20-21 JAN

1) What is the name of the fifth satellite of the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) series that was successfully launched by ISRO from Sriharikota on 20 January 2016? – IRNSS-1E

Explanation: IRNSS-1E was launched successfully by PSLV-C31 rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota (AP) in the morning of 20 January 2016.

This satellite was the 5^th satellite to be launched under the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) series that seeks to establish a regional navigation satellite system on the lines of the Global Positioning System (GPS) of the United States.

IRNSS, an independent regional navigation satellite system, is designed to provide accurate position information service to users in India as well as the region extending up to 1,500 km from its boundary.

2) What is the name of the university situated in Pakistan’s volatile northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province that was targeted by a group of militants on 20 January 2016 resulting in death of at least 21 persons? –Bacha Khan University

Explanation: Bacha Khan University situated in Charsadda in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan was the site of a terrorist attack on 20 January 2016. According to media reports, a group of militants stormed the university using the cover of thick fog before opening fire on students and teachers in classrooms and hostels.

3) The Union Govt. on 19 January 2016 announced the much-awaited roadmap for implementing the Indian Accounting Standards (Ind AS) by banks, insurers and non-banking finance companies (NBFCs). When Ind AS has been proposed to be introduced in India? – From 1 April 2018

Explanation: Indian Accounting Standards (Ind AS) are a set of accounting standards developed by Indian authorities, which converge with the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).

According to the roadmap announced on 19 January, scheduled commercial banks (excluding regional rural banks) and insurers will be required to prepare Ind AS-based financial statements for accounting periods beginning 1 April 2018. The roadmap would also apply to all-India term-lending refinancing institutions, such as Exim Bank, NACAS, NHB and SIDBI.

4) The Supreme Court on 19 January 2016 stopped the Union Govt. from divesting its remaining stake in which PSU entity questioning government’s apparent hurry in this disinvestment? – Hindustan Zinc Ltd (HZL)

Explanation: Union Govt. was planning to divest its 29% share in the erstwhile public sector unit Hindustan Zinc Ltd (HZL), which is now a subsidiary of Vedanta. HZL deals in strategic minerals such as zinc and copper and was first divested to Vedanta in 2003.

5) Bihar State Government gave its approval to how much reservation for women in state government jobs on 19 January 2016, which was a key poll promise of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar? – 35%

Explanation: The crucial decision to provide 35% reservation for women in all kinds of state government jobs was approved at a Cabinet meeting held on 19 January.

22 JAN

1) Data from US space agency NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) showed that 2015 was the hottest year on record globally. What was an important fact associated with 2015 with regard to global warming? – Year 2015’s global average temperature was the hottest ever by the widest margin on record

Explanation: The data of NASA and NOAA showed that in 2015, the average temperature across global land and ocean surfaces was 1.62 degrees Fahrenheit (0.90 Celsius) above the 20^thcentury average, surpassing 2014’s previous record by 0.29 F (0.16 C).

2) An advisory committee set up by the capital markets regulator SEBI on alternative funds industry released its report on 20 January 2016. The committee has suggested a slew of tax reforms and changes in existing laws to facilitate capital-raising by alternative investment funds (AIFs) and boost entrepreneurship. Who lead this 21-member committee? – N.R. Narayana Murthy

Explanation: The committee formed by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and headed by Infosys founder N.R. Narayana Murthy put out a report on 20 January 2016. It primarily suggested ways to create a favourable tax environment for investors.

3) Legendary danseuse and Padma Bhushan recipient Mrinalini Sarabhai passed away in Ahmedabad on 21 January 2016 at the age of 97. She was the wife of which noted Indian scientist? – Dr Vikram Sarabhai

Explanation: Mrinalini Sarabhai was one of the most famous dance exponents in India, having been trained in various art forms like Bharatnatyam, Kathakali and Mohiniattam by some of the most prominent dance gurus of her time.

4) During January 2016 the state of Kerala was officially declared the 1st state in the country to achieve 100% primary education. A huge role in this achievement was made by Kerala literacy mission’s primary education equivalency drive. What is the name of this drive? –‘Athulyam’

Explanation: Athulyam is the name of the special education equivalency drive of Kerala State Literacy Mission (KSLM) that was launched in October 2014.

5) The book titled ‘The Z Factor’, which was released by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 20 January 2016, is the autobiography of which noted personality? – Subhash Chandra(Founder of Zee Group)

Explanation: ‘The Z Factor: My Journey as the Wrong Man at the Right Time’ is the name of the autobiography of Subhash Chandra, the founder of the multi-million Zee Group. This autobiography has been written along with Pranjal Sharma and is published by HarperCollins India. It was released by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 20 January.

The book was officially launched at the ‘ZEE Jaipur Literature Festival’ on 21 January.