a. Universal Commodity Exchange
b. Agri bourse NCDEX
c. Intercontinental Exchange
d. National Spot Exchange Limited
Answer: (a)
2. Which company on 27 Deember 2011 mentioned that it would acquire the remaining 51 per cent stake from BP Alternative Energy Holdings in the joint venture that it formed with BP?
a. Reliance Power
b. Tata Power
c. Adani Power Limited
d. ABB Ltd
Answer: (b)
3. Which paharmaceutical company announced in December 2011 the launch of Supamovecream used for treating pain and inflammation in India?
a. Cipla
b. Ranbaxy
c. Dr. Reddy’s
d. Sun Pharmaceuticals
Answer: (c)
4. Name the state-run Mumbai-headquartered bank which on 29 December 2011 surprised the market by cutting its base rate, the minimum lending rate, by 10 basis points, thereby becoming the first banker this year to do so when others are waiting for a signal from the central bank.
a. State Bank of India
b. Union Bank
c. United Bank of India
d. Allahabad Bank
Answer: (b)
5. The $35-billion Aditya Birla group plans to set up a viscose staple fibre (VSF) plant in the Adana Organised Industrial Zone in which of the following countries?
a. Tunisia
b. Tanzania
c. Turkey
d. Tibet
Answer: (c)
6. Reserve Bank of India deregulated non-resident external (NRE) deposits on 16 December 2011 allowing banks to offer higher interest rates to dollar-denominated accounts. Which of the following facts related to the above statement is/are not true?
2. Reserve Bank freed the rates on non-resident external accounts, offering interest as high as 9.6% per annum
3. Following RBI’s deregulation five Indian banks, including HDFC Bank and Yes Bank on 23 December 2011 raised their interest rates on such deposits in order to lure foreign money
4. Private lender Yes Bank increased the interest rates on fixed deposits held by non-resident Indians (NRIs) to 8.4 per cent from 3.82 per cent
5. The new rates are effective from 24 December for fresh deposits as well as those being renewed on maturity.
a. 1 & 2
b. Only4
c. Only 3
d. 1 & 4
Answer: (c)
7. According to the RBI data, India's foreign exchange reserves fell by what amount to $302.1 billion during the week ended 16 December 2011 on account of a fall in foreign currency assets?
a. $4.67 billion
b. $3.33 billion
c. $5 billion
d. $5.75 billion
Answer: (a)
8. According to the Tea Board data released in December 2011, tea imports declined by what per cent to 9.91 million kg in the April-October period of 2011?
a. 10%
b. 12.5%
c. 14%
d. 15.3%
Answer: (c)
9. Infrastructure sector recorded a growth of what per cent in Novemberr 2011 after touching five-year low of 0.3% in October 2011 due to an impressive growth in cement, electricity and refinery products?
a. 2.3%
b. 3.9%
c. 4.6%
d. 6.8%
Answer: (d)
10. Telecom Commission, the decision-making body of the Department of Telecommunications recommended a uniform licence fee of what per cent of adjusted gross revenues (AGR) as against the prevalent rate of 6-8 per cent?
a. 10%
b. 8%
c. 5.2%
d. 9.3%
Answer: (b)
11. Theatre director, screenplay writer and actor Satyadev Dubey, credited with introducing existential and absurd theatre, passed away on 25 December 2011. Which facts about the concerned person is/are not true?
2. he got attracted to the post-1947 theatre and joined Theatre Unit, the theatre group-cum-school founded by Ebrahim Alkazi
3. Dubey came into prominence with Dharamvir Bharati’s radio-play Andha Yug that brought to the fore the pervasive criminal and homicidal tendencies during the times of war.
4. He penned screenplays/dialogue of some acclaimed films in the 1970s, including Shyam Benegal's Nishant, Ankur, Kalyug and Bhumika
5. He won the Filmfare Award for Best Dialogue in 1980 for the film Ankur
a. Only 1
b. Only4
c. 2 & 3
d. Only 2
Answer: (b)
12. Identify the veteran politician and former Chief Minister of Karnataka with the help of the following clues.
1. He was the Chief Minister of Karnataka from 1990-92 and died on 26 December 2011
2. The three time Lok Sabha member represented Bellary constituency
3. He was on the national political stage as a Lok Sabha member for three terms in 1996, 1999 and 2003.
4. He was instrumental in holding the first Indian international film festival in Bengaluru in 1993
a. H. D. Kumaraswamy
b. J. H. Patel
c. S. M. Krishna
d. S.Bangarappa
Answer: (d)
13. India’s infant mortality rate (IMR) showed a 3 point decline, dropping to what number per 1,000 live births, as per government data released on 28 December 2011?
a. 43
b. 55
c. 47
d. 50
Answer: (c)
14. Maharashtra government planned to provide free medicare for poor families. Consider the following statements:
i) The plan will benefit 50 lakh families.
ii) The plan will cover eight districts in state.
