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Monthly Digest
April 2017

Dear readers,
This Monthly GK Digest is a complete docket of important news and events that occurred in a month of April 2017. We have
compiled important & expected questions, which can be asked in upcoming SBI(PO), Bank of Baroda PO, Banking
interviews and all upcoming Banking & Insurance exams.

Banking & Financial Awareness

1. Who will set up a separate enforcement department to The total customer base of the bank has reached 37
monitor banks in case they violate regulations _____The crores with a branch network of around 24,000 and
Reserve Bank of India (RBI). nearly 59,000 ATMs across the country.
Note: The merged entity will have a deposit base of more
The Enforcement Department has started operation than 26 lakh crore rupees and advance levels of 50
from 1st April,2017. lakh crore rupees.
The department will develop a broad policy for 5. A tax evasion of over how many crore rupees under the
enforcement and initiate action against the regulated Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime would be non-
entities for violation consistent with such policy. bailable offense ____five crores.
2. India has signed a loan agreement with for USD 350 Note:
million funding for a project involving development and The union government has set a target date of 1st of
up gradation of major district roads in Madhya Pradesh July for roll-out of the GST, which will subsume
____New Development Bank (NDB). central excise, service tax, VAT, and other local levies.
Note: The Central GST (CGST) and State GST (SGST) Act
The objective of the project is to up gradation of have empowered the officers from Police, Railways,
major district roads in the state to improve Customs, village officers, and any other government
connectivity with the national and state highway officers to assist CGST and SGST officers under the
networks. GST regime.
This is the first loan agreement for the New 6. The State Bank of India (SBI) has reduced its benchmark
Development Bank assisted project in India. lending rate by ____0.15 %.
3. The Karnataka Bank Limited and SBI Card have launched Note:
co-branded credit cards Karnataka Bank Platinum SBI The minimum lending rate (Base rate) of the bank
Card and Karnataka Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card for the has been reduced from 9.25 percent to 9.1 %.
customers ____Karnataka Bank. With this reduction, EMIs for the bank's new as well
Note: as existing borrowers who have taken housing or car
Karnataka Bank Platinum SBI Card has been loans at the base rate will come down by at least 0.15
designed keeping in mind the premium customers, per cent.
offers features in line with their lifestyle and 7. Who has been appointed as the new Executive Director
spending patterns. (ED) of Reserve Bank of India (RBI)___Smt. Malvika
Karnataka Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card is aimed at Sinha.
value-conscious consumers and offers rewards and Note:
features that enable customers to maximise their Earlier, B. P. Kanungo was Executive Director of the
savings on their regular spends. Reserve Bank before being elevated to the post of
4. The five associates banks of SBI and a Bank became part Deputy Governor.
of the State Bank of India____Bharatiya Mahila bank. Sinha joined Reserve Bank in 1982 and as a career
Note: central banker served in the areas of regulation and
Now, SBI catapulting the country's largest lender to supervision, foreign exchange and Government and
among the top 50 banks in the world. Bank Accounts in the Bank.

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8. Withdrawal of service charge on online booking of train 14. India and the United Kingdom (UK) have decided to set
tickets has been extended upto____30th June 2017. up how many Pound fund to finance clean energy
Note: projects___ 240 million Pound.
Earlier, the union government had decided to give Note:
incentive to the passengers for booking tickets online The Green Growth Equity Fund will be a sub-fund of
by withdrawing service charge on them from 23rd NIIF.
Nov,2016 to 31st March,2017. The objective of NIIF is to maximizes economic
Service charges on booking train tickets online impact through infrastructure development in viable
through IRCTC ticketing site ranges from Rs. 20 to Rs. projects both greenfield and brownfield, including
40 per ticket. stalled projects, mainly in the core infra sector.
9. The current reverse repo rate, as per first bi-monthly 15. India's Trade deficit with China in April-February ___USD
monetary policy review for 2017-18 of the Reserve Bank 46.7 billion.
of India (RBI)_____ 6.0%. Note:
Note: overall trade with China during the 11-month period
RBI raised the Reverse Repo (RR) rate by 25 bps to decreased marginally by 0.87 % to 64.57 billion US
6% and cut the Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) rate dollars.
and the bank rate by 25 bps to 6.50%. India's exports to China grew by 8.69% to 8.94 billion
10. Who has become the seventh entity to receive a final US dollars while imports declined by 2.26 % to 55.63
license from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to set up a billion US dollars.
payments bank___ Aditya Birla Idea Payments Bank 16. Indias rank in the worlds largest tourism economy in
Ltd. terms of GDP, according to the latest report of the World
Note: Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) ___7th.
The group's outfit Aditya Birla Idea Payments Bank is 17. As per World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) report,
a 51:49 joint venture (JV) between Aditya Birla Nuvo who stands at 7th place as a tourism economy in terms of
Ltd (ABNL) and telecom major Idea Cellular. GDP____ India.
11. Who has officially recognized Bitcoin and digital Note:
currencies as legal money with effect from 1st Travel and tourism sector recorded growth of Rs.
April,2017___Japan. 14.1 trillion (USD 208.9 billion) in 2016.
Note: The report was presented by President and CEO of
The recognition comes after implementation of a new WTTC, David Scowsill.
law amending Banking Act in Japan for legalizing 18. Asian Development Bank has projected Indias growth
these currencies. forecast for financial year 2017-18____7.4%.
This will help in integration of digital currency into Note:
legal banking system through regulatory scrutiny. ADB expects the growth rate to improve to 7.6% in
12. The telecom regulator Telecom Regulatory Authority of 2018.
India (TRAI) has advised to stop complimentary three- India reflected a growth rate of 7.1% for 2016-17.
month service offer as it was not in accordance with the 19. Indias rank in the WEFs Global Travel and Tourism
regulatory framework ___Reliance Jio. Competitive Index (GTTCI)- 2017___40th.
Note: Note:
As per WEFs Travel and Tourism Competitiveness
The authority has examined it and found that it was
Report 2017.India has been ranked 40th out of 136
not in accordance with regulatory framework, so the countries in the 2017 World Economic Forums
department has advised them to stop it. (WEF) Global Travel and Tourism Competitiveness
Earlier, Jio has announced that it has clocked 72 Index (GTTCI).
million paid users and is extending its one-time Rs. 99 20. The Digital wallet company has launched of new feature
payment membership programme Jio Prime till 15th QR code on its Paytm Mall application ___Paytm.
of April. Note:
13. Japan will provide Official Development Assistance (ODA) This QR code will allow consumers to place online
loan for infrastructure projects in India for FY 17___ Yen orders at the physical stores.
371 billion.

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The seller will be able to earn a percentage margin on Now, every person they introduce to the BHIM app,
each purchase that is made by scanning the Paytm QR will get a cash back of Rs. 10 from 14th April to 14th
code. October.
Paytm Mall aimed to offer combination on the Mall The Aadhaar-linked BHIM mobile app is based on the
and Bazaar concepts to Indian consumers. Unified Payment Interface Developed by National
21. India's largest online retailer buys eBay's India business Payments Corporation of India.
____Flipkart. 26. According to Commerce and Industry Ministry, India's
Note: exports grew by percent to 29.23 billion dollars in March
eBay Inc has put USD 500 million in Flipkart and sold this year as compared to same period in last
its India business to the Flipkart. year___27.6%
Flipkart also acquired eBays Indian operations in a Note:
move to counter an American electronic commerce It grew on account of the robust performance by
and cloud computing company Amazon. sectors like petroleum, textiles, engineering goods
22. The union cabinet has approved hike of Rs. per quintal in and gems and jewelry.
Minimum Support Price (MSP) for raw jute___Rs. 300. Exports witnessed a growth of 4.71% at 274.64
Note: billion dollars against 262.3 billion in 2015-16.
Jute is mainly used as raw material in the packaging 27. Who has launched a web portal 'isnp.irda.gov.in' for
industry. insurers that will allow them to register and sell policies
Earlier, in last three-year union govt. has increased online ___IRDAI (Insurance Regulatory and
the MSP for Jute Rs. 2,700 to Rs 3,500 per quintal. Development Authority of India).
23. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has Note:
given its approval for listing of how many Central Public The Insurance Regulatory and Development
Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) on stock exchanges___ 11. Authority of India (IRDAI) is an autonomous,
Note: statutory agency tasked with regulating and
They include Rail Vikas Nigam Limited, Indian promoting the insurance and re-insurance industries
Railway Finance Corporation Limited, Indian Railway in India.
Catering, and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) Limited, 28. India's most valued Public Sector Company (PSU) in
Bharat Dynamics Limited and IRCON International terms of market capitalization (m-cap) in intra-day trade
Limited. ___The State Bank of India (SBI).
The listing of CPSEs will be done through a public Note:
offer of shares up to 25 % of Government SBI has surpassed oil exploration major Oil & Natural
shareholding. Gas Corporation (ONGC).
Listing of CPSEs will promote peoples ownership by According to BSE data, SBI with m-cap of 239,808
encouraging public participation in Central Public crores was ahead of ONGC having m-cap of Rs.
Sector Enterprises. 236,003 crore.
24. The union government has set up time-bound Inter- SBI is at the fifth position, while ONGC is seventh in
Disciplinary Committee to examine the existing the top-10 most valued companies list.
framework with regard to ___ Virtual Currencies. 29. Who has launched its revamped website having several
Note: user-friendly features and compatible for desktop and
The Committee will take stock of the present status of mobile devices ____The Securities and Exchange Board
Virtual Currencies both in India and globally. of India (SEBI).
The committee will suggest measures for dealing with Note:
such currencies including issues relating to consumer The new website is compliant with Web Content
protection and money laundering. Accessibility Guidelines for making web content more
25. Who has launched the BHIM-Aadhaar service which accessible to differently abled people and also
enabled every Indian citizen to pay digitally just with conforms to the guidelines for Indian government
their thumb impression, in Nagpur websites.
(Maharashtra)_____Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is
Note: the regulator for the securities market in India.

