Weekly CA Quiz: February 2019 1st week with PDF

Hello Aspirants.
We have chosen the best 60 questions from the Current Affairs of the First Week of February (1 February - 7 February). Take the quiz and excel in your upcoming exams. Take the quiz to check your knowledge. To start the quiz, click on start quiz button below. To end the quiz, click on Quiz-Summary after the last question and then click on finish quiz. Weekly Current Affairs Quiz February 2019 1st Week

• Share your marks in the comment section below.


• You can take this quiz as many times you want.
  

  Click here to read the February Current Affairs

  
  

Note: Those who are AspirantsZone's Mobile App, please visit here to attempt the quiz
[su_table]

[WpProQuiz 184]

[/su_table]

Click here to Download these Q/A in PDF

 

Current Affairs Quiz: February 9, 2019

Current Affairs 9 February 2019 Quiz

Read our Current Affairs and Newspaper Quiz daily to excel in General Awareness section of upcoming Competitive Exams.

Quiz from Current Affairs 8 February 2019 of A2Z – Click Here to Read Current Affairs of February 8, 2019

1. Which country is now the 2nd largest consumer and importer of the LPG in the world?
   A)USA
   B)Russia
   C)China
   D)India
   [su_spoiler title=" View Answer " icon="chevron-circle"] Option D
   Explanation: India is now the 2nd largest consumer and importer of the LPG in the world.
   [/su_spoiler]



2. The “Parmanu Tech 2019” conference was held at which city?
   A)Lucknow
   B)Chennai
   C)Mumbai
   D)New Delhi
   [su_spoiler title=" View Answer " icon="chevron-circle"] Option D
   Explanation: The “Parmanu Tech 2019” conference was organized by the Ministry of external Affairs and Department of Atomic Energy in New Delhi.
   [/su_spoiler]


3. Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation(GHMC) integrated Pink Toilets named “She Mart and Loos” in which city?
   A)Karimnagar
   B)Nizamabad
   C)Hyderabad
   D)Warnagal
   [su_spoiler title=" View Answer " icon="chevron-circle"] Option C
   Explanation: Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation(GHMC) integrated Pink Toilets named “She Mart and Loos” in order to provide women with safe and hygienic toilets.
   
   [/su_spoiler]


4. Which city police department launched the mobile app “DigiCop”?
   A)Bangalore
   B)Pune
   C)Mumbai
   D)Chennai
   [su_spoiler title=" View Answer " icon="chevron-circle"] Option D
   Explanation: Actor Vijay Sethupathi launched the mobile app “DigiCop” of the Chennai Police Department at the Commissioner’s office. Using the App, people can track the status of stolen two-wheelers and cell phones.
   
   [/su_spoiler]


5. Which government launched its pilot project of creating the national capital’s first “zero fatality corridor”?
   A)Uttar Pradesh
   B)Karnataka
   C)Delhi
   D)Sikkim
   [su_spoiler title=" View Answer " icon="chevron-circle"] Option C
   Explanation: In a first, the Delhi government launched its pilot project of creating the national capital’s first “zero fatality corridor”.The capital city witnessed over 1,600 road crash fatalities in 2018 and this project is aimed at curbing that number.
   
   [/su_spoiler]


6. Recently,which state government announced 6 percent DA to government employees and pensioners, with effect from Feb 1, 2019?
   A)Punjab
   B)West Bengal
   C)Maharshtra
   D)Odisha
   [su_spoiler title=" View Answer " icon="chevron-circle"] Option A
   Explanation: Punjab government announced 6 percent DA to government employees and pensioners, with effect from Feb 1,2019.
   
   [/su_spoiler]


7. Which country has approved the proposal to name Siamese fighting fish as the National Aquatic Animal?
   A)Singapore
   B)Thailand
   C)NewZealand
   D)India
   [su_spoiler title=" View Answer " icon="chevron-circle"] Option B
   Explanation: The government of Thailand has approved the proposal to name Siamese fighting fish as the National Aquatic Animal.
   
   [/su_spoiler]


8. Recently, RBI slapped which bank for penalty of Rs 1 crore for violating norms?
   A)PNB
   B)SBI
   C)BOB
   D)IDBI
   [su_spoiler title=" View Answer " icon="chevron-circle"] Option B
   Explanation: SBI said that the RBI has slapped Rs 1 crore penalty on the country’s largest lender for violating norms
   
   [/su_spoiler]


9. What is the rank of India in the latest annual International Intellectual Property(IP) Index released by the US Chambers of Commerce?
   A)34th
   B)41st
   C)36th
   D)24th
   [su_spoiler title=" View Answer " icon="chevron-circle"] Option C
   Explanation: India has climbed eight places in the latest annual International Intellectual Property(IP) Index released by the US Chambers of Commerce to reach 36th place out of 50 countries, climbing from 44th rank in the index last year.
   
   [/su_spoiler]


10. How much percent economic growth is expected by Himachal Pradesh this fiscal?
    A)7.3%
    B)7.1%
    C)7.0%
    D)6.8%
    [su_spoiler title=" View Answer " icon="chevron-circle"] Option A
    Explanation: Himachal Pradesh economic growth is expected to be 7.3 percent this fiscal and its per capita income is estimated at Rs 1,76,968. The economic growth was 6.5 per cent in the previous fiscal, the highest in three years.
    
    [/su_spoiler]


11. Which team won the 85th Ranji Trophy?
    A)Karnataka
    B)Saurashtra
    C)Vidarbha
    D)Mumbai
    [su_spoiler title=" View Answer " icon="chevron-circle"] Option C
    Explanation: Defending Champions Vidarbha won the 85th Ranji Trophy, beating Saurashtra by 78 runs in the summit clash in Nagpur.
    
    [/su_spoiler]


12. Which city will host Hero Gold Cup, a four-nation competition, from February 9 to 15, 2019?
    A)Mumbai
    B)Gangtok
    C)Bhubaneshwar
    D)Dispur
    [su_spoiler title=" View Answer " icon="chevron-circle"] Option C
    Explanation: the All India Football Federation(AIFF) will organise the Hero Gold Cup, a four-nation competition, from February 9 to 15 at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneshwar.
    
