IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF AUGUST 29th, 2017

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF AUGUST 29th, 2017

1. National Sports Day: 29 August

i. The National Sports day is celebrated on 29th August every year to mark the birthday of legendary hockey player Major Dhyan Chand. To celebrate the day various programs are being conducted through the country.

ii. On this occasion, President Ram Nath Kovind will give away the Sports Awards. A total of 29 players have been selected to receive the honors from President. The President will confer Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, Arjuna Award and Dronacharya Award at Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi.

2. Vice President Launches ‘National Sports Talent Search Portal’

i. The vice president of India Venkaiah Naidu launched the National Sports Talent Search Portal, a government initiative to unearth sporting talent from every nook and corner of the country.

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF AUGUST 28th, 2017

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF AUGUST 28th, 2017

1. India, China Agree to Disengage at Doklam

i. India and China have agreed to withdraw their troops from Doklam after being in a standoff for over two months. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the expeditious disengagement has been agreed to and is going on.

ii. The standoff had started after India objected to China constructing a road in the disputed area.

2. Dipak Misra Sworn in as CJI

i. Justice Dipak Misra was sworn in as the 45th Chief Justice of India. At a brief ceremony in the Darbar Hall of Rashtrapati Bhawan, President Ramnath Kovind administered the oath of office to Mr. Misra.

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF AUGUST 27th, 2017

 IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF AUGUST 27th, 2017

1. HDFC Bank Launches All-in-one PoS Machine

i. HDFC Bank announced a software upgrade to create a single point-of-sale (PoS) machine which will accept payments through Unified Payments Interface (UPI), BharatQR, SMS Pay and the bank’s mobile wallet, in addition to the traditional mode of swiping cards.

ii. The merchant has to do is to update his/her machine with a software at no cost. The new software will work only on HDFC Bank-issued PoS machines, but will accept any card or app from any bank/service provider.

2. Banks to Pay 3% IGST on Gold Imports

i. Banks importing gold and precious metals will have to pay 3 per cent tax under the GST which can be claimed as input tax credit.

ii. Under GST 3% Integrated-GST is payable on all imports of precious metals in addition to the basic customs duty. IGST paid can be taken as input tax credit by the banks.

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF AUGUST 26th, 2017

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF AUGUST 26th, 2017

1. Nungthaang Tampak- North East's First 100% Computer Literate Village

i. Manipur's Nungthaang Tampak village has emerged as the '100 percent computer literate' not only in the state but in the entire North East. The computer course was organized by Mangal Rural as a part of the Digital India program.

ii. Nungthang Tampak has become India's second 100 percent computer literate village. Kerala's Chamravattom village is the country's first 100 percent computer literate village.

2. E-waste Disposal from Schools Kicks Starts in Kerala

i. E-waste removal from Kerala schools has begun with about 12,500 kg being disposed statewide on a single day under a programme aiming to clear accumulated junk, reportedly estimated at over one crore kg.

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF AUGUST 25th, 2017

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS AUGUST 25th, 2017

1. Nandan Nilekani Returns to Infosys as New Chairman

i. Nandan Nilekani has been appointed as the New Chairman of the software giant Infosys. Nilekani has replaced R Seshasayee, who resigned as chairman of the board. Vishal Sikka stepped down as CEO of the company recently.

ii. Sikka, who was appointed executive vice-chairman after he resigned as CEO, has also stepped down.

2. Dhanlaxmi Bank, DHFL Pramerica Tie up for Bancassurance

i. DHFL Pramerica Life Insurance Company has signed on Kerala-based Dhanlaxmi Bank as its bancassurance partner. Under the agreement, the latter will distribute retail and group life insurance products to its customers across 260 branches in India.

