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).