Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Banking/Insurance Current Affairs RBL Bank has partnered with credit profiler
The amalgamation of Vijaya Bank and Dena Bank CreditVidya to improve the lender’s customer
into the BoB has come into effect and all branches experience. Through this partnership, the private
of the former two will function as branches of sector lender will be able to gain significant insights
BoB. The merged entity would also receive Rs 5,042 into its customer base.
crore fund infusion from the government. The Institute for Development and Research in
RBI set the average base rate to be charged from Banking Technology (IDRBT), an arm of RBI, has
borrowers by non-banking financial companies launched a 5G Use Cases Lab for banking and
(NBFCs) and micro-finance institutions (MFIs) at financial sector. The 5G technology, along with
9.21% for the first quarter of the next fiscal (April- blockchain, will be progressively adopted by
June). banks.
Kotak Mahindra Bank will charge customers for UPI IDBI Bank has launched ‘NRI-Insta-
transactions starting 1st of May 2019. For each Online’ account opening process for NRIs residing
Kotak Bank account, the first 30 UPI fund transfers in the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) member
will be free, after which a charge will be levied on countries. The person will not be required to furnish
all fund transfers from the bank account. physical documents as well as KYC proofs for
RBI has tweaked Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) opening an account with the bank.
norms to provide an additional 2% window to
lenders. This move will harmonise the liquidity
requirements of banks and release additional
money for lending.
Karnataka Bank entered into an MoU with Bharti
AXA Life Insurance Company to distribute the
latter’s life insurance products. The bank will be
able to provide a wide choice of life insurance
products to its customers across 836 branches,
supported by the products of Bharti AXA Life
Insurance Company.
The board of Lakshmi Vilas Bank approved the
merger of the private sector lender with Indiabulls
Housing Finance (IBH) through a share swap deal.
The merger will help Indiabulls get access to low-
ACI Worldwide announced that Canara Bank has
cost stable funds and entry into banking. The
successfully rolled out major new functionality to
merged entity will have a net worth Rs19,472 crore
support EMV card acquiring across its ATM network
and a loan book Rs1,23,393 crore for the nine
and Aadhaar Authentication, leveraging ACI’s UP
months of FY19.
Retail Payments solution to achieve market firsts.
The RBI came out with guidelines for banks to set
Canara Bank is the first public sector bank to shift
up new currency chests, which include a minimum
to EMV chip and PIN for card present transactions
area of 1,500 square feet for strong room. The new
across the country’s vast ATM network.
chests should have a processing a capacity of 6.6
Bandhan Bank has received approval from
lakh pieces of banknotes per day. The currency
the Competition Commission of India (CCI) for the
chests should have CBL of Rs 1,000 crore, subject
proposed scheme of amalgamation of Gruh
to ground realities and reasonable restrictions, at
Finance with the bank. The approval made under
the discretion of the Reserve Bank.
sub-section (1) of Section 31 of the Competition
Emirates Islamic has announced the launch of
Act, 2002.
Chat Banking services for customers via
Bank of Maharashtra has partnered
WhatsApp, marking a global first in the Islamic
with M1Xchange Trade Receivables Discounting
banking sector. The bank’s customers will now
System (TReDS) platform for MSME bill discounting.
able to conduct daily banking activities via
Exim Bank has provided soft loans of USD
WhatsApp in a seamless and hassle-free manner.
266.60 million to Rwanda for various projects. The
funding, done in three separate tranches to
guarantee. Telecom Minister Manoj Sinha gave his personal care player in the Philippines, recorded
conditional nod for the merger. revenues worth $80 million in 2018.
PayU, Digital payments security and payment
facilitator has acquired Wibmo, a US-based
financial technology firm for USD 70 million (about
Rs 484 crore) to assist the company scale-up its
business. Under the agreement, PayU and Wibmo
businesses will continue to run separately.
India was a net importer of steel during the 2018-19
fiscal year, the first time in three years, as the
country lost market share among its traditional
steel buyers and imports jumped on demand for
higher-quality steel domestically. The country’s
finished steel exports fell by 34% in the fiscal year
that ended in March to 6.36 million tonnes.
CRISIL Ltd, a diversified global analytics
company, will transfer its rating business to its
proposed new wholly-owned subsidiary. The Schemes/ Committees/ Portals/ Apps/ Missions
board of CRISIL gave the nod for the transfer, Launched by the Union & State Govt.
which is being done to comply with SEBI norms of The total deposits in Jan Dhan Account are set to
2018. cross Rs 1 lakh crore soon. The scheme was
Reliance retail has become the first Indian launched on 28th August 2014 by the Modi-
retail company to clock more than Rs 1 lakh government with an aim to provide universal
crore in annual revenues. The retail venture of access to banking facilities to all households.
Reliance Industries reported an income of Rs The Centre has set up a tribunal, headed
1,30,556 crore for 2018-19, 89% more than the by Justice Chander Shekhar of the Delhi High
previous year’s Rs 69,198 crore. Reliance Retail also Court, to adjudicate if there exists sufficient cause
became the first Indian retailer to cross more to ban the Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir
than 10,000 stores. (JeI) and the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front-
SBI General Insurance has launched a product – Yasin Malik (JKLF-Y) faction.
cyber defence insurance to protect businesses The Central Works Public Department (CPWD) has
from financial and reputational losses due to constituted an expert committee to formulate a
cyber-attacks. This offers protection against the design policy for building construction and
growing threat of cyber breaches. infrastructure development. The committee set up
Bajaj Allianz General Insurance and Bajaj Allianz under the chairmanship of CPWD’s Additional
Life Insurance in collaboration launched their first Director General M K Sharma.
product ‘Total Health Secure Goal’. The new Insurance Regulatory & Development Authority of
insurance product is a combination of two existing India (IRDAI) has set up a 13-member committee
plans – Health Guard policy by Bajaj Allianz under IRDAI Executive Director Suresh Mathur to
General Insurance, and iSecure from Bajaj Allianz review the regulatory framework on
Life Insurance. microinsurance & recommend measures to
Microsoft has reached a valuation of one increase the demand for such products.
trillion dollars for the first time after posting an WhatsApp launched an India-focused fact-
increase in profits. It makes the software giant only checking feature to combat fake news and
the third publicly-traded company in history to rumours starting with the run-up to the Lok Sabha
reach the threshold elections. Developed in collaboration with India-
after Apple and Amazon passed it in 2018. based media skilling startup PROTO, the tip line
Wipro Consumer Care announced that it is feature will help create a database of rumours to
acquiring personal care company ‘Splash’, which study misinformation during elections as part of a
is based in the Philippines. Splash, the largest research project commissioned and assisted
by WhatsApp.
