Daily GK Updates : 4th April, 2017

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. No of beneficiaries under Ujjwala Yojana crosses 2 crore mark: Government: The number of beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana for providing free of cost LPG (cooking gas) connections to BPL households has crossed 2 crore mark since its launch in May 2016.  The success of the scheme shows that how it is serving as a novel means of women empowerment and achieving the goals of providing clean fuel and a better life to the people.

2. DAC approves proposals to buy Barak missiles for naval warships: The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) of the Union Defence Ministry has approved proposal to procure fresh batch of Barak surface-to-air missiles (SAM) for the Indian Navy’s warships from Israel. The procurement of the missiles will enhance India’s maritime capability in view of the changing security dynamics in the Indian Ocean region (IOR).

3. IISc ranked India’s top university in 2017 NIRF Survey: The Indian Institute of Sciences (IISc), Bengaluru was adjudged as the best Indian university in the 2017 National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) released by Union Human Resource Development Ministry. This year it is second edition NIRF survey and was released as part of the India Rankings 2017 for the Educational Institutions.

4. India, Malaysia inks 7 agreements: India and Malaysia have inked seven agreements to foster deeper relationship between the two countries. The agreements were exchanged in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Malaysian counterpart Najib Abdul Razak in New Delhi who was on six day state visit to India.

5. Government launches Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana in Nellore:  The Union Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment has launched Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana in Nellore District of Andhra Pradesh. The Scheme aims at providing physical aids and assisted-living devices for senior citizens belonging to Below Poverty Line (BPL) category.

6. Government withdraws subsidy to mild hybrid vehicles under FAME scheme: The Union Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises has withdrawn subsidy given to mild hybrid vehicles under FAME India (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric vehicles in India) scheme.  Earlier, mild hybrid, strong hybrid, plug-in hybrid and pure electric vehicles were given incentives under the FAME India scheme. 

7. SASEC countries pledges to improve intra-regional connectivity to boost trade & tourism: India and six other South Asian countries of South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) have pledged to improve intra-regional connectivity to boost trade and tourism. Decision in this regard was taken at the Finance ministers of India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Myanmar meeting held in New Delhi to reshape SASEC.  They also came out with the SASEC Vision for 2025 and adopted operational plan 2016-25.

8. Madhya Pradesh CM launches ‘MP e-nagarpalika’ app: The Madhya Pradesh chief minister ‘Shivraj Singh Chouhan’ has launched an app named “MP e-NagarPalika” to provide various municipal services online in the state. The primary goal of the project is to provide municipal services to citizens through multiple service delivery channels and ensure accessible, convenient, transparent, and timely delivery of services. The Citizens can file online complaints and subsequently track the status of their complaints online and apply online for Birth, marriage, and Death Registration.

9. J&K bans polythene manufactured below 50 microns: The Jammu & Kashmir state government has imposed ban on the use of polythene bags manufactured below fifty microns in the state. The new guidelines and regulations would facilitate proper recycling of plastic waste, reducing its impact on the ecology.

10. Union Textiles Minister launches PowerTex India Scheme: The union Textiles minister Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani has launched a comprehensive scheme for power loom sector development ‘PowerTex India’ in Bhiwandi, Thane district, Maharashtra. The scheme will especially benefit small power loom weavers. PowerTex India van was also flagged off for publicity of PowerTex scheme across the country.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Scientists identify fungus that eats plastic: Scientists from Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) have identified a soil fungus Aspergillus tubingensis that uses enzymes to rapidly break down plastic materials. The plastic-eating fungus was found Islamabad, Pakistan. The new discovery in an advance can help to deal with plastic waste problem that threatens our environment in safer and more effective way

2. SASEC countries pledges to improve intra-regional connectivity to boost trade & tourism: India and six other South Asian countries of South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) have pledged to improve intra-regional connectivity to boost trade and tourism. Decision in this regard was taken at the Finance ministers of India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Myanmar meeting held in New Delhi to reshape SASEC.  They also came out with the SASEC Vision for 2025 and adopted operational plan 2016-25.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. FIFA bans former Guatemala FA president Brayan Jimenez for life: FIFA (International Federation of Association Football) has banned Guatemala's former football chief ‘Brayan Jimenez’ for life from all football-related activities at national and international level. He was banned for accepting bribes worth several hundred thousand dollars in exchange for media and marketing rights for key matches.

BUSINESS & BANKING:

2. Income Tax communication between AO and taxpayer now online: Income Tax department-related proceedings between the taxpayer and the tax man from the new fiscal will be conducted online. This is a part of its initiative to minimise human interface between the assesse and the Assessing Officer (AO) thereby reducing complaints of harassment and corruption. A new link or window called 'e-proceeding' will soon be introduced on the e-filing website of the department, which is used by taxpayers to file their Income Tax Returns (ITRs) at present.

3. SBI cuts lending rates by 0.15%: The State Bank of India (SBI) has reduced its benchmark lending rate by 0.15 %.The minimum lending rate (Base rate) of the bank has been reduced from 9.25 percent to 9.1 %.  With this reduction, EMIs for the bank's new as well as existing borrowers who have taken housing or car loans at the base rate will come down by at least 0.15 per cent.

OBITUARIES:

4. Hindustani classical vocalist ‘Kishori Amonkar’ passes away: Renowned Hindustani classical vocalist ‘Kishori Amonkar’ (84-years) passed away in Mumbai after a brief illness. Amonka was considered one of the pre-eminent representatives of Hindustani tradition and as an innovative exponent of the ‘Jaipur Gharana’ (musical tradition of Jaipur). She was a performer of the classical genre khyal and the light classical genres ‘thumri’ and ‘bhajan’.

5. British black power activist ‘Darcus Howe’ passes away: Britain’s one of the most prominent black activists of his generation ‘Darcus Howe’ (74-year) passed away due to cancer. ‘Howe’ was a leader of the UK’s little-chronicled black power movement. He battled institutional racism and challenged the prevailing view that racism wasn't a problem in modern-day Britain.

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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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