Daily GK Updates - 16th August, 2015

DAILY GK UPDATES - 16TH AUGUST, 2015

NATIONAL UPDATES:

   I.        PM Modi announced a new campaign ‘Start-up India; Stand-up India’: On the eve of Independence Day at red fort PM Modi announced the new campaign which is an initiative to promote bank finance for start-ups (an entrepreneurial venture).

II.        Union Government unveils Indradhanush Mission for PSBs: It has launched a seven pronged plan called Indradhanush Mission to revamp functioning of Public sector banks. It was launched by Union Finance Minister ArunJaitely in New Delhi. The seven shades of Indradhanush Mission include appointments, de-stressing PSBs, capitalisation, empowerment, framework of accountability and governance reforms.

III.      Union Government to form Bank Board Bureau: Union Government has decided to set up a Bank Board Bureau to monitor key performance indicators of two dozen public sector banks. It was announced by Union Finance Minister as part of the Indradhanush Mission.

IV.   Gujarat Government declares ban on use of Plastic: Gujarat Government has declared ban on the use of plastic in the state for the first time. It was announced by Gujarat’s chief minister Anandiben Patel after unfurling the National Flag at the Independence ceremony in Mahisagar district of Gujarat.

V.     Kerala Government declares state as ‘Digital State’:  Kerala Government has declared state totally digital, thus becoming first state in the country to achieve it. It was announced by CM OommenChandy during his Independence day speech held in the capital Thiruvanathpuram.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

  I.         Researchers discovered evidence of an ancient lake on Mars: A team of researchers for University of Colorado have discovered evidence of an ancient lake on Mars. The findings of the research titled Late-stage formation of Martian Chloride salts through ponding and evaporation were published in journal of Geology.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

I.     Abhishek Verma wins gold medal in Archery World Cup: Ace Indian Archer AbhishekVerma has won gold medal in Archery World Cup held at Wroclaw in Poland in the stage 3 in the compound men’s individual section. It should be noted that Verma is currently ranked 18^th in the world in the men’s individual archery.

Daily GK Updates - 15th August, 2015

DAILY GK UPDATES - 15TH AUGUST,  2015

NATIONAL UPDATES:

   I.         According to Union Government, the seventh pay commission award will result in a 15.79 % rise in the salary outgo during 2016-17.

II.         In a move that could improve the employability of Indian sailors in international shipping, the union government has ratified the International Seafarers’ Identity Document Convention, 2003, which will provide for a globally recognised seafarers’ identity document. In addition to facilitating mobility seafarers’, the smart card will improve maritime security with a verifiable identity.

III.       Madhya Pradesh has decided to form a Special Indian Reserve Battalion (SIRB), a force that can be deployed across the country for maintaining law and order and fighting naxalism.

IV.  According to National Council of Applied Economic Research report, the MGNREGA has reduced poverty overall by up to 32% and has prevented 14 million people from falling into poverty.

V.        Union Cabinet gave an ex-post-facto approval to MoUs signed with US, France and Mongolia in the field of renewable energy.

VI.        ONGC is using some of its profit to nurse the ground and clean up key sources of water in the Himalayas. The flagship explorer has joined four expeditions launched by the Indian Mountaineering Foundation, the apex mountaineering body, to take PM Modi’s ‘Swatchh Bharat’ campaign to Himalayan heights.

VII.    India on 15^th August 2015 celebrated its 69^th Independence Day.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

  I.         Researchers discovered evidence of an ancient lake on Mars: A team of researchers for University of Colorado have discovered evidence of an ancient lake on Mars. The findings of the research titled Late-stage formation of Martian Chloride salts through ponding and evaporation were published in journal of Geology.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:

  I.    AXIS Bank launched the first multi-currency contactless card service in India: India’s third largest private sector lender, Axis Bank has launched the first Contactless Debit, Credit and Multi-Currency Forex Card in association with VISA payWave in the country.

SPORTS:

II.        Rahane makes it into the record books by taking 8 catches: Ajinkya Rahane became the 1^st fielder in Test history to take eight catches, achieving the feat in the 1^st test match of the Sri Lanka tour at Galle.

III.       Rangana Herath picked up 7 for 48 to shoot India out for 112 on the fourth day of the 1^st test match and complete a 63-run win for Sri Lanka at Galle.

BOOKS AND AUTHORS:

IV.  American Political Scientist and author Norman G Finkelstein’s book ‘What Gandhi Says’ released.

Daily GK Updates - 14th August, 2015

DAILY GK UPDATES - 14TH AUGUST, 2015

NATIONAL UPDATES:

   I.            PAHAL Scheme enters into Guinness Book of world records: Union Government’s ambitious PratyakshaHastaantaritLaabh (PAHAL) scheme has been acknowledged as the world’s largest cash transfer program (households) by the Guinness Book of World Records.

II.       NTPC signed two MoUs for Skill Development: National Thermal Power Corporation has signed two MoUs with National Skill Development Fund and National Skill Development Corporation for skill development training in eastern states and Bihar.

III.       Odisha Cabinet gave nod to new Industrial Policy Resolution (IPR) 2015: The IPR 2015 lays focus on various sectors for the next five years which includes infrastructure development, auto and gas components, agro and food processing, IT and Electronic System Design and Manufacturing, tourism, civil aviation, pharma sector, etc.

IV.       Maharashtra’s Dahi Handi granted with Adventure Sport status: From now on, it will be played as per the rules and regulations which will be framed by a state-level association. It will not be limited to Janmashtami only.

V.        Assam passed Witch Hunting (Prohibition, Prevention and Protection) Bill, 2015: The Bill seeks to eliminate rising cases of superstition leading to murder of so-called ‘witches’.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

  I.      India and Slovak republic signed MoU for technical cooperation in Railway Sector: The potential cooperation areas mentioned in the MoU are Infrastructure building and Management, station development and workshop modernisation, modernisation of signalling and telecom, etc.

II.       2015 US-India cyber dialogue held in Washington DC: The dialogue was held with an aim to increase global cyber security and promote the digital economy.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:

  I.    AXIS Bank launched the first multi-currency contactless card service in India: India’s third largest private sector lender, Axis Bank has launched the first Contactless Debit, Credit and Multi-Currency Forex Card in association with VISA payWave in the country.

II.    IRDAI allows Banks to tie with insurers: This decision was taken as part of the IRDAI’s new Bancassurance model guidelines which will be notified soon. Prior to this decision, banks were not allowed to have insurance agency tie-ups with more than one insurer.

III.   RBI notified Interest Subvention Scheme 2015-16 of Union Government for Banks: With this, he RBI asked all banks to provide interest concession of 2 percent on short term crop loans of up to 3 lakh rupees.

SPORTS:

IV.      Indian Men’s Hockey team won European series against Spain 2-1.

AWARDS:

V.     Urdu Author ShamimHanfi chosen for the 1^stJnangarimaManadAlankaran Award, instituted by the BhartiyaJnanpith.

OBITUARIES:

  VI.     The founder of Hero Cycle Om Prakash Munjal passes away at the age of 87.