Daily GK Updates - 3rd February, 2017

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Govt. notifies new rules for medical devices:

 The union health ministry has notified new rules for medical devices to remove regulatory bottlenecks and ensure availability of medical devices for patients. Now, manufacturers will not be required to renew licenses periodically and submission of applications and grant of licenses will be done online. Under the new rules, manufacturing and import licences will remain valid till these are suspended, cancel or surrendered. The new rules have been framed in conformity with Global Harmonisation Task Force (GHTF) framework and conform to best international practices.

2. Centre of Integrative Oncology to be inaugurated: The Centre of Integrative Oncology has been inaugurated at National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research (NICPR), Noida. The main objective of the Centre is to build collaborations in the areas of cancer prevention, research, and care. This would pave the way to carry forward the ongoing bilateral dialogue and facilitate collaboration with stake holders, like National Cancer Institute, USA. The Centre would also offer 5 post-doctoral and 5 Senior Research Fellowships each year to deserving candidates to facilitate quality research in the country in the area of cancer research.

3. Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah inaugurates 9th Bengaluru International Film Festival:

Chief Minister of Karnataka Siddaramaiah has inaugurated the 9th edition of Bengaluru International Film Festival in front of Vidhana Soudha, Bengaluru (Karnataka). The highlight of the evening was the video mapping of Kannada and world cinema projected on the pillars of the building. Form 55 countries,200 films will be screened in Bengaluru and Mysuru during this film festival.

4. Apple to start manufacturing in India:

Apple has reached an agreement with the Karnataka government to set up a manufacturing plant in Bengaluru(Karnataka). Apple is reportedly expected to start production for the Indian market by June. India will be only the third country globally to assemble iPhones. (Note: Apple is an American multinational technology company, founded by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne in April 1976 to develop and sell personal computers.)

5 China successfully tests DF-5C missile with 10 nuclear warheads : China has successfully tested a new version of a DF-5C missile that can carry up to 10 nuclear warheads in January 2017. The flight test of the missile was carried using 10 multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicles, (MIRVs), from the Taiyuan Space Launch Centre in Shanxi province and to an impact range in the western Taklamakan desert.

6 Government notifies new rules for medical devices: The Union Health Ministry has notified new rules for medical devices to remove regulatory bottlenecks and ensure availability of medical devices for patients. Under the new rules, manufactures will not be required to renew licenses periodically and submission of applications and grant of licenses will be done online.

7 India signs $201.50 million Financing Agreement with World Bank for TEQIP III: The Union Government has singed Financing Agreement for IDA credit of $201.50 million with World Bank for the ‘Third Technical Education Quality Improvement Programme’ (TEQIP III). The agreement was signed by Raj Kumar, Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs and Junaid Kamal Ahmad, Country Director, World Bank India.

8. February 2: World Wetlands Day: The World Wetland Day (WWD) is observed every year on 2 February to raise awareness about the value of wetlands for humanity and the planet. Significance of Day: This day marks the date of the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands also called as Ramsar Convention on 2 February 1971 in the Iranian city of Ramsar. 2017 Theme: “Wetlands for Disaster Risk Reduction”. It seeks to raise awareness and to highlight the vital role of healthy wetlands in reducing the impacts of extreme events such as floods, cyclones and drought on communities, and in helping to build resilience.

9. Government introduces alternative funding mechanism of electoral bonds: Budget:  The Union Government has announced two measures in the Budget 2017-18 to bring in greater transparency in funding of political parties. These include capping cash funding by a single anonymous donor to Rs. 2000 (one tenth of the current limit of Rs 20,000) and introduction of the electoral bonds. It will take effect from 1 April, 2018

10. NITI Aayog launches India Innovation Index: The National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) jointly launched India Innovation Index. Besides country’s first innovation index portal was also launched. The index has been jointly developed by NITI Aayog, DIPP and CII in consultation with World Economic Forum (WEF), World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Cornell University, UNIDO, ILO, OECD, UNESCO, ITU etc.

