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January 2020

Monthly Current Affairs

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Table of Contents
Banking ............................................................................................................. 3
Economy ............................................................................................................ 7
National ........................................................................................................... 11
International ................................................................................................... 19
State ................................................................................................................ 21
Sports .............................................................................................................. 28
Agreements ..................................................................................................... 33
Schemes .......................................................................................................... 37
Appointments .................................................................................................. 39
Awards ............................................................................................................ 46
Ranks & Reports .............................................................................................. 50
Important Days ............................................................................................... 54
Summit & Conferences .................................................................................... 56
Science & Technology ...................................................................................... 60
Defence ........................................................................................................... 64
Books & Authors .............................................................................................. 65
Miscellaneous .................................................................................................. 66
Obituary .......................................................................................................... 67
Person in news ................................................................................................ 68
Insurance ........................................................................................................ 70
India & World .................................................................................................. 71
Environment .................................................................................................... 72
Apps & Portals ................................................................................................. 73
Acquisitions & Mergers .................................................................................... 76

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Banking

1. UPI records Rs 1.31 bn transactions in December

Unified Payments Interface registered over Rs. 1.31 bn transactions with the total
value crossing Rs. 2 trillion in Dec 2019, almost a 7% growth, as per NPCI data. UPI
has majorly been dominated by private players such as PhonePe, Google Pay & Paytm

BHIM UPI QR-based payments were launched in Singapore (Nov 2019).

2. Indian Bank sings MoU with Women Entrepreneurs Welfare Association to

provide credit

Indian Bank has signed an MoU with the Women Entrepreneurs Welfare Association
(WEWA), Tamil Nadu, to offer training and credit linking to women
members/entrepreneurs of the association to establish businesses. WEWA aims at
adding 1,000 members by 2023.

Padmaja Chunduru, MD and CEO, Indian Bank.

3. Indian Overseas Bank gets Rs 4,360 Cr from Centre

Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) has received capital infusion of Rs 4,360 crore from the
Central government as contribution of the government in preferential allotment of
equity shares during the financial year 2019-20 (FY20) as government’s investment

IOB is under the Prompt Corrective Action (PCA) framework of RBI.

4. UCO Bank extends credit linkage to 10,000 self-help groups

UCO Bank announced that it has recovered ₹800-900 crore from 4 large stressed
accounts in the December quarter under the bankruptcy law and is extending credit
linkage to 10,000 Self Help Groups & opening 2 urban Bank Mitra centres in Kolkata

UCO Bank is a PSB headquartered in Kolkata.

5. Equitas Bank waives non-maintenance charges on all savings account

Equitas Small Finance Bank has waived non-maintenance charges on all savings
account. As per CRISIL, it is the largest small finance bank in India in terms of number
of banking outlets & 2nd largest in terms of assets under management & total
deposits

Equitas Small Finance Bank HQ: Chennai.

6. Shivalik, first UCB to convert into Small finance bank

Shivalik Mercantile Co-operative Bank Limited has become the first urban cooperative
bank (UCB) that has been granted ‘in-principle’ permission to convert into a small
finance bank by the Reserve Bank of India. Yashvir Kumar Gupta is Chairman of the
bank.

The ‘in-principle’ approval will be valid for 18 months

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7. Paytm launches unified QR code for merchants to enable unlimited

payments

Paytm launched all-in-one QR for merchants across the country to enable business to
accept unlimited payments through Paytm Wallet, Rupay Cards & all UPI-based
payment apps directly into their bank account at 0% fee.

Paytm ‘Business Khata' complementing all-in-one QR also launched

8. RBI amends KYC norms, allows banks to use V-CIP

The RBI has amended the KYC norms allowing banks and other lending institutions
regulated by it to use Video based Customer Identification Process (V-CIP), a move
which will help them onboard customers remotely. V-CIP is a consent based
alternative method.

Video recording should be stored in a safe and secure manner.

9. SBI announces 'residential builder finance with buyer guarantee' scheme

SBI has announced RBBG scheme aims at giving a push to residential sales and
improve homebuyers' confidence. Under this scheme, SBI will issue a guarantee for
completion of select residential projects to customers who have availed home loans
from it.

Guarantee will be till the project gets Occupation Certificate.

10. Axis Mutual Fund announces 'Axis All Seasons Debt Fund of Funds'

Axis Mutual Fund launched its new fund 'Axis All Seasons Debt Fund of Funds'. The
‘FoF' will invest in funds from across fund houses and across different categories of the
debt market with an intention to generate an optimal return over the medium term.

It will invest in debt-oriented mutual fund schemes.

11. RBI allows SIP payments through Unified Payments Interface (UPI)

In a move that can further increase the mass market appeal of mutual funds, RBI
allowed Systematic Investment Plan (SIPs) to be registered via UPI (Unified Payments
Interface).It will apply to SIPs meaning that an SIP up to ₹2,000 can be registered via
UPI.

UPI currently has around 10 crore users.

12. RBI places restrictions on Sri Guru Raghavendra Sahakara Bank

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has placed restrictions on Sri Guru Raghavendra
Sahakara Bank, which includes a withdrawal limit of Rs 35,000 for customers. The
instructions were issued under Section 35 A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.

It is Bengaluru-based private lender bank.

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13. Yes Bank acquires 30% stake in Reliance Power arm

Yes Bank has acquired around 30% stake pursuant to invocation of pledged shares by
acquiring the post-issue paid-up share capital of Rosa Power Supply Company Ltd, a
wholly owned subsidiary of Reliance Power Ltd

Rosa Thermal plant (1,200 MW): Shahjahanpur, UP.

14. Fintech firm Groww launches Financial Education initiative across 52

Indian cities

Groww has launched financial education initiative "Ab India Karega Invest", to bridge
investors’ knowledge gap. As per the initiative, the Groww team will tour 52 select
cities in 52 weeks & conduct conferences to explain the nuances of investing

Financial Stability Report is published by RBI.

15. RBI issues new debit & credit card rules to improve convenience, security

RBI has asked banks to allow only domestic card transactions at ATMs & PoS terminals
in India at the time of issuance/reissuance of card. For new cards, it will be effective
from 16 March 2020. These provisions, are not mandatory for prepaid gift cards

Users to have 24x7 access to switch ON/OFF transaction limits.

16. RBI tells urban cooperative banks to report credits of ₹5 crore & above

RBI has asked urban cooperative banks to report exposures of ₹5 crore or more to a
central repository, within a month of end-of-quarter comprising 3 sections: exposure
to large borrowers, reporting written-off accounts & reporting of balance in CA

Cooperative banks are jointly regulated by RBI & state govt.

17. ICICI Bank introduces OTP-based login service for net banking

ICICI Bank has introduced a facility to enable the bank’s customers to log-in to their
internet banking account using their registered mobile number, OTP & their debit card
PIN which involves the same two-factor authentication process

ICICI Bank CEO: Sandeep Bakhshi; HQ: Mumbai.

18. RBI Announces Fourth Round of Operation Twist

RBI will conduct a fourth round of simultaneous purchase and sale of government
bonds on Jan. 23, under its special open market operations being dubbed as
‘Operation Twist’.This policy is inspired by the U.S. Federal Reserve’s Operation Twist
strategy.

Michael Debabrata Patra recently appointed 4th RBI Dy. Governor.

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19. RBI releases minutes of board meeting for first time

The Reserve Bank of India has taken a step-in improving transparency of its business
at the board meetings by releasing the minutes of the meeting, for the first time. The
minutes disclosed that the 579th central board meeting held in October 11.

RBI Governor- Shaktikanta Das

20. RBI scraps certificate of authorisation of Vodafone's mobile payment app

The Reserve Bank of India cancelled the Certificate of Authorisation (CoA) of Vodafone
m-pesa on account of voluntary surrender of authorisation. Now, the company cannot
transact the business of issuance and operation of prepaid payment instruments.

Vodafone m-pesa was given payments bank by the RBI in 2015.

21. India & World Bank sign Agreement of 210 million USD in agriculture and
rural transformation

GOI, Maharashtra & the World Bank signed a loan agreement of USD 210 mn to
support small holder farmers participate in competitive agriculture value chains,
facilitate agri-business investments & build resilience of crops to floods/droughts in
Maharashtra.

Named as Maharashtra Agribusiness & Rural Transformation Project.

22. RBI fines HDFC Bank ₹1 crore for non-compliance of KYC norms

RBI has imposed a penalty of ₹1 crore on HDFC Bank for non-compliance with its KYC
norms.it has imposed the penalty in exercise of powers under the provisions of section
47 A (1) (c) read with section 46 (4) (i) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.

HDFC Bank longest-serving chief Aditya Puri

23. Kotak Mahindra Bank gets RBI nod to cap promoters’ voting rights at
20% till March

Kotak Mahindra Bank said the RBI accepted promoters' voting rights to be capped at
20% till March. The RBI's licensing rules mandate a private bank's promoter to pare
holding to 40% within 3 years, 20 percent in 10 years and 15 percent within 15 years.

Voting rights in the bank will be capped to 15% from April 1.

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Policy/Exchange rate & Percentage

Reserve ratio
Repo rate 5.15%
Reverse Repo rate 4.90%
Marginal Standing Facility 5.40%
(MSF) rate
Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) 4%
Statutory Liquidity Ratio 18.25%
(SLR)
Bank Rate 5.40%

Economy

1. ₹1,03,184 of gross GST revenue collected in December 2019

GST revenues during the December 2019 from domestic transactions has shown an
impressive growth of 16% over revenue during December 2018. Total revenue earned
by after regular settlement in December 2019 is ₹ 41,776 crore for CGST; ₹ 42,158
crore for SGST

Arunachal Pradesh saw a growth of 124% in collection of GST.

2. SEBI modifies rating withdrawal norms for CRAs

SEBI has tightened the noose around the corporates, saying if companies are not
cooperating with credit rating agencies (CRAs) on disclosure of loan defaults, then the
latter should issue INC (Issuer not cooperating) ratings.

Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).

3. NLC India to raise up to Rs 2,000 crore through commercial paper

NLC India Ltd on Saturday announced its plans to raise up to Rs 2,000 crore through
commercial paper. NLC India Ltd is a Navratna company under the ministry of coal,
having 5 pithead thermal power stations with an aggregate capacity of 3240 MW.

Commercial paper is an unsecured, short-term debt instrument.

4. RBI allows 24x7 forex market operations via select banks

The Reserve Bank of India has enabled local banks to offer round-the-clock trading in
the Indian rupee, as a step towards reducing the rising influence of offshore trading in
the currency markets.

Avg. daily volume of rupee trading in India- $34.49 bn. (sep,19).

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5. Operation Twist-III: RBI buys and sells bonds worth ₹10k crore each

In the 3rd special open market operation in as many weeks, Reserve Bank of India
(RBI) bought ₹10,000 crore of three long-term securities while selling a same amount
of three short-term bonds. It received ₹47,540 cr. of bids but accepted to sell ₹10,000
cr.

RBI has reduced the repo rate by 135 basis points.

6. India's GDP growth rate for 2019-20 estimated at 5%, says NSO

Indian economy is estimated to grow at 5% in 2019-20 as against 6.8% in the

previous fiscal, according to the 1st advanced estimates of the national income
released by NSO. The decline has been on account of deceleration in manufacturing
sector growth.

NSO-National Statistical Office.

7. India’s per-capita income rises 6.8 per cent to 11,254 a month in FY20

According to Government data on national income, the country’s per-capita monthly

income is estimated to have risen by 6.8 per cent to Rs 11,254 during 2019-20. In
2018-19, the monthly per-capita income had stood at Rs 10,534.

Per capita means per person or "by the head" in Latin.

8. CCI Releases Market Study on E-commerce in India

Report released presents key trends identified such as issues of lack of platform
neutrality, unfair P2B contract terms, exclusive contracts b/w online marketplace
platforms & sellers/service providers, platform price parity restriction & deep discounts

CCI is responsible for enforcing The Competition Act, 2002.

9. RBI releases national strategy for financial inclusion

RBI) has chalked out an ambitious strategy for financial inclusion till 2024, in which it
aims to strengthen the ecosystem for various modes of digital financial services in all
Tier-II to Tier VI centres to create the necessary infrastructure.

National Strategy for Financial Inclusion period-2019-24.

10. RBI buys 15 tonnes of gold in Oct-Nov

The Reserve Bank of India stepped up hedging against currency volatility by

purchasing 0.48 million troy ounces, close to 15 tonnes, of gold in October-November.
This is the highest bi-monthly gold purchase by the central bank.

Value of gold in reserves rose by $6.2 billion in 2019.

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11. Retail inflation jumps to about 5-yr high of 7.35% in Dec 2019

Retail inflation rose to about 5-and-half year high of 7.35% in December 2019 mainly
due to rise in prices of vegetables as onions. As per NSO reports, the spike in inflation
in the vegetable segment was 60.5% during the month compared to December 2018.

Overall retail inflation based on CPI-5.54% in November 2019.

12. SEBI suspends registration of stockbroker Jagruti Securities for 1 year

Markets regulator SEBI suspended the registration of stockbroker Jagruti Securities

Ltd for one year for violating Stockbrokers Regulations. The probe found that the
stockbroker failed to pay nearly Rs 17.9 lakh to one of its clients.

SEBI also levied a fine of Rs 5 lakh on Venky Hi-tech Ispat Ltd.

13. Govt to de-criminalise Income Tax Act, anti-money laundering law: FM

Govt to decriminalise Income Tax Act & the Prevention of Money Laundering Act as
part of steps towards taking the country to a $5 trillion economy, FM N Sitharaman
announced at the Nani Palkhivala centenary celebrations in Chennai.

Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 came into force in 2005.

14. Rs 70,000 Cr loan amount disbursed till Jan 13 under MSMEs scheme:
Govt

Finance Ministry has said that a loan amount of nearly Rs 70,000 has been disbursed
till 13th of this month under the scheme of providing loan to Micro Small & Medium
Enterprises through a dedicated online portal- www.psbloansin59 minutes.com

Union Finance Minister of State: Anurag Singh Thakur.

15. RBI raises investment limit for FPIs in debt

According to the current norms, short-term investments by a foreign portfolio investor

(FPI) should not exceed 20 per cent of the total investment of that FPI in either
central government securities (including treasury bills) or state development loans.

Short-term investment limit has now increased from 20% to 30%.

16. GDP to grow by 5.5% in FY21 but downside risks persist: India Ratings

According to the India Ratings and Research report, India's growth rate is expected to
be marginally higher at 5.5 per cent in 2020-21 against the estimated 5 per cent for
the current fiscal on the back of strong policy push coupled with revival in demand.

Retail and wholesale inflation expected to be 4.9% and 1.3%.

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17. Fiscal deficit may widen to 3.8% for current financial year: Bank of
America Securities

The country's fiscal deficit for 2019-20 is expected to widen to 3.8% and the
upcoming Budget may set a target of 3.5 per cent for 2020-21, as per the Bank of
America Securities report. It also predicted the long-term fiscal deficit being at 4.5 per
cent.

Cost of the 2% subvention will come at Rs 21,100 Cr.

18. SEBI plans to rationalise margin system in derivatives segment to bring

down trading cost

SEBI is planning to rationalise margin system in derivatives segments to boost

liquidity and bring down trading cost. SEBI had asked trading and clearing members to
compulsorily collect upfront certain margins from their clients in the cash segment.

The move became effective from January 1, 2020.

19.India exports 3.2 million bales of cotton in first quarter of cotton year
2019-20

India exported 3.2 million bales of cotton during the first quarter of the cotton year
that began on October 1, said trade body Cotton Association of India (CAI), which
expects the total exports till September 2020 to hit 42 lakh bales.

Government of India has fixed a weight of 170 kg for a bale.

20. India’s Growth to Decelerate to 5% in 2019-2020: World Bank

World Bank has projected a 5% growth rate for India in the 2019-2020 fiscal, but said
it was likely to recover to 5.8% in the 2020-2021 financial year. The growth rate for
Bangladesh has been projected to remain above 7%

Global economic growth is forecast to edge up to 2.5%

21. IMF lowers India's 2019 growth forecast to 4.8% from 6.1%

International Monetary Fund (IMF) has lowered India's growth forecast for 2019 to 4.8
per cent from 6.1 per cent it projected in October on the back of sharp decline in
consumer demand, stress in the NBFC sector and sluggish credit growth.

Kristalina Georgieva, MD and Chairman of IMF.

22. FPIs infuse Rs 1,624 crore in Indian markets in January

As per latest depositories data, Foreign portfolio investors put-in a net of 13,304 crore
rupees, in equities and withdrew a net 11,680 crore rupees from the debt segment
between January 1 and 24. This translates into a total net inflow of ₹1,624 crore.

FPIs can now invest in exchange traded funds or ETFs.

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23. FICCI survey projects FY20 GDP growth at 5%, to improve to 5.5% in
FY21

Industry body FICCI said its Economic Outlook Survey has projected the country's
annual median GDP growth for 2019-20 at 5%, in line with the forecasts made by
NSO. Survey has put the growth forecast for agriculture & allied activities at 2.6% for
2019-20.

Organization/Parameters Rate/Figures
National Statistical Office (GDP) 5% (FY 2019-20)
Government data (Per capita income) Rises by 6.8% (FY
2019-20)
National Statistical Office (Retail 7.35% (December
inflation) 2019)
India ratings (GDP) 5.5% (FY21)
Bank of America Securities (Fiscal 3.8% (FY 2019-20),
Deficit) 3.5% (FY 2020-21)
World Bank (Growth Rate Forecast) 5% (FY 2019-20)
IMF (Growth Forecast) 4.8% (FY 2019)
FICCI 5% (FY 2019-20)

National

1. Nirmala Sitharaman unveils ₹102 lakh crore worth infra projects for next 5
years

FM Nirmala Sitharaman unveiled ₹102 lakh crore worth infrastructure projects that will
be implemented in the next five years. Those projects will help make India a $5 trillion
economy by 2025.The plan calls for a ₹13.6 lakh crore investment in 2019-20.

Nearly ₹25 lakh crore energy projects have been lined up.

2. AAI to Set Up 3 Water Aerodromes in Andaman and Nicobar, First Time in

India

Airports Authority of India is in the process of seeking environmental clearance from

the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change for three water aerodromes in
Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Total Investment Cost is ₹ 50 Crore.

Water aerodromes will be set up in Long, Swaraj & Shaheed Island

3. Panel for BSNL and MTNL revival set up

A 7-member group of ministers (GoM) has been constituted to oversee the

implementation of the Rs 69,000-crore revival plan for state-owned BSNL and MTNL.
The group will expedite smooth implementation of recent decisions taken on revival of
BSNL & MTNL.

MTNL has reported losses in nine of the past 10 years

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4. Railways renames RPF as Indian Railway Protection Force Service

The Railways has renamed its security force RPF (Railway Protection Force) as Indian
Railway Protection Force Service. The ministry of railways has accorded organised
Group A status to RPF and renamed it.

Chairman Railway Board - V. K. Yadav.

