HM Amit Shah lays foundation stone of 220 km Delhi Cycle Walk project

• Home Minister Amit Shah laid the foundation stone of Delhi Cycle Walk project on 6th January 2020 at Tughlakabad in New Delhi to make the city most walkable and environment friendly.

• The first phase of the Delhi Cycle Walk project will cover 36 kilometre of the whole network of over 220 km.

International team of astronomers finds farthest galaxy group EGS77

• An international team of astronomers funded in part by NASA has found the farthest galaxy group identified as “EGS77“. EGS77, the trio of galaxies dates to a time when the universe was only 680 million years old, or less than 5% of its current age of 13.8 billion years.

• EGS77 is the farthest group of galaxies to have ever been sighted. EGS77 was discovered as part of the Cosmic Deep And Wide Narrowband (Cosmic DAWN) survey.

• The team of astronomers was led by an Indian-origin Goa-born scientist, Vithal Tilvi.

• Vithal Tilvi is currently a visiting researcher at the School of Earth & Space Exploration, at the Arizona State University, US.

• Headquarters of NASA: Washington, D.C.

• Established: July 29,1958.

Piyush Goyal Inaugurates NSE’s AI Powered Knowledge Hub in New Delhi

• The Union Minister of Commerce and Industry & Railways, Shri Piyush Goyal inaugurated the National Stock Exchange (NSE) Knowledge Hub in New Delhi on 06 January 2020.

• NSE Knowledge Hub is an Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered learning ecosystem that will assist the banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI) sector to enhance their skills in AI and Machine Learning.

• The Knowledge Hub created by NSE will help academic institutions in preparing future-ready talent for the BFSI sector.

• The initiative is also available on mobile as state-of-the-art and future-ready platform to bring together world class content and learners.

• Government is committed to achieve USD 1 trillion by 2035 through AI and Machine Learning.

Rajnath Singh Inaugurates National Traders Convention in New Delhi

• The Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the three-day National Traders Convention at Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi on 06 January 2020.

• The convention has been organised by Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT).

Journalist Day Observed in Maharashtra on January 6

• Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray-led Maharashtra state celebrates the Journalist Day on January 6th every year in the memory of late journalist Balshastri Jambhekar.

• Balshastri Jambhekar, is also known as ‘The Father of Marathi Journalism’, for his efforts in starting journalism in Marathi language.

• The first newspaper in the Marathi language named ‘Darpan’, was published on January 6, 1832, the date which also marks his birth anniversary.

Adani Ports to buy 75% stake in Krishnapatnam Port Company for Rs 13,572 cr

• The Gautam Adani-led Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ), India’s largest private sector port operator has announced to acquire controlling stake (75%) in Krishnapatnam Port Company Limited (KPCL).

• The company will buy a 75% stake in KPCL at an enterprise value of Rs 13,572 crore.

• It is the largest acquisition in the port sector in India.

RevFin Ties-up with PNB MetLife to offer life cover to customers

• RevFin, a digital lending start-up, has partnered with PNB MetLife India Insurance Company Limited (PNB MetLife) to offer protection to its customers through life insurance on their loans.

• The insurance will cover loans up to Rs 3 lakhs for a term of 3 years.

CSC inks MoU with Paytm Payments Bank for sale of FASTags

• CSC e-Governance Services India has signed a memorandum of understanding with Paytm Payments Bank Ltd (PPBL), to jointly sell FASTags.

• Under the agreement, CSC will integrate its platform with Paytm Payments Bank for the sale of PPBL FASTags, to carry out seamless transactions

• In September 2017, CSCs started selling FASTags when it partnered with Equitas Bank. Later on, State Bank of India and HDFC Bank came onboard.

• Since March 2019, CSC has tied up with National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) also for selling FASTags.

• Around 2.84 lakh FASTags have been sold by CSCs across the country so far.

Delhi AIIMS’ Professor Suresh Chandra Sharma Appointed as First Chief of National Medical Commission

• The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Professor Suresh Chandra Sharma, head of Delhi AIIMS’ ENT head-neck surgery department, as the Chairman of National Medical Commission (NMC) on 2nd January 2020.

• Besides him, Rakesh Kumar Vats, the Secretary General in the Board of Governors of the Medical Council of India, has been appointed as secretary of the commission.

About National Medical Commission (NMC)

• The National Medical Commission (NMC) is the new medical education regulator to replace the Medical Council of India (MCI).

• President Ram Nath Kovind gave assent to the National Medical Commission (NMC) Act, 2019 on August 8, 2019.

• The MCI has been dissolved after countless allegations of corruption in medical education came up.

Dubai-based Indian girl Sucheta Satish, wins Global Child Prodigy Award 2020 for Twin World Records in Singing

• Dubai-based Indian girl, Sucheta Satish, who can sing in 120 languages, has won in the ‘Global Child Prodigy Awards 2020’ in New Delhi on January 3, 2020.

• The 13-year-old Sucheta Satish was selected for the award for her twin world records, which included singing in most languages during one concert and the longest live singing concert by a child.

Global Child Prodigy Award

• The 100 Global Child Prodigy Award is a first of its kind platform with the objective of recognizing child’s talent and power in different categories such as arts, music, dance, writing, modeling, acting, science and sports to give them the global exposure that they deserve and provide them with the right opportunities at the right time to ensure that they create a major impact on society.

• The Global Child Prodigy Award is supported by the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam International Foundation and Oscar winning music director AR Rahman among others.

Former Governor of Karnataka T N Chaturvedi Passes Away at 90

• Former Governor of Karnataka Triloki Nath Chaturvedi has passed away. He was 90.

• T N Chaturvedi served as the 14th Governor of Karnataka from 2002–2007.

• He was also the Comptroller and Auditor General of India from 1984 to 1989.

• Mr Chaturvedi was the recipient of Padma Vibhushan award in 1991.

UN declares Malala Yousafzai ‘Most Famous Teenager of The Decade’

• The United Nations has declared Pakistani education activist and Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai as “Most Famous Teenager of The Decade”. The revelation has been made in its ‘Decade in Review’ report.

• Malala is working towards children’s rights ever since she was a teenager. In recognition of her efforts, she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014 and also become the yougest recipient of the award.

• Headquarters of United Nations: New York, USA; Founded: 24 October 1945.

• Secretary-General of the United Nations: Antonio Guterres.

PM Modi Launches I-STEM Portal to Link Researchers with Resources

• Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi launched the Indian Science, Technology and Engineering Facilities Map (I-STEM) portal (https://www.istem.gov.in/) at the 107th edition of the Indian Science Congress on 3rd January 2020 at Bangalore.

• The I-STEM Web Portal is the gateway for users to locate the specific facilities they need for their R&D work and identify the one that is either located closest to them or available the soonest.

• It is a unique One Nation One Research Web Portal for national collaboration among all institutions and private laboratories.

India’s Biggest Defence Expo to be held in UP’s Lucknow in February 2020

• The Defence Expo- 2020 will be held in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh from February 5 to 8, 2020.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the biennial Defence Expo-2020 on February 5.

• The theme of the 11th edition of expo is ‘India: The Emerging Defence Manufacturing Hub’.

International Symposium on Marine Ecosystems Challenges and Opportunities 2020 to be held in Kochi from January 7

• The third edition of the International Symposium on Marine Ecosystems Challenges and Opportunities (MECOS-3) will be held in Kochi, Kerala from 7 to 10 January 2020.

• MECOS3 is being organized by the Marine Biological Association of India (MBAI) at Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), Kochi.

MP Government Launches Mukhyamantri Karmachari Swasthya Bima Yojana for its Employees

• The Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath has approved a health insurance scheme named Mukhyamantri Karmachari Swasthya Bima Yojana on 04 January 2020 as a new year bonanza for its 12.55 lakh employees.

• The scheme will be effective from 01 April 2020.

