Daily updates 4 October 2019

National

1. Nationwide ‘Paryatan Parv 2019’ to promote tourism kicks off

• The nationwide Paryatan Parv, 2019 kicked off to promote tourism in the country.
• The aim is to propagate the message of Dekho Apna Desh to encourage people to visit tourist destinations of the country and also spread the message of Tourism for All.
• This year's event is dedicated to 150th birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

2. PM of India & Mauritius jointly inaugurated projects in Mauritius

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mauritius PM Pravind Jugnauth jointly inaugurated 2 landmark projects in Mauritius via video conference.
• The 2 projects includes the phase-1 of the Metro Express and a new ENT Hospital. The Indian Government has granted $275 million for the Metro Express project and a grant of $14 million for the new Hospital Project.
• The grant was awarded as a special economic package for assisting five high-priority projects, which include the Metro Express project and a new ENT hospital.

3. Tourism Ministry launches App "Audio Odigos" for 12 sites of India

• Tourism Ministry has launched the Audio Guide facility "Audio Odigos" for 12 sites of India (including Iconic Sites) on the occasion of "Paryatan Parv 2019".
• An MoU for Gol Gumbad, Delhi with Government of Delhi and Resbird Technologies was also exchanged for the development of Tourism Amenities.
• Audio guide odigo offers Government of India verified content, with visuals & voice over support. With Audio Odigos, tourists will now enjoy a more enriching experience and take back historical insights of the Indian culture and heritage.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For IBPS RRB PO Mains:

• Minister of State (I/C) of Tourism Ministery: Prahalad Singh Patel.

4. IRCTC to compensate passengers on delay of Delhi-Lucknow Tejas Express

• Passengers of IRCTC's Delhi-Lucknow Tejas Express will be compensated in case of delays, the Railway subsidiary, announcing a first of its kind offer from any national carrier.
• An amount of Rs 100 will be paid in case the delay is for over an hour and Rs 250 for delays of over two hours.
• This latest offer is in addition to the Rs 25 lakh free insurance that will be given to passengers of the train.
• This travel insurance also includes coverage of Rs 1 lakh against household theft and robbery during travel period of the passengers, again a first for those travelling onboard trains.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For RRB NTPC/IBPS RRB Mains:

• Railway Minister: Piyush Goyal.

5. India's first private train Lucknow-Delhi Tejas Express flagged off

• Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath flagged off country's first private train Delhi-Lucknow Tejas Express started its maiden journey from Lucknow.
• It will be the first train of Indian Railways that will be entirely run by Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC). The new Tejas Express will cover the distance between Delhi and Lucknow in six hours fifteen minutes.
• All passengers travelling by Delhi-Lucknow Tejas Express will be provided free insurance of up to ₹25 lakh by IRCTC.

State News

6. Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik launches ‘Mo Sarkar’ initiative

• Chief Minister of Odisha Naveen Patnaik rolled out ‘Mo Sarkar’ programme which finds its roots in the Gandhian philosophy of giving people their voice in daily governance.
• The objective of ‘Mo Sarkar’ is to improve governance by collecting feedback on behaviour and professionalism displayed by the Government officers.
• "Mo Sarkar’ programme has been launched in 21 district headquarters hospitals and medical colleges at Cuttack, Sambalpur and Berhampur.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For RRB NTPC/IBPS RRB Mains:

• Odisha CM: Naveen Patnaik; Governor: Ganeshi Lal.

7. Uttarakhand CM launches awareness campaign ‘Urjagiri’ to stop power theft

• Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Trivendra Singh Rawat launched an awareness campaign "Urjagiri" which aims at stopping power theft and saving.
• The Chief Minister emphasised on the need to speed up the process for wider awareness to avoid power loss in Uttarakhand.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For IBPS RRB Main 2019:

• Capital of Uttarakhand: Dehradun; Governor: Baby Rani Maurya.

Appointments

8. Tata Communications names Amur Lakshminarayanan as its MD and CEO

• Digital infrastructure provider, Tata Communications has named Amur S Lakshminarayanan as Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer designate of the company.
• He comes with 35 years of experience in a broad range of leadership roles across industries and regions across the world.
• Prior to this appointment, Lakshminarayanan was President and CEO of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) Japan, Ltd.
• He also worked in the company as Global Head of Telecom, Media and Information Services, HiTech and Utilities, and Head of TCS UK (United Kingdom) and Europe.

9. Amrit Lugun appointed as the next Ambassador of India to Greece

• The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India was appointed Amrit Lugun as the next Ambassador of India to Greece. He is an Indian Foreign Service (IFS) Officer of the 1989 batch. He will replace Shamma Jain.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For RRB NTPC/IBPS RRB Mains:

• Capital of Greece: Athens; Currency of Greece: Euro.

10. Muktesh Kumar Pardeshi appointed as the next High Commissioner of India to Niue

• The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India notified that Muktesh Kumar Pardeshi was appointed as the next High Commissioner of India to Niue, with residence in Wellington, New Zealand.
• He is an Indian Foreign Service (IFS) Officer of the 1991 batch presently working as a High Commissioner of India to New Zealand. He will replace Sanjiv Kohli.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For IBPS RRB Main 2019:

• Capital of Niue: Alofi; Currency: Niue dollar, New Zealand dollar.

11. Sushil Chandra appointed as MD & CEO of Oil India Limited

• Oil India Limited has appointed Sushil Chandra Mishra as the new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company. He will replace Utpal Bora.
• Sushil Chandra Mishra started his professional journey as an executive trainee with OIL in 1984 and developed deep expertise in commercial matters.
• He also played a key role in framing and implementing procurement policies and procedures for inventory management, vendor development, framework agreement and its related strategies.

Banking

12. RBI reduces repo rate by 25 basis points in 4th Bi-monthly Monetary Policy

• In its 4th Bi-monthly Monetary Policy Committee meeting, the Reserve Bank of India has reduced the policy repo rate by 25 basis points (bps).
• The MPC has also decided to maintain the accommodative stance of monetary policy. The main decisions taken in the 4th Bi-monthly Monetary Policy Committee meeting are:
• The repo rate under the liquidity adjustment facility (LAF) was reduced from 5.40% to 5.15%.
• The reverse repo rate under the LAF stands revised to 4.90%.
• The marginal standing facility (MSF) rate and the Bank Rate is revised to 5.40%.
• RBI has also reduced the real GDP growth for 2019-20 from 6.9% to 6.1%.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For SBI Clerk Mains:

• Governor of RBI: Shaktikant Das; Headquarters: Mumbai; Founded: 1 April 1935, Kolkata.

