DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS: 12 JAN 2018

DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS: 12 JAN 2018

(DAILY NEWS INDIA)

SHARED BY: WWW.DAILYGK.IN

1.      UIDAI INTRODUCES ‘VIRTUAL ID’ TO STRENGTHEN PRIVACY AND SECURITY OF AADHAAR DATA

i. The Unique Identification Authority of India has introduced a concept of 'Virtual ID' to further strengthen privacy and security of Aadhaar number holders. The Aadhaar number holder can use 'Virtual ID' in place of an Aadhaar number whenever authentication or KYC services are performed.

ii. Aadhaar card holder can generate the Virtual ID from UIDAI website and give for various purposes, including SIM card verification, instead of sharing the actual 12-digit biometric ID.

2.      PRESIDENT RAM NATH KOVIND INAUGURATED 4TH INTERNATIONAL DHARMA DHAMMA CONFERENCE

i. President Ram Nath Kovind inaugurated a 3-day International Dharma-Dhamma conference at Rajgir in Bihar.

ii. The inaugural session was chaired by Mr Kovind. The conference was attended by Sri Lanka’s foreign Minister Tilak Marapana.

3.      JEFF BEZOS BECOMES RICHEST PERSON SURPASSING BILL GATES: BLOOMBERG REPORT

i. Jeff Bezos, founder and CEO of Amazon has become the richest man in the history, overtaking the wealth Bill Gates ever had to his name, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. The Index showed that Bezos' net worth had hit USD 105.1 billion.

ii. According to Forbes' tracker, most of Bezos' wealth comes from his 78.9 million shares of Amazon stock. According to Bloomberg Billionaires Index, the top 3 richest people in the world are Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates and Warren Buffett.

4.      MINISTRY OF RAILWAY LAUNCHES SFOORTI APPLICATION

i. The Ministry of Railways has launched Smart Freight Operation Optimisation & Real Time Information App for Freight Managers which provides features for monitoring and managing freight business using Geographic Information System Views and Dashboard.

ii. The major digital initiative is to help plan the traffic flows and optimize freight operations.

iii. Salient features of SFOORTI Application are as below: With this application, movement of freight trains on Geographic Information System view can be tracked.

iv. Both passenger and freight trains can be tracked over Zones/Divisions/ Sections in single GIS View. Comparative Analysis of Zonal/Divisional Traffic. This app provides a Bird’s eye view of all Freight Assets in a single window.

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DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS: 11 JAN 2018

DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS: 11 JAN 2018

(DAILY NEWS INDIA)

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1.      CABINET APPROVES AMENDMENTS IN FDI POLICY, POLICIES FURTHER LIBERALIZED

i. In the financial year 2016-17, total FDI of US $ 60.08 billion has been received, which is an all-time high. The Cabinet chaired by PM Narendra Modi has approved amendments in FDI Policy and further liberalized few of the policies of FDI.

ii. Key Highlights- 100% FDI under automatic route for Single Brand Retail Trading. Foreign airlines allowed to invest up to 49% under approval route in Air India. Government approval no longer required for FDI in Single Brand Retail Trading.

iii. 100% FDI under automatic route in Construction Development. FIIs/FPIs allowed to invest in Power Exchanges through primary market and Definition of ‘medical devices’ amended in the FDI Policy.

iv. Extant FDI policy on SBRT allows 49% FDI under automatic route, and FDI beyond 49% and up to 100% through Government approval route. It has now been decided to permit 100% FDI under automatic route for SBRT.

v. Civil Aviation: As per the extant policy, foreign airlines are allowed to invest under Government approval route in the capital of Indian companies operating scheduled and non-scheduled air transport services, up to the limit of 49% of their paid-up capital. However, this provision was presently not applicable to Air India, thereby implying that foreign airlines could not invest in Air India. It has now been decided to do away with this restriction and allow foreign airlines to invest up to 49% under approval route in Air India.

vi. Construction Development: Townships, Housing, Built-up Infrastructure and Real Estate Broking Services. It has been decided to clarify that real-estate broking service does not amount to real estate business and is, therefore, eligible for 100% FDI under the automatic route.

vii. Power Exchanges: The extant policy provides for 49% FDI under automatic route in Power Exchanges registered under the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (Power Market) Regulations, 2010. It has now been decided to do away with this provision, thereby allowing FIIs/FPIs to invest in Power Exchanges through the primary market as well.

2.      IMPORTANT CABINET APPROVALS- 10TH JANUARY 2018

i. The Union Cabinet chaired by PM Shri Narendra Modi has given the following set of approvals. The important Cabinet Approvals are given as follows-

The Cabinet has approved- 1. MoU between India and Canada for cooperation in the field of Science & Technology. The MoU will provide a mechanism and help to foster scientific cooperation between R&D and academic institutions of India and Canada.

