Daily updates 5 December 2019

National News

1. RBI keeps the repo rate unchanged at 5.15% in 5th Bi-Monthly Monetary Policy

• In its 5th Bi-monthly Monetary Policy Committee meeting, the Reserve Bank of India has decided to keep the policy repo rate unchanged to 5.15%.
• The MPC has also decided to maintain the accommodative stance of monetary policy to revive growth, while ensuring that inflation remains within the target.
• The main decisions taken in the 5th Bi-Monthly Monetary Policy Committee meeting are:
• The repo rate under the liquidity adjustment facility (LAF) left unchanged to 5.15%.
• The reverse repo rate under the LAF stands same i.e. 4.90%.
• The marginal standing facility (MSF) rate and the Bank Rate also remains same i.e. 5.40%.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For LIC Assistant Mains:

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

2. Fit India School Rating System launched as part of Fit India Campaign

• Union HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ and Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports Kiren Rijiju has jointly launched the Fit India School Rating System.
• The "Fit India School Rating System" has been launched as part of the Fit India Campaign.
• The Fit India school rating system as per certain parameters is expected to enhance the image of the schools.
• Fit India program is an innovative initiative launched by the Prime Minister to increase the awareness among the masses and to encourage people to adopt healthy lifestyle.

State News

3. Odisha launches 'Madhu' app to help school students

• Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has launched 'Madhu' app. It is an e-learning mobile phone application which will help school students to understand their subjects in a better and most efficient way.
• The app is named after 'Utkal Gourab' Madhusudan Das. The app is developed by Ganjam district administration for school students.
• Through this app, the students will be able access the video explanation of the topics they were taught in their classroom.

Awards

4. Mumbai Central gets first 'Eat Right Station' certification from FSSAI

• The Mumbai Central station of Railways was conferred with the 'Eat Right Station' certification with four stars rating by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), as a part of 'Eat Right India' movement launched last year.
• The Mumbai Central Railway Station is the country's first "Eat Right Station."
• Mumbai Central station has been judged on the basis of compliance of food safety and hygiene, availability of healthy diet, food handling at preparation, transhipment and retail/serving point, food waste management, promotion of local and seasonal food and creating awareness on food safety and healthy diet.
• The focus of the movement is on improving the health and well-being of people by ensuring they eat healthily.
• 'Eat Right India' movement is built on two broad pillars of 'Eat Healthy' and 'Eat Safe'.
• It aims to engage, excite and enable citizens to improve their health and well-being.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For RRB NTPC/SSC CGL:

• FSSAI founded: August 2011.
• FSSAI Act: Food and Standards Act, 2006.
• FSSAI Headquarters: New Delhi.
• FSSAI Chairperson: Rita Teaotia.
• FSSAI Chief Executive Officer: Shri Pawan Kumar Agarwal.

5. ET Lifetime of Public Service Award for Former FM (Late) Arun Jaitley

• Arun Jaitley former Finance Minister of India was bestowed with the Economic Times (ET) Lifetime Achievement Award for Public Service 2019.
• The award was received by Arun Jaitley’s spouse Sangeeta Jaitley.
• Arun Jaitley was the former Finance Minister of India, he was also the Minister of Corporate Affairs from May 2014 to May 2019, Minister of Defence from March 2017 to September 2017, Minister of Information and Broadcasting from November 2014 to July 2016, Minister of Law and Justice from July 2003 to May 2004 and Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting from October 1999 to September 2000.

6. 'Joker' fame Joaquin Phoenix named 2019 ‘Person of the Year’ by PETA

• 'Joker' fame Joaquin Rafael Phoenix, American actor from California, United States (US) has been bestowed with the PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) ‘Person of the Year’ Award 2019.
• Joaquin Phoenix has been a vegan since the age of three and has been a supporter of PETA for a long time.
• He has recently appeared in an advertisement of PETA titled “We are all animals”, which was displayed in the Times Square and Sunset billboards to promote the prohibition of travelling wild-animal circuses.

7. New Zealand wins MCC’s Spirit of Cricket award

• The New Zealand cricket team has been awarded the Christopher Martin-Jenkins Spirit of Cricket award.
• The team has been awarded for its exemplary show of sportsmanship during the final match of the ICC World Cup at Lord’s in July 2019, which it lost under controversial circumstances.
• Martin-Jenkins was the former MCC president and BBC Test Match Special commentator.

