IAS Current Affairs is more tended towards the Current Affairs Analysis and their Backgrounders. The current event is only the tip of the iceberg and the UPSC Civil Services Exam asks about the background of that event. The Political, Economical and the Sociological dimensions of the current affairs are also important for the IAS Exam. These Current Affairs questions are framed keeping in view the pattern of IAS Exam.
1. The World Bank has decided to extend an assistance of 20 million US dollar to reconstruct which of the following zoological park got devastated during cyclone Hud-hud?
a. National Zoological Park, New Delhi
b. Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park, Pune
c. Indira Gandhi Zoological Park, Visakhapatnam
d. Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary, Visakhapatnam
Answer: c
Explanation:
In a global first, the World Bank in third week of January 2016 decided to extend an assistance of 20 million US dollar to help reconstruct the Indira Gandhi Zoological Park (IGZP), which got devastated during cyclone Hudhud in October 2014, in Visakhapatnam.
It is the very first time in the history of the World Bank that it is directly involved in a zoo. The decision is a new addition in the portfolio of the bank as part of its ever-expanding work on urban regeneration.
The funding is a part of the 370 million US dollar Andhra Pradesh Disaster Recovery Project for which the bank is extending assistance of 250 million US dollars from 2015-2020. The four coastal districts of Visakhapatnam, Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and East Godavari are expected to get 20 million US dollar for forest restoration and disaster prevention measures.
2. Which of following committee was set up to suggest the recommendation to simplify the provisions of Income-tax Act, 1961?
a. Kamlesh Chandra committee
b. L Narasimha Reddy committee
c. Justice (retd) R V Easwar committee
d. Arvind Panagariya committee
Answer: c
Explanation:
Union Ministry of Finance has released the draft report of Justice R V Easwar (Retd) Committee to simplify the provisions of Income-tax Act, 1961.
The draft recommendations of the 10-member committee contain 27 suggestions for amendments under the Income-tax Act, 1961 and 8 recommendations for reform through administrative instructions.
3. Which of the following Indian state became first to develop a Disaster Risk Reduction Roadmap under the UN’s Sendai Framework for Action:
a. Chhattisgarh
b. Bihar
c. Gujarat
d. Maharashtra
Answer: b
Explanation:
The Sendai Framework is a 15-year; voluntary, non-binding agreement which recognizes that the State has the primary role to reduce disaster risk but that responsibility should be shared with other stakeholders including local government, the private sector and other stakeholders.
Current Affairs for IAS Prelims 2016 : January 2016 Questions
4. What is the name of the programme sponsored by the European Union for developing methods of using nuclear weapons to deflect asteroids and comets from colliding with the Earth?
a. NEOShield
b. ASTCOMETShield
c. COMETShield
d. NEOWISEShield
Answer: a
Explanation:
The European Commission funded Russian scientists to develop plans to save the world from rogue asteroids by blowing them up with nuclear weapons.
Scientists from the Russia’s top space research institute teamed up with missile and rocket engineers to look at ways of sending a warhead into space under a European Commission funded program called NEOShield.
Scientists concluded that the safest method would be to carry out the detonation while the asteroid was still in deep space, and the aim would be to alter the object's course and direct it away from the Earth, rather than to destroy it.
5. Who among the following has been appointed as a chairman of Andhra Pradesh commission for backward classes?
a. Justice M.N. Rao
b. Justice V. Eswaraiah
c. Justice KL Manjunath, (Retd.)
d. None of them
Answer: c
Explanation:
Andhra Pradesh Government on 18 January 2016 reconstituted the Commission for Backward Classes with immediate effect. AP Commission for Backward Classes (APCBC) will be a two member commission with Justice KL Manjunath, (Retd.) as its chairman and Member Secretary, APCBC as the other member.
The Chairman of APCBC shall hold office for a term of three years from the date of assumption of office. The Commission was not constituted since, 24 September 2011, when the previous commission term expired.
6. Who among the following was the head of Alternative Investment Policy Advisory Committee constituted by SEBI to suggest measures for development of the alternative investment funds (AIFs) and start-up eco-system in the country?
a. Vijay Kelkar
b. C Rangarajan
c. Y V Reddy
d. Narayan Murthy
Answer: d
Explanation:
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) on 20 January 2016 released the first report of the Alternative Investment Policy Advisory Committee (AIPAC) for comments from the stakeholders.
The 21-member committee was constituted by the SEBI in March 2015 under the chairmanship of N R Narayan Murthy, co-founder of Infosys, to suggest measures for development of the alternative investment funds (AIFs) and start-up eco-system in the country.
7. Consider the following statements regarding the Beti Bachao Beti Padho (BBBP) Scheme:
I. The scheme was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 22 January 2015 from Panipat, Haryana in 100 districts of the country.
II. Union Government on 19 April 2016 extended the Beti Bachao Beti Padho (BBBP) Scheme in additional 61 districts across 11 States and Union Territories.
