Current Affairs : June - 2018 1 - Banking Academy · stPhase 1 iconic places are: Ajmer Sharif Dargah, CST Mumbai, Kamakhya Temple, Golden Temple, Maikarnika Ghat, Meenakshi Temple,

Current Affairs : June - 2018

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NATIONAL AFFAIRSNATIONAL AFFAIRSNATIONAL AFFAIRSNATIONAL AFFAIRS

� The Union Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs has approved construction of another 1.5 lakh affordable houses

under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) for benefit of urban poor with an investment of Rs.7, 227 cr with central

assistance of Rs.2, 209 cr.

� The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) has been the talk of the town since it was introduced by Prime Minister,

Narendra Modi on 1 June 2015.

� The mission of this initiative is to provide housing for all by the year 2022.

� The scheme covers entire urban areas in the country which includes 4041 statutory towns with the first priority

given to 500 Class I cities. This will be done in 3 phases.

• Phase I (April 2015 - March 2017) to cover 100 Cities selected from States/UTs as per their willingness.

• Phase II (April 2017 - March 2019) to cover additional 200 Cities

• Phase III (April 2019 - March 2022) to cover all other remaining Cities

� Promotion of Affordable Housing for weaker section through credit linked subsidy

� Union Finance Ministry has signed US $500 million (Rs 3,371 crore) loan agreement with World Bank to provide

additional financing for Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) rural road projects. The loan has maturity of

10 years along with 3 year grace period.

� Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) was launched on 25th December, 2000 implemented by the Ministry of

Rural Development, Govt. of India.

� The goal of Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojana is to provide road connectivity to all the weather for the

population of 500 and residents of 250 people living in the hilly areas.

� Budget 2018: Rural roads see an allocation of Rs. 19,000 crore under PMGSY, Centre plans to construct roads in

these habitations by March 2019.

� Union Railway Minister, Piyush Goyal flagged off a new Humsafar Jodhpur Bandra Express in Rajasthan.

� Humsafar Express is a completely 3-tier AC sleeper trains which started their operation from December 2016.

� The 11th edition of Geo Intelligence Asia 2018 organized by Geo Spatial Media and Communication with

Directorate General of Information System as Knowledge Partners and Military Survey as Co-organizers, took place at

Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi.

� Theme: - ‘Geo Spatial: A Force Multiplier for Defence and Industrial Security’.

� Ministry of Agriculture has launched the ‘Krishi Kalyan Abhiyaan’ from June-1-2018 till July 31 2018 with vision of

doubling farmers’ income by 2022.

� Objective to help, advice, assist farmers to improve their farming techniques and increase their income.

� India’s forest cover stood at 21.34 percent in 2015, an increase of 1.29 percent from 2009, as per the Status of

Environment Report India 2015 that was released by Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan.

� Mizoram has the highest forest cover among the states and Union territories in the country with 89 percent.

� Assam’s forest cover at 35 percent was the lowest.

� President Ram Nath Kovind has assented to the promulgation of Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment)

Ordinance, 2018 on June 6, 2018. This ordinance makes some fine-tuning mechanisms in the Insolvency and

Bankruptcy Code, 2016.

� Home buyers will now be recognised as financial creditors under the insolvency law bringing "significant relief" to

people facing hardships on account of delayed residential projects, with the government promulgating an ordinance.

� Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) would get a special dispensation under this law wherein certain

disqualification requirements have been relaxed.

� IBBI Chairman:- Dr. M. S. Sahoo

� The Registrar General of India has released new data showing significant decline in maternal mortality ratio of the

country, Maternal Mortality Rate is death of such women per 100,000 live births.

� According to the World Bank, India ranks 129 (167-2011-2013) among 184 nations for maternal mortality and 145

out of 193 nations on infant mortality with Kerala topping the list, India, along with Nigeria, accounted for one-

third of global maternal deaths in 2015.


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� India’s First National disaster risk index mapping hazards and vulnerabilities across 640 districts puts

Maharashtra at the top of the chart followed by West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, while Delhi is most

at risk among Union territories (UTs).

� The index prepared by the Home Ministry in association with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP)

is now in the form of a draft report.

� It has been ranked on the basis of the disadvantages of population, animal, agriculture and environment against the

disasters. New York City,

� UNDP Headquarter : New York City, Head : Achim Steiner, Parent organization : ECOSOC

� Union Heavy Industries Minister Anant Geete has said that, the Union Cabinet may decide on the launch of the Faster

Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric vehicles in India (FAME India) schemes Phase II within a

month, to enhance adoption of energy-efficient vehicles.

� The second phase will be for a period of five years from 2018-19 to 2022-23. It is expected to involve financial

support of Rs 9,381 crore.

� FAME India was launched in 2015 under National Electric Mobility Mission (NEMM).

� It aims at promoting eco-friendly vehicles in the country, Ambitious target to achieve 6-7 million sales of hybrid and

electric vehicles year on year from 2020 onwards.

� The Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) lab has signed Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with RAASI

Solar Power Pvt Ltd for transfer of technology for India’s first Lithium Ion (Li-ion) Battery project to set up a demo

facility in Chennai.

� Lithium-ion batteries (LIB) are a family of rechargeable batteries having high energy density and commonly used

in consumer electronics.

� The Union Ministry of Culture has launched Seva Bhoj Yojna, a new scheme to provide financial assistance on

purchase of specific food items by Charitable Religious Institutions (CRIs) for free distribution among people with a

total outlay of Rs. 325.00 Crores for Financial Years 2018-19 and 2019-20.

� The Union Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeITY) launched 5000 Wi-Fi Choupals in villages in

partnership with common service centres (CSCs) under BHARATNET. It was jointly inaugurated by Union Electronics

and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad and Railway Minister Piyush Goyal in New Delhi.

� The Central government has decided to establish India’s first ever National Police Museum in Lutyens’ Delhi.

� The National Police Museum comprises police related items, pictures, weapons and other accessories.

� Ministry Of Drinking Water And Sanitation, 10 New Swachh Iconic Places Of 2018 Launched Under Phase 3 Of

Swachh Iconic Places Under Swachh Bharat Mission In Uttarakhand.

� Phase 3rd The 10 new places are : RaghavendraSwamy Temple (Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh); Hazardwari Palace

(Murshidabad, West Bengal); Brahma Sarovar Temple (Kurukshetra, Haryana); VidurKuti (Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh);

Mana village (Chamoli, Uttarakhand); Pangong Lake (Leh-Ladakh, J&K); Nagvasuki Temple (Allahabad, Uttar

Pradesh); ImaKeithal/market (Imphal, Manipur); Sabarimala Temple (Kerala); and Kanvashram (Uttarakhand).

� Phase 1st iconic places are: Ajmer Sharif Dargah, CST Mumbai, Kamakhya Temple, Golden Temple, Maikarnika Ghat,

Meenakshi Temple, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, Jagannath Temple, Taj Mahal and Tirupati Temple.

� Phase 2nd of Swachh Iconic Places: Gangotri, Yamunotri, Charminar, Mahakaleshwar Temple, Convent and Church of

St. Francis of Assissi, Kalady, Gommateswara, BaidyanathDham, Gaya Tirth and Somnath temple.

� The Swachh Iconic Places- It is a special clean-up initiative focused on cleaning up 100 selected iconic heritages,

spiritual and cultural places in the country.

� Chief minister: Trivendra Singh Rawat (Bharatiya Janata Party), Governor-Krishna Kant Paul

� NITI Aayog to launch Composite Water Management Index to rank states for water management under ‘Sabka

Saath, Sabka Vikas’ to assess and improve the performance in efficient management of water resources.

