Current Affairs Quiz/Questions-answers January 2014, January 13 – January 19

The correct answer is Justice Shah Commission. The Supreme Court of India directed the Government of India to present the report of the Justice Shah Commission on illegal mining in Odisha and Jharkhand.

The correct answer is B Sivaraman Committee. The reduction in refinance rates by NABARD indicates a change in the policy decisions made by the committee. The B Sivaraman Committee was formed to review the arrangements for institutional credit for agriculture and rural development. Therefore, it is likely that the committee recommended the reduction in refinance rates to stimulate lending and support agricultural and rural development activities.

The correct answer is 50 billion dollars. The Bank of Japan (BOJ) and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) have decided to increase the amount of the Bilateral Swap Agreement (BSA) to 50 billion dollars. This agreement allows the two central banks to exchange their currencies in times of financial stress and provide liquidity support to each other. By expanding the BSA, the BOJ and RBI aim to enhance the stability of their respective financial systems and strengthen bilateral economic cooperation.

Haruhiko Kurodo is the correct answer because he is currently serving as the Governor of the Bank of Japan. He assumed this position in 2013 and has been responsible for implementing monetary policy in Japan. Kurodo has also played a crucial role in implementing various measures to stimulate the Japanese economy and achieve the inflation target set by the Bank of Japan.

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is celebrated on 9th January every year to honor and recognize the significant contributions made by the Overseas Indian community towards the development and progress of India. This day serves as a platform to connect with the Indian diaspora across the world and strengthen the bonds between the overseas Indians and the homeland. The celebration includes various events and activities that highlight the achievements and success stories of the overseas Indian community, promoting cultural exchange, and fostering economic and social collaborations.

The correct answer is "Statements I, II and III are true". This means that all three statements are correct in the context of the Pravasi Bhartiya Divas. Statement I refers to Mahatma Gandhi's return from South Africa on this day, which is significant in the history of India's independence movement. Statement II states that the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs is dedicated to Indian Nationals settled abroad, which aligns with the purpose of the Pravasi Bhartiya Divas. Statement III mentions that the PBD is celebrated on 9 January every year to recognize the contribution of the Overseas Indian community in India's development.

Francis Robert Roy Bucher was the last Englishman to lead the Indian Army as the Commander-in-Chief after India gained independence. This suggests that he was the final individual of English origin to hold this position before it was given to an Indian.

The Parliament of Europe has approved new carbon dioxide restrictions for commercial vans, aiming to reduce emissions. These restrictions will result in a significant reduction of 28 percent in carbon dioxide emissions from 2020. This decision reflects the commitment of the European Parliament to combat climate change and promote environmental sustainability in the transportation sector. By imposing stricter regulations on commercial vans, the Parliament aims to contribute to the overall reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and work towards a greener future.

K M Cariappa was the first Indian to become the Commander-in-Chief of Independent Indian Army. He served as the Commander-in-Chief from 1949 to 1953. Cariappa played a crucial role in the integration of princely states into India after independence. He was known for his leadership skills and his commitment to the welfare of the soldiers. Cariappa's appointment as the Commander-in-Chief marked a significant milestone in the history of the Indian Army, as it symbolized the empowerment of Indians in key positions of authority.

Army Day is observed in India on 15 January. This day is celebrated to honor the soldiers and the Indian Army for their bravery and sacrifices in protecting the nation. It marks the day when Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa took over as the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army in 1949. The celebration includes parades, military shows, and various other events to showcase the strength and capabilities of the Indian Army.

The correct answer is 1988. This is the year when the Global Polio Eradication Initiative was adopted. The initiative was launched by the World Health Assembly, aiming to eradicate polio worldwide. It is a collaborative effort between various organizations, including the World Health Organization, UNICEF, Rotary International, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Since its adoption in 1988, the initiative has made significant progress in reducing polio cases globally through vaccination campaigns and surveillance systems.

Ranjit Sinha is the correct answer because he was the director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) at the time the announcement was made. The question asks for the name of the director of CBI, and Ranjit Sinha was the director on 15 January 2014 when the specialized unit for handling sports fraud, fixing, and illegal betting cases was announced.

