GK & CA
Collection of weekly GK & CA since year 2016.
January, 2017
1575
Government shifts disinvestment advising role
The Union Government has transferred the advising role of Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) on utilisation of the proceeds from disinvestment to the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA).
Thu, 26 Jan, 20171574
ISRO to launch record 103 satellites on a single rocket
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is planning to set a new world record in space history by launching 103 satellites in one go on a single rocket in the first week of February, 2017.
Thu, 26 Jan, 20171573
Draft steel policy anticipates Rs. 10 lakh crore investments
The Steel Ministry has released new draft National Steel Policy of 2017, envisaging to double India’s domestic steel production capacity to 300 million tonnes by 2030-31.
Thu, 26 Jan, 20171572
Scientists spot sunspot with centre twice the size of Earth
Scientists have spotted a new view of the dark, contorted centre of a sunspot that is nearly twice the diameter of the Earth. It was spotted using Atacama Large Millimetre/submillimetre Array (ALMA) antennas.
Thu, 26 Jan, 20171571
Tamil Nadu Assembly unanimously passes Jallikattu Bill
The special session of Tamil Nadu Assembly has unanimously passed Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Tamil Nadu Amendment), Act, 2017 to lift Supreme Court imposed ban on the traditional sport of Jallikattu.
Thu, 26 Jan, 20171570
Browned toast & potatoes are ‘potential cancer risk:
According to scientists from Food Standards Agency (FSA) of United Kingdom, chips, potatoes and bread cooked to brown can cause cancer.
Thu, 26 Jan, 20171569
N K Singh panel submits report on changes in FRBM Act
The Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Committee has submitted its 4 volume report on changes in FRBM Act, 2013 to the Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.
Thu, 26 Jan, 20171568
India rejects attempts of EU, Canada for global investment
India, along with Brazil, Argentina and some other nations rejected an informal attempt of European Union (EU) and Canada to work towards a global investment agreement at World Trade Organisation (WTO)-level.
Thu, 26 Jan, 20171567
Donald Trump signs executive order to pull US out of TPP
US President Donald Trump signed an executive order to formally pull US out of the negotiating process of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a mega trade deal of 12 Pacific Rim countries.
Thu, 26 Jan, 20171566
Pakistan conducts 1st flight test of Ababeel missile
Pakistan successfully conducted the first flight test of Ababeel surface-to-surface medium range ballistic missile. The test flight was aimed at validating various design and technical parameters of missile’s weapon system.
Thu, 26 Jan, 20171565
Cabinet clears interest waiver for farm loans
The Union Cabinet has given its ex-post facto approval for an interest waiver of farmers accessing short-term crop loans from cooperative banks for the two months of November and December, 2016
Thu, 26 Jan, 20171564
Cabinet approves New Scheme for promotion of Rural Housing
The Union Cabinet has approved a new scheme for promotion of Rural Housing in the country. It will enable people in rural areas to construct new houses or add to their existing pucca houses to improve dwelling units.
Thu, 26 Jan, 20171563
Union Cabinet approves Indian IIM Bill, 2017
The Union Cabinet has approved the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Bill, 2017, under which the IIMs will be declared as Institutions of National Importance.
Thu, 26 Jan, 20171562
Second Commitment Period of Kyoto Protocol approved
The Union Cabinet has given its approval to ratify the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol on containing the emission of Green House Gases (GHGs).
Thu, 26 Jan, 20171561
Improved Guided Pinaka rockets successfully test-fired
Improved Pinaka rockets, with a guidance system and an enhanced range were successfully test-fired for the second time from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur in Odisha.
Thu, 26 Jan, 20171560
Union govt releases National Action Plan for Children, 2016
The Union Ministry of Women & Child Development (WCD) has released National Action Plan for Children (NPAC), 2016 on the occasion of National Girl Child Day (24th Jan).
