Ca Dec2019

Banking exam Special Classes
By: Kapil Kathpal

 Credit & Risk Analyst (S.O. Post) in a Public Sector Bank.
 7 years Banking experience.
 Selected as SBI PO and also cracked IBPS PO.
 Appeared in UPSC Civil Services Mains (2017).
Academics:
 Chartered Financial Analyst (C.F.A.)
 Masters in Commerce (Accounting & Business Statistics).
 Diploma in Treasury, Investment & Risk Management.
 JAIIB & CAIIB.
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Fifth NITI Aayog–DRC Dialogue
• The Fifth Dialogue of NITI Aayog and Development Research Centre (DRC), of the State
Council, People’s Republic of China, was held in Wuhan, China. The Indian delegation was led
by Dr Rajiv Kumar, Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog
• The Sixth Dialogue will be convened in India in the second half of November 2020.
• About NITI Aayog: s

• Formation- 1 January 2015
• Chairperson- Narendra Modi
• Chief Excecutive Officer- Amitabh Kant
Saudi Arabia elected to UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee
• Saudi Arabia has five sites that are currently included in the World Heritage Sites List Madain Saleh in Al-
Ula, the Turaif district in Diriyah, the historic area in Jeddah, rock paintings in Jubbah and Shuwaymis and
the oasis of Al-Ahsa.
• The current members of the World Heritage Committee are Australia, Bahrain, Bosnia and Herzegovina,
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Brazil, China, Guatemala, Hungary, Kyrgyzstan, Norway, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Spain and Uganda.
• The World Heritage Committee acts as the final authority to decide the sites and properties to be included in
the World Heritage Sites and is also responsible for the implementation of the World Heritage
Convention. The members of the Committee are elected by the General Assembly of States Parties for a
four-year term.
• The 43rd session of the World Heritage Committee was held in Baku, Azerbaijan in the year 2019 and
the 44th session is to be held in Fuzhou, China in the year 2020.
• About UNESCO
Headquarters- Paris, France
RBI excluded Vijaya Bank, Dena bank from 2nd schedule of RBI Act, 1934
• Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has excluded Vijaya Bank and Dena Bank from the
second schedule of the RBI Act, 1934 with effect from April 1, 2019, as they
have ceased to carry on banking business.
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IMAC cleared Rs 271 crores for CEFPPC scheme
• The Inter-Ministerial Approval Committee (IMAC) under food processing minister
Harsimrat Kaur Badal’s chairmanship, has approved Rs. 271 crores worth
project under Creation/Expansion of Food Processing and Preservation
Capacities (CEFPPC) scheme to create processing and preservation capacities
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and modernisation/ expansion of existing food processing units.
50th edition of IFFI held in Goa
• Rajinikanth was conferred with the 1st ever instituted ‘Icon of Golden Jubilee Award‘ for his
outstanding contribution to Indian cinema.
• French actress Ms. Isabelle Anne Madeleine Huppert was conferred with the Lifetime
Achievement Award.
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• Tribute to the former Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parikar was paid during the opening ceremony
by screening a short film depicting his contribution to IFFI.
• Russia was the focus country in the 2019 IFFI
• Haryana participated in the IFFI for the first time.
• I&B Secretary Amit Khare launched NFAI Calendar 2020
• IFFI 2020 and 2021 which will be the 51st and 52nd edition respectively will be a tribute to
legendary filmmaker of India from West Bengal, Satyajit Ray.
• IFFI was awarded the ICFT-UNESCO Fellini medal 2019. The announcement in
this regard was made by Georges Dupont, Director General(DG) of the
International Council for Film Television and Audio-visual Communication
(ICFT). The award was given for IFFI’s completion of its 50 years.
•
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IFFI collaborates with the ICFT Paris(France) to present a special ICFT Prize
consisting of the UNESCO Gandhi Medal. This medal was issued by UNESCO
in 1994 to commemorate the 125th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
The ICFT- UNESCO Gandhi Medal 2019 was conferred to Italian film ‘Rwanda’,
directed by Riccardo Salvetti. The award is given to movies that reflect Mahatma
Gandhi’s ideals of peace, tolerance and non-violence.
Award name Name of the film Awardee
Best Actor (Male) Marighella Seu Jorge.
Best Actor (Female)

103/2005
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Mai Ghatt: Crime No,
Usha Jadhav
Best Director award Jallikattu Director: Lijo Jose Pellissery
Best Film Particles Director: Blaise Harrison

SAARC currency swap arrangement
• Country’s apex bank Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has revised the SAARC
(South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) currency swap arrangement
framework for a period of November 14, 2019, to November 13, 2022.
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• As per the new framework, RBI continues to offer a swap arrangement within
the overall corpus of USD 2 billion.
About SAARC:
Headquarters: Kathmandu, Nepal
Member States: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal,
Pakistan and Sri Lanka
Current Chairmanship – Nepal
About RBI: s
Founded: 1 April 1935
Headquarters: Mumbai
Governor: Shaktikanta Das
Deputy Governors: N. S. Vishwanathan, P. Kanungo, Mahesh Kumar Jain
1st Fintech Accelerator program & Txnnxt hub launch
• Telangana government initiative for startups, T-Hub has announced the launch of the 1st edition
of the Fintech Accelerator program in partnership with DST (Department of Science and
Technology) and NPCI (National Payments Corporation of India).
• This is done to increase opportunities for fintech startups with products and services for the
digital payments sector.
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• The Txnnxt hub at T-hub will help the startups in accessing the latest technologies in digital
payments. Txnnxt hub, an innovation lab by NPCI at the premises of T-Hub was also launched.
About T-hub:
• Founder- Srinivas Kollipara.
• Headquarters- Hyderabad, Telangana.
• Chief Executive Officer(CEO)- Ravi Narayan.
About National Payments Corporation of India(NPCI):

• Headquarters- Mumbai, Maharashtra.
• Managing Director(MD) and CEO- Dilip Asbe.
WCD ministry inks MoU with food processing industries
• In order to assist women entrepreneurs engaged in organic farming, the Ministry of Women and
Child Development (MoWCD) entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with
the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) in New Delhi.
• The move will help women entrepreneurs get connected with Government financial schemes like
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MUDRA(Micro Units Development and Refinance Agency), Startup India and also meet
compliances needed for being competitive in the global market.
• The Ministries of WCD & FPI have agreed to implement an annual event called ‘National Organic
Festival of Women Entrepreneurs’ organized through NIFTEM -National Institute of Food
Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (an academic institution under the administrative
control of MoFPI) at Kundli in Sonepat, Haryana.
• The festival aims to encourage both rural women entrepreneurs and farmers to connect with
buyers and thus, empower them through financial inclusion, while also promoting organic food
produce in India.
2019 Karmaveer Chakra by iCONGO and United Nations
• Founder of International Changemaker Olympiad Rahul Adhikari, was conferred with 2019
Karmaveer Chakra Award and REX Karmaveer Global Fellowship at the REX CONCLiVE held
in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. The award was given for his contribution in the education sector.
• Previous awardees include Dr Verghese Kurien (Father of White Revolution), Actor Anupam Kher
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(for social work) and Mark Vincent Parkinson (renowned education change champion).
• The “International Changemaker Olympiad’ (ICO) was founded in 2017. It provides a platform for
children in schools to launch social initiatives and solve a real-world problem in their home,
school, or community.
• It is national people’s award for citizen social action and a global civilian honours instituted by the
International Confederation of NGO (iCONGO) in partnership with the United Nations(UN).
• The award is a tribute to Late Abdul Kalam.

UNDP launched Accelerator Lab in New Delhi
• The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) launched Accelerator Lab
in India to work on tackling pollution. The laboratory will be housed in the UNDP
India office in New Delhi and has partnered with Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) of
the Indian govt.
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• The laboratory will also address on issues like sustainable water management
• The Accelerator Lab is an innovative initiative by the UNDP, Germany and

Qatar.
• About United Nations Development Programme(UNDP):
• Headquarters- New York

• Administrator- Achim Steiner.
India’s Q2 GDP growth slipped to a 6-yr low of 4.5%
• As per the National Statistical Office (NSO), India’s second quarter (Q2: July-
September) gross domestic product (GDP) slipped down to 4.5% from 5% in
June quarter (Q: April-June).
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• It is lowest since January-March of 2012-13 when it was at 4.3 percent.
Republic Summit 2019
• The two days event of Republic Summit 2019 India’s moment – Nation First
held in New Delhi. The theme of the summit was “India’s Moment Nation
First”.
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40th UNESCO General Conference held in Paris
• The Union Minister of Human Resource and Development(MHRD) Shri Ramesh
Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ addressed the 40th UNESCO General Conference in Paris.
• 1st Global Framework of Professional Teaching Standards was launched at

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the UNESCO General Conference on 16 November by Education International
(EI) and UNESCO, in the presence of education ministers, EI member
organisations and policy experts.
About Education International(EI):

Headquarters- Brussels, Belgium.
President- Susan Hopgood.
About UNESCO:
Director General(DG)- Audrey Azoulay.
Headquarters- Paris, France.
‘SURYA KIRAN – XIV’
• ‘SURYA KIRAN – XIV’ the Joint military exercise between India and Nepal will
be held in Salijhandi, Rupendehi district of Nepal from 03 to 16 December 2019
• 300 soldiers from both Indian and Nepal Army will participate in the exercise.
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Hallmarking for Gold Jewellery mandatory from January 15, 2021
• Union Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan stated that the Government
has decided to make Hallmarking of Gold jewellery and Artifacts and registration
with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) mandatory from January 15, 2021
About Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)

Headquarters- New Delhi
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Parent agency- Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution
Saudi Arabia elected to UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee
• Saudi Arabia was elected to UNESCO’s (United Nations Educational, Scientific
and Cultural Organization) World Heritage Committee for the first time during
the 22nd General Assembly of the State Parties after winning the membership in
the UNESCO Executive Board for 2019-2023. The UNESCO Executive board
comprises of 58 member states
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Brahmos supersonic cruise missile
• The Indian Navy(IN) successfully test-fired the 290-km strike range Brahmos
supersonic cruise missile in the Arabian sea. It was launched from Navy’s
stealth destroyer INS (Indian Naval Ship) Kochi.
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• In September 2019 was successfully test-fired from the Integrated Test
Range(ITR), Chandipur in Odisha. In May 2019, IAF test fired its air version
from Su-30 MKI fighter aircraft.
• It is produced by Brahmos aerospace which is a joint venture between India’s

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia’s NPOM
(NPO Mashinostroyeniya).
• The name Brahmos was coined from the Brahmaputra river of India and
Russia’s Moskva River.
DHFL becomes the first financial services firm to be taken to NCLT
• A corporate insolvency resolution process (IRP) will be initiated by National Company Law
Tribunal (NCLT), following Reserve Bank of India (RBI) application, against Dewan Housing
Finance Corp. Ltd (DHFL) under Section 227 read with Section 239 of the Insolvency and
Bankruptcy Code (IBC), 2016
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• RBI has appointed R. Subramaniakumar as administrator for DHFL, will take over the lender’s
affairs once
• his appointment is approved by the NCLT.
• With this, DHFL becomes the first financial services firm to be sent to the bankruptcy tribunal
after the government rules for referring financial services providers (FSPs)
• As per the rules, the FSP creditor or debtor cannot approach the tribunal unlike insolvency
proceedings for companies from other sectors. FSP firm has to be referred by a regulator, like
here DHFL referred by RBI through administrator R. Subramaniakumar.
55th Jnanpith Award for the year 2019
• Akkitham Achuthan Namboodri, a renowned Malayalam poet has been chosen

for the 55th Jnanpith Award 2019
• He is also the 6th Malayalam Poet to receive the Jnanpith award.

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• The Jnanpith award is the Highest Literary award in India, awarded to an author
to acknowledge his/her excellence in Literature
$451 Million Loan to enhance Power Connectivity in Tamil Nadu
• Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of India signed a $451
million loan agreement to strengthen power connectivity between the southern
and northern parts of the Chennai–Kanyakumari Industrial Corridor (CKIC) in
Tamil Nadu.
About ADB:
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Members- 68
Headquarters- Mandaluyong, Philippines
President- Takehiko Nakao
Yasuhiro Nakasone former Prime Minister (PM) of Japan dies
• Yasuhiro Nakasone former Prime Minister of Japan died at 101 in Tokyo, Japan.
• Yasuhiro Nakasone served as the Prime Minister (PM) of Japan from 1982 to
1987
•
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He was the first Japanese PM to pay an official visit to South Korea
• He became the oldest living former state leader when he turned 100 on the 27th
of May 2018.
10th President of Asian Development Bank (ADB)
• Masatsugu Asakawa was elected as the 10th President of the Asian
Development Bank (ADB)
• Asakawa will be assuming office on January 17, 2020, after the resignation of
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Takehiko Nakao, the current President of ADB.
• Asakawa is the current Special Advisor to Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister (PM) of
Japan and Taro Aso, the Minister of Finance, Japan.
1st ‘two-plus-two’ dialogue between India & Japan held in New Delhi
• India-Japan Foreign and Defence Ministerial Dialogue, which is the “two-plus-
two” (2+2) dialogue held in New Delhi.
• The delegation from the Indian side was led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh
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and External Affairs Minister(EAM) Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.
About Japan:
• Capital- Tokyo
• Currency- Japanese yen.
FASTag rollout deadline to December 15,2019
• The government has extended the deadline for enrolling to the mandatory FASTag for toll
payments on national highways to December 15, 2019. Previously the Ministry of Road
Transport and Highways(MoRT&H) announced December 1, 2019 as the deadline for
enrolment.
• National Electronic Toll Collection (NETC) programme, under MoRT&H, has been implemented
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on a Pan-India basis of FASTag in ensuring seamless movement of traffic and collection of user
fee as per the notified rates, using passive radio frequency identification (RFID) technology.
• Assistance related to FASTags can be availed from calling helpline number, ‘1033‘. Vehicles
without FASTag will be charged twice the normal rate at the toll gates.
• FASTags are prepaid rechargeable tags developed by the National Payments Corporation of
India (NPCI) to meet the electronic tolling requirements in India.
“MITRA SHAKTI 2019”
• The 7th edition of India-Sri Lanka joint Military & Army Exercise MITRA SHAKTI–
VII: 2019 has started at Aundh Military Station, Pune, Maharashtra with the aim
to build and promote positive relations between the armies of India and Sri
Lanka.
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The exercise will be conducted for 14 days upto 14 December 2019
Haj 2020 process completely digital
• As per the Union Minister of Minority Affairs Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, India has become the 1st country where the
entire process of Haj 2020 has gone 100% digital after he signed a bilateral agreement for the pilgrimage with the Saudi
Haj Minister Dr Mohammad Saleh bin Taher Benten in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
• There are digital facilities like online application, e-Visa, Haj Mobile App, ”e-MASIHA” (E-Medical Assistance System for
Indian Pilgrims Abroad) health facility, “e-luggage pre-tagging” will be provided.
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Digital pre-tagging : It has been arranged by the airlines, so that Haj pilgrims have all kinds of information in India itself,
such as which room of which building in Mecca Medina and what number bus after landing at the airport will have to be
taken, will get it.
• Mobile app: The SIM card of the passengers will be connected to the Haj mobile app, so that they will get the latest
information related to the Haj.
• ”e-MASIHA:In this, information related to the health of each Haj pilgrim will be available online.
• HGO: Haj Group organizers (HGO) have also been linked to the 100% digital tax portal http://haj.nic.in/pto/. It contains
information about the package of all the authorized organizers.
• About Saudi Arabia:

• Capital– Riyadh
• Currency– Saudi riyal
• King– Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud
Konark Festival & International Sand Art Festival 2019
• Odisha Governor Ganeshi Lal has inaugurated the 5-day long 30th edition of
Konark festival, a showcase of Odisha’s art, culture and tradition has started in
Odisha.
• The theme of the festival is based on eco-tourism, culture, Fairs, women

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empowerment, and no to plastic and heritage.
• Along with this, The 8th edition of the International Sand Art Festival 2019 with
globally renowned sand artist Shri. Sudarshan Pattnaik as its brand ambassador
and chief curator, has been started in Chandrabhaga Beach in Odisha.
• About Odisha:
• Capital– Bhubaneswar
• Chief minister– Naveen Patnaik
20th Edition of Hornbill festival
• The 20th edition of the Hornbill festival began in Kohima, Nagaland, it is also
the 57th Statehood Day of Nagaland.
• The festival is celebrated for ten days. The host of the opening ceremony of the
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festival were Ravindra Narayana Ravi, Governor and Neiphiu Rio, Chief Minister
(CM) of Nagaland.
1st Arab nation to assume the G20 presidency
• Saudi Arabia became the first country in the Arab world to head G20 (Group of 20) after it took
over from Japan. The G20 summit for 2020 will be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia under
the theme of “Realising Opportunities of the 21st Century for All”, from 21-22 November,2020. It
will also focus on three aims namely, empowering people, safeguarding the planet, and shaping
new frontiers.
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• G20 summit for 2019 was held in Osaka in Japan on June 28 – 29,2019.
About G20:
• Formation– 26 September 1999
• Membership– 20 members (Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, France,
India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey,
the United Kingdom and the United States & and the European Union)
24th Controller General of Accounts (CGA) and 7th woman CGA
• Soma Roy Burman was appointed as the 24th Controller General of Accounts
(CGA), Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure, Soma Burman is also
the 7th woman to be in that post.
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• Before taking charge as the CGA, Soma Burman worked as Additional
Controller General of Accounts in the office of CGA (Accounting and Finance).
Chairman of Ordnance Factory Board
• Shri Hari Mohan has taken over as the new chairman of Ordnance Factory
Board (OFB). He succeeds Shri Saurabh Kumar who has superannuated from
the services.
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• Headquarters– Ayudh Bhawan, Kolkata, West Bengal
Regional Conference on Ek Bharat Shreshta Bharat
• Dr Jitendra Singh, the Minister of State (MoS) for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, has
inaugurated the 2-day Regional Conference on ‘Ek Bharat Shreshta Bharat’ with focus on ‘Jal Shakti and
Disaster Management’, organized by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances
(DARPG) in association with Governments of Tamil Nadu and Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, held
in Jammu.
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During the conference the Special issue of e-Magazine Minimum Government Maximum Governance
based on Successful Innovations in Governance in the UTs (Union Territories) of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K)
and Ladakh also released.
• The conference witnessed the technical sessions such as Rejuvenation of Rivers- Cauvery and Jhelum,
Reducing Water Consumption in Agriculture, Water Warriors Discussion & had sessions regarding disaster
management like Urban Flooding, Management of Floods, Forecasting & Early Warning, Emergency
Responses and NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) Rescue Operations-2014 Srinagar Floods and
2015 Chennai Floods.
Book on Punjab’s militancy
• A new book titled “The Legacy of Militancy in Punjab: Long Road to Normalcy‘”
by civil rights activist Inderjit Singh Jaijee and journalist Dona Suri was released.
• Capital- Chandigarh.
• Chief minister- Amarinder Singh. s
• Governor- Vijayender Pal Singh Badnore.
Iraq PM announces resignation
• Iraq’s Prime Minister (PM) Abdul Mahdi has resigned from his post after heavy
protests.
About Iraq:
• Capital– Baghdad
• Currency– Iraqi dinar
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• President– Barham Salih
1st night trial of Agni-III Missile
• The first night trial of the nuclear capable Agni-III surface-to-surface ballistic missile was carried
out from a mobile launcher at the Integrated Test Range(ITR) at APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the
coast of Odisha.
• The night trial was conducted by the Strategic Forces Command of the Indian Army(IA) with
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logistic support from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The
maiden night trial however, was a failure, due to some manufacturing defect.
India defeated Pakistan in Davis Cup
• India and Pakistan - The International Tennis Federation’s (ITF’s) Davis cup
2020, was held at the National Tennis Center, in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan
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13th South Asian Games (SAG) 2019
• The South Asian Games (SAG) began in Kathmandu, Nepal. The event takes place for ten days
between 1-10 December 2019 and in Kathmandu, Pokara and Janakpur cities in Nepal.
• The games feature seven South Asian Nations. The participants include 2700 athletes from
Nepal, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Maldives, Bhutan and Sri Lanka, who are to participate in 26
different sports games s
• India is represented by 487 athletes and India’s flag-bearer at the SAG will be Tejinder Pal
Singh, Short put player.
• Krishnasar, a blackbuck antelope is the official mascot of the SAG.
About Nepal:
• Capital- Kathmandu
• Currency- Nepalese Rupee
• Prime Minister- Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli
Pension Week (30th Nov-6th Dec 2019)
• Pension week is being celebrated from November 30 to December 6, the central
function of the event was inaugurated by Minister of State(I/C) for Labour and
Employment, Santhosh Gangwar.
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• The Pension week aims at enrolling 1 crore recipients under the Pradhan Mantri
Shram Yogi Maan-dhan (PM-SYM) and 50 lakh recipients under National
Pension Scheme for traders and self-employees (NPS-Traders) by March 2020.
About Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan (PMSYM):
• The scheme is for unorganized workers like street vendors, mid-day meal workers, head loaders, brick kiln workers,
cobblers, domestic workers,etc. The eligibility of the person is their monthly income should not be more than Rs.15,000
and they should be between 18-40 years old and they should not be a member of any organized sectors like New
Pension Scheme (NPS), Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) scheme or Employees’ Provident Fund
Organization (EPFO) and he/she should be an Income Tax (IT) payer.
• The features of the scheme is, the subscriber will receive a minimum pension of Rs.3000 per month after the age of 60
and on the death of the subscriber his/her spouse will receive 50% of the pension as family pension (family should only
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be his/her spouse). And also if the subscriber dies before the age of 60 than he/she will be able to continue the scheme
by regular contribution or exit the scheme.
National Pension Scheme for Traders and Self-Employed Persons (NPS-Traders):

• The scheme is for protection of old age people and security of self employed persons. Their eligibility is, their annual
income should not be more than Rs.1.5 crore, and their age should be between 18 and 40 years. And also they should
not be engaged in any organized sectors like EPF (Employees’ Provident Fund Organization), NPS (National Pension
System) or ESIC (Employees’ State Insurance Corporation).
• The features of the scheme is the subscriber will receive a minimum pension of Rs.3000 per month after the age of 60
and if the spouse of the subscriber dies the heir (the heir can only be the subscriber’s spouse) will receive 50% of the
pension as family pension.
• To enroll in the scheme the subscriber needs his/her Aadhar card and Jan-dhan savings bank account the enrollment
requires only 2-3 minutes time and the contribution has been kept at the lowest level of Rs.55 to Rs.200 per month
depending upon the age of the subscriber.
Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare
• The Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare is observed annually on November
30 under the resolution (OPCW C-20/DEC.10). The day was officially recognised by the United
Nations(UN) at the 20th session of the Conference of the States Parties to the Chemical Weapons
Convention (CSPCWC) and has been celebrated since 2005.
• In 2013, the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to the OPCW “for its extensive efforts to eliminate chemical
weapons”. s
About Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons(OPCW):
• Founded- 29 April 1997.
• Headquarters- The Hague, Netherlands.
• Director General(DG)- Fernando Arias.
International Day for the Abolition of Slavery
• The International Day for the Abolition of Slavery is observed annually by the United
Nations(UN) on December 2nd
• The day aims to eradicate slavery like human trafficking, sexual exploitation, child labour, forced
marriage etc.
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As per International Labour Organisation (ILO), nearly 40 million people are victims of slavery
globally.1/4th of victims of slavery are children.
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About International Labour Organisation:

Headquarters- Geneva, Switzerland.
Director General(DG)- Guy Ryder.
National Pollution Control Day
• The National Pollution Control Day is observed annually on December 2 to create awareness on
controlling and managing pollution produced by industrial processes or human negligence. The
day is observed in remembrance of the innocent lives that were lost in the Bhopal gas tragedy in
1984. The year 2019 marks the 35th anniversary of the Bhopal gas tragedy.
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World Computer Literacy Day
• World Computer Literacy Day is being Observed on 2nd December every year. The day is
observed to mark the significance of computers and to promote awareness about computers and
other electronic devices.
• World Computer Literacy Day was first observed in the year 2001 by the National Institute of
Information Technology (NIIT).
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About National Institute of Information Technology (NIIT):
Headquarters- Gurugram, India
Chairman- Rajendra Singh Pawar
10th Indian Organ Donation Day
• The Indian Organ Donation Day (IODD) is observed annually on November 30, to create
awareness on organ donation and to motivate people in donating organs after their death. The
day was first observed in the year 2010 and has been organised by the National Organ & Tissue
Transplant Organization (NOTTO).
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• The Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare(MoH&FW) Shri Harsh Vardhan presided over
the 10th Indian Organ Donation Day in New Delhi, which was observed on November 30, 2019.
The event was organised by the National Organ & Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO).
10th Indian Organ Donation Day
• Maharashtra topped the states in maximum no. of donations surpassing Telangana and Tamil
Nadu that usually top the ranking.
• Maharashtra had 153 deceased donations Between November 2018 and October 2019, of which
73 donations took place in Mumbai hospitals. The state officials received the award constituted
by NOTTO.
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• As per data available on the Global Observatory on Donation and Transplantation, India performs
2nd largest number of transplants in the world, next only to the United States of America(USA).
• NOTTO: NOTTO was set up by the Indian govt. under the Transplantation of Human Organs
(Amendment) Act 2011, for carrying out the activities like promoting organ donation from
deceased persons, training the needed manpower for organ donation etc.
World AIDS (Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) day
• On 1st December 2019, World AIDS (Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) day was observed
and the Government of India has organized an event in New Delhi to create awareness of the
day.
• The theme of the event was ‘Communities make Difference’.

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• World AIDS Day was first observed in the year 1988
• In India Andhra Pradesh has the highest number of AIDS/HIV patients with a total of 2.7 lakh
AIDS/HIV infected people.
Putin, Xi oversee launch of gas pipeline
• Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping have
overseen the launch of a pipeline to take natural gas from Siberia to northeast
China
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• It also comes as Moscow is hoping to launch two other major energy projects —
the Nord Steam 2 undersea Baltic gas pipeline to Germany and the Turk Stream
pipeline to Turkey and southern Europe.
Source : Reuters
Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI) 2.0
• The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has launched Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI)
2.0 from December 2019 to March 2020.
• The data will be entered at the district level.
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• This will help the Programme officers and administrators at the block, district, state and national
level to have real time information on the progress of the campaign and also take timely action
on slow progress in any particular area.
• Health and Family Welfare Minister – Dr. Harsh Vardhan.
Source : NewsOnAir
Punjab will create land banks in rural areas
• The Punjab Cabinet gave in-principle approval to amend the Punjab Village Common Land
(Regulation) Rules, 1964, to create land banks in rural areas to boost industrial development.
• The new rule would pave the way for transfer of ‘Shamlat’ land for industrial projects to the
industry department and state-owned Punjab Small Industries & Export Corporation (PSIEC)
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• Shamlat land is one that does not come under habitation and cultivation and is considered as
consolidated land holdings for common use.
• About Punjab
 Capital – Chandigarh
 CM – Capt. Amarinder Singh
 Governor – VP Singh Badnore
Source : NewsOnAir
Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize 2019
• Author Tony Joseph was declared the winner of the Shakti Bhatt First Book
Prize 2019 for his book “Early Indians : The Story of Our Ancestors and Where
We Came From.”
•
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Its twelfth year in 2019, the prize carries a cash award of Rs. 2 lakh, and a
trophy.
• This award is given to new writers for exceptional writing in all genres in South
Asian countries.
Source : The Hindu

‘The Vault of Vishnu’
• Ashwin Sanghi, an Indian writer has authored a book named ‘The Vault of Vishnu’.
• It will be released in the Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) by Westland publications.
• About Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF)

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 The Jaipur Literature Festival is the World’s largest free literature festival and will take place
between 23rd to 27th January 2020.
Source : LiveMint
Typhoon Kammuri has struck Philippines
• Typhoon Kammuri has struck Philippines
• The storm also affected the South part of Manila where thousands of athletes were gathered for
the regional South Asian Games (SEA).
• About Philippines
s
 Capital - Manila
 Currency - Philippine peso
 President - Rodrigo Duterte
Source : Al Jazeera
Hand-in-Hand-2019
• The 8th India-China joint training exercise 'HAND-IN-HAND 2019' with the theme
“counter terrorism” under United Nations mandate is scheduled to be conduct at
Umroi, Meghalaya from 07 to 20 December 2019.
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• The Chinese contingent from the Tibet Military command comprising of 130
personal and the Indian Contingent of similar strength will participate in the 14
day long training exercise.
Source : PIB
2nd Annual India-Bhutan Development Cooperation Talks
• The 2nd Annual India-Bhutan Development Cooperation Talks were held in New Delhi.
• The Indian delegation was led by Mr. T.S. Tirumurti, Secretary (Economic Relations), Ministry of
External Affairs
• Government of India has committed assistance of Rs. 4500 Crore for implementation of
s
development projects and Rs. 400 Crore for transitional Trade Support Facility during Bhutan’s
12th Five Year Plan (2018 - 2023).
• 51 large and intermediate projects and 359 Small Development Projects (SDPs)/ High Impact
Community Development Projects (HICPDs) are at various stages of implementation under the
12th Five Year Plan.
• About Bhutan
 Capital – Thimphu
 PM – Lotay Tshering
 Currency – Ngultrum Source : MEA
‘India Corruption Survey 2019’
• ‘India Corruption Survey 2019’ by independent agencies Transparency International India (TII) and Local
Circles was released
• As per the report the Corruption rate in India fell by 10% in 2019.
• Rajasthan ranked as the most corrupt state having 78% citizens guilty of giving bribes. Rajasthan was
•
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followed by Bihar and Jharkhand in the second and third place respectively.
Low occurrence of corruption were found in states such as Delhi, Haryana, Gujarat, West Bengal, Kerala,
Goa and Odisha – of which the lowest corrupted state is Gujarat.
• About Transparency International (TI)
 HQ – Berlin
 Managing Director (MD) - Patricia Moreira
Source : Times of India

Scheme for promotion of endangered languages
• Indian Govt. has launched a scheme for the promotion of endangered languages in central and
state universities.
• The scheme was launched after recommendations of an expert committee constituted by the
University Grants Commission (UGC) came in to look into the issues related to preservation and
promotion of endangered languages.
• About University Grants Commission (UGC)

s
 HQ - New Delhi.
 Chairman - Dhirendra Pal Singh.

Operation Clean Art
• Operation “Clean Art” is a first of its kind national operation to crackdown the illegal trade
for mongoose hair.
• It was launched by the govt. Operation Clean Art was conceived by Wildlife Crime Control
Bureau (WCCB).
s
• Its aim is to ensure the shutting down of mongoose hair brush trade across the country.
• About Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB)
 HQ - New Delhi.
 Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoECC).
Source : The Hindu

Prithiviraj Roopan => New President of Mauritius
• Prithiviraj Singh Roopun was elected as the President of Mauritius
• He preceded Ammenah Gurib-Fakim who resigned in March 2018.
• Mr. Marie Cyril Eddy Boissezon appointed as the new Vice-President of the Republic of
Mauritius.
• About Mauritius
s
 Capital - Port Louis
 Currency - Mauritian Rupee
Source : The Hindu

Walmart India + HDFC = Co-branded credit card for best price
stores
• Walmart India which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Walmart Inc. has collaborated with HDFC Bank to
launch a co-branded credit card.
• The new co-branded credit card is available exclusively for members of Best Price Modern Wholesale B2B
(business to business) cash & carry Stores, owned and operated by Walmart India.
•
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In this, the facility of free credit will be available for up to 50 days without any interest.
• About Walmart India
 HQ – Gurgaon, President and CEO – Krish Iyer
• About HDFC Bank
 HQ – Mumbai, MD – Aditya Puri, Tagline – We Understand Your World

Aditya Birla Health Insurance + MobiKwik = Cancer Protect Cover
(Affordable Health Insurance Plans)
• Aditya Birla Health Insurance Co. Limited collaborated with MobiKwik to offer affordable health insurance
plans to mobile-first middle-class Indian consumers who have previously never had access to insurance
solutions.
•
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They have jointly launched the first product called “Cancer Protect Cover” Plan as part of their contract.
About Aditya Birla Health Insurance
 HQ – Bengaluru, CEO – Mayank Bathwal
• About MobiKwik
 CEO and Director – Bipin Preet Singh, HQ – Gurgaon
Source : Deccan Chronicle

CRISIL => India’s GDP of FY19-20 downgraded to 5.1% from 6.3%
• CRISIL which is a global analytical company providing ratings, and risk and policy advisory
services has lowered its estimate of India’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate to 5.1
% for the current financial year FY19-20 from an earlier estimate of 6.3%.
• About CRISIL
 HQ – Mumbai, Maharashtra s
 MD & CEO – Ashu Suyash
Source : The Hindu Businessline

YSR Aasaraa Scheme
• Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has launched a health scheme to
provide relief to poor patients
• After a surgery, the patients are offered a maximum of Rs. 225 per day or a maximum of Rs.
5,000 per month
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• This is the first in India to offer this type of service to patients.
• About Andhra Pradesh
 Capital – Amravati, CM – YS Jaganmohan Reddy, Governor – Biswabhusan Harichandan
Source : The Hindu

Ballon d’Or 2019
• Lionel “Leo” Messi of FC Barcelona and Argentina won the Ballon d’Or 2019 (France football’s
prize) - 6th and the most ever by any player.
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• The Women’s Ballon d’Or award of 2019 was given to Megan Anna Rapinoe, American football
player
• Other award winners
 Yashin Trophy (best keeper award named after Lev Yashin) – Alisson Becker
 Kopa Trophy (best u-21 player award named after Raymond Kopa) – Matthijs de Ligt
• About Balon d’Or
 The Ballon d’Or (meaning ”Golden Ball”) is an annual football award presented by France
Football, which is a French weekly magazine.
 First winner – Stanley Matthews Source : The Hindu

Steve Smith => Now the fastest cricketer to score 7000 test runs
• Steven Smith Australian cricketer became the fastest man to score 7000 runs in
test matches by breaking a 73-year old record which was held by English
cricketer Wally Hammond in the year 1946.
• About Australia s
 Capital – Canberra
 Currency – Australian dollar
 PM – Scott Morrison
Source : Economic Times

Paramananda Sahu passes away
• Prominent theatre artist of Odisha, Paramananda Sahu passed away due to old
age-related illness.
• Sahu had directed and acted in more than a hundred dramas, besides being an
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artist in All India Radio and Doordarshan.
Source : Business Standard

Baskar Menon passes away
• Veteran Journalist in the Press Trust of India (PTI) Baskar Menon passed away in Chennai
• Baskar Menon was a Regional Manager in the South Division of the PTI.
• About Press Trust of India (PTI)
 HQ - New Delhi
s
 Chairman - Vijay Kumar Chopra

International Day of Persons with Disabilities : Dec 3rd
• The International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) was observed on 3rd Dec, 2019.
• The theme of the day is ‘Promoting the participation of persons with disabilities and their
leadership: taking action on the 2030 Development Agenda’.
s
• The day is observed to empower people with disabilities and to make them a part of the society.
• About The UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA)
 HQ - New York, United States

 Head - Liu Zhenmin
Source : News18
Sri Lankan President visit to India
• Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa came to India for a 3-day official.
S
• PM Narendra Modi announced to offer $450 million Line of Credit to Sri Lanka in
which $400 million will be provided for infrastructure projects and $50 million
provided for counter terror measures to Sri Lanka.
• About Sri Lanka

 Capital – Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte
 Currency – Sri Lankan rupee,
 PM – Mahinda Rajapaksa
Source : The Hindu

Prithvi-II tested
• India successfully test-fired its indigenously developed surface-to-surface
nuclear-capable Prithvi-II missile off from Integrated Test Range at Chandipur at
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Odisha coast.
• The Prithvi-II is the first missile to have been developed by the DRDO under the
Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme.
• Developed under the joint collaboration of Defence Research and Development

Organization and Bharat Dynamics Limited.
Source : The Times of India

Alphabet CEO
• Google’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sundar Pichai will be assuming the role
of the parent company Alphabet’s CEO.
• Sundar will be the CEO of both Google and Alphabet.
• About Google
s
 HQ – California
 Founders – Larry Page & Sergei Brin

Finland PM resigned
• Prime Minister Antti Rinne of Finland has resigned.
• About Finland
 Capital – Helsinki
 Currency – Euro
s
 President – Sauli Niinisto
Source : Financial Times

CINC of Andaman & Nicobar Command
• Lt Gen Podali Shankar Rajeshwar took over as the 14th Commander-in-Chief of

the Andaman & Nicobar Command (CINCAN).
Source : The Hindu

ADB loaned Tamil Nadu
• Asian Development Bank (ADB) has agreed to advance a loan of US $206 million to develop water supply
and sewerage infrastructure in Tiruchi and other cities in Tamil Nadu
• This is the second project loan for the ADB-supported USD 500 million multi-tranche financing for the Tamil
Nadu Urban Flagship Investment Programme, approved in September 2018.
•
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The programme aims to develop climate-resilient water supply, sewerage, and drainage infrastructure in 10
cities of Tamil Nadu.
• The first project under the programme, with USD 169 million financing, is currently under implementation.
• About ADB
 Formation – 19 December 1966, HQ – Manila, Philippines, Membership – 68 countries
• About Tamil Nadu

 Capital – Chennai, CM – Edappadi K. Palaniswami, Governor – Banwarilal Purohit
Source : The Hindu

IFC to lead $200 million debt financing in Mahindra Finance
• World Bank Group’s International Finance Corp. (IFC) was leading a $200-million debt financing
in Mahindra and Mahindra Financial Services Ltd as part of its plan to create a dedicated pool of
financing for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in low-income states.
• The development-focused investor has earmarked at least $100 million for women-owned
MSMEs.
• About IFC
s
 HQ – Washington, D.C., Membership – 184 countries, CEO – Philippe Le Houérou
• About World Bank Group

 HQ – Washington D.C., President – David Malpass, MD & CFO – Anshula Kant
• About Mahindra & Mahindra Finance

 HQ – Mumbai, Head – Ramesh Iyer
Source : Live Mint

‘Bharatiya Poshan Anthem’
• Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu launched the “Bharatiya Poshan Anthem”
which aims at taking the message of making India malnutrition free to all corners
of the country.
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• The anthem has been penned by noted lyricist Prasoon Joshi and sung by
Shankar Mahadevan.
• Poshan Abhiyan was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in March 2018
with an objective to make India malnutrition free by 2022.
Source : News On Air

‘Person of the Year’ by PETA
• US actor Joaquin Rafael Phoenix from California has been awarded with the PETA (People for
the Ethical Treatment of Animals) ‘Person of the Year’ Award 2019.
• Joaquin Phoenix has been a vegan since the age of three and has been a supporter of PETA for
a long time.
s
• He has recently appeared in an advertisement of PETA titled “We are all animals”.
• About PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals)
 President - Ingrid Newkirk

 HQ - Norfolk, Virginia, USA
Source : PETA
Economic Times (ET) Lifetime Achievement Award
• Arun Jaitley former Finance Minister of India was conferred with the Economic Times (ET)
Lifetime Achievement award for Public Service 2019.
• The award was received by Arun Jaitley’s wife Sangeeta Jaitley.

s

Odisha launched “Madhu” app for e-learning
• Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik launched an e-learning mobile phone app named “Madhu App” for
students by providing video lectures and exercise in Odia language prepared by highly qualified
educationists and teachers.
• This app is named after freedom fighter social reformer Madhusudan Das.
s
• Initially, the App contains videos and exercises in math and science subjects for students from
classes 5 to 8.
 About Odisha
 Capital – Bhubaneswar
 CM – Naveen Patnaik
 Governor – Ganeshi Lal

Punjab + WEF = E-vehicles ecosystem
• To better tackle the menace of environmental pollution, the Punjab state government has
partnered with the World Economic Forum (WEF) to design a public-private pilot project on
shared, clean and electric mobility (e-mobility).
• This collaboration will be formulated at the WEF annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland on
January 2020.
s
• About Punjab
 Capital – Chandigarh
 Governor – V.P. Singh Badnore
 CM – Amarinder Singh
• About WEF
 HQ – Cologny, Switzerland
 Founder – Klaus Schwab

