Daily GK Updates - 14th July, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Operation ‘Sankat Mochan’ launched to evacuate Indian citizens from South Sudan: The Union Government has launched ‘Operation SankatMochan’ to evacuate the Indians from South Sudan.Two C17 aircraft of Indian Air Force left for Juba with Minister of State for External Affair VK Singh onboard.

2. Ashok Patnaik appointed new National Intelligence Grid Chief: Senior IPS officer Ashok Patnaik was appointed CEO of the National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID).

3. Cabinet approves revised cost estimate of Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric Project in Bhutan: The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister ShriNarendraModi has also given its approval for Revised Cost Estimate (RCE) of Rs. 7290.62 crore for the ongoing 1020 MW Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric Project (HEP) in Bhutan.

4. Cabinet approves revival of defunction Fertilizer Units in Gorakhpur, Sindri and Barauni: The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister ShriNarendraModi has approved the revival of defunct Fertilizer Units in Gorakhpur, Sindri and Barauni. These include two closed urea units of Fertilizer Corporation India Limited (FCIL) at Sindri (Jharkhand) and Gorakhpur (Uttar Pradesh) and Barauni (Bihar) unit of Hindustan Fertilizers Corporation Limited (HFCL).

5. Cabinet approves official amendment to the Bill for change of name to ‘Dr Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University: The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister ShriNarendraModi has also given its ex-post facto approval for the Official amendment to the Rajendra Central Agricultural University Bill, 2015 for change of name from “Rajendra Central Agricultural University” to “Dr.Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University”.

6. HAL, Safran to set up support centre in India for helicopters:Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) and French firm Safran Helicopter Engines have agreed to establish a support centre in India for national and international rotorcraft customers.

7. Cabinet allocates Rs 12,000 crore to impart skill training to 1 crore people over the next 4 years: The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister ShriNarendraModi has approved the PradhanMantriKaushalVikasYojana (PMKVY) with an outlay of Rs.12000 crore to impart skilling to one crore people over the next 4 years (2016-2020).

8. Indian-American Professor named US university dean: He received his doctoral degree from De Montfort University in England, a master of science in mechanical computer aided engineering from Strathclyde University in Scotland and a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from University of Rajasthan in India.

9. Kerala launches ‘world’s first’ digital student incubator: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has launched SV.CO, purportedly world’s first digital student incubator, as a digital makeover of the Startup Village in Kochi.SV.CO will constitute the second phase of development of Startup Village and is designed to help thousands of college-goers make an early start in entrepreneurship, according to a spokesman.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Theresa May takes over as Britain’s Brexit PM, appoints Boris Johnson as Foreign Secretary: British politician, Theresa May  became Prime Minister of United Kingdom (UK) after meeting Queen Elizabeth II. She succeeds David Cameron, who had resigned in the wake of Brexit referendum that ended his six-year-long stint as the Prime Minister of Britain. She became UK’s second-ever female Prime Minister after Margaret Thatcher (in office from 1979-1990).

2. Emirates named world’s best airline in 2016 Skytrax awards: he top 5 best airlines: Emirates (1st), Qatar Airways (2nd), Singapore Airlines (3rd), Cathay Pacific (4th), ANA All Nippon Airways (5th).

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:                                 

1. BSE introduces ‘Paperless SIP’: Leading stock exchange BSE is introducing 'Paperless SIP' (systematic investment plans) that would allow mutual fund investors to make transactions through various modes of payments.The additional feature on BSE's mutual fund platform - StARMF - would allow MF distributors to register SIPs for their clients, who can pay SIP amounts through various modes.

Daily GK Updates - 13th July, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. INS Karna commissioned by Indian Navy: Indian Navy has commissioned INS Karna, an independent base of Marine Commandos (MARCOS) at Bheemunipatanam Naval Base, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. It was commissioned by Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba at the commissioning ceremony held at Bheemunipatanam Naval Base.

2. NajmaHeptulla and G M Siddeswara quit Modi cabinet: Union ministers NajmaHeptulla and GM Siddeshwara resigned.Dr Heptulla, the Minority Affairs Minister, was replaced by Minister of State Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, who has been given independent charge. The portfolio held by Mr.Siddeshwara - junior minister for Heavy Industries - will be taken over by Babul Supriyo, who was the junior minister for Urban Development.

3. Bangladesh and India sign Rampal Power Plant construction agreement: Bangladesh and India have signed a landmark deal for the construction of a 1,320-megawatt coal-fired power plant, the biggest project under bilateral cooperation that would mark the transition from electricity export to generation level.

