Employment to Tribals

National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC) has signed refinance agreements with National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), seven Public Sector Banks namely State Bank of India, Central Bank of India, Syndicate Bank, Dena Bank, Vijaya Bank, Union Bank of India and UCO Bank; and seven Regional Rural Banks namely Assam Gramin Vikash Bank (Assam), Baitarani Gramya Bank (Odisha), Vananchal Gramin Bank (Jharkhand), Tripura Gramin Bank (Tripura), Baroda Gujarat Gramin Bank (Gujarat), Dena Gujarat Gramin Bank (Gujarat) and Sharda Gramin Bank (Madhya Pradesh) for providing concessional loan to the people belonging to the Scheduled Tribes (ST) community for enhancing their self employment opportunities.

The terms and conditions of the said agreements, inter-alia, include implementation of schemes by Banks/ NCDC in line with the lending norms of NSTFDC, timely repayment, arbitration mechanism, etc. NSTFDC has launched a scheme for facilitating professional and technical education including Ph.D. in India among tribals. Under the scheme titled “Adivasi Shiksha Rrinn Yojana (ASRY)”, loan up to Rs 5.00 lakh can be provided covering expenses towards fees, books, computer, study tours, boarding & lodging, etc. The interest chargeable is @ 6% p.a. Interest subsidy is available for the moratorium period. About 1.5 lakh people belonging to the Scheduled Tribes have benefited from the above mentioned agreements and ASRY up to 31.08.2012. Details of activites of NSTFDC is given below:

National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC), under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, implements schemes for self-employment of Scheduled Tribes. Under the schemes, NSTFDC provides concessional financial assistance to individuals or groups of STs for undertaking Income Generating Activities.

The salient features of the major schemes of NSTFDC are:

• Term Loan scheme: NSTFDC provides Term Loan for viable projects costing up to Rs 10.00 lakh per unit. The financial assistance is extended up to 90% of the cost of the project and the balance is met by way of subsidy/ promoter`s contribution/ margin money. The interest rate chargeable is 6% p.a. for loan up to Rs 5.00 lakh and 8% p.a. for loan exceeding Rs 5.00 lakh.

• Adivasi Mahila Sashaktikaran Yojana (AMSY): This is an exclusive scheme for economic development of Scheduled Tribes women. Loans up to 90% for projects costing up to Rs 50,000/- are provided at highly concessional interest rate of 4% p.a.

• Micro Credit Scheme for Self Help Groups: The Corporation provides loans up to Rs 35,000/- per member and Rs 5.00 lakh per Self Help Group (SHG). The interest rate chargeable is 6% p.a.

• Assistance to TRIFED empanelled Artisans: NSTFDC provides concessional finance to tribal artisans empanelled with TRIFED towards working capital and purchase of project related assets. Financial assistance is provided up to Rs 50,000/- to individuals and up to Rs 5.00 lakh to SHGs (with a ceiling of Rs 35,000/- per member) and cooperative societies. The interest rate chargeable is 4% p.a. from ST women and 6% p.a. from SHGs and others.

Per Capita Income of Tribals

As per information received from the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, social group-wise per capita income is not maintained. However, State-wise percentage of population below poverty line (social group-wise) is given in Annexure.

          The Ministry of Tribal Affairs supplements the efforts of other Ministries like Ministry of Rural Development, Ministry of Labour and Employment, etc. in economic upliftment of the tribals in the country. The Ministry of Tribal Affairs is implementing a programme titled “Special Central Assistance to Tribal Sub-Plan (SCA to TSP) for employment-cum-income generation activities of BPL Scheduled Tribes. The ultimate objective of this programme is to boost the demand-based income-generation and thus raise the economic and social status of tribals.

          

Click here to see Annexure

Union cabinet approved interest subsidy for farmer loans

The Union Cabinet on 6 September 2012 gave its approval to continue interest subsidy to Public Sector Banks (PSBs), Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), Cooperatives Banks and NABARD enabling them to provide short-term crop loans of up to Rs 3 lakhs to farmers at 7% p.a. during the year 2012-13.

It was also decided to provide additional interest subsidy of 3% p.a. to those farmers who repay loans within one year of disbursement in the current fiscal year.

The Cabinet allowed the release of 10901 crore Rupees as interest subvention for 2012-13. Interest subsidy is allowed for small and marginal farmers having Kisan Credit Cards for loan. The Cabinet approved the release of 442 crore rupees as interest subsidy to small and marginal farmers having Kisan Credit Cards against negotiable warehouse receipts, for post-harvest.

Centre has subsidized short-term crop loans to farmers since 2006-07 to ensure the availability of crop loans to farmers of upto Rs.3 lakh at 7% p.a. Banks have been consistently meeting the target set for agriculture credit flow in the past years. For the year 2012-13, the target for agricultural credit flow has been raised to Rs 575000 crore from Rs 475000 crore in the year 2011-12.

Strengthening of PDS

With a view to specifically target poor sections of society, Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) was launched in 1997. Under TPDS, foodgrains (rice and wheat) @ 35 kg per family per month are allocated to States/Union Territories (UTs) for 6.52 crore accepted number of Below Poverty Line (BPL)/Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) families for distribution at subsidized prices through Fair Price Shops. Allocation of foodgrains are also made to Above Poverty Line (APL) families depending upon the availability of foodgrains in Central pool and past offtake. Presently, the allocations of foodgrains to APL families range between 15 kg to 35 kg per family per month. This information was given by Prof. K.V. Thomas, Minister for Consumer Affairs Food and Public Distribution System in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

The Minister stated that strengthening and streamlining of TPDS is a continuous process. To improve functioning of TPDS, Government has been regularly requesting State/UT Governments for continuous review of lists of BPL and AAY families, ensuring timely availability of foodgrains at Fair Price Shops (FPSs), ensuring greater transparency in functioning of TPDS, improved monitoring and vigilance at various levels and introduction of new technologies such as Computerization of TPDS operations at various levels. States/UTs have also been advised to improve the viability of FPSs by enlarging the basket of commodities by adding non-PDS items for sale through FPSs, rationalization of commission to FPS dealers, door-step delivery of foodgrains, etc. the Minister added.

World to have 440 rising global cities in 2025

Urbanisation will lead to the creation of one billion new city consumers by 2025, according to a study by McKinsey Global Institute (MGI). The study said these will live in some 440 dynamic emerging market cities (the ‘Emerging 440’), that are set to generate close to half (47 per cent) of expected global GDP growth between 2010 and 2025. Among these, 36 cities are from India.

The report says that while China is right in the middle of its sweeping urbanisation, India is in the early stages of the process.

The study pointed out that growing consumer classes will accelerate growth in demand for many goods and services. It explained that many large emerging economies, including China and India, were seeing higher shares of their populations moving into income segments where the consumption of many goods and services takes off rapidly. Indian cities alone are expected to contribute nearly 10 per cent of global growth in residential and commercial floor space demand to 2025.

To cater to their new urban consumers’ needs, cities will have to invest heavily in infrastructure. “Cities will require annual physical capital investment to more than double from nearly $10 trillion today to more than $20 trillion by 2025.”

By 2025, municipal water demand in large cities is expected to have to rise by 40 per cent from today’s level—a rise of almost 80 billion cubic meters, more than 20 times what New York consumes today. The top two cities by expected growth in municipal water demand between 2010 and 2025 globally are Mumbai and Delhi.

The report said companies need to take a more scientific approach to locating the most promising markets for their businesses and then allocating resources pro-actively to capture the opportunities they offer. Identifying fast-growing segments in emerging cities not currently on the radar will be a necessary skill.

Drug abuse kills two lakh people a year
Some 27 million people worldwide are problem drug users, with almost one percent of them dying every year from narcotics abuse, according to the 2012 World Drug Report of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

Global production and use of illegal drugs remained relatively stable in 2011, the report found. However, this masked shifts in trafficking and consumption that were “significant and also worrying... because they are proof of the resilience and adaptability of illicit drug suppliers and users,” the UNODC warned.

Cannabis remained the most widely used drug with up to 224 million users worldwide, although production figures were hard to obtain.

Europe was the biggest market for cannabis resin, most of it coming from Morocco, although Afghanistan is becoming a major supplier and domestic production in Europe is also rising.

Opium production in Afghanistan, the world’s biggest producer with 90 percent of the global share, meanwhile jumped by 61 per cent in 2011, to 5,800 tonnes, from 3,600 tonnes in 2010, when the crop was hit by disease.

Navi Mumbai, Goa and Kannur as Greenfield airports

The Union government has decided to make Navi Mumbai, Goa and Kannur as Greenfield airports. It has also decided to turn Delhi and Chennai into airline hubs.

