Daily GK Update 24th January, 2017

Daily GK Update 24th January, 2017

National Girl Child Day to be celebrated today (24 January 2017)
i.National Girl Child Day will be celebrated at a special function in New Delhi in view of exemplary achievements by nation's daughters during last year.
ii.They presented commendable performance at the Olympics and Paralympics besides historic induction of the first batch of female fighter pilots into the Indian Air Force (IAF).
iii.Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi and Minister of State Krishna Raj will be addressing the audience.
iv.The occasion shall be marked by release of National Plan of Action for Children 2016.Ten districts under the 'Beti Bachao Beti Padhao' scheme for their exemplary performance will also be felicitated.

Rescheduled Education Loan will not be Considered for Computing NPAs:RBI
i.In a bid to encourage banks to provide loans for education, the Reserve Bank of India RBI has declared that rescheduling the period of payment of education loans due to the inability of the borrower because of unemployment will not be treated as restructured accounts for computing NPAs.
ii.Banks can allow three rounds of extension periods, each not more than 6 months, during the entire lifecycle of the education loan, to be applicable only on unemployment/underemployment borrowers.

T-Hub launches ‘GIS Innovation Hub’ powered by Esri India

i.T-Hub, the start-up engine catalysing innovation, today announced the launch of ‘GIS Innovation Hub’ (GIH) for start-ups. 

ii.The GIH is powered by Esri India, the Geographic Information System (GIS) software and solutions provider.The facility was inaugurated by Jack Dangermond, Co-founder, President and CEO of Esri Inc.

Jharkhand Annual Budget 2017-18

i.The Chief Minister of Jharkhand Raghubar Das presented the state’s annual budget for 2017-18 on January 23, 2017 under the theme of Garib Kalyan Varsh The main focus of the budget is on agriculture, education and skill development, rural development and eliminating poverty.

ii.The Minister has presented a budget worth Rs 75,673.42 crore out of which Rs 57,861.32 crore would be revenue expenditure and Rs 18,812.10 crore would be capital expenditure. The total allocated state budget for 2017-18 is 19.7 percent more than the current year.

Stamp Cover on Sindhu, Sakshi and Dipa Released by Postal Department

i.The Indian postal department released a special stamp cover titled Golden girls of India – Pride of Nation on January 21, 2017 during a district-level philatelic exhibition in Agartala to honor the sporting personalities in the country.

ii.The special covers feature the 2016 Olympic medalist gymnast Dipa Karmakar, shuttler PV Sindu and wrestler Sakshi Malik. They were also awarded the nation’s highest sports award Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna in 2016.

iii. Besides the three, the cover also depicted the image of Dipa’s coach Bishweshwar Nandi who was awarded the 2016 Dronacharya award.

BCSBI to organise ‘know your rights’ programme

i.To educate awareness on banking codes at grass root level, The Banking Codes and Standards Board of India (BCSBI) will organise know your rights programme in all the states.For this, the organisation will adopt a three-fold approach in the awareness programme focussing Tier II cities, metros and other backward areas, Anand Aras, CEO, BCSBI said.

ii. With the opening up of innumerable Jan-Dhan accounts and increased usage of formal and transparent modes of financial transactions, it is now imperative for the lesser privileged section of the society to understand their rights.

Tamil Nadu Assembly Unanimously Passes Jallikattu Bill

i.Tamil Nadu assembly under the chairmanship of Chief Minister O Panneerselvam unanimously passed the Jallikattu Bill on January 23, 2017 to replace the ordinance issued on January 21, 2017 to allow the states traditional sport.

ii.The bill amends the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, making Jallikattu a permanent sport in rural Tamil Nadu.

Uber To Bring Food Delivery App ‘UberEATS’ In India

i.Transportation app Uber will soon launch its on-demand food delivery app ‘UberEATS’ in the Indian market.

ii.UberEATS is currently available in 58 cities globally, including Bangkok, Singapore, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Taipei.The new app will give consumers, restaurant partners, and delivery partners more options across India.

Guided Pinaka rocket successfully test fired

i.The guided Pinaka rocket was successfully test—fired for the second time from launch complex—III of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) launch pad at Chandipur.Defence sources said the test was conducted at 12:45 pm and Pinaka rocket mark-II, equipped with navigation, guidance and control kit, was transformed into a “guided Pinaka".

ii.The conversion facilitated range enhancement and improvement in Pinaka’s accuracy.

