Current Affairs 20th January 2018: Daily GK Update

National News

1. India Becomes 43rd Member of Australia Group

i. India has joined the Australia Group export control regime and has become the 43rd Member of that Group. It is an informal forum which seeks to ensure that exports do not contribute to the development of chemical or biological weapons.

ii. India has managed entry into Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), the Wassenaar Arrangement and Australia Group despite not being a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Static/Current Takeaways Important for IBPS Clerk Mains 2017 Exam-

• Australian High Commissioner to India- Harinder Kaur Sidhu.

2. Government Announces List of 9 New Smart Cities

i. Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri announced the list of nine new Smart Cities, which have emerged winners in Round 4.

ii. These nine cities are, Silvassa in Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Erode in Tamil Nadu, Diu in Daman and Diu, Bihar Sharif in Bihar, Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh, Itanagar in Arunachal Pradesh, Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh, Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh and Kavaratti in Lakshadweep.

3. INS Vikramaditya Formally Affiliated to Bihar Regiment

i. Indian Naval Ship Vikramaditya, the Indian Navy's largest ship and its sole aircraft carrier was formally affiliated to the Indian Army's highly-decorated and battle-hardened Bihar Regiment and the Indian Air Force's No 6 Squadron.

ii. The ceremony was held onboard INS Vikramaditya at the Karwar Naval Base, Karnataka.

Static/Current Takeaways Important for Syndicate Bank PO 2018 Exam-

• Admiral Sunil Lanba is the present Chief of Naval Staff.

4. NDRF Celebrated its 13th Raising Day

i. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) celebrated its 13th Raising Day in New Delhi. The Director Intelligence Bureau, Rajiv Jain was the chief guest on this occasion.

ii. The meeting highlighted the disaster threat of country and important changes taken place in Disaster Management in India and across the world.

Static/Current Takeaways Important for IBPS Clerk Mains 2017 Exam-

• Sanjay Kumar is the Director General of NDRF.
• NDRF came into existence on 19th January 2006.

5. Arun Jaitley Launches National CSR Data Portal & Corporate Data Portal

i. The Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Arun Jaitley launched the National CSR Data Portal & Corporate Data Portal in Delhi. This initiative is a significant step towards driving accountability and transparency for corporate India.

ii. The portals’ easy accessibility to the general public will ensure a high level of compliance and will also help in institutionalising and consolidating the CSR activities.

Static/Current Takeaways Important for IBPS Clerk Mains 2017 Exam-

• R. K. Shanmukham Chetty was the first Finance Minister of independent India.

6. 4th India International Science Festival to be held in Lucknow

i. The fourth edition of the India International Science Festival will be held in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. The decision to hold the Festival in Lucknow was taken at the first preparatory meeting for the 4th India International Science Festival (IISF).

ii. The meeting was chaired by Union Minister for Science & Technology, Dr. Harsh Vardhan. The 1st IISF was held at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) New Delhi.

Static/Current Takeaways Important for Canera Bank PO 2018 Exam-

• The third in the series was held in October 2017 in Chennai.

Banking/Business/Economy News

7. Mauritius Largest Source of FDI in India- RBI

i. Mauritius was the largest source of foreign investment in India (21.8 per cent share at market value), followed by the US and the UK, according to a census by the Reserve Bank of India.

ii. Singapore and Japan were the next two sources of foreign direct investment (FDI), reported the Census on Foreign Liabilities and Assets of Indian Direct Investment Companies 2016-17, released by RBI.

Static/Current Takeaways Important for IBPS Clerk Mains 2017 Exam-

• Mauritius Capital- Port Louis, Currency- Mauritian rupee.

8. AU Small Finance Bank Inks MoU with LIC to Offer PMJJBY Scheme

i. Banking finance company AU Small Finance Bank has signed an MoU with LIC to offer Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY). Under the MoU, LIC will give a life cover of Rs2 lakh in case of death to the customer at a nominal premium of Rs330 per annum.

ii. The company has re-entered the housing finance segment. The company will also offer loans under government’s affordable housing and subsidy schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.

Static/Current Takeaways Important for IBPS Clerk Mains 2017 Exam-

• MD and CEO of AU Small Finance Bank- Sanjay Agarwal, Headquarters- Jaipur, Rajasthan.
• Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana was launched in 2015.

Books and Authors

9. President Kovind Unveils Book on Self-Development in Delhi

i. President Ram Nath Kovind unveiled a book on heartfulness techniques and principles titled 'The Heartfulness Way'. Kamlesh D. Patel is the author of this book. It is the fourth Global Guide of Heartfulness.

ii. Joshua Pollock is the second author of this book. It was launched by Commerce and Industries Minister Suresh Prabhu.

Obituaries

10. Iconic Cartoonist Chandi Lahiri Passes Away

i. Famous Cartoonist Chandi Lahiri passed away after a brief period of illness, marking the end of a chapter in Bengal's history of the cartoon. Lahiri was 86.