Daily GK Updates - 20th May, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Anil Kumar Jha appointed CMD of Coal India Ltd : Anil Kumar Jha has been appointed as the Chairman-Cum-Managing director (CMD) of Coal India Limited.Anil Kumar is at present the CMD of Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd.Anil Kumar will replace acting chairman Suresh Kumar, an IAS officer, who has been holding the post of additional secretary at the ministry of coal.CIL is a state-owned coal mining company headquartered in Kolkata.

2. Train connecting NE to the west coast began : The Northeast Frontier Railway has started operating one lease Parcel Cargo Express Train (PCET) on fortnightly basis, connecting Northeastern part of the country to the West Coast.The route of this Parcel Cargo Express Train is – New Guwahati in Assam to Kalyan in Maharashtra.The PCET has been started in line with the Government’s priority to provide connectivity to the Northeast region.

3. Free treatment for victims of road accident : Gujarat government has decided to take the financial responsibility of the accident cases within its state limits.The government will provide up to Rs. 50,000 in medical treatment for the first 48 hours for each individual who meets with a road accident in the state.The free treatment will entail the initial first aid, X-ray, treatment in ICU along with all the other emergency facilities.

4. Yeddyurappa resigns as Karnataka CM : The Karnataka government led by B.S. Yeddyurappa resigned before facing a crucial trust vote in the assembly.The floor test was to be conducted after Congress-JD (S) alliance claimed the right to form the government on the basis of the 117 seats it had.BJP with 104 seats, was eight short of the majority-mark of 111.

5. Kishanganga hydropower project inaugurated : PM Modi has dedicated 330 MW Kishanganga hydropower project in Jammu and Kashmir to the nation.Kishanganga hydropower project will provide 13% free power to J&K including 1% for local area development fund amounting to around Rs 133 crore per year.The project was delayed for several years as Pakistan dragged India to International Court of Arbitration, which ruled in India’s favour in 2013

6. International Museum Day : International Museum Day is held every year on or around 18 May, coordinated by the International Council of Museums.It aims to raise awareness of the fact that, Museums are an important means of cultural exchange, enrichment of cultures & development of mutual understanding, cooperation and peace among peoples.Theme chosen for 2018 is “Hyperconnected museums: New approaches, new publics”.

7. AYUSH to be adopted as a word : Commission for Scientific & Technical Terminology has decided to adopt the acronym “AYUSH” as a word, both in English & Hindi languages, for scientific and technical purposes.AYUSH became popular as the acronym for 5 traditional systems of medicine – Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy.CSTT adopted the acronym as a word based on a proposal of the Ministry of AYUSH

8. Amit Khare appointed as new I&B secretary : Senior bureaucrat Amit Khare has been appointed as the new Secretary of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry.Khare, a 1985-batch IAS officer, is at present serving in his cadre state Jharkhand.He had in June 1996 reportedly exposed the multi-crore fodder scam, involving the then Chief Minister of Bihar, Lalu Prasad.He will take over the charge from incumbent NK Sinha.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. World’s first floating nuclear power station : Russia has unveiled the world’s first floating nuclear power station to meet its growing electricity needs.The ship holds two 35 megawatt nuclear reactors that can produce enough electricity to power a town of 200,000 residents.It will be primarily used to power oil rigs as Russia pushes further north into the Arctic to drill for oil and gas and needs electricity in far-flung locations.

2. Jagriti Yatra won charity award in UK : Jagriti Yatra, an Indian charity that organises train journeys to understand & build India of smaller towns & villages has won an award in London.It was among a series of worldwide charities and individuals recognised for their impact on their communities at the Asian Voice Charity Awards.It organises 15-day train journeys, covering 800 km for 400 change-makers across India every year.

3. Netherlands PM to visit India : Prime Minister of Netherlands Mark Rutte will visit India on May 24 & 25 with an aim to boost the economic and political cooperation between the 2 countries.It will be Rutte’s second visit to India since June 2015 but the first after being re-elected as Prime Minister in 2017.Netherlands is the 5^th largest investor in India with a cumulative investment of $23 billion from 2000 to Dec 2017.