Kyoto Protocol: Govt gives nod to ratify second commitment period

i.The Centre  gave its nod to ratify the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol that commits countries to contain the emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs).

ii.The Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave its approval to ratify the second commitment period of the international treaty, which was adopted by nations in 2012. So far, 65 countries have ratified the second commitment period.

Vodafone to invest Rs 3,000 cr in West Bengal in next 3 years

i.Vodafone India signed an MoU with the West Bengal government to invest Rs 3,000 crore for capacity augmentation and new business initiatives over next three years.

ii.The MoU signed on the sidelines of Bengal Global Business Summit 2017 .To improve Vodafone’s leadership position in the state by offering customers a SuperNet experience through enhanced network.

New Universal Rail Mill Worth Rs. 1200 crore Inaugurated in Bhilai Steel Plant

i.Moving towards the Make in India initiative, the Steel Minister Chaudhary Birender Singh inaugurated the new Universal Rail Mill at Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP) of Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL) on January 23, 2017 and flagged off the mills first and world’s longest single rail of 130 meters from the new Universal Rail Mill(URM).

ii.URM established at a cost of about Rs 1200 crore. It will take BSP’s total capacity to produce rails at 2.0 million tons per annum (MTPA). This will be the largest rail production capacity in any single location for a plant world over.

Delhi airport wins award for CSR

i.The Delhi International Airport (Private) Limited (DIAL) has won the ‘Golden Peacock Award for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in the transportation sector under the Aviation category for the year 2016

.ii.Delhi Airport has also been adjudged the world’s number one airport in ACI ASQ survey in 25- 40 Million Passengers Per Annum (MPPA) category for two consecutive years - 2014 and 2015.

Birender Singh Yadav and Ashok Warrier accredited as the Ambassador of India to the Republic of Burkina Faso & Republic of Congo

i.Shri Birender Singh Yadav, 1997 batch IFS officer, presently High Commissioner of lndia to Ghana, has been concurrently accredited as the Ambassador of lndia to the Republic of Burkina Faso, with residence in Accra.

ii.Shri Ashok Warrier, presently Ambassador of lndia to the Democratic Republic of Congo, has been concurrently accredited as the Ambassador of lndia to the Republic of Congo.

IRDAI okays Swiss Re move to open Mumbai branch

i.Wholesale reinsurance provider Swiss Re has received approval from the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) to open a branch in the city.

ii. With the composite branch license, Swiss Re will be able to operate in India and it can offer both non-life and life and health reinsurance solutions directly to clients and brokers in the country.Swiss Reinsurance Company, India Branch, will begin its operation from February 1, 2017.

Utkarsh Micro Finance Launches its Small Finance Bank

i.Varanasi-based Utkarsh Micro Finance started operating its banking business as Utkarsh Small Finance Bank on January 23, 2017 to cater to the needs of the poor mainly in the northern belt. UK’s Commonwealth Development Corporation (CDC) has infused Rs. 150 crore in the tier II capital in the company.

ii.This makes Utkarsh the third company to operate as small finance bank after Capital Small Finance Bank and Equitas Small Finance Bank all of which got final approval from RBI to operate banking business on November 28, 2016.

Nepal Launches 10-year-plan to Reduce Depending on India for Vegetable Imports 

i.In a move to decrease dependence on vegetable imports from India, the Nepal Government has launched a 10-year plan to boost domestic production.

ii.The 10-year scheme aims to adopt modern farm techniques to boost vegetable productivity in the country and make the country self-reliant in food.

Turkish Parliament Approves Presidential Rule Paving Way for Referendum

i.The parliament of Turkey approved a constitutional reform on January 21, 2017 to strengthen the powers of the presidency by introducing presidential rule in the country and has led the way for a referendum on the issue by the public.

ii.If the bill will be passed then the President Tayyip Erdogan would serve the office until 2029

Goa First State to Send Postal Ballots Electronically to Service Voters

i.The Chief Election Commissioner(CEC) of India, Syed Nasim Zaidi informed that the state government of Goa has opted for an initiative involving electronic transmission of postal ballot to service voters in the upcoming assembly polls.

 ii.This initiative will make Goa the first state in the country to do so.

Ola appoints former PepsiCo executive Vishal Kaul as COO

i.Transportation app Ola  has appointed former PepsiCo executive Vishal Kaul as its Chief Operating Officer. 

 ii.He succeeds Pranay Jivrajka, who has been appointed as Founding Partner. Kaul most recently served as the General Manager of PepsiCo Foods for Thailand, Myanmar and Laos.

