Daily GK Updates : 3rd April, 2017

­­­­NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Government launches BS-IV grade fuels:  Government has formally launched Bharat Stage-IV (BS-IV) grade transportation fuel across the country to keep carbon emission in check. The launch came days after the Supreme Court banned sale and registration of BS-III vehicles from 1 April, 2017. It sets target of ushering in BS-VI fuel by April 2020 by skipping BS-V fuel.  All state-run oil marketing companies will provide BS-IV-compliant fuel at their 53,500 retail fuel stations across the country.

2. PM Narendra Modi inaugurates India’s longest road tunnel in Jammu & Kashmir: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Chenani-Nashri Tunnel, country’s longest road tunnel that links Kashmir Valley with Jammu by an all-weather route. The 9-km-long tunnel passes through the lower Himalayan mountain range on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway 44. It cuts the distance between Jammu and Srinagar to around 250 km from the current 350 km.

3. Myanmar becomes 7th member of SASEC: Myanmar became the 7th member of South Asia Sub-regional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) program of Asian Development Bank (ADB). It was officially made member at the SASEC Finance Ministers’ meeting held in New Delhi and chaired by Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.

4. Government launches PowerTex India scheme for powerlooms: The Union Ministry of Textiles has launched PowerTex India, a three-year comprehensive scheme for Powerloom Sector Development. The PowerTex India scheme aims to boost common infrastructure and modernisation of the powerloom sector in the country.

5. 19th commonwealth forestry conference to begin in Uttarakhand: Today, 19th Commonwealth Forestry Conference (CFC) 2017 has been inaugurated by the Uttarakhand Governor, K.K. Paul at Forest Research Institute (FRI) in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. The 5-day conference is being organized on the theme ‘Forests for Prosperity and Posterity’. The international conference is being organized in association with the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change and Commonwealth Forestry Association of UK.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Myanmar becomes the seventh member of SASEC: Myanmar has become the 7th member of South Asia sub-regional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) program of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). It was officially made member at the SASEC Finance Ministers’ meeting held in New Delhi and chaired by Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.

2. Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak Visits India: Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak on a six day visit to India was given the ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi by India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Narendra Modi visited Malaysia in November 2015.

3. Germany '1st NATO member' to launch cyber command:  Germany is the first NATO state to launch a “self-contained” cyber command unit designed to shield IT and weapons systems from growing attacks. The Bundeswehr’s Cyber and Information Space (CIR) boasts a status equal to that of the army, navy, and air force.
German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen announced the creation of the cyber command two years ago in a bid to protect the military from mounting online attacks.
About Germany: Western European country
Capital: Berlin
Currency: Euro
President: Frank-Walter Steinmeier
Chancellor: Angela Merkel

4. 1st-ever civilian nuclear-powered submarine designed in Russia: Russian scientists are developing first ever civilian nuclear-powered submarine to conduct seismological surveys and search for natural resources under ice in the Arctic, the Russian Foundation for Advanced Research Projects (RFARP) said.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1.  P.V. Sindhu lifts India Open badminton title 2017: The Rio Olympic silver-medallist Indian shuttler P.V. Sindhu (21-year) has defeated top seed Carolina Marin (Spain) in straight sets 21-19, 21-16 at the India Open badminton championship 2017 at the Siri Fort Sports Complex in New Delhi. Sindhu had last defeated Marin in the BWF Super Series in Dubai last year. Earlier, Sindhu entered into the final after beaten Saina Nehwal (India). Carolina Marin defeated the Akane Yamaguchi (Japan) in the other semifinals.

2. Roger Federer wins Miami Open 2017: Swiss professional tennis player Roger Federer has won Miami open 2017, defeating Rafael Nadal (Spain) in the final 6–3, 6–4 at Crandon Park in Key Biscayne, Florida, United States.

It is Federer's 26th Masters 1000 singles title of his career and the 91 singles title overall.

3. Paes wins the first title of the season in Challenger tournament: Indian professional tennis player Leander Paes & Canadian Adil Shamasdin has won the first title of the season Leon Challenger Tour tennis tournament's men's doubles trophy after a straight-set win in Mexico. They defeated  Luca Margaroli (Switzerland) and Caro Zampieri (Brazil) 6-1, 6-4 in the title clash.

With this win, Paes clinched his 20th ATP Challenger title.

