13-14
JAN 2016
1) Defence
Minister Manohar Parrikar during January 2016 gave go ahead to major changes in
how India buys its defence equipment. One major change in policy pertains to
the emphasis on ‘Designed in India’ initiative. What are the two most important
features of this initiative? – Indigenously made defence equipment
must have at least 40% Indian components and if the design is not Indian, 60%
of its components must be Indian
Explanation: Under the
new policy changes, ‘Designed in India’ will be emphasised, as this will not
only help the country retain Intellectual Property Rights, but also build an
“eco- system” for manufacturing defence equipment.
Some important
features of ‘Designed in India’ initiative for Defence Sector:
Under the new
rules, indigenously made defence equipment must have at least 40% Indian
components. If the design is not Indian, 60% of its components must be Indian.
2) The Prime
Minister’s Office (PMO) constituted a committee to hasten the Mumbai-Ahmedabad
High-Speed Rail Corridor on 11 January 2016. Who is heading this committee? – Arvind
Panagariya (vice-chairman of the NITI Aayog)
Explanation: Apart
from Arvind Panagariya is Chairman, Railway Board Chairman, Secretary in the
Department of Expenditure, Secretary DIPP & Foreign Secretary will be part
of the committee. The panel will interact with the Japanese counterpart for
taking the next step in implementation.
3) Lt
General JFR Jacob, who passed away on 13 January 2016 at the age of 92, was an
Indian war hero associated with which war? – 1971 Indo-Pak War
Explanation: Lt
General Jacob-Farj-Rafael or JFR Jacob was the Chief of Staff of the Eastern
Command during the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971 and had played a pivotal role in
defining the Indian Army’s strategy during the course of operations. He came to
be known as one of the architects of the 1971 war which resulted in creation of
Bangladesh.
4) At least
10 tourists were killed in a suicide bomb blast in Istanbul’s historic
Sultanahmet Square district near the Blue Mosque on 12 January 2016. A Syrian
national having links with the Islamic State (IS) was identified as the
attacker. Majority of the killed tourists were from which country? – Germany
Explanation: There
were as many as 9 German tourists in the 10 persons that died in the suicide
bomb blast that took place in Turkish city of Istanbul on 12 January. Another
15 persons were injured and it included 6 Germans, one Norwegian, one Peruvian
and a South Korean. The blast took place at Sultanahmet Square, a bustling
tourist spot in Istanbul.
5) Life
Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) launched which closed-ended single-premium
plan for sale from 11 January 2016? – Jeevan Shikhar
Explanation: Jeevan
Shikhar is the name of a closed-ended plan which has been offered for sale by
LIC from 11 January. It will be available for sale till 31 March 2016. It is a
non-linked, with profits, single premium plan, wherein the risk-cover is 10
times of tabular single premium providing a combination of savings and risk
cover.
6) Who were
chosen for FIFA’s World Footballer of the Year (Male and Female) for 2015 on 11
January 2016? – Lionel Messi (Male) and Carli Lloyd (Female)
Explanation: Argentinian
super star Lionel Messi made his name into history books as he deposed eternal
rival Cristiano Ronaldo to take back his crown as the undisputed king of world
football by lifting a record fifth FIFA’s Men’s Footballer of the Year award
(or Ballon d’Or).
7) Which
Southeast Asian country was struck with a 6.4 magnitude earthquake on 11
January 2016? – Indonesia
Explanation: A
strong 6.4 magnitude struck off North Sulawesi province in central
Indonesia. The epicenter of the earthquake was around 233 kilometres southeast
of Sarangani in the Philippines, as recorded by the US Geological Survey.
8) Which
Indian cricketer made a memorable international ODI debut against Australia by
taking 3 wickets in the first ODI match that was played at WACA Ground in Perth
on 12 January 2016? – Barinder Singh Sran
Explanation: Barinder
Singh Sran, the left-handed fast bowler, made a fabulous one-day international
(ODI) debut for India on 12 January 2016.
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