� Report say 60 crore people in the country are facing water problem. On the other hand, two lakh people die each

year due to lack of clean water. According to the report, by 2030 the demand of water in the country is doubling

compared to supply and the country's GDP is estimated to be 6% decrease. This will create a situation of water

crisis in front of millions of people.

� Gujarat is the first in terms of state-wise performance report, 2016-2017 on water management standards,

followed by Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra.

� The worst performing states are Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Jharkhand.

� In North Eastern and Himalayan States performance report, Tripura has been adjudged number 1 in 2016-17

followed by Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Assam.

� Union Minister for Railways, Coal, Finance & Company Affairs, Piyush Goyal inaugurated Neyveli Lignite Corporation

India Limited (NLCIL)’s three 100 MW Solar Power Projects for commercial operation and dedicated these projects to

the Nation in Tamil Nadu.


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� The Union Cabinet has approved continuation of Three Year Action Plan (2017-2020) of scheme for Agricultural

Education Division and Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Institutes with an outlay of Rs 2225.46

crore for strengthening and developing higher agricultural education in India.

� It will also take care of green initiatives, mitigating faculty shortage, international ranking, alumni involvement,

promoting innovations, inspired teacher network, academia interface, technology-enabled learning, post-doctoral

fellowships, agriculture education portal and scientific social responsibility.

� Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation minister Sushri Uma Bharti has launched Swajal Scheme in 115 Aspirational

districts of India to provide clean drinking water, It will involve outlay of Rs. 700 crores through flexi-funds under

existing National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) budget.

� Twenty States have signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

(MoHFW) for implementing Ayushman Bharat-National Health Protection Mission (AB-NHPM).

� AB-NHPM aims to target over 10 crore families belonging to poor and vulnerable population based on Socio

Economic and Caste Census 2011 (SECC) database.

� The scheme integrates two on-going centrally sponsored schemes viz. Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY)

and Senior Citizen Health Insurance Scheme (SCHIS).

� The 106th Indian Science Congress will be held at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Jalandhar, Punjab from

January 3 to 7, 2019. It will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

� Theme: - ‘Future India: Science & Technology’.

� Chief minister: Amarinder Singh (Indian National Congress), Governor: V.P. Singh Badnore

� The Union Government has approved financial assistance amounting to Rs. 5.5 lakh per family to West Pakistan

Refugees (WPRs). It will benefit 5,764 families of WPRs settled in Jammu and Kashmir.

� The scheme comes into effect from June 2018. The amount of Rs. 5.5 lakh per family will be deposited in bank

accounts of eligible beneficiaries based on authentication by State Government.

� National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship,

government of India will partner with Singapore e-Government Leadership Centre (eGL) at the National University of

Singapore’s Institute of Systems Science (NUS-ISS) for implementation of skill development initiatives of India.

� The 4th meeting of NITI Aayog’s Governing Council was held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. The meeting

chaired by Prime Minister Narendra modi.

� The governing council is expected to take up issues such as measures taken to double farmers’ income, progress

made by flagship schemes such as Ayushman Bharat, National Nutrition Mission, and Mission Indradhanush and

development of aspirational districts. It will also take stock of the work done during the previous year and deliberate

upon development agenda for ‘New India 2022’.

� A workshop on Cyber Security Framework for Department of Defence was organised by Department of Defence

Production (DDP), Ministry of Defence. The workshop was inaugurated by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

� IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said that, the government has planned to expand the BPO promotion scheme to 1

lakh seats and will also establish India’s largest National data centre in Bhopal.

� The National Data Centers host Government websites, services and apps. At present they operate at: Pune,

Hyderabad, Delhi and Bhubaneswar.

� Shillong, the capital city of Meghalaya has been selected as 100th Smart City; the total proposed investment in the

finally selected 100 cities under the Smart Cities Mission would be Rs.2,05,018 crore.

� Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation has been selected Surat Smart City for the City Award for "great

momentum" in implementation of projects, especially in the categories of urban environment, transport and mobility

and sustainable integrated development Under ‘India Smart Cities Award’ 2018.

� Bhopal and Ahmedabad joint winners of Innovative Idea Award

� Ahmedabad the second rank out of 100 smart cities across India, for the execution of Smart City projects under

various categories, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, Nagpur has been ranked the first.

� Nine awards in three categories including Project Award, Innovative Idea Award and City Award have been

announced under the India Smart Cities Awards.

� Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of Vanijya Bhawan, a new office complex in New Delhi for

the Department of Commerce. Vnijya Bhawan will help in ease of doing business by bringing all Departments of

Commerce under one roof at an estimated cost of Rs 226 crore.

� The Ministry of Human Resource Development approved setting up an inter-university yoga centre at Swami

Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana in Bengaluru.

� The announcement was made by Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar on the fourth International Yoga Day.

� The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved establishment of additional 6.5

Million Metric Tonne (MMT) Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) facilities at two locations, i.e. Chandikhol in Odisha

and Padur in Karnataka.


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� Prime Minister Narendra Modi has dedicate the Mohanpura Irrigation Project in Rajgarh district to the people of

the State and also inaugurate several other projects, including an urban transport scheme named ‘Sutra Seva’ in Indore

Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

� The Mohanpura irrigation project is worth Rs.3, 866 crore. This project, which includes a dam and a canal system,

will benefit 727 villages in Madhya Pradesh.

� Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented awards to the top states, cities and Organizations of the Swachh

Survekshan 2018 in Indore.

� About the states Rankings: Jharkhand-1, maharastra-2. Chattisgrah-3

� About the cities Rankings: Indoor-1, Bhopal-2, Chandigarh-3

� The government has proposed to set up 3000 Van Dhan Kendras involving 30,000 Self Help Groups (SHGs) across

the country under its Van Dhan Scheme. This will help in empowering tribals by providing them skill up-gradation

and capacity building training for value addition of forest produce for modernizing traditional tribal-rural economic

system.

� The Van Dhan Scheme scheme was launched by Prime Minister on 14th April, 2018 during the celebrations of

Ambedkar Jayanti at Bijapur Chattisgarh.

� The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has restricted the manufacture of Oxytocin formulations for domestic use

to public sector only from 1st July 2018.

� Only Karnataka Antibiotics & Pharmaceuticals Ltd (KAPL), a public sector company, will manufacture Oxytocin

for domestic use from 1st July 2018.

� NITI Aayog's Women Entrepreneurs Platform (WEP) signed statement of intent (SoI) with financial institutions &

social organisations with an aim to increase the number of women entrepreneurs.

� These organisations are Shri Mahila Sewa Sahakari Bank Limited, Indiabulls Housing Finance Limited, SREI

Infrastructure Finance Limited, Sreemanta Sankar Mission and the Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA).

� These aspirations of women entrepreneurs are manifested in three pillars on which WEP is built:

• Ichha Shakti: Motivating aspiring entrepreneurs to start their enterprise.

• Gyaan Shakti: Providing knowledge and ecosystem support to women entrepreneurs to help them foster

entrepreneurship.

• Karma Shakti: Providing hands-on support to entrepreneurs in setting-up and scaling up businesses.

� President Ram Nath Kovind launched Solar Charkha Mission under which Government will disburse subsidy of Rs

550 crore to thousands of artisans, generating employment in rural areas. It was launched during the event of Udyam

Sangam (National MSME Conclave) on the occasion of World MSME Day (observed on 27 June).

� The Ministry of HRD minister Prakash Javadekar has prepared a Higher Education Commission of India Bill

2018 which seeks to repeal UGC Act and provides for setting up of Higher Education Commission of India.

� The focus of Higher Education Commission of India will be on improving academic standards and the quality of

Higher Education.