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF AUGUST 24th, 2017

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF AUGUST 24th, 2017

1. Important Cabinet Approvals- 23rd August

i. The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given the following set of approvals. The full list of Cabinet Approvals is given as follows-

ii. Cabinet has approved-

1. Setting up of a Commission to examine the Sub-Categorization within OBCs.

2. MoU between India and Nepal for laying down implementation arrangement for construction of a Closure of loss making Bharat Wagon and Engineering Company.
3. MoU between India and Nepal on Drug Demand Reduction and Prevention of Illicit Trafficking in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances and precursor chemicals and related matters.
4. Cabinet gives in-principle approval for Public Sector Banks to amalgamate through an Alternative Mechanism (AM). The salient features of the approval Framework for Consolidation of Public Sector Banks are as follows:

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF AUGUST 23rd, 2017

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF AUGUST 23rd, 2017

1. World's Highest-Paid Actors 2017: Forbes List

i. The former rapper-turned-actor Mark Wahlberg is Hollywood's highest-paid leading man, earning $68 million pretax in 12 month scoring period. From India, Shahrukh Khan is the highest paid actor (Rank 8) followed by Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar. Wahlberg has replaced out last year's top-ranked star, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.

ii. The Top 10 Highest Paid Actors in the List are:

1. Mark Wahlberg ($68 million)

2. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson ($65 million)

3. Vin Diesel ($54.5 million)

4. Adam Sandler ($50.5 million)

5. Jackie Chan ($49 million)

6. Robert Downey, Jr. ($48 million)

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF AUGUST 22nd, 2017

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF AUGUST 22nd, 2017

1. National Sports Awards 2017 Announced

i. National Sports Awards are given every year to recognize and reward excellence in sports. 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, Arjuna Award is given for consistently outstanding performance for four years, Dronacharya Award for coaches for producing medal winners at prestigious International sports events, Dhyan Chand Award for life time contribution to sports development.

ii. The Union Government announced the National Sports Awards. Para athlete Devendra and hockey player Sardar Singh will be honoured with the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award.

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF AUGUST 21st, 2017

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF AUGUST 21st, 2017

1. Navika Sagar Parikrama: Indian Navy’s All women Team to Circumnavigate Globe

i. Under project Navika Sagar Parikrama, a team of women officers of the Indian Navy would circumnavigate the globe on an Indian-built sail boat INSV Tarini. This is the first ever Indian circumnavigation of the globe by an all-women crew.

ii. The project is considered essential towards promoting Ocean Sailing activities in the Navy while depicting Government of India’s thrust for ‘Nari Shakti’.

2. India, US Establish TWO-BY-TWO Ministerial Dialogue

i. India and US have established new two-by-two (2 by 2) ministerial dialogue to enhance strategic coordination between them and maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF AUGUST 20th, 2017

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF AUGUST 20th, 2017

1. India’s First World Peace University Inaugurated in MIT, Pune

i. MIT World Peace University, the first of its kind in India, was inaugurated by Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis.

ii. Following the celebrations, a two-day ‘Global Summit Science and Spirituality for World Peace’ was organized on the next day discussing issues of national and international importance and how a different outlook towards education could solve many of them.

2. Sadbhavana Diwas: 20 August

i. The Sadbhavana Diwas or Harmony Day is celebrated to commemorate the birth anniversary (August 20) of Rajiv Gandhi.

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF AUGUST 19th, 2017

IMPORTANT CURRENT  AFFAIRS OF AUGUST 19th, 2017

1. World Humanitarian Day: 19 August

i. World Humanitarian Day (WHD) is held every year on 19 August to pay tribute to aid workers who risk their lives in humanitarian service, and to rally support for people affected by crises around the world.

ii. The campaign was launched on WHD with the theme- #NotATarget. The Day is organized by the United Nations.

2. China Launches First Cyber Court in e-commerce Hub

i. China launched its first cyber court specializing in handling Internet-related cases in the e-commerce hub of Hangzhou.

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF AUGUST 18th, 2017

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF AUGUST 18th, 2017

1. Cabinet Approves Completion of North Koel Reservoir Project

i. The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval to the proposal to complete the balance works of the North Koel Reservoir Project in Jharkhand and Bihar at an estimated expenditure of Rs.1622.27 crore to be incurred during three financial years from the start of the project.

ii. The Cabinet also approved storage of water in dam restricted at lower level than envisaged earlier to reduce the submergence and to protect Betla National Park and Palamau Tiger Reserve.

