TOP STORIES MONTHLY

CHAIRMAN MESSAGE

Since inception of KITM this thought of

bringing out a magazine was a dream. Now

this is the time when this dream has come true.

The level of “Top Stories Monthly” has

exceptionally exemplary. Efforts are

undoubtly remarkable. Credit goes to all the

faculty members of Department of

Management Studies for their hard work.

Dedication, Commitment and sincerity are the

only key to success which is proved through

“Top Stories Monthly”. Best wishes to the

editorial team. Sh.Satyapal Aggarwal

DIRECTOR-PRINCIPAL

It is a matter of immense pleasure that

Department of Management Studies is

bringing out a magazine “Top Stories

Monthly” on monthly basis. This is a potential

approach towards true professionalism. I hope

and wish this effort of DMS will lead to a

success in setting standards for coming

generations. Prof. P.J.George

FROM EDITOR DESKS

Mission Statement

The essential purpose of Top Stories Monthly

Magazine is to inform, engage, inspire and

entertain a diverse readership -- including

alumni, parents, students, faculty, staff and

other friends of KITM, by telling powerful

content that present a compelling, timely and

honest portrait of the country and its extended

presence. In the originality of its conception,

in the excellence of its writing and visual

presentation and in its commitment to

accuracy, healthy discourse and editorial

balance, the magazine endeavors to reflect the

values and the quality of the institution itself.

By maintaining the respect and interest of its

readers, the magazine aspires ultimately to

inform their opinion of the institution and to

strengthen their commitment to its welfare.

Editorial Content

The editors of Top Stories Monthly are

ultimately responsible for all decisions

concerning the content of the magazine. In

selecting content, the editors work in

consultation with the staff and with other

members of the Institution community with

several factors in mind, including:

commitment to offering readers a mix of

newsworthy, engaging and thought-provoking

articles about the Institution and its people;

respect and concern for the institution's

history, mission and values; commitment to

providing balanced and timely coverage of

issues; concern for maintaining the

institution's commitment to open discourse;

commitment to diversity of interest, opinion

and representation; and concern for readability

and attractiveness of presentation.

The editors welcome suggestions concerning

content but can make no assurances regarding

the use of suggested or provided material.

Although no single issue of the magazine can

fully reflect the diversity of the institution and

its community, the editors will make every

effort to represent, over the course of time, the

great diversity of interest, opinion and

background inherent in the magazine's

readership.

Statements and opinions expressed in the

magazine are those of the bylined contributors

or of the editorial staff, and do not necessarily

represent the official position of the

Institution.

All articles and all information are subject to

editing by the editorial team of the magazine.

As a courtesy, programs and people

prominently featured in an article are usually

given the opportunity to preview portions of

the story that concern them in order to check

the accuracy of quotes and facts. The final

decision on changes to the article belongs,

however, to the editors.

Editor-in-Chief

Dr. Ranjeet Verma

Associate Professor & Head

Department of Management Studies

Kurukshetra Institute of Technology &

Management, Kurukshetra

Editor

Sunil Kumar

Assistant Professor

Department of Management Studies

Kurukshetra Institute of Technology &

Management, Kurukshetra

In a bid to kick-start manufacturing in the

electronics sector in the country, the Union

Govt. on 15 February launched a Rs. 10,000

crore development fund specifically targeted

at the semiconductor industry. What is the

name of this fund? –Electronic Development

Fund (EDF)

Explanation: The Electronic Development

Fund (EDF) will provide risk capital to

companies developing new technologies in

electronics, nano-electronics and information

technology. The fund will also be used to

acquire foreign companies and technologies

that are required for building hi-tech

capabilities within India

– The Department of Electronics and

Information Technology will be the anchor

investor. Canbank Venture Capital Fund, a

subsidiary of state-run lender Canara Bank,

has been appointed the implementation agency

for EDF.

– The Centre will contribute Rs. 2,200 crore,

while the balance will be brought in by private

entities. The Centre has already provided Rs.

169 crore to the four companies, while the VC

firms are investing close to Rs. 1,000 crore.

………………………………………………

…

The 2016 South Asian Games (SAG)

concluded on 16 February 2016 with a grand

closing ceremony held at Guwahati’s Indira

Gandhi Athletic Stadium. India grabbed an

unprecedented 188 gold medals and stamped

its superiority as an unrivalled region

sporting power. Which country came second

in the medals tally? – Sri Lanka

Explanation: India, hosting the Games for the

third time after Calcutta (1987) and Madras

(1995), overwhelmingly dominated the

12th

SAF Games by winning 308 medals (188

gold, 90 silver, 30 bronze).

– Sri Lanka were a distant second with 25

gold, 63 silver and 98 bronze while Pakistan

ended at third with 12 gold, 37 silver and 57

bronze. India, in fact, bagged more than three-

fourth of the total 239 gold medals on offer in

23 disciplines.

Final Medals Tally

Rank Country Gold Silver Bronze Total

1 India 188 90 30 308

2 Sri Lanka 25 63 98 186

3 Pakistan 12 37 57 106

4 Afghanistan 7 9 19 35

5 Bangladesh 4 15 56 75

6 Nepal 3 23 24 60

7 Maldives 0 2 1 3

8 Bhutan 0 1 15 16

Total 239 240 310 789

………………………………………………

…

SEBI Chairman UK Sinha’s tenure was

extended by the Union Govt. for how much

time as disclosed on 15 February 2016? –

One year

Explanation: The government on 15 February

2016 extended U.K. Sinha’s tenure as the

chairman of the Securities and Exchange

Board of India (SEBI) for a year. With this,

the govt. opted for continuity at a time of

domestic and global market volatility.

– The appointments committee of the cabinet

approved extension for Sinha from 18

February 2016 to 1 March 2017 or until

further orders, whichever is earlier.

– Sinha, a 1976 batch Indian Administrative

Service (IAS) officer of the Bihar cadre,

assumed office as chairman of the capital

market regulator on 18 February 2011.

Initially appointed for a three-year term, he

was later given a two-year extension.

– With the extension, Sinha has become the

second longest serving SEBI chief after D.R.

Mehta, who was at the helm for seven years

ending in 2002.

………………………………………………

…

Who was appointed as the new Vice-

Chancellor of Delhi University (DU) on 15

February 2016 after his name was selected by

President Pranab Mukherjee from among

four persons? – Yogesh Kumar Tyagi

Explanation: Yogesh Kumar Tyagi is the

Dean of the Law Faculty at South Asian

University. His name was selected by

President Pranab Mukherjee from among four

persons. Last week, the Human Resource

Development (HRD) ministry had forwarded

the four names to the President who, as Visitor

of Central Universities, makes the final

selection.

– The other names on the panel were JNU

professor Rameshwar Nath Kaul Bamezai,

former IIT professor and UPSC member

Hemchand Gupta and Bidyut Chakraborty, a

professor in the DU Political Science

department.

………………………………………………

…

Ramesh Chauhan, Chairman, Bisleri

International, came to news as he announced

his re-entry into the carbonated drinks

category, nearly 22 years after selling his

brands to Coca Cola. What is the name of the

new carbonated drink he is launching very

soon? –Bisleri Pop

Explanation: Ramesh Chauhan’s company

Bisleri International is introducing Bisleri Pop

in four variants: Bisleri Limonata, Bisleri

Fonzo, Bisleri Pina Colada and Bisleri Spyci,

from this month, in all the major cities.

– Bisleri Pop took eight months to develop

and Chauhan is expected to put all his

experience to ensure it clicks in the

marketplace. Once known as India’s cola king,

he had sold his carbonated drink portfolio

comprising of iconic brands such as Thums

Up, Gold Spot and Citra, to the Coca Cola

Company in 1993.

– The launch of Bisleri Pop portfolio will be

accompanied by an outdoors campaign,

subsequently moving to media such as

television and digital to attract youngsters.

– The Rs. 13,000-14,000 crore soft drinks

market in India is dominated by Coca-Cola

India and PepsiCo. They straddle the beverage

pyramid with carbonated and non-carbonated

drinks. Ironically, Thums Up, launched by

Chauhan when Coca-Cola first exited India in

1977, remains the largest cola brand in Coca-

Cola’s portfolio.

India’s newest and most modern aircraft

carrier INS Vikramaditya, along with its

support ships INS Mysore and INS Deepak,

reached Maldives’ capital Male on 15

February 2016 on a 4-day visit. What is the

objective of this visit of Indian Navy’s ships?

– To thwart the Chinese Navy from making

any strategic in-roads into the Indian

Ocean Region

Explanation: This visit is part of the overall

policy to shape a favourable maritime

environment in the Indian Ocean Region

(IOR) with both presence and engagement.

– India has been looking to counter the

Chinese aggression in the IOR as the China is

now viewing the ocean region as its own

backyard. An emboldened Chinese Navy had

previously anchored its warships and

submarines in the Pakistani port of Gwadar

and the Sri Lankan port of Hambantota and

Colombo, causing ripples in the Indian

administration.

– Maldives is a strategically important country

for India in the IOR. India reiterated its

commitment to train the archipelago’s military

and help it in maritime surveillance. India is

also likely to help Maldives in setting up 10

coastal surveillance radar system (CSRS)

stations.