President Kovind launched ‘CRPF Veer Rajan Anandan, vice president for Google India
Parivar’ app, a mobile application for families and South East Asia, and essentially heading
of CRPF personnel killed in the line of duty. Google in India, is leaving the company after an
Bharti Airtel and the FICCI Ladies eight-year stint.
Organisation (FLO, the women business wing of Algeria’s President Abdelaziz Bouteflika has
apex trade body FICCI) launched a carrier resigned from the post with immediate effect,
agnostic safety app named ‘My Circle’ which ceding power in the face of massive street protests
designed to empower women in the event of any against his 20-year rule.
distress or panic situation. The UN Secretary-General, Antonio
ETMONEY India’s largest app for financial Guterres announced the appointment of Nicholas
services has integrated with Unified Payment Koumjian of the United States as the head of
Interface as a payment method. The reason for this the Independent Investigative Mechanism for
is to double its monthly user base by the end Myanmar.
of 2019. Chicago has created history by electing an
African-American woman as its mayor for the first
time. Lightfoot will take over office from Mayor
Rahm Emanuel.
Vipin Anand has taken charge as Managing
Director of Life Insurance Corporation of India. Prior
to this, he was in charge of LIC’s Western Zone,
headquartered at Mumbai.
CS Rajan appointed Managing Director while
Vineet Nayyar named as Executive Vice-
Chairman of Infrastructure Leasing & Financial
Services (IL&FS).
David Malpass appointed as the President of the
World Bank. He was US President Donald Trump’s
nominee and won unanimous approval from the
institution’s executive board. He has replaced
States Current Affairs Former World Bank President Jim Yong Kim who left
For the second year in in January 2019.
succession, Telangana ranks number 1 in the e- SUN Group Chairman Vikramjit Singh Sahney
Learning training program of the Department of elected as the new president of International
Personnel and Training (DoPT), Government India. Chamber of Commerce (ICC) – India.
‘Kandhamal Haldi’, a variety of turmeric The government has announced that Karnam
indigenous to southern Odisha, has earned the Sekar (MD and CEO of the erstwhile Dena Bank) will
Geographical indication (GI) tag from Intellectual take over as MD and CEO of Indian Overseas
Property India, an organization functioning under Bank from July 1. His term will end in June
the auspices of the Union ministry of commerce & 2020. Also, R A Sankara Narayanan (former MD
industry. and CEO of Vijaya Bank) will move to Canara Bank
as MD and CEO.
Appointments/Resignations (National & International) Justice Vikram Nath, the senior most judge of
Executive Director of ICICI Bank, Vijay Allahabad High Court, was appointed as the first
Chandok appointed as MD and CEO of ICICI Chief Justice of the newly-constituted Andhra
Securities, a subsidiary of ICICI bank. He will Pradesh High Court.
succeed Shilpa Naval Kumar. He joined the ICICI Algeria’s parliament confirmed Abdelkader
Group in 1993. Bensalah as the new interim president of the
Manu Sawhney took over as the International country, following resignation by the
Cricket Council (ICC) CEO. Sawhney working ailing Abdelaziz Bouteflika.
alongside the outgoing CEO David Richardson for Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has won
the last six weeks to ensure a smooth transition a fifth term in office. His closest opponent’s party
within the organisation.
the Blue and White party conceded defeat, Hockey India named Graham Reid as the new
clearing the path for Netanyahu to set up a chief coach of the India men’s hockey team.
coalition government.
In a bureaucratic reshuffle, the Centre has
appointed Gargi Kaul as Secretary, Defence
Finance.
President Jovenel Moise announced that Jean
Michel Lapin will be the new PM of Haiti. It is
French-speaking Caribbean Community
(CARICOM) country.
Professor Najma Akhtar was appointed as the first
woman vice-chancellor of Jamia Millia
Islamia, making her the first woman to hold the
charge.
Bibhu Kalyan Nayak became the first Indian to be
appointed Chair of International Hockey
Federation (FIH) Health and Safety Committee by
the world governing body.
The Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has
appointed Mohammed Ishtayeh as the new PM.
Mohammed Ishtayeh will succeed Rami
Sports Current Affairs
Hamdallah.
South Korea defeated India in the penalty
Indian women’s cricket team captain Mithali Raj
named the goodwill ambassador of Team India at shootout in the final of Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2019.
the Street Child Cricket World Cup (SCCWC). 17th Ranked South Korea defeated World number
Mali’s PM Soumeylou Boubeye Maiga has 5, India to win the Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Cup
resigned along with his whole government, which was held at Azlan Shah Stadium in Ipoh,
Malaysia.
following a motion of no confidence over its failure
to handle violence in the West African country. Indian shooters continued their dominance
Deutsche Bank appointed Kaushik Shaparia as claiming five gold medals on the final day of
the chief executive officer for India to the Asian Airgun Championships to sign off with a
succeed Ravneet Gill. Gill left the bank to head total of 25 medals in Taoyuan, Taipei. India finished
with 16 gold, 5 silver, and 4 bronze medals.
private lender YES Bank.
Five times world champion Lewis
Twitter has appointed Manish Maheshwari as the
Managing Director of its India operations. In Hamilton won Bahrain Grand Prix 2019 title by
2018, Taranjeet Singh had stepped down as the beating Valtteri Bottas of Finland who secured the
India Country Director and Balaji Krish was given second position. Charles Leclerc was finished at
charge of leading the country’s operations in the the third position and became Ferrari’s youngest
ever race winner at the age of 21.
interim period.
Saurav Ghosal became the first Indian male
Uday Kumar Varma, a former bureaucrat retired
from the post of Secretary, Ministry of Information squash player to enter the top 10 in
and Broadcasting, resigned from the post of The latest Professional Squash Association (PSA) world
Associated Chambers of Commerce and rankings.
