Daily GK Updates - 10th November, 2015

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Ministry of Defence launched Army Cloud, Data Centre and Digi-Locker for the Indian Army: The three initiatives are aimed at catalysing automation and digitisation of the Indian Army and help in transforming it from a Platform Centric to a Network Centric Force.

2. Ministry of Railways issued Letter of Award to GE Global Sourcing India Pvt Limited: It issued a Letter of Award (LoA) to USA based GE Global Sourcing India Pvt Ltd for setting up of Diesel Locomotive Factory (DLF) at Marhowra, Saran district, Bihar and for procurement and maintenance of mainline Diesel Electric Locomotives.

3. Justice AP Shah appointed as the Ethics Officer (Ombudsman) at BCCI: He will preside as the sole decision maker on all conflict of interest issues plaguing Indian Cricket.

4. BIS elects RaghuramRajan as its Vice-Chairman: The RBI Governor has been elected as the vice-chairman of the Bank of International Settlement (BIS). He will have a three-year term as the vice-chairman.

5. India-Russia joint military exercise ‘Indra-2015’ begins in Rajasthan: The 7^th edition of India-Russia Joint Military Exercise ‘Indra-2015’ has begun in Bikaner district of Rajasthan. This edition focuses on ‘Counter-terrorism operations in desert terrain under a United Nations Mandate’.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Belgian court ordered Facebook to stop tracking non-members: The ruling was pronounced on a case lodged by the Belgian Privacy Commission, which said Facebook indiscriminately tracks internet users when they click like or share on the website.

2. Richard Proud-chaired Independent Commission on Doping in Sports submitted its report to WADA: World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) launched the IC in December 2014 to investigate the validity of allegations of doping practices, corrupt practices around sample collection, results management, etc that implicate Russian Government agencies, labs, athletes, coaches among others.

3. India re-elected to UN Commission on International Trade Law.

4. World Science Day for Peace and Development 2015 observed: It was observed on 10^th November 2015 across the world with the theme ‘Science for a Sustainable Future’.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. Ravi Shastri removed from the IPL governing council: He was removed from the IPL governing council as he is also the Team Director of Indian cricket team.

2. OdishaBarabati stadium excluded from BCCI’s new Test venues: The decision was taken after cricket fans hurled plastic bottled onto the ground forcing the match referees to stop the match for some time.

OBITUARIES:

3. NRI industrialist Swraj Paul’s son Angad Paul died at the age of 45 after falling from his penthouse home in an eight-storey building in central London.

Daily GK Updates - 9th November, 2015

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Nuclear capable surface to surface Agni-IV missile successfully test fired: Indian Army’s Strategic Forces Command (SFC) successfully test fired surface to surface Agni-IV missile from the Wheeler Island off the Odisha coast.

2. Professor Ashok Mishra headed committee of Eminent Persons CEP on JEE submitted its report: It was constituted by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Council under the chairmanship of Prof. Ashok Mishra to suggest reforms to the Joint Entrance Exam (JEE).

3. Union Government launched E-Pathshala, Saransh, Shaala Siddhi Portals: E-Pathshala is a web portal which hosts educational resources for students, teachers, parents, researchers and educators.Saransh is a tool which allows the schools to identify areas of improvements in students, teachers and curriculum to facilitate and implement change. Shaala Siddhi web portal is a comprehensive instrument for school evaluation which enables the schools to evaluate their performance in more focused and strategic manner.

4. FIPB clears four FDI proposals worth Rs 384 crore: The Foreign Investment Promotion Board has cleared four FDI proposals worth Rs 384 crore including that of pharma firm Lupin.

5. SBI’s Arundhati Bhattacharya most powerful woman in Indian business: Fortune India: The SBI chairperson remains the most powerful woman in the Indian business sector, according to Fortune India ICICI’s ChandaKochar and Axis Bank’s Shikha Sharma were placed at 2^nd and 3^rd place respectively.

6. India inks $273 mn loan pact with ADB for funding rural roads: The Government has signed a USD 273 million loan agreement with the Asian Development Bank to improve rural roads in Assam, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal.

7. Union Government issues notification for implementation of OROP: The notification is in tune with the modalities for implementation announced on 5 Sep 2015.

8. Grand Alliance won the 2015 Assembly Elections of Bihar with two-thirds majority: Election commission of India announced the results of the 2015 Assembly elections of Bihar. Grand Alliance (Mahagathbandhan) of RJD, JDU and Congress emerged as the winner of the election.