11. Mahila Shakti Kendra will be set-up at village level: Budget: Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in his Budget Speech 2017-18 announced corpus of Rs 500 crore for setting up Mahila Shakti Kendras in the 14 lakh ICDS Anganwadi Centres at village level. These kendras will provide one stop convergent support services for empowering rural women with opportunities for skill development, employment, health, nutrition and digital literacy.

12. Government notifies new rules for medical devices:
The Union Health Ministry has notified new rules for medical devices to remove regulatory bottlenecks and ensure availability of medical devices for patients. Under the new rules, manufactures will not be required to renew licenses periodically and submission of applications and grant of licenses will be done online.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Right to Information Act comes into force in Sri Lanka:           

Today, the historic Right to Information (RTI) Act has come into force in Sri Lanka. The act marks the culmination of a movement of over 20 years to ensure transparency in governance and easy availability of information. As per the act, public authorities are liable to share information within the specified timelines, subject to a maximum of 28 days. Earlier, Parliament unanimously passed the Right to Information Act on June 24, 2016.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. Lakshya Sen becomes World No.1 Junior Badminton player

: India's young shuttler Lakshya Sen (15-year) has become the World No 1 Junior Badminton player in the latest rankings of the Badminton World Federation (BWF). He moved Chia-Hao Lee of Chinese Taipei to attain the top spot. Lakshya got 16,903 points in eight tournaments in the season and Chia Hao 16,091 points. He is the first shuttler from Uttarakhand to attain the number one spot at the international level. Earlier, his brother Chirag Sen was ranked number two in the world junior badminton rankings. He won the Senior India International Series Badminton Tournament along with the All India Senior Ranking Badminton Tournament at Itanagar.

2  England Football player Frank Lampard retires: Former England and Chelsea midfield star Frank Lampard (38-year) has announced to retire after turning down "a number of exciting offers" in Britain and abroad. He scored 211 times for Chelsea and won every major club honour, netting the goals which in 2005 secured the club's first championship title in 50 years. Lampard left New York City FC in the autumn and also played for West Ham United and Manchester City in the Premier League.

BANKING/FINANCE:

1. Over 6.26 lakh people win Lucky Grahak Yojana & Digi dhan Vyapar Yojana

Over 6.26 lakh people has won 97-crore rupee prizes under Lucky Grahak Yojana and Digi dhan Vyapar Yojana till 30^th January 2017. These two schemes are part of NITI Aayog’s digital payment promotion schemes and covered cities from 21 States and 4 Union Territories. Over 100 Digi-Dhan Melas are planned across the country to inculcate digital payment among the people.

Lucky Grahak Yojana (Daily scheme): 5.55 lakh consumers have won the prize.

Lucky Grahak Yojana (Weekly scheme): over 26 thousand consumers.

Digi dhan Vyapar Yojana (weekly scheme): over 35 thousand merchants.

Daily GK Updates - 2nd February, 2017

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. The Union Budget 2017-18  announces setting up of five Special Tourism Zones in partnership with States:  These five special zones will be anchored as Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) that will be set up in partnership with the States by the government. In this budget, government has allocated Rs. 1,840.77 crore to the Tourism Ministry, Rs. 250 crore more in the 2017-18 fiscal..

2. Introduction of The Indian Institutes of Information Technology (Amendment) Bill, 2017:  The Union Cabinet has given its approval for introduction of The Indian Institutes of Information Technology (Amendment) Bill, 2017 in Parliament. The amendment Bill has provision for the inclusion of Indian Institute of Information Technology Design and Manufacturing (IIITDM), Kurnool along with the other IITs in the Principal Act. With this, IIITDM Kurnool will become fifth Member as a Centrally Funded IIIT. Such  inclusions will make it an institute of National Importance with the power to award degrees to students. Its academic session had commenced in two branches of study in 2015-16. The expenditure for the operationalization of IITDM Kurnool is incurred from the Plan funds of the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development. The Indian Institutes of Information Technology Act, 2014 confers the status of Institutions of National Importance on the IIITs. It deals with matters connected with administering these IIITs. The Andhra Pradesh as embodied in the Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act, 2014 had embodied creation of a new NIT at Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh. Subsequently, Government had approved its creation. Due to addition of a new IIIT, amendment has to be made in the IIIT Act, 2014.

