Daily Current Affairs: 13 March 2014

1) Dec 16 gangrape: Delhi HC upholds death penalty to 4 convicts: The Delhi High Court on Thursday upheld the death sentence awarded to the four convicts in the brutal gangrape and murder of a 23-year-old girl in Delhi on December 16, 2012 that shook the nation’s conscience and led to widespread protests. A bench of justices Reva Khetrapal and Pratibha Rani confirmed the sentence of Akshay Thakur, Vinay Sharma, Pawan Gupta and Mukesh, saying the offence committed by them falls in the category of rarest of the rare and upheld their conviction.

2) World Kidney Day observed across the World: World Kidney Day was observed on 13 March 2014 with the theme, Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and aging. World Kidney Day is observed annually on the second Thursday in March. World Kidney Day is celebrated to raise awareness of the importance of our kidneys to our overall health and to reduce the frequency and impact of kidney disease and its associated health problems worldwide.

3) India joined search for missing Malayasian plane: India today joined the global search for the Malayasian aircraft by deploying three warships along with around four surveillance aircraft including the latest P-8I anti-submarine warfare plane. Three warships have been despatched from Andaman and Nicobar Command including INS Kumbhir and INS Saryu from Navy and Coast Guard Ship Kanaklata Baruah to the areas specified by the Malaysian Government, Navy officials said. The Beijing-bound Malaysia Airlines Boeing-777 plane, with 239 people including five Indians on board, vanished over the South China Sea on Friday an hour after taking off from Kuala Lumpur.

4) US court dismissed Devyani’s indictment in visa fraud case: In a major relief to Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade, a US court has granted her motion to dismiss the indictment on visa fraud charges, saying she had full diplomatic immunity when the indictment was returned against her on January 9. In a 14-page order, US District Judge Shira Scheindlin said it is “undisputed” that Khobragade acquired full diplomatic immunity from the State Department at 5:47 pm on January 8. The judge said Khobragade did not lose that immunity until her departure for India on January 9.

5) Rajasthan Royals tied up with Australian varsity: Australia’s Deakin University has tied up with IPL team Rajasthan Royals. Under the sports education partnership, faculty from Deakin University’s Sports Management department will work with the Rajasthan Royals on team branding, sports marketing, and fan engagement.

6) Hero launched Splendor iSmart at Rs 47,250: The country’s largest two-wheeler maker Hero MotoCorp on Thursday launched its all-new Splendor iSmart bike, equipped with stop-and-start i3S technology, priced at Rs 47,250 (ex-showroom Delhi). The Splendor iSmart, which was showcased at the recently held Auto Expo, aims at further consolidating Hero MotoCorp’s leadership position in the 100cc segment, the company said in a statement.

7) Nandan Nilekani resigned as UIDAI chairman: Infosys co-founder and face of UPA government's flagship 'Aadhar' programme, Nandan Nilekani on Thursday resigned as chairman of Unique Identification Authority of India, three days after joining Congress. Nilekani, who will contest Lok Sabha polls from Bangalore South, said he has submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

8) Sahara chief Subrata Roy to remain in jail, SC rejects bail plea: The Supreme Court on Thursday rejected Sahara chief Subrata Roy's petition to be released from custody. The SC bench said that without a fresh refund proposal from Sahara, it can not consider Subrata Roy's interim bail plea.

9) Election Commission increased polling time by two hours for Lok Sabha polls:  The Election Commission on Thursday increased polling time by two hours for upcoming Lok Sabha and assembly elections to enable greater participation of voters in the electoral process. Now, people, including those living in hill areas, will be able to cast their votes between 7 AM and 6 PM while in Naxal-hit areas polling would be held between 7 am and 4 pm. Polling was earlier held between 8 am and 5 pm while in North-East it started at 7 am.

10) Akhilesh Gupta elected President of Indian Meteorological Society: Akhilesh Gupta has been elected President of the Indian Meteorological Society for a two-year term from 2014. Gupta, 50, will be the youngest-ever President of the Society, a spokesman said. Established in 1956, the society is a non-profit organisation that promotes the advancement, dissemination of knowledge, and application of meteorology and related sciences.