9. Conference of Power, New Renewable Energy and Mines Ministers of States and UTs concluded: The conference discussed problems faced by power and renewable energy sector and evolved appropriate resolutions.The conference was held in Kochi, Kerala.

10. Nestle partners with Snapdeal to re-launch Maggi in India: Nestle India has partnered with the e-commerce giant to re-launch Maggi noodles. The first lot of Maggi noodles was sold out in a flash.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Boeing and Tata Group form JV to make aero-structures: Boeing and Tata Advanced Systems (TASL) have joined hands to manufacture aero-structures for aircraft and collaborate on integrated systems development opportunities in India.

2. Cyclone Megh struck Yemeni Island of Socotra: The cyclone made landfall with a force of a category 3 hurricane carrying heavy rains and destructive winds with a speed of 200 km/h.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. N Srinivasan removed as ICC Chairman: He was dethroned as the ICC Chairman after the BCCI decided to recall him and nominate its recently elected President ShashankManohar as the chief of the world body.

2. Nigeria won 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup: Nigeria defeated Mali 2-0 to win its third championship in the final held at Chile. India will host the bi-annual championship in 2017.

3. BCCI announced monetary benefits for former players: The board announced monetary benefits for former cricketers, both domestic and international, including monthly and one-time payments.

AWARDS:

4. Santoor maestro Pt. Shiv Kumar Sharma honoured with Kala Shikhar Award.

OBITUARIES:

5. Former IAF Chief O P Mehra passed away at the age of 96.

BOOKS AND AUTHORS:

6. The book titled ‘What happened to Netaji?’ authored by former journalist Anuj Dhar released.

Daily GK Updates - 8th November, 2015

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Jharkhand Government announces package for drought-hit farmers: It has announced a package of nearly 1,400 crore rupees for drought-hit farmers. The package would cover subsidised diesel, distribution of seeds and construction of small check dams.

2. Centre has approved the Kerala Tourism Department’s proposal for creating a world class eco-friendly project in Gavi-Vagamon region.

3. Union Cabinet approves inking MoU with Colombia: It approved the signing of MoU with Colombia for strengthening cooperation in the tourism sector.

4. Chhota Rajan brought to New Delhi: Underworld Don Chhota Rajan has been brought to New Delhi on 6^th November 2015 after being deported from Indonesia. He was arrested in Bali following his arrival from Australia.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Microsoft partners Justdial, PayTm, Snapdeal: It has announced partnerships with three e-commerce pioneers in India-Justdial, PayTm and Snapdeal, a special cloud initiative for start-ups aligned to smart cities.

2. The International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict was celebrated on 5^th November 2015.

3. Maldives declared State of Emergency for 30 days: The measure was taken after arms and explosives were seized by the police in a lorry parked at an island resort in male.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:

1. RBI includes Bandhan Bank in second schedule list: A scheduled bank is eligible for loans from the RBI at Bank Rate. It will now come under the 2^nd schedule of the RBI Act.

Daily GK Updates - 7th November, 2015

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Government to impose 0.5% Swachh Bharat Cess on Services from Nov 15: All services including air, travel, telephony, eating out and banking will become expensive from November 15 as the government decided to impose a 0.5% cess on all taxable services to fund the Swachh Bharat Programme.

2. Indian Army successfully test fired Supersonic Cruise Missile BrahMos in Rajasthan: It was test fired from the Pokhran test range. For BrahMos, it was the 50^th test flight. Recently, it was test fired from INS Kochi off the west coast.

3. From today, trucks passing through Delhi to ‘pay green tax’: After a six-day delay in the implementation of the Environment Compensation Charge or ‘environment cess’ on trucks entering Delhi, the concessionaire-SYMR Consortium LLP has begun to collect the tax at its toll booths.

4. Supreme Court upheld Kerala Government’s ban online lotteries: The judgement was delivered by a bench headed by the Chief Justice of India H L Dattu.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. India and China ink pacts on water resources and culture: India and China signed two agreements including one in the field of water resources on sharing hydrological data on Satluj River after talks between Vice President Hamid Ansari and his Chinese counterpart Li Yuanchao.

2. WHO officially declares Sierra Leone Ebola-free: The country has been declared Ebola free by the World Health Organisation, prompting nationwide celebrations tinged with sadness over the loss of 4,000 victims to the disease.

