Reserve Bank of India Grade ‘B’ Officers Exam Paper

General Awareness
(Exam Held on 6-2-2011)

1. What role do Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) play in a country’s economic and industrial development ?
1. They have the capacity to absorb skilled and unskilled labour available in the country.
2. Such institutions help in distribution of income in a wide spectrum and do not allow it to get concentrated in few hands or in few areas.
3. They help in eradication of poverty by providing selfemployment opportunities.
(A) Only 1
(B) Only 2
(C) Only 3
(D) Only 1 and 3
(E) All 1, 2 and 3
Ans : (E)

2. Which of the following statements about the Indian Economy is correct ?
(A) Indian economy is as developed as that of China
(B) About 70% Indians are involved in some type of selfemployment and are the owners of some or the other micro or small enterprise
(C) In India single biggest employment is agriculture and allied activities
(D) About 48% Indian workforce is employed in foreign countries or in organizations assisted by foreign capital
(E) None of these
Ans : (C)

3. Which of the following is/are correct about the problems of Indian Agriculture ?
1. Large agricultural subsidies are hampering productivity—enhancing investments.
2. Irrigation infrastructure is in bad shape and needs immediate improvement.
3. Frequent takeovers of fertile land by private companies and multinationals to launch big business complexes.
(A) Only 1
(B) Only 1 and 2
(C) Only 1 and 3
(D) All 1, 2 and 3
(E) None of these
Ans : (D)


4. As per news in various journals, many banks have failed to achieve agri-loan target fixed by the RBI for the year 2010-11. What was the target fixed for the year ?
(A) 10%
(B) 15%
(C) 18%
(D) 24%
(E) 30%
Ans : (C)

5. Which of the following statements about Agro and Allied activities is not correct ?
(A) Farmers do not get adequate credit for purchase of cattle
(B) There is a need to improve breed and genetic characteristics of the cattle folk
(C) India has huge forest cover and also degraded and marshy land which can be used for productive purposes
(D) India is the 10th largest producer of medicinal and aromatic plants. But the products are not of commercial value
(E) Animal husbandry plays an important role in providing sustainability under Rain fed conditions
Ans : (C)

6. Which of the following schemes launched by the Govt. of India aims at enhancing the livelihood security of the people in rural areas by guaranteeing hundred days of employment in a financial year to a rural household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work ?
(A) TRYSEM
(B) Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana
(C) Kutir Jyoti Scheme
(D) ASHA
(E) MGNREGA
Ans : (E)

7. In some parts of India, farmers face acute distress because of heavy burden of debt from noninstitutional lenders. Who can be called a non-institutional lender ?
(A) Small Banks
(B) Grameen Banks
(C) Credit Cooperative Societies
(D) Micro Finance Institutions
(E) Money Lenders
Ans : (E)

8. The South Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) was introduced with a view of levying how much custom duty for trading any product within the SAARC zone ?
(A) 5%
(B) 4%
(C) 2%
(D) 1%
(E) No custom duty
Ans : (E)

9. Which of the following organisation prepares rural credit plans on annual basis for all districts in India, which in turn from the base for annual credit plans of all rural financial institutions ?
(A) SIDBI
(B) NABARD
(C) RBI
(D) Indian Bank’s Association
(E) CII
Ans : (B)

10. Which of the following is TRUE about the current population trend(s) in India ?
1. Every year India adds more people to the world’s population than any other country.
2. Currently India has a young population which will grow somewhat older largely as a result of decline in fertility.
3. The National Family Planning Programme did not contribute much in controlling fertility rate
(A) Only 1
(B) Only 2
(C) Only 3
(D) Only 1 and 2
(E) All 1, 2 and 3
Ans : (D)

11. In economic terms, which of the following factors determine the ‘Individual’s demand’ of a product/commodity ?
1. Price of a commodity.
2. Income of the individual.
3. Utility and quality of a commodity.
(A) Only 1
(B) Only 2
(C) Only 3
(D) Only 1 and 3
(E) All 1, 2 and 3
Ans : (E)

12. Which of the following terms is used in the field of economics ?
(A) Adiabatic
(B) Bohr Theory
(C) Plasma
(D) Barter System
(E) Viscosity
Ans : (D)

13. “Pascal Lamy calls on trade negotiators to move out of their comfort zones towards agreements”, was the headline in some major newspapers. This news is associated with which of the following organizations/agencies ?
(A) World Trade Organization
(B) International Monetary Fund
(C) World Bank
(D) United Nations Organisations
(E) North Atlantic Treaty Organisation
Ans : (A)

14. Which of the following is not a function of the Planning Commission of India ?
(A) Assessment of the material, capital and human resources of the country
(B) Formulation of plans for the most effective and balanced utilization of country’s resources
(C) Public cooperation in national development
(D) Preparation of annual budget of the country and collection of taxes to raise capital for the implementation of the plans
(E) Determination of stages in which the plan should be carried out
Ans : (D)

15. Which of the following periods represents the period of the first Five Year Plan in India ?
(A) 1948 – 53
(B) 1947 – 52
(C) 1952 – 57
(D) 1950 – 55
(E) 1951 – 56
Ans : (E)

16. Which of the following is the name of the process available to common people to seek court’s intervention in matters of public interest ?
(A) Public Interest Litigation (PIL)
(B) Habeas Corpus
(C) Ordinance
(D) Residuary power
(E) None of these
Ans : (A)

17. India’s foreign policy is based on several principles, one of which is—
(A) Panchsheel
(B) Satyamev Jayate
(C) Live and Let Live
(D) Vasudhaiv Kutumbkam
(E) None of these
Ans : (A)

18. As we know thousands of tonnes of foodgrain was washed away in the floods in Haryana and Punjab a few months back. This incident is an example which indicates that there is a scope for improvement in our machinery controlling our—
(A) Mid Day Meal Scheme
(B) Public Distribution System
(C) Food for Work Programme
(D) Village Grain Bank Scheme
(E) Operation Flood Scheme
Ans : (B)

19. President Barack Obama was on a visit to India a few months back. His visit is said to have forged both the nations into a new era of relations. India managed to sign a special agreement with US in which of the following fields/areas as a byproduct of the visit of Obama ?
1. Energy sector and Nuclear energy as US has lifted sanctions on supply of high tech machines.
2. Skill Development Programmes in IT sector in which US has super-specialisation.
3. Training in management of Micro finance Institutions.
(A) Only 1
(B) Only 2
(C) Only 1 and 3
(D) Only 2 and 3
(E) Only 1 and 2
Ans : (A)

20. Many times we read a term ‘Tax Haven’ in various newspapers. What does it mean ?
1. It is a country where certain taxes are levied at a very low rate.
2. It is a country where people can dump their illegal money without any problem.
3. It is a place where foreigners can work without paying any tax on their income.
(A) Only 1 and 2
(B) Only 2
(C) Only 2 and 3
(D) Only 1
(E) All 1, 2 and 3
Ans : (E)

21. As per existing law, what is the minimum per day wages paid to a worker from unorganised sector in India ?
(A) 50
(B) 75
(C) 100
(D) 125
(E) No such law is there
Ans : (C)

22. Who amongst the following was awarded the “Indira Gandhi Peace Prize” for 2010 ?
(A) Ronald Noble
(B) Luiz Inacio Lula D’Silva
(C) Mohammed Elbaradei
(D) Aung San Su Kyi
(E) None of these
Ans : (B)

23. Which of the following is not a Poverty Eradication Programme launched by the Govt. of India ?
(A) Swarnjayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana
(B) Jawahar Gram Samridhi Yojana
(C) National Social Assistance Programme
(D) ADHAR
(E) National Family Benefit Scheme
Ans : (D)

