Some useful General Knowledge Questions for Competitive Exams!!!

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1. Which of the following countries recently signed a ‘Ceasefire agreement’ with ‘Karen Rebels’?

(a) China (b) Libya (c) Myanmar (d) Nepal (e) Egypt

Ans- (C)

2. Which of the following countries has recently decided to fix the term of the President of the country for 7 years?

(a) Iraq (b) Myanmar (c) Nepal (d) Libya (e) Turkey

Ans- (E)

3. India recently decided to purchase fighter planes from France. Which of the following is the name of these planes?

(a) Rafale (b) Boeing (c) MiG-35 (d) Lockhead Martin (e) Cassadion

Ans- (A)

4. India is now declared free from which of the following diseases after a long battle against it?

(a) AIDS (b) TB (c) Cancer (d) Polio (e) All of these

Ans- (D)

5. India recently decided to give US $ 1.5 million to which of the following countries to establish Vivekanand Chair in one of its Universities?

(a) France (b) Britain (c) Russia (d) Italy (e) USA

Ans- (E)

6. Which of the following countries is likely to join European Union in the near future ?

(a) Malta (b) Croatia (c) Hungary (d) Kenya (e) South Africa

Ans- (B)

7. Which of the following schemes is launched by the Govt. of India to develop various facilities in rural areas?

(a) IRDP (b) NHRM (c) PPP (d) Operation Flood (e) None of these

Ans- (C)

8. Indian coastguard conducted a joint exercise named ‘Sahyog-Kaijin-XI’ with which of the following countries?

(a) Myanmar (b) Russia (c) China (d) Sri Lanka (e) Japan

Ans- (E)

9. Who among the following won the Thailand Golf Championship held in December 2011?

(a) Lee Westwood (b) Charl Schwartzel (c) Alvaro Quiros (d) Paul Lawrie (e) Peter Hanson

Ans- (A)

10. India wants a ‘CEPA’ with Thailand – was the news in major newspapers. What is the full form of ‘CEPA’ as used here?

(a) Complete Economic Preference Agreement

(b) Cultural and Economic Partnership Accord

(c) Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement

(d) Cooperation and Economic-Partnership Accord

(e) Complete Economic Partnership and Assistance

Ans- (C)

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11. European Union recently decided to enforce European Stability Mechanism (ESM) w.e.f. July 2012. ESM is a system to achieve / safeguard–

(a) financial stability (b) political stability

(c) free access to oil reserves in UAE and Kuwait

(d) free access to uranium reserves in Libya

(e) interests of all the members in case of attack by Iran or any other country

Ans- (A)

12. Kovvada Nuclear Power Plant which was recently in news is being set up in–

(a) Karnataka  (b) Andhra Pradesh (c) Chhattisgarh (d) Uttarakhand (e) Odisha

Ans- (B)

13. Mullaperiyar Dam is built on which of the following rivers?

(a) Tungbhadra (b) Cauvery (c) Krishna (d) Periyar (e) Mahanadi

Ans- (D)

14. Which of the following countries is not a member of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries(OPEC)?

(a) Nigeria (b) Iran (c) Iraq (d) Algeria (e) Bangladesh

Ans- (E)

15. Which of the following books is written by Steve Waugh ?

(a) Out of My Comfort Zone : The Autobiography (b) My Life (c) Wings of Fire

(d) Long Walk to Freedom (e) Revolutionary Wealth

Ans- (A)

16. Which of the following organizations/agencies recently issued elaborate guidelines pertaining to the creation of new category of Non Banking Finance Companies (NBFC)-Micro Finance Industries ?

(a) AMFI (b) SIDBI (c) SEBI (d) NABARD (e) RBI

Ans- (E)

17. Which of the following organizations / agencies coordinates the operations of rural credit institutions in India ?

(a) Reserve Bank of India (b) Securities and Exchange Board of India

(c) Indian Bank Association (d) National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development

(e) Small Industries Development Bank of India

Ans- (D)

18. Google is–

(a) Virus programme (b) Search engine (c) Website  (d) Hardware (e) None of these

Ans- (B)

19. Which of the following is not a function of the Reserve Bank of India ?

(a) Issuer of currency (b) Foreign Exchange Management

(c) Bankers to Banks (d) Listing companies for trading in Stock Exchanges

(e) Bankers and Debt Manager to Govt.

Ans- (D)

20. Which of the following organizations issued Initial Public Offer (IPO) Norms for Life Insurance Companies?

(a) CRISIL (b) SEBI (c) RBI (d) AMFI (e) IRDA

Ans- (E)

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21. Which of the following states is at the top in the Child Rights Index, compiled in India for the first time?

