17 June 2015 Current Affairs

1) Which state is poised to become the first in India to impose streetlight tax on its citizens as approved by the state cabinet during June 2015? – Andhra Pradesh

Explanation: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandra Babu Naidu cleared the proposal to levy streetlight tax on residents of the state. The proposed streetlight tax will become part of the property tax notice served on AP residents. According to the proposal, each house will have to pay Rs. 50 to Rs. 100 as ‘streetlight tax’ per year based on the total amount of the owner’s property tax. In the 2014-15 fiscal, the power utilities supplied 313.12 million units for lighting up the streets of Andhra Pradesh for which it drew a bill of Rs. 170.81 crore. Against this, they got a mere amount of Rs 5.46 crore as payment from the users. With this, a total population of 4.8 crore of Andhra Pradesh would now have to pay streetlight tax. This is the first instance of any Indian state taking steps to shell-out money from its residents for the so-called “streetlight tax”.

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2) What is the name of an Augmented Reality (AR) application launched by the Union Govt. on 15 June 2015 to highlight the achievements of the Department of Space during last one year? – “Saakar”

Explanation: The application named “Saakar” was launched by Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh on 15 June. The application has been developed by DECU-ISRO for Android devices. It consists of 3D models of MOM, RISAT, rockets (PSLV, GSLVMk-III); videos of INSAT 3D-predicting cyclones, GSLV D5/Cryo, Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) orbit insertion, launch video of MOM, 360 degree animated view of MOM, Anaglyph of Mars surface, etc.

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3) Which PSU entity has become the sixth-largest mining company in the world in terms of market capital as disclosed in a recent report of PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)? – Coal India Limited (CIL)

Explanation: The PwC report titled “Mine 2015″, which analyses the financial performance of the top 40 mining companies by market capitalization disclosed that Coal India Limited is now the sixth largest mining company in the world. Earlier, CIL was at the eighth spot among top 40 global mining firms, according to the report. Another state-run company, NMDC, the country’s top iron ore miner which also figures in the list, has improved its position by coming to the 21st slot from 24thearlier. The report, in general mentioned, that though there have been improvements in most financial statement metrics across the top 40 companies, market values continued to decline. The top 40 miners lost US$ 156 billion, or about 16% of their combined market value, in 2014. The market capitalisation for the top 40 was USS 791 billion at the end of 2014, which is where it sat 10 years ago, mentioned the report.

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4) An annual report by the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) concluded that Asia has overtaken Europe as the world’s second-richest region in the world. The report concluded that The Asia Pacific, excluding Japan, held $47 trillion (£30tn) in private wealth during 2014 to overtake Europe. Which region still remains world’s richest region according to the report? – North America

Explanation: North America is the world’s richest region with $51 trillion, but is expected to be surpassed by Asia in 2016. Asia is also projected to hold 34% of global wealth in 2019. Overall, global private financial wealth grew by nearly 12% last year to $164 trillion, lifted by strong gains in the stock and bond markets. The BCG report concluded that as in both 2012 and 2013, Asia-Pacific (excluding Japan) remained the fastest-growing region in 2014. By contrast, growth rates in all ‘old world’ regions remained in the single digits, led by Western Europe and North America, and with Japan lagging somewhat behind.

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5) Al-Qaida on 15 June 2015 confirmed that the leader of its offshoot in the Arabian Peninsula, has been killed in a US drone strike in Yemen. What was his name? – Nasser al-Wuhayshi

Explanation: Nasser al-Wuhayshi was a major global figure among jihadists and even supporters of al-Qaeda’s rival Islamic State viewed him with respect. He was seen as al-Qaeda’s second-in-command and was a former personal assistant to Osama Bin Laden. According to reports, in August 2013 Wuhayshi was appointed deputy of al-Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri, a sign of the extent of his influence. Wuhayshi also played a major role in forming the al-Qaida Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) off-shoot, Ansar al-Sharia, in 2011, to appeal to disaffected youth in Yemen at the time of the Arab Spring. His death was announced by the AQAP group in an online video. His successor was named as military chief Qasim al-Raymi. In Yemen, resurgent al-Qaeda militants have seized territory and infrastructure – indirectly assisted by Saudi-led air strikes on the rebel Houthi movement, their Shia Muslim foes. But the deaths of a number of leading figures in AQAP in recent months have reportedly fuelled rumours among supporters that it has been successfully targeted by intelligence agencies.