� Ministry of Women and Child Development (MoWCH), Government of India organized a day-long Seminar on

Technology Partnerships for Steering POSHAN Abhiyaan called ‘TECH-THON’ for POSHAN Abhiyaan–PM’s

Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nourishment at Pravasi Bharatiya Kendra in New Delhi.

� POSHAN Abhiyaan was launched on 8th March 2018 by the Prime Minister in Jhunjhunu.

� The Abhiyaan targets to reduce stunting, under-nutrition, anemia (among young children, women and adolescent

girls) and reduce low birth weight by 2%, 2%, 3% and 2% per annum respectively.

� The target of the mission is to bring down stunting among children in the age group 0-6 years from 38.4% to 25%

by 2022.

� According to the 2018 Cost of Living Survey published by Mercer, Mumbai continues to be the most expensive city in

India to live in for expatriates. It has secured rank 55 globally and has surpassed Washington and Melbourne.

� Hong Kong has been ranked as the world’s costliest city for expatriates. It is followed by Tokyo, Zurich, Singapore,

and Seoul.

� Other Indian cities listed in the survey are:

� Delhi–103, Chennai–144, Bengaluru–170, Kolkata–182

� The Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh has approved the institution of "Home Minister's Special Operation

Medal". Police Officers of States & Union Territories, Central Police Organisations (CPOs), Central Armed Police Forces

(CAPFs) and Security Organisation involved in Special Operations will be eligible.

� These Medals are- Antarik Suraksha Medal, Asadharan Aashuchan Padak, and Utkrisht & Ati-Utkrisht Seva Medal.

� French utility EDF and General Electric have signed a pact to jointly build six reactors for India’s most ambitious

nuclear power plant at Jaitapur in Maharashtra. This pact was signed between French President Emmanuel Macron

during his visit to India. This will be the world’s largest nuclear power unit.

� The NITI Aayog has launched the first Delta ranking (incremental progress) for the Aspirational Districts, across five

developmental areas of Health and Nutrition, Education, Agriculture and Water Resources, Financial Inclusion and

Skill Development, and Basic Infrastructure.


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DELTA RANKINGS

District State Delta score Rank

Dahod Gujarat 19.8 1

West Sikkim Sikkim 18.9 2

Ramanathapuram Tamil Nadu 17.7 3

Vizianagaram Andhra Pradesh 17.5 4

YSR Andhra Pradesh 14.7 5

� While among the worst performer districts are Kupwara (Jammu and Kashmir), Begusarai (Bihar), Ranchi

(Jharkhand), Simdega (Jharkhand), Khagadia (Bihar).

� The meeting of Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) has revised cost and deadline of World Bank funded Dam

Rehabilitation & Improvement Project (DRIP) to Rs.3466 Crore till June 2020.

� DRIP is a state sector scheme with central component to improve safety and operational performance of selected

dams, along with institutional strengthening with system wide management approach.

� The project was launched in 2012 by Central Water Commission (CWC) under Ministry of Water Resources, River

Development & Ganga Rejuvenation with assistance from World Bank. Originally the scheme was scheduled for six

years with closure in June 2018 with total original cost of Rs. 2100 crore.

INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRSAFFAIRSAFFAIRSAFFAIRS

� WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus joined Prime Minister António Costa of Portugal to launch

the new "WHO Global action plans on physical activity and health 2018-2030: More active people for a healthier

world." Being active is critical for health.

� WHO to preventing and treating non communicable diseases (NCDs) such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and

breast and colon cancer. NCDs are responsible for 71% of all deaths globally, including for the deaths of 15 million

people per year aged 30 to 70.

� The action plan explains how countries can reduce physical inactivity in adults and adolescents by 15% by 2030.

� A meeting between External Affairs ministers of India, Brazil and South Africa was organized in Pretoria, South

Africa. This ministerial summit chaired by India’s External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj was attended by South

African Minister of International Affairs and Cooperation Lindiwe Sisulu and the Brazilian Deputy Minister of Foreign

Affairs Marcos Bezerra Abbott Galvao.

� Brazil Capital -Brasilia, Currency –Real

� South Africa Capitals-Cape Town, Currency- South African rand

� According to 12th report of institute for Economics and Peace in Sydney Australia, India ranked 136th among 163

nation's in the Global Peace Index 2018. In Last year’s index, India was ranked 137th.

� According to the report, due to the violence in 2017, India's economy lost $ 1,190.51 billion, which is 9 percent of

the country's gross domestic product (GDP).

� Regarding the Asia-Pacific region, the report said that despite a mild decline in overall peace, this region is making

the third most peaceful region in the world. There has been remarkable improvement in the relationship between

both internal and external conflicts and neighboring countries, but the situation of violent crime, the effects of

terrorism, and political instability have further worsened in this area.

� Top three nations-Iceland, New Zealand, Austria and worst country- Syria.

� The 17th round of Foreign Office Consultations between India and Myanmar were held in New Delhi.

� The Indian side was led by Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale and the Myanmar side by Permanent Secretary in

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, U Myint Thu.

� Capital : Naypyidw, Currency :Kyat

� United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) elected South Africa, Indonesia, Dominican Republic, Germany and

Belgium as non-permanent members of UN Security Council (UNSC). They will have two-year term beginning January

1, 2019.

� Headquarter: New York, President: Miroslav Lajčák

� Mauritius is going to host 11th World Hindi Conference in its capital city Port Lois from August 18-20, 2018; Theme

of the Conference will be “Vaishvik Hindi Aur Bharatiy Sanskriti”.

� The 10th edition of World Hindi Conference was held in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh (India) in 2015 with the theme of

Hindi Jagat-Vistar and Sambhavnaye.

� Capital- Port Louis, Currency- Mauritian rupee


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� Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in Qingdago, China to attend the 18th annual Shanghai Cooperation

Organisation (SCO) Summit.

� Aims at long-term good neighborliness, friendship and co-operation with concept of SECURE: ‘S‘ for security for

citizens, ‘E‘ for economic development, ‘C’ for connectivity in the region, ‘U‘ for unity, ‘R‘ for respect of

sovereignty and integrity, and ‘E for environment protection was coined by PM Narendra Modi.

� On the sidelines of the SCO summit India and China signed 2 agreements on Brahmaputra water data sharing and

non-basmati rice export.

� India and China have signed two MoU related to sharing of Brahmaputra river data and supply of non-Basmati

rice. These MoUs were signed after Prime Minister Narendra Modi held detailed discussions with Chinese

President Xi Jinping.

� India will host first military exercise of the BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and

Economic Cooperation) Countries in September 2018 in Pune, Maharashtra. The theme of the exercise includes

counter-terrorism in semi-urban terrain and cordon and search.

� Founded: 1997, Members:7, Secretariat: Dhaka, Bangladesh

� India has ranked 177 out of 180 countries in the Global Environment Performance Index (EPI) rankings, as per

the State of India’s Environment (SoE) 2018 in Figures that has been released recently, in 2016; India ranked 141 out of

180 countries.

� The report was released on the sidelines of the ongoing World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

� Switzerland leads the world in sustainability, followed by France, Denmark, Malta and Sweden in the EPI, which

found that air quality, is the leading environmental threat to public health.

� International Conference on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) held in Kathmandu, capital city of

Nepal from June 17-18, 2018. The Theme of two day conference is “Sustainable Development Goals for Smart

Society”.

� The Objective of the conference was: to bring government and private sector together for developing plan of action

using sustainable ICT applications.

� President Ram Nath Kovind left on a three-nation visit to Greece, Suriname and Cuba. The 1st halt of the 9-day tour

will be at Athens, where he will meet Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos.

