Current Affairs 21st February 2018: Daily GK Update
February 21, 2018
Dear Aspirants,
The General Awareness Section of Banking Exams covers numerous sections in it like Banking Awareness, Static GK, and Current Affairs. But the most important thing that you might have noticed is that both the Banking Awareness and Static Awareness questions asked in the General Awareness Section are based on Current Affairs only. The questions on Static and Banking Awareness are related to the countries, events or anything that has been in news for a while. Apart from the GA Section, an excellent knowledge of current news also helps you deal with the PI (Personal Interview) more efficiently so you do not give a mumble jumble answer to the interviewee's simple questions. Here is the Daily GK Update to get you acquainted with the top events that made the headlines today!!
Current Affairs 21st February 2018: Daily GK Update
National News
1. PM Narendra Modi Inaugurates UP Investors Summit in Lucknow
i. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 2-Day long UP Investors Summit in Lucknow. The mega event has been organised by the Uttar Pradesh government. It is aimed at showcasing investment opportunities and potential across various sectors in Uttar Pradesh.
ii. According to the UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, 900 MoUs have already been finalised ahead of the Summit. Representatives from Mauritius, Japan, the Netherlands, Finland, Czech Republic, Thailand and Slovakia will also participate in the event.
Static/Current Takeaways Important for Syndicate Bank PO 2018 Exam-
UP Governor- Ram Naik.
Pilibhit Tiger Reserve & Wildlife Sanctuary is located in UP.
2. World Congress on Information Technology and Nasscom India Leadership Forum Held Concurrently in Hyderabad
i. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 22nd edition of the World Congress on Information Technology (WCIT) in Hyderabad through a video conference. The WCIT is held for the first time in India.
ii. The 26th edition of Nasscom India Leadership Forum (ILF) was also held in the same venue later on. Nasscom is the host of the of WCIT. Telangana is the state partner for both the events.
Static/Current Takeaways Important for Syndicate Bank PO 2018 Exam-
Telangana CM- K Chandrasekhar Rao, Governor- ESL Narasimhan (Add. Charge).
3. Government Clears Private Commercial Mining in Coal
i. In a major reform in the coal sector since its nationalisation in 1973, the government has allowed private companies to mine the fossil fuel for commercial use. This move ended the monopoly of state-owned Coal India Ltd.
ii. The decision was taken by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) under the Chairmanship of PM Narendra Modi. Currently, the private sector is allowed coal mining for captive use only.
Static/Current Takeaways Important for Syndicate Bank PO 2018 Exam-
Coal Minister of India- Piyush Goyal.
Coal accounts for around 70% of the country’s power generation.
4. Haryana Government Launched 4 Subsidized Food Canteens Under 'Antyodaya Aahaar Yojna'
i. Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar launched 4 food canteens at Faridabad, Gurugram, Hisar, and Yamunanagar via video-conferencing from Chandigarh.
ii. These have been set up under the ‘Antyodaya Aahaar Yojana’ to provide healthy, nutritious and hygienic food at only Rs 10 per meal to all poor and needy.
Static/Current Takeaways Important for Syndicate Bank PO 2018 Exam-
Haryana Governor- Kaptan Singh Solanki.
Kalesar National Park and Sultanpur National Park are situated in Haryana.
5. Maharashtra Government to Launch Asmita Yojana to Provide Cheap Sanitary Pads
i. Maharashtra government will roll out 'Asmita Yojana' on the International Women’s Day (March 8, 2018) to provide cheap (subsidised) sanitary pads to school girls and women.
ii. Under the scheme, schoolgirls studying in Zilla Parishad schools will get sanitary napkin packet at Rs 5 while rural women can avail it at the subsidised rate of Rs.24 and Rs.29.
Static/Current Takeaways Important for Syndicate Bank PO 2018 Exam-
Maharashtra CM- Devendra Fadnavis, Governor- C V Rao.
6. Delhi Government to Launch 'Mission Buniyaad' To Fix Learning Crisis In Delhi Schools
i. The Delhi government announced the launch of "Mission Buniyaad" for improving learning skills of children studying in state and municipal-run schools. The announcement was made by Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia.
ii. Under the programme which will run from April to June for Class 3 to 5 in Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) schools and for Class 6 to 8 in government's schools, children will undergo a reading level assessment based on which they will be enrolled in specialised "Mission Buniyaad" classes.