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It was established in the year 1988 and given 35. Indias GDP growth forecast for FY 18, according to the
statutory powers on 30 January 1992 through the World Banks latest report Globalization Backlash__
SEBI Act, 1992. 7.2%.
30. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has set up two new Note:
Offices of the Banking Ombudsman in ____Jammu and Indias Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is expected to
Raipur. grow at 7.2% for FY 18, from 6.8% in FY 16.
Note: The report focuses on the economic climate in South
Now, the banking ombudsman offices have now Asia and, predicts growth in the region.
increased to 20 across the country. 36. Indias rank at the 2017 A.T. Kearney Foreign Direct
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is India's central Investment (FDI) Confidence Index ____8th.
banking institution, which controls the monetary 37. The World Bank has approved a loan for the ambitious
policy of the Indian rupee. inland waterways project between Haldia (West Bengal)
31. The union Government has extended the last date to and Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) ____around Rs. 2,421
make deposits under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan crores.
Yojna (PMGKY) to ___30th of April 2017. Note:
Note: The approved loan amount is about 45% of the
The scheme provided last chance to holders of estimated project cost of Rs. 5,369 crore for capacity
undisclosed income to come clean by paying tax and augmentation of National Waterway-1.
penalty. The 11,390-kilometrewaterway project of the
The scheme provides an opportunity to declare shipping ministry will enable commercial navigation
unaccounted wealth and black money in a of vessels with the capacity of 1,500-2,000
confidential manner and avoid prosecution after deadweight tonnage (DWT).
paying a fine of 50% on the undisclosed income. 38. Who has announced the alliance with 'Paisabazaar.com'
An additional 25% of the undisclosed income is to offer conditionally approved loans to the latters
invested in the scheme which can be refunded after existing customers ___Yes Bank.
four years, without any interest. Note:
32. A set of four rare stamps featuring the portrait of The aim of tie up is to make the process of availing a
Mahatma Gandhi has been sold for record 5 lakh pounds loan easy and seamless and act as a one-stop financial
at an auction in the _____United Kingdom (UK). solution provider for all retail lending needs of the
Note: customer.
The stamp was sold to an Australian collector for the The bank will help Paisabazaar.com through its
highest ever price for Indian stamps. advanced analytics and data mining capabilities to
Only 13 of the 1948 Gandhi 10 Purple Brown and offer customers of the financial marketplace with
Lake 'Service' stamps are in circulation. customized and conditionally approved offers across
33. The Finance Ministry has approved interest rate on EPF retail lending products.
for 2016-17___8.65% Paisabazaar.com is a one-stop destination for all
Earlier, the Employees' Provident Fund types of loans, cards, and investment products in
Organization trustees had approved 8.65% rate India.
on EPF in December last year. 39. Who has launched the first wealth management product
34. Flipkart-owned online fashion retailer has announced Digital Gold on its platform to allow customers to buy
that it has acquired InLogg ____ Myntra. and sell gold through electronic platform____Paytm.
Note: Note:
'InLogg' is a city-based technology platform that Digital Gold has been launched in partnership with
provides end-to-end logistics solutions for the e- gold refiner MMTC-PAMP.
commerce sector. Now, Consumers can purchase 24K 999.9 purity gold
InLogg was founded in 2015 by a team with an online and store it in MMTCPAMPs secure vaults
aim to standardize the process of logistics in free of charge.
remote areas and bring in efficiency. It offers a real-time international pricing mechanism
for the customers.

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40. State Bank of India and real estate developers body have AU had a network of 300 branches spread across 10
signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to jointly States namely Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Gujarat,
conduct various initiatives towards development of the Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Delhi, Haryana, Himachal
realty sector _____CREDAI. Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Goa.
Note: 42. The state govt has revised the BPL & DPL income
CREDAI is the largest real estate association in the ___Haryana.
country with over 11,500 members. Note:
The limit of annual income of BPL families has
The MoU will be in force for a period of 3 years.
been raised to Rs 49,000 from Rs. 40,500 (living
Each of them will leverage their individual strengths in rural) and Rs. 60,000 from Rs. 51,500 (living in
and collaborate in areas to promote 'housing for all' urban areas).
41. A non-banking finance company (NBFC) has converted The limit of annual income for the families living
itself into a small finance bank by the name AU Small below DPL would Rs 98,000 (rural areas) and Rs
Finance Bank ___AU Financiers India. 1.2 lakh (urban areas).
Note:

New Appointments

1. Who has been appointed as the Chairman of Central The National Unit of the Federation unanimously
Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC)_____Vanaja N. elected him during the 28th Senior National Circle
Sarna. Kabaddi Championship organized at Panjab
Note: University, Chandigarh.
She has replaced Najib Shah. The Amateur Circle Kabaddi Federation of India
The Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) is a (ACKFI) was formed in 1978.
part of the Department of Revenue under the The Federation is Affiliated with Asian Amateur
Ministry of Finance, Government of India. Circle Kabaddi Federation and World Kabaddi
CBIC is the nodal national agency responsible for Federation.
administering Customs, Central Excise, Service Tax & 5. A senior IPS Officer has been appointed as new Director
Narcotics in India headed by Chairperson and General of Police (DGP) of Gujarat___Geeta Johari.
consist of six Members. Note:
2. Who has been appointed as the new Chief Justice of the She will replace Mr. P.P. Pandey who had resigned
Madras High Court ___Justice Indira Banerjee. from the post.
Note: Johari will become the first woman Director General
She succeeded 'Sanjay Kishan Kaushal'. of Police of Gujarat.
Justice Banerjee has become the second woman to 6. The National Association of Software and Services
head the Madras High Court. Companies (Nasscom) has appointed industry veteran as
3. Who has been appointed as Ambassador and Permanent its chairman for 2017-18_____Raman Roy.
Representative of India to the United Nations Offices in Note:
Geneva ___Rajiv Kumar Chander. He has replaced 'CP Gurnani' (Managing Director
Note: and Chief Executive Officer of Tech Mahindra).
He is currently the consul general of India in Raman Roy is one of the pioneers of the Business
Vancouver. Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry in India and
Earlier, he was deputy permanent representative CEO of his VC funded BPO company Quatrro.
with the Permanent Mission of India to the United The National Association of Software and Services
Nations, Geneva, between 2006 and 2009. Companies (NASSCOM) is a trade association of
4. The Haryana Education Minister has been nominated as Indian Information Technology (IT) and Business
Chairman of Amateur Circle Kabaddi Federation of India Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry.
(ACKFI) for the next four years __Ram Bilas Sharma. 7. The high-level committee has been set up to examine
Note: working of regulatory bodies for AYUSH system of
medicine ___ Arvind Panagariya committee.

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8. Indias first-ever transgender police Sub-Inspector_____ 15. Who has been appointed as the Chairman of Bhakra Beas
Prithika Yashini. Management Board (BBMB) ___Devendra Kumar
9. Who has appointed as the Director of IIM Sharma.
Trichy____Bhimaraya Metri. Note:
Note: He is serving as the Managing Director of Himachal
Metri will take over the office from Prafulla Pradesh Power Corporation Limited for
Agnihotri, who is also the founding director of IIM implementing and commissioning Tata Hydro Power
Trichy. Station in Bhutan.
10. The new Ambassador of India to the Federal Republic of BBMB manages the release of water in Punjab,
Germany___ Mukta Dutta Tomar. Haryana, and Rajasthan as it controls Bhakra, Pong,
Note: and other dams.
Mukta Dutta Tomar (Indian Foreign Service: 1984- 16. Who has been appointed as the new Managing Director
batch) has been appointed as the new ambassador of (MD) and Chief Executive Director of LIC Housing
India to the Federal Republic of Germany. Finance Limited ___Vinay Shah.
She will succeed Gurjit Singh. Note:
Tomar is presently Additional Secretary in the He has replaced 'Smt. Sunita Sharma' after
Ministry of External Affairs. Government had elevated her to Managing Director
11. The union government has appointed retired Supreme (MD) of LIC.
Court judge as the next chairman of the Telecom Earlier, Sah was Executive Director
Disputes Settlement & Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) for a Marketing/Product Development with LIC of India.
period of three years____ Justice Shiva Kirti Singh. 17. Who has been unanimously elected as a delegate to the
Note: National Congress of the ruling Communist Party of
He replaced Justice Aftab Alam. China (CPC) at the Guizhou provincial party unit ____Xi
The Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Jinping.
Tribunal (TDSAT) was established to adjudicate Note:
disputes and dispose of appeals with a view to A total of 2,300 delegates to the National Congress,
protect the interests of service providers and slated for the second half of 2017, are being elected
consumers of the telecom sector and to promote and by 40 electoral units across the country.
ensure orderly growth of the telecom sector. 18. Who has been re-elected as the president of Telangana
12. Indian-origin personality has become first non-white Rashtra Samiti (TRS) ___Kalvakuntla Chandrasekhar
judge at the Old Bailey Court of London ____ Anuja Rao.
Ravindra Dhir. Note:
Note: Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) is an Indian
She is also the youngest circuit judge to sit at the regional political party based in Telangana State.
court. Chandrasekhar Rao attained a Masters degree in
13. The new administrator of the United Nations Literature from Osmania Arts College-Osmania
Development Programme (UNDP)___ Achim Steiner. University, Hyderabad.
Note: 19. Who has appointed MD and CEO of the LIC Housing
He succeeds Helen Clark (former New Zealand Prime Finance ____Vinay Sah.
Minister) who has steered the UNDP since 2009. Note:
The UNDP seeks to reduce poverty, improve social He succeeded Sunita Sharma, who has been
development, and encourage women's promoted as Managing Director of Life Insurance
empowerment. Corporation of India (LIC).
14. The senior-most judge of Delhi High Court has been Earlier, Sah was Executive Director
appointed as the acting Chief justice of Delhi High Marketing/Product Development with LIC of India.
Court___Justice Gita Mittal. 20. Who is the new Financial Commissioner (FC) of Indian
Note: Railways___ B N Mohapatra.
She succeeds Chief Justice Gorla Rohini. Note:

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Earlier, he served as Additional Member (Finance) 23. Who has appointed as the Director-General of the Central
since November 2016. Reserve Police Force (CRPF)____Rajiv Rai Bhatnagar.
21. Who has been named as the new Director of the Secret Note:
Service ___Randolph Ailes. The Central Armed Police Force was headless for
Note: nearly two months after the retirement of K. Durga
The Director of the United States Secret Service is Prasad
the head of the U.S. Secret Service, and responsible The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is the
for the day-to-day operations. largest of India's Central Armed Police Forces under
The Secret Service is a federal law enforcement the aegis of Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) of the
agency that is part of the United States Department Government of India.
of Homeland Security. It became the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)
22. Who has been appointed as new Director General of on enactment of the CRPF Act on 28th December
Police (DGP) of Haryana ____BS Sandhu. 1949.
Note: 24. Who has also appointed as the DG of Indo-Tibetan Border
Earlier, Mr. Sandhu was Chairman and Managing Police force (ITBP)___R.K. Pachnanda.
Director(MD) of Haryana Police Housing
Corporation.