Industry (Assocham) Secretary-General. Praful Patel, president of All India Football
Federation (AIFF), has become the first Indian to
Former Dena Bank MD & CEO Karnam Sekar is set
be elected as a member of FIFA Executive Council.
to take over as the new Managing Director and
CEO of Indian Overseas Bank from July 1, 2019. He The All India Tennis Association (AITA) has signed
will take over from R Subramaniakumar. an MoU with Serbian Tennis Federation (STF) to
General (Retd.) Dalbir Singh Suhag appointed as train Indian junior players under world-renowned
the next High Commissioner of India to the Serbian coaches.
Ethiopian athletes Gelete Burka (women’s race)
Republic of Seychelles.
and Abrha Milaw (men’s race) won the 43rd
edition of the Paris Marathon. They led a record Asian Athletics Championships 2019 held
60,000 participants to the finish line through at Doha in Qatar. It was the 23rd edition of the
the French capital. Championships. India ended at the fourth spot in
Famous Golfer Tiger Woods completed one of the the medals tally with 3 Gold, 7 Silver and 7
sport’s great all-time comebacks to end an 11- Bronze. Bahrain topped the table with 11 Gold, 7
year major title drought at the Masters by claiming Silver and 4 Bronze. China was second
a fifth Green Jacket. A gritty two-under 70 clinched while Japan was third.
a one-shot victory over Dustin Johnson, Brooks India won gold each in 10 metres Air Rifle
Keopka and Xander Schauffele. Mixed Team and 10 metres Air Pistol Mixed team
events in the ISSF World Cup in Beijing.
Shooters Manu Bhaker and Saurabh
Chaudhary took the top spot in the 10 metres Air
Pistol Mixed Team event while Anjum
Moudgil and Divyansh Singh Panwar won gold in
the 10 metres Air Rifle Mixed Team event.
Pankaj Advani, the 21-time India’s cueist
defeated Ehsan Heydari Nezhad of Iran 6-4 to
clinch the Asian Snooker Tour title.
India won 13 medals, including 2 gold, 4 silver,
and 7 bronze at the Asian Boxing Championships
in Bangkok. Boxers Pooja Rani and Amit
Panghal gave India 2 gold medals.
Abhishek Verma won the 10m air pistol gold
medal at the ISSF World Cup at Beijing, China. He
In motor racing, Lewis Hamilton won the Chinese clinched the top spot with a total score of 242.7.
Grand Prix for a record sixth time. He seized the Russia’s Artem Chernousovtook silver.
overall lead from his Mercedes teammate Valtteri Mercedes’ Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas beat his
Bottas in Formula One’s 1,000th world English teammate Lewis Hamilton by 1.5 seconds
championship race. to win Azerbaijan Grand Prix. With this, Mercedes
India bagged a Gold and two Silver medals at became the first team to win the opening four
the Boxing World Cup at Cologne in races of an F1 season with one-two finishes.
Germany. Meena Kumari Maisnam (from Manipur) World number three tennis player Petra Kvitova
claimed the Gold medal in the 54 kg category. The (Czech Republic) beat Anett Kontaveit (Estonia) to
2014 Asian Championships bronze medallist win Stuttgart’s Porsche Grand Prix for her second
defeated Thailand’s Machai Bunyanut in the final. title of the year. The championship was held
Former junior national champion Harsheel atStuttgart, Germany.
Dani rallied from a game down against Mads Australia’s Claire Polosak will become the first
Christophersen of Denmark to clinch the Dutch female umpire to officiate in a men’s one-day
International badminton titlein The Hague, international at the ICC World Cricket League
Netherlands. Division Two match.
India’s Bajrang Punia has regained the world India ended their campaign at the International
number one spot in the men’s 65- Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup with a
kilogram freestyle category rankings. The rankings total of four medals, three golds and a silver. China
were released by United World Wrestling. was on the second position with 5 medals
Fabio Fognini became the first Italian to win including 2 gold. The event was held in Beijing,
an ATP Masters 1000 title at the Rolex Monte-Carlo China. Divyansh Panwar and Anjum Moudgil had
Masters. He defeated Dusan Lajovic. won the first medal for India at the Beijing ISSF
World number one Bajrang Punia won gold World Cup after clinching gold in 10m Air Rifle
at Asian Wrestling Championship in China’s Mixed event.
Xian. He defeated Kazakhstan’s Sayatbek Dominic Thiem (Austria) won the Barcelona Open
Okassov in a nail-biting 65kg men’s freestyle final. 2019 after defeating Daniil Medvedev (Russia).
The Austrian became just the fourth player in the political dialogue on Counter-Terrorism that was
past 15 years to lift the title in Barcelona, joining held in New York.
Rafael Nadal, Kei Nishikori and Fernando US President Donald Trump stated that his
Verdasco. administration is withdrawing the U.S. signature
Bajrang Punia is set to become the first wrestler from the U.N. Arms Trade Treaty, in response to
from India to fight at the iconic Madison Square concerns from gun rights activists that it could
Garden in New York. The 25-year-old has recently impinge on Americans’ right to bear arms.
won the gold medal in the 65-kg category at the Anti-graft lawyer Zuzana
ongoing Asian Wrestling Championships. Caputova won Slovakia’s presidential election,
making her the country’s first female head of
state.
Japan has announced that the name of its new
imperial era, set to begin on 1 May, will be
‘Reiwa’, signifying order and harmony. The
country’s current era, Heisei, will end in April.
India has signed an MoU with the National Bank for
Agriculture and Rural Development Consultancy
Service (NABCONS) for setting up the India-Africa
Institute of Agriculture and Rural Development
(IAIARD) in Malawi, a landlocked country in
southeastern Africa.
The joint military exercise between Morocco and
the US, “African Lion 2019,” kicked off in southern
Morocco. The exercise marks the participation of
thousands of military officers.