• Under the scheme every government employee and their families will be eligible for medical treatment worth Rs 5 lakh annually.

• For some critical diseases, the eligibility will be enhanced to Rs 10 lakh.

Kolkata Police to begin third edition of ‘Sukanya’ project from January 6th

• The third edition of the ‘Sukanya’ project of Kolkata Police will begin from 06 January 2020.

• Sukanya is an initiative of the Kolkata Police’s Community Policing Wing to provide self-defence training to girl students of city-based schools, colleges and universities in martial art forms such as taekwondo, judo, kick-boxing and aikido.

• The Sukanya project covers those schools that come under Kanyashree scheme.

First International Yoga Day Media Award to be conferred on 30 Media Houses

• The first edition of the ‘Antarrashtriya Yoga Diwas Media Samman’ will take place in New Delhi on 7th January, 2020.

• The Union Minister of Information & Broadcasting, Shri Prakash Javadekar will confer the award on 30 Media Houses for their contribution in popularizing of Yoga at national and international level.

• The Ministry of I&B had instituted the first Antarashtriya Yoga Diwas Media Samman (AYDMS) in June, 2019 to acknowledge the positive role & responsibility of media in spreading the message of Yoga.

PM Modi Launches Braille Version of his Book ‘Exam Warriors’ On World Braille Day

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Braille version of his book Exam Warriors on World Braille Day on 04 January 2020.

• The book is a guide to bust examination related stress, and has illustrations, activities and yoga exercises

• The braille version is in both Hindi as well as English.

Neutral Pronoun ‘They’ Voted Word of the Decade by US Linguists

• The US language experts have voted neutral pronoun ‘They’ as the Word of the Decade.

• The third-person plural pronoun “They” is increasingly being used in English as singular form to refer to people who identify their gender as neither entirely male nor entirely female.

Irfan Pathan Announces Retirement from all forms of Cricket

• Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has announced his retirement from all forms of Cricket on January 5, 2020.

• Irfan made his Team India debut at the age of 19 in 2003.

• He has played 29 Tests, 120 ODIs and 24 T20Is for the Team India.

Shooter Saurabh Chaudhary wins men’s 10 metres air pistol gold at the 63rd National Shooting Championship

• Ace Indian shooter Saurabh Chaudhary has won the men’s 10 metres air pistol gold at the 63rd National Shooting Championship in Bhopal on January 05, 2020.

• The 17-year-old from Uttar Pradesh scored 246.4 to finish on top.

• Sarabjot Singh of Haryana stood second, while world number two Abhishek Verma settled for bronze.

• Also, Abhishek and Sarabjot together won the team gold for Haryana.

• Sarabjot also won the junior men’s gold.

NATIONAL NEWS

Central Ministry Sanctions 2,636 Charging Stations Across 62 Cities

• On January 3, 2020 the Department of Heavy Industries had sanctioned 2636 EV (Electric Vehicles) charging stations in 62 cities across 24 State/UTs under FAME India (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles in India) scheme phase II to clean the mobility in Road Transport Sector.

• It aims to increase the electric vehicle users and also encourage Original Equipment Manufacturer’s (OEM) to launch new electric models.

• A total of 317 EV charging stations have been allotted in Maharashtra which is highest among 24 states.Under FAME India scheme, the Department of Heavy Industries invited the “Expressions of Interest (EoI) “from various cities across the country and received 106 proposals for 7000 EV charging station. Out of which 2636 EV charging stations were selected with the help of Project Implementation and Sanctioning Committee (PISC)

About FAME India II:

To promote the Electric vehicle in the country Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi implemented the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles II scheme in India.

With the effect from April 1, 2019 this scheme was implemented with the total outlay of Rs 10000 crore for a period of three years.

About Ministry of Heavy Industries:

Founded- April 2015

Headquarters- New Delhi

Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises– Prakash Javadekar    

MEA sets up new emerging technologies division(NEST)

• The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has set up a New, Emerging and Strategic Technologies (NEST) division which helps to deal with new and emerging technologies. NEST helps to partner with 5G and artificial intelligence areas of other countries.

About MEA:

External Affairs Minister of India- Subrahmanyam Jaishankar (Constituency- Gujarat)

House- Rajya Sabha

About NEST:

• Under NEST, central government allows data sharing of various network makers in which Huawei shares its customer details with Chinese government under 5G trails.

• This division acts as the intermediate agency within the Ministry for issues pertaining to new and emerging technologies.

• It Create’s HR capacity within MEA for technology diplomacy.

• NEST also negotiates “technology governance rules, standards and architecture” in multilateral frameworks.

• India’s national security goal and developmental priorities will also be aligned with this policy.

Narendra Modi paid a 2 day visit to the state of Karnataka

• PM paid visit to Karnataka to attend events in Tumakuru and Bengaluru cities of the state. He arrived at the yelahanka air base.

• PM Shri Modi released the 3rd installment of PM Kisan scheme i.e., Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana of Rs.2000 for the December2019- March 2020 period.

• PM Modi inaugurated 5 new scientific DRDO (Defence Research Development Organisation) laboratories in Bengaluru. In this laboratory only scientists under the age of 35 years will be deployed.

• Prime Minister was inaugurating the 107th Indian Science Congress (ISC) at the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS) in Bengaluru. The theme of ISC for the year 2020 was “Science and Technology: Rural Development”.

• Prime Minister also launched the Indian Science Technology and Engineering facilities Map (I-STEM) Portal during ISC

KVIC opened first silk processing plant in Gujarat to boost production of signature Patola Saree.

• On January 3, 2020 Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) opened its first Silk Processing Plant in Surendranagar district of Gujarat to increase the production of Gujarat Patola Sarees.

• The Plant was set up at a cost of Rs 75 lakh by Khadi institution where RS 60 lakh was contributed by KVIC. Patola Sarees are the trademark of Gujarat.

• The Plant helps in reducing the production cost of silk yarn this helps in increasing the availability of raw materials for Gujarat Patola sarees.

• 90 local women were employed in the plant.

• Patola sarees are costly because raw materials of silk yarn were purchased from Karnataka and West Bengal.

• According to KVIC, cocoons will be brought from Karnataka and West Bengal to the plant and silk yarn will be processed, this helps in reducing the cost of Patola Sarees.

About KVIC:

Chairman- V K Saxena

Headquarters- Mumbai

• About Gujarat:

Chief Minister- Vijay Rupani

Governor- Acharya Devvrat

State Animal- Asiatic lion

State Bird- Greater flamingo

State Tree- Banyan

State Flower- Marigold

First-of-its kind turtle rehab centre comes up in Bihar

• rehabilitation centre for freshwater turtles is to be inaugurated in January 2020 in the Bhagalpur forest division of Bihar.

• This centre spread over half a hectare will be able to shelter 500 turtles at a time.

• The centre will also treat turtles that are sick, severely injured or smuggled, and then be returned safely into its natural habitat. The turtles will be properly monitored before being released back.

• According to a report by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) and Wildlife Institute of India (WII) , the turtle species are under threat due to loss through dams and barrages, pollution, illegal poaching, accidental drowning through fishing nets and threats to their nesting habitats etc.

• According to a recent study conducted by Traffic India, nearly 11,000 turtles are being smuggled in India annually which makes 1,10,000 turtles in the past 10 years.

 About Bihar

Capital- Patna.

Chief Minister- Nitish Kumar.

Governor- Phagu Chauhan.

National parks- Valmiki National park.

India, Pakistan exchange list of nuclear installations

• Continuing a 29-year unbroken practice, India and Pakistan on Wednesday exchanged a list of their nuclear installations under a bilateral arrangement that prohibits them from attacking each other's atomic facilities.

• This was done simultaneously through diplomatic channels in New Delhi and Islamabad.

• The agreement was signed on December 31, 1988 and came into force on January 27, 1991.

• The pact mandates the two countries to inform each other of nuclear installations and facilities to be covered under the agreement on the first of January of every calendar year.