4. UN to send War Crimes Investigators to Gaza : UN Human Rights Council has voted to send a team of international War Crimes Investigators to probe the deadly shootings of Gaza protesters by Israeli forces.The resolution was backed by 29 members while 2 members US and Australia voted against and 14 abstained.Israel has defended the killing of protesters, saying it was acting in self-defence to protect its borders and communities.

OTHER UPDATES:

BANKING/FINANCE:

1. World Bank extends $300 million credit : The World Bank Board of Executive Directors approved a $220 million loan and an $80 million (Rs 544 crore) guarantee for the India Energy Efficiency Scale-Up Program.The Program will be implemented by the Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL).This will help scale up the deployment of energy saving measures in residential and public sectors, strengthen EESL’s institutional capacity.

SPORTS:

1. Simona Halep retained top spot in WTA rankings : Romanian tennis star Simona Halep has retained her numero-uno spot in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Rankings.Halep maintains a lead of 425 points over second-placed Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark.After the 2017 Wimbledon Championships, Simona Halep became the active player with the most consecutive weeks within the Top 10.Halep started her 2018 season by winning the Shenzhen Open.

2. Rajinder Singh named Hockey India president : Rajinder Singh has been named the president of Hockey India, following Mariamma Koshy’s resignation from the post.He is currently the Senior Vice President of Hockey India.Koshy was appointed as the President of Hockey India in November 2016 following Narinder Batras decision to step down after being elected as the President of International Hockey Federation.

Daily GK Updates - 19th May, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. India saw 211 tuberculosis cases per 1 Lakh : According to the ‘World Health Statistics 2018’ released by World Health Organisation (WHO), India saw an estimated 211 cases of tuberculosis (TB) per 1,00,000 people in 2016,Nepal and Bhutan recorded fewer number of TB cases per 1,00,000 population than India.India has pledged to eradicate tuberculosis by 2025, five years ahead of the global target set by WHO.

2. Swraj Paul wins lifetime achievement award : NRI industrialist Lord Swraj Paul has received a lifetime achievement award for his contributions towards promoting brand India in UK.The founder of Caparo Group of industries, Paul was recognised at a UK & Asia Business Awards ceremony, organised by World Consulting & Research Corporation.He has also served as the deputy speaker of the Lords & was appointed to the Privy Council in 2009.

3. Ramalingam appointed as Chief Justice : Justice Ramalingam Sudhakar was sworn-in as the Chief Justice of the High Court of Manipur.The acting Governor of Manipur Jagdish Mukhi administered the oath of office to Justice Ramalingam Sudhakar.Justice Ramalingam Sudhakar was appointed as Chief Justice of Manipur High Court by the President of India.

4. Lalit Kala Akademi gets new Chairman : Artist and sculptor Uttam Pacharne has been appointed as the chairman of the Lalit Kala Akademi.Currently, he is ​a member of the advisory committee, Kala Academy, Goa.He is the recipient of National Lalit Kala Award and Maharashtra Gaurav Puraska from Government of Maharashtra.The Lalit Kala Akademi or National Academy of Art is India’s national academy of fine arts.

5. Youngest woman to scale Mt. Everest : Shivangi Pathak from Haryana has become youngest women of the country to scale Mt Everest.16-year-old Shivangi climbed the Mt Everest to spread the message that women could overcome any obstacle to achieve their goals.In 2014, 13-year-old Malavath Poorna from India had climbed Mt Everest from Tibet side and became the youngest girl in the world to the summit at Everest.

