Daily GK Updates - 7th January, 2017

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. 14th Pravasi Bhartiya Divas convention begins in Bengaluru: The 14th Pravasi Bhartiya Divas (PBD) convention has begins in Bengaluru. The three-day event will kick start with the Youth PBD, the theme of which is 'Role of Diaspora Youth in the Transformation of India'. Pravasi Bharatiya Divas has been held traditionally on 9th January every year to commemorate the return of Mahatma Gandhi as a Pravasi from South Africa to India.Three plenary sessions are scheduled to be held in Youth PBD. First will be on reaching out to Indian Students abroad, NRIs and overseas Indian Community Students in India. Second will be on Start-ups and Innovations and 3rd on Start-up ecosystem in Karnataka.

2. Tata Motors, Castrol announce global strategic partnership: Tata Motors and Castrol have signed a 3-year strategic partnership agreement. As part of the agreement, Castrol will supply Commercial Vehicle Oils to Tata Motors globally. The agreement will cover over 50 markets including SAARC and ASEAN region, Middle East, Africa, Russia and Latin America. 

3. Foreign exchange reserves rose by $625.5 million to $360.296 billion:RBI : The RBI stated that foreign exchange reserves rose by $625.5 million to $360.296 billion in the week to December 30, 2016. In the previous week, the reserves had declined by $935.2 million to $359.671 billion. The reserves had touched $371.99 billion in the week to September 30, 2016. 

4. All India Conference of Waqf Boards begins: The All India Conference of Chairpersons and Chief Executive Officers of States and Union Territories' Waqf Boards begins in New Delhi.The conference will be inaugurated by Minister of State for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi.Various issues, including review of progress under the schemes relating to grant of financial assistance for computerization of waqf properties, strengthening of waqf boards and development of waqf properties by National Waqf Development Corporation Ltd. will be discussed during the conference. 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1.China launches longest high-speed train service: China has launched its longest high-speed train service from Kunming capital of south-west China's Yunnan Province to Beijing. The train named 'Shangri-la of the World' left Kunming at 11:05 am on a 2,760-km trip to Beijing. The mileage will increase to 45,000 km by 2030.

2. Japan to Help in Developing Chennai, Ahmedabad and Varanasi Smart Cities: Japan has decided to be associated with the development of Chennai, Ahmedabad and Varanasi as smart cities. This was conveyed by Japan’s Ambassador to India Mr.Kenji Hiramatsu during his meeting with Minister of Urban Development Shri M.Venkaiah Naidu.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:                                 

1. Per capita income of Indians to cross Rs 1 lakh in FY17:India’s per capita income, a gauge for measuring living standard, is estimated to cross Rs 1 lakh in 2016-17, up from Rs 93,293 in the previous fiscal. As per the ‘First Advance Estimates of National Income, 2016-17’ released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO), the per capita net national income during 2016-17 is “estimated to be Rs 103,007” at current prices. This is higher by 10.4 per cent compared to Rs 93,293 during 2015-16.

2. Droom, Axis bank tie-up to provide quick loans on new and used cars:India’s pioneering online automobile transactional marketplace Droom has firmly entrenched its foothold as a complete eco-system for buyers to have an impeccable automobile owning experience. In its latest effort to sustain such a status, Droom has tied up with Axis Bank, India’s third largest private sector bank, to provide quick sanction of loans on both new as well as used cars.

AWARDS:

3. 30 Indian-Origin Men & Women Inducted into 2017 Forbes’ Super Achievers List:Over 30 Indian-origin innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders have been featured in the 2017 edition of Forbes' list of super achievers under the age of 30 who seek to break the status quo and transform the world.The Forbes list has 30 game changers in 20 industries including healthcare, manufacturing, sports and finance. 

Daily GK Updates - 6th January, 2017

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. India & Kazakhstan sign 5 protocol to amend Double Taxation Avoidance Convention: India and Kazakhstan have signed the five national capital a Protocol to amend the existing Double Taxation Avoidance Convention (DTAC) between the two countries which was earlier signed on 9th December, 1996 for the avoidance of double taxation and for the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income. 

2. 4th Assam International Agri-Horti show to begin in Guwahati: Fourth Assam International Agri-Horti show will begin in Guwahati.Assam.State Chief Minister SarbanandaSonowal will inaugurate the show.

3. Three Days International Conference on Yoga for Diabetes Organised in New Delhi: The Minister of State for AYUSHShriShripadYessoNaik inaugurated the International Conference on “Yoga for Diabetes” which began in New Delhi on January 4, 2017.

