Daily updates 12 September 2019

National

1.Skill India gets its first Batch of IES officers to the ISDS cadre

• The fresh batch of the newest central government services, the Indian Skill Development Services(ISDS) commenced their training program at the Administrative Training Institute (ATI) in Mysuru, Karnataka. These are the first batch which is joining the ISDS cadre from the Indian Engineering Service Examination conducted by UPSC.
• The aim for this is to attract young and talented administrators towards institutionalizing the Skill Development environment in the country.
• The induction of young talent as ISDS officers is one of the special initiatives taken by the Ministry of Skill Development And Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and the government as a whole, to significantly strengthen the skill development eco-system in the country. This is the first batch of young minds from Indian Engineering Services to be included in the MSDE.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For RRB Main 2019:

• Minister of State in the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship: Raj Kumar Singh.

State News

2. Haryana launches two insurance schemes for traders

• The State government of Haryana has launched two insurance schemes for registered small and medium traders.
• The schemes includes “Mukhyamantri Vyapari Samuhik Niji Durghatna Beema Yojana” and “Mukhyamantri Vyapari Kshatipurti Beema Yojana".
• An insurance cover of Rs 5 lakh would be provided under the Mukhyamantri Vyapari Samuhik Niji Durghatna Beema Yojana. An insurance cover ranging from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 25 lakh would be provided under the Mukhyamantri Vyapari Kshatipurti Beema Yojana.
• Traders registered under the Haryana Goods and Service Tax (HGST) Act, 2017 would be covered under these schemes.
• As per the scheme, the premium of people under both the schemes would be paid by the State government.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For IBPS RRB PO Mains:

• Capital of Haryana: Chandigarh; Chief Minister: Manohar Lal Khattar; Governor: Satyadev Narayan Arya.

Banking

3. IDBI to launch co-branded credit card with LIC

• The Industrial Development Bank of India (IDBI Bank) and Life Insurance Corporation of India Credit Cards Services (LIC CSL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of LIC, will launch a co-branded credit card, which will be marketed to customers, agents, and employees of the corporation and its subsidiaries.

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

• IDBI Bank Headquarters: Mumbai; MD and CEO: Rakesh Sharma.
• Chairman of LIC: MR Kumar; Headquarters of LIC: Mumbai.

Agreement

4. India and ADB signs 200 million dollar loan agreement

• India and Asian Development Bank (ADB) has signed 200 million dollar loan agreement.
• Under the agreement, they will upgrade rural roads in 34 districts of Maharashtra to improve road safety.
• The project aims to improve the condition of about 2,100 km of rural roads to all-weather standards, with climate resilience and safety features.
• It will also help in connecting rural communities with productive agricultural areas and socio-economic centres.
• The enhanced road connectivity and better access to markets will help the farmers increase agricultural productivity and incomes.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For IBPS RRB PO Mains:

• Chief Minister of Maharashtra: Devendra Fadnavis; Governor: Bhagat Singh Koshyari.

Appointment

5. PK Mishra appointed as the Principal Secretary to PM

• Pramod Kumar Mishra will be the new Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• He will replace Nripendra Mishra. He is a 1972 batch Indian Administrative Service officer of Gujarat cadre. He joined PM Modi in 2014 as the Additional Principal Secretary.
• He has varied experience in the management of programmes relating to agriculture, disaster management, power sector, infrastructure financing and regulatory issues.

6. P K Sinha appointed as the Principal Advisor to PM

• Former Cabinet Secretary Pradeep Kumar Sinha has been appointed the Principal Advisor to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the appointment of PK Sinha.
• He is a 1977 batch Indian Administrative Service Batch officer of Uttar Pradesh cadre. He joined cabinet secretariat on June 1, 2015, as Officer-on-Special Duty.

Defence

7. DRDO successfully tests indigenous anti-tank guided missile (MPATGM)

• The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully flight tested an indigenously-developed low weight, fire and forget Man-Portable Antitank Guided Missile (MPATGM) in the ranges of Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh.
• This is the third series of successful testing of MPATGM. The missile is incorporated with state-of-the-art Infrared Imaging Seeker along with advanced avionics. The test paves the way for the Army to have developed third-generation man-portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile indigenously.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For RRB Main 2019:

• DRDO Chairman: G Satheesh Reddy, Established: 1958, Headquarters: New Delhi.

