Daily GK Updates - 19th January, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. IBM bags $40mn deal from Bank Tech India Payments: Technology giant IBM bagged a 7-year deal worth $40 million from Bank Tech India (BTI) Payments a white label ATM (WLA) operator to transform its IT Infrastructure. 

2. BHEL commissions 660 MW Lalitpur supercritical thermal unit: BHEL has commissioned the second 660 MW supercritical unit of Lalitpur Super Thermal Power Project (STPP) in Uttar Pradesh.

3. Tata Motors appoints Airbus official Guenter Butschek as CEO & MD.

4. Ola appoints Raghuvesh Sarup as Chief Marketing Officer.

5. World Bank to fund 20 million US dollar for reconstructing Indira Gandhi Zoological Park: The World Bank decided to extend an assistance of 20 million US dollar to help reconstruct the Indira Gandhi Zoological Park (IGZP), which got devastated during the cyclone Hudhud, in Vishakhapatnam.

6. Jayalalithaa launches Amma Call Centre: In an initiative aimed at quick delivery of government services, TN CM J Jayalalithaa launched a round the clock call centre for ensuring fast response to grievances.

7. 40^th edition of International Kolkata Book Fair to be held on 27^th January.

8. HaloSource appoints Tamal Chaudhari as India head.

9. IMF retains India’s GDP forecast for 2017 at 7.5%.

10. India slips to 89^th rank on global talent competitiveness: Switzerland has topped the list. India has slipped 11 places to rank 89^th on a global index of talent competitiveness.

11. World Bank approves 24x7 water project for Belagavi, Karnataka.

12. Union Government to introduce new category of award for ‘most film friendly state/UT’ under the National Film Awards.

13. ReNew Power commissioned 40 MW wind project in Karnataka.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. UNWTO released World Tourism Barometer: The World Tourism Organisation has released the World Tourism Barometer, which reviewed trends in tourism at the regional and global level for 2015 and enumerated prospects for 2016.

2. Oxfam released report titled An Economy for the 1%: The report analysed growing trends of concentration of wealth across the world and suggested remedies to correct the anomaly.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:

1. Draft report of R V Easwar Committee to simplify Income-tax Act, 1961 released: The draft recommendations of the 10-member committee contain 27 suggestions for amendments under the Income-tax Act, 1961 and 8 recommendations for reform through administrative instructions.

2. SBI offers loans for women entrepreneurs under MUDRA scheme: The MUDRA loan for women entrepreneurs or Boutique Finance for Women Entrepreneurs-a special loan scheme under PM Mudra Yojana-has been launched for catering to the financial needs of women entrepreneurs.

SPORTS:

3. BCCI imposes a five year ban on Ajit Chandila, Hiken Shah.

4. Ronnie O’Sullivan defeated Barry Hawkins to win sixth Snooker Masters title.

5. Viktor Troicki defeated Grigor Dimitrov to win 2016 WTA Apia International Sydney title.

OBITUARIES:

6. World’s oldest man Yasutaro Koide dies at the age of 112 in Japan.

7. The Eagles’ guitarist Glenn Frey died at the age of 67.

8. Senior BJP leader Daulatrao Aher died at the age of 74.

Daily GK Updates - 18th January, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. India’s Dinesh Sharma elected to Board of Directors of AIIB: India’s Dinesh Sharma was elected to the 12-member board of directors of the China-sponsored Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). 

2. NITI Aayog collaborated with IDFC for Enterprise Survey of Manufacturing firms: The National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog announced that it collaborated with the IDFC Bank Ltd to conduct an enterprise survey of manufacturing firms.

3. Mindtree appoints Rostow Ravanan as CEO and Krishnakumar Natrajan as the Executive chairman.

4. EXIM Bank inks MoU with AP Government for promoting exports: Export Import Bank of India and the Andhra Pradesh Government have entered into a MoU for promotion of exports from the state.

5. Somnath Temple to invest in Gold Monetisation scheme: The Somnath Temple is all set to become Gujarat’s first temple to deposit its idle gold in the Gold Monetisation Scheme as its trustees including Prime Minister Modi have given their nod to invest the yellow metal reserves in the scheme.

