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Monthly GK Digest
December 2016 Dear readers, This Monthly GK Digest is a complete docket of important news and events that occurred in a month of December 2016. We have compiled important & expected questions, which can be asked in upcoming exams like – NIACL AO, RBI Assistant, India Post Payment Bank, IBPS Clerk VI, IDBI, Indian Bank, Syndicate bank and all upcoming Banking & Insurance exams.
Banking & Financial Awareness
1. India’s rank in the 2016 Enabling Trade Index (ETI) of World Economic Forum (WEF)____ 102nd.
Note:
India has been ranked 102nd among 136 nations in the 2016 Enabling Trade Index (ETI).
The list is topped by Singapore followed by the Netherlands, Hong Kong SAR, Luxembourg and Sweden.
2. Who has been adjudged “Best Bank for SME Lending” by The Associate Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM)____ Vijaya Bank.
3. Central Statistical Organization (CSO) India's GDP grew to in the 2nd Quarter of the fiscal year 2016 - 17 CSO___7.3%.
Note:
GDP of a country is basically the total monetary value of all the finished goods and services that are produced within the country's geographical borders in a specific time period.
4. Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has extended the deadline for deployment of Aadhar-enabled devices that process card transactions using Aadhaar-based biometric authentication___30th June 2017.
Note:
Earlier, RBI had asked banks to ensure that all new card acceptance infrastructure deployed with effect from 1st January, 2017.
5. Who will immediately transfer 5 lakh rupees for every district in the country as seed money to kick start to encourage digital payment system___NITI Aayog.
Note:
Top ten best performing districts of India will be awarded the Digital Payment Champions of India Award by NITI Aayog.
Fifty Panchayats which go cashless will be awarded Digital Payment Award.
6. The union govt. has allocated an initial sum for celebrating the 350th birth anniversary of Guru Govind Singh___one hundred crore rupees.
7. The union government has extended the minimum import price (MIP) on 19 products for two months to protect domestic steel industry from below-cost imports till _____4th of February 2017.
8. Brazilian football club have been awarded the Copa Sudamericana title by the CONMEBOL, the South American football association____Chapecoense.
9. Bharti Airtel has announced the completion of the merger of its subsidiary unit in Bangladesh with ____Robi Axiata.
Note:
This entity will now be the second-largest mobile operator in Bangladesh.
10. Public sector company MMTC will tie-up with the State Bank of India (SBI) to sell government-minted ____Indian Gold Coin.
Note:
The coin is India's first-ever sovereign gold offering and the only one to be hallmarked by Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) for purity.
The coin is available in denominations of 5gm, 10gm and 20 gm bar.
11. Reserve Bank of India leaves repo rate unchanged at ____6.25%.
Note:
The Reverse repo rate, the Marginal Standing Facility and the Bank Rate were also kept unchanged.
In its monetary policy review, the central bank also lowered its GDP growth forecast to 7.1 % for this fiscal, from
the earlier 7.6 %, due to short-term disruption in economic activities from demonetisation.
12. India’s rank in the 2016 Global Terrorism Index (GTI)____ 7th.
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Note: The Global Terrorism Index (GTI) 2016 released by Sydney-based think-tank ‘Institute for Economics & Peace’.
13. The India-UK Conference on Ease of Doing Business has started in ____ New Delhi.
Note: The India-UK Conference will bring together officials from state and central Government in India with UK experts.
14. As 2016 Expedia vacation deprivation report, India’s position in the vacation deprived country ranking___ 4th. Note:
The survey was conducted online between 12th to 29th September, 2016, across 28 countries by Expedia. The list is topped by Spain and UAE, followed by Malaysia and South-Korea.
15. As per updated report “Asian Development Outlook 2016” of Asian Development Bank (ADB) India’s economic growth
forecast for Financial year 2017_____7.0%.
16. The Telangana State Government will provide banking services to the uncovered villages by 10th, January 2017___about 5 thousand. Note:
The banks have come forward to adopt two villages through each of their branches for enabling cashless transactions.
The officials of about 3000 bank branches along with Panchayat Raj authorities will visit every village and open Jan Dhan accounts for people who do not have it until now.
17. The Union Government has decided to waive service tax on debit and credit card transactions up to Rs. to promote digital transactions____2,000 rupees. Note:
The exemption will be applicable for the amount in a single transaction.
18. The union Government has decreased the import duty on wheat to zero from ___10%. Note:
It will improve domestic availability in the wake of rising prices. Earlier, the government had decreased wheat import duty to 10 % from 25 %.
19. The TV channel was launched by Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology in order to provide lessons for cashless transactions____'Digishala'. Note:
The TV channel will broadcast nationally on DD free-DTH service. Major aim for this move is to educate farmers, students, Dalit and women in rural areas about the benefits of
digital payments.
20. Who has become first Canadian woman to appear on bank note____Viola Desmond. Note:
Viola Desmond will appear on the Canadian $10 bill - replacing the nation's first prime minister John A Macdonald who will be moved to a higher bill - when new banknotes go into circulation in 2018.
21. ‘Yes Bank’ has tied-up with a grocery delivery startup to deliver up to Rs. 2,000 cash to customers when they order grocery worth minimum Rs.1,000 online_____Grofers. Note:
The service currently operational in Mumbai, Gurugram and Bengaluru. Grofers delivery executives will carry Yes Bank PoS machines that users can swipe to get cash.
22. The 2016 - Economic Times Asian Business Leaders’ Conclave has been held in the country_____ Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia). Note:
The conclave has been held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 14th -15th December, 2016. The purpose was to deliberate the course businesses need to take to make Asia the most thriving region for trade
in the world. 23. The Government of India (GoI) will contribute to United Nation’s Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) for the year
2016-17____$500,000. Note:
The CERF is a humanitarian fund to promote early and coordinated action and response to save lives, to increase response to time-crucial requirements based on demonstrable needs.
24. The State Bank of India (SBI)recently launched its mobile wallet application ‘State Bank MobiCash’ in partnership with ____Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL). Note:
‘MobiCash’ will allow users to deposit cash through BSNL retail outlets and withdraw funds from their account.
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25. The current interest rate on Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) for FY 17___8.65%. Note:
Employee's Provident Fund (EPF) is a retirement benefit scheme that's available to all salaried employees. This fund is maintained and overseen by the Employees Provident Fund Organisation of India (EPFO) and any
company with over 20 employees is required by law to register with the EPFO. 26. Who has issued "petro cards" to its drivers for cashless payments for fuel ___Haryana government.
Note: Two oil companies like 'Indian Oil' and 'Bharat Petroleum' have been shortlisted for this purpose. The State Bank of India (SBI) will install 3000 Point of Sale (POS) Machines at various state government offices
across the state without any charges. 27. Who has received the SKOCH silver award for attaining the position of number one channel partner of LIC of India for the
past three financial years___The Corporation Bank. 28. Indian Railways ties up with State bank of India (SBI) to install POS machines____10000.
Note: The move comes in support of the demonetisation step of central government. This will help passengers book their tickets digitally (cashless transaction) with the help of their debit or credit
cards at Public Reservation System counters. 29. The bank has partnership with Ola to provide cash-on-demand at customer’s doorstep___ YES Bank.
