Daily GK Updates - 3rd January, 2017

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Birth anniversary of Savitribai Phule: 3 January: Hailed as the country's first woman teacher, Savitribai Phule was also a social worker and a poet. Born on January 3, 1831, in Maharashtra's Naigaon. 2017 marks her 186th birth year. SavitribaiPhule is credited with laying the foundation of education opportunities for women in India and played a major role in improving women's rights in the country during the British Raj.

2. BHIM becomes most popular Android app in India: Govt's online payments app, BHIM is now the number one free app on Google Play Store. The app was launched by PM Modi to simplify digital payments. The app, with a rating of 4.2, has been downloaded more than 1 million times.Within 48 hours of being launched by Prime Minister NarendraModi, the app named BHIM was India’s most-popular, registering the maximum downloads of any free Android app in India.

3. India 3^rd among nations offering highest salaries to expats: India has ranked third among the countries offering the highest average annual salary to expatriates, according to HSBC Holdings data. Notably, Switzerland offers an average salary of $188,275 a year to expats, the highest in the world and almost twice the global average.

4. PM inaugurates Indian Science Congress at Tirupati: Prime Minister NarendraModi inaugurate the five-day annual Indian Science Congress at the Sri Venkateswara University. ‘Science and Technology for National Development’ would be the focal theme of the Indian Science Congress, Prof D Narayana Rao, General President of Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA).

5. Chandrababu Naidu launches Arogya Raksha Scheme to cover APL families: Chandrababu Naidu, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh has launched a new health scheme, ArogyaRaksha Scheme Tummalapalli Kalakshetram in Vijayawada to provide the medical treatment to the people of the Above Poverty Line at Rs. 1200 premium per annum.

6. Centre launches mobile app for Haj applications: Minister of State for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi has launched mobile app 'Haj Committee of India', which will provide information and facilitate e-payments for Haj pilgrimage.

7. Maharashtra government to organise DigiDhan Mela in Mumbai: Maharashtra government will organise a DigiDhan Mela in Mumbai under the aegis of central government’s Lucky Grahak Yojana for Consumers and Digi-Dhan Vyapar Yojana for traders. The day-long event, to be held at Mumbai University, aims to promote digital payment methods and inculcate a digital payment habit among all citizens.

8. Maharashtra government bans use of Purse Seine nets for fishing: The move is aimed at curbing the exploitation of fish by safeguarding the fingerlings and its eggs to increase their population.

9.  David R Syiemlieh appointed as the new UPSC Chairman.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Pakistan approves Hindu Marriage Bill: The much-awaited bill to regulate marriages of minority Hindus in Pakistan moved closer to reality after a Senate committee approved the landmark draft legislation, nearly four months after it was passed by the National Assembly. 

2. Amazon wins patent for Flying Warehouse to deliver parcels via Drones: The U.S. e-commerce giant, Amazon has been awarded a patent for launching a giant flying warehouse that would act as a launch pad for drones to deliver items within minutes. The U.S. e-commerce giant described plans for an "airborne fulfilment centre" (AFC) such as an airship or blimp that would float at an altitude of around 45,000.

3. Russia delivers Sukhoi jets to China: Russia has finally delivered four Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets to China after a delay of two years. The Su-35 is an advanced version of the Su-30s operated by the Indian Air Force.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:

1. Banks cut base rates: home, corporate loans to be cheaper: Housing, auto and corporate loans are all set to become cheaper with half a dozen PSU and private banks steeply reducing benchmark lending rate by up to 1.48% after spurt in deposits following demonetisation.SBI along with PNB and Union Bank of India, yesterday reduced the lending rate by a good 0.9% after Prime Minister NarendraModi in his new year eve address urged the banks to focus on the needs of poor and lower middle class and middle class.

