Hello and welcome to exampundit. Here are the important Current Affairs for 28, 29 and 30 January, 2017 for General Awareness section in the Banking and Insurance Exams 2017. These are important for the upcoming Syndicate PGDBF and other insurance exams.
Daily Current Affairs at a Glance – 28-29-30 January, 2017
- India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) on Monday
kicked off its operations by rolling out pilot services in Raipur and Ranchi.
The bank will offer an interest rate of 4.5% on deposits up to Rs25,000; 5% on
deposits of Rs25,000-50,000 and 5.5% on Rs50,000-1,00,000, its chief executive
officer A.P. Singh said. - In a big relief to people and
small businesses, RBI today announced lifting of restrictions on daily
withdrawal of money from ATMs and from current accounts but the
weekly limit of Rs. 24,000 on savings bank accounts will continue. - The Telangana government has signed
a memorandum of agreement with French firm
Aerocampus Aquitaine, known for aircraft maintenance skill training,
here today to create a world-class aero
skill academy. - Industrialist Anil Ambani-led Reliance
Defence on Monday said it has
signed a contract with the Ministry of
Defence for the design and construction of 14 Fast Patrol Vessels for the
Indian Coast Guard valued at Rs 916 crore, the company said on Monday. - The Indian Space Research
Organisation (ISRO) on 25 January 2017 successfully ground tested its
indigenously developed Cryogenic Upper Stage for GSLV Mk III rocket. - The Indian Navy’s annual Theatre
Readiness Operational Exercise (TROPEX) began
on 24 January 2017 off the Western Seaboard. The exercise will be held till the
fourth week of February 2017. - P Vishwanath Shetty, retired
judge of Karnataka High Court, was on 28 January 2017 sworn in as the Lokayukta
of Karnataka, a seat that had been vacant since December 2015. He succeeds Y
Bhaskar Rao, who left the seat in 2015. - The Union Home Ministry on 30
January 2017 announced the appointment of Amulya Kumar Patnaik as the Delhi Police Commissioner. - Award-winning Hollywood film
producer and Wimbledon tennis player Ashok Amritraj was on 27 January 2017 appointed as UN in
India Goodwill Ambassador for the SDGs. - President of India Pranab
Mukherjee appointed Dr Vijay Bhatkar as the Chancellor of Nalanda
University with effect from 25 January 2017. - President Pranab Mukherjee on 27 January 2017 appointed Banwarlal Purohit and
P B Acharya as acting Governors
of Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh respectively. - Transparency International on 25 January 2017 released the Corruption
Perceptions Index (CPI) 2016. The Index measured the perceived levels of
public sector corruption in 176 countries and territories across the world. The CPI 2016
declared India as the 79th cleanest country among the 176 countries surveyed. - France’s Iris Mittenaere on 30 January 2017 was crowned the Miss Universe 2016. The pageant was held at the
Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines. - The Supreme Court on Monday appointed a four-member panel to look after
the administration of the BCCI. Former
Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) Vinod Rai was
appointed as the head of the panel, while noted cricket historian
Ramachandra Guha, IDFC official Vikram Limaye, and former Indian women’s
cricket captain Diana Edulji were made the members of the panel. - 2016 Olympic silver medalist PV Sindhu and
Sameer Verma on 29 January 2017 won the men’s singles and the women’s
singles titles respectively at the Syed Modi International Badminton
Championships. - Roger Federer on 29 January 2017
won the 2017 Australian Open Men’s Singles title. - Serena Williams on 28 January 2017 won the 2017 Australian Open
Women’s Singles title. - Anti-Leprosy Day was observed on 30 January
2017 across the country to spread
awareness about the disease.