Note: Customers will be able to use the Ola app to book a cab and opt for ‘cash at their doorsteps’ that will be enabled
using Point-of-Sale (PoS) machines powered by YES Bank. 30. The 2016 - Economic Times Asian Business Leaders’ Conclave has been held in the country_____ Kuala Lumpur
(Malaysia). Note:
The conclave has been held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 14th -15th December, 2016. The purpose was to deliberate the course businesses need to take to make Asia the most thriving region for trade
in the world. 31. The Government of India (GoI) will contribute to United Nation’s Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) for the year
2016-17____$500,000. Note:
The CERF is a humanitarian fund to promote early and coordinated action and response to save lives, to increase response to time-crucial requirements based on demonstrable needs.
32. The State Bank of India (SBI)recently launched its mobile wallet application ‘State Bank MobiCash’ in partnership with ____Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL). Note:
‘MobiCash’ will allow users to deposit cash through BSNL retail outlets and withdraw funds from their account. 33. The current interest rate on Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) for FY 17___8.65%.
Note: Employee's Provident Fund (EPF) is a retirement benefit scheme that's available to all salaried employees. This fund is maintained and overseen by the Employees Provident Fund Organisation of India (EPFO) and any
company with over 20 employees is required by law to register with the EPFO. 34. Who has issued "petro cards" to its drivers for cashless payments for fuel ___Haryana government.
Note: Two oil companies like 'Indian Oil' and 'Bharat Petroleum' have been shortlisted for this purpose. The State Bank of India (SBI) will install 3000 Point of Sale (POS) Machines at various state government offices
across the state without any charges. 35. Who has received the SKOCH silver award for attaining the position of number one channel partner of LIC of India for the
past three financial years___The Corporation Bank. 36. Indian Railways ties up with State bank of India (SBI) to install POS machines____10000.
Note: The move comes in support of the demonetisation step of central government. This will help passengers book their tickets digitally (cashless transaction) with the help of their debit or credit
cards at Public Reservation System counters. 37. The bank has partnership with Ola to provide cash-on-demand at customer’s doorstep___ YES Bank.
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Note: Customers will be able to use the Ola app to book a cab and opt for ‘cash at their doorsteps’ that will be enabled
using Point-of-Sale (PoS) machines powered by YES Bank.
Important Date
1. The World AIDS Day is observed on ____ 1st December.
Note:
This day aims to raise awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection.
The theme for this year's World AIDS Day is 'Hands up for HIVprevention'.
2. The Raising Day of Border Security Force (BSF) is celebrated on _____ 1st December.
Note:
The biggest border guarding force in the world BSF came into existence on 1st Dec, 1965.
It is deployed on Indo-Pakistan International Border, Indo-Bangladesh International Border, Line of Control along
with Indian Army and in Anti-Naxal Operations.
3. The National Pollution Control Day (NPCD) is observed on ____ 2nd December.
Note:
Several hundred people were killed and scores of people were maimed for life when the Methyl Isocyanate gas
was leaked from the pesticide plant of Union Carbide.
4. International Day of Persons with Disabilities being observed on ______ 3rd December.
Note:
International Day of Persons with Disabilities is an international observance promoted by the United Nations (UN)
since 1992.
The theme for this year is “Achieving 17 Goals for the Future We Want”.
5. The United Nations (UN)’ International Volunteer Day (IVD) is observed every year on ____ 5th December.
Note:
The day recognizes the volunteers worldwide and their efforts in making peace and sustainable development a
reality.
The 2016 theme is “Global Applause – give volunteers a hand”.
6. The World Soil Day 2016 is observed every year on ____ 5th December.
Note:
It will connect people with soils and raise awareness on their critical importance in our lives.
The 2016 theme is “Soils and pulses, a symbiosis for life”.
7. The Armed Forces Flag Day is celebrated annually in India on ____ 7th December.
Note:
The day is dedicated towards collection of funds from people for the welfare of the Armed Forces personnel.
8. The United Nations’ (UN) International Anti-Corruption Day (IACD) is observed every year on ____9th December.
Note:
The day highlights the role of the United Nations Convention against Corruption in combating and preventing it.
The 2016 theme is ‘United against corruption for development, peace and security’.
9. The Human Rights Day (HRD) is observed every year on ____ 10th December.
Note:
The day emphasizes on peace and harmony with respect for each other’s rights.
The 2016 theme is ‘Stand up for someone’s rights today!’.
10. The International Mountain Day (IMD) is observed every year on ____11th December.
Note:
The 2016 theme is “Mountain cultures: Celebrating diversity and strengthening identity”.
11. The International Migrants Day (IMD) is observed on ___ 18th December.
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Note:
This year UN’s International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of
Their Families.
12. The United Nations’ (UN) International Human Solidarity Day is observed on ____ 20th December.
Note:
The day reminds people on the importance of solidarity in working towards eradicating poverty.
13. National Mathematics Day is observed every year on ____22nd December.
Note:
The declaration was made by Dr Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India, during the inaugural ceremony of
the celebrations to mark the 125th birth anniversary of Srinivasa Ramanujan held at the Madras University
Centenary Auditorium on 26 February 2012.
14. Kishan Divas (Farmer’s Day) is observed every year on _____ 23rd Dec.
Note:
Since, farmers are the backbone of an economy therefore our nation celebrates Farmers Day in the memory of late
Ch. Charan Singh, the ex-Prime Minister of India.
15. The International Migrants Day (IMD) is observed on ___ 18th December.
Note:
This year UN’s International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of
Their Families.
16. The United Nations’ (UN) International Human Solidarity Day is observed on ____ 20th December.
Note:
The day reminds people on the importance of solidarity in working towards eradicating poverty.
17. National Mathematics Day is observed every year on ____22nd December.
Note:
The declaration was made by Dr Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India, during the inaugural ceremony of
the celebrations to mark the 125th birth anniversary of Srinivasa Ramanujan held at the Madras University
Centenary Auditorium on 26 February 2012.
New Appointments
1. The first woman President of the All India Tennis Association (AITA)____ Praveen Mahajan.
Note:
Earlier, she was the first woman chief of the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC).
2. Who has been appointed as the interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE)____ J
Ravichandran.
Note:
He succeeded Chitra Ramkrishna, who quit the post due to personal reasons.
3. Who has been appointed as the new interim director of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)____ Rakesh Asthana.
Note:
He succeeded Anil Kumar Sinha.
The CBI chief is selected through a collegium comprising the Prime Minister, the Leader of Opposition or largest
party in opposition in Lok Sabha and the Chief Justice of India.
4. Who has been elected President of the Uzbekistan____ Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
Note:
He is the acting President of Uzbekistan.
He won the first presidential election since the death of authoritarian leader and President Islam Karimov in
September 2016.
5. Who has been named as the new Prime Minister of France____ Bernard Cazeneuve.
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Note:
He succeeded Manuel Valls, who resigned in order make a bid for the Presidency 2017.
Cazeneuve will be in the charge of the Socialist government until June’s Parliamentary elections.
6. Who has been appointed as the new chief of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)___ B S Bhullar.
Note:
The DGCA is responsible for implementing, controlling, and supervising airworthiness standards, safety
operations, crew training in India.