• This is the 29th consecutive exchange of the list with the first one taking place on January 1, 1992.

BANKING AND ECONOMICS

India extends USD 75 mn line of credit for solar parks in Cuba

• Export-Import (Exim)Bank, the premier export finance institution of India has given a $75 million (over Rs 500 crore) line of credit (LoC, a soft loan / loan with low interest rate) to Cuba for financing 75 MW (megawatt) Photovoltaic Solar Parks.

• The Agreement in this regard between Exim Bank & Banco Exterior De Cuba, a nominated agency of the Government of Cuba, signed on July 16,2019 & is effective from December 12,2019.

• Out of the total assistance by Exim Bank under the agreement,financing of eligible goods, works and services of the value of at least 75 % of the contract price shall be supplied by the seller from India and the remaining 25 % of goods and services may be procured by the seller for the purpose of eligible contract from outside India. It will be subject to the eligibility for export under the Foreign Trade Policy of India.

• As per the agreement,the terminal utilisation time is 60 months period after the scheduled completion date of the project.

About Exim Bank:

Founded– 1 January 1982

Headquarters– Mumbai, Maharashtra

Managing Director- David Rasquinha

About Cuba:

Capital– Havana

Currency– Peso (CUP)

President– Miguel Díaz-Canel

Prime Minister- Manuel Marrero Cruz

CSC inks pact with Paytm Payments Bank for sale of FASTags

• CSC e-Governance services India ltd has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Paytm Payments Bank ltd (PPBL) for selling FASTags.

• Through this MoU, FASTags will be sold through the last mile network of 3.6 lakh CSCs (Common Service Centres).

• This will help in enhancing govt’s vision of cashless and smoot transit at toll plazas in the country.

• CSC will integrate its platform with PPBL to carry out the transactions. Village level entrepreneurs will be trained on conducting online sales which are cashless and paperless.

• CSCs have been providing FASTag services since 2 years. It initially partnered with Equitas bank in September 2017 and later with State Bank of India (SBI) and HDFC (Housing Development Finance Corporation) bank.

• Since March 2019, CSCs tied up with National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) also for selling FASTags.

• Fastags have been mandatory in the country at toll gates on national highways (NH). It allows toll payments directly from prepaid or savings account linked to it. The FASTags work on Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology

Forex reserves hit record high at $457.46 bn

• According to the “ Bulletin Weekly Statistical Supplement – Extract” released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), India’s foreign exchange (Forex) reserves rose by $ 2.520 billion to a record $ 457.468 billion during the week ended 27 December,2019.

• During the previous week,Forex reserves had increased by $ 456 million to $ 454.948 billion.

• The main reason for increase in foreign exchange reserves is the increase in foreign exchange assets, which is the main component of forex.

• Foreign Currency Assets (FCA): Foreign currency assets rose by $ 2.203 billion to $ 424.936 billion during the week.

FCA’s include the effect of appreciation or depreciation of non-US units like the euro, pound and the yen held in the forex reserves.

• Gold Reserve: The country’s gold reserves also increased by $ 260 million to reach $ 27.392 billion during the week.

• SDR:The country’s special drawing rights (SDR) with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) declined by $ 2 million to $ 1.441 billion.

• Reserve Position in the IMF: India’s reserve position with the IMF Fund increased by $ 58 million to $ 3.7 billion.

Note: Total Reserves = Foreign Currency Assets +Gold + SDRs + Reserve Position in the IMF

• Foreign exchange reserves:

These are assets held on reserve by RBI in foreign currencies. These reserves are used to back liabilities and influence monetary policy. It includes any foreign money held by a central bank, such as the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank.

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

Sucheta Satish: 13-year-old Indian girl wins Global Child Prodigy Award in Dubai

• A 13-year-old Indian girl in Dubai has won the 100 Global Child Prodigy Award for singing in most languages during one concert and the longest live singing concert by a child, according to a media report on Friday.

• Sucheta Satish, a student in Dubai Indian High School, can sing in 120 languages.

• She made her double world record in January 2018Dubai at the Indian Consulate Auditorium, as a 12-year-old when she sings in 102 different languages over 6 hours and 15 minutes.

• Recently she released her second album ‘Ya Habibi’ in Arabic.

• About 100 Global Child Prodigy Award:

This award is a platform to showcase the talent of children in dance, music, art, writing, acting, modeling, science, sports etc. The award is supported by Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam International Foundation and Oscar Award winning music producer AR Rahman among others.

SPORTS

Shri Nityanand Rai inaugurates 4th All India Police Judo Cluster Championship 2019

• Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Nityanand Rai, inaugurated the 4th All India Police Judo Cluster Championship 2019, in New Delhi on 3rd January 2020.

• The five-day 4th All India Police Judo Cluster Championship has been organized this year by CRPF and will conclude on January 7.

• The sporting event is being attended by 34 participating teams consisting of 1207 sports persons from across the country, with a total of 15 Trophies and 214 Medals.

• This event is part of the Sports Calendar of All India Police Sports Control Board (AIPSCB) for the Year 2019-20. These are hosted on rotation basis by the members of the board.

• Earlier, this cluster were organized by Sashtra Seema Bal (SSB) in 2016, West Bengal Police in 2017 and Odisha Police in 2018.

APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS

Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev resigns

• North Macedonia Prime Minister (PM) Zoran Zaev submitted his resignation. His resignation paves a way to form a new caretaker government under the country’s former interior minister  Oliver Spasovski until  April 12, 2020 election.

• He was born on 8 October 1974 in Strumica, North Macedonia.

• Zaev was a member of North Macedonia’s parliament between 2003 and 2005 and mayor of Strumica between 2005 and 2016.

• He belongs to Social Democratic Union of Macedonia party.

About North Macedonia:

Capital- Skopje

Currency- Macedonian denar

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

ISRO inks pact with NITK to set up Regional Academic Centre for Space

• Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) sets its fourth Regional Academic Centre for Space (RAC-S) at the National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK) at Surathkal in Mangaluru taluk.

• The centre helps for the advanced research in the areas of relevance to the future technological and programmatic needs of the Indian Space programme.

• It also helps in the promotion of space technology in southern regions like Tamil Nadu,Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Pondicherry and Lakshadweep.

• RAC-S encourages institutions to take part in advanced research technologies related to space technology.

• Joint Policy Management committee (JPMC) in RAC-S consists of experts from ISRO and NITK. These members will conduct activities in institutions on advanced space research technology.

• ISRO has set its first RAC-S in Jaipur, second at Guwahati and third at Kurukshetra.

• ISRO will provide Rs 2 Crore annually per year for the conduct of research and development project .

About ISRO:

Chairman- K Sivan

Headquarters- Bengaluru

ISRO CPBO director- Dr P V Venkitakrishnan

OBITUARY

NBA mastermind David Joel Stern New york,United States passes away at 77

• David Joel Stern born in New York,United States is a former commissioner of the NBA (National Basketball Association) passed away due to brain haemorrhage.

• He took the NBA’s growth into a global sports powerhouse.

• He served as commissioner of the NBA for 30 (1984-2014) years.

• David Stern retired on February 2014.

Centenarian Freedom fighter Bhim Chandra Jana passes away at 107

• Centenarian Freedom fighter Bhim Chandra Jana has died of old-age related ailments in West Bengal’s Howrah District at the age of 107.

• Bhim Chandra Jana was also known as ‘Nanu’ to other freedom fighters of Bengal.

• Jana was awarded by Government of India after Independence.

• About West Bengal:

Capital- Kolkata.

Chief Minister- Mamata Banerjee.

Governor- Jagdeep Dhankhar.

Districts- 23.

State Bird- White-throated Kingfisher.

State Animal- Fishing cat.

State Tree- Chatim tree.

State Flower- Night-flowering jasmine.

