CURRENT AFFAIRS (JANUARY – MAY 2012)
NATIONAL
Name the native anti-malaria drug launched by India.
Synriam
Who has been appointed as Governor of Goa, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand?
BV Wanchoo, Margaret Aiva and Aziz Qureshi
Who were given fresh terms as Governor of Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra?
ESL Narasimhan and K Sankaranarayanan
Which Indian state will be showcased at the Cannes Film Festival?
Gujarat
Where in India joint venture of HPCL – Mittal Energy Limited worth ` 21500 crore was formally inaugurated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh?
Bhatinda (Punjab)
Name the Indian who has been elected to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) as World Court Judge.
Justice Dalveer Bhandari
Which three North-Eastern states will have planetarium by 2013? Nagaland, Manipur and Jorhat in Asom
Which state will introduce a bill to protect heritage buildings which are not protected by the Archaeological Survey of India or the State Archaeological Department?
Tamil Nadu, (Tamil Nadu Heritage Commission Bill, 2012)
Which resource in nuclear reactor will be used for power generation as the government has decided to start construction of 300 MW reactor by 2016-2017?
Thorium
Where in India medicinal plant garden has been set up to commemorate 150 years of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)?
Tirumukkudai near Kanchipuram (Tamil Nadu)
The first World Information Technology Forum was recently held in
New Delhi
The India-US joint Naval exercise, which was recently held, is
Malabar 2012
The State Assembly, which recently passed resolution to set up Legislative Council, is
Rajasthan State Assembly
The first spice park has been inaugurated in Rajasthan at
Rampura Bhatiyan Village
The Supreme Court of India as on April 12, 2012 has upheld the Constitutional Validity of the
Right to Education Act, 2009
………was admitted as the 11th member of MDEP (Multinational Design Evaluation Programme( on April 4, 2012
India's Atomic Energy Regulatory Board
The Union Cabinet of India have approved the redrafted….. which seeks to given a woman share in her husband's property in case of divorce.
Marriage Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2010
Jammu and Kashmir High Court Chief Justice who was sworn in as Supreme Court Judge.
FM Ibrahim Kalifullah
Which is the first Indian state to ban tobacco from April , 2012 to curb the increasing number of mouth cancer cases?
Madhya Pradesh
The centre has cleared for development of nods (or) growth centres for Rajasthan in Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor named as
Neemrana – Bhiwadi - Tapukuda Zone and Jodhpur - Pali - Mararwar Zone
First Indian who was appointed as Dean to an American Business School Srilata Zaheer
The world's first……….marched to its maiden tune after it got its ceremonial colours under the CRPF at an event in New Delhi All Women Paramilitary Pipe Band
The new Director General of National Disaster Response Force and Civil Defence (NDRF & CD), Ministry of Home Affairs appointed recently Prakash Mishra
India's leading tyre manufacturer CEAT appointed its new Managing Director. His name is Goenka
The first woman who led the Indian Air Force contingent at the Republic Day parade
Flight Lieutenant Sneha Shekhawat
Who won the Best Marching Contingent Trophy among police, paramilitary and auxillary marching contingents?
BSF
The person who replaced Mr. Trivedi as Railway Minister
Mukul Roy
The person who is heading the panel to investigate the case of 22 alleged fake encounter killings in Gujarat between 2002 and 2006
Justice HS Bedi
The interactive presentation tool launched by HP in India
Pocket Whiteboard
The world's first hydrogen powered 3-wheeler which was launched by Mahindra and Mahindra at the 11th Auto Expo 2012
HyAlfa
What is the concept introduced by Indian Postal Department (Bihar Postal Circle) to get a personalized stamp with photograph on it?
My Stamp
The Government policy introduced by Karnataka to boost the animation industry
Karnataka Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comic (KAVGC) Policy 2011
Person appointed as Managing Director of Xerox for its Indian operations
Rajat Jain
Name the DGP replacing outgoing chief Sunkar Baruah for Asom
Jayanta Narayan Choudhury
Which state has planned to teach Bhagvad Gita in schools?
Karnataka
Person who has been elected as Deputy Chief of Indian Army
Lt. Gen. Ramesh Halgali
The commission set-up in accordance with Section 74 of the Meghalaya Police Act.
Police Accountability Commission
The Bill approved by Rajya Sabha (on December 27) which aims at promoting international trade by raising the capital funds of overseas trading from two thousand crore rupees to ten thousand crore rupees.
