities?

1. Paris 

2. London

3. New York

4. Washington DC

20- Whose record did Dutch teenager Laura Dekker break on 21 January 2012 when she became the youngest sailor to complete a solo circum navigation of the world?

1. Jessica Watson 

2. Alena Ladev

3. Christiana Notham

4. Bisht Jove

21- Where was the fifth edition of the World Future Energy summit held in January 2012?

1. Abu Dhabi

2. New Delhi

3. Tehran

4. Dhaka

22- India and Japan on 12 January 2012 agreed to enhance their cooperation in which of the following sectors?

1. Infrastructure 

2. Tourism

3. Road and Transport

4. Coal and Mining

23- The 2012 men’s final of the Australian Open went past the 2008 Wimbledon final time record, finishing after 5 hours and 53 minutes of play in January 2012. Who emerged winner in the epic final?

1. Andy Murray

2. Roger Federer

3. Novak Djokovic 

4. Rafael Nadal

24- Name the woman tennis player who won her win first Grand Slam title by winning in the finals of the Australian Open 2012 in January 2012.

1. Victoria Azarenka 

2. Svetlana Kuznetsova

3. Maria Sharapova

4. Caroline Wozniacki

25- Scientists in January 2012 announced to have indentified a new gene in maize plants called

1. Meg 1

2. Meg 2

3. Meg 3

4. Meg 4

26- Scientists claimed in January 2012 that the Meteorite, which fell in Morocco in July 2011, was from Mars. The event happened for the first time in ____ years.

1. 100 
2. 50 

3. 200 
4. 150

27- India on 13 January 2012 extended for how many years an anti-dumping duty on import of four Chinese products like nylon filament yarn, Saccharin, cellophane transparent film, etc?

1. 3 years

2. 5 years

3. 10 years

4. 12 years

28- Reserve bank of India (RBI) on 13 January 2012 issued guidelines on compensation of whole time directors, chief executive officers and other risk takers in private and foreign banks. Which of the following facts regarding the above statement is/are not true?

1. The central bank's directions are aimed at preventing greed from destabilizing the institution.

2. The guidelines include provisions to claw back pay if transactions fail years after origination.

3. The norms provided also include capping the variable component of the compensation at 48% of the fixed pay in a year. 

4. As per the guidelines issued, banks are permitted to exclude the Employees Stock option Plan from variable pay.

29- Baichung Bhutia is a famous

1. Politician 
2. Cine actor

3. Football player
4. Journalist

30- European Union agreed in principle to ban import of Iranian crude oil. Consider the following statements:

A. The European Union (EU) is one of Iran’s biggest markets for oil.

B. The EU is a political and economical union of 27 member states.

1. Both A and B are correct 

2. Only A is correct

3. Only B is correct

4. Neither A nor B is correct

31- Which one of the following state governments launched Panch Parmeshwar scheme?

1. Bihar

2. UP

3. Kerala

4. Madhya Pradesh 

32- This footballer was awarded the 2011 FIFA Ballon d’Or on 9 January 2012 in Zurich. He won the award for the third consecutive year as the world’s outstanding footballer. Identify the footballer.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo

2. Xavi

3. Sergio Ramos

4. Lionel Messi

33- Who was named amongst the top innovators below 35 years of age by MIT’s Technology Review India.

1. Ajit Narayanan

2. Sundeep Chatterjee

3. Prashant Karmakar

4. Vibhas Patnik

34- Who was the chief guest of 63rd Republic Day parade?

1. Yingluck Shinawatra, Prime Minister of Thailand

2. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, President of Indonesia

3. Mary McAleese, President of Ireland

4. Nguyen Tan Dung, Prime Minister of Vietnam

35- The Cabinet Committee, on Security approved the setting up of NCTC. What is the full form of NCTC?

1. National Trade Co-operation

2. National Central Terrorism Centre

3. National Counter Terrorism Centre 

4. National Council for Trade Cooperation

36- Which Ministry prepared draft policy seeking to increase private participation and opens the doors for foreign direct investors for expanding its network?

1. Defence Ministry

2. Ministry of Rural Development

3. Ministry of Commerce and Industry

4. Railways Ministry 

37- Six researchers from five science streams were honoured with this prize by the former President, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam in Bangalore on 9 January 2012. Name the prize in question.

1. Rolls-Royce Science Prize

2. India Science Prize

3. Infosys Prize

4. Yong Scientist Award

38- According to the draft sports policy of this state Government released on 11 January 2012, a special life-time achievement award, in memory of G.V. Raja, the founder-president of the State Sports council is to be instituted. Which state is being referred to?