The US designated Iran’s Revolutionary Guard
Corps (IRGC) a foreign terrorist organisation. It is
the first time that the US has designated an entity of
another government as a terrorist organization,
placing a group with vast economic resources that
International Current Affairs answer only to Iran’s supreme leader in the same
Tesla has developed its ‘largest power storage category as al-Qaida and the Islamic State.
system in Asia’ at Osaka train station in Japan to Google parent Alphabet has beaten Amazon to
reduce energy demand and provide emergency launch one of the first commercial drone delivery
backup power to trains in Japan. It was Launched businesses. Alphabet made its first delivery in
in partnership with Kintetsu, a railway operator in Canberra after getting approval from the
Japan’s Osaka. 7 megawatt-hours (MWh) system is country’s civil aviation authority.
its largest energy storage project in Asia and the London is the first city in the world to implement
fourth largest in the greater Asia-Pacific (APAC) a 24-hour, seven day a week Ultra Low Emission
region. Zone (ULEZ), inside which vehicles will have to
Zoologists at Trinity College Dublin have meet tough emissions standards or face a charge.
discovered two new bird species named as The UAE has announced that India will be the
the Wakatobi white-eye and the Wangi-Wangi Guest of Honour country at the Abu Dhabi
white-eye in the Wakatobi Archipelago of International Book Fair, ADIBF 2019, to be held at
Sulawesi, Indonesia. the end of April 2019.
The United Nations and the European Union Hong Kong’s equity market has overtaken
(EU) have signed a joint framework aimed at Japan to be the world’s third largest in
strengthening partnership in counter-terrorism value, behind only the U.S. and mainland China.
efforts. The UN Office of Counter-Terrorism Hong Kong’s market cap was $5.78 trillion,
announced that the framework was enacted on compared with $5.76 trillion for Japan, according
the occasion of the second EU-UN high-level
to data compiled by Bloomberg based on where vaccine, known as RTS,S,will be made available to
primary securities are listed. children up to 2 years of age.
The world’s first armed amphibious drone boat Kazakhstan has set up Coordinating Council for
named ‘Marine Lizard’ and guided by attracting foreign investments including from India.
China’s BeiDou Navigation Satellite System, A decision was taken to lay down the functions
successfully tested by China. It possesses the of Investment Ombudsmanin order to venture for
capability of forming a combat triad with aerial new approaches to improve the investment
drones and other drone ships. scenario in Kazakhstan.
Google has opened its first African artificial Iran and Pakistan have agreed to set up a joint
intelligence (AI) centre in Ghana’scapital Accra, border “reaction force” to combat the attacks by
one year after announcing the project. militant groups on both sides their frontier.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Russia’s Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s Kim Jong
the World Bank have together launched a private Un met face-to-face for the first time and vowed
blockchain with a pseudo-token. The new token, to seek closer ties. The meeting was held at Russia’s
called “Learning Coin” and only accessible within Pacific port city of Vladivostok.
the IMF and World Bank, has a purpose to teach
relevant individuals within the organizations about
blockchain.
To boost tea trade, cultural and technical
exchanges as well as the global promotion of tea,
the Asian Tea Alliance (ATA), a union of five tea-
growing and consuming countries, was launched
in Guizhou, China.
Volodymyr Zelenskiy, an actor and comedian has
won a landslide victory in Ukraine’spresidential
election. The incumbent, Petro
Poroshenko conceded defeat.
The London School of Economics and Political
Science (LSE) has announced the creation of
the Amartya Sen Chair in Inequality Studies,
named in honour of the India-born economist,
philosopher, and Nobel laureate, who was
Professor of Economics at LSE from 1971-82.
Indonesia has released a special commemorative
stamp on the theme of Ramayana to mark
the 70th anniversary of the establishment of its
Defence Current Affairs
diplomatic ties with India.
Garden Reach Ship Builders and Engineers Ltd
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has announced
(GRSE) became the 'first Indian shipyard' to build
that he would name a new community in
and deliver 100 warships. GRSE Chairman and
the Golan Heights after US President Donald
Managing Director, Rear Admiral (Retd) V K
Trump, who officially recognised the disputed area
Saxena, formally handed over the 100th warship
as Israeli territory.
'IN LCU L-56' to the Indian Navy.
Russia has successfully tested the
The Indian Army has successfully built the longest
world’s first floating nuclear power plant
suspension bridge ‘Matiri Bridge’ over the Indus
(NPP), Akademik Lomonosov, a subsidiary of
River in the Leh-Ladakh region. Built in a record
Rosatom nuclear corporation stated. Reactors of
time of 40 days ‘Maitri Bridge’ is longest Suspension
the floating atomic block were launched in
Bridge over Indus River.
November 2018.
The joint military exercise between Morocco and
The world’s first-ever malaria vaccine was
the US, “African Lion 2019,” kicked off in southern
launched in a pilot project in Africa’s Malawi. The
Morocco. The exercise marks the participation of
country is the first of three in Africa in which the
thousands of military officers.
worth Rs24.46 trillion, according to data released readiness for a global epidemic” prepared by EIU.
by the Association of Mutual Funds in India (Amfi). Top 3 countries are Australia (1st), Netherlands
HDFC Asset Management Co. Ltd has claimed the (2nd) and Germany (3rd).
top spot with an average AUM of Rs3.42 trillion India was the world’s fourth biggest military
India’s population grew at an average annual rate spender in 2018 behind the United States, China,
of 1.2% between 2010 and 2019 to 1.36 and Saudi Arabia, according to new data think
billion, more than double the annual growth rate tank Stockholm International Peace Research
of China, according to a report by the United Institute (SIPRI).
Nations Population Fund (UNPFA). India’s
population in 2019 stood at 1.36 billion, growing
from 942.2 million in 1994.
HDFC Bank identified as number 1 bank by
customers in India, as per Forbes World’s Best Bank
survey. In the first edition of this survey, Forbes
partnered with market research firm Statista to
measure the best banks in 23 countries. HDFC Bank
emerged as India’s No 1 bank. ICICI Bank was at
number 2 and SBI was surprisingly ranked 11th in
the list.
The financial year 2019 has ended on a relatively
robust note for banks. They clocked a 13.23% year-
on-year credit growth against 9.85% in
FY2018. Deposit growth, at 9.99% year-on-year in
FY2019, was also better than the 6.15% logged in
FY2018, according to the RBI’s scheduled banks’
statement of position in India.