    [/su_spoiler]


13. Who was conferred the insignia of the Officer of the Legion of Honour, France’ Highest civilian honour?
    A)Tneese Williams
    B)Ray Charles
    C)Francois Laborde
    D)Herman Vilville
    [su_spoiler title=" View Answer " icon="chevron-circle"] Option C
    Explanation: Father Francois Laborde, a 92-year-old Indian priest, was conferred the insignia of the Officer of the Legion of Honour,France’ Highest civilian honour.
    
    [/su_spoiler]


14. Which bank has been announced as the winner of the 9th edition of Aegis Graham Bell Award 2018 for its “Yes Engage Enrich Excel(EEE)” project in data science?
    A)Kotak Mahindra Bank
    B)HDFC Bank
    C)ICICI Bank
    D)YES Bank
    [su_spoiler title=" View Answer " icon="chevron-circle"] Option D
    Explanation: YES Bank has been announced as the winner of the 9th edition of Aegis Graham Bell Award 2018 for its “Yes Engage Enrich Excel(EEE)” project in data science.
    
    [/su_spoiler]

STATIC GK BASED ON CURRENT AFFAIRS

1. Where is the HQ of YES Bank?
   A)Mumbai
   B)Pune
   C)Chennai
   D)Kolkata
   [su_spoiler title=" View Answer " icon="chevron-circle"] Option A
   
   
   [/su_spoiler]


2. What is the currency of Thailand?
   A)Riel
   B)Kwacha
   C)Euro
   D)Baht
   [su_spoiler title=" View Answer " icon="chevron-circle"] Option D
   
   
   [/su_spoiler]


3. What is the capital of Thailand?
   A)Hanoi
   B)Kiev
   C)Madrid
   D)Bangkok
   [su_spoiler title=" View Answer " icon="chevron-circle"] Option D
   
   
   [/su_spoiler]

Current Affairs Quiz: February 8, 2019

Current Affairs 8 February 2019 Quiz

Read our Current Affairs and Newspaper Quiz daily to excel in General Awareness section of upcoming Competitive Exams.

Quiz from Current Affairs 7 February 2019 of A2Z – Click Here to Read Current Affairs of February 7, 2019

1. 2019 Asia LPG Summit was inaugurated in which city?
   A)Chennai
   B)Mumbai
   C)New Delhi
   D)Lucknow
   [su_spoiler title=" View Answer " icon="chevron-circle"] Option C
   Explanation: Mr Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister for petroleum and natural gas, inaugurated the 2019 Asia LPG Summit in New Delhi.
   [/su_spoiler]




2. Recently, the government approved which Aayog to conserve, protect and develop India’s cattle population?
   A)India Kamdhenu Aayog
   B)Rashtriya Aayog of Kamdhenu
   C) Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog
   D)Bharat Kamdhenu Aayog
   [su_spoiler title=" View Answer " icon="chevron-circle"] Option C
   Explanation: The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved a proposal seeking the establishment of “Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog” to conserve, protect and develop India’s cattle population.
   
   [/su_spoiler]


3. Recently, the government approved how much MW of proposal of solar power projects by state-run producers?
   A)10000 MW
   B)12000 MW
   C)15000 MW
   D)8000 MW
   [su_spoiler title=" View Answer " icon="chevron-circle"] Option B
   Explanation: The government approved a proposal for setting up of 12000 MW of solar power projects by state-run producers. The producers will be provided with a viability gap funding support of Rs 8,580 crore for self-use or use by both central and state government entities.
   
   [/su_spoiler]


4. Union Minister of Textiles Smriti Irani launched the India Size Project in which city?
   A)Mumbai
   B)Chennai
   C)New Delhi
   D)Pune
   [su_spoiler title=" View Answer " icon="chevron-circle"] Option A
   Explanation: Union Minister of Textiles Smriti Irani launched the India Size Project in Mumbai.
   
   [/su_spoiler]


5. NATO’s next meeting of Heads of State and Government will take place in which city?
   A)Wellington
   B)Paris
   C)New York
   D)London
   [su_spoiler title=" View Answer " icon="chevron-circle"] Option D
   Explanation: NATO’s next meeting of Heads of State and Government will take place in London this December, marking the 70th anniversary of the military pact
   
   [/su_spoiler]


6. Which country signed an accord to join NATO to become the 30th member of the US-led alliance?
   A)Myanmar
   B)Ukraine
   C)Macedonia
   D)Zimbabwe
   [su_spoiler title=" View Answer " icon="chevron-circle"] Option C
   Explanation: Macedonia signed an accord to join NATO to become the 30th member of the US-led alliance.
   
   [/su_spoiler]


7. Recently, in its Monetary policy, the RBI reduce the policy repo rate to how much percent?
   A)6.5%
   B)6.30%
   C)6.25%
   D)6.15%
   [su_spoiler title=" View Answer " icon="chevron-circle"] Option C
   Explanation: On the basis of an assessment of the current and evolving macroeconomic situation at its meeting,the Monetary Policy Committee decided to reduce the policy repo rate under the LAF by 25 basis points from 6.5 percent to 6.25 percent with immediate effect.
   
   [/su_spoiler]

STATIC GK BASED ON CURRENT AFFAIRS

1. What is the capital of Macedonia?
   A)Podgorica
   B)Vaduz
   C)Nicosia
   D)Skopje
   [su_spoiler title=" View Answer " icon="chevron-circle"] Option D
   
   
   [/su_spoiler]


2. What is the currency of Macedonia?
   A)Kyat
   B)Kina
   C)Euro
   D)Denar
   [su_spoiler title=" View Answer " icon="chevron-circle"] Option D
   
   
   [/su_spoiler]


3. Where is the HQ of NATO?
   A)Sucre
   B)Hanoi
   C)Brussels
   D)New York
   [su_spoiler title=" View Answer " icon="chevron-circle"] Option C
   
   
   [/su_spoiler]

Daily Current Affairs 8th February, 2019

Daily Current Affairs 8 February 2019 for Banking/Insurance/SSC and other related exams.