Thu, 26 Jan, 20171559
Union Cabinet approves Varishtha Pension Bima Yojana 2017
The Union Cabinet has given its approval for launching of Varishtha Pension Bima Yojana 2017 (VPBY 2017). The scheme will be launched as part of Government’s commitment for financial inclusion and social security.
Thu, 26 Jan, 20171558
Harika finishes fifth in World Chess Blitz Championships
Indian Grandmaster Harika Dronavalli blitzed her way to a top-five finish in the 2016 FIDE Women World Blitz Championships.
Wed, 25 Jan, 20171557
Neha Tripathi claims first title of the season
Neha Tripathi wins the first leg of the Hero Women's Professional Golf.
Wed, 25 Jan, 20171556
Fit-again Saina lifts Malaysia Masters Grand Prix Gold
Indian badminton ace Saina Nehwal notched up her first title by claiming the Malaysia Masters Grand Prix Gold with a hard-fought victory in the summit.
Wed, 25 Jan, 20171555
Sreejesh on FIH Athletes Committee
National men’s hockey team captain P.R. Sreejesh was appointed to the Athletes Committee of the International Hockey Federation, becoming the first Indian to do so. He is also the only currently active member on the committee.
Wed, 25 Jan, 20171554
Manchester United hires its own anti-terrorism chief
Manchester United has become the first football club in Britain to appoint its own counter-terrorism chief.
Wed, 25 Jan, 20171553
Now, a football league for women
The AIFF announced the launch of the first-ever Indian Women’s League to develop women’s football in the country.
Wed, 25 Jan, 20171552
World's biggest cricket stadium to come up in Ahmedabad
A cricket stadium with a seating capacity of 1.1 lakh is in the works in Ahmedabad. Once completed, the stadium, designed by world renowned architect firm M/s. Populous, would be the biggest one in the world.
Wed, 25 Jan, 20171551
Australian woman in Antarctica world record bid
Sailor Lisa Blair set off from the Australian town of Albany in a bid to be the first woman to circumnavigate Antarctica solo, non-stop and unassisted in less than 100 days.
Wed, 25 Jan, 20171550
Indian-American Ajit Pai is new FCC head
President Donald Trump has picked Ajit Pai as the next chairman of the Federal Communications Commission.
Wed, 25 Jan, 20171549
China commissions 31st stealth warship
China has commissioned its 31st stealth warship as it got its battle group under its first aircraft carrier ready amid tensions with the U.S. and other nations over its assertiveness in the disputed South China Sea.
Wed, 25 Jan, 20171548
China backs regional partnership
China is hoping to galvanise two regional trade proposals — the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the Free-Trade Agreement of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP).
Wed, 25 Jan, 20171547
Padma Vibhushan for Pawar, Sangma, Yesudas; Kohli Padma Shri
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Sharad Pawar and senior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi will be accorded the Padma Vibhushan. Yesudas will be accorded the second highest civilian honour. Virat Kohli will be awarded the Padma Shri.
Wed, 25 Jan, 20171546
India hopes for $75-bn infra fund from UAE
India and the UAE are expected to announce more than a dozen agreements as they spell out their strategic partnership, including an MoU on the proposed $75- billion UAE sovereign wealth fund investment in Indian infrastructure.
Wed, 25 Jan, 20171544
CBDT inks Bilateral Advance Pricing Agreement
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has entered into a Bilateral Advance Pricing Agreement (BAPA) on the with Indian subsidiary of a Japanese trading company.
Thu, 19 Jan, 20171543
Unemployment in India to increase marginally in 2017-18: ILO
According to recently released World Employment and Social Outlook for 2017, the number of unemployed people in India is expected to rise by 1 lakh in 2017 and another 2 lakh in 2018.
Thu, 19 Jan, 20171542
SEBI tightens merger norms
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has tightened rules for mergers and amalgamations by Indian companies in a bid to safeguard the interests of the public shareholders.
