Daily GK Updates - 14th August, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. No Rail Budget from next fiscal: The 92-year-old practice of presenting a separate Rail Budget is set to come to an end from the next fiscal, with the Finance Ministry accepting Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu’s proposal to merge it with the General Budget.

2. 6,900 km gas pipelines to connect Bangladesh, Myanmar, and India: The government has ambitious plan to lay 6,900 km of gas pipelines linking Bangladesh, Myanmar, most north-eastern states, and West Bengal.

3. Fifth Generation signs pact with Anna University: Fifth Generation Technologies, a multi-national research and innovation company with specialisation in building “real time intelligence” solutions and products to the manufacturing industry, has entered into an agreement with Anna University, Chennai, for conducting research to arrive at a useful prediction of the remaining life of critical equipment that are working in high temperature environments.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:                                 

1. Kotak Mahindra Bank starts Innovation Lab, open to investing in start-ups: More than 1 Cr. central government employees will get a pay hike after the Cabinet approved the implementation of the recommendations of the Seventh Central Pay Commission.

2. E-verifying without net banking: More banks to follow PNB,UBI: After Punjab National Bank and United Bank of India, more banks are likely to soon start a facility wherein an account holder can verify his income tax return on e-filing site even without having netbanking.

SPORTS:

3. USA wins 1,000th Olympic gold medal: Simone Manuel anchored the U.S. women's 4x100 metres medley relay team to the 1,000th gold medal in her country's summer Olympic history, and the second of her career.

OBITUARIES:

4. Famous Lyricist Na Muthukumar passed away: Na Muthukumar passed away in Chennai at the age of 41 years.He won two national awards for the songs AnandaYazhaiMeetukiral in ThangaMeengal and AzhageAzhage in Saivam.

5. Former minister S.P. SargunaPandian passed away: Former DMK Minister S.P SargunaPandian, who began her political career as a platform speaker, died. She was 75 years old.

6.Akshardham founder Pramukh Swami passes away:Pramukh Swami, the 95-year-old founder of Akshardham temples and a saint of the Swaminarayan sect, passed away after prolonged illness at the Sarangpur temple.

Daily GK Updates - 13th August, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Railway Budget set to be merged with Union Budget from next fiscal:Ending a 92-year-old tradition which started during the colonial era, Railway Budget will be merged with the General Budget from 2017-18 onwards. 

2. Govt sets up National Committee on Trade Facilitation:The Centre has constituted the National Committee on Trade Facilitation following India’s ratification of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) in April. 

3. Nasscom launches operations of its startup warehouse in Visakhapatnam: The apex IT industry body in the country, National Association of Software and Services (Nasscom) has launched operations of its startup warehouse at Sunrise Startup Village at Rushikonda in Visakhapatnam, AP.

4.Nadda inaugurates AMRIT outlet at Safdarjung hospital:Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda has inaugurated an AMRIT pharmacy at the city-based Safdarjung hospital in New Delhi.The new AMRIT (Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment) Pharmacy, the 10th such in the country, will sell drugs at highly discounted rates.

5. Rajasthan signs MoU with India Trade and Exhibition Centre: Rajasthan government led by VasundharaRaje has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with India Trade and Exhibition Centre (ITEC), Dubai for the promotion of skill development, investment and tourism sectors.

6. Manipal Technologies acquires CrossFraud detection solution from Bengaluru Company:Manipal Technologies Ltd (MTL), which is a secure print solutions organization, has announced that it has acquired CrossFraud - an advanced fraud detection and anti-money laundering solution from Bengaluru-based Saraansh Software Solutions Pvt. Ltd for an undisclosed amount. 

7. Cipla names UmangVohra as MD & Global CEO: Indian's multinational pharmaceutical company Cipla Limited has appointed UmangVohra as the managing director (MD) & global chief executive officer (CEO) of the company effective September 1, 2016. 

8. ManjulaChellur is the new chief justice of Bombay high court: The Ministry of Law and Justice has notified the appointment of Justice ManjulaChellur as the next Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court. 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Sri Lanka and China sign a tripartite agreement to construct Financial City Centre in Colombo: Sri Lanka and China have signed a tripartite agreement to proceed with the construction of a Financial City Center in capital Colombo.  However, Sri Lanka's Urban Development Authority, the Ministry of Megapolis and Western Development and the China Harbor Engineering Company Ltd signed the agreement for the development of Colombo International Financial City (CIFC) formerly known as the Colombo Port City.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:                                 

1. Syndicate Bank launches Project Ananya aimed at digital banking: India's major commercial banks of India, Syndicate Bank has launched a program called "Project Ananya" that focuses on improved customer service and offering the latest in digital banking services. 

