Current Affairs

GK and Current Affairs Updates

Select Date
Tags:
Hindi

Prof. David R. Syiemlieh to perform duties of Chairman, UPSC 

The President has appointed Prof. David R. Syiemlieh, Member, Union Public Service Commission, to perform the duties of the post of Chairman, Union Public Service Commission, with effect from the forenoon of January 4, 2017 till further orders or till completion of his term as member on 21.01.2018, whichever is earlier.
He studied in Dr Graham's Homes, Kalimpong (1958–1970) and graduated with history honours from St.Edmund's College, Shillong. 
This was followed with a master's degree in History (1976), MPhil(1980) and PhD (1985) from the North Eastern Hill University, Shillong. 
He taught undergraduates in St. Edmund's College (1977–1979) before joining the Department of History, NEHU, in 1979. 
He rose in the profession to become Professor in the Department of History. 

Read More
Read Less

Shankar Balasubramanian received Knighthood

Shankar Balasubramanian, an Indian-origin British professor of chemistry and DNA expert at Cambridge University, has received a Knighthood along with Olympic stars Andy Murray and Mo Farah among others by Queen Elizabeth II for their contributions.
●    Prof. Balasubramanian (50), Herchel Smith Professor of Medicinal Chemistry at Cambridge University, has been recognised for his work as a co-inventor of Next Generation DNA sequencing, described as the most transformational advance in biology and medicine for decades.
●    Murray, Farah and British track and field athlete Jessica Ennis-Hill are among others honoured in the 2017 New Year Honours list, which also includes big names from the entertainment world, including actors Mark Rylance and Patricia Routledge.
●    Rio 2016 men’s tennis champion Murray and double gold- winning athlete Farah receive Knighthoods, while heptathlete Ennis-Hill becomes a Dame.

Read More
Read Less

Somdev Devvarman Announces retirement from professional tennis

India’s star singles player Somdev Devvarman announced his retirement from professional tennis, bringing an abrupt end to what was once a promising career.
●    The 31-year-old’s career was hampered by a recurring shoulder injury in 2012. 
●    He recovered to stage a comeback but he had been missing from action without any specified reason for some time now.
●    There is speculation that he might take to coaching from here on.
●    Somdev was India’s star singles player since he first broke into the scene in 2008.
●    A regular in India’s Davis Cup squad, Somdev appeared in 14 rubbers and played a crucial role in India reaching the World Group back in 2010.

Read More
Read Less

Apple to make iPhones in Bengaluru

Apple, the American multinational technology company is all set to manufacture iPhones in the Indian city of Bengaluru.
●    The company is going to manufacture the iconic phones in the country in collaboration with Wistron, a Taiwanese original design manufacturer. The move is a part of the company’s efforts to cash in on India’s fast-growing smartphone market.
●    Wistron is planning to set up an iPhone manufacturing plant, especially for the Indian market in Bangalore’s Peenya Industrial Area. 
●    The manufacturer would start work with the assembling of the phones. 
●    Local manufacturing of the iPhones is expected to help Apple price its products at a rate more suitable to the Indian market. 
●    Currently, Apple products attract 12.5% additional duty on imports.
●    The company chose Bengaluru to set up the unit because it has the talent required to create high-quality technology products.
●    This is not Apple’s first project in the city, as previously in May 2016, the company had announced the setting up of a design and development accelerator in the city in order to help grow the iOS developer community there. 
●    The announcement for the same was made during the company’s CEO Tim Cook’s visit to India.


 

Read More
Read Less

CSL completes delivery of 20 FPVs to Indian Coast Guard

The Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) has delivered ICGS AYUSH, the 20th Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV) to the Indian Coast Guard.  
●    With this, CSL has completed construction of 20 FPVs for the Indian Coast Guard. ICGS Ayush will be operated from the Coast Guard Station at Krishnapatanam. 
●    It is last in the series (CSL Yard No BY 520) and was delivered three months ahead of schedule. 
●    Cochin Shipyard Limited was awarded the contract of constructing 20 FPVs in October 2010.  
●    CSL had delivered the first vessel in September 2013 and subsequently delivered vessels at about two months interval. 
●    CSL started delivering vessels ahead of schedule from the 13th vessel onwards. These vessels are 50 metre length and 7.6 metre beam. 
●    They are small in size compared to the large vessels that CSL had been building. 
●    The FPVs will help to secure Indian waters by patrolling within Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), coastal patrol. 

Read More
Read Less

Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi Launches Haj Committee of India Mobile App

The Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs (Independent Charge) and Parliamentary Affairs, Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi launched Haj Committee of India Mobile App at Haj House in Mumbai today. Speaking on the occasion, he said that it is for the first time that Haj application process is going to be digital. This mobile app will available on Google Playstore from today (2nd January 2017). Next Haj has already been announced and application will be accepted from today. The last date for submitting applications is 24th January.
The Ministry of Minority Affairs has joined digital India campaign in a big way, he added. Several processes have been made   in this regard. The Centre has been encouraging online applications to ensure fair opportunity for the pilgrimage with complete transparency and comfort.
●    Applying for Haj, enquiry and information, news and updates and e-payment are main features of Haj Committee of India Mobile App. Application for Haj can be made directly from the app. Five adults and two infants can apply together as a group. A PDF copy of the form will go to applicant’s email. After affixing the photo, the printout with documents is to be sent to the state haj committees. Registration fees can also be made through this app.
●    During Haj 2016, about 45,843 people had applied for Haj online which was about 11 per cent of total applications received from across the nation for Haj. Efforts are on to make the process of online application simple and easy so that more and more people can apply online for next Haj pilgrimage.  Maharashtra topped in online applications for Haj 2016 with a total of 10,960 people applying online followed by Kerala with 9257 online applications and   Uttar Pradesh with 5407; 2983 from Telangana; 2426 from Jammu and Kashmir and 2425 online applications had been received from Gujarat.
●    About 99,903 people went to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia for Haj from 21 embarkation points across India through Haj Committee of India during Haj 2016. Apart from this, about 36,000 Haj pilgrims had proceeded for Haj through the private tour operators.