Important News India

1. Indias first International Centre for Foot and Mouth 3. The North-Western Railway has declared rail routes as
Disease (ICFMD) has set up at Argul in the state Green Corridors ___Barmer-Munawab & Pipad Road-
____Odisha. Bilara.
Note: Note:
The research center has been constructed in joint The trains in the section have been equipped with
collaboration of UNs Food and Agriculture bio-toilets to ensure zero discharge of human waste
Organization & Indian Council of Agricultural on the rail tracks under the Swachh Rail-Swachh
Research to conduct research on the viral disease of Bharat initiative.
cattle and buffaloes. Now, the total number of green corridors has
The research center has the facility for safe handling increased to three.
and storage of live Foot and Mouth disease virus that The Manamadurai Rameswaram stretch (114- km)
essentially is required for control of the disease. of Southern Railway was the first Green corridor of
This center will also serve as a regional resource India.
laboratory for countries of the South Asian 4. The union government has launched two mobile apps to
Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). provide access to various services and information to
2. India has decided to liberalize e-visa regime by increasing enable citizens to report any traffic violation
the time limit for seeking the entry permit from existing ____echallan and mParivahan.
30 days to a maximum of ____four months. Note:
Note: 'eChallan' is an integrated enforcement solution to
The duration of stay for foreigners, coming into the manage traffic violations through a mobile app.
country through select categories of e-visa, has also 'mParivahan' is an empowering app for the citizen
been extended to two months. which provides access to various services,
The liberalization of the visa regime will considerably information, and utilities related to the transport
facilitate entry of foreigners into India for tourism, sector.
business, and medical purposes. 5. Who has inaugurated 19th Commonwealth Forestry
Under the new simplified visa regime, three new sub- Conference (CFC) 2017 at Forest Research Institute (FRI)
categories (e-tourist visa, e-business visa, and e- in Dehradun, Uttarakhand ___K.K. Paul.
medical visa) for grant of e-visa. Note:
The 5-day conference is being organized on the
theme Forests for Prosperity and Posterity.
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The international conference is being organized in The state government has offered to provide 12
association with the Ministry of Environment, Forests screens in Vishakhapatnam and daily three shows
and Climate Change and Commonwealth Forestry will be screened in each theater.
Association of UK. 11. The two days national TB summit has begun with the
6. The beneficiaries of Prime Ministers 'Yojana has reached slogan in Dharamshala, Kangra district of Himachal
more than 2 crores in less than a year ____Ujjwala Pradesh ___ TB Harga, Desh Jeetega.
Yojana. Note:
Note: Several MPs from different political parties,
Ujjwala Yojana is serving as a novel means of women renowned experts, doctors, and celebrities is taking
empowerment and achieving the goals of providing part in the deliberations.
clean fuel and a better life to the people. Tuberculosis (TB) is the potentially serious infectious
This scheme was launched in May,2016 with a target bacterial disease that mainly affects the lungs.
of providing 5 crore BPL households with free gas 12. The first Indian city to offer 1Gbps wired broadband
cylinders within 3 years by 2019. internet service____ Hyderabad.
7. Who has launched a comprehensive scheme for power 13. The app has been launched as a mobile app as well as a
loom sector development PowerTex India in Bhiwandi, web portal to help in contributions towards the families
Thane district, Maharashtra _____Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani. of soldiers who lost their lives while on duty ____Bharat
Note: ke Veer.
The scheme will especially benefit small power loom Note:
weavers. The donors can also help the soldiers they wish to
PowerTex India van was also flagged off for publicity support or donate to Bharat ke Veer corpus
of PowerTex scheme across the country. through this app/ portal.
8. A national conference on communicating India has been 14. Who has launched the special digital exhibition,
inaugurated by the Minister of State for Information and Swachhagraha Bapu Ko Karyanjali to celebrate the
Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore in ____New Delhi. centenary of Champaran ___Narendra Modi.
Note: Note:
The conference has been organized by the The exhibition aims to connect the essential
Vivekananda International Foundation in principles of Satyagraha with Swachhagraha.
collaboration with the India Media Centre, University The exhibition will be launched at National Archives
of Westminster, London, Nehru Memorial Museum in New Delhi.
and Library and the Indian Institute of Mass 15. The 12th joint military exercise of India and Mongolia
Communication with the association of Prasar Nomadic Elephant has started in ____Vairengte,
Bharati. Mizoram.
9. Indias rank in the WADAs Anti-Doping Rule Violations 16. The Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu has released a book
(ADRVs) report for year 2015___3rd. by DG Tendulkar printed by Publications Division
Note: ____Gandhi in Champaran.
The list is topped by Russia (176), followed by Italy
Note:
(129), India (117), France (84) and Belgium (67).
10. Who has inaugurated a three-day National Childrens The book aims at relieving, recounting & retelling the
Film Festival in Vishakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) __M experiences that have had a deep impact on Gandhi
Venkaiah Naidu. and how it had shaped the course of our nations
Note: history.
The aim of the film festival is to expose children to 17. The ministry of Rural Development has released nearly
quality cinema and to introduce novel elements 23,500 crores to the states as the first tranche for this
beyond films. Financial Year, under the ____MGNREGS.
More than 40,000 children from the state are Note:
expected to attend a screening of 24 films during the The Government is laying considerable emphasis on
festival. Water Conservation and Water Management works
under MGNREGS and a list of 2264 water-stressed
Blocks in 324 districts of 21 states has been prepared.

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All States have been advised to ensure that such 23. Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu has flagged-off first-
works are taken up wherever required with ever train with glass roof coaches on _____
appropriate technical and scientific scrutiny. Visakhapatnam-Araku route.
18. Indias first-ever micro-drama festival Thespis has Note:
started in ____ New Delhi. Vistadome coach launched with an aim to provide a
Note: delightful traveling experience of the picturesque
The micro drama festival has presented the series of Araku valley.
25 micro drama tales composed with the duration of Currently, only one coach is attached to the train on a
10 minutes and is named after Thespis of Icaria. trial basis while one more will be attached later.
19. Who has launched a new web portal called nakshe to 24. The union Human Resource and Development Ministery
celebrate Survey of Indias 250 Anniversary in New Delhi has launched its own portal and mobile app ___ Rashtriya
___Harsh Vardhan. Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA).
Note: Note:
The portal nakshe will offer Topographic maps for The portal will act as a one-stop for States Higher
free download in a pdf format through Aaadhar Education Plans, the decision of the States Higher
enabled user authentication process. Education Councils and details of the resources under
The principal mapping agency of the country The this scheme.
Survey of India is celebrating its 250th anniversary The mobile application will ensure that all projects
this year. under RUSA are tracked 24x7.
20. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has released a book 25. Who has inaugurated various units of the thermal power
authored by Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan in New plants at Koradi, Chandrapur, and Parli of Maharashtra
Delhi ___Matoshree. _____PM Narendra Modi.
Note: Note:
The book 'Matoshree' covers the life and times of These include three super-critical units 660 MW each
legendary Devi Ahilyabai Holker who ruled the at Koradi, two of 500 MW each at Chandrapur and
Holkar Empire spread over the Malwa region from one of 250 MW at Parli.
1767 to 1795. Koradi Thermal Power Station (KTPS) is located at
Ahilyabai is remembered and worshiped by people Koradi near Nagpur, Maharashtra.
for her exemplary governance, sense of justice and 26. First time in Indian Railway history Indian Railway
fairness. station has been handed over to the private firm to be
21. Who has inaugurated a two-day workshop on the review operated by it ___Habibganj.
of the National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP) in Note:
New Delhi ____Kiren Rijiju. The station building will be developed in line with
Note: airport terminals.
The workshop has been organized by the National The trains at the station will still be run by the
Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). Railways.
India's first-ever national plan for disaster 27. Who has conducted its first mock drill exercise on forest
management NDMP was launched by Prime Minister fire in Uttarakhand _____The National Disaster
Narendra Modi in June 2016. Management Authority (NDMA).
22. The Union Power ministry has launched app for Note:
empowering citizens by real-time information sharing on The fire officials from all the districts and other
the power supply _____URJA MITRA. departments of the state will participate in the exercise.
Note: 28. Who has inaugurated a two-day 11th civil services day
The app is a first of its kind which provides a central function in New Delhi___Mr. Rajnath Singh.
platform, web-portal urjamitra.com as well as a Note:
mobile app for state power Distribution utilities to Singh has asked civil servants to interpret and
disseminate power outage information to rural/ implement rules and regulations with an open and
urban power consumers through SMS/ push/email progressive mindset.
notifications across the country.

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Three Breakaway Sessions on subjects related to Presently, India is the third largest producer of crude
Agriculture, Energy and Skill Development and steel in the world.
Entrepreneurship has also organised. 36. Indian Navy has successfully tested the land attack
29. The global e-commerce major has launched the 'Amazon version of supersonic cruise missile from Indian Navy's
Fire TV Stick' with Voice Remote in India___ Amazon. ship Teg on a target on land ____ Brahmos.
Note: Note:
Fire TV Stick is the powerful streaming media device
BrahMos Missile has been jointly developed by India
that plugs into an HD Television and lets customers
access thousands of movies, TV shows, apps, and and Russia and its anti-ship variant has already been
games. inducted into the Navy.
It will compete with devices like Google Chromecast, Land Attack variant of BrahMos Missile provides
Amkette's EvoTV and Apple TV. Indian Naval Ships the capability to precisely
30. Who has inaugurated the three-day International neutralize selected targets deep inland, far away from
Conference and Exhibition on Steel Industry 'India Steel coast, from stand-off ranges at sea.
2017'at Mumbai Exhibition center in Mumbai 37. The bungalow is being readied as the retirement home of
____Chaudhary Birender Singh. President Pranab Mukherjee____10 Rajaji Marg, New
Note: Delhi.
The exhibition-cum-conference was organized by Note:
Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and The 10 Rajaji Marg house is spread over an area of
Industry (FICCO) along with Union Ministry of 11,776 sq. feet with the ground floor housing a
Steel. library and an attached reading space.
Presently, India is the third largest producer of A retired president is entitled to rent-free
crude steel in the world. accommodation anywhere in India with free water
31. The IIT institute will start Vastu Shastra classes for and electricity for the remainder of his/her life as per
architecture students____ IIT Kharagpur. the President's Pension Rules, 1962.
Note: 38. Who has inaugurated the three-day Centenary
IIT Kharagpur will start Vastu Shastra classes for Celebrations of the Osmania University and also take
architecture students from August 2017. part in the first convocation of the English and Foreign
32. The Indian Space Research Organisation has tied up with Languages University (EFLU) in Hyderabad ___Pranab
the PSU company to develop low-cost lithium ion Mukherjee.
batteries for electric vehicles___ Bharat Heavy Note:
Electricals Ltd (BHEL). The Osmania University is the largest institute in Asia
33. The state government will set up Book Banks in schools with the maximum number of affiliated colleges of
to provide old books to the students____ Punjab. over 1000.
Note: Osmania University is a public state university
These book banks will request students to deposit located in Hyderabad, India, founded in 1918.
their old books so that the needy students in the next It was established and named after the seventh and
batch can use them free of cost. last Nizam of Hyderabad, Nawab Mir Osman Ali Khan.
34. The country is hosting the 3rd Edition of Global 39. Who has launched the "Jal Sanrakshan Karyakram -
Exhibition on Services 2017___ India. Bundelkhand " at Baandri in Sagar district, Madhya
Note: Pradesh ___Uma Bharti.
The GES-2017 will highlight Indias potential to boost Note:
its services exports. The work of development of water bodies to improve
35. The Union Steel Minister has inaugurated the three-day socio-economic situation in drought prone areas has
International Conference and Exhibition on Steel Industry been undertaken through Jal Sanrakshan Karyakram
at Mumbai Exhibition center in Mumbai ____India Steel- in the country.
2017. Around 1,300 percolation tanks, 69,000 small check
Note: dams and 24,200 recharge pits have been identified.
The exhibition-cum-conference was organized by 40. An android App has been developed by Space
Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Applications Centre (SAC), ISRO, Ahmedabad for the
Industry (FICCO) along with Union Ministry of Steel.
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computation of solar energy potential ___Solar The union government will provide Anti-
Calculator. Retroviral Therapy (ART) treatment to the
Note: patients free of cost.
It is a very useful tool for installation of PV solar It is a centrally sponsored scheme and people
panels for tapping solar energy. suffering from HIV will benefit from it.
It also displays the location on the satellite image and 45. PM Modi has inaugurated flights under the Regional
provides azimuth/elevation angles as well as day Connectivity Scheme by flagging off the Alliance Airlines
length over different time periods in a year. flight on Shimla-Delhi sector from Jubbar Hatti airport
The App can be downloaded from New and near Shimla___Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN).
Renewable Energy section at vedas.sac.gov.in Note:
41. Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and Department of Over 45 unserved and under-served airports would
Post have signed a tripartite MoU for providing of a be connected under the scheme the UDAN.
broadband connectivity to Post Offices in rural areas UDAN is an innovative scheme to develop the
____BharatNet. regional aviation market. It is a market-based
Note: mechanism in which airlines bid for seat subsidies.
About 1.3 lakh post offices in rural areas and 25 UDAN has a unique market-based model to develop
thousand sub-post offices will be connected through regional connectivity.
broadband for high-speed Internet connectivity in 46. The union minister of Information and Broadcasting
rural masses. Minister M Venkaiah Naidu has launched an app and
The cost of infrastructure and the operational website portal of MSME facilitation council in New Delhi
expenses will be paid by the Department of Posts. ____MyMSME app.
BharatNet is one of the 9 pillars of realizing the Prime Note:
Ministers vision of Digital India. My MSME mobile application is for all Micro, Small &
42. The sacred portals of the famous Himalayan shrine Medium Enterprises (MSME) in India and other
Gangotri and Yamunotri have been opened for the stakeholders.
pilgrims after six-month winter break in____ This application acts as a source of all information
Uttarakhand. related to MSMEs Policies, Registration, Services,
Note: Schemes, etc.
With this, the Chardham Yatra has commenced in the 47. Who has become India's first public hospital for eye
State. tumors ____AIIMS.
The festive doli of the idol of Goddess Yamuna with Note:
devotees reached Yamunotri from kharshali, while AIIMS is India's first public hospital to start plaque
doli of Goddess Ganga was carried from Mukhwa for brachytherapy facility for the treatment of eye
Gangotri with traditional drums and trumpets. tumors.
43. The council of IITs (51st meeting) has decided to 48. Who will host the 18th World Road Meeting on November
increase female representation in IITs from eight to this year ____ India.
___20%. Note:
Note: Around 4000 delegates across the world will discuss
An amount of Rs. 75,000 will be released per month important issues facing in mobility sector.
from Prime Ministers Scholarship scheme to The theme of World Road Meeting 2017 is Safe
promote research and innovation in IITs. Roads and Smart Mobility: The Engines of Economic
The Wellness Centres will be created for students Growth.
which will help them to deal with mental stress and 49. India successfully carried out a fresh user trial of 3,000
peer pressure. kilometer range Agni-III ballistic missile from _____Odisha
44. Who has launched the Test and Treat policy for coast.
providing treatment to patients suffering from Human Note:
Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)____ JP Nadda. The Agni-III, capable of carrying both conventional
Note: and nuclear warheads weighing up to 1.5 tons.

