SH- Current Affairs Update 30th, Jan 2018

Dear SH Aspirants,

Study Daily Current Affairs and stay updated as well as prepare for General Awareness section of bank exams. It's time to gear up your preparations for IBPS/RBI/SBI/SSC and with the daily dose of current affairs, you can easily prepare G.A and score well.

INDIAN AFFAIRS

AAI allocates 3,400 crore for upgradation of airports in North East region
On 29^th January 2018, Airports Authority of India (AAI) chairman Guruprasad Mahapatra said that, AAI has allocated Rs 3400 crore for upgradation of airports in the North East region.
AAI – 3,400 crore for upgradation of airports in North East region:
i. Out of the total allocated amount, the share for each state is as follows: Assam – Rs 1720 crore, Tripura – Rs 525 crore, Manipur – Rs 800 crore, Nagaland – Rs 42 crore, Arunachal Pradesh – Rs 211 crore and Mizoram – Rs 60 crore.
ii. Projects worth Rs 934 crore have already been finished. The remaining part is planned to be completed in two to three years.
iii. Among the work to be done, is a new integrated airport construction at Agartala in Tripura. Also, an Instrument Landing System (ILS) will be installed at the Shillong airport, in Meghalaya.
About Airports Authority of India (AAI):
♦ Headquarters – New Delhi
♦ Founded – 1995
♦ Chairman – Dr. Guruprasad Mohapatra

Indian, Vietnamese armies hold first military exercise ‘VINBAX’
On January 29, 2018, armies of India and Vietnam began ‘VINBAX’, a six day-long military exercise in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh.

i. Vietnam – India Bilateral Army Exercise (VINBAX) is the first military exercise between India and Vietnam.
ii. Defence ties between India and Vietnam have strengthened in recent times with the primary focus being cooperation in the maritime domain.
iii. With the first protocol on defence cooperation signed in 1994, India and Vietnam have been periodically elevating their defence cooperation since then.
iv. In 2007, the ties were elevated to strategic level and thereafter a pact on boosting bilateral defence cooperation was signed in 2009.
v. In 2016, India-Vietnam strategic partnership was elevated to a comprehensive strategic partnership 
Quick Facts about Vietnam:
♦ Capital – Hanoi
♦ Currency – Vietnamese Dong
♦ Current President – Tran Dai Quang
♦ Important Rivers – Red River, Perfume River

Acid attack victims to get quota in central government jobs
The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has issued an order to provide quota in Central Government jobs to people with autism, mental illnesses, intellectual disability and victims of acid attacks.
Quota for Acid Attack victims in Central Govt. Jobs:
i. Now onwards, in case of direct recruitment, four per cent of the total number of vacancies, (up from the existing three per cent) shall be reserved for people with benchmark disabilities.
ii. A person with not less than forty per cent of a specified disability is to be considered as having benchmark disability.
iii. As per the new order, central government departments have been directed to ensure that one per cent of each posts be reserved for people with blindness and low vision, deaf and hard of hearing, locomotor disability including cerebral palsy, leprosy cured, dwarfism, acid attack victims and muscular dystrophy.

Union Budget 2018-19: Highlights

Dear Aspirants,

It is very important for you to get updates on The Union Budget 2018-19. This will be the last full Union Budget to be presented by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in the session of Parliament and it will be unlike his previous four such exercises because of the complete overhaul of the indirect tax regime affected by implementing the Goods and Services Tax (GST) last year.

The Budget, to be the last for this government in view of the general elections due in the first half of 2019, may have two main components: The first part deals with new schemes and outlays for various existing schemes and sectors for the coming fiscal, while the second contains announcements on direct and indirect taxes. With the implementation of single tax regime GST, this year's budget is believed to take into account only those items that still remain outside the purview of GST. It is highly expected that 2018-19 budget could contain changes in customs and excise duties on these remaining products, which for most others have been subsumed under GST. For the rest, you'll have to watch this space for the review of Union Budget 2018-19.