(a) Maharashtra (b) Kerala (c) Gujarat  (d) Tamil Nadu (e) Rajasthan

Ans- (B)

22. Which of the following countries won Davis Cup Tennis Tournament 2011 ?

(a) Australia (b) Argentina (c) Germany (d) France (e) Spain

Ans- (E)

23. Which of the following metals used in Nuclear Power Plants will be imported from Australia?

(a) Plutonium (b) Uranium (c) Thorium (d) Curium (e) Zirconium

Ans- (B)

24. Standard and Poor, better known as S&P, is a/the–

(a) Financial market intelligence agency (b) Central Bank of USA

(c) Large multinational bank (d) Body set up by the United Nations Organisation

(e) Intelligence wing of the World Bank

Ans- (A)

25. Thomas J. Sargent and Christopher A. Sims are the two recipients of Nobel prize 2011 in the field of–

(a) Physics (b) Economics (c) Chemistry (d) Literature (e) Medicine

Ans- (B)

26. The home of who among the following is named as Malgudi Home?

(a) Satyajit Ray (b) Shivram Karanth (c) R. K. Narayan (d) M. G. Ramachandran (e) H. D. Deve Gowda

Ans- (C)

27. Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Awards are given for exemplary work in the field of–

(a) Sports (b) Journalism (c) Literature (d) Social Service (e) Science and Technology

Ans- (E)

28. Which of the following states has become first in India to have a ‘Carbon Inventory’ giving its total carbon emission from various sectors?

(a) Himachal Pradesh (b) Maharashtra (c) Gujarat  (d) Kerala (e) Tamil Nadu

Ans- (A)

29. As per newspaper reports how, much FDI is allowed in pension sector?

(a) 15% (b) 33% (c) 41% (d) 51% (e) None of these

Ans- (E)

30. ‘Agha Khan Cup’ is associated with the game of–

(a) Football (b) Hockey (c) Badminton (d) Cricket (e) Horse Racing

Ans- (B)

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31. What does the letter ‘C’ denote in the UNICEF a well-known organization operating at global level ?

(a) Credit (b) Children (c) Control (d) Cooperation (e) Crisis

Ans- (B)

32. Which of the following is India’s most advanced long range missile capable of carrying nuclear warheads?

(a) Khukri (b) Basant (c) Agni-IV (d) Vijayant-IlI (e) Sindhudurg-II

Ans- (C)

33. Who among the following was one of the recipients of the Padmashri award in 2012?

(a) Anup Jalota (b) Shabana Aazmi (c) Aruna Irani (d) Leander Paes (e) Vidya Balan

Ans- (A)

34. Dr. Manmohan Singh unveiled the foundation stone of National Institute of Technology in which of the following places in Manipur?

(a) Bishnupur (b) Thoubal (c) Imphal (d) Senapati (e) Ukhrul

Ans- (C)

35. Mario Monti has taken over as the Prime Minister of–

(a) Greece (b) New Zealand (c) Russia (d) Italy (e) None of these

Ans- (D)

36. Arab countries recently decided to impose Sanctions on which of the following countries as it has failed to check violence on its land ?

(a) Egypt (b) Kuwait (c) Syria  (d) Lebanon (e) Iran

Ans- (C)

37. Kangaroos won the last and final match to win series—was the news in some news papers some-times back. This means which country won the match and the series ?

(a) New Zealand (b) England (c) West Indies (d) Australia (e) South Africa

Ans- (D)

38. ‘Calorimeter’ is an instrument used to measure–

(a) Electric current (b) Heat (c) Velocity of sound (d) Altitude (e) Atmospheric pressure

Ans- (B)

39. Which of the following countries is not a member of newly formed Eurasian Union?

(a) Russia (b) Belarus (c) Kazakhstan (d) Croatia (e) All are members of Eurasian Union

Ans- (D)

40. Govt. of India recently decided to allow more FDI in retail. This means which of the following companies will be benefitted by this decision ?

(a) Wal Mart (b) Hindalco (c) Infosys (d) Air India (e) Glaxo Smithkline Pharma

Ans- (A)

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41. Which of the following states has decided to launch Right to Play Act in the state to promote sportsmanship in its children and youth ?

(a) Delhi (b) Uttar Pradesh (c) Haryana (d) Maharashtra (e) Gujarat

Ans- (C)

42. ‘Dhamra’ where an all weather port is developed, is in which of the following states ?