BUSINESS & FINANCE:

4.  Five State Banks & Bharatiya Mahila Bank merge with SBI: The five associates banks (State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur, State Bank of Hyderabad, State Bank of Mysore, State Bank of Patiala and State Bank of Travancore) and the Bharatiya Mahila Bank became part of the State Bank of India. Now, SBI catapulting the country's largest lender to among the top 50 banks in the world. The total customer base of the bank has reached 37 crores with a branch network of  around 24,000 and nearly 59,000 ATMs across the country. The merged entity will have a deposit base of more than 26 lakh crore rupees and advance levels of 50 lakh crore rupees.

5. Tax evasion over Rs. 5-crore will be non-bailable offense under new GST regime: A tax evasion of over five crore rupees under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime would be non-bailable offense. The union government has set a target date of 1st of July for roll-out of the GST, which will subsume central excise, service tax, VAT, and other local levies. Cognizable offense means a serious category of offenses in respect of which a police officer has the authority to make an arrest without a warrant and to start an investigation with or without the permission of a court. The Central GST (CGST) and State GST (SGST) Act have empowered the officers from Police, Railways, Customs, village officers, and any other government officers to assist CGST and SGST officers under the GST regime.

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Daily GK Updates : 2nd April, 2017

­­­NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. PM Narendra Modi inaugurates Asia's longest tunnel: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated the 9.2 km long Chenani-Nashri all-weather road tunnel on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.  The road tunnel will reduce the travel time between the two state capitals of Jammu and Srinagar by approximately two hours.The two-lane Chenani-Nashri tunnel is Asia's longest bi-directional highway tunnel, which will cut the distance between Jammu and Srinagar to around 250 km from the current 350 km. The world's sixth road tunnel has a transverse ventilation system enabled and controlled by ABB software. It also boasts features like Integrated Traffic Control System (ITCS), Video Surveillance System, FM Rebroadcast System, Entrance Detection Control System and Active Firefighting System. There are 124 closed-circuit TV cameras for surveillance inside the tunnel. In case of a traffic violation, the control room will inform the traffic police deployed outside the tunnel, who will fine the violators on the spot. 

2. Second annual meeting of BRICS New Development Bank held in New Delhi: A new financial order built by the emerging BRICS economies of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. New Delhi is playing host to Second Annual Meeting of the New Development Bank (NDB) also known colloquially as BRICS bank. This is the first time the meet is happening in India. MOUs were signed between NDB and European Investment Bank (EIB), European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) and International Investment Bank (IIB).  India has sought USD 2 billion loans for various projects from the NDB. India has also signed a 350 million dollar loan agreement with NDB for financing Development and Upgradation of Major District Roads in Madhya Pradesh.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. .World Autism Awareness Day: 02nd April 2017: The World Autism Awareness Day 2017 has been observed across the world on 2 April 2017.  The theme for this year is "Toward Autonomy and Self-Determination".  World Autism Awareness Day is an internationally recognised day, encouraging Member States of the United Nations to take measures to raise awareness about children with autism throughout the world.

2.  American singer & song writer Bob Dylan accepts Nobel literature award: American singer and song writer Bob Dylan has finally accepted his Nobel Prize for literature, more than three months after the awards ceremony.  The academy, which awards the coveted prize, ended prolonged speculation as to whether the 75-year-old troubadour would use a concert stopover in Stockholm to accept the gold medal and diploma awarded to him. They were handed to Dylan at a "private ceremony in Stockholm, Sweden" attended by 12 academy members and Sara Danius, the academy's permanent secretary.

3. NDB invests $1.5 billion in 7 projects in 2 years of operation: The BRICS-backed New Development Bank (NDB) has invested in seven projects totaling $1.5 billion in about two years of its operation. NDB began operations in July 2015. Seven projects have been done so far which aggregate around $1.5 billion. Six of them are in the renewable energy sector and one in transport financing. The New Development Bank was created with an objective of financing infrastructure and sustainable development projects in BRICS and other emerging economies and developing countries.  The Bank seeks to complement the efforts of other multilateral development institutions. And, it also seeks to establish a network of global, regional and local partnerships with multilateral and national development banks as well as other institutions and market players.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. Jepkosgei smashes three world records at Prague Half Marathon: Kenya's Joyciline Jepkosgei has broken the world half marathon record as well as the 10km and 15km marks at the Prague Half Marathon on the way to winning the IAAF Gold Label Road Race in one hour, four minutes and 52 seconds. The 23-year-old, who was competing in just her fifth half marathon, clocked splits of 30:05 and 45:37 to improve the 10km and 15km world records. Defending champion Violah Jepchumba of Kenya finished second in 65:22, with Fancy Chemutai third.