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Employment News: Job Highlights ( 08th – 14th March 2014)

1. South Eastern Coalfields Limited

Name of the Post - Mining Sirdar

No. of the Post – 700

Last Date : 25.03.2014

2.  Mahanadi Coalfields Limited

Name of the Post - Security Gaurd, Clerk and Translator

No. of the Post – 319

Last Date : 31.03.2014

3. Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL)

Name of the Post - Mining Foreman and Mining Mate

No. of the Post – 64

Last Date : 29.03.2014

4. Jawaharlal Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry

Name of the Post - Professors & Assistant Professors

No. of Vacancies – 61

Last Date : 14.04.2014

5.  Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)

Name of the Post - Scientist/Engineer ‘SC’ (Electrical, Civil &Air Condition)

No. of the Post – 17

Last Date : 21.03.2014

6.  National Highways Authority of India

Name of the Post - GM (Technician, Finance & Accounts and Administration)

No. of the Post – 17

Last Date : 09.04.2014

Source: www.employmentnews.gov.in

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Current Affairs Questions: 01 & 02 March 2014

1) Former Army chief General VK Singh on 1 March 2014 joined which political party?

(A) BJP

(B) Congress

(C) Aam Aadmi

(D) CPI (M)

2) Zero Discrimination Day was recently observed on?

(A) 28 February 2014

(B) 4 March 2014

(C) 21 February 2014

(D) 1 March 2014

3) Government of India on 27 February 2014 constituted one-man expert committee to study and examine the demand of a separate Bodoland state. Who will head the one man committee?

(A) Justice Ashok Kumar Mathur

(B) G K Pillai

(C) Justice KG Balakrishnan

(D) Saurabh Chandra

4) Pranab Mukherjee approved Telangana Bill for creation of 29th state of India on 1 March 2014. How many districts Telengana state will be having?

(A) 5

(B) 7

(C) 10

(D) 14

5) Afghanistan cricket team scripted history by winning their first ODI match against a test playing nation beating which nation on 1 March 2014?

(A) Sri Lanka

(B) Bangladesh

(C) India

(D) Pakistan

6)  Cabinet on 2 March 2014 approved the inclusion of which community in the central list of OBCs that defines the eligibility for 27% Mandal reservations?

(A) Jats

(B) Jains

(C) Aheri

(D) Chilluva

7) Which country won the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2014 on 1 March 2014?

(A) Pakistan

(B) South Africa

(C) India

(D) Australia

8) Which club won the Capital One football Cup in the final held at Wembley on 2 March 2014?

(A) Manchester City

(B) Chelsea

(C) Sunderland

(D) Barcelona

9) Nishi Vasudeva on 1 March 2014 became the first woman to become head of a prominent blue-chip PSU. Identify that PSU?

(A) Hindustan Petroleum Corp Ltd

(B) Air India

(C) Bharat Heavy Electricals

(D) Bharat Petroleum Corporation

10) Who won the Dubai tennis championship on 2 March 2014?

(A) Roger Federer

(B) Novak Djokovic

(C) Rafael Nadal

(D) Andy Murray

Answers

1) Ans. (A) BJP

2) Ans. (D) 1 March 2014

3) Ans. (B) G K Pillai

4) Ans. (C) 10

5) Ans. (B) Bangladesh

6) Ans. (A) Jats

7) Ans. (B) South Africa

8) Ans. (A) Manchester City

9) Ans.  (A) Hindustan Petroleum Corp Ltd

10) Ans. (A) Roger Federer

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Civil Services (Main) Examination 2013- Result Declared

 On the basis of the results of the Civil Services (Main) Examination, 2013 held by the Union Public Service Commission in December, 2013, the candidates with the under mentioned Roll Numbers have qualified for Personality Test for selection to the Indian Administrative Service, Indian Foreign Service, Indian Police Service and other Central Services (Group ‘A’ and Group ‘B’).