4. Pokhra-New Delhi direct bus service launched: The first direct bus service between Pokhara (Nepal) and New Delhi (India) was launched to connect South Asia’s two important cities. This bus service was flagged off by Nepal Home Minister Shakti BahadurBasnet and India’s ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Rae from Pokhara (Nepal’s famous tourist spot).

5. K V R Murthy appointed as the new CMD of Jute Corporation of India Ltd.

6. SRK, Akshay Kumar join Taylor Swift in Forbes highest paid celebrity list:Bollywood stars Shahrukh Khan and Akshay Kumar were the only Indian celebrities to make way for the Forbes list of world’s highest paid celebrity. Musician Taylor Swift with $170 million in her earning bag seized the top spot on the list. Football star Cristiano Ronaldo sparked in the Forbes list after claiming Euro cup title for Portugal under his captainship and got 5th rank in the list with earnings of 88 Million dollars.

7. IDFC Bank acquires GramaVidiyal: IDFC Bank has announced it had acquired Tamil Nadu-headquartered microfinance institution GramaVidiyal in an all-cash deal.

8. Cabinet approves stake sale in NBCC India: The Centre has cleared a proposal to sell its stake in state-owned construction company NBCC India with an aim to meet the Rs. 56,500-crore PSU disinvestment target in 2016-17.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:                                 

1. SBI signs MoU with IIT Bombay to promote start-ups: India’s top public sector bank, State Bank of India (SBI), has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SINE), (IIT) Bombay’s technology business incubator, to promote innovation by start-ups in the financial sector.

2. HDFC Bank to sell Masala Bonds: Housing Development Finance Corp (HDFC) is set to become the first Indian company to sell masala bonds, a rupee-denominated bond sold to foreign investors and listed on an overseas exchange.

SPORTS:

3. ICC has released Test, ODI and T20I Rankings: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has released the official ICC men’s Team Rankings from Test, One Day International (ODI) and T20I cricket.India held the second position in the latest ICC Test rankings with 112 rating points followed by Pakistan and England. Australia leads the Test rankings with 118 rating.Top 3 teams in ICC ODI Rankings: 1. Australia 2. New Zealand 3. India, Top 3 teams in ICC T20 Rankings: 1. New Zealand 2. India 3. West Indies.

OBITUARIES:

4. William H McNeill, the prize-winning world historian died at the age of 98.

Daily GK Updates - 12th July, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. India, Kenya ink seven agreements: MoU on Cooperation in the field of standardisation, expertise sharing and mutual trade between Bureau of Indian Standards and Bureau of Kenya Standards, MoU on Cooperation in the field of National Housing Policy Development and Management, the line of Credit Agreement for US $15 million (first tranche of US $30 million) to IDB Capital Limited, Kenya, for the development of various small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Kenya, the line of Credit Agreement for the US $29.95 million to the Government of Kenya for the upgrade of Rift Valley Textiles Factory (RIVATEX East Africa Limited), Kenya, revised Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA), a bilateral agreement on the exemption of Visa for holders of Diplomatic passports and MoU on Defence Cooperation were in the list.

2. D Rajkumar appointed CMD of BPCL and Utpal Bora appointed as CMD of Oil India Ltd.

3. HDFC Bank’s AdityaPuri named best banking CEO in Asia: AdityaPuri, the chief executive and managing director (MD) of the second largest private sector lender HDFC Bank, has been ranked as the best banking CEO in Asia by the investor community.

4. Ministry of Health launches Nationwide Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight (IDFC): Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Shri J P Nadda, Ministry of Health launched nationwide Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight (IDCF) to be observed from July 11-23.

5. Maharashtra Police launches 4 apps: The four applications Pratisaad Ask, Police Mitra, Vahanchoritakrar and Railway helpline app were launched by Chief Minister DevendraFadnavis in Nagpur.With the launch of these apps, dependency on police emergency number 100 would reduce substantially and citizens can reach out to police to report any emergency situation or crime like robbery or assault on women 24X7.

6. Karnataka trade body inks pact with Sanya City:The Karnataka Region Economic and Trade Organisation (KRETO) and the Sanya People Municipal Government, China, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to foster trade between Sanya City and Karnataka.

7. Lafarge to sell India assets to Nirma for $1.4 billion: Lafarge-Holcim has entered into an agreement with Nirma Ltd to sell its entire 100% holding in cement maker Lafarge India for an enterprise value of $1.4 billion.