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6) Who became the first 100% visually-challenged person to gain entry into the prestigious Indian Foreign Service (IFS) as announced on 12 June 2015? – NL Beno Zephine

Explanation: NL Beno Zephine is a 25-year girl from Chennai and she was informed by the External Affairs Ministry on 12 June 2015 that she has been inducted into the Indian Foreign Service (IFS). She thus became the first 100% visually-challenged person to gain entry into the 69-year-old IFS. Beno transcended the dependence on Braille books by switching to Job Access With Speech (JAWS), a software that allows visually challenged to read from a computer screen, to scan Tamil and English books. The software can also be adapted to a smart phone. It is worth mentioning that the Union Govt. modified some parameters pertaining to service criteria to give the IFS assignment to her. Till now, apart from visually normal candidates, only candidates wearing spectacles (and thereby have perfect vision) were accepted in IFS.

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7) What is the name of the Indonesian volcano which is in news for being active once again during June 2015 and has been active since 2010 after being dormant for more than 400 years? – Mount Sinabung

Explanation: Mount Sinabung volcano is situated on the island of Sumatra in Indonesia. It has been in a dormant stage since last 400 years but went into active stage in August 2010. It had since witnessed a series of volcanic eruptions in 2010, 2013, 2014 and 2015. It once again witnessed volcanic activities from 2 June 2015 and has been erupting in stages since then. At least 3,000 people living near its slopes have had to leave, including 1,200 on 15 June alone. Scientists worry the volcano could pose more dangers in the coming weeks. The long eruption of Mount Sinabung is similar with Mount Unzen in Japan which the mount erupted for 5 years after 200 years dormant.

16 June 2015 Current Affairs

1) 15 June 2015 marked which anniversary of the Magna Carta, the historic charter (agreement) signed between the King of England and the English nobility which limited the power of the throne and was the first significant limit placed on governmental authority in the world? – 800th

Explanation: The signing of the historic “Magna Carta” completed 800 years on 15 June 2015. It was signed on 15 June 1215, when under pressure from a group of some forty English barons unhappy with the crown’s excessive taxation, King John agreed to affix his seal to the charter at Runnymede, near Windsor (UK). British monarch Queen Elizabeth II lead commemorations to mark this historic occasion. The Magna Carta is considered the founding document of English law and civil liberties. Signing of Magna Carta is important as it is widely accepted as the first significant step in the direction of establishing governmental system in place of the monarchial rule. In perhaps its most enduring legacy, the Magna Carta mandated that no man be imprisoned, stripped of his possessions or exiled “except by the lawful judgment of his equals or by the law of the land.” Basically, it said the king can’t arbitrarily imprison someone just because he’s in a bad mood. The government must act according to its own laws. That was a huge step toward establishing the modern legal and justice system.

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2) What is the name of the Sudanese President who came to news for leaving South Africa on 15 June 2015 and thus defying a Pretoria court order for him to remain in the country until it ruled on an application for his arrest? – Omar al-Bashir

Explanation: Omar al-Bashir, who was attending an African Union summit in South Africa, has been indicted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) over war crimes and crimes against humanity. The Pretoria High Court was in session on 15 June to decide on a petition by the Southern African Litigation Centre, a rights group that wanted to force South African President Jacob Zuma’s government to arrest Bashir and hand him over to the ICC. South Africa is an ICC signatory and therefore obliged to implement arrest warrants, but the ruling African National Congress (ANC) on 14 June accused the Hague-based ICC of being biased against Africans and said it was “no longer useful”. South Africa’s furious response and its decision to allow Bashir to leave is affirmation of its shifting diplomatic priorities with Africa’s interests trumping those of the West. It is worth mentioning that the Zuma’s government had given immunity to Bashir and all other delegates attending the AU summit. The ICC issued arrest warrants for Bashir in 2009 and 2010, accusing him of masterminding genocide and other atrocities in his campaign to crush a revolt in the Darfur region. He has long rejected the court’s authority. The conflict in Darfur has killed as many as 300,000 people and displaced 2 million, according to the UN.