2. Candidature of these candidates is provisional subject to their being found eligible in all respects. The candidates will be required to produce the original certificates in support of their claims pertaining to age, educational qualifications, community, physical handicap and other documents such as Questionnaire, Attestation Form and TA Form, etc. at the time of their Personality Test. The formats of SC/ST/OBC and PH certificates and Questionnaire, Attestation Form and TA Form, etc. can be downloaded from the website of the Commission. They are, therefore, advised to keep the said documents ready with them.

3. Personality Test of these candidates is likely to commence from 7th April, 2014. Personality Tests will be held in the Office of the Union Public Service Commission at Dholpur House, Shahjahan Road, New Delhi-110069. The date and time of Personality Test is being intimated to the qualified candidates individually. The date and time of Personality Test of candidates being called for Personality Test will be displayed on the Commission’s Website http://www.upsc.gov.in. The candidates who do not receive communication regarding their Personality Test, should immediately contact the office of the Commission through letter or on Phone Nos. 011-23385271, 011-23381125, 011-23098543 or Fax No. 011-23387310, 011-23384472.

4. No request for change in the date and time of the Personality Test intimated to the candidates will be entertained.

5. The candidates are advised to notify changes in their address, if any, to the Commission immediately through letter or Fax at Telephone numbers indicated above.

6. The marks sheets of candidates who have not qualified, will be put on the Commission’s Website within 15 days from the date of publication of the final result (after conducting Personality Test) and will remain available on the Website for a period of 60 days.

7. In terms of Hon’ble CAT directions, the result of one candidate (Roll No.190192) has been withheld and shall be kept in sealed cover subject to the outcome of the O.A.

View Result: Click Here

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Daily Current Affairs Updates: 12 March 2014

1) IPL to start in UAE on April 16, ends in India on June 1: The IPL will start on April 16 in the UAE and is likely to be held in three phases across three countries, ending in India on June 1. A detailed schedule of dates and venues is yet to be finalised but an IPL announcement said that the first 16 matches would be held in the UAE from April 16 followed by a set of matches between May 1 and 12 to be held in either Bangladesh or, the Indian Home Ministry permitting, in India. This move was taken due to upcoming Lok Sabha poll which will be held during the same time.

2) Rakesh Sethi appointed new chairman, managing director of Allahabad Bank: Rakesh Sethi has become the new chairman and managing director of Allahabad Bank. "Allahabad Bank has informed BSE that the Government of India...have appointed Rakesh Sethi as Chairman and Managing Director of the Bank with effect from the date of his taking over the charge," it said in a regulatory filing. He succeeds Shubhalakshmi Panse.

3) Chhattisgarh Maoist attack: Shinde, Raman Singh pay homage to martyrs: Home minister Sushilkumar Shinde and Chhattisgarh chief minister Raman Singh on Wednesday paid homage to martyrs killed in Sukma Maoist attack. Earlier condemning the Maoist attack on security forces in Chhattisgarh, Shinde had warned that the Centre will take strict action. "I condemn this attack on the CRPF and the police of Chhattisgarh. This has happened for the second time in the same area. We have taken this very seriously," said Shinde.

4) SpiceJet, Boeing ink mega deal: SpiceJet places order for 42 737 MAX jets with Boeing. The biggest-ever deal of Rs.26,000 crore ($4.4 billion) at an Indian air show was signed between Boeing and SpiceJet as the India Aviation-2014 got off to a flying start here on Wednesday. The MoU was inked between the two companies in the presence of Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh during the inaugural session of the five-day India Aviation-2014 show with SpiceJet placing the order for 42 Next Generation 737 MAX 8 aircraft with Boeing.

5) Ram Kripal Yadav joined BJP: Rebel Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Ram Kripal Yadav, who is keen to contest from the Patliputra Lok Sabha seat in Bihar against RJD chief Lalu Prasad's daughter Misa Bharti, on Wednesday joined the BJP.

