GK and Current Affairs Updates

Private sector lender Axis Bank has launched an E.M.V-chip-based debit card called ‘Secure+’ that offers multiple security features, including fraud protection and wallet protection. The Secure+ debit card has a feature called ‘Total Control’ through which customers can switch off/on their cards through various channels like mobile application, internet banking, S.M.S or phone banking. Customer can switch off the debit card for a fixed time period when it is not in use.

Spiritual leader Sri Ravi Shankar has been conferred with Colombia's highest civilian award for his contribution to peace issues around the world, particularly in the Latin American country. Dr. Fabio Raul Amin Saleme, President of the House of Representatives, Congress of Colombia presented 'Orden de la Democracia Simon Bolivar' award to Sri while highlighting his achievements in peace matters through his foundation, The Art of Living.

State Bank of India announced the appointment of Anshula Kant as its Chief Financial Officer (C.F.O). Kant has been designated as the Deputy Managing Director and C.F.O of the bank. She joined S.B.I as a Probationary Officer in 1983 worked under various departments of the bank. Prior to her appointment, P.K. Gupta was the C.F.O. Gupta moved to S.B.I Capital as Chief Executive Officer.

Veteran singer Asha Bhosle has been declared the greatest Bollywood playback artist of all times by the U.K. based Eastern Eye newspaper. The 81-year-old singer beat off her elder sister Lata Mangeshkar in a first of its kind list that takes into account factors including number of songs, honours, international impact, versatility, fan base and popularity amongst fellow music industry professionals. Whilst Lata Mangeshkar came second in the list of talented singers, Mohd. Rafi came third and Kishore Kumar was fourth.

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, gave its approval for signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) between the Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (D.I.P.P) and the Japan Patent Office (J.P.O), Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Japan. The purpose of MoC is to establish a framework for bilateral cooperation in the field of Industrial Property (I.P), with emphasis on capacity building, human resource development and awareness generation.

Satnam Singh Bhamara scripted history by becoming the first Indian basketball player to be drafted in America's prestigious National Basketball Association (NBA) after being picked by Dallas Mavericks. Earlier teams like Sacramento Kings and Boston Celtics had chosen him for practice. The 19-year-old, who hails from Punjab and stands 7 feet 2 inches tall, was the 52nd pick in the NBA Draft.

Famous writer of Sanskrit and Telugu literature and Padma Sree awardee Professor Pullela Srirama Chandraudu passed away. He did verbatim translation of Valmiki Ramayana in Telugu language. He was 87. Professor Ram was awarded the Padma Shri in 2011

Rajasthan topped the list of states commissioning grid connected solar power projects in the country with an installed capacity of 1147 megawatt. The list was released by the Union ministry of New and Renewable Energy. Gujarat, which remained the undisputed leader in solar energy generation till 2014, came second with an installed capacity of 1000MW.

BJP MLA and former Madhya Pradesh Minister Tukojirao Puar passed away at a private hospital. He was 51. He was a descendant of erstwhile Puar dynasty of Marathas that ruled Dewas state

India has been ranked third behind Russia and Turkey in a World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Report for 2013. Russia has maximum number of dope offenders with 212 testing positive while the figures for Turkey and India were 155 and 91 respectively. France came a close fourth with 90 dope cheats in the report. The comprehensive report, which dealt with testing of 207513 samples, covered 115 nationalities and 89 sports