8. Sun Pharma introduces anti-cancer product in Europe: Sun Pharma has announced rollout of Gemcitabine InfuSMART in Europe. InfuSMART is a technology in which oncology products are developed in a ready-to-administer (RTA) bag.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Nepal’s first woman chief justice sworn in: Justice SushilaKarki took charge as the first woman chief justice of Nepal’s Supreme Court after her name was endorsed by a parliamentary panel.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. Jinson Johnson, Dharambir Singh and RenjithMaheshwari qualify for Rio Olympics 2016: Sprinter Dharambir Singh and Jinson Johnson along with Triple jumper RenjithMaheshwari were the latest athletes to join the line for representing the country at the Olympics in Brazil.

AWARDS:

2. President confers the 51^stJnanpith Award on Dr.RaghuveerChaudhari.

Daily GK Updates - 11th July, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Tathagata Roy sworn-in as Governor of Arunachal Pradesh: Tripura Governor Tathagata Roy was sworn-in as the acting Governor of Arunachal Pradesh. Roy has been given the additional charge of Governor of Arunachal Pradesh during the leave of absence of incumbent Governor Jyoti Prasad Rajkhowa.

2. DRDO inks pact with IITs for Centre for Propulsion Technology: The Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) has signed an agreement with IIT-Bombay and Madras to establish a bi—nodal ‘Centre of Propulsion Technology’ (CoPT) at the two institutions.

3. Talgo train clocks 120kmps during Mathura-Palwal trial: Spanish train Talgo commenced its second phase trial from Mathura at 120km per hour speed with senior officials from Spain and Railways on-board.The trial between Mathura and Palwal will go on for 25 days and the speed will go up to 180 kmph this time.

4. Bill introduced in US to prevent Indian firms from hiring staff on H-1B, L1 visas: A bipartisan group of two US lawmakers has introduced in the House of Representatives a legislation, which if passed by the Congress would prevent Indian companies from hiring IT professionals on H-1B and L1 work visas. The bill if passed would prevent Indian companies from hiring IT professionals on H-1B and L1 visas that will prohibit firms from hiring H-1B employees on certain grounds.

5. Dumping duty imposed on PTA imports from 5 countries: The Finance Ministry has imposed definitive anti-dumping duty on purified terephthalic acid (PTA) imports from China, Iran, Taiwan, Indonesia and Malaysia. An anti-dumping duty is a protectionist tariff that a domestic government imposes on foreign imports that it believes are priced below fair market value.

6. Union Government constitutes cyber cell:The Union Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD) is taking measures to protect women and children from harassment and trolling on social media platforms. Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi announced a cyber-cell in New Delhi to keep a check in this regard.

7. Aircel, Airtel 4G Spectrum Trading Deal approved by DoT: Telecom Ministry is believed to have cleared the Rs 3,500-crore 4G spectrum trading deal between service providers BhartiAirtel and Aircel.Airtel has entered into an agreement with Aircel to acquire rights to use 4G spectrum of Aircel in eight telecom circles for Rs 3,500 crore.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. China Navy conducts Combat Drill in the South China Sea: The Chinese navy conducted combat drills near its southern island province of Hainan and the Paracel islands in the South China Sea, the ministry of defence said on July 9.

2. Astronomers discover planet with 3 suns located 340 light years from Earth: A team of astronomers led by the University of Arizona discovered a planet HD 131399Ab which is unlikely any other known world – one with, by far, the widest known orbit within a multi-star system.Located about 340 light years from Earth in the constellation Centaurus, HD 131399Ab is believed to be about 16 million years old, making it one of the youngest exoplanets discovered to date.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. Serena Williams and Venus Williams won women’s doubles of Wimbledon Open 2016.

2. Lewis Hamilton wins 4^th British Grand Prix of his career.

3. Portugal wins Euro 2016 football championship by defeating France 1-0.

OBITUARIES:

4. Indian football legend Amal Dutta passed away at the age of 86.

Daily GK Updates - 10th July, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Andhra Pradesh decided to conduct ‘Smart Pulse Survey’ of 1.48 crore households: Andhra Pradesh government has decided to conduct a 'Smart Pulse Survey' for collecting socio-economic data of 1.48 crore households in the state. The survey started on 8 July 2016 will end on 30 July 2016.

2. Zydus, Medicines Patent Pool inks agreement for Bristol-Myers Squibb’s daclatasvir tablets: ZydusCadila, a leading global healthcare firm inked a non-exclusive, royalty free agreement with the Medicines Patent Pool (MPP). Under the pact they will be manufacturing global pharma major Bristol-Myers Squibb’s daclatasvir tablets used for the treatment of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV).