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3) Which Indian business group came to news by clinching a multi-million dollar aerospace contract with European consortium Airbus at the ongoing Paris Air Show on 15 June 2015 and thus marking a major milestone in the ‘Make in India’ initiative? – Mahindra Group

Explanation: This contract was bagged by Mahindra Group subsidiary Mahindra Aerospace which is basically a multi-year aero-components manufacture and supply contract. The contract, the value of which has not been disclosed, will involve a variety of Mahindra produced metallic components, in excess of a million parts per annum, to be fitted into several Airbus aircraft programmes as part of assemblies produced by Premium Aerotec. The parts will be produced at the new Mahindra Aerostructures facility located at Narsapura, near Bengaluru, with deliveries to Premium Aerotec’s facilities in Germany scheduled to commence this year. It is worth mentioning that Mahindra Aerospace started its operations in 2008 and is today the largest supplier to Airbus out of India.

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4) What is the percentage of gross non-performing assets (gross NPA) for public-sector banks as on 31 March 2015 as reported in the recently held annual review meeting of the Union Finance Minister with the CEOs of banks, insurance companies and financial institutions (FIs)? – 5.17%

Explanation: It was reported that the public-sector banks continue to report higher bad loans and the gross non-performing assets as on 31 March 2015, stood at 5.17%. The stressed assets ratio (which includes NPAs and restructured loans) was 13.2%. The rise was due to some infrastructure projects, slowdown in global economic recovery, and continuing uncertainty in global markets leading to lower growth of credit.

Other important points that came out of this annual review:

– The gross non-performing assets (GNPA) of 26 public sector banks (including 19 nationalised banks, State Bank of India and its associates and IDBI) have risen by 22.5% to Rs.2.78 lakh crore against Rs.2.27 lakh crore in the previous financial year.

– While the 19 nationalised banks have registered a rise of 39.8% in gross NPA at Rs.1,92,270 crore against Rs.1,37,487 crore in the previous financial year, State Bank of India and its associates have reported eight per cent drop in their NPAs at Rs.73,508 crore against Rs.79,818 crore.

– The gross NPAs of new private sector banks — consisting of Axis Bank, DCB Bank (Development Credit Bank), HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank and Yes Bank, has risen by 35.3% to Rs.24,534 crore in 2014-15 from Rs.18,133 crore in the previous financial year.

– Among the new private sector banks, ICICI Bank, with 43.7% rise in gross NPA at Rs.15,095 crore against Rs.10,506 crore, contributes to the maximum followed by DCB Bank (Development Credit Bank) at 33.8% (the increase is on a lower base).

– The gross NPAs of eight old private sector banks (listed on stock exchanges) and Tamilnad Mercantile Bank put together shows a rise of 50% at Rs.7,755 crore against Rs.5,170 crore in 2013-14.

– Among the eight old private sector banks, Jammu & Kashmir Bank tops the list with a sharp rise of 253% at Rs.2,764 crore against only Rs.783 crore, followed by Karur Vysya Bank with 143% rise at Rs.678 crore (Rs.279 crore) and South Indian Bank (48.5%). Tamilnad Mercantile Bank has shown a reduction in NPA to 318.68 crore from Rs. 428 crore. Lakshmi Vilas Bank has reduced its NPA significantly to Rs.455 crore from Rs.546 crore, followed by Federal Bank to Rs.1,058 crore from Rs.1,087 crore.