(a) West Bengal (b) Odisha (c) Gujarat  (d) Maharashtra (e) Tamil Nadu

Ans- (B)

43. Miss Ivian Sarcos who was crowned Miss World 2011 is from which of the following countries?

(a) Russia (b) France (c) Brazil (d) Venezuela (e) Italy

Ans- (D)

44. Who among the following has written the novel ‘Mandra’ which was awarded prestigious ‘Saraswati Samman’ recently ?

(a) S. L. Bhyrappa (b) Vishwanath Prasad Tiwari (c) Nirmal Verma (d) Shrilal Shukla (e) Arun Sadhu

Ans- (A)

45. Which of the following countries is on its way to becoming a full-fledged member of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) ?

(a) India (b) Brazil (c) USA (d) Russia (e) Australia

Ans- (D)

46. Who among the following is one of the Deputy Governors of the RBI?

(a) Shri U. K. Sinha (b) Shri Subir Gokaran

(c) Dr. M. S. Ahluwalia (d) Shri Ranjan Mathai

(e) None of these

Ans- (B)

47. The Govt. of India recently signed a peace pact with United People’s Democratic Solidarity (UPDS). The, pact will bring peace in which of the following states?

(a) Bihar (b) Madhya Pradesh (c) Assam (d) Jharkhand (e) Maharashtra

Ans- (C)

48. Which of the following terms is associated with the game of Lawn Tennis?

(a) Heave (b) Volley (c) Spikers (d) Hoops (e) Pitch

Ans- (B)

49. As per newspaper reports what per cent of Govt. stake will be disinvested in Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd. ?

(a) 5% (b) 7.5% (c) 10% (d) 12% (e) None of these

Ans- (C)

50. ASHA is a part of which of the following schemes launched by the Govt. of India?

(a) Operation Black Board (b) Mid Day Meal Scheme

(c) National Old Age Pension Scheme (d) National Rural Health Mission

(e) Bharat Nirman

Ans- (D) 

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Holidays to be observed in Central Government Offices during the year 2014 - Dopt order

F.No. 12/5/2013-JCA-2

Government of India

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions

(Department of Personnel and Training)

North Block, New Delhi

Dated the 11th June, 2013

Subject : Holidays to be observed in Central Government Offices during the year 2014.

It has been decided that the holidays as specified in the Annexure-I to this O.M. will be observed in all the Administrative Offices of the Central Government located at Delhi/New Delhi during the year 2014. In addition, each employee will also be allowed to avail himself/herself of any two holidays to be chosen by him/her out of the list of Restricted Holidays in Annexure-II.

2. Central Government Administrative Offices located outside Delhi / New Delhi shall observe the following holidays compulsorily in addition to three holidays as per para 3.1 below:

1. REPUBLIC DAY 

2. INDEPENDENCE DAY 

3. MAHATMA GANDHI'S BIRTHDAY 

4. BUDHA PURNIMA 

5. CHRISTMAS DAY 

6. DUSSEHRA (VIJAY DASHMI) 

7. DIWALI (DEEPAVALI) 

8. GOOD FRIDAY 

9. GURU NANAK'S BIRTHDAY 

10. IDU'L FITR 

11. IDU'L ZUHA 

12. MAHAVIR JAYANTI 

13. MUHARRAM 

14. PROPHET MOHAMMAD'S BIRTHDAY (ID-E-MILAD)

3.1. In addition to the above 14 Compulsory holidays mentioned in para 2, three holidays shall be decided from the list indicated below by the Central Government Employees Welfare Coordination Committee in the State Capitals, if necessary, in consultation with Coordination Committees at other places in the State. The finallist applicable uniformly to all Central Government offices within the concerned State shall be notified accordingly and no change can be carried out thereafter. It is also clarified that no change is permissible in regard to festivals and dates as indicated.

1. AN ADDITIONAL DAY FOR DUSSEHRA 

2. HOLI 

3. JANAMASHTAMI (VAISHNAVI) 

4. RAM NAVAMI 

5. MAHA SHIVRATRI 

6. GANESH CHATURTHI / VINAYAK CHATURTHI 

7. MAKAR SANKARANTI 

8. RATH YATRA 

9. ONAM 

10. PONGAL 

11. SRI PANCHAMI / BASANTA PANCHAMI 

12. VISHU/ VAISAKHI / VAISAKHADI / BHAG BIHU / MASHADI UGADI / CHAITRA SUKLADI / CHAUTH

3.2 No substitute holiday should be allowed if any of the festival holidays initially declared subsequently happens to fall on a weekly off or any other non-working day or in the event of more than one festivals falling on the same day.

