Banking Awareness

Q1. _______ is a deposit account provided by a bank or other financial institutions for individuals to save money and earn the modest interest for that money held in the account.

(a) Fixed Deposit Account

(b) Savings Bank Account

(c) Recurring Account

(d) Current Account

(e) None of the given options is true

S1. Ans.(b)
Sol. A savings account is an account maintained by a bank or other financial institutions for individuals to save money and earn interest on the cash held in the account.

Q2. Which among the following bank is the first bank to launch the Mudra Card based on the RuPay platform?

(a) SBI

(b) Corporation Bank

(c) Vijaya Bank

(d) PNB

(e) HDFC Bank

S2. Ans.(b)
Sol. Corporation Bank is the first bank to launch the Mudra Card based on the RuPay platform under the Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (PMMY).

Q3. ______________ in partnership with Visa launched India’s first co-branded e-commerce credit card

(a) Flipkart and ICICI Bank

(b) Snapdeal and ICICI Bank

(c) Flipkart and HDFC Bank

(d) Snapdeal and HDFC Bank

(e) Flipkart and Axis Bank

S3. Ans.(d)
Sol. Snapdeal and HDFC Bank in partnership with Visa launched the India’s first co-branded e-commerce credit card.

Q4. ____________ is a product to provide a person with an opportunity to build up saving through regular monthly deposits of fixed sum over a period of time.

(a) Fixed Deposit Account

(b) Savings Bank Account

(c) Recurring Deposit Account

(d) Current Account

(e) None of the given options is true

S4. Ans.(c)
Sol. Recurring Deposit is a special kind of Term Deposit offered by banks in India which help people with regular incomes to deposit a fixed amount every month into their Recurring Deposit.

Q5. World’s first Bank Agnostic Instant Funds Transfer Platform using Facebook launched by-

(a) ICICI Bank

(b) Kotak Mahindra Bank

(c) Indusind Bank

(d) Central Bank

(e) HDFC Bank

S5. Ans.(b)
Sol. Kotak Mahindra Bank launched KayPay – World’s First Bank Agnostic Instant Funds Transfer Platform using Facebook. Millions of bank account holders can transfer money to each other at any hour of the day or night, without needing net banking, or knowing various bank account related details of the payee.

Q6. With effect from March 31, 2005, an asset would be classified as _____________ if it has remained in the sub­standard category for a period of 12 months. 

(a) Sub­standard Assets

(b) Profit Assets

(c) Doubtful Assets

(d) Loss Assets

(e) None of the above

S6. Ans.(c)
Sol. With effect from March 31, 2005, an asset would be classified as doubtful if it has remained in the sub­standard category for a period of 12 months. A loan classified as doubtful has all the weaknesses inherent in assets that were classified as sub­standard, with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full,– on the basis of currently known facts, conditions and values – highly questionable and improbable.

Q7. What is the financial limit Under MUDRA's Shishu scheme?

(a) Rs. 5,00,000

(b) Rs. 50,000

(c) Rs. 1,00,000

(d) Rs. 10,000

(e) Rs. 1,50,000

S7. Ans.(b)
Sol. Under the aegis of Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (PMMY), MUDRA has already created its initial products/schemes. The interventions have been named ‘Shishu’, ‘Kishor’ and ‘Tarun’ to signify the stage of growth/development and funding needs of the beneficiary micro unit / entrepreneur and also to provide a reference point for the next phase of graduation / growth to look forward to. The financial limit for these schemes is:-
(a) Shishu:- covering loans up to  50,000/-
(b) Kishor:- covering loans above  50,000/- and up to  5 lakh
(c) Tarun:- covering loans above  5 lakh to  10 lakh

Q8. What is the financial limit Under MUDRA's Kishor scheme?

(a) Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 10 lakh

(b) Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 3 lakh

(c) Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 1 lakh

(d) Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 2 lakh

(e) Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 5 lakh

S8. Ans.(e)
Sol. Under the aegis of Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (PMMY), MUDRA has already created its initial products/schemes. The interventions have been named ‘Shishu’, ‘Kishor’ and ‘Tarun’ to signify the stage of growth/development and funding needs of the beneficiary micro unit / entrepreneur and also to provide a reference point for the next phase of graduation / growth to look forward to. The financial limit for these schemes is:-
(a) Shishu:- covering loans up to  50,000/-
(b) Kishor:- covering loans above  50,000/- and up to  5 lakh
(c) Tarun:- covering loans above  5 lakh to  10 lakh

Q9. Which among the following Incentives and facilities offered to the SEZs is not correct-

(a) Duty free import/domestic procurement of goods for development, operation and maintenance of SEZ units.