Financial and Banking News:
India Post Payments Bank launched in Raipur and Ranchi, offers up to
5.5% interest rate on deposits
5.5% interest rate on deposits
- India Post Payments Bank (IPPB)
on Monday kicked off its operations by rolling out pilot services in Raipur and
Ranchi. The bank will offer an interest rate of 4.5% on deposits up to
Rs25,000; 5% on deposits of Rs25,000-50,000 and 5.5% on Rs50,000-1,00,000, its
chief executive officer A.P. Singh said. - The paid up equity of the new
bank is Rs800 crore, of which the government has already infused Rs275 crore,
he added. “The idea is to have a branch in every district and make 3 lakh
postmen come alive in payment bank function,” he said. - Also 1,000 ATMs of India Post
will be transferred to IPPB, Singh added. Telecom minister Manoj Sinha said
that IPPB plans to have 650 branches across the country by September 2017. - Terming IPPB as a mechanism for
financial inclusion and a milestone, Sinha said the payments bank—the third one
to get a permit after Airtel and Paytm and the first one promoted by the
government—will not just conduct business but also serve people. India Post
Payments Bank is the third entity to receive payments bank permit after Airtel
and Paytm.
RBI lifts cash withdrawal limits from ATMs from February 1
- In a big relief to people and
small businesses, RBI today announced lifting of restrictions on daily
withdrawal of money from ATMs and from current accounts but the weekly limit of
Rs. 24,000 on savings bank accounts will continue. - The Reserve Bank also promised to
review the weekly limit in the near future depending on the pace of
remonetisation. “On a review of the pace of remonetisation, it has been decided
to partially restore status quo ante,” RBI said adding, cash withdrawal limit
from ATMs stands withdrawn from February 1, 2017. - Banks, however, have been asked
to fix their own limits, as has been the case before November 8, 2016, the day
government scrapped high denomination currency notes of Rs. 500 and 1,000. - RBI has also removed all limits
on cash withdrawals from current accounts/ cash credit accounts/ overdraft
accounts with immediate effect. “The limits on Savings Bank accounts will
continue for the present and are under consideration for withdrawal in the near
future,” it said. - It further said that banks have
been “urged to encourage their constituents to sustain the movement towards
digitisation of payments and switching over of payments from cash mode to
non-cash mode.” - Government and RBI had imposed
limits on withdrawal of money from ATMs and bank branches in view of currency
shortage following demonetisation.
Telangana inks MoU with AEROCAMPUS for aero skills academy
- The Telangana government has
signed a memorandum of agreement with French firm Aerocampus Aquitaine, known
for aircraft maintenance skill training, here today to create a world-class
aero skill academy. - The project deliverables include
identifying skill gaps, designing courses and enabling European Aviation Safety
Agency and Directorate General of Civil Aviation certifications for the academy
and its courses. - This partnership focuses on
developing skills among the youth as well as experienced professionals. The new
academy will offer specialised aeronautical courses in engineering, manufacturing
and maintenance domains. - The academy proposes to offer
long duration basic training programmes for young students and vocational
training and short duration courses tailor-made to industry requirements for
experienced technicians. - The MoU was signed between Jerome
Verschave, General Manager, Aerocampus and Jayesh Ranjan, TS Secretary,
IT&C, in presence of Advisor to Government, Papa Rao and Florence Forzy
Raffard, Councillor for International Economic Affairs, Bordeaux.
Reliance Defence bags Rs 916 crore contract from Indian Coast Guard
- Industrialist Anil Ambani-led
Reliance Defence on Monday said it has signed a contract with the Ministry of
Defence for the design and construction of 14 Fast Patrol Vessels for the
Indian Coast Guard valued at Rs 916 crore, the company said on Monday. - These ships are medium range,
high speed vessels, and primarily used for patrol within the exclusive economic
zone, costal surveillance, and anti-smuggling, anti-piracy, search and rescue
operations. They also support front-line warships in the hour of need. - Virtually all the private sector
and public sector Shipyards had bid for the project, including Larsen and
Toubro, Cochin Shipyard, Goa Shipyard, and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and
Engineers.
NEC and Union Ministry of Textiles sign MoU to harness the hidden
potential of Cane & Bamboo
potential of Cane & Bamboo
- The North Eastern Council (NEC)
on 29 January 2017 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the
Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) of the Union Ministry of Textile in
Shillong to harness the hidden potential of Cane and Bamboo of North Eastern
Region (NER). - The MoU was signed by Ram Muivah,
Secretary of NEC and Development Commissioner(Handicrafts) Alok Kumar.