3. President of China and Taiwan shake hands in first ever meeting: President Xi Jinping of China met with Ma Ying-Jeou, the President of Taiwan in the first ever meeting between both the countries. The meeting is a high point in the two leaders’ efforts to bridge the divisions of civil war and decades of animosity.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. Hina Sindhu won gold in 13^th Asian Shooting Championship: She won the gold medal in 10m air pistol women’s event at the 13^th Asian Shooting Championship held at Kuwait City. Hina was also the winner of the gold medal in the 10m air pistol event in the 8^th Asian Air Gun Championship held at Delhi.

2. India beat South Africa by 108 runs in the 1^st Freedom Series Test Match held at Mohali.

Daily GK Updates - 6th November, 2015

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Union Cabinet gives not to UDAY Scheme for financial restructuring package for power DISCOMs: Union Cabinet chaired by PM Modi has given its nod to Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojna (UDAY) for financial restructuring of debt of power distribution companies.

2. Union Cabinet approves MoU between India and Belgium for Energy: It has approved a MoU which has been signed between Indian and Belgian government authorities at the Federal and regional level for cooperation in development of new and renewable energy technologies.

3. MP Government proposed 1656 crore rupees AMRUT Action Plan: The MP Government proposed to improve basic infrastructure relating to water supply, sewerage network services, storm water drainage, urban transport and parks and green services.

4. CCEA hiked Minimum Support Prices for Rabi Crops of 2015-16 season: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) hiked the minimum support prices for Rabi crops of 2015-16. It was done on the recommendations of Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) for the price policy for rabi crops. The commission also decided to give a bonus of 75 rupees per quintal for rabi pulses.

5. 21^st INCOFYRA to be organised in Bengaluru in 2016: The 21^st International Conference on Frontiers in Yoga Research and Its Applications (INCOFYRA) will be held from 3 to 7 January 2016 at PrashantiKutiram, Bengaluru. The summit will be organised by the Vivekananda Yoga AnusandhanaSansthana. The theme of the conference is ‘Yoga in integrated healthcare systems’.

6. Rajasthan Government launched the Agro-Processing and Agri-Marketing Promotion Policy 2015: The policy seeks to promote agro-processing and to reduce post-harvest losses at the farm gate.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Tanzania’s first female Vice President SamiaSuluhu sworn in: She was sworn in along with the new President John PombeMagufuli at the swearing-in ceremony held in the country’s economic capital Dar es Salaam.

2. Bosnia and Serbian Governments held first joint session post-Bosnian War in Saravejo: The aim of the session was to improve their relations and contribute to the stabilization of the Western Balkans. The two governments signed cooperation agreements on finding missing persons, telecommunications, protection of cultural heritage and sustainable development.

3. Maldives Parliament voted to impeach Vice President Ahmed Adeeb: All 61 parliamentarian present voted in favour of the impeachment and none opposed in the 85-member house. Vice President Ahmed Adeeb is accused of plotting to kill the President Yameen Abdul Gayoom.

4. ‘India in Shanghai’ Cultural Week inaugurated at Shanghai: It was inaugurated at China Shanghai International Arts Festival (SIAF) at the Shanghai Grand Theatre.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:

1. RBI issued Uniform Guidelines on Internet Banking for Cooperative Banks: The Reserve Bank of India issued revised and uniform guidelines on internet banking for all licensed cooperative banks including Urban Cooperative Banks (UCBs), Cooperative Banks and District Cooperative Banks.

SPORTS:

2. Ashwin fastest Indian to reach 150 Test wickets: RavichandranAshwin’s CV has another bullet point under the achievements column as he is now the fastest among Indian bowlers to reach the landmark of 150 Test wickets in 29 tests.

3. FIFA World Ranking 2015: Belgium topped for first time: The team rose from third to first after overtaking Argentina and world champions Germany.

AWARDS:

3. Veteran Actor VikramGokhale honoured with VishnudasBhave Award: Renowned film, television and stage actor VikramGokhale was conferred with the prestigiousVishnudasBhave Award.

OBITUARIES:

4. French intellectual Rene Girard passed away at the age of 91.

BOOKS AND AUTHORS:

5. The book titled ‘Rebooting India’ authored by NandanNilekani and Viral Shah has been released.

Daily GK Updates - 5th November, 2015

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Justice T S Thakur appointed as the next Chief Justice of India: He will succeed Justice H L Duttu, who is set to retire on December 2.