(b) Exemption from State sales tax and other levies as extended by the respective State Governments. 

(c) Exemption from minimum alternate tax under section 115JB of the Income Tax Act.

(d) 100% Income Tax exemption on export income for SEZ units under Section 10AA of the Income Tax Act for 10 years, 50% for next 5 years thereafter and 50% of the ploughed back export profit for next 5 years.

(e) Exemption from Central Sales Tax.

S9. Ans.(d)
Sol. The incentives and facilities offered to the units in SEZs for attracting investments into the SEZs, including foreign investment include:-
(a) Duty free import/domestic procurement of goods for development, operation and maintenance of SEZ units
(b) 100% Income Tax exemption on export income for SEZ units under Section 10AA of the Income Tax Act for first 5 years, 50% for next 5 years thereafter and 50% of the ploughed back export profit for next 5 years.
(c) Exemption from minimum alternate tax under section 115JB of the Income Tax Act.
(d) External commercial borrowing by SEZ units up to US $ 500 million in a year without any maturity restriction through recognized banking channels.
(e) Exemption from Central Sales Tax.
(f) Exemption from Service Tax.
(g) Single window clearance for Central and State level approvals.
(h) Exemption from State sales tax and other levies as extended by the respective State Governments.

Q10. ___________ is a specifically delineated duty-free enclave and shall be deemed to be foreign territory for the purposes of trade operations and duties and tariffs. 

(a) SEZs

(b) FDI

(c) FIPB

(d) CDR

(e) CSR

S10. Ans.(a)
Sol. Special Economic Zones (SEZs) is a specifically delineated duty-free enclave and shall be deemed to be foreign territory for the purposes of trade operations and duties and tariffs.

Q11. IBA was set up in ________ with 22 members to discuss issues of common interests.

(a) 1946

(b) 1955

(c) 1934

(d) 1921

(e) 1961

S11. Ans.(a)
Sol. Indian Banks' Association (IBA) set up in 1946 with 22 members to discuss issues of common interests. Over the years, IBA emerged as the Voice of Indian Banking Industry. IBA adopts a consultative approach to give its views on any issue pertaining to banking sector.

Q12. What is the effort of IBA?

(a) Assist and provide common services to members.

(b) Promote sound and progressive banking principles and practices.

(c) Co-ordinate and co-operate on procedural, legal, technical, administration, professional matters.

(d) Build Image of banking industry through publicity and public relations.

(e) All of the above

S12. Ans.(e)
Sol. Effort of IBA is-
1. Promote sound and progressive banking principles and practices. 
2. Assist and provide common services to members. 
3. Co-ordinate and co-operate on procedural, legal, technical, administration, professional matters. 
4. Collate, classify and circulate statistical and other information. 
5. Pool expertise towards common objectives of reduction in costs, increase efficiency, productivity and improve systems, procedures and banking practices. 
6. Build Image of banking industry through publicity and public relations.

Q13. Central Government has notified in the Official Gazette ___________ CPI inflation as the target for the period from August 5, 2016 to March 31, 2021 with the upper tolerance limit of 6 per cent and the lower tolerance limit of 2 per cent.

(a) 4 percent

(b) 3 percent

(c) 5 percent

(d) 2 percent

(e) None of the above

S13. Ans.(a)
Sol. The amended RBI Act also provides for the inflation target to be set by the Government of India, in consultation with the Reserve Bank, once in every five years. Accordingly, the Central Government has notified in the Official Gazette 4 per cent Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation as the target for the period from August 5, 2016 to March 31, 2021 with the upper tolerance limit of 6 per cent and the lower tolerance limit of 2 per cent.

Q14. What is the full form of CPI?

(a) Customer Price Index

(b) Consumer Price Index

(c) Consumer Product Index

(d) Consumer Price Indian

(e) Custom Price Index

S14. Ans.(b)
Sol. CPI stands for Consumer Price Index.

Q15. What is the focus & Priorities of IBA?

