DAILY GK UPDATES - 30TH AUGUST 2015

DAILY GK UPDATES - 30TH AUGUST 2015

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

I. 51,000 ‘sisters’ get insurance as Rakhi gift in PM’s constituency: PM Modi gifted PradhanMantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (an accidental insurance coverage) to 51,000 sisters of his LokSabha constituency Varanasi on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan.

II. 21st edition of Delhi Book Fair begins: The 21stedition of the Delhi Book fair has been launched at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi.

III. Amul to launch India’s 1st branded lactose free milk: India’s largest dairy cooperative Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation is all set to launch India’s 1st branded lactose free milk in a month.

IIII. Union Government launched SAHAJ scheme for online release of new LPG connections: The scheme launched by Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan can be availed through the portal www.mylpg.in.

V. PM Modi released digitally restored recordings of epic ‘Ramcharitmanas’.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

I. Pakistan bans Islamic State Militant group: Pakistan has banned the Islamic State (IS) militant group which has undertaken vast stretches of Iraq and Syria in its control.

II. ONGC, partners to invest $24 bn in Mozambique gas field: The investment will pave the way for producing natural gas from a giant off Mozambique and converting it into LNG for export by ships to consumers like India.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

FINANCE/BANKING:

I. SEBI to review surveillance systems; fast track enforcements: To further tighten its noose on manipulators and black money launderers in the stock market, regulator SEBI will undertake a comprehensive review of its surveillance systems including with the help from independent experts and also fast track its enforcement actions.

II. Economic Growth slows down to 7% in April-June quarter: Reflecting a muted performance, the GDP growth slowed to 7% in the April-June quarter from 7.5% in the previous quarter, amid deceleration in farm, services and manufacturing sectors.

III. Government to infuse Rs 947 crore in CanaraBank.

IIII. Aurobindo Pharma gets USFDA nod for Osteoporosis drug: It has received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration to manufacture and market RaloxifeneHydrochloride tablets USP 60mg.

 

 

 

SPORTS:

V. OP Jaisha sets new marathon national record at World Athletics Championships, ensures 2016 Rio Olympics spot: She finished 18th in the Women’s marathon with registering a time of 2 hours 34 minutes and 43 second to set a new national record.

VI. Usain Bolt of Jamaica won gold in 400m final at the World Athletics Championship in Beijing.

 

OBITUARIES:

I. Renowned neurologist and author Oliver Wolf Sacks died.

 

DAILY GK UPDATES - 29TH AUGUST 2015

DAILY GK UPDATES -  29TH AUGUST 2015

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

I. NTPC sets a record in single-day power generation: India’s largest power generator National Thermal Power Corporation Limited has achieved a record of highest single-day electricity generation of over 733 million units.

II. Gillette India appoints Al Rajwani as Managing Director.

III. PM Modi pays tribute to Dhyan Chand on National Sports day: PM Modi paid tribute to hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand on his 110thbirth anniversary and extended best wishes to all sports enthusiasts across the country on the occasion of the National Sports Day on 29thAugust 2015.

IIII. SAI launches School Sports promotion foundation: The Sports Authority of India launched School Sports promotion foundation with an aim to tap the sporting talent at the school level.

V. Union Cabinet approved signing of Agreement between India and Afghanistan: It has approved signing of agreement on legal and judicial cooperation in civil and commercial matters for the service of summons, judicial documents, commissions, execution of judgements and arbitral awards.

VI. Law Commission of India submitted report on Early Childhood Development and Legal Entitlements: In its report submitted to Union Law minister Sadananda Gowda, the law commission examined the present constitutional, legal and policy framework including international agreements and conventions related to early childhood and presented suggestions to improve conditions of children under age of 6 years.

VII. Call to Action Summit 2015 on ending preventable child and maternal deaths held in Delhi.

VIII. Festival Thiru Onam was celebrated with traditional gaiety on 28th August in Kerala.

IX. Tripura decided to implement National Food Security Act: Implementation of the Act will make Tripura the 1st state to implement the NFSA in the entire North-eastern region. The NFSA will come into effect from September 1, 2015.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

I. India loses solar case against US at WTO: India has lost solar case against US at the World Trade Organisation. Dispute settlement body (DSB) of WTO has ruled that, India’s requirement of only domestic solar equipment’s for its ambitious Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) is inconsistent with the international trade norms.