2. Implementation of CCEA decision on the closure of Tungabhadra Steel Products Limited.

3. Fixed term for Chairperson and Members of the National Trust- Cabinet approved the proposal to amend Section 4(1) and Section 5(1) of the National Trust for the Welfare of Person with Autism, Cerebral Plasy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities Act, 1999 to fix the term of the Chairperson and Members of the Board of National Trust for three years.

3.      PAYTM LAUNCHES INVESTMENT ARM, TO INVEST $10 MILLION

i. Paytm has set up a new entity called Paytm Money Ltd that will offer investment and wealth management products and will invest close to $10 million upfront in the new entity.

ii. Paytm Money is the fourth product from One97’s stable after Paytm Mall, Paytm Payments Bank and Paytm wallet. It will be available as a separate mobile application to users.

4.      KARNATAKA TOPS STATES WITH INVESTMENT INTENTIONS OF RS. 1.49 LAKH CR

i. Karnataka topped all states with investment intentions of Rs. 1.49 lakh cr till October 2017,  according to R V Deshpande, Karnataka Minister for Large, Medium Industries and Infrastructure Development

ii. The investment was 43% of the country's total investment intentions. Karnataka has topped in FDI inflows and has performed well in exports, contributing about 40 percent in electronics and software services.

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DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS: 10 JAN 2018

DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS: 10 JAN 2018

(DAILY NEWS INDIA)

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1.      PM MODI INAUGURATES 1ST PIO PARLIAMENTARY CONFERENCE IN DELHI

i. PM Narendra Modi inaugurates the first Persons of Indian Origin Parliamentary Conference in Delhi on the occasion of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas. The day is celebrated every year to mark the contribution of the overseas Indian community in the development of India.

ii. It also commemorates the return of Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa to Mumbai on 9 January 1915. In the Conference, the biggest delegation was from Guyana with 20 members of parliament and three mayors.

2.      DEFENCE INNOVATION CENTRE TO BE SET UP IN COIMBATORE TO ASSIST SMALL INDUSTRIES

i. Defence Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman announced that a Defence Innovation Centre would be set up by CODISSIA in Coimbatore, to assist small industries in manufacturing components for the defence sector.

ii. Coimbatore District Small Industries Association is a trade organization based in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. CODISSIA will receive initial funding of Rs 20 cr from Union Defence Ministry for setting up the Defence Innovation Centre.

iii. CODISSIA will identify small and micro units as well as start-ups, that can manufacture components required for defence production. Decision to set up this Defence Innovation Centre has been taken in line with Central Government’s “Make in India” programme.

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DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS: 9 JAN 2018

DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS: 9 JAN 2018

(DAILY NEWS INDIA)

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1.      GOVT PROPOSES ROLLING OUT E-SANSAD, E-VIDHAN IN PARLIAMENT & STATE LEGISLATURES

i. 18^th All India Whips’ Conference began in Udaipur, Rajasthan. The 2-day conference was inaugurated by Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Chemicals & Fertilizers, Ananth kumar.

ii. Among other things, rolling out of e-Sansad and e-Vidhan in Parliament and State Legislatures will also be considered during the course of the conference. e-Sansad and e-Vidhan are Government of India’s projects under Digital India, aimed at making the functioning of Parliament and State Legislatures paperless.

iii .Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs is the Nodal Ministry for implementation of e-Sansad and e-Vidhan projects. These projects would not only make the functioning of Parliament and State Legislatures participative, transparent, responsive, productive and more accountable but will also promote Government of India’s  ‘Go Green’ initiative.

2.      INDIAN NAVY SIGNS MOU WITH COCHIN PORT TRUST

i. The Indian Navy has inked an MoU with the Cochin Port Trust, Kerala towards leasing of 228 metres of berths at Mattancherry Wharf for a period of five years.

ii. The MoU has been concluded to cater for the futuristic requirements of the Navy with the sizeable increase in its fleet scheduled in the near future. This is the first time such an agreement has been signed between the Navy and CPT.

3.      BSES LAUNCHES ROOFTOP SOLAR SINGLE-POINT FOR APARTMENT COMPLEXES

i. BSES Rajdhani Power Ltd launched “Solar City Initiative”, aimed to maximise rooftop solar power use in south and west Delhi. Under this initiative, rooftop solar installations will be provided at a single point for the entire apartment complex unlike conventional method of having individual installations.

ii. This initiative has been launched in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development PACE-D and Indo-German Collaboration. Around 150 residential societies will be targeted in the first phase.

iii .From cosumers’ perspective, these installation may lead to monthly saving on bills of about Rs 750 for a period of 25 years

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DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS: 8 JAN 2018

DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS: 8 JAN 2018

(DAILY NEWS INDIA)