(a) The Government of India on policy related issues

(b) Industry unions on wage negotiations and improving industrial relations

(c) Foreign counterparts to widen the horizon and perspectives

(d) Members to encourage inter-bank co-operation and co-ordination

(e) All of the above

S15. Ans.(e)
Sol. Focus & Priorities of IBA is:-
1. The Government of India on policy related issues 
2. Industry unions on wage negotiations and improving industrial relations 
3. Members to encourage inter-bank co-operation and co-ordination 
4. Foreign counterparts to widen the horizon and perspectives 
5. Other trade bodies for better co-ordination 
6. Its constituents and stakeholders for new initiatives
7. The Reserve Bank of India on regulatory issues 

UPSC Advt No 13/ 2017 Recruitment 2017

UPSC Advt No 13/ 2017 Recruitment 2017 – Apply Online for 53 Deputy Director, Specialist & Other Posts: Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has announced a notification for the recruitment of 53 Deputy Director, Specialist Grade-III (Surgery), Junior Technical Officer (Sugar Technology), Specialist Grade-III (Obstetrics & Gynecology), Youth Officer vacancies on temporary basis. Eligible candidates may apply online on or before 27-07-2017 at 23:59 Hrs. Other details like age limit, educational qualification, selection process, application fee & how to apply are given below…

UPSC Vacancy Details:
Total No.of Posts: 53
Name of the Posts:
1. Junior Technical Officer (Sugar Technology): 01 Post
2. Specialist Grade-III (Obstetrics & Gynecology): 14 Posts
3. Specialist Grade-III (Surgery): 10 Posts
4. Deputy Director (Mechanical): 20 Posts
5. Youth Officer: 08 Posts

Age Limit: Candidates age should be 35 years for Post 1, 4, 40 years for Post 2, 3, 30 years for Post 5. Age relaxation is applicable as per rules.

Educational Qualification: Candidates should possess Degree in Science/Engineering)Post Graduation diploma in Sugar Technology for Post 1, MBBS degree qualification included in the First Schedule or Second Schedule or part II of the Third Schedule (other than licentiate qualifications) to the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956 (102 of 1956), Post Graduation Degree or Diploma in the concerned speciality or Super-Speciality mentioned in Section-‘A’ or Section-‘B’ in Schedule-VI i.e. Doctor of Medicine (Obstetrics & Gynecology); or Master of Surgery (Obstetrics & Gynecology); or Diploma in Gynecology and Obstetrics for Post 2, MBBS degree qualification included in the First Schedule or Second Schedule or part II of the Third Schedule (other than licentiate qualifications) to the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956 (102 of 1956), Post Graduation Degree in the concerned speciality or Super speciality mentioned in Section-A in the Schedule-VI i.e. Master of Surgery (Surgery) or Master of Surgery (General Surgery) for Post 3, Degree in Mechanical Engineering from a recognized University or Institution or pass in Section A and B of the Associate Membership Examination in Mechanical Engineering Branch from Institution of Engineers (India) for Post 4, Master’s Degree from a recognized University for Post 5 with relevant experience.

Selection Process: Candidates will be selected based on interview.

Application Fee: Candidates should pay Rs.25/- only either by remitting the money in any branch of the SBI by cash or by using net banking facility of the SBI or by using net banking facility of the SBI or by using visa/ master credit/ debit card. No fee for SC/ ST/ PH/ Women candidates.

How to Apply: Eligible candidates may apply online through the website www.upsconline.nic.in on or before 27-07-2017 at 23:59 Hrs.

Instructions to Apply Online:
1. Before applying online candidates have to scan the copies of photograph & signature.
2. Log on through the website upsconline.nic.in.
3. Click on the “Online Recruitment Application (ORA) for Various Recruitment Posts”.
4. Click on “New Registration” if he/ she would be new user.
5. Complete the log in details if already registered candidates.
6. Fill all the details carefully & submit form.
7. Take printout of online application for future use.

Important Dates:
Last Date for Submission of Online Application: 27-07-2017 at 23:59 Hrs. 
Last Date for Submission of printout of Application: 28-07-2017 up to 23.59 hrs.

For more details like duties, experience & other information click on the link given below….

UPSC Advt No 13/ 2017 Recruitment 2017	More Information
Recruitment Advt	Get Details
Apply Online	Click here
Instructions	Get Details
FAQ	Get Details

New Pattern English

Directions (1-10): The following sentences contain an error part in bold. Each sentence is followed by five different ways of wording the part that contains the error. Answer choice (A) always repeats the original; the other four choices are different. If you think that the original sentence displays the best way of wording the bold part, choose answer (A); otherwise, select the best alternative.