7. Who has been appointed as the new Chief Justice of India (CJI) ___ Jagdish Singh Khehar.
Note:
The current Chief Justice TS Thakur will hold on to the office till 3rd January, 2017.
8. Who has been sworn in as new Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu_____O Panneerselvam.
Note:
Mr Panneerselvam, 65, was elected by the ruling AIADMK's lawmakers to lead them at a midnight meeting at the
party's office, his status as staunch Jayalalithaa loyalist making him the most acceptable candidate to carry on her
work.
9. Who will head the committee for promotion of Digital Economy___ Chandrababu Naidu.
Note:
Union Government has formed a 13 member committee to promote e-payments in the country.
Amitabh Kant, Chief Executive of NITI Aayog will be the Member Secretary.
10. Who has been nominate for the post of Defence Secretary of US by Donald Trump__ James Mattis(retired- General).
11. Who has been appointed as the new CBI Director__Rakesh Asthana.
Note:
He is currently serving as the Additional Director of Chief Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
12. Who has been appointed as AFC senior VP ___Praful Patel.
Note:
Patel, who was serving as the vice president of the South East Region for the Asian Football Confederation.
13. Who has been appointed as the Director General of National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA)____ Adwaita Gadanayak.
Note:
He succeeded Rajeev Lochan.
Earlier, Gadanayak was the head of the School of Sculpture at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology in
Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
14. Who has won the presidential election of the Republic of Ghana ____ Nana Akufo-Addo.
Note:
He got absolute majority over President John Mahama by 53.8% votes.
He will be sworn in as President of Ghana on January 7, 2017.
15. Who has become the acting president of South Korea_____ Hwang Kyo-ahn.
16. Who has been elected new President of 90th Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan____ Akshay kumar M Kale.
17. The first Indian state to launch crop insurance claim distribution programme___ Madhya Pradesh.
Note:
Under the this Scheme, the farmers who lost Kharif Crop in the year 2015 due to natural calamities will be
benefited.
18. Who has been elected as the Prime Minister of New Zealand___ Bill English.
Note:
He succeeded John Key.
Earlier, English was the Deputy Prime Minister from 2008 to 2016.
19. Who has been sworn-in as the new Secretary General of the United Nations____ Antonio Guterres.
Note:
He will succeed Ban Ki-moon on 1st January, 2017.
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20. The Bollywood personality has been appointed as the UNICEF’s newest Global Goodwill Ambassador___ Priyanka
Chopra.
Note:
She has the responsibility to urge people from across nations to become the collective voice of oppressed
children in the world and join forces to leave a better future for the coming generations.
21. Who has been appointed as the next Chief Justice of Pakistan___ Justice Mian Saqib Nisar.
Note:
Justice Nisar will replace Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali, who is set to retire on December 30.
22. Who has been appointed as the non-executive Chairperson of IDFC Bank____Veena Mankar.
Note:
She has been appointed with effect from December 09, 2016, up to July 26, 2018.
23. Who has been appointed chief of Pakistan's powerful spy agency ISI ____Lt Gen Naveed Mukhtar.
24. Who has been appointed as the new Director of Intelligence Bureau (IB) ___ Rajiv Jain.
Note:
Jain will take over the post from Dineshwar Sharma on January 2017.
The Intelligence Bureau (IB) is the internal intelligence agency of India and reports to Ministry of Home Affairs.
25. Who has been appointed as the new chief of the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW)____ Anil Dhasmana.
Note:
He has been appointed as the new chief of the RAW for a period of two years.
Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) is the external intelligence agency of India and the head of RAW is designated
Research in the Cabinet Secretariat and is under the direct command of the Prime Minister and reports on an
administrative basis to the Cabinet Secretary of India.
26. Who will be the new chief of the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) of the Indian Army____ Bipin Rawat.
Note:
He will succeed General Dalbir Singh Suhag, who will retire on 31st December, 2016.
Rawat has handled various operational responsibilities in many areas, including along the LoC with Pakistan, the
LAC with China, and in the North-East.
27. Who will be the new chief of the Chief of the Air Staff (COAS) of the Indian Air Force (IAF)___ B S Dhanoa.
Note:
He will assume the post of Air Chief on January 1, 2017 after Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha retires.
Dhanoa was commissioned into the fighter stream of the Air Force in June 1978 and also in the Intelligence
Directorate of Air Headquarters.
28. Who has been appointed as the new Chief Executive of the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA)____ V G Kannan.
Note:
He succeeded M V Tanksale.
The purpose of IBA is to promote and develop in India sound and progressive banking principles, practices and
conventions and to contribute to the development of creative banking.
29. Who has been appointed as the new director general of the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs(IICA)_____ Sunil Arora.
Note:
Arora is an IAS officer of 1980-batch Rajasthan cadre and the former Information and Broadcasting Secretary and
was also serving as an advisor at Prasar Bharati.
He will serve for a period of 5 years or till attaining 65 years of age or until further orders.
30. Who has been named as the new UN’s Deputy Secretary-General____ Amina Mohammed.
31. The new chairman of Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC)____ V K Sharma.
Note:
He has become the new chairman of Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) for 5 years.
Earlier, Sharma was acting as chairman since September 2016.
32. The head of high-level task force on Indus Water Treaty (IWT)__ Nripendra Mishra.
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Note:
He will look into all the strategic aspects of Indus Water Treaty (IWT) with Pakistan.
The other members of the team include NSA Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar and Secretaries in
ministries of Finance, Environment, Power and Water Resource.
33. Who has become the brand ambassador of Assam tourism___ Priyanka Chopra.
Note:
The actress will not charge a fee for the brand ambassador assignment.
She will charge professional charges for the work she will do in photoshoots and television commercials.
34. Who has been appointed as the new Director of Intelligence Bureau (IB) ___ Rajiv Jain.
Note:
Jain will take over the post from Dineshwar Sharma on January 2017.
The Intelligence Bureau (IB) is the internal intelligence agency of India and reports to Ministry of Home Affairs.
35. Who has been appointed as the new chief of the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW)____ Anil Dhasmana.
Note:
He has been appointed as the new chief of the RAW for a period of two years.
Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) is the external intelligence agency of India and the head of RAW is designated
Research in the Cabinet Secretariat and is under the direct command of the Prime Minister and reports on an
administrative basis to the Cabinet Secretary of India.
36. Who will be the new chief of the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) of the Indian Army____ Bipin Rawat.
Note:
He will succeed General Dalbir Singh Suhag, who will retire on 31st December, 2016.
Rawat has handled various operational responsibilities in many areas, including along the LoC with Pakistan, the
LAC with China, and in the North-East.
37. Who will be the new chief of the Chief of the Air Staff (COAS) of the Indian Air Force (IAF)___ B S Dhanoa.
Note:
He will assume the post of Air Chief on January 1, 2017 after Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha retires.
Dhanoa was commissioned into the fighter stream of the Air Force in June 1978 and also in the Intelligence
Directorate of Air Headquarters.
38. Who has been appointed as the new Chief Executive of the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA)____ V G Kannan.
Note:
He succeeded M V Tanksale.
The purpose of IBA is to promote and develop in India sound and progressive banking principles, practices and
conventions and to contribute to the development of creative banking.
39. Who has been appointed as the new director general of the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs(IICA)_____ Sunil Arora.
