GK and Current Affairs Updates

Important Current Affairs 28th January 2018

Current Affairs 28th January 2018: SPORTS NEWS

Saina loses to world no 1, finishes 2nd at Indonesia Masters

●    Saina Nehwal was beaten by current world number one Tai Tzu Ying.
●    She finished as the runner-up at the Indonesia Masters. 
●    This was Saina's first appearance in an international competition final since her title triumph at Malaysia Masters in January last year. 

Current Affairs 28th January 2018: GLOBAL NEWS

World's 1st car to get speeding ticket was going at 13 km/h

●    The first ever instance of a car being charged for speeding occurred on January 28, 1896.
●    Vehicle was travelling at 13 km/h which was four times the allowed limit. 
●    The car was pulled over by a policeman who chased it on a bicycle. 
●    The speed limit was raised to 22.5 km/h soon after the incident.

Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono Hails Indo-Japan Ties In 2017

●    Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono has hailed the remarkable progress of Indo-Japan strategic ties in 2017.
●    He described it as a "great year" for bilateral relations.
●    Kono was speaking at the Republic Day celebration event hosted by India's Ambassador to Japan Sujan R Chinoy at the Indian Embassy yesterday.

Saudi Prince Alwaleed, The 'Warren Buffett Of Saudi Arabia'

●    Prince Alwaleed bin Talal -- the billionaire who has been released after nearly three months in detention -- has been dubbed the "Warren Buffett of Saudi Arabia" for his vast business interests.
●    Prince Alwaleed was the most high-profile detainee among 350 suspects rounded up since November 4 under a sweeping anti-graft campaign.

Current Affairs 28th January 2018: SCHEMES

Govt saved ₹65,000 crore through DBT schemes: NITI Aayog CEO

●    NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant said that the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanism in several government schemes helped the government save around ₹65,000 crore. 
●    He said that all government schemes should be linked to DBT, or else corruption cannot be ended. 
●    At present, about 300 schemes are implemented through DBT,.
●    It will benefit nearly 41 crore people.

Current Affairs 28th January 2018: AGREMENT NEWS

To Boost Influence In Indo-Pacific, India Signs Crucial Deal With Seychelles

●    India has signed an agreement with the Indian Ocean archipelago nation of Seychelles for the development, management, operation and maintenance of facilities on Assumption Island.
●    The island in Seychelles is leased to India for the operation of a naval base and air strip by the Indian navy.
●    Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar and Seychelles Secretary of State Barry Faure signed the agreement.

Current Affairs 28th January 2018: NATIONAL NEWS

Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban Launches Smart Star-Rating for Garbage Free Cities

●    Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of State (I/C) for Housing and Urban Affairs along with the Chief Minister of Goa, Manohar Parrikar launched the ‘Protocol for Star Rating of Garbage-Free Cities’ in Goa. 
●    The star-rating initiative, developed by the Swachh Bharat Mission – Urban will be rating cities on a 7-star rating system based on multiple cleanliness indicators for solid waste management.
●    Cities can be rated as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7 star based on their compliance with the protocol conditions specified for each of the rating. 

International Dam Safety Conference to be held at Thiruvananthapuram

●    India will be hosting the International Dam Safety Conference - 2018 at Thiruvananthapuram on January 23-24. 
●    Shri Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister of Kerala will inaugurate the conference and Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, Union Minister of State for of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation will preside over the inaugural function.  
●    Central Water Commission is organizing the event in association with Kerala Water Resources Department (KWRD), Kerala State Electricity Board, National Institute of Technology Calicut and College of Engineering, Trivandrum.

AYUSH Minister lays foundation stone for Homeopathy Research Institute in Jaipur

●    The Minister of State (IC), for AYUSH, Shri Shripad Yesso Naik laid the foundation stone for Central Research Institute (CRI) in Jaipur 
●    This will be the third CRI under the aegis of Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH).
●    CCRH is an autonomous body of Ministry of AYUSH for undertaking scientific research in Homoeopathy, with 23 institutes across the country. 

Ministry of Railways sets Zero scrap balance target for all Zonal Railways.

●    Earnings from sale of Railway scrap not only augments Railways revenue but also helps in keeping the Railway track, stations, workshops, depots neat and tidy.  
●    In this regard, Ministry of Railways has directed all Zonal Railway & Production units to achieve Zero scrap balance by end of March 2018.  
●    Total scrap sales till December 2017 of current financial year has reached to Rs. 1837 crores which is 22% higher than December 2016.

Election Commission of India Hosts International Conference on ‘Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in the Election Process’ 

●    Election Commission of India (ECI) hosted a one-day International Conference on the subject ‘Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in the Election Process’ in New Delhi.
●    Delegates at the Conference included Chairpersons/Commissioners / Senior Officials of five Election Management Bodies (EMBs) viz. Australia, Bhutan, Guinea, Moldova & Zambia.
●    It will also have heads of two International Organisations, International Foundation of Electoral Systems (IFES) and International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA).

795 Police Officers get Republic Day Police Medals 

●    A total of 795 Police personnel have been awarded Medals on the occasion of the Republic Day this year.  
●    Police Medals for Gallantry (PMG) have been awarded to 107 personnel, President’s Police Medals for Distinguished Service to 75 personnel and Police Medal for Meritorious Service to 613 personnel.
●    Among the 107 Gallantry Awards, 66 are from J&K theatre, 35 from the areas affected by Left Wing Extremism and three from the North-East Region. 

Foundation Stone laid for Rs.3618 crore Doubling with Electrification projects 

●    Union Minister of State of Railways Shri Rajen Gohain laid the foundation stone for Rs.3618 crore Doubling with Electrification projects covering 349 kms in Kanyakumari-Nagercoil-Thiruvananthapuram section.
●    Besides laying the foundation stone for three infrastructural projects, Shri Rajen Gohain inaugurated/dedicated Escalator facility, Wi-Fi services and 100% LED lighting facilities at Nagercoil Junction Railway station.

Current Affairs 28th January 2018: SCIENCE NEWS

Total Eclipse of Moon to take place on January 31

●    A total eclipse of the moon will occur on January 31, 2018.  
●    This is the first eclipse of the year, with a rare coincidence of a blue moon and a super full moon. 
●    The full moon on that day happens to be the second full moon of the calendar month of January, termed as a blue moon.  

Current Affairs 28th January 2018: ECONOMY NEWS

The Government of India announces details of Bank recap and Comprehensive Reform Plan

●    The Government of India unveiled details of the recapitalisation of Public Sector Banks (PSBs) announced in October, 2017.  
●    The capital infusion plan for 2017-18 includes Rs.80,000 crore through Recap Bonds and Rs.8,139 crore as budgetary support.  
●    The reforms agenda is based on the recommendations made at the PSB Manthan held in November, 2017 involving senior management of PSBs and representatives from Government.  

Current Affairs 28th January 2018: APPOINTMENT NEWS

Rawat appointed New Election Commissioner

●    The President appointed the senior-most Election Commissioner, Shri Om Prakash Rawat as the Chief Election Commissioner in the Election Commission. 
●    President also appointed Ashok Lavasa, as the Election Commissioner.
●    Chief Election Commissioner joined office with effect from the 23rd January, 2018
 

Important Current Affairs 27th January 2018

Current Affairs 27th January 2018: NATIONAL NEWS

Discovery on world's rarest fish doubles known population

●    Antonia Cooper and her research team from the University of Tasmania's Institute of Marine and Antarctic Studies and the citizen science program Reef Life Survey, received a tip from the public about a rare species of fish.
●    Within a stretch of reef about the size of a badminton court, they found a total of eight red handfish.

27 newspapers in ASEAN countries publish PM Modi's editorial

●    ASEAN countries joined Modi to mark 25 years of India-ASEAN relations.
●    The prime minister wrote an editorial which was published in 27 newspapers from the 10 ASEAN countries. 
●    The article reflected on the "shared values" and "common destiny" of India and ASEAN nations.

Waste-pickers hoist National Flag at landfill in Delhi

●    Over 100 waste-pickers unfurled the Tricolour at one of the three landfills in Delhi on the Republic Day eve. 
●    The waste-pickers said that they wanted to draw government's attention towards their need for clean and healthy working and living environment.
 