Awards

13. Ben Stokes named PCA player of the year

• England all-rounder Ben Stokes has been voted Professional Cricketers' Association player of the year at the Professional Cricketers' Association awards.
• All-rounder Stokes played a starring role in England's maiden World Cup win before repeating his heroics to help salvage an Ashes draw with Australia.
• Tom Banton of Somerset picked up the PCA young player of the year, while England bowler Sophie Ecclestone collected the women's player of the summer award.
• The 50th NatWest PCA Awards were held at the Roundhouse in Camden. The event, organised by the PCA in conjunction with the England and Wales Cricket Board.

14. Kyrgyz lawyer AzizbekAshurov wins 2019 UNHCR Nansen Refugee Award

• Human rights lawyer from Kyrgyzstan Azizbek Ashurov was awarded the 2019 UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) prestigious Nansen Award.
• Ashurov will receive the award comprising of a commemorative medal and a cash prize of USD 150,000 prize money at a ceremony in Geneva on October 7, 2019.
• The UNHCR hailed Azizbek Ashurov for helping Kyrgyzstan become the world's first country to end statelessness, working through his organisation Ferghana Valley Lawyers Without Borders (FVLWB).
• He and his organisation have helped more than 10,000 people gain Kyrgyz nationality after they became stateless following the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For RRB NTPC/IBPS RRB Mains:

• UNHCR Founded: 14 December 1950; Headquarters of UNHCR: Geneva, Switzerland.

Sports

15. Abdul Quadir Khan Wins Silver Medal in Asian Body Building & Physique Sports Championship 2019

• Maj Abdul Quadir Khan of the Corps of Signals has won the Silver medal at the 53rd Asian Body Building and Physique Sports Championship held at Batam, Indonesia.
• His accomplishment in the sport has brought glory to the Indian Army and Corps of Signals.

Obituaries

16. Padma Shri awardee HL Trivedi passes away

• Renowned kidney transplant surgeon and Padma Shri recipient Dr H L Trivedi passed away.
• He was as an expert in handling kidney transplant surgeries and was awarded Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award, in 2015 for his contribution to the society as a nephrologist.
• He also established dialysis centre network in district hospitals across Gujarat with the help of the state government.

Miscellaneous

17. Govt launches portal for monitoring coal supply to power plants

• Power Minister RK Singh and Coal, Mines and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi have jointly launched PRAKASH - Power Rail Koyla Availability through Supply Harmony- portal in New Delhi.
• The portal aims at bringing better coordination for coal supplies among all stakeholders.
• This is an important step in ensuring adequate availability and optimum utilization of coal at thermal power plants.
• The portal is designed to help in mapping and monitoring the entire coal supply chain for power plants.

18. NBCC sign MoU with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports

• National Buildings Construction Corporation(NBCC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to provide project management consultancy for the development of National Sports University at Imphal, Manipur.
• NBCC has bagged a Rs 400-crore contract to develop National Sports University.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For IBPS RRB Main 2019:

• Chief Minister of Manipur: N. Biren Singh; Governor of Manipur: Padmanabha Balkrishna Acharya.

Daily updates 10 October 2019

                         National

1. Dearness allowance of government employees hiked by 5%

• The Central government has increased the Dearness Allowance (DA) of Central government employees and pensioners. The government has hiked DA by 5%, which means the dearness allowance has been increased from 12% to 17%. The decision was approved in a cabinet meet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The hike would be effective from July 2019. The cost to the exchequer will be Rs 16,000 crore.
• The cabinet also approved inclusion of 5,300 families under the development package of Jammu & Kashmir, who initially opted to move outside the state, but later returned and settled in the Jammu & Kashmir. This will enable such development package families to become eligible to get one-time financial assistance of Rs 5.5 lakh under the existing scheme.
• Cabinet has also relaxed the mandatory requirement of Aadhaar-seeded data as a pre-condition for release of funds to the beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme. The relaxation will be till 30th November 2019. It will enable immediate release of benefits to a large number of farmers who are not able to avail the same due this requirement.

2. "DHRUV" a Learning Programme launched from ISRO, Bengaluru

• "DHRUV" a Pradhan Mantri Innovation Learning Programme has commenced from Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in Bengaluru and will conclude at IIT, Delhi.
• The programme aims to further sharpen innovative imagination, skills and knowledge of the students who are expected to contribute to bringing solutions to socio-economic, political and environmental issues in the country.
• 60 brightest and talented students from Science, Mathematics and Performing Arts have been chosen for the programme.

3. GoI launches "Ganga Aamantran: Open Water Rafting Expedition"

• Jal Shakti Minister has launched an initiative 'Ganga Amantran'. The initiative has been launched to connect with the stakeholders of the river.
• It is a pioneering exploratory open-water rafting and kayaking expedition on the Ganga river. The expedition will start at Devaprayag and culminate at Ganga Sagar covering the entire stretch of over 2500 kms of the River.
• Ganga Aamantran is the 1st ever effort by National Mission for Clean Ganga to raft across the entire stretch of the river.
• It is also the longest ever social campaign undertaken through an adventure sporting activity to spread the message of River Rejuvenation and Water Conservation on a massive scale.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For IBPS RRB Clerk Mains:

• Union Jal Shakti Minister: Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.

4. Govt constitutes panel for measures to raise GST revenue

• The Central Government has constituted a committee of officers to suggest measures to augment GST revenue collections and administration.
• The terms of reference of the panel includes making suggestions related to systemic changes in goods and services tax (GST) including checks and balances to prevent misuse and measures to improve voluntary compliance.
• The panel has also been given the task to give inputs on measures for the expansion of the tax base. The committee have to submit its 1st report within 15 days to the GST Council Secretariat.

Business News

5. RBI rejects Indiabulls Housing & Lakshmi Vilas Bank merger deal

• The Reserve Bank of India has rejected the merger proposal of Indiabulls Housing Finance and Lakshmi Vilas Bank.
• RBI has rejected the application for voluntary amalgamation of Indiabulls Housing Finance Ltd. and Indiabulls Commercial Credit Ltd. with the Lakshmi Vilas Bank Ltd.
• The merger was crucial for Lakshmi Vilas Bank as it is now under the prompt corrective action framework of the RBI due to a high level of bad loans and insufficient capital.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For IBPS RRB PO Mains:

• Chairman of Indiabulls Group: Sameer Gehlaut.