6. SC approves draft Cauvery Management Scheme : The Supreme Court approved the Centre’s draft Cauvery Management Scheme for smooth distribution of water among four southern riparian states.The scheme would deal with the issue of water share of the four states in different circumstances like normal and deficient water years in the Cauvery river basin.The top court had modified the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) award of 2007.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. First South Asian to be elected in Oregon : Indian American Susheela Jayapal has been elected as a member of the Board of Commissioners of Multnomah County in Oregon, USA.With this Susheela becomes first South Asian to be elected in Oregon.

Susheela, a political newcomer, will represent North and Northeast Portland commissioner’s seat.

2. Workshop on countering online radicalisation : European Union and National Investigation Agency organised a workshop in New Delhi in which Indian & European experts discussed various aspects of online radicalisation.The officers from both sides deliberated upon the processes that lead to radicalisation and recruitment.This workshop is the clear reflection that the EU and India are joining hands in the fight against terrorism.

3. CIA’s first female director : US Senate has approved Veteran spy Gina Haspel as CIA’s first female director.She replaces former CIA chief Mike Pompeo who was recently made Secretary of State.Central Intelligence Agency is a civilian foreign intelligence service of US federal government that analyses national security information from around the world.

OTHER UPDATES:

BANKING/FINANCE:

1. MPC to meet for three days from June 4 : The Reserve Bank of India has advanced the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting by a day to June 4 and also increased the duration to three days.It is for the first time that the MPC will meet for three days.The six-member MPC, headed by the RBI Governor, sets the benchmark interest rate.MPC was set up by amending the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934, through the Finance Act 2016.

2. India Post customises affordable life policies : India Post plays an important role in financial services, reaching out in the rural areas with its large and efficient network.Postal Life Insurance extended insurance cover to the rural population under the banner ‘Rural Postal Life Insurance’ (RPLI) in 1995.This scheme is primarily meant for people residing in rural areas, especially women and small and marginal farmers.

3. RBI slaps fine on South Indian Bank : The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has slapped a penalty of ₹ 50 million on South Indian Bank Limited for non-compliance with the directions issued by it.The non-compliance pertains to Income Recognition and Asset Classification (IRAC) norms, Know Your Customer norms and treasury function.Further, the bank is also pulled up for deficiencies in its compliance function and compliance culture.

DEFENCE:

1. TN to build India’s next generation aircraft : The Aeronautical Development Agency has set the ball rolling for building the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft by extending an invitation to private players in Tamil Nadu (TN).It is the first time an indigenous military aircraft programme is seeing the involvement of private players.It is also the first time a defence plane development project is proposed to be executed outside Bengaluru.

SPORTS:

1. Himanta elected Vice-President of BAC : The President of Badminton Association of India (BAI), Himanta Biswa Sarma was elected as the Vice-President of Badminton Asia Confederation (BAC).The election took place during the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the continental body in Bangkok, Thailand.Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma became president of the Badminton Association of India in April 2018.

Daily GK Updates - 18th May, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1.Cabinet approved setting up of NIMHR at Bhopal : Union Cabinet has approved setting up of a National Institute of Mental Health Rehabilitation at Bhopal.The main objectives of NIMHR are to provide rehabilitation services to people with mental illness and advanced research in mental health rehabilitation.Cabinet approved setting up of NIMHR under the aegis of Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities.

2. Digitisation of dying languages : Centre and State Governments are working along with start-ups to provide regional language-related products and services.Languages like Ol Chiki script of Santali which is also one of the 22 official languages of India and Gondi language are gaining popularity due to this measure.The not-for-profit organisation ‘Indic Project’ has developed open source tools for language digitisation.

3. Anindita got Jayadev Rashtriya Yuva Puraskar : US-based Kathak dancer Anindita Anaam was honoured with the prestigious ‘Shri Jayadev Rashtriya Yuva Pratibha Puraskar 2018’ for outstanding contribution to the field of art.The award was presented to the Kathak exponent during the ‘Jayadev International Dance Festival’.The festival is organised under the aegis of Odisha’s culture department and National Culture Mission

4. Yudhvir Malik got extra charge of NHAI chief : Yudhvir Singh Malik, the Secretary of Ministry of Road, Transport, and Highways, has been given additional charge of the post of NHAI chairman.Deepak Kumar, the chairman of National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), was sent back to his cadre state Bihar before completion of his tenure.Kumar, a 1984 IAS officer of Bihar cadre, had taken over as the NHAI chief on June 28 last year.