6) Twitter crashed -- again: The Twitter website crashed on Tuesday -- the social network's second outage in the past nine days. Twitter was down for about an hour because of complications stemming from a planned upgrade of the site, according to the site's status page.

7) India's largest civil aviation exhibition inaugurated: India's largest civil aviation exhibition, India Aviation-2014 (International Exhibition & Conference on Civil Aviation) inaugurated at Begumpet Airport, Hyderabad. This is the 4th year of the exhibition.

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Daily Current Affairs: 11 March 2014

1) Japan marks 3rd anniversary of Fukushima quake-tsunami disaster: Japan marks the third anniversary of the quake-tsunami disaster which swept away 18,000 victims, destroyed coastal communities, and sparked a nuclear emergency that forced a re-think on atomic power. Remembrance ceremonies was held in towns and cities around the disaster zone and in the capital Tokyo, where Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko are to lead tributes to those who lost their lives in Japan's worst peace-time disaster.

2) Akhilesh Gupta elected president of Indian Meteorological Society: Head of the Climate Change Programme at the Department of Science and Technology, Akhilesh Gupta, has been elected as President of the Indian Meteorological Society for 2014-16. He succeeds Shailesh Nayak, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences. He will serve as president of the Indian Meteorological Society during 2014-16. His career includes a spell as Secretary to the University Grants Commission during 2012-13. He also served as Advisor to Kapil Sibal, when he was the Minister for Science and Technology.

3) Bangladesh all ready to host World T20: The roads leading to the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium are unfailing reminders that the World T20 — set to be held in Bangladesh between March 16 and April 6 — is upon us. There are billboards, arches, and a countdown-clock outside the Stadium emblazoned with the logo of the mega event. The tournament will be held from March 16 to April 6.

4) Max Life Insurance tied up with Toyota Financial Services: Max Life Insurance has tied up with Toyota Financial Services India Ltd to provide insurance cover to car loan customers.“This alliance has been formed to provide insurance cover for car loan customers of Toyota Financial Services under a Max Life group product called Max Life Group Credit Life Secure,” the companies said in a joint statement.

5) World Longest aircraft Airlander unveiled in Britain: World Longest aircraft Airlander or HAV304 was unveiled at Cardington in Bedfordshire, Britain in the first week of March. The aircraft looks like a giant blimp and is being manufactured by the Hybrid Air Vehicles Ltd (HAV).

6) Heena Sidhu and Chain Singh won Gold at 7th Asian Air Gun Championship: Heena Sidhu on 10 March 2014 won the Gold medal in the Women’s Air pistol event at the 7th Asian Air Gun Championship in Kuwait. Heena topped the qualification stage with 386 and won the Gold medal with a score of 200.3, Chia Ying Wu of Chinese Taipei won the Silver (198.3) and Wadha Al Balushi from Oman won the Bronze (177.3). Chain Singh won the Gold with a score of 206.0. While the Silver and Bronze were won by Chinese Qin Cong (204.5) and Liu Zhinguo (183.7) respectively.

7) National Archives of India celebrated 124th Foundation Day: The National Archives of India celebrated 124th Foundation Day on 11 March 2014 (founded on 11th March 1891 as Imperial Records Department at Imperial Secretariat Building, Calcutta). National Archive : "repository of non-current records of permanent value of Government of India. 

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Declaration of Holiday on 14th April, 2014 – Birthday of Dr.B.R. Ambedkar

F. No.12/4/2014-JCA-2

Government of India

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions

(Department of Personnel & Training)

North Block, New Delhi

Dated the 12th March, 2014.

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Declaration of Holiday on 14th April, 2014 – Birthday of Dr.B.R. Ambedkar.

It has been decided to declare Monday, the 14th April 2014, as a Closed Holiday on account of the birthday of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, for all Central Government Offices including Industrial Establishments throughout India.

2. The above holiday is also being notified in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 (26 of

1881).