The Time 100 Most Influential People 2019 list
released, naming the world’s most influential
pioneers, leaders, titans, artists, and icons of the Important Days
year. Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh The United Nations General Assembly unanimously
Ambani and public-interest litigators Arundhati declared 2 April as World Autism Awareness Day.
Katju and Menaka Guruswamy, who The theme for this year is ‘Assistive Technologies,
spearheaded a historic legal battle for LGBTQ Active Participation’.
rights in India, are the Indian names that appeared International Mine Awareness Day (IMAD) is
in the list. organized across the world on 4th of April to foster
India ranked 140th out of 180 countries in the establishment and development of national
the World Press Freedom Index 2019, released by mine-action capacities in countries. The Theme for
Reporters Without Borders. The index is topped by IMAD 2019 is “United Nations Promotes SDGs – Safe
Norway. Paris-based Reporters Sans Frontieres Ground – Safe Home”.
(RSF), or Reporters Without Borders. In India, the National Maritime Day is celebrated
India was ranked 17th position every year on April 5. The day was first celebrated
among 100 countries in Startup Ecosystem on April 5, 1964. The theme of the 56th edition of
Ranking for 2019 released by StartupBlink. It was the National Maritime Day is “Indian Ocean-An
ranked 37th spot last year. The report ranks Ocean of opportunity”.
countries based on the strength of its startup April 7 of each year marks the celebration of World
ecosystem. Health Day. The theme of World Health Day 2019
India was ranked 19th out of 28 countries in is ‘Universal health coverage (UHC): Everyone,
the Index of Cancer Preparedness (ICP)released Everywhere’, according to WHO.
by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). It was The World Homoeopathy Day 2019 will be
released as part of the report titled “Cancer observed across the world on April 10 to
preparedness around the world: National commemorate the birth anniversary of the founder
of Homoeopathy, Dr Christian Fredrich Samuel The last week of April every year is observed
Hahnemann. as World Immunisation Week in order to promote
The General Assembly declared 12 April as the the use of vaccines for the protection of people of
International Day of Human Space Flight to all age-groups against disease. The WIW 2019
celebrate each year at the international level the observed from 24-30th April, carrying the
beginning of the space era for mankind. theme “Protected Together: Vaccines Work”. It
The World Allergy Organization has organized was observed for the very first time in 2012.
the World Allergy Week 2019 globally from 7-13 International Dance Day is observed globally
April 2019. The theme for World Allergy Week 2019 on 29th of April. In 1982 the Dance Committee of ITI
is “The Global Problem of Food Allergy”. founded International Dance Day to be
In 1982, ICOMOS (International Council on celebrated the birthday of Jean-Georges Noverre,
Monuments and Sites) established 18 April as creator of modern ballet.
the International Day for Monuments and
Sites. UNESCO approved it the following year
during its 22nd General Conference. The theme
for International Day for Monuments and Sites 2019
is ‘Rural Landscapes’.
Earth Day is an annual event celebrated on April
22 Worldwide. It was first celebrated in 1970. The
theme for Earth Day 2019 is to ‘Protect Our
Species.’
The World Creativity and Innovation Day (WCID) is
celebrated every year on 21st April to encourage
people to use creativity in problem-solving for all
issues related to achieving the 2015 Sustainable
Development Goals.
World Book Day is celebrated every year on 23
April. It is also known as World Book and Copyright Agreement Signed/ MoU Approved
Day, or International Day of the Book. It was first India and Chile signed three MoUs in the fields
celebrated on 23 April 1995. For the year of mining, culture and empowerment of persons
2019, Sharjah, UAE declared as the World Book with disabilities. Chile announces it will allow visa-
Capital. free entry to Indians holding valid US Visa. President
National Panchayati Raj Day is celebrated every Ram Nath Kovid participated in India-Chile
year on 24th April by the Ministry of Panchayati Business Forum and interacted with young
Raj. Then PM of India Manmohan Singh declared scientists at the University of Chile.
the first National Panchayati Raj Day on 24th April Tata Power and Indraprastha Gas Limited
2010. (IGL) signed a memorandum of understanding to
Every year on 25 April, people around the globe set up integrated customer services and optimize
observe World Malaria Day (WMD) to raise value for customers.
awareness and funds for the treatment and The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has inked an
prevention of the disease. This year, the theme for MoU with the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi
the day is “Zero malaria starts with me” and it is (IIT-D) to collaborate in the field of standardisation
being hosted by the World Health Organisation and conformity assessment. The MoU was signed
(WHO). by IIT Delhi Director Professor V Ramgopal
World Intellectual Property Day is celebrated every Rao and Director General of BIS Surina Rajan.
year on 26 April around the world to promote the BSE and India International Exchange (India INX)
importance of intellectual property rights in have signed a memorandum of understanding
encouraging innovation and creativity. WIPD- with Moscow Exchange (MOEX) to connect
2019 Theme is “Reach Gold-Intellectual Property investor community and companies in both
(IP) And Sports“. countries besides allowing a capital formation
platform.
The Indian Navy and Council of Scientific and 6. Apprised about MoU between India and
Industrial Research inked an MoU to undertake Republic of Korea in issuing jointly Postage
joint research and development of advanced Stamp.
technologies for the Indian Navy. 7. Approves Continuation of Phase 4
State-run power giant National Thermal Power of Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle
Corporation has inked a term-loan (GSLV).
agreement with Canara Bank to raise Rs 2,000 8. Apprised about MoU between India and
crore, which would be used to part finance its Brazil in the area of Biotechnology.
capital expenditure. TCS has partnered with the Department of Posts in
The BSE has signed a MoU with HDFC Bank with an a bid to transform it into a multi-service digital hub.
objective to strengthen the BSE Startups BSE has entered a MoU with Network
platform. The MoU signed to spread more Intelligence, a global cybersecurity services
awareness on the benefits of the listing of startups provider to provide cybersecurity services to its
on this BSE startup platform. members in line with the cybersecurity framework
India and Sweden launched a joint set by SEBI.
programme that will work towards addressing a The Ministry of AYUSH inked a Memorandum of
range of challenges around smart cities and clean Understanding (MoU) with Council of Scientific and
technologies among others. The programme was Industrial Research (CSIR) for cooperation in
co-funded by Indian Department of Science and research and education in areas of traditional
Technology (DST) and Swedish agency Vinnova. systems of medicine and its integration with
PAISALO Digital Limited signed the first co- modern science.
origination loan agreement with SBI, the first Indian Army signed a MOU with National
agreement of its kind in the country that SBI has Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) Limited,
signed. Introducing a platform for the last mile to build four underground tunnels
customer, the loan ticket is designed at Rs 10,000 along China and Pakistan borders for storage of
to 2 lakh. The company expects to disburse ammunition and other war-related equipment.