Top Developments

1.      No changes in personal income tax slabs.

2.    Salaried tax payers to get a standard deduction of Rs.40,000 in lieu of transport allowance and "other medical expenses"

3.    Rs.2,000 crore fund for development of agri markets

4.    All senior citizens will now be able to claim benefit of a deduction of Rs.50,000 for any medical insurance.

5.     For critical illnesses, the deduction has been increased to ₹1,00,000.

6.    Free power connections to 4 crore homes under the Saubhagya Yojana

7.     8 crore free gas connection for poor women through Ujjwala Yojana

8.    Govt. to implement Minimum Support Price for all crops; It is hiked to 1.5 times of production costs

9.    Govt to contribute 12% of wages of new employees for all sectors.

10. New flagship National Health Protection Scheme, providing a health insurance cover of Rs.5 lakh per family per year announced

11.  Railway capex for the year 2018-19 set at Rs.1.48 lakh crore

12.Disinvestment target for this year set at Rs.80,000 crore

Static GK Awareness- SSC/SBI Clerk/Railways

BOUNDARIES BETWEEN COUNTRIES

1. Line of Actual Control: India & China on the Northern Border
2. Line of Control: India and Pakistan
3. Durand Line: Afghanistan and Pakistan
4. Radcliffe Line: India and Pakistan (its includes Bangladesh Line)
5. Blue Line: Israel & Lebanon
6. Purple Line: Israel and Syria
7. Green Line: Israel and its neighbours
8. (Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria)
9. Mason-Dixon Line: Maryland and Pennsylvania/Delaware in Colonia America
10. Curzon Line: Poland & Russia
11. Military Demarcation Line (MDL) or
12. Armistice Line: North Korea and South Korea
13. McMohan Line:Northe east India &Tibet
14. Maginot Line:France& Germany
15. Mannerheim line: Russia & Finland
16. Order Neisse Line: Germany & Poland
17. (aftermath of World War II)

Reasoning Quiz for IBPS/SSC/RBI/SBI/RAILWAYS

NEW PATTERN CODING DECODING

Directions : In a certain code language,

‘weapons hidden in town’ is written as ‘14white’ ‘23black’ ‘14yellow’ ‘23red’

‘ready weapons for attack’ is written as ‘18grey’ ‘20indigo’ ‘23red’ ‘25green’

‘hidden for own safety’ is written as ‘25silver’ ‘18grey’ 23violet’ ‘14white’

‘own town under attack’ is written as ‘23violet’ 21blue’ ‘20indigo’ ‘23black’

1) What is the code for “ready”?

a) 21red

b) 23indigo

c) 25green

d) 18grey

e) Cannot be determined

2) ‘23black’ ‘20pink’ ‘14yellow’ may be a code for which of the following?

a) town under attack

b) hidden for safety

c) attack in town

d) town in almost

e) Cannot be determined

3) Which of the following may represent “people own luxury”?

a) 16brown, 25orange, 23violet

b) 20indigo, 23violet, 25brown

c) 14white, 16brown, 23violet

d) Can’t be determined

e) None of these

4) What is the code for “all hidden weapons”?

a) 14white, 23red, 18 grey

b) 23red, 23violet, 25green

c) 20indigo, 14white, 23black

d) Can’t be determined

e) None of these

5) What is the code for “under”?

a) 23blue

b) 25indigo

c) 22 blue

d) 24black

e) 21blue

SH- Current Affairs Update 29th, Jan 2018

Dear SH Aspirants,

Study Daily Current Affairs and stay updated as well as prepare for General Awareness section of bank exams. It's time to gear up your preparations for IBPS/RBI/SBI/SSC and with the daily dose of current affairs, you can easily prepare G.A and score well.

Indian Affairs

Economic Survey 2018:

FM Jaitley tables Economic Survey in Parliament.

Economic Survey sees FY19 GDP growing 7-7.5% vs 6.75% in FY18.

India and Cambodia Ink 4 Agreements:

India and Cambodia signed four agreements in the field of cultural exchange, an exchange line of credit of $26.9 million, memorandum of understanding to cooperate in legal matter and an agreement on prevention of human trafficking.

The documents were exchanged in presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Cambodian PM Hun Sen following delegation-level talks between the two countries. New Delhi has agreed to set up a centre of IT excellence in Cambodia.

Important: Cambodian Capital- Phnom Penh

Currency- Cambodian riel.

Himachal CM Launches 'Shakti' App for Women's Safety:

The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Jai Ram Thakur launched the ‘Shakti’ app for women’s safety in the state. The app was developed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC) of the Himachal Pradesh government.

It would be available in both Hindi and English languages and would not require internet connectivity. The main objective of the launch of the app and the helpline is to fight crimes against women in the state.

Important:

Himachal Pradesh Governor-: Acharya Dev Vrat

SH- Current Affairs Update 28th, Jan 2018

Dear Aspirants, 

INDIAN AFFAIRS

Maharashtra to grade performance of its 7.5 lakh govt employees:

Maharashtra State Government’s General administration department under Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has proposed a Performance-linked marking system for 7.5 lakh state government employees.