5. Development of ‘Freight Village’ in Haryana : Cabinet approved the development of trunk infrastructure components for the integrated multi-modal logistics hub known as ‘Freight Village’.They will be built at Nangal Chaudhary in Haryana under the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor Project.Freight villages are logistics centers, where the cargoes from different transport modes can be reloaded, compiled and prepared for transportation.

6. Approval for central university in Andhra : The Union Cabinet has approved the setting up of a central university in the Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh, Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar said.A provision of ₹450 crore has been approved for the first phase of establishing the university.Andhra Pradesh had been left with no central university following its division into two states in 2014

7. Uttarakhand Cabinet held meeting in a boat : The Uttarakhand Cabinet organised a meeting in a boat named Marina on the Tehri Reservoir.Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat was present for the cabinet meeting.Notably, a cabinet meeting was held outside the capital of the state for the first time ever.Famous Tehri Dam is located on the river Bhagirathi.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. India to attend SCO Culture Ministers’ meet : The Minister of State for Culture Dr. Mahesh Sharma will be attending Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Cultural Ministers Meeting at Sanya in China.It is the first time that India would be attending the SCO Culture Ministers’ Meeting.The meeting will showcase India’s initiatives to actively pursue cultural cooperation with other countries including SCO countries.

2. BRO built a road from India’s border to China : The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has created history by establishing a road link to India’s border with China beyond Limeking and along the Tama Chung Chung-Taksing Axis recently.The road from Limeking now connects TCC to Taksing, covering a distance of approximately 80 kilometers.BRO develops and maintains road networks in India’s border areas. It comes under the Ministry of Defence.

3. Cyclone Sagar formed over Gulf of Aden : A cyclonic storm named Sagar has formed in the Gulf of Aden.Cyclone Sagar is the first cyclonic storm of the season in Indian waters.Gulf of Aden is located in the Arabian Sea and is surrounded by Yemen, Djibouti and Somalia.Fishermen have been advised to not venture into Gulf of Aden and adjoining areas of Arabian Sea.

4. World Hypertension Day observed : World Hypertension Day was observed all over the world yesterday on May 17th, 2018.The objective of observing this day is increasing high blood pressure awareness in all populations around the world.The World Hypertension Day was first inaugurated in the year 2005 and has become an annual event ever since.The theme for this year is ‘Know Your Numbers’.

OTHER UPDATES:

BANKING/FINANCE :

1.RBI issues guidelines on NSFR : The RBI issued detailed Net Stable Funding Ratio (NSFR) guidelines to ensure that banks maintain a stable funding profile in relation to the composition of their assets and off-balance sheet activities.The guidelines on NSFR are in line with global norms prescribed by the Basel Committee.The NSFR would be applicable for Indian banks at the solo as well as consolidated level.

BUSINESS/ECONOMY :

1.Cabinet okays defence spectrum budget hike : The Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure approved increasing the budget for laying of ‘alternative communication network’ for defence services.The alternative communications network is being set up in lieu of airwaves vacated by the Defence Ministry for civilian use.The project is being implemented by state-run Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL).

2. Coal linkage rationalisation for IPPs : The government has issued the guidelines to allow power producers to swap coal supply assurances against lowering tariffs.The one-time process will be available only to Independent Power Producers (IPPs) having coal linkages through the allotment route.Coal India, South Eastern Coalfields, and the Central Electricity Authority will jointly undertake this exercise.

SCIENCE/TECHNOLOGY :

1.Frog Species found in Karnataka : The latest addition to India’s frog fauna is the narrow-mouthed frog named Microhyla kodial found in Mangaluru.The species has been named after the city of Mangaluru which is called kodial in the Konkani language.The greyish-brown frog is just 2 cm long.