NATIONAL NEWS

India becomes world's 2nd largest LPG consumer and importer

India is now the second largest consumer and importer of the LPG in the world. This is attributed to government initiatives to push for cleaner alternatives to traditional cooking fuels such as firewood and cow dung.

• The import of LPG grew by 12.5 per cent over the past five years to 12 million metric tons (13 million tons) in 2018-19. India now stands at the second position when it comes to the import of LPG surpassing Japan. India is at second place behind China. The exporters of LPG to India include Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Iran.


• The number of active LPG consumers in India has grown at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15 per cent from 14.8 crore in 2014-15 to 22.4 crore in 2017-18.

Parmanu Tech 2019-Nuclear Energy Conference held in New Delhi



The “Parmanu Tech 2019” Conference was organised by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) at New Delhi. The conference discussed issues related to Nuclear Energy and Radiation Technologies.

• Dr Jitendra Singh, the Union Minister of State for Atomic Energy and Space, delivered the keynote address at the conference. During the conference sector specific sessions were held with Panel discussions on the following topics:
  1) Health care: Nuclear Medicine and Radiation therapy – Care to cure,
  2) Food Preservation, Agricultural & Industrial Applications: From farms to factories – Serving the National Cause and
  3) Showcasing India’s capabilities in Nuclear Energy: Energy Security with environmental responsibility – the Onward March.

GHMC initiates Pink Toilet for women in Hyderabad



Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) integrated Pink toilets named "She Mart and Loo's" in order to provide women with safe and hygienic toilets.

• Under this public baby feeding rooms are also being launched in the "She Mart and Loo's". The She Mart store will stock eco-friendly, recycled and upscale products manufactured by self-help groups. They also have CCTV cameras to ensure safety.

Chennai Police Commissioner launches police App 'DigiCop' in Chennai

Actor Vijay Sethupathi launched the mobile App ‘DigiCop’ of the Chennai police department at the Commissioner’s office. Using the App, people can track the status of stolen two-wheelers and cell phones.

• The details of 18,000 stolen mobile phones are stored in the App. Using DigiCop App, people can verify IMEI, report lost two-wheelers and phones, know the nearest police station, police news, and traffic alerts.

Delhi government launches Zero Fatality Corridor

In a first, the government of Delhi launched its pilot project of creating the national capital's first 'zero fatality corridor'. The capital city witnessed over 1,600 road crash fatalities in 2018 and this project is aimed at curbing that number.

• Marking the opening of the 30th Road Safety Week of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led Delhi government, the transport minister Kailash Gahlot also unveiled an Annual Action Plan for 2019. This initiative is part of the Delhi government's plan to reduce fatalities due to road crashes by 30 per cent by 2020.

Punjab to give 6 pc DA to 6.25 lakh employees, pensioners

Punjab government announced 6 per cent dearness allowance (DA) to government employees and pensioners, with effect from February 1, 2019. The decision, which will benefit nearly 3.25 lakh employees and 3 lakh pensioners, was announced by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh during the Cabinet meeting after informal discussions on the issue.

• The decision would entail an additional annual financial liability of Rs 720 crore to the state exchequer.

---

---

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Thailand names Siamese fighting fish its national aquatic animal



The government of Thailand has approved the proposal to name Siamese fighting fish as the National Aquatic Animal. The decision for based on the recommendation of the National Identity Committee of Thailand which promotes Thai cultural pride forwarded its endorsement of the fighting fish.

• The Siamese fighting fish commonly known as the betta is a popular fish in the aquarium trade. The Siamese fighting fish is native to the Mekong basin of Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and mostly found at Chao Phraya river in Thailand. 


• Extra info.:
  Thailand Capital: Bangkok
  Currency: Thai baht

---

---

BANKING & FINANCE

RBI slaps fine of Rs 1 cr on State Bank of India

State Bank of India said the Reserve Bank of India has slapped Rs 1 crore penalty on the country's largest lender for violating norms. RBI "in exercise of powers conferred under Section 47 A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 has levied a penalty of Rupees one crore on the bank for not monitoring the end use of funds in respect of one of its borrowers. 

---

---

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

India up 8 spots in global IP Index, to 36th out of 50 nations

India has climbed eight places in the latest annual International Intellectual Property (IP) Index released by the US Chambers of Commerce to reach 36th place out of 50 countries, climbing from 44th rank in the index last year.

• The International Intellectual Property Index 2019 released by the US Chambers' Global Innovation Policy Center (GIPC) said that although India's improvement is a "real accomplishment", substantial challenges persist, particularly on the country's patenting and IP enforcement environments.


• The US tops the list of 50 global economies with 42.66 points out of 45, followed by the UK (42.22), Sweden (41.03) and Germany (41.00).

Himachal pegs growth at 7.3% this fiscal

Himachal Pradesh's economic growth is expected to be 7.3 per cent this fiscal and its per capita income is estimated at Rs 1,76,968. The economic growth was 6.5 per cent in the previous fiscal, the highest in three years.

• The per capita income at current prices witnessed an increase of 7.8 per cent as it rose to Rs 1,60,711 in 2017-18 from Rs 1,49,028 in 2016-17.

---

---

SPORTS

Vidarbha claim 2nd successive Ranji title, beat Saurashtra in final



Defending champions Vidarbha won the 85th Ranji Trophy title, beating Saurashtra by 78 runs in the summit clash in Nagpur. Left-arm spinner Aditya Sarwate was the star for Vidarbha, claiming six wickets in his 24 overs in the second innings. He had picked up 5/98 in the first innings.

• Set a target of 206, Saurashtra folded for 127 in 58.4 overs, giving Vidarbha their second title triumph in the country's marquee first-class tournament.

