Daily GK Updates - 14th September, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Hindi Divas being celebrated throughout country today: Hindi Divas is celebrated on 14th September every year, because on this day in 1949, the Constituent Assembly of the country adopted the Hindi language as the official language of the Republic of India.

2. 3rd BRICS Urbanisation Forum Meet begins in Vishakhapatnam today: The meet will be inaugurated by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu in the presence of Union Minister of Urban Development, M. Venkaiah Naidu and other dignitaries. 

3. 105-yr-old Kunwar Bai made 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyan' mascot: 105-year-old Kunwar Bai, who was felicitated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for building toilet by selling off her goats, has been chosen as the ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’ mascot.

4. Andhra Pradesh becomes second state to achieve 100% electrification: Andhra Pradesh has become the second state in the country after Gujarat to achieve 100% electrification of households.

5. Raman Singh launches ‘Start Up Chhattisgarh’ project: In line with the Centre's 'Start Up India' initiative, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh has launched the 'Start Up Chhattisgarh' programme to encourage entrepreneurs in the state. 

6. Anoop K Sharma new CMD of Shipping Corporation: Anoop Kumar Sharma has taken charge of the post of CMD, Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) with effect from September 12, 2016 for a period of three years.

7.PayU acquires Citrus Pay for $130 million: Global online payment service provider PayU has acquired Indian payments technology player, Citrus Pay, for $130 million.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1.AleksanderCeferin named newUEFA president: Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) elected Aleksander Ceferin to succeed Michel Platini as president today.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:                                 

1. SBI, PNB, Paytm to issue e-toll tags for vehicles: State Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, IDFC Bank, and digital wallet Paytm will start issuing electronic tags to vehicles for toll collection.

2. Freecharge partners with Axis Bank, launches UPI payment: Digital payment platform FreeCharge in partnership with Axis Bank has launched Unified Payments Interface (UPI) that allows instant transactions from a smartphone using a virtual payment address (VPA).

SPORTS:

3. Devendra Jhajharia wins second gold, breaks world record at Rio Paralympics 2016: Javelin thrower Devendra Jhajharia became the first Indian to clinch two gold medals at the Paralympics after he broke his own world record to clinch the top honours at the Rio Games.

AWARDS:

4. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar to be awarded by Jewish rights group: honoured with a humanitarian award by a prominent Jewish human rights organisation for promoting human dignity, interfaith relations and tolerance among people.

5. Mumbai-based writer wins FON South Asia Short Story Award: Writer Meghna Pant will be honoured with Kumaon Literary Festival's FON (Fellows of Nature) South AsiaShort Story Award in Nature writing in October for her short story "People of the Sun."

Daily GK Updates - 13th September, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Union Cabinet Approvals: Cabinet approves Extradition Treaty between India and Afghanistan. Cabinet approves Bilateral Technical Arrangement between India and Switzerland.

2. Jyoti Prasad Rajkhowa removed as Arunachal Pradesh governor: Governor of Arunachal Pradesh JyotiPrasad  Rajkhowa was removed from the post  of Arunachal PradeshGovernor. 

3. Subramanian Swamy was awarded ‘Tamil Ratna’ in US: BJP leader Subramanian Swamy has been honoured with ‘Tamil Ratna’ award by a body of Tamil diaspora in New York for fighting corruption and working for more transparency in the functioning of the government.

4. ‘Bhattacharya, Kochhar among most powerful women outside US’: India’s top women bankers, SBI chief Arundhati Bhattacharya, ICICI head ChandaKochhar and Axis Bank CEO Shikha Sharma, are among the 50 most powerful women based outside the US, according to a list by Fortune, which is topped by Banco Santander’s boss Ana Bot.

5. CM inaugurates week-long Onam celebrations in state:Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has inaugurated the Onam celebrations in Thiruvananthapuram.

6. Wadhwa Group ties-upwithSnapdeal:Realty player Wadhwa Group has tied-up with e-commerce platform Sanpdeal to make its properties accessible to customers online.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. World’s longest bullet train network established in China: World’s longest bullet train network length of 2000 kms established by China Railway. Construction of the line started in December 2012.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:                                 

1. Cabinet approves establishment of Higher Education Financing Agency: The Cabinet has approved the creation of the Higher Education Financing Agency (HEFA), taking a step closer to developing high quality infrastructure in premier educational institutions.

