QUIZ-04

QUIZ-04

Q1. Who was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 62nd Filmfare Awards 2017?
Answer: Shatrughan Sinha

Q2. Name the Village, which has bagged the UNWTO award for Innovation in the category of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO), recently?
Answer: Govardhan eco-village

Q3. Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has decided to lower broker fees by 25 per cent to _______________ per transaction of one crore rupees as part of calibration of various other fees collected by the regulator from different market intermediaries.
Answer: 15 rupees

Q4. Tanzanian athlete Alphonce Felix Simbu (24) and Kenyan runner Bornes Kitur Chepkirui (31), flew past all competition to bag the top spots in the men's and women's category respectively in the full marathon at the _______ Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon (SCMM) in Mumbai 
Answer: 14th

Q5. Whic film has won the Best Film award at the 62nd Jio Filmfare Awards?
Answer: Dangal

Q6. In which state India's first laser technology-based advanced AVMS RTO is installed, recently?
Answer: Gujarat

Q7. World famous 11-day gala festival Bargarh Dhanua Jatra has been begun on 02nd January 2017 in which state?
Answer: Odisha

Q8. The Supreme Court has removed BCCI President _____________ from their posts.
Answer: Anurag Thakur

Q9. Senior citizens will now be assured what per cent interest on their deposits up to Rs 7.5 lakh which will remain the same for next 10 years?
Answer: 8 per cent

Q10. India has successfully test-fired its home-grown long range intercontinental ______________ nuclear capable ballistic missile Agni-IV from the Abdul Kalam Wheeler Island off Odisha coast.
Answer: surface-to-surface

Q10. Who has won The Hindu Prize 2016 at the 07th edition of The Hindu Lit for Life festival 2017 held in Chennai?
Answer: Kiran Doshi

Q11. In order to woo the young audiences at the 2020 Olympics, the organisers of the Tokyo Games have unveiled Japan's cult anime character ___________ as its ambassador. 
Answer: Son Goku

Q12. Name the person, who has selected to the 2017 Ophthalmology Hall of Fame instituted by the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery?
Answer: Gullapalli N Rao

Q13. Name the State, in which Oil Companies HPCL, ONGC and the GAIL have signed MoUs for investing Rs 1.65 lakh crore?
Answer: Andhra Pradesh

Q14. Which state government has signed a memorandum of agreement with French firm Aerocampus Aquitaine, known for aircraft maintenance skill training, to create a world-class aero skill academy recently?
Answer: Telangana

Q15. The government stated that ____________ banks are connected with the Aadhaar-enabled payment system and 33.87 crore transactions have taken place through Aadhaar-enabled payment systems.
Answer: 119

QUIZ-04

QUIZ-04

Q1. Name the renowned personality, who will headed the committee to identify athletes under Target Olympic Podium (TOP) Scheme?
Answer: Abhinav Bindra

Q2. President Pranab Mukherjee has given Governor of Assam __________________ additional charge of Meghalaya.
Answer: Banwarilal Purohit

Q3. IndiaPost has become the third entity to receive a final license from the Central Bank (RBI) to start its payment bank operations. Payments bank has initially been restricted to holding a maximum balance of how much amount per individual customer? 
Answer: Rs. 1,00,000 per individual customer

Q4. In Australian Open 2017 tennis, Serena Williams beat her sister Venus Williams in the final to win her _______ Grand Slam singles title.
Answer: 23rd

Q5. Which country has announced it will appoint a 'digital ambassador' to manage its relationship with technology giants like Google and Apple, becoming the first country to do so.
Answer: Denmark

Q6. India Post has become the third entity to receive a final license to start payments bank in India. The other two are-
Answer: Paytm and Bharti Airtel

Q7. The nation pays homage to Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi on his 69th death anniversary on 30th January 2017. He was assassinated on-
Answer: 30th January 1948

Q8. Which state has signed an MoU with Gokaldas Experts for setting up four apparel manufacturing units?
Answer: Andhra Pradesh

Q9. Iris Mittenaere has crowned Miss Universe 2016 at the Mall of Asia Arena. Iris Mittenaere belong to which country?
Answer: France

Q10. Who has won the Syed Modi International Grand Prix Gold after beating Indonesia's Gregoria Mariska in the final? 
Answer: P V Sindhu

Q11. The Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways and Shipping, Nitin Jairam Gadkari has inaugurated a 3-lane Brahmaputra Bridge at Saraighat in..............
Answer: Guwahati

