January current affairs 2018 part 1 by Daily Current Affairs

January Current Affairs 2018, Part-I

January Current Affairs 2018 - Part 1 1. Nepal bans solo climbers from Everest ● Nepal has banned solo climbers from scaling its mountains, including Mount Everest, in a bid to reduce accidents. ● The Nepal cabinet has endorsed a revision to the Himalayan nation’s mountaineering regulations, banning solo climbing on its mountains. This is one of a string of measures being flagged ahead of the 2018 spring climbing season. ●

The cabinet also endorsed a ban on double amputee and blind climbers, although Everest has drawn multitudes of mountaineers wanting to overcome their disabilities and achieve the formidable feat.

Important Points: Nepal ➢ Capital: Kathmandu ➢ Currency: Nepalese rupee ➢ Prime minister: Sher Bahadur Deuba ➢ President: Bidhya Devi Bhandari 2. Israel withdraws from UNESCO ● Israel has filed notice to withdraw from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) alongside the United States. ● Israel has blasted UNESCO in recent years over the organisation’s criticism of Israel’s occupation of East Jerusalem and its decision to grant full membership to Palestine in 2011. ●

Both Israel and the US – which filed its own withdrawal notice in October 2017.

Important Points:

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UNESCO ➢ Headquarters: Paris, France ➢ Founded: 16 November 1945, London, United Kingdom ➢ Formation: 16 November 1945 ➢ Heads: Irina Bokova, Audrey Azoulay ➢ Awards: Peabody Award 3. Vinay Sahasrabuddhe named as ICCR chief ● National vice-president of the BJP, Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, who is also a member of Rajya Sabha has been appointed the President of Indian Council of Cultural Relations(ICCR). ● He will replace Lokesh Chandra, who was a scholar and thinker, and had been appointed by the NDA government in October 2014 and has completed his three-year term. ●

Sahasrabuddhe is the vice-president of Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini which is South Asia’s only training and research academy for elected representatives and voluntary social workers.

4. Arunachal Pradesh declared Open Defecation Free ● Arunachal Pradesh has been declared Open Defecation Free. It has become the second state in the North East after Sikkim to achieve the status with the declaration of Upper Subansiri, Siang, and Changlang districts as officially Open Defecation Free. ● Chief Minister Pema Khandu was overwhelmed to find people participating in the construction of toilets even in remote villages along the international borders despite communication bottlenecks, requiring strenuous trekking for days together, carrying construction materials and ration as head-load. ●

The project, undertaken under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin), was carried through after the state government provided an additional incentive of eight thousand

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rupees per toilet, in addition to the state’s matching share and the support given by the Centre, raising the cost to 20,000 rupees. 5. SBI lowers base rate, BPLR by 30 bps; leaves MCLR unchanged ● The State Bank of India ( SBI ) reduced the base rate and benchmark prime lending rates (BPLR) by 30 basis points each, which will benefit nearly 80 lakh customers on the old pricing regime. ● The nation’s largest lender revised down the base rate to 8.65 percent for existing customers from 8.95 percent, while the BPLR is down from 13.70 percent to 13.40 percent. ●

The bank however did not change the marginal cost of funds-based lending rate (MCLR) which would have brought down the cost for all borrowers. The one-year MCLR of the bank stands unchanged at 7.95 percent.

Important Points: ➢ Chairperson: Rajnish Kumar ➢ Headquarters: Mumbai

6. Vijay Keshav Gokhale to be new Foreign Secretary ● Senior diplomat Vijay Keshav Gokhale will succeed Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar as the Foreign Secretary, after the latter completes his tenure on January 28.

completing his tenure on 28.01.2018″. ●

● “The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Gokhale, Secretary (Economic Relations), Ministry of External Affairs as the Foreign Secretary vice Dr. S Jaishankar, who is

Gokhale, who is presently the secretary (economic relations) in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), will serve for a two-year fixed term after his appointment.

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7. Indian golfer Shiv Kapur wins Royal Cup at Pattaya ● Indian golfer Shiv Kapur won the Royal Cup at Pattaya, which is his third Asian Tour title of 2017. The 35-year-old, who had just one win in almost 11 years till April 2017, has now won three times in last eight months. ● Kapur first won on Asian Tour in his debut season in December 2005, but it took more than 11 years and four months for the next Asian Tour win, which came in April 2017. ●

Now, This latest win marks Kapur’s fourth Asian Tour win and sixth international title as he won twice on European Challenge Tour also.

8. Women & Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi to inaugurate online portal NARI ● Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi inaugurate an online portal National Repository of Information for Women (NARI) in New Delhi for the empowerment of women. ● The portal will provide women with easy access to information on government schemes and initiatives for women. ●

The portal summarises over 350 government schemes and other important information. It provides links to the Ministries, Departments and autonomous bodies offering these schemes as well as easy access to online applications and grievance redressal.

9. National Register of Citizens: First draft with 19 million names released ● The first draft of the much-awaited National Register of Citizens (NRC) for Assam has listed 19 million people out of

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the 32.9 million applicants as legal Indian citizens in a massive exercise aimed at identifying illegal immigrants in the state that borders Bangladesh. ●

People flocked to seva kendras across Assam in large numbers since morning to check whether they figured in the list containing the names of those who were recognised as citizens of India in the Supreme Court-monitored exercise.

10. Assamese, Manipuri versions of PM Modi’s Official website launched ● The Assamese and Manipuri language versions of Prime Minister’s Official website- www.pmindia.gov.in were launched. ● The website can now be accessed in Assamese and Manipuri in keeping with the requests from the citizens of the two states. ● Now the PM INDIA website is available in 11 regional languages namely Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil and Telugu in addition to English and Hindi. ●

The initiative is part of the on-going efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reach out to the people and communicate with them in their own language.

11. Pankaj Jain assumes charge as IIFCL Managing Director ● Pankaj Jain, Joint Secretary in the Department of Financial Services (DFS), has assumed charge as the Managing Director of India Infrastructure Finance Company Ltd (IIFCL). ● He will be holding additional charge of IIFCL along with his present position as Joint Secretary at DFS. IIFCL is a state-owned company focused on infrastructure financing and development.

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12. Pakistan approves Chinese yuan for bilateral trade, investment activities ● Pakistan’s central bank has allowed the Chinese yuan to be used for bilateral trade and investment activities, ensuring that imports, exports and financing transactions can be denominated in the Chinese currency. ● The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) stated that the Chinese yuan was an approved foreign currency for denominating foreign currency transactions in Pakistan. ●

“SBP has already put in place the required regulatory framework which facilitates use of yuan in trade and investment transactions”.

Important Point: Pakistan ➢ Capital: Islamabad ➢ Prime minister: Shahid Khaqan Abbasi ➢ President: Mamnoon Hussain ➢ Currency: Pakistani rupee

China ➢ Capital: Beijing ➢ Currency: Yuan Renminbi ➢ President: Xi Jinping 13. Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates introduce VAT for first time ● Value Added Tax (VAT) has been introduced in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates for the first time. ● The 5% levy is being applied to the majority of goods and services.

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Gulf states have long attracted foreign workers with the promise of tax-free living.

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But governments want to increase revenue in the face of lower oil prices.

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The tax kicked in on 1 January in both countries.

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The UAE estimates that in the first year, VAT income will be around 12 billion dirhams (£2.4bn; $3.3bn).

