Daily GK Updates - 19th October, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. PM Modi inaugurates three hydro projects in Himachal Pradesh: Prime Minister NarendraModi has inaugurated three hydro-electric projects with a generating capacity of 1,732 MW in Himachal Pradesh.

2. PM Modi launches national hub for SC/ST entrepreneurs in Ludhiana: The SC/ST hub aims to facilitate technology knowhow to reserved categories and increasing procurement by public and government units from SC/ST industrial units from existing 0.4% to 4%.

3. S P Yadav elected as the new President of Urology Society of India.

4. Russia to lease another nuclear powered submarine to India: Russia has quietly signed an agreement with India to lease out a second Russian Akula-2 class nuclear-powered submarine to the Indian Navy. The attack submarine will arrive in Indian waters in 2020-21. The lease agreement was signed between PM NarendraModi and Russian President Vladimir Putin during the BRICS Summit in Goa.

5. India completes nuclear triad by commissioning INS Arihant: India has completed its nuclear triad by inducting the first endogenously built strategic nuclear
submarine INS Arihant into service. With this, India becomes fourth country to have a nuclear triad i.e. capable of delivering nuclear weapons by aircraft, ballistic missiles and submarine launched missiles. Other countries having nuclear triad are Russia, United States and China.

6. Geeta Phogat appointed DSP in Haryana Police: Haryana Government has appointed international woman wrestler GeetaPhogat as a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) in Haryana Police.

7. INS Tihayu joins Indian Navy: Water Jet Fast Attack Craft (WJFAC) INS Tihayu was commissioned into the Indian Navy by the
Flag-Officer-Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Naval Command Vice-Admiral H.C.S. Bisht.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Visa CEO Charles Scharf to resign: The San Francisco-based payments network Visa’s CEO Charles Scharf had resigned from his post October 18, 2016.

2. Nissan to name Carlos Ghosn as Chairman of Mitsubishi Motors: Nissan Motor Co Ltd will appoint its chief executive, Carlos Ghosn, as chairman of Mitsubishi Motors Corp as Japan's second-biggest automaker. Since 1999, Nissan has been part of the Renault–Nissan Alliance, a partnership between Nissan and French automaker Renault.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. Saina Nehwal appointed member of IOC’s Athletes’ Commission: Indian star shuttlerSainaNehwal has been appointed as a member of the International Olympic
Committee’s Athletes’ Commission. Saina received a letter from the IOC President Thomas Bach. The IOC Athletes' Commission is a body maintained by the International Olympic Committee for the purpose of representing athletes.

2. Indian wrestlers win four medals at 2016 TAFISA World Games: Four Indian wrestlers have won four medals individually including a gold medal, at the sixth edition of the TAFISA World Games held in Jakarta, Indonesia.

a. Wrestler Dalmiya won gold medal in 60kg category by defeating Azerbaijan’s Muhammad Sahan.

b. Luv Singh won the silver medal in the 80 kg category after he was defeated by Muhammad Alim of Azerbaijan by 1-5 points in the final match.

c. Naveen Kumar won the bronze medal in 90 Kg category after he defeated Lithuania’s Oleg by 5-2 points.

d. Josil won the bronze medal in the super heavyweight category by defeating Mustafa Sultani of Afghanistan by 3-1 points.

Daily GK Updates - 18th October, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Kashmiri Red Stag to be declared as ‘Critically Endangered’: As the Kashmir Stag popularly known as Hangul is on the verge of extinction, the International Union for Conservation of Nature is all set to declare it a ‘critically endangered’ species to protect this beautiful animal from disappearing from the earth.

2. Navdeep Suri to be India’s new envoy to UAE.

3. Sanjay Singh appointed Member-Secretary, Law Commission.

4. Anupriya Patel inaugurates National Summit on Fortification of Food: Anupriya Patel, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare has inaugurated National Summit on Fortification of Food in New Delhi.

5. Government grants BP PIC license to set up petrol pumps in India: The Government has formally granted a license to British Petroleum ‘Petroleum Industry Company’, Europe's third-biggest oil company, to set up 3,500 petrol pumps in India.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. BRICS agrees to set up credit rating agency: The five-nation group of emerging economies BRICS has agreed to set up an independent BRICS Rating Agency in its efforts to challenge the western hegemony in the world of finance.

