Daily GK updates 09 January 2020

National News

1. CCEA approves disinvestment of 4 CPSEs & 2 State PSUs in NINL

• The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has given its 'in principle' approval for strategic disinvestment of 4 Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) & 2 Odisha State PSUs in Neelachal Ispat Nigam Limited (NINL).
• NINL is a Joint Venture company in which 4 CPSEs & 2 State PSUs have equity shareholding.
• The 4 CPSEs includes Minerals & Metals Trading Corporation (MMTC), MECON, Bharat Heavy Electricals (BHEL) and National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC).
• 2 Odisha State PSUs includes Industrial Promotion and Investment Corporation of Odisha (IPICOL) and Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC).
• The advances from the disinvestment are expected to finance the development programmes of the Govenrment launched for the public.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the Chairman of Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs.

2. Institutions at GAU to get status of Institution of National Importance

• The union cabinet granted the approval making the status of Institution of National Importance to a cluster of Ayurvedic institutions at Gujarat Ayurved University in Jamnagar.
• With the (INI) status, Jamnagar Ayurveda University will become the first Ayurveda institute to join the ranks of the IIT's and AIIMS.
• The status of the institution will provide it with the autonomy to upgrade the standard of Ayurveda education, frame various courses in Ayurveda as per national and international demand.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Chief Minister of Gujarat: Vijay Rupani; Governor: Acharya Dev Vrat.

3. Government authorizes Rs 5559 cr for Indradhanush gas grid project

• The Union Government has authorized the amount of Rs 5559 crore for 1656 Km long Indradhanush Natural Gas Pipeline Grid project.
• The amount will be provided as Viability Gap Funding (VGF).
• The amount will be used to set up Natural Gas Pipeline Grid connecting 8 North Eastern states.
• The 8 North Eastern states includes: Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim.
• The total expenditure of the project is estimated as Rs 9,256 crore and the above sanctioned amount is expected to cover 60% of the project.
• The Indradhanush Gas Grid project is expected to provide natural gas to different types of customers and will also reduce the dependence on liquid fuels.

International News

4. US Armed Forces & Pentagon designated as ‘terrorist entities’ by IRAN

• The Iranian parliament has designated US Armed Forces & Pentagon as ‘Terrorist Entities’ with a motion passed at an open parliament session.
• It also seeks the allocation of 200 Million Euros to the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force.
• The allocation to the IRGC Quds Force could be used avenge the assassination of Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani, Iraq's Popular Forces Commander Abu Mahdi al-Modandis and eight other military men.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Capital of Iran: Tehran; Currency: Rial; President: Hassan Rouhani.

5. Former PM Zoran Milanovic wins croatia presidential election

• Former Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic belongs Social Democratic Party(SDP) won Croatia’s presidential election.
• He defeated centre-right incumbent Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, who was the first female president of Croatia.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Capital of Croatia: Zagreb.
• Currency of Croatia: Croatian Kuna.
• Prime Minister of Croatia: Andrej Plenkovic.

6. Ukrainian aircraft boarding 176 people crashes in Iran

• The Ukrainian aircraft "Boeing 737" boarding 176 people crashed in Tehran, Iran.
• The aircraft crashed shortly after taking off from Imam Khomeini International Airport located in Tehran, Iran.
• Flight data from the airport indicated the obstruction in communication with the aircraft as fire strucked one of its engines and pilot lost the control of the aircraft.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Capital of Iran: Tehran; Currency: Rial; President: Hassan Rouhani.

State News

7. Maharashtra CM to inaugrates "Advantage Maharashtra expo 2020"

• Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray will inaugurate "Advantage Maharashtra expo 2020" in Aurangabad.
• The Exhibition has been organised by the Marathwada Association of Small Scale Industries and Agriculture (MASSIA).
• This Exhibition showcase the growth of Marathwada industries in technology and innovation and the products produced and exported from the region will be showcased in this exhibition.
• This exhibition will provide an opportunity for businesses and will serve the platform for small entrepreneurs.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Chief Minister of Maharashtra: Uddhav Thackeray; Governor: Bhagat Singh Koshyari.

Appointments

8. A Sakthivel appointed as the new chairman of AEPC India

• A Sakthivel has been appointed as the new chairman of Apparel Export Promotion Council of India (AEPC) for the period 2020-21.
• He will replace HKL Magu. He is also the first person in the history of AEPC, who is sworn-in for the fourth time as Chairman of the AEPC.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• AEPC Founded: 1978; Headquarters: Gurgaon, Haryana.