SPORTS:

2. Table Tennis Olympic champion Li Xiaoxia announces retirement: She is the eighth table tennis Grand Slam winner in history with singles crowns from the 2008 World Cup in Kuala Lumpur, 2012 Olympics in London and 2013 world championships in Paris.

OBITUARIES:

3. Karnataka Minister for Co-operation and Sugar H S Mahadeva Prasad passed away at 58.

Daily GK Updates - 2nd January, 2017

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Government permits 12 PSU banks to raise Rs 3,000 crore from market: The Finance Ministry granted approval to 12 proposals of PSBs to raise a sum of Rs 2,914.038 crore through preferential allotment and permission given to raise Rs 200 crore by United Bank of India through QIP mode.

2. 26 crore accounts opened under Jan DhanYojana across country: Over 26 crore accounts have been opened under Pradhan Mantri Jan DhanYojana across the country now. The Scheme was launched by the Prime Minister NarendraModi on August, 2014 with the objective of covering all households with at least one bank account.

3. Mori in Andhra Pradesh gets Smart Digital Village tag: Mori, a tiny village under Sakhinetipallimandal in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh, sealed its place on India's digital map by transforming completely into a Smart Digital Village, in every sense of the term.

4. World famous 11-day gala festival BargarhDhanuaJatra begins in Odisha: Odisha's World famous 11-day gala festival BargarhDhanuaJatra is all set to begin on 2 January 2017.All rituals were performed before Goddess Samaleswari, the presiding deity of the event. DhanuJatra is an annual drama-based open air theatrical performance celebrated in a 6 km radius in and around Bargarh municipality. It is considered to be the world’s largest open air theatrical festival.

5. Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani dedicated India’s first laser technology-based advanced AVMS RTO check post at Shamlaji: The check-post is equipped with advanced ray technology with a cost of Rs 4.72 crore. Along with this programme, Rupani also laid foundation stones of various developmental works worth Rs 30 crore in tribal area of Aravalli district.

6. India test fired intercontinental ballistic missile Agni-IV: India has successfully test-fired its home-grown long range intercontinental surface-to-surface nuclear capable ballistic missile Agni-IV from the Abdul Kalam Wheeler Island off Odisha coast.

7. India’s Petronet signs MoU to set up $950 million LNG project in Bangladesh: Petronet signed a MoU with withPetrobangla to set up a 7.5 million tonnes a year project to receive and regasify LNG on Kutubdia Island in Cox's Bazar and lay a 26-km pipline to connect it to the consumption markets.

8. NHPC CMD honoured at 10^th ENERTIA Award 2016: State-run National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) Chairman and Managing Director K M Singh has been conferred the 'Power & Energy Persona's Award for Individual Excellence' at the 10th ENERTIA Awards 2016.

9.  Indian origin appointed to top military post in Kyrgyzstan: An Indian-origin Saudi-based entrepreneur Shaikh Rafik Mohammed, who hails from Kerala has been appointed Major General of Kyrgyzstan, a rare military position occupied by an Indian in the Central Asian country.

10. Air Marshal Anil Khosla takes over as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Air Command.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:

1. SBI cuts lending rate by 0.9% across: Country’s largest lender SBI cut benchmark interest rate across various maturities by 0.9 per cent, effective from 1st January 2017, a move that is expected to be shortly followed by other banks also. The bank has reduced marginal cost of funds based lending rate (MCLR) by 0.9 per cent from 8.90 per cent to 8 per cent for 1-year tenure.

SPORTS:

2. Somdev Devvarman announces retirement from professional tennis.

3. Sivalingam Sathish Kumar of Railways clinches gold for 6^th time: Rio Olympian SathishSivalingam from Railways won the gold, for the sixth consecutive year, in the men's 77 kg category in the 69th men's and 32nd women's Senior National Weightlifting Championship, at the Ponjesly College of Engineering.

4. Rafael Nadal wins Mubadala Tennis Championships 2016 in Abu Dhabi: Rafael Nadal defeated David Goffin to win in Abu Dhabi.RafaelNadal defeated Belgian David Goffin 6-4, 7-6 to win the Mubadala World Tennis Championships.

