Current Affairs Interactive Quiz: 23 March – 29 March 2015

Kangana Ranaut won the Best Actress Award of the National Film Awards announced on 24 March 2015.

Section 66A of the Information Technology Act, 2000 was declared as unconstitutional and struck down by the Supreme Court on 24 March 2015. This section had been widely criticized for its vague and broad language, which allowed for the arbitrary arrest and punishment of individuals for posting content online that was deemed to be "offensive" or "annoying". The Supreme Court ruled that this section violated the right to freedom of speech and expression guaranteed by the Indian Constitution, as it was prone to misuse and had a chilling effect on free speech online.

Amitav Ghosh was selected among the 10 finalists for the 2015 Man Booker International Prize.

Benjamin Netanyahu is the correct answer because he is the leader of the Likud party of Israel and he won the Israel Elections 2015 held on 17 March 2015.

Madhav Gadgil won the Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement in 2015.

Akhil Sharma won The Folio Prize for the novel Family Life on 23 March 2015.

Both statements I and II are correct. Statement I states that Mission Indradhanush aims to increase the percentage of immunization to 4-5 percent, which means that the campaign aims to reach a higher percentage of children for immunization. Statement II states that Mission Indradhanush aims to vaccinate all children by 2020 against seven preventable diseases, which includes diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, polio, tuberculosis, measles, and hepatitis B. This statement highlights the specific diseases that the campaign aims to protect children from through vaccination.

Dolly Shivani Cherukuri became the youngest archer to enter the India Book of Records at the age of three on 24 March 2015.

NASA's Curiosity rover found nitrogen on the Martian surface as reported by NASA on 24 March 2015. Nitrogen is an essential element for life as it is a major component of amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins. The discovery of nitrogen on Mars suggests the possibility of past or present microbial life on the planet.

The correct answer is "Reach, Treat, Cure Everyone." This message emphasizes the importance of reaching out to everyone affected by tuberculosis, providing them with proper treatment, and ultimately curing the disease. It highlights the goal of ending TB by 2018 and ensuring access to DOTS (Directly Observed Treatment, Short-Course), which is a globally recommended strategy for TB control. By focusing on reaching, treating, and curing everyone, World TB Day aims to raise awareness about the disease and encourage action towards its eradication.

The given answer is correct because both statements I and II are supported by the information provided in the context. Statement I states that China plans to cut annual coal consumption by 13 million metric tons by 2017, which is in line with their national policy to reduce pollution. Statement II mentions that the closure of all major coal power plants in China will result in a reduction of carbon emissions by about 30 million tons, which aligns with the objective of cutting pollution. Therefore, both statements are correct.

Lufthansa is the correct answer because it is the company that owned the Germanwings Airbus A320 that crashed on 24 March 2015 in the French Alps.

The Indian Navy commissioned three Immediate Support Vessels (ISVs) on 24 March 2015 in Vishakhapatnam.

The Gujarat philatelic exhibition Gujpex-2015 was inaugurated in Ahmedabad on 24 March 2015.

The correct answer is New Delhi because it is the capital city of India and it is a common practice for diplomatic talks and meetings to be held in the capital city of the respective countries. Therefore, it is logical to assume that the 18th round of talks between the Special Representatives of India and China on the Boundary Question would have taken place in New Delhi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the establishment of the Shaheed Bhagat Singh PG Institute for Horticulture Research and Education in Amritsar, Punjab. This institute will focus on research and education in the field of horticulture. Amritsar was chosen as the location for this institute, possibly due to its historical and cultural significance, as well as its potential for agricultural development.

In the Israel Elections 2015 held on 17 March 2015, the Likud Party emerged as the winner.

The correct answer is Union Bank of India. Indian Railways launched its RuPay pre-paid card service in collaboration with Union Bank of India. This partnership allows passengers to use the RuPay pre-paid debit cards to book their rail tickets and make purchases.

In a meeting of the High Level Committee (HLC) of the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) on 24 March 2015, 2000 crore rupees were sanctioned to Maharashtra government to undertake relief measures in drought hit areas of the State.

Renu Khator was elected as the chairperson of the Board of Directors of the American Council on Education (ACE) on 18 March 2015. She is an Indian-American and has made significant contributions in the field of education. Khator is the Chancellor of the University of Houston System and the President of the University of Houston. Her extensive experience and leadership qualities make her a suitable candidate for this position.

Vikramjit Singh Oberoi was appointed as the Managing Director of EIH Limited, which runs the Oberoi hotels under The Oberoi Group.

Ruth Porat was appointed as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) by Google Inc on 24 March 2015.

The correct answer is Section 328. This section of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) deals with causing hurt by means of poison, with intent to commit an offence. By making the sale of gutka a non-bailable offence under this section, the State Government of Maharashtra aims to discourage the sale and consumption of this harmful substance.

The given answer, "All of the above," is correct because all three findings mentioned in the study are correct. Finding I states that when an ultra-intense laser interacts with a plasma target, it generates a series of pressure pulses, which can be considered as sound. Finding II mentions that the researchers used Hydrodynamics to make this discovery, which is the study of fluids in motion. Finding III states that the sound generated was six million times higher than what can be heard by any mammal. Therefore, all three findings are correct, making the answer "All of the above" the correct choice.

As per an agreement reached between the US President Barack Obama and Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani on 24 March 2015 in Washington, the quantum of troops that will be maintained by the US in Afghanistan through the end of year 2015 is 9800.

Bharti Kher was awarded with the France's highest cultural award, Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters on 23 March 2015.

Asha Jaoar Majhe (Bengali) won the Indira Gandhi Award for Best Debut Film of a Director at the National Film Awards on 24 March 2015.

Dr. Reddy's Laboratories signed an agreement with Hetero Drugs Limited (HDL) to distribute and market the Hepatitis C drug under the brand name Resof in India. This indicates that Dr. Reddy's Laboratories has been given the rights to market and distribute the drug in the country.

The correct answer is "I and II". Statement I is true because a Mega Food Park entails an area of a minimum of 50 acres. Statement II is true because the Mega Food Park Scheme works on a hub and spokes model. Statement III is false because it states that 42 Mega Food Parks have become operational, which contradicts the information given in the question that only 17 Mega Food Parks were sanctioned.

The Appropriation Acts (Repeal) Bill, 2015 aims to repeal 758 Appropriation Acts. These Acts are being repealed to simplify and streamline the legislative framework and remove obsolete laws. Repealing these Acts will help in reducing the burden of unnecessary legislation and make the legislative process more efficient.