Banking

9. State Bank of India has announces RBBG scheme

• The State Bank of India has announced 'residential builder finance with buyer guarantee' (RBBG) scheme.
• The aim of the scheme is to giving a push to residential sales and improve homebuyers' confidence.
• The SBI will issue a guarantee for completion of select residential projects to customers who have availed home loans from it.
• The scheme will focus on affordable housing projects priced up to 2.50 crore rupees in 10 cities initially.
• Under this scheme, the guarantee would be given by the bank until the project gets the occupation certificate (OC).

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Chairperson of SBI: Rajnish Kumar; Headquarters: Mumbai; Founded: 1 July 1955.

Awards

10. Jasbinder Bilan wins 2019 Costa Children's Award

• Jasbinder Bilan has won the UK based Costa Children's Award 2019 . She has won the award for her debut novel 'Asha and the Spirit Bird'.
• She will receive 5,000 pounds as prize money associated with the award. Jasbinder's novel "Asha and the Spirit Bird" was shortlisted from 144 other entries.
• The Costa Children's Award is awarded annually in 5 categories: First Novel, Novel, Biography, Poetry and Children's Book.

Summit and Conferences

11. India hosts 5th Asia Pacific drosophila research conference in Pune

• The 5th edition of the Asia Pacific Drosophila Research Conference (APDRC5) held in Pune, Maharashtra.
• The conference is being conducted in India for the 1st time.
• It is organised by the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER).
• The aims of the conference are to promote the interaction of Drosophila researchers in the Asia-Pacific region with their peers in the rest of the world.
• It will bring together scientists from all over the world who use the fruit fly, Drosophila, as a model organism to address basic and applied questions.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Chief Minister of Maharashtra: Uddhav Thackeray; Governor: Bhagat Singh Koshyari.

Ranks and Reports

12. Deutsche Bank projects India's economy to reach $7 trillion by 2030

• Deutsche Bank has projected that Indian economy will reach $7 trillion by 2030.
• The estimation was stated by Deutsche Bank in its research report "Imagine 2030".
• According to the report, India will grow with the Nominal GDP growth rate of just over 10% in the next decade.
• Indian economy is presently valued at $3 trillion.

13. India listed as 5th biggest Geo-political Risk of 2020

• India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been listed as the 5th biggest Geo-political Risk of 2020.
• The listing was done by Eurasia Group in its report.
• The report states ‘Top 10 Risks’ of the year 2020.

The Top 10 Risks of 2020 are as followed:

1. RIGGED!: WHO GOVERNS THE US?
2. THE GREAT DECOUPLING
3. US/CHINA
4. MNCS NOT TO THE RESCUE
5. INDIA GETS MODI-FIED
6. GEOPOLITICAL EUROPE
7. POLITICS VS. ECONOMICS OF CLIMATE CHANGE
8. SHIA CRESCENDO
9. DISCONTENT IN LATIN AMERICA
10. TURKEY

• The Eurasia Group releases its ‘Top 10 Risks’ of the Year report annually considering one of the principal geopolitical indicators among global investors, multinational firms and various financial and business consultancies.

Important Days

14. 16th Pravasi Bhartiya Divas: 9 January

• Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is celebrated on 9th January every year.
• This year the 16th edition of Pravasi Bhartiya Divas is celebrated across the country.
• The day is celebrated every year to mark the contribution of the overseas Indian community in the development of India.
• It also commemorates the return of Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa to India on 9 January 1915.
• The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas conventions established in 2003. The celebratory event is organised by the Ministry of External Affairs every year.
• In this occasion, President of India conferred Pravasi Bharatiya Samman to NRIs or PIOs (Person of Indian Origin) or an organization established by NRIs or PIOs, who have made a significant contribution in supporting, promoting and building India’s links overseas.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Union Minister of External Affairs: Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.

Miscellaneous

15. Women weightlifter Sarbjeet Kaur banned for 4 years by NADA

• Indian women weightlifter Sarbjeet Kaur has been banned for 4 years from the sport by the National Anti Doping Agency (NADA).
• This ban was imposed on her for involving in doping violation.
• The sample of Sarbjeet was collected during 34th Women Senior National Weightlifting Championship held at Vishakhapatnam.
• The Agency found her guilty of anti-doping rule violation.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• CEO of NADA: Navin Agarwal.
• NADA founded: November 24, 2005.
• NADA Headquarters: New Delhi.

