Daily GK Updates - 26th December, 2015

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. PM Modi goes to Lahore, makes a Christmas date with history: With two unannounced stops, in Kabul and Lahore on Christmas day, PM Modi rewrote the recent history of geopolitics in the region. 

2. Good Governance Day observed on 25^th December 2015: Good Governance Day was observed on 25^th December to mark the birth anniversary of former-Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

3. Direct-selling FMCG firm Amway India announced Bollywood actor Farhan Akhtar as its brand ambassador to promote Nutrilite range of the products.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Bangladesh signs $12.65 billion deal with Russia for nuclear power plants: Bangladesh’s state-run Atomic Energy Commission signed a deal with Russia to set up two nuclear power plants, each with 1200 MW capacity, an investment totalling $12.65 billion. The work will begin early next year at Ruppur in Iswardi, 160 km from Dhaka.

2. India and Russia signed 16 pacts to deepen bilateral cooperation: India and Russia signed 16 agreements/Memorandum of Understanding to deepen bilateral cooperation in the fields of energy, security, technology, etc. The pacts were signed after the conclusion of the 16^th India-Russia Annual Summit in Moscow.

3. India-origin Software Engineer wins UK award: An Indian-origin software engineer named Nandagopal Lakshminarayanan has won a prestigious award in the UK for creating an innovative electronic smart key system which enables the creation and management of keys and locks that cannot be copied or picked. 

4. World Bank to give $35 million to Pakistan for Indus River Basin:  The World Bank has approved an additional financial assistance to Pakistan of $35 million to support improved management, planning and development of water resources in the Indus River Basin in Pakistan.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. Sri Lankan wicket-keeper Kusal Perera faces 4-year ban on being tested positive for a banned substance.

OBITUARIES:

2. Veteran Bollywood actress Sadhna passed away at the age of 74 in Mumbai.

Daily GK Updates - 25th December, 2015

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Indian Oil, Oil India sign MoU with Roseneft: Indian Oil Corporation and Oil India Lt have signed a memorandum of understanding with Russian national oil company Roseneft for cooperation in geologic survey, exploration and production of hydrocarbons in select onshore areas in Russia.. 

2. Amazon India unit signs MoU with NIESBUD: Amazon India’ seller services unit has signed a MoU with the National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development aimed at encouraging more small businesses grow their venture profitably online.

3. ICICI Bank to sell railway tickets on website: ICICI Bank has tied up with railways e-ticketing platform IRCTC to sell rail tickets through its website.

4. Uttarakhand Governor Krishna Kant Paul released a commemorative stamp on renowned Hindi poet Sumitranandan Pant.

5. Aam Admi Party (AAP) Government launched free Wi-fi services aboard half a dozen Delhi Transport Corporation buses on trial basis.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. PM Modi inaugurates new Afghan Parliament built by India in Kabul: PM Modi received a warm embrace and welcome by Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in Kabul for delegation level bilateral talks and for inaugurating the new Afghan Parliament building.

2. Reliance Defence signs $6 billion pact with Russian arms firm as Modi visits Moscow: Reliance Defence signed a manufacturing and maintenance deal potentially worth $6 billion with Russia’s Almaz-Antley, the maker of an air defence system that sources said the Indian military was poised to buy.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:

1. Reserve Bank of India invites applications for Innovative Payment Solutions: India’s central bank has invited applications for ‘Payment System Innovation Awards’ to encourage innovative solutions in the field of Payment and Settlement System. With this initiative, the RBI is hoping to transform the way transactions are processed in the world’s fastest growing economy.

SPORTS:

2. Former wicket-keeper Syed Kirmani nominated for 2015 Col. C K Naydu Lifetime Achievement Award.

OBITUARIES:

3. Veteran Bollywood actress Sadhna passed away at the age of 74 in Mumbai.

Daily GK Updates - 24th December, 2015

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. North India’s first cable bridge inaugurated at Basohali town of J&K: The Basohali town is located in Kathua district of Jammu & Kashmir was in news as the Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar dedicated the 1^st cable-stayed bridge of North India to the nation. 