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5) World famous Buddhas of Bamiyan in Afghanistan, which were destroyed in the Taliban in 2001, recently came to news again. Why? – A Chinese couple resurrected the giant Buddhas with 3D light projection technology in the empty cavities where they once stood

Explanation: The two giant Buddhas were carved out of sandstone cliffs and stood at one point painted and gilded. They managed to survive for more than 1500 years. But the Taliban dynamited and destroyed them in March 2001 as part of a campaign to remove all non-Islamic art from Afghanistan. During June 2015, the giant statues were resurrected with 3D light projection technology in the empty cavities where they once stood in Afghanistan. The project was undertaken by a Chinese couple, (Janson Yu and Liyan Hu) who used 3D laser light projection technology to fill the empty cavities in the cliff in the Bamiyan Valley in Hazarajat with Buddha’s virtual images, 230 km northwest of Kabul. The event on 7 June 2015 saw projectors displaying huge holographic statues of the exact size of the precious cultural monuments that were lost, accompanied by music.

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6) The Supreme Court on 15 June 2015 directed the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to re-conduct All India Pre-Medical Test 2015 within four weeks. What was the reason for this direction? – Irregularities were alleged to have taken in this exam

Explanation: All India Pre-Medical Test 2015 (AIPMT 2015) was conducted by the CBSE on 3 May 2015 and the results of the exam were set to be declared by it on 5 June 2015. However, the Supreme Court first stopped the results from being announced after some irregularities were reported in the exam. On its part, the CBSE opposed the contentions seeking cancellation of the test, saying, “6.3 lakh students cannot be made to take the exam afresh when only 44 students have been found involved in taking benefits through unfair means.” However, on 15 June 2015 the Supreme Court said in its order – “The examination stands vitiated even if one student is being benefited illegally”. And it ordered CBSE to re-conduct the AIPMT 2015 again.

14-15 June 2015 Current Affairs

1) The Union Govt. on 13 June 2015 launched an Indian insurance pool to the tune of Rs. 1,500 crore which is mandatory under the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act (CLND). This insurance pool was launched to address the concerns of the clauses in the CLND Act, which give the operator the Right to Recourse and allow it to sue the suppliers in case of any accident. Which insurance entity is the fund operator of this pool? – General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC Re)

Explanation: General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC Re) is the fund operator of this Rs. 1,500 crore Indian insurance pool and it includes 11 other non-life insurers as associates of the pool. Apart from GIC Re, New India, Oriental Insurance, National Insurance and United India Insurance from the public sector, the private ones are ICICI Lombard General Insurance, Tata AIG General, Reliance General Insurance, Chola MS General Insurance, IFFCO Tokio General Insurance, SBI General and Universal Sompo General. This pool will be the 27th such market pool globally. It is expected to address third-party liability insurance to begin with and later expand into property and other hot zone (inside reactor areas) risk. This will cover both operators and suppliers. At present, only cold zones (outside reactor areas) are covered. The idea of forming a pool was mooted in early 2013 and got stuck due to differences among stakeholders on certain clauses. In 2010, Parliament passed the CLND Act, which creates a liability cap for nuclear plant operators for economic damage in the event of an accident.

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2) What is the name of the Joint-Military Exercise that started between the armies of India and UK at Salisbury Plains Training Area, UK on 13 June 2015? – “Ajeya Warrior 2015”

Explanation: “Ajeya Warrior” is the name given to the biannual military exercise between Indian and the United Kingdom. The aim of the Exercise is to build and promote positive military relations between Indian and UK Army and to enhance their ability to undertake joint tactical level operations in Counter Insurgency/Counter Terrorism Environment under United Nations Charter. A battalion of the Kumaon Regiment of the Indian Army is taking part in the exercise. The exercise is being held at Westdown Camp, Salisbury Plains Training Area (UK) and will conclude on 28 June 2015.

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3) External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on 14 June 2015 came into controversy over the grant of travel documents to former Indian Premier League commissioner Lalit Modi by the UK government. When was this travel grant was provided? – August 2014

Explanation: Lalit Modi is facing an Enforcement Directorate (ED) probe into allegations of financial irregularities in the IPL. He has been in the UK since 2010 when the IPL was caught in a huge storm over an alleged betting scandal. Lalit Modi’s passport was revoked in March that year. Last year, Lalit Modi was given a visa in August 2014 after Indian-origin British MP Keith Vaz recommended his name. According to the British media, Vaz cited the name of Sushma Swaraj to put pressure on the UK’s top immigration official to grant British travel papers to Modi. The grant of visa is being discussed before a parliamentary panel in the UK. Opposition parties, including Congress demanded resignation of Swaraj over this issue.

