Current Affairs October 9, 2017

Dear Reader's,

INDIAN AFFAIRS

GoM set up under Assam FM Himanta Biswa Sarma to review composition scheme
On October 6, 2017, Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council, chaired by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley constituted a group of ministers (GoM) to make the ‘composition scheme’ more attractive and also revisit GST rates on restaurants.About GoM to Review Compostion Scheme:
i. The GoM has been set up under Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and will submit its report within 2 weeks.
ii. Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Modi, Jammu and Kashmir Finance Minister Haseeb Drabu, Punjab Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal  and Chhattisgarh Minister of Commercial Taxes Amar Agrawal are the other members of the GoM.
iii. The GoM has been set up to make ‘composition scheme’ more effective as only 15.50 lakh businesses out of the total 98 lakh registered under the goods and services tax (GST) regime have opted for this scheme.
iv. As per the latest GST norms, businesses with annual sales up to Rs. 1 crore can avail benefits under ‘composition scheme’ which permits liberal quarterly tax return filing and payment scheme.

International Conference on Dialogue of Civilizations – IV begins in New Delhi
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in collaboration with National Geographic Society is hosting an international conference on “Dialogue of Civilizations – IV” from 8^th – 15^th October, 2017 at Delhi, Gandhinagar (in Gujarat) and Dholavira (in Gujarat).
About “Dialogue of Civilizations”:
i. “Dialogue of Civilizations” conference was initiated by National Geographic Society in 2013.
ii. Objective of this conference is to encourage scholarly and public discourse about the five ancient, literate civilizations of the world, i.e. Egypt, Mesopotamia, South Asia, China and Mesoamerica.
iii. First conference of this series was inaugurated in Guatemala in 2013 followed by Turkey in 2014 and China in 2015.
iv. The present conference being held in India is the fourth in this series. The final dialogue has been planned to be held in Egypt.
v.On October 8, 2017, Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Culture & Minister of State for Environment, Forest & Climate Change inaugurated the “Dialogue of Civilizations – IV” in New Delhi.

Uttarakhand Govt. launches ‘Solar Briefcase’ to provide electricity in remote areas
On October 8, 2017, Uttarakhand State Government and a charitable funding agency named Swan Cultural Center and Foundation, launched ‘Solar Briefcase’ in Kedarnath Dham.
i. This initiative aims to provide electricity to far flung areas in Uttarakhand.
ii. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat has stated that around 47 villages and 1,40,000 families in Uttarakhand do not have access to electricity. Moreover there are 60 villages in the state where electrification has not yet been done due to the difficult terrain.
iii. In such situation, using off-grid electricity through solar briefcase is a good option.
Quick Facts about Uttarakhand:
♦ Capital – Dehradun
♦ Current Chief Minister – Trivendra Singh Rawat
♦ Current Governor – Krishan Kant Paul

President Ram Nath Kovind launches Rs.100 crore clean water initiative
On 8^th October 2017, President Ram Nath Kovind launched Mata Amritanandamayi Math (MAM)’s, ‘Jivamritam’ filtration system, a clean water initiative, in Vallikkavu, Kollam district of Kerala.
‘Jivamritam’ filtration system:

Current Affairs October 8, 2017

Dear Reader's,

INDIAN AFFAIRS

PM Narendra Modi’s two day visit to Gujarat in October 2017
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on an official visit to Gujarat on 7^th and 8^th October 2017, during which he inaugurated several development projects.
i. He has laid the foundation stone for second airport in Rajkot.
ii. He also inaugurated the six-laning of Ahmedabad-Rajkot National Highway and four-laning of Rajkot-Morbi State Highway.
iii. During his Gujarat visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan Scheme aimed at imparting digital literacy to citizens in rural areas.

Haj Committee presents report on New Haj policy 2018-22
Committee to review the existing Haj Policy of Indian Government for 2013-17 and to suggest framework for new Haj policy 2018-22, has presented its report to Union Ministry of Minority Affairs.
i. The committee has recommended distributing quota between Haj Committee of India (HCOI), and registered Private Tour Operators (PTOs) in the ratio of 70:30 for the next 5 years.
ii. Special quota for Jammu & Kashmir is to be increased from 1500 to 2000.

Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurated Saudi Aramco India Office
On 8^th October 2017,In Gurugram Saudi Aramcos ARAMCO ASIA INDIA office has been inaugurated by Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas & Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Shri Dharmendra Pradhan along with Mr Amin H Al-Nasser, President and CEO of Saudi Aramco.i. The office is located at Two Horizon Tower, Gurugram. In 2016 Saudi Aramco established its formal business in India through its subsidiary ARAMCO Asia India (AAI).
ii. AAI focus on crude oil and LPG marketing, engineering & technical services, and other business development activities.
iii. ARAMCO India will be expected its operation by introducing hydrocarbon sector services functions, including engineering services, IT operations & security and also R&D centre.
iv. Saudi Aramco intends to partner with Indian companies and set up integrated business ventures in the hydrocarbon value chain in India including to boost “Make in India” activities.
v. Saudi Arabia is considered to be the second largest supplier of about 19% of our crude oil imports and also 29% of LPG imports to India after Iraq.During 2016-17, India imported about 39.5 MMT of crude from Saudi Arabia.
About Saudi Arabia
♦ Capital  –  Riyadh
♦ Currency   – Saudi Riyal
♦ Official Language  – Arabic
♦ King – Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud

Manipur government hosts Northeast labour ministers’ meeting
Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh has addressed a regional conference of north east labour ministers and officials to take a sincere effort to end the alienation of people from the north east on 6^th Oct. 2017.
♦ The conference was held at the Hotel Classic Grande in Imphal. He added that to show our responsibility to initiate a unity among the citizens of the country.
Discussion run over on Conference:-
i. CM has praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call of “Sab ka Saath Sab ka Vikas”, Centre has given priority to welfare of the people and to inclusive development.
ii. Union Minister of State for Labour and EmploymentSantosh Gangwar and Manipur’s Minister of Labour and Employment Th. Radheshyam Singh also addressed in that conference and noted the Centre is focused on development of the north east to bring an inclusive growth and development in the country.
iii. During the conference, presentations were made on child labour, the plight of plantation workers, social security schemes and matters relating to the welfare of unorganised workers by experts.
vi. Assam Labour and Employment Minister Pallab Lochan Das, Nagaland’s Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs, Labour and Employment Dr. Neiphrezo Keditsu, Union Labour and Employment Secretary M. Sathiyavathy, Financial Advisor and Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Labour and Employment Arun Goel and officials from the north east states participated in the conference.
Parks & Sanctuaries in Manipur
♦ Keibul Lamjao National Park
♦ Manipur Zoological Garden
♦ Khongjaingamba Ching Wild Life Sanctuary
♦ Yangoupokpi-Lokchao Wild Life Sanctuary

CAT Level English for IBPS PO/CLERK/SBI PO/RRB-Pre/Mains

Directions (1-15): Four sentences are given with a blank in each. Five words are also given. The blank in each sentence can be filled by one or more of the four words given. Similarly, each word given in the choices can go into any number of sentences. Identify the number of sentences each word can go into and mark as your answer the maximum number of sentences any word can go into.

Q1. A. West Indies is one of the few cricketing nations which was able to __________ genuine fast bowlers.

B. The farmer made a lot of profit by selling his __________ at the market.

C. Apart from all his other talents, he could also __________ a few documentaries pertaining to Indian Culture.

D. The traffic Police asked him to __________ his driving license.

(a) yield

(b) produce

(c) make

(d) procure

(e) show

Q2. A. The Government has introduced several __________ recovery schemes to make sick industrial units pay.

B. The Indian cricket team has organized an __________ match for earthquake victims.

C. Being located in a backward area the college receives a/an __________ from the Education Department.

D. The Research Scholars received a/an __________ from the University to develop their project.

(a) benefit

(b) aid

(c) grant

(d) loan

(e) help

Q3. A. The little girl has a __________ face.