Former Tamil Nadu Assembly speaker, P.H. Pandian passes away at 74.

• On January 04, 2020, Paul Hector (PH) Pandian passed away at a private hospital in Chennai, Tamil Nadu after prolonged illness. He was 74.

• Born on 29 March 1945 in Cheranmahadevi town in Tirunelveli district of TN, Pandian joined AIADMK in 1972.He was the Speaker of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly from February 27, 1985 – February 5, 1989.

• A lawyer by profession, Pandian was elected as an Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from his native Cheranmahadevi assembly seat in 1977, 1980 and 1984 & he went on to be elected as Member of Parliament (MP) in 1999, from Tirunelveli constituency.

• He also served as former Chief Minister (CM) J Jayalalithaa’s legal advisor from 1996 – 1999.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

World’s Second Tallest Statue of SardarVallabhbhai Patel Unveiled in Ahmedabad

• On 3rd January 2020, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani unveiled the second tallest statue of SardarVallabhbhai Patel in the world at Ahmedabad.

• The 50 feet tall bronze statue of Sardar Patel weighs 70 thousand kilograms.This is the second highest statue of India’s first home home minister after the Statue of Unity ( (597 ft) 182 metres), situated at Kevadiya in Narmada district of Central Gujarat.

• The Statue has also been designed by Padma Bhusan Ram V. Sutar, the same sculptor who had designed the Statue of Unity.

‘Cyber Safe Women’ initiative Launched by Maharashtra Government

• The state government of Maharashtra Government has launched a ‘Cyber Safe Women’ initiative to ensure that women and children do not fall prey to these cyber criminal activities.

• Under the initiative, various awareness camps will be held across all the districts of the state regarding cyber safety to help in educating women about how the web is used by anti-social elements and child predators to commit various types of crimes.

Odisha Government Launches e-Gazette portal for Gazette notifications

• The State Government of Odisha has launched an e-Gazette portal, a first-of-its-kind initiative in India, to make available the Gazette notifications from all state departments under one platform.

• The system will expedite the process of Gazette publication, make it error-free and paperless and also save transportation of trucks of papers from Government Press to departments, districts and other quarters.

Indian Railways Launches Integrated Helpline Number 139

• The Indian Railways has integrated all its helpline numbers into a single number, 139, to help its passengers in quick grievance redressal and enquiries during their train journeys.

• 139 helpline will be available in twelve languages.

Railway Protection Force(RPF) is Renamed as Indian Railway Protection Force Service

• The Indian Railways has renamed its security force RPF (Railway Protection Force) as Indian Railway Protection Force Service.

• The ministry has accorded organised Group A status to RPF and renamed it.

• The Railway Protection Force (RPF) is a security force, enacted by the Indian Parliament for “the better protection and security of railway property”.

• The force is under the authority of the Indian Ministry of Railways.

• Union Railway Minister: Piyush Goyal.

SPORTS

National Ice Hockey Championship-2020

• The 5th Ice Hockey Association of India (IHAI) National Ice Hockey Championship -2020 has begun in Leh, Ladakh.

• The tournament will continue till 7th January in Karzoo Ice Hockey Rink in Leh. Where the Army, Chandigarh, Delhi, Haryana, Maharashtra and home team Ladakh are participating for the championship in U-20 boys category.

• In Girls category Ladakh, Maharashtra, Delhi and Chandigarh are playing for the championship.

• In the inaugural match in Under-20 Boys category between Chandigarh and Haryana.

• President of Ice Hockey Association of India: K. L. Kumar.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

PM Modi Dedicates 5 Young Scientists Laboratories of DRDO to the Nation

• Prime Minister ShriNarendraModi dedicated to the nation 5 Young Scientists Laboratories of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on 02 January 2020 from Bengaluru.

• The 5 DRDO Young Scientist Laboratories (DYSLs) are located in five cities namely Bengaluru, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Hyderabad.

• Each lab will work on a key advanced technology of importance to the development of futuristic defence systems such as, Artificial intelligence, Quantum technologies, Cognitive technologies, Asymmetric technologies and Smart materials.

SUMMITS AND MOU’S

GOI signed MoU with Flipkart under DAY-NULM scheme

• Government of India signed MoU with Flipkart for selling the products made by women self-help groups under DeendayalAntyodayaYojana-National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM) on the e-commerce platform.

• Under the DeendayalAntyodayaYojana-National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM), self-help groups consisting of 44 lakh women have been working across the country, a move aimed at making women financially independent.

• Flipkart established: October 2007; Headquarter of Flipkart: Bengaluru.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

36th international geological congress, 2-8 march, 2020

• The 36th International Geological Congress will be held in New Delhi from March 2-8, 2020.

• India is the only Asian country to host the Congress twice. The 22nd session of IGC was held in New Delhi in 1964

• The International Geological Congress, described as the “Olympics of Geosciences,” is aimed at the development of Earth Sciences.

• The theme of the 36th IGC is Geosciences: The Basic Science for a Sustainable Future.

• The event will be jointly funded by the Ministry of Mines and the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India and supported by the Indian National Science Academy (INSA) along with the science academies of Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

• The first session of  IGC took place in France in 1878.

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

• In a bid to safeguard and protect coral reef and other sea life from declining, the Pacific nation of Palau has announced to ban sun cream containing chemicals linked to coral bleaching, thus becoming the first country in the world to do so.

• From January 01, 2020, sunscreen that includes ingredients such as oxybenzone and octinoxate (chemicals that absorb ultraviolet A rays) would no longer be allowed to be applied or sold in the country to safeguard the island nation’s environment from tourists.

• Earlier, in 2018, Hawaii also announced similar legislation to impose ban against sunscreen that contained the toxic chemicals. The law in Hawaii will come into effect from January 1, 2021.

• As per the International Coral Reef Foundation, the banned chemicals are ‘known environmental pollutants’ which are incredibly toxic to juvenile stages of many wildlife species.

NATIONAL NEWS

EC launches online system to let new parties track status of registration applications

• The salient features of the Political Parties Registration Tracking Management System is that applicants, applying for the party registration from January 1, will be able to track the progress with the poll panel on a real-time basis of his/her application and will get the status update through SMS and e-mail.

• The new norms have come into force from Wednesday, a statement by the poll panel said.

• The registration of political parties is governed by the provisions of section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

• An association seeking registration has to submit an application to the Commission within a period of 30 days from the date of its formation.

Uttar Pradesh: SRTC launches women's special helpline Damini

• The Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) has launched a dedicated women helpline called ‘Damini’ for the safety of women.

• The unique number “81142-77777” is a calling as well as a WhatsApp service, and is an extension of the ‘Nirbhaya Yojana’ that aims to ensure safety of women.

• The service will be functional from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day.

• After 6 p.m., women passengers can lodge their complaints on the general helpline number, 1800-180-2877.

• The service will be exclusively handled by women officers at the UPSRTC headquarters and regional offices.

• The helpline number will be made functional 24-hours a day after three months, depending on the response.

Delhi: Pragati Maidan metro station renamed as Supreme Court Metro Station

• The Delhi government’s naming committee has on January 1, 2020, decided to rename Pragati Maidan metro station as Supreme Court metro station.

• The entire renaming process including changing of audio in metro train announcements will take around a month to be completed.

• The Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia has announced that the committee has also decided to rename Mukarba Chowk and its flyover as Captain Vikram Batra Chowk, Mehrauli Badarpur Road as Acharya Sri Mahapragya Marg and the Lajpat Nagar flyover as Shri Jhulelal Setu among others.

28th World Book Fair to focus on Gandhi as writer

• The 28th edition of the annual New Delhi World Book Fair will begin at the Pragati Maidan on January 4, 2020.

• The nine-day fair will conclude on January 12.

• The fair is being organised by National Book Trust (NBT) in association with ITPO.

• The Union Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank will inaugurate the event.