Note:
Arora is an IAS officer of 1980-batch Rajasthan cadre and the former Information and Broadcasting Secretary and
was also serving as an advisor at Prasar Bharati.
He will serve for a period of 5 years or till attaining 65 years of age or until further orders.
40. Who has been named as the new UN’s Deputy Secretary-General____ Amina Mohammed.
41. The new chairman of Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC)____ V K Sharma.
Note:
He has become the new chairman of Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) for 5 years.
Earlier, Sharma was acting as chairman since September 2016.
42. The head of high-level task force on Indus Water Treaty (IWT)__ Nripendra Mishra.
Note:
He will look into all the strategic aspects of Indus Water Treaty (IWT) with Pakistan.
The other members of the team include NSA Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar and Secretaries in
ministries of Finance, Environment, Power and Water Resource.
43. Who has become the brand ambassador of Assam tourism___ Priyanka Chopra.
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Note:
The actress will not charge a fee for the brand ambassador assignment.
She will charge professional charges for the work she will do in photoshoots and television commercials.
Important News – India
1. The 2016 India International Science Festival (IISF) will be held in ____ New Delhi.
Note:
The theme of the science festival is ‘Science for the masses’.
Around 5000 young Indian scientists will show case their scientific work to the public during the festival.
2. The portal has launched by Ministry of Women and Child Development to register online complaints of child sexual
abuse___ POCSO e-BOX.
3. Who has laid the foundation stone for the Rolling Stock Component factory in Ratnagiri (Maharashtra)____Suresh Prabhu.
Note:
The centralized Railway Rolling Stock Components factory can discharge the works of overhaul and rehabilitation
of safety sub-assemblies of railway rolling stock.
4. The 2016 World Ayurveda Congress has held in ______ Kolkata.
Note:
The event has been organized by the World Ayurveda Foundation with support of Ministry of AYUSH and the
State Government of West Bengal.
5. The theme of International Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition “Petrotech-2016”_____ Hydrocarbons to fuel the future
– Choices and Challenges.
6. The annual bilateral maritime exercise “KONKAN 16” has started between the Indian Navy and ____the Royal Navy.
Note:
The exercise will be conducted in two phases at Mumbai (5th – 9th Dec 16) and Goa (12th-16th Dec 2016).
7. The app has been launched by Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram to promote breastfeeding___ Stanpan Suraksha.
Note:
The mobile app has been developed by the Breastfeeding Promotion Network of India (BPNI).
The app has a baby food promotion reporting mechanism where any person can click a photograph of
inappropriate promotion around them of baby food and related equipment and send it to BPNI.
8. International Energy Forum (IEF)-IGU Ministerial Forum (5th Edition) has been started in the city____ New Delhi.
Note:
The Ministerial forum is being held as a parallel event to the 3-day Petrotech-2016.
9. The Winter Fog Experiment (WIFEX) 2016-17 campaign has been launched by the ministry_____ Ministry of Earth
Sciences.
10. “2016 Indra NAVY” naval exercise will be held between India and _____ Russia.
Note:
The joint naval exercise will consist of two stages – coastal (14-18 Dec) and naval (19-21 Dec).
11. Who has has launched "Vittiya Saksharata Abhiyan" in New Delhi___HRD Ministry.
Note:
The purpose of the `Vittiya Saksharta Abhiyan’ is to actively engage the youth/ students of Higher Education
Institutions to encourage and motivate all payers and payees to use a digitally enabled cashless economic system
for transfer of funds.
The institutions of higher education in the country, faculty members and students to take the lead and act as
engines of this transformational shift.
12. Who has inaugurated the first ever International Gita Mahotsav in Kurukshetra, Haryana___Pranab Mukherjee.
It is a five-day mega event.
It spread eternal message of Gita to the world community, global chanting of Srimadbhagvad Gita would also be
held on Gita Jayanti Day before the final deepdaan ceremony at Brahmsarovar in Kurukshetra.
13. The Indian Army has launched a ‘Veterans Outreach App’_____ Veterans Outreach App.
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Note:
The app. has been launched by the Chief of the Army Staff General Dalbir Singh Suhag.
It was prepared under the Directorate of Indian Army Veterans (DIAV).
14. The union minister has launched ‘Digidhan campaign’ to promote digital transactions____ Ravi Shankar Prasad.
Note:
Citizens will be informed about various modes of digital payments by educating them to download, install and
transact digital payments.
Digishala TV Channel is a free-to-air channel which will educate people about digital payment and is available on
DTH service.
15. The Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) has constituted committee to fight against the menace of online
piracy ____ Ajit Mohan committee.
16. The Committee has submitted its final report to the Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley____ Ratan Watal committee.
Note:
The committee has recommended medium term strategy for accelerating growth of Digital Payments in India.
17. ‘100 Million for 100 Million’ campaign for child rights has been launched ____ Pranab Mukherjee.
Note:
The campaign is with the objective to mobilize 100 million youth and children for the upliftment of 100 million
underprivileged children across the world.
18. Indian airport has become the second airport in the Asia-Pacific region to achieve carbon neutral status____ Rajiv Gandhi
International Airport (RGIA).
19. Union Ministers Suresh Prabhu & J P Nadda has inaugurated new coaches of the 'Lifeline Express' for cancer and family
health services in New Delhi Railway station___two.
Note:
The purpose of the coaches with medical facilities is to provide health services to every nook and corner of the
country.
Lifeline Express (Jeevan Rekha Express) is the fully equipped with operation theatre travels in the rural areas and
provides free treatment to the populace.
20. “Swasthya Raksha Programme” has been launched by the ministry____ AYUSH ministry.
Note:
It will promote health and health education in villages.
21. The union ministry has launched GARV-II mobile app to monitor rural electrification data___ Ministry of Power.
Note:
The ministry has launched Grameen Vidyutikaran mobile application (GARV-II) app to track rural household
electrification and citizen engagement window ‘SAMVAD’.
22. India’s first cashless bazaar has come up in the states___ Raipur (Chhattisgarh).
Note:
over 900 shops of this ‘Smart’ bazaar are providing customers the facilities of cashless payments using POS, UPI
and other digital systems.
23. The national newspaper for senior citizen has been launched by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment ministry
___‘Saanjhi Saanjh’.
Note:
The newspaper will carry important and useful news pertaining to elderly persons besides inspirational stories.
24. The 6th state who has attained 100% Aadhaar saturation in India____ Himachal Pradesh.
Note:
The state has achieved 100% Aadhar saturation on the basis of population of year 2015.
The other states which achieved 100% Aadhaar coverage are Delhi, Telangana, Haryana, Punjab and Chandigarh.
25. The first-ever Indian Institute of Skills will come up in the state____ Uttar Pradesh.
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Note:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has laid the foundation stone of the first-ever “Indian Institute of Skills” at Kanpur,
Uttar Pradesh.
26. “Swasthya Raksha Programme” has been launched by the ministry____ AYUSH ministry.
Note:
It will promote health and health education in villages.
27. The union ministry has launched GARV-II mobile app to monitor rural electrification data___ Ministry of Power.
Note:
The ministry has launched Grameen Vidyutikaran mobile application (GARV-II) app to track rural household
electrification and citizen engagement window ‘SAMVAD’.
