29th December Daily Current Affairs 2021: Today GK Updates for Bank Exap

29 December 2021
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29th December Daily Current Affairs 2021: Today GK Updates for Bank Exap

Here is the Daily GK Update of 29th December 2021 covering the following news headlines: Alia Bhatt, 4th State Health Index, IndusInd Bank, Indipaisa, Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs, AFSPA, Somalia.

Daily GK updates are incorporated with the important news that made the current affairs headlines for banking or other competitive exams. Daily GK Update is the complete bag of the important news that is held all day long. One should have complete knowledge about banking terms, current affairs news, etc. So, here is the GK update of 29th December 2021 to help you prepare the Current affairs part. After reading this section, you can successfully attempt Current Affairs Quiz.

Top 17 Daily GK Updates: National & International News

Here is providing below the top 17 important Daily General Knowledge GK 2021 updates with national & international news.

International News

1. China launches new camera satellite with 5m resolution

• China has launched a new satellite with a camera capable of taking photos of the ground with a resolution of five meters, according to the National Space Administration of China (CNSA).
• The satellite, called “Ziyuan-1 02E” or “Five Meter 02 Optical Satellite”. Beijing time by a Long March-4C rocket from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in Beijing Province. Shanxi (northern China).
• This is the 39th launch of the Longue Marche-4C rocket and the 403rd launch of the entire Long March series.
• The Ziyuan-1 02E weighs approximately 2.5 kilograms and is equipped with infrared, near-infrared and hyperspectral cameras. The cameras can take panchromatic color images of the Earth.

2. Somalia's President suspends PM Mohamed Hussein Roble

• Somalian Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble has been suspended. President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo has suspended the Prime Minister, who is facing allegations of involvement in the theft of land.
• Mohamed Roble accused the President of trying to stage a coup and said, he would continue in office. He urged the security forces to take orders from him rather than Mr Farmajo. The term of Farmajo officially ended in February but was extended because of disagreements over how to choose a new incumbent.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Somalia Capital: Mogadishu;
• Somalia Currency: Somali shilling.

State News

3. Govt set up high-level committee to examine of lifting Nagaland's AFSPA

• The Government of India has decided to constitute a ‘five-member’ committee to look into the demand for withdrawal of Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act “AFSPA” in Nagaland.
• The committee headed by Vivek Joshi, the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India, would submit its recommendations within 45 days. Additional Secretary in the Home Ministry Piyush Goyal will be its Member-Secretary. The Chief Secretary and DGP of Nagaland and the DGP of Assam Rifles will be the other members of the committee.
• The AFSPA empowers security forces to conduct operations and arrest anyone without any prior warrant. It also gives immunity to the forces if they shoot someone dead.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Chief Minister of Nagaland: Neiphiu Rio; Governor of Nagaland: Jagdish Mukhi.

Appointments News

4. IAS Praveen Kumar named as DG & CEO of Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs

• Govt of India has approved the appointment of Praveen Kumar, IAS, Former Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship to the post of Director General & Chief Executive Officer, Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA).
• The proposal for setting up IICA was approved by Planning Commission in the year 2007. It was established in 2008 at Manesar, Haryana.
• Praveen Kumar is a 1987 batch retired IAS officer of Tamil Nadu cadre, and a former Secretary, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship.

5. Radhika Jha named as CEO of Energy Efficiency Services

• Radhika Jha has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer in state-run Energy Efficiency Services (EESL). EESL is a joint venture between NTPC, Power Grid, Power Finance Corp and REC, working to promote energy efficiency in the country.
• Prior to the new posting, the IAS officer was serving as Secretary to the Government of Uttarakhand for the Education Department. She took charge of the post in July this year and navigated the operational guidelines for resuming classes post COVID.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Energy Efficiency ServicesHeadquarters: New Delhi;
• Energy Efficiency Services Founded: 2009;
• Energy Efficiency Services Chairmen: Arun Kumar Mishra.

6. GoI appoints Atul Kumar Goel as new MD & CEO of PNB

• The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the appointment of Atul Kumar Goel, MD & CEO of UCO Bank, as MD & CEO of Punjab National Bank (PNB) with effect from February 1 next year.
• Goel will serve as PNB chief until December 31, 2024, which is his attaining the superannuation age. Goel will replace Mallikarjuna Rao, incumbent MD & CEO of PNB.
• Rao was given a three-month extension that will end on January 31, 2022. Meanwhile, the ACC has appointed Soma Sankara Prasad, currently Deputy Managing Director at State Bank of India, as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer in UCO Bank.
• He will serve as MD & CEO of UCO Bank till the date of attaining the age of superannuation on May 31, 2023.

Agreements News

7. Indipaisa tie-up with NSDL Payments Bank to launch a new Fintech platform

• Indipaisa has signed a partnership agreement with NSDL Payments Bank to launch Financial Technology (Fintech) solutions targeting India’s 63 million Small & Mid-sized Enterprise (SME) sector.
• To empower SME owners & operators to provide facilities and services that help them grow businesses, comply with government tax laws and build a sustainable future.
• Indipaisa's mission is to empower SME owners and operators to take charge of their finances as well as give them facilities and services that help them grow their businesses, comply with government tax laws, and build a better future for their families.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• NSDL Payments Bank Founded: 1996;
• NSDL Payments Bank Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra;
• NSDL Payments Bank MD & CEO: Abhijit Kamalapurkar.

8. HDFC Bank tie-up with IPPB to offer banking services in rural areas

• HDFC Bank has signed an MoU with India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) to offer banking services to over 4.7 crore customers of IPPB in semi-urban and rural areas. Under the MoU, out of 4.7 crores, customers around 90 per cent reside in rural areas.
• The HDFC bank aims to boost its financial inclusion drive by leveraging IPPB’s network of 650 branches and over 136,000 banking access points.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• India Post Payments Bank Founded: 2018;
• India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) Headquarters: New Delhi, Delhi;
• India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) MD & CEO: J Venkatramu;
• India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) Tag line: Aapka Bank, Aapke Dwaar.

Banking News

9. HDFC Life signed bancassurance partnership with South Indian Bank

• HDFC Life signed a bancassurance (Bank-Insurance) agreement with South Indian Bank to enable customers of the South Indian Bank to avail HDFC Life’s life insurance products and services to the customers of South Indian Bank.
• This bancassurance arrangement will enable customers of the South Indian Bank to avail HDFC Life’s wide range of life insurance products which include solutions for protection, savings and investment, retirement and critical illness. This bancassurance partnership will further strengthen HDFC Life’s business across India.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• South Indian Bank Founded: 29 January 1929;
• South Indian Bank Headquarters: Thrissur, Kerala;
• South Indian Bank MD & CEO: Murali Ramakrishnan.

10. IndusInd Bank and NPCI tie-up to offer cross-border payments through UPI

• IndusInd Bank has partnered with the National Payments Corporation to offer real-time cross-border remittances to India using UPI IDs, for its Money Transfer Operator (MTO) partners. It is the first Indian bank to go live on UPI for cross-border payments/NRI remittances.
• Under this arrangement, the MTOs will be using the IndusInd Bank channel to connect with NPCI’s UPI payment systems for validation and cross-border payment settlement into beneficiary accounts.
• IndusInd Bank has started off with Thailand’s DeeMoney for Foreign Inward Remittance (FIR) through UPI.

