GK Tornado IBPS PO Mains 2017-EnG-1.PDF-98

www.gradeup.co 1 | Page www.gradeup.co GK Tornado for IBPS PO Mains Exam -2017 Dear readers, This GK Tornado is a complete docket of important news and events that occurred in last 4.5 months (1st July–14th Nov 2017). Tornado is important and relevant for all competitive exams like Banking, Insurance, SSC and UPSC Exams. Banking & Financial Awareness 1. RBI keeps repo rate unchanged at 6% - On 4th October 2017, RBI in its fourth Bi-Monthly Monetary Policy Statement decided to keep the policy Repo rate unchanged at 6%. Therefore, the reverse repo rate under the LAF remains at 5.75 per cent, and the marginal standing facility (MSF) rate and the Bank Rate at 6.25 per cent. However, RBI cut the Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR) by 0.5 percent to 19.5 percent. New Policy & Reserve Rates 1. Repo Rate 6% (unchanged) 2. Reverse Repo Rate 5.75% (unchanged) 3. CRR (Cash Reserve Ratio) 4.00% (unchanged) 4. SLR (Statutory Liquidity Ratio) 19.50% (changed) 5. MSF (Marginal Standing Facility) 6.25% (unchanged) 6. Bank Rate 6.25% (unchanged) 2. RBI sets up task force on Public Credit Registry financial transactions in different national (PCR) - The Reserve Bank of India constituted a 10- jurisdictions can be fully tracked. The first LEIs member ‘High Level Task Force on Public Credit were issued in December 2012. Registry (PCR) for India’. The task force will be headed ➢ Legal Entity Identifier India Limited (LEIL), a by YM Deosthalee, ex-CMD of L&T Finance Holdings. wholly-owned subsidiary of Clearing 3. Legal Entity Identifier mandatory for all large Corporation of India (CCI), acts as a local corporate borrowers: RBI - The Reserve Bank of India operating unit (LOU) for issuing globally (RBI) has made 20-digit Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) compatible legal entity identifiers (LEIs) in compulsory for companies having aggregate fund- based and non-fund based exposure over Rs 5 crore. India. The move is aimed at improving risk management in 4. Banks to Provide Funds at 7% to Women SHGs wake of huge stressed assets in banking system. Before under DAY-NRLM: RBI - The RBI has issued this, RBI had made LEI mandatory for transactions in guidelines to banks will provide funds to women self interest rate, forex and credit derivative market help groups, SHGs, in rural areas at 7 per cent under Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Rural ➢ LEI is a 20-digit unique code to identify Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) in the current fiscal parties to financial transactions worldwide. (2017-18). ➢ It is a global reference number that uniquely Note: identifies every legal entity or structure that is ➢ National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) is a party to a financial transaction, in any poverty alleviation project implemented by jurisdiction. Ministry of Rural Development, Government of ➢ LEI code has been conceived as key measure to India. improve quality and accuracy of financial data ➢ NRLM is focused on promoting self- systems for better risk management post the employment and organization of rural poor. global financial crisis. ➢ Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana or DAY is a ➢ The LEI system was developed by G20 in Government of India scheme for the helping the response to inability of financial institutions to poor by providing skill training. identify organisations uniquely, so that their 5. RBI Slaps Rs2-cr Penalty on IDFC Bank - The Reserve Bank of India has imposed a monetary 2 | Page www.gradeup.co penalty of Rs 2 crore on IDFC Bank for contravention (v) NBFC-P2P can’t cross-sell products. of regulatory restrictions pertaining to loans and Guidelines for lenders and borrowers – advances. (1) A lender can’t lend more than Rs 10 lakh to all The penalty has been imposed in the exercise of borrowers at any point of time across all P2Ps powers vested in RBI under the Banking Regulation (2) Borrowers can’t borrow more than Rs 10 lakh from Act, 1949, taking into account failure of the bank to all lenders at any point of time across all P2Ps (3) Not more than Rs 50,000 can be borrowed from adhere to certain directions issued by RBI. single lender to the same borrower, across all P2Ps. 6. RBI opens branch in Dehradun – RBI had opened its (4) The maturity of the loans shall not exceed 36 months. new branch in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. The branch was Fund transfer mechanism – Bank account is mandatory inaugurated by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra for transfer of funds. The transfer of funds between lenders Singh Rawat. Earlier, the state government had to do & borrowers on the P2P platform will be done through financial transactions through the Kanpur branch of the escrow account mechanisms. Cash transactions are not RBI. allowed in P2P platform. 7. Reserve Bank of India recently acknowledged HDFC 10. RBI to conduct financial literacy drive in 9 states – Bank Ltd as a Domestic-Systemically Important Bank The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has decided to launch (D-SIB). With this, HDFC Bank joins State Bank of India and ICICI Bank in the elite D-SIB list. a financial literacy drive in 80 blocks in 9 states. Note: The higher capital requirements applicable to D- The nine states include - Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, SIBs will be applicable from April 1, 2016, in a phased Bihar, Odisha, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, manner and would become fully effective from April 1, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. 2019. Objective – 8. P2P platforms will now act as NBFCs: Govt. - ● The main objective of the financial literacy drive According to the gazette notification issued by the is to educate people on e-transactions, formal government, all Peer-to-peer lending (P2P) platforms sector borrowings and insurance purchases. will now considered as Non-Banking Financial ● Also, to create awareness among people on - e- Companies (NBFCs) and will be regulated by Reserve transactions through electronic means such as Bank of India (RBI). NEFT, RTGS, IMPS, Internet Banking, Mobile About Peer-To-Peer Lending (P2P) - Peer-to-peer Banking and UPI (Unified Payment Interface). lending (P2P) is a method of bulk funding that enables Key points – individuals to borrow and lend money - without the use of any official financial institution or bank as an ● Depositor Education and Awareness Fund (DEAF) intermediary. Peer-to-peer lending removes the will implement the pilot project in collaboration middleman from the process and matches lenders with with banks and six non-governmental organisations borrowers online, but it also involves more time, effort (NGOs) and risk than the general lending process. ● Six NGOs include - CRISIL Foundation, Dhan 9. RBI issues guidelines for Peer to Peer lending Foundation, Swadhaar Fin Access, Indian School of platform – Following are the guidelines - Micro Finance for Women (ISMW), Samarpit and the ● Unless an NBFC has received the Certificate of PACE Foundation. Registration, it cannot start the the business of a ● The total cost of the project over a period of three P2P lending platform. years would be around Rs 18.40 Cr. ● New companies who are looking for registration 11. Masala Bonds to be treated as ECB: RBI - Masala with the bank as an NBFC-P2P must have a net owned funds of not less than 20 million rupees or bonds were treated by Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPI) such higher amount as the RBI may specify. till 3rd October 2017.Now, The Reserve Bank of India ● The existing NBFC-P2Ps have to apply for (RBI) announced that it is free from FPI and being registration as NBFC-P2Ps within 3 months. treated by External Commercial Borrowings (ECB). Functions of NBFC-P2P – Following are the functions of Note: Masala bonds are rupee-denominated overseas NBFC-P2P – bonds. Currently, the limit for investment by Foreign (i) It is necessary to provide online platform to members Portfolio Investors (FPIs) in corporate bonds is Rs involved in P2P lending. 2,44,323 crore and this includes masala bonds of (ii) Cannot lend on its own. Rs.44,001 crore. (iv) Cannot hold its own balance sheet of funds received 12. Two regional rural banks record Over Rs 150-cr from lenders or funds given to borrowers Profit in FY17: According to the Reserve Bank of 3 | Page www.gradeup.co India’s ‘Report on Trend and Progress of Banking in 12 accounts which represents 25% of the gross bad India’ - Karnataka Vikas Grameena Bank and loans in the banking system. RBI had ordered the banks Andhra Pragathi Grameena Bank recorded net profit to implement the insolvency and bankruptcy code on of more than ₹150 crore during 2016-17. these 12 accounts to recover the dues. These accounts 13. RBI to pay Rs 30,659 cr dividend to Govt. - The are overdue of above Rs 5,000 crore each. Reserve Bank has to pay Rs 30,659 crore to the Name of some accounts include - Lanco Infratech Ltd, Essar Steel, Bhushan Steel, Electrosteel Steel, Alok government for the fiscal ended June 2017. It is a less Industries, Jyoti Structures, Monnet Ispat and Jaypee than half of what it paid in 2016. Previous year in 2016 Associates. Note: IDBI Bank has initiated insolvency RBI had paid Rs 65,876 crore dividend to the proceeding against Lanco Infratech ltd. government. 16. RBI initiates PCA against six banks as NPA mounts - 14. RBI issues new Rs 200, Rs 50 banknotes - After The Reserve Bank of India has initiated prompt demonetization, Rs 200 is the fourth note introduced by corrective action (PCA) against six banks in view of the apex bank. the high level of bad loans. Features of Rs. 200 bank note – The note will carry Six banks include – Bank of Maharashtra, Central Bank the signature of RBI governor Urjit Patel, the year of of India, IDBI Bank, UCO Bank, Dena Bank and Indian printing on the left, and the Swachh Bharat logo with the Overseas Bank. The move will restrict the bank from slogan. announcing the dividend, opening branches, hiring and ● Colour – The colour of the bank note is Bright Yellow. giving loans to companies rated below investment ● Design: It has a motif of Sanchi Stupa on the grade. reverse, depicting the country’s cultural heritage. 17. Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has set up Supervisory ● Dimension - The dimension of the bank note will Colleges for six Scheduled Commercial Banks which be 66mm X 146mm. have sizeable international presence. The banks include ● Latent image with denominational numeral 200. - - State Bank of India, ICICI Bank Ltd., Bank of India, ● Windowed security thread with inscriptions ‘भारत’ Bank of Baroda, Axis Bank Ltd. and Punjab National and RBI with colour shift. Colour of the thread Bank. changes from green to blue when the note is tilted. The objectives of the colleges are to enhance ● Denominational numeral with Rupee Symbol, ₹ information exchange and cooperation among 200 in colour changing ink (green to blue) on supervisors, to improve understanding of the risk bottom right. profile of the banking group and thereby facilitate more ● Ashoka Pillar emblem on the right. effective supervision of internationally active banks. ● Mahatma Gandhi portrait and electrotype (200) 18. RBI fined Rs. 3 cr penalty on UBI - The RBI has watermarks imposed a penalty of Rs. 3 crore on state-owned Union Features of 50 Rs bank note – The note will carry the Bank of India for “non-compliance” with the directions signature of RBI governor Urjit Patel, the year of on Know Your Customer (KYC) norms. This action is printing on the left, and the Swachh Bharat logo with based on deficiencies in regulatory compliance and is the slogan and language panel. ● Colour: The bank note is fluorescent blue in colour. not intended to pronounce upon the validity of any ● Design: The note bears the motif of ‘Hampi with transaction or agreement entered into by the bank with Chariot’ on the reverse that depicts India’s cultural its customers. heritage. 19. RBI broadens scope of Banking Ombudsman ● Ashoka pillar emblem on the right side. Scheme – With the amendment, from 1 July 2017, the ● Mahatma Gandhi portrait and electrotype (50) banking ombudsman scheme will include – watermarks. i. sale of insurance, mutual funds and other third-party ● Dimension - Dimension of the banknote will be 66 investment products by banks mm x 135 mm. ii. mobile and online banking services. ● Windowed demetalised security thread with Now, a bank customer also files a complaint to Banking inscriptions ‘भारत’ and RBI, Ombudsman on following issues – ● Note: Till now, India has currency denominations i. Mutual Fund & Insurance policy - wrongly sold of Rs. 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 2,000. third party products such as mutual fund schemes & 15. RBI identified 12 accounts with 25% of bank bad loans - The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had identified insurance policies. 4 | Page www.gradeup.co ii. mobile and online banking services - delay or delay of 4 to 7 working days, a customer will face failure of online payments or fund transfers and liability of up to Rs. 25,000. unauthorized electronic payments or fund transfers. ● Only Rs. 10,000 will be credited to the account Key points - - If the fraud is report after 7 days, the customer ● So far, the banking ombudsman only accepted liability will be determined as per the bank’s Board complaints about banking products and services. approved policy. The maximum liability of a ● Third-party products sold by banks, such as savings bank account customer will be Rs10,000 in insurance and mutual fund products, were kept such cases. out of its ambit. 21. RBI’s notification related to Interest Subvention ● RBI has included in its amended scheme that in Scheme for Short Term Crop Loans during the year case of any grievance, you can lodge a complaint 2017-18 – A farmer can avail loans up to Rs. 3 lakh at against the bank for its non-adherence to RBI’s an interest rate of 7% p.a. during the year 2017-18. instructions on mobile banking and electronic ● This interest subvention of 2 per cent will be banking services in India. calculated on the crop loan amount from the date Increase in compensation amount: The RBI has of its disbursement up to the date of actual increased the compensation limit from Rs10 lakh to repayment by the farmer or up to the due date of Rs20 lakh. The compensation excludes the amount the loan fixed by the banks, whichever is earlier, involved in the dispute. For case, if you have a complaint subject to a maximum of one year. about a transaction amount of, say, Rs15 lakh. The ● Aadhaar card mandatory - To ensure hassle-free compensation will be over and above this amount. benefits to farmers under the Interest Subvention 20. RBI limits Customer liability in Online Banking – As Scheme, the banks are advised to make Aadhaar per the RB guidelines on customer liability – linkage mandatory for availing of short-term crop ● The full amount will be credited to the account loans in 2017-18. - If the customers report to the banks regarding the ● Note: The Cabinet has approved the total loss they suffer through online banking expenditure of Rs 20,339 crore for this financial transactions within 3 days, then the amount year (FY) as interest subsidy on short-term crop involved will be credited to their accounts within a loans. time period of 10 days. ● Only Rs. 25,000 will be credited to the account - In case the third-party fraud is reported with a India’s GDP Growth Rate Projected by Different Org. – 2017 1. The Reserve Bank of India - 6.7% in 2017-18. 3. World Bank - 7% in 2017-18. Note: Also, the projection of real GVA (Gross Value ● World Bank projected India’s GDP growth rate at Added) growth for 2017-18 has been revised down to 7.5% in 2018-19. 6.7 per cent from the August 2017 projection of 7.3 ● World Bank projected India’s GDP growth rate at per cent. 7.5% in 2019-20. ● RBI Governor – Dr. Urjit Patel ● World Bank projected World GDP growth rate at ● RBI headquarter – Mumbai, India 2.7% in 2017-18. 2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) - 6.7% in 2017- ● World Bank President – Jim Yong Kim 18. ● World Bank headquarter – Washington, D.C. (US) ● IMF projected India’s GDP growth rate at 7.4% in ● Members countries - 189 2018-19. 4. Asian Development Bank (ADB)- 7% in 2017-18. ● IMF projected World GDP growth rate at 3.5% in ● Asian Development Bank (ADB) projected India’s 2017 and 3.6% in 2018. GDP growth rate at 7.5% in 2018-19. ● IMF Chief – Christine Lagarde ● ADB President: Takehiko Nakao ● IMF headquarter – Washington, D.C. (US) ● ADB headquarter –Mandaluyong, Philippines 5 | Page www.gradeup.co ● Members countries - 67 8. Domestic rating agency CRISIL - 6.7% in 2017-18. 5. United Nation (UN) - 7.3% in 2017-18. ● CRISIL MD & CEO - Ashu Suyash ● UN projected India’s GDP growth rate at 7.9% in ● CRISIL headquarter – Mumbai, Maharashtra 2018-19. 9. The Central Statistics Office (CSO) - 7.1% in 2017-18. ● UN projected World GDP growth rate at 2.7% in ● CSO Director General – Davendra Verma 2017-18. ● CSO headquarter – New Delhi, India ● UN projected World GDP growth rate at 2.7% in 10. Japanese financial holding company Nomura - 7.1% in 2018-19. 2017-18. ● UN Secretary‑General - António Guterres ● Nomura CEO: Koji Nagai ● UN headquarter – New York, US ● Nomura headquarter - Minato, Tokyo, Japan ● Members countries - 193 11. HSBC - 7.1% in 2017-18. 6. The credit rating agency Fitch Ratings 6.9% for 2017- ● HSBC CEO: Stuart Gulliver 18. ● HSBC headquarter – London, UK ● Fitch CEO – Paul Taylor 12. Organisation for Economic Cooperation and ● Fitch Ratings headquarter – New York, US Development (OECD) - 6.7% in 2017-18. 7. India Ratings and Research - 6.7% in 2017-18. ● OECD projected India’s GDP growth rate at 7.2% in ● India Ratings and Research MD & CEO - Rohit 2018-19. Sawhney. ● OECD Secretary-General: Angel Gurría ● India Ratings and Research headquarter – Mumbai, ● OECD headquarter – Paris, France Maharashtra Digital Banking 1. National Electronic Fund Transfer (NEFT) – It is a may vary depending on the customer timings of the payment system which facilitates one-to-one funds bank branches. transfer. Under this facility, any customer can 3. Indian Financial System Code (IFSC) – It is a 11-digit electronically transfer funds from any bank branch to alpha-numeric code which identifies a bank-branch any individual, firm or corporate having an account with any other bank branch in the country. participating in the NEFT & RTGS system. IFSC is used ● Transaction Limit: There is no minimum & by the NEFT system to identify the originating / maximum limit of amount. destination banks / branches and also to route the ● Note: For cash-based remittance and remittance to messages appropriately to the concerned banks / Nepal - the maximum amount per transaction is branches. limited to Rs 50,000. Note: IFSC code represent – ● Timing: At present, NEFT operates in hourly ● First 4 alpha characters indicate – bank name batches - there are twelve settlements from 8 am ● Fifth characters is – 0 to 7 pm on week days (Monday through Friday) ● Last 6 characters indicate – bank branch. and six settlements from 8 am to 1 pm on Saturdays. ● For ex - SBIN0000125 – Here – SBIN indicates – 2. Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) – Under this State Bank of India. 0124 represent the Lucknow facility the transfer of funds is done individually on an Main Branch name. order by order basis (without any delay). The RTGS 4. About NPCI - National Payments Corporation of India system is primarily meant for large value transactions. (NPCI) is an umbrella organization for all retail ● Transaction Limit: The minimum amount is Rs. 2 payments system in India. It was set up with the lakh. There is no upper ceiling for RTGS guidance and support of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) transactions. and Indian Banks’ Association (IBA). ● Timing: The RTGS service window for customer's ● NPCI – Headquarter: Mumbai, Maharashtra transactions is available to banks from 9.00 hours 5. About Unified Payments Interface (UPI)- It is an to 16.30 hours on week days and from 9.00 hours instant payment system to transfer money between two to 14:00 hours on Saturdays for settlement at the parties bank accounts. It is a similar to NEFT or RTGS RBI end. However, the timings that the banks follow transfers in that way. It is developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). 6 | Page www.gradeup.co 6. Immediate payment service (IMPS) – It is an instant 10. Aadhar Enabled Payment System (AEPS) – It is an real-time payment service which help customer to Indian payment system which is based on unique transfer money anytime and anywhere in India. This identification number, the AADHAAR. The system service is similar to NEFT & RTGS and available 24/7 allows a person holding an Aadhaar number to carry out throughout the year including bank holidays. This service is offered by National Payments Corporation of financial transaction on a Micro-ATM provided by the India (NPCI). Banking correspondent. It is developed by National ● Transaction limit – There is a maximum limit of 2 Payments Corporation of India. lakhs. 11. Aadhaar Payments Bridge System (APBS): It is a 7. Interbank Mobile Payment Service (IMPS) – It is an payment gateway platform used for Aadhaar schemes. instant interbank fund transfer service in which mobile Under this facility - Aadhaar number used as a central phones are used as channel through which transaction key for electronically channelizing the Government happens with the use of Mobile Money Identifier(MMID). For each account, MMID is generated subsidies and benefits in the Aadhaar Enabled Bank by bank and it is linked with registered mobile number. Accounts (AEBA) of the intended beneficiaries. It is Now, account details are fetched from MMID and via developed by National Payments Corporation of India. registered mobile number transaction occurs. It was used for the first time on 1 January 2013 when ● **Only MMID and Registered Mobile Number of Direct Benefit Transfer was launched by Government of Payee are needed. Mobile Money Identifier is a 7 India. digit number, issued by banks. 