Saturday, 25 March 2017

Daily GK Updates - 23rd March, 2017

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Cabinet approves setting up of National Commission for Socially and Educationally Backward Classes: The Union Cabinet approved setting up of National Commission for Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (NSEBC) as a constitutional body. In this regard, constitutional amendment bill for amending Constitution mainly by insertion of Article 338B will be soon introduced in the Parliament.

2. Cabinet approves of proposal to establish a Fund of Fund for Start-ups: The Union Cabinet has approved proposals to tweak Fund of Funds of Start-ups (FFS) rules to enable greater flow of resources. FFS was established in June 2016 with a corpus of Rs. 1,000 crores.

3. Union Cabinet approves amendments to Customs and Excise Act to facilitate GST Regime: The Union Cabinet has approved amendments to the Customs and Excise Acts related to abolition of cesses and surcharges on various goods and services to facilitate implementation of GST Regime Decision in this regard was taken by Union Cabinet meeting chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. It has approved the following proposals: Amendment to Customs Act, 1962; Amendment to Central Excise Act, 1944. Amendments to Customs Tariff Act, 1975. Repeal of Central Excise Tariff Act, 1985 and Amendment/repeal of the provisions relating to Acts under which cesses are levied.

4. Cabinet approves amendments to NABARD Act, 1981: Union Cabinet has approved proposal for amending National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development Act, 1981. Decision in this regard was taken in the Union Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi.

5. Cabinet approves MoU between India and US in field of Cyber Security:The Union Cabinet has approved Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-ln) and the US Homeland Security Department on cooperation in the field of Cyber Security. The MoU was signed in January 2017 in New Delhi. It intends to promote closer co-operation and exchange of information pertaining to the Cyber Security between both strategic partners in accordance with the relevant laws, rules and regulations and on the basis of equality, mutual benefit and reciprocity.

6. Union Cabinet approves amendment to RTE Act, 2009: The Union Cabinet has approved the amendment to Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009. The amendment seeks to ensure all teachers, in position as on March 2015, acquire minimum qualifications prescribed by academic authority to extend period for such training for 4 years up to March 2019.

7. CCEA approves North East Road Network Connectivity Project Phase I:The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved North East Road Network Connectivity Project (NERNCP) Phase I for development of 403 kms of National Highways in Meghalaya and Mizoram. Out of total 403 km, approximately 351 km will be in developed in Mizoram and 52 km in Meghalaya. The project will be executed in EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) Mode.

8. Rajya Sabha passes HIV and AIDS (Prevention and Control) Bill, 2014:The Rajya Sabha has passed HIV and AIDS (Prevention and Control) Bill, 2014. The Bill seeks to safeguard the rights of people living with HIV and affected by HIV. It aims to prevent social stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV (PLHIV). It also seeks to strengthen legal accountability and establish formal mechanisms for inquiring into complaints and redressing grievances to probe discrimination complaints against those who discriminate against PLHIV.

9. Assam Government launches SaCReD initiative to make Majuli carbon neutral island: Assam Government launched Sustainable Action for Climate Resilient Development (SaCReD) Initiative to develop Majuli, the world’s largest river island, as the country’s first carbon neutral district. It was launched by state Chief Minister Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on the occasion of International Day of Forests (observed on March 21).

10. Gujarat Assembly passes bill for the establishment of 4 private & 2 govt. Universities: The Gujarat state Assembly has passed bills for the establishment of four private and two government-run universities in the state.

Four new private universities are Swarnim Startup and Innovation University (Gandhinagar), P P Savani University (Surat), Indrashil University (Ahmedabad) and Karnavati University (Gandhinagar). Two new private universities are Birsa Munda Tribal University at Rajpipla in Narmada district and the Gujarat Organic Agricultural University.

