DAILY GK UPDATES 26TH DECEMBER 2016

DAILY GK UPDATES 26TH DECEMBER 2016

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Lucky Grahak Yojana, Digi Dhan Vyapar Yojanalaunched: Government of India has launched Lucky Grahak Yojana for Consumers and Digi-Dhan VyaparYojana for Merchants to promote digital transaction.

 

2. PM Modi lays foundation stone of Pune Metro Rail: PM Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of Pune Metro project's Phase-I.PM Modi said the government is actively working on the Rurban Mission, which caters to the places that are urbanising quickly.The government needs to improve the quality of life in villages as well as mitigate the challenges that the urban areas are facing.

3. Assam CM launches Atal-Amrit Abhiyan across the State: Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal has launched 'Atal-Amrit Abhiyan' Scheme across the State.

 

4. ‘Kuchipudi’ performers dance their way into Guinness World Records: Andhra Pradesh’s own classical dance ‘Kuchipudi’ found a place in the Guinness World Records yet again when a record 6,117 dancers came together to present a show at the IGMC Stadium in Vijaywada.

 

5. India’s first 2G Ethanol Bio-refinery set up in Punjab: The foundation stone for India's first second generation ethanol bio-refinery to be set up by Hindustan Petroleum Corp (HPCL) at Bathinda in Punjab at a cost of Rs 600 crore.

 

6. UP CM inaugurates power projects worth Rs52, 000 crore: Uttar Pradesh CM Akhilesh Yadav has inaugurated power projects worth over Rs52, 000 crore across the state. 

 

7. India successfully test-fires nuclear capable Agni-V: India tested its Agni-V intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in its final operational configuration from Wheeler Island off Odisha , paving the way for its eventual induction into the Strategic Forces Command (SFC) after user-trials.

 

8. Five global reinsurers, including RGA, Swiss Re, get final licence from Irda: The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irda) has approved the R3 application and granted certificate of registration to five global reinsurers to opens shops.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Scientists find world's most heat resistant material: Scientists have identified materials that can withstand temperatures of nearly 4,000 degrees Celsius, an advance that may pave the way for improved heat resistant shielding for the faster-than-ever hypersonic space vehicles.

 

 

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:​

1. SBI adopts village of Maharashtra for Aadhaar-based payments: The State Bank of India (SBI) has adopted Shirki village in Pen taluka in Maharashtra for driving the Aadhaar-based merchant payment initiative. 

 

SPORTS:

2. Pankaj Advani won National title in 6-red Snooker: Sixteen-time world champion Pankaj Advaniended the year on a high by bagging the National title in 6-red snooker, the shorter format of the game.

 

OBITUARIES:

3. Co-Artist of national emblem Dinanath Bhargavadied at 89: Dinanath Bhargava, a co-artist in the team that sketched the national emblem ‘Lion Capital of Ashoka’ and decorated the pages of the Constitution’s manuscript, died at the age of 89 in Indore.

4. British singer George Michael who launched his career with Wham in the 1980s and continued his success as a solo performer.

DAILY GK UPDATES 24TH DECEMBER 2016

DAILY GK UPDATES 24TH DECEMBER 2016

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Important Union Cabinet Approval's: 22 December 2016: Union Cabinet Approves Ordinance to amend Payment of Wages Act, 1936The Centre approved a draft ordinance on December 21, 2016, to empower states and enable industries to pay wages by cheque or by direct credit into bank accounts of workers earning up to Rs. 18,000 a month, without taking their explicit consent.

 

2. The External Affairs Ministry's launches Twitter Seva: The External Affairs Ministry's have launched a new service called Twitter Seva that will enable timely, transparent and large-scale response to citizens' tweets in real time.

 

3. 'Coal Mitra' portal launched to facilitate flexibility in utilization of domestic coal: Power Minister Piyush Goyal has launched 'Coal Mitra' Web Portal to facilitate Flexibility in Utilization of Domestic Coal. 

 

4. Tata Steel to acquire 100% equity in BrahmaniRiver Pellets,Odisha : Tata Steel has signed an agreement to acquire 100% equity in Odisha-based Brahmani River Pellets (BRPL) for Rs 900 crore.

 

5. Textile Ministry to launch Bunkar Mitra-Handloom Helpline Centre for weavers: The Ministry of Textiles has decided to establish a “BunkarMitra-Handloom Helpline Centre” where professional queries of weavers will be answered by the experts in the field. 

 

6. Odisha Government launches Biju SishuSurakshya Yojana for HIV+ orphan children:Naveen Patnaik launches Biju Sishu Surakshya Yojanato nurture orphan kids.The state government launched the Biju Sishu Surakshya Yojana, a scheme to nurture the orphan and HIV-infected children residing in different child care institutions and orphanages.

7. Kisan Diwas is observed every year on 23 December across India: Kisan Diwas is observed every year on 23 December across India Since 2001 to celebrate the birth anniversary of the fifth prime minister and kisan leader,Ch. Charan Singh.