3. New TB-resistant cows developed in China: The world’s first live cows with increased resistance to bovine tuberculosis (TB) has been produced by the Scientist of Northwest A&F University in China. This development shows that genetic modification technology can be better suited to producing transgenic livestock with purposefully manipulated genetic.

4. Important Glimpse Of Budget 2017-18:

ü Arun Jaitley- The Union Finance Minister presented the Union Budget 2017.

ü This was fourth annual budget which was presented by Arun Jaitley as Finance Minister.

ü No separate Railway Budget was presented.

ü It was broadly focused on 10 themes.

ü Themes:

o   farming sector

o   rural population

o   youth, poor and underprivileged health care

o   financial sector for stronger institutions

o   infrastructure

o   speedy accountability

o   prudent fiscal management

o   public services

o   tax administration for the hones

5. Existence of lost continent lies under Indian Ocean: The Entire study was based on study of Zircon, a mineral found in rocks spewed up by lava during volcanic eruptions which is too old to belong to Mauritius. Scientists have confirmed the existence of a “lost continent” under the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius. It is left over by the break-up of the super-continent Gondwana, which started about 200 million years ago.

6. 19th Bharat Rang Mahotsav begins in New Delhi: The 21-day 19^th edition Bharat Rang Mahotsav has begun in New Delhi. It has a special focus on the different genres of Indian theatre. The festival will include 10 traditional folk theater performances. The festival will feature Living Legend Series, Master Classes, Youth Forum and Director's Meet as an integral part of this theater fiesta. This year's theater carnival will include three tributary plays, six diploma productions and also five plays by living theater luminaries from across the country.

7. Registration for Kailash Manasarovar Yatra begins: The registration for Kailash Manasarovar Yatra has started and the last date is 15^th According to External Affairs Ministry this year, Yatra will take place between 12th June to 8th of September through two routes. The route through Lipulekh Pass (Uttarakhand) is estimated to cost about one lakh 60 thousand rupees per person and Nathu La Pass (Sikkim) is motorable, suitable for senior citizens unable to undertake arduous trekking estimated to cost about two lakhs rupee person. Applicants for this Yatra must be at least 18 years and not more than 70 years.

8. Mt Everest to be remeasured by Survey of India:The Survey of India is planning to remeasure the height the world’s tallest peak Mount Everest. The Survey of India would be sending an expedition to Nepal in two months to conduct the exercise. The Mount Everest currently stands at a height of 8,848 metres (29,028 feet) above the sea level. The project is being undertaken to determine whether the peak as per the doubts of some sections of the scientific community has indeed shrunk following the devastating earthquake that hit Nepal two years ago.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. SAARC programming committee meeting held in Kathmandu: The two-day North East Seed Biodiversity Festival cum Workshop of Traditional Crops 2017 has begun in Agartala (Tripura).The chief guest for the function was Pabitra Kar ( Deputy Speaker, Tripura Legislative Assembly.)The festival cum workshop is organized by Development research and communication services center, jointly with the state agriculture department.

2. British PM Theresa May receives UK Parliament's approval to begin Brexit process: The British PM Theresa May has received Parliament's first stage approval to begin the process of Britain's exit from the European Union (EU) after winning a crucial vote in the House of Commons. Earlier, British MPs voted in favor of the European Union (Notification of withdrawal) Bill. 498 MPs voted in favor of Brexit Bill, while 114 voted against it

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1.  Medals for Tokyo 2020 Games to be made from recycled mobile phones:

Olympic and Paralympic medals for the Tokyo 2020 Games will be made from recycled mobile phones. Members of Japan's Olympic organizing committee gave the idea to the government officials and companies. The Japanese public will be asked to donate old phones and small appliances to gather two tonnes of gold, silver, and bronze for the 5,000 medals. Earlier, Olympic host cities have traditionally obtained the metal from mining firms.