2. SBI, Korea Development Bank joins hands for biz opportunities:The Country's largest public sector lender State bank of India and Korea Development Bank have signed a memorandum of understanding to enhance business synergies. 

3. Saraswat Cooperative Bank appoints it new Chairman – GautamEknath Thakur.

SPORTS:

4. Lionel Messi announces to continue to play for Argentina:Lionel Messi has announced that he will play on for Argentina, reversing his decision in June to retire from international soccer. 

5. Ethiopian sets world record in 10,000 metre run:Ethiopian runner AlmazAyana ran 10,000 metres in 29:17.45 minutes, to set a new world record and win the gold medal at the Rio Olympics.

OBITUARIES:

6. Former Chief Secretary Sudhanshu Mishra passes away:Former Odisha chief secretary SudhanshuBhushan Mishra has passed away in Bhubaneswar. He was suffering from cancer. Mishra was 76 years old and a 1965 batch IAS officer. 

Daily GK Updates - 12th August, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. India’s first touch-and-feel garden for visually impaired: A first-of-its-kind touch and feel garden for the visually impaired people in the country was inaugurated near Calicut University campus by Kerala Assembly Speaker P Sreeramakrishnan. The garden has nearly 70 aromatic, medicinal and herbal plants brought from various parts the country.

2. President approves six new IITs across the country and one NIT in AP: President Pranab Mukherjee has given his nod to set up six new Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) in places like Jammu, Tirupati, Palakkad (Kerala), Goa, Dharward (Karnataka) and Bhilai (Chhattisgarh) and also passed a law regarding the same.

3. Badal inaugurates first ‘Sewa Kendra’ in Punjab: Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has inaugurated city’s first Sewa Kendra at Ladhewali today where people will be able to avail services under one roof.

4. Assam becomes the first state to ratify GST: Assam has become the first state to ratify the Goods and Services Tax Constitutional Amendment Bill. The Parliament had earlier cleared the bill to usher in a uniform tax regime throughout the country, and it now awaits the ratification of at least 15 states to make it a law.

5. 12-day long Krishna Pushkar festival begins on grand note in Telangana and AP: A 12-day long Krishna Pushkar festival began in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh on a grand note today. The festival comes once in every 12 years. Telangana government has made elaborate arrangements as over three crore people expected to turn up for a holy dip at various places in Mahabubnagar and Nalgonda districts on the banks of the sacred river.

6. Hindustan Copper Limited inaugurates country’s first facility to produce nickel:The new facility - Nickel, Copper, and Acid Recovery Plant is located at the company's Indian Copper Complex (ICC) at Ghatshila in Jharkhand.

7. Flipkart now on Kotak Mahindra Bank’s mobile banking app: The private sector lender Kotak Mahindra Bank (KMB) has announced the availability of Flipkart’s mobile site in its mobile banking app to gives the customer a secure in-app shopping environment.

8. Birender Singh Yadav appointed as next High Commissioner of India to Ghana.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Apple rehires Flipboard co-founder for Health Software role: Apple Inc has rehired Flipboard Co-founder Evan Doll to work on health-related software after he quit Apple to found the digital news magazine app Flipboard. Doll had worked as a software engineer at Apple from about 2003 to 2009 and had helped develop the first iPhone operating system.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:                                 

1. RBI transfers Rs 65,876 crore surplus to government: The Reserve Bank will transfer to the central government its surplus profit of Rs 65,876 crore which is marginally lower than the amount given last year.

2. NABARD sanctions Rs 26.06 crore to Punjab: National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has sanctioned Rs 26.06 crore to the Punjab government. The fund has been sanctioned for tackling waterlogging by constructing lift schemes in low-lying areas, village ponds, and other allied works.

SPORTS:

3. Phelps 3^rd to win Gold in the same event at four Olympics: Michael Phelps won the gold medal in the 200m individual medley to become only the third athlete to win an individual Gold in the same event at four Olympics. This was Phelps 22nd Olympic Gold and 4th consecutive in 200m individual medley starting 2004.