2. Government to Conduct ‘World’s Largest Sample Survey’ for Students

i. The Human Resource Development (HRD) Ministry has announced November 13 as the date for conducting its National Assessment Survey (NAS) for the students of class 3, 5, and 8.

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF AUGUST 17th, 2017

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF AUGUST 17th, 2017

1. Cabinet Approved raising of over Rs 9000 cr through NABARD for Completing Irrigation Projects

i. The Union Cabinet has approved raising extra budgetary resources up to 9,020 crore rupees for Long Term Irrigation Fund in 2017-18 under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY). According to Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, the amount will be raised by NABARD through Bonds.

ii. The Fund seeks to make loans from NABARD attractive for states by ensuring lending rate of 6 per cent per annum.

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF AUGUST 16th, 2017

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF AUGUST 16th, 2017

1. India to Host Next Steering Committee Meeting of TAPI Gas Pipeline

i. India (New Delhi) will host the next steering committee meeting of the proposed 1,814 kilometre-long Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline senior officials on both sides confirmed. The decision came during the sixth joint Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) meeting on trade, economic, scientific and technological cooperation.

ii. The meeting was followed by a meeting between visiting Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov and Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan.

About TAPI Gas Pipeline in Brief-

The Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan–India Pipeline, also known as Trans-Afghanistan Pipeline, is a natural gas pipeline being developed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).  On 24 April 2008, Pakistan, India and Afghanistan signed a framework agreement to buy natural gas from Turkmenistan. The intergovernmental agreement on the pipeline was signed on 11 December 2010 in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF AUGUST 15th, 2017

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF AUGUST 15th, 2017

1. Nation celebrates its 71st Independence Day on 15th August 2017

i. The nation celebrates its 71st Independence Day today (15th August 2017) and the main function was held at the Red Fort of the national capital where Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoisted the National Flag. 

ii. The unfurling of the Tricolour was synchronized with the 21 Gun Salute fired by the valiant gunners of the elite 2281 Field Regiment (Ceremonial). 

2. 112 Gallantry Awards to Armed Forces Personnel, members of Paramilitary Forces

i. On the occasion of 71st Independence Day, 112 Gallantry Awards have been approved by the President Ram Nath Kovind for the Armed Forces and Paramilitary Forces. It includes five Kirti Chakras, 17 Shaurya Chakras, 85 Sena Medals (Gallantry), three Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry) and two Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry). Havaldar Giris Gurung from first Gorkha Rifles who was martyred during a major counter-infiltration operation along the Line of Control in Naugam sector of Kashmir has been awarded Kirti Chakra posthumously. 

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF 6th and 7th AUGUST, 2017

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF 6th and 7th AUGUST, 2017

1. 7th August: National Handloom Day being celebrated

i. National Handloom Day is being celebrated today to give an impetus to the sector and encourage the use of handmade loom. 7th of August was chosen to celebrate the day due to its special significance in India's history. It was on this day that the Swadeshi Movement was launched in 1905. The movement involved the revival of domestic products and production processes.

ii. In Assam, the main event of the National Handloom Day is being celebrated in Guwahati. Chief Minister Sarbanand Sonowal, Minister of State for Textiles Ajay Tamta attended the program. 

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF AUGUST 5th, 2017

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF AUGUST 5th, 2017

1. Venkaiah Naidu Is New Vice President of India 

i. Venkaiah Naidu is going to succeed Hamid Ansari as the new Vice-President of India. Naidu’s victory was a foregone conclusion, the NDA candidate having the support of a majority of MPs who ally with the BJP.

ii. The Election Commission said that 771 votes were polled, of which 760 were valid and 11 were valid. Venkaiah Naidu secured 516 and Gopalkrishna Gandhi 241 votes. This means, that Venkaiha Naidu will become the 13th Vice President of India.