• The 2020 edition of the fair will focus on how Mahatma Gandhi influenced generations of writers through his writings.

• Among everything, the fair will witness an exclusive exhibition of 500 books on and by Gandhi in different languages.

• The number of countries at the book fair 2020 has come down from 20 to 15.

• Also, the fair will not be hosting any ‘guest country’ this year, due to the ongoing construction and the subsequent lack of space in Pragati Maidan.

Govt creates new Department of Military Affairs, to be headed by Gen Rawat

• On December 30, 2019, the government has created a new ‘Department of Military affairs (DMA)’ in the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to be headed by Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat.

• The new department works for the unity of the three forces Army, Navy and Air Force and will also monitor the services except for capital acquisitions according to prevalent rules and procedures.

• The DMA is the 5th department in the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and was created after a change in Government of India (Allocation of Business), Rules 1961.

• The other existing 4 departments under MoD are the Department of Defence, the Department of Defence Production, the Department of Defence Research and Development and the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare.

Chief of Army Staff- Manoj Mukund Naravane.

Chief of the Naval Staff- Admiral Karambir Singh.

Chief of the Air Staff – Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria.

BANKING AND ECONOMICS

Launch of Mobile Aided Note Identifier (MANI) by RBI to aid visually impaired persons.

• Reserve Bank of India has launched a mobile application named “Mobile Aided Note Identifier (MANI)”  for aiding visually impaired persons to identify the denomination of Indian Banknotes.

• The app MANI contains the following features:

• Capable of identifying the denominations of Mahatma Gandhi Series and Mahatma Gandhi (New) series banknote by checking front or reverse side/part of the note including half folded notes at various holding angles and broad range of light conditions (normal light/day light/low light/ etc.).

• Ability to identify the denomination through audio notification in Hindi/English and non-sonic mode such as vibration (suitable for those with vision and hearing impairment).

• After installation, the mobile application does not require internet and works in offline mode.

• Ability to navigate the mobile application via voice controls for accessing the application features wherever the underlying device & operating system combination supports voice enabled controls.

• The application is free and can be downloaded from the Android Play Store and iOS App Store without any charges/payment.

• This mobile application does not authenticate a note as being either genuine or counterfeit.

Small savings schemes: Govt keeps interest rates unchanged for Jan-Mar quarter

• The government has kept the interest rates on small savings schemes unchanged for the fourth quarter of FY 2019-20 (January-March).

• The interest rates on small savings schemes are reviewed every quarter by the government.

• The formula to arrive at the interest rates of the small savings scheme was given by the Shyamala Gopinath Committee.

SPORTS

Sunita Lakra announces retirement from international hockey

• On January 2, 2020, Indian women’s hockey team defender Sunita Lakra aged 28, who was part of the 2018 Asian Games silver-winning side, announced her international retirement, citing a knee injury.

• However, she will continue to represent domestic hockey and NALCO (National Aluminium Company Limited), Odisha.

• Sunita has so far played 139 matches for India that also included the 2014 Asian Games bronze medal.

Cycling and Lawn bowls to be included in 3rd Khelo India Games

• Chief Executive Officer of “Khelo India Games” has announced that “Lawn bowls” and “cycling” will be included in the 3rd edition of Khelo India Games.

• The two games will be included in the event for the first time.

• The 3rd edition of the tournament will be held in Guwahati, Assam in January 2020.

• Athletes from all over the country will be coming to Guwahati for the Khelo India Youth Games.

• Chief Executive Officer of “Khelo India Games”: Avinash Joshi.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

107th Indian Science Congress will begin in Bengaluru from 03 January 2020

• The 107th edition of the Indian Science Congress is scheduled to be held at the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), Bengaluru from January 3 to 7, 2020.

• It is the ninth time that Bengaluru is hosting the annual convention.

• The vent will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

• The theme of the congress is ‘Science and Technology: Rural Development’

• For the first time, a Farmer’s Science Congress will also be part of the event, providing a platform for innovative farmers.

ISRO to set up second launch port in Thoothukodi district of Tamil Nadu for small satellite launch vehicles

• The ISRO Chairman announced that the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will establish a 2nd launch port in Thoothukodi district in Tamil Nadu.

• This launch port will be used exclusively to launch small satellite launch vehicles. The launch port will be established in 2300 acres.

• He announced that the process of Astronaut selection is over for India’s 1st manned mission to outer space i.e. “Gaganyaan” to be launched by 2022.

• The ISRO Chairman also announced that the Government has approved the Chandrayaan–3 mission to the moon, comprising of a lander and a rover.

• Chairman of ISRO: K.Sivan; Headquarters: Bengaluru; Established: 1969.

OBITUARY

Senior NCP leader DP Tripathi dies at 67 after prolonged illness

• On January 2, 2020, General Secretary of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and former Member of Parliament (MP) Devi Prasad Tripathi passed away after battling with cancer in New Delhi.

• He was the former MP of Rajya Sabha from Maharashtra.

• He was one of the founders of NCP along with Sharad Pawar and P.A. Sangma.

• He was also the Editor-in-Chief of the quarterly journal Think India.

• He played an important role in the establishment of democracy in Nepal.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Guinea-Bissau: Former PM Embalo wins presidential election

• Umaro Sissoco Embalo, has won presidential elections in the West African state of Guinea-Bissau.

• The 47-year-old opposition leader picked up 53.55 percent of vote

• His rival Domingos Simoes Pereira, head of the country’s historic ruling party PAIGC, took 46.45 percent.

• Capital: Bissau;

• Currency: West African CFA franc

NATIONAL NEWS

Kerala Becomes the First State Assembly to Pass Anti-CAA Resolution

• Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has moved a resolution in the state Assembly on December 31, 2019, to scrap the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

• With this, it has become the first state in the country to do so.

• The Chief Minister is of the view that the implementation of the controversial act will lead to religion-based discrimnation in granting citizenship, which was against the secular values enshrined in the Constitution.

Khattar launches Atal Canteen in Karnal; labourers, farmers to get food for Rs 10

• The Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar has inaugurated the first Atal Kisan-Mazdoor canteens in Karnal where the farmers and labourers will get food for Rs 10.

• The canteen will provide Veg-thali comprising four chapatis, rice, dal and seasonal vegetable, all for Rs 10, with the capacity to serve 300 persons daily.

• The canteen has been named after former PM late Atal Bihari Vajpayee

• It has been set up by the Haryana State Agriculture Marketing Board (HSAMB) in collaboration with the state rural livelihood mission.

• The actual cost of a thali-served in this canteen is Rs 25 and the HSAMB will provide for the remaining Rs 15.

• This is the first canteen in the state and 25 more such canteens would be set up by next year and four such facilities will be made operational in January.

Odisha govt launches e-certificate portal and PAUTI App: Now Get Caste, Residence Certificates Online

• The Odisha government has launched ‘e-Certificate portal’, a unique project to provide official documents such as caste certificate, permanent residence certificates, income or similar other certificates online without the need to visit Tehsil offices or Common Service Centres.

• The initiative has been launched by the Revenue and Disaster Management department of the state as part of its 5T model of governance.

• The applicants will not be required to pay any fees as well for the service.

• Patnaik also launched a mobile App “Pauti”, to facilitate online payment of land revenue so that citizens need not visit government offices for the same. They can download the application and make payment.

BANKING AND ECONOMICS

Nirmala Sitharaman unveils Rs 102L-cr infra project pipeline

• Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has announced an infrastructure project pipeline worth over Rs 102 lakh crore to be implemented over the next five years, as a major step towards achieving the government’s ambition of turning India into a $5 trillion economy by 2024-25.

• The total expected capital expenditure amounts to Rs 10,250,704 crore during the fiscals 2020 to 2025.