5. Indian Railways launches integrated helpline number 139

Railways has integrated its helpline numbers into a single number 139- available in 12
languages, for quick grievance redressal & enquiries by passengers during their train
journeys which will take over all the existing helpline numbers

It is based on Interactive Voice Response System

6. Union HRD Minister inaugurates New Delhi World Book Fair 2020

Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nisank’ inaugurated the 28th edition of New Delhi World Book Fair
2020 (NDWBF) at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi. Theme of the event is " GANDHI:
WRITERS’ WRITER". It provides a platform for B2B activities for publishers from India
& abroad

2nd Oct 2019 marked 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi

7. ISRO sets up academic centre in Karnataka, to provide ₹2 crore grant

Indian Space Research Organisation set up a regional academic centre for space at the
National Institute of Technology (NITK) at Surathkal in Karnataka's southwest
Dakshina Kannada district to provide ₹2 crore grant annually to NIT for the R&D
projects

Patent generated in projects to be jointly owned by ISRO & NITK

8. Indian Railways starts all new Vistadome train in Kalka-Shimla route

Indian Railways has recently unveiled Him Darshan Express, a special train comprising
all-new Vistadome coaches which runs between Kalka railway station to Shimla. It is
the 1st train with Vistadome to run on a regular basis

Integral Coach Factory is in Perambur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu

9. India's service sector activity growth hits 5-month high in Dec: PMI

IHS Markit India Services Business Activity Index improved from 52.7 in Nov to 53.3
in Dec & Composite PMI Output Index that maps both the manufacturing & services
sector, rose from 52.7 in Nov to 53.7, reflecting stronger rates of expansion in both
sector

Purchasing Managers' Index shows direction of economic trends

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10. Piyush Goyal inaugurates NSE Knowledge Hub

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal inaugurated the National Stock
Exchange (NSE) Knowledge Hub, an Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered learning
ecosystem that will assist the banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI) sector.

It is available on mobiles and will bring world class content.

11. Cabinet clears over Rs 5000 crore for setting up N-E Natural Gas Pipeline
Grid

CCEA approved capital grant as viability gap funding of Rs 5,599 Cr for setting up the
North-East Natural Gas Pipeline Grid to Indradhanush Gas Grid Ltd. In 2016, the govt
provided a capital grant to Jagdishpur-Haldia & Bokaro-Dhamra gas pipeline project

Gas Pipeline Grid to be developed in all 8 states of N-E region

12. NSE introduces cross margining facility

National Stock Exchange has introduced cross-margining facility to offset positions in

corelated equity indices to increase liquidity & trading volumes in stock markets
allowing market participants to reduce the total margin payment required

SEBI, in 2008 allowed the same across cash & equity derivatives

13. Cabinet approves strategic sale of Neelachal Ispat

Union Cabinet approved a proposal to divest equity shares of 4 PSUs - MMTC, NMDC,
BHEL and MECON - in Neelachal Ispat Ltd. Neelachal Ispat is a JV, in which these 4
CPSEs & state PSUs of Odisha, IPICOL & OMC, are shareholders

Union Minister of Coal: Pralhad Joshi

14. Census India-2021 to begin on 1st April 2020

Census India-2021 will begin on 1st of April 2020 and will end on 30th of September.
Census India-2021 will be conducted through a mobile phone application, moving
away from the traditional pen and paper. The 15th Indian Census took place in 2011.

It is the 16th Indian Census and 8th after Independence.

15. Over 1000 Fast Track Special Courts to be set up for speedy disposal of
rape, POCSO cases

Over 1000 Fast Track Special Courts will be set up in the country for speedy disposal
of cases relating to rape & Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
These courts will be set-up as a part of the National Mission for Safety of Women.

Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2018 has already enacted.

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16. South Asian Trade and Travel Exchange Expo 2020 begins in New Delhi

South Asian Trade & Travel Exchange Expo-2020 sponsored by J&K Tourism Dept &
supported by Ministry of Tourism has begun in New Delhi. The 27th Edition of SATTE
has witnessed participation of over 1,000 delegates from over 50 countries & 28
Indian states.

SATTE is an important avenue for the promotion of tourism.

17. Access to Internet is a fundamental right, rules Supreme Court

In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court said that access to the Internet is a
fundamental right under Article 19 of the Constitution. 5-judge bench headed by
Justice NV Ramana also asked the Jammu and Kashmir administration to restore
Internet services.

The verdict came on a batch of pleas.

18. PM Modi to launch capacity augmentation projects worth 600 Cr on 150th

year celebrations of Kolkata Port Trust

PM Narendra Modi to inaugurate the 150-year celebrations of the Kolkata Port Trust.
He will launch various capacity augmentation projects of the Kolkata Port Trust worth
600 crore rupees. The projects will be related to shipping and heritage conservation.

It is the only riverine Major Port in India, situated 232 kms.

19. Lohri-Festival of harvest being celebrated in North India

Lohri is being celebrated in North India especially in Punjab, Haryana, Himachal

Pradesh, Delhi, J&K & Chandigarh. It marks the end of the long nights of winter and
welcomes the longer days of summer as the Sun begins to move to the Northern
Hemisphere.

Lohri is mostly associated with crop harvesting and happiness.

20. Road & highways Ministry proposes Rs 14 thousand Cr plan for enhancing
road safety

Road, Transport & Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has said that World Bank & Asian
Development Bank have approved 7000 Cr each to remove black spots and enhance
road safety. Tamil Nadu has been awarded the best performing state in reducing road
accidents.

Road Safety Stakeholders' Meet held in New Delhi.

21. Makar Sankranti festival being celebrated in several parts of country

Makar Sankranti is being celebrated in various parts of the country with religious
fervour. It also comes as Thanksgiving to Mother Nature. In Gujarat, Makar Sankranti-
is popularly known as Uttarayan and the main attraction is international kite festival.

Makar means Capricorn whereas Sankranti denotes transition.

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22. Bhogi: being celebrated in South India

Bhogi is being celebrated in Tamil Nadu & several other parts of South India. It marks
the last day of the month of Maargazhi in the Tamil calendar. On Bhogi day, redundant
or unusable materials are disposed of, to welcome the auspicious Pongal festival.

Bhogi is a prelude to the grand Pongal festivities.

23. 34,000 Bru refugees to be settled in Tripura

Union MHA Amit Shah presided over signing of a quadripartite pact of MHA with State
govts of Tripura, Mizoram & leaders of Bru community to permanently settle 34,000
internally displaced people in Tripura & sanctioned around ₹600 crore as a settlement
pack

Brus are the second largest ethnic group in Mizoram

24. HURL launches ‘Apna Urea - Sona Ugle’ brand

Fertiliser Minister DV Sadananda Gowda launched the ‘Apna Urea - Sona Ugle’ brand
of Hindustan Urvarak & Rasayan Limited (HURL) for the revival of 3 sick urea plants
located at Gorakhpur, Sindri and Barauni & also unveiled the company’s logo.

HURL is a JV company b/w IOCL, NTPC & Coal India

25. Govt sets up National Start-up Advisory Council

Govt. has set up a National Start-up Advisory Council to advise the Centre on
measures needed to build a strong ecosystem for nurturing innovation & start-ups in
the country. It will suggest measures to foster a culture of innovation among students
& others.

The Council, which will be chaired by the commerce minister.

26. Govt approves raising FDI in Bharti Airtel to 100% from 49% allowed
earlier

DoT has approved raising of foreign direct investment in Bharti Airtel to 100 per cent
from 49 per cent allowed earlier. The company also has the approval of the RBI) that
allowed foreign investors to hold up to 74 per cent stake in the company.

Department of Telecom (DoT), is under Ministry of Communications

27. Cabinet approves over Rs 4300 Cr to establish permanent campuses for

new NITs

Union Cabinet approved Revised Cost Estimates for establishment of permanent

campuses of new National Institutes of Technology (NITs) at a total cost of 4371.90 Cr
Rs for the period till 2021-2022. NITs were established in 2009 with very limited
spaces.

They started functioning from academic year 2010-2011.

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28. Jaipur Literature Festival begins

Jaipur Literature Festival will begin on 23 January. About 500 speakers of different
fields are participating in the festival, which is currently in its 13th year. The 5-day
event will have 200 sessions & will be attended by 500 speakers from 20 countries.

Broad Themes are climate, constitution, poetry, and AI.

29. Election Commission of India to host 10th Annual Meeting of Forum of

Election Management Bodies of South Asia in New Delhi

ECI will host 10th Annual Meeting of the Forum of Election Management Bodies of
South Asia. ECI will take over the Chair of the forum for the year 2020. International
Conference on the theme ‘Strengthening Institutional Capacity’ is also being
organized.

The forum was established at New Delhi in 2012.

30. India achieves complete phase out of one the most potent ozone
depleting chemical

India has successfully achieved the complete phase out of Hydrochlorofluorocarbon

(HCFC)-141 b, which is a chemical used by foam manufacturing enterprises as a
blowing agent & is one of the most potent ozone depleting chemicals after
Chlorofluorocarbons.

Issuance of import license was prohibited from 1 January 2020.

31. ECI organized 1st Sukumar Sen Memorial Lecture

The Election Commission of India (ECI) organized the 1st Sukumar Sen Memorial
Lecture on 23 January. The lecture was organized as a tribute to the 1st Chief Election
Commissioner of India. The memorial lecture was hosted to mark the 70th year of
inception.

Pranab Mukherjee delivered the inaugural lecture.

32. National Conclave on Emerging Opportunities in Natural Gas sector held

in New Delhi

The national conclave on Emerging Opportunities in the natural gas sector was held on
23 January. The present share of gas in the energy basket of the country is 6.2% and
the target is to take it to 15% by 2030. Gujarat has a 26% share of gas-based
energy.

Dharmendra Pradhan presided the conclave.

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33. Cabinet committee approves the closure of Hindustan Fluorocarbons plant

in Telangana

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved shutting down the operations of
the plant and unit of Hindustan Fluorocarbons Limited & closure of the company. HFL
is a Central Public Sector Enterprise under Department of Chemicals & Petrochemicals.

HFL has only one plant located at Rudraram, District Sangareddy.

34. Railway commissions govt's first waste to energy plant

East Coast Railway has commissioned govt's 1st waste-to-energy plant which will turn
e-waste & plastic into light diesel oil in 24 hours. It is the 1st of its kind in Railways &
only the 4th in India. Patented technology called-Polycrack is used in this.

Plant has high tolerance to moisture.

35. National Integration Camp highlighting 'Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat'

scheme begins in Madurai

5-day National Integration Camp, highlighting the Central Government’s 'Ek Bharat,
Shrestha Bharat' scheme has begun in Madurai, Tamil Nadu. Rural artists from more
than 16 States & Union Territories are attending the camp to showcase their unique
talents.

Jammu Kashmir - Ladakh are the cultural partners of Tamil Nadu.

36. Bharat Parv 2020 to begin on 26 January at Red fort ground in New Delhi

Bharat Parv 2020 will begin in New Delhi. Its objective is to encourage people to visit
different tourism places of the country & to inculcate the spirit of ‘Dekho Apna Desh’.
Theme: Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat & Celebrating 150 Years of Mahatma Gandhi.

Programme will be on till 31st January.

37. Indian Railways to run 100% on electricity by 2024: Piyush Goyal

Railways minister Piyush Goyal stated that the Railways is expected to switch
completely to electricity by 2024 as diesel locomotives are steadily being shunted out
of service. It will be the 1st railway network in the world to be run on 100%
electricity.

He was addressing the India-Brazil business forum in New Delhi.

38. NCML released first estimates for 2019-20 rabi crop production

NCML has released its first estimates for 2019-20 rabi crop production. The monsoon
season of 2019 witnessed 10% above normal rainfall. Wheat production during 2019-
20 is estimated at 1090 lakh tonnes. Paddy has increased by 5% compared to
previous year.

NCML-National Collateral Management Services Limited.

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39. Passport Seva Kendras started passport renewal reminder service

2 SMS are being sent to the concerned passport holders - one before 9 months &
another before 7 months of the date of expiry of passport. An ordinary passport for
adults is valid for 10 years from the date of issue and can be renewed for another 10
years.

Validity of minor's is restricted to 5 years/till attain 18 yrs.

40. Centre to release report card of 'smart cities' in June

The central government will release a report card of 100 selected smart cities in 3
categories- ease of living, municipal performance index and climate-in June as the
Smart Cities Mission completes its five years. It will help cities in better planning.

Smart Cities Mission Director-Kunal Kumar.

41. 'Beating the Retreat Ceremony' to be held in New Delhi

Beating the Retreat ceremony, marking the culmination of 4-day long Republic Day
celebrations, will be held at the historic Vijay Chowk in New Delhi on 29 January. It
marks a centuries old military tradition, when the troops withdrew from the battlefield.

The ceremony traces its origins to the early 1950s.

42. 16th edition of Mumbai International Film Festival kicks off

The oldest international event for non-feature films in South Asia-Mumbai

International Film Festival for Documentary, Short Fiction & Animation Films to start
on 29 January. Dr. V Shantaram Lifetime Achievement Award was conferred on Dr. S.
Krishnaswamy.

He is awarded for the contribution to non-fiction filmmaking

43. Cabinet approves upper limit for abortion at 24 weeks

Cabinet gave nod to extend the upper gestation limit for abortion from the existing 20
to 24 weeks, amending the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act,1971.Globally,
pregnancies are aborted even at 32 wks in case there are substantial foetal
abnormalities.

Union Cabinet is led by the Prime Minister.

44. Horticulture output to be 313 million tonnes in 2019-20: First advance

estimates

According to first advance estimates release, Total horticulture production in 2019-20

is expected to be 313.35 million tonnes (mt), about 0.84 per cent higher than 2018-
19. Vegetables production was estimated to be around 183.17 mt.

Fruits production was estimated to be around 97.97 mt.

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International

1. U C Embalo wins Guinea-Bissau presidential election

Former Guinea-Bissau Prime Minister Umaro Cissoko Embalo has been elected
president after winning a run-off vote against another ex-prime minister. Guinea-
Bissau is situated in the Atlantic coast of West African continent

Currency: West African CFA franc

2. Palau is first country to ban 'reef toxic' sun cream

Palau has become 1st country to ban sun cream that is harmful to corals & sea life.
Palau, which lies in the western Pacific about halfway between Australia and Japan, is
renowned for its marine life.

US state of Hawaii announced a similar ban effective from 2021

3. WHO designated 2020 as the ‘Year of the Nurse and the Midwife’

WHO designated the year 2020 as the ‘Year of the Nurse and the Midwife’ in honour of
the 200th birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale. World Health Organization is the
collaborating partner in the three-year ’Nursing Now!’ Campaign (2018–2020).

Campaign aims to raise the status and profile of nursing.

4. UAE launches multi-entry tourist visas for all

The United Arab Emirates introduced a multiple-entry visa scheme valid for 5 years for
all nationalities, with the aim of turning the Gulf state into a tourism hub. It can be
used for multiple entries and is open for all nationalities.

UAE Capital: Abu Dhabi, Currency- Dirham.

5. India continues to be top sourcing market for Sri Lankan tourism

India continued to be the top sourcing market for Sri Lankan tourism with Indian
tourists constituting maximum 19% of total tourist arrivals. India, UK, China,
Germany & Australia were Sri Lanka's top five international tourist generating markets
in 2019.

Sri Lankan President-Gotabaya Rajapaksha.

6. Dhaka International Film Festival begins

The foreign Minister of Bangladesh Dr. A.K. Abdul Momen inaugurated the 18th edition
of the Dhaka International Film Festival. During the festival 220 films from 74
countries will be screened across various venues in Dhaka between 11-19 of January
2020.

Theme: ‘Better Film, Better Audience and Better Society’.

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7. World Bank predicts Sri Lanka’s economic growth at 3.3% for 2020

WB has forecasted Sri Lanka’s economic growth at 3.3% for 2020 saying the growth is
likely to remain below 4% in next 3 years. In 2020 Global Economic Prospects report
WB maintains the same forecast of 3.7% of economic growth in Sri Lanka for 2021
&2022.

Sri Lankan President-Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

8. South Africa to offer online visa facility for Indian tourists

South Africa has put in place online visa facility for Indian tourists on a pilot basis. It is
seeing a 30.2% growth in tourists’ arrivals from India on a y-o-y basis & is expecting
the number of Indian arrivals to grow to 1 lakh in 2020

Currency: SA rand; Capitals: Cape Town, Pretoria, Bloemfontein

9. Google introduces online coding course 'Python' to train workers

The US based tech Google has introduced a new "Google IT Automation with Python
Professional Certificate" a program which is designed to provide job-ready skills in
Python, Git and IT automation in under six months.

Google CEO Sundar Pichai

10. Google parent Alphabet is now a $1 trillion company

Google's parent company Alphabet finally reached $1 trillion mark, thereby becoming
the 4th company in the world to be a part of the exclusive $1 trillion companies club
after Apple, Microsoft & Amazon

Alphabet owns Google and all of its core businesses

11. Tunisia: Former finance minister Elyes Fakhfakh named PM-designate

Former finance minister Elyes Fakhfakh was named prime minister-designate by

Tunisia’s president. Fakhfakh, 47, was named minister of tourism in 2011 before
serving as minister of finance from December 2012 until January 2014.

Current president of Tunisia is Kais Saied; Capital city- Tunis.

12. PM Sheikh Hasina launches e-passport facility in Bangladesh

Bangladesh launched e-passport facility for its citizens. It is the 1st country in South
Asia & 119th country in the world to provide e-passport facility. e-passports will have
an embedded chip which will contain the bio-metric data of the passport holder.

Bangladesh has faced the problem of counterfeit passports.

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13. Qatar signs $470 Million solar deal

Gas-rich Qatar signed a $470-million deal to build its first solar energy plant, capable
of meeting up to one-tenth of peak national power demand. The Al-Kharsaah plant
near Doha is a 10-square-kilometre joint venture with French and Japanese partners.

Production capacity will be around 800 MW and 10%of peak demand.

14. 13th edition of International Children’s Film Festival of Bangladesh

inaugurated

The 13th edition of the International Children’s Film Festival of Bangladesh was
inaugurated in Dhaka. The festival is one of the biggest film events in Bangladesh. It
is the only international film festival for children and young adults of the country.

Theme of this year’s festival is ‘Under the World’.

15. Britain unveils 50 pence coin minted to mark Brexit

Britain unveiled a new 50 pence coin minted to mark the country’s departure from the
European Union, which bears the inscription “Peace, prosperity & friendship with all
nations” and the Brexit date of 31 January 2020. Britain Finance Minister-Sajid Javid.

Britain Capital-London, Currency- Pound Sterling.

16. EU parliament gives final approval to Brexit deal

The European Parliament gave its final approval to Britain’s divorce deal from the bloc,
paving the way for Brexit to take place. The chamber broke into singing Auld Lang
Syne, a traditional Scottish song to bid farewell.

UK govt. formally announced the country's withdrawal- March 2017

State

1. First in country - Andhra Pradesh plans to deliver sand at doorsteps

The YS Jaganmohan Reddy government has decided to door deliver sand to customers
from new year. The govt was facing criticism over sand scarcity in the state after it
suspended the free sand policy of earlier TDP govt. A tone of sand will cost Rs 370.

