DAILY GK UPDATES 27TH FEBRUARY 2016

DAILY GK UPDATES 27TH FEBRUARY 2016

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. ISRO to set up Satellite Centre for ASEAN countries in Vietnam: ISRO is working to establish a Satellite Tracking and Data Reception Station and Data Processing Facility for ASEAN member countries in Vietnam. ISRO will set up this satellite centre at the behest of Union Government as part of Space Cooperation between India and Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN).

 

2. E-Tourist visa scheme extended to 37 more countries: The Union Government has extended its e-Tourist Visa Scheme to 37 more countries bringing the total to 150 countries which are getting this facility.

 

3. Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Ranveer Singh to get Dinanath Mangeshkar Prize: The award is annually conferred on 24th April to commemorate PanditDinanath Mangeshkar, Lata Mangeshkar’s father’s death anniversary.

 

4. ‘Neerja’ declared tax free in Uttar Pradesh and Delhi.

 

5. Michael Pesch appointed CEO of Infosys Consulting Holding.

 

6. Yoichiro Ueno appointed President and CEO of Honda Cars India.

 

7. Goverdhan Mehta conferred Cross of the Order of Merit, Germany’s Prestigious Prize for his dedication to teaching.

 

8. Lok Sabha passed Election Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2016: These acts regulate allocation of seats to the national and state legislatures, and delimitation (that is, fixing boundaries) of parliamentary and assembly constituencies.

 

9. Maharashtra Government finalised a Project Management Consultant (PMC) for the proposed Chhatrapati Shivaji Memorial in the Arabian Sea.

 

10. Union Government decided to allow birth companions during delivery in public health facilities.

 

11. Mumbai Police created 16 no-selfie zones including Bandra Bandstand, Marine Drive and Juhu Chowpatty.

 

 

 

 

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Jonathan Sinclair Neal appointed as the CEO of AAE Travel: Expedia, the online travel company has appointed Jonathan Sinclair Neal as the CEO of AAE Travel.

 

2. Italy approved Gay Civil Union’s Bill: The text maintains provisions including the right to a residence permit for foreign partners and to take a same-sex partner’s name. However, it removed the provision that would have allowed gay adoption and other clauses.

 

3. Forbes released inaugural 30 Under 30 Asia List: The list included 300 young innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders across Asia in 10 categories who are under 30 years of age. For the first time 56 Indians were included in the list namely Saina Nehwal, Sania Mirza, Shraddha Kapoor, Virat Kohli, Arunima Sinha and Chaitanya Tamhane.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:

1. YES Bank won Green Bond Pioneer Award for being the Pioneers in Emerging Markets-India.

 

SPORTS:

2. Gianni Infantino elected as FIFA President.

 

3. Mumbai won Ranji Trophy for the 41st time by defeating Saurashtra by an innings and 21 runs.

 

4. India beat Pakistan by 5 wickets in the Asia Cup T20.

 

AWARDS:

5. Ex-DRDO Chairman Dr Avinash Chanderreceived Aryabhata Award 2013.

DAILY GK UPDATES 26TH FEBRUARY 2016

DAILY GK UPDATES 26TH FEBRUARY 2016

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Highlights of Economic Survey 2015-16: The Economic Survey reviews the developments of the Indian Economy over the previous 12 months, summarizes the performances on major development programs, and highlights the policy initiatives of the government and the prospects of the economy in the short to medium term.

 

2. India approves $150 million credit line for Iran’s Chabahar port: The port in southeast Iran is central to New Delhi’s efforts to circumvent arch-rival Pakistan and open up a route to landlocked Afghanistan where it has developed close security ties and economic interests.

 

3. India and UK sign MoU for research in crop science: Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology and a consortium of top UK research institutions signed a MoU for establishment of a joint India-UK collaboration programme in crop science.

 

4. EPFO tightens norms for withdrawal of funds: Employees Provident Fund Organisation has tightened norms on withdrawal of provident fund as well investment of such amount in Varishtha Pension BimaYojana for its over five crore subscribers. As per the new norms the subscribers will not be able to claim withdrawal of their provident fund after attaining age of 54 years.