2. India beat England by 75 runs to win T20 series 2-1:

In the third T-20 Cricket match, India beat England by 75 runs and clinched the series, 2-1. The visiting side chasing a big total of 203 were cleaned up for just 127 runs in 16.3 overs. Indian leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal took 6 wickets for 25 runs and became the first Indian in T-20 to take 5 wickets or more. Chahal was adjudged man of the match as well as the man of the series.

Daily GK Updates - 1st February, 2017

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Income Tax Department launches Operation Clean Money: The Income Tax Department (ITD) launched Operation Clean Money (Swachh Dhan Abhiyan), an e-platform to analyse large cash deposits made during the demonetisation window (9 November to 30 December 2016). Under it, e-verification of large cash has been done using data analytics for comparing the demonetisation data with information in ITD databases.

2. Textile Ministry inaugurates Meghalaya’s first ever Apparel and Garment Centre at Ampati: Meghalaya’s 1st ever Apparel and Garment Making Centre was inaugurated jointly by CM of Meghalaya Dr. Mukul Sangma and Union Textiles Minister Smriti Zubin Irani at Ampati in South West Garo Hills.

3.  India, Russia holds high-level consultations on counter-terrorism: India and Russia have held high-level consultations on counter-terrorism issues in New Delhi. Both sides shared views and assessment on the threats posed by increasing terrorist activities including India’s concern on state-sponsored, cross-border terrorism. The Indian delegation was led by Preeti Saran, Secretary (East) in the Union Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) while the Russian delegation was headed by Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Oleg V. Syromolotov.

4. Labour migration rose to 90 lakh over last 5 years: Economic Survey: According to Economic Survey 2016-17, the inter-state migration of workers in India has increased substantially to 90 lakh annually between 2011-16 period compared to the previous years. The estimate of labour migration in India was based analysis of census data of 2011 and railway passenger traffic in the unreserved category and new methodologies including the Cohort-based Migration Metric (CMM).

5. Union Cabinet gives nod to modify Scheduled Castes list in Odisha: The Union Cabinet had approved the amendments in the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950 to modify the list of SC in Odisha. It also approved amending the Constitution (Pondicherry) Scheduled Castes Order, 1964 to change the name of the Union territory to Puducherry from Pondicherry.

6. Economic Survey backs Universal Basic Income: It suggests that a more efficient way to help the poor will be to provide them resources directly, through a UBI. It will be an efficient substitute for a plethora of existing welfare schemes and subsidies.

7. Surajkund Mela begins in Haryana: The 31st Surajkund International Crafts Mela began in Faridabad, Haryana today. This year Jharkhand has been chosen as the theme state whereas Egypt is the partner country.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Mt. Everest to be remeasured by Survey of India: According to the Survey General of India, Swarna Subba Rao, the exercise is being done to understand plate movements and for scientific studies. Murmurs doing the round also say that the height of the peak has shrunk following the Nepal earthquake.

  

OTHER UPDATES:

BANKING:

1. Reliance Defence signs contract with Ministry of Defence to construct 14 fast track patrol vessels for Indian Coast Guard: The medium range, high speed vessels would be deployed for patrolling within the exclusive economic zone, anti-smuggling, costal surveillance, anti-piracy, search and rescue operations. It will also provide support as front-line warships during emergencies.

OBITUARIES:

2. E. Ahamed passes away: Former Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed passed away following a cardiac arrest.