Q1. Although few outside academe have heard of him, today William Dean Howells is among America’s most successful literary critics and novelists.

(a) Although few outside academe have heard of him today, William Dean Howells

(b) However difficult it may be to find someone outside of academe who has heard of him, today, William Dean Howells

(c) As difficult as it is to find someone outside of academe who has heard of him today, William Dean Howells

(d) William Dean Howells is not heard of by very many outside of academe today, but he

(e) Although today William Dean Howells is not heard of by very many people outside of academe, 

Q2. Although the stock market seems to offer the possibility of great personal gain, you must understand that to invest in stocks is accepting the risk of financial ruin as well.

(a) is accepting the risk of financial ruin as well

(b) is to accept the risk of financial ruin as well

(c) is to accept the risk as well as financial ruin

(d) are accepting the risk of financial ruin as well

(e) are to accept the risk of financial ruin as well

Q3. Since the past twenty years, thousands of magnificent United States elms have been killed by infestations of the tiny European bark beetle.

(a) Since the past twenty years

(b) Since twenty years have passed

(c) During the past twenty years

(d) Twenty years ago

(e) After twenty years

Q4. The new biography of Thomas Jefferson contains some startling insights about the man who was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence.

(a) about the man who was the primary author

(b) into the man who was the primary author

(c) into the character of the man who was the primary author

(d) into the character of a man who was the primary author

(e) into the character of the man who was primarily the author

Q5. Although completely withered, the botanists were able to conclude from what remained of the flower that the species was very rare.

(a) Although completely withered

(b) Although totally withered

(c) Although withering completely

(d) Although it was completely withered

(e) While it withered completely

Q6. Four days a week, parking is permitted only on alternate sides of the street on account of enabling the mechanical street sweepers to pass close to the curbs.

(a) on account of enabling

(b) for the reason of enabling

(c) to permit

(d) so as to allow

(e) therefore allowing

Q7. What I would call personal style depends not so much on the actual clothing you wear but one’s choice of jewelry and make-up.

(a) but one’s choice of

(b) but one’s choosing

(c) but your choice of

(d) as your choice of

(e) as your choosing

Q8. The actual votes cast by incumbents can provide voters with a more accurate picture of their attitudes than the speeches they make while campaigning for re-election.

(a) their attitudes than  the speeches they make

(b) the actual votes cast …… the attitudes of incumbents than the speeches they make

(c) the actual votes cast …… the attitudes of incumbents than do the speeches they make

(d) the actual  votes cast …… the attitudes of incumbents than do the speeches

(e) the actual votes cast …… the attitudes of incumbents than the speeches

Q9. With the writing of Huckleberry Finn, it marked the first time that the American vernacular was used in a novel.

(a) With the writing of Huckleberry Finn, it marked the first time that the American vernacular was used in a novel.

(b) Marking the first time that the American vernacular was used in a novel was Huckleberry Finn.

(c) The writing of Huckleberry Finn, a novel, was the first time that the American vernacular was used.

(d) Huckleberry Finn marked the first time that American vernacular was used in a novel.

(e) The first time that the American vernacular was used in a novel was Huckleberry Finn.

Q10. Parents and teacher are becoming increasingly concerned about protecting children and the drugs which are available to them, and several parent-teacher organizations, dedicated to educating children about the dangers of drug addition, have recently been formed.

(a) protecting children and the drugs which are available to them

(b) protecting of children and the drugs which are available to them

(c) protecting children from their availability to drugs

(d) protecting children from the drugs availability to them

(e) protecting children from the drugs available to them

Directions (11-15): Pick out the most effective pair of words from the given pair to make the sentences meaningfully complete.

Q11. Unless new reserves are found soon, the world’s supply of coal is being __________ in such a way that with demand continuing to grow at present rates reserves will be __________ by the year 2050.

(a) consumed, completed

(b) depleted, exhausted

(c) reduced, argument

(d) burnt, destroyed

(e) utilized, perished

Q12. If you are __________ you tend to respond to stressful situations, in a calm, secure, steady and __________ way.

(a) resilient, rational

(b) obdurate, manageable

(c) propitious, stable

(d) delectable, flexible

(e) supportive, positive

Q13. Management can be defined as the process of __________ organizational goals by working with and through human and non-human resources to __________ improve value added to the world.

