Daily GK Updates - 31st December, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1.PM launches Mobile App-BHIM for Aadhaar-based digital payment: Prime Minister NarendraModi has launched a mobile app Bharat Interface for Money; BHIM to facilitate digital cash transactions with only a thumb print after the bank account is linked with Aadhaar gateway. 

2. India, Singapore sign 3rd protocol for amending DTAA: India and Singapore have amended the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) for the avoidance of double taxation and prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income, by signing a Third Protocol on 30th December 2016.

3.Cash withdrawal limit from ATMs increased to Rs 4,500 per day: .In a major relief for the common man, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has increased the daily limit of ATM withdrawal to Rs 4500 from current Rs 2500 with effective from January 1st, 2017

4. Anil Baijal Takes Oath as Delhi Lt Governor: Former bureaucrat Anil Baijal has taken oath as the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi on 31 December 2016.Anil Baijal is a retired Indian Administrative Service officer and is the 21st Lieutenant Governor of Delhi.His appointment came after Najeeb Jung's sudden resignation from the post.

5. General BipinRawat takes over as next Chief of Army Staff: General BipinRawat elected as the next Chief of Army Staff. General Rawat has tremendous hands on experience of serving in combat areas, and at various functional levels in the Indian Army over the last three decades.. 

6. Maharashtra sanctions Rs 2 crore for district-level sports complexes: Maharashtra government has sanctioned disbursement of two crore rupees for the district-level sports complexes for which Sports training department of every district will be disbursing the funds. Education and sports department issued a government resolution for sanctioned amount would be the same is Rs 5.06 crore, out of which 1.95 crore rupees had been sanctioned for disbursement.

7.SP chief Mulayam Singh expels UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav, Ram Gopal Yadav from the party for 6 years: Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav has expelled his son and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav for six years for alleged anti-party activities, putting the state ruling party on the brink of a split ahead of assembly elections next year. 

8. V K Sasikala takes charge as AIADMK General Secretary: In Tamil Nadu, V K Sasikala has taken charge as All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) general secretary.

9.Mother Dairy launches Aadhar-enabled payment system at booths: To promote cash less transactions, Mother Dairy Fruit & Vegetable Pvt Ltd today introduced Aadhar enabled payment system in more than 1,000 milk booths and ‘Safal’ retail stores. 

International UPDATES:

1.World's highest bridge opens in China: The world's highest bridge has opened to traffic in China, connecting two provinces in the mountainous southwest and reducing travel times by as much as three-quarters.

2. Romania's president appoints Sorin Grindeanu as the new Rome PM: Romania's president Klaus Iohannis has appointed Sorin Grindeanu as the country's new prime minister, the president's office announced.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:

1. RBI extends period of enhanced Prepaid Payment Instruments limit: Reserve Bank of India has extended the period of enhanced Prepaid Payment Instruments (PPI) limit of Rs 20,000 as part of efforts to promote digital payments. 

2. State Bank of India ties up with Magicbricks.com: State Bank of India the country’s largest bank has tied up with online classifieds portal magicbricks.com, to conduct joint marketing activites and help rejuvenate the real estate sector. To kick start the MOU, SBI and Magicbricks are launching the 'Seal the Deal' campaign. 

SPORTS:

3.India Today poll: Virat Kohli voted India's Sportsperson of 2016: Test Captain Virat Kohli has emerged as India's Sportsperson of the Year 2016 in a poll conducted by India. Kohli, with 44.18% votes, pipped badminton ace PV Sindhu (31.51%) for the top spot while star all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin came third with 13.83% of the votes.

4. Kush Bhagat creates history in UAE tourney, wins 3 gold medals in chess championship: Creating history, Mumbai prodigy Kush Bhagat has won all three gold medals on offer in the 1st Western Asia Youth Chess Championships.

Daily GK Updates - 30th December, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1.Haryana signs MoU with Andhra to prepare citizen database: Haryana signs MoU with Andhra to prepare citizen database

2. Bihar Government approves 50 % reservation in judicial services:Bihar Government approves 50 % reservation in judicial services.