Thu, 19 Jan, 20171541
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 Rocket successfully places 10 satellites
US based rocket manufacturing company SpaceX successfully launched constellation of 10 satellites into orbit on board of its two stage Falcon 9 Rocket from the Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.
Thu, 19 Jan, 20171540
China hands over 2 ships to Pakistan Navy
China has handed over 2 ships to the Pak to safeguard the strategic Gwadar port and trade routes under the ambitious China-Pak Economic Corridor (CPEC). These ships have been named as Hingol and Basol, after 2 rivers near Gwadar.
Thu, 19 Jan, 20171539
Union Commerce Ministry launches SEZ India app
The Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI) has launched a mobile application named “SEZ India” under its broader e-Governance initiative to help the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Units and Developers.
Thu, 19 Jan, 20171538
Richest 1% own 58% of total wealth in India: Oxfam Study
According to study conducted by rights group Oxfam, India’s richest 1% now hold a huge 58% of the country’s total wealth, indicating rise income inequality. It is higher than the global figure of about 50%.
Thu, 19 Jan, 20171537
Reservation for girl students in IITs
The sub-committee under chairmanship of professor Timothy Gonsalves has recommended reservation for girl students in IITs to address the issue of slump in number of female students entering the prestigious institutes.
Thu, 19 Jan, 20171536
IMF cuts India’s FY17 growth rate to 6.6% from 7.6%
The World Economic Outlook (WEO) update released by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has cut India’s growth rate for the fiscal year 2016–17 to 6.6% from its previous estimate of 7.6%.
Thu, 19 Jan, 20171535
Graded Response Action Plan to combat air pollution in NCR
The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has notified the Graded Response Action Plan to combat air pollution in NCR Delhi.
Thu, 19 Jan, 20171534
India ranks 60th in Inclusive Development Index
India ranked 60th among the 79 developing countries in 2017 Inclusive Development Index (IDI) released in World Economic Forum’s (WEF) ‘Inclusive Growth and Development Report’.
Thu, 19 Jan, 20171533
India ranks 92nd in 2017 Global Talent Index
India was ranked 92nd among 118 countries in the 2017 Global index of talent competitiveness (GTI) list. The index measures ability of countries to compete for talent i.e. how countries grow, attract and retain talent.
Thu, 19 Jan, 20171532
Silicon spotted as ‘missing element’ in Earth’s core
Scientists from Tohoku University in Japan have claimed that Silicon (Si) is the ‘missing element’ in the Earth’s core. This discovery could help us to better understand how our world formed.
Thu, 19 Jan, 20171531
Railway Ministry unveils Mission 41K to save energy
Union Railway Ministry has unveiled ‘Mission 41K’ to save Rs. 41,000 crore on the Indian Railways’ expenditure on energy consumption over the next 10 years.
Thu, 19 Jan, 20171530
Higher Resolution Weather Prediction Model
The Union Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) has commissioned a very high resolution (12 km) global deterministic weather prediction model for generating operational weather forecasts. The model has been on trial since September 2016.
Thu, 19 Jan, 20171529
NASA approves to explore iron-rich asteroid 16 Psyche
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has approved a mission to explore 16 Psyche, an iron-rich asteroid. As part of the mission, NASA craft will be launched in 2023, and will arrive at Psyche in 2030.
Thu, 19 Jan, 20171528
Union Cabinet approves Trade Agreement with Peru
The Union Cabinet has approved holding negotiations for Trade Agreement with Peru on trade in goods, services and investment.
Thu, 19 Jan, 20171527
India's Membership in the International Vaccine Institute
The Union Cabinet has given its approval to the proposal for India’s taking full membership of the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) Governing Council. This decision involves payment of annual contribution of US $5,00,000 to the IVI.
Thu, 19 Jan, 20171526
Second Raisina Dialogue held in New Delhi
The second edition of Ministry of External Affairs’ annual Raisina Dialogue was held in New Delhi with the theme “The New Normal: Multilateralism in a multipolar world”.