III. The key elements of the scheme include awareness and advocacy campaign, multi-sectoral action and effective enforcement of pre-conception and pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques Act.
Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct?
a. Only I
b. I and II
c. II and III
d. All of the above
Answer: d
Explanation:
Union Government on 19 April 2016 extended the Beti Bachao Beti Padho (BBBP) Scheme in additional 61 districts across 11 States and Union Territories. The scheme was extended in the districts with low Child Sex Ratio.
Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi who extended the scheme into 61 more districts informed that out of hundred, 49 districts are doing extremely well.
Current Affairs for IAS Prelims 2016 : December 2015 Questions - II
8. What is the rank of India in the inaugural Best Countries Report released at World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos?
a. 10th
b. 12th
c. 22nd
d. 25th
Answer: c
Explanation:
US News and World Report, WPP’s BAV Consulting and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania on 20 January 2016 released the inaugural Best Countries report, a joint rankings and analysis project at the World Economic Forum, Davos.
The rankings evaluate 60 nations across 24 rankings lists on a wide range of criteria, from sustainability to economic influence. Germany is viewed as the best country in the world followed by Canada and the United Kingdom. India is ranked as the 22nd best country in the World.
9. NASEEM AL BAHR, a bilateral maritime exercise conducted by India with which of the following countries?
a. Oman
b. The United Arab Emirates (UAE)
c. Saudi Arabia
d. Kuwait
Answer: a
Explanation:
India and Oman conducted the 10th edition of bilateral maritime exercise 'Naseem Al Bahr' in the Arabian Sea from January 22 to January 27, 2016. Two Oman Navy ships RNOV Al-Shamikh and RNOV Al-Seeb, which have also participate in IFR 2016, entered the port of Goa Friday morning.
These ships are on their way to participate in the International Fleet Review scheduled at Visakhapatnam scheduled from February 4 to February 9, 2016. Naseem Al Bahr epitomises the strong long term strategic relationship between the two countries. Initiated in 1993, the exercise has matured over the years with increasing scope, complexity of operations and level of participation.
10. The Union Government has signed the Financing Agreement with which of the following financial institution for Bihar Kosi Basin Development Project?
a. World Bank
b. International Bank for Reconstruction
c. International Monetary Fund
d. Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
Answer: a
Explanation:
The Union Government and World Bank on 20 January 2016 signed the Financing Agreement for World Bank (IDA) assistance of 250 million US dollars for Bihar Kosi Basin Development Project.
The Financing Agreement was signed by Raj Kumar, Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Union Government and Onno Ruhl, Country Director in India, World Bank. It is a loan for an implementation period of 5 years. Bihar Government will be the implementing agency.
11. Consider the following statements regarding the scheme ‘Nai Manzil’ of Union Government of India:
I. Nai Manzil Scheme is an integrated Education and Livelihood Initiative for the Minority Communities. It was announced by the Union Budget 2015-16.
II. The Nai Manzil scheme was on 20 January 2016 launched for the first time in Jammu and Kashmir.
III. Under the scheme, girls from minority communities will be imparted three month skill development training in seven identified sectors relevant to the region.
Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct?
a. Only I
b. I and II
c. II and III
d. All of the above
Answer: d
Explanation:
The Nai Manzil scheme was on 20 January 2016 launched for the first time in Jammu and Kashmir. The scheme was launched for girls in Srinagar in three institutions- Skill Development Centre, University of Kashmir and two Madarsas.
The two Madarsas are Madarsa Shahi-i-Hamdan in Pampore and Madarsa Imam Sadique in Shadipur, Bandipora. Under the scheme, girls from minority communities will be imparted three month skill development training in seven identified sectors relevant to the region. These include training in saffron processing, food processing, embroidery, computers IT (both software and hardware), Tourism/hospitality, electronics and plumbing. Trainees will also be given stipend of 4500 rupees for the course.
12. Which of the following model was approved by the Union Cabinet for implementing the Highway Projects?
a. Design, Build, Operate and Transfer (DBOT)
b. Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT)
c. Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC)
d. Hybrid Annuity Model
Answer: d
Explanation:
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on 27 January 2016 gave its approval for the Hybrid Annuity Model as one of the modes of delivery for implementing the Highway Projects.
The main object of the approval is to revive highway projects in the country by making one more mode of delivery of highway projects. Under this model, the government will provide 40 percent of the project cost to the developer to start work while the remaining investment has to be made by the developer.
Current Affairs section of UPSC IAS Prelims Exam is very uncertain because there are no any specific topics given in the UPSC IAS Exam Syllabus from where the questions to be asked. The UPSC IAS aspirants can do one thing which is certain for them to cover the major topics of recent 4 to 6 month’s events. Here, we have provided Multiple Choice Questions based on the events happened in the month of January 2016, which are enriched with explanation and such information will also help UPSC IAS aspirants to prepare for the UPSC IAS Mains Examination.