UP announced 25% subsidy & full stamp duty waiver for defence
industry
• Uttar Pradesh state government has decided to provide 25% subsidy and 100% stamp duty
waiver for setting up the defence industry in the state.
• The state government will also provide all facilities including power, road and fencing of land to
s
the companies that will set up defence industries.
• About UP
 Capital – Lucknow, CM – Yogi Adityanath, Governor – Anandiben Patel
Source : Business Line

UP awarded with the National award for Excellence for
Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities
• Indian VP V. Naidu presented Uttar Pradesh the National award for Excellence for Rehabilitation
of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) on behalf of the Union Ministry of Social Justice and
Empowerment.
s
• The event was organized by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disability
(DEPwD).
Source : ANI News

Railways + UK Department = MoU for International Development
• Ministry of Railways (MoR) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the
Department for International Development (DFID), United Kingdom for collaboration on energy
and sustainability.
• This MoU was inked with the aim to transform Indian Railways’ into “Green Railways” by
s
achieving complete complete electrification of Railway network.
• About UK
 Capital – London, Currency – Pound sterling, PM – Boris Johnson
Source : PIB
Railways Operating ratio is now worst in last decade
• The Comptroller and Auditor General’s report stated that the railways recorded an operating ratio
of 98.44% in 2017-18.
• Operating ratio is a measure of expenditure against the revenue.
s
• An operating ratio of 98.44% shows that the Railways spent Rs. 98.44 to earn Rs. 100.
• About Indian Railways
 Formed – 16th April 1853, HQ – New Delhi,

 Minister – Piyush Goyal, Railway Board Chairman – Vinod Kumar Yadav
Source : PIB
ECI will implement Political Parties RTMS
• The Election Commission of India (ECI) will implement the political parties Registration Tracking
Management System (RTMS).
• It will be implemented through an online portal to facilitate tracking of the status of the application
by applicants.
s
• The Commission said, the applicant who is applying for party registration from 1st January 2020
onwards will be able to track the progress of his or her application and will get status through
SMS and email.
Source : The Hindu

4th round of Regional Connectivity Scheme UDAN launched
• GoI has launched the 4th round of Regional Connectivity Scheme – UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam
Nagrik) to further enhance the connectivity to remote and regional areas of the country.
• The focus in this round will be North East Region, Hilly States, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and
Islands.
s
• The scheme was launched in October 2016, which seeks to provide connectivity to un-served
and under-served regions through the revival of existing airstrips and airports.
• UDAN-RCS, UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) is a regional airport development and "Regional
Connectivity Scheme" (RCS) of Government of India, with the objective of "letting the common
citizen of the country fly", aimed at making air travel affordable and widespread
Source : News On Air

FSSAI’s ‘Eat Right Station’ certification
• The Mumbai Central Terminus of the Western Railway has been certified as India's first "Eat
Right Station" with a 4-Star rating awarded by the FSSAI.
• The honour came on the basis of compliance of food safety and hygiene, availability of healthy
diet, food handling at preparation, trans-shipment and retail/serving points, food waste
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management, promotion of local and seasonal foods and creating awareness on food safety and
a healthy diet.
• The certification was done as part of the ‘Eat Right India’ movement launched in 2018 by FSSAI.
• About Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)
 HQ - New Delhi
 Chairperson - Rita Teaotia
 CEO - Pawan Kumar Agarwal
Source : LiveMint
India’s maiden National Maritime Heritage Museum
• Portugal and GoI have decided to co-operate in the setting up of a India’s 1st National Maritime
Heritage Museum at the ancient Indian site of Lothal in Gujarat with the aim to boost the
underwater or marine archaeology.
• The Museum will showcase salvaged material from shipwreck sites in the Indian Ocean waters.
s
• Lothal was considered a major centre for maritime trade activities during the ancient Indus Valley
(Harappan) Civilizations.
• Museum project will be implemented by the Ministry of Shipping through its Sagarmala
programme, with the involvement of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the State
government
• About Portugal
 Capital – Lisbon, Currency – Euro, PM – António Costa

Source : The Hindu
Mobile number portability (MNP) & Unique Porting Code (UPC)
rules changed
• Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has modified rules related to Mobile Number
Portability (MNP)
• TRAI has prescribed the port facility in the service area within 3 days. 5 days time has been fixed
for getting ported out of service area.
s
• Also, the validity of the Unique Porting Code (UPC) has also been reduced to 4 days as against
the fortnight (a period of 14 days) earlier.
• It will be applicable to all circles except the areas of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K), Assam and North
East (NE), where the validity of the UPC code remains unchanged to 30 days.
• About TRAI
 Chairman – Ram Sewak Sharma, HQ – New Delhi

Source : The Hindu
ICC Test Rankings 2019
• ICC Test Rankings were released recently.
• Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli has again topped the batsmen rankings with 928 rating
points beating Australia’s Steve Smith , who is now in second place (923 points).
• In the bowlers department, Australia’s Pat Cummins ranks first, Jasprit Bumrah is the highest-
s
placed Indian at the 5th position & Ravichandran Ashwin is at the 9th rank.
• West Indies player Jason Holder is number one in the all-rounders’ rankings.
• About International Cricket Council (ICC)
 HQ – Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

 Chairman – Shashank Manohar
 CEO – Manu Sawhney

BWF Ranking 2019
• Sourabh Verma got the 29th place in the latest BWF Ranking 2019, he is also the 6th Indian to be in the
list, making India the first country to have six players in the top 30 list.
• China is the second country to have five players on the list.
• Ashmita Chaliha, Indian woman Badminton player from Guwahati, Assam also made a massive jump by
•
moving 18 places and enters the top 100 list
s
PV Sindhu and Saina Nehwal hold their World number 6 and Number 10 positions respectively
• Kento Momota of Japan in the men’s singles and Chen Yu Fei of China in the women’s singles have topped
the rankings this time.
• About BWF
 HQ – Kuala Lumpur, Head – Poul-Erik Høyer Larsen
Source : IndiaToday
MCC’s Spirit of Cricket Award 2019
• New Zealand cricket team was bestowed with 2019 Marylebone Cricket Club’s (MCCs)
Christopher Martin-Jenkins Spirit of Cricket award for the sportsmanship it showed during the
finals of the ICC (International Cricket Council) World Cup at Lord’s Cricket Ground, London,
England, that was held in July 2019.
• After losing to England in a thrilling final held on July 14 at the Lord's -- regarded as one of the
s
most exciting ODI matches of all time -- Kane Williamson's team displayed an exceptional level
of sportsmanship, humility and selflessness in defeat.
• About New Zealand
 Capital – Wellington, Currency – New Zealand dollar, PM – Jacinda Ardern
• About Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC)
 Home ground - Lord’s Cricket Ground, London, England

 President - Kumar Sangakkara
KVGB + Canara HSBC OBC = Bancassurance
• Karnataka Vikas Grameen Bank (KVGB), an Indian Regional Rural Bank(RRB), has entered into
an MoU (memorandum of understanding) with Canara HSBC OBC (Oriental Bank of Commerce)
Life Insurance Company Ltd for bancassurance.
• About Canara HSBC OBC
 HQ – Gurugram
 Anuj Mathur- MD & CEO
s
• About KVGB (an RRB)
 HQ – Dharwad, Karnataka
 Chairman – Puttaganti Gopi Krishna
 Sponsor – Syndicate Bank
Source : The Hindu

Indian Navy Day : Dec 4th
• Indian Navy Day is observed on 4 December to commemorate the courageous attack on the
Karachi harbour during the Indo-Pakistan war of 1971 by the Indian Naval Missile.
• About Indian Navy
 Formed – 1612
s
 Garrison HQ – New Delhi
 Chief – Admiral Karambir Singh
Source : The Hindu

Odisha’s ‘Kalia’ scheme to be merged with Centre’s PM-KISAN
• The Odisha government has decided to merge its flagship scheme to provide assistance to
farmers with the Centre’s Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan) yojana
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• According to the provisions of the ‘Kalia’ scheme farmers are entitled to get Rs. 10,000 in two
instalments for two crops in a year.
• Under PM-Kisan scheme, the central government is providing annually Rs. 6,000 in three equal
instalments
• Of the annual financial assistance of Rs. 10,000, the state government will give Rs. 4,000 to
farmers while the rest will be provided from the Centre’s scheme.

• About Odisha
 Capital - Bhubaneshwar

RBI proposed new prepaid card for transactions up to Rs. 10,000
• RBI proposed the introduction of a prepaid payment instrument (PPI) for transactions up to Rs.
10,000 on goods and services.
S
• About RBI
 HQ – Mumbai
 Governor – Shaktikant Das
 Deputy Governor – BP Kanungo, NS Vishwanathan and Mahesh Kumar Jain
Source : The Hindu

RBI released “Guidelines for ‘on tap’ Licensing of SFB
• The Reserve Bank of India released guidelines for ‘on tap’ Licensing of Small
S
Finance Banks in the Private Sector. Now payments banks willing to convert
themselves into small finance banks (SFBs) can apply for such a licence only
after 5 years of operations.
• The minimum capital for setting up an SFB has been mandated at ₹200 crores,
adding for primary (urban) co-operative banks (UCBs), which wish to become
SFBs, the initial requirement of net worth will be ₹100 crores, which will have to
be increased to ₹200 crores within five years from the date of commencement of
business.

UNICEF honoured Priyanka Chopra
• Priyanka Chopra has been honoured with UNICEF’s Danny Kaye Humanitarian Award.
• About UNICEF
 Formed – 1946
 HQ – New York
s
 Head – Henrietta H. Fore
Source : The Economic Times

National Florence Nightingale Awards
• The President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, presented the National Florence Nightingale Awards
to nursing personnel in New Delhi on the occasion of International Nurses Day.
• Award to Late Lini Sajeesh from Kozhikode, Kerala was conferred posthumously. The 30-year-
old nurse passed away while on duty caring for a NIPAH infected patient in Kerala.
s
• The 35 other awardees who were conferred the award from President of India, included Auxiliary
Nurse Midwives (ANMs), Lady Health Visitors (LHVs), and nurses, from different States and
UTs.
• World Health Organisation has announced 2020 as the Year of the Nurse and Mid-wife.
• About WHO
 HQ – Geneva
 Head – Tedros Adhanom
“Shilpa Shetty App” wins in 2019 Google Play Awards
• Bollywood actor Shilpa Shetty’s fitness app “Shilpa Shetty App” has been awarded Google
Play’s Best Apps of 2019.
• The app was awarded in the category of ‘Personal Growth’.

India’s forex reserves crossed $450 billion for the first time
• The country’s foreign exchange reserves crossed the $450-billion mark for the
first time ever
• India’s foreign exchange reserves were at $451.7 billion

s
Source : The Hindu

CPPIB will invest $600 million
• The National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) of India and Canada Pension Plan
Investment Board (CPPIB) have agreed for CPPIB to invest up to $600 million through the NIIF
Master Fund.
• The agreement includes a commitment of $150 million in the NIIF Master Fund and co-
s
investment rights of up to $450 million in future opportunities to invest alongside the NIIF Master
Fund.
• The NIIF Master Fund invests equity capital in core infrastructure sectors in India, with a focus
on transportation, energy and urban infrastructure.
• About NIIF
 HQ – Mumbai
 CEO – Sujoy Bose
Source : The Hindu

India’s 1st HAM project in “Sewerage Sector”
• Union Minister for Jal Shakti Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Uttarakhand Chief Minister
Trivendra Singh Rawat inaugurated the 14 MLD sewage treatment plant (STP) in Sarai village
near Haridwar in the presence of Sweden’s King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia.
• The Sarai STP is “the first-ever project in the country on a hybrid annuity PPP model (HAM)”.
s
• 34 STPs are being built in Uttarakhand at a cost of Rs 1,144 crore, besides crematoria and
ghats on the Ganga.
• About Uttarakhand
 Capital – Dehradun
 CM – Trivendra Singh Rawat
 Governor – Baby Rani Maurya
Source : PIB
3rd edition of National Public Procurement Conclave
• Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal inaugurated the 3rd edition of National Public
Procurement Conclave in New Delhi.
• The conclave has been organized by Government e-Marketplace, GeM in association with
Confederation of Indian Industry.
s
Source : NewsOnAir
Exercise INDRA 2019
• Exercise INDRA 2019 a joint, tri-services exercise between India and Russia will
be conducted in India from 10-19 December 2019 simultaneously at Babina
(near Jhansi), Pune, and Goa.
• About Russia
 Capital – Moscow
s
 Currency – Russian ruble
 President – Vladimir Putin
Source : The Hindu

Space Technology Cells in premier institutions set up by ISRO
• Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) will set up five Space Technology Cells at the
premier institutes in order to carry out research activities.
• It includes IISc, IITs in Kharagpur, Bombay, Madras and Kanpur.
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• The Technology cells will consist of professors and scholars associated with the institute. Under
the programme, the experts will conduct space technology research and applications.
• About ISRO
 HQ – Bengaluru
 Head – K.Sivan

Artificial Intelligence is now a subject in CBSE schools
• Ministry of Human Resource and Development has introduced Artificial
Intelligence in classes VIII, IX and X in CBSE schools.
• The study materials have already been provided to the schools through official
CBSE website.
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• CBSE has collaborated with several organization like Microsoft, Intel, IBM

Rs.100 crore allotted to set up Women Help Desks
• Home Ministry of GoI has sanctioned Rs.100 crore from Nirbhaya fund for setting up and
strengthening of women help desks in police stations across country.
• The scheme would be implemented by states and Union Territories (UTs), and lady police
officers would be deployed at these help desks.
Source : Indian Express

Ripu Daman Bevli => Plogging Ambassador of India
• Kiren Rijiju (Union Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports) congratulated Ripu Daman Bevli, popularly known as Plogman of
India and named him as Plogging Ambassador of India.
• Sports Minister also launched nation-wide Plogging Ambassador Mission under which, Indians who have been running
and cleaning their cities/ towns/ districts, will be nominated as Plogging Ambassadors of their region.
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Ripu Daman Bevli started plogging in 2017, started Fit India Plogging Run with the aim to make India litter-free. In about
2 months, he and his team have cleaned up 50 cities and covered over 1000km, collecting 2.7 tonnes of garbage.
About plogging
 It is a unique way of picking up garbage while jogging. It was added to Fit India Movement as a unique way of
combining cleanliness and fitness. Plogging Run combines the Fit India Movement and Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.
 First Fit India Plogging Run was held on 2 October 2019 in which more than 36 lakh people participated in over
62,000 locations across India. It was organised with combined efforts of Sports Authority of India (SAI), National
Service Scheme (NSS), Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS), NGOs, Kendriya Vidalaya (KVs) and several other
organizations joining in.
Source : The Hindi

Anti-Depredation squads set up by Assam
• The Assam government has set up 15 Anti-Depredation Squads of the Forest department to deal
with human-wildlife conflicts in the state.
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• The anti-depredation squads will be stationed in 15 major human-wildlife conflict districts of the
state to deal with the problem and ensure the safety of both humans and animals.
• The Forest Department has engaged specially trained 50 front line staff to handle conflict
situations with 100 more staff to be trained in the coming days.
• About Assam
 Capital – Dispur
 CM – Sarbananda Sonowal
 Governor – Jagdish Mukhi

IEPFA + Bank of Baroda = MoU Investor Awareness
• Investor Education & Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA) works under the Ministry of Corporate
Affairs, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Bank of Baroda (BoB) to
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spread customer awareness and investor education and reaching out to investors and
stakeholders.
• About Bank of Baroda
 HQ – Vadodara, Gujarat
 Chairman – Hasmukh Adhia
 Tagline – India’s International Bank
Source : PIB
J&K approved Leave Travel Concession in favour of its employees
• Jammu and Kashmir Government has approved the Leave Travel Concession (LTC) in favour of
its employees.
• Lieutenant (Lt) Governor of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) : Girish Chandra Murmu.
Source : NewsOnAir
K Vijay Kumar Senior security advisor in MHA
• K Vijay Kumar has been appointed as a senior security advisor in the Union Home Ministry
headed by Amit Shah.
• He will be in the position for a period of 1-year.

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Source : NewsOnAir
National Clean Air Programme launched
• GoI has launched the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) as a long-term, time-bound,
national-level strategy to tackle the air pollution problem across the country in a comprehensive
manner.
• The government is targeting to achieve 20-30% reduction in Particulate Matter PM10 and PM2.5
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concentrations by 2024 keeping 2017 as the base year for the comparison of concentration.
• Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change : Prakash Javadekar (Constituency – MP)
Source : NewsOnAir
NEFT transactions will be done 24×7 from December 16
• RBI announced round-the-clock transactions will be allowed 24×7 facility under the National
Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT) system on all days including weekends and holidays from
December 16.
• These transactions after the usual banking hours are set to be automated initiated using ‘Straight
Through Processing (STP)’ modes by the banks. s
• The existing discipline for crediting the beneficiary’s account or returning the transaction within 2
hours of settlement to the originating bank will also continue.
Source : NewsOnAir
International Civil Aviation Day : Dec 7
• The United Nations General Assembly officially recognized 7th December as International Civil
Aviation Day globally.
• International Civil Aviation Day was established in 1994 as part of ICAO’s.
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• In 1996, pursuant to an International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) initiative and with the
assistance of the Canadian Government.
• The theme of this year Civil Aviation Day is “75 Years of Connecting the World”.
• About International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
 HQ – Montreal, Canada
 Secretary General – Fang Liu
Source : NewsOnAir
Armed Forces Flag Day : Dec 7
• Armed Forces Flag Day is observed on 7th of December every year across the country to
honour the martyrs and Armed Forces personnel, who safeguard our nation.
• The day provides an opportunity to express gratitude to the nation towards forces guarding the
borders and their families.
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• The fund collected on this day is used for the welfare of the serving personnel and ex-
servicemen.
• The day reminds that the welfare of the soldiers and their families is the responsibility of the
entire nation.
Source : NewsOnAir
3-day-long North East Food Show began in Meghalaya
• The three-day-long North East Food Show which can be dubbed as the biggest ever food show
of the region began today at Polo Grounds, Shillong.
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• The first-ever North East Food Show was inaugurated by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma.
• The North-East Food Show is a platform for entrepreneurs of the North-East to meet and interact
with National and global majors of the Food & Beverage Industry to better understand, build
connections, anticipate consumer needs and familiarize themselves with the latest trends in the
industry for export promotion and up-scaling their businesses to global standards.
• The North East Food Show is being jointly organized by the Meghalaya Government in
association with SIAL India and Inter Ads Exhibitions Private Limited.
• About Meghalaya
 Capital – Shillong, CM – Conrad Sangma, Governor – Tathagata Roy

5th bi-monthly Monetary Policy : RBI keeps repo rate unchanged at 5.15 %
• RBI in its fifth bi-monthly Monetary Policy has kept the policy repo rate unchanged at 5.15 %. The six-
member Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) headed by Governor Shaktikanta Das unanimously voted for a
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status quo (keep as it is) policy.
• The reverse credit policy has also maintained the reverse repo rate at 4.90 % and the marginal standing
facility rate and Bank Rate at 5.40 %.
• GDP growth for 2019-20 has been revised downwards from 6.1 % in the October policy to 5.0 %.
• RBI has sharply reduced the GDP growth forecast for the current financial year – FY 20 (or 2019) to 5 %
from the earlier estimate of 6.1 % due to weak domestic and external demand.
• The central bank has also increased its inflation projection to 5.1- 4.7 % for the second half of the current
fiscal due to the upsurge in prices of vegetables such as onion and tomatoes.
• About RBI
 HQ – Mumbai
 Governor – Shaktikant Das
 Deputy Governor – BP Kanungo, NS Vishwanathan and Mahesh Kumar Jain
Fit India School Rating System launched
• Union HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ and Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports
Kiren Rijiju has jointly launched the Fit India School Rating System.
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• The “Fit India School Rating System” has been launched as part of the Fit India Campaign. The
Fit India school rating system as per certain parameters is expected to enhance the image of the
schools.
• Fit India program is an innovative initiative launched by the Prime Minister to increase the
awareness among the masses and to encourage people to adopt healthy lifestyle.
Pacific Air Chiefs’ Symposium 2019
• Chief of the Air Staff of India Air Marshall Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria is participating in the
Pacific Air Chiefs’ Symposium 2019 (PACS 2019) at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii.
• The theme for this year’s symposium is ‘A Collaborative Approach to Regional Security’.
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• The conference will bring together Air Chiefs from across the Indo-Pacific region who will provide
perspectives on common challenges faced and on shared mutual interests while focusing on
relevant topics like ‘Regional Security’, ‘Domain Awareness’, ‘Multi-Domain Awareness’,
‘interoperability’ and ‘HADR’.
• The symposium will also entail discourse and discussions on the combined effort required to
maintain peace and security within the region.
YSR Law Nestham scheme launched by Andhra CM
• Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy launched 'YSR Law Nestham scheme' at his camp
office at Tadepalli.
• Under this scheme, a stipend of Rs. 5,000 has been credited in the accounts of beneficiary junior lawyers
with the click of the button.
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Lawyers thanked the Chief Minister for granting Rs. 100 crore to Lawyers' Welfare Fund and also for giving
a stipend of Rs. 5,000 to junior lawyers.
• The eligibility of the candidate is, they should be under the age of 35 and must be a graduate in Law and
only one member from each family is eligible to apply for the scheme, also junior lawyers who have
stopped practising law are not eligible. Junior lawyers will be eligible for the scheme for the remaining three
years after completing the first three years of practice. Also senior lawyers with 15 years of practice
experience and who are currently active in practice with certification from the Bar Association are also
applicable for the scheme.
• Capital – Amravati,
YuWaah
• UNICEF has informed that they have launched ‘YuWaah’ Generation Unlimited in India in association with the Women
and Children Development Ministry.
• According to UNICEF, Generation Unlimited, called YuWaah in India, is a multi-stakeholder alliance which aims to
facilitate youth to gain relevant skills for productive lives and the future of work.
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The target age group of YuWaah includes adolescent girls and boys and its key mission is to promote access to
foundational, transferable and 21st century skills for youth inside and outside formal education systems, which includes
defining foundational skills, life skills and flexible learning and identifying and scaling impactful delivery models.
• YuWaah intends to create platforms to guide youth to market opportunities (career guidance, mentorship, internships,
apprenticeships) and facilitate integration of career guidance in school education.
• This information was given by the Minister of Women and Child Development, Smriti Zubin Irani, in a written reply in the
Rajya Sabha.
• About UNICEF
 Formation – 11 December 1946, HQ – New York, Executive Director – Henrietta H. Fore

18 projects worth Rs.1456 crore covering all the NE states
sanctioned by tourism ministry
• Focussing on development and promotion of tourism in the North Eastern Region, the Ministry of Tourism
under the Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD Schemes has sanctioned 18 projects covering all the North
Eastern States for Rs. 1456 crore.
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The Ministry of Tourism undertakes various activities for the promotion of North Eastern region of the
country as a tourist destination. These activities include- Release of television campaigns on Doordarshan
and private channels in the country. Production of publicity material, creatives and television
commercials/promotional films on the region.
• The North East region is the theme of the India Pavilion set up by the Ministry at the South Asia Travel and
Tourism Exchange (SATTE) in which the Ministry participates annually. Complimentary space is provided to
the North Eastern States for their participation in the India Pavilion set up by the Ministry at major
international travel fairs and exhibitions. The Ministry organizes an annual International Tourism Mart in the
North Eastern region with the objective of highlighting the tourism potential of the region.
• Tourism Minister – Prahlad Singh Patel (Constituency - Damoh, Madhya Pradesh).

PM Modi and President Solih jointly inaugurated 4 key
development projects
• PM Modi and the President of Maldives, Ibrahim Mohammed Saleh jointly inaugurated four important development
projects in the Maldives through video conference.
• These four projects include – Three Fish Processing plants, Launch of RuPay card in the Maldives, Lighting up of Male
with LED lights and Fast Interceptor Craft given to the Maldives. PM Modi said that it is the result of the Indian
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Government’s 'Neighbourhood First' policy and on the other hand Maldives government’s ‘India First’ policy.
PM Modi has given Fast Interceptor Craft ‘Kaamyaab’ to the Maldives as a gift. He said that this fast interceptor craft
Coast Guard ship would help to increase the maritime security of the Maldives and promote the blue economy and
tourism in the region.
• PM Modi highlighted that the government is also working on the construction of a cancer hospital and cricket stadium in
Hulhumale. Also, the government of India will start work on water and sanitation projects in 34 islands in the Maldives.
• About Maldives
 Capital – Male
 Currency – Maldivian rufiyaa
BlackBuck + IDFC Bank + Yes Bank = Free FASTags to truck
drivers
• Online trucking platform BlackBuck informed that it has partnered with private lenders IDFC
Bank and Yes Bank to provide FASTags to truck owners free of cost.
• Truck owners can order FASTags on BlackBuck's Boss App, a digital services platform
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exclusively for truck fleet owners, and it will be delivered at their doorstep free of cost until
December 31, 2019, the company said in a statement.
• BlackBuck offers free FASTags to truck owners across India. The FASTags on BlackBuck Boss
app are provided in partnership with IDFC Bank and Yes Bank. The initiative is expected to help
over 3 million trucks in India become FASTag compliant.
• FASTag – It is an electronic toll collection system in India, operated by the National Highway
Authority of India (NHAI). It uses Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology to make toll
payments directly from the prepaid or savings account linked to it or directly to toll owner. It will
be affixed on the windscreen of the vehicle for toll collection.
‘Borderman’ yearly magazine
• The yearly magazine called ‘Borderman’ was released by Nityanand Rai, Minister of State for
Home Affairs on the occasion of 55th raising day of BSF (Border Security Force) organized by
the Ministry of Home Affairs.
• The 55th raising day of BSF (Border Security Force) was celebrated on the 1st of December
2019.
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• Union Home Minister – Amit Shah
• About Border Security Force (BSF)
 Formed - 1 December 1965

 Director General - V K Johri
“Gandhipedia”
• Two IITs (Gandhinagar and Kgp) and the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM) have joined hands
to develop Gandhipedia, an online repository of books, letters and speeches written by Mahatma Gandhi,
to commemorate his 150th birth anniversary.
• The entire project will be done with the help of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
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In the first phase, over 40 books written by Mahatma Gandhi will be digitised and indexed and their portions
tweeted.
• The project will be executed under the Ministry of Culture headed by Animesh Mukherjee, professor in the
IIT Gharagpur, Department of Computer Science and Engineering.
• About National Council of Science Museums (NCSM)
 Founded - 4 April 1978

 HQ - Kolkata
 Parent Organization - Ministry of Culture
 Director General - A. D. Choudhury
Aerospace and Defence Industry Group
• UK India Business Council (UKIBC) informed about the establishment of Aerospace and Defence Industry
Group in order to boost bilateral cooperation in the field of aerospace and defence between both the
nations.
• It will catalyse India’s defence acquisition process and also promote long-term technology and hardware
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transfers.
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In 2019, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was inked on ‘defence technology industrial capability
cooperation’ by UK (United Kingdom) and India to enhance defence cooperation.
• Core members of the group include Rolls-Royce, BAE (British Aerospace) systems, Thales UK, Leonardo,
TVS (Thirukkurungudi Vengaram Sundram) Logistics, Cranfield University in England etc.
• About UKIBC
 It was formed to foster trade and business relations between the United Kingdom and India.
 Founded - 1993.
 HQ - London
 Chairperson - Chris Parsons.
Roger Federer is the first living Swiss to have his image engraved
in the Swiss coin
• Roger Federer became the first living person to feature on a commemorative
coin minted by Switzerland.
• The Swissmint announced that they have launched a new 20-franc silver coin
bearing the 20-time Grand Slam champion’s image.
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In a statement, the Switzerland government said Federer is the best-known
personality from the country both on and off the court. A photo of the coins
showed an engraving of the 38-year-old hitting a backhand. The coins will be
issued on January 23, 2020.
• An “uncirculated quality” version of limited edition coin is up for pre-order online

while the proof-quality coins will only be available from the issue date onward in
January.
• About Switzerland
 Capital – Bern (de facto), Currency – Swiss franc, President – Ueli Maurer
Maiden Ganga Centralised aqualab to be set up in Dehradun
• The aquatic life forms found in the 2525-km-long Ganga river would be preserved in the country’s first
‘Ganga Centralised Aqualabs’ at Wildlife Institute of India (WII) in Dehradun.
• The aqualab, first of its kind for any river in the country, will maintain genes of each species found in the
river alongside crafting baseline data of the river which is undergoing tremendous changes owing to
rampant water extraction, almost 90% from it.
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The foundation stone of the aqualab under National Mission for Clean Ganga was by state forest minister
Harak Singh Rawat at WII in the presence of WII director GS Rawat.
 Capital - Dehradun
 CM - Trivendra Singh Rawat
 Governor - Baby Rani Maurya
• About Wildlife Institute of Indin (WII)

 Founded - 1982
 Agency responsible - Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate change
 Director - Gopal S Rawat
15th Climate Risk Index 2020
• India is the 5th most vulnerable country to climate change, according to a report released by
Environment think tank, Germanwatch.
• In the Climate Risk Index 2020, India’s rank has worsened from the 14th spot in 2017 to 5th in
2018 in the global vulnerability ladder. India has also recorded the highest number of fatalities
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due to climate change and the second highest monetary losses from its impact in 2018. India’s
high rank is due to severe rainfalls, followed by heavy flooding and landslide that killed over
1000 people.
• The report shows that extreme weather, linked with climate change, is not only affecting poorer
countries like Myanmar and Haiti, but also some of the world’s richest countries. Japan is the
worst-hit country in 2018 (the last year covered by the data), while Germany and Canada were
both also in the ‘bottom 10’, that is, the most affected.
• Germanwatch, based in Bonn and Berlin (Germany), is an independent development and

environmental organisation which works for sustainable global development.
Comparitech Report on invasive use of Biometrics
• In a study done by Comparitech, some of the worst countries for biometric data usage are in
Asia while the least invasive nations are in Europe.
• India is the fifth worst country after China, Malaysia, Pakistan and the US in terms of extensive
and invasive use of biometric data, a report released by a UK-based firm has revealed.
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• Comparitech, a pro-consumer website on technology services, analysed 50 countries on five
different aspects such as visas and biometric voting system to “offer a fair country-by-country
comparison” of biometric usage.
• For the study, the countries were analysed on where biometrics were being taken, what they
were being taken for and how they were being stored.
• The countries were scored out of 25 with a higher number suggesting extensive and invasive
use of biometrics. India shared the fifth position with Indonesia, The Philippines and Taiwan, and
scored 19/25. China topped the list with 24/25 score.
2019 NATO Summit
• UK hosted a two-day organised 2019 NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) Summit in London in December 2019.
• It was attended by NATO leaders and chaired by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.
• The purpose of the summit was to make the heads of state and heads of government of NATO member countries to
evaluate and provide strategic direction for Alliance activities.
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The year 2019 marks the 70th anniversary of the summit.
• The target agreed by all members to spend 2% or more of their gross domestic product (GDP, a measure of economic
output) on defence was discussed.
• 2018 summit: The 2018 NATO summit was held in Brussels, Belgium (NATO HQ)
• About North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
 The North Atlantic Alliance or NATO is an intergovernmental military alliance between 29 North American and
European countries. Montenegro was the 29th country to join NATO.
 Member countries- 29.
 Founded - 4 April 1949
 HQ - Brussels, Belgium
‘My : Health Woman Suraksha Policy’
• HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company, India’s third-largest non-life insurance provider in the private
sector, has launched “My : Health Woman Suraksha Policy”, a comprehensive medical insurance scheme
specially designed for women.
• People aged 18–65 years are eligible for the policy & they offered a sum insured ranging from Rs. 1 lakh to
1 crore.
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The policy is designed to provide financial support during medical emergencies and sicknesses in women’s
lives. The policy provides for a reduction in women’s fitness (physical and mental fitness) during the course
of the renewal.
• About HDFC ERGO
 It is a joint venture firm between HDFC (Housing Development Finance Corporation) and ERGO
International AG, one of the insurance entity of the Munich Re Group in Germany operating in the
insurance field under the BFSI (Banking, financial services and insurance) sector.
 Founded – 2002
 HQ – Mumbai, Maharashtra
 MD & CEO – Ritesh Kumar
Independent Director’s Databank launched
• The Ministry of Corporate Affairs, with the objective of strengthening the institution of Independent Directors
under the Companies Act, launched today the Independent Director’s Databank in accordance with the
provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 and the rules made thereunder.
• The Databank, which was launched by Injeti Srinivas, Secretary Ministry of Corporate Affairs, can be
accessed at www.mca.gov.in or www.independentdirectorsdatabank.in, is a pioneering initiative of the
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Ministry to provide an easy to access & navigate platform for the registration of existing Independent
Directors as well as individuals aspiring to become independent directors.
• Powered by an Integrated Learning Management System, the various e-learning capsules and videos
available in the system will enable Individual users to easily acquire knowledge from diverse resources,
develop distinct skills and assess their understanding on company operations, regulations and
compliances.
• The Databank portal which has been developed and will be maintained by the Indian Institute for Corporate
Affairs (IICA), is a first of its kind initiative from the Ministry. It provides for a wide array of e-learning
courses on various topics including the Companies Act, Securities laws, basic accountancy, board
practices, board ethics and board effectiveness.
• Minister of Corporate Affairs - Nirmala Sitharaman (Constituency-Karnataka).

Mother Teresa Memorial Awards for Social Justice (MTMA) 2019
• Awardees for the Mother Teresa Memorial Awards for Social Justice (MTMA) were announced recently.
• It is an initiative by Harmony Foundation and endorsed by Missionaries of Charities.
• This year, the award recognises the exemplary work done in various fields and issues related to modern-
day slavery.
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Currently in its 15th year, previous awardees include Nobel laureates like Dalai Lama, Malala Yousafzai,
Tawakkol Karman, state leaders and prominent activists including current Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-
Addo; Prime Minister of Malaysia Dr Mahathir Mohamad; former Deputy Speaker of the United Kingdom's
House of Lords, Baroness Caroline Cox and aid groups like Medecins Sans Frontiers (Doctors Without
Borders).
• Every year, Harmony Foundation focuses on a theme, which for 2019 is 'Combating Contemporary Forms
of Slavery'. It is a sad reality that affects millions across the globe. It includes child labour, bonded labour,
human trafficking, organ trafficking, and child militants.
• 2019 Awardees
 Kailash Satyarthi - For the fight against child labour and trafficking in India and South East Asia.
 Ajeet Singh - For his efforts in creating the first red-light free area from the commercial sexual
exploitation of minors in India.
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 DAFOH, USA - For their decades of efforts in raising awareness and sensitising both the medical
community as well as the civil society about unethical organ harvesting, especially in China.
 Free A Girl - For uniquely re-integrating former sex-workers into civil society by training them into
becoming future advocates.
 JEEVIKA - For freeing over 30,000 bonded labourers and earnestly committing to complete eradication
of the practice in Karnataka.
 Junior Nzita Nsuami - For spearheading the international campaign through the United Nations against
the use of child soldiers in war.
 Rob Williams - For persistently protecting and supporting children in armed conflicts is some of the
most hostile regions in the world.
 Alezandra Russell - For being the only one who stood behind the overlooked and ignored young boys
in the red-light districts of Thailand.
 Hasina Kharbhih - For rescuing and empowering more than 72,000 vulnerable victims from the fate of
trafficking.
 Office for the rescue of Yazidis - For weaving through one of the most hostile regions worldwide and
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pledging to rescue all the vulnerable Yazidi women and girls from the evil clutches of ISIS.
 PRERANA - For their holistic approach in their attempts to abolish intergenerational prostitution.
 Robert Bilheimer - For using his skills as a filmmaker to spread awareness about the existence of
contemporary forms of slavery and inspiring the fight against it.
NOTTO (National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization)
Awards
• An award ceremony was organized by NOTTO (National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization) of Union Health
and Family Welfare Ministry (MoHFW) headed by Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare at
Vigyan Bhavan in which Tamil Nadu was awarded with Best State award in cadaveric organ donation for the fifth time.
• Gujarat won three awards for the Best SOTTO (State Organ Tissue Transplant Organization), Best hospital and Best
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coordinator in the organ donation field and Madhya Pradesh (MP) won the Best SOTTO award.
Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH) in Chennai, Tamil Nadu won the Best Performing Hospital award.
• As per the Global Observatory on Donation and Transplantation (GODT), India performs second largest number of
transplants in the world next to the USA. And also India has an organ donation rate of 0.65 per million population (PMP).
• About NOTTO
 National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO) is a National level organization set up under
Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India located the
Institute of Pathology (ICMR) Building in Safdarjung Hospital New Delhi.
2nd edition of startup India Global Venture Capital Summit 2019
• The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), in partnership with Government of Goa, is
organizing the 2nd edition of the Startup India Global Venture Capital Summit, on 6th and 7th of December, 2019 for
Fund Managers and Limited Partners of Top Global Venture Capital Firms.
• The theme for Startup India Global Venture Capital Summit 2019 is “India Opportunity – Investing in tomorrow together”.
• The first edition of the Summit held last year in Goa brought together over 250 participants from over 9 countries and
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showcased the venture capital opportunities in India and facilitated a rich exchange of ideas on various aspects of the
investor world.
• This year the Summit aims to reach new heights in both reach and scope. The focus of the Summit is to mobilize global
capital for innovation in India. The Summit will bring together a series of engagements involving over 350 representatives
of leading Global Venture Capital Firms, Limited Partners, Family Offices, High-Network Individuals, Government of India
officials, top Corporates, and select innovative Startups. It will showcase the India Advantage, diversity and scale of
Indian market opportunity, and the cutting-edge innovations originating in India. The Summit also aims to understand the
best practices for venture capital industry, identify issues faced by them for investments in India, and evaluate ways to
address them.
• About Goa
• Capital - Panaji, CM - Pramod Sawant, Governor – Satya Pal Malik

Cabinet apprised of Indo-German strategic collaboration on railway projects
• The Union Cabinet was apprised of the Joint Declaration of Intent signed last month between
India and Germany regarding cooperation on strategic projects in the railways.
• The Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI) with the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy of
the Federal Republic of Germany will provide a platform to the railways to interact and share the
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latest developments and knowledge in the field, according to a government statement.
• It will facilitate exchange of information, expert meetings, seminars, technical visits and
implementation of jointly agreed cooperation projects.
National Museum of Indian Cinema + Films Division +
BookMyShow = MoU for easier ticket booking
• National Museum of Indian Cinema (NMIC) tickets will now be available on BookMyShow.
• A Memorandum of Understanding for online ticketing of NMIC has been signed between Films Division and
BookMyShow in New Delhi.
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Information and Broadcasting Ministry informed that with this MoU, booking a ticket to visit NMIC will be a click away,
benefiting film lovers in India and abroad.
• Speaking on the occasion, additional secretary Atul Kumar Tiwari said that the MoU has been a part of Museum
outreach initiatives aimed at increasing footfalls to the National Museum of Indian Cinema.
• NMIC – It is the only museum in India dedicated to the cinema is an institution of national importance and was
inaugurated by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in January this year at Films Division complex, Mumbai. This exclusive
museum has been set up to showcase the rich cinematic history and heritage of India and encapsulates India’s socio-
cultural history and evolution through cinema. The Museum showcases the history of India Cinema with the help of rare
artefacts, diorama, costumes, properties and digital elements including kiosks, interactive digital screens and information
based screen interfaces.
• BookMyShow – Founded in Aug 1999, HQ is in Mumbai and CEO is Ashish Hemrajani.