Govt. relaxes Atal pension plan norms

●    The Centre would now allow small finance banks and payment banks to offer the Atal Pension Yojana.
●    It will significantly increase the coverage of the scheme.
●    As of January 23, 2018, there were more than 84 lakh subscribers registered under the APY with an asset base of more than ₹3,194 crore.

Fourteenth Meeting of the Special Committee for Inter-Linking of Rivers held today

●    Union Minister of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation,  Road Transport & Highways and Shipping Shri Nitin Gadkari has called upon state governments to cooperate with one another  and with the centre to expedite the projects for interlinking of rivers. 
●    He was addressing the fourteenth meeting of the Special Committee for Inter-linking of Rivers in New Delhi today. 
●    Gadkari  said that inter-linking of rivers will bring a big social economic change in the country, and usher in prosperity in many regions that are poorly developed today. 

Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas launched Bid Round I under the innovative Open Acreage Licensing Programme in New Delhi 

●    Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) has steered a plethora of reforms in the recent past years. 
●    The Government launched the Bid Round I under Open Acreage Licensing (OAL) Programme for international competitive bidding on 18 January, 2018.
●    The landmark event was presided by Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Shri Dharmendra Pradhan.

Current Affairs 27th January 2018: SPORTS

India beat Japan 4-2 in Four Nations Invitational Tournament

●    Indian men’s hockey team defeated Japan by 4-2.
●    After stunning victories against New Zealand (3-2) and Belgium (5-4), India overcame Japanese challenge.

Khelo India Anthem Scores a Double Century, Crosses 200m reach 

●    The Khelo India Anthem, which was unveiled on 15th January, has crossed an unprecedented reach of 200m reach across digital platforms YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 
●    From Sachin Tendulkar to Amitabh Bachchan, everyone took to their social media channels and praised the effort that has gone behind revamping this program.

Current Affairs 27th January 2018: GLOBAL NEWS

China To Establish International Courts 

●    China has decided to set up three international courts to deal with disputes related to its multi-billion dollar Belt and Road Initiative.
●    Under this initiative, China is making massive investments.
●    The Chinese Supreme People's Court will set up international courts in Beijing, Xi'an.

MoS, Textiles inaugurates 60th edition of India International Garment Fair

●    The 60th edition of India International Garment Fair (IIGF) was inaugurated by Minister of State for Textiles, Ajay Tamta, at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. 
●    The three-day international fair is being held at Hall Nos. 11, 12 & 12A at Pragati Maidan.
●    Speaking on the occasion Chairman, AEPC, Mr. H. K. L Magu expressed satisfaction at the huge transformation the fair and the industry has witnessed in recent years.

International Solar Alliance Forum at World Future Energy Summit, Abu Dhabi

●    On receipt of 15 ratifications, the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Framework Agreement entered into force on 6th December, 2017.
●    So far 19 countries have ratified and 48 countries have signed the ISA Framework Agreement.
●    In one of its first outreach programmes post-ratification, the ISA hosted a two Day Event ‘International Solar Alliance Forum’ during 17-18th January, 2018 at the Future World Energy Summit (WFES) 2018. 

Current Affairs 27th January 2018: SCHEMES

T.N. ranks third in Atal pension scheme

●    Tamil Nadu is the third biggest State in terms of number of subscribers under the Centre’s Atal Pension Yojana. 
●    The State has over 6 lakh subscribers.
●    Uttar Pradesh has about 11.27 lakh.
●    Bihar has over 8 lakh subscribers.

Current Affairs 27th January 2018: ECONOMY

Total milk production registers a growth of 4.7%

●    The Milk production in the country during 2016-17 has achieved a remarkable progress by showing 20.13% growth as compared to 2013-14.  
●    Further, the production have been estimated to be increased by 6.4% in 2016-17 over 2015-16. 
●    In past the growth rate has been 6.3% in 2014-15; 6.3% in 2015-16 and 6.4% in 2016-17. 
 

Current Affairs 27th January 2018: DEFENCE

Raksha Mantri takes to Skies in an IAF Su-30 MKI

●    Raksha Mantri Nirmala Sitharaman took to the skies in the formidable Su-30 MKI fighter aircraft of 31 Squadron. 
●    She is the first woman Defence Minister of India to fly a sortie in an IAF Su-30 MKI fighter aircraft.

Current Affairs 27th January 2018: AWARDS

President of India presents Sangeet Natak Akademi’s fellowships and Akademi Awards for 2016 

●    The President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, presented the Sangeet Natak Akademi’s Fellowships (Akademi Ratna) and Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards (Akademi Puraskar) for the year 2016.
●    He presented it at a function held at Rashtrapati Bhavan today.
●    The President appreciated the Sangeet Natak Akademi for honouring artists who in the field of tribal music, dance, theatre and traditional folk arts.

Important Current Affairs 26th January 2018

Current Affairs 26th January 2018: NATIONAL NEWS

‘India-ASEAN ties to focus on freedom of navigation’

●    Security and freedom of navigation will be in the heart of India-ASEAN cooperation in the twenty-first century.
●    The leaders also agreed on establishing a joint mechanism to ensure safety and freedom of navigation in the maritime domain.
●    The statement on the maritime mechanism is significant as it is the first time that India has taken up forming of a special maritime mechanism with all the ASEAN heads of states at a single summit.

India-ASEAN Friendship at 69th Republic Day Parade

●    Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted 10 leaders of the ASEAN as guests of honour in republic day parade.
●    The Republic Day parade began at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate.
●    The National Anthem was played with a 21-gun salute after the unfurling of the tricolour.

Tatkal passport no longer requires Class 1 officer letter

●    The ministry of external affairs (MEA) has decided to remove requirement of Class 1 officer’s recommendation for the application of a Tatkal passport.
●    Until now, a certificate by a Class 1 officer recommending the passport be issued under the tatkal category was required.
●    As per the new rules in effect from January 25, 2018, this is no longer required.
 

French lawmakers can’t wear religious symbols

●    France's parliament has banned lawmakers from wearing any religious symbols under a new "neutral" dress code.
●    Under the change approved, members of the National Assembly must avoid "the wearing of conspicuous religious symbols, uniforms, logos or commercial messages or political slogans."

Current Affairs 26th January 2018: AWARDS

Padma Shri awarded to one person from each ASEAN country

●    One individual from each ASEAN country has been chosen for the Padma Shri Award.
●    Achievers from ASEAN nations chosen for the Padma Shri are -- Haji Abdullah Bin MalaiHaji Othman of Brunei for medicine; Hun Many of Cambodia for public affairs; Nyoman Nuarta of Indonesia for art; Bounlap Keokangna of Laos for art and Thant Myint-U of Myanmar for public affairs.
●    Others include Jose Ma Joey Concepcion of the Philippines for trade and industry; Tommy Koh of Singapore for public affairs; Somdet Phra Ariya WongsaKhottayan of Thailand who is the Supreme Patriarch of Thailand; and Nguyen Tien Thien of Vietnam who is the Secretary General of the National Vietnam Buddhist Sangha.

3 Padma Vibhushan, 9 Padma Bhushan this year

●    The Government of India announced three Padma Vibhushan, nine Padma Bhushan and 73 Padma Shri Awards for 85 personalities. 
●    This includes a Padma Shri award to an individual from each of the 10 ASEAN countries. 

India's first Paralympic gold medalist awarded Padma Shri

●    India's first Paralympics gold medallist, Pune's Murlikant Petkar, got Padma Shri.
●    It is happening 45 years after he won gold medal in 1972 Paralympics in Heidelberg, Germany.
●    Petkar had won the gold in 50m freestyle swimming with a world record timing of 37.33 seconds.

Rajagopalan Vasudevan wins Padma Shri

●    Rajagopalan Vasudevan, was awarded the Padma Shri.
●    He is also known as 'plastic road-maker of India'.
●    Padma Shri is India's fourth highest civilian honour. 
●    Vasudevan's patented method of turning plastic into roads was used to build 5,000 km of roads.

Current Affairs 26th January 2018: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 

TeamIndus ends ISRO deal 

●    Bengaluru-based aerospace startup TeamIndus, has terminated the launch agreement with ISRO. 
●    This came a day after Google called off the contest saying no team will be able to attempt launch by the deadline. 
●    TeamIndus' deal termination was reportedly attributed to lack of funds, procuring hardware and management issues.