Q12. Who has been appointed as the BCCI Chief by Supreme Court, recently?
Answer: Vinod Rai

Q13. Name the person, who starred in The Elephant Man and Harry Potter has passed away at his residence in Norfolk, London?
Answer: Sir John Hurt

Q14. Who has won the Kolkata Marathon as amateur runners from north Bengal and Northeast India dominated the first edition?
Answer: Abul Hossain

Q15. Future Generali India Insurance Company Ltd (FGIL) has entered into a corporate agency tie-up for its products with which bank?  
Answer: Bank of Maharashtra

Daily GK Update 04th March, 2017

Daily GK Update 04th March, 2017

Aadhaar number made mandatory for students to receive midday meals

i. Students will now be required to have an Aadhaar number for getting their midday meals across the country.The HRD ministry issued this notification. This rule will be applicable across the country, except Jammu and Kashmir, Meghalaya and Assam. 

ii. However, the ministry has given time till June 30, 2017 for those who are not yet enrolled. 

Ministry of Women & Child Development Observes Swachhta Pakhwada throughout India

i. The Ministry of Women & Child Development is observing the Swachhta Pakhwada from March 1, 2017 to March 15, 2017 to raise awareness about Swachh Bharat Abhiyan among women and children.

ii. The Swachhta Pakhwada is observed by various Ministries of Government of India to achieve the goal of universal sanitation, hygiene and ‘open defecation free’ India by 2019. During the course of the progamme, various activities would be conducted throughout the country through the wide network of Anganwadi Centres (AWCs).

100 districts in India Declared ODF under Swachh Bharat Mission

i. During occasion of 'Swachh Shakti Saptah' in Gurugram, Haryana. The Union Minister of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar has informed that the number of ODF (Open Defecation Free) districts in India has crossed 100, making it a milestone achievement under the Swachh Bharat Mission.

ii. Besides, over 1.7 lakh villages over the country has also become ODF. Shri O.P Dhankar, Haryana Minister for Development & Panchayats, and Agriculture declared that Haryana will become an ODF State by November 2017. 

India foreign exchange reserves increases to USD 362.79 billion

i. India's foreign exchange reserves increased by USD 63.7 million to USD 362.79 billion. A RBI press release has informed that foreign currency assets, a major part of the overall reserves increased from 63.4 million to USD 339.783 billion.

ii. In the previous week, the reserves had declined by USD 56.8 million to USD 362.73 billion. Gold reserves remained unchanged at 19.248 billion. 

Govt approves Rs 756 cr scheme to treat cataract patients

i. With an aim to free India from cataract by 2022, the government has approved a Rs 756 crore scheme to treat over 700 lakh such patients in the next five years.

ii. The scheme would render Rs 2,000 as financial assistance for each operation, including cost of lenses. In addition to it, a mobile application will be developed to bring the government, private doctors, clinics and NGOs together for monitoring the endeavor.

Yatra inks MoU with Madhya Pradesh govt to promote homestays

i. Online travel company Yatra.com has signed an agreement with Madhya Pradesh government to jointly promote homestays in the state.

ii. Under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Yatra will promote all the state tourism approved homestays, where travelers can book a room with a local family or the entire house.

Kerala’s Capital Thiruvananthapuram Ranks Best City in Urban Governance Survey

i. According to the fourth edition of the Annual Survey of India’s City-Systems 2016 by Bengaluru-based advocacy group Janaagraha Centre for Citizenship and Democracy, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala has been ranked as the top Indian city to manage urban governance. 

ii. Thiruvananthapuram which also ranked No. 1 in 2015 was evaluated against 21 major cities across 18 states of India. Thiruvananthapuram followed by Pune and Kolkata which are in second and third position, respectively.

iii. Delhi that has a population of about 18 million has been ranked at a distant 9, behind much smaller cities such as Bhopal and Kanpur.

NMCG Signs MoU with Rotary India for the Success of Namami Gange

i. In its effort to make Namami Gange program a mass movement with the involvement of more and more voluntary organizations, National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) under Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation signed an MoU with Rotary India in New Delhi. 

ii. Rotary India will support clean Ganga mission through their WASH in Schools program in various schools. 