Daily GK Updates - 31st January, 2017

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Economic Survey 2016-17 – Highlights:

Union finance Minister Arun Jaitley tabled the Economic Survey 2016-17 in Parliament budget session. The survey prepared by chief economic adviser in the finance ministry Arvind Subramanian. The survey projects the economy to grow in the range of 6.75% to 7.25% in fiscal year 2017-18 in the post-demonetisation year. It says that the adverse impact of demonetisation on GDP growth will be transitional. 

Major highlights from the Economic Survey 2016-17

Growth Forecast:

Gross domestic product (GDP) growth in 2016-17 pegged at 6.5%, down from 7.6% in last fiscal 2015-16.

Economic growth to rebound to 6.75 to 7.5% in 2017-18.

Farm sector to grow at 4.1% in 2016-17, up from 1.2% in 2015-16.

Growth rate of industrial sector estimated to moderate to 5.2% in 2016-17 from 7.4% in 2015-16.

Service sector is estimated to grow at 8.9% in 2016-17 GST, other structural reforms should take the growth rate trend  to 8-10%.

Taxation: Prescribes cut in individual Income Tax rates, real estate stamp duties.

IT net could be widened gradually by encompassing all high income earners.

Time table for cutting corporate tax should be accelerated. Tax administration could be improved to reduce discretion and improve accountability.

Goods and Services Tax (GST): Fiscal gains from GST will take time to realise.

Fiscal Deficit: Implementation of muted tax receipts, wage hike to put pressure on fiscal deficit in 2017-18. For fiscal health of the economy fiscal prudence for both centre and states is needed. Fiscal windfall from low oil prices to disappear in 2017-18.

Inflation: The average consumer price index (CPI) inflation rate declined to 4.9% in 2015-16 from 5.9% in 2014-15. CPI-based core inflation remained sticky around 5% in the 2016-17. Oil prices, seen rising by one-sixth in 2017-18 over the previous fiscal 2016-17 prices which could dampen India’s economic growth.

Monetary Policy: monetary easing headroom may be capped due to sharp rise in prices in 2017-18. Market interest rates seen lower in 2017-18 due to demonetisation. Government Debt to GDP ratio: It was 68.5% in 2016, down from 69.1% in 2015. Banking: Suggests setting up public sector asset rehabilitation agency (PSARA) to take charge of large bad loans in banks. With government backing, PSAR can overcome coordination and political issues on bad loans.

Demonetisation: The adverse impact of demonetisation on GDP growth will be transitional. It will affect growth rate by 0.25-0.5%, but to have long-term benefits It may affect supplies of certain agricultural products like sugar, milk, potatoes and onions. Remonetisation will ensure that the cash squeeze is eliminated by April 2017. Universal Basic Income (UBI): Advocates the concept of UBI as an alternative to the various social welfare schemes in an effort to reduce poverty. It will be alternative to plethora of state subsidies for poverty alleviation. UBI would cost between 4 and 5% of GDP.

2. BNHS launches climate change programme in Central Himalayas: The Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) has launched climate change programme to assess the status, distribution and conservation of finches and pheasants in the Central Himalayas. The first study will be funded by Oracle and facilitated by CAF-India.

Currently, there are nearly 50 species of pheasants and 62 species of finches in the Indian subcontinent. Several of these species are listed under the ‘Globally Threatened’ category created by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

3. Vampire star caught in the act by Indian space observatory ASTROSAT: India’s first dedicated space observatory ASTROSAT has captured the rare phenomenon of a 6 billion year old Vampire star preying on a bigger celestial body. The Findings were published in the journal Astrophysical Journal Letters in the fourth week of January 2017. The findings were made by a team of scientists from IIA, Inter-University Centre of Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA).

4. Union Government launches Sparsh Leprosy Awareness Campaign: The Union Government on 30 January 2017 launched nationwide Sparsh Leprosy Awareness Campaign (SLAC). The Campaign was launched on the occasion of Anti-Leprosy Day. The Anti-Leprosy Day is observed annually in the memory of Mahatma Gandhi to rememorize his selfless efforts and care for the people affected by leprosy.