Engineering students to study vedas

●    The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) said that engineering students will study vedas, puranas, and yoga under the revised curriculum.
●    It will start from the next academic session. 
●    The modified course will also focus on Indian philosophical, linguistic and artistic traditions. 

Current Affairs 26th January 2018: SPORTS

MS Dhoni becomes 11th cricketer to be awarded Padma Bhushan

●    Mahendra Singh Dhoni has been awarded the Padma Bhushan.
●    It is the third-highest civilian award in India. 
●    Dhoni is widely regarded as one of the best captains in the history of Indian cricket. 
●    The 36-year-old made his international debut back in 2005, and has led India to glory at the inaugural World T20 in 2007, the ODI World Cup in 2011 and the Champions Trophy in 2013.

Kohli breaks Dhoni's record 

●    Virat Kohli broke MS Dhoni's record for the most Test runs as India captain.
●    Kohli passed Dhoni's tally of 3454.

Saina Nehwal defeats PV Sindhu at Indonesia Masters

●    Saina Nehwal came out with a supreme performance to beat PV Sindhu.
●    She defeated Sindhu with 21-13, 21-19 in 37 minutes.
●    She entered into the semi-finals of the $350,000 Indonesia Open,.

India beat Belgium 5-4 in Four Nations Invitational c'ship

●    India defeated world number three side Belgium 5-4 in their second match in Four Nations Invitational Tournament in New Zealand on Thursday. 
●    For India, Rupinder Pal Singh scored a brace. 
●    India had earlier lost 1-2 to Belgium, the Olympic silver medalists, in the final of the first leg of the tournament.

Current Affairs 26th January 2018: DEFENCE

ITBP tableau returns after 20 years

●    Twenty years after its tableau rolled down the Rajpath, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) returned in Republic Day parade.
●    The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) is the only one among the multiple paramilitary and border guarding forces that will have a tableau in the parade.
●    It was also accompanied by a small marching contingent of personnel wearing winter clothing.

Women BSF bikers participate in R-Day parade

●    The 27-member BSF women daredevils showcased their stunts and acrobatics on their 350cc Royal Enfield Bullet motorcycles. 
●    In 2015, women contingents of the Army, Navy and Air Force had made debut in the national parade. 
●    As per the tradition of the Republic Day parade, the BSF and the Army's bike-borne daredevils, alternatively every year, end the parade riding their bikes.

Eye in the sky' aircraft on R-Day

●    Surveillance aircraft 'Netra', flew over Rajpath for the first time.
●    It is also known as 'eye in the sky'.
●    Netra is an Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft.
●    It has a range of 200-km.

Current Affairs 26th January 2018: GLOBAL NEWS

33% corals in Asia-Pacific entangled with plastic: Survey

●    Scientists have found plastic on one-third of the 159 reefs, with Indonesia having the most plastic and Australia the least. 
●    They are examining over 1,24,000 corals across the Asia-Pacific region.
●    Researchers further found the likelihood of coral disease increased to 89% from 4% in the presence of plastic. 

China Plans 'Polar Silk Road' Across Arctic In Project India Protests

●    China on Friday outlined its ambitions to develop shipping lanes opened up by global warming in the Arctic.
●    Releasing its first official Arctic policy white paper, China said it would form a "Polar Silk Road".
●    China, despite being a non-Arctic state, is increasingly active in the polar region and became an observer member of the Arctic Council in 2013.

Oldest outside-of-Africa modern human fossil discovered

●    The oldest fossils of modern humans outside Africa have been discovered in Israel.
●    The newly revealed jaw and teeth are estimated to be up to 194,000 years old. 
●    This makes these fossils at least 50,000 years older than modern human fossils previously unearthed outside Africa.

Important Current Affairs 25th JANUARY 2018

Current Affairs 25th January 2018: NATIONAL NEWS

Maharashtra bans sale of tobacco at shops selling FMCG items

●    The Maharashtra government announced a ban on sale of tobacco at shops that sell chocolates, chips and other edible items.
●    The move is aimed at ensuring youngsters do not get addicted to tobacco products.

Karnataka registers its first transgender marriage

●    Akkai Padmashali, transwoman and activist, officially registered her marriage with Vasudev V. Surrounded by family and friends.
●    the couple received their certificate from a registry official, who wished them the best of luck.
●    The couple had got married on January 20, 2017.

Sikh community in Mumbai wants separate law for marriage

●    Sikh community in Mumbai wants a separate marriage law on grounds that Sikhism is a separate religion.
●    Delhi government is set to notify rules for Sikh Marriage.
●    Kulwant Singh, vice president, Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Mumbai, said that the community has been backing demands by the committees in Amritsar and Delhi.
 

Current Affairs 25th January 2018: ECONOMY

Govt. unveils Rs. 2.1 lakh crore bank recapitalisation plan

●    The government announced the details of the Rs. 2.1 lakh crore recapitalisation plan for public sector banks.
●    It was announced by the Govt. in October 2017.
●    Recapitalisation package would be spread across the current financial year 2017-18 and the next year 2018-19. 
●    The capital infusion plan for 2017-18 includes Rs. 80,000 crore through recapitalisation bonds and Rs. 8,139 crore as budgetary support.
 

Current Affairs 25th January 2018: GLOBAL NEWS

Kuwait govt. grants general amnesty to expatriates

●    The Kuwait government has granted a general amnesty to expatriates living in that country without valid visas.
●    The amnesty from January 29 to February 22 was granted.
●    Illegal residents or overstaying immigrants could leave the country during the above period through any port without getting permission from any authority and not paying any penalty. 
●    Those who leave the country during the period will be allowed to enter Kuwait again if they meet the regular conditions of entry and not banned for any reason.
 

World's largest diamond was found 113 years ago

●    A 3,106-carat diamond, weighing 1.33 pounds was found in the Premier Mine in Pretoria, South Africa on January 25, 1905. 
●    It was the largest diamond ever found. 
●    Its name was Cullinan.
●    The diamond, which was gifted to Britain's King Edward VII.
●    It was then cut into nine large stones and around 100 smaller stones.

Current Affairs 25th January 2018: OBITUARY 

Veteran actor Krishna Kumari dead

●    T. Krishna Kumari, 84, who acted in over 230 Telugu, Tamil and Kannada films died at her Bengaluru residence.
●    She was suffering from leukaemia.
●    Born in 1933, Krishna Kumari made her debut through Navvithe Navaratnalu , a Telugu movie and worked with N.T. Rama Rao, Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Sivaji Ganesan, Kantha Rao, and Jaggayya. 
●    She gave up acting at the peak of her career to settle down in Bengaluru in a farm on the outskirts of the city
 

Teletubbies' Tinky Winky actor Simon Barnes passes away

●    British actor Simon Shelton Barnes, who played Tinky Winky in the children's television series "Teletubbies," has died. 
●    He was 52.
●    Barnes played one of four gentle, brightly colored characters in the toddler-centric show between 1998 and 2001.

Current Affairs 25th January 2018: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

MHRD confirms IIIT in Raichur

●    The Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) has given the official nod for the much-awaited Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) in Raichur. 
●    The ministry intends to make the institute functional by the coming academic year.
●    This decision comes at the cost of scrapping plans for an IIIT in Kakinada in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh. 
●    IIIT Raichur will replace the earlier proposed IIIT at Kakinada.
 

Current Affairs 25th January 2018: DAYS AND DATES

January 25 is recognised as National Voters' Day

●    National Voters' Day is celebrated on January 25 every year. 
●    The significance of National Voters' Day is to encourage more young voters to take part in the political process. 
●    It is a day to celebrate the right to vote and vibrant democracy of India. 
●    The day was first celebrated in 2011 to mark Election Commission's Foundation Day. 

UP Celebrates Its Foundation Day For First Time In 68 Years

●    Uttar Pradesh celebrated its first birthday at the age of 68 on Wednesday. 
●    Vice President Venkaiah Naidu inaugurated the first 'UP Diwas' to begin the two-day celebrations in Lucknow.
●    Mr Naidu lit the ceremonial lamp in the presence of Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

Current Affairs 25th January 2018: AWARDS

PM Modi presents National Bravery Awards to 18 children

●    Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented the National Bravery Awards to 18 children.
●    7 of them are girls.
●    Three of these awards were presented posthumously.
●    The awards are divided into five categories- Bharat Award, Geeta Chopra Award, Sanjay Chopra Award, Bapu Gaidhani Award, and General National Bravery Awards.
 