The Export-Import Bank of India Amendment Bill
INTERNATIONAL
First Muslim Mayor of Indian origin in UK
Abdul Razzak Osman
Name the Barcelona coach, who stepped down, as Vilanova takes over
Pep Guardiola
Where is the 200 hectare Olympic Park constructed in the East of London?
Stratford (A Former Industrial Site)
Which city did London defeat by 4 votes to win the right to host the Olympics 2012?
Paris
Which Australian based company pulled out one of its hedge funds from investing in Indian market?
Macquarie
Which European nation has plunged back into recession in the first quarter of 2012?
Spain
Which country's President has been fined $ 17000 by its electoral authorities for urging his Facebook followers on polling day to vote for him?
Taiwan (President Ma Ying-jeou)
Name the Grammy-winning, nicknamed the queen of Disco, who passed away on May 17, 2012.
Donna Summer
Which country moved TWO against India over poultry issue?
United States
In which city, world's tallest tower is built which was recently opened for public?
Tokyo
According to Swiss-based New Seven Wonders, which natural site has been added to the list of new Seven Wonders of the world?
Tableland Mountain-Cape Town
Who has been appointed as the Managing Director for India and SAARC operations by McAfee?
Jagdish Mahapatra
Which company was allowed by Indian Cabinet to sign a gas purchase agreement with Turkmenistan national oil firm?
GAIL
Anzhaite long-Span Suspension Bridge in …. Is the world's highest and longest bridge that was officially opened to motorists in China recently.
Jishou
Boris Tadic is the ……. who resigned recently.
Serbian President
Which is the most influential city of the world, followed by New York, Hong-Kong, Paris and Singapore, according to the Wealth Report 2012?
London
The UN Human Rights Council asked to stop the attacks on civilians by the security forces of
Syria
Which Metro entered in the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest driverless metro network in the world (74.695 km)?
The Dubai Metro
Which country tops the list as the world's wealthiest country by US Forbes magazine 2012?
Qatar
Gier Haarde went on trial for corruption charges, he was the ex-Prime Minister of which country?
Iceland
On March 5, 2012 Vladimir Putin won the Russian Presidential election with 63.75% of votes from
United Russian Party
In which country, the thousands of Tamils from across Europe protested for creation of an international tribunal to try "war crimes" committed in Sri Lanka?
Geneva (UN Headquarters)
In Africa, Khapoli investments Limited, a subsidiary of Tata Power has joined hands with South African based Exxaro Resources Limited to form joint venture and named as
Cennergi Limited
The shortest man in the world according to the Guinness Book of World Records
Chandra Bahadur Dangi, Kathmandu, Nepal (21.5 Inches)
Which country became 157th to adopt the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT)?
Indonesia
New President of Maldives
Waheed Hassan
According to a poll conducted by global research company IPSOS, the happiest people of the world reside in
Indonesia, India and Mexico
World's largest newborn baby born in China (7.04 kg)
Chun Chun
The former President of Italy who died recently
Oscar Luigi Scalfaro
Recently a planned coup to topple the government was foiled in
Bangladesh
Memogate Scandal is related to
Pakistan
The Russian Mars probe which recently fell in Indian Ocena is
Phobos- Grunt
The ruling party has swept Snap Parliamentary elections in
Kazakhstan
The youngest sailor to complete a solo circumnavigation of the world is
Laura Dekker
ECONOMY AND BANKING
What percentage is the planned road tax for vehicle across India? 6%
Who took over as President of Institute of Charted Accountants of India for the year 2012-13? Jaideep Shah
Which Indian retail chain will open its 100th outlet in Abu Dhabi? Lulu
What is the proposed long-term capital gain tax cut on investments made by private equity funds into shares of unlisted companies in India? 10%
Which country allowed import of basmati rice from India recently? China
Where was the India Investrade 2012 organized by Indian Chamber of Commerce, Kolkata held? Colombo (Sri Lanka)
Which process has been made mandatory for banks by RBI in case of Bank customers who change jobs or locations?
Allowing Transfer of Accounts from Branch to Branch within Banks
Which company is planning to open 'Motherwood Maternity', 'A Pea in the Pod' and 'Destination Maternity' brands in India? Mahindra Retail
Which German sportswear maker has planned to shut down one-third of its 900 Reebok stores in India Adidas
The RBI on March 26, 2012 restructured the Fair Practices Code (FPC) to be adopted by …….. while doing lending business.