Overview of Maharashtra Government’s Performance-linked marking system for state government employees:

• The new 100-point performance marking system, will take into account subjective as well as objective evaluation of an employee’s performance during the year.
• Out of the 100 marks, 60 marks will be assigned for performance on objective parameters, such as speed of completing the given work, punctuality, attentiveness etc, while the remaining 40 marks will be given for subjective parameters such as quality of file notings, contribution in policy making, articulation of thought etc.
• Although the new system will not disincentivise the average or the poor performers, it has proposed public recognition and rewards for good performers (referred to as ‘Sukarmis’). Rewards may include cash rewards or additional perks.
• All state level and district level government offices will be asked to identify 5 per cent employees across cadres as the top performers.

Quick Facts about Maharashtra: 

• Capital – Mumbai (summer), Nagpur (winter)
• Current Governor – C. Vidyasagar Rao
• Current Chief Minister – Devendra Fadnavis
• Important National Park – Sanjay Gandhi National Park

President Ram Nath Kovind launches Pulse Polio programme for 2018:

On January 27, 2018, President Ram Nath Kovind launched the Pulse Polio programme for 2018 from Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi, by administering polio drops to children below five years.

About Pulse Polio programme for 2018:

• President Kovind administered the drops on eve of National Immunisation Day, which was observed on Jaunuary 29, 2018. 
• Union Health Minister, J P Nadda, Ministers of State (Health) Ashwini Kumar Choubey and Ms. Anupriya Patel were also present at the occasion.
• Under Pulse Polio Programme for 2018, over 17 crore children below five years across India will be given polio drops.

Assam to introduce digital budget:

The Assam Assembly is to introduce digital budget in its upcoming session, instead of the conventional printed booklet.

English Questions For IBPS Clerk/ SBI Clerk

Dear Aspirants, 

Directions (1-5): In each of the following questions five options are given, of which one word is most nearly the same or opposite in meaning to the given word in the question. Find the correct option having either same or opposite meaning.

Q1. Multifarious
(a)braggart
(b)entice
(c)strive
(d)varied
(e)adorn

Q2. Incongruous
(a)introvert
(b) unsuited
(c)Bard
(d)Voluble
(e)edible

Q3. Cumbersome
(a)Effigy
(b)Ironic
(c)Myriad
(d)aiding
(e)correlate

Q4. Edify
(a)braggart
(b)instruct
(c)entice
(d)adorn
(e)agile

Q5. Perpetuity
(a)fragile
(b)audacious
(c)transience
(d)appease
(e)shunned

English Questions For IBPS/SSC/SBI/RBI EXAMS

Dear Students,
Respite the sheer number of concepts and rules may seem intimidating at first, with discipline and the right approach, it is not difficult to master these concepts and their application to questions. From such English Quizzes, we will provide you all types of high-level questions to ace the word usage and errors, new pattern English section of banking and insurance exams.

Directions (1-5): In each question, there is pair of words/phrases that highlighted. From the highlighted word(s)/phrase(s), select the most appropriate word(s)/phrase(s) to form correct sentences. Then, from the options given, choose the best one.

Que1. a)When the band came on stage, the stadium erupted in acclamation[1]/acclimation[2]
b) I am anxious[1]/eager[2] for this semester to be over so I can relax.
c)I can’t decide between[1]/among[2] the pink, blue, or red shirt.
(a)211
(b)121
(c)212
(d)222
(e)111
Que2.a)Your conduct on the field violated the cannon[1]/canons[2] of fair play.
b)They won the championship in a clean sweep, compared with[1]/compared to[2] last year’s game loss.
c)A proper burial for the deceased[1]/diseased[2] person is expected.
(a)211
(b)121
(c)212
(d)222
(e)111

Que3. a)Megan writes in her diary[1]/dairy[2] each night before she goes to sleep.
b)The oasis is just an illusion[1]/dellusion[2]
c)The disruption, though annoying, was not enough to elicit[1]/illicit[2] a response from the judge.
(a)211
(b)121
(c)212
(d)222
(e)111

Que4.a)there are too many Ponderous[1]/imponderables[2] for an overall prediction.
b)There was long queue[1]/cue [2] in the ticket counter.
c)The landlord asked the gardener to hue[1]/hew[2] the branches.
(a)211
(b)121
(c)212
(d)222
(e)111

Que5. a)Her garments are lose[1]/loose[2].
b)He Wring[1]/rings[2] the bell.
c)We use a kind of wax for sealing[1]/ceiling[2] letters.
(a)211
(b)121

SH- Current Affairs Update 26th, Jan 2018

Dear SH Aspirants,

Study Daily Current Affairs and stay updated as well as prepare for General Awareness section of bank exams. It's time to gear up your preparations for IBPS/RBI/SBI/SSC and with the daily dose of current affairs, you can easily prepare G.A and score well.

