National News
1. Afghanistan President Ashraf
Ghani Visits India: Important Highlights
i. Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani was recently in India for visit. During a
day-long visit, he reviewed and positively assessed the progress of
the multi-faceted bilateral strategic partnership.
Narendra Modi and Ashraf Ghani |
ii. Important Highlights of
the Bilateral Meeting Held in New Delhi
1. Both leaders (Narendra Modi and Ashraf Ghani) expressed
determination to strengthen connectivity, including through Chabahar port and
Air-Freight Corridor.
2. Expressed satisfaction at the increase in bilateral trade
that has crossed the one billion dollar mark.
3. Mr Modi reiterated India’s support to an Afghan-led,
Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled peace and reconciliation process.
4. Mr Modi also raised concern over abducted Indian nationals
in Afghanistan with Mr Ghani during their meeting.
5. The Afghan President has assured that efforts are being made
to ensure the safe release of the Indian nationals.
Static/Current Takeaways Important for
IBPS PO Exam 2018-
·
Afghanistan Capital: Kabul, Currency: Afghan afghani.
2. India
And Morocco Sign Air Services Agreement
i.
India and Morocco signed the revised Air Services Agreement between the two countries enabling greater connectivity
through a modernized agreement.
ii. The two sides cleared the legal and technical difficulties and agreed to a modern new text for the Air Services Agreement. Thereafter, both sides took approval for the agreed text of the Air Services Agreement from the respective governments.
ii. The two sides cleared the legal and technical difficulties and agreed to a modern new text for the Air Services Agreement. Thereafter, both sides took approval for the agreed text of the Air Services Agreement from the respective governments.
Static/Current Takeaways Important for
Indian Bank PO Exam 2018-
·
Morocco Capital: Rabat, Currency: Moroccan dirham.
3. ISRO Technology Incubation
Centre Inaugurated at NIT Agartala
i.
Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb inaugurated ISRO’s first Space Technology Incubation
Centre(STIC) at the National Institute of Technology Agartala via
remote from Bengaluru.
ii. The Centre was launched at the first edition of ‘Spacetronics’ organised by the India Electronics and Semiconductor Association (IESA).
ii. The Centre was launched at the first edition of ‘Spacetronics’ organised by the India Electronics and Semiconductor Association (IESA).
Static/Current
Takeaways Important for Indian Bank PO Exam 2018-
·
Chairman of ISRO: Dr. K Sivan.
·
Headquarters of ISRO- Bengaluru, Karnataka.
4. MoU Signed for Establishing
Mahatma Gandhi Convention Centre in Niger
i.
India and Niger signed an MoU for
the implementation of Mahatma Gandhi International Convention Centre
(MGICC) in Niamey, Niger with the Indian government's
grant assistance.
ii. The agreement was signed by Secretary (Economic Relations),
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) T.S. Tirumurti and
Ambassador of Republic of Niger in India Ali Illiassou, in the
presence of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Minister and Special
Adviser to the President of Republic of Niger, Saidil Moctar Mohamed.
Static/Current Takeaways Important for
RRB PO Mains Exam 2018-
·
Niger Capital: Niamey, Currency: West African CFA franc.
International News
5. Vice President 3-Nation Visit:
India, Romania Agree To Intensify Cooperation At UN
i.
India and Romania have agreed to intensify cooperation
at the United Nations and other multilateral fora in order to address global
challenges.
ii. It was issued in a statement after one to one talks between Vice President Venkaiah Naidu and President of Romania, Mr. Klaus Werner Lohannis in Bucharest.
ii. It was issued in a statement after one to one talks between Vice President Venkaiah Naidu and President of Romania, Mr. Klaus Werner Lohannis in Bucharest.
Static/Current Takeaways Important for
RRB PO Mains Exam 2018-
·
Romania Capital: Bucharest, Currency: Romanian leu.