Choose the right option:
a) Both i and ii are correct.
b) Only i is correct.
c) Only ii is correct.
d) Neither i nor ii is correct.
Answer: (a) Both i and ii are correct
15. Lok Sabha on 27 December 2011 passed the Lokpal and Lokayukta bill, 2011. Consider the following statements:
i) The setting up of Lokayuktas by the states would not be mandatory.
ii) The constitutional amendment bill fell through.
Choose the right option:
a) Both i and ii are correct.
b) Only i is correct.
c) Only ii is correct.
d) Neither i nor ii is correct.
Answer: (a) Both i and ii are correct
16. Name the Mumbai skipper who on 22 December 2011 overtook former teammate as the highest run-getter in Ranji Trophy by scoring a total of 8242 runs.
a. Wasim Jaffer
b. Amol Muzumdar
c. Amarjeet Kaypee
d. Pankaj Dharmani
Answer: (a)
17. Who won his first Men’s Singles title of 2011 at the 2011 $120,000 Syed Modi India Open Grand Prix Gold badminton championship?
a. Sourabh Verma
b. Taufik Hidayat
c. Anup Sridhar
d. Hendra Setiawan
Answer: (b)
18. Which team won both the men's & women’s title in the 10th All-India Invitational volleyball tournament for the Vajpayee Cup?
a. Andhra Pradesh
b. Punjab
c. Kerala
d. Southern Railway
Answer: (c)
19. Identify the Indian footballer with the help of the following clues.
1. This Indian football team defender announced his retirement from international football on 26 December 2011
2. He captained the Indian team in one match (against Malaysia) in November 2011
3. He had scored one goal against Bhutan in SAFF Cup in 2005
4. He was part of the Indian teams which won SAFF Cup (2005), Nehru Cup (2007 and 2009), AFC Challenge Cup (2008) apart from the recent SAFF championship
a. Arnab Mondal
b. Gurwinder Singh
c. Anas Edathodika
d. Mahesh Gawli
Answer: (d)
20. The Indian team finished at the fourth position in the World Women's Team Chess Championship at Mardin,Turkey on 27 December 2011. Which team won gold and emerged at the top in the competition?
a. Ukraine
b. Russia
c. China
d. Greece
Answer: (c)
21. Name the Cyclone, which hit the coast of Chennai and south-eastern coastal areas.
a) Thane
b) Nargis
c) Rita
d) Katrina
Answer: (a) Thane
22. Name the gene, which controls memory in human brain.
a) Npas4
b) Npas3
c) Mpas4
d) Npas2
Answer: (a) Npas4
23. WGEEP designated entire Western Ghats as an ecologically sensitive area. What is the full form of WGEEP?
a) Western Ghats expert panel
b) Western Ghats environmental panel
c) Western Ghats environmental expert panel
d) Western Ghats ecology expert panel
Answer: (d) Western Ghats ecology expert panel
24. China launched a High-Speed Bullet Train in Quingdao, Shandong. Consider the following statements:
i) Its speed can reach up to 500 kilometres per hour.
ii) The train was launched by China’s largest rail vehicle maker, CSR Corp. Ltd.
Choose the right option:
a) Both i and ii are correct.
b) Only i is correct.
c) Only ii is correct.
d) Neither i nor ii is correct.
Answer: (a) Both i and ii are correct
25. Scientists discovered a Way to Transform Ordinary Tissue into Heart Muscle Cells. Consider the following statements:
i) It could pave the way for new therapeutic approaches for making a damaged heart to repair itself.
ii) Scientists used a zebrafish system to develop a small and robust molecule, which can transform stem cells into beating heart muscle cells.
Choose the right option:
a) Both i and ii are correct.
b) Only i is correct.
c) Only ii is correct.
d) Neither i nor ii is correct.