Foreign Secretary Jaishankar gets one-year extension

i.Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar, whose tenure was to end on January 28, today got a one-year extension.The nod for the extension of his tenure till January 28, 2018 was given by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.

ii.A 1977-IFS batch officer, Jaishankar was appointed Foreign Secretary on January 29, 2015 just few days before his retirement replacing Sujata Singh, whose term was abruptly curtailed by the government.

Siddhartha Murarka is now ICSI Chairman

i.Siddhartha Murarka has been appointed as the Chairman of the Eastern India Regional Council of The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI). 

ii.His term began from January 19, 2017. Murarka, a fellow member of the ICSI, was the head of risk management and compliance at a member firm of the PwC before starting his own practice.

iii.Murarka is also a “regular faculty”at ICAI and other professional bodies and chambers of commerce like the Merchant Chamber of Commerce and the BCCI

Virat Becomes Fastest Batsman to Score 1000 Runs as ODI Captain

i.Virat Kohli became the fastest batsman in the world to score 1,000 runs as captain in One-Day Internationals (ODIs) on January 22, 2017 in the third ODI against England at the Eden Gardens.

ii.The 28-year-old batsman took 17 innings to reach the landmark, breaking the earlier record set by South Africa’s AB deVilliers which was achieved in 18 innings.

Read more: http://www.bankersadda.com/2017/01/current-affairs-daily-gk-update-24th.html#ixzz4WmwaPUF0

పంచాయితీ సెక్ర‌ట‌రీస్

పంచాయితీ సెక్ర‌ట‌రీస్ - సిల‌బ‌స్ తెలుగులో . . .
స్క్రీనింగ్ ప‌రీక్ష సిల‌బ‌స్‌
1. క‌రెంట్ అఫైర్స్ - జాతీయ‌, అంత‌ర్జాతీయ‌, ప్రాంతీయ ఇత‌ర వ‌ర్త‌మాన అంశాలు
2. విఙ్ఞాన శాస్త్రంలోని ప్రాధ‌మిక భావ‌న‌లు, నిత్య‌జీవితంలో విఙ్ఞాన‌శాస్త్రం. సైన్స్ అండ్ టెక్నాల‌జీ విభాగంలో వ‌ర్త‌మాన అంశాలు
3. ఆధునిక భార‌త‌దేశ చ‌రిత్ర‌, భార‌త జాతీయోద్య‌మం
4. స్వాతంత్ర్యానంత‌రం భార‌త‌దేశ ఆర్ధికాభివృద్ధి
5. రీజ‌నింగ్‌, ద‌త్తాంశ విశ్లేష‌ణ‌
6. భార‌త రాజ్యాంగం
7. ఆంధ్ర‌ప్ర‌దేశ్ విభ‌జ‌న‌
8. పంచాయితీ రాజ్ వ్య‌వ‌స్థ ఆవిర్భావం
9.పంచాయితీ రాజ్ వ్య‌వ‌స్థ‌లో అమ‌లువుతున్న వివిధ ప‌ధ‌కాలు
10. భార‌త‌దేశంలో గ్రామీణ ఆర్ధిక వ్య‌వ‌స్థ‌
11. మ‌హిళా సాధికార‌త‌, మ‌హిళ‌ల ఆర్ధికాభివృద్ధి, స్వ‌యం స‌హాయ‌క సంఘాలు

IDBI Bank Recruitment 2017

IDBI Bank Recruitment 2017 – Apply Online for 111 Manager, AGM & DGM Posts: IDBI Bank has invited applications for the recruitment of 111 Specialist Officer (Manager, Assistant General Manager (AGM) & Deputy General Manager (DGM)) vacancies for different functional areas. Eligible candidates may apply online from 01-02-2017 to 20-02-2017. Other details like age limit, educational qualification, selection process & how to apply are given below…

IDBI Bank Vacancy Details:
Total No. of Posts: 111
Name of the Posts:
1. Deputy General Manager (Grade D): 13 Posts
2. Assistant General Manager (Grade C): 17 Posts
3. Manager (Grade B): 81 Posts

Age Limit: Candidates age limit should be 18 – 40/ 45 years for Post 1, 20 – 36 years for Post 2, 24 – 32 years for Post 3 as on 01-10-2016. Age relaxation is applicable to SC/ ST/ OBC/ Person with disabilities (PWD)/ Ex-Servicemen as per rules.