– INS Vikramaditya, one of the two aircraft

carriers of the Navy, is capable of operating a

versatile range of high- performance aircraft,

such as the MiG-29K fighters, KM 31 AEW

helicopters, multi-role Sea-Kings and utility

Chetaks.

………………………………………………

…

The Urban Development Ministry on 15

February 2016 unveiled the list of India’s

cleanest cities that were surveyed for

sanitation and hygiene conditions as per

‘Swachh Survekshan-2016’. Which city

topped this list? – Mysuru

Explanation: Mysuru in Karnataka remained

the cleanest city in the country as disclosed in

the list of 73 major cities surveyed for

sanitation scenario last month. Results of

‘Swachh Survekshan-2016’ were released by

the Minister of Urban Development

M.Venkaiah Naidu on 15 February 2016.

– It is worth mentioning that last year Mysuru

was ranked as the cleanest city in the country

among 476 cities with population of at least

one lakh.

– The top 10 cities in terms of sanitation and

hygiene in order of rank are: Mysuru,

Chandigarh, Tiruchirapalli (Tamil Nadu), New

Delhi Municipal Council, Visakhapatnam

(Andhra Pradesh), Surat, Rajkot, both in

Gujarat, Gangtok (Sikkim), Pimpri Chindwad

and Greater Mumbai, both from Maharashtra.

– Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh), Surat and

Rajkot, both form Gujarat and Gangtok

(Sikkim) improved their ranks to break into

top 10 clean cities in this year’s survey.

– The bottom 10 cities are: Kalyan Dombivili

(Maharshtra-ranked 64), Varanasi (UP),

Jamshedpur (Jharkhand), Ghaziabad (UP),

Raipur (Chhattisgarh), Meerut (UP), Patna

(Bihar), Itanagar (Arunachal Pradesh),

Asansol (West Bengal) and Dhanbad, ranked

73.

– The rankings reflect progress made in the

strategy for open defecation-free towns and

integrated solid waste management, among

others.

………………………………………………

…

What is the name of given to the biggest

military exercise of its kind being held from

15 February 2016 for which 20 armed forces

from Arab, Islamic and friendly countries

assembled in Saudi Arabia? – “North

Thunder”

Explanation: “North Thunder” is the name

given to the biggest military exercise of its

kind in terms of the number of participating

countries and military equipment that

commenced at the King Khaled Military City

(KKMC) in Saudi Arabia from 15 February

2016.

– This exercise features 20 countries from

Arab, Islamic and countries friendly to Saudi

Arabia. These countries are – Saudi Arabia,

UAE, Jordan, Bahrain, Senegal, Sudan,

Kuwait, Maldives, Morocco, Pakistan, Chad,

Tunisia, Comoro Islands, Djibouti, Oman,

Qatar, Malaysia, Egypt, Mauritania, and

Mauritius.

– “North Thunder” involves fighter jets of

different models, a wide range of artillery,

tanks, infantry, air defense systems, and naval

forces in a simulation to reflect the highest

level of preparedness of the 20 participating

countries.

– The exercise aims to send a clear message

that Saudi Arabia, its sister, brotherly and

friendly countries joining the maneuver are

standing together in the face of all challenges

to preserve peace and stability in the region

and the world at large.

– Saudi Arabia is currently leading a military

campaign against Iran-backed rebels in

Yemen. In December, it also announced

formation of a 35-member alliance against

terrorism.

………………………………………………

…

Indian Railway Catering and Tourism

Corporation (IRCTC) tied up with which

wallet subsidiary of Tata Teleservices to

provide an additional payment gateway as

announced on 15 February 2016? –

mRUPEE

Explanation: mRUPEE, a subsidiary of Tata

Teleservices, on 15 February announced a tie-

up with Indian Railway Catering and Tourism

Corporation (IRCTC), India’s largest e-

commerce company, to provide an additional

payment gateway.

– This tie-up will allow users one-tap

payments for rail ticket bookings via

mRUPEE wallet for a significant number of

travellers.

– mRupee expects that the tie-up with IRCTC

will not only give railway customers the ease

of quick and convenient booking, but also give

a thrust to the government’s mandate of

enhancing wider adoption of digital money in

India.

………………………………………………

…

What is the name of the 7th joint military

training exercise between the Indian Army

and the Seychelles People’s Defence Forces

(SPDF) that started at Seychelles Defence

Academy (SDA) from 15 February 2016? –

Lamitye 2016

Explanation: Lamitye is the name given to

the joint military training exercise that takes

place between the armies of India and

Seychelles. Both the countries have been

conducting joint exercises since 2001 under

the ‘Lamitye’ series. ‘Lamitye’ means

friendship in Creole (local dialect of

Seychelles).

– The exercise is conducted biennially with

the aim of enhancing military cooperation and

interoperability between the two countries.

– ‘Lamitye 2016’ is being conducted at

Seychelles Defence Academy (SDA),

Victoria, Seychelles from 15 February to 28

February 2016. The Seychelles People’s

Defence Forces (SPDF) is being represented

by 20 personnel from Tazar (Special Forces

Unit) and 32 from Seychelles Infantry. The

Indian contingent comprises of an Infantry

platoon and representatives from the Special

Forces.

Which public-sector bank on 12 February

2016 announced net loss of Rs. 3,342 crore

for quarter ended December 2015, which is

the largest quarterly loss by a bank in the

history of Indian banking industry? – Bank

of Baroda (BOB)

Explanation: Bank of Baroda (BOB) posted a

quarterly net loss of Rs. 3,342 crore for the

third quarter of 2015-16 (Sep-Dec), as

compared to a profit of Rs. 333 crore in the

same period of last year.

– This was the largest loss by a bank in the

Indian banking history. The loss was primarily

driven by a 463% increase in provisions

towards bad loans which rose from Rs. 1,149

crore in the previous quarter to Rs. 6,474

crore.

– It is worth mentioning that the RBI had

asked PSU banks to treat some troubled

accounts as official bad loans and make

adequate provisions.

– Among the worst performers, IDBI Bank

made a loss of Rs. 2,184 crore, IOB Rs. 1,425

crore and Bank of India Rs. 1,505 crore.

……………………………………………….

Which team won the ICC Under-19 World

Cup 2016 by defeating India in the finals on

14 February 2016? – West Indies

Explanation: West Indies shocked favourites

India in the finals of 2016 ICC Under-19

World Cup that was played between the two

countries on 14 February 2016 at Dhaka

(Bangladesh).

– Batting first, the Indian team was bowled-

out for a paltry 145 runs off 45.1 overs. West

Indies successfully chased the winning target

in 49.3 overs for the loss of 5 wickets. It is

worth mentioning that India was the only

undefeated team in the tournament.

– This was the maiden ICC U-19 World Cup

title for West Indies.

– The ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup is an

international cricket tournament contested by

national under-19 teams. First contested in

1988, as the Youth World Cup, it was not

staged again until 1998. Since then, the World

Cup has been held as a biennial event,

organised by the International Cricket Council

(ICC). India and Australia have been the most

successful teams in this tournament, having

won the tournament thrice each. Pakistan has

won the tournament twice, while South Africa,

England and now the West Indies have won it

once.

………………………………………………

ONV Kurup, who passed away on 13

February 2016, was a celebrated poet and

lyricist associated with which language? –

Malayalam

Explanation: Ottaplakkal Neelakandan Velu

Kurup (ONV Kurup) was one of the most

celebrated and respected poet of Malayalam

language. His influential presence existed for

nearly seven decades in Kerala’s cultural

landscape.

– As a poet and public figure, he was

associated with the political and cultural Left

all through his life. He also contested

unsuccessfully as the Left Front candidate

from the Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha seat

in 1989.

– He received numerous awards for his poetry,

including the Sahitya Akademi prize (1975)

and the Jnanpith Award (2007), and a dozen

Kerala state film awards for lyrics. He also

received the Padma Shri (1998) and Padma

Vibhushan (2011), the fourth and second

highest civilian honours from the Government

of India.

– He passed away on 13 February in

Thiruvananthapuram at the age of 84.

………………………………………….

What is the name of the President of the

Jawaharlal Nehru University Student’s

Union (JNUSU) who was arrested on

charges of sedition on 12 February 2016

resulting in a huge showdown between the

Union Govt. and the Opposition? –

Kanhaiya Kumar

Explanation: Kanhaiya Kumar, the president

of Jawaharlal Nehru University Student’s

Union (JNUSU) was arrested by the police on

12 February 2016. He was arrested on charges

of sedition one day after a controversial event

organized on the campus against the hanging

of Afzal Guru.

– The arrest of Kanhaiya Kumar upped the

Opposition ante over the BJP-led National

Democratic Alliance (NDA) with a huge

opposition show-down held on 13 February.

– The Opposition claimed that the government

was suppressing the voices of the people. This

showdown was attended by senior opposition

leaders including Congress vice president

Rahul Gandhi.

………………………………………….

An Associate Justice of the US Supreme

Court died on 13 February 2016. What was

the name of this judge who served in the US

Supreme Court for almost 30 years and

whose death set up a major political

showdown between President Barack Obama

and the Republican-controlled Senate? –

Justice Antonin Scalia

Explanation: 78-year old Justice Antonin

Scalia passed away at the Cibolo Creek Ranch

resort in West Texas on 13 February 2016. He

served on the nation’s highest court for nearly

30 years. He was appointed to the Court by

President Ronald Reagan in 1986.