2. Brazil opens Latin America’s first elephant sanctuary: The first elephant sanctuary in Latin America has opened in Brazil to provide a home for an estimated 50 circus animals from across the region. Guida and Maia, both over 40 years old, are the first residents.

OTHER UPDATES: 

SPORTS:

1. BCCI President Anurag Thakur part of powerful ICC sub-committee: BCCI president Anurag Thakur has taken charge as the member of the ICC’s powerful Finance and Commercial Affairs committee. Anurag Singh Thakur is a member of LokSabha from Hamirpur in Himachal Pradesh.

2. Novak Djokovic retains top spot in ATP rankings: Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic retained the top spot in the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) rankings. 

AWARDS:

3. Sonam Kapoor awarded ET Panache’s ‘Trendsetter Awards 2016’: Bollywood Actress Sonam Kapoor has been bestowed upon with the 2016 ET Panache Trendsetter Award in Mumbai, Maharashtra. The award recognizes the efforts of entrepreneurs, innovators, newsmakers and athletes whose stories inspire millions and whose services transform lives.

4. Robert De Niro to receive Film Society of Lincoln Centre’s Chaplin Award: The Film Society of Lincoln Center has announced Robert De Niro as the recipient of the 44th Chaplin Award.

OBITUARIES:

5. Rwanda’s last king, Kigeli V passed away at the age of 80.

Daily GK Updates - 17th October, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Ashok Leyland launches first India-made electric bus: Hinduja Group flagship Ashok Leyland today launched - Circuit - the first “Made in India” electric bus.

2. Cipla signs deals to set up first biosimilars units in South Africa: Indian pharmaceutical major Cipla has signed a memorandum of agreement for South Africa’s first biosimilars manufacturing facility to be set up at a cost of nearly USD 91 million. The agreement with KwaZulu-Natal Dube Trade Port Special Economic Zone for Cipla BIOTEC’s new facility was concluded on the margins of BRICS Summit in Goa.

3. Amandeep Singh appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the UN Conference on Disarmament, Geneva.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. International Day for the Eradication of Poverty: October 17: The United Nations' International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is observed on October 17 each year since 1993. This year's theme is moving from humiliation and exclusion to participation: Ending poverty in all its forms.

2. China launches its longest manned space mission: China today launched the two-man Shenzhou 11 space mission, which is its longest-ever manned space mission. The two astronauts will spend about a month in China's recently-launched experimental space lab, Tiangong 2. While China claims its space programme is for peaceful purposes.

3. US Navy commissions most advanced stealth destroyer Zumwalt: US Navy has commissioned its largest, most expensive and technologically advanced destroyer, Zumwalt. The 610-foot-long ship, commissioned in Baltimore also has an advanced power plant and weapon systems.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. ICC announces first-ever women’s World T20 in 2020: A decision to this effect was taken at the ICC Board meetings which concluded in Cape Town. Cricket Australia are the hosts for the men's and women's ICC World Twenty20 in 2020.

2. Indian Boxer Neeraj Goyat retains WBC Asia welterweight title: Indian boxer Neeraj Goyat outpunched Australia’s Ben Kite to retain the WBC welterweight Asia title.

AWARDS:

3. C Radhakrishnan selected for Mathrubhumi Literary Award: Eminent writer C Radhakrishnan has been selected for the Mathrubhumi Literary Award in recognition of his contribution to the field of literature.

Daily GK Updates - 16th October, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Market capitalization: Infosys loses fifth spot to ONGC: Data from BSE showed that Oil and Natural Gas Corp. Ltd (ONGC) beat India’s second largest software exporter Infosys Ltd to become the fifth most valuable company in India by market capitalization. 

2. India-Russia sign agreement to produce Ka-226T helicopters jointly: On the birthday of India's Missile men A. P. J. Abdul Kalam , India and Russia formally inked the agreement for five S-400 Triumph air defence systems and four stealth frigates and a joint venture to manufacture Kamov-226T helicopters in India.

