Daily GK Updates - 10th January, 2017

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. PM Modi inaugurated the 8^th Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors Summit 2017 at Gandhinagar: Prime Minister NarendraModi inaugurated the 8th Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors Summit 2017 at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar. This year's biennial flagship event of the state is hosting Prime Ministers, Presidents, Deputy Prime Ministers and ministers of several countries apart from CEOs of Fortune 500 companies.

2. DigiDhanMela organised in Chandigarh: A DigiDhanMela has been organized in Chandigarh to promote digital transactions. AIR correspondent reports that in this unique meal, many visitors including housewives, students and shopkeepers are getting training in the Digital Pathshala where experts of financial institutions are explaining everything through demonstrations.

3. Amitabh Bachchan presented with US embassy award for fight against tuberculosis: Megastar Amitabh Bachchan was given an award by the US Embassy in appreciation for his invaluable contributions to the US-India partnership on tuberculosis. The award was presented by US Ambassador to India Richard R. Verma to the legendary actor who is also a tuberculosis survivor and brand ambassador for the initiative.

4. Maharashtra government launches India’s largest Wi-Fi service: Maharashtra government has launched India’s largest public WiFi service called 'MumbaiWifi'. The facility, inaugurated by Chief Minister DevendraFadnavis in Mumbai and initially provide 500 Wifi hotspots across various locations like VidhanBhawan, Kalanagar in Bandra, Bombay High Court, and Mumbai Police Commissioner’s office.

5. Haryana to set up ‘Prarambh School for Teachers Education’ in Jhajjar: In Haryana, the State level Prarambh School for Teachers Education would be set up at village Silani in district Jhajjar over an area of 10 acres.

6. Flipkart replaces Binny Bansal with Kalyan Krishnamurthy as CEO.

7. Gionee signs ViratKohli as brand ambassador.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. 11^th World Hindi Day: 10 January: The Hindi language is not only spoken by Indians across the globe but it celebrated by people internationally. And, today (10th January 2017), we are observing World Hindi Day honour this Indo-Aryan language.

2. Pakistan fires ‘first submarine-launched nuclear-capable missile’: The launch of the nuclear-capable Babur-3 missile has a range of 450 km (280 miles) and was fired from an undisclosed location in the Indian Ocean, is likely to heighten long-running tension between India and Pakistan.

3. McDonald’s sell China Operation for $2.08 billion: US fast-food giant McDonald’ announced to sell its businesses in mainland China and Hong Kong for $2.08 billion to Citic, a state-owned conglomerate, and the Carlyle Group, a private equity firm. Citic Limited, Citic Capital Holdings, Carlyle Group and McDonald's will form a company that will act as the franchisee responsible for the chain's business in mainland China and Hong Kong for 20 years.Citic and Citic Capital will have a stake of 52%, Carlyle will take 28%, and McDonald's will hold 20% of the new company.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. Eight-year old Kashmiri boy AbbuAmmaz becomes national boxing champion: An eight-year old boy from Jammu and Kashmir's RajouriAbbuAmmaz has won gold medal in Thai Boxing Championship at the national level.

2. Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri named as FIFA Coach of the Year 2016.

AWARDS:

3. 2017 Golden Globe Awards: The 74th Annual Golden Globe Awards ceremony was organized at Beverly Hills, California, United States (US). The Golden Globe Awards are the annual awards that honor the best in Motion Pictures and American Television for the previous year. This year, La La Land, a romantic musical comedy-drama film won in all the seven categories including the top award of best musical or comedy. Veteran actress Meryl Streep was bestowed with the Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award.

Daily GK Updates - 9th January, 2017

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Petrol pump owners defer their decision to not to accept credit, debit card payments for fuel sales till 13 January 2017: Petrol pump owners deferred till January 13 their decision to not accept credit and debit card payments for fuel sales after banks put off the move to levy the transaction charge. To promote cash-less transactions, the government had waived the Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on fuel purchase post demonetisation for consumers.

2. Government of India renames disability department-‘divyang’ replaces ‘viklang’: The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities will now be known as ‘DivyangjanSashaktikaranVibhag’ in Hindi and dropped the word ‘viklangjan’ from its previous nomenclature.

3. EPFO makes Aadhar mandatory of its pensioners and members: Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has made Aadhaar mandatory for its about 50 lakh pensioners and around four crore subscribers. Central Provident Fund Commissioner VP Joy stated that the pensioners as well as members would have to provide Aadhaar or a proof that they have applied for it by 31 January 2017 to remain the beneficiary of social security schemes of EPFO.

4. PM NarendraModi inaugurate Vibrant Gujarat Global Trade Show: Prime Minister NarendraModi will be on a two-day visit to Gujarat from 9 january 2017, he will inaugurate the 8th edition of 'Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors Summit 2017' along with series of other programs. The four-day 'Vibrant Summit Summit will be inaugurated at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar.