24. According to the World Bank estimate about 40% Indians are living below International Poverty line of US $ —
(A) 1 per day
(B) 1•25 per day
(C) 2 per day
(D) 2•5 per day
(E) 3 per day
Ans : (B)

25. The 10th Trilateral Ministerial Meeting of RIC group was organized in November 2010. Who are the members of the RIC ?
(A) Russia—Iran—China
(B) Russia—India—China
(C) Romania—Iran—Canada
(D) Romania—Israel—Chile
(E) Russia—India—Croatia
Ans : (B)

26. India and Syria recently decided to double their trade in next 2 years. Indian Govt. has decided to export which of the following commodities to Syria ?
(A) Natural gas
(B) Milk
(C) Oil
(D) Wheat
(E) All of these
Ans : (E)

27. India has sanctioned a 26 million grant to which of the following countries for development of tube wells ?
(A) Myanmar
(B) Bangladesh
(C) Nepal
(D) Pakistan
(E) Sri Lanka
Ans : (C)

28. Which of the following is the name of the scheme launched by the Govt. of India for adolescent girls ? (Launched in November 2010)
(A) Swawlamban
(B) SABALA
(C) Aadhar
(D) ASHA
(E) None of these
Ans : (B)

29. Many times we see in financial journals/bulletins a term M3. What is M3 ?
(A) Currency in circulation on a particular day
(B) Total value of the foreign exchange on a particular day
(C) Total value of export credit on a given date
(D) Total value of the tax collected in a year
(E) None of these
Ans : (E)

30. As per news in various newspapers, Govt. has allocated a huge sum of 31,000 crore for ‘RTE’. What is full form of RTE ?
(A) Right of Education
(B) Reforms in Technical Education
(C) Return to Empowerment
(D) Right to Empowerment
(E) Renewable Technology for Energy
Ans : (A)

31. Which of the following is not a major function of the RBI in India ?
(A) Issuance of currency notes
(B) To facilitate external trade and payment and developing a foreign exchange market in India
(C) Maintaining price stability and ensuring adequate flow of credit to productive sectors
(D) Taking loans/credit from World Bank/IMF and ADB etc., and reallocating it for various activities decided by the Govt. of India
(E) Formulation and monitoring the monetary and credit policy
Ans : (C)

32. The RBI has regional offices at various places. At which of the following places it does not have an office ?
(A) Kota
(B) Shimla
(C) Lucknow
(D) Panaji
(E) Guwahati
Ans : (C)

33. Which of the following organizations/agencies has given a US $ 407 billion loan to India to boost up its micro finance services in unbanked areas ?
(A) IMF
(B) World Bank
(C) Bank of Japan
(D) ADB
(E) Jointly by IMF and ADB
Ans : (B)

34. The Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council (PMEAC) has projected that the Indian Exports will grow by what percentage during 2010-11 ?
(A) 15%
(B) 18%
(C) 22%
(D) 24%
(E) 28%
Ans : (B)

35. Which of the following organisations/agencies has given the estimate that the India will be third largest FDI recipient in 2010–12 ?
(A) UNCTAD
(B) WTO
(C) World Bank
(D) IMF
(E) None of these
Ans : (A)

36. The performance of which of the following industries is considered performance of a core industry ?
(A) Garments
(B) Leather
(C) IT
(D) Oil and Petroleum
(E) Handicrafts
Ans : (D)

37. Who amongst the following is not a recipient of Nobel Prize in economics ?
(A) Peter A. Diamond
(B) Dale T. Mortensen
(C) Amartya Sen
(D) Paul Krugman
(E) Robert G. Edwards
Ans : (E)

38. Basel Committee has given its recommendations on which of the following aspects of banking operations ?
(A) Marketing of bank products
(B) Priority sector lending
(C) Risk Management
(D) Micro financing
(E) All of these
Ans : (C)

39. Which of the following is the rank of India in Human Development Report 2010 prepared by the UNO ?
(A) 99
(B) 100
(C) 115
(D) 119
(E) None of these
Ans : (D)

40. Which of the following was/where the key objectives of the RBI’s review of Monetary and Credit Policy 2010-11 which was reviewed again on 2nd November 2010 ?
1. To sustain the anti inflationary thrust.
2. To maintain an interest rate regime consistent with price.
3. To provide extra tax incentives to exporters who were in stress due to market fluctuations.
(A) Only 1
(B) Only 2
(C) Only 1 and 2
(D) All 1, 2 and 3
(E) None of these
Ans : (A)

41. PIIGS is the group of nations falling under—
(A) Euro zone
(B) Asia Pacific
(C) SAARC
(D) NATO
(E) Commonwealth
Ans : (A)

42. Which of the following is/are the preconditions, the IMF has put to provide bail out package to Ireland ?
1. It should gradually lower down unemployment benefits.
2. It should bring down the minimum wages in order to boost employment.
3. It should import some of the crucial commodities from non euro countries as an immediate measure to improve shortage of the same.
(A) Only 1 and 2
(B) Only 2 and 3
(C) Only 1 and 3
(D) Only 1
(E) All 1, 2 and 3
Ans : (B)

43. India is self-sufficient in production of which of the following commodities ?
(A) Edible oil
(B) Milk
(C) Pulses
(D) Natural gas
(E) All of these
Ans : (B)

44. Which of the following is used as a fuel in Nuclear power stations in India ?
(A) Thorium
(B) Copper
(C) Tin
(D) Chromium
(E) All of these
Ans : (A)

45. Which of the following States has taken up the job of improving Dams with the help of the World Bank’s Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement project ?
(A) Kerala
(B) Gujarat
(C) Tamil Nadu
(D) Uttar Pradesh
(E) Guwahati
Ans : (A)

46. Nitish Kumar led National Democratic Alliance won how many seats in recently held assembly elections in Bihar ?
(A) 150
(B) 243
(C) 200
(D) 206
(E) None of these
Ans : (D)

47. Who amongst the following is the author of the book “Development as Freedom” ?
(A) M. S. Swaminathan
(B) C. Rangarajan
(C) Manmohan Singh
(D) Y. V. Reddy
(E) Amartya Sen
Ans : (E)

48. Which of the following terms is used in Finance and Banking ?
(A) Line of Sight
(B) Scattering loss
(C) Revenue
(D) Oscillation
(E) Shielding
Ans : (A)

49. Who amongst the following is a famous economist ?
(A) Richard Dawkins
(B) Alan Greenspan
(C) Vernon Heywood
(D) Olivar Sachs
(E) Stephan Hawking
Ans : (B)

50. Who amongst the following has never held post of the Governor of the RBI ?
(A) C. Rangarajan
(B) L. K. Jha
(C) Manmohan Singh
(D) Bimal Jalan
(E) Usha Thorat
Ans : (E)

Cent Vayushakti by Central Bank of India

In a ceremony organised at Air HQ on 15th February, 2012 Central Bank of India, the third largest public sector bank having network of nearly 4000 branches pan India has launched a special scheme CENT VAYUSHAKTI for promoting a defence salary package. The scheme is envisaged to provide high end range of banking facilities to the serving and retired Air Force personnel across the country. The scheme was launched by Air Marshal JN Burma, Air Officer-in-Charge Administration at Vayu Bhavan. AVM (Retd) Ratan Bir Kalra, Defence Banking Advisor was present during the ceremony. On this occasion, Air Marshal JN Burma appreciated the efforts of the Bank in designing a Air Force personnel friendly scheme and expected that the serving as well as retired personnel will be benefited with this scheme. Shri MV Tanksale, Chairman & Managing Director of the Bank praising the commendable services of Air Warriors in defending the Indian borders informed that access to account from anywhere, unique lifelong account number, Zero balance account with Zero maintenance charges, free ATM cards with two additional cards – one each for spouse and dependent parent, free NEFT/RTGs facility with free internet/Tele banking and mobile banking facilities are some of the salient features of this Salary package specially designed for Indian Air Force. Bank offers special rates for Housing loans of Air Force Group Housing at the time of retirement of Air Force Personnel. Shri Ratnakar, General Manager Delhi Zone informed that bank has already launched similar package for Navy personnel.

