Monday 14 August 2017

Daily GK Update 14th August 2017



i. As a step in this direction, second Seminar on ‘MAKE’ projects for Indian Army was held on 12 Aug 17 at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi jointly under aegis of Indian Army and Confederation of Indian Industry (Cll).
ii. During the course of the seminar, a round table interaction of various Directorates of Integrated Headquarters of MoD (Army) with industry reps was also held at the same venue.

Important Takeaways from Above News-
  • The Make in India initiative was launched by Prime Minister in September 2014.
  • A similar seminar was held in Aug 16, 2016 to acquaint the industry of MAKE projects as approved in 2016 by MoD.

i. A three-day annual cultural festival named ‘Fete de Puducherry’ organised by the government of India begins in Puducherry. The festival is held in association with the South Zone Cultural Centre (Tamil Nadu) every year to bring to focus the multi-faceted cultural features of various states.
ii. The Puducherry government has been holding the festival since 1985 as part of celebrating Independence Day and also Liberation Day of Puducherry (August 16). 

Important Takeaways from Above News-
  • The union territory in a referendum in October 1954 favoured liberation of Puducherry and its constituent regions from French regime, paving the way for the merger of Puducherry with Indian Union. 
  • The de facto merger took place in 1954 followed by de jure transfer of power on August 16, 1962.
  • Kiran Bedi is the Governor of Puducherry.


i. Infusion Nurses Society (INS), a global authority in infusion therapy launched India's first online course on Infusion Therapy for nurses. Under this, it aims to train over 3,000 nurses in the vital medical procedure.
ii. As per the INS, due to the reach and ease of the digital platform, the course will enable members to access the various infusion therapy modules and presentations through its website. 

Important Takeaways from Above News-
  • Infusion therapy deals with all aspects of fluid and medication infusion, via intravenous or subcutaneous application.


i. Chief minister Naveen Patnaik launched 'She Means Business' program of Facebook for women entrepreneurs in Odisha. Under the scheme 25, 000 women entrepreneurs and self-help group (SHG) members will be given training on digital marketing skills within next one year.
ii. Facebook will also make a database of entrepreneurs in the state and will monitor their growth, turnover and profit after one year.

Important Takeaways from Above News-
  • Naveen Patnaik is the CM of Odisha.
  • S C Jamir is the Governor of Odisha.


i. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis launched Namo Yuva Rojgar Kendra an initiative providing job opportunities to unemployed youth in Mumbai. There are various schemes like farmers weekly market, farmers mobile market and mother’s Tiffin, under this Yuva Rojgar Kendra.
ii. These products will be made available with the help of mobile vans all over Mumbai and the information about the location of the vans is made available through an app. This app was also launched by the Chief Minister.

Important Takeaways from Above News-
  • C. Vidyasagar Rao is the Current Governor of Maharashtra.


i. The India-ASEAN Youth Summit begins in Bhopal. The event is being organised by Foreign Ministry, Madhya Pradesh government and India Foundation. Minister of State for External Affairs General VK Singh (in picture), and Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan inaugurated the five day Summit.
ii. The exercise will mark the 25th anniversary of the ASEAN-India dialogue partnership in the ongoing year and also the commemorative year’s theme of “Shared Values, Common Destiny”.

Important Takeaways from Above News-
  • Madhya Pradesh has been chosen for this event as the Sanchi stupa strengthens the state’s cultural affiliation with the ASEAN countries.


i. Indian Coast Guard ship 'Shaurya', the fifth in the series of six 105-metre Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs), was commissioned in Goa by Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan.
ii. The OPV, which draws 2,350 tonne and is propelled by 9100 kilowatt diesel engine, has been designed and built indigenously by Goa Shipyard Ltd and is fitted with state-of-the-art navigation and communication equipment, sensors and machineries.

Important Takeaways from Above News-
  • Director General of Indian Coast Guard is Rajendra Singh.


i. To take forward the initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a New India movement from 2017-2022, a  Sankalp Se Siddhi  (Attainment through Resolve)  Program was organized at Coimbatore.
ii. Minister of State for Culture and Tourism (Independent Charge), Dr. Mahesh Sharma graced the occasion. The New India Movement 2017-2022 envisages an India free of Poverty, Corruption, Terrorism, Communalism, Casteism and Un-cleanliness.