B. It is __________ obvious that he was lying.

C. He was sitting __________ on his illegal earnings, while his colleagues were struggling to make both ends meet.

D. He did not have a __________ idea about the matter.

(a) lovely

(b) clear

(c) fair

(d) faint

(e) pretty

Q4. A. He does not __________ any ill feelings against anyone.

B. A __________ was appointed to take care of his ailing mother.

C. The foster mother tried to __________ the infant with great care.

D. A lot of patience is required to __________ an aged person.

(a) nature

(b) maid

(c) bear

(d) nurse

(e) feed

Q5. A. The policeman on __________ nabbed the thieves.

B. I cannot argue with you any more, I am dead __________.

C. The mother had to __________ the stubborn child.

D. He is so invincible that none can __________ him.

(a) convinced

(b) beat

(c) duty

(d) knock

(e) console

Current Affairs October 7, 2017

Dear Reader's,

INDIAN AFFAIRS

22nd GST council meeting held in New Delhi
22^nd meeting of the Good and Services Tax (GST) Council was held on October 6, 2017 in New Delhi, under the chairmanship of Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. The council reduced GST rates on specific items and also eased the compliance requirement for Small and Medium Businesses.
i. During 22^nd meeting of the GST Council, decision was taken to lower tax rates on 27 products and certain services.
ii. GST Council was taken to raise the eligibility threshold for ‘composition scheme’ to Rs. 1 crore of annual sales from Rs.75 lakh earlier.

Three agreements signed during 14th India-EU Summit in New Delhi
14th Annual Summit between India and the European Union (EU) was held in New Delhi on October 6, 2017. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with Donald Tusk, President of the European Council and Mr. Jean Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission reviewed the wide-ranging cooperation under the India-EU Strategic Partnership.
Following three agreements were signed during the 14^th India-EU Summit:
i. Finance Contract of Bangalore Metro Rail Project Phase-2-Line R6 for Euro 300 million out of total loan of Euro 500 million.
ii. Implementing Arrangement between the European Commission and the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) for Indian Researchers hosted by the European Research Council grantees in Europe.
iii. Joint Declaration between the Interim Secretariat of the International Solar Alliance and the European Investment Bank.
Quick Facts about European Union:
♦ Founded in – 1993
♦ Headquarters – Brussels, Belgium

Centre sets up group under Rina Mitra to study problems of people along IB, LOC in J&K
Central Government has set up a study group to examine the problems being faced by the people residing near the International Border (IB) and the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir. The study group has been formed in the wake of regular cross border firing by Pakistan.
Background Information:
♦ India shares a 3,323 km long border with Pakistan of which 221 km of the IB and 740 km of the LOC fall in Jammu and Kashmir.
♦ There has been a sharp increase in ceasefire violations by Pakistan in recent times. On account of this, civilians on the Indian side as well as the security forces have sustained several casualties.
More Details about the Study Group:
i. The study group will be headed by Rina Mitra (Special Secretary in the Home Ministry).
ii. Members of the study group will prepare a detailed report of the issues being faced by the public living near IB and LOC.
iii. For gathering information, the study  group will meet people living in the border areas of Jammu and Kashmir, security forces deployed there, district administration officials and local public representatives.
iv. The study group will submit a report with recommended remedial measures within two months.

9^th Annual ‘World Dental Show 2017’ opens in Mumbai
On Oct.6 2017, The 3-day international exhibition -9th Annual ‘World Dental Show 2017’ has opened Bandra-Kurla Complex in Mumbai.It is an integral part of Asia’s biggest dental event.
i. The exhibition was hosted by the Indian Dental Association (IDA).It is showcasing the evolving global technologies and techniques in dentistry.
ii. The international exhibitors from China, Germany, Israel, Malaysia, Russian Federation, South Korea, Taiwan, Turkey, UK and US, were participating and about 120 are displaying their latest dental wares in 250 well furnished stalls.