Daily GK Updates - 11th August, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. AzimPremji, Shiv Nadar in Forbes list of 100 richest tech tycoons: Wipro Chairman AzimPremji and HCL co-founder Shiv Nadar are the only two billionaires from India in Forbes' list of the world's 100 richest people in technology. They are ranking in the top 20 ahead of Google boss Eric Schmidt and Uber CEO Travis Kalanick. Premji ranks 13th on the list with a net worth of $16 billion and Nadar comes in on the 17th spot with $11.6 billion of net worth.

2. Cabinet approvals: The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister NarendraModi has given its ex-post facto approval for amendments to Section 44 and consequential amendments of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 by introducing the Lokpal and Lokayukta (Amendment) Bill, 2016 in the Parliament.

3. Jaitley launches data bank portal of MSMEs: Finance Minister ArunJaitley has launched a data bank Portal of micro, small and medium enterprises, MSME in New Delhi. The portal aims to gather information about micro, small and medium enterprises.

4. CBDT constitutes committee to review media policy: Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has constituted a new committee to "review" the existing media policy for communicating the activities of the board and the income tax department to the public. The 9 member committee will be headed by Mr.Gopal Mukherjee.

5. IRCTC signs MoU with DRDO to get ready-to-eat food straight out packet: The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has signed a MoU with Defence Food Research Laboratory of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for Transfer of Technology of Retort Pouch Processed Foods so that ready-to-eat food can be warmed and eaten straight out of the packet.

6. Madhya Pradesh, Puducherry join UDAY scheme: Madhya Pradesh and the Union Territory (UT) of Puducherry have signed the memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Power to join the UjwalDiscom Assurance scheme that will save the state Rs 17,515 crore  and for the UT it is expected to be around Rs.72 crore. With these two MoUs being signed, the total number of states and union territories who are a part of UDAY has risen to 16.

7. IKEA lays the foundation for its first store at Hyderabad: Ikea, a global leader in retail furniture, has laid the foundation for its first store in India in Hyderabad. The store is expected to open somewhere in July–August next year and is likely to see an investment of about Rs. 700 crore.

8. BHEL appoints Akhil Joshi as its Director: Power plant equipment manufacturer, Bharat Heavy Electricals limited (BHEL) has appointed Akhil Joshi as the Director (Power).

9.  Microsoft appoints Sriram Rajamani as MD of its India Lab.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Bill Maris, the CEO and founder of Google Ventures quits: Bill Maris, the chief executive, and founder of Alphabet Inc's, venture capital arm of GV, is leaving the company. Maris, who will leave on Friday, will be replaced by GV managing partner David Krane.

2. Intel buys AI startupNervana Systems run by Indian-origin entrepreneur: Tech giant Intel has acquired California-based deep learning startupNervana Systems, run by an Indian-origin entrepreneur, allowing the chip maker to foray into the world of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. SainaNehwal is the brand ambassador for ITC’s Savlon.

2. India’s sole weightlifter out of Rio Olympics: India's only weightlifter at the Rio Olympics, SathishSivalingam was ousted from the men's 77 kg weightlifting event at the Games.

Daily GK Updates - 10th August, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. PM Modi launches ‘Yaad Karo Kurbani’ celebrations: Prime Minister NarendraModi has launched YaadKaroKurbani (remember the sacrifices) celebrations at the birthplace of freedom fighter Chandra Shekhar Azad at Alirajpur, Madhya Pradesh. The YaadKaroKurbani is a 15-day programme aimed to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Quit India Movement (QIM) and 70 years of Independence.

2. PM Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Tamil Nadu CM Jayalalitha jointly dedicated Kundankulam Nuclear Plant Unit-1 to the nation: The first unit of Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant has jointly dedicated to the nation by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, Prime Minister NarendraModi and Russian President Vladimir Putin through video conferencing. It has been built with Russian expertise following a pact between the then Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and Soviet leader Mikahil Gorbachev in November 1988.

3. NITI Aayog ties up with US EIA to set up a portal on energy data: NitiAayog has inked a pact with US Energy Information Administration (EIA). The think tank is working to develop India's energy data agency which would take 3-4 years to develop. The web portal will host all the data related to energy sector including oil & gas, coal, solar & thermal energy etc.

4. Government to set up committee to review e-commerce rules: The government has decided to set up a committee to look into all issues including foreign direct investment norms pertaining to the fast-growing e-commerce industry in the country. The committee will be headed by the NITI Aayog CEO Mr. Amitabh Kant.

