GENERAL AWARENESS PRACTICE MCQs

1) Which of the following cups/trophies is NOT given for excellence in the game of badminton?
a) Uber Cup
b) Thomas Cup
c) Syed Modi memorial trophy
d) Aros junior Cup
e) Merdeka Cup

Ans e

2) Which of the following bills recently approved in the union cabinet
will help in better health services in the country?
a) Right to Better Health Services bill
b) National Health Care Bill
c) Clinical establishment(Registration and Regulation) Bill
d) Essential services Bill
e) None of these

Ans c

3) Which of the following schemes launched by the Govt. of India is a scheme to improve the performance of the agricultural sector?
a) National Horticulture Mission
b) Pulse Polio Adhiyan
c) old age pension Scheme
d) Bharat Nirman Yojana
e) None of these

Ans a

4) "LBW" is a term related to the game of
a) Badminton
b) cricket
c) Hockey
d) Football
e) None of these

Ans b

5) "saraswati samman" is an award given for excellence in the field of
a) Sports
b) Social service
c) Literature
d) Science and Technology
e) None of these

Ans c

6) "Heavy water" is used in which of the following fields?
a) Thermal Power
b) Cement
c) Iron and steel
d) Nuclear Power
e) None of these

Ans d

7) Which of the following is a Horticulture Crop?
a) Paddy
b) Wheat
c) Mango
d) Bajara
e) None of these

Ans c

8) Dr. Amartya Sen is a famous
a) Physicist
b) Chemical Engineer
c) Psychologist
d) Economist
e) None of these

Ans d

9) which of the following nations is considered the originator of the concept of Micro Finanace?
a) India
b) Bangladesh
c) South Africa
d) USA
e) None of these

Ans b

10) India's first transgenic crop was
a) Potato
b) Brinjal
c) Sugarcane
d) Bt. cotton
e) None of these

Ans d

11) Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award is given for excellence in the field of
a) Literature
b) Music
c) Sports
d) Science and Technology
e) None of these

Ans d

12) Govt. normally announce the Minimum Support Price(MSP) of
a) Wheat
b) Paddy
c) Sugarcane
d) Jute
e) All of the above

Ans e

13) At present Dr. D.Subba Rao is the
a) Governor of orissa
b) Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission
c) Chairman of the FICCI
d) India's representative in IMF
e) Governor of RBI

Ans e

14) What is the full form of "ULIP"
a) Universal Life and Investment Plan
b) Unit Loan and Insurance Plan
c) Universal Loan and Investment Plan
d) Uniformly loaded Investment Plan
e) Unit Linked Insurance Plan

Ans e

15) very often we read in newspapers about 4G or 4th Generation Technology.This is a set of standards used by which of the following?
a) To Combat Climate Changes
b) Production of Nuclear energy
c) Film Production
d) Mobile Telecommunications
e) All of the above

Ans d

16) Which of the following companies is NOT in the field of Insurance business?
a) ICICI Prudential
b) Bajaj Alliance
c) Tata AIG
d) AEGON Religare
e) Royal orchid

Ans e

17) Many times we read that a corporate entity is in the process of raisingits capital base.Why is a company required to raise money to strengthen its capital base?
A) To finance its expansion plans
B) To finance its diversification plans
C) To Repay its loans and borrowings
1) only A
2) only B
3) only C
4) only A and B
5) All A,B and C

Ans 5

18) Many times we read in newspaper that a company is planning to bring public issue.what does it mean
a) Shares of the company will be issued only through public sector organisations like banks/central financial institutions etc.
b) Shares of the company will be issued to general public only through primary market.
c) This means some stakeholders/Promoters are willing to leave the company.Hence they wish to sell their stock to the general public
a) only A
b) only B
c) only C
d) All A,B and C
e) None of these

Ans b

19) Which of the following is NOT a function of a bank?
a) Providing Project Finance
b) Selling Mutual Funds
c) Deciding policy rates like CRR,Repo Rate/SLR etc.
d) Settlement of Payments on behalf of the customers
e) All of these are functions of bank.

Ans b

20)Which of the following is a form of "Small Savings Bank" popular among the poor or children?
a) Core Banking
b) Credit Banking
c) Debit Card
d) Merchant Banking
e) Piggy Banking

Ans e

GENERAL AWARENESS MCQs

1) India and which country on March 1,2012,decided to open a new chapter in bilateral cooperation by agreeing to undertake joint operations against pirates and sharing technological know how on seabed research?

1) China

2) Japan

3) Russia

4) New Zealand

Ans 1

2) A meeting at the prime minister office on Feb 29,2012, decided to increase the total expenditure on health to what percent of the GDP from the current 1.4 percent by the end of the coming 12th plan period?

1) 2.0 Percent

2) 2.5 Percent

3) 3.0 Percent

4) 4.0 Percent

Ans 2

3) India and which country recently announced to have resolved their longstanding issues of payments for export shipment?

1) Iran

2) Syria

3) Lebanon

4) Pakistan

Ans 1

4) The indigenously development advanced light-weight torpedo and the Akash missile system was on March 3,2012,handed over to the Navy and the Indian Air force respectively at a function in

1) Visakhapatnam

2) Hyderabad

3)  Pune

4) Kolkata

Ans 2

5) The golden Jubilee celebrations of Afro-Asian Rural development organization were held in New Delhi in March 2012.The AARDO president hails from 

1) India

2) Egypt

3) Morocco

4) South Africa

Ans 2

6) The National Association of Street vendors of India( NASVI ) and Nidan,an organization that supports unorganized workers,were on March 29,2012 honored with the skoll Award for social entrepreneurship by the skoll foundation in

1) Toronto

2) oxford

3) Paris

4) Frankfurt

Ans 2

7) Union minister for Rural development, Drinking Water and sanitation Jairam Ramesh in March 2012 announced a national award for sanitation and water in the name of Maharashtrian saint sant

1) Romesh Hatangadi

2) Gadge Baba

3) Suresh Bhagwan

4) Shiv sagar Baba

Ans 2

8) Who among the following, on march 11,2012,said he will be "Very Sad" if India boycotts the London Olympics following the row over sponsorship of the event by Dow Chemicals, linked to the Bhopal gas tragedy?

1) Barack Obama

2) David Cameron

3) Manmohan singh

4) Hillary Clinton

Ans 2

9) The high level safety review committee recently submitted its report to the Ministry of railways with a Number of recommendations,who is the chairman of this committee ?

1) C.Rangarajan

2) Lalu Yadav

3) Anil Kakodkar

4) Harish Rawat

Ans 3

10) In an important development on March 12,2012, the supreme court issued notices to nsix ministers and eight Indian Administrative services officers from

1) Andhar Pradesh

2) Karnataka

3) Kerala

4) Tamil Nadu

Ans 1

11) Which of the following was pointed by the union Finanace minister Pranab Mukherjee in March 2012 as one of the major challenges facing public sector banks(PSB) in emerging as potential global tenders?

1) Human Capital deficit

2) Human Capital deficit

3) Innovation deficit

4) Technology deficit

Ans 1

12) The Centre told the Supreme Court in March 2012 that it was Probing into the allegations that the former Chief Justice of India and his relatives amassed assets disproportionate to their Known sources of income.Who is the chief Justice in reference here?

1) K.G.Balakrishna

2) S.H.Kapadia

3) Altamas Kabir

4) Dalveer Bhandari

Ans 1

13) The Functioning of both houses of Parliament was disrupted on March 13,2012,When members demanded that India support the resolution to be moved by------ against sri lanka at the U.N Human Rights Council.