4.90 Rs/Km should be given as transportation charge.

2. Kerala CM launches K-RERA to bring transparency in real estate sector

With an aim to boost the confidence of customers and bring in more transparency in
the real estate sector, CM Pinarayi Vijayan launched the Kerala Real Estate Regulatory
Authority (K-RERA). It will also help to redefine the promoter-buyer relationship.

Real Estate (Regulation & Development) Act, 2016 already exists.

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3. Odisha govt launches online platform to digitalise Odisha Gazette

As a part of Odisha's '5T initiatives', govt launched an online platform to digitalise the
publication of Odisha Gazette & move forward as a paperless mode of publication. e-
sign integration is carried out for secure authentication of the indenting depts.

With e-sign, there will be no possibility of manipulation.

4. Tripura celebrates ritualistic festival ‘Lai Haraoba’

Lai Haraoba, a ritualistic festival observed by Manipuri Meitei communities. The 5-day
long festival was inaugurated by Speaker of state legislative Assembly, Rebati Mohan
Das with an aim to uphold tradition, cultural values of Meiteis

It is celebrated through oral literature, music, dance & rituals

5. KVIC opens silk processing plant for Patola Saree in Gujarat

Khadi and Village Industries Commission inaugurated the 1st Silk Processing Plant at
Surendranagar in Gujarat which would help cut down the cost of production & increase
the sale & availability of raw material for famous Patola Sarees

KVIC is a statutory body formed in 1957

6. Maharashtra launches campaign in over 100 schools, colleges for women’s

safety

Maharashtra cyber department & district level police to conduct ‘Cyber Safe Women’
campaign in over 100 schools & colleges guiding women & girls on how to stay safe in
the cyber space to commemorate the birth anniversary of Savitribai Phule

Savitribai Phule is regarded as the 1st female teacher of India

7. Kolkata Police starts 3rd edition of 'Sukanya' project

3rd batch of ''Sukanya'' initiative was started at 100 city-based schools & colleges
situated in Kolkata Police jurisdiction. This initiative of Kolkata Police provides self-
defence training to girl students of city-based schools, colleges and universities

It is funded by Women & Child Development of the state

8. J&K registers highest Inpatient Department care in country

Jammu and Kashmir has registered the highest Inpatient Department, IPD care in the
country. As per the report, the 96% IPD care in rural areas of J&K is provided by
Public Health Facilities which is highest against the country’s average of 85 percent.

Overall all women in J&K are availing Antenatal Care services.

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9. Gujarat to set up Vikram Sarabhai Children Innovation Center in state

Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani has announced the setting up of the Vikram Sarabhai
Children Innovation Center during the Children’s Innovation Festival (CIF) to identify,
nurture & promote children’s innovation in the state. CIF is in partnership with
UNICEF.

CIF was exclusively for the children’s up to 18 years old.

10. Amma Vodi scheme launched in Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh CM Jagan Mohan Reddy launched Amma Vodi Scheme. Under the
flagship programme, the state government will extend financial assistance to the tune
of Rs. 15000 per year to the mothers/guardians who send their children to state run
schools.

State will spend Rs. 6455.80 Cr towards the scheme this year.

11. Gujarat to import water soluble fertilizers from China

In a bid to encourage use of high-grade Agri-inputs, the Gujarat Agro Industries

Corporation (GAIC) has launched imported water-soluble fertilisers from China. It also
plans to launch customised grades of stage-specific and crop-specific fertilizers.

Fertilizers will be sold in the market under its brand - 'AGRO'.

12. Kerala’s Chief Minister launches website for NRK's investment

Pinarayi Vijayan has launched the website of Overseas Keralites Investment and
Holding Ltd, set up by the State Government to attract investment from the Non-
Resident Keralites. The company was formed with the vision of ‘Global thought for
local growth’.

The company was formed in August 2019.

13. Bengaluru to host International apparel sourcing expo

The three-day International Apparel Sourcing Show will be held between 2020
February 20 and 22 in Bengaluru. Organised by Apparel Resources, the Sourcing Show
is expected to be a platform curated on the three pillars-opportunity, knowledge and
inspiration.

India is the third largest fashion exporter in the world.

14. Workshop-cum-exhibition on "Bamboo- A wonder grass" concludes in

Jammu

The deliberations of the two-day workshop-cum-exhibition on Bamboo with the aim of

creating opportunities for the sustainable development in J&K concluded at Jammu. It
recommended the promotion of the use of bamboo as construction material for eco-
tourism.

Capacity building of J&K farmers/artisans was also discussed.

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15. Fresh investment proposals worth Rs 6608 Cr approved in Tamil Nadu

In Tamil Nadu, fresh investment proposals worth 6608 Crore rupees have been
approved. Proposals have been cleared by the higher-level committee on industrial
guidance and single window system, led by the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K
Palaniswamy.

Fifteen new investments were given the nod.

16. M. Venkaiah Naidu to inaugurate the new Centre of Excellence for Studies
in Classical Telugu at Nellore

M. Venkaiah Naidu will inaugurate the Centre of Excellence for Studies (CESCT) in
Classical Telugu at Nellore, Andhra Pradesh. CESCT under the Central Institute of
Indian Languages was earlier functioning from Mysore & has been now shifted to
Nellore.

Inauguration will take place on 21st January 2020.

17. World Bank Signs $88 million agreement for Assam Inland Water
Transport Project

Centre & Assam government signed a loan agreement worth $88 million with World
Bank for modernisation of Assam Inland Water Transport Project to help Assam
improve the passenger ferry infrastructure including those on Brahmaputra & Barak
rivers

Assam Capital: Dispur; CM: Sarbananda Sonowal

18. AP Cabinet clears decentralised capital across Amaravati, Vizag & Kurnool

Andhra Pradesh has cleared decks for development of Amaravati, Visakhapatnam &
Kurnool as the legislative, executive & judicial capital cities respectively. Also, APCRDA
Repeal Bill, 2020, given nod for the formation of Amaravati Metro Region Dev. Auth.

A.P. Governor: B Harichandan; CM: Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy

19. West Bengal, Top State in Vegetable Production in 2018-19

As per the State-wise horticulture production data released by the Agriculture Ministry,
West Bengal has produced 29.55 million tonnes of vegetables previous year as
compared to 27.70 mt in the year before. WB accounted for 15.9% of total
production.

Andhra Pradesh continues to hold on the top position in fruits.

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20. Odisha Mahaotsav begins in Gujarat

In Gujarat, the 2-day Odisha Mahaotsav as a part of Ek Bharat Shreshth Bharat

Programme was launched. More than one lakh people from Odisha are settled in
Gujarat. They will showcase the art, culture, traditions & rich heritage of Odisha in the
festival.

Gujarat CM- Vijay Ramniklal Rupani, Odisha CM-Naveen Patnaik.

21. India's first e-waste clinic opens in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh

India’s first e-waste clinic is being opened in Bhopal. It will enable segregation,
processing and disposal of waste from both household and commercial units. It is
jointly setting up by the Central Pollution Control Board and Bhopal Municipal
Corporation.

Clinic is being started based on a 3-month pilot project.

22. Himachal Pradesh celebrates its 50th Statehood Day

Himachal Pradesh celebrated its 50th Statehood Day with fanfare and enthusiasm
throughout the state on 25 January. It was on this day in 1971 when Himachal
Pradesh was carved out as the 18th State of the country. CM unveiled the golden
jubilee plaque.

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister- Jai Ram Thakur.

23. 2-day ‘Innovation Festival’ begins at Science Centre in Itanagar

In Arunachal Pradesh, the two-day ‘Innovation Festival’ kicked off at the Science
Centre in Itanagar. The festival is being organized by the Arunachal Pradesh State
Council for Science & Technology in collaboration with the National Innovation
Foundation.

It is aimed to foster the culture of innovation among people.

24. Madhya Pradesh govt made the reading of Preamble of Constitution

mandatory in schools

After Maharashtra, the Madhya Pradesh government made the reading of Preamble of
the Constitution mandatory in schools on every Saturday. The Department of School
Education stated that orders in this regard have been issued to District Education
Officers.

Madhya Pradesh CM- Kamal Nath.

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25. First-ever carnival of peace and harmony held in Shillong

Shillong witnessed the 1st-ever carnival of peace & harmony as part of the weeklong
Meghalaya Day Celebrations. Carnival procession passed through the busy streets of
Shillong city showcasing different ethnic communities of the State & neighbouring
areas.

Meghalaya Chief Minister-Conrad K Sangma.

26. World’s largest meditation centre coming up in Hyderabad

The world’s largest meditation centre and the global headquarters of the Heartfulness
Institute will be inaugurated on January 28. To mark the 75th anniversary of the
organisation, Kanha Shanti Vanam- spread over 30 acres-will be dedicated to Lalaji.

It can accommodate 100,000 practitioners at one go.

27. Ganga Yatra under Namami Gange mission to begin from Bijnor, Ballia in
UP

The five-day Ganga Yatra under Namami Gange mission will kick off on 27 January
from Bijnor and Ballia in Uttar Pradesh. Aim of the yatra is to promote biodiversity and
to make the villages situated on the banks of Ganga more developed and prosperous.

Bijnor is a place where Ganga enters Uttar Pradesh.

28. India’s first Super Fab Lab inaugurated in Kerala

Country's 1rst Super Fab Lab, that will give a major push to the hardware industry in
the country & the only such facility outside U.S, was launched at the Integrated Start-
up Complex of the Kerala Start-up Mission. CM Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the lab.

It will collaborate with Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

29. New industries in Madhya Pradesh have to employ 70% local youth:
Governor

Madhya Pradesh Governor Lalji Tandon said that government was accelerating job
creation by setting up new industries, which have to compulsorily employ 70% local
youths. State has brought the number of permissions required in realty sector from 27
to 5.

Daily fodder allowance per cow is hiked from Rs 3 to Rs 20.

30. Maharashtra govt launches its much-awaited 'Shiv Bhojan' scheme

Maharashtra government launched its 'Shiv Bhojan' scheme, which is aimed at

providing meal to the poor for 10 Rs, on the 71st Republic Day. Lunch plates would be
available to people at designated centres during a stipulated time in all the districts.

"Shiv Bhojan Thali" canteen was launched in Mumbai.

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31. Uttar Pradesh government signs MoU for efficient e-procurement on GeM

Uttar Pradesh government has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with

the government e-Marketplace (GeM), under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry to
set up a GeM Organizational Transformation Team (GOTT) Project Management Unit
(PMU).

Uttar Pradesh Literacy rate (2011): 67.68%

32. India’s first underwater Metro: To begin in March 2022 in Kolkata

Kolkata Metro Rail Corp. expects to complete East-West project, which runs partly
under the Hooghly river, by March 2022 after several years delay. A soft loan of 41.6
billion Rs from Japan International Cooperation Agency helps fund 48.5% of the
project.

The new line is expected to carry about 900,000 people daily.

33. Centre & Assam govt to provide 1,500 Cr assistance for economic
development of Bodo community

Centre signed an accord with the Assam-based different insurgent groups and civil
societies including the National Democratic Front of Bodoland to provide 1,500 Cr
assistance. The accord will provide political, economic and land rights to Bodo tribals.

It will help in the holistic development of the Bodo community.

34. Andhra Pradesh Cabinet nods to abolish Legislative Council

YS Jagan Mohan Reddy-led govt passed a resolution in the Legislative Assembly to

abolish the Legislative Council. It comes after the upper house stalled critical
resolutions on shifting the capital city from Amaravati through their ‘3 capital cities’
plans

AP is one of the few states to have bicameral legislature.

35. Odisha launches virtual police station

Odisha Government has launched a virtual police station where people can lodge
complaints from their respective districts regarding theft of their vehicles without
visiting Police Station. It will function from State Crime Records Bureau in
Bhubaneswar.

Road accident case documents module was also launched.

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36. Maharashtra CM inaugurates 18.5 km-long stretch of Nagpur Metro Aqua

line

In Maharashtra, CM Uddhav Thackeray inaugurated 18.5-km-long stretch of Nagpur

Metro Aqua line of Maha Metro Rail Network. The newly created Nagpur Metro Aqua
line passing over the Ambazari lake in city will connect the east and west parts of the
city.

Nagpur Metro takes 65% of its power needs from Solar Energy.

37. Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurates first capacity building programme

Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurated the first Capacity Building Programme on General
Financial Rules-2017, e-Procurement & Government e-Marketplace at Jammu. The
conference was to take forward the commitment to apply all the central laws to the UT
of Jammu.

He is in charge of the Ministry of Development of NE Region.

Sports

1. 5th IHAI National Ice Hockey Championship-2020 being held in Leh

5th Ice Hockey Association of India, National Ice Hockey Championship -2020 is held
in the Karzoo Ice Hockey Rink in Leh, where the Army, Chandigarh, Delhi, Haryana,
Maharashtra & home team Ladakh are fighting for the U-20 boys’ category

Girl Category: Ladakh, Maharashtra, Delhi, Chandigarh

2. Irfan Pathan announces retirement from all forms of Cricket

Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan announced his retirement from all forms of Cricket. He
played 29 Tests, 120 ODIs & 24 T20Is. He was part of Indian team at the 2007 World
Twenty20 & was the man-of-the-match in the final against Pakistan

He made his Team India debut at the age of 19 in 2003

3. Manav Thakkar becomes World No.1 in U-21 men's singles category

Indian paddler Manav Thakkar has become the world no.1 in the Under-21 men's
singles category in the latest International Table Tennis Federation rankings. He
became the 4th Indian to achieve the feat after Harmeet Desai, G Sathiyan &
Soumyajit Ghosh.

He clinched U-21 men's singles title at North American Open

4. Saurabh Chaudhary wins gold in National Shooting Championship

World No.1, Youth Olympics champion & Asian Games gold medallist, 17-year-old
Saurabh Chaudhary won the men’s gold in 10-metre air pistol in the 63rd National
shooting championship. Sharvan Kumar clinched the youth gold in the tournament

13-year-old Shiva Narwal won the sub-youth gold

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5. P Magesh Chandran lifts 95th Hastings International Chess title

India's P Magesh Chandran lifted the title in the 95th edition of the prestigious
Hastings International Chess Congress held at Hastings in England. He remained
unbeaten in all the nine rounds. He beat fellow Indian GM Deep Sengupta in the eighth
round.

Magesh defeated G.A Stany in the finals.

6. British Junior Open Squash Tournament: Egypt's Amina Orfi defeats Anahat
Singh

Anahat Singh's run ended in the U-13 girls' title round when Amina Orfi defeated her
in final 11-0,11-1, 11-4 winning the British Junior Open Squash Tournament at
Birmingham. In the boys’ U-19 semi-finals, India’s Veer Chotrani lost to Moustafa El
Sirty.

Anahat had won the Under-11 title earlier, also in Birmingham.

7. Leh-Ladakh: Both Boys, Girls teams win 5th IHAI National Ice Hockey
Championship 2020

In Leh-Ladakh, the home teams won the fifth Ice Hockey Association of India (IHAI)
National Ice Hockey Championship -2020 in both Boys and Girls categories. Ladakh
Scouts Regiment Centre (LSRC) won the bronze medal, in Under-20 Boys category.

Maharashtra girls stood 3rd in the championship.

8. Virat Kohli Continues to Top ICC Test Rankings

India skipper Virat Kohli retained his top spot among batsmen with 928 points.
Australian speedster Pat Cummins was at top of the standings with 904 points ahead
of Neil Wagner & West Indies' Jason Holder.

Jasprit Bumrah, remained at 6th position among bowlers

9. 3rd Khelo India games to begin on 10 January at Guwahati, Assam

The Kabaddi and gymnastics began on 10 January in the third Khelo India youth
games. The opening ceremony of the event will be held at Sarusajai stadium,
Guwahati. It will be conducted in partnership with IOA, School Games Federation of
India & Assam.

Assam CM-Sarbanand Sonowal, Union Sports minister-Kiren Rijiju

10. Andrey Rublev Claims Doha Title, His Third

The second-seeded Russian Andrey Rublev earned his third ATP Tour title at the Qatar
ExxonMobil Open in Doha with a 6-2, 7-6(3) victory over Frenchman Corentin Moutet.
He is the third-youngest champion in tournament history.

Rohan Bopanna & Wesley Koolhof won title in team debut.

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11. India finish 2019 as number one shooting nation in world

India finished 2019 as the top shooting nation in the world, leaving behind Olympic
heavyweights China and the USA in the International Shooting Sport Federation’s
(ISSF) overall rankings for 2019. Russia & Italy secured 4th & 5th ranks respectively.

India leads the standings with 30 medals overall.

12. BCCI set to appoint Madan Lal, Gautam Gambhir as CAC members

The BCCI is all set to appoint World Cup winning former India players Madan Lal and
Gautam Gambhir as members of the CAC which will pick selection committees for the
next four-year cycle starting 2020. Sulakshana Naik is likely to be the third member.

CAC-Cricket Advisory Committee.

13. Wade Ormsby won the Hong Kong Open title

Australia's Wade Ormsby cruised to the victory with a 4-under-par 66 in the final
round at the Hong Kong Golf Club. Rashid Khan was the best-placed Indian with a tied
sixth-place finish while three of his compatriots slipped on the back nine in the title.

Ormsby defeated Shane Lowry in the finals.

14. ATP Cup Final: Serbia win inaugural ATP Cup with 2-1 win over Spain

Serbia clinched the inaugural ATP Cup with a come-from-behind victory over Spain in
the final. Novak Djokovic was the key performer, with the Serbian superstar claiming
a straight sets victory over the World No. 1 Rafael Nadal.

Belgrade is the capital city of Serbia.

15. Kohli named captain of ICC’s ODI & Test teams of the year

India skipper Virat Kohli was named captain of the International Cricket Council’s ODI
& Test teams of the year. Apart from Kohli, Mayank Agarwal, opener Rohit Sharma,
speedster Mohammed Shami & spinner Kuldeep Yadav found a place in the ODI side

Rohit Sharma was named ‘2019 ODI Cricketer of the Year’

16. Delhi Open Chess: Abhijeet Gupta beats Aleksej Aleksandrov to clinch
title

Indian GM Abhijeet Gupta beat Aleksej Aleksandrov of Belrus in the 10th & final round
to win the 18th Delhi Open International Grandmasters Chess Championship in New
Delhi. The 30-year old Gupta secured a win in 37 moves to seal the top prize

He has an ELO rating of 2603

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17. Vinesh Phogat wins gold medal in Rome Ranking Series

Vinesh Phogat won her first gold medal of the 2020 season at the Rome Ranking
Series event after teen sensation Anshu Malik settled for a silver in 57kg competition.
Vinesh downed two tough Chinese rivals on her way to the 53kg gold medal bout.

She has won Arjuna Award for Wrestling.

18. Sania Mirza wins women's doubles title of WTA International trophy at
Hobart

Sania Mirza and her Ukrainian partner Nadiia Kichenok have won the women's doubles
title of the WTA International trophy at Hobart in Australia. In the final, they beat
Shaui Peng and Shuai Zhang of China 6-4,6-4.

It is Sania's 42nd WTA doubles title.

