Hello and welcome to exampundit. Here are the important Current Affairs Today 29th January 2020. These are important for the upcoming Exams. Candidates who were preparing for the examination can use these current affairs and also you can download the same as PDF.
Current Affairs Today – 29th January 2020
NEWS AT A GLANCE
- Central Banks in India approve that they will not charge a part of the fees on Unified Payments Interface UPI and RuPay card transactions as long as the merchant discount rate MDR remains zero following the government announcement.
- The country’s foreign exchange reserves rose 943 million US Dollars to touch a life-time high of 462.16 billion US Dollars in the week ended January 17.
- Foreign portfolio investors have infused a net sum of 1,624 crore rupees into the domestic capital markets in January so far.
- IT services major Tech Mahindra to set up a dedicated Google Cloud Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Hyderabad.
- Indian Railways has commissioned India’s 1st governmental waste-to-energy plant in Mancheswar Carriage Repair workshop at Bhubaneswar under the East Coast Railway zone.
- Oxford University Press (OUP) named “Samvidhaan” (Constitution) the Oxford Hindi Word of 2019.
- Centre has planned to set up Food Parks in all states of North East Region.
- Union Minister of State for PMO Dr Jitendra Singh launched the Bhuvan Panchayat V3 web Portal that will enhance network application of gram panchayats.
- For the development of Jammu and Kashmir, around 1,256 projects worth 2280 crore rupees financed under J&K Infrastructure Development Finance Corporation, are being completed by end of March this year.
- In Maharashtra, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray today inaugurated 18.5 kilometre-long stretch of Nagpur Metro Aqua line of Maha Metro Rail Network.
- The State Government has launched a virtual police station where people can lodge complaints from their respective districts regarding theft of their vehicles without visiting Police Station.
- Tamil Nadu has got the approval for two more Government Medical Colleges from the Centre.
- The 17th National Handloom Expo 2020 has kicked off at Exhibition Ground here to provide an opportunity to weavers to sell handloom products of different places under one umbrella.
- UK government launched a 4 million pounds fund in India to support collaborative research into emerging technologies.
- OPPO, Chinese smartphone brand, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Hyderabad to promote research in the field of science and technology.
- Alok Kansal appointed as the General Manager of the Western Railway (WR).
- Vakrangee Limited appointed as Mr. Ramesh Joshi (EX-RBI & EX- SEBI ED), a veteran with over 40 years of experience as the Non-Executive Chairman of the company.
- Essar Oil (UK) Ltd operates the Stanlow refinery announced the appointment of Mark Wilson as its new Chief Executive Officer.
- Anil Khanna was unanimously nominated as the Life President of Asian Tennis Federation (ATF).
- North East Dr T Ao Trophy: Mizoram defeats Sikkim
- Former President Pranab Mukherjee released the autobiography of Yashwant Sinha titled ‘Relentless’.
- The Calcutta University conferred Honorary D.Lit. Degree to Nobel Laureate Prof. Abhijit Binayak Bandyopadhyay at its Annual Convocation yesterday.
- Renowned Indian environmental economist and UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Goodwill Ambassador Pavan Sukhdev won the 2020 Tyler Prize
- Former Indian women’s hockey team captain Sunita Chandra passed away.
- Veteran South actress Jameela Malik passed away.
NEWS IN DETAILS
BANKING AND FINANCE CURRENT AFFAIRS
Central Banks approve reduced fees for UPI RuPay Payment
- Central Banks in India approve that they will not charge a part of the fees on Unified Payments Interface UPI and RuPay card transactions as long as the merchant discount rate MDR remains zero following the government announcement.
- The move was discussed and approved in the NPCI steering committee meeting.
- NPCI to remove multiple charges like interchange fees, payments service provider (PSP) fee, and switching fees.
Extra Shots:
Unified Payments Interface
It is an instant real-time payment system developed by the National Payments Corporation of India facilitating inter-bank transactions.
- Formed: 11 April 2016
BUSINESS AND ECONOMY
Forex reserves rise to 462.16 bn in the week ended Jan 17
- The country’s foreign exchange reserves rose 943 million US Dollars to touch a life-time high of 462.16 billion US Dollars in the week ended January 17.