Thu, 19 Jan, 20171525
Murray, Kerber top at Australian Open
World number ones Andy Murray and Angelique Kerber were named the top seeds for next week's Australian Open with organizers aligning with the current rankings.
Wed, 18 Jan, 20171524
Indian pepper may be a cancer fighter
The Indian long pepper, widely popular for spicing up food, may soon be used as a potential cancer treatment drug, according to a new study.
Wed, 18 Jan, 20171523
Microsoft offers to collaborate with Andhra in e-governance
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has offered to collaborate with Andhra Pradesh in the areas of e-governance and cyber security, said by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.
Wed, 18 Jan, 20171522
New NASA smartphone game lets you grow plants on ISS
NASA has launched a gaming app that allows you to virtually float around the International Space Station (ISS), meet the crew and even grow plants using your smartphone.
Wed, 18 Jan, 20171521
India becomes Associate member of CERN
India became an Associate member of CERN with the Indian government completing its internal approval procedures in respect of the agreement it had signed with CERN.
Wed, 18 Jan, 20171520
Mahak Jain beats top seed Zeel Desai for ITF title
Mahak beat top seed Zeel Desai in the girls final of the ITF grade-2 junior tennis tournament at the DLTA .
Wed, 18 Jan, 20171519
India’s new envoy in U.K. pushes for action IT visas
India’s new High Commissioner in the U.K. has urged both governments to work together to tackle the issue of visas for students and IT professionals, and that Brexit presented opportunities to Indian companies.
Wed, 18 Jan, 20171518
CSIR set to launch Rs. 400-crore startup fund
The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is in the process of setting up an innovation fund, worth ₹400-500 crore, to invest in early stage startups and prod innovation.
Wed, 18 Jan, 20171517
The global passports 2017 rankings
The Indian passport has been ranked 78 in a global ranking of the world’s most powerful passports.
Wed, 18 Jan, 20171516
Indian American could be FDA head under Trump
Indian-American biotech entrepreneur Balaji Srinivasan is being considered for a role in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under President Donald Trump.
Wed, 18 Jan, 20171514
Sania Mirza runners-up at Sydney International
Sania Mirza-Barbora Strycova finish runners-up at Sydney International.
Fri, 13 Jan, 20171513
FIH makes Sreejesh member of Athletes' Committee
The Indian men's hockey team captain PR Sreejesh on Wednesday became a member of International Hockey Federation (FIH) Athletes' Committee.
Fri, 13 Jan, 20171512
China launches new electronic intelligence naval ship
China's Navy has launched a new electronic reconnaissance ship, the latest addition to an expanding fleet and as Beijing's new assertiveness to territorial claims in the South China Sea fuels tensions.
Fri, 13 Jan, 20171511
India destined to be strategic partner of US: Ashton Carter
The Defence Secretary Ashton Carter said that India is destined to be a strategic partner of the US with defence ties between the two nations moving beyond traditional vendor-buyer relation into a phase of co-development and co-production.
Fri, 13 Jan, 20171510
BSNL to connect 1500 gram panchayats through OFC in 2017
BSNL plans to connect 1,518 gram panchayats with Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) this year in Assam to ensure rural connectivity.
Fri, 13 Jan, 20171509
The latest and the goofiest tech at CES 2017
The Consumer Electronics Show is the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show. The show runs in Las Vegas, Nevada and features 3,800 exhibitors showing off their latest products.
Fri, 13 Jan, 20171508
China’s 4G users touches 734 million
Wen Ku, head of the Information and Communication Development Department of the Ministry of Science and Technology, said the 4G industrial chain has taken shape in China, with strengthened research and development capabilities.
Fri, 13 Jan, 20171507
Shadow play’ spotted by NASA’s Hubble to new planet
A shadow spotted by NASA’s Hubble telescope sweeping across the face of a vast pancake shaped gas and dust disk surrounding a young star may point to a new planet located 192 light—years away, scientists say.