12. BHIM APP – Bharat Interface for Money (BHIM) is an ● Transaction Limits - RBI has defined the instant payment application which allow users to maximum limit per day transaction. If transaction transfer fund with the help of mobile phone. It is based happens in encrypted format (from net banking) on the Unified Payment Interface (UPI) and developed then limit is 50,000 rupees per day whereas if by National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). transaction happens in unencrypted messaging ● The Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched BHIM formats (from mobile instrument via text message) app for Android and iOS devices on 30th Dec 2016 then limit is 1,000 rupees per day. at the Digi Dhan Mela event in New Delhi. 8. *99# Service – It is a mobile banking facility which is based on Unstructured Supplementary Service Data Features of BHIM App - (USSD). With the help of this service a bank customer ● Maximum limit- User can transfer maximum can perform financial activities by just dialing *99# amount upto Rs 20,000 in a day. from his/her mobile registered with the bank. *99# is a ● You can send upto Rs. 10,000 in a single transaction. common number across all Telecom Service Providers ● Transaction Charges – There is no transaction charges. (TSPs). The service works across all GSM service ● UPI PIN – It is a four or six digit number which is set providers and handsets. by the users itself on BHIM after the registration 9. About Unstructured Supplementary Service Data process. UPI PIN is used for authenticating all (USSD) – USSD allows transmission of information transactions done on UPI platform (BHIM or *99# through a GSM (Global System for Mobile or UPI apps). Communications) network. It is used to send text ● VPA - Virtual Payment Address (VPA) is a unique message between a mobile phone and application identifier which you can use to send and receive money on UPI. program in the network. At present, it is one of the best Note: You can use two VPA’s. First one is the default accessible communications technology to deliver VPA (mobile number@upi). The second one, you mobile financial services to low-income customers. can create on “My Profile” page. Important news related to digital banking - 1. State Bank of India has launched an Artificial as SBI Intelligent Assistant (SIA). This chatbot is made Intelligence powered chat assistant to help customers in by an Artificial intelligence banking platform - Payjo. various banking activities. The chat assistant is known 7 | Page www.gradeup.co ‘SIA’ is considered as a revolution in the digital banking 4. Paytm Payments Bank join hands with NPCI for field. It can resolve and handle about 10,000 queries per RuPay digital card - Paytm Payments Bank (PPB) second. joined with the National Payments Corporation of India 2. Canara Bank has launched its first digital Banking (NPCI) for RuPay digital card. With this debit card branch in Bengaluru. This branch is named as ‘CANDI’. customer will get free insurance cover of up to Rs 2 lakh 3. Airtel Payments Bank has become the first payment in the case of death or permanent total disability. bank in India to merge the UPI (Unified Payment 5. Google Tez – The new payment app for India by Google. Interface) on its digital platform. With this initiative, the It is a mobile wallet app which is based on the Unified bank customers can now link their bank accounts on Payments Interface (UPI) platform. This works similar Bhim app and make UPI payments. to the BHIM app. Note: Airtel Payments Bank (APB), a joint venture between Bharti Airtel Ltd and Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd. Important points related to digital banking 1. DCB Bank launches first iris-based ATM in 7. First Digital State - Kerala declared first digital state Telangana - ATM dispense cash without a debit card as in India. the machine verifies the customer from the Aadhaar 8. First Digital District – Nagpur declared first digital details like the iris and fingerprint. district in India. 2. DCB Bank launched first Aadhaar-based ATM in 9. First Digital Village - Akodara village in Sabarkantha Bengaluru - The ATM accepts Aadhaar number and district of Gujarat became India’s first Digital village. Aadhaar fingerprint (biometric) instead of ATM / debit The village was adopted by ICICI Bank under its digital card and PIN to dispense cash from the bank account. village project 2015. 3. Country’s first banking robot - Lakshmi launched by 10. First cashless island - Karang, a small lake island in City Union Bank in Chennai. Manipur, has become the country’s first cashless island. 4. RBL Bank becomes the first Indian bank to launch 11. First ‘digital’ tribal colony - The Nedumkayam tribal Aadhaar Payment Bridge System for small ticket micro- colony at Nilambur in Malappuram lacks basic facilities finance loan disbursements. including toilets. However, the colony has now become 5. RBL Bank launches India’s first credit card exclusively a role model to the country by becoming the first for GOLF LOVERS. 'digital' tribal colony in India. 6. India’s first cash giving app ‘CASHe’ launched by Tslc Pte Ltd. List of committees on Digital Banking - ● Committee for accelerating growth of Digital Payments in India is headed by Ratan P. Watal. ● Committee to study financial technology and digital banking issues in India is headed by - Sudarshan Sen Mobile Apps launched by different banks 1. SBI ● SBI Quick – With this app customer can get balance ● ‘Mingle’ - the social media banking platform for or mini statement of account through mobile phone. Facebook and Twitter users. ● Samadhan – A self-service mobile app for everyday ● ‘Buddy’ - a mobile wallet app in collaboration with banking needs. Accenture and MasterCard. 2. ICICI ● ‘eforex’ - an internet-based platform that enables ● Mera iMobile - India’s first mobile banking customers to book their foreign exchange application for rural customers. transactions online. ● iMobile – With the help of this app a customer can ● MobiCash – A digital wallet in partnership with perform banking activities just like – transfer of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL). funds, bill payments, can check account balance, etc. 8 | Page www.gradeup.co ● Tap n Pay – ICICI bank launched this service in ● ‘Lime’ - India’s first Mobile App integrating Wallet, collaboration with Tech Mahindra Limited which is Shopping, Payments and Banking based on Near Field Communications (NFC) ● First Multi- Currency Contactless Card service technology. This service allows any customer to launched by - Axis Bank has launched the first make over-the-counter payments without using Contactless Debit, Credit and Multi-Currency Forex cash. Card in association with VISA payWave in the ● M- Pesa – ICICI bank launched this service in country collaboration with Vodafone. With this facility, a 5. Federal Bank customer can transfer money and make payments ● ‘Scan N Pay’ - allows customers to instantly via mobile phone. transfer money to any of the Federal Bank accounts ● Pocket - ICICI Bank launches India's first digital through android phones bank app ‘Pockets’. ● Lotza’ is Unified Payment Interface app of Federal ● Money2India - It is an online money transfer Bank. tracking service offered to Non-Resident Indians. ● FedMobile – Customers can access specified ● Eazypay - India’s first mobile app for merchants to banking services including information relating to accept payments on mobile phone through multiple their Account(s), transaction details and such other digital modes. services as may be made available by the Bank from ● ICICIBankPay on Twitter - This service in India time to time. enables ICICI Bank customers to transfer money to ● FedBook Selfie - India’s first mobile app for bank anyone in the country who has a Twitter account. account opening. ● Smart Vault – Fully automated lockers which is based on robotic technology to access the lockers 6. PNB launches – from the safe vault conveniently at any time of their ● mBanking - With the help of this app a customer preference in total privacy, without any can perform banking activities just like – transfer of intervention of the branch staff. funds, bill payments, can check account balance, etc. ● Contactless Credit and Debit Cards - India’s first ● Wave N Pay – Contactless credit cards, enabling its ‘Contactless’ debit and credit cards, enabling its customers to make electronic payments by just customers to make electronic payments by just waving the cards near the merchant terminal in lieu of dipping or swiping them. waving the cards near the merchant terminal in lieu 7. Kotak Mahindra Bank – of dipping or swiping them. ● 811 mobile app - digital banking system on mobile. ● Software robotics - ICICI bank launched India’s first 'software robotics' initiative. Over 200 Note: 811 offers a zero -balance savings account software robots are now performing over 1 million with zero charges for all digital transactions, transactions per day for the bank which comprises Note: Kotak is the first bank in India to integrate the newly 10% of its total transactions. introduced Aadhaar-based OTP authentication process for ● ICICI Bank launched “ATM on Wheels” India’s first account opening on mobile. Only Aadhaar and PAN numbers Mobile ATM, in Mumbai. are required to open and operate 811. 3. HDFC 8. Yes Bank – ● EVA - HDFC Bank launches chatbot Eva for ● PhonePe - It works over the Unified Payments customer services. Electronic Virtual Assistant Interface(UPI) platform developed by the National (Eva) is India's first Artificial Intelligence -based banking chatbot and can answer millions of Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and is customer queries across multiple channels. powered by YES Bank. PhonePe is a one stop UPI- ● Chillar - It is India's first multi-bank mobile based app which can serve all your payment needs, payment app that links directly to your bank in a safe and secure manner. account. It allows customer to send money instantly ● YES mPower - Yes Bank partnered with Silicon from their HDFC Bank account to anyone in their Valley-based bot platform Gupshup to launch an phone book or to a beneficiary using their ‘Account artificial intelligence-powered banking chatbot number & IFSC code' or ‘UPI ID’. ‘YES mPower’ that instantly gives information ● PayZapp – With this you can do online payments about loan products. The ‘YES mPower’ bot is and money transfer. available through Facebook Messenger. 4. AXIS 9 | Page www.gradeup.co 9. Indian Bank – ● U-Mobile - The mobile banking facility that will ● IndPay – A mobile application service that enables help you do banking transactions using your mobile its customers to operate bank account from phone. anywhere, anytime. 12. ‘Project Ananya’ by Syndicate Bank – Syndicate Bank 10. Bank of Baroda – had launched the ‘Project Ananya’ which provide latest ● M-Connect - It offers you the chance to manage all digital banking services to its customer. of your banking operations using your Smartphone 13. MobiKwik launched ‘Bubble Pin’ as a one-step offline in a convenient, safe and simple manner. payments mode, which allows users to make payments 11. Union Bank of India – without data connection. Banking & Financial terms 1. AEPS – Aadhar Enabled Payment System 42. PSPs - Payment Support Providers 2. APBS – Aadhar Payment Bridge System 43. RTGS – Real Time Gross Settlement 3. ATM – Automated Teller Machine 44. USSD - Unstructured Supplementary Services Data 4. ALM - Asset Liability Management 45. UIDAI - Unique Identification Authority of India 5. BBPS – Bharat Bill Payment System 46. VPA - Virtual Payment Address. 6. BHIM - Bharat Interface for Money 47. GDR – Global Depository Receipt 7. CBS – Core Banking System 48. GAAR - General anti avoidance rule 8. CIDR - Central Identities Data Repository 49. PAN – Permanent Account Number 9. CTS – Cheque Truncation System 50. PLR – Prime Lending Rate 10. CDR - Corporate Debt Restructuring 51. SLR – Statutory Liquidity Ratio 11. CASA – Current Account Saving Account 52. SDR – Special Drawing Rights 12. CAD – Capital Account Deficit 53. DTAA – Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement 13. CRR – Cash Reserve Ratio 14. ECS – Electronic Clearing Scheme 54. TIEA – Tax Information Exchange Agreement 15. DNS - Domain Name System 55. EFSF – European Financial Stability Facility 16. DEAF - Depositor Education and Awareness Fund 17. EFTPOS - Electronic funds transfer at point of sale 56. PPP – Purchasing Power Parity 18. EFT – Electronic Fund Transfer. 57. PPP – Public Private Partnership 19. FRBM - Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management 58. NPS – New Pension Scheme 20. LGD - Loss Given Default 59. EEFC - Exchange Earner's Foreign Currency 21. GNFV - Gross Negative Fair Value 60. FII – Foreign Institutional Investor 22. SFTs: Securities financing transactions 61. DII – Domestic Institutional Investor 23. HCE - Host Card Emulation 24. PFE - Potential Future Exposure 62. GST – Goods and Services Tax 25. ICAAP - Internal Capital Adequacy Assessment Process 63. DTC – Direct Tax Code 26. IFSC - Indian Financial System Code 64. FCNRA – Foreign Currency Non- Resident account 27. IMPS - Immediate Payment Service 28. IMPS - Interbank Mobile Payment Service 65. MFI - Micro Finance Institutions 29. MMID - Mobile Money Identifier 66. MFDC – Micro Finance Development Council 30. MPIN - Mobile Personal Identification Number 67. TRAI - Telecom Regulatory Authority of India 31. NPA – Non- Performing Assets 68. MSF – Marginal Standing Facility 32. NPCI - National Payment Corporation of India 69. IDF – Infrastructure Debt Fund 33. NFS – National Financial Switch 34. NACH – National Automated Clearing House 70. CRIS – Comparative Rating Index for Sovereign 35. NEFT – National Electronic Fund Transfer 71. LIBOR – London Inter Bank Operation Rate 36. NFC - Near field communication 72. MIBOR – Mumbai Inter Bank Operation Rate 37. NDTL – Net Demand and Time Liabilities. 73. MICR – Magnetic Ink Character Recognition 38. OTC – Over the Counter 74. SARFAESI - Securitization and Reconstruction of 39. PIN – Personal Identification Number Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest 40. PAC - Personal Access Code 75. BCBS - Basel Committee on Banking Supervision 41. PCA - Prompt Corrective Action 76. NPCI - National Payments Corporation of India 10 | Page www.gradeup.co Agreement India’s agreement with other countries 1. India & Hong Kong - The Union Cabinet Approved • Capital of Armenia – Yerevan. Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of • Currency of Armenia - Dram. Fiscal Evasion with respect to taxes on income • President - Serzh Sargsyan. between India & Hong Kong. • PM - Karen Karapetyan. 2. India & Colombia - The Union Cabinet approved 6. India & Tunisia - India and Tunisia jointly agreed to signing of Joint Interpretative Declaration (JID) enhance cooperation in various sectors including in the between India and Colombia regarding existing fields of renewable energy, infrastructure, transport Agreement for Promotion and Protection of and automobiles, textiles, agriculture, drugs & Investments. pharmaceuticals, healthcare, ICT, SMEs and energy. Note: Note: Besides this, the Foreign Ministries of the two • Capital of Colombia – Bogotá nations have decided to hold a year-long Festival of • Currency of Colombia - Peso India in Tunisia and Festival of Tunisia in India in 2018 • President - Juan Manuel Santos. to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the establishment 3. India & Philippines agreement on Agriculture & of diplomatic relations between the two countries. related fields - The agreement provides cooperation in Note: fields of rice production and processing, dryland • Capital of Tunisia – Tunis. farming systems, multi cropping system, bio-organic • Currency of Tunisia - Dinar. farming, solid and water conservation and • President - Beji Caid Essebsi. management, soil fertility, Agro forestry, sericulture, • Head of Govt. - Youssef Chahed. livestock improvement etc. 7. India & Italy - India and Italy have signed six Note: agreements to boost cooperation in the fields of • Capital of Philippines – Manila. railways safety, energy and to enhance counter-terror • Currency of Philippines - Peso cooperation. • President - Rodrigo Duterte. Note: 4. India and Kyrgyz - The Union Cabinet approved • Capital of Italy – Rome protocol amending Agreement between India and • Currency of Italy - Euro. Kyrgyz for avoidance of double taxation and • President - Sergio Mattarella. prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on • PM - Paolo Gentiloni. income. 8. India & Sri Lanka - India and Sri Lanka signed a Note: Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to build 1200 • Capital of Kyrgyz – Bishkek. houses in Hambantota, a southern port city of Sri • Currency of Kyrgyz - Som. Lanka. • President - Almazbek Atambayev. Note: • PM - Sapar Isakov. • Capital of Sri Lanka –Sri Jayawardenepura 5. India & Armenia – The Union Cabinet approved Kotte. signing and ratifying agreement between India and • Currency of Sri Lanka - Rupee. Armenia on cooperation and mutual assistance in • President - Maithripala Sirisena customs matters. • PM - Ranil Wickremesinghe. Note: India’s agreement with Financial Institutions 1. India & World Bank - India and World Bank signed a Note: The loan will be provided by the International financing agreement for loan of USD 119 million for Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), the Odisha Higher Education Programme for subsidiary of World Bank. Excellence & Equity (OHEPEE) Project. Objective of the OHEPEE Project – 11 | Page www.gradeup.co • To improve the quality of student’s equitable 8. World Bank to provide $250-million loan to train India's access to selected institutions in Odisha through job seekers - The World Bank has cleared a USD 250- Institutional Development Plan (IDP) Grants. million loan for making Indian youth more employable • It will enhance governance of the higher through reskilling, in a move that is seen to aid the Skill education system by improving governance in India Mission. Under the program, adults in 15-59 years colleges and through improvement of financial of age, underemployed or unemployed, will get the skill and procurement management in all government training. and government-aided colleges. 9. ADB & Himachal Pradesh – The Asian Development • The project is expected to be completed by 30 Bank (ADB) has approved a loan of $80 million (about November 2022. Rs 524 crore) for the modernization of Himachal 2. Andhra Pradesh & Asian Infrastructure Investment Pradesh’s technical and vocational education and Bank (AIIB) – The AIIB has approved USD 2 million training (TVET) institutions. loan (Rs. 13,000 crores) for five projects in Andhra 10. Rajasthan & ADB - The government of India and Asian Pradesh. The five projects include – Two roads and Development Bank (ADB) has signed a 220 million buildings department, one each for rural safe drinking dollar loan for improving connectivity as well as water department, municipal and urban development transport efficiency and safety on State Highways of department and Panchayat Raj department. Rajasthan. 3. India & World Bank sign agreement for Assam 11. Asian Development Bank has pledged USD 10 billion Rural Transformation Project - India and the World for development projects in India. Bank signed USD 200 million loan agreement for the 12. India, World Bank sign USD 35 million agreement to Assam Agribusiness and Rural Transformation Project. enhance efficiency in tax administration in Assam. 4. India & ADB sign agreement to promote fiscal 13. Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has reforms in West Bengal - The Union Government and approved $150 million equity investment loan to the Asian Development Bank has signed USD 300 million India Infrastructure Fund. loan to promote a series of fiscal reforms in West 14. India & World Bank signed an agreement – for Bengal to improve the quality of public service Himachal Pradesh Financial Management Capacity delivery. Building programme. USD 36 million. 5. Nepal & ADB - The Asian Development Bank 15. India signed a USD 39.2 million loan agreement with the (ADB) will provide a USD 152 million to Nepal for the World Bank for the Assam Citizen Centric Service implementation and enhancement of its power Delivery project transmission and distribution. ADB and Nepal’s 16. AIIB & Gujarat- China based Asian Infrastructure Ministry of Finance signed the loan agreement in Investment Bank (AIIB) announced its approval to Kathmandu. a $329 million loan to build access roads across 4,000 6. The Finance Ministry & World Bank ink pact of $24 villages in Gujarat. million to improve India’s Forest Ecosystem Services. 17. World Bank & Assam – World Bank has approved a 7. NABARD sanctioned loan of Rs 1,350-cr to loan assistance of 44 million dollars for the Assam Rajasthan Government for the creation of rural State Public Finance Institutional Reforms (ASPIRe) infrastructure in the state under the Rural Project. Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF). Financial & Economy News 1. Government announces Bank Recapitalisation Plan for MSMEs in 50 clusters. The capital infusion will be to infuse Rs. 2.11 lakh crore capital in PSBs - The accompanied by a series of banking sector reforms that Union Government has announced Bank will be revealed in the coming months. Recapitalisation Plan to infuse Rs. 2.11 lakh crore ( Note: $32.4 billion) capital over next two years into public ➢ Under this plan, PSBs will get Rs 1.35 lakh sector banks (PSBs) and prioritised financing support crore from Recapitalisation Bonds, Rs 18,000 12 | Page www.gradeup.co crore from Budgetary and remaining Rs Note: 58,000 crore will be raised through sale of ● The New Development Bank (NDB), formerly share of banks. referred to as the BRICS Development Bank, is a 2. Govt. constitutes Alternative Mechanism Panel for multilateral development bank established by the PSBs consolidation - The Union Government has BRICS states (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South constituted Alternative Mechanism Panel headed by Africa) with an initial authorised capital of the Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley to oversee bank is USD 100 billion. merger proposals of public sector banks (PSBs). The ● The headquarter of NDB is in Shanghai, China. other members of the panel include Railway and Coal ● K.V. Kamath is the first President of NDB. Minister Piyush Goyal and Defence Minister Nirmala 9. BSNL Launches digital wallet bespoke - BSNL went digital by launching a bespoke mobile wallet (mobile Sitharaman. payment App) that would enable its existing 100 million 3. Core sector growth hits 6-month high of 5.2% in customers to make Bill payments. The wallet has been September 2017 - According to index of eight core developed and issued by MobiKwik on behalf of BSNL. industries released by the Union Ministry of Commerce 10. Nestle set up a first food safety institute in Manesar, and Industry, Core sector growth has hit six-month Gurugram to help develop standards in food safety and high in September 2017. quality. It will provide guidance and training on food Note: The core industries comprising of coal, crude oil, safety. While this is the first such institute in India, natural gas, refinery products, fertilisers, steel, cement, Nestle already runs a similar Institute each in China and and electricity was up 5.2% in September 2017 Lausanne, Switzerland. compared with 4.4% in August 2017 and 5.3% in 11. India becomes 1st country to give to UN Tax Fund September 2016. Besides, August 2017 core sector with $100000 contribution - India has contributed growth was revised downwards from 4.9%. $100,000 to a UN fund to help developing countries 4. No Tax on Cash Sales of Agricultural Produce for actively participate in the discussion of tax Less than 2 Lakh Rupees - The Income Tax issues, becoming the first country to make the Department has clarified that the cash sales of contribution. The UN Tax Trust Fund aims to support the work of the Committee of Experts on International agricultural produce by a cultivator to a trader for less Cooperation in Tax Matters. than 2 lakh rupees will not attract tax under the 12. WTO estimated World Trade to grow at 3.6% in Income Tax Act. 2017. According to revised estimates circulated by 5. PFRDA increases maximum age of joining under the World Trade Organisation, the World trade in goods NPS-Private Sector to 65 years - The Pension Fund is estimated to grow at a higher 3.6 percent in 2017. Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) Earlier growth was projected at 2.4 percent in 2017. increased the maximum age of joining under National 13. US shut down Pakistan’s Habib Bank - The US Pension System (NPS)-Private Sector (All Citizen and banking regulators has shut down the Pakistan’s Habib Corporate Model) from the existing 60 years to 65 Bank office in New York for constantly failing to years of age. attention concerns over possible terrorist financing and Note: money laundering. With this, any Indian Citizen, resident or non-resident, Note: Habib Bank Limited (HBL) Pakistan is a Karachi between the age of 60- 65 years can now join NPS and based multinational bank. It is the largest bank by assets continue up to the age of 70 years in NPS. in Pakistan. Sultan Ali Allana is a Chairman and Nauman 6. GIC Re launched India’s 3rd largest IPO - General Dar is a President & CEO of HBL. Insurance Corp of India (GIC Re) launched its mega Rs 14. India’s Forex reserves cross $400 billion for first 11,370 crore initial public offer (IPO). This is India's time - According to Reserve Bank of India (RBI), India’s third biggest IPO ever after Coal India's Rs 15,200 crore and Reliance Power's Rs 11,700 crore issues. foreign exchange (Forex) reserves have crossed $400 7. Wholesale inflation rose to a four-month high of 3.24 billion mark for the first time. The increase was due per cent in August as prices of food articles, led by sharp rise in foreign currency assets. onions and vegetables, soared. Inflation based on the Note: India is now at sixth position in forex reserves Wholesale Price Index was 1.88 per cent in July 2017 ranking behind China (3,053 billion reserves), Japan and 1.09 per cent in August 2016. ($1,188 billion), Switzerland ($743 billion), Saudi 8. First regional centre of New Development Bank Arabia ($489 billion) and Taiwan ($441 billion). opened in Johannesburg, South Africa. 13 | Page www.gradeup.co 15. Air India Ties up with PNB, IndusInd - Air India has Indian Potash Ltd, KRIBHCO and IDFC Bank as tied up Punjab National Bank and IndusInd Bank to major shareholders. secure loans to the tune of over Rs 3,000 crore for ● It was established under the SCRA, 1956 in terms of meeting working capital requirements. Section 131(B) of Finance Act, 2015 pursuant to 16. Core sector growth rises to 4.9% in August 2017 - central Government notification issued in August According to Ministry of Commerce & Industry, eight 2015. core sectors grew by 4.9% in August 2017, the highest 19. Union Government launches Bharat 22 ETF to sell growth rate since April 2017. It was higher than 3.1% in stakes in 22 firms - The Union Finance Ministry has August 2016 and 2.6% in July 2017 launched second exchange-traded fund (ETF), 17. IIP rises to 9-month high of 4.3% in August 2017- named Bharat 22. It will help to speed up According to data released by Central Statistics Office Government’s disinvestment programme budgeted to (CSO), factory output measured in terms of Index of raise a record Rs 72,500 crore in the FY 2018. Industrial Production (IIP) has grown nine-month high Note: to 4.3% in August 2017. ● Bharat 22 comprise of 22 stocks including those of About Index of Industrial Production (IIP) - The IIP central public sector enterprises (CPSEs), public is composite indicator that measures short-term sector banks (PSBs) and its holdings under the changes in volume of production of basket of industrial Specified Undertaking of Unit Trust of India products during given period with respect to chosen (SUUTI). base period. It is compiled and published monthly by ● Bharat 22 is a well-diversified ETF spanning six Central Statistical Organization (CSO), Ministry of sectors — basic materials, energy, finance, Statistics and Programme Implementation. industrials, FMCG and utilities. Note: ● The sector wise weightage in the Bharat 22 Index is basic materials (4.4%), energy (17.5%), finance ● The CSO had revised base year of IIP from 2004-05 (20.3%), FMCG (15.2%), industrials (22.6%), and to 2011-12 in May 2017 to capture structural utilities (20%). changes in economy and improve quality and About Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) representativeness of indices. ● The revised IIP (2011-12) reflects changes in Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are essentially index industrial sector and also aligns it with base year of funds that are listed and traded on exchanges like other macroeconomic indicators like Wholesale stocks. They are basically basket of stocks with Price Index (WPI) and Gross Domestic Product assigned weights that reflects the composition of an (GDP). index. They are similar to mutual funds in a certain ● The IIP covers 407 item groups. Sector wise these manner but are more liquid as they can be sold items falls into 3 categories viz. Manufacturing quickly on stock exchanges like shares. The ETFs (405 items), Mining (1 items) & Electricity (1 item). trading value is based on the net asset value of the The weights of three sectors are 77.63%, 14.37%, underlying stocks that it represents 7.9% respectively. 20. MCX gets SEBI approval to launch India’s first gold 18. ICEX launches world’s first diamond futures options contract – Commodity derivatives bourse contracts - The Indian Commodity Exchange (ICEX) as Multi Commodity Exchange Ltd (MCX) has received launched world’s first diamond futures contracts to markets regulator Securities and Exchange Board of provide exporters with a hedging tool. ICEX has India’s (SEBI) approval to launch India’s first gold received approval from market regulator Securities options contract. Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to commence trading Note: The MCX is the country’s largest metals and with diamond futures contracts. energy commodity bourse. It is country’s first listed Indian Commodity Exchange (ICEX) – commodity futures exchange that facilitates online ● ICEX is deemed recognized Stock exchange trading, and clearing and settlement of commodity providing a nation-wide on-line trading platform in futures transactions, thereby providing a platform for commodity derivative. risk management. ● It is a public-private partnership with Reliance 21. CCEA approves implementation of Dairy Processing Capital, MMTC Ltd, Indiabulls Housing Finance Ltd, & Infrastructure Development Fund scheme - The 14 | Page www.gradeup.co Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange approved implementation of Dairy Processing & (NCDEX). Infrastructure Development Fund (DIDF) scheme with ● At present, India has six national commodity an outlay of Rs 10881 crore. exchanges namely, Multi Commodity Exchange Note: (MCX), National Commodity and Derivatives ● The Dairy Processing & Infrastructure Exchange (NCDEX), National Multi-Commodity Development Fund will be set up as a corpus of Rs Exchange (NMCE) and Indian Commodity 8004 crore with National Bank for Agriculture and Exchange (ICEX), ACE Derivatives exchange (ACE) Rural Development (NABARD). and Universal commodity exchange (UCX) apart ● The scheme will be implemented during the period from numerous regional exchanges. from 2017-18 to 2028-29. ● Government had established regulatory body is ● The project will be implemented by National Dairy Forward Markets Commission (FMC) in 1953. It Development Board (NDDB) and National Dairy was merged with the Securities and Exchange Development Corporation (NCDC) directly through Board of India (SEBI) in September 2015. the End Borrowers. 28. Union Government launches new tax payer service 22. New Development Bank (NDB) - has approved USD module Aaykar Setu - Aaykar Setu, a new tax payer 470 million loan for Madhya Pradesh’s Multi-Village service module - The module was launched in a mobile Rural Drinking Water Supply Scheme Project. responsive android version along with the desktop 23. Telecom giant Verizon has acquired Yahoo’s core version to enhance mobile access experience. business for $4.48bn (£3.51m), thus ending Yahoo’s 29. India’s Largest Municipal Bond Programme two-decade long run as an independent company. launched - Union Urban Development Minister Verizon is the No.1 wireless operator in the US. Venkaiah Naidu has launched India’s largest municipal 24. Union Government restricts import of gold, silver items bond programme. The Pune Municipal Corporation from South Korea. India is the world's biggest gold (PMC) became the first municipal corporation in the consumer after China and it imposes a 10 percent country to tap money through municipal bonds in 14 import duty on gold and silver. years. The AA+ rated PMC’s municipal bonds raised Rs 25. India to import crude oil from US for first time – 200 crore at 7.59 per cent rate at the Bombay Stock India, the world’s third-largest oil importer, for the first Exchange (BSE). time will import crude oil from the United States. The Note: purchase comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ● This is the first-ever mobilisation of debt capital by visit to the US in June 2017 when President Donald a municipal corporation on the BSE BOND Trump had assured that US looks forward to export platform. This will also be the first issuance since more energy products to India. the publication of ‘Issue and Listing of Debt 26. DIPP to set up India’s first TISC in Punjab – Securities by Municipalities Regulations, 2015’ by Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). will establish India’s first Technology and Innovation ● Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) was assisted by Support Center (TISC) at Patent Information Centre of the US Department of Treasury to create a debt Punjab. TISC will be established in Punjab under the policy. World Intellectual Property Organization’s (WIPO) TISC About Municipality Bonds - Municipality bonds can be program. issued by the city corporations to fund developmental 27. NMCE, ICEX to merge to create India’s third biggest projects. Institutional investors, as well as the public, can commodity exchange - National Multi Commodity buy these bonds. The corporations can use the revenues Exchange (NMCE), India’s first demutualised online earned from the developmental projects like Metro rail national multi-commodities exchange will merge with network to repay the interest and principal on these bonds. Indian Commodity Exchange (ICEX). The merged entity These municipal bonds have now been permitted for public will create India’s third biggest commodity exchange. offering by SEBI. Note: Municipal bonds have been in existence in India from the ● The largest commodity exchange by volume is the year 1997. Cities such as Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Nashik Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) followed by and Madurai have already issued them. These bonds will 15 | Page www.gradeup.co help the city corporations to directly raise funds without the help of grants from the state governments or agencies such as World Bank. SBI Bank in News 1. SBI Sanctions Rs2,317 crore for Financing Solar 5. SBI launches first paperless Banking services Power Projects - State Bank of India announced sbiINTOUCH in Nepal – SBI has launched its fully sanction of credit facilities amounting to Rs2,317 automatic digital banking services in the Nepalese crore to corporates for financing Grid Connected capital Kathmandu. Rooftop Solar projects under an SBI-World Bank 6. SBI, World Bank finance ₹400-cr solar projects – SBI program. and the World Bank had financed 100 MW of rooftop solar projects worth Rs. 400 crore in India. 2. SBI launched India’s first bond index in London - SBI 7. SBI tops share of Wilful Default to PSBs - SBI, along with FTSE Russell, global index and data provider accounts for over 27 per cent of the total amount owed launched FTSE SBI Bond Index series at London Stock to public sector banks by wilful defaulters. As many as Exchange (LSE). It is India’s first bond index series for 1,762 wilful defaulters owed SBI Rs 25,104 crore. overseas investors. Punjab National Bank (PNB) is next on the list with 3. SBI launched SME Assist for MSME Clients – SBI has 1,120 wilful defaulters having outstanding non- launched a new initiative ‘SME Assist’ to provide performing assets (NPAs) of Rs 12,278 crore. Together a short-term working capital demand loan to its MSME these two banks account for Rs 37,382 crore or 40 per clients. It offers loans to MSME customers on the basis cent of the total outstanding loans. of their input credit claims under Goods and Services 8. SBI Tops Trust and Popularity Charts - According to Tax (GST). The loan processing fee under the scheme is Rs 2,000. a survey conducted by Brand Finance, a business 4. SBI to set up India’s largest Innovation Centre in valuation and strategic consultancy, SBI is India’s most Mumbai – SBI will set up a 15,000-sqft innovation trusted and most popular bank. centre at its Global IT Centre in Belapur in Navi Mumbai. Other Bank in News 1. IPPB Bank to become operational in 650 districts Note: The bank already has its representative offices by April 2018 - The Union Government has in Abu Dhabi and Dubai and it has tied up with 110+ announced that India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) will overseas banks/remittance partners. It has already become operational in all 650 districts of the country received approval from RBI for opening a branch in by April 2018 to facilitate financial inclusion. DIFC, Dubai and a representative office in Bahrain, the Note: IPPB has been set up as a Public Limited setting up of which is under process. Company under Department of Posts with 100% 5. Yes Bank Unveils Bhim Yes Pay - Yes Bank, unveiled Government of India (GOI) equity. a superior payment wallet service, BHIM Yes Pay by 2. HDFC Bank Launched SmartUp Zone in Kochi - fully integrating the application with all the IndiaStack HDFC Bank has announced the launch of its SmartUp APIs and NPCI Products. Zone in Kochi, an exclusive area inside the branch 6. AU Small Finance Gets Scheduled Commercial Bank dedicated for start-ups. Status - AU Small Finance Bank has received Reserved 3. IDFC Bank Partners with MobiKwik - IDFC Bank has Bank of India (RBI) approval to operate as Scheduled entered into a “strategic alliance” with mobile wallet Commercial Bank. This bank's name has now been major MobiKwik to launch a co-branded virtual Visa included in the Second Schedule of Reserve Bank of prepaid card for customers of MobiKwik. India Act, 1934. 4. Federal Bank Gets RBI Nod to Open Offices in Note: Now AU Small Finance Bank will be able to do Kuwait, Singapore - Federal Bank has obtained RBI borrowing and lending with RBI under Liquidity approval to open representative offices at Kuwait and Adjustment Facility (LAF) and Marginal Standing Singapore. Facility (MSF). It will also enable AU Small Finance 16 | Page www.gradeup.co Bank to issue Certificate of Deposits (CDs) on Note: Rajeev Yadav is the CEO of Fincare Small competitive interest rates in the market to get Finance Bank. Its headquartered is in Bengaluru, liquidity. Karnataka. 7. AU Small Bank, SIDBI Launch Rs 200 crore Fund for 13. PNB & BSNL ties up for mobile wallet “Speedpay” - MSMEs - AU Small Finance Bank tied up with Small Punjab National Bank (PNB) & BSNL has joined hands Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) to to roll out open mobile wallet Speedpay across 10 states launch a Rs200 crore fund for providing loans to micro, in the country. Under the agreement, BSNL will expand small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Speedpay services in Punjab, Chandigarh(UT), Haryana, 8. EEPC India Signs Pact with Punjab National Bank - Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, The Engineering Export Promotion Council (EEPC) of Bihar, West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Uttarakhand. India has signed an MoU with Punjab National Bank to 14. Ujjivan Small Finance Bank receives scheduled provide easy access to finance for SMEs and merchant bank status from RBI - Ujjivan Small Finance Bank exporters of the council. Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ujjivan Financial 9. ICICI Bank Teams with Apple to Launch Voice- Services Ltd, has been given scheduled bank status by Based International Remittance Service - ICICI RBI. Ujjivan SFB commenced its operations as a Small Bank announced the launch of India's first voice-based Finance Bank with effect from February 1, 2017. international remittance service to enable non- Note: Samit Ghosh is the MD & CEO of Ujjivan SFB. resident Indians (NRIs) to send money to any bank in It headquartered is in Bengaluru, Karnataka. India. 15. Fino Payments Bank has launched its mobile banking Note: With this new feature in the ICICI Bank's app called “BPay”. Money2India app, an NRI customer can instantly 16. Canara Bank has launched its first ‘Digital Banking initiate a remittance to his/her existing payees in India Branch’ named 'CANDI' in Bengaluru. The most with just a simple voice command to Apple's virtual attractive feature of the digital branch is a humanoid voice assistant, Siri, on their iPhone/iPad. robot that addresses basic queries of customers on 10. IDBI Bank only PSB to get ‘high’ rating for code banking products and services. This is a first-of-its compliance - According to the Code Compliance Rating kind initiative by a public-sector bank in the country. of banks done by the Banking Codes and Standards 17. Karur Vysya Bank opens its first Aadhaar Board of India (BCSBI) 2017, only one (IDBI Bank) out Enrolment Centre in Chennai. KVB is the first private of 26 public sector banks and eight out of 17 private sector bank to provide this service in India. sector banks got ‘high’ rating for their adherence to 18. Corporation Bank has bagged the best performance code compliance. awards for Self Help Groups bank linkage program for The eight private sector banks that got ‘high’ rating Karnataka for 2015-16 and 2016-17 from National are- Axis Bank, DCB Bank, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development IndusInd Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, RBL Bank and (Nabard). YES Bank. The three foreign banks are Citibank, HSBC 19. KVGB Bags Best Performer Award - National Bank and Standard Chartered Bank, that were surveyed got for Agriculture and Rural Development ‘high’ ranking. (NABARD) has conferred the ‘best performance award’ 11. Kotak Bank launched ‘Kotak Remit’ an Aadhaar- for 2015-16 and 2016-17 to Karnataka Vikas Grameen based integrated outward forex remittance solution for Bank (KVGB) for its work in the field of credit-linking both customers and non-customers. joint liability groups (JLGs). 12. Fincare Small Finance Bank starts banking 20. IDBI Bank has launched ‘Project Nishchay’ in operations - Fincare Small Finance Bank partnership with the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) to (previously known as Disha Microfin Limited) kick- accelerate its turnaround program and improve started its banking operations with about 25 financial performance. operational branches across Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, 21. HDFC Life Insurance Company has launched 'Neo', a Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. The bank was given servicing bot for Twitter that uses artificial final small finance bank (SFB) licence from the Reserve intelligence for customer service. This is the second bot Bank of India (RBI) in May 2017. put in operation by HDFC Life, after the launch of SPOK, which was an email bot to answer customer queries. 17 | Page www.gradeup.co Rank of India in Global Indexes: 2017 1. Global Business Optimism - India ranked at 7th 7. Global Hunger Index 2017: India ranked at 100th position among 36 countries. The repost is published positions among 119 countries. The report is published by Grant Thornton’s International Business Report by International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). (IBR). ● India’s Previous year ranking – 97th Note: Top three countries – Indonesia, Finland & ● Most hunger countries in the list– The Central Netherlands. African Republic (CAR), Chad and Sierra Leone. 