Important Takeaways from Above News-
  • PM Modi in his recent Mann Ki Baat program had called for launching the mega campaign Sankalp Se Siddhi.


i. Three Indian firms, Hindustan Unilever, Asian Paints and Bharti Airtel are among Forbes' list of the world's 100 most innovative companies, where Salesforce.Com has replaced Tesla Motors on the top position.
ii. While HUL and Asian Paints have moved up in their ranks to seventh and eighth respectively (from 31st and 18th last year), Bharti Airtel has entered the ranking at 78th position.

Important Takeaways from Above News-
  • Forbes is an American business magazine and was founded in 1917. 
  • The headquarter of Forbes is in New York City, USA.


i. The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared Somalia free of polio. The UN health agency announced that it had not recorded any case of polio disease in Somalia in the last three years.
ii. The declaration by WHO keeps Somalia outside the last group of countries which still record cases of polio in the world. Afghanistan, Nigeria, and Pakistan are the remaining countries where polio is still being recorded.

Important Takeaways from Above News-
  • The disease was first recognized as a distinct condition by Michael Underwood in 1789 and the virus that causes it was first identified in 1908 by Karl Landsteiner.
  • Headquarter of WHO is in Geneva, Switzerland.


i. Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister, Dr. Harsh Vardhan, launched ‘Gaj Yatra’ in Karnataka, a nationwide campaign to protect elephants on the occasion of World Elephant Day (12 August). The campaign is planned to cover 12 elephant range states.
ii. The Environment Minister released the All India Census 2017 Report on elephants. The ‘Gaju’ mascot, which was released by the Ministry in 2012, will be helm the campaign. The campaign will be led by the Wildlife Trust of India. Actor and wildlife enthusiast, Ms. Dia Mirza, participated in the walk and run event organized on the occasion. 


i. Shashi Shekhar Vempati, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at public broadcaster Prasar Bharati has been appointed as the chief of Rajya Sabha TV.
ii. Rajya Sabha TV is owned and operated by Rajya Sabha and covers the proceedings of the upper house of the Parliament. Vempati will replace Gurdeep Singh Sappal who has been serving as the CEO and editor-in-chief of Rajya Sabha TV since 2011.

Important Takeaways From Above News-
  • Rajya Sabha TV was founded in 2008.
  • Prasar Bharati runs Doordarshan television and All India Radio.



i. S. Aparna, an IAS officer from Gujarat cadre has been appointed as Executive Director, World Bank to represent the constituency of India, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Sri Lanka for three years.
ii. A 1988-batch IAS, she is currently Principal Secretary to Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani. At the World Bank, she will replace Subhash Garg, who was recently appointed Economic Affairs Secretary, Ministry of Finance.

Important Takeaways from Above News-
  • The World Bank is headquartered in Washington D.C.
  • It was Founded in 1944.
  • Jim Yong Kim is the President of The World Bank.


i. Veteran journalist T J S George has been chosen for the first Kesari Media Award, instituted by the Kesari Memorial Journalist Trust.
ii. The award comprises a purse of Rs 50,000, citation and a statuette designed by renowned artist Bhatathiri.

Important Takeaways from Above News-
  • TJS George, is a writer and biographer who received a Padma Bhushan award in 2011 in the field of literature and education..

i. Gabriel Chundan won the 65th edition of the prestigious Nehru Trophy (Boat Race) held at the Punnamda Lake in Kerala.
ii. While 'Mahadevikkad Kattilthekkethil' came second, 'Payippad' and 'Karichal', last year's winner, secured the third and fourth spots respectively.

Important Takeaways from Above News-
  • The Nehru trophy was instituted to commemorate the visit of the first Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to the area and his boat ride in the lake.


i. The greatest sprinter of modern times, Usain Bolt form Jamaica retired from the Athletics world. But at farewell Race, he injured himself while running the last lap of the men's 4x100m relay race in the World Athletics Championships in London.
ii. Running the final race of his career, the 30-year-old Bolt, after taking the baton from his Jamaican teammate Yohan Blake, suffered cramps on his left hamstring.