2. India’s first indigenously designed and built warship INS Godavari decommissioned.

3. Indian American Rakesh K Jain selected for US National Medal of Science 2015.

4. 30^th National Consumer Right Day observed across the country on 24^th December 2015.

5. Idea became third mobile operator to launch 4G service in India: Idea Cellular became the third largest mobile operator in India to launch 4G services in India. Earlier, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone India had launched 4G services in India.

6. Gautam H Bambawale appointed as India’s High Commissioner to Pakistan.

7. Bihar Government banned 15-year old diesel vehicles from plying on Patna roads: Bihar Government banned 15-year old diesel vehicles from plying in the capital, Patna. The decision was taken in view of increasing pollution.

8. Biocon launched generic version of Hepatitis-C drug Harvoni in India: The generic version of the drug named Harvoni will be sold under the brand name CIMIVIR-L.

9. Lok Sabha passed The Payment of Bonus (Amendment) Bill, 2015: The Bill will allow doubling of wage ceiling for calculating bonus of factory workers. The bill seeks to amend the Payments of Bonus Act, 1965. It seeks to raise the eligibility limit for payment of bonus from a salary of 10000 rupees to 21000 rupees a month.

10. Lok Sabha passed The National Waterways Bill, 2015: The bill identifies additional 101 waterways as National Waterways.

11. Union Ministry of Environment notified norms for Coal-based Thermal Power Plants: The Union Ministry of Environment and Forests and Climate Change notified norms of emission standards for coal-based thermal power plants in India. Beginning 2017, thermal plants across India will have to cut particulate matter emissions by as much as 40% and reduce their water consumption by nearly one-third.

12. Union Government launched two Mobile Apps for Farmers: The apps namely Crop Insurance and AgriMarket Mobile were launched by Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Radha Mohan Singh.

13. Pandorum Technologies developed India’s first Artificial Liver Tissue using 3D printing.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. OPEC released 2015 OPEC World Oil Outlook: The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries released the 2015 OPEC World Oil Outlook (WOO). As per the report, oil and gas, combined, are expected to supply around 53% of the global energy demand by 2040. 

2. UN adopted resolution to observe 5 November as World Tsunami Awareness Day: The creation of the day is aimed at raising awareness among people in the world of the dangers of tsunami and stressing the importance of early warning systems in order to mitigate the damage. The proposal was first suggested by the Japan Government after the third UN Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction held in Sendai, Japan.

3. UN Security Council backed Libya unity accord; urged to implement it in 30 days: The United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution endorsing an agreement between Libya’s rival camps on forming a unity government. 

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:

1. RBI extended deadline to exchange pre-2005 notes to 30 June 2016: The Reserve Bank of India extended the deadline for exchanging pre-2005 currency notes of various denominations by another six months to June 30, 2016.

OBITUARIES:

2. Senior Telugu actor Chilukoti Kashi Viswanath passed away at the age of 69.

Daily GK Updates - 23rd December, 2015

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Rajya Sabha passed Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Bill 2015: With this passage, the bill awaits the President’s nod to be qualified as an act as it was already passed in the Lok Sabha. Most importantly, the bill permits juveniles between the ages of 16-18 years to be tried as adults for heinous offences.  

2. Bihar CM Nitish Kumar approved Patna Metro Rail project: The state government will now send the proposal for the union government’s clearence.

3. Union Government approved Lucknow Metro Rail Project Phase-1A: The project will be implemented by the Lucknow Metro Rail Corporation (LMRC), which will be reconstituted into a 50:50 jointly owned company of Union Government and Government of Uttar Pradesh.