5. North East Seed biodiversity festival begins in Agartala : The two-day North East Seed Biodiversity Festival cum Workshop of Traditional Crops 2017 has begun in Agartala (Tripura).The chief guest for the function was Pabitra Kar ( Deputy Speaker, Tripura Legislative Assembly.)

6. Beti Bachao Beti Padhao - no provision for individual cash transfer component: Union Govt has clarified that Beti Bachao Beti Padhao has no provision for individual cash transfer component. The clarification came following reports that certain unauthorized sites, organisations, NGOs and individuals are distributing forms in the name of cash incentive under the scheme.

7. UberMOTO launches service in Hyderabad: Cab-hailing firm Uber has launched two-wheeler aggregation service UberMOTO in Hyderabad. The firm, which has signed an agreement with the Hyderabad Metro Rail Ltd recently, formally launched the services. Using the app, people can hire two-wheelers for short-distance commute at cheaper rates.

8. 12^th Raising Day of NDRF observed:  National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team has observed 12th Raising Day celebrations.

9. Finance Ministry to aid Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh for rail safety:
The Union Finance Ministry has agreed to contribute partially to a new dedicated railway safety fund named as ‘Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh’ in the upcoming Union Budget 2017-18.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. H-1B reform bill introduced in US House of Representatives: Legislation has been introduced in the US House of Representatives which, among other things, calls for more than doubling the minimum salary of H-1B visa holders to 130,000 dollars. The current H-1B minimum wage is 60,000 dollars. This will make it more difficult for firms to use the program to replace American employees with foreign workers, including from India. 

2. Miss France Iris Mittenaere crowned Miss Universe 2016: Miss France Iris Mittenaere has been crowned Miss Universe, 2016 securing victory over the 85 other contestants in the final of the 65th ceremony of the world famous beauty pageant, in suburban Pasay city, south of Manila, Philippines. Iris Mittenaere of France received the crown from Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach, while Raquel Pelissier of Haiti and Andrea Tovar of Colombia became the first and second runners-up respectively.

3. Moussa Faki Mahamat named as AU Commission chair : Chad's Moussa Faki Mahamat has been elected as the new chairperson of the African Union Commission, in a vote held at the bloc's headquarters in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa on 30^th Jan 2017.

4. Tsar, the rare tiger-lion offspring: An extremely rare cross between a tiger and a lion has been born in a travelling zoo in southern Russia, one of only a few dozen of the animals believed to exist. Named Tsar, the two-month-old liger cub, is the offspring of a tigress Princess and lion Caesar. Ligers (Lion + Tiger) can grow to be the biggest cat in the animal kingdom, weighing more than 400 kilograms. A liger called Hercules in the United States is currently listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the biggest feline in the world, at a weight of 418 kilograms and length of 3.33 metres.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. Dushyant Chautala appointed President of Table Tennis Federation of India: Dushyant Chautala on 30 January 2017 was appointed the President of the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI).

2. PV Sindhu wins Syed Modi Grand Prix Gold Title: Top seed Olympic silver medallist PV Sindhu has won her maiden women's singles crown at the Syed Modi Grand Prix Gold badminton tournament at the Babu Banarasi Das Indoor Stadium in Lucknow (UP).

BANKING/FINANCE:

3. India Post Payments Bank starts pilot services: India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) kicked off its operations by rolling out pilot services in Raipur and Ranchi.

AWARDS:

4. Priyanka Chopra among 150 most fashionable women: Indian actress Priyanka Chopra, who has been turning heads on the red carpet with her elegant choice of outfits, has made it to the list of Harper's Bazaar's 150 most fashionable women.

OBITUARIES:

5. Hollywood Legend & Harry Porter actor John Hurt dies at 77 : The versatile actor Sir John Hurt, who could move audiences to tears in The Elephant Man, terrify them in Alien, and spoof that very same scene in Spaceballs, has died. He was 77.Twice nominated for an Oscar for playing the tortured John Merrick in David Lynch's The Elephant Man and for his role as the heroin addict Max in Midnight Express. 