2. Doing Business Report 2018 – India ranked at ● IFPRI headquarter – Washington D.C., US 100th position among 190 countries. The repost is ● Director General - Shenggen Fan 8. Global Retail Development Index 2017 – India published by World Bank. ranked at the top position among 30 countries. The Note: repost is published by - A.T. Kearney's. • India has jumped over 30 ranks to attain ● India’s Previous year ranking – 2nd 100th spot from 130th position in 2017 Ease ● The countries ranked on second & third spot – of Doing Business Index. China and Malaysia. • Top three countries –New Zealand, Singapore ● A.T. Kearney Headquarter – Chicago, Illinois, & Denmark. United States 3. Global Gender Gap Report 2017 - India ranked at ● CEO - Johan Aurik 108th position among 144 countries. The repost is 9. World Human Development Index 2017 – India published by World Economic Forum. ranked at 131st positions among 188 countries. The Note: report is published by United Nations Development • India’s previous rank – 87th in 2016. Programme (UNDP). • Top three countries – Iceland, Norway & ● India’s Previous year ranking – 130 Finland. ● Top three countries are - Norway, Australia and 4. Global Passport Power Rank 2017: India ranked Switzerland. at 75th position among 94 countries. The repost is ● UNDP Headquarter – New York published by Canada based global financial advisory ● Director General - Achim Steiner firm Arton Capital. 10. Global Connectivity Index 2017 – India ranked at 43rd positions among 50 countries. The report is Note: compiled and published by Huawei a leading global • Top three countries – Singapore, Germany & information and communications technology. Sweden. ● India’s Previous year ranking - 44 5. India tops list of new TB cases in 2016: WHO ● Top three countries are – US, Singapore and Report - According to the Global TB Report 2017 Sweden. released by World Health Organisation (WHO), India ● Huawei headquarters– Shenzhen, China has topped list of seven countries, accounting for ● CEO - Ren Zhengfei (CEO) 64% of the over 10 million new tuberculosis (TB) 11. Word Press Freedom Index 2017 – India ranked at cases worldwide in year 2016. 136th positions among 180 countries. The report is Note: India was followed by Indonesia, China, compiled and published by Reporters Without Philippines, Pakistan, Nigeria and South Africa. Borders. 6. Global Financial Centres Index 2017 – India’s ● India’s Previous year ranking - 133 financial capital Mumbai was ranked at 60th position ● Top three countries are – Norway, Sweden & among 92 financial centres. The repost is published by Finland. the Z/Yen and China Development Institute. ● Reporters Without Borders Headquarters– Paris, ● London has topped the index followed by New York France & Hong Kong. ● Director General - Christophe Deloire ● The GFCI is released twice a year in March & 12. Ease of Doing Business 2017 – India ranked at 130th September. positions among 190 countries. The report is published by World Bank Group. 18 | Page www.gradeup.co ● India’s Previous year ranking - 131 ● Chairman - Steve Killelea ● Top three countries are – New Zealand, Singapore & 18. World Happiness Index 2017 - India ranked at 122nd Denmark. positions among 155 countries. The report is published ● World Bank Group Headquarters– Washington, by United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions DC, USA Network. ● President - Jim Yong Kim ● India’s Previous year ranking – 118 13. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Confidence Index ● Top three countries are – Norway, Denmark & 2017 – India ranked at 8th positions among 25 Iceland. countries. The report is published by A.T. Kearney. ● UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network ● India’s Previous year ranking – 9th Headquarter – New York, USA ● Top three countries are -US, Germany & China. ● Director - Jeffrey Sachs ● A.T. Kearney Headquarter – Chicago, Illinois, United 19. Global Resilience Index 2017 - India ranked at 60th States positions among 130 countries. The report is published ● CEO - Johan Aurik by FM Global. 14. Global Competitiveness Index 2017 – India ranked at ● India’s Previous year ranking – 107 40th positions among 137 countries. The report is ● Top three countries are – Switzerland, Luxembourg published by World Economic Forum (WEF). & United Kingdom. ● India’s Previous year ranking – 39th ● FM Global Headquarter – Johnston, (US) ● Top three countries are – Switzerland, US & ● Chairman & CEO - Shivan S. Subramaniam Singapore. 20. Economic Freedom Index 2017 – India ranked at ● World Economic Forum Headquarter – Cologny, 143rd positions among 186 countries. The report is Switzerland published by ‘The Heritage Foundation’. ● Founder & CEO - Klaus Schwab ● India’s Previous year ranking – 123 15. Global Human Capital index 2017 – India ranked at ● Top three countries are – Hong Kong, Singapore & 103rd positions among 130 countries. The report is New Zealand. published by the World Economic Forum. ● The Heritage Foundation headquarter – ● India’s Previous year ranking – 105 Washington, D.C ● Top three countries are – Norway, Finland & ● President - Edwin Feulner Switzerland. 21. International Intellectual Property Index 2017 – ● World Economic Forum Headquarter – Cologny, India ranked at 43rd positions among 45 countries. The Switzerland report is published by US Chamber of Commerce’s ● Founder & CEO - Klaus Schwab Global Intellectual Property Centre (GIPC). 16. Global Innovation Index 2017 - India ranked at 60th ● India’s Previous year ranking – 37 positions among 130 countries. The report is published ● Top three countries are – United States, United by Cornell University, INSEAD, and the World Kingdom & Germany. Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). ● US Chamber of Commerce’s Global Intellectual ● India’s Previous year ranking – 66 Property Centre (GIPC) headquarter – Washington, ● Top three countries are – Switzerland, Switzerland D.C & the Netherlands. ● President & CEO- David Hirschmann ● World Intellectual Property Organization 22. Sustainable Development Goal Index 2017 - India Headquarter – Geneva, Switzerland ranked at 116th positions among 157 countries. The ● CEO - Francis Gurry report is published by Sustainable Development 17. Global Peace Index 2017 - India ranked at 137th Solutions Network (SDSN) and the Bertelsmann positions among 163 countries. The report is published Stiftung. by the Institute for Economics & Peace. ● India’s Previous year ranking – 110 ● India’s Previous year ranking – 141 ● Top three countries are – Sweden, Denmark & ● Top three countries are – Iceland, New Zealand & Finland. Portugal. 23. Corruption Perception Index (CPI) 2017– India ● Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP) headquarter ranked at 79th positions among 176 countries. The – Sydney, Australia. report is published by Transparency International (TI). 19 | Page www.gradeup.co ● India’s Previous year ranking – 76 ● India’s Previous year ranking – 89 ● Top 3 countries - New Zealand and Denmark in ● Top three countries are – Switzerland, Singapore, joint first place followed by Finland and Sweden. United Kingdom ● Counties bottom of the index: Somalia was ranked 21. Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index (TTCI) the most corrupt country. Other countries with 2017 - India ranked at 40th positions among 130 lower rankings were Syria, South Sudan, North countries. The report is published by the World Korea. Economic Forum. ● Transparency International (TI) Headquarter – • India’s Previous year ranking – 52 Berlin, Germany • Top three countries are – Spain, France & Germany. ● Chairman - José Ugaz • World Economic Forum Headquarter – Cologny, 24. Global Index of Talent Competitiveness 2017 – India Switzerland ranked at 92th positions among 118 countries. The • Founder & CEO - Klaus Schwab report is published by INSEAD in partnership with The Adecco Group and the Human Capital Leadership Institute of Singapore (HCLI). Govt. Schemes & Policy 1. Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana extend till 2019- Deen Dayal SPARSH yojana which aims to increase 20 – The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs the reach of Philately. has extended the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana Here SPARSH means - Scholarship for Promotion of (RKVY) as Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana- Aptitude & Research in Stamps as a Hobby. Remunerative Approaches for Agriculture and Allied Key points – Sector Rejuvenation (RKVY-RAFTAAR) for three • Under the scheme, it is proposed to award years i.e. 2017-18 to 2019-20. annual scholarships to children of Standard Objective of RKVY-RAFTAAR - To make farming VI to IX having good academic record and remunerative economic activity by strengthening also pursuing Philately as a hobby through a farmer’s effort, risk mitigation and promoting competitive selection process in all postal agri-business entrepreneurship. The financial circles. allocation of scheme is Rs. 15,722 crore. • Every Postal Circle will select a maximum of Note: 40 scholarships representing 10 students Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana is launched in 2007 as each from Standard VI, VII, VIII & IX. a part of the 11th Five Year Plan by the Government • The amount of Scholarship will be Rs. of India. It is a State Plan Scheme of Additional 6000/- per annum @ Rs. 500/- per month. Central Assistance launched under the aegis of the About Philately National Development Council, it seeks to achieve • Philately is the hobby of collection and study 4% annual growth in agriculture through of Postage stamps. development of Agriculture and its allied sectors. • It also entails the collection, appreciation 2. Kerala govt. launched ‘She Pad’ Scheme for and research activities on stamps and other School Girls – The Kerala related philatelic products. government launched “She Pad,’’ a scheme to • Philately is called the king of hobbies distribute free sanitary napkins to girl students from because Stamp collection as a hobby has lot classes VI to XII in government and aided private of educational benefits - it teaches a lot schools affiliated to the state school board. Kerala about the socio economic political reality of became the first state to launch such schemes. the period in which the stamp is issued or 3. Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana - Union Minister of the theme on which it is issued. Communications Manoj Sinha has launched the 20 | Page www.gradeup.co 4. 'Grahak Sadak Koyla Vitaran' App - Union ➢ Low Premium and High Bonus is the Minister of Railways & Coal Piyush Goyal has unique feature of PLI and RPLI launched the ‘Grahak Sadak Koyla Vitaran App’ schemes. which aims to benefit customers of Coal India ➢ As on March 31, 2017, there were Limited (CIL) lifting coal through road mode. The 46.8 lakh PLI and 146.8 lakh RPLI app is launched in Kolkata. policies across the country. Key points – • The main benefits of the App for the 6. 'Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana’ (BBY) launched in customers include easy accessibility of the MP – The Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj information at the click of the button. Singh Chouhan launched the 'Bhavantar Bhugtan • The app will monitor whether the dispatches Yojna' for the farmers of the state and to provide are made on the fair principle of ‘First in financial support in case of losses in crops. First Out’ basis. Key points • It will keep a track on all the activities from ➢ The scheme is also called the ‘Price Deficit issuance of Sale Order to physical delivery of Financing Scheme’. coal by road. ➢ At first, the scheme will cover 8 crops which 5. ‘Sampoorna Bima Gram Yojana’ – includes oil seeds and some pulses etc. Communications Minister Manoj Sinha has launched Soybean, Groundnut, Til, Ramtil. Maize, the Sampoorna Bima Gram (SBG) Yojana in New Moong, Urad, Tuar Daal. Delhi. ➢ The farmers are supposed to register Key points - themselves with mandis to leverage the • It is an initiative for expansion of client base benefits of Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana. of Postal Life Insurance. ➢ The aim of the scheme is to encourage the • To provide affordable life insurance services farmers to cultivate more oil seeds and to people living in rural areas of the country. pulses products in the state. • All villages under the Saansad Adarsh Gram 7. 'Prerna' project for Women Farmers launched in Yojana will be brought under its ambit. Odisha - Mahindra & Mahindra has launched a • At least one village (having a minimum of ‘Prerna’ programme to empower women working 100 households) will be identified in each of in the agriculture sector by promoting efficient and the revenue districts of the country, wherein ergonomic farm tools and equipment. endeavour will be made to cover all Key points households of that identified village with a ➢ The project is launched in the state of Odisha, minimum of one RPLI (Rural Postal Life with the intention to positively impact the lives Insurance) policy each. of over 1,500 families across 30-plus villages. Note: 8. Union Ministries of Power & Textiles Jointly ➢ Postal Life Insurance (PLI), launched 'SAATHI' Initiative - The Union introduced in 1884, is one of the Ministries of Power and Textiles have jointly oldest life insurance schemes for launched an initiative 'SAATHI'. benefit of Government and semi- SAATHI stands for - Sustainable and Accelerated Government employees. Adoption of efficient Textile technologies to Help ➢ Rural Postal Life Insurance (RPLI), small Industries. introduced on March 24, 1995 on Key points – recommendations of Malhotra ➢ Under this initiative, Energy Efficiency Services Committee, provides insurance cover Limited (EESL), a public sector entity under the to people residing in rural areas, administrative control of Ministry of Power, especially weaker sections and would procure energy efficient Powerlooms, women living in rural areas. motors and Rapier kits in bulk and provide 21 | Page www.gradeup.co them to the small and medium Powerloom units Key points – at no upfront cost. ➢ The campaign aims to highlight the various ➢ The SAATHI initiative of the Government will be aspects of women standing 'by' and 'for' jointly implemented by EESL and the office of women. the Textile Commissioner on a pan-India basis. ➢ Ministry of WCD has urged people to shun ➢ To kick start the implementation, cluster wise stereotypes associated with women harming demonstration projects and workshops will be other women. organized in key clusters such as Erode, Surat, ➢ Twitter and Facebook users have been Ichalkaranji, etc. encouraged to tag and share stories of women 9. Ministry WCD launches campaign on 'women for helping women with a photograph and post women': #IamThatWoman - In an attempt to end online with the hashtag #IamThatWoman. Gender bias in women against women, the Ministry of Women and Child Development is undertaking an online campaign #IamThatWoman. Schemes under Ministry of Finance 1. Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana (PMVVY)- • The lending priority will be given to SC/ST • For the senior citizens aged 60 years and above enterprises. • The Scheme provides an assured return of 8% p.a. • MUDRA Bank has launched three loan instruments: payable monthly (equivalent to 8.30% p.a. (i) Shishu- loans up to Rs 50,000 (ii) Kishor- loans effective) for 10 years. above Rs 50,000 and up to Rs. 5 lakhs • The scheme will be operated by LIC. (iii) Tarun- loans above Rs 5 lakh and up to Rs 10 2. Jan Suraksha Yojana- lakh (i) PRADHAN MANTRI JEEVAN JYOTI BIMA YOJANA- 4. Varishtha Pension Bima Yojana- • PMJJBY is a one-year life insurance scheme. • To provide social security to the persons who are • Renewable from year to year, offering coverage for above or equal to 60 years. death due to any reason and is available to people • Implemented through LIC. in the age group of 18 to 50 years • It will provide an assured pension based on a rate • Premium of Rs.330/- per annum per member of return of 8% per annum for ten years. • life cover of Rs. 2 lakhs Schemes under Ministry of Women and Child (ii) PRADHAN MANTRI SURAKSHA BIMA YOJANA- Development – • Premium of Rs.12 per year 1. Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP)- • Age group 18 to 70 years • Launched by the PM on January 22, 2015 at • Under it, risk coverage available will be Rs.2 lakh Panipat, Haryana. for accidental death and permanent total disability • Objective- Improve Child Sex Ratio, Protection and and Rs. 1 lakh for permanent partial disability education of girl child. (iii) Atal Pension Yojana- • Current brand ambassador-Olympic Bronze • Launched in 2015 medallist Sakshi Malik. • Focussed on all citizens in the unorganised sector 2. Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana- • Age- min 18 years, Max- 40 years • Launched by the Prime Minister on January 21, • The Union Govt. would also co-contribute 50% of 2015. the subscriber’s contribution or Rs. 1000 per • Under Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Women annum, whichever is lower. and Child Development. • Subscribers would receive the fixed pension at the • It is a part of BBBP (Beti Bachao Beti Padhao). age of 60 years, depending on their contributions. • Only for girls whose age are equal or below 10 3. PRADHAN MANTRI MUDRA YOJANA (PMMY)- years. • Launched in 2015 • Tenure- 21 years from the date of opening or girl’s • In this scheme, Mudra (Micro Units Development marriage and Refinance Agency) bank has been opened to • Current interest rate- 8.3 Percent. fund all MFI (Micro Financial institutions) which • Account can be opened via post offices or provide loans to the MSMEs. commercial banks. 22 | Page www.gradeup.co 3. POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses) • Initially the project has been implemented in 17 e-Box- districts in Jharkhand. • Online complaint management system • Tejaswini Socio-Economic Empowerment of • Action against the offenders under the POCSO Act, Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) 2012. Project. • Any human being up to the age of 18 years is • Project is financed by World Bank. recognised as a child under the POCSO Act. 7. Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) 4. SHe-box’ (sexual harassment electronic box) portal- • Launched in October 2, 1975. • Launched in July 2017. • Provides food, education, and primary healthcare • Online platform to enable women employees of the to children under 6 years of age and their mothers. central govt. to file complaints related to sexual • Anyone can visit to the Aanganwadi centre and harassment at the workplace. enroll these services. 5. ‘SABLA’ Scheme- 8. Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahayog Yojana- • Launched in 2010, also known as Rajiv Gandhi • Provide financial aid of Rs 6,000 to pregnant Scheme for Empowerment of Adolescent Girls. women who undergo institutional delivery for • Development of adolescent girls of 11-18 years by hospital admission. making them ‘self-reliant’. • The scheme provided cash transfer to pregnant • Focus areas- Nutrition, Skill development and women above the age of 18 years for up to two live Health. births. 6. Tejaswini Project- Other programs and schemes- 1. ‘Saubhagya’ (Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana) Scheme- • Udaan provides exposure to the youth of J&K to • Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched 'Power the best of corporate India and corporate India to for all' scheme today to mark the birth anniversary the rich talent pool available in the State. of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya. • The scheme not only provides skill enhancement • The scheme will be named ‘Saubhagya’ and will and job opportunity but also connects these provide subsidy on equipment like transformers, bright youths from the J&K with the vibrant meters and wires. corporate sector of India. 2. Mission Indradhanush 5. UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) • It was launched by Union Health Minister J. P. • is a regional airport development and "Regional Nadda on 25 December 2014. Connectivity Scheme (RCS)" • It aims to immunize all children under the age of 2 6. UJALA Scheme- years, as well as all pregnant women, against seven • Prime Minister of India Sh. Narendra Modi on vaccine preventable diseases. January 5, 2015 had launched the world's largest • The diseases being targeted are diphtheria, and most extensive LED distribution programme, whooping cough, tetanus, poliomyelitis, UJALA (Unnat Jyoti by Affordable Lighting for tuberculosis, measles and Hepatitis B. All). • Later Japanese Encephalitis and Haemophilus • Recently UJALA scheme launched in Melaka, influenzae type B, Rubella, Japanese Encephalitis, Malaysia. Injectable Polio Vaccine Bivalent and Rotavirus 7. Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) also added. • Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana was launched by 3. Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI) Prime Minister on May 1st, 2016 in Ballia, Uttar • Prime Minister Modi launched the Intensified Pradesh. Mission Indradhanush (IMI) at Vadnagar in • It is an ambitious social welfare scheme which Gujarat on October 8, 2017. aims to provide free LPG connections to BPL • Through this programme, Government of India households in the country. aims to reach each and every child under two 8. Sagarmala project years of age and all those pregnant women who • Sagar Mala project is a strategic and customer- have been left uncovered under the routine oriented initiative of the Government of India to immunisation programme. modernize India's Ports so that port-led 4. Udaan 23 | Page www.gradeup.co development can be augmented and coastlines can • It is a training-cum-placement programme for be developed to contribute in India's growth. unemployed youth in Jammu and Kashmir. 9. ‘Himayat’ Programme 10. DIKSHA Portal • For teacher training by HRD Ministry Obituaries 1. Kirti Nidhi Bista - Former Nepal Prime Minister. 8. Kundan Shah - Veteran director Kundan Shah, best 2. Manu Sharma - Noted author and Padma Shri known for the dark comedy Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro, awardee Manu Sharma died in Varanasi, Uttar passed away. Pradesh following a prolonged illness. Note: He made his directorial debut on television in Note: His famous book was Krishna Ki Atmakatha. 1986 with the popular series Nukkad. He was nominated as one of the navratna of the 9. Baddam Narasimha Reddy - Former Lok Sabha Swachha Bharat Abhiyan by Prime Minister Member and architect passed away in Hyderabad. Narendra Modi. He donated his lifetime savings of 10. Chikkamadu - Janata Dal (Secular) member of Rs 20 lakh for the renovation of a ghat in Varanasi to Karnataka Legislative Assembly (MLA) Chikkamadu carry out a cleanliness campaign. passed away after a prolonged illness. 