- The rise in reserves was mainly on account of an increase in foreign currency assets, which rose by 867 million US Dollars to 428.45 billion US Dollars.
- Gold reserves increased 70 million US Dollars to 28.56 billion US Dollars.
- The special drawing rights with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) were up by 3 million US Dollars to 1.45 billion US Dollars.
Extra Shots:
FOREX: The foreign exchange market is a global decentralized or over-the-counter market for the trading of currencies. This market determines foreign exchange rates for every currency. It includes all aspects of buying, selling and exchanging currencies at current or determined prices
FPIs infuse Rs 1,624 crore in Indian markets in January
- Foreign portfolio investors have infused a net sum of 1,624 crore rupees into the domestic capital markets in January so far.
- Foreign portfolio investors put-in a net of 13,304 crore rupees, in equities and withdrew a net 11,680 crore rupees from the debt segment between January 1 and 24.
- This translates into a total net inflow of 1,624 crore rupees.
Extra Shots:
FPI: The foreign exchange market is a global decentralized or over-the-counter market for the trading of currencies. This market determines foreign exchange rates for every currency. It includes all aspects of buying, selling and exchanging currencies at current or determined prices
Tech Mahindra set up Google Cloud Centre of Excellence in Hyderabad
- IT services major Tech Mahindra to set up a dedicated Google Cloud Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Hyderabad.
- AIM: To drive the digital transformation of enterprises globally. It will provide enterprises with access to the technology and services and deliver solutions to help them move critical workloads to Google Cloud, develop their Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data analytics solutions, and improve workplace productivity.
Extra Shots:
Tech Mahindra Limited is an Indian multinational subsidiary of the Mahindra Group, providing information technology services and business process outsourcing to companies in various vertical and horizontal markets.
- CEO: C. P. Gurnani
- Headquarters: Pune
NATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS
Indian Railway’s 1st waste-to-energy plant commissioned at Bhubaneswar
- Indian Railways has commissioned India’s 1st governmental waste-to-energy plant in Mancheswar Carriage Repair workshop at Bhubaneswar under the East Coast Railway zone.
- It has been built at a cost of Rs 1.79 crore and has the capacity to dispose of 500 kg waste, including plastic and e-waste.
- This waste-to-energy plant uses a patented technology called ‘Polycrack’, which is the world’s first patented heterogeneous catalytic process to convert multiple feedstocks into hydrocarbon liquid fuels, gas, carbon and water.
- This process will produce energy in the form of light diesel oil which is used to light furnaces.
“Samvidhaan” announced as the Oxford Hindi Word of the Year 2019
- Oxford University Press (OUP) named “Samvidhaan” (Constitution) the Oxford Hindi Word of 2019.
- It received widespread attention in the year which was witness to the spirit of the Indian Constitution being embraced across segments of the society.
- The word was chosen as 2019 saw the values of democracy, secularism, justice, liberty, equality and fraternity being tested on the touchstone of the Constitution or “Samvidhaan”.
- ”Samvidhaan” means a “body of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organisation is acknowledged to be governed”.
Centre plans to set up Food Parks in all states of North East Region
- Centre has planned to set up Food Parks in all states of North East Region.
- A number of food parks have already been completed and started functioning..
- A large number of entrepreneurs engaged in Agro-based sector and members from many Self Help Groups participated in the workshop.
- Entire North East has huge potential for Agro-based enterprises and several attractive schemes are already in place in the PMKSY policy framework.
Jitendra Singh launches Bhuvan Panchayat V3 web Portal
- Union Minister of State for PMO Dr Jitendra Singh launched the Bhuvan Panchayat V3 web Portal that will enhance network application of gram panchayats.
- The Portal will function with the help of satellite technology developed by ISRO.
- In the project, ISRO will collaborate with the gram panchayat members and stakeholders to understand their data requirements.
- The third version of the portal will provide database visualisation and services for the benefit of panchayat members, among others.
- The project is meant to provide geospatial services to aid the gram panchayat development planning process of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj.