200,000 loan applications in FY20.
The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute
(CMFRI) and the ISRO have joined hands to map,
validate and protect smaller wetlands in coastal
regions.
The Union Cabinet chaired by PM Modi has given
the following set of approvals. The important
Cabinet Approvals are given as follows:
The Cabinet:
1. Approves MoU between India and Bolivia on
Cooperation in the field of Geology and
Mineral Resources.
2. Approves MoU between India and
Cambodia on Cooperation in the field of
Communications.
3. Approves MoU between India and Bolivia on Science & Technology News
Cooperation in the Field of Traditional Systems China has successfully launched the first of its new-
of Medicine and Homoeopathy. generation data relay satellite, Tianlian II-01 into
4. Approves creation of one post of Deputy orbit that will provide data relay, measurement,
Comptroller and Auditor General in the office and control services for its manned spacecraft. It
of Comptroller and Auditor General of India. was launched by a Long March-3B carrier rocket
5. Approves Cooperation Agreement from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in
between India and Denmark in the field of southwest China’s Sichuan Province.
Renewable Energy with focus on Offshore Nepal successfully launched its first
Wind Energy. satellite NepaliSat-1 into space. The satellite
developed by the Nepalese scientists was
launched from Virginia in the United States. It is a Med. Sci., for his research career raising the global
low orbit satellite which will be in the 400- profile of mental health problems.
km distance from the Earth’s surface. Dr. Pawan Munjal, Chairman, Hero MotoCorp, the
Sri Lanka’s first satellite ‘Raavana-1’ was launched world’s largest manufacturer of motorcycles and
into space from NASA’s Flight Facility scooters, was felicitated by the Asian Tour with a
on Virginia’s east shore. ‘Raavana 1’ weights Special Achievement Award for his contributions
around 1.05 kg and the lifespan of the satellite is to Asian Golf.
around one and a half years. The UAE honoured PM Narendra Modi with the
The ISRO has launched a Defence Intelligence prestigious Zayed Medal for giving a “big boost’ to
Satellite, EMISAT in its 47th Polar Satellite Launch bilateral strategic ties. President of the UAE Sheikh
Vehicle (PSLV) mission, along with 28 other Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan conferred PM Modi
customer satellites, onboard the advanced PSLV- with the award, the highest decoration awarded
C45 Rocket. The PSLV C45 was launched to kings, presidents, and heads of states
from ISRO’s Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Tata Steel named as the ‘Global Slag Company of
Sriharikota.It is the first time ISRO is launching the Year’ at the 14th Global Slag Conference and
satellites in three different orbits. Exhibition 2019. The conference was held recently
Tesla has developed its ‘largest power storage in Aachen, Germany. It is one of the largest global
system in Asia’ at Osaka train station in Japan to annual slag event attended by major steelmakers,
reduce energy demand and provide emergency steel mill service providers & associated
backup power to trains in Japan. It was Launched companies.
in partnership with Kintetsu, a railway operator in Vice President Venkaiah Naidu
Japan’s Osaka. conferred President’s Certificate of Honour and
South Korea launches the world’s first fully- Maharshi Badrayan Vyas Samman Awards at New
fledged 5G mobile networks. The system will bring Delhi. The award of the Certificate of Honour was
smartphones near-instantaneous connectivity 20 introduced in the year 1958 to honour the scholars
times faster than the existing 4G allowing users to of Sanskrit, Arabic and Persian Languages.
download entire movies in less than a second. Team India captain Virat Kohli named as
Google launched Anthos, a new open platform the Wisden Almanack’s ‘Leading Cricketer of the
from Google Cloud, that lets users run applications Year’ for the third straight time. The 30-year-old
from anywhere. Anthos allows users to run smashed 2,735 runs in 47 international innings at an
applications, unmodified, on existing on-premise average of 68.37 in 2018, including 11 hundred and
hardware or on the public cloud and is based on nine fifties.
the Cloud Services Platform that Google Team India opener Smriti Mandhana named as
announced in 2018. the Wisden Almanack’s ‘Leading Women’s
The most powerful operational rocket in the Cricketer of the Year’. The 22-year-old is currently
world, SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy, launched its first the top-ranked player in women’s ODIs and third in
commercial mission from Florida in a key T20Is.
demonstration for billionaire entrepreneur Elon Indonesian Eni Nuraeni was named by Asian
Musk’s space company in the race to grasp Athletic Association (AAA) as the best athletic
lucrative military launch contracts. coach in Asia for the short-haul run category in
NASA astronaut Christina Koch is going to have her 2019. It was announced by Indonesian athletic
mission on the International Space Station sports association (PB PASI).
(ISS) extended to 328 days, which would set a India’s education technology startup ‘Dost
record for the longest single spaceflight by Education’ won a $25,000 tech prize along with
a woman. two other winners from Tanzania and Egypt.
The Next Billion Edtech Prize 2019, run by UK-
Awards & Recognition based Varkey Foundation, recognizes the most
The Gairdner Foundation announced the 2019 innovative technology destined to have a radical
Canada Gairdner Award laureates, recognizing impact on education in low income and emerging
Goa and Boston-based Vikram Patel, Ph.D., F. world countries.
The National Mission for Clean Ganga category of Financial Inclusion, for ‘Redesigning
(NMCG) was awarded the distinction of “Public Lending to Reach Small Businesses’.