Aadhaar made mandatory for small saving schemes as post office deposits, PPF, KVP
The government has made Aadhaar is mandatory for all post office deposits, PPF, the National Savings Certificate scheme and Kisan Vikas Patra.i. Existing depositors who have not provided Aadhaar number at the time of application can submit their Aadhaar number to the post office savings bank or deposit office concerned, on or before December 31, 2017.

CAT Level Reasoning for IBPS PO/CLERK/SBI PO-PRE/MAINS

Direction (Q. 1-6): Study the following information carefully and answer the given questions. 

Kunal, Lalit, Manish, Nutan, Obama, Prince, Queen and Rishbh live on eight different floors of a building but not necessarily in the same order. The lowermost floor of the building is numbered one, the one above that is numbered two and so on till the topmost floor is numbered eight. Each of them also likes a different superhero, namely Batman, Superman, Captain America, Thor, Hulk, Wolverine, Nova and Ironman, but not necessarily in the same order. 

• The one who likes Thor lives on an even-numbered floor. Only three people live between the one who likes Thor and Manish. 

• Only two people live between Manish and Nutan. Nutan does not live on the lowermost floor.Only three people live between Nutan and one who likes Hulk. 

• Obama lives immediately above Kunal. Obama lives on an even-numbered floor. Kunal does not like Hulk. Kunal lives neither on the floor numbered three nor five. 

• Only two people live between Kunal and the one who likes Nova. 

• Only one person lives between the one who likes Nova and Ironman. The one who likes Ironman lives below the one who likes Nova. 

• Lalit lives immediately above Queen. Only one person lives between Queen and the one who likes Captain America. 

• The one who likes Wolverine lives immediately above the one who likes Batman. 

• Prince does not like Thor. Kunal does not like superman. 

1. Which of the following pairs represent those who live immediately above and immediately below Nutan?

(a) Rishbh, Lalit

(b) Other than those given as options

(c) Lalit, Manish

(d) Kunal, Queen

(e) Rishbh, Queen

2. Four of the following five are alike in a certain way as per the given arrangement and so form a group. Which of the following does not belong to that group?

(a) Kunal – Floor numbered five

(b) Queen – Floor numbered six

(c) Lalit – Floor numbered two

(d) Nutan – Floor numbered seven

(e) Rishbh – Floor numbered eight

3. Which of the following superheroes does Rishbh like? 

(a) Other than those given as options

(b) Superman

(c) Nova

(d) Thor

(e) Batman

4. Which of the following superheroes does Prince like? 

(a) Iron man

(b) Wolverine

(c) Batman

(d) Captain America

(e) Other than those given as options

5. Nutan lives on which of the following floor numbers? 

(a) Five

(b) Three

(c) Seven

(d) One

(e) Other than those given as options

 

Quant Miscellaneous Ques IBPS PO/SBI PO/RRB PRELIMS-MAINS

 

1. A and B each working alone can do a work in 15 days and 25 days, respectively. They started the work together but B left after some time and A finished the remaining work in 7 days. After how many days from the start did B leave?

(a) 3

(b) 5

(c) 7

(d) 9

(e)None of the above

2.  A contract is to be completed in 50 days and 105 men were set to work, each working 8 h a day. After 25 days, 2/5th of the work is finished. How many additional men be employed, so that the work may be completed on time, each man now working 9 h a day? 

(a) 34

(b) 36

(c) 35

(d) 37

(e) None of the above

3. The average age of 14 girls and their teacher’s age is 15 yr. If teachers age is excluded, then the average reduced by 1. What is the teacher’s age?

(a) 29 yr

(b) 35 yr

(c) 32 yr

(d) 30 yr 

(e) None of the above 

4. The average temperature of Delhi for four days in a particular month is 48°C. If the average temperature of second and third days is 34°C and the ratio of the temperatures of first and fourth days is 9 : 11, then find out the temperatures of first and fourth days.