Pakistan was the polio-endemic country that had the maximum number of reported polio cases in the world in 2013, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). This indicates that Pakistan had the highest number of confirmed cases of polio compared to other polio-endemic countries such as Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

The correct answer is 6 percent. This is because the World Bank, in its Global Economic Prospects Report, predicted that the economy of India would grow by 6 percent.

The World Bank is headquartered in Washington, DC and was established in 1944.

Jamila Bayaz has become the first woman in Afghanistan to be appointed as the police chief of District One of Kabul province.

India is ranked 120th in the recently released Index of Economic Freedom published by Wall Street Journal. This index measures the economic freedom of countries based on factors such as property rights, government integrity, tax burden, and trade freedom. A higher rank indicates a higher level of economic freedom, meaning that India is relatively less economically free compared to other countries.

The athletes of the Indian Fencing team were barred from participating in the Qatar World Cup due to the suspension of the Indian Olympic Association by the International Olympic Committee. This means that the Indian Fencing team was not allowed to compete in the tournament because their national Olympic committee was suspended.

Peshawar has the largest reservoir of polio cases in the world according to the recently released report by the World Health Organisation (WHO). This means that Peshawar has the highest number of polio cases compared to other places mentioned in the options.

The correct answer is "All of the above". This is because all three statements mentioned in the question are true. The US President's order in 2014 required the NSA to obtain permission from secretive courts before accessing phone records collected from Americans, the government would no longer hold bulk telephone metadata and would require a judicial finding before querying the database, and the US would not monitor the communications of its close friends and allies unless there was a compelling national security purpose. Additionally, foreigners would receive some protection against spying similar to what US citizens enjoy.

The correct answer is Washington because it is the capital city of the United States, where the US President is based. Establishing the Af-Pak Strategic Partnership Office in Washington would allow for closer coordination and collaboration between the US and Afghanistan and Pakistan in addressing security and diplomatic challenges in the region.

Eugenol is the correct answer because it is a compound found in the Tulasi plant that has been genetically engineered by US scientists. This compound has been found to have properties that are beneficial in the treatment of breast cancer. Therefore, eugenol is the compound that is helpful in curing breast cancer.

The correct answer is Goa. The question states that the third Lusofonia Games, organized by the Association of Portuguese Speaking Olympic Committee, will be held in a specific location. Among the options provided, Goa is the only location that fits this description. Therefore, Goa is the correct answer.

Hery Rajaonarimampianina has been elected as the President of Madagascar on 17 January 2014.

The correct answer is Suchek and QuickcheQ. These are the names of the two indigenous Glucose Monitoring Devices launched by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on 13 January 2014.

Karnataka has achieved the unique distinction of becoming the first State in India to have Universal Health Coverage. This means that the state government has implemented a healthcare system that ensures access to quality healthcare services for all its residents, regardless of their income or social status. This achievement is significant as it indicates that Karnataka has taken proactive steps to prioritize the health and well-being of its population, making healthcare accessible and affordable for everyone in the state.

The correct answer is Omveer Tomar.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) included Hong Kong and Macau in the sensitive list under the FEMA Act, 2000. This means that transactions and dealings with these two countries will be subject to certain restrictions and regulations set by the RBI. The inclusion of Hong Kong and Macau in the sensitive list indicates that the RBI considers these countries to be of particular concern in terms of financial transactions and potential risks.

At the Petrotech 2014 Conference, Sudan offered two oil and gas blocks, Block 8 and Block 15, to Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC). This suggests that ONGC was the company that was chosen to explore and develop these blocks for oil and gas extraction.

India registered an increase of five years in the average life expectancy rate between the period 2004 to 2014. This means that the average lifespan of individuals in India has increased by five years during this time period. Therefore, the correct answer is 69.6 years, as it represents the increased life expectancy rate in India.

Delhi is the correct answer because on 13 January 2014, the government of Delhi withdrew the decision made by the previous government to allow Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Multi-brand Retail. This means that Delhi reversed the decision and no longer allowed FDI in Multi-brand Retail.

In January 2014, a team of 34 scientists discovered dinosaur footprints in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. The presence of these footprints indicates that dinosaurs once inhabited this area.