Oriental Bank of Commerce Probationary Officers SOLVED PAPER 2008

GENERAL AWARENESS
1.Jayasuriya who decided to take retirement from Test Cricket is from which of the following countries ?
(A) Pakistan
(B) India
(C) West Indies
(D) South Africa
(E) Sri Lanka
2. In order to give impetus to agri-culture which of the following states has launched Contract Farming
Scheme ?
(A) Jammu and Kashmir
(B) Orissa
(C) West Bengal
(D) Haryana
(E) None of these



3. Dola Banerjee who won a Gold Medal in an international games event in November 2007 is asso-ciated
with :
(A) Archery
(B) Badminton
(C) Table tennis
(D) Swimming
(E) None of these
4. Who amongst the following is the highest wicket taker in the history of Test cricket in the world ?
(A) R. Hadlee
(B) Kapil Dev
(C) Anil Kumble
(D) Shane Warne
(E) Mutthiah Muralidharan
5. Late Benzair Bhutto was associa-ted with which of the following political parties ?
(A) Muslim League
(B) Pakistan National Congress
(C) Pakistan People’s Party
(D) National Forum of Pakistan
(E) None of these
6. Zhang Zilin who was adjudged as the Miss World 2007 is from which of the following coun- tries ?
(A) South Africa
(B) Russia
(C) South Korea
(D) Vietnam
(E) China
7. Which of the following is not considered as a green House Gas ?
(A) Methane
(B) Carbon dioxide
(C) Nitrous oxide
(D) Oxygen
(E) All these are not green house gases
8. Which of the following terms is not a financial term ?
(A) Investment
(B) El Nino effect
(C) Core banking Solution
(D) RTGs
(E) All are financial terms
9. Who amongst the following is the Chairperson of the 13th Finance Commission ?
(A) Dr. C. Rangarajan
(B) Dr. Bimal Jalan
(C) Dr. Rakesh Mohan
(D) Dr. Vijay Kelkar
(E) None of these
10. The Green revolution in India was the outcome of the efforts of who amongst the following ?
(A) Dr. M. S. Swaminathan
(B) Dr. C. Rangarajan
(C) Mr.K. V. Kamath
(D) Dr. Rakesh Mohan
(E) None of these
11. Which of the following is a project to develop watersheds in India ?
(A) DRDO
(B) CARE
(C) Avard
(D) NWDPRA
(E) None of these
12. Who amongst the following is the author of the book ‘The Namesake’ ?
(A) Salman Rushdie
(B) Steve Waugh
(C) Monica Ali
(D) V. S. Naipaul
(E) Jhumpa Lahiri
13. Which of the following countries launched its first Lunar Orbiter ‘Change–I’ ?
(A) India
(B) South Korea
(C) China
(D) France
(E) None of these
14. Who amongst the following is ranked No. 1 Tennis players amongst the women players ? (as per recent
ranking)
(A) Maria Sharapova
(B) Ana Ivanovic
(C) Sania Mirza
(D) Justine Henin
(E) None of these
15. The Information and Broadcas-ting Ministry has selected which of the following pairs for its
prestigious ‘Life Time Achieve-ment Award’ given away recen-tly ?
(A) Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan
(B) Rajesh Khanna and Dilip Kumar
(C) Asha Bhosle and Lata Man-geshkar
(D) Lata Mangeshkar and Dilip Kumar
(E) None of these
16. Many a times we read in news-paper about the benefits of National Electronic, Funds Trans-fer (NEFT)
a delivery service launched by the bank. Why banks advocate for such delivery channels ?
1. It is a system in which no physical transfer takes place hence risk is very low.
2. In this system banks are not required to transfer any money actually to the account of the customer. Only
book adjustment is done. Hence actual fund is not needed.
3. This facility is available to anybody at any place. Even having a bank account is not at all necessary.
(A) Only (1) is correct
(B) Only (2) is correct
(C) Only (3) is correct
(D) Both (1) and (2) are correct
(E) All (1), (2) and (3) are correct
17. The prestigious Indira Gandhi National Award for Peace Disar-mament and Development 2006 was
conferred upon whom amongst the following ?
(A) Prof. Wangari Maathai
(B) Mr. Phillips Talbot
(C) Mr. Damilo Turk
(D) Ms. Doris Lessing
(E) None of these
18. As reported in the newspapers China has asked its banks to put 12·5% money instead of earlier 12%
as CRR. This correction in CRR is made for the seventh time in last one year. Why did China have to
take this step again and again and so frequently ?
1. It will put a curb on lending of the money by the banks.
2. It will help Govt. of China to tame the rate of inflation.
3. It will help poor to get easy loans at cheaper rates from the banks as higher CRR brings more money for
acti-vities of the social sector.