Important Points; Saudi Arabia ➢ Capital: Riyadh ➢ Currency: Saudi riyal ➢ King: Salman of Saudi Arabia United Arab Emirates ➢ Capital: Abu Dhabi ➢ Currency: United Arab Emirates dirham ➢ President: Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan

14. Cruise tourists with e-visa exempted from biometric enrolment ● With a view to promoting cruise tourism in India, cruise tourists with e-visa will now be exempted from the requirement of biometric enrolment till December 31, 2020. ● This will make immigration clearance of such passengers faster, leaving them with more time to spend on shore. ●

The step assumes significance as based on the schedule of arrivals of cruise ships for season 2017-18 and 2019-20, many of the cruise ships coming to India are mega ships with 2,000 -4,000 passengers on board.

15. Sathiyan becomes India’s highest-ranked player in latest ITTF rankings ● G Sathiyan has become India’s highest- ranked player in the latest International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) rankings.

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He surpasses his compatriot the legendary Sharath Kamal. Sathiyan, who was nowhere near the top-100 bracket until a few months ago, is the leader at world No. 49, pushing Kamal to the second spot at 51.

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As for the women, Manika Batra is topping the world chart among Indians at 62, while Mouma Das is ranked 74th and Madhurika Patkar is ranked 81st.

Important points: International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) ➢ Headquarters: Lausanne, Switzerland ➢ President: Thomas Weikert ➢ CEO: Judit Farago ➢ Founded: 1926

16. 171st Araadhanai Music Festival begins in Tamilnadu ● The 171st Araadhanai Music Festival of one of the Trinities of Carnatic music Saint Thyagaraja begins in Thiruvaiyaru, Tamil Nadu. The festival will be inaugurated by Governor Banwarilal Purohit. ● The main function of the festival – the choral singing of Thyagaraja’s five kritis in Ghana ragas. ●

Over 1,000 musicians from all over the world are expected to pay homage to Saint Thyagaraja during the course of the five-day festival.

Important points: Tamil Nadu ➢ Capital: Chennai ➢ Chief Minister: Edappadi K. Palaniswami ➢ Governor: Banwarilal Purohit.

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17. 8% GoI savings bond scheme replaced by one paying 7.75% ● The government replaced its GOI Savings Bonds, 2003, scheme earning eight percent interest per annum by another which has a lower rate of interest at 7.75 percent. ● The government had announced that its GOI Savings Bonds, 2003, will cease subscription from the close of the banking business. ●

“The 8 percent Savings Bonds Scheme, also known as RBI Bonds Scheme, is not being closed. 8 percent Scheme is being replaced by 7.75 percent Savings Bonds Scheme”.

18. UNESCO enters Turkey’s endangered ‘bird language’ in Intangible Cultural Heritage list ● The unusual and very efficient whistle language used as a means of communication by villagers in remote northern Turkey entered the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. ● UNESCO has accepted the “bird language” of Black Sea villagers as an endangered part of world heritage in need of urgent protection. Important points: Turkey ➢ Capital: Ankara ➢ Currency: Turkish lira ➢ President: Recep Tayyip Erdoğan

19. The Centre unveiled the contours of the Electoral Bonds scheme ● The Centre unveiled the contours of the Electoral Bonds scheme, which seeks to

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ensure the flow of clean money to political parties, without revealing the donors’ names. ●

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.

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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.

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The bonds can be purchased for any value in multiples of ₹1,000; ₹10,000; ₹1 lakh; ₹10 lakh; and ₹1 crore.

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The bonds will not carry the name of the payee and will be valid only for 15 days during which it can be used to make a donation only to certain political parties.

20. Six countries enter UN Security Council ● Equatorial Guinea, Ivory Coast, Kuwait, Peru, Poland and the Netherlands formally joined the ranks of the non-permanent members of the UN Security Council to make a difference.

and the United States. ●

● The United Nations Security Council has 15 members, including five with permanent seats who have the power to veto resolutions – Britain, China, France, Russia

The six countries who left the UN Security Council on December 31 are Egypt, Italy, Japan, Senegal, Ukraine and Uruguay.

Important Points: United Nations Security Council ➢ Headquarters: New York City, United States ➢ Head: Koro Bessho ➢ Founded: 24 October 1945

21. GAIL commissions India’s second largest rooftop solar power plant in UP

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State-owned gas utility GAIL India Ltd has commissioned the country’s second largest rooftop solar power plant in Uttar Pradesh.

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The firm has installed a 5.76 MWp (Mega Watt peak) solar plant at its petrochemical complex at Pata in Uttar Pradesh.

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The plant over the roofs of warehouses covers a total area of 65,000 square meters.

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“With an expected PLF of around 15 percent annually, over 79 lakh KWh (or units) of electricity is targeted to be generated for captive use of India’s largest gas-based petrochemicals plant”.

22. Cabinet approves Agreement between India, Myanmar on Land Border Crossing ● The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the Agreement between India and Myanmar on Land Border Crossing. ● The Agreement will facilitate regulation and harmonisation of already existing free movement rights for people ordinarily residing in the border areas of both countries. ●

It will also facilitate movement of people on the basis of valid passports and visas which will enhance economic and social interaction between the two countries.

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The Agreement is an enabling arrangement for movement of people across India-Myanmar border.

Important Points: Myanmar ➢ Capital: Naypyidaw ➢ Currency: Burmese kyat ➢ President: Htin Kyaw ➢ Prime Minister: Aung San Suu Kyi

23. Sushma Swaraj to embark on five-day, three nation-visit ● External Affairs Minister (EAM) Sushma Swaraj, will undertake her first visit

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to three South East Asian countries – Thailand, Indonesia and Singapore. ●

The visit is aimed at giving further boost to bilateral relations the South East Asian countries within the framework of India’s Act East Policy.

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On the first leg of this visit, EAM Swaraj will be in Thailand. She will hold an official meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand Don Pramudwinai.

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During the visit to Indonesia, EAM Swaraj will co-chair the 5th meeting of India-Indonesia Joint Commission.

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Swaraj will inaugurate the Regional Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) of ASEAN countries in Singapore.

24. SBI, NABARD tie up to promote joint liability groups in Bengal ● State Bank of India (SBI) and Nabard have signed an agreement with five NGOs in Bengal for the promotion of 2,500 joint liability groups (JLGs) in select districts of the State. ● JLGs are informal groups of 4-10 members engaged in similar economic activities and willing to jointly undertake the responsibility to repay loans taken by the group from a bank. Important Points: NABARD – National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development ➢ Chairpersons: Harsh Kumar Bhanwala ➢ Headquarters: Mumbai

25. MoU between India and Israel for cooperation in Oil and Gas Sector ● The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Israel on cooperation in oil and gas sector. ● The cooperation envisaged under the agreement will facilitate promotion of investments in each other’s countries,

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technology transfer, R&D, conducting joint studies, capacity building of human resources and collaboration in the area of Start-ups. Important points: Israel ➢ Capital: Jerusalem ➢ Currency: Israeli new shekel ➢ Prime minister: Benjamin Netanyahu ➢ President: Reuven Rivlin

26. Former RAW chief Rajinder Khanna appointed as deputy NSA ● Rajinder Khanna, a former chief of the country’s external intelligence agency RAW, was appointed as the Deputy National Security Adviser (NSA). ● He headed the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) from December 2014 for a fixed two-year period. ● Khanna is at present Officer on Special Duty (Neighbourhood Studies) in the National Security Council Secretariat. 27. IICA, IPPB sign MoU to provide training on payment banking ● Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) and India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) signed an agreement for the training of employees of the latter in the area of payment banking. ● Under the agreement, IICA has been entrusted with the key responsibility of capacity building of IPPB through training of its officials/employees besides providing research support by instituting Research Chairs in the emerging area of payment banking. Important points: ➢ India Post Payments Bank MD & CEO: Suresh Sethi

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28. APGVB introduces Desktop ATMs in rural India ● Andhra Pradesh Grameena Vikas Bank (APGVB) has operationalised it’s first desktop ATM at Kasibugga in Mandi Bazar of Warangal in Telangana. ● At the same time regular bank account holders can withdraw money and do other banking activities. With these ATMs, there will be no need for separate ATM rooms, so there is no security issue. ●

This is another IT initiative that the bank, which is the biggest under the SBI and among the best regional rural banks (RRBs). There

Important Points: Andhra Pradesh Grameena Vikas Bank (APGVB) ➢ Chairman: Shri. V. Narasi Reddy

29. Rs 372.51 crore sanctioned by NABARD to Odisha ● The NABARD has sanctioned Rs 372.51 crore loan assistance under the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) to Odisha towards irrigation and rural bridge projects for the last quarter of this fiscal. ● NABARD has also sanctioned 14 Rural Bridge Projects under Biju Setu Yojana with RIDF loan assistance of Rs 242.34 crore which would add 6222.89 metres of bridge length, benefiting about 4.56 lakh population in 322 villages of the state.