– Scalia had a “larger-than-life presence” in

the US judiciary and was known for his

strident conservative views and theatrical flair

in the courtroom. But his death setup a big

showdown between President Obama and the

Republican-controlled Senate, over who will

replace him just months before a presidential

election.

– Justice Scalia was the longest-serving judge

in the Court. It is worth mentioning that once

appointed, the judges in the US Supreme

Court have life tenure unless they resign,

retire, take senior status, or are removed after

impeachment (though no justice has ever been

removed).

– Scalia was one of the eight associate justices

in the US Supreme Court apart from Chief

Justice John Roberts.

………………………………………….

Internet search giant Google on 12 February

2016 announced that with the objective of

fully focusing on ‘Google Photos’ service it

will shut down its photo editing service that

has been in service for over a decade. What is

the name of this famous photo editing

service? – Picasa

Explanation: Picasa is an image organizer

and image viewer application primarily for

organizing and editing digital photos.

– It was originally created by a company

called ‘Lifescape’ in 2002 but was acquired by

Google in July 2004. Google started offering

Picasa as a freeware and it went on to become

the most famous photo editing organizer

application in the world.

– But Google introduced its own photo service

named ‘Google Photos’ on 28 May 2015 and

now wishes to focus entirely on it.

– So on 12 February Google announced that it

was discontinuing Picasa, effective 15 March

2016, and focusing on Google Photos as its

successor. Picasa Web Albums, a companion

service will be closed on 1 May 2016.

– It is worth mentioning that while Picasa was

more suited for desktop applications, ‘Google

Photos’ provides more functionality and works

across mobile and desktop.

In a path-breaking development in the field

of Physics, a group of scientists on 11

February 2016 announced the detection of

Gravitational Waves. This announcement

threw open a new window to the cosmos and

to human understanding of space and time.

Which scientist had predicted the existence of

gravitational waves some 100 years ago? –

Albert Einstein

Explanation: The scientists of US-based

Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave

Observatory (LIGO) on 11 February 2016

claimed to have detected the sound of

gravitational waves from the merger of two

black holes.

– This collision of two black holes had been

predicted but never observed.

– The discovery came after decades of

instrument research and development, and the

collaborative efforts of around 1,000

scientists, 90 institutions and 15 countries,

including India.

– This was the first time a Binary Black Hole

system has been directly observed. The

discovery, possibly the biggest scientific

breakthrough of the century so far, radically

expands the ways in which the cosmos can

now be observed and understood.

– The study of gravitational waves will offer

scientists greater insights into the origin of the

universe and how planets are created.

– LIGO is a system of two identical detectors

located in Livingstone, Louisiana, and

Hanford, Washington, which were constructed

to detect tiny vibrations from passing

gravitational waves.

……………………………………………..

History was created on 12 February 2016

when Pope Francis, the head of the Roman

Catholic churches, and Patriarch Kirill, the

supreme of the Russian Orthodox churches,

met at Havana’s José Martí International

Airport in Cuba. This was the first meeting of

the heads of the two Christian groups in

around 1,000 years since the Great Schism

shattered Christendom. The Great Schism

took place in which year? – 1054 AD

Explanation: The Great Schism (also called

the East–West Schism) was the event that

broke the chord between the Eastern Orthodox

and the Roman Catholic churches in 1054.

The primary reasons for this split between the

two churches were – the source of the Holy

Spirit, whether leavened or unleavened bread

should be used in the Eucharist and the Pope’s

claim to universal jurisdiction.

– Despite famine, religious wars, worldwide

conflict and the spread of civilization, the

heads of the Roman Catholic and the Russian

Orthodox churches haven’t spoken since the

Great Schism of 1054.

– But on 12 February Pope Francis and the

Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church,

Patriarch Kirill, met in Havana, Cuba and took

historic steps for restoring ties between the

two churches.

– Francis and Kirill also called for political

leaders to act on the single most important

issue of shared concern between the Catholic

and Orthodox churches today: the plight of

Christians in Iraq and Syria who are being

killed and driven from their homes by the

Islamic State group.

– It is worth mentioning that the split between

the two churches nearly 1,000 years ago has

festered over issues such as the primacy of the

pope and accusations by the Russian Orthodox

Church that the Catholic Church tries to poach

converts in Russia.

……………………………………………..

The ministry of corporate affairs (MCA)

ordered a merger between two entities on 12

February 2016 which was the first time that

the government forced a merger between two

private entities, using a provision of the

Companies Act that allows it do so in public

interest? – Financial Technologies India Ltd

(FTIL) and National Spot Exchange Ltd

(NSEL)

Explanation: The MCA on 12 February 2016

ordered a merger between Financial

Technologies India Ltd (FTIL) and its unit

National Spot Exchange Ltd (NSEL), making

FTIL responsible for the liabilities of the

fraud-hit commodities bourse.

– It’s Thus also became the first – ever

instance of the Union Govt. forcing a merger

between two private entities, using a provision

of the Companies Act that allows it do so in

public interest.

– FTIL, controlled by entrepreneur Jignesh

Shah, immediately said it will challenge the

order in the Bombay High Court. FTIL owns

99.99% of NSEL, on which trading was

suspended after a Rs. 5,574.35 crore fraud at

the latter came to light in July 2013.

……………………………………………..

Which important 4-day event associated with

the birds in the country started from 12

February 2016? – Great Backyard Bird

Count

Explanation: The 4th

edition of the Great

Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) India

commenced from 12 September 2016. The

main objective of GBBC is to create an annual

snapshot of the distribution and abundance of

birds in the country. It is the part of a global

event associated with bird-watching and bird-

related activities.

– Over 1,000 birdwatchers from across India

are expected to take part in this global event.

More than 150 educational and other

institutions are documenting their birds

through the Campus Bird Watch.

– The data gathered from GBBC can provide

the first sign that individual species may be

increasing or declining from year to year.

……………………………………………..

Delhi Government on 11 February 2016

announced bringing back the odd-even road

rationing scheme once again for a period of

15 days. This scheme will put into effect from

which date? – 15 April 2016

Explanation: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind

Kejriwal announced bringing back the odd-

even road rationing scheme from 15 April

2016 for a period of 15 days. The state govt.

also announced that the government is also

seriously thinking implementing the 15-day

odd-even scheme every month.

– Two-wheelers and women motorists would

continue to be exempted from this scheme.

– The scheme aimed at curbing pollution by

halving the number of cars plying in the city

was first implemented from 1 January to 15

January 2016.

– The govt. claimed that the first phase of odd-

even scheme did not really shift people to

Metro but was successful in encouraging car-

pooling.

Lance Naik Hanamanthappa, the brave-

heart soldier of the Indian Army, passed

away on 11 February 2016 after battling for

his life at an army hospital in New Delhi. He

was rescued alive on the night of 8 February

after being buried under 35 feet of snow for 5

days in Siachen. To which regiment of the

Indian Army did he belong? – 19 Madras

Regiment

Explanation: Hanamanthappa belonged to a

farming family in Betadur village, Kundagol

taluk, Dharwad district, Karnataka.

– Despite being rejected thrice in the Army

recruitment rallies at Belagavi, Dharwad and

Gadag, Hanamanthappa kept on trying and

finally managed to get into the 19 Madras

Regiment of the Indian Army 14 years ago.

– He was buried in a huge avalanche at an

army border outpost in the Siachen sector

(J&K) on 3 February but amazingly survived

for 5 days and was later rescued on 8 February

2016.

– He was admitted at the Research & Referral

Hospital of the Indian Army on 9 February

and was on ventilator since. His condition

steadily deteriorated due to multiple organ

failure.

……………………………………………….

Setting the stage for the phased elimination

of malaria across the country, the Union

Govt. launched the National Framework for

Malaria Elimination (NFME) on 11

February 2016. What is the main objective of

this framework? – To eliminate malaria by

year 2027 from the country, ahead of the

WHO’s target of 2030

Explanation: The Union Govt. launched the

ambitious National Framework for Malaria

Elimination (NFME) on 11 February 2016

which seeks to completely eliminate malaria

in the country by year 2027.

– NFME is part of the 12th

plan document and

will be implemented for the next five years.

After five years, it will be halted briefly for a

review and re-started with the feedback

received from the agencies concerned.

– Under NFME, people with fever will be

diagnosed with rapid tests and prompt

treatment for those tested positive with

malaria will be provided. In the first phase of

the project, states like Jammu and Kashmir,

Himachal Pradesh and Punjab will be covered.

– It will also focus on 11 endemic states in the

north-east and the tribal belts in east and

central India.

……………………………………………….

Around one lakh jewellery shops all over the

country remained closed on 10 February

2016 to protest against which central

government rule that came into effect from 1

January 2016? – To mandatorily quote

PAN for any transactions of Rs. 2 lakh and

above

Explanation: Around one lakh jewellery

shops registered with over 300

different jewellery associations across the

country observed one-day strike on 10

February 2016 to protest against norms that

make it mandatory to quote PAN for any

transactions of Rs 2 lakh and above. This new

rule was put into effect from 1 January 2016.

– According to leading jewellery associations,

this rule has put a pressure on the sale of

jewellery, particularly in the semi-urban and

rural regions. With only 22.3 crore PAN cards

being issued, people residing in these areas

jewelers finding it extremely difficult to

purchase jewellery as a result of which there

had been a 30% dip in sales volumes since 1

January 2016.