3. All Ministries/Departments of Government of India may bring the above decision to the notice of all concerned.

sd/-

(Ashok Kumar)

Deputy Secretary to the Government of India

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10th March 2014: Daily Current Affairs Updates

1) Sensex hits record high, crossed 22,000: The BSE Sensex hit a record high for the third consecutive session on Monday, crossing the 22,000 mark for the first time. The broader Nifty also hit a record high in early trade. The all-time high for the Sensex standed at 22,005.54.

Know Sensex?- TheS&P BSE SENSEX (S&P Bombay Stock Exchange Sensitive Index), also-called the BSE 30 or simply the SENSEX, is a free-float market-weighted stock market index of 30 well-established and financially sound companies listed on Bombay Stock Exchange. The 30 component companies which are some of the largest and most actively traded stocks, are representative of various industrial sectors of the Indian economy. Published since 1 January 1986, the S&P BSE SENSEX is regarded as the pulse of the domestic stock markets in India.

2) Vishnu Prasad wins Motorsport ‘person of the year’ award: Vishnu Prasad and Gaurav Gill got tremendous applause at the FMSCI (Federation of Motor Sports Club of India) 2013 awards function. The former was named the Motorsport Person of the Year, the latter became the first Indian to win the APRC title. Scrutineer K. Krishnamurthy was given a standing ovation on Saturday night after being chosen for the Lifetime Achievement award. Vishnu’s talent came to the fore at the JK Tyre Racing India Series, emerging the senior national karting champion in FB02 car at the FMSCI JK Tyre National Rotax Max Karting.

3) Vice President of Afghanistan Marshal Mohammad Qasim Fahim died: Vice President of Afghanistan Marshal Mohammad Qasim Fahim died on 9 March 2014 due to natural cause. He died at the age of 56. He was formerly known as one of the country's much feared warlords. Fahim was a leader of the Tajik ethnic minority. He was senior Vice President under President Hamid Karzai.

4) Shane Watson to lead Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2014: Australian all-rounder Shane Watson will captain Rajasthan Royals in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL). Watson has been with the Royals since the inaugural season in 2008. Former captain Rahul Dravid, who retired from all forms of cricket in 2013, will be involved in all aspects of cricket strategy — mentoring the team and guide youth and talent development initiatives for the franchise.

5) Nokia marks the X at Rs. 8,599: Finnish handset maker Nokia, on Monday, launched Nokia X, based on the Android operating system, in the domestic market with a price tag of Rs.8,599. Besides, the company said, it would introduce two more devices as part of the Nokia X family — Nokia X+ and Nokia XL. The dual SIM Nokia X is a 4-inch device, powered by a 1 GHz dual core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor.

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Whether Postal/Sorting Assistant Exam 2014 Notification is fake??? Answer is Big NO.....

(This post is just to wipe out the confusion among PA/SA Exam Aspirants and the views expressed below are the views of the Administrators of this blog, being written for the help of candidates and nothing below should be treated as official).

Friends...the basis of this post "Whether Postal/Sorting Assistant Exam 2014 Notification is fake?" is this news paper cutting that appeared in last weeks Dainik Bhaskar's Patna Edition.

Ever since the news appeared in the news paper and followed by sharing on various Postal Assistant Exam facebook pages and groups including ours ( Postal Assistant Examination) we have been flooding with queries from all over India. We first noticed the news when it was shared by one of our friend in our page raising the question. We first thought that it might be a photo created by someone for joke to just to create panic among the aspirants. Later only it was confirmed that it was a piece of news item appeared in a news paper. To all those who have raised questions in our blog/fb page we have clearly replied that "Some fake news are being spread to misguide the aspirants..don't belive in those." from the starting itself. We are still receiving the same questions and hence thought of publishing this post.

The article in newspaper said that the recruitment for PA/SA 2014 is fake and DoP website was hacked and somebody posted some external links (www.pasadrexam2014.in) and that website is being maintained by a private person. Even the telephonic conversation with that person was given.

