CURRENT AFFAIRS

CURRENT AFFAIRS (JANUARY – MAY 2012)

NATIONAL

Name the native anti-malaria drug launched by India.

Synriam

 

Who has been appointed as Governor of Goa, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand?

BV Wanchoo, Margaret Aiva and Aziz Qureshi

 

Who were given fresh terms as Governor of Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra?

ESL Narasimhan and K Sankaranarayanan

 

Which Indian state will be showcased at the Cannes Film Festival?   

Gujarat

 

Where in India joint venture of HPCL – Mittal Energy Limited worth ` 21500 crore was formally inaugurated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh?               

Bhatinda (Punjab)

 

Name the Indian who has been elected to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) as World Court Judge.

Justice Dalveer Bhandari

 

Which three North-Eastern states will have planetarium by 2013?     Nagaland, Manipur and Jorhat in Asom

 

Which state will introduce a bill to protect heritage buildings which are not protected by the Archaeological Survey of India or the State Archaeological Department?

Tamil Nadu, (Tamil Nadu Heritage Commission Bill, 2012)

 

Which resource in nuclear reactor will be used for power generation as the government has decided to start construction of 300 MW reactor by 2016-2017?         

Thorium

 

Where in India medicinal plant garden has been set up to commemorate 150 years of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)?           

Tirumukkudai near Kanchipuram (Tamil Nadu)

 

The first World Information Technology Forum was recently held in                

New Delhi

 

The India-US joint Naval exercise, which was recently held, is            

Malabar 2012

 

The State Assembly, which recently passed resolution to set up Legislative Council, is            

Rajasthan State Assembly

 

The first spice park has been inaugurated in Rajasthan at

Rampura Bhatiyan Village

 

The Supreme Court of India as on April 12, 2012 has upheld the Constitutional Validity of the

Right to Education Act, 2009

 

………was admitted as the 11^th member of MDEP (Multinational Design Evaluation Programme( on April 4, 2012          

India's Atomic Energy Regulatory Board

 

The Union Cabinet of India have approved the redrafted….. which seeks to given a woman share in her husband's property in case of divorce.

Marriage Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2010

 

Jammu and Kashmir High Court Chief Justice who was sworn in as Supreme Court Judge.     

FM Ibrahim Kalifullah

 

Which is the first Indian state to ban tobacco from April , 2012 to curb the increasing number of mouth cancer cases?                                                                        

Madhya Pradesh

 

The centre has cleared for development of nods (or) growth centres for Rajasthan in Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor named as

    Neemrana – Bhiwadi - Tapukuda Zone and Jodhpur - Pali - Mararwar Zone

 

First Indian who was appointed as Dean to an American Business School                                                                       Srilata Zaheer

 

The world's first……….marched to its maiden tune after it got its ceremonial colours under the CRPF at an event in New Delhi                                                                                                                    All Women Paramilitary Pipe Band

 

The new Director General of National Disaster Response Force and Civil Defence (NDRF & CD), Ministry of Home Affairs appointed recently                                                                                                                                Prakash Mishra

 

India's leading tyre manufacturer CEAT appointed its new Managing Director. His name is                                      Goenka

 

The first woman who led the Indian Air Force contingent at the Republic Day parade

Flight Lieutenant Sneha Shekhawat

 

Who won the Best Marching Contingent Trophy among police, paramilitary and auxillary marching contingents?

BSF

 

The person who replaced Mr. Trivedi as Railway Minister

Mukul Roy

 

The person who is heading the panel to investigate the case of 22 alleged fake encounter killings in Gujarat between 2002 and 2006                                 

Justice HS Bedi

 

The interactive presentation tool launched by HP in India

Pocket Whiteboard

 

The world's first hydrogen powered 3-wheeler which was launched by Mahindra and Mahindra at the 11^th Auto Expo 2012                                                                     

HyAlfa

 

What is the concept introduced by Indian Postal Department (Bihar Postal Circle) to get a personalized stamp with photograph on it?                                  