– Nearly 50% of gold jewellers’ business

generally originates from the small towns and

thousands and PAN card availability in these

areas is very low. This has struck the jewelers

hard.

……………………………………………….

The girl child welfare programme ‘Beti

Bachao Beti Padhao’ was extended to how

many new districts by the Union Govt. on 10

February 2016? – 61 districts

Explanation: ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’,

which is the flagship programme of the

Women and Child Development Ministry, was

launched in additional 61 districts (covering

11 states) on 10 February 2016. The scheme

was initially launched in 100 districts.

– The 11 states are: Uttar Pradesh, Delhi,

Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu

and Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra,

Punjab, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand.

– The programme, launched by Prime Minister

Narendra Modi in Haryana last year, seeks to

improve the declining trend of child sex ratio

in selected districts.

– It is worth mentioning that malaria has

shown significant drop recently with just

around 273 people last year (2015) as

compared to 562 deaths in 2014.

……………………………………………….

Which state became the first state in the

country to record failure of winter crop, as

announced by it on 10 February 2016? –

Karnataka

Explanation: On 10 February Karnataka

became the first state in the country to witness

a disastrous winter harvest this year after it

requested central assistance of Rs.1,417 crore

after rabi crop worth Rs.7,209 crore was

damaged. The state government claimed that it

has lost rabi crop in more than 70% of the

sown area.

– This development came at a time when an

unusually dry and warm winter has not only

affected planting across India, but also raised

fears of another failed crop, especially in

parched states such as Maharashtra and Uttar

Pradesh. A failed rabi crop will mean the

fourth consecutive crop failure for Indian

farmers, coming on the back of two failed

kharif crops (in 2014 and 2015), interspersed

with a spate of unseasonal rains that damaged

last year’s winter harvest in 15 states.

……………………………………………….

What is the name of the ad-free premium

version of the video streaming site YouTube

that was launched by the company on 10

February 2016? – ‘YouTube Red Originals’

Explanation: ‘YouTube Red Originals’ is an

ad-free premium version of the Google-owned

video streaming site YouTube that also lets

users save videos offline and play videos in

background. It officially went live with its

original movies from 10 February.

– This series is part of Google parent

Alphabet’s efforts to attract users to its paid

service. The move will pit YouTube against

video streaming pioneer Netflix.

– Although this premium service is presently

not available in India, Google has left a back

door for viewers to watch the content.

– YouTube Originals, which is a list of

original series and movies from some of

YouTube’s popular creators, in India can be

viewed either via the Google Play Store or via

YouTube.

In a landmark development, the

environmental panel of International Civil

Aviation Organization (ICAO) on 8 February

2016 reached agreement on long-sought

greenhouse gas emissions standards for

airliners and cargo planes. What is the basic

deadline for aircrafts to meet norms as

agreed to by the said panel? – New aircrafts

should meet the emission standards

beginning 2020

Explanation: The agreement reached by

ICAO’s environmental panel requires that new

aircraft designs meet the standards beginning

in 2020, and that designs already in production

comply by 2023.

– There is also a cut-off date of 2028 for the

manufacture of planes that don’t comply with

the standards.

– The standards would be the first ever to

impose binding energy efficiency and carbon

dioxide reduction targets for the aviation

sector.

– When fully implemented, the standards are

expected to reduce carbon emissions by more

than 650 million tons between 2020 and 2040,

equivalent to removing over 140 million cars

from the road for a year.

– While the ICAO agreement was welcomed

by the White House, it drew criticism from

environmentalists who said they would be too

weak to actually slow global warming.

………………………………………………

……….

Which public-sector bank’s net profit

plunged by over 90% during the third quarter

(Q3) ended December 2015, as reported in

the results on 9 February 2016? – Punjab

National Bank (PNB)

Explanation: PNB’s net profit for the 3rd

quarter (Sep-Dec 2015) was just Rs. 51 crore.

It was way lower than the average Rs. 700

crore estimated by analysts.

– The bank’s profitability was hit by sharp rise

in provision for bad loans. Its gross non-

performing assets (bad loans) surged to 8.47%

of advances in Q3 against 6.36% in Q2,

prompting the bank to double provisions

to Rs. 3,776 crore in Q3 from Rs.1,882 crore

in Q2.

– PNB thus joined a string of other banks that

have reported higher bad loans following

RBI’s order asking banks to treat some

stressed borrowers as non-performing even if

they have not defaulted yet.

………………………………………………

……….

On 8 February 2016, the Export-Import

(EXIM) Bank of India announced plans to

raise $300 million through ‘Panda Bonds’ to

finance demand for credit. What are ‘Panda

Bonds’? – Panda bonds are renminbi-

denominated (Chinese currency)

instruments from a non-Chinese issuer, sold

in China

Explanation: EXIM Bank is seeking to raise

Panda Bonds because the currency swap rates

to raise money from the Chinese market are

looking attractive at present. However, the

timing for bond offering would depend on

favourable swap rates.

– EXIM was looking at a big issue to finance

some of the major infrastructure projects that

were now coming up. So far this financial

year, EXIM Bank has raised $500 million

through green bonds and another $500 million

through a dollar-denominated bond.

………………………………………………

……….

Sushil Koirala, the 37th

Prime Minister of

Nepal, passed away in the morning of 9

February 2016. He was instrumental

in promulgating the new constitution of the

country during September 2015. He was the

Prime Minister of the country during which

trying period? – 2014-15

Explanation: Sushil Koirala was Prime

Minister of Nepal from 11 February 2014 to

10 October 2015. He was also the President of

the Nepali Congress, presently the most

important political entity in the country, from

2010.

– Koirala was member of the politically

prominent Koirala family. He was the cousin

of former prime ministers Girija Prasad

Koirala, Matrika Prasad Koirala and

Bishweshwar Prasad Koirala.

– He was diagnosed with lung cancer in June

2014. He passed away on 9 February during

his sleep at the age of 78.

………………………………………………

……….

The first-ever joint-tactical exercise of Indian

and Chinese troops was held on 6 February

2016 at which place in India? –Chushul-

Moldo area in J&K’s Ladakh region

Explanation: This first of its-kind exercise

was held in Chushul-Moldo area of Eastern

Ladakh sector of Jammu & Kashmir on 6

February. The exercise focused on

humanitarian aid and disaster relief.

– The exercise was code-named “Sino-India

Cooperation 2016’’. The joint exercise was

based on a situation of national disaster

occurring on the border and subsequent

coordination of rescue mission by joint teams

of both the countries.

– Led by Colonel Ritesh Chandra Singh, thirty

Indian personnel participated in the joint

exercise. The Chinese delegation was led by

Colonel Qu Yi.

………………………………………………

……….

The 4th

World Government Summit (WGS),

an event to bring together more than 150

governments and organisations on the global

platform to share knowledge and experiences

in the efforts to improve government work,

commenced on 8 February 2016. This event

is hosted by which country annually? –

United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Explanation: The 4th

edition of

World Government Summit (WGS) was

opened on 8 February 2016 at Dubai (UAE).

The theme of this summit is ‘Shaping Future

Governments’.

– Since 2013, the UAE government has hosted

the ‘World Government Summit’ that brings

together government officials, thinkers, policy

makers and private sector executives to

discuss the best ways to develop the future of

government.

In a historic development, India on 8

February 2016 firmly chose ‘Net Neutrality’

and immediately banned differential pricing

for Internet services (data services). This

meant that Facebook’s free internet scheme,

fronted by founder Mark Zuckerberg, will

not be allowed in the country. How much

fine has been announced on violators of net

neutrality policy? – Rs. 50,000 per day –

Explanation: The Telecom Regulatory

Authority of India (TRAI) on 8 February 2016

issued the ‘Prohibition of Discriminatory

Tariffs for Data Services Regulations, 2016’.

It barred service providers from offering or

charging discriminatory tariffs for data

services on the basis of content.

– The regulation clearly mentioned “No

service provider can offer or charge

discriminatory tariffs for data services on the

basis of content.” However, reduced tariff for

accessing or providing emergency services, or

at times of public emergency has been

permitted.

– TRAI will also levy a penalty of Rs. 50,000

a day for discriminatory tariffs charged by

service providers. These regulations came

amid an ongoing debate over net neutrality in

the country.

– The issue of net neutrality came to focus

after TRAI’s consultation paper on differential

data pricing was issued in 2015. It had raised

concern over zero-rating tariff models – a

practice wherein service providers offer free

data to users for select applications and

websites.

………………………………………………

……..

State-owned oil refining entity Indian Oil

Corporation (IOC) on 7 February 2016

overtook Reliance Industries Limited (RIL)

to become country’s top refiner. This became

possible after IOC’s mammoth Rs. 34,555

crore refinery was commissioned on this day.

This new refinery has been established at –

Paradip (Odisha)

Explanation: IOC’s Paradip refinery was

dedicated to the country by Prime Minister

Narendra Modi at a programme held on 7

February. With commissioning of this

refinery, IOC overtook RIL as India’s largest

oil refiner.

– Located 140 km from Bhubaneswar, Paradip

refinery is one of the most modern refineries

in the world which can process cheaper high

sulphur heavy crude oils.