Daily GK updates 08 January 2020

International News

1. UAE Cabinet validates Multi-entry Tourist Visa valid for 5 years

• The UAE Cabinet has validated the Multi-entry Tourist Visa which would be valid for 5 years.
• The Multi-entry Tourist Visa facility would be available for all nationalities visiting the UAE.
• The decision was taken in the UAE's Cabinet meeting which was held at the Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi.
• The decision has been made to boost the UAE's tourism economy.
• It also aims to stabilise UAE's position as a global tourist destination. "Visa waiver" for Mexican citizens visiting the UAE was also introduced during the meeting.
• The above decisions taken during the meeting will be made effective during the first quarter of 2020.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

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

State News

2. J&K has registered highest IPD care in the country

• Jammu and Kashmir has registered the highest Inpatient Department, IPD care in the country.
• According to the report released by the National Health Systems Resource Centre (NHSRC), New Delhi.
• As per the report, the 96% IPD care in rural areas of J&K is provided by Public Health Facilities.
• This facility is highest against the country’s average of 85%.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Lieutenant (Lt) Governors of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K): Girish Chandra Murmu.

3. Himachal Pradesh Gov. launches "Himachal MyGov" portal & "CM App"

• The Himachal Pradesh Government has introduced a portal "Himachal MyGov" and become 11th state in India to have this facility.
• The portal aims to boost public participation in the governance process. With the help of portal, public will be able to communicate their views, suggestions, feedback as well discontentment to the state government.
• This will help the government to formulate policies and programs and make them more effective and result oriented.
• State also launched "CM App" which is a platform through which people of the state can write directly to the Chief Minister regarding their complaints.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh: Jai Ram Thakur; Governor: Bandaru Dattatraya.

4. 31st International Kite Festival begins in Ahmedabad

• The 31st International Kite Festival has been launched at Sabarmati river front in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
• Ahmedabad is hosting this festival since 1989.
• A large number of kite artists from across the world are participating in the festival to exhibit their skills.
• The festival is also taking place at nine other places across the state including Statue of Unity-Kevadiya, Surat and Vadodara.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Chief Minister of Gujarat: Vijay Rupani; Governor: Acharya Dev Vrat.

5. 4th 'Buxa Bird Festival' kicks off in West Bengal

• The 4th edition of 'Buxa Bird Festival' has started in Buxa National Park in West Bengal's, district Alipurduar.
• More than 50 birdwatchers from pan India and abroad have registered in the festival.
• Over 300 rare species including the Sultan Tit, Greater Spotted Eagle and Great Hornbill visit the national park during this festival.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Jagdeep Dhankhar is the governor of West Bengal.
• Mamta Banerjee is the CM of West Bengal.

6. Vikram Sarabhai Children Innovation Center to be set up in Gujarat

• The Vikram Sarabhai Children Innovation Center (VSCIC) will be set up in Gujarat.
• The Vikram Sarabhai Children Innovation Center (VSCIC) will identify, nurture and promote innovative abilities of children in the state.
• The above announcement was made during the Children’s Innovation Festival (CIF) taking place in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
• Only School-going children up to 18 years old were allowed to participate in the Children’s Innovation Festival (CIF).
• The CIF is being organized by Gujarat University Start-ups and Entrepreneurship Council (GUSEC). GUSEC is an incubation centre created by Gujarat University in collaboration with UNICEF.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Chief Minister of Gujarat: Vijay Rupani; Governor: Acharya Dev Vrat.

Banking

7. 2 Indian banks to end their operations in Sri Lanka

• The two Indian private sector lenders Axis Bank and ICICI Bank to close their operations in Sri Lanka after the Central Bank of Sri Lanka has permitted.
• The licenses issued by Central Bank of Sri Lanka will be cancelled once the winding-up operations are complete.
• The two banks are no longer to carry their banking operations, including accepting deposits from the public in Sri Lanka.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Sri Lanka Capitals: Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte; Currency: Sri Lankan rupee.
• Prime minister: Mahinda Rajapaksa.

8. RBI allows to offer 24x7 rupee trading via select banks

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has enabled select banks in India to offer round-the-clock (24×7) trading in the Indian rupee to allow Indians to safeguard their foreign exchange (Forex) risks at any time.
• The select banks in India offered Indian customers foreign exchange rates only in inter-bank market hours from 9 am – 5 pm.
• This decision will also make the offshore currency markets in countries like Dubai & Singapore less attractive for Indian investors.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• RBI 25th Governor: Shaktikant Das; Headquarters: Mumbai; Founded: 1 April 1935, Kolkata.