GENERAL AWARENESS MCQs

1. Oman Investment Fund (OIF), the Sultanate of Oman’s sovereign wealth fund, filed application with the government to buy a stake in which of the software solutions company, IT People promoted exchange?
a. Universal Commodity Exchange
b. Agri bourse NCDEX
c. Intercontinental Exchange
d. National Spot Exchange Limited
Answer: (a)

2. Which company on 27 Deember 2011 mentioned that it would acquire the remaining 51 per cent stake from BP Alternative Energy Holdings in the joint venture that it formed with BP?
a. Reliance Power
b. Tata Power
c. Adani Power Limited
d. ABB Ltd
Answer: (b)

3. Which paharmaceutical company announced in December 2011 the launch of Supamovecream used for treating pain and inflammation in India?
a. Cipla
b. Ranbaxy
c. Dr. Reddy’s
d. Sun Pharmaceuticals
Answer: (c)

4. Name the state-run Mumbai-headquartered bank which on 29 December 2011 surprised the market by cutting its base rate, the minimum lending rate, by 10 basis points, thereby becoming the first banker this year to do so when others are waiting for a signal from the central bank.
a. State Bank of India
b. Union Bank
c. United Bank of India
d. Allahabad Bank
Answer: (b)

5. The $35-billion Aditya Birla group plans to set up a viscose staple fibre (VSF) plant in the Adana Organised Industrial Zone in which of the following countries?
a. Tunisia
b. Tanzania
c. Turkey
d. Tibet
Answer: (c)

6. Reserve Bank of India deregulated non-resident external (NRE) deposits on 16 December 2011 allowing banks to offer higher interest rates to dollar-denominated accounts. Which of the following facts related to the above statement is/are not true?
2. Reserve Bank freed the rates on non-resident external accounts, offering interest as high as 9.6% per annum
3. Following RBI’s deregulation five Indian banks, including HDFC Bank and Yes Bank on 23 December 2011 raised their interest rates on such deposits in order to lure foreign money
4. Private lender Yes Bank increased the interest rates on fixed deposits held by non-resident Indians (NRIs) to 8.4 per cent from 3.82 per cent
5. The new rates are effective from 24 December for fresh deposits as well as those being renewed on maturity.
a. 1 & 2
b. Only4
c. Only 3
d. 1 & 4
Answer: (c)

7. According to the RBI data, India's foreign exchange reserves fell by what amount to $302.1 billion during the week ended 16 December 2011 on account of a fall in foreign currency assets?
a. $4.67 billion
b. $3.33 billion
c. $5 billion
d. $5.75 billion
Answer: (a)

8. According to the Tea Board data released in December 2011, tea imports declined by what per cent to 9.91 million kg in the April-October period of 2011?
a. 10%
b. 12.5%
c. 14%
d. 15.3%
Answer: (c)

9. Infrastructure sector recorded a growth of what per cent in Novemberr 2011 after touching five-year low of 0.3% in October 2011 due to an impressive growth in cement, electricity and refinery products?
a. 2.3%
b. 3.9%
c. 4.6%
d. 6.8%
Answer: (d)

10. Telecom Commission, the decision-making body of the Department of Telecommunications recommended a uniform licence fee of what per cent of adjusted gross revenues (AGR) as against the prevalent rate of 6-8 per cent?
a. 10%
b. 8%
c. 5.2%
d. 9.3%
Answer: (b)

11. Theatre director, screenplay writer and actor Satyadev Dubey, credited with introducing existential and absurd theatre, passed away on 25 December 2011. Which facts about the concerned person is/are not true?
2. he got attracted to the post-1947 theatre and joined Theatre Unit, the theatre group-cum-school founded by Ebrahim Alkazi
3. Dubey came into prominence with Dharamvir Bharati’s radio-play Andha Yug that brought to the fore the pervasive criminal and homicidal tendencies during the times of war.
4. He penned screenplays/dialogue of some acclaimed films in the 1970s, including Shyam Benegal's Nishant, Ankur, Kalyug and Bhumika
5. He won the Filmfare Award for Best Dialogue in 1980 for the film Ankur
a. Only 1
b. Only4
c. 2 & 3
d. Only 2
Answer: (b)

12. Identify the veteran politician and former Chief Minister of Karnataka with the help of the following clues.
1. He was the Chief Minister of Karnataka from 1990-92 and died on 26 December 2011
2. The three time Lok Sabha member represented Bellary constituency
3. He was on the national political stage as a Lok Sabha member for three terms in 1996, 1999 and 2003.
4. He was instrumental in holding the first Indian international film festival in Bengaluru in 1993
a. H. D. Kumaraswamy
b. J. H. Patel
c. S. M. Krishna
d. S.Bangarappa
Answer: (d)

13. India’s infant mortality rate (IMR) showed a 3 point decline, dropping to what number per 1,000 live births, as per government data released on 28 December 2011?
a. 43
b. 55
c. 47
d. 50
Answer: (c)

14. Maharashtra government planned to provide free medicare for poor families. Consider the following statements:
i) The plan will benefit 50 lakh families.
ii) The plan will cover eight districts in state.
Choose the right option:
a) Both i and ii are correct.
b) Only i is correct.
c) Only ii is correct.
d) Neither i nor ii is correct.
Answer: (a) Both i and ii are correct

15. Lok Sabha on 27 December 2011 passed the Lokpal and Lokayukta bill, 2011. Consider the following statements:
i) The setting up of Lokayuktas by the states would not be mandatory.
ii) The constitutional amendment bill fell through.
Choose the right option:
a) Both i and ii are correct.
b) Only i is correct.
c) Only ii is correct.
d) Neither i nor ii is correct.
Answer: (a) Both i and ii are correct

16. Name the Mumbai skipper who on 22 December 2011 overtook former teammate as the highest run-getter in Ranji Trophy by scoring a total of 8242 runs.
a. Wasim Jaffer
b. Amol Muzumdar
c. Amarjeet Kaypee
d. Pankaj Dharmani
Answer: (a)

17. Who won his first Men’s Singles title of 2011 at the 2011 $120,000 Syed Modi India Open Grand Prix Gold badminton championship?
a. Sourabh Verma
b. Taufik Hidayat
c. Anup Sridhar
d. Hendra Setiawan
Answer: (b)

18. Which team won both the men's & women’s title in the 10th All-India Invitational volleyball tournament for the Vajpayee Cup?
a. Andhra Pradesh
b. Punjab
c. Kerala
d. Southern Railway
Answer: (c)

19. Identify the Indian footballer with the help of the following clues.
1. This Indian football team defender announced his retirement from international football on 26 December 2011
2. He captained the Indian team in one match (against Malaysia) in November 2011
3. He had scored one goal against Bhutan in SAFF Cup in 2005
4. He was part of the Indian teams which won SAFF Cup (2005), Nehru Cup (2007 and 2009), AFC Challenge Cup (2008) apart from the recent SAFF championship
a. Arnab Mondal
b. Gurwinder Singh
c. Anas Edathodika
d. Mahesh Gawli
Answer: (d)

20. The Indian team finished at the fourth position in the World Women's Team Chess Championship at Mardin,Turkey on 27 December 2011. Which team won gold and emerged at the top in the competition?
a. Ukraine
b. Russia
c. China
d. Greece
Answer: (c)