(a) 45.5°C, 49.9°C

(b) 32.4°C, 39.8°C

(c) 43.4°C, 68.2°C

(d) 52.4°C, 46.8°C

(e) None of the above 

5. 60 kg of an alloy A is mixed with 100 kg of alloy B. If alloy A has lead and tin in the ratio 3 : 2 and alloy B has tin and copper in the ratio 1 : 4, then the amount of tin in the new alloy is:

(a) 36 kg 

(b) 44 kg 

(c) 53 kg 

(d) 80 kg 

(e) None of the above

Current Affairs October 6, 2017

Dear Reader's,

INDIAN AFFAIRS

Rajnath Singh and Nitin Gadkari inaugurated sea route to Baratang & laid foundation stone for shipping projects in Andaman & Nicobar Islands
On October 5, 2017, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Union Minister for Shipping, Road Transport & Highways and Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Nitin Gadkari inaugurated an alternate sea route to Baratang Island in Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
i. They also laid the foundation stone for extension of dry dock in Port Blair, extension of wharf in Hope Town and construction of an additional jetty along with extension of Berthing Jetty in Neil Island.
ii. The new sea route to Baratang, which passes through the Jarawa Tribal Reserve will provide an alternative to the National Highways-4 route that linked Baratang to Port Blair. It will thereby promote tourism without disturbing the tribal areas.

First Edition of the ASEAN India Music Festival begins in New Delhi
The first ever ASEAN-India Music Festival has begun at Purana Quila in New Delhi on October 6, 2017. It will continue till October 8, 2017.About First Edition of the ASEAN-India Music Festival:
i. First Edition of the ASEAN-India Music Festival has been organised by Union Ministry of External Affairs, in collaboration with Union Ministry of Culture and arts/cultural group Seher.
ii. It has been organised to celebrate 25th anniversary of ASEAN-India Dialogue Relations, which is being commemorated with the theme “Shared Values, Common Destiny”. 
iii. 10 music bands from member states of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) – Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Myanmar, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Lao PDR, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam – along with 5 prominent Indian bands will perform at this festival.
Quick Facts about ASEAN 
♦ Established in – 1967
♦ Secretariat – Jakarta, Indonesia
♦ Current Secretary General – Le Luong Minh

Prime Minister Modi temple with 100 feet tall statue to be built in Meerut
On 5^th October 2017, follower and supporter of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, J.P.Singh, announced that, a temple worth Rs.30 crore is to be built in honour of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh.
Temple with 100 feet tall statue for Prime Minister Modi:
i. The temple would be built in the Sardhana area of Meerut. A 100 feet statue of Prime Minister Modi would be installed in the temple.
ii. The ‘Bhumi Pujan’ and the stone laying ceremony for the temple would be conducted on 23^rdOctober 2017. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Amit Shah is expected to attend the event.
iii. A retired engineer from the Uttar Pradesh Irrigation Department, J.P.Singh, announced the construction of this temple. He said that, it would take 2 years for completion.
Other temples built in India for politicians and celebrities:
♦ Temple for Sonia Gandhi – Telengana
♦ Temple for Sachin Tendulkar – Bihar
♦ Temple for Amitabh Bachchan – Kolkata

Meghalaya, UP and Arunachal Sign MoU to Boost Culture and Tourism
On 5^th October 2017, a MoU was signed by Uttar Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya under the ‘Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat’ programme, to boost cultural ties.
MoU between Meghalaya, UP and Arunachal Pradesh:
i. Uttar Pradesh Additional Chief Secretary, Secondary and Higher Education, Sanjay Agarwal, Arunachal Pradesh Tourism Secretary, Joram Beda, Meghalaya Education Secretary, W R Lyngdoh signed the MoU.
ii. This MoU under the ‘Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat’ programme, aims to enhance cultural relationship between these 3 states.
iii. The ‘Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat’ programme, works to boost cultural relationship between different states of India. As per this programme, each year a state and a union territory would be paired with another for interaction between their people and knowing each other’s culture and heritage.
Other recent MoUs of Uttar Pradesh:
1. MoU between Uttar Pradesh and Union Government for 24/7 power supply by October 2018
2. MoU between Uttar Pradesh and Union Government for opening AIIMS in Gorakhpur