1) U.S.A

2) France

3) Norway

4) All of the above

Ans 4

14) Noted critic Namvar Singh in March 2012 presented the Jnanpith Award to eminent hindi author Amar Kant at a Special ceremony in

1) New Delhi

2) Lucknow

3) Allahabad

4) Patna

Ans 3

15) Increasing the fare for the first time in eight years, the railway budget for 2012-13, presented before the parliament on March 14,2012,envisages how many new trains?

1) 90

2) 113

3) 145

4) 166

Ans 2

16) Okram Ibobi Singh was sworn as chief minister for the third Consecutive term of which state in March 2012?

1) Arunachal Pradesh

2) Nagaland

3) Manipur

4) Tripura

Ans 3

17) Governor Shivraj V.Patil in March 2012 administered the oath of office and secrecy to Parkash Singh Badal,Who took over as the chief minister of Punjab for a record- time

1) Fifth

2) Third

3) Fourth

4) Seventh

Ans 1

18) The finance ministry, on March 15,201, gave it's nod for the labour and employment ministry to fix the rate of interest payable to EEPF sub-subscribers at which percentage for2011-12?

1) 8.25%

2) 8.75%

3) 9.25%

4) 9.50%

Ans 1

19) The Cabinet of which state in march 2012 decided to give a grant of rS. 30,000 to high school pass Muslims girls for perusing their education and marriage?

1) Uttar Pradesh

2) West Bengal

3) Andhra pradesh

4) Delhi

Ans 1

20) Which of the following Chief ministers of India figures on the cover of the Time magazine in March 2012 which prasied him in an article for the development of the State?

1) Mamta Banarjee

2) Nitish Kumar

3) Ashok Gehlot

4) Narendra Modi.

Ans 4

GENERAL AWARENESS PRACTICE MCQs

 

1) The Fifth Edition of the World Future Energy Summit was held in

a) Abu Dhabi

b) New Delhi

c) Tehran

d) Dhaka

Ans a

2) Planning Commission of India on January 18,2012 approved Rudrasagar development scheme.The Scheme is related to

a) Tripura

b) Assam

c) Manipur

d) Sikkim

Ans a

3) The Board of approval (BoA) under the Commerce ministry on January 24,2012 approved the proposal of this company to set up a special economics zone( SEZ) at Indore in Madhya Pradesh, Identify the Company ?

a) Reliance Industry

b) Tata Consultancy services( TCS)

c) Hero Motors

d) Infoysys

Ans b

4) Scientists identified a new gene in maize Plants called ?

a) Meg 1

b) Meg 2

c) Meg 3

4) Meg 4

Ans a

5) Researches discovered new earthworm species in Port Blair. What is the name of the new Species ?

a) Moniligaster ivaniosi

b) Annelida

c) Nematoda

d) Onychophora

Ans a

6) Scientists recently developed a new wireless device to detect the Presence of termites. Consider the following statement-

1) when the new device detects the presence of termites,it sends an SMS or email to a pest Control firm.

2) The Device is made of tiny sensor, even smaller than a fingernail

Choose the Right option

a) Both 1 and 2 Correct

b) Only 1 is Correct

c) Only 2 is Correct

d) Neither 1 not 2 is Correct

Ans a

7) According to the draft Sports Policy of this State Govt released on Jan 11,2012, 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

Ans b

8) Which team defeated Uttarakhand in the Men's category to win the National title for the fourth time, in the 60th Senior national Volleyball Championship at Raipur on Jan 11, 2012 ?

a) Kerala

b) Andhra Pradesh

c) West Bengal

d) Tamil Nadu

Ans a

9) Which team extended their hegemony by defeating Kerala 25-12, 25-14, 25-16 in a one sided final in the women category at the 60th Senior National Volley-ball Championship ?

a) Punjab

b) Services

c) Railways

d) Delhi

Ans c

10) This Footballer was awarded the 2011 FIFA Ballon d'Oran January 9, 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

Ans d

11) 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 Company the benefit over Rs 6000 crore over the life of the Venture ?

1) Reliance Power

2) Adani Power

3) Birla Power Solutions

4) DLF Power

Ans a

12) Which car took home the Crown of Indian car of the Year 2012 in Jan 2012

1) Toyota Etios liva

2) Maruti Suzuki Swift

3) Hyundai Verna

4) Hyundai Eon

Ans b

13) As per the Wholesale Price Index, Published by the govt on Jan 16,2012.Reduced food Prices Caused the inflation to dip to a year low at what percent in December 2011 ?

a) 7.47%

b) 7.65%

c) 6.33%

d) 5.41%

Ans c

14) Maldives Authorities allowed male international 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

c) Fraport AG

d) DIAL

Ans a

15) Which French Construction major entered the Indian market by buying out 100 percent stake in NAPC, a Chennai-based construction Company?

a) Sinopec Engineering

b) Uhde

c) Vinci

d) Snamprogetti

Ans c

16) India Signed MOU (Memorandum of Understanding ) on Tourism with ASEAN on January12,2012.The agreement took place in-

a) Manado

b) Jakarta

c) Malaysia

d) Manila

Ans a

17) 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) Madhya Pradesh

Ans a

18) India and Japan on Jan 12,2012 agreed to enhance their cooperation in the ................. Sector.

a) Infrastructure

b) Tourism

c) Road and Transport 

d) Coal and Mining

Ans a 

19) He was Conferred the first S.K Singh Award for excellence in the Indian Foreign services in Jan 6,2012. Identify the diplomat

a) Ranjan Mathai

b) Shivshankar Menon

c) D.Bala venkatesh Verma

d) K.Raghunath

Ans c

20) 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 on jan 2012 ?

a) Tata Motors

b) Hyundai Motors India

c) Volkswagen

d) Maruti Suzuki

Ans b

21) Who was presented the Mahatma Gandhi International Awards for Peace and Reconciliation on Jan 4,2012 the fourth day of the tenth day Kalachakra initiations ?

a) Tibetan Spiritual leader, Dalai Lama

b) South African leader Nelson Mandela

c) Tanzania's Julius Nyerere

d) Burmese Pro-democracy leader Aung san suu kyi

Ans a 

22) European Union agreed in Principle to ban import of Iranian Crude oil.Consider the following statement:

1) The European Union(EU) is one of Iran's biggest markets for oil.

2) The EU is a Political and economical union of 27 member states

 Choose the Right option

a) Both 1 and 2 are correct

b) Only 1 is Correct

c) Only 2 is Correct

d) Neither 1 nor 2 is correct

Ans a 

23) The Israel-Palestine talks, in the first week of Jan 2012 were held in Amman.Amman is the Capital of

a) Jordan

b) Syria

c) Iraq

d) Iran

Ans a 

24) Maldives on Jan 4,2012 lifted ban on Spas in the upmarket tourist destination .Consider the following statement:

1) The Tourism industry is an important foreign exchange earner in the Maldives.