11. Shaheed Diwas (86^th Martyrdom Day) observed: The nation paidtributes to freedom fighters (Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev) on their 86th martyrdom day. On this day in 1931, British rulers had executed them in Lahore for their revolutionary activities against the British rule.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. World Meteorological Day 2017 observed globally: The United Nations' (UN) World Meteorological Day is annually held on or around 23^rd March to remember the World Meteorological Organization's establishment on that date in 1950. The theme of WMD 2017 is 'Understanding Clouds' to highlight the enormous importance of clouds for weather climate and water.Nation paying tributes to Bhagat Singh, Rajguru & Sukhdev on their 86th martyrdom day.

2. India ranks 131 on Human Development Index (HDI): India has ranked 131 out of 188 countries in the 2016 Human Development Report (HDR) in the latest released report of the United Nations Development Progamme (UNDP).

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. ISSF World Cup: Ankur Mittal wins double trap gold in double trap event: Indian shooter Ankur Mittal (24-year) clinched his first men's double trap event at the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup in Acapulco, Mexico.

He defeated his Australian rival, James Willet.

2. Austria: India bags 18 medals in Olympics World Winter Games: India’s special athletes have won 18 medals so far in the ongoing 2017 Olympics World Winter Games in Austria. The medal tally includes six gold, four silver, and eight bronze. The team of 89 differently-abled sports person of the Special Olympics Bharat (SOB) is participating in the competition. Over 2,600 athletes from 105 nations are taking part in the event.

3. Indian para-athletes win 8 medals in IPC Athletics Grand Prix:Indian Para-athletes bagged eight medals (3 gold, 1 silver, and 4 bronze) in the 9th Fazaa International IPC Athletics Grand Prix in Dubai. India is currently at the seventh spot out of 48 participating countries. Sundar Singh Gurjar (21-year) won a gold each in men's Javelin Throw F-46 and Discus Throw F-46 competitions. The third Indian gold was bagged by Narender Ranbir in men's Javelin Throw F-44 with an effort of 47.75m.

Daily GK Updates - 22nd March, 2017

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. CBSE unveils new exam format for class VI to IX: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has unveiled new exam format for Class VI to IX.

The move will be implemented from the upcoming academic session.

2. Majuli: India’s first carbon neutral district, as a biodiversity heritage: The chief minister of Assam ‘Sarbananda Sonowal’ has launched initiatives to develop Majuli as India’s first carbon neutral district and as a biodiversity heritage. He also launched the “Forests are Lives” campaign to celebrate the importance of Assam’s rich forest and biodiversity.

3. Maharashtra Govt. makes Aadhaar mandatory for crop insurance schemes: The Maharashtra government has made Aadhaar mandatory to farmers for availing crop insurance schemes from the next Kharif season. Now, the farmers of the state will have to link it with the Aadhaar number before June this year to avail crop insurance schemes. The scheme is applicable to food grain and horticulture sectors.

4. India ranks 131 in 2016 Human Development Index: India was ranked 131 in the 2016 Human Development Index (HDI) among the 188 countries. The index was published by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Top three countries are: Norway (0.949 score), Australia (0.939) and Switzerland (0.939). The HDI is a measure for assessing countries progress in three basic dimensions of human development: a long and healthy life (life expectancy), access to knowledge and access to a decent standard of living.

5. World Water Day observed: World water day is observed annually on 22nd March as a means of focusing attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. The theme of 2017 for World Water Day is 'Why Waste Water?'. The first International World Water Day, designated by the United Nations, was commemorated in 1993.

6. Bihar Diwas celebrated: Bihar Diwas (105th) is observed every year on 22nd March, marking the formation of the state of Bihar. Three-day celebrations of foundation day of the state have been inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Bihar Nitish Kumar. It was on this day when the British carved out the state from Bengal Presidency in 1912.

7. 4 Indian cities among cheapest globally: EIU: Four Indian cities are among the cheapest to live in globally, while Singapore (last in the list) has been ranked as the most expensive for the fourth consecutive year, according to a 'Worldwide Cost of Living 2017' report by Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). Almaty has been ranked as the cheapest city in the world followed by Lagos.