II. Washington based Centre for Global Development (CGD) released a report on the future of tropical deforestation from 2016-2050 with and without carbon pricing policies. The report says that in the next 35 years, an area of tropical forest equivalent to the size of India will be deforested.

III. Wealth-X released the list of Top 20 Wealthiest People under 35: Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg is the wealthiest individual under the age of 35.

IIII. Union Cabinet approved Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty in Civil and Commercial matters with Oman.

V. Serbia and Kosovo agreed to implement 2013 Brussels Agreement: It has paved the way for normalizing the relations between both the countries.

VI. US designated Aziz Haqqani as global terrorist: He is the new leader of the HaqqaniNetwork and has been declared as Global terrorist for being involved in planning and carrying out attacks against Afghan Government targets.

OTHER UPDATES:

 

FINANCE/BANKING:

I. Balchandran M re-appointed as Non-Executive Chairman of Payments Corporation for a further period of two years.

II. RBI Governor cautions US Fed against raising rates: India’s apex bank has cautioned its US counterpart on going ahead with a rate hike, especially at a time when world economic growth is stalling which has led to massive volatility in currency, equity and commodity markets

 

SPORTS:

III. India women’s hockey team books 2016 Rio Olympics berth: Indian women’s hockey team will return to the Olympics after a long gap of 36 years as it has qualified for the next year’s Rio Olympics.

IIII. Tennis player Sania Mirza gets Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award.

OBITUARIES:

I. Veteran Journalist Pranab Kumar Borah passed away.

DAILY GK UPDATES - 28TH AUGUST 2015

DAILY GK UPDATES - 28TH AUGUST 2015

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

I. ISRO successfully launches GSLV-D6 carrying GSAT-6 satellite:  The Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-D6) has successfully blasted from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at ISRO in Sriharikota near Chennai.

II. NMDC decides to rename Aurangzeb road as A P J Abdul Kalam road: Aurangzeb road one of the most important addresses in Lutyen’s Delhi will be renamed as Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam road.

III. Union Government gives nod to 6 new SEZ proposals:  Union Government has approved 6 new Special Economic Zones including four from Information Technology and ITeS sector.

IIII. Scientist Dr. M V Gupta to receive inaugural Sunhak Peace Prize: Noted Indian agricultural scientist Dr. M V Gupta has been chosen for the inaugural Sunhak Peace Prize that will be given to him at the South Korean capital city of Seoul.

V. Union Government launches E-payment module to deposit compensatory levies into CAMPA funds: Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar launched an e-payment module to make the payment of compensatory levies into the Compensatory Afforestation Management Planning Authority (CAMPA) Funds.

VI. Manipur Government handed over 336.93 acres land in Thoubal district for National Sports University.

VII. Samsung launches free, solar powered mobile charging stations in Bengaluru.

VIII. K Manohar appointed as Director of NIMS: His appointment as the Director of NizamsInstitute of Medical Sciences of Hyderabad was approved by Telangana Government.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

I. Greece’s caretaker government sworn in with 1st female prime minister: Greece’s new caretaker government was sworn in as the country prepares early elections next month.This is the third time that Greeks will go to the polls this year. Vassiliki Thanou, a top judge and the country’s first female prime minister, will lead the country until the election.

II. Reliance Communications Ltd tied up with USA based Jasper Technologies, Inc. to offer Internet of Things services in India: Enterprises and Individuals in India will be offered IoT services to launch and manage business activities and monitor individual behavioural patterns.

III. India and Germany to continue to exchange tax-related information:  With a focus on countering black money, India and Germany have decided to continue to exchange tax-related information spontaneously on the basis of existing agreements.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

FINANCE/BANKING:

I. Balchandran M re-appointed as Non-Executive Chairman of Payments Corporation for a further period of two years.

 

SPORTS:

II. Barcelona’s Lionel Messi wins UEFA Best Player in Europe Award for the last season.

III. Usain Bolt defeated Justin Gatlin in World Championships 200m final: Usain Bolt won the rematch and 200m Gold as he ran a wonderful bend to once again leave rival Justin Gatlin chasing silver and fresh air.