DEFENCE :

1.China’s first privately developed rocket : China has launched its first privately developed rocket from a launchpad in northwestern China on 17 May.The launch of the “Chongqing Liangjiang Star” rocket marks the first launch of a non-state Chinese rocket.The rocket was launched by OneSpace Technology and it uses energy-saving technology, such as wireless communications.

Daily GK Updates - 17th May, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Record production of Foodgrain in 2017-2018 : Aided by a normal monsoon last year, India’s production of foodgrains touched a record 279.5 million tonnes in 2017-18.This was estimated in the third advance estimate of crop production released by the Agriculture Ministry on 16th May.The higher year-on-year food production is due to a larger harvest of rice and a record crop of pulses.

2. New method to solve PSU disputes : Cabinet has approved a mechanism within the government for speedy resolution of commercial disputes of central public sector enterprises without cases going to courts.A new two-tier mechanism will be put in place of the existing Permanent Machinery of Arbitration mechanism to resolve such commercial disputes.Cabinet decision is based on the recommendations of the Committee of Secretaries.

3. Mangaluru is the best in waste management : The Union government has selected Mangaluru as “India’s best city in solid waste management”.It was selected under the categories of cities having a population between three lakh and 10 lakh under Swachhata Survekshan 2018.The survey by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs assessed 4,203 urban local bodies under the aegis of the Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban).

4. Delhi to become the most populous city : According to new United Nations estimates, Delhi is projected to become the most populous city in the world around 2028.Tokyo is the world’s largest city with an agglomeration of 37 million inhabitants, followed by New Delhi with 29 million, Shanghai with 26 million.The projected population size of New Delhi in 2028 is about 37.2 million, surpassing Tokyo’s 36.8 million.

5. Aadhaar not mandatory for getting pension : The government clarified that Aadhaar has not been made mandatory for getting pension for government employees.The government said that Aadhaar is an additional facility to enable the use of technology for submission of life certificate without visiting banks.There are about 48.41 lakh Central Government employees and 61.17 lakh pensioners.

6. Gujarat Governor given additional charge of MP : Gujarat Governor Om Prakash Kohli was given the additional charge of Madhya Pradesh while the state’s Governor Anandiben Patel is on leave.Patel was appointed Madhya Pradesh Governor in January after she resigned as Gujarat’s Chief Minister in 2016 citing her 75-year age.She had replaced Kohli who had been handling the additional charge of Madhya Pradesh from August 2016.

7. Yeddyurappa takes oath as the CM of Karnataka : BS Yeddyurappa of Bharatiya Janata Party took oath as the Chief Minister of Karnataka.This comes after the Supreme Court refused to stay state Governor Vajubhai Vala’s decision to invite BJP, which fell short of the majority mark, to form the government.Yeddyurappa has been given 15 days to prove BJP’s majority.

8. India’s first solar powered railway station : Guwahati now has India’s first railway station run by solar power.Around 2352 solar modules with a capacity of generating 700 kwp has been set up over the roof of the Guwahati railway station.The solar-powered station is aimed at reducing carbon-footprint as well as cut down power costs drastically.The solar power plant will save Rs 67 lakh worth of electricity.

                                                                  INTERNATIONAL UPDATES: 

1. MoU between India & Morocco in legal field : The Union Cabinet has given its ex-post facto approval for signing of the MoU for cooperation in the legal field between India and Morocco.The MoU will allow both the countries to share their experience and expertise in the field of law and legislation.The MoU will give an opportunity to the Lawyers, Law Officers and law students to discuss issues in the field of law and justice.