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4) Former Union Minister and senior Congress leader Sheila Kaul, who passed away on 13 June 2015, was a former Governor of which state? – Himachal Pradesh

Explanation: 100 year old Sheila Kaul was a sister-in-law of Jawaharlal Nehru and oldest surviving former parliamentarian at present. She was married to renowned botanist Kailash Nath Kaul. Sheila Kaul was Corporator of the Lucknow Municipal Corporation during 1959-65, and a member of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council during 1968-71. She was elected as Member of Parliament five times – in 1971, 1980 and 1984 from Lucknow, and in 1989 and 1991 from Rae Bareli. Urban Development Minister in the Narasimha Rao Cabinet, Sheila Kaul was accused of making out-of-turn allotment of government accommodations in return for monetary gain between 1992 and 1995. She was Governor of Himachal Pradesh between 1995-96.

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5) Which bird was nominated as United Kingdom’s first-ever national bird in a poll conducted in the country that concluded during June 2015? – Robin

Explanation: The red-breasted “Robin” bird topped a poll of more than 200,000 people to choose the UK’s first national bird, winning a landslide victory. The bird received 34% of votes, followed by the barn owl, which received 12% and the blackbird, 11%. More than 224,000 people voted online, at ballot boxes in schools and by post in the poll, which began in March 2015. The poll was launched by noted ornithologist David Lindo. Lindo began the project last year when he realised Britain did not have a national bird, unlike countries such as India (Peacock), US (Bald Eagle) and Australia (Emu). The red-breasted “Robin” has long been a part of Britain’s cultural history, most notably with its image adorning Christmas decorations every year.

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6) Which Indian mining conglomerate on 13 June 2015 announced buying the stake of minority shareholders in Cairn India, the country’s top private oil producer? – Vedanta Ltd

Explanation: Vedanta Ltd. is India’s largest private sector miner while Cairn India is country’s top private oil producer. Under the deal Cairn India will get one share in Vedanta Ltd for every held. This will result in merger of Cairn India in Vedanta, a move that is expected to streamline debt-burdened parent Vedanta Resources Plc’s operating structure.

13 June 2015 Current Affairs

1) Nek Chand Saini, who passed away on 12 June 2015 at the age of 90, was the creator of which iconic creation in Chandigarh? – Rock Garden

Explanation: Nek Chand Saini was known all over the world for his unique creation in Chandigarh, the Rock Garden. This sculpture garden was created from waste and other unused household materials. As a govt. employee he started creating the garden in his spare time in 1957. He used waste and useless articles like old switches, tyres, bicycle parts, bangles, mosaic, etc. from demolition sites around the city. He recycled these materials into his own vision around a gorge near the famous Sukhna Laka. It is worth mentioning that Nek Chand’s work was illegal and he was able to hide it for eighteen years before it was discovered by the authorities in 1975. After pressure from citizen groups to continue the park, the Rock Garden was opened officially in 1976. He was assigned some 50 labourers to extend the park. And now Rock Garden is spread over 40-acre area and has attracted almost 1.2 crore visitors since it was opened. Nek Chand passed away following complaint of chest pain at PGIMER, Chandigarh. He was awarded the Padma Shri by Government of India in 1984.

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2) Which African country is on its way to legally end its virtually worthless local currency which has witnessed hyper-inflation as high as 500 billion per cent in the recent times? – Zimbabwe

Explanation: Zimbabwe has decided to end the local currency (Zimbabwean Dollar) by September 2015. This process starts from 15 June 2015 bank accounts with balances of up to 175 quadrillion Zimbabwean dollars to be paid just US$ 5 in the exchange. This is due to the fact that the Zimbabwean dollar has become almost worthless. It is worth mentioning that at the height of Zimbabwe’s economic crisis in 2008, Zimbabweans had to carry plastic bags bulging with bank notes to buy basic goods like bread and milk. Prices were rising at least twice a day. According to the Reserve Bank Zimbabwe (RBZ), the customers who held Zimbabwean dollar accounts before March 2009 can approach their banks to convert their Zimbabwean dollar balance into dollars. The process will legally end the local currency. Zimbabweans have until September 2015 to turn in their old bank notes. Customers who still have stashes of old Zimbabwean dollar notes can walk into any bank and get $1 for every 250 trillion they hold.