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1.      GOVT RELEASES AISHE 2016-17, TAMIL NADU LEADS IN GROSS ENROLMENT RATIO

i. Union Minister of Human Resource Development, Prakash Javadekar released All India Survey on Higher Education report 2016-2017.Among all states, Tamil Nadu topped in terms of Gross Enrolment Ratio in higher education. Tamil Nadu recorded 46.9% GER.

ii. Gross Enrolment Ratio has increased from 24.5% in 2015-16 to 25.2 in 2016-17. GER is a ratio of enrolment in higher education to population in the eligible age group (18-23) years.

iii. Gender Parity Index too has improved from 0.86 to 0.94 for the corresponding period. GPI is a ratio of proportional representation of female and male.

2.      INDIA’S SECOND FTII TO BE SET UP IN ARUNACHAL PRADESH

i. Union Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region, Dr Jitendra Singh announced that Central Government will set up second Film and Television Institute of Indian in Arunachal Pradesh.

ii. This announcement was made by Mr. Singh while addressing ‘Indian Entertainment Industry: Global Leader in Making’ conference organised by Bharat Niti and South India Film Chamber of Commerce in Itanagar.

iii. Objective behind setting up FTII in Arunachal Pradesh is to tap the potential of India’s North Eastern region. FTII in Arunachal Pradesh would be second such institute in the country. The first Film and Television Institute of India is located in Pune.

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Monthly GK Capsules of Dec. 2017

Monthly GK Capsules of  Dec. 2017

Here is the new Monthly GK Capsules. This time we are going to share official PDF file of AAA-Bright Academy which contains Monthly GK updates of Dec. 2017. So if you are preparing for any Government, Bank, Railways, SSC Examination this PDF file is very helpful to you. All the best to all participants for the upcoming Examination.

To Download complete File CLICK HERE

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DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS: 7 JAN 2018

DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS: 7 JAN 2018

(DAILY NEWS INDIA)

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1.      WORLD BOOK FAIR BEGINS IN NEW DELHI WITH FOCUS ON ENVIRONMENT

i. New Delhi World Book Fair 2018 began on January 6 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.

i. The main theme of New Delhi World Book Fair 2018 is ‘Environment and Climate Change’. The theme pavilion (made from environmental-friendly material like bamboo, cane and jute) highlights various environment-related issues like global warming, climate change, water pollution and other relevant matters.

ii. This fair is being jointly organised by the National Book Trust and India Trade Promotion Organisation. It is spread over 30000 sq m space and has more than 1500 stalls.

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DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS: 6 JAN 2018

DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS: 6 JAN 2018

(DAILY NEWS INDIA)

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1.      DEFENCE MINISTRY APPROVES PROJECTS WORTH RS. 2420 CR

i. Union Defence Ministry approved procurement of simulated training solutions for Indian Navy’s P-8I long range maritime patrol aircraft and electronic warfare systems for the Army. Total cost involved in these deals is Rs. 2420 cr.

ii. Simulated training solution for P-8I will be bought from Boeing for Rs. 1949.32 cr. It will come along with 10 year comprehensive maintenance service.

iii. This training solution accurately simulates P-8I aircraft and mission systems and will thereby help Indian Navy train and realistically rehearse for sophisticated missions in a cost effective manner.

iii. The second proposal is for Low Intensity Conflict Electronic Warfare System for the Army, which will be procured from Bharat Electronics Limited for Rs. 470 cr.

iv. This system will provide upgraded communications infrastructure to Indian Army and will help to effectively deal with the advanced communications systems being used by terrorist groups.

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DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS: 5 JAN 2018

DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS: 5 JAN 2018

(DAILY NEWS INDIA)

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1.      GOA TO HOST 3RD EDITION OF SCIENCE FILM FESTIVAL

i. Goa will be hosting the 3rd edition of the Science Film Festival of India in January 2018. The festival, titled SCI-FFI Goa, is being organised by the state-based Vidnyan Parishad, Goa Department of Science and Technology.

ii. The competition aims to boost the culture of science films, all the films submitted should be related to science and technology.

2.      2. SUSHMA SWARAJ EMBARKED ON TOUR OF 3 SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS

i. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj left on a 5-day visit to three South East Asian countries – Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia. On the first leg of the visit, Ms Swaraj will reach Thailand and will hold an official meeting with Thai Foreign Affairs Minister Don Pramudwinai.

ii. During the visit to Indonesia, Ms Swaraj will co-chair the 5th meeting of India-Indonesia Joint Commission. In Singapore, the External Affairs Minister will inaugurate the Regional Pravasi Bharatiya Divas of ASEAN countries. She will have bilateral meetings with the leaders in Singapore.

