January 26, 2020

Biz Quizzard 826

Presenting the current affairs quiz for the period January 20 - 25. Hope you enjoy it.

1. Which MNC is setting up India's first smartphone display manufacturing unit on the outskirts of Delhi?

2. Former Flipkart chief technology officer Ravi Garikipati has launched DAVINTA, a financial services and micro-credit startup, along with which serial entrepreneur?

3. Shin Kyuk-ho has died at the age of 97. He was the founder of which South Korean retail conglomerate?

4. Which MNC has made a commitment to induct 10,000 electric vehicles (EV) into its delivery fleet in the country by 2025?

5. Which cooperative bank last week said its shareholders have decided to convert it into a small finance bank?

6. Sensing a huge market opportunity to provide liquidity support to cash-starved Indian infrastructure companies, which sovereign wealth fund is all set to launch a nonbank lender of its own?

7. The government has appointed Sanjiv Chadha as MD and CEO of which bank?

8. The government has elevated Atanu Kumar Das to the post of MD and CEO of which bank?

9. The government has appointed LV Prabhakar as the MD and CEO of which bank?

10. Which company has acquired the Indian operations of Uber Eats, the food delivery business run by Uber, for around $350 million (Rs 2,485 crore)?

11. LinkedIn recently named which Indian business executive as a ‘LinkedIn Influencer’?

12. Which life insurance company has launched the campaign 'Rakshakaran Heroes' addressing the twin concerns of green cover depletion and lack of life insurance penetration in the country?

13. Which brand has featured the story of visually impaired paragliding pilot Divyanshu Ganatra in its latest ‘Smile karo aur shuru ho jao' campaign?

14. Which brand has launched a campaign featuring actor and singer Prit Kamani along with brand ambassador Sara Ali Khan to promote its new smartphone S1 Pro?

15. Which fruit brand has roped in actor Disha Patani and chef sanjeev Kapoor as brand ambassadors?

16. Indian designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee has collaborated with which multinational clothing-retail company for its new range “Wanderlust”?

17. Which company will showcase FUTURO-e, an electric concept sports utility vehicle (SUV) at the Auto Expo next month?

18. As per an announcement from Mahindra & Mahindra last week, which brand from its stable has received five-star rating for adult occupant protection from Global NCAP?

19. Which accelerator for delivery-only brands has taken a majority stake in internet restaurant brands QSR Brands India and Eathos Group for an undisclosed sum?

20. Which city has emerged as this year's world´s most dynamic city, according to JLL´s City Momentum Index?

21. Which chipmaker’s mobile chipset will offer navigation capability on Indian roads using the Indian space agency’s navigation with the Indian Constellation (NavIC) satellites?

22. The telecom department has approved raising the foreign direct investment (FDI) limit in Bharti Airtel to what limit from an earlier 49%?

23. Which company has agreed to buy a portfolio of brands from the gynaecology division of Glenmark Pharmaceuticals for a consideration of Rs 115 crore?

24. Which real estate developer is foraying into coliving, or shared residence segment under the brand Olive?

25. Which investment major has appointed Manoj Kohli as the country head for India?

26. Which MNC has appointed Mahesh Palashikar as the new President and CEO for South Asia, effective February 1, 2020?

27. Which global pizza brand is entering India with its first two restaurants in India in Ahmedabad, Gujarat on January 29?

28. Which edible oil manufacturer is aiming to recycle 100 per cent of the plastics used by the brand in the next three years?

29. Which premium lingerie company has launched the digital campaign ‘#TrulyYou’?

30. Which exchange has overtaken the US-based Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) group to emerge as the world’s largest derivatives exchange by number of contracts traded?

31. Which fashion brand has launched the campaign ‘#WearYourPatriotism’ to celebrate the Republic Day?

32. Entertainment network Viacom18 will launch its second subscription-based streaming offering. What has it been branded as?

33. Which casual dining restaurant chain has announced the launch of its customer loyalty program, ‘Smile Club’, on the occasion of its 14th anniversary?

34. Which MNC has launched what it claims is the world's first refrigerator that can make curd?

35. Maruti Suzuki India last week said its BS-VI compliant vehicles have reached which milestone cumulative sales mark, ahead of the implementation of stricter emission norms from April 1?

36. Tata Motors last week entered the premium hatchback market with the launch of which brand?

37. Which company has developed a new-generation global van called T1N?

38. Which food services and facilities management company has appointed Rohit Bahety as the country president for India?

39. Which paper-manufacturing company has been taken to the bankruptcy court by lenders led by nonbanking finance company Finquest Financial Solutions?