INDIAN AFFAIRS

Centre releases Rs 734.7 crore for 26 irrigation projects

Last week, Union Water Resources Ministry released central assistance amounting to Rs 734.7 crore for 26 irrigation projects.

Funds for Irrigation Projects:

i. Out of the total amount Rs. 734.7 crore, Rs 246.9 crore is for nine prioritised projects under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) for Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) works.

ii. Remaining Rs 487.80 crore is to be utilised for Command Area Development (CAD) works for 17 projects.

iii. It is to be noted that during financial year 2017-18, central assistance amounting to Rs 1152.52 crore has been released for 26 priority projects under the AIBP so far. Besides, Rs. 3318.85 crore has been released as state share from National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) for 24 priority projects under the AIBP.

India’s richest 1% corner 73% of wealth generation: Survey

As per the survey and the accompanying report (titled ‘Reward Work, Not Wealth’) released by the international rights group Oxfam, richest 1 per cent in India amassed 73 per cent of the wealth generated in the country last year.

Highlights of Survey by Oxfam:

i. Wealth of 67 crore Indians (about 50% of the population) rose by just 1 per cent during last year.

ii. As per the report, wealth of India’s richest 1 per cent increased by overRs. 20.9 lakh crore during 2017, which is equivalent to Indian Government’s budgetary allocation for 2017–18.

iii. On global level, richest 1 per cent managed to corner 82 per cent of the wealth generated last year while wealth of 3.7 billion comprising poorest half of world population did not increase at all.

iv. Findings of this survey have revealed rising income inequality, not only in India but across the world.

Japan sanctioned 45 billion yen loan Assistance to India for Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Project (Phase 3) (I)

Government of Japan has committed JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) Official Development Assistance loan for Yen 45 billion for Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Project (Phase 3) (I).

Japan – 45 billion yen loan to Bengaluru:

i. On 24^th January 2018, documents regarding this was exchanged between Mr. S. Selvakumar, Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, India and H.E. Mr. Kenji Hiramatsu, Ambassador of Japan to India.

ii. Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagar Palike (BBMP) area, mainly 110 villages, will be covered by this project.

iii. People of this area will be provided with safe water supply and sewerage services. Water treatment plants and sewage treatment plants will be set up for this purpose.

About JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency):

♦ Headquarters – Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan

♦ President – Shinichi Kitaoka

♦ Purpose – Official development assistance

SH- Current Affairs Update 23rd, Jan 2018

Dear SH Aspirants,

Study Daily Current Affairs and stay updated as well as prepare for General Awareness section of bank exams. It's time to gear up your preparations for IBPS/RBI/SBI/SSC and with the daily dose of current affairs, you can easily prepare G.A and score well.

I

NDIAN AFFAIRS

India to host first summit of International Solar Alliance: Modi

Citing global climate change as one of the biggest global challenges, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that India will host the first summit of the International Solar Alliance (IAS) in March.

First International Dam Safety Conference held in Thiruvananthapuram

The first International Dam Safety Conference-2018 was held in Kovalam, Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) from January 23-24, 2018.

·         This Conference is fourth in series organized under the aegis of ongoing Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP).

Coast Guard patrol vessel Vijaya launched

‘Vijaya’, the second offshore patrol vessel (OPV) built by the Larsen and Toubro Shipyard for the Indian Coast Guard has been launched.

·         The indigenously built vessel ‘Vijaya’, equipped with state-of art radar, navigational and communication system, will be utilised for day and night patrol and surveillance, anti-terrorist, anti-smuggling operations and coastal security.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

10th Global Forum for Food & Agriculture held in Berlin

The 10th edition of Global Forum for Food & Agriculture was held in Berlin, Germany from 18th -20th January 2018. The theme of this year’s event is “Shaping the future of livestock – sustainably, responsibly, efficiently”.

·         The Global Forum for Food and Agriculture (GFFA) is an international conference held during International Green Week (IGW) that focuses on central questions concerning the future of the global agri-food industry.

Malta’s Valletta Becomes Europe’s Capital of Culture

Valletta, the capital of Malta officially named European Capital of Culture 2018. Valletta will share the title with Leeuwarden, a city in the Netherlands.

·         Notably, the ‘European Capitals of Culture’ initiative aims to highlight the diversity of European culture and to increase the citizens’ sense of belonging to a common cultural area.

BANKING 

IOB joins hands with National Housing Board

Leading Public Sector Bank (PSB), Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with National Housing Bank for implementation of the Rural Housing Interest Subsidy Scheme (RHISS) of the Ministry of Rural Development. IOB is one of first major public sector bank to execute the MoU to implement the scheme.