7. R.K. Singh Inaugurates ‘International R&D Conclave’ in New Delhi
i. Union Minister of State (IC) for Power and New & Renewable Energy, R.K. Singh inaugurated the ‘International R&D Conclave’ in New Delhi. It is a two-day conference on Emerging Opportunities and Challenges of R&D in Indian Power Sector.
ii. It has been organized by Central Electricity Authority (CEA). The conference was stressed upon the need of a dedicated R&D department in CEA to coordinate the research in the power sector.
8. Centre Constitutes Committee to Study Brahmaputra and Flood Control Measures in Assam
i. The Centre has constituted a committee headed by the Vice Chairman of the NITI Aayog Mr Rajiv Kumar to study the Brahmaputra and flood control measures in Assam and neighbouring states.
ii. According to the Assam Water Resource minister, Keshab Mahanta, measures are being taken by the Water Resource department to repair the damaged river embankment due to flood.
Static/Current Takeaways Important for Syndicate Bank PO 2018 Exam-
Assam CM- Sarbanand Sonowal, Governor- Jagdish Mukhi.
Kaziranga Wildlife Sanctuary (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) is situated in Assam.
9. Newborn Mortality Rate: India 12th Worst Among Low-Income Countries
i. India has been ranked 12th-worst among 52 low-middle income countries based on the number of children dying within the first month of their birth, which is 25.4 per 1,000 live births.
ii. Pakistan is the worst with 45.6 newborn deaths per 1,000 live births, according to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).
iii. Japan, with an NMR of 0.9 deaths per 1,000 live births, has been ranked the world's safest country in which to be born followed by Iceland (1) and Singapore (1.1).
Static/Current Takeaways Important for Syndicate Bank PO 2018 Exam-
UNICEF was Founded in 1946.
It Headquarters in New York, the USA.
10. Kerala Makes Vaccination Compulsory for School Admissions
i. Kerala government has made vaccination compulsory for school admissions from next academic year onwards. Parents will have to show details of shots given to children at the time of enrolment in schools.
ii. The health minister of Kerala KK Shailaja has released the new health policy draft. The move comes in the wake of stiff opposition from certain communities against the vaccination drive.
Static/Current Takeaways Important for Syndicate Bank PO 2018 Exam-
Kerala CM- Pinarayi Vijayan, Governor- Palaniswamy Sathasivam.
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary (famous for Tiger reserve and Asian elephant) is situated in Kerala.
11. Jaipur's Gandhinagar Railway Station Becomes Fully Women Operated Station
i. The Gandhi Nagar railway station in Jaipur, Rajasthan became railway station to be fully-managed by women. Gandhi Nagar is an important railway station in Jaipur situated on the Jaipur-Delhi rail route. The station has the footfall of more than 7,000 passengers every day.
ii. There are 40 women staff at the station beside women personnel of the railway protection force have been deployed at the station.
12. Government Sets Up the “NITI Forum for Northeast”
i. The Union Government has issued order setting up the ‘Niti Forum for North-East’. The forum will be co-chaired by the Vice-Chairman of NITI Aayog Mr Rajiv Kumar and Minister of State (I/C), Ministry of Development of Northeastern Region (DoNER), Dr Jitendra Singh.
ii. The NITI Forum for Northeast is tasked to identify various constraints on the way of accelerated, inclusive and sustainable economic growth in the North East Region of the country. The forum will have its Secretariat in the Ministry of DoNER.
Static/Current Takeaways Important for Syndicate Bank PO 2018 Exam-
NITI- National Institution for Transforming India.
NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman- Rajiv Kumar, CEO- Amitabh Kant.
13. UP Investors Summit 2018: Important Highlights of Day 1
i. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the two-day ‘UP Investors Summit’ in Lucknow. It is the first such event by the Yogi Adityanath government. The summit is aimed at showcasing investment opportunities and potential across various sectors in Uttar Pradesh.
ii. It was emphasised that Uttar Pradesh government should compete with Maharashtra to become the first Indian state with a trillion-dollar economy.
Highlights of Day 1-
1. Uttar Pradesh has signed 1,045 pacts worth Rs4.28 trillion on the first day of the UP investors’ summit.
2. PM Modi announced Rs20,000 crore defence corridor for Bundelkhand.
3. The Aditya Birla Group will invest Rs 25,000 crore in Uttar Pradesh over the next 5 years.
4. Reliance Industries chief Mukesh Ambani promised investment of another Rs10,000 crore through Jio in the next three years.
5. Adani Group will invest Rs 35,000 crore in UP over the next five years in various sectors.
International News
14. Cobra Gold Military Exercise Held in Thailand
i. US Marines in Thailand for the Cobra Gold training exercise took part in one of the wildest parts of the drills - drinking cobra blood. This was the 37th edition of the exercise.
ii. This year, seven countries are participating in Cobra Gold - the US, Thailand, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, South Korea, and Singapore. Part of the drill involves jungle survival.