30. RBI puts Allahabad Bank under prompt corrective action ● The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has initiated ‘prompt corrective action’ (PCA) against the Allahabad Bank state-run lender over its high bad loans.

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High net non-performing assets (NPA) and a negative return on assets (ROA) for two years in a row has prompted the action, the bank said in a regulatory filing, although it added the action would help improve its risk management, asset quality and profits.

Important Points: Allahabad Bank ➢ Headquarters: Kolkata ➢ CEO: Usha Ananthasubramanian ➢ Founded: 24 April 1865 31. Health Ministry launches first Online Oncology Tutorial Series ● The Union Health Ministry launched the nation’s first digital Online Oncology Tutorial Series, which aims to train doctors across the country in early detection, prevention, palliation, rehabilitation and treatment of various cancers. ● The digital Online Oncology Tutorial Series has been designed by the Tata Memorial Centre in collaboration with the Union Health Ministry, and is part of a national programme that will be rolled out across the country in collaboration with state governments.

32. India excludes Pakistan from a SAARC initiative ● India has excluded Pakistan from the list of SAARC member countries with which it will be connecting its state-of-the-art National Knowledge Network (NKN) for sharing scientific databases and remote access to advanced research facilities. ● The government has kicked off the process of appointing a telecom company that will connect and extend the NKN to research and education networks in six South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation member states — Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka.

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Pakistan is the only SAARC nation that has been left out of this initiative.

Important Points: SAARC – South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation ➢ Founded: 8 December 1985, Dhaka, Bangladesh ➢ Headquarters: Kathmandu, Nepal 33. World’s biggest cleanliness survey Swachh Sarvekshan 2018 launched ● As announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his 39th edition of ‘Mann ki Baat’, the Survey Swachh Sarvekshan 2018 will be conducted from the 4th of January to 10th of March. ● The Cleanliness Survey 2018 will be the largest in the world which will evaluate achievements in cleanliness level of our urban areas. ●

The main objective of Swachh Survekshan is to encourage large-scale citizen participation and create awareness amongst all sections of society about the importance of working together towards making towns and cities a cleaner and better place to live in.

34. Goa to host third edition of Science Film Festival ● Goa will be hosting the third edition of the Science Film Festival of India between January. ● The festival, titled SCI-FFI Goa, is being organised by the state-based Vidnyan Parishad, Goa’s Department of Science and Technology. ●

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

Important Points: Goa ➢ Capital: Panaji ➢ Chief Minister: Manohar Parrikar

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➢ Governor: Mridula Sinha 35. Meghalaya signs host city contract for 39th National Games ● Meghalaya signed the Host City Contract with the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) for hosting the 39th National Games in 2022. ● The tripartite contract was signed between the IOA, the Meghalaya State Olympic Association and the state government here. ●

Meghalaya had made the bid to host the 39th National Games after successfully co-hosting the South Asian Games 2017.

Important Points: Meghalaya ➢ Capital: Shillong ➢ Chief Minister: Mukul Sangma ➢ Governor: Ganga Prasad 36. Namami Gange projects worth Rs. 295 crore approved by NMCG ● National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) has approved five projects worth Rs. 295.01 crore. ● Three projects pertain to sewage management in West Bengal at an estimated cost of Rs 278.6 crore, one relates to sewage management in Uttarakhand at an estimated cost of Rs 4.68 crore and one project worth Rs 11.73 crore is related to ghat improvement works in Varanasi. Important Points: ➢ Water Resources and Ganga Rejuvenation Minister: Nitin Gadkari ➢ Minister of Drinking Water and Sanitation: Uma Bharti

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38. SBI may cut minimum balance requirement for savings accounts ● The State Bank of India (SBI) is planning to trim its minimum balance requirement. The minimum balance limit is currently Rs 3,000 in urban centres. ● SBI had originally increased the minimum balance requirement to Rs 5,000 in June. ● However, following public backlash the bank brought down the minimum balance requirement to Rs 3,000 in metros, Rs 2,000 in semi-urban and Rs 1,000 in rural centres. Important points: ➢ SBI Chairperson: Rajnish Kumar ➢ SBI Headquarters: Mumbai 39. India’s Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in higher education up by 0.7% ● The country’s Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in higher education has registered an increase from 24.5% in 2015-16 to 25.2% in 2016-17, according to the latest edition of the All India Higher Education Survey (AIHES) launched by Union Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Prakash Javadekar. ●

Although India aims to attain a GER of 30% by 2020, it’s still much behind countries like China, which, currently, boasts an enrolment ratio of 43.39%. USA’s GER is 85.8% and Pakistan’s is 9.93%.

40. RBI Introduces Rs 10 banknote in Mahatma Gandhi (New) Series ● After introducing new Rs 2,000 notes and colourful Rs 200, Rs 50 notes, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) confirmed that it will shortly issue new banknotes in the Rs 10 denomination.

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The Reserve Bank of India will shortly issue Rs 10 denomination banknotes in the Mahatma Gandhi (New) Series.

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The new denomination has the motif of Sun Temple, Konark on the reverse, depicting the country’s cultural heritage. The base colour of the note is Chocolate Brown.

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Dimensions of the note are 63mmx123mm, as opposed to the older notes 63mmx137mm.

41. India’s GDP growth forecasted at 6.5% for 2017-18: CSO ● The Central Statistics Office (CSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation has released the First Advance estimates of national income at constant (2011-12) and current prices, for the financial year 2017-18, forecasting the GDP growth at 6.5% for 2017-18 compared with the growth of 7.1% in 2016-17. ●

The Real Gross Value Added (GVA) at basic constant prices (2011-12) is anticipated to increase 6.1% in 2017-18 as against 6.6% growth in 2016-17.

42. Himalayan Hydro Expo 2018 kicked off at Kathmandu ● The Himalayan Hydro Expo 2018 kicked off at Kathmandu, the capital Nepal. President of Nepal Bidya Devi Bhandari inaugurated the exhibition. ● Delegates from various countries including India, China, Austria, Czech Republic and Norway are participating in the expo. ●

The basic objective of Expo is to unleash massive hydropower potential of Nepal and bring all stakeholders under one roof.

Important Points: Nepal ➢ Capital: Kathmandu ➢ Currency: Nepalese rupee ➢ Prime minister: Sher Bahadur Deuba ➢ President: Bidhya Devi Bhandari

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43. Sushma Swaraj co-chairs fifth meeting of India-Indonesia joint Commission ● External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj who is visiting Indonesia as part of her three-nation tour, co-chaired the fifth meeting of the India-Indonesia Joint Commission with her Indonesian counterpart Retno Marsudi. ● The countries are agreed to work together for a balanced and sustainable trade by providing greater market access, both in goods and services.

