GK & Current Affairs – November 7, 2015

1. Microsoft has selected which city for its pilot projects in Digital India initiative?
[A]Surat
[B]Kolkata
[C]Varanasi
[D]Allahabad
Answer: Varanasi
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella’s plans for the ambitious Digital India programme include an experimental technology pilot in Varanasi. The software giant has chosen the pilgrim town in Uttar Pradesh as the venue for a project to fund local entrepreneurs aiming to build devices that can overcome India’s bandwidth crunch.
2. Which of the following ministries has launched UDAY scheme?
[A]Ministry of Minority Affairs
[B]Ministry of Law and Justice
[C]Ministry of Power
[D]Ministry of Shipping
Answer: Ministry of Power
Recently, the Union Cabinet has given its approval for a new scheme of the Ministry of Power – Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojna (UDAY) for the financial turnaround and revival of Power Distribution companies (DISCOMs). The scheme empowers DISCOMs with the opportunity to break even in the next 2-3 years. The scheme aims at improving the operational efficiencies of DISCOMs, reduction of cost of power, reduction in interest cost of DISCOMs and enforcing financial discipline on DISCOMs through alignment with State finances.
3. Who among the following is current Chinese Vice President?
[A]Wang Yong
[B]Li Yuanchao
[C]Yang Jing
[D]Li Keqiang
Answer: Li Yuanchao
Recently, Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao visited India to sign two agreements including one in the field of water resources on sharing hydrological data on the Sutlej river. Li is the first Chinese Vice president to visit India in more than six decades.
4. Which country topped the 2015 Global Prosperity Index?
[A]Switzerland
[B]Norway
[C]Denmark
[D]Sweden
Answer: Norway
The annual Legatum Prosperity Index ranks 142 countries across eight categories: the Economy, Entrepreneurship & Opportunity, Governance, Education, Safety & Security, Personal Freedom, Health, and Social Capital. Norway ranked top in the recent list. Switzerland is ranked 2nd in the Index for the third year in a row. India ranked 99 position.
5. What is the minimum and maximum investment allowed under the Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme (SGBS) 2015?
[A]2 grams and 500 grams of physical gold
[B]5 grams and 400 grams of physical gold
[C]2grams and 400 grams of physical gold
[D]5 grams and 500 grams of physical gold
Answer: 2 grams and 500 grams of physical gold
Under the recently launched Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will issue Gold Bonds on behalf of the Government of India (GOI). The Bonds will be sold through banks and designated post offices. They will be denominated in multiples of gram(s) of gold with a basic unit of one gram. The Bonds will be of eight years tenor, with an exit option from the 5th year. The buyers of the bonds will not be allowed to purchase less than 2 grams-worth of bonds and not more than 500 grams-worth per person per financial year.
6. Which state has launched APJ Abdul Kalam Amrut Yojna?
[A]Madhya Pradesh
[B]Gujarat
[C]Tamil Nadu
[D]Maharashtra
Answer: Maharashtra
Maharashtra Government has approved APJ Abdul Kalam Amrut Yojna scheme to provide one full hot cooked nutritious food to pregnant, lactating women in the tribal areas. Anganwadis falling under Women and Child Welfare Department in 16 districts of states having tribal population will implement it. The scheme will replace the earlier ‘Take Home Ration‘ scheme which provided packets of sheera or upma to lactating or expectant mothers in tribal areas of state.
7. Indian origin Harjit Sajjan has been sworn in as Defence Minister of which country?
[A]Australia
[B]Mauritius
[C]Canada
[D]Singapore
Answer: Canada
Harjit Sajjan is Canadian Sikh who has sworn-in as Defence Minister of Canada. He is MP from Vancouver South and was decorated Lt Colonel in the Canadian Armed Forces. He was born in India and later moved with his family to Canada when he was 5 years-old. He had worked as Detective for the Gang Crime Unit and later joined Canadian military. He had served in numerous foreign deployments in Bosnia, Kandahar. He was bestowed with numerous military honours including Meritorious Service Medal (2013).
8. Which was the host country of recent ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting (ADMM)-Plus?
[A]Malaysia
[B]Indonesia
[C]Vietnam
[D]Singapore
Answer: Malaysia
The ADMM is a gathering of the defence ministers from the 10 Asean nations. The ADMM-Plus includes the ASEAN members along with eight dialogue partners — Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia and the US. Recently the ADMM-Plus was held in Malaysia.
9. Who is the author of the book titled – ‘Rebooting India: Realizing a Billion Aspirations’?
[A]Satyarth Joshi
[B]Nandan Nilekani
[C]Ratan Tata
[D]Vishal Sikka
Answer: Nandan Nilekani
‘Rebooting India: Realizing a Billion Aspirations’ is authored by Nandan Nilekani along with his UIDAI colleague Viral Shah. The book suggests for development of Voter ID database using the UIDAI.
10. Who has been nominated as life President of the Hockey India?
[A]Vidya Stokes
[B]Sharad Pawar
[C]Mukhal Roy
[D]Manpreeth Singh
Answer: Vidya Stokes
Vidya Stokes, former president of Hockey India has been nominated as life president of the federation. She has been nominated for the post in accordance to rule 5.14 of the Hockey India constitution. As per the Hockey India constitution, the life president will be honorary post and will not have any power and will be of an advisory nature. The life president will be an invitee to all the executive board and congress meetings.

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