40. Philanthropy arms of top corporates, including the Tatas, Mahindras, Godrejs and Premjis, last week announced a partnership to minimise the climate change impact. What is it called?

41. Who has resigned as chairperson of the Indian Institute of Information Technology, Vadodara?

42. Which retailer has recalled all TROLIGTVIS travel mugs marked “Made in India” in the UAE to ensure the safety of customers after reports of excessive chemicals?

43. Which business group last week announced plans to become the world’s largest solar power company by 2025 and the largest renewable power company by 2030?

44. Singapore company Temasek and Swedish major EQT have set up a platform in India to develop and acquire renewable energy assets in areas like solar and wind energy. What is it called?

45. Which Hyderabad-based startup has announced the foray of its Skinkraft customised skincare brand into the customised hair care segment as well?

46. Which networking platform has launched a new campaign 'Dating Just Got Equal' to encourage women to make the first move and reverse gender norms?

47. Personal care brand, Vicco has signed which actress as brand ambassador?

48. Which audio brand has announced cricketer Shreyas Iyer as its new brand ambassador for its 'Sound of the Champions' campaign?

49. Walmart-owned PhonePe has forayed into the insurance business, partnering with which general insurer?

50. Which company has been recognised as the fastest growing IT services brand of the decade by Brand Finance in its 2020 Global 500 report?

51. Which premium sugar brand has launched the campaign ‘Sugar Badlo, Health Badlo’?

52. Which advertising agency has joined hands with fashion designer Masaba Gupta to create ‘I Will Wear Out Plastic’, a clothing line with detachable bags?

53. Which feature phone, TV and connected essentials brand last week announced its entry in EV segment in India with a new electric vehicle?

54. Which auto component company has entered a joint venture with Beijing-based Prestolite Electric to enter the electric vehicle (EV) components market?

55. Ken Kang will be the new India managing director for which MNC?

56. Which MNC will acquire Delhi-based electrical and electronic equipment maker C&S Electric for cash consideration of Rs 2,100 crore in its biggest acquisition in the country till date outside the group?

57. Which MNC last week said it will no longer take a company public in the US and Europe if it lacks a director who is either female or diverse?

58. Which piping systems manufacturer has roped in actor Ranveer Singh as brand ambassador?

59. Microsoft and which Hyderabad-based start-up are harnessing the power of AI in counting Penguin populations in Antarctica faster and more accurately?

60. Which MNC will invest in India’s largest point-of-sale (PoS) solutions provider Pine Labs as part of a $300 million financing round?

61. Corporate and income tax collection for the current year is likely to fall for the first time in at least how many years?

62. E-commerce firm Club Factory last week said it has surpassed which milestone monthly active users count in India?

63. Which handset brand has launched the ‘#SendItBack’ campaign against fake forwards?

64. Which gaming company has announced a $148 million offer to acquire all shares of Norwegian game developer Funcom?

65. Which company has tied with UK-based Triumph Motorcycles to roll out a range of motorcycles priced around Rs 2 lakh in India?

Please mail your answers before 12 noon next Sunday to rajeevkondapalli@gmail.com with Biz Quizzard 826 as the subjact. Answers will be mailed to those who attempt the current edition within the given time.

Happy learning!
rajeev kondapalli

January 19, 2020

Biz Quizzard 825

Presenting the current affairs quiz for the period January 13 - 18. Hope you enjoy it.

1. According to a report last week, IndiGo airlines has opened its first international call centre in which country?

2. Which company has bought a strategic stake in Chennai-based RTS Logistics?

3. Which women-centric magazine released a research report called ‘All About Women’, targeted at millennial mothers?

4. Which snacking brand has launched its latest campaign ‘Har Craving Ka Jawaab’?

5. Sebi has postponed the deadline for listed companies to comply with the rule on splitting the roles of chairperson and managing director by what period?

6. Which global asset manager will buy a majority stake in the warehousing business of Allcargo Logistics?

7. Which entrepreneur has written the book ‘No Limits’?

8. Which breakfast cereals brand has launched a new campaign titled ‘Breakfast Se Badhkar’?

9. Which MNC will bring its range of smart television to India under a licensing partnership with Delhi-based Ossify Industries?

10. Maruti Suzuki India last week said its compact SUV Vitara Brezza has crossed which cumulative sales mark within four years of its launch?

11. Which restaurant reservation platform has launched its new campaign titled 'ThankTheStars’ and has partnered with leading restaurant chains to reward the Indian restaurant service sector?

