KAVALIPOST

Wednesday, 8 May 2013

CURRENT AFFAIRS FOR POSTAL ASSISTANT EXAM PHASE II AND III


Disclaimer:- All the Information provided in this post are Compiled by A. Praveen Kumar, SPM, Papannapet SO-502303 (Medak Division, Mob no. 9849636361, 8019549939) for in good faith of Postal Assistant exam aspirants. Author of blog does not accepts any responsibility in relation to the accuracy, completeness, usefulness or otherwise, of the contents.
                                                                            October 2012

1. Modernization of Indian Railways Agreement is signed by which two countries?

Ans. India and Belgium

 2. Who is appointed as the new Vice Chancellor of Indira Gandhi National Open University

(IGNOU)?

Ans. Gopinath Pradhan

3. Which bank in India get the Banking Technology excellence Award recently?

Ans. South Indian Bank

4. Geeta Chaudhary is associated with which sports item?

Ans. Judo

5. Which company has been ranked by Forbes on August 2012 as the first among the World’s25 largest oil companies?

Ans. Saudi Aramco

6. Which sports person became the most decorated Olympian of all time with 19 medals after winning a gold medal in the 4/200 meeter freestyle relay in London Olympics 2012?

Ans. Michael Phelps

7. Which country along with India will begin their joint INDRA-2012 anti terror military exercises in the Siberian republic of Buryatia on August 2012?

Ans. Russia

8. Name the first Indian who win a medal in Badminton in the history of Olympics?

Ans. Saina Nehwal

9. What is the name of the robotic space probe mission of Curiosity on August 2012?

Ans. Mars Science Laboratory (MSL)

10. Who won the gold medal in 100 metres running at the 2012 London Olympics with a record time of 9.63 seconds?

Ans. Usain Bolt

11. Name the human gene discovered recently by the scientists that influences how people

respond to flu infections?

Ans. ITFITM 3

12. World Elders Day is observed on which date?

Ans. October 1

13. Recently who has released the report titled ‘World Development Report 2013’?

Ans. World Bank

 14. Who is the executive director of United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the

Empowerment of Women?

Ans. Michelle Bachelet

 15. In which country, the 7th Meeting of the women speakers of Parliament on Gender

Sensitive Parliament was held?

Ans. India

16. Recently who has taken charge as the Chairperson and Managing Director of Allahabad

Bank?

Ans. Shubhalakshmi Panse

17. What is India’s growth forecast for the current fiscal as per the Asian Development Bank

(ADB)?

Ans. 5.6 per cent

 18. Which paramilitary force of India has recently celebrated it’s golden jubilee year?

Ans. Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP)

19. Who has been elected as the new Prime Minister of Georgia?

Ans. Bidzina Ivanishvili

 20. Who is the non resident Indian settled in Colarado in US, has been proposed to the Nobel Peace Prize by the US government?

Ans. Malireddy Srinivasulu

 21. Who is the author of the novel “The Casual Vacancy”?

Ans. J.K Rowling

22. Who has been appointed as the Chairman of the National Cricket Selection Committee?

Ans. Sandeep Patil

23. The National Institute of Urban Affairs is located in which city?

Ans. New Delhi

24. Which state government has launched Annshri Yojana, under which around two lakh

families will receive a monthly cash transfer of Rs. 600 per month?

Ans. Delhi

25. Who had led the controversial Operation Blue Star in Amritsar in 1984 and is recently in

news because of attacks on him?

Ans. Kuldeep Singh Brar

26. Recently in which Pakistan city, Shadman Chowk is renamed as Bhagat Singh Chowk?

Ans. Lahore

 27. Targeting mainly at school children, Oxford University Press (OUP) has launched a book on Gandhi on the occasion of his 143rd birth anniversary. What is the name of the book?

Ans. My Early Life: An Illustrated Story

28. Recently which country and India have announced the collaboration to build a model smart city, which will serve as a template for replication?

Ans. Austria

29. Who has been recently re-elected as President of World Squash Federation?

Ans. N. Ramachandran

30. Recently, who is conferred with the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Award?

Ans. Tessy Thomas

31. Who is the present President of the Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU)?

Ans. Abdelwahad Radi

32. Who is the head of the government appointed panel on legislative reforms in the financial sector?

Ans. B.N Srikrishna

33. World Teacher’s Day is observed on which date?

Ans. October 5

34. Who is the winner of 27th Indira Gandhi Award for National integration?

Ans. Gulzar

35. Who is the winner of Vallathol Award 2012?

Ans. Yusafali Kechery

36. Who is the winner of Vayalar Ramavarma Literary Award 2012?

Ans. Akkitham Achuthan Namboothiri

 37. Niryat Shree and Niryat Bandhu awards are given for the promotion of export sector. Which bank has won the gold trophy in Niryat Bandhu Award recently?

Ans. Canara Bank

38. Recently, which stock exchange was halted for around 15 minutes as freak trades triggered a 15 per cent drop in the index?

Ans. National Stock Exchange (NSE)

39. Recently, which country has extradited radical Islamist preacher Abu Hamza al Masri to the US?

Ans. UK

40. Recently, which institution has declared to help the Indian government with a $500 million loan to support its scheme for universalizing secondary education, the Rashtriya MadhyamikShisha Abhiyan (RMSA)?

Ans. World Bank

41. The Prithvi –II, the surface-to-surface missile was successfully test fired from Odisha. What is the range of this missile?