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Agni-III ballistic missile is 17 meters tall with a two- intermediate range ballistic missile firepower and
metre diameter and weighs about 48 tons. greatly extending its power projection in the region.
Agni-III is a rail mobile system capable missile and
can be launched from anywhere giving the country

States News

1. Who has inaugurated 9.28 km long Indias longest 8. The Uttar Pradesh Government has formed a committee
highway tunnel Chenani-Nashri in Jammu & Kashmir to implement farm loan waiver decision ____ Rahul
____PM Narendra Modi. Bhatnagar committee.
Note: 9. The state government has launched 'Deendayal Rasoi
This road tunnel will cut the distance between the Yojana' to provide food at subsidized rate ____Madhya
two state capitals Jammu and Srinagar to around 250 Pradesh.
km from the current 350 km and reduce the travel Note:
time by approximately two hours. Under this scheme, people would be provided
2. The Union Tourism minister Mahesh Sarma has wholesome meal through canteens that would offer
sanctioned how many crore for the development of the subsidized prices (wholesome meal below Rs. 5/-).
tourism sector in Assam____Rs. 98 crore. 10. The bank would be set up by the scientists of Indian
3. The Gunotsav program has been launched in 8 districts of Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Bareilly ____DNA
the state to improve elementary education ___Assam. Bank.
Note: Note:
Over 9 lakh students in 2,000 schools will be covered The setting up of DNA Bank for Wildlife is also
under the programme in the next 3 days in the first expected to bring down poaching.
phase. Currently, Hyderabads Laboratory for the
4. The Union government has approved e-governance Conservation of Endangered Species (LaCONES) is
project for Himachal Pradesh (HP) under good the only body to offer DNA Bank facility.
governance and best practices in India _____Rs. 5.24 11. The state government has imposed a 10% cow cess as
crore. surcharge on stamp duty for protection and propagation
Note: of cows _____ Rajasthan.
The project approved by the department of Note:
electronics and information technology (DEIT), Union The Rajasthan government has imposed a 10% cow
ministry of communications and IT. cess as surcharge on stamp duty for protection and
Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission propagation of cows.
(HPPSC) is all set to launch e-Governance Project to The surcharge will be applicable on non-judicial
start paperless functioning, making it the first PSC of instruments.
the country to do so. 12. The city police have launched Pink Hoyslas police Petrol
5. The state govt. will provide Rs 21,000 to all those families vehicles for women safety____ Bengaluru.
whose third girl child was born under the 'Aapki Beti, Note:
Hamari Beti' scheme (after August 24, 2015) ____The Pink Hoysalas will be stationed at 51 hot spots that
Haryana government. have been identified on the basis of the crime pattern
Note: in various city areas, especially those related to safety
The scheme is aimed to combat the problem of of women and children.
declining child sex ratio and promote girls education 13. The state Government has decided to increase the
in the state. number of Science Clubs being operated in Sanskriti
6. The Chief Minister of West Bengal 'Mamata Banerjee' has Schools from 20 to 200 to scale up the interest of youth
declared the 22nd district of the state___ Jhargram. in science and technology ____Haryana.
Note: Note:
Jhargram has been formed by bifurcating West The financial assistance to these Clubs will be
Midnapore district. enhanced from Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 50,000.
200 Crore budget has been also sanctioned for the A new projector would be installed at the
development of the Jhargram district. Department-run Kalpana Chawla Memorial
7. The state government will start a one-year diploma Planetarium, Kurukshetra at a cost of about Rs. 1.5
course on Hindu Purohityam_____ Madhya Pradesh. crore to Rs. 2 crores.
14. The state government will electrify all villages in the state
by 30th June this year ___Assam.

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Note: The Barmer refinery will be the first in the country to

The deadline to connect un-electrified villages in produce BS-6 standard fuel.
Assam under Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gram Jyoti The state government will have 26% stake in the
Yojana. project while rest will be held by HPCL.
15. The state Government has promulgated an Ordinance to The government has made 4800-acre land available
make the teaching of Malayalam language mandatory in at Pachpadra for the project and expected to take four
all schools in the State ___Kerala Government. years to complete.
Note: 22. The state Government has decided to provide pension to
The usage of the official language Malayalam has former circus artists in the state ___Kerala.
been made compulsory in all government offices from Note:
1st May. The state govt. has allocated 1.13 crore rupees.
This would be applicable to quasi-government Thalassery in Kannur district considered to be the
institutions, public sector undertakings, autonomous cradle of Indian circus.
institutions, and institutions in the cooperative 23. The state govt. has launched the two web applications to
sector. check corruption and keep track of government activities
16. The PM 'Narendra Modi' and his visiting Australian ___N Biren Singh.
counterpart Malcolm Turnbull have signed how many Note:
agreements after delegation level talks ___Six. The two web applications were Anti-Corruption Cell
Note: and Digital Application for Review by Public and
The agreements will boost bilateral cooperation in Nation (DARPAN).
various fields such as terrorism, sports, health, 'DARPAN' would upload details of projects right from
environment, aviation sector. the initial stage till sanction of the fund, progress of
17. The state government to launch cheap food canteen work and photos the work sites.
Annapurna Bhojnalayas______ Uttar Pradesh. 24. The state Govt. has decided to provide accidental
Note: insurance cover to all residents of the State having
The Uttar Pradesh will launch cheap food canteen Aadhaar seeded saving bank accounts ____Haryana
Annapurna Bhojnalayas across all 14 municipal Government.
corporations in the state. Note:
18. The city has ranked the top-paying city for professionals The premium would be reimbursed by the state
in India, according to the 2017 Salary Trends Study by government of the age group of 18 to 70 years under
Randstad____ Bengaluru. the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY).
19. The state has selected for the Krishi Karman Award The sum insured would be two lakh rupees each in
2015-16 for the commendable increase in food grains the case of accidental death, and, in the case of total
production ___Himachal Pradesh. and irrecoverable loss.
Note: 25. The state Government has introduced the Social Security
The total food grains production has increased from Yojana by converging five separate beneficiary schemes
14.94 lakh ton to 16.34 lakh ton in last five years. for workers in the unorganized sectors and for self-
Earlier, The Himachal Pradesh state was also employed people ___West Bengal Govt.
conferred the Krishi Karman Award for 2011-12 for Note:
the increase in wheat production and in 2014-15 for Around 5 crore people will benefit from the Yojana,
increasing food grains production. with around 1 crore getting direct benefits.
20. The state govt. has launched Operation Durga to ensure People will derive more benefits from this new
women safety in the state ____Haryana government. scheme, as compared to the five earlier schemes.
Note: 26. The UP government has changed the name of Airports
Operation Durga has been launched so that flying ____Gorakhpur and Agra.
squads patrol those areas where such anti-social Note:
elements committed crimes against women. The Gorakhpur Airforce Station has been renamed as
Flying Squad will visite public places such as schools, Mahayogi Goraknath Airport and the Agra Airport
colleges, bus stands and railway stations and caught will be Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay
persons indulging in crime activities against women 27. The state government has decided to change its
like eve-teasing, stalking, harassment and other such sugarcane price fixation policy from next crushing
activities. season ___Uttar Pradesh Govt.
21. The state govt. has signed a reworked MoU with 28. The state government has launched unemployment
Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) for the allowance scheme____ Himachal Pradesh.
Rs. 43,129 crore Barmer refinery ___Rajasthan Note:
government.
Note:
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The state government will provide an The bandwidth available varied from 64 kbps to
unemployment allowance of Rs 1,000 per month to 1Gbps speeds during trial runs.
34. The Haryana govt. launched a mobile-based application to
youth having intermediate or above qualification.
create awareness among pregnant women, parents, and
Unemployed youth with disability would be given health workers ___Kilkari.
Rs 1,500 per month. Note:
The state government has also decided to The app Kilkari was launched during the
regularize contract employees after three years in concluding day of the 'State-level Orientation
Workshop'.
service, instead of the present period of 5 years.
The application 'Kilkari' will deliver 72 times
29. The state government has decided to set up 40 Yoga appropriate audio messages to registered mobile
wellness centers in 40 districts during current financial numbers on pregnancy, child, and childbirth care
year ____Uttar Pradesh. every week from the second trimester of
Note: pregnancy till the child is one-year-old.
There are 23 Ayurvedic hospitals 12 homeopathic 35. The Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation
and 7 Unani hospitals and colleges will be set up. (MTDC) has signed an agreement with the two Airways to
The first herbal garden of the state will develop at attract visitors to the state _____Etihad and Jet Airways.
Lucknow to encourage the farmers for cultivation of Note:
herbal plants across the state. Etihad and Jet Airways will provide information to its
30. The state govt. has signed a Memorandum of users on less-explored but high potential destinations
Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Railways to expand in Maharashtra.
the green cover ____Maharashtra. There will be joint marketing activities to promote
Note: Maharashtra as a leisure destination.
Trees will be planted on the land adjacent to the 36. Who has inaugurated the Northeast India's largest
railway tracks in the state. Information Technology (IT) hub at Agartala to boost
The state Forest department has planned to plant 4 employment and e-governance besides to export
crore trees across the state till 1st July 2017. software technology____Manik Sarkar.
31. The union Government will set up a Central university for Note:
Divyangs in____ Uttar Pradesh. This IT hub would help to create employment
Note: opportunities for the IT educated youth and to
Under the Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan, HRD ministry further extend the e-governance to the doorstep of
has instructed to make ramps and install lifts to people.
facilitate Divyangas at all educational institutions. The Hub was set up at a cost of Rs. 50 crore.
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has been 37. The farmers of UT (Union Territory) will get free power
instructed to make arrangement for special training supply from this month for pump sets used for irrigation
of instructors providing education to Divyangs. purpose_ ____Pondicherry.
32. The state govt. of Haryana has announced to change the Note:
name of Ballabhgarh to ____ Balramgarh. The move has been adopted in the current fiscal year
Note: 2017-18.
Ballabhgarh is a town and a tehsil (sub-district) in 38. The state will provide skill development training to 5
Faridabad District of Haryana and is part of the lakh youths in the current financial year ___Assam govt.
National Capital Region (NCR). Note:
The name Ballabgarh is a corruption of Balramgarh A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been
(the fort of Balram). signed with a Singapore institute to set up skill
Balram Singh, a Jat chief who held the surrounding development center in the state.
country as a feudatory of Suraj Mal of Bharatpur built The training will be given in various fields including
the Nahar Singh Mahal fort and palace in 1739. hospitality and manufacturing sectors.
33. The Telangana Chief General Manager of BSNL has 39. The state govt. has signed a MoU with the Bill and
launched the 5 G Plus WiFi services at four spots in Melinda Gates Foundation with the objectives of
___Hyderabad. improving the lives of smallholder farmers and
Note: promoting inclusive agricultural transformation ___
The 4.5 G services will provide higher speeds of Data Odisha.
than any other service provider to its existing
customers.