4. CCEA approved 3000 crore rupees scheme for integrated development and management of fisheries: Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs gave its approval for implementation of an umbrella scheme for integrated development and management of fisheries. It will cover development and management of inland fisheries, aquaculture, marine fisheries and all activities undertaken by the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) towards realizing Blue Revolution.

5. CCEA approved investment of 5000 crore rupees into ONGC Videsh.

6. Pawan Kumar Agarwal appointed as the CEO of FSSAI.

7. Jet Airways appointed Amit Agarwal as Chief Financial Officer.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Philippines became the first Asian country to approve world’s first ever dengue vaccine: The Philippines’ Food and Drug Administration approved the dengue vaccine, Dengvaxia for the prevention of disease.

2. Zimbabwe announced to adapt Chinese currency Yuan: Zimbabwe’s Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa announced that the country has planned to adopt the Chinese Yuan as legal tender. It will be done in return for debt cancellation worth 40 million dollars.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:

1. RBI created dedicated helpline for guiding Start-ups in India on Forex Matters: The Reserve Bank of India created a dedicated helpline (email) for start-ups in India in order to offer assistance on Forex Matters to them for undertaking cross border transactions within the ambit of the regulatory framework.

SPORTS:

2. Winners of the 2015 ICC Awards announced in Dubai, UAE: Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for ICC Cricketer of the Year-Steven Smith (Aus), ICC Test Cricketer of the Year-Steven Smith (Aus), and ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year-A B de Villiers.

3. FIFA’s independent Ethics Committee banned Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini from football for 8 years.

4. International Tennis Federation announced winners of 2015 World Champions: Men’s World Champion-Novak Djokivic, Women’s World Champion-Serena Williams.

Daily GK Updates - 22nd December, 2015

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Emami ropes in Sania Mirza as brand ambassador of Kesh King Hair oil and shampoo.

2. Parthasarathi Mukherjee appointed as MD and CEO of Lakshmi Vilas Bank.

3. Cochin Shipyard Limited became first licensed Indian shipyard to make LNG ships: CSL received certification to build LNG-transporting ships for any client world-wide making it the first shipyard in India to get the nod. The shipyard successfully completed a Mark-III Flex Mock-up, which has been certified by the GaztransportetTechnigaz (GTT), France, thereby completing all requirements to be licensed by GTT.

4. Delhi Government appointed Gopal Subramanium Commission on DDCA scam: The commission will probe the alleged financial irregularities by the administrators of the DDCA.

5. Odisha Government launched Anwesha scheme to provide free education to SC/ST students: Under the scheme, 5000 SC and ST children will annually be enrolled into Standard I in leading private schools in urban areas of the state.

6. Search engine giant Yahoo named Cow as the Personality of the Year 2015.

7. National Mathematics Day observed on 22^nd December 2015 to commemorate birth anniversary of Srinivasa Ramanujan.

8. Digital media company Arre acquired Apalya Technologies: Arre, the digital media brand of UDigital, a venture found by Ronnie Screwvala, B Saikumar and Ajay Chacko announced the acquisition of Apalya Technologies.

9. Gurgaon based on-demand grocery service PepperTap acquired Bengaluru based hyper-local grocery delivery start-up Jiffstore in a cash and stock deal.

10. Union HRD Ministry launched the 6^th All India Survey on Higher Education: The survey covers all the Higher Education (HE) institutions of the country including universities, colleges and stand-alone institutions from 2010-11 to 2014-15.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Indian-American named Secretary of Texas’ Engineering Board: Sockalingam ‘Sam’ Kannappan, a professional engineer and senior design engineer for SNC Lavalin Hydrocarbons and Chemicals has been appointed as the Secretary of the Texas Board of Professional Engineers that licenses qualified engineers and regulates the practice of professional engineering in the USA.

2. 10^th WTO Ministerial Conference adopted Nairobi Package: The five day long 10^th World Trade Organisation (WTO) Ministerial Conference concluded in Nairobi, Kenya.The conference concluded with the adoption of the Nairobi Package that is aimed at benefitting organisation’s poorest members.