12. Which biscuit brand has launched a new campaign featuring three ad films, including ‘Doodh Se Dosti’?

13. Which cricketer has become the first Indian athlete to be signed by global energy drink brand Monster Energy?

14. Which multi-brand beauty retailer has created a new campaign called ‘#WhatMakesYouBeautiful’ starring acid attack survivor and activist Laxmi Agarwal?

15. Which personal care brand has launched the initiative ‘#JustHireOne’ for acid attack survivors?

16. Which real estate lobby group has launched the country’s first e-commerce portal, housingforall(dot)com, for ready-to-move in houses which its members will upload for home buyers?

17. The government has appointed Michael Debabrata Patra to which position in the Reserve Bank of India?

18. Verlinvest, the Belgium-based investment holding company created by the founding families of beer major Anheuser-Busch InBev, is coming in as the anchor investor in which $30-million venture capital fund?

19. Which chocolate and confectionery major has roped in former Unilever senior executive Kalpesh Parmar as the new General Manager for India?

20. Bajaj Auto last week announced the formal launch of its much awaited electric scooter Chetak starting at what ex-showroom price?

21. Which incense and prayer products maker has launched a personalisation service on its online platform to increase consumer engagement?

22. Which hygiene and wellness brand has launched a video campaign which focuses on its Toilet Seat Sanitizer Spray, featuring brand ambassador Anita Hassanandani?

23. Which investment platform has launched financial education initiative 'Ab India Karega Invest' to bridge investors’ knowledge gap?

24. Which MNC has forayed into the electric vehicle (EV) space in India by unveiling a new brand called EQ?

25. Which company has entered into exclusive licensing and supply agreements with Rockwell Medical Inc. to commercialize Rockwell's Triferic for treating anaemia in hemodialysis patients in India?

26. Which edible oil brand has launched its digital campaign ‘#WomenOfChange’?

27. Which quick service restaurant (QSR) chain has appointed Merrill Pereyra as managing director of the Indian Subcontinent?

28. Which Italian brand recently launched its flagship store in India?

29. Which IPL team has roped in JK Lakshmi Cement as its title sponsors of the upcoming 13th season of the league?

30. A consortium of which business group and two financial investors will buy 49% in GMR Airports, operator of the Delhi airport which is the largest in the country?

31. Which brand is set to become the first television maker to make Google’s Android-powered TVs entirely in India using in-house backward integration manufacturing?

32. France-based Imerys Group, world leader in mineral-based specialities, has agreed to buy thermal insulation business from which CK Birla Group-controlled company?

33. Which MNC has snapped up the world’s second largest diamond?

34. Which well known audio solutions company is shutting all its 119 physical retail stores across Australia, North America, Europe and Japan over a few months, as its products “are increasingly purchased online”?

35. Which steel furniture company has reportedly shut down its operations within one year of its launch?

36. Which film studio has appointed Vaishali Sarwankar as its new CEO and Director?

37. Which dermatologist brand has announced actress Emilia Clarke as its first global brand ambassador for skincare and makeup?

38. Which beverage brand has launched its brand campaign, ‘The Tea Society Called India’?

39. DDB Mudra Group has appointed Preetham Venkky as president of which agency?

40. Which beauty brand has appointed actor and singer Aditi Rao Hydari, cricketer Mithali Raj and dancer, TV personality and entrepreneur Shakti Mohan as its latest ambassadors in India?

41. Intelligent charging solutions provider Anker Innovations has roped in which sports personality as its brand ambassador?

42. Which company has become the first Indian pharmaceutical company to get the drug regulator's nod for novel antibiotics, which it plans to launch in the next few months in the domestic market?

43. Which group has sold its healthcare analytics company Decision Resources Group (DRG) to US-based Clarivate Analytics for $950 million, almost eight years after buying it?

44. Which MNC bank has appointed Punit Sood as the new country head for India?

45. Which Chinese company has agreed to purchase General Motors’ manufacturing facility at Talegaon in Maharashtra?

46. Which exchange has become the first in India to gain regulator Securities Exchange Board of India’s (Sebi) approval to launch weekly interest rate futures (IRFs)?

47. Which company plans to sell its Netherlands business to KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, according to a regulatory filing?

48. Which MNC last week launched an online sales platform ‘Click to Buy’ for end to end car purchase?

49. Which dairy major last week forayed into the Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) segment with the launch of its first cafe in Noida?