Current Affairs 25th January 2018: DEFENCE

SpaceX conducts 1st static fire test of Falcon Heavy rocket

●    SpaceX simultaneously fired up all 27 engines on its new massive Falcon Heavy rocket.
●    It was a crucial final test for the vehicle before its first flight in the coming weeks. 
●    SpaceX CEO Elon Musk confirmed that the test was good, and that the Falcon Heavy will launch in “a week or so.” 

Current Affairs 25th January 2018: SPORTS

Pollard becomes first cricketer to play 400 T20 matches

●    Kieron Pollard has become the first cricketer to play 400 T20 matches.
●    He is west Indies all-rounder.
●    Apart from Melbourne Renegades, Pollard has represented 11 other domestic teams including IPL franchise Mumbai Indians. 
●    Pollard has scored 7,853 runs and taken 245 wickets in 401 T20s so far.

Current Affairs 25th January 2018: SCHEMES 

Helicopter Flights Coming Under Udan Scheme

●    The government awarded contracts to 15 firms to operate flight and chopper services under the second round of its air regional connectivity "Udan" scheme.
●    AAI, issued "Letter of Awards" for 90 proposals involving around 325 regional connectivity routes.
●    According to the minister, Udan-II will connect 43 airports and helipads in priority sectors like the north-east and the hill states.

Important Current Affairs 24th JANUARY 2018

Current Affairs 24th January 2018: NATIONAL NEWS

Kerala issues circular on who can hoist Tricolour on R-Day

●    In a rerun of the last August 15 controversy, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat plans to unfurl the tricolour at a school in Palakkad on the Republic Day.
●    It defies state government's order that allows only the head of the institution to hoist the national flag on January 26.
●    The circular issued by the state says department or office heads can hoist the flag in schools, colleges and health institutions after the Governor hoists the tricolour first at 8.30 am.  

Bihar Government Sanctions Rs. 100 Crore A Year For Minorities

●    The Bihar government allocated Rs. 100 crore per annum for a scheme aimed at employment generation among people from minority communities.
●    The state cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar gave its nod for an amendment in the guidelines for "Mukhayamantri Alpasankhyak Rozgar Rin Yojana".
●    As per the amendment, the state minorities finance commission will be given Rs. 100 crore every year, with effect from the financial year 2017-18.

"Refrain From Using Word Dalit": Madhya Pradesh High Court Tells State Governments

●    The Madhya Pradesh High Court has said the central and state governments should refrain from using the word 'Dalit'.
●    Petitioner's advocate Jitendra Sharma said the "order" is "binding" on the central and state governments. 
●    "The bench has used the term refrain and cautioned them (sic) from using the word Dalit," he said.
●    The court gave its ruling on January 15.

Chittor fort shut for only the 2nd time ever over Padmavat

●    "Padmaavat" may not be released in Rajasthan.
●    This is happening despite a Supreme Court order.
●    The Chittor Fort, has been shut down for a day, for the second time in its centuries-old history.
●    The Karni Sena has threatened that hundreds of women Rajput protesters will commit "Jauhar".

India among 5 worst countries in curbing pollution: Report

●    A new index has ranked India as one of the bottom five countries worldwide in terms of environmental performance.
●    India has slipped from 141 in the last ranking in 2016 to 177 among 180 countries this year.
●    The latest global Environmental Performance Index (EPI) was released by Yale University and Columbia University in collaboration with the World Economic Forum.

77% Indian workers to have vulnerable employment by '19: ILO

●    The Asia-Pacific region will add 23 million jobs between 2017-19, aided by employment growth in South Asian nations, including India, according to the International Labour Organization (ILO).
●    But a lot of the jobs being created are of poor quality despite strong economic growth and some 77% of workers in India will have vulnerable employment by 2019, according to the ILO’s World Employment and Social Outlook report released on Tuesday.

Current Affairs 24th January 2018: AWARDS

Rachel Morrison 1st Oscar nominated female cinematographer

●    "Mudbound" director of photography Rachel Morrison made Oscars history.
●    She became the first woman ever to be nominated for a best cinematography award.
●    This is the second historic nomination that Morrison has garnered for her work on "Mudbound."
●    Before this she became the first female nominee for an American Society of Cinematographers Award for outstanding achievement in a theatrical release.

Current Affairs 24th January 2018: GLOBAL NEWS

China to build 'Great Wall' to prevent militant infiltration

●    China will build a 'Great Wall' along the border of the Muslim-dominated Xinjiang province.
●    It is to prevent infiltration by militants.
●    It was announced by the Xinjiang Governor Shohrat Zakir. 
●    China believes exiled separatists belonging to the minority may have links to groups outside the country. 

AI can raise global employment by 10% by 2022: Report

●    Accenture has estimated that greater investments by companies in artificial intelligence (AI) and human-machine collaboration can raise global employment 10% by 2022.
●    If businesses across the globe invest in AI and human-machine collaboration at the same rate as top-performing companies, they could boost revenue 38% by 2022.

India may get 27% GDP hike if men, women workforce equal: IMF

●    International Monetary Fund (IMF) Chief Christine Lagarde said that India's GDP can grow 27% if women are brought to the same level as men.
●    He was talking in terms of economic and workforce participation. 
●    She also expressed concern over high levels of discrimination faced by women in rural India. 

EU removes Panama, seven others from tax haven blacklist

●    European Union finance ministers agreed to remove eight jurisdictions from the blacklist of tax havens.
●    Barbados, Grenada, South Korea, Macao, Mongolia, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates & Panama were removed from the list.
●    The move is in line with recommendations by EU tax experts in the Code of Conduct Group.

North Korea, US Clash At Disarmament Forum

●    North Korea had a “powerful and reliable” nuclear deterrent to thwart any attack and accused the United States of deploying military assets nearby under the pretext of ensuring security at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.
●    Han Tae Song, North Korea’s Ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, called on the United States to permanently halt its joint military drills with South Korea.

Mysterious 'Hot Jupiter' With Unusual Winds Discovered

●    Astronomers have discovered a mysterious hotspot 930 light years from Earth.
●    Exoplanet CoRoT-2b, discovered a decade ago by a French-led space observatory mission, is also called as "hot Jupiter".
●    Unlike Jupiter, the so-called hot Jupiters circle astonishingly close to their host star.
●    It is so close that it typically takes fewer than three days to complete an orbit.

Chinese Navy Gets New Electronic Warfare Aircraft: Report

●    China has built a new type of electronic warfare aircraft which can cover bigger combat areas such as the South and East China seas.
●    It will enhance the Navy's capabilities in modern warfare.
●    The aircraft developed for 10 years in service is equipped with the Electronic Countermeasures (ECM) pods underneath its wings.

Current Affairs 24th January 2018: SPORTS

Roger Federer reaches his 43rd Grand Slam semi-final

●    Roger Federer swept into a record 14th Australian Open semi-final with an immaculate straight sets win.
●    The 19-time Grand Slam champion, who hasn't lost in five matches against Berdych in Melbourne, will play in his 43rd Grand Slam semi-final.
●    It is a record for the post-1968 Open Era.

B'desh opener sets world record for most ODI runs at 1 venue

●    Bangladesh's Tamim Iqbal, set a world record of most ODI runs on a single venue. 
●    He did it during his 76-run knock against Zimbabwe.
●    Iqbal has hit 2,549 runs in 74 ODIs at Dhaka's Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, while Jayasuriya recorded 2,514 runs at Colombo's Premadasa Stadium. 
●    Iqbal also became the first Bangladeshi to hit 6,000 ODI runs.
 

Important Current Affairs 23rd JANUARY 2018

Current Affairs 23rd January 2018: PERSONS

Former footballer George Weah sworn in as Liberia President

●    Weah, 51, takes over from Nobel laureate Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
●    He ruled for over 12 years.
●    He failed to ease dire poverty.
●    His first priorities, he said, would be to launch a national debate on the fair sharing of resources and root out graft in public institutions.

