GK & Current Affairs: October 5, 2016

1. What is the current repo rate, as per the recently released 4th bi-monthly monetary policy statement for the year 2016-17?
[A]6.00%
[B]6.50%
[C]6.25%
[D]6.75%
Answer: 6.25%
Notes:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has recently released its 4th bi-monthly monetary policy statement for the year 2016-17. As per the monetary policy statement, the policy repo rate under the Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF) has cut by 25 bps to 6.25 %, the reverse repo rate under the LAF stands adjusted to 5.75 % and the Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) rate and the Bank Rate to 6.75 % and also Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR) is at 20.75 %. The decision to cut interest rates is consistent with the aim of achieving a midterm inflation target of 4 % within a band of + or – 2 %. Though, the RBI has kept the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) of scheduled banks unchanged at 4.0 % of Net Demand and Time Liabilities (NDTL). It is first time that the newly constituted Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has made India’s first collective interest rate decision. The next monetary policy review will be announced on December 7, 2016.
2. What is the theme of 2016 World Space Week (WSW)?
[A]Space for Education
[B]Exploring the Universe
[C]50 Years in Space
[D]Remote Sensing: Enabling our Future
Answer: Remote Sensing: Enabling our Future
Notes:
The World Space Week (WSW) is an annual event i.e. observed from 4-10 October every year in various parts of the world including Europe and Asia. It is officially defined as an international celebration of science and technology and their contribution to the betterment of the human condition. The 2016 theme is “Remote Sensing: Enabling our Future”, which celebrates Earth observation from space for the betterment of the human race.
3. Who has become brand ambassador of Kerala’s ‘Haritha Keralam’ project?
[A]Jency Anthony
[B]K J Yesudas
[C]A R Rahman
[D]Vijay Prakash
Answer: K J Yesudas
Notes:
Dr. K J Yesudas, the veteran Carnatic vocalist and playback singer, has become brand ambassador of Haritha Keralam (Green Kerala) project of the Kerala government. The project is a massive initiative envisaged for a garbage-free and clean state.
4. Which union minister has launched the Indian Bridge Management System (IBMS) in New Delhi?
[A]Nitin Gadkari
[B]Rajnath Singh
[C]Kalraj Mishra
[D]Anant Geete
Answer: Nitin Gadkari
Notes:
Nitin Jairam Gadkari, the Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, has recently launched the Indian Bridge Management System (IBMS) in New Delhi to ensure proper and timely upkeep of bridges. IBMS is developed to create an inventory of all bridges in the country and rate their structural condition so that timely repair and rehabilitation work can be carried out based on the criticality of the structure. IBMS is the largest platform in the world owned by a single owner, with database that could exceed 1,50,000 bridge structures.
5. Who will be the first female President of Estonia?
[A]Mart Helme
[B]Kersti Kaljulaid
[C]Eiki Nestor
[D]Marina Kaljurand
Answer: Kersti Kaljulaid
Notes:
Kersti Kaljulaid, a former member of the European Court of Auditors, has been elected as the President of Estonia by the parliament. With this, she will be the first female president of the Baltic country Estonia. She will succeed the current President Toomas Hendrik Ilves who is stepping down next week after two five-year terms in the ceremonial post.
6. Which bank has became the first domestic bank of India to open a branch in Yangon, Myanmar?
[A]Punjab National Bank
[B]State Bank of India
[C]Bank of Baroda
[D]Dena Bank
Answer: State Bank of India
Notes:
The State Bank of India (SBI) has become the first domestic bank of India to open a branch in the capital city of Yangon, Myanmar. Ghanshyam Srivastava has been appointed as the chief executive of SBI Yangon branch. The Yangon branch is the 54th foreign branch of SBI, which has extended the global presence of SBI in 37 countries through 198 offices.
7. Which committee has been constituted to examine causes of vacant seats in IITs, NITs?
[A]Pradeep Mathur committee
[B]Partha Pratim Chakraborty committee
[C]Devang Khakhar committee
[D]Pradipta Banerji committee
Answer: Partha Pratim Chakraborty committee
Notes:
The Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) has constituted a 3-member committee headed by IIT-Kharagpur Director Partha Pratim Chakraborty to suggest ways to reduce the number of seats falling vacant at IITs and NITs every year. The move comes in the wake of almost 3,000 seats falling vacant in 2016 despite six rounds of joint counselling for the IITs, NITs and centrally funded technical institutions.The committee has been asked to consider a number of options, including looking at whether scrapping of fee refund in case a candidate does not join the institute, would help improve the situation. It will submit its report within 3 weeks.
8. Who has been awarded the 2016 John F. Richards Prize?
[A]Farina Mir
[B]Nayanjot Lahiri
[C]Sunil Amrith
[D]Azfar Moin
Answer: Nayanjot Lahiri
Notes:
Prof. Nayanjot Lahiri has been awarded the 2016 John F. Richards Prize for her book “Ashoka in Ancient India”. The book has been critically acclaimed for its riveting account of charismatic emperor Ashoka who spoke to his people through his edicts, his victories and loss that left a legacy that surpassed him. Lahiri is a professor of History at the Ashoka University in Haryana. The John F. Richards Prize is awarded annually by the American Historical Association (AHA) to the best book in South Asian history published in English. The prize will be awarded at the Association’s 131st Annual Meeting in January, 2017.
9. The book “Modi’s Midas Touch in Foreign Policy” has been authored by whom?
[A]Richard Eaton
[B]Tarun Vijay
[C]Surendra Kumar
[D]Mahendra Jogi
Answer: Surendra Kumar
Notes:
The book “Modi’s Midas Touch in Foreign Policy” has been authored by former Ambassador Surendra Kumar. The book has recently launched by M. Venkaiah Naidu, the Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, in New Delhi. The book outlines the progress and the fast imprint on the conduct of India’s Foreign Policy by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the last two and a half years. It maps the different policy initiatives focusing on the vision of developing India into a strong economically developed nation.
10. What is the theme of 2016 World Teachers’ Day (WTD)?
[A]Valuing Teachers, Improving their Status
[B]Empowering teachers, building sustainable societies
[C]Invest in the future, invest in teachers!
[D]A Call for Teachers
Answer: Valuing Teachers, Improving their Status
Notes:
The World Teachers’ Day (WTD) is observed every year on October 5 to mobilize support for teachers and to ensure that the needs of future generations will continue to be met by teachers. The 2016 theme is “Valuing Teachers, Improving their Status”. .

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