SOCIO ECONOMIC AWARENESS PRACTICE MCQs

1. Under Microfinance, SHG stands for—
(A) Self High Group
(B) Self Help Group
(C) Saving High Group
(D) Self Help Goods
Answer: Self Help Group

2. What is the target of the Government of India for the year 2012-13 to the agriculture sector ?
(A) Rs. 575000 crore
(B) Rs. 4050000 crore
(C) Rs. 18500 crore
(D) Rs. 16390 crore
Answer: Rs. 575000 crore

3. The government has put a target of disbursing Rs. 575000 crore institutional credit to agriculture sector during—
(A) 2012-13
(B) 2013-14
(C) 2014-15
(D) 2016-17
Answer: 2012-13

4. The Banking Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2004 was introduced for—
(A) Privatisation of Bank
(B) Credit Control
(C) For removing 10% cup on voting rights and also encouraging foreign banks to set up subsidiaries and attract foreign investment
(D) Bank Rate
Answer: (C)

5. India Millennium Deposit (IMD) scheme was launched by the—
(A) SBI
(B) RBI
(C) UTI
(D) UBI
Answer: SBI

6. RBI announced its Monetary & credit policy 2012-13 on—
(A) January 1, 2012 
(B) March 17, 2012
(C) April 17, 2012 
(D) May 4, 2012
Answer: April 17, 2012

7. What is the base year of newly introduced Consumer Price Index (CPI) ?
(A) 2004-05 
(B) 2010
(C) 2011 
(D) 2012
Answer: 2010

8. Planning Commission has lowered the poverty line from `32 per day to—
(A) Rs. 28 
(B) Rs.29
(C) Rs.30 
(D) Rs.31
Answer: Rs.28

9. In Monetary and Credit Policy 2012-13, Cash Reserve ratio kept—
(A) At 7% 
(B) At 8%
(C) At 4•75% 
(D) At 9%
Answer: At 4•75%

10. In RBI's Monetary and Credit Policy 2012-13 (Announced on April 17, 2012)—
(A) GDP growth projection maintained at 10%
(B) Credit growth projection for 2012-13 cut to 8%.
(C) Money supply growth target reduced to 10%
(D) Repo rate reduced from 8•5% to 8•0%
Answer: Repo rate reduced from 8•5% to 8•0%

11. SLR refers to—
(A) That portion of total deposit of a commercial bank which it has to keep with itself in the form of case reserves
(B) Interest Rate
(C) Bank Rate
(D) Repo Rate
Answer: (A)

12. When RBI reduced SLR from 25% to 24% ?
(A) December 16, 2010 
(B) July 1, 2011
(C) July 16, 2011 
(D) October 1, 2011
Answer: December 16, 2010

13. Which is more closed to Base Rate of the Banks?
(A) Repo Rate 
(B) Reverse Repo Rate
(C) PLR 
(D) CRR
Answer: PLR

14. What is Bank Rate (As on April 17, 2012) ?
(A) 9•0% (B) 7 %
(C) 8% (D) 6%
Answer: 9•0%

15. On April 17, 2012 Repo Rate fixed at—
(A) 8•75% 
(B) 8•25%
(C) 8•0% 
(D) 8•50%
Answer: 8•0%

16. Which is not correct ?
(A) Bank Rate : 9•0 % 
(B) Reverse Repo Rate : 7•0 %
(C) Repo Rate : 8•0 % 
(D) SLR : 40%
Answer: SLR : 40%

17. At present how many commercial banks in Public Sector are working in the country ?
(A) 27 
(B) 30
(C) 35 
(D) 18
Answer: 27

18. Which bank is the largest Public Sector bank in the country ?
(A) Union Bank of India 
(B) HDFC
(C) RBI 
(D) SBI
Answer: SBI

19. Which is the largest Private Sector Bank in the country ?
(A) HDFC Bank 
(B) ICICI Bank
(C) Kotak Mahindra Bank 
(D) AXIS Bank
Answer: ICICI Bank

20. On June 30, 2011 how many branches of SBI and Group were working in the country ?
(A) 17976 
(B) 18200
(C) 67300 
(D) 62650
Answer: 17976

Union Cabinet approved 7.6 Billion Dollar TAPI Gas Pipeline Project

The Union Cabinet approved the 7.6 billion dollar TAPI gas pipeline project on 17 May 2012. The TAPI gas pipeline project which originates from the central Asian nation Turkmenistan and reaches to India via Afghanistan and Pakistan is also referred to as the “peace pipeline” as some of the countries that it passes through don’t enjoy good relationship with each other.
The TAPI gas project will have a total length of 1680 km. Of the total length 144km will be in Turkmenistan, 735km in Afghanistan, and 800km in Pakistan, bringing it to the India border. The pipeline, will be entirely functional in 2018 and supply gas over the next thirty years.
The pipeline would produce 90 million standard cubic metres of gas per day (mscmd).  Of the total gas pumped through it, India and Pakistan will get 38 mscmd each and Afghanistan the remaining 14 mscmd. At present India requires 176 mscmd of gas, of which a little more than one-sixth is imported. The country’s need of the gas might reach the level of about 400 mscmd by 2020.
The Indian government was pursuing a similar project with the Iran which was put on hold by the Indian government given the pressure from the USA. The TAPI gas project also involves Asian Development Bank which has bestowed financial assistance to the project.
The TAPI pipeline, was proposed in the early 1990s, but was delayed due to the political and economic hurdles involved into the project. Security of the pipeline has been the major issue of concern which passes through some of the most unstabled regions of Afghanistan and Pakistan, where the project may face the risk of sabotage. India joined the project in April 2008.

Reforms in PDS

Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) is operated under the joint responsibility of Central Government and State/Union Territory (UT) Governments. The Central Government is responsible for procurement, allocation and transportation of foodgrains upto the designated depots of Food Corporation of India. The operational responsibilities for lifting and distributing the allocated foodgrains within the States/UTs, identification of eligible Below Poverty Line (BPL) families, issuance of ration cards to them and supervision over distribution of allocated foodgrains to eligible card holders through the Fair Price Shops (FPSs) are of the State/UT Governments.

Suggestions are received from time to time to improve the functioning of TPDS. Strengthening and streamlining of TPDS is a continuous process. To improve functioning of TPDS, Government has been regularly requesting State/UT Governments for continuous review of lists of BPL and Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) families, ensuring timely availability of foodgrains at Fair Price Shops (FPSs), ensuring greater transparency in functioning of TPDS, improved monitoring and vigilance at various levels and introduction of new technologies such as Computerisation of TPDS operations at various levels.

Government issues instructions and advisories to States/UTs for reforms in TPDS. This Department has also been regularly interacting with the States for successful and effective reforms of the TPDS. In the conference of State Food Secretaries & other officials on Best Practices and Reforms in TPDS held in July, 2010, measures being taken by States/UTs for streamlining the TPDS were shared amongst the participants. These, inter-alia, related to proper identification of beneficiaries, timely distribution of foodgrains, door step delivery of foodgrains, enhancing viability of Fair Price Shops (FPSs), enhancing storage capacities, use of technology based initiatives in TPDS, increasing public awareness, monitoring distribution of PDS commodities through social audit, etc. Regional Conferences were also held in February, 2011 with State/UT Food Ministers and Food Secretaries to review the implementation of TPDS. Further, a two day Conference on Targeted Public Distribution System and Storage with Food & Agriculture Ministers and Secretaries of States/UTs was held on 8th and 9th February, 2012 at New Delhi. The issues discussed in the Conference included stepping up of procurement activities, expeditious action to be taken for computerization of PDS and creation of storage capacity as well as time bound completion of existing projects.

National Food Security Bill has been introduced in Lok Sabha on 22.12.2011. Under the Bill, upto 75% of the rural population (with at least 46% belonging to priority households) and upto 50% of urban population (with at least 28% belonging to priority households) are proposed to be covered under TPDS. Priority households will be entitled to receive 7 kg of foodgrains per person per month at prices not exceeding Rs.3/2/1 per kg for rice/wheat/coarsegrains. General households will be entitled to receive not less than 3 kg of foodgrains per person per month at prices not exceeding 50% of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for wheat and coarsegrains and not exceeding 50% of derived MSP for rice. In order to enable Central and State Governments to perform the roles envisaged under the proposed legislation, provision for reforms in TPDS has also been made in the Bill.

Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH) drafted Policy on Exploitation of Shale Gas

The Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH) drafted a safe as well as encouraging policy on exploitation of shale gas that is seen as the new hope for fuelling India’s burgeoning appetite for hydrocarbons. DGF drafted the policy in the wake of the CAG’s strictures against the DGH and the Petroleum Ministry on violations in the KG-D6 contract.

The draft policy does not permit cost recovery and hence profit sharing — the two features that came under criticism by the CAG in its audit report. However it banks on production-linked payment (PLP) as the Centre’s share from the discovery.

The draft stated that the PLP would be a fixed percentage of revenue receipts from the shale gas or shale oil sold from the contract area, net of royalty on a monthly basis. Royalty would be in line with what is prescribed in the Oilfields (Regulation & Development) act. The PLP quoted at the time of the bidding for blocks assumes significance as it would carry the maximum 60 per cent weight for deciding the award of the block. The total investment quoted for completing the promised minimum work programme would get 40 per cent weightage. As a fiscal incentive, the contractor will be exempt from PLP payment for the first five years from the start of commercial production or from the date of entering the development and production phase, whichever is earlier.

The maximum period of PLP exemption would be 10 years from the date of signing of the contract and will not be extended under any circumstance since it is an incentive for faster development.

As per the policy, the explorer will be given the freedom to market shale gas within India on an arm’s length basis, with shale oil marketing following the prevailing norms of the New Exploration Licensing Policy. The other incentive proposed in the draft is customs duty exemption on the import of goods and materials for exploration and exploitation of shale gas or oil.