Current Affairs 23rd January 2018: WORLD NEWS

US govt shutdown ends as Democrats, Republicans reach deal

●    The opposition Democrats reached an agreement with the Republicans to have a debate on immigration so as to end the ongoing federal government shutdown which lasted for three days.
●    Lawmakers in the Senate and the House of Representatives were rushing through procedural legislative motions to fund the spending bill of federal government by a little over two weeks.
●    The necessary legislation is expected to reach the Oval Office desk of US President Donald Trump.

NASA removing astronaut from ISS mission 'racist': Brother

●    NASA’s Jeanette Epps was on track to become the first African-American International Space Station (ISS) crew member. 
●    But the space agency announced it was rearranging their scheduled line-ups and Epps would be replaced by Serena Auñón-Chancellor for the Juno mission.
●    It’s unclear exactly why she was bumped from the mission. 

China invites Latin America to join Belt and Road Initiative

●    China invited Latin American and Caribbean countries to join its "One Belt, One Road" initiative.
●    Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the region was a natural fit for the initiative.
●    China has leveraged this initiative to deepen economic and financial cooperation with developing nations.

Volcanic eruption triggers avalanche in Japan

●    People were killed after the 2,160-metre Kusatsu-Shirane volcano erupted near a Japanese ski resort.
●    It triggered an avalanche. 
●    Volcanic rock and snow engulfed the ski resort.
●    More damage is expected to happen.

Guinness World Record for the largest tin of caviar broken

●    The 50 KG serving of caviar at a gala dinner in became world’s largest caviar tin.
●    It broke previous record which was recorded in 2016 weighing in at 17kg.
●    The 50kg serving was presented to guests in a custom-made, diamond shaped caviar tin coined ‘Cleito’ after the famous goddess known as the ‘Mother of Atlantis’.

Current Affairs 23rd January 2018: AWARDS

SRK honoured with Crystal Award by World Economic Forum

●    Shah Rukh Khan was awarded the Crystal Award.
●    He got this award at the World Economic Forum 2018.
●    This is going on in Davos, Switzerland. 
●    The superstar was awarded this humanitarian award along with Sir Elton John and Cate Blanchett, for his efforts to rehabilitate acid attack survivors through his non-profit organisation, Meer Foundation.

'Sachin: A Billion Dreams' wins 2 awards in Tehran

●    “Sachin: A Billion Dreams”, is a biopic on cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar.
●    It has won two awards at 11th Tehran International FICTS Festival 2018.
●    Helmer James Erskine won the trophy for the Best Director of a Long Documentary and an honorary diploma.
●    Producer Ravi Bhagchandka received the Special Award for the Best Film in the Long Documentary section.

Current Affairs 23rd January 2018: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Canadian PM Justin Trudeau to visit India in February

●    Canadian PM Justin Trudeau's visit to India will take place from February 17 to 23.
●    Apart from New Delhi, Trudeau will be travelling to Agra, Amritsar, Ahmedabad and Mumbai.
●    Cooperation in security and counter-terrorism as well as exchange of views on global and regional issues of mutual interest.

No mediation on Kashmir unless both India, Pak agree: UN

●    The U.N. Secretary-General’s spokesman Stephane Dujarric said that in principle good offices of the U.N. chief are always available for mediation.
●    United Nations chief Antonio Guterres has ruled out any mediation to resolve the Kashmir issue unless all parties agree to it.
●    He also asked India and Pakistan to address their outstanding issues through talks amidst heightened tensions along the border.

Current Affairs 23rd January 2018: NATIONAL NEWS

Subhas Chandra Bose's 121st Birth Anniversary

●    The nation paid rich tributes to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.
●    He is one of India's most celebrated freedom fighters.
●    23rd January was his 121st birth anniversary. 
●    President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to pay their tributes.

Anandiben Patel Takes Oath As Madhya Pradesh Governor

●    Former Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel today took oath as the Governor of Madhya Pradesh.
●    Chief Justice of Madhya Pradesh High Court Justice Hemant Gupta administered the oath of office to Ms Patel in a function at the Raj Bhavan.
●    Parliament Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and his cabinet colleagues were present on the occasion.

India to beat China as fastest growing economy in 2018: IMF

●    India is projected to grow at 7.4% of its gross domestic product (GDP) in 2018 as against China’s 6.8%.
●    The International Monetary Fund (IMF) announced these data.
●    China, during the same period, is expected to grow at 6.8% and 6.4% respectively, the IMF said.

India chose 'reform, perform, transform' route: PM Modi

●    PM Modi addressed World Economic Forum (WEF) in Switzerland's Davos.
●    He said that India has chosen the 'reform, perform, transform' route to revolutionise its economic and social policies. 
●    The improvement in India's ranking reflects its citizens' acceptance of new policies.

Current Affairs 23rd January 2018: SPACE SCIENCE

Changes in Mercury's orbit reveal an ageing Sun: NASA, MIT

●    Mercury is the planet closest to the Sun in the solar system.
●    It has demonstrated the repercussions of an ageing Sun.
●    Sun is losing mass as it ages, weakening its gravitational pull. 
●    As a result, the orbits of planets in the solar system are expanding.

Study shows unified origin for 3 high-energy space particles

●    The origins of very high-energy neutrinos, ultrahigh-energy cosmic rays, and high-energy gamma rays could be connected with black-hole emissions.
●    It has been said by a theoretical model by Penn State researchers. 
●    Neutrinos and gamma rays are produced from cosmic rays.

Important Current Affairs 22nd JANUARY 2018

Current Affairs 22nd January 2018: SPORTS NEWS

Federer oldest to reach Aus Open quarters since 1977

●    Roger Federer reached the quarter-finals of the Australian Open. 
●    He became the oldest player since 1977 to do so.
●    The 36-year-old Federer will now face Tomas Berdych in the quarters. 

Current Affairs 22nd January 2018: ECONOMY NEWS

Indian-American sworn in as Trump's economic affairs aide

●    Indian American Manisha Singh, a lawyer and Congressional staffer, has been sworn in as the Assistant Secretary of State for economic and business affairs in the Trump administration. 
●    She is the first woman appointed to the post. 
●    Singh was sworn in by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. 
●    Born in India, Singh was the chief lawyer and policy adviser to Republican Senator Dan Sullivan. 

India's richest 1% held 73% wealth generated in 2017: Survey

●    The richest 1 percent in India has 73 per cent of the wealth generated in the country in 2017.
●    67 crore Indians comprising the population's poorest half saw their wealth rise by just 1%.
●    Survey was released by the international rights group Oxfam.

India loses 4% of GDP to malnutrition: Report

●    Nearly 4% of India's GDP is estimated to have been lost due to malnutrition and certainly.
●    India has 50% of undernourished children of the world and women and girl children fall last in the household food serving.
●    Close to 60% of our children aged between 6 - 59 months are anaemic. 
●    It is only about 10% of the country's total children who are receiving adequate diet.

PM Modi will attend the World Economic Forum (WEF) 

●    On Tuesday Narendra Modi will attend the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland.
●    He will use the elite annual meeting of billionaires, businessmen and politicians as a chance to show off his economic successes so far in office.
●    The last Indian PM to attend the summit was H.D. Deve Gowda in 1997.

Current Affairs 22nd January 2018: DEFENCE NEWS

Tokyo holds first missile attack drill since WWII

●    Tokyo held its first missile attack drill after world war II.
●    A loudspeaker rang out a terrifying warning, urging people to seek shelter indoors or underground.
●    Japanese government official Hiroyuki Suenaga told volunteers that "a missile from North Korea would arrive in less than 10 minutes and the first alert would come about three minutes after launch, which gives us only around five minutes to find shelter."

Indian Navy's All-Women Sailing Boat Reaches Falkland Islands

●    The Indian Navy's sailing boat INSV Tarini entered Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands.
●    It has all-women crew.on Monday.
●    The boat is on its maiden voyage to circumnavigate the world. 

Current Affairs 22nd January 2018: NATIONAL NEWS

Tiger census begins in Maharashtra

●    The six-day, four-yearly national wildlife census, generally called tiger census, began in Maharashtra.
●    It started with the help of ground staff of forest guards and foresters.
●    Some areas in the state reported non-compliance of mandated use of gadgets like GPS and personal data assistant (PDA) by forest guards and foresters.