GoI temporarily stopped online medicine and drug sales
• The government has ordered a halt to online drug sales as it works on rules to regulate the sector, in a
setback for companies that have ploughed in millions of dollars to open up a new business arena amid lack
of regulation.
• In an order, Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) V.G. Somani directed all states and Union territories
to prohibit sale of medicines through unlicensed online platforms till draft rules to regulate e-pharmacies are
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finalized and put in place.
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The DCGI’s letter, seen by Mint, cites a Delhi high court order dated 12 December 2018 in a case filed by
dermatologist Dr Zaheer Ahmed. The letter was sent by the DCGI to all state drug regulators and the Union
health ministry for their information and action.
• The Delhi high court order had said drugs were sold online in violation of the Drugs and Cosmetics (D&C)
Act. However, e-pharmacies continued to sell online, after securing a stay from the Madras high court.
• Current market scenario – Retail stores contribute to 99% of medicines sales with E-pharmacy contributing
to only 1% of total medicine sales. In February 2019, the DPIIT (Department of Promotion of Industry and
Internal Trade) published Draft National E-commerce policy. It includes E-pharmacy guidelines as well. As
the industry has a billion-dollar potential, it is important to frame strict guidelines.
India + Sweden = Will ink Polar Science Cooperation Agreement
• India and Sweden are likely to sign their first maritime cooperation agreement, Cooperation in
Polar Science, during the visit to India of the Swedish royal couple and senior Ministers,
including Foreign Minister Anne Linde.
• In the last few years, India has signed a series of maritime information exchange as well as
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military logistics support agreements, extending the reach of its armed forces.
• The pact with Russia, in advanced stages of discussion, will give India access to Russian bases
in the Arctic for logistics and operational turnaround. However, the agreement with Sweden is
scientific in nature.
• Royal Couple Visit – The Swedish Royal Couple King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of
Sweden are to visit India for 5 days. This is the third visit of the Swedish Royals to the country.
Earlier the visits were in 1993 and 2005.
India + Sweden = Will set up Healthcare Innovation Centre in India
• India and Sweden joined hands to set up a healthcare innovation centre to promote research,
broadly in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and help scale-up Indian start-ups in the sector.
• The announcement about the cooperation was made earlier in the presence of Swedish King
Carl XVI Gustaf and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
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• AIIMS-Delhi Finance Director Randeep Guleria, AIIMS-Jodhpur Director Sanjeev Misra and
Swedish Trade Commissioner in New Delhi Anders Wickberg later signed a Memorandum of
Intent (MoI) to cement the cooperation.
• The signing of the MoI marks 10 years of India-Sweden health cooperation.
• About Sweden
 Capital – Stockholm, Currency – Swedish krona, PM – Stefan Löfven

CSIR-IICT Nuclear Magnetic Resonance test facility got US FDA
certification
• The CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT), Hyderabad has announced that the
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) test facility at the institute has passed the US Food and Drug
Administration (USFDA) inspection with “no observations”.
• The NMR spectroscopy is an important technique for structural characterization of pharmaceutical and
other chemical molecules.
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• The USFDA inspected the NMR facility during August 21-22 and found the facility in an acceptable state of
compliance with regard to Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP). Accordingly it classified the
facility as “no action initiated (NAI)”.
• S. Chandrasekhar, the Institute Director stated that the NMR laboratory, an NABL accredited facility is one
of the country's largest facilities, equipped with nine state-of-the art high field NMR spectrometers, and the
USFDA's clearance added further impetus to the wide range of quality analytical R&D services for APIs.
• About United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA)
 Founded – 1906, HQ – Maryland, Commissioner – Admiral Brett Giroir

Delhi to enter list of world's top 10 most popular cities with global
tourists
• Delhi, the national capital of India, is all set to enter the list of world's top 10 most popular destinations in
the world, according to the recent data published by Euromonitor International.
• Currently, the city ranks at the 11th position in the list of world's top 100 destinations and is forecast to be
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hold the 8th place in 2019.
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With soaring popularity health and wellness tourism across the world, the national capital has been
witnessing rapid development in the tourism industry.
• The national capital of India has been witnessing rapid development in the tourism industry in this year.
• Asia posted fastest growth in the number of international arrivals globally.
• Hong Kong has remained the topmost for three consecutive years (2017, 2018 and 2019). Followed by
Hong Kong, Bangkok, London, Macau, Singapore were at the second, third, fourth and fifth ranks
respectively. Around 43 cities from Asia were among the top 100 City Destination ranking.
Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Bill, 2019
• The Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes (Production, Manufacture, Import, Export, Transport, Sale, Distribution, Storage,
and Advertisement) Bill, 2019 was passed by Parliament. It prohibits production/ manufacture/ sale/ transport/ import/
export/ transport/ distribution/ advertisement of e-cigarettes in India. Any person not adhering to this provision will be
punishable with imprisonment of up to 1 year, or a fine of up to 1 lakh rupees, or both and for any subsequent offence,
the person will be punishable with an imprisonment of up to 3 years, along with a fine of up to 5 lakh rupees.
• It was introduced in Lok Sabha by Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Harsh Vardhan. The Bill which seeks
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to prohibits the production, storage, trade, and advertisement of electronic cigarettes, replaces an Ordinance
promulgated in September 2019.
• Electronic cigarettes or e-cigarettes are electronic devices that heat a substance, which may contain nicotine and other
chemicals, to create vapour for inhalation as well as contain different flavours.
“India Ranking Society”
• The Human Resource Development (HRD) Ministry informed the Lok Sabha that "India Rankings Society
(IRS)" was given the accorded approval in August with an objective to develop and evolve methodologies
and system for the ranking of higher educational institutions.
• The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) Executive Committee in its 127th meeting held on
21.08.2019 accorded approval for the creation of independent society in the name and style of 'India
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Rankings Society (IRS)' with an objective to develop and evolve methodologies and system for ranking of
higher educational institutions and based on such methodologies, rank and rate them under various
categories , domain and sub-domain.
• Presently, National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) is being used for ranking of institutes on five
broad generic groups of p[arameterers namely -- teaching, learning and resources; research and
professional practise; graduation outcomes; Outreach and Inclusivity; perception," the HRD Ministry's
written reply read.
GoI mapped 32 tiger corridors, developing conservation plan
• The Centre has mapped tiger corridors inside and outside protected areas across the country and
developed a conservation plan for big cats, which includes a strategy to streamline infrastructure projects
with mandatory inclusion of safe passages.
• Union minister of state for environment Babul Supriyo released the details of the plan in Rajya Sabha. The
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plan has been formulated keeping in view the all India tiger estimation results released in July that showed
there were 2,967 big cats in the country and that there has been a 6% annual increase in their numbers
since 2006.
• The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), under the Union environment ministry, has published a
document, titled Connecting Tiger Populations for Long-term Conservation, in collaboration with the Wildlife
Institute of India (WII), Dehradun. The document maps 32 major corridors and details the tiger conservation
plan under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
• WII wildlife biologist (NAME) said that these corridors have been assessed and developed based on annual
tiger estimation exercises over 15 years based on preliminary big cat dispersal information.
National Awards for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities 2019
• Vice President M. Venkiah Naidu conferred the National Awards on Individuals, Institutions, Organizations,
State & District for their outstanding achievements and work done towards empowerment of Divyangs at a
function organized by Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Union Ministry of
Social Justice & Empowerment to celebrate ‘International Day of Persons with Disabilities’ celebrated on 3
December 2019 in Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
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The National Awards for the empowerment of Persons with Disabilities were given on the occasion of
International Day of Persons with Disabilities at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi.
• Speaking on the occasion VP said that the nation needs to study and analyse various dimensions of
disability comprehensively. He added that we need to identify the causes of disability and find ways to deal
with them so that each individual is empowered to live a life of dignity. He said that it is this feeling of
respect that is reflected in the nomenclature given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he called the
disabled as Divyangs.
• Vice President further said that education is the key to empowerment of every person, including Persons
with Disabilities. He said that there should be a special focus on inclusive schools and special schools so
that each differently abled child gets good quality education.
International Volunteer Day : Dec 5th
• International Volunteer Day is celebrated on December 5 annually by United Nations General
Assembly (UNGA).
• This day provides a chance for volunteers and organisations to celebrate their efforts, values
and promote their work among their communities, etc.
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• The theme of 2019 IVD is “Volunteer for an inclusive future”.
• About United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)
 HQ – New York
 President – Tijjani Muhammad-Bande
World Soil Day : Dec 5th
• World Soil Day is observed on December 5 every year across the world. The day highlights the
soil’s importance on Earth.
• This day is celebrated by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of United Nations with the
aim to raise awareness and call people to ’Stop Soil Pollution.’
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• 2019 theme for World Soil Day is “Stop soil erosion, Save our future”.
• About FAO
 HQ – Rome, Italy
 Head – Qu Dongyu
Sanna Marin, the youngest ever PM in the world elected in Finland
• Finland’s Social Democrats elected 34-year-old Sanna Marin to the post of the prime minister,
making her the youngest head of government in the country’s history.
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• Her appointment is unlikely to lead to significant policy changes by the Social Democrat-led
administration.
• About Finland
 Capital – Helsinki
“Duchifat-3”
• An Israeli student made a satellite named “Duchifat-3”, which will be launched from ISRO’s
Sriharikota launch site.
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• “Duchifat-3” is a satellite jointly built by Herzliya Science Center and Sha’ar HaNegev High
School students of Israel.
• It is a remote sensing satellite through which students from all schools across the country will be
able to experiment and carry through Earth observation.
• “Duchifat-3” is the 3rd in the series of Israeli student-made satellites.
• Tech specs – Duchifat-3 weighs 2.3 kg, it is a photo satellite to be used for ecological research
of Earth from space.
• About ISRO
 HQ – Bengaluru, Head – Dr. K. Sivan

Anand Kumar invited to India’s Republic Day celebrations in New
York
• The Federation of Indian Association (FIA) has invited Super 30 founder Anand Kumar to a
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function on the eve of India’s Republic Day celebrations in New York.
• Anand Kumar has been invited for his contribution in the field of education through his
programme ‘Super 30’. ‘Super 30’ is a programme that prepares 30 students from
underprivileged sections of society for the prestigious IIT entrance test every year, without any
fees.
• About FIA
 The Federation of Indian Association is the oldest organisation of the non-resident Indians.
Year “2020” also marks the 50th anniversary of FIA.
Human Library event in Mysuru
• Human Library event is a concept which aims to replace books with humans. It will be held in the City of
Palaces, Mysuru (Karnataka).
• The first event of the Human Library aims to break past long-standing prejudices and stereotypes by
creating a safe framework for conservation by using a library analogy of lending people rather than books.
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It intends to generate greater human cohesion across various social, religious and ethnic diversities.
• The idea of Human Library was initially launched in the year 2000 and currently exists in more than 85
countries, known as The Human Library Organization. In India, Human Library is spread across various
metropolitan cities including Hyderabad, Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru.
• About Human Library
 Type – Registered international non-profit organization.

 HQ – Copenhagen, Denmark
Miss South Africa was crowned 2019 Miss Universe
• Miss South Africa Zozibini Tunzi was crowned Miss Universe 2019 in Atlanta, US..
• Ms Tunzi beat over 90 contestants from around the globe in the 68th instalment of Miss Universe.
• Miss Universe Puerto Rico Madison Anderson was the runner-up in this contest.
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• The Philippines’ Catriona Gray, who presented Ms Tunzi the crown, was the Miss Universe
winner in 2018.
• About South Africa
 Capital – Pretoria (executive), Bloemfontein (judicial), Cape Town (legislative)

 Currency – South African rand
 President – Cyril Ramaphosa
54th DGsP/ IGsP Conference => Pune
• PM Modi participated in the 54th DGsP/ IGsP Conference held in Pune.
• PM addressed the session of the Conference.
• President’s police medals were also awarded to officers of the Intelligence Bureau for their
distinguished services.
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Paika Rebellion memorial in Odisha foundation stone laid
• President Ram Nath Kovind laid the foundation stone to the
memorial being built in memory of the Paika rebellion, a 200-year-
old armed revolt in 1817 against the British East India Company in
Odisha.
•
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The proposed project will come up at the foothills of Barunei hills in
Khurda district, Odisha.
• The memorial is seen as an epitome of Odisha’s valour and will

serve as an inspiration for the youth. A chair in the name of Buxi
Jagabandhu who led this revolt has been established with a Rs. 5
crore grant and memorial coin and stamp issued to mark the two
hundred years of the event.
• About Odisha
 Capital – Bhubaneshwar
8th National Photography Awards
• Ministry of Information & Broadcasting arm Photo Division has invited entries for the 8th National
Photography Awards.
• The Division confers these Awards every year, to promote various facets of the country such as art, culture,
development, heritage, history, life, people, society, and tradition through the medium of photo.
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The National Photography Awards are conferred under three categories :
 Lifetime Achievement Award,

 Award for Professional Photographers
 Award for Amateur Photographers.
• The Lifetime Achievement Award carries a Cash Prize of Rs. 3,00,000. This year’s theme for Professional
Photographers is ‘Life and Water.’ The awards under the Category for Professionals are one ‘Professional
Photographer of the year’ award with a cash prize of Rs. 1,00,000. This year’s theme for the Amateur
Photographers is ‘Cultural Heritage of India.’ The awards under the Category for Amateurs are one
‘Amateur Photographer of the year’ award with a cash prize of Rs. 75,000.
India ranks 129 in UN’s Human Development Index
• India climbed one spot to 129 among 189 countries in the 2019 human development index,
according to a report released by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
• In 2018, India’s Human development Index (HDI) value of 0.647 had put it at 130 rank.
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• In India, 27.1 crore people were lifted out of poverty from 2005-06 to 2015-16.
• The Human Development Index (HDI) is a statistical tool used to measure a country's overall
achievement in its social and economic dimensions. The social and economic dimensions of a
country are based on the health of people, their level of education attainment and their standard
of living. Pakistani economist Mahbub ul Haq created HDI in 1990 which was further used to
measure the country's development by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).
Calculation of the index combines four major indicators: life expectancy for health, expected
years of schooling, mean of years of schooling for education and Gross National Income per
capita for standard of living.
Indian junior women’s team wins tri-nation hockey tournament
• The Indian junior women’s team won the three-nation hockey tournament even though they lost
to Australia 1-2 in the final game at Canberra.
• The Indians finished top on the point table, with seven points from four matches.
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• They were ahead of the hosts, Australia on goal difference. New Zealand finished third, with only
three points from their four matches.
National Schools Chess Championship
• Shashini Puvi from Karnataka has won the coveted gold medal in the recently held National
Schools Chess Championship in Aurangabad.
• Mumbai girl Myrah Sachdev has bagged the silver medal in the championship.
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• Six-year-old Myrah is now tipped to officially represent India in the Asian and World Schools
Chess Championships that are scheduled to be held next year.
London Chess Classic 2019
• Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa aged 14 has clinched London Chess Classic 2019 with 7.5
points from 9 rounds and shared the title with Anton Smirnov of Australia, who also scored 7.5
points.
• The tournament, organized by the World Chess Federation (FIDE) ,was held at Olympia London
in London.
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2019 ITTF Challenge Series U-21
• 19-year old Indian table tennis player Manav Thakkar won U-21 men’s singles title, in ITTF
(International Table Tennis Federation) Challenge Plus Benemax-Virgo North American Open
Series held in Canada.
• He defeated Argentina’s Martin Bentancor. It was India’s 1st win in the U-21 men’s singles title
after 2017.
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• About International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF)
 Founded - 1926
 HQ - Lausanne, Switzerland
 President - Thomas Weikert
 CEO - Stephen Dainton
Rafale Jets get Tail Number to honour Ex IAF Chief
• 30 Indian Rafale Fighter Jets are to fly with tail sign BS.
• BS stands for retired Chief Birender Singh Dhanoa. The tail number initials are unique.
• The Tail number is an identification number on an aircraft. Every aircraft flying in the country is
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provided with the tail number. The tail numbers are allocated according to the norms of
International Civil Aviation.
Guwahati-Dimapur-Imphal flight flagged off under UDAN-RCS
• Alliance Air has flagged-off its first flight operations between Guwahati in Assam to Dimapur (largest city of
Nagaland) and Imphal (capital of Manipur), under the Regional Connectivity Scheme – Ude Desh Ka Aam
Nagrik (RCS-UDAN).
• This direct 50 minute-long flights connecting Guwahati-Dimapur-Imphal is under a Regional Connectivity

Scheme (RCS), part of government’s Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) programme.
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UDAN-RCS, UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) is a regional airport development and "Regional
Connectivity Scheme" (RCS) of Government of India, with the objective of "letting the common citizen of
the country fly", aimed at making air travel affordable and widespread, to boost inclusive national economic
development, job growth and air transport infrastructure development of all regions and states of India.
• Alliance Air is an Indian regional airline and a wholly owned subsidiary of Air India. It was founded in 1996
and mainly operates domestic routes as part of the government's Regional Connectivity Scheme. It is
based in Mumbai.
Diwali-Power of One Awards
• Four eminent diplomats have been honoured with the ‘Diwali – Power of One’ award in
recognition and of their work, especially at United Nations (UN), for a secure and peaceful
world.
• The winners were honoured with the ‘Power of One’ awards during a ceremony at UN
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Headquarters in New York, United States. The award annually honours those who have made
exemplary contributions in upholding the values that the United Nations stands for.
• About Diwali-Power of One Awards
 The awards which have now come to be known as ‘Oscars of Diplomacy’ were established
by Diwali Foundation USA, Inc in 2017.
 The awards seeks to promote a peaceful and consensus-based process to achieve societal
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good, as befitting high hopes and ideals of humanity enshrined in UN Charter.
 The co-organisers of this year Diwali Foundation USA’s Power of One awardees were-
Permanent Missions of Belarus, Georgia and India to UN, along with 32 co-sponsors.
Priyanka Chopra felicitated at the Festival International Du Film De
Marrakech (FIFM) 2019
• Priyanka Chopra Jonas was awarded at the Festival International Du Film De Marrakech (FIFM)
2019 held in Jemaa el Fna square, Marrakesh, Morocco for completing 20 years in Cinema.
• She has also received the Danny Kaye Humanitarian Award at the UNICEF (United Nations
s
International Children’s Emergency Fund) Snowflake Ball in December 2019.
• Other notable honourees are Robert Redford, actor and director, Bertrand Tavernier, French
filmmaker and Mouna Gettou, actor.
• The Festival International Du Film De Marrakech (FIFM) also called Marrakech International Film
Festival was formed in the year 2001 by Marrakech International Film Festival Foundation and is
located in Marrakech, Morocco.
Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth’s visit to India
• PM of Mauritius Mr. Pravind Kumar Jugnauth along with his wife Mrs. Kobita Jugnauth visited
India and met the Indian PM Narendra Modi in New Delhi.
• During the visit, both leaders agreed to work together to build up bilateral relations and to
deepen the fraternal and enduring ties, based on mutual interest and priorities.
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• Recent development projects in Mauritius such as Metro Express Project, ENT (Ear Nose
Throat) Hospital, Social Housing Project by the Indian govt. were reiterated.
• Pravind Jugnauth was recently re-elected for a second five-year term as the PM of Mauritius.
• About Mauritius
 Capital – Port Louis

 Currency – Mauritian rupee
Malaysia got first polio case in 27 years
• Malaysia has reported the first case of Polio in 27 years, when a three-month-old Malaysian
infant boy was diagnosed with polio.
• The last polio case in Asia-Pacific country occurred in 1992, and in 2000, after which the country
was declared polio-free.
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• In this recent case, the child was confirmed to be infected with vaccine-derived poliovirus Type 1
(VDPV1).
• About Malaysia
 Capital – Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya (administrative)

 Currency – Ringgit
 PM – Mahathir Mohammad
Rs. 36,000 crore given to farmers under PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi
Yojana
• GoI has disbursed Rs. 36,000 crores under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana
(PM-KISAN) to the farmers.
• The announcement was made by Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Narendra Singh
Tomar. s
• Over 60 lakh farmers have been benefited under the scheme.
• The govt. aims to double farmers’ income by 2022.
• The Agriculture Export Policy, 2018 strives to increase India’s agriculture and allied exports to
achieve the target of doubling farmer’s income.
From now on only Aadhar seeded bank accounts will get PM-Kisan
payments
• GoI has informed that the fourth instalment of the PM-KISAN (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman
Nidhi) income support scheme due in December 2019 will be transferred only to Aadhar-
authenticated bank accounts of more than 50 million beneficiaries.
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• This will be the first time since the launch of this scheme on 24 February 2019, that the
government is insisting on mandatory condition of Aadhar seeding.
• About Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan) Yojana
 It is a Central Sector scheme with 100% funding from Centre Government. Under PM-Kisan
Yojana, the central government provides income support of Rs.6,000 per year to all farmer
families in country. The income support is paid in instalments of Rs.2,000 every four months.
The Scheme defines farmer family as - husband, wife and minor children. The entire
responsibility of identification of beneficiary farmer families rests with State Governments
and Union Territory government.
Golden Target Award from ISSF presented
• Divyansh Singh Panwar, Elavenil Valarivan and Saurabh Chaudhary has received the Golden
Target Award from International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) at its headquarters in Munich,
Germany.
• The occasion was graced by Raninder Singh, President of the National Rifle Association of India
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(NRAI), member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Abhinav Bindra former World
and Olympic champion.
• About ISSF
 Founded - 1907
 HQ - Munich, Germany
 President - Vladimir Lisin
Gangadhar National Award
• Famous Hindi poet, Vishwanath Prasad Tiwari will be honoured with the Gangadhar National
Award, during the 53rd Foundation Day celebration of Sambalpur University, Odisha.
• The award includes a cash prize of Rs.50,000, a shawl and citation, the Gangadhar National
Award is bestowed in the remembrance of renowned poet Gangadhar Meher from Odisha. The
award was instituted in the year 1991. s
• Viswanath was the former President of the Sahitya Akademi between 2013-2014 and was born
in Kushinagar, UP. Some of his famous works are ‘Rachana ki sarokar’, ‘Kavita kya hai’, ‘Saath
chalte hue’ and Bistar duniya le liye’.
NBF board president => Republic TV’s Arnab Goswami
• Editor-in-chief and MD of Republic TV, Arnab Goswami was elected as the president of
governing board News Broadcasters Federation (NBF).
• The new self-regulatory organization in order to bring in transparent self-regulation on content

will be announced by the end of January 2020.
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• The NBF board members elected R. Jai Krishna, a former journalist and public policy specialist
in the media sector, as the first Secretary-General and Executive Director of NBF.
• About NBF
 The NBF is a body of 78 news channels in 14 languages formed in July 2019 representing
broadcasters from 25 States. It is the largest-ever federation of news channels in India,
representing both national and regional news broadcasters, by bringing together 50 news
channels.
Braj Bihari Kumar passed away
• Braj Bihari Kumar, Chairman of the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) dies at
78 in New Delhi.
• He was appointed as the chairman of the ICSSR in May 2017.
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• About Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR)
 Founded - 1969
 HQ - New Delhi
Former Odisha minister Bhagabat Mohanty passes away
• Former Odisha Minister Bhagabat Prasad Mohanty passed away following cardiac arrest.
• Mohanty was elected to the state Assembly in 1971 as Praja Socialist Party (PSP) candidate
and in 1985 and 1995 as a Congress nominee.
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National Energy Conservation Week : Dec 14-20
• National Energy Conservation Week is to be celebrated all over India from December 14 to
December 20.
• Different Government enterprises and Public Sector Undertakings celebrate the week by
organizing energy conservation message-oriented activities.
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International Anti-Corruption Day : Dec 9
• The United Nations’ (UN) International Anti-Corruption Day has been observed annually, on 9
December.
• The day aims to raise public awareness of corruption and what people can do to fight it.
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• This year International Anti-Corruption Day theme is “United Against Corruption”.
International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of
the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime : Dec 9
• The United Nations General Assembly established 9 December as the International Day of
Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of
this Crime.
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• The 9th of December is the anniversary of the adoption of the 1948 Convention on the
Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (the “Genocide Convention”).
• This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Convention.
• The purpose of the day is to raise awareness of the Genocide Convention and its role in
combating and preventing the crime of genocide, as defined in the Convention, and to
commemorate and honour its victims.
35th SAARC Charter Day : Dec 8
• The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) celebrated its 35th Charter Day
on December 8, 2019.
• About SAARC
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 SAARC was established on 8th of December in 1985 by the members of the 7 South Asian
Countries (Maldives, India, Bhutan, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladeshi and Sri Lanka) with the
aim to promote economic and cultural ties amongst its member states.
 Afghanistan was joined as the latest member in 2007.

NSIC + ARAMCO Asia = MoU inked for development in Oil & Gas
Sectors
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• A MoU was inked between National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC) and Saudi Aramco
(Asia) for the development of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Ecosystem in India
in Oil & Gas Sector.
• About National Small Industries Corporation
 CMD – Vijayendra
 HQ-New Delhi
Source : PIB
KVIC distributed goodies
• Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) has distributed 500 Bee Boxes,
500 Electric Pottery Wheels and 200 Leather Tool Kits in an event organised by
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KVIC in Boondi , Rajasthan.
• Headquarters: Mumbai
• Vinai Kumar Saxena (Chairperson)
Source : PIB
Over Rs. 10 lakh crore loaned under PMMY
• GoI has notified that loans worth over 10 lakh crore rupees have been
sanctioned till 1st November this year under the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana,
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PMMY.
• Acc. to the findings of the PMMY survey, around five crore persons were
working in the establishments for which MUDRA loans were availed between
April 2015 to March 2018.

50,000 MSME entrepreneurs will be trained by Walmart
• Walmart will train 50,000 entrepreneurs from the micro, small & medium enterprises (MSME)
sector.
• The aim of this is to be fulfilled by opening 25 institute hubs in India in next five years which
would train the MSME entrepreneurs.
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• The institutes will be opened under the ‘Walmart Vriddhi Supplier Development Programe‘
across the nation.
• Walmart has partnered with a local NGO Swasti which would also have academic support from
the local universities.
• About Walmart
 HQ – Arkansas, USA ; Chairman – Greg Penner, President and CEO – Doug McMillon

Interest rate options on 10-yr Government Bonds launched by NSE
• National Stock Exchange launched interest rate options on ten-year
Government bonds.
• These interest rate options are based on 10-year government bonds maturing in
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2029 with a coupon rate of 7.26% and 6.45%.
• About NSE
 HQ – Mumbai, Chairman – Girish Chandra Chaturvedi, MD & CEO – Vikram

Limaye
Source : NewsOnAir
Abu Dhabi is the World’s leading sports tourism destination
• UAE capital Abi Dhabi has been selected as the world’s leading Sports tourism Destination at
the 26th edition of the World Travel Awards (WTA) being held in Muscat, Oman.
• This is the 7th consecutive time that Abu Dhabi has been selected for this coveted award.
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• The award is the latest in several prestigious accolades gained by Abu Dhabi this year, including
being selected as the West Asia’s Leading Business Tourism Destination at the West Asia
edition of WTA and Best City Break at the UK’s Selling Travel Agents’ Choice Awards.
Source : NewsOnAir
Nilgiri Mountain Railway conducted special service and felicitated
foreign tourists
• UNESCO-recognized Nilgiri Mountain Railway (NMR) conducted a special service for foreign
tourists.
• 71 tourists from several countries, including the USA, the UK and France travelled by a special
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steam engine service from Coonoor to Ooty. They were presented with special mementoes and
gift hampers as well as served with the replica of the original Edmonton type cardboard ticket.
• About United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
 HQ – Paris, Director General – Audrey Azoulay
Source : NewsOnAir
Russia banned from international sporting events for 4 years
• World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), banned Russia for 4 years, from participation in global
sporting events, including the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, after
accusing Moscow of falsifying data from an anti-doping laboratory.
• The Russian flag and national anthem have also been banned in global events.
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• The independent McLaren report released in 2016 revealed the significant extent of state-
sponsored doping in Russia, notably between 2011 and 2015.
• About WADA
 HQ – Montreal (Canada), President – Craig Reedie
Source : BBC
WTO appeal court shut down
• Appeal Court of the World Trade Organization which used to act as an trade dispute settlement
body for the members was shut down by USA.
• The seven-member body that was trimmed down to a 3-member body in 2018 is now completely
blocked by the United States.
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• Without WTO’s appellate body, the dispute settlement will return to pre-1995 GATT (General
Agreement on Tariffs and Trade) status quo.
• The GATT is a legal agreement among several countries. It was signed by 23 nations in 1947. In
1993, 76 members of GATT and European community came together to create World Trade
Organization.
• About WTO
 HQ – Geneva, Head – Roberto Azevedo

Source : The Hindu
India + Australia = Third 2+2 dialogue in New Delhi
• Third India-Australia Secretary-level 2+2 dialogue was held in New Delhi.
• The Indian side was led by Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar and Foreign
Secretary Vijay Gokhale,
• About Australia
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 Capital – Canberra
 Currency – Australian dollar
 PM – Scott Morrison
Source : The Hindu

Paris Summit
• Paris Summit 2019 which was mediated by Germany and France ended with Russia and Ukraine agreeing
to restore peace by implementing cease fire.
• Both the countries also agreed on prisoner-of-war exchanges.
• Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky agreed to cease fire in
•
the eastern Ukraine by the end of 2019.
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Backdrop – In 2014, Russia annexed the Crimea peninsula of Ukraine with the help of pro-Russian
separatists. Following this, Russia conducted several military actions. Crimea Peninsula is located in the
north of Black sea. The Peninsula is important as it had port access to the Black sea. In 2018, Russian
Navy seized three Ukrainian ships in the Crimea Peninsula. In 2019, Zelensky won Presidential elections.
Zelensky is the major competitor to the Russia supported leader Viktor Yanukovych.
• About Ukraine
 Capital – Kiev, Currency – Hyrvnia, President – Volodymyr Zelensky
Source : The Hindu

India Skills Report
• India Skills Report was released jointly by the CII (Confederation of Indian Industry), AICTE (All India
Council for Technical Education), UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) and AIU (Association of
Indian University).
• The report provides employability of citizens in the country across the states and. The report also ranked
•
the cities based on the availability of employment.
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The report was prepared based on a survey that assessed 300,000 candidates from 35 educational
institutes across 28 states and 9 Union Territories.
• As per the report, Maharashtra topped the list with the highest employable talent.
• Among the cities, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Pune were rated as the most employable cities in the country.
• According to the report, MBA holders were at the top slot with an employability score of 54%.
Source : The Hindu

Digital Exhibition on History of Constitution of India
• ‘Digital Exhibition on History of Constitution of India’, was inaugurated in New Delhi by Dr.
Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (M/S) for Development of North Eastern Region, Prime
Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space.
• It has been organised by Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT), Union Ministry of
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Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, in collaboration with Parliament Museum and
Archives of Lok Sabha Secretariat and Bureau of Outreach and Communication (BOC).
Source : PIB
138 monuments identified as ‘Must See Monuments’ by ASI
• Prahlad Patel, Minister of State for Culture and Tourism, informed Parliament that Archaeological
Survey of India (ASI) has identified 138 monuments as ‘Must See Monuments’.
• This information can be seen on ‘Must See’ portal of ASI.
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• WHS is a landmark or area selected by UNESCO (a UN specialized agency) as having
historical, cultural, scientific or any other form of significance. Such site is legally protected by
international treaties.

Odisha will set up 45 fast track courts
• Odisha law minister Pratap Jena announced that the state government would set up 45 fast-
track special courts (FTSC) to ensure speedy trial of cases involving crime against women and
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children.
• The State government’s action comes after Centre has decided to formulate a scheme for
setting up 1,023 fast track special courts for expeditious trial and disposal of rape cases.
• Out of these 45 fast track courts being set up in Odisha, 21 courts would be dedicated for cases
of rape and sexual harassment of women and the remaining 24 fast track courts will specifically
deal with Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) cases.
• About Odisha
 Capital – Bhubaneshwar, CM – Naveen Patnaik, Governor – Ganeshi Lal

The Arms (Amendment) Bill 2019
• The Parliament has passed a bill that proposes maximum punishment of life imprisonment for
possession and manufacturing of illegal weapons.
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• The bill makes the offence punishable with a jail term up to two years or fine up to Rs. 1 lakh or
both.

NAVARMS-19
• The fourth edition of International Seminar cum Exhibition on Naval Weapon Systems
‘NAVARMS-19’ is scheduled to be held at Institute for Defence Studies and Analysis (IDSA),
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New Delhi.
• The theme for 2019 edition is : “Make in India – Fight Category : Opportunities and Imperatives”.
• The past three editions of NAVARMS were organised in 2007, 2010 and 2013.
Source : PIB
World's first electric seaplane takes flight in Canada
• The first fully electronic flight in the world completed its test flight successfully.
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• The flight is to operate from Vancouver, Canada to the nearby islands.
• The electrical aircraft designed was a 6-seater sea plane
• The electrical flight was designed by the company Harbor Air.

2019 South Asian Games overview
• South Asian Games 2019 concluded in Nepal, with India finishing on top with a
best-ever medal haul of 312 medals comprising of 174 gold, 93 silver and 45
bronze.
• Nepal remained second.

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Source : The Hindu

BioAsia 2020
• The BioAsia 2020 is scheduled to be held in Telangana (Hyderabad) in between February 17
and 19, 2020.
• Recently the Ministry of Industries and Commerce and IT informed that Switzerland will serve as
India’s partner at the conference.
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• The BioAsia 2020 is a comprehensive framework hosted by the Government of Telangana. It is
dedicated to investors, health care, pharma, biotechnology and startups.
• Theme : Today for Tomorrow
Source : NewsOnAir
NADA roped in Actor Suniel Shetty as its brand ambassador
• National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA), India’s anti-doping body has selected Bollywood actor
Suniel Shetty has been selected as its brand ambassador.
• About NADA
CEO-Navin Agarwal
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Source : The Hindu

Govt launches Pilot Project for using Fastags for Parking at
Hyderabad Airport
• In order to extend the benefits of FASTag beyond toll booths, the Union Ministry of Road
Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has launched a pilot project for using FASTags for parking
purposes at Hyderabad Airport.
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• Conceptualised as FASTag 2.0, the tag would cover parking payments, fuel payments

India and France to begin patrolling mission
• India and France are to launch joint naval patrolling mission after the Varuna Naval Exercise
which was held in 2019.
• The joint mission is to be executed in the Indian Ocean Region to protect the strategic interests
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of the countries and to check large scale illegal fishing.
• The Joint Patrol mission is to start in 2020.
• About France
 Capital – Paris
 President – Emmanuel Macron

Wasim Jaffer
• Veteran opener Wasim Jaffer became the first player in Indian cricket to feature
in 150 Ranji matches.
Source : The Hindu

Delhi will host 6th Indian Ocean Dialogue and Delhi Dialogue XI
• External Affairs Ministry is organising the 6th Indian Ocean Dialogue and Delhi Dialogue XI in
New Delhi.
• For the first time, these two events will be held consecutively.
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• The theme for the Indian Ocean Dialogue is “Indo-Pacific: Re-imagining the Indian Ocean
through an Expanded Geography”, while the theme for the Delhi Dialogue is “Advancing
Partnership in Indo-Pacific”.
Source : Hindustan Times

CEAMA Lifetime Achievement Award
• Gulu Mirchandani has been awarded with “Lifetime Achievement Award” by the Consumer
Electronics and Appliances Manufacturers Association.
• Gulu Mirchandani is the founder chairman of Mirc Electronics Ltd. (Onida).
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• He has been awarded for his extensive contribution to the consumer electronics industry.
• Consumer Electronics and Appliances Manufacturers Association (CEAMA) is an all-India

organisation in the consumer electronics and durables sector. It has been in existence for over
three decades.
Source : The Hindu

HP State Govt. will sell water of Yamuna
• Himachal Pradesh Cabinet approved signing of an MoU to sell water from the Yamuna.
• The state government would earn Rs. 21 crore per annum from this decision.
• About Himachal Pradesh

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 Capital – Shimla
 CM – Jai Ram Thakur
 Governor – Bandaru Dattatreya

3 Odisha ports under UDAN scheme
• GoI has agreed to include three airports one each at Jeypore in Koraput,
Rourkela in Sundergarh & Utkela in Kalahandi district of Odisha under the
regional connectivity scheme UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik).

Human Rights Day : Dec 10
• Human Rights Day is observed every year on 10 December by the United Nations.
• This Day came into existence on December 10, 1948, when the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights was adopted by the United Nations.
• Theme “Youth Standing Up for Human Rights”

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Source : UN
UNICEF Day : Dec 11
• On December 11, 2019, UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) day was celebrated.
• UNICEF was created by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on December 11, 1946
as the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund to provide emergency food,
nutrition, education to children in the country that had been devastated due to World War II.
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• In 1950, UNICEF’s mandate was extended and it widen its mission & became a permanent part
of the United Nations System in 1953.
• About UNICEF
 HQ – New York, United States

 Executive Director – Henrietta H. Fore
Source : UN
International Mountain Day : Dec 11
• International Mountain Day is celebrated by the United Nations on December 11
• The same day is celebrated in US and Japan as well as National Mountain Day.
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• 2019 Theme : Mountains matter for youth.
• Around 15% of world population live in mountain according to the UN.
Source : UN
‘Sportsperson of the Year 2019’
• Sports Person of the Year 2019’ award was bestowed upon Indian women’s hockey team
captain Rani Rampal and Asian Games gold medallist shooter Saurabh Chaudhary at the FICCI
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(Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry) India Sports Awards-2019 held at
FICCI Federation House in New Delhi.
• Odisha’s Sports Minister Tusharkanti Behera and Sports Secretary Vishal Kumar Dev presented
the awards to the winners at the ceremony, which is jointly organized by FIT India, Ministry of
Youth Affairs and Sports & FICCI.
• About FICCI
 HQ – New Delhi
 President – Sandeep Somay
Source : PIB
• Full list of winners
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MoD to organise series of webinars in run up to DefExpo 2020
• Ministry of Defence (MoD) organizing a series of web seminars.
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• The 11th edition of the biennial flagship event will be held in Uttar Pradesh capital Lucknow.
• The theme is “India – The Emerging Defence Manufacturing Hub and Digital Transformation of
Defence.”
Source : PIB
65 lakh+ patients availed treatment worth Rs. 9,549 crore
• Over 65 lakh patients were provided treatment worth Rs. 9,549 crore under the Centre’s flagship Ayushman
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Bharat Pradhan Mantri Yojana (AB-PMJAY).
• Out of the total 65,45,733 patients, treatment amounting to Rs. 6,133 crore was provided to 35,34,695
through private hospitals.
• Under the health insurance scheme, the Centre and state’s ratio of contribution towards premium is 60:40
in all the states except the northeast and the Himalayan region, where the ratio is 90:10.
• A total of Rs. 1013.76 crore has been released under the AB-PMJAY for the financial year 2019-20, while
for the previous year the amount stands at Rs.. 1849.55 crore.
• It is also to be noted that AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa and
Homoeopathy) treatment packages will not be covered in the scheme.