Economy

9. NSO projects India's GDP growth rate for 2019-20 at 5%

• National Statistical Office (NSO) projects India's GDP growth rate for 2019-20 at 5%.
• The decline has been mainly on account of deceleration in manufacturing sector growth, which is expected to come down to 2 per cent in 2019-20 from 6.2 per cent in the year-ago fiscal.
• The deceleration was also witnessed in sectors like agriculture, construction and electricity, gas and water supply.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Statistics: Rao Inderjit Singh.

Defence

10. India and Oman conduct bilateral naval exercise 'Naseem Al Bahr'

• India and Oman will conduct 12th edition of bilateral maritime exercise 'Naseem Al Bahr' in Mormugao Port, Goa.
• 'Naseem-Al-Bahr' (or sea breeze) is a naval exercise between the Indian Navy and the RNO, being conducted since 1993.
• Indian Navy ships Beas and Subhadra and Oman Navy ships RNOV Al Rasikh and RNOV Khassab are participating in this exercise.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Oman Capital: Muscat; Currency: Omani rial.

11. Indian Navy start 1st 'Maha-Navy Connect 2020'

• Indian Navy starts 1st Maha-Navy Connect 2020 Tri-Dimensional Expedition started from Mumbai, Maharashtra.
• The aim of the expedition is to promote the maritime heritage of India and spread awareness about Coastal Security amongst the coastal communities in Maharashtra.
• The tri-dimensional expedition consisting of yachting, running and cycling teams of 50 naval personnel. This expedition will cover more than 555kms from Maharashtra’s northernmost fort Arnala to its southernmost Sindhudurg fort.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Chief of Naval Staff: Admiral Karambir Singh.

Sports

12. World Cup winner Daniele De Rossi from Italy retires from football

• Italian Veteran footballer Daniele De Rossi announced his retirement. He won the 2006 world cup title for Italy after defeating France.
• He has played 117 games for Italy from 2004-17.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Capital of Italy: Rome; Currency of Italy: Euro.
• President of Italy: Sergio Mattarella; Prime Minister of Italy: Giuseppe Conte.

Books and Authors

13. ‘Karmayoddha Granth’: A book on the life of PM Narendra Modi launched

• Union Home Minister released a book 'Karmayoddha Granth' on the life of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• A 'Karmayoddha' is a man with a beating heart for people, a statesman, a hard taskmaster, an able administrator and an ideal leader who leads by example.
• All these qualities have been personified by Narendra Modi.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Union Home Minister: Amit Shah.

Miscellaneous

14. Indian High Commission organizes "Art Exhibition" in Bangladesh

• The Indian High Commission has organized the "Art Exhibition" in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
• The "Art Exhibition" has been organized to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
• The art exhibition constituted unique photographs of Mahatma Gandhi from his initial days in South Africa to numerous movements he participated in India.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Prime Minister of Bangladesh: Sheikh Hasina; Capital: Dhaka; Currency: Taka.

Daily GK update 28 January 2020

International Current Affairs

1. Britain Unveils New 50 Pence Coin to Celebrate Brexit

Britain has unveiled a new 50 pence coin minted to mark Brexit (British exit). Brexit is the withdrawal of the United Kingdom (UK) from the European Union (EU). Finance Minister of Britain Sajid Javid, who is also Master of the Mint, was presented with the first batch of coins.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Prime minister of United Kingdom: Boris Johnson.
• Capital of the United Kingdom: London.

State Current Affairs

2. Country's first Super Fab Lab inaugurated by Kerala CM

Chief Minister of Kerala Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurates India's 1st Super Fab Lab in Kochi, Kerala. The Super Fab Lab is being installed in collaboration with KSUM (Kerala Startup Mission). The laboratory will break down barriers between the physical world and the digital world.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Governor of Kerala: Arif Mohammed Khan.
• Capital of Kerala: Thiruvananthapuram.

3. Shiv Bhojan Scheme launched by Maharashtra Government

Maharashtra government launched 'Shiv Bhojan' scheme. The scheme aims to provide a meal to the poor for just 10 rupees, on the occasion of the 71st Republic Day.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Chief Minister (CM) of Maharashtra: Uddhav Bal Thackeray.
• Governor of Maharashtra: Bhagat Singh Koshyari.
• Capital of Maharashtra: Mumbai.
• Deputy Chief Minister (DCM) of Maharashtra: Ajit Anantrao Pawar.