1. Karnataka

2. Kerala 

3. Tamil Nadu

4. Andhra Pradesh

39- Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan and International Association of Sanskrit Studies jointly organized the 15th World Sanskrit conference from 5 to 10 January 2012 at Vi-gyan Bhavan in New Delhi. Where was the 14th World Sanskrit conference held?

1. Beijing, China

2. Kyoto, Japan

3. Colombo, Sri Lanka

4. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

40- Prof. Muhammad Yunus, the recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize 2006, is the exponent of which of the following concepts in the field of banking?

1. Core banking 
2. Micro credit 

3. Retail banking 
4. Internet banking

41- Which of the following were displayed for the first time in the Republic Day Parade 2012?

1. Agni IV

2. C-130-J aircraft

3. Both (a) & (b) 

4. None of the above

42- The international Hockey Federation (FIH) announced that Singapore would replace the …… in men’s Olympic qualifier to be held from February 18-26, 2012.

1. Germany

2. USA 

3. Brazil

4. France

43- Who won the Tournament of Champions in Squash in New York, 2012?

1. Dipika Pallikal

2. Natalie Grinham

3. Raneem EI Weleily

4. Daryl Selby

44- In which of the following regions of India has the pilot project “Youth to the Edge” been launched recently?

1. Northern region

2. North-Eastern region

3. Western region

4. Southern region

45- In which of the following districts REC-Amar Seva Sangam Integrated Training and Development Centre for Physically Challenged has been inaugurated?

1. Kanchipuram

2. Ariyalur

3. Tirunelevli

4. Erode

46- The thrust areas of revised Swarna Jayanti Shahri Rozgar Yojana are

1. urban self employment programmes

2. Skill training for employment promotion among urban poor

3. urban wage employment programme

4. All of the above

47- Sharad Pawar launched 2012 as the “year of ___”

1. Pisciculture

2. Horticulture 

3. Agriculture

4. Science

48- Which of the following states in India contributed more than 50% of the country’s total tea production in 2011?

1. Assam 

2. Arunachal Pradesh

3. Manipur

4. Science

49- Which of the following statements are true regarding the MOU signed for promoting “Incredible India” campaign?

1. Ministry of Tourism would provide budgetary support for identified film festivals and events.

2. Ministry to facilitate the publicity through available content based on existing audio-visual material.

3. Both (A) and (b). 

4. None of the above.

50- Name the Indian-born professor who became the first recipient of Gunnerus sustainability award.

1. Kamal Bawa

2. Jatin Sharma

3. Rajat Jain

4. Anthony Shahid

51- Which Brazilian auto parts manufacturer joined the Sahara Force India team as an official partner for the 2012 season?

1. Aethra 

2. Daimler AG

3. Renault

4. Chrysler

52- Pulitzer Prize is given in the field of……

1. Literature 

2. Social Service

3. Films

4. Sports

53- Name the former Macedonian President who passed away recently?

1. Kiro Gligorov 

2. Jezdimir Bogdanski

3. Viladimir Mitkov

4. Vanco Apostolski

54- Nirbhashan (Exile) is the autobiography of

1. Shobha De

2. Medha Patkar

3. Arundhati Roy

4. Taslima Nasreen 

55- Who won the Aeroflot International Open Chess Tournament, 2012?

1. Mateusz Bartel

2. Anton Korobov

3. Pavel Elijanov

4. Krishnan Sasikiran

56- The youngest ever Microsoft certified professional who died recently at the age of 16, is

1. Arpinder Singh

2. Arfa Karim Randhava

3. Girish Varma

4. Rafeeq Ahmed

57- Which of the following Argentinean bike rider died after being involved in an accident on the first day of the Dakar Rally?

1. Nick Sanders

2. Ted Simon

3. Jorge Martinez Boero

4. EwAn McGregor

58- Who received Silver Bear award for the Best Actor at the Berlin film Festival?

1. Mikkel Boe Folsgaard 

2. Paolo Taviani

3. Vittorio Taviani

4. Bence Fliegauf

59- The New York Times’ foreign correspondent and a two-time Pulitzer Prize winner who died recently, is

1. Anthony Shadid 

2. Girilal Jain

3. Ravindra

4. Jagat Narain

60- Who wrote the book “The Wolf Gift” released on 14th February, 2012?