2) Maldives in 2011 received more than 850000 tourist

Choose the Right Option

a) Both 1 and 2 are correct

b) Only 1 is Correct

c) Only 2 is Correct

d) Neither 1 nor 2 is correct

Ans a  

 

25) As per the Wholesale Price Index, Published by the govt on Jan 16,2012.Reduced food Prices Caused the inflation to dip to a year low at what percent in December 2011 ?

a) 7.47%

b) 7.65%

c) 6.33%

d) 5.41%

Ans c

26) Maldives Authorities allowed male international 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

c) Fraport AG

d) DIAL

Ans a

27) Which French Construction major entered the Indian market by buying out 100 percent stake in NAPC, a Chennai-based construction Company?

a) Sinopec Engineering

b) Uhde

c) Vinci

d) Snamprogetti

Ans c

28) India Signed MOU (Memorandum of Understanding ) on Tourism with ASEAN on January12,2012.The agreement took place in-

a) Manado

b) Jakarta

c) Malaysia

d) Manila

Ans a

29) 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) Madhya Pradesh

Ans a

30) India and Japan on Jan 12,2012 agreed to enhance their cooperation in the ................. Sector.

a) Infrastructure

b) Tourism

c) Road and Transport 

d) Coal and Mining

Ans a 

31) He was Conferred the first S.K Singh Award for excellence in the Indian Foreign services in Jan 6,2012. Identify the diplomat

a) Ranjan Mathai

b) Shivshankar Menon

c) D.Bala venkatesh Verma

d) K.Raghunath

Ans c

32) 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 on jan 2012 ?

a) Tata Motors

b) Hyundai Motors India

c) Volkswagen

d) Maruti Suzuki

Ans b

33) Who was presented the Mahatma Gandhi International Awards for Peace and Reconciliation on Jan 4,2012 the fourth day of the tenth day Kalachakra initiations ?

a) Tibetan Spiritual leader, Dalai Lama

b) South African leader Nelson Mandela

c) Tanzania's Julius Nyerere

d) Burmese Pro-democracy leader Aung san suu kyi

Ans a 

34) European Union agreed in Principle to ban import of Iranian Crude oil.Consider the following statement:

1) The European Union(EU) is one of Iran's biggest markets for oil.

2) The EU is a Political and economical union of 27 member states

 Choose the Right option

a) Both 1 and 2 are correct

b) Only 1 is Correct

c) Only 2 is Correct

d) Neither 1 nor 2 is correct

Ans a 

35) The Israel-Palestine talks, in the first week of Jan 2012 were held in Amman.Amman is the Capital of

a) Jordan

b) Syria

c) Iraq

d) Iran

Ans a 

36) Maldives on Jan 4,2012 lifted ban on Spas in the upmarket tourist destination .Consider the following statement:

1) The Tourism industry is an important foreign exchange earner in the Maldives.

2) Maldives in 2011 received more than 850000 tourist

Choose the Right Option

a) Both 1 and 2 are correct

b) Only 1 is Correct

c) Only 2 is Correct

d) Neither 1 nor 2 is correct

Ans a  

 

37) As per the advanced estimates of CSO for the year 2011-2012, the GDP growth rate has been estimated as-

a) 7.6%

b) 6.9%

c) 6.4%

d) 6.1%

Ans b

38) The Primary growth in advance estimates for 2011-12 was 2.5% which was ............. in 2010-11-

a) 5.4%

b) 6.4% 

c) 7.0%
d) 7.3%

Ans c

39) 'Sensitive Sector' as defined by RBI includes-

a) Capital market

b) Real Estate

c) Commodities

d) All of the above

Ans d

40) PMEAC has revised its GDP growth estimates for 2011-12 to 7.1% and projected GDP growth for 2012-13 at-

a) 7.0% - 7.4%

b) 7.5% - 8.0%

c) 8.1% - 8.3%

d) 8.5 % 

Ans b

41) The newly Launched CPI-based inflation for Jan 2012 on Point to Point basis is 7.65%. This inflation has the base year-

a) 2004

b) 2006

c) 2008

d) 2010

Ans d

42) The new Chairman of FICCI( Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry )  Who took charge in Jan 2012 is-

a) Harsh Mariwala

b) R.V.Kanoria

c) Naina lal Kidwai

d) Siddharath Birla

Ans b

43) Which of the following Sector show the negative growth in the advanced estimates of CSO for the year 2011-12

a) Mining and Quarrying

b) Agriculture and Fisheries

c) Manufacturing

d) Electricity, Gas and water Supply

Ans a

44) Which organization is meant to ensure exports from India

a) EXIM Bank

b) ECGC

c) Ministry of Commerce

d) None of the above

Ans b

45) Which of the following is considered lending for Promotion of Exports?

a) Packing Credit

b) Overdraft

c) Cash Credit Account

d) Bill Discounting

Ans a

46) Which of the following major Part in India Celebrated its golden Jubilee in Jan 2012 ?

a) Kolkata / Haldia Port

b) Paradeep Port

c) Vishakhapatnam Port

d) Kandla Port

Ans b

47) As per India state of Forest Report 2011, the state having the Max forest area is-

a) Arunachal Pradesh

b) Rajasthan

c) Madhya Pradesh

d) Uttar Pradesh

Ans c

 

48) India State of Forest report 2011 Puts Forest area in the country at-

a) Below 25%

b) Between 25% and 27%

c) Between 27% to 30%

d) Above 30%

Ans a

49) At the end of December 2011, the Teledensity in the Country Stood at-

a) 72.38%

b) 76.86%

c) 79.03%

d) 80.76%

Ans b

50) As per the Changed import duty Structure on gold and silver, the import duty on gold and silver will be charged at ................ Resp of the value of the imported metal.

a) 1.5% to 5%

b) 2.0% to 6%

c) 1.5% to 6%

d) 2.5% to 6%

Ans c

51) As per the Status of the end December 2011, Which of the following Company holds the Max share in Telephone Services ?

a) Vodafone

b) Bharti Airtel

c) Reliance

d) BSNL

Ans b

52) Which type of Bank account can be opened by a Non Resident Indian(NRI) in India ?

a) Current Account

b) Fixed Deposit Account

c) Savings Account

d) Locker Account

Ans b

53) Trust Card has been launched by an Organization to make Consumer's Payment more Easier.The Organisation is-

a) Delhi Metro

b) ICERT

c) BSNL

d) Bharti Airtel

Ans c

54) The sixth Economics Census of Commercial Units was / will be done in the year-

a) 2011

b) 2012

c) 2013

d) 2014

Ans b

55) As per the HUNGAMA report the percentage of underweight( malnourished) children younger than five years in India is-

a) 65%

b) 54%

c) 42%

d) 31%

Ans c 

56) As per the second advance foodgrains estimates for 2011-12, foodgrains Production during 2011-12 is estimates at-

a) 246.46 MT

b) 250.42 MT

c) 254.68 MT

d) 262.32 MT

Ans b

57) As per Final estimates, Wheat and Rice Production in 2010-2011 stood at-

a) 86.87 MT and 95.98 MT respectively

b) 95.98 MT and 86.87 MT respectively

c) 88.31 MT and 102.75 MT respectively 

d) 86.87 MT and 102.75 MT respectively

Ans a

58) The Fourth Rail Coach manufacturing Factory ( The first in India to be Built on PPP Model ) is being made in-

a) Andhra Pradesh

b) Kerala

c) Karnataka

d) Tamil Nadu

Ans b

59) In Which of the following currencies, India has decided to make payment to buy Crude oil from Iran ?

a) US dollar

b) Indian Rupee

c) Pound sterling

d) Euro

Ans b  

 

60) As Per the advance estimates of CSO, the estimates growth  rate in tertiary( Service) sector for 2011-12 is-

a) 8.6% 

b) 9.0% 

c) 9.4% 

d) 9.8% 

Ans c

 

 

 

 