Ranks and Reports

6. RBI released Consumer Confidence Survey (September 2019)

• The Reserve Bank of India has released the results of the September 2019 round of its Consumer Confidence Survey.
• The survey was conducted in 13 major cities: Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Bhopal, Chennai, Delhi, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Patna and Thiruvananthapuram.
• Perceptions and expectations on the general economic situation, the employment scenario, the overall price situation and own income and spending are obtained from households across these cities.

Highlights of the survey:

• Consumer confidence weakened in September with both the current situation index and the future expectations index recording declines.
• Households’ sentiments on the general economic situation and the employment scenario declined. They were less optimistic on their income over the year ahead than in July 2019.
• Respondents perceived an increase in the price level over the last 1 year and a majority of them expect prices to rise further in the coming year.
• Respondents sentiments on overall spending as well as essential spending remain strong, though sentiments on discretionary spending weakened.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For IBPS RRB PO Mains:

• Governor of RBI: Shaktikant Das; Headquarters: Mumbai; Founded: 1 April 1935, Kolkata.

Banking

7. RBI approves merger of DCBs to form ‘Kerala Bank’

• The Reserve Bank of India has given the go-ahead to the Kerala government to amalgamate 13 district cooperative banks (DCBs) with the Kerala State Cooperative Bank to form the proposed "Kerala Bank".
• Except the Malappuram District Cooperative Bank, all district banks had approved the scheme of amalgamation proposed by the State government at their respective general body meetings.
• Now, the government have to complete the stipulations laid for merger and submit a compliance report to the apex bank before March 31, 2020.
• RBI also insisted that the State government would have to consistently infuse additional capital and also put in place a well-defined governance structure by amending the KSCS Act.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For IBPS RRB PO/Clerk Mains:

• Governor of RBI: Shaktikant Das; Headquarters: Mumbai; Founded: 1 April 1935, Kolkata.

Awards

8. Russia honors astronaut Nick Hague with "Order of Courage"

• Russia has honoured NASA astronaut Nick Hague with one of its highest honours, "The Order of Courage".
• Nick Hague survived an aborted space launch with Russian cosmonaut Aleksey Ovchinin when their Soyuz rocket failed minutes after blast-off from Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan in October 2018.
• Hague has been awarded for his "courage and high professionalism" shown during life-threatening conditions.

Sports

9. German Footballer Bastian Schweinsteiger announces his retirement

• German World Cup champion Bastian Schweinsteiger has announced his retirement from soccer.
• Schweinsteiger spent a major part of his career with European giants Bayern Munich, where he won 8 Bundesliga titles and 7 German cups as well as the Champions league in 2013.
• He made over 300 appearances for the Bavarian side, scoring 45 goals from 2002-2015.

Important Days

10. World Mental Health Day: 10 October

• World Health Organization observes World Mental Health Day on 10th of October every year. The day is celebrated with an objective of raising awareness of mental health issues around the world and mobilizing efforts in support of mental health.
• The Day provides an opportunity for all stakeholders working on mental health issues to talk about their work and what more needs to be done to make mental health care a reality for people worldwide.
• The theme selected for this year’s Day: Suicide Prevention.
• This year’s Day is supported by WHO, the International Association for Suicide Prevention, and United for Global Mental Health. World Mental Health Day is organized by the World Federation for Mental Health.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For IBPS RRB Clerk Mains:

• WHO Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland; Director general: Tedros Adhanom.

11. World Space Week: 4th-10th October

• The United Nations (Office for Outer Space Affairs) observes 4-10 October every year as World Space Week. It is an international celebration of science and technology, and their contribution to the betterment of the human condition.
• The United Nations General Assembly declared in 1999 that World Space Week (WSW) will be held each year from October 4-10. The dates were in recognition of the October 4, 1957 launch of the first human-made Earth satellite, Sputnik 1.
• The theme for 2019 is: The Moon: Gateway to the Stars
• During World Space Week space education and outreach events are organised by space agencies, aerospace companies, schools, planetaria, museums, and astronomy clubs around the world.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For IBPS RRB Clerk Mains:

• Headquarters of United Nations: New York, USA; Founded: 24 October 1945.
• Secretary General of the United Nations: Antonio Guterres.

Science and Technology

12. Saturn overtakes Jupiter as planet with most moons

• A team of astronomers has discovered a haul of 20 new moons orbiting the ringed planet, Saturn. This discovery has brought its total to 82 moons, while Jupiter, by contrast, has 79 natural satellites.
• The moons were discovered using the Subaru telescope on Maunakea, Hawaii.
• Each of the newly discovered objects in orbit around Saturn is about 5 km in diameter and 17 of them orbit the planet "backwards" i.e. retrograde direction. The other three moons orbit in a prograde direction i.e. the same direction as Saturn rotates.
• Dr Scott Sheppard of the Carnegie Institution for Science in Washington DC led the team of astronomers including David Jewitt of University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and Jan Kleyna of the University of Hawaii.

Miscellaneous

13. Vishnu Nandan among 300 researchers to join MOSAiC Expedition

• Vishnu Nandan, polar researcher from Kerala will join largest ever Arctic expedition "MOSAiC Expedition". He will be the only Indian aboard among the 300 researchers for multidisciplinary drifting observatory for the Study of Arctic Climate expedition.
• Vishnu Nandan will aboard the German research vessel Polarstern, anchored on a large sheet of sea ice in the Central Arctic, drifting along with it during the pitch-black Polar winter.
• Led by the Alfred Wegener Institute in Germany, MOSAiC, the largest ever Arctic expedition in history, will be the first to conduct a study of this scale at the North Pole for an entire year.
• The expedition will help the researchers better understand the impact of climate change and aid in improved weather projections.

14. "GEMINI" system to warn fishermen of danger

• GEMINI is a portable receiver developed to avoid communication blackouts. It linked to ISRO-satellites and is “fail-proof” and warn fishermen of danger.
• The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services collaborated with Accord, a private company, to develop a box-shaped receiver that has an antenna and in-built battery that can last 3 to 4 days.
• GEMINI works on GAGAN, developed by ISRO and the Airports Authority of India and is an India-made global positioning system and relies on the positioning system by ISRO’s GSAT satellites.
• When GEMINI is connected to an app, it also lets fishermen know the probability of fish-catch in the surrounding seas.