Ans. 350 km

42. The 6th October 2012 marks the 125th birth anniversary of Le Corbusier, the Swiss-born

French Architect. Which Indian city was designed by him?

Ans. Chadigarh

43. Which day is observed on 5th October 2012?

Ans. Global James Bond Day

44. Name the Indian cartoonist who was detained in Mumbai on charges of sedition?

Ans. Assem Trivedi

45. Who were the Nobel Prize winners of 2012 in Medicine?

Ans. Sir. John Gurdon & Shinya Yamanka

46. Who were the Nobel Prize winners of 2012 in physics ?

Ans. Serge Haroche & David J Wineland

47. On 7th October 2012, who won his countries presidential election for a third time and a

historically high turnout and now will start a fourth term as President of Venezuela?

Ans. Hugo Chavez

48. Who were the Nobel Prize winners of 2012 in Chemistry?

Ans. Robert J Lefkowitz & Brian K Kobilka

49. Who is the Nobel Prize winners of 2012 in Literature?

Ans. Mo Yan(Guan Moye)

50. Which organization was awarded the nobel prize for peace in 2012?

Ans. European Union (EU)

51. Which city is the host for the eleventh edition of Ananya Dance Festival?

Ans. New Delhi

52. Who is named as it’s female athlete of the year by the European Athletics Federation?

Ans. Jessica Ennis

53. In which city, the Central Bee Research and Training Institute is located?

Ans. Pune

54. Who is the brand ambassador of the Nirmal Bharat Yatra, which has began on October 3?

Ans. Vidya Balan

55. Recently in which state of India, RTI Week 2012 was launched?

Ans. Nagaland

56. Recently, in which city, South Asia’s first knowledge hub in various languages for electedrural women representatives was launched by US women?

Ans. Jaipur

57. Which coiuntry is the host for International seminar on Energy Access?

Ans. India

58. In which country, the 9th International Women Playwrights Conference was held?

Ans. Sweeden

59. Recently an absurd and anti-Muslim film has created furore in the Middle East. What is the title of that film?

Ans. Innocence of Muslims

60. In which country, the Football Link International Festival 2012 was started recently?

Ans. India

61. According to the ‘Children in India 2012 A Statistical Appraisal’ report, Which state has

reported the highest number of crimes against children?

Ans. Uttar Pradesh

62. The T.L Shankar Committee report deals with which sector?

Ans. Coal Sector

63. Which country has hosted an international conference on disaster risk management with the support of world bank?

Ans. Japan

64. Which automobile major has developed the ‘insect car’, a new smart concept car that

monitors driver’s face to help predict what he want to be next?

Ans. Toyota

65. Which force has celebrated it’s 80th anniversary on 8th October 2012?

Ans. Indian Airforce

66. Which application is launched by the Indian Railways on 10th October 2012 to track the

position of train?

Ans. Rail Radar

67. What is the name of the new motorcycle that Royal Enfield has launched on 11 October

2012?

Ans. Thunder bird 500

68. Which countries launched a joint reserch project in to pricing structures in LNG markets on 10th october 2012?

Ans. Japan and India

69. Who become the World’s No. 1 Personal Computer (PC) maker?

Ans. Lenovo

70. Name the Malayalee who appointed as Supreme Court Judge in Singapore?

Ans. Sundaresh Menon

71. Who is appointed as the new Defence Secretary of Pakistan?

Ans. Left. Gen. (Rtd) Aasif Yasin Malik

72. Who is the first gold winner of London Olympics 2012?

Ans. Yee Siling
73. Name the first medal winner of India in London Olympics 2012?

Ans. Gagan Narang

74. Who is the new Home Minister of India?

Ans. Sushil Kumar Shinde

75. Who wrote the Book ‘Pakistan Beyond the crises State’?

Ans. Dr. Mahila Lodhi

76. Who has been appointed as the Chairman of Competition Commission on India?

Ans. Ashok Chawla

77. Name the country that India signed an agreement for the modernisation of Indian Railways on August 2012?

Ans. Belgium

78. Indian Government decided to allow investment with the objective of boosting bilateral

economic relations from which country?

Ans. Pakistan

79. Who is the second medal winner of India in the London Olympics 2012?

Ans. Vijay Kumar

80. Hameed Ansari is the second person to hold the position of India’s Vice President twice.

Who was the first person?

Ans. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan

81. Who is appointed as deputy Chief Minister of Manipur?

Ans. Gaikhanagam

82. Who became the 1st player from Japan to win French Open Super Series 2012 against Saina Nehwal?

Ans. Minatsu Mitani

83. Who won the Miss International title 2012?

Ans. Miss Japan Ikumi Yoshimatsu

84. Who won the women’s single Denmark Open title 2012?

Ans. Saina Nehwal

Current Affairs Jan-2013



JAN-2013

1. Scientist in the month of December revealed a planet that could support life, orbits a Sun-like star near the Earth. What is the name of the star around which this planet was found orbiting?  

a) Tau Ceti       b) Sirius    c) 36 Ophiuchi    d) Gliese 33

Ans- (a)

2. Which Country won the Junior Table Tennis Championship claiming all the titles?

(a) Germany      (b) China    (c) Hungary    (d) Sweden

Answer: (b)

3. Which team on 15 December 2012 won the 3rd World Cup Kabaddi Tournament for the third consecutive time in the Men’s category and second consecutive time in the Women’s category?