4. Centre approves assistance of Rs 1782 crore for Karnataka: The Centre has approved an assistance of over 1782.44 crore rupees for Karnataka. The state will get this sum from the National Disaster Relief Fund as drought relief.

5. Island Tourism Festival 2017 to begins in Andaman & Nicobar: The Island Tourism Festival 2017 will begin today at Port Blair in Andaman & Nicobar islands. Lt. Governor Jagdish Mukhi will inaugurate the mega event at ITF Ground this evening.

6. The Government has imposed an anti-dumping duty ranging from 6.30 US dollars to 351.72 US dollars per tonne on imports of jute and its products from Bangladesh and Nepal. 

7. Launch of IPR Enforcement Toolkit for Police and IPR Awareness Campaign for Children:The toolkit has been jointly prepared by Cell for IPR Promotion and Management (CIPAM) and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).

8. S Padmanabhan Appointed as Chairman of Tata Power: Tata Sons has nominated S Padmanabhan as the Chairman of Tata Power Co Ltd with immediate effect, in place of Cyrus Mistry.He is also the executive chairman of Tata Business Excellence Group. Recently he was appointed as the head of group for human resources for Tata Sons.

9. IBM has appointed Karan Bajwa as Managing Director of IBM India Pvt Ltd, succeeding Vanitha Narayanan who has been appointed as chairman of the Indian subsidiary.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Sir Tim Barrow has been appointed as the Britain’s ambassador to the EU: A UK Senior diplomat Sir Tim Barrow was appointed the new ambassador to the European Union (EU).  ii.He replaced Sir Ivan Rogers.He previously served in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, as a representative to various bodies of the European Union, and as British Ambassador to Ukraine 2006–2008. 

2. Capgemini Appoints Anil Jalali of IBM as HR head for India Operation:French Consulting Corporation, Capgemini has appointed Anil Jalali as Chief Human Resources Officer for its India operation.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:                                 

1. SIDBI ties up with LIC for capital support to enterprises: Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) on Thursday said it has tied up with Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) for augmenting capital support to enterprises in the country.

2. Karnataka Bank launches group Personal Accident Insurance Scheme named KBL Suraksha: Karnataka Bank has launched a month-long campaign to promote a group personal accident insurance scheme for savings bank account-holders. ‘KBL Suraksha’, which was launched on January 2, will be in force till January 31.

SPORTS:

3. DilipVengsarkar steps down from MCA vice-president post: Former India captain DilipVengsarkar has submitted his resignation as vice-president of the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA).

OBITUARIES:

4. Sitar Player Abdul HalimJaffer dies at 88: Renowned Sitar maestro Abdul HalimJaffer Khan died due to cardiac arrest. He was 88.Abdul HalimJaffer Khan was an Indian sitar player and received the national awards Padma Shri (1970) and Padma Bhushan (2006) and was awarded the SangeetNatakAkademi Award for 1987

5. Veteran actor Om Puri has passed away after a massive heart attack.The actor was 66.

BOOKS AND AUTHORS:

6. Vice President Hamid Ansari on 4 January 2017 released a book titled The People's President: Dr APJ Abdul Kalam.

Daily GK Updates - 5th January, 2017

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1.RBI appoints SurekhaMarandi as Executive Director: The Reserve Bank of India has appointed SurekhaMarandi as its Executive Director (ED) in place of U S Paliwal, who retired on December 31, 2016.

2. EC limits cash expense per candidate at Rs 20-28 lakh for Assembly polls: The Election Commission of India has issued a limitation for campaign expense per candidate. In Goa and Manipur, the limit on election expenses per candidate is Rs 20 lakh. 

3. Rs. 5 discount for online payment of LPG cylinder: State-owned fuel retailers, Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Bharat Petroleum Corp Ltd (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corp Ltd (HPCL) will offer an upfront discount of Rs 5 on every LPG refill to all LPG customers who will book and pay for it online.

4. PM NarendraModi Releases special commemorative postage in 350th birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh in Patna: Prime Minister Modi released special commemorative stamps on PrakashParv in 350th birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh in Patna on 5 January 2017.Bihar Governor Ram NathKovind, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Punjab Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal, Union Minsters Ravi Shankar Prasad Ram Vilas Paswan and HarsimratKaur were present on this occasion.

5. Telangana, Assam join Uday Discom debt scheme: Telangana and Assam signed memoranda of understanding (MoUs) to join the Ujwal Discom Assurance Yojna (UDAY) taking the total number of states covered under the scheme to 20.