1. Anne Rice

2. Tatiana de Rosnay

3. Jodi Picoult

4. Alex George

61- Who won the Men’s Doubles title Australian Open Tennis Championship 2012?

1. Bethanie Mattek-Sands & Horia Tecau

2. Leander Paes & Radek Stepanek

3. Leander Paes & Nadal

4. Nadal & Djokovic

62- Which of the following Actor was presented with a National Medal of Arts for his contributions to American culture?

1. John Travolta

2. Nicholas Cage

3. Al Pacino

4. Arnold Schwarzenegger

63- Which IPL team has won the bid for Muttiah Muralidharan in IPL auction 2012?

1. Royal Challengers Bangalore

2. Chennai Super Kings

3. Kochi Tuskers

4. Delhi Daredevils

64- Which of the following banks appointed Abhishek Khandelwal as head of credit services for its private banking business in India?

1. ICICI bank

2. HDFC

3. Royal Bank of Scotland

4. Axis Bank

65- The fourth phase of the intensive ‘Tiger Monitoring Programme”, envisaged by the Tiger Task Force of the Union Government, began at the Kalakkad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR). KMTR is situated in which state?

1. Karnataka

2. Andhra Pradesh

3. Tamil Nadu 

4. Kerala

5. None of these

66- “Inside Central Asia” is a book written by

1. Dilip Hiro

2. Tony Blair

3. Khushwant Singh

4. Hillary Clinton

5. None of these

67- World Consumer Rights Day is celebrated on

1. April 15

2. February 15

3. May 15

4. March 15

68- Which team coached by RR Jadeja won its second consecutive Ranji Trophy title at the MA Chidambram Stadium on 23 January 2012?

1. Karnataka

2. West Bengal

3. Andhra Pradesh

4. Rajasthan 

5. None of these

69- Which of the following states has the highest number of Special Economic Zones?

1. Tamil Nadu

2. Karnatka

3. Andhra Pradesh 

4. Kerala

5. None of these

70- Which of the following table tennis players won his maiden national title by defeating a six time champion in the final of the 73rd Senior National and Inter-State Table Tennis Championships in Lucknow on 29 January 2012?

1. A Sharath Kamal

2. A Amalraj 

3. N Ganeshan

4. T. Raju

71- Noted film critic who reviewed films for the Times of India died of cancer on 20 January,2012 at the age of 53?

1. Subhash K. Jha

2. Raja Sen

3. Nikhat Kazmi 

4. Pauline Kael

72- Which of the following author was awarded the DSC Prize for South Asia Literature 2012, at the Jaipur Literature Festival in Rajasthan on 21 January, 2012.

1. Dr. Alastair Niven

2. Shehan Karunatilaka 

3. Dr. Fakrul Alam

4. Marie Brenner

5. None of these

73- The first European country to recognize Libyan rebels is-

1. France

2. Germany

3. Greece

4. Portugal

74- As per the latest sample registration system (SRS) bulletin, December 2011 released by the Registrar General of India (RGI), it is noted that Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) dropped further from ___ to ___ infant deaths per 1000 live births during 2010.

1. 50;47 

2. 52;49

3. 53;48

4. 48;47

75- Consider the following statements on NATGRID -

1. NATGRID has been formed to link databases for inputs to combat terrorism.

2. It is meant to improve India’s capability to counter threats to its internal security.

Choose the right option -

1. Both 1 and 2 are correct 

2. Only 1 is correct

3. Only 2 is correct

4. Neither 1 nor 2 is correct

76- Osama Bin Laden was killed in US attack at

1. Abbottabad

2. Kabul

3. Lahore

4. Karachi

77- Name the legendary Bollywood playback singer who entered the Guinness World Records for the most number of single studio recordings?

1. Suchitra Krisnamurthy

2. Lata Mangeshkar

3. Asha Bhonsle 

4. Shreya Ghoshal

78- Which one of the following governments launched Kishori scheme for adolescent girls?

1. Delhi state government

2. Haryana state government

3. Bihar state government

4. Odisha state government

79- Readers of international travel magazine Conde Nast Traveller voted which city in Rajasthan as the best leisure destination in India?

1. Jaipur

2. Udaipur

3. Jaisalmer

4. Bikaner

5. None of these

80- The book ‘Non-stop India’ by a journalist-author was recently launched. Name the journalist author who authored the book?

1. Mark Tully 

2. Sophie Raworth

3. Jane Hill

4. Babita Sharma

Answers will be displayed shorty here