Defence

8. Exercise Hand-in-Hand 2019

• The 8th India-China joint training exercise 'HAND-IN-HAND 2019' with the theme counter-terrorism under United Nations mandate is scheduled to be conducted at Umroi, Meghalaya from 07 to 20 December 2019.
• The Chinese contingent from the Tibet Military command comprising of 130 personal and the Indian Contingent of similar strength will participate in the 14-day long training exercise.
• The aim of the exercise is to practice joint planning and conduct of counter-terrorist operations in semi-urban terrain.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For RRB NTPC/SSC CGL:

• China Capital: Beijing; Currency: Renminbi.

Schemes and Committees

9. Chief of the air Staff participates in Pacific Air Chiefs’ Symposium 2019

• Chief of the Air Staff of India is participating in the Pacific Air Chiefs’ Symposium 2019 (PACS 2019) at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii.
• The theme for this year’s symposium is ‘A Collaborative Approach to Regional Security’.
• The conference will bring together Air Chiefs from across the Indo-Pacific region who will provide perspectives on common challenges faced and on shared mutual interests while focusing on relevant topics like ‘Regional Security’, ‘Domain Awareness’, ‘Multi-Domain Awareness’, Ínteroperability’ and ‘HADR’. The symposium will also entail discourse and discussions on the combined effort required to maintain peace and security within the region.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For IBPS SO 2019:

• Chief of the Air Staff: Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria.

Banking

10. Karnataka Vikas Grameena Bank signs MoU for bancassurance

• Karnataka Vikas Grameena Bank (KVGB) and Canara, HSBC, Oriental Bank of Commerce, Life Insurance Company Ltd. signed an MoU for bancassurance (for selling life insurance products through the branches of KVGB).
• As per the pact, KVGB will market wide range insurance products of the Canara HSBC through its 636 branches in 9 districts of Karnataka.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For RRB NTPC/SSC CGL:

• Karnataka Vikas Grameena Bank founded: September 12, 2005.
• Karnataka Vikas Grameena Bank Headquarters: Dharwad, Karnataka.
• Karnataka Vikas Grameena Bank Chairman: Puttaganti Gopi Krishna.
• Karnataka Vikas Grameena Bank Sponsored by: Syndicate Bank.

Important Days

11. International Volunteer Day: 5 December

• The International Volunteer Day (IVD) is observed across the world on 5 December every year.
• This year theme is " Volunteer for an inclusive future".
• This year’s theme highlighting Sustainable Development Goal 10 (SDG 10) and the pursuit of equality including inclusion through volunteerism.

12. World Soil Day: 5 December

• World Soil Day is celebrated annually on the 5th of December at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) headquarters in Rome, Italy.
• This year, by addressing the increasing challenges of soil management, the FAO campaign "Stop soil erosion, Save our future" aims to raise awareness of the importance of sustaining healthy ecosystems and human well-being.
• By encouraging people around the world to engage in proactively improving soil health, the campaign also aims to raise the profile of healthy soil.
• The International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS), in 2002, adopted a resolution proposing the 5th of December as World Soil Day to celebrate the importance of soil as a critical component of the natural system and as a vital contributor to human well-being.

Miscellaneous

13. VP Naidu launches new Rotavirus vaccine: ROTAVAC-5D

• Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu launched the new Rotavirus vaccine: ROTAVAC-5D designed and developed by Bharat Biotech in New Delhi.
• ROTAVAC is an example of a true social innovation that was realized through a partnership between scientists from India and the USA.
• India is firmly committed to ending morbidity and mortality in children caused due to diarrhoea by 2022.
• The first generation, Rotavirus vaccine, ROTAVAC developed under a Public-Private Partnership with the Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India, has put India on the global map for setting new standards in pharmaceutical Research and Development.

14. India’s first maritime museum coming up at Lothal in Gujarat

• Government of India (GoI) & Portugal has decided to cooperate in the setting up of an India’s 1st National Maritime Heritage Museum at the ancient Indian site of Lothal in Gujarat with the aim to boost the underwater or marine archaeology.
• The Museum will showcase salvaged material from shipwreck sites in the Indian Ocean waters.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For IBPS SO 2019:

• Gujarat CM: Vijay Rupani; Governor: Acharya Dev Vrat; Capital: Gandhinagar.

