General Knowledge in exams is becoming more and more prominent and requires proper attention with equal weightage awarded to this section. A few of such recent current affairs topics are summarized below as they are making more news.
GK questions in recent entrance exams including MBA entrance tests are expected on these topics and it is expected that aspirants may encounter more questions on them in IIFT, SNAP, XAT and other MBA entrance exams.
Questions on GK or General Awareness form an important section with a weightage of 15 to 25% in almost all the national level MBA entrance tests. They are also the source of discussion during GD, PI, WAT, Extempore topics for MBA admission in IIMs, FMS, MDI, SPJIMR, XLRI and other highly ranked institutes.
MBAUniverse.com has begun with a unique initiative of publishing a series of current GK topics to benefit the MBA aspirants to know more about the current national and global environment that become the source of GK questions. The next in the series are the recent topics which have been discussed, schemes enforced or are likely to be enforced shortly
Topic-1
CBDT gets Rani Singh Nair (IRS) as new Chairman
Rani Singh Nair, a senior Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer has been appointed as Chairperson of Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT). Appointment of CBDT Chairman/chairperson is confirmed by Appointments Committee of Cabinet (ACC) headed by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Succeeding the acting chairman Atulesh Jindal who retired on July 30, 2016, Ms Nair will be able to be in office till October 31, 2016. Her assignment prior to this appointment was as member (Legislation and Computerisation) at CBDT.
What is CBDT
CBDT is the policy-making body of the Income Tax (IT) department under the Union Finance Ministry. It is the apex authority in India for framing policies related to direct taxes. CBDT is established under The Central Board of Revenue Act, 1963. CBDT includes Chairman and 6 members.
Ms Nair’s contributions in tax reforms
She was instrumental in framing the procedures and protocols that led to the roll-out of the ambitious Income Declaration Scheme (IDS). The scheme aims at bringing undisclosed income and assets into tax net.
Topic-2
Agartala, Capital of Tripura gets well connected to National Capital New Delhi
Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu has flagged off the first broad guage train service ‘Tripura Sundari Express’ from Agartala to Delhi.
Background
Till now north eastern state of Tripura had no broad guage train service to New Delhi. With the introduction of ‘Tripura Sundari Express’ Tripura has joined the map of broad guage train service.
Details
This will be the express train and will run weekly between Anand Vihar (Delhi) and Agartala (Tripura). It will take approximately 47 hours to cover distance of 2461 kms with a stoppage of 16 stations.
International Train Link Project also
The foundation stone of the Agartala-Akhaura International Rail link Project (India–Bangladesh Board Gauge Rail link) was also laid.
The idea of India–Bangladesh Board Gauge Rail link Project took shape in 2012 and an MoU was signed in February 2013 between both the countries. According to the MoU, both countries would create 15.06km railway line of which 10km falls in Bangladesh. India will bear entire expenditure of Rs.968 crore of this project. The project will be part of the trans-Asian rail connectivity and will play an important role in connecting Sabroom, southern most border city of Tripura with Chittagong international sea port which is just 75 km.
Topic-3
DISHA: New inititative of Union Government to implement Central schemes
What is DISHA
DISHA is the abbreviated form of District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee (DDCMC) for effective development and coordination of Central Government’s programme constituted by the Union Government. It is known as DISHA. Its first meeting will be held on August 13, 2016.
DISHA will monitor the implementation of 28 schemes and programmes of Union Ministry of Rural Development and other Ministries to promote synergy and convergence for greater impact.
Chairperson of the committee will be the senior most Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) elected from the district, nominated by the Union Ministry of Rural Development.
Objectives
-- DISHA is created to coordinate with Central and State and local self Governments like Panchayat.
-- DISHA aims for effective coordination and development of Central Government’s programme for infrastructure development/ Social and human resource development.
-- DISHA will ensure the participation of people’s representative at all levels and successful implementation of flagship programme of central government.
-- Terms of references of DISHA Ensure that all Central Government programmes are implemented in accordance with the guidelines.
-- It will look into complaints and alleged irregularities received in the implementation of the programmes.
-- DISHA will have authority to summon and inspect any record, refer any matter for enquiry to the District Collector or CEO of the Zilla Panchayat and Project Director of DRDA (or Poverty Alleviation Unit); can suggest suitable action to be taken in accordance with the rules which should be acted upon by District Collector or CEO within 30 days.
-- DISHA can closely review the flow of funds including the funds allocated, funds released by both Union Government and the State and will also review utilization and unspent balances under each of the 28 schemes.
Topic-4
Parliament gives nod to Indian Medical Council (Amendment) Bill, 2016
The Parliament has passed Indian Medical Council (Amendment) Bill, 2016 for conduct of uniform entrance examination for admission to all medical educational institutions. The bill sought to replace the Indian Medical Council (Amendment) Ordinance, 2016 and its provisions will come in to force retrospectively from May 24, 2016.
What is the Bill?
-- Bill introduces a uniform entrance examination for all medical educational institutions.
-- Applicable for admission at the undergraduate and the post-graduate level.
-- The uniform entrance examinations will be conducted in Hindi, English and other languages.
-- Empowers to MCI to frame regulations for (i) the manner of conducting the exams, (i) the authority designated to conduct exams and (iii) Specify languages other than English and Hindi in which the entrance examinations can be conducted.
Dentists (Amendment) Bill, 2016
Parliament also passed the Dentists (Amendment) Bill, 2016 for conduct of uniform entrance examination for admission to all dental medical educational institutions. The bills seek to amend the Dentists Act, 1948. It seeks to keep state boards out of the ambit of National Eligibility Entrance Examination (NEET) for admission BDS courses for academic year 2016-17.
Now, admission to medical and dental courses across the country will be done through a single common entrance test i.e. NEET from academic year 2017-18.
Why promulgated
The NEET aims to curb corruption by bringing in transparency, checking multiplicity of exams and to stop exploitation of students in counselling.
Emerging GK questions from the Text
-- Abbreviations: CBDT; IDS; DISHA; NEET
-- Who is the Chairman/chairperson of CBDT?
-- Income Tax is a direct/Indirect Tax?
-- Who appoints CBDT Chairman?
-- DISHA is created to implement locally framed schemes of Panchayats-True/False.
-- Who heads DISHA?
-- Which are the 2 stations proposed to be connected by International rail link?
-- What is the name of the broad guage train between Agartala to Delhi?
-- Can states opt out of the conduct of uniform entrance exam to medical institutes?
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