• According to the plan, of the total investments, 39 percent each will come from the Central and state governments while the remaining 22 percent from the private sector

• India has been spending an average Rs 8 lakh crore annually since FY13 on infrastructure

SPORTS

ICC plans to scrap five-day Tests from 2023; set to be limited to four

• The Cricket’s apex body, the International Cricket Council has planned to reduce all Test matches, including the Ashes, from five days to four from 2023, to ease workload on players in the crowded calendar.

• Test matches have been set at five days since 1979.

• England are backing the plans as it could provide a sustainable solution to the complex scheduling needs and player workloads.

APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS

Harjeet Kaur Joshi: First Woman CMD Of Shipping Corporation

• Harjeet Kaur Joshi has been appointed as the full-time Chairperson and Managing Director of privatisation-bound Shipping Corporation of India (SCI).

• She is the first female to head the Mumbai based Public Sector Enterprise and the 13th chairperson and managing director of country’s biggest ocean carrier by fleet size.

• She will serve the post till her superannuation on May 31, 2022 or until further orders.

• It must be noted that the government has decided to sell its 63.75 percent in SCI, to a private strategic buyer and the stake sale is in process.

Vinod Kumar Yadav Re-appointed as Chairman Railway Board for One Year

• The Appointments Committee of Cabinet (ACC) has approved the reappointment of Shri Vinod Kumar Yadav as Chairman, Railway Board and Ex-Officio Principal Secretary to Government of India, for a period of one year effective from January 01, 2020.

Days

1 January – Global Family Day

It is celebrated as a day of peace and sharing. Its aim is to unite and spread message of peace by considering and promoting an idea that Earth is a one Global Family so as to make world a better place to live for everyone.

8 January - African National Congress Foundation Day

South African Native National Congress (SANNC) was founded in 8 January 1912 by John Langalibalele Dube in Bloemfontein. Behind this the primary motive was to give voting rights to black and mixed race Africans or to unite African people and spearhead the struggle for fundamental political, social and economic change.

9 January – NRI (Non-Resident Indian) Day or Pravasi Bharatiya Divas

NRI or Pravasi Bharatiya Divas observed every year on 9 January to mark the contribution of the overseas Indian community towards the development of India. This day also commemorates the return of Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa to Mumbai on 9 January, 1915.

11 January – Death anniversary of Lal Bahadur Shastri

He was the second Prime Minsiter of Independent India. He popularised the slogan 'Jai Jawan Jai Kisan' He actively participated in the India's freedom struggle. Due to cardiac arrest he died on 11 January, 1966.

12 January – National Youth Day

The birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda also called Swami Vivekananda Jayanti is celebrated every year on 12 January. He was born on 12 January, 1863. The government had decided to observe it as National Youth Day because the philosophy of Swamiji and the ideals for which he lived and worked could be a great source of inspiration for the Indian Youth. He had given speech at the Parliament of the World's religions in Chicago and glorified India's name.

15 January – Indian Army Day

Every year 15 January is observed as Indian Army Day because on this day in 1949 field Marshal Kodandera M Cariappa took over as the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army from General Sir Francis Butcher, the last British Commander-in-Chief.

15 January -- Makara Sankranti

Makara Sankranti or Maghi, is a festival day in the Hindu calendar, dedicated to the deity Surya. It is observed each year in January. It marks the first day of the sun's transit into Makara, marking the end of the month with the winter solstice and the start of longer days.

Observances: Kite flying.

Date: Wednesday, 15 January, 2020

Celebrations: Kite flying, bonfires, fairs, surya puja in river, feast, arts, dance, socialization

Featured in religions: Hinduism

Significance: Harvest festival

Also called: Magha, Môkôr Sôngkrānti, Mela, Maghi, Bhogi

23 January - Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti

Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose was born on 23 January, 1897 in Cuttack, Orissa. He was one of the most prominent Indian freedom fighter. His army was known as Indian National Army (INA) or Azad Hind Fauj. He also led an Indian national force from abroad against the Western powers during World War II.

24 January- National Girl Child Day

On 24 January every year National Girl Child Day is celebrated to highlight the inequalities faced by a majority of the girls in India, importance of education, nutrition, legal rights, medical care and safety of girl children etc.

25 January- National Voters Day

Every year on 25 January National Voter's Day or Rashtriya Matdata Diwas is celebrated to encourage young voters to take part in the political process. In 2011 first time this day was celebrated to mark Election Commission's Foundation Day.

25 January- National Tourism Day

Every year on 25 January National Tourism Day is celebrated in India to raise the awareness and educate people about the importance of tourism and the role it plays in the Indian economy.

26 January- Republic Day

On 26 November, 1949 Indian Constituent Assembly adopted the Constitution the supreme law of the land and replaced the Government of India Act 1935. It came into effect on 26 January 1950 with a democratic government system. This day marks with the largest parade took place at Rajpath, Delhi every year.

26 January – International Customs Day

International Customs Day (ICD) is celebrated every year on 26 January by Custom Organisation to recognise the role of custom officials and agencies in maintaining border security. It also focuses on the working conditions and challenges that custom officers face in their jobs.

28 January- Birth Anniversary of Lala Lajpat Rai

Lala Lajpat Rai was born on 28 January, 1865 in Punjab. He was a prominent nationalist leader who played an important role in India’s struggle for freedom. He also earned the title of 'Punjab Kesari' or 'the Lion of the Punjab'. He initiated the foundation of Punjab National Bank. He died on 17 November, 1928, due to serious injuries. The University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences in Hisar, Haryana is named after Lala Lajpat Rai.

30 January – Martyrs Day or Shaheed Diwas

30 January is celebrated as Martyr's Day or Shaeed Diwas every year in the memory of Mahatma Gandhi and sacrifice of three revolutionaries of India. As, on 30 January, 1948, the 'Father of Nation' was assassinated. And on 23rd March 3 heroes namely Bhagat Singh, Shivaram Rajguru and Sukhdev Thapar of the nation were hanged to death by British.

30 January – World Leprosy Eradication Day

World Leprosy Day is observed on 30 January every year to focus on the target of zero cases of leprosy-related disabilities in children. As, we know that disabilities do not occur overnight but happen after a prolonged period of undiagnosed disease.

National

Nirmala Sitharaman releases Report on NIP for 2019-2025

• Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on December 31 that India needs to spend about Rs. 100 lakh crore to achieve a GDP of USD 5 trillion by 2024-25.

• Sitharaman said that infrastructure projects worth Rs 100 lakh crore will have 39-39 percent share of Centre and States, while the remaining 22 percent of projects will be done by the private sector.

• Finance Minister highlighted that about Rs 25 lakh crore has been earmarked for the energy project, Rs 20 lakh crore for the road and about Rs 14 lakh crore for the railway projects under National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP).

11-day long ‘Dhanu Jatra’ begins at Bargarh in Odisha

• Dhanu jatra, an annual drama-based open air theatrical performance began in Bargarh, in western Odisha on December 31, 2019.

• The famous 11-day long ‘Dhanu Jatra-2019’ will continue till January 10, 2020.

• Dhanu Jatra is considered as the world’s largest open air theater, which also finds a mention in the Guinness Book of World Records.

• The Jatra is based on the mythological story of Lord Krishna and his demon uncle King Kansa.

High-Level GoM Set Up To Speed Up Implementation of Rs 69,000 crore BSNL-MTNL Revival Plan

• Government has constituted a high-level Group of Ministers (GoM) to fast-track and oversee the smooth implementation of revival plan for state-owned telecom corporations BSNL (Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd) and MTNL (Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd).

• In October 2019, the government had approved Rs 69,000 crore revival package for BSNL and MTNL that includes:

• Merging the two loss-making firms,

• Monetising their assets and allocation of 4G spectrum

• Giving VRS to employees so that the combined entity turns profitable in two years

India’s forest & tree cover shows an increase of 5,188 sq. km in ‘India State of Forest Report’ 2019

• The Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar released the ‘India State of Forest Report (ISFR)’ 2019 on December 30, 2019, a biennial report by the Forest Survey of India (FSI), which assesses  the country’s forest resources.

