DAILY GK 8 APRIL 2019

DAILY GK 8 APRIL 2019

1. MOROCCO –US JOINT EXERCISE AFRICAN LION 2019 STARTED IN MOROCCO

✔The joint military exercise between Morocco and the US, “African Lion 2019,” kicked off in southern Morocco. The exercise marks the participation of thousands of military officers.

✔The exercise will include various types of training including command post, manoeuvring, peacekeeping, operations, and aerial refuelling.

2. SEBI AGREES TO CREATE ‘AIRPORT SPECIFIC FUND’ WORTH RS. 10,000 CRORE

✔Under ‘Category II Alternate Investment Fund’, for the first time SEBI has approved an ‘airport’ specific fund. The name of the fund is ‘Taking off to the Future Airport Fund’. It can raise a capital amounting to 1.5$bn (Rs. 10,000 cr).

✔Gigi George leads the management and operation of ‘Sponsor and Investment Manager’

✔India is presently the third largest aviation market in the world.

3. ‘GLOBAL SLAG COMPANY OF THE YEAR’ AWARD WAS WON BY TATA STEEL

✔Tata Steel has been named as the ‘Global Slag Company of the Year’ at the 14th Global Slag Conference and Exhibition 2019. The conference was held recently in Aachen, Germany.

✔It is one of the largest global annual slag events, attended by major steelmakers, steel mill service providers & associated companies.

4. PALI SCHOLAR DR GYANADITYA SHAKYA HONOURED WITH PRESIDENTIAL AWARD OF MAHARSHI BADRAYAN VYAS SAMMAN 2019

✔Vice President Venkaiah Naidu conferred President’s Certificate of Honour and Maharshi Badrayan Vyas Samman Awards at New Delhi. The award of the Certificate of Honour was introduced in the year 1958 to honour the scholars of Sanskrit, Arabic and Persian Languages.

✔Maharshi Badrayan Vyas Samman distinction is conferred on persons in recognition of their substantial contribution in the field of Sanskrit, Persian, Arabic, Pali, Prakrit, Classical Odiya, Classical Kannada, Classical Telugu and Classical Malayalam. The award was introduced in the year 2002.

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DAILY GK 7 APRIL 2019

DAILY GK 7 APRIL 2019

1. NITI Aayog & Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) ensures success of the FAME II Scheme

Under the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles II (FAME II) scheme, the NITI Aayog and Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) have released a report titled ‘India’s Electric Mobility Transformation: Progress to Date and Future Opportunities’. The report is based on opportunities for the automobile sector and government

. The Indian and global non-profit organisation, Rocky Mountain Institute  is focused on making effective use of the resources by making a total expenditure of Rs. 10,000 crore from three years i.e. 2019 to 2022.

ii. In February 2019, the FAME II scheme  was notified by the Union Cabinet. The objective of the scheme is to enhance the government’s commitment to a clean mobility future with a major focus on electric automobiles.

iii. The FAME II is a vital part of the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan.

iv.The report under the scheme defines:

the direct oil and carbon savings that the FAME II vehicles will bring.

the FAME II incentivized vehicles and the other steps could encourage the Electric Vehicle (EV) market.

In case the FAME II scheme is successful, EV sales penetration of 30% of private cars, 70% of commercial cars, 40% of buses and 80% of two and three-wheelers by 2030, has been approximated in India.

v. The lifetime cumulative oil and carbon savings deployed through the FAME II scheme will be much smaller than the ones deployed through electric automobiles which could amount to a total savings of 846 million tonnes of carbon dioxide. The electric buses covered under FAME II scheme would be able to travel for  3.8 billion vehicle kilometres (e-vkt) over their entire lifetime.

2. First Global Conference on Synergies between the 2030 Agenda and Paris Agreement in Copenhagen, Denmark

The first global multi-stakeholder conference on synergies is summoned by (UN DESA) the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs and the (UN FCCC) United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change between the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on climate change, in Copenhagen, Denmark. It is hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Energy, Utilities and Climate.

i. Before the UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) provides a detailed analysis and review of SDG (Sustainable Development Goal) 13 on climate change in 2019, the conference will serve as an Expert Group Meeting (EGM) on SDG 13 (climate action).

ii. The objective of the Climate and SDGs Synergy Conference is to encourage action around the Sustainable Development Goals and provide strategies for boosting up the connection between the SDGs and climate action. It also focuses on maximising co-benefits by encouraging action from global, regional and country-level stakeholders.

 iii. On 2nd April, 2019, (UNSCN) the United Nations System Standing Committee on Nutrition had hosted an event titled ‘Sustainable diets for healthy people and healthy planet’ . The event proffered a platform for sharing experiences and challenges in upgrading to healthy and sustainable diets. This in turn extends to the alignment of climate and 2030 agendas, namely, SDG 2 and SDG 13.