6. Goa legislative assembly approved reclassification of coconut tree as palm.

7. Union Government held first national stakeholder consultation on BIOFIN project: The meeting was organised to understand the Biodiversity Finance Initiative project and to seek professional inputs from experts of various fields in strengthening the biodiversity conservation efforts in the country.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. NASA launched SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket with Jason-3 Ocean monitoring satellite: The rocket carried the ocean monitoring satellite Jason-3 on board. The satellite will examine the topography of the ocean floor to help study effects of climate change or human-induced changes on the ocean.

2. French President declares economic emergency: French President Francois Hollande has declared what he called ‘a state of economic emergency’ and says it’s time to redefine France’s economic and social model.

3. First infected case of mosquito-borne Zinka virus recorded in the US: The disease caused by the virus is not fatal and lasts up-to a week, but it was identified that there is a possible link between the virus and a birth defect called microcephaly that causes babies to be born with abnormally small heads and potential development problems.

4. 21^st Critics Choice Awards presented in California: Best picture award was given to Spotlight. Best Actor- Leonardo DiCaprio for ‘The Revenant’ etc.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:

1. State Bank of Travancore launches online platform for KSEB bill payments: SBT has teamed up with the Kerala State Electricity Board to provide customers of the state utility online facility for remittance of electricity charges.

SPORTS:

2. Delhi Acers defeated Mumbai Rockets to clinch Premier Badminton League title.

AWARDS:

3. Anuradha Roy won 2016 DSC Prize for South Asian Literature for ‘Sleeping on Jupiter’ at the Galle Literary Festival in Sri Lanka.

OBITUARIES:

4. Former Sikkim Governor Ventrapragada Rama Rao passed away at the age of 80.

5. Renowned film-maker Lakshman Rao Mohite alias Geethapriya died at the age of 84.

Daily GK Updates - 17th January, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. 61^st Filmfare Awards presented in Mumbai: Bajirao Mastani won the most awards including the Best Film Award. Other winners include Piku that was awarded with six awards. Moushumi Chaterjee was awarded with the 2015 Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award. Best Actor award was given to Ranveer Singh for Bajirao Mastani and Best actress award was given to Deepika Padukone for Piku.  

2. Union Government launched four Mobile Health Services to strengthen public health infrastructure: These m-Health services are Kilkari, Mobile Academy, M-Cessation and TB Missed Call initiative.

3. Jet Airways and Bangkok Airways entered into Frequent Flyer Partnership: The Partnership came into force with the tie-up of award-winning loyalty and rewards management programme of Jet Airways named Jet Privilege and Flyer Bonus, the loyalty scheme of Bangkok Airways.

4. Analjit Singh resigned as Chairman of Max Financial Services Ltd following the demerger of Max India Ltd.

5. New Juvenile Justice Act came into force: The Juvenile Justice Act, which allows children aged 16 to 18 years and in conflict with law to be tried as adults in cases of heinous offences, came into force on 15^th January, 2016.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. World Bank released report titled World Development Report 2016: Digital Dividends: The report explored the impact of the internet, mobile phones, and related technologies on economic development across the world including India.

OTHER UPDATES:

AWARDS:

1. Easterine Kire wins The Hindu Prize for her novel ‘When the River Sleeps’.

Daily GK Updates - 16th January, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Start-up India: This is the beginning of big bang start up boom in India, says Softbank CEO: Finance Minister ArunJaitley kick-started PM Modi’s ambitious Start-up India mission at VigyanBhawan in New Delhi.

2. NarendraModi initiative has Kochi’s ‘Start-up Village’ plotting more success: Start-up Village commenced operations as India’s first public-private technological business incubator with the aim of creating at least 48 start-up companies in five years. However within three and a half years, it achieved its targets, becoming home to over 70 start-ups in typical incubation mode.

3. World Bank to be anchor investor in Rail Development Fund: Prabhu: The World Bank would be the anchor investor in the new Railway Development Fund, which would be used to fund the modernisation of Indian Railways as said by Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu.

