SNAP Current Affairs and General Awareness (Supplementary) Syllabus

What is GDP and how does it differ from GNP?

GDP (Gross Domestic Product) is the value of goods and services produced within a country's borders; GNP adds net income earned by residents from abroad.

What is the difference between fiscal deficit and revenue deficit?

Fiscal deficit is total expenditure minus total receipts (excluding borrowings); revenue deficit is revenue expenditure minus revenue receipts.

What is inflation and which index is most commonly used to measure retail inflation in India?

Inflation is a sustained rise in the general price level; retail inflation is measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

What does GST stand for and what is its key feature?

Goods and Services Tax; a single, destination-based indirect tax that subsumed multiple central and state taxes, implemented on 1 July 2017.

What is the difference between direct tax and indirect tax?

Direct tax is levied directly on income/wealth (e.g., income tax) and cannot be shifted; indirect tax is levied on goods/services (e.g., GST) and can be passed to the consumer.

What is the role of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)?

The RBI is India's central bank; it issues currency, controls monetary policy, regulates banks, and manages foreign exchange and inflation.

What is the Repo Rate and the Reverse Repo Rate?

Repo rate is the rate at which the RBI lends to commercial banks; reverse repo rate is the rate at which the RBI borrows from banks (absorbing liquidity).

What is the difference between CRR and SLR?

CRR (Cash Reserve Ratio) is the cash banks must keep with the RBI; SLR (Statutory Liquidity Ratio) is the share of deposits banks must hold in liquid assets like gold and government securities.

What does NPA mean in banking?

Non-Performing Asset: a loan or advance on which interest or principal is overdue for 90 days or more.

What is the difference between a 'bull market' and a 'bear market'?

A bull market is when prices are rising and optimism prevails; a bear market is when prices are falling and pessimism prevails.

What are SENSEX and NIFTY?

SENSEX is the benchmark index of 30 stocks on the BSE; NIFTY 50 is the benchmark index of 50 stocks on the NSE.

What is a company's tagline-to-brand matching example: 'The Complete Man' belongs to which brand?

Raymond.

Which company uses the slogan 'Just Do It' and which uses 'Think Different'?

'Just Do It' is Nike; 'Think Different' is Apple.

What does the term 'CEO' stand for and how does it differ from 'CFO'?

CEO is Chief Executive Officer (overall leadership); CFO is Chief Financial Officer (responsible for financial management).

Which brand owns the products Surf Excel, Lifebuoy, and Dove in India?

Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL).

What is an IPO?

Initial Public Offering: the first sale of a company's shares to the public, after which the company becomes publicly listed.

Who was the first Governor-General of independent India and the first President of the Republic?

First Governor-General: Lord Mountbatten (then C. Rajagopalachari as first Indian); first President: Dr. Rajendra Prasad.

Which dynasty built the Taj Mahal and who commissioned it?

The Mughal dynasty; commissioned by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of Mumtaz Mahal.

What is the classical dance form of Kerala and of Tamil Nadu?

Kathakali is the classical dance of Kerala; Bharatanatyam is the classical dance of Tamil Nadu.

Who founded the Maurya Empire and who was its most famous emperor?

Founded by Chandragupta Maurya; its most famous emperor was Ashoka the Great.

Which Indian freedom movement was launched by Mahatma Gandhi in 1942?

The Quit India Movement, with the slogan 'Do or Die'.

Which is the longest river in India and which is the largest freshwater lake?

The Ganga is the longest river in India; Wular Lake (J&K) is the largest freshwater lake.

What is the difference between weather and climate?

Weather is the short-term atmospheric condition of a place; climate is the average weather pattern over a long period (typically 30+ years).

What are the three main greenhouse gases responsible for global warming?

Carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O).

What is the purpose of the Paris Agreement (2015)?

To limit global warming to well below 2C, preferably 1.5C, above pre-industrial levels by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

What is a biosphere reserve?

A protected area meant to conserve biodiversity and ecosystems while allowing sustainable use, recognized under UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere Programme.

What does ISRO stand for and what was the Chandrayaan-3 achievement?

Indian Space Research Organisation; Chandrayaan-3 made India the first country to land near the Moon's south pole (2023).

What is Artificial Intelligence (AI) and what is Machine Learning?

AI is the simulation of human intelligence by machines; Machine Learning is a subset of AI where systems learn from data without explicit programming.

What is the difference between RAM and ROM?

RAM (Random Access Memory) is volatile temporary working memory; ROM (Read-Only Memory) is non-volatile permanent memory storing firmware.

Which book is associated with the author Chetan Bhagat: 'Five Point Someone'?

Chetan Bhagat wrote 'Five Point Someone'.

On what dates are World Environment Day and International Yoga Day observed?

World Environment Day is on 5 June; International Yoga Day is on 21 June.