2. Flipkart names Google executive SurojitChatterjee as Vice-President.

3. Twitter launches Make in India emoji: The Indian Government became the first non-US based brand to have a Twitter emoji-#MakeInIndia-which aims to promote the country as a global manufacturing hub.

4. Mysuru Railway Station became the first blind-friendly Railway Station in India: It became the first blind-friendly railway station in India. Tactile maps of the railway station and train schedules in Braille were unveiled on the occasion of inauguration.

5. PM Modi launched three gold related schemes: The schemes are-Gold Monetisation scheme, Sovereign Gold Bond scheme and Indian Gold Scheme. The primary purpose of the schemes is to reduce dependence of imported gold, recycle the unutilized gold in the country and most importantly, streamline the gold business in the country.

6. PM Modi launched research project Imprint India: He launched Imprint India, a Pan-IIT and IISc joint initiative.The project encourages the Indian technical institutions to develop a blueprint for research to crack major engineering and technology challenges relevant to the nation.

7. Navtej Singh Sarna appointed as Indian High Commissioner to United Kingdom.

8. Union Government constituted Empowered Committee to approve schemes under Nirbhaya Fund: The committee comprises officials from various ministries, including Women and Child Development, Home Affairs, Road Transport and Railways. The Empowered Committee of Officers will take decision on the sanction of schemes/projects from Nirbhaya Fund within 15 days of the date of receipt of the proposal by the Ministry of Women and Child Development.

9. V Sivaramakrishnan appointed as MD of Oxford University Press India.

10. Andhra Pradesh signed MoU with World Economic Forum to support state in assessing its competitiveness.

11. Dr T K Vishwanathan Committee on Bankruptcy Law Reforms submitted its report.

12. Ola signs MoU with Rajasthan to train 50,000 people in state: Ride-hailing startup Ola has signed a MoU with Rajasthan Government to train 50,000 men and women over the next five years, as it looks to expand its base of drivers on its platforms.

13. Indian Railways signed MoU with Odisha Government for implementation of railway projects.

14. Phase-1 of T-Hub inaugurated in IIIT-Hyderabad: T-Hub (Technology Hub) is a technology incubation and is located at the International Institute of Information Technolgy (IIIT-Hyderabad) in Gachibowli on the outskirts of Hyderabad.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Tropical Cyclone Chapala hits Yemen triggering heavy floods: A rare tropical cyclone Chapala has slammed into Yemen triggering heavy flooding and causing damage in coastal region of the war racked country. 

2. Forbes list of World’s Most Powerful People 2015 released: This was the 7^th annual ranking of World’s most powerful people. The list was topped by Russian President Vladimir Putin for the third year in a row, followed by German Chancellor Angela Merkel and US President Barack Obama. India’s PM NarendraModi was ranked as the world’s 9^th most powerful person.

3. Indian-born Harjit Singh sworn-in as Defence Minister of Canada.

4. UNHCR released study titled ‘I am Here, I belong on need to end childhood statelessness’: The report draws on interviews with more than 250 stateless children and youngsters, their parents and guardians in seven countries around the world.

5. Financial Secrecy Index 2015 released, India moderately secretive: Tax Justice Network released the Financial Secrecy Index 2015 that ranked jurisdictions according to their secrecy and the scale of their offshore financial activities. While Switzerland is the most secretive jurisdiction in the World, India, with 42^nd rank was moderately secretive among 92 countries.

6. Maldives declared State of Emergency for 30 days: The measure was taken after arms and explosives were seized by the police in a lorry parked at an island resort in male.

7. Romania’s Prime Minister Victor Ponta resigned: He resigned after a deadly nightclub blaze which left 32 dead and nearly 200 injured.

OTHER UPDATES: 

FINANCE/BANKING:

1. RBI notified Operational Guidelines of Sovereign Gold Bonds 2015-16: The Reserve Bank of India notified the Operational Guidelines of the Sovereign Gold Bonds 2015-16. These bonds will be issued by the RBI from 5 November-20 November.

2. RBI imposes Rs 1 crore penalties on Dhanlaxmi Bank: It has imposed Rs 1 crore penalties on Dhanlaxmi Bank for violation of Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) norms.

SPORTS:

3. Inzamam to be Afghanistan coach for two years: Inzamam-Ul-Haq, the former Pakistan captain, has been roped in as the Afghanistan coach for a two-year period.