Non-Banking Finance Companies (NBFCs)
The Union Government on April 12, 2012 have approved `30000 crore bailout for Air India
The Union Government on April 12, 2012 have approved a proposal to set up a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for
Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN)
The Union Government on April 12, 2012 have approved the extension of funding support for implementing the…….. under New Pension System (NPS) from 3 years to 5 years enrolled during 2010-11, 2011-12 and 2012-13.
Swavalamban Scheme
Which is the Tablet PC launched by Micromax? Fun Book
The recent report "HUNGaMa" deals with ……….in India. Malnutrition
Who is the CEO of BSE who will join Tata Group's holding company, Tata Sons and to head the group's business development? Madhu Kannan
In order to boost the horticulture development in India, Union Government has approved to set up
National Centre for Cold Chain Development (NCCD)
Srinath Reddy Committee is on which sector?
Universal Healthcare Coverage
In Union Budget, Finance Minister of India, Dr. Pranab Mukherjee estimates the net tax for 2012-13
` 771701 crore
The government proposes to convert the National Rural Health Mission into National Health Mission
The first PSU to set up a model Adult Education Centre in Villages/Panchayats of India under the Sakshar Bharat Programme of HRD Ministry CONCOR
The new share index on environment sustainable stocks launched at the Bombay Stock Exchange BSE Greenex
Which PSU Bank recently introduced account portability (transfer of account from one branch with same account number) facility? Indian Bank
INDIA AND THE WORLD
Which countries have decided to promote bilateral cooperation in the field of sustainable urban development on April 10, 2012? India and Germany
Which countries have signed an agreement to ease the entry of India contract workers in the Emirates on April 4, 2012?
India and UAE
In the visit of Brazil President Dilma Rouseff, ……… have agreed to step up efforts towards global reforms, particularly UN Security Council on March 30, 2012.
India and Brazil
Which countries have agreed to set up a new bilateral trade target of 40 billion US dollars by 2015 on March 25, 2012?
India and South Korea
Which countries have signed six agreements including a pact on cooperation in oil and gas exploration on April 9, 2012?
India and Qatar
Which is the first Asian country which was made Hindu marriage registration a must by bringing the law in lines with India?
Bangladesh
India and China, in January 2012 resumed
Their 15 Round of Boundary Talks
India and China have agreed to develop
World's Largest Telescope
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
What is name of the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) that is scheduled to be launched on August 5, 2012 by NASA?
Curiosity
The study of animals whose existence is not proven is called Cryptozoology
A unique yet endangered collection of shrubs and plants found at Table Mountain in Cape Town is called Fynbos
What is the name of the new ICBM developed by Russia to beat US defences? Avangard
What is the name of "In Home HIV Test' approved by the FDA Advisory Committee for sale over the counter?
Ora Quick
What is the name of the Europe's largest solar telescope opened recently in Spain's Canary Islands?
Gregar Telescope
Which country has the highest premature baby deaths in the world? India
India's first space based Solar Coronograph is Aditya - I
Which is the India's first indigenous radar imaging satellite which was launched by PSLV-C19 on April 26, 2012?
RISAT-I
Pakistan on April 25, 2012 test-fired nuclear capable……. Ballistic missile. Half-IV
The……suspended the environmental clearance which was granted to Posco's mega steel project in Odisha on March 30, 2012. National Green Tribunal
India on April 19, 2012 successfully test fired its maiden Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) Agni-V
The Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) on April 16, 2012……….. in dissection and other experiments in education and research institutions.
Banned the Use of Live Animals
China's first domestically produced automatic unmanned telescope named………. Has been installed in Antarctica recently. AST3-1
Which is the nuclear submarine which joined Indian Navy recently? INS Chakra
Name of the World's first integrated solar power storage tile using super capacitor, which was launched at the International Conference, NANOSOLAR 2010?
Amrita Smart
The first map to show carbon monoxide over the whole sky has been designed by Plank Mission
The composition of world's first magnetic soap produced
Iron-Rich Salts Dissolved in Water
SPORTS
Which Football Club announced to set up first official Football School in India? Barcelona Football Club
In which Junior Asia Cup tournament did India bag Bronze Medal recently? Hockey
Who registered his third win at the 28th Asian Snooker Championship held at Doha, Qatar? Aditya Mehta
Name the oldest Marathon runner in the world who ended his participation I full Marathon. Fauja Singh
Which famous cuesist and a seven time world Snooker champion announced his retirement recently?
Stephen Hendry of Scotland
Which football goal has been voted as the greatest goal in the history of English Premier League?