Answer: (a) Both i and ii are correct
26. People’s national party recently won Parliamentary elections in Jamaica. What is the capital of Jamaica?
a) New Delhi
b) Kingston
c) Paris
d) London
Answer: (b) Kingston
27. India and Pakistan concluded their sixth round of talks in__ on 27 December 2011.
a) Islamabad
b) New Delhi
c) London
d) Paris
Answer: (a) Islamabad
28. USA and Saudi Arabia inked an agreement worth__ US dollars.
a) 29.4 billion
b) 20 billion
c) 25 billion
d) 23 billion
Answer: (a) 29.4 billion US dollars
29. India approved the acquisition of French advanced missile systems to arm the Mirage-2000 fighter jets. Consider the following statements:
i) The cabinet committee on Security cleared the contract for the fire and forget MICA with French company MBDA.
ii) MICA are interception and aerial combat missiles.
Choose the right option:
a) Both i and ii are correct.
b) Only i is correct.
c) Only ii is correct.
d) Neither i nor ii is correct.
Answer: (a) Both i and ii are correct
30. The Union government approved Katra-Quazigund Railway line project. The project is located in__.
a) Jammu and Kashmir
b) Bihar
c) Punjab
d) Haryana
Answer: (a) Jammu and Kashmir
31. India became free from bird flu,__.
a) H5N1
b) H4N1
c) H5N2
d) H3N3
Answer: (a) H5N1
32. Which PSU announced on 2 January 2012 that its board approved in a meeting held on 30 December 2011 the switching over to internationally-accepted Gross Caloric Value-based pricing mechanism?
a. BHEL
b. ISPAT
c. CIL
d. IOC
Answer: (c)
33. Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) entered the media and entertainment sector by making a major investment in one of India’s largest broadcast companies. Name the broadcast company.
a. Network18 Group
b. Adlabs Films
c. Balaji Telefilms
d. Bag Films
Answer: (a)
34. Credit Suisse upgraded which company to neutral from underperform, citing valuation comfort at current?
a. Essar Energy
b. Reliance Power
c. Bajaj Auto
d. Tata Steel
Answer: (d)
35. Which PSU lender called off its plans to set up a joint venture with Visa Inc and Elavon Inc to enter the merchant acquiring business over differences on sharing technology?
a. Union Bank
b. State Bank of India
c. Syndicate Bank
d. Corp Bank
Answer: (b)
36. This company acquired Star more than 500 films like blockbusters like Salman Khan's Dabangg, Ready, Golmaal 3, Tees Maar Khan, Thank You, No One Killed Jessica, Guzaarish, Kites and Raavan from a general entertainment channel owned by the Viacom 18 Group?
a. Sony
b. UTV movies
c. Colors
d. Sab TV
Answer: (c)
37. Union government raised the ad valorem duty (export duty) on iron ore exports to what per cent from 20 per cent?
a. 30%
b. 33%
c. 41%
d. 43%
Answer: (a)
38. As per the to Commerce Ministry data released on 2 January 2012, India’s exports recorded their slowest pace of growth in two years in November 2011. What was the per centage of growth recorded?
a. 4.2%
b. 3.8%
c. 2.2%
d. 0.94%
Answer: (b)
39. Union government on 3 January 2012 approved Reliance Industries' (RIL) investment plan for developing four satellite fields in the flagging KG-D6 block. What was the proposed sum to be invested for developing the satellites?
a. $1.500 billion
b. $1.692 billion
c. $1.529 billion
d. $1.375 billion
Answer: (c)
40. The capital market regulator SEBI on 3 January 2012 allowed auctioning of securities through stock exchanges and introduced a new method for institutional placement of stocks. Which of the following facts related to the above statement is/are not true?
1. Under the institutional placement programme (IPP), shares can be sold only to qualified institutional buyers.
2. There shall be at least 25 allottees in every IPP issuance. No single investor shall receive allotment for more than 25% of the offer size
3. The IPP method can be used to increase public holding by 10% and could be offered to only qualified institutional buyers with 25% being reserved for mutual funds and insurance companies
4. Under the IPP, companies will have to announce the ratio of buy-back, as is done in the case of rights issues and fix a record date for determination of entitlements as per shareholding on record date
a. Only 1
b. Only 3
c. Only 2
d. Only 4
Answer: (c)
41. What is the Finace Ministry’s decision on the rates applicable on small savings instruments schemes that would be announced on April 1 each year?
a. rate would remain valid till the maturity of the scheme
b. rate would change in the first qurter of that respective year
c. rates would change depending on different maturity period
d. rates would remainvalid for six months post the maturity
Answer: (a)
42. Scientists for the first time produced mixed embryo monkeys. Consider the following statements:
i) Scientists produced monkeys composed of cells taken from separate embryos.
ii) The cells stay together and work together to form tissues and organs.