Important Points: Indonesia ➢ Capital: Jakarta ➢ Currency: Indonesian rupiah ➢ President: Joko Widodo

44. Iceland Becomes 1st Country to Legalise Equal Pay ● Iceland has become the first country in the world to legalise equal pay between men and women. ● Under the new rules, companies and government agencies employing at least 25 people will have to obtain government certification of their equal-pay policies. ● The legislation is basically a mechanism that companies and organisations … evaluate every job that’s being done, and then they get a certification after they confirm the process if they are paying men and women equally. Important Points: Iceland ➢ Capital: Reykjavik

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➢ Currency: Icelandic króna ➢ President: Guðni Th. Jóhannesson

45. Indian-origin banker Ravi Menon named best governor of Asia Pacific ● An Indian-origin banker in Singapore has been named as the best central bank governor in Asia-Pacific for 2018. ● Ravi Menon, managing director of Singapore’s central bank Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), was recognised by the leading UK-based magazine ‘The Banker’ for his contribution in the makeover of Singapore’s financial system. ●

Singapore’s Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat was also named the best banker in 2011. He was then as MAS’s managing director.

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Over the last three years, the central bankers of Vietnam, India and Bangladesh were named for the recognition.

46. TIHCL gets RBI nod to operate as NBFC ● Telangana Industrial Health Clinic Ltd (TIHCL), a State government initiative, has got RBI clearance to register and function as a non-banking finance company (NBFC). ● It will be the first State promoted and co-financing NBFC. ● It had won the SKOCH Platinum Award in September 2017 under the smart governance category in the MSME segment.

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47. Mamata Banerjee unveils official emblem of West Bengal government ● West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee unveiled the official emblem of the state government, which was recently approved by the Centre. ● The logo highlights the Ashoka emblem on the top with the theme of “Biswa Bangla” at the centre. Banerjee has also contributed to the design of the emblem. Important Points: West Bengal ➢ Capital: Kolkata ➢ Chief Minister: Mamata Banerjee ➢ Governor: Keshari Nath Tripathi

48. Paytm Payments Bank, IndusInd tie-up for fixed deposit facility ● Paytm Payments Bank has partnered Induslnd Bank to introduce a facility to create a fixed deposit when the customer balance exceeds Rs 1 lakh at the end of the day. ● Paytm Payments Bank customers can redeem their deposits instantly, anytime without paying any pre-closure or miscellaneous charges and can earn up to 6.85% annual interest Important points: Paytm ➢ Founder: Vijay Shekhar Sharma ➢ Founded: 2010 ➢ CEO: Vijay Shekhar Sharma ➢ Headquarters: Noida IndusInd Bank ➢ Headquarters: Mumbai ➢ CEO: Romesh Sobti

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➢ Owner: Hinduja Group 49. Elina Svitolina wins Brisbane International for 10th WTA title ● Elina Svitolina secured her first WTA title in Australia with a straight-sets victory in the Brisbane International final, while Nick Kyrgios moved a step closer to claiming his first ATP title on home soil with a semifinal win over defending champion Grigor Dimitrov. ● Third-seeded Svitolina beat Belarusian qualifier Aliaksandra Sasnovich 6-2, 6-1 in a lopsided night final to win her 10th title on the women’s elite tour. ●

Kyrgios hit 19 aces in a 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 win over top-seeded Dimitrov, who was playing his first tournament since winning the season-ending ATP Finals and rising to a career-high No. 3 ranking.

50. Sports Minister Rathore launches ‘Khelo India’ logo ● The vibrant Khelo India logo, reflecting the freshness, agility and vitality of New India was launched at a ceremony by the Union Minister of State ( I/C) Youth Affairs and Sports Rajyavardhan Rathore at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi. ● The logo also conveys an impression of fitness and competitiveness. ●

The three-stroke Khelo India logo, designed by Ogilvy India, has in-built modularity, allowing plenty of adaptability and flexibility into endless pictorial forms.

51. Federer-Bencic lead Switzerland to Hopman Cup title ● Switzerland won their third Hopman Cup as Roger Federer and Belinda Bencic beat

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Germany’s Alexander Zverev and Angelique Kerber 4-3(3) 4-2 in the deciding mixed doubles to secure a 2-1 victory in the final at the Perth Arena. ●

It was Federer’s second Hopman Cup triumph after victory in 2001 alongside then world number one Martina Hingis.

Important Point: Switzerland ➢ Currency: Swiss franc ➢ Capital: Bern

52. Gilles Simon wins inaugural Tata Open Maharashtra Tennis trophy title ● Gilles Simon of France has lifted the inaugural Tata Open Maharashtra Tennis trophy. ● In the summit clash at Balewadi Sports Complex in Pune, the unseeded French player humbled big-serving second-seeded Kevin Anderson in straight sets 7-6, 6-2. Simon is ranked 89 in the world, while Anderson is ranked Fourteen. ●

Simon had knocked out defending champion and third seed Roberto Bautista Agut.

Important Point: Maharashtra ➢ Capital: Mumbai ➢ Chief minister: Devendra Fadnavis ➢ Governor: Chennamaneni Vidyasagar Rao

53. West Bengal bags first prize for implementation of e-tendering process ● West Bengal has acquired the first position for smooth implementation of e-tender process in the state. E-tendre rule for a contract for projects worthy of more than 5 lakhs was started in 2012 in the state to make the process more transparent.

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The main aim was to make tendre process more transparent and mainly corruption-free as many times people pointed the finger to the process for various irregularities. From the first day of 2018, e-tendre has become mandatory in every department.

Important Points: West Bengal ➢ Capital: Kolkata ➢ Chief Minister: Mamata Banerjee ➢ Governor: Keshari Nath Tripathi 54. Golden Globes 2018 list of winners Hollywood stars gathered at the 75th Annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills to celebrate the best of television and film. Seth Meyers hosted the show, where most actors and actresses wore black to protest sexual harassment. List of Golden Globes 2018: MOVIES ● Best motion picture, drama: “Three ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” Best motion picture, musical or comedy: “Lady Bird” Best actress in a motion picture, drama: Frances McDormand, “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” Best actor in a motion picture, drama: Gary Oldman, “Darkest Hour” Best actor in a motion picture, musical or comedy: James Franco, “The Disaster Artist” Best actress in a motion picture, musical or comedy: Saoirse Ronan, “Lady Bird Best supporting actor, any motion picture: Sam Rockwell, “Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri” Best supporting actress, any motion picture: Allison Janney, “I, Tonya” Best director: Guillermo del Toro, “The Shape of Water” Best original score: Alexandre Desplat, “The Shape of Water” Best original song: “This Is Me” (from “The Greatest Showman”) Best Screenplay: Martin McDonagh, “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” Best foreign language film: “In the Fade”

TELEVISION ● Best television series, drama: “The Handmaid’s Tale” ● Best television series, musical or comedy: “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” ● Best limited series or motion picture made for television: “Big Little Lies”

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● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

Best actress in a series, limited series or motion picture made for television: Nicole Kidman, “Big Little Lies” Best actor in a series, limited series or motion picture made for television: Ewan McGregor, “Fargo” Best actress in a television series, drama: Elisabeth Moss, “The Handmaid’s Tale” Best actor in a television series, drama: Sterling K. Brown, “This Is Us” Best actress in a television series, musical or comedy: Rachel Brosnahan, “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” Best actor in a television series, musical or comedy: Aziz Ansari, “Master of None” Best supporting actor in a series, limited series or motion picture made for television: Alexander Skarsgård, “Big Little Lies” Best supporting actress in a series, limited series or motion picture made for television: Laura Dern, “Big Little Lies”

55. Ananthkumar inaugurate 18th All India Whips’ Conference ● Shri Ananthkumar inaugurates the 18th All India Whips’ Conference, which will also consider, inter alia, the rolling out of e-Sansad and e-Vidhan in Parliament and State Legislatures to digitize and make their functioning paperless. ● This Conference is being organized by the Union Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs (MoPA) and the Government of Rajasthan. ●

e-Sansad and e-Vidhan are mission mode projects of Government of India under Digital India, to make the functioning of Parliament and State Legislatures paperless. MoPA is the Nodal Ministry for implementation of both the projects.