An Overhead Kick from Wayne Rooney of Manchester City
Which football club won their first Champions League trophy in Munich? Chelsea
The former Indian Hockey Captain, who has been appointed Chief-de-Mission for London Olympics 2012 is
Ajit Pal Singh
The winner of Chinese Grand Prix this year Nico Rosberg
The winner of Bahrain Grand Prix 2012 Sebastian Vettel
Who won the Tennis Men's Soubles Miami 2012 title?
Leander Paes and Radek Stepanek
Who has been conferred with Sir Jehangir Ghandy Medal?
Narayana Murthy
Who are the three Indian hockey players after whom, tube stations in London has been renamed?
Dhyan Chand, Roop Singh and Leslie Claudius
Who won her 6th world sprint title at the World Track Cycling championships 2012? Victoria Pendleton
Who is the most successful golfer on the Hero Women's Professional Golf Tour in 2011-2012 was named as "Player of the Year" at Hero-WGAI Awards? Smriti Mehra
Who are the first wrestlers from India to qualify for London Olympics? Amit Kumar and Yogeshwar Dutt
Who becames the youngest Indian Boxer to qualify for Olympics? Shiva Thapa
Who won the ITF men's Futures Tennis Tournament in Bhopal? Sanam Singh
Which team won the Vijay Hazare one day cricket tournament? Bengal
Which cricket team won the CB series triangular one day tournament finals? Australia
Recently Rohan Bohana and Mahesh Bhupathi wins the doubles final of which tennis tournament?
Dubai Tennis Championships
The New Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Basketball Federation of India (BFI) is Roopam Sharma
Lin Dan won his fifth All England Open badminton Title in anti-climatic fashion, when depending champion retired with a shoulder injury in the final, who was the defending champion of All England Open Badminton Title?
Lee Chong Wei
Which country won the first women's Kabaddi Championship held in Patna? India
Name the Liberia's Italian Football Coach who was dropped after the national teams defeat. Roberto Landi
The person who won the Nagoya women's marathon (2:23:52) and dedicated her victory to the victims of the earthquake one year ago. Albina Mayorova (Russia)
The person who won the world's indoor men's 400 m title championship (45.11 seconds) Nery Brenes (Costa Rica)
The person who won the bronze in the women's category at the Eilat sailing championship in Israel recently
Rohini Rau
The only cricketer in the world to score 100 international centuries Sachin Tendulkar
First woman to head Basketball Federation of India Roopam Sharma
Member of the Indian team at the 1967 South Asian basketball championship who died recently B Muniyappa
Name of the digital music store launched by online retail company Flipkart.com. Flyte
Name Afghan's first team members of female boxers set to aim for Olympics 2012. Shabnam and Sadaf Rahimi
The Sri Lankan cricketer who completed 10000 ODI runs recently Kumar Sangakkara
Tennis player who has been awarded with Karadjordjeva Star medal, the highest honour in Serbia Novak Djokovic
The German's 1997 Tour de France winner who received 2 year ban for a blood doping offence Jan Ullrich
The two recently-retired football national team veterans who were felicitated by All India Football Federation
Climax Lawrence and Mahesh Gawli
The youngest winner of the 22nd Goodricke East India amateur Golf Championship of RCGC Honey Baisoya
The person who made history by becoming the only player to win the FA Cup with both Liverpool and Everton died recently Gary Ablett
The Indian player who has won Swiss Open Badminton Trophy is Saina Nehwal
The Indian women who have won Gold Medals at Asian women's Boxing Championship are
MC Mary Kom and Sarita
The winner of Asia Cup 2012 of Cricket Pakistan
This year the winners of Malaysian Grand Prix and Australian Grand Prix respectively are
Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button
The Winner of 78th Ranji Trophy Championship Rajasthan
FIFA's men's and women's world players of the year respectively are Lionel Messi and Homare Sawa
MISCELLANEOUS
Who is appointed as India's President by Rolls-Royce?
Kishore Jayaraman
Name the 51 year old who scaled Mt. Everest for 21st time.
Apa Sherpa
Who was honoured with a posthumous Grammy Award for his contributions to the music industry in area other than performance? Steve Jobs
Who will replace Eric Simmons as Indian cricket bowling coach? Joe Dawes
Where will IIT Bombay along with five other universities establish centre for urban science and progress?
Brooklyn, Ney York
Who retained the crown as Britain's richest man?
Lakshmi Mittal
Name the grand old lady of Indian cinema who turned 100 years recently. Zohra Sehgal