Choose the right option:
a) Both i and ii are correct.
b) Only i is correct.
c) Only ii is correct.
d) Neither i nor ii is correct.
Answer: (a) Both i and ii are correct
43. Scientists discovered unknown species off the coast of Antarctica. Consider the following statements: i) The temperature in this region rises to 380 degree Celsius. Ii) There is plenty of light in this region.
Which of the above statements is/ are correct?
a) Only i
b) Only ii
c) Both i and ii
d) Neither i nor ii
Answer: (a) Only i; There is complete absence of light in this region
44. The world’s first hybrid sharks was discovered by the researchers in Australian waters. The hybrid shark is the result of cross-breeding between which one of the following set of shark species?
a) Common black tip Shark and Australian black-tip shark
b) Indian black-tip Shark and Australian black-tip Shark
c) Blue Whale and Common black-tip Shark
d) Blue Whale and Australian black-tip Shark
Answer: (a) Common black-tip Shark and Australian black-tip Shark
45. Scientists produced artificial human semen to help infertile men. Consider the following statements: i) The scientists grew the sperm by enveloping the germ cells in a special compound called agar jelly. ii) The artificial human semen could help infertile men father their own children.
Choose the right option:
a) Both i and ii are correct.
b) Only i is correct.
c) Only ii is correct.
d) Neither i nor ii is correct.
Answer: (a) Both i and ii are correct
46. Health Authorities in Australia recently detected Deadly Disease, Murray Valley Encephalitis. The disease is caused by the__.
a) Flies
b) Mosquitoes
c) Birds
d) Dogs
Answer: (a) Mosquitoes
47. Kiro Gligorov, the former president of Macedonia died in Skopje on 1 January 2012. Which facts about Gligorov given below are not true?
2. Gligorov was the first democratically elected president of Macedonia.
3. He joined the partisan movement fighting against the Nazi occupation and was one of the organizers of the Anti-Fascist Assembly for the People’s Liberation of Macedonia, or ASNOM in 1945
4. Gligorov served four consecutive presidential terms, leading the nation from January 1991 to November 2009
5. The early days his presidency were overshadowed by a bitter dispute with Greece over the newly independent nation’s name , the dispute that continues till date
a. Only 1
b. 1 & 2
c. Only 3
d. 2 & 4
Answer: (c)
48. Who was presented the Mahatma Gandhi International Award for Peace and Reconciliation on 4 January 2011, the fourth day of the ten-day Kalachakra initiations?
a. Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama
b. South African leader Nelson Mandela
c. Tanzania’s Julius Nyerere
d. Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi
Answer: (c)
49. European Union agreed in principle to ban import of Iranian Crude oil. Consider the following statements:
i) The European Union( EU) is one of Iran’s biggest markets for oil.
ii) The EU is a political and economical union of 27 member states.
Choose the right option:
a) Both i and ii are correct.
b) Only i is correct.
c) Only ii is correct.
d) Neither i nor ii is correct.
Answer: (a) Both i and ii are correct
50. The Israel-Palestine talks, in the first week of January 2012 was held in Amman. Amman is the capital of__
a) Jordan
b) Syria
c) Iraq
d) Iran
Answer: (a) Jordan
51. Maldives on 4 January 2012 lifted ban on Spas in the upmarket tourist destination. Consider the following statements:
i) The tourism industry is an important foreign exchange earner in the Maldives.
ii) Maldives in 2011 received more than 850000 tourists.
Choose the right option:
a) Both i and ii are correct.
b) Only i is correct.
c) Only ii is correct.
d) Neither i nor ii is correct.