3. Union Government launched National Green Highways Mission: Under this initiative, plantation drive on 1500 km of National Highways was launched at a cost of about 300 crore rupees. The greening project has a huge potential to generate jobs and can prove to be a game-changer for agriculture and rural economy.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. US sanctions North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un for human rights abuses: The US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) on 6 July 2016 designated top officials of the North Korean regime along with Kim Jong-Un and for their ties to North Korea’s notorious abuses of human rights.

2. New Tarantula species named after Nobel laureate Gabriel Garcia Marquez: Scientists has named a newly discovered species of tarantula (a big hairy spider) as KankuamoMarquezi after the famed Colombian novelist and 1982 Nobel Prize in Literature winner Gabriel Garcia Marquez. The species was discovered in large number in an isolated mountain range in Caribbean Colombia.  It was named after him as homage to the country where it was found.

3. Russian leader Putin signs ‘Big Brother’ law: Russian President Vladimir Putin signed the “anti-terrorist” legislation adopted by the lower and upper houses of parliament.This anti-terror amendment is dubbed as Big Brother by US intelligence contractor turned privacy activist Edward Snowden. It boosts the surveillance powers for the security services by requiring communication providers to store users’ calls, messages, photographs and videos for six months, and the Metadata for up to three years.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:                                 

1. SBI launches social media banking platform SBI Mingle: The State Bank of India (SBI) on 1 July 2016 launched SBI Mingle, a social media banking platform for Facebook and Twitter users. The platform was launched by SBI Chairman Arundhati Bhattacharya, on the occasion of 61st State Bank Day that is observed on 1 July every year. To avail services from this platform, customers will have to register for it through a simple one time registration process using either their social account number or their ATM/Debit Card details.

SPORTS:

2. Andy Murray beat Milos Romanic to win the Wimbledon 2016 grand slam.

Daily GK Updates - 9th July, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. India and South Africa sign MoUs in four areas of co-operation: The first MoU is on cooperation in the area of information and communication technology. Another MoU calls for cooperation in the tourism sector and is being seen as an important bid to improve people-to-people ties. A third MoU calls for cooperation in grassroot innovation in the science and technology sector. While the fourth agreement has been signed for a programme of cooperation in arts and culture. The two countries have also agreed to cooperate in combating terrorism, regionally and globally.

2. India gives SUVs to Mozambique, completes delivery of $4.5 million grant: Coinciding with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Mozambique, India has handed over 30 SUVs to Mozambique. With this India completed the delivery of 4.5 million US dollar grant assistance as part of supporting the institutions of this African country.

3. NirmalaSitharaman to lead business delegation to Russia: Commerce and Industry Minister NirmalaSitharaman will lead a delegation of over 110 Indian companies that will showcase their engineering prowess at a trade fair in Russia. India is the partner country for 'INNOPROM 2016', which is the largest annual international industrial trade fair of Russia. The 4-day fair starts from the coming sunday (10th july) in Ekaterinburg.

4. Kerala Government imposes 14.5% Fat tax on junk food: The Kerala government has announced its decision to impose 14.5 per cent tax on junk food on the lines of ‘Fat Tax’ imposed on such food items. This will make food items like burgers, pizzas, pasta costlier.

5. RadhikaMenon becomes the first woman to receive award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea: RadhikaMenon will become the first woman in the world to receive the Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea from the International Maritime Organisation for saving the lives of seven fishermen, whose hopes of survival were all but over.

6. PhirozVandrevala steps down as TCS Director:The country’s largest IT services firm Tata Consultancy Services stated that its non-Executive Director PhirozVandrevala has resigned from the company. However, Vandrevala, also the Vice-Chairman and MD of Diligenta, a TCS subsidiary, will continue with this role.

7. Sanjay Gupta named as the CMD of Konkan Railway.

 INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. NATO summit begins in Warsaw: The NATO summit has begun in Warsaw, Poland. In the two day Summit, the leaders of the 28 NATO Allies and many partner nations will deliberate and take decisions to enhance the Alliance’s security by strengthening its deterrence and defence, and projecting stability beyond its borders.

2. COO of Microsoft Kelvin Turner has resigned.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. Serena Williams beat Angelique Kerber in the Wimbledon Open 2016 to equal the record of Steffi Graff for having winning 22 grand slams.