Extra Shots:
ISRO: The Indian Space Research Organisation is the space agency of the Government of India and has its headquarters in the city of Bengaluru. Its vision is to “harness space technology for national development while pursuing space science research & planetary exploration”.
- Headquarters: Bengaluru
- Founder: Vikram Sarabhai
- Founded: 15 August 1969
- Director: Kailasavadivoo Sivan
- Subsidiary: Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre
STATE CURRENT AFFAIRS
2280 crore rupees projects financed under JKIDFC in this financial year in J&K
- For the development of Jammu and Kashmir, around 1,256 projects worth 2280 crore rupees financed under J&K Infrastructure Development Finance Corporation, are being completed by end of March this year.
- All government departments have been asked to handover the completed infrastructure development projects under JKIDFC, before the commencement of the third week of March for their formal inauguration.
Maharashtra CM inaugurates 18.5 km-long stretch of Nagpur Metro Aqua line
- In Maharashtra, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray today inaugurated 18.5 kilometre-long stretch of Nagpur Metro Aqua line of Maha Metro Rail Network.
- The newly inaugurated Nagpur Metro Aqua line passing over the Ambazari lake in the city will connect the east and west parts of the city.
- This Metro line will facilitate the commuters coming from Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation’s Hingana area and adjoining areas of the outskirts of the city.
- This Line will have six stations starting from Lokmanya Nagar to Sitabuldi Interchange Metro Station.
- Nagpur Metro is the Greenest Metro deriving 65 per cent of its power consumption from Solar Energy.
- Nagpur Metro network is now operational up to 24.5 kilometres.
Extra Shots:
Maharashtra:
- Capital: Mumbai
- Chief Minister: Uddhav Thackeray
- Governor: Bhagat Singh Koshyari
- State Formed in: 1 May 1960
- Litracy Rate: 82.34%
- National Parks: Chandoli National Park, Nawegaon National Park, Gugamal National Park, Pench National Park, Sanjay Gandhi (Borivilli) National Park, Tadoba National Park
- Wildlife Sanctuaries: Amba Barwa WLS, Bor WLS, Great Indian Bustard WLS, Lonar WLS, Melghat WLS, Gangewadi New Great Indian Bustard WLS, etc.
Odisha launches virtual police station
- The State Government of Odisha has launched a virtual police station where people can lodge complaints from their respective districts regarding theft of their vehicles without visiting Police Station.
- The e-police station will function from State Crime Records Bureau in Bhubaneswar.
- Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurated the facility along with road accident case documents module and medico legal opinion system projects of Odisha Police.
- These are the initiatives to effectively reduce the necessity of citizens to visit Police Stations.
- The road accident case documents module is a web-based application which can be accessed from the website imsop.odisha.gov.in.
Extra Shots:
Odisha:
- Capital: Bhubaneswar
- Chief Minister: Naveen Patnaik
- Governor: Ganeshi Lal
- National Park: Bhitarkanika NP, Simlipal NP
Tamil Nadu gets approval for two more Govt Medical Colleges from Centre
- Tamil Nadu has got the approval for two more Government Medical Colleges from the Centre.
- It was announced by the State Health Minister Dr Vijayabhaskar.
- The two districts of Ariyalur and the newly formed Kallakurichi will get the new institutions.
- With this, the number of approvals by the Centre to establish new medical colleges on a cost-sharing basis has gone up to eleven.
Extra Shots:
Tamilnadu
- Capital: Chennai
- Chief Minister: Edappadi K.Palanisamy
- Governor: Banwarilal Purohit
- Chief Justice of Madras High Court: Vijaya Kamlesh Tahilramani
- National Park: Guindy NP,Gulf of Mannar Marine NP, Indira Gandhi (Annamalai) NP, Mudumalai NP, Mukurthi NP.
National Handloom Expo 2020 kicks off at Bhubaneswar
- The 17th National Handloom Expo 2020 has kicked off at Exhibition Ground,Bhubaneswar to provide an opportunity to weavers to sell handloom products of different places under one umbrella.