BUSINESS & FINANCE:

2. Post merger, SBI begins operations as unified entity: The State Bank of India, the country's largest lender has started functioning as unified entity from 01st April 2017 post merger of its five associate banks, besides Bharatiya Mahila Bank. The five associate banks merged with the SBI are State Bank of Bikaner & Jaipur, State Bank of Hyderabad, State Bank of Mysore, State Bank of Patiala and State Bank of Travancore. With the merger, the SBI joins the league of top 50 banks globally in terms of assets.  ii. The total customer base of the bank reaches 37 crore with a branch network of around 24,000 and nearly 59,000 ATMs across the country. The merged entity now has a deposit base of more than Rs 26 lakh-crore and advances level of Rs 18.50 lakh crore. 

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Daily GK Updates : 1st April, 2017

­NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. India becomes associate member of IEA: India, world’s 3rd largest energy consumer has joined International Energy Association (IAE) as associate member. India will also now have a greater say in global energy issues. With India as a associate member, IEA now formally covers 70% of the world’s energy consumption, thus increasing its relevance.

2. Cabinet approves ratification of 2 ILO conventions on prohibiting child labour: The Union Cabinet has given its approval for ratification of two fundamental conventions of International Labour Organization (ILO) concerning with Child Labour. They are Minimum Age Convention (No 138) and Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention (No 182). Now these conventions will be legally binding.

3. Barmer-Munawab, Pipad Road-Bilara rail routes declared as Green Corridors: The North Western Railway has declared the Barmer-Munawab and Pipad Road-Bilara rail routes in Rajasthan as Green Corridors. With this total number of green corridors has increased to five. The 114-km-long Manamadurai– Rameswaram stretch of Southern Railway was India’s first ‘Green corridor’. Okha-Kanalus and Porbandar-Wasjaliya railway sections of Gujarat also have been declared green corridors.

4. CCEA approves amendments in Mega Power Policy 2009: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved amendments in the Mega Power Policy, 2009 to push 31 GW stranded projects entailing an investment of Rs 1.5 lakh crore. The initiative mainly aims at bringing down power tariff for making electricity more affordable and achieving the ambitious goal of 24X7 power for all.

5. CCEA allows unrestricted export of all certified organic agricultural products: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved removal of all quantitative ceilings on individual organic products and allowed unrestricted exports of all organic and organic processed products. The removal of quantitative ceilings will be irrespective of any existing or future restriction/prohibition on the export of their basic product (non-organic). However, in respect of organic pulses and lentils, the quantitative ceiling on exports will continue but enhanced from the existing 10,000 MT per annum (MTPA) to 50,000 MTPA. in view of their acute shortage in the country.

6. CCEA approves amendment to New Urea Policy-2015: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has given its approval for amendment in Para 5 of New Urea Policy (NUP), 2015. The amendment is related to the production beyond Re-Assessed Capacity (RAC) and inclusion of Para 8 in NUP 2015 to protect the production beyond RAC by urea units and boost indigenous urea production in the country. 

7. Government launched two mobile apps- echallan and mParivahan: The government has launched two mobile apps, echallan and mParivahan, that provide access to various services and information, and enable citizens to report any traffic violation or road accident. 'eChallan' is an integrated enforcement solution to manage traffic violations. 'mParivahan' is an empowering app for the citizen which provides access to various services, information and utilities related to the transport sector.

8.  Vanaja N. Sarna - New Chairperson of CBEC: Vanaja N. Sarna (Internal Revenue Service:1980) has been appointed as the Chairman of Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC). She has replaced Najib Shah. Sarna has served Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) in several capacities over the last 36 years.

9.  IIT-Madras signs MoU with Indian Army: The Indian Army has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M). The objective of the agreement is to identify and enhance the critical technological areas that can be enhanced in the armed forces.