2. Government to Develop Green Airports in Andhra Pradesh

i. As a part of Government of India’s initiative to develop green airports, two airports in Andhra Pradesh- Tirupati and Vijayawada are going to go completely green. AAI has commenced installation of 1MWp solar power plant at Tirupathi and Vijaywada Airports.

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF AUGUST 4th, 2017

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF AUGUST 4th, 2017

1. Lok Sabha Passes Bill to Raise NABARD’s Capital to Rs30,000 crore
i. A bill to enable exit of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) from Nabard and increase authorized capital of the development institution six times to Rs 30,000 crore was passed by the Lok Sabha.

ii. Important Points About the Bill-

1. Increase in capital of NABARD: At present the authorized capital of Nabard is Rs 5,000 crore and there is a proposal to increase it to Rs 30,000 crore.
2. Transfer of the RBI’s share to the Union Government: At present in Nabard, the Centre has a share of 99.6% and the RBI has the remaining share.

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF AUGUST 3rd, 2017

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF AUGUST 3rd, 2017

1. India and Somalia sign agreement on transfer of sentenced persons

i. India and Somalia signed a bilateral agreement for the transfer of sentenced persons. The move is step forward in deepening humanitarian cooperation between the two nations.

ii. The agreement was signed between External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Foreign Minister of the Federal Republic of Somalia Yusuf Garaad Omar.

2. Cabinet approves MoU between India and BRICS countries to set up BRICS Agriculture Research Platform

i. The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its ex-post facto approval for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed among India and various BRICS countries for establishment of the BRICS Agriculture Research Platform (BRICS-ARP).

ii. During the 7th BRICS Summit held in July 2015 at Ufa in Russia, PM Modi proposed to establish BRICS Agriculture Research Centre which will be a gift to the entire world.

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF AUGUST 2nd, 2017

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF AUGUST 2nd, 2017

1. Monetary Policy: RBI cuts policy rate by 25 basis points to 6%

i. Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), headed by Urjit Patel, decided to reduce the Policy Repo Rate under the liquidity adjustment facility (LAF) by 25 basis points from 6.25 per cent to 6.0 per cent with immediate effect.

ii. Consequently, the reverse repo rate under the LAF stands adjusted to 5.75 per cent, and the marginal standing facility (MSF) rate and the Bank Rate to 6.25 per cent.

2. Airtel Payment Bank ties up with HPCL for ATM services

i. Airtel Payments Bank, India’s first payments bank has announced a strategic partnership with Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) to give further boost to digital payments in the country and to add to customer convenience.

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF AUGUST 1st, 2017

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF AUGUST 1st, 2017

• World's longest pedestrian suspension bridge opens in Switzerland
•  Spanning an awesome 1621 feet and rising as high as 279 feet, the newly opened Charles Kuonen Suspension Bridge in Switzerland has broken the record for the world's longest pedestrian suspension bridge, according to Zermatt Tourism.
• The bridge, which has replaced an older bridge that was damaged by falling rocks, was named after its chief sponsor, a psychologist and co-owner of a Swiss winery.
  
•  Trump Awarded First Medal of Honor to Vietnam Army Medic
• An Army medic from Michigan who risked his life multiple times to rescue Vietnam War comrades is the first person to receive the Medal of Honor from President Donald Trump in Washington.

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF 30th and 31st JULY 2015

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF 30th and 31st JULY 2017

1. United Nation's World Day against Trafficking in Persons: 30 July

i. The United Nations World Day against Trafficking in Persons 2017 is observed across the world on 30 July. This year, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) selected ‘Act to Protect and Assist Trafficked Persons’ as the focus of the Day.

ii. The theme emphasizes one of the most pressing issues of the large mixed migration movements of refugees and migrants.

2. DRDO develops India's first unmanned tank 'Muntra'

i. Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed India's first unmanned tank, which has three variants – surveillance, mine detection, and reconnaissance in areas with nuclear and bio threats. It is called Muntra (Mission UNmanned TRAcked) and has been rolled out of the Chennai lab.