My Stamp

 

The Government policy introduced by Karnataka to boost the animation industry

Karnataka Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comic (KAVGC) Policy 2011

 

Person appointed as Managing Director of Xerox for its Indian operations   

Rajat Jain

 

Name the DGP replacing outgoing chief Sunkar Baruah for Asom     

Jayanta Narayan Choudhury

 

Which state has planned to teach Bhagvad Gita in schools?

Karnataka

 

Person who has been elected as Deputy Chief of Indian Army           

Lt. Gen. Ramesh Halgali

 

The commission set-up in accordance with Section 74 of the Meghalaya Police Act.

Police Accountability Commission

 

The Bill approved by Rajya Sabha (on December 27) which aims at promoting international trade by raising the capital funds of overseas trading from two thousand crore rupees to ten thousand crore rupees.

The Export-Import Bank of India Amendment Bill

 

INTERNATIONAL

First Muslim Mayor of Indian origin in UK

Abdul Razzak Osman

 

Name the Barcelona coach, who stepped down, as Vilanova takes over        

Pep Guardiola

 

Where is the 200 hectare Olympic Park constructed in the East of London?  

Stratford (A Former Industrial Site)

 

Which city did London defeat by 4 votes to win the right to host the Olympics 2012?               

Paris

 

Which Australian based company pulled out one of its hedge funds from investing in Indian market?    

Macquarie

 

Which European nation has plunged back into recession in the first quarter of 2012?              

Spain

 

Which country's President has been fined $ 17000 by its electoral authorities for urging his Facebook followers on polling day to vote for him?

Taiwan (President Ma Ying-jeou)

 

Name the Grammy-winning, nicknamed the queen of Disco, who passed away on May 17, 2012. 

Donna Summer

 

Which country moved TWO against India over poultry issue?             

United States

 

In which city, world's tallest tower is built which was recently opened for public?     

Tokyo

 

According to Swiss-based New Seven Wonders, which natural site has been added to the list of new Seven Wonders of the world?             

Tableland Mountain-Cape Town

 

Who has been appointed as the Managing Director for India and SAARC operations by McAfee?

Jagdish Mahapatra

 

Which company was allowed by Indian Cabinet to sign a gas purchase agreement with Turkmenistan national oil firm?                                                                                                 

GAIL

 

Anzhaite long-Span Suspension Bridge in …. Is the world's highest and longest bridge that was officially opened to motorists in China recently.                                       

Jishou

 

Boris Tadic is the ……. who resigned recently.

Serbian President

 

Which is the most influential city of the world, followed by New York, Hong-Kong, Paris and Singapore, according to the Wealth Report 2012?                                         

London

 

The UN Human Rights Council asked to stop the attacks on civilians by the security forces of               

Syria

 

Which Metro entered in the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest driverless metro network in the world (74.695 km)?                                              

The Dubai Metro

 

Which country tops the list as the world's wealthiest country by US Forbes magazine 2012?

Qatar

 

Gier Haarde went on trial for corruption charges, he was the ex-Prime Minister of which country?  

Iceland

 

On March 5, 2012 Vladimir Putin won the Russian Presidential election with 63.75% of votes from

United Russian Party

 

In which country, the thousands of Tamils from across Europe protested for creation of an international tribunal to try "war crimes" committed in Sri Lanka?

Geneva (UN Headquarters)

 

In Africa, Khapoli investments Limited, a subsidiary of Tata Power has joined hands with South African based Exxaro Resources Limited to form joint venture and named as

Cennergi Limited

 

The shortest man in the world according to the Guinness Book of World Records

Chandra Bahadur Dangi, Kathmandu, Nepal (21.5 Inches)

 

Which country became 157th to adopt the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT)?               