Static/Current Takeaways Important for Syndicate Bank PO 2018 Exam-
Thailand Capital- Bangkok, Currency- Thai baht.
15. India, Indonesia Joint Military Drill 'Garuda Shakti' Begins
i. The Indian and Indonesian armies began the sixth edition of their annual military exercise named 'Garuda Shakti' in Bandung, Indonesia.
ii. The exercises will include experience sharing in counter-terrorism operations, close quarter combat, and other areas of special operations.
Static/Current Takeaways Important for Syndicate Bank PO 2018 Exam-
Indian Ambassador to Indonesia is Pradeep Kumar Rawat.
The Defence Minister of Indonesia is General Ryamizard Ryacudu.
Indonesian Capital- Jakarta, Currency- Indonesian rupiah.
16. World Day of Social Justice- 20 February
i. The World Day of Social Justice (WDSJ) is observed globally on 20th February.
ii. The theme for WDSJ 2018 is "Workers on the Move: the Quest for Social Justice".
Static/Current Takeaways Important for Syndicate Bank PO 2018 Exam-
ILO Headquarters- Geneva, Switzerland.
ILO Director-General- Mr Guy Ryders.
Business/Economy News
17. NITI Aayog Budget Allocation Increased by More than 20%
i. According to the Minister of State (IC) for Planning Shri Rao Inderjit Singh, allocations for the Ministry of Planning, which is embodied by the NITI Aayog, have increased by more than 20% over last year i.e. to Rs 339.65 crore in 2018-19 from Rs 279.79 crore in 2017-18.
Static/Current Takeaways Important for Syndicate Bank PO 2018 Exam-
NITI- National Institution for Transforming India.
NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman- Rajiv Kumar, CEO- Amitabh Kant.
18. Google Launches Google Pay to Take on Apple Pay
i. Google has combined its two payment services, Google Wallet and Android Pay, into a new app called Google Pay.
ii. The platform includes features like the ability to pay at checkout counters with a smartphone or pay for public transportation.
Static/Current Takeaways Important for Syndicate Bank PO 2018 Exam-
Google CEO- Sundar Pichai, Parent organization- Alphabet Inc., Headquarters- The USA.
February 21, 2018
Dear Aspirants,
The General Awareness Section of Banking Exams covers numerous sections in it like Banking Awareness, Static GK, and Current Affairs. But the most important thing that you might have noticed is that both the Banking Awareness and Static Awareness questions asked in the General Awareness Section are based on Current Affairs only. The questions on Static and Banking Awareness are related to the countries, events or anything that has been in news for a while. Apart from the GA Section, an excellent knowledge of current news also helps you deal with the PI (Personal Interview) more efficiently so you do not give a mumble jumble answer to the interviewee's simple questions. Here is the Daily GK Update to get you acquainted with the top events that made the headlines today!!
Current Affairs 21st February 2018: Daily GK Update
National News
1. PM Narendra Modi Inaugurates UP Investors Summit in Lucknow
i. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 2-Day long UP Investors Summit in Lucknow. The mega event has been organised by the Uttar Pradesh government. It is aimed at showcasing investment opportunities and potential across various sectors in Uttar Pradesh.
ii. According to the UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, 900 MoUs have already been finalised ahead of the Summit. Representatives from Mauritius, Japan, the Netherlands, Finland, Czech Republic, Thailand and Slovakia will also participate in the event.
Static/Current Takeaways Important for Syndicate Bank PO 2018 Exam-
UP Governor- Ram Naik.
Pilibhit Tiger Reserve & Wildlife Sanctuary is located in UP.
2. World Congress on Information Technology and Nasscom India Leadership Forum Held Concurrently in Hyderabad
i. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 22nd edition of the World Congress on Information Technology (WCIT) in Hyderabad through a video conference. The WCIT is held for the first time in India.
ii. The 26th edition of Nasscom India Leadership Forum (ILF) was also held in the same venue later on. Nasscom is the host of the of WCIT. Telangana is the state partner for both the events.
Static/Current Takeaways Important for Syndicate Bank PO 2018 Exam-
Telangana CM- K Chandrasekhar Rao, Governor- ESL Narasimhan (Add. Charge).
3. Government Clears Private Commercial Mining in Coal
i. In a major reform in the coal sector since its nationalisation in 1973, the government has allowed private companies to mine the fossil fuel for commercial use. This move ended the monopoly of state-owned Coal India Ltd.
ii. The decision was taken by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) under the Chairmanship of PM Narendra Modi. Currently, the private sector is allowed coal mining for captive use only.