SBI to charge for breaching monthly average balance in saving accounts

i. State Bank of India (SBI), India’s largest public lender, will resume charging customers who don’t maintain Monthly Account Average Balance (MAB) in their savings bank accounts from April 1, 2017.

ii. These charges will be based on the difference between the minimum balance required and the shortfall. 

iii. The minimum monthly balance for savings bank account holders in metropolitan areas is Rs 5,000. Similarly, in urban areas, SBI customers will need to maintain a monthly average balance of Rs 3000. In semi-urban areas, the amount is Rs 2,000, while for rural areas, the monthly average is Rs 1,000.

ET Money ties up with HDFC Life to launch data-led insurance policy

i. Long-term life insurance provider HDFC Life has launched an exclusive Data-Led Group Term Insurance Plan in partnership with personal finance app ET Money of Times Internet.
ii. This is the country's first term insurance plan which is based on the spending pattern of the users. ET Money Benefit, the group term life insurance plan can be exclusively availed by 1 million users of the ET MONEY app. 

World Wildlife Day: 3rd March

i. On 20 December 2013, at its 68th session, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) proclaimed 3 March, as UN World Wildlife Day to celebrate and raise awareness of the world’s wild animals and plants.

ii. World Wildlife Day was celebrated in 2017 under the theme “Listen to the Young Voices”.

President of India presents ‘Standard’ to 125 Helicopter Squadron and ‘Colours’ to mechanical training institute of Indian Air Force

i. The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee presented the ‘Standard’ to 125 Helicopter Squadron and ‘Colours’ to Mechanical Training Institute of Indian Air Force at Air Force Station, Tambaram, Tamil Nadu.

ii. Mr. President complimented the 125 Helicopter Squadron and Mechanical Training Institute of Indian Air Force and stated that these units have a glorious past, embedded with rich heritage, stellar efforts and selfless service to the Nation. 

Pakistan diplomat Amjad Hussain B Sial assumes office as new Sec Gen of SAARC

i. South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) has named Amjad Hussain B Sial, as secretary general with immediate effect from March 1, 2017. 

ii. Mr.Sial from Pakistan succeeded Nepal’s Arjun Bahadur Thapa as the SAARC secretary general who was appointed the Secretary-General in 2014. 

13th ECO Summit ISLAMABAD

i. The Heads of State and Government of the Member States of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) gathered on the occasion of the 13th ECO Summit Meeting, in Islamabad, Pakistan under the theme “Connectivity for Regional Prosperity”  on the 1st March 2017.

ii. It aimed to review the objective conditions and progress in the implementation of ECO programs and projects. The headquarter of ECO is in Tehran, Iran.

INHS ASVINI Mumbai receives Raksha Mantri’s Trophy, named best service Hospital in the AFMS

i. Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar presented the Raksha Mantri’s Trophy and Citation for the best Service Hospital in the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) for the year 2016 to INHS Asvini, Mumbai.

ii. The Command Hospital (Southern Command), Pune and Command Hospital (Northern Command) Udhampur have jointly adjudged the second best Service Hospitals.

Ukraine region to use Russian ruble as currency

i. Ukraine’s self-proclaimed Luhansk People’s Republic, state in eastern Ukraine, will use the Russian ruble as its official currency, along with the Ukrainian Hryvnia. 

ii. The Russian ruble is already being used in pro-Russian territory which serves to stabilize the volatile economic situation in the region. 

Rihanna Receives Harvard University's Humanitarian Award, 2017

i. Harvard named the 29-year-old singer Rihanna its Humanitarian of the Year, pointing to her projects that include an advanced center to treat breast cancer in her native Barbados and support for girls’ education around the developing world.

French football legend Raymond Kopa passes away

i. French football legend Raymond Kopa who won the European Cup three times with Real Madrid in the 1950s died in Paris after a long illness. He was 85.

ii. He was a central part of the French side beaten by Pele’s Brazil in a classic World Cup semi-final in 1958.

Bishnoi appointed international match referee

i. Former India wrestler Kripa Shankar Bishnoi has been appointed as an international match referee by United World Wrestling (UWW), the sport's global governing body. 

ii. Bishnoi was selected by the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) for the annual training course for match referees conducted by the UWW.

Australian cricketer Sarah Coyte announces retirement

i. Australian women cricketer Sarah Coyte, who was also a part of Australia's 2014 World T20-winning squad, has announced her retirement from all forms of the game.

ii. Coyte's decision arrives a year after she stepped down from international duty with the Southern Stars to combat mental health issues.