Educational Qualification: Candidates should possess Graduation with first class in any stream from a recognized University for Post 1, Graduation in B.Sc Agri or Veterinary Science or in any allied courses in Agri from a recognized University or Graduation in any discipline from a recognized University with Post Graduate qualification as M. Tech. Agri or MBAAgri or M.Sc in relevant discipline for Post 2, Graduation in Law from any recognized University/ Institution for post 3 with relevant experience.

Selection Process: Candidates will be selected based on group discussion & personnel interview for Post 1, online written test, personnel interview for post 2, 3.

Application Fee: Candidates should pay Rs. 150/- (Intimation Charges) for SC/ ST/ PWD candidates and Rs. 700/- (Application fee + Intimation Charges) for all other candidates through online by using Debit Cards (RuPay/ Visa/ MasterCard/ Maestro), Credit Cards, Internet Banking, IMPS, Cash Cards/ Mobile Wallets.

How to Apply: Eligible candidates may apply online through the website www.idbi.com from 01-02-2017 to 20-02-2017.

Important Dates:
Starting Date to Apply Online & Payment of Fee: 01-02-2017.
Last Date to Apply Online & Payment of Fee: 20-02-2017.
Date of Online Test at all centers: 24-03-2017.

Read more: IDBI Bank Recruitment 2017 - Apply Online for 111 Manager, AGM & DGM 
                http://www.freejobalert.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Notification-IDBI-Bank-Manager-AGM-DGM-Posts.pdf

Daily GK Update 23th January, 2017

 Daily GK Update 23th January, 2017

Nation pays homage to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose on his 120th birth anniversary

i.Nation pays homage to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose on his 120th birth anniversary today (23 january 2017). 

ii.It was on this day in 1897, Netaji was born in Cuttack, Odisha. A number of functions have been organised in different parts of the country to mark the occasion. 

iii.In Delhi, floral Tributes will be paid to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the Central Hall of Parliament. Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid rich tribute to Netaji. In a series of tweets, Mr Modi stated that Netaji's valour played a major role in freeing India from colonialism. 

iv.The Prime Minister said, Netaji was a great intellectual who always thought about the interests and well being of the marginalised sections of society. 

Three-Day Arogya Mitra Conference Begins in Silchar, Assam

i.Assam State Governor Banwarilal Purohit inaugurated the Arogya Mitra conference on 21 January 2017 till 23 January 2017 at Silchar.

ii.The three day conference has been organised by the south Assam zone of the NGO, Keshab Smarak Sanskriti Surabhi at the campus of Veterinary College, Ghungoor.Aim of the Conferenc Make available minimum free medical services to the people of isolated and backward places

iii.Make people conscious of their health.Provide special training to the workers, extend social services.

iv.Arrange health check up camps.Aarogya Mitra Seva Kendra have been set up in 701 places to achieve the objective. The conference would see participation by over 1000 people from Barak Valley and adjoining areas.

No More Visa-Free Facility for Indians in Hong Kong

i.Hong Kong has withdrawn the visa-on arrival facility for Indians travelling to Hong Kong effective from January 23, 2017.

ii.From now, the Indian nationals must apply for and successfully complete pre-arrival registration online before they can visit or transit the HKSAR visa-free.

Kerala CM inaugurates ‘Jyothirmaya’

i.Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan  inaugurated the 4 lakh square feet latest IT building, ii.‘Jyothirmaya’ at the Infopark .Dedicating the 9-storeyed building, constructed over six acres of land  80,000 job opportunities will be created when the buildings constructed during second phase of development at Infopark become fully operational.

iii.‘Jyothirmaya’, constructed as part of the second phase of development at Infopark, will generate 4,000 job opportunities in the field of IT sector.

AP govt announces compensation of Rs 5 lakh for families of those who lost lives in Hirakhand Express accident 

i.Andhra Pradesh government have announced a compensation of 5 lakh rupees for the families of those who lost lives in the Hirakhand Express accident and belonging to the state.

ii. Odisha government has also declared a compensation of similar amount for those belonging to Odisha.

iii.State government has also announced free treatment for the injured, who are undergoing treatment at various hospital.Railways has already announced a compensation of 2 lakh rupees to each family of the deceased.