(a) getting, deliberately

(b) managing, purposefully

(c) targeting, critically

(d) realizing, dialectically

(e) reaching, continuously

Q14. If you are an introvert, you __________ to prefer working alone and if possible, will __________ towards projects where you can work by yourself or with as few people as possible.

(a) like, depart

(b) advocate, move

(c) tend, gravitate

(d) express, attract

(e) feel, follow

Q15. Despite __________ knowledgeable, he remained __________ all through.

(a) having, ignorant

(b) of, doubtful

(c) owing, through

(d) having, enriched

(e) being, poor

Solutions

S1. Ans.(a)
Sol. Although few outside academe have heard of him today, William Dean Howells

S2. Ans.(b)
Sol. is to accept the risk of financial ruin as well. We need to maintain the parallelism in the both parts of the sentence.

S3. Ans.(c)
Sol. During the past twenty years. Since shows exact point of time, here a time period is shown, hence During in the correct word.

S4. Ans.(c)
Sol. into the character of the man who was the primary author.

S5. Ans.(d)
Sol. Although it was completely withered. We need a subject(it) to express the idea correctly.

S6. Ans.(c)
Sol. to permit. Other choices are wordy in nature and incorrect word order.

S7. Ans.(d)
Sol. as your choice of. In this option the correct possessive pronoun “your” is used.

S8. Ans.(c)
Sol. the actual votes cast …… the attitudes of incumbents than do the speeches they make

S9. Ans.(d)
Sol. Huckleberry Finn marked the first time that American vernacular was used in a novel.

S10. Ans.(e)
Sol.  protecting children from the drugs available to them

S11. Ans.(b)
Sol.  depleted, exhausted fit in the context of the sentence correctly.

S12. Ans.(a)
Sol.  resilient, rational fit in the context of the sentence correctly.

S13. Ans.(d)
Sol.  realizing, dialectically fit in the context of the sentence correctly.

S14. Ans.(c)
Sol.  tend, gravitate fit in the context of the sentence correctly.

S15. Ans.(e)
Sol.  being, poor fit in the context of the sentence correctly.

QUIZ-08

Q1. The government has selected five merchant bankers, including Goldman Sachs and Citigroup, to manage the government's 3 per cent stake sale in IOC (Indian Oil Corporation). Who is the present chairman of Indian Oil Corporation (IOC)?

Answer: B Ashok

Q2. Apple opened its first Southeast Asia store in which of the following country, drawing hundreds of excited fans to the swanky two-storey site in the city’s upmarket shopping district?

Answer: Singapore

Q3. What is the capital city of Mauritius?

Answer: Port Louis

Q4. Who is the current Chairman & Managing Director of Dena Bank?

Answer: Ashwani Kumar

Q5. Who is the present President of Mauritius?

Answer: Ameenah Gurib-Fakim

Q6. The government has recently expanded the Banks Board Bureau (BBB) by adding two more members. Banks Board Bureau (BBB) is currently headed by _______________.

Answer: Vinod Rai

Q7. Gujarat based GCMMF has signed an MoU with Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) for fodder acreage assessment using satellite observation and space technology. What does 'F' stands for in GCMMF?

Answer: Federation

Q8. GCMMF markets its products under the brand name of _______________.

Answer: Amul

Q9. Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) was recently in News. Who was the founder of ISRO?

Answer: Vikram Sarabhai

Q10. What is the theme of the International Day of Families 2017?

Answer: Families, education and well-being

Q11. Name the 18-year-old Indian student who has made the world’s smallest satellite named 'KalamSat' for NASA.

Answer: Rifath Sharook

Q12. Cabinet has recently approved the signing of Fuel Supply Agreement (FSA) with Letter of Assurance (LoA) holders of Thermal Power Plants (TPPs) and introduced a new more transparent coal allocation policy for Power Sector, 2017 named SHAKTI. What does 'HA' mean in SHAKTI?

Answer: Harnessing and Allocating

Q13.  Forbes magazine has recently named a famous Industrialist of India as the topmost among its "Global Game Changers" who are transforming their industries and changing the lives of billions around the world. Forbes is _________________ based company.

Answer: USA

Q14. Softbank has made its biggest investment in an Indian digital enterprise by selling a funding round of _______________ in mobile payments provider Paytm.