Answer: (a) Both i and ii are correct
56. India signed MoU( Memorandum of Understanding) on tourism with ASEAN on 12 January 2012. The agreement took place in__.
a) Manado
b) Jakarta
c) Malaysia
d) Manila
Answer: (a) Manado
57. Pravasi Bhartiya Divas-2012 was held in Jaipur. Jaipur is the capital of which one of the following states?
a) Rajasthan
b) Bihar
c) UP
d) Bihar
Answer: (a) Rajasthan
58. India and Japan on 12 January 2012 agreed to enhance their cooperation in the ___sector.
a) Infrastructure
b) Tourism
c) Road and Transport
d) Coal and Mining
Answer: (a) Infrastructure
59. Newly crowned Miss Belgium 2012, Laura Beyne mentioned that she mostly supports gay marriages. In which year did Belgium become the second country after the Netherlands to legalize gay marriage?
a. 2000
b. 2003
c. 2005
d. 2009
Answer: (b)
60. TIE Chennai (The Indus Entrepreneurs), dedicated to promote entrepreneurship in January 2012 launched a book Dream to destiny — the driving spirit of Chennai's entrepreneurs in January 2012. TiE Chennai is a _.
a. Non-profit organisation
b. Committee of Entrepreneurs
c. Multinational organisation
d. Entrepreneur arm of the Commerce Ministry
Answer: (a)
61. State-run Northern Coalfields (NCL) agreed to surrender land required to mine two blocks attached to the Sasan ultra mega power plant to which of the following companies giving the comapany the benefit of over Rs 6000 crore over the life of the venture?
a. Reliance Power
b. Adani Power
c. Birla Power Solutions
d. DLF Power
Answer: (a)
62. Which car took home the crown of Indian Car Of The Year 2012 in January 2012?
a. Toyota Etios Liva
b. Maruti Suzuki Swift
c. Hyundai Verna
d. Hyundai Eon
Answer: (b)
63. B. D. Park was appointed the President and CEO of this electronic major’s South West Asia Operations and Managing Director of its India operations. Which electronic major is in question here?
a. Phillips
b. Videocon
c. Samsung
d. LG
Answer: (c)
64. Maldives authorities allowed Male International Airport operator to collect airport development and insurance charges from passengers, nearly a month after a local court barred the Bangalore-based company from doing so. Name the operator.
a. GMR Infrastructure
b. International Air Transport Association (IATA)
c. Fraport AG
d. DIAL
Answer: (a)
65. Which French construction major entered the Indian market by buying out 100 per cent stake in NAPC, a Chennai-based construction company?
a. Sinopec Engineering
b. Uhde
c. Vinci
d. Snamprogetti
Answer: (c)
66. 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?
a. Karnataka
b. Kerala
c. Tamil Nadu
d. Andhra Pradesh
Answer: (b)
67. Which team defeated Uttarakhand 25-22, 25-22, 25-13 in the men’s category to win the National title for the fourth time, in the 60th senior National volleyball championship, at the Balbir Juneja Indoor Stadium, Raipur on 11 January 2012?
a. Kerala
b. Andhra Pradesh
c. West Bengal
d. Tamil nadu
Answer: (a)
68. Which team extended their hegemony by defeating Kerala 25-12, 25-14, 25-16 in a one-sided final in the women’s category at the 60th senior National volleyball championship?
a. Punjab
b. Services
c. Railways
d. Delhi
Answer: (c)
69. 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 for the world's outstanding footballer. Identify the footballer.
a. Cristiano Ronaldo
b. Xavi
c. Sergio Ramos
d. Lionel Messi
Answer: (d)
70. Foreign direct investment (FDI) into India went up by what per cent to $2.53 billion in November 2011, indicating an improvement in investor sentiment?
a. 56%
b. 49%
c. 33%
d. 26%
Answer: (a)
71. As per the Forward Markets Commission data released on 9 January 2012 that the turnover of the 21 commodity exchanges in India increased by 66% to what amount till December 2011?
a. Rs 123 lakh crore
b. Rs 137.22 lakh crore
c. Rs 100.57 lakh crore
d. Rs 93 lakh crore
Answer: (b)
72. Indirect tax collections increased by what per cent to Rs 285787 crore during April-December 2011 driven by an increase in service tax mop-up?
a. 15%
b. 14.56%
c. 16.1%
d. 16.33%
Answer: (c)
73. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) notified that the Commerce Ministry on on 11 January 2012 lowered the minimum export price of onions by $100 a tonne to boost exports. What is the changed minimum export price of onion?