Kwality Ltd Signs MoU with Bank of Baroda for Rs 4000 Cr Loan to Farmers

i.Mumbai based dairy firm Kwality Ltd has signed an MoU with Bank of Baroda on January 20, 2017 to provide Rs. 4000 crore loans to one lakh farmers out of the established networks from whom the company procures milk.

ii.The MoU aims to provide financial assistance to improve socio-economic lives of farmers and encourage them towards digitisation.

100% FDI under consideration in food processing sector

Minister of State for Food Processing Industries Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti stated 100% Foreign Direct Investment in food processing sector is being actively considered by the Union Government. Addressing a conclave organized by the ASSOCHAM in Chennai on the sunrise sector.

Ex-BCCI president Anurag Thakur to head Himachal Olympic Association

Ex-BCCI president Anurag Thakur unanimously elected head of the Himachal Pradesh Olympic Association (HPOA) for a four-year term.Anurag Thakur, who had to step down as BCCI President owing to the Supreme Court ruling on Lodha Committee reforms.

CCI Approves Merging MakeMyTrip with ibibo Group

i.The Competition Commission of India (CCI) approved the proposed merger of online travel firm MakeMyTrip’s Indian travel business with rival Ibibo Group. 

ii.The closing of the transaction is expected to be around January 31, 2017.

TeamIndus proposes nameplate on the Moon for Rs.500

i.A Bengaluru start-up TeamIndus proposes nameplate on the Moon for Rs.500.Indians are being offered the opportunity to leave their name on the moon, for a price

ii.Space start-up TeamIndus will get the names of public ‘donors’ micro-engraved on a small-sized aluminium object, which will be placed on the lunar surface when its lander descends on the moon.

China Commissions its 31st Stealth Warship

i.In a move to rapidly expand its naval fleet, China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy commissioned its 31st stealth warship with the commissioning of the 31st Type—056 class corvette warship, CNS Ezhou, China 

ii.China Commissions its 31st Stealth Warshiphas become the world’s largest fleet of modern corvettes.

2017 World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting Held in Davos, Switzerland

i.The World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2017 was held in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland.

ii.The theme of 47th World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2017 is Responsive and Responsible Leadership.The inaugural had musical concert by violinist Anne- Sophie Mutter.

Ecotourism project set up at Purulia

i.Priya Entertainments Pvt Ltd has set up an ecotourism project at Khairabera, foothills of Baghmundi, in Purulia district of West Bengal.

ii.The adventure camp is located 300 km from the city.Bookings for luxury tents, individual cottages and camping tents can be made through the website, www.ecoadventureresorts.net.

Urdu poet, lyricist Naqsh Lyallpuri dies at 88

i.Renowned Urdu poet Naqsh Lyallpuri died at his residence on the morning according to his family. 

ii.He was aged 88.Born in Llallpur in the part of Punjab now in Pakistan, Lyallpuri came to Mumbai in the late 1940s to make a career in Hindi cinema.

Sunish wins ITF Juniors title

i.Dhruv Sunish finally got the taste of ITF Juniors title when he won the boys singles crown downing Kazakhstan's Dostanbek Tashbulatov at the Dakshin Kalikata Sansad clay courts

ii.The under-18 India number two, who had lost in the finals of the Chandigarh Grade 3 ITF Juniors in the first week of 2017 and 2 ITF Juniors in 2016, played flawless to drub the Kazakh 6-2  6-3

GK Power Capsule for RBI Assistant Mains

http://careerpower.in/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/FINAL-GK-POWER-CAPSULE-FOR-RBI-ASSISTANT-MAINS-2017-BY-GOPAL-SIR-AND-TEAM.pdf

Current Affairs

Q1. The International Boxing Association or AIBA has unanimously voted to induct the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) as one of its permanent members. Where is the headquarter of AIBA?
Answer: Lausanne, Switzerland

Q2. Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region Dr Jitendra Singh has announced to provide 207 crore rupees for protection and development of the world heritage island Majuli located along river Brahmaputra in ......?
Answer: Assam

Q3. Name the country, which has comissions it's first 7-tonne civil helicopter recently?
Answer: China

Q4. A free instant messaging service for work and business environments, Flock has launched world’s first chat operating system”FlockOS”. Who is the present Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Flock?
Answer: Bhavin Turakhia

Q5. In city the 09th World Confluence of Humanity, Power and Spirituality has been held? 
Answer: New Delhi

Q6. Which state has announced Aerospace and Defence Policy-2016 to attract investment into fields of aerospace and defence design, development and manufacturing in the state recently?
Answer: Gujarat