SPORTS:

2.Chinappa rises to 10^th in PSA rankings: In Women’s Ranking Indian squash player Joshna Chinappa rose to 10th while Deepika Pallikal remained at 19th in the latest Professional Squash Association (PSA) rankings.

3. Deepa Malik becomes first Indian woman to win medal at Paralympics: India’s Deepa Malik created history by becoming the first ever woman from the country to win a medal at the Paralympics.

Daily GK Updates - 12th September, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Joint Indian-US Army exercise ‘YudhAbhyas 2016’ to begin in Uttarakhand: As part of the ongoing Indo-US defence cooperation, a joint military training exercise, ‘YudhAbhyas 2016’ is set to be conducted in Uttarakhand from September 14 to 27. The exercise in Chaubattia was being conducted by the headquarter Central Command.

2. Cabinet approves Formation and Functioning of GST Council: The primary function of the GST Council will be to decide the GST rate along with many other things. Finance Minister ArunJaitley will be heading the GST Council, which will comprise state finance ministers as well.

3. Guru KelucharanMohapatra Awards presented: The five-day-long 22nd Guru KelucharanMohapatra Award Festival concluded at the RabindraMandap auditorium with the presentation of the prestigious awards named after the legendary Odissi artists.

4. VidyaBalan appointed as the brand ambassador of Samajwadi Pension Yojana: Bollywood actress VidyaBalan appointed as brand ambassador of the ambitious Samajwadi Pension Yojana by Uttar Pradesh government. The actor who had earlier been associated with the "ghar-gharshauchalya" campaign of the Union government will be seen campaigning about the scheme in the coming months.

5. Government launches toll-free number for postal complaints: The government today launched a toll-free number 1924 to register postal complaints. It will initially be operational for 12 hours on working days and has been started in Hindi, Malayalam, and English. Notably, Department of Posts (DoP) is the 8th largest department in terms of the number of complaints.

6. Mandi, Sindhudurg emerge cleanest districts in India:Mandi in Himachal Pradesh and Sindhudurg in Maharashtra have emerged the cleanest districts in India according to a report released in New Delhi by Drinking Water and Sanitation Minister Narendra Singh Tomar.

7. Himachal Pradesh and Singapore sign MoU for smart integrated township: Himachal Pradesh government has signed a preliminary Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Singapore government for developing a smart integrated township in Jathiadevi near Shimla airport.

8. Centre Inaugurates National Fair in Bengaluru: Union Minister of State for Ayush (Independent Charge) ShriShripadYessoNaik and Union minister for Fertilisers and Chemicals and Parliamentary Affairs ShriAnanth Kumar inaugurated the National Fair on comprehensive Indian Medicine system (AROGYA) in Bengaluru. The two days BRICS Wellness Workshop and AROGYA fair is being organized by the Ministry of AYUSH, in collaboration with Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS).

9. Centre issues fresh guidelines for flexi-fund for CSS: The government has issued fresh flexi-fund guidelines that will give more freedom to states in spending money under the Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) to meet local developmental requirements.

10. Government approves agreement with Kenya for cooperation in National Housing Policy: Union Cabinet under the chairmanship of Prime Minister gave approval for the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Kenya on cooperation in the field of National Housing Policy Development and Management (NHPDM).

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. Army Green beat Neroca FC to win Durand Cup: Army Green on has won the 128th edition of Durand Cup football title. Army Green defeated Neroca FC 6-5 via penalty shootouts.

2. Pakistan appoints Wasim Bari as manager of national cricket team.

3. Stan Wawrinka beats defending champion Novak Djokovic to win US Open 2016: Stan Wawrinka defeated world number one Novak Djokovic to claim a 3rd Grand Slam title at the US Open tennis tournament. Wawrinka secured a 6-7 (1/7),  6-4, 7-5, 6-3 victory over Serbia's Djokovic.

AWARDS:

4. Filipino revenge drama wins best picture at the world’s oldest film festival: A revenge drama AngBabaengHumayo (The Woman Who Left) on 10 September 2016 won the Golden Lion for Best Film Award at the 73 Venice Film Festival.

Daily GK Updates - 11th September, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Indo-US Economic Summit from September 13: The 2-day Indo-US Economic Summit will begin in New Delhi on September 13. Leaders from business, government and academia from both the countries will participate in the summit.

2. Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev sets up mega Food Park in Nagpur: Renowned Yog Guru and founder of Patanjali group Baba Ramdev has laid the foundation stone of his dream project Patanjali Mega Food and Herbal Park in Mihan area which is located at outskirts of Nagpur.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. BakytzhanSagintayev appointed as the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan: BakytzhanSagintaev appointed as Prime minister of Kazakhstan by Kazakhstan President NursultanNazarbayev on September 9,2016.

2. World’s 1^st robotic eye operation performed in Britain: British surgeons have successfully performed the world’s first robotic operation inside the eye, potentially revolutionising the way such conditions are treated. The procedure was carried out at John Radcliffe hospital in Oxford.

3. Qatar National Bank soon to open branch in India: Qatar National Bank (QNB) has received approval from India's regulatory authorities to open a branch in the country and begin operations.

4. US Navy reveals interior of $4.4 bnZumwalt destroyer: The 186-metre-long ship is equipped with stealth features and a gun system that can launch 600 rocket-powered projectiles at targets more than 110 kilometres away.It is named after World War II hero Admiral Elmo Zumwalt.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. Jamie Murray-Bruno Soares win US Open doubles title: Great Britain’s Jamie Murray and Brazil's Bruno Soares won their second Grand Slam doubles title, defeating Spaniards Pablo CarreñoBusta and Guillermo García-López 6-2, 6-3.

2. Vietnam wins 1^st Paralympic gold with world record: Vietnam won its first-ever Paralympic gold medal after para weightlifter Le Van Cong lifted 183 kgs, to set a new world record at the event.

3. Real Madrid secures 15^th straight La Liga win: Real Madrid registered a 5-2 win over Osasuna in the La Liga, marking a 15th straight league win.

4. Angelique Kerber wins US Open Tennis Tournament: German professional tennis player Angelique Kerber won her first U.S. Open title and the second Grand Slam trophy of her breakthrough season. The German defeated Karolina Pliskova 6-3, 4-6, 6-4.

Daily GK Updates - 10th September, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Rajnath Singh commissions offshore patrolling vessel Sarathi in Goa: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has commissioned the offshore patrolling (OPV) vessel, Sarathi, at Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL), the defense shipyard in south Goa.

2. Odisha Government launches construction workers pension scheme: The Odisha government has launched the construction workers pension scheme. It ensures financial assistance of 300 rupees per month to all registered. All registered construction workers above 60 years of age will get the pension of Rs 300 per month while workers above 80 years of age will get the pension of Rs 500 per month.

3. MEA launches online module for Indian students studying abroad: For maintaining the records and database of Indian students studying abroad, Government of India has launched a Student Registration module in MADAD portal (madad.gov.in).

4. T R Zeliang receives Pangkor Dialogue Award in Malaysia: Nagaland Chief Minister T R Zeliang has received 'Pangkor Dialogue Award 2016' in Malaysia for the efforts made by the people of the state for environmental preservation and promotion.

5. First LIGO Lab outside US may come up in Maharashtra’s Hingoli: The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) project that was given the in-principle approval by the Union Cabinet may come up in Maharashtra’s Hingoli district. It would be third such laboratory in the world, first outside the United States.

6. HDFC Ergo completes acquisition of L&T Insurance:HDFC Ergo General Insurance Company (HDFC ERGO) has completed the acquisition of 100 percent shares of L&T General Insurance Company (L&T Insurance) for Rs. 551 crore.

7. NHPC, BHEL ink pact for renovation of BairaSiul power plant: State-owned NHPC has entered a pact with BHEL for renovation and modernisation of 180 MW BairaSiul power station in Himachal Pradesh.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:                                 

1. IDBI AMC appoints DilipMandal as MD & CEO.

SPORTS:

2. Indian high jumpers win gold, bronze at Paralympics: India’s MariyappanThangavelu created history by winning a gold medal in the men’s high jump T-42 event at the Rio Paralympics. His compatriot Varun Singh Bhati clinched the bronze medal in the same event.

AWARDS:

3. Odisha bags 9^th Global Agriculture Leadership Award 2016: Odisha bags 9th Global Agriculture Leadership Award 2016 at the National Level gathering of important stake-holders in agriculture development at the Agriculture Leadership Summit at Hotel Taj Palace, New Delhi.