Gujarat starts cow tourism project to promote the animal

●    Cow is set to become the newest tourist attraction for travellers in Gujarat. 
●    Authorities have initiated a ‘cow tourism’ project.
●    It has been introduced by the Gujarat State Gauseva Ayog.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis Joins PM Modi At Davos Summit

●    Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will join Prime Minister Narendra Modi who will take part in the 48th annual summit of the World Economic Forum (WEF).
●    Mr. Fadnavis will interact with senior directors of the World Bank.
●    He and his delegation will also seek more investments in the state.

India's 1st Garbage Festival organised in Chhattisgarh

●    The Raipur Municipal Corporation organised the three-day Kachra Mahotsav 2018.
●    It is India's first Garbage Festival.
●    The festival used waste generated in the city creatively, and to showcase multiple techniques for reusing things that are labelled as garbage. 

Current Affairs 22nd January 2018: AWARDS NEWS

The Shape of Water’ won Guild Award

●    Movie The shape of the water has won guild award.
●    It is based on the 1960s-set fairytale about a mute government laboratory janitor falling in love with a mermaid-like creature.
●    It won best director for Del Toro at the Golden Globes.
●    It also has 12 other nominations.

Current Affairs 22nd January 2018: GLOBAL NEWS

Researchers patent glasses which can prevent motion sickness

●    University of Michigan have patented a system that could use glasses to prevent motion sickness in a moving car. 
●    The glasses provide light stimuli in the rider's visual periphery to mimic the outside movement to prevent getting sick. 
●    It has been designed for users to read a book or check their phone in self-driving cars.

Global freedom declined in 2017 for 12th straight yr: Report

●    71 countries witnessing net declines in rights and civil liberties, global freedom declined for the 12th straight year in 2017.
●    This report has been given by Freedom House. 
●    Only 45% of the world's countries are 'free'.

Google signs patent agreement with Tencent amid China push

●    Google has announced that it has agreed to a patent cross-licensing deal with China's Tencent Holdings.
●    This will help Google in entering the Chinese market. 
●    Google also said the tie-in with Tencent is "long-term" and covers "a broad range of products and technologies". 
●    Google's Search, Play Store, and services are blocked in China.

 
Malta's capital Valletta named European Capital of Culture

●    Valletta was officially inaugurated as the European City of Culture on 20th January 2018.
●    Valletta was chosen as the European City of Culture on October 13.  
●    The title has triggered several key infrastructural projects, among them a new museum of art and a revamp of the famous Strait Street.
●    With about 6,000 inhabitants, Valletta is the smallest capital in the European Union.
●    It is located in a fortress and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
 

Important Current Affairs 21st January 2018

Current Affairs 21st January 2018: AWARDS

President of India honored 112 Achievers with actress Aishwarya Rai

●    President Ramnath Kovind honored 112 women who broke all the boundaries in their respective areas.
●    112 women were selected by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, who tried to make their identity as the first woman in their respective areas.
●    On this occasion, while addressing these women, they work towards empowering the rural women of the country with their work and contribution.

Central Water Commission got CBIP Special Recognition Award -2018 for outstanding contribution in conservation and protection of large reservoirs.

●    The Central Irrigation and Energy Board (CBIP) gave the Central Water Commission the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Special Recognition Award -2018 for outstanding contribution in conservation and protection of large reservoirs.
●    Central Water Commission, using modern technology, works on irrigation management and maintenance of drains, water resources management, flood protection, disaster management etc.
●    It works under the World Bank-funded Reservoir Rehabilitation and Development Project (DRIP, drip).
●    Chairman of Central Water Commission, Shri S.M. Hussain received the award yesterday on the occasion of the CBIP Foundation Day celebrations.

Current Affairs 21st January 2018: NATIONAL NEWS

UP's proposal to stop sugar imports

●    Uttar Pradesh is estimated to produce 103 lakh tonnes of sugar this year.
●    The State Government has sent a proposal to stop the import of sugar to the Central Government.
●    Principal Secretary Sugarcane Development and Sugar Industries Sanjay Bhoosreddy said that in this proposal, demand has been made to increase the import duty on sugar from 50 percent to 90 percent.

Indian citizenship to minorities from Pakistan and Afghanistan

●    Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that minorities are discriminated in Pakistan.
●    He said that those who have come to India from Pakistan and Afghanistan due to religious persecution before December 2014, those minorities will be given Indian citizenship.
●    Home Minister Rajnath Singh has said these things in the central government in a program of distribution of nationality certificates to Sindhi citizens in the capital, Lucknow.

Cabinet approval for revised Model Concession Agreement for PPP Projects in Major Ports

●    Under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Union Cabinet has approved the revised Model Concession Agreement (MCA) for PPP projects in major ports.
●    This has been done to make port projects investor-friendly and the investment-environment of the port sector more attractive.
●    Under the amendment to the MCA, the idea of setting up the Society for Fareable Redressal of Disputes-Ports (Sarod-Ports) is considered. 
●    In view of its establishment, a dispute settlement system will be prepared in accordance with the provisions available in the Highway Highway area.

Cabinet approves MoU between India and Belgium for cooperation in Information Technology and Electronic Sector

●    Under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Cabinet has approved the MoU between India and Belgium for cooperation in Information Technology and Electronic Sector.
●    This consent memo was signed on November 7, 2017, when King Philip of Belgium was visiting India.
●    There are close and friendly relations between India and Belgium.
●    Belgium is the second largest trading partner in India in the European Union.

The Cabinet was informed about the MOU between India and Italy for cooperation in renewable energy sector.

●    Under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Union Cabinet was apprised of the MOU between India and Italy for cooperation in renewable energy sector.
●    This MOU was signed on 30th October, 2017 in New Delhi.
●    This MoU was signed by Shri Anand Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy of the Government of India and Hon. Mr. Lorenzo Angeloni, Ambassador of Italy to India.

The Cabinet approved the consent memorandum between India and Canada for cooperation in science and technology.

●    Under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Union Cabinet has approved the consent memoranda with Canada for cooperation in science and technology.
●    An arrangement will be made from the Memorandum of Understanding and will help in enhancing scientific cooperation between research and development and academic institutions of India and Canada.
●    Under the consent memorandum between the Department of Science and Technology and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), innovative models of research and development cooperation between India and Canada will be implemented.

National Clean Ganga Mission Approves Rs. 295 Crore Namgy Ganges Projects

●    National Clean Ganga Mission has approved five projects worth Rs 295.01 crore related to Namami Ganga project.
●    Of these, three projects costing Rs. 278.6 crores are related to water conservation in West Bengal.
●    A project of 4.68 crores is related to water management in Uttarakhand and another project costing Rs 11.73 crores related to the improvement of the Ghats in Varanasi.
Simultaneously, all the projects for water pollution have been approved for all the polluted cities located on the banks of river Ganga.

Current Affairs 21st January 2018: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Health Ministry and Tata Memorial Center Launched First Digital Online Oncology Tutorial Series

●    The Secretary of Health and Family Welfare, Smt. Preeti Sudan, today launched the country's first digital online oncology tutorial series designed by the Tata Memorial Center in collaboration with the Health Ministry.
●    The aim of Oncology Tutorial Series is to train and educate doctors across the country about early identification, prevention, reduction of pain, rehabilitation and treatment of various types of cancer.
●    It is part of the national program and will be run by the Tata Memorial Center throughout the country in collaboration with state governments.

Ministry of Railways, Ministry of Human Resource Development and Ministry of Science and Technology signed MoU

●    Under the unique vision of 'Prime Minister's vision for the development of everyone, everyone's development', three ministry of the Central Government has come together to pursue the Indian Railways Technology Mission.
●    On 04 January, the Ministry of Railways, Ministry of Human Resource Development and Department of Science and Technology signed a memorandum of understanding for jointly funding TMIR in Rail Bhawan, New Delhi.
●    On behalf of the Ministry of Railways, the Chairman of TMIR, Prof. N.S. Mr. Alok Kumar, Co-Chairman, TMIR, Mr. R. Subrahmanyam, Additional Secretary (TE), and Dr. Neeraj Sharma, Advisor, Department of Science and Technology, from the Ministry of Science and Technology, signed on behalf of the Ministry of Human Resource Development. .