Ranks and Reports News

11. NITI Aayog released 4th State Health Index

• NITI Aayog has released the fourth edition of the State Health Index for 2019–20 that provides incremental performance in health outcomes and status. The index is developed by: NITI Aayog, World Bank, and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW).
• The report, titled “Healthy States, Progressive India”, ranks states and Union Territories on their year-on-year incremental performance in health outcomes as well as their overall status.
• Among the ‘Larger States’, in terms of annual incremental performance, Uttar Pradesh, Assam and Telangana are the top three ranking states.
• Among ‘Smaller States’, Mizoram and Meghalaya registered the maximum annual incremental progress.
• Among UTs, Delhi, followed by Jammu and Kashmir, showed the best incremental performance.
• On overall ranking based on the composite index score in 2019–20, the top-ranking states were Kerala and Tamil Nadu among the ‘Larger States’, Mizoram and Tripura among the ‘Smaller States’, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu and Chandigarh among the UTs.

Awards News

12. PETA: Alia Bhatt India's 2021 Person of the Year

• People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India has named Bollywood star Alia Bhatt its 2021 Person of the Year. She is an animal lover and often shares pictures with her pets. This year, Alia Bhatt invested in Phool, the company behind Fleather, which is vegan leather made from discarded temple flowers.
• Her vegan kidswear line, Ed-a-Mamma, also won a 2021 PETA India fashion award for helping to nurture kids’ love for animals and nature.
• Alia also starred in a pro-adoption PETA India campaign to help cats and dogs. She has used her position to call for stronger animal protection laws.

Sports News

13. Uttar Pradesh won 11th Hockey India junior national championship

• Uttar Pradesh has crowned the winners of the 11th Junior National Men’s Hockey Championship following a 3-1 victory over Chandigarh in the final at Kovilpatti, Tamil Nadu.
• Tournament top scorer Sharda Nand Tiwari opened the scoring for Uttar Pradesh. Uttar Pradesh Hockey maintained its unbeaten record. In the 3rd/4th Place playoff match, the Hockey Association of Odisha edged out Hockey Haryana 3 - 2 in a closely contested affair to clinch 3rd place in the competition.

14. Nitesh Kumar wins double gold at 4th Para-Badminton National Championship

• Nitesh Kumar won doubled gold at the 4th Para-Badminton National Championship, which concluded in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. Haryana's Nitesh along with his partner Tarun Dhillon defeated World No. 1 Paralympic Games gold medallist Pramod Bhagat and Manoj Sarkar in straight sets 21-19, 21-11 in the Men’s doubles finals to win the gold.
• Earlier, Nitesh also won the gold medal in the Men’s singles category. World No 1 SL3 Para-Badminton player Parul Parmar from Gujarat also secured gold while Mandeep Kaur from Uttarakhand won Silver and Mansi won bronze.

Obituaries News

15. Former Greek President Karolos Papoulias passes away

• Veteran Greek politician Karolos Papoulias, who served as president at the height of the economic crisis of the 2010s, died. Papoulias, a longtime socialist lawmaker and minister, was close to Andreas Papandreou, the founder of the Socialist PASOK party.
• He served two terms between 2005 and 2015. Papoulias, who was also foreign minister in 1985-89 and 1993-96, was a high-ranking member of socialist PASOK party and a close associate of its late leader and former prime minister Andreas Papandreou.

16. E.O. Wilson, Known as 'Father of Biodiversity,' passes away

• E.O. Wilson, the former Harvard University biologist and Pulitzer Prize winner whose study of ants and human behaviour made him one of the world’s most influential scientists and prompted his calls for action to protect millions of species on the planet, has passed away. He was 92. To protect Earth earned him the nickname “Darwin’s natural heir”.
• He was the author of hundreds of scientific papers and more than 30 books, two of which won him Pulitzer Prizes for nonfiction: 1978’s On Human Nature, and The Ants in 1990.

17. ‘He-Man’ artist and toy designer Mark Taylor passes away

• Mark Taylor, artist and toy designer for the He-Man and the Masters of the Universe franchise as well as the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, passed away. Taylor began his career with Mattel in 1976 as a packaging designer.
• He-man was the muscled frontman for toy manufacturer Mattel’s Masters of the Universe franchise. He-Man was the epitome of a hulking superhero warrior but also became an icon within the LGBTQ+ community.

25th, 26th and 27th December Daily Current Affairs 2021: Today GK Updates for Bank Exam

27 December 2021
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25th, 26th and 27th December Daily Current Affairs 2021: Today GK Updates for Bank Exam

Daily GK updates are incorporated with the important news that made the current affairs headlines for banking or other competitive exams. Daily GK Update is the complete bag of the important news that is held all day long. One should have complete knowledge about banking terms, current affairs news, etc. So, here is the GK update of 25th, 26th and 27th December 2021 to help you prepare the Current affairs part. After reading this section, you can successfully attempt Current Affairs Quiz.

Top 23 Daily GK Updates: National & International News

Here is providing below the top 23 important Daily General Knowledge GK 2021 updates with national & international news.

National News

1. 3 big announcements by PM Modi for Covid-19 vaccine

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced the Covid-19 vaccine for children and booster doses for Health workers and senior citizens, amid the Omicron scare.
• During his address to nation, the Prime Minister urged the people to be cautious while celebrating as coronavirus cases are rising in the country due to highly infectious variant, Omicron.
• Therefore, from the point of view of precaution, the government has decided that precaution dose of vaccine will also be started for healthcare and frontline workers. It will be started from January 10.

2. Docprime tech launched India’s first ABDM integrated Health Locker

• Docprime tech has launched India’s first health locker integrated with Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM). ABDM was launched in August 2020 for developing an integrated digital health infrastructure in the country.
• ABDM integrated Health Locker will provide users a digital and self-consented health data management system without any charges. It will store and manage health records electronically.
• Users can create digital Health IDs for themselves and for their family members on ABDM integrated Health Locker.
• Health Locker received the ABDM Sandbox approval for activating their ABDM integrated Health Locker.
• The users can also fetch and store their Cowin vaccination certificates through the ABDM integrated Health Locker.

State News

3. World Sangeet Tansen festival organized in Madhya Pradesh

• In Madhya Pradesh, the 97th edition of the World Sangeet Tansen festival started in Gwalior. A five-day World Sangeet Tansen festival starts from December 25 to December 30 in the city.
• The stage of the program has been constructed on the theme of the Siddhanath temple situated in Omkareshwar. Many artists not only from India but also from abroad will participate in the music festival.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams: 

• Madhya Pradesh Capital: Bhopal;
• Madhya Pradesh Governor: Mangubhai C. Patel;
• Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister: Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

4. Tamil Nadu Govt launched monitoring system “CM Dashboard Tamil Nadu 360”

• Tamil Nadu government has launched the Chief Minister (CM) Dashboard monitoring system, “CM Dashboard Tamil Nadu 360” in Chennai. It will enable CM to track all welfare schemes, including the status of their implementation, fund allocation, and the number of beneficiaries along with updates on the storage of water in dams and rainfall patterns.
• This dashboard will provide real-time information on all State government departments, storage levels of key reservoirs, rainfall patterns, price mesh, which monitors the price stability over 25 foodgrains/vegetables/fruits, and it will provide projections on possible increases in price, enabling government intervention.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Tamil Nadu Capital: Chennai;
• Tamil Nadu Chief minister: K. Stalin;
• Tamil Nadu Governor: R. N. Ravi.