Indonesia

 

New President of Maldives    

Waheed Hassan

 

 

According to a poll conducted by global research company IPSOS, the happiest people of the world reside in

Indonesia, India and Mexico

 

World's largest newborn baby born in China (7.04 kg)

Chun Chun

 

The former President of Italy who died recently

Oscar Luigi Scalfaro

 

Recently a planned coup to topple the government was foiled in     

Bangladesh

 

Memogate Scandal is related to           

Pakistan

 

The Russian Mars probe which recently fell in Indian Ocena is            

Phobos- Grunt

 

The ruling party has swept Snap Parliamentary elections in

Kazakhstan

 

The youngest sailor to complete a solo circumnavigation of the world is        

Laura Dekker

 

ECONOMY AND BANKING

What percentage is the planned road tax for vehicle across India?                                                                             6%

 

Who took over as President of Institute of Charted Accountants of India for the year 2012-13?                       Jaideep Shah

 

Which Indian retail chain will open its 100th outlet in Abu Dhabi?                                                                            Lulu

 

What is the proposed long-term capital gain tax cut on investments made by private equity funds into shares of unlisted companies in India?                                                                                                                                               10%

 

Which country allowed import of basmati rice from India recently?                                                                          China

 

Where was the India Investrade 2012 organized by Indian Chamber of Commerce, Kolkata held?       Colombo (Sri Lanka)

 

Which process has been made mandatory for banks by RBI in case of Bank customers who change jobs or locations?

Allowing Transfer of Accounts from Branch to Branch within Banks

 

Which company is planning to open 'Motherwood Maternity', 'A Pea in the Pod' and 'Destination Maternity' brands in India?                                                                                                                                                 Mahindra Retail

 

Which German sportswear maker has planned to shut down one-third of its 900 Reebok stores in India                    Adidas

 

The RBI on March 26, 2012 restructured the Fair Practices Code (FPC) to be adopted by …….. while doing lending business.

                                                                                                                  Non-Banking Finance Companies (NBFCs)

 

The Union Government on April 12, 2012 have approved `30000 crore bailout for                                                   Air India

 

The Union Government on April 12, 2012 have approved a proposal to set up a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for

Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN)

 

The Union Government on April 12, 2012 have approved the extension of funding support for implementing the…….. under New Pension System (NPS) from 3 years to 5 years enrolled during 2010-11, 2011-12 and 2012-13.

Swavalamban Scheme

 

Which is the Tablet PC launched by Micromax?                                                                                               Fun Book

 

The recent report "HUNGaMa" deals with ……….in India.                                                                              Malnutrition

 

Who is the CEO of BSE who will join Tata Group's holding company, Tata Sons and to head the group's business development?                                                                                                                                       Madhu Kannan

 

In order to boost the horticulture development in India, Union Government has approved to set up

National Centre for Cold Chain Development (NCCD)

 

Srinath Reddy Committee is on which sector?

Universal Healthcare Coverage

 

In Union Budget, Finance Minister of India, Dr. Pranab Mukherjee estimates the net tax for 2012-13

` 771701 crore

 

The government proposes to convert the National Rural Health Mission into                                 National Health Mission

 

The first PSU to set up a model Adult Education Centre in Villages/Panchayats of India under the Sakshar Bharat Programme of HRD Ministry                                                                                                                            CONCOR

 

The new share index on environment sustainable stocks launched at the Bombay Stock Exchange               BSE Greenex

 

Which PSU Bank recently introduced account portability (transfer of account from one branch with same account number) facility?                                                                                                                                                   Indian Bank

 

INDIA AND THE WORLD

Which countries have decided to promote bilateral cooperation in the field of sustainable urban development on April 10, 2012?                                                                                                                                          India and Germany

 

Which countries have signed an agreement to ease the entry of India contract workers in the Emirates on April 4, 2012?                                                     

         India and UAE

 

In the visit of Brazil President Dilma Rouseff, ……… have agreed to step up efforts towards global reforms, particularly UN Security Council on March 30, 2012.