5. Piyush Goyal unveiled world’s largest street light replacement programme in SDMC: Power Minister Piyush Goyal unveiled world's largest street light replacement programme in South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) area. Mr Goyal will also launch a mobile app called Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) Complaint App for SDMC, wherein users can now lodge complaints about faulty street lights.

6. Vijaywada to host 1^stDigiDhanMela in Andhra Pradesh: In Andhra Pradesh Vijayawada will be host to the first DigiDhanMela in the State this afternoon. DigiDhanMelas are being organised across the country to promote cashless transactions. Union Minister for Urban Development and Information Broadcasting M. Venkaiah Naidu along with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu will launch the Mela at Indira Gandhi Municipal Stadium, Vijayawada.

7. Blind challenge Car Rally in Bhopal: The 11th annual Blind Challenge Car Rally was organised in Bhopal,to raise awareness about the issues concerning the visually-impaired. As part of the rally, drivers are navigated by blind persons tasked with reading the route given to them in Braille.

8. 1^st student startup fund has Rs 200 crore: Gujarat government has come up with India's first student startup and innovation policy, which aims to provide Rs 200 crore in the form of grants to ideas developed by them. The policy aims to support over 1,000 innovation per year and create pre-incubation support in all universities of the state.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:

1. SBI Pension Funds appoints Kumar Sharadindu as MD & CEO.

2. Bank of India to reduce its interest rates: The Bank of India has reduce its interest rates on retail loans, including home and vehicle loan. The bank earlier reduced its minimum lending rates or marginal cost of funds based lending rates (MCLR) by up to 90 basis points. The rate on home loans has been lowered to 8.65 per cent for women borrowers, while for others the rate has been set at 8.70%. The bank has reduced the interest rates for vehicle loans to 9.35 per cent. For loan against property, the new rates are set in the range of 10.50-11 per cent. The rates for women borrowers will be 0.5% lower than the others.

SPORTS:

3. Roberto Bautista Agut beats Daniil Medvedev, wins Chennai Open 2017: Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut won the men’s singles title of the Chennai Open 2017. Agut beat Russian 20-year-old Daniil Medvedev 6-3 and 6-4 to claim the first ATP tournament of the season.

4. Olympic Champion David Rudisha to be Mumbai Marathon event ambassador: Reigning Olympic and world 800m champion and world record holder, David Rudisha is the International Event Ambassador for the 14th Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon to be held on January 15, 2017.

OBITUARIES:

5. Former Iranian President Rafsanjani dies: Former Iranian President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani died Sunday after suffering a heart attack. He was 82. Rafsanjani, who served two terms as Iran's president from 1989 to 1997, continued to be an influential figure in Iranian politics.

Daily GK Updates - 8th January, 2017

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Budget session of Parliament to begin from January 31^st, 2017: The Budget session of Parliament convened to start from January 31, a day before the Union Budget is likely to be presented. President Pranab Mukherjee has summoned the RajyaSabha to meet on January 31, 2017. A similar notification is also expected from the LokSabha secretariat. The practice of separate railway Budget presentation is being scrapped from this year. The railway estimates will be part of the Union Budget.

2. PM Modi and Portuguese PM Antonio Costa inaugurate PBD Convention at Bengaluru: In his key note address at the 14th PravasiBhartiya Divas celebrations, Mr Modi said, the Indian diaspora represents the best of Indian culture, ethos and values. Indians abroad are valued not just for their strength in numbers.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. China to build world’s highest altitude telescopes in Tibet: China is setting up the world's highest altitude gravitational wave telescopes in a Tibet prefecture close to Line of Actual Control with India with a budget of $18.8 million to detect faintest echoes resonating from the universe which may reveal more about the Big Bang theory. Construction has started for the first telescope, code-named Ngari No 1, 30 km south of Shiquanhe Town in Ngari Prefecture, said Yao Yongqiang chief researcher with the National Astronomical Observatories of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

2. China’s forex reserves fall by USD 320 billion in 2016: China's Central Bank says, the country's foreign currency reserves shrank last year, marking large annual losses for the 2nd year in a row. Officials at the People's Bank of China said that foreign reserves stood at over three trillion dollars as of the end of December, 2016. For the year as a whole, China's foreign exchange reserve fell nearly 320 billion dollars from a year earlier, following a drop of more than 512 billion dollars in 2015.

3. Donald Trump names Dan Coats as new National Intelligence Director.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. Sania wins Brisbane’s women’s doubles title but loses no.1 rank: In his key note address at the 14th PravasiBhartiya Divas celebrations, Mr Modi said, the Indian diaspora represents the best of Indian culture, ethos and values. Indians abroad are valued not just for their strength in numbers.

2. Djokovic wins Qatar Open tennis title: Novak Djokovic has won the Qatar Open tennis title. In an epic final in Doha, the Serbian defeated Andy Murray of UK by 6-3 5-7 6-4.

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.