Appointments News

5. RBL Bank: Rajeev Ahuja appointed new MD

• The RBL Bank board has appointed Rajeev Ahuja, who's currently working as the Executive Director at the bank, as interim Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer of the bank with immediate effect, subject to the regulatory and other approvals.
• The board of directors at its meeting has accepted the request of Vishwavir Ahuja, Managing Director and CEO of the bank, to proceed on leave with immediate effect.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• RBL Bank Founded: 1943;
• RBL Bank Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra;
• RBL Bank CEO & MD: Vishwavir Ahuja;
• RBL Bank Tagline: Apno Ka Bank.

6. Mohammed Ben Sulayem elected FIA president

• Mohammed Ben Sulayem of the United Arab Emirates has been elected successor to Jean Todt as the first non-European president of motorsport's world governing body, the International Automobile Federation (FIA).
• The FIA is the governing body for Formula One, the World Rally Championship, World Endurance and Formula E among other series. The 60-year-old Dubai-born former rally driver was standing against British lawyer Graham Stoker, who has been Todt's deputy president for the sport since 2009.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• International Automobile Federation Headquarters location: Paris, France;
• International Automobile Federation Founded: 20 June 1904.

7. Kamlesh Gandhi named new Co-Chairman of FIDC

• Finance Industry Development Council (FIDC) has announced fresh appointments to its board of directors. Kamlesh Gandhi, CMD of MAS Financial Services has been appointed as Co-Chairman, FIDC in addition to Umesh Revankar, CEO and MD of Shriram Transport Finance Group. Sanjay Chamria has resigned as the Co-Chairman and Director, FIDC.
• Finance Industry Development Council (FIDC), which is a representative body of asset and loan financing NBFCs, has announced fresh appointments to its board of directors. Dinanath Dubhashi, MD and CEO, L&T Finance Holdings has been appointed as an additional Director of FIDC. The appointments were approved at a board meeting of FIDC on December 21.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• FIDC was formed in 2004;
• FIDC is Headquartered in Mumbai.

Defence News

8. ASIGMA: Indian Army launched in-house messaging app

• Indian Army has launched a contemporary messaging application named ‘ASIGMA’ (Army Secure IndiGeneous Messaging Application). It is a new generation web-based application developed entirely in-house by a team of officers of the Corps of Signals of the Army.
• It works as an alternative to Army Wide Area Network (AWAN) messaging application which has been in service for the past 15 years. The application has been sent out on Army-owned hardware and will cater to the army from this time forward, lending itself to lifetime support with future upgrades.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Chief of the Army Staff: Manoj Mukund Naravane.

9. Indian Navy decommissioned INS Khukri after 32 years

• INS Khukri (Pennant number 49), the first indigenously built Missile Corvette, was decommissioned after 32 years of service at Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
• The warship was built by the Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders (MSD) and commissioned on 23rd August 1989 and had been part of both the Western and Eastern Fleets.
• The ship was commissioned in Mumbai by Shri Krishna Chandra Pant, the then Raksha Mantri and Mrs Sudha Mulla, wife of late Capt Mahendra Nath Mulla. Commander (now Retired Vice Admiral) Sanjeev Bhasin was the first Commanding Officer.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Chief of Naval Staff: Admiral R Hari Kumar;
• Indian Navy Founded: 26 January 1950.

10. DRDO successfully conducted flight test of HEAT 'Abhyas'

• Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully conducted a flight test of Indigenously developed High-speed Expendable Aerial Target (HEAT) ‘Abhyas’ from Integrated Test Range at Chandipur off Odisha coast.
• During its trial, a high subsonic speed trajectory at a very low altitude with high endurance was demonstrated. It is Developed by Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), DRDO laboratory along with other laboratories.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

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

Banking News

11. RBI extends card tokenisation deadline till June 2022

• Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has extended the card-on-file (CoF) tokenization deadline by 6 months i.e., to June 30, 2022. Earlier the deadline was fixed till December 31, 2021.
• In March 2020, RBI had issued guidelines for the regulation of payment aggregators and payment gateways, prohibiting payment aggregators and merchants to store customer card credentials within their database or server from 30 June 2021.
• In September 2021, RBI extended the scope of tokenization from device-based tokenization to CoF tokenization services and barred merchants from storing actual card data while online transactions. RBI has fixed the deadline for card tokenization to January 1, 2022.

12. Paytm Payments Bank tie-up with MoneyGram to enable international fund transfer

• Paytm Payments Bank has partnered with MoneyGram, a peer-to-peer remittance company to enable international fund transfer directly to Paytm Wallet.
• Under the Partnership, MoneyGram users abroad can now transfer money to any full Know Your Customer (KYC)-compliant Paytm wallet.
• MoneyGram transactions in India received digitally stands at nearly 50 per cent of all transactions received in the country. This is MoneyGram's first mobile wallet partnership in India.
• MoneyGram transactions in India received digitally currently represent nearly 50 per cent of all transactions received in the country. The number of transactions sent directly to bank accounts is up about six times from just under 10 per cent two short years ago.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Paytm Payments Bank Founded: 2015;
• Paytm Payments Bank Headquarters: Noida, UP;
• Paytm Payments Bank Founder & CEO:  Vijay Shekhar Sharma.

13. BOB Financial and Indian Navy unveil co-branded credit card

• BOB Financial Solutions Ltd. (BFSL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bank of Baroda (BoB) and the Indian Navy have introduced a co-branded credit card for the personnel of the Indian Navy. The card will be equipped with contactless features and offered on the RuPay platform.
• Indian Navy personnel up to the age of 64 would be eligible to choose from three variants of the card.

Awards News

14. Anukrti Upadhyay’s Kintsugi wins the Sushila Devi Award 2021

• Anukrti Upadhyay has won the Sushila Devi Award 2021 for the Best Book of Fiction for her novel, Kintsugi, which was published by the Fourth Estate imprint.
• The Ratanlal Foundation and the organizing Committee of the Bhopal Literature and Art Festival announced the winner, for this notable award for fiction written by a woman author and published in 2020. This prize has been instituted by the Shri Ratanlal Foundation.

15. Federal Bank & Vayana Network won the ‘Most Effective Bank-Fintech Partnership’ award

• Vayana Network, one of India’s largest trade finance platforms, and Federal Bank, a leading Private Sector Bank have been awarded the ‘Most Effective Bank-Fintech Partnership: Agile and Adaptable’ at the IBSi-Global Fintech Innovation Awards 2021.
• The award was conferred in recognition of Vayana Network’s partnership with Federal Bank, for automating and simplifying Supply Chain Finance. This year, the Innovation Awards attracted global attention with over 190 participants from 48 countries.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Federal Bank Headquarters: Aluva, Kerala;
• Federal Bank MD & CEO: Shyam Srinivasan;
• Federal Bank Tagline: Your Perfect Banking Partner.

Sports News

16. Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh announced retirement from cricket

• Senior Indian off-spinner, Harbhajan Singh has announced retirement from all forms of cricket. He was the 1st Indian Cricketer to take Hat-trick wickets in Test Cricket. He took 417 wickets in 103 Tests and is the 4th highest wicket-taker for India in Test cricket.
• He made his debut to the national cricket team, during an ODI (One Day International) against New Zealand at Sharjah in 1998 and lastly represented India in 2016 during a T20 against the UAE at Dhaka, Bangladesh.

17. Aanchal Thakur won bronze medal at FIS Alpine Skiing Competition 2021

• Indian skier Aanchal Thakur has bagged a bronze medal at the International Ski Federation (FIS) Alpine Skiing Competition in Montenegro. She finished 3rd with an overall timing of 1:54:30. With this, Aanchal has become the first Indian Ski athlete to win two medals at the international level.
• She has previously won the bronze medal in the 2018 FIS Alpine 3200 Cup held in Turkey Georgia Epiphaniouwon silver medal and was just 2 seconds ahead of Anchal. Croatia’s Dora Ljutic (1:50.61) won the gold medal while Cyprus skier Georgia Epiphaniou (1:52.71) clinched silver.