Fri, 13 Jan, 20171506
Bopanna and Jeevan bag the doubles title
Rohan Bopanna and Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan beat Purav Raja and Divij Sharan in the first-ever all-Indian doubles final at the Aircel Chennai Open to secure their title as a pair.
Fri, 13 Jan, 20171505
Djokovic retains Qatar Open title
Novak Djokovic brought World No. 1 Andy Murray’s 28-match winning streak in Doha to retain the Qatar Open title.
Fri, 13 Jan, 20171504
Murray, Kerber top seeds at Australian Open
World number ones Andy Murray and Angelique Kerber were named the top seeds for next week's Australian Open with organisers aligning with the current rankings.
Fri, 13 Jan, 20171503
Somdev announces retirement from professional tennis
India’s star singles player Somdev Devvarman announced his retirement from professional tennis.
Fri, 13 Jan, 20171502
Bautista Agut is Chennai Open champion
Roberto Bautista Agut won the title of Aircel Tennis Chennai Open final championship.
Fri, 13 Jan, 20171501
Over 25,000 MoUs signed at Vibrant Gujarat Summit
Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel said that 25,578 MoUs were signed by various departments and entities of the government with private investors and corporates. Out of these, 18,533 are in the small and medium enterprises sector.
Fri, 13 Jan, 20171500
Centre clears 26% strategic sale in BEML
The Centre will sell 26 per cent stake in defence equipment manufacturer BEML, making it the first major PSU to be sold through strategic disinvestment, which may fetch the exchequer over ₹1,000 crore.
Fri, 13 Jan, 20171499
Delhi will have India’s first Madame Tussauds
Madame Tussauds, the interactive museum of wax sculptures and one of London’s biggest tourist attractions with 22 branches across the world, is set to open its 23rd at the landmark Regal Cinema in Delhi’s Connaught Place.
Fri, 13 Jan, 20171498
China grabs 50 per cent of India’s smartphone market
Chinese brands took their largest ever slice of the $10-billion Indian smartphone market.
Fri, 13 Jan, 20171497
Saudi Arabia hikes India’s Haj quota by 34,500
Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and Saudi Arabia’s Haj and Umrah Minister Dr. Mohammad Saleh bin Taher Benten inked an agreement in this regard in Jeddah, increasing India’s Haj quota from 1,36,020 to 1,70,520.
Fri, 13 Jan, 20171496
Football World Cup 2026 to have 48 teams
FIFA has voted to expand the World Cup to 48 teams from its current 32, brushing aside concerns that the expansion would lower the overall standard of the tournament, and make it too long and unwieldy.
Thu, 12 Jan, 20171495
Cristiano Ronaldo wins FIFA best player award for 4th time
Cristiano Ronaldo received FIFA’s best player award for the fourth time, after Portugal and Real Madrid won both major European titles in 2016.
Thu, 12 Jan, 20171494
Kohli named captain of ODI, T20 squads, Yuvraj recalled
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Friday announced the squad for Twenty20 and one day internationals (ODIs) against England, and named Test skipper Virat Kohli as captain for all the formats.
Thu, 12 Jan, 20171493
‘Saturday Night Live’ gets first Indian-American host
Indian-American comedian and television star Aziz Ansari is all set to make his hosting debut on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” , becoming the comedy sketch show’s first host of South Asian descent.
Thu, 12 Jan, 20171492
India announces $100 million Line of Credit to Kenya
India announced a $100 million Line of Credit to Kenya for agricultural mechanisation after talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Thu, 12 Jan, 20171491
Scientists hear voice of ancient humans in baboon calls
Baboon grunts and mating calls may hold secrets about human speech, according to a new study suggesting that the origins of human language could reach back as much as 25 million years.
Thu, 12 Jan, 20171490
Pentagon successfully tests micro-drone swarm
The Pentagon may soon be unleashing a 21st-century version of locusts on its adversaries after officials said it had successfully tested a swarm of 103 micro-drones.