Current Affairs 21st January 2018: APPOINTMENT

Om Prakash Rawat to be the new chief election commissioner

●    The Central Government has announced the name of the new Chief Election Commissioner.
●    Current Election Commissioner Om Prakash Rawat will be the new Chief Election Commissioner.
●    He will replace Achal Kumar Jyoti, whose tenure ends on 23 January.

Current Affairs 21st January 2018: ECONOMY

RBI will deal with bad loans on the lines of US

●    Reserve Bank of India deputy governor Viral Acharya has suggested to prepare an online trading platform for the sale of bad loans on the lines of the US.
●    He said that this would increase transparency and get more price.
●    Deputy governor Viral Acharya said that this will help in preparing the market for selling bad loans.
●    According to data for September, 2017 quarter, the amount of $ 10 trillion in banking system is stuck in bad loans.

Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs Shri Arun Jaitley launches National CSR Data Portal and Corporate Data Portal in Delhi

●    Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Shri Arun Jaitley today launched the National CSR Data Portal and Corporate Data Portal in New Delhi.
●    On this occasion, the Minister of State for Corporate Affairs and Law and Justice, Shri P.P. Chaudhary was also present.
●    Arun Jaitley said that this initiative is an important step towards ensuring greater accountability and transparency in the corporate world of India.
●    He said that by ensuring access to the general public on these portals, the government will pave the way for high-level compliance.

Financial Sector Assessment Program 2017 - Detailed Assessment Report (DAR)

●    Two major reports of the Financial Year Assessment Program of the Indian Financial System - Financial System Stability Assessment and Financial Sector Assessment - was released by the International Monetary Fund and World Bank on December 21, 2017, on their websites respectively.
●    IMF and World Bank today released two detailed assessment reports related to the 2017 India FSAP.
●    'Detailed assessment of compliance- Basel major principles for effective banking supervision' has been issued by IMF and World Bank and report giving 'Detailed Assessment of Compliance of Clearing Corporation of India Limited Central Counterparty and Trade Repository' Released by World Bank

Current Affairs 21st January 2018: DAYS AND DATE

NDRF celebrates its 13th Foundation Day

●    National Disaster Redressal Force (NDRF) celebrated its 13th Foundation Day here today. Mr. Rajiv Jain, Director, Intelligence Bureau was the chief guest on this occasion.
●    NDRF Director General, Shri Sanjay Kumar, NDMA Member Mr. R. K. Jain, NDRF's IG Shri Ravi Jyesh Kokku and NSDC Vishal Sharma took part in the program.
●    Last year, the NDRF saved the lives of 4,000 people surrounded by disasters in the country.

Important Current Affairs 20th JANUARY 2018

Current Affairs 20th JANUARY 2018: GLOBAL NEWS

U.S Govt shutdown

●    The US government officially shutdown today for the first time in five years.
●    This happened after the Senate rejected a short-term spending bill to keep the federal government running.
●    Trump blamed the Democrats for the shutdown which comes exactly a year after he was sworn in as the 45th President of the United States. 
●    More than 800,000 federal employees would be furloughed. 

Current Affairs 20th JANUARY 2018: NATIONAL NEWS

MeitY launches Cyber Surakshit Bharat initiative

●    The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology launched Cyber Surakshit Bharat.
●    It is an initiative to strengthen cyber security.
●    It has been launched in association with National e-Governance Division (NeGD) and industry partners. 

Government launches Liveability Index to rate 116 Indian cities

●    The ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has decided to bring out a liveability index of 116 cities.
●    Cities together account for a total population of 13.4 crore people.
●    The ministry has decided to involve the Economist Intelligence Unit, which brings out an annual liveability index of cities.

India’s First Automatic Early Warning Dissemination System to come up in Odisha

●    The Early Warning Dissemination System (EWDS is expected to be commissioned by this March.
●    It is a project that aims at establishing a fool-proof communication system to disseminate disaster warning up to the community level, 
●    The EWDS had missed several deadlines of its launch.

India to offer Yoga classes at World Economic Forum

●    Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s delegation to the World Economic Forum at Davos will offer yoga classes.
●    India aims to showcase its potential as a driver of global economic growth, after China.
●    Two yoga teachers from India will hold daily classes next week at the summit.
●    It has attracted 70 heads of state and government, including US President Donald Trump as well as celebrities, chief executives and top bankers.
●    Modi will be the first Indian prime minister to attend the WEF in 21 years.

Union Government Announces List of 9 New Smart Cities

●    Nine cities have been chosen in the latest round of the central government's flagship Smart Cities Mission.
●    It was announced by the Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri.
●    The number of cities are now 99. 
●    The nine cities are Bareilly, Moradabad and Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh, Erode in Tamil Nadu, Bihar Sharif in Bihar, Silvasa in Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Diu in Daman and Diu, Kavarati in Lakshadweep and Itanagar in Arunachal Pradesh.

India to set up $350 million Solar Development Fund for solar projects

●    India will set up a $350 million fund to finance solar projects.
●    It was announced by Power Minister R.K. Singh.
●    India will need at least $125 billion to fund a plan to increase the share of renewable power supply in the country’s grid by 2022.

Current Affairs 20th JANUARY 2018:: ECONOMY NEWS

Mauritius was largest source of FDI in India in 2016-2017: RBI

●    Mauritius was the largest source of FDI in India.
●    US and the UK are next.
●    Singapore and Japan were the next two sources of foreign direct investment.
●    It was announced by the Census on Foreign Liabilities and Assets of Indian Direct Investment Companies 2016-17, released by RBI.

Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan crosses 1 crore mark

●    Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare J P Nadda said that the Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan programme crossed one crore mark.
●    The PMSMA programme was launched in 2016.
It was to fulfil his vision and ensure comprehensive and quality antenatal checkups to pregnant women across India.

Current Affairs 20th JANUARY 2018:: DAYS AND DATES

2018 to be observed as National Year of Millets

●    Union government has decided to declare 2018 as the ‘national year of millets’.
●    Millets are nutrient-rich. 
●    This decision has been taken following a request by Karnataka, which is the country’s leader in the millet sector.

NDRF Celebrated its 13th Raising Day

●    The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) celebrated its 13th Raising Day.
●    The Director Intelligence Bureau, Shri Rajiv Jain was the chief guest. . 
●    An MoU was also signed in between NDRF and NSDC. 
●    National Disaster Response Force is a specialized multi skilled, humanitarian force of the country.
●    It came into existence on January 19th, 2006.

Current Affairs 20th JANUARY 2018:: APPOINTMENT NEWS

Sudeep Lakhtakia appointed as new DG of National Security Guard

●    CRPF special DG Sudeep Lakhtakia has been appointed as the new chief of National Security Guard. 
●    Lakhtakia will take over S P Singh who is the current chief.
●    He is currently serving as a Special Director General in the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).

Current Affairs 20th JANUARY 2018: AWARD

Mangalajodi Ecotourism Trust of Odisha wins prestigious UNWTO Award

●    Mangalajodi Ecotourism Trust has won the prestigious United Nations World Tourism Organisation Awards.
●    It is a community owned and managed venture promoted by RBS Foundation India and Indian Grameen Services.
●    The trust was honoured with the coveted award for "Innovation in Tourism Enterprise" at the 14th UNWTO Awards ceremony.

Current Affairs 20th JANUARY 2018: SCIENCE
 

4th India International Science Festival to be held in Lucknow

●    The fourth edition of the India International Science Festival will be held in Lucknow.
●    The decision was taken at the first preparatory meeting for the 4th India International Science Festival (IISF) chaired by Union Minister for Science & Technology, Environment, Forest & Climate Change and Earth Sciences, Dr. Harsh Vardhan. 
●    The 1st IISF was held at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) New Delhi in December, 2015.

Current Affairs 20th JANUARY 2018: OBITUARY

Iconic Cartoonist Chandi Lahiri Passes Away

●    Eminent cartoonist Chandi Lahiri passed away.
●    He was 86. 
●    Lahiri, is survived by his wife and a daughter.
●    He started his career as a journalist.
●    He is also called the creator of ‘pocket cartoons’ in Bengal.