- The expo, organised by the Odisha State Handloom Weavers Co-op Society Limited (Boyanika), was inaugurated by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
- All ranges of handwovens from different parts of the country are available in this fair. Cultural programme will be organised at the venue every evening.
Extra Shots:
Odisha:
- Capital: Bhubaneswar
- Chief Minister: Naveen Patnaik
- Governor: Ganeshi Lal
- National Park: Bhitarkanika NP, Simlipal NP
INTERNATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS
UK launches 4-mn pound Innovation Challenge Fund in India
- UK government launched a 4 million pounds fund in India to support collaborative research into emerging technologies.
- Innovation Challenge Fund will encourage industry and academia to collaborate and develop tech solutions for social, economic, and environmental challenges in India.
- The initiative is focused on two major tech clusters: artificial intelligence/ data in Karnataka and future mobility in Maharashtra.
Extra Shots:
United Kingdom (Capital/Currency): London/ Pound sterling
- Prime minister: Boris Johnson.
AGREEMENTS AND MOU SIGNED
OPPO signs pact with IIT Hyderabad for R&D
- OPPO, Chinese smartphone brand, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Hyderabad to promote research in the field of science and technology.
- The MoU will facilitate joint research and development for multiple projects over a period of two years.
- The focus of the research work will be on the development of technologies in areas specific to camera and image processing, battery, networks (5G), system performance, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other areas.
- The MoU will help both OPPO and IIT Hyderabad to conduct research in core areas of software, hardware and internet services to ensure integrated user experience for the Indian audience.
Extra Shots:
IIT Hyderabad: The Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad is a public engineering and research institution located in Sangareddy district, Telangana, India. IITH is known for its academic strength, research, publications and proximity to IT and industrial hubs.
APPOINTMENT
Alok Kansal appointed as new general manager of Western Railway
- Alok Kansal appointed as the General Manager of the Western Railway (WR).
- Kansal is a 1983-batch officer of the Indian Rai way Service of Engineers (IRSE).
- Kansal was working as the principal executive director, civil engineering (Planning) at Railway Board.
Extra Shots:
The Western Railway is one of the 18 zones of Indian Railways, and is among the busiest railway networks in India. The major railway routes of Indian Railways which come under Western Railways are: Mumbai Central – Ratlam, Mumbai Central – Ahmedabad and Palanpur – Ahmedabad.
- Headquarters: Churchgate, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
- Track gauge: Broad gauge, meter gauge
- Dates of operation: 5 November 1951 –present
- Locale: Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh
Vakrangee appoints Ramesh Joshi as Non-Executive Chairman with Kotak Committee Recommendations
- Vakrangee Limited appointed as Ramesh Joshi (EX-RBI & EX- SEBI ED), a veteran with over 40 years of experience as the Non-Executive Chairman of the company.
- Dinesh Nandwana appointed as executive chairman.
Extra Shots:
Vakrangee Limited is a technology company based in Mumbai, India that provides banking, insurance, e-governance, e-commerce, and logistics services. The company is one of the main providers of the software and equipment for voter id cards and Aadhaar cards.
- Headquarters: India
- Founded: 1990
Essar Oil UK announces Mark Wilson as new Chief Executive Officer
- Essar Oil (UK) Ltd operates the Stanlow refinery announced the appointment of Mark Wilson as its new Chief Executive Officer.
- Wilson was previously with BP plc of the UK, where he held several senior leadership positions.
Extra Shots:
Essar Group, founded by Shashi Ruia and Ravi Ruia, in 1969, as a construction company, later diversified into various core sectors, to become one of India’s biggest multinational conglomerates.
- Headquarters: Mumbai
- Founded: 1969
- Founders: Shashi and Ravi Ruia, Shashi Ruia
Anil Khanna nominated as Life President of ATF
- Anil Khanna was unanimously nominated as the Life President of Asian Tennis Federation (ATF).
- The ATF’s Board of Directors also appointed Khanna as the Chairman of the Finance Committee as well as Co-Chairman of the ATF foundation.
- CS Sunder Raj was voted as the Senior Vice President of the federation, representing South Asia. Anil Dhupar was elected as the member of the Senior Committee while VK Batra was voted as a member of the Constitution Committee of the ATF.
