Daily GK Updates - 14th December, 2017

NATIONAL UPDATES

1. India's submarine ‘INS Kalvari’ inducted in Indian Navy: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has commissioned India's modern conventional submarine ‘INS Kalvari’ into Navy's fleet in Mumbai, Maharashtra. Kalvari is the first of the six Scorpene-class submarines handed over by shipbuilder Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) with assistance and technology transfer from France’s DCNS. Earlier, in July 2000, the Indian Navy had inducted a conventional diesel-electric submarine ‘INS Sindhushastra’ procured from Russia.

2.  President Ram Nath Kovind presents National Energy Conservation Awards: President Ram Nath Kovind has presented the National Energy Conservation Awards at the occasion of National Energy Conservation day in New Delhi.Industries that have demonstrated measurable reductions in their energy use has been awarded during the event.Mr. Kovind also presented the National Painting Competition Prizes.This year, over 1 crore 22 lakh children across India between 4th and 9th standards participated in the National Painting Competition.

3. Indian Railways introduces Online Bill tracking system for Vendors & Contractors: The Union Ministry of Railways has introduced an online bill tracking system “Indian Railways E-Procurement System (IREPS)” for vendors and contractors. The objective IREPS is to enhance transparency in the processing and settlement of bills by increasing use of information technology. The vendor or contractor need to register with online IT platform and all bills will be settled within 30 days of its receipt using this platform.

4. Rajasthan becomes the first state to offer e-mail IDs in Hindi: Rajasthan has become the first Indian state to launch free email addresses in Hindi to its residents. The objective of this initiative is to ensure maximum participation of people towards e-governance. Soon Rajasthan’s state personnel will have an email id in Hindi too. The project is being implemented by state IT department with private IT companies.

OTHER UPDATES

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

1. OBOPAY secures pre-paid instrument (PPI) license from RBI: The global mobile payment solutions company ‘OBOPAY’ has announced that the company has secured a license for Prepaid Payment Instrument (PPI) from the Reserve Bank of India to operate a semi-closed loop wallet in the country. OBOPAY will solve various payment-related problems for their partner clients, bringing efficiency and transparency to the payments process, improving reporting and reducing turnaround times for funds transfers.

2. Retail inflation rises to 4.88% in November: Retail inflation has risen to 4.88% in November this year due to costlier fuel, vegetables, and eggs.According to the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, the inflation, based on Consumer Price Index (CPI), was at 3.58% in October. It was 3.63%  in November last year. Inflation in eggs shot to 7.95% in November on annual basis, as against 0.69% in the previous month. In the fuel and light segment, it was 7.92%, as against 6.36% in October.

3. India’s GDP growth forecast for 2018: According to ‘World Economic Situation and Prospects 2018’ report, India’s GDP growth is projected to accelerate from 6.7% in 2017 to 7.2% in 2018 and 7.4% in 2019 on the back of strong private consumption, public investment and the ongoing structural reforms. The report was unveiled by United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA).

SPORTS:

1. BCCI lifts ban on Rajasthan Cricket Association: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to lift the ban on the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) in its Special General Meeting (SGM).In May 2014, the RCA was suspended by the Indian cricket board when ex-Indian Premier League (IPL) Commissioner Modi was re-elected its president.

OBITUARIES:

1. Actor and filmmaker Neeraj Vora passes away: Actor and filmmaker ‘Neeraj Vora’ passed away in Mumbai. Mr. Vora acted in films like 'Mann' and 'Badshah', and directed films like 'Khiladi 420' and 'Phir Hera Pheri'. He had also written dialogues for films such as 'Rangila', 'Akele Hum Akele Tum', 'Taal', 'Josh', 'Badmaash', 'Chori Chori Chupke Chupke', 'Awara Paagal Deewana'.

Daily GK Updates - 13th December, 2017

NATIONAL UPDATES

1. Govt to set up special courts to fast-track trial of over 1500 MPs, MLAs: The Law and Justice ministry told the Supreme Court in an affidavit that, at least 12 special courts will be set up to decide cases involving politicians as accused. Twelve such courts will be set up at a cost of 8 crore rupees for a period of one year. Earlier, the apex court had directed the union govt. to place before it the details regarding 1,581 cases involving MPs and MLAs, as declared by the politicians at the time of filing their nominations during the 2014 general elections.