56. Saudi Arabia okays India’s plan to ferry Haj pilgrims via sea route ● The Union Minister made the comment after the signing of annual Haj agreement between India and Saudi Arabia in Mecca. ● Saudi Arabia has given its nod to India’s plan to revive the option of ferrying Haj pilgrims via sea route to Jeddah.

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Saudi Arabia has given its nod to revive the option of sending pilgrims by sea route…Officials from both the countries will discuss all the necessary formalities and technicalities so that Haj pilgrimage through sea route can be started in the coming years.

Important: Saudi Arabia ➢ Capital: Riyadh ➢ Currency: Saudi riyal ➢ King: Salman of Saudi Arabia 57. India’s second FTII to be set up in Arunachal Pradesh ● Union Minister Jitendra Singh announced that Arunachal Pradesh would get its first Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), being set up by the Union Government as part of tapping the potential of the Northeastern region. ● This would be the second such one in the country. The first Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) was set up in Pune, an autonomous institute operating under the Information and Broadcasting Ministry. Important points: Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) ➢ Established: 1960 ➢ Chairperson: Anupam Kher ➢ Director: Bhupendra Kainthola Arunachal Pradesh ➢ Capital: Itanagar ➢ Chief Minister: Pema Khandu ➢ Governor: BD Mishra 58. Haryana becomes first state to launch High Risk Pregnancy portal ● Haryana has achieved the distinction of becoming the first state in the country to launch High Risk Pregnancy (HRP) Portal.

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This portal not only helps in early identification of high-risk pregnant cases up to the grass-roots level but also ensures their timely referral to the civil hospitals for further management and delivery by specialists.

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This innovative web application has been designed to track every high-risk pregnant woman till 42 days after delivery, so that she receives adequate treatment during the ante-natal period for the healthy outcome of pregnancy.

Important points: Haryana ➢ Capital: Chandigarh ➢ Chief minister: Manohar Lal Khattar ➢ Governor: Kaptan Singh Solanki 59. Indian Navy & Cochin Port Trust enter into MoU ● The Indian Navy and Cochin Port Trust (CPT) have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding for utilising the Port’s berthing facility at Mattancherry wharf for Naval ships. ● The Indian Navy had requested for an exclusive berthing facility in Cochin Port for berthing their ships during reconstruction period of their berths. ●

In view of the national interest involved, Cochin Port examined the request and decided that Cochin Port’s oldest wharf, Mattancherry Wharf can be spared, since those are not suitable any longer for berthing of big cargo ships due to the limitation of draft and displacement.

Important points: ➢ Cochin Port Chairman in charge: Raveendran P ➢ Chief of the Naval Staff: Sunil Lanba 60. PM Modi to inaugurate first PIO Parliamentary Conference in Delhi ● Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurate the first Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) Parliamentary Conference in the Pravasi Bharatiya Kendra in Delhi on the occasion of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas.

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The day is celebrated every year to mark the contribution of the overseas Indian community in the development of India.

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It also commemorates the return of Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa to Mumbai on 9 January 1915. The biggest delegation will be from Guyana with 20 members of parliament and three mayors.

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The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is held from 7-9 January every year.

61. India’s first multi-petaflop supercomputer ‘Pratyush’ dedicated to nation ● Union Minister of Earth Sciences Dr. Harsh Vardhan dedicated India’s fastest and first multi-petaflop supercomputer to the nation in Pune. ● The supercomputer named as ‘Pratyush’ meaning the Sun, established at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune, will be a national facility for improving weather and climate forecasts and services under the umbrella of the Ministry of Earth Sciences. ●

While inaugurating the facility at IITM, Pune, Dr. Harsh Vardhan said that it will be India’s number one HPC facility in terms of peak capacity and performance.

62. Former WTO chief, UN envoy Peter Sutherland dies at 71 ● Irish businessman and diplomat Peter Sutherland, who was the first director-general of the World Trade Organization and held top posts in the European Union and the United Nations, has died. He was 71. ● Trained as a lawyer, Sutherland was Ireland’s attorney general between 1981 and 1984. He was Ireland’s representative on the European Commission between 1985 and 1989.

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Sutherland became founding director-general of the WTO in 1993.

63. Delhi govt launches common card for bus, metro rides ● Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal launched a common card for rides on public buses and the metro, terming it a big step in the city’s transport sector. ● Delhi is the first city in the country to have a common mobility card, which can at present be used on 200 DTC and 50 cluster buses plying on different routes, apart from metro trains. ●

The card, which will function like a debit card, will be operational in all DTC and cluster buses from 1 April.

64. Philippe Coutinho Is The Second Most Expensive Player After Neymar ● Philippe Coutinho is joining Barcelona after Liverpool agreed to sell the Brazilian in a deal that makes him one of the most expensive players in soccer history. ● Barcelona did not reveal the cost of the deal for the 25-year-old playmaker but a person familiar with the details told The Associated Press that the transfer is worth 160 million euros ($192 million). ●

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment publicly about the deal, which would be a club record for Barcelona

65. Gujarat tops logistics performance index chart ● Gujarat has topped the logistics performance index chart, an indicator of the efficiency of logistical services necessary for promoting exports in particular and economic growth in general according to a Report

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released by Union Minister for Commerce & Industry Suresh Prabhu in New Delhi. ●

Among 22 states, Gujarat is followed by Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra on the index.

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The ranking is based on the analysis of perception with regard to eight parameters, including infrastructure, services, regulatory process and safety of cargo.

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Among the Union Territories, Daman & Diu occupied the top slot followed by Delhi and Chandigarh. As regards the hilly states, Tripura was on top followed by Mizoram and Meghalaya.

66. World Bank projects India’s GDP to growth to pick up to 7.3% in 2018-19 ● The 2018 Global Economics Prospect (GEP) released by the World Bank projects India’s GDP to growth to pick up to 7.3% in 2018-19 and to 7.5% for the next two years. ● In comparison, the figure for the second quarter of the current financial year (July-September 2017) was 6.3%, up from the three-year low of 5.7% in the first quarter. ●

The report pegs overall economic growth for 2017 at 6.7%, despite initial setbacks from demonetisation and introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

Important points: World Bank ➢ President: Jim Yong Kim ➢ CEO: Kristalina Georgieva ➢ Headquarters: Washington, D.C., United States 67. Anchal Thakur bags bronze – India’s 1st international medal in skiing ● Aanchal Thakur bags bronze made history as she won India’s 1st international medal in skiing.

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The 21-year-old Manali resident clinched bronze in the coveted Alpine Ejder 3200 Cup organised by the Federation Internationale de Ski (skiing’s international governing body) at the Palandoken Ski Centre in Erzurum, Turkey. She won the medal in the slalom race category.