28. India’s first cashless bazaar has come up in the states___ Raipur (Chhattisgarh).
Note:
over 900 shops of this ‘Smart’ bazaar are providing customers the facilities of cashless payments using POS, UPI
and other digital systems.
29. The national newspaper for senior citizen has been launched by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment ministry
___‘Saanjhi Saanjh’.
Note:
The newspaper will carry important and useful news pertaining to elderly persons besides inspirational stories.
30. The 6th state who has attained 100% Aadhaar saturation in India____ Himachal Pradesh.
Note:
The state has achieved 100% Aadhar saturation on the basis of population of year 2015.
The other states which achieved 100% Aadhaar coverage are Delhi, Telangana, Haryana, Punjab and Chandigarh.
31. The first-ever Indian Institute of Skills will come up in the state____ Uttar Pradesh.
Note:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has laid the foundation stone of the first-ever “Indian Institute of Skills” at Kanpur,
Uttar Pradesh.
States News
1. The Tripitak Sutrapath Mahotasava-2016 has started in the state ____ Bihar.
Note:
Around three thousand monks of various Buddhist countries are participating in this mahotasava at Bodhgaya in
Bihar.
There will be special prayer for world peace.
2. The first-ever International Gita Mahotsav held in the state of India___ Haryana.
Note:
In a 5-day event, many spiritual leaders from different religions, scholars and artists from various countries has
been participated.
3. Who has launched AP Purse mobile application to promote digital transactions among the people in Vijayawada___
Andhra Pradesh.
4. Who has become first cashless village in Maharashtra____Dhasai.
Note:
Dhasai' village (Murbad taluka) in Thane district has become the first "cashless village" in Maharashtra.
The initiative to make this village cashless was taken by Bank of Baroda (BOB) in collaboration with NGO "Veer
Savarkar Pratishthan".
5. Who has banned the use of disposable plastic in Delhi and NCR with effect from 1st January next year____The National
Green Tribunal (NGT).
Note:
NGT also directed the Delhi government to take steps to reduce dumped waste.
NGT refused to shut down the Okhla waste-to-energy plant and issued a slew of directions for its eco-friendly
operation along with two other plants at Gazipur and Bhalswa.
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6. The Chief Minister of Haryana Manohar Lal has accorded administrative approval for implementation of a Central scheme
of 50-crore rupee for ____National Hydrology Project.
Note:
The project is aimed at improving the extent, quality and accessibility of information about water resources and
strengthening the capacity of water resource management institutions in the country.
7. The Court has termed the Islamic practice of divorcing a woman by uttering the word ‘TALAQ’ thrice as
unconstitutional_____ Allahabad High Court.
Note:
The Allahabad High Court held that this form of instant divorce is cruel and most demeaning which impedes and
drags India from becoming a nation.
8. The 2016 Serendipity Arts Festival (SAF) will be held in ____ Goa.
Note:
The first edition of 8-day long Serendipity Arts Festival (SAF) will be held on the banks of river Mandovi in Panaji,
Goa from 16thto 23rd December.
9. The Narmada Seva Yatra has been launched by the state_____ Madhya Pradesh.
Note:
Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has launched Narmada Seva Yatra at Amarkantak.
The Narmada Sewa Yatra will create awareness about the conservation of the river.
It will cover more than 1900 km in 16 districts.
10. India’s first amphibious bus project has been launched by the state government ___ Punjab.
Note:
The bus project “Harike Cruise” has been launched at the Harike wetland near Amritsar.
The amphibious bus project has cost the state government over Rs. 11 crore.
11. The state government has tied up with Tata Trust to strengthen Public Distribution System (PDS)___Uttar Pradesh.
Note:
Tata Trusts have installed electronic Point of Sale devices (ePOS) to ensure operation of an Aadhaar-enabled
Public Distribution System (AePDS) at fair price shops of the entire urban region of Lucknow.
12. A comprehensive program for creating new development perspectives by maximum utilization of opportunities through
waste management, water resources and agricultural development using organic farming___Haritha Keralam Mission.
13. The first Indian state to launch ‘Mahila Police Volunteer’ (MPV) initiative____ Haryana.
Note:
Mahila Police Volunteer (MPV) is a joint initiative with the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and the state has
become the first Indian state to adopt this scheme.
The MPV initiative will create a link between the police authorities and the local communities in villages through
police volunteers who will be women specially trained for this purpose.
14. India’s first transgender school will come up in the city____ Kochi (Kerala).
Note:
The purpose of Transgender School is to provide transgenders security, salvation, and sustainability.
15. “Immunization Incentives and Information Programme” has been launched by the state government of India__Haryana.
16. The state government has launched the ‘Annapurna Rasoi’ scheme _____ Rajasthan.
Note:
The scheme is introduced for 12 cities in the state and in future will cover the state.
As per the scheme, the poor and the needy will get breakfast for Rs. 5 and lunch or dinner for Rs. 8.
17. Who has announced that a separate Ministry will be created for Other Backward Classes (OBCs)__Devendra Fadnavis.
Note:
The ministry will be headed by the Independent minister.
The government has come up with a target of planting 50 crore saplings in next three years to increase the green
cover across the state.
18. World famous river island Majuli district will soon become the India’s first-ever carbon neutral district by ____2020.
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Note:
The Assam government has launched a project “Sustainable Action for Climate Resilient Development in Majuli”.
19. The ‘Thal Favang Kut festival’ has started in the state of India____ Aizawl (Mizoram).
Note:
The festival celebrated every year in Mizoram to thank the Almighty as well as to promote tourism in the state.
20. The first Indian state to have 24×7 helpline for forests______ Maharashtra.
Note:
The facility would enable citizens to complain about illegal wildlife trade, poaching, forest fires and encroachments
on reserved land, among others.
21. Goa has celebrated its 55th Liberation Day. Goa was liberated on this day in 1961 from _____Portugues rule.
22. Who has registered 5% more growth in comparison to all India growth rate of the first half during the year 2016-
17___Andhra Pradesh.
23. Who will provide free LPG connections to those BPL families who were missed in the 2011 Socio Economic Caste Census
on the lines of Pradhan Mantri Ujwala Yojana ___Punjab.
24. The first Indian state to launch ‘Mahila Police Volunteer’ (MPV) initiative____ Haryana.
Note:
Mahila Police Volunteer (MPV) is a joint initiative with the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and the state has
become the first Indian state to adopt this scheme.
The MPV initiative will create a link between the police authorities and the local communities in villages through
police volunteers who will be women specially trained for this purpose.
25. India’s first transgender school will come up in the city____ Kochi (Kerala).
Note:
The purpose of Transgender School is to provide transgenders security, salvation, and sustainability.
26. “Immunization Incentives and Information Programme” has been launched by the state government of India__Haryana.
27. The state government has launched the ‘Annapurna Rasoi’ scheme _____ Rajasthan.
Note:
The scheme is introduced for 12 cities in the state and in future will cover the state.
As per the scheme, the poor and the needy will get breakfast for Rs. 5 and lunch or dinner for Rs. 8.
28. Who has announced that a separate Ministry will be created for Other Backward Classes (OBCs)__Devendra Fadnavis.
Note:
The ministry will be headed by the Independent minister.