 

5. Indian Government appoints 3 news information commissioners: They are Amitava Bhattacharya, Bimal Julka and DP Sinha.

 

6. Justice Dinesh Maheshwari appointed as Chief Justice of Meghalaya High Court.

 

7. Ashwini Nangia becomes Director of CSIR-National Chemical Lab, Pune.

 

8. The Diageo-controlled United Spirit Ltd appoints MK Sharma as new Chairman as Vijay Mallyaresigned from the post.

 

9. IRCTC, OYO Rooms tie up for hotel bookings.

 

10. Reliance Capital to transfer commercial finance business into separate firm by applying to RBI for registering itself as a Core Investment Company.

 

11. Ratan Tata to head Indian Railways’ innovation committee.

 

12. Union Cabinet approves Atal Innovation Mission (AIM).

 

13. UP Government signs pact with OLA: Taxi aggregator OLA has entered into an agreement with the Uttar Pradesh Government to create over 50,000 entrepreneurship opportunities across the state.

 

14. Times Internet partners with Investopedia to deliver trusted financial content to India.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Jonathan Sinclair Neal appointed as the CEO of AAE Travel: Expedia, the online travel company has appointed Jonathan Sinclair Neal as the CEO of AAE Travel.

 

2. Mastercard to launch payments by selfie: Mastercard is launching new mobile technologies that will allow customers to authenticate their online purchase using selfies or fingerprints. The technology will be rolled out by big banks in the US, Canada, UK and some European countries over the next few months.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:

1. IDBI Bank gets SEBI nod to raise Rs 3771 crore through issue of shares to qualified institutional players.

 

SPORTS:

2. Rohit Sharma named Global Ambassador of Nissan.

 

3. India Sports Awards 2015: Long Distance Runner Lalita Babar named as the Sports Person of the Year.

DAILY GK UPDATES 25TH FEBRUARY 2016

DAILY GK UPDATES 25TH FEBRUARY 2016

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu presented his second rail budget this year: He kept the fares unchanged. In his budget speech, he said that for this budget he owes its inspiration to vision of PM Modi.

Highlights: The Capital plan of Rs 1.21 lakh crore. Operating ratio kept at 92% FY17 as against 90% in current year. To generate revenues of order of Rs 1, 84,820 crore next year which is a 10.1% higher than revised target of current year.

 

2. India extends $1 million aid to cyclone-hit Fiji: Cyclone-hit Fiji will receive one million dollars as immediate assistance from the Indian Government.

 

3. Union Government to introduce Coal Linkage Auction Policy for Power Corporation: Union Government to introduce coal linkage auction policy for Power Corporation which did not have such co-ordinations with Coal India Ltd.

 

4. Infosys extends Vishal Sikka’s term by two years till 2021.

 

5. SBI launches new branch for e-commerce loans: Banking giant SBI has taken another leap in this space with the launch of SBI e-smart SME, a working capital loan offering for sellers on e-commerce platforms.

 

6. INS Arihant-India’s first nuclear submarine ready to operate: The submarine has passed several deep sea diving drills as well as weapons launch testsover the past five months.

 

7. India to induct women in combat roles: President: The Government has decided to induct women in all military combat roles in the future. The announcement was made by President PranabMukherjee.

 

8. Rajendra Singh appointed as the first Non-Navy Officer to head Indian Coast Guard.

 

9. Indian Government to provide wi-fi at 25,000 spots in country: The Indian Government has planned to set up wi-fi facilities at 25,000 spots in the country by March 2016.

 

 

 

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Afghanistan’s National Women’s Cycling Team nominated for 2016 Nobel Peace Prize for their dedication.

 

2. Mastercard to launch payments by selfie: Mastercard is launching new mobile technologies that will allow customers to authenticate their online purchase using selfies or fingerprints. The technology will be rolled out by big banks in the US, Canada, UK and some European countries over the next few months.

 

3. Facebook launched Telecom Infra Project: It has announced the Telecom Infra Project, which will look at developing new and alternative technologies to build and deploy telecom infrastructure, with partners including Aricent, HCL Technologies, Intel, Nokia and T-Mobile.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:

1. PNB declares 904 firms including Kingfisher Airlines and UB Holdings as wilful defaulters.

 

SPORTS:

2. Australia replaces India as world No.1 in ICC Test Rankings.

 

AWARDS:

4. GVK Bio wins Global CSR Excellence and Leadership Awards in the category of Best Environment-Friendly Project.