Bhubaneswar to host women's 4-nation tournament

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) will organise the Hero Gold Cup, a four-nation competition, from February 9 to 15 at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar. It is organised in association with the Odisha government.

• The tournament will see women's national teams from India, Iran, Myanmar and Nepal lock horns with each other. The final face-off between the two top teams will be held on February 15.

---

---

AWARDS

92-year-old Indian priest gets France's highest civilian honour



Father François Laborde, a 92-year-old Indian priest, was conferred the insignia of the Officer of the Legion of Honour, France's highest civilian honour.

• He was awarded in recognition of his work for differently abled children, the destitute and the most deprived sections of the society. Laborde had already been made a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour.

YES Bank Wins Data Science Innovation Award

YES BANK has been announced as the winner of the 9th edition of Aegis Graham Bell Award 2018 for its ‘Yes Engage Enrich Excel (EEE)’ project in data science. YES EEE program is an industry-first analytics tool that aids the Bank’s relationship managers with top three talking points to engage with their customers.

• Aegis Graham Bell Award has been promoting innovations and entrepreneurship in the ICT domain.


• Extra info.:
  CEO: Rana Kapoor
  Headquarters: Mumbai

---

---

Click here to read Daily Current Affairs

 

Highlights of The Union Budget 2019-20

Union Budget 2019 PDF Highlights Download

Read ourCurrent Affairs and Current Affairs Quiz to excel in banking, insurance and other related exams.
Click here for GA revision sets for upcoming exams
Click here for High level puzzles for all exams

Finance Minister Piyush Goyal presented the Interim Budget of the central government on February 1, 2019. The Interim Budget, also known as a vote on account, will seek the Parliament's nod for meeting the expenditure for the first six months of new fiscal-2019-20. 

Goyal was appointed interim Finance Minister on January 23 with Arun Jaitley undergoing treatment in the United States.

• The Interim Budget for 2019-20 puts total expenditure at Rs 27,84,200 crore, marking an increase of 13.3 per cent as compared to Rs 24,57,235 crore in 2018-19.


• The fiscal deficit for 2019-20 is estimated to be 3.4% of the gross domestic product (GDP).


• India's debt to GDP ratio was 46.5 per cent in 2017-18.


• The Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act (Committee Chairman - Nand Kishore Singh) prescribes the debt to GDP ratio should be brought down to 40 per cent by 2024-25.


• The fiscal deficit has been brought down to 3.4 per cent in 2018-19 from the high of almost 6% seven years ago.


• The current account deficit (CAD) is likely to be only 2.5% of GDP this year against a high of 5.6 per cent six years ago.


• Average rate of inflation down to 4.6%.

Presenting the Interim Budget in Lok Sabha, Finance Minister Piyush Goel underlined "ten most important dimensions that will guide the central government's Vision 2030."

1. Priority to build next-generation infrastructure, both physical as well as social.


2. Digital India: The move will create job opportunity in the country.


3. Clean and renewable energy 


4. Expanding of rural industrialisation: Using modern industrial technologies, based on Make in India approach, using grassroot MSMEs and startups across the country.


5. Cleaning of rivers: To provide safe drinking water to all Indians


6. Oceans and coastlines: Long coastline can be pivotal for the economy, using strength of blue economy and Sagar Mala


7. Gaganyan project, a outer space programme: Placing an Indian astronaut in space by 2022 is a priority.


8. Self-sufficiency in food: Improving agricultural productivity with emphasis on organic food as an important dimension.


9. Ayushman Bharat Scheme: Healthy India with distress-free and comprehensive wellness system.


10. Minimum Government, Maximum Governance: With proactive, responsible and friendly bureaucracy, electronic governance.

Following are the Highlights of the Union Budget 2019-20

Banking Reforms and Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC)

• The period of 2008-14 will be remembered as a period of aggressive credit growth and, as per RBI, the primary reason for spurt in non-performing loans and stressed assets. Outstanding loans of public sector banks ballooned from Rs 18 lakh crore to Rs 52 lakh crore during this period. 


• The 4Rs approach of recognition, resolution, re-capitalisation and reforms has been followed.


• To restore the health of public sector banks, recapitalisation has been done with an investment of Rs 2.6 lakh crore.

Cleanliness

• As a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary in 2019, world’s largest behavioural change movement ‘Swacch Bharat Mission’ was launched by the Government in 2014.


• India has achieved 98% rural sanitation coverage.


• As many as 5.45 lakh villages have been declared “Open Defecation Free.”

Poor and Backward Classes

• 10% reservation granted to the economically backward among the general category.


• To provide food grains at affordable prices to the poor and middle classes, about Rs 1,70,000 crores were spent in the year 2018-19.


• The budgetary allocation for Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) by Rs 5,000 crore year-on-year to Rs 60,000 crore in the interim Budget for 2019-20.


• Rs 6,000 will be provided as assured income to poor and marginalised farmers annually.


• Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) is being allocated Rs 19,000 crore in BE 2019-20. Road construction works under PMGSY has been tripled.


• During the period 2014-18, a total number of 1.53 crore houses have been built under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.


• Under ‘Saubhagya Yojna’, all willing families will get electricity connection by March, 2019.

Health Sector

• World’s largest healthcare programme, Ayushman Bharat, was launched to provide medical treatment to nearly 50 crore people.


• Allocation of Rs 61,398 crore for the health sector, an increase of more than Rs 8,000 crore from Rs 52,800 last year.


• The Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB - PMJAY) is allocated 6,400 crore, an increase of Rs 4,000 crore from last year.


• Close to 10 lakh people have been enrolled in the Ayushman Bharat scheme so far.


• Under the National Urban Health Mission, an amount of Rs 250 crore has been allocated for setting up AB Health and Wellness Centres.


• Under the National Rural Health Mission, an amount of Rs 1350 crore has been allocated for setting up Health and Wellness Centres.


• For other health schemes like National AIDS and STD Control Programme funds were increased from Rs 2100 crore to Rs 2,500 crore.


• Lakhs of poor and middle class people are also benefiting from reduction in the prices of essential medicines through Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Kendras.