The government has come up with a target of planting 50 crore saplings in next three years to increase the green
cover across the state.
29. World famous river island Majuli district will soon become the India’s first-ever carbon neutral district by ____2020.
Note:
The Assam government has launched a project “Sustainable Action for Climate Resilient Development in Majuli”.
30. The ‘Thal Favang Kut festival’ has started in the state of India____ Aizawl (Mizoram).
Note:
The festival celebrated every year in Mizoram to thank the Almighty as well as to promote tourism in the state.
31. The first Indian state to have 24×7 helpline for forests______ Maharashtra.
Note:
The facility would enable citizens to complain about illegal wildlife trade, poaching, forest fires and encroachments
on reserved land, among others.
32. Goa has celebrated its 55th Liberation Day. Goa was liberated on this day in 1961 from _____Portugues rule.
33. Who has registered 5% more growth in comparison to all India growth rate of the first half during the year 2016-
17___Andhra Pradesh.
34. Who will provide free LPG connections to those BPL families who were missed in the 2011 Socio Economic Caste Census
on the lines of Pradhan Mantri Ujwala Yojana ___Punjab.
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Important News – World
1. International organisation has inscribed Yoga in the representative list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity____ UNESCO. Note:
Yoga has become the 13th intangible cultural heritage that has been listed from India so far with UNESCO. 2. India has signed deal for 145 M777 ultra-light howitzers guns with the country____ United States.
Note: The deal was inked at the 2-day meeting of the 15th India-US Military Cooperation Group (MCG) held in New
Delhi. 3. The 6th Heart of Asia (HoA) ministerial conference was held at ____Amritsar.
Note: Conference has been inaugurated jointly by PM Narendra Modi and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani. It has discussed peace, cooperation, and economic development in Afghanistan. The theme of the conference is “Addressing Challenges, Achieving Prosperity”.
4. The 2016 India International Science festival (IISF) has started in the city____ New Delhi. Note:
The 2016 India International Science festival (IISF) has started on 7th Dec at CSIR-National Physical Laboratory (NPL) Campus in New Delhi
It will continue till 11th of Dec and the theme of the science festival is “Science for the masses”. 5. India’s first parliamentary constituency to have health insurance for all____ Vijayawada.
Note: The Vijayawada constituency consists of 265 villages in Andhra Pradesh. The “Swastha Kutambham” health insurance scheme launched by Andhra Pradesh Government in association with
Tata Trusts covers health for all in the rural areas and was introduced recently in the villages under Vijayawada MP Constituency.
6. The 5th India-Arab Partnership Conference has been held in _____Muscat(Oman). Note:
The theme of the conference is ‘Partnership towards innovation and cooperation in Information Technology’. 7. The city will host 2016 ‘Laureates and Leaders’ summit for children_____ New Delhi.
Note: The purpose of the summit is to advance the fight against Child Labor, child slavery and violence against Children.
8. The technological giant has tied up with union government for online River Water and Air Quality Monitoring systems___ Intel.
9. An advance weather satellite has been successfully launched into orbit _____Fengyun-4. 10. The 6th edition of Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Housing and Urban Development (APMCHUD) has inaugurated by
____ Venkaiah Naidu. 11. The joint military exercise ‘2016 EKUVERIN’ has started between India and ____ Laamu Atoll (Maldives).
Note: The purpose of the joint exercise is to acquaint both forces with each other’s operating procedures in the
backdrop of amphibious and counter terrorism environment. 12. The International Civil Aviation Negotiations (ICAN)-2016 was held in ____ Nassau(Bahamas).
Note: Now, India will allow unlimited number of flights to 6 metro airports namely Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad,
Kolkata, and Bengaluru. The new arrangement will encourage connectivity and passenger travel between India and these countries.
13. The 2016 World Confluence of Humanity, Power and Spirituality has started in ___India.
Note:
The annual convention is organized by ASSOCHAM, Srei Foundation and the Times Group.
The theme of the convention is ‘Sach Bharat: Spirituality at Work’.
14. The 6th BRICS Health Ministers’ Meet has been held in the city___ New Delhi.
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Note:
The 7th BRICS Health Ministers and Senior Health Officials meeting will be held in China in 2017.
15. Recently, the India-Nepal folk crafts festival (INCF-2016) has started in the city to promote cultural exchanges between the
two neighbours ___ Kathmandu(Nepal).
Note:
The 5-day festival is an initiative of South Asia Foundation (SAF) and aims to promote crafts based bilateral relations and enhance cultural exchanges between the artisans of India and Nepal.
16. Who has launched world’s first chat operating system ___Flock. Note:
A team messenger for businesses Flock has launched world's first chat operating system "FlockOS" which allows developers to build customized apps, bots and integrations on Flock.
With FlockOS, we have thrown open our platform to the global developer community. This OS provides setup slash commands, providing an additional option for users to interact with the app.
17. The Union Minister of State Mahesh Sharma has announced in Rajya Sabha that the union govt. has extended the facility of e-Tourist Visa Scheme for ___161 countries citizens. Note:
Under e-Tourist Visa Scheme, an applicant receives an email authorizing him/her to travel to India after it has been approved.
18. The joint military exercise ‘2016 EKUVERIN’ has started between India and ____ Laamu Atoll (Maldives). Note:
The purpose of the joint exercise is to acquaint both forces with each other’s operating procedures in the backdrop of amphibious and counter terrorism environment.
19. The International Civil Aviation Negotiations (ICAN)-2016 was held in ____ Nassau(Bahamas). Note:
Now, India will allow unlimited number of flights to 6 metro airports namely Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Bengaluru.
The new arrangement will encourage connectivity and passenger travel between India and these countries. 20. The 2016 World Confluence of Humanity, Power and Spirituality has started in ___India.
Note: The annual convention is organized by ASSOCHAM, Srei Foundation and the Times Group. The theme of the convention is ‘Sach Bharat: Spirituality at Work’.
21. The 6th BRICS Health Ministers’ Meet has been held in the city___ New Delhi. Note:
The 7th BRICS Health Ministers and Senior Health Officials meeting will be held in China in 2017. 22. Recently, the India-Nepal folk crafts festival (INCF-2016) has started in the city to promote cultural exchanges between the
two neighbours ___ Kathmandu(Nepal). Note:
The 5-day festival is an initiative of South Asia Foundation (SAF) and aims to promote crafts based bilateral relations and enhance cultural exchanges between the artisans of India and Nepal.
23. Who has launched world’s first chat operating system ___Flock. Note:
A team messenger for businesses Flock has launched world's first chat operating system "FlockOS" which allows developers to build customized apps, bots and integrations on Flock.
With FlockOS, we have thrown open our platform to the global developer community. This OS provides setup slash commands, providing an additional option for users to interact with the app.
24. The Union Minister of State Mahesh Sharma has announced in Rajya Sabha that the union govt. has extended the facility of e-Tourist Visa Scheme for ___161 countries citizens. Note:
Under e-Tourist Visa Scheme, an applicant receives an email authorizing him/her to travel to India after it has
been approved.
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Honours & Award
1. Indian city has bagged the C40 Award for best solid waste management improvement project of 2016____ Kolkata.
Note:
The project aims to eradicate open dumping and burning of waste and to limit the concentration of methane gas generated in landfill sites.