Web portal showcasing heritage of India
• The Union Minister of State for Culture and Tourism, Prahlad Singh Patel launched the Indian Culture web
portal in New Delhi.
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• The Indian Culture portal developed by a team from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Bombay, while
the data was curated by Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU).
• The Indian culture portal is the first Government authorized portal where knowledge and cultural resources
of organizations of the Ministry of Culture are now available in the public domain on a single platform.
• The content available on the portal comprises mainly of rare books, e-books, manuscripts, artefacts from
museum, virtual galleries, archives, photo archives, gazetteers, Indian National Bibliography, videos,
images, cuisine, and Musical Instruments of India..
Source : The Hindu

Haryana State Govt. distributed 101 PashuKisan Credit Cards in
Bhiwani
• The First PashuKisan credit cards in India were distributed to 101 animal farmers in Bhiwani in
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Haryana.
• Haryana Government has set a target to issue 10 lakh PashuKisan Credit cards by March 2021.
• Under the Scheme, banks give Rs. 40783 for a cow and Rs. 60249 for a buffalo. The credit
amount for goat and sheep each is Rs. 4063.
• In the case of a pig, it is Rs. 16337 per pig. For Hens, it is Rs. 720 per layer and Rs. 161 per
broiler hen.
• About Haryana
 Capital – Chandigarh, CM – Manohar Lal Khattar, Governor – Satyadev Narayan Arya
Source : NewsOnAir
PUMA -- Sunil Chhetri as brand ambassador
• Global sports brand PUMA has announced that Sunil Chhetri, captain of the Indian National
Football team and Bengaluru FC signed with the brand.
Source : The Hindu

Salman Khan appointed as Pepsi’s new brand ambassador
• Food and beverage giant PepsiCo has roped in Bollywood actor Salman Khan as the new face
of its flagship Pepsi brand of carbonated beverage in India.
• Salman Khan had previously endorsed PepsiCo’s Mountain Dew drink.
Source : LiveMint
Vakrangee + Union Bank of India = 20,000 banking BC points for
Pan India Nextgen Vakrangee Kendras
• Vakrangee Finserve Limited, a 100% subsidiary company of Vakrangee Limited (VL) received approval
from Union Bank of India for 20,000 Banking Business Correspondent (BC) point for Nextgen Vakrangee
Kendra.
•
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Nextgen Vakrangee Kendra is a standardized format outlet exclusively offering a comprehensive range of
products and services across banking, insurance, ATM, Assisted e-Commerce, e-Governance, and
logistics.
• Also, the RBI guidelines state that the Banks need to open at least 25% of their banking outlets in a year in
the unbanked area. These have to be open for at least 4 hours per day for 5 days in a week manned either
by business correspondents or by bank officials.
• About Union Bank of India
 HQ – Mumbai, MD & CEO – Rajkiran Rai. G, Tagline – Good people to bank with

ADB scales down India’s GDP growth forecast
• Asian Development Bank (ADB) has sharply scaled down its projection for India’s economic growth to 5.1
per cent in 2019-20 from 6.5 per cent projected earlier
• About ADB
 HQ – Philippines
 President – Takehiko Nakao s

Odisha’s Jaga Mission won Bronze at World Habitat Awards
• Odisha Liveable Habitat Mission (OLHM) also known as Jaga Mission has won the bronze
medal at the World Habitat Awards.
• The State government’s initiative has been awarded for granting land rights and upgrading
slums through state-wide government legislation.
s
• Odisha had also bagged ‘India Geospatial Excellence Award’ along with Tata Trusts for
technological innovation in empowering the urban poor through Jaga Mission.
• About Odisha

Department of Social Justice’s new scheme
• Department of Social Justice and Empowerment has started the scheme of National award for
outstanding service in the field of Prevention of Alcoholism and Drug abuse.
• The scheme is applicable to institutions and individuals working in the field of prevention of
alcoholism and drug abuse.
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• The national award will be presented to the awardees on the occasion of International Day
against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on 26th of June 2020.
• Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment : Thaawar Chand Gehlot (Constituency – Madhya
Pradesh)
Source : NewsOnAir
Workshop on Bamboo cultivation
• First of its kind workshop on Bamboo cultivation will be held on 19th and 20 of this month in
Jammu.
• Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region Dr. Jitendra
Singh will inaugurate the exhibition.
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• The workshop will focus on the promotion of Bamboo cultivation in the potential Kandi areas of
Jammu
• Lieutenant (Lt) Governor of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) : Girish Chandra Murmu.
Source : NewsOnAir
“Mi Credit” launched in India for Android phones
• Xiaomi has formally launched its lending platform “Mi Credit” in India for Android phones.
According to platform “Mi Credit” individuals can avail up to Rs. 1 lakh loan.
• Xiaomi has roped in Aditya Birla Finance Ltd, Money View, EarlySalary, Zestmoney and
CreditVidya as the current lending partners for Mi Credit service.
• About Xiaomi
s
 Founder – Lei Jun
 HQ – Beijing

Bougainville got independence from Papua New Guinea and is set
to become a new nation
• South Pacific Archipelago of Bougainville was voted to become independent of Papua New Guinea.
• Around 98% of 1,81,067 voters voted to get independent from Papua New Guinea.
• About Papua New Guinea

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 Capital - Port Moresby.
 Currency - Papua New Guinean kina.
 PM - James Marape.
• About Bougainville
 It is the largest island of the Solomon Islands Archipelago. The island has the world’s largest copper
deposits.
Source : The Hindu

TIME’s Person of the Year for 2019
• Greta Thunberg, the sixteen year old Swedish climate activist heavily in news was named
TIME’s Person of the Year for 2019.
• She is the youngest person to be honoured with the title in the 92 year history of TIME
magazine.
s
• TIME’s Person of the Year for 2019 award is conferred since 1927, for a person or a group of
people who create an impact on the important events taking place in the year, the selection is
done by the editors of TIME magazine.
Source : The Hindu

• Other winners
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Ravi Kumar banned & Sumit Sangwan failed dope test
• India’s World Cup rifle shooting winner Ravi Kumar who failed the dope test conducted on July
2019 has been banned for 2 years by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA).
• Also Indian boxer Sumit Sangwan was found positive in the dope test
Source : BBC
International Universal Health Coverage Day : Dec 12
• International Universal Health Coverage Day (UHC Day) is celebrated globally on 12 December.
• International Universal Health Coverage Day aims to raise awareness of the need for strong and
resilient health systems and universal health coverage with multi-stakeholder partners.
s
• The theme for the 2019 UHC Day is “Keep the promise”
Source : UN
2 + 2 India-US dialogue to be held
• The Second India-US 2 Plus 2 Ministerial Dialogue will be held in Washington DC on 18th
December.
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• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will lead the Indian
delegation.
Source : NewsOnAir
Ekamra Kshetra to replicate Jagannath temple project
• After the positive response for beautification project of Jagannath Temple in Puri, Chief Minister
Naveen Patnaik announced a package for revival and preservation of the heritage value and
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grandeur of Lingaraj Temple and its surroundings on 66 acre of land.
• About Odisha
 Capital – Bhubaneshwar
Source : PIB
IBM’s weather forecast system for accuracy of forecasts in India
• International technology company IBM Plans to make a high resolution weather forecast model that will
also rely on user generated data to improve the accuracy of forecasts available in India.
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• IBM GARF (Global High-Resolution Atmospheric Forecasting System) can generate forecasts at a
resolution of 3kms.
• This is a significantly higher resolution than the 12-km models used by the India Meteorological department
to generate forecasts.
• About IBM
 HQ – New York, Chairman – Ginni Romety
Source : The Hindu

8-yr-old Licypriya Kangujam from India urges leaders at COP25 to
act on climatic change
• Kangujam may be the youngest climate activist in the world.
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• Eight-year-old Licypriya Kangujam from Manipur speaks at the Climate Summit in Madrid, Spain.
• The young activist from Manipur who has already spoken in 21 countries on climate change.
• In 2019 she was awarded the World Children's Peace Prize, the India Peace Prize and the Dr. A.
P. J. Abdul Kalam Children’s Award.
• About Manipur
 Capital – Imphal
 CM – Biren Singh
 Governor – Najma Heptullah

Ashok Leyland - MD & CEO
• Chennai based commercial vehicle manufacturer Ashok Leyland appointed Vipin Sondhi as its
MD and CEO for a period of 5 yrs.
• Sondhi was the MD and CEO of JCB india for about 14 years.
• About Ashok Leyland

s
 HQ – Chennai
Source : The Hindu

Nirmala Sitharaman among world’s 100 most powerful women
• The Forbes 2019 list of ‘The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women’ has been topped by German
Chancellor Angela Merkel.
• Sitharaman is ranked 34th.
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• Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, HCL Corporation CEO and Executive Director Roshni
Nadar Malhotra and Biocon Founder Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw have been named among the
world’s 100 most powerful women by Forbes.
• The Forbes 2019 list of ‘The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women’ has been topped by German
Chancellor Angela Merkel, followed by President of the European Central Bank Christine
Lagarde in the second spot and Speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi,
ranked third.
Source : The Hindu

NASA scientists develop map showing presence of water ice on
Mars
• NASA scientists have developed a map detailing the presence of water ice on Mars, with some
believed to be as little as 2.5 centimetres below the Red Planet’s surface.
• About NASA s
 HQ – Washington D.C.
 Admin – Jim Bridenstine

Symposium on Scope of Science of Ayurveda in Global Health
• The Ministry of External Affairs, in association with the Ministry of AYUSH, organized a
Symposium on “Scope of Science of Ayurveda in Global Health”, in New Delhi.
• The objective of the symposium was to create awareness on the potentials & efficacy of
Ayurveda and other systems of AYUSH and to promote AYUSH at a global level.
• AYUSH Minister – Shripad Yesso Naik

s

Mastercard + Federal Bank = Identity check security for digital
transactions
• Global payments technology major Mastercard has joined hands with Federal Bank to provide
an additional layer of security for digital transactions.
• About Mastercard s
 HQ – New York, CEO – Ajaypal Singh Banga
• About Federal Bank

 HQ – Kochi, MD & CEO – Shyam Srinivasan, Tagline - Your Perfect Banking Partner

Government to sell 100% stake in Air India
• GoI has decided to sell its entire stake in Air India under the proposed
disinvestment process, as per Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri.
• Air India Specific Alternative Mechanism (AISAM) has been reconstituted and
s
the re-initiation of the strategic disinvestment of Air India has been approved.
• About Air India
 CMD – Ashwani Lohani

Tech Mahindra won the Smart City project
• IT company Tech Mahindra has bagged a smart city project worth Rs. 500 crore from Pimpri
Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) in Pune.
• About Tech Mahindra
 Chairman – Anand Mahindra

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 MD & CEO – CP Gurnani

Moody’s cut India’s GDP growth forecast to 5.6% for 2019
• Moody’s Investors Service said it has lowered its 2019 GDP growth forecast for India to 5.6 % as
slow employment growth weighs on consumption.
• It expects economic growth to pick up in 2020 and 2021 to 6.6 % and 6.7 % respectively, but
sees the pace of growth remaining lower than past.

La Liga’s first India brand ambassador.
• Rohit Sharma was named the first-ever India brand ambassador of La Liga, the top Spanish
football league.
Source : The Hindu

Pakistan cricket board appoints Mushtaq Ahmed as spin bowling
consultant.
• The Pakistan cricket board has appointed former test leg spinner Mushtaq Ahmed as spin
bowling consultant for a one year term.
Source : The Hindu

Ashleigh Barty named WTA Player of the Year
• The WTA has announced world No. 1 Ashleigh Barty as its Player of the Year.
• Barty became the first Australian to be named WTA world No. 1 since Evonne
Goolagong Cawley in 1976, and recorded the most matches won on tour this
season, with 57.
s
Source : The Hindu

US, Mexico, Canada inked USMCA trade deal
• United States, Mexico and Canada have signed a revamped version of their regional trade pact.
• The accord is meant to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), a deal in place
since 1994.
• About Mexico s
 Capital – Mexico City, Currency – Peso, President – Andrés Manuel López Obrador
• About Canada
 Capital – Ottawa, Currency – Canadian dollar, PM – Justin Trudeau
Source : NewsOnAir
National Tribal Dance Festival will be held in Raipur
• A National Tribal Dance Festival will be held in Chhattisgarh’s capital Raipur from December 27
to 29.
• In the event, international folk artists from 23 states and six other countries are expected to take
part and portray their respective tribal folk culture.
• About Chhattisgarh s
 CM – Bhupesh Baghel, Governor – Anusuiya Uikey.
Source : The Hindu

National Financial Reporting Authority submitted its first report
• The National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA) issued its first audit report of IL&FS Financial
Services Limited for the year 2017-18.
• It is the first report submitted by the authority since its constitution in October 2018.
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• The audit was conducted abiding Section 13(2) of the companies act, 2013 and NFRA rules,
2018.
• About National Financial Reporting Authority
 National Financial Reporting Authority was established in 2018 under the Companies act,
2013. Due to the establishment of NFRA, India is now eligible for membership of
International Forum of Independent Audit Regulators. It is a global member organization that
includes regulators from 53 jurisdictions. It was established in 2006 at Paris. It works to
enhance investor protection by improving auditing globally.
 Rangachari Sridharan- Chairperson of NFRA Source : Times of India

GRSE gave Landing Craft Utility amphibious ship to Indian Navy
• Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd (GRSE) has delivered a Landing Craft Utility
(LCU) to Indian Navy.
• The LCU delivered is 7th out of eight such vessels being built for Indian Navy by GRSE
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• LCU is an amphibious ship, that can transport and deploy main battle tanks, armoured vehicles,
troops and equipment from ship to shore. It can accommodate 216 personnel.
• About GRSE
 Chairman and CEO – Rear Admiral (retd) VK Saxena, HQ – Kolkata
 Navy Day – 4th Dec, Chief – Admiral Karambir Singh

UNESCO + Dell will train 4,000 Indian teachers in AI
• UNESCO and Dell Technologies will launch a new education programme where they will train
4,000 Indian teachers in Artificial Technology.
• The programme will be spread across three phases. In the first phase, teachers in Maharashtra,
Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka will be trained.
• About UNESCO
s
 HQ – Paris, DG – Audrey Azoulay

Telugu actor Gollapudi Maruti Rao passed away
• Veteran actor and literary figure Gollapudi Maruthi Rao passed away at Gollapudi, who
established himself as a writer, had worked for a regional news paper as a sub editor in 1959.
• He also worked in All India Radio for two decades.
Source : The Hindu

National Symposium of Heads of Police Training Institutions
• The 37th National Symposium of Heads of Police Training Institutions held in New Delhi.
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• Symposium was organized by Bureau of Police Research & Development (BPR&D).
• The theme of the Symposium was ‘Optimal Utilization of Resources - Through Sharing and
Networking’.
• A Directory of Indian Police Training Institutions (DIPTI) which has information on the resources
of around 300 Police training institutions all over the country, was also released during the event.
Source : PIB
Virtual Police Station inaugurated at Andhra University
• Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy inaugurated the Virtual Police Station at
Andhra University.
S
• This is the first such facility in the State of Andhra Pradesh.
 Capital – Amravati
 CM – YS Jaganmohan Reddy
 Governor – Biswa Bhushan Harichandan
Source : The Hindu

“Audible Suno”
• Amazon’s audiobook company Audible has launched a new app “Audible Suno”
in India.
S
• CEO and Founder of Audible : Don Katz

Maldives signs contract for development of Addu
• Maldives has signed a contract with L & T engineering limited and Lea associates South Asia for
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the Addu Road and Reclamation Project.
• Financing of the project will be done by EXIM bank of India through line of credit of USD 800
million.
• About Maldives
 Capital – Male
 Currency – Maldivian rufiyaa
 President - Ibrahim Mohamed Solih
Source : The Hindu

Economic census launched in NCT
• The Seventh Economic Census was launched in the National Capital Territory of Delhi.
• The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation has tied up with Common Service Centre to carry
out the economic census.
•
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For the first time the entire census is being conducted on a digital platform by the use of an application
which will ensure high accuracy and data security.
• The census will provide valuable insights into the geographical spread, clusters of economic activities,
ownership pattern and persons engaged of the establishments engaged in economic activity.
• About Delhi
 CM – Arvind Kejriwal
 Governor – Anil Baijal

Women in Bihar to outlive males by 2035
• Women in Bihar are expected to outlive their male counterparts by the year 2035 according to a report by
National Commission on Population, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Health and Family
Welfare, Government of India.
• According to the report, the female life expectancy at birth for women will reach 74.5, as compared to 72.9
of males by 2035.
•
s
The report titled ‘Population Projections For India and States 2011-2036’, has projected a major increase in
the population of Bihar as well.
• This increase in population will also see a jump in density of population from 1,106 to 1,578 persons per
square kilometre by 2035. Details released by the state health department said that Bihar will continue to
be the youngest state till 2036, with an expected median age of around 28.1.
• About Bihar
 Capital – Patna, CM – Nitish Kumar, Governor – Phagu Chauhan
Source : The Hindu

National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management in Chennai
• The Ministry of environment, forest and climate change set up the National Centre for
Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM), Chennai to undertake studies and research in the
area of Coastal Zone Management including coastal resources and environment.

36th International Geological Congress in March 2020
• India is gearing up to host the 36th International Geological Congress (IGC)
• The theme of the forthcoming conference is ‘Geosciences : The Basic Science for a Sustainable
Development’.
s
• Popularly described as the Olympics of Geosciences, the IGCs are a prestigious global
geoscientific events held once in four years and participated by around 5000-6000 geoscientists
from all across the world.

MP will host Orchha festival in March 2020
• “Namaste Orchha” festival marking the cultural landscape of Madhya Pradesh
will be held in the ancient town in March next year.
• The three-day festival will be organised by the state government from March 6
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to March 8 in Orchha, which won the award for the best heritage city for 2017-
18.
• Orchha, a town in Bundelkhand region, is famous for its Ram Raja temple
besides numerous monuments and royal palaces.
• About MP
 Capital – Bhopal, CM – Kamal Nath, Governor – Lalji Tandon

Odisha Govt included Agriculture and Farmers Empowerment Dept
in ‘Mo Sarkar’ scheme
• The Odisha government has brought Agriculture and Farmers Empowerment Department under
its flagship initiative ‘Mo Sarkar’.
• The Odisha State Higher Education department will also soon come under the purview of “Mo
Sarkar” program of 5T initiative. s
• The 5-T mantra is based on the philosophy that transparency, teamwork, technology and time
leads to transformation.
• Under the new initiative, the chief minister and other ministers talk to common citizens to seek
their feedback on the kind of response and service they received after they visit government
facilities.
• About Odisha
Source : The Hindu
Trial run on Dhaka-Gangtok, Dhaka-Darjeeling bus routes starts
• The trial run on Dhaka-Gangtok and Dhaka-Darjeeling bus routes.
• The trial run was inaugurated by Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation

Chairman EhsanElahi.
• About Bangladesh
s
 Capital – Dhaka, Currency – Taka, PM – Sheikh Hasina
Source : LiveMint
IRDAI forms group to study loss prevention
• A ten-member working group has been constituted by the Insurance Regulatory and
Development Authority of India (IRDAI) to suggest segment-wise ways and means to improve
loss prevention and loss minimisation in the general insurance industry.
s
• The group, given three months to submit its report, will also give recommendations for promoting
research, education and services in the area.
• IRDAI Member T. L. Alamelu will chair the group
• About IRDAI
 HQ – Hyderabad, Chairman – Subhash Chandra Khuntia
Source : NewsOnAir
RBI to provide new intra-day liquidity window to make NEFT 24×7.
• In order to facilitate smooth settlement of NEFT transactions in the accounts of

the member banks maintained with the Reserve Bank in a 24×7 environment, it
has been decided to provide an additional collateralised intra-day liquidity
facility, to be called Liquidity Support (LS).
s
Source : NewsOnAir
Sushil Modi replaced FM Nirmala Sitharaman as Head of GOM on
IGST
• Deputy CM of Bihar Sushil Modi has replaced Union Finance Minister Nirmala
Sitharaman as the head of the Group of Ministers (GoM) on the Integrated
Goods and Services Tax (IGST).
•
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The panel was set up to look into the issue of splitting of the IGST between the
centre and states.

Shrikant Madhav Vaidya to be next Indian Oil Corporation Chief
• The Public Enterprise Selection Board has shortlisted Shrikant Madhav Vaidya
to be the next Chairman of Indian Oil Corporation Ltd.
• Vaidya is presently the Director (Finance) at IndianOil. He is going to take over

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from Sanjiv Singh, who retires in June 2020.

Ravi Mittal appointed as Information and Broadcasting Secretary
• Ravi Mittal will replace Amit Khare who has been appointed as the new secretary of the
Department of Higher Education.
• Sushil Kumar will be the Mines Secretary
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• Praveen Kumar will be Secretary in Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.
• Rajesh Bhushan will be the Secretary, Department of Rural Development
• Sunil Kumar will be the new Secretary in Ministry of Panchayati Raj.
• TV Somanathan as secretary in the expenditure department of the Ministry of Finance.
Source : PIB
IIT Gold-Medalist’s innovation wins the “Oscars” of education in
London
• “International Changemaker Olympiad”, a global program founded by Rahul Adhikari, an IIT
Gold-Medalist, has won the Wharton-QS Stars Reimagine Education Award, popularly known as
the “Oscars” of education, in London for their transformative work in the education space.
s
• International Change maker Olympiad (ICO) won the award for their innovative work to provide
an international platform for children in schools to launch social initiatives and solve a real-world
problem in their home, school, or community, thereby making a positive difference in the world,
while also developing the critical 21st-century skills of empathy, teamwork, creative problem-
solving, and a Change maker mindset while doing the same.
Source : India TV
Noted Urdu journalist Shireen Dalvi returns award
• Urdu journalist Shireen Dalvi returned an award she had received in 2011 to protest against the
Citizenship (Amendment) Bill.
• Dalvi was awarded the 2011 Special Prize by the Maharashtra State Urdu Sahitya Akademi.
s
• Dalvi is currently a freelance journalist, translator and writer. She was the editor of the Mumbai
edition of Urdu daily Avadhnama
Source : The Hindu

ICAR + NABARD
• In order to promote sustainable agriculture and climate resilient farming systems the Indian
Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the
National Board of Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) to facilitate the action research
(the research carried out with the active participation of farmers to provide solutions for the
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challenges) and up-scaling of the various technologies and innovative farmer models developed
by the ICAR that includes the successful climate resilient practices, models and integrated and
hi-tech farming practices in a participatory model through adoptive research on watershed
platform.

India and Indonesia decide to strengthen defence and security ties
• India and Indonesia resolved to strengthen co-operation in areas of defence and
security, connectivity and trade during talks between External Affairs Minister S.
Jaishankar and his Indonesian counterpart Retno Marsudi.
• About Indonesia
s
 Capital – Jakarta, Currency – Indonesian rupiyah, President – Joko Widodo

US replace Kuwait as India’s 6th biggest oil supplier while Iraq
remain at the top
• The United States has surpassed Kuwait to become India’s sixth largest oil supplier as it
supplied 70 per cent more crude to the world’s third largest energy consumer India during April-
September.
s
• According to data furnished by the oil ministry to parliamentary committee, the US supplied 5.4
million tonnes of crude oil during the first six months of 2019-20.
• Iraq continues to be India’s top crude oil supplier, meeting close to one-fourth of the country’s oil
needs. Iraq sold 26 million tonnes of crude oil to India during April to September.
• India, which is 83 per cent dependent on imports to meet its oil needs, bought 111.4 million
tonnes of crude oil from overseas during April-September.

• About Kuwait
 Capital – Kuwait City, Currency – Kuwaiti dinar, Emir and PM – Sabah Khalid al-Sabah
• About Iraq
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 Capital – Baghdad, Currency – Iraqi dinar, President – Barham Salih
India’s first advertising lady Tara Sinha passes away
• The advertising industry’s star Tara Sinha passed away.
• With over 50 years of experience, she was also the first woman to set up a national advertising
agency, Tara Sinha Associates (TSA), in the 1980s
Source : The Hindu

FIH releases new world ranking system
• The International Hockey Federation unveiled a new world ranking system for 2020 in Lausanne,
Switzerland.
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• The new method will come into effect from the 1st January 2020.
• The new ranking will be match-based instead of tournament-based calculation.
• About FIH
 HQ – Lausanne, Switzerland
 President – Narinder Batra
Source : The Hindu

National Energy Conservation Day : Dec 14
• The National Energy Conservation Day is celebrated every year on 14 December.
• The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), under Union Ministry of Power spearheads the
celebrations of the day every year since 1991.
s
• BEE is also observing National Energy Conservation Week from 9-14 December 2019, in order
to drive mass awareness about importance of energy efficiency and conservation.

‘Vijayamritham’ & ‘Sahachari’ schemes to support differently-abled
people in Kerala
S
• Kerala Govt. has launched 2 social welfare schemes – ‘Vijayamritham’ and ‘Sahachari’ in order to assist
differently-abled people.
• These schemes also applicable to NSS(National Service Scheme), NCC(National Cadet Corps) and
Student Police Cadet (SPC) units working for their care and welfare.
• Vijayamritham’ : It provide onetime cash award to meritorious differently abled students who have scored
high marks in Degree/ Equivalent courses, Post Graduate (PG) & Professional courses.
• Sahachari scheme : This scheme is aims to provide encouragement to NCC/NSS/SPC units functioning in
schools who offer assistance to differently abled students with over 40% disability in their studies as well as
other extra-curricular activities. Certificates and plaques will be awarded to 3 best NCC/NSS/SPC units,
who offer service to the much needy differently abled students. For this work, they will be given an amount
of Rs. 40,000/- for each.
• Kerala capital – Thiruvananthapuram, CM – Pinarayi Vijayan, Governor – Arif Mohammad Khan
Source : TOI
Space Rover ‘MARS 2020’ to be launched in the year 2020
• National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announced to launched its rover ‘MARS
2020’ in the year 2020.
S
• The rover will be bound for planet Mars.
• The rover is built and managed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena,
California.
• About NASA
 HQ – Washington D.C., Admin – Jim Bridenstine
Source : ET
Indian Embassy in Nepal formally agrees to reconstruct Nepal’s 11
heritage sites under INTACH
S
• Indian Embassy in the Nepalese capital Kathmandu has deployed Indian National Trust for Art
and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) to provide consultancy services for Post-Earthquake
reconstruction of 11 Cultural Heritage sites in Nepal.
• INTACH is one of the largest heritage organizations of the world. It was awarded with a special
consultative status for the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in 2007.
• About Nepal
 Capital – Kathmandu, Currency – Nepalese rupee, PM – Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli,

President – Bidhya Devi Bhandari
Source : The Hindu

FICCI ARISE Conference 2019
• M. Venkaiah Naidu, Indian VP has inaugurated the FICCI ARISE Conference 2019 based on the
theme ‘Future Ready Learners and Schools’ held at Dr. Ambedkar International centre in New
S
Delhi.
• It was organized by Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) with the
aim to collaborate the views from key stakeholders on achieving India’s vision of becoming a
knowledge and human resource hub.
• About FICCI
 HQ – New Delhi, President – Sandeep Somay

NAVIC satellites of India => Allied system of USA
• US Congress has approved to designate India’s Indigenously developed satellite navigation system,
NAVIC (NAVigation with Indian Constellation) as “allied” navigational satellite system along with the Galileo
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of the European Union and QZSS (Quasi-Zenith Satellite System) of Japan.
• The tag has been given as part of the conference report under National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)
2020. The designation of allied system would means that the Indian Space Research Organisation’s
(ISRO) regional navigation system- NAVIC will be treated at par with the European Union’s(EU) Galileo and
Japan’s QZSS.
• In addition, it has designated Russia’ GLONASS and Chinese Beidou as a “non-allied system”. This means
the US satellite navigation system of GPS (Global Positioning System) will not co-operate or exchange data
with these two satellite navigation systems.
• It is also known as Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) developed by ISRO. It is a
constellation of total 7 satellite
Source : The Hindu

2019 World Habitat Awards
• Restoration of Dignity and Human Rights of Indigenous Tribal Community in Karnataka project
was bestowed with a gold prize in the 2019 World Habitat Award. The project started in the year
2000 and is executed by ActionAid India with Koraga Federation and Samagra Grameena
Ashrama.
s
• The award was given by the World Habitat, a UK based organization, in association with the
United Nations-Habitat.
• About Karnataka
 Capital – Bangalore
 CM – B. S. Yediyurappa
 Governor - Vajubhai Vala
Source : TOI
26th Annual Crystal Award 2020
• World Economic Forum’s (WEF) 26th Annual Crystal Awards 2020 announced its winners to celebrate the
enduring contributions of exceptional artists to the society.
• The winners will be honoured in the World Economic Forum at its 50th Annual Meeting 2020 to be held on
20th January in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland.
• Winners s
 Deepika Padukone, India, for her leadership in raising mental health awareness
 Theaster Gates, United States (US), for his leadership in creating sustainable communities
 Jin Xing, China, for her leadership in shaping inclusive cultural norms
 Lynette Wallworth, Australia, for her leadership in creating inclusive narratives
• About World Economic Forum (WEF)
 HQ - Cologny, Switzerland
 Chairman- Klaus Schwab

24th IFFK 2019
• Kerala State Chalachitra Academy (KSCA), an a Kerala Government Institution to promote cinema has
organized the 24th edition of International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) 2019 in Nishagandhi Auditorium,
Thiruvananthapuram.
• Chief Minister (CM) Pinarayi Vijayan presented awards during the event.
•
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Japanese film, ‘They Say Nothing Stays the Same’, directed by Joe Odagiri, has won the prestigious
Suvarna Chakoram award 2019 (Golden Crow Pheasant) for the best film screened in the competition
section.
• About International Film Festival of Kerala
 It was established in 1996 &this is one of the leading cultural events of India in which several national
and International films have their premier each year. The competition includes the films from Asia,
Africa or Latin America.

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‘Bharat Bond ETF’ launched
• Edelweiss Asset Management Company (AMC), a subsidiary of Edelweiss Capital Limited (ECL)
has launched the India’s first ever Corporate Bond ETF (exchange trade fund) called the Bharat
Bond ETF.
• About Bharat Bond ETF

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 It is a kind of mutual fund, which will invest only in bonds issued by government companies.
The bond will be listed on the stock exchange, and tradable on exchanges. BHARAT Bond
Funds of Funds (FOF) is also being launched for investors who do not have DEMAT
accounts.

UNICEF report said India, Bangladesh and Nepal contributes
global progress in infant birth registration
• According report, ‘Birth Registration for Every Child by 2030 : Are we on track?’ the number of
childbirth registrations has increased significantly over the past decade & the great efforts of
South Asian countries like India, Bangladesh and Nepal have contributed to the global progress
in this field.
s
• The birth registration level in these regions has almost tripled from 23 % in the last two decades
to 70%. The report analyzed the data from 174 countries.
• About United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)
 HQ – New York City, U.S.

 Executive Director – Henrietta H. Fore
Source : The Hindu

Thai massage included in UNESCO Heritage List
• Thailand’s famous 2000-year-old massage, Nuad Thai got a place in the UNESCO’s Heritage
List.
• Thai massage originated in India and brought it to Thailand about 2,500 years ago by doctors
and monks who carried its secrets for generations.
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• Under King Rama III of Thailand in the nineteenth century, scholars carved their knowledge on
the stones of Wat Pho (a Buddhist temple complex).
• About Thailand
 Capital – Bangkok, PM – Prayut Chan-o-cha, Currency – Thai baht
• About UNESCO
 HQ – Paris, France; Director General – Audrey Azoulay
Source : TOI
New President of Algeria
• Abdelmadjid Tebboune the former Prime Minister of Algeria was elected as the President of
Algeria succeeding Abdelkader Bensalah.
• About Algeria
 Capital - Algiers
 PM - Noureddine Bedouia
 Currency – Algerian dinar
s
Source : The Hindu

3rd Military Literature Festival => Chandigarh
• 3rd edition of coveted Military Literature Festival (MLF) is being held from 13 to 15 December at
UT Lake Club, Chandigarh. It was inaugurated by Punjab Governor and UT Administrator VP
Singh Badnore.
• About Military Literature Festival 2019

s
 The Fest was led by Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh with discussions in various
aspects of military and sharing his experiences of serving country in armed forces. All three
days also had Clarion Call theatre events comprising of special audio visual shows on
‘Josh’, ‘Jazbaaa’ and ‘Junoon’ of being part of armed forces.
 The festival will be marked by presence of legendary litterateur Sir Mark Tully, historian
Pushpesh Pant, Ramon Magsaysay awardee Ravish Kumar as well as gallantry award
winners and defence experts.
Source : TOI
Trakea software used by Haryana Police
• Haryana Police Department has adopted a unique barcoding software. The software is used to ensure that
the bulk of digital forensic reports are stored safe and secure.
• It offers a foolproof security to the samples collected from the crime scene.
• The samples and reports are sent through biometrically authorized chain. The cases are allocated to the
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biotechnology experts through automated case allocation. Therefore, the experts will not know about the
details of the case or the names associated with case.
• Similarly, the police department or the other officials associated with the case will not know about the
details of the professional performing the examination.
• About Haryana
Source : The Hindu

BEE organized International workshop on Energy Efficient Cooling
• Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), a statuary body under Union Ministry of Power, conducted
an International Workshop on ‘Energy Efficient Cooling’ at Scope Convention Centre in New
Delhi.
• The two-day international workshop was organised as part of ‘Energy Conservation Week’ being
celebrated from 9-14 December 2019.
s
Source : The Hindu

World Design Organization => World Design Protopolis in
Bengaluru
• World Design Organization (WDO) will be launching its new global programme ‘World Design Protopolis’ in
Bengaluru.
• The announcement regarding World Design Protopolis was made at ongoing 3-day Kochi Design Week
s
(KDW), India’s largest design conclave that started at Bolgatty Island in Kerala.
• About World Design Protopolis
 It is aimed at implementing holistic progress in mega cities across the world and thus making them
sustainable. The project also aims to measure progress of city, attract investments and solve problems
so that the city becomes a better place for citizens.
 With this project, the WDO is trying to prototype a future city. It has selected Bengaluru as first ever city
in world to implement this project, which is exclusively for big cities.
Source : NewsOnAir
‘Mind Master : Winning Lessons from a Champion’s Life’
• Indian chess Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand’s autobiography ‘Mind Master : Winning Lessons
from a Champion’s Life’ was released in Chennai.
• The book was authored by Viswanathan Anand and Susan Ninan and published by Hachette
India.
s
Source : The Hindu

Peter Snell passed away
• New Zealand middle-distance runner, Sir Peter George Snell, who the 3 Olympic gold medals &
and world mile record-holder has passed away in Dallas, USA.
• He was Considered as one of the greatest medium-distance runners.

s
Source : The Hindu

International Tea Day : Dec 15 (but it will be on May 21 from now on)
• International Tea Day is observed every year on 16 December since 2005.
• The day is celebrated in tea producing nations such as India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Indonesia,
Vietnam, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi and Malaysia.
•
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In October 2015, Indian government moved a proposal at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
Intergovernmental Group (IGG) on Tea expanding the observance of International Tea Day through UN
FAO. Thereby, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has now accepted India’s proposal and
designated May 21 as International Tea Day. The month of May was selected as it’s the quality tea
manufacturing season in most tea producing countries.
• About United Nations (UN)
 Founded - 24 October 1945

 HQ - New York
 Secretary General- Antonio Guterres
Source : NewsOnAir
48th Vijay Diwas : Dec 16
• The nation celebrates Vijay Diwas on Dec 16th to commemorate India’s victory over Pakistan in
1971 war.
• It was on this day in 1971, the chief of the Pakistani forces, General AA Khan Niazi, along with
93 thousand troops, had surrendered unconditionally to the allied forces consisting of Indian
Army and Mukti Bahini.
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• The end of the war also resulted in subsequent secession of East Pakistan into Bangladesh.
• For the 1st time, Vijay Divas was celebrated at the National War Memorial. Special programmes
were organised at the headquarters of the Eastern Command at the Fort William in Kolkata,
West Bengal.
Source : The Hindu

Ministry of Coal to Establish Sustainable Development Cell for
Environmental Mitigation Measures
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• The Ministry of Coal has decided to establish a ‘Sustainable Development Cell’ in order to
promote environmentally sustainable coal mining in the country and address environmental
concerns during the decommissioning or closure of mines.
• The Sustainable Development cell (SDC) will advise, mentor , plan and monitor the mitigation
measures taken by the coal companies for maximising the utilisation of available resources in a
sustainable way, minimising the adverse impact of mining and mitigating it for further
ecosystem services and will act as nodal point at Ministry of Coal level in this matter.
• Minister of Coal and Minister of Mines : Pralhad Joshi.

Uttarakhand to get a ‘Centre of Excellence for Skilling’ in
Uttarkashi
• Uttarakhand will soon get a ‘Centre of Excellence for Skilling’ in Uttarkashi district.
S
• A skill university will also come up to train youths of the hill state.
 Capital – Dehradun
 CM – Trivendra Singh Rawat
 Governor – Baby Rani Maurya

West Bengal tops in a 100-day work programme for promoting
livelihoods
• West Bengal has been selected for the 1st prize in 100-Day Work Programme for Promoting
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Livelihoods.
• The Rural Development Ministry has selected Bankura and Cooch Behar Districts of the state for
1st and 2nd positions among districts in the country in implementation of rural job scheme.
• Baburmahal Gram Panchayat of Kulpi in South 24 Parganas District has also bagged best
performance award
• About West Bengal
 Capital – Kolkata, CM – Mamta Banerjee, Governor – Jagdeep Dhankar
Source : The Hindu

Nagaland governor R.N RAVI to hold additional charge of
Meghalaya
• Nagaland Governor R.N. Ravi was given additional charge of Meghalaya.
• About Nagaland
 Capital – Kohima, CM – Neiphiu Rio, Governor – RN Ravi
• About Meghalaya s
 Capital – Shillong, CM – Conrad Sangma, Current Governor – Tathagata Roy

Miss World 2019
• Jamaican Toni Ann Singh was crowned as Miss World 2019
• Ophelia Mezino of France and Suman Rao of India were the first and second runners up
• Miss World 2019 was the 69th edition of the contest

s
Source : BBC
Visitor’s awards 2019
• Rashtrapati Bhavan hosted a conference of 46 Heads of Central Universities
and Institutes of Higher Learning in several fields including agriculture,
pharmaceuticals, aviation, design, petroleum and energy.
s
• President Ram Nath Kovind present the Visitor’s awards, 2019 at Rashtrapati
Bhavan.
Source : NewsOnAir
BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2019
• England cricketer Ben Stokes has been voted BBC Sports Personality of the
Year 2019
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• Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton finished second while sprinter Dina Asher-
Smith was third.

National Ganga Council
• PM Modi has chaired the first meeting of the National Ganga Council.
• The meeting was held in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh.
• The first meeting of the Council aimed at reinforcing the importance of a ‘Ganga-centric’
s
approach in all departments of the concerned states as well as relevant Central Ministries.
Source : PIB
Google Earth covers 98% of entire population
• Google has revealed that it’s powerful mapping service, Google Earth now covers more than
98% of the world, and has captured 10 million miles of Street View imagery, a distance that
could circle the globe more than 400 times.
• About Google
 Founders – Larry Page, Sergei Brin

 HQ – California
s
 CEO – Sundar Pichai

Lahore-Wagah shuttle train service resumes operation
• The shuttle train service between Lahore and Wagah railway station resumed
operation on 15 December 2019 after a gap of 22 years.
s
• The train service was operational between Wagah to Lahore since the partition
of India in 1947 till 1997 but was closed due to certain operational and security
reasons.

Gujarat Police => 7th state police to receive President Colours
• The Gujarat police was presented the ‘President’s Colours’ by Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu at a
ceremony held in Karai Police Academy in Gandhi Nagar.
• Gujarat now becomes the seventh state to receive the prestigious President’s Colours, also called as
Nishaan, an emblem which all police officers of Gujarat would wear on left-hand sleeve of their uniform.
• s
A new logo of Gujarat Police was also unveiled and the force was also awarded a specially designed flag
and an emblem.
• The presentation of Presidents Colours was recognition of tireless, longstanding and meritorious service,
gallantry and dedication of the Gujarat Police to the nation.
• About Gujarat
 Capital – Gandhinagar, CM – Vijay Rupani, Governor – Acharya Devvrat

ITBP is the first CAPF branch to launch a matrimonial site for its
personnel
• Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) has started a dedicated matrimonial site for its staff.
• This is the first -ever dedicated and well-managed matrimony portal among Central Armed
Police Forces (CAPF).
• About ITBP
s
 DG – SS Deswal
Source : PIB
“Steeling India-2019” Conference
• Confederation of Indian Industry organized “Steeling India 2019” Conference, a drive to increase
metal intensity in key sectors.
• Union Minister for Steel, Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan participated in the
conference.
s
• The session focused on key industries namely automobile, infrastructure, railway, water,
irrigation and housing. It discussed the strategies to promote steel intensive structures and to
augment steel consumption. Steel producers, consumers and policy advisors attended the
conference.
• About CII
HQ – New Delhi, President – Vikram Kirloskar

Lieutenant General Manoj Mukund Naravane to be next Indian
Army Chief
• Lieutenant General Manoj Mukund Naravane, who is currently Vice Chief of Army Staff, has
been named as next Indian Army Chief.
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• Naravane will replace General Bipin Rawat, who became Army Chief on December 31, 2016.
• About Indian Army
 Army Day – 15th Jan
 Chief – Bipin Rawat
Source : The Hindu

India is 112th in WEF rankings on gender gap
• India is 112th among nations ranked in terms of the gap between genders
• Iceland remained the world’s most gender-neutral country on the World Economic Forum’s
Gender Gap Report.
• Yemen is ranked the worst (153rd)
• About WEF
s
 HQ – Cologny, Switzerland
 Head – Klaus Schwab
Source : The Hindu

• India’s ranking in different parameters :
 Economic participation and opportunity : India has been ranked 149th in the WEF’s Global
Gender Gap Report 2020.
 Educational attainment : India has been ranked 112th in the WEF’s Global Gender Gap
Report 2020.
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 Health and survival : India has been ranked 150th in the WEF’s Global Gender Gap Report
2020.
 Political empowerment : India has been ranked 18th in the WEF’s Global Gender Gap Report
2020.
Gita Siddharth passed away
• Gita Siddharth Kak, the famous actress has passed away in Mumbai.
• Gita has been a well-known actress of the 70-80s. She starred in the 1975 superhit movie
Sholay.
Source : PIB
Ex Minister ID Swami passed away at 90
• ID Swami, Former Union Minister of State for Home Affairs died in Faridabad, Haryana.