68. Railways launches new online vendor registration system ● Research Designs & Standards Organisation (RDSO), (headquartered at Lucknow), the Railways launched new online vendor registration system. ● This new system provides major improvements and paradigm changes in the registration system over the earlier system. ●

Public access to the information, expeditious process completion with defined timelines, simplification of procedures, round-the-year services, availability of all related information on RDSO Website, constant monitoring at all levels, reduction in cycle timelines, regular updating of online data, user-friendly interface etc. are the hallmarks of the new system.

69. Direct tax collection soared 18.2% during April and December 2017 ● Direct tax collection soared 18.2% during April and December of current fiscal at ₹6.56 lakh crore and the provisional numbers for direct tax collection showed an 18.2% growth between April and December. ● The net direct tax collections represent 67% of the total Budget Estimates of direct taxes for FY2017-18 (₹9.8 lakh crore). ●

Gross collections (before adjusting for refunds) have increased by 12.6% to ₹7.68 lakh crore from April to December, 2017.

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Refunds to the tune of ₹1.12 lakh crore have been issued during this period and advance tax collection was up 12.7% at ₹3.18 lakh crore.

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While the growth in corporate income tax advance tax is 10.9%, that in personal income tax advance tax is 21.6%.

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70. PNB ties up with NSFDC for assisting SC families ● PNB and NSFDC have tied up to provide financial assistance for economic empowerment of persons belonging to Scheduled Caste (SC) families living below Double Poverty Line (DPL). ● A Memorandum of Agreement to this effect was signed by B.M.Padha, Corporate General Manager, Priority Sector & Financial Inclusion Division, PNB and Devanand, General Manager, NSFDC. ●

Under this tie-up, PNB would act as a channelising agent for the loan schemes of NSFDC.

Important points: NSFDC – National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation Punjab National Bank (PNB) ➢ Headquarters: New Delhi ➢ CEO: Sunil Mehta 71. Matunga station enters Limca Book for all-woman staff ● The Matunga suburban station on the Central Railway (CR) has found its way into the Limca Book of Records for having an all-woman staff. ● The achievement comes six months after Matunga became the first railway station in the country to be run by an all- woman staff. ●

The station is being manned exclusively by women staffers since July 2017, a first on the Indian Railways.

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A team of 41 women staffers at the station includes personnel from the RPF, commercial and operating departments.

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72. Paytm launches investment, wealth management, to invest $10 million ● 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. ● 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. Important points: Paytm ➢ Founder: Vijay Shekhar Sharma ➢ Founded: 2010 ➢ CEO: Vijay Shekhar Sharma ➢ Headquarters: Noida 73. Dilip Asbe appointed as MD and CEO of NPCI ● National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), an umbrella organisation for retail payment systems in India, Dilip Asbe appointed as MD and CEO of NPCI organisation. ● Prior to this, Asbe was CEO-in-charge of NPCI. ● Asbe was appointed CEO-in-charge in August last year. He had come in place of AP Hota. Important Points: NPCI – National Payments Corporation of India ➢ Headquarters: Mumbai ➢ Founded: 2008 74. K Sivan appointed as the new chairman of ISRO ● Renowned scientist K Sivan appointed as the chairman of Indian Space Research

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Organisation (ISRO) to replace AS Kiran Kumar. ●

Sivan, at present Director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre in Thiruvananthapuram, will succeed Kumar (who took over as ISRO chairman on 12 January 2015).

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Sivan is popularly known as the “Rocket Man” for his significant contribution in the development of cryogenic engines for India’s space programme.

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The announcement of Sivan as ISRO chief comes two days ahead of the proposed historic launch of the ISRO’s 100th satellite along with 30 others in a single mission from Sriharikota.

75. Aditya Mehta won the Kolkata Open 2018 ● Professional player Aditya Mehta won the Kolkata Open 2018 International Invitation Snooker Championship here at Hindusthan Club in the city. ● In the thrilling final he defeated Englishman Professional Player Alfie Burden 5-4. Aditya started well with a break of 93 in the opening frame but Alfie countered him with the break of 75 to come at par. ●

Aditya made a remarkable comeback and won three frames in a row to win Kolkata Open 2018. This is his third Kolkata Open title since it’s inception.

76. Kovind inaugurate three-day International Dharma Dhamma conference ● President Ram Nath Kovind inaugurate a three-day International Dharma-Dhamma conference at Rajgir in Bihar. ● The conference has been jointly organised by India Foundation, Nalanda University, Ministry of External Affairs, Asian-India and Vietnamese Buddhist Sangha. ● The inaugural session, which will be chaired by Mr Kovind, will be attended by Sri Lanka’s foreign Minister Tilak Marapana,

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77. UIDAI introduces Virtual ID to strengthen privacy and security of Aadhaar ● The Unique Identification Authority of India, UIDAI introduces Virtual ID to strengthen privacy and security of Aadhaar number holders. ● The Aadhaar number holder can use the Virtual ID in place of an Aadhaar number whenever authentication or KYC services are performed. ●

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.

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The Virtual ID will be a temporary and revocable 16 digit random number mapped to a person’s Aadhaar number.

78. GCCI and South Korea sign MoU for business cooperation ● An official delegation from GCCI and South Korea sign MoU for business cooperation between industries in Gujarat and the East Asian country, with a focus on automobile, defence and textiles sectors. ● The main objective of the MoU is to help Gujarat-based small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to explore opportunities through joint ventures with South Korean firms, especially in areas of automobile, defence and textiles Important Points: GCCI – Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry MoU – memorandum of understanding Gujarat ➢ Capital: Gandhinagar ➢ Chief Minister: Vijay Rupani ➢ Governor: Om Prakash Kohli

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79. Ministry of Railway launches SFOORTI Application In a major digital initiative to help plan the traffic flows and optimize freight operations, Ministry of Railways have launched Smart Freight Operation Optimisation & Real Time Information (SFOORTI) Application for Freight Managers which provides features for monitoring and managing freight business using Geographic Information System (GIS) Views and Dashboard. Salient features of SFOORTI Application are as below: 1. With this application, movement of freight trains on Geographic Information System (GIS) view can be tracked. 2. Both passenger and freight trains can be tracked over Zones/Divisions/ Sections in single GIS View. 3. Freight business can be monitored. 4. Comparative Analysis of Zonal/Divisional Traffic. 5. Analysis of new traffic captured and traffic lost. 6. This app provides a Bird’s eye view of all Freight Assets in a single window. 7. Provides end to end Rake movement on Geospatial view 8. Expected Traffic at Interchange points to evaluate daily performance can be viewed. 9. Performance of each zone and divisions with respect to loading and utilization of freight assets can be viewed. 10. Sectional performance monitoring for sections, divisions and zones shall help in traffic routing.

80. National Youth Day – 12 January ● National Youth Day is celebrated in India when there was a Birthday of the Swami Vivekananda. ● The government has declared National Youth Day from the day of Swami Vivekananda's Birthday and the day is Celebrated as National Youth Day. It is celebrated on the 12th January. ● ●

It is celebrated to create a great awareness amongst the people of India to get them every knowledge about the Importance of the Rite in India. The theme of National Youth Day 2018 – ‘Sankalp Se Siddhi’.

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Important point: ➢ In 1984 the Government of India declared the day as the National Youth Day and since 1985 the event is celebrated in India every year.