Important Takeaways from Above News-
  • Usain Bolt only non-drug offender in 30 fastest ever 100m sprints. 


i. On the concluding day of the 7th Asian Championship Shotgun in Astana, India bagged a gold medal in the skeet mixed team event.
ii. The Indian duo of Mairaj Ahmad Khan and Rashmi Rathore won over the Chinese pair of Liu Jiangchi and Gao Jianmei.
iii. India finished the championship with a total of eight medals.

Important Takeaways from Above News-
  • Astana is the Capital of Kazakhstan.
  • Ankur Mittal had earlier won a gold in the men's double trap.
  • Kynan Chenai won a bronze in the men's trap.
  • Maheshwari Chauhan clinched a bronze in the women's skeet.

20-20 GA Capsule Quiz 4 (Business News)


1. Which acquired the Silicon Valley-based startup Reduce Data, a programmatic display advertising platform?
Answer. Snapdeal

2. Which company has signed deal with Kesoram Industries Ltd (KIL) to acquire 100 per cent equity in Cavendish Industries Ltd (CIL)?
Answer. JK Tyre & Industries (JK Tyre) and JK Asia Pacific Singapore Ltd

3. FreeCharge has partnered with which bank to launch its wallets space?
Answer. Yes Bank

4. What is the changed brand name of Uninor?
Answer. Telenor India Communications Pvt. Ltd.

5. Facebook announced its partnerships with Internet Service Providers in India to launch wi-fi enabled broadband services in rural areas.What is the name given to this service?
Answer. Wi-Fi Express

6. Reliance Defence signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with which company to boost partnership between both countries for manufacturing, knowledge transfer, services and technology development?
Answer. Emirates Defence Industries Company (EDIC)

7. Name the Sri Lankan firm which is acquired by Thomas Cook (India) Ltd?
Answer. Luxe Asia Pvt. Ltd

8. Name the company which is acquired by Airtel for mobile payment solutions?
Answer. YTS

9. Which company buys Deutsche Bank’s mutual fund business in India?
Answer. Pramerica Asset Managers Pvt Ltd

10. Name the company who has signed Sourav Ganguly for 3-years as social ambassador? 
Answer. Coca Cola

11. Which Indian firm acquired majority stake in UK-based Avocet Sports?
Answer. World’s largest bicycle manufacturer Hero Cycles

12. Uber Cabs has tied-up with which company to set up WiFi hotspots in each of its cabs?
Answer. Bharti Airtel

13. Bharti Realty tied-up with which group of company to develop housing project?
Answer. Eros Group

14. What is the name of the parent company of Google Inc which will encompass its search engine unit and all other subsidiaries?
Answer. Alphabet Inc

15. Which online firm introduced cashless payments in educational institutions, which will enable users to pay school fees and dues, cafeteria bill, buy uniforms, books and merchandise?
Answer. Paytm

16. YouTube announced its partnership with which institute to set up “YouTube Space” in Mumbai?
Answer. Whistling Woods

17. Which Indian firm bought a 15 per cent stake in Russia’s second-largest oil field Vankor from Rosneft located in East Siberia?
Answer. Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC)

18. Rajesh Exports acquired which Switzerland-based world’s largest gold refinery?
Answer. European Gold Refineries, the 100 per cent holding company of Valcambi

19. Reliance Group has signed an MOU with which company to manufacture Aerostats and Airships?
Answer. Augur Overseas Operation

20. Infosys signed Multi-Million Euro Deal with which bank to provide services like application maintenance, package implementation and testing services?
Answer. Deutsche Bank

20-20 GA Capsule Quiz 4 (Banks in News)



We hope all of you must be prepared by now for the most awaiting "Quiz" based on GA Capsule. As notified, topic of Quiz is based on "Banks & Banking in News" section from the Capsule. So, lets come and start the 20-20 Quiz. 