� Greece Capital- Athens, Currency- Euro, President- Prokopis Pavlopoulos.

� Suriname Capital- Paramaribo, Currency- Surinamese dollar, President- Desire Delano Bouterse.

� Cuba Capital- Havana, Currency- Cuban Peso, President-Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez.

� India and Cuba have signed two MoUs in the field of biotechnology, traditional medicine and homoeopathy. The

agreements were inked following delegation-level talks between President Ram Nath Kovind and his Cuban

counterpart Miguel Mario Díaz-Canel at Revolution Palace in Havana.

� India and Kazakhstan to develop bilateral relations in cooperating in the military-industrial field.

� This decision was taken during the 5th Joint Inter-Governmental Kazakh-Indian Working group meeting held in

Astana.

� Japan’s softbank to invest $60 bn to $100 bn in india’s solar power generation goal of 2022.

� In 2015, India announced an ambitious goal of to increasing renewable power capacity to 175 gigawatts (GW) by

2022, with 100 GW of solar, 60 GW of wind, 10 GW of bio energy and 5 GW of small hydro.

� Headquarter: Minato, Tokyo, Japan, CEO: Ken Miyauchi

� SAARC Development Fund (SDF) is going to launch social enterprise development programme (SEDP) as part of its

social window.

� SDF was established by heads of all eight South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) member states

during 16th SAARC summit at Thimphu, Bhutan in April 2010. Its Governing Council comprises finance ministers of

these eight countries.

� Founded: 8 December 1985, Dhaka, Bangladesh, Headquarter: Kathmandu, Nepal

� The 28th Plenary Meeting of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) was held in Jūrmala, Latvia.

� NSG Comprises–48 Participating Governments with the European Commission and the Chair of the Zangger

Committee participating as permanent observers.

Purpose –to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons.

� Latvia Capital: Riga, Currency: Euro

� The High Commission of India in Seychelles celebrated the 4th International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2018 at the

iconic Palais des Sports indoor stadium in Victoria, Seychelles.

� Theme: ‘Yoga for Health’.

� India and Seychelles have signed six MoUs including in area of infrastructure development in Seychelles, cyber

security and white-shipping arrangement.

� The agreements were signed between both countries after bilateral talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi

and visiting Seychelles President Danny Faure in New Delhi.

� Capital- Victoria , Currency- Seychellois rupee


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� Seychelles have declined the proposal of ‘Assumption Island’ given by India to develop a naval base due to ongoing

protests in the country against this issue.

� The proposal of Assumption Island owned by the Seychelles has been declined and puts a blow to the

government’s “SAGAR” (Security and Growth for All in the Region) programme, announced by PM Modi during a

visit to Indian Ocean Rim (IOR) countries in 2015.

� India is planning to gift a Dornier aircraft to Seychelles and explore trilateral cooperation involving France.

� The EU Film Festival 2018 to be held from 18 - 24 June in Delhi, the European Union Film Festival, organized by the

Directorate of Film Festivals, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, and European Union will

be hosted at the Sirfort Auditorium Complex.

� A 3-day National Yoga Olympiad was inaugurated at the National Council of Educational Research and Training

(NCERT) in CIET in New Delhi by Mr. Eric Falt, Director and UNESCO Representative of the New Delhi Cluster Office

for India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, the Maldives and Sri Lanka.

� India and Australia held the 10th Meeting of the Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism at New Delhi and

sharing of best practices on countering violent extremism.

� Capital: Canberra, Currency: Australian Dollar

� According to updated count by Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), the number of nuclear

warheads with nine nuclear countries has reduced from 14,935 at start of 2017 to 14,465 at start of 2018. These nine

countries are United States, Russia, Britain, France, China, India, Pakistan, Israel and North Korea. SIPRI is an

independent think tank that uses open sources to compile such data since 1966.

� The 15th Asia & Oceania region intergovernmental ministerial meet on anti-doping was held in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

� Anti-Doping and contribute to global government leadership in protecting the rights of the clean sport and

supporting the implementation of the convention by the state parties.

� The United States under President Donald Trump administration has announced its withdrawal from United Nations

Human Rights Council (UNHRC) terming it hypocritical and self-serving. It has blamed UNHRC for bias against Israel

and refusing to eject members who are violators of human rights.

� UNHRC Headquarter: Geneva, Switzerland.

� The first India-US ‘2+2 dialogue’ will be held on July 6 and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Defence

Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will lead from the Indian side and US Secretary of State Michael R

Pompeo and Secretary of Defence James N Mattis from the US.

� This meeting aims to focus on strategic and security ties and exchange views on a range of bilateral, regional and

global issues of mutual interest.

� According to United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 2018 report, number of hungry people in world

has risen for first time in more than decade. There are now approximately 38 million more undernourished people in

the world, rising from 777 million in 2015 to 815 million in 2016.

� Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 3rd annual meeting of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank

(AIIB) in Mumbai. In the past, AIIB annual meetings have been held in Beijing, China, in 2016 and in Jeju, South Korea,

in 2017.

� The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has approved investment of $200 million in India’s National

Investment & Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) to give greater impetus to mega infrastructure projects. It will be investing

US $100 million now and remaining $100 million in the time to come.

� Theme of 3rd Annual Meeting of AIIB 2018: 'Mobilizing finance for infrastructure: innovation and collaboration'.

� Asia first time, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)'s Fourth Annual Meeting will be held

in Luxembourg in July 2019.

� Established-Jan 2016, Headquartered - Beijing, China, Member Nation-86

� The 19th edition of International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards ceremony was held at Siam Niramit Theatre

in Bangkok, Thailand.

� The award ceremony was hosted by director Karan Johar and actor Riteish Deshmukh.

� Best Picture: Tumhari Sulu

� Best Director: Saket Chaudhary (Hindi Medium)

� Out Standing Achievement by an Actor in Indian Cinema: Anupan kher

� India is the world's most dangerous country for women due to the high risk of sexual violence and being forced into

slave labour, according to a poll of global experts. War-torn Afghanistan and Syria ranked second and third in

the Thomson Reuters Foundation survey of about 550 experts on women's issues, followed by Somalia and Saudi

Arabia.

� According to recent report by the McKinsey Global Institute (MGI) for the Asia-Pacific region, gender inequality in

India is extremely high at the workplace and in terms of legal protection and political voice; it ranks countries on scale

of 0 (signifying inequality) to 1 (signifying parity).

� India related facts: India’s score was 0.30 in gender equality at work and 0.78 in legal protection and political voice.


8


9

� India announced to increase its grant to Global Environment Facility’s (GEF) new four-year investment cycle, known

as GEF-7 from $12 million to $15 million. It was announced at the GEF Council meeting held at Da Nang, Vietnam and

approved a $4.1 billion replenishment of GEF-7.

� India has pledged USD 5 million in assistance to the UN agency working for the welfare of Palestinian refugees to

help bolster its "severe funding crisis" following US' cut in its annual aid to United Nations Relief and Works

Agency (UNRWA).

� India announced it will increase its annual contribution to the UNRWA from USD 1.5 million to USD 5 million from

2018-19 for a period of three years.

� UNRWA’s financial situation had become catastrophic due to sudden loss of US $300 million in voluntary

contributions. It is facing shortfall of $250 million.

� The Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shri Radha Mohan Singh met Mr. Suhrob Kholmuradov,

Deputy Prime Minister, Uzbekistan and Chairman of the State Investment Committee in Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi to

strengthen bilateral cooperation in agriculture and allied sectors.