The blocks are to be awarded through open international competitive bidding with up to 100 per cent equity participation by foreign companies. The operating firm in a consortium would be the one which has minimum 25 per cent equity. The contract would be for 30 years with the first five years kept for exploration, appraisal and evaluation of the prospect and its feasibility.

GSM subscriber base touches 664.08 m in March

GSM telecom operators added 6.87 million subscribers in March, taking the total user base to 664.08 million.

The GSM subscriber base stood at 657.21 million at the end of February.

Bharti Airtel added the most 2.5 million users, taking its total subscriber base to 181.28 million, according to the data released by the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI).

It had a market share of 27.3 per cent by March-end.

Rival Vodafone Essar, with a 22.66 per cent market share, added 1.02 million new subscribers, taking its subscriber to 150.47 million.

Uninor, which has seen significant growth in user base in the previous months, added 1.29 million new customers. Its user base was at 42.43 million by March-end. Aditya Birla group firm Idea Cellular added 2.01 million users to take its total user base to 112.72 million.

Aircel lost 0.68 million customers and its subscriber base was at 62.57 million. Reliance Telecom added 59,829 new users to take its user base to 31.84 million at the end of March.

State-run telecom firms BSNL and MTNL added 0.89 million and 62,399 million new users, respectively, taking their subscriber base to 94.67 million and 5.59 million, respectively.

Leading GSM operators seemed to have cornered a major chunk of users of new telecom operators, which announced closing operations after the Supreme Court order cancelling their licences through mobile number portability (MNP).

Operators such as S Tel, Etisalat DB and Loop Telecom have announced shutting down of services and are now helping their users move to other operators through MNP.

The Supreme Court had in February cancelled 122 licences that were allotted in 2008.

Coastal States must look at offshore wind farms for energy

India's coastal States should look at offshore wind farms to generate energy. With a coastline of over 7,500 km, India has a natural advantage to go for offshore wind energy, said Mr Swaminathan Krishnamurthy, Associate Director, Climate Change and Sustainable Services, Ernst & Young India.

In Europe, nearly 3 gigawatt (GW) of power is generated from offshore. Why not in India? In fact, a few months ago one company was willing to put up offshore wind farms in Tamil Nadu to generate nearly 500 MW. However, this did not happen, he said at the India Wind Energy Summit organised by Lnoppen India.

Mr Krishnamuthy said that as on March 31, 2012, the total installed power capacity was 199.63 GW. Of this, the renewable energy's contribution was only 23 GW or 12.5 per cent of the total power generation, which is very low looking at natural resources available in the country.

Even within the renewable energy, nearly 70 per cent of it is comes from wind energy. “How are we going to meet international requirements that require use more of renewable energy,” he said.

In the wind energy sector, there is a major chunk of old machines, which are of around 250 kW capacity. There is a huge scope to refurbish this to generate more energy. However, this is a major challenge to overcome, he said.

India has the fifth largest installed wind power capacity in the world. It is estimated that 6 GW of additional wind power capacity will be installed in India by this year, taking the total installed capacity beyond 15GW.

The total potential for wind power in India was first estimated by the Centre for Wind Energy Technology at 45 GW, and recently increased to 48.5 GW. With larger turbines, greater land availability and expanded resource exploration, the potential could be as high as 100 GW. This potential for wind energy significantly widens the attractiveness of the Indian wind energy segment.

India's first telecom incubator

Startup Village, the country’s first telecom business incubator on public-private partnership, will be inaugurated at Kochi on April 15.

Mr Kris Gopalakrishnan, Infosys Co-founder, will formally open Startup Village at Kinfra Hi-tech Park, Kalammassery.

Startup Village seeks to emulate Silicon Valley by transforming Kerala into Silicon Coast and begin a search for a billion dollar tech startup out of Indian campuses.

It is being set up jointly by the National Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board (NSTEDB) and the Kerala Government-run Technopark, in collaboration with MobME Wireless, a private firm.

The Village is being projected by the DST, Centre and state governments as the largest national attempt to scale up innovation in the country through incubators in collaboration with the private sector.

The objective is to tap huge potentials unfolding in the telecom sector and transform students as successful job-creators instead of job-seekers. India’s telecom and IT industry is supporting the initiative in different capacities.

The facility is equipped with full 4G network, telecom labs, innovation zones, legal and intellectual property services, fully furnished offices spaces and video conference rooms.

Startup Village will give a host of perks from three-year service tax holiday to funding opportunities for tech startups to build, break and innovate to start the search for a billion dollar campus startup from India.

Mr Sanjay Vijayakumar, Chairman of the Board of Governors of Startup Village, said the new initiative is an attempt to create a complete technology ecosystem by changing the education policy, incubating ideas, accelerating them with specific industry support and angel funding at one location for the first time in India.

Supreme Court upheld the Constitutional Validity of the RTE Act, 2009

The Supreme Court of India on 12 April 2012 upheld the constitutional validity of the Right to Education Act, 2009, which mandates 25 per cent free seats to the poor in government and private unaided schools uniformly across the country. The apex court clarified that its judgment will come into force from 12 April 2012. However, the act will apply uniformly to government and unaided private schools except unaided private minority schools.

A three-judge bench of Chief Justice S H Kapadia and justices K S Radhakrishnan and Swantanter Kumar gave the ruling.

The   bench had reserved its verdict on 3August 2012 on a batch of petitions by private unaided institutions which had contended that the  section 12 (1)(c) of RTE Act violates the rights of private educational institutions under Article 19(1) (g) which provided autonomy to private managements to run their institutions without governmental interference.
 Right to Education Act (RTE) was passed by the Indian parliament on 4 August 2009.The act came into force on 1 April 2010. It  has the provision of free and compulsory education for children between 6 and 14 in India under Article 21A of the Indian Constitution. India became one of 135 countries to make education a fundamental right of every child.
Section 12(1)(c) of the RTE act says that every recognized school imparting elementary education is obliged to admit underprivileged children even if it is not aiaded by the government to meet its expenses.

Definition of Slum

The Minister for Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation Kumari Selja has said that the Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation set up a Committee to look into various aspects of Slum Statistics / Census and issues regarding conduct of slum census 2011 under the chairmanship of Pranab Sen. The Pranab Sen Committee submitted its report on 30th August, 2010. The Committee has defined Slums as:

“A Slum is a compact settlement of at least 20 households with a collection of poorly built tenements, mostly of temporary nature, crowded together usually with inadequate sanitary and drinking water facilities in unhygienic conditions”.

In a written reply in the Lok Sabha today she said, this definition has been adopted for Rajiv AwasYojana with a special dispensation for North Eastern & special category states, where such settlements of 10 -15 houses would be considered as slums.

She said, the Government of India launched the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) on 3rd December, 2005 to assist cities and towns in taking up housing and infrastructural facilities for the urban poor including slum dwellers in 65 cities in the country under the Basic Services to the Urban Poor (BSUP) Programme for the urban poor in the country. For other cities/towns, the Integrated Housing and Slum Development Programme (IHSDP) was launched with the objective to strive for holistic slum development, with a healthy and enabling environment by providing shelter and basic infrastructure facilities to the slum dwellers. The Mission period is from 2005-2012.

Kumari Selja said, the Ministry is also implementing the Interest Subsidy Scheme for Housing the Urban Poor (ISHUP), which is meant to provide 5% interest subsidy on loans upto Rs.1.0 lakh for construction and purchase of houses for the EWS and LIG beneficiaries of the urban poor including Slum dwellers. This Scheme has now been dovetailed with Rajiv Awas Yojana.

She said, in pursuance of the Government’s vision of creating a Slum-free India, a new scheme ‘Rajiv Awas Yojana’ (RAY) has been launched on 02.06.2011. The Phase I of Rajiv Awas Yojana is for a period of two years from the date of approval of the scheme with an outlay of Rs.5,000 crores while Phase II will be for the remaining period of the twelfth plan period.

The Minister said, the Scheme will provide financial assistance to States that are willing to assign property rights to slum dwellers for provision of decent shelter and basic civic and social services for slum redevelopment, and for creation of affordable housing stock. Fifty percent (50 %) of the cost of provision of basic civic and social infrastructure and amenities and of housing, including rental housing, and transit housing for in-situ redevelopment – in slums would be borne by the Centre, including operation & maintenance of assets created under this scheme. For the North Eastern and Special Category States, the share of the Centre would be 90% including the cost of land acquisition, if required.

She said, the Affordable Housing in Partnership Scheme, which encourages public private partnerships for the creation of affordable housing stock, has been dovetailed into RAY. Under this scheme, central support is provided at the rate of Rs.50,000 per unit of affordable dwelling unit or 25% of the cost of civic infrastructure (external and internal), whichever is lower.

Measures to Promote and Develop Co-Operative Sector in the Country

Government has taken various steps to promote and develop the co-operative sector in the country. These include inter-alia, framing of national policy on co-operatives, enactment of Multi-state Co-operative Societies Act, 2002, enactment of the Constitution (Ninety Seventh Amendment) Act, 2011, implementation of recommendation of Prof. Vaidyanathan Committee for revival of short term cooperative credit structure, constitution of high powered committee on co-operatives etc. Besides, the Government is implementing two plan schemes namely the Central Sector Scheme for Cooperative Education & Training through the National Cooperative Union of India (NCUI) and National Council for Cooperative Training (NCCT) and the Central Sector Scheme for assistance to National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) Programmes for development of cooperatives.