Daily updates 4 December 2019

National News

1. Vice Prez M Venkaiah Naidu launches Bharatiya POSHAN Anthem

• Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu launched the ‘Bharatiya Poshan Anthem’ in New Delhi.
• The aims towards taking the message of making India malnutrition free to all corners of the country.
• The anthem was conceptualised by Union Ministry of Women and Child Development (MoWCD) and has been penned by noted lyricist Prasoon Joshi and sung by Shankar Mahadevan.

2. EC to implement Political Parties RTMS

• The Election Commission of India will implement the political parties Registration Tracking Management System (RTMS).
• It will be implemented through an online portal to facilitate tracking of the status of the application by applicants.
• The Commission said, the applicant who is applying for party registration from 1st January 2020 onwards will be able to track the progress of his or her application and will get status through SMS and email.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For IBPS SO 2019:

• Sunil Arora is the Chief Election Commissioner of India.

International News

3. Pritivirajsing Roopun elected as new President of Mauritius by parliament

• The National Assembly of Republic of Mauritius has unanimously elected Prithvirajsing Roopun, as new President of the island nation, a largely ceremonial post.
• He was former arts and culture minister of the country. In Mauritius, Prime Minister is head of government and holds most political power while the president is head of state but has no executive role and is considered guardian of the constitution.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For RRB NTPC/SSC CGL:

• The Prime Minister of Mauritius: Pravind Kumar Jugnauth.

State News

4. UP govt announces 25% subsidy & full stamp duty waiver for defence industry

• Uttar Pradesh government has decided to provide 25 per cent subsidy and 100 per cent stamp duty waiver for setting up the defence industry in the state.
• The state government will also provide all facilities including power, road and fencing of land to the companies that will set up defence industries.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For IBPS SO 2019:

• UP Present CM: Yogi Adityanath, Governor: Anandiben Patel.

Appointments

5. Masatsugu Asakawa elected ADB President

• The Asian Development Bank (ADB) board has unanimously elected Masatsugu Asakawa as its new president.
• He is currently a special advisor to Japan's Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, will assume office as ADB's 10th President on January 17, 2020.
• He will succeed Takehiko Nakao, who will leave office on January 16, 2020.
• He served as a Visiting Professor at the University of Tokyo from 2012 to 2015 and at Saitama University from 2006 to 2009.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For RRB NTPC/SSC CGL:

• ADB established: 1966, ADB is owned by 68 members.

6. Sundar Pichai promoted as Alphabet Inc. CEO

• Sundar Pichai promoted as Alphabet Inc. CEO after Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin have announced that they are stepping down from the leadership role of the parent company Alphabet.
• Google CEO Indian-American Sundar Pichai will be assuming the role of Alphabet Inc CEO, making him one of the most powerful corporate leaders of the world.
• Alphabet and Google no longer need two CEOs and a President and Sundar Pichai will be the CEO of both Google and Alphabet.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For IBPS SO 2019:

• Google established: 4 September 1998.
• Headquarters: Mountain View, California, United States.

Agreements

7. ADB provides $206m loan to finance Tamil Nadu Urban Investment Programme

• The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has agreed to advance a loan of US $206 million to develop water supply and sewerage infrastructure in Tiruchi and other cities in Tamil Nadu.
• It will also strengthen the capacities of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) for improved service delivery.
• The project initiatives are also expected to help the state develop the requisite ecosystem for economic growth.
• The project will target cities namely Ambur, Tiruchirappalli, Tiruppur, and Vellore for developing sewage collection and treatment and drainage systems.
• Improvement to water supply systems would be targeted in the cities of Madurai and Tiruppur.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For RRB NTPC/SSC CGL:

• Country Director of ADB’s India Resident Mission: Kenichi Yokoyama.

8. Walmart launches credit card in partnership with HDFC Bank

• Walmart India, in partnership with HDFC Bank, launched a co-branded credit card exclusively for members of its Best Price Modern Wholesale "B2B Cash & Carry" stores, offering "free credit up to 50 days.
• The card is being supported by Diners Club International which has acceptance of its own membership card in 185 countries.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For RRB NTPC/SSC CGL:

• Headquarters of Walmart India: Gurgaon, Haryana.
• President and CEO of Walmart India: Krish Iyer.