19. Ratchanok Intanon lifts Indonesia Masters 2020 title

Thailand's Ratchanok Intanon lifted the Indonesia Badminton Masters 2020 women's
singles title after defeating Carolina Marin in the summit clash at Jakarta. The win was
her 2nd title in the Indonesian tournament after 2010 title

Carolina Marin is the reigning Olympic Champion

20. Wrestling: India bags 7 medals in Rome Ranking Series

India has returned with 7 medals from Rome Ranking Series with Bajrang Punia & Ravi
Kumar Dahiya claiming gold medals in the 65kg freestyle category & 61 kg category in
the tournament. Vinesh Phogat won a gold & Anshu Malik a silver in the women's bout

In Greco-roman, Gurpreet Singh won a gold in 82 kg category

21. Divyansh Singh Pawar, Apurvi Chandela Clinch Gold in Meyton Cup

Indian shooters Divyansh Singh Pawar and Apurvi Chandela clinched a gold medal
each in Meyton Cup in Innsbruck, Austria. Deepak Kumar and Anjum Moudgil also a
bagged bronze medal each in men's and women's 10m air rifle events respectively.

Austria capital-Vienna, currency-Austrian Schilling.

22. Qatar & FIFA publishes 1st joint planning strategy ahead of the 2022
football World Cup

Qatar & FIFA published the 1st jointly issued legacy planning strategy ahead of the
2022 football World Cup. It contains pledges on labour and LGBT rights alongside
protections for activists & journalists. A total of 22 objectives is described in detail.

LGBT stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender.

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23. Curtain comes down on 3rd Khelo India Youth Games

3rd Khelo India Youth Games concluded in Guwahati. Maharashtra won the champions
trophy, while Haryana and Delhi bagged the first runner up and second runner up
trophies respectively. Events were held to mark the 70th year of the India-China
friendship.

Union Sports Minister-Kiren Rijiju, Assam CM-Sarbananda Sonowal.

24. India’s Federation Cup games moved from virus-hit China to Kazakhstan

Considering the request of All India Tennis Association, International Tennis Federation
shifted the Federation Cup matches from the Coronavirus-hit China to Kazakhstan.
The tournament was originally scheduled to be held in Dongguan from 4th of
February.

India will compete in the Asia/Oceania Group I contest.

25. Shooting: Kiran Ankush Jadhav wins 10m air rifle T1 trial

In Shooting, Kiran Ankush Jadhav of the Indian Navy won the men's 10 metres air
rifle T1 trial even as Maharashtra's Rudrankksh Balasaheb Patil clinched both the
junior and youth trials in Thiruvananthapuram. Rudrankksh came in second in the
men's final.

Nitish Kumar of Haryana came in third.

26. Saurav Ghosal loses final against Fares Dessouky in Pittsburgh Open

In Squash, Saurav Ghosal finished runners-up at the PSA World Tour Bronze event
after suffering a 0-3 loss to Egypt's Fares Dessouky. Saurav is a highly regarded
Indian squash player and is also the top-ranked in the country. Dessouky is the World
No.11.

PSA-Professional Squash Association.

27. India's Esow Alben bags gold in men's Keirin individual event of Six Day
Berlin Tournament

In Cycling, India's Esow Alben has bagged a gold in the men's Keirin individual event
of the 6 Day Berlin Tournament. He finished on top of the podium, earning 20
classification points. Tomas Babek is at the 2nd rank & Maximilian Lev is at the 3rd
spot.

The event is a six-day track cycling race.

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28. North East Dr T Ao Trophy: Mizoram defeats Sikkim

Two times champion Mizoram defeated Sikkim by a solitary goal to emerge as the
champion of the Northeast Dr. T Ao Football Trophy 2020 at Indira Gandhi Stadium,
Kohima. While the champion team received a cash prize of 10 lakhs, the runners up
got 6 lakhs.

Rhitsho Mero received the golden boot for his 10 goals.

Agreements

1. EESL inks pact with HPCL to set up charging infra

EESL has signed MOU with Hindustan Petroleum Corporation for setting up charging
infrastructure to boost electric mobility. It covers collaboration for planning,
development & installation of charging facilities for 2,3, & 4-wheeled vehicles.

EESL is a joint venture of 4 PSEs under the Ministry of Power.

2. Bank of Baroda ties up with JM Financial for co-lending

State-owned Bank of Baroda has entered into a strategic co-lending agreement with
JM Financial Home Loans Limited (JMFHL), for offering retail loans to home buyers by
creating a lending model synergizing the expertise of both the finance entities

Bank of Baroda Chairman: Hasmukh Adhia; HQ: Vadodara

3. Amazon India inks long-term deals with Future Group

Amazon India entered into long-term business agreements with Future Group to
extend the reach of the latter’s retail stores and consumer brands through its online
marketplace. Amazon India will also become the authorised online sales channel for
FRL stores.

Kishore Biyani, Chairman and Managing Director of FRL.

4. Uber teams up with Hyundai on electric air taxi

Uber Technologies Inc & South Korean automaker Hyundai Motor have teamed up to
develop electric air taxis, joining the global race to make small self-flying cars to ease
urban congestion. They expect commercialisation of urban air mobility service in 2028.

Hyundai is the first carmaker to join Uber's air taxi project.

5. Cabinet approves MOU b/w India & Sweden, UK & Mongolia

Cabinet has approved MOU b/w India & Mongolia on Cooperation in the Exploration
and Uses of Outer Space for Peaceful and Civilian Purposes; U.K. for Enabling Energy
Self Sufficiency for Indian Railways; Sweden on cooperation in Polar Science

Capitals Sweden: Stockholm; Mongolia: Ulaanbaatar

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6. PayU acquires PaySense at an equity value of $185 million, to merge it

with LazyPay

Digital payments gateway provider PayU has acquired a controlling stake in Mumbai-
based consumer lending platform PaySense & all its assets at a valuation of $185
million. PayU will inject up to $200 million in the newly created entity as equity
capital.

Prashanth Ranganathan will lead PayU’s credit business in India.

7. Zero Budget Natural Farming: Andhra Pradesh Government signs MoU with
German firm KFW

Andhra Pradesh Government has signed a MOU with the representatives of German
firm, KFW on Zero Budget Natural Farming. Govt has taken a loan of Rs 711 Cr out of
the estimated amount of Rs 1015 Cr earmarked to be spent towards the climate
resilient, ZBNF.

The agriculture department would work as the nodal agency.

8. IndianOil & OIL tie up for CO2-assisted enhanced oil recovery

IndianOil and Oil India Ltd have signed an agreement to collaborate on a CO2-assisted
Enhanced Oil Recovery project in Assam. They will develop Carbon Capture, Utilisation
& Storage (CCUS) as an effective emissions mitigation tool to combat climate change.

Agreement will also improve oil-well productivity.

9. NATHEALTH and AHPI sign MoU to share knowledge and resources in

healthcare sector

NATHEALTH has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Association of

Healthcare Providers (India) (AHPI) to boost information sharing, public-private
partnership and advocacy to collaborate and achieve quality healthcare for all citizens
in India.

AHPI President, Dr. Alexander Thomas.

10. Google partners with Airtel to offer G Suite to small, medium businesses

Bharti Airtel & Google Cloud announced a partnership offer G Suite to small and
medium sized businesses (SMBs) in India as part of its integrated information and
communication technology portfolio. Airtel serves over 2,500 large businesses.

Gopal Vittal, MD & CEO (India and South Asia), Bharti Airtel.

11. Bajaj Finserv partners with Apollo Hospitals to launch health EMI cards

Bajaj Finserv has launched digitized health EMI cards covering an entire family with a
credit limit ranging between Rs 40,000 and Rs 4 lakh. The 0% EMI cards will be
accepted across all centres of Apollo Hospitals in the country.

It has a personal accident insurance cover of Rs 1 lakh.

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12. India and Tunisia focus on expanding bilateral economic ties

As a part of his 3-day 2-nation trip to Niger & Tunisia, External Affairs Minister S
Jaishankar met his Tunisian counterpart Sabri Bachtobji & they discussed on
expanding the bilateral economic cooperation & agreed to work closely in multilateral
forums.

Tunisia capital-Tunis, Currency-Tunisian Dinar.

13. Cabinet approves agreement, MoUs with Brazil

Union Cabinet approved agreements & MoUs to be signed with Brazil including mutual
legal assistance in criminal matters. Nod came ahead of the visit of Brazilian President
Jair Messias Bolsonaro who will be the chief guest during the Republic Day parade.

Also accepted MoU on cooperation in oil & natural gas sectors.

14. India & Bangladesh sign agreement to upgrade Ashuganj-Akhaura road

into 4-lane highway

India & Bangladesh signed an agreement to upgrade the 50.58 km long road between
Ashuganj river port & the Akhaura land port in Bangladesh into a 4-lane highway. It is
part of the USD 2 billion 2nd line of credit extended by India to Bangladesh in 2016.

Indian Company Afcons Infrastructure Limited signed the deal.

15. India, Russia launch Track 1.5 dialogue to push greater Eurasian
partnership

The maiden Ganga Volga Dialogue held in Delhi was conceptualized during the 2018
India-Russia Summit between President Putin & Modi. Utilization of the $1 billion LoC
extended by India for development of Russia’s Far East by Indian companies was
discussed.

The dominant theme of the discussions was Connectivity.

16. India-Brazil ink 15 agreements during Brazil President’s visit on Republic

Day

India & Brazil inked 15 agreements to boost cooperation in a wide range of areas like
trade & investment, oil and gas, cyber security and information technology after talks
between Brazilian President Jair Messias Bolsonaro & Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Brazil Capital-Brasilia, Currency-Brazilian Real.

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17. Bharti Realty ties up with Asthetic Township to build commercial project
in Gurugram at Rs 350cr

Bharti Realty, the real estate arm of Bharti Enterprises, has tied up with Asthetic
Township Developers to build a new commercial project in Gurugram at an estimated
cost of Rs 350 Cr. Commercial project will be under real estate asset management
model.

Bharti Realty MD and CEO-S K Sayal.

18. Mangalore Smart City, IGBC ink pact

The Indian Green Building Council & Mangalore Smart City Ltd have signed a MoU for
sustainable development in Mangalore. The MoU envisages a joint assessment study
to evaluate the green criteria of Mangalore as per the IGBC Green Cities rating
system.

MSCL is the 1st smart city in India to sign an MoU with IGBC.

19. Cabinet gives approval to EC to enter into MoU with ECs of Tunisia &
Papua New Guinea

The Cabinet gave approval to Election Commission of India to enter into MoU with the
Independent High Authority for Elections of Tunisia and the Papua New Guinea EC for
elections for cooperation in the field of electoral management and administration.

Papua New Guinea Capital-Port Moresby, Currency-Kina.

20. MoU b/w NITI Aayog & UT Ladakh for Development of Infrastructure
Projects

Under this MoU, NITI Aayog will be supporting the UT’s administration through its key
initiative ‘Development Support Services to States for Infrastructure Projects' for
identifying prioritized infra projects & providing end-to-end management support

Rajiv Kumar is currently the vice-chairman of the NITI Aayog

21. OPPO, IIT-Hyderabad to take up joint R&D projects

OPPO, the global smartphone brand, and IIT-Hyderabad have joined hands to take up
joint R & D projects in advanced and emerging technologies. The areas identified are
battery, camera & image processing, networks (5G), system performance & AI among
others.

They signed the partnership for two years.

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Schemes

1. India commences world’s largest ever vaccination programme to control

FMD & Brucellosis

Government has launched a new scheme National Animal Disease Control Programme
for FMD & Brucellosis with a financial outlay of Rs. 13,343.00 Cr for five years (2019-
20 to 2023-24) by vaccinating 100% cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat & pig population for
FMD.

Nationwide Artificial Insemination Programme was also launched.

2. 28 UIDAI-run Aadhaar Seva Kendras operational across the country

UIDAI has opened 28 Aadhaar Seva Kendras as part of its plan to open 114 stand-
alone Aadhaar Enrolments & Update Centres across the country which are in addition
to about 38,000 Aadhaar enrolment centres run by Banks, Post Offices & State
Governments

CEO UIDAI: Pankaj Kumar

3. Modi releases 3rd instalment of PM Kisan Samman Nidhi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi released the third instalment of Pradhan Mantri Kisan
Samman Nidhi of Rs 2,000 for the period December 2019 to March 2020. This will
benefit approximately six crore beneficiaries. He also distributed the Krishi Karman
Awards.

He gave PM-Kisan certificates to people from 8 states & UTs.

4. Government approves 2,636 new charging stations in 62 cities: Prakash

Javadekar

Acc. to UM Prakash Javadekar, govt. has given sanction for setting up 2,636 charging
stations in 62 cities across 24 states & UTs under the FAME India scheme which will
encourage original equipment manufacturers to launch new electric vehicle models.

FAME, Faster Adoption & Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles.

5. NITI Aayog moots ₹22,500-crore plan for private trains on 100 routes

National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog & Indian Railways have come
out with a discussion paper for running 150 trains on 100 routes by private operators,
envisaging an investment of ₹22,500 crore.

NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant

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6. Nitish Kumar launches schemes worth Rs 727.93 crore in Bihar’s Araria

Bihar CM launched 478 developmental schemes worth Rs 727.93 crore during the
'Jagrukta Sammelan' in Araria district. The ‘sammellan’ or conference was part of the
"Jal- Jiwan-Hariyali" drive to create awareness about water conservation and
afforestation.

Phagu Chauhan-29th and current Governor of Bihar.

7. Delhi launches 'Mission NEEV' for early treatment of infants

Delhi government launched Neonatal Early Evaluation Vision (NEEV) covering close to
1.5 lakh new-borns to tackle visible, functional and metabolic defects in them. The
foundation of NEEV was laid at Maulana Azad Medical College (MAMC).

It comes under the Rashtriya Baal Swasthya Karyakram.

8. Smriti Irani launches ‘Yashaswini Scheme’ for Women entrepreneurship in

Goa

Union Minister for Women and Child Development and Textiles-Smriti Irani launched
‘Yashaswini Scheme’ for Women entrepreneurship at Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee
Stadium in Goa along with the Swasthya Sakhi Project and breast cancer screening
initiative.

Scheme provides free loans of up to 5 Lakh Rs.

9. ‘Mission Purvodaya’ unveiled to develop eastern region into an integrated

steel hub

Union Steel Minister Dharmendra Pradhan launched ‘Mission Purvodaya’ in Kolkata,

aimed at the accelerated development of eastern India through establishment of
integrated steel hub. It also includes employment opportunities across the entire value
chain.

Govt target 300 Million Tonne steel capacity by 2030-31.

10. Centre implements PMFBY to provide financial support to farmers

suffering crop loss

Centre is implementing PMFBY to provide financial support to farmers suffering crop

loss/damage arising out of unforeseen events. It was launched in February 2016.
Uniform premium of 2% to be paid by farmers for all Kharif crops & 1.5% for all Rabi
crops.

PMFBY-Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana.

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11. January 31: last date for the Scheme for voluntary registration of all
drones

Govt has announced a scheme for voluntary registration of all drones & their operators
to tackle illegal drones. The registration can be done by 31st of January. Civil Aviation
Ministry said in a notice that those who fail to register will face action.

Civil Aviation Minister-Hardeep Singh Puri.

12. UP Govt launches Mukhyamantri Krishak Durghatna Kalyan Yojana

UP Govt. launched Mukhyamantri Krishak Durghatna Kalyan Yojana which will provide
financial assistance to family of farmers who die or become handicapped while working
in fields. Govt. has also decided to implement Mukhyamantri Paryatan Samvardhan
yojana.

Anandiben Patel -current Governor of Uttar Pradesh.

13. SAIL launches scheme for employee-led philanthropic activities

Dharmendra Pradhan launched a scheme for Voluntary Philanthropist Activities by

SAIL employees called ‘SAIL Employee Rendering Voluntarism and Initiatives for
Community Engagement (SERVICE)’ along with a portal for the employees to register
for the scheme.

SAIL chairman Anil Kumar Chaudhary.

Appointments

1. General Manoj Mukund Naravane takes charge as 28th Chief of Army Staff

General Manoj Mukund Naravane took charge as the 28th Chief of Army Staff
succeeding General Bipin Rawat. He served as Vice Chief of the Army before taking
charge. He was also part of the Indian Peace Keeping Force in Sri Lanka.

Bipin Rawat is the first Chief of Defence Staff.

2. Axis Bank elevates Talgeri to chief risk officer, ropes in AIA exec

Axis Bank elevated Amit Talgeri to the post of chief risk officer for a period of three
years, replacing Cyril Anand who will retire. Bank has also roped in Naveen Tahilyani
from AIA as group executive – head of banking operations and transformation.

Amitabh Chaudhry, managing director (MD) & CEO Axis Bank.

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3. Suresh Chandra Sharma appointed chairman of National Medical

Commission

According to a Personnel Ministry order, head of Delhi AIIMS’ ENT head-neck surgery
department, Professor Suresh Chandra Sharma has been appointed as the chairman of
National Medical Commission (NMC). For a period of three years or till the age of 70
years.

National Medical Commission founded 29 December 2017.

4. Air Marshal MSG Menon VSM assumes charge as Air Officer-in-Charge

Administration

Air Marshal MSG Menon VSM takes over as Air Officer-in-Charge Administration of
Indian Air Force with effect from 01 Jan 2020. Air Marshal MSG Menon VSM was
commissioned in Administrative branch of IAF. Air Marshal is a Cat ‘AYE’ Air Traffic
Controller.

He was a member of the first UN Mission to Sudan.

5. Walmart India names Sameer Aggarwal as its Deputy CEO

Walmart India has elevated Sameer Aggarwal to the role of deputy chief executive
officer; he would take over in the coming months the reins of Walmart’s flagship
wholesale retail unit in the country from current CEO Krish Iyer.

Carl Douglas McMillon, president and CEO of Walmart Inc.

6. Karur Vysya Bank MD and CEO P R Seshadri resigns

P R Seshadri, Managing Director & CEO of Karur Vysya Bank, resigned from the
position citing personal reasons. He was appointed as the MD and CEO in September
2017.

Bank HQ: Karur, Tamil Nadu; Founded: 1916

7. Ravindra Nath Mahto elected as Jharkhand Assembly Speaker

In Jharkhand, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) legislator Ravindra Nath Mahto from
Nala constituency was unanimously elected as the new Assembly Speaker. Protem
Speaker Stephen Marandi administered the oath to the newly elected Speaker of the
State Assembly.

Jharkhand Chief Minister-Hemant Soren.

8. IBM appoints Sandip Patel as MD of India, South Asia operations

Global tech major IBM has appointed Sandip Patel as new MD of its India & South Asia
operations succeeding Karan Bajwa. He will be responsible for all strategic matters &
delivery operations in the region, including Bangladesh, Nepal & Sri Lanka

IBM is nicknamed as Big Blue

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9. Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen secures 2nd term victory in presidential

elections

Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen secured a landslide victory in presidential elections

with voters resoundingly handing its first female leader a second term. Her main rival,
Han Kuo-yu of the China-friendly Kuomintang (KMT) party, has conceded defeat.

Taiwan Capital-Taipei, Currency-New Taiwan dollar.