2. Hotels, restaurants can sell bottled water above MRP, rules SC: According to Supreme court, Hotels and restaurants are not bound by maximum retail price (MRP) in selling bottled water. The Apex Court was hearing a petition filed by the Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) against Delhi High Court ruling. Earlier, the union govt had submitted that selling bottled mineral water above the MRP will attract monetary penalty and jail term for the management of restaurants, hotels, multiplexes.

3. Rajasthan Govt. to recognize political prisoners as ‘Loktantra Sainani’: The Rajasthan state’s cabinet has decided to change the name of Rajasthan MISA and DIR Bandi Pension Rules 2008 to the Rajasthan Loktantra Sainani Samman Nidhi-2008. Now, the political prisoners held in jails during the emergency period as ‘Loktantra Sainani’. Earlier, only those people who were detained under MISA & DIR and kept in any of the Rajasthan jails were given the monthly pension of Rs. 12,000 and a monthly allowance of Rs. 1200.

4. CBSE to upload scanned images of OMR answer sheets with recorded response of candidates: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has uploaded the scanned images of OMR answer sheets with the recorded response of candidates who had appeared in UGC-NET test (held on 5th November).The OMR sheets with answer keys will be available on CBSE website "cbsenet.nic.in" till 18th of December. The candidate will have to submit a fee of one thousand rupees per recorded response challenged through credit or debit card.

5.  Nakul Chopra elected as BARC India Chairman: Nakul Chopra has been elected as the next Chairman of BARC India.He succeeds Sudhanshu Vats (Viacom18 Group CEO).The Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) India is an industry body set up to design, commission, supervise and own an accurate, reliable and timely television audience measurement system for India.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES

1. Google launches artificial intelligence research center in China: Alphabet Inc's Google is opening an artificial intelligence (AI) research center in China to target the country's local talent. The research center is the first of its kind in Asia and will comprise a small team operating out of its existing office in Beijing

2. Bangladesh launches vaccination drive of Rohingya children against Diphtheria: Bangladesh has launched a massive drive to vaccinate Rohingya children against diphtheria after a suspected outbreak killed nine refugees and infected more than 700. More than six lakh Rohingya are based in these camps, having fled violence in Myanmar in recent months. The Bangladesh government & UN agencies are vaccinating around two lakhs fifty thousand children under the age of seven living in camps and temporary settlements near the border with Myanmar.

OTHER UPDATES

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

1.  Industrial output growth hits to 3-months low of 2.2% in Oct: Growth in the country's industrial production hit a three-month lowof 2.2 % in October this year. Factory output, measured in terms of the Index of Industrial Production, had increased 4.2% in October last year, and 4.14% in September 2017.According to the data released by the Central Statistics Office, growth in the manufacturing sector, which accounts for almost 78% of the index. Mining output rose 0.2%, and consumer durable goods output contracted 6.9%.Consumer non-durables output increased 7.7%, and capital goods output rose 6.8% in October.

SPORTS:

1. Union Govt. will soon launch Khelo India Programme: According to the Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Rajyavardhan Rathore, the ministry will launch Khelo India programme for period 2017-18 to 2019-20 at cost of Rs 1756 crore.Mr.  Rathore also announced that the year 2018 will be celebrated as the Year of Sports.The Khelo India programme will promote 150 select schools from different districts and 20 universities across the country, as hubs of sporting excellence. It will cover about 200 million children in age group of 10-18 under a massive physical fitness drive.

Daily GK Updates - 12th December, 2017

NATIONAL UPDATES

1. Vice President confers 'Yeraringan' award to M.S. Swaminathan: India’s Vice President Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu conferred 'Yeraringan’ award to Prof. M.S. Swaminathan (Father of Indian Green Revolution). M.S. Swaminathan has inspired many scientists to focus on the problem of Indian agriculture and develop progressive solutions for it.

2.  Rahul Gandhi elected Congress president unopposed: The Indian National Congress (INC) announced that Rahul Gandhi has been elected unopposed as new Congress President. Rahul Gandhi succeeds his mother Sonia Gandhi. The CEA (Central Election Authority) received a total of 89 nomination papers proposing Rahul Gandhi’s name for the top post. In January 2013, Mr. Gandhi became the vice-president of the party.