Current Affairs 20th JANUARY 2018: DEFENCE

INS Vikramaditya formally Affiliated to Bihar Regiment

●    Indian Naval Ship Vikramaditya was formally affiliated to the Indian Army's highly-decorated and battle-hardened Bihar Regiment and the Indian Air Force's No 6 Squadron.
●    It is the Indian Navy's largest ship and its sole aircraft carrier.

Important Current Affairs 19th January 2018

Current Affairs 19th January 2018: NATIONAL NEWS

Union Home Minister inaugurated IWDRI 2018
●    Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh today inaugurated an international workshop organized on the subject of the Disaster Resistant Infrastructure (IWDRI) here.
●    This two-day workshop was organized by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in collaboration with the United Nations Disaster Risk Reduction (UNIDR).
●    Underlining the importance of disaster-resistant opportunities, Shri Rajnath Singh said that it creates opportunities for economic development and plays a major role in sustainable development.

Prakash Javadekar chaired the 65th meeting of Central Education Advisory Board (CABE)

●    Today, 65th meeting of the Central Education Advisory Board (CABE) was organized under the chairmanship of Union Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar.
●    Keeping in mind the concerns expressed by the State Governments along with the agenda, several decisions were taken in the meeting.
●    In this meeting, Union Minister of Women and Child Development, Smt. Maneka Gandhi, Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Thawarchand Gehlot, Union Minority Affairs Minister, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Minister of State (Independent Charge) Col Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore and Union Human Minister of State for Development, Shri Satyapal Singh was also present.

Saksham -2018

●    The mass-centered mega campaign 'Saksham -2018' of Petroleum Conservation Research Association (PCRA), Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, was launched on January 16 in an inaugural function held in New Delhi, which will continue throughout the month.
●    PCRA-enabled national essay and painting competition-2013 has been very popular among schoolchildren.
●    Approximately 4 million children from all schools of the country participated in it.

Organizing 'Mega Conclave' to ensure the implementation of the Rail Infrastructure Development Projects of the Ministry of Railways.

●    As a major initiative to ensure speedy implementation of the ambitious 'Rail Infrastructure Development Projects', the Railway Ministry is organizing a 'Mega Conclave' with all the stakeholders, including the leading construction industry on January 17, 2018.
●    During this Conclave, members of the Railway Board and Senior Zonal Railway Officers will interact with the leading companies of the construction sector, but Minister of Railways and Coal, Shri Piyush Goyal will also interact and communicate with the participants personally.
●    The name of this Conclave has been named 'Construction Dialogue', which is being organized by Railway PSU Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), which is a dedicated subsidiary of the Ministry of Railways for the speedy implementation of railway projects.

Arrestor Gohela Boro for financial assistance of Rs. 2 lakhs from 'Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay National Welfare Fund Scheme' for the players.

●    Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports (Independent Charge) Col Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore provided a grant of Rs 2 lakh to the National level archer, Ms. Gohela Boro, under 'Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay National Welfare Fund Scheme' for his medical treatment. Has approved.
●    Under the 'Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya National Welfare Fund Scheme' for players, lump sum financial assistance is provided to those excellent players for medical treatment, which is currently facing severe poverty.

Former CM of Gujarat Anandiben Patel will be the governor of Madhya Pradesh

●    Former CM Anandiben Patel of Gujarat will be the Governor of Madhya Pradesh.
●    She resigned from the post of Chief Minister of Gujarat and her name was being discussed for a long time.
●    Now the Governor of Gujarat, Om Prakash Kohli, is looking after additional charge of the governor of Madhya Pradesh.

Membership of 20 AAP MLAs canceled

●    The Election Commission has declared 20 MLAs of the ruling Aam Aadmi Party disqualified in Delhi in the case of profit.
●    The Commission will send its report to President Ramnath Kovind.
●    If he issues an order to declare these MLAs disqualified on the recommendation of the commission, then the elections in Delhi can be re-elected.

Honda launches Vintage Style Scooter 'Super Cub'
●    Japanese company Honda recently launched its vintage-style scooter 'Super Cub' in Thailand.
●    This is Honda's so successful scooter that by October 2017 more than 100 million units have been sold globally.
●    This new scooter has been inspired by Honda inspired in the model created in 1958.
●    This scooter was first made in 1958.
●    By 2005, it sold 5 million units worldwide.
●    In the next 12 years the sale doubled and the figure crossed 10 million.

Government finishes subsidy for Haj pilgrims

●    People who visit Haj pilgrimage will not get any concession from this year.
●    Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi announced on Tuesday that the concession given on Haj pilgrimage has ended this year.
●    It has been said by the government that this decision is a part of the agenda of empowering minorities without appealing.
●    The Government's decision will affect 1.75 lakh Haj pilgrims.
●    In 2012, the Supreme Court had asked the Haj subsidy to be endured gradually by 2022 in a decision.

Current Affairs 19th January 2018: GLOBAL NEWS

India's strong stronghold in NSG, India becomes member of Australia Group

●    India has now become a member of Australia Group.
●    It ensures through its control of the export of group chemical and biological agents that it can not become chemical or biological weapon.
●    This achievement will increase the status of non-proliferation of India in the world.
●    Along with this, India's claim for membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group will also be strengthened, in which China is closing.

Whatsapp App Business App Launch

●    Whatsapp App Business App Has Been Launched
●    It is only available in some countries.
●    This new app will make the process of interaction between shoppers and customers easier.
●    The Business App has been launched to bring shoppers-customers closer.
●    The Business App of WhatsApp has been launched in 5 countries- Indonesia, Italy, Mexico, the UK and the US, currently it is not available in India.

The largest submerged cave found in Mexico

●    Archaeologists have discovered the world's largest cave underwater in Mexico.
●    The team of 'The Great Maya Aquarer' (GAM) project has spent many years researching the secrets of Sack Eightan and Dos Ojos and studying the mysterious waters in Tulum of Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula.
●    This discovery identifies the identity of an incredible archaeological site, which exposes the stories and rituals of the disappeared Maya civilization.

Pakistani organization demanded Pakistan's highest gallantry medal for Bhagat Singh

●    An organization of Pakistan has demanded that Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh should be given the title of 'Sir-e-Haider', the country's highest gallantry medal and his statue should be installed at Shadman Chowk, Lahore, where he was hanged 86 years ago. 
●    The demanding organization is working to prove the freedom fighters in the court innocent.
●    Bhagat Singh Memorial Foundation gave a fresh petition to the Government of Punjab province of Punjab that Bhagat Singh had sacrificed his life for the independence of the subcontinent.

Mobile-Internet in flight

●    Now people will be able to enjoy mobile phones and internet in air travel.
●    TRAI has given a suggestion on Friday about this, as per the availability of ground mobile network, the mobile service will be valid for a minimum of three kilometers in the Indian Air Services.
●    However, the mobile operators who want to call or internet in the aircraft will have to get a separate license for this.

Current Affairs 19th January 2018: ECONOMY

In December, 2017, arrival of foreign tourists increased by 15.2 percent compared to December 2016

●    The Ministry of Tourism compiles monthly estimates of the arrival of foreign tourists (FTAs) along with the arrival of foreign tourists on the e-tourist visa as well as on the basis of Nationality-wise and port-wise data obtained from the Immigration Bureau (BOI).
●    Compared to December, 2016, the growth rate of FTA was 15.2 percent during December 2017, compared to December, 2015, when the growth rate was December 11, 2015, at 11.9 percent.
●    The highest number of FTAs in Bangladesh (19.04%) in India during December, 2017 in the top 15 source countries.
●    After this, the United States (16.90%), Britain (10.41%), Australia (5.31%), Canada (3.85%), Russian Federation (3.79%), Malaysia (3.11%), Germany (2.08%), China (2.06%) , Sri Lanka (2.01%), Singapore (1.85%), France (1.81%), Japan (1.64%), Thailand (1.60%) and Italy (1.44%).

Approval of purchase of Assault Rifles and Carbine equal to 3547 crores

●    A meeting of the Defense Acquisition Council (DAC) was held today under the chairmanship of Defense Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman.
●    In it, 'Make II' process was simplified.
●    It determines the guidelines followed in the development and manufacturing of defense equipment through the Indian industry.
●    DAC approved the purchase of 72,400 Assault Rifles and 93,895 Carbines on an accelerated basis in order to enable the defense forces to fulfill the urgent need of the troops deployed on the borders.