21. Name the Cyclone, which hit the coast of Chennai and south-eastern coastal areas.
a) Thane
b) Nargis
c) Rita
d) Katrina
Answer: (a) Thane

22. Name the gene, which controls memory in human brain.
a) Npas4
b) Npas3
c) Mpas4
d) Npas2
Answer: (a) Npas4

23. WGEEP designated entire Western Ghats as an ecologically sensitive area. What is the full form of WGEEP?
a) Western Ghats expert panel
b) Western Ghats environmental panel
c) Western Ghats environmental expert panel
d) Western Ghats ecology expert panel
Answer: (d) Western Ghats ecology expert panel

24. China launched a High-Speed Bullet Train in Quingdao, Shandong. Consider the following statements:
i) Its speed can reach up to 500 kilometres per hour.
ii) The train was launched by China’s largest rail vehicle maker, CSR Corp. Ltd.
Choose the right option:
a) Both i and ii are correct.
b) Only i is correct.
c) Only ii is correct.
d) Neither i nor ii is correct.
Answer: (a) Both i and ii are correct

25. Scientists discovered a Way to Transform Ordinary Tissue into Heart Muscle Cells. Consider the following statements:
i) It could pave the way for new therapeutic approaches for making a damaged heart to repair itself.
ii) Scientists used a zebrafish system to develop a small and robust molecule, which can transform stem cells into beating heart muscle cells.
Choose the right option:
a) Both i and ii are correct.
b) Only i is correct.
c) Only ii is correct.
d) Neither i nor ii is correct.
Answer: (a) Both i and ii are correct

26. People’s national party recently won Parliamentary elections in Jamaica. What is the capital of Jamaica?
a) New Delhi
b) Kingston
c) Paris
d) London
Answer: (b) Kingston

27. India and Pakistan concluded their sixth round of talks in__ on 27 December 2011.
a) Islamabad
b) New Delhi
c) London
d) Paris
Answer: (a) Islamabad

28. USA and Saudi Arabia inked an agreement worth__ US dollars.
a) 29.4 billion
b) 20 billion
c) 25 billion
d) 23 billion
Answer: (a) 29.4 billion US dollars

29. India approved the acquisition of French advanced missile systems to arm the Mirage-2000 fighter jets. Consider the following statements:
i) The cabinet committee on Security cleared the contract for the fire and forget MICA with French company MBDA.
ii) MICA are interception and aerial combat missiles.
Choose the right option:
a) Both i and ii are correct.
b) Only i is correct.
c) Only ii is correct.
d) Neither i nor ii is correct.
Answer: (a) Both i and ii are correct

30. The Union government approved Katra-Quazigund Railway line project. The project is located in__.
a) Jammu and Kashmir
b) Bihar
c) Punjab
d) Haryana
Answer: (a) Jammu and Kashmir

31. India became free from bird flu,__.
a) H5N1
b) H4N1
c) H5N2
d) H3N3
Answer: (a) H5N1

32. Which PSU announced on 2 January 2012 that its board approved in a meeting held on 30 December 2011 the switching over to internationally-accepted Gross Caloric Value-based pricing mechanism?
a. BHEL
b. ISPAT
c. CIL
d. IOC
Answer: (c)

33. Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) entered the media and entertainment sector by making a major investment in one of India’s largest broadcast companies. Name the broadcast company.
a. Network18 Group
b. Adlabs Films
c. Balaji Telefilms
d. Bag Films
Answer: (a)

34. Credit Suisse upgraded which company to neutral from underperform, citing valuation comfort at current?
a. Essar Energy
b. Reliance Power
c. Bajaj Auto
d. Tata Steel
Answer: (d)

35. Which PSU lender called off its plans to set up a joint venture with Visa Inc and Elavon Inc to enter the merchant acquiring business over differences on sharing technology?
a. Union Bank
b. State Bank of India
c. Syndicate Bank
d. Corp Bank
Answer: (b)

36. This company acquired Star more than 500 films like blockbusters like Salman Khan's Dabangg, Ready, Golmaal 3, Tees Maar Khan, Thank You, No One Killed Jessica, Guzaarish, Kites and Raavan from a general entertainment channel owned by the Viacom 18 Group?
a. Sony
b. UTV movies
c. Colors
d. Sab TV
Answer: (c)

37. Union government raised the ad valorem duty (export duty) on iron ore exports to what per cent from 20 per cent?
a. 30%
b. 33%
c. 41%
d. 43%
Answer: (a)

38. As per the to Commerce Ministry data released on 2 January 2012, India’s exports recorded their slowest pace of growth in two years in November 2011. What was the per centage of growth recorded?
a. 4.2%
b. 3.8%
c. 2.2%
d. 0.94%
Answer: (b)

39. Union government on 3 January 2012 approved Reliance Industries' (RIL) investment plan for developing four satellite fields in the flagging KG-D6 block. What was the proposed sum to be invested for developing the satellites?
a. $1.500 billion
b. $1.692 billion
c. $1.529 billion
d. $1.375 billion
Answer: (c)

40. The capital market regulator SEBI on 3 January 2012 allowed auctioning of securities through stock exchanges and introduced a new method for institutional placement of stocks. Which of the following facts related to the above statement is/are not true?
1. Under the institutional placement programme (IPP), shares can be sold only to qualified institutional buyers.
2. There shall be at least 25 allottees in every IPP issuance. No single investor shall receive allotment for more than 25% of the offer size
3. The IPP method can be used to increase public holding by 10% and could be offered to only qualified institutional buyers with 25% being reserved for mutual funds and insurance companies
4. Under the IPP, companies will have to announce the ratio of buy-back, as is done in the case of rights issues and fix a record date for determination of entitlements as per shareholding on record date
a. Only 1
b. Only 3
c. Only 2
d. Only 4
Answer: (c)

41. What is the Finace Ministry’s decision on the rates applicable on small savings instruments schemes that would be announced on April 1 each year?
a. rate would remain valid till the maturity of the scheme
b. rate would change in the first qurter of that respective year
c. rates would change depending on different maturity period
d. rates would remainvalid for six months post the maturity
Answer: (a)

42. Scientists for the first time produced mixed embryo monkeys. Consider the following statements:
i) Scientists produced monkeys composed of cells taken from separate embryos.
ii) The cells stay together and work together to form tissues and organs.
Choose the right option:
a) Both i and ii are correct.
b) Only i is correct.
c) Only ii is correct.
d) Neither i nor ii is correct.
Answer: (a) Both i and ii are correct

43. Scientists discovered unknown species off the coast of Antarctica. Consider the following statements: i) The temperature in this region rises to 380 degree Celsius. Ii) There is plenty of light in this region.
Which of the above statements is/ are correct?
a) Only i
b) Only ii
c) Both i and ii
d) Neither i nor ii
Answer: (a) Only i; There is complete absence of light in this region

44. The world’s first hybrid sharks was discovered by the researchers in Australian waters. The hybrid shark is the result of cross-breeding between which one of the following set of shark species?
a) Common black tip Shark and Australian black-tip shark
b) Indian black-tip Shark and Australian black-tip Shark
c) Blue Whale and Common black-tip Shark
d) Blue Whale and Australian black-tip Shark
Answer: (a) Common black-tip Shark and Australian black-tip Shark

45. Scientists produced artificial human semen to help infertile men. Consider the following statements: i) The scientists grew the sperm by enveloping the germ cells in a special compound called agar jelly. ii) The artificial human semen could help infertile men father their own children.
Choose the right option:
a) Both i and ii are correct.
b) Only i is correct.
c) Only ii is correct.
d) Neither i nor ii is correct.
Answer: (a) Both i and ii are correct