Answer: Rs 9,000 crore

Q15. The Minister of State for Labour & Employment(IC), Shri Bandaru Dattatreya launched EPFOs Citizens Charter 2017 and e-court management system in which city?

Answer: Bangalore

Daily GK Update 08th July 2017

1. 12th G20 Summit held in Hamburg, Germany

i. Hamburg hosted the twelfth G20 Summit on the 7th and 8th of July, 2017. The G20, or group of 20, is an international meeting between heads of states, finance ministers and central bank governors from the world’s leading economies.

ii. German Chancellor Angela Merkel is hosting this year’s G20 Summit in Hamburg.
iii. Leaders of the G20 countries agreed to swift action and targeted exchange of information on terrorism and its financing. The leaders also decided that the private sector will also be involved in the global efforts to counter terror financing.

Important Takeaways from Above News-

• G-20 was founded in 1999.
• The first meeting of G-20 was held in Berlin in 1999.
• The last G-20 summit was held in China in 2016.

2. 122 countries adopt 'historic' UN treaty to ban nuclear weapons

i. 122 countries approved the first-ever treaty to ban nuclear weapons at the UN meeting boycotted by all nuclear-armed nations. One country the Netherlands voting against while Singapore abstained.

ii. None of the nine countries that possess nuclear weapons the United States, Russia, Britain, China, France, India, Pakistan, North Korea and Israel took part in the negotiations or the vote.
iii. Even Japan the only country to have suffered atomic attacks, in 1945 boycotted the talks as did most NATO countries.

Important Takeaways from Above News-

• Japan had suffered the Nuclear attack in Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945 during Second World War.

3. Center launches GST Rates Finder app to verify accurate tax rate under GST regime

i. Centre has launched an app – GST Rates Finder to verify the accurate tax rate on commodity and services under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley launched the app in New Delhi.

ii. Through this app, user can determine GST rate by entering the name of the commodity or service. The search result will list all the Goods and Services containing the name which was typed in the search box. A taxpayer can search for applicable CGST, SGST, UTGST rate and Compensation Cess on a supply.

Important Takeaways from Above News-

• GST council is headed by Finance Minister of India Mr. Arun Jaitley.

4. JIGYASA - Student-Scientist connect programme launched 

i. Jigyasa, a student- scientist connect program was officially launched in New Delhi recently. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), has joined hands with Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) to implement this program.

ii. MoU signing ceremony was held in the presence of Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Minister of Science & Technology and Shri Prakash Javadekar, Minister of HRD.
iii. “JIGYASA” is one of the major initiative taken up by CSIR at the national level, during its Platinum Jubilee Celebration Year.

Important Takeaways fromAbove News-

• Union Minister for Science & Technology is Dr. Harshvardhan.
• Mr. Prakash Javadekar is Union HRD Minister.

5. MRP to be sole price decider from Jan 1, 2018

i. From January 1, 2018, the price of a packaged good would no longer depend on where you bought it- be it a local Kirana store, a mall, a five-star hotel or an airport. The Consumer Affairs Ministry has amended the rules that govern packaged commodities to this effect.

ii. As per the amended Legal Metrology rules for packaged commodities, the Centre has clarified that the retail sale price shall be the maximum retail price (MRP) inclusive of all taxes, with the provision to round off the price to the nearest rupee or 50 paise.

6. Canara HSBC Oriental Bank of Commerce Life Insurance ties up with Dhanlaxmi Bank for marketing bancassurance

i. Private life insurance company Canara HSBC Oriental Bank of Commerce Life Insurance has entered into an alliance with the Kerala-based Dhanlaxmi Bank for marketing various life insurance products.

ii. As part of the agreement, the Bank will be a corporate agent for 3 years. All the life insurance products of Canara HSBC Oriental Bank of Commerce Life Insurance would be made available to customers of Dhanlaxmi Bank and would be sold by the licensed staff of the bank.

Important Takeaways from Above News-

• Chief executive officer of Canara HSBC Oriental Bank of Commerce Life Insurance Company Limited is Anuj Mathur.
• MD and CEO of Dhanlaxmi Bank is G. Sreeram.

7. RBI allows NBFCs to offer new pension scheme

i. The Reserve Bank of India has allowed systematically important non-banking finance companies (NBFCs) to sell and market the new pension scheme (NPS).

ii. NBFCs with asset size of Rs500 crore and above that have made a net profit in the preceding financial year be permitted to sell NPS to their clients after registration with the pension regulator. 

