Daily GK Updates - 17th July, 2015

DAILY GK UPDATES - 17TH JULY, 2015

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 I.            Rakesh Sahni appointed as the Chairman of Narmada Valley Development Authority.

 

II.      Government allows use of its Capital to SAARC Fund for Infrastructure Sector: It cleared the utilisation of India’s capital contribution to SAARC Development Fund (SDF) for promoting cross-border infrastructure projects, trade and growth.

 

III.     Department of Telecom panel reports recommendations on Net Neutrality: After four months of long debateon the fundamental principle of internet freedom, the panel led by A.K Bhargava has submitted its report on Net Neutrality. The committee has said that it unhesitatingly recommends that the principles of Net Neutrality must be adhered to. It opposed platforms such as internet.org.

 

IV.     Varanasi has been chosen as ‘the city of music’ by UNESCO: In a development which will tremendously boost the India’s old-age traditions, Varanasi has joined the global bandwagon of UNESCOs ‘Cities of Music’ under the creative cities network.

 

V.            Union Government clears proposal to redevelop 400 railway stations.

 

VI.   Ottappalam to have India’s 1^st defence industrial park: Union Government’s Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion has approved a proposal from the Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (KINFRA) to set up country’s 1^st defence industrial park at Ottappalam in the Palakkad region.

 

VII.  Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Churachandpur of Manipur won 18^th National Youth Parliament Competition for Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas.

 

VIII. Union Government approved signing of India-Canada Civil Aviation Pact: The MoU will help in enhancing the experience and technical knowledge in the field of Civil Aviations. It will also deepen the bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

 

IX.     Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) and Indian Council for Research on International Economic relations (ICRIER) released a report titled ‘An Inquiry into the impact of India’s App Economy’: It provides a detailed analysis of the entire value chain of the App Economy in India, including its impact on growth and employment.

 

X.       Union Cabinet approved setting up of Panagariya Committee to classify Caste Census Data, 2011.

 

XI. Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved creation of Intra State Transmission System in 7 states: The 7 states include Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 I.    Asian Development Bank (ADB), in its flagship publication ‘Asian Development Outlook’ retains India’s economic growth forecast for 2015-16 at 7.8%.

II.    IT Services company Mindtreeacquires US, UK based firms for Rs 482 crore: It acquired Bluefin Solutions Limited, a UK based IT service provider and Relational Solutions Inc, a US based service provider.

III.    Lower House of Japan’s parliament approved bills changing self-defence law: Lower house of the Japan’s parliament (DIET) approved 11 security-related bills that change the self-defence law, which was followed by Japan since World War 2. The change paves the way for the Japanese Military to potentially fight abroad for the 1^st time since World War 2. Now the bills need approval from the Upper House within 60 days.

IV.      Cameroon banned Islamic veil after suicide bombings in Fotokol: It banned wearing of full face Islamic veil, including the burka following the two suicide bomb attacks in which two women dressed in the religious garments blew themselves up.

V.           Greek Parliament passed a bill to implement EU mandated austerity measures: The Hellenic Parliament of Greece gave its nod to the European Union mandated austerity related legislative measures, thus paving the way for Greece to tap into EU bailout funds.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:

I.            Overall direct lending to farmers should not fall below average of past 3 years: RBI: It has directed banks to ensure that their overall direct lending to farmers should not fall below the average of the last three years. The direction was given against the backdrop of Government expressing concern over adverse impact of any reduction in direct credit, given the adverse weather conditions. It also made it clear that direct lending below the target set for priority sector lending will attract usual penalties.

 

II.      Competition Commission of India (CCI) imposed a penalty of Rs 671 crore on 4 state-run public sector insurance companies: The companies include National Insurance, New India Insurance, Oriental Insurance and United India Insurance. The penalty was imposed for manipulating the bidding process initiated by Government of Kerala for selecting Insurance service provider for Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana.

 

III.       RBI permitted CBS-enabled Cooperative Banks to issue ATM Cards in tie-up with a sponsor bank.

 

IV.    India and World Bank signed Financing Agreement for Andhra Pradesh Disaster Recovery Project: The financing Agreement was signed for assistance of 250 million US dollars. It is a loan for an implementation period of 5 years and Andhra Pradesh Government will be implementing agency of project.