3. Punathil Kunjabdulla Passes Away - Renowned 11. Mansour bin Moqren - A Saudi prince Mansour bin Malayalam writer. He is regarded as one of the Moqren was killed when a helicopter with several major figures of modernism in Malayalam literature. officials on board crashed near the kingdom's 4. Girija Devi - Eminent classical singer and Padma southern border with war-torn Yemen. Vibhushan awardee Girija Devi passed away in 12. Arjan Singh – Indian Air Force Marshal passed Kolkata. away recently, who led the Indian Air Force in the Note: She was considered as the "Queen of Thumri" 1965 India-Pakistan War and fondly called Appa Ji. She was from the "Benaras 13. Pushpa Bhargava - The veteran molecular biologist Gharana". She received the Padma Shri in 1972, the and a vehement critic of genetically modified crops Padma Bhushan in 1989 and the Padma Vibhushan passed away. in 2016. 14. Sitaram Panchal - Bollywood actor who made his 5. I V Sasi - Veteran Malayalam director I V Sasi, best Bollywood debut with Bandit Queen passed away. known for his films “Avalude Ravukal” and 15. Vijay Nambisan - Veteran poet and writer passed “Devasuram” passed away. away. 6. Shamsher Khan - India's First Olympic Swimmer 16. Shirish Pai - The renowned Marathi poet and activist passed away. He had represented India in 1956 has passed away. Melbourne Olympics. He was the first swimmer to 17. Roy Dotrice - Veteran British Actor. represent India in Olympics. Note: He was known for his role as Leopold Mozart 7. Satish Chandra - Veteran & eminent historian in the Oscar-winning film Amadeus and his many Satish Chandra passed away the age of 95. theater and TV roles. Important Committees 1. YM Deosthalee Committee – task force on Public Credit assess the procurement policy relating to defence Registry (PCR). The committee will review the current equipment. availability of information on credit in India. 3. Arun Jaitley Committee - The union govt. has 2. B C Khanduri Committee - parliamentary standing constituted a ministerial panel headed by Finance committee on defense. The committee will examine the Minister Arun Jaitley to oversee merger proposals of operational preparedness of armed forces and review state-owned banks. accidents involving strategic defence assets and also 24 | Page www.gradeup.co 4. Rina Mitra Committee - The Union govt. has set up a 7. Dr. Rajiv Kumar Committee - With an aim to create study group under Special secretary in the home new jobs by enhancing India’s export, the NITI Aayog ministry to examine the problems of people along IB, constituted an Expert Task Force. The task force will be chaired by the NITI Aayog Vice Chairman, Dr. Rajiv LOC in J&K. Kumar. 5. Justice (Retd.) G. Rohini Committee - to examine the 8. Dr V. Kamakoti Committee - The Union Government sub-categorization of the Other Backward Classes constituted a task force on Artificial Intelligence (AI) (OBCs). for the country's Economic Transformation. The 18- 6. Dr Hasmukh Adhia Committee - The Union member panel, headed by Dr V. Kamakoti of IIT government has constituted a GST Committee on Exports Madras. headed by Dr Hasmukh Adhia. 9. K Kasturirangan Committee - to prepare National Education Policy Note: The panel is mandated to recommend to the GST Council a suitable strategy for helping the export sector in the post-GST set-up. New Appointments National 1. First woman President of NASSCOM in 2018 - Debjani Director of Intelligence Bureau, as a representative of Ghosh. the government to initiate and carry forward a Note: She will succeed R Chandrashekhar after his dialogue with the elected representatives, various tenure ends in March 2018. With this appointment she organizations and concerned individuals in the state of will become first female president of NASSCOM. Jammu and Kashmir. 2. New Secretary (security) in Cabinet Secretariat – S.K. 12. New AIBA Women's Youth World Championships Sinha. Ambassador - MC Mary Kom 3. New Finance Secretary – Hasmukh Adhia. He Note: The event will be held in Guwahati, Assam from succeeds Ashok Lavasa. November 19 to 26. 4. New Private Secretary to President - Vikram Singh. 13. New Vice Chief of Naval Staff – Vice Admiral Ajit Kumar. Note: Vikram Singh currently posted as a senior 14. New CEO of Association of Mutual Funds in India director in the Traffic Commercial directorate in the (AMFI) – N.S. Venkatesh. Railway Board. 15. New as Additional Director General of CISF - Alok 5. New First Woman Police Chief of Karnataka - Kumar Pateria. Neelmani N. Raju has been appointed as Karnataka’s 16. New Lokayukta of Madhya Pradesh - Naresh Kumar first woman Director General and Inspector General of Gupta. He is a retired judge of Madhya Pradesh High Police. She succeeds Rupak Kumar Dutta. Court. 6. New Director General of National Investigation 17. New Chief of Film and Television Institute of India Agency (NIA) - Yogesh Chander Modi. He succeeds (FTII) - Anupam Kher (Veteran actor). He succeeds Sharad Kumar. Gajendra Chauhan. 7. New MD & CEO of India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) - 18. New HSBC India CEO - Jayant Rikhye. He succeeds Suresh Sethi. Stuart Milne. Mr. Rikhye Note: Hew was the former MD of Vodafone M-Pesa Ltd. 19. New SBI Chairman - Rajnish Kumar. He succeeds He succeeds AP Singh. Arundhati Bhattacharya. 8. New Special Director of Central Bureau of Investigation 20. New President of US-India Business Council - Nisha (CBI)- Rakesh Asthana. Desai Biswal. 9. New CEO & MD of Tata Steel – T. V. Narendran. Note: The US-India Business Council is the premier 10. New CEO of Bharti AXA Life Insurance - Vikas Seth. business advocacy organization that was formed in 11. Union Government appoints Dineshwar Sharma as its 1975 at the request of the US and Indian governments. Representative in Jammu & Kashmir. The Union It is the largest bilateral trade association in the United Government appointed Dineshwar Sharma, former 25 | Page www.gradeup.co States and has presence in New York, Silicon Valley 37. New Defence Minister of India - Nirmala Sitharaman. and New Delhi. 38. New Director General (DG) Railway Protection Force 21. New CMD of Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) Ltd - P. (RPF) - Dharmendra Kumar. Alli Rani. 39. New Chairman of Railway Board -- Ashwani Lohani. 22. New CMD of National Hydroelectric Power 40. New Executive Director of the Insolvency and Corporation (NHPC) Ltd. - Balraj Joshi. Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) -- Mamta Suri. 23. The first Chairman of the five-member Economic 41. New Chairman of the Central Board of Film Advisory Council (EAC- PM) --Bibek Debroy. Certification(CBFC) - Prasoon Joshi Note: The Economic Advisory Council to the Prime 42. New Vice President of India -- Muppavarapu Minister (PMEAC) is a non-constitutional, non- Venkaiah Naidu permanent and independent body constituted to give 43. New Chief Justice of India (CJI) -- Justice Dipak Misra. economic advice to the Government of India, 44. New CMD of Small Industries Development Bank of specifically the Prime Minister. India (SIDBI) -- Mohammad Mustafa. 24. New Chairman & Managing Director of ONGC (Oil and 45. New Chairman of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) - Natural Gas Corporation) - Shashi Shanker. Dhirendra Swarup. 25. New CMD of Indian Railway Catering and Tourism 46. New Vice-Chairman of NITI Aayog - Dr. Rajiv Kumar. Corporation (IRCTC) Ltd. - Mahendra Pratap Mall. 47. New secretary general of the Federation of Indian 26. New CMD of the United India Insurance Co. Ltd. - M. Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) - Sanjaya Nagaraja Sarma. Baru 27. New Director General (DG) of the Sashastra Seema Bal 48. Re-appointed as Managing Director (MD) & Chief (SSB) - Rajni Kant Misra. Executive Officer (CEO) of Axis Bank - Shikha Sharma 28. NPCI’s (National Payments Corporation of India) 49. New Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar - Sushil Kumar interim Chairman - B Sambamurthy Modi. 29. New interim GSTN Chairman - A.B Panday 50. New Chief Minister of Nagaland - TR Zeliang. 30. New Brand Ambassador of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan in 51. New MD & CEO of Oriental Bank of Commerce - Uttarakhand -- Akshay Kumar. Mukesh Kumar Jain. Note: In August 2017, he was also appointed as the 52. New Director General (DG)of Goods and Services Tax brand ambassador for the cleanliness campaign in Intelligence (GSTI) - John Joseph Uttar Pradesh 53. New Attorney General of India - K K Venugopal. He 31. Chairman of Press Trust of India (PTI) - Viveck Goenka. replaces Mukul Rohatgi. 32. New Union Minister of Railways - Piyush Goyal. 54. New Chief Election Commissioner of India - Achal 33. New Election Commissioner of India - Sunil Arora. Kumar Jyoti. He replaces Nasim Zaidi 34. Chairman of the Central Board of Secondary Education 55. 14th President of India - Ram Nath Kovind (CBSE) - Anita Karwal. She succeeds ‘Rajesh Kumar 56. New Managing Director(MD) and CEO of IDFC Ltd - Chaturvedi’. Sunil Kakar. 35. New Home Secretary - Rajiv Gauba. 57. New MD & CEO of National Stock Exchange(NSE) -- 36. New Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India - Vikram Limaye. Rajiv Mehrishi New Governor Appointed 1. New Governor of Assam - Jagdish Mukhi. 2. New Governor of Arunachal Pradesh - B. D. Mishra 3. New Governor of Bihar - Satya Pal Malik. 4. New Governor of Tamil Nadu - Banwarilal Purohit. 5. New Governor of Meghalaya - Ganga Prasad. 6. New Lt. Governor of Andaman & Nicobar Islands - Devendra Kumar Joshi. 26 | Page www.gradeup.co International Appointment 1. New UNESCO Chief - Audrey Azoulay. She succeeds reverse the decline in the health and productivity of Irina Bokova (Bulgaria) the world's oceans. Note: Audrey Azoulay is a France's former culture 7. New President of Singapore - Mdm Halimah Yacob. minister. Ms Azoulay is the 11th Director-General of 8. Re-elected as President of Kenya - Uhuru Kenyatta. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural 9. New Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea - Peter Organization (UNESCO). O’Neill 2. New Prime Minister of New Zealand - Jacinda 10. India’s alternate Governor on the Board of Ardern. Governors of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) -- Note: She (37-year-old) is the youngest female PM of Subhash Chandra. New Zealand in 150 years. 11. New UNICEF’s Global Goodwill Ambassador -- Lilly 3. New Deputy Director-General of World Health Singh. Organization (WHO) - Soumya Swaminathan. 12. New Prime Minister of Mongolia - Ukhnaa Note: This position is the second-highest at the UN’s health agency. Soumya Swaminathan is the present Khurelsukh director general of Indian Council of Medical Research 13. Newly elected President of Mongolia - (ICMR). She is a paediatrician and an internationally- Khaltmaagiin Battulga recognized researcher on TB (Tuberculosis) and HIV. 14. First female Prime Minister of Serbia -- Ana 4. New President of ‘Angola’ - Joao Lourenco. He Brnabic. succeeds Jose Eduardo dos Santos. 15. First woman Chief Executive of Hong Kong - Carrie 5. New Chairman of Ethics Commission of the Lam. International Olympic Committee (IOC) -- Ban Ki- Note: The Chief Executive of Hong Kong (CE) is the moon. highest office of the Hong Kong Special Note: Mr. Moon was the 8th Secretary-General of Administrative Region (HKSAR). the United Nations (Jan 2007 - Dec 2016). 16. President of the International Economic Association 6. First special envoy for the Oceans - Peter Thomson. (IEA) - Kaushik Basu. Note: Peter Thomson played a leading role at the 17. New Prime Minister of Romania -- Mihai Tudose. first-ever UN conference on oceans in June. The 193 18. New India International Centre (IIC) - N N Vohra UN member states issued an urgent call for action to 19. New Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia by King Salman -- Mohammed bin Salman New Ambassador Appointed – 1. New India’s Ambassador to Pakistan – Ajay Bisaria. He succeeds Gautam Bambawale. Note: He is currently ambassador to Poland. 2. New India’s Ambassador to Republic of Zambia - N.J.Gangte. 3. New US Ambassador to India - Kenneth Juster. He succeeds Richard Verma. 4. New India's Ambassador to China - Gautam Bambawale. He succeeds Vijay Gokhale. 5. New Ambassador of India to Switzerland - Sibi George. He succeeds Smita Purushottam. 6. New Pakistan’s Ambassador to India - Sohail Mahmood. He succeeds ‘Abdul Basit’. 7. New Russia's Ambassador to India - Nikolay Kudashev. 8. New Ambassador of India to the Republic of Kazakhstan - Prabhat Kumar. 27 | Page www.gradeup.co Books & Authors 1. Book titled “The Coalition Years” authored by – 11. Book titled “Cryptocurrency for Beginners” authored Pranab Mukherjee (Former President of India) by – Amit Bhardwaj. 2. Book titled “I Do What I Do” authored by – Raghuram 12. Book titled “Making of a legend” authored by – Rajan (former RBI Governor) Bindeshawr Pathak. 3. Book titled “Immortal India” authored by – Amish 13. Book titled “Dalhousie Through My Eyes” authored by Tripathi. – Kiran Chadha. 4. Book titled “A Horse Walks into a Bar” authored by - 14. Book titled “Playing With Fire” authored by – Katie David Grossman (Winner - Man Booker International Price. Prize 2017) 15. Book titled “Future of Indian Universities: 5. Book titled “How India Sees the World” – Shyam Comparative and International Perspectives” authored Saran. by – C. Raj Kumar. 6. Book titled “Hit Refresh” – Satya Nadella. 16. Book titled “The Ministry of Utmost Happiness” 7. Book titled “Unstoppable: My Life So far” authored by authored by – Arundhati Roy. – Maria Sharapova. 17. Book titled “The Crisis Within” authored by – Ganesh 8. Book titled “The Shershah of Kargil” authored by - Devy. Deepak Surana (Biography of Kargil war hero – Late 18. Book titled “Indira Gandhi – A life in Nature” authored Captain Vikram Batra) by – Jairam Ramesh. 9. Book titled “Kadve Vachan” authored by – Tarun Sagar 19. Book titled “Beren And Luthien” authored by – J.R.R. Maharaj. Tolkien. 10. Book titled “I am HIV positive, so what?” authored by 20. Book titled “Yug Purush, Bharat Ratna, Atal Ji” – Jayanta Kalita (The book is based on the life of an authored by – Ramesh Pokhriyal “Nishank”. international bodybuilding champion Khundrakpam 21. Book titled “Matoshree” authored by - Lok Sabha Pradipkumar Singh hailing from Manipur, who was Speaker Sumitra Mahajan diagnosed HIV-positive.) Honors & Awards National Awards 1. 53rd Jnanpith award 2017- Krishna Sobti (eminent 3. Best Urban Transport Practices’ of the Union Hindi writer). Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs awards - Note: i. Best City Bus Services Award 2017 - Surat ➢ She was born in 1925 in Gujrat, in Pakistan’s Municipal Corporation awarded with the ‘Best City Bus Punjab Province. Services Award’ by the Union Ministry of Housing and ➢ Some of her popular works include Daar se Urban Affairs for attracting 87 per cent of the private Bichhudi, Dil-o-Danish, Badalom ke Ghere, vehicle and auto rickshaw users to use city buses. Yaaron Ke Yaar, Mitron Marjani, and ii. ‘Best Non-Motorised Transport’ Award - Mysuru’s Zindaginama. Public Bicycle Sharing won the Best Non-Motorised ➢ She is most known for her 1966 novel Mitro Transport’ Award. Marajani, an unapologetic portrayal of a iii. ‘Best Urban Transport Initiative’ Award - Kochi married woman's sexuality. (Kerala) was chosen for the for completing its Metro 2. UNESCO Asia Pacific Award of Merit 2017 - The Sri Rail Project in a quick time. Ranganathaswamy Temple of Srirangam in Tamil Nadu iv. Best Intelligent Transport Project’ - The H-TRIMS won UNESCO Asia Pacific Award of Merit 2017 for of Hyderabad, the Traffic Integraged Management cultural heritage conservation programme. initiative was awarded with the award. . Note: It is the first temple from Tamil Nadu to win the 4. Vishnudas Bhave award - Mohan Joshi (Veteran prize from the UN body. actor) 28 | Page www.gradeup.co Note: The award is conferred in memory of Vishnudas Transformation' at a convention in London at 17th Bhave, the founder of Marathi theatre. London Global Convention. 5. Tata Literature Lifetime Achievement Award 2017 15. Mathrubhumi Literary Award - Eminent critic, - Girish Karnad (Veteran actor). biographer and orator M K Sanu has been chosen for 6. 2017 Hridaynath Mangeshkar Award - Javed Akhtar the Mathrubhumi Literary Award for 2016 in (Veteran writer-lyricist). recognition of his rich contribution to the Malayalam 7. ‘General Insurance Company of the Year’ - Apollo literature. Munich Health Insurance. 16. Asia Game Changers Award- 2017--Dev Patel. 8. Green Platinum Award - The Govardhan Eco Village, 17. First Kesari Media Award - T J S George. (Veteran set up by the International Society for Krishna journalist) Consciousness (ISKCON) in Palghar district won the 18. Prem Nazir Award 2017 – Sharada (Veteran actress) ‘Green Platinum Award’ by Indian Green Building 19. East Bengal football club’s highest honour 'Bharat Council (IGBC) of Confederation of Indian Industry Gaurav' - Dhanraj Pillay (CII). 20. 2018 Times Higher Education (THE) World university 9. Indira Gandhi National Integration award for ranking, Indian university has been names the top 2015-16- T M Krishna (Carnatic music vocalist). He is university in India -- IISc-Bangalore. being awarded for his services in promoting and 21. First lifetime achievement award for his contribution to preserving national integration in the country. Badminton -- Prakash Padukone. 10. Cleartrip Named 'Best Mobile App for Travel' at 22. Bollywood star has received the ‘Global Diversity Mobexx Awards. Award’ at Britain’s House of Commons - Salman Khan 11. Ezhuthachan Puraskaram 2017 - K Satchidanandan (Noted Malayalam Poet and literary critic) has been 23. Best film award at 18th IIFA Awards 2017-- Neerja. 24. JD(U) leader has also received the Lifetime selected for Ezhuthachan Puraskaram 2017. This is Achievement Award as a Rajya Sabha MP -- Sharad Kerala government's highest literary honour. Yadav. 12. UNESCO Asia-Pacific Award for Cultural Heritage 25. Veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader has Conservation - Mumbai’s The Royal Opera House. received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his 13. Lifetime Achievement Award - Sharmila Tagore contributions as a Lok Sabha member -- LK Advani. (Veteran actress) 26. Indian city has been declared as a World Heritage City Note: She was bestowed with the recognition by the (WHC) by UNESCO -- Ahmedabad. PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry in New Delhi 27. Indian film Best Foreign Film category at the Oscars for her contribution in the field of cinema. 2018 -- Newton. 14. Golden Peacock Award - N Chandrababu Naidu Note: Newton is a 2017 Indian Hindi-language black (Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister) has received the comedy film directed by Amit V Masurkar and Produced Golden Peacock Award under the category 'Global by Drishyam Films. Leadership in Public Service and Economic International Awards List of Nobel Prize 2017 – ● ICAN Executive Director - Beatrice Fihn 2. Nobel Prize in Literature 1. Nobel Prize in Peace ● Winner - Kazuo Ishiguro. ● Winner - International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear ● He is a British author and best known for his novel Weapons (ICAN) “The Remains of the Day”. ● Field - ICAN for its work to draw attention to the ● He was born in Nagasaki, Japan. catastrophic humanitarian consequences of any use 3. Nobel Prize in Economics of nuclear weapons and for its ground-breaking ● Winner - Richard Thaler efforts to achieve a treaty-based prohibition of such ● Field – for his work in behavioral economics. weapons. ● ICAN headquarter at – Geneva, Switzerland. 29 | Page www.gradeup.co ●Richard Thaler born in New Jersey, United States. ● Rainer Weiss born in Berlin, Germany. He is a He is a professor of behavioural sciences and Professor at Massachusetts Institute of economics at University of Chicago. Technology. 4. Nobel Prize in Medicine ● Barry C. Barish born in Nebraska, U.S. He is a ● Winner - Jeffrey C. Hall, Michael Rosbash and professor at California Institute of Technology. Michael W. Young ● Kip S. Thorne born in Utah, U.S. He is a professor ● Field - for their discoveries on how plants, animals at California Institute of Technology. and humans adapt their biological rhythm so that 6. Nobel Prize in Chemistry it is synchronized with the Earth's revolutions. ● Winner - Jacques Dubochet, Joachim Frank and ● Jeffrey C. Hall – He is from New York, US and currently Professor at Brandeis University. Richard Henderson. ● Michael Rosbash – He is from Missouri, US and ● Field - They developed cryo-electron microscopy currently Professor at Brandeis University. for the high-resolution structure determination of ● Michael W. Young – He is from Miami, Florida, US biomolecules in solution. It’s a method of and Professor at Rockefeller University, University simplifying and improving the imaging of of Texas at Austin, Stanford University School of biomolecules. Medicine. ● Jacques Dubochet born in Aigle, Switzerland. He 5. Nobel Prize in Physics ● Winner - Rainer Weiss, Barry C. Barish and Kip S. is a professor at University of Lausanne. Thorne. ● Joachim Frank born in Siegen, Germany. He is a ● Field - Their decisive contributions to the LIGO professor at Columbia University. (Laser Interferometer Gravitational wave ● Richard Henderson born in Edinburgh, Scotland. Observatory) detector and the observation of He is a professor at Laboratory of Molecular gravitational waves. Biology. Other Awards – 1. Mother Teresa Award 2017 - United Nations High became the first American to win the award for Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has been named his novel The Sellout. as the recipient of the Mother Teresa Memorial Award ➢ Lincoln in the Bardo is an extended national for Social Justice, 2017. ghost story. It chronicles the death of Abraham Note: The Mother Teresa Memorial Award for Social Lincoln’s 11-year-old son Willie using the Justice was instituted by Harmony Foundation. accounts of hundreds of narrators. The book About UNHCR - describes the night President Lincoln visited 2. Jewish Nobel Prize - Natalie Portman (actress) has his son’s body in a Washington graveyard. been awarded Israel’s 2018 Genesis Prize in 5. US Award For AIDS Research - Professors Salim recognition of her commitment to social causes and Abdool Karim and Quarraisha Abdool Karim received deep connection to her Jewish and Israeli roots. the award from the Institute for Human Virology (IHV) Note: 2018 Genesis Prize is a $1 million award, known in Baltimore, US. as “the Jewish Nobel Prize. Note: Indian-origin South African researchers were 3. Best Short Film Award - Indian short film ‘The honored with a prestigious award for their exceptional School Bag’ won the ‘Best Short Film Award' at the contributions in the field of HIV/AIDS. South Asian Film Festival of Montreal (SAFFM). It tells 6. 