Important Takeaways from Above News-

• RBI Headquarters in Mumbai.
• The 24th Governor of RBI is Dr. Urjit Patel.
• Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) is a company registered under the Companies Act, 1956 of India.

8. Saima Wazed Hossain appointed WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Autism in South Asia

i. Saima Wazed Hossain, a globally renowned champion for the cause of autism spectrum disorder has been appointed as the WHO's goodwill ambassador for autism in the world body's Southeast Asia region.

ii. Her appointment is for a period of two years. As WHO Goodwill Ambassador, Hossain will be promoting the Thimphu Declaration which emphasizes on integrating the needs of autism affected people into national health and socioeconomic development plans. 

Important Takeaways from Above News-

• Saima Wazed Hossain was designated as WHO Regional Champion for Autism in May 2016.
• Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus is the Director-General of WHO for the term of 5 Years.

9. Indian-origin man Guruswamy Jayraman awarded Australia’s highest civilian award

i. Guruswamy Jayraman, a 69-year-old Glenwood resident who migrated from Delhi to Australia in 1991, has been awarded Order of Australia for community work, the highest civilian award in Australia.

ii. He holds a graduate diploma in health counseling and in medical terminology and counseling.

Important Takeaways from Above News-

• The capital of Australia is Canberra.
• Its Currency is Australian dollar.
• Malcolm Turnbull is the PM of Australia.

10. Indian Ambassador to Peru Sandeep Chakravorty appointed New York Consul General

i. India’s Ambassador to Peru Sandeep Chakravorty has been appointed as the head of the Indian consulate in New York.
ii. The 1996 Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer will replace Riva Ganguly Das as Consul General in one of the busiest Indian diplomatic missions overseas.
iii. Chakravorty (47) was India’s Deputy High Commissioner in Dhaka, before being appointed as Ambassador to Peru and Bolivia.

Banking Awareness

Q1. Who is the first Governor of RBI? 

(a) C.D.Deshmukh

(b) James Braid Taylor 

(c) Osborne Smith

(d) Raghuram Rajan

(e) None of the given options is true

S1. Ans.(c)
Sol. Sir Osborne Smith was the first Governor of the Reserve Bank. A professional banker, he served for over 20 years with the Bank of New South Wales and 10 years with the Commonwealth Bank of Australia before coming to India in 1926 as a Managing Governor of the Imperial Bank of India. He held from 01st April 1935 to 30th June 1937.

Q2. Scheduled Banks of India are those banks, which are? 

(a) Included in First Schedule of RBI Act, 1934 

(b) Not included in First Schedule of RBI Act, 1934 

(c) Included in Second Schedule of RBI Act, 1934 

(d) Not included in Second Schedule of RBI Act, 1934 

(e) None of the given options is true

S2. Ans.(c)
Sol. The scheduled commercial banks are those banks which are included in the second schedule of RBI Ac  1934. Scheduled Commercial Banks are grouped under following categories:
1. State Bank of India
2. Nationalised Banks
3. Foreign Banks
4. Regional Rural Banks
5. Other Scheduled Commercial Banks

Q3. Which of the following banks is not merged with SBI in April 2017? 

(a) State Bank of Bikaner & Jaipur 

(b) State Bank of Travancore 

(c) State Bank of Mysore 

(d) Axis Bank

(e) None of the given options is true

S3. Ans.(d)
Sol. Axis Bank Ltd is the third largest of the private-sector banks in India and it is not merged with SBI in April 2017.

Q4. Which of the following bank is not a private sector bank in India? 

(a) Federal Bank 

(b) Yes Bank 

(c) IndusInd Bank 

(d) UCO Bank

(e) None of the given options is true

S4. Ans.(d)
Sol. Founded in 1943, UCO Bank is a commercial bank and a Government of India Undertaking.

Q5. Which private sector bank is recently merged with Kotak Mahindra Bank (KMB)? 

(a) ING Vysya Bank

(b) Karur Vysya Bank 

(c) Lakshmi Vilas Bank 

(d) Jammu and Kashmir Bank

(e) None of the given options is true

S5. Ans.(a)
Sol. ING Vysya Bank has successfully merged with Kotak Bank with effect from April 1, 2015, and will bear the name Kotak Mahindra Bank.