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3) The second “Border Haat”, the common border market between India and Bangladesh, was opened on 11 June 2015. These Border Haats have been established at which Indian state bordering Bangladesh? – Tripura

Explanation: The first “Border Haat” was opened near the Indo-Bangladesh international border at Srinagar in South Tripura district on 13 January 2015. This place borders Madhugram village of Feni district of Bangladesh. The concept of establishing “Border Haat” is to boost bilateral trade and enhance people to people contacts. These markets are set up at the zero line of the international border with one part on the Indian side and the other in Bangladesh.  Second such “Border Haat” was inaugurated on 11 June at Kamalasagar in Sipahijala district, bordering Brahmanbaria district of Bangladesh. It was officially jointly inaugurated by video-conferencing from Dhaka on 6 June 2015 by Narendra Modi and his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina.

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4) The US government has recently opened an investigation against two of the biggest Indian outsourcing companies, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and Infosys, for possible violations of H1-B visa rules. The possible visa rule violations of TCS and Infosys with regard to which US-based electric utility are being probed by the authorities? – Southern California Edison

Explanation: TCS and Infosys are being probed for possible violations of rules for visas for foreign technology workers under contracts they held with Southern California Edison. Southern California Edison had recently laid-off more than 500 technology workers, many of who claimed that they were made to train their replacements who were immigrants on the temporary work visas brought in by the Indian firms. Senators Richard Durbin of Illinois and Jeff Sessions of Alabama announced the investigation after they were notified by the US Labor Department. Indian outsourcers are among the biggest recipients H1-B visas, which are intended for highly skilled workers. TCS and Infosys derive their biggest share of revenues from US markets.

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5) Which former fast-bowler of West Indies was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame on 11 June 2015? – Wesley Hall

Explanation: With Wesley Hall’s induction into this elite league, the tally of cricketers from the Caribbean in the Hall of Fame rose to 18 while overall tally stood at 80. Hall received his commemorative cap from fellow ICC Cricket Hall of Famer, Courtney Walsh, during the lunch break on the opening day of the second Test between the West Indies and Australia at the Sabina Park on 11 June. Hall played in 48 Tests from 1958 to 1969 in which he took 192 wickets, including five wickets in an innings nine times and 10 wickets in a match on one occasion. In 170 first-class matches, Hall claimed 546 wickets at an average of 26.14. In 1964-65, his 16 wickets were instrumental in guiding the West Indies to its first series win over Australia. Hall is the fourth cricketer this year to be inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame after Betty Wilson, Anil Kumble and Martin Crowe, who were inducted earlier this year during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015.

12 June 2015 Current Affairs

1) For the first time a move is being made to involve private players in running of passenger trains in the country as disclosed in the report prepared by a committee set up by the Union Govt. The committee has recommended the entry of private companies in operation and maintenance of railways, and has pitched for attracting talent from outside for a radical revamp of Indian Railways. Who headed this committee? – Bibek Debroy (Member, NITI Aayog)

Explanation: The Bibek Debroy Committee, set up by the Narendra Modi government to give recommendations for overhaul of the operations of the Indian Railways, has prepared a detailed report, which will be presented to the government on 12 June 2015. The government is expected to act on the recommendations in the months ahead as Indian Railway is being regarded as a priority sector for the Modi administration.  The panel has also suggested the scrapping of a separate railway budget as the railways was just another public sector company. The radical measures suggested include, switching over to commercial accounting of railway functions, corporatization of railways production units and involving private sector in manufacturing coaches, wagons and locomotives.