Read More
Read Less

Preeti Sudan assumes charge as Secretary, Department of Food and Public Distribution 

Ms. Preeti Sudan, IAS (Andhra Pradesh: 1983) today assumed charge as Secretary, Department of Food and Public Distribution in the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution on superannuation of Ms. Vrinda Sarup (IAS). 
●    Prior to her appointment, Ms. Preeti Sudan has served in various capacities in the Union Ministries/Departments including Ministry of Women and Child Development and Ministry of Defence.
●    During a career span of more than 33 years Ms. Sudan has served in various capacities in his cadre state of Andhra Pradesh. 
●    She served in various department including Revenue Department, Disaster Management Department, Health and Family Welfare, Finance, Seeds/Agriculture Corporation.
●    Ms. Preeti Sudan has done M.Phil. in Economics. Ms. Sudan is proficient in Hindi, English, Punjabi and Telugu.

Read More
Read Less

Trash Skimmers to be Introduced In Six New Cities for Surface Cleaning Of Ganga 

National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) will introduce trash skimmers for surface cleaning of Ganga in six more cities in the first week of this month. 
●    The cities are Rishikesh, Haridwar, Garh Mukhteshwar, Sahibganj, Kolkata and Navdweep. 
●    Urban Local Bodies will be the nodal agency to monitor this work. State Programme Management Groups (SPMGs) and Collectorate office will be supervising these works under the aegis of NMCG at State and district level respectively.
●    River Surface Cleaning (RSC) work was introduce last year in Allahabad, Kanpur, Varanasi, Mathura-Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh and Patna in Bihar. 
●    Trash skimmers were deployed at the foregoing locations and tonnes of floating waste was collected and disposed off in a proper manner. 
●    This task was performed under the CSR head and proved to be extremely effective. In the coming days, more towns will be identified for carrying out similar activities.
●    Namami Gange programme was launched as a mission to achieve the target of cleaning river Ganga in an effective manner with the unceasing involvement of all stakeholders, especially five major Ganga basin States – Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar and West Bengal.

Read More
Read Less

Air Marshal SB Deo takes over as Vice Chief of the Air Staff of Indian Air Force 

Air Marshal SB Deo PVSM AVSM VM VSM ADC paid homage at Amar Jawan Jyoti, India Gate this morning before taking over as Vice Chief of the Air Staff (VCAS) at Air HQ, today. On his arrival at the Air Headquarters (Vayu Bhawan), the Air Marshal was accorded a ceremonial Guard of Honour.
●    Air Marshal SB Deo was commissioned as a fighter pilot in the IAF on 15 Jun 79. He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy and the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington. He is a FCL (Fighter Combat Leader) and a “Cat A” Qualified Flying Instructor with over 3800 hours of operational and training flying. He was also Directing Staff at TACDE.
●    Air Marshal SB Deo has been AOC of a major fighter base. He commanded a Mig-21 BISON Squadron and a Signal Unit besides being the Chief Ops Officer of a forward base. As Station Commander of the Signal Unit he was actively involved in the induction of modern assets and sensors in the IAF. 
●    Prior to taking over as VCAS, he was the AOC-in-C of Western Air Command (WAC), AOC-in-C, Eastern Air Command (EAC), DG Air (Ops), AOC COBRA Group, AD Commander & Air I at HQ CAC and has held various staff appointments and worked in Ops/Plans Directorates at Air HQ (VB).
●    In recognition of his meritorious service and exceptional professionalism, he was awarded Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Vayu Sena Medal, Vishisht Seva Medal and ADC by the President of India.
●    He is married to Mrs Anjana Deo, they have a son who is a fighter pilot in the IAF. Air Marshal Deo is an avid reader and interested in creative writing and technology.

Read More
Read Less

RBI announces facility for NRIs to exchange old notes

RBI came out with conditions for exchange of defunct notes for those, including non-resident Indians, who failed to do so till yesterday, the last day for depositing the invalid currency notes in banks.
●    Resident Indian citizens who were abroad from November 9 to December 30 can avail this facility up to March 31, 2017 and NRI citizens, who were abroad during this period, can exchange their defunct notes up to June 30, 2017, RBI said in a late evening statement.
●    Citizens can avail this facility in their individual capacity once during the period on submission of ID documents, and on submission of documentary evidence showing they were abroad during the period and that they have not availed the exchange facility earlier.
●    On fulfillment of the terms and conditions and the genuineness of the notes tendered, it said, adding admissible amount will be credited to the tenderer's KYC compliant bank account.
●    This facility will be available through Reserve Bank offices at Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata and Nagpur.

Read More
Read Less

All Rights Reserved Top Rankers