8. IAF resurrects 17 Squadron 'Golden Arrows' for Rafale

• The Indian Air Force (IAF) resurrected the Air Force Station (AFS) Ambala-based 17 Squadron ‘Golden Arrows’, which will operate the first squadron of Rafale fighter jets.
• Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa presented a memento to Station Commander Group Captain Harkirat Singh to commemorate the occasion.
• The squadron was formed at Ambala on 01st Oct 1951 under the command of Flight Lieutenant D L Springett and was then equipped with Harvard-II B aircraft.
• Under the command of then Wing Commander BS Dhanoa, Golden Arrows participated actively in Operation Safed Sagar in 1999. On December 31, 2011, the squadron was ‘number plated’ after the Russian Mig-21 jets that it flew was decommissioned as part of the IAF’s long-term plan to phase the decades-old aircraft out of service and was since awaiting newer inductions.

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

• Motto of the Indian Air Force: Nabha Sprsham Deeptam (The Glory that touches the sky).

9. INS Khanderi to be commissioned into the Indian Navy

• India's 2nd Scorpene-class submarine, INS Khanderi will be commissioned into the Indian Navy by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
• The conventional diesel-electric submarine has been manufactured by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd in Mumbai.
• The first Scorpene-class submarine INS Kalvari was commissioned into the Indian Navy in December 2017.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For IBPS RRB Clerk Mains:

• Chief of the Naval Staff: Admiral Karambir Singh.

Awards

10. Navdeep Singh Suri honoured with First Class Order of Zayed II

• Navdeep Singh Suri, India's envoy to United Arab Emirates, has been honoured with the First Class Order of Zayed II award.
• He was awarded by UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan for his contribution to the development and strengthening of friendly relations and co-operation between India and UAE during his tenure.

Summits and Conferences

11. National Conference on “Criminal Activities and Radicalization in Jails"

• Bureau of Police research and development will organize the National Conference on “Criminal Activities and Radicalization in Jails: Vulnerability of Inmates and Jail Staff and their Protection” in New Delhi.
• The conference aims to provide a platform for the prison personnel of all ranks at the national level to share their candid views on various operational as well as administrative issues. The conference will focus on the following issues:

1. To understand various criminal activities at individual and gang level and considers safety measures for vulnerable inmates and jail staff.
2. To understand various facets of radicalization in prison and suggest measures for counter radicalization.
3. To analyse and formulate the security and protection standards for prison staff.
4. To provide an interdisciplinary platform for correctional personnel to exchange and share their experience on prison reforms.

• The event will also promote research and development activities on the functioning of the correctional administration across the country.

12. Nepal Infrastructure Summit 2019 held in Kathmandu

• Nepal Infrastructure Summit 2019 was held in Kathmandu, Nepal.
• The theme of the summit was "Resilient Infrastructure for Sustainable Development".
• It focuses on the global and regional mega trends, including climate change and their relevance to the local context, issues surrounding infrastructure project delivery, financing modalities and opportunities for cross-border economic cooperation and investments.
• The summit was organised by the Confederation of Nepalese Industries in association with Government of Nepal. Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Power, New and Renewable Energy Raj Kumar Singh represented India in the summit.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For IBPS RRB PO Mains:

• Prime Minister of Nepal: K P Sharma Oli; Capital: Kathmandu.

Miscellaneous

13. Cryodrakon boreas is the largest flying animal of all time

• Scientists have unveiled a newly discovered species of a pterosaur, the largest ever flying animal according to a study conducted by Queen Mary University in London.
• These species come from the Azhdarchid group of pterosaurs. The pterosaur's name Cryodrakon boreas roughly translates to 'frozen dragon of the north wind'.
• Cryodrakon boreas is the largest flying animal of all time, With a wingspan of 10 m and weighing 250 kg, researchers reported in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology.

14. Thailand 1st in Asia to roll out plain cigarette packaging

• Thailand became the first Asian nation to unveil plain cigarette packaging to reduce the appeal of smoking and complied with the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) guidelines.
• In 2012, Australia became the first country to require tobacco products to be sold without colourful brand logos.

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

• Thailand Capital: Bangkok, Currency: Baht