Highlights of the MoU
- It will provide a push for the
integrated and inclusive development of Cane & Bamboo Sector of NRE through
skilled manpower, marketing support, technology dissemination and institutional
support. - This will altogether mobilise the
masses and promote Bamboo sector as a whole throughout the country. - The NEC and the Development Commissioner
(Handicrafts) will promote Cane and Bamboo Technology Centre (CBTC) of Assam
and the Bamboo & Cane Development Institute (BCDI) of Tripura as the
Centres of Excellence in South East Asia. - CBTC will be transformed into a
Regional Centre of Excellence and the BCDI will be converted as a separate
entity under the name Indian Institute of Bamboo Technology (IIBT).
Non-financial News – India and states:
ISRO successfully tests Cryogenic Engine for Upper Stage of GSLV Mk III
- The Indian Space Research
Organisation (ISRO) on 25 January 2017 successfully ground tested its
indigenously developed Cryogenic Upper Stage for GSLV Mk III rocket. - The cryogenic upper stage,
designated as C25, was tested for 50 seconds at ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC)
at Mahendragiri in Tamil Nadu demonstrating all the stage operations. It was
the first test in a series of two tests.
The second test is planned for flight duration of 640 seconds. - This first flight stage for GSLV
Mk III D1 mission is in an advanced stage of realisation. It is scheduled to
launch GSAT-19 during first quarter of 2017.
Indian Navy’s Theatre Level Exercise TROPEX 17
- The Indian Navy’s annual Theatre
Readiness Operational Exercise (TROPEX) began on 24 January 2017 off the
Western Seaboard. The exercise will be held till the fourth week of February
2017. - Ships and aircraft of both the
Western and Eastern Naval Commands are participating the exercise. - The exercise is aimed at testing
the combat readiness of the combined fleets of the Indian Navy and the assets
of the Indian Air Force, Indian Army and the Indian Coast Guard. - It will also strengthen
inter-operability and joint operations in a complex environment. - The aircraft carrier
Vikramaditya, nuclear submarine Chakra, Landing Platform Dock (LPD) Jalashwa,
the recently commissioned destroyer Chennai, the P-8I will participate in the
exercise.
Karnataka set to celebrate Kambala festival
- Kambala festival was in news in
January 2017 as the Indian state of Karnataka is all set to celebrate the
festival. Kambala is an annual buffalo race held traditionally under the
patronage of local landlords and households in the state. - The buffalo race in Karnataka
takes place annually between November and March. The places where the festival
takes place are Baradi Beedu, Kolatta, Majalu, Bolantur, Kamalakettu, Puttur
and Uppinagadi. - The two-day celebration starts
with a display of the participating buffaloes with their respective farmers.
During the festival, when the fields are wet, the buffaloes are made to race on
the tracks, guided by the farmer. Each team consists of two buffaloes and a
farmer who controls the buffaloes. Two teams are made to race down two mushy
paddy fields to conclude on the fastest team. The winner of the race is awarded
with a coconut and other gifts.
Appointments – India and World:
P Vishwanath Shetty sworn in as Karnataka Lokayukta
- P Vishwanath Shetty, retired
judge of Karnataka High Court, was on 28 January 2017 sworn in as the Lokayukta
of Karnataka, a seat that had been vacant since December 2015. He succeeds Y
Bhaskar Rao, who left the seat in 2015. - Shetty will be responsible for
clearing all the pending cases and will work to re-establish the credibility of
the anti-corruption ombudsman after the disgraceful exit of his predecessor Y
Bhaskar Rao. - Rao resigned in December 2015
after investigations showed that his son Y Ashwin was allegedly running
threatening raids. Following this, Rao was
arrested, but recently on 28 January 2017, he was granted conditional bail
by the special Lokayukta Court.