10. Govt decides to liberalize e-visa regime from existing 30 days to 4 months: Today, India has decided to liberalize e-visa regime by increasing the time limit for seeking the entry permit from existing 30 days to a maximum of four months. The duration of stay for foreigners, coming into the country through select categories of e-visa, has also been extended to two months.  The liberalization of the visa regime will considerably facilitate entry of foreigners into India for tourism, business, and medical purposes. Under the new simplified visa regime, three new sub-categories (e-tourist visa, e-business visa, and e-medical visa) for grant of e-visa.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1.  Mega-conference of world parliamentarians begins in Dhaka: Today, Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina has inaugurated the 4-day mega Conference of world parliamentarians in Dhaka. She has also released a commemorative stamp and launch the IPU web television. Around 687 members of 131 national parliaments around the world are participating in the conference. The conference promising to focus on ways and means to end political & economic inequality and uphold democracy and human rights. The Conference will also adopt a resolution to guarantee the financial inclusion of women as drivers of development.

2. Japan commits 371 bn yen assistance for infra projects in India: Japan has committed an 'Official Development Assistance' (ODA) of 371.345 billion yen (about Rs 21,590 crore) under 2016-2017 for various infrastructure projects, including the dedicated freight corridor, in India. The notes in this regard were exchanged in New Delhi between S Selvakumar, Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs and Kenji Hiramatsu, Ambassador of Japan to India.

3. Radhamohan Singh to inaugurate International center for Foot and Mouth Disease: Today, the Union Agriculture Minister 'Radha Mohan Singh' has inaugurated an International research centre for Foot and Mouth disease of cattle and buffalos at Argul,(Khurda district) Odisha. The research center has been constructed in joint collaboration of UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation & Indian Council of Agricultural Research to conduct research on the viral disease of cattle and buffaloes. The research center has the facility for safe handling and storage of live Foot and Mouth disease virus that essentially is required for control of the disease. This center will also serve as a regional resource laboratory for countries of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).

                       OTHER UPDATES:

BUSINESS & FINANCE:

1. RBI to set up separate Enforcement department: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will set up a separate enforcement department to monitor banks in case they violate regulations. The Enforcement Department will start operations from 1^st April, 2017. The department will develop a broad policy for enforcement and initiate action against the regulated entities for violation consistent with such policy.

2. Withdrawal of service charge on e-tickets of train extended till 30th June: According to Railway ministry, the withdrawal of service charge on online booking of train tickets has been extended upto 30^th June 2017 to promote the use of digital modes of payment. Earlier, the union government had decided to give incentive to the passengers for booking tickets online by withdrawing service charge on them from 23^rd November, 2016 to 31^st March, 2017.

3. India signs First Loan Agreement with New Development Bank: India has signed a loan agreement with the New Development Bank (NDB) for USD 350 million funding for a project involving development and up gradation of major district roads (approx 1,500 km) in Madhya Pradesh. The objective of the project is to up gradation of major district roads in the state to improve connectivity with the national and state highway networks. This is the first loan agreement for the New Development Bank assisted project in India.

4. Karnataka Bank & SBI Card launch co-branded credit card: The Karnataka Bank Limited and SBI Card have launched co-branded credit cards ‘Karnataka Bank Platinum SBI Card’ and ‘Karnataka Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card’ for the customers of Karnataka Bank.‘Karnataka Bank Platinum SBI Card’ has been designed keeping in mind the premium customers, offers features in line with their lifestyle and spending patterns. ‘Karnataka Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card’ is aimed at value-conscious consumers and offers rewards and features that enable customers to maximise their savings on their regular spends.

 

HONOURS & AWARDS:

5. Awards for Transformation Leadership: Chandrababu Naidu selected for US-Business Council award of  "Transformative Chief Minister." The electronics and IT secretary Aruna Sundarrajan would also receive Transformation leadership awards at the Summit.

6. 'Barmer-Munawab' & 'Pipad Road-Bilara' rail routes declared as Green Corridors: The North-Western Railway has declared the ‘Barmer-Munawab (119 km)’ and ‘Pipad Road-Bilara (41 km)’ in Rajasthan, rail routes as Green Corridors. The trains in the section have been equipped with bio-toilets to ensure zero discharge of human waste on the rail tracks under the ‘Swachh Rail-Swachh Bharat’ initiative. Now, the total number of green corridors has increased to three.

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