The main objectives of the Central Sector Scheme for Cooperative Education & Training are to create awareness about cooperatives amongst the general public, training to the employees working in the cooperative societies and to apprise the members and non-officials of cooperatives about their rights and duties.

The objective of the Restructured Central Sector Scheme for assistance to NCDC programmes for Development of Cooperatives is development of agriculture and rural development through cooperatives. The scheme has three main components namely i) marketing, processing, storage programmes in cooperatives under the least developed States, ii) share capital participation in growers’ / weavers’ cooperative spinning mills and iii) integrated cooperative development projects in selected districts. Under the scheme, the subsidy is provided by the Government and loan component is provided by NCDC from its own sources.

Interest Rates on Post Office-operated Small Savings raised by 0.5 per cent

The Union government on 26 March 2012 raised interest rates on post office-operated small savings like Monthly Income Scheme (MIS) and Public Provident Fund (PPF) by up to 0.5%. Interest rates on time deposits of one and two years were increased by 0.5% each to 8.2% and 8.3% respectively, while rates for popular MIS were increased by 0.3% to 8.5%.

The new rates will be effective from 1 April 2012 and will remain valid during 2012-13.

The government as part of economic liberalisation process had freed the interest rates on banks deposits giving freedom to lenders to fix rates depending upon the asset-liability position. It had however continued to fix rates for small savings schemes.
The measure adopted by the government helped to make the small savings more attractive to investors. The attractiveness of the small savings schemes vis-a-vis fixed deposit schemes operated by banks will thus be maintained.

The revised interest rates are as follows:

• Interest rate on PPF was increased by 0.2% to 8.8%.
• Savings deposit rate remain unchanged at 4%. The interest rate in savings bank accounts - the rates for time deposits of one and two years stand increased by 50 basis points each to 8.2 per cent and 8.3 per cent, respectively.
• Interest rate for three-year time deposits increased from 8% to 8.4%. Similarly, interest rate on five-year time deposit has been raised from 8.3% to and 8.5%.
• Five-year recurring deposits to fetch an interest of 8.4% as against 8% at present
• Rate for senior citizens savings scheme (SCSS) hiked to 9.3% from 9%.
• National Savings Certificates (NSC) having maturity of five and ten years will now attract 8.6% and 8.9%, respectively.

The government's objective was to render the National Small Savings Fund schemes more attractive to investors by way of returns. The measure was also adopted to halt the tendency to switch over to bank deposit schemes.

Shyamala Gopinath Committee

The revision in rates was based on the Shyamala Gopinath Committee's recommendations for Comprehensive Review of National Small Savings Fund.

The panel had advised the government to link interest rates on small savings to market rates. It had also advised the government to notify interest rates afresh at the beginning of every financial year based on the average yields on government securities of similar maturity with a positive rate spread of 25 basis points.

Yield on the benchmark government year bond ranged from 7.8% to 8.97% in the calendar year 2011 leading to upward revision in the interest rates on savings deposits. This is first revision in interest rates after the NSSF was revamped in December 2011 in line with the recommendations.

Depreciation of rupee : Discouraging and unwarranted

Off late there has been a remarkable rise in rupee value against dollar currency. In the month of August, 2011, rupee value against dollar was 44.5-45.0 range but in the month of September, 2011 the rupee value has hovered around the range of 49.0-50.0 range.  It is expected to rise further which would result in weakening the rupee value against the dollar currency. This kind of increase would have the drastic impact on the macro economy of the country like heavy raise in the import cost where countries like India heavily depends on the importing on Oil and other crucial raw materials needs for the industries. Rupee depreciation means that rupee has become less valuable with respect to dollar. If the rupee moves upward from 30 per dollar to 40 per dollar then rupee is said to depreciate. It means that rupee is now cheaper than what it used to be earlier, so if the dollar was Rs 30 and now it reached 40.
'J' curve is used to represents the theory stating that a country's trade deficit will worsen initially after the depreciation of its currency because higher prices on foreign imports will be greater than the reduced volume of imports. The effects of the change in the price of exports compared to imports will eventually induce an expansion of exports and a cut in imports-which, in turn, will improve the balance of payments.

Implications of Rupee Depreciation: The depreciation of a currency has several repercussions, which could have mixed effects on the economy. The popular 'J' curve leads us to believe that although initially the costs of such depreciation may outweigh the benefits, in the long run the country tends to be much better off. Let us consider the sectors of the economy which will be affected by the depreciation of rupee:

• (a) A depreciation of the Indian rupee will give competitive advantage to the Indian export firms, thus boosting Indian exports. The rise in exports will give a boost to the recovery of economic growth.
• (b) A weak domestic currency will make the imports dearer. This will act as a barrier against imports; it will thus improve the trade balance of the country. However, imports of commodities, like oil, whose demand is relatively inelastic, could dilute, fully or partially, the likely improvement in the trade scenario. Although capital imports are needed for economic growth, the need to curb the deficits is more pressing because deficits have an inflationary impact and they can also lead to financial vulnerability. In case there is exchange depreciation, Indian importers would prefer to purchase locally manufactured goods. This would add to the growth in demand for goods and services, thus helping in the economic recovery.
• (c) A weaker domestic currency would help attract more foreign domestic investment. This is so because international companies would find it more attractive to set up units in India to service their foreign units because of the cost advantages, which in the case of a strong currency could be partially or fully wiped out.
• (d) The repayment of foreign debt by the government will be severely affected due to depreciation in the value of the rupee.
• (e) Another drawback of a weak currency is that it might dissuade foreign institutional investment (FII) from investing in India. The prospects of a weaker currency could also lead to a rush for repatriation of funds by FIIs. The FIIs are permitted to transfer money in and out of the country at will and therefore if there were a legitimate fear of a large fall in the value of currency, they may be tempted to repatriate a part of their funds. This could result in a selloff in the capital markets.
• (f) Depreciation of rupee will lead to higher interest rates in the economy, with the help of which the RBI might want to fight off the pressure of depreciation in the value of the domestic currency.

Indian Council of Overseas Employment- A think Tank on ‘International Migration

The Indian Council of Overseas Employment (ICOE) is a ‘not for profit’ society established by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA) in 2008 to serve as a think tank on all matters relating to ‘International Migration’. The ICOE undertakes empirical, analytical and policy related research, implements pilot projects to document good practices and assists in capacity building of stakeholders at the sub-national level. The mandate of the Council is to devise and execute medium to long term strategies to enable Indian emigrant workers and professionals to move up the value chain and to position India as a preferred source of qualified, skilled and trained human resources across a wide gamut of sectors.

Vision: Lead 'evidence based' work on international migration to support informed policy making and enable strategic interventions for a coherent and harmonised response to the transnational movement of people.

Mission: Partner with individuals, institutions and governments to drive empirical, analytical and policy related research; enhance capacities and pilot good practices in international migration and its governance.

Governance Structure: The Council has a two- tier body comprising of a Governing Body and an Executive Directorate. The Governing Body provides the broad policy framework for the programmes and activities of the Council. The Governing Body is headed by Secretary, MOIA who is the Chairman while the other Members include the Secretaries or their representatives from the Department of Economic Affairs, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Labour and Employment; Secretaries of three State Governments by rotation and four external nominees. The Chief Executive Officer, ICOE functions as Member Secretary of the Council and looks after the functions of the Council and its operations, assisted by a small team.

Key Partnerships: ICOE is building strong research partnerships with institutions of international repute as well as multilateral organisations. Some of the partner institutions include:

•   European University Institute (EUI), Florence, Italy
•   International Organization for Migration (IOM), India
•   Migration Policy Institute (MPI), Washington, USA
•   Hellenic Migration Policy Institute, Athens, Greece
•   V. V. Giri National Labour Institute, India
•   UN Women, India

ICOE also works closely with the following institutions which have partnered with MOIA for various research initiatives on international migration:

•   Center for Development Studies, Trivandrum, India
•   Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi, India
•   Center for the Advanced Study of India (CASI), University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
•   International Migration Institute (IMI), University of Oxford, UK
•   University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg

Initiatives of ICOE

1. Skill Development Initiative for Potential Migrants from the North-Eastern States of India is a pilot project currently underway in eight North-Eastern states in partnership with International Organization for Migration (IOM). The objective of the project is to provide job readiness and augment employability of the potential overseas migrants, in the international labour market, especially high demand sectors of hospitality & healthcare. The project will develop standards andan internationally recognized framework for skills up-gradation, assessment, accreditation & certification. The project will be scaled up at national level.
2. Developing a Knowledgebase for Policymaking on India–EU Migration project is being implemented in partnership with EUI, Florence, with an objective to consolidate a constructive dialogue between the EU and India on migration covering all migration-related aspects. The project is co-financed by European Commission (EC).The objective of the project is to assemble high-level Indian-EU expertise in major disciplines that deal with migration (demography, economics, law, sociology and politics) with a view to building up migration studies in India and to provide the Government of India as well as the European Union, its Member States, the state governments, academia and civil society, with evidence-based policy-oriented research, capacity building, and outreach programmes at sub-national level.
3. Study on Health of Migrant Workers from India in the Gulf is being undertaken by ICOE in collaboration with WHO and IOM in three major Indian states of origin (Kerala, Andhra, Pradesh, Punjab), and in the UAE, Oman and Bahrain. The scope of the study is to understand the etiology of the high incidence of hypertension, gestational diabetes and depression amongst Indian workers, relative to their counterparts in India as well as in comparison with other ethnic groups.
4. Empowerment of Women Migrant Workers in the Gulf is a pilot project instituted by ICOE in collaboration with UN Women for empowering women migrant workers in the Gulf. The project will be implemented over a period of two years in select districts of two major states of origin for women migrants workers; Andhra Pradesh &Kerala. The project aims to institutionalize ‘good practices’ in the entire cycle of migration from pre-departure to return and resettlement through a series of awareness and capacity building programmes covering all stakeholders in the migration process.
5. Labour Market Assessment (LMA) of six European countrieswas conducted by ICOE in partnership with IOM to present a market overview and sectoral opportunities in the labor markets in respective countries. The LMA also provided broad-based as well as short-term recommendations for potential improvement on the supply side of labour mobility in India. The second phase of Labour Market Assessment will be carried out in select EU Member States, Australia and Canada.
6. Research Project on the Movement of Indian Capital, Goods and Labour in Africa in partnership with The Centre for Indian Studies in Africa (CISA) - Wits University to create the basis for a realistic assessment of Indian capital and labour in Africa; and inform policy and practice in India. The project will build statistical &data analysis systems and establish institutional links with think-tanks in Africa to support evidence based research. The research outputs will inform India’s engagement with matters of investments and management of overseas Indian labour with particular reference to skills needed. It will also provide recommendations for action to improve labour flows and to engage with the issue of entrepreneurial capital as opposed to direct investments.
7. Second Employer’s Conference will be organizedin 2012 with an objective to showcase India as a preferred country of origin for skilled and trained human resource. The conference will be hosted by Haryana Overseas Placement Assistance Society (HOPAS) and is expected to be attended by recruiters from EU member states, Gulf, South-East Asia and Australia.

SOCIO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PRACTICE QUESTIONS

1. Oman Investment Fund (OIF), the Sultanate of Oman’s sovereign wealth fund, filed application with the government to buy a stake in which of the software solutions company, IT People promoted exchange?
a. Universal Commodity Exchange
b. Agri bourse NCDEX
c. Intercontinental Exchange
d. National Spot Exchange Limited
Answer: (a)

2. Which company on 27 Deember 2011 mentioned that it would acquire the remaining 51 per cent stake from BP Alternative Energy Holdings in the joint venture that it formed with BP?
a. Reliance Power
b. Tata Power
c. Adani Power Limited
d. ABB Ltd
Answer: (b)

3. Which paharmaceutical company announced in December 2011 the launch of Supamovecream used for treating pain and inflammation in India?
a. Cipla
b. Ranbaxy
c. Dr. Reddy’s
d. Sun Pharmaceuticals
Answer: (c)

4. Name the state-run Mumbai-headquartered bank which on 29 December 2011 surprised the market by cutting its base rate, the minimum lending rate, by 10 basis points, thereby becoming the first banker this year to do so when others are waiting for a signal from the central bank.
a. State Bank of India
b. Union Bank
c. United Bank of India
d. Allahabad Bank
Answer: (b)

5. The $35-billion Aditya Birla group plans to set up a viscose staple fibre (VSF) plant in the Adana Organised Industrial Zone in which of the following countries?
a. Tunisia
b. Tanzania
c. Turkey
d. Tibet
Answer: (c)

6. Reserve Bank of India deregulated non-resident external (NRE) deposits on 16 December 2011 allowing banks to offer higher interest rates to dollar-denominated accounts. Which of the following facts related to the above statement is/are not true?
2. Reserve Bank freed the rates on non-resident external accounts, offering interest as high as 9.6% per annum
3. Following RBI’s deregulation five Indian banks, including HDFC Bank and Yes Bank on 23 December 2011 raised their interest rates on such deposits in order to lure foreign money
4. Private lender Yes Bank increased the interest rates on fixed deposits held by non-resident Indians (NRIs) to 8.4 per cent from 3.82 per cent
5. The new rates are effective from 24 December for fresh deposits as well as those being renewed on maturity.
a. 1 & 2
b. Only4
c. Only 3
d. 1 & 4
Answer: (c)

7. According to the RBI data, India's foreign exchange reserves fell by what amount to $302.1 billion during the week ended 16 December 2011 on account of a fall in foreign currency assets?
a. $4.67 billion
b. $3.33 billion
c. $5 billion
d. $5.75 billion
Answer: (a)

8. According to the Tea Board data released in December 2011, tea imports declined by what per cent to 9.91 million kg in the April-October period of 2011?
a. 10%
b. 12.5%
c. 14%
d. 15.3%
Answer: (c)

9. Infrastructure sector recorded a growth of what per cent in Novemberr 2011 after touching five-year low of 0.3% in October 2011 due to an impressive growth in cement, electricity and refinery products?
a. 2.3%
b. 3.9%
c. 4.6%
d. 6.8%
Answer: (d)

10. Telecom Commission, the decision-making body of the Department of Telecommunications recommended a uniform licence fee of what per cent of adjusted gross revenues (AGR) as against the prevalent rate of 6-8 per cent?
a. 10%
b. 8%
c. 5.2%
d. 9.3%
Answer: (b)

11. Theatre director, screenplay writer and actor Satyadev Dubey, credited with introducing existential and absurd theatre, passed away on 25 December 2011. Which facts about the concerned person is/are not true?
2. he got attracted to the post-1947 theatre and joined Theatre Unit, the theatre group-cum-school founded by Ebrahim Alkazi
3. Dubey came into prominence with Dharamvir Bharati’s radio-play Andha Yug that brought to the fore the pervasive criminal and homicidal tendencies during the times of war.
4. He penned screenplays/dialogue of some acclaimed films in the 1970s, including Shyam Benegal's Nishant, Ankur, Kalyug and Bhumika
5. He won the Filmfare Award for Best Dialogue in 1980 for the film Ankur
a. Only 1
b. Only4
c. 2 & 3
d. Only 2
Answer: (b)

12. Identify the veteran politician and former Chief Minister of Karnataka with the help of the following clues.
1. He was the Chief Minister of Karnataka from 1990-92 and died on 26 December 2011
2. The three time Lok Sabha member represented Bellary constituency
3. He was on the national political stage as a Lok Sabha member for three terms in 1996, 1999 and 2003.
4. He was instrumental in holding the first Indian international film festival in Bengaluru in 1993
a. H. D. Kumaraswamy
b. J. H. Patel
c. S. M. Krishna
d. S.Bangarappa
Answer: (d)

13. India’s infant mortality rate (IMR) showed a 3 point decline, dropping to what number per 1,000 live births, as per government data released on 28 December 2011?
a. 43
b. 55
c. 47
d. 50
Answer: (c)

14. Maharashtra government planned to provide free medicare for poor families. Consider the following statements:
i) The plan will benefit 50 lakh families.
ii) The plan will cover eight districts in state.
Choose the right option:
a) Both i and ii are correct.
b) Only i is correct.
c) Only ii is correct.
d) Neither i nor ii is correct.
Answer: (a) Both i and ii are correct

15. Lok Sabha on 27 December 2011 passed the Lokpal and Lokayukta bill, 2011. Consider the following statements:
i) The setting up of Lokayuktas by the states would not be mandatory.
ii) The constitutional amendment bill fell through.
Choose the right option:
a) Both i and ii are correct.
b) Only i is correct.
c) Only ii is correct.
d) Neither i nor ii is correct.
Answer: (a) Both i and ii are correct

16. Name the Mumbai skipper who on 22 December 2011 overtook former teammate as the highest run-getter in Ranji Trophy by scoring a total of 8242 runs.
a. Wasim Jaffer
b. Amol Muzumdar
c. Amarjeet Kaypee
d. Pankaj Dharmani
Answer: (a)

17. Who won his first Men’s Singles title of 2011 at the 2011 $120,000 Syed Modi India Open Grand Prix Gold badminton championship?
a. Sourabh Verma
b. Taufik Hidayat
c. Anup Sridhar
d. Hendra Setiawan
Answer: (b)

18. Which team won both the men's & women’s title in the 10th All-India Invitational volleyball tournament for the Vajpayee Cup?
a. Andhra Pradesh
b. Punjab
c. Kerala
d. Southern Railway
Answer: (c)

19. Identify the Indian footballer with the help of the following clues.
1. This Indian football team defender announced his retirement from international football on 26 December 2011
2. He captained the Indian team in one match (against Malaysia) in November 2011
3. He had scored one goal against Bhutan in SAFF Cup in 2005
4. He was part of the Indian teams which won SAFF Cup (2005), Nehru Cup (2007 and 2009), AFC Challenge Cup (2008) apart from the recent SAFF championship
a. Arnab Mondal
b. Gurwinder Singh
c. Anas Edathodika
d. Mahesh Gawli
Answer: (d)

20. The Indian team finished at the fourth position in the World Women's Team Chess Championship at Mardin,Turkey on 27 December 2011. Which team won gold and emerged at the top in the competition?
a. Ukraine
b. Russia
c. China
d. Greece
Answer: (c)

21. Name the Cyclone, which hit the coast of Chennai and south-eastern coastal areas.
a) Thane
b) Nargis
c) Rita
d) Katrina
Answer: (a) Thane