Kolkata is the only Indian city to receive the prestigious award. 2. Who has won the 2016 International Children’s Peace Prize ____ Kehkashan Basu.
Note: The International Children’s Peace Prize is an initiative of Marc Dullaert, Chairman and Founder of the Dutch Kids
Rights Foundation. It awarded annually to a child anywhere in the world for his or her dedication to children’s rights.
3. Who has won the 2016 Miss Supranational crown____ Srinidhi Shetty. Note:
Srinidhi Shetty has won the 8th edition of Miss Supranational 2016 at the beauty pageant held at the Municipal Sports and Recreation Center of Krynica-Zdroj in Poland.
4. The amount per district will be provided by NITI Aayog to encourage digital payment system____ Rs. 5 lakh. Note:
NITI Aayog will provide Rs. 5 lakh for every district in India to encourage digital payment system. The top ten best performing districts of India will be awarded the Digital Payment Champions of India Award by
NITI Aayog/Government of India. 5. Who has been named as the “Asian of the Year 2016” ____Sachin Bansal and Binny Bansal.
Note: Founders of Flipkart Sachin Bansal and Binny Bansal have been jointly named as the “Asian of the Year 2016” by Singapore-based newspaper The Straits Times as part of a group called the “The Disruptors”.
6. Most powerful language in 2016 World Power Language Index (PLI)____ English. Note:
It is the dominant language of three G7 nations (USA, UK and Canada). An Indian language ‘Hindi’ has been ranked 10th in the 2016 PLI.
7. Indian environmental activist based in the UAE has won this year's prestigious International Children's Peace Prize for her fight for climate justice and combating environmental degradation____Kehkashan Basu. Note:
He was presented the award by Bangladesh's Nobel peace laureate Mohammad Yunus (2016) in The Hague. 8. Who has been named as the Time magazine’s Person of the Year 2016___Donald Trump
Note: Donald Trump has named by Time magazine as its Person of the Year 2016 for his stunning victory in the US
Presidential election. 9. Who has been bestowed with the Golden Jubilee Lifetime Achievement Award by the Sports Journalists’ Association of
Mumbai (SJAM)_____ Sunil Gavaskar. Note:
He was presented with a citation and a certificate which has details of all his 34 centuries. 10. Who has been appointed as the new Prime Minister of Italy____ Paolo Gentiloni.
Note: Mr Gentiloni succeeds Matteo Renzi, who resigned after losing a referendum eight day ago.
11. The first Indian to win medal at the Mr. Olympia Amateur Asia 2016’s Classic Bodybuilding category___ Iqbal Sayed. Note:
He won silver medal in the event after beating participants from 20 countries in the classic bodybuilding category.
12. Who has won the 2016 FIFA Ballon D’or Award ___ Cristiano Ronaldo.
Note:
Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo beat rival Lionel Messi to win the prestigious Ballon d'Or award for a
fourth time.
13. Who has been named as the 2016 Foreign Policy Global Thinker for novel Twitter diplomacy____ Sushma Swaraj.
Note:
She was named in the ‘Decision-makers’ category of 14 other notable thinkers including Hillary Clinton, Angela
Merkel and Justin Trudeau.
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14. Who has won gold medal in the Web Ratna category of 2016 Digital India Awards___ Ministry of Health and Family
Welfare.
Note:
Web Ratna award felicitates a Ministry or Department of the Government of India which has a comprehensive
web presence and to display the level of accountability in terms of quantity, quality, the spectrum of coverage and
innovation ascertaining user satisfaction.
15. International personality has topped the 2016 World’s Most Powerful People list of Forbes___ Vladimir Putin.
Note:
He has been ranked 1st among the 2016 World’s Most Powerful People annual list of Forbes for a fourth straight
year.
US President-elect Donald Trump has stood at second position.
16. The Indian Council of Food and Agriculture (ICFA) has conferred the 2016 Global Agriculture Leadership Award to _____
Ratan Tata.
Note:
He was conferred with the award for his transformational role in scaling Tata Group as the globally admired group
during 20 years as chairman.
17. Who has been honored with the “Legends Award” by the International Boxing Association (AIBA) for her trailblazing
boxing career in Montreux, Switzerland_____ M C Mary Kom.
18. The 2016 Sahitya Akademi award has been won by the author ____ Vannadasan
Note:
He has been active in the modern Tamil literary field for more than 30 years and contributing immensely to the
literature, particularly in the field of short story and poetry.
19. Who of the following has won the Miss World 2016 competition____ Stephanie Del Valle.
Note:
She has won the 66th edition of the Miss World pageant “Miss World 2016” in Washington, United States.
The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is an unincorporated territory of the United States and its capital is San Juan.
20. Who has been named as a '2016 Global Thinker' for her 'novel twitter diplomacy'___ Sushma Swaraj.
Note:
She has been chosen to be part of a list of 15 top global thinkers by a prestigious foreign policy magazine.
21. Who has won gold medal in the Web Ratna category of 2016 Digital India Awards___ Ministry of Health and Family
Welfare.
Note:
Web Ratna award felicitates a Ministry or Department of the Government of India which has a comprehensive
web presence and to display the level of accountability in terms of quantity, quality, the spectrum of coverage and
innovation ascertaining user satisfaction.
22. International personality has topped the 2016 World’s Most Powerful People list of Forbes___ Vladimir Putin.
Note:
He has been ranked 1st among the 2016 World’s Most Powerful People annual list of Forbes for a fourth straight
year.
US President-elect Donald Trump has stood at second position.
23. The Indian Council of Food and Agriculture (ICFA) has conferred the 2016 Global Agriculture Leadership Award to
_____Ratan Tata.
Note:
He was conferred with the award for his transformational role in scaling Tata Group as the globally admired group
during 20 years as chairman.
24. Who has been honored with the “Legends Award” by the International Boxing Association (AIBA) for her trailblazing
boxing career in Montreux, Switzerland_____ M C Mary Kom.
25. The 2016 Sahitya Akademi award has been won by the author ____ Vannadasan
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Note:
He has been active in the modern Tamil literary field for more than 30 years and contributing immensely to the
literature, particularly in the field of short story and poetry.
26. Who of the following has won the Miss World 2016 competition____ Stephanie Del Valle.
Note:
She has won the 66th edition of the Miss World pageant “Miss World 2016” in Washington, United States.
The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is an unincorporated territory of the United States and its capital is San Juan.
27. Who has been named as a '2016 Global Thinker' for her 'novel twitter diplomacy'___ Sushma Swaraj.
Note:
She has been chosen to be part of a list of 15 top global thinkers by a prestigious foreign policy magazine.
Books & Authors
1. The book “Dipa Karmakar: The Small Wonder” has been authored by ____ Bishweshwar Nandi. Note: The book will have many untold stories of struggle and triumph besides rare archival photos from the Karmakars’
private album and photos from the Olympics and Commonwealth Games. 2. The book ‘The Other One Percent: Indians in America’ has been authored by_____ Sanjoy Chakravorty.