3. World Bhojpuri Conference begins in Varanasi: Mauritius High Commissioner to India Jagdishwar Goburdhun has stated that a ‘World Bhojpuri Conference’ will be held from 29 December 2016 till January 1 2017, in which participants from over 18 countries are likely to be present.

4. Takam Pario is likely to be elected next chief minister of Arunachal Pradesh: Peoples' Party of Arunachal (PPA) MLA TakamPario is likely to be the next chief minister of Arunachal Pradesh.

5. Peoples' Party of Arunachal (PPA) MLA TakamPario is likely to be the next chief minister of Arunachal Pradesh:Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu laid the foundation of Nadikudi-Srikalahasti railway project and initiated several other development works in Andhra Pradesh. 

6. Digital payments: MeitY teams up with CAIT to train retail merchants:The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has decided to team-up with Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) to further promote digital payments among the retail community.

7. Suresh Kalmadi declines post of IOA Life President:Suresh Kalmadi chose to back off but Abhay Singh Chautala remained defiant even as the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).

8. China's Alibaba to open first India office in Mumbai:Chinese e-retail giant Alibaba, which has made investments in India's Snapdeal and Paytm, is setting up its first office in India in Mumbai. 

9. Amul has launched the updated edition of 'Amul's India 3.0'.

International UPDATES:

1. China, Nepal to conduct first ever joint military drill: Nepal and China will hold their first ever joint military exercise early 2017.China and Nepal had been in "initial communication" on the military exercise, and that the details would be released in due course of time.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:

1. RBI extends loan repayment window to 90 days: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has asked lenders to provide borrowers 90 days for repayment of housing, car, farm and other loans worth up to 1 crore rupees, stated that the dispensation will apply to dues payable between 1st November and 31st December.

2. BoB signs MoU with HFL to provide dairy loans to farmer: State-run Bank of Baroda and Heritage Foods Ltd (HFL) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding to provide dairy loans to farmers through the lender's branches across the country.

Daily GK Updates - 29th December, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1.Govt launches Swachh Swasth Sarvatra initiative: Government of India launched Swachh Swasth Sarvatra initiative, aiming at strengthening health centres in open defecation-free blocks. 

2. Cabinet approves ordinance to make possession of old notes penal offence: The Cabinet has approved promulgation of an Ordinance to make possession of a large number of scrapped banknotes a penal offence making holding of old 1,000 and 500 rupee notes after March 31st 2017 beyond a threshold amount a criminal offence.

3.Important Cabinet Approvals:28 December 2016: Cabinet Approves Ordinance to Penalize Person with Scrapped Notes Post March 31. Cabinet Approves Road Connectivity Project for LWE Affected Areas.

4. India Signs Agreement with Bhutan for green and sustainable construction: India has signed an agreement with Bhutan for assistance in green and sustainable construction of infrastructure in the Himalayan kingdom. 

5. Former IAS officer Anil Baijal to be next Delhi Lt Governor: Anil Baijal has replaced Najeeb Jung as the next Delhi Lt Governor. Baijal, a 1969-batch IAS officer, served as home secretary in the AtalBihari Vajpayee government. 

6. Centre approves Rs 266 crore investments for Delhi under AMRUT: The Central Govt of India has approved investments of Rs266 crore rupees for improving water supply and sewerage networks in Delhi.

7. Haryana Government to set up country’s first Caterpillar Train: Haryana Government has decided to set up a pilot corridor for an innovative concept of 'Caterpillar Train' that will fly over city’s traffic, in Gurgaon city.

8. SP Vaid appointed as new J&K police chief: The Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet has cleared the appointment of 1986 batch IPS officer Dr Shesh Pal Vaid, Special DG, Coordination and Law and Order, as new Director General of Police. 

9.Rajasthani writer Satya Narayan chosen for BihariPuraskar: Eminent Rajasthani writer Satya Narayan has been chosen for the 26th BihariPuraskar, 2016 by the K K Birla Foundation.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:

1. South Indian Bank has introduced a full-fledged NRI-focused mobile banking app: South Indian Bank has introduced a full-fledged NRI-focused mobile banking application called SIB Mirror+ across major mobile platforms. 