Schemes and Committees
6. Interest Rates On PPF, NSC,
Other Small Savings Schemes Raised
i. The government has raised interest rates on Small
Savings Schemes (SSS), including National Savings Certificate
(NSC) and Public Provident Fund (PPF) by up to 0.4% for the
October-December quarter, in line with rising deposit rates in the
banks.
ii. Interest rates for small savings schemes are notified on a quarterly basis.
Find The Complete Table Here
ii. Interest rates for small savings schemes are notified on a quarterly basis.
Find The Complete Table Here
7. ESIC Approves Atal Bimit Vyakti
Kalyan Yojna For Cash Relief To Unemployed Insured Persons
i. The Employees’ State Insurance
Corporation (ESIC) has approved a new
scheme- Atal Bimit Vyakti Kalyan Yojna for
Insured Persons covered under the Employees’ State Insurance Act.
ii. The decision was taken at the ESIC board meeting chaired by
the Labour Minister Santosh Gangwar in New Delhi.
iii. The ESIC also approved the proposal for increasing the funeral expenses from existing 10 thousand rupees to 15 thousand rupees being paid on the death of Insured Person.
iii. The ESIC also approved the proposal for increasing the funeral expenses from existing 10 thousand rupees to 15 thousand rupees being paid on the death of Insured Person.
Banking News
8. India Post Payments Bank, Bajaj
Allianz Join Hands ‘To Provide Insurance To All’
i. State-owned India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) and
Private Life Insurer Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance Co Ltd (BALIC)
entered into a strategic partnership to provide life insurance solutions,
especially at the doorstep of every household in the country.
ii. This partnership will leverage IPPB’s last mile reach for
building awareness about life insurance. Both the companies came together, to
formally sign the Corporate Agency Agreement.
Static/Current Takeaways Important for
Indian Bank PO Exam 2018-
·
IPPB has begun operations with 650 branches and 3,250 access
points across the country.
·
IPPB CEO- Suresh Sethi.
Appointments
9. Government Appoints New MD & CEOs
At 10 PSBs: Here Is All You Need To Know
i. The government of India cleared the appointment of Chief Executive Officers
and Managing Directors (CEOs and MDs) at 10 Public Sector Banks (PSBs).
ii. Here is the list of people
appointed as MD and CEO at various PSBs:
1. Padmaja Chundru - Indian Bank.
2. Mrutyunjay Mahapatra - Syndicate Bank.
3. Pallav Mohapatra - Central Bank of India.
4. Packirisamy - Andhra Bank.
5. Karnam Sekar - Dena Bank.
NOTE: All of the above people are
currently deputy MDs at SBI.
6. SS Mallikarajuna Rao - Allahabad Bank - He is currently the ED of Syndicate
Bank.
7. AS Rajeev - Bank of Maharashtra - He is currently the ED of Indian
Bank.
8. Atul Kumar Goel - UCO Bank - He is currently the ED at Union Bank
of India.
9. S Harisankar - Punjab & Sind Bank. He is currently the Executive
Director of Allahabad Bank.
10.
Ashok Kumar Pradhan - United Bank of India - He
is currently the ED of United Bank of India.
10. Top Scientist KN Vyas Appointed Atomic Energy Commission Chief
10. Top Scientist KN Vyas Appointed Atomic Energy Commission Chief
i.
Renowned scientist Kamlesh Nilkanth Vyas has been appointed the secretary of the Department
of Atomic Energy and chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission. Mr
Vyas, who is at present Director of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), has
been appointed in place of Shekhar Basu.
ii. Mr Basu was appointed to the post in October 2015 and his tenure was to end in September 2016.
ii. Mr Basu was appointed to the post in October 2015 and his tenure was to end in September 2016.
Awards
11. National Sports Awards
2018 Announced: Complete List of Winners
i.
National Sports Awards are given every year
to recognize and reward excellence in sports.
ii. Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award is given for the spectacular and most outstanding performance in the field of sports by a sportsperson over a period of four year.
Find The Complete List of Winners Here
ii. Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award is given for the spectacular and most outstanding performance in the field of sports by a sportsperson over a period of four year.
Find The Complete List of Winners Here