46. Health Authorities in Australia recently detected Deadly Disease, Murray Valley Encephalitis. The disease is caused by the__.
a) Flies
b) Mosquitoes
c) Birds
d) Dogs
Answer: (a) Mosquitoes


47. Kiro Gligorov, the former president of Macedonia died in Skopje on 1 January 2012. Which facts about Gligorov given below are not true?
2. Gligorov was the first democratically elected president of Macedonia.
3. He joined the partisan movement fighting against the Nazi occupation and was one of the organizers of the Anti-Fascist Assembly for the People’s Liberation of Macedonia, or ASNOM in 1945
4. Gligorov served four consecutive presidential terms, leading the nation from January 1991 to November 2009
5. The early days his presidency were overshadowed by a bitter dispute with Greece over the newly independent nation’s name , the dispute that continues till date
a. Only 1
b. 1 & 2
c. Only 3
d. 2 & 4
Answer: (c)

48. Who was presented the Mahatma Gandhi International Award for Peace and Reconciliation on 4 January 2011, the fourth day of the ten-day Kalachakra initiations?
a. Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama
b. South African leader Nelson Mandela
c. Tanzania’s Julius Nyerere
d. Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi
Answer: (c)

49. European Union agreed in principle to ban import of Iranian Crude oil. Consider the following statements:
i) The European Union( EU) is one of Iran’s biggest markets for oil.
ii) The EU is a political and economical union of 27 member states.
Choose the right option:
a) Both i and ii are correct.
b) Only i is correct.
c) Only ii is correct.
d) Neither i nor ii is correct.
Answer: (a) Both i and ii are correct

50. The Israel-Palestine talks, in the first week of January 2012 was held in Amman. Amman is the capital of__
a) Jordan
b) Syria
c) Iraq
d) Iran
Answer: (a) Jordan

51. Maldives on 4 January 2012 lifted ban on Spas in the upmarket tourist destination. Consider the following statements:
i) The tourism industry is an important foreign exchange earner in the Maldives.
ii) Maldives in 2011 received more than 850000 tourists.
Choose the right option:
a) Both i and ii are correct.
b) Only i is correct.
c) Only ii is correct.
d) Neither i nor ii is correct.
Answer: (a) Both i and ii are correct

56. India signed MoU( Memorandum of Understanding) on tourism with ASEAN on 12 January 2012. The agreement took place in__.
a) Manado
b) Jakarta
c) Malaysia
d) Manila
Answer: (a) Manado

57. Pravasi Bhartiya Divas-2012 was held in Jaipur. Jaipur is the capital of which one of the following states?
a) Rajasthan
b) Bihar
c) UP
d) Bihar
Answer: (a) Rajasthan

58. India and Japan on 12 January 2012 agreed to enhance their cooperation in the ___sector.
a) Infrastructure
b) Tourism
c) Road and Transport
d) Coal and Mining
Answer: (a) Infrastructure

59. Newly crowned Miss Belgium 2012, Laura Beyne mentioned that she mostly supports gay marriages. In which year did Belgium become the second country after the Netherlands to legalize gay marriage?
a. 2000
b. 2003
c. 2005
d. 2009
Answer: (b)

60. TIE Chennai (The Indus Entrepreneurs), dedicated to promote entrepreneurship in January 2012 launched a book Dream to destiny — the driving spirit of Chennai's entrepreneurs in January 2012. TiE Chennai is a _.
a. Non-profit organisation
b. Committee of Entrepreneurs
c. Multinational organisation
d. Entrepreneur arm of the Commerce Ministry
Answer: (a)

61. State-run Northern Coalfields (NCL) agreed to surrender land required to mine two blocks attached to the Sasan ultra mega power plant to which of the following companies giving the comapany the benefit of over Rs 6000 crore over the life of the venture?
a. Reliance Power
b. Adani Power
c. Birla Power Solutions
d. DLF Power
Answer: (a)

62. Which car took home the crown of Indian Car Of The Year 2012 in January 2012?
a. Toyota Etios Liva
b. Maruti Suzuki Swift
c. Hyundai Verna
d. Hyundai Eon
Answer: (b)

63. B. D. Park was appointed the President and CEO of this electronic major’s South West Asia Operations and Managing Director of its India operations. Which electronic major is in question here?
a. Phillips
b. Videocon
c. Samsung
d. LG
Answer: (c)

64. Maldives authorities allowed Male International Airport operator to collect airport development and insurance charges from passengers, nearly a month after a local court barred the Bangalore-based company from doing so. Name the operator.
a. GMR Infrastructure
b. International Air Transport Association (IATA)
c. Fraport AG
d. DIAL
Answer: (a)

65. Which French construction major entered the Indian market by buying out 100 per cent stake in NAPC, a Chennai-based construction company?
a. Sinopec Engineering
b. Uhde
c. Vinci
d. Snamprogetti
Answer: (c)

66. According to the draft sports policy of this state Government released on 11 January 2012, a special life-time achievement award, in memory of G.V. Raja, the founder-president of the State Sports Council is to be instituted. Which State is being referred to?
a. Karnataka
b. Kerala
c. Tamil Nadu
d. Andhra Pradesh
Answer: (b)

67. Which team defeated Uttarakhand 25-22, 25-22, 25-13 in the men’s category to win the National title for the fourth time, in the 60th senior National volleyball championship, at the Balbir Juneja Indoor Stadium, Raipur on 11 January 2012?
a. Kerala
b. Andhra Pradesh
c. West Bengal
d. Tamil nadu
Answer: (a)

68. Which team extended their hegemony by defeating Kerala 25-12, 25-14, 25-16 in a one-sided final in the women’s category at the 60th senior National volleyball championship?
a. Punjab
b. Services
c. Railways
d. Delhi
Answer: (c)

69. This footballer was awarded the 2011 FIFA Ballon d'Or on 9 january 2012 in Zurich. He won the award for the third consecutive year for the world's outstanding footballer. Identify the footballer.
a. Cristiano Ronaldo
b. Xavi
c. Sergio Ramos
d. Lionel Messi
Answer: (d)

70. Foreign direct investment (FDI) into India went up by what per cent to $2.53 billion in November 2011, indicating an improvement in investor sentiment?
a. 56%
b. 49%
c. 33%
d. 26%
Answer: (a)

71. As per the Forward Markets Commission data released on 9 January 2012 that the turnover of the 21 commodity exchanges in India increased by 66% to what amount till December 2011?
a. Rs 123 lakh crore
b. Rs 137.22 lakh crore
c. Rs 100.57 lakh crore
d. Rs 93 lakh crore
Answer: (b)

72. Indirect tax collections increased by what per cent to Rs 285787 crore during April-December 2011 driven by an increase in service tax mop-up?
a. 15%
b. 14.56%
c. 16.1%
d. 16.33%
Answer: (c)

73. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) notified that the Commerce Ministry on on 11 January 2012 lowered the minimum export price of onions by $100 a tonne to boost exports. What is the changed minimum export price of onion?
a. $200 a tonne
b. $250 a tonne
c. $300 a tonne
d. $150 a tonne
Answer: (d)

74. Prime Minister's Office on 11 January 2012 directed cash-rich public sector undertakings (PSUs) to invest around Rs.1.76 lakh crore to act as a stimulus in the next fiscal 2012-13. What is the amount to be invested domestically?
a. Rs.1.41 lakh crore
b. Rs 1.57 lakh crore
c. Rs 2.50 lakh crore
d. Rs 3.19 lakh crore
Answer: (a)

75. He was conferred with the first S K Singh Award for excellence in the Indian Foreign Service on 6 January 2012. Identify the diplomat.
a. Ranjan Mathai
b. Shivshankar Menon
c. D Bala Venkatesh Verma
d. K. Raghunath
Answer: (c)