Daily updates 11 October 2019

National

1. SARAS Aajeevika Mela begins in New Delhi

• SARAS Aajeevika Mela has begun at India Gate Lawns, in New Delhi. It has been organized by the Ministry of Rural Development under the initiative of the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission.
• It aims to bring the rural women Self Help Groups (SHGs) formed with support of DAY-NRLM, under one platform to show-case their skills, sell their products and help them build linkages with bulk buyers.
• Over 200 stalls have been set-up at the Mela venue, where nearly 500 rural SHG craftswomen from 29 States and UTs will show-case varied range of products like handicrafts, handlooms, natural food products and a food court with regional cuisines at India Gate Lawns.

2. GoI launches Surakshit Matritva Aashwasan (SUMAN) initiative

• Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr Harsh Vardhan has launched the Surakshit Matritva Aashwasan (SUMAN) initiative in New Delhi.
• The initiative was launched during the 13th Conference of Central Council of Health and Family Welfare.
• The initiative aims to assure dignified, respectful and quality health care at no cost for every woman and newborn visiting the public health facility in order to end all preventable maternal and newborn deaths.
• It also provides a positive birth experience to both mother and infant. With the initiative, the government is committed to achieve the target of reducing the maternal mortality and child mortality.

Economy News

3. Moody’s cuts India’s GDP growth forecast to 5.8% for FY20

• Moody, the rating agency has lowered its 2019-20 GDP growth forecast for India to 5.8% from 6.2%.
• It stated that the Indian economy is experiencing a pronounced slowdown partly due to long-lasting factors.

Appointments

4. Yes Bank Ltd appoints Anita Pai as COO

• Yes Bank Ltd has appointed Anita Pai as the Chief Operating Officer and Jasneet Bachal as the Chief Marketing Officer of the bank. The appointments has been made to further strengthen the top management at the bank.
• Anita Pai will lead the bank’s operations and service delivery and will also look after the information technology functions of the lender.
• Jasneet Bachal will head the marketing and communication efforts of the bank.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For IBPS RRB PO/Clerk Mains:

• Chief Executive Officer of Yes Bank: Ravneet Gill.

Agreements

5. GeM signs MOU with Union Bank of India

• Government e-Marketplace signed an MoU with Union Bank of India. As per the MoU, UBI will be able to offer an array of services including transfer of funds through GeM Pool Accounts, advising of Performance Bank Guarantees and Earnest Money Deposit to the registered users on the GeM portal.
• The MoU will facilitate a cashless, paperless and transparent payment system on the portal and will create an efficient procurement system for government entities.
• GeM is an initiative of the Government of India offering one stop platform facilitating online procurement of common use goods and services required by various government departments, organisations, Public Sector Units.

Awards

6. The Nobel Peace Prize for 2019

• The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award the Nobel Peace Prize for 2019 to Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali. He has been awarded for his efforts to achieve peace and international cooperation, and in particular for his decisive initiative to resolve the border conflict with neighbouring Eritrea.
• The prize is also meant to recognise all the stakeholders working for peace and reconciliation in Ethiopia and in the East and Northeast African regions.
• He will receive a full cash prize, valued this year at 9-million kronor ($918,000), a gold medal and a diploma.

7. The Nobel Prize in Literature 2018 and 2019

• The Nobel Prizes in Literature 2018 and 2019 were announced at The Swedish Academy in Stockholm. Both winners will receive a full cash prize, valued this year at 9-million kronor ($918,000), a gold medal and a diploma.
• The Nobel Prize in Literature for 2018 is awarded to the Polish author Olga Tokarczuk. She has been awarded “for a narrative imagination that with encyclopedic passion represents the crossing of boundaries as a form of life.”
• The Nobel Prize in Literature for 2019 is awarded to the Austrian author Peter Handke. He has been awarded “for an influential work that with linguistic ingenuity has explored the periphery and the specificity of human experience.”

Obituaries

8. Legendary saxophonist Kadri Gopalnath passes away

• Legendary saxophonist and the Padma Shri awardee Kadri Gopalnath passed away. The Carnatic music maestro won multiple awards in his illustrious career, including the Kendra Sangeetha Nataka Academy Award and Karnataka Kalashree.
• He had the distinction of being the first Carnatic musician to be invited in the BBC Promenade concert in the Royal Albert Hall at London in 1994.

Important Days

9. International Day of the Girl Child: 11 October

• The United Nations observes International Day of the Girl Child on 11th of October every year. The day aims to highlight and address the needs and challenges girls face, while promoting girls' empowerment and the fulfillment of their human rights.
• The theme for 2019: GirlForce: Unscripted and Unstoppable.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For IBPS RRB Clerk Mains:

• Headquarters of United Nations: New York, USA; Founded: 24 October 1945.
• Secretary General of the United Nations: Antonio Guterres.

Summits and Conferences

10. Gujarat to host conference of State Power Ministers

• Gujarat will host the State Power Ministers’ Conference. It will take place at Kevadia, on the banks of Narmada river.
• The 2 day conference will see discussions on policies related to emerging technologies in sustainable and renewable energy sector.
• It will also look after the implementation of Prime Minister Kusum Yojana, Solar Roof top, renewable energy development in the border areas, projects for Ultra Mega Renewable Energy Parks, ease of doing business in solar and wind energy space and the concerning issues related to regulatory matters, land and infrastructure.

11. 9th RCEP Intersessional Ministerial Meeting to be held in Thailand

• The 9th Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Intersessional Ministerial Meeting will be held in Bangkok, Thailand.
• This will be the final Ministerial meeting before the 3rd Leaders’ Summit which will be held on November 4, 2019 in Bangkok.
• Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal will represent India in the meeting.
• He will also hold a series of bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Japan, Singapore, China, Australia and New Zealand during the Bangkok Ministerial.

Miscellaneous

12. Railway police's website & mobile app "Sahyatri" launched

• Union Minister Nityanand Rai has launched a Government Railway Police's website "railways.delhipolice.gov.in" and a mobile application "Sahyatri".
• The database of criminals, including their photographs, active in railways’ jurisdiction all over India would be uploaded on the Railway police's website. It will also have the facility to scan and read QR codes and make an emergency call.
• The Sahyatri app will help railway passengers find out the jurisdiction of a police station and the details of GRP officials by geo-tagging with Google Maps.
• It will also help the railway police in addressing complaints of passengers from across India and crime detection by integrating the criminal database online.

13. 38th India Carpet Expo begins in Varanasi

• The 38th India Carpet Expo will be held in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. The expo will be organized by the Carpet Export Promotion Council (CEPC).
• The India Carpet Expo aims to promote the cultural heritage and weaving skills of Indian hand-made carpets and other floor coverings for the visiting overseas carpet buyers.
• India carpet expo also acts as a platform for international carpet buyers, buying houses, buying agents, architects and Indian carpet manufacturers and exporters to meet and establish business relationship.