a. $200 a tonne
b. $250 a tonne
c. $300 a tonne
d. $150 a tonne
Answer: (d)
74. Prime Minister's Office on 11 January 2012 directed cash-rich public sector undertakings (PSUs) to invest around Rs.1.76 lakh crore to act as a stimulus in the next fiscal 2012-13. What is the amount to be invested domestically?
a. Rs.1.41 lakh crore
b. Rs 1.57 lakh crore
c. Rs 2.50 lakh crore
d. Rs 3.19 lakh crore
Answer: (a)
75. He was conferred with the first S K Singh Award for excellence in the Indian Foreign Service on 6 January 2012. Identify the diplomat.
a. Ranjan Mathai
b. Shivshankar Menon
c. D Bala Venkatesh Verma
d. K. Raghunath
Answer: (c)
76. Which Ministry prepared draft policy seeking to increase private participation and opens the doors for foreign direct investors for expanding its network?
a. Railways Ministry
b. Ministry of Rural Development
c. Ministry of Commerce and Industry
d. Defence Ministry
Answer: (a)
77. 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.
a. Infosys Prize
b. India Science Prize
c. Rolls-Royce Science Prize
d. Young Scientist Award
Answer: (a)
78. Which one of the following state governments launched Panch Parmeshwar scheme?
a) Madhya Pradesh
b) Bihar
c) UP
d) Kerala
Answer: (a) Madhya Pradesh
79. The Cabinet Committee on Security approved the setting up of NCTC. What is the full form of NCTC?
a) National Counter Terrorism Centre
b) National Trade Cooperation
c) National Central Terrorism Centre
d) National Council for Trade Cooperation
Answer: (a) National Counter Terrorism Centre
80. Which of the following companies infused Rs 520 crore equity into BSES Delhi distribution companies as part of Rs 5,100 crore financial package being worked by IDBI
a. NTPC
b. RIL
c. Adani Power Ltd
d. Birla Group
Answer: (b)
81. Suzlon Energy signed a memorandum of understanding with this State Government as a part of the CII's Partnership Summit that concluded on 13 January 2012. As per the MoU, Suzlon Energy will develop wind power projects totalling 3,000 MW in Andhra Pradesh over the next four years, involving potential investment of up to Rs.18,000 crore. Name the state government with which the MoU was signed.
a. Andhra Pradesh government
b. Gujarat governemnt
c. Orissa government
d. Arunachal Pradesh government
Answer: (a)
82. Name the auto making company which launched three new variants of the Eon-D — Lite plus, Era plus and Magna plus in the Indian market in January 2012.
a. Tata Motors
b. Hyundai Motor India
c. Volkswagen
d. Maruti Suzuki
Answer: (b)
83. The Government of which of the following countries acquired 1.09 per cent stake, currently worth about Rs.2500 crore, in Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries Ltd. (RIL), the company's latest shareholding data show?
a. Malaysia
b. Japan
c. Phillipines
d. Singapore
Answer: (d)
84. Which Photography Pioneer filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on 19 January 2012 making it likely for the 132-year-old trailblazer to become the most storied casualty of a digital age?
a. Eastman Kodak Company
b. Fuji
c. Nikon
d. Canon
Answer: (a)
85. Which company retained its top position in Interbrand's list of the top 100 global brands in 2011?
a. Apple
b. Coca cola
c. Microsoft
d. Google
Answer: (b)
86. As per the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) data, industrial production bounced back with a growth of what per cent in November 2011, marking a five-month high in a reversal from the negative trend witnessed in October 2011?
a. 5.9%
b. 6.5%
c. 7%
d. 8.2%
Answer: (a)
87. 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?
a. 3 years
b. 5 years
c. 10 years
d. 12 years
Answer: (b)
88. Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 13 January 2012 issued guidelines on compensation of wholetime 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 destabilising the institution.