Q7. Name the player, who capped off a sensational year by being adjudged the ICC Cricketer of the Year to win the prestigious Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy? 
Answer: R Ashwin, India

Q8. Who has been appointed as the new Chief Secretary in Tamil Nadu recently?
Answer: Girija Vaidyanathan

Q9. Finance Ministry has asked Public Sector Banks to restrict fees on payments through Immediate Payment Service (IMPS) and Unified Payments Interface (UPI) to the extent that is applicable for NEFT fund transfer of over 1,000 rupees. NEFT stands for?
Answer: National Electronic Funds Transfer

Q10. In city, ride-hailing service Uber Technologies launched its first fleet of electric cars? 
Answer: Madrid, Spain

Q11. Which country has been opened the world's first solar road made with 30,000 square feet of solar panels?
Answer: France

Q12. Name the actor, who has become the highest advance taxpaying in 2016 (till December 15, 2016)?
Answer: Hrithik Roshan

Q13. Which country has launched atmospheric CO2-monitoring TanSat satellite, in an effort to curb and monitor greenhouse gas emissions? 
Answer: China

Q14. Which Indian city has emerged as the country's most well-read city in the fourth consecutive year with Bengaluru and Mumbai taking the second and third spot, according to Annual Reading Trends Report 2016 by Amazon?  
Answer: New Delhi

Q15. Name the bollywood actor/actress, who has been ranked No. 1 on the fifth Forbes India Celebrity 100 List? 
Answer: Salman Khan

Read more: 

Daily GK Update 22th January, 2017

Himachal Pradesh beats Kerala in learning outcomes: ASER

i. The Annual Status Education Report (ASER) 2016 found that Himachal Pradesh is doing well in many regards, on the education front, as compared to the rest of the states. It has the country’s highest reading and mathematics learning levels, shooting past even Kerala, which has an almost spotless track record of maintaining its position as the most literate state.

ii. Himachal Pradesh has the highest rate of children who can read a standard II level of text in the country. This stands at 47 per cent for standard III level of learning, a 70.5 per cent for standard V and an 87.9 per cent for standard VIII.

Gujarat: Over 3.5 lakh people sing national anthem, set new world record

i. More than 3.5 lakh people in Gujarat’s Rajkot district set a new world record by singing the national anthem at an event. The feat took place at the installation of a Khodiyar goddess idol at the newly-built Khodal Dham temple in the town.

ii. “Over 3.5 lakh people sang the anthem together at the idol installation ritual in the presence of observers from Guinness World Records,” said Hansraj Gajera, a member of Khodal Dham temple trust. The previous record stood for 2,54,537 people singing the national anthem in Bangladesh in 2014.

Bihar forms world’s longest human chain of 11,000 kilometres

i. Bihar on 21st January 2017 claimed to have formed the world's longest human chain, covering an estimated distance of 11,292 kilometres, involving over two crore citizens against alcoholism and liquor. 

ii. Bihar CM Nitish Kumar joined hands with Lalu Prasad and other political party leaders to start the 45-minute-long chain. The previous record was the 1,050-km human chain formed in Bangladesh.

PNB launches Contactless Credit Card

i. In another digitalisation initiative, Punjab National Bank (PNB) has launched a Contactless Credit Card. This new credit card, which has been named PNB Wave N Pay --Contactless Card, was launched by Usha Ananthasubramanian, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, PNB in New Delhi on 21st January 2017.

ii. This card could be used by just waving it across the terminal and the transaction will be through. There is no need to enter any PIN for transactions up to Rs. 2,000.

Special Task Force for women safety reconstituted

i. A special task force (STF) for women safety has been reconstituted under the Chairmanship of Lieutenant Governor (L-G)?Anil Baijal with his approval, the Delhi government’s Home Department said in a communication sent to the Delhi High Court .

ii. The L-G will be chairperson of the special task force and including him there will be 17 members in it. The task force will conduct a meeting in every 15 days. The Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chief Swati Maliwal is also a member of the STF.

With Russia's help, India to increase train speed to 200 kmph

i. Russian Railways is helping India's national transporter increase the speed of its passenger trains up to 200 km per hour. Russian Railways is at present collaborating with Indian Railways on a 575-km stretch between Nagpur and Secunderabad and submitted a preliminary report last week.

ii. To reach the desired speed limit, Russian Railways has proposed several technical and technological solutions, including reconstruction of railway alignment as well as treating the earth bed where there are speed restrictions.