– It will produce 5.6 million tons per annum of

diesel, 3.79 million tons of petrol and 1.96

million tons of kerosene/ATF. Besides,

790,000 tons of LPG and 1.21 million tons of

petcoke would also be produced here.

– Paradip refinery thus has capacity to refine

15 million tons of crude oil. Prior to Paradip,

IOC’s eight refineries had a cumulative

capacity of 54.2 million tons of crude oil.

Paradip helped IOC overtake Reliance

Industries, which has twin refineries at

Jamnagar in Gujarat with a capacity of 62

million tons.

– IOC also has a subsidiary Chennai

Petroleum Corp Ltd (CPCL) which operates

refineries with total capacity of 11.50 million

tons.

– Paradip refinery took almost 16 years to

complete. Its foundation stone was laid by the

then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on

24 May 2000.

………………………………………………

……..

Which Indian woman was invited to serve as

a panelist on United Nations (UN) panel on

women’s economic empowerment, as

announced by the UN Secretary General Ban

Ki-Moon on 6 February 2016? – Renana

Jhabvala

Explanation: Renana Jhabvala is an

Ahmedabad-based social worker, who came to

news as she was invited to serve as a panelist

on United Nations (UN) panel on women’s

economic empowerment.

– She is the daughter of Booker-prize winning

novelist and screen-writer, Ruth Prawer

Jhabvala, and well-known architect Cyrus S H

Jhabvala. Renana has also been active for

decades in organising women into

organisations and trade unions in India and is

extensively involved in policy issues relating

to poor women and the informal economy.

– She is the Nation Coordinator of the Self-

Employed Women’s Association of India

(SEWA), trade union for poor, self-employed

women workers in India founded by noted

Gandhian and civil rights leader Ela Bhatt.

Renana has won the Padma Shri for her

efforts.

– The United Nations has established the panel

to provide recommendations on improving

economic outcomes for women and promoting

women’s leadership in driving sustainable,

inclusive and environmentally-sensitive

economic growth. The role of the panel is

important in view of the 2030 Agenda for

Sustainable Development.

………………………………………………

……..

Nida Fazli, who passed away on 8 February

2016, was a renowned personality associated

with which field? – Urdu and Hindi poetry

Explanation: Noted Urdu and Hindi poet

Muqtida Hasan Nida Fazli, popularly known

as Nida Fazli, passed away on 8 February

2016 in Mumbai. He was 77.

– Fazli was one of the most popular writers of

present time with some iconic compositions

like ‘Tu Is Tarah Se Meri Zindagi Mein

Shaamil Hai’, ‘Hosh Waalon Ko Khabar

Kya’, ‘Aa bhi jaa, aa bhi jaa’ and ‘Muh ki

baat sune har koi’.

– He teamed up with Jagjit Singh in 1994 to

bring an album named ‘Insight’, which got

appreciation for its soulful poetry and music.

He became known among readers and ghazal

singers for his elegant presentation and

exclusive use of colloquial language for

ghazals, dohaas and nazms, while avoiding

complex Persian imagery.

………………………………………………

……..

Two infrastructure entities have sought the

approval of capital market regulator SEBI to

launch India’s first infrastructure investment

trust (InvIT)? – IRB Infrastructure

Developers Ltd and GMR Infrastructure

Ltd

Explanation: Both IRB Infrastructure

Developers Ltd (IRB) and GMR Infrastructure

Ltd. (GMR), in the application to the

Securities and Exchange Board of India

(SEBI), have identified assets they want to list

under infrastructure investment trust (InvIT).

– InvITs are trusts which manage income

generating infrastructure assets, typically

offering investors regular yields and a liquid

method of investing in infrastructure projects.

– They are expected to encourage higher

foreign investment in the Indian infrastructure

sector, reduce the burden on the banking

system, and allow developers to unlock tied-

up capital.

– It is worth mentioning that IRB was the first

company to announce plans for an InvIT.

………………………………………………

……..

The 9th

edition of the India-Nepal combined

battalion-level military training exercise

named ‘Surya Kiran’ commenced on 8

February 2016. This 14-day exercise

comprising of counter-terrorism operations

and ‘jungle warfare’ is being held at which

place? –Pithoragarh (Uttarakhand)

Explanation: ‘Surya Kiran’ is the name given

to the series of bi-annual military exercise

which is conducted alternatively in Nepal and

India.

– This edition of exercise is being held under

the aegis of Panchshul brigade of central

command.

The geographical indication (GI) tag for

basmati rice for how many states was ordered

by the Intellectual Property Appellate Board

(IPAB) on 5 February 2016? – Seven

Explanation: The GI tag for the basmati rice

cultivation will be in Punjab, Haryana,

Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Uttarakhand,

Western UP and the two districts of Jammu

and Kathua.

– In this regard, the Intellectual Property

Appellate Board (IPAB) directed the Chennai-

based assistant registrar of the Geographical

Indications Registry to proceed with

registration of a geographical indication (GI)

tag for Basmati rice according to the

geographical demarcation conducted by the

Agricultural and Processed Food Products

Export Development Authority (APEDA).

– This meant that seven north Indian Basmati

rice-producing states like Punjab, Haryana,

Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand and parts

of Uttar Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir will

get the GI tag.

– APEDA, as a statutory authority related to

exports of agricultural products, applied for

the GI tag for Basmati, a special long grain

aromatic rice grown in a particular

geographical region of the Indian sub-

continent.

– The appellate authority also asked the

registrar to reconsider the matter of inclusion

of uncovered areas, including Madhya

Pradesh, in the area covered under the GI for

Basmati.

– The authority also dismissed two petitions

from the Basmati Growers’ Association of

Lahore, Pakistan, related to the matter.

– A GI tag can be issued for agricultural,

natural or manufactured goods that have a

given quality, reputation or other

characteristics attributable to its geographical

origin.

– A GI registration gives the registered

proprietor and authorised users the legal right

to the exclusive use of the GI, and no

unauthorised person can use the tag. Some of

the examples of GI are Mysore Silk, Mysore

Agarbathi, Kancheepuram Silk, Orissa Ikat,

Channapatna Toys & Dolls, and Coimbatore

Wet Grinder.

– Products sold with the GI tag get premium

pricing also.

………………………………………………

…………………………….

Sudhir Tailang, who passed away on 6

February 2016 at a private hospital in Delhi,

was an eminent personality associated with

which field? – Political cartooning

Explanation: Sudhir Tailang came out with

his first cartoon in 1970. He started his career

with the ‘Illustrated Weekly of India’ in

Mumbai, in 1982.

– A year later, he joined the ‘Navbharat

Times’ in New Delhi. He had worked with all

major English newspapers including

the Hindustan Times, the Times of India and

the Indian Express.

– His last assignment was with the ‘Asian

Age’.

– He was awarded the Padma Shri in 2004 for

his contribution to the art of cartooning.

– He was suffering from brain tumour and had

undergone two surgeries and chemotherapy

during the course of his treatment over two

years. He was 55.

………………………………………………

…………………………….

US astronaut Edgar Mitchell, who was the

sixth man to walk on the Moon, passed away

on 5 February 2016 at the age of 85. He was

associated with which path-breaking NASA

mission to the Moon? –Apollo 14

Explanation: Edgar Mitchell was part of

NASA’s Apollo 14 mission of year 1971. As a

member of the mission, he spent more than

nine hours on the Moon conducting

experiments.

– His mission to the Moon was the fourth in

the US Apollo series, and the first to follow

the ill-fated Apollo 13 which aborted its

attempt to land after an oxygen tank

explosion.

– Overall 12 persons have the unique

distinction of walking on the Moon and Edgar

Mitchell was the sixth person in this list.

………………………………………………

…………………………….

India’s biggest commercial vehicles

manufacturer Tata Motors declared a

lockout at which of its bus manufacturing

plants on 6 February 2016? – Dharwad

(Karnataka)

Explanation: Tata Motors on 6 February

declared a lockout at its bus manufacturing

plant in Karnataka’s Dharwad, following a

continued strike by workers. The plant makes

buses under the Tata Marcopolo brand.

– Dissatisfied with the revision in wages and

subsequent suspension of a dozen staff

members, a section of workers at the plant are

alleged to have incited others to disrupt work.

The company decided to shut down operations

on 6 February.

– Dharwad is one of the youngest plants of the

Mumbai-based company which began

operations in 2009. The plant makes fully-

built buses for intra-city and inter-city

transportation that include 16 to 54-seater

standard and 18 to 45-seater luxury and low-

floor city buses.

– The plant produces 60 buses a day for both

the local market and markets such as Sri

Lanka and Bangladesh.

………………………………………………

…………………………….

Australian all-rounder Shane Watson

emerged as the costliest player of the IPL

player auction that was held on 6 February

2016. He was acquired for Rs. 9.5 crore by

Royal Challengers Bangalore. Which player

emerged as the costliest Indian player in the

auction? – Pawan Negi

Explanation: Indian all-rounder Pawan Negi

was bought for Rs 8.5 crore by Delhi

Daredevils and he thus emerged as the

costliest Indian player in this auction.

– Yuvraj Singh was picked by Sunrisers

Hyderabad for Rs. 7 crore. Chris Morris was

also bought by Mumbai Indians for Rs. 7 crore

while Mohit Sharma cost Rs. 6.5 crore to

Kings XI Punjab.