GENERAL AWARENESS PRACTICE MCQs

1. Name the Nobel Peace Prize winner who was named the winner of one of the world’s leading religion prizes, Templeton Prize for 2012 by the John Templeton Foundation on 29th March, 2012.
(1) Dalai Lama 
(2) Tawakkul Karman
(3) Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
(4) Baba Ramdev
(5) Anna Hazare

2. Who was elected the New President of Senegal?
(1) Abdoulaye Wade

(2) Macky Sall 

(3) Erich Sherry
(4) Abdou Diouf
(5) Naseer Abdullah

3. Following RBI’s decision to hike bank rate, the food ministry increased the interest rate on loans provided to sugar factories from the Sugar Development Fund (SDF)to what percent from the earlier 4% from Feb 2012?
(1) 7%

(2) 7.5% 

(3) 8%
(4) 8.8%
(5) 9%

4. Which of the following fall under the qualitative methods of credit control adopted by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)?
(1) Selective Credit Control
(2) Credit Authorization Scheme
(3) Moral Suasion

(4) All of the above 

(5) None of the above

5. As per the recent data released by the Government of India, approximately what fraction of India’s oil and petroleum consumption is consumed by fertilizer and power sectors?
(1) 30%
(2) 40%
(3) 50%
(4) 60%

(5) 70%

6. Name the youngest ever and the only Arab woman to win a Nobel Prize for ‘non-violent’ struggle for the safety of women and for women’s rights.
(1) Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
(2) Leyhmah Gbowee

(3) Tawakkol Karman 

(4) Liu Xiabao
(5) Martti Ahtisaari

 7. India recently carried out the maiden test flight of its second indigenous Airborne Early Warning Control System aircraft developed by DRDO in-
(1) Odisha
(2) France
(3) Andhra Pradesh

(4) Brazil 

(5) Russia

8. Human Resource Development Ministry constituted a 10-member committee headed by Madhya Pradesh School Education Minister to prepare an ambitious plan to roll out community colleges in the country. Name of the minister is-
(1) Jhina Hikaka
(2) Heena Sidhu

(3) Archana Chitnis 

(4) Shivraj Singh Chauhan
(5) Ram Gopal Yadav

9. The Banking Laws Committee was headed by-
(1) R.K. Talwar

(2) Dr. P.V. Rajamannar 

(3) FKF Nariman
(4) Dr. Prakash Tandan
(5) None of the above

10. Fourteen major Indian Banks having deposits of more than Rs 50 crores were nationalized on-
(1) 15th August, 1947
(2) 26th Jan, 1950
(3) 19th July, 1969
(4) 14th February, 1970
(5) None of these

11. Which of the following is the first commercial bank who had launch a mutual fund?
(1) State Bank of India 
(2) Canara Bank
(3) Indian Bank
(4) Bank of India
(5) Indian Overseas Bank

12. ATM cards are issued to a person who maintains which of the following accounts with the bank?
(1) Saving bank accounts
(2) Current accounts
(3) Term deposits
(4) Loan or Cash credit accounts

(5) Either (1) or (2)

13. SEBI was established in the year.
(1) 1993
(2) 1992

(3) 1988 

(4) 1990
(5) 1994

14. The merchant banking activity in India is governed by-
(1) SEBI 
(2) RBI
(3) IRDA
(4) All of these
(5) None of these

15. The regulator of mutual fund in India is-
(1) FIMMDA
(2) AMFI
(3) RBI

(4) SEBI 

(5) None of these

16. Bankassurance is-
(1) an insurance scheme to insure bank deposits
(2) an insurance scheme to insure bank advances

(3) a composite financial service offering both bank and insurance products. 

(4) a bank deposit scheme exclusively for employees of insurance companies
(5) None of these

17. Which of the following is/are ‘Term Deposits’?
(1) Fixed Deposits 
(2) Re-investment Deposits
(3) Recurring Deposits
(4) None of the above
(5) All of the above

18. NABARD was set up as an apex Development Bank with a mandate for facilitating credit flow for promotion and development of-
(1) Agriculture
(2) Small Scale Industries
(3) Cottage and Village Industries
(4) Handicrafts and other rural crafts

(5) All of these

19. Which of the following is not a negotiable instrument?
(1) Promissory note
(2) Bill of exchange
(3) Cheque

(4) Bank Draft 

(5) Share certificate

20. Co-operative Banks are regulated by-
(1) NABARD
(2) RBI
(3) SBI

(4) Central Govt. 

(5) None of these

21. What amount has been allotted for capitalization of Public sector banks in the Union Budget 2012-13?
(1) Rs 1380 crore
(2) Rs 1490 crore
(3) Rs 1500 crore

(4) Rs 1588 crore 

(5) None of these

22. Under which category will you classify Regional Rural Banks?
(1) Scheduled Commercial Banks 
(2) Co-operative Banks
(3) Private Sector Banks
(4) Development Banks
(5) None of these

23. What is the current Cash Reserve Ratio?
(1) 3.75

(2) 4.75 

(3) 5.5
(4) 6
(5) None of these

24. Who decides on the quantity of coins to be minted?
(1) The Govt. of India 
(2) RBI
(3) Either (1) or (2)
(4) Both (1) & (2)
(5) None of these

25. The commercial banking system in India consists of –
(1) nationalized banks and private sector banks

(2) scheduled and non-scheduled banks 

(3) regional rural banks, co-operative banks and land development banks
(4) All of these
(5) None of these


26. What does EBT stands for-
(1) Electronic Belated Transfer
(2) Electronic Bearer Transaction

(3) Electronic Benefit Transfer 

(4) Electronic Basic Transaction
(5) None of these

27. Money market instruments-
(1) are usually sold in large denominations
(2) have low default risk
(3) mature in one year or less

(4) are characterized by all of the above 

(5) are characterized by (1) and (2)

28. Capital market is a market which deals in-
(1) short-term funds

(2) long-term funds 

(3) gilt-edge funds
(4) All of these
(5) None of these

29. When the rate of inflation increases-
(1) purchasing power of money increases

(2) purchasing power of money decreases 

(3) vale of money increases
(4) purchasing power of money remains unaffected
(5) amount of money in circulation decreases

30. A centralized databases with online connectivity to branches internet as well as ATM-network which has been adopted by almost all major banks of our country is known as-‘
(1) Investment banking

(2) Core banking 

(3) Mobile banking
(4) Banking Ombudsman
(5) Network banking

31. Upper limit prescribed for NEFT transaction is –
(1) Rs 1 lakh
(2) Rs 2 Lacs
(3) Rs 5 Lacks
(4) Rs 50 Lacks

(5) No upper limit is prescribed

32. Interest on savings bank account is now calculated by banks on-
(1) minimum balance during the month
(2) minimum balance from 7th to last day on the month
(3) Minimum balance from 10th to last day of the month
(4) maximum balance during the month

(5) daily product basis

33. Who is the Chairman of the committee constituted by RBI to study issues and concerns in the Micro Finance Institutions (MFI) sector?
(1) K C Chakraborty
(2) C Rangarajan
(3) M Damodaran

(4) Y H Malegam 

(5) None of these

34. Name the diesel locomotive engine built by Diesel Locomotive Works, Varanasi recently?
(1) Cheetah

(2) Bheem 

(3) Shera
(4) Kavita
(5) None of these

35. Who has been appointed as the New CMD of OBC?
(1) M G Sanghvi
(2) D Sarkar
(3) S L Bansal
(4) M V Nayar
(5) None of these