2. The guiderlines include provisions to clawback 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
a. Only 2
b. Only 4
c. Only 3
d. 2 & 4
Answer: (c)
89. Which of the following bodies unveiled rules for direct investment in stocks by foreign investors, including individuals to put curbs on opaque structures to prevent routing of funds by resident Indians?
a. IRDA
b. FICCI
c. CCI
d. SEBI
Answer: (d)
90. As per the Wholesale Price Index, published by the government on 16 January 2012, Reduced food prices caused the inflation to dip to a year low at what per cent in December 2011?
a. 7.47%
b. 7.65%
c. 6.33%
d. 5.41%
Answer: (a)
91. Scientists identified a new gene in maize plants called__.
a) Meg1
b) Meg2
c) Meg3
d) Meg4
Answer: (a) Meg1
92. Researchers discovered new earthworm species in Port Blair. What is the name of the new species?
a) Moniligaster ivaniosi
b) Annelida
c) Nematoda
d) Onychophora
Answer: (a): Moniligaster ivaniosi
93. Scientists recently developed a new wireless device to detect the presence of termites. Consider the following statements: i) when the new device detects the presence of termites, it sends an SMS or email to a pest control firm. ii) The device is made of a tiny sensor, even smaller than a fingernail.
Choose the right option:
a) Both i and ii are correct.
b) Only i is correct.
c) Only ii is correct.
d) Neither i nor ii is correct.
Answer: (a): Both i and ii are correct
94. The scientists claimed that the Meteorite, which fell in Morocco in July 2011, was from Mars. The event happened for the first time in__ years.
a) 50
b) 100
c) 200
d) 150
Answer: (a) 50
95. Scientists found the Extinct Monkey, the Miller’s Grizzled Langur in the forests of___.
a) Indonesia
b) Malaysia
c) India
d) Africa
Answer: (a) Indonesia
96. 10th PBD( Pravasi Bhartiya Divas) was held at which one of the following Indian cities?
a) Jaipur
b) Patna
c) New Delhi
d) Chennai
Answer: (a) Jaipur
97. Planning Commission of India on 18 January 2012 approved Rudrasagar development scheme. The scheme is related__.
a) Tripura
b) Assam
c) Manipur
d) Sikkim
Answer: (a) Tripura
98. Writer/diplomat Pavan K. Varma'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. The protagonist Anand is wrongly diagnosed with cancer. He quits his high-power job and loses himself in a Bhutanese retreat.
Name the book.
a. When Loss is Gain
b. Ghalib: The Man
c. The Great Indian Middle Class
d. The Times
Answer: (a)
99. Identify the photographer with the help of the following clues.
1. She was India’s first woman photo-journalist and was the only professional woman photojournalist between 1939 and 1970
2. She was commonly known by her pseudonym Dalda 13
3. She also captured the first flag-hoisting ceremony at the Red Fort on August 16 1947, the departure of Lord Mountbatten from India and the funerals of Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Lal Bahadur Shastri.
4. The Padma Bhushan Awardee breathed her last on 15 January 2012.
a. Ronika Kandhari
b. Asha Kochar
c. Prabuddha Dasgupta
d. Homai Vyarawala
Answer: (d)
100. Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on 11 January 2012 launched the signature tune of the Indian Customs Pragati ki Dhadkan in New Delhi. The signature tune was composed by which of the noted music directors?
a. A. R. Rahman
b. Aadesh Shrivastava
c. Adnan Sami
d. Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy
Answer: (b)
101. Prime Minister of Trinidad & Tobago visited India from 5 January 2012 to 14 January 2012. Who among the following is the Prime Minister of Trinidad & Tobago?
a) Kamla Persad Bissessar
b) Hosni Mubarak
c) Manmohan Singh
d) Naresh Goyal
Answer: (a) Kamla Persad Bissessar
102. The fifth edition of the World Future Energy summit began in__.
a) Abu Dhabi
b) New Delhi
c) Tehran
d) Dhaka
Answer: (a) Abu Dhabi
103. Memogate scandal is related to which one of the following countries?
a) Pakistan
b) Sri Lanka
c) China
d) India
Answer: (a) Pakistan
104. Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan and International Asociation of Sanskrit Studies jointly organised the 15th World Sanskrit conference from 5 to 10 January 2012 at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi. Where was the 14th World Sanskrit conference held?
a. Kyoto, Japan
b. Beijing, China
c. Colombo, Sri Lanka
d. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Answer: (a)
105. Identify this politicial with the help of the following clues.
1. Leader of the Sandinista movement which overthrew the US-backed Somoza dictatorship in 1979
2. After the Nicaraguan Revolution resulted in the overthrow and exile of the Somoza's government in 1979, he became a member of the ruling multipartisan Junta of National Reconstruction.
3. He was elected as the 83rd Nicaraguan president in 2006. He had previously served as the 79th President, between 1985 and 1990.