Science and Technology News

18. NASA's launched world’s largest telescope named James Webb Space

• NASA’s $10 billion telescopes James Webb Space Telescope designed to capture the first glimpse of the universe just shortly after the Big Bang is targeted for blastoff from the European Space Agency's Kourou, French Guiana.
• The revolutionary world’s first-of-its-kind space-science observatory of the next decade will capture the earliest galaxies believed to have formed during the early universe’s formation. The new telescope will help scientists to probe the structures and origins of our universe and our place in it.
• The telescope is unequalled in size and complexity. Its mirror measures 6.5 metres (21 feet) in diameter — three times the size of the Hubble's mirror — and is made of 18 hexagonal sections. It is so large that it had to be folded to fit into the rocket.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• NASA administrator: Bill Nelson;
• Headquarters of NASA: Washington D.C., United States;
• NASA Founded: 1 October 1958.

19. Former Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Nirmal Chander Vij releases his new book

• A new book by former Indian Army Chief of Staff Gen. Nirmal Chander Vij (ret) claims to offer a “full picture” of the conflicts in Jammu and Kashmir and the way forward.
• The book published by HarperCollins India, the book of General Vij, The riddle of "Kashmir: the quest for peace in a troubled land".

20. M Venkaiah Naidu released a book titled “The Turnover Wizard – Saviour of thousands”

• Vice-President of India M Venkaiah Naidu has released the book titled “The Turnover Wizard – Saviour Of Thousands”, an autobiography of Arup Roy Choudhury, the former Chairman and Managing Director of NTPC Limited and NBCC (India) Limited.
• The book consolidates Arup Roy Choudhury’s learnings from life and brings out the management lesson from his life. The book is also endorsed by E Sreedharan, The Metro Man of India.

Important Days

21. International Day of Epidemic Preparedness: 27 December

• The United Nations and World Health Organization marked December 27 as the International day for Epidemic Preparedness. Battered by the Covid-19 pandemic, humans have learned about epidemic preparedness the hard way.
• In a bid to prepare for future outbreaks and sensitise people about epidemics on all levels. The day was first observed last December when the United Nations General Assembly had emphasised on the need to advocate the importance of the preparedness for, prevention of and partnership against epidemics.

22. Good Governance Day observed on 25 December

• In India, Good Governance Day (Sushasan Divas) is observed annually on 25th December. On this day nation celebrates the birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna and former-Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
• In keeping with this principle, Good Governance Day has been declared to be a working day for the government. On 23rd December 2014, former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya were announced to receive the highest civilian award of the nation, Bharat Ratna.
• After the announcement, the newly elected prime minister Narendra Modi has announced 25th December to be celebrated and observed as the Good Governance Day.

Obituaries News

23. Malayalam Director KS Sethumadhavan passes away

• Legendary Malayalam filmmaker KS Sethumadhavan has passed away at the age of 90 years. He directed over 60 movies in five languages including Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi during his career.
• He directed popular movies such as Odayil Ninnu, Anubhavangal Palichakal, Oppol, Aranazhikaneeram, Achanum Bappayum, etc. He has won 10 National Film Awards, 9 Kerala State Awards among others.

28th December Daily Current Affairs 2021: Today GK Updates for Bank Exam

28 December 2021
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28th December Daily Current Affairs 2021: Today GK Updates for Bank Exam

Daily GK updates are incorporated with the important news that made the current affairs headlines for banking or other competitive exams. Daily GK Update is the complete bag of the important news that is held all day long. One should have complete knowledge about banking terms, current affairs news, etc. So, here is the GK update of 28th December 2021 to help you prepare the Current affairs part. After reading this section, you can successfully attempt Current Affairs Quiz.

Top 16 Daily GK Updates: National & International News

Here is providing below the top 16 important Daily General Knowledge GK 2021 updates with national & international news.

International News

1. Japan launches Inmarsat-6 F1 Communications Satellite

• Japan has launched Inmarsat-6 F1, a communication satellite, through a Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) H-IIA204 rocket from Japan’s Tanegashima Space Center that will enter geostationary orbit, about 22,240 miles (35,790 kilometres) above the earth.
• It is developed by the London-based company Inmarsat as a part of its next-generation satellite broadband service. The satellite is 12,060-pound (5,470 kilograms) and is the first of two ‘I-6’ spacecraft.
• Designated H-IIAF45, Inmarsat-6 F1 launch is Japan’s third orbital flight of 2021 and H-IIA’s second mission of the year, marking the 45th flight of the H-IIA vehicle overall.
• It is dual-payload satellite featuring both L-band (ELERA) and Ka-band (Global Xpress).
• It is the world’s largest and most sophisticated commercial communications satellite ever launched.
• H-IIA is Japan’s longest-serving liquid-fueled rocket (since 2001) and currently largest rocket operated by MHI for the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency Founded: 1 October 2003;
• Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency Headquarters: Chōfu, Tokyo, Japan.

State News

2. Tamil Nadu CM launched ‘Meendum Manjappai’ scheme

• Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has launched the ‘Meendum Manjappai’ scheme to promote the use of cloth bags by the public and discourage the use of plastic bags.
• This awareness campaign on using ‘yellow’ cloth bag or ‘manjapai’ as it is called in Tamil, is aimed at encouraging the people to return to the use of this eco-friendly bag and discard the plastic bags.
• The state government had enforced a ban on the production, use, storage, distribution, transportation or sale of 14 types of plastics with effect from January 1, 2019.

3. Rajnath Singh inaugurates Brahmos missile manufacturing unit in Lucknow

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has laid the foundation stone of the BrahMos Aerospace cruise missile manufacturing unit in Lucknow. He also laid the foundation of DRDO Defence Technology and Test Centre in Lucknow. BrahMos Project will help in creating 5,500 fresh job opportunities.
• BrahMos is a joint venture between the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) of India and the NPOM of Russia. BrahMos missile derives its name from the Brahmaputra river of India and the Moskva river of Russia.
• All the three wings of the Indian defence forces have already inducted the BrahMos advanced weapon
  system.
• Recently, India successfully test-fired the air version of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile from the integrated test range of Chandipur.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Uttar Pradesh Capital: Lucknow;
• Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister: Yogi Adityanath;
• Uttar Pradesh Governor: Anandiben Patel.

Appointments News

4. Eishin Chihana named as new chairman of Yamaha Motor India Group

• India Yamaha Motor (IYM) Pvt Ltd. has announced that Eishin Chihana has taken charge of the Group’s India operations as its new Chairman.
• He has replaced Motofumi Shitara. Chihana has been associated with Yamaha Motor Company and its group companies across the globe since 1991.

5. Indian-origin judge appointed to South Africa’s highest judicial bench

• Indian origin, Narandran ‘Jody’ Kollapen has been appointed to South Africa’s highest judicial bench, the Constitutional Court. The appointment of 64-year-old Kollapen & Rammaka Steven Mathopo as the latest additions to the Constitutional Court after a lengthy process of public interviews.
• Both will take office from January 1, 2022. President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the appointment of Rammaka Steven Mathopo and Kollapen to the Constitutional Court after lengthy public interviews.