3. An Overview of ESPN India Awards 2018

The Indian subsidiary of ESPN (Entertainment and Sports Programming Network), ESPN India (espn.in) declared the ESPN India awards for 2018 in which PV Sindhu was conferred with the sportsperson of year award in female category and Neeraj Chopra was conferred with the sportsperson of the year award in Male category.

Award   Winner

Sportsperson of the Year (Male) Neeraj Chopra (Javelin throw)

Sportsperson of the Year (Female)         PV Sindhu (Badminton)

Emerging Sportsperson of the Year        Saurabh Chaudhary (Pistol Shooting)

Coach of the Year         Jaspal Rana (Pistol Shooting)

Comeback of the Year   Saina Nehwal (Badminton)

Match of the Year          Amit Panghal (Boxing)

Team of the Year          Women Table Tennis team

Differently-abled Athlete of the year        Ekta Bhyan (Para-athletics)

Lifetime Achievement award      Pradip Kumar ‘PK’ Banerjee (Football)

Moment of the Year       Women’s 4*400m relay team

4. David Malpass has been elected as World bank President

On 5th April, 2019,Davis Malpass senior Treasury official and staunch supporter of President Donald Trump, was unanimously chosen as the next president of the World bank. He will succeed Jim Yong-Kim.

i. He was born on 8th march 1956 in Michigan

ii. Kristalina Georgieva,chief executive officer of the bank, has been acting as the interim President. Malpass is nominated by Donald Trump.

iii. He is currently serves as Under Secretary of the Treasury for International Affairs and Previously held a senior role in the US State Department for Latin American Affairs.

5. Vikram Kirloskar was designated as president of Confederation of Indian Industry(CII)

On 5th April 2019,Chairman and Managing Director of Kirloskar Systems Ltd, and Vice Chairman of Toyota Kirloskar Motor, Vikram Kirloskar was appointed as the president of Confederation of Indian Industry(CII) for the period 2019-20.

i. He succeeded Rakesh Bharti Mittal who is Vice Chairman of Bharti Enterprises.

ii. He was associated with CII for three decades and has been chairman of Global Innovation and Technology Alliance Board since its inception in 2012-13.

Other Appointments:

i. Uday Kotak, the founder, MD & CEO of Kotak Mahindra Bank was appointed as the President-Designate at the same time CEO & MD of Tata Steel, TV Narendran was designated as the Vice President for 2019-20.

6. Keshav Murugesh takes over as Nasscom Chairman

On 5th April, 2019, NASSCOM (National Association of Software and services companies), an IT industry body has appointed Keshav Murugesh, CEO of WNS Global Services Group as its Chairman for 2019-20. This appointment of the Nasscom Chairman and Vice Chairman is done by the Executive Council.

i. Currently, he was on the positioned as Vice Chairman of Nasscom, and has succeeded Rishad Premji.

ii. Nasscom also designated Pravin Rao, Infosys COO UB as its Vice Chairman for 2019-20.

7. AIFF President, Praful Patel elected as member of FIFA Executive Council

Praful Patel, President of All India Football Federation (AIFF) has been designated to be FIFA Executive Council member. He has become the first Indian to enter the elite panel of the game’s global governing body.

i. A total of five candidates, including Patel, was elected in addition to the AFC president, and one female member.

ii. Patel was one of the 8 candidates vying for the spot in the election, which was held during the 29th AFC (Asian Football Confederation) Congress.

8. Sheikh Salman designated to be president of Asian Football Confederation

On 6th April, 2019, Gianni Infantino, President of FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Association) hailed the re-election of Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, Asian football chief to help the region move forward in stability.

i. Sheikh Salman will extend his term as president until at least 2023.

ii. He Sheikh Salman has returned unopposed in the election after Mohammed Khalfan Al Romaithi and Saoud Al Mohannadi.