IIII. Air India won Guru Teg Bahadur Hockey title after 7 years: In the final, Air India defeated defending champions Army XI 3-1 in a penalty shootout after the two teams were deadlocked goalless in regular play.

V. A B de Villiers broke Sourav Ganguly’s record of fastest 8000 ODI runs: He achieved the feat in just 182 innings while Ganguly had done the same in 200 innings.

DAILY GK UPDATES - 27TH AUGUST 2015

DAILY GK UPDATES - 27TH AUGUST 2015

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

I. ISRO successfully launches GSLV-D6 carrying GSAT-6 satellite:  The Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-D6) has successfully blasted from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at ISRO in Sriharikota near Chennai.

II. Airtel acquires Augure to strengthen 4G footprint: It has acquired Augure Wireless Broadband India in a deal that will allow it to take its 4G operations to nine circles.

III. Union Cabinet cleared 4 months extension for 7th pay commission: Union Cabinet chaired by PM Modi gave 4 months extension (up to 31stDecember 2015) to the 7th Pay Commission. Justice Ashok Mathur is the chairman of the commission.

IIII. Government releases smart cities list; 13 cities from UP, 12 from Tamil Nadu, 3 from Bihar included.

V. NITI Aayog launches improved data tool for energy planning: It has launched an improved version of its interactive data tool on the country’s energy security scenario to help policy makers and stakeholders make informed choices for better energy planning for the future. The Indian Energy Security Scenarios (IESS) 2047 (Version 2.0) calculator will suggest measures to shift the energy pattern in a way to ensure advancement of the country’s energy security considerations.

VI. Union Government approved amendments in the central list of OBSs: It approved the amendments in respect of two states Gujarat and Uttarakhand for making suitable amendments in the central list of OBCs.

VII. Kolkata port adjudged as the best ‘Major Port of 2014-15’: It was adjudged as the Major Port of the Year for 2015 amongst 12 major ports in the country.

VIII. Snapdeal appoints former Adobe executive Rajiv Mangla as CTO: e-Commerce major Snapdeal, appointed Rajiv Mangla as Chief Technology Officer.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

I. Novak Djokovic named new UNICEF goodwill ambassador: Reigning world tennis champion Novak Djokovic became a new goodwill ambassador for the UN Fund for Children, joining a roster of athletes and celebrities to hold the post.

II. Kazakhstan to host 1st Nuclear Fuel Bank: The International Atomic Energy Agency and Kazakhstan have signed an agreement to create the world’s 1st internationally controlled bank of low-enriched uranium in the ex-Soviet nation to ensure fuel supplies for power stations and prevent nuclear proliferation.

III. Rajendra Singh conferred with 2015 Stockholm Water Prize: He was named for the prestigious award for his innovative water restoration efforts, improving water security in rural India, and for showing extraordinary courage and determination in his quest to improve the living conditions for those most in need.

IIII. Three Indians were named as Fellows of American Society for Metals for 2015 (ASM): The Indian fellows were Pradeep Goyal, Vivekanand Kain and Gankidi MadhusudanReddy.

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS:

I. Dilip Vengsarkar elected president of cricket statistician’s body: Former India captain DilipVengsarkar has been elected as the president of the Association of Indian Statisticians and Scorers of India.

II. Vikas Gowda enters discus final at World Athletics Championships.

 

 

 

 

 

DAILY GK UPDATES - 26TH AUGUST 2015

DAILY GK UPDATES - 26TH AUGUST 2015

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

I. After Hardik Patel’s huge quota rally, waves of violence across Gujarat: Gujarat police declared curfew at many areas in Ahmedabad, Surat, Junagarh, Baroda and other cities of the state. Internet connectivity and SMS service has been blocked by the administration to stop spreading of any unwanted message. The Patel community led by Hardik Patel is pressing for OBC reservations in educational institutions and government jobs.