4. Andhra Pradesh assembly adopts resolution to abolish Legislative Council

Andhra Pradesh (AP) cabinet has adopted a resolution to abolition the legislative council, which the government feels is a major hurdle for passing crucial bills. This cabinet chaired by the chief minister (CM) YS Jaganmohan Reddy.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh: Jagan Mohan Reddy.
• Governor of Andhra Pradesh: Biswabhushan Harichandan.
• Capital of Andhra Pradesh: Amaravati.

Appointments

5. India appoints Taranjit Singh Sandhu as India's next Ambassador to USA

Taranjit Singh Sandhu takes charge as the new Indian Ambassador to the United States. He will succeed Ambassador Harsh Vardhan Shringla. Sandhu is the current High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka since January 24, 2017.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Union Minister of External Affairs: Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.

6. IBA appoints Sunil Mehta its chief executive

Sunil Mehta took over as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA). He will replace VG Kannan, who resigned from office as chief executive of IBA on December 31, 2019.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Formation of Indian Banks’ Association: 26 September 1946.
• Headquarters of Indian Banks’ Association: Mumbai, Maharashtra.

7. Slovenian PM Marjan Sarec resigns

Prime Minister of Slovenian Marjan Sarec announced his resignation and called for new elections as the country's coalition struggles with political deadlock. He is Slovenia's youngest-ever Prime Minister.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• President of Slovenia: Borut Pahor.
• Capital of Slovenia: Ljubljana; Currency: Euro.

Awards

8. Grammy Awards 2020 Announced

The 62nd Annual Grammy Awards announced on January 26, 2020. The Awards ceremony was held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Here is the list of winners of Grammy Awards 2020:

Sl. No.	Category	Winner
1.	Album Of The Year	When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? (Billie Eilish)
2.	Record Of The Year	Bad Guy (Billie Eilish)
3.	Best New Artist	Billie Eilish
4.	Best Rap Album	Igor (Tyler, The Creator)
5.	Best R&B Album Winner	Ventura (Anderson .Paak)
6.	Best Rap Song	A Lot
7.	Best Country Album	While I'm Livin' (Tanya Tucker)
8.	Song Of The Year	Bad Guy ( Billie Eilish O'Connell & Finneas O'Connell)
9.	Best Rock Album	Social Cues (Cage The Elephant)
10.	Best Rock Song	This Land (Gary Clark Jr.)
11.	Best Dance/Electronic Album	No Geography (The Chemical Brothers)
12.	Producer Of The Year, Classical	Blanton Alspaugh
13.	Best Music Video	Old Town Road
14.	Best Country Song	Bring My Flowers Now
15.	Best Folk Album	Patty Griffin
16.	Best Comedy Album	Sticks & Stones (Dave Chappelle)

9. Dr.N Kumar conferred with Harit Ratna Award 2019

Dr N Kumar, Vice-Chancellor of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, has been conferred ‘Harit Ratna Award 2019’. This award is organised by the All India Agricultural Students Association.

Summits and Conferences

10. Global Potato Conclave 2020

The 3rd Global Potato Conclave-2020 begins today at Gandhinagar, Gujarat. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the conclave through video conferencing. The Conclave will provide an opportunity to bring all stakeholders at one common platform. Gujarat is one of the leading producers of Potato in the country.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Vice-Chancellor of Indian Potato Association: S.M. Paul Khurana.
• Headquarters of Indian Potato Association: Shimla, Himachal Pradesh.

Defence

11. GRSE set to deliver ASW corvette INS Kavaratti to Navy soon

Defence PSU Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) is set to deliver anti-submarine warfare stealth corvette INS Kavaratti to the Indian Navy. INS Kavaratti is 104th warship constructed by GRSE.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Chief of Navy Staff (CNS): Karambir Singh.
• Indian Navy Day: 4 December.

Obituaries

12. Assamese linguist Golok Chandra Goswami passes away

Eminent Assamese linguist and academician Golok Chandra Goswami passed away. He was honoured with the Asam Sahitya Sabha's 'Sahityacharya' title, 'Bhashacharya' title by Asom Bhasha Bikash Samiti and 'Anundoram Borooah Award' by the Anundoram Barooah Institute of Language, Art and Culture.

Miscellaneous

13. Meerut to house India's first war memorial for animals

Government of India is a plan to set up a war memorial for animals in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh. It will be India's first animal war memorial. The memorial will come up at the Remount and Veterinary Corps (RVC) Centre and College in Meerut.