� Capital: Tashkent, Currency : Uzbek Som

� India was ranked 35th among 100 countries in recently released Global Real Estate Transparency Index (GRETI).

The index was released by realty consultant JLL. India was ranked 36th in the index during the last bi-annual survey

conducted in 2016 and 40th in 2014. Its real estate market is currently placed in the ‘semi-transparent’ zone.

� Headquarter: Chicago, Illinois, United States, CEO: Christian Ulbrich

� International Arbitration Centre in Tokyo (IACT), Asia’s first arbitration centre specialized in intellectual

property, would be opened in Tokyo in September 2018, to resolve the increasing number of disputes in the region.

� Japan Capital- Tokyo, Currency- Japanese yen, Prime Minister- Shinzo Abe.

� Indian actress Sonakshi Sinha has joined hands with UNESCO to promote a safe and secure cyber environment for

youngsters.

� UNESCO Headquarter–Paris, France, Director-General–Audrey Azoulay

STATES HIGHLIGHTSSTATES HIGHLIGHTSSTATES HIGHLIGHTSSTATES HIGHLIGHTS

� Gopabandhu Sambadika Swasthya Bima Yojana is a new Health Insurance Scheme for the journalists launched by

the state government in Odisha.

� This scheme provides Rs. 2 Lakh per annum health insurance cover to all working journalists of the state.

� Capital: Bhubaneswar, Chief minister: Naveen Patnaik (Biju Janata Dal), Governor: Ganeshi Lal

� Himachal Pradesh CM Jairam Thakur flagged off a helicopter taxi service that will reduce the travel time between

Shimla and Chandigarh to 20 minutes.

� The service is operated by Pawan Hans and can accommodate 19 persons and it will cost Rs 2999 per person.

� Chief minister: Jai Ram Thakur (Bharatiya Janata Party), Governor: Acharya Dev Vart

� RBI supplied Rs.5400 crore for the implementation of Telengana Governement’s investment program ‘Rythu Bandhu’

launched in May 2018.

� The Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced a new scheme called ‘Kanya Van

Samruddhi Yojana’, wherein farmers families where girl children are born, will be given saplings for plantation.

� Four-year old Ayan Gogoi Gohain of North Lakhimpur district, Assam was honored with the ‘Youngest Author of

India’ title by The India Book of Records.

� ‘Taj Mahal Declaration to Beat Plastic Pollution’ adopted to clean Taj Mahal premises around 500m radius.

� West Bengal Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi was on June 7, 2018 given the additional charge of Tripura, according to

a statement issued by the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

� K .S .Tripathi would be discharging the functions of the Governor of Tripura, in addition to his own duties, during the

absence of Tathagata Roy, the Governor of Tripura.

� President Ram Nath Kovind has declared Tripura’s queen variety pineapple as state fruit. Tripura is one of the

largest pineapple growing states in country.

� Capital: Agartala, Chief minister: Biplab Kumar Deb (Bharatiya Janata Party), Governor: Tathagata Roy

� Kerala Government has decided to lift high alert issued in the wake of outbreak of deadly Nipah virus in May 2018 in

northern Kozhikode and Malappuram districts of state that has so far claimed 17 lives.

� The Kerala government’s tourism promotion programme, ‘Yoga Ambassadors Tour’ a specialized trip

for yoga professionals from around the world was inaugurated by Minister of State for AYUSH Shripad Yesso Naik.

� Capital: Thiruvananthapuram, CM: Pinarayi Vijayan (Communist Party of Indi), Governor: P. Sathasivam

� Telengana Government to set up ‘District Child Protection Units (DCPU)’ in all 31 districts to protect the children

from child abuse, child labour and also to implement the child rights in all districts.

� The Union Commerce Ministry to set up a special cell for turmeric in Nizamabad, Telengana.

� India is the largest producer, consumer and exporter of turmeric in the world.

� Capital- Hyderabad, Governor – E. S. L. Narasimhan, Chief minister- K. Chandrashekar Rao


10

� The Haryana government has approved a scheme to provide monthly financial assistance of Rs. 8000 to female acid

victims.

� Harayana Government has launched 7-Star Gram Panchayat Rainbow scheme to give star rankings to its panchayats

on the basis of seven social parameters. Under this scheme, as many as 1,120 villages of the state have achieved

rankings since its launch in January 2018.

� Chief minister: Manohar Lal Khattar (BJP), Governor : Kaptan Singh Solanki

� The Punjab government launched a smart phone application ‘i-Hariyali’ that lets users order free plant saplings.

� Objective to ensure clean, green, healthy and robust Punjab with the active participation of people.

� The world’s first International Centre for Humanitarian Forensics was launched in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.

� The centre is joint venture of Regional delegation of International Committee of Red Cross (ICCR) in India, Bhutan,

Nepal and Maldives and also Gujarat Forensic Science University.

� A Guinness World Record was created in Rajasthan’s Kota city, where more than 1.05 lakh people performed yoga to

mark International Yoga Day.

� The 22nd edition of Sindhu Darshan festival, being organized by Sindhu Darshan Yatra Samiti and Ladakh Phanday

Tsogspa commenced with religious fervour and gaiety.

� The Gujarat Government announced the launch of the Rs 870-crore pilot project of Suryashakti Kisan Yojana

(SKY). This is a first of its kind in the country.

� This would cover, through solar power generation, 12,400 farmers in 33 districts through 137 feeders.

� Punjab government has launched a new scheme ‘Paani Bachao, Paise Kamao’ to check depletion of underground

water, A little-known village from Haryana-Godikan has become a reason to emulate for other villages after it passed a

'No Toilet No Bride' resolution to ensure the safety and well-being of its womenfolk.

ECONOMYECONOMYECONOMYECONOMY AWAWAWAWARENESSARENESSARENESSARENESS

� Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched three Indian mobile payment applications BHIM, RuPay and UPI enabled

remittance app of SBI in Singapore aimed at internationalization of the country’s digital payment platforms.

� They were launched at ‘Business, Innovation and Community Event’ held in Singapore where digital platform was

the main theme.

� Reserve Bank of India is conducting Financial Literacy Week from June 4 on the theme ‘Customer Protection’.

� According to RBI, the events will emphasis on awareness about different financial products, services, digital

applications and good financial practices.

� The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced that it will set up a Public Credit Registry (PCR) as a repository of

information regarding loan information of individuals and corporate borrowers. This decision has been taken as per

recommendations of Yeshwant M Deosthalee committee set up by the central bank.

� Yes Bank has launched a first of a kind new deposit scheme Green Future: Deposit to fetch Rs. 1000 crore from the

scheme. It is the first of many green retail products to be launched by the bank this would provide a peak interest

of 7.5% and has tenure of 18 months 8 days to 18 months 18 days.

� Headquarter-Mumbai, MD & CEO: Mr. Rana Kapoor, Tagline: Experience our Expertise.

� The Centre has constituted a group of eminent persons to study the Special Economic Zones, SEZ Policy of India. The

group will be headed by Industrialist Baba Kalyani.

� The SEZ Policy was implemented from 1st April, 2000. Subsequently, the Special Economic Zones Act, 2005 was

passed by Parliament in May, 2005 which received Presidential assent on the June 23, 2005 and the Special

Economic Zone Act was enacted.

� The six members Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of RBI has decided to hike Repo (short term lending rate) to

6.25% from 6.00%. As per the second Bi-monthly Monetary Policy Statement, the current policy rates of RBI would be

as follows:

� Repo Rate: 6.25%, Reverse Repo Rate: 6.00%

� Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) Rate: 6.50%, CRR:4%

� SLR:19.5%,

� The RBI announced that interest subsidy scheme on short-term crop loans of up to Rs 3 lakh will be implemented

through the Direct Benefit Transfer Mode from the current financial year.