81. Harjinder Singh appointed as the Chef de Mission for Winter Olympics ● The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) appointed Harjinder Singh as the Chef De Mission for the 23rd Winter Olympic Games to be held in Pyeongchang. ● Singh currently holds the post of General Secretary in the Ice Hockey Association of India. ● On behalf of the IOA, I am pleased to inform that Harjinder Singh has been appointed as a Chef de Mission of Indian Contingent participating in the Winter Olympics. Important points: Winter Olympics 2018 ➢ Location: Pyeongchang County, South Korea ➢ Host city: Pyeongchang, South Korea ➢ Dates: 9 Feb 2018 – 25 Feb 2018 ➢ Opening ceremony: 9 February ➢ Closing ceremony: 25 February ➢ Stadium: Pyeongchang Olympic Stadium 82. Indian-origin businessman appointed as the WBCSD Chairman ● Singapore-based Indian-origin businessman Sunny Verghese has been appointed as the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) Chairman of the Geneva. ● Verghese, 57, Co-Founder and the CEO of Singapore’s agri-business group Olam International Limited, is the first World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) Chair from the agri-sector.

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He succeeded Paul Polman, the CEO of Unilever, on January 1 and will serve a two-year term.

83. Jeff Bezos has become the richest man in the history ● Jeff Bezos has become the richest man in the history, overtaking the wealth Bill Gates ever had to his name. ● The Bloomberg Billionaires Index showed that Bezos’ net worth had hit USD 105.1 billion. It is USD 106 billion currently. ● According to Forbes’ tracker, Bezos has accumulated USD 104.4 billion as net worth. ●

Most of Bezos’ wealth comes from his 78.9 million shares of Amazon stock, shares of Amazon had risen by 1.4 percent, adding USD 1.4 billion to his net worth.

Important Points: Amazon ➢ Founder: Jeff Bezos ➢ Founded: 5 July 1994, Seattle, Washington, United States ➢ Headquarters: Seattle, Washington, United States 84. ISRO successfully launches 100th satellite Cartosat-2 into orbit ● The Indian Space and Research Organization (ISRO) launched the 100th satellite Cartosat-2 into orbit. ● The Cartosat-2 series satellite took off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota. It is a follow-on mission with the prime objective of providing high-resolution scene-specific spot imagery. ●

The 100th mission is the 42nd flight of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C40).

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It is carrying the 710 kg Cartosat-2 series satellite which consists of special panchromatic and multi-spectral cameras operating in time delay integration mode to deliver high-resolution data.

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Important Points: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) ➢ Headquarters: Bengaluru ➢ Founder: Vikram Sarabhai ➢ Founded: 15 August 1969 ➢ Director: A. S. Kiran Kumar 85. SEBI ban to spell trouble for Price Waterhouse business in India ● The Securities and Exchange Board of India’s (SEBI) two-year ban to spell trouble for Price Waterhouse business in India and is also a signal for the auditing profession to pull its socks up. ● Price Waterhouse, the auditing arm of consultancy firm PwC India, is the auditor for 77 companies listed on National Stock Exchange of India. Important Points: Securities and Exchange Board of India(SEBI) ➢ Chairperson: Ajay Tyagi ➢ Headquarters: Mumbai ➢ Founded: 12 April 1992

86. India tops domestic air passenger traffic demand at 16.4% ● India’s domestic air passenger traffic grew by 16.4 percent in November 2017, topping the growth chart worldwide, global aviation body, the International Air Transport Association. ● Globally, the total revenue passenger kilometres (RPK) increased 8 percent compared to November 2016, the fastest growth rate in five months.

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The available seat kilometres (ASKs) or capacity grew by 6.3 percent.

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The ASK for India was at 10.4 percent, second only to China where capacity grew by 12.9 percent, according to the IATA’s monthly data.

Important points: International Air Transport Association (IATA) ➢ Headquarters: Montreal, Canada ➢ CEO: Alexandre de Juniac ➢ Founded: 19 April 1945, Havana, Cuba 87. Gallup International Survey: PM Narendra Modi Ranked No. 3 among the world’s Top leaders ● Gallup International in its annual survey — Opinion of Global Leaders conducted across 50 nations, PM Narendra Modi Ranked No. 3 among the world’s Top leaders. ● The top spot went to French President Emmanuel Macron (net score 21), followed by German chancellor Angela Merkel (net score of 20). ● PM Modi is ranked at number three (net score 8). The ranking puts PM Modi ahead of the likes of US President Donald Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, UK’s PM Theresa May and Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu. 88. Bhopal Becomes First Railway Station in India to Have Happy Nari Pad Vending Machine ● Bhopal Railway Station has installed an automated sanitary napkin dispenser. ● The machine – aptly named Happy Nari, was set up on January 1, 2018, perhaps the best gift for women travellers. ● The machine was inaugurated by the senior-most Class Four worker, Anjali Thakur, in the presence of other railway officials.

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The machine dispenses two sanitary napkins at a cost of Rs 5. A local voluntary organisation, Aarushi, supported the installation of the machine that has a capacity to store 75 napkins at a time.

89. V J Mathew appointed as Maritime Board Chairman ● The Kerala Cabinet decided to appoint V J Mathew as the Maritime Board Chairman. Prakash Iyer (Kochi), M.P. Shibu (Cherthala), M.K. Uthaman (Alappuzha), and V. Manilal (Kollam) will be the government nominees on the board. ● Mr. Mathew is the legal adviser to Vizhinjam International Seaport Limited and co-president of the Indian Maritime Association.

90. India grants Rs. 288 crore aid to develop Kankesanthurai harbour in Sri Lanka ● India has extended a fresh financial assistance of 280 crores for upgrading Kankesanthurai harbour in northern Sri Lanka into a commercial port and strengthening the country’s efforts to become a regional maritime hub. ● Sri Lankas Ministry of Finance and Export-Import Bank of India (Exim Bank) signed an agreement in this regard on January 10. ●

In terms of the MoU between India and Sri Lanka for rehabilitation of KKS Harbour, four out of the six phases of the rehabilitation have already been completed under Indias grant assistance.

91. China breaks India’s internet monopoly in Nepal ● China on Friday became Nepal’s second internet service provider, breaking India’s

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monopoly in providing internet access to the Himalayan Kingdom. ●

The Hong Kong and Beijing based China Telecom Global (CTG) — a company formed in 2012 — has teamed up with Nepal Telecom to provide alternate cyber-connectivity to Nepal.

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But a new terrestrial fiber cable launched in 2016 by CTG will now connect Nepal and China through the Jilong (Rasuwagadhi) border gateway. Media reports in Nepal say that the new fiber link extends to China’s Hong Kong Data Center — one of Asia’s largest global data centers.

92. South African Pacer Rabada becomes “the youngest No. 1 Test Bowler. ● South Africa pacer Kagiso Rabada becomes the youngest No. 1 Test Bowler. ● He picked up five wickets in the Cape Town Test, has dethroned England’s James Anderson to become the new No.1 bowler in the latest ICC rankings. Rabada became only the seventh South African bowler to top the ICC Rankings. ●

Rabada achieved this feat at the age of 8,261 days, surpassing the record of former England bowler George Lohmann, who became the highest-ranked Test bowler aged 8,288 days in February 1888.

93. India signs an MoU with UK on illegal migrants

● India has signed an MoU with the United Kingdom to enable the return of illegal Indian migrants within a month of their detection by authorities abroad. ● Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju confirmed that the pact was signed by him and UK Minister of State for Immigration Caroline Nokes in Britain.