The 12th

edition of South Asian Games

(SAG) was inaugurated by Prime Minister

Narendra Modi on 5 February 2016. This

biggest multi-sporting event of the SAARC

region is being held in which two cities of

India? – Guwahati and Shillong

Explanation: Explanation: The inaugural

ceremony of 12th

South Asian Games

(12th

SAG) was held at the Indira Gandhi

Athletics Stadium in Guwahati on 5 February

2016.

India is hosting the 12th

South Asian

Games, 2016 in Guwahati and Shillong

from 5 February to 16 February 2016.

The motto of SAG 2016 is “Play for

Peace, Progress and Prosperity“.

‘Tikhor’ the baby rhino is the mascot of

these games.

The South Asian Games (SAG) is a

biennial multinational multi-sport event

held amongst the athletes from South

Asia and being organized in the similar

format of Olympics, Asian Games, and

Commonwealth Games (CWG).

In the 12th

edition of the South Asian

Games this year, more than 2600 athletes

from eight member countries namely,

Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India,

Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka

are participating.

As per the announcement made by the Indian

Foreign Ministry on 4 February 2016, India

has ratified an international convention on

nuclear energy accident liability. This step

was the final piece in its efforts to address a

major concern of foreign nuclear suppliers.

What will be the main benefit of this

ratification? – This makes India part of a

global legal regime that has established a

standard for compensation of victims in the

event of a nuclear accident

Explanation: A statement from the Indian

foreign ministry on 4 February 2016 said India

has submitted the Instrument of Ratification of

the Convention on Supplementary

Compensation (CSC) for Nuclear Damage to

the International Atomic Energy Agency

(IAEA).

International nuclear reactor makers such

as General Electric have been reluctant to

set up plants in India because of a 2010

domestic liability law that makes

equipment suppliers accountable for

accidents and not the plant operators, as is

the global norm.

Therefore no US company had been

willing to invest in India’s nuclear power

market for fear of the liability clause in its

domestic law.

Last year, India launched an insurance

pool with a liability cap of Rs.1,500 crore

($225 million) to cover the suppliers’ risk

of potential liability.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 5

February 2016 inaugurated a gas cracker

project, which became the first petrochemical

project to be set up in the North-East. This

project costing Rs. 10,000 crore has been

setup at which place in Assam? – Lepetkata

Explanation: Rs.10,000 crore Assam Gas

Cracker Project has been established at

Lepetkata in Upper Assam’s Dibrugarh

district. Executed by the Brahmaputra

Crackers and Polymers Ltd., the project

missed several deadlines and overshot the

budget.

It was envisaged by the then prime

minister Indira Gandhi in 1984 and given

shape by Rajiv Gandhi as prime minister

in 1985 at the end of the six-year- long

anti-foreigners agitation. The then prime

minister Manmohan Singh laid the

foundation stone of the project in 2007.

Gas Authority of India Ltd (GAIL) has

70% stake in BCPL while Oil India

Limited, Numaligarh Refinery Ltd and

Assam government have 10% each.

The project will use naphtha and natural

gas from Assam’s oilfields to produce

ethylene, the feedstock for manufacturing

polymers that are basic building blocks of

plastics.

A.G. Krishnamurthy, a doyen of the Indian

advertising industry, passed away in

Hyderabad on 5 February 2016. He was the

founder of which iconic advertising agency?

–Mudra Communications

Explanation: Krishnamurthy had founded

Mudra Communications in 1980 after he

worked as an advertising manager for

Reliance Industries’ in-house fabric brand

Vimal.

Mudra Communications was owned by

Reliance and it went on to become India’s

third largest advertising agency in 1989,

and played a hand in building brands such

as Vimal Fabrics and Rasna, a soft drink

concentrate brand, into industry leaders.

In March 1991, Krishnamurthy set up

Mudra Institute of Communications,

Ahmedabad (MICA) that nurtured India’s

growing adverting industry with trained

talent.

He retired from Mudra in 2003, and set

up his own consultancy AGK Brand

Consulting.

The Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP), one of

the biggest multinational trade deals ever,

was signed at which place by 12 countries on

4 February 2016? – Auckland (New

Zealand)

Explanation: 12 countries involved in TPP

are the US, Japan, Malaysia, Vietnam,

Singapore, Brunei, Australia, New Zealand,

Canada, Mexico, Chile and Peru.

These 12 countries have a collective

population of about 800 million – almost

double that of the European Union’s

single market. The 12-nation would-be

bloc is already responsible for 40% of

world trade.

TPP pact aims to deepen economic ties

between these nations, slashing tariffs and

fostering trade to boost growth. Member

countries are also hoping to foster a closer

relationship on economic policies and

regulation.

The first steps towards TPP started 10

years when the P4 Trade Agreement was

put into effect. This agreement involved 4

countries – Brunei, Chile, New Zealand

and Singapore.

The second-ever International Fleet Review

(IFR) in India, comprising of navies from 54

countries, commenced at which place from 4

February 2016? –Vishakhapatnam

Explanation: The International Fleet Review

2016 is being held at Vishakhapatnam

(Andhra Pradesh) from 4 to 8 February 2016.

The theme (motto) for IFR 2016 is

‘United through Oceans’. However, the

overall theme of this event is ‘Make in

India’.

This is the second IFR to be held in India

and the first on the East Coast. The last

IFR was held in Mumbai in 2001 and was

reviewed by the then President KR

Narayanan.

The objective behind this International

Review, is to signal the Indian Navy’s

emergence as a pre-eminent power that

sets the agenda in the northern Indian

Ocean. Among the 54 navies taking part,

there is a tacit acceptance of this regional

primacy, and a shared belief that this is in

the common interest. Participating this

year is practically every major navy in the

world, including the People’s Liberation

Army (Navy) of China. Other important

countries participating in IFR include

USA, UK, Japan and Australia.

54 navies are participating in IFR 2016,

compared to 29 in 2001, and 24 foreign

warships are at Vishakhapatnam, exactly

the same number as in 2001 in Mumbai.

During the review, 24 foreign naval

chiefs are expected to visit

Visakhapatnam, while some 4,000

foreign sailors will also be part of this

event. Apart from this, 75 Indian

warships will participate in IFR 2016.

Union Government is set to infuse how much

more funds into the state-run banks in the

current financial year 2015-16, as was

announced by Financial Services Secretary

Anjuly Chib Duggal on 3 February 2016? –

Rs. 5,000 crore

Explanation: The Government is has

earmarked fund worth Rs. 25,000 crore for

2015-16 primarily to strengthen PSU banks’

balance sheets. Of this about Rs 20,088 crore

has already been pumped into 13 public sector

banks.

Hence the govt. would infuse another Rs.

5,000 crore of capital in the current

financial year.

Last year, the government had announced

a plan, called ‘Indradhanush’, to infuse

Rs. 70,000 crore in state-owned banks

over four years, while these would have

to raise a further Rs 1.1 lakh crore from

the markets to meet their capital

requirements in line with global risk

norms Basel-III.

Apart from Rs. 25,000 crore this year, the

PSU banks, Rs 10,000 crore each would

be infused in 2017-18 and 2018-19.

What is the name of India’s first anti-diabetic

ayurvedic drug, which was launched by the

Council for Scientific and Industrial

Research (CSIR) on 3 February 2016? –

BGR-34

Explanation: BGR-34 is the name of the

country’s first anti-diabetic ayurvedic drug

(for type II Diabetes). It has been developed

jointly by National Botanical Research

Institute (NBRI) and Central Institute for

Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP), the

Lucknow-based research units of CSIR.

While the modern diabetes drugs are

known for side-effects and toxicity, BGR-

34 works by controlling blood sugar and

limiting the harmful effects of other

drugs. The product has passed several

battery tests and showed hypoglycemic

activity in experimental subjects.

AIMIL Pharmaceuticals (I) Limited has

been roped in for commercial production

and extended distribution of BGR-34.

Which Indian drug manufacturer came to

news on 3 February 2016 after it claimed to

have filed for global patents of two vaccines

for Zika virus, with which it could become

world’s first company to develop a vaccine

for Zika? – Bharat Biotech (Hyderabad)

Explanation: Hyderabad-based Bharat

Biotech on 3 February claimed to have filed

for global patent of two vaccine candidates – a

recombinant vaccine and an inactivated

vaccine – for Zika virus. It also announced

that it could make available the inactivated

vaccine in two years if the Indian Government

fast-tracked the regulatory approvals once the

pre-clinical trials proved to be successful.

With this Bharat Biotech could become

the world’s first company to develop a

vaccine to fight Zika virus.

Bharat Biotech claimed that work on Zika

vaccine project was started in 2014 and

the patent was filed in July 2015.

Zika is now present in 23 countries.

Brazil, the hardest-hit country, has

reported around 3,500 cases of the

devastating birth defect called

microcephaly.

The 2-day ‘India Investment Summit’ was

inaugurated by Union Finance Minister

Arun Jaitley in New Delhi on 4 February

2016. This summit seeks to attract long term

investors including Sovereign Wealth Funds

and Pension Funds across the globe. Which

entity is partnering with the Department of

Economic Affairs (Ministry of Finance) in

organizing this summit? – SBI Caps

Explanation: The Summit is to showcase and

discuss the huge long term infrastructure

investment opportunities in India.