(A) Only (1) is correct
(B) Only (2) is correct
(C) All (1), (2) and (3) are correct
(D) Only (3) is correct
(E) Both (1) and (2) are correct
19. NRI Day is observed on which of the following days ?
(A) 9th February
(B) 9th January
(C) 19th February
(D) 19th March
(E) 9th March
20. Which of the following isnot a mode of foreign capital inflow to India ?
(A) FDI
(B) FII
(C) NRI Accounts
(D) No Frills Accounts
(E) All these are valid for foreign capital inflow
21. India-European Union Summit 2007 was organized in November 2007 at New Delhi. Which of the following
is true about the same ?
1. A landmark MOU was signed by both the parties which envisages that EU would help India to achieve
millennium Goals.
2. EU will plead India’s case of more subsidy to agro sector in WTO meets.
3. Both the parties reaffirmed their commitment to the rule based multilateral trading system.
(A) Only (1) is correct
(B) Only (2) is correct
(C) Only (3) is correct
(D) Both (1) and (3) are correct
(E) All (1), (2) and (3) are correct
22. Mr. Kevin Rudd is the new :
(A) President of Australia
(B) Prime Minister of Australia
(C) President of Argentina
(D) Prime Minister of Argentina
(E) Secretary General of UNO
23. The 53rd Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHO-GM) was organized at which of the
following places in Novem-ber 2007 ?
(A) Kampala
(B) London
(C) New Delhi
(D) Perth
(E) None of these
24. As per the reports published in the news papers/magazines the overall credit (credit by banks) grew
by over Rs. 1,00,000 crores in 2005-06 and 2006-07. Which of the following sectors was one single
main contributor to this boom ?
(A) Housing and real estate sector
(B) Agriculture sector
(C) Business loans to doctors and account professionals
(D) Manufacturing Sector
(E) None of these
25. Many times we see banks adver-tise—â€oeAnywhere Banking : Any-time Banking”. Which of the
following products/facilities launched by banks make it possible for the customers to avail banking
services 24 hours all seven days ?
1. ATM
2. Internet Banking
3. Universal Cheque book facility
(A) Only (1)
(B) Only (2)
(C) Both (1) and (2)
(D) Only (3)
(E) All (1), (2) and (3)
Which of the following organiza-tion/agencies has asked all the banks in India to form customer service
panels at branch levels ?
(A) Indian Bank’s Association
(B) Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
(C) Supreme Court of India
(D) Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)
(E) None of these
27. As we all know Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has taken some corrective steps to
restrict functioning of Partici-patory Notes (P-Notes) in Indian Stock Markets. Why are P-Notes
considered dangerous for the financial markets of a country ?
1. This allows a foreign inves-tor to invest funds without knowing the history/finan-cial health of a company.
If Company fails foreign investors lose their money. Govt. of India does not want this as this will bring
a bad name to the country.
2. P-Notes allow foreign inves-tors to buy shares of blue chip companies without following know Your Customer
(KYC) norms. Hence money invested here may not be from a valid and legal source.
3. P-Notes are launched to arrange funds only for social schemes. Due to huge funds available with NRI for
investment they are sending it in bulk. Hence cost of such investments is very high and it is not
commercially viable for banks to accept such investments.
(A) Only (1) is correct
(B) Only (2) is correct
(C) Only (3) is correct
(D) Both (1) and (2) are correct
(E) None of these
28. The Banking Industry a few years back was badly in the grip of Non Performing Assets (Bad loans) for
which the RBI and banks took special measures. As per the latest financial reports of the industry,
what is the status of NPAs at present ?
1. There are no NPAs now as not a single loan of Rs. 5 lakhs and above is given by the bank without proper
paperwork.
2. As reported of 2006-07 the NPAs have declined.
3. As the interest rates are very high banks are not providing loans to middle class and poor general borrows.
Hence NPAs in private and personal bank-ing area are ‘zero’ where as in industrial credit sector
NPAs are still at the level of 22 per cent.
(A) Only (1) is correct
(B) Only (2) is correct
(C) Both (1) and (2) are correct
(D) Only (3) is correct
(E) None of these
29. Which of the following car com-panies has launched a small cheaper car ‘Nano’ ?
(A) Maruti Suzuki Udhyog Ltd.
(B) Hyundai Motor India Ltd.
(C) Tata Motors Ltd.
(D) Hindustan Motors Ltd.
(E) None of these
30. The Govt. of India in general and the Banks in particular are very much after the ‘Financial Inclusionâ€
™ a goal which both of them wish to achieve as early as pos-sible. What is the actual meaning of
‘Financial Inclusion’ ?
1. Each and every individual above the age of 21 years should have an employ-ment and/or independent
source of income enough for him/her to sustain.