4. Flipkart ties-up with Mahindra for KUV100 online bookings: Online marketplace Flipkart has tied up with auto major Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd to exclusively launch the latter’s newest SUV-KUV100. Consumers can book the SUV on Flipkart from January 18^th, 2016.

5. Cardiac monitoring firm wins tech contest hosted by Google at Start-up India: Cardiac Design Labs, a start-up that has come up with an innovation to help cardiac patients in rural India access critical care through a wearable device, came out triumphant at a live contest hosted by tech firm Google at the Start-up India event.

6. 6^th Asian Mining Congress will be held in Kolkata.

7. 68^th Army Day celebrated on 15^th January 2016.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Chinese President Xi launches Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank: China-backed AIIB, in which India and 56 countries have joined as founding members, was formally opened by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

2. World Bank released report titled World Development Report 2016: Digital Dividends: The report explored the impact of the internet, mobile phones, and related technologies on economic development across the world including India. 

3. Tsai Ing-wen elected Taiwan’s first female President.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:

1. India saved 1 billion US dollars annually using Aadhaar: World Bank: As per the report, transfer of fuel subsidy to bank accounts using the Aadhaar-based Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) saved about 1billion per year when applied throughout the country on account of reduced leakage and efficient gains.

AWARDS:

2. Dr Jancy James selected for Prof M V Pylee Award for the Distinguished Academician of India.

3. EasterineKire wins The Hindu Prize for her novel ‘When the River Sleeps’.

OBITUARIES:

4. Muslim Personal Law Board spokesperson Mohammed Abdul Rahim Qureshi died of cardiac arrest at the age of 81.

Daily GK Updates - 15th January, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. DRDO successfully test fired anti –tank missile Nag in Rajasthan: The Defence Research and Development Organisation successfully test fired Nag anti-tank missile at the Mahajan Field Firing Range in Rajsthan.

2. ‘Sahayog-Kaijin 2016’: India and Japan joint Coast Guard exercise begins: The 15^th Edition of bilateral exercise by the Indian Coast Guard and its Japanese counterpart titled ‘Sahayog-Kaijin 2016’ has begun off the coast of Chennai, Tamil Nadu in Bay of Bengal.

3. India’s Grid-linked solar generation capacity crosses 5000 MW mark: Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has announced that India’s grid-connected solar power generation capacity has crossed the 5000 MW mark.

4. Union Government signed a loan agreement with World Bank for Neeranchal National Watershed Project: All 28 states which implement the watershed project will benefit from this project. The project was approved by the Union Government with a total budget of 2142 crore rupees in which India would bear 1071 crore rupees and the rest 50% cost will be borne by the World Bank. It will support the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayi Yojana in Hydrology and water management, agricultural production systems, capacity building and monitoring and evaluation.

5. Madhya Pradesh Government signed four MoUs with Singapore: The MoUs were signed in the field of urban planning, skill development, clean energy and food processing. .

6. First ‘Mahila Squad’ commissioned for High-Altitude Posts of India-China border: A freshly-trained contingent of 500 women personnel will become the first ‘mahila’ squad to be deployed in high-altitude posts along the India-China border. The squad was commissioned into the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) in Panchkula.

7. Centre plans to connect 585 agri markets under NAM by FY18: The Union Government plans to connect 585 agricultural produce markets under its National Agricultural Market (NAM) initiative by March 2018.

8. Country’s first ‘Water Tourism’ to begin in MP in February: Named as ‘Jal Mahotsav’, the 10-day extravaganza will be inaugurated on February 12 in Hanuwantiya at Indra Sagar Dam, one of Asia’s largest man-made water reservoir.

9. Kamal Haasan and Gautam Ghosh included in Shyam Bengal Committee on functioning of Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. WHO declares world’s worst ever Ebola outbreak over: The World Health Organisation announced that the Ebola epidemic that has ravaged west Africa for two years was over after Liberia, the last affected country , received all clear.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

2. Former World No. 1 Russian tennis player Marat Safin inducted into International Tennis Hall of Fame.

3. Sania Mirza and Martina Hingis won the Sydney Open Women’s Double title.

4. Ronaldinho announced as Brand Ambassador of Nagjee International Club Football Tournament.

AWARDS:

5. Ankita Anand wins prestigious Lorenzo Natali Media Prize for 2015 (Asia-Pacific): She was awarded for her sensitive portrayal of life for young women facing the threat of the diktat of khap panchayats in Haryana.