36. Who is the current Minister of Commerce and Trade?
(1) Jayanti Natrajan
(2) Mukul Wasnik
(3) Anand Sharma 
(4) Pawan Bansal
(5) None of these

37. The finance secretary of India is-
(1) R K Singh

(2) R S Gujral 

(3) Ajeet Seth
(4) Ranjan Mathai
(5) Sunil Mitra

38. The Nuclear Summit-2012 held recently in-
(1) S Korea 
(2) Brazil
(3) Australia
(4) Japan
(5) None of these

39. EFT (Electronic Fund Transfer) ensures-
(1) Speed
(2) reliability
(3) security
(4) accuracy

(5) All of these

40. Army has announced the year 2012 as – Year of the ____.
(1) Co-operatives

(2) Veterans 

(3) Green Energy
(4) Mathematics
(5) None of these

World Wildlife Fund released its Report on Global Environment

The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) in its report Living Planet Report 2012 released on 15 May 2012 noted that Biodiversity has decreased by an average of 28 percent globally since 1970 and the world would have to be 50 percent bigger to have enough land and forests to provide for current levels of consumption and carbon emissions.
The report further added that unless the world addresses the problem, by 2030 even two planet Earths would not be enough to sustain human activity. The WWF also urged the global community to take the issue of environmental degradation seriously.
A summit on the global environment is to be held in the Brazilian city Rio De Janerio from 20 to 22 June 2012. The summit is expected to draw more than 50000 participants from different nations. Politicians in the summit will be under tremendous pressure from environmentalists to agree goals for sustainable development, in the spirit of the Rio Earth Summit that spawned the Kyoto Protocol 20 years ago.

Sports Science Centres

Sports Authority of India(SAI) has established various sports Science Centres in the country for the purpose of training of sportspersons. This was stated by Shri Ajay Maken, Minister of State (I/C) for Youth Affairs & Sports, in the Lok Sabha, in a written reply to a question by Shri Bhisma Shanker alias Kushal Tiwari. SAI has set up four Sports Science Centres, details of which are as under:-

i) SAI Netaji Subhash Eastern Centre at Kolkata, West Bengal.
ii) SAI Netaji Subhash Southern Centre at Bangalore, Karnataka.
iii) SAI Netaji Subhash National Institute of Sports, Patiala, Punjab.
iv) Lakshmibai National college of Physical Education at Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

The facilities available at these centres are being provided to SAI trainees and National Campers.

The Minister further stated that Government also proposes to set up a National Institute of Sports Science and Sports Medicine at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi to integrate the study, research and practice of sports science and sports medicine to achieve excellence in sports.

Call for Indian version of World Migratory Bird Day

Rejecting the celebration of World Migratory Bird Day at a time when no migrant birds could be spotted in India, a section of ornithologists is pitching for an exclusive Indian version of the occasion.

The theme of the 2012 celebrations, organised between May 12 and 13, was “migratory birds and people — together through time.”

The day is celebrated during the second week of May with “public events such as bird festivals, education programmes, and bird-watching excursions to celebrate World Migratory Bird Day and to help raise awareness around a specific theme,” say the organisers of the day.

United Nations Environment Programme's (UNEP) two international treaties — Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals and the African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement — are the organisers. 

The migratory season in India begins in September and extends up to April and nearly 600 species of birds can be spotted at various locations in the country. Most of these come from the north of Himalayas from countries namely Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Magnolia, and the Siberian region. The major wintering grounds are Chilka Lake, Bharatpur, East Calcutta Wetlands, Harike Lake, Kolleru Lake, Loktak Lake, Point Calimere, and Sambhar Lake. Some of the important long distance-migrants that reach the country during the eight-month-long season are White Stork, Bar headed Goose, Northern Pintail, and Eurasian Wigeon, experts say. 

Waste Management

Pursuant to the recommendations of the Committee on Solid Waste Management for Class-I cities constituted by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in July 1998, the Government of India, Ministry of Urban Development had constituted a Technology Advisory Group (TAG) on Solid Waste Management in August 1999 and later reconstituted the Committee in January 2002. The objective of constituting the Committee was to collect information on various proven technologies for processing and disposal of waste, developing IEC material for creating awareness among the masses, promotion of capacity building, human resources development in Urban Local Bodies for efficient management of municipal solid waste. The Committee finalized its Report and submitted to the Ministry in May, 2005.

The report covers the details of the various technologies available within and outside the country for the treatment of municipal solid waste and deriving compost, Refuse Dried Fuel (RDF), power, etc., from the waste, their merits, demerits, their limitations etc. It also narrates the extent of application of these technologies in India so far. The TAG report also covers the financial aspects giving details of sectoral lending by financial institutions, the extent of private sector participation attempted, the legal issues related to private sector participation in India and makes recommendations of fiscal incentives for solid waste management infrastructure financing by the State and Central Government.

The TAG report also spells out the strategies proposed to be adopted for building community awareness through information, education and communication technique for ensuring public participation and for human resources development through internal capacity building of the officers and supervisory staff dealing with solid waste management at various levels through training at various levels.

Since all the recommendations have to be implemented by State Govts. / ULBs, the Ministry had already circulated the TAG report to all the State Governments for adoption.

India as Top Importer of Weapons

Authoritative information regarding import of weapons by China is not available. However, as per report published in March 2012 by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), India has become the largest importer of arms during 2007-11 and accounted for 10% of the global arms imports as compared to China`s share of5%.

Procurement of arms and equipment for the Armed Forces is a continuous process based on threat perception, operational challenges and available resources. The process is based on a 15 year Long Term Integrated Perspective Plan (LTIPP), five year Services Capital Acquisition Plan (SCAP) and Annual Acquisition Plan (AAP). Shortage of any weapons, is adequately addressed through indigenous production and import.

Competition Commission of India constituteded Eminent Persons Advisory Group

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) formed an Eminent Persons Advisory Group (EPAG) on 7 May 2012.  The group is constituted to provide CCI inputs and advice on issues impacting markets and competition, among others.
The group comprise Infosys founder N.R. Narayana Murthy, former Comptroller and Auditor General V.N. Kaul, former Deputy Governor of Reserve Bank of India Rakesh Mohan, Biocon Chairman and MD Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, former Director, of IIM-Ahmedabad Bakul Dholakia, former Chairman of CERC S.L Rao, former Vice-Chancellor of NLSIU, Bangalore N.L Mitra.
The group will hold its maiden meeting on July 2012. The Group will have interaction/meetings with the Commission two to three times a year.

Unemployment Survey by NSSO

The Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Statistics and Programme Implementation Shri Srikant Kumar Jena has said that Employment and Unemployment Surveys are generally conducted once in five years.

In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today he said, the last survey on the subject was conducted in NSS 66th round during July 2009-June 2010. Another survey on the subject is being conducted in NSS 68th round (July 2011-June2012). As per NSS 66th round the total number of unemployed in the age group of 18 to 25 years in the country according to usual status is estimated as 5.19 million.

Rural and urban area-wise figures of unemployed in the above age-group are 3.10 and 2.09 million respectively.

Agriculture Development Bank

National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) was established on 12 July 1982 by an Act of the Parliament for providing and regulating credit and other facilities for the promotion and development of agriculture, small scale industries, cottage and village industries, handicrafts and other rural crafts and other allied economic activities in rural areas with a view to promoting integrated rural development and securing prosperity of rural areas, and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

NABARD provides refinance assistance under Sec.21 (i) of NABARD Act, 1981 for Short Term Seasonal Agricultural Operations (STSAO) purposes for a period not exceeding 8 months to Cooperatives, Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) and any other financial institutions approved by Reserve Bank of India. Further, in terms of Govt. of India’s instruction the Short Term refinance to Cooperative Banks, RRBs is being provided by NABARD at concessional rate of interest in order to enable them to provide crop loans upto Rs. 3 lakh for a period of one year to farmers at 7% p.a.