The Government of India has already

established National Investment and

Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) as a Category

II Alternate Investment Fund (AIF) under

the Securities and Exchange Board of

India (SEBI) Regulations.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley also

unveiled the logo of the Rs 40,000-crore

NIIF on the inaugural day. The objective

of NIIF is to maximise economic impact

mainly through infrastructure

development in commercially viable

projects, both greenfield and brownfield,

including stalled projects and other

nationally important projects.

What is the name of the indigenously built

new basic trainer aircraft being developed by

Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), the first

prototype of which was rolled-out on 2

February 2016? – Hindustan Turbo Trainer

– 40 (HTT-40)

Explanation: Hindustan Turbo Trainer- 40 (or

HTT-40) is the name of the indigenous

replacement for the Indian Air Force’s retired

HPT-32 ‘Deepak’ that is being developed to

be used as a basic trainer aircraft.

The HTT-40 will be an all-metal tandem

seat aircraft powered by a 950 HP (708

kW) turbo-prop engine.

But the project to develop HTT-40 has

been marred by doubts and controversy.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) repeatedly

told the Defence Ministry the HTT-40

would be over-weight, over-priced and

under-performing. But HAL doggedly

continued development, committing more

than Rs. 350 crore of company funds.

In its place, the IAF wanted to import

over a hundred new trainers from Swiss

company, Pilatus, to supplement the 75

Pilatus PC-7 Mark II trainers it had

already bought.

The IAF, is now convinced about the

HTT-40’s viability, and wants to take

charge of the project.

The prototype of HTT-40 was rolled-out

from a hanger on 2 February 2016 with

all its lights flashing and its cockpit

powered on. (Photo Courtesy: HAL)

The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural

Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA),

which is the largest programme of its nature

for providing employment in rural areas

anywhere in the world, completed how many

years on 2 February 2016? – 10 years

Explanation: MGNREGA, which was earlier

known as NREGA, came into effect on 2

February 2006. It was implemented by the

then United Progressive Alliance (UPA)

government. Then it covered only the 200

poorest districts of the country and was

expanded to cover all rural areas of the

country from April 2008.

In the short span of 10 years that the Act

has been in existence, it has generated

19.86 billion person-days of employment

benefitting 276 million workers, with

more than half the jobs going to women

workers and almost a third to members of

scheduled castes and scheduled tribes.

MGNREGA has played a much larger

role in revitalizing the labour market in

rural areas. Not only has it led to the

creation of a class of workers who are

using the MGNREGA as a safety net, but

these workers are also able to use it as a

bargaining tool for extraction of higher

wages.

A unique MAGIC (Modular, Agile,

Intensified & Continuous) Process Lab of the

Council of Scientific and Industrial

Research (CSIR) was inaugurated at which

CSIR lab on 2 February 2016? – CSIR-

National Chemical Laboratory (Pune)

Explanation: The MAGIC Process Lab at

CSIR-NCL (Pune) is expected to bring about a

paradigm shift in the way in which India’s fine

and specialty chemicals industry will operate

in the future.

The MAGIC processes developed in this

lab can radically change currently

practiced process technologies into

modern processes that are cleaner,

greener, safer, compact, scalable and

economical.

What is the name of the ex-Indian Army

official who was appointed as the Head of

Mission and Force Commander of the United

Nations Disengagement Observer Force

(UNDOF) by the UN on 2 February 2016? –

Major General Jai Shanker Menon

Explanation: Major General Jai Shanker

Menon was Additional Director General

Equipment Management in the Indian Army.

From 2012 to 2013, he was General Officer,

Commanding an Infantry Division of the

Indian Army.

He was appointed the head of UNDOF by

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on 2

February. He replaced Lt. General Purna

Chandra Thapa of Nepal, who will

complete his assignment on 7 February

2016.

The UNDOF was established on 31 May

1974 by UN Security Council (UNSC)

following the agreed disengagement of

the Israeli and Syrian forces in the Golan.

Since then, UNDOF has remained in the

area to maintain the ceasefire between the

Israeli and Syrian forces and to supervise

the implementation of the disengagement

agreement.

Veteran Congress leader and former Lok

Sabha Speaker Balram Jakhar passed away

on 3 February 2016. He was a towering

personality during his prime and was a 4-

time MP. He was best known for his tenure

as Lok Sabha Speaker. When he served this

post? – From 1980 to 1989

Explanation: In 1980, Balram Jakhar became

Lok Sabha Speaker and served till 1989 for

two terms during which he was instrumental in

automation and computerisation of the House

works. He also contributed to the

establishment of Parliament Museum.

Jakhar also served as Agriculture Minister

in the Cabinet of former Prime Minister

Narasimha Rao. He also served as

Governor of Madhya Pradesh from 30

June 2004 to 30 May 2009.

He was a four-time MP in Lok Sabha

starting from his election in the seventh

Lok Sabha in 1980. He was again elected

in 1984, 1991 and 1998. He was 92 and

passed away in New Delhi on 3 February

2016 after battling a brief period of

illness.

What is the name of the woman IPS officer

who on 2 February 2016 became the first

woman to head a paramilitary force in India?

– Archana Ramasundaram

Explanation: Archana Ramasundaram, a

1980 batch officer of the Tamil Nadu cadre,

created history when she was appointed the

new Director General (DG) of Sashastra

Seema Bal (SSB). She thus became the first

woman to head a paramilitary force in the

country.

Archana is currently Special Director,

National Crime Records Bureau. She has

been appointed to the post till the date of

her superannuation, 30 September 2017.

The SSB is entrusted with guarding the

country’s frontiers with Nepal and

Bhutan. The other four paramilitary

forces are the Central Reserve Police

Force (CRPF), Border Security Force

(BSF), Central Industrial Security Force

(CISF) and Indo Tibetan Border Police

(ITBP).

State Bank of India (SBI) on 1 February

2016 launched the ‘FlexiPay Home Loan’

scheme, which gives borrowers an option to

pay only interest during a three-five year

moratorium period. This product has been

targeted towards which home loan segment?

–Young working professionals

Explanation: Under the ‘FlexiPay Home

Loan’ scheme, which has been launched

primarily for young professionals, the

borrowers can pay only interest during a three-

five-year moratorium. Thereafter they will pay

moderated equated monthly installments

(EMIs).

The EMIs will be stepped up during the

subsequent years, capturing payment of

the principal component. This

arrangement is expected to lower the

impact of such additional loan amount on

monthly repayments in the form of EMIs.

This scheme is expected to enable young

working professionals/executives to get

higher loan amounts compared to their

loan eligibility under normal home loan

schemes.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor

Raghuram G. Rajan presented the sixth bi-

monthly monetary policy review on 2

February 2016. All the key rates were kept

unchanged in the policy review which meant

that the most important Repo Rate will

remain unchanged at 6.75%. What the

projected growth rate is for fiscal 2016-17 as

stated in the review? – 7.6%

Explanation: Keeping the key rates

unchanged, the RBI indicated that rates would

continue to soften.

The RBI Governor, however, cautioned

that the recommendations of the Seventh

Pay Commission had not been factored

into its growth projections.

After the latest review, the repo rate, or

the rate at which the central bank infuses

liquidity into the system, remained at

6.75%. The cash reserve ratio (CRR), or

the portion of a bank’s money maintained

with the central bank in cash, remained at

4%.

The RBI expected growth 7.6% for the

financial year 2016-17 (ending March

2017).

The World Health Organization (WHO) on 1

February 2016 made which important

announcement pertaining to explosively

spreading Zika virus? – It declared it as an

international emergency

Explanation: The WHO convened an

emergency meeting of independent experts on

1 February 2016 to assess the outbreak after

noting a suspicious link between Zika’s arrival

in Brazil last year and a surge in the number of

babies born with abnormally small heads.

Later it was declared an international

emergency, despite the fact that there was

no definitive proof that the Zika virus,

spread by mosquitoes, is responsible for

the birth defects. Such emergency

declarations are meant as an international

SOS signal.

WHO estimates there could be up to 4

million cases of Zika in the Americas in

the next year.

The last such public health emergency

was declared for the devastating 2014

Ebola outbreak in West Africa, which

killed more than 11,000 people.

Which company replaced Apple Inc. as the

world’s most valuable company, as reflected

in the US markets on 1 February 2016? –

Alphabet (Google’s parent company)

Explanation: Apple Inc., which has long been

on the top of the world’s most valuable

companies list, slipped to second place as

Google’s parent company Alphabet Inc. on 1

February overtook it to become no.1. This

happened after Alphabet released a fourth-

quarter earnings report that highlighted the

robust growth of the digital ad market. Apple

Inc.’s iPhone, meanwhile, is suffering its first

downturn since it debuted eight years ago.

Based on that after-hours bump,

Alphabet’s market value stood at $555

billion while Apple’s was at $533 billion,

based on the most recent regulatory

filings showing the company’s

outstanding shares. Apple’s stock has

been sliding amid concerns over slowing

iPhone sales

However, this ranking can change very

quickly.

Chinese Army on 1 February 2016

implemented which major step as part of the

comprehensive plan to carry out reforms in

country’s military structure? – It established

military’s five new battle zones

Explanation: Chinese Army on 1 February

2016 reclassified seven military regions into

five new battle zones – the East, West, South,

North and Middle battle zones. These new

zones will now shoulder the responsibility of

responding to their respective security threats,

upholding peace and constraining conflict.