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2) The 44th edition of COPA America, the prestigious football tournament for South American countries, started from 11 June 2015. Which country is hosting this tournament? – Chile

Explanation: The 44th edition of COPA America is being held from 11 June to 4 July 2015 at Chile. The tournament was originally planned to be hosted by Brazil but it opted out from hosting the tournament due to tight schedule for major tournaments like 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup, 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics. Chile was given hosting rights after consultations with the Brazilian authorities. Twelve countries are participating in COPA America 2015 – Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Columbia, Ecuador, Jamaica, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela. Jamaica and Mexico are two invitee participants in the tournament. Uruguay is the defending champion team having won the tournament in 2011. The tournament is being organized by CONMEBOL, South America’s football governing body. The winner of the tournament, or the best placed CONMEBOL team if Mexico or Jamaica win the tournament, will qualify for the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup hosted in Russia.

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3) In an important development, 26 African countries agreed to create the continent’s largest free-trade zone that will span a huge area from Cape Town (South Africa) to Cairo (Egypt). The deal, signed in Egypt, is intended to ease the movement of goods across member countries which represent more than half the continent’s GDP. What is the name of this proposed free trade agreement? – Tripartite Free Trade Area (TFTA)

Explanation: Tripartite Free Trade Area (TFTA) is the name given to the proposed free-trade zone to be created in Africa that comprises of 3 trading entities of African continents – the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), Southern African Development Community (SADC) and East African Community (EAC). The agreement for TFTA was signed on 10 June 2015 at Egypt. The agreement is slated to be unveiled at the 25th African Union (AU) Summit to be held in South Africa. The century-old dream to link the continent from the Cape to Cairo comes to reality with signing of this agreement. Since the end of colonial rule, governments have been discussing ways to boost intra-African trade. The poor state of roads, railways and airlines has made it difficult. TFTA emerged as three existing trading blocks – COMESA, SADC and EAC, merged to form a single pan-African trading entity. However, TFTA needs parliamentary endorsements from all member-nations.

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4) Former Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi on 11 June 2015 announced the decision to join the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by the BJP to fight the upcoming Bihar assembly elections. What is the name of his party that will contest the Bihar Assembly elections as a partner of the NDA? – Hindustan Awam Party (HAP)

Explanation: Manjhi made the announcement after a meeting with BJP President Amit Shah in New Delhi on 11 June. The BJP believes its caste formula, a key factor in any election in Bihar, is now in place with Manjhi, a Mahadalit, expected to eat into Kumar’s mahadalit support base.

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5) The Reserve Bank India (RBI) on 11 June 2015 gave permission to which investor segment to invest in regulated chit funds in India? – Non-Resident Indians (NRIs)

Explanation: The permission to Indians abroad for participation in chit funds comes with riders. NRIs can subscribe to chit funds through banking channels, including accounts maintained in India. The state governments or Registrar of Chits may permit chit funds to accept subscription from NRIs on non-repatriation basis. This should be done in accordance with the provisions of the Chit Fund Act.

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6) Veteran actor, Sir Christopher Lee, who passed away on 7 June 2015 at the age of 93, was associated with which legendary character in films? – “Dracula”

Explanation: Christopher Lee was a British-born actor who made his name playing Dracula and Frankenstein’s monster in horror films. He appeared in over 250 films. He was best-known for his villainous roles – including Scaramanga in James Bond’s “The Man With The Golden Gun” and evil wizard Saruman in “The Lord of the Rings”. His other important films include “The Wicker Man” and “Star Wars”. He was knighted in 2009 for services to drama and charity and was awarded a BAFTA fellowship in 2011.

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11 June 2015 Current Affairs

1) The World Health Organisation (WHO) during June 2015 declared India free of which infection which was much prevalent in the country at a period of time? –Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus

Explanation: The WHO’s declaration of India now being free of maternal and neonatal tetanus has been hailed as a significant public health milestone by the country. The elimination of neonatal tetanus is defined as less than one case in 1000 live births in every district across the country. Abolishing a disease that was once responsible for 15% of deaths in the country is surely a matter of great pride for India. The disease usually occurs in newborns through infection of the unhealed umbilical stump, especially when the stump is cut with a non-sterile instrument. Nagaland was the last Indian state to achieve maternal and neonatal tetanus elimination.

