GK & Current Affairs – December 7, 2015

1. On which date, the Armed Forces Flag Day is observed?
[A]December 2
[B]December 5
[C]December 7
[D]December 10
Answer: December 7
The Armed Forces Flag Day is observed on December 7 annually. It is observed to make people realize it is as much their responsibility as the government’s to take care of the families and dependents of the armed forces personnel staying away from them to fight for the country. Former Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru on December 7, 1954 said that a way to indicate the appreciation of armed forces serving our country is by contributing to the Flag Day Fund. Along with collecting funds from Indians for the welfare of the Indian armed forces personnel, it is a day to honour the soldiers, airmen and sailors of India.
2. Which of the following railway zones of India has introduced biodiesel for trains, operating under its zone?
[A]Central Railways
[B]East Coast Railways
[C]East Central Railways
[D]South Western Railways
Answer: South Western Railways
The South Western Railways (SWR) Zone with headquarters in Hubli, Karnataka has introduced biodiesel for trains, operating under its zone. Recently, the SWR’s first train Hubballi- Bengaluru Janshatabdi Express powered by five per cent biodiesel blended with High Speed Diesel was flagged off from Hubli. The main aim of the initiative is to reduce greenhouse gases (GHGs) emission and carbon footprint and also to make fuel consumption more efficient. To meet its biodiesel demand, SWR zone has set up Biodiesel filling centres at Hubli, Bengaluru and Hospet. In next one year all the 13 railway depots within the zone will have their own filling units and the biodiesel blending will be gradually increased to ten percent.
3. Which country is the top source of foreign direct investment (FDI) into India in the first half of 2015-16 fiscal year?
[A]Mauritius
[B]Singapore
[C]Japan
[D]United Kingdom
Answer: Singapore
Singapore has replaced Mauritius as the top source of foreign direct investment (FDI) into India during the first half of the current fiscal year 2015-16. It was unveiled by the data during April to September 2015 period released by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP). India has attracted 6.69 billion dollars FDI from Singapore while it received 3.66 billion dollars from Mauritius. Overall, Singapore accounts for 15 per cent of the total inbound FDI received by India during April 2000 and September 2015. However, Mauritius accounted for 34 per cent of FDI during the same period.
4. Who of the following would be honoured with 2015 Person of the Year award by London-based Asian Lite newspaper?
[A]Janaky Athi Nahappan
[B]Abdool Razack Mohamed
[C]K T Mohammed Rabeeh Rabeeulla
[D]Kantilal Jivan
Answer: K T Mohammed Rabeeh Rabeeulla
London-based Asian Lite newspaper has announced it would confer its 2015 Person of the Year honour on Jeddah-based NRI businessman K.T. Mohammed Rabeeh Rabeeulla. He is the managing director of Shifa Al Jazeera Medical Group. The jury panel said Rabeeullah is setting an example for the business leaders to help their communities and his philanthropic activities in the remote areas of Thailand are highly commendable. The award will be presented in London on April 23, 2016. Rabeeullah is also the winner of 2013 Pravasi Bharatiya Award, the highest honour for the members of Indian diaspora.
5. Which of the following companies has launched SME Council in India to help small businesses?
[A]Flipkart
[B]Snapdeal
[C]Facebook
[D]Google India
Answer: Facebook
Recently, Facebook has set up a SME Council in India to help small ventures from various industries share feedback and discuss ideas around leveraging technology to grow their enterprise. This is the second SME Council set up by Facebook globally, the first one being in the US. Presently, more than 45 million small businesses actively use Facebook Pages to connect to their consumers.
6. Which of the following countries has won the 2014-15 Men’s Hockey World League?
[A]India
[B]Australia
[C]Belgium
[D]Argentina
Answer: Australia
Australia has won the 2014-15 Men’s Hockey World League Final by defeating Belgium. In the final match played at Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel Stadium, Raipur, Australian team defeated Belgium by 2-1 goals. India was placed at third place in this league after defeating world number two and defending champions Netherlands by 3-2 goals in the penalty shoot-out.
7. Which of the following state governments has decided to celebrate ‘Gita Jayanti Mahotsava’ throughout the state?
[A]Punjab
[B]Haryana
[C]Gujarat
[D]Maharashtra
Answer: Haryana
The Haryana Government has decided to celebrate “Gita Jayanti Mahotsava” throughout the state from December 19 to 21, 2015. To organise the festival, a district level celebration committee has been constituted under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioners. A sum of Rs.10 lakh would be provided to each district by the Information, Public Relations and Culture Affairs department for setting up of exhibition, tentage, craft work, boarding and lodging of artist, refreshment and other related miscellaneous expenses.
8. Which of the following states is the first to join the UDAY scheme of union government?
[A]Jharkhand
[B]Rajasthan
[C]Tamil Nadu
[D]Andhra Pradesh
Answer: Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh (AP) has become the first Indian state to join the Centre’s UDAY (Ujwal Discom Assurance Yojana) scheme for revival of debt stressed power distribution companies. The scheme has been launched by Union Government to improve financial and operational efficiencies of power distribution companies. It envisages to reduce interest burden, cost of power and AT&C losses. The scheme is optional and operationalised through signing of MoU between state governments, state discoms and Centre. After Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand state also has joined the scheme.
9. Which of the following Indian states has been featured in the Atlas Choices’ 10 of the Best Winter Sun Locations of the World?
[A]Jammu and Kashmir
[B]Goa
[C]Himachal Pradesh
[D]Uttarakhand
Answer: Goa
Recently, Goa has been listed in the top 10 Best Winter Locations of the World by the international agency “Atlas Choices”. The other tourist destinations that are included in the list are Cape Town, Melbourne, Barbados, Miami, Saint Kitts, Punta Cana, Santiago, Tenerife and Boracay Island. The Atlas Choice is an international car booking agency with extensive knowledge in tourist spots. Beside this, Goa is also in the list of the ‘Most Popular Domestic Destination this Winter’ by Winter Vacation Value Report released by Trip Advisor.
10. According to the latest Indian State of Forest Report (ISFR 2015), what per cent of the total geographical area is covered by forest in India?
[A]20.36%
[B]21.34%
[C]23.28%
[D]24.16%
Answer: 21.34%
According to the recently released India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2015, the total forest cover of the country has increased by 3, 775 sq km, the tree cover has gone up by 1, 306 sq km. The total forest and tree cover is 24.16% of the total geographical area whereas only forest cover is 21.34% of the country’s geographical area. The total carbon stock in the country’ s forest is estimated to be 7044 million tonnes, an increase of 103 million tonnes.

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