3.Union Minister J P Nadda launches new initiatives on Universal Health Coverage Day: The Union Health Minister JP Nadda has launched new initiatives including Laqshya-A Labour Room Quality Improvement Initiative and safe delivery application at a function in New Delhi. This will be implemented in Government Medical Colleges besides District Hospitals & high delivery load Sub-District Hospitals and Community Health Centres. The objective of this initiative is to reduce preventable maternal and newborn mortality, morbidity & stillbirths associated with the care around delivery in Labour room.

4. Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad launches first NIC-CERT: The Union Minister of Law & Justice and Electronics & Information Technology Ravi Shankar Prasad has launched the “NIC-CERT” in New Delhi, a setup of National Informatics Centre, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.The objective of NIC-CERT to create a comprehensive framework that integrates world-class security components and inbuilt threat intelligence for detection, prevention & incident response.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES

1. Six diplomats felicitated with Diwali 'Power of One' award at UN: Six top diplomats have been felicitated with the inaugural Diwali "Power of One" award at the UN headquarters in New York for their contribution to help form a more "perfect, peaceful and secure world". The awards have been presented on the occasion of the first anniversary of the US Postal Service's issuing of a forever Diwali stamp last year. The awardees include Lakshmi Puri (Indian head of the UN Women), outgoing British Ambassador to the UN Matthew Rycroft and Nawaf Salam (Lebanese Ambassador to the UN), elected to the International Court of Justice.

2. Mount Hope named as UK's highest peak: Recently, Mount Hope was re-measured and found to tower above the previous title holder, Mt Jackson, by a good 50m (160ft). Mt Hope is now put at 3,239m (10,626ft) & Jackson is 3,184m (10,446ft).Mt Paget on South Georgia island is the highest mountain on a British Overseas Territory outside the Antarctic.

3. China starts world's biggest floating solar project: A unit of China (Three Gorges Corp.) is building a 1 billion yuan floating solar power plant, the world’s biggest, in the nation’s eastern province of Anhui. They started building the 150-megawatt project in July and part of the plant was connected to the grid. The project features panels fixed to floats on the surface of a lake that formed after a coal mine collapsed. The entire facility is expected to come online by May 2018.

OTHER UPDATES

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

1. Construction equipment industry expected to grow at 14 %: According to the Chairman of (ICECTT) International Construction Equipment and Construction Technology Trade Fair Vipin Sondhi, the construction equipment industry is expected to grow at 14% after Union Government’s decision to spend over 10 billion dollars over next few years in the infrastructure sector.

SPORTS:

1. India bags 4 Youth Olympic Games quotas, 21 Medals at Asian Championship: India bagged 21medals (six gold, eight Silver & seven bronze) at the 10th Asian Championship 10m Rifle/Pistol at Wako City Japan and also booked 4 Youth Olympic Games quotas. Saurabh Chaudhary and Manu Bhaker booked quota places for the 2018 Youth Olympic Games (YOG) by winning a gold and a silver each. Chaudhary has won both the individual as well as the Team gold in the men's 10m Air Pistol Youth event, while Bhaker clinched a silver in the women's 10m Air Pistol Youth. India claimed another silver in junior women's 10m Air Pistol.

Daily GK Updates - 11th December, 2017

NATIONAL UPDATES

1. Union Govt. sanctions Rs. 75 crores for setting up LPG bottling plant in Meghalaya: The union govt. has sanctioned Rs. 75 crores for setting up a Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) bottling plant in Meghalaya. The new bottling plant will be constructed at an existing site located in Shillong itself. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed between the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and the state government in the presence of Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma.

2. Govt. launches door-to-door campaign against TB: The union health ministry Jagat Prakash Nadda has launched a door-to-door campaign for early diagnosis, detection and treatment of tuberculosis (TB) in the country. Through this campaign, health department workers, ASHAs (Accredited Social Health Activists) and TB supervisors will make door-to-door visits to find TB patients and give them free medical treatment till they are cured.Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease usually caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB). Tuberculosis generally affects the lungs, but can also affect other parts of the body.

3. Giriraj Singh launches Public Procurement Portal MSME SAMBANDH: The Minister of State for MSME Shri Giriraj Singh has launched Public Procurement Portal ‘MSME Sambandh’ for Public Procurement Portal for MSMEs (Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises).The objective of the portal is to monitor the implementation of the Public Procurement from MSEs by Central Public-Sector Enterprises (CPSEs).It will help MSMEs in participating in the procurement process.

