Daily GK Updates - 22nd January, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. 19^th National Conference on e-Governance begins in Nagpur: The 19^th edition of National Conference on e-Governance has begun on 21^st January 2016 in Nagpur, Maharashtra. The two day conference aims at discussing various aspects of e-governance ranging from Technology Enabled Services to Cyber Security framework. 

2. Nai Manzil Scheme launched in Jammu and Kashmir: The scheme was launched for girls in Srinagar in three institutions-Skills Development Centre, University of Kashmir and two madarsas.

3. IRS Officer Atulesh Jindal appointed as Chairman of Central Board of Direct Taxes.

4. Jodhpur’s Umaid Bhavan Palace named the world’s best hotel of 2016: The hotel won this award at the Travellers’ Choice Award organised by TripAdvisor.

5. Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation has won the National Award for e-Governance 2015-16 for its Universal Account Number Programme.

6. India expected to be World’s fastest growing economy says the United Nations World Economic Situation and Prospects 2016 report.

7. J P Nadda named to the high-level UN Advisory group on women, children ‘Every Women Every Child’.

8. Ashok Kumar Mehta appointed Private Secretary to President Pranab Mukherjee.

9. Google’s free Wi-fi launched at Mumbai Central Railway Station.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Moldovan parliament appointed Pavel Filip as Prime Minister: The appointment follows the rise and fall of two prime ministers in 2015. The capital of Moldova is Chisinau.

2. NASA formalised Planetary Defence Coordination Office to detect and track Near-Earth Objects: It will supervise all NASA-funded projects to find and characterise asteroids and comets that pass near the orbit of the Earth around the sun.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:

1. Banks to get 2.5% commission for unlocking household gold.

OBITUARIES:

2. Italian film director Ettore Scola died at the age of 84.

3. Founder Chairman of MTAR Ravindra Reddy passed away at the age of 77.

Daily GK Updates - 21st January, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Amitabh Bachchan, Priyanka Chopra replaced Aamir Khan as ‘Incredible India’ brand ambassadors. 

2. Union Cabinet approved MoU between India & UK on cooperation in governance reforms: It covers areas of cooperation such as sharing good governance practices in public administration, user led service design, reducing bureaucracy in service delivery and government process re-engineering.

3. CCEA approved setting up of over 5000 MW of Grid-connected Solar PV Power Projects.

4. ISRO, Kuwait Institute signed MoU on cooperation in Space exploration: The MoU was signed for cooperation in the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes. It will allow use of data from Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) satellites by Kuwait Institute of Scientific Research (KISR) for initiating a few research and application projects.

5. SEBI released report of Narayan Murthy-panel on Alternative Investment Policy: The 21-member committee was constituted by the Securities and Exchange Board of India under the chairmanship of N R Narayan Murthy, to suggest measures for development of the alternative investment funds (AIFs) and start-up eco-system in the country.

6. Indian Mi-25 helicopters set to join Afghanistan Air Force.

7. DMRC inks interim consultancy pact for light metro projects in Kerala: The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has signed an interim consultancy agreement with Kerala Rapid Transit Ltd (KRTL) for the Rs 6728-crore ‘light metro’ in Thiruvanathapuram and Kozhikode.

8. Union Cabinet approved Policy on Promotion of City Compost: The policy primarily seeks to promote the use of city compost by bringing better coordination among various government departments and agencies. Under the policy, a provision has been made for market development assistance of 1500 rupees per tonne of city compost for scaling up production and consumption of the product.

9. CCEA approved six-laning of NH-2 in Bihar and Jharkhand.

10. New tree frog genus Frankixalus, discovered in forests of north-eastern India.

11. Girls First initiative improved emotional and physical well-being of Bihar school children: The initiative is a first of its kind project in the country as it integrates evidence-based practices from the fields of social-emotional rearing, restorative justice, positive psychology and emotional intelligence.

12. Union Government, World Bank signed Financing Agreement for Bihar Kosi Basin Development Project.

13. Ravi Chellam took charge as Executive Director of Greenpeace India.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. World Economic Forum meeting starts in Davos, Switzerland: The annual World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting has started in Swiss resort of Davos, Switzerland with participation of global leaders and business from around the world. In this edition of WEF meeting, the agenda includes the outlook of the global economy and measures to fight terrorism.

2. NASA formalised Planetary Defence Coordination Office to detect and track Near-Earth Objects: It will supervise all NASA-funded projects to find and characterise asteroids and comets that pass near the orbit of the Earth around the sun.

3. Japanese astronomers discovered second largest black hole in Milky Way.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:

1. RBI asks banks to stop Rs 1000 notes without security thread.

SPORTS:

2. Uttar Pradesh won 2014-15 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy by defeating Baroda in the final held at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.

AWARDS:

3. Oscar for Indian-origin actor, producer Rahul Thakkar in technical categary.

OBITUARIES:

4. Eminent dancer Mrinalini Sarabhai, wife of Late Dr Vikram Sarabhai, passed away at the age of 97.

BOOKS AND AUTHORS:

5. The book titled ‘The Z Factor’ authored by Subhash Chandra was released by PM Modi in New Delhi.

Daily GK Updates - 20th January, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. PSLV-C31 successfully launched IRNSS-1E satellite: The ISRO successfully launched the Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System (IRNSS) 1E satellite from Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. The satellite will provide navigation, tracking and mapping services to the Indian sub-continent.

2. Andhra Pradesh Government reconstituted the Commission for Backward Classes: It has reconstituted the Commission for Backward Classes with immediate effect. AP Commission for Backward Classes will be a two member commission with Justice K L Manjunath (retd) as its Chairman and member secretary.

3. BSE launches algorithm trading test: Bombay stock exchange has launched a new service for algorithm trading test facility for investors on its derivatives and equity platform. The new service has been launched in partnership with Mumbai based Symphony Fintech Solutions Pvt Ltd and is free of cost for market participant.

4. Maharashtra Government inks MoU with Tata Trust for skill training of youth: Maharashtra Government has signed a MoU with Tata Trust for a skill training programme for the youth in the state.

5. Union Government sanctioned 3300 crore rupees for infrastructure projects in Tamil Nadu.

6. Light Combat Aircraft, Tejas to fly at Bahrain Air Show.

7. Cabinet approves new power tariff policy: The cabinet approved a new power tariff policy that aims at promoting clean energy, better regulation of discoms, and faster roll-out of investments.

8. MamtaBinani elected President of Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI).

9. Ministry of Shipping initiated Project Green Port to make Indian ports cleaner and greener.

10. Bihar cabinet approved 35% reservation for women in Government jobs.

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.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. Indian driver JehanDaruwala (Sahara Force India) won Lady Wigram Trophy motor race held in New Zealand.

OBITUARIES:

2. Veteran Journalist AroonTikekar passed away at the age of 72.

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’.