14. Maharashtra & Goa Circle celebrating National Postal Week

• The Maharashtra and Goa Circle of the India Post is celebrating National Postal Week.
• The postal circle is observing the National Postal Week in each of the six regions under its jurisdiction - Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Aurangabad and Goa.
• The week is being celebrated to spread awareness about services provided by the department and efforts made to meet changing requirements of customers.
• The week also commemorates the establishment of the Universal Postal Union in 1874 in the Swiss capital Berne.

Daily updates 12 October 2019

National

1. India to extend over $60 mn line of credit to Comoros

• Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu has signed an MoU with the island nation Comoros. As per MoU, India will extend over $60 mn line of credit to Comoros for Energy and Maritime Defence Cooperation.
• The Line of Credit consists of over USD 41.6 million for setting up of 18 MW Power Plant in Moroni and another USD 20 million for the procurement of High-Speed Interceptor Boats.
• The Vice President was also conferred 'The Order of the Green Crescent', the highest Civilian Honour of Comoros, by Azali Assoumani, President of Comoros in Moroni.

Ranks and Reports

2. Forbes India Rich List 2019

• The business magazine Forbes has released "The Forbes India Rich List 2019" which has been topped by Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani with net worth of $51.4 billion.
• Mukesh Ambani remained the richest Indian for the 12th year in a row.
• Industrialist Gautam Adani jumped 8 spots on the list to become the 2nd richest Indian with net worth of $15.7 billion.
• The magazine stated that it was 'a challenging year' for the Indian economy.
• 5 of the Richest Indians in Forbes India Rich List 2019 are:

1. Mukesh Ambani with net worth of $51.4 billion
2. Gautam Adani with net worth of $15.7 billion
3. Hinduja Brothers with net worth of $15.6 billion
4. Pallonji Mistry with net worth of $15 billion
5. Uday Kotak with net worth of $14.8 billion

Awards

3. Ramesh Pandey selected for Asia Environmental Enforcement Award

• Indian Forest Service officer Ramesh Pandey has been selected for the prestigious Asia Environmental Enforcement Award by the United Nations Environment Programme.
• He is known for his investigation and intelligence gathering on poachers. He will receive the award at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok. The selection panel has recognised his excellent work in combating trans-boundary environmental crime.
• Asia Environmental Enforcement Awards aims to publicly recognise outstanding achievements by public organisations and individuals in Asia to combat transboundary environmental crime.

4. Ashleigh Barty wins 'The Don' Award

• Ashleigh Barty has been awarded Australian sport’s highest individual honour ‘The Don’ Award at the annual Sport Australia Hall of Fame.
• With the award, she has joined legends like Cathy Freeman and Ian Thorpe in lifting the prestigious prize.
• Barty was the first Australian to win the French Open in 46 years and is now aiming to become the first Australian woman to end the season with the No.1 ranking since Margaret Court in 1973.

Defence

5. 2nd edition of India-Bangladesh CORPAT begins

• The 2nd edition of Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT) of the navies of India and Bangladesh has begun in Northern Bay of Bengal.
• Guided-missile destroyer INS Ranvijay and ingeniously built missile Corvette INS Kuthar are participating in the exercise along with BNS Ali Haider and BNS Shadinota from Bangladesh.
• The exercise aims at development of mutual communication and sharing of best practices between the two navies.
• The India Bangladesh CORPAT commenced in 2018.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For IBPS RRB Clerk Mains:

• Bangladesh Capital: Dhaka; Currency: Taka; PM: Sheikh Hasina.

Important Days

6. World Migratory Bird Day: 12 October

• World Migratory Bird Day is observed on 12 October every year. It is an annual awareness-raising campaign highlighting the need for the conservation of migratory birds and their habitats.
• It has a global outreach and is an effective tool to help raise global awareness of the threats faced by migratory birds.
• Theme for 2019: Protect Birds: Be the Solution to Plastic Pollution!

Static/Current Takeaways Important For IBPS RRB Clerk Mains:

• Headquarters of United Nations: New York, USA; Founded: 24 October 1945.
• Secretary General of the United Nations: Antonio Guterres.

Summits and Conferences

7. 1st India Sports Summit held in New Delhi

• Minister of State for Youth and Sports Kiren Rijiju inagurated 1st India Sports Summit 2019 in New Delhi.
• He also underlined the need to induce a national sporting culture with the aim to make India a sporting powerhouse at the event.
• He also announced that a 'Fit India' mission office would be set up, with the help of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), to promote the aforementioned goals.

8. India-China 2nd Informal Summit begins in Tamil Nadu

• The 2nd “India-China Informal Summit” between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and China’s President Xi Jinping begins at Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu.
• The 1st summit took place in Wuhan in the wake of the Doklam crisis in April, 2018.

Miscellaneous

9. "India International Cooperatives Trade Fair" inaugurated

• The 1st ever 'India International Cooperatives Trade Fair' has been inaugurated in New Delhi.
• The 3 day Fair is a major platform to promote export of products of cooperatives which will lead to enhanced rural and farm prosperity.
• Organisations from 35 countries and more than 150 Indian cooperatives are participating in the Fair.
• Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar also launched 'Yuva Sahakar' Cooperative Enterprise Support and Innovation Scheme 2019.

Daily updates 13 October 2019

International News

1. Typhoon Hagibis strikes northern Japan

• Typhoon Hagibis strikes Tokyo, capital of Japan after fierce rain and wind paralysed the capital.
• The cyclone Hagibis which caused floods, landslides and emergency disaster warnings, could be the strongest to hit Tokyo since 1958.
• Authorities issued evacuation advisories and orders for more than 6 million people across the country as the storm unleashed the heaviest rain and winds in years. Train operators has suspended bullet train services extensively.
• "Hagibis" means “speed” in the Philippine language Tagalog.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For IBPS RRB Clerk Mains:

• Japan Capital:Tokyo; Currency: Japanese yen; PM: Shinzo Abe.