Ranks and Reports News

6. Good Governance Index 2021: Gujarat topped the ranking

• Good Governance Index 2021 was launched by Union Minister Amit Shah on the occasion of the Good Governance Day on 25 December 2021.
• GGI 2021 was prepared by the Department of Administration Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG). The GGI 2021 framework covered 10 sectors and 58 indicators.

Top ranking states in sectors as well as composite ranks:

Sectors	Group A	Group B	NE & Hill States	UTs
Agriculture and Allied Sectors	Andhra Pradesh	Madhya Pradesh	Mizoram	D & N Haveli
Commerce & Industries	Telangana	Uttar Pradesh	J&K	Daman & Diu
Human Resource and Development	Punjab	Odisha	Himachal Pradesh	Chandigarh
Public Health	Kerala	West Bengal	Mizoram	A & N Island
Public Infrastructure and Utilities	Goa	Bihar	Himachal Pradesh	A & N Island
Economic Governance	Gujarat	Odisha	Tripura	Delhi
Social Welfare & Development	Telangana	Chhattisgarh	Sikkim	D & N Havelli
Judicial & Public Security	Tamil Nadu	Rajasthan	Nagaland	Chandigarh
Environment	Kerala	Rajasthan	Manipur	Daman & Diu
Citizen-Centric Governance	Haryana	Rajasthan	Uttarakhand	Delhi
Composite	Gujarat	Madhya Pradesh	Himachal Pradesh	Delhi

7. CEBR: India to become 3rd largest economy in 2031

• The Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) from the United Kingdom has predicted that the Indian economy will become the world’s third-largest by the year 2031. In the year 2022, India is set to regain its sixth position in World Economic League Table (WELT) from France, as per CEBR.
• The annual league table also predicted that China will overtake the US to be the largest economy in 2030 (two years later than the forecast in 2021). The world economy is set to surpass $100 trillion for the first time in 2022.

The World Economic League Table 2022 shows the economic forecasts for 191 countries to 2036:

Ranking out of 191 countries	2021	2022	2026	2031	2036
India	7	6	5	3	3
United States	1	1	1	2	2
China	2	2	2	1	1
Japan	3	3	3	4	5
Germany	4	4	4	5	4
UK	5	5	6	6	6
France	6	7	7	7	7

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Center for Economic and Business Report (CEBR) Chairman: Martin Piers;
• Center for Economic and Business Report Headquarters: London, United Kingdom.

Banking News

8. RBI imposed penalty on payment operators One Mobikwik & Spice Money

• Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed monetary penalties on two payment system operators, One Mobikwik Systems Private Limited and Spice Money Limited, for violation of norms.
• Both the payment companies have been slapped with a fine of Rs 1 crore, as per the order issued by the central bank.
• In a statement, the RBI said it has imposed the penalty on the two payment system operators for “committing offences of the nature referred to in Section 26 (6) of the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007 (PSSAct).”

Committees News

9. SEBI named Aarati Krishnan as a member of MF advisory panel

• Aarati Krishnan, Editorial Consultant with BusinessLine, has been inducted as a member of the Securities & Exchange Board of India’s Advisory Committee on Mutual Funds.
• The committee, chaired by Usha Thorat, former Deputy Governor of Reserve Bank of India, advises SEBI on matters related to mutual fund regulation to ensure investor protection, development of the industry and disclosure requirements.
• It suggests measures required to be taken to render the legal framework for mutual funds transparent and simple for investors and constituents.
• The committee has 24 members comprising CEOs of leading mutual fund houses as well as representatives from academia, exchanges, consumer interest groups, fund trustees, rating agencies, distribution firms and media.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Securities and Exchange Board of India Founded: 12 April 1992.
• Securities and Exchange Board of India Headquarters: Mumbai.
• Securities and Exchange Board of India Agency executive: Ajay Tyagi.

Awards News

10. Viral Desai bagged "Global Environment And Climate Action Citizen Award 2021"

• Viral Sudhirbhai Desai, an industrialist from Surat, who is popularly known as the Greenman or green man of Gujarat has been honoured with the Global Environment and Climate Action Citizen Award 2021.
• Among the 28 personalities from 11 countries (which includes the United Kingdom(UK), the United States(US), New Zealand, France, and Malaysia,) who were honoured with this award, Viral Desai was the only Indian to win the honour for climate change.

11. HDFC Bank won CII Dx award for ‘Most Innovative Best Practice’ 2021

• HDFC Bank has been named under ‘Most Innovative Best Practice’ at the coveted Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Digital Transformation Award 2021 or CII DX Award 2021.
• It will be recognized for the HDFC’s efforts in world-class financial inclusion in Village Level Executive (VLE) centres along with the Government of India’s Common Service Centres (CSC).

Sports News

12. Vijay Hazare Trophy 2021: Himachal Pradesh beats Tamil Nadu

• Himachal Pradesh beat Tamil Nadu by 11 runs (VJD Method) in the final to win their maiden Vijay Hazare Trophy title, at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur. Batting first, Tamil Nadu posted a challenging total of 314 in 49.4 overs.
• In reply, Himachal were 299 for 4 in 47.3 overs when bad light stopped play and the chasing side were declared winners via the VJD (V Jayadevan rule) method.
• Shubham Arora's unbeaten century and his 148-run stand with Amit Kumar (74) for the fourth wicket powered Himachal Pradesh to their first-ever Indian domestic title win, Vijay Hazare trophy 2021-22 final.

13. Pankaj Advani won National Billiards Title 2021

• Pankaj Advani has defended his National Billiards Title by winning his 11th tournament, after defeating his PSPB teammate Dhruv Sitwala in a 5-2 game final that was held in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
• He represented the Petroleum Sports Promotion Board (PSPB) team in the National Billiards Championship. The 88th National Billiards and Snooker Championships 2021, organised by Cue Sports India at Bhopal, MP.

Books and Authors News

14. A new book titled “The Modi Gambit: Decoding Modi 2.0” by Sanju Verma

• Sanju Verma, an economist and the BJP National Spokesperson, has authored a new book titled “The Modi Gambit: Decoding Modi 2.0”. The book features the various achievement in the last 2 years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2nd term as PM of India.
• The foreword of the book is written by Padma Shri Mohandas Pai and the Afterword is written by ace journalist, Anand Narasimhan, Managing Editor at CNN News 18.

Obituaries News

15. South African campaigner Archbishop Desmond Tutu passes away

• Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and veteran of South Africa`s struggle against white minority rule, has died aged 90. He was awarded Nobel Peace Prize in 1984 for his non-violent opposition to apartheid.
• A decade later, he witnessed the ends of that regime and he chaired a Truth and Reconciliation Commission, set up to unearth atrocities committed during those dark days.

16. Former England Test Captain Ray Illingworth passes away

• Former England captain, Ray Illingworth has passed away. He played 61 Tests for England between 1958 and 1973 and captained the country 31 times, winning 12 matches and an Ashes series in Australia in 1970.
• He was an all-rounder who scored 1,836 Test runs at an average of 23.24 and claimed 122 wickets with his off-spin bowling at 31.20. He was chairman of the England selectors between 1993 and 1996 and coached the team in 1995-96.

 

Delhi Has 125 New Cases, Xmas And New Year's Gatherings Banned: 10 Points

New Delhi: 

As Omicron cases steadily rise in the national capital, the Delhi government today banned all gatherings to celebrate Christmas and New Year. Cultural events were also prohibited on a day Delhi recorded 125 new cases, the highest in six months.