Static/Current Takeaways Important for Syndicate Bank PO 2018 Exam-
Coal Minister of India- Piyush Goyal.
Coal accounts for around 70% of the country’s power generation.
4. Haryana Government Launched 4 Subsidized Food Canteens Under 'Antyodaya Aahaar Yojna'
i. Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar launched 4 food canteens at Faridabad, Gurugram, Hisar, and Yamunanagar via video-conferencing from Chandigarh.
ii. These have been set up under the ‘Antyodaya Aahaar Yojana’ to provide healthy, nutritious and hygienic food at only Rs 10 per meal to all poor and needy.
Static/Current Takeaways Important for Syndicate Bank PO 2018 Exam-
Haryana Governor- Kaptan Singh Solanki.
Kalesar National Park and Sultanpur National Park are situated in Haryana.
5. Maharashtra Government to Launch Asmita Yojana to Provide Cheap Sanitary Pads
i. Maharashtra government will roll out 'Asmita Yojana' on the International Women’s Day (March 8, 2018) to provide cheap (subsidised) sanitary pads to school girls and women.
ii. Under the scheme, schoolgirls studying in Zilla Parishad schools will get sanitary napkin packet at Rs 5 while rural women can avail it at the subsidised rate of Rs.24 and Rs.29.
Static/Current Takeaways Important for Syndicate Bank PO 2018 Exam-
Maharashtra CM- Devendra Fadnavis, Governor- C V Rao.
6. Delhi Government to Launch 'Mission Buniyaad' To Fix Learning Crisis In Delhi Schools
i. The Delhi government announced the launch of "Mission Buniyaad" for improving learning skills of children studying in state and municipal-run schools. The announcement was made by Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia.
ii. Under the programme which will run from April to June for Class 3 to 5 in Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) schools and for Class 6 to 8 in government's schools, children will undergo a reading level assessment based on which they will be enrolled in specialised "Mission Buniyaad" classes.
7. R.K. Singh Inaugurates ‘International R&D Conclave’ in New Delhi
i. Union Minister of State (IC) for Power and New & Renewable Energy, R.K. Singh inaugurated the ‘International R&D Conclave’ in New Delhi. It is a two-day conference on Emerging Opportunities and Challenges of R&D in Indian Power Sector.
ii. It has been organized by Central Electricity Authority (CEA). The conference was stressed upon the need of a dedicated R&D department in CEA to coordinate the research in the power sector.
8. Centre Constitutes Committee to Study Brahmaputra and Flood Control Measures in Assam
i. The Centre has constituted a committee headed by the Vice Chairman of the NITI Aayog Mr Rajiv Kumar to study the Brahmaputra and flood control measures in Assam and neighbouring states.
ii. According to the Assam Water Resource minister, Keshab Mahanta, measures are being taken by the Water Resource department to repair the damaged river embankment due to flood.
Static/Current Takeaways Important for Syndicate Bank PO 2018 Exam-
Assam CM- Sarbanand Sonowal, Governor- Jagdish Mukhi.
Kaziranga Wildlife Sanctuary (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) is situated in Assam.
9. Newborn Mortality Rate: India 12th Worst Among Low-Income Countries
i. India has been ranked 12th-worst among 52 low-middle income countries based on the number of children dying within the first month of their birth, which is 25.4 per 1,000 live births.
ii. Pakistan is the worst with 45.6 newborn deaths per 1,000 live births, according to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).
iii. Japan, with an NMR of 0.9 deaths per 1,000 live births, has been ranked the world's safest country in which to be born followed by Iceland (1) and Singapore (1.1).
Static/Current Takeaways Important for Syndicate Bank PO 2018 Exam-
UNICEF was Founded in 1946.
It Headquarters in New York, the USA.
10. Kerala Makes Vaccination Compulsory for School Admissions
i. Kerala government has made vaccination compulsory for school admissions from next academic year onwards. Parents will have to show details of shots given to children at the time of enrolment in schools.
ii. The health minister of Kerala KK Shailaja has released the new health policy draft. The move comes in the wake of stiff opposition from certain communities against the vaccination drive.
Static/Current Takeaways Important for Syndicate Bank PO 2018 Exam-
Kerala CM- Pinarayi Vijayan, Governor- Palaniswamy Sathasivam.
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary (famous for Tiger reserve and Asian elephant) is situated in Kerala.