2017 Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist a story based in Pakistan. Challenge - Indian-American Gitanjali Rao won the Note: The movie is directed by Dheeraj Jindal. 2017 Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist 4. 2017 Man Booker Prize - George Saunders (US Challenge for inventing a quick, low-cost test to detect author). lead-contaminated water. Note: 7. 2017 Blue Planet Prize - Prof Hans Joachim ➢ He won the award for fiction for his first full- Schellnhuber from Germany won 2017 Blue Planet length novel 'Lincoln in the Bardo. Prize, world’s most prestigious award for pioneers in ➢ With this, Saunders became second American environmental science. writer to win the award. In 2016, Paul Beatty 30 | Page www.gradeup.co Note: He was awarded for establishing new field of 10. The WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Autism in South- science ‘Earth System Analysis’ and introducing most East Asia Region -- Saima Wazed Hossain. influential concepts including the notion of tipping 11. The first Israeli author to win the Man Booker elements in the climate system in Tokyo International Prize 2017 for his novel ‘A Horse Walks 8. The world's most liveable city named by Economist Into a Bar’-- David Grossman. Intelligence Unit (EIU) -- Melbourne (Australia). 12. Indian mountaineer has honored by Govt. of Nepal for 9. The World’s best Airline at the SKYTRAX World Airline scaling Mt. Everest for a record six times -- Love Raj Awards 2017 at the Paris Air Show France -- Qatar Singh Dharmashaktu. Airline. Summits & Conference 2017 1. World Food India 2017 - New Delhi. • The main theme of the conference is Space • The theme of WFI 2017 is ‘Transforming the Food Applications: Touching Human Lives. Economy’. 6. 21st World Congress of Mental Health - New Delhi. • Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated 7. Global Clubfoot Conference – New Delhi. World Food India 2017 (WFI) at the India Gate Note: Lawns in New Delhi. • President Ram Nath Kovind inaugurated Global • Germany, Japan and Denmark are partner Clubfoot Conference organised by CURE India in countries to World Food India. partnership with Union Ministry of Health and • This is first time India is hosting such an event for Family Welfare in New Delhi. the Food processing sector. • About Clubfoot - It is one of the most common 2. 'India Disaster Response Summit' – New Delhi. orthopaedic birth defects where one or both feet Note: are rotated inwards and downwards. It • Kiren Rijiju has inaugurated the ‘India Disaster describes range of foot abnormalities usually Response Summit’ in New Delhi. present at birth in which your baby’s foot is • The summit was organised jointly by the twisted out of shape or position. In clubfoot, National Disaster Management Authority tissues connecting muscles to the bone (NDMA) and Facebook. (tendons) are shorter than usual. 3. India to host UN wildlife summit CMS COP13 in 8. 11th India-US Trade Policy Forum Meeting - 2020 - United Nations Environment Programme Washington D.C (UNEP) announced that India will host the next CMS Note: The meeting was chaired by Union Minister for Conference of the Parties 13 (CMS COP13) in the year Commerce and Industry Suresh Prabhu and US Trade 2020. Representative Robert Lighthizer. Note: 9. First International Conference on Consumer • CMS COP is a global wildlife conference. Protection - New Delhi • UN wildlife summit CMS COP13 in 217 held • The theme of the conference was in Manila, Philippines. “Empowering Consumers in New Markets”. • The theme of the Conference was ‘Their • It was inaugurated by Prime Minister Future is Our Future - Sustainable Narendra Modi. Development for Wildlife and People’. 10. First BIMSTEC Task Force on Traditional Medicine • CMS COP is held once in three years. meeting - New Delhi. 4. World Youth Forum - Egypt. Note: Note: The Minister of State (Independent Charge) • The first-ever meeting of BIMSTEC Task Force Youth Affairs and Sports Col. Rajyavardhan Rathore on Traditional Medicine (BITFM) was held at attend the meeting Parvasi Bhartiya Kendra in New Delhi. 5. 38th Asian Conference on Remote Sensing – New • It was organized by Union Ministry of AYUSH. Delhi. 31 | Page www.gradeup.co ● Note: This is the first time India is all set to host its 11. India-UAE Partnership Summit 2017 – Dubai. own mobile mega show. The Indian telecom market • The theme of the summit was - Investment is the second-largest in the world after China. India Implementation. has a total subscriber base of over 1.18 billion • The objective of India-UAE Partnership subscribers. 20. 19th UN Climate Change Summit 2017- Bonn, Summit is to accelerate bilateral trade and Germany. investment between the two countries. ● Note: The United Nations Climate Change 12. 3 International Conference on Yoga 2017 – New rd Conferences are yearly conferences held in the Delhi, India. framework of the United Nations Framework ● Theme of the conference is – “Yoga for Wellness”. Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). ● Conference was organised by – Ministry of Ayush. ● 18th UN Climate Change Summit 2016 - Marrakech, ● Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu inaugurated the Morocco. conference. 21. 9th BRICS Summit 2017 - Xiamen, China. 13. 5 Global Conference on Cyber Space 2017 – New th ● Theme of the Summit - “BRICS: Stronger Delhi, India. Partnership for a Brighter Future”. ● Theme of the conference – ‘Cyber4All: An Inclusive, ● The Summit was attended by – Sustainable, Developmental, Safe and Secure ● President of Brazil – Michel Temer ● President of Russia – Vladimir Putin Cyberspace’ ● Prime Minister of India – Narendra Modi ● The 4th GCCS conference held in The Hague, ● President of China – Xi, Jinping Netherlands. ● President of South Africa – Jacob Zuma 14. India – ASEAN Youth Summit 2017 – Bhopal, Madhya ● Note: BRICS comprises 5-member countries: Pradesh Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. Theme of the summit - “Shared Values, Common ● Venue of 10th BRICS Summit 2018- Destiny” Johannesburg, South Africa. 15. First ASEAN – India Music Festival held in New Delhi, ● Venue of 8th BRICS Summit 2016- Goa, India. India. 22. Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit ● Note: Theme – ‘Shared Values, Common Destiny’. 2017 – Astana, Kazakhstan. 16. 14th India - European Union (EU) 2017 Summit – ● Note: New Delhi, India. ● SCO General Secretary – Rashid Alimov. ● President of European Union (EU) – Donald Tusk. ● SCO Headquarter - Beijing, China. ● Member countries – 28 ● Official Language – Chinese, Russian. ● European Union (EU) headquarter - Brussels, ● SCO comprises 8-member countries: China, Belgium. Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, ● The 15th India-EU Summit will be held in Brussels, Uzbekistan, India and Pakistan. Belgium. ● India and Pakistan became full members of ● The 13th India-EU Summit was held in Brussels, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Belgium. on 9 June 2017. 17. 8 Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) 2017 - th ● Venue of SCO Summit 2018- China. Hyderabad, India. ● Venue of SCO Summit 2016- Tashkent, ● Theme of the Summit – ‘Women First, Prosperity Uzbekistan. for All’. About Kazakhstan – Kazakhstan is a Central Asian ● 7th Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) 2016 – country, it has eastern border with China and Russia. Silicon Valley, USA. Capital – Astana 18. 3rd India International Science Festival (IISF) 2017 Currency - Tenge – Chennai, Tamil Nadu. President - Nursultan Nazarbayev ● The 2nd IISF held in New Delhi in 2016. ● The 1st IISF was held at Indian Institute of Prime Minister - Bakhytzhan Sagintayev Technology (IIT) New Delhi in 2015. Legislature - Parliament 19. India Mobile Congress 2017 - New Delhi. Upper house - Senate Lower house - Mazhilis 32 | Page www.gradeup.co 23. ASEAN (30th & 31st) 2017 Summit – Manila, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Philippines. Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the ● Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) United Kingdom (UK) and the United States of organisation comprising 10 South east Asian America (USA). countries - Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, ● Meeting of G20 Labour Ministers 2017 – Bad Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Neuenahr, Germany. Thailand and Vietnam. ● Meeting of G20 Finance Ministers and ● Its motto is - “One Vision, One Identity, One Central Bank Governors 2017 – Baden, Community. Germany. ● Note: ASEAN Summit held twice a year. ● Venue of G-20 2018 Summit - Buenos Aires, ● Secretary General – Le Luong Minh. Argentina ● Chairman - Philippines Rodrigo Duterte ● Venue of G-20 2016 Summit – Hangzhou, ● ASEAN headquarter – Jakarta, Indonesia. China ● Venue of ASEAN (32nd & 33rd) 2018 Summit - 27. 43rd G-7 Summit 2017 - Sicily, Italy. Singapore. ● Theme of the summit - “Building the foundations of ● Venue of 28-29th ASEAN Summit 2016 – renewed trust.” Vientiane, Laos ● The G-7 comprises 7 countries – Canada, France, 24. 29 APEC 2017 Summit – Danang, Vietnam th Germany, Italy, Japan, United Kingdom, United ● Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation States. (APEC)organisation comprising 21 members ● Venue of 42nd G-7 2018 Summit – Shima, countries – Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Japan Chile, People's Republic of China, Hong Kong, ● Venue of 44th G-7 2016 Summit – Canada Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, 28. NATO Summit 2017 – Brussels, Belgium. Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, The ● Note: Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Thailand, United States, Vietnam. comprises 29 countries – Albania, Belgium, ● Chairman - Trần Đại Quang Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, ● Executive Director - Alan Bollard Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, ● APEC headquarter – Singapore Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherland, ● Venue of 30th APEC 2018 Summit - Port Moresby, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Papua New Guinea. Slovenia, Spain, Turkey, United Kingdom, United ● Venue of 28th APEC Summit 2016 – Peru, Lima States. 25. 4th BIMSTEC 2017 Summit – Kathmandu, Nepal ● NATO headquarter - Brussels, Belgium. ● Note: ● NATO Secretary General - Jens Stoltenberg ● Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral ● NATO 2018 Summit – Brussels, Belgium. Technical and Economic Cooperation ● NATO 2016 Summit -Warsaw, Poland (BIMSTEC)organisation comprising 7 members ● Note: Turkey’s offer to host the 2018 NATO summit countries – Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, is rejected by Canada and 18 European NATO Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand. members. Hence, 2018 NATO Summit will be held in ● Chairmanship – Nepal (since 2014) Brussels, Belgium. ● BIMSTEC headquarter – Dhaka, Bangladesh 29. 14th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBS) 2017 – ● Venue of 3rd BIMSTEC Summit 2014 - Nay Pyi Bengaluru, Karnataka. Taw, Myanmar. ● Theme of 2017 PBS is “Redefined Engagement 26. G-20 Summit 2017 – Hamburg, Germany. With Indian Diaspora”. ● Theme of the summit – “Shaping an Inter- ● Note: connected World” ● Chief Guest at 14th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2017 ● The G20 comprises 19 countries plus the is - H.E. Dr. Antonio Costa, Prime Minister of the European Union. These countries are Argentina, Republic of Portugal. Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, 33 | Page www.gradeup.co ● The PBS convention is held on January 9th each year 31. 25th CHOGM 2018 Summit– The next 25th meeting of to commemorate the return of Mahatma Gandhi the heads of government of the Commonwealth of from South Africa in 1915. It is celebrated to mark Nations will be held in the London, United Kingdom. the contribution of the overseas Indian community ● Note: In 2017, Vanuatu was selected to host 25th to the development of the country. CHOGM Summit but due to the damage done by ● Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBS) 2016 was cancelled. Cyclone Pam, it was decided to be held in United ● 13th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBS) 2015 – Kingdom in 2018. Gandhinagar, Gujarat. ● Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting held ● Singapore to Host Regional Pravasi Bharatiya after a gap of every two years. Divas in 2018. ● Total member countries – 52. 30. 104th Indian Science Congress 2017 – SV University, ● Headquarter – London, United Kingdom. Tirupati. ● CHOGM 2015 Summit – Malta. ● Focal theme - Science & Technology for National 32. 3rd World Conference on Environment 2017 – New Development. Delhi, India. ● 105th Indian Science Congress 2018 to be hosted ● It was organized by the National Green Tribunal by Osmania University, Hyderabad. (NGT) and inaugurated by the President Pranab ● Focal Theme - Reaching the Unreached Through Mukherjee. Science & Technology National Affairs 1. India re-elected member of UNESCO’s executive development by establishing network of TISCs in board - India was re-elected as member of executive India. board of United Nations educational, scientific and 4. Supreme Court refuses to ban Kambala - The cultural organization (UNESCO). Supreme Court has refused to pass an interim order to Note: Executive board is UNESCO’s top decision- stay Ordinance allowing kambala, the traditional making body. The election was held at 39th session of buffalo slush track race in Karnataka. People for General Conference of UNESCO in Paris, France. Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), a non- 2. Facebook launches Disaster Maps in India - The governmental organisation, had challenged the social networking giant Facebook Inc. has rolled out Ordinance. Disaster Maps for India in a bid to help communities Note: Kambala is traditional slush track buffalo race recover and rebuild faster in aftermath of natural that is held annually in coastal districts of Karnataka disasters. It was launched at Facebook’s first Disaster to entertain rural people of the area. The sports season Response Summit in India along with National Disaster generally starts in November and lasts till March. Management Authority (NDMA) to improve disaster 5. Govt. to provide financial assistance of Rs 2302.05 response and disaster management in India. crore for Sagarmala projects - The Union Ministry of Note: Government has claimed that India will be the Shipping undertook projects worth Rs 2302 crore for first country to partner with Facebook on disaster financial assistance under the Coastal Berth Scheme of response. the Sagarmala Programme. The Ministry also extended 3. India’s second Technology & Innovation Support the period of the scheme for three years up to 31 Centre established at Centre for Intellectual Property March 2020 and expanded its scope to cover capital Rights (CIPR), Anna University, Chennai. dredging at Major Ports and preparation of DPR for Note: coastal berth project. • The objective of TISC is to stimulate dynamic, Key points- vibrant and balanced Intellectual Property Rights ➢ The 47 projects under Coastal Berth Scheme are (IPRs) system in India to foster creativity and distributed over eight states with the highest innovation. number of projects in Maharashtra (12 projects), • It will thereby help to promote entrepreneurship Andhra Pradesh & Goa (10 projects), Karnataka (6 and enhancing social, economic and cultural 34 | Page www.gradeup.co projects), Kerala and Tamil Nadu (3 projects), 10. India sends first wheat shipment to Afghanistan Gujarat (2 projects) and West Bengal (1 project). via Chabahar port - India has flagged off shipment of ➢ The most recent beneficiaries of the scheme were wheat for Afghanistan through Iran’s Chabahar port. Jawahar Lal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) and Note: Chabahar port is strategically located in Sistan- Karnataka Government respectively for Balochistan province on energy-rich Iran’s southern developing coastal infrastructure at Jawahar Lal coast in Gulf of Oman near its border with Pakistan Nehru Port, Karwar Port and Old Manglore Port. and can be easily accessed from India’s western coast. About Coastal Berth Scheme of Sagarmala 11. Govt. launched MSME Samadhaan Portal - The Programme Union Government has launched MSME (Micro, Small ➢ The Coastal Berth Scheme aims to provide and Medium Enterprise) delayed payment portal financial support to ports or state governments 'MSME Samadhaan'. for creation of infrastructure for movement of Key points – cargo and passenger by sea or national ➢ The portal will give information about the waterways. pending payments of MSEs with individual ➢ The total financial assistance from Central CPSEs, Central Ministries, State Governments, Government is 50 per cent of the total cost of the etc. project subject. ➢ The portal will help in monitoring the delayed 6. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) payments in a more effective manner. approved implementation of Special Banking ➢ It will also empower the MSEs to access the Arrangement (SBA) for Rs. 10,000 crore for portal and monitor their cases. payment of outstanding claims on account of fertilizer 12. Indian Railways to get its first set of solar plants - subsidy in year 2016-17. Indian Railways’ first set of solar plants having a total 7. Railways launch main arch on world's highest capacity of 5 megawatt peak (MWp). The plants built bridge on Chenab - The Indian Railways has on the roof tops of Hazrat Nizamuddin, New Delhi, commenced the main arch of the world's highest Anand Vihar and Delhi railway stations would be bridge on the River Chenab in Jammu and Kashmir's generating 76.5 lakh units of solar power cumulatively Reasi district. every year and are expected to meet about 30 per cent 8. BRO builds world's highest motorable road in of the energy requirement of these stations. Ladakh - The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has 13. BharatMala Pariyojana: The Union Government has constructed the world's highest motorable road in approved mega highway projects to build 83677 km of Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir, passing highways over the next five years at a cost of Rs 7 lakh through Umlingla Top at a height of over 19,300 feet. crore. The feat was achieved under 'Project Himank' of the Note: organisation. ➢ These highway projects include the ambitious 9. Govt. launched Food Regulatory & Nivesh Bandhu Bharatmala project which is the second-largest portal - Union Minister of Food Processing Industries highway project after National Highways Harsimrat Kaur Badal announced the launch of the Development Project (NHDP) that saw Food Regulatory Portal and Investor Facilitation development of about 50000 km of roads. Portal “Nivesh Bandhu”. ➢ The Bharatmala Pariyojana or Project will About Nivesh Bandhu Portal – subsume all the existing highway projects, ➢ “Nivesh Bandhu” portal will assist investors to including the flagship National Highways make informed investment decisions. Development Project (NHDP). ➢ It will provide information on Central and State ➢ Bharatmala project is an umbrella programme for Governments’ investor friendly policies, agro- roads under which 34800 km of highways will be producing clusters, infrastructure, and potential constructed at a cost of Rs 5.35 lakh crore. areas of investment in the food processing sector. ➢ Bharatmala Project will include 9000 km of economic corridors, 6000 km of inter- corridor and feeder routes, 5000 km of national 35 | Page www.gradeup.co corridors efficiency improvement, 2000 km of hundred of vehicles (cars, bus, truck etc.) and border road connectivity, 800 km of 250 passengers linking the two ports. expressways and 10000 km of balance ➢ The ro-ro ferry services will take wheeled cargo NHDP projects. on and off the ferry on their own wheels or ➢ A study under the Bharatmala project by global using a platform vehicle. The wheeled cargo consultancy firm AT Kearney identified 44 includes, cars, trucks, semi-trailer trucks, economic corridors for development. The trailers, and railroad cars. corridors included Mumbai-Cochin-Kanyakumari, 16. Jaipur & Srinagar Airport ranked first and second Bengaluru-Mangaluru, Hyderabad-Panaji and in ACI-ASQ Survey - The Jaipur and Srinagar Airport Sambalpur-Ranchi among others. were ranked first and second respectively in ACI ➢ The government has assigned NHAI, National (Airports Council International)-ASQ (Airport Service Highway and Industrial Development Corporation Quality) Survey in the category of 2-5 million (NHIDCL) and state Public Work Departments passengers. (PWDs) for the Bharatmala Project. 17. Times Higher Education Rankings: IISC & IIT 14. India’s first Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendra for Bombay among world’s top 200 for engineering - Skilling in Smart Cities Inaugurated - Union Home The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bangalore and Minister Rajnath Singh along with Skill Development Indian Instituted of Technology (IIT) Bombay were Minister Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurated India's ranked among world’s top 200 institutions for first Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendra (PMKK) for engineering and computer science in Times Higher Skilling in Smart Cities in New Delhi. The main aim Education subject-wise rankings. behind the development is to bring momentum in Note: IISc was placed at the 89th spot, while IIT skilling through collaborative efforts. Bombay was placed in the 126 spot. Note: The PMKK Centre for Smart Cities will provide 18. JP Nadda has launched 15 medical outlets of ‘AMRIT skill training for unemployed youth through its short- Deendayal’ in Assam, Uttar Pradesh, and Punjab term training (STT) module and contribute to capacity through Video Conference from Shimla. building of municipal employees through Recognition of 19. PM dedicated first All India Institute of Ayurveda Prior Learning (RPL) program. to nation - Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 15. PM Modi launches 'Ro-Ro' ferry service in Gujarat - dedicated first All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) in The Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched Phase 1 New Delhi to the nation on the occasion of National of the RO RO (Roll on, Roll off) ferry service between Ayurveda Day. Ghogha in Saurashtra and Dahej in south Gujarat. This Note: is the first of its kind project not only in India but also ➢ The first ever All India Institute of Ayurveda in South-East Asia,” (AIIA)is an apex institute under Ministry of About RO RO Ferry Service AYUSH. ➢ The term ro-ro is generally taken for large ➢ It aims to bring synergy between the traditional ocean-going vessels. This is in opposite to the lo- wisdom of Ayurveda and modern diagnostic tools lo (lift-on and lift-off) vessels, which apply a and technology. It has been set up on lines of crane to load and unload cargo. AIIMS ➢ This is a first of its kind of services in India. The RO RO ferry service will be able to bear up to 20. India’s first micro forest being built in Chhattisgarh. 