BEL & HAL organise roadshow urging active participation in
DefExpo 2020
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• Defence PSUs Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Hindustan Aeronautical Limited (HAL)
organised a roadshow in the run up to the 11th edition of DefExpo scheduled to be held in
Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
• The roadshow was organised to urge vendors from the private sector, MSMEs and startups
based in Delhi-NCR to actively participate in the upcoming Defence exhibition and take
advantage of the potential business opportunities in the offing.
• The theme of DefExpo 2020 is ‘Digital Transformation of Defence’.
• About BEL
 HQ – Bengaluru, Chairman – MV Gowtama
• About HAL
 HQ – Bengaluru, Chairman – Madhavan
Source : The Hindu
India donates solar-powered lamps to marginalised Palestinian
children
• India has donated solar powered study lamps to Palestinian elementary school children from a
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marginalised Bedouin community to spread the principles of self-sufficiency and raise
awareness towards the adverse effects of climate change.
• The lamps were donated as part of the 150th Gandhi Jayanti Students Solar Ambassador
Workshop. The solar powered study lamps supplied by Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)
Bombay aims at making the student beneficiaries for the future propagators of renewable
energy.
• Palestine capital – Ramallah, President – Mahmoud Abbas, Currency – Egyptian pound
Source : The Hindu

RAMCO enters into agreement with China Aircraft Services
• RAMCO Systems, aviation software provider has signed an agreement with China Aircraft
Services Limited (CASL) to manage its end-to-end line and base maintenance operations.
• Through this collaboration, Ramco will provide its integrated Aviation Suite with modules for
maintenance and engineering, MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) contracts, supply chain,
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and finance to help CASL manage its endto- end line and base maintenance, ground handling
and cabin services.
Source : The Hindu

Arcerlormittal, Nippon steel complete acquisition of Essar Steel
• Arcelor Mittal announces that it has completed the acquisition of Essar Steel India Limited
(ESIL), and simultaneously established a joint venture with Nippon Steel Corporation (Nippon
Steel), called Arcelor Mittal Nippon Steel India Limited (AM/NS India), which will own and
operate ESIL.
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• Aditya Mittal, President and CFO of Arcelor Mittal, has been appointed Chairman of AM/NS
India, and Dilip Oommen has been appointed as its CEO.
Source : NewsOnAir
Vistara CCO Sanjiv Kapoor resigns, Vinod Kannan to take over
• Vistara’s Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) Sanjiv Kapoor has resigned from his position over
‘personal reasons’.
• The airline’s Chief Strategy Officer, Vinod Kannan, will take over as the new CCO.
Source : NewsOnAIR
Fortune India 500 list
• Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries (RIL) ended Indian Oil Corporation Limited’s 10-year
reign as India’s largest company on Fortune India 500 list with revenue of ₹81 lakh crore in
2018-19
Source : Times of india

Virat Kohli => retained top spot => ICC Test rankings
• Indian skipper Virat Kohli retained his top spot among batsmen in the latest ICC Test rankings
• Cheteshwar Pujara Ajinkya Rahane held on to their fourth and sixth spots respectively.
• Among the bowlers, Bumrah slipped to the sixth spot in the list headed by Australia’s Pat Cummins.
• s
India’s Ravindra Jadeja, meanwhile, remained at number two, behind Jason Holder of the West Indies
among Test all-rounders.
• In the ICC World Test Championship, India stand on top
Source : The Hindu

“International Seminar on Climate Smart Farming Systems” for
BIMSTEC countries held in New Delhi
• ‘International Seminar on Climate Smart Farming Systems’ for BIMSTEC countries is being held in New
Delhi.
• It has been organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare.
• s
The main objective of the seminar is to share experiences to enable the improvement of tropical
smallholder farming systems for greater productivity and resilience to climate change.
• About BIMSTEC
 The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) is an
international organization.
 It comprises of seven Member states lying in the littoral and adjacent areas of Bay of Bengal
constituting a contiguous regional unity. The members include Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka,
Thailand, Bhutan, and Nepal.
 It was founded in 1997. It is headquartered in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Source : The Hindu

Moody’s cuts FY20 growth forecast
• Moody’s Investors Service has lowered India’s gross domestic product (GDP)
growth projection for the 2019-20 fiscal year to 4.9 per cent from 5.8 per cent

Ravi Mittal => Took office as new I&B Secretary
• Ravi Mittal took charge as the new Secretary, Information and Broadcasting Ministry. Mr Mittal
took charge from Amit Khare who has been appointed as Secretary, Department of Higher
Education.
• Prior to this he was working as the Special Secretary in the Department of Financial Services,
Ministry of Finance.
s
Source : NewsOnAir
Madhya Pradesh => to inaugurate International Film Festival => in
Khajuraho
• Kamal Nath the CM of MP will inaugurate the International Film Festival in Shilpkala village of
Khajuraho.
• National as well as international films including Bundelkhandi will be screened at the Tapra
Talkies made for the festival. s
• The International Khajuraho Film Festival is being organized by the Prayas Sanstha in
collaboration with the State Government.
• About MP
Source : NewsOnAir
UN Medals to Indian peacekeepers for their role in South Sudan
• Indian peacekeepers have been recognized for their strong contribution to building peace in conflict-
affected South Sudan as well as for going above and beyond their duties to support local communities.
• Almost 850 Indian troops received the United Nations Medal for their dedication and sacrifice serving so far
away from home to protect civilians and build durable peace in South Sudan.
• s
Currently, 2,342 Indian troops and 25 police personnel are deployed with the UN Mission in South Sudan
(UNMISS).
• About South Sudan
 Capital – Juba, Currency – South Sudanese pound, President – Salva Kiir Mayardit
• About the United Nations
 HQ – New York
 Founded - 24 October 1945
 Secretary General of the United Nations - Mr Antonio Guterres
Source : NewsOnAir
J&K -- National award
• Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has been selected for the national award by Union Rural
Development Ministry for best performance in the implementation of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana
(PMGSY).
• Union Rural Development Ministry has sanctioned 147 Road and Bridge projects under PMGSY-II covering
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a length of 783.88 kilometres at an estimated cost of 878.53 crore rupees for Jammu & Kashmir and
Ladakh.
• The entire road length has been sanctioned for up-gradation of existing road infrastructure with 10-year
maintenance.
• Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), was launched by the Govt. of India to provide connectivity
to unconnected Habitations as part of a poverty reduction strategy. Govt. of India is endeavoring to set high
and uniform technical and management standards and facilitating policy development and planning at State
level in order to ensure sustainable management of the rural roads network. According to latest figures
made available by the State Governments under a survey to identify Core Network as part of the PMGSY
programme, about 1.67 lakh Unconnected Habitations are eligible for coverage under the programme. This
involves construction of about 3.71 lakh km. of roads for New Connectivity and 3.68 lakh km. under
upgradation.. Source : NewsOnAir
ICMR issued guidelines on Gene Therapy
• Brand new guidelines on Gene Therapy have been issued by Indian Council on Medical
Research.
• The guide includes scientific and ethical considerations that are allowed in gene therapy.
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• It explains the responsibilities of investigators, sponsors, institutions.
• About ICMR
 HQ – New Delhi, Head – Dr. Balram Bhargava

Maiden Global Refugee Forum => in Geneva
• The first ever Global Refugee Forum is being held in Geneva, Switzerland in December 2019.
• It is being jointly hosted by United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) along with Government of
Switzerland.
Source : NewsOnAir
Germany provides loan to India for developing an energy-efficient
housing programme
• India has received a US $277 million (about 2000 crore INR) loan from Germany to establish an energy-
efficient housing programme in the country.
• The loan agreement was signed between State Bank of India (SBI) and Germany’s KfW Development Bank
• About Germany
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for US $277 million to establish an energy-efficient housing programme in India.
 Capital – Berlin, Currency – Euro, Chancellor – Angela Merkel
• About SBI-KfW agreement for Energy-Efficient Housing Programme
 The programme shall be part of Indo-German Development Co-operation, guided by 2030 Agenda for
Sustainable Development (SDG).

2019 DSC Prize for South Asian Literature
• Author Amitabha Bagchi has won DSC Prize for South Asian Literature 2019, for
his novel ‘Half the Night is Gone’. It is Bagchi’s third novel. .
• The winner for this year’s DSC Prize was announced at the IME Nepal
Literature Festival in Nepal.
s
Source : The Hindu

Sridhar Patra => new CMD of NALCO
• Appointments Committee of Cabinet (ACC) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has appointed
Sridhar Patra as the new chairman-cum-managing director (CMD) of National Aluminium Company Limited
(NALCO).
• He has been appointed as CMD of NALCO till the date of his retirement, i.e. on 31 October 2024
• At present he is the Director (Finance) in NALCO.

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Air Marshal D Choudhury => new Commandant of National
Defence College
• Air Marshal D Choudhury took charge as new Commandant of National Defence College. He took over the
charge from Vice Admiral Srikant.
• Prior to this appointment Air Marshal Choudhury was senior Air Staff Officer at Headquarters of Western Air
Command in New Delhi.
s
Source : PIB
Accessible India Campaign deadline extended
• GoI extended the deadline for Accessible India Campaign to March 2020.
• The main objective of the campaign is to make public spaces friendly for persons with disabilities.
• About Accessible India Campaign
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 The campaign is also called Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan.
 The scheme was launched by Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
 The scheme was also launched under Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995. Under the act, the scheme
comes under the jurisdiction of sections 44, 45 and 46 that provides equal opportunities and protection
of rights in transport sector to those who are physically challenged.
Source : The Hindu

National Broadband Mission
• The Union government has launched National Broadband Mission to provide Broadband access to all
villages by 2022.
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• The mission aims to connect 600,000 villages across India with an investment of Rs. 7 lakh crore in the
next 4 years from both government and private sector. The mission is a part of the National Digital
Communications Policy, 2018.
• The mission will secure universal broadband access for implementation of broadband initiatives and aims
to offer Internet speed upto 50 Mbps in a phased manner.
Source : TimesofIndia
GoI inks $250 million loan with ADB to expand energy efficiency
investments
• The Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have signed a $250 million
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loan for Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL).
• Additionally, $46 million financing will be provided from the Clean Technology Fund (CTF), to be
administered by ADB.
• About Asian Development Bank
 HQ – Manila, Philippines
 President - Takehiko Nakao
Source : PIB
Orange festival kicks off in Manipur
• Manipur CM N. Biren Singh inaugurated the State-level Orange festival at district Tamenglong in
Manipur. Tamenglong district is largest producer of orange fruit in Manipur.
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• The state government under the sponsorship of North Eastern Council organise the festival
annually to promote the fruit and encourage its growers.
• ‘On day one, orange growers’ competition was held and prizes were distributed to top position
holders.
• About Manipur
 Capital – Imphal, CM – N. Biren Singh, Governor – Najma Heptullah

‘Tansen Samaroh’ kicked off in MP
• In Madhya Pradesh, popular classical music festival ‘Tansen Samaroh’ began with traditional style in
Gwalior with the recitations of Harikatha and Milad.
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• The 5-day festival is celebrated every year in the memory of one of the most eminent singers of Indian
history, ‘Mian Tansen’.
• Tansen Samaroh, the oldest and esteemed classical music festival in India is organised by Ustad Alauddin
Khan Kala Evam Sangeet Academy
• Noted vocalist Pandit Vidyadhar Vyas will be presented the National Tansen Award for 2019 on the first day
of Tansen Festival. Instituted by the Madhya Pradesh government
• MP Capital – Bhopal, MP CM – Kamal Nath, MP Governor – Lalji Tandon
Source : NewsOnAir
‘GeM Samvaad’
• Central e-commerce portal GeM has launched a national outreach programme, “GeM
Samvaad”, to bring on-board more local sellers.
• The outreach programme will take place with stakeholders across the country and with local
sellers to facilitate on-boarding of local sellers on the marketplace.
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• GeM has more than 15 lakh products and around 20,000 services, more than 3 lakh registered
sellers and service providers and more than 40 thousand government buyer organizations.
Source : NewsOnAir
Turkey historic mosque moved for hydroelectric project
• In Turkey, the main body of the 610-year-old Er-Rızk mosque was removed from the town of
Hasankeyf ahead of its submergence as part of a Ilisu dam project.
• The Ilisu Dam will generate 1,200 megawatts of electricity, making it Turkey’s fourth-largest dam
in terms of energy production.
• About Turkey
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 Capital – Ankara
 Currency – Lira
 President – Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
Source :
TimesofIndia
Yashwant Sinha-led group suggests restoration of statehood to
Jammu and Kashmir.
• The Concerned Citizens’ Group (CCG) headed by former finance minister and
BJP leader Yashwant Sinha said the Union government should restore
statehood to Jammu and Kashmir by reuniting the two union territories
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Mysuru Winter Festival starts from Dec 24
• It will be a “December to remember’’ as the district administration is braving for the 10-day
Mysuru Winter Festival from December 24 to January 2, 2020.

Indian Railways starts selling drinking water made from air, costs
just Rs. 5 per litre
• In a first-of-its-kind initiative by Indian Railways, South Central Railway has installed an
‘atmospheric water generator’ kiosk at Secunderabad Railway Station.
• The ‘atmospheric water generator’ is called ‘Meghdoot’. ‘Meghdoot’ harvests water directly from
air through a series of step. s
• This technology is developed under ‘Make in India’ by Maithri Aquatech. The kiosk produces
around 1,000 litres per day.
• Theme/ Central idea : “Conserve Water, Conserve Life”.
• About Indian Railways
 Minister – Piyush Goyal, Railway Board Chairman – Vinod Kumar Yadav
World’s first liquid hydrogen carrier ship launches in Japan
• Japan’s Kawasaki Heavy Industries debuted the world’s first marine carrier that transports liquefied
hydrogen, using technology that will vastly expand cargo capacity of the green energy source..
• About Japan
 Capital – Tokyo, Currency – Yen, PM – Shinzo Abe

s
Source :
TimesofIndia
Axis Bank + Indian Oil = Co-branded credit card for cashless payments
• Axis Bank announced the launch of co-branded credit card in partnership with Indian Oil
Corporation Ltd (IOCL).
• About Axis Bank
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 HQ - Mumbai ; Chairman - Rakesh Makhija ; MD & CEO - Amitabh Chaudhry; Tag line -
Badhti Ka naam Zindagi.
• About IOC
 Formed – 1959, HQ – Mumbai and Delhi, Chairman – Sanjiv Singh.
Source :
TimesofIndia
Rajasthan set up Rs. 1,000 crore Farmers Welfare Fund
• The Rajasthan government has constituted Rs. 1,000 crore Farmers Welfare Fund to provide
them a reasonable price for agricultural produce and boost their income.
• On completion of one year of the present state government, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot
launched the fund at ‘Kisan Sammelan’.
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• Rajasthan Agro Processing, Agribusiness and Agri Export Promotion Policy-2019 was also
released on this occasion.
• About Rajasthan
 Capital – Jaipur, CM – Ashok Gehlot, Governor – Kalraj Mishra
National Safety Awards presented by Vice President Naidu
• The Vice President of India, M. Venkaiah Naidu asserted that Mining Industry must accord top
priority to the safety, health and life of all the workers by developing the ‘culture of prevention’
across the industry.
• In total 19 winner prizes and 19 runner-up prizes are awarded for each contest year. The award
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for each mine is received jointly by one management representative and one workers’
representative.
• Accordingly, a total of 37 winner prizes and 36 runner-up prizes were conferred upon winners by
the Vice-President, M Venkaiah Naidu at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi.
Source : The Hindu

CSIR + National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) = inked MoU for
Promotion and Support of Scientific and Technological Research
• A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Council of Scientific &
Industrial Research(CSIR), India and the National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS),
France to establish a framework for cooperation between the two towards promotion and support
of scientific and technological research.
Source : Indus Dictum

Smriti Mandhana in ICC women’s ODI and T20 teams of the year
• India opener Smriti Mandhana was named in both the International Cricket Council’s ODI and
T20 teams of the year, capping off a memorable season.
• Mandhana is accompanied by Jhulan Goswami, Poonam Yadav and Shikha Pandey in the ODI
team of the year and all-rounder Deepti Sharma in the T20 side.
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• Australia’s Alyssa Healy was chosen as the T20 cricketer of the year
• The ODI cricketer of the year honour went to Australia’s Ellyse Perry
• Perry also pocketed the Rachael Heyhoe-Flint award for being the cricketer of the year across
formats.
• She also became the first player to complete 1,000 runs and 100 wickets in T20I cricket.
Source : The
Hindu
ICC opens anti-corruption investigations into Qatar T10 League
• The International Cricket Council is investigating the Qatar T10 league after intercepting “a number of
known corruptors”
• About Qatar
 Capital – Doha, Currency – Riyal, PM – Abdullah bin Nasser
• About ICC
s
 HQ – Dubai
 Chairman – Shashank Manohar
 CEO – Manu Sawhney
Source : The Hindu

A star & planet get Indian names : ‘Bibha’ after woman scientist &
‘Santamasa’ in Sanskrit.
• A white yellow star in Sextans constellation and its Jupiter like exo-planets, which were hitherto named HD
86081 and 86081b, will now have Indian names.
• The International Astronomical Union announced that the star will be called Bibhā, the planet will be called
Santamasa.
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• The star has been named in honour of a pioneering Indian woman scientist Dr Bibha Choudhury, who
discovered the subatomic particle pi-meson.
• Bibha also means ‘a bright beam of light’ in Bengali.
• The planet has been named Santamasa to reflect the cloudy nature of its atmosphere. Santamasa is the
Sanskrit term for ‘clouded.’
Source : The Hindu

“A dominant character”
• Samanth Subramanian’s latest biography, “A dominant character” captures the British-Indian
scientist’s thoughts on how science and politics play off each other.
.
Source : NewsOnAir
Veteran actor Shriram Lagoo passes away
• Veteran actor Shriram Lagoo passed away.
• He played important role in the growth of theatre movement in Maharashtra in the post-
Independence era.
Source : NewsOnAIR
International Migrants Day : Dec 18
• The International Migrants Day is organized across the world on 18th December to protect the rights of
migrant workers and members of their families.
• Official hashtag – #WeTogether.
• About UNGA s
 HQ – New York City
 President – Tijjani Muhammad-Bande from Nigeria
Source : UN
Minorities Right Day in India : Dec 18
• To protect the rights of the minority communities every year on 18 December Minorities Rights
Day is observed in India.
• This day also focuses on bringing a better understanding and educating people about the issues
related to minorities and their safety.
s
Source : The Hindu

Goa Liberation Day : Dec 19
• The Liberation Day of Goa is celebrated on 19 December.
• On this date in 1961, Goa was released from the Portuguese dominion after army operation and
extended freedom movement.
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• This day is celebrated in commemoration of the Indian armed forces that helped Goa to received
freedom from Portuguese rule.
• About Goa
 Capital – Panaji
 CM – Pramod Sawant
 Governor – Satya Pal Malik

QCI Conclave in Uttarakhand
• Quality Council of India (QCI) along with PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) is
organizing its 11th Regional Quality Conclave (RQC) at, Rudrapur, district Udham Singh Nagar,
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Uttarakhand.
• The theme of the Rudrapur RQC is “Advance Manufacturing with Quality, Innovation &
Technology Interventions.”
 Capital: Dehradun; CM – Trivendra Singh Rawat; Governor – Baby Rani Maurya
Source : TOI
Braille Edition of Book “Exam Warriors” written by PM Modi
• Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Thaawarchand Gehlot released the Braille
Edition of the book “Exam Warriors” authored by PM Modi.
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• The Braille Edition in Hindi and English has been prepared in the Braille Press of Rajasthan
Netraheen Kalyan Sangh.
Source : LiveMint
136-km international rail link from Bihar to Kathmandu on track
• Indian Railways has announced that the survey work on the 136-km
international railway from Raxaul on the Bihar border has been completed and is
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targeted for completion by 2030.
• The project would cost Rs. 16,550 crore
• Ministry of External Affairs of India is to fund the project.
Source : TOI
79th Conference of Presiding Officers of Legislative Bodies in Dehradun
• Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla inaugurated the 79th Conference of Presiding Officers of Legislative
Bodies in Dehradun.
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• Among the items on the agenda is the ‘Tenth Schedule to the Constitution and the role of the
Speaker’.
Source : The Hindu

MP police launch e-cop app for women’s safety
• Madhya Pradesh Police have launched ‘MP e-Cop’, a mobile app to facilitate girls to get immediate back-up
just by the push of a button.
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• There is SOS (an international code signal for extreme distress) facility in the app, which would trigger the
SMS to Dial 100 and phone numbers fed in the app by the girls/women.
• People can avail several facilities through a single app. They can inform about missing documents and
mobile phones from their homes. Secret information can be shared with police without disclosing the name.
• About MP
Source : The Hindu

Chennai became first city in India to get online portal to exchange
reusable products
• Chennai residents can now buy and sell reusable and recycled products online as the Greater Chennai
Corporation launched a new website that facilitates waste-trading.
• The first-of-its-kind website in India, madraswasteexchange.com, has a variety of products made from dry
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and wet waste such as school bags, slippers, vermi-compost, manure, coconut powder, lemon dishwash
among other products.
• All the products are priced suitably and is available in 210 Resource Recovery Points (RRPs) across the
city.
• This website is part of the Smart City Mission
• About TN
 Capital - Chennai ; CM - Edappadi K. Palaniswami ; Governor - Banwarilal Purohit
Source : TOI
‘Jalsathi’ scheme
• Chief Minister of Odisha Naveen Patnaik launched the ‘Jalsathi’ programme which will ensure
supply of safe drinking water to all households in the state. During the programme launch, he
distributed water quality testing kits and POS (point of sale) machines to women volunteers
being called as- ‘Jalasathis’.
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• A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between Water Corporation of Odisha
(WATCO) and women federations in Bhubaneswar (Odisha Capital) for implementation of
‘Jalsathi’ programme.
• Initially, the ‘Jalasathi’ programme will be implemented in as many as 8 wards of Bhubaneswar

Municipal Corporation (BMC) under the 5T initiative of Housing and Urban Development.
• Under ‘Jalsathi’ programme, about 5,000 women will be engaged for supplying safe drinking
water. Earlier, the state government had also engaged women self-help groups (SHGs) under
‘Mission Shakti‘, for collection of power dues, paddy procurement, mid-day meal preparation
activities.
Source : NewsOnAir
First Janta Clinic in Rajasthan is inaugurated to treat the needy
• Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot inaugurated the first Janta clinic in the Malviya Nagar area to provide free
primary health care to people living in slums.
• In its first phase, 12 Janta Clinics will be opened in Jaipur where people would get free medicines, and free
medical examination in some cases.
• s
While inaugurating the first Janta Clinic, Gehlot stated that It is to provide free primary health care to poor
people living in city slums and we hope to serve as many people as possible.
• To make healthcare facilities accessible to all the government is also launching Nirogi Rajasthan for the
same purpose. The government has chosen areas that currently have no major health facilities but they are
soon expected to expand their branches across multiple localities.
• About Rajasthan
 Capital – Jaipur ; CM – Ashok Gehlot ; Governor – Kalraj Mishra
Source : NewsOnAir
Germany to ban gay ‘conversion therapy’
• The German government on a new law banning “conversion therapies” designed to force
heterosexuality on homosexuals.
• The legislation, set to be introduced next year, would see the practice made punishable with up
to a year in prison and fines of up to 30,000 euros ($33,000).
• About Germany
s
Source : LiveMint
India is world’s third-largest producer of scientific articles
• According to a latest report by US National Science Foundation (NSF), India has emerged as
the world’s third largest publisher of science and engineering articles. As per the statistics
compiled in report, China has topped the list followed by US.
• China tops the list as it accounts for 20.67% of all global publications in scientific articles. In
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China, about 5,28,263 scientific articles were published in 2018.
• India emerged as world’s third largest publisher of science and engineering articles after China
(5,28,263) and US (4,22,808) in 2018, with about 1,35,788 science and engineering articles
were published in country
Source : The Hindu

Google settled USD 327 million tax bill in Australia
• Google agreed to pay Australian tax authorities 482 million Australian dollars (USD 327 million)
to settle a long-running dispute over the tech giant’s multibillion-dollar business in the country.
• About Australia
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 Capital – Canberra, Currency – Australian dollar, PM – Scott Morrison
• About Google
 CEO: Sundar Pichai
 Parent organization: Alphabet
 Headquarters: California, United States
 Founders: Larry Page, Sergey Brin
Source : ET
GeM + UCO Bank & Bank of Maharashtra = Payment Related
Services
• The Government e- Marketplace inked two MoUs with Bank of Maharashtra and UCO Bank
including transfer of funds through GeM Pool Accounts (GPA), advising of Performance Bank
Guarantees (e-PBG) and Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) to the registered users on the portal.
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• GeM has already signed MoUs with 19 Public Sector and Private Banks to enable these
functionalities.
• UCO Bank HQ – Kolkata, MD & CEO – Atul Kumar Goel, Tagline – Honours Your Trust
• Bank of Maharashtra HQ – Pune, MD & CEO – AS Rajeev, Tagline – One Family One Bank

38th Meeting of the GST Council
• The 38th meeting of the GST Council met under the Chairmanship of the Union Minister for
Finance & Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman .has decided to keep the tax slabs
untouched for the time being and has fixed a uniform tax rate of 28 per cent on both state and
private lotteries, effective from March 1, 2020.
• Apart from this, the council rationalised tax rates on woven and non-woven bags to 18 per cent
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and waived the GST payable for industrial and financial infrastructure plots by an entity with 20
per cent or more ownership of the Central or state government. This change will be effective
from January 1, 2020.

CBI officer wins ”India Cyber Cop of the Year” award
• CBI officer B P Raju has won the ”India Cyber Cop of the Year 2019” award by NASSCOM-DSCI
for cracking a fraud case in an online entrance exam conducted by an engineering college in
Rajasthan.
• The award was given to Raju by Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology,
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Ajay Prakash Sawhney, during the annual Information Security Summit held at Gurgaon.
Source : TOI
Tripura gets its first Agro Based SEZ to come up in Sabroom
• The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has notified the setting up of the first ever Special
Economic Zone (SEZ) in Tripura on December 16, 2019.
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• The SEZ is being set-up at Paschim Jalefa, Sabroom, South Tripura District. It will be a Sector
Specific Economic Zone for Agro-Based Food Processing.
• The estimated investment in the project will be around 1550 Crore. The developer of the SEZ
will be Tripura Industrial Development Corporation (TIDC) Ltd.
• About Tripura
 Capital : Agartala
 CM : Biplab Kumar Deb
 Governor : Ramesh Bais
Source : Business Insider India

Mohun Bagan president Gitanath Ganguly passes away
• Kolkata based Mohun Bagan Athletic Club president and retired Justice Gitanath Ganguly
passed away
Source : TOI
International Human Solidarity Day : Dec 20
• International Human Solidarity Day is observed on 20 December annually to highlight the
importance of unity in diversity.
• This day also reminds people to work together in fighting against poverty, hunger, and disease.
Source : TOI
India + US ink defence tech transfer pact during 2+2 dialogue
• During a 2+2 dialogue held at Washington DC, India and the US have inked an agreement to
facilitate the transfer of defence technology.
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• Indian Participants
 Defence Minister – Rajnath Singh

 External Affairs Minister – Subrahmanyam Jaishankar
Source : LiveMint
National Committee for Commemoration of 150th Birth Anniversary of
Mahatma Gandhi
• President Ram Nath Kovind chaired the second meeting of the National Committee for
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Commemoration of the 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
• Participants of the meeting included members of the National Committee including the Vice
President Venkaiah Naidu; Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi
• Prime Minister of Portugal Mr. Antonio Costa, the only foreign Prime Minister to be a member of
the Committee, also participated in the meeting.
• The Committee was constituted for commemorating the 150th birth anniversary of the Father of
the Nation at the national and international level to propagate Mahatma’s message. The
Commemoration has been undertaken taken for two years i.e. from October 2, 2018 to October
2, 2020.In his introductory remarks, the Union Home Minister, Shri Amit Shah gave an outline of
the key activities taken up within the country as well as abroad as part of commemoration of 150
years of Mahatma Gandhi.
Source : NewsOnAIR
Mission on Urban Renewal extended by 2 years to 2022
• The Centre has decided to extend the mission period of its flagship initiative Atal Mission for
Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) by two more years.
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• Launched on June 25, 2015 AMRUT completes its mission period in March 2020.
• The government’s flagship initiative promises 139 lakh water connections by March 2020, 145
lakh sewer connections, storm water drainage projects, parks and green spaces and LED
streetlights with a total outlay of Rs. 77,640 crore (including central assistance of Rs. 35,990).
• The ministry of housing and urban affairs has now decided to extend the mission by two more
years till March 2022.

CGHS Services
• CGHS services shall be now be extended to 100 cities.
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• Present the scheme is operational across 72 Cities through 329 Allopathic Wellness Centres and 86
AYUSH Centres. It serves 12.09 lakh primary cardholders and 35.72 lakh beneficiaries, out of which
around 17 lakh beneficiaries belong to Delhi,NCR. There are more than 2.5 lakh beneficiaries aged 75
years and above. About 58% of CGHS beneficiaries avail of CGHS facilities at least once in a year.
• About CGHS
 The Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) is a contributory health scheme for serving retired
Central Government employees and their dependent family members.
 The scheme was started in 1954 in Delhi. It provides comprehensive health care facilities to the
beneficiaries that include OPD Consultation from CGHS Medical Officers and specialists, issue of
medicines, investigations at Govt. hospitals and private empanelled centres, specialist consultation
and hospitalization at Govt. and private empanelled hospitals, etc.
 OPD consultation from CGHS empanelled private hospitals on referral from CGHS Wellness Centre is
also done as part of the scheme. Source : PIB
Kerala semi-high speed rail project
• Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan claimed that the Centre had given in-principle approval to the ₹66,000 crore
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Thiruvananthapuram-Kasaragod semi-high speed rail (SHSR) corridor project.
• It’s joint venture of the Kerala government and the Ministry of Railways. SHSR, named Silver Line, is
envisaged to cut travel time between Thiruvananthapuram and Kasaragod from 12 hours to 4 hours.
• Trains will run at 200 km per hour.
• About Kerala
 Capital – Thiruvananthapuram
 CM – Pinarayi Vijayan
 Governor – Arif Mohammad Khan

Merging UTs Daman and Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli
• The Parliament passed a bill to merge two Union Territories — Daman and Diu, and Dadra and
Nagar Haveli — into one unit.
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• The merged Union Territory will be named Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.
• With the merger of Daman and Diu, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli, the number of UTs will come
down to eight.

ADB will provide USD 490 million loan for PPP to upgrade MP Roads
• The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of India signed a $490 million loan for
public-private partnership (PPP) project to upgrade about 1,600 km of state highways and major
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district roads (MDRs) from single-lane to two-lane widths in the state of Madhya Pradesh. An
additional $286 million investment will be mobilised through private sector participation under the
PPP modality.
• About ADB
 HQ – Manilla, Philippines ; Head – Takehiko Nakao
• About MP
Source : TOI
Cuba to name first PM in 40 years
• Cuba is to resurrect the position of prime minister in a parliamentary session, with President Miguel Diaz-
Canel nominating a candidate to the post which has remained dormant for more than 40 years.
• The last time Cuba had a prime minister, it was Fidel Castro.
•
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However, the position was abolished in 1976 when Castro transitioned to the presidency, taking over from
Osvaldo Dorticos after the country’s constitution was restructured.
• About Cuba
 Capital : Havana
 Currencies : Cuban peso
Source : The Hindu

Eight-year-old becomes highest-paid YouTuber
• Eight-year-old Ryan Kaji earned $26 million in 2019 on his YouTube channel, making him the
highest-paid creator on the platform, according to a list published by Forbes magazine.
• Kaji, whose real name is Ryan Guan, was already the video platform’s highest earner in 2018,
with $22 million, according to Forbes.
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• His channel “Ryan’s World,” launched in 2015 by Ryan’s parents, is only three years old but
already has 9 million subscribers.
• Initially called “Ryan ToysReview,” the channel mostly consisted of “unboxing” videos — videos
of the young star opening boxes of toys and playing with them.
Source : TOI
Afghanistan first country to recognize Indian Pharmacopoeia
• The Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP) has been recognised formally by the National Department of
Regulation of Medicines and Health Products of the Ministry of Public Health of Islamic Republic
of Afghanistan and has become the first country to recognize IP
• About IP
s
 IP is an officially recognized book of standards as per the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940
and Rules 1945 . The IP specifies the standards of drugs manufactured and marketed in
India in terms of their identity, purity and strength.
• About Afghanistan
 Capital – Kabul, Currency – Afghani, President – Ashraf Ghani
Source : The Hindu

J&K + UNDP = MoU to strengthen immunization supply chain
system
• The Jammu and Kashmir administration signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the UNDP India to strengthen
immunization supply chain system in the union territory.
• It aims to implement Electronic Vaccine Intelligence Network (eVIN).
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Carried out by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare with support from the United Nations Development Programme
(UNDP).
• eVIN aims to support the Centre’s Universal Immunization Programme by providing real-time information on vaccine
stocks and flows and storage temperatures across all cold chain points.
• About J&K
 Lieutenant Governor – Girish Chandra Murmu
• About UNDP
 HQ – New York
 Head – Achim Steiner
Source : TOI
Concept of 3 capitals to be considered in Andhra Pradesh
• Andhra Pradesh CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy indicated that the state could have three capitals like South
Africa.
• Coastal city Visakhapatnam, which has the infrastructure, could be considered for being the executive
capital and Kurnool can be considered as the judicial capital.
• Amaravati can be retained as Legislative capital. s

• South Africa Capitals – Pretoria (executive), Bloemfontein (judicial), Cape Town (legislative)
 CM : YSR Jagan Mohan Reddy

 Governor : Biswabhusan Harichandan
Source : TOI
New CMD of GIC Re
• Devesh Srivastava has been elevated to the position of Chairman and

Managing Director at General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC Re).

Mallika Srinivasan appointed to US India Business Council board
• Mallika Srinivasan, Chairman – Tractors and Farm Equipment Limited (TAFE), is appointed to
global board of the US Chamber of Commerce’s U.S.-India Business Council (USIBC).
• This appointment takes immediate effect as she joins a prestigious list of CEOs and executives
on USIBC’s 35-member board.
• About USIBC
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 The U.S.-India Business Council was formed in 1975 as a business advocacy organization
to enlighten and encourage the private sectors of both India and United States to enhance
investment flows.
 HQ – Washington D. C.

“Vaccination On Wheels”
• Jigneh Patel, a fellow at Center for Healthcare Entrepreneurship (CfHE) at Indian Institutes of Technology
(IIT) Hyderabad has launched a ‘Vaccination on Wheels Clinic’ in Pune city’s PCMC area, Maharashtra.
The one of its kind service has been started in collaboration with Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
• He had received a grant for the service under the Foundation’s ‘Grand Challenges Explorations’.
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He then founded Jivika Healthcare to provide this vaccination service.
• About ‘Vaccination On Wheels’ service
 Called ‘VaccineOnWheels.com’, it will offer only vaccination services. As the service has adopted
Vaccination On Wheels (VOW) concept, this clinic will go to schools, colleges and corporates to
conduct vaccination camps at their doorsteps.
Source : TOI
NCLAT restores Cyrus Mistry as chairman of Tata Sons
• The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) restored former Tata group Chairman Cyrus Mistry
as executive chairman of Tata Group.
• The tribunal has also held the appointment of Natarajan Chandrasekaran as executive chairman illegal.
• About NCLAT
s
The Mistry family is the single largest shareholder in Tata Sons, with an 18.4 per cent stake.
 The National Company Law Tribunal is a quasi-judicial body in India that adjudicates issues relating to
Indian companies.
 HQ- New Delhi.
 Chair person is Justice S. J. Mukhopadhaya
Source : LiveMint
‘Uniformed Women in Prison Administration’
• Union Minister of State for Home affairs inaugurated a National Conference on ‘Uniformed Women in
Prisons Administration’ begins in Central Academy for Police Training in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
• The uniformed women police and employees from the post of Jail Warden to Inspector General Level of
various states, members of non-government organisations, representatives of academic institutions and
•
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officers of other government departments will participate in the conference.
This type of national conference of uniformed women is being held for the first time in Madhya Pradesh
outside Delhi. The first conference was held in Delhi in 2017.
• At present, more than 900 uniformed women officers and employees are working in the jail department of
the state.
Source : TOI
Indian Navy conducts anti-hijacking exercise Apharan
• A large scale anti-hijacking exercise named Exercise Apharan was conducted by the Indian
Navy in collaboration with the Indian Coast Guard, Cochin Port Trust and other stakeholders.
• The exercise was conducted for the first time in Kerala at such a scale and saw the participation
of multiple agencies including more than 12 ships and helicopters of the Indian Navy, Indian
.
Coast Guard and Cochin Port Trust.
s
 Navy Day – 4th Dec

Source : TOI
Pinaka Missile System
• Pinaka Missile System developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) was
successfully flight-tested from the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur off the Odisha coast.
• Pinaka is an Artillery Missile System capable of striking into enemy territory up to a range of 75 kilometres
with high precision.
•
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. The Navigation system of the missile is also aided by the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System
(IRNSS).
• The missile system has been jointly developed by various DRDO Laboratories viz. Armament Research &
Development Establishment (ARDE), Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Defence Research and Development
Laboratory (DRDL), Proof & Experimental Establishment (PXE) and High Energy Materials Research
Laboratory (HEMRL).
• About DRDO
 HQ – New Delhi, Chairman – Dr. G. Satheesh Reddy
Source : The Hindu

Zeena Khitta wins women’s national 10m Air Rifle
• Himachal’s Zeena Khitta emerged as the new national champion in the Women’s 10 metres Air
Rifle event at the ongoing 63rd National Shooting Championship Competitions Rifle and Pistol in
Bhopal.
Source : The Hindu

Justice CV Ramulu appointed as Telangana Lokayukta
• Ex High Court Judge Justice CV Ramulu has been appointed as the Lokayukta of Telangana. Former Law
Secretary V Niranjan Rao has been appointed as Up Lokayukta.
• The governor also appointed another former judge Justice G. Chandraiah as Chairman of the State Human
Rights Commission.
• About Telangana s
 Capital – Hyderabad
 CM – K Chandrasekhar Rao
 Governor – Tamilisai Soundararajan
Source : NewsOnAir
Karwal appointed as Director of National Police Academy
• GoI appointed a senior Gujarat Cadre IPS officer Atul Karwal, as Director of
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy in Hyderabad.
Source : PIB
Meghalaya Assembly to pass resolution to bring state under ILP
• The Meghalaya Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution urging the Government of India to
implement Inner Line Permit in the state under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873.
• About ILP
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 Inner Line Permit (ILP) is an official travel document issued by the Government of India to
allow inward travel of an Indian citizen into a protected area for a limited period.
• About Meghalaya
 Capital – Shillong, CM – Conrad Sangma, Governor – Tathagata Roy
Source : NewsOnAir
Portugal announces Gandhi Citizenship Education Prize
• Portuguese PM Antonio Costa will set up a Gandhi Citizenship Education Prize.
• Portugal will be launching a Gandhi Citizenship Education Prize, each year inspired by his
different thoughts and quotes.
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• The first edition of this prize will be dedicated to animal welfare as Mahatma Gandhi
• About Portugal
 Capital – Lisbon
Source : The Hindu

Infosys launched distributed apps powered by blockchain
• Infosys has announced the launch of three blockchain-powered distributed apps.
• The apps will be dedicated for government services, insurance, and supply chain management
domains.
• About Infosys
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 Main Founders – N.R. Narayana Murthy, Salil Parekh
 CMD – Salil Parekh
 HQ – Bengaluru
Source : The Economic Times

“Environmental Sustainability and Economic Development”
Summit
• “Environmental Sustainability and Economic Development” Summit was held in
Delhi.
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• Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change addressed the
summit with the concerns about the depleting ozone layer and the emission of
Cfcs (Chlorofluorocarbons) and Hfcs (Hydrochlorofluorocarbons).
Source : NewsOnAIR
50% discount for ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ participants
• Indian Railways has decided to grant 50% concession for the youth participating in the “Ek
Bharat Shrestha Bharat” programme.
• The concession will be given in basic fares of Second and Sleeper Class to youths with amounts
not more than 5000 INR per month for travelling from one State to another State to take part in
the programme
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Source : NewsOnAir
Railways Ministry + MoU with University of Birmingham = Establishing Centre
of Excellence
• National Rail Transport Institute (NRTI) signed an Memorandum of

Understanding (MoU) with University of Birmingham in Rail Bhawan, New Delhi
to set up its first Centre of Excellence for Next Generation Transportation
Systems. s
Source : The Hindu

PM Modi graced centenary celebrations of ASSOCHAM
• PM Modi addressed the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry in New Delhi. The
event was organized to commemorate 100 years of ASSOCHAM.
• The event was organized under the theme : New India Aspiring for 5 trillion USD.
• About ASSOCHAM
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 The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) is the apex
trade association of India. The goal of the organization is to promote domestic and
international trade. It is one of the oldest organizations in the country that was established in
1921. The organization is located in Kolkata, Bengaluru and Ahmedabad.
 The GoI authorizes and has given the power for ASSOCHAM to issue certificates of origin,
recommend business visa and certify commercial invoices.
Source : The Hindu

Indian maiden fresh vegetable export to Dubai by sea
• Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) sent its first trial
shipment of fresh vegetables from Varanasi to Dubai by sea route.
• APEDA is the organization under Ministry of Commerce and Industry that promotes export of agricultural
and processed food products from India.
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APEDA sent 14 Metric Tons (1 container) of fresh vegetables from Varanasi. The vegetables were
processed and packed by laboratories in Varanasi to keep them fresh.
• As per National Horticulture Database, India ranks second in fruits and vegetables production in the world
next to China. India produces 90.2 million tons of fruits and 169.1 tons of vegetables (2015-16) annually.
• About APEDA
 Chairman – Pawan Kumar Borthakur
Source : TOI
National Mathematics Day : Dec 22nd
• National Mathematics Day is celebrated on 22nd December every year to mark the birth
anniversary of legendary mathematician, Srinivasa Ramanujan and his contributions in the
development of modern mathematics.
• This year nation celebrates his 132nd Birth Anniversary.