Agreements

2. ADB & India signs $190 million loan for projects in Rajasthan

• The Asian Development Bank and the Government of India has signed a $190 Million loan.
• The amount will be used to upgrade 754 km of state highways and major district roads (MDRs) to benefit about 26 million people in 14 districts of Rajasthan.
• For the benefit of commuters and pedestrians, particularly women and children, the project provides for constructing more than 200 bus stops, 70 km of hard shoulder, and 2 km of raised sidewalk on project roads

Important Days

3. International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction: 13 October

• The United Nations observes International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction on 13 October every year.
• The day celebrates how people and communities around the world are reducing their exposure to disasters and raising awareness about the importance of reining in the risks that they face.
• The day also promotes a global culture of risk-awareness and disaster reduction.
• Theme for 2019: Reduce disaster damage to critical infrastructure and disruption of basic services.
• The 2019 edition continues as part of the "Sendai Seven" campaign (launched in 2016), centred on the 7 targets of the Sendai Framework.
• This year will focus on Target (d) of the Sendai Framework: “Substantially reduce disaster damage to critical infrastructure and disruption of basic services, among them health and education facilities, including through developing their resilience by 2030.”

Static/Current Takeaways Important For IBPS RRB Clerk Mains:

• Headquarters of United Nations: New York, USA; Founded: 24 October 1945.
• Secretary General of the United Nations: Antonio Guterres.

Summits and Conferences

4. PM Modi chairs meeting on 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat'

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a meeting on 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat' programme in Delhi. Under the initiative, the government plans to hold people-to-people exchange between states to enhance knowledge about each others culture.
• 'Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat' highlights India's diversity and furthers national unity. The goal of the initiative is to develop a holistic national perspective on important issues and encourage the celebration of India's vibrant regional cultures.

Sports

5. Eliud Kipchoge becomes 1st athlete to run sub 2-hour marathon

• Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge has become the 1st athlete to run sub 2-hour marathon. He busted the mythical 2-hour barrier for the marathon on a specially prepared course in a huge Vienna park.
• He finished the marathon with an unofficial time of 1 hr 59 min 40.2 sec and became the first ever to run a marathon in under 2 hours.
• Eliud Kipchoge already holds the men's world record for the distance with a time of 2 hr 01 min 39 sec, which he set in the flat Berlin marathon on September 16, 2018.

6. M C Mary Kom wins bronze in World Women's Boxing Championships

• M C Mary Kom has won the bronze medal in the 51kg event of World Women's Boxing Championships held in Ulan-Ude, Russia.
• She lost in an intense semifinal bout to Turkey's Busenaz Cakiroglu. This bronze is her first world medal in the 51kg category.

Daily updates 14 October 2019

National

1. 10th National Cultural Festival begins in Madhya Pradesh

• 10th edition of the Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav-National Cultural Festival is being organized by the Union Ministry of Culture from 14th to 21st of October under the 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat' campaign in Madhya Pradesh.
• The National Cultural festival will display diverse forms of folk, art and culture of 22 states. The concept of National Cultural Festival was conceived in the year 2015.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For RRB NTPC/IBPS RRB Mains:

• Union Minister of State for Culture and Tourism: Prahlad Singh Patel.

Ranks and Reports

2. PM Modi becomes most followed leader on Instagram

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has become the most-followed elected world leader on photo-sharing app Instagram.
• He is ahead of US President Donald Trump, Indonesian President Joko Widodo and former president Barack Obama.
• With 30 million followers, PM Modi leads the list of world leaders on Instagram, with Joko Widodo coming in a close second with 25.6 million followers on the popular app.
• Barack Obama comes in third with 24.8 million followers while, Donald Trump, trails behind with 14.9 million followers.

Awards

3. The Nobel Prize in Economics 2019

• The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences has decided to award the Nobel Prize in Economics 2019.
• The Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel 2019 was awarded jointly to Abhijit Banerjee, Esther Duflo and Michael Kremer "for their experimental approach to alleviating global poverty."
• Indian-born Abhijit Banerjee is an American citizen while Esther Duflo is French-American.
• Michael Kremer is also from the US. Abhijit Banerjee, 58, was born in India and has a PhD from Harvard University.
• He is a Professor of Economics at Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the US.

4. Chandi Prasad Bhatt to get Indira Gandhi award for national integration

• The 31st Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration for the years 2017 and 2018 will be awarded to the pioneer of the Chipko Movement Chandi Prasad Bhatt for his services in promoting and preserving the national integration.
• He is a Ramon Magsaysay award recipient for the year 1982. He was also awarded Padma Shri in 1986, the Padma Bhushan in 2005 and the Gandhi Peace prize in 2013.
• The award consists of a citation and cash of Rs 10 lakh to be given to the awardee by Congress president Sonia Gandhi on October 31, the death anniversary of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

Banking

5. Life Insurance Council plan to launch life insurance industry’s first joint mass media campaign ‘Sabse Pehle Life Insurance’

• Life Insurance Council has decided to launch the Indian life insurance industry’s first joint mass media campaign with the slogan ‘Sabse Pehle Life Insurance’.
• The slogan will encourage Indian households to opt for adequate life insurance cover as the fundamental necessity in their lives.
• The life insurance council’s campaign represents joint efforts of all 24 Indian life insurance companies who are working towards creating a common narrative aimed at increasing life insurance awareness in the country.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For IBPS RRB Main 2019:

• Chairman of Life Insurance Council: M.R. Kumar; Headquarters: Mumbai.

Appointments

6. K Satish Reddy appointed Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance president

• K Satish Reddy, Chairman of Dr Reddy’s has been appointed as President of the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA) for 2019-2021.
• Rajesh Jain, Managing Director of Panacea Biotec Limited, will continue as the Vice President.
• K Satish Reddy, the past president of IPA (2013-2015), played a major role in shaping policies concerning the pharmaceutical sector and the economy.

7. Mastercard India elevates Vikas Varma to COO

• Mastercard India, payment technology major, elevated Vikas Varma as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the firm. He will lead initiatives related to new partnerships and the development of digital payments solutions in the country.
• Recently, Mastercard announced an investment of USD 1 billion (around Rs 7,100 crore) over the next five years in India.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For RRB NTPC/IBPS RRB Mains:

• Mastercard Founded: 1966;  Headquarters: New York, US.

Defence

8. 2nd edition of Indo-Japan joint military exercise “Dharma Guardian 2019” to be held in Mizoram

• The 2nd joint military exercise ‘Dharma Guardian-2019’ to promote military cooperation between India and Japan will be held in Mizoram from 19 Oct to 02 Nov 2019.
• Indian Army and Japanese Ground Self Defence Forces (JGSDF) comprising 25 soldiers each will participate in the exercise with an aim to share experience gained during various Counter-Terrorism Operations in respective Countries.
• The joint military exercise will enhance the level of defence co-operation between the Indian Army and Japanese Ground Self Defence Forces (JGSDF) which in turn will further foster the bilateral relations between the two nations.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For RRB NTPC/IBPS RRB Mains:

• Chief of the Army Staff: General Bipin Rawat.