(a) India    (b) Pakistan   (c) Australia   (d) England

Answer: (a)

4. NASA developed new next-gen spacesuit called Z-1 Prototype Spacesuit and Portable Life Support System (PLSS) 2.0 for the sophisticated and complex space ventures, which also include Mars mission. Which of the following statement is not true in this context:

a) The spacesuit is crafted out of various hard elements on the fabric. It also becomes flexible

after being inflated.

b) There is no need of an airlock for seeking entry or getting exit in and out of this suit.

c) It makes use of the recent technique that includes sublimator which works only in hard

vacuum.

d) The spacesuit packs in itself water membrane evaporation cooler which cools the suit

through same method like sweating.

Answer: (c) It makes use of the recent technique that includes sublimator which works only in hard vacuum.

5The gravity mapping satellites of NASA ended the successful mission to Moon by crashing on the rim of crater. What is the name of these gravity mapping satellites of NASA?

a) Voyager 1 and Voyager 2   b) Ebb and Flow   c) Orion and Kepler  d) Dawn and Orion

Answer: (b) Ebb and Flow

6. The Central Zoo Authority of India approved exchanging white tigress from the Delhi Zoo against an animal from the Krasnoyarks Park of flora and fauna, Roev Ruchey in Russia. Which animal was traded in exchange of white tigress?

a) South American Jaguars       b) Kangaroos

c) Puma                                     d) Leopard

Answer: (c) Puma

7. The Baikonur Cosmodrome is the world’s first and largest operational space launch facility. In which country is it located?

(A) France      (B) Kazakhstan     (C) Uzbekistan    (D) Germany

Ans. (B) Kazakhstan

8. The International Hockey Federation has decided to allot the next Hockey World Cup in 2010 to India. In which year Hockey World Cup tournament started?

(A) 1971     (B) 1974     (C) 1976     (D) 1977

Ans. (A) 1971

9. Write short notes on the following:

a) SCO2 gene    b) Space Shuttle Columbia    c) Red October   d) Milos Zeman

e) Shahrukh Khan   f) Sreeramamurthy Janaki

10. Digital marketing company GETIT Info services on 19 January 2013 rolled out DigiGains, aname give to platform for digital marketing. What was the purpose of DigiGains?

a) To benefit Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)

b) To benefit Small, Medium and Large Enterprises

c) To benefit Small-Scale Enterprises

d) To benefit Large-Scale Enterprises

Answer: (a) to benefit Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)

11. The automobile company, Volkswagen in the third week of January 2013 unveiled its new advertising campaign. What is the name of this advertising campaign?

a) Fast Track    b) Fast Speed   c) Fast Start   d) Fast Pace

Answer: (c) Fast Start

12. Reliance Industries shut down its eighth well on the main gas-producing field in KG-D6  block, which compelled the output to drop down to an all-time low at 20.88 million metric standard cubic metre per day (mmscmd). What is the name of eighth well of KG-D6 block?

a) B4    b) B6    c) B8   d) B2
Answer: (b) B6

13. Spice Global, the diversified company on 22 January 2013 entered into the healthcare Sector. What is the name of the hospital inaugurated by Spice Global?

a) New Delhi city Hospital      b) Mehrauli City Hospital   c) NFC Hospital  d) Saket City Hospital
Answer: (d) Saket City Hospital

14. Which leading Dutch financial services group departed the insurance business in India by selling off 26 percent stake to the Exide Industries, its joint-venture partner?

a) ING   b) Bupa health Insurance    c) Oriental Insurance   d) Bajaj Allianz
Answer: (a) ING

15. Name the first women chief Justice of Sri Lanka, who was removed from her office following  the process of impeachment by the countries Parliament.

a) Srimavo Bandaranaike                               b) Vivimarie Vanderpoorten

c) Shirani Bandarnayake                                d) Chandrika Kumaratunga
Answer: (c) Shirani Bandarnayake

16. The FDI inflow in China dropped down by what percentage in the year 2012?

a) 3.7 percent     b) 1.6 percent     c) 6.3 percent    d) 4 percent
Answer: (a) 3.7 percent

17. US President Barrack Obama’s half-brother, Malik Obama decided to launch his political career in the third week of January 2013. Malik Obama announced that he intended running for  the gubernatorial seat in the Kenyan country in elections which will be held on 4 March 2013. Malik Obama is planning to contest elections from which country?

a) Zimbabwe    b) Kenya    c) Algeria    d) Sao Tome and Principe
Answer: (b) Kenya

18. Name the Constitutional Body that recommended setting up of the Special Court for conducting the trials of the Italian Marines accused of shooting the two  fishermen in Indian Ocean.

a) Supreme Court of India                        b) High court of Delhi

c) Union Home Ministry                           d) High Court of Kerala
Answer: (a) Supreme Court of India

19. The Supreme Court of India in January 2013 banned tourists from to pass from Andaman Nicobar Trunk Road that passes through the tribal area. Name the tribe that is the local resident of the region.

a) Sentinelese Tribes   b) Jarawa Tribes    c) Peruvian Tribes   d) Pintupi Nine Tribes
Answer: (b) Jarawa Tribes

20. The centre of excellence which specializes in reading the weather conditions of the space and helps the air traffic on their polar routes is scheduled to come up in which city and by when. The space weather reading centre in Kolkata will be first of its kind and is approved by Union HRD Ministry.