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• The main objective behind the celebration of National Mathematics Day is to make people aware
of the development of mathematics and its importance in the growth of humanity.
Source : TOI
Donald Trump became 3rd US President to be impeached
• Donald Trump has become the third US President in history to be impeached by the House of
Representatives (equivalent to our Lok Sabha).
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• The impeachment will led to setting up a trial in the Senate that will decide whether Trump will remain in
office or not.
• Although, no President in the 243-year history of the United States has been removed from office by
impeachment.
• The House in 1998 impeached President Bill Clinton while President Andrew Johnson was impeached in
1868.
Source : The Hindu

RBI plans Indian version of ‘Operation Twist’ to lower long-term yields
• RBI will conduct a simultaneous sale and purchase of bonds, in a move seen by market
participants as an attempt to bring longer-term yields lower.
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• It is the first time the RBI has conducted a special open market operation (OMO) of this kind,
similar to the ‘Operation Twist’ carried out in the United States near the start of the decade.
• Bond yields have been rising since the RBI unexpectedly left its key repo rate unchanged earlier
this month, even as it slashed its forecast for economic growth to its lowest in over a decade.
• The RBI stated it will buy 100 billion rupees’ ($1.4 billion) worth of the current benchmark 10-
year bond while selling four bonds maturing in 2020 for an equivalent amount.
• The government may thus be forced to borrow more from the market to fund its fiscal deficit
which could push bond yields up more.
Source : LiveMint
International Astronomical Union names new star ‘Sharjah’
• The International Astronomical Union (IAU) announced the names of the newly discovered stars
and planets, where the name “Sharjah” was chosen for a star with “Barjeel” being the name of
one of its planets.
• The announcement was made during a press conference of the IAU in the French capital, Paris,
celebrating the centennial of the union. s
• During the announcement, the organisers lauded the efforts and contributions of the Emirate of
Sharjah to the global scientific community.
• About International Astronomical Union
 HQ : Paris, France
 Membership : 82 nations
 President : Ewine van Dishoeck
 General Secretary : Maria Teresa Lago
500 skill hubs and labs in Govt. run schools
• Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Ministry has finalized a plan for setting up 500 skill
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hubs and labs in government run schools.
• Union Skill Development Minister – Mahendra Nath Pandey
Source : The Hindu

Ethiopia launches its first satellite
• Ethiopia launched its first satellite which is a landmark achievement for the country’s space program that
caps a banner year for the African space industry.
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• The launch of the Ethiopian Remote Sensing Satellite (ETRSS) took place at a space station in China.
• The launch makes Ethiopia the eleventh African country to put a satellite into space. Egypt was the first in
1998.
• About Ethiopia
 Capital - Addis Ababa

 Currency - Ethiopian birr
 PM - Abiy Ahmed
Source : TOI
Chabahar pact
• The second meeting between officials of India, Afghanistan and Iran took place to monitor
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implementation of the 2016 agreement regarding development and management of the
Chabahar port in Iran.
• About Afghanistan
 Capital – Kabul, Currency – Afghani, President – Ashraf Ghani
• About Iran
 Capital – Tehran, Currency – Iranian rial, President – Hassan Rouhani
Source : LiveMint
Wipro and NASSCOM to train 10k engineering students in India
• Bengaluru-based Wipro Ltd has partnered with the National Association of Software and Services
Companies (Nasscom) to train 10,000 students from over 20 engineering colleges in India as part of the
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‘Future Skills’ platform.
• The programme has now been extended to students directly through Future Skills, which is a Nasscom
initiative
• About NASSCOM
 Chairperson : Rishad Premji

 HQ : New Delhi
• About Wipro
 CEO : Abidali Neemuchwala

 Founder : M.H. Hasham Premji
 HQ : Bengaluru
Source : The Hindu

Fitch cuts India’s GDP growth forecast to 4.6% in FY20
• Fitch Ratings cut India’s GDP growth forecast for 2019-20 fiscal year to 6 per cent on
deterioration in business and consumer confidence.
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• It affirmed India’s Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at ‘BBB-‘ with a
Stable Outlook.
• Estimated the economic growth to recover to 6% in 2020-21 and 6.5% in 2021-2022.
• About Fitch
 HQ – New York
 CEO – Paul Taylor
Source : The Hindu

Air India received Rs. 500-crore guarantee from GoI
• The debt-ridden Air India received a guarantee worth Rs. 500 crore from the government to
secure fresh funds for operational requirements.
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• About Air India
 Formed – 1946
 CMD – Ashwani Lohani
 Founder – JRD Tata
Source : The Hindu

AIIB => USD 210 million loan => irrigation & solar energy projects
in India
• The Beijing-based Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) announced a total loan of USD
210 million for irrigation and solar energy projects in India.
• The multilateral institution will lend USD 145 million to improve irrigation services and strengthen
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flood risk management in West Bengal, while USD 65 million has been earmarked for a 250-
megawatt (MW) solar project in Rajasthan promoted by Hero Future Energies.
• About AIIB
 HQ : Beijing
 President : Jin Liqun

Ankit Gupta is the new COO of OYO
• OYO Hotels & Homes has appointed Ankit Gupta as Chief Operating Officer and
Senior Vice President for its co-living, rental homes and self-operated hotel
businesses in Indian and South Asia.
• About OYO s
 Founder – Ritesh Agarwal
 HQ – Gurgaon
Source : LiveMint
Anand Mahindra will resign as Mahindra Group executive chairman
• Anand Mahindra will step down as Executive Chairman from April 1, 2020.
• Pawan Goenka will be re-designated as Managing Director and Chief Executive from April 1.
Source : TOI
National Science Foundation in US
• President Donald Trump has picked Indian-American computer scientist Sethuraman
Panchanathan to lead the prestigious National Science Foundation.
• The National Science Foundation (NSF) is a U.S. government agency that supports fundamental
research and education in all the non-medical fields of science and engineering. Its medical
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counterpart is the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
• Panchanathan would succeed France Cordova.
• He is currently the executive vice president and the chief research and innovation officer at the
Arizona State University.
Source : The Hindu

FIFA Team of the Year
• Belgium have been crowned FIFA ‘Team of the Year’ for the second successive time after a
record-breaking year for the global ladder.
• France remains in the second place ahead of Brazil in third
• About FIFA
s
 HQ – Zurich, Chief – Gianni Infantino
Source : TOI
Forbes India’s 2019 Celebrity 100 list
• The magazine has published its list of Celebrity 100 for the year 2019 which has been topped by Indian
cricket captain Virat Kohli with the earning of Rs. 252.72 crore.
• Akshay is highest earning star from the country with Rs. 293.25 crore is placed at the 2nd spot, followed by
Salman with the earning of Rs. 229.25 crore.
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The rankings are based on the October 1, 2018 to September 30, 2019.
Source : The Hindu

World’s oldest fossil trees uncovered in New York
• Fossilized trees dating back 386 million years have been discovered at an
abandoned quarry in New York.
Source : The Hindu

ICC extends partnership with UNICEF
• The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced it has extended its partnership with
UNICEF through to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020
• During the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, UNICEF raised USD 180,000 as part of One Day 4
Children and this money will go directly to fund a girls’ cricket project in the ICC and UNICEF
s
partnership commenced in 2015, as part of the ICC’s global community outreach programme
‘Cricket 4 Good’.
• About UNICEF
 HQ – New york, Chairman – Henrietta Fore
• About ICC
 HQ – Dubai, Chairman – Shashank Manohar
Source : TOI
6th Qatar International Cup in Doha
• Former world champion, weightlifter Saikhom Mirabai Chanu won the women’s 49kg category
gold medal at the 6th Qatar International Cup in Doha.
• About Qatar
s
 Capital – Doha, Currency – Qatari rial, PM – Abdullah bin Nasser
Source : TOI
Bengaluru Open Golf Championship
• Abhinav Lohan lifted title at the Bengaluru Open golf championship.
Source : TOI
Most expensive overseas IPL player
• Pat Cummins, the Australian wicket keeper, with a base price of two crore rupees became the
most expensive overseas buy as he was sold to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for a whopping 50
crore rupees.
Source : TOI
Former Kerala Minister Thomas Chandy passes away
• Nationalist Congress Party’s Kerala State President and former Minister Thomas Chandy
passed away in Kochi.
Source : TOI
Former SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar passes
• Former president of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) Avtar Singh Makkar
died
• He was one of the longest-serving presidents of the SGPC, an apex religious body of the Sikhs.
Source : TOI
Writer and critic LS Sheshagiri Rao passes away
• Kannada writer and critic L.S. Sheshagiri Rao passed away.
• He was best known for his critical works and an English-Kannada dictionary that he compiled. .
Source : The Hindu

5th Edition of ARTECH to be held in New Delhi
• The 5th edition of ARTECH is being organised by Indian Army on ‘Technologies for Non-Contact Warfare’
which is organised at Manekshaw Centre, Delhi Cantonment.
• The seminar is the flagship event of the Indian Army which sets the agenda for focus areas of harvesting
indigenous capabilities in the Defence sector.
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ARTECH Seminar was launched in 2016 as part of the overall vision of ‘Make in India’
• About Indian Army
 Army Day – 15th Jan, Chief – Gen. Bipin Rawat (Gen. MM Navarane to be the next)
Source : PIB
West African nations rename Franc currency to Eco
• 8 West African countries have agreed to change the name of their common currency to Eco
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• Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo currently use
the currency.
• All the countries are former French colonies with the exception of Guinea-Bissau.
• The CFA franc created in 1945
Source : NewsOnAir
Space Force launched
• President Donald Trump officially launched US military ‘Space Force’ at an army
base near Washington describing space as the world’s newest war-fighting
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domain.
• It will protect US assets like hundreds of satellites used for communication and
surveillance in the wake of Russian and Chinese advancements in the space
front.
Source : NewsOnAir
FSSAI delinks front of packet labelling from general labelling
• FSSAI (Food Safety Standards Association of India) announced that the front of packet labelling
will be delinked from its general labelling regulation.
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• The move is being implemented in order to make the consumers aware of food products that are
high in fat, salt and sugar content.
• The Front of Packet Labelling (FoPL) helps to identify the green (vegetarian foods) and red (non-
vegetarian foods). It also includes pictorial representation of nutrients, food group nutrients and
summary indicators, etc. This can at times be misleading as consumers fail to give a detailed
read about the product.
• About FSSAI
 HQ – New Delhi, Chairperson – Rita Teotia, CEO – Pawan Kumar Agarwal
Source : NewsOnAir
National Farmers Day : Dec 23rd
• India celebrates National Farmers Day on 23rd December to commemorate the birth anniversary
of the 5th Prime Minister of India, Choudhary Charan Singh. He was a farmer’s leader and he
had introduced many policies to improve the lives of the Indian farmers.
• The day is being observed since 2001.

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• Choudhary Charan Singh served as the Prime Minister of India between 28 July 1979 and 14
January 1980. He also worked hard to pass the “Zamindari Abolition bill, 1952”.
Source : NewsOnAir
CBERS-4A satellite launched into space
• China-Brazil Earth Resource Satellite-4A (CBERS-4A), a new satellite jointly developed by
China and Brazil as part of a bilateral programme, was recently sent into space
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• It was launched on a Long March-4B carrier from Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in Shanxi
Province of China.
• It will support Brazilian government’s to monitor Amazon rainforest and changes in country’s
environment.
• China Capital – Beijing, Currency – Renminbi/ Yuan, President – Xi Jinping
• Brazil Capital – Brasilia, Currency – Real, President – Jair Bolsonero

GoI to organize more than 100 Hunar Haats in next 5 years
• Ministry of Minority Affairs will organize more than 100 Hunar Haat in the next five years.
• The move aims to increase employment opportunities to craftsmen, artisans and culinary experts and also
to increase their market exposure.
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The Ministry will organize Hunar Haats in Chennai, Delhi, Kolakata, Bengaluru, Lucknow, Patna, Dehradun
and Indore. The ministry has also sanctioned to set up more than 100 Hunar hubs in different parts of the
country.
• The Ministry in its report said that more than 65,000 artisans and craftsmen have been employed through
Hunar Haats in the last 2 years.
• In 2019, India exported 128 billion rupees worth handicrafts. Last year, it stood at 118 billion rupees. The
increase is 9%.
Dunzo, Throttle get DGCA approval to test long-range drones
• Directorate General of Civil Aviation’s (DGCA), India’s civil aviation authority has given approval
to the applications of Google-backed hyperlocal delivery startup Dunzo and Bengaluru-based
drone maker Throttle Aerospace Systems to test long-range and autonomous drone use.
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• The approvals are a part of the DGCA’s experimental programme, called beyond visual line of
sight (BVLOS) drone operations, which was notified in May 2019.
As per WHO India is not on track to meet tobacco target
• World Health Organization released its report on Global Tobacco use trends.
• As per the report globally the number of tobacco users have declined by 60 million people.
• In 2000, the overall tobacco users were 1.397 billion and it has come down to 1.337 billion in 2018.
•
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The report says despite the reduction in numbers, the global target set by governments to reduce the use
of tobacco by 30% by 2025 remains off track. So far only 32 countries are on track to reach the target.
• According to the report, India is off track to achieve the target of 30% reduction by 2025 as compared to
2010 level. Along with India 163 countries are off the track. However, the consumption rate in India is going
down by 21.6% as compared to 2010. The current users of tobacco in India is estimated to be 257,020,000.
• About WHO
 Head – Tedros Adhanom, HQ – Geneva

New policies of renewable energy and investment promotion
schemes
• Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot has launched new policies related to renewable energy namely,
Solar Energy Policy 2019, Wind and Hybrid Energy Policy 2019 along with Industrial
Development Policy 2019 at an event in Jaipur, Rajasthan.
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• The state Govt also launched two Investment Promotion Schemes, those are, Rajasthan
Investment Promotion Scheme 2019 and Chief Minister’s Small Scale Industries Promotion
Scheme 2019.
• About Rajasthan
 Capital – Jaipur, CM – Ashok Gehlot, Governor – Kalraj Mishra

Android bug ‘StrandHogg’ vulnerable to cyberattack
• Union Ministry of Home Affairs(MoHA) sent an alert to all States warning about a bug in Android operating
system(OS) called ‘StrandHogg’. It is a real-time malware application which would pose as genuine
applications and access all the users’ data. All android device versions including latest android version 10,
are vulnerable to this bug.
•
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Promon, a Norwegian firm specialising in In-App protection, found proof of this android vulnerability which
they call it as ‘StrandHogg’.
• The information about this bug was shared by Threat Analytical Unit(TAU), Indian Cyber Crime
Coordination Centre (I4C) of MoHA.
Rashtrya Swayamsiddh Samman 2019
• JSPL Foundation, the CSR (Corporate social responsibility) arm of Jindal Steel & Power Ltd. has
conferred Rashtriya Swayamsiddh Samman 2019 to recognize and honour social innovators and
Change Agents in India.
• The awards were presented by Ravi Shankar Prasad, Minister of Law & Justice and Electronics
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and Information Technology upon 17 individuals and 10 organisations at a function held in New
Delhi.
• Rashtriya Swayamsiddh Jeevan Samman for lifetime achievement was conferred upon Seturam
Gopalrao Neginhal (SG Neginhal), a pioneer of urban forestry.
Urdu author Mujtaba Hussain will return Padma Shri award
• 86-year-old Urdu author Mujtaba Hussain from Hyderabad, Telangana had said he will return his
Padma Shri award to protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).
• The Government of India awarded him the fourth highest civilian honour of Padma Shri 2007, for
his contributions to Urdu literature.
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• He is best known for his books America Ghaans Kaat Raha Hai, Cihrah dar cihra - a take on US
foreign policy, Japan Chalo and many other books.
• Padma Shri (also Padma Shree) is the fourth highest civilian award in the Republic of India, after
the Bharat Ratna, the Padma Vibhushan and the Padma Bhushan. It is awarded by the
Government of India, every year on India's Republic Day. Padma Awards were instituted in 1954
Committee on Investor Protection & Education Fund rejigged
• Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has made extensive changes to the 8-member
advisory committee on Investor Protection and Education Fund (IPEF)
• The chairman of this committee is former Professor, Abraham Koshy of IIM(Indian Institutes of
Management) Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
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• Different members of the panel embrace: N L Bhatia, President Emeritus, Investor Education
and Welfare Association; A Balasubramanian, MD and CEO at Aditya Birla Sun Life AMC; M G
Parameswaran, founder of brand-building.com, Ramesh Narayan, founder of Canco. Now the
panel additionally includes 3 Sebi officers - government administrators Nagendra Parakh and V
S Sundaresan & chief general manager N Hariharan.
• SEBI has formed this committee in 2013 to seek out methods to greatest utilize the investor
safety and schooling fund. The panel has been tasked to suggest such activities related to the
education and protection of investors, which can be conducted by SEBI itself or with the help of
any other agency. IEPF has been set up under the guidance of SEBI and Ministry of Corporate
Affairs (MCA) India.
3 lakh rural habitations lack quality water supply as per Jal
Ministry report
• Ministry of Jal Shakti, submitted its data on water supply and usage by the people in the country.
As per the data, nearly 3 lakh rural habitations in the country were deprived of the govt’s
minimum prescribed provision of 40 litre per capita per day of potable quality drinking water.
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• The aim of the Jal ministry is to achieve 55 lpcd by 2024.
• About Ministry of Jal Shakthi
 Union Minister - Gajendra Singh Shekhawat

‘Swachchh Samundra NW-2019’
• The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) conducted a 2-day regional level pollution response exercise
named ‘Swachchh Samundra NW-2019‘ at sea off Vadinar in Gulf of Kutch (GoK), Gujarat.
• The aim of the exercise was to create a response mechanism by ICG, by taking actions for oil
pollution incidents.
• About ICG
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 ICG Day – 1st Feb; DG – K. Natrajan
Guidelines for reissuing of OCI card relaxed
• Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), relaxed certain guidelines for Overseas Citizenship of India
(OCI).
• The relaxation is for reissuing of passport for those people aged below 20 years and those aged
above 50 years.
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• The relaxation which is temporary has been granted till June 30, 2020.
AP topped in organizing Fit India School Week
• Andhra Pradesh (AP) topped the list for organising Fit India Week in schools.
• So far, AP has organised the Fit India Week in 13,839 schools.
• AP was followed by Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh ranked 2nd & 3rd by organising the
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programme in 1,967 and 1,504 schools respectively. Overall the programme was organised in
26,845 schools.
• 21,344 schools obtained the Fit India Flag. Again AP topped the list obtaining 8,117 flags.
 Governor – Biswabhushan Harichandan
GAHP Report
• As per report “2019 Pollution and Health Metrics: Global, Regional and Country
Analysis” released by Global Alliance on Health and Pollution (GAHP), India
leads the world with about 2.3 million (23,26,771 deaths) in 2017 in terms of
premature deaths due to pollution.
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India is followed by China (18,65,566 deaths) & Nigeria (2,79,318 deaths).
• About Global Alliance on Health and Pollution (GAHP)
 It is the 1st international alliance formed in 2012 by the World Bank (WB), the
European Commission, UN(United Nations) Environment, the Ministries of
Environment and Health of more than 25 low- and middle-income countries,
and the non-profit Pure Earth and other agencies to address pollution and
health at scale.
Silver Jubilee International Conference of Art in Dhaka
• Archaeologist R. Nagaswamy was honoured at the Silver Jubilee International Conference of Art
in Dhaka for his contribution to art, archaeology, history and culture.
• Ramachandran Nagaswamy is an Indian historian, archaeologist and epigraphist.
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• He served as the founder-director of Tamil Nadu Archaeology Department. In 2018 he was
awarded India’s third highest civilian award Padma Bhushan.
Bharat Award for bravery
• Bharat award for bravery was announced. Aditya K. of Ramanattukara, Kozhikode, Kerala
became the first child from the State to receive the highest honour award for bravery, the Bharat
award.
• He was awarded for saving 20 people from a burning bus on the move.
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• Other children who won the bravery award from Kerala include 16 year old Muhammed Mohsin
(awarded posthumously) for saving lives of 3 children and Fatah for rescuing a woman and a girl
from an approaching train. Both Belong to Kozhikode, Kerala.
ITF World Champions for 2019
• International Tennis Federation (ITF) honoured eleven players in annual awards including
Singles, Doubles, Wheelchair and Juniors.
• The ITF has announced that Rafael Nadal of Spain and Ashleigh Barty of Australia have been
named 2019 ITF World Champions in Singles.
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• The 23-year-old Ashleigh Barty is the first Australian to be named ITF Women’s World Champion
having become the first Australian woman to reach No.1 in the world rankings since Evonne
Goolagong Cawley in 1976.
• About ITF
 HQ – London, President – David Haggerty

‘Crossing the Barrier - I Got Inked’
• Election Commission of India (ECI),an autonomous constitutional authority responsible for
administering election process, has organized National Workshop on Accessible Elections 2019
in New Delhi to review the steps taken by ECI to make Elections Public Works Department
(PwD) and Senior Citizens friendly.
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• Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Shri Sunil Arora has released a booklet, ‘Crossing the
Barriers – I Got Inked’ during the workshop.
• It also witnessed the release of “Accessibility Report 2019”
• About ECI
 Formed – 25 January 1950 (Later celebrated as National Voters Day)

 Chief – Sunil Arora
 Members – Sunil Arora, Sushil Chandra
‘Turbulence and Triumph’
• Vice President of India Venkaiah Naidu released a book titled ‘Turbulence and Triumph : The
Modi Years’ in New Delhi.
• The book is jointly authored by Rahul Agarwal and Bharathi S. Pradhan and is published by Om
Books International.
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• The book is about life journey of Prime Minister Narendra Modi from his days as a young boy in
Gujarat till becoming the Prime Minister of India.
Rajyotsava award winner Chandrakanth Karadalli passed away
• Chandrakanth Karadalli a renowned children’s book writer died in Bangalore
• He won Karnataka Rajyotsava Award in 2019 and Bala Sahitya Akademi award from the union
government.
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• He also received ‘Good Teacher’ Award from both State and Nation Government.
‘Oxygen Parlour’ at Nashik Railway Station to combat air pollution
• In a unique initiative to battle rising air pollution in cities, an ‘Oxygen Parlour’ has been opened
at Nashik railway station to provide an experience of breathing clean air to the commuters.
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• The initiative comes with the efforts of Airo Guard in collaboration with the Indian Railways.
Integral Coach Factory produced 3000 Coaches in record 215 days
• Integral Coach Factory (ICF) of Indian Railways has produced its 3000th coach of the year in
less than nine months.
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• This would help in meeting the growing demand for coaches. The number of working days to
achieve the above figure has been reduced from 289 days in the last year to 215 days in the
current year.
• About ICF
 HQ – Chennai, GM – Rahul Jain

Regional Conference on ‘Improving Public Services Delivery –
Role of Governments’
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• The inauguration function of two-day Regional Conference on ‘Improving Public Service Delivery
– Role of Governments’, in Nagpur, Maharashtra.
• The 2-day conference is being organised by the Department of Administrative Reforms and
Public Grievances (DARPG) in collaboration with the Government of Maharashtra and the
Maharashtra State Commission for Right to Public Services
19th Joint Commission meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister
• External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar (Constituency – Gujarat) co-chaired the 19th Joint
Commission meeting with Foreign Minister of Iran in Tehran.
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• Mr Jaishankar reached Iran on a two-day visit. During his visit, Dr Jaishankar is also expected to
call on Iran President Hassan Rouhani.
• About Iran
 Capital - Tehran
 Currency - Iranian rial
 President - Hassan Rouhani
 Supreme leader - Ali Khomeini
Ecuador declared emergency after fuel spill in Galapagos Islands
• Ecuador has declared emergency to contain the environmental impact of a fuel spill in the
Galapagos Islands, after a barge carrying 600 gallons of diesel fuel sank.
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• The Islands are located 1,000 km east of mainland Ecuador.
• Latin American Galapagos archipelago, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
• About Ecuador
 Capital - Quito; Currency - USD; President - Lenín Moreno

YSR Neetanna Nestham scheme launched
• The YSR Neetanna Nestham scheme was launched in Krishna district’s Pedana town by Andhra Pradesh
Panchayati Raj Minister P. Ramachandra Reddy.
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• Chief Minister introduced the scheme for about 75,000 weavers under which they would be given Rs.
24,000 annually.
 Governor – Biswabhushan Harichandan
Razorpay appointed former American Express executive Arpit
Chug as CFO
• Razorpay, the payments provider has recently appointed Arpit Chug, the former American
Express India CFO as Razorpay’s new CFO.
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1st woman CTO at FCC in US
• Indian-American Dr. Monisha Ghosh has been appointed as the first woman Chief Technology
Officer at the US government’s Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
• She replaces Dr Eric Burger.
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• The FCC as an independent US government agency responsible for implementing and enforcing
America’s communications law and regulations.
Bengaluru has max young billionaires in India
• Bengaluru holds the most number of billionaires aged under 40.
• Hurun India Rich List 2019 has released a list of top 17 self-made entrepreneurs out of which a
majority of 10 are from Bengaluru alone.
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• While Mumbai registered the most number of billionaires across ages
• The richest in the young billionaires list from Bengaluru is Nithin Kamath, founder and CEO of
discount brokerage startup Zerodha.
• His net worth has been estimated to be ₹6,600 crore.

Bangladesh Junior International Badminton Series
• India’s shuttler Maisnam Meiraba Luwang has won the Men’s singles
Bangladesh Junior International Badminton Series 2019
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Sikkim CM laid the foundation stone two IPUs of Sikkim IFFCO
• CM Tamang of Sikkim laid the foundation stone of two Integrated Organic Food Processing units
of Sikkim IFFCO Organics Ltd. in Rangpo, East Sikkim.
• Sikkim IFFCO Organics Limited is a joint venture between the world’s biggest fertilizer
Cooperative, IFFCO and Government of Sikkim.
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• About Sikkim
 Capital – Gangtok, CM – Prem Singh Tamang, Governor – Ganga Prasad

India constructed Girls’ Hostel for Nepal Armed Police Force
• The Govt. of India has constructed Girls’ Hostel for Nepal Armed Police Force School, Kirtipur, Nepal.
• Nepal Armed Police Force (APF) School is an academic institution created under the APF Welfare Service
Centre of Nepal Armed Police Force.
• The school was established in 2005 and it has over 21 per cent of girls students.
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The new infrastructure constructed with the Government of India’s grant assistance of 40.42 million Nepali
Rupees
• About Nepal
 Capital – Kathmandu, Currency – Nepalese rupee, PM – KP Sharma Oli, President – Bidhya Devi
Bhandari
DRDO tested QRSAM successfully
• Defence Research Development Organization (DRDO) test fired the Quick Reaction Surface to
Air Missile (QRSAM) successfully. The test was conducted at the Integrated Test Range,
Chandipur, Odisha.
• About QRSAM
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 The QRSAM is a missile developed by DRDO along with Bharat Electronics Limited for the
Indian army. The first testing of QRSAM was conducted in 2017.
• About DRDO
 HQ – New Delhi, Chairman – Dr. G. Satheesh Reddy

Maiden Tripartite Agreement on Fisheries and Aquaculture
Development Fund
• Department of Fisheries (GoI), NABARD and Tamil Nadu Government signed an agreement to implement
Fisheries and Aquaculture Development Fund (FIDF).
• The tripartite agreement set a total of Rs. 7522 crores to address the infrastructure requirement of fisheries
sector.
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• About NABARD
 HQ – Mumbai, Chairperson – Harsh Kumar Bhanwala
QCI Survey on Imported Toys
• The Quality Council of India (QCI) recently released its survey on imported toys. According to the report,
66.9% of the toys failed the test.
• The QCI conducted the testing on toys that were available in the Delhi markets and in the National Capital
Region. Around 121 varieties were procured and submitted to NABL (National Accreditation Board for
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Testing and calibration Laboratories).
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Out of the tested varieties, 30% of the plastic toys failed to meet the tests of permissible level of phthalate,
heavy metals, etc. Around 80% of the toys failed to meet the physical and mechanical safety properties.
• In the soft toys, 45% failed on phthalate test and 75% failed on tests conducted on mechanical properties.
Ebola re-emerged in Congo
• Health officials in Eastern Congo recently documented the first relapse of current Ebola epidemic. The
Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has so far infected more than 3,300 people and
killed more than 2,200 since the middle of 2018, making it the second-worst on record.
• Ebola is a rare but deadly virus which was first identified in 1976 by researchers sent to investigate an
ailment that was killing victims in a remote part of Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
• About Congo
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 Capital – Kinshasha, Currency – Congolese franc, President – Félix Tshisekedi, PM – Sylvestre Ilunga
Assam Cabinet moves to make Assamese the state language
• Assam Cabinet nodded to make Assamese language the state language of Assam.
• This will exclude BTAD (Bodoland Territorial Administrative Districts), Barak Valley and Hill districts of
Assam.
•
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Currently Assamese and Bodo are the official languages in Assam. However, certain districts of Assam in
Barak valley use Bengali as official language.
• Relevant Articles from Indian Constitution – Article 345 says that subject to provisions of Article 346 and
347, the state legislature might adopt one or more languages to be used as official languages.
• About Assam
 Capital – Dispur, CM – Sarbananda Sonowal, Governor – Jagdish Mukhi

Chilai-Kalan began in Kashmir
• The traditional 40-day period of harshest winter in Kashmir known in the local parlance as
‘Chillai-Kalan’ began
• Chillai-Kalan period which is known for sub-zero temperatures, frozen lakes and river, will end
on 31 January 2020.
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• These 40 days are when the chances of snowfall are highest and the maximum temperature
drops considerably. During Chillai-Kalan, the weather in Kashmir valley continues to remain dry
and cold with minimum temperatures hovering below freezing point and the snow during this 40-
day period freezes and lasts longer.
• Even after Chillai-Kalan ends, the cold wave, however, continues even after that. Therefore
Chillai-Kalan is followed by a 20-day-long period called ‘Chillai-Khurd’ (small cold) that occurs
between January 31 and February 19 and a 10-day-long period ‘Chillai-Bachha’ (baby cold)
which is from February 20 to March 2.
Janakavi P. Sawlaram Memorial Award 2019
• Sharad Ponkshe an Indian film actor and writer, mainly working in Hindi and Marathi cinema,
was awarded prestigious Janakavi P Sawlaram Memorial Award 2019 at Thane in Maharashtra
for his contribution in the field of cinema and theatre.
• The award consists a cash prize worth of Rs. 25,000, a citation and shawl.
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• Also, Marathi Actress, Usha Naik was also awarded the Ganga-Jamuna Award 2019.
• Janakavi P Sawlaram Memorial Award is jointly given by the Thane Municipal Corporation and
the Janakavi P Savlaram Kala Samiti.
• Ponkshe is best known for the role in the play Mi Nathuram Godse boltoy, which was based on a
very sensitive issue of assassination of Gandhi
WE Hub + Startup India = ‘Wing’ program
• WE Hub, announced its partnership with Start-up India, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal
Trade (DPIIT) to launch Startup India’s flagship program for women entrepreneurs called WING.
• Its stands for Women Rise Together program in Telangana. The program was launched in collaboration with
KSUM (Kerala Startup Mission) and would provide the entrepreneurs with knowledge on innovation and
access to incubation, investors and business support.
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The Telangana edition of WING was launched at WE Hub, Hyderabad, Telangana by Kalvakuntla Taraka
Rama Rao, Minister for IT (Information technology), Industries and Municipal Administration and Urban
Development(MA&UD), of Telangana govt.
• National Start-Up Award 2020 : The hub in partnership with Startup India will provide National Start-Up
Award 2020 to help the women entrepreneurs recognize and reward women-led startups in the region.
• About WE Hub
 It is the 1st of its kind initiative and only State-run platform for Women Entrepreneurs
 Launched - 8th march 2018 (Coinciding International Women’s Day)
 HQ - Hyderabad, Telangana
 CEO - Deepthi Ravula
ICC T20I rankings
• Indian spinner Radha Yadav remained at the second spot but compatriots Deepti Sharma and
Poonam Yadav slipped a place each to the fifth and sixth positions in the latest ICC Women’s
T20I players rankings.
• while Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur too remained static at the seventh and ninth
positions.
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• India continued to hold on to the fourth position in the ICC Women’s T20 Team Ranking.
• Australia’s Megan Schutt continued to lead the bowlers ranking.
• New Zealand’s Suzie Bates continued to head the T20 batting list.
• About ICC
 HQ – Dubai, Chairman – Shashank Manohar, CEO – Manu Sawhney

Cheaper breast cancer medicine
• World Health Organization (WHO) announced that for the very first time it had approved a “biosimilar”
medicine of Trastuzumab named “Ontruzant” to make cheaper breast cancer treatment at an affordable
rate to women globally.
• The medicine is derived from living sources rather than chemicals. The biosimilar medicine of the
Trastuzumab drug was supplied by Samsung Bioepis co Ltd.
•
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The trastuzumab drug has high efficacy in curing early breast cancer but is very costly being priced at
$20,000. But the biosimilar version of trastuzumab is generally 65%cheaper than the original drug.
• A biosimilar is a biologic medical product highly similar to another already approved biological medicine
(the 'reference medicine').
• About WHO
 Founded – 1948, HQ – Geneva, DG – Tedros Adhanom

President of FICCI for 2019-20
• Dr. Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director of Apollo Hospitals Group was appointed as the
President of Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) for the year
2019-20, during FICCI’s 92nd Annual Convention in New Delhi.
• She succeeded Mr. Sandip Somany.
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• Also, President of The Walt Disney Company APAC & Chairman of Star & Disney India, Mr.
Uday Shankar has been elevated as Senior Vice President of FICCI.
• Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL), Mr. Sanjiv Mehta
was appointed as the Vice President of FICCI.
• About FICCI
 HQ - New Delhi
BOB + Gujarat Govt = MoU to provide MSME loans
• Bank of Baroda (BoB), an Indian Multinational, public sector Bank, has signed a Memorandum
of Understanding (MoU) with the Gujarat government in order to facilitate the flow of credit in the
Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) sector.
• To avail the credit, the BoB customers should register their request on the link available single
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window portal of Gujarat government. BoB will take further step, after the lead generated on the
portal submitted to it.
• About BoB
 HQ – Vadodara, Gujarat
 MD & CEO – PS Jayakumar
 Tagline – India’s International Bank
• About Gujarat
 Capital – Gandhinagar
 Governor – Acharya Devvrat
 CM – Vijay Rupani
GoI has approved projects worth Rs. 7000 crore under Nirbhaya
fund
• Ministry of Women and Child Development has announced the approval of projects worth Rs. 7,000 crore
including setting up of 1023 fast-track courts under Nirbhaya fund.
• These courts were decided to be set up in-order to provide speedy trials of over 1.66 lakh pending cases of
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crime against women and children in India.
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The Nirbhaya fund was set up in 2013 by the Congress party led govt. as a tribute to 23-year-old Delhi
gang rape victim. It is an Indian rupee 10 billion corpus (Rs.1000 crores) with the purpose to support
initiatives by the government and NGOs (Non-Government Organizations) working towards protecting the
dignity and ensuring the safety of women in India.
• The fund is administered by the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) in the Ministry of Finance (MoF).
The Empowered Committee (EC) of officers chaired by the Secretary of MoW&CD recommend proposals
to be funded under this framework.
BRAC founder Sir Fazle Hasan Abed passed away
• Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, founder & Chair Emeritus of BRAC (Bangladesh Rural Advancement
Committee), one of the world’s largest non-governmental organizations (NGO), has passed
away in Dhaka, Bangladesh due to brain tumour.
• Abed founded BRAC in 1972 as a small rehabilitation project. After initially helping millions of
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refugees, BRAC also worked in the areas of health, micro finance, agriculture and education. It
helped about 150 million people out of poverty.
• Awards – Abed was awarded several national & international awards. World Food Prize,
honoured Abed as its Laureate in 2015. He was also awarded a knighthood from Britain in 2010
for his work. Recently, on September 29, 2019, Abed has won the prestigious Yidan Prize, the
largest international prize in education, for his path breaking work on education development.
Dr. G. Nanjundan passed away
• Sahitya Akademi Awardee, Translator and professor, Dr. G. Nanjundan passed away at the age
in Nagadevanahalli, Bengaluru, Karnataka.
• He was well known for translating Kannada literature into Tamil and received many accolades for
his work.
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• He received the Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award 2012 for translation for his work “Akkaa”.’.
Veteran cinematographer Ramchandra Babu passes away
• Cinematographer Ramchandra Babu has passed away
• He won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Cinematography four times
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Vidushi Savita Devi passes away
• Renowned Hindustani classical vocalist Vidushi Savita Devi has passed away
• Apart from performing at a number of concerts in India and abroad, Devi performed regularly for
the All India Radio and the national television.
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• She authored a biographical work on her mother, titled “Maa… Siddheshwari” and was the head
of the Music Department at Delhi University’s Daulat Ram College for many years.
New chairman of ESAF SFB
• P R Ravi Mohan was appointed as the new chairman of ESAF Small Finance Bank (SFB). Ravi
has replaced R Prabha
• Ravi previously worked as chief general manager Department of Banking Operations and
Development (DBoD) of the Reserve Bank of India(RBI).
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• ESAF Stands for Evangelical Social Action Forum.
• About ESAF small Finance Bank
 ESAF started its operations as an NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) in 1992 as