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94. Kajol named ambassador for Swachh Aadat Swachh Bharat ● Actress Kajol, an active supporter of eradicating preventable deaths from hygiene-related issues, has become an advocacy ambassador for a Swachh Aadat Swachh Bharat initiative. ● Kajol took to Twitter to urge people to become "swachhta doot" and contribute to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. 95. ISRO is set to conduct a bungee jump on Chandrayaan 2 ● Scientists at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) are set to conduct a breathtaking stunt at Mahendragiri hills in Tamil Nadu. A bungee jump is being planned for Chandrayaan-2 craft as part of soft landing tests using a 100-metre tall crane (as tall as a 10-storeyed building) specially built for the purpose. ● Chandrayaan-2 is India’s most ambitious project as yet consisting of an orbiter, lander and a small rover. If it succeeds, it will be India’s first soft-landing on the Moon, and only the second such landing since the end of the Apollo and Luna missions. 96. Trai cuts ISD incoming call termination rate to 30 paise ● The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has decided to revise the termination charge for international incoming call to wireline and wireless from Rs 0.53 per minute to Rs 0.30 per minute."

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Its aim was to stymie the 'menace' of grey route of international calling which it said also posed a 'serious threat' to national security.

97. Facebook co founder Zuckerberg loses 4th richest persons spot to Zara Founder ● Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has lost his place as the world's fourth-richest person to Zara Founder Amancio Ortega. ● Zuckerberg's fortune fell by $3.3 billion after he revealed plans to shift users' News Feed towards content from family and friends, instead of content from publishers and businesses.

98. India contributes $50,000 to UN Youth Envoys office ● India has contributed $50,000 to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres’s Office of Envoy on Youth to help with its mission of involving young people in the world body’s goals. ● The Youth Envoy’s mission is to promote the engagement of youth and advocate for them across all the four pillars of the UN’s work – sustainable development, human rights, peace and security and humanitarian action. 99. WEF Ranks India 30th on Global Manufacturing Index ● The World Economic Forum (WEF) released its Global Manufacturing Index putting India on the 30th position.

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January Current Affairs 2018, Part-I

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Japan topped the rankings on the back of developing the best structure of production in the Geneva-based WEF’s first ‘Readiness for the future of production report’ and is followed by South Korea, Germany, Switzerland, China, Czech Republic, the US, Sweden, Austria and Ireland in the top 10.

100. 70th Army Day Celebrated on 15th January 2018 ● January 15 is observed every year as Army Day in India. ● On this day in 1949, Field Marshal Kodandera M Cariappa took over as the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army from General Sir Francis Butcher, the last British Commander-in-Chief. ●

Army day is dedicated to the soldiers who fought to safeguard the country’s honour. On 70th Army Day, President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted the officers and troops of the Indian Army. Every citizen of the country has “unwavering trust and pride” in the Indian Army. The medals awarded by the President of India for gallantry displayed at the battlefield are: 1. Param Vir Chakra (PVC) 2. Mahavir Chakra (MVC) 3. Vir Chakra 4. Sena Medal, Nao Sena Medal, Vayu Sena Medal 5. Mention in Dispatches 6. Chiefs of Staff Commendation Card The Param Vir Chakra is the highest military award. Subedar Major Bana Singh, Naib Subedar Sanjay Kumar and Subedar Yogendra Singh Yadav are the only living recipients of the Pram Vir Chakra award. So far, the Mahavir Chakra has been awarded to 218 martyrs for their selfless courage in the battlefield. Most Mahavir Chakra medals were awarded after Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. Vir Chakra is third in precedence and was first awarded in 1947 to Nadikerianda Bheemaiah and R Kanikasamy for Kashmir war. The second category, the medals are awarded by the President of India for gallantry displayed away from the battlefield: 1. Ashok Chakra 2. Kirti Chakra 3. Shaurya Chakra 4. Sena Medal, Nao Sena Medal, Vayu Sena Medal 5. Mention in Dispatches 6. Chiefs of Staff Commendation Card

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January Current Affairs 2018, Part-I

101. Anil Khanna to head IOA Finance Commission ● Senior sports administrator Anil Khanna was named Chairman of the Finance Commission of the Indian Olympic Association, which also formed a four- member advisory committee. ● The IOA also formed a Medical Commission and Games Technical Conduct Committee and nominated office bearers of IOA and National Sports Federations (NSFs) to the Committees. ●

The Khanna-led Finance Commission has Sahdev Yadav, Secretary General, Indian Weightlifting Federation and DK Singh, Secretary, Uttarakhand Olympic Association, as members.

102. Federal Bank ties up with Hedge Equities ● Federal Bank has entered into a strategic partnership with Hedge Equities Ltd for providing Portfolio Investment Scheme (PIS) services to NRIs. ● A formal agreement was executed here in which Jose K Mathew (EVP & Head Retail Business, Federal Bank) and Alex Babu (MD, Hedge Equities Ltd) exchanged the MoU announcing the tie-up. 103. IDFC Bank Capital First to merge in Share Swap Deal ● IDFC Bank and Capital First announced that their respective boards of directors at their meetings held on January 13, 2018, approved a merger of Capital First with IDFC Bank.

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IDFC Bank will issue 139 shares for every 10 shares of Capital First. With this move, IDFC Bank has put the failed amalgamation bid with Shriram Group behind it.Pursuant to the merger which is subject to regulatory and shareholder approvals, IDFC Bank will issue 139 shares for every 10 shares of Capital First.

104. Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore launches Khelo India Anthem ● Khelo India School Games 2018, a brainchild of Olympian and sports minister Rajyavardhan Rathore, will be held at multiple venues across Delhi from January 31. ● The union sports ministry’s ambitious programme, ‘Khelo India’ – an initiative to scout for talent at the grassroots and provide it substantial long-term scholarship – will be launched on January 31. ●

Khelo India, for which the government has earmarked R1,756 crore over the next five years, aims to take sports to “all parts of the country.

105. Digital launch of “I4Fund call for proposal” website at India-Israel Business Summit ● Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu launched the maiden call for joint R&D projects under the ‘India-Israel Industrial R&D and Technological Innovation Fund (I4F)’ during the India-Israel Business Summit on Monday in New Delhi.The “I4Fund Call for Proposal” was announced with the joint launch of the website and the unveiling of the brochure by the two PMs. ●

The “India-Israel Industrial R&D and Technological Innovation Fund (I4F)” was announced in July, 2017 during the PM’s visit to Israel. Under this, the Department of Science and Technology, India and the National Innovation Authority of Israel have established a 40 million US dollar Fund.

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January Current Affairs 2018, Part-I

106. 65th meeting of Central Advisory Board of Education held in New Delhi ● The 65th Meeting of the Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE) was held under Chairmanship of Union Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar in New Delhi. ● The Operation Digital Board will be launched in all schools in five years and will be undertaken jointly by Centre, State, Corporate Social Responsibility. 107. India, Israel sign nine agreements to boost cooperation in defence, cybersecurity

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● India, Israel sign nine agreements to boost cooperation including in the areas of cyber security and oil and gas, following delegation-level talks headed by Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Benjamin Netanyahu in Delhi. Here’s the full list. 1. MoU on Cyber Security Cooperation between India and Israel 2. MoU between the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and the Ministry of Energy on Cooperation in Oil and Gas Sector Protocol between India and Israel on Amendments to the Air Transport Agreement Agreement on Film-co-production between India and Israel MoU between the Central Council for Research in Homeopathy, Ministry of AYUSH and the Centre for Integrative Complementary Medicine, Shaare Zedek Medical Center on Cooperation in the field of Research in Homeopathic Medicine MoU between Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) and the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology for cooperation in the field of space Memorandum of Intent between Invest India and Invest in Israel Letter of Intent between IOCL and Phinergy Ltd. For cooperation in the area of metal-air batteries

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January Current Affairs 2018, Part-I

10. Letter of Intent between IOCL and Yeda Research and Development Co Ltd for cooperation in the area of concentrated solar thermal technologies.