• There are 21 AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences) operating or being established in the country presently. 14 of these 21 AIIMS have been announced since 2014.


• 22nd AIIMS will be set up in Haryana.


• Another AIIMS which is likely to be set up in Darbhanga, Bihar has not been approved by the Cabinet yet.


• The Aspirational Districts Programme is providing targeted development to the 115 most backward districts of the country.

Agriculture

PM-KISAN

• To provide an assured income support to the small and marginal farmers, our Government is launching a historic programme namely “Pradhan Mantri KIsan SAmman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)”.


• This Pradhan Mantri Fund Scheme has been constituted with an aim to double farmers' income by 2022. 


• Direct annual income support of Rs 6,000 to farmers with land holding of two hectares.


• This income support will be transferred directly into the bank accounts of beneficiary farmers, in three equal installments of Rs 2,000 each.


• The programme would be made effective from 1st December 2018 and the first installment of Rs 2,000 for the period up to March 31, 2019.


• Rs 75,000 crore will be allocated for the scheme for 2019-20 and Rs 20,000 crore has been set apart in the revised estimates for the current year 2018-19.

Other points

• For the first time in history has fixed the minimum support price (MSP) of all 22 crops at minimum 50% more than the cost.


• Rashtriya Gokul Mission is allocated Rs 750 crore.


• Setting up of “Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog” to enhance production and productivity of cows.


• Government has decided to create a separate Department of Fisheries.


• Rs 1.7 lakh crore has been allocated on food subsidy.


• 2% interest subvention would be provided to the farmers pursuing activities of animal husbandry and fishery who avail loans through the Kisan Credit Card (KCC).


• Allocation of Rs 14,000 crore for the crop insurance scheme -- Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana for 2019-20 -- as against Rs 13,000 crore an year ago.


• The total outlay for the Ministry of Food Processing Industries is Rs 1,196 crore in 2019-20 as against Rs 1,000 crore in the revised budget for 2018-19.


• The government has allocated of Rs 1.92 lakh crore for the Food Ministry, out of which Rs 1.84 lakh crore has been set aside for food subsidy.

Labour and Workers Dignity

• The New Pension Scheme (NPS) has been liberalized.


• Keeping the contribution of the employee at 10%, Govt. has  increased the Government contribution by 4% making it 14%.


• Maximum ceiling of the bonus given to the labourers has been increased from ` 3,500 pm to ` 7,000 pm and the maximum ceiling of the pay has been increased from ` 10,000 pm to ` 21,000 pm.


• The ceiling of payment of gratuity has been enhanced from ` 10 lakhs to ` 20 lakhs.


• Minimum pension for every labourer has been fixed at ` 1,000 per month.


• In the event of death of a labourer during service, the amount to be paid by EPFO has been enhanced from ` 2.5 lakh to ` 6 lakh.

Pradhan Mantri Shram-Yogi Maandhan yojana

• For the unorganised sector workers, government announced mega pension yojana namely ‘Pradhan Mantri Shram-Yogi Maandhan’,  a scheme to provide an assured monthly pension of Rs 3,000 per month for workers in the unorganised sector who earn up to Rs 15,000 per month.


• A worker joining the scheme on attaining 29 years of age or above will have to contribute Rs 100 per month while those joining the at the age of 18 will have to contribute Rs 55 per month.


• A sum of `500 crore has been allocated for the Scheme.

Empowering Women

• Under Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, government were to provide 8 crore free LPG connections. More than 6 crore connections have already been given and the remaining will get free gas connections by next year.


• More than 70% of the beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana are women.


• Benefits of Maternity leave of 26 weeks and Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana for pregnant women empower them to participate in work.

Empowering Youth

• Through Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana, over 1 crore youth are being trained to help them earn a livelihood.


• Under MUDRA Yojana 15.56 crore loans have been disbursed amounting to Rs 7,23,000 crore.


• National Programme for Artificial Intelligence will be launched.


• National Centre on Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a hub along with Centres of Excellence to leverage the power of AI, will be established.

Empowering MSMEs and Traders

• A scheme of sanctioning loans upto Rs 1 crore in 59 minutes has been launched.


• All MSME units registered with the  Goods and Services Tax (GST) will now have 2 per cent interest subvention for loans up to Rs 1 crore.


• Increased the share of government procurements from MSMEs through Government eMarketplace (GeM) to 25 per cent, including 3 per cent from MSMEs run by women.


• Till date (at the time of presenting budget), GeM has registered transactions of more than Rs 17,500 crore which has led to savings of 25-28 per cent.

Infrastructure Development

• Because of ‘UDAAN Scheme’, today an ordinary citizen is also travelling by air.


• The number of operational airports has crossed 100 with the commissioning of the Pakyong airport in Sikkim.


• India is the fastest highway developer in the world with 27 kms of highways built each day.


• The flagship programme of Sagarmala along the coastal areas of the country will develop ports for faster handling of import and export cargo.


• For the first time, container freight movement has started on inland waterways from Kolkata to Varanasi.


• Introduction of the first indigenously developed and manufactured semi high-speed “Vande Bharat Express” will give the Indian passengers world class experience with speed, service and safety.


• Capital support from the budget for railways is proposed at Rs 64,587 crore in 2019-20 (BE).


• The Railways’ overall capital expenditure programme is of Rs 1,58,658 crore.


• Operating ratio of railways will come down to 95 per cent in 2019-20 from 96.2 per cent in 2018-19.


• International Solar Alliance, the first treaty based international inter-governmental organisation headquartered in India, set up to promote renewable energy.


• Arunachal Pradesh came on the air map recently and Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram have come on India’s rail map for the first time.


• Allocation for the North Eastern Areas is being proposed to be increased by 21% to Rs 58,166 crore in 2019-20.

Digital India

• Monthly consumption of mobile data increased by over 50 times in the last five years.


• India currently has over 430 million smartphone users.


• More than 3 lakh Common Service Centres (CSCs) employing about 12 lakh people, are digitally delivering several services to the citizens.