The truth is: The Postal Department is conducting the PA/SA Exam 2014 through an approved outsourced agency viz. M/s CMC Limited. All process including accepting of application till creation of final rank list is being done by this approved outsourced agency. Hence, the website www.pasadrexam2014.in is also being maintained by that agency.

May be the author of the newspaper report have overlooked into this without knowing the actual facts.

Reasons to believe and truth:

1) The notification for PA/SA DR Exam 2014 was released on 21 February 2014 by the Recruitment wing of DoP and was first published in the India Post website on 24 Feb 2014 morning. As soon as it was made available we have published the news regarding PA/SA Exam 2014 in our blog as well as our facebook page. Read that notification: Click Here.

2) Even though the same has now been removed from the home page of India Post to accomodate new events, it is still available under the Opportunites link as item No. 4. To view : Click Here.

3) The revised Revised Procedure, scheme and syllabus for filling up of the post of Postal Assistant / Sorting Assistant dated 21 February 2014 was also made available in the India Post Webiste and it still available. To view: Click Here.

4) The advertisement regarding the recruitment was published by each circle in two leading newspapers in each state also. Many of you might have seen that also.

5) Notice regarding the Revision of Cost of Application Fee and Examination fee in respect of Postal Assistant Direct Recruitment has also been published in India Post website. To view: Click Here.

6) Separte circulars regarding the mode of fee acceptance through ePayment has also been circulated internally and letter and instructions have been issued to all ePayment Post Offices. Since 26.02.14 all ePayment Post Offices are accepting the fees also. (Can't believe why the author has not looked into this :( )

7) The advertsiment regarding the exam is now available in all most all leading employment newspapers, websites etc.

8) The website www.pasadrexam2014.in is also functioning successfully except a few technical glitches at times when the server gets busy due to too many requests. About 9 lakh candidates have already registered when almost half the time span for last date is covered.

Hence, friends...it is once again clarified that there is nothing to panic. The recruitment being conducted for PA/SA 2014 is fair and there is nothing to worry about. Those who have not yet applied may make it fast as last date is 27 March 2014. In case of any further doubts comment below or contact us on our facebook page.

To view Model Questions for PA/SA Exam 2014: Click Here

To view Previous Questions: Click Here.

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Current Affairs Quiz Questions: 27 & 28 February 2014| Useful for all upcoming Exams

1) The largest 130-MW Solar Power Plant of India was launched on 26 February 2014 at which state?

(A) Rajasthan

(B) Uttar Pradesh

(C) Madhya Pradesh

(D) Gujarat

2) Ibrahim Mahlab has recently (Feb 2014) sworn in as Prime Minister of?

(A) Egypt

(B) Syria

(C) Libya

(D) Italy

3) Which Bank has recently (Feb 2014) launched ’branch on wheels’ in Odisha as part its financial inclusion plan to provide banking services in remote villages in the state which are devoid of banking facilities?

(A) State Bank of India

(B) Federal Bank

(C) ICICI Bank

(D) Axis Bank

4) Supreme Court on 27 February 2014 referred the issue of legalising euthanasia in the country to a .......-judge Constitution bench, saying there has been “inconsistent” opinion in its previous verdicts?

(A) 2

(B) 7

(C) 4

(D) 5

5) Government has recently (Feb 2014) constituted G K Pillai committee to look into the viability of carving out a separate Bodoland state from which state?

(A) Rajasthan

(B) Assam

(C) Uttar Pradesh

(D) Andhra Pradesh

6) National Science Day was celebrated across the nation on 28 February 2014. What was the theme for the day this year?

(A) Genetically Modified Crops and Food Security

(B) Chemistry in Daily Life

(C) Fostering Scientific Temper and Energy conservation

(D) Gender Equity, Science & Technology for Sustainable Development

7) Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram on 27 February 2014 inaugurated the country’s first post office savings bank ATM at?

(A) Chennai

(B) Delhi

(C) Mumbai

(D) Thiruvananthapuram

8) Union Cabinet on 28 Feb 2014 recommended imposition of President’s Rule in Andhra Pradesh while keeping the Assembly in suspended animation. Who is the present Governor of Andhra Pradesh?