2. NPCIL won Russian award for ‘Atom on Wheels’ : Nuclear Power Corp of India has won the top award in public communication category at the 10^th anniversary of international event ATOMEXPO.NPCIL won the award for its “Atom on Wheels” campaign started in 2016 to spread awareness in rural areas about the benefits of nuclear energy.The campaign mounted on wheels covered 6 lakh rural population in 6 states with material on nuclear technology

OTHER UPDATES:

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

1. Blockchain-based trade finance network : Infosys has formed a blockchain-based trade finance network with 7 private-sector banks, to increase security and efficiency in the banking sector.Blockchain allows all stages of transactions to be securely shared between network members, as opposed to each bank working independently.Lenders currently testing its trade finance network are ICICI, Axis and Yes Bank among others.

2. BSE is first to get US SEC recognition : The BSE has received the recognition certificate of ‘Designated Offshore Securities Market’ (DOSM) from the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).This will help in the sale of securities to US investors through the BSE platform without registration of such securities with the US SEC.The BSE becomes the first bourse in India to receive the DOSM recognition .

Daily GK Updates - 16th May, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Railways to install ‘panic button’ : With a view to strengthen security of women passengers in trains, North Eastern Railway plans to deploy women police personnel on trains during night hours as well as install ‘panic buttons’ in coaches.Currently, women passengers have to depend on either on helpline numbers.Among the other measures proposed to ensure women safety are having a different colour on the women coaches.

2. Frozen Cattle Semen Station is being set up : Frozen Semen Station is being set up in Maranga, Purnea under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission with 100% contribution from the Central Government.Rashtriya Gokul Mission aims to conserve and develop indigenous breeds to increase milk productivity & was initiated in December 2014.Rashtriya Gokul Mission is a ​focused project under National Programme for Bovine Breeding and Dairy Development

3. Meeting of stakeholders on ‘Samarth’ held : A meeting of stakeholders on Samarth – Scheme for Capacity Building in Textile Sector under the Skill India Mission was held on 14th May.The broad objective of the new scheme is to skill the youth for gainful and sustainable employment in the textile sector covering the entire value chain of textiles, excluding spinning and weaving.The scheme targets to train 10 lakh persons

4. 4th Global Exhibition on Services Inagurated : President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, inaugurated the 4th Global Exhibition on Services and launched a portal on 12 Champion Sectors in Services in Mumbai on 15th May 2018.Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Maharashtra Government, Confederation of Indian Industry & Services Export Promotion Council took this initiative.The President also launched a portal on 12 Champion Sectors in Services.

5. Ambika Sharma to head USIBC India office : The US-India Business Council (USIBC), a premier business advocacy organisation, named Ambika Sharma as its India head.Ms. Sharma was Director General for International at the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).Formed in 1975, USIBC is the premier business advocacy organization, comprised of top-tier US and Indian companies advancing US-India commercial ties.

6. Mukul Rohatgi appointed as eminent jurist : Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi has been appointed as an eminent jurist in the selection committee for appointment of the Lokpal.The post of eminent jurist in the Lokpal selection panel was lying vacant since the death of senior advocate P P Rao.Rohatgi was appointed as Attorney General of India after the Narendra Modi government assumed power in May 2014.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. India gives NRs 180 million for river training : India has provided the largest sum of Rs 180.74 mn Nepali rupees for river training in Nepal to control floods that also affect India during the monsoon season.India has so far given 13 instalments since 2008 to Nepal for river training works totalling to over NRs 4.68 bn.River training & construction will carry on near the Indian border in 3 rivers – Lalbakeya, Bagmati & Kamla.

2. International Day of Living Together in Peace : The UN General-Assembly declared 16 May the International Day of Living Together in Peace.The Day aims to uphold the desire to live and act together, united in differences and diversity, in order to build a sustainable world of peace, solidarity and harmony.The Day invites countries to further promote reconciliation to help to ensure peace and sustainable development.

3. International Day of Families : International Day of Families is observed on 15^th of May every year to promote awareness of issues relating to families.This year the theme of the International Day of Families is “Families & inclusive societies”.The year 1994 was proclaimed as the International Year of Families by the UN.The symbol of International Day of Families consists of a solid green circle with an image in red.