SPORTS:

2.Meghalaya to host National Games 2022: After successfully co-hosting the 12th South Asian Games with Assam early in 2016, Meghalaya has now got the opportunity to hold the National Games 2022 with its 50 years of statehood.

3. Serbian Ana Ivanovic announces retirement from Tennis

OBITUARIES:

4. Veteran BJP leader and two-time Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister SunderlalPatwa passed away after a brief illness. 92-year-old Patwa, a former union minister, died due to a heart attack. 

5. Vera Rubin, who transformed modern physics and astronomy with her observations showing that galaxies and stars are immersed in the gravitational grip of vast clouds of dark matter, died at 88.

Daily GK Updates - 28th December, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Viral Acharya appointed as the Deputy Governor of RBI: He will be joining the ranks of Vishwanathan, S SMundra, R Gandhi as one of four deputy governors serving under RBI Governor Urjit Patel.

2. Indian Army partners with IIT Gandhinagar for critical technology requirements: Indian Army has inked an agreement with IIT Gandhinagar to set up a research and development (R&D) cell at the IIT campus to identify problems and possible solutions for the Indian Army. The agreement also enable the IIT and Indian Army to collaborate in areas including critical technology requirements of Indian Army, sharing of professional and technical knowledge.

3. Ministry of Shipping inaugurates Sagarmala Development Company’s office in New Delhi: The Company would help in structuring activities, bidding out projects for private sector participation, identifying suitable risk management measures for strategic projects across multiple states, regions and obtaining requisite approvals and clearances.

4. PM Modi lays foundation stone of 900 km Char Dham Highway: PM NarendraModi has laid the foundation stone of Char Dham highway development project in Dehradun. Char DhamYatra is an annual pilgrimage to the shrines of Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri.The project includes developing 900 km of National Highways in Uttarakhand at Rs 12,000crore.

5. Government cancels FCRA licences of 20,000 NGOs for incomplete documentation: The Government of India cancelled the Foreign Contribution of Regulation Act FCRA licences of 20,000 out of 33,000 NGOs for violation of laws. Only 13,000 NGOs in the country are now legally valid as the licences of 20,000 such organisations have been cancelled for incomplete documentation.On December 15, 7 NGOs, including one run by activist Shabnam Hashmi, were barred by the government from receiving foreign funds after their FCRA licence.

6. Gujarat Government announces Biotechnology Policy: Gujarat government lead by Vijay Rupani has introduced the ‘Biotechnology Policy-2016’ to establish Gujarat as a preferred destination for manufacturing of biotechnology products. Under the policy, the state government would provide capital subsidy up to Rs 25 crore on the total investment for developing a Biotechnology (BT) Park, said Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel while announcing the policy.

7. Nagar UdayAbhiyan launched in Madhya Pradesh: CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan has launched Nagar UdayAbhiyan rallies across the state. In these rallies, urban welfare and other public welfare schemes will be reviewed.

8. Paytm launches 100-member merchant helpdesk to educate on digital payments: Mobile payment and e-commerce platform Paytm has announced a 100-member 'merchant helpdesk' and announcing that it will invest Rs 50 crore towards educating merchants on digital payments across the country.

9.  Tata Motors signs Akshay Kumar as brand ambassador: Indian Cinema's 'original Khiladi' will make his blockbuster entry in this new role at the launch of Tata Motors' latest offering in Commercial Vehicles, slated in January 2017.

10. Shah Rukh Khan conferred with Honorary Doctorate for promoting Urdu language: Actor Shahrukh Khan has received an honorary doctorate from Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) in Hyderabad for his extraordinary contribution in promotion of the Urdu language and culture through his films.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Shinzo Abe becomes the first Japanese PM to visit Pearl Harbour: Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who arrived in Hawaii, will become the first Japanese leader to visit Pearl Harbor. He pay's his respects at the USS Arizona Memorial, the site of the deadly attack that prompted the U.S. entry into World War II.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:

1. Au Financiers gets final nod to start small finance bank operations: AU Financiers (India) Ltd has received the final licence from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to start a small finance bank, becoming the seventh entity to do so. AU Financiers was the only non-banking finance company (NBFC) among the 10 entities to receive in-principle approvals to start small finance banks in September 2015.