2. It is a concept which envi-sages that maximum people in India should have access to banking services.
3. Banking services should be provided only to those who have a valid and legal source of income as Govt. of
India wants each and every per-son in the income tax net irrespective of the level of their income.
(A) Only (1) is true
(B) Only (2) is true
(C) Only (3) is true
(D) Both (1), (2), (3) are true
(E) None of these
31. As per the reports in the major financial newspapers India has urged China to redress imba-lance in
trade. What does it really mean ? It means…………
(A) India exports more items to China whereas China does not export much to India
(B) India is not able to export much to China whereas its import from China is of higher value
(C) China and India are not at all trade partners. Hence there is no transaction between the two countries
(D) As per WTO laws India is supposed to export food grains to China. But China has not placed any order for
the same in 2006-07. It has also refused to accept 200 lakh tonnes of wheat exported to it by India.
(E) None of these
32. As reported in the newspapers the collection of Direct Taxes which includes IT, FBT, STT and BCTT
grew by about 50% during the current fiscal year. Which of the following is the name of the tax levied
on a cash withdrawal or deposit from/to a bank ?
(A) IT (B) FBT
(C) STT (D) BCTT
(E) None of these
33. As reported in some financial newspapers some banks in India (including major banks) these days are
not accepting US dollar transactions from Iranian buyers. Which of the following is the major reason
of banks not accep-ting such transactions from Iran ?
1. USA has put a ban on major iranian Banks hence Indian banks are also not accepting transaction from Iran
as they do not get return of the same from it.
2. Iran is facing a major Reces-sion hence all Banks have stopped major transactions with Iranian banks.
3. Iran has declared itself as an Islamic country and hence its banking is also Islamic Banking. This is the
reason owing to which most of the countries are not able to develop financial ties with it.
(A) Only (1)
(B) Only (2)
(C) Only (3)
(D) Both (1) and (2)
(E) All (1), (2) and (3)
34. As reported in some major financial news papers many times it is said that ‘Other Income’
boosts the profit of a bank to a substantial level. What is this other income for a bank ? (Pick up the
option (s) which are the part (s) of this other income)
1. Commission for selling insurance policies.
2. Fee for providing various services (like ATM/Extra cheque etc.)
3. Interest on advances and loans.
(A) Only (1)
(B) Only (2)
(C) Both (1) and (2)
(D) Only (3)
(E) All (1), (2) and (3)
35. Amongst the BRIC nations the GDP of which of the following took a fast growth of 11·5% in recent
past ?
(A) None (B) Brazil
(C) Russia (D) India
(E) China
36. Which of the following is the achievement/outcome of Mrs. Sonia Gandhi’s visit to China in
October 2007 ?
1. A working group is estab-lished to prepare a frame-work for the settlement of boundary issue.
2. China has agreed to support India’s claim to have a permanent seat in UN Security Council.
3. China agreed to stop all exports to Pakistan till it switches over to a democra-tically elected government.
(A) Only (1)
(B) Only (2)
(C) Only (3)
(D) Both (1), (2) and (3)
(E) None of these
37. As reported time and again and in the media most of the Indian Industrialists are against a regional
trade pact with China. Why China is not a preferred partner in trade and business activities in India ?
1. India has already instigated maximum number of cases against China under anti dumping laws.
2. China is not a quality cons-cious country. Hence the products are not of good market value.
3. China has maximum trade agreements with those countries whose activities are not liked by India and
some major countries of E.U. China is importing goods from them and redirecting it to India.
(A) Only (1)
(B) Only (2)
(C) Only (3)
(D) All (1), (2) and (3)
(E) None of these
38. India has a regional trade pact SAFTA. This pact is with mem-bers of which of the following group of
countries ?
(A) IBSA (B) EU
(C) OPEC (D) BRIC
(E) SAARC
39. As reported in some news-papers/magazines some banks have decided to install Biometric ATMs so
that fraudulent with-drawals can be prevented. Bio-metric ATMs will be able to do so as it also
checks—
1. Signatures of the card holdes.
2. Finger prints of the card holders.
3. Skin colour of the card holders.
(A) Only (1)
(B) Only (2)
(C) Only (3)
(D) Both (1) and (3)
(E) All (1), (2) and (3)
40. Which of the following schemes is launched specifically for helping Senior Citizens to avail loan by
mortgage of their resi-dential property ?
(A) English mortgage scheme
(B) Senior Capital Loan scheme
(C) Reverse Mortgage Loan scheme
(D) DEMAT Account Scheme
(E) None of these
41. Who amongst the following received the Nobel Prize 2007 for Medicine ?
1. Martin Evans
2. Mario Capecchi
3. Oliver Smiths
(A) Only (1)
(B) Only (2)
(C) Only (3)
(D) Both (1) and (3)
(E) All (1), (2) and (3) jointly
42. A summit of which of the follo-wing two countries took place for the first time recently which is being
considered a big leap in the direction of diffusing conflict between them from last 50 years ?