India and Brazil

 

Which countries have agreed to set up a new bilateral trade target of 40 billion US dollars by 2015 on March 25, 2012?                                               

India and South Korea

 

Which countries have signed six agreements including a pact on cooperation in oil and gas exploration on April 9, 2012?                                                 

India and Qatar

 

Which is the first Asian country which was made Hindu marriage registration a must by bringing the law in lines with India?                                                                       

Bangladesh

 

India and China, in January 2012 resumed

Their 15 Round of Boundary Talks

 

India and China have agreed to develop

World's Largest Telescope

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

What is name of the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) that is scheduled to be launched on August 5, 2012 by NASA?

Curiosity

 

The study of animals whose existence is not proven is called                                                                   Cryptozoology

 

A unique yet endangered collection of shrubs and plants found at Table Mountain in Cape Town is called                  Fynbos

 

What is the name of the new ICBM developed by Russia to beat US defences?                                                 Avangard

 

What is the name of "In Home HIV Test' approved by the FDA Advisory Committee for sale over the counter?

Ora Quick

 

What is the name of the Europe's largest solar telescope opened recently in Spain's Canary Islands?

Gregar Telescope

 

Which country has the highest premature baby deaths in the world?                                                                     India

 

India's first space based Solar Coronograph is                                                                                              Aditya - I

 

Which is the India's first indigenous radar imaging satellite which was launched by PSLV-C19 on April 26, 2012?

RISAT-I

 

Pakistan on April 25, 2012 test-fired nuclear capable……. Ballistic missile.                                                            Half-IV

 

The……suspended the environmental clearance which was granted to Posco's mega steel project in Odisha on March 30, 2012.                                                                                                                                   National Green Tribunal

 

India on April 19, 2012 successfully test fired its maiden Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM)                                     Agni-V

 

The Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) on April 16, 2012……….. in dissection and other experiments in education and research institutions.

Banned the Use of Live Animals

 

China's first domestically produced automatic unmanned telescope named………. Has been installed in Antarctica recently.                                                                                                                                                  AST3-1

 

Which is the nuclear submarine which joined Indian Navy recently?                                                            INS Chakra

 

Name of the World's first integrated solar power storage tile using super capacitor, which was launched at the International Conference, NANOSOLAR 2010?

Amrita Smart

 

The first map to show carbon monoxide over the whole sky has been designed by                                      Plank Mission

 

The composition of world's first magnetic soap produced

   Iron-Rich Salts Dissolved in Water

 

SPORTS

Which Football Club announced to set up first official Football School in India?                          Barcelona Football Club

 

In which Junior Asia Cup tournament did India bag Bronze Medal recently?                                                           Hockey

 

Who registered his third win at the 28th Asian Snooker Championship held at Doha, Qatar?                         Aditya Mehta

 

Name the oldest Marathon runner in the world who ended his participation I full Marathon.                              Fauja Singh

 

Which famous cuesist and a seven time world Snooker champion announced his retirement recently?

Stephen Hendry of Scotland

 

Which football goal has been voted as the greatest goal in the history of English Premier League?

                                                                                     An Overhead Kick from Wayne Rooney of Manchester City

 

Which football club won their first Champions League trophy in Munich?                                                             Chelsea

 

The former Indian Hockey Captain, who has been appointed Chief-de-Mission for London Olympics 2012  is

Ajit Pal Singh

 

The winner of Chinese Grand Prix this year                                                                                                Nico Rosberg

 

The winner of Bahrain Grand Prix 2012                                                                                                 Sebastian Vettel

 

Who won the Tennis Men's Soubles Miami 2012 title?

Leander Paes and Radek Stepanek

 

Who has been conferred with Sir Jehangir Ghandy Medal?

Narayana Murthy

 

Who are the three Indian hockey players after whom, tube stations in London has been renamed?