Awards

9. Lionel Messi wins Ballon d’Or for 6th time

• Barcelona forward Lionel Messi has won the Ballon d'Or award for the world's best player for a record 6th time.
• It is the 32-year-old Argentine's first Ballon d'Or since 2015 and comes after he scored 54 times for club and country in 2018-19, in which Barca won La Liga.
• Virgil van Dijk was second-one of four Liverpool players in the top seven, including Sadio Mane in fourth.
• Juventus and Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo, who has won the award five times, was third in the voting.nce.

Defence

10. India successfully test-fires indigenously developed nuke-capable Prithvi-II missile

• India successfully test-fired its indigenously developed surface-to-surface nuclear-capable Prithvi-II missile off Odisha coast.
• The Strategic Forces Command of the Indian Army conducted the user trial of the 350 km range missile from a mobile launcher from launch complex-3 of the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur.
• The missile weighs about 4,600 kg, is capable of carrying 500 to 1000 kilograms of warheads and is thrust by liquid propulsion twin engines.
• The 9 meters tall, single-stage liquid-fueled Prithvi-II is the first missile to have been developed by the DRDO under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme.
• This missile is developed under the joint collaboration of Defence Research and Development Organization and Bharat Dynamics Limited, the missile was first test-fired on 27 January 1996.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For RRB NTPC/SSC CGL:

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

Schemes and Committees

11. Govt launches 4th round of Regional Connectivity Scheme-UDAN

• The government has launched the 4th round of Regional Connectivity Scheme - UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik) to further enhance the connectivity to remote and regional areas of the country.
• The focus in this round will be North East Region, Hilly States, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and Islands.
• The scheme was launched in October 2016, which seeks to provide connectivity to un-served and under-served regions through the revival of existing airstrips and airports.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For IBPS SO 2019:

• UDAN scheme came under: Ministry of Civil Aviation.
• Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Civil Aviation: Hardeep Singh Puri.

Business

12. World Bank arm IFC invests $200 million in Mahindra Finance

• The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a unit of the World Bank Group, has anchored an investment round of $200million in Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services Limited (MMFSL).
• Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services Limited (MMFSL) is a Rural NBFC (Non-Banking Financial Company) with the objective to create a ‘pool’ specifically for financing micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in low-income states.
• IFC is investing $75 million from its own account and mobilizing another $125 million as parallel loans.
• At the same time, Mahindra Finance has committed to invest $225 million in this fund.
• At least $ 100 million of this would be for women-owned MSMEs & it will be supported by blended finance from the IFC-Goldman Sachs’ Women Entrepreneurs Opportunity Facility.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For IBPS SO 2019:

• Formation of International Finance Corporation: July 20, 1956.
• Headquarters of International Finance Corporation: Washington, D.C., U.S.
• Membership of International Finance Corporation: 184 countries.
• CEO of International Finance Corporation: Philippe Le Houérou.

Obituries

13. Veteran journalist Bhaskar Menon passes away

• Baskar Menon, Veteran Journalist in the Press Trust of India (PTI) passes away.
• He was the Regional Manager in the south division of the PTI.
• He has also handled many crucial news like the assassination of former Prime Minister (PM) of India, Rajiv Gandhi in the year 1991.

Important Days

14. Indian Navy Day: 4 December

• Navy Day is being celebrated in India on 4th December.
• The day is celebrated in honour of the maritime force’s role during the war with Pakistan in 1971 when Indian warships attacked Karachi port and successfully hurt Pakistani operations in the western coast.
• The Day is also celebrated to highlight the role the Navy plays in securing the country’s marine borders during peacetime and carrying out humanitarian missions.
• As per the recent Data, since 2008, 70 Indian naval warships have been deployed, which safely escorted over 3440 ships with over 25,000 mariners on board.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For RRB NTPC/SSC CGL:

• Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS): Admiral Karambir Singh.