Water Agency of the Year” by Global Water A total of 150 Indian peacekeepers serving with
Intelligence at the Global Water Summit the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) have
in London. received medals of honour for their dedicated
PM Modi was decorated with Order of St Andrew service and sacrifice. Under the UNMISS, the Indian
the Apostle – the highest state decoration of Horizontal Mobility Engineering Company had
Russia, for exceptional services in promoting completed the renovation of 145 km of roadway
special and privileged strategic partnership connecting Bentiu and Leer in South Sudan.
between the two countries. This is the seventh Prominent scientist and businessman Yusuf
international award that PM Modi honoured with. Hamied is among a host of Indian-origin experts
Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) has bagged the honoured in the 2019 list of new fellows of the UK’s
prestigious ‘AIMA Managing India Award 2019 for Royal Society.
outstanding PSU of the year.’ The award was
presented by former President Pranab Mukherjee
to Sanjiv Singh, Chairman, Indian Oil.
Telugu poet K Siva Reddy selected for the
prestigious Saraswati Samman, 2018 for his
collection of poetry titled Pakkaki Ottigilite. The
award carries a cash prize of 15 lakh rupees, a
citation and a plaque.
Two schemes of the West Bengal government for
skill development- “Utkarsh Bangla” and
distribution of bicycles to students “Sabooj
Sathi” have won the prestigious World Summit on
the Information Society (WSIS) awards of the
United Nations. The “Utkarsh Bangla” project aims
at creating a pool of skilled candidates who are
industry ready, while under the “Sabooj Sunil Kumar Gautam, Special Commissioner of
Sathi” scheme, bicycles are distributed to students Police (Operations) was honoured with Pandit
between class IX and XII studying in government Govind Ballabh Pant Award for his book
run and government aided schools and titled ‘Samvidhan Kavya‘. He was awarded by the
madrashas of the state. Bureau of Police Research and Development
Dr. A K Singh, director at Life (BPR&D) under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Sciences, DRDO honoured with Lifetime Indian-American scientist and social activist Sree
Achievement Award 2019 during 4th APJ Abdul Sreenath inducted into the prestigious Cleveland
Kalam Innovation Conclave at Chandigarh International Hall of fame for his contribution in
University, Mohali. applications in systems biology, global issues, and
An image of a little girl crying, as she and her sustainable development.
mother have been taken into custody by US The Intellectual Property Rights Cell (IPR
border officials in Texas won the prestigious World Cell) of Kerala Agricultural University
Press Photo of the Year. Veteran Getty (KAU) selected for the National Intellectual
photographer John Moore took the picture in the Property Award 2019. The award, comprising prize
Rio Grande Valley in June 2018. money of INR 1 lakh, citation, and memento, will
Reuters journalists, Kyaw Soe Oo, and Wa be presented at a function to be held in New Delhi
Lone have been selected for UNESCO/Guillermo on World IP Day.
Cano Press Freedom Prize 2019. Currently, they are Dawn editor and Columnist Cyril
serving 7-year prison sentences in Myanmar. Almeida from Pakistan has won the IPI’s
Fincare Small Finance Bank awarded the (International Press Institute) World Press Freedom
prestigious Celent Model Bank 2019 Award in the Hero award in 2019. He won this award for his
“critical” and “tenacious coverage” of the civil-
military relations in Pakistan.
The prestigious Master Deenanath Mangeshkar Phayeng Village in Imphal West district of
Award 2019 was awarded to National Award- Manipur has become India’s first carbon-positive
winning filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar, popular settlement. A village is given carbon-positive tag if
scriptwriter Salim Khan and dancing diva Helen. it sequesters more carbon than it emits, slowing
Dr. Benny Antony honoured with the National accumulation of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and
Intellectual Property Award, 2019 in the category mitigating effects of climate change.
of Top Individual for Patents and India’s first-of-its-kind ‘Voter Park’ was
Commercialization. Dr. Antony has over 80 inaugurated in Gurugram, Haryana, aimed at
international patents to his credit. increasing voter awareness and educating people
The second edition of Rabindranath Tagore about the electoral process. Haryana Chief
Literary Prize was awarded to author Rana Electoral Officer Rajeev Ranjan inaugurated the
Dasgupta for his 2010 novel “Solo“, a tale of park.
estrangement and the ultimate failure of material The 8th edition of Home Expo India 2019 opened
existence. at India Expo Centre and Mart, Greater Noida. The
Ex-South Africa all-rounder Jacques three-day exhibition organized by the Export
Kallis honoured with the Order of Ikhamanga in Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH).
the Silver Division. The national honour is bestowed Etihad Airways, UAE based flag carrier, has
by the President of South Africa on citizens who become the first major airline in the Gulf region to
have made significant contributions to arts, operate a flight without any single-use plastics on
literature, music, journalism, culture, and sports. board. The objective is to raise awareness about
Arjuna awardee and star Indian golfer Gaganjeet pollution.
Bhullar won the outstanding achievement as a Cyclone Fani intensified into a severe cyclonic
player award at the fourth edition of the annual storm and has now become an ‘extremely severe
India Golf Industry Association (GIA) awards at the cyclonic storm’ according to an Indian
Delhi Golf Club. Meteorological Department (IMD) report.
in Physiology or Medicine, passed away at the age twice in a row (1971-73) and was the top-scorer. He
of 92. was known as the ‘Pele of Asia’.
Renowned Hindi poet Pradeep Choubey passed The former Ethiopian president, Dr Negasso
away of a cardiac arrest. Choubey (70) was the Gidada had passed away in Germany where he
younger brother of celebrated humorist, satirist, was undergoing medical treatment. Negasso was
and poet Shail Chaturvedi. 75 years old. He was the president of Ethiopia
Former Director of Indian Space Research between 1995 and 2001.
Organisation Satellite Centre (ISAC), SK John Singleton, an Academy Award-nominated
Shivakumar died at the age of 66 in Bengaluru. He filmmaker has passed away following
hailed from Mysuru, Karnataka. He was part of the complications from a stroke. He was best known for
team which had developed telemetry system for directing “Boyz N the Hood” and “Poetic Justice,”.
India’s first moon mission Chandrayan – I.
America’s first female astronaut candidate,
pilot Jerrie Cobb passed away in Floridaat the age
of 88 following a brief illness. In 1961, Cobb
became the first woman to pass astronaut testing.
Scotland all-rounder Con de Lange who had been
diagnosed with a brain tumour has passed away
at the age of 38.
One of the most well-known paranormal
investigator, Lorraine Warren passed away at the
age of 92.