a) Kolkata by mid 2013                           b) Bangalore by January 2013 

c) Bhopal by end of 2013                        d) Mumbai by mid 2013

Answer: (a) Kolkata by mid 2013

21. India for the continuous second year reported no fresh cases of Polio. How many more year of success with zero fresh cases of polio, would win India a status of polio free nation, in 2014.  

a) Three year    b) All ready won the status    c) One year    d) Five years

Answer: (c) One year

22. When and by which body was the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, the Pulse Polio Immunization (PPI) Program was initiated in India with the aim of eradicating it completely from  the country.

a) In 1987 and was a program of United Nation

b) In 2000 and was a program of World Health Organization's (WHO)

c) In 1995 and was a program of World Health Organization's (WHO)

d) In 1990 and was a program of UNESCO

Answer: (c) In 1995 and was a program of World Health Organization's (WHO)

23. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Food and Consumer Affairs in January 2013 suggested the entitlement of the food under the National Food Security Act to the what percent population and left behind what percentage of people, who are tax-payers and have pucca houses of their own?

a) 60 percent population is entitled with it and 40 percent is kept out from the plan

b) 58 percent population is entitled with it and 42 percent is kept out from the plan

c) 67 percent population is entitled with it and 33 percent is kept out from the plan

d) 55 percent population is entitled with it and 45 percent is kept out from the plan

Answer: (c) 67 percent population is entitled with it and 33 percent are kept out from the plan

24. Name the identity card that has been decided and consequently advised by the Ministry of External Affairs in January 2013 to all Passport Issuing Authorities for acceptance of the same as the Proof of Address and Photo identity in conjunction with any other prescribed documents for proof of address/identity for the purpose of passport application.

a) Aadhaar Card   b) Ration Card    c) Educational Certificate    d) Birth Certificates

Answer: (a) Aadhaar Card

25. Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL) on 8 January 2013 launched the first fast patrol vessel (FPV), built for the Indian Coast Guard. The vessel is the first in a series of 20 numbers fast patrol vessel (FPVs) contracted by CSL for the Indian Coast Guard. What is the name of the Patrol Vehicle?

a) Madhusudan     b) Aadesh       c) Rastrabhakt     d) Vishwast

Answer: (b) Aadesh

26. A Special Bench of two Justices was constituted in the month of January 2013 to hear cases of crime against women. Name the body that was responsible behind its constitution.

a) Supreme Court of India                          b) Ministry of Home Affairs

c) Planning Commission of India              d) Prime Minister’s Office (PMO)

Answer: (a) Supreme Court of India

27. The leading software services exporter of India posted a very strong, unexpected 23 percent increase in the quarterly profit for October to December 2012 quarter. What is the name of this company?

a) Wipro    b) Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)   c) IBM   d) Satyam

Answer: (b) Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)

28. Air India on 17 January 2013 grounded the fleet of all six Boeing 787 dreamliners after US  federal agency asked its airlines to ground the Boeing 787. What was the reason for grounding the fleet?

a) Employees went on strike                              b) No funds for fuel

c) Safety hazard                                                    d) None of these

Answer: (c) Safety hazard

29. The Japanese automaker on 16 January 2013 launched a five-speed automatic version of  the Fortuner SUV for 22.33 lakh rupees (ex-showroom New Delhi). What is the name of this  Japanese automaker?

a) Toyota Kirloskar Motor     b) Nissan   c) General Motors   d) Volkswagen

Answer: (a) Toyota Kirloskar Motor

30. Which airways company in the month of January 2013 entered into a partnership with CentrumDirect to offer Foreign Exchange Services to guests travelling abroad?

a) Spice       b) Kingfisher     c) Indian Airlines    d) Jet Airways

Answer: (d) Jet Airways

31. Which online marketplace on 18 January 2013 tied up with Mahindra & Mahindra for selling of its two-wheelers to customers on the site?

a) E-bay.com    b) Myntra.com    c) Snapdeal.com   d) Amazon.com

Answer: (c) Snapdeal.com

32. Scientists at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, US and Karolinska Institute in Sweden got a genetic get through into the main cause of arthritis. What, according to the scientists could be used for predicting the person who could potentially be at a risk of this  disease?

a) Simple X-Ray    b) Simple Blood test  c) Simple Diagnosis  d) None of these

Answer: (b) Simple Blood Test

33. A team at Intel, the computer hardware firm created a device, which is said to allow which renowned physicist of the world to communicate faster than before?

a) Nikola Tesla   b) Antoine Henri Becquerel  c) Max Planck  d) Stephen Hawking

Answer: (d) Stephen Hawking

34. In which Indian zoo were the thirty one Black Bucks killed by the stray dogs on 19 January 2013?    

a) Kanpur Zoo    b) Lucknow Zoo   c) Delhi Zoo   d) Patna Zoo

Answer: (a) Kanpur Zoo

 35. Where was the Vulture Population Estimation-2013 conducted by the State Government?

a) Manas Tiger Reserve   b) Panna Tiger Reserve   c) Palamau Tiger Reserve

d) Pench Tiger Reserve

Answer: Panna Tiger Reserve

36. Researchers at the University of California, San Diego, in the third week of January 2013 developed a fresh technique that enables surgeons to find out about the reach of tumours and helps them to decide which tissues should be removed for saving the healthy cells in cancer patients. What is the name of this new technique?