� The Centre has earmarked Rs 15000 crore for 2018-19 towards interest subvention for short-term crop loans.

� According to Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP), foreign direct investment (FDI) in India

increased to US $61.96 billion in 2017-18. FDI inflow in previous fiscal was US $60 billion. In last four years period,

FDI inflows have jumped to US 4222.75 billion from US $152 billion.

� Major sources of foreign inflows include Mauritius, Singapore, Japan, the Netherlands, the US, Germany, France and

the UAE.

� However According to UNCTAD'S World Investment Report 2018, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to India declined

from USD 44 billion in 2016 to USD 40 billion in 2017.


11

� The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) recently presented the National Payments Excellence

Awards for the year 2017. This is the highest recognition in the banking industry for exceptional performance in

payments system.

� SVC Co-operative Bank has received the award for its outstanding performance in NFS ATM Network & CTS.

� Abhudaya Co-op Bank (Mumbai) bagged the award of special recognition for its performance in RuPay, NFS ATM

Network and CTS.

� Gujarat based UCB Kalupur Commercial Co-op Bank was recognized for its performance in RuPay, NFS ATM

Network & CTS.

� Punjab & Maharashtra Co-op Bank bagged award for its outstanding performance in RuPay, NFS ATM Network &

UPI/IMPS.

� TJSB Sahakari Bank (Mumbai) has been awarded for its excellent performance in RuPay, NFS ATM Network &

CTS.

� Finance Minister Piyush Goyal announced setting up of a committee to give recommendations on formation of an

Asset Reconstruction Company.

� The committee will give recommendations in two weeks for faster resolution of stressed accounts.

� The committee was formed under Chairmanship of Sunil Mehta, non-executive chairman of Punjab National Bank.

� NITI Aayog’s Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) has selected 3,000 additional schools for the establishment of Atal

Tinkering Labs (ATLs), bringing the total number of ATL schools to 5,441.

� The Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) is the Government of India’s flagship initiative to promote a culture of innovation

and entrepreneurship in the country.

� NITI Headquarter: New Delhi, Vice Chairman: Rajiv Kumar, CEO: Amitabh Kant.

� Union Government is going to launch Rs.500 crore Credit Enhancement Fund (CEF) in July 2018 to facilitate

infrastructure investments by insurance and pension funds.

� Market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has constituted Group to look into existing

Institutional Trading Platform (ITP) framework and suggest measures to facilitate listing of startups.

� Its members include representatives from Indian Software Product Industry Round Table (iSPIRT), Indian Private

Equity and Venture Capital Association (IVCA), Indus Entrepreneurs (TIE), law firms, merchant bankers and stock

exchanges.

� National Stock Exchange (NSE) has launched a ‘Tri-party Repo Market Platform’ for repurchase of corporate debt

security. It provides opportunity to borrow against the securities and provides short-term liquidity to participants.

� National Stock Exchange (NSE) will offer basket repo for 1 day to 7 days.

� NSE would act as tri-party agent and offer an online web based, anonymous, order matching and multilateral trading

platform.

� Housing finance major HDFC has been ranked as the 5th biggest public company globally in the ‘consumer financial

services category’ on a list compiled by Forbes magazine. HDFC’s rank has moved up from 7th place last

year. American Express has topped this category, while Indiabulls Housing Finance is the only other Indian company (at

13th place) on the list.

� According to the FDI Report 2018 compiled by FDI Intelligence, a division of The Financial Times Ltd, US have

surpassed India as the top destination to attract Greenfield FDI investment.

� In the Asia and Pacific region, China ($50.8 billion) was on top in terms of FDI in total number of new projects and

capital investment, followed by India ($25.1 billion).

� Micro lender Bharat Financial Inclusion Ltd. gets a no–objection nod for its merger with IndusInd Bank. Bharat

Financial (earlier known as SKS Microfinance) has got the nod from multiple stock exchanges like NSE and BSE after

SEBI’s approval.

� The Reserve Bank has eased investment norms for foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) in debt, especially into

individual large corporate.

� The RBI increased the FPIs cap on investment in government security to 30 per cent of the outstanding stock of that

security, from 20 per cent earlier.

� The second tranche of Bharat-22 Exchange Traded Fund (ETF), comprising shares of 22 companies, has received

bids worth Rs. 15,436 crore, much higher than government’s fund raising target. The second tranche was targeted to

achieve fund mop up of Rs 6,000 crore with green-shoe option for another Rs. 2,400 crore.

� On November 14, 2017, the government launched the BHARAT-22 ETF, which is managed by ICICI Prudential

Mutual Fund. It's a part of the government’s disinvestment programme.

� RBI revises the Priority Sector Lending guidelines for housing loans with the Affordable Housing Scheme for

promoting PMAY, for economically Weaker Sections and Low Income Groups the eligibility has been changed as

follows: previous limit 28 lakh for metropolitan cities change limit 35 lakh and other centres to 25 lakh from 20 lakh.

� The Securities and Exchange Board (SEBI) has approved amendments to buyback and takeover regulations and

changed the time for announcing the price band of initial public offering (IPO) from 5 to 2 days, according to the

chairman of SEBI, Ajay Tyagi.


12

� The country’s oldest public sector financial institution Industrial Finance Corporation of India (IFCI) plans to

raise Rs 3,000 crore from debt, including bonds, during the current fiscal.

� The Government is planning to sell a strategic stake in IDBI Bank to Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) of India.

� The proposal is part of a plan to professionalism the state-owned lender using the Axis Bank model, which has been

mooted for a long time.

� The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has proposed setting up of Board of Management (BoM) in all Urban Co-operative

Banks (UCBs) having deposits of over Rs 100 crore within one year to strengthen governance and promote

professional management in these banks.

� The Government approved capital infusion of Rs 1,040 cr to National Export Insurance Account Trust (NEIA) to boost

exports.

� The Government approved capital infusion of Rs 2,000 crore in Export Credit Guarantee Corporation (ECGC).

� The decision was taken in the meeting of cabinet committee on economic affairs (CCEA), headed by Prime Minister

Narendra Modi.

� The amount would be infused in the three financial years i.e. Rs.50 crore in 2017-18, Rs.1450 crore in the

year 2018-19 and Rs.500 crore for 2019-20,More than 85 per cent of customers benefited by ECGC’s covers are

MSMEs.

� ECGC Founded: 1957 Headquarter: Mumbai. CMD: Geetha Murlidhar

� The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the

Mechanism for procurement of ethanol by Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) to carry out the Ethanol

Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme-Revision of ethanol price for supply to Public Sector OMCs.

� Now, CCEA has approved the following for the forthcoming sugar season 2018-19 during ethanol supply period from

1st December 2018 to 30th November 2019.

� To fix the ex-mill price of ethanol derived out of C heavy molasses to Rs.43.70 per litre (from prevailing price of

Rs.40.85 per litre). Additionally, GST and transportation charges will also be payable.

� The Export-Import Bank of India (Exim Bank) announced that it has extended $10 million worth of line of credit

(LOC) to Seychelles for healthcare and procurement of goods and projects.

� Founded: 1982, Headquarter: Mumbai, CEO: Shri Yaduvendra Mathur.

� The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) at its plenary meeting in Paris, France has officially placed Pakistan on its

Grey List of countries involved in providing monetary assistance to terrorism and related causes for failing to curb

terror financing on its soil. This will be second time Pakistan has been grey listed by FATF, for first time it was placed in

the list for three years from 2012 to 2015.