2. Bank of Maharashtra adopts village in Sangli for Digital Transactions: Pune based public sector lender Bank of Maharashtra, has helped to make the village of Malangaon, in Sangli district, Maharashtra, a completely cashless village.

SPORTS:

3. Virat Kohli chosen as captain of Cricket Australia’s ODI Team of the Year.

4. 16 year of Indian shooter equals Rio gold medallist’s score: Shooter Pruthviraj Ayachi shot 209.5 in the finals of the junior men's 50 meters Rifle Prone event at the National Shooting Championship, equalling the score of the Rio Olympics' gold medallist.

Daily GK Updates - 27th December, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Karnataka Government launches 25 bio-diesel buses in the state: In an effort to reduce pollution caused by diesel buses, Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has launched 25 bio-diesel buses in the state. These eco-friendly buses will ply on four routes, including Tirupati and Chennai.

2. Central Government of India releases Rs 1,982 crore for Andhra Pradesh’s Polavaram project: The Centre has released Rs 1,982 crore for the multipurpose Polavaram irrigation project in Andhra Pradesh through National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), which sanctioned the long term irrigation fund under Prime Minister KrishiSinchayeeYojana.

3. Government of India releases special stamp on freedom fighters and Hardayal Municipal Heritage Public Library: Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications has brought out a Special Cover on freedom fighter 'Shri Gaya Prasad Katiyar' and a set of eight Commemorative Postage Stamps on 'Personalities Series: Bihar' & a stamp on 'Hardayal Municipal Heritage Public Library'.

4. Farmers get additional 60 days to repay crop loan: RBI: In a relief to farmers hit by demonetisation, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has given an additional 60 days to repay their crop loans due in November-December, 2016 and prompt repayment would be eligible for the extra 3% interest subsidy.

5. Registration of Pakistani Hindus as Indian Citizen reduced from Rs 15,000 to Rs 100: The registration fees for Hindus and other minority community people from three neighboring countries comprising Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh, to register as Indian citizens have been reduced drastically to Rs 100 from Rs 15,000.

6. Odisha Government launches Malaria Control Programme DAMAN: The Odisha government has decided to intensify state sponsored malaria elimination scheme 'Daman' (DurgamaAnchalare Malaria Nirakaran) in eight remote districts of the state.

7. Maharashtra CM launched ‘Transform Maharashtra’ initiative: Chief Minister DevendraFadnavis launched an initiative 'Transform Maharashtra' at IIT Bombay's 'Mood Indigo' festival. Under it, the chief minister will address issues related to youth in governance.

8. Odisha names Mega Lift Irrigation Scheme after the freedom fighter ParbatiGiri: The State Cabinet of Odisha on December 24 named the Mega Lift Irrigation Scheme worth Rs. 7,600 crore, after the noted freedom fighter and social reformer ParbatiGiri as a mark of respect for her immense contribution to the freedom movement and service to the poor and needy.

9.  Actor MithunChakraborty resigns from RajyaSabha: Actor MithunChakraborty has resigned from the RajyaSabha citing health issues. The 66-year-old actor was nominated to the Upper House by West Bengal's ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC).

10. Salman Khan launches his app ‘BeingInTouch’ on 51^st birthday: The app will provide access to Salman's social media accounts, along with his unseen pictures and videos. The app users can also avail discounts from various brands on the app.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. China passes Environment Tax Law to curb pollution: China has passed a new law to levy environment tax on polluters, especially on heavy industries. The environment tax law was adopted by the legislature, the National People’s Congress (NPC) standing committee at a meeting in Beijing.