Daily GK Updates - 30th January, 2017

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. SC appoints Committee of Administrators headed by Vinod Rai to run BCCI: The Supreme Court has appointed former Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) Vinod Rai as head of four-member Committee of Administrators to run Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

2. Karnataka government to amend law for conducting "Kambala": The Karnataka government has decided to bring an amendment to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (PCA), 1960 for conducting traditional sports of Kambala and bull-cart race in the State.

Kambala is an annual traditional Buffalo Race (he-buffalo) held in coastal districts of Karnataka to entertain rural people of the area. Slushy/marshy paddy field track is used for Kambala. The sports season generally starts in November and lasts till March.

3. Atomic clocks on indigenous navigation satellite IRNSS-1A develops snag: The atomic clocks on the first satellite IRNSS-1A of the NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation), the indigenously built satellite-based positioning system, has developed a technical snag. One of the three crucial rubidium timekeepers (atomic clock) on IRNSS-1A satellites failed six months ago and the other two followed subsequently. ISRO will soon launch one of its back up navigation satellites as a replacement to IRNSS-1A satellite.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Seven new countries join BEPS agreement: Seven new countries Lithuania, Gabon, Hungary, Indonesia, Malta, Mauritius and Russia – have signed Multilateral Competent Authority Agreement for Country-by-Country Reporting (CbC MCAA). With this, the total number of signatories has increased to 57 including India (signed in May 2015). CbC MCAA is a tax co-operation agreement to enable automatic sharing of country-by-country information.

OTHER UPDATES:

BANKING:

1. IndiaPost gets payments bank licence from RBI: IndiaPost under Department of Posts (Union Ministry of Communications and Information Technology) received final payments bank licence from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). With this, India Post became the third entity after Bharti Airtel and Paytm to receive final payments bank licence to roll-out of banking operations commercially under the permit.

Daily GK Updates - 29th January, 2017

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. India Post becomes 3^rd entity to receive licence to start payment bank operations: IndiaPost has become the third entity to receive a final license last week from the Central Bank to start its payment bank operations. Country’s largest telecom service provider BhartiAirtel and digital payments firm Paytm are the other two to have received the license while only Airtel has started operations so far.

2. National Immunization Day: 29^th January 2017: Today (29th January 2017) is National Immunization Day. President Pranab Mukherjee has launched the countrywide programme for 2017 by administering polio drops to children aged below five years at a function in RashtrapatiBhavan. The programme will cover around 17 crore children aged under five years in an effort to maintain the country's polio-free status.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Denmark to appoint world’s first ‘digital ambassador’: Denmark has announced it will appoint a 'digital ambassador' to manage its relationship with technology giants like Google and Apple, becoming the first country to do so. "Such companies have become a type of new nations and we need to confront that," said Denmark's Foreign Minister Anders Samuelsen. The companies' market values are large enough to enter G20, he added.

2. Alibaba’s financial arm acquires MoneyGram: Ant Financial, e-commerce giant Alibaba’s financial arm, has reached an agreement to acquire American money-transfer major MoneyGram for $880 million, in a deal that will expand the firm’s business in the US after India and Thailand.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. 2017 Australian Open: Roger Federer wins men’s title: For the first time since 2010, Roger Federer has won the Australian Open, beating long-time rival Rafael Nadal in the finals in Melbourne, Australia on 29th January 2017. Federer won a closely contested five-set showdown, 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3.

2. Australian Open: Serena beats sister Venus for record 23^rd slam title: In Australian Open tennis, Serena Williams beat her sister Venus Williams in the final today to win her 23rd Grand Slam singles title. The dominant American swept past her rival 6-4, 6-4 on Rod Laver Arena to finally clinch the record for Open-era major titles, nearly 18 years after winning her first.