Here's your 10-point cheatsheet to this big story:

1. Delhi officials have yet to define the legal limit for gatherings.
2. All social, political, sports, entertainment, cultural, religious, and festival-related gatherings are banned. Banquet Halls can't function except for meetings, conferences, marriages, and exhibitions, that too with riders.
3. Potential Covid superspreader areas are being identified before the two big year-end celebrations. "All district magistrates shall conduct an intensive survey of the entire area falling under their jurisdiction and identify those pockets, colonies markets, and crowded places which have the potential of becoming superspreaders of Coronavirus and its Omicron variant," said an order of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA).
4. Schools and colleges can operate if they strictly comply with SOP. Restaurants and bars will be allowed to open at half the seating capacity. 
5. Cinemas, theatres, and multiplexes can still run with 100% seating but auditoriums and assembly halls can seat only up to 50%. Exhibitions have also been allowed.
6. The Delhi Metro can function at 100% capacity, with up to 30 standing passengers per coach. Buses can also use 100% seating, with standing passengers allowed up to 50% of seating capacity. 
7. Weddings and funerals can have not more than 200 people.  
8. District administration officials and the Delhi police have been directed to tighten the enforcement machinery to ensure that people follow social-distancing norms and wear masks. District officials have been asked to submit daily reports. Market trade associations have also been directed to deny entry to customers without masks.  
9. Delhi has recorded 57 Omicron cases so far, the highest among all states and union territories in India. A total of 213 cases of the highly contagious strain of Covid have been detected in India. 
10. Amid signs of a rise in infections from the new variant, the Centre, in an advisory, has asked the states to activate "war rooms" and bring back curbs, including night curfews to contain it. It also listed a series of prevention and containment measures that included extensive testing and regulation of gatherings

Activate War Rooms, Night Curfews As Needed, Centre Tells States: 10 Points

New Delhi: 

Omicron is three times as infectious as Delta and "war rooms" are needed to contain it, the Centre has told states. It listed a series of prevention and containment measures that included extensive testing, night curfew and regulation of gatherings.

Here are the Top 10 points in this big story:

1. The letter from the health ministry said the measures taken should be based on local conditions, laying down the guidelines for what it called "threshold limits".
2. The thresholds, the Centre said, are test positivity of 10 per cent or more in the last one week or 40 per cent occupancy on oxygen supported or ICU beds.
3. The states and Union Territories can take "containment measures, curbs even before thresholds are reached" the Centre said.
4. Besides Omicron, the Delta variant is "still present" in different parts of the country, the letter read.
5. Calling for "greater foresight, data analysis, dynamic decision making and strict and prompt containment action", the letter said decision making at the State/UT and district level "must be very prompt and focused and take containment measures and restrictions even before these thresholds are reached".
6. As part of test and surveillance methods, the Centre has mentioned door-to-door case searches, contact tracing of all Covid-positive persons.
7. Samples from cluster infections must immediately be sent to INSACOG Labs for Genome Sequencing.
8. The states have also been asked to "accelerate and ensure" 100 per cent vaccination coverage.
9. It has also been suggested that emergency funds be used to ramp up medical infrastructure, including hospital beds, ambulances, oxygen equipment and medication.
10. The number of Omicron cases has crossed the 200-mark in India, the Health Ministry has said. Maharashtra and Delhi have reported the highest number of cases of the new variant -- 54. They are followed by Telangana (20 cases), Karnataka (19), Rajasthan (18), Kerala (15) and Gujarat (14). Of them, 77 patients have recovered or migrated, the ministry added.

18th December Daily Current Affairs 2021: Today GK Updates for Bank Exam

18 December 2021
-------------------------------
18th December Daily Current Affairs 2021: Today GK Updates for Bank Exam

Here is the Daily GK Update of 18th December 2021 covering the following news headlines: ISRO, SAHAY scheme, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Kumar Mangalam Birla, National Minorities Rights Day, International Migrants Day. 

Daily GK updates are incorporated with the important news that made the current affairs headlines for banking or other competitive exams. Daily GK Update is the complete bag of the important news that is held all day long. One should have complete knowledge about banking terms, current affairs news, etc. So, here is the GK update of 18th December 2021 to help you prepare the Current affairs part. After reading this section, you can successfully attempt Current Affairs Quiz.

Top 10 Daily GK Updates: National & International News

Here is providing below the top 10 important Daily General Knowledge GK 2021 updates with national & international news.

State News

1. Jharkhand CM launched SAHAY scheme for maoist-hit areas

• The Chief Minister of Jharkhand, Hemant Soren has launched a Sports Action toward Harnessing Aspiration of Youth (SAHAY) scheme aimed at nurturing young sporting talents in Maoist-hit districts of the state.
• This scheme has been launched to curb the Left Wing Extremism (LWE) which affected 19 of the state’s 24 districts.
• Boys and girls in the 14-19 age group from villages to ward level will be registered under the scheme and will be given opportunities to display their skills in basketball, volleyball, hockey and athletics.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Chief Minister of Jharkhand: Hemant Soren; Governor: Ramesh Bais.

Banking News

2. RBI imposes penalty on PNB and ICICI Bank

• A penalty of Rs 1.8 crores has been imposed on Punjab National Bank (PNB) by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), while ICICI Bank has been fined Rs 30 lakh for deficiencies in regulatory compliances.
• According to a statement issued by the central bank, PNB was found guilty of contravening provisions of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, related to pledge of shares by it. In the case of ICICI Bank, the RBI said that after conducting a statutory inspection for supervisory evaluation of the bank, it found non-compliance with directions related to levy of charges for non-maintenance of minimum balance in saving accounts.
• The RBI however made it clear that in both the cases, penalties were levied on deficiencies in regulatory compliances and it was not a pronunciation on the validity of any transaction or agreement entered into by the banks with their respective customers.

Science and Technology News

3. ISRO signed six agreements with four countries for launching foreign satellites

• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has signed six agreements with four countries for launching foreign satellites during 2021-2023. About 132 million Euros would be earned through the launching of these foreign satellites on a commercial basis.
• The ISRO-Indian space agency, founded in 1969 to develop an independent Indian space program. Minister of State for Atomic Energy and Space Dr Jitendra Singh has said that ISRO has launched a total of 342 satellites from 34 countries since 1999.
• ISRO through its commercial arm, New Space India Limited (NSIL), has been launching satellites belong to other countries from Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). Total 124 indigenous satellites have been put into Earth’s orbit including 12 student satellites.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• ISRO Chairman: K.Sivan;
• ISRO Headquarters: Bengaluru, Karnataka;
• ISRO established: 15 August 1969.

Ranks and Reports News

4. YouGov: PM Modi world's 8th most admired man in 2021

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has ranked 8th on the list of the world's top 20 most admired men, in a survey carried out by data analytics company YouGov. PM Modi is ahead of Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan and Virat Kohli. The list has been compiled taking feedback from 42,000 people in 38 countries.
• Apart from PM Modi, the other Indian men who, according to the survey, were the most admired in 2021 include Sachin Tendulkar, Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan and Virat Kohli.
• The list also includes the most admired Indian women of 2021 has Priyanka Chopra, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Sudha Murty.

Awards News

5. Kumar Mangalam Birla receives Global Entrepreneur of the Year Award

• Aditya Birla Group’s chairman, Kumar Mangalam Birla has received the Global Entrepreneur of the Year Award- Business Transformation from The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE) based out of Silicon Valley.
• Birla is the first Indian Industrialist to receive the award for global entrepreneurship along with top global business leaders Satya Nadella, Elon Musk, and Jeff Bezos.
• The awardees were selected by an independent jury chaired by Venture Capitalist, Tim Draper, Founder, Draper University.