• The ‘India State of Forest Report (ISFR)’ 2019 is the 16th edition of the report, which gives out data of not just forests but of mangrove, forest carbon, bamboo resources and forest fires as well.

International

Russia, Ukraine finalize deal on gas transit to Europe

• Russia and Ukraine have signed an agreement for the next five years on the transit of Russian gas to Europe via Kiev, Ukraine.

• The deal had a deadline of December 31st as the previous deal expires on the same day.

• According to the various media reports, about 18% of the European Union’s (EU) natural gas supply comes from Russia.

Sports

Cycling to be part of next Khelo India Games

• Third Khelo India Games will be started from January 10, 2020, where 6500 athletes from 37 teams will participate in the games.

• Avinash Joshi, CEO of Khelo India, recently announced that Lawn Bowls and Cycling will also be the part of Khelo India games for the first time.

• Apart from that, there will be an exhibition of indigenous games that will represent various sports of India.

Indian Olympic Association withdraws boycott of 2022 Commonwealth Games

• Indian Olympic Association (IOA) announced that it will not boycott the 2022 Commonwealth Games for Shooting's exclusion.

• IOA also decided to submit a formal proposal to host next (2026 or 2030) commonwealth games.

• Indian Olympic Association said that India can host the event as it has already hosted the 2010 edition in Delhi NCR.

Appointment

General Manoj Mukund Naravane Takes Over as 28th Chief of Army Staff

• General Manoj Mukund Naravane took charge as the 28th Chief of Army Staff (COAS) on December 31, 2019.

• He succeeds General Bipin Rawat, who completed his term as the COAS on December 31.

• Prior to the appointment as the COAS , General Naravane served as the 40th Vice Chief of Army Staff (VCOAS) of the Indian Army.

ITBP Chief, SS Deswal, Given Additional Charge to Head CRPF

• Surjeet Singh Deswal, who is the incumbent Director General (DG) of Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) has been given the additional charge to head Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), as the new head has not been announced yet.

• Deswal, a 1984-batch Haryana cadre IPS officer will head the country’s largest paramilitary force CRPF with effect from December 31, 2019, till the appointment and joining of the successor or until further orders, whichever is earlier

Ranking

Indore grabs first position in cleanliness survey

• The central government has recently announced the cleanliness survey of India. Indore emerged as India's cleanest city for the fourth time in a row.

• Bhopal ranked second (for April-June quarter) while Rajkot stood second (for July-September quarter) in the results.

• Surat (Gujarat) stood third in the first quarter and Navi Mumbai grabbed the third position in the second quarter.

Chief of Defence Staff: Gen Bipin Rawat to be India’s first Chief of Defence Staff

General Bipin Rawat will be India’s first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS). He will serve as the principal military advisor to the defence minister as the head of the new Department of Military Affairs to ensure jointness and synergy between the three defence services of India.

Key Facts about CDS

• The CDS will administer all tri-services organisations, comprising personnel from the army, air force and navy, however, it will not have any operational role and military command to ensure impartial advice. The command will be held with the Chief of the service.

• The CDS will be appointed by the President of India.

• CDS will be responsible to head the following:

• Department of Military Affairs

• Chiefs of Staff Committee

• National Security Council

• Defence Acquisition Council

• Defence Planning Committee

• Nuclear Command Authority

• The defence ministry had recently amended the Army, Air Force and Navy rules by bringing in a new clause that allows the Chief of Defence Staff to serve upto a maximum age of 65 years.

• For the individual services, the maximum service age is limited to 62 years.

SDGs Index 2019-20: Kerala tops the list while Bihar is worst performer

• NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant launched the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) India Index 2019-20 on December 30, 2019.

• This is the second edition of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) India Index, which indicates where the country and its States and UTs currently are on SDG implementation.

• Key points of the Index

• Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Telangana are top states on the SDGs Index-2019-20

• India has improved its composite score from 57 in 2018-19 to 60 in 2019-20 in the index

• None of the States scored below 50 out of 100 score.

• The United Nations SDG has 17 goals spread across 169 targets and 232 indicators

Pan-Aadhaar linking final deadline is December 31: Know how to link PAN card with Aadhaar card online?

The final deadline for linking the pan card with the aadhaar card is December 31. Those who haven’t yet linked their pan with aadhaar can check how to link the two cards online and through SMS here. Those who are unsure whether they have linked their pan with Aadhaar can also confirm the same by following a few simple steps.

Assam Launches Abhinandan education loan subsidy scheme

• Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal launched the state government’s Abhinandan education loan subsidy scheme to bolster its education infrastructure and urge more students to pursue higher education.

• Under the scheme, one-time subsidy of Rs. 50,000 will be provided to students who have availed education loans of a minimum of Rs 1 lakh, provided that loan should have been sanctioned before March 31, 2019.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Launches auction Platform ‘eBkray’ for assets attached by banks

• Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman launched a common e-auction platform ‘eBkray’ (eBक्रय), on December 28, 2019, to enable online auction of attached assets by banks transparently and cleanly for the improved realization of value.

• The e-platform eBkray provides a single-window access to information on all the properties up for e-auction, as well as a facility for the comparison of similar properties.

• It is equipped with property search features and navigational links to all PSB e-auction sites, along with photographs and videos of uploaded properties.

HDFC Life partners with Paytm to expand its distribution

• HDFC Life Insurance has partnered with Paytm to expand its distribution. The partnership is aimed to enable customers of Paytm to purchase insurance products from HDFC Life.

• HDFC Life Insurance is constantly exploring opportunities to create and sustain new partnerships to strengthen its distribution network.

• With the partnership, HDFC Life Insurance aims to increase insurance penetration in India and to simplify the customers experience right from the purchase to the claim process.

New Delhi hosts 49th Border Coordination Conference between BSF & BGB

• 9th Border Coordination Conference between border guarding forces of India and Bangladesh was held in New Delhi.

• The Indian delegation was headed by DG Border Security Force Vivek Kumar Johri and the Bangladesh delegation was headed by DG of Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) Md Shafeenul Islam.

• The conference focused on co-operation in Border Guarding and Border Management between the two forces.

• During the conference, both forces agreed to make all possible efforts to curb the menace of cattle smuggling or any other criminal activity and to ensure tranquility on the borders.

Director General of Border Security Force: Vivek Kumar Johri.

Bangladesh Capital: Dhaka; Currency: Taka; PM: Sheikh Hasina.

President confers Dada Saheb Phalke Award to Amitabh Bachchan: Top tweets

Amitabh Bachchan was honoured with India’s highest film award, Dada Saheb Phalke Award by President Ram Nath Kovind on December 29, 2019. The legendary actor had missed out on the 66th National Film Awards ceremony due to health issues. The actor was conferred the award amidst an audience that comprised his family and the National Film Awards 2018 winners and jury members.

MyGov reaches 1 crore registered users: PMO

• The Prime Minister’s Office has informed that the Central government’s citizen-centric online engagement platform, MyGov.in, has reached one crore registered users.

• MyGov was launched on 26 July 2014 to offer a platform for the voice and views of the people of India.

RBI directs large Co-operative Banks to Report all exposures of Rs 5 crore and Above

• The Reserve Bank of India has decided that all Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks (UCBs) having total assets of Rs 500 crore and above as on 31 March, 2018 shall report their credit information, including classification of an account as Special Mention Account (SMA), on all borrowers having aggregate exposures of Rs 5 crore and above with them to Central Repository of Information on Large Credits (CRILC) maintained by the Reserve Bank.

• Aggregate exposure shall include all fund-based and non-fund based exposure, including investment exposure on the borrower.

Hemant Soren Takes Oath As 11th Chief Minister Of Jharkhand

• The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) working president Hemant Soren took oath as the 11th Chief Minister of Jharkhand in Ranchi on December 29, 2019.