 

SPORTS:

V.       The Archery Association of India constituted a 3 member committee to investigate the reasons behind men’s compound archery team’s failure to appear for the bronze medal play-off at the World University Games held at Gwangzhou, Korea.

 

VI.   Governing Council of the Champions League T20 decided to scrap the CLT20 competition due to limited public following: The GC consists of representatives of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Cricket South Africa (CSA) and Cricket Australia (CA).                       

 

AWARDS:

VII.    South Africa’s Indian-origin Ahmed Kathrada received Knighthood from the French Government for his lifelong service to the community: He is a freedom struggle veteran and confidante of anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela. He is only the third South African to receive the award from the French Government.

 

OBITUARIES:

 

VIII.   Veteran Telugu playback singer V. Ramakrishna lost his battle to cancer.

Daily GK Updates - 16th July, 2015

DAILY GK UPDATES - 16TH JULY, 2015

NATIONAL UPDATES

I.  Rakesh Sahni appointed as the Chairman of Narmada Valley Development Authority.

II. AP government formed one-member panel to probe Rajamundry stampede during Godavari MahaPushkaram: Rajamundry was in news as the Andhra Pradesh Government formed one member committee to probe stampede incident that killed 27 people on the 1^st day of Godavari MahaPushkaram.

III. Manipur Legislative Assembly unanimously resolved to withdraw MRVTMW Bill 2015: The Manipur Regulations of Visitors, Tenants and Migrant Workers (MRVTMW) was withdrawn in the one-day special session of the state legislature as people were sceptical about the effectiveness of the bill to protect indigenous communities of the state.

IV. On the World Youth Skills Day, Union Government launched Skill India Campaign: The Union Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship rolled out the flagship scheme ‘PradhanMantriKaushalVikasYojana (PMKVY). A ‘Model Skill Loan Scheme’ was also launched by PM Modi where loans  from 5000 to 1.5 lakhs will be available to 34 lakh youth of India who seek to attend skill development programmes in the next 5 years.

V. Union Agriculture Ministry launched PGS-India, Soil Health Card and FQCS Web Portals: Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh launched the Soil Health Card portal, Fertilizer quality control system portal and Participatory Guarantee System-India portal.

VI. Supreme Court termed National Pharmaceutical Pricing Policy as unreasonable and irrational: It asked the Department of Pharmaceuticals of Union Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizer to pass a reasoned order on the issue within 6 months after hearing all parties concerned.

VII. Remnants of India’s one of the oldest ports discovered in Goa: Scientists from the National Institute of Oceanography discovered the remnants of a historically important port on Goa’s Zuari River which is expected to one of the oldest signs of human trade on the central west coast.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

I.  World Youth Skills Day observed globally: The day was observed globally for the 1^st ever time on 15^th July with the theme ‘Youth Skills for Work and Life in the post-2015 agenda. The theme is in line with the upcoming Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2030.

II.  World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) published New Guidelines for aspects of Anti-doping programming.

III. As per the recent report by the United Nations, there is 35% drop in new HIV infections.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:

I. RBI constituted Deepak Mohanty Committee on Medium-term path on Financial Inclusions: The 14 member committee headed by RBI Executive Director Deepak Mohantywill work out a 5-year action plan for financial inclusions.

II. According to the Commerce and Industry Ministry, Foreign Direct Investment has increased by 48% after the launch of Make in India Campaign.

III. SIDBI and Snapdeal sign MoU to provide financial held to India’s MSMEs.

IV. Yes Bank has received approval from the RBI to set up IFSC Banking Units (IBUs) in Gujarat International Financial Tech-City (GIFT)

AWARDS:

V. Noted Artist H.S Raza Conferred Highest French Civilian Honour: He has been given the ‘Commandeur de la Legion d’Honneur’ in acknowledgement of his peerless achievements transcending all boundaries, the lasting ties he has forged between India and France, and his continuing artistic quest straddling nations, cultures, religions and philosophies.