Extra Shots:
ATF: The Asian Tennis Federation is a non-profit organization affiliated with the International Tennis Federation. It is a continental body of national tennis associations of Asian countries. Wikipedia
- President: Anil Khanna
- Headquarters: Continental Federations
SPORTS CURRENT AFFAIRS
North East Dr T Ao Trophy: Mizoram defeats Sikkim
- Two times champion Mizoram defeated Sikkim by a solitary goal to emerge as the champion of the Northeast Dr. T Ao Football Trophy 2020 at Indira Gandhi Stadium in Kohima this evening.
- The first half saw a goalless draw.
- Mizoram midfielder David Lalrinmuana scored the lone goal in the 74th minute to secure the title for the team.
- While the champion team received a cash prize of 10 lakh rupees, the runners up got six 6 lakhs. Rhitsho Mero received the golden boot for his 10 goals.
Extra Shots:
Mizoram:
- State formed on: 20 February 1987
- Governor: P. S. Sreedharan Pillai
- Chief Minister: Zoramthanga
- Deputy Chief Minister: Tawnluia
- Capital: Aizawl
- Literacy rate: 91.58%
- Shares borders: Assam, Manipur, and Tripura
Sikkim:
- State formed on: 16 May 1975
- Chief Minister: Pawan Kumar Chamling
- Capital: Gangtok
- Governor: Ganga Prasad
- Literacy Rate: 81.42%
BOOKS & AUTHORS
Former President releases Yashwant Sinha’s autobiography
- Former President Pranab Mukherjee released the autobiography of Yashwant Sinha titled ‘Relentless’.
- The book describes Sinha’s journey from normal life to a high political powered life.
- The book is published by Bloomsbury Publishing India Pvt Ltd.
- Sinha served as the Union Minister of Finance (MoF) from 1990-1991 during the then Prime Minister Chandra Shekhar govt’s rule.
- He also served as finance minister from March 1998 to July 2002 under the then Prime Minister late Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
AWARDS
Calcutta University confers Honorary D.Lit. to Nobel Laureate Prof Abhijit Binayak Bandyopadhyay
- The Calcutta University conferred Honorary D.Lit. Degree to Nobel Laureate Prof. Abhijit Binayak Bandyopadhyay at its Annual Convocation yesterday.
- The Vice-Chancellor of the University Ms Sonali Chakraborty Banerjee presented the Degree to him.
- Mr Monoranjan Bapari received Rabindra Nath Tagore Memorial Medal for his outstanding contribution in the field of Literature.
- Prof. Joyanta Bishnu Narliker got Asutosh Mukherjee Memorial Medal at this juncture.
Exra Shots:
West Bengal:
- Capital: Kolkata
- Chief Minister: Mamta Banerjee
- Governor: Jagdeep Dhankhar
- State Formed in: 1947
- Literacy Rate: 76.26%
- National Park: Buxa National Park, Gorumara National Park, Neora Valley National Park, Neora Valley National Park, Sunderban National Park, Jaldapara National Park
Indian environmental economist Pavan Sukhdev won 2020 Tyler Prize
- Renowned Indian environmental economist and UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Goodwill Ambassador Pavan Sukhdev won the 2020 Tyler Prize.
- He won the Nobel Prize for the environment for his groundbreaking green economy work.
Extra Shots:
The Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement is one of the oldest international environmental awards, recognizing individuals who have contributed outstandingly to the scientific knowledge and public leadership to preserve and enhance the global environment.
OBITUARIES
Former Hockey team captain Sunita Chandra passes away
- Former Indian women’s hockey team captain Sunita Chandra passed away.
- She was a prestigious Arjuna awardee.
- She had played for the Indian women’s hockey team between 1956 to 1966 and served as skipper from 1963 to 1966.
Veteran South actress Jameela Malik passes away
- Veteran South actress Jameela Malik passed away.
- She was the first Keralite woman to graduate from the prestigious Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune.
- She played notable roles in around 50 films, including Pandavapuram, Adyathe Katha, Rajahamsam and Lahari.
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