76. Which Ministry prepared draft policy seeking to increase private participation and opens the doors for foreign direct investors for expanding its network?
a. Railways Ministry
b. Ministry of Rural Development
c. Ministry of Commerce and Industry
d. Defence Ministry
Answer: (a)

77. Six researchers from five science streams were honoured with this prize by the former President, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam in Bangalore on 9 January 2012. Name the prize in question.
a. Infosys Prize
b. India Science Prize
c. Rolls-Royce Science Prize
d. Young Scientist Award
Answer: (a)

78. Which one of the following state governments launched Panch Parmeshwar scheme?
a) Madhya Pradesh
b) Bihar
c) UP
d) Kerala
Answer: (a) Madhya Pradesh

79. The Cabinet Committee on Security approved the setting up of NCTC. What is the full form of NCTC?
a) National Counter Terrorism Centre
b) National Trade Cooperation
c) National Central Terrorism Centre
d) National Council for Trade Cooperation
Answer: (a) National Counter Terrorism Centre

80. Which of the following companies infused Rs 520 crore equity into BSES Delhi distribution companies as part of Rs 5,100 crore financial package being worked by IDBI
a. NTPC
b. RIL
c. Adani Power Ltd
d. Birla Group
Answer: (b)

81. Suzlon Energy signed a memorandum of understanding with this State Government as a part of the CII's Partnership Summit that concluded on 13 January 2012. As per the MoU, Suzlon Energy will develop wind power projects totalling 3,000 MW in Andhra Pradesh over the next four years, involving potential investment of up to Rs.18,000 crore. Name the state government with which the MoU was signed.
a. Andhra Pradesh government
b. Gujarat governemnt
c. Orissa government
d. Arunachal Pradesh government
Answer: (a)

82. Name the auto making company which launched three new variants of the Eon-D — Lite plus, Era plus and Magna plus in the Indian market in January 2012.
a. Tata Motors
b. Hyundai Motor India
c. Volkswagen
d. Maruti Suzuki
Answer: (b)

83. The Government of which of the following countries acquired 1.09 per cent stake, currently worth about Rs.2500 crore, in Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries Ltd. (RIL), the company's latest shareholding data show?
a. Malaysia
b. Japan
c. Phillipines
d. Singapore
Answer: (d)

84. Which Photography Pioneer filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on 19 January 2012 making it likely for the 132-year-old trailblazer to become the most storied casualty of a digital age?
a. Eastman Kodak Company
b. Fuji
c. Nikon
d. Canon
Answer: (a)

85. Which company retained its top position in Interbrand's list of the top 100 global brands in 2011?
a. Apple
b. Coca cola
c. Microsoft
d. Google
Answer: (b)

86. As per the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) data, industrial production bounced back with a growth of what per cent in November 2011, marking a five-month high in a reversal from the negative trend witnessed in October 2011?
a. 5.9%
b. 6.5%
c. 7%
d. 8.2%
Answer: (a)

87. India on 13 January 2012 extended for how many years an anti-dumping duty on import of four Chinese products like nylon filament yarn, Saccharin, cellophane transparent film etc?
a. 3 years
b. 5 years
c. 10 years
d. 12 years
Answer: (b)

88. Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 13 January 2012 issued guidelines on compensation of wholetime directors, chief executive officers and other risk takers in private and foreign banks. Which of the following facts regarding the above statement is/are not true.
1. The central bank’s directions are aimed at preventing greed from destabilising the institution.
2. The guiderlines include provisions to clawback pay if transactions fail years after origination
3. The norms provided also include capping the variable component of the compensation at 48% of the fixed pay in a year
4. As per the guidelines issued, banks are permitted to exclude the Employees Stock Option Plan from variable pay
a. Only 2
b. Only 4
c. Only 3
d. 2 & 4
Answer: (c)

89. Which of the following bodies unveiled rules for direct investment in stocks by foreign investors, including individuals to put curbs on opaque structures to prevent routing of funds by resident Indians?
a. IRDA
b. FICCI
c. CCI
d. SEBI
Answer: (d)

90. As per the Wholesale Price Index, published by the government on 16 January 2012, Reduced food prices caused the inflation to dip to a year low at what per cent in December 2011?
a. 7.47%
b. 7.65%
c. 6.33%
d. 5.41%
Answer: (a)

91. Scientists identified a new gene in maize plants called__.
a) Meg1
b) Meg2
c) Meg3
d) Meg4
Answer: (a) Meg1

92. Researchers discovered new earthworm species in Port Blair. What is the name of the new species?
a) Moniligaster ivaniosi
b) Annelida
c) Nematoda
d) Onychophora
Answer: (a): Moniligaster ivaniosi

93. Scientists recently developed a new wireless device to detect the presence of termites. Consider the following statements: i) when the new device detects the presence of termites, it sends an SMS or email to a pest control firm. ii) The device is made of a tiny sensor, even smaller than a fingernail.
Choose the right option:
a) Both i and ii are correct.
b) Only i is correct.
c) Only ii is correct.
d) Neither i nor ii is correct.
Answer: (a): Both i and ii are correct

94. The scientists claimed that the Meteorite, which fell in Morocco in July 2011, was from Mars. The event happened for the first time in__ years.
a) 50
b) 100
c) 200
d) 150
Answer: (a) 50

95. Scientists found the Extinct Monkey, the Miller’s Grizzled Langur in the forests of___.
a) Indonesia
b) Malaysia
c) India
d) Africa
Answer: (a) Indonesia

96. 10th PBD( Pravasi Bhartiya Divas) was held at which one of the following Indian cities?
a) Jaipur
b) Patna
c) New Delhi
d) Chennai
Answer: (a) Jaipur
 
97. Planning Commission of India on 18 January 2012 approved Rudrasagar development scheme. The scheme is related__.
a) Tripura
b) Assam
c) Manipur
d) Sikkim
Answer: (a) Tripura

98. Writer/diplomat Pavan K. Varma's new book set in contemporary India and in the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, was launched in the New Delhi by Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, the Queen Mother of Bhutan in January 2012. The protagonist Anand is wrongly diagnosed with cancer. He quits his high-power job and loses himself in a Bhutanese retreat.
Name the book.
a. When Loss is Gain
b. Ghalib: The Man
c. The Great Indian Middle Class
d. The Times
Answer: (a)

99. Identify the photographer with the help of the following clues.
1. She was India’s first woman photo-journalist and was the only professional woman photojournalist between 1939 and 1970
2. She was commonly known by her pseudonym Dalda 13
3. She also captured the first flag-hoisting ceremony at the Red Fort on August 16 1947, the departure of Lord Mountbatten from India and the funerals of Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Lal Bahadur Shastri.
4. The Padma Bhushan Awardee breathed her last on 15 January 2012.
a. Ronika Kandhari
b. Asha Kochar
c. Prabuddha Dasgupta
d. Homai Vyarawala
Answer: (d)

100. Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on 11 January 2012 launched the signature tune of the Indian Customs Pragati ki Dhadkan in New Delhi. The signature tune was composed by which of the noted music directors?
a. A. R. Rahman
b. Aadesh Shrivastava
c. Adnan Sami
d. Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy
Answer: (b)

101. Prime Minister of Trinidad & Tobago visited India from 5 January 2012 to 14 January 2012. Who among the following is the Prime Minister of Trinidad & Tobago?
a) Kamla Persad Bissessar
b) Hosni Mubarak
c) Manmohan Singh
d) Naresh Goyal
Answer: (a) Kamla Persad Bissessar

102. The fifth edition of the World Future Energy summit began in__.
a) Abu Dhabi
b) New Delhi
c) Tehran
d) Dhaka
Answer: (a) Abu Dhabi