BOOKS AND AUTHORS:

4. Chris Gayle launches his autobiography ‘Six Machine’ in India: Published by Viking-Penguin UK, the book was unveiled by Anurag Singh Thakur, President of the BCCI.

Daily GK Updates - 9th September, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. President approves GST Bill: President Pranab Mukherjee has signed the GST Constitution Amendment Bill thereby making it a law. GST Bill has been ratified by the Parliament, as well as 16 states.

2. ISRO launches INSAT-3DR from Sriharikota: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has launched GSLV rocket, which will carry the weather satellite INSAT-3DR from Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.

3. Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh ratifies GST Bill: Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh Assembly has ratified Goods and Service Tax (GST), Bill, to simplify the taxation by implementing single tax rates across the country.

4. Sikkim cleanest state in India as per survey: Sikkim has been adjudged the cleanest state while Jharkhand comes last in the list of 26 states. Gujarat is ranked 14th in the survey conducted by National Sample Survey Office (NSSO).

5. Pepsico’sIndraNooyi only Indian-origin woman in Fortune list: PepsiCo CEO and Chairman IndraNooyi was ranked 2nd on the list of Fortune's 51 Most Powerful Women list. The list is topped by Mary Barra, CEO and Chairman of General Motors.

6. Ex-IAS officer J Sathyanarayana appointed part-time UIDAI Chief.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Mexico sets up consulate in South India: Mexico has set up its consulate in south India in Chennai that will cater to Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. This is the Latin American country’s 3rd consulate in India, with the other 2 being in Mumbai and Kolkata.

2. NASA launches first mission to collect samples from asteroid: The US space agency, NASA has launched its first mission to collect samples from an asteroid and return them to Earth in hopes of learning more about the origins of life. The unmanned spacecraft, known as OSIRIS-REx, blasted off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station today.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:                                 

1. ICICI Bank introduces ‘Software Robotics’ to improve bank productivity: ICICI Bank, has announced the deployment of 'Software Robotics' in over 200 business processes across various functions of the bank. The software robots will reduce the response time to customers by up to 60%.

2. Sydicate Bank appointed JayantPurushottamGokhale as the new director.

Daily GK Updates - 8th September, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. OP Kohli sworn in as MP Governor: Senior BJP leader Om PrakashKohli today sworn in as the 26th governor of Madhya Pradesh.Kohli, who is also the Gujarat Governor, has been given the additional charge of Madhya Pradesh after Ram NareshYadav's tenure in office got over on Wednesday.

2. World’s biggest river island Majuli gets district status: Majuli, the 400 sq km island on the Brahmaputra River has become the first river island district of India.  With this Majuli become the 35th district of Assam.It regained the status of world's largest riverine island in the Guinness Book of World Records on September 1.

3. Andhra Pradesh passes resolution supporting GST Bill: The Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly has passed a resolution supporting the Constitution Amendment and the Goods and Services Tax Bill.

4. Himachal Cabinet decides to amend hydro policy 2006:  Himachal Pradesh cabinet decided to amend the Hydropower Policy 2006 in respect to transfer of shares by Himachalis to non-Himachalis.

5. India Kazakhstan Joint Exercise ‘Prabal Dostyk-16”: India, Kazakhstan joint bilateral military exercise “PrabalDostyk -16” began in Karaganda region of Kazakhstan. The 14-day exercise will be a significant step towards fostering military as well as diplomatic ties between both countries. ‘PrabalDostyk’ means ‘Robust Friendship’.

6. India, Greece signMoU for air services agreement:India has signed a preliminary pact with Greece for bilateral Air Services Agreement that proposes to allow unlimited points of call for domestic airlines in the European nation.

7. Satbir Singh appointed as next Ambassador of India to Algeria.

8. CK Asnani assumes charge as CMD of Uranium Corporation of India Ltd.

9. Henkel elevates Shilip Kumar as president of its India business.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Paralympic Games begin in Brazil: The 2016 Summer Paralympic Games began on 7 September 2016 at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.The 15th Summer Paralympic Games will conclude on 18 September 2016.

OTHER UPDATES:

AWARDS:

1. Stuart Blackburn’s book based on Arunachal Pradesh wins MM Bennetts Award: Author Stuart Blackburn's "Into the Hidden Valley", a book based on Apatani tribe of Arunachal Pradesh, won the MM Bennetts Award for Historical Fiction 2016 in the UK.