OBITUARIES:

6. Lagaan actor Rajesh Vivek Upadhyay died of heart attack at 66.

7. Filmmaker Anil Ganguly died at the age of 82.

BOOKS AND AUTHORS:

8. 3^rd revised edition of the book titled ‘Objective Railway Engineering-Track, Works and Others’ was released in New Delhi.

Daily GK Updates - 14th January, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Sikkim becomes India’s first fully organic state: Sikkim has become India’s first fully organic state by converting around 75,000 hectares of agricultural land into sustainable cultivation.

2. Pilot project on DBT for kerosene to start soon: In order to cover more households under Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme, the union minister of state for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Dharmendra Pradhan informed that soon kerosene customers would be able to get their subsidy directly into their bank accounts.

3. R Shivakumar appointed Chairman of Assocham Karnataka.

4. Sachin opens railway police safety drive: Master blaster and former captain of the Indian cricket team Sachin Tendulkar launched two safety and awareness initiatives by the Mumbai Railway Police. The two initiatives, SAMEEP (Safety Alert Messages Exclusively for Passengers) and B-SAFE, were launched at the RPF headquarters in Wadi Bunder.

5. Centre approves Rs 791 crore as Drought assistance for Telangana.

6. Government limits Foreign Travel by Bureaucrats to four a year.

7. Jharkhand to add drinking water crisis in local disasters list: The decision was taken in a Cabinet meeting and will cover those districts where the rainfalls have been less than 75% of the normal or where the groundwater level has gone below by four metres or more.

8. Jharkhand to set up fast track courts for trial of witchcraft-related attacks.

9. Nitin Gadkari inaugurated 2^nd liquid chemical berth of Mumbai Port Trust: With commissioning of this berth, the cargo handling capacity of the Port will increase by 2.5 MMT per annum.

10. Bhaskar Bhat becomes Tata SIA Airlines Chairman.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. WHO declares world’s worst ever Ebola outbreak over: The World Health Organisation announced that the Ebola epidemic that has ravaged west Africa for two years was over after Liberia, the last affected country , received all clear. 

2. USA increased H-1B and L-1 visa petition fees.

3. India tops Asia in sending scientists, engineers to US: Report: India continued its trend of being the top country of birth from Asia for immigrant scientists and engineers in US, with 950,000 out of the continent’s total 2.96 million, according to a new report.

4. UN released dataset titled Trends in International Migrant Stock: The 2015 Revision: The dataset analysed trends in migration flows across the world, even country as well as region wise, between 2000 and 2015.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:

1. SBI launches dedicated branch for start-ups in Bengaluru: State Bank of India launched its wealth management offering and inaugurated a dedicated branch for start-ups. While the wealth management service ‘Exclusif’ is targeted at the fast-growing affluent segment in the country. ‘SBI InCube’-the branch for start-ups-would offer advisory services to the budding entrepreneurs under one roof.

2. RBI allows banks to provide all services at off-site ATMs: It has allowed banks to offer the whole array of services even at off-site ATMs. Off-site ATMs are the ones that set up on a standalone basis and are not on the premises of a bank branch.

SPORTS:

3. Sania Mirza and Martina Hingis create world record for most successive victories by winning their 29^th women’s doubles match in a row en route to their entry into the women’ doubles final of the WTA Sydney International.

AWARDS:

4. Subhashini Vasanth honoured with Neerja Bhanot Award: She was awarded for her endeavour to help people in distress and for empowering widows of martyrs and their families across the country.

5. UNICEF presented David Beckham with Danny Kaye Humanitarian Leadership Award

OBITUARIES:

6. Actor Alan Rickman, known for his role as ‘Snape’ in Harry Potter series, died at the age of 69.