Current Affairs-December 2012 Part-1
91. Recently, astronomers have released a new “baby picture” of the universe by using nine years’ worth of data from the ___________________ .
Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP)
Astronomers have released a new “baby picture” of the universe. The all-sky image draws on nine years’ worth of data from a now-retired spacecraft dubbed the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP). WMAP launched in 2001 and from its perch a million miles away from Earth (in the direction opposite the sun) it scanned the heavens, mapping out the afterglow of the hot, young universe with unprecedented accuracy. The probe retired two years ago, and the WMAP science team is now releasing its final results, based on a full nine years of observations.
92. Which among the following countries does not have the technology to launch a missile carrying a nuclear warhead from under the water?
Germany
India will shortly induct K-15 missiles armed with nuclear warheads into INS Arihant, the indigenously built nuclear-powered submarine. India was the fifth country to have this kind of technology, where a missile carrying a nuclear warhead could be launched from under the water. The other four countries are the United States, Russia, France and China. This technology is complex because the missile is launched from under the water and it is launched from a manned platform [submarine]. So, safety of the personnel on board is of paramount importance. Safety and reliability of the systems should be very high.
93. Recently, the National Development Council (NDC) has approved the 12th Plan Document after scaling down the average annual growth target to ________ per cent for the five-year period?
8 per cent
Taking heed of the weak global economic signals, the National Development Council (NDC) has approved the 12th Plan Document after scaling down the average annual growth target to 8 per cent for the five-year period, as suggested by the Planning Commission. The 12th Plan Document seeks to reduce poverty by 10 percentage points in the five-year period and also generate 50 million jobs in the non-farm sector. By the end of the Plan period (2012-17), the document aims at increasing investment in infrastructure to 9 per cent of the GDP.
94. Who among the following is the winner of the prestigious Jnanpith Award for the year 2011?
Pratibha Ray
Leading Oriya novelist and academician Pratibha Ray, who has over 40 novels, travelogues and short stories to her credit, was named for the prestigious Jnanpith Award for the year 2011. Ray has 20 novels, 24 short stories, 10 travelogues, two poetry collections and a number of essays to her credit. Her writings have been translated into English, other foreign languages as also a number of other Indian languages. Her boldness, courage and commitment to work with the Bonda tribe was commendable at a time when even a male researcher shied away from working with them.
95. Recently, who among the following became the first Arab poet to win Tagore Peace Prize?
Shihab Ganem
An Emirati poet, who is well known for translating Indian poetry in Arabic, has become the first from the Arab world to win the Tagore Peace Prize. Shihab Ganem has been awarded the prize for his achievements in the field of poetry and its translation, as well as his contribution to developing human understanding that are in compliance with the values of humanity, love and peace adopted and called for by Tagore. The honour is awarded to a single person every two years. The Tagore Award was instituted by the Indian government to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore, for promoting values of universal brotherhood.
96. Recently, in which among the following Arab countries, a new constitution is approved after conducting referendum across the country?
Egypt
Egyptian voters have overwhelmingly approved a new Constitution drafted by President Mohamed Mursi and his Islamist allies, triggering fresh protests from the mostly secular opposition which claims the charter ignores the rights of minorities.
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Current Affairs-December 2013
Very important questions for IAS, RAS, SSC CGL, UPSC, BANK PO, UPSC,RPSC, Bank exams and all other exams.If you like the post kindly give rating.
[important]This questions are useful for any competitive exam like IAS, bank PO, SSC CGL, RAS, CDS, UPSC exams and all state related exams. You can attempt them for fun too.[/important]
97. Which among the following States has emerged as the fastest growing state in the country with GDP figure of 10.9 per cent between 2006 and 2010?
Bihar
In a huge turnaround, Bihar has emerged as the fastest growing state in the country with figure of 10.9 per cent, overtaking Gujarat whose growth has dipped. According to the Planning Commission data, Bihar was the slowest growing state during 2001—05 period with GDP figure of 2.9 per cent. However, between 2006 and 2010, it grew at 10.9 per cent, becoming the fastest growing state and shedding the tag of BIMARU (an acronym for sick states). On the other hand, Gujarat was the fastest growing state between 2001 and 2005 with figure of 11 per cent. But during 2006 and 2010, its growth dipped to 9.3 per cent and was overtaken by Bihar and four other states — Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Maharashtra and Orissa.
98. Which among the following states is introducing a rural administrative service with 30 per cent of the jobs so created will be reserved for rural based candidates?
Assam
A rural administrative service would be introduced by the Assam government for serving in the rural areas of the state. The new service will recruit candidates for serving in the rural areas to carry forward government schemes and plans specially for the rural areas.
99. The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) is a professional association headquartered in ___________.
New York City
100. . Consider the following statements about a country of Africa:
Mali
The UN Security Council has authorised an African-led military force to try to oust Islamists from northern Mali. Armed groups, some linked to al-Qaeda, took control of northern Mali after a military coup in March and established a harsh form of Islamic law. The resolution, drafted by France, sets out a multi- stage process for reunifying Mali. EU and other UN member states are tasked with helping to rebuild Mali’s army, which collapsed when Tuareg nationalists and Islamist rebels overran the north.
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