Miscellaneous

15. 35th anniversary of Bhopal Gas Tragedy

• The 35th anniversary of Bhopal Gas Tragedy is being observed across the country.
• It is one of the world’s worst industrial disaster that claimed thousands of lives on the night of December 2, 1984.
• The disaster took place in a pesticide production plant, named the Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL).
• The leak of 40 tonnes of deadly methyl isocyanate gas on the intervening night of December 2 and 3, 1984.
• The gas cloud killed 3,787 people in and around Bhopal, according to Madhya Pradesh government’s estimates.
• However, other reports suggest the actual death tally to be anywhere between 16,000 and 30,000, and the injury count close to 500,000.

Daily updates 3 December 2019

National News

1. Nationwide vaccination drive launched under Mission Indradhanush 2.0

• The centre is launching a nationwide vaccination drive to prevent eight diseases under Intensified Mission Indradhanush 2.0 across the country.
• The government's flagship scheme is aimed at immunizing children under the age of 2 years and pregnant women against 8 vaccine-preventable diseases.
• The IMI covers vaccines for diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, poliomyelitis, tuberculosis, measles, meningitis and Hepatitis B. Vaccines for Japanese encephalitis and Hemophilus influenza are also being provided in selected areas.
• The IMI 2.0 aims to achieve targets of full immunization coverage in 272 districts spread over 27 States. The IMI 2.0 will be carried out between December 2019 and March 2020.

International News

2. Global Migration Film Festival organised in Dhaka

• The Global Migration Film Festival (GMFF) was organised in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
• The festival screened 15 films on the theme of "migration and its various aspects".
• The GMFF was started in 2016 and this year it is being organised across many cities in the world.
• The festival was organised by the International Organisation of Migrants (IOM) and Dhaka University Film Society with the support of the European Union.
• The Global Migration Film Festival is a global initiative simultaneously being run in many countries of the world to draw attention to the issues of internal migration, forced migration and climate change-related migration to engage people in a conversation on the issue of migration.
• ‘Gifts from Babylon’, ‘Just another memory’, ‘Dying for Europe’ and ‘ The power of passport’ among the other films of the festival powerfully depicted the suffering and dilemma of the migrants in various parts of the world.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For RRB NTPC/SSC CGL:

•  Chief of International Organisation of Migrants (IOM) in Bangladesh: Giorgi Gigouri.
• IOM is the UN migration agency established in 1951.

State News

3. 20th Edition of Hornbill Festival begins in Nagaland

• The 20th Edition of Hornbill Festival began with a colourful blend of culture and tradition with a modern twist at Naga Heritage Kisama in Nagaland.
• The festival organised by Nagaland Government is an annual tourism promotional event to showcase the state’s traditional and rich cultural heritage in all its ethnicity, diversity and grandeur.
• The Hornbill Festival will witness the cultural performance of different tribes of Nagaland and Northeastern States, indigenous games, city tour, night carnival, art exhibition, photo-fest and many more.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For IBPS SO 2019:

• Chief Minister of Nagaland: Neiphiu Rio;  Governor of Nagaland: R N Ravi.

4. Indigenous Faith Day celebrated in Arunachal Pradesh

• Donyi Polo Cultural & Charitable Trust and Indigenous Faith & Cultural Society of Arunachal Pradesh celebrated ‘Indigenous Faith Day’ on 1st December.
• The celebrations were held at Pasighat with religious fervour.
• The day is celebrated to protect and promote the indigenous faith and tribal tradition to keep the ethnic identity of the local tribes.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For LIC Assistant Main 2019:

• Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh: Pema Khandu.
• Governor of Arunachal Pradesh: B. D. Mishra.

Appointments

5. Lt Gen P S Rajeshwar takes over as C-n-C of Andaman & Nicobar Command

• Lt Gen Podali Shankar Rajeshwar took over as the 14th Commander-in-Chief of the Andaman & Nicobar Command (CINCAN).
• He is a graduate of Indian Military Academy and was commissioned into the Regiment of Artillery in December 1980.
• A gunner and aviator, he is an alumnus of the Defence Services Staff College, Army War College and National Defence College in New Delhi and Philippines.
• He has actively taken part in Operation Meghdoot and Operation Rakshak.