Schemes News

6. Union cabinet approves Rs 76,000 crore push for semiconductor manufacturing

• Union Cabinet approved a Rs 76,000-crore production linked incentive (PLI) scheme for boosting semiconductor and display manufacturing in India. With this, the total amount of production linked incentive (PLI) announced for the electronics sector increase to Rs 2.30 lakh crore.
• This scheme was approved in order to position India as a global hub for hi-tech production, as well as to attract large chip makers. It would also strengthen India’s ambitions to be self-reliant in electronics manufacturing and bring huge investments.
• The government will also set up an independent ‘India Semiconductor Mission (ISM)’, for driving the long-term strategies to develop a sustainable semiconductor and display ecosystem in India.

Books and Authors News

7. A book title "Rewinding the first 25 years of MeitY! by SS Oberoi

• The book titled ‘Rewinding of First 25 years of Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology’ authored by S S Oberoi, the former adviser at the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) was launched by Ajay Prakash Sawhney, Secretary of MeitY.
• The book consists of life experience, challenges working as an advisor under the MeitY. He was the first head of the Software Development Agency and the first adviser of Information Technology.

Important Days 

8. International Migrants Day 2021: 18th December

• The International Migrants Day is observed globally on 18 December every year. The day is marked by the United Nations, through the UN-related agency International Organization for Migration (IOM).
• The day is observed to highlight the contributions made by the  272 million migrants, which includes more than 41 million people who are internally displaced persons, and the challenges they face. The theme of International Migrants Day 2021 is Harnessing the potential of human mobility.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• International Organization for Migration Headquarters: Grand-Saconnex, Switzerland;
• International Organization for Migration Founded: 6 December 1951;
• International Organization for Migration Director General: António Vitorino.

9. National Minorities Rights Day 2021

• Every year, December 18 is observed as the Minorities Rights Day to uphold the right to freedom and equal opportunities for the ethnic minorities in India and create awareness about the respect and dignity of the minorities.
• India has faced many obstacles since the British Rule regarding basic human rights. However, these rights were safeguarded after the independence and people must be made aware of it. Thus we celebrate Minorities Rights Day on 18th December every year.
• The Minority Rights Day 2021 aims to uplift all the minority sections of society and back them to voice their opinion. Considering the COVID-19 pandemic, all the sessions, seminars, and debates are likely to take place digitally.

10. World Arabic Language Day: 18 December

• World Arabic Language Day is observed globally on 18th December every year. The Arabic language is one of the pillars of the cultural diversity of mankind. It is one of the most widely used languages ​​in the world, spoken daily by more than 400 million people.
• The purpose of this day is to raise awareness of the history, culture and development of the language by preparing a program of special activities and events.
• The theme of this year's World Arabic Language Day is "The Arabic Language and Civilizational Communication", and it is considered as a call to reaffirm the important role that the Arabic language plays in building bridges of connection between people on the rise of culture, science, literature and many other fields.

All the Best BA’ians for the Bank exam!

14th December Daily Current Affairs 2021: Today GK Updates for Bank Exam

14 December 2021
-------------------------------
14th December Daily Current Affairs 2021: Today GK Updates for Bank Exam

Here is the Daily GK Update of 14th December 2021 covering the following news headlines: National Energy Conservation Day, Code-Unnati, Global Health Security Index, International Maritime Organisation, Abu Dhabi GP 2021 F-1 Drivers’ championship.

Daily GK updates are incorporated with the important news that made the current affairs headlines for banking or other competitive exams. Daily GK Update is the complete bag of the important news that is held all day long. One should have complete knowledge about banking terms, current affairs news, etc. So, here is the GK update of 14th December 2021 to help you prepare the Current affairs part. After reading this section, you can successfully attempt Current Affairs Quiz.

Top 17 Daily GK Updates: National & International News

Here is providing below the top 17 important Daily General Knowledge GK 2021 updates with national & international news.

National News

1. IMO: India re-elected to International Maritime Organisation Council

• India has been re-elected to International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Council for the 2022-2023 biennium under category B states.
• The Assembly of the International Maritime Organization has elected the Members of its Council for the 2022-2023 biennium.
• The Council is the executive organ of IMO and is responsible, under the Assembly, for supervising the work of the Organization.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• International Maritime Organisation Headquarters: London, United Kingdom;
• International Maritime Organisation Founder: United Nations;
• International Maritime Organisation Founded: 17 March 1948.

2. PM Modi inaugurates Kashi-Vishwanath Dham project in Kashi

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated the first phase of the Rs 339 crore Kashi Vishwanath Corridor project that connects the temple town's two iconic landmarks - Kashi Vishwanath temple and Ganga ghats.
• The idea behind the project is to ensure that all heritage structures get preserved.
• A total of 23 buildings will be inaugurated in phase 1 of the project.
• They will provide a variety of facilities to the pilgrims visiting Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple, including Yatri Suvidha Kendras, Tourist Facilitation Centre, Vedic Kendra, Mumukshu Bhavan, Bhogshala, City Museum, Viewing Gallery and Food Court, among others.
• The project is now spread over a massive area of about 5 lakh square feet, whereas earlier premises was limited to just around 3000 square feet.

3. Centre to launch National Helpline against atrocities on SCs, STs

• Union Minister Social Justice and Empowerment, Dr Virendra Kumar has launched National Helpline against atrocities on SCs, STs.
• The objective of the helpline, reportedly, is to build awareness about the provisions of the Act that are aimed at ending discrimination and providing protection to all. The Helpline will be available 24-7 on toll-free number – 14566.
• This Service will be available in Hindi, English, and Regional languages of the States. The objective of this helpline is to spread awareness about the provision of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
• All registered complaints will be investigated and all charge sheets filed are prosecuted in the Courts for decision within the given timelines in the Act. A docket number will be given for each complaint received from Victim/Complainant/NGOs regarding non-compliance with The Protection of Civil Rights (PCR) Act, 1955 and the Prevention of Atrocities (POA) Act, 1989.

International News

4. UAE becomes first country to transition to 4.5-day Work Week

• The United Arab Emirates has announced to change its existing five-day workweek to a four-and-a-half day starting January 1, becoming the world's first country to make the employee-friendly transition as part of its efforts to improve productivity and work-life balance.
• According to the new schedule, Monday to Thursday the work timings would be from 7.30 am to 3.30 pm, followed by a half-day on Friday from 7.30 am to 12.00 pm. Saturdays and Sundays are full-day holidays under the new rule.
• The government’s move is expected to make it come closer to the timings of the US, the UK, and Europe, boosting commerce. The Emirati govt of Dubai and Abu Dhabi have already announced the four-and-a-half day workweek.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• UAE Capital: Abu Dhabi;
• UAE Currency: United Arab Emirates dirham;
• UAE President: Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

5. Indian-American Gautam Raghavan elevated to key White House position

• US President Joe Biden has elevated Indian-American political advisor Gautam Raghavan as the head of the White House Office of Presidential Personnel.
• White House Presidential Personnel Office (PPO), also written as Office of Presidential Personnel, is the White House office tasked with vetting new appointees. The PPO is one of the offices most responsible for assessing candidates to work at or for the White House.
• A first-generation immigrant, Raghavan was born in India, raised in Seattle and graduated from Stanford University. He is the editor of the book 'West Wingers: Stories from the Dream Chasers, Change Makers, and Hope Creators Inside the Obama White House'.