Apple named most innovative company of 2016

i.Technology giant Apple has emerged as the most innovative company for 2016, according to Boston Consulting Group’s (BCG's) annual list which ranks world’s 50 most innovative firms for the 11th straight year. 

ii. Google was ranked second, followed by electric carmaker Tesla on the list. Further, ride-hailing service Uber and home rental platform Airbnb were among the firms included in the list for the first time.

Saina Nehwal wins Malaysian Masters Grand Prix Gold tournament

i. India's ace shuttler Saina Nehwal has won the Malaysia Masters Grand Prix Gold title at Sarawak in Malaysia. Saina, the top seed in the tournament, defeated Pornpawee Chochuwong of Thailand in straight games 22-20, 22-20 

Daily GK

CBDT Clarifies No TDS or Advance Tax Credit for Income under PMGKY

i.The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) on cleared that income declared under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojna (PMGKY) would not be entitled to get any credit by way of advance tax paid or the tax deducted at source (TDS) or tax collected at source (TCS). 

ii.PMGKY was set up to give an opportunity to those who deposited tax-evaded money in bank-demonetised currencies.

iii. It was opened on December 17, 2016 and will remain open till March 31.Under the scheme, a person declaring undisclosed income would need to pay a tax of 30%, in addition to a penalty of 10% and a Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan cess of 33% on the tax.Under the Income Declaration Scheme (‘IDS’), the government has allowed TDS credit in those cases where such credit has not already been claimed in the income-tax return.

Government Launches Web-Portal ‘ShaGun’ for Monitoring Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan

i.The Union Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar launched a dedicated web portal ‘ShaGun’ on  for continuous monitoring of the elementary education scheme Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and promote the development of education sector of India.

 ii.The portal has been developed by World Bank in collaboration with Ministry of Human Resource Development. ShaGun has been coined from the words ‘Shala’ meaning schools and ‘Gunvatta’ meaning quality.

PM to address 3 day National Conference in Kutch

i.Prime Minister Narendra Modi has delivered inaugural address on a three-day National Conference of Central and State Ministers and Secretaries of Tourism, Culture and Sports in Kutch, Gujarat .

ii.He addresses the program through video conferencing and also interact with the participants at the end of the conference

iii. The Conference aims at achieving the necessary convergence among tourism, culture, youth affairs and sports areas and synergy between the Centre and state. 

UDAN scheme set for take off

i.The first flight is likely to take off next month under the government's ambitious regional connectivity scheme UDAN with the AAI receiving 43 initial proposals from 11 bidders for 190 routes under the regional air connectivity scheme UDAN.The scheme UDAN (Ude Desh Ke Aam Naagrik), seeks to boost regional air connectivity and provides various incentives to airlines.

 ii. The fare for a one hour journey of approximately 500 kilometre on a fixed wing aircraft or for a 30 minute journey on a helicopter will be capped at two thousand 500 rupees under the scheme. 

India, UAE to hold 1st strategic dialogue in New Delhi

i.Ahead of the visit of the UAE crown prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan , who will be the Chief Guest at the Republic Day function this year, India UAE is scheduled to hold their first strategic dialogue in New Delhi.

ii.The two countries have been moving closer for security, counter-terrorism, intelligence sharing and trade and during this visit of the Crown Prince , India and UAE will also be looking to boost economic ties. Indians are the largest expatriate community in UAE comprising of nearly 20% of its migrant population.

PM Narendra Modi inaugurates second Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi

i.Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the second edition of Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi . 

ii.The conference has been organized by the Ministry of External Affairs and Delhi based prestigious think tank Observer Research Foundation.The theme of the three day conference is “The New Normal: Multilateralism in a multipolar world”. 

iii.More than 250 participants from 65 countries attended the flagship geo-political conference.

Govt inks MoU with National Yuva Cooperative Society  to set up 1,000 Janaushadhi Kendras

i.The government has signed an agreement with the National Yuva Cooperative Society to set up 1,000 Janaushadhi Kendras across the country and targets to open such medical stores in every block and gram panchayat to provide quality medicines at an affordable price.

ii.At present, 750 Janaushadhi Kendras, providing more than 600 medicines and 150 medical devices, are operational and the target is to open 3,000 by end of this fiscal for achieving health safety, Chemicals and Fertilisers Minister Ananth Kumar stated.