6. Supreme Court Removes Anurag Thakur as BCCI President:The Supreme Court of India has stripped Anurag Thakur of his powers as BCCI President for not complying with the orders of the apex court with regard to implementation of the Lodha committee reforms. 

7. Two-day Assam Biotech Conclave to begin in Guwahati: The two day Assam Biotech Conclave began today in Guwahati. Chief Minister Sarbanand Sonowal inaugurated the conclave in presence of Science and Technology minister Keshab Mahanta.

8. Ludhiana district administration develops mobile app for Election Commission of India: For the benefit of voters, candidates, election staff as well as the Election Commission of India (ECI), the district administration of Ludhiana has developed a mobile application named ECI360.

9. Solar power producer Azure Power commissioned 150 MW solar power project in Punjab, which is its largest in North India.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. United Nation Recognises 2017 as Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development: The United Nations 70th General Assembly has recognised the year 2017 as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development. 

2. Five Indian Americans Takes Oath as Members of US Congress.

3. Jovenel Moise elected as the President of Haiti: Jovenel Moise has been elected as the President of Haiti.The electoral tribunal officially declared the winner on 3 January 2017.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:                                 

1. Yes Bank ties-up with Bajaj Electricals for vendor financing using blockchain:Private lender Yes Bank has entered into a tie-up with Bajaj Electricals for vendor financing using blockchain solution, and announced to use the technology more aggressively as it saves over 70 per cent in cost.

2. Paytm gets final approval for payments bank:Mobile commerce and payments company Paytm has got the final permission to open a payments bank by RBI.

3. Munich Re to open reinsurance branch office in Mumbai: Munich Re is opening a composite branch office in Mumbai to service the property-casualty, life, health reinsurance markets across the country.

SPORTS:

4. MS Dhoni has stepped down as the captain of India's limited-overs sides.

5. India win record 4th straight SAFF Women's Championship title:India's women's football team defeated Bangladesh 3-1 in Siliguri to win the 2016 South Asian Football Federation Women's Championship for the fourth consecutive time. 

6. Arthur Morris inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame:Arthur Morris, who became the 82nd player to be inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame, was given the honour posthumously.

Daily GK Updates - 4th January, 2017

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Cabinet approves ratifying an agreement between India, Uruguay regarding cooperation in Customs Matters: Cabinet has approved signing and ratifying an agreement between India and Uruguay regarding cooperation and mutual assistance in Customs Matters. The Agreement will help in the availability of relevant information for the prevention and investigation of customs offences.

2. Election commission announces poll dates for five state assemblies: The Election Commission today announced the dates for the assembly elections in five states Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Manipur and Goa. Uttar Pradesh, the biggest state in the country, will go to polls in seven phases for 403 seats on 11th February, 15th February, 19th February, 23rd February, 27th February, 4th March and on 8th.

3. EPFO launches a campaign to enrol more workers, sets Re 1 fine for late registration: Encouraging firms to enrol their workers under schemes run by retirement fund body Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), a three-month campaign has been launched beginning 1 January 2017 where employers will get amnesty and pay just Re 1 as damages for not registering their employees earlier.

4. Justice Jagdish Singh Khehar sworn-in as 44^th Chief Justice of India.

5. Google introduces tool for small business in India: Google India has created two tools My Business and Digital Unlocked for the small and medium businesses in India, which would help to create an online presence, besides a digital training programme. It is an India first tool which introduced this year. Google My Business would help small businesses set up website from their mobile devices.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Nepal hosts Elephant Festival in Chitwan to boost tourism: The 13th edition of Nepal’s five-day Chitwan Elephant Festival kicked off in Kathmandu with the participation of over 50 elephants. The annual festival which brings fun, sports and adventure together was inaugurated on Monday in Sauraha, the gateway to Chitwan National Park.

2. Finland first country to introduce basic income for unemployed: Finland has become the first country in the world to pay a basic income to randomly picked citizens on a national level in an aiming at dismissing poverty, motivate people to join work force and decrease unemployment.

3. Britain Ambassador to the Europe Union quits: The U.K.’s ambassador to the European Union Ivan Rogers resigned from his post.Sir Mark Ivan Rogers KCMG (born 1960) is a senior British civil servant, who was the Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the European Union from 4 November 2013 until his resignation on 3 January 2017.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. Mithali Raj to lead India in Women’s World Cup Qualifier.

2. Brijesh Patel and other two KSCA office-bearers resign: Brijesh Patel, Ashok Anand and DayanandPai, have resigned from the posts of KSCA Secretary, President and Treasurer.

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.