9. Earth’s CO2 levels reached 410 ppm, highest in 3 million years

Germany scientists have warned that there is more Carbon dioxide (CO2) in our atmosphere than in the past three million years. The amount of CO2 in the atmosphere has gone “unnatural”.

Key points

i. Research was made by using a new computer simulation at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research in Germany.

ii. CO2 levels should not be higher than 280 ppm without human activity, but currently it’s 410 ppm and rising.

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DAILY GK 6 APRIL 2019

DAILY GK 6 APRIL 2019

1. BSE, INDIA INX BECOME FIRST INDIAN EXCHANGES TO SIGN MOU WITH MOSCOW EXCHANGE

✔BSE (earlier known as Bombay Stock Exchange) and India International Exchange (India INX) have signed a memorandum of understanding with Moscow Exchange (MOEX) to connect investor community and companies in both countries besides allowing a capital formation platform.

✔BSE and India INX are the first Indian exchanges to enter into the MoU with Moscow exchange. The exchange companies have agreed to the secondment of senior personnel to enhance understanding of activities in each other’s market.

2. BSNL GETS LICENCE FOR WIFI ON FLIGHTS

✔State-owned telecom service provider Bharatiya Sanchar Nigam Limited has received a licence from the Department of Telecommunications to provide Internet and mobile services on flights. BSNL and its satellite partner, Inmarsat, will be able to offer in-flight connectivity to airlines.

3. SHAH RUKH KHAN CONFERRED WITH HONORARY DOCTORATE FROM UNIVERSITY OF LAW, LONDON

✔Eminent Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan was conferred with an honorary doctorate in Philanthropy by the University of Law, London. He was awarded this for his efforts to give back to society.

✔Earlier, the actor was also conferred with honorary doctorates from the University of Bedfordshire and the University of Edinburgh.

4. SOUTH KOREA LAUNCHES WORLD’S FIRST NATIONAL 5G NETWORKS

✔South Korea launches the world’s first fully-fledged 5G mobile networks. The system will bring smartphones near-instantaneous connectivity 20 times faster than the existing 4G allowing users to download entire movies in less than a second.

✔It is crucial for the future development of devices ranging from self-driving vehicles that send data traffic to one another in real time, industrial robots, drones and other elements of the Internet of Things.

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CURRENT AFFAIRS QUIZ – 8TH APRIL 2019

CURRENT AFFAIRS QUIZ – 8^TH APRIL 2019

1.        Which city is set to host the NuGen Mobility Summit 2019?

A) Mahendragarh

B) Ghaziabad

C) Bulandshahr

D) Manesar

E) None of these

2.        Which company will launch India’s first AI-enabled electric motorcycle?

A) Mahindra & Mahindra

B) Yamaha Motor Company

C) Enfield Cycle Co. Ltd

D) Revolt Intellicorp Pvt. Ltd.

E) None of these

3.        Name the bollywood actor,who was conferred with an honorary doctorate in Philanthropy by the University of Law, London recently.

A) Amitabh Bachchan

B) Shah Rukh Khan

C) Salman Khan

D) Aamir Khan

E) None of these

4.        Under which project, Indian Navy has initiated the process to build six lethal submarines worth over Rs.50000 crore?

A) Project – 75I

B) Project – 50I

C) Project – 06I

D) Project – 70I

E) None of these

5.        To which country Hayabusa2 spacecraft belongs, which recently dropped an explosive on asteroid for the first time to form a crater?

A) US

B) China

C) Japan

D) Russia

E) None of these

6.        Which village was tagged as India’s first carbon-positive settlement recently?

A) Phayeng, Manipur

B) Mawlynnong, Meghalaya

C) Saiha, Mizoram

D) Lunglei, Mizoram

E) None of these

 

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CURRENT AFFAIRS QUIZ – 6TH APRIL 2019

CURRENT AFFAIRS QUIZ – 6^TH APRIL 2019

1.        Where was the India-Chile Business Forum held?

A) Arica, Chile

B) New Delhi, India

C) Santiago, Chile

D) Mumbai, Maharashtra

E) None of these

2.        Name the organization, which release the report on food crises titled “Global Report on Food Crises” annually.

A) International Food Policy Research Institute(IFPRI)

B) Food and Agriculture Organization(FAO)

C) Food Corporation of India(FCI)

D) Food Security Information Network (FSIN)

E) None of these

3.        Reserve Bank of India has reduced its key policy rate by _________ basis point in order to enhance the growth and private investment?