103. Memogate scandal is related to which one of the following countries?
a) Pakistan
b) Sri Lanka
c) China
d) India
Answer: (a) Pakistan

104. Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan and International Asociation of Sanskrit Studies jointly organised the 15th World Sanskrit conference from 5 to 10 January 2012 at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi. Where was the 14th World Sanskrit conference held?
a. Kyoto, Japan
b. Beijing, China
c. Colombo, Sri Lanka
d. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Answer: (a)

105. Identify this politicial with the help of the following clues.
1. Leader of the Sandinista movement which overthrew the US-backed Somoza dictatorship in 1979
2. After the Nicaraguan Revolution resulted in the overthrow and exile of the Somoza's government in 1979, he became a member of the ruling multipartisan Junta of National Reconstruction.
3. He was elected as the 83rd Nicaraguan president in 2006. He had previously served as the 79th President, between 1985 and 1990.
4. He made alliances with fellow Latin American socialists and signed Nicaragua up to the Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas.
a. Enrique Bolaños
b. Arnoldo Alemán
c. Daniel Ortega
d. Hugo Chávez
Answer: (c)

106. The Bangalore-based pharmaceutical major, Strides Arcolab, sold its 94 per cent stake in Ascent Pharmahealth, a subsidiary with operations in Australia and Southeast Asia, to which of the following U.S.-based pharma companies?
a. Watson Pharmaceuticals
b. Abbott Laboratories
c. Pfizer
d. Derma Sciences
Answer: (a)

107. The Board of Approval (BoA) under the Commerce Ministry on 24 January 2012 approved the proposal of this company to set up a special economic zone (SEZ) at Indore in Madhya Pradesh. Identify the company.
a. Reliance Industries
b. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)
c. Hero Motors
d. Infosys
Answer: (b)

108. Which private life insurance company from India on 25 January 2012 launched its first international operations with the opening of its representative office in Dubai?
a. Kotak Insurance
b. New India Insurance
c. HDFC Life
d. Religare Insurnce
Answer: (c)

109. Name the world’s largest biotechnology company, agreed to buy Micromet in a $1.16 billion deal to gain an experimental leukemia drug.
a. Celgene Drug
b. B B Biotech
c. Dechert
d. Amgen
Answer: (d)

110. Which channel developed a 52-week special India: Wild Encounters to focuss on India's enchanting wildlife s well as take viewers on an exploration spree ?
a. Discovery India
b. Animal Planet
c. Sony
d. National Gepgraphy
Answer: (b)

111. Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) estimated Corporate India’s sales to grow by what per cent in 2011-12?
a. 21.6%
b. 20.8%
c. 22
d. 23.7%
Answer: (a)

112. According to the report by Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) released in January 2012, gems and jewellery exports fell into the negative zone to $3 billion in December 2011. What per cent fall did it register in the month in question?
a. 10.33%
b. 12.17%
c. 13.33%
d. 15%
Answer: (d)

113. Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 24 January 2012 cut the cash reserve ratio (CRR) by 50 basis point. The current CRR stands at what percent?
a. 5%
b. 5.5%
c. 6%
d. 6.5%
Answer: (b)

114. The Reserve Bank of India on 24 January 2012 also kept the repo rate unchanged for the second consecutive time after raising it 13 times between March 2010 and October 2011. What is the present repo rate?
a. 8%
b. 7.5%
c. 8.5%
d. 9%
Answer: (c)

115. The poor performance of National Pension System, or NPS led the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) to change the incentive structure for the distributors. Which of the following statements in this regard is/are not true?
1. The pension regulator on the basis of the recommendation of the G.N. Bajpai committee constituted by PFRDA to review NPS, fixed the incentive at 0.25% of the subscription amount
2. As per PFRDA’s measures announceds, a distributor will get a flat Rs 50 on initial subscription and 0.05% of the initial subscription amount
3. Every year on subsequent investments, the point of presence will be entitled to 0.25% of that amount.
4. The minimum that a point of presence can charge is Rs 20 and the maximum Rs 25000.
a. Only 1
b. Only 2
c. Only 3
d. Only 4
Answer: (b)

116. FIPB headed by Economic Affairs Secretary R Gopalan had in a meeting held on 5 August 2011 cleared how many FDI proposals of a total worth of Rs 3844.7 crore?
a. 31
b. 12
c. 18
d. 23
Answer: (a)

117. According to the public debt management report released by the finance ministry on 17 August 2011, by what percentage did the Centre's debt rise in the first quarter (April to June) of the current fiscal 2011-12?
a. 5.5%
b. 6%
c. 6.7%
d. 8.1%
Answer: (b)

118. According to a report from CRISIL Research, how many additional jobs does India need to create by 2015 to maintain the current ratio of employed people to total population at 39 per cent?
a. 40 million
b. 47 million
c. 55 million
d. 57 million
Answer: (c)

119. Headline inflation eased to its eight-month low to what percentage in July from 9.44 per cent in the previous month?
a. 8.20%
b. 9.22%
c. 7.36%
d. 8 %
Answer: (b)

120. Which regulatory body on 16 August 2011 suggested that the Centre and the State governments should come out with a regulatory framework for the realty sector to protect consumers from unfair trade practices?
a. IRDA
b. SEBI
c. FICCI
d. CCI
Answer: (d)