Q6. IBA stands for-

(a) Indian Banks' Allocation 

(b) Indian Banks' Association

(c) Institute Banks' Association 

(d) Indian Banks' Assembly

(e) Indian Billing Association 

S6. Ans.(b)
Sol. Indian Banks' Association (IBA) set up in 1946 with 22 members to discuss issues of common interests. Over the years, IBA emerged as the Voice of Indian Banking Industry.

Q7. What is the present Repo Rate?

(a) 7.00%

(b) 6.25%

(c) 6.50%

(d) 6.75%

(e) None of the given options is true

S7. Ans.(b)
Sol. present Repo Rate is 6.25%.

Q8. Which among the following rates is not the policy rate of RBI?

(a) Repo Rate

(b) Reverse Repo Rate

(c) Bank Rate

(d) Marginal Standing Facility Rate

(e) Cash Reserve Ratio

S8. Ans.(e)
Sol. Cash Reserve Ratio is Reserve ratio of RBI.

Q9. The Banking Ombudsman is a senior official appointed by..............?

(a) Indian Government

(b) President of India

(c) Chief Justice of India

(d) Reserve Bank of India

(e) Finance Ministry

S9. Ans.(d)
Sol. The Banking Ombudsman is a senior official appointed by the Reserve Bank of India to redress customer complaints against deficiency in certain banking services.

Q10. As on date, there are _________ Banking Ombudsman centre located in India.

(a) 20

(b) 19

(c) 18

(d) 17

(e) 16

S10. Ans.(a)
Sol. As on date, there are 20 Banking Ombudsman centre located in India. These are-
1. Ahmedabad, Gujarat
2. Bengaluru, Karnataka
3. Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
4. Bhubaneswar, Odisha
5. Chandigarh
6. Chennai, Tamil Nadu
7. Guwahati, Assam
8. Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh
9.  Jaipur, Rajasthan
10. Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh
11. Kolkata, West Bengal
12. Mumbai, Maharashtra
13. New Delhi (I)
14. New Delhi (II)
15. Patna, Bihar
16. Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
17. Dehradun, Uttarakhand
18. Ranchi, Jharkhand
19. Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir
20. Raipur, Chhattisgarh

Q11. __________ An asset, including a leased asset, becomes non­ performing when it ceases to generate income for the bank.

(a) NPA

(b) KCC

(c) NPV

(d) GDP

(e) GNP

S11. Ans.(a)
Sol. Non ­performing Assets (NPA) is an asset, including a leased asset, becomes non­ performing when it ceases to generate income for the bank.

Q12. NPA stands for- 

(a) National ­performing Assets 

(b) New ­performing Assets 

(c) Non ­production Assets 

(d) Non ­performing Assembly

(e) Non ­performing Assets

S12. Ans.(e)
Sol. NPA stands for Non ­performing Assets.

Q13. MUDRA is a financial institution has been set up by Government of India for development and refinancing micro-units’ enterprises. What is the meaning of "A" in MUDRA?

(a) Agency

(b) Association

(c) Assembly

(d) Agent

(e) Alert

S13. Ans.(a)
Sol. MUDRA, which stands for Micro Units Development & Refinance Agency Ltd, is a financial institution being set up by Government of India for development and refinancing micro units’ enterprises.

Q14. MUDRA stands for- 

(a) Micro Units Development & Refinance Agent

(b) Medium Units Development & Refinance Association

(c) Micro Units Department & Refinance Agency 

(d) Micro Units Development & Refinance Agency 

(e) Micro Unique Development & Refinance Assembly

S14. Ans.(d)
Sol. MUDRA, which stands for Micro-Units Development & Refinance Agency Ltd, is a financial institution being set up by Government of India for development and refinancing micro-units’ enterprises. It was announced by the Hon’ble Finance Minister while presenting the Union Budget for FY 2016. The purpose of MUDRA is to provide funding to the non-corporate small business sector through various Last Mile Financial Institutions like Banks, NBFCs and MFIs.

Q15. India was one of the first in Asia to recognise the effectiveness of the EPZ model in promoting exports. EPZ stands for-

(a) Export Point Zone

(b) External Processing Zone

(c) Export Production Zone

(d) Export Processing Zone

(e) Export Processing Zonal

S15. Ans.(d)
Sol. India was one of the first in Asia to recognise the effectiveness of the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) model in promoting exports, with Asia's first EPZ set up in Kandla, Gujarat in 1965.