256: Selence-1, the lunar orbiter mission belongs to which one of the following?
(a) China
(b) USA
(c) European Union
(d) Japan
Explanation:
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) launched the Selenological and Engineering Explorer (or Moon explorer) "SELENE" by an H-IIA Launch Vehicle in the summer of 2007.
Selene: SELenological and ENgineering Explorer Lunar orbiter and lander mission, ISAS (Japan) Selene 1 carried 15 instruments including a radar sounder, laser altimeter, X-ray f10urescence spectrometer and gammaray spectrometer to study the origin, evolution, and tectonics of the Moon. The 2800 kg launch-mass spacecraft carried by an H-2A rocket from the Tanegashima Space Center. The orbiter undergone four orbit maneuvers over nine days to place it into a 100 km circular lunar orbit for one year of surface observations.
257: In the context of Indian news in recent times, what is MCX-SX?
(a) A kind of supercomputer
(b) Stock exchange
(c) Title of Moon Impact Probe
(d) Nuclear-powered submarine
Explanation:
MCX-SX is a subsidiary of Multi Commodity Exchange of India Ltd (MCX) and operates under the regulatory framework of Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and Reserve Bank Of India (RBI).It was inaugurated on 6th October 2008 and went live the next day. It leverages the illustrious lineage of mcx and draws on all its strengths as India's No.1 commodity exchange. MCX-sx provides a host of benefits to a wide range of financial market participants, including hedgers (i.e.exporters, importers, corporates, and bank) investors, and arbitrageurs.
258: The main function of the I.M.F. is to
(a) arrange international deposits from banks
(b) help to solve balance of payments problems of member countries
(c) act as a private sector lending arm of the World Bank
(d) finance investment to developing countries
259: From which one of the following did India buy the Barak anti-missile defence systems?
(a) France
(b) Israel
(c) Russia
(d) USA
Explanation:
The Barak Weapon System is a highly advanced ship-borne anti-missile-missile point-defense missile system, as well as an anti-airjanti-surface gunnery control system. The system is highly effective against anti-ship sea-skimming missiles and aerial threats. The Barak anti-missile defence systems were purchased from Israel in 2000 for the naval ships, after the DRDO failed to develop the indigenous system Trishul.
260: With reference to India, consider the following statements :
1. The Wholesale Price Index (WPI) in India is available on a monthly basis only.
2. As compared to Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPI(IW)), the WPI gives less weight to food articles.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither, 1 nor 2
Explanation:
A Wholesale Price Index (WPI) is the price of a representative basket of wholesale goods. Some countries (like India and The Philippines) use WPI changes as a central measure of inflation.
The Abhijit Sen committee had suggested the modification of India's outdated price index calculation to a monthly price index. The government has endorsed the format ti release a wholesale price based inflation data on a monthly basis, instead of every week as being done now, and changed the base year to 2004-05 from 1993-94.
Weight of food items in WPI : food articles : 15.40% and food products : 11.53%
Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers : 57%