QUIZ-03

QUIZ-03

Q1. National Science Day is celebrated all over India with great enthusiasm on 28th of February in order to commemorate the invention of the Raman Effect in India by the Indian physicist, Sir C V Raman. What was the theme of 'National Science day, 2017'?

(a) Science for All

(b) Science and Technology for Sustainable Development

(c) Science for secured future

(d) Science and Technology for specially abled persons

(e) None of the above themes is correct

 Q2. The Haryana government has recently set up an online system for Panipat district to monitor the sex-ratio as part of which of the following scheme?

(a) Women and Child Welfare Scheme

(b) Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao

(c) Integrated Child Protection Scheme

(d) Kishori Shakti Yojana

(e) Bal Vikas Yojana

Q3. An expert committee set up by SIDBI recently has sanctioned Rs 300 crore to fund managers who would invest in startups, taking the total sanctions so far this fiscal 2016-2017 to over Rs 1,100 crore. Name of that committee is __________.

(a) Credit Committee

(b) Corporate Social Responsibility Committee

(c) Venture Capital Investment Committee

(d) Information Technology Strategy Committee             

(e) Stakeholders Relationship Committee

Q4. Paytm E-Commerce launched Paytm Mall recently, a mobile app and online shopping portal. Paytm Mall is the new avatar of Paytm’s three-year-old e-commerce business. Paytm is an arm of which of the following companies?

(a) Nexus

(b) Microsoft

(c) Google

(d) One97 Communications Pvt. Ltd

(e) 360 degree Communications

Q5. Name the company, with which Tata Communications has tied up recently to support the roll-out of the former's Internet of Things platform, the LoRa (Long Range) network.

(a) Lenovo

(b) Dell Enterprise

(c) Microsoft

(d) Hewlett Packard Enterprise

(e) ASUS

Q6. Indian International cricketer Virat Kohli was named as the ‘Captain of the Year‘ at the 10th annual 'ESPNcricinfo Awards'. Name the player, who won the best 'Debutant of the Year Award'.

(a) Keaton Jennings

(b) Colin De Grandhomme

(c) Haseeb Hameed

(d) Jayant Yadav

(e) Mehedi Hasan Miraj

Q7. P. Shiv Shankar passed away recently after a prolonged illness. He was famous ______________.

(a) Author

(b) Politician

(c) Spiritual Speaker

(d) Classical Singer

(e) Both (a) and (c)

Q8. Senior IAS officer Sumit Mullick was appointed as the Chief Secretary of Maharashtra. Mr. Mullick has succeeded __________.

(a) Swadheen Kshatriya

(b) Satya Prakash Tucker

(c) Smt. Sakuntala Gamlin

(d) Vinod Kumar Pipersenia

(e) Anjani Kumar Singh

Q9. In which of the following Indian States/UTs, India’s first heliport has been inaugurated recently?

(a) Tamil Nadu

(b) Maharashtra

(c) New Delhi

(d) Chandigarh

(e) Assam

Q10. Jitu Rai won the gold medal in men’s event of the ISSF (International Shooting Sport Federation) World Cup 2017, with a world record score of 230.1. In which category he won this medal?

(a) 10-meter air rifle

(b) 100-meter running target

(c) Skeet

(d) 50-meter free pistol

(e) Double Tra

                                                            ANSWERS

S1. Ans.(d)

Sol. National Science Day is celebrated all over India with great enthusiasm on 28th of February every year in order to commemorate the invention of the Raman Effect in India by the Indian physicist, Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman on the same day in the year 1928. The theme of the year 2017 is “Science and Technology for specially abled persons”.

S2. Ans.(b)

Sol. The Haryana government has set up an online system for Panipat to monitor the sex-ratio in the district as part of the 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' programme. The system, called the sex ratio monitoring dashboard, will have the data of child sex-ratio collected from all villages by the Health and Women and Child Welfare Departments every month.

S3. Ans.(c)

Sol. An expert committee Venture Capital Investment Committee (VCIC) set up by SIDBI has sanctioned Rs 300 crore to fund managers who would invest in startups, taking the total sanctions so far this fiscal 2016-2017 to over Rs 1,100 crore.

S4. Ans.(d)

Sol. Paytm E-Commerce, the online marketplace arm of One97 Communications Pvt. Ltd, launched Paytm Mall, a mobile app and online shopping portal. Paytm Mall is the new avatar of Paytm’s three-year-old e-commerce business.