Question 1. Which bank's card announced a strategic partnership with 7 of India's biggest e-commerce players for its newest offering, the Simply CLICK?
Answer. SBI Card

Question 2. Which bank launched Dhanchayat’, an educational film to raise awareness on the dangers of borrowing money from unorganised sources?
Answer. HDFC Bank

Question 3. Which bank launched 'Saral-Rural Housing Loan’ Scheme for weaker sections of society?
Answer. ICICI Bank

Question 4. HDFC bank is planning to sell its how much percent stake of HDFC life to its JV partner Standard Life for Rs. 1700 Crore?
Answer. 9 Percent

Question 5. SBI launched a mobile wallet app, SBI Buddy, in collaboration with which companies?
Answer. Accenture and Mastercard

Question 6. HDFC ties up with which e commerce company for co-branded credit card?
Answer. Snapdeal

Question 7. What is the name of the first-of-its-kind locker facility by ICICI Bank in India with latest robotic technology?
Answer. Smart Vault

Question 8. Which bank started operations as a Scheduled Commercial Bank (SCB) recently in 2015?
Answer. Bandhan Bank

Question 9. Which bank launched IndPay mobile app service to enables its customers to operate bank accounts anytime from anywhere?
Answer. Indian Bank

Question 10. Which bank launched the first Contactless Debit, Credit and Multi-Currency Forex Card in association with VISA payWave in the country? 
Answer. Axis Bank

Question 11. Which bank got accredited by the Green Climate Fund as a National Implementing Entity for undertaking climate change related projects in India?
Answer. NABARD

Question 12. Which bank announced to launch ’green bonds’ in India for raising funds for investments in environmental projects?
Answer. HSBC Bank

Question 13. What is the name of the app launched by Kotak Mahindra Bank?
Answer. Kotak Bharat

Question 14. Name the companies who formed Joint Venture to provide technology services solutions to banks?
Answer. CSC and HCL

Question 15. Who has been appointed as the Chairman of Bandhan Bank?
Answer. Ashok Kumar Lahiri 

Question 16. Name the bank which launched Project Tatkal which will help home loan applicants to get the loan within 10 days after receipt of application form and relevant supporting documents.
Answer. SBI

Question 17. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with which Central Bank on Supervisory Cooperation and Exchange of Supervisory Information?
Answer. Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB)

Question 18. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has chosen how many applications out of 41 applicants to set up payments banks in the country?
Answer. 11

Question 19. RBI decided to issue coins in which denominations to commemorate International Day of Yoga?
Answer. 10 rupees

Question 20. Who is heading the committee on Medium-term Path on Financial Inclusion which is formed by RBI?
Answer. Deepak Mohanty

20-20 GA Capsule Quiz 2 (Awards)


We hope all of you must be prepared by now for the most awaiting "Quiz" based on GA Capsule. As notified, topic of Quiz is based on "Awards" section from the Capsule. So, lets come and start the 20-20 Quiz. 

Question 1. Which country has been awarded the UNESCO prize ‘Award of Excellence’ 2015 for the conservation efforts of the Sree Vadakkunnathan Temple?

Answer. India

Question 2. Who won the Gandhi Peace Prize 2014?
Answer. ISRO

Question 3. Who won the United Nations Champions of the Earth award recently in 2015?
Answer. Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina

Question 4. Who has been awarded with the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award 2014-15?
Answer. Mountaineer Jot Singh of Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP)

Question 5. Name the Indians who won the Ramon Magsaysay Awards which were announced in 2015?
Answer. Sanjiv Chaturvedi and Anshu Gupta

Question 6. Who has been awarded with the Saraswati Sammaan for the year 2014?
Answer. Dr. M Veerappa Moily

Question 7. Who has been recognised with the Ramanujan Prize 2015?
Answer. Mathematician Dr. Amalendu Krishna

Question 8. Name the person who have won the 2015 SASTRA Ramanujan Prize?
Answer. Dr. Jacob Tsimerman

Question 9. Name the veteran writer who has won the 24th Vyaas Samman?
Answer. Dr Kamal Kishore Goenka

Question 10. Who won the 2015 Global Leadership Award?
Answer. Hindustan Times Group chairperson Shobhana Bharatia and PepsiCo Chairman Indra Nooyi 