a) Laser Imaging                                               b) Molecular-Laser Imaging

c) Molecular-Targeted imaging                     d) Target Imaging

Answer: (c) Molecular-Targeted imaging

37. Kaspersky Lab, the Russian cyber security firm on 14 January 2013 revealed that India is one among various nations which are hit by the cyber spying which has been targeting governmental, diplomatic and scientific research organisations for around 5 years. What is the name of this cyber spying campaign?

a) Blue October     b) Red December     c) Blue December   d) Red October

Answer: (d) Red October

38. Which space agency released surprising pictures of the remains of huge river which ran across the Red Planet, Mars at some point of time, on 17 January 2013?

a) NASA   b) European Space Agency   c) Australian Space Agency  d) None of these

Answer: (b) European Space Agency

39. Astronomers had already discovered that the super-massive black holes which sit in the centres of various galaxies were growing faster. Professor Graham explained that every time there is a ten times increase in the stellar mass of the galaxy, it leads to around 100 times increase in the ______________. Fill in the blank with an appropriate option:

a) Mass of black hole                         b) Density of black hole

c) Both of these                                    d) None of these

Answer: (a) Mass of black hole
 
40. Versace 19.69 Abbigliamento Sportivo, the Italian luxury brand for clothing entered into India through its partnership with which Indian apparel as well as leather exporter?

a) Majgenta Fashions   b) Levis Strauss   c) Pepe Jeans   d) Mango

Answer: (a) Majgenta Fashions

41. Income Tax officials surveyed the Sriperumbudur plant of which mobile company in its daylong survey on 8 January 2013 in order to find out the tax default, if it existed?

a) Motorola    b) Samsung    c) Nokia    d) Sony Ericsson

Answer: (c) Nokia

42. With which bank did the Chamber of Indian Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (CIMSME) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Kolkata on 4 January 2013?

a) Dena Bank    b) State Bank of India   c) Axis Bank   d) Allahabad Bank

Answer: (d) Allahabad Bank

43. Where did PR Fonroche, the joint venture of the French company Fonroche and the Indian company PR Clean Energy, on 10 January 2013 inaugurated a 5 MW Solar Plant in India?

a) Punjab    b) Rajasthan    c) Haryana    d) Chandigarh

Answer: (b) Rajasthan

44. Microsoft in the month of January 2013 announced plans to shut down which service?

a) MS Office 2007    b) Skype     c) Windows Live Messenger   d) Bing

Answer: (c) Windows Live Messenger

45. Name the International Cricket Team with which India Lost the Series by 2-1 after it won the last match by 10 runs on 6th January 2013.

(a) England   (b) Australia    (c) Pakistan   (d) South Africa

Answer(c) Pakistan

46. Name the Argentine footballer who won FIFA Ballond’Or Award on 7 January 2013 as a reward to his 91-goal in a year for Barcelona and Argentina, in the year 2012.

(a) Lionel Messi   (b) Zavier Zanetti   (c) Oscar Ruggeri     (d) Gabriel Batistuta

Answer (a) Lionel Messi

47. Name the Indian Women Weightlifter who on 10 January 2013 Won Maiden National Title in  National Weightlifting Championship 2013.

(a) Binitha Devi       (b) Amanpreet Kaur   (c) Manpreet Kaur  (d) Karnam Malleswar

Answer (c) Manpreet Kaur

48. Which International cricket Umpire is supposed to become the first ever umpire to deliver, the MCC Spirit of Cricket Cowdrey Lecture scheduled to be delivered on 24 July 2013?

(a) Billy Bowden   (b) Steve Bucknor    (c) Rod Tucker    (d) Simon Taufel

Answer (d) Simon Taufel

49. Name the Olympic gold medalist who Won Athlete of the Year Award at JAAA Golden Cleats Awards Ceremony.

(a) Michael Phelps   (b) Usain Bolt    (c) Chris Roy    (d) Carl Lewis

Answer (b) Usain Bolt

50. Which Australian pace legend was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame during the third Test between Australia and Sri Lanka starting from 4 January2013 in Sydney?

(a) Glenn McGrath   (b) Shane Warne   (c) Brett Lee   (d) Allan Border

Answer (a) Glenn McGrath

51. Name the player of Indian cricket team who 4 January 2013 was named as CEAT

International Cricketer of the Year 2012

(a) Yuvraj Singh     (b) Gautam Gambhir   (c) Sachin Tendulkar   (d) Virat Kohli

Answer (d) Virat Kohli

52. Which tennis player duo claimed the ladies double final at the Brisbane International?

(a) Sania Mirza and Mahesh Bhupati        (b) Sania Mirza and Bethanie Mattek-Sands

(c) Saian Nehwal and Bethanie Mattek-Sands  (d) Sania Mirza and Serena Williams

Answer (b) Sania Mirza and Bethanie Mattek-Sands

53. Name the tennis player who claimed the WTA Brisbane International trophy with her first  ever single Brisbane International Title?

(a) Venus Williams   (b) Serena Williams  (c) Anastasia Sergeyevna Pavlyuchenkova

 (d) Maria Sharapova

Answer (b) Serena Williams

54. Name the third seeded Scottish tennis player who retained his Brisbane International Tennis Title after defeating the Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov on 6 January 2013.