10. Michael Debabrata Patra appointed RBI's fourth Deputy Governor

Govt appointed Michael Debabrata Patra as the 4th Deputy Governor of the Reserve
Bank of India. Patra is currently the Executive Director of the Monetary Policy
Department. He will take over the position lying vacant after Viral Acharya's exit last
year.

Patra will serve a term of three years.

11. Senior IPS officer AP Maheshwari appointed Director General of CRPF

Senior IPS officer A P Maheshwari was appointed as Director General of the Central
Reserve Police Force (CRPF) up to February 28, 2021. He would soon take over the
charge from ITBP Director General S.S. Deswal who was given the "additional" charge.

CRPF, world's largest paramilitary force with 3.25+ lc. personnel

12. Lt Gen Girish Kumar re-appointed Surveyor General of India

The Centre appointed Lt General Girish Kumar as the Surveyor General of India in
Survey of India on contract basis for a period of one year. He was earlier appointed as
Surveyor General of India on September 30, 2017 under the Survey of India.

Survey of India is under the Department of Science & Technology.

13. Amway appoints Ajay Khanna as head of marketing operations for India

FMCG company Amway India, has announced the appointment of Ajay Khanna as the
chief marketing officer for India. He is a marketing veteran with over 24 years of
experience in the FMCG and telecom industry.

Fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG).

14. Vladimir Putin names Mikhail Mishustin as new prime minister

President Vladimir Putin has named Tax Service chief Mikhail Mishustin as Russia's
new prime minister upon Dmitry Medvedev’s resignation. 53-year-old Mishustin has
worked in the government since 1998 and as the head of Federal Tax Service since
2010

Russia Capital: Moscow; Currency: Ruble

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15. Guatemala swears in conservative Giammattei as president

Guatemala swore in Alejandro Giammattei, a conservative physician, as its new

president. 63-year-old Giammattei won the presidency on his 4th attempt in August
for Vamos, a party founded in 2017 by politicians, businessmen & military officers

Capital: Guatemala City; Currency: Guatemalan quetzal

16. Harish Salve appointed Queen's Counsel for courts of England & Wales

Senior Advocate Harish Salve has been appointed the Queen's Counsel for the courts
of England, announced by the U. K’s Ministry of Justice Department. The appointment
is done by the Queen, on the advice of the Lord Chancellor

He served as a Solicitor General for India (1999-2002)

17. Federal Bank appoints Shalini Warrier as Executive Director

Shalini Warrier has been appointed as Executive Director of Federal Bank. The Bank
received the approval of the Reserve Bank of India in this regard. Warrier has been
serving as Chief Operating Officer of the Bank since 2nd November 2015.

Shyam Srinivasan, MD & CEO of The Federal Bank Ltd.

18. Suresh Khatanhar appointed as Deputy Managing Director of IDBI Bank

Suresh Khatanhar has taken charge as IDBI Bank’s Deputy Managing Director for 3
years. Before his role as DMD, he was associated with IDBI Bank as an Executive
Director heading Mid Corporate Group and Trade Finance.

Rakesh Sharma, MD & Chief Executive Officer of IDBI Bank.

19. Centre appoints Nripendra Misra as chairman of NMML executive council

Nripendra Misra, has been appointed chairperson of the executive council of the Nehru
Memorial Museum and Library (NMML) while Dr A Surya Prakash, chairperson of the
Prasar Bharati board, to be the council's vice-chairperson.

Nripendra Misra is a Former principal secretary to PM Modi

20. Arjun Munda elected president of Archery Association of India

Union minister Arjun Munda was elected as president of suspended Archery

Association of India in elections held recently. Munda is a hugely popular tribal leader
who also runs an archery academy, instrumental in the rise of former world no. 1
Deepika Kumari

AAI is a non-profit, government org. estd. in 1973

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21. Punit Sood appointed as the Head of Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) India

RBS India, the technology and operations hub of the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS),
has appointed Punit Sood as the Head of RBS India. In this role, he will be building the
organisation’s strategic capabilities, supporting the bank to achieve its goals.

Prior to joining RBS, he was the CIO of JPMorgan

22. Sanjiv Chadha appointed managing director and chief executive of Bank
of Baroda

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) appointed Sanjiv Chadha as the
managing director and chief executive of Bank of Baroda, Lingam Venkat Prabhakar as
MD & CEO of Canara Bank and Atanu Kumar Das as MD & CEO of Bank of India.

Bank of Baroda has merged with Dena Bank and Vijaya Bank.

23. Challa Sreenivasulu Setty appointed managing director of SBI

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointed Challa
Sreenivasulu Setty as the managing director of the State Bank of India for a period of
three years. He is currently serving as the deputy managing director of the SBI.

State Bank of India 's head Rajnish Kumar.

24. Manoj Kohli appointed as SoftBank India head

SoftBank India has appointed Manoj Kohli as its country head. Kohli joins SoftBank
India after a five-year stint as a chairman with SB Energy, the renewable energy arm
of SoftBank. Raman Nanda will retain the role of CEO at SB Energy.

SoftBank Group/CEO-Masayoshi Son

25. Nirmaljeet Singh Kalsi is first Punjab PCA chairperson

Former IAS officer Nirmaljeet Singh Kalsi has been appointed as the first chairperson
of Punjab's police complaints authority (PCA). Kalsi. His appointment would be
governed by the Punjab Police Amendment Act, 2014.

PCA is under Ministry of Home Affairs.

26. Vakrangee appoints Ramesh Joshi as Non-Executive Chairman

Vakrangee Limited has appointed Mr. Ramesh Joshi (EX-RBI & EX-SEBI ED) as the
Non-Executive Chairman of the company as well as has Re-designated Mr. Dinesh
Nandwana, Executive Chairman as the Managing Director and Group CEO in place of
Mr. Anil Khanna.

Vakrangee Limited is a technology company based in Mumbai.

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27. Nepal’s newly elected Speaker Agni Prasad Sapkota assumes office

Nepal’s newly elected Speaker of House of Representatives-Lower House of the

Parliament-Agni Prasad Sapkota assumed the office. President Bidya Devi Bhandari
administered the oath of office. He will succeed Krishna Bahadur Mahara. Nepal PM-KP
Sharma Oli.

Nepal Vice President-Nanda Bahadur Pun.

28. EU names first post-Brexit UK ambassador

Portuguese diplomat Joao Vale de Almeida is set to serve as the EU's top envoy in
London after the UK leaves the bloc, EU announced. The diplomat has represented the
EU in Washington and at the UN. UK PM Boris Johnson had signed the withdrawal
agreement.

The UK's exit is scheduled for 31 January 2020.

29. Asian Tennis Federation unanimously nominates Anil Khanna as life

President

Anil Khanna was nominated as the Life President of ATF. He is also appointed as the
Chairman of the Finance Committee as well as Co-Chairman of the ATF foundation. CS
Sunder Raj is the Senior Vice President of the federation, representing South Asia.

Anil Dhupar was elected as the member of the Senior Committee.

30. Qatar names Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdelaziz Al Thani new PM

Qatar appointed a new Prime Minister replacing Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa
Al Thani. Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdelaziz Al Thani has been named as the new
Prime Minister. The new PM had been the head of the Amiri Diwan, the emir's office.

Qatar Capital-Doha, Currency-Riyal.

31. Taranjit Singh Sandhu appointed India's ambassador to US

Taranjit Singh Sandhu has been appointed as India's Ambassador to US, External
Affairs ministry said. He is a 1988-batch Indian Foreign Service officer & is currently
posted as High Commissioner of India in Sri Lanka. He replaces Harsh Vardhan
Shringla.

Shringla has been named as India's next foreign secretary.

32. Arvind Krishna appointed CEO of global tech giant IBM

Indian-origin Arvind Krishna has been appointed as the new CEO of American IT giant
IBM, succeeding Ginni Rometty. The 57-year-old Arvind will take over on April 6.
Rometty had been IBM's Chairman, President and CEO, will retire after almost 40
years.

Krishna joined IBM at the end of 1990.

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Appointment Post
Manoj Mukund 28th Chief of Army Staff
Naravane
Amit Talgeri Axis Bank Chief Risk Officer
Suresh Chandra Chairman of National Medical Commission
Sharma
MSG Menon VSM Air Officer-in-Charge Administration of
Indian Air Force
Sameer Aggarwal Walmart India Deputy Chief Executive
Officer
Ravindra Nath Mahto Jharkhand Assembly Speaker
Sandip Patel MD of IBM India & South Asia operations
Tsai Ing-wen Taiwan President
Michael Debabrata 4th Deputy Governor of RBI
Patra
A P Maheshwari Director General of the Central Reserve
Police Force
Girish Kumar Surveyor General of India
Ajay Khanna Amway Chief marketing officer for India
Mikhail Mishustin Russia Prime Minister
Alejandro Giammattei Guatemala President
Harish Salve Queen's Counsel for courts of England &
Wales
Shalini Warrier Executive Director of Federal Bank
Suresh Khatanhar IDBI Bank’s Deputy Managing Director
Nripendra Misra Chairperson of the executive council of the
Nehru Memorial Museum and Library
Arjun Munda President of Archery Association of India
Punit Sood Head of Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) India
Sanjiv Chadha MD& CEO of Bank of Baroda
Challa Sreenivasulu SBI MD
Setty
Manoj Kohli SoftBank India head
Nirmaljeet Singh Kalsi First Chairperson of Punjab's Police
Complaints Authority
Ramesh Joshi Non-Executive Chairman of Vakrangee
Limited
Agni Prasad Sapkota Nepal’s Speaker of House of
Representatives
Joao Vale de Almeida First post-Brexit UK ambassador
Anil Khanna Asian Tennis Federation Life President
Sheikh Khalid bin Qatar Prime Minister
Khalifa bin Abdelaziz Al
Thani
Taranjit Singh Sandhu India's ambassador to US
P R Seshadri Karur Vysya Bank MD and CEO (Resigns)
Arvind Krishna CEO of IBM

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Awards

1. 14 scientists awarded Swarna Jayanti Fellowships for 2018-19

Swarna Jayanti Fellowships were awarded to 14 Scientists associated with projects

containing innovative research idea & with potential of making impact on R&D in the
respective disciplines, so they can pursue research with freedom & flexibility

It was instituted to commemorate 50th year of independence

2. Odisha bags Krishi Karman Award for food grain production in 2016-17

Odisha has bagged Krishi Karman Award from the Centre for its overall food grain
production in 2016-17. Manipur got the best-performing state in Overall Food-grain
Production Category-III (production < 1 mn tonne) for the year 2017-18

Chhattisgarh received the award for Category-2 for 2016-17

3. HDFC Bank Receives Award for Remarkable Contribution towards Rural

India

HDFC Bank has been adjudged as the winner in the 'Innovation and Inclusiveness in
Priority Sector Lending' category at the '11th Inclusive Finance India Awards' in the
'16th Inclusive Finance Summit' organized in New Delhi.

Aditya Puri, HDFC Bank's Managing Director.

4. Golden Globes 2020: 1917 win best picture

Best picture went to 1917, while Renée Zellweger won best actress for Judy, and
Joaquin Phoenix beat out Adam Driver and Christian Bale to win best actor for Joker.
Best Motion Picture went to Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

2020 marked 77th edition of Golden Globe Awards

5. Javadekar confers first ‘Antarrashtriya Yoga Diwas Media Samman’ to 30

media houses

I&B Minister Prakash Javadekar conferred the first ‘Antarrashtriya Yoga Diwas Media
Samman’ to 30 media houses in New Delhi. The Ministry instituted the award in June
last year to mark the contribution of media in spreading the message of Yoga.

21 June, International Day of Yoga.

6. MS Swaminathan & G Muniratnam bags Muppavarapu Venkaiah Naidu

National Awards

Agricultural Scientist Dr M S Swaminathan and well-known social worker, Dr. Gutta

Muniratnam were respectively chosen as the first recipients of ‘Muppavarapu Venkaiah
Naidu National Award for Excellence’ & ‘Muppavarapu National Award for Social
Service’.

Each award carries a cash prize of Rupees Five Lakh & citation.
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7. India-born author Jasbinder Bilan bags UK children's book award

India-born author Jasbinder Bilan has bagged a coveted UK children's book award for
her debut novel 'Asha and the Spirit Bird'. The story set in the Himalayan territory of
her Indian roots and inspired by the special childhood bond with her grandmother.

Bilan will receive 5,000 pounds as the winner of the award.

8. Jasprit Bumrah to receive Polly Umrigar Award

India's pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah will receive the Polly Umrigar Award for his
performance in international cricket in the 2018-19 season. Poonam Yadav has
claimed the top prize in women's section and will be awarded the best international
cricketer.

Poonam Yadav recently received the Arjuna Award.

9. Sakya Singha Sen & Debojyoti Chakraborty receives first Merck Young
Scientist Award 2019

Sakya Singha Sen & Debojyoti Chakraborty have received 1st Merck Young Scientist
Award 2019 given by Merck. Award is given to researchers with less than 10 years of
experience with expertise in solving some of the toughest problems in chemical
sciences.

Merck is a science and technology company operating worldwide.

10. Swachhata Darpan Awards 2019 given as part of the ODF Sustainability
workshop

The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS), Ministry of Jal Shakti,
organised the ODF Sustainability workshop in New Delhi. Swachhata Darpan Awards
were presented by Amir Khan to the best performing districts on key swachhata
parameters.

Actor Amir Khan is the founder of Paani Foundation.

11. Govt launches award to laud breakthrough start-ups in cyber security

To promote entrepreneurship in the Cyber Security start-up ecosystem, Ministry of

Electronics and IT & Data Security Council of India have launched Cyber Security
Grand Challenge with a cash prize of Rs 3.2 crore to a start-up doing breakthrough
work

Minister of State (E&IT): Sanjay Dhotre

12. Sindhi writer Vasdev Mohi to be conferred with 29th Saraswati Samman

Eminent Sindhi writer Vasdev Mohi has been selected for the 29th Saraswati Samman
for his short stories collection- Chequebook. Saraswati Samman carries a cash award
of 15 lakh rupees & a literary recognition given annually by the KK Birla Foundation

He has also received Sahitya Akademi Award

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13. Australian civilian honour for Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw

Biocon chairperson & MD Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw has been awarded the Order of
Australia, country’s highest civilian honour, for her significant contribution towards
advancing bilateral relationship with Australia. She is the 4th Indian to receive it.

Australia Capital: Canberra; Currency: Australian dollar

14. "Parasite" wins Screen Actors Guild Ensemble Prize

"Parasite" became first foreign-language movie to win SAG's coveted best ensemble
prize. Joaquin Phoenix & Renee Zellweger received the top acting prizes for Joker &
Judy while supporting movie awards went to Laura Dern & Brad Pitt

Robert De Niro received life achievement honour

15. Deepika Padukone Conferred with WEF's Crystal Award For De-
stigmatising Mental Illness

Deepika Padukone, who has been an advocate of mental health awareness and has
been extensively working towards de-stigmatising mental illness, was rewarded for
her work at World Economic Forum's Crystal Award ceremony, held in Davos.

World Economic Forum founder -Klaus Schwab.

16. Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar 2020 announced

Disaster Mitigation & Management Centre Uttarakhand & Kumar Munnan Singh
received the Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar 2020, awarded in
institution & individual categories respectively on the birth anniversary of Netaji
Subhash Chandra Bose.

It is announced every year on 23rd January.

17. Tata Steel Kalinganagar honoured at World Economic Forum 2020

Tata Steel Kalinganagar has been honoured at the World Economic Forum 2020 for its
recent admittance into the Global Lighthouse Network. In July 2019, TSK became the
first and only Indian manufacturing plant to be included in the WEF’s Lighthouse
Network.

Tata Steel’s CEO & MD TV Narendran accepted the award.

18. TNAU Vice-Chancellor gets Harit Ratna Award

N Kumar, Vice-Chancellor of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, has been conferred

‘Harit Ratna Award 2019’ by the All India Agricultural Students Association for
dissemination of Rs 30 Crore entrepreneurship project in agri-business.

He is awarded also for motivating students to agriculture field.

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19. Study on Parkinson’s disease gets $2.3 Million award

A genome-wide association study (GWAS) titled Genetic Architecture of Parkinson’s

Disease, said to be one of the largest in the country, has received an award of $2.3
million from the US-based Michel J Fox Foundation. SCTIMST, Trivandrum led the
study.

The study is an Indo-German collaborative research proposal.

20. 62nd Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles: Singer Lizzo takes 3 awards

R&B newcomer Lizzo won three of her leading eight nominations. Billie Eilish won the
first of six potential awards. She was the youngest person ever nominated for all four
awards at the same time. Lil Nas X & Billy Ray Cyrus were named as best pop duo.

Finneas was named as the producer of the year.

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Winner Award
Odisha Karman Award for food grain production in 2016-
17
14 scientists Swarna Jayanti Fellowships for 2018-19
HDFC Bank 11th Inclusive Finance India Award
1917 Golden Globes 2020
Prakash Antarrashtriya Yoga Diwas Media Samman
Javadekar
MS Swaminathan Muppavarapu Venkaiah Naidu National Awards
& G Muniratnam

Jasbinder Bilan UK children's book award

Jasprit Bumrah Polly Umrigar Award
Sakya Singha First Merck Young Scientist Award 2019
Sen & Debojyoti
Chakraborty
Vasdev Mohi 29th Saraswati Samman
Kiran Mazumdar- Order of Australia
Shaw
Parasite Screen Actors Guild Ensemble Prize
Deepika WEF's Crystal Award for De-stigmatising Mental
Padukone Illness
Disaster Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan
Mitigation & Puraskar 2020
Management
Centre
Uttarakhand &
Kumar Munnan
Singh
Tata Steel Honoured at World Economic Forum 2020
Kalinganagar
N Kumar Harit Ratna Award
Study on $2.3 Million award
Parkinson’s
disease
Billie Eilish Youngest person ever nominated for all four
Grammy awards at the same time
Lil Nas X & Billy Best pop duo in Grammy Awards
Ray Cyrus
Finneas Producer of the year in Grammy Awards
Lizzo Won 3 Grammy Awards

Ranks & Reports

1. Indore, Jamshedpur lead Swachh 2020 table

Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs announced results of 1st & 2nd quarters of the
Swachh Survekshan 2020. Indore & Jamshedpur have topped in cleanliness for 2
consecutive quarters among cities with over 10 lakh & with 1-10 lakh population
respectively.

Kolkata remained at the bottom of the ranking.

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2. India records highest number of babies born on New Year’s Day: UNICEF

An estimated 4 lakh babies were born around the world on New Year’s Day, as per
UNICEF. Of this, an estimated 67,385 babies were born in India, most globally while
China came in 2nd. Each January, UNICEF celebrates babies born on New Year’s Day

Fiji in the Pacific most likely delivered 2020’s 1st baby

3. 2019 is 7th warmest year recorded in country since 1901: IMD

According to India Meteorological Department (IMD) ,2019 was recorded as the

seventh warmest year since 1901, lower than the highest warming observed in 2016.
Annual mean surface air temperature, averaged over the country, was 0.36°C.