6. Hari Mohan takes over as Chairman, Ordnance Factory Board

• Hari Mohan has taken over the charge as Chairman, Ordnance Factory Board (OFB).
• He will replace Saurabh Kumar who superannuated from the services.
• He is a 1982-batch Indian Ordnance Factories’ Service (I.O.F.S.) officer with Post Graduate Degree in Mechanical Engineering.
• Hari Mohan has contributed significantly in various positions in Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) Hardwar, Vehicle Factory Jabalpur, Engine Factory Avadi, Heavy Vehicle Factory Avadi, Ammunition Factory Khadki, Ordnance Factory Bolangir, Ordnance Factory Chanda, Ordnance Factory Dehu Road, OFB New Delhi Office and Ministry of Steel & Mines.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For RRB NTPC/SSC CGL:

• Ordnance Factory Board Founded: 1712.
• Ordnance Factory Board Headquarters:  Kolkata, West Bengal.

Summits and Conferences

7. Defence Minister addresses Armed Forces Flag Day-CSR Conclave

• Defence Minister addresses the Armed Forces Flag Day-CSR Conclave in New Delhi.
• He has expressed confidence that the corporate sector will contribute generously to the welfare of ex-servicemen.
• He said common people had generously contributed to 'Bharat Ke Veer' Fund for the bereaved families of soldiers who laid down their lives in the line of duty.
• ‘Bharat Ke Veer’ Fund was established with the help of the corporate sector that assisted the families of martyred Central Armed Police Forces personnel.
• The Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Conclave was a unique initiative of the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare, Ministry of Defence to create awareness about the challenges faced by the Ex-Servicemen and how the corporate sector can play an important part in their resettlement and rehabilitation.
• The CSR Conclave was a first-of-its-kind event where Corporate and CSR heads were invited.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For IBPS SO 2019:

• Defence Minister of India: Rajnath Singh.

Awards

8. Tony Joseph wins 2019 Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize

• English author Tony Joseph has won the 12th ‘Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize’.
• He was awarded for his 2018 book, "Early Indians: The Story of Our Ancestors and Where We Came From".
• The award was instituted in 2008 and it carries a cash prize of Rs 2 lakh along with a trophy.
• The book tells the tale of the people of South Asia through research in six disciplines, including path-breaking new DNA evidence.

Ranks and Reports

9. Railways Operating ratio worst in last 10 years

• The Comptroller and Auditor General's report stated that the railways recorded an operating ratio of 98.44% in 2017-18.
• The above operating ratio was the worst in the last 10 years. Operating ratio is a measure of expenditure against the revenue.
• It shows the operating efficiency of the railway and the health of its finances.
• An operating ratio of 98.44% shows that the Railways spent Rs 98.44 to earn Rs 100.

Sports

10. Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik clinch gold in Senior Wrestling National C'ships

• Star wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik registered convincing wins in the finals to claim gold medals at the Senior Wrestling National Championships in Jalandhar, Punjab.
• While Phogat beat 20-year-old Haryana’s Anju 7-3 in the 55kg category, Olympic bronze medallist Malik defeated Radhika of Haryana 4-2 in the 62kg category.

11. 13th South Asian Games begins in Kathmandu

• The inauguration ceremony of the 13th South Asian Games (SAG), a multi-sport event, has started at the newly constructed Dasharath Stadium in Kathmandu, Nepal.
• A cultural presentation showcasing the rich traditional heritage of Nepal. During 10 days biggest sporting event of South Asia, 2715 athletes compete for 1119 medals including 319 Gold in 26 game categories.
• India is represented by 487 athletes. The closing ceremony will be held on 10th December.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For RRB NTPC/SSC CGL:

• President of Nepal: Bidya Devi Bhandari.
• Vice President: Nanda Bahadur Pun.
• Prime Minister of Nepal: KP Sharma Oli.

Obituries

12. Veteran actor Shelley Morrison passes away

• Former Hollywood actress Shelley Morrison passed away recently.
• She had a long 50-year career and was best known for playing a memorable maid from El Salvador, in the original run of “Will and Grace” from 1999 to 2006, becoming part of a cast that won a Screen Actors Guild award for best ensemble in a comedy series.

Important Days

13. International Day of Persons with Disabilities: 3 December

• International Day of Persons with Disabilities is being observed on the 3rd of December every year.
• This day is observed to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in all spheres of society and development and to increase awareness.
• The theme this year is - Promoting the Participation of Persons with Disabilities and their leadership: Taking Action on the 2030 Development Agenda.