Amulya Kumar Patnaik appointed Delhi Police Commissioner
- The Union Home Ministry on 30
January 2017 announced the appointment of Amulya Kumar Patnaik as the Delhi
Police Commissioner. - Patnaik succeeds Alok Kumar
Verma, who has been made the Director of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). - Patnaik, a 1985 batch Arunachal
Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram and Union Territory (AGMUT) cadre IPS officer, is currently
posted as Special Commissioner of Police (Administration).
Ashok Amritraj appointed as UN in India Goodwill Ambassador for the
SDGs
SDGs
- Award-winning Hollywood film
producer and Wimbledon tennis player Ashok Amritraj was on 27 January 2017
appointed as UN in India Goodwill Ambassador for the SDGs. - In this capacity, Ashok Amritraj
will work with the United Nations in India to amplify awareness about the
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). - He is an internationally-renowned
iconic filmmaker. He has made over 100 films during the span of his 30-year
extraordinary career. - During his 9-year career, he
competed in doubles at the Wimbledon and the US Open.
Dr Vijay Bhatkar appointed as Chancellor of Nalanda University
- President of India Pranab
Mukherjee appointed Dr Vijay Bhatkar as the Chancellor of Nalanda University
with effect from 25 January 2017. - Dr. Bhatkar will hold the office
for a term of three years from the date of his appointment as provided under
the Section 11 (3) of the Nalanda University Act, 2010. - He is best known as the architect
of India’s first supercomputer PARAM.
President appointed Banwarilal Purohit & P B Acharya as acting
Governors
Governors
- President Pranab Mukherjee on 27
January 2017 appointed Banwarlal Purohit and P B Acharya as acting Governors of
Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh respectively. - At present, Banwarlal Purohit is
the Governor of Assam, while Padmanabha Balakrishna Acharya is the Governor of
Nagaland. - These appointments come in the
backdrop of resignation of V Shanmuganathan as Governor of Meghalaya and
Arunachal Pradesh. - V Shanmuganathan resigned from
the office on 27 January 2017 following a controversy, in which he was accused
of sexual misconduct.
Reports and Indexes:
India ranked 79 in Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions
Index
Index
- Transparency International on 25
January 2017 released the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2016. The Index
measured the perceived levels of public sector corruption in 176 countries and
territories across the world. - While Denmark was adjudged as the
most corruption-free country among the surveyed countries, Somalia in Sub
Saharan African Region was placed at the bottom of the CPI. - The CPI 2016 declared India as
the 79th cleanest country among the 176 countries surveyed. - Compared to the CPI 2015, which
was released by the Transparency International (TI) on 27 January 2016, India
bettered its position by 3 ranks. The CPI 2015 placed India at the 76th
position. - It is prepared by the
Transparency International (TI), a global coalition against corruption. The TI
is based in Berlin, Germany.
Awards & Honors:
Miss France Iris Mittenaere wins Miss Universe 2016
- France’s Iris Mittenaere on 30
January 2017 was crowned the Miss Universe 2016. The pageant was held at the
Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines. - Pia Wurtzbach of the Philippines
crowned her successor Iris Mittenaere at the end of the event. - Miss Haiti Raquel Pélissier was
announced the first runner-up while Miss Columbia Andrea Tovar was named the
second runner-up in the pageant. - India’s Roshmitha Harimurthy
could not even make it to the top 15.
Sports News:
Ex-CAG Vinod Rai appointed head of 4-member BCCI panel by Supreme Court
- The Supreme Court on Monday
appointed a four-member panel to look after the administration of the BCCI.
Former Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) Vinod Rai was appointed as the
head of the panel, while noted cricket historian Ramachandra Guha, IDFC
official Vikram Limaye, and former Indian women’s cricket captain Diana Edulji
were made the members of the panel. - The Supreme Court rejected the
Centre’s suggestion to name the sports secretary as part of the panel, while
referring to its 2 January judgment that barred government servants and
ministers from holding office in the BCCI. According to a TV channel, the
Supreme Court trimmed down the list of administrators rom nine to four. - BCCI joint secretary Amitabh
Chaudhary, who had been performing the duties of the BCCI secretary since Ajay
Shirke was removed from the post following the apex court’s order of 2 January,
will represent the BCCI at the ICC meeting in Dubai in the first week of
February.