Education of Women/Girls

The government has initiated a number of schemes to promote education among girls in the country. Under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), the States are encouraged to recruit 50% women teachers. Each district is provided with an ‘innovation fund’ which can inter alia be utilized for need based interventions such as free textbooks and uniforms up to class VIII, separate toilets for girls to ensure better attendance and retention of girls.

3439 Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBVs) are operational and benefit 3,35 lakh SC, ST, OBC, BPL and minority girls at upper primary level. 1925 hostels have been sanctioned for running of girls’ hostels for students of secondary and higher secondary schools. Under the scheme for Construction of Women’s Hostels in Polytechnics, financial assistance have been provided to 487 polytechnics amounting to Rs. 219.45 upto 31/03/2012.

National Policy on Microfinance

Planning Commission had constituted a High Level Committee on financial sector reforms under the Chairmanship of Shri Raghuram G. Rajan, Professor, Graduate School of Business, University of Chicago in August, 2007. The Committee submitted the report in September, 2008.

The Committee observed that, “despite its success, the future growth of microfinance is constrained by a number of factors. An important issue is the ability of MFIs to raise financing. Given the large estimated demand for microcredit, MFIs need multiple sources of financing, apart from the traditional loan financing from banks. Other constraints include an unclear regulatory environment and the lack of well-developed management information systems and an adequate supply of trained management talent to facilitate sustainable scaling up.”

To provide a formal statutory framework for the promotion, development, regulation and orderly growth of the micro finance sector and thereby to facilitate universal access to integrated financial services for the unbanked population, the Department of Financial Services is formulating Micro Finance Institutions (Development and Regulation) Bill 2012.

NRHM- Key Achievements

Some of the key achievements under National Rural Health Mission are:

1. Accelerated improvements in key reproductive health indicators e.g. Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR), Infant Mortality Rate (IMR), Total Fertility Rate (TFR) and Institutional Delivery Rate.

2. Upgradation and operationalization of 8250 Primary Health Centers (PHCs) as 24X7 facilities

3. Operationalization of 2312 FRUs which includes Community Health Centers (CHCs), Sub District Hospitals and District Hospitals for providing OPD and 24*7 indoor facilities especially for comprehensive emergency obstetric and newborn care.

4. 374 Special Newborn Care Units, 1638 Newborn Stabilization Units, and 11432 Newborn Care Corners have been established at different levels of health facilities.

5. Augmentation of the availability of skilled manpower by means of different skill- based trainings such as Skilled Birth Attendance for Auxiliary Nurse Midwives/Staff Nurses/Lady Health Visitors; training of MBBS Doctors in Life Saving Anaesthetic Skills and Emergency Obstetric Care including Caesarean Section.

6. Over 1.4 lakh Human Resources have been engaged across the country on contractual basis under National Rural Health Mission which includes- ANMs, Staff Nurses, Paramedics, AYUSH Doctors, Doctors, Specialists and AYUSH Paramedics.

7. Engagement of 8.61 lakhs Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) to generate demand and facilitate accessing of health care services by the community.

As per the Health Management Information System (HMIS) under the National Rural Health Mission, total institutional deliveries at public and private accredited health facilities increased from 1.62 Crores in the year 2009-10 to 1.68 Crores in the year 2010-11.

The key strategies adopted by the Government of India to strengthen NRHM are:

• Creation of strong institutional mechanisms at National and State level through Mission Steering group, State/District Health Mission.

• Strengthening Programme Management units for effective public health management through State, District and Block Programme management units.

• Enhanced fund allocation to NRHM for additional funding to States.

• Preparation of inter-sectoral District Health Plans.

• Integrating vertical Health and Family Welfare programmes at National, State, District and Block levels.

• Supporting States through united funds for the functioning of Village Health Sanitation & Nutrition Committees and thereby focusing on creation of Village Health Plans.

• Promoting access to healthcare at household level through ASHA.

• Supporting the States to train and enhance capacity of Panchayati Raj Institutions.

• Strengthening facilities from PHCs and above through grants to RogiKalyanSamitis (RKS).

• Promotion of Public Private Partnership through NRHM to improve service delivery.

Country poised to achieve total sanitation coverage by 2017

Total Sanitation Campaign, TSC, now underway in 607 rural districts covering all the States and Union Territories is expected to be completed by the year 2017. The information was given by the Rural Development Minister Shri Jairam Ramesh in a statement in the Lok Sabha today. He said, the Government has increased the allocation under TSC from 1500 crore rupees in the year 2011-12, the last year of the 11th Five Year Plan to 3,500 crore rupees as Budget Estimate during the year 2012-13, the first year of the 12th Plan. The states have also been advised for engagement of Swachchhata Doots to accelerate sanitation coverage. The Minister also informed that the Information, Education and Communication (IEC) and Human Resource Development, HRD, the key components to generate and meet demand for sanitation are being strengthened. Out of total project objectives of 12.57 crore Individual Household Latrines, 8.73 crore have been completed and about 88 lakh latrines have been reported to be completed during the year 2011-12. Similarly, school toilet units, Anganwadi toilets and community sanitary complexes are also on way to meet the targets. 

Establishment of Nyaya Panchayats

Ministry of Panchayati Raj had prepared a Draft Nyaya Panchayat (NP) Bill to provide for the establishment of Nyaya Panchayats at the level of each Village Panchayat or a cluster of Village Panchayats in consultation with Ministry of Law & Justice. The objective of the proposed Nyaya Panchayat Bill is to provide a sound institutionalized, alternative forum at the grassroots level with community involvement for dispute resolution through mediation, conciliation and compromise. After taking into consideration the comments received from the concerned Central Ministries/ Departments, the Draft Nyaya Panchayat Bill was sent to Ministry of Law & Justice. The Bill could not be finalized due to various objections raised by Ministry of Law and Justice which included, inter alia, the issues of its Constitutional validity and overlapping provisions of Gram Nyalaya Act 2008 already enacted by that Ministry. The Ministry of Law & Justice provided a copy of the revised Draft NP Bill 2010 in November 2010 for views/comments of the Ministry. Our detailed comments have been forwarded to Ministry of Law & Justice on 22nd June 2011. 

Report placed India on Fifth Position in the List of Countries affected from Cyber Crime

India, according to a report published by the Security and Defence Agenda (SDA) and McAfee on 6 May 2012, ranked fifth in the list of countries affected of cyber crime. The report, ‘Cyber Security: The Vexed Question of Global Rules’, rated the Internet privacy in the country as low. Brussels-based SDA spoke to leading global security experts to ensure that findings would offer useful recommendations and actions.

At the Cyber Security Summit which concluded in Bangalore on 4 May 2012, officials from the National Security Committee claimed that the government is firstly looking at capacity building that will lead to the draft of the national cyber security policy which is currently under discussion.

The report mentioned that India knows the repercussions of cyber crime which directly affects the reputation of the country as a safe investment or business place. The report also expressed concern over lack of a single operator to effectively control Internet, telecom and power sectors.