50. Which smartphone maker last week said it had spun off POCO into separate brand?

51. Which company has launched the campaign ‘#WhatTheFalooda’ centered on customer care executives, and the abusive language they face while dealing with from disgruntled customers?

52. Which financial services company has launched ‘#FitForLife’ campaign allowing customers to keep pace with their fitness resolutions in the new year?

53. Kingfisher Ultra has roped in which celebrity as brand ambassador?

54. Which cybersecurity company has named Peter Leav as its new CEO, effective February 3?

55. Google’s parent company Alphabet last week crossed which milestone market capitalization mark for the first time?

Please mail your answers before 12 noon next Sunday to rajeevkondapalli@gmail.com with Biz Quizzard 825 as the subject. Answers will be mailed to those who attempt the current edition within the given time.

Happy learning!
rajeev kondapalli

January 12, 2020

Biz Quizzard 824

Presenting the current affairs quiz for the period January 06 - 11. Hope you enjoy it.

1. BTB Marketing, which runs Beer Cafe, has crossed which milestone annual sales mark, about seven years after it opened its first outlet?

2. Not clear how they arrived at this. The mithai and namkeen industry in India has achieved which milestone turnover mark, according to Federation of Sweets & Namkeen Manufacturers (FSNM)?

3. Which domestic stationery brand has undergone a brand refresh, including a new logo and tagline – ‘Think. Create.’?

4. PR Seshadri has resigned as the MD and CEO of which bank?

5. Which airline has launched the campaign 'Jan On Plan On'?

6. Which insurance company has unveiled Pension4life Plan, an annuity product designed to provide financial independence to retired individuals, those near retirement or earlier?

7. Which consumer durables company has launched the campaign ‘#JunkTheJunk’ for its refrigerators?

8. The government has set which temperature as the default temperature setting for all room air-conditioners covered under the ambit of BEE star-labelling programme?

9. Which Kerala-based small finance bank last week filed draft red herring prospectus with SEBI for Rs 976-crore IPO?

10. Which entity has become the first depository to inaugurate a branch within the International Financial Services Center (IFSC) at Gujarat International Fin-Tec City (GIFT City)?

11. According to a report last week, how many units of Nano did Tata Motors sell in 2019?

12. Impressed with the safety features of the blockchain technology, the National Payment Corporation of India has launched a blockchain-based payments platform. What has it been branded as?

13. Which Hyderabad-based ethnic flavoured drinks start-up has entered the home desserts segment and launched eight new home-based desserts?

14. Which dairy brand has launched a campaign to unveil its new brand positioning ‘Rishton Ka Swad Badhaey’?

15. Which telecom brand has launched 'Darbar' branded SIM pouch ahead of the Rajinikanth starrer film?

16. Which bath linen brand has rolled out its new campaign 'Wipe The Stereotype'?

17. Which entity has become the first urban cooperative bank (UCB) that has been granted ‘in-principle’ permission to convert into a small finance bank by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)?

18. Which group has entered the small arms business with the acquisition of a facility in Gwalior that will produce machine guns, carbines and other weapons for the local and export markets?

19. Which advertising agency has elevated Anusha Shetty to the position of chairperson and CEO?

20. Which MNC last week said that it will acquire Symantec’s cyber security services business from Broadcom Inc for an undisclosed amount?

21. Ride-hailing company Uber Technologies and which automaker have teamed up to develop electric air taxis?

22. James Murdoch-led Lupa Systems has made its first investment in India in which online learning institution?

23. Which UK-based ‘modest’ fashion retailer has announced its debut in Hyderabad through the franchisee route?

24. Which company has unveiled ‘#ShineOn’, the first ever campaign for its Sheen range of watches?

25. Which company last week said it has re-branded itself as Nexzu Mobility from this month?

26. The government has in-principle approved strategic sale of which steel company by allowing six PSU shareholders to sell their stake?

27. Which beverages group is celebrating its centenary year with the release of a television commercial (TVC), a celebratory anthem, and a ‘timeless calendar’?

28. Which life insurance company has launched a new digital series ‘#PromiseBatao’?

29. Which cooking oil brand has launched a digital campaign ‘#StartAHeartResolution’ to encourage consumers to adhere to their New Year resolution by picking one which is easy to stick to?

30. Which motorcycle brand has launched the campaign ‘celebrating 18 years of thrill’?

31. Which bank last week launched a value added service called myApps for religious bodies, societies, clubs and city municipal bodies and other micro-communities?

32. Vikas Agnihotri, until recently the interim head of Google India, has joined which investment major as its first operating partner in India?