8. Govt Okays Rs 7,000-cr defence projects: The Defence Acquisition Council Okayed defence requirements worth approximately Rs 7,000 crore. These include purchasing six modern surveillance aircraft for the Indian Coast Guard. 

9. Nusli Wadia voted out of Tata Chemicals: Shareholders of Tata Chemicals have voted out NusliWadia as an independent director of the company with 75.67 % votes going in favour of a resolution moved by Tata Sons to remove him. 

 

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Global Wage Report shows India to be among the worst levels of gender wage disparity: According to Global Wage Report, India has among the worst levels of gender wage disparity. Men earning more than women in similar jobs with the gap exceeding 30%, the Global Wage Report 2016-17 released by the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

2. Nepal to hold military exercise with China: Nepal has announced to hold its first ever joint military exercise with China on February 10, 2017 to begin a new level of bilateral military engagement with China.

 

3. France is the first to use drones for its national mail service: France’s airspace regulator, General Directorate for Civil Aviation, has approved the plan to launch drone delivery program, making France the world’s first national postal service to use drones regularly.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:​

1. ICICI Bank Launches EazyPay app for Merchants: ICICI Bank has now launched a payments collection app for offline merchants and retailers called Eazypay which will allow customers to pay via UPI, cards, net banking and the bank’s Pockets wallet app. 

 

SPORTS:

2. APIS India ropes in badminton sensation PV Sindhu as its brand ambassador: APIS India a leading producer, distributor and exporter of honey under APIS Himalaya brand, has roped in Indian badminton champion and Rio Olympics silver medalistPV Sindhu as its brand ambassador. 

 

3. India beat Sri Lanka in final; clinch Asia Cup under-19 title: India, coached by Rahul Dravid, continued their dominance in the Asia Cup as they clinched the U-19 title by defeating Sri Lanka in the final at the R Premadasa stadium in Colombo.

 

4. Shiva Keshavan grabs gold at Asian Luge Championship: India’s Seasoned Winter Olympian Shiva Keshavan clinched a gold medal at the Asian Luge Championship on 23rd December. 

 

5. Pakistan's first Sikh cricketer Mohinder Pal Singh to join national cricket academy: Pakistan cricket has seen Christians and Hindus represent the country at home and abroad, but for the first time a Sikh has secured a place in the National Cricket Academy.

 

                                                      AWARDS:

6. Acclaimed Bengali poet Shankha Ghosh to get 2016 Jnanpith Award.

DAILY GK UPDATES 23RD DECEMBER 2016

DAILY GK UPDATES 23RD DECEMBER 2016

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. PM Modi features on Government of India calendar for 2017: .Prime Minister Narendra Modi has featured on the Government of India 2017 calendar. The calendar features candid pictures, with each month representing the issues that Modi has worked for.

2. Union Minister of State for Ayush Yesso Naikinaugurates NE Institute of Ayurveda and Homeopathy: Union Minister of State for AyushShripad Yesso Naik has inaugurated the North Eastern Institute of Ayurveda and Homeopathy (NEIAH).

 

3. Delhi named India's most well-read city of 2016 by Amazon: Delhi has emerged as the country's most well-read city in the fourth consecutive year with Bengaluru and Mumbai taking the second and third spot, according to Annual Reading Trends Report 2016 by Amazon. 

 

4. Hrithik Roshan becomes highest advance taxpaying actor: He has paid an advance tax of Rs 80 crore till December 15, 2016, compared to Rs 50 crore last year.

 

5. Salman Khan has been ranked No. 1 on the fifth Forbes India Celebrity 100 List. 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. China launches satellite to monitor global CO2 emissions: China has launched atmospheric CO2-monitoring TanSat satellite on 22nd December 2016, in an effort to curb and monitor greenhouse gas emissions. 

 

2. World's first solar road opens in France: The world's first solar road made with 30,000 square feet of solar panels has been opened in the French village of Normandy.

 

 

 

                                                   OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. ICC Awards 2016:

i. Ravichandran Ashwin has won both the ICC Cricketer of the Year and the ICC Test cricketer of the Year award after he was named as the only Indian in ICC’s Test Team of the Year. 

ii. Virat Kohli was named the captain of the ICC ODI Team of the Year. 

iii. Misbah-Ul-Haq won the ICC Spirit of Cricket Award at the 2016 ICC Awards as he became the first Pakistan player to win the award. 

2. Argentina win FIFA Team of the Year title: FIFA has released the final rankings of 2016, with Argentina reclaiming the team of the year title from Belgium, finishing with 1634 points to top FIFA’s rankings.  

 

3. India wins bronze at women's U18 Hockey Asia Cup: India has defeated South Korea 3-0 to secure the bronze medal at the 4th Women's U18 Asia Cup 2016 hockey tournament in Bangkok on 22 December 2016.

4. Jeje wins best footballer of the year award by AIFF: Indian fotballer Jeje Lalpekhlua has named 2016's All India Football Federation (AIFF) Player of the Year, an award given to the best footballer in the country.