4. First essential diagnostics list : World Health Organisation has published its 1^st essential diagnostics list, a catalogue of tests needed to diagnose the most common conditions as well as a number of global priority diseases.The step was taken to address the problem of people’s inability to access diagnostic services.List focuses on vitro tests like tests of blood & urine.

5. Mark Tully chosen for RedInk Award 2018 : Veteran British journalist and former BBC India correspondent Sir William Mark Tully has been chosen for 2018 RedInk award for lifetime achievement in journalism.Tully worked with the BBC for 30 years before resigning in July 1994. He held the position of Chief of Bureau, BBC, Delhi, for 20 years.The RedInk awards for excellence in journalism are instituted by the Mumbai Press Club.

  

OTHER UPDATES:

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

1. Exports rose to $25.9 billion in April 2018 : India’s exports rose by 5.17% year-on-year to USD 25.9 billion in April 2018 on back of good show by sectors like engineering, pharmaceutical & chemicals.Non-petroleum and non-gems and jewellery exports in April 2018 were valued at USD 19.8 billion as against USD 17.7 billion in April 2017, showing an increase of 11.73%.India recorded a trade surplus in services sector at USD 6.5 billion.

2. India 3rd largest solar market in world : According to Mercom Communications India, India emerged as the third largest solar market in the world in 2017 behind China and the US.As per the report, India set a new record with 9.6 GW of solar installations in 2017, which was more than double the 4.3 GW installed in 2016.The robust growth boosted the country’s total solar installed capacity to 19.6 GW as of December 2017.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY:

1. Fastest growing black hole discovered : Scientists have discovered the fastest-growing black hole known in the universe.The energy emitted from this newly discovered supermassive black hole, also known as a quasar, was mostly ultraviolet light but also radiated x-rays.The discovery of the new supermassive black hole was confirmed using the spectrograph on the ANU 2.3 metre telescope to split colours into spectral lines.

SPORTS:

1. Dhoni to be the brand ambassador of Netmeds : Online pharmacy Netmeds has appointed cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni as its brand ambassador.The company, which has positioned itself as ‘India ki Pharmacy’, chose Dhoni due to his strong appeal across all sectors and all demographics.Netmeds currently has an inventory of 35,000 stock keeping units (SKUs) of prescription drugs and 5,000 SKUs of OTC products.

2. Shashank Manohar to serve as ICC chairman : Former BCCI president Shashank Manohar will serve a second term as the independent chairman of the International Cricket Council.Manohar, who became the first independent ICC chairman in 2016, will continue for a second two-year term following his unopposed election.During the last two years, Manohar has led to significant reform in the sport.

Daily GK Updates - 15th May, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Lt Gen Sukhdeep takes over as DGAR : Lieutenant General Sukhdeep Sangwan has taken over the charge as the Director General of Assam Rifles.Lt Gen Sanwagn has taken over as the 20th Director General of the Force which is popularly called as Sentinels of the North East.Lt Gen Sangwan has also participated in Operation Blue Star, Operation Vijay and Operation Parakram.

2. E-Way Bill system in Assam & Rajasthan : The E-way bill system for intra-State transport of goods in Assam and Rajasthan will roll out on May 16 and May 20 respectively.This would take the total number of States under the system to 21.E-Way Bill system for inter-State movement of goods has been rolled out from 01st April 2018.E-Way Bill is electronically generated for the consignment/movement of goods from one place to another.

3. Government unveiled Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy : Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has issued National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy.The objective of the policy is to provide a framework for the promotion of large grid-connected wind-solar PV hybrid system for efficient utilization of transmission infrastructure and land.It also aims at reducing the variability in renewable power generation and achieving better grid stability.