11. Jaipur's Gandhinagar Railway Station Becomes Fully Women Operated Station
i. The Gandhi Nagar railway station in Jaipur, Rajasthan became railway station to be fully-managed by women. Gandhi Nagar is an important railway station in Jaipur situated on the Jaipur-Delhi rail route. The station has the footfall of more than 7,000 passengers every day.
ii. There are 40 women staff at the station beside women personnel of the railway protection force have been deployed at the station.
12. Government Sets Up the “NITI Forum for Northeast”
i. The Union Government has issued order setting up the ‘Niti Forum for North-East’. The forum will be co-chaired by the Vice-Chairman of NITI Aayog Mr Rajiv Kumar and Minister of State (I/C), Ministry of Development of Northeastern Region (DoNER), Dr Jitendra Singh.
ii. The NITI Forum for Northeast is tasked to identify various constraints on the way of accelerated, inclusive and sustainable economic growth in the North East Region of the country. The forum will have its Secretariat in the Ministry of DoNER.
Static/Current Takeaways Important for Syndicate Bank PO 2018 Exam-
NITI- National Institution for Transforming India.
NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman- Rajiv Kumar, CEO- Amitabh Kant.
13. UP Investors Summit 2018: Important Highlights of Day 1
i. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the two-day ‘UP Investors Summit’ in Lucknow. It is the first such event by the Yogi Adityanath government. The summit is aimed at showcasing investment opportunities and potential across various sectors in Uttar Pradesh.
ii. It was emphasised that Uttar Pradesh government should compete with Maharashtra to become the first Indian state with a trillion-dollar economy.
Highlights of Day 1-
1. Uttar Pradesh has signed 1,045 pacts worth Rs4.28 trillion on the first day of the UP investors’ summit.
2. PM Modi announced Rs20,000 crore defence corridor for Bundelkhand.
3. The Aditya Birla Group will invest Rs 25,000 crore in Uttar Pradesh over the next 5 years.
4. Reliance Industries chief Mukesh Ambani promised investment of another Rs10,000 crore through Jio in the next three years.
5. Adani Group will invest Rs 35,000 crore in UP over the next five years in various sectors.
International News
14. Cobra Gold Military Exercise Held in Thailand
i. US Marines in Thailand for the Cobra Gold training exercise took part in one of the wildest parts of the drills - drinking cobra blood. This was the 37th edition of the exercise.
ii. This year, seven countries are participating in Cobra Gold - the US, Thailand, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, South Korea, and Singapore. Part of the drill involves jungle survival.
Static/Current Takeaways Important for Syndicate Bank PO 2018 Exam-
Thailand Capital- Bangkok, Currency- Thai baht.
15. India, Indonesia Joint Military Drill 'Garuda Shakti' Begins
i. The Indian and Indonesian armies began the sixth edition of their annual military exercise named 'Garuda Shakti' in Bandung, Indonesia.
ii. The exercises will include experience sharing in counter-terrorism operations, close quarter combat, and other areas of special operations.
Static/Current Takeaways Important for Syndicate Bank PO 2018 Exam-
Indian Ambassador to Indonesia is Pradeep Kumar Rawat.
The Defence Minister of Indonesia is General Ryamizard Ryacudu.
Indonesian Capital- Jakarta, Currency- Indonesian rupiah.
16. World Day of Social Justice- 20 February
i. The World Day of Social Justice (WDSJ) is observed globally on 20th February.
ii. The theme for WDSJ 2018 is "Workers on the Move: the Quest for Social Justice".
Static/Current Takeaways Important for Syndicate Bank PO 2018 Exam-
ILO Headquarters- Geneva, Switzerland.
ILO Director-General- Mr Guy Ryders.
Business/Economy News
17. NITI Aayog Budget Allocation Increased by More than 20%
i. According to the Minister of State (IC) for Planning Shri Rao Inderjit Singh, allocations for the Ministry of Planning, which is embodied by the NITI Aayog, have increased by more than 20% over last year i.e. to Rs 339.65 crore in 2018-19 from Rs 279.79 crore in 2017-18.
Static/Current Takeaways Important for Syndicate Bank PO 2018 Exam-
NITI- National Institution for Transforming India.
NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman- Rajiv Kumar, CEO- Amitabh Kant.
18. Google Launches Google Pay to Take on Apple Pay
i. Google has combined its two payment services, Google Wallet and Android Pay, into a new app called Google Pay.
ii. The platform includes features like the ability to pay at checkout counters with a smartphone or pay for public transportation.
Static/Current Takeaways Important for Syndicate Bank PO 2018 Exam-
Google CEO- Sundar Pichai, Parent organization- Alphabet Inc., Headquarters- The USA.