3. EU extended economic sanctions against Russia for 6 months: It has extended its economic sanctions against Russia over its involvement in the Ukraine crisis.The 28-member body renewed the sanctions until 31 July 2016.

4. SpaceX successfully launched and landed Falcon 9 rocket:  American Space Company SpaceX achieved a historic feat of successfully launching and landing Falcon 9 rocket. It is the 1^st time in the history of rocketry that a rocket has returned back after delivering a spacecraft to its orbit, so that it could potentially fly again.

5. Nepal Cabinet decided to amend constitution to address Madhesis’ demands: The Government of Nepal decided to amend the constitution to address the key demands of agitating Madhesis regarding proportional representation and constituency delimitation.

6. Australian Sea Snake species Aipysurusfoliosquama and Aipysurusapraefrontalis rediscovered by a team of scientists from James Cook University, Australia.

7. UNSC extended sanctions against Taliban in Afghanistan: The United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 2255 (2015) under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter.

8. China launched DAMPE satellite to shed light on mysterious dark matter: China launched the Dark Matter Particle Explorer (DAMPE) Satellite to shed light on mysterious dark matter.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. New Zealand Captain Brendon McCullum announced retirement from all forms of cricket.

AWARDS:

2. MalayalaManorama Journalist picked for IPI India Award: Shajil Kumar of Malayala Manorama has been chosen for this year’s International Press Institute (IPI) India Award for Excellence in Journalism for his outstanding work on ‘endangered tribal communities’ who live on the slopes of Western Ghats in Kerala.

3. Andy Murray won 2015 BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award.

Daily GK Updates - 21st December, 2015

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Tata Motors listed as only Indian firm on top 50 global R&D spenders: Prepared by the European Commission, the annual Industrial R&D Investment Scoreboard for 2015 was topped by the German automaker Volkswagen. Tata Motors moved up from last year’s 104^th position to 49^th in 2015.

2. Local bodies likely to get 22% of State tax revenue: The fifth State Finance Commission has reportedly recommended that the government devolve 20 to 22% of the net State’s own tax revenue (SOTR) to local governments for the next five years.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. UN launched 2016 International Year of Pulses: The United Nations launched the year at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in Rome, Italy. It was launched with the theme ‘Nutritious seeds for a sustainable future’.

2. Miss Philippines Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach crowned Miss Universe 2015 at the final of 64^th edition of Miss Universe held in Las Vegas, USA.

3. Miss Spain Mireia Lalaguna Royo crowned Miss World 2015.

4. Miss Iraq beauty pageant held for the first time since 1972:  It was held at a hotel in the capital city of Baghdad and involved eight contestants.ShyamaaQasimAbdelrahman was crowned Miss Iraq.

5. US Senate ratified IMF reforms in budget bill to boost representation of emerging economies: The legislation will now go to President Barack Obama. If adopted, it will allow emerging economies and industrial powerhouses like India and China to have a greater say in how the IMF is managed.

6. Conservative People’s Party won Spain election; but falls short of majority.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:

1. World Bank released Migration and Remittances Factbook 2016: The report provides a snapshot of latest statistics on immigration, emigration, skilled emigration and remittance flows of 24 countries and territories. India was the largest remittance receiving country with an estimated 72 billion USD in 2015.

SPORTS:

2. EugensonLyngdoh and Bala Devi bagged top AIFF honours: Bengaluru FC midfielder EugnesonLyngdoh and striker Bala Devi were named the 2015 All India Football Federation (AIFF) Player of the year and woman footballer of the year respectively.

3. Kane Williamson became first ever Kiwi batsman to top ICC Test Rankings.

4. Abhay Singh won U-19 Singapore Squash Open.

5. Chennaiyin FC crowned 2015 ISL Champions: In the final played at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa, Chennaiyin defeated the hosts FC Goa by 3-2.