• This is the second time that Mr Soren is being sworn in as the chief minister. Before this, Soren served as the 5th Chief Minister of Jharkhand (13 July 2013 – 28 December 2014).

• He was administered the oath of office and secrecy by Governor Droupadi Murmu.

No MDR charges will be applicable on transactions through RuPay, UPI platforms from 01 January 2020

• The Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has announced that no Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) will be applicable on transactions made through RuPay and UPI platforms with effect from 01 January 2020.

• Also, all companies with a turnover of Rs 50 crore and above will now be mandated to provide the facility of payment through RuPay Debit card and UPI QR code to their customers.

• Merchant Discount Rate (MDR)

The cost paid by a merchant to a bank for accepting payment from their customers via digital means. It is expressed in percentage of the transaction amount.

UN General Assembly approves $3.07 billion budget for 2020

• The UN General Assembly has adopted the regular operating budget of $3.07 billion ($3,073,830,500) for the United Nations for the year 2020 and for the first time includes funding for the investigation of war crimes in Syria and Myanmar.

• It is also for the first time since 1973 that the UN is adopting an annual operating budget instead of a two-year.

Veteran Political Cartoonist Vikas Sabnis passes away

• Veteran Political cartoonist Vikas Sabnis, who made caricatures and political cartoons on various subjects and issues, passed away. He was 69.

NATIONAL NEWS

Mobile app of forthcoming DefExpo 2020 launched by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched the mobile app of the forthcoming DefExpo 2020 to be held in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.

• The app provides detailed information about the day-to-day events, participating exhibitors, guest speakers of seminars, maps and directions of the venues.

• Mr Singh also reviewed the preparations of DefExpo. During the meeting, senior officials informed that a record number of over 880 exhibiters, including foreign companies, have registered so far. Dozens of MoUs are also expected to be inked during the Expo.

• The 11th biennial edition of DefExpo India- 2020 is scheduled to be held for the first time in Uttar Pradesh capital Lucknow.

• The theme of the expo is ‘India: The Emerging Defence Manufacturing Hub’.

Delhi : "National Symposium of Poets 2020" organized by All India Radio

• National Symposium of Poets – 2020 was organized by All India Radio.

• This poet symposium was attended by select poets of all 22 languages recognized in the constitution. It is being held continuously every year since 1956.

• Poets from all corners of the country gave their presentations and captivated the hearts of the people.

• Such National symposium is organized every year and broadcast on the eve of Republic Day and at all the centers of AIR at 10:00 PM.

BANKING AND ECONOMICS

RBI directs large co-op banks to report exposures above Rs 5 cr

• The Reserve Bank has directed large cooperative banks to report all exposures of Rs 5 crore and more to the Central Repository of Information on Large Credits (CRILC), a move aimed at early recognition of financial distress.

• The Reserve Bank has created a CRILC of commercial banks, all India financial institutions and certain non-banking financial companies with multiple objectives, which, among others, include strengthening offsite supervision and early recognition of financial distress.

• Earlier in its bi-monthly monetary policy review this month, the RBI had announced that to bring UCBs with assets of Rs 500 crore and above under the CRILC reporting framework.

SPORTS

Weightlifter Seema banned for four years for doping

• Commonwealth Championship silver medallist weightlifter Seema has been banned for doping

• She had been given a four-year suspension by NADA’s Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel

• Seema won a silver medal in the 2017 Commonwealth Championships and finished sixth in the women’s 75kg competition at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in 2018.

• About NADA:

• Formation: November 24, 2005

• Headquarters: New Delhi, India

• Chairman: Minister of Sports (India)

Former Chennai Super Kings Spinner Shadab Jakati Retires From All Forms of Cricket

• Goa spinner Shadab Jakati announced retirement from all forms of cricket after playing for 23 years.

• Shadab Jakati had sclaped 275 wickets from 92 first-class matches Jakati debuted in first-class cricket in 1998/99 and played his last first-class match against Punjab in October 2017.

• He also played for Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Gujarat Lions in the Indian Premier League.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

China launches heaviest satellite to test key technologies

• China launched its heaviest and most advanced communications satellite on its largest new carrier rocket Long March 5.

• Shijian-20, a new technology test and verification satellite, successfully entered its orbit, state media reported.

• Launched from the Wenchang Space Launch Centre in south China’s Hainan Province, Shijian-20, weighing more than eight tonnes, is the country’s heaviest and most advanced communications satellite in geosynchronous orbit, according to its maker, the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST) under the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC).

• The Long March-5, China’s most powerful rocket and a critical ingredient in the nation’s ambitious space programme, can carry a maximum payload of 25 tonnes into low Earth orbit and 14 tonnes into geosynchronous orbit.

Russia Deploys First Hypersonic Avangard ICBM Missile

• Russia has deployed the first hypersonic missile Avangard. Russia’s Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu has informed President Vladimir Putin about the deployment of Avangard. This information was released in the official statement.

• According to the media reports, the direction of this missile can be changed even in the air. It caught the speed of Mach 27, which is equivalent to about 33,000 kilometers per hour, during the test. This is the first of its kind missile in the world. This missile can’t be caught by any radar.

• What is Hypersonic Missile?Hypersonic missiles are actually hypersonic glided missiles. It includes features of both cruise and ballistic missiles. It goes out of the Earth’s atmosphere into a parabolic path and enters the Earth’s atmosphere again. It flies low in the atmosphere and almost unable to intercept. At present, Russia, USA and China have the capacity of hypersonic missiles.

BOOKS AND AUTHORS

S Gurumurthy releases A book titled “Politics of Opportunism”

• Noted Economist and Political Analyst S Gurumurthy released a book titled “Politics of Opportunism: Regional Parties, Coalitions, Centre-State Relations In India”.

• The book is authored by R N P Singh.

• The book throws light on the subject related to rise of regional parties and Centre-States relation.

• RNP Singh is a former officer of the Intelligence Bureau, Government of India.

• He has also earned the coveted Presidents Police Medal, Indian Police Medal, the Sukriti and Kautilya awards for his distinguished services.

OBITUARY

Veteran Political cartoonist Vikas Sabnis passes away at 69.

• Veteran Political cartoonist Vikas Sabnis passed away in Mumbai due to cardiac arrest. He was 69. He was unwell and undergoing treatment since last few days.

• He had completed 50 years of illustrious career in 2018. Inspired by Bal Thackeray and RK Laxman, he had started his career in 1968. Since then, for over 50 years, Sabnis has worked as a staff cartoonist at various newspapers, including the Times of India and the Mid-day.

• He made caricatures and political cartoons on various subjects and issues. These ranges from local to international levels.

Former DG of Doordarshan Shiv Sharma passes away at 85.

• Former Director-General of Doordarshan Shiv Sharma passed away in Gurugram in Haryana.

• He was 85. Mr. Sharma was associated with coverage of Asian games in 1982.

• He has also supervised coverage of various national and international events. Earlier, He has also served in All India Radio.

DAYS

Important Days and Dates in December 2019

Date                Name of Important Days

1 December     World AIDS Day

2 December     National Pollution Control Day

2 December     International Day for the Abolition of Slavery

3 December     World Day of the Handicapped

4 December     Indian Navy Day

5 December     International Volunteer Day

5 December     World Soil Day

7 December     Armed Forces Flag Day

7 December     International Civil Aviation Day

9 December     International Anti-Corruption Day

10 December   Human Rights Day

11 December   International Mountain Day

14 December   National Energy Conservation Day

15 December   International Tea Day

16 December   Vijay Diwas

18 December   Minorities Rights Day in India

18 December   International Migrants Day

19 December   Goa's Liberation Day

20 December   International Human Solidarity Day

22 December   National Mathematics Day

23 December   Kisan Diwas

24 December   National Consumer Rights Day

25 December   Christmas Day

25 December   Good Governance Day (India)

31 December   New Year's Eve