23. Country’s first ‘Videsh Bhavan’ launched in Bandra Kurla 21. The union minister Harsh Vardhan has launched SECURE Complex (BKC), Mumbai by External Affairs Minister Himalaya project in association with UNDP at the Global ‘Sushma Swaraj’. Wildlife Programme (GWP) conference in New Delhi. 24. India’s first Hyperloop project will come up in Andhra 22. The National Highways Authority of India has launched a Pradesh. mobile app for smooth functioning of electronic toll 25. The ‘Kandla Port’ has been renamed as -- Deendayal Port. collection --MyFASTag. 36 | Page www.gradeup.co Note: Kandla Port is the largest sea port of India (by volume of cargo handled) located in Kutch District of Gujarat. States News 1. Telangana Govt: Urdu as Second Official medicine would be provided free of cost to Language - Telangana Chief Minister K permanent residents of all categories at district Chandrashekar Rao declared Urdu as the state's level. second official language. Every office in the state will 7. Goa to host Nobel Prize Event in February 2018 - now have an Urdu speaking officer. First official The state government of Goa signed a trilateral language is Telugu. memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the 2. PM lays Foundation Stone for Infrastructure Department of Biotechnology, Union Ministry of Projects in Bihar - The Prime Minister Narendra Science and Technology and Nobel Media, Sweden to Modi has laid the foundation stone for four host the Nobel Prize Series - India event during 1-28 sewerage projects under the Namami Gange February 2018. programme; and four National Highway projects, at The event will be jointly organized by Department of Mokama in Bihar. The total outlay of these projects Bio-Technology, Union Ministry of Science and is over Rs. 3700 crore. Technology in collaboration with Department of The projects include - The four sewerage projects Science and Technology and Nobel Media AB, include Sewage Treatment Plant at Beur, Sewerage Sweden. System with Sewer Network at Beur, Sewage 8. Goa tops Gender Vulnerability Index – Goa has Treatment Plant at Karmalichak and STP and Sewer topped the Gender Vulnerability Index (GVI). The Network at Saidpur. index was prepared by Child development NGO Plan 3. Aerospace Park to be set up in Tamil Nadu – The India. Kerala and Mizoram secured second & third Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Edapaddi K Palaniswami, rank respectively. laid the foundation stone for an aerospace park at Bihar ranked at the bottom which is followed by Kanchipuram district to be set up by the State Uttar Pradesh. Delhi was placed near bottom at the Government in 245 acres and at an estimated cost of 24th place Rs 198 crore. 9. Lifetime pensions for 'Hindi Satyagrahis': 4. Maharashtra to build 210m World’s Tallest Haryana Govt. - The state government of Haryana statue of Shivaji – Maharashtra government has announced the lifetime monthly pension of Rs decided to build the 210-metre-high statue of 10,000 for 'Hindi Satyagrahis' and those from the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the sea off the state who were jailed during the Emergency. Mumbai coast. 10. Vrindavan, Barsana declared as Sacred Sites - Currently, the Spring Temple Buddha statue, which The Uttar Pradesh government issued an order stands at 208 metres in China, is the world’s tallest notifying Vrindavan and Barsana towns in Mathura statue. district as 'sacred pilgrimage sites' ('pavitra teerth 5. Allahabad to get India’s First Black Buck sthals'). With this, Vrindavan and Barsana became Conservation Reserve - Uttar Pradesh cabinet the first two places to be notified as teerth sthal in decided to make India's first conservation reserve government records. No meat and liquor shops will for blackbuck in Allahabad's Meja. The decision be allowed in these towns anymore. taken for the protection of black deer will also help 11. Madras HC bans photographs of living persons in wooing tourists. on sign-boards and banners - The Madras High 6. Haryana became the first State in India to treat Court banned the use of photographs or pictures of Hepatitis-C Patients with Oral Medicine - Haryana living persons on banners, flex boards and sign- has emerged as the first state in the country to treat boards across the state of Tamil Nadu. Hepatitis-C patients through oral medicine. This 37 | Page www.gradeup.co 12. Meghalaya Election department to feature in Limca 19. Odisha state Govt. has launched a Sampurna Yojna Book of Records - The Election department of scheme for pregnant women. Meghalaya state has won an entry in the Limca Book 20. The Union Minister Dr. Harshvardhan has launched 'Pt of Records for forming a human logo with newly- Deen Dayal Upadhayay Vigyan Gram Sankul enrolled young voters of Meghalaya on 1 July 2017. Pariyojana' in Uttarakhand. The information was shared by Limca official 21. Himachal Pradesh became the first Indian state to Garima Manon with the office of Meghalaya Chief launch electric bus service. Electoral Officer on 24 October 2017. 22. Jharkhand state government has launched Shaheed 13. Assam to host Global Investors Summit in 2018 - Gram Vikas Yojana to provide houses to freedom fighters. Assam would be hosting its first Global Investors 23. Tripura became the first Indian state to set up family Summit in Guwahati from 3- 4 February 2018. welfare district committees to examine the complaints 14. The state government of Chhattisgarh has reduced of women against their husbands and in-laws and find the rate of interest on loan given to women and their an amicable solution. self-help groups under Saksham Yojna. The rate of 24. Jammu & Kashmir government has inaugurated the interest on loans has been cut from 6.5 per cent to 5 second International Yoga Festival and International per cent to benefit more women and their SHGs Yoga Sports Championship 2017. under the Yojna. 25. India’s first-ever railways disaster management centre 15. India’s first-ever Industrial Training Institute for the will come up near Bengaluru, Karnataka by 2018. Divyangans will come up in the state-- Assam. 26. India’s first-ever aviation university Rajiv Gandhi Note: The foundation stone for the institute was laid at National Aviation University (RGNAU) will come up in Dibrugarh ITI Complex at Borboruah in Assam. Fursatganj in Rae Bareli, Uttar Pradesh. 16. Prime Minister ‘Narander Modi’ laid the foundation 27. The 2017 Aadi Perukku festival is celebrated in Tamil stone of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Nadu. at Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh. 28. India’s biggest Global Skill Park will be set up in the 17. Uttar Pradesh state govt. has launched a mass Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. marriage scheme ‘Mukhyamantri Samoohik Vivaah 29. India’s first automatic coastal warning for disasters Yojana’ for BPL families. 18. Karnataka. state govt has launched 'Vision-2025' will set up in Odisha. 30. India’s first freight village will be developed by the project across the state. Inland waterways authority of India (IWAI) in -- Note: The project aimed at evolving a draft policy for development of the state for the year 2025 by Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. seeking the opinion of the general public. International Affairs 1. Bank of China Begins Operations in Pakistan - Bank 4. Hong Kong, World's Top City for International of China has formally launched its operations in visits - Hong Kong remains the world's most visited Pakistan, with its first branch inaugurated in Karachi. city by international travellers in spite of strained 2. Priti Patel resigned from UK Cabinet - Priti relations with neighbouring China. The report is Patel, Britain’s first Indian-origin Cabinet Minister published by Euromonitor International. resigned as International Development Secretary. Top 3 Countries in the list are - Hong Kong, Bangkok & Note: This was the second Cabinet resignation within a London. week. Defence Secretary Michael Fallon has also 5. India to contribute USD 100 million to UN resigned recently over sexual harassment allegations. partnership fund - India has pledged an additional 3. EU Launches Election Observation Mission for amount of USD 100 million towards the UN Nepal Polls - The European Union Election partnership fund, scaling up its support to sustainable Observation Mission was officially launched to monitor development projects across the developing world. the general and provincial polls in Nepal which are 6. ICIJ releases Paradise papers - The International scheduled for November 26 and December 7. Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) has 38 | Page www.gradeup.co released ‘The Paradise Papers’, a global investigation Organisation (WHO) cancelled the appointment of that reveals the offshore activities of some of the Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe's appointment as world’s most powerful people and companies. its Goodwill Ambassador for Non-Communicable Note: Among 180 countries represented in the data, Diseases (NCDs) in Africa. India ranks 19th in terms of number of names. In all 10. Nicaragua signs Paris Climate Agreement - Central names of 714 Indians have figured in this largest ever American country Nicaragua signed the Paris black money data leak. Agreement on climate change, leaving the United International Consortium of Investigative States and Syria as the only two countries holing out to Journalists (ICIJ) - The ICIJ is global network of more sign this global climate pact. than 200 investigative journalists in 70 countries who Note: As per Nicaragua's President Daniel Ortega, collaborate on in-depth investigative stories. It was the Paris Agreement is the only international founded in 1997 by respected American journalist mechanism that offers the conditions to face global Chuck Lewis. It is headquartered in Washington DC, warming and its effects. US. Earlier in 2016, it had released Panama Papers. ➢ US withdrawal from Paris agreement - 7. Guinea ratifies International Solar Alliance President Donald Trump on 1 June 2017 Framework Agreement - The Republic of Guinea withdrew the United States from the landmark ratified the International Solar Alliance (ISA) 2015 Paris agreement to fight climate change. Framework Agreement. The instrument of ratification Trump stated that the Paris accord will was handed over to External Affairs Minister Sushma undermine the US economy, cost US jobs, weaken Swaraj by Guinea’s Foreign Minister Mamady Toure, American national sovereignty and put the who was on his 4 day visit to India from 3-6 November country at a permanent disadvantage to the other 2017. countries of the world. Note: 11. 14th SAARCLAW Conference held in Colombo, Sri ➢ With this, Guinea became the 15th country to Lanka - The 14th South Asian Association for Regional ratify the agreement. Co-operation in Law (SAARCLAW) Conference was ➢ With the ratification of ISA pact by 15 held in Colombo, capital city of Sri Lanka along with countries, ISA will now be an international 11th SAARC Chief Justices Conference. legal body. 12. China Unveils Asia's Largest Island-Building Vessel About International Solar Alliance Pact - China unveiled Asia's largest artificial island-building ➢ The International Solar Alliance was launched ship. The 140-metre-long vessel, which has been jointly by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi dubbed as"magic island maker", is capable of digging and French President Francois Hollande on the 6,000 cubic metres an hour, which is equivalent to first day of the COP-21 summit at Paris in 2015. three standard swimming pools. The boat named Tian ➢ The ISA headquartered in India. Kun Hao is equivalent of three standard swimming ➢ The alliance was conceived as a coalition of solar pools. resource rich countries to collaborate on meeting 13. World’s Third Largest Book Fair Opens in Sharjah - their energy needs through a common and agreed With more than 1.5 million book titles and 1,650 approach. publishing houses from 60 countries, Sharjah ➢ The alliance will become a legal entity once at least International Book Fair (SIBF) opened its doors to 15 countries ratify and deposit the framework public and trade visitors. It is the third largest book fair agreement. in the world. 8. Saudi Arabia to allow women into sports stadiums Note: from 2018 - Turki Al-Asheikh, Chairman of the ➢ The book fair was held under the theme ‘A General Sports Authority of Saudi Arabia announced World in My Book’. The event has been that Saudi women will now be able to attend sports organised by Sharjah Book Authority (SBA). events in stadiums starting from 2018. The move is ➢ United Nations Educational, Scientific and aimed at empowering and engaging women in the Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has recently society as an integral part of the development process. announced Sharjahas as the ‘World Book 9. WHO removes Robert Mugabe as Goodwill Capital 2019’. Ambassador for NCDs in Africa- The World Health 39 | Page www.gradeup.co 14. World’s First Hydrogen Tram Begins Operation in Note: Gina Miller (52-year-old) ranked on top in the China - The world’s first hybrid electric tram powered 2018 'Powerlist' of 100 people of African and by hydrogen fuel cells has started running in China, African Caribbean inheritance published in London marking a big step in the application of green energy in by Powerful Media. public transport. 19. Saudi Arabia lift its ban on internet calling 15. Burundi, first Nation to leave International applications, easing restrictions online as the Criminal Court - Burundi became the first nation ever conservative kingdom faces new criticism over to leave the International Criminal Court (ICC), set up censorship. 15 years ago to prosecute those behind the world’s 20. The world’s highest sandcastle has built in the worst atrocities. Germany. Note: Note: According to the Guinness World Records, the ➢ Bujumbura is the capital of Burundi and world's highest sandcastle is now standing 16.68 Burundian franc is its currency. meters tall in the German city of Duisburg. ➢ International Criminal Court established in 28. Two-day Indian Ocean Conference 2017 being organized by India Foundation in Temple Trees in -- 2002. Its head office is located in the Hague, Colombo. the Netherlands. Note: The theme of this year’s conference is Peace, 16. Peru approves medicinal use of marijuana - The Progress and Prosperity and will involve participants Peru government = has approved a bill to authorises from more than 35 countries. This will be second IOC the medicinal and therapeutic use of cannabis conference (first edition-Sep16 in Singapore). (marijuana) in the country. 28. Kenya imposed the world's toughest law against plastic Note: With this Peru became sixth country in Latin bags in the country to reduce plastic pollution. America to legalise cannabis. Uruguay was first in 29. Google has launched the latest version of its mobile 2013, allowing sales of cannabis any purpose. It was operating system -- Android Oreo. followed by Mexico, Argentina, Colombia and Chile. 30. British scientists developed the world’s smallest 17. Chile named Best Country to Visit in 2018 - The surgical robot named -Versius, which could transform travel guide company Lonely Planet has ranked Chile daily operations for tens of thousands of patients. 21. China launched its first cyber court specializing in as the number one country to visit in 2018 in its Best handling Internet-related cases in the e-commerce hub in Travel 2018 list. Note: of Hangzhou. 22. Montenegro Officially joined North Atlantic Treaty ➢ The guide has published the 13th edition of its annual list of the top 10 countries every traveller Organization (NATO) and become the 29th member should have on their bucket list for 2018. country. ➢ Chile was the only South American country to earn 23. The world’s longest pedestrian suspension bridge has opened in Switzerland. the top spot on the list. ➢ Top 3 Countries in the list are – Chile, South Korea 24. Peggy Whitson (an Astronaut) returned to Earth, wrapping up a record-breaking flight that catapulted & Portugal her to first place for U.S. space endurance. 18. Gina Miller Named UK’s Most Influential Black Note: Whitson’s 665 days off the planet 288 days on this Person of the Year - Indian origin campaigner Gina mission alone exceeds that of any other American and Miller was named UK’s most influential black person of any other woman worldwide. the year. She won a legal challenge seeking Parliamentary approval for triggering Brexit. Sports News 1. Pankaj Advani lifts IBSF World Billiards will be held from 19 to 26 November 2017 in Championship – He defeated Mike Russell (England) Guwahati, Assam. in the IBSF World Billiards Championship at Doha. • The official mascot, named - Guppy, is a 2. AIBA Youth Women’s World Boxing Championship female version of Assam's one-horned rhino. 2017 - India's first youth world boxing championship 40 | Page www.gradeup.co • The logo infuses two key elements-- the 6. Badminton Women’s National Champion – Saina strength of an Indian woman in the form of a Nehwal. She defeated P.V. Sindhu at 82nd Senior female boxer and the culture of Assam National Championship, in Nagpur, Maharashtra. through the 'gamosa', a hand-woven piece of Note: World Senior Badminton Championship held in cloth in the state. Kochi. • The World Championship's official anthem 7. Jasprit Bumrah (bowler) ranked at top spot in ICC is 'Make Some Noise'. It is composed by Shaan T20 Rankings. and rendered by renowned singer Sunidhi 8. Puducherry becomes an Associate Member of BCCI Chauhan. - The Cricket Association of Puducherry (CAP) was • Mary Kom named ambassador of the AIBA chosen by the Committee of Administrators (CoA) as Youth Women’s World Boxing Championship. an associate member of the Board of Control for 3. FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017 – For the first time, India Cricket in India (BCCI). Now Puducherry will be hosted the 17th edition of FIFA U-17 World. Nicolai allowed to play the Ranji Trophy in 2018. Adam is the coach of Indian team. Amarjit Singh Kiyam 9. International Shooting Sport Federation World Cup (Manipur) is the captain of U-17 FIFA Indian team. 2017 (ISSF) – Host country – India. Heena Sidhu and Key Facts – Jeetu Rai won the Gold medal at 10m Air Pistol event. ➢ Winner – England won the title by defeating Note: Spain by 5-2 in the final. • The ISSF headquarters is located in Munich, ➢ Best Player Award - Phil Foden of England has Germany. Olegario Vazquez Rana has been serving been adjudged tournament’s best player and has as the President of the organisation since 1980. been awarded ‘Golden Ball’. 10. Heena Sidhu wins Gold at 10m Air Pistol event in ➢ Golden Glove’ Award - Gabriel Brazao the Commonwealth Shooting Championships held in goalkeeper of Brazil’s national football team has Brisbane, Australia. won the ‘Golden Glove’. 11. Roger Federer wins ATP World Tour 8th Basel Title by ➢ Brazil has won the Fair Play Award. defeating Juan Martin del Potro in the final. ➢ Jeakson Singh (Manipur) creates history by 12. Yonex French Open Badminton 2017: The scoring India’s first ever goal in FIFA U-17 tournament was held in Paris, France. World Cup against Colombia. List of Winners – ➢ FIFA U-17 WC in India becomes most attended • Men’s Singles - Kidambi Srikanth (India) beat in event’s history for the first time. Kenta Nishimoto (Japan). ➢ USA-Based Namit Deshpande becomes the • Women’s Singles - Tai Tzu Ying (Chinese Taipei) First NRI to Play for India’s U17 World Cup beat Akane Yamaguchi (Japan) Team. Note: ➢ Esther Staubli (Switzerland) became the first ➢ Indian shuttler Kidambi Srikanth became the female football referee to officiate a match. first Indian to win the men’s singles title at ➢ The official Mascot for the FIFA U-17 World French Open badminton tournament. Cup 2017 was clouded leopard named ‘Kheleo’. 13. Scott Fleming joined National Basketball Association ➢ The official ball for Under-17 football World Cup (NBA) India as Head of Basketball Operations. is called ‘Krasava’. 14. Amjyot Singh becomes third Indian in National ➢ The final match of the event was held in Salt Basketball Association (NBA) league. Amjyot Lake Stadium, Kolkata. Singh became the third Indian after Satnam Singh and 4. Asian Boxing Championship 2017: Indian boxer MC Palpreet Singh Brar to walk into the National Mary Kom won Gold in 48 kg category. She defeated Basketball Association (NBA) league. North Korea’s Hyang Mi Kim by 5-0. The tournament 15. Gokul Natesan, second Indian-Origin Player to be held in Vietnam. Signed by NBA G-League side. He was picked by Canton 5. Badminton Men’s National Champion – H.S. Charge, a minor league affiliate team of Cleveland Prannoy. He defeated Kidambi Srikanth at 82nd Cavaliers. Senior National Championship, in Nagpur, 16. Patna Pirates beats Gujarat Fortunegiants to clinched Maharashtra. Third Pro Kabaddi Successive Title. 41 | Page www.gradeup.co 17. 2017 Sultan of Johor Cup Hockey: The tournament ➢ Kidambi Srikanth wins Men's Singles Title in was held in Malaysia. Indonesia Open. He defeated Japan's Key points Kazumasa Sakai in the final. ➢ Australia won the title by defeating Great Britain ➢ Kidambi Srikanth wins Men's Singles Title in in the final. Australia Open. He defeated China’s Chen ➢ Indian won the Bronze medal by defeating Long in the final. Malaysia. 