3. Environment Ministry launched GSDP : The Union Environment Ministry launched its full-fledged Green Skill Development Programme (GSDP) that aims to train over 5.5 lakh workers in environment and forest sectors in the country through 30 courses by 2021.Environment minister Harsh Vardhan also unveiled a related mobile app (GSDP-ENVIS).The GSDP was launched last year as a pilot project in 10 districts of the country.

4. Mangeshkar conferred with Swara Mauli award : Lata Mangeshkar has been honoured with the Swara Mauli title by spiritual guru Vidya Narsimha Bharati Swami.It is for the second time that Lata Mangeshkar has been honoured with the Swara Mauli title.The veteran singer has several awards to her credit in her over seven-decade-long career, including three National Awards.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. PM Modi, Putin to hold informal summit : Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Russia on May 21 for an informal summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the city of Sochi.The two leaders will discuss their respective national developmental priorities and bilateral matters.This informal summit in Sochi is in keeping with the tradition of regular consultations between India and Russia at the highest levels.

2. WHO launched ‘REPLACE’ : WHO has launched a comprehensive plan to “REPLACE” to eliminate industrially-produced artificial trans fats from global food supply by 2023.REPLACE stands for review dietary sources, promote the use of healthier fats, legislate, assess changes, create awareness and enforce.REPLACE package is the first time WHO is calling for the elimination of something other than a noncommunicable disease.

3. Sulabh founder awarded Nikkei Asia Prize : The founder of Sulabh International, Dr Bindeshwar Pathak, has been honoured with the Nikkei Asia Prize in Japan for his contribution to Asia’s development.Pathak is among the three who have been conferred with the award.Nikkei Inc., one of the largest media corporations in Japan, has been presenting the awards since 1996.

OTHER UPDATES:

BANKING/FINANACE:

1. India-dedicated investment fund : China’s largest bank, Industrial & Commercial Bank of China has launched country’s 1^st India-dedicated publicly offered investment fund.The fund will invest in exchange-traded funds listed on more than 20 exchanges in Europe & US that are based on Indian market.The bank said that the Indian market offers the best opportunity for Chinese investors due to the prospects of double-digit growth

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

1. India to clock GDP growth of 7.7% : India’s GDP is expected to grow by 7.7% in January-March, up from 7.2% in the preceding quarter, says a Nomura report.According to the report, despite the moderation in March, industrial production growth averaged 6.2% in the January-March period.The report further noted that India is expected to witness cyclical recovery led by both investment and consumption.

DEFENCE:

1. Mountaineering Expedition to Mt. Bhagirathi-II : Indian Army Women Officers’ Mountaineering Expedition to Mt. Bhagirathi-II (6512 metres) consisting of 9 women officers, was flagged off by Director General of Military Training.Mt. Bhagirathi-II is located in the Garhwal Himalayas in Gangotri National Park.The expedition aims at encouraging women in the field of adventure where dauntless courage, will-power & determination is put to test.

2. China aims to deliver amphibious aircraft : China’s amphibious aircraft, stated to be the largest in the world is expected to be delivered to customers by 2022.Code-named Kunlong, the plane (AG600) is designed to be the world’s largest amphibious aircraft.It will mainly be used for maritime rescue, fighting forest fires and marine monitoring, according to its state-owned manufacturer.

SPORTS:

1. Heena Sidhu clinched gold : Indian Shooter Heena Sidhu clinched the gold medal in the women’s 10m air pistol at the International Shooting Competitions 2018 in Hannover, Germany.Heena was in a rollicking form in the final where she was tied with France’s Mathilde Lamolle on 239.8 points. She won the tie to win the gold ahead of Mathilde.The finish marks a strong build-up to next week’s ISSF World Cup in Munich.

OBITUARIES:

1.Physicist EC George Sudarshan passed away : Famous theoretical physicist EC George Sudarshan passed away in Texas, USA.He worked in the subjects of quantum Zeno effect, optical coherence, open quantum system, non-variance groups among others.In 2007, the Kerala-born scientist was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, the country’s second-highest civilian award.