• Mobile and its parts manufacturing companies have grown from 2 to 268 now, creating thousands of jobs in both urban and rural areas of the country


• The Government will make 1 lakh villages into Digital Villages over next five years.


• Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile (JAM) and Direct Benefit Transfer have been game changers.


• In the last five years, nearly 34 crore Jan Dhan bank accounts were opened.

Taxation Reforms

• The measures taken against black money by the Centre since 2014 have brought income of Rs 1,30,000 crore to tax.


• Direct tax collections went up by 18 per cent in 2017-18 and the tax base expanded by 1.06 crore with more than one crore filing tax returns in the financial year 2017-18.


• GST collections in January 2019 have crossed Rs one lakh crore.


• Businesses with less than Rs 5 crore annual turnovers will be allowed to return quarterly returns.


• All returns will be processed in 24 hours and refunds issued simultaneously.

Tax Proposals

• Individual taxpayers having taxable annual income up to Rs 5 lakhs will get full tax rebate and therefore will not be required to pay any income tax. The earlier was Rs 2.5 lakhs.


• Even persons having gross income up to Rs 6.50 lakhs may not be required to pay any income tax if they make investments in provident funds, specified savings, insurance etc.


• Direct tax collections have moved up from Rs 6.38 lakh crore in 2013-14 to almost Rs 12 lakh crore while the tax base swelled from 3.79 crore to 6.85 crore.


• For salaried persons, Standard Deduction is being raised from the current Rs 40,000 to Rs 50,000.


• Tax deduction at source (TDS) threshold on interest earned on bank/post office deposits has been raised from Rs 10,000 to Rs 40,000.


• TDS threshold on annual rental income has been raised from Rs 1.8 lakh to Rs 2.4 lakh.


• The benefit of capital gains of up to Rs 2 crore will be increased to investment on two residential houses. This benefit can be availed only once in a lifetime.

Other Allocations:

• Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) are proposed to be allocated `3,27,679 crore in BE 2019-20 as against ` 3,04,849 crore in 2018-19 RE.


• Allocation for National Education Mission is being increased from ` 32,334 crore in RE 2018-19 to ` 38,572 crore in BE 2019-20.


• Allocation for Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) is being increased from ` 23,357 crore in RE 2018-19 to ` 27,584 crore in BE 2019-20.


• The Centre allocated a budget of Rs 1,03,927 crore to Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).


• The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has been allocated a budget of Rs 16,061 crores. Bhutan consistently continues to receive the largest chunk of the total aid, with a Rs 2,615 crores grant in 2019-20


• With a vision to expand the countrys space programme and sending an Indian astronaut into space by 2022, allocated of more than Rs 10,000 crore for space programme. Under various heads, while Rs 7,483 have been allocated to the Space Technology, Rs 1,885 are earmarked for Space Applications. The INSAT Satellite Systems got Rs 884 crore.


• The government has provided a token amount of just about Rs 1 lakh as budgetary support to the ailing national carrier Air India which has been saddled with a debt burden of around Rs 55,000 crore.


• Rs 3 lakh crore allocated for the Defence Budget for the financial year 2019-20


• The government had implemented the One Rank, One Pension concept and had already disbursed Rs 35,000 crore.


• The Centre announced the introduction of single-window clearance for Indian filmmakers to shoot their films - a provision that was earlier available only to international filmmakers.


• Announced the introduction of anti-camcording provisions to control the menace of privacy, following which the House erupted into cheers of "How's the Josh".


• A committee under the NITI Aayog has been formed to complete the task of identifying nomadic and semi-nomadic communities which are not yet classified.

Click here to Download Union Budget 2019-20 Highlights PDF

We will soon come up with the questions based on the Union Budget 2019. Subscribe to the notifications.
 
 

Current Affairs Quiz: February 7, 2019

Current Affairs 7 February 2019 Quiz

Read our Current Affairs and Newspaper Quiz daily to excel in General Awareness section of upcoming Competitive Exams.

Quiz from Current Affairs 6 February 2019 of A2Z – Click Here to Read Current Affairs of February 6, 2019

1. Recently,which India’s communication satellite was successfully launched from the Spaceport in French Guiana?
   A)GSAT 30
   B)GSAT 31
   C)GSAT 20
   D)GSAT 41
   [su_spoiler title=" View Answer " icon="chevron-circle"] Option B
   Explanation: India’s latest communication satellite GSAT 31 was successfully launched from the Spaceport in French Guiana.
   
   [/su_spoiler]




2. A World Heritage Centre housing “spiritual camps” of 45 countries would be set up in which state?
   A)Assam
   B)Sikkim
   C)Odisha
   D)West Bengal
   [su_spoiler title=" View Answer " icon="chevron-circle"] Option D
   Explanation: A World Heritage Centre housing “spiritual camps” of 45 countries would be set up at Mayapur, the global headquarters of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness,in Nadia district.
   
   [/su_spoiler]


3. As on January 28, 2019, how many connection have been released under Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana?
   A)6.32 cr
   B)6.25 cr
   C)6.15 cr
   D)6.23 cr
   [su_spoiler title=" View Answer " icon="chevron-circle"] Option D
   Explanation: Oil Marketing Companies(OMCs) have released more than 6.23 crore LPG connections under the Scheme across the country as on January 28.
   [/su_spoiler]


4. Recently, which application of the government has been launched on Google Play Store?
   A)PMUY App
   B)PMJAY App
   C)PFBY App
   D)MUDRA App
   [su_spoiler title=" View Answer " icon="chevron-circle"] Option B
   Explanation: Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana(PM-JAY) App has been launched on Google Play Store.
   [/su_spoiler]


5. With which Bank, NTPC has signed an agreement for a Rs 2500 crore loan to part finance capital expenditure?
   A)PNB
   B)SBI
   C)ICICI Bank
   D)HDFC Bank
   [su_spoiler title=" View Answer " icon="chevron-circle"] Option D
   Explanation: State-run power giant NTPC said it has signed an agreement with HDFC Bank for a Rs 2500 crore loan to part finance capital expenditure.
   