� Private sector lender RBL Bank has fully acquired Mumbai-based financial product distribution firm Swadhaar

FinServe Pvt Ltd from their earlier holding of 60.49%.

� RBL Headquarter: Mumbai, MD & CEO: Vishwavir Ahuja, Tagline: Apno ka Bank

� Regulator IRDAI has set up a 10-member panel to review norms related to insurance marketing firm (IMF) with an

aim to increase insurance penetration in the country.

� The committee, headed by Suresh Mathur (ED-IMF, Irdai), has been asked to revisit the IRDAI (Registration of

Insurance Marketing Firms) Regulations, 2015.

� Recommend for strengthening the distribution channel of insurance marketing firms by taking up products which

fall under the jurisdiction of other financial sector regulators.

� Headquarter: Hyderabad, Chairman : Subhash Chandra Khuntia

CORPORATE AFFAIRSCORPORATE AFFAIRSCORPORATE AFFAIRSCORPORATE AFFAIRS

� A recent ASSOCHAM-NEC study on “Electricals & Electronics Manufacturing in India” has revealed that India

recycles only 5% of its e-waste and the country is one of the biggest contributors of e-waste in the world.

� The Union Minister of Steel, Chaudhary Birender Singh dedicated the rebuilt Blast Furnace-1 ‘Parvati’ of

SAIL, Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) to the Nation.

� Parvati is the first Blast Furnace of SAIL that was dedicated to the nation on 3rd February 1959 by the first President

of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad.

� Headquarter: New Delhi, CEO: Prakash Kumar Singh.

� Reliance Industries said that, it is investing in establishing India’s first carbon fibre manufacturing unit to cater the

aerospace and defence sectors.

� Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved setting up of committee to lay down standards for metro rail systems in

the country. The committee will be headed by E Sreedharan (famously known as metro man of India) who is credited

for changing face of public transport in India with his leadership in building Konkan Railway and Delhi Metro.

� NITI Aayog and Gujarat Narmada Valley Fertilizers & Chemicals Limited (GNFC) have signed a Statement of Intent

(SOI) today to work together towards implementing a Proof-of-Concept (“PoC”) application using Blockchain

Technology for fertiliser subsidy management.


13

� NTPC Ltd has adopted the iconic Charminar in Hyderabad under the Swachh Iconic Places Projects of India. This is

part of a special drive under the Centre’s Swachh Bharat Mission.

DEFENCE & SECURITYDEFENCE & SECURITYDEFENCE & SECURITYDEFENCE & SECURITY

� Indian Naval Ship Sunayana entered Porbandar harbouron 07 Jun 2018 after successfully evacuating 38 Indian

Nationals at/ off Socotra Islands during a swift Humanitarian and Disaster Relief Operation (HADR), code named

Operation NISTAR.

� The Indian Nationals were stranded for nearly ten days after severe Cyclonic Storm–Mekunu devastated the area

around Socotra Island.

� INS Sunayna was diverted from Gulf of Aden deployment to Socotra Island for search and rescue operations after

Indian Navy received a distress call from Directorate General of Shipping and Indian Sailing Vessels Association.

� India’s first indigenous, long-range artillery gun Dhanush has successfully passed its final test at Pokhran, Rajasthan.

� It has been developed by Ordnance Factory Board (OFB), Kolkata based on requirements of Indian Army and

manufactured by Jabalpur-based Gun Carriage Factory (GCF).

� Indian Coast Guard (ICG) recently commissioned interceptor ship ICGS C 439 at Mumbai, Maharashtra.

� The ICGS C-439 is designed by the L&T Marine & Ship Design Division, an in-house facility of Larsen & Toubro

Limited.

� Trilateral Naval Exercise Malabar 2018 between India, Japan and United States kicked off the coast of Guam in

Philippine Sea. It will be 22nd edition of the naval exercise, which has now become an annual feature in deep military

ties between India and US.

� The United States State Department has approved sale of six AH-64E Apache attack helicopters along with support

equipments to India.

� The tri-service joint military exercise Indra-2018 between India and Russia will take place at Indian military base in

second half 2018. In this regard, Russian military delegation visited India to discuss logistics of the exercise.

� INDRA military exercise was launched in 2003 as bilateral exercise between India and Russia to boost cooperation

and interoperability between navies of two countries.

� India and Bangladesh have agreed to institute Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT) as an annual exercise between navies of

two neighboring countries. The first edition of CORPAT between two navies was inaugurated by Indian Navy’s Chief

Admiral Sunil Lanba during his visit to Bangladesh.

� The institution of CORPAT between India and Bangladesh is considered as major step towards enhanced operational

interaction between both navies.

� Bangladesh PM- Sheikh Hasina, Capital- Dhaka, Currency- Bangladeshi Taka

� The 26th edition World’s largest multilateral naval exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) began off Hawaii in the

western Pacific Ocean from June 27 to August 2, 2018 attended by navies of 26 countries including India.

� The navies of India and Indonesia participated in Passage Exercise (PASSEX).

� Indian Naval ships INS Shakti and INS Kamorta under the command of Rear Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Flag Officer

Commanding Eastern Fleet, undertook Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with Indonesian Naval Ship KRI

Madidihang (855) a Stingrays Class Fast Patrol Craft.

� Indonesia Capital: Jakarta, Currency: Indonesian rupiah

SCIENCE & TECHSCIENCE & TECHSCIENCE & TECHSCIENCE & TECHNOLOGYNOLOGYNOLOGYNOLOGY

� Foundation of Sakhi Suraksha Advanced DNA Forensic Laboratory was laid in the campus of Central Forensic

Science Lab (CFSL), Chandigarh. It is India’s first advanced forensic lab dedicated for crimes related to women for

timely deliver justice.

� India successfully test fired its indigenously developed Agni- 5 missile (surface to surface) on 3rd June. The missile

was launched from Dr Abdul Kalam Island (Wheeler Island) off the Odisha coast.

� The Ministry of Railways introduced two mobile applications ‘Rail MADAD’ and ‘Menu on Rails’ to improve the

travelling experience.

� ISRO’s rocket sciences arm Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) has decided to transfer its own in-house lithium ion

(Li ion) cell technology to successful Indian industries and start-ups on non-exclusive basis in automobiles for Rs. 1

crore.

� The initiative aims to accelerate development of indigenous electric vehicle (EV) industry and reduce dependence of

imported lithium ion cell technology.

� Researchers at the University of Michigan America have developed the world's smallest computer 'Michigan Micro

Mote'.

� The Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu has launched a mobile application “ReUnite”. It will trace the

missing and abandoned children in India.


14

SPORTSSPORTSSPORTSSPORTS

� India’s talismanic football team captain Sunil Chhetri became joint second highest international goal scorer among

active players along with Argentine superstar footballer Lionel Messi.

� Bangladesh won the Women’s Asia T20 Cup 2018 at the Kinrara Academy Oval in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

� India won three more medals on the 3rd and penultimate day of Asian Junior Athletics Championships held in Gifu,

Japan, making the medal overall tally: 3 gold, 1 silver and 9 bronze medals.

� The prestigious Polly Umrigar Award for the best international cricketer (2016-17 and 2017-18) to held in Bengaluru

on June 12," by BCCI.