(a) Jamie Murray   (b) Andy Murray    (c) Roger Federer   (d) Ian Collins

Answer (b) Andy Murray

55. The Government of China recently launched a postage stamp to mark the year 2013. Name the animal depicted on the postage stamp?

a) Lizard    b) Snake    c) Dragon     d) Rabbit

 56. Which kind of wine can distort the results of testosterone level in body?

(a) White Wine    (b) Rose Wine    (c) Purple Wine    (d) Red Wine

Answer: (d) Red Wine

57. Which is the largest cosmic structure in the universe that is powered by super massive black holes clump together? This structure was discovered by the astronomers in the first week of January 2013.

(a) Large Quasar Group    (b) Galaxy Filaments   (c) Inflationary universe

(d) None of these

Answer: (a) Large Quasar Group

58. Name the first Asian country to Order Chemical Castration of Child Rapist?

a) South Korea    b) North Korea    c) Afghanistan    d) Russia

Answer. (a) South Korea

59. US President Barack Obama on 3 January 2013 signed into law an annual Policy Bills, authorizing 633 billion dollars to be spent for 2013. The bill was earlier  threatened by the White   House to be exercised as a Veto. Name the Bill?

a) Annual Defence Policy Bill                         b) Annual Employment Bill

c) Infrastructure Development Bill                d) Education Bill

60. Where was the first wind power project commissioned by National Aluminium Co Ltd (Nalco) in the Month of January 2013?

a) Hyderabad      b) Tamil Nadu     c) Andhra Pradesh    d) Kochin

Answer: (c) Andhra Pradesh

61. Scientists claimed that the 2-billion year old dark black rock, called Northwest Africa (NWA) 7034 or Black Beauty is actually new kind of Martian meteorite which contains 10 times excess water than the normal. Where did this rock land in 2011?

a) Mexico        b) Sahara              c) Antractica         d) None of these

Answer: (b) Sahara

62. Astronomers studying about the newborn star observed glimpses of the planets which were forming around it. Astronomers were studying the HD 142527 which is __________ away from the Earth. Fill in the blank with an appropriate option:

a) 450 light years      b) 350 light years   c) 250 light years    d) 150 light years

Answer: (a) 450 light years
 
63. Which largest mountain glacier of the world was claimed to have been reduced to 5.9 km in its longitudinal extent from the time period of 1989 to 2009 because of increasing temperatures and presence of humans?

a) Gangotri                 b) Janapa                     c) Miyar    d) Siachen
Answer: (d) Siachen

Indian Railway at a Glance


Golden Journey of Indian Railway – At a Glance

1831-33 : A thought to create railway development for the transportation between Madras and Bangalore cropped up.
1844 : R. S. Stephenson thought of creating East India Railway.

1845-46  : 
Survey work for new rail line for Calcutta–Delhi.

1848-49  : 
Construction of Howrah and Raniganj rail line.

1850 : 
Construction of Indian Peninsular Railway company for rail line between Bombay thane and Calcutta–Mirzapur rail line began.

1853 : 
Inauguration of Indian Railway on 16 April, 1853 by running train between Boribundar (Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus) and Thane.

1854 : 
24 miles railway line EIR, between Howrah Hoogely opened on 15 August.

1856 : 
Madras Railway company opened Madras Arkonam for passenger transportation.

1857 : 
Northern Railway began its first train between Allahabad and Kanpur on March.

1860 : 
Morse Telegraph Telecommunication started by Indian Railway.

1860-68 : 
Immediate Guarantee System began  East Indian Railway Great India Peninsula Bombay Baroda and Central India Railway and Madras states Railway participated in it.


1869-81 : 
Under new system state government were authorised to lay rail lines.

1890 : 
Indian Railway Act passed.

1905 : 
Formation of Railway Board.

1922 : 
Re organisation of Railway and more right were given.

1924 : 
Rail Budget was separated from General Budget.

1925 : 
E.I.R and GIPR were given separate place and right in railway management.

1925 : 
First rail electrification of Harbour branch of Bombay with 1500 volt DC.

1928 : 
Electrification of Bombay Suburban Section of  B.B. & C.I.R.

1931 :
 Electrification of Madras suburban section.

1937 : 
India got 3200 km long rail line on separation of Burma from India.

1939-42 : 
Security material for world war produced in railway workshops.

1942 : 
War transport established.

1947 : 
11,200 km long rail line to Pakistan.

1950 : 
First steam engine manufactured by Chitranjan  locomotive.

1950 : 
Nationalization of Indian  Railway.

1953 : 
Railway centenary celebrated throughout the country.

1955 : 
First diesel locomotive plied on metre gauge in Neville and Gandhidham section.

1955 : 
Coach factory established in Perambur.

1957 : 
Bombay Madras rail line from 25 KVAC inaugurated, Railway security Force Act passed.

1958 : 
Electrification of Howrah–Vardhman section.

1961 :
 First electric engine Lokmanya was manufactured by Chitranjan Locomotive.

1962 : 
First electric train ran between Bombay and Pune.

1964 : 
Kunjaru Committee organised to bring reforms in Rail administration.

1964 : 
Production started in Diesel Locomotive works Varanasi.

1970 :
 First combined planning of Railway (1970-85) started.

1972 : 
Manufacturing of steam engines stopped in Chitranjan Rail Engine Factory from 5 February, Jammu appeared on Indian railway map.

1974 : 
Third class in railway banished.

1976 : 
IRCON established in April.

1977 : 
Railway Time Table ‘Train At a Glance’ launched.

1979 : 
Central organisation for modernisation of workshop established.