Question 11. Who has been awarded with the 2015 United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Nansen Refugee Award?
Answer. Aqeela Asifi

Question 12. Who has been given the Honorary life membership by the Cricket Club of India (BCCI)?
Answer. Ajinkya Rahane
Question 13. Name the personality who has been awarded with the 2015 Radhakrishnan award?
Answer. Bhajan Sopori

Question 14. Who won the Kalpana Chawla Award 2015?
Answer. Jothimani Gowthama

Question 15. N Valarmathi recently awarded with which prize in 2015?
Answer.  1st Abdul Kalam Award

Question 16. Who won the Icon Award 2015 by the Indo-Caribbean Alliance?
Answer. Shiv Chanderpaul

Question 17. Who won the Arjuna Awards 2015 for his/her excellence in Athletics?
Answer. M.R. Poovamma

Question 18. Who won the Royal Society’s Copley Medal which is the world's oldest scientific prize 2015?
Answer. Peter Higgs

Question 19. Who has been awarded  Champions of Change by US White House?
Answer. Indian American Sunita Viswanath honoured

Question 20. Who has been recognised with highest French civilian honour Legion of Honour 
Answer.  Sayed Haider Raza

20-20 GA Capsule Quiz 1 (Sports)

20-20 GA Capsule Quiz 1 (Sports)



We hope all of you must be prepared by now for the most awaiting first ever "Quiz" based on GA Capsule. As notified yesterday night, topic of Quiz is based on "Sports" section from the Capsule. So, lets come and start the 20-20 Quiz. 


Question 1. Who became the first Indian Golfer to qualify for President’s Cup of Golf?
Answer. Anirban Lahiri

Question 2. Indian women’s hockey team booked a seat in 2016 Olympics. Where is the 2016 Olympics to be held?
Answer. Rio,Brazil 

Question 3. Who is appointed as the new coach of India's Men’s national team of Hockey?
Answer. Roelant Oltmans

Question 4. Who won the gold medal in the men’s 10 metre Air Rifle event of the Asian Air Gun Championships held in New Delhi?
Answer. Ace Indian shooter Abhinav Bindra 

Question 5. Who won the Under-16 team South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) tournament?
Answer. Bangladesh

Question 6. Who won the 2015 Japanese Grand Prix ?
Answer. Lewis Hamilton

Question 7. Name the IPL franchises which have been suspended from the IPL after the reports of Justice Lodha panel?
Answer. Chennai Super Kings & Rajasthan Royals

Question 8. Name the famous all rounder of Australia who recently announced his retirement from International Test cricket? 
Answer. Shane Watson

Question 9. Who won the Rogers Cup Masters Tournament 2015? 
Answer. Andy Murray

Question 10. Name the legendary Tennis player who have been recently inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame?
Answer. Amelie Mauresmo 

Question 11. Who won the men’s singles title of Wimbledon 2015?
Answer. Novak Djokovic 

Question 12. Who won the prestigious Ladies British amateur stroke-play Championship 2015 at Leeds, United Kingdom?
Answer. Aditi Ashok
Question 13. Name the Indian Wrestler who has secured quota for India in the 2016 Olympic Games?
Answer. Narsingh Pancham Yadav

Question 14. Who won the Women's FIFA World Cup 2015 for the third time by defeating Japan?
Answer. USA

Question 15. Name the Indian Wrestler who clinched the gold medal in Cadet Wrestling World Championships in the 50 kg freestyle competitions in 2015? 
Answer. Anil

Question 16. Who became the second bowler to claim hat-trick on ODI debut and also name the country to which he belongs?
Answer. Kagiso Rabada of South Africa

Question 17. Who won the US Open Mixed Doubles Title 2015?
Answer. Leander Paes and Martina Hingis

Question 18. Name the sport which is recognised as an Olympic Sport by IOC recently?
Answer. Frisbee

Question 19. Who won the Pro Kabaddi League 2015?
Answer. U Mumba won it after defeating Bengaluru Bulls.

Question 20. Where is the 2022 Commonwealth Games will be held?
Answer. Durban in South Africa