II. Caste Census 2011 data released by Registrar General of India: The data shows that Muslim population in the country’s population increased by 0.8%. Their overall population of Muslims is14.23% of the total population while Hindus constitute 79.8% of the country’s total population.

III. Bengaluru goes the BJP way: The ruling Congress party in Karnataka suffered a major setback after it failed to defeat the BJP in civic polls for the Bengaluru city council.

IIII. UP Lokayukta Appointment: The ongoingtussle over the appointment of Lokayukta in Uttar Pradesh intensified with Governor Ram Naikrefusing to accept the name of Jutice (Retd) Ravindra Singh for the post, as recommended by CM Akhilesh Yadav.

V. PM inaugurates birth centenary celebrations of Rani Gaidinliu: On this occasion he launched commemorative coin of 100 rupees and circulation coin of 5 rupees of Rani Gaidinliu to mark her birth centenary celebrations. Rani Gaidinliu was a Naga political and spiritual leader who had led a revolt against British colonial rule in India.

VI. Rajasthan Government approved ArogyaRajasthan Campaign: CM Vasundhara Rajeapproved the three-month campaign that will help in collection of health data of the rural population in the state.

VII. India to implement Sendai framework for Disaster Reduction 2015-30: It was adopted during the 3rd UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Sendai, Japan in March 2015. Its adaptation involves adopting integrated and inclusive institutional measures in order to work towards preventing vulnerability to disaster.

VIII. War museums built recently at the military stations of Jaisalmer and Yuddhsthal at Laungewala to showcase the traditional bravery of the Indian Army were inaugurated by Lt. Gen Ashok Singh (C-in-C), Southern Command.

IX. PayU India tied up with redBus to attract customers to use its wallet PayU Money.

X. 2nd Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) Summit held in Jaipur.

XI. Rajasthan Government and FCEL inked agreement to launch Annapurna BhandarYojana: Rajasthan State Food and Civil Supplies Corporation inked an agreement with the Future Consumers Enterprise Ltd to launch the Annapurna Bhandar Yojana, which is a Public Private Distribution Scheme, the 1st of its kind in India.

XII. Noble Laureate Muhammed Yunus to help Maharashtra in reviving MSMEs: Social Entrepreneur and Noble Peace Prize winner Muhammed Yunus of Bangladesh will guide Maharashtra on microfinance and how to revive dying MSMEs in the state. He is the founder of Bangladesh’s Grameen Bank.

XIII. Ananth Padmanabhan appointed as CEO of HarperCollins India.

XIIII. Girish Sahni assumed charge as Director General of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

I. US to deploy F-22 fighter jets in Europe: The United States soon will deploy F-22 Raptors in Europe, sending the stealth fighter jets to reassure NATO partners concerned about Russia’s actions in Ukraine.

II. Researchers, including those of Indian-origin, from University of Texas have found a new electrical mechanism that can control molecular switches which regulate human cell growth and are linked to life-threatening cancers.

III. UK to fund Kolkata’s climate action programme: The United Kingdom will fund a capacity building programme for making Kolkata a low carbon city.

IIII. BRIDGE programme of Australia extended to include Navodaya Schools: The agreement was reached during the third Australia-India Education Council (AIEC) meeting held in New Delhi.

OTHER UPDATES:

 

FINANCE/BANKING:

I. MCX inks pact to set up GIFT city bourse: Commodity exchange MCX has signed an agreement with GIFT SEZ Ltd to establish an International exchange at GIFT City in Gandhinagar.

II. Suzlon commissions Wind project for NSE: Wind turbine maker Suzlon completed the commissioning of 6.25 MW wind power project for country’s leading stock exchange NSE.

 

SPORTS:

III. Kenyan policeman Nicholas Bett won gold in 400m hurdles at World Championships in Athletics.

IIII. India to host Commonwealth weightlifting for the 1st time: For the 1st time in the history of weightlifting, an individual international tournament will be organised in India when it hosts the Commonwealth Youth, Junior and Senior Weightlifting Championships in Pune, Maharashtra from October 11-15th