Note: The book is the first comprehensive and data-driven account of the selection and entrepreneurship of Indians in
America. 3. The book ‘Many Everests: An Inspiring Journey of Transforming Dream into Reality” has been authored by____ Ravindra
Kumar. Note: The book gives you a new approach to life, a new way to make and live a happy, successfull and peaceful life
Obituaries
1. The legendary Tamil poet and activist has passed away at Urappakkam in Chennai, Tamil Nadu____ Makkal Pavalar Inkulab. Note:
The drama “Avvai” considered to be the first modern Tamil drama and a prescribed textbook for many colleges. 2. International hockey umpire has passed away recently_____ Phulel Singh Sujlana.
Note: He was the chairman of the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) Umpires Board from 1985 to 1993 and chairman of its
Technical Committee in 1985. 3. Noted political satirist and founder editor of Thuglak magazine has passed away in Chennai___ Srinivasa Iyer
Ramaswamy. 4. AIADMK supremo and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister passed away at Apollo Hospital in Chennai___J Jayalalithaa.
Note: She had suffered a massive cardiac arrest. Tamil Nadu government has announced a seven-day State Mourning from today.
Sports News
1. Who has won the 2016 Women’s Twenty20 Asia Cup cricket tournament ___ India.
Note:
The Indian Women’s cricket team has won the 2016 Women’s Twenty20 Asia Cup cricket tournament at Bangkok,
Thailand.
With this win, India won their 6th Asia Cup crown.
2. Who has won the World Chess Championship 2016___Magnus Carlsen.
Note:
He defeated Sergey Karjakin from Russia to win the competition conducted in New York.
Carlsen, who belongs to Norway has secured his 3rd consecutive World Championship title.
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3. Who has won the IAAF World Athlete of the Year award for a record sixth time____Usain Bolt.
Note:
The awards were handed out by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) at a gala ceremony
in Monaco.
Bolt has won golds in the 100 meters, 200 meters and 4x100 meters at the Rio Olympics, repeating his feats of the
2012 London Games and in Beijing in 2008.
4. Indian Golfer has become the oldest golfer to win an Asian Tour title at Delhi Golf Club (DGC)___ Mukesh Kumar.
Note:
He has won 123 PGTI titles, scored two-under 70 in the final round which made his total to 10-under 206 to claim
the trophy.
5. German Formula 1 racing has announced his retirement from Formula One ____Nico Rosberg.
Note:
Rosberg made the shocking announcement through a post on his social media account.
6. Basketball player has been chosen as the Sports Illustrated's Sportsperson of the Year___LeBron James.
Note:
He has become the second athlete ever to win the award twice.
7. The first elite men’s senior national boxing tournament has started in _____ Assam.
Note:
The elite boxing championship would immensely help the upcoming boxers of the state and motivate the young
generation to take up boxing as a career.
Around 350 players have participated and would be competing in 10 weight categories.
8. The world’s largest seating capacity cricket stadium will come up in the _____ Gujarat.
Note:
The Sardar Patel Cricket Stadium (Motera Stadium) in Ahmedabad is set to become the world’s largest seating
capacity cricket stadium.
The stadium is projected to seat about 1,10,000 people (current 54,000 people).
9. Who has won the World Billiards (150-Up format) Championships title ___ Pankaj Advani.
10. India’s largest indoor sports arena will come up in ____ New Town area (Kolkata).
Note:
The proposed stadium will have solar power and will come up on 10 acres of land near the Deer Park in Eco Park.
11. The badminton player has won the 2016 ‘Most Improved Player’ award by the Badminton World Federation (BWF)____ PV
Sindhu.
Note:
2016 ‘Most Improved Player’ award has been given by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) at the Players’
Reception and Gala Dinner in Dubai.
12. The highest-paid athlete of all time, according to Forbes ___Michael Jordan.
Note:
Jordan played 15 seasons in the NBA which allowed him to earn $93 million.
13. Who has equaled Kapil Dev's record of 23 five-wicket hauls____Ravichandran Ashwin.
Note:
This was the 23rd time that Ashwin had picked up a 5-wicket haul in a Test match, considered by pundits as an
equivalent of a Test century by a batsman, thus emulating the legendary Kapil Dev, who too picked up 23 5-wicket
hauls in his decorated career.
14. The batswoman who has been named in the ICC Women’s team of the year 2016___ Suzie Bates.
Note:
This is the first time that the International Cricket Council (ICC) has named a women’s team of the year.
New Zealand’s Suzie Bates has become the first cricketer to clinch both the ICC Women’s ODI and T20I Player of
the Year awards.
15. Who has won the 2016 Hero Indian Super League (ISL) by defeating the Kerala Blasters ____Atletico de Kolkata.
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Note:
Atletico De Kolkata has won Indian Super League (ISL) football tournament for the second time in three years in
Kochi.
Earlier, Both the teams were one goal each in the stipulated time.
The Kolkata team scored four goals against the three by Kerala Blasters in the penalty shootout.
16. Scottish professional tennis player who has won the BBC sports personality of the Year 2016 ___ Andy Murray.
Note:
He has become the first person to win award 3 times.
17. Who has won the 2016 Men’s Junior Hockey world cup tournament___ India.
Note:
Indian Junior Men’s hockey team has won the 2016 Men’s Junior Hockey World Cup tournament by defeating
Belgium in the final match by 2-1 in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
Earlier, India won the Junior World Cup trophy in 2001 in Hobart, Australia.
18. Who beats Francis Cheka by TKO to retain WBO-Asia Pacific title___Vijender Singh.
Note:
Indian boxing star Vijender Singh knocked out former world Francis Cheka and retain WBO-Asia Pacific Super
Middleweight title at Thyagraj Stadium in New Delhi.
Vijender landed the winning blow in the third round of what was to be a 10-round contest to leave Cheka dazed
and delirious.
19. The batswoman who has been named in the ICC Women’s team of the year 2016___ Suzie Bates.
Note:
This is the first time that the International Cricket Council (ICC) has named a women’s team of the year.
New Zealand’s Suzie Bates has become the first cricketer to clinch both the ICC Women’s ODI and T20I Player of
the Year awards.
20. Who has won the 2016 Hero Indian Super League (ISL) by defeating the Kerala Blasters ____Atletico de Kolkata.
Note:
Atletico De Kolkata has won Indian Super League (ISL) football tournament for the second time in three years in
Kochi.
Earlier, Both the teams were one goal each in the stipulated time.
The Kolkata team scored four goals against the three by Kerala Blasters in the penalty shootout.
21. Scottish professional tennis player who has won the BBC sports personality of the Year 2016 ___ Andy Murray.
Note:
He has become the first person to win award 3 times.
22. Who has won the 2016 Men’s Junior Hockey world cup tournament___ India.
Note:
Indian Junior Men’s hockey team has won the 2016 Men’s Junior Hockey World Cup tournament by defeating
Belgium in the final match by 2-1 in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
Earlier, India won the Junior World Cup trophy in 2001 in Hobart, Australia.
23. Who beats Francis Cheka by TKO to retain WBO-Asia Pacific title___Vijender Singh.
Note:
Indian boxing star Vijender Singh knocked out former world Francis Cheka and retain WBO-Asia Pacific Super
Middleweight title at Thyagraj Stadium in New Delhi.
Vijender landed the winning blow in the third round of what was to be a 10-round contest to leave Cheka dazed
and delirious.
Best wishes for your exams!