6. FC Barcelona won 2015 FIFA Club World Cup: To win the title, Barcelona defeated Argentina’s River Plate 3-0 in the final match held at the International Stadium in Yokohama, Japan.

7. OUE Singapore Slammers crowned Champions of IPTL 2015: The host Singapore Slammers beat the table toppers Micromax Indian Aces in the final to win the crown of the Indian Premier Tennis League (ITPL) 2015.

OBITUARIES:

8. Famous German conductor Kurt Masur passed away at the age of 88.

Daily GK Updates - 20th December, 2015

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. PFRDA switches to PAN for online enrolment under NPS: Pension fund regulatory body PFRDA has started using PAN instead of Aadhaar for validation of new customers who can now be registered online under the National Pension System (NPS) Scheme.

2. PM Narendra Modi inaugurates top Police Officer’s Conference in Gujarat: PM Modi has formally inaugurated the All-India conference of Directors General of Police (AICDGPs) at Dhordo in white Rann of Kutch region near Bhuj, Gujarat.

3. WB Government approves proposal for formation of five new districts: West Bengal Government has approved proposal for formation of five new districts in the state, namely Kalimpong, Sundarbans, Basirhat, Burdwan, Jhargram. With this, the total number of districts of Bengal will increase to 25.

4. India’s biggest wildlife rescue centre commissioned in Nagpur: India’s biggest Wildlife Rescue Centre named as Gorewada Zoo and Wildlife Rescue Centre has been commissioned at Gorewada near Nagpur, Maharashtra.

5. ZSI scientists discovered a new eel species named Bengal Moray Eel: The new species was found along the coast of Digha in PurbaMedinipur district of West Bengal.

6. Tata Trusts to sign MoU with UP Government for community welfare: Impressed with the strides taken by Uttar Pradesh, Ratan Tata-led Tata Trusts will enter into an understanding with the state government by signing an MoU for community development programmes in sectors like education and health.

7. Lok Sabha passed bill to create Commercial Benches in High Courts: The LokSabha passed the Commercial Courts, Commercial Division and Commercial Appellate Division of High Courts Bill, 2015 that will bring in big foreign investments into the country and improve India’s global image on ease of doing business.

8. AP Cabinet decided to abolish VAT, CST on sugar factories.

9. Maharashtra Government announced 10512 crore rupees aid for farmers hit by drought.

10. Kwality Limited, the dairy product manufacturer appointed Akshay Kumar as brand ambassador.

11. Tata Starbucks appointed Sumi Ghosh as Chief Financial Officer.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. US Security Council unanimously adopts resolution on Syria peace plan: The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has unanimously adopted a resolution No. 2254 outlining a peace process in Syria.The resolution endorses an international roadmap for a Syria peace process to end Syria’s five-year long civil war. 

2. US doubles H-1B visa fee on highly qualified Indian IT professionals to $4000 from $2000. 

3. IMF approves half a billion financial assistance to Pakistan: The IMF approved nearly USD 500 million in its latest tranche of financial assistance to Pakistan, bringing the total amount of money released to revive the country’s economy to USD 5 billion. 

4. Anil Ambani, Spielberg join hands to form Amblin Partners:  The Anil Ambani owned Reliance Entertainment and acclaimed Hollywood director Steven Spielberg’s DreamWorks announced formation of Amblin Partners- a new film, television and digital content creation company.

5. Sundar Pichai is India’s most-searched for business leader in 2015.

6. India ranks 97^th on Forbes’ best countries for business list; Denmark tops the list.

7. Jet airways CEO Cramer Ball resigns.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:

1. Federal Reserve of US, the central banking system of USA increased rate by 0.25% for the first time since 2006.

SPORTS:

2. Dhoni to remain captain till World T20: The National selectors decided that M.S Dhoni will remain the captain of the limited overs sides till the World T20 championship in March.