(A) China–Russia
(B) Vietnam–USA
(C) China–Pakistan
(D) Russia–USA
(E) South-Korea–North Korea
43. The Gorkha Hill Council is in function in which of the follo-wing districts of West Bengal (Since
October 2007) ?
(A) Midnapore
(B) Birbhum
(C) Nadia
(D) Howrah
(E) Darjeeling
44. Prime Minister of India was on a visit to Russia in November 2007. Which of the following is/are the
outcome of his meeting with Russian Leaders ?
1. Both the countries signed an agreement for their joint space programme.
2. India signed a nuclear deal with Russia for construction of four new Nuclear Reac-tions in Tamil Nadu.
3. India and Russia agreed to take a joint military action to stop insurgency problem in some parts of India.
(A) Only (1)
(B) Only (2)
(C) Both (1) and (2)
(D) Only (3)
(E) All (1), (2) and (3)
45. The Govt. of India has decided to take a major stake in Sakhalin IV and Sakhalin V oil fields. Both
these oil fields are situated in which of the following countries ?
(A) Brazil
(B) Russia
(C) China
(D) Saudi Arabia
(E) None of these
46. The Planning commission of India has established a National Fund to improve the distribution of which
of the following in the country ?
(A) Electricity
(B) Cooking gas
(C) Food grains through public distribution system
(D) Fresh currency notes
(E) None of these
47. The US economy is in a bad shape these days as a slow down is noticed in it in recent past. What will
be its impact on ‘Global economy’ in general ?
1. Dollar will be depreciated.
2. Export from European mar-kets will gain strength.
3. Interest rates of short term loans in money market will shoot up sharply as demand for short term rupee
loan will shoot up.
(A) Only (1)
(B) Only (2)
(C) Both (1) and (2)
(D) Only (3)
(E) All (1), (2) and (3)
48. As published in the newspapes the RBI has issued certain guide-lines to be followed by the Recovery
Agents appointed by the banks. In addition to this the Indian Bank Association (IBA) has to formulate a
special training course for them. Why RBI and IBA has to come into picture for such an issue which is
the res-ponsibility of the banks ?
1. RBI and Govt. were getting many complaints from the public about the misbeha-viour of Recovery agents.
2. Govt. of India is paying much emphasis on provi-ding banking services to the poor section of society. News
about ill treatment by agents or suicides due to inability to payback loans create a negative picture.
RBI do not want this to hap-pen.
3. Despite banks efforts to recover loans many people still do not wish to repay their loans intentionally.
Recovery agents will help banks to get their money back by all possible means.
(A) Only (1)
(B) Only (2)
(C) Both (1) and (2)
(D) Only (3)
(E) All (1), (2) and (3)
49. The imports of which of the following items from Indiahas been lesser than its Exports of the same
during 2007-08 ?
(A) Oil (B) Chemicals
(C) Steel (D) Tea
(E) None of these
50. The Planning commission of India decided to fix the target growth of GDP during 11th Five year plan
at 9%. What was the growth rate in 10th plan period ?
(A) 4% (B) 8%
(C) 5·5% (D) 7·6%
(E) 6·7%
Answers with Explanations :
1. (E) 2. (D) 3. (a) 4. (e) 5. (c)
6. (e) 7. (d)
8. (b) ‘El-Nino’ is the nature’s Vicious Cycle caused due to deranged weather pattern, as
happed the giant El-Nino of 1997-98, killed about 2,100 people.
9. (d) 10. (a)
11. (D) ‘NWDPRA’ (National Water- shed Development Project for Rainfed Area) was launched in
1990-91 for 25 states and 2 UTs in the country for rainfed farming.
12. (e) 13. (c)
14. (d) With 6330 Points, Justine Henin is at the First Place.
15. (d) 16. (D) 17. (a) 18. (E) 19. (B)
20. (D) 21. (D) 22. (B) 23. (C) 24. (B)
25. (E) 26. (B) 27. (d) 28. (C) 29. (C)
30. (B) 31. (a) 32. (D) 33. (D) 34. (D)
35. (E) 36. (A) 37. (B) 38. (e) 39. (e)
40. (c)
41. (e) The ‘Nobel Prize, 2007’ in Medicine/or Physiology was awarded jointly to Mario R. Capecchi
(USA), Sir Martin J. Evans (UK) and Oliver Smiths (USA) i.e., 1/3 of the prize to each, announced on
8th Oct., 2007 at Karolinska Institute by the Nobel Assembly.
42. (E) 43. (e) 44. (a) 45. (b) 46. (c)
47. (e) 48. (A) 49. (D)
50. (B) In 10th Plan (2002-07), ‘NDC’ (National Development Council) envisaged an average growth
rate of 8%