Eminent Bengali folk singer Amar Paul passed
away following a cardiac arrest. He was 97. Paul
lent his voice in a number of films
Chennai’s famed chronicler, cartographer, and
journalist S. Muthiah, 89, passed away due to age-
related ailments. He was awarded the Most
Excellent Order of the British Empire in 2002 for his
accomplishments.
Veteran lady mountaineer Rama Sengupta
Paul passed away at the age of 66 due to cardiac Countries| Capital| Currencies
arrest. She led the first successful all-women Rwanda Capital- Kigali, Currency- Rwandan franc.
expedition to Kedarnath Dome in Garhwal Philippines Capital: Manila, Currency: Philippine
Himalaya. peso.
Terry Rawlings, a British film and sound editor has South Africa President: Cyril Ramaphosa,
passed away. He was an Oscar nominee for his Currency: South African Rand.
work on Best Picture winner “Chariots of Fire,”. He Algeria Capital: Algiers, Currency: Algerian dinar.
was born in 1933. The 5-time BAFTA nominee also Israel Capital: Jerusalem, Currency: Israeli new
received a career achievement award from the shekel.
American Cinema Editors society in 2006. Haiti Capital: Port-au-Prince, Currency: Haitian
Mark Medoff, whose acclaimed play “Children of gourde.
a Lesser God,” which won the Tony Award for best Palestine Capitals- Ramallah & East Jerusalem.
play in 1980 and was turned into a 1986 movie that Seychelles Capital: Victoria, Currency: Seychellois
won an Oscar for its female lead, Marlee Matlin, rupee.
recently passed away at the age of 79. Italy Capital: Rome, Currency: Euro.
Former India footballer Pungam Kannan passes Indonesia Capital- Jakarta, Currency- Indonesian
away at age 80 years. Kannan played 14 matches rupiah.
for India & was the former Mohun Bagan & East Russia Capital: Moscow, Currency: Russian ruble.
Bengal forward. He won Santosh Trophy for Bengal North Korea Capital: Pyongyang, Currency: North
Korean won.
Slovakia Capital: Bratislava, Currency: Euro. RBI 25th Governor: Shaktikant Das, Headquarters:
Japan Capital: Tokyo, Currency: Japanese Yen, Mumbai, Founded: 1 April 1935, Kolkata.
PM: Shinzo Abe. Mahabaleshwara MS is the Managing Director
Malawi Capital: Lilongwe, Currency: Malawian and Chief Executive Officer of Karnataka Bank,
kwacha. Headquarters in: Mangalore.
Morocco Capital: Rabat, Currency: Moroccan RBL/Ratnakar Bank Limited is a scheduled
dirham. commercial bank, headquartered in Mumbai.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Allahabad Bank MD and CEO: S. S. Mallikarjuna
Iran Capital: Tehran, Currency: Iranian rial. Rao, Headquarters: Kolkata.
Hong Kong is an autonomous territory, and former Present NABARD Chairman: Harsh Kumar
British colony, in southeastern China. Bhanwala.
Nepal PM: K P Sharma Oli, Capital: Kathmandu. Present NHB MD & CEO: Dakshita Das.
Ukraine Capital: Kiev, Currency: Ukrainian hryvnia. Kotak Mahindra Bank MD & CEO: Uday Kotak,
Kazakhstan PM: Askar Mamin, Capital: Nur-Sultan, headquarters: Mumbai.
Currency: Kazakhstani Tenge. SBI Chairperson: Rajnish Kumar, Headquarters:
Iran President: Hassan Rohani, Pakistan PM: Imran Mumbai.
Khan. Canara Bank Chairman: Shri. T.N. Manoharan,
Iran Capital: Tehran, Currency: Iranian rial. Headquarters: Bangalore, MD & CEO R A Sankara
Chile Capital: Santiago, Currency: Chilean peso. Narayanan.
Sweden Capital: Stockholm, Currency: Swedish SEBI Headquarter: Mumbai, Chairperson: Ajay
krona. Tyagi.
International Organizations / Companies in News CRISIL was formerly known as Credit Rating
Emirates Islamic, part of Emirates NBD Group, is one Information Services of India Limited.
of the fastest growing banks in the UAE. MD & CEO of SBI General Insurance: Pushan
Emirates Islamic Bank was established in 2004. Mahapatra.
Asian Development Bank Headquarters: Manila, MD & CEO, Bajaj Allianz General Insurance: Tapan
Philippines, President: Takehiko Nakao. Singhel.
World Bank President: David Malpass, MD & CEO of Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance: Tarun
Headquarters in: Washington DC, USA, Established Chugh.
in: 1944. IRDAI Chairman- Subhash Chandra Khuntia,
MD of IMF- Christine Lagarde, Headquarters in- Headquarters in- Hyderabad.
Washington DC, USA. FICCI Founded in: 1927, Headquarters: New Delhi,
Natarajan Chandrasekaran is the Chairman of India.
Tata Sons. Mr. Rajeev Yadav is the MD & CEO of Fincare Small
Sundar Pichai is the CEO of Google. Finance Bank.
World Bank Headquarters in: Washington DC, USA, It was Launched in 2017.
Established in: 1944. ICICI Bank Headquarters: Mumbai, Tagline: Hum
Deutsche Bank Headquarters: Frankfurt, Germany. Hain Na!
ISSF– International Shooting Sport Federation, ICC Chairperson: Shashank Manohar,
Headquarters: Munich, Germany. Headquarters: Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
UN Secretary-General: António Guterres of MR Kumar is the present Chairman of Life Insurance
Portugal, Headquarters in: New York, United States, Corporation (LIC)
Established on: 24th October 1945. BSE MD & CEO: Ashishkumar Chauhan, MOEX CEO:
WHO Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland, Director Alexander Afanasiev.
general: Tedros Adhanom. CSIR Headquarter: New Delhi, Director General:
UNPFA Headquarters: New York, United States, Shekhar C. Mande.
Head: Natalia Kanem.
States| CMs| Governors| Capital| Ministers| Static
Financial Organizations in News General Awareness
MD and CEO of BoB is P. S. Jayakumar. Odisha CM: Naveen Patnaik, Governor: Ganeshi
Headquarter of BoB is in Vadodara. Lal.