Dhyan Chand, Roop Singh and Leslie Claudius

 

Who won her 6th world sprint title at the World Track Cycling championships 2012?                             Victoria Pendleton

 

Who is the most successful golfer on the Hero Women's Professional Golf Tour in 2011-2012 was named as "Player of the Year" at Hero-WGAI Awards?                                                                                                                Smriti Mehra

 

Who are the first wrestlers from India to qualify for London Olympics?                            Amit Kumar and Yogeshwar Dutt

 

Who becames the youngest Indian Boxer to qualify for Olympics?                                                         Shiva Thapa

 

Who won the ITF men's Futures Tennis Tournament in Bhopal?                                                               Sanam Singh

 

Which team won the Vijay Hazare one day cricket tournament?                                                                        Bengal

 

Which cricket team won the CB series triangular one day tournament finals?                                                     Australia

 

Recently Rohan Bohana and Mahesh Bhupathi wins the doubles final of which tennis tournament?

Dubai Tennis Championships

 

The New Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Basketball Federation of India (BFI) is                              Roopam Sharma

 

Lin Dan won his fifth All England Open badminton Title in anti-climatic fashion, when depending champion retired with a shoulder injury in the final, who was the defending champion of All England Open Badminton Title?

Lee Chong Wei

 

Which country won the first women's Kabaddi Championship held in Patna?                                                       India

 

Name the Liberia's Italian Football Coach who was dropped after the national teams defeat.                       Roberto Landi

 

The person who won the Nagoya women's marathon (2:23:52) and dedicated her victory to the victims of the earthquake one year ago.                                                                                                                             Albina Mayorova (Russia)

 

The person who won the world's indoor men's 400 m title championship (45.11 seconds)             Nery Brenes (Costa Rica)

 

The person who won the bronze in the women's category at the Eilat sailing championship in Israel recently

Rohini Rau

 

The only cricketer in the world to score 100 international centuries                                                       Sachin Tendulkar

 

First woman to head Basketball Federation of India                                                                              Roopam Sharma

 

Member of the Indian team at the 1967 South Asian basketball championship who died recently                    B Muniyappa

 

Name of the digital music store launched by online retail company Flipkart.com.                                                       Flyte

 

Name Afghan's first team members of female boxers set to aim for Olympics 2012.              Shabnam and Sadaf Rahimi

 

The Sri Lankan cricketer who completed 10000 ODI runs recently                                                      Kumar Sangakkara

 

Tennis player who has been awarded with Karadjordjeva Star medal, the highest honour in Serbia              Novak Djokovic

 

The German's 1997 Tour de France winner who received 2 year ban for a blood doping offence                        Jan Ullrich

 

The two recently-retired football national team veterans who were felicitated by All India Football Federation

Climax Lawrence and Mahesh Gawli

 

The youngest winner of the 22nd Goodricke East India amateur Golf Championship of RCGC                      Honey Baisoya

 

The person who made history by becoming the only player to win the FA Cup with both Liverpool and Everton died recently                                                                                                                                                                  Gary Ablett

 

The Indian player who has won Swiss Open Badminton Trophy is                                                              Saina Nehwal

 

The Indian women who have won Gold Medals at Asian women's Boxing Championship are

MC Mary Kom and Sarita

 

The winner of Asia Cup 2012 of Cricket                                                                                                           Pakistan

 

This year the winners of Malaysian Grand Prix and Australian Grand Prix respectively are

Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button

 

The Winner of 78th Ranji Trophy Championship                                                                                             Rajasthan

 

FIFA's men's and women's world players of the year respectively are                              Lionel Messi and Homare Sawa

 

MISCELLANEOUS

Who is appointed as India's President by Rolls-Royce?

Kishore Jayaraman

 

Name the 51 year old who scaled Mt. Everest for 21^st time.

Apa Sherpa

 

Who was honoured with a posthumous Grammy Award for his contributions to the music industry in area other than performance?                                                                                                                                             Steve Jobs

 

Who will replace Eric Simmons as Indian cricket bowling coach?                                                               Joe Dawes

 

Where will IIT Bombay along with five other universities establish centre for urban science and progress?

Brooklyn, Ney York

 

Who retained the crown as Britain's richest man?

Lakshmi Mittal

 

Name the grand old lady of Indian cinema who turned 100 years recently.                                                    Zohra Sehgal