8. ISRO commissions world’s third-largest hypersonic wind tunnel: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) created history by commissioning the world’s third-largest hypersonic wind tunnel at Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. In this regard, ISRO chairman A S Kiran Kumar commissioned two facilities – a 1-m Hypersonic Wind Tunnel and a 1-m Shock Tunnel.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Canadian teacher wins global teacher prize: A Canadian teacher 'Maggie MacDonnell' has been named the winner of the annual Global Teacher Prize at the Global Education and Skills Forum in Dubai. She teaches at the Ikusik School in Salluit, an Inuit village deep in the Canadian Arctic. She was awarded for her achievements within the local community that survives amidst harsh conditions and her effort in helping to reduce teenage suicide rates.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. ICC names Ankur Khanna as new Chief Financial Officer: Ankur Khanna has been appointed as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the International Cricket Council (ICC). He will join the ICC by the end of March 2017.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

2. Upendra Tripathy appointed as Interim Director General of ISA: Upendra Tripathy (IAS- Karnataka Cadre) has been appointed as the full-time interim Director General (IDG) of the International Solar Alliance (ISA). The International Solar Alliance (ISA) was launched on 30th November, 2015 as a coalition of the solar resource rich countries on the first day of the Paris Climate Conference (CoP21).

3. Samsung Pay launched in India: Samsung Electronics on Wednesday announced the launch of its flagship mobile payments service, Samsung Pay, in India.

Samsung Pay can be used to make purchases using debit or credit card to make payments. The cashless payment solution also supports mobile wallets like RuPay cards and UPI apps.

4. Madhabi Puri Buch appointed as SEBI whole time member: The government has announced Madhabi Puri Buch as new whole time member of Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). She will be in the office for period of three years. She is currently serving in the New Development Bank, Shanghai. This is the first time that a women and a person from private sector has been chosen for a key post with the market regulator.

HONOURS & AWARDS

5. President of India presents Gallantry Awards: The President of India, Pranab Mukherjee has presented the Gallantry Awards and Distinguished Service Decorations at a Defence Investiture Ceremony at ‘Rashtrapati Bhavan’ in New Delhi.

He conferred Kirti Chakra (one) and Shaurya Chakras(twelve) to Armed Forces Personnel for displaying exemplary leadership, an extreme presence of mind, conspicuous gallantry and courage beyond the call of duty. Kirti Chakra given to Major Rohit Suri (The Parachute Regiment).

Daily GK Updates - 21st March, 2017

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. India ranks 122 in 2017 World Happiness Report: India ranked at 122 out of 155 countries in the World Happiness Report 2017 published by the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network on the eve of International Day of Happiness (20 March). The rankings are based factors such as inequality, life expectancy, GDP per capita, public trust (i.e. a lack of corruption in government and business), and social support. Together they are used to generate a happiness score of country on a scale from 1 to 10.

2. Uttarakhand HC recognise Ganga and Yamuna Rivers as living entity: The Uttarakhand High Court has recognized the Ganga and Yamuna Rivers as so-called living entities. It is for the first time any court in India has recognized a non-human as a living entity. The two rivers are sacred for the Hindus, sustain millions of people in the country but have seen years of damage at the hands of humans.

3. India’s first sign language dictionary to come up soon: Government: The Union Government will soon launch country’s first-of-its-kind Indian Sign Language (ISL) dictionary which aims to bring uniformity in sign languages used by hearing and speech impaired people. It is being developed in both print and video format by the Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC). It will give uniform language to 50 lakh hearing-impaired and 20 lakh speech-impaired people in the country.

4. IIT-Madras inks pact with Tanstia-FNF Service: IIT-Madras and small scale industry body Tanstia-FNF Service Centre have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) fortechnology transfer of water treatment analysis kits designed to treat drinking water mainly in rural areas. The research at IIT-Madras for developing the filter and the kit was funded by International Development Research Centre, Canada.