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Important News World

1. Who has inaugurated the 4-day mega Conference of The new constitution is expected to pave way for
world parliamentarians in Dhaka ___Sheikh Hasina. Democracy while also giving the army a substantial
Note: role in politics.
Around 687 members of 131 national parliaments 8. The first country in the world to fully allow the
around the world are participating in the conference. production, sale, and consumption of marijuana when its
She has also released a commemorative stamp and pharmacies will be allowed to sell marijuana in July
launch the IPU web television. 2017___ Uruguay.
The conference promising to focus on ways and Note:
means to end political & economic inequality and Under the law, users also have the option to grow
uphold democracy and human rights. their own pot at home, or join cannabis clubs that
2. Who has become the 7th member of South Asia sub- grow it in cooperatives. 8.
regional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) program of the 9. The G-7 Foreign Ministers meeting was held in the
Asian Development Bank (ADB)____Myanmar. country____ Italy.
Note: Note:
It was officially made member at the SASEC Finance The Group of 7 (G7) consists of Canada, France,
Ministers meeting held in New Delhi and chaired by Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom (UK) and
Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. the United States (USA).
3. Who has won the Presidential election after a tight 10. The International Convention on World Homoeopathy
contest with his right-wing opponent Guillermo Lasso Day (WHD) has started in the city ____ New Delhi.
___Lenin Moreno. Note:
Note: The 2-day International Convention on World
Moreno pocketed 51.16% of valid votes versus Homoeopathy Day has started with the theme
48.84% for conservative challenger Guillermo Lasso, Enhancing Quality of Research in Homoeopathy
with 99.65% of votes counted. through scientific evidence and rich clinical
4. Who has launched an initiative a virtual training experiences at Pravasi Bharatiya Kendra (PBK) in
programme "Amazon Classroom" to help teach them the New Delhi.
nuances of online selling ___Amazon India. 11. The first NIMCARE World Health Day Summit 2017 has
Note: started in city_____ New Delhi.
The program focusses on areas such as order Note:
processing, adding products and managing returns The slogan of the summit is Unite for a Healthy
that are required to operate a successful online Mind.
business. The NIMCARE is a registered Charitable Trust under
New sellers can now perform demos of their seller the Government of Tamil Nadu.
account dashboard through interactive courses at 12. According to the Amnesty International (Global death
their own pace. penalty-2016) who has topped on executions in
5. India-UAE cultural celebrations festival launched at 2016___China.
____Abu Dhabi. Note:
Note: The agency said it believes that China executed
India-UAE Cultural Celebrations is a cultural thousands each year, Iran executed (567 people),
partnership for a positive future is a cultural Saudi Arabia (154 people) and Pakistan (87 peoples)
engagement programme between India and the in 2016.
United Arab Emirates. 13. President of Egypt has announced a three-month state of
6. The World's oldest and most experienced spacewoman is emergency following attacks on two Coptic churches
getting three extra months ___Peggy Whitson. ___Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.
Note: Note:
The two men she flew up with in November Thomas The measure needs to be approved by the parliament
Pesquet (France) and Oleg Novitskiy (Russia) will before it is implemented.
return in June without her. 14. The centenary of Mahatma Gandhi's has been celebrated
7. Thailand King has signed a new constitution in in London with the screening of a documentary to re-tell
Bangkok____ Maha Vajiralongkorn. Gandhi's story ____Sabarmati Ashram.
Note: Note:
This is Thailands 20th constitution since 1932.

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The documentary 'Sabarmati Ashram- The Home of Malaysia Airlines will become the worlds first airline
Gandhi's Experiments with Truth was screened at the to track its flights with the help of satellites by 2018.
Nehru Centre. 21. The first World Ocean Festival (WOF) will be hosted by
The film showed how Gandhi set up the ashram in the country __ United States.
1917 on a wasteland on the banks of Sabarmati River Note:
and some pro-British newspapers ridiculed his idea The first World Ocean Festival (WOF) will be held in
of Salt March. New York City, United States and organized by the
15. The first Nepal-China joint army 10-day exercise Global Brian Foundation (GBF).
Sagarmatha Friendship-2017 has started at 22. The BRICS Film Festival 2017 will be held in ____ China.
____Kathmandu. Note:
Note: Around 30 films from BRICS countries will be
The 'Sagarmatha Friendship-2017 drill is aimed to screened during the festival, including an anthology
exchange experience, skills and professional by five directors from the mentioned countries from
knowledge between the armies of Nepal and China. 23 to 27 June,2017.
The exercise is focused on counter-terrorism and The first BRICS Film Festival was held in New Delhi,
disaster management. India, in September 2016.
16. Internet giant Google has launched an app that will 23. Who will host the 14th Edition of United Nations
aggregate all hyperlocal services and food delivery apps International Day of Vesak 2017____Sri Lanka.
in the country___ Areo. Note:
Note: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate
This is the first time that Google is entering the UN Vesak Day in Colombo on 12th May,2017.
business of food delivery and home services in India. Vesak Day is regarded by all Buddhist traditions as
Google- Areo is an accreditor that provides services the anniversary of the birth of the Buddha.
through other startups in the domain. The theme of this edition is Buddhist teachings for
17. Indias first conceptualized, designed and manufactured social justice and sustainable world peace.
articulated industrial robot called ____ BRABO (Bravo 24. India and the East Asian nation have signed an Inter-
Robot). Governmental Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for
Note: Defence Industry cooperation between their shipbuilding
It has been developed indigenously for micro, small yards in New Delhi____South Korea.
and medium enterprises (MSME) in India. Note:
The robot is primarily developed to complement the India has nominated Hindustan Shipyard at
human workforce and repeatedly perform high Vishakhapatnam whereas South Korea is yet to
volume, dangerous and time-consuming tasks nominate its shipyard.
ranging from handling of raw materials to packaging This MoU is part of the 'Make in India' initiative of the
of finished products. union government.
18. Who has signed agreements with three Singapore 25. The country who has launched its first satellite Mongol
universities to provide training opportunities to students Sat-I part of its efforts to make use of new technology to
at the ASEAN-India Business Forum in Singapore ____The diversify its resource-dependent economy ___Mongolia.
Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). Note:
Note: It is 1227 Megahertz satellite.
The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is an The satellite was launched in partnership with Asia
association of Indian businesses which works to Broadcast Satellite (ABS).
create an environment conducive to the growth of 26. The Union Minister Piyush Goyal and Indonesias Energy
industry in the country. and Mineral Resources Minister Ignasius Jonan have
19. The country to host the 14th edition of United Nations participated in the first Indian-Indonesia Energy Forum
International Day of Vesak - 2017___ Sri Lanka. in ____Jakarta, Indonesia.
Note: Note:
Sri Lanka will host from 12-14 May 2017 under the Major Indian companies in oil and gas sector, like
theme Buddhist Teachings for Social Justice and ONCG Videsh Limited, Petronet LNG Limited, Gas are
Sustainable World Peace. participating in this forum.
The Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the chief 27. India has signed three MoU (memorandum of
guest for UN Vesak Day. understanding) with the country on peaceful uses of
20. The airline will become the worlds first airline to adopt outer space, on cooperation in youth matters and a
new satellite-based airplane tracking system___ Malaysia program of cultural cooperation for the years 2017-
Airlines. 2020____Armenia.
Note: Note:

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The two countries are celebrating the 25th Copy less Paste feature will automatically copy the
anniversary of their diplomatic ties. useful information and will suggest it for pasting in
28. Who has become the first country in the world to ban the apps where it might be relevant.
mining of metals for environmental protection ___El
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Salvador.
Note: few months.
The new law entered into force after being signed by 31. Who has successfully launched a stadium-sized,heavy-lift
President Salvador Sanchez Ceren. Super Pressure Balloon (SPB) from Wanaka, a scenic spot
It will protect poor rural communities threatened by on New Zealand's South Island ____NASA.
proposed mining projects. Note:
29. India and Cyprus have signed how agreements after The balloon will float for more than 100 days at
delegation-level talks between PM Narendra Modi and 110000 feet across the globe in the Southern
President of Cyprus 'Nicos Anastasiades' in New Delhi Hemisphere's mid-latitude band.
___four. The Super Pressure Balloon will detect ultra-high
Note: energy cosmic particles from beyond the galaxy as
The areas in which the MoUs have been exchanged they penetrate the earth's atmosphere.
are Air Services, Agriculture, Merchant Shipping and 32. The founder of Wikipedia Jimmy Wales is going to
Culture Education. launch a news site to tackle the spread of false
30. Who has introduced the first code for its new feature information _____ Wikitribune.
Copy less Paste in its Chrome app running on Android Note:
OS ____Google. The site will be jointly run by journalists and a
Note: community of volunteers who will verify the stories
The Copy less Paste feature will take data from before publishing them.
Chrome usage and use that to improve the experience The site will ensure that journalists only write
in other apps. articles based on facts that they can verify.
33. The city has been designated UNESCO World Book Capital
2018 ___Athens.