IBPS SPECIALIST OFFICERS Professional Knowledge Practice Questions

1. One of the following is not included in the 7 P’s of Marketing. Find the same_____________

(A). Placement

(B). Price

(C). Production

(D). Promotion

(E). Product

Ans. (C). Production

2. Analysis of marketing problem helps in ______________

(A). Evaluating marketing opportunities

(B). Reducing marketing staff

(C). Reducing profits

(D). Good communication

(E). Motivation

Ans. (A). Evaluation Marketing Opportunities

3. Innovation is marketing is same as _________________

(A). Motivation

(B). Perspiration

(C). Aspiration

(D). Creativity

(E). Team work

Ans. (D). Creativity

4.Market Segmentation is required for _________________

(A). preferential market

(B). OTC Marketing

(C). Internal Marketing

(D). Identifying sales persons

(E). Identifying prospects

Ans. (E). Identifying prospects

5. Bank ATMs are__________________

(A). Delivery outlets

(B). market plans

(C). Personalized Products

(D). Tools for overcoming buyers resistance

(E). Motivating tools

Ans. (C). Personalized Products

6. Internet Banking helps in __________________

(A). door-to-door canvasing

(B). Making more number of cold calls

(C). Easy access to customer transections

(D). Market Survey

(E).Market research

Ans. (C). Easy access to customer transections

7.Cross-selling means ________________

(A). selling by a cross-section of people

(B). selling to HNIs

(C). selling to a cross-section of people

(D).Selling to NRIs

(E).Selling other products to existing customers

Ans. (E).Selling other products to existing customers

8.The USP of current account is _______________

(A). High minimum balance

(B). no restrictions on transactions

(C). no internet payable

(D). restricted deposits

(E). Easy credits

Ans. (B). no restrictions on transactions

9. The USP of a car loan is_________________

(A). High rate of interest

(B).Easy EMIs

(C).Lump-sum loans

(D).Available only to doctors

(E). available only to businessmen

Ans. (B).Easy EMIs

10.Leads for home loans can be obtained from______________

(A). cooperative societies

(B). Existing borrows

(C). builders

(D). builders

e .Traders

Ans. (C). builders

11. Leads for industrial loans can be obtained from______________

(A). Reserve bank of India

(B). District industrial centers

(C). colleges

(D). Export houses

(E). Trade centers

Ans. (B). District industrial centers

12. SME Means____________

(A). Selling and Marketing Establishment

(B). Selling and managing employees

(C). Sales and Marketing entity

(D). small and medium enterprises

(E).small and micro entities

Ans. (C). Sales and Marketing entity

13.The target group for SME Loan is _______________

(A).All salaried persons

(B). government undertakings

(C). all entrepreneurs

(D). all students

(E). all housewives

Ans. (C). all entrepreneurs

14.Leads for tractor loans can be availed from_______________

(A). farm laborers

(B). Authorized dealers of tractors and farm equipment’s

(C). Bullock cart owners

(D). Marginal land owners

(E). RTA Officers

Ans. (B). Authorized dealers of tractors and farm equipment’s

15. Customization result in ________________

(A). Customer exodus

(B). Customer retention

(C). Customer complaints

(D). Training of staff

(E). varying the interest rates

Ans. (B). Customer retention

16.Find the correct sentence__________

(A).Higher the price, higher are the sales

(B).More number of sales pesons leads to more sales

(C). mission statement is part of market plan

(D). better sales incentives means better performance

(E). all customers are profitable customers

Ans. (C). mission statement is part of market plan

17. Banc assurance can be sold to ____________

(A).all banks

(B). all insurance companies

(C). insurance agents

(D). all existing and prospective bank customers

(E). stock brokers

Ans. (D). all existing and prospective bank customers

18. The target group for bulk deposits is _____________

(A). salaried persons

(B). small traders

(C). corporate MNCs

(D). Housewives

(E). Minor children

Ans. (C). corporate MNCs

19. Debit cards can be best sold to_____________

(A). Existing customers

(B). school children’s

(C). trusts

(D). waqf board

e .Educations institutes

Ans. (A). Existing customers

20.A low EMI indicates___________

(A). high loan burden

(B). long repayment period

(C). cheap loans

(D). costly loans

(E). very short repayment period

Ans. (C). cheap loans

21. EMI can be marketing tool when________________

(A). EMI is very low

(B). EMI is very high

(C). EMI is fluctuating

(D). EMI is constant

(E). EMI is ballooning

Ans. (A). EMI is very low

22. Advertisements are necessary for ______________

(A). only old products

(B). launching new products

(C). only costly products

(D). only obsolete products

(E). advertisements are wasteful expenses

Ans. (B). launching new products

23. Publicity is required for ____________________

(A). Generating more number of leads

(B). better training of sales persons

(C). market survey

(D). Product designing

(E). OTC Marketing

Ans. (A). Generating more number of leads

24. NAV is the price of __________________

(A). Entire fund value

(B). one unit of a fund

(C). surrender value

(D). average value of shares

(E). dividends paid in a year

Ans. (B). one unit of a fund

25.A Master policy in the case of Life insurance indicates___________________

(A). policy is sale

(B). policy is in the name of servant

(C). only one life is assured

(D). there are several beneficiaries

(E). life assured should be a male

Ans. (D). there are several beneficiaries

26. Customer database is useful for ________

(A). advertisements

(B). word-of-mouth publicity

(C). CRM Functions

(D). PR functions

(E). Sales persons training

Ans. (C). CRM Functions

27. CRM(Customer Relationship Management) is ______________

(A). A pre-sales activity

(B). A tool for lead generation

(C). an ongoing daily activity

(D). the task of a DSA

(E). back office duty

Ans. (B). A tool for lead generation

28. Find the incorrect answer_________________

(A). cross-selling is an expensive way of marketing

(B). market segmentation can boost lead generations

(C). customer lifetime value is a marketing tool

(D). surrogate marketing is a type of viral marketing

(E). internet banking can replace ATMs

Ans. (E). internet banking can replace ATMs

29. Financial inclusion needs canvassing the accounts of ______________

(A). Financial Institutions

(B). NRIs

(C). HNIs

(D). Housewives

(E). Persons below a specified income level

Ans. (E). Persons below a specified income level

30. Effective retail banking presupposes____________

(A). Large Premises

(B). Huge kiosks

(C). big sales force

(D). coordination between marketing and front office staff

(E). More products

Ans. (D). coordination between marketing and front office staff

Golden Peacock Award for Central Bank

Central Bank of India received the Golden Peacock Award for innovative product/service for its retail product Cent Sahayog launched in October 2011.

Designed to strengthen the micro and small manufacturers and service providers (MSE) through a process of fast credit delivery, this product aims to bring this largely un-banked segment into banking fold. Instituted by the Institute of Directors (IOD), the Golden Peacock Awards are declared annually for excellence in the fields of quality, training and innovative product/service among Indian industries.

Economic growth revised down to 8.4%

The Central Statistics Office January 31 lowered the gross domestic product (GDP) growth estimate for 2010-11 to 8.4 per cent from an earlier estimated level of 8.5 per cent.

The downward revision came in the quick estimates of national income, consumption expenditure, saving and capital formation for 2010-11 released by Mr Srikant Jena, Minister of State (Independent charge) for Statistics and Programme implementation.

He said that these detailed estimates have been prepared based on the latest available data on agricultural production, industrial production, Government expenditure and also detailed data available from other source agencies.

The GDP at factor cost at constant prices in 2010-11 has registered a growth of 8.4 per cent over the previous year. The Gross National Income has registered a growth of 7.9 per cent over the previous year. The major source of growth in the GDP has been from the services sector which has grown at the rate of 9.3 per cent. The agriculture sector growth has also been impressive at 7 per cent.

The growth of the secondary sector which includes manufacturing and construction sector was 7.2 per cent. The GDP at constant prices at market prices has grown at 9.6 per cent.

The gross domestic savings at current prices in 2010-11 has been estimated at Rs 24.81 lakh crore which constituted 32.3 per cent of GDP at market prices. The savings rate in 2010-11 has declined from 2009-10.

Major reason for the decline is due to decrease in the rates of financial savings of household sector from 12.9 per cent to 10 per cent and the private corporate sector from 8.2 per cent to 7.9 per cent. The rate of savings of public sector has increased from 0.2 per cent to 1.7 per cent in 2010-11.

The Gross Domestic Capital Formation at current prices has increased from Rs 23.64 lakh crore to Rs 26.92 lakh crore in 2010-11. The rate of capital formation at current prices was 35.1 per cent in 2010-11 against 36.6 per cent during 2009-10.

Per capita income crosses Rs 50,000 in 2010-11: CSO

Reflecting growing prosperity, India’s per capita income grew by 15.6 per cent to Rs 53,331 per annum in 2010-11, crossing the half-a-lakh rupees mark for the first time, according to government data.

“The per capita income at current prices is estimated at Rs 53,331 in 2010—11, as against Rs 46,117 for the previous year, depicting a growth of 15.6 per cent,” said the Quick Estimates of National Income released by the Central Statistical Office (CSO).

The growth in per capita income comes on the back of 8.4 per cent expansion of the Indian economy during the last fiscal.

Per capita income is the earnings of each Indian if the national income is evenly divided among the country’s population of around 120 crore. It is an important indicator of overall prosperity in the country.

However, the increase in per capita income at constant (2004—05) prices, after discounting for inflation, was at 6.4 per cent in 2010—11. It was Rs 35,993 in 2010—11, as against Rs 33,843 in the previous year.

According to the figures, the size of the economy at current prices rose to Rs 71,57,412 crore last fiscal, up 17.5 per cent from Rs 60,91,485 crore in 2009—10.

Based on 2004-05 prices, the Indian economy expanded by 8.4 per cent during the fiscal ended March, 2011.

The GDP at constant (2004—05) prices in 2010—11 has been estimated at Rs 48,85,954 crore, as against Rs 45,07,637 crore in 2009—10, as per the Quick Estimates.

The rate of growth in the 2009—10 fiscal stood at 8.4 per cent, as per provisional estimates which were also released January 31.