5. First Solar India commissions 130 MW of solar power plants in AP, Telangana: The local subsidiary of the Nasdaq-listed First Solar, First Solar Power India, has announced the commercial operation of 80 MW and 50 MW solar power plants in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

6. Maneka Gandhi kicks off a campaign to mark 11 August as Daughters’ Day:The Ministry of Women and Child Development has launched a social media campaign to mark the Daughters Day to be celebrated on 11th August 2016 by tweeting a picture with her daughter-in-law and grand-daughter.

7. NHAI signs MoU with IIT Kharagpur for Research Project: National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with IIT-Kharagpur for the research project on Laboratory and Field investigations on Paneled Cement Concrete Pavements for Highways.

8. Rajeev Krishnan appointed as Managing Director of Max Hypermarkets India.

9. ACC has approved appointments of four GMs as Executive Director in various banks: The Appointment Committee of Cabinet (ACC) has approved appointments of four G Ms as Executive Directors in various banks.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. China launches a satellite to get accurate images of earth: China has launched a new high-resolution Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imaging satellite Gaofen-3 from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre in northern Shanxi Province.

2. TakehikoNakao re-elected for second term as ADB President: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) Board of Governors has unanimously re-elected TakehikoNakao as President of ADB for a further 5 years beginning on 24 November 2016.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:                                 

1. Dinesh Kumar Khara appointed as the MD of State Bank of India.

SPORTS:

2. England Speedster James Anderson dethrones R Ashwinfron the top spot in ICC Bowlers Ranking.

OBITUARIES:

3. Yesteryear Tamil Actress Jyothilakshmi passed away at the age of 63.

4. Veteran Tamil writer-producer Panchu Arunachalam passed away.

Daily GK Updates - 9th August, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Maharashtra Government launches ‘Quit India 2’ movement to mark its 75^th anniversary: To mark the 75th anniversary of Quit India Movement, Maharashtra Government launched Quit India 2-from Swaraaj to Suraaj initiative. The initiative would emphasize on freedom from illiteracy, farmer suicide, wastage of water, addiction among youth and corruption.

2. Vodafone renews multi-million dollar IT deal with IBM: India’s second largest mobile operator Vodafone has renewed its multi-million dollar agreement for IT infrastructure with tech giant IBM for another five years.

3. Reliance General enters ‘Bancassurance’ deal with co-operative bank: Non-life insurer Reliance General Insurance Company Ltd. has announced a bancassurance tie-up with ShamraoVithal Co-operative Bank (SVCB). As per the deal, the Reliance General will distribute its insurance products to the customers of SVCB having a network of 194 branches.

4. MSTC joins hands with Mahindra INTERTRADE: Mahindra Intertrade, a part of Mahindra Group has entered into a partnership with MSTC, a Government of India enterprise, to set-up country's first integrated auto recycling facility.

5. IromSharmila ends 16-year-long fast: Human rights activist IromChanuSharmila (44) today has ended her 16-year-long fast against Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 and was granted bail by an Imphal court on Rs.10,000 personal bond.

6. Mr. K M Hanumantharayappa appointed as the new Chairman of Central Silk Board assumes charge.

7. PawanMunjal reappointed as the CMD and CEO of Hero MotoCorp.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples observed on 9^th August: The International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples is observed on August 9 each year to promote and protect the rights of the world’s indigenous population. The theme for 2016 International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples is 'Right to Education'.

2. Apple buys US machine learning startupTuri: Apple has confirmed that it has bought US machine learning startupTuri as Silicon Valley giants focus on a future rich with artificial intelligence.

3. Job policy Monster sold for USD 429 million: Amsterdam-based human resource consulting firm Randstad Holdings has announced that it would acquire job portal Monster Worldwide for USD 429 million in cash. Post-acquisition, Monster will keep its brand name and will operate as a separate entity.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:                                 

1. RBI: 3^rd Bi-Monthly Monetary Policy Statement 2016-17: Mr.Rajan, whose term ends on September 4, maintained repurchase (repo) rate at 6.5 %, cash reserve ratio (CRR) at 4 %, Reverse Repo Rate - 6.00%, Marginal Standing Facility Rate (MSF)- 7.00%, Bank Rate- 7.00% , Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR)- 21%. While the Growth forecast at 7.6% for the current fiscal and Inflation target remains 5% for January 2017.

2. HDFC Board gives Green Signal to HDFC Life-Max merger: The HDFC board has approved the merger of Max Life and Max Financial Services with its insurance arm HDFC Standard Life Insurance.