5. NBCC to execute social housing project in Mauritius: National Building Construction Corporation (NBCC), a Navratna construction major under the Ministry of Urban Development will execute a US $ 20 million (Rs.130 crore) social housing project in Mauritius. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in this regard was signed between NBCC and Mauritius.

6. “FICCI Frames-2017” starts in Mumbai: The 18th edition of Asia’s largest convention on the business of media and entertainment “FICCI Frames-2017” has started in Mumbai, Maharashtra from March 21. The 3-day international convention will covers the entire spectrum of Media & Entertainment. The theme of this year’s convention is “Digital-Divide or Dividend”. Canada is partnering the event.

7. India home to 101 billionaires, Mukesh Ambani tops the list: Forbes India is home to world’s fourth highest number of billionaires with Reliance Industries chief Mukesh Ambani (33rd position globally) leading the club of more than 100 super rich Indians. The list has been topped by Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates for the fourth year in a row.

8. Five Indians in WEF’s 100 Young Global Leaders list: Five Indians have made it to the World Economic Forum's list of 100 Young Global Leaders under 40 years of age. These include Paytm Founder Vijay Shekhar Sharma, Blippar app's Founder Ambarish Mitra, journalist in Fortune India Hindol Sengupta, Swaniti Initiative's Rwitwika Bhattacharya and The Tamara Coorg hospitality's Shruti Shibulal. All the people in the list are entitled to a five-year leadership journey.

Every batch of medicines would undergo testing before it is distributed.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. International Day of Forests: 21st March: The United Nations’ (UN) International Day of Forests 2017 is observed on 21st march, which promotes the importance of forests and trees in our lives. The theme for this year is 'Forests and energy'.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. Roger Federer wins ATP Indian Wells Masters title: Swiss star Roger Federer (35-years) has won the ATP Indian wells Masters title in California, USA.

He defeated Stan Wawrinka (Switzerland) 6-4, 7-5. Federer joined Novak Djokovic as the only man to win five Indian Wells titles. Earlier, he has won his 18th Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in January. He had earlier won this title consecutively three times between 2004 and 2006 and in 2012.

2. Cheteshwar Pujara becomes first Indian to face 500 balls in Test innings:Cheteshwar Pujara has become the first Indian to face 500-plus balls in an innings, going past the mark against Australia. He broke past Rahul Dravid's record of 495 balls, which were the most faced by an Indian in one Test innings.

BANKING & FINANCE:

3. Bharatiya Mahila Bank to be merged with SBI: The Bharatiya Mahila Bank (BMB) will be merged with the country's largest lender State Bank of India (SBI) from 1^st April, 2017. The merger would mean 103 branches and business of Rs. 2,000 crores added to SBI. The bank employees, who had joined on deputation, would be transferred back to their previous banks.

4. Branches of SBBJ, SBH, SBM, SBP and SBT to operate as branches of SBI from April 1, 2017: All branches of State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur (SBBJ), State Bank of Hyderabad (SBH), State Bank of Mysore (SBM), State Bank of Patiala (SBP) and State Bank of Travancore (SBT) will function as branches of State Bank of India from April 1, 2017. The Customers, including depositors of all the five Banks will be treated as customers of State Bank of India with effect from April 1, 2017.

5. Govt proposes to lower cash transaction limit to Rs 2 lakh: The government on Tuesday proposed to cap cash transactions at Rs 2 lakh instead of the proposed Rs 3 lakh. The proposal was made in the finance bill. The bill proposes to levy a service charge on all cash transaction above Rs 2 lakh.

6. ICICI bank launched mobile banking app “Mera iMobile”: The ICICI bank has recently launched a mobile banking app “Mera iMobile” for rural customers that allow them to access banking services as well as information on agri services.