Bihar was the most adversely affected state during the year

4. IEA launches India’s Energy Policy Report

International Energy Agency (IEA) launched 'India’s Energy Policy Report 2020' in
collaboration with NITI Aayog. The report said that India is the third largest consumer
of oil after China and United States. Also, India imports 80 percent of its oil needs.

India is the fourth largest oil refiner in the world.

5. Government releases State Energy Efficiency Index 2019

Government released the State Energy Efficiency Index 2019, which tracks the
progress of Energy Efficiency initiatives in 36 States & UTs. The index is developed by
Bureau of Energy Efficiency in association with Alliance for an Energy Efficient
Economy.

The first such Index was launched on August 2018.

6. Hyderabad, Bengaluru top 2 most dynamic cities globally in list of 130

Hyderabad has emerged as world's most dynamic city, performing better on

parameters like socio-economic & commercial real estate, as per JLL India report
Bengaluru has been ranked 2nd, while Chennai is at 5th & Delhi at 6th position in the
list.

7 Indian cities feature in the top 20 in 2020 rankings

7. Consumer confidence plunges 7.3% in January 2020: Report

According to the latest India Primary Consumer Sentiment Index (PCSI), as measured
by Thomson Reuters, in partnership with Ipsos, Consumer sentiment has nosedived by
7.3 percentage points in January 2020.

Since 2010, it's a monthly national survey of consumer attitudes

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8. NSE turns world’s largest exchange in derivatives trading

As per the latest data by Futures Industry Association (FIA), The National Stock
Exchange of India (NSE) has become the world’s largest exchange by trading volumes,
outpacing US-based CME group, the world’s largest derivatives marketplace.

NSE notched up 6 billion contracts traded volume in 2019.

9. Gujarat replaces West Bengal to top ‘Star States’ ranking

Gujarat topped the SKOCH State of Governance 2019 ranking, followed by

Maharashtra, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh & Tamil Nadu. Gujarat tops the list with
104 projects, followed by Maharashtra with 50 projects. Telangana tops the list on
police and safety.

Gujarat also ranked the highest in terms of e-governance.

10. Global unemployment projected to rise by around 2.5 million in 2020: UN

report

According to UN's International Labour Organisation, Global unemployment is

projected to increase by around 2.5 million in 2020 and almost half a billion people are
working fewer paid hours than they would like or lack adequate access to paid work.

ILO Director-General Guy Ryder

11. India climbs eight ranks to 72 in Global Talent Competitive Index

India climbed 8 positions in a year to reach rank 72 in the Global Talent Competitive
Index 2020. GTCI is based on the research done by INSEAD along with The Adecco
Group & Google. GTCI looks at the ability to attract, grow & retain talent by a country.

Switzerland, USA & Singapore took the top-3 positions.

12. Sri Lanka ranks first among 97 countries in Breast Feeding support
Policies and Programs

Sri Lanka has ranked first among 97 countries globally on breastfeeding rate according
to a new survey conducted by the World Breastfeeding Trends Initiative (WBTi). Sri
Lanka’s rank is based on its performance on ten indicators of policies and programs.

So far, 120 countries have been involved in WBTi.

13. India falls to 51st position in EIU's Democracy Index

India slipped 10 places to 51st position in the 2019 Democracy Index's global ranking,
according to Economist Intelligence Unit, which cited "erosion of civil liberties" in the
country as the primary cause for the downtrend. India's overall score is 6.90.

Norway topped the list while North Korea is at the bottom.

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14. India faces a talent shortage of 63%: ManpowerGroup report

India faces a talent shortage of 63%-higher than the global average-according to a

new research report. ManpowerGroup's research report on Talent Shortage 2020
shows that globally 54% reported talent shortages almost doubled as compared to a
decade ago.

ManpowerGroup surveyed 14,000 individuals across 15 countries.

15. China ranked as the world’s second-largest weapons manufacturer

China has been ranked as the world's second-largest weapons manufacturer, behind
the US, according to new research by Stockholm International Peace Research
Institute. The Asian superpower jumped ahead of Russia, from whom they used to buy
many weapons.

China has reduced reliance on foreign weapons.

16. Bengaluru has World's Worst Traffic, 4 Indian Cities In Top 10

India topped the TomTom Traffic Index 2019 with 4 of its cities amongst the 10 most
congested cities globally. Bengaluru (71%), Mumbai (65%), Pune (59%) & New Delhi
(56%) ranks 1st, 4th, 5th & 8th respectively. Manila from the Philippines ranked
second.

Bengaluru's heaviest congestion (81%), recorded on Oct 23,2019.

17. Assam tops in budgetary practices, followed by Odisha, Andhra: Survey

Assam has emerged as the top state in terms of best practices followed in budget
formulation, followed by Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, says a survey by Transparency
International. The states which figured lower in the ranking were Goa, Maharashtra &
Punjab.

The survey was based on four parameters.

18. Telangana tops country in sustainable growth goals: UN Development

Programme

Telangana has emerged as the best performing state in promoting inclusive and
sustainable economic growth and decent work for all on Sustainable Development
Goals (SDG) India Index 2019, according to United Nations Development Programme
(UNDP) India.

It has improved its performance over 2018 in 8 out of 17 SDGs.

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19. Uttar Pradesh's Chandauli district tops NITI's Aspirational District

ranking

Chandauli district in Uttar Pradesh has topped the list of aspirational districts ranked
by the government think tank Niti Aayog in December. Belangir (Odisha) and YSR
(Andhra Pradesh) have been placed at the second and third positions, respectively.

Sahibganj (Jharkhand) has been ranked at the fourth spot.

Important Days

1. World Braille Day: 4 January

World Braille Day, celebrated since 2019, is observed to raise awareness of the
importance of Braille as a means of communication in the full realization of the human
rights for blind and partially sighted people.

Braille, named after its inventor Louis Braille.

2. Indian embassies celebrated Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas

Indian embassies in different countries celebrated Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas on 9 January

to mark the contribution of Overseas Indian community in the growth of India. On 9
January 1915 Mahatma Gandhi-the greatest Pravasi-returned to India from South
Africa.

Later he led freedom struggle & changed the lives of Indians.

3. World Hindi Day 2020: January 10

World Hindi Day (Vishwa Hindi Divas) is being celebrated on January 10. The day
commemorates the anniversary of the first World Hindi Conference held in Nagpur of
January 10, 1975, which saw 122 delegates from 30 countries participating in it.

Hindi Divas is celebrated on September 14 every year.

4. Swami Vivekananda's Birth Anniversary, National Youth Day: January 12

On the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, India celebrates National Youth Day
across the country. He became popular in the western world after his famous speech
at the World's Parliament of Religions held in Chicago in 1893.

He breathed his last on July 4, 1902.

5. 14 January: Armed Forces Veterans Day

Since 2017, Armed Forces Veterans Day is observed each year on 14 January as a
mark of respect & recognition of the services rendered by Field Marshal KM Cariappa
OBE-the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Armed Forces who retired on
14 Jan 53.

Day honours sacrifice of veterans in the service of the nation.

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6. 24 January: International Day of Education

The UN General Assembly proclaimed 24 January as International Day of Education, in

celebration of the role of education for peace and development. Today, 258 million
children & youth still do not attend school. Their right to education is being violated.

2020 theme: Learning for people, planet, prosperity and peace.

7. National Girl Child Day 2020: Jan 24

To spread awareness in the society about the inequality face by girls as compared to
boys, the Government of India celebrates National Girl Child Day on Jan 24. The Girl
Child Day was first marked in 2008 by the joint efforts of the Government of India.

11 October- International Day of the Girl Child.

8. 25th January 2020: 10th National Voters’ Day

Election Commission of India is to organize 10th National Voters' Day celebrations on

25th January 2020 in Delhi. This year marks an important milestone in the history of
Indian democracy as Election Commission of India completes 70 years of its journey.

Theme: Electoral Literacy for Stronger Democracy.

9. January 26: Nation celebrates 71st Republic Day

Nation celebrates 71st Republic Day today. The main function will be held at Rajpath
in New Delhi. President Ram Nath Kovind will unfurl the national flag & take the salute
of the parade. President of Brazil Jair Messias Bolsonaro will be the Chief Guest.

J&K will participate in the parade for the first time as a UT.

10. 27 January: International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the

Victims of the Holocaust

United Nations marks 2020 as the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, the
ending of the Second World War, and the ending of the Holocaust. Theme of the Day
is "75 years after Auschwitz - Holocaust Education and Remembrance for Global
Justice".

Theme point out the collective action against antisemitism.

11. January 30: World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day

World NTD Day was announced by the Crown Prince Court of Abu Dhabi at the
Reaching the Last Mile Forum. Since then, more than 300+ partners around the world
have signed on to celebrate the Day. The day creates awareness in addressing the
tropical diseases.

NTD affects more than 1.5 billion people worldwide.

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Date Day Theme

January 4 World Braille Day NA
January 9 Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas NA
January 10 World Hindi Day NA
January 12 Swami Vivekananda's Birth NA
Anniversary, National Youth
Day
January 14 Armed Forces Veterans Day NA

January 24 International Day of Education Learning for people,

planet, prosperity
and peace.
January 24 National Girl Child day NA
January 25 National Voters’ Day Electoral Literacy for
Stronger Democracy
January 26 71st Republic Day NA
January 27 International Day of Theme points out
Commemoration in Memory of the collective action
the Victims of the Holocaust against antisemitism
January 30 World Neglected Tropical NA
Diseases Day

Summit & Conferences

1. Kochi to host global meet on marine ecosystem

Eminent marine scientists, fisheries researchers and marine biotechnologists from

across the globe are expected to participate in the third international symposium on
marine ecosystems - challenges and opportunities (MECOS-3) in Kochi from January 7
to 10.

MECOS-3 is conducted by Marine Biological Association.

2. The Pulses Conclave 2020 to be held in Lonavala, Maharashtra

India Pulses and Grains Association (IPGA)-the nodal body for India's pulses trade and
industry-announced that the fifth edition of 'The Pulses Conclave', their biennial global
pulses conference will be held at Amby Valley City in Lonavala, Maharashtra.

Conference will be held on 2020 February 12 to 14.

3. Hormuz Peace Initiative held in Tehran

India attended the Hormuz Peace Initiative that was held in Tehran. The initiative was
aimed at stabilizing one of world’s busiest shipping lanes, he Strait of Hormuz amidst
US-Iran tensions. China, Oman and Afghanistan were also present in the meet.

‘Hormuz Peace Endeavor’ was proposed by Iran in September 2019.

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4. World Future Energy Summit to begin on 13 January in Abu Dhabi

The World Future Energy Summit will begin on 13 January in Abu Dhabi. 33,500
participants from 170 countries and 800 specialist exhibitors are expected to attend
the four-day annual event. Theme: ‘Rethinking Global Consumption, Production &
Investment’.

It is Middle East’s largest future energy & sustainability event

5. India-Bangladesh I&B Ministers' Meet 2020 to be held in New Delhi

India-Bangladesh I&B Ministers' Meet 2020 will be held in New Delhi on 14 January.
Bangladesh Information Minister Muhammad H Mahmud will participate in the meet.
Prakash Javadekar is the minister in charge of Indian Information & Broadcasting
ministry.

Bangladesh Capital-Dhaka, Currency- Bangladeshi taka.

6. 5th Raisina Dialogue to begin on 14 January

India's flagship global conference on geopolitics and geo-economics Raisina Dialogue

will begin on 14 January with Modi attending the inaugural session. Dialogue is jointly
organised by the Ministry of External Affairs and the Observer Research Foundation.

It is a multilateral conference held annually in New Delhi.

7. 7th Conf. of Commonwealth Parliamentary Assoc., India Region in

Lucknow

7th Conference of Commonwealth Parliamentary Association India Region began at the

legislative assembly building in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla
inaugurated the Conference. Theme of the conference is ROLE OF LEGISLATORS

U.P. Governor: Anandiben Patel

8. 3rd edition of North Zone Conference’ of Media Units of I&B Ministry held
in Jammu

The Regional Outreach Bureau, Jammu and Kashmir region organised a two-day Zonal
Conference of Media units of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting,
Government of India at Jammu. It was 3rd edition of North Zone Conference.

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Girish Chandra Murmu.

9. 9th International Children's Film Festival begins in Kolkata

9th International Children's Film Festival began in Kolkata with the screening of Aizaz
Khan directed Hamid. An anthology of children's films in Bengali in the last 100 years
& an exhibition on movie posters is held along with the festival

West Bengal Governor: Jagdeep Dhankhar

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10. Union Ministers Prakash Javadekar, R K Singh inaugurate Elecrama 2020

Prakash Javadekar & R K Singh on inaugurated Elecrama 2020 in Noida, organised by

industry body IEEMA which is targeting businesses worth Rs 30,000 crore during the
5-day event. Focus of this year's event: e-mobility, energy storage, start-up among
others

U.P. govt set a target of installing 2000 MW solar power y-o-y

11. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal to lead Indian delegation to WEF 2020

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal to lead the Indian delegation to the 50th World
Economic Forum (WEF) at Davos & hold bilateral meetings with ministers of Australia,
South Africa, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, Korea and Singapore.

2020 Theme: Stakeholders for a Cohesive and Sustainable World

12. Ravi Shankar Prasad inaugurates NIC TechConclave 2020

UM for Law & Justice, Communications & Electronics & Information Technology, Ravi
Shankar Prasad inaugurated the 2nd edition of ‘NIC TechConclave 2020’, a 2-day
event organized by the National Informatics Centre (NIC), at Pravasi Bhartiya Kendra,
New Delhi

This year’s theme is ‘Technologies for NextGen Governance’.

13. PM Modi chairs 32nd interaction through PRAGATI platform

Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the 32nd interaction through PRAGATI- the ICT-
based, multi-modal platform for Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation in
New Delhi. PRAGATI helps in simultaneously monitoring and reviewing important
programmes.

PRAGATI was launched on 25th March 2015.

14. India participates in UN AIDS Programme at World Economic Forum

Union Minister of State for Shipping & Chemical & Fertilizers Mansukh Mandaviya
participated in the High-level roundtable of UNAIDS-Joint UN Programme on
HIV/AIDS-on the theme Access for all: Leveraging Innovations, Investments &
Partnerships for Health.

Roundtable of UNAIDS was held during WEF’s annual meet in Davos.

15. North Korea to attend Munich Security Conference for first time

North Korea will attend Munich Security Conference for the first time in the 56-year
history of the conference. Founded in 1963, the Munich Security Conference hosts
many high-ranking officials and world leaders each year to discuss security challenges.

2020 edition will be held from February 14 to 16.

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16. Department of Biotechnology organized International Summit on Women

in STEM

Department of Biotechnology organized an International Summit on Women in STEM-

"Visualizing the Future: New Skylines" on 23 & 24 of January in New Delhi. Overall
aim was to boost participation of women in STEM field for development of scientific
career.

STEM- Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

17. PM to inaugurate 3rd Global Potato Conclave-2020 at Gandhinagar,

Gujarat

PM Modi will inaugurate the third Global Potato Conclave-2020 in Gandhinagar on 28

January. Four-day Conclave will provide an opportunity to bring all stakeholders at one
common platform. Gujarat is one of the leading producers of Potato in the country.

Netherland is the partner country of this conclave.

18. TERI’s World Sustainable Development Summit 2020 held in New Delhi

TERI’s World Sustainable Development Summit 2020 on ‘Energy Future Road Map’
held in New Delhi. Started in 2001, the Summit has become a focal point for leaders
and stakeholders across the world to bridge thought and action for sustainable
development.

The WSDS is the annual flagship event of TERI.

19. Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ chairs meeting of the INCCU with UNESCO in
New Delhi

Union Human Resource Development Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ chaired the
meeting of the Indian National Commission for Cooperation with UNESCO (INCCU) in
New Delhi. The membership of National Commission consists of members of 5 Sub
Commissions.

Reconstituted National Commission has met for the first time.

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Summit/Conference Venue
Global meet on marine ecosystem Kochi, Kerala
Pulses Conclave 2020 Lonavala, Maharashtra
Hormuz Peace Initiative Tehran, Iran
World Future Energy Summit Abu Dhabi, UAE
India-Bangladesh I&B Ministers' New Delhi
Meet
5th Raisina Dialogue New Delhi
7th Conference of Commonwealth Lucknow, UP
Parliamentary Association India
Region
3rd edition of North Zone Jammu & Kashmir
Conference’ of Media Units of I&B
Ministry
9th International Children's Film Kolkata, West Bengal
Festival
Elecrama 2020 Noida
50th World Economic Forum Davos, Switzerland
NIC Tech Conclave 2020 New Delhi
32nd interaction through PRAGATI New Delhi
UN AIDS Programme at World Davos, Switzerland
Economic Forum
Munich Security Conference Munich, Germany
3rd Global Potato Conclave-2020 Gandhinagar, Gujarat
Meeting of the Indian National New Delhi
Commission for Cooperation
TERI’s World Sustainable New Delhi
Development Summit 2020

Science & Technology

1. IIT Guwahati researchers develop materials to produce energy from water

on a small scale

IIT Guwahati Researchers have developed materials that can produce energy from
water, on a small scale. The new ways of producing energy can be employed in
household environments to support the concept of decentralisation of energy sources.

Excess energy produced in households can be transported.

2. 4 Indian Air Force men selected for Gaganyaan Mission

4 Indian Air Force men have been selected as candidate astronauts for India’s 1st
human space mission scheduled for 2022. ISRO Chief K Sivan announced a fresh
attempt to soft-land a spacecraft on the Moon via Chandrayaan-3 mission

ISRO preparing to build 2nd spaceport at Thoothukudi district

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3. PM inaugurates 107th Indian Science Congress in Bengaluru

PM Modi inaugurated the 107th Indian Science Congress in Bengaluru. The theme for
the congress this year is ‘science and technology: rural development’. The 5-day
science festival aims attract 15,000 delegates from the scientific & academic fraternity

PM gave the motto - "innovate, patent, produce and prosper"

4. PM dedicates 5 DRDO Young Scientists Laboratories to the Nation

PM Modi dedicated to the nation 5 Young Scientists Laboratories of DRDO in

Bengaluru. Other 4 locations are Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata & Hyderabad. Each lab will
work on a key advanced technology viz, AI, Quantum, Cognitive tech & Smart
materials

Director of DRDO Young Scientist Labs: P. Shiva Prasad

5. Govt sets up division on new and emerging strategic technologies

Indian foreign ministry has announced the setting up of a new division on New and
Emerging Strategic Technologies (NEST). It will help assess foreign policy and
international legal implications of emerging technology and technology-based
resources.

Foreign minister- S Jaishankar

6. HAL and Wipro 3D sign MoU for metal 3D printing adoption in aerospace

Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) and Wipro 3D, the metal additive manufacturing
business of Wipro Infrastructure Engineering, have signed a MoU to design, develop,
test, manufacture, and repair of aerospace components using metal additive
technology.

R. Madhavan, Chairman and Managing Director, HAL.

7. Challakere to be ISRO’s astronaut training hub

Indian Space Research Organisation has proposed a ₹ 2,700-crore master plan to

create top infrastructure that will house its young Human Space Flight Centre at
Challakere, a town on the Bengaluru-Pune NH4 in Chitradurga district of Karnataka

4 IAF male pilots have been selected for Gaganyaan mission

8. New data relay satellites to keep Gaganyaan crew in touch with Earth

India plans to put up a new satellite series called the Indian Data Relay Satellite
System. The IDRSS is planned to track and be constantly in touch with Indian
satellites, in particular those in low-earth orbits which have limited coverage of earth.