Evangelical Social Action Forum. It was formerly known as ESAF Microfinance.
 Incorporated - May 5, 2016.
 HQ - Thrissur, Kerala.
Good Governance Day : Dec 25th
• Good Governance Day in India is observed on 25th December to commemorate the birth
anniversary of Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
• His Samadhi namely ‘Sadiav Atal’ was dedicated to the nation
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• The Good Governance Day was established in 2014 to pay tribute to the former PM Atal Bihari
Vajpayee to raise awareness about the accountability in governance among the people of India.
Liverpool won 16th FIFA Club World Cup 2019
• English football club Liverpool FC has won the 16th edition of Club World Cup (WC) title 2019
for the 1st time after beating Flamengo in Khalifa International stadium, Doha, Qatar.
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 Best player – Mohamed Salah (Egypt)
 Fair play award – Espérance de Tunis (Tunisia Sports club)
Urban India declared Open defecation free
• India Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban has achieved its target of creating Urban India Open
Defecation Free.
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• Urban areas of 35 states and Union Territories have become ODF.
• In all, 4,320 cities out of 4,372 have declared themselves ODF, of which 4,167 cities have been
certified through third-party verification.
• This has been achieved by the construction of nearly 81 lakh individual household toilets against
Mission target of 59 lakhs and 5.89 lakh seats of public toilets against Mission target of 5.08 lakh
seats.
Govt. notifies rules for fixation of microdots identifiers on vehicles
• The government has notified rules for fixation of microdots identifiers on motor vehicles and their parts.
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• Road Transport and Highways Ministry stated microdots will enhance the security of vehicles. The
notification was issued after consideration of suggestions and objections on the draft notification issued in
July this year.
• The invisible microdots will now come affixed on vehicles and their parts to prevent theft as well as to check
fake spare parts.
• Microdot technology involves spraying the body and parts of the vehicle or any other machine with
microscopic dots, which give a unique identification.
Arunachal to mark schools as ‘hard’ and ‘soft’
• Arunachal Pradesh will soon have schools marked ‘hard’, ‘soft’ and ‘medium’.
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• Geographical factors, lack of infrastructure and reluctance of teachers to work beyond their
comfort zones are the reasons for this categorisation.
• Under the new policy, all government schools will be divided into three categories — hard,
medium and soft — based on topography, accessibility and degrees of difficulty in staying at the
place of posting.
• All new recruits will be given a hard posting for a mandatory three years, inclusive of their
probation period. The next five years will be in schools with levels of medium difficulty, followed
by posting in soft schools.
• About Arunachal Pradesh
 Capital: Itanagar
 CM : Pema Khandu
 Governor : B D Mishra
IMF retains India’s FY20 GDP growth rate forecast at 6.1%
• The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has retained India’s economic growth forecast at 6.1 per
cent for FY20
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• About IMF
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Formed – 1945
HQ – Washington D. C.
 MD – Kristalina Georgieva
 Chief Economist – Gita Gopinath
Andhra Pradesh CM Jagan laid foundation stone for Rs. 15,000
crore steel plant
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Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy laid the foundation stone for establishing a high-
grade steel plant at Sunnapuralla palli village in his native Kadapa district.
• The Rs. 15,000-crore plant with a three-million-tonne capacity per annum would be completed in three
years.
 Capital – Amaravati, Governor – Biswabhushan Harichandan

Govt. extended tenure of NABARD chief Harsh Kumar Bhanwala
by six months
• The tenure of NABARD chairman Harsh Kumar Bhanwala was extended by six months.
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• The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved a six-month extension to the tenure
of Bhanwala, with effect from December 18, 2019.
• Bhanwala was in December 2013 appointed as the chairman of the National Bank for Agriculture
and Rural Development (NABARD).
• About NABARD
 Founded – 1982, HQ – Mumbai, Chairperson – Harsh Kumar Bhanwala

New foreign secretary
• The Narendra Modi government approved the appointment of Indian ambassador to the United
States Harsh Vardhan Shringla as the next foreign secretary.
• He has replaced Vijay Gokhale making him the 33rd foreign secretary of the country.
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Mobile app of Red Cross Society of India in Hyderabad
• President Ram Nath Kovind released the mobile app of the Red Cross Society of India in
Hyderabad.
• Developed by the Telangana Centre for Good Governance. The developers informed that the
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access to blood bank and Red Cross membership will become easy with the launching of the
mobile app.
• Chief Minister K Chandra Sekhar Rao, Himachal Pradesh Governor Bandaru Dattatreya,
Minister of state for Home Kishan Reddy attended the event.
• About Telangana
 Capital – Hyderabad, CM – K. Chandrasekhar Rao, Governor – Tamilisai Soundararajan

FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup India 2020 Games
• Ahmedabad has been cleared as a provisional venue for FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup India
2020 by the Local Organising Committee (LOC).
• The World Cup is set to take place in the country next year from November 2-21.
• About FIFA s
 HQ – Zürich, Switzerland
 President – Gianni Infantino
SEBI + Kazakhstan’s AFSA = Inked pact for mutual co-operation
• Security Market regulator SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) has signed a bilateral
memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Kazakhstan-based Astana Financial Services
Authority (AFSA) for mutual co-operation and technical assistance.
• The MoU was signed by SEBI Chairman Ajay Tyagi and the acting chief executive officer (CEO)
of AFSA Mukhtar Bubeyev. s
• About SEBI
 Formed – 12th April 1992 ; HQ – Mumbai ; Head – Ajay Tyagi
• About Kazakhstan
 Capital – Nur-Sultan ; Currency – Tenge ; President – Kassym-Jomart Tokayev ; PM – Askar

Mamin
NASVI + FSSAI = Jointly organised National Street Food Festival
• National Association of Street Vendors of India (NASVI) and food regulator FSSAI (Food Safety and
Standards Authority of India) are jointly organising National Street Food Festival (NSFF) at Jawahar Lal
Nehru Stadium in New Delhi during 25-29 December 2019.
• Theme of 2019’s festival – ‘Healthier Diets’.
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The idea is to focus various initiatives of FSSAI around healthy eating through gamification (in an
interactive manner through games and quizzes).
• During NSSF, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan launched ‘Network for Scientific Co-operation for Food
Safety and Applied Nutrition’ (NetSCoFAN) It is a network of research and academic institutions working in
the area of food and nutrition.
• About FSSAI
 HQ – New Delhi, Chairperson – Rita Teotia, CEO – Pawan Kumar Agarwal

Major Anoop Mishra => Army Design Bureau Excellence Award
• Indian Army Chief Gen. Bipin Rawat felicitated Major Anoop Mishra with prestigious Army Design
Bureau (ADB) Excellence Award for indigenously developing ‘Sarvatra Kavach’, a bulletproof
jacket that can provide protection against various ammunition including that from sniper steel
bullets.
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• Maj. Anoop is presently posted as Instructor at College of Military Engineering, Pune and was
among the four awardees felicitated by Gen. Rawat.
• The awards were conferred at Army Technology Seminar (ARTECH) at Manekshaw Centre, New
Delhi.
• It was organized by Army Design Bureau (ADB), Indian Army jointly with Confederation of Indian
Industry (CII) and Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM). ARTECH was based on
theme : ‘Technologies for Non – Contact Warfare’.
• Army Design Bureau (ADB) was set up to work together with industry and academia and
develop indigenous solutions for the Indian Army.
DNA Analysis Centre inaugurated at CFSL in Chandigarh
• Minister of State (MoS) for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai, inaugurated a State-of-the-Art DNA Analysis Centre at Central
Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL), Chandigarh.
• All States and Union Territories (UTs) will be utilizing this facility
• About DNA Analysis Centre
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 This new Advanced Forensic DNA Analysis Lab has been established under Nirbhaya Fund scheme. It has been
set up with an allocation of Rs.99.76 crores and has a capacity of examining 2000 cases per year.
 Directorate of Forensic Science services (DFSS) under Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has ensured that this
Centre is fully equipped with modern DNA Profiling tools and equipment.
• About Central Forensic Science Laboratories (CFSLs)
 CFSLs are a premier institution in the field of forensic science services in the country. The Directorate of Forensic
Science Services (DFSS) has set up Central Forensic Science Laboratories (CFSLs) all across country. These are
situated at- Pune (Maharashtra) Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh), Chandigarh, Guwahati (Assam), Kolkata (West Bengal)
and Hyderabad (Telangana).
National Green Corps Ecoclub programme’s first ever meet
• Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) organized an annual meeting of state nodal agencies
implementing the Ecoclub programme for the first time.
• The event was organized in collaboration with GEER foundation, Gujarat.
• Senior officers of the Ecoclub programme from 22 states and union territories participated in the programme. Around 200
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students from the state of Gujarat also participated in the programme.
Ecoclub awards were awarded to school students at national level. Two books were released at the event namely
“Glimpses of Ecoclubs” and a handbook on International Environment Conventions and Programmes.
• About National Green Corps
 The programme was launched by the MoEFCC covering 1,20,000 schools in India.
 The programme mainly covered the School Eco clubs in different states.
 They are titled NGC students similar to NCC. These students participate in activities related to energy conservation,
water conservation, biodiversity conservation, waste management, resource management and land use planning.
Nagpur Resolution adopted at regional conference organized by
DARPG
• “Nagpur Resolution” was adopted during a Valedictory session of a regional conference organized by
DARPG (Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances).
• The conference was on “Improving Public Service Delivery” and was attended by officials from the
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Ministries of MSME, Road transport, north east development and officials from prime minister office.
The resolution pointed out certain factors as Ingredients of Good Governance. The resolution focused on
corruption-free transparent approach, fast decision making and positive approaches.
• The GoI has launched certain initiatives to achieve “Minimum Government and Maximum Governance”.
Tamil Nadu topped in coverage under micro-irrigation for 2019
• Website of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) (https://pmksy.gov.in) released the data on states with
coverage of area under micro-irrigation for the year 2019.
• As per the data, Tamil Nadu topped the list in coverage under micro-irrigation. Out of the 3.64 lakh hectares brought
under MI, TN accounts for around 1.39 lakh hectares, i.e., 38% of the total coverage in the country.
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TN was followed by Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh in the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th place
respectively.
• About Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY)
 It is a national mission to improve farm productivity and ensure better utilization of the resources in the country that
aims to improve on-farm water use efficiency through a number of measures such as MI.
 Launch - 1st July, 2015.
 Scheme outlay - Rs. 50,000 crores for a period of 5 years (2015-16 to 2019-20).
 Agency responsible - Ministry of water resources, ministry of rural development, ministry of agriculture.
Niranjan Hiranandani => new President of ASSOCHAM
• Niranjan Hiranandani, Managing Director of Hiranandani Groups has taken the charge of
Assocham’s (Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India) new President
• He replaces Welspun Group Chairman Balkrishan Goenka.
• PM Modi was the chief guest for the event

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• About ASSOCHAM
 Founded - 1921
 HQ - New Delhi.
 Aim - To promote both domestic and international trade, and reduce trade barriers while
fostering conducive environment for the growth of trade and industry of India.
Telangana’s Kamareddy district was awarded by UNICEF
• United Nations International Children’s and Education Fund (UNICEF) has awarded Kamareddy
district of Telangana for effective implementation of Swachh Bharat Mission in water sanitation
and hygiene sectors for the year 2019.
• This award was given under the categories like construction of individual sanitary lavatories,
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Swachh Darpan Wall Paintings, Swachh Survekshan, Swachh Sundar Shouchalay and other
activities.
• About UNICEF
 HQ - New York, United States

 Head - Henrietta Fore
Kohli among five Wisden cricketers of the decade
• Kohli Indian skipper Virat Kohli is one of the five players named in the Wisden Cricketers of the
Decade.
• Kohli joins Australian batsman Steve Smith, and South Africans, Dale Steyn, and AB de Villiers.
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• Australian all-rounder Ellyse Perry is the only female cricketer in the list.
National Consumer Rights Day : Dec 24th
• National Consumers Right Day is observed on 24th December to raise awareness about the
rights of consumers and responsibilities.
• This is the day when the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 had received the assent of the
President.
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• The theme for World Consumer Rights Day 2019 will be ‘Trusted Smart Products’.
Good Governance Index launched – topped by TN
• Minister of State for Public Grievances and Pensions Dr. Jitendra Singh launched Good Governance Index
in New Delhi on the occasion of Good Governance Day.
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• The Good Governance Day is observed on the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari
Vajpayee.
• Tamil Nadu topped the Good Governance Index launched by the Centre States’.
• The poor performers are Odisha, Bihar, Goa, and Uttar Pradesh with Jharkhand coming last.
• The rankings were launched by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances, and the
Centre for Good Governance.
Centre plans to convert 75 hospitals into medical colleges
• Dr. Harsh Vardhan, the Union Health Minister has stated the Centre is planning to convert 75
hospitals in aspirational districts across the country into medical colleges in a phased manner.
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• A target has been set to convert 49 hospitals into medical colleges within the next five years.
• Stating that the Centre has planned to set up 1 lakh 50 thousand health and wellness centres
across the country under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, Dr. Vardhan said that 25 thousand such
units have already been established.
All villages to have free WiFi services by March 2020
• Communication and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has stated that free WiFi services will be
provided to all villages across the country through Bharatnet till March next year.
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• Inaugurating Digital Village Gurawara in Rewari in Haryana, Mr Prasad stated the Ministry has
already connected one lakh 30 thousand gram panchayats through Bharatnet.
• The target is to take this to two lakh 50 thousand gram panchayats.
• The target of the government is to convert at least 15 per cent of villages to the digital village in
the next four years.
Delhi launched Housing Scheme for Residents of Unauthorised
Colonies
• Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal launched the ”Mukhyamantri Aawas Yojana’‘ for the residents of
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Jhuggi-Jhopri (JJ) clusters would provide a pucca house to every citizen of Delhi.
• 65,000 families residing in slum areas were distributed ownership certificates and they would
soon be provided pucca houses.
• The Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB), which is mandated to construct houses
for the slum dwellers, had launched a survey in June this year to ascertain the number of
beneficiaries to be provided pucca houses.
Tamil Nadu farmer built temple for PM Modi
• The temple also has framed pictures of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, current CM
Edapadi Palanisamy and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
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• The temple has come up at a village near Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu.
• The 50-year old farmer, P. Sankar, inaugurated the temple last week at his farm in Erakudi village about 63
km from Tiruchirappalli and performs ‘aarti,’ every day.
 Capital – Chennai, CM – Edapaddi K. Palaniswamy, Governor – Banwarilal Purohit

Telangana govt. raised retirement age of RTC staff
• Telangana government has decided to raise the retirement age of employees of the Road
Transport Corporation, RTC to 60 from the current 58 years.
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• The decision will be applicable to all cadres of employees of the state-owned RTC.
• The increase in age limit for retirement will be extended to each and every employee of the
TSRTC.
• About Telangana
 Capital – Hyderabad, CM – K. Chandrasekhar Rao, Governor – Tamilisai Soundararajan

Rahul Gandhi to launch tribal dance fest in Chhattisgarh
• Congress leader Rahul Gandhi visit Chhattisgarh capital Raipur to take part in the opening
ceremony of the national tribal dance festival.
• The state is going to hold a three-day ‘National Tribal Dance Festival 2019’ at the Science
College ground
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• The dance competition will be based on four themes- dance during weddings or other auspicious
occasions, dance during harvest and agricultural-related festivals, dance during traditional
festivals and rituals and the last category is other folk and classical dance forms.
• Around 39 tribal troupes will be making a presentation in these four different categories covering
around 43 dance styles.
• About Chhattisgarh
 Capital – Atal Nagar, CM – Bhupesh Baghel, Governor – Anusuiya Uikey

India’s first university for transgender community to come up in
UP’s Kushinagardist
• The first university for the transgender community in India will be opened in Uttar Pradesh’s Kushinagar
district.
• In the university, the transgender community will be able to study right from class one to PG and even do
research and get PhD degree.
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• The university, which will come up in Fazilnagar block of Kushinagar district, is being built by the Akhil
Bhartiya Kinnar Siksha Seva Trust (All-India transgender education service trust).
• It is the first of its kind in the country where members of transgender community will be able to get
education and the process of has already been initiated.
• About UP
 Capital – Lucknow, CM – Yogi Adityanath, Governor – Anandiben Patel

GST Council sets up GRC at zonal, state level
• The GST Council announced setting up the Grievance Redressal Committees (GRC) at zonal and state
levels to resolve issues related to the Goods and Services Tax (GST).
• Approved by the council in its 38th meeting, the committee will consist of both central tax and state tax
officers, representatives of trade and industry and other GST stakeholders.
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RBI introduces new prepaid payment instrument
• The Reserve Bank has introduced a new type of prepaid payment instrument (PPI) which could be used
only for purchase of goods and services up to a limit of Rs. 10,000 per month.
• To give impetus to small value digital payments and for enhanced user experience, it has been decided to
introduce a new type of semi-closed PPI.
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PPIs are financial instruments that facilitate the purchase of goods and services against the value stored on
such instruments.
• As per the circular, such PPIs shall be issued by bank and non-bank ‘PPI Issuers’ after obtaining minimum
details of the holder.
• The amount loaded in such PPIs during any month shall not exceed Rs. 10,000 and the total amount
loaded during the financial year shall not exceed Rs. 1,20,000.
• “The amount outstanding at any point of time in such PPIs shall not exceed Rs. 10,000.”
• “The directive is issued under Section 18 read with Section 10(2) of Payment and Settlement Systems Act,
2007
Hubballi gets certificate of merit for healthcare project under
Smart City
• Chitaguppi Hospital is short-listed for the recognition under Smart City-Empowering India Awards.
• A project under the Smart City Scheme pertaining to the development of Chitaguppi Hospital in Hubballi, Karnataka has
been chosen for the award of certificate of merit under the Smart City-Empowering India Awards of the Union
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government.
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The Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has chosen the Hubballi project for the certificate of merit under the
“Best Smart Health Project” category.
• The Smart Healthcare Project under which the development of Chitaguppi Hospital is proposed involves creating
facilities such as Electronic Health Records (EMR), Virtual Healthcare, Smart Diagnostics, Smart Hospital Management
System Software, Smart Inventory and Drug Management System and others.
• The total cost of the project is ₹5 crore.
• The certificate of merit would be presented by the Director of National Institute of Urban Affairs during the conference-
cum-award ceremony to be held New Delhi
CSMT gets ‘Eat Right’ station certificate
• Iconic Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) railway station in Mumbai has been conferred with
‘Eat Right Station’ certification with the five-star rating by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India
(FSSAI) for food safety and hygiene.
• The CSMT is the first station on the Central Railway to get this certification.
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The CSMT has been judged on the basis of compliance of food safety and hygiene, availability of healthy
diet, food handling at preparation, food waste management, promotion of local and seasonal food and
creating awareness on food safety and healthy diet.
• ‘Eat Right Station’ initiative is a part of the ‘Eat Right India’ movement launched by FSSAI and an FMCG
major which is aimed at promoting food safety and hygiene at the static catering units at railway stations.
MSD and VK have been named captain of Cricket Australia’s ODI
and Test teams of the decade respectively
• World Cup-winning India superstar MS Dhoni has been named the captain of the ODI Team of the Decade compiled by
Cricket Australia.
• 3 Indians are part of the 11-man team, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli also part of CA’s ODI team of the decade
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MS Dhoni, who led India to World Cup glory in 2011, also handles the wicket keeping duties in CA’s ODI team.
Virat Kohli is the only Indian cricketer to have found a spot in Cricket Australia’s Test team of the decade. The India
captain has also been named as the skipper of this team i.e. the Test team.
• About Cricket Australia
 HQ – Jolimont, Melbourne ; Chairman – Earl Eddings ; CEO – Kevin Roberts

Abhinav Lohan wins Bengaluru Open Golf Championship
• Abhinav Lohan has won the Bengaluru Open Golf Championship 2019 powered by Karnataka
Tourism.
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Leander Paes to retire from Tennis in 2020
• Indian tennis ace Leander Paes has announced that 2020 will be his last year as a professional
tennis player.
• The 46-year old will bid adieu to the sport after next season.
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• Leander, who made his Olympic debut in 1992 s

• The Indian has made 7 appearances in a row at the Olympics making him the only tennis player
ever to do so.
• Paes has won eight doubles and ten mixed doubles Grand Slam titles.
‘Him Darshan Express’ launched by Indian Railways
• Indian Railways unveiled Him Darshan Express comprising all-new Vistadome coaches from Kalka railway
station to Shimla.
• This special train will commute between the Kalka and Shimla station for the next one year till December
24, 2020.
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Commuters travelling in Him Darshan Express will enjoy the beautiful scenic view of the Himalayas as the
train will have swanky Vistadome AC coaches with glass roof. Modified in carriage and wagon depot at
Kalka, this is a first-of-its-kind train on the Kalka-Shimla route.
• Him Darshan Express will be the first-ever train with Vistadome coaches by the Indian Railways that will run
on a regular basis.
“Dreams of a Billion : India and the Olympic Games”
• Boria Majumdar with Nalin Mehta, authored a book titled “Dreams of a Billion: India and the
Olympic Games” that describes about the chronicle India’s journey in the global sports arena of
Olympics.
• The book will be published by HarperCollins India in January 2020.

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• The book comprises of all the wins, the misses, the star sportspersons, their stories, and the
challenges and possibilities that lie ahead of India to make its mark in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
• The book also gives a quick recap of how India has fared at the Olympics over the past century
and a look at how the Indian Olympics world has changed in the last decade.
33rd National Conference of the All India Induction Furnace
Association of India (AIIFA)
• Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Steel, Dharmendra Pradhan participated in the 33rd
National Conference of the All India Induction Furnace Association of India (AIIFA) on Secondary
Steel Sector in New Delhi.
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• Theme of the Conference was “Most advantageous route of Environment friendly steel making
through Electric Induction Furnace (EIF) and its global acceptance”.
Federal Bank + Magicbricks for disposal of repossessed properties
• Federal Bank has tied up with online real estate platform Magicbricks for listing and e-auctioning
of immovable properties repossessed by bank through recovery proceedings.
• About Magicbricks
 CEO – Sudhir Pai
• About Federal Bank

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 Founded – 1939 (as Travancore Federal Bank); December 1949 (Federal Bank)
 HQ – Kochi, Kerala
 MD & CEO – Shyam Srinivasan
 Tagline – Your Perfect Banking Partner
Kotak Mahindra Bank + Pine Labs = Partnered to facilitate EMIs on debit cards
• Kotak Mahindra Bank has tied up with Pine Labs to enable EMI (Equated Monthly Instalment) facility for
their debit card holders across point-of-sale terminals by Pine Labs.
• Banks customers can avail EMI facility with a minimum purchase of Rs. 8,000 and repay over 3 months to
12 months.
• About Kotak Mahindra Bank

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 HQ - Mumbai, Maharashtra
 MD & CEO - Uday Kotak
 Tagline - Lets make money simple
• About Pine Labs
 HQ - Noida, CEO - Vicky Bindra

CSIR’s CDRI + Cipla = Partnership to develop drugs
• Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI) under the aegis of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research
(CSIR), has signed an agreement with private multinational pharma company Cipla Ltd for improvement in
health services & development of new and improved drugs.
• About CSIR-CDRI
 HQ – Lucknow, Director– Tapas Kumar Kundu s
• About Cipla Ltd
 HQ – Mumbai, Chairman – Yusuf Khwaja (Y. K.) Hamied
Russia is the only nation in the world owns hypersonic weapons
• Russia is the only country in the world that has hypersonic weapons as per the Russian President Vladimir
Putin.
• He revealed the new Zircon missile at a meeting of senior military officials in Moscow.
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According to President Putin, the Zircon missile, which can fly from land to land in 10 times faster than the
speed of sound, has a range of more than 2,000 kms (1,250 miles) and can carry a nuclear or conventional
warhead.
• Supersonic travel is a rate of travel of an object that exceeds the speed of sound which can be defined as
Mach 1 = 0.343 km/s = 1234.8 km/hr. A hypersonic speed is one that greatly exceeds the speed of sound,
often stated as starting at speeds of Mach 5 and above.
• About Russia
 Capital – Moscow, Currency – Russian ruble, PM – Dmitry Medvedev

Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg resigned
• Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg has stepped down as the company is facing tough period
following two fatal crashes.
• He will be replaced by Chairman David Calhoun effective January 13, 2020.
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• He became the CEO of the world’s largest aerospace company in July 2015.
• .
• About Boeing
 , Founder – William E. Boeing, Chairman – Lawrence W. Kellner, HQ – Chicago

Renowned Hindi author Ganga Prasad Vimal passes away
• Renowned Hindi author Ganga Prasad Vimal and his two family members passed away in a
road accident in southern Sri Lanka..
• His last novel, Manushkhor, was published in 2013.
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HRD Minister launches five documents developed by UGC
• Human Resource Development Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank (Constituency – Haridwar) launched
the five documents developed by University Grants Commission (UGC) covering the 5 verticals of Quality
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Mandate in New Delhi.
• These five documents cover evaluation reforms, eco-friendly and sustainable university campuses, human
values and professional ethics, faculty induction and academic research integrity.
• About UGC
 HQ – New Delhi, Chairman – DP Singh

Delhi restaurants will now have menus in Braille
• The Delhi State Commissioner of Person with Disabilities (PWD) has recently passed an order
to almost 400 hotel and restaurants stating that they should print menus in Braille for the benefit
of the visually impaired.
• All the members which are part of the Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Association of India
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(FHRAI) have been instructed to implement the order given by the court.
• As per the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 access to public services is mandatory.
• About Delhi
 CM – Arvind Kejriwal, Lt. Governor – Anil Baijal

Bhubaneswar-New Delhi Rajdhani Express featuring Odisha’s
heritage flagged off
• Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on flagged off Bhubaneswar-New Delhi Rajdhani Express showcasing
Odisha’s heritage and culture on the exteriors of the train.
• The coaches were draped with vinyl wrapping sheets having high-quality art related prints on the dance
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forms, archaeological monuments and flora and fauna of the state.
• An agreement was signed between the East- Coast Railway (ECoR) and Navratna NALCO for decoration
of the Rajdhani Express.
• The designs, placed between the glass windows of the coaches on the exterior side, are likely to promote
tourism potential of the state along with its traditional art.
• While each rake consists of about 15 coaches, Nalco will pay ₹1 crore for each rake as advertisement
revenue to the ECoR.
Italy approved 3% Digital Tax on large tech firms from next year
• Italy has recently decided to implement a new tax on technology giants that will put a three per cent digital
tax on companies like Google and Amazon.
• This recent move comes after France had passed a similar tax earlier this year.
• About Italy
 Capital – Rome
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 PM – Guiseppe Conte
GoI will inject Rs. 8,655 crore into Allahabad Bank, IOB & UCO Bank
• Centre has approved the release of Rs. 8,655 crore as fresh capital to three public sector banks. The list
includes Allahabad Bank, Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) and UCO Bank.
• Fresh capital amounting to Rs. 2,153 crore will be allocated to Allahabad Bank, Rs. 2,142 crore to UCO
Bank and Rs. 4,630 crore to Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) for preferential allotment of shares.
• About Allahabad Bank

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 HQ – Kolkata, CEO – S. Mallikarjuna Rao, Tagline – A tradition of trust
• About Indian Overseas Bank
 HQ – Chennai, MD & CEO – Karnam Sekar, Non-exe Chairman – TCA Ranganathan, Tagline – Good
people to grow with
• About UCO Bank
 HQ – Kolkata, MD & CEO – Atul Kumar Goel, Tagline – Honours your Trust
NPCI offers recharge option for FASTag through BHIM UPI
• National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) stated that customers can recharge NETC FASTags through BHIM UPI.
• Any BHIM UPI-enabled mobile app would now give vehicle owners the opportunity to recharge their FASTags on the go
and avoid queues at toll plazas.
• FASTag has been made mandatory on national highways throughout the country from December 15, 2019.
• About NPCI
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 Founded – 2008, HQ – Mumbai, Non-exe Chairman – Biswamohan Mahapatra, MD & CEO – Dilip Asbe
India set to cross 100GW renewable energy capacity mark in 2020
• India is all set to cross the 100GW renewable energy capacity mark in 2020 and can make rapid
strides towards the ambitious 175GW clean energy target by 2022
• Earlier this year, several new programs such as PM-KUSUM, solar rooftop phase-2,
development of Ultra Mega Renewable Energy Power Parks (UMREPPs) etc have been
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introduced to promote renewable energy sector in India.
SBI to introduce OTP check at ATMs for cash withdrawal from 1st
January
• Country’s largest lender State Bank of India (SBI) will be introducing one time password (OTP) based cash withdrawal
system to help protect its customers from unauthorised transactions at ATMs.
• The OTP-based cash withdrawal system shall be active across all SBI ATMs effective 1 January 2020 between 8 pm to 8
s
am.
• Introducing the OTP-based cash withdrawal system to help protect from unauthorised transactions at ATMs. This new
safeguard system will be applicable from 1st January, 2020 across all SBI ATMs.
• SBI’s OTP-based cash withdrawal facility will be applicable for transactions above ₹10,000.
• With the introduction of its OTP-based cash withdrawal facility, SBI ATMs have added another layer of security for cash
withdrawals, and this will protect SBI cardholders from unauthorised ATM cash withdrawals.
• About SBI
 Formed – 1955, Chairman – Ravish Kumar, HQ – Mumbai, Taglines – “Pure banking, nothing else” , “With you - all
the way” , “A bank of the common man”, “The banker to every Indian”
China, Russia, Iran to hold joint naval drills
• China, Russia and Iran will hold joint naval drills starting on in the Gulf of Oman
• About China
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 Capital – Beijing, Currency – Renminbi/ Yuan, President – Xi Jinping
• About Russia
 Capital – Moscow, Currency – Russian ruble, President – Vladimir Putin
• About Iran
 Capital – Tehran, Currency – Iranian rial, President – Hassan Rouhani, Supreme Leader –
Ali Khomeini
James Anderson becomes first fast bowler to play 150 Tests
• England’s leading pacer James Anderson became the first fast bowler in the history of Test cricket to make
150 appearances. He achieved this during the first Test against South Africa
• After Anderson, his compatriot Stuart Broad is second on the list with 135 Test appearances.
• Anderson also became the ninth cricketer to reach the 150-Test milestone
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Anderson, who made his Test debut at the age of 20
Healthcare start-up Qure.ai develops software to provide fast and
accurate diagnosis of Tuberculosis
• Tuberculosis kills around 5 million people every year in India and one of the reasons behind this is a late
diagnosis of the infectious disease, reports reveal. To deal with this scenario, healthcare start-up Qure.ai
has developed software qXR using a database of 2.5 million X-rays, which provides fast and accurate
diagnosis of Tuberculosis (TB).
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ai’sqXR is designed to screen and prioritise abnormal chest X-rays and individuals suspected of TB, says
Prashant Warier, CEO and co-founder, Qure.ai, which was one of the recipients of the India Health Fund
TB Quest Awards given for innovations in the area of TB elimination.
• The algorithm automatically identifies 19 most common chest X-ray abnormalities.
• Qure.ai has collaborated with PATH, a non-profit global health organisation.

AAO awarded Life Achievement honour to Dr. Santosh G. Honavar
• Dr. Santosh G Honavar, India’s ophthalmologist is conferred with the American Academy of
Ophthalmology’s (AAO) highest award Life Achievement honour that is given to its members.
• He is the first Indian chosen for the honour.
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• American Academy of Ophthalmology is the world’s largest association of eye specialists.
• About American Academy of Ophthalmology
 HQ – San Francisco, California, USA

5th round of India-Japan Maritime Affairs Dialogue
• The 5th Round of India-Japan Maritime Affairs Dialogue was held in Tokyo, Japan.
• The two sides exchanged views on various topics of mutual interest in the maritime domain and
identified the means for further strengthening their maritime cooperation.
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• The first round of India-Japan Maritime dialogue was held in New Delhi in 2013.
• About Japan
 Capital – Tokyo, Currency – Japanese yen, PM – Shinzo Abe

FM Sitharaman released stamp to commemorate DRI’s role
• Finance Minister of India, Dr. Nirmala Sitharaman has released a postage stamp to commemorate
distinguished service and glorious contribution of Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) in protecting the
nation.
• Based in New Delhi, DRI plays an immense role to counter smuggling and preserve cultural heritage and
environment of the country. Debi Prasad Dash is the current Director General of DRI.
•
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It is essential for DRI to keep pace with technologies such as data analytics to fight against contraband
items such as gold and narcotics. Contraband is good that is against the law to trade or to import or export.
AIIB to give $210 million loan for irrigation & solar energy projects
• The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has announced a loan of $210 million for
irrigation and solar energy projects in India.
• The bank will lend $145 million to improve irrigation services and strengthen flood risk
management in West Bengal.
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• The irrigation project in West Bengal is co-financed by the World Bank and is expected to
strengthen the management of the Damodar Valley Command Area irrigation scheme.
• The bank will also lend $65 million for a 250-megawatt (MW) solar project in Rajasthan.
• About AIIB
 Founded – 2016, HQ – Beijing, President – Jin Liqun

Mig-27 aircraft fleets of Kargil fame have retired
• The MiG-27, which is known to NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) as the ‘Flogger’ and
to Indian Air Force (IAF) as ‘Bahadur’, flew its last sortie in Jodhpur, Rajasthan
• About MiG-27
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 This ground attack focussed plane was commissioned into Indian Air Force in 1985 and
remained an integral part of Indian Air Force’s combat strength since then.
 The lethal aircraft, for their role during the 1999 Kargil War, earned the nickname ‘Bahadur’
from IAF pilots.
Losar Festival celebrated
• Union Territory of Ladakh is celebrating Losar Festival to mark the Ladakhi or Tibetan New Year.
• Until 2018, Losar gathering use to have ‘UT Status for Ladakh’ as a resolution for New Year.
• Losar festival, which has its origin in 15th century, is also observed in all Himalayan states of country but in
different times.
• About Losar Festival

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 People of various parts of Ladakh region, annually celebrate Losar Festival on 1st Day of Eleventh
Month of Tibetan Calendar correlating to a date in Gregorian calendar. The celebrations continue for 3-
9 days in different parts of Ladakh.
From now onwards Indian Railway recruits will be inducted
through UPSC civil services exams
• The Railway board has now decided that all new recruits in railways will be inducted through UPSC (Union
Public Service Commission) Civil Services Exams under five specialities.
• The decision comes days after the Union Cabinet approved big ticket reforms in the railways by merging its
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eight cadres and departments services into one single entity - the Indian Railway Management Service
(IRMS).
• Chairman of Railway Board will be an officer of Indian Railway Service and not from any other service.
Aadhaar now mandatory for PMVVY pension scheme
• The government has made Aadhaar mandatory for subscribers of the Pradhan Mantri Vaya VandanaYojana
(PMVVY), a pension scheme for senior citizens.
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• The scheme, which envisages an assured rate of return of 8% annually, is being implemented through Life
Insurance Corporation of India (LIC). The scheme was announced in Union Budgets of 2017-18 and 2018-
19.
• In the Budget 2018-19, the maximum limit under PMVVY was doubled to ₹15 lakh per senior citizen. The
scheme is available for subscription till March 2020.
Pakistan’s Malala Yousafzai declared ‘most famous teenager’ of
decade by UN
S
• The United Nations (UN) has declared Pakistani education activist and Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai as “the most
famous teenager in the world” in its Decade.
• In part one of its review series, which takes into account events that happened between 2010 and the end of 2013, the
UN highlighted the devastating Haiti earthquake in 2010, the beginning of the ongoing Syrian conflict for 2011 and
Malala’s work in favour of girls’ education for the year 2012.
• In 2014, Malala became the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of her efforts for children’s rights.
• The 22-year-old was also recently chosen by Teen Vogue as its cover person for its last issue of the decade.
• About UN
 HQ – New York, Founded – 24th Oct 1945, Secretary General – Antonio Guterres
Assam Government launched ‘Abhinandan’ scheme
• ‘Abhinandan’, an education loan subsidy scheme that will provide a one-time subsidy of 50,000 in loan to
1546 students.
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• 5,000 students in Assam are currently pursuing higher studies in the state.
• The aim of the scheme is to provide a loan waiver to students of Assam who have availed education loans.
• The scheme will be available through all commercial banks like the Federal Bank and HDFC and also the
regional rural banks like Assam Gramin Vikash Bank within Assam.
Mandu Festival to begin in MP
• The first edition of Mandu Festival will begin at Mandu, picturesque fort city of Madhya Pradesh.
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• The five-day event organized by Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board
• Based on the idea of Khojne Me KhoJao, the Mandu festival will offer mix of performing arts,
workshops, art installations, nature trails, walks, food, architecture and music to the visitors
during the festival.
• About MP

Uttarakhand schools introduce ‘water bell’ to have students
consume more water
• In an effort to tackle dehydration in children of government schools, Uttarakhand education
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department will be introducing a ‘Water Bell’.
• The bell will ring thrice a day to remind students of class 1-8 to drink water.
• The officials stated that the students of over 17,000 government schools will be covered in the
initiative.
 Capital – Dehradun, CM – Trivendra Singh Rawat, Governor – Baby Rani Maurya

North Eastern Council with J&K admin to organise Bamboo
workshop-cum-exhibition in Jammu
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• MoS in PMO and Minister for North Eastern Region Dr. Jitender Singh has stated that the North
Eastern Council in collaboration with J&K UT administration will organise a workshop-cum-
exhibition on ‘Bamboo – A wonder grass: Opportunity for Sustainable Development in Jobs’ in
Jammu in January.
• The exhibition will aim to replicate the successful model being adopted in the North East to
market its products.
• The workshop-cum-exhibition is being organised through Cane and Bamboo Technology Centre,
Assam and Department of Social Forestry of J&K UT administration.
Over 125 crore people now have Aadhaar cards as per GoI data
• The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has announced a milestone of sorts with the total number of Aadhaar
cards issued
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• With this, 125 crore residents of the country have received their own 12-digit unique identity number since the service
was rolled out in 2009.
• The Aadhaar-based authentication services have been used almost 37,000 crore times since inception.
• As per UIDAI records, about three crore authentication requests are received on an average every day.
• UIDAI has recorded about 331 crore successful Aadhaar updates (biometric and demographic) till date. At present UIDAI
receives about 3-4 lakh Aadhaar update requests every day.
• About UIDAI
 Chairman – J. Satyanarayana, CEO – Pankaj Kumar

Karnataka Bank launches TAB Banking
• Karnataka Bank, as part of its digital initiative, launched ‘KBL Xpress SB Accounts’, a digitised version for opening
Savings Bank account through TAB Banking on the spot.
• Using the TAB banking account opening process, the Bank can on-board the prospective customer and open the
Savings Bank Account.
•
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The Bank official will visit the customer’s place and open the account using the TAB within 10 minutes and issue the pre-
activated Debit Card and Mobile and Internet Banking will be activated instantly.
• Initially, this will be launched in Bangalore on a pilot basis and will be expanded Pan-India soon.
• About Karnataka Bank
 HQ – Mangaluru
 MD & CEO – Mahabaleshwara M S
 Tagline – Your Family Bank Across India
RBI directs large co-op banks to report exposures above Rs. 5 cr
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has directed large cooperative banks to report all exposures of 5 crore
rupees and more to the Central Repository of Information on Large Credits (CRILC).
• The move is aimed at early detection of financial distress.
•
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RBI had announced to bring UCBs with assets of Rs. 500 crore and above under the CRILC reporting
framework.
• Aggregate exposure will include all fund-based and non-fund based exposure including investment
exposure on the borrower.
• To start with, UCBs will be required to submit CRILC report on quarterly basis with effect from December
31, 2019.
Swiggy launched own digital wallet
• Food delivery company has launched its own wallet – Swiggy Money.
• According to a notification in its FAQ (frequently asked questions) column, the wallet will initially be used to credit
amounts for the cancelled orders.
• The wallet is powered by ICICI Bank and is a fully Reserve Bank of India (RBI)-compliant Prepaid Payment Instrument.
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This essentially means that users have to complete a minimum KYC (know your customer) by entering government-
issued identification information to use the service.
• Notably, Swiggy Money went live just a day after RBI introduced a semi-closed Prepaid Payment Instrument for small-
ticket retail payments up to Rs. 10,000.
• With minimum KYC, a Swiggy Money user can transact up to Rs. 10,000 while a full KYC allows the user to load up to
Rs. 1 lakh at any given time.
• About Swiggy
 HQ – Bengaluru, Founder and CEO – Sriharsha Majety

Ashok Leyland + Citicorp Finance = MoU for commercial vehicles’ financing
• Hinduja Group’s flagship firm Ashok Leyland o stated it has partnered with Citicorp Finance India Ltd for financing
commercial vehicles.
• The company has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Citicorp Finance to enter into a strategic
financing partnership for two years, to offer customised financial solutions to customers across India.
•
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Citicorp Finance will work in close coordination with the authorised dealers of Ashok Leyland to provide financial
solutions to customers, the statement.
• About Ashok Leyland (ALL)

 HQ - Chennai
 Parent organization - Hinduja Group
 Founder – Raghunandan Saran
• About YES Bank

 HQ – Mumbai, Maharashtra
 CEO & MD – Ravneet Gill
 Tagline – Experience our Expertise
Aayushi Dholakia => Miss Teen International 2019
• Vadodra’s Aayushi Dholakia has bagged the title of Miss Teen International 2019 becoming the
first Asian to do so in the last 27 years.
• Yessenia Garcia from Paraguay and Anicia Gaothusi from Botswana became the First and
second Runners-Up respectively.
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• The event was held at Kingdom of Dreams, Gurugram.
• Miss Teen International is the world’s oldest running teen pageant.
• Thu Phan from Vietnam was adjudged Miss Teen Asia, Maria Luisa Piras from Italy bagged the
title of Miss Teen Europe, Anicia Gaothusi from Botswana won Miss Teen Africa and Alessandra
Santos from Brazil became Miss Teen America at the event.
India’s top 10 most ‘Googled’ business tycoons
• Tata Sons’ chairman emeritus Ratan Tata has emerged as India’s most searched business
tycoon on Google in 2019.
• Google has released a ‘Year in Search 2019’ report which shows who or what was trending on
the world’s largest search engine during the year in India.
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• While the most searched personality was Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter pilot Abhinanadan
Varthaman, who was held captive by Pakistan for 60 hours after an aerial dogfight in June, the
list of most searched business personalities was led by the 81-year-old Tata patriarch Ratan
Tata. The Tata Group patriarch was Google’s most searched Indian business personality in
2019.
• Azim Premji, Lakshmi Mittal, Anand Mahindra, Shiv Nadar, Gautam Adani are among the top 10
most googled business tycoons.
China launches its largest carrier rocket “Long March-5”
• China has successfully launched its largest carrier rocket “Long March-5”.
• The rocket was launched from Wenchang Space Launch Center in south China’s Hainan
Province.
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• The rocket is also known as CZ-5. It was China’s third attempt to launch the rocket.
• The Chinese rocket carried the Shijian-20 satellite, a communication satellite and placed it into
its designated orbit.
Mars 2020 rover to seek ancient life, prepare for human missions
as per NASA
• The Mars 2020 rover, which sets off for the Red Planet next year, will not only search for traces of ancient
life, but pave the way for future human missions.
• It is scheduled to leave Earth in July 2020 from Florida’s Cape Canaveral, becoming the fifth US rover to
land on Mars seven months later in February.
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• About NASA
 HQ – Washington DC, Admin – Jim Bridenstine

“National Symposium of Poets 2020”
• All India Radio organized the National Symposium of Poets 2020.
• Select poets of all 22 languages recognized in the constitution participated in the symposium.
• It is being held every year since 1956.