9. 10th edition of Indo-US joint military exercise ‘Vajra Prahar 2019‘ begins in Seattle, US

• The 10th edition of the joint military exercise 'Vajra Prahar 2019' between India and the US will be held at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) in Seattle, US.
• 'Vajra Prahar' is a Special Forces joint training exercise conducted alternately in India and the US. Last year, the exercise had taken place in Jaipur.
• These exercises will enable the sharing of best practices and experience in areas such as joint mission planning capabilities and operational tactics.
• Bilateral military exercises and defence exchanges are an important aspect of deepening bilateral defence cooperation between India and the US.

Important Days

10. World Standards Day: 14 October

• World Standards Day (or International Standards Day) is celebrated internationally each year on 14 October.
• The aim of World Standards Day is to raise awareness among regulators, industry and consumers as to the importance of standardization to the global economy.
• 2019 theme: Video standards create a global stage

Sports

11. Manju Rani wins silver medal in World Women's Boxing C'ships

• Manju Rani settled for silver medal in World Women's Boxing Championships at Ulan-Ude in Russia. Russian Ekaterina Paltceva defeated Rani 4 -1 in the 48-kilogram category in the final match of the tournament.

12. Lakshya Sen wins maiden BWF World Tour title

• Indian shuttler Lakshya Sen clinched his maiden BWF World Tour title by winning the Dutch Open men's singles at Almere in the Netherlands.
• He rallied from a game deficit to defeat Yusuke Onodera of Japan 15-21, 21-14, 21-15 in a final.

Obituaries

13. Alexei Leonov, the first human to walk in space passes away

• Alexei Leonov, the first human to walk in space passed away. He was the legendary Soviet cosmonaut who became the first human to walk in space 54 years ago.
• During this mission, on 18 March 1965, Leonov exited the spacecraft and walked for 12 minutes and 9 seconds.

14. First female head of Nobel's Literature Award Body, Sara Danius passes away

• First female head of Nobel's Literature Award Body, Sara Danius passed away.
• She was a literature critic, professor and writer, served as the first female permanent secretary of the Swedish Academy between 2015 and 2018.

Books and Authors

15. Bill Gates book on climate change to be released in 2020

• The founder of Microsoft Corporation and American philanthropist Bill Gates’ new book titled “How to Avoid a Climate Disaster: The Solutions We Have and the Breakthroughs We Need” will be released on June 2020.
• It will be published by UK-based Allen Lane publishers. The book is about climate change and the possible solutions to prevent an environmental crisis.

Miscellaneous

16. PM Modi launches commemorative stamp to honour Marshal of IAF Arjan Singh

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi released a commemorative stamp in honour of Marshal of the Indian Air Force late Arjan Singh.
• He served as the Chief of Air Staff from August 1964 to July 1969. Government of India designated him as the Marshal of the Air Force in January 2002. He remains the only officer of the IAF to be given a Five-Star rank.
• Arjan Singh is an icon of Indian military history and the best remembered for providing excellent leadership to a young IAF during the 1965 war.
• Even after retirement, he continued to serve in various positions including India's Ambassador to several countries.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For IBPS RRB Main 2019:

• IAF Founded: 8 October 1932; IAF Headquarters: New Delhi.
• IAF Motto: Touch the sky with glory.

17. Pope Francis elevates Indian nun Mariam Thresia to sainthood

• Indian nun Mariam Thresia from Kerala and four other nuns were declared Saints by Pope Francis at a grand ceremony at the Vatican City.
• The other four nuns are English Cardinal John Henry Newman, Swiss laywoman Marguerite Bays, Brazilian Sister Dulce Lopes and Italian Sister Giuseppina Vannini.
• Mariam Thresia, who founded the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Family in Thrissur in May 1914, was raised to the highest position within the centuries-old institution during the ceremony at the St Peter's Square.

Daily updates 9 October 2019

           National

1. AIIMS & Health ministry launches "eDantSeva"

• The All India Institute of Medical Sciences in collaboration with the Union Health Ministry launched the 1st-ever website and mobile application on oral health awareness "eDantSeva".
• The digital platform contains information about the National Oral Health Programme and a detailed list of all the dental facility and colleges, Information, Education and Communication (IEC) material.
• It also constitutes a unique feature called the 'Symptom Checker'. The website also provides GPRS route and satellite images of the facility for easier access to the people.
• A Braille booklet and voice-over on oral health education for visually impaired was also released on the occasion.

2. CBDT launches Faceless e-Assessment scheme

• The Central Board of Direct Taxes has launched "Faceless e-Assessment scheme" that eliminates physical interface between an assessing officer and an assessee. They also inaugurated the National e-Assessment Centre (NeAC).
• The "Faceless e-assessment scheme" is expected to bring in a “paradigm shift” in taxation by eliminating human interface in the income tax assessment system.
• A total of 2,686 officials of the I-T department have been deputed for implementation of the scheme. With NeAC, there would be no physical interface between the tax payers and the tax officers.
• Also, the above will bring transparency and efficiency and will improve the quality of assessment and monitoring.
• There would be a NeAC in Delhi to be headed by Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax.
• There are 8 Regional e-Assessment Centres (ReAC) set up at Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata Ahmedabad, Pune, Bengaluru and Hyderabad which would comprise Assessment unit, Review unit, Technical unit and Verification units.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For IBPS RRB Clerk Mains:

• Chairman of CBDT: P.C. Mody.

3. India receives 1st Rafale fighter jet built for Indian Air Force

• India has got the 1st Rafale fighter jet "RB-001" built for the Indian Air Force (IAF) in France. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh received the 1st Rafale combat jet aircraft at Production Unit of Dassault Aviation in France.
• However, the first batch of jets will arrive in India only in May 2020. Defence Minister also held the Annual Defence dialogue with his French counterpart Florence Parly.
• The RB in the aircraft designation stands for IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal R.K.S. Bhadauria who as then Deputy Chief of IAF led the Indian negotiation team and had a major role in the contract negotiations.

4. Air Force Day: 8th october

• Air Force Day is celebrated every year by the Indian Air Force on 8th of October. This year Indian Air Force celebrated its 87th anniversary. The IAF was founded on October 8, 1932.
• On the occasion of 87th anniversary of Indian Air Force, a scintillating air display by various aircraft was organized as the hallmark of the Air Force Day Parade-cum-Investiture Ceremony.
• The display commenced with flag bearing skydivers of the famous AKASH GANGA Team dropping out of an AN-32 aircraft in their colourful canopies.
• Indian Air Force officers who participated in the Balakot airstrike, flew three Mirage 2000 aircraft and two Su-30 MKI fighter aircraft in Avenger formation during the event.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For IBPS RRB Main 2019:

• Air Force Chief: Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria.