3. Union Government has launched Mining Surveillance System: The mines ministry on 15th oct came out with mining surveillance system (MSS), a pan-India surveillance network using latest satellite technology, to check illegal mining. 

4. Rajnath Singh inaugurates 10 days long ‘Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav - 2016’: ‘Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav (RSM) -2016’ is being organized by M/o Culture in IGNCA premises, Janpath, New Delhi from 15th to 24th October, 2016. 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Finland is the safest country in the world: WEF: A recent report carried out by the World Economic Forum (WEF) on ‘Safety and Security,’ has revealed that the Finland is the safest place in the world with Qatar and UAE ranked second and third respectively.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:                                 

1. In the First, Bank deposits cross Rs 100 lakh crore:According to the data released by the RBI ,India’ banking system reported total deposits of Rs 100 lakh crore for the first time ever in September month of this year. 

SPORTS:

2. Brazil lifted Inaugural BRICS U–17 Football Tournament Championship:Brazil has lifted the 1st BRICS U-17 Football Tournament 2016 held at Goa after defeating the South Africa in the title clash with 5-1.

3. India becomes first team to play 900 ODIs:India's ODI against New Zealand at Dharamshala on 16th oct 2016 is the team's 900th making it the world first side to achieve a milestone. 

4. Usian Bolt to retire after the 2017 World Championships:Jamaican athlete Usain Bolt has confirmed that he is going to retire after the 2017 World Championships in London, and also informed that the Racers Grand Prix later this year will be his last race on Jamaican soil.

Daily GK Updates - 15th October, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. October 15th, Dr. Abdul Kalam's birthday is observed as World Student Day by United Nations Organization annually. 

2. Valvoline ropes in Virat Kohli as brand ambassador:As part of the association, Kohli will be the face of Valvoline engine oils and lubricants range. Valvoline is the world’s first and most enduring lubricant brand. 

3. PM Narendra Modi inaugurates Shaurya Smarak in Bhopal:Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 14 October 2016 inaugurated 'Shaurya Smarak', the war memorial in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.

4.Ajay Kumar Bhalla appointed new DGFT: Senior IAS officer Ajay Kumar Bhalla was on 14 October 2016 appointed as the Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT).

5. Mizoram's Pachuau declared India's oldest working journalist: The Mizoram government and the Mizoram Journalists' Association declared LalbiakthangaPachuau as the "oldest working journalist in the country".

6. India decided to eliminate potent greenhouse gas HFC-23 by 2030:The announcement was made by Minister of State Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Anil Dave at Kigali, Rwanda, at a meeting of parties to the Montreal Protocol, where final negotiations are taking place to substantially reduce the use of HFCs (hydrofluorocarbons) by 2030.

7.Safe Motherhood Week starts in Uttar Pradesh: In Uttar Pradesh, the Safe Motherhood Week is being observed from 14 October to 21 October 2016. 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Bangladesh and China on 14 October 2016 signed 26 agreements in the key areas of power, road and railway connectivity.

2.International Day of Rural Women: October 15: The theme for the day for the year 2016 is Climate is changing. Food and agriculture must too.

OTHER UPDATES:

AWARDS:

3. Kirtiraj Kundlik Gaikwad, an Indian scientist with the Department of Packaging, has been awarded the prestigious IAFP Young scientist scholarship award for his research work on "development of novel oxygen absorbing package in the field of active packaging for oxygen sensitive food products". 

Daily GK Updates - 14th October, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Dharmendra Pradhan launches National Seismic Programme in Mahanadi Basin: Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of State (with Independent charge) for Petroleum and Natural Gas, on 13 October 2016 launched the National Seismic Programme (NSP) on Mahanadi basin (onshore) in Odisha.

2. Amrit Lugun concurrently accredited as the Ambassador of India to the State of Eritrea:Shri Amrit Lugun, presently Ambassador of India to the Republic of the Sudan, has been concurrently accredited as the Ambassador of India to the State of Eritrea, with residence in Khartoum(Sudan).