S5. Ans.(d)

Sol. Tata Communications is partnering with Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) to support the roll-out of the former's Internet of Things platform, the LoRa (Long Range) network.

S6. Ans.(e)

Sol. Indian international cricketer Virat Kohli has named as the ‘Captain of the Year‘ at the 10th annual ESPNcricinfo Awards. Young Bangladeshi teenage spinner Mehedi Hasan Miraj won the Debutant of the Year Award for his 19 wickets in the 2 match Test series against England.

S7. Ans.(b)

Sol. Former Union Minister P. Shiv Shankar passed away after a prolonged illness. He was 89 . He contested the by-election to the Secunderabad Lok Sabha constituency in 1979 on the Indian National Congress party ticket.

S8. Ans.(a)

Sol. Senior IAS officer Sumit Mullick appointed as the Chief Secretary of Maharashtra. Mullick will succeed Swadheen Kshatriya, who was due for retirement on 31st of January, 2017 but was given a month's extension.

S9. Ans.(c)

Sol. Built by Pawan Hans Limited, a Public Sector Undertaking of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, India’s first heliport has been inaugurated in North Delhi’s Rohini. Union Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju inaugurated the heliport. Pawan Hans Ltd Chairman and Managing Director B P Sharma stated that the heliport has come up at an investment of Rs 100 crore.

S10. Ans.(d)

Sol. Jitu Rai won the gold medal in men’s 50 meter free pistol event of the ISSF (International Shooting Sport Federation) World Cup, with a world record score of 230.1.

QUIZ-3

QUIZ-3

Q1. Name the Emmy award-winning US actress, who has passed away at the age of 80?
Answer: Mary Tyler Moore

Q2. India has celebrated its 68th Republic Day on 26th January 2017. who was the state guest of honour (chief guest) for the 68th Republic Day on 26th January 2017?
Answer: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan

Q3. US President Donald Trump has signed directives to build a wall along the US border with _________ and crack down on US cities that shield illegal immigrants, proceeding quickly on sweeping and divisive plans to Kerb immigration and boost national security.
Answer: Mexico

Q4. Which state government has ordered released of 439 prisoners on humanitarian grounds on the eve of 68th Republic Day?
Answer: Gujarat

Q5. Which state has announced a total ban on polythene carry bags from May 1, 2017 across the state?
Answer: Madhya Pradesh

Q6. Name the State, in which Oil Companies HPCL, ONGC and the GAIL have signed MoUs for investing Rs 1.65 lakh crore?
Answer: Andhra Pradesh

Q7. Which state government has signed a memorandum of agreement with French firm Aerocampus Aquitaine, known for aircraft maintenance skill training, to create a world-class aero skill academy recently?
Answer: Telangana

Q8. Name the State, which has launched Rs 100 cr fund of  funds for investing in Fintech Startup recently? 
Answer: Andhra Pradesh

Q9. Who has been appointed as the new vice-chancellor of Nalanda University?
Answer: Dr Vijay Bhatkar

Q10. The Union Finance Ministry has announced that the GAAR will be effective from the 01st April, 2017. What is the GAAR stands for-  
Answer: General Anti Avoidance Rule

Q11.  Who won the men’s singles title at the 2017 Australian Open?
Answer: Roger Federer

Q12. Name the City, in which India's first sports museum has opened to the public?
Answer: Kolkata

Q13. Who has been appointed as the Karnataka Lokayukta, recently?
Answer: P Vishwanath Shetty

Q14. Switzerland's Roger Federer has became the second player in tennis history after ____________ to crossing $100 million (over Rs680 crore) in tournament earnings after winning the Australian Open.
Answer: Novak Djokovic

Q15. Who has appointed as interim MD and CEO of the India Post Payment Bank (IPPB),recently?  
Answer: AP Singh

Daily GK Update 03nd March, 2017

Daily GK Update 03nd March, 2017

Indian Navy successfully test-fires missile from Kalvari submarine

i. The Indian navy successfully test-fired an anti-ship missile for the first time from an indigenously built Kalvari class submarine.

ii. The weapon was fired from the submarine, the first of India’s six Scorpene-class submarines which are being built under the Project 75 and it “successfully hit” a surface target during the trial in the Arabian Sea.

iii. The submarines were designed by French naval defense and energy company DCNS and are being built by Mazagon Dock Limited in Mumbai.

