Daily GK Updates - 4th February, 2017

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1.  NEET 2017 to be counted as first attempt: CBSE

The National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) Under Graduate 2017 for admission to medical colleges across the country will be considered as the first out of three available attempts for all candidates. The Medical Council of India has clarified that the attempts made by candidates for All India Pre-Medical Test/NEET prior to 2017 should not be counted. All candidates who could not fill up the application form due to the condition of three attempts at AIPMT/NEET will now be able to fill up their application form. The exam will be conducted in 10 different languages on 7th May.

2. Air India to start 3 flights a week non-stop from Delhi to Washington:

Air India (AI) will start three non-stop flights a week from New Delhi to Dulles International Airport in the suburb of Washington DC (USA) this summer.

The move will bring 30,000 people from India to America every year for economic, commercial and family purposes. The direct flights will attract students from India to come and study at universities in Virginia and other parts of the United States.

3 President Pranab Mukherjee to open annual Udyanotsav of Rashtrapati Bhavan:

Today, President Pranab Mukherjee has opened the annual ‘Udyanotsav’ of the Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi. The highlights of this year’s ‘Udyanotsav’ include two new varieties of roses named after President Mukherjee and his late wife Suvra Mukherjee. Mughal gardens in Rashtrapati Bhavan to be open for public from today.

About 14,000 Tulip bulbs in seven different colors have been planted in Mughal Gardens. Flower Carpets in magnificent designs will be on display in the Central Lawns revealing the skill and craft of the gardeners of Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Note: The Mughal Gardens will remain open for general public from 12 February to 19 March, (except on Mondays) between 9.30 AM to 4 PM. About 4.68 lakh people had visited Mughal Gardens last year.

4. Indian Navy launches underwater harbour defence and surveillance system: Indian Navy has launched an Integrated Underwater Harbour Defence and Surveillance System (IUHDSS) in Mumbai, Maharashtra to enhance the security of valuable naval assets against asymmetric threats. It was inaugurated by Vice Admiral Girish Luthra, Flag Officer Commanding- in-Chief, Western Naval Command. It is third IUHDSS to be installed in India. 

5. Railway Ministry, Italy’s FS group sign MOU for technical cooperation
The Union Ministry of Railways and Italy’s public sector rail company Ferrovie Dello Stato Italiane Group (FS Group) has signed MoU for technical cooperation in rail sector especially in the area of safety and modernisation. The MoU comes in the backdrop of emphasis given Railway Ministry on safety in railway operation. The Railway Board has been directed to collaborate with the international experts to identify the best practices for rail safety.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. World’s smallest pacemaker unveiled in US: Scientists for the first time have successfully implanted world’s smallest pacemaker dubbed as Micra Transcatheter Pacing System (TPS) in a patient in United States. The pacemaker about size of large vitamin capsule is for patients with bradycardia, a condition characterised by a slow heart rate, usually fewer than 60 beats per minute.

2. NASA’s Juno spacecraft completes fourth flyby of Jupiter: NASA’s solar-powered Juno spacecraft completed closest flyby of Jupiter mysterious cloud tops for the fourth time. All eight of Juno’s science instruments were switched on during the flyby. During its closest approach it was roughly 4,300 km above Jupiter’s cloud tops and travelled at a speed of about 208,000 kmph. Currently, Juno is locked in a 53-day orbit around Jupiter. It is expected to perform three dozen flybys over the next one and a half years. During its flybys, Juno probes beneath the cloud cover of Jupiter and studies Jupiter’s auroras to learn more about its origins, structure, atmosphere and magnetosphere

3. February 4: World Cancer Day: The World Cancer Day (WCD) is observed every year on 4 February across the world to raise awareness of cancer and to encourage its prevention, detection, and treatment. The theme (tagline) between 2016 and 2018 WCD is “We can. I can”. It reflects on what everyone can do to raise awareness of cancer and asks to take pledge and action in fight against cancer. Special three-year campaign for the World Cancer Day 2016-2018 seeks to explore how everyone- as individuals or as a collective – can do their part to reduce the burden of cancer globally.

4. Mexico, Turkey agree to speed up negotiations for free trade agreement

 Mexico and Turkey have agreed to speed up negotiations for a free trade agreement in the wake of protectionist threats from US President Donald Trump.

Both countries have agreed to give a faster impetus to the search for an agreement.

He also proposed to strengthen the MIKTA forum, a political and trade forum that includes Mexico, Indonesia, South Korea, Turkey and Australia. US,Canada and Mexico are preparing to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) as demanded by Mr Trump, who calls the pact a catastrophe for his country.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1.  India lead New Zealand 2-0 in Davis Cup: In the Asia /Oceania Group-I Davis Cup tie India has taken a 2-0 lead against New Zealand at Pune. Yuki Bhambri defeated Finn Tearney, 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 and Ramanathan beat Jose Statham 6-3, 6-4, 6-3. Today, Leander Paes will play alongside Vishnu Vardhan to seal the tie for the hosts. Leander Paes eying a world record 43 doubles wins in the Davis Cup history.

2.  Pankaj Advani wins his 29th National Snooker Championship title: Pankaj Advani (31-year) has won the Indian National Snooker Championship with a 6-0 win over Pandurangaiah of Railways. Now, he has become the only Indian men's cueist to be the holder of all national billiards and snooker titles at the same time - Billiards, 6-red Snooker and 15-red Snooker. The final top 3 standings of the National Snooker Championships are Pankaj Advani , Pandurangaiah ,Malkeet Singh.

AWARDS:

3. Lucideus wins Best IT Startup of India award

An IT risk assessment and digital security services provider startup company Lucideus has bagged the government’s ‘Best IT Startup of India’ Lucideus is behind the security for BHIM (Bharat Interface for Money) app, an Aadhaar-based mobile payment platform. The company bagged the award under the IT and ITES (IT-Enabled Services) category at the National Entrepreneurship Award 2016 organized here by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. (Note: Lucideus has been co-founded by its CEO Saket Modi and was incubated out of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Bombay.)

OBITUARIES:

4. . Former CBI chief Joginder Singh passes away

Former Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) chief Joginder Singh (77 years) has passed away after prolong illness. Singh,1961 batch IPS officer of Karnataka cadre was chosen to head the premier investigative agency CBI on July 31, 1996. He oversaw the investigation of several high-profile cases including Bofors scam, Bihar's fodder scam, the JMM MPs bribery scandal, Urea scam, telecom deals by the then Union minister Sukh Ram and others. He was a prolific writer and penned over 25 books on various subjects after retiring from the service.

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.