4. Alappuzha has been included in top 5 global cities by the UNEP list: Alappuzha, the coastal town of Kerala, has been recognised by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) as one of the five models across the world for fighting the pollution menace. It has been recognized for its decentralised waste management system. Alappuzha, often called “the Venice of East”, has been listed in the UNEP environment report entitled, ‘Solid approach to waste: how five cities are beating pollution’ alongside cities like Osaka in Japan, Ljubljana in Slovenia, Penang in Malaysia and Cajica in Colombia.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES

1. The 11th Ministerial conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO): The 11th Ministerial conference of the 164-member World Trade Organization (WTO) has started in Buenos Aires, Argentina on December 10, 2017. At the meeting, India is represented by Union Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu who will be pushing for a permanent solution to the public food stock-holding issue which is crucial for operating the food security programme. In it, he will not only have to safeguard the interests of Indian farmers, but will also have to put his foot down on blocking introduction of new issues such as e-commerce. During the course of the 4-day deliberations, the developing nations will resist the efforts by the developed nations to formally set aside the Doha Development Agenda (DDA) and place new issues including e-commerce on the negotiating table.

2. Melbourne to test terrorism alarm system: Melbourne will test a terrorism alarm system this month after police thwarted two alleged plots targeting Christmas-New Year crowds and a lone driver killed six pedestrians in the last year in Australia’s second-largest city. Loudspeakers are being installed at more than 90 sites across downtown Melbourne as part of the alarm system that will be tested on December 28.

       OTHER UPDATES

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

1. Pradeep Singh Kharola takes over as Air India CMD: Senior IAS officer Pradeep Singh Kharola on Monday took charge as the Chairman and Managing Director of Air India. Kharola assumed charge from Rajiv Bansal. A 1985-batch Karnataka cadre officer, Kharola would be steering the national carrier at a time when the government has started the process for its strategic disinvestment.

SPORTS:

1. FIFA lifts ban on Kuwaiti football: The international football federation (FIFA) has officially lifted a two-year ban on Kuwait's football federation. In 2015, FIFA banned Kuwait's national football federation over alleged government interference in the running of the country's football governing body.

2.Jitu Rai, Heena Sidhu win medals at 10th Asian Championship in Japan: Pistol aces Jitu Rai and Heena Sidhu bagged a bronze each at the 10th Asian Championship 10m Rifle/Pistol in Wako City, Japan.Jitu won an individual bronze in the men's 10m Air Pistol and Heena claimed an individual bronze in the women's 10m Air Pistol. India won individual bronze through Anmol Jain in the junior men's 10m Air Pistol as well as the Team silver in the event.

Daily GK Updates - 10th December, 2017

NATIONAL UPDATES

1. India’s first mobile food testing lab unveiled in Goa: The Chief Minister of Goa Manohar Parrikar has launched India’s first mobile food testing laboratory enabling on-the- spot food safety tests in Goa.The vehicle is equipped to conduct on-the-spot tests to check food quality and curb adulteration, also check hygiene level of water.The mobile laboratory costs (Rs.45 lakh) has been fully funded by the union govt.

2. ASEAN India Connectivity Summit (AICS) begins in New Delhi: Two-day ASEAN India Connectivity Summit (AICS) began in New Delhi. The theme of the Summit is “Powering Digital and Physical Linkages for Asia in the 21st Century”. The Summit aims at accelerating existing connectivity prospects, identifying issues of concern, evolving suitable policy recommendations and developing strategies to enhance economic, industrial, trade relations between ASEAN & India.

3. Uma Shankar appointed RBI Executive Director: Uma Shankar, chief general manager (CGM) in charge of the Reserve Bank of India’s financial inclusion and development department has taken over as executive director (ED) in the central bank.EDs are selected by a committee involving the governor and deputy governors from among the CGMsCurrently, RBI has 11 EDs and each of them supervises the 34 departments headed by CGMs at the central bank.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES

1. 10th December: World Human Rights Day: The World Human Rights Day is being observed to honor the United Nations General Assembly's adoption and proclamation.The theme this year is, 'Let's stand up for equality, justice, and human dignity'.This year, the Human Rights Day kicks off a year-long campaign to mark the upcoming 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

2. The “Bodhi Parva: BIMSTEC Festival of Buddhist Heritage”: India hosted the ‘Bodhi Parva: BIMSTEC Festival of Buddhist Heritage’ in New Delhi from December 8 to 10, 2017 as part of celebrations of 20th anniversary of BIMSTEC. The purpose of the fest is to emphasize and raise awareness of BIMSTEC’s rich and common heritage. It was inaugurated by Dr. Mahesh Sharma, the union minister of state for Culture (Independent Charge).