A) 0.10 basis point

B) 0.25 basis point

C) 0.20 basis point

D) 0.50 basis point

E) None of these

4.        What is the new Repo Rate revised by the six-member monetary policy committee chaired by RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das?

A) 6.00 %

B) 6.25 %

C) 5.75 %

D) 6.50 %

E) None of these

5.        According to the 1st Bi-monthly Monetary Policy Statement for 2019-20, GDP growth of India is projected to _____ per cent by Reserve Bank of India(RBI)?

A) 7.1%

B) 7.4%

C) 7.2%

D) 7%

E) None of these

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DAILY GK 5 APRIL 2019

DAILY GK 5 APRIL 2019

1. 113 MN PEOPLE OF 53 COUNTRIES FACED SEVERE HUNGER IN 2018, AS PER GLOBAL REPORT ON FOOD CRISES 2019

✔According to 2019 Global Report on Food Crises, around 113 million people across 53 countries faced severe huger in 2018.

✔The report examined 53 countries that are vulnerable to food crises and provided the causes of severe food insecurity for 27 countries which were mainly persistent conflict and adverse weather events.

✔The two-thirds of the total numbers of people facing acute food insecurity are in 8 countries viz. Yemen, Congo, Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Syria, Sudan, South Sudan and Northern Nigeria.

2. FITCH KEPT INDIA’S RATING UNCHANGED AT BBB- WITH STABLE OUTLOOK

✔Fitch Rating affirms India’s Rating sovereign rating unchanged at the lowest investment grade of BBB- with a stable outlook. The growth rate of India forecasted by Fitch Is 6.8% in financial year 2019-20 and 7.1% in FY 2020-21.

✔According to Fitch, FDI regulations has been eased and there is reduction in red tape but still there are some difficulties in doing business in India due to which India’s rating is not upgraded.

✔India’s rating is also based on the recent opinion polls which showed that the upcoming government will have smaller majority and due to this it will be difficult for the new government to make majors reforms like Goods and Services Tax.

3. US APPROVES THE SALE OF 24 MH-60 ‘ROMEO’ SEAHAWK HELICOPTERS TO INDIA FOR $2.6 BN

✔At an estimated cost of $2.6 billion, the United States has approved the sale of 24 multi-mission Lockheed Martin-built MH-60 ‘Romeo’ Seahawk helicopters to India. These choppers designed for targeting ships, hunting submarines and conducting search-and-rescue operations at sea would replenish the age-old fleet of British-made Sea King helicopters used by India.

✔This particular sale proposal would help in strengthening the US-India strategic relationship by aiding the foreign policy and the national security of the US.

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CURRENT AFFAIRS QUIZ – 5TH APRIL 2019

CURRENT AFFAIRS QUIZ – 5^TH APRIL 2019

1.        Over which river does the Indian Army constructed longest suspension bridge named ‘Maitri’?

A) Brahmaputra River

B) Yamuna River

C) Indus River

D) Godavari River

E) None of these

2.        Who was the first Indian President to visit Bolivia?

A) A.P.J Abdul Kalam

B) Ram Nath Kovind

C) Pratibha Patil

D) Pranab Mukherjee

E) None of these

3.        Which country has signed the framework agreement to join the International Solar Alliance recently?

A) Bolivia

B) Zambia

C) Vanuatu

D) Tonga

E) None of these

4.        How many MoU’s are signed between India and Bolivia during President Ram Nath Kovind’s visit?

A) 6

B) 7

C) 8

D) 9

E) None of these

5.        Find the name of African country ,which was opted by India to set up India-Africa Institute of Agriculture and Rural Development (IAIARD).

A) Uganda

B) Malawi

C) Nigeria

D) Tanzania

E) None of these

6.        According to U.S based Health Effects Institute(HEI)’s State of Global Air 2019 report, which of the following factor is the third highest cause of death in India?

A) Water Pollution

B) Poverty

C) Food Crisis

D) Air pollution

E) None of these

7.        Which bank becomes the first lender to impose charges On UPI transactions, namely, Paytm, Google Pay, PhonePe?

A) ICICI Bank

B) City Union Bank

C) Kotak Mahindra Bank

D) Lakshmi Vilas Bank

E) None of these

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