33. GMR Hyderabad Aerotropolis has announced forming a joint venture with which Hong Kong-based logistics real estate firm to develop a logistics and industrial park at the Hyderabad airport city?

34. In a move that will enable banks and fintechs onboard customers remotely, RBI has amended its norms to allow the ‘know your customer’ (KYC) process to be completed through which mode?

35. Reckitt Benckiser has launched a new variant of its disinfectant brand Lizol, designed specially for cleaning, and removing stains from what kind of floors?

36. Gaming and entertainment venture Smaaash has announced crossing which milestone sales mark about seven years after it opened its first outlet?

37. Which tyre brand has launched a out-of-home (OOH) campaign, featuring its brand mascot and the tagline ‘For those who drive the change’?

38. Which company has launched the campaign to promote the Dual 4K Screen Zenbook Pro Duo laptop?

39. Which shower gel brand has introduced its first Eco-Friendly billboard in an OOH innovation?

40. Which business personality has acquired DHFL General Insurance from Wadhawan Global Capital (WGC) for around Rs 100 crore?

41. Which classifieds platform has launched a digital ad campaign ‘#BoxUnbox’?

42. Who was conferred the prestigious ICSI Lifetime Achievement Award by the Institute of Company Secretaries of India last week?

43. Which life insurance company has launched the ‘#PlankForIndia’ campaign supporting emerging sports stars?

44. Which brand has launched a new campaign for steel door frames featuring Amitabh Bachchan?

45. Which payment and fintech company has decided to acquire significant majority equity stake in PaySense, a digital credit platform, for an equity value of $185 million?

Please mail your answers before 12 noon next Sunday to rajeevkondapalli@gmail.com with Biz Quizzard 824 as the subject. Answers will be mailed to those who attempt the current edition within the given time.

Happy learning!
rajeev kondapalli

January 5, 2020

Biz Quizzard 823

Presenting the current affairs quiz for the period December 30 - January 04. Hope you enjoy it.

1. Reliance Industries has started its web portal to announce its entry into online food and grocery shopping by early next year. What has it been branded as?

2. Which life insurance company has launched the campaign ‘#PooraPlan’?

3. Which hospitality company has signed agreements with US-headquartered Marriott Hotels for over 1,500 keys in luxury and upper upscale segments in India?

4. Which paints company rolled out a contest campaign ‘Who has the most colorful winter wardrobe in the group’ to engage customers ahead of the New Year 2020?

5. Which business personality has bought an 8.8-acre land parcel close to the Sanjay Gandhi National Park in Mumbai's Borivali suburb from CCI Projects for over Rs 500 crore?

6. Which business group has appointed Amitabh Chaturvedi as group CEO for its financial services business?

7. Which company has launched the campaign ‘#ChaabiChurao’ on the issue of "drunk driving"?

8. RSH Global, a personal care company in the business of skin care products, launched a new range of product suitable for the sensitive skin of acid attack survivors. What has it been branded as?

9. Which company has proposed to partner with the government to revive the country’s largest integrated vaccine complex in Tamil Nadu that is struggling to start operations due to cash crunch?

10. Which hospitality company last week said it has added Fateh Prakash Palace in Udaipur to its collection of authentic palaces?

11. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) last week launched a mobile app for visually challenged to identify currency notes. What has it been branded as?

12. Which paint manufacturer has announced the appointment of Ashok Gupta as its Managing Director?

13. Sandeep Sangwan has taken over as the India MD of which lubricants major from January 1, 2020?

14. Which airline was named safest airline in the world on a top 20 list published by AirlineRatings(dot)com?

15. Which airline has been crowned 2019’s most punctual carrier, as per a survey by OAG Aviation Worldwide?

16. Which short video creation platform has started ‘#Killthechill’ campaign, which aims to help underprivileged across all age groups through the donation of old clothes?

17. Which ticketing and events platform has released its latest brand campaign ‘Entertainment Ki Nayi Bhasha’?

18. Julahaa Sarees has roped in which actress as an ambassador for the brand?

19. Which MNC last week inked a deal with home grown contract manufacturer, Dixon Technologies to restart local production of LED television sets in India?

20. Which company has agreed to acquire 75% interest in Krishnapatnam Port Company in Andhra Pradesh for an enterprise valuation of Rs 13,572 crore?

Please mail your answers before 12 noon next Sunday to rajeevkondapalli@gmail.com with Biz Quizzard 823 as the subject. Answers will be mailed to those who attempt the current edition within the given time.

Happy learning!
rajeev kondapalli