4. Jitu Rai won silver in 13^th Asian Shooting Championship held in Kuwait City.

AWARDS:

5. Priyanka Chopra bags People’s Choice Awards nomination.

OBITUARIES:

6. Former England cricketer Tom Graveney died at the age of 88.

7. India’s former ambassador to Nepal Bimal Prasad died at the age of 92.

Daily GK Updates - 4th November, 2015

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Shekhar Kapur to head jury and Anil Kapoor to be chief guest at IFFI 2015: Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor was selected to be the chief guest of the 46^th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) that will start in Goa from 20^th November. Film director Shekhar Kapur was selected to be the head of the jury.

2. Maharashtra approved APJ Abdul KalamAmrutYojna for pregnant and lactating women: The renamed scheme aims at providing at least one full hot cooked nutritious food to every pregnant lady and lactating mother.

3. Eight core industries of IIP grew by 3.2% in September 2015; fastest in 4 months: The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) announced that the eight core industries of Index of Industrial Production (IIP) grew by 3.2% in September 2015 as compared to 2.6 percent in September 2014.

4. Norway opened Consulate General in Mumbai after four decades: This office would extend its services to cover rest of Maharashtra, Gujarat and Goa and it will be headed by Norwegian diplomat Torbjorn Holthe.

5. Assam Government hiked daily minimum wages of workers in various sectors: The daily minimum wage of skilled workers has been hiked from 208 rupees to 350 rupees.The State Government also introduced a new segment of highly-skilled workers who will be eligible for a minimum daily wage of 450 rupees.

6. Rajasthan Government relaxed two-child policy for government employees: As per the decision, the state government employees, already having two children from previous marriage, will now be allowed to have a third child in case of a remarriage.

7. Dracula Ant discovered in Western Ghats region of Kerala.

8. Daughters cannot inherit ancestral property if father died before 2005: SC: The Supreme Court (SC) ruled that as per the provisions of the Hindu Succession (Amendment) Act, 2005, a daughter’s right to ancestral property does not arise if the father died before September 2005, when the amendment came into force.

9. Justice M B Shah-headed SIT on Black Money submitted its third report: The SIT found that over 2600 persons are directors on more than 20 companies and at least 2 companies are operating from the same address at 345 places which indicate the violation of Companies Act, 2013.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. UNGA First Committee approved draft resolution to prevent placement of nuclear arms in outer space: The draft resolution titled ‘No first placement of weapons in outer space’ was approved by a recorded vote of 122 in favour with 47 absentions.

2. Michelle Payne became first female jockey to win Melbourne Cup: The Melbourne Cup is one of Australia’s most prestigious Thoroughbred horse races.

3. Hindi largest spoken Indian Language in US: Census Bureau of US: As per the American Community Survey data, Hindi has emerged as the largest Indian language spoken in the US with nearly 6.5 lakh people speaking it.

4. Civil communications satellite Chinasat 12 launched by China: The satellite will serve customers in a swath of the Asia-Pacific with television broadcasting, broadband multimedia and data transmission services.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:

1. RBI fixes gold bonds issue price at Rs 2684 per gram: The Reserve Bank of India has fixed the public issue price at Rs 2684 per gram for sovereign gold bonds, for which applications will be accepted from November 5 to 20.

SPORTS:

2. Shoaib Malik announced retirement from Test Cricket: He will retire from Test Cricket after playing the third Test match against England at Sharjah, UAE.

3. 2015 Paragliding World Cup concluded: The 2015 Paragliding World Cup was held in Bir Village of Himachal Pradesh. It was for the first time India hosted a PWC and it is the biggest aero sport event held in India so far. Swiss Pilot Michael Kuffer topped the table in the men’s category while Yuki Sato of Japan topped the table in the women’s category. Ajay Kumar emerged as the best pilot from India at 31^st rank overall.

4. Shiva Thapa ranked World No. 2 in boxing: While Shiva got 1550 points overall, the top spot was occupied by Michael Conlan of Ireland with 2150 points.

OBITUARIES:

5. Collin Welland, the writer of Oscar winning ‘Chariots of Fire’, died at the age of 81.

6. Tollywood comedian KondavalasaLakshmanRao died at the age of 69.

BOOKS AND AUTHORS:

7. The book titled ‘Advantage India-from Challenge to Opportunity’ authored by former President APJ Abdul Kalam and Srijan Pal Singh has been released.

8. The book titled ‘Interlinking of Indian Rivers’ authored by Radha Kant Bharti released.