It is worth mentioning that China is

pushing major reforms in its military

establishment for some time now.

The reforms include establishing a joint

operational command structure by year

2020 and rejigging existing military

regions, as well as cutting troop numbers

by 300,000.

It has already inaugurated a general

command unit for the People’s Liberation

Army (PLA) in 2015. Later PLA’s four

military headquarters were split into 15

new units – covering everything from

logistics to equipment development,

political work and fighting corruption.

Which community of Andhra Pradesh came

to news for being engaged in a stir seeking

reservation under OBC category, which

turned violent on 31 January 2016 after a

train was sent ablaze? –Kapu Community

Explanation: Andhra Pradesh’s Kapu

community has been demanding job

reservations under Other Backward Caste

(OBC) category for quite some time. Chief

Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu had promised

OBC status to the community during

Assembly elections in 2014.

The protest, which was going on for some

days, turned violent on 31 January 2016

as the agitators went on rampage, setting

four coaches of Ratnachal Express on fire

at Tuni station near Vijayawada and

blocked the national highway-16 in East

Godavari district. However, no casualty

took place as all passengers had vacated

the bogies.

Seven trains were cancelled, four others

partially cancelled and six diverted on the

Vijayawada-Rajahmundry-

Visakhapatnam section due to the protest.

Later on 1 February 2016 the leaders of

Kapu community called off its agitation

after assurances from Chief Minister

Chandrababu Naidu.

Which two-wheeler company on 1 February

2016 launched ‘V’, a new bike, which

contains the metal from India’s first aircraft

carrier INS Vikrant? – Bajaj Auto

Explanation: Bajaj Auto, the Pune-based two

and three-wheeler maker, rolled-out the 150-

cc bike, christened ‘V’. The main attraction of

‘V’ is that it has been built from metal used in

the country’s most celebrated aircraft carrier –

the INS Vikrant. The bike sports a special logo

to commemorate the aircraft carrier.

INS Vikrant was commissioned as the

first aircraft carrier of Indian Navy in

1961. After years of distinguished

service, she was decommissioned in

January 1997 and served as a museum till

2012. In late 2014, Vikrant was

dismantled and sold as scrap metal.

Bajaj Auto purchased the Vikrant metal

and processed it to be a part of its new

brand. The company feels that the new

bike will therefore preserve a significant

piece of Indian military history. (Photo

Courtesy : The Hindu)

Which Indian player won the men’s singles

title of the Syed Modi Badminton Grand Prix

Gold that concluded on 31 January 2016 at

Lucknow? – K Srikanth

Explanation: Top-seeded and world no. 9

Kidambi Srikanth of India defeated Huang

Yuxiang of China in the men’s singles finals

of the Syed Modi Badminton Grand Prix Gold

Cup on 31 January. He defeated Huang by 21-

13, 14-21, 21-14 in three games to claim the

title.

Srikanth had reached the summit clash in

the last edition as well. This was his fifth

major title, having won the 2013 Thailand

Grand Prix Gold, 2014 China Super

Series premier and Swiss Open Grand

Prix Gold and India Super Series during

2015.

In the women’s singles final, South

Korean Sung Ji Hyun edged out Japan’ s

Sayaka Sato 12-21, 21-18, 21-18 to win

the title.

However, Indian men’ s doubles pair of

Pranaav Jerry Chopra and Akshay

Dewalkar wasted two match points in the

second game to go down 14-21, 24-22,

21-8 against Malaysian pair of V. Shem

Goh and Wee Kiong Tan in their first-

ever Grand Prix Gold summit clash.

T.N. Gopakumar, who passed away during

January 2016, was a noted electronic media

personality of which state? – Kerala

Explanation: T.N. Gopakumar was the editor-

in-chief of Asianet, a Malayalam TV channel.

He was also the popular anchor of the show

‘Kannadi’.

His show was noted for sharp

commentary and revealing portraits of

Kerala that was far away from the

development tapestry as it was hailed to

be.

Gopakumar started his journalistic career

with ‘The Indian Express’ and later

worked with ‘Mathrubhumi’, ‘News

Time’, ‘Statesman’, ‘Independent’, ‘India

Today’ and ‘BBC Radio’. He returned to

Kerala when entrepreneur and journalist

K. Sashikumar launched the Asianet

channel in 1991.

He was suffering from cancer and passed

away on 30 January 2016 at the age of 58.

Which tiny Pacific Ocean country will bring

a lawsuit against 9 countries including India

for allegedly failing to halt the nuclear arms

race? –Marshall Islands

Explanation: The tiny Marshall Islands in

March 2016 will seek to persuade

International Court of Justice (ICJ) to take up

a lawsuit against nine countries that includes

India, which it accuses of failing to halt the

nuclear arms race.

The International Court of Justice on 30

January 2016 announced dates for

separate hearings for the three cases

between 7 and 16 March 2016.

In 2014, the Marshall Islands accused

nine countries of not fulfilling their

obligations with respect to the cessation

of the nuclear arms race at an early date

and to nuclear disarmament.

The 9 countries involved in this matter

are China, Britain, France, India, Israel,

North Korea, Pakistan, Russia, and the

United States.

The Marshall Islands had decided to sue

the world’s nuclear heavyweights as it

has a particular awareness of the dire

consequences of nuclear weapons.

Between 1946 and 1958 the United States

conducted repeated nuclear tests in the

Marshall Islands.

In the cases brought against India and

Pakistan, the court will examine whether

the tribunal based in The Hague is

competent to hear the lawsuits.

Novak Djokovic won the men’s singles title of

2016 Australian Open on 31 January 2016 to

win his sixth title of the career. Whom he

defeated in the final? – Andy Murray

(Britain)

Explanation: Novak Djokovic of Serbia

defeated Andy Murray in straights sets by 6-1,

7-5, 7-6 to earn his sixth Australian Open title

of his magnificent career.

This was Djokovic’s 11th

Grand Slam title

overall. His 11th

grand slam title also

means he has drawn level with Bjorn

Borg and Rod Laver.

On the other hand, Murray has now lost

all five Australian Open finals he has

played, four of them against Djokovic. He

thus also became only the second man

(behind his former coach Ivan Lendl at

the US Open) to lose five finals at the

same Grand Slam since the open era

began in 1968.

Who defeated six-time champion Serena

Williams (US) in the women’s singles final of

the Australian Open on 30 January to win

her maiden Grand Slam tennis title? –

Angelique Kerber (Germany)

Explanation: Seventh seeded German player

Angelique Kerber ended six-time champion

and top seeded Serena Williams’ unbeaten

streak in finals on 30 January 2016 and won a

major title for the first time.

Williams was an overwhelming favourite

to win the final where she had won all six

previous times she’d reached the final.

But Kerber displayed great guts to stun

Williams by 6-4, 3-6, 6-4.

It is worth mentioning that Williams won

the Australian Open, French Open and

Wimbledon titles last year before losing

to Roberta Vinci in the US Open

semifinals.

Which state became the first non-Bharatiya

Janata Party (BJP) state to sign agreement

for the central government power reforms

plan – Ujwal Discoms Assurance Yojana

(UDAY)? – Uttar Pradesh

Explanation: Uttar Pradesh on 30 January

2016 became the first non-BJP ruled state to

sign the MoU for Ujwal Discoms Assurance

Yojana (UDAY). It became the fourth state

(overall) to sign MoU after Rajasthan,

Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand. The total states

that have given in-principle approval of

joining the UDAY reforms are now 15.

For the states that sign up for UDAY, one

of the first steps is to take over 75% of

discom debt as on 30 September 2015

over two years – 50% in 2015-16 and

25% in 2016-17.

UP, with its five distribution companies

(discoms), has a total debt exposure of Rs

53,200 crore, outstanding as on

November 2015, will now be restructured

under UDAY.

Who took over as the Flag Officer

Commanding-in-Chief of the Southern Naval

Command on 30 January 2016? – Vice

Admiral Girish Luthra

Explanation: Vice Admiral Girish Luthra

took over charge as the Flag Officer

Commanding-in-Chief of the Southern Naval

Command from Vice Admiral Sunil Lanba on

30 January at a function held at the Naval base

in Kochi.

On the other hand Vice Admiral Sunil

Lanba assumed the charge of the Flag

Officer Commanding in Chief, Western

Naval Command at a function held at

Mumbai on 31 January 2016. He took

reins from Vice Admiral SPS Cheema,

who retired on the same day.

Former Army Chief General KV Krishna

Rao, who passed away on 30 January 2016,

was known to have played a key role in which

war? – 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War

Explanation: General Rao was the 14th

Chief

of the Army Staff of Indian Army and had an

illustrious career spanning over four decades

in the force. He headed Indian Army from 1

June 1981 to July 1983.

His Division participated in the 1971

India-Pakistan War in Eastern Theatre

and was instrumental in the capture of

Sylhet area and liberation of North-East

Bangladesh.

After his retirement he was appointed

Governors of four states (Nagaland,

Manipur, Tripura and Jammu & Kashmir)

for different tenures. He was made

Governor of Jammu & Kashmir in 1989,

a time when militancy was at its peak in

the state.