1978 : 
Double Decker train service ‘Panchvati Express’ began between Bombay–Pune on 12 April.

1982 : 
Palace on Wheel started.

1984 : 
Metro train inaugurated in Calcutta.

1985 : 
Nation's first computerised reservation center began in New Delhi on 15 November, 1985, second combined planning (1985–2000) began.

1986 : 
Indian Railway Finance Corporation established.

1987 : 
Center for Railway Information Service established in New Delhi.

1988 : 
Indian Rail Electricity Institute established in Nasik optical fiber Communication Service started between Churchgate–Virat in 1988. India’s first Shatabdi Express New Delhi–Jhansi) launched.

1989 : 
Formation of Railway Time Committee and Railway Dhaba Authority.

1990 : 
Goods passengers train service began between India and Bangladesh.

1991 : 
First train service in Mizoram from Bhai Rabi station began on 6 March ‘Palace on Wheels’ started with new decore.

1992 : 
RFFC established. ‘Apna Wagon’ scheme began. For the first time in the world first women special Train between Churchgate–Borivallie on 5 May started.

1993 : 
Sleeper class began on 1st April. Formation of Ojha Committee to solve the problems of Konkan railway

1994 : 
Rail passengers Insurance Scheme launched. First Rail Bus service began between Medata road and Medata city of Northern Railway.

1995 : 
Metro rail began between Tollyganj and Damdam on 27 September. 1995 was celebrated as ‘Rail Consumer year’.

1996 : 
6 new regional rails formed in Hubali, Hajipur, Jaipur, Bhuvneshwar, Allahabad and Jabalpur. Formation of Delhi Metro Rail corporation Ltd. On 4 March, the name Mumbai VT changed to Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus.

1997 : 
Telephone service based on satellite started in August Kranti Express on 15 April.

1998 : 
Konkan railway fully in operation from 26 January. On 1 May Prime Minister dedicated to the nation. Walky–Talky communication between guards and drivers began. 3 phase Electric engines of 6000 HP began to be manufactured indigenously. ‘Fairy Queen’ got place in Guinness Book for having the oldest Steam engine in working condition.

1999 : 
At  Delhi railway station, worlds, biggest route relay interlinking began. Darjeeling Himalayan Railway declared world heritage by UNESCO. Nilgiri Mountain Railway celebrated its centenary.

2000 : 
Online rail information system started first time at the Church gate head office on 29 April. On 17 December at Kota station of western railway first time automatic charting system inaugurated.

2001 : 
22-28 January. BNR Hotel, Puri celebrated its platinum jubilee. On 24 February, at Chennai station first time Internet Trade Center was opened. On 5 November, Western railway celebrated its golden jubilee

2002 : 
On the beginning of 150th year of Indian Railway on 15 April, in a special programme. Mascot Bholuguard and special monogram launched.

2003 : 
On 5 January Western Railway celebrated golden jubilee of its Electric Rail Service. On 15 February the name of ‘Wheel and Axil factory’ changed as Rail wheel factory. On 1 May for the first time RailTel began broadband in the moving train in the world.

2004 : 
UNESCO declared Chattrapati Shivaji Terminus as world heritage.

2005 : 
Nilgiri Mountain Rail was declared world heritage by UNESCO. E-ticketing began in all the trains.

2006 : 
‘Anumati Yojna’ began to run passenger train from 26 January. A.C. facility for general public at lower prices began.

2007 : 
Throughout the country with 139 Telephones Extensive Railway Enquiry began.

2008 : 
First train service started in Kashmir Valley on 11, October.

2009 :
 Construction of Rail Coach factory started in Raibareilly. Capital of Tripura, Agartala joined with rail line. In March 40 years of Rajhani Express completed, Non–stop Duranto ran–first train ran between Sialdah and New Delhi on 18 September. Yuva Express trains began to run between Howrah and New Delhi.

2010 : 
Super Luxury Maharaja Express trains plied between Delhi–Mumbai and Delhi–Kolkata, civil Engineering Project Award of ACECC was given to Delhi Metro Rail corporation on 13 July. On the birth centenary of Mother Teressa, an exhibition train named ‘Mother Express’ started from Sialdah station. New system of train numbers began with 5 numerals on 20 December, first ladies special train ran between Kacheguda to Mehboob Nagar on 27 September. On 29 December Calcutta Metro became 17th Rail Division.

2011 : 
ID became essential for ‘Tatkal’ ticket–service from 11 February. On 11 April, Indore–Jammutawi, Malva Express proudly became the first train with bio toilets. Delhi metro was given carbon credit, the first in the world. First A.C. Double Decker ran between Howrah to Dhanbad, The longest tunnel opened in Kashmir on 14 October, RealTrain information system implemented in selected trains from 19 October, country’s third Metro rail service started in Bangluru (Namma), Vivek Express the longest rail service (Dibrugarh to kanyakumari) inaugrated, Law pertaining to Tatkal ticket (to be had a day before the journey) implemented on 21 November.

2012 : 
Third phase of Red Ribbon express to create awareness regarding HIV and AID, started on 12 January, ID proof made compulsory in A.C. classes from 15 February. Kakodar committee formed to provide better security submitted its report to Rail Minister on 17 February. For the modernisation of railway, Sam Pitroda Committee submitted its report or 27 February. From 3 March passengers could use their laptops, tablets and smartphone, through wi–fi facility available free of cost at station itself, This facility started only in Bangluru, Electronic Token system for reservation started simultaneously in Bhopal and Habibganj stations, from 1 April, from 1 May, the passengers could know the position of vacant seats without reaching at the counter. The facility first started at New Delhi station, Double Decker train ran between Delhi and Jaipur.