Thu, 12 Jan, 20171489
Australia to tax all digital transactions
The Australian government plans to tax all online transactions, Treasurer Scott Morrison said , as part of a so-called ‘tax strike’ on the rapidly-growing digital economy.
Thu, 12 Jan, 20171488
As Maritime Silk Road takes root, China docks submarine
For the first time, a Chinese submarine has docked at a port in Malaysia, signaling deepening military ties between the two countries, which are already partners in the development of the Beijing- led Maritime Silk Road (MSR).
Thu, 12 Jan, 20171487
Khanderi, second indigenous Scorpene submarine, launched
INS Khanderi, the second indigenously built Scorpene submarine, was launched at the Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in Mumbai.
Thu, 12 Jan, 20171486
Make in India has become country's biggest brand
Ahmedabad - Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in Gujarat said Make in India has become the biggest brand that India ever had. The unleashing of youth power is heartening. We have become 6th largest manufacturing country in the world.
Thu, 12 Jan, 20171484
First African-American astronaut to fly to ISS
NASA astronaut Jeanette Epps is set to become the first African-American crew member aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
Fri, 06 Jan, 20171483
Over 30 Indian origin innovators in Forbes’ list
Over 30 Indian origin innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders have been featured in the 2017 edition of Forbes’ list of super achievers under the age of 30 who seek to break the status quo and transform the world.
Fri, 06 Jan, 20171482
China launches telecommunication technology test satellite
China has successfully launched a telecommunication technology test satellite from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in southwest China's Sichuan Province.
Fri, 06 Jan, 20171481
Mumbai chess prodigy Kush creates history in UAE tourney
Mumbai prodigy Kush Bhagat has won all three gold medals on offer in the 1st Western Asia Youth Chess Championship that concluded in Al Ain Chess Club, UAE.
Fri, 06 Jan, 20171480
Scientists discover a new human organ, in digestive system
Scientists in Ireland have discovered a brand new organ named Mesentery, inside the digestive system which was not known till date.
Fri, 06 Jan, 20171479
105 year old man made history by cycling 14 miles in 1 hour
Robert Marchand a 105 year old man has made a record by cycling 22.547km (14 miles) in 1 hour. In 2012 he had already set a record of cycling 26.927km in 1 hour.
Fri, 06 Jan, 20171478
ISRO to launch record 103 satellites at one go
India’s space agency ISRO will launch a record 103 satellites — all but three of them foreign — at one go on a single rocket in what will be a major feat not attempted by any country.
Fri, 06 Jan, 20171477
Earth-like snow, ice features found on Pluto
Scientists have found evidence of Earth-like snow and ice features on Pluto, using a model similar to what meteorologists use to forecast weather on our planet and a computer simulation of the physics of evaporating ices.
Fri, 06 Jan, 20171476
Bengaluru to host largest gathering of Indian diaspora
The start up eco system of Bengaluru, which has attracted worldwide attention, will be showcased before the large Indian diaspora that is expected to participate in the three-day 14th edition of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas .
Fri, 06 Jan, 20171475
Indian-American to join Team Trump
Indian-American Raj Shah has been named deputy assistant to the President and deputy communication director and research director in the incoming Donald Trump administration.
Fri, 06 Jan, 20171474
M.P. Saminathan replaces Stalin as DMK youth wing secretary
DMK's working president M.K. Stalin has stepped down as the youth wing secretary of the party. Former Minister and three-time MLA Vellakkoil M.P. Saminathan has been appointed as the youth wing secretary.
Fri, 06 Jan, 20171473
China launches longest bullet train
China launched its longest bullet train “Shangri-la of the World” from Kunming, capital of south-west China’s Yunnan Province to Beijing, expanding its high speed train network to about 20,000 km connecting almost all provinces.
Fri, 06 Jan, 2017