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• The symposium will be broadcasted on the eve of Republic Day and at all the centres of AIR.
• About Prasar Bharati
 HQ – New Delhi, Chairman – Dr. A. Surya Prakash, CEO – Shashi Shekhar Vempati.
DefExpo 2020 mobile app launched by Defence Ministry
• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh (Constituency – Lucknow) has launched the “DefExpo 2020”
mobile app of the forthcoming DefExpo 2020.
• The app has been developed by Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence (MoD).
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“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 P N Singh. The book throws light on the subject related to rise of
regional parties and Centre-States relation.
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• 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.
Veteran Political cartoonist Vikas Sabnis passes away
• Veteran Political cartoonist Vikas Sabnis passed away due to cardiac arrest.
• He had completed 50 years of illustrious career in 2018.
• He had started his career in 1968. Since then, for over 50 years, Sabnis has worked as a staff
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cartoonist at various newspapers, including the Times of India and the Mid-day.
Nitish Kumar unveils Statue of Arun Jaitley in Patna on Late BJP
Leader’s Birth Anniversary
• Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar unveiled a statue of former Union Minister Arun Jaitley in
Patna on his birth anniversary.
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• He had also said that Jaitley’s birth anniversary will be celebrated as a State function every year.
‘Iron Union 12’
• A joint military exercise between the ground forces of the UAE and the United States named
‘Iron Union 12’ began.
• ‘Iron Union 12′ will see the two sides take part in joint military cooperation to enhance combat
and tactical capabilities.
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• About UAE
 Capital – Abu Dhabi, Currency – UAE dirham, President – Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan
SIRIUS and NITI Aayog’s Atal Innovation Mission
• The current and second phase of SIRIUS Deep Technology Learning of Russia and NITI Aayog’s Atal
Innovation Mission has ended.
• The joint programme was conducted based on a Memorandum of Understanding between SIRIUS and
AIM.
• s
The event was held between 28 November, 2019 and 8 December, 2019. Around 50 Russian and Indian
students participated in the event. They shared best contemporary innovation practices in the field of
biotech, clean energy, IT and Data analysis, Remote Earth Sensing, Robotics and Drones.
• About SIRIUS
 SIRIUS is Scientific International Research in Unique Terrestrial Station.
 It is a series of experiments that investigate flights to moon. It was started in 2017.

CCPI Index in COP25
• At the COP25, the Climate Change Performance Index was presented. The Index measures
renewable energy share, emissions and climate policies of 57 countries and the European
Union.
• India ranked 9th in the ranking provided. The ranking was to the “high category”, where the
countries have ambitious 2030 targets.
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• The report noted that India received medium rating in the renewable energy category. Also, the
2030 target set by India was rated high for its well-below 2-degree Celsius compatibility.
• China, one of the largest polluters improved in its ranking and was placed in medium category.
• US and Saudi Arabia were the major polluters. They hardly showed signs of reducing their green
house gas emissions. US ranked the last followed by Saudi Arabia and Australia.
IUCN adds 1840 new species to the Red List of Threatened Species
• The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) added about 1,840 new species to its updated “Red List
of Threatened Species”, a catalogue of plants and animals that risk extinction.
• The list now contains over 30,000 species under threat of disappearing. The group released its Red List update in the
middle of COP25 climate talks in Madrid, Spain. The year 2020 will see two global IUCN gatherings, first in June in
Marseille, France and another in Kunming, China, in October. IUCN finds that hundreds of plant and animal species who
•
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already face the threat of habitat destruction, are now under further pressure from manmade climate change.
About International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
 It is an international organization that works in field of conservation of nature and sustainable use of natural
resources. This membership Union is composed of both government and civil society organisations.
 It has more than 1,300 Member organisations and over 15,000 experts, this diversity and vast expertise makes
IUCN the global authority on the status of the natural world and measures needed to safeguard it. IUCN is best
known for its compiling and publishing of IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, which assesses the conservation
status of species worldwide.
RISAT-2BR1 & 9 other satellites launched
• Indian Space Research Organisation made history by successfully launching India’s radar imaging earth
observation satellite RISAT-2BR1 on board PLSV-C48 (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-48) from its
spaceport of Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh on what was the 50th mission of PSLV and also the 75th vehicle
mission from Sriharikota.
• The satellite was lifted from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre( SDSC) at Sriharikota.
•
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RISAT-2BR1 was followed by the successful launch of RISAT-2B.
• About Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
 Founded - 15 August 1969

 Founder - Vikram Sarabhai
 HQ - Bengaluru, Karnataka
 Director - Dr. K. Sivan
Dell Technologies + UNESCO MGIEP = Enabling School Teachers With
Technology
• Dell Technologies announced a new partnership at TECH 2019 between its Dell in India operation and UNESCO MGIEP
to enable school teachers to adopt technology in classrooms.
• Through this partnership, ‘Dell Aarambh’ a PC for education program by Dell and UNESCO MGIEP’s ‘FramerSpace’
platform, will collaborate to train identified teachers. This partnership is a resultant of meeting the common objective of
•
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equipping teachers with the requisite knowledge to implement technology in classrooms.
Quality education is the foundation of sustainable development and is a force multiplier which enables self-reliance,
boosts economic growth by enhancing skills and creating better livelihoods.
• In India, Dell is addressing the challenge of quality education and digital literacy through Dell Aarambh – a program
instituted to help schools, teachers and parents understand PC technology and its use in education. Digital literacy will
play a key role in catalyzing the growth of India’s digital economy and bridge the digital divide.
• This partnership enables the global community in achieving the UN Sustainable Goal 4.7 towards education for building
peaceful and sustainable societies and UNESCO MGIEP in its mission of building social and emotional learning,
innovative digital pedagogies and empowering youth.
• About UNESCO MGIEP
 The Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development is an educational
research institute based in New Delhi. It was established by UNESCO in cooperation with the
Government of India in November 2012.
 It aims to mobilise the world’s youth to put into practice in their own communities the UN’s 17
s
Sustainable Development Goals and achieving the Sustainable Development Goal) 4.7 towards
education to foster peaceful and sustainable societies.On International Youth Day, 12 August 2019 it is
starting a campaign called #VirtualGandhiMarchForKindness. It conducted a survey into the effect of
peace education in 2016, followed up by an online dialogue on preventing violent extremism which
engaged about five million young people on Facebook and Twitter.
 The director is Anantha Duraiappah.
 It works in collaboration with the United Nations University.
• About Dell
 Founded – 1984, Chairman & CEO – Michael Dell, HQ – Texas, USA

NAVARMS-19
• The 4th edition of International Seminar cum Exhibition on Naval Weapon Systems ‘NAVARMS-19’ begins
in Institute for Defence Studies and Analysis, Development Enclave, New Delhi.
• The theme of the Exhibition is “Make in India – Fight Category: Opportunities and Imperatives”.
•
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NAVARMS is the only international seminar and exhibition on Naval Weapon Systems conducted in the
country. It invites all the stakeholders in the life cycle management of Naval Weapons and provides a
common platform to share their views and concerns.
 Navy Day – 4th Dec

NHAI authorised to set up Infrastructure Investment Trust
• Central Cabinet approved the proposal of Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways
(MoRTH), which authorizes National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to set up Infrastructure
Investment Trust(s) (InvIT) as per InvIT Guidelines issued by Securities and Exchange Board of
India (SEBI).
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• The objective is to enable NHAI to monetize completed National Highways that have a toll
collection track record of atleast 1 year and the NHAI reserves the right to levy toll on identified
highway.
• About NHAI
 Formed – 1988
 Chairman – Sukhbir Singh Sandhu
Social Security Agreement between India and Brazil
• GoI gave its approval for signing Agreement on Social Security between India and Brazil.
• The Social Security Agreement is being signed by India with several other countries in order to
protect the interests of the professionals and skilled workers living abroad.
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• There are around 4.700 Indians living in Brazil and 1,000 Brazilians living in India. The
agreement would promote inclusiveness and equity for the Indians living in Brazil and vice versa.
• The agreement also allows export of social security benefits of the Indian workers after they
relocate from Brazil.
• About Brazil
 Capital – Braisilia
 Currency – Real
 President – Jair Bolsonero
Partial Credit Guarantee Scheme
• Centre has approved the ‘Partial Credit Guarantee Scheme’ that allows public sector banks
(PSBs) to purchase high-rated pooled assets from financially sound non-banking finance
companies (NBFCs) and housing finance companies (HFCs).
• The amount of overall guarantee has been limited to first loss of up to 10% of fair value of assets
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(FAV) being purchased by banks under the scheme or Rs.10,000 crore, whichever is lower, as
agreed by department of economic affairs (DEA), Union Ministry of Finance.
• About Partial Credit Guarantee Scheme
 The proposed government guarantee scheme will help NBFCs and HFCs to resolve their
temporary liquidity and would enable them to continue contributing towards credit creation or
cash flow mismatch issues. It will also provide last mile lending to borrowers, which will spurr
economic growth.
BIMSTEC : International Seminar on Climate Smart Farming
Systems
• Tri-day “International Seminar on Climate Smart Farming systems” is being held in New Delhi.
• The seminar is being organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
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• The seminar is attended by all the seven BIMSTEC countries.
• BIMSTEC includes Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh, India, Thailand and Myanmar.
• The seminar focuses on adopting technological interventions in small holding farming. It will also
give attention to targets set by BIMSTEC countries in reducing emissions at those levels to
mitigate agricultural situations.
• The seminar is being organized by Government of India as an initiative at the fourth BIMSTEC
summit that was held at Katmandu in August 2019.
Siu-Ka-Pha Awards 2019
• Padmeswar Gogoi won the first Siu-Ka-Pha award for the year 2019 by the Central Committee
of Different Ethnic Groups and the organizations of the Golaghat district at the Siu-Ka-Pha
Samannay Kshetra in Golaghat, Assam.
• The award was presented by Dhiren Hazarika, Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Golaghat, and
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includes a citation, a memento, a cheleng chador and cash prize of Rs. 10,000.
• Padmeswar is an educationist, botanist and a researcher in Folklore. He was bestowed with the
Siu-Ka-Pha Award to recognize his contribution in the field of Botany and Science.
• About Assam
 Capital – Dispur
 CM – Sarbananda Sonowal
 Governor – Jagdish Mukhi
Blue Sky Analytics app ‘Zuri’ won Space Oscars’ award
• A start-up program based in Gurgaon has created an application called ‘Zuri’ that won the
Copernicus Masters Award also called Space Oscars, under the social Entrepreneurship
category.
• The award was given by the Earth observation program managed by the European Commission
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(EU) in partnership with the European Space Agency (ESA). The application was developed by
Gurgaon-based startup Blue Sky Analytics.
• Software developers, environmentalists and scientists from Blue Sky Analytics have also created
several other applications like BreeZo, which looks at ambient air quality and Zoro that tracks
industrial emissions.
• The idea of these applications came from Abhilasha and Kshitij Purwar in 2017 when they
started their research on air and water quality.
“Auratein” translated to English
• Punjab born Urdu author, Saadat Hasan Manto’s book Shikari Auratein was translated to English
by Indian author Saba Mahmood Bashir as ‘Women of Prey (Shikari Auratein) : Stories’
published by Speaking Tiger.
• The book was originally published in the year 1955.

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ILP extended to Manipur by President Kovind
• President Kovind has inked an order to extend the Inner Line Permit (ILP) regime to Manipur.
• The decision was taken after the announcement of the extension of the ILP to the NE state by Amit Shah,
Minister of Home Affairs (MHA) in Lok Sabha.
• Manipur is the fourth state to have the ILP after Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Mizoram.
• About ILP s
 ILP is an official travel document issued by the Government of India to allow the inward citizens to
travel into a protected area for a limited period of time. The document is an initiative taken by the
Indian Government to regulate movements to areas located in the international border of India.
• About Manipur
 Capital – Imphal
 CM – N. Biren Singh
 Governor - Najma Heptulla
ILP extended to Dimapur by Nagaland
• Nagaland government extended an Inner Line Permit (ILP) in Dimapur district of the state with
immediate effect.
• The provision of inner line permit in the state has been made under Section 2 of the Bengal
Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873. The ILP system now operates in all 11 districts of the
Nagaland.
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• Also, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has extended the Inner Line Permit (ILP) to Manipur,
making it the 4th state in the northeast after Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Nagaland.
• About Nagaland
 Capital – Kohima
 CM – Neiphiu Rio
 Governor – RN Ravi
Puducherry introduced Start-up policy
• Government of Puducherry launched a Start-up policy to create a corpus fund of Rs. 10 crore to support
start-up incubators and to develop co-working spaces.
• The policy was launched by M.O.H.F Shahjahan, Minister for Industries.
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The Puducherry Start-up Cell, will be the nodal agency for implementing the policy and will facilitate filing of
patents, trademarks and designs.
• About Puducherry
 Capital – Pondicherry
 CM – V Narayanasamy (INC)
 Governor – Kiran Bedi

Disha Bill 2019 approved by Andhra Govt.
• CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy led state cabinet of Andhra Pradesh, has approved the A.P. Disha
Bill, 2019 that makes it mandatory to settle cases of atrocities against women in 21 days and
punishment including a death penalty for the offences of rape and gang-rape.
• The new bill, the Andhra Pradesh Criminal Law (amendment) Act, 2019, called as A.P Disha Act,
2019.
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 Capital – Amaravati
 Governor – Biswabhusan Harichandan
International Day of Neutrality : Dec 12
• Gulu Mirchandani has been awarded with “Lifetime Achievement Award” by the Consumer
Electronics and Appliances Manufacturers Association.
• Gulu Mirchandani is the founder chairman of Mirc Electronics Ltd. (Onida).
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• He has been awarded for his extensive contribution to the consumer electronics industry. He has
been associated with consumer electronics industry for more than 3 decades.
• Consumer Electronics and Appliances Manufacturers Association (CEAMA) is an all-India

organisation in the consumer electronics and durables sector. It has been in existence for over
three decades.
Mongla and Chattogram were declared as Ports of Call under the
“Coastal Shipping Agreement’
• The Ministry of Shipping (MoS) announced that Mongla and Chattogram (Both in Bangladesh)
have been declared as Ports of Call under “Coastal Shipping Agreement” between India &
Bangladesh. The Port of Mongla is declared as Port of Call under PIWT&T (Protocol on Inland
Water Transit and Trade ) and Chattogram port is not part of PIWT&T.
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• A MoU and Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on the use of Chattogram Port & Mongla Ports
for goods movement between India and Bangladesh has been signed between both the nations.
• The Ports of Call in India are Kolkata (West Bengal), Haldia (West Bengal), Pandu, Karimganj
(Assam), Silghat (Assam), Dhubri (Assam).
• Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Shipping : Mansukh L. Mandaviya

(Constituency – Palitana, Gujarat)
ISRO is preparing for setting up its 3rd rocket launchpad
• Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has begun preparatory works for setting up a 3rd
rocket launchpad in the small coastal hamlet of Kulashekhrapattinam in the Thuthukudi district of
Tamil Nadu.
• Currently ISRO has two launch pads at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh.
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• The demand for additional launch pads has arisen as a result of the increase in the number of
satellite launches from India, both for domestic and international customers.
• About ISRO
 Founded – 1969, Head – Dr. K. Sivan, HQ – Bengaluru

India Design Council => Take initiatives to promote Design
Education and Standards
• India Design Council (IDC) has unveiled two initiatives namely Design Education Quality Mark
(DEQM) and Chartered Designs of India (CDI), with the objective to support and set standards
for design profession.
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• The initiatives will harmonise the different education systems whilst taking into account their
great diversity.
• DEQM – It will benchmark design education programmes on predetermined standards and will
accord a quality mark to institutions that meet standards. It includes a trademark-protected logo,
thus will help students choose right design programme as well as aid prospective employers to
understand standing of design institute.
• CDI – It is an institution that will establish and uphold the professional standards of design
practice in India. It is a cohesive platform that adheres to design practice to standards in
professional design competence, ethics and service. CDI will focus on ‘Professional Designer’
identified by a design qualification and or experience.
Central Sanskrit Universities Bill, 2019
• Lok Sabha passed the Central Sanskrit University Bill 2019, which seeks to convert three
deemed Sanskrit universities, presently functioning in the country, into central universities.
• The bill is the brainchild of Union Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Ramesh
Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’.
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• The Bill seeks to upgrade three deemed Sanskrit universities into Central universities, which are-
Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan in Bhopal, Sri Lal Bahadur Shastri Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeeth in
New Delhi and Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeeth in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh.
Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Second Amendment) Bill,
2019
• Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Second Amendment) Bill, 2019 was passed by Rajya
Sabha by voice vote.
• The bill seeks to amend Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950 to include three tribes
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namely– Parivara, Talwara and Siddi community of Dharwad and Belagavi districts, in the list of
Scheduled Tribes in Karnataka.
• The bill was introduced by Tribal Affairs Minister of State Renuka Singh Saruta in Upper House.
• The tribal and tribal communities which are deemed to be Scheduled Tribes (STs) are specified
in the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950. Thus the Bill amends Part VI of the
Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950 which specifies the Scheduled Tribes in Karnataka.
Climate Ambition Alliance at COP25 joined by 73 nations
• 73 countries have joined the Climate Ambition Alliance (CAA) at the COP25.
• The alliance is led by Chile and was launched at the Climate Action Summit, New York in 2019.
• Both Chile and UK will work together to mobilize additional actors to join the alliance. They will
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also work towards COP26 that is to be held in November 2020 at Glasgow, UK.
• The alliance is important to enhance the Nationally Determined Contributions of countries all
over the world. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in its Emissions Gap
Report, 2019 warned that in order to achieve the goal of 1.5°C increase in temperatures over
pre-industrial levels, it is essential to reduce the emissions by 7.6% between 2020 and 2030.
Poland has left EU’s Climate Neutrality 2050 plan
• Poland got out of 2050 Climate Neutrality Agreement of European Union as the Union demanded for more funds to
support nuclear power and for economic transition.
• Poland, whose 80% of energy needs are relied on coal opted out of Climate Neutrality 2050 plan. The country requested
to extend the plan execution deadline to 2070 availing longer period to cut emissions according to the plan, but it was not
granted.
• About Poland s
 Capital – Warsaw, Currency – Polish złoty, President – Andrzej Duda
• About European Union 2050 Climate Neutrality Plan
 The Climate Neutrality Plan is a key commitment under 2015 Paris Agreement on Climate Change. It is a 100 billion
Euro plan for net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. It is also called European Green Deal or Europe’s man
on the moon moment.
 Previously under Paris Agreement, the EU had committed to reduce its emission by 40% by 2030 as compared to
1990. There were no goals set for 2050 initially. Under the new plan, the 2030 target has been increased to 50%
and a new 100% target has been set for 2050.
FSSAI + NASSCOM Foundation = To develop app to prevent food
wastage
• Food regulator FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) and NASSCOM Foundation, a trade association of
Indian IT and Business Process Outsourcing industry, have signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly
build a technology platform to prevent food wastage and encouraging food donation by developing an app for the
purpose.
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The collaboration is a significant step in the direction of leveraging technology for solutions of social problems.
• FSSAI and Nasscom (National Association of Software and Services Companies) Foundation will develop a common
24×7 helpline number and a mobile application ‘Food Donation in India’ to donate food to the needy. The helpline
number will connect donors with surplus edibles to food distribution organisations.
• About FSSAI
 Founded – 2011, HQ – New Delhi, Head – Rita Teotia
• About NASSCOM
 Founded – 1988, HQ – Noida, Chairman – Keshav R. Murugesh

Veteran Telugu actor and writer Gollapudi Maruti Rao passes away
• Former Nandi Award winner and renowned Telugu actor and writer Gollapudi Maruti Rao passed
away recently.
• He enthralled people with his writings and acting for several decades and also acted in around
250 films in about four decades.
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• He was a multi-faceted personality as he was a journalist, playwright, writer, actor and television
personality.
• Some of his memorable films as an actor include ‘Intlo Ramayya, Veedhilo Krishnayya’,
‘Challenge’, ‘Samsaram oka Chadarangam’, ‘Aditya 369’ and ‘Leader’.
Scheme of Vocationalization of School Education to promote
vocational education among children
• Ministry of Human Resource Development is implementing the Scheme of Vocationalization of School Education under
the umbrella of ‘SamagraShiksha – an integrated scheme for school education’.
• Under the scheme a vocational subject is offered for Classes IX to XII along with the general education to provide
necessary employability and vocational skills for variety of occupations.
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National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) have included the basic contents on Goods and
Services Tax (GST) in their textbooks of Economics, Accountancy and Business Studies at different stages. NCERT has
also developed Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Curriculum for teachers and students in school
education. As part of this Curriculum, social and ethical issues related to use of internet have been dealt with. The focus
of the Curriculum is on safe and secure use of web space by students and teachers.
• The Scheme of Vocationalization of School Education under the umbrella of ‘Samagra Shiksha’ is implemented in all the
States and Union Territories. Education being a subject in the Concurrent List of the Constitution and the majority of
schools are under the jurisdiction of the State Governments, it is for the respective State and Union Territory
Government to adopt and adapt the NCERT model textbooks, having contents on GST and basic law tenets, and the ICT
curriculum for teachers and students for their schools.
• HRD Minister – Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ (Constituency – Haridwar, UK)

UNESCO removes ‘anti-Semitic’ Belgian carnival from heritage list
• Belgian carnival has been removed from UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list after officials found the
“recurrence of racist and anti-Semitic representations” to be incompatible with its principles.
• Aalst Carnival was recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
(UNESCO), but has been widely condemned by Jewish organizations.
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The Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
announced that it would remove the Aalst Carnival from its heritage list.
• Further to a proposal submitted by the Secretariat of UNESCO, the Committee based its decision on the
fact that the recurrence of racist and anti-Semitic representations is incompatible with the fundamental
principles of the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.
• About UNESCO
 Founded – 1946, HQ – Paris, Head – Audrey Azoulay

GoI released Rs. 35,298 crores GST compensation to States and
UTs
• Ahead of the crucial GST Council meeting, the Centre has released about Rs. 35,000 crore to states and
Union Territories as pending compensation.
• The GST Council, the highest decision making body of the indirect tax regime, is slated to hold its meeting
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on December 18.
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Most of the states rued that the delay in payment has put pressure on their finances affecting many
development work.
• the dip in collections to a slip in GST filing due to natural calamities and also due to a slowdown in
consumption that has a direct impact on the collections.
Maiden Global Refugee Forum => in Geneva
• The first ever Global Refugee Forum is being held in Geneva, Switzerland in December 2019.
• It is being jointly hosted by United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) along with Government of
Switzerland.
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• At GRF the international community will showcase and exchange good practices at national,
regional or global levels.
• About Global Refugee Forum 2019
 The main objective is to give impetus to efforts to achieve compact’s objectives and translate
international solidarity into concrete action.
 Thematic Areas on which First Global Refugee Forum will focus : Arrangements for burden
and responsibility-sharing, Solutions, Energy and Infrastructure, Protection Capacity, Jobs
and Livelihoods and Education.
Sahitya Akademi awards announced
• Sahitya Akademi announced its awardees for this year. It announced seven books of poetry, six short
stories, four novels, three non-fiction books and three essays.
• Awardees : Sashi Tharoor, the former External Affairs Minister has won the award for his book “An Era of
Darkness”. The other awardees include Chinmoy Guha, a Bengali Professor who has won for his essay
“Ghumer Darja Thele”, tamil writer Dharman for his novel “Sool”.
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The awards are to be presented on February 25, 2020. The winners will be honoured with a copper plaque
and prize money of Rs. 1 lakh.
• A Santhali Novel “Marom” written by Shyam Besra also won the award. It is to be noted Santhali language
was used in Rajya Sabha for the first time in the recent winter session of Parliament.
• About Sahitya Akademi
 The academy was constituted by Government of India through a resolution passed in 1952. According
to its constitution the academy is run by three authorities namely a general council, finance committee
and an executive board.
Boris Johnson was re-elected as UK PM
• British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has won the historic UK General Election as his
Conservative Party crossed the magic number of 326 required for a majority in the Parliament.
• Thus he is re-elected as a Prime Minister of UK.
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• Johnson won the historic election as his Conservative Party crossed the 326-mark required for a
majority in Parliament.
• About UK
 Capital – London, Currency – Pound Sterling

RBI cuts off NEFT, RTGS transfer charges for savings account
holders
• RBI has waived NEFT, RTGS transfer charges for savings account holders.
• RBI has directed banks to make all online payments done through RTGS and NEFT free of cost
for savings account holders.
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• The new rule will be effective from January 1, 2020.
• About RBI
 25th Governor : Shaktikant Das

 HQ : Mumbai
 Founded : 1 April 1935, Kolkata
Kargil to Kohima Ultra Marathon - ‘Glory Run’
• Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria, Chief of the Air Staff Indian Air Force felicitated a team of 25 Air Warriors
at Air Force Station, New Delhi for a unique achievement – a running expedition from Kargil to Kohima-
aptly named as K2K Ultra Marathon-Glory Run.
• The event commemorating the 20th year of Kargil Victory was flagged off from the Kargil War Memorial at
Drass on 21 Sep 19.
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The Air Warriors undertook the challenging task of carrying the ‘Glory Torch’ through 4500 kms, averaging
100 kms on the road per day for 45 days, passing through mountains and plains, traversing densely
populated cities and wilderness enroute, culminating on 06 Nov 19 at Kohima, Nagaland.
• The expedition also saw the Air Warriors break the mental barriers of Age and Gender, and spread
awareness on Pedestrian safety and Fit India Movement.
• The ceremonial Flagging In of the Glory Run Warriors at Air Force Station New Delhi by the CAS IAF on
Vijay Diwas (Dec 16th) reinforces the commitment of the Men and women in Blue towards remembering our
martyrs and lives up to the true tradition and motto of the IAF – Touch the Sky with Glory!
CPPIB to invest $225 million in Bain, Piramal-led India Resurgence
Fund
• Canada Pension Plan Investment Board will invest $225 million in India Resurgence Fund (India RF), a distressed asset buyout platform.
• CPPIB, through its wholly-owned subsidiary CPPIB Credit Investments Inc. will infuse money into the fund, which was set up by Piramal
Enterprises and Bain Capital Credit.
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India RF invests in distressed assets by purchasing existing debt and equity securities either through bankruptcy courts or directly from
lenders. The fund also has option to invest money through newly-issued India RF had earlier raised $100 million from the International
Finance Corporation (IFC) through its Distressed Asset Recovery Program.
• IFC has played the role of an anchor investor for India RF and will use its global expertise, alongside that of CPPIB, to help implement
environmental, social and corporate governance standards at the fund.
• Helping to address India’s non-performing loan (NPL) problem will have a very significant positive spill-over effect on the economy and will
help create jobs.
• India RF also raised capital from other international high-net-worth investors and family offices through the current round.
• About Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB)
 Founded – December 31, 1997

 Headquarter s– Ontario, Canada
 President & CEO – Mark Machin
Government approved Rs. 436 crore outlay for “skilling” 4 lakh
persons
• GoI has announced Rs. 436 crore outlay for skilling 4 lakh professionals in futuristic areas such as artificial
intelligence, blockchain, and cybersecurity over the next three years.
• The ‘Future Skills PRIME’ programme will be jointly rolled out by the information technology ministry and
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industry body Nasscom, and will seek to position the initiative as India stack for digital talent.
India is upping the ante in digital skilling at a time when it is poised to see over 90 million people joining the
overall workforce by 2030.
• Indian IT giants have been investing over Rs. 1,000 crore per year to address the reskilling and upskilling
requirements of their employees, given the magnitude of the challenge.
• In the last phase, two lakh IT employees were trained under the skilling program, and the new initiative will
expand the scope beyond IT professionals to others keen to upskill themselves in areas like AI,
Cybersecurity, blockchain.
HDFC Bank crosses $100 billion in market cap
• HDFC Bank Ltd crossed the $100 billion market capitalisation, becoming only the third firm in the country to
achieve this milestone.
• The lender is now in the league of Reliance Industries Ltd, which has a market cap of $140.74 billion, and
Tata Consultancy Services that has a market cap of $114.60 billion.
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With this, HDFC Bank now ranks 110th in the world’s most valued companies. According to Bloomberg
data, currently, there are 109 companies in the list which have market cap of over $100 billion.
• Among the most valued banks and financial companies around the world which have a market cap of over
$100 billion, HDFC Bank ranks 26th.
• About HDFC Bank
 HQ – Mumbai, Non-exe Chairman – Shyamala Gopinath, MD – Aditya Puri, Tagline – We Understand

Your World
Patanjali Ayurveda completes acquisition of bankrupt Ruchi Soya
for Rs. 4,350 crore
• Yoga guru Baba Ramdev’s Patanjali Ayurveda on made its first big acquisition when it paid Rs. 4,350 crore
to take over soya food brand Nutrela-maker Ruchi Soya through an insolvency process.
• The acquisition will help Patanjali acquire edible oil plants as also soyabean oil brands such as Mahakosh
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and Ruchi Gold.
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Sources stated that Patanjali settled Rs. 4,350 crore of dues Ruchi Soya had towards financial creditors by
infusing Rs.1,100 crore equity and arranging another Rs. 3,250 crore via debt.
• The acquisition of Ruchi Soya by Patanjali Ayurveda has been completed, adding that the amount has
been transferred to an escrow account and disbursals to financial creditors are in process.
• Ruchi Soya is the second big insolvency case to be completed this week. World’s largest steel maker
Arcelor Mittal together with Japan’s Nippon Steel on completed the acquisition of Essar Steel for Rs.
42,000 crore.
84-year-old Canadian becomes oldest to complete Antarctic Ice
Marathon
• An 84-year-old Canadian national named Roy Jorgen Svenningsen has become the oldest
person ever to complete the Antarctic Ice Marathon.
• Roy, a retired oil worker, is from the Canadian city of Edmonton, and he has been running since
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1964. He spent a year training for 42-km Antarctic marathon.
• The Antarctic Ice Marathon is the planet’s southernmost race and is considered one of the
toughest.
• For an entry fee of 24,800 Canadian dollars (about $19,000), participants are flown to and from
Antarctica via Chile’s southernmost airport and are fed and lodged in tented accommodations
and provided professional photos of their once-in-a-lifetime run.
• The winner of this year’s race was William Hafferty of the US, who set an event record time of 3
hours, 34 minutes and 12 seconds.
Apple, Amazon, Google partner to make smart devices compatible
with each other
• Apple Inc., Alphabet Inc.’s Google and Amazon.com Inc. — three of the biggest smart-home and
voice-assistant providers — are joining forces to make internet-connected homes easier to set
up and safer to use.
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• The rivals announced that they’re working with the Zigbee Alliance, a foundation that promotes
standards for the Internet of Things, and its members including Samsung Electronics Co., Somfy
SA and IKEA, on a new standard thatwill ensure their products work with one another.
• The alliance is aiming to have its new joint protocol ready by the end of 2020.
Minorities Right Day in India : Dec 18
• To protect the rights of the minority communities every year on 18 December Minorities Rights
Day is observed in India.
• This day also focuses on bringing a better understanding and educating people about the issues
related to minorities and their safety.
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EChO Network launched to catalyse cross-disciplinary leadership
in India
• GoI launched EChO Network, a national program to provide a template for cross-disciplinary leadership in
India. The network specifically focuses on increasing research, knowledge, and awareness of Indian
ecology and the environment. It was launched in New Delhi by Prof. K Vijay Raghavan, Principal Scientific
Adviser to Centre. Currently, no such network is present anywhere in world, thereby, EChO Network
• About EChO Network

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establishes a new platform to change how science is embedded in our modern society.
 Founding Partners of EChO Network: Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Centre for Cellular and
Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP), Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL), India Climate Collaborative (ICC),
RoundGlass and Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and Environment (ATREE).
 Main aim is to bring together leaders and individuals working hard to make a positive difference for
Indian ecosystem and to share knowledge and synergize their efforts under umbrella of science.
Indian Railways to modernize its Signalling system
• Indian Railways has decided to modernize its Signalling system on its entire network by implementing
Modern Train Control system.
• Ministry of Railways stated that, this is one of the most ambitious modernization projects which envisages
up-gradation of a signalling system for improving safety, Line Capacity and to run trains at a higher speed.
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The Ministry stated, four works of the total 640-kilometre route at a cost of 1810 crore rupees have been
sanctioned as pilot projects in Supplementary Works Programmes 2018-19 for extensive trials of Modern
Train Control System.
• The work of Modernization of Signalling system has been included in Works Programme 2018-19 at a cost
of around 78 thousand crore rupees.
• The work includes revision of Automatic Train Protection System, Electronic Interlocking System and
Remote Diagnostic and Predictive Maintenance System.
• In connection with works of raising the speed up to 160 kmph to reduce travel time from existing 18 hours
to 12 hours, Modern Train Control system shall be implemented on Delhi – Mumbai and Delhi – Howrah
High-Density routes.
Indian weightlifter Rakhi creates two new national records
• Indian weightlifter Rakhi Halder with creating two new national records clinched a bronze medal in the
women’s 64kg weight category at the Qatar International Cup in Doha.
• The Commonwealth Championship gold medal list, superseded the senior national record in both snatch
and total lift with her personal best effort of 218kg 95kg in the snatch with 123 kg.
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At the Commonwealth Championship in June, Halder had clinched the gold with a combined effort of 214kg
including 94kg and 120kg in clean and jerk.
• India ended the Olympic qualifying silver level event with three medals. Former world champion Mirabai
Chanu had won the gold on the opening day while teenager Jeremy Lalrinnunga had claimed silver in a
power-packed performance.
• The points from this tournament will come in handy when the final rankings for 2020 Tokyo Olympics cut
are done.
• To qualify for Tokyo Games, a weightlifter must compete in at least one event in each of the three periods of
six months spread over November 2018 to April 2020, at least six events overall and in at least one gold
and one silver-level event.
Dr. Harsh Vardhan inaugurates 2nd Edition of “Eat Right Mela”
• “The right kind of diet will help to reduce the disease burden in the country”.
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• This was stated by Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare while inaugurating the second edition
of the ‘Eat Right Mela’ at Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi.
• He stressed upon the importance of having a Jan Andolan, a peoples’ movement, encouraging people to have healthier
diets which will help in reduction of the disease burden in the country.
• Harsh Vardhan stated that the Eat Right Mela of FSSAI is a commendable effort and outreach activity for citizens to
nudge them towards eating right. “Let the ‘Eat Right Melas’ be part of public gatherings like local melas, community
programs etc., so that the citizens would learn about health and nutrition benefits of different types of food, dietary
advice by experts, engage in dialogues and conversations with food visionaries and experts, relish the delicious street
food, live demonstration of food recipes and have fun and entertainment.
• The Union Minister launched ‘The PURPLE Book’ a handbook on diets for diseases. The book provides general
guidelines for hospitals on suitable diets for common medical conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, cancer, gut
disorders and so on in a simple format and has been developed and vetted by experts in the field of food and nutrition.
“Shehri Samridhi Utsav 2020”
• Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM) under Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs will be
organising a consultative meeting at New Delhi on December 30, 2019 ; with all States and UTs to set out the framework for Shehri
Samrddhi Utsav (SSU) 2020.
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• The workshop is going to discuss the learnings from the first edition of the SSU 2019 and chalk out the strategy and roadmap for the
coming edition of SSU 2020, which will be organised from March 28 to April 12, 2020.
• The workshop will be attended by the officials from the State Urban Livelihoods Missions, State Skill Development Missions, and other
partners besides the officials from Ministry.
• This is an effort at Co-creating action plan for SSU 2020 with states as an important process to ensure that the deliverables are realistic
and inclusive.
• Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana (DAY) has an aim to uplift the urban poor folks by enhancing sustainable livelihood opportunities through
skill development. Keeping in view the objective of Make in India, Skill Development is essential for socio economic betterment. Deen
Dayal Antyodaya Yojana was launched