3.      WORLD'S BIGGEST CLEANLINESS SURVEY 'SWACHH SARVEKSHAN 2018' LAUNCHED

i. The world's biggest cleanliness survey 'Swachh Sarvekshan Survey 2018' was launched in India by PM Narendra Modi. It will be conducted from the 4th of January to 10th of March.

ii. The cleanliness survey was launched in 2016 as part of the Swachh Bharat Mission. The main objective of Swachh Survekshan is to encourage large-scale citizen participation and create awareness towards making towns and cities a cleaner and better place to live in.

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DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS: 4 JAN 2018

DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS: 4 JAN 2018

(DAILY NEWS INDIA)

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1.      CABINET APPROVALS ON JANUARY 2018

i. Cabinet approves Agreement between India and Myanmar on Land Border Crossing, Cabinet apprised of the MoU between India and Italy on cooperation in the field of renewable energy.

ii. Cabinet approves MoU between India and Belgium on Cooperation in the field of ICT&E, Cabinet approves MoU between India and Israel on Cooperation in the Oil and Gas Sector.

iii. Cabinet approves MoU between India and ‘Transport for London’, Cabinet approves setting up of new AIIMS in Bilaspur and Cabinet approves Rs 6809-cr Zojila tunnel project in J&K.

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DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS: 3 JAN 2018

DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS: 3 JAN 2018

(DAILY NEWS INDIA)

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1.      CABINET NOD TO INDIA, UK PACT TO IMPROVE PUBLIC TRANSPORT

i. The Cabinet has approved the signing and implementation of the MoU between Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and ‘Transport for London’ to improve public transport in the country.

ii. The MoU is aimed at improving the overall public transport system, improve passenger services and promote the use of high capacity buses in India.

2.      CENTRE UNVEILED CONTOURS OF ‘ELECTORAL BONDS’ SCHEME

i. The Centre unveiled the contours of the ‘Electoral Bonds’ scheme, which seeks to ensure the flow of clean money to political parties, without revealing the donors’ names.

ii. As per the Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, the electoral bonds will be a bearer instrument in the nature of a Promissory Note and an interest-free banking instrument. A citizen of India or a body incorporated in India will be eligible to purchase the bond from specified branches of the State Bank of India.

iii. The bonds can be purchased for any value in multiples of Rs1,000; Rs10,000; Rs1 lakh; Rs10 lakh; and Rs1 cr.

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DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS: 2 JAN 2018

DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS: 2 JAN 2018

(DAILY NEWS INDIA)

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1.      SBI REDUCES BASE RATE AND BENCHMARK PRIME LENDING RATES EACH BY 30 BPS

i. The State Bank of India reduced the base rate and benchmark prime lending rates by 30 basis points each, which will benefit nearly 80 lakh customers on the old pricing regime.

ii. SBI revised down the base rate to 8.65% for existing customers from 8.95%, while the benchmark prime lending rates are down from 13.7 percent, to 13.4%. The one-year MCLR of the bank stands unchanged at 7.95 percent.

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DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS: 1 JAN 2018

DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS: 1 JAN 2018

(DAILY NEWS INDIA)

SHARED BY: WWW.DAILYGK.IN

1.      ASSAM PUBLISHES FIRST DRAFT OF NRC WITH 1.9 CR NAMES

i. Assam State Government has published 1st draft of Supreme Court monitored National Register of Citizens. As per Supreme Court directive, draft NRC for Assam was to be published on or before December 31, 2017.

ii. Registrar General of India, Sailesh has stated that 1st draft of NRC contains names of 1.9 cr applicants. Names of these applicants have been verified out of 3.29 cr population.

iii. NRC application process in Assam started in 2015 with an objective to weed out illegal immigrants from the state. Assam CM, Sarbananda Sonowal has stated that all those individuals whose name did not appear in the draft of the NRC, may submit claims and objections against the same.

2.      NEPAL BANS SOLO CLIMBING ON MOUNT EVEREST

i. Nepal has banned solo climbers from scaling its mountains, including Mount Everest, in a bid to reduce accidents.

ii. The new safety regulations also prohibit double amputee and blind climbers from attempting to reach the summit of the world's highest peak without a valid medical certificate.

3.      JHARKHAND CM LAUNCHES “SAUBHAGYA YOJANA” TO PROVIDE ELECTRICITY TO ALL VILLAGES

i. Jharkhand CM Raghubar Das launched ‘Saubhagya Yojana’, aimed at providing electricity to all the 29376 villages across the state. Currently, 17.64 lakh households in Jharkhand do not have electricity supply. Under ‘Saubhagya Yojana’, all such households will get 24X7 electricity supply by December 2018.

ii. Jharkhand State Government is also putting efforts to provide electricity to cottage industries and agriculture. Under this scheme, above poverty line families would get electricity connection by paying Rs 500 (Rs 50 each month for 10 months).

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