22. Name the gene, which controls memory in human brain.
a) Npas4
b) Npas3
c) Mpas4
d) Npas2
Answer: (a) Npas4

23. WGEEP designated entire Western Ghats as an ecologically sensitive area. What is the full form of WGEEP?
a) Western Ghats expert panel
b) Western Ghats environmental panel
c) Western Ghats environmental expert panel
d) Western Ghats ecology expert panel
Answer: (d) Western Ghats ecology expert panel

24. China launched a High-Speed Bullet Train in Quingdao, Shandong. Consider the following statements:
i) Its speed can reach up to 500 kilometres per hour.
ii) The train was launched by China’s largest rail vehicle maker, CSR Corp. Ltd.
Choose the right option:
a) Both i and ii are correct.
b) Only i is correct.
c) Only ii is correct.
d) Neither i nor ii is correct.
Answer: (a) Both i and ii are correct

25. Scientists discovered a Way to Transform Ordinary Tissue into Heart Muscle Cells. Consider the following statements:
i) It could pave the way for new therapeutic approaches for making a damaged heart to repair itself.
ii) Scientists used a zebrafish system to develop a small and robust molecule, which can transform stem cells into beating heart muscle cells.
Choose the right option:
a) Both i and ii are correct.
b) Only i is correct.
c) Only ii is correct.
d) Neither i nor ii is correct.
Answer: (a) Both i and ii are correct

26. People’s national party recently won Parliamentary elections in Jamaica. What is the capital of Jamaica?
a) New Delhi
b) Kingston
c) Paris
d) London
Answer: (b) Kingston

27. India and Pakistan concluded their sixth round of talks in__ on 27 December 2011.
a) Islamabad
b) New Delhi
c) London
d) Paris
Answer: (a) Islamabad

28. USA and Saudi Arabia inked an agreement worth__ US dollars.
a) 29.4 billion
b) 20 billion
c) 25 billion
d) 23 billion
Answer: (a) 29.4 billion US dollars

29. India approved the acquisition of French advanced missile systems to arm the Mirage-2000 fighter jets. Consider the following statements:
i) The cabinet committee on Security cleared the contract for the fire and forget MICA with French company MBDA.
ii) MICA are interception and aerial combat missiles.
Choose the right option:
a) Both i and ii are correct.
b) Only i is correct.
c) Only ii is correct.
d) Neither i nor ii is correct.
Answer: (a) Both i and ii are correct

30. The Union government approved Katra-Quazigund Railway line project. The project is located in__.
a) Jammu and Kashmir
b) Bihar
c) Punjab
d) Haryana
Answer: (a) Jammu and Kashmir

31. India became free from bird flu,__.
a) H5N1
b) H4N1
c) H5N2
d) H3N3
Answer: (a) H5N1

32. Which PSU announced on 2 January 2012 that its board approved in a meeting held on 30 December 2011 the switching over to internationally-accepted Gross Caloric Value-based pricing mechanism?
a. BHEL
b. ISPAT
c. CIL
d. IOC
Answer: (c)

33. Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) entered the media and entertainment sector by making a major investment in one of India’s largest broadcast companies. Name the broadcast company.
a. Network18 Group
b. Adlabs Films
c. Balaji Telefilms
d. Bag Films
Answer: (a)

34. Credit Suisse upgraded which company to neutral from underperform, citing valuation comfort at current?
a. Essar Energy
b. Reliance Power
c. Bajaj Auto
d. Tata Steel
Answer: (d)

35. Which PSU lender called off its plans to set up a joint venture with Visa Inc and Elavon Inc to enter the merchant acquiring business over differences on sharing technology?
a. Union Bank
b. State Bank of India
c. Syndicate Bank
d. Corp Bank
Answer: (b)

36. This company acquired Star more than 500 films like blockbusters like Salman Khan's Dabangg, Ready, Golmaal 3, Tees Maar Khan, Thank You, No One Killed Jessica, Guzaarish, Kites and Raavan from a general entertainment channel owned by the Viacom 18 Group?
a. Sony
b. UTV movies
c. Colors
d. Sab TV
Answer: (c)

37. Union government raised the ad valorem duty (export duty) on iron ore exports to what per cent from 20 per cent?
a. 30%
b. 33%
c. 41%
d. 43%
Answer: (a)

38. As per the to Commerce Ministry data released on 2 January 2012, India’s exports recorded their slowest pace of growth in two years in November 2011. What was the per centage of growth recorded?
a. 4.2%
b. 3.8%
c. 2.2%
d. 0.94%
Answer: (b)

39. Union government on 3 January 2012 approved Reliance Industries' (RIL) investment plan for developing four satellite fields in the flagging KG-D6 block. What was the proposed sum to be invested for developing the satellites?
a. $1.500 billion
b. $1.692 billion
c. $1.529 billion
d. $1.375 billion
Answer: (c)

40. The capital market regulator SEBI on 3 January 2012 allowed auctioning of securities through stock exchanges and introduced a new method for institutional placement of stocks. Which of the following facts related to the above statement is/are not true?
1. Under the institutional placement programme (IPP), shares can be sold only to qualified institutional buyers.
2. There shall be at least 25 allottees in every IPP issuance. No single investor shall receive allotment for more than 25% of the offer size
3. The IPP method can be used to increase public holding by 10% and could be offered to only qualified institutional buyers with 25% being reserved for mutual funds and insurance companies
4. Under the IPP, companies will have to announce the ratio of buy-back, as is done in the case of rights issues and fix a record date for determination of entitlements as per shareholding on record date
a. Only 1
b. Only 3
c. Only 2
d. Only 4
Answer: (c)

41. What is the Finace Ministry’s decision on the rates applicable on small savings instruments schemes that would be announced on April 1 each year?
a. rate would remain valid till the maturity of the scheme
b. rate would change in the first qurter of that respective year
c. rates would change depending on different maturity period
d. rates would remainvalid for six months post the maturity
Answer: (a)

42. Scientists for the first time produced mixed embryo monkeys. Consider the following statements:
i) Scientists produced monkeys composed of cells taken from separate embryos.
ii) The cells stay together and work together to form tissues and organs.
Choose the right option:
a) Both i and ii are correct.
b) Only i is correct.
c) Only ii is correct.
d) Neither i nor ii is correct.
Answer: (a) Both i and ii are correct

43. Scientists discovered unknown species off the coast of Antarctica. Consider the following statements: i) The temperature in this region rises to 380 degree Celsius. Ii) There is plenty of light in this region.
Which of the above statements is/ are correct?
a) Only i
b) Only ii
c) Both i and ii
d) Neither i nor ii
Answer: (a) Only i; There is complete absence of light in this region

44. The world’s first hybrid sharks was discovered by the researchers in Australian waters. The hybrid shark is the result of cross-breeding between which one of the following set of shark species?
a) Common black tip Shark and Australian black-tip shark
b) Indian black-tip Shark and Australian black-tip Shark
c) Blue Whale and Common black-tip Shark
d) Blue Whale and Australian black-tip Shark
Answer: (a) Common black-tip Shark and Australian black-tip Shark

45. Scientists produced artificial human semen to help infertile men. Consider the following statements: i) The scientists grew the sperm by enveloping the germ cells in a special compound called agar jelly. ii) The artificial human semen could help infertile men father their own children.
Choose the right option:
a) Both i and ii are correct.
b) Only i is correct.
c) Only ii is correct.
d) Neither i nor ii is correct.
Answer: (a) Both i and ii are correct

46. Health Authorities in Australia recently detected Deadly Disease, Murray Valley Encephalitis. The disease is caused by the__.
a) Flies
b) Mosquitoes
c) Birds
d) Dogs
Answer: (a) Mosquitoes


47. Kiro Gligorov, the former president of Macedonia died in Skopje on 1 January 2012. Which facts about Gligorov given below are not true?
2. Gligorov was the first democratically elected president of Macedonia.
3. He joined the partisan movement fighting against the Nazi occupation and was one of the organizers of the Anti-Fascist Assembly for the People’s Liberation of Macedonia, or ASNOM in 1945
4. Gligorov served four consecutive presidential terms, leading the nation from January 1991 to November 2009
5. The early days his presidency were overshadowed by a bitter dispute with Greece over the newly independent nation’s name , the dispute that continues till date
a. Only 1
b. 1 & 2
c. Only 3
d. 2 & 4
Answer: (c)

48. Who was presented the Mahatma Gandhi International Award for Peace and Reconciliation on 4 January 2011, the fourth day of the ten-day Kalachakra initiations?
a. Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama
b. South African leader Nelson Mandela
c. Tanzania’s Julius Nyerere
d. Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi
Answer: (c)

49. European Union agreed in principle to ban import of Iranian Crude oil. Consider the following statements:
i) The European Union( EU) is one of Iran’s biggest markets for oil.
ii) The EU is a political and economical union of 27 member states.
Choose the right option:
a) Both i and ii are correct.
b) Only i is correct.
c) Only ii is correct.
d) Neither i nor ii is correct.
Answer: (a) Both i and ii are correct

50. The Israel-Palestine talks, in the first week of January 2012 was held in Amman. Amman is the capital of__
a) Jordan
b) Syria
c) Iraq
d) Iran
Answer: (a) Jordan