AWARDS:

2. Ad award for Srinivasan K Swamy: The Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) has announced that Srinivasan K Swamy, Chairman of R K SwamyHansa, would be the recipient of this year’s AAAI Lifetime Achievement Award.

OBITUARIES:

3. Noted Pakistani Philanthropist Abdul SattarEdhi has passed away at the age of 88.

Daily GK Updates - 8th July, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. India sets up apparel training centre in Nigeria: India has set up an apparel training centre in Nigeria to support textiles industry of the West African country. This is a first of its kind centre in Nigeria set up in partnership with their government. The centre is aimed to support and catalyse the initiative of Nigeria in realising the objectives to rebuild the cotton and textile value chain and address the need for the skilled workforce for domestic as well export-oriented apparel industry in the West African region.

2. Government to rolls out KVK portal for monitoring of farm centres: Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh has launched an online portal designed to monitor the functioning of nearly 645 KrishiVigyanKendras (KVKs), known as farm-science centres, spread across the country. The KVKs, which have the mandate to assess agri-technology and demonstrate to farmers application and capacity development, are being set up in rural districts. Each KVK has direct interface with at least 1,000 farmers.

3. India and Mozambique sign three agreements during PM visit: ndia and Mozambique have signed three agreements in the area of drug trafficking (1st), pulse trading (2nd) and youth affairs & sports (3rd). These MoUs have been signed in the presence of PM Modi and Filipe Nyusi, President of Mozambique, between Secretary of Economic Relations in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Amar Sinha and Mozambique’s Finance Minister.

4. Maharashtra CM inducts 11 ministers including 10 new faces in cabinet: Maharashtra Chief Minister DevendraFadnavis has inducted 10 new faces in his cabinet today while one existing minister was elevated to cabinet rank. With this, the total strength of Maharastra ministers in the cabinet has become 39 now. Maharashtra Governor C VidyasagarRao has administered the oath of the position for the 11 newly elected ministers at the Parishad hall in VidhanBhavan in the presence of Chief Minister.

5. Government to clean 10 iconic places under Swachh Bharat Mission: The places which have been selected are Vaishno Devi temple in Jammu and Kashmir, TajMahal in Uttar Pradesh, Tirupati temple in Andhra Pradesh, Golden Temple in Punjab, Ajmer Sharif in Rajasthan, Jagannath temple in Orissa, ChhatrapatiShivaji Terminus in Maharashtra, ManikarnikaGhat in Uttar Pradesh, Meenakshi Temple in Tamil Nadu and Kamakhya Temple in Assam.

6. The second phase of Haritha Haram programme launched today:The Haritha Haram programme aimed to plant 46 crore plants to improve green belt. The plantation programme which is two weeks long includes both the sides of over 163 kilometers long national highway between Hyderabad - Vijayawada.

7. West Bengal to set up three biotechnology hubs: The three proposed biotechnology hubs will come in Bardhaman, Kalimpong and Medinipur districts. They will help in the coordination of various departments with the Biotechnology Department in a better way.

8. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the BRICS drug control meeting: The Union Home Minister ShriRajnath Singh has inaugurated the second anti-drug Working Group meeting of Heads of Drug Control Agencies of BRICS countries in New Delhi today. The meet is organized by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and the Indian delegation will be headed by Shri Rajeev RaiBhatnagar, Director General, Narcotics Control Bureau.

9. Nasscom unveils India’s first IoT-focused centre: National Association of Software and Services Companies (Nasscom) has unveiled India’s first centre of excellence focused on Internet of Things (CoE- IoT) at its Startup Warehouse in Bengaluru which is inaugurated by Mr. Ravi Shankar Prasad, Union Minister for Electronics, IT, Law & Justice.

10. S K Kohli appointed chief defence accounts auditor: Senior bureaucrat S K Kohli has been appointed as Controller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA). He is an Indian Defence Accounts Service officer.

12. Vishal Kapoor to be the new CEO of IDFC Mutual Fund.

13. Srini Gopalan quits Bharti Airtel and going to join Deutsche Telekom.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. IMF sets $5.3 billion programs for Iraq: The IMF has announced a $5.34 billion program for Iraq to help strengthen the country's finances, hit by the crash in oil prices and the fight against the Islamic State group. The International Monetary Fund said the three-year loan will see $634 million immediately allocated to Baghdad, which needs the money to stabilise its balance of payments and ensure it can keep up with its debt obligations.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. Dipa Karmakar named as the World Class Gymnast by International Gymnastics Federation.

OBITUARIES:

2. Veteran Music Director Om Prakash Sonik passed away at the age of 77.