2. Dr Barbara Jatta becomes first ever female director of Vatican Museum: Dr Barbara Jatta (54) has appointed as the first female director of Vatican Museums by Pope Francis. It will be effective from January 2017 Jatta is currently working as the Deputy Director of the museums Since June 2016.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:

1. KVGB launches ‘Bank Sakhi’ scheme: The Karnataka Vikas Grameen Banks (KVGB) has come up with ‘Bank Sakhi’ innovative scheme for employing women in villages to promote and improve the cashless transactions in rural areas. The Bank Chairman S Ravindran revealed that the bank would appoint women business correspondents called 'Bank Sakhi' in select villages where this scheme would be implemented.

2. IDFC Bank rolls out Aadhaar Pay for cashless payments to merchants: IDFC Bank has announced the nationwide launch of IDFC Aadhaar Pay, the country’s first Aadhaar-linked cashless merchant solution that uses a retailer’s own Android smartphone to enable cashless payments.

SPORTS:

3. Yuki Bhambri wins $10,000 ITF Hong Kong F4 Fortunes: It was his 11th title on the ITF Pro Circuit. He defeated Shintaro Imai of Japan who has been placed at second position.

OBITUARIES:

4. Former Sri Lankan PM Ratnasiri Wickremanayake passed away at the age of 83.

Daily GK Updates - 26th December, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Lucky Grahak Yojana, DigiDhan Vyapar Yojana launched: Government of India has launched Lucky Grahak Yojana for Consumers and Digi-DhanVyaparYojana for Merchants to promote digital transaction.

2. PM Modi lays foundation stone of Pune Metro Rail:PM NarendraModi laid the foundation stone of Pune Metro project's Phase-I.PM Modi said the government is actively working on the Rurban Mission, which caters to the places that are urbanising quickly.The government needs to improve the quality of life in villages as well as mitigate the challenges that the urban areas are facing.

3. Assam CM launches Atal-Amrit Abhiyan across the State:Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal has launched 'Atal-Amrit Abhiyan' Scheme across the State.

4. ‘Kuchipudi’ performers dance their way into Guinness World Records: Andhra Pradesh’s own classical dance ‘Kuchipudi’ found a place in the Guinness World Records yet again when a record 6,117 dancers came together to present a show at the IGMC Stadium in Vijaywada.

5. India’s first 2G Ethanol Bio-refinery set up in Punjab:The foundation stone for India's first second generation ethanol bio-refinery to be set up by Hindustan Petroleum Corp (HPCL) at Bathinda in Punjab at a cost of Rs 600 crore.

6. UP CM inaugurates power projects worth Rs52, 000 crore:Uttar Pradesh CM Akhilesh Yadav has inaugurated power projects worth over Rs52, 000 crore across the state. 

7.India successfully test-fires nuclear capable Agni-V: India tested its Agni-V intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in its final operational configuration from Wheeler Island off Odisha , paving the way for its eventual induction into the Strategic Forces Command (SFC) after user-trials.

8. Five global reinsurers, including RGA, Swiss Re, get final licence from Irda: The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irda) has approved the R3 application and granted certificate of registration to five global reinsurers to opens shops.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1.Scientists find world's most heat resistant material: Scientists have identified materials that can withstand temperatures of nearly 4,000 degrees Celsius, an advance that may pave the way for improved heat resistant shielding for the faster-than-ever hypersonic space vehicles.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:                                 

1. SBI adopts village of Maharashtra for Aadhaar-based payments: The State Bank of India (SBI) has adopted Shirki village in Pen taluka in Maharashtra for driving the Aadhaar-based merchant payment initiative. 

SPORTS:

2. Pankaj Advani won National title in 6-red Snooker: Sixteen-time world champion Pankaj Advani ended the year on a high by bagging the National title in 6-red snooker, the shorter format of the game.

OBITUARIES:

3. Co-Artist of national emblem Dinanath Bhargava died at 89: Dinanath Bhargava, a co-artist in the team that sketched the national emblem ‘Lion Capital of Ashoka’ and decorated the pages of the Constitution’s manuscript, died at the age of 89 in Indore.

4. British singer George Michael who launched his career with Wham in the 1980s and continued his success as a solo performer.