First beneficiary would be crew of the Gaganyaan mission-2022.

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9. LIGO: Second Merger of Neutron Stars detected

The LIGO detected gravitational waves due to collision of two neutron stars. This is the
second time the gravitational waves are being detected. The total mass of the binary
system is estimated to lie between 3.3 and 3.7 times the mass of the Sun.

LIGO-Laser Inferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory.

10. Corona Virus: A new stain of virus found in China

Chinese researchers investigating the cause of a mysterious pneumonia outbreak have

discovered a new strain of coronavirus, a species of viruses that can cause deadly
illnesses such as severe acute respiratory syndrome & Middle East respiratory
syndrome.

Outbreak took place in the city of Wuhan.

11. IKDRC completes India’s longest cross-transplant chain

In a first, medical experts at Institute of Kidney Diseases & Research Centre (IKDRC)
carried out a single-centre kidney exchange (swap or cross) transplant chain of 10
recipients and 10 donors from January 5 to 13.

IKDRC located in Civil Hospital Campus, Ahmedabad.

12. IBM tops US patent list for 2019; India second-highest contributor

Tech giant IBM has received record 9,262 US patents in 2019, with India being the
second-highest contributor. IBM inventors from India received over 900 patents, the
second-highest contributor to the global tally after the US

IBM nicknamed ‘Big Blue’ HQ: New York, USA

13. India successfully launches communication satellite GSAT-30

GSAT-30 was successfully launched onboard Ariane 5 rocket from French Guiana. The
satellite will provide Indian mainland & islands coverage in Ku-band and extended
coverage in C-band covering Gulf countries, a large number of Asian countries &
Australia

It has a mission life of 15 years

14. IIT Kharagpur develops AI-powered tech for reading legal cases

Researchers at IIT Kharagpur have evolved an Artificial Intelligence-aided method to

automate the reading of legal case judgments. Two deep neural models to understand
the rhetorical roles of sentences in a legal case judgment have been developed.

John McCarthy coined the term "artificial intelligence" in 1955.

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15. ISRO's Vyom Mitra Humanoid Robot Set for an Unmanned Trip into Space

ISRO is to send a half-humanoid robot called ‘Vyom Mitra’ as an experimental mission

to Gaganyaan. Vyom Mitra means a friend in Sky. 2 unmanned missions will be sent
up & recovered before it. 1st mission will be in December & the 2nd will be by June
2021.

The aim is to conduct a manned mission before August 2022.

16. Scientists develop new Chrysanthemum variety ‘Shekhar’

Scientists at National Botanical Research Institute have developed & released a new
variety of Chrysanthemum that blooms during late December to mid-February &
named it ‘Shekhar’. This is a late blooming decorative type, floriferous chrysanthemum
variety.

Director General of CSIR -Shekhar Mande released this variety.

17. PETA-funded project takes early steps to create humane source of

diphtheria antitoxin

First steps have been taken towards ending the use of horses in the creation of
antitoxins used to treat diphtheria, said the PETA. Reference is to the creation of
recombinant human antibodies capable of blocking the poisonous toxin that causes
diphtheria.

PETA-People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

18. China to launch its first Mars probe mission in July 2020: Report

While NASA is preparing to send its Mars 2020 rover to explore the red planet, China
also announced its plan to launch first Mars mission probe in July 2020. A total of 24
high thrust hydrogen-oxygen rocket engine tests will be conducted for this in 2020.

It will be launched by the Long March-5 Y4 carrier rocket.

19. NCCS scientists find new microbial species “Natrialba swarupiae”

The studies on the microorganism archaea from the Sambhar lake in Rajasthan helped
scientists at the National Centre for Cell Science, Pune, to discover a novel archael
species called ‘Natrialba swarupiae’. They named the species after Dr. Renu Swarup.

He is the Secretary of Dept of Biotechnology.

20. Indian Railways implementing AIDC of RFID Project

As a part of improving service levels & operating efficiency, Indian Railways is

executing Automatic Identification and Data Collection of Rolling Stock (RFID Project).
It aims to automatically & accurately track rolling stock as they move in the country.

RFID tags can be used in all locations in the country.

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Defence

1. Royal Navy of Oman ships arrive in Goa for naval exercise 'Naseem-Al-
Bahr’

Two Oman ships- RNOV Al Rasikh and RNOV Khassab -arrived in Goa to participate in
the 12th edition of the ‘Naseem-Al-Bahr’, the Indo-Oman bilateral naval exercise.
Indian Navy ships Beas and Subhadra are participating in it, with harbour phase in
Goa.

Naseem-Al-Bahr is being conducted since 1993.

2. Ind Navy commences maritime security exercise Operation Sankalp

Indian Navy commenced security operations ‘Operation Sankalp’ in order to ensure

safe passage of Indian Flag Vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. Operation is being
coordinated with stakeholders including Min of Defence, External Affairs & Shipping

Strait of Hormuz is b/w Persian Gulf & Gulf of Oman

3. The City of Destiny Gearing Up to Host MILAN 2020

The City of Destiny-Visakhapatnam is gearing up to host International Naval event

‘MILAN’ in March 2020. MILAN is a multilateral naval exercise aimed to enhance
professional interaction between friendly foreign navies. Theme- ‘Synergy Across the
Seas’.

41 navies have been invited for the exercise.

4. DRDO's Naval variant of Light Combat Aircraft makes its first successful
landing

The naval version of indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), made its first successful
landing on the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya. This aircraft is developed by DRDO.
LCA is the smallest & lightest Multi-Role Supersonic Fighter Aircraft of its class.

DRDO Chairman-G. Satheesh Reddy.

5. Japan Coast Guard Ship ‘Echigo’ arrives in Chennai

Japan Coast Guard Ship ‘Echigo’ has arrived Chennai on a five-day goodwill visit. It
will be participating in the Annual Joint Exercise ‘Sahyog-Kaijin’ with the Indian Coast
Guard off Chennai for strengthening bilateral ties. Exercise started since 2000.

This is the 19th such exercise being conducted.

6. Russia to deliver S-400 air defence systems to India by 2025

Russia has started production of S-400 long-range surface-to-air missile systems for
India, and all five units will be delivered by 2025. Indian Armed forces will receive the
first batch of 5,000 Kalashnikov rifles this year.

S-400 missile system, designer: Almaz-Antey

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7. India test-fires K-4 ballistic missile in Andhra Pradesh

India has successfully test-fired a 3,500 km range nuclear capable K-4 ballistic missile.
The test was conducted off the Vizag coast in Andhra Pradesh. Only US, Russia &
China have submarine-launched ballistic missiles of 3,500-kilometre range

The Missile was developed by DRDO

8. Pakistan conducts successful training launch of ‘Ghaznavi’

Pakistan conducted a successful training launch of nuclear-capable surface-to-surface

ballistic missile ‘Ghaznavi’ as part of the Field Training Exercise of Army Strategic
Forces Command during day and night. It can strike targets up to 290 kilometres.

It can deliver multiple types of warheads up to 290 Kms.

9. Royal Australian Navy Ship HMAS Toowoomba at Mumbai

The visit of the Royal Australian Navy ship at Mumbai & the professional interactions
of IN personnel with RAN crew will serve to further strengthen the good relations
between India and Australia and underscore the shared interests in the maritime
domain.

Australia Capital-Canberra, Currency-Australian Dollar.

Books & Authors

1. Amit Shah released a book titled Karmayoddha Granth

The Union Minister for Home Affairs Amit Shah released a book titled "Karmayoddha
Granth" written on the life of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The book describes all the
schemes and measures that Modi government launched for the welfare of the people.

The book talks about three parts of PM Modi's life.

2. Human Dignity – A purpose in perpetuity, book launched by Manmohan

Singh

Former PM Manmohan Singh launched the book, Human Dignity: A Purpose in

Perpetuity, authored by former Law Minister Dr Ashwani Kumar. The book articulates
the aberrations that have slowed India’s march towards realization of human dignity

Dr Ashwani Kr is a Former MP, Rajya Sabha from Punjab

3. Aunties, uncles, tube lights among 26 new Indian words in Oxford

dictionary

Aunties, uncles & tube lights have made it to the latest edition of Oxford dictionary,
with 26 new Indian English words being added to a total of 384 existing ones. 10th
edition of the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary come with an Indian English label.

Oxford Dictionaries Hindi Word of the Year for 2018-Nari Shakti.

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Miscellaneous

1. PayPal unveils Adoption Assistance Programme

Digital payments player PayPal has unveiled a new adoption assistance programme
aimed at enhancing the parental support benefits for employees. It will offer financial
support of up to Rs one lakh per adoption for adoptive parents.

Daniel H. Schulman, president and CEO of PayPal.

2. Neutral pronoun 'they' voted Word of the Decade

American Dialect Society has named "they" its word of the year. "They" is used in
English by a growing number of non-binary individuals, who do not identify as either
male or female. Other contenders included "climate" & "meme".

"google" & "web" were chosen as words of past two decades

3. NSE taps SEBI regarding IPO for its shares

National Stock Exchange of India Ltd has formally approached SEBI for an initial public
offering of its shares. NSE aims to raise about ₹10,000 crore from IPO, which would
result in existing promoters selling 22-24% of their stakes

NSE estd. in 1992 was the 1st dematerialized electronic exchange

4. Institutions at Gujarat Ayurved Univ get status of National Importance

Cabinet approved conferring the status of Institution of National Importance to a

cluster of Ayurvedic institutions at Gujarat Ayurved University campus in Jamnagar to
provide autonomy to upgrade the standard of Ayurveda education, frame various
courses

Minister of State (I/C) AYUSH: Shripad Yesso Naik

5. State Bank of India becomes lead financier of Navi Mumbai Airport project

The State Bank of India (SBI) has become the lead financier for the first two phases of
the Navi Mumbai Airport project. It will contribute around Rs 4,500 crore of the total
funding required for the airport project, which stands at Rs 16,000-crore.

GVK group will spend Rs 8500 Cr on Navi Mumbai airport phase-I.

6. Delhi High Court favours jail terms for using chemicals to ripen fruits

Use of pesticides and chemicals to ripen fruits amounts to poisoning the consumer, the
Delhi High Court has observed and said invoking penal provisions against the culprits.
Court has in the past suggested several measures to curb adulteration of eatables.

Pawan Kumar Agarwal is the current CEO for FSSAI.

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7. Ashutosh Sharma inaugurates Digital Gandhi Gyan Vigyan Exhibition

Phase-II

The Secretary, Department of Science & Technology, Ashutosh Sharma inaugurated

the Phase-II of the Digital Gandhi Gyan Vigyan Exhibition on Martyr's Day. The
Exhibition showcased Augmented Reality & Virtual Reality events related to the life of
Gandhi.

It is in alliance with M/s Vizara Technologies Pvt. Ltd, Delhi.

Obituary

1. NBA mastermind Stern passes away

David Stern, 77, who oversaw National Basketball Association’s growth into a global
sports powerhouse while serving as commissioner from 1984 to 2014, passed away.
Stern also helped establish the Women’s NBA and a development league for NBA
talent

Basketball was invented by James Naismith in Massachusetts

2. Former Karnataka Governor T N Chaturvedi passes away

Former Governor of Karnataka T N Chaturvedi passed away in Noida at the age of 90.
T N Chaturvedi served as of Comptroller and Auditor General of India from 1984 to
1989. He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 1991

Karnataka Present Gov: Vajubhai Vala; CM: BS Yediyurappa

3. Former India cricket all-rounder Bapu Nadkarni passes away at 86

Former India all-rounder Bapu Nadkarni passed away. He was best known for bowling
a record 21 successive maiden overs in a Test match. Nadkarni, a left-handed
batsman and slow-left arm orthodox bowler played 41 Tests scored 1414 runs &
grabbed 88 wickets.

He made his Test debut against New Zealand in Delhi in 1955.

4. Indian Classical Singer Sunanda Patnaik Passes Away

Indian classical singer Sunanda Patnaik, popularly known as "guruma" passed away at
a private hospital in Kolkata at the age of 85. She started singing at All India Radio in
Cuttack in 1948 at the age of 14.

She received Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi award in 1970 and 1971

5. Titular Queen of Bhopal, Saleha Sultan, passes away

Princess Saleha Sultan, the titular queen of Bhopal and wife of the late Nawab Bashir
Yar Jung of the Paigah family, passed away in Hyderabad. Princess Saleha was the
eldest child of the Nawab of Pataudi & sister of Nawab Muhammad Mansur Ali Khan

Bhopal, being a matriarchal princely state, she was the queen

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6. Kobe Bryant dies in helicopter crash in California

Kobe Bryant aged 41, the basketball icon who won five NBA championships with the
Los Angeles Lakers, died in a helicopter crash, leaving a legacy that spanned 20 years
in professional sports & a growing 2nd career as an investor. He entered NBA in 1996.

He had won two gold medals in the Olympics.

7. 'Andaz Apna Apna' producer Vinay Sinha passes away

Filmmaker Vinay Sinha, best known for producing cult comedy "Andaz Apna Apna",
has died at the age of 74. Sinha was also the man behind popular Hindi films such as
"Ameer Aadmi Gharib Aadmi", "Naseeb" and "Chor Police". He was also vice president
of IMPPA.

IMPPA- Indian Motion Picture Producers' Association.

Obituary (Name) Related Field

David Stern National Basketball Association’s
former Chairman
T N Chaturvedi Former Karnataka Governor
Bapu Nadkarni Former India cricket all-rounder
Sunanda Patnaik Indian Classical Singer
Saleha Sultan Titular Queen of Bhopal
Kobe Bryant Basketball Player
Vinay Sinha Filmmaker

Person in news

1. Scientist Bipul Behari Saha elected as IUPAC bureau member

Bipul Behari Saha, a noted chemist has been elected as a bureau member of the
International Union of Pure & Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) for the period 2020-23. Bipul
Behari Saha is the second Indian after CNR Rao to be elected for this position in a
century.

IUPAC-largest global organization of Chemistry professionals.

2. Captain Tania Sher Gill become first woman adjutant for Army Day

Tania Sher Gill, a fourth-generation army officer led men in Army Day parade on
January 15 in New Delhi. Tania was Commissioned in Mar 2017 from Officers Training
Academy, Chennai. She is from the Corp of Signals.

The current COAS is General Manoj Mukund Naravane.

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3. 5-Year-Old Boy from Hyderabad Gets Guinness World Record in Taekwondo

A five-year-old boy Aashman Taneja has made a Guinness world record in Taekwondo
for the fullest contact knee strikes in one-hour non-stop. USA World Open Taekwondo
Silver medallist achieved more than 1200 knee strikes.

Taekwondo or Tae Kwon Do is a Korean martial art.

4. Jeff Bezos pledges $1 billion for Indian business growth

Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos pledged $1 billion in new investments to help take
small Indian businesses online by an initiative that will use Amazon’s global footprint
to create $10 billion in Indian exports by 2025

Amazon launched ‘Digital Haats’ for e-commerce in villages

5. Jessica Andrews wins £10k Portico Prize for debut Saltwater

Jessica Andrews has won the £10,000 Portico Prize for Literature for her debut novel
Saltwater (Sceptre), described as "a tender tribute to women across generations and
an important exploration of women’s lives today".

The Portico Prize was established in 1985 by The Portico Library

6. Arun Jaitley, Sushma Swaraj, George Fernandes among 7 Padma

Vibhushan awardees

Among the other Padma Vibhushan awardees are boxer MC Mary Kom, former
Mauritius prime minister Anerood Jugnauth & Indian classical singer Chhannulal
Mishra. This year the President has approved conferment of 141 Padma awards
including four duo cases.

16 people have been given the Padma Bhushan & 118 the Padma Shri

7. Janak Raj to Triumph Michael Patra in RBI’s monetary policy Division

The Reserve Bank of India has appointed Janak Raj, chief advisor to the financial
policy division, as executive director. He succeeds Michael Patra. Now RBI will possess
12 EDs, its entire strength. Raj would be a part of MPC as an inner RBI member.

Patra will be a part of this 6-member monetary policy committee.

8. Indian Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra qualifies for Tokyo Olympics

Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra ,22 has qualified for the Tokyo Olympics with a
throw of 87.86 metres at the Athletics Central North East meeting in South Africa. He
missed the IAAF World Championships, the Diamond League and the Asian
Championships.

He is Asian Games and Commonwealth Games gold medallist.

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9. Wipro CEO Abidali Neemuchwala steps down

Wipro Ltd said its Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Abidali Z
Neemuchwala has decided to step down due to family commitments. Abid helped to
build a strong execution mindset, drove key acquisitions and scaled the Digital
business globally.

Wipro is headquartered in Bangalore.

Insurance

1. IRDAI levies Rs 3 Cr penalty on Maruti Insurance Brokers

IRDAI has imposed a penalty of Rs 3 crore on Maruti Insurance Brokers Pvt Limited for
violation of various regulatory norms. IRDAI has found the MIBL in violation of the
Motor Insurance Service Provider guidelines on various counts.

Maruti Insurance Brokers Ltd is incorporated in 2010.

2. Standard health insurance product, Arogya Sanjeevani Policy announced:

IRDAI

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has announced
a standard product with all the basic understandable features. This product is named
‘Arogya Sanjeevani Yojana’, followed by the name of the insurer.

This product is available to all from April 01, 2020.

3. Mutual funds infused Rs 670 crore in REITs in 2019: SEBI

According to the SEBI, Fund managers infused Rs 670 crore in real estate investment
trusts (REITs) and Rs 11,347 crore in infrastructure investment trusts (InvITs) last
year. SEBI first issued the guidelines for REITs and InvITs in 2014.

Securities & Exchange Board of India (SEBI), Chairman Ajay Tyagi.

4. Bajaj Allianz General gets nod for health co-pay, pay-per-use motor
insurance

Bajaj Allianz General Insurance has received approval for two proposals for health &
motor insurance proposals under the regulatory sandbox. These include 'co-pay' under
health insurance and ‘pay as you consume’ for motor insurance

IRDAI HQ: Hyderabad; Chairman: Subhash Chandra Khuntia

5. Reliance General launches a comprehensive health insurance plan-

Reliance Health Infinity

Reliance General launched insurance plan-Reliance Health Infinity-with additional

benefits. With this, policyholders will be able to more focus on their critical treatment,
rather than worry about which room to choose against their insurance coverage.

It offers 3 benefits- more cover, more time & more global.

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6. IRDA imposes Rs 1 crore penalty on Cholamandalam MS General Insurance

IRDA has imposed a penalty of 1 crore on Cholamandalam MS General Insurance after

charging the company of paying money in advance to businesses in violation of
corporate governance rules. It must pay the penalty within 15 days of receiving the
order.

Cholamandalam MS General Insurance HQ-Chennai.

7. Tata AIG collaborates with Drone Federation of India for Drone Insurance

Tata AIG and Drone Federation of India (DFI) have collaborated to create insurance
products and services for the Drone Industry. DGCA regulations make insurance
mandatory during operation of remotely piloted aircraft systems.

Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

India & World

1. India and Pakistan exchanged list of Nuclear Installations

India and Pakistan on 1 January exchanged, through diplomatic channels

simultaneously at New Delhi and Islamabad, list of Nuclear Installations and facilities
covered under the Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear
installations.

The Agreement was signed on 31 December 1988.

2. India extends $75 mn line of credit for solar parks in Cuba

India extended a line of credit of USD 75 mn. to Cuba for financing solar parks. As per
the agreement, financing of export of eligible goods & services from India would be
allowed subject to their being eligible for export under the Foreign Trade Policy.

Cuba is also known as the Sugar Bowl of the world.

3. India, Bangladesh sign MoU for content exchange programme between All
India Radio and Bangladesh Betar

India signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Bangladesh for content exchange

programme between All India Radio and Bangladesh Betar. India and Bangladesh
team is co-producing the biopic on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Bangladesh Information Minister Muhammad H Mahmud.

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4. S. Jaishankar in Niger inaugurates first convention centre made by India in

Africa to honour Gandhi

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar & Nigerien President Mahamadou Issoufou

jointly inaugurated the first convention centre established in Africa by India to honour
the memory of Mahatma Gandhi. It is a symbol of India's firm commitment towards
Africa.

Niamey is capital city of Niger.

5. UK launches 4-mn pound Innovation Challenge Fund in India

UK government has launched about Rs 37 Cr fund in India to support collaborative

research into emerging technologies. Fund will encourage industry & academia to
collaborate & develop tech solutions for social, economic & environmental challenges
in India.

Focus is on AI in Karnataka & future mobility in Maharashtra.

6. Tongo hands over letter of engagement to NTPC

Letter of Engagement of NTPC as PMC for development about 300 MW Solar Power
Projects by Togo was handed over. Tongo has been requesting assistance of ISA for
enhancing Solar capacity in the Country, to achieve goal of universal electricity access
by 2030.

ISA-International Solar Alliance.

7. Indian Navy Launches 'Operation Vanilla' to Provide Humanitarian

Assistance and Disaster Relief at Madagascar

Indian Navy Ship Airavat has been diverted to Madagascar to undertake Humanitarian
Assistance and Disaster Relief mission as part of 'Operation Vanilla' which has been
launched to provide assistance to the Cyclone Diane affected population of
Madagascar.

Ship is geared to set up medical camp & supply relief material.

Environment

1. Assam state zoo first to breed endangered Hargila

Assam State Zoo & NGO-Aaranyak were successfully able to hatch a pair of Greater
Adjutant Stork (Hargila) chicks on an artificial platform within the Zoo enclosure. This
species is currently on the brink of extinction due to habitat loss

Greater Adjutant stork is the rarest of 20 species of Storks

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2. Renowned environmental economist Pavan Sukhdev awarded 2020 Tyler

Prize for Environmental Achievement

Renowned environmental economist and UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Goodwill

Ambassador Pavan Sukhdev was awarded the 2020 Tyler Prize for Environmental
Achievement, recognizing his ground-breaking ‘green economy’ work.

It is often described as 'Nobel Prize for the Environment'.

3. 10 more wetlands from India get the Ramsar site tag

In a major recognition towards India’s effort towards conservation, restoration &

rejuvenation of its wetlands, Ramsar has declared 10 more wetland sites from India as
sites of international importance. The Ramsar Convention was signed on February 2,
1971.

Maharashtra gets its first, Punjab adds 3 and UP 6 to its list.

4. Oldest ever mushroom fossil discovered

Researchers have discovered the oldest ever mushroom fossil to be identified in rocks
whose age is between 715 & 810 million years in Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The oldest confirmed mushroom fossil until now was dated to 460 million years ago.

Microscopic mushroom parts founded are called as mycelium.

Apps & Portals

1. WhatsApp service and helpline number launched for women

The Uttar Pradesh SRTC has launched a dedicated women helpline,"Damini”, which is
a calling and a WhatsApp service for the safety of women. Number "81142-77777" has
been subscribed for the helpline, which is an extension of the Nirbhaya Yojana.

UPSRTC managing director - Raj Shekhar.

2. EC launches online system to let new parties track status of registration

applications

Election Commission has launched an online system, Political Parties Registration

Tracking Management System (PPRTMS) to allow political parties track their
applications for registration with the poll panel on a real-time basis.

Registration is done as per Representation of People Act, 1951

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3. Amit Shah launches country’s first Cyber Crime Prevention Unit AASHVAST
in Gandhinagar

Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated two projects named VISWAS (Video Integration
& State-wide Advance Security) & AASHVAST that will play a key role in preventing
crimes in the state. AASHVAST-Online portal to pay E Challan & Cyber Crime
Prevention Unit.

‘Netrang’ project: establish Command & Control Room in 33 dts.

4. I4C and National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal established to deal cyber
crimes

Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the state-of-the-art Indian Cyber Crime
Coordination Centre (I4C) and National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal through which
people can report cyber-crimes online. More than 700 police districts relate to the
portal.

It will improve coordination among the law enforcement agencies.

5. Goldman Sachs Launches Mobile App for Digital Bank Marcus

Goldman Sachs has launched a mobile app for its digital banking service, Marcus. The
bank launched Marcus in 2016 to diversify its revenue and funding sources by offering
savings accounts and personal loans to retail customers.

David M. Solomon. Chairman and CEO, Goldman Sachs.

6. ICICI Bank launches India’s largest API Banking portal with nearly 250
APIs

ICICI Bank has launched an API Banking portal, consisting of the max. no. of virtual
APIs (application programming interfaces) clubbed by any Indian bank. The APIs are
available across a variety of categories namely payments & collections like IMPS, UPI
etc

Roy Fieldings, Invented API

7. PhonePe launches International Travel Insurance in digital payment

platform space

Phone Pe has announced its launch of international travel insurance in collaboration

with Bajaj Allianz General insurance. PhonePe’s Travel Insurance is providing benefits
such as a high sum insured of up to $1 mn., special pricing starting at just Rs 216.

Hemant Gala, Head Payments, Banking & Financial Services, PhonePe

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8. Arunachal’s ‘eForest Fire app’ bags e-Governance ‘Jury Award’

A digital app to detect forest fire, developed under district level initiative in e-
Governance has bagged the ‘Jury Award’ under Category-Ill, to be given during the
23rd National Conference on e-Governance, to be held on 7 and 8 February in
Mumbai.

Arunachal Pradesh is the north-eastern most state of India.

9. Jitendra Singh launches Bhuvan Panchayat V3 web Portal

Union Minister of State for PMO Dr Jitendra Singh launched the Bhuvan Panchayat V3
web Portal in the ISRO headquarters, that will enhance network application of gram
panchayats. It will function with the help of satellite technology developed by ISRO.

ISRO Chairman Dr K. Sivan, ISRO Headquarters -Bengaluru.

10. RBI launches MANI app for visually challenged

RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das launched a mobile app, MANI - Mobile Aided Note
Identifier, to help visually challenged people to identify denomination of currency
notes by using the camera scan such that an audio output will give the result in
Hindi/English

Id-features on Rs 100 note emblem- triangle; Rs 2000- 7 lines

11. HDFC Bank unveiled "myApps" application to boost digital payments

HDFC Bank launched ‘myApps’ application to boost digital payments in India. It is a

unique customised suite of banking products to benefit urban local bodies, housing
societies, local clubs & gymkhanas & religious institutions to digitise their ecosystem.

mySociety, myClub, myPrayer & myCity are other HDFC apps.

12. Government launches web portal to block stolen, lost mobile phones

Govt has launched a web portal, ‘Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR)’, to
facilitate blocking and tracing of stolen/lost mobile phones in Delhi. The CEIR has been
undertaken by DoT for addressing security, theft & reprogramming of mobile handsets

Ravi Shankar Prasad - Minister for Communications.

13. Govt launches website for ready-to-move-in flats

India’s first e-commerce housing portal, HousingForAll.com will be opened for

homebuyers from Feb 14. Through this portal, lowest priced inventory will be made
available by builders. CREDAI-MCHI, CII, FICCI, ASSOCHAM etc. are partners in this
initiative.

NAREDCO- formed under the aegis of MoHUA for this purpose.

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14. Films Division launches mobile app to provide all information about Film
festival

Films Division has launched a mobile app, which will provide movie buffs all the
information about the 16th edition of Mumbai International Film Festival for
Documentary, Short Fiction and Animation films - MIFF-2020.

Best Film of the Festival is awarded a cash prize of ₹10 Lakh.

15. ICICI Bank Launches ‘iBox’, A Self-Service Delivery Facility For Customers

ICICI Bank, announced the launch of a unique self-service delivery facility,called

'iBox', enabling its customers to collect their deliverables such as debit card, credit
card, cheque book and returned-cheques from a branch close to their home or office.

Sandeep Batra, President, ICICI Bank

16. NCRB launches ''missing person'', ''vehicle NOC'' services

The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) launched two police-related, citizen-
centric services on the Crime and CCTNS platform which will help people in searching
for missing persons and generating vehicle NOC (No Objection Certificates).

Can be accessed through-''digitalpolicecitizenservices.gov.in''.

17. Google Pay introduces UPI recharge option for FASTag

Google Pay announced that it has added a new Unified Payments Interface (UPI)
feature that will let them link FASTag accounts to the Google Pay app and recharge
and track their payments. FASTag is an electronic toll collection system.

FASTag operated by the National Highway Authority of India.

18. Google launches short-form video app Tangi to take on TikTok's

popularity

Google has joined the race to launch short-video making apps with unveiling Tangi
which is focused on creativity and Do It Yourself (DIY) space. The app is a product
from Google's in-house incubator titled Area 120.

Acquisitions & Mergers

1. HDFC gets IRDAI nod to acquire stake in Apollo Munich Health Insurance

HDFC has received approval from Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of
India to acquire 51.2% stake in Apollo Munich Health Insurance – a JV b/w Apollo
Hospitals & German reinsurer Munich Re Group.

IRDAI Chief: S C Khuntia; HQ: Hyderabad

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2. Adani to buy 75% stake in Krishnapatnam Port

Adani Ports and Logistics and Special Economic Zone Ltd. (APSEZ) will be acquiring
75% stake in Krishnapatnam Port Co. Ltd. (KPCL) in Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh
for a total consideration of ₹13,572 crore from the CVR Group.

KPCL is the second-largest private sector port in the east.

3. Flipkart former CEO Sachin Bansal acquires DHFL General Insurance for Rs
100 crore

Flipkart co-founder & former CEO Sachin Bansal has reportedly acquired DHFL General
Insurance from Wadhawan Group Capital for around Rs 100 crore. The deal is seen as
a distress sale for Kapil Wadhawan-led financial services group, which used to run
DHFL.

WGC is the parent company of crisis-hit DHFL.

4. Visa to buy fintech start-up Plaid for $5.3 billion

Visa has agreed to buy privately held software start-up Plaid Inc in a $5.3 billion deal
that will boost the payments giant's access to the booming financial technology space.
Plaid's technology lets people link their bank accounts to mobile apps.

Visa Chairman and CEO Al Kelly.

5. Zomato acquires Uber Eats for Rs 2,485 crore

Zomato has acquired Uber Eats, the food delivery business of ride-hailing giant Uber
India for around Rs 2,485 crore ($350 million) in an all-stock deal. UberEats witnesses
$2 per order as compared to $3-4 per order for Swiggy and Zomato.

Zomato founder Deepinder Goyal.

6. Adani Capital acquires Essel Finance’s MSME lending business

Adani Capital Pvt. Ltd has acquired Essel Finance’s micro, small and medium
enterprises (MSME) loan business. Through the acquisition, Adani Capital has secured
a loan book of around ₹145 crore, operating out of 10 cities.

Adani Capital commenced lending operations in April 2017.

7. Allcargo Logistics acquires 20.8% stake in Gati

Allcargo Logistics Ltd, a multimodal logistics firm, on Tuesday said that it has
increased its stake in express logistics firm Gati Ltd to 20.8% by acquiring an
additional 7.5% stake. Allcargo has bought an additional 91 lakh shares in Gati
through two different transactions.

Allcargo Logistics Founder: Shashi Kiran Shetty

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8. Siemens to acquire New Delhi-based C&S Electric for ₹2,100 Cr

Siemens has signed an agreement to acquire C&S Electric Ltd, for Rs 2,100 Cr. Move
will strengthen Siemens’ position as a key supplier of low-voltage power distribution &
electrical installation technology in one of the world’s fastest-growing economies.

C&S is a leading provider of electrical & electronic equipment.

Important Static and Current info

State Capital Chief Minister Governor
Andhra Amaravati Y. S. Jaganmohan Biswa Bhusan
Pradesh Reddy Harichandan
Arunachal Itanagar Pema Khandu Brigadier BD
Pradesh Mishra (retd)
Assam Dispur Sarabananda Jagdish Mukhi
Sonowal
Bihar Patna Nitish Kumar Phagu Chauhan
Chhattisgarh Raipur Bhupesh Baghel Anusuiya Uikey
Goa Panaji Pramod Sawant S.P Malik
Gujarat Gandhi Nagar Vijaybhai R. Rupani Acharya Devvrat
Haryana Chandigarh Manohar Lal Satyadev Narayan
Khattar Arya
Himachal Shimla Jai Ram Thakur Bandaru
Pradesh Dattatraya
Jharkhand Ranchi Hemant Soren Draupadi Murmu
Karnataka Bengaluru B S Yediyurappa Vajubhai
Rudabhai Vala
Kerala Thiruvananthapuram Pinarayi Vijayan Arif Mohammed
Khan
Madhya Bhopal Kamal Nath Lalji Tandon
Pradesh
Maharashtra Mumbai Uddhav Thackrey Bhagat Singh
Koshyari
Manipur Imphal N Biren Singh Dr. Najma
Heptulla
Meghalaya Shillong Conrad Sangma RN Ravi
(Additional
Charge)
Mizoram Aizawl Pu Zoramthanga P S Sreedharan
Pillai
Nagaland Kohima Neiphiu Rio RN Ravi
Odisha Bhubaneshwar Naveen Patnaik Ganeshi Lal
Punjab Chandigarh Amarinder Singh V P Singh
Badnore
Rajasthan Jaipur Ashok Gehlot Kalraj Mishra
Sikkim Gangtok Prem Singh Ganga Prasad
Tamang (PS Golay)
Tamil Nadu Chennai Edappadi K. Banwarilal Purohit
Palaniswami

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Telangana Hyderabad K. Chandrasekhar Tamilisai

Rao Soundararajan
Tripura Agartala Biplab Kumar Deb Ramesh Bais
Uttar Pradesh Lucknow Yogi Adityanath Anandiben Patel
Uttarakhand Dehradun Trivendra Singh Baby Rani Maurya
Rawat
West Bengal Kolkata Mamata Banerjee Jagdeep
Dhankhar

Complete List of Union Ministers

Union Minister Portfolio Constituency
Narendra Modi Ministry of personnel, public grievances Varanasi, UP
and pensions
Rajnath Singh Ministry of Defence Lucknow, UP
Amit Shah Ministry of Home Affairs Gandhinagar,
Gujarat
Nitin Gadkari Ministry of Road Transport and Nagpur,
Highways & Ministry of Micro, Small Maharashtra
and Medium enterprises
DV Sadananda Ministry of Chemical and Fertilizers Bangalore North,
Gowda Karnataka
Nirmala Ministry of Finance & Ministry of Rajya Sabha
Sitharaman Corporate Affairs
Ram Vilas Paswan Ministry of Consumer affairs, food and NA
public distribution
Narendra Singh Ministry of agriculture and farmers Morena, M. P
Tomar welfare, Ministry of Rural Development
& Ministry of Panchayati Raj
Ravi Shankar Ministry of Law and Justice, Ministry of Patna Sahib,
Prasad communications & Ministry of Bihar
Electronics and Information Technology
Harsimrat Kaur Ministry of Food Processing Industries Bathinda, Punjab
Badal
Thaawar Chand Ministry of Social justice and Rajya Sabha
Gehlot empowerment (M.P)
Dr Subrahmanyam Ministry of External Affairs Rajya Sabha
Jaishankar (Gujarat)
Ramesh Pokhriyal Ministry of Human Resource Haridwar,
‘Nishank’ Development Uttarakhand
Arjun Munda Ministry of Tribal Affairs Khunti,
Jharkhand
Smriti Zubin Irani Ministry of Women and child Amethi, UP
Development & Ministry of Textiles
Dr Harsh Vardhan Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Chandni Chowk,
Ministry of Science and Technology & Delhi
Ministry of Earth Sciences
Prakash Javadekar Ministry of environment, forest and Rajya Sabha
climate change & Ministry of (M.P)
Information and Broadcasting

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Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public

Enterprise
Piyush Goyal Ministry of Railways & Ministry of Rajya Sabha
Commerce and Industry (Maharashtra)
Dharmendra Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas Rajya Sabha
Pradhan & Ministry of Steel (M.P)
Mukhtar Abbas Ministry of Minority Affairs Rajya Sabha
Naqvi (Jharkhand)
Pralhad Joshi Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, Dharwad,
Ministry of coal & Ministry of Mines Karnataka
Dr Mahendra Nath Ministry of Skill Development and Chandauli, UP
Pandey Entrepreneurship
Giriraj Singh Ministry of Animal Husbandry, dairying Begusarai, Bihar
and fisheries

Economic Survey 2019-20 highlights

 GDP growth pegged at 6-6.5% in fiscal year starting April 1, up from
5% in current fiscal
 Fiscal deficit target for current fiscal may need to be relaxed to revive
growth
 Uptick in growth projected in second half of current fiscal based on 10
factors including higher FDI flows, build-up of demand pressure,
positive GST revenue growth
 Survey asks government to deliver expeditiously on reforms to revive
growth
 Ethical wealth creation key to India becoming $5 trillion economy by
2025
 Share of formal employment increased from 17.9% in 2011 -12 to
22.8% in 2017-18 reflecting formalisation in the economy
 Theme of Survey is wealth creation, promotion of pro-business
policies, strengthening of trust in the economy
 To achieve GDP of $5 trillion by 2024-25, India needs to spend about
$1.4 trillion over these years on infrastructure
 2.62 crore new jobs created in rural, urban areas between 2011-12
and 2017-18 among regular wage/salaried employees
 8% increase in regular employment of women in 2017-18 over 2011-
12
 Excessive government intervention in markets, especially when the
market can do the job of enhancing citizens welfare perfectly well,
stifles economic freedom
 Debt waivers disrupt the credit culture, reduces formal credit to same
farmers
 Suggests government to systematically examine areas where it
needlessly intervenes and undermines markets
 Calls for improving governance in public sector banks, more
disclosures to build trust
 Calls for measures to make it easier to start new business, register
property, pay taxes, enforce contracts
 Easing of crude prices lowers current account deficit; imports contract
more sharply than exports in first half of current fiscal

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 Declining inflation from 3.2% in April 2019 to 2.6% in December

2019, reflecting weakening demand pressure in the economy
 GST collections grew by 4.1% for the centre during April-November
2019.

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