OTHER UPDATES

SPORTS:

1. Australia beat Argentina 2-1 to win gold in Hockey World League: Australia defeated Rio Olympics champions Argentina 2-1 in the final of the Hockey World League to win gold at Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar (Odisha). In the third-fourth place classification match, India defeated Germany 2-1 and reclaimed the bronze medal.India had also won the bronze in the last edition of the tournament in Raipur in 2015.

2. Bergamasco appointed Performance Director for women's boxing: According to the BFI official, Italian coach Raffaele Bergamasco hasbeen elevated to the position of Performance Director for senior women pugilists. Raffaele Bergamasco was behind India's best-ever medal haul at AIBA Women's Youth Boxing Championship.

OBITUARIES:

1. Pioneer of DNA fingerprinting Lalji Singh passes away: The pioneer of DNA fingerprinting technology in India Lalji Singh passed away. He was the former Vice-Chancellor (25th) of Benares Hindu University (BHU) (2011 to 2014).Mr. Singh considered the father of DNA fingerprints, who worked in the area of the molecular basis of sex determination, wildlife conservation, forensics and evolution and migration of humans.

Daily GK Updates - 9th December, 2017

NATIONAL UPDATES

1. Mamta Kalia Selected for Vyas Samman – 2017: Eminent Hindi litterateur & playwright Mamta Kalia has been selected for ‘Vyas Samman-2017’ for her novel Dukkham Sukkham. The book, 'Dukkham Sukkham' was published in 2010. Currently, she is the editor of Mahatma Gandhi International Hindi University's quarterly magazine ‘Hindi’.

2.  Kacheguda becomes first energy-efficient rail station: Kacheguda railway station (South Central Railway) has earned the unique distinction of being the First Energy Efficient ‘A1 Category’ Railway Station on Indian Railways. The station has achieved 100% energy efficiency replacing 1,312 conventional lights with light-emitting diode (LED) lighting. Around 370 ceiling fans too were replaced with Brushless DC Electrical (BLDC) motors energy efficient fans and 12 air conditioners with energy efficient inverter type air conditioners.

3. India declared free from Trachoma, a bacterial infection of eye: According to the Health Minister J P Nadda, India has been declared free from infective Trachoma which is a contagious bacterial infection of the eye. The Survey results indicate that active Trachoma is no longer a public health problem in the country. It causes inflamed granulation on the inner surface of the lids. Releasing the National Trachoma Survey Report (2014-17).This has been possible due to efforts that included the provision of antibiotic eye drops, personal hygiene, availability of safe water, improved environmental sanitation and availability of surgical facilities for chronic Trachoma.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES

1. International Anti-Corruption Day being observed today: International Anti-Corruption Day (IACD) has been observed annually on 9th December to raise public awareness of corruption and what people can do to fight it. The 2017 joint international campaign focuses on corruption as one of the biggest impediments to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).2017 Theme: United against corruption for development, peace, and security. Every year USD 1 trillion is paid in bribes while an estimated USD 2.6 trillion are stolen annually through corruption.

OTHER UPDATES

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

1. Govt fixes sovereign Gold bond rate at Rs 2,890 per gram: The union govt. has fixed the issue price of Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB) at Rs. 2,890 per gram for the next subscription period under Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme 2017-18.The next subscription period is 11th to 13th of this month. The government had floated Series-3 of Sovereign Gold Bonds 2017-18 (from 9th of October to 27th of December 2017).The government in consultation with the RBI has decided to allow a discount of Rs. 50 per gram from the issue price to those investors who apply online and the payment is made in digital mode.

SPORTS:

1. India wins five medals at 10th Asian Airgun Shooting Championships: India won five medals at the 10th Asian Airgun Shooting Championships in Japan.Ravi Kumar won an individual bronze in the men's 10-metre air rifle, while Arjun Babuta won individual silver in the corresponding junior men's event. India also bagged three team silver medals in each of the three air rifle events. Olympic bronze-medallist Gagan Narang missed out on an individual podium finish.This will be the same range where the shooting competitions for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics will be hosted.

