GK & Current Affairs: December 26, 2016

1. “Aadhaar Pay” an aadhaar-linked cashless merchant solution has been launched by which bank?
[A]State Bank of India
[B]IDFC Bank
[C]ICICI Bank
[D]HDFC Bank
Answer: IDFC Bank
Notes:
IDFC Bank has recently launched the aadhaar-linked cashless merchant solution “Aadhaar Pay” that uses a retailers’ smartphone to enable digital payments. It has been developed by IDFC Bank in association with Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) and the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). There are no transaction fees for both merchants and customers. The IDFC Aadhaar Pay will enable millions of merchants across the country to facilitate cashless purchases for customers in a cost-effective and scalable way.
2. The book “India-US relations in the age of uncertainity” has been authored by whom?
[A]Ian Hall
[B]B M Jain
[C]Pratap Bhanu Mehta
[D]T V Paul
Answer: B M Jain
Notes:
The book “India-US Relations in the Age of Uncertainty: An uneasy courtship” has been authored by BM Jain. It offers a comprehensive analysis of the evolution of US-India relations from estranged democracies to strategic partners.
3. Which of the following will launched “Digitally Safe Consumer” campaign in India?
[A]Facebook
[B]Twitter
[C]Microsoft
[D]Google
Answer: Google
Notes:
The Google India will launch “Digitally Safe Consumer” campaign with the Ministry of Consumer Affairs in 2017 to raise awareness and protect consumer interest on the internet. As part of the campaign, Google will work on educating consumer organisations in India, help in training members of the Consumer Affairs department and also work with officials in the National Consumer Helpline.
4. George Michael, who passed away recently, was the famous singer of which country?
[A]England
[B]Germany
[C]United States
[D]France
Answer: England
Notes:
George Michael (53), the British pop superstar and founding member of Wham!, has recently passed away at Goring, England. He sold more than 100 million albums in his career.
5. Who has been appointed as the special secretary in the internal security department of the Ministry of Home Affairs?
[A]R K Dutta
[B]P S Kharge
[C]Anil Sinha
[D]Rakesh Asthana
Answer: R K Dutta
Notes:
Rupak Kumar Dutta, the senior IPS officer, has been appointed as the new special secretary in the internal security department of the Ministry of Home Affairs and will be at the post till October 31, 2017 i.e. the date of his superannuation. Dutta served for nearly 14 years in Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and was special director in CBI since 2014 and had handled two important Supreme Court-monitored cases such as the 2G spectrum allocation and coal block allocation cases, in which several politicians and businessmen are facing trial. Besides Dutta, M K Singla is already working as Special Secretary (Internal Security). Thus,it is for the first time that two Special Secretaries would work in the Home Ministry for the crucial internal security division.
6. Dinanath Bhargava, who sketched national emblem ‘Lion Capital of Ashoka’, was belonged to which state of India?
[A]Uttar Pradesh
[B]Himachal Pradesh
[C]Odisha
[D]Madhya Pradesh
Answer: Madhya Pradesh
Notes:
Dinanath Bhargava (89), an international fame painter, has recently passed away in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. He was the co-artist in the team that sketched the national emblem ‘Lion Capital of Ashoka’ and decorated the pages of the Constitution’s manuscript. The wash paintings made by him are unique in the world.
7. “DAMAN” a new malaria control programme will be launch by which state government of India?
[A]Punjab
[B]Karnataka
[C]Uttar Pradesh
[D]Odisha
Answer: Odisha
Notes:
The Odisha Government will launch a new malaria control programme “Durgama Anchalare Malaria Nirakaran (DAMAN)” for 5 years with a total spending of Rs. 120 crore. The programme will be implemented in 8,000 villages of all 79 blocks of eight high malaria endemic southern districts: Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangapur, Kalahandi, Rayagada, Gajapati, Nuapada and Kandhamal. This programme includes mass screening for malaria with treatment of positive cases along with intensified surveillance, mosquito control measures and regular health education activities throughout the year.
8. “Nock-Ten” typhoon has recently hit which country?
[A]Malaysia
[B]Philippines
[C]Indonesia
[D]Maldives
Answer: Philippines
Notes:
The powerful typhoon “Nock-Ten” has recently hit the coast near Catanduanes Island in Philippines with winds up to 140 km/ hour. The typhoon, locally known as Nina in the Philippines, damaged homes, uprooting trees and knocked down communications. The typhoon is expected to pass across the main island of Luzon, before heading into the South China Sea.
9. Which bollywood personality has been conferred honorary doctorate by the Maulana Azad National Urdu University?
[A]Aamir Khan
[B]Nawazuddin Siddiqui
[C]Shahrukh Khan
[D]Salman Khan
Answer: Shahrukh Khan
Notes:
Bollywood actor Shahrukh Khan has been conferred honorary doctorate at the 6th convocation of the Maulana Azad National Urdu University in Hyderabad for extraordinary contribution towards promotion of Urdu language and culture. Beside him, Rekhta Foundation founder Sanjiv Saraf has also conferred the ‘honorius causa’ (doctor of letters) at the convocation.
10. “Nagar Uday Abhiyan” has been launched by which state government of India?
[A]Chhattisgarh
[B]Madhya Pradesh
[C]Assam
[D]Himachal Pradesh
Answer: Madhya Pradesh
Notes:
The Madhya Pradesh government has recently launched “Nagar Uday Abhiyan” on December 25, 2016 in all 378 urban bodies in the state. The main aim of the Nagar Uday Abhiyan is to assess services provided to citizens and bring them at standard live, inform lower income class people residing in slums in urban areas about public welfare schemes and provide benefit of Antodaya, also inform them about works carried out for urban development and ensure contribution of citizens and other agencies in urban development schemes. The first phase will be held between December 25 and 28; the 2nd phase will be conducted between January 3 and 15 and the 3rd phase will take place between January 20 and February 5, 2017. .

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