AWARDS:

5. Bharatiya Jnanpith announces Navlekhan Award 2016: Two new Hindi writers Shraddha and Ghyansham Kumar Devansh have been chosen for Bharatiya Jnanpith Navlekhan Award for the year 2016, the literary organisation announced.The decision to confer the award on Shraddha for her short story, 'Hawa Mein Phadphadati Chitthi' and on Devansh for his poem 'Akash Mein Deh' was taken unanimously by a selection panel chaired by eminent poet Vishnu Nagar.

Daily GK Updates - 1st January, 2017

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. PM announces number of measures for welfare of farmers, small traders, women and senior citizens:

(a) Bonanza for Home Buyers: In a big relief to home buyers, New Schemes under Pradhan MantriAwasYojana were announced. Now get 4 % interest relief on home loan upto 9 lakh rupees. And 3 % cut for home loan upto 12 lakh rupees.

(b) Subvention on Home Improvements: In rural areas, now you can get 3 % interest relief on loan of upto 2 lakh rupees for the construction, renovation and expansion of home.

(c) Big relief to Farmers: Govt to pay interest for 60 days on loans taken by farmers for rabi season from district cooperative banks and primary societies.

(d) Fund to NABARD doubled: Additional fund of 20,000 crore given to NABARD to give loans to farmers.

(e) Kisan Credit Cards to become RUPAY: 3 croreKisan Credit Cards will be transformed to RuPay credit cards. Farmers had to go to banks to withdraw money. It will help farmers to sell and buy. 

(f) Big boost to MSME sector: For small entrepreneurs, credit guarantee raised from Rs 1 crore to Rs 2 crore. Loans by non-banking financial companies will also be covered in this. Shopkeepers and small businessmen will get more loans because of this. 

(g) Relief to small traders: For small businesses, cash credit limit raised to 25 per cent from 20 per cent. Working capital increased to 30 % from the current 20% if the transaction is done via digital mode. 

(h) Big push to less cash Economy: In a bid to promote less cash economy, PM says small traders and businesses with a turnover of up to Rs 2 crore, 6% tax will be levied instead of 8% if they accept payments through banking and digital means. 

(i) Scheme for pregnant women: For pregnant women, a national scheme launched. Would be Mothers will get Rs. 6,000 for their delivery, vaccination, and nutritious meals. This will be transferred straight to their account. This will help in saving lives of mothers and new born kids.

(j) Relief to senior citizens: Senior citizens will be assured 8 per cent interest on their deposits up to Rs 7.5 lakh. Now for the senior citizens the interest rate shall remain fixed at 8 percent for next 10 years.

2. Sikkim became India’s first fully organic state in 2016: Sikkim has emerged as the India’s first fully organic state by converting around 75,000 hectares of agricultural land into sustainable cultivation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi formally certified Fully Organic State Status to Sikkim at a sustainable agriculture conference in Gangtok earlier in 2016.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Justice Mian Saqib Nisar appointed as Chief Justice of Pakistan.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:

1. NRIs can exchange defunct notes up to June 30: RBI: Reserve Bank last night came out with conditions for exchange of defunct notes for those, including non-resident Indians, who failed to do so till 30th December 2016, the last day for depositing the invalid currency notes in banks. Resident Indian citizens who were abroad from November 9th to December 30th can avail this facility up to March 31st, 2017 and NRI citizens, who were abroad during this period, can exchange their defunct notes up to June 30th, 2017.

AWARDS:

2. British-Indian Professor Shankar Balasubramanian receives Knighthood: Shankar Balasubramanian, an Indian- origin British professor of chemistry and DNA expert at Cambridge University, has received a Knighthood along with Olympic stars Andy Murray and Mo Farah among others by Queen Elizabeth II for their contributions.

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.