Grant of Ex-Servicemen status to Army Postal Service Personnel



Personnel who were on deputation in Army Postal Service for more than 6 (six) months prior to 14th April, 1987 would also be considered as Ex-servicemen with all consequential benefits.

1(9)/2010/D (Res-I)
Government of India
Ministry of Defence
(Deptt. of Ex-Servicemen Welfare)
New Delhi the 10th April, 2013

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Grant of Ex-servicemen status to Army Postal Service Personnel.


The undersigned is directed to refer to this Ministry’s OM of even No. dated 20/21.07.2011 on the above subject wherein it was stated that as per Order dated 26.03.2010 passed by Hon’ble AFT Chandigarh in connection with TA. No. 110 of 2009 (arising out of CWP No 15237/2009) filed by JC-105931 Ex-Sub Atma Singh & others Vs UOI & others, personnel who were on deputation in Army Postal Service for more than 6(Six) months prior to 14th April 1987 would also be considered as Ex- servicemen with all consequential benefits. It has been reported that Ex-serviceman status has not been given to such personnel as a result of which they are being denied the benefits available to Ex-servicemen. Some representations have been received in this regard from affected personnel also.

2. The matter has been examined in the department and with the approval of the competent authority, it is reiterated that that OM dated 20/21.07.2011 was issued based on the directions of the Hon’ble AFT very clearly stating that personnel who were on deputation in Army Postal Service for more than 6 (six) months prior to 14th April, 1987 would also be considered as Ex-servicemen with all consequential benefits. Hence a person who was on deputation in APS for more than 6 (Six) months prior to 14th April 1987 is to be considered as ESM.
 Sd/-
(Vineet Saini)
Deputy Secretary (Res-I)


Reservation for Physically Handicapped Persons


Section 2 of Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) (PwD) Act, 1995 stipulates "Disability" means- 

(i) Blindness; 
(ii) Low vision; 
(iii) Leprosy-cured; 
(iv) Hearing impairment; 
(v) Loco motor disability; 
(vi) Mental retardation; 
(vii) Mental illness; 

As per Section 2 (t) of the PwD Act, persons with disability means a person suffering from not less than forty percent (40 percent) of any disability as certified by a medical authority. 

As per Section 33 of the PwD Act, 1995, every appropriate Government shall appoint in every establishment such percentage of vacancies not less than three percent for persons or class of persons with disability of which one per cent. each shall be reserved for persons suffering from- 

(i) Blindness or low vision; 
(ii) Hearing impairment; 
(iii) Loco motor disability or cerebral palsy, in the posts identified for each disability: 

Provided that the appropriate Government may, having regard to the type of work carried on in any department or establishment, by notification subject to such conditions, if any, as may be specified in such notification, exempt any establishment from the provisions of this section. 

As per Section 39 of the PwD Act, 1995, all Government educational institutions and other educational institutions receiving aid from the Government, shall reserve not less than three per cent seat for persons with disabilities. 

Government has issued instructions that such persons should be provided reservation in all Groups of identified posts in the matter of direct recruitment and in Group ‘C’ and ‘D’ posts identified in the matter of promotion. Vide O.M. dated 26th December, 2012, Government has issued instructions to ensure that Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) get a fair opportunity in consideration for appointment to an identified post 

The Government has finalized a Draft Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill proposing reservation of not less than 5% of the posts for the PwDs. 

This information was given by the Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri P. Balram Naik in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today. 


Postmaster Grade I Examination 2013 - Vacancy Position


The vacancy position of Postmaster Grade I examination 2013 scheduled to be held on 30.06.2013 as announced by Circle office, Hyderabad is as follows:

OC-4, SC-3, ST-2 Total - 9


GDS PENSION SCHEME NPS LITE: SDBS (SERVICE DISCHARGE BENEFIT SCHME)



Vacancies in Government Departments


As per available information, the details of number of sanctioned posts, number in position and vacancies in Central Government posts as on 1st March, 2011 was as under:

Number of Sanctioned Posts
Number in Position
Number of Vacant Posts
Group A
98977
84474
14503
Group B
228755
192728
36027
Group C
3335797
2804736
531061
Total vacancies
581591
           
Details of vacancy position in respect of reserved posts and details of backlog vacancies in Central Government Departments is not centrally maintained. A Special Recruitment Drive was launched in 2008 to fill up the backlog reserved vacancies of Scheduled Caste (SC)/Scheduled Tribe (ST)/ Other Backward Classes (OBC), which continued till 31.03.2012. The details of recruitment/ appointments made during the drive were as under:

Direct Recruitment
Promotion
Total

Backlog
Filled up
Backlog
Filled up
Backlog
Filled up
SC
10955
7797
13458
9655
24413
17452
ST
11400
7051
17637
9791
29037
16842
OBC
22072
13740
Not applicable
Not applicable
22072
13740
Total
44427
28588
31095
19446
75522
48034
   The vacancies are filled as per the provisions of the Recruitment Rules and if Recruitment Rules permit lateral entry, the backlog vacancies may also be filled through the lateral entry route.
This was stated by Shri V. Narayanasamy, Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pension and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office in written reply to a question by   Shri Ashok Kumar today.