   [/su_spoiler]


6. Which company launched a digital skilling and mentorship initiative “GOAL” across 5 states in India?
   A)Microsoft
   B)Google
   C)Facebook
   D)Wipro
   [su_spoiler title=" View Answer " icon="chevron-circle"] Option C
   Explanation: Focussing on its mission to empower women, social networking giant Facebook launched a digital skilling and mentorship initiative “GOAL”across 5 states in india that would encourage tribal girls to become village-level digital young leaders for their communities.
   
   [/su_spoiler]


7. Which state announced setting up a high powered committee to boost dairy sector?
   A)Punjab
   B)Odisha
   C)Maharashtra
   D)Uttar Pradesh
   [su_spoiler title=" View Answer " icon="chevron-circle"] Option A
   Explanation: Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh announced setting up a high powered committee to boost dairy sector for supplementing farmers’ income in a result-oriented manner.
   
   [/su_spoiler]


8. Which state government set up a committee to review various schemes being implemented for the welfare of tribals in the state?
   A)Telangana
   B)Maharashtra
   C)Uttar Pradesh
   D)Odisha
   [su_spoiler title=" View Answer " icon="chevron-circle"] Option B
   Explanation: The Maharashtra government has set up a committee to review various schemes being implemented for the welfare of tribals in the state.It will be headed by Vivek Pandit.
   [/su_spoiler]


9. In order to meet additional expenses,how much additional amount has government decided to raise through dated securities?
   A)Rs 15000 cr
   B)Rs 25000 cr
   C)Rs 30000 cr
   D)Rs 36000 cr
   [su_spoiler title=" View Answer " icon="chevron-circle"] Option D
   Explanation: In order to meet additional expenses, the government has decided to raise additional Rs 36000 cr through dated securities taking the total borrowing through the instrument to Rs 96000 crore in the remaining period of the current fiscal.
   
   [/su_spoiler]


10. Recently,RBI has imposed separate monetary penalties on lenders UCO Bank,Axis Bank and which other bank over deficiencies in complying with different regulatory norms.?
    A)PNB
    B)Kotak Mahindra Bank
    C)HDFC Bank
    D)Syndicate Bank
    [su_spoiler title=" View Answer " icon="chevron-circle"] Option D
    Explanation: RBI has imposed separate monetary penalties on lenders UCO Bank, Axis Bank and Syndicate Bank over deficiencies in complying with different regulatory norms.
    
    [/su_spoiler]


11. According to Finance Ministry,how much growth is expected in 2019-20?
    A)7.8%
    B)7.2%
    C)7.1%
    D)7.5%
    [su_spoiler title=" View Answer " icon="chevron-circle"] Option D
    Explanation: The finance ministry expects economic growth to accelerate to 7.5 percent in 2019-20 from 7.2 per cent projected for the current fiscal.
    
    [/su_spoiler]


12. Who won Seattle Open,a PSA challenger squash Tour Event?
    A)James Willstrop
    B)Nicol david
    C)Ramit Tandon
    D)Mohd Shorbhaghy
    [su_spoiler title=" View Answer " icon="chevron-circle"] Option C
    Explanation: Indian Squash player Ramit Tandon defeated Egyptian Mohamed El Sherbini in the finals to win the Seattle Open,a PSA challenger squash Tour Event.
    
    [/su_spoiler]


13. Who was appointed as Nepal’s envoy to India?
    A)Bidya Devi Bhandari
    B) Deep Kumar Upadhyay
    C) Nilambar Acharya
    D)Vikas Chaturvedi
    [su_spoiler title=" View Answer " icon="chevron-circle"] Option C
    Explanation: Nilambar Acharya, Nepal’s former law minister, has been appointed as the country’s ambassador to India.
    
    [/su_spoiler]


14. Who was appointed as Civil Aviation Secretary?
    A)Rashmi Singh Chaturvedi
    B)Pranab Singh
    C)Kartikeya Sen
    D) Pradeep Singh Kharola
    [su_spoiler title=" View Answer " icon="chevron-circle"] Option D
    Explanation: Chief Managing Director (CMD) of Air India Pradeep Singh Kharola has been appointed the Civil Aviation Secretary.
    [/su_spoiler]


15. Who will be conferred with K,Veeramani Award for Social Justice 2018?
    A)RK Chaturvedi
    B)PS Krishnan
    C)Veramani Singh
    D)TS Vijayan Shukla
    [su_spoiler title=" View Answer " icon="chevron-circle"] Option B
    Explanation: K,Veeramani Award for Social Justice 2018 will be conferred on PS Krishnan, former Secretary, Government of India.
    
    [/su_spoiler]


16. Which company has been selected as winner under the Miniratna Category by Ministry of MSME for promotion of SC/ST entrepreneurs?
    A)IFFCO
    B)TCS
    C)National Fertilizers Limited
    D) National Film Development Corporation
    [su_spoiler title=" View Answer " icon="chevron-circle"] Option D
    Explanation: National Film Development Corporation of India has been selected as winner under the Miniratna Category by Ministry of MSME.
    
    [/su_spoiler]


17. Recently,noted freedom fighter and MLA Priyanath Dey passed away.He was the former MLA of which state?
    A)Odisha
    B)Andhra Pradesh
    C)Maharashtra
    D)Telangana
    [su_spoiler title=" View Answer " icon="chevron-circle"] Option A
    Explanation: Noted Freedom fighter and former Odisha MLA Priyanath Dey passed away in Bhubaneswar.
    