51. Maldives on 4 January 2012 lifted ban on Spas in the upmarket tourist destination. Consider the following statements:
i) The tourism industry is an important foreign exchange earner in the Maldives.
ii) Maldives in 2011 received more than 850000 tourists.
Choose the right option:
a) Both i and ii are correct.
b) Only i is correct.
c) Only ii is correct.
d) Neither i nor ii is correct.
Answer: (a) Both i and ii are correct

56. India signed MoU( Memorandum of Understanding) on tourism with ASEAN on 12 January 2012. The agreement took place in__.
a) Manado
b) Jakarta
c) Malaysia
d) Manila
Answer: (a) Manado

57. Pravasi Bhartiya Divas-2012 was held in Jaipur. Jaipur is the capital of which one of the following states?
a) Rajasthan
b) Bihar
c) UP
d) Bihar
Answer: (a) Rajasthan

58. India and Japan on 12 January 2012 agreed to enhance their cooperation in the ___sector.
a) Infrastructure
b) Tourism
c) Road and Transport
d) Coal and Mining
Answer: (a) Infrastructure

59. Newly crowned Miss Belgium 2012, Laura Beyne mentioned that she mostly supports gay marriages. In which year did Belgium become the second country after the Netherlands to legalize gay marriage?
a. 2000
b. 2003
c. 2005
d. 2009
Answer: (b)

60. TIE Chennai (The Indus Entrepreneurs), dedicated to promote entrepreneurship in January 2012 launched a book Dream to destiny — the driving spirit of Chennai's entrepreneurs in January 2012. TiE Chennai is a _.
a. Non-profit organisation
b. Committee of Entrepreneurs
c. Multinational organisation
d. Entrepreneur arm of the Commerce Ministry
Answer: (a)

61. State-run Northern Coalfields (NCL) agreed to surrender land required to mine two blocks attached to the Sasan ultra mega power plant to which of the following companies giving the comapany the benefit of over Rs 6000 crore over the life of the venture?
a. Reliance Power
b. Adani Power
c. Birla Power Solutions
d. DLF Power
Answer: (a)

62. Which car took home the crown of Indian Car Of The Year 2012 in January 2012?
a. Toyota Etios Liva
b. Maruti Suzuki Swift
c. Hyundai Verna
d. Hyundai Eon
Answer: (b)

63. B. D. Park was appointed the President and CEO of this electronic major’s South West Asia Operations and Managing Director of its India operations. Which electronic major is in question here?
a. Phillips
b. Videocon
c. Samsung
d. LG
Answer: (c)

64. Maldives authorities allowed Male International Airport operator to collect airport development and insurance charges from passengers, nearly a month after a local court barred the Bangalore-based company from doing so. Name the operator.
a. GMR Infrastructure
b. International Air Transport Association (IATA)
c. Fraport AG
d. DIAL
Answer: (a)

65. Which French construction major entered the Indian market by buying out 100 per cent stake in NAPC, a Chennai-based construction company?
a. Sinopec Engineering
b. Uhde
c. Vinci
d. Snamprogetti
Answer: (c)

66. According to the draft sports policy of this state Government released on 11 January 2012, a special life-time achievement award, in memory of G.V. Raja, the founder-president of the State Sports Council is to be instituted. Which State is being referred to?
a. Karnataka
b. Kerala
c. Tamil Nadu
d. Andhra Pradesh
Answer: (b)

67. Which team defeated Uttarakhand 25-22, 25-22, 25-13 in the men’s category to win the National title for the fourth time, in the 60th senior National volleyball championship, at the Balbir Juneja Indoor Stadium, Raipur on 11 January 2012?
a. Kerala
b. Andhra Pradesh
c. West Bengal
d. Tamil nadu
Answer: (a)

68. Which team extended their hegemony by defeating Kerala 25-12, 25-14, 25-16 in a one-sided final in the women’s category at the 60th senior National volleyball championship?
a. Punjab
b. Services
c. Railways
d. Delhi
Answer: (c)

69. This footballer was awarded the 2011 FIFA Ballon d'Or on 9 january 2012 in Zurich. He won the award for the third consecutive year for the world's outstanding footballer. Identify the footballer.
a. Cristiano Ronaldo
b. Xavi
c. Sergio Ramos
d. Lionel Messi
Answer: (d)

70. Foreign direct investment (FDI) into India went up by what per cent to $2.53 billion in November 2011, indicating an improvement in investor sentiment?
a. 56%
b. 49%
c. 33%
d. 26%
Answer: (a)

71. As per the Forward Markets Commission data released on 9 January 2012 that the turnover of the 21 commodity exchanges in India increased by 66% to what amount till December 2011?
a. Rs 123 lakh crore
b. Rs 137.22 lakh crore
c. Rs 100.57 lakh crore
d. Rs 93 lakh crore
Answer: (b)

72. Indirect tax collections increased by what per cent to Rs 285787 crore during April-December 2011 driven by an increase in service tax mop-up?
a. 15%
b. 14.56%
c. 16.1%
d. 16.33%
Answer: (c)

73. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) notified that the Commerce Ministry on on 11 January 2012 lowered the minimum export price of onions by $100 a tonne to boost exports. What is the changed minimum export price of onion?
a. $200 a tonne
b. $250 a tonne
c. $300 a tonne
d. $150 a tonne
Answer: (d)

74. Prime Minister's Office on 11 January 2012 directed cash-rich public sector undertakings (PSUs) to invest around Rs.1.76 lakh crore to act as a stimulus in the next fiscal 2012-13. What is the amount to be invested domestically?
a. Rs.1.41 lakh crore
b. Rs 1.57 lakh crore
c. Rs 2.50 lakh crore
d. Rs 3.19 lakh crore
Answer: (a)

75. He was conferred with the first S K Singh Award for excellence in the Indian Foreign Service on 6 January 2012. Identify the diplomat.
a. Ranjan Mathai
b. Shivshankar Menon
c. D Bala Venkatesh Verma
d. K. Raghunath
Answer: (c)

76. Which Ministry prepared draft policy seeking to increase private participation and opens the doors for foreign direct investors for expanding its network?
a. Railways Ministry
b. Ministry of Rural Development
c. Ministry of Commerce and Industry
d. Defence Ministry
Answer: (a)

77. Six researchers from five science streams were honoured with this prize by the former President, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam in Bangalore on 9 January 2012. Name the prize in question.
a. Infosys Prize
b. India Science Prize
c. Rolls-Royce Science Prize
d. Young Scientist Award
Answer: (a)

78. Which one of the following state governments launched Panch Parmeshwar scheme?
a) Madhya Pradesh
b) Bihar
c) UP
d) Kerala
Answer: (a) Madhya Pradesh

79. The Cabinet Committee on Security approved the setting up of NCTC. What is the full form of NCTC?
a) National Counter Terrorism Centre
b) National Trade Cooperation
c) National Central Terrorism Centre
d) National Council for Trade Cooperation
Answer: (a) National Counter Terrorism Centre

80. Which of the following companies infused Rs 520 crore equity into BSES Delhi distribution companies as part of Rs 5,100 crore financial package being worked by IDBI
a. NTPC
b. RIL
c. Adani Power Ltd
d. Birla Group
Answer: (b)

81. Suzlon Energy signed a memorandum of understanding with this State Government as a part of the CII's Partnership Summit that concluded on 13 January 2012. As per the MoU, Suzlon Energy will develop wind power projects totalling 3,000 MW in Andhra Pradesh over the next four years, involving potential investment of up to Rs.18,000 crore. Name the state government with which the MoU was signed.
a. Andhra Pradesh government
b. Gujarat governemnt
c. Orissa government
d. Arunachal Pradesh government
Answer: (a)

82. Name the auto making company which launched three new variants of the Eon-D — Lite plus, Era plus and Magna plus in the Indian market in January 2012.
a. Tata Motors
b. Hyundai Motor India
c. Volkswagen
d. Maruti Suzuki
Answer: (b)

83. The Government of which of the following countries acquired 1.09 per cent stake, currently worth about Rs.2500 crore, in Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries Ltd. (RIL), the company's latest shareholding data show?
a. Malaysia
b. Japan
c. Phillipines
d. Singapore
Answer: (d)

84. Which Photography Pioneer filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on 19 January 2012 making it likely for the 132-year-old trailblazer to become the most storied casualty of a digital age?
a. Eastman Kodak Company
b. Fuji
c. Nikon
d. Canon
Answer: (a)

85. Which company retained its top position in Interbrand's list of the top 100 global brands in 2011?
a. Apple
b. Coca cola
c. Microsoft
d. Google
Answer: (b)

86. As per the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) data, industrial production bounced back with a growth of what per cent in November 2011, marking a five-month high in a reversal from the negative trend witnessed in October 2011?
a. 5.9%
b. 6.5%
c. 7%
d. 8.2%
Answer: (a)

87. India on 13 January 2012 extended for how many years an anti-dumping duty on import of four Chinese products like nylon filament yarn, Saccharin, cellophane transparent film etc?
a. 3 years
b. 5 years
c. 10 years
d. 12 years
Answer: (b)

88. Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 13 January 2012 issued guidelines on compensation of wholetime directors, chief executive officers and other risk takers in private and foreign banks. Which of the following facts regarding the above statement is/are not true.
1. The central bank’s directions are aimed at preventing greed from destabilising the institution.
2. The guiderlines include provisions to clawback pay if transactions fail years after origination
3. The norms provided also include capping the variable component of the compensation at 48% of the fixed pay in a year
4. As per the guidelines issued, banks are permitted to exclude the Employees Stock Option Plan from variable pay
a. Only 2
b. Only 4
c. Only 3
d. 2 & 4
Answer: (c)