VI. IOC bags top honour at Petrofed Awards 2015: State owned Indian Oil Corporation bagged the Oil and Marketing Company of the Year award, the Human Resources Management Company of the Year award. It also got the Leading Oil and Gas Corporate of the Year award for the 4^th time in 8 years.

Daily GK Updates - 15th July, 2015

DAILY GK UPDATES - 15TH JULY, 2015

NATIONAL UPDATES:

I. PM Modi launches ‘Skill India’ campaign: PM will formally launch the National Skill Development Mission, unveil the new National Policy for skill development and Entrepreneurship 2015 and roll out on all-India flagship scheme. He will launch the ambitious ‘Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana’ to create skilled manpower at grass root level by providing them vocational, technical and skill development education.

II. Boeing and Tata Advanced Systems ink aerospace partnership deal: Shelley Lavender, President of Boeing Military Aircraft, and Sukaran Singh, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Tata Advanced Systems Ltd have signed an agreement regarding the collaboration in aerospace and defence manufacturing and potential integrated systems development opportunities. There are also some unnamed aerial vehicles included in the deal.

III. India’s 1^st railway line built under PPP model inaugurated in Gujarat: Minister of Railways Suresh Prabhu inaugurated the broad-gauge railway-line between Gandhidham and Tuna-Tekra port in Gujarat by flagging off a goods train.

IV. Maharashtra assembly passed Guarantee of Public Services Bill, 2015:It empowers citizens to avail their rights in stipulated time with less efforts and cost. It will pave the way for curbing corruption, bringing transparency and empowering citizens.

V. Skill Development ministry inks pact for using Railway infra for training.

VI. Andromeda acquires apnapaisa.com in stock and cash deal: One of the country’s largest loan distributors has acquired the apnapaisa.com, an online loan solutions space in a stock and cash deal.

VII. Krishnapatnam Port receives Golden Peacock Award for environment management.

VIII. National Green Tribunal suggested variable office hours to cut pollution: The idea of variable office hours for the government and private sector in the national capital, Delhi was mooted with an aim to reduce vehicular pollution in the capital during the peak hours.

IX. Union Ministry of Urban Development approved Transit Oriented Development Policy for Delhi to address the growing problems of pollution, congestion and shortage of homes for the poor and middle class in the state.

X. Defence Acquisition Council approved defence proposals worth Rs 30,000 crore: The proposal was approved for buying four more P81 Long range maritime patrol aircraft for the Indian Navy and to replace Indian Army’s vintage air defence guns of 60s.

XI. Indigenously developed helicopter launched Nag (HeliNa) anti-tank guided missile test fired from Chandan firing range, Jaisalmer in Rajasthan: Its other variants include Land fired and man portable missiles.

XII. Union Government decided to cap Kerosene subsidy at Rs 12 per litre.

XIII. Union Government and Facebook launched #100Women Initiative to recognize 100 women achievers of India.

XIV. Union Government of Urban Development launched nationwide HRIDAY scheme from Amritsar: National Heritage Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY) was launched at Amritsar, Punjab to preserve and rejuvenate the rich cultural heritage of the country.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

I. Scientists at Large Hadron Collider discovered the existence of Subatomic particle ‘Pentaquarks’: The discovery was made during Large Hadron Collider beauty experiment at LHC in CERN, Geneva.

II. US Defence Department set up working Group on allowing Transgender persons into Military Service: The Working group will study the policy and readiness implications of allowing transgender persons to serve in the military.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

I. India won 3-match ODI series against Zimbabwe 3-0.

II. Bangladesh registered historic series win 2-1 over South Africa after crushing them by 9 wickets in the 3^rd ODI.                  

AWARDS:

III. Make in India initiative of Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion won Frost and Sullivan’s 2015 Economic Development Award.

IV. Professor Kamal Bawa, an Indian-origin scientist, elected to Royal Society of London.

OBITUARIES:

V. Iconic Mexican Musician Joan Sebastian passed away. He was known as the King of Mexico Rodeo.