3. R.A. Mashelkar conferred award by Centre for Organisation Development:R. A. Mashelkar, former Director-General of CSIR, has been conferred the V Krishnamurthy Award for excellence by the Hyderabad-based Centre for Organisation Development.

4. CCEA approves revision of ethanol prices for supply to Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies:Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on 13 October 2016 approved the mechanism for revision of ethanol price for supply to Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) to carry out the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1.World Standards Day: 14 October: World Standards Day is observed annually on 14 October.The theme for World Standards Day 2016 is “Standards Build Trust". 

2. Antonio Guterres appointed UN Secretary-General: The 193 member states of the General Assembly adopted the resolution by acclamation, appointing 67-year-old Mr. Guterres as the 9th U.N. Secretary-General to take over from Ban Ki-moon, whose tenure will end on December 31, 2016.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. British Olympics icon Jessica Ennis-Hill announces retirement from athletics: Jessica Ennis-Hill has announced her retirement from athletics. Ennis-Hill, 30, who won a gold medal for heptathlon at London 2012, hinted after winning silver at Rio 2016 that she could leave the sport.

  

OBITUARIES:

2. Hailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej - the world's longest-serving monarch – has died aged 88.

3. Renowned writer and litterateur from Uttarakhand, DayanandAnant, passed away today at his residence in Bhowali near Nainital.

4. The Nobel prize winning playwright and actor Dario Fo, famous for his cutting political satire in plays such as The Accidental Death of an Anarchist, has died aged 90.

Daily GK Updates - 13th October, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. India donates Rs 9.3 million to Mandela Foundation: India donated Rs. 9.3 million to the Nelson Mandela Foundation to help it in its welfare work for the people of South Africa.

2. Government appoints G Mahalingam as SEBI whole-time member: The government has appointed Reserve Bank's Executive Director G Mahalingam as a Whole-Time Member of markets regulator Sebi.

3. Cabinet approves setting up of IIM Jammu: The Cabinet today approved the setting up of an Indian Institute of Management in Jammu as part of PM Narendra Modi's development package for Jammu and Kashmir.

4. Punjab Agricultural University signs MoU with Field Fresh to promote crop research: Punjab Agricultural University and FieldFresh Foods, a joint venture between Bharti Enterprises & Del Monte Pacific Limited have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to carry out a corn productivity research programme.

5. Cabinet approves pact between EXIM Bank, NDB: Union Cabinet today approved a pact between Export-Import Bank of India and BRICS-promoted New Development Bank, along with other development financial institutions of member nations, with an aim to strengthen trade and economic ties.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. International Day for Disaster Reduction observed on 13^th October: International Day for Disaster Reduction is observed annually on 13 October. This year theme is Live to Tell: Raising Awareness, Reducing Mortality.

2. Coordinated Patrol and India-Indonesia Bilateral Maritime Exercise commences in Indonesia: The 28th India and Indonesia Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT) and Second Bilateral Maritime Exercise have commenced at Belawan, Indonesia in the Andaman Sea.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:                                 

1. Bank of Baroda signs brand endorsement with Sindhu, Srikanth: Public lender Bank of Baroda today sealed a principal sponsorship contract with badminton Olympians P V Sindhu and K Srikanth. The three-year deal with the two players was agreed in-principle before they represented and made India proud on the international stage at the Rio 2016 Olympics.

2. Bank of Maharashtra renews tie-up with United India Insurance: State-run Bank of Maharashtra has renewed its corporate agency tie-up with United India Insurance Company. Customers can buy the entire gamut of UIIC products at any of the 1,896 branches of the bank across the country.

3. ICICI Bank first Indian lender to execute Blockchain transaction: ICICI Bank has become the first Indian lender to complete a banking transaction using Blockchain technology. This remittance transaction has been completed in partnership with Emirates NBD, a lender from the West Asia.

AWARDS:

4. Bob Dylan wins 2016 Nobel Prize in Literature: American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan has been awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature 2016 "for having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition".

5. Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank awarded by Ugandan government for his literary work: Former Uttarakhand chief minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank has been conferred with a prestigious award by the Ugandan government for promoting human values through his literature.