Population Living in Slums

The Minister for Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation (HUPA) Kumari Selja has said that Housing and Slum development being State subjects, it is for the States to provide housing and basic facilities like drinking water, electricity and sanitation etc depending upon their priorities and availability of financial resources etc. However, Government launched Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) in December 2005 to assist States/ Union Territories for undertaking programmes for provision of housing and basic services to urban poor/slum dwellers under Basic Services to the Urban Poor (BSUP) in 65 select cities including Mumbai and Integrated Housing and Slum Development Programme (IHSDP) - in other cities/towns. The duration of JNNURM was 7 years beginning from 2005-06. The Government has approved the extension of JNNURM by 2 years upto the end of financial year 2013-14 for completion of projects sanctioned upto March, 2012 and implementation of 3 pro-poor reforms. State-wise estimated population who live in slums in the country as per “Committee on Slum Statistics/Census” constituted by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation is annexed.

In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today Kumari Selja said, a total of 1615 projects, 529 under BSUP and 1086 under IHSDP, have been approved so far for construction of 1602387 houses, 10,31,856 under BSUP and 570531 under IHSDP, and other related civic amenities like water supply, sewerage, community toilets, street lighting etc across the country.

She said, a new scheme ‘Rajiv Awas Yojana’ (RAY) has been launched in June 2011. The Scheme provides financial assistance to States that are willing to assign property rights to slum dwellers for provision of decent shelter and basic civic and social services for slum redevelopment, and for creation of affordable housing stock.

Slums being a State subject, it is upto the Government of Maharashtra to take steps to address the issues of slums, including Dharavi, availing allocation under JNNURM and RAY and mobilising State and Local Body funds, the Minister added.

Click here to see Annexure  (Population living in Slums)

National Workshop India’s National Communication to UNFCCC – Future Challenges

At National Workshop is held at New Delhi on India’s National communication to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), organized by the Minister of Environment and Forests on May 9, 2012; India’s Second National Communication to the UNFCCC was released. India’s Second National Communication to the UNFCCC has been prepared by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India towards fulfillment of the reporting obligation under the Convention.

Unveiling the Natcom II the Minster of state (I/C) for Environment & Forests Smt. Jayanthi Natarajan said that India is fully committed to its responsibilities towards global community. She said that India has voluntarily reduced carbon emission.She congratulated the scientists for commendable work.

The secretary, Ministry of Environment & Forest Shri T. Chatterjee said that National Communication II reiterates India’s commitment to global concerns on climate change. He said local and regional data has been very curial is preparing the document.

It is recalled that India is a Party to the UNFCCC. The Convention, in accordance with is Article 4.1 and 12.1 , enjoins all Parties, both developed and developing country Parties, to furnish information , in the form of a National Communication (a national report), regarding implementation of the convention. The Ministry of Environment and Forests is the Executing and Implementing Agency for the project for preparation of the national communication. A National Steering Committee (NSC) under the Chairmanship of Secretary (E&F) oversaw the implementation of the work programme devised for preparation by the Government of India. A National Project Director co-ordinates the activities and is assisted by National Technical Experts, housed under the Project Management Cell (PMC).

Towards fulfillment of the obligation of furnishing information on implementation of the Convention, the Government of India submitted its Second National Communication in May, 2012. The First (Initial) National Communication was submitted to the UNFCCC Secretariat on June 22, 2004.

A broad based participatory approach was followed involving multi-disciplinary teams and other stakeholders comprising of more than 220 scientists belonging to over 120 institutions. These teams were drawn from premier Research Institutions, Universities, Government Ministries and Departments and Non-Governmental Organizations of national repute across the country. Besides, the stakeholder consultations, training, thematic and awareness generation events covering more than 1000 participants were organized through 30 conferences/seminars/workshops/consultations across the country towards preparation of the report.

The salient features of report include:

The report provides the context and the National Circumstances inter alia India’s geography, imperative inter alia India’s geography, imperative of development needs, climate and economy; based on which India would be addressing and responding to the challenges of climate change.

The report includes results of wide ranging of studies, specifically conducted at the National level capturing diversity of India.

The Greenhouse Gas Inventory of gases of anthropogenic origin for the year 2000 has been reported, as per the stipulated guidelines using prescribed methodologies by Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

It is to be noted that, for year 2000, the net Carbon dioxide equivalent greenhouse gas emissions for India were estimated to be 1301.21 million tones, indicating a growth of 4.2% in Carbon dioxide equivalent emissions from the levels in 1994.

The report also provides the GHG profile for the year 2007 - a unique feature of this report, which is estimated to be of the order of 1771.66 million tones CO2 equivalent.

The report provides details of climate change scenarios for one scenario, namely; A1B (for three time slices), which assumes a significant energy technological advancement, with a healthy mix of renewable energy technologies. A overall warming scenario is projected.

Climate change impacts in A1B scenario for key sectors of the economy such as water, agriculture, forestry, natural ecosystems, coastal regions, human health, energy, industry and human settlements were assessed using improved models.

It is expected that the information in this report shall be useful to the various stakeholders in policy making at different levels. It is also expected that the information will enhance the understanding of the issues related to climate change and its impacts and create general awareness relating to Government of India’s proactive efforts towards addressing the challenges due to climate change.

Implementation of RSBY in the Country

The Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY), which became operational from 01.04.2008, is presently being implemented in 24 States/Union Territory, namely, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Orissa, Punjab, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal and Chandigarh Administration.

Puducherry Administration and Madhya Pradesh have taken initial steps to implement the scheme. Rajasthan had initially participated in RSBY and discontinued. The State has now again initiated the process for extension of RSBY to MNREGA workers, street vendors, domestic workers and beedi workers. Government of Sikkim has decided in-principle to implement the scheme. Government of Andhra Pradesh has recently floated tender inviting bids from insurance companies to implement RSBY in Rangareddy district on pilot basis.

Governments of Tamilnadu and Goa had initially participated in the scheme, but discontinued to launch their own scheme.

Since inception of the scheme, more than 2.94 crore smart cards have been issued till 30.04.2012. Target for the current financial year 2012-13 is to increase the number of smart cards to 3.4 crore.

Miss India World Vinya Mishra awarded with Kalpana Chawla Excellence Award

Yesteryear actress Sushma Seth and Miss India World Vinya Mishra were awarded with Kalpana Chawla excellence award on 6 May 2012 at Mavlankar Auditorium, New Delhi. The other awardees included Padmabhushan kuchipudi and bharatnatyam dancer Swapnasundari, IPS Officer Shalini Singh, who had won the police medal for meritorious service in 2012 and jewellery designer Puneeta Trikha.

The award instituted by PECOBA (Punjab Engineering College Chandigarh Old Boys Association was conferred by late astronaut's father Banarsi Lal Chawla Chawla. The awards are being given every year in the memory of Kalpana, who died in Space Shuttle Columbia disaster on 1 February 2003.

The Function was organized by PECOBA (Punjab Engineering College Chandigarh Old Boys Association). Kalpana Chawla was an alumnus of this College and got her degree in aeronautical engineering in 1982 from this college.

Report placed India on Fifth Position in the List of Countries affected from Cyber Crime

India, according to a report published by the Security and Defence Agenda (SDA) and McAfee on 6 May 2012, ranked fifth in the list of countries affected of cyber crime. The report, ‘Cyber Security: The Vexed Question of Global Rules’, rated the Internet privacy in the country as low. Brussels-based SDA spoke to leading global security experts to ensure that findings would offer useful recommendations and actions.

At the Cyber Security Summit which concluded in Bangalore on 4 May 2012, officials from the National Security Committee claimed that the government is firstly looking at capacity building that will lead to the draft of the national cyber security policy which is currently under discussion.