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2) The Union Cabinet on 10 June 2015 decided to bring in an ordinance to amend the Negotiable Instruments Act, which provides for filing of cheque bounce cases in place where the cheque was issued. What the govt. wants to achieve by brining this ordinance? – It seeks to overturn a Supreme Court 2014 ruling said the case has to be initiated where the cheque-issuing branch was located

Explanation: The Supreme Court had passed a judgement in 2014 that if a person receives a cheque from someone and the cheque gets bounced, then the jurisdiction for initiating action lies in the State where it was issued. This ruling resulted in filing of over 18 lakh cases in various courts spread across the country and immense hardships to people involved in these cases. Government had brought a Bill (Negotiable Instruments (Amendment) Act, 2015) in this regard in Parliament and it was passed in the Lok Sabha in May 2015. The amendment passed by the Lok Sabha provided that cases of bouncing of cheques can be filed only in a court in whose jurisdiction the bank branch of the payee (person who receives the cheque) lies. If a complaint against a person issuing a cheque has been filed in the court with the appropriate jurisdiction, then all subsequent complaints against that person will be filed in the same court, irrespective of the relevant jurisdiction area. However, as the Rajya Sabha could not pass it, the government has brought this ordinance so as to give relief to these people.

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3) What is the name of the Kerala port project, which has been awarded by the state govt. to Adani Ports and SEZ as agreed to in the State Cabinet on 10 June 2015? – Vizhinjam Port Project

Explanation: Vizhinjam Port Project comprises of an international port and deep-water container transshipment terminal and is worth multi-thousand crore. The project was awarded to Adani Ports despite strong opposition from the Opposition which disagreed on the specifics during an all-party meet convened by the government on 3 June 2015 and continued to air its differences in public. The Adanis have demanded a grant of Rs. 1,635 crore. This is being made available as a viability grant fund to be shared equally by the state and Central Governments, a first for a port project. The Adanis will invest on their own Rs. 2,454 crore.

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4) Which prominent European country’s Parliament on 9 June 2015 voted overwhelmingly in favour of a bill that seeks to hold a referendum to gauge the mood of its citizens on the issue of remaining part of the European Union (EU)? – Britain

Explanation: It is worth mentioning that British Prime Minister David Cameron had promised to hold a referendum on the critical issue – whether the country should remain part of the EU or exit from it. The British Parliament on 9 June voted overwhelmingly in favour of the bill, the EU Referendum Bill, with 544 MPs voting in its favour and just 53 opposing it. The passing of the bill thus brings the proposed EU referendum closer to reality. British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond justified the referendum saying that finally the citizens will have a final say on UK’s place in Europe. The govt. had proposed to undertake the referendum by the end of 2017. On the other hand, many prominent corporates have warned that a British withdrawal from the EU would threaten jobs and harm its economy.

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5) According to information released on 9 June 2015, the Union Govt. canceled the registration of 4,470 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA). What is the primary reason for this government action? – Non-filing of annual returns and other anomalies

Explanation: The decision to cancel the registration of these entities under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) was taken after examination of their activities that allegedly include non-filing of annual returns and other anomalies. De-registration of these entities was done between 5 May to 9 June 2015. This bars these NGOs from receiving foreign funds. According to the govt., all NGOs were given proper notice by the Foreigners Division of the Home Ministry with adequate time to reply before their FCRA licences were cancelled. The NGOs in this list includes a number of top universities, Supreme Court Bar Association and Escorts Heart Institute. It is worth mentioning that the Union Govt. had in April 2015 cancelled the licences of nearly 9,000 NGOs for the same offence.

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6) Pappu Yadav, the expelled MP of the Lalu Prasad Yadav-led Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) on 9 June 2015 announced the formation of his own political party to take on Lalu-Nitish Kumar combine in Bihar. What is the name of this new party? – Jan Adhikar Party (JAP)

Explanation: Jan Adhikar Party (JAP) is the name of the new political outfit floated by Pappu Yadav, who was expelled from the party some time ago due to alleged anti-party activities. JAP is expected to fight elections from a number of seats in the upcoming Assembly elections in Bihar, likely to be held in September-October 2015.