National News
1. Government Approves Draft Act
To Replace UGC With HECI
i. The
Union Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) proposed a draft bill to repeal the University
Grants Commission (UGC) and set up the Higher Education
Commission of India (HECI). This move that aims to reform higher
education in India.
ii. The HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar stated that the draft Act is in accordance with the commitment of Government for reforming the regulatory systems that provide for more autonomy and facilitate the holistic growth of the education system.
ii. The HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar stated that the draft Act is in accordance with the commitment of Government for reforming the regulatory systems that provide for more autonomy and facilitate the holistic growth of the education system.
iii. The Act entitled ‘Higher
Education Commission of India Act, 2018 (Repeal of University Grants Commission
Act)’ revamps UGC Act, 1951 and its parent legislation completely.
2. NITI
Aayog’s WEP Signs SoI With Financial Institutions & Social Organisations
i.
NITI Aayog’s Women Entrepreneurs Platform has signed five Statements of
Intent (SoIs) with financial institutions and social organisations to
provide assistance to women entrepreneurs and address the finance-related
challenges faced by them.
ii. The SoIs were inked with Shri Mahila Sewa Sahakari Bank Limited, Indiabulls Housing Finance Limited, SREI Infrastructure Finance Limited, Sreemanta Sankar Mission and the Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA).
ii. The SoIs were inked with Shri Mahila Sewa Sahakari Bank Limited, Indiabulls Housing Finance Limited, SREI Infrastructure Finance Limited, Sreemanta Sankar Mission and the Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA).
Static/Current Takeaways Important for
SBI PO/Clerk Exam 2018-
·
The
WEP was established on the occasion of International Women's Day
(8 March) to substantially increase the number of women entrepreneurs
who will create and empower a dynamic New India.
·
NITI- National Institution for
Transforming India.
·
NITI
Aayog Vice-Chairman- Rajiv
Kumar, CEO- Amitabh Kant.
3. Government
Approves 2 More Strategic Oil Storages in Odisha and Karnataka
i. The government has decided to set
up two more underground crude oil storages in Odisha and Karnataka to
increase emergency stockpile cover by 12 days to 22 days. The Cabinet has
approved setting up of 4 million tonne (MT) storage at Chandikhole in
Odisha and 2.5 MT storage at Padur in Karnataka.
ii. The announcement was made by the Finance Minister Piyush Goyal in New Delhi. The storages will be additional to the existing rock caverns to shore 5.33 MT of crude Visakhapatnam (1.33 MT), Mangalore (1.5 MT) and Padur (2.5 MT).
ii. The announcement was made by the Finance Minister Piyush Goyal in New Delhi. The storages will be additional to the existing rock caverns to shore 5.33 MT of crude Visakhapatnam (1.33 MT), Mangalore (1.5 MT) and Padur (2.5 MT).
Static/Current Takeaways Important for
SBI PO/Clerk Exam 2018-
·
Dharmendra
Pradhan is the present Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
International News
4. Pakistan
Placed On FATF’s ‘Grey List’
Shamshad Akhtar |
i.
Pakistan has been placed on the grey list by the Financial Action Task Force
(FATF) for failing to curb
anti-terror financing despite its diplomatic efforts to avert the decision.
ii. The decision was taken at the global financial watchdog Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) plenary session in Paris where Finance Minister Shamshad Akhtar represented Pakistan.
ii. The decision was taken at the global financial watchdog Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) plenary session in Paris where Finance Minister Shamshad Akhtar represented Pakistan.
Static/Current Takeaways Important for
SBI PO/Clerk Exam 2018-
·
The
FATF is an inter-governmental body established in 1989 to combat money
laundering, terrorist financing and other related threats to the integrity of
the international financial system.
Awards
5. ‘Sagarmala’ Receives Gold Award
At 52nd Skoch Summit 2018
i. The
Ministry of Shipping’s flagship
programme for port-led-prosperity ‘Sagarmala’ received
the ‘Gold Award’ in infrastructure sector in the recently
concluded 52nd Skoch Summit 2018 in New Delhi.
ii. The Sagarmala Programme also received
the ‘Order of Merit’ at the Summit. The Skoch Awards
recognize leadership and excellence in accelerating socio-economic
changes.
Banking/Business News
6. Exim Bank Extends $10 mn Loan
Facility To Seychelles
i. The
Export-Import Bank of India (Exim Bank) announced that it has extended $10 million worth of line of
credit (LOC) to Seychelles. This is for healthcare and procurement of
goods and projects.
ii. It is the first tranche of the $50 million sanctioned by the Exim Bank to the country. With this agreement for $10 million, Exim Bank has extended two LOCs to Seychelles, taking the total value to $28 million.
ii. It is the first tranche of the $50 million sanctioned by the Exim Bank to the country. With this agreement for $10 million, Exim Bank has extended two LOCs to Seychelles, taking the total value to $28 million.
Static/Current Takeaways Important for
SBI PO/Clerk Exam 2018-
·
Exim
Bank Headquarters in: Mumbai, Founded in: 1982, CEO- Shri
Yaduvendra Mathur.
·
Seychelles
Capital: Victoria, Currency: Seychellois
rupee.
7. BHEL Inks Pact With Korean Firm for Emission Controlling Equipment
i.
Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd. (BHEL) has
inked a pact with South Korean firm NANO Co Ltd for design and
manufacture of emission controlling devices for coal-based power plants.
ii. The Technology Collaboration Agreement (TCA) with NANO Co is for design and manufacture of SCR Catalysts for De-NOx application in coal-fired plants. The pact will enable BHEL to enhance its offerings for emission control systems (De-NOx applications).
ii. The Technology Collaboration Agreement (TCA) with NANO Co is for design and manufacture of SCR Catalysts for De-NOx application in coal-fired plants. The pact will enable BHEL to enhance its offerings for emission control systems (De-NOx applications).
Static/Current Takeaways Important for
SBI PO/Clerk Exam 2018-
·
South
Korea Capital- Seoul, President- Moon
Jae-in.
8. HCL Tech Acquires German IT Firm
H&D
i. HCL
Technologies has acquired German
IT and engineering services provider H&D International Group.
Through this deal, HCL Tech will attain significant in-country front office and
delivery capabilities, which will further enhance its domain expertise in the
global automotive sector.
ii. The H&D Group, one of the largest IT service providers in the German automotive industry, has extensive expertise in SAP, computer-aided technologies (CAx), engineering services and customer-specific product development.
ii. The H&D Group, one of the largest IT service providers in the German automotive industry, has extensive expertise in SAP, computer-aided technologies (CAx), engineering services and customer-specific product development.