4. He made alliances with fellow Latin American socialists and signed Nicaragua up to the Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas.
a. Enrique Bolaños
b. Arnoldo Alemán
c. Daniel Ortega
d. Hugo Chávez
Answer: (c)
106. The Bangalore-based pharmaceutical major, Strides Arcolab, sold its 94 per cent stake in Ascent Pharmahealth, a subsidiary with operations in Australia and Southeast Asia, to which of the following U.S.-based pharma companies?
a. Watson Pharmaceuticals
b. Abbott Laboratories
c. Pfizer
d. Derma Sciences
Answer: (a)
107. The Board of Approval (BoA) under the Commerce Ministry on 24 January 2012 approved the proposal of this company to set up a special economic zone (SEZ) at Indore in Madhya Pradesh. Identify the company.
a. Reliance Industries
b. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)
c. Hero Motors
d. Infosys
Answer: (b)
108. Which private life insurance company from India on 25 January 2012 launched its first international operations with the opening of its representative office in Dubai?
a. Kotak Insurance
b. New India Insurance
c. HDFC Life
d. Religare Insurnce
Answer: (c)
109. Name the world’s largest biotechnology company, agreed to buy Micromet in a $1.16 billion deal to gain an experimental leukemia drug.
a. Celgene Drug
b. B B Biotech
c. Dechert
d. Amgen
Answer: (d)
110. Which channel developed a 52-week special India: Wild Encounters to focuss on India's enchanting wildlife s well as take viewers on an exploration spree ?
a. Discovery India
b. Animal Planet
c. Sony
d. National Gepgraphy
Answer: (b)
111. Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) estimated Corporate India’s sales to grow by what per cent in 2011-12?
a. 21.6%
b. 20.8%
c. 22
d. 23.7%
Answer: (a)
112. According to the report by Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) released in January 2012, gems and jewellery exports fell into the negative zone to $3 billion in December 2011. What per cent fall did it register in the month in question?
a. 10.33%
b. 12.17%
c. 13.33%
d. 15%
Answer: (d)
113. Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 24 January 2012 cut the cash reserve ratio (CRR) by 50 basis point. The current CRR stands at what percent?
a. 5%
b. 5.5%
c. 6%
d. 6.5%
Answer: (b)
114. The Reserve Bank of India on 24 January 2012 also kept the repo rate unchanged for the second consecutive time after raising it 13 times between March 2010 and October 2011. What is the present repo rate?
a. 8%
b. 7.5%
c. 8.5%
d. 9%
Answer: (c)
115. The poor performance of National Pension System, or NPS led the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) to change the incentive structure for the distributors. Which of the following statements in this regard is/are not true?
1. The pension regulator on the basis of the recommendation of the G.N. Bajpai committee constituted by PFRDA to review NPS, fixed the incentive at 0.25% of the subscription amount
2. As per PFRDA’s measures announceds, a distributor will get a flat Rs 50 on initial subscription and 0.05% of the initial subscription amount
3. Every year on subsequent investments, the point of presence will be entitled to 0.25% of that amount.
4. The minimum that a point of presence can charge is Rs 20 and the maximum Rs 25000.
a. Only 1
b. Only 2
c. Only 3
d. Only 4
Answer: (b)
116. FIPB headed by Economic Affairs Secretary R Gopalan had in a meeting held on 5 August 2011 cleared how many FDI proposals of a total worth of Rs 3844.7 crore?
a. 31
b. 12
c. 18
d. 23
Answer: (a)
117. According to the public debt management report released by the finance ministry on 17 August 2011, by what percentage did the Centre's debt rise in the first quarter (April to June) of the current fiscal 2011-12?
a. 5.5%
b. 6%
c. 6.7%
d. 8.1%
Answer: (b)
118. According to a report from CRISIL Research, how many additional jobs does India need to create by 2015 to maintain the current ratio of employed people to total population at 39 per cent?
a. 40 million
b. 47 million
c. 55 million
d. 57 million
Answer: (c)
119. Headline inflation eased to its eight-month low to what percentage in July from 9.44 per cent in the previous month?
a. 8.20%
b. 9.22%
c. 7.36%
d. 8 %
Answer: (b)
120. Which regulatory body on 16 August 2011 suggested that the Centre and the State governments should come out with a regulatory framework for the realty sector to protect consumers from unfair trade practices?
a. IRDA
b. SEBI
c. FICCI
d. CCI
Answer: (d)