PV Sindhu, Sameer Verma won Syed Modi International Badminton
Championships titles
Championships titles
- 2016 Olympic silver medalist PV
Sindhu and Sameer Verma on 29 January 2017 won the men’s singles and the
women’s singles titles respectively at the Syed Modi International Badminton
Championships. - To win the title, while Sindhu
defeated Indonesia’s Gregoria Mariska in the summit clash in straight games
21-13 21-14, Sammer Verma defeated B Sai Praneeth 21-19 21-16. - For Sindhu, it was her maiden
women’s singles title at the tournament. - Overall, India won three titles
out of the five events in the tournament, while the Men’s Doubles title and
Women’s Doubles title were won by foreign nationals. - India won the Mixed Doubles title when Pranaav Jerry
Chopra and N Sikki Reddy emerged champions by defeating fellow Indians Ashwini
Ponnappa and B Sumeeth Reddy 22-20 21-10 in the summit clash.
Roger Federer beats Rafael Nadal to win 18th Grand Slam title
- Roger Federer on 29 January 2017
won the 2017 Australian Open Men’s Singles title. - The 35-year-old Swiss defeated
Rafael Nadal 6-4 3-6 6-1 3-6 6-3 to claim his 18th Grand Slam and fifth
Melbourne title. - He has won 18 Grand Slam singles
titles, which is the most in history. - He has won five Australian Open
titles, seven Wimbledon titles, five US Open titles and one French Open title. - He has won record six ATP World
Tour Finals and played in the finals at all nine ATP Masters 1000 tournaments.
Serena Williams wins 2017 Australian Open Women’s Singles title
- Serena Williams on 28 January
2017 won the 2017 Australian Open Women’s Singles title. - Serena defeated sister Venus
Williams 6-4 6-4 to win her seventh Australian Open and 23rd Grand Slam singles
title. - Margaret Court of Australia, with
24, is the only player ahead of Serena in terms of Grand Slam singles titles. - She holds a total of 23 Grand
Slam singles titles that marks the record for the most Major wins by a tennis
player in the Open Era.
Wesley So wins 2017 Tata Steel Chess Tournament
- Wesley So on 29 January 2017 won
the 2017 Tata Steel Chess Tournament at Manila, Philippines. - So defeated Ian Nepomniatchi of
Russia in the 13th and final round to grab the tournament. - It is the third straight
tournament victory for So, after winning the Sinquefield Cup and London Chess
Classic.
Union Government reconstituted committee to identify athletes under TOP
Scheme
Scheme
- The Union Minister of State
(Independent Charge) for Youth Affairs and Sports Vijay Goel on 27 January 2017
reconstituted Target Olympic Podium (TOP) Committee. - The primary objective of the
reconstituted TOP Committee is to identify and support potential medal
prospects for 2020 and 2024 Olympic games under the Target Olympic Podium
Scheme. - For the reconstituted committee,
Abhinav Bindra was appointed as the chairman.
Days & Observance:
Anti-Leprosy Day observed on 30 January 2017
- Anti-Leprosy Day was observed on
30 January 2017 across the country to spread awareness about the disease. - Annually, the day is celebrated
in the memory of Mahatma Gandhi to re-memorize his selfless efforts and care
for the people affected by leprosy. - Leprosy is also known as Hansen’s
disease (HD). - It is a chronic infection caused
by the bacteria Mycobacterium leprae and Mycobacterium lepromatosis.
Obituaries:
Russian ambassador to India Alexander Kadakin dies
- Alexander Kadakin, Russian
ambassador to India, passed away on 26 January 2017 following a brief illness.
He was 67. - Kadakin was one of the longest
serving envoys as he had spent a significant part of his life working to
promote Russia’s ties with India.
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