SPORTS:

3. Abhijeet Gupta retains Commonwealth Chess Championship crown: Grandmaster and former world junior champion Abhijeet Gupta has added another feather to his cap by retaining the Commonwealth Chess championship crown. As the title was also won earlier by him in 2015.

OBITUARIES:

4. Former Arunachal Pradesh KalikhoPul passed away at the age of 46: Former Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister and Congress rebel KalikhoPul was found dead at his residence in Itanagar. He was 46 years old. He allegedly hanged himself. According to initial reports, he was suffering from depression and was extremely upset after his appointment was struck down by the Supreme Court.

5. Yoga Guru TKV Desikachar passed away at the age of 78.

Daily GK Updates - 8th August, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. PM Modi launches Mission Bhagiratha and lays foundation stone of key development projects in Telangana: Prime Minister NarendraModi has launched the Telangana government's ambitious Mission Bhagiratha at Komatibanda Village, Gajwel, in Medak District of Telangana. The scheme has been launched by the State Government with an objective to provide safe drinking water to all.The Prime Minister also laid the Foundation Stones for important development projects. These included the 1600 MW Thermal Power station of NTPC at Ramagundam, revival of a Fertilizer Plant at Ramagundam, KalojiNarayanaRao University of Health Sciences, Warangal, and Manoharabad-Kothapalli Railway line.

2. Odisha Government launches special assistance scheme for elderly weavers: The Odisha government launched a special assistance scheme- ‘BaristhaBunakarSahayataYojana’  for elderly weavers to mark the National Handlooms Day (7th August). It has been launched by the state Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik with an aim to improve the financial condition of over 8,000 weavers, who have been working in this field for the last 20 years.

3. Union Minister HRD Minister PrakashJavadekar inaugurates Chhattisgarh’s first IIT: Union Human Resource Development Minister PrakashJavadekar has inaugurated the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) - Raipur at the Government Engineering College campus.

4. IRCTC signs MoU with Manipur Government to provide hospitality and tourism services: Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) and the Manipur government have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which seeks to provide improved hospitality and tourism services to their customers by making 'joint use of their capabilities and facilities'.

5. Zydus acquires derma brand Melgain from IssarPharma: Ahmedabad-headquartered Zydus Group has acquired Melgain brand from Hyderabad based IssarPharma for an undisclosed sum that would marketed in India by Liva Healthcare.

6. Sitaraman Shankar appointed as Network 18 Managing Editor:Network18 has appointed Sitaraman Shankar as Managing Editor - Special Projects. Shankar will work across all digital and TV news properties.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Over 1000 dancing robots set Guinness Record in China: A new Guinness World Record for the most robots dancing simultaneously has been set in China where 1,007 robots shimmied in unison, nearly double the previous record.

2. First ever Pizza-ATM opens in the US: The first-ever 'Pizza ATM' has been installed at a university campus of US by French- based company Paline, which developed the ATM. The pizza vending machine on the campus of Xavier University (XU) in Ohio can hold seventy 12-inch pizzas and dispense them fresh and hot in just three minutes.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:                                 

1. Former RBI Deputy Governor AnandSinha joins IDFC Bank Board: This comes after VinodRai, the former comptroller and auditor general (CAG) of India, who served as a nominee director representing IDFC Limited on the board of IDFC Bank, stepped down after serving on the board for a year.

2. Syndicate Bank launches new products: ArunShrivastava, MD & CEO of Syndicate Bank has launched new products to ease customer transactions. The first products launched by the bank was the fund transfer based on ‘Aadhaar Number through NUUP’, using an ordinary mobile phone without internet connection. While the other one was ‘Fund Transfer through IMPS’ at any branch for instantaneous credit to any bank account.

SPORTS:

3. Gymnast DipaKarmakar becomes first Indian to qualify for Vault Finals: DipaKarmakar, the Indian Gymnast, created history by becoming the first Indian gymnast to enter the Olympic final at the Rio Olympic Centre. The 22-year-old qualified for the final round in the Individual vault final of artistic gymnastics after finishing eighth on the standings.

OBITUARIES:

4. Australia’s surfing champion Bernard Farrelly died at the age of 71: Australian surfing champion Bernard Farrelly, best known as Midget for his slight size, has passed away. He was 71 years old. He won the first official surfing World Championship at Sydney's Manly Beach in 1964 and dominated the sport as it gained popularity during that decade.