24. Virat Kohli & Mithali Raj top the ICC ODI Rankings - 18. Martina Hingis announces retirement from Pro Indian cricket team captains Virat Kohli and Mithali Raj Tennis. became number one at ICC ODI rankings for batsman Key facts – and batswomen. ➢ Martina Hingis is from Switzerland. Key points – ➢ She is the youngest Grand Slam champion in ➢ Indian captain Virat Kohli reclaimed the top history, having won the Wimbledon doubles spot of the ICC ODI rankings for batsmen with title when she was just 15 yrs. old. 889 rating points. ➢ Hingis was inducted into the International ➢ Mithali Raj was ranked number with 753 Tennis Hall of Fame in 2013. rating points. ➢ She also won the Women’s Doubles and Mixed 25. Virat Kohli becomes fastest batsman to score 9000- doubles of US Open 2017. run mark - Indian skipper Virat Kohli became the 19. Aditi Ashok (golfer) won third Ladies European Tour sixth Indian and fastest to complete 9000 ODI runs title in Abu Dhabi. during India’s third and final one-day international 20. Shiv Kapur (golfer) won the Panasonic Open Title. against New Zealand in Kanpur. Kohli has played his 21. Women’s Asia Cup Hockey 2017 - Indian women's 202nd innings, has become the 19th batsman to break hockey team defeated China by 5-4 to win the Asia Cup the 9000-run mark, making him the fastest to get 2017 title. The final was held in Kakamigahara city in there. southern Gifu Prefecture, Japan. 26. Delhi Olympic Games to be held in December - The Note: Delhi State Olympic Association has announced to ➢ With the victory, Team India has secured a organise Delhi Olympic Games in the capital city. The berth for itself at the 2018 Hockey World Cup. sporting events will be held from 9 December 2017- 18 This is the second time that India has claimed December 2017. The announcement to conduct a the top spot in the history of the tournament. sporting event of Olympic level came in order to ➢ The first time was 13 years ago in the year promote Olympics and also the spirit of sports and 2004. sportsmen in Delhi. 22. Men’s Asia Cup Hockey 2017 - India beat Malaysia in Note: Olympic wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt was the final to clinch Asia Cup 2017 title. The final was confirmed as the brand ambassador of Delhi Olympic played in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Games 2017. Note: It last clinched the trophy in 2003 and 2007 in 27. Cristiano Ronaldo wins the Best FIFA Men's Player Kuala Lumpur and Chennai respectively. Award - Portuguese player Cristiano Ronaldo won the 23. Indian shuttler Kidambi Srikanth achieves career- Best FIFA Men's Player Award for the second year in best World No 2 ranking. He won back-to-back titles London. at Indonesia and Australia and then at Denmark and Note: France. ➢ Argentina’s forward Lionel Messi and Brazil’s Note: forward Neymar were runners up for the ➢ Kidambi Srikanth wins Men's Singles Title in award. French Open. He defeated Japan's Kenta ➢ Ronaldo got 43.16 per cent of the total votes, Nishimoto in the final. while Lionel Messi and Neymar fetched 19.25 ➢ Kidambi Srikanth wins Men's Singles Title in and 6.97 per cent votes respectively. Denmark Open. He defeated Hong Kong's ➢ Best FIFA Men's Coach - Zinedine Zidane Wong Wing Ki Vincent in the final. ➢ Best FIFA Goalkeeper - Gianluigi Buffon ➢ Best FIFA Women's Player - Lieke Martens ➢ Best Women's Coach - Sarina Wiegman 42 | Page www.gradeup.co ➢ FIFA Fan Award - Celtic 32. Gaganjeet Bhullar Clinches Macao Open Golf Title 28. Kavita Devi becomes first Indian Woman to sign 2017 – With this win Gaganjeet Bhullar has lifted with World Wrestling Entertainment - Kavita Devi his eighth Asian Tour title at the Macau Open. became the first Indian woman to tie-up with the 33. India to host Junior Asian Wrestling Championship World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). (JAWC) 2018. Note: 34. India's Pooja Kadian has won the first ever gold medal ➢ Shadia Bseiso became the first Arab woman at Wushu World Championships in Kazan, Russia. from the Middle East to sign a WWE Note: Pooja defeated Evgeniya Stepanova in the final. developmental contract. 35. Maharashtra won the Chief Minister's cup with 45 ➢ Kavita Devi hails from Haryana and was an gold medals at the National kickboxing championship accomplished kabaddi player in high school. held in Raipur. ➢ In 2016, she won gold in the 75kg weightlifting 36. India has lost the World Group Play-off tie of Davis division at the South Asian Games. Cup Tennis Tournament to the host Canada 2-3. ➢ She is the first Indian woman to compete in a 37. India finishes 5th in medals tally with one gold and two WWE ring. silver medals at Moscow Shotgun World 29. Ashish Nehra retired from all format of Cricket – Championships. Note: Italy topped the tally with nine gold medals for a Ashish Nehra has announced his retirement from all total of 17 medals in all and USA (12 medals) -2nd. formats of Cricket during the third T-20 match against 38. India will host the 2019 edition of the Commonwealth India and New Zealand in Delhi. (Youth, Junior and Senior) Weightlifting Note: Championships. ➢ Ashish Nehra made his cricket debut in 1999 39. Ankur Mittal has won silver in senior men’s double under Mohammed Azharuddin in India. trap at 2017 ISSF World Shotgun Championship in ➢ He made his international debut in a Test Moscow. match against Sri Lanka in Colombo in 40. Star India has won the coveted Indian Premier League February 1999. (IPL) media rights for 2018-23. ➢ He has taken 44 Test wickets, besides 157 ODI 41. Para Athlete & Hockey player have been selected for and 34 T20. this year's Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award_-- Sardar 30. FIFA suspends the Pakistan Football Federation - Singh & Devendra. The Fédération Internationale de Football Association 42. Lakshya Sen (shuttler) clinched the Bulgaria Open (FIFA) has decided to suspend the Pakistan Football International Series title in Sofia, Bulgaria Federation (PFF) with immediate effect in accordance 43. PV Sindhu won the 2017 BWF Korean Open Super with the verdict of the Bureau of the FIFA Council on Series Women’s Singles title. 10 October 2017 on account of undue third-party 44. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has nominated Mahendra Singh Dhoni for Padma interference. Following its decision to suspend the PFF, Bhushan award for his contribution to the game. the Pakistan Football Federation loses all its 45. Mahendra Singh Dhoni has become the first membership rights as per FIFA Statutes. wicketkeeper in world cricket to effect 100 stumpings 31. Iceland makes history to Qualifies for FIFA 2018 in One Day Internationals(ODI). World Cup - Iceland created history by qualifying for Note: Mr. Dhoni achieved the feat in his 301st ODI in the 2018 World Cup. This is the first time that Iceland Colombo (Sri Lanka), when he whipped off the bails to qualified for the World Cup. remove batsman Akila Dananjaya (Sri Lankan) off leg- Note: spinner Yuzvendra Chahal's bowling. ➢ Iceland became the smallest country to clinch a 46. ICC has chosen captain of the ICC Women’s World Cup position at the 21st FIFA World Cup. 2017 team -- Mithali Raj. ➢ The previous smallest country to have reached 47. India will host the Men's World Boxing Championship the World Cup was Trinidad & Tobago which for the first time in 2021. had a population of 1.3 million. 48. Rahul Yadav Chittaboina (shuttler) has won the ➢ The 21st edition of FIFA World Cup 2018 will men’s singles Lagos International 2017 be held in Russia. 49. Boxer Sachin Siwach wins gold at Commonwealth ➢ This is the first time when Iceland and Panama Youth Games held in Bahamas. will be participants. 43 | Page www.gradeup.co 50. Real Madrid won the 2017 UEFA Champions League 55. Australian fast bowler retired from Test Match and trophy by defeating Manchester United in the final. ODIs --John Hastings. 51. Los Angeles (USA) will host the 2028 Olympics and 56. Usain Bolt (legendary sprinter) retires from the Paris will host 2024 Olympic Games. Athletics world. 52. US Open Title 2017 – List of Winners – 57. FIBA Asia Championship (Asia’s biggest basketball • Men’s single – Rafal Nadal (Spain) defeated Kevin tournament) 2017 held in Lebanon. Anderson (South African) 58. Rafael Nadal won 6th ATP title of 2017 – Rafael • Women’s single - Sloane Stephens (American) Nadal beats Nick Kyrgios of Australia in straight sets of defatted Madison Keys (American) 6-2, 6-1 in the China Open final to win his sixth ATP 53. Lewis Hamilton won the 2017 Italian Formula One title of 2017. Grand Prix tournament. Note: In the women’s event, France’s Caroline Garcia 54. Lewis Hamilton won the 2017 Belgian Grand Prix of defeated world no.1 Simona Halep (Romania) in Formula. straight sets of 6-4, 7-6 (3) to clinch the China Open. List of Upcoming Sports Venue 1. Asian Games - The Asian Games, also known as Asiad ● International Olympic Committee (IOC) is a Pancontinental multi-sport event held every four headquarter - Lausanne, Switzerland. years among athletes from all over Asia. The Games ● IOC President - Thomas Bach were regulated by the Asian Games Federation (AGF). Summer Olympic - Note: First Asian games were held in New Delhi, India ● Venue of Summer Olympic Games 2016 – Rio de in 1951. Janeiro, Brazil ● Venue of Asian Games 2014 – Incheon, South ● Venue of Summer Olympic Games 2020 – Tokyo, Korea. Japan ● Venue of Asian Games 2018 - Jakarta-Palembang, ● Venue of Summer Olympic Games 2024 – Paris, Indonesia. France ● Venue of Asian Games 2022 – Hangzhou, China. Winter Olympic – ● Venue of Asian Games 2026 – Nagoya, Japan. ● Venue of Winter Olympic Games 2014 – Sochi, 2. Commonwealth Games (CWG) - The Commonwealth Russia. Games is an international multi-sport event involving ● Venue of Winter Olympic Games 2018 – athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations held every Pyeongchang, South Korea. four years. ● Venue of Winter Olympic Games 2022 – Beijing, Note: The first Commonwealth Games held in 1911 in China. London, England. 4. ICC World Cup Cricket - The ICC Cricket World Cup is ● Venue of CWG Games 2010 – New Delhi, India. the international championship of One Day ● Venue of CWG Games 2014 – Glasgow, Scotland. International (ODI) cricket. The event is organised by ● Venue of CWG Games 2018 – Gold Coast, the International Cricket Council (ICC), every four Australia. years. ● Venue of CWG Games 2022 – Birmingham, Note: The first World Cup was held in England in June England. 1975. West Indies won the title by defeating Australia Note: The 2022 Commonwealth Games will no in the final. longer take place in Durban, South Africa as the Australia has been the most successful team in the South African government failed to give financial World Cup, with 5 titles and 2 runners up. guarantees for the event. India won the first World Cup title in 1983 by 3. Olympics Games - The Olympic Games are held every defeating West Indies in the final. four years, with the Summer and Winter Games Australia won the World Cup title in 2015 after alternating by occurring every four years but two defeating New Zealand in the final. years apart. ● International Cricket Council (ICC) headquarter - Note: Dubai, United Arab Emirates. ● The first modern Olympics games were held in ● President of ICC – Zaheer Abbas. Athens, Greece, in 1896. ● Chairman of ICC – Shashank Manohar. ● CEO – David Richardson. 44 | Page www.gradeup.co ● Venue of ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 – India, Sri ● West Indies won the title in 2016 after defeating Lanka, Bangladesh. Australia in the final. ● Venue of ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 – Australia & ● Venue of World Cup 2014 – Bangladesh. New Zealand. ● Venue of World Cup T20 2016– India. ● Venue of ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 – England, ● Venue of World Cup 2020 – Australia. Wales. 8. Hockey Men’s World Cup – The Hockey World Cup is ● Venue of ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 – India. an international field hockey competition organised by 5. ICC World Cup T20 – The ICC World Twenty20 is the the International Hockey Federation (FIH). It is held international championship of Twenty20 cricket. It is every four years, bridging the four years between the organised the International Cricket Council (ICC). Summer Olympics. Note: Note: The first Men’s Hockey World Cup was held in ● The first T20 World Cup was held in Johannesburg, 1971 Barcelona, Spain. Pakistan won the title after South Africa in 2007. defeating Spain in the final. ● India won the first T20 world cup title after Pakistan has been the most successful team in the defeating Pakistan in the final. World Cup, with 4 titles from 6 appearances in the ● West Indies won the T20 World Cup title two final. times. Australia won the title in 2014 after defeating West Indies wont the title in 2016 after defeating Netherlands in the final. England in the final. Note: ● Venue of World Cup 2014 – Bangladesh. ● International Hockey Federation (IHF) ● Venue of World Cup T20 2016– India. headquarter - Lausanne, Switzerland. ● Venue of World Cup 2020 – Australia. ● President of IHF - Narinder Batra. ● Venue of Hockey Men’s World Cup 2010 – New 6. ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup – The ICC Women's Delhi, India. Cricket World Cup is the oldest and most prestigious ● Venue of Hockey Men’s World Cup 2014 – The international women's cricket tournament. Hague, Netherlands. Note: ● Venue of Hockey Men’s World Cup 2018 – The first Women’s World Cup was held in England in Bhubaneswar, India. 1973, two years before the inaugural men's 9. Hockey Women’s World Cup - The Women’s Hockey tournament. England won the title by defeating World Cup is an international field hockey competition Australia in the final. organised by the International Hockey Federation Australia has been the most successful team in the (FIH). It is held every four years, bridging the four Women’s World Cup, with 6 titles and 3 runners up. years between the Summer Olympics. England won the Women’s World Cup in 2017 by Note: The first Women’s Hockey World Cup was held defeating India in the final. in 1974 in Mandelieu, France. Netherlands won the ● Venue of ICC Women Cricket World Cup 2013 – title after defeating Argentina in the final. India. Netherlands has been the most successful team in the ● Venue of ICC Women Cricket World Cup 2017 – World Cup, with 7 titles from 11 appearances in the England. final. ● Venue of ICC Women Cricket World Cup 2021 – Netherlands won the title in 2014 after defeating New Zealand. Australia in the final. 7. ICC Women’s World Cup T20 - The ICC Women’s ● Venue of Hockey Men’s World Cup 2010 – Rosario, World Twenty20 is the international championship for Argentina. Women’s Twenty20 cricket. It is organised the ● Venue of Hockey Men’s World Cup 2014 – The International Cricket Council (ICC). Hague, Netherlands. Note: ● The first Women’s T20 World Cup was held in ● Venue of Hockey Men’s World Cup 2018 – London, England in 2009. England. ● England won the first T20 world cup title after 10. FIFA (Football) World Cup – The FIFA World Cup is defeating New Zealand in the final. an international association football competition ● Australia has been the most successful team in the contested by the senior men's national teams of the Women’s World Cup, with 3 titles and 1 runners members of Fédération Internationale de Football up. Association (FIFA). It is held every four years. 45 | Page www.gradeup.co Note: The first FIFA World Cup was held in 1930 in USA is the most successful nation in the tournament's Uruguay. Uruguay won the title after defeating history, with 3 titles and 1 runners up. Argentina in the final. USA won the title in 2015 after defeating Japan in the Brazil has been the most successful team in the World final. Cup, with 5 titles from 7 appearances in the final. ● Venue of FIFA World Cup 2015 – Canada. Germany won the title in 2014 after defeating ● Venue of FIFA World Cup 2019 – France. Argentina in the final. 12. FIFA (U-17) World Cup – The FIFA U-17 World Cup, Note: founded as the FIFA U-16 World Championship, later ● Fédération Internationale de Football Association changed to its current name in 2007, is the world (FIFA) headquarter - Zürich, Switzerland. championship of association football for male players ● President of FIFA - Gianni Infantino. under the age of 17 organized by Fédération ● Venue of FIFA World Cup 2014 – Brazil. Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). It is held ● Venue of FIFA World Cup 2018 – Russia. every two years. ● Venue of FIFA World Cup 2022 – Qatar. Note: The first FIFA (U-17) World Cup was held in 11. FIFA Women's World Cup – The FIFA Women's 1991 in Italy. Ghana won the title after defeating Spain World Cup is an international football competition in the final. contested by the senior women's national teams of the Nigeria is the most successful nation in the members of Fédération Internationale de Football tournament's history, with five titles and three runners Association (FIFA). It is held every four years. up. Note: The first FIFA Women’s World Cup was held in Nigeria won the title in 2015 after defeating Mali in the 1991 in China. United States won the title after final. defeating Norway in the final. ● Venue of FIFA (U-17) World Cup 2015 – Chile. ● Venue of FIFA (U-17) World Cup 2017 – India. Science & Defense Military Exercise - 1. PRABAL DOSTYK 2017: India & Kazakhstan Joint 4. 'MITRA SHAKTI 2017' – India & Sri Lanka Joint Exercise held at Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh. Training Exercise conducted at Aundh Military Station, 2. Indra-2017 – India & Russia. First mega tri-services Pune. war game involving their armies, navies and air forces 5. ‘Blue Flag-17’ – India & Israel bi-annual multilateral with an aim to boost their operational coordination exercise held at Uvda Air Force Base in Israel. conducted at Vladivostok in Russia. 6. CORPAT (Coordinated Patrol) – The bilateral exercise 3. 'Sampriti' 2017 – India & Bangladesh Joint Military between the Indian Navy and the Indonesian Navy Combat Exercise held in Meghalaya and Mizoram. conducted at Belawan Indonesia. Defense News – 1. Defence Research and Development Organisation nuclear warheads. It can be launched from (DRDO) successfully conducted flight test of NIRBHAY various kind of platforms. Sub-Sonic Cruise Missile at Chandipur, Odisha. 2. India Navy to use US aircraft launch system About NIRBHAY Missile ‘CATOBAR’ in ship - Indian Navy is likely to use ➢ It is India’s first indigenously designed and advanced catapult-based aircraft launch mechanism developed Long Range Sub-Sonic Cruise (CATOBAR) from United States for its second Missile. indigenous aircraft carrier (IAC-II), which is on ➢ It has operational range of 1000 km and can drawing board. carry warheads of up to 300 kg including 3. Sri Lankan Coast Guard commissions OPV SURAKSHA – Sri Lankan Coast Guard has 46 | Page www.gradeup.co commissioned Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) About Bharat Net Project SURAKSHA gifted by India at Colombo port. It is first • BharatNet or National Optical Fibre Network OPV of Sri Lankan Coast Guard. (NOFN) is Union Government’s ambitious rural Note: Sri Lankan Coast Guard Ship (SLCGS) Suraksha internet connectivity programme which is earlier belonged to Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and was implemented by Bharat Broadband Network known as Varuna. It was officially handed over to Sri Limited (BBNL). Lanka Navy at ceremony held at Kochi Port in India in • It was launched in October 2011 to provide September 2017. broadband connectivity to all 2.5 Lakh Gram 4. First offshore patrol vessel ‘Vikram’ handed to Panchayats. Indian Coast Guard - Larsen and Toubro (L&T) • Till now the project has reached 83,000 Gram handed over offshore patrol vessel (OPV) named Panchayats. “Vikram” to the Indian Coast Guard. It is country’s first- • It is world’s largest rural broadband ever such defence vessel to be built in a private connectivity programme using Optical fibre. shipyard. It will be inducted into service by April 2018 9. Researchers discover Ichthyosaur fossil in India - A after completion of extensive trials of equipment and team of researchers comprising researchers from India machineries. and Germany have discovered a 152 million-year-old fossil 5. ‘INS Kiltan’ commissioned into Indian Navy – of an ichthyosaur - an extinct marine reptile in the Kutch Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has region of Gujarat. This is the first time an ichthyosaur fossil commissioned an indigenously-built anti-submarine has been discovered in India. warfare stealth corvette INS Kiltan into the Indian 10. SAAB & Adani Group join hands to build Gripen E fighter Navy at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam. jets in India - Swedish defence major SAAB and Adani Note: INS Kiltan is the latest indigenous warship after Group has join hands to manufacture Gripen E fighter jets in Shivalik class, Kolkata class and sister ships. India under the Defence Ministry’s $10 billion single-engine 6. India successfully tests its first fully indigenous fighter jet procurement programme. ‘Glide bomb’ in Chandipur in Odisha. 11. Reliance Defence inks Pact with Serbia’s Yugoimport to Note: Manufacture Ammunition in India. ➢ The bomb - SAAW (Smart Anti Airfield 12. India's Space mission to Moon 'Chandrayaan- II' in 2018 Weapon) - was dropped from an Indian Air - Dr Jitendra Singh, the Union Minister of State (IC) for Force aircraft at the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur. Atomic Energy and Space announced that India’s second ➢ The bomb has been developed by the Research space mission to moon, ‘Chandrayaan-II’, will take place in Centre Imarat (RCI), Defence Research and 2018, most likely in the first quarter of the year. Development Organisation (DRDO), along with About Chandrayaan-I other laboratories of the DRDO and the Indian • India's first mission to Moon, Chandrayaan-1, was launched Air Force. successfully on 22 October 2008 from Satish Dhawan Space 7. World's fastest, shortest laser pulse created - Centre or Sriharikota High Altitude Range, a rocket launch Scientists from Switzerland have succeeded in centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. generating the world's shortest laser pulse with a duration of only 43 attoseconds. • The spacecraft carried 11 scientific instruments built in 8. Bharat Net project: Phase 1 to be completed by India, USA, UK, Germany, Sweden and Bulgaria. December 2017 - The first phase of the national optic • • After the successful completion of all major mission fibre network, also known as Bharat Net project, is objectives, the spacecraft’s orbit was raised to 200 km in expected to be completed by December 2017. May 2009. Note: The project mainly aims to deploy high-speed optical fibre cables across rural areas. Hence, its completion will provide internet access to around 100,000 gram panchayats. 47 | Page www.gradeup.co 48 | Page