The report mentioned that India knows the repercussions of cyber crime which directly affects the reputation of the country as a safe investment or business place. The report also expressed concern over lack of a single operator to effectively control Internet, telecom and power sectors.

Vladimir Putin sworn in as the President of Russia

Vladimir Putin the former Russian Prime Minister and the president of the United Russia Party took the oath as the President of Russia on 7 May 2012. Putin had won the Russian presidential elections with 63.6 % of the vote on 4 March 2012.
Putin, who had served as the President of Russia for two consecutive terms from 2000 to 2008 was constitutionally ineligible to run for the third consecutive term as the president. After Dimitry Medvedev took over as the President of Russia in 2008, he appointed Putin as the Prime Minister of the country.
A graduate from the International Law branch of the Law Department of the Leningrad State University, Putin started his political career when he was in the University. Putin became a member of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union when he was in the university, and remained a member until December 1991 when the party was ultimately dissolved.
Putin’s re-election to the office of president witnessed a series of protest across Russia. He was also accused by the opposition party and some international groups of irregularities during the presidential poll.
The Russian Federation was formed in 1993 after the fall of the Soviet Union. Boris Yelstin was elected as the first president of the Russian Federation.

Central Banks of top 15 countries in the world

List of Central Banks of Top 15 countries in the world. The list of Top 15 countries is according to the list of International Monetary Fund (IMF)

Serial No.	Country	Central Bank
1	USA	Federal Reserve System
2	China	People’s Bank of China
3	Japan	Bank of Japan
4	Germany	Federal Bank of Germany
5	France	Bank of France
6	Brazil	Central Bank of Brazil
7	United Kingdom	Bank of England
8	Italy	Bank of Italy
9	Russia	Central Bank of Russian Federation
10	Canada	Bank of Canada
11	India	Reserve Bank of India
12	Spain	Bank of Spain
13	Australia	Reserve Bank of Australia
14	Mexico	Bank of Mexico
15	South Korea	Bank of Korea

Tamil writer Ashokamitran declared Recipient of the 6 NTR National Literary Award

Noted Tamil writer Ashokamitran, known for his novel Thanneer and other works was declared the recipient of the 6 NTR National Literary Award on 4 May 2012. The award is scheduled to be presented on 28 May 2012. The writer was born in Secunderabad and was closest to Telugu culture, language and people.

The announcement was made by chairperson of NTR Vignan Trust Nandamuri Lakshmi Parvati who recalled how the award was established and began with Kannada writer S.L. Bhyrappa, A. Somasundaram (Telugu), Sachidanandan (Malayalam), Mahasweta Devi and Gnanpith awardee C. Narayana Reddy.

The jury comprised writer Volga, Professor N. Krupanandam of the University of Hyderabad and litterateur Ketu Vishwanatha Reddy. Ashokamitran's name was finalised unanimously, considering the number of his works that were translated in other languages and their relevance to Telugu.

Indo-Bangla Joint Commemoration of the 150th Birth Anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore

A Joint Communique was issued highlighting the importance of joint Indo-Bangla celebrations to mark the 150^th Birth Anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore after the visit of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina to India in January, 2010. The decision to jointly celebrate the 150^th Anniversary provided the two countries an opportunity to build a vibrant and forward looking relationship.

A National Committee (NC) under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister had been constituted on 27^th April, 2010 to consider policies and lay down guidelines for the appropriate commemoration.  It held its first meeting on 20^th May, 2010.  A National Implementation Committee (NIC) had also been constituted on 27^th April, 2010 under the Chairmanship of Finance Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee for chalking out the programmes and activities and to implement the decisions of the National Committee.  The NIC had met twice in 2010 - on 5^th May and 14^th July. The third meeting of the NIC was held on 6^th April, 2011 and the fourth meeting of NIC was held on 24^th March, 2012. Several programmes and projects were approved by the NIC for a befitting commemoration of 150^th Birth Anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore.

A delegation led by the then Secretary Culture, Government of India visited Dhaka in December, 2010 to chalk out the programmes of Joint Indo-Bangla Celebrations. Subsequently a delegation from Bangladesh also visited India in April, 2011 and further discussions was held on joint commemorations.  The inaugural function of the commemoration in India was held on 7^th May, 2011 in New Delhi to start the year-long joint celebrations. Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and Planning Minister of Bangladesh, Air Vice Marshal (Retd.), Shri A. K. Khandker, Smt. Sonia Gandhi, Chairperson, National Advisory Council (NAC). Finance Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee, Culture Minister Kumari Selja, Information & Broadcasting Minister Smt. Ambika Soni, External Affairs Minister Shri S.M. Krishna, HRD & Communications Minister Shri Kapil Sibal and President, ICCR Dr. Karan Singh participated in the inaugural programme.

Earlier, an inaugural function was also held on 6^th May, 2011 in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

The National Implementation Committee had decided in its fourth meeting held on 24^th March, 2012 that the joint commemoration will culminate with Closing Ceremonies to be organized in Dhaka on 6^th May, 2012, and in New Delhi on 7^th May, 2012. Accordingly, the Closing Ceremonies are being organized in Dhaka and New Delhi. Vice-President of India Shri M. Hamid Ansari will be the Chief Guest at the Closing Ceremony on 7^th May, 2012 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.  Several cultural programmes will also be organized by Indian and Bangaladeshi groups on 6^th and 7^th May, 2012 in Delhi as well as Dhaka. 

During the year-long joint Indo-Bangla celebrations, several programmes involving various art forms like songs, dramas, recitation, poetry, kantha paintings etc,  were organized in India and Bangladesh. The programmes have been attended by several dignitaries, high officials and top cultural artists of Bangladesh. The performances in packed auditoria have received rave reviews in practically all leading newspapers and electronic media of India and Bangladesh. The same have renewed the bonds of shared cultural heritage of the two countries.

Boris Johnson narrowly wins London mayoral race

Conservative Boris Johnson has been re-elected for a second term as Mayor of London in a tight race with Labour Party challenger Ken Livingstone. The outcome of  vote means that Mr. Johnson, 47, will remain Mayor of the British capital during this summer’s London Olympics. Johnson defeated Livingstone, who held the post from 2000-08, in a close race. Around 5.8 million Londoners were eligible to vote.

U.S. unemployment ticks down to 8.1 per cent

In a development that is likely to buoy the Obama White House's election prospects in November, the U.S. economy's unemployment rate continued its slow but steady declining trend, inching down from 8.2 per cent in March to 8.1 per cent in April.

Announcing the monthly data release, the U.S. Bureau of Labour Statistics (BLS) noted that non-farm payroll employment rose by 1.15 lakh in April, yet it described the unemployment rate for the month as “little changed.” At the macro level, employment increased in professional and business services, retail trade, and health care, but declined in transportation and warehousing, the BLS added.

Although the number of unemployed persons remained worryingly high at 12.5 million, the White House struck a cautiously positive note about the data.

Alan Krueger, Chairman of President Barack Obama's Council of Economic Advisers, said “Today's employment report provides further evidence that the economy is continuing to heal from the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, but much more remains to be done to repair the damage caused by the financial crisis and the deep recession.”

While Mr. Krueger emphasised that private employer payrolls increased by 1.30 lakh jobs in April and the unemployment rate had fallen by one percentage point, from 9.1 in August, the BLS cautioned that the civilian labour force participation rate declined in April to 63.6 per cent.