Daily GK Updates - 8th December, 2017

NATIONAL UPDATES

1. President Kovind  presents Presidential Colours to Submarine Arm of Navy: President Shri Ram Nath Kovind awarded the Presidential Colour to the Submarine Arm of the Indian Navy at the Command headquarters in Vishakhapatnam. The award of Presidents Colour is the highest honour which can be bestowed upon any military unit. Earlier, President has inaugurated the Naval Maritime Aircraft Museum in Vishakhapatnam, featuring the maritime patrol aircraft Tupolev-142M. It was on this day in 1967 that the Naval Ensign and the National Flag were hoisted on the first Indian Naval Submarine, Kalvari.

2. NGT holds Sri Sri's AOL Foundation responsible for damage to Yamuna floodplains: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) headed by Justice Swatanter Kumar has held the Art of Living (AOL) Foundation of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar responsible for the damage caused to the Yamuna floodplains due to the holding of the World Cultural Festival organized by it in March 2016. According to the NGT, AoL is responsible for the damage caused to the Yamuna floodplains in terms of the report submitted by the expert committee.The amount of five crore rupees which was submitted by it earlier will be used for the restoration of the floodplains.

3. Health Minister J.P. Nadda directs CM's to implement Clinical Establishments Act: The Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda has directed all the Chief Ministers to adopt and implement the Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2010 so that malpractice in private hospitals can be curbed. The effective implementation of the Act would deter clinical establishments from indulging in unethical practices and ensuring that they discharge their duties responsibly towards the patients. The Act has been enacted by the Central government to provide for registration and regulation of all clinical establishments in the country with a view to prescribing the minimum standards of facilities and services provided by them.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES

1. The new Ambassador of India to Turkmenistan: Azar A.H.Khan has been appointed as the new Ambassador of India to Turkmenistan. Presently, he is Consul General in the Consulate General of India. He is expected to take up his assignment shortly.

2. USA country has officially recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel: United States has officially recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. With this, the United States will be the first country to move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, which is claimed by both Israelis and Palestinians. At present, Jerusalem is the seat of the modern Israeli government.

3. 7th International Ground Water Conference (IGWC-2017) on ground water Vision 2030: The 7th International Ground Water Conference (IGWC-2017) will be hosted by India in New Delhi with a theme of “Ground water Vision 2030- Water Security, Challenges and Climate Change Adaptation” from December 11 to 13, 2017. The conference has been organized by the National Institute of Hydrology (NIH), Roorkee and Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) under the aegis of Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation.

OTHER UPDATES

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

1. EPFO opens new facility for over 4.5 crore members: The Retirement fund body Employees' Provident Fund Organisation(EPFO) has opened a new facility to allow consolidation or merger of their multiple PF accounts (4.5 crore members) with the current Universal Account Number(UAN).Now, the subscribers of the EPFO can merge as many as 10 previous accounts with their UAN at one go.The EPFO has made it easy with this facility with an objective of having one employee, one EPF account.Earlier, The EPFO has already issued a direction to its over 120 offices earlier this week to use this service and ensure multiple accounts are consolidated as early as possible.

2. RBI rationalizes charges on debit card transactions: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has come out with differentiated merchant discount rates (MDR) for debit card transactions, prescribing separate caps for small and large traders to promote digital payments. MDR charges for small merchants with an annual turnover of up to 20 lakh rupees has been fixed at 0.4% with a cap of 200 rupees per transaction by debit cards through Point of Sale (PoS) machines or online transactions.MDR charges would be 0.9% with a cap of 1,000 rupees per transaction with an annual turnover of a merchant is over 20 lakh rupees. For accepting payments via QR (quick response) code based transactions, the charge will be 0.3% subject to a cap of 200 rupees per transaction. The directions will come into effect from 1st January.

SPORTS:

1. Cristiano Ronaldo wins fifth Ballon d'Or award: The Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo has won the Ballon d'Or for a fifth time to move level with rival Lionel Messi at a ceremony in Paris.The award caps a year in which Ronaldo has won LaLiga, the Champions League and the Spanish Super Cup with Real Madrid, as well as helping Portugal qualify for the 2018 World Cup.Ronaldo previously won the award in 2008, 2013, 2014 and 2016.