States News

6. Madhya Pradesh govt organised first drone Mela at Gwalior

• In Madhya Pradesh, the first drone fair in the country was organised at Gwalior. Gwalior Drone Mela was organised jointly by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the Government of India, the Government of Madhya Pradesh, and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI).
• Addressing the youths and farmers present at the "Drone Mela" in Gwalior, MP Chief Minister said that Madhya Pradesh will be made a leading state by using drone technology. Mr Scindia said that five Drone Schools will be opened in Gwalior, Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur and Satna in Madhya Pradesh.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams: 

• Madhya Pradesh Capital: Bhopal;
• Madhya Pradesh Governor: Mangubhai C. Patel;
• Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister: Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

7. Himachal govt set up General Category Commission

• Himachal Pradesh govt announced setting up a Commission for upper castes, on the lines of Madhya Pradesh. The Commission, to be named as ‘Samanya Varg Aayog’, will be formalised through a legislative enactment in three months' time when the state assembly meets next in February-March 2021 for the budget session of the House.
• A Scheduled Caste Commission is already in operation in Himachal Pradesh and is chaired by former Shimla MP Virendra Kashyap.
• As per the 2011 population census, Himachal Pradesh has a population of 68.56 lakhs of which 19.29 lakh, which is 25.22 per cent, are SCs, while the other 4 lakhs are STs, which is 5.71 % and other 9.03 lakh are OBCs, which is 13.52%.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Himachal Pradesh Capital: Shimla (Summer), Dharamshala (Winter);
• Himachal Pradesh Governor: Rajendra Arlekar;
• Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister: Jai Ram Thakur.

Agreements News

8. Karnataka & UNDP signed LoU as a part of ‘Code-Unnati’

• Department of Youth Empowerment & Sports, Government of Karnataka has signed a Letter of Understanding (LoU) with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as a part of the State-level initiative ‘Code-Unnati’ to improve the access to entrepreneurship and employment opportunities among the youths, including women.
• The initiative involves United Nations Volunteers (UNV) and is supported by SAP India Lab’s CSR Strategies will be implemented in 4 districts of Bengaluru Rural, Ramanagara, Dakshina Kannada and Raichuru.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• United Nations Development Programme Founder: 1965;
• United Nations Development Programme Headquarters: New York, United States;
• United Nations Development Programme Administrator: Achim Steiner.

9. IPPB : NPCI tie up to launch doorstep bill payments service

• India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) has tied up with National Payments Corporation of India’s (NPCI) bill payments system Bharat BillPay to facilitate cash-based bill payments service at customer’s doorstep.
• Payments for various utility bills can be done on the Bharat BillPay platform and the facility will be made available to non- IPPB customers as well.
• The aim is to provide access to payment solutions to millions of unbanked and underserved customers in remote locations at their doorstep, NPCI said in its statement. The service will enable payments of mobile postpaid, D2H recharge, school fees, and other utility services by using the bank's mobile banking service.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• IPPB Founded: 2018;
• IPPB Headquarters: New Delhi;
• IPPB MD & CEO: J Venkatramu;
• IPPB Tag line: Aapka Bank, Aapke Dwaar.

Defence News

10. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurates Swarnim Vijay Parv

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has inaugurated Swarnim Vijay Parv commemorating 50 years of India’s victory in the 1971 war. He inaugurates 'Wall of Fame -1971 Indo-Pak War' at the inaugural ceremony.
• Swarnim Vijay Parv is an event commemorating the valour & professionalism of the Armed Forces and their contribution to the liberation of Bangladesh in the Indo-Pak 1971 war, at India Gate Lawns in New Delhi on December 12, 2021.
• The event marks the culmination of year-long celebrations of 50 years of India’s victory in 1971. The event will be opened to the public after the inauguration. Many dignitaries, including those from Bangladesh, will be present.

Ranks and Reports News

11. Uttar Pradesh holds the top position in Total Registered EVs

• Winter Session of the Parliament, Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways, informed the Rajya Sabha on the state of Electric Vehicles (EV) in India.
• As per the data, India has a total of 870,141 registered EVs, with Uttar Pradesh (UP) holding the top spot with 255,700 registered EVs. UP is followed by Delhi (125,347), Karnataka (72,544), Bihar (58,014) and Maharashtra (52,506) in successive positions.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Uttar Pradesh Capital: Lucknow;
• Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister: Yogi Adityanath;
• Uttar Pradesh Governor: Anandiben Patel.

12. Global Health Security Index 2021: India ranked 66th

• As per the Global Health Security (GHS) Index 2021, the world’s average overall GHS Index score was reduced to 38.9 (out of 100) in 2021, from a score of 40.2 in the GHS Index, 2019.
• GHS Index is developed in partnership with the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) and the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security at the Bloomberg School of Public Health.
• India ranked 66 out of 195 countries with an overall Index score of 42.8 and along with a change of -0.8 from 2019. The United States of America (USA) ranked 1st on the index with a score of 75.9 followed by Australia and Finland.

The overall ranking of GHS Index 2021:

Rank	Country	Score
1	USA	75.9
2	Australia	71.1
3	Finland	70.9
4	Canada	69.8
5	Thailand	68.2
66	India	42.8
195	Somalia	16.0

Sports News

13. India won Six medals at Asian Rowing Championship

• India won a total of six medals, including two gold and 4 silver medals in the Asian Rowing Championship in Thailand.
• Senior rower Arvind Singh bagged a gold in the lightweight Men’s single sculls event while his compatriots won three silver medals.
• India bagged silver medals in Men’s Lightweight Double Sculls, Men’s Quadrapul Sculls and in Men’s Coxless Four. In Lightweight Men’s Double Sculls, India’s Ashish Phugat and Sukhjinder Singh won the silver.

14. Max Verstappen won the Abu Dhabi GP 2021 F-1 Drivers’ championship

• Red Bull’s Max Verstappen won his maiden F1 Drivers’ championship title by beating Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes in the season-ending Abu Dhabi GP 2021.
• Mercedes bagged another World Constructor’s Championship title but were denied the double they would have wanted. Verstappen ended the season with 10 wins to Hamilton’s eight, having also led more laps and taken more poles and podiums.

Books and Authors News

15. “Watershed: How We Destroyed India’s Water And How We Can Save It” authored by Mriduala Ramesh

• Mriduala Ramesh, the founder of Sundaram Climate Institute, which works on water and waste solutions and the angel investor in cleantech start-ups, has authored a new book titled “Watershed: How We Destroyed India’s Water And How We Can Save It”.
• Mriduala Ramesh is the author of “The Climate Solution” and she writes regularly on climate issues.
• She is also a member of the board of trustees of World Wildlife Fund (WWF), India, and chairperson of the board of governors at the National Institute of Technology, Andhra Pradesh (AP).

Important Days

16. National Energy Conservation Day 2021

• Every year on the 14th of December, National Energy Conservation day is celebrated in India. This occasion has been celebrated since 1991 when is led by the Ministry of power.
• This day is celebrated to raise awareness regarding the conservation of energy as it is the best way to have a greener and brighter future.
• Back in 2001, the Indian bureau of energy efficiency implemented the Indian energy conservation act which focused on formulating policies regarding energy conservation.

Obituaries News

17. Gothic novel author Anne Rice passes away

• American gothic-fiction writer Anne Rice, best known for The Vampire Chronicles novel series, passed away.
• Anne Rice's debut novel, published in 1976, Interview with the Vampire revolves around a vampire named Louis de Pointe du Lac, who narrates the story of his life to a reporter. Her other works: Pandora, Violin, Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt, The Witching Hour etc.