4. The list of Restricted Holidays appended to this O.M. is meant for Central Government Offices located in Delhi / New Delhi. The Coordination Committees at the State Capitals may draw up separate list of Restricted Holidays keeping in view the occasions of local importance but the 9 occasions left over, after choosing the 3 variable holidays in para 3.1 above, are to be included in the list of restricted holidays.

5.1 For offices in Delhi / New Delhi, any change in the date of holidays in respect of Idu’l Fitr, Idu’l Zuha, Muharram and Id-e-Milad, if necessary, depending upon sighting of the Moon, would be declared by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions after ascertaining the position from the Govt. of NCT of Delhi (DCP, Special Branch, Delhi Police).

5.2 For offices outside Delhi / New Delhi, the Central Government Employees Welfare Coordination Committees at the State Capitals are authorised to change the date of holiday, if necessary, based on the decision of the concerned State Governments / Union Territories, in respect of Idu’l Fitr, Idu’l Zuha, Muharram and Id-e-Milad.

5.3 It may happen that the change of date of the above occasions has to be declared at a very short notice. In such a situation, announcement could be made through P.I.B. /T.V. / A.I.R. / Newspapers and the Heads of Departments/ Offices of the Central Government may take action accordìng to such an announcement without waiting for a formal order about the change of date.

6. During 2014, Diwali (Deepavali) falls on Thursday, October 23, 2014 (Kartika 01). In certain States, the practice is to celebrate the occasion a day in advance, i.e., on "Narakachaturdasi Day". In view of this, there is no objection if holiday on account of Deepavali is observed on "Naraka Chaturdasi Day" (in place of Deepavali Day) for the Central Government Offices in a State if in that State, that day alone is declared as a compulsory holiday for Diwali for the offices of the State Government.

7. Central Government Organisations which include industrial, commercial and trading establishments would observe up to 16 holidays in a year including three national holidays viz. Republic Day, Independence Day and Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday, as compulsory holidays. The remaining holidays / occasions may be determined by such establishments / organisations themselves for the year 2014, subject to para 3.2 above.

8. Union Territory Administrations shall decide the list of holidays in terms of instructions issued in this regard by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

9. In respect of Indian Missions abroad, the number of holidays may be notified in accordance with the instructions contained in this Department’s O.M.No. 12/5/2002-JCA dated 17th December, 2002. In other words, they will have the option to select only 13(Thirteen) holidays of their own after including in the list, three National Holidays and Mahavir Jayanti included in the list of compulsory holidays and falling on day of weekly off.

10. In respect of Banks, the holidays shall be regulated in terms of the extant instructions issued by the Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance.

11. Hindi version will follow.

sd/-

(Ashok Kumar)

Deputy Secretary (JCA)

Encl.: Lists of holidays

Source: www.persmin.nic.in

[http://ccis.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D2/D02est/12_5_2013-JCA-2-11062013.pdf]

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The advantages and disadvantages of Twitter

Advantages of Twitter : 

• Twitter is a free Social Network and very easy to Join. 
• You can connect with many famous starts and celebrity by using Twitter. Most of the famous people are now using twitter to provide message to their followers. It is one of the best way to stay connected with famous people. 
• It is free and also free from advertisements. You don’t have to face problem with bunch of advertisements like other social networking sites do. 
• It very easy to use. In twitter you just need to follow people to get news and updates, tweet or re-tweet, mark favorite , send tweet by mentioning specific people , send message and that’s all. 
• You can use twitter to get the followers know about your new business, product, service, website, blog, eBook, etc. We can hope that Other twitter users might click your link and hopefully invest in a product or service you offer
• Twitter has lots of application by which you can do lots of interesting stuff. 
• Twitter apps are available for every smart phones. 
• Twitter Sms service give you the opportunity to get the notification instantly . 
• You can use your Twitter ID to login to many sites or post comment. 
• Twitter has lots of user , so you can find lots of people and make lots of friends. 

Disadvantages of Twitter:

• Most of the Twitter accounts are either inactive or not used regularly. 
• Twitter has lots of spamming problem. Many users using twitters only to promote their website, blog, article, products etc. 
• Twitter often is overloaded and you can’t use it for a while 
• Many users will try scam you by sending you spammy message or tweets 
• Beside tweeting and sharing a pictures there is nothing much to do where Facebook offers verities of stuff. 
• It’s not as effective as Facebook in Business prospective views. If you are looking for traffic to your product, website or service then Facebook Fan pages can bring more traffic then Twitter account. 
• You really need lots of followers to get success in twitter in promoting your stuff online
• A lot of people try to obtain many followers by purchasing rogue software. Not only the app fails, it also marks a user as spam and banns his/her profile permanently. 

Courtesy : http://bnjho.blogspot.in