Important Day
1. The World Autism Awareness Day has been observed 4. The United Nations (UN) International Day of Sport for
across the world on ____2nd April. Development and Peace (IDSDP) is observed across the
Note: world on ____6th April.
The day raise awareness about people with autism Note:
throughout the world. The day recognize the power of sport in promoting
The 2017 theme for the day is "Toward Autonomy peace and erasing cultural barriers worldwide.
and Self-Determination". The date commemorates the inauguration of the first
2. The International Day of Mine Awareness and Assistance Olympic games of the modern era, in Athens (Greece)
in Mine Action is observed every year on ___4th April. in 1896.
Note: 5. The 'World Health Day is a global health awareness day
The day also highlights the deadly threat that mines celebrated every year on ___7th April.
pose to civilians lives and nations development. Note:
The 2017 theme is Needs driven. People Centred. The day provides with a unique opportunity to
3. The National Maritime Day is being observed every year mobilize action around a specific health topic of
on India ____5th April. concern to people all over the world.
Note: The theme of this year is Depression: Let's Talk,
This day, the country renews its abiding faith in the aims to mobilize action on depression.
importance of maritime zone as well as sea route for 6. The 'World Heritage Day' is being observed across the
an all-round development of the nation. globe on ____18th April.
The National Maritime Day was first celebrated on Note:
5th April,1964.
The day aims to spread awareness of the importance
India has about 7516 km (Mainland: 5422.6 km and
Island Territories: 2094 km) of coastline serviced by of protecting and preserving various sites around
a total of 182 ports. the world that have achieved world heritage status.

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There are over 1000 World Heritage Sites (man- 12. The National Panchayati Raj Diwas being observed every
made and natural) recognized by UNESCO. year across India____24th April.
The theme of 2017 is Cultural Heritage & Note:
Sustainable Tourism. Twenty best Panchayats from all over the country
7. The UN Chinese Language Day is observed every year on has been awarded, the Kuther Gram Panchayat in
____20th April Nagrota Surian Development Block of Kangra district
Note: (Himachal Pradesh) was the first to become open
The day was chosen as the date for the Chinese defecation free (ODF) and was awarded sum of five
language to pay tribute to Cang Jie, a mythical figure lakh Rupees.
who is presumed to have invented Chinese The 'Kuther Gram Panchayat' is a model Gram
characters about 5,000 years ago. Panchayat among 3226 Gram Panchayats in this hill
8. The Civil Services Day (CSD) has been celebrated in state Himachal Pradesh.
India____ 21st April. This day marks the passing of the Constitution (73rd
Note: Amendment) Act, 1992 that came into force with
The Civil Services Day (CSD) is organized every year effect from 24 April 1993.
on 21st April in India by civil servants to rededicate 13. The World Malaria Day being observed every year across
and recommit themselves to the cause of the people. the world on ____25th April.
9. The International Mother Earth Day has been celebrated Note:
every year around the world on ___22nd April. This year WHO has made ending malaria for good its
Note: theme for World Malaria Day 2017.
International Mother Earth Day provides an Malaria caused by the falciparum parasite is the most
opportunity to raise public awareness around the serious and can lead to breathing problems, liver
world to the challenges regarding the well-being of failure, and eventual death.
the planet and all the life it supports. 14. The 'World Intellectual Property Day' is observed
The theme for 2017 is "Environmental & Climate annually on ___26th April.
Literacy". Note:
10. The World Book and Copyright Day (WBCD) is being The Day is organized by World Intellectual Property
observed every year on ___23rd April. Organization (WIPO).
Note: This year's theme of the day is: Innovation
The day raises awareness about the importance of Improving Lives.
reading and promote publishing and the protection of The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
copyright around the globe. is a self-funding agency of the United Nations(UN)
The focus, this year is on the visually impaired to with 189 member states.
have easy access to printed materials. 15. The World Day for Safety and Health at Work to promote
UNESCO has released three books, Reshaping Cultural the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases
Policies, Rethinking Education in a Changing World globally observed on ____28th April.
and Reading in a Mobile Era. Note:
11. The United Nations English Language Day being observed The day is observed mainly by the International
annually on ____23rd April. Labour Organisation (ILO) as an awareness-raising
Note: campaign to raise awareness of safety in the
It is the date traditionally observed as both the workplace.
birthday and date of death of the greatest writer ever The theme of this year is Optimize the collection and
known in the English language William Shakespeare. use of OSH data.
English has official or special status in at least 75
countries that have a total population of over two
billion.

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Honors & Award

1. Who has ranked best educational institution by HRD Note:

Ministry___ IISc Bangaluru. The award carries a Golden Lotus Award, a
Note: certificate and cash prize of Rs. 1.5 Lakh.
Top University - Indian Institute of Science 6. The city is hosting the 2017 National Childrens Film
(Bengaluru) and Top College- Miranda House (Delhi) Festival (NCFF)_____ Visakhapatnam.
have made it to the top of respective categories. Note:
The methodology draws from the overall It is the largest film festival for children in India
recommendations broad understanding arrived at by giving the audience quality and wholesome
a Core Committee set up by Ministry of Human entertainment organized by the Childrens Film
Resources Development, to identify the broad Society, India (CFSI).
parameters for ranking various universities and The purpose of the film festival is to expose children
institutions. to quality cinema and to introduce novel elements
2. Indian Chief Minister has been selected for the US-India beyond films.
Business Council Award (US IBC) _____N. Chandrababu 7. Who has awarded as the Best actor for his movie,
Naidu. Rustom____ Akshay Kumar.
Note: Note:
The USIBC has selected Mr. Naidu for the award of Director, Priyadarshan was the head of the jury for
Transformative Chief Minister. the 64th National Awards.
The Electronics and IT Secretary Aruna Sundararajan National Film Awards were constituted in 1954 and
would also receive Transformative Leadership Award are awarded yearly by Directorate of Film Festivals.
at the Summit. 8. Who has been awarded as the Best Hindi Movie of
3. An imprisoned Eritrean-Swedish journalist will receive 2016____Neeraja.
the 2017 UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom 9. The United Nations (UN)s youngest-ever Messenger of
Prize _____ Dawit Isaakhas. Peace_____ Malala Yousafzai.
Note: Note:
Isaak was chosen for the prestigious award in As a peace messenger, Malala will help to promote
recognition of his courage, resistance, and education of girls across the globe.
commitment to freedom of expression. She is also the youngest recipient of Nobel Peace
The Prize will be awarded on 3 May 2017, World Prize.
Press Freedom Day, to be hosted in Jakarta, 10. Who has been named as the Best Movie on Social Issues
Indonesia. ___Pink.
The UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom 11. MIT Professor and inventor of World Wide Web has been
Prize, created in 1997. awarded Computer Sciences most prestigious award A.
4. Who has been named Wisden's Leading Cricketer in the M. Turing Award ___Tim Berners Lee.
World for 2016___Virat Kohli. Note:
Note: The award is provided by Association for Computing
Kohli amassed last year, 1,215 Test runs at an Machinery (ACM) and carries cash prize of $ 1 million
average of 75.93, 10 ODI (739 runs at an average which is provided by Google.
92.37,) T20 International (641 runs at an average M. Turing award is often referred to as the Nobel
106.83). Prize of Computing.
He had the highest average in all three formats last 12. Who has won the Pulitzer Prize for 'Underground
year. Railroad' ____Colson Whitehead.
Kohli becomes the third Indian to be bestowed with Note:
the honor, with Virender Sehwag (2008 and 2009) Colson Whitehead's novel The Underground
and Sachin Tendulkar (2010). Railroad has won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction.
5. The movie has won the Best Childrens Film in the 64th The novel is about an escaped slave that combined
National Awards -2017____ Dhanak. liberating imagination and brutal reality.
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The Pulitzer Prize is an award for achievements in 19. Gurudwara in Dubai has broken the world record for
newspaper, magazine, online journalism, literature, serving free breakfast to the maximum number of people
and musical composition in the United States(US). from diverse nationalities on 'Baisakhi'___Guru Nanak
13. Indian-origin educationist in the UK has been named the Darbar.
'Asian Businesswoman of the Year' ___Asha Khemka. Note:
Note: Around People 101 nationalities people and over 600
Khemka is the Principal and CEO of West people have participated in the 'Breakfast for
Nottinghamshire College. Diversity' an hour-long event to create the new
She was honored for her efforts in the field of record.
education and skills at the Asian Business Awards Gurdwara broke the previous record of 55
ceremony. nationalities having a continental breakfast,
14. Who has been posthumously conferred the 2016 Kirti organized by Nutella at the Milan Expo in Italy in
Chakra award by President Pranab Mukherjee____ Lance 2015.
Havildar Prem Bahadur Resmi Magar. 20. Who has won the 2017 Cartier Womens Initiative
Note: Awards ____ Trupti Jain.
The Kirti Chakra is the second highest peacetime Note:
gallantry award i.e. awarded for valour, courageous An Indian environmental engineer Trupti Jain has
action or self-sacrifice away from the field of battle. won 2017 'Cartier Women's Initiative Awards' for
15. Who has announced the names of 26 writers from providing women working on farms with water
different categories for the prestigious Hindi Sevi management solutions and protecting small farmers
Samman Award 2015___N.K. Pandey. against droughts and flash floods.
Note: She receives a USD 100,000 prize money as well as a
The awardees will receive a citation, Rs 5 lakh, and a year of mentoring.
shawl from President Pranab Mukherjee at a 21. Philippine President has won Time magazine's readers'
ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan in May 2017. poll of the 100 most influential people in the world
The Hindi Sevi Samman Awards were instituted by ___Rodrigo Duterte.
Central Hindi Institute, Agra in 1989. Note:
16. Who has become the most followed world leader on Duterte received 5% of yes votes in the online poll
Instagram ___PM Narendra Modi. that started in the last week of March and closed on
Note: Monday.
The Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emerged as US Sen. Bernie Sanders and Russian President
the most followed world leader on photo-sharing Vladimir Putin won the reader poll in 2016 and 2015,
app Instagram with a whopping 6.9 million respectively.
followers. 22. Who has been selected for 'Rashtriya Gaurav Gram Sabha
He surpassed US President Donald Trump (6.3 Puraskar-2017___Bhalkhi Gram Panchayat.
million followers) and Pope Francis (3.7 million Note:
followers). These awards are being given to panchayats of
17. Who has been appointed the new UNHCR Goodwill various states for best performance during the
Ambassador ____Kristin Davis. year 2015-16.
Note: The awards would be given on the occasion of
Goodwill Ambassadors are some of the most National Panchayati Raj Day (24th April) in
recognizable public faces of UNHCR. Lucknow.
UNHCR is a global organization dedicated to saving 23. Who has been chosen for the sixth Dr. M.S. Swaminathan
lives, protecting rights, and building a better future Award____Rayappa Ramappa Hanchinal.
for refugees, forcibly displaced communities, and Note:
stateless people. He is the Chairperson of the Protection of Plant
18. The first Naga cop to receive Shaurya Chakra award since Varieties and Farmers Rights Authority, New Delhi.
Nagaland attained statehood____ Atu Zumvu.