Centre releases Rs 2,207cr to J&K as special assistance during current financial year

i.Centre has sanctioned over 2,207 crore rupees to Jammu and Kashmir as special assistance during current financial year to expedite completion of area-specific schemes. 

ii.This includes over 1093 crore rupees for permanent restoration of damaged structure in the state. 

10th Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) Begins in Jaipur

i.The 10th edition of the Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) was inaugurated  Jaipur Literature Festival at the historic Diggi Palace, Jaipur, Rajasthan jointly by Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, veteran lyricist Gulzar, American poet Anne Waldman and spiritual writer Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev.

ii. The theme of the 10th edition of JLF is The Freedom to Dream India at 70. JLF is considered as the ‘Greatest Literary Show on Earth’The five day event would see the participation by over 250 authors, thinkers, politicians, popular culture icons, speakers, connoisseurs, book lovers among others.

Entrepreneurship Development Scheme inaugurated in Mizoram

i.Mizoram Chief Secretary Lalmalsawma inaugurated the Entrepreneurship Development Scheme (EDS) under the New Economic Development Policy (NEDP).

ii. Lalmalsawma stated that state government gave high priority to entrepreneurship development and has allocated Rs two crore under the NEDP during the current fiscal.

Suresh Prabhu unveils Mission 41k energy plan for Railways

i.Indian railways, minister Suresh Prabhu unveiled Mission 41k, a plan that would save Rs 41,000 crore over 10 years through an integrated energy management system, reported Livemint.

ii.In this initiative, railways will electrify 24,000 km of rail tracks over the next five years by doubling the annual rate of electrification from 2,000 km to 4,000 km in the next two years.

9.2 lakh cr rupees remonetised till date:RBI

i.RBI Governor Urjit Patel appeared before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance and briefed the panel about government's recent decision to demonetise high value currency.

 ii.Mr. Patel informed the committee, headed by Congress leader Veerappa Moily that 9.2 lakh crore rupees in new currency has been introduced in the system after the decision. 

World Bank Sanctions Rs 1,376 Cr For Tripura Power Upgradation

i.Washington based World Bank has sanctioned Rs 1,376 crore for upgradations and improvement of the Tripura power system network on  This was announced by Tripura’s power minister Manik Dey.

ii.The Power Upgradation project is divided into 5 phases. SPML Infra Ltd has got the contract of the first phase with the budget of  Rs 461 crore .A large number of 132 KV and 33 KV substations will be constructed and upgraded under the project across Tripura.

Lloyd’s Gets Final Approval from IRDAI to Open First Branch in India

i.London’s insurance giant Lloyd has received the final approval from the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) on to set up its first branch in India.

ii.The specialist insurance and reinsurance company would open its first branch office in India before April 2017 and will be located at Mumbai. Lloyd’s will bring expertise and specialist capacity to India’s insurance market and work in partnership with local insurance businesses to develop innovative solutions that meet the unique needs of the growing economy.

Delhi Police commissioner Alok Verma appointed next CBI chief

A 3-member committee headed by PM Modi selected Alok Kumar Verma as next CBI chief for a period of 2 years. Verma, a 1979-batch IPS officer, has been Delhi Police chief for the last 11 months. Gujarat-cadre IPS officer Rakesh Asthana was acting as CBI's interim director

Alibaba Becomes Worldwide Sponsor of Olympic Games through 2028

 i.The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Chinese e-commerce firm Alibaba Group entered into a long-term partnership through 2028  at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. This makes Alibaba the worldwide sponsor of Olympic Games through 2028.

ii. The partnership was agreed between IOC President Thomas Bach, Alibaba Group Founder and Executive Chairman Jack Ma and Alibaba Group Chief Executive Officer Daniel Zhang.

 iii.With this Alibaba has become the first company in the world to make a long-term commitment to the IOC through 2028 as well as first Chinese company to commit to the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022. 

Punjab Royals bagged ProWrestling League Season 2 title

i.Punjab Royals have bagged the Pro Wrestling League Season 2 title. 

ii.In the summit clash in New Delhi, the Punjab team beat Haryana Hammers 5-4.Punjab reigned supreme with their foreign imports Vladimir Khinchegashvili, Vasilisa Marzaliuk and Ilias Bekbukatov, besides India's Nirmla and Jitendra doing the damage in the crucial ties of the day. 

iii.Haryana, who had remained undefeated in the tournament, thus failed to cross the last hurdle.