Centre approves over 4,000 PG seats in medical colleges & hospitals

i. Centre has approved over 4,000 Post Graduate seats in medical colleges and hospitals across the country for the academic session 2017-18. 

ii. Health Minister J P Nadda in an official statement stated that with this, the total number of PG seats available in the country will go up to over 35 thousand. He also said this will further boost nation's resolve to strengthen tertiary care and improve the medical education in the country. 

iii. Centre had announced the creation of additional 5,000 PG medical seats every year during this year's (2017) budget with an aim to bolster availability of specialist doctors at secondary and tertiary levels. 

Govt launches nationwide 'Swachh Shakti Saptah' 

i. The Union Minister of Drinking Water and Sanitation Mr. Narendra Singh Tomar has launched 'Swachh Shakti Saptah' in Gurugram, Haryana to raise awareness on sanitation and cleanliness.

ii. Mr. Tomar has decided to observe 'Swachh Shakti Saptah' from March 1 to 8, 2017 across the country. Over 1,500 women sarpanches of Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) and all women sarpanches of Gurugram division are participating in this event. 

iii. PM Modi will take part in a closing ceremony of the program on March 8, 2017 at Gandhinagar in Gujarat.

Himachal okays proposal to make Dharamshala its second capital

i. The Himachal Pradesh cabinet approved the proposal to make Dharamshala as the second capital of the state.

ii. The decision was taken at the cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, who had earlier during his winter sojourn to Kangra had expressed his desire to make Dharamshala as the second capital. 

Government’s biotech innovation BIRAC Regional Entrepreneurship Centre set up in Bengaluru

i. The Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms – C-CAMP, technology, and innovation hub, will house the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) Regional Entrepreneurship Centre (BREC) in Bengaluru.

ii. The center has been set up with the objective of encouraging the spirit of bio-entrepreneurship, facilitating the creation of life science start-ups and mentoring start-ups to increase their chances of success.

JNU wins Visitor's Awards 2017 for best university

i. Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has won the annual Visitor's Award for the 'Best University', 2017.

ii. Deepak Pant from the Central University of Himachal Pradesh won the Visitor's Award for 'Innovation' while the Visitor's Award for 'Research' has been jointly won by Shyam Sunder from Banaras Hindu University (BHU) and Professor Niranjan Karak from Tezpur University.

iii. President Pranab Mukherjee will present the Visitor's Awards on 06 March 2017 at a function to be held at Rashtrapati Bhavan as part of the 'Festival of Innovations'. 

GAIL signs 1st time-swap deal for US LNG with Gunvor

i. State-run gas company Gas Authority of India Ltd. (GAIL) has signed a time-swap deal with Swiss trader Gunvor to sell some of its US Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) as the Indian firm tries to ease the burden of its costly foreign LNG supplies.

ii. It is the first time-swap agreement by GAIL, which is trying to juggle its LNG portfolio to cut costs for price-sensitive Indian customers after a sharp fall in Asian spot prices made its US gas unattractive.

DRDO Hands Over 3 Developed Products to Indian Army

i. Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) handed over three of its products for induction into the Indian Army in a formal function.The products are namely:

(a) Weapon Locating Radar (WLR), SWATHI

(b) NBC Recce vehicle

(c) NBC Drugs

ii. The Defence Minister Shri Manohar Parrikar who presided the function handed over the products to the Chief of the Army Staff General Bipin Rawat on behalf of DRDO.

Jindal Steel to make high nitrogen steel for DRDO

i. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has signed a technology transfer agreement with Haryana-based Jindal Stainless Ltd.(JSHL) for manufacturing High Nitrogen Steel (HNS). 

ii. HNS has higher ballistic strength. It is not only tough but also has good strength. It is non-magnetic and corrosion-resistant. Its cost is about 40% less than that of Rolled Homogeneous Armour steel (RHA). 

MTNL appoints P K Purwar as Chairman and Managing Director

i. P K Purwar was appointed as the Chairman and Managing Director of state-run telecom major Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL).The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved his appointment to the post for five years. 

Singareni Collieries records new highs in coal output, dispatches

i. Singareni Collieries Company Limited has set a new record with coal production of 58.7 lakh tons and highest dispatches of 57 lakh tons in a month during February 2017.

ii. The mining company’s 1,200 MW power plant has also logged high plant load factor. With this, SCCL recorded a growth of 9.31% in coal production against 53.7 lakh tons during February 2016.