    [/su_spoiler]


18. Recently, Harihar Karan passed away.He was related to which profession?
    A)Writer
    B)Singer
    C)Actor
    D)Politics
    [su_spoiler title=" View Answer " icon="chevron-circle"] Option D
    Explanation: Senior Congress leader and former minister Harihar Karan passed away at the age of 72
    
    [/su_spoiler]


19. Recently, Ladu Kishore Swain passed away.He was related to which field?
    A)Actor
    B)Politics
    C)Poet
    D)Journalism
    [su_spoiler title=" View Answer " icon="chevron-circle"] Option B
    Explanation: BJD MP from Aska Lok Sabha constituency in Odisha,Ladu Kishore Swain passed away at the age of 71
    
    [/su_spoiler]


20. Recently,Ramesh Bhatkar passed away.He was related to which field?
    A)Sports
    B)Singer
    C)Actor
    D)Politics
    [su_spoiler title=" View Answer " icon="chevron-circle"] Option C
    Explanation: Noted actor Ramesh Bhatkar passed away after battling cancer. The Marathi film and TV actor aged 70, was suffering from cancer for quite a long time. He was diagnosed with lung cancer and was undergoing treatment at Pune and Mumbai.
    
    [/su_spoiler]

STATIC GK BASED ON CURRENT AFFAIRS

1. Where is the HQ of Ministry of Health and Family welfare?
   A)Lucknow
   B)Mumbai
   C)Chennai
   D)New Delhi
   [su_spoiler title=" View Answer " icon="chevron-circle"] Option D
   
   
   [/su_spoiler]


2. Where is the HQ of NTPC Limited?
   A)Mumbai
   B)New Delhi
   C)Chennai
   D)Pune
   [su_spoiler title=" View Answer " icon="chevron-circle"] Option B
   
   
   [/su_spoiler]


3. Where is the HQ of HDFC Bank?
   A)Mumbai
   B)Chennai
   C)New Delhi
   D)Pune
   [su_spoiler title=" View Answer " icon="chevron-circle"] Option A
   
   
   [/su_spoiler]


4. Where is the HQ of UCO Bank?
   A)Bangalore
   B)Chennai
   C)Mumbai
   D)Kolkata
   [su_spoiler title=" View Answer " icon="chevron-circle"] Option D
   
   
   [/su_spoiler]

Daily Current Affairs 7th February, 2019

Daily Current Affairs 7 February 2019 for Banking/Insurance/SSC and other related exams.

NATIONAL NEWS

2019 Asia LPG Summit held in New Delhi

Mr. Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister for petroleum and natural gas, inaugurated the 2019 Asia LPG summit in New Delhi. The summit has been organized jointly by the major Indian oil marketing companies (OMCs) Indian Oil, Hindustan Petroleum and Bharat Petroleum together with the World LPG Association (WLPGA) at the Taj Palace Hotel in New Delhi.

• This two-day event will focus on ‘LPG – Energy for Life.’ India is the 2nd largest consumer of liquified natural gas (LPG) in the world.

Cabinet approves establishment of Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved a proposal seeking the establishment of 'Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog' to conserve, protect and develop India's cattle population. The proposal was first made by Finance Minister Piyush Goyal while presenting the interim Budget on February 1.

• The Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog will work in collaboration with veterinary, animal sciences or agriculture universities, departments or organisations of the central/state government engaged in the task of research in the field of breeding and rearing of cows, organic manure, and biogas.


• The creation of Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog for the conservation, protection, and development of cows and their progeny will provide the policy framework and direction to the cow conservation and development programmes in the country and for ensuring proper implementation of laws with respect to the welfare of cows.

Government approves setting up of 12,000 MW solar power projects

The government approved a proposal for setting up of 12,000 MW of solar power projects by state-run producers. The producers will be provided with a viability gap funding support of Rs 8,580 crore for self-use or use by both central and state government entities.

• The CCEA decided that 12,000 MW or more of grid connected solar PV power projects would be set up by government producers in 4 years i.e. 2019-20 to 2022-23, thereby creating investment of about Rs 48,000 crores.

Smriti Irani launches India Size project in Mumbai

Union Minister of Textiles Smriti Irani launched the India Size project in Mumbai. A first-of-its-kind project in the history of the country, India Size aims to arrive at a standard Indian Size for the ready-to-wear clothing industry, on the lines of the standardized sizes available in countries such as the USA and the UK.

• India size project will benefit manufacturers, consumers and generate data which will help tap into the potential of the sector. The Minister also launched a Study of Apparel Consumption in India. The report of this study would be ready for release by July 2019.

Maharashtra govt sets up panel to review welfare schemes for tribals

The Maharashtra government has set up a committee to review various schemes being implemented for the welfare of tribals in the state. The 17-member committee, headed by former MLA and Shramjeevi Sanghatna president Vivek Pandit, will undertake study of various works done for providing employment opportunities, minimum wages and proper livelihood to tribals, as per a recent government order.

• It will suggest measures to ensure that children in tribal regions were not deprived of education.

---

---

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NATO's 70th anniversary meeting to be held in UK in December

NATO's next meeting of Heads of State and Government will take place in London this December, marking the 70th anniversary of the military pact. Stoltenberg also highlighted that London was home to NATO's first headquarters, adding that the UK is one of the alliance's 12 founding members.

• Extra info.:
  NATO Members: 29
  Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium

Macedonia signs accord to join NATO

Macedonia signed an accord to join NATO to become the 30th member of the US-led alliance. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said the admittance of a new member highlighted that all European nations who meet the entrance criteria could join the regional alliance.

• The Macedonia-NATO accord follows a deal with Greece ending a 27-year-old dispute over Macedonia's name. The accord must now be ratified by allied governments.


• Extra info.:
  Macedonia Capital: Skopje
  Currency: Macedonian denar

---

---

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

RBI Policy full text: MPC cuts repo rate by 25 bps to 6.25%

On the basis of an assessment of the current and evolving macroeconomic situation at its meeting, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) decided to reduce the policy repo rate under the liquidity adjustment facility (LAF) by 25 basis points from 6.5 per cent to 6.25 per cent with immediate effect.

• Consequently, the reverse repo rate under the LAF stands adjusted to 6.0 per cent, and the marginal standing facility (MSF) rate and the Bank Rate to 6.5 per cent. The MPC also decided to change the monetary policy stance from calibrated tightening to neutral.

---

---

Click here to read Daily Current Affairs