(A) Najeeb Jung

(B) Kamla Beniwal

(C) H. R. Bhardwaj

(D) E. S. L. Narasimhan

9)  The Government on 28 Feb 2014 raised dearness allowance to ....... per cent, from 90 per cent, benefiting its 50 lakh employees and 30 lakh pensioners?

(A) 95

(B) 93

(C) 100

(D) 101

10) Who won the Gandhi Peace Prize for 2013?

(A) Desmond Tutu

(B) Chandi Prasad Bhatt

(C) Nelson Mandela

(D) Baba Amte

Answers

1) Ans. (C) Madhya Pradesh

2) Ans. (A) Egypt

3) Ans. (C) ICICI Bank

4) Ans. (D) 5

5) Ans. (B) Assam

6) Ans. (C) Fostering Scientific Temper and Energy conservation

7) Ans. (A) Chennai

8) Ans. (D) E. S. L. Narasimhan

9) Ans.  (C) 100
10) (B) Chandi Prasad Bhatt

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Daily Current Affairs: 09 March 2014

1) Mizoram clinched their maiden Santosh Trophy: Mizoram gave a fairy-tale finishing to its most successful campaign in the senior National football championship by towering over former champion Railways 3-0 in the final and annexed the maiden Santosh Trophy in style. Making its first appearance in the final on Sunday, Mizoram conquered a diffident start to overpower a well-prepared Railways and gifted a big gathering of its passionate supporters at the Kanchenjungha Stadium a memorable evening.

Know where final phase Santosh Trophy held?-  Siliguri, West Bengal between February 24 - March 9, 2014.

2) Nandan Nilekani is now officially a Congressman: There has never been a grander entry into the grand old party, at least at its Karnataka unit headquarters. On Sunday, scores of party workers milled about and as many mediapersons rubbed shoulders to get the best shot or catch the best byte as Nandan Nilekani, co-founder of Infosys and chairman of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), formally joined the Congress. Perhaps one of the few candidates in the recent history of the 129-year-old party to have had the privilege of securing an election nomination before joining the side, the Congress candidate for Bangalore South took the battle straight into his camp.

3) Virat Kohli reclaims No.1 spot in the ICC ODI batting ranking: India’s Virat Kohli has reclaimed the number one position in the latest ICC Player Rankings for ODI Batsmen, which were released on Sunday after the conclusion of the Asia Cup. Kohli had entered the Asia Cup, trailing number one ranked South African batsman AB de Villiers by two ratings points.

4) Ford Motor Co. leader William Clay Ford dies at 88: William Clay Ford Sr., who helped steer Ford Motor Co. for more than five decades and owned the National Football League's Detroit Lions, has died at the age of 88. The company said in a statement Sunday that Ford died of pneumonia at his home. He was the last surviving grandson of company founder Henry Ford.

5) Indian Author Pankaj Mishra wins $150,000 Yale literary prize: Award-winning Indian author Pankaj Mishra is among eight writers from seven countries who have won a $1,50,000 Yale University prize each in recognition of their literary achievements. Essayist and novelist Mishra has been selected for the prestigious Windham Campbell Literature prize in the non-fiction category, Yale University said on Saturday.

6) Lee regains Badminton All-England Open title:  Lee Chong Wei produced one of his finest performances despite an ankle problem to regain the All-England Open title doing so with an impressively emphatic straight games win over Chen Long in Birmingham on Sunday. The world number one from Malaysia beat the titleholder from China 21-13, 21-18 -- revenge for his loss to Chen in the final last year -- for his third All-England trophy and then admitted he may not be back to try and win a fourth title.

7) Former Foreign Secretary Jagat Singh Mehta dead: Former Foreign Secretary Jagat Singh Mehta died here following age-related ailments. 92-year-old Mehta was ailing for sometime and passed away at his residence. He served as foreign secretary between 1976 and 1979.

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