International News

5. Antonio Costa re-elected as the PM of Portugal

• Antonio Costa has been re-elected as the Prime Minister of Portugal after winning the general elections.
• Antonio Costa, the Socialist leader and incumbent prime minister, got the most votes in Portugal’s general election, leaving it poised to continue leading the government for another four years.

Awards

6. The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2019

• The Nobel Assembly has announced the 2019 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine at Karolinska Institutet.
• The prize will be awarded jointly to William G. Kaelin, Sir Peter J. Ratcliffe and Gregg L. Semenza. They have been nominated for the prize for their discoveries of how cells sense and adapt to oxygen availability.
• The prize committees are currently working carefully and independently to select the recipients of the 2019 Nobel Prize and the laureates for other fields: Physics, Chemistry, Literature, Peace Prize and the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel.
• The recipient for above prizes will be announced as per the schedule between 8th to 14th October, 2019.

7. The Nobel Prize in Physics 2019

• The Nobel Assembly has announced the 2019 Nobel Prize in Physics. The prize will be awarded to James Peebles, Michel Mayor and Didier Queloz.
• James Peebles was honoured for his contributions to the understanding of the evolution of the Universe and Earth's place in the cosmos. Michel Mayor and Didier Queloz were awarded the prize for finding 51 Pegasi b, a gas giant orbiting a star 50 light-years away.
• It was the first exoplanet to be discovered orbiting a star like our own.

8. "Spirit Of Kerala" wins People's Choice Award

• Short film from Kerala "Spirit Of Kerala" has won the People's Choice Award at the recently concluded My Rode Reel film competition.
• The film won the honour beating 1,680 entries. The short film is based on a boat race and directed by Arun Joseph.
• My Rode Reel film competition is touted as the ‘world’s largest short film competition’.

9. The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2019

• The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences has decided to award the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2019.
• The prize will be awarded jointly to John B. Goodenough, M. Stanley Whittingham and Akira Yoshino. They have been nominated for the prize for the development of lithium-ion batteries.
• This lightweight, rechargeable and powerful battery is now used in everything from mobile phones to laptops and electric vehicles.

Business News

10. Reliance MF renamed as "Nippon India Mutual Fund"

• Reliance Mutual Fund has been renamed as "Nippon India Mutual Fund". The organization was renamed following the purchase of 75% stake in Reliance Nippon Life Asset Management by Nippon Life Insurance.
• Nippon India Mutual Fund has become the largest foreign-owned Asset Management Company in India. Sundeep Sikka will continue to lead company as the CEO.

11. Infosys bags digital transformation services deal from Volvo

• Infosys has been selected as the main supplier to deliver Volvo Cars’ digital transformation services for its enterprise digital commercial operations applications and products.
• Infosys will offer next generation application services leveraging its global delivery model (GDM), agile delivery, automation and other service optimisation levers to deliver effective service operations.
• Based on the Scale Agile Framework (SAFe), Infosys will enable transformation of application management and application development deliveries to a 100% agile operating model.

Ranks and Reports

12. India ranks 68th on WEF's Global Competitiveness Index

• World Economic Forum has released the Global Competitiveness Index report. In total, there are 103 indicators distributed across the 12 pillars on which the performance of the countries was evaluated.
• As per the WEF's released report, India has moved down 10 places to rank 68th on an annual global competitiveness index which was topped by Singapore.
• India is among the worst-performing BRICS nations along with Brazil which is ranked 71st this year.
• WEF stated that India ranks high in terms of macroeconomic stability and market size, while its financial sector is relatively deep and stable despite the high delinquency rate, which contributes to weakening the soundness of its banking system.
• Here is the detailed ranking of India in individual pillars across which the performance of the countries was evaluated:

Sl. No.	Pillars	Rank
1.	Institutions	59
2.	Infrastructure	70
3.	ICT Adoption	120
4.	Macroeconomic Stability	43
5.	Health	110
6.	Skills	107
7.	Product Market	101
8.	Labour Market	103
9.	Financial System	40
10.	Market Size	3
11.	Business Dynamism	69
12.	Innovation Capability	35

Important Days

13. World Habitat Day: 7 October

• The United Nations designated the first Monday of October of every year as World Habitat Day. The Day is observed to remind the world that we all have the power and the responsibility to shape the future of our cities and towns.
• The focus of this year’s World Habitat Day is promoting the contribution of innovative frontier technologies to sustainable waste management to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 11: inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities.
• Theme for 2019: Frontier Technologies as an innovative tool to transform waste to wealth.
• This year’s Global Observance of World Habitat Day will be held in Mexico City.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For IBPS RRB Clerk Mains:

• Headquarters of United Nations: New York, USA; Founded: 24 October 1945.
• Secretary General of the United Nations: Antonio Guterres.

14. World Post Day: 9 October

• United Nations celebrates World Post Day every year on 9 October. The purpose of World Post Day is to bring awareness to the Post’s role in the everyday lives of people and businesses, as well as its contribution to global social and economic development.
• The Posts in many countries use the event to introduce or promote new postal products and services.
• The day marks the establishment of the Universal Postal Union in 1874 in the Swiss Capital, Bern. It was declared World Post Day by the UPU Congress held in Tokyo, Japan in 1969.

Sports

15. Simone Biles wins 15th world title

• Simone Biles has clinched a record-extending 15th World Gymnastics Championship title in Stuttgart, Germany. With the victory, she has become the event's most decorated woman.
• Simone Biles won a record 21st medal at the world gymnastics championships as the United States retained their women's team all-around title.
• Biles played a key role in a commanding performance by the USA, earning the most points in three of the four disciplines: the vault, balance beam and floor.

Miscellaneous

16. Day Care Recreation Centre inaugurated in Leh

• The 1st Government-sponsored and operated Day-Care cum Recreation Centre for senior citizens has been inaugurated in Leh.
• The day care Centre, co-sponsored by Government and the District Legal Service Authority will provide a raft of medical facilities including geriatric care, health consultations and check-ups, physiotherapy to the senior citizens. It would also provide legal service, the senior citizens would require on various legal issues.
• The premise would be a one stop-shop for entertainment, medical services and legal aid for the aged people of the Ladakh region.