89. Which of the following bodies unveiled rules for direct investment in stocks by foreign investors, including individuals to put curbs on opaque structures to prevent routing of funds by resident Indians?
a. IRDA
b. FICCI
c. CCI
d. SEBI
Answer: (d)

90. As per the Wholesale Price Index, published by the government on 16 January 2012, Reduced food prices caused the inflation to dip to a year low at what per cent in December 2011?
a. 7.47%
b. 7.65%
c. 6.33%
d. 5.41%
Answer: (a)

91. Scientists identified a new gene in maize plants called__.
a) Meg1
b) Meg2
c) Meg3
d) Meg4
Answer: (a) Meg1

92. Researchers discovered new earthworm species in Port Blair. What is the name of the new species?
a) Moniligaster ivaniosi
b) Annelida
c) Nematoda
d) Onychophora
Answer: (a): Moniligaster ivaniosi

93. Scientists recently developed a new wireless device to detect the presence of termites. Consider the following statements: i) when the new device detects the presence of termites, it sends an SMS or email to a pest control firm. ii) The device is made of a tiny sensor, even smaller than a fingernail.
Choose the right option:
a) Both i and ii are correct.
b) Only i is correct.
c) Only ii is correct.
d) Neither i nor ii is correct.
Answer: (a): Both i and ii are correct

94. The scientists claimed that the Meteorite, which fell in Morocco in July 2011, was from Mars. The event happened for the first time in__ years.
a) 50
b) 100
c) 200
d) 150
Answer: (a) 50

95. Scientists found the Extinct Monkey, the Miller’s Grizzled Langur in the forests of___.
a) Indonesia
b) Malaysia
c) India
d) Africa
Answer: (a) Indonesia

96. 10th PBD( Pravasi Bhartiya Divas) was held at which one of the following Indian cities?
a) Jaipur
b) Patna
c) New Delhi
d) Chennai
Answer: (a) Jaipur
 
97. Planning Commission of India on 18 January 2012 approved Rudrasagar development scheme. The scheme is related__.
a) Tripura
b) Assam
c) Manipur
d) Sikkim
Answer: (a) Tripura

98. Writer/diplomat Pavan K. Varma's new book set in contemporary India and in the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, was launched in the New Delhi by Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, the Queen Mother of Bhutan in January 2012. The protagonist Anand is wrongly diagnosed with cancer. He quits his high-power job and loses himself in a Bhutanese retreat.
Name the book.
a. When Loss is Gain
b. Ghalib: The Man
c. The Great Indian Middle Class
d. The Times
Answer: (a)

99. Identify the photographer with the help of the following clues.
1. She was India’s first woman photo-journalist and was the only professional woman photojournalist between 1939 and 1970
2. She was commonly known by her pseudonym Dalda 13
3. She also captured the first flag-hoisting ceremony at the Red Fort on August 16 1947, the departure of Lord Mountbatten from India and the funerals of Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Lal Bahadur Shastri.
4. The Padma Bhushan Awardee breathed her last on 15 January 2012.
a. Ronika Kandhari
b. Asha Kochar
c. Prabuddha Dasgupta
d. Homai Vyarawala
Answer: (d)

100. Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on 11 January 2012 launched the signature tune of the Indian Customs Pragati ki Dhadkan in New Delhi. The signature tune was composed by which of the noted music directors?
a. A. R. Rahman
b. Aadesh Shrivastava
c. Adnan Sami
d. Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy
Answer: (b)

101. Prime Minister of Trinidad & Tobago visited India from 5 January 2012 to 14 January 2012. Who among the following is the Prime Minister of Trinidad & Tobago?
a) Kamla Persad Bissessar
b) Hosni Mubarak
c) Manmohan Singh
d) Naresh Goyal
Answer: (a) Kamla Persad Bissessar

102. The fifth edition of the World Future Energy summit began in__.
a) Abu Dhabi
b) New Delhi
c) Tehran
d) Dhaka
Answer: (a) Abu Dhabi

103. Memogate scandal is related to which one of the following countries?
a) Pakistan
b) Sri Lanka
c) China
d) India
Answer: (a) Pakistan

104. Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan and International Asociation of Sanskrit Studies jointly organised the 15th World Sanskrit conference from 5 to 10 January 2012 at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi. Where was the 14th World Sanskrit conference held?
a. Kyoto, Japan
b. Beijing, China
c. Colombo, Sri Lanka
d. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Answer: (a)

105. Identify this politicial with the help of the following clues.
1. Leader of the Sandinista movement which overthrew the US-backed Somoza dictatorship in 1979
2. After the Nicaraguan Revolution resulted in the overthrow and exile of the Somoza's government in 1979, he became a member of the ruling multipartisan Junta of National Reconstruction.
3. He was elected as the 83rd Nicaraguan president in 2006. He had previously served as the 79th President, between 1985 and 1990.
4. He made alliances with fellow Latin American socialists and signed Nicaragua up to the Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas.
a. Enrique Bolaños
b. Arnoldo Alemán
c. Daniel Ortega
d. Hugo Chávez
Answer: (c)

106. The Bangalore-based pharmaceutical major, Strides Arcolab, sold its 94 per cent stake in Ascent Pharmahealth, a subsidiary with operations in Australia and Southeast Asia, to which of the following U.S.-based pharma companies?
a. Watson Pharmaceuticals
b. Abbott Laboratories
c. Pfizer
d. Derma Sciences
Answer: (a)

107. The Board of Approval (BoA) under the Commerce Ministry on 24 January 2012 approved the proposal of this company to set up a special economic zone (SEZ) at Indore in Madhya Pradesh. Identify the company.
a. Reliance Industries
b. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)
c. Hero Motors
d. Infosys
Answer: (b)

108. Which private life insurance company from India on 25 January 2012 launched its first international operations with the opening of its representative office in Dubai?
a. Kotak Insurance
b. New India Insurance
c. HDFC Life
d. Religare Insurnce
Answer: (c)

109. Name the world’s largest biotechnology company, agreed to buy Micromet in a $1.16 billion deal to gain an experimental leukemia drug.
a. Celgene Drug
b. B B Biotech
c. Dechert
d. Amgen
Answer: (d)

110. Which channel developed a 52-week special India: Wild Encounters to focuss on India's enchanting wildlife s well as take viewers on an exploration spree ?
a. Discovery India
b. Animal Planet
c. Sony
d. National Gepgraphy
Answer: (b)

111. Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) estimated Corporate India’s sales to grow by what per cent in 2011-12?
a. 21.6%
b. 20.8%
c. 22
d. 23.7%
Answer: (a)

112. According to the report by Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) released in January 2012, gems and jewellery exports fell into the negative zone to $3 billion in December 2011. What per cent fall did it register in the month in question?
a. 10.33%
b. 12.17%
c. 13.33%
d. 15%
Answer: (d)

113. Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 24 January 2012 cut the cash reserve ratio (CRR) by 50 basis point. The current CRR stands at what percent?
a. 5%
b. 5.5%
c. 6%
d. 6.5%
Answer: (b)

114. The Reserve Bank of India on 24 January 2012 also kept the repo rate unchanged for the second consecutive time after raising it 13 times between March 2010 and October 2011. What is the present repo rate?
a. 8%
b. 7.5%
c. 8.5%
d. 9%
Answer: (c)

115. The poor performance of National Pension System, or NPS led the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) to change the incentive structure for the distributors. Which of the following statements in this regard is/are not true?
1. The pension regulator on the basis of the recommendation of the G.N. Bajpai committee constituted by PFRDA to review NPS, fixed the incentive at 0.25% of the subscription amount
2. As per PFRDA’s measures announceds, a distributor will get a flat Rs 50 on initial subscription and 0.05% of the initial subscription amount
3. Every year on subsequent investments, the point of presence will be entitled to 0.25% of that amount.
4. The minimum that a point of presence can charge is Rs 20 and the maximum Rs 25000.
a. Only 1
b. Only 2
c. Only 3
d. Only 4
Answer: (b)

116. FIPB headed by Economic Affairs Secretary R Gopalan had in a meeting held on 5 August 2011 cleared how many FDI proposals of a total worth of Rs 3844.7 crore?
a. 31
b. 12
c. 18
d. 23
Answer: (a)

117. According to the public debt management report released by the finance ministry on 17 August 2011, by what percentage did the Centre's debt rise in the first quarter (April to June) of the current fiscal 2011-12?
a. 5.5%
b. 6%
c. 6.7%
d. 8.1%
Answer: (b)

118. According to a report from CRISIL Research, how many additional jobs does India need to create by 2015 to maintain the current ratio of employed people to total population at 39 per cent?
a. 40 million
b. 47 million
c. 55 million
d. 57 million
Answer: (c)

119. Headline inflation eased to its eight-month low to what percentage in July from 9.44 per cent in the previous month?
a. 8.20%
b. 9.22%
c. 7.36%
d. 8 %
Answer: (b)

120. Which regulatory body on 16 August 2011 suggested that the Centre and the State governments should come out with a regulatory framework for the realty sector to protect consumers from unfair trade practices?
a. IRDA
b. SEBI
c. FICCI
d. CCI
Answer: (d)