� AWARD WINNERS FOR 2016-17 SEASON

• Col CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award: Late Mr Pankaj Roy

• BCCI Lifetime Achievement Award for Women: Diana Edulji (declined)

• Polly Umrigar Award: Virat Kohli

• Best International Cricketer (Women): Harmanpreet Kaur

• Madhavrao Scindia Award (Highest Scorer In The Ranji Trophy In 2016-17): Priyank K Panchal of Gujarat

� AWARD WINNERS OF 2017-18 • Col Ck Nayudu lifetime achievement award: Anshuman Gaekwad

• BCCI Lifetime Achievement Award For Women: Sudha Shah

• Polly Umrigar Award: Virat Kohli

• Best International Cricketer (Women): Smriti Mandhana

• Madhavrao Scindia Award (Highest Scorer In The Ranji Trophy In 2017-18): Mayank Agarwal of Karnataka

� India Women's Cricket team opener Smriti Mandhana to become the first Indian player to appear in Kia Super

League-the women's cricket super league in England.

� Commonwealth Games 2018 gold-medal winning shuttler Kidambi Srikanth, was honored as the Sportsperson of

the Year for 2017 by the Sports Illustrated India magazine at the Roseate House, Aerocity in New Delhi.

� Indian Archer Deepika Kumari won her first individual Gold Medal in six years at the Salt Lake World Cup following a

7-3 win over Germany’s Michelle Kroppen in the recurve final.

� Indian swimmer Sandeep Sejwal won gold medal in men’s 50 meter breaststroke event at the Singapore National

Swimming Championships in Singapore.

� Indian archer Deepika Kumari has won gold medal in the women’s recurve event at the World Cup (Stage III) event

at Salt Lake City US.

� R. Pragannanda of India has become the youngest in the country and the second youngest chess Grandmaster in the

world.

� The ICC Women’s World T20, to be held in the West Indies from 2018-November 9 to 24.

AWARDS &AWARDS &AWARDS &AWARDS & HONOURSHONOURSHONOURSHONOURS

� Veteran film actor Anupam Kher will be given the prestigious Lifetime Achievement honour at the upcoming 19th

edition International Indian Film Academy awards ceremony in Bangkok.

� Renowned social activist and founder of Sulabh International, Dr Bindeshwar Pathak was honoured with the Japan’s

prestigious Nikkei Asia Prize for his contribution to Asia’s development.

� Ministry of Women & Child Development minister Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi receives the ‘Best Performing Social

Sector Ministry’ SKOCH Award for its Achievements and Initiatives.

� The flagship schemes Beti Bachao Beti Padhao has achieved huge success within a very short period of time.

� The Minister further shared the details on the achievements of the Ministry including 6 months maternity leave,

Sexual Harassment at Workplace Act, SHe-box, one stop centres, and Universal Women helpline (181), 33 per

cent reservation in police.

� Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje was awarded the ‘Chief Minister of the Year’ award for her extraordinary

work in e-governance, at the 52nd Skoch Summit, in New Delhi.

� Pallavi Durua, who belongs to Odisha's Koraput district, was crowned as the first Tribal Queen at the Adi Rani

Kalinga Tribal Queen competition held at Utkal Mandap.

� Madhya Pradesh was awarded by Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for reducing maternal mortality

under Prime Minister’s Safe Motherhood Campaign (Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan-PMSMA). The state

was awarded for registering unprecedented 48-digit decline in maternal deaths from 2014 to 2016 as per report of

Registrar General of India (RGI).


15


16

PERSON APPOINTED /PERSON APPOINTED /PERSON APPOINTED /PERSON APPOINTED / RESIGNEDRESIGNEDRESIGNEDRESIGNED

� The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of IDBI Bank Mr. Mukesh Kumar Jain has been appointed as fourth RBI Deputy

Governor for a 3 year term.

� The Appointments Committee of Cabinet (ACC) has appointed S Ramesh, member of Central Board of Indirect Taxes

and Customs (CBIC) as its next Chairman. He will succeed present chairman Vanaja N. Sarna who retires in June 2018.

� President Ram Nath Kovind has appointed former National Investigation Agency (NIA) chief Sharad Kumar as

vigilance commissioner in Central Vigilance Commission (CVC).

� State Bank of India’s Managing Director B Sriram was appointed as the MD and CEO of IDBI Bank for a temporary

term of 3 months.

� IDBI Headquarter–Mumbai, Tag line–Banking For All, “Aao Sochein Bada”

� The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has cleared the appointment of Inder Jit Singh as the coal

secretary.

� Music composer A R Rahman has been named the Brand Ambassador of Sikkim government.

� The Chief Economic Advisor (CEA) of India, Arvind Subramanian had resigned from the post and will return to the US

because of "pressing family commitments". The announcement was made by Mr Arun Jaitley.

� The Government has appointed Arijit Basu as managing director of the country’s largest lender State Bank of India.

� The Union Government has appointed Anant Barua as whole-time member of the Securities and Exchange Board

of India (SEBI).

� Bandhan Bank appointed former RBI deputy governer Harun Rashid Khan as non- executive part time chairman.

OBITUARYOBITUARYOBITUARYOBITUARY

� Senior journalist and author Raj Kishore passed away recently.

� Freedom fighter and member of the first Lok Sabha, Kandaala Subrahmanya Tilak has passed away.

� Veteran journalist and editor of the Rising Kashmir newspaper Shujaat Bukhari passed away.

� Senior journalist and writer Adiraju Venkateswara Rao passed away.

� Noted socialist Keshav Rao Jadhav has passed away.

BOOKS & AUTHORSBOOKS & AUTHORSBOOKS & AUTHORSBOOKS & AUTHORS

� IT and Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has released Bhagat Singh jail diary book in New Delhi.

� Union Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Shipping, Road Transport &

Highways Nitin Gadkari released a book ‘Water productivity mapping of major Indian crops’ published by

NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development) at an event in New Delhi.

� World Wildlife Fund-India has launched its first-ever comic book named ‘The Great Indian Nature Trail with Uncle

Bikky’. The book was launched by Bikram Grewal, ornithologist and author, and Ravi Singh, Secretary and CEO, WWF-

India.

� Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu received the book “Vedvigyan Alok” (Maharishi Aitareya Mahidas Praneet –

Aitareya Brahmina ki Vaigyanik Vyakhya) written by Acharya Agnivarat Naishthik.

Days|Week|YearDays|Week|YearDays|Week|YearDays|Week|Year

� 5th June 2018:-World Environment Day.

� Theme :-Beat Plastic Pollution

� 8th June 2018World Oceans Day.

� Theme:-Preventing plastic pollution and encouraging solutions for a healthy ocean.

� 12 June 2018: World Day against Child Labour.

� Theme: - ‘Generation Safe & Healthy’.

� 13th June 2018:- International Albinism Awareness Day.

� Theme: - “shining our light to the world”.

� 14th June 2018:-World Blood Donor Day.

� Theme: - Be there for someone else.

� 15th June 2018:- The World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

� Theme:-Moving from Awareness to Action through Human Rights based approach.

� 17th June 2018:-World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought.

� Theme:- “Land has true value–invest in”

� 20th June 2018:- World Refugee Day.

� Theme: “Now More Than Ever, We Need to Stand with Refugees.”


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� 21st June 2018:-4th International Yoga Day.

� Theme: “Yoga for peace”.

� 23rd June 2018: International Widows Day.

� 25th June 2018:-Day of the seafarer.

� Theme:-“seafarers’ wellbeing”.

� 26th June 2018: Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

� Theme: "Listen first - Listening to children and youth is the first step to help them grow healthy and safe."

� 27th June 2018:- Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day.

� Slogan: The Youth Dimension.

� 29th June 2018:-National Statistics Day.

� Theme:-“Quality Assurance in Official Statistics”.

Documents

Current Affairs : June - 2018 1 - Banking Academy · stPhase 1 iconic places are: Ajmer Sharif Dargah, CST Mumbai, Kamakhya Temple, Golden Temple, Maikarnika Ghat, Meenakshi Temple,