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The award is instituted and given under the aegis of The book One Part Woman is a novel based on a
Retired ICAR Employees Association (RICAREA) in possible ancient cultural practice among people living
association with the Nuziveedu Seeds Ltd (NSL). around Tiruchengode.
24. Veteran actress has been selected for the prestigious Raj 30. The historian and archaeologist has won the prestigious
Kapoor Lifetime achievement award of the Maharashtra Dr. Paduru Gururaja Bhat Memorial Award- 2017___ Prof.
___ Saira Banu. A.V. Narasimha Murthy.
25. Veteran Actor has been selected for the Raj Kapoor Note:
Special contribution award ____Jackie Shroff. The award carries a citation and a purse of fifty
Note: thousand rupees.
The lifetime achievement awards carry a citation and 31. Who will be honoured with the 75th Master Dinanath
cash of five lakh rupees each, while both the special Mangeshkar award for his outstanding contribution to
contribution awards carry a citation and three lakhs Indian Cricket___ Kapil Dev.
rupee in cash. 32. Who has won the second edition of the Golf Industry
26. Who has been honored with the lifetime achievement Association (GIA) Awards 2017____Aditi Ashok, S.S.P
award at the 80th Bengal Film Journalists Association Chawrasia and Ali Sher.
(BFJA) awards___ Moushumi Chatterjee. Note:
27. Italian mayor has won the UNESCO Peace Prize Recently, Aditi finished second in the Ladies
____Giuseppina Nicolini. European Tour (LET) order of merit in 2016.
Note: SSP Chawrasia has won the Men's Player of the Year
The UNESCO has awarded the Peace Prize to the (2016).
mayor of the Italian island of Lampedusa Giuseppina Golfer Ali Sher has won an Arjuna Award in 1991 and
Nicolini for her commitment to saving the lives of then went on to win the Indian Open again in 1993.
migrants and refugees. 33. Who has been conferred with the prestigious Krishi
Nicolini was bestowed with the honor for her effort Karman Award 2015-16 for the fifth consecutive year
that saved thousands who fled across the ___Madhya Pradesh.
Mediterranean often on unseaworthy boats to find a Note:
better and peaceful life. The award instituted by the Agriculture Ministry
28. Only two Indians to feature on the list of 100 most carries a trophy, citation & cash prize of Rs. 2 crores
influential people of 2017____PM 'Narendra Modi' and and cash reward of Rs 2 lakh rupees will be handed
'Vijay Shekhar Sharma'. over to a woman and a male farmer as 'best wheat
Note: producer'.
PM Narendra Modi is described as a maestro of the MP wheat production in 2015-16 stood at 184.10
art of political seduction, playing on the existential lakh tons as against 171.03 lakh tons in 2014-15(rise
fears and cultural insecurities of people facing of 7.64 %).
downward. 34. Who has won the prestigious Golden Peacock Award
Paytm founder Vijay Shekhar Sharma venture Paytm 2017 in the category of Innovative Product/Service for
witnessed a huge growth by the end of 2016 with 177 pioneering a cashless township transformation model
million users. _____The Gujarat Narmada Valley Fertilizers &
29. Writer novel Mathorubhagan (One Part Woman) has won Chemicals Ltd (GNFC).
the Sahitya Akademi award -2016 for translation in Note:
English ___Perumal Murugan. The GNFC has won from among 313 applicants for
Note: Golden Peacock Global Award for Innovative
The translation was done by Aniruddhan Vasudevan Product/Service.
and the book was published by Penguin. Golden Peacock Awards has been instituted by the
The prize in the form of a casket containing an Institute of Directors (IOD), India in 1991, are now
engraved copper plaque and a cash component of Rs regarded as a benchmark of Corporate Excellence
50,000. worldwide.
35. Bollywood film has won the Jury Prize for best film at the
Hong Kong International Film Festival ____Newton.

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Note: The BFJA is the oldest association of film critics in

Newton is Amit Masurkar's second film after India, founded in 1937 to serve the developing film
Sulemani Keeda in 2014. journalism and film industry.
Newton is a 2017 Indian Hindi-language black 40. Who has been selected for Goldman Environmental Prize
comedy film directed by Amit V Masurkar and from Asia region for championing the cause of States
produced by Manish Mundra of Drishyam Films. Dongria Kondh tribals and safeguarding their land &
36. Nobel laureate has been awarded the P C Chandra culture_____ Prafulla Samantara.
Puraskar 2017 for his global crusade against child Note:
slavery and exploitative child labour in Kolkata The prize also known as Green Nobel prize and
___Kailash Satyarthi. Samantara is the sixth Indian to win the prize.
Note: Green Nobel prize has been Instituted by the
He was handed over a citation, a trophy and a cheque Goldman Environmental Foundation,
of Rs 10 lakh. headquartered in San Francisco,
Satyarthi has founded the 'Bachpan Bachao Andolan' The prize includes a no-strings-attached award of
in 1980. 1 lakh 75 thousand US-dollar per recipient.
He is the fifth Nobel Prize winner for India and only 41. Who has honored with the 75th Master Dinanath
the second Indian winner of the Nobel Peace Prize Mangeshkar Award for his outstanding performance in
after Mother Teresa in 1979. film Dangal___ Aamir Khan.
37. Who has offered the honorary life membership to the Note:
former captain of the Indian women's Test team Sandhya Cricket legend Kapil Dev and veteran actor
Agarwal ___Marylebone Cricket Club(MCC). Vyjayanthimala Bali were also honored in the
Note: function.
Agarwal is being honoured in recognition of her Earlier, Mr. khan attended an award show 16
distinguished service to the game. years ago when Lagaan film was nominated in
She has played 13 Tests and 21 ODIs from 1984 to the Best Film category at the Academy Awards.
1995. Every year the awards are given to those artists
Marylebone Cricket Club has been recognized as the who have brilliantly performed in the year gone
sole authority on the laws of cricket since its by.
foundation. 42. Indian city has won Pierre Lenfant Planning Excellence
38. Who has won the 'Dadasaheb Phalke award' for the year and Achievement Awards-2017, instituted by the
2016 for his outstanding contribution to the film industry American Planning Association _____Bhubaneswar.
___Kasinadhuni Viswanath. Note:
Note: The smart city Bhubaneswar has received this
The award consists of a golden lotus, a cash prize award for good and advanced town planning and
of Rs. 10 lakh and a shawl. engaging its residents in the planning process.
The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is India's highest 43. Who becomes first Indian actor to deliver Ted Talk in
award in cinema. Canada ____Shah Rukh Khan.
It is presented annually at the National Film Note:
Awards ceremony by the Directorate of Film Mr. Khan has become the first Indian actor to deliver
Festivals, an organization set up by the Ministry TED (Technology, Entertainment, and Design) speech
of Information and Broadcasting. in Vancouver, Canada.
39. Who has received the lifetime achievement award at the He also collaborated with TED to host the Hindi
80th Bengal Film Journalists' Association (BFJA) version of the famous talk show.
awards____ Moushumi Chatterjee. 44. Who has crowned Miss Teen Universe 2017 in the event
Note: held at the Ruben Dario National Theatre in Nicaraguas
Bengali film actor Prosenjit Chatterjee has given the capital Managua ____Srishti Kaur.
best actor award for his role in Sankhachil. Note:
BFJA Awards is given by the Bengal Film Journalists' Samantha Pierre (Canada) and Ary Trava (Mexico)
Association. were the runners-up in the event.

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Noida girl Srishti Kaur studies in London College of The Miss Teen Universe beauty pageant for teens
Fashion, succeeds Nieveles Gonzalez (Puerto Rico). aged 15 to 19 is held by the Miss Universe
Organisation.

Obituaries
1. Renowned Hindustani classical vocalist passed away in He was the son of former Chief Minister of Uttar
Mumbai after a brief illness ____Kishori Amonkar. Pradesh Late Shri Babu Banarasi Das.
Note: Das was also the member of the Rajya Sabha (RS)
Amonka was considered one of the pre-eminent for 3 terms (1996 to 2014) and Mayor of
representatives of Hindustani tradition and as an Lucknow (May 1993 to Nov. 1996).
innovative exponent of the Jaipur Gharana. He was the Union Minister of State for Steel
She was a performer of the classical genre khyal and between 2006-2008.
the light classical genres thumri and bhajan. 7. Former Governor of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) passed
Kishori Amonkar received a plethora of awards, away in new Delhi ___Girish Chandra Saxena.
including the Padma Bhushan (1987), Padma Note:
Vibhushan (2002), Sangeet Natak Akademi Award Saxena was an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of
(1985) and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship the 1950-batch from the Uttar Pradesh cadre.
for 2009. He served two terms as the governor of Jammu and
2. Britains one of the most prominent black activists of his Kashmir.
generation passed away due to cancer ___Darcus Howe. Saxena also served as the head of Research and
Note: Analysis Wing Director between 1983-86, and also as
Howe was a leader of the UKs little-chronicled black an advisor to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
power movement. 8. The worlds oldest woman passed away at her home in
He battled institutional racism and challenged the Verbania, Italy ___Emma Morano.
prevailing view that racism wasn't a problem in Note:
modern-day Britain. She held the Guinness World Record titles for the
3. Noted filmmaker and scriptwriter passed away in a oldest living person and oldest living woman
private hospital ____Ajey Jhankar. (117-year).
Note: Morano (born on 29th November 1899) was the
Hollywood movie Singularity by filmmakar, Roland last known person born in the 19th century who
Joffe was based on Jhankars novel Drohparv'. was still alive.
He was the writer of well-known Marathi novel 9. Pioneer of Modern Computing and the Internet has
'Sarkarnama'. passed away at his home in Woodside, California, USA
4. Gandhian who headed an organization the Karnataka ____'Robert Taylor'.
Gandhi Smaraka Nidhi for nearly four decades passed Note:
away __Ho. Srinivasaiah. Rob Taylor was instrumental in creating the internet
5. Renowned Literary critic breathed his last in Kochi ___ M. and the modern personal computer.
Achuthan. Taylor's team also developed the networking
Note: technology Ethernet and a what-you-see-is-what-you-
He served as the President of Samastha Kerala get word processing program called Bravo that would
Sahithya Parishad as well as Sahithya Pravarthaka become the basis for Microsoft Word.
Sahakarana Sangham. Taylor worked with PentagonsAdvanced Research
He was also the executive member of Kerala Sahitya Projects Agency (ARPA) in 1966 and was
Akademi. instrumental in creating a single computer network
6. Former Union Minister and Prominent Educationist to link ARPA-sponsored researchers at companies
passed away in Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) ___ Dr. and institutions.
Akhilesh Das Gupta.
Note:

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10. British Progressive rock and jazz fusion guitar pioneer He well known for his unique stentorian voice and
has passed away in California, U.S____ Allan trade mark pauses in dialogue delivery.
Holdsworth. 13. The Oscar-winning American film director-producer and
Note: screenwriter passed away in New York ____Jonathan
He released twelve studio albums as a solo artist and Demme.
played a variety of musical styles spanning a period of Note:
more than four decades, but is best known for his He became best known for directing The Silence of
work in jazz fusion. the Lambs (1991), for which he won the Academy
Holdsworth first appeared on a record in 1969 with Award for Best Director.
the group Igginbottom. Demme made a name for himself as a filmmaker who
11. Former Andhra Pradesh minister passed away in voraciously tackled a variety of genres, easily
Hyderabad ___Devineni Rajashekhar. switching from horror to drama to documentary.
Note: 14. Veteran actor and sitting BJP MP of Gurdaspur passed
He was elected to Andhra Pradesh (AP) assembly away in Mumbai ____Vinod Khanna.
from Kankipadu in 1983 and retained the seat in Note:
1985, 1989, and 1994. Mr. Khanna had won numerous awards, including the
Rajashekhar was the Education Minister in N. T. Film fare award for best supporting actor for 'Haath
Rama Rao govt. in 1994. ki Safaai' (1975) and the Filmfare Lifetime
12. Veteran Tamil actor and scriptwriter passed away in Achievement Award (1999).
Chennai____Vinu Chakravarthy. He was last seen in Shah Rukh Khan-starrer 2015 film
Note: Dilwale.
Chakravarthy has acted in over 1,000 Tamil, Telugu,
Kannada, Badaga and Malayalam languages films
playing villain, comic roles and supporting characters.

Sports News

1. Who has won the India Open badminton title They defeated Luca Margaroli (Switzerland) and Caro
2017____P.V. Sindhu. Zampieri (Brazil) 6-1, 6-4 in the title clash.
Note: With this win, Paes clinched his 20th ATP Challenger
She has defeated top seed Carolina Marin (Spain) in title.
straight sets 21-19, 21-16 at the India Open 4. Who has launched an app named MP e-NagarPalika to
badminton championship 2017 at the Siri Fort Sports provide various municipal services online in the state
Complex in New Delhi. ___Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
Pusarla Venkata Sindhu has become the first Indian Note:
woman to win an Olympic silver medal at the 2016 The primary goal of the project is to provide
Summer Olympics. municipal services to citizens through multiple
2. Who has won Miami open 2017 at Crandon Park in Key service delivery channels and ensure accessible,
Biscayne, Florida, United States ___Roger Federer. convenient, transparent, and timely delivery of
Note: services.
It is Federer's 26th Masters 1000 singles title of his The Citizens can file online complaints and
career and the 91 singles title overall. subsequently track the status of their complaints
The 2017 Miami Open is a professional men and online and apply online for Birth, marriage, and Death
women's tennis tournament being played on outdoor Registration.
hard courts. 5. The state government has imposed ban on the use of
It was the 32nd edition of the Miami Open and of the polythene bags manufactured below fifty microns in the
Premier Mandatory category on the 2017 WTA Tour. state ____Jammu & Kashmir state.
3. Who has won the first title of the season Leon Challenger Note:
Tour tennis tournament's men's doubles trophy after a The new guidelines and regulations, would facilitate
straight-set win in Mexico ____Leander Paes & Adil proper recycling of plastic waste, reducing its impact
Shamasdin. on the ecology.
Note:
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6. FIFA (International Federation of Association Football) Note:

has banned Guatemala's former football chief for life from He defeated compatriot Sourav Kothari 6-3 to clinch
all football-related activities at national and international the Asian Billiards Championship title in Chandigarh.
level ___Brayan Jimenez. It is Pankaj Advani's seventh Asian title.
Note: 15. Who has won the 2017 Mens singles Singapore Open
He was banned for accepting bribes worth several Badminton tournament ____B Sai Praneeth.
hundred thousand dollars in exchange for media and Note:
marketing rights for key matches. Indian badminton player B Sai Praneeth has won
7. Who will not take part in the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter mens single title, beating Kidambi Srikanth 17-21,
Olympics ___The National Hockey League (NHL). 21-17, 21-12 in the 2017 Singapore Open Badminton
Note: tournament.
The NHL had participated in every Winter Olympics 16. Who has bagged both the singles and doubles crown at
since the 1998 Nagano Winter Games. the Pembangunan Jaya Raya Junior Grand Prix in Jakarta
The decision brings an end to years of tense ____Gayatri Pullela.
bargaining between the International Olympic Note:
Committee, International Ice Hockey Federation and Gayatri defeated (21-11, 18-21, 21-16) her doubles
the NHL over the league's continuing participation in partner Samiya Farooqui to win the girls U-15 singles
the Winter Games. title.
8. The Indian Premier League has begun with defending Gayatri teamed up with Samiya to clinch the U-15
champions Sunrisers Hyderabad taking on Royal doubles title with a straight game 21-17, 21-15 win
Challengers Bangalore in the season opener in the city over Indonesian pair of Kelly Larissa and Shelandry
___Hyderabad. Vyola.
Note: 17. Who has won the 2017 Bahrain Grand Prix ___Sebastian
The IPL matches this time will be played over the Vettel.
course of 47 days at 10 different venues, with a total Note:
of 60 matches to be played between April 6 and May The 2017 Bahrain Grand Prix was a Formula One
21. motor race that took place at the Bahrain
9. Who has jumped three places to achieve world number International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain.
two ranking in the latest Badminton World Federation 18. Recently, Two International captains are a part of a stellar
(BWF) ranking ___P V Sindhu. line-up of commentators named by the ICC for the
10. Who has won the 2017 Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix upcoming Champions Trophy __Sourav Ganguly (India)
tournament _____Lewis Hamilton. and Ricky Ponting (Australia).
Note: Note:
British Formula One racing driver from England has Some of the other former captains in the line-up
won the 2017 Formula One Chinese Grand Prix at the include Brendon McCullum (New Zealand), Kumar
Shanghai International Circuit in Shanghai, China. Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) and Graeme Smith (South
11. Indias first NBA Basketball School has started in the Africa).
city_____ Mumbai. 19. Indias first visually impaired runner to compete the
Note: historic Boston Marathon ___ Sagar Baheti.
The school is a part of a multi-year agreement with Note:
India On Track (IOT), open to male and female He covered the 42.195 km distance in 4 hours, 14
players between ages 6-18. minutes and 7 seconds and finished the race at the
12. The company has been named the official Innovation 18th spot in the visually impaired category.
Partner for the ICC Champions Trophy 2017___ Intel. 20. Who has won the men's doubles Monte Carlo Masters-
Note: 2017 ____ Rohan Bopanna and Cuevas.
The ICC has collaborated with Intel to transform the Note:
cricket experience for fans and help coaches and India's Rohan Bopanna and his Uruguayan partner
players improve performance. Pablo Cuevas win over Spain's Feliciano Lopez and
13. Who has won the 5th edition of Asian School Hockey Marc Lopez (6-3, 3-6, 10-4) at the Monte Carlo
Championship-2017____ India Country Club.
Note: 21. Who has won the Men's Singles title of Monte Carlo
The Indian School team has won the 5th edition of Masters Tennis tournament -2017____Rafael Nadal.
Asian School Hockey Championship after defeating Note:
Malaysia by 5-1 at the Aishbagh Stadium in Bhopal, The Monte-Carlo Masters is an annual tennis
Madhya Pradesh. tournament for male professional players held in
14. The ace cueist has won his sixth Asian Billiards title and Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, France, a commune that
seventh overall Asian championship__Pankaj Advani. borders on Monaco.
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22. Who has won the team championship at the National Earlier, Paul returned positive for terbutaline in the
Youth Athletics Meet at G.M.C. Balayogi Stadium in tests conducted by National Anti-Doping Agency on
Hyderabad ____Haryana. his urine sample taken 18th March during the
Note: national camp in Mumbai.
Kerala has finished as runners-up managing 134.75 Paul played a major role in India winning the Nehru
points. Cup international tournament in 2007 and 2009.
Javelin throw player Damneet Singh (Punjab) has 26. Who has become the oldest person to sky walk around
been declared the best Athlete in boy category while Aucklands famous landmark Sky Tower and set a new
in girls Aparna Roy of who win 100m hurdles race world record on the field ___Athlete Mann Kaur.
awarded as the best. Note:
23. Pakistani legendary cricketer has become the first Kaur stepped out 192 meters above 'Auckland city' to
Pakistan player and 13th ever batsmen to complete achieve the feat.
10,000 Test runs ____Younis Khan. Earlier, Kaur broke the Guinness World Record for
Note: javelin with a throw of 5 m 12 in her final competition
He became the oldest and sixth fastest batsmen to at the Trusts Stadium in Waitakere, Auckland.
reach 10,000 runs milestone with respect to innings 27. India's top cueist lost to Lv Haotian (China) 3-6 in the
played. summit clash of Asian Snooker Championship in
Khan is the first and only Test cricketer to score a Doha__Pankaj Advani
century in all 11 countries that have hosted Test Note:
Matches He could not become the first player to win both
He led Pakistan to their victory in the 2009 ICC World Asian titles in Billiards and Snooker in same calendar
Twenty20. year.
24. Indian shot putter has clinched a gold in the first leg of Earlier, He won all the major events (Nationals, Asian
the Asian Grand Prix Athletics Meet in Jinhua, China and World Championships in both Billiards and
__Manpreet Kaur. Snooker) and in both the long and short formats.
Note: 28. The Sultan of Azlan Shah Cup Men's Hockey tournament
Manpreet came up with the best throw of 18.86 has begun in ____Ipoh, Malaysia.
metre and Bian Song (China) finished second with Note:
17.96m. Six nations (India, Malaysia, Australia, Great Britain,
She also qualified for the IAAF World Championships Japan, and New Zealand) are taking part in the 8-day
to be held in August in London. tournament which will be held in a round-robin
25. The Arjuna Awardee India's top goalkeeper has been format.
provisionally suspended after failing a dope test This year, Pakistan is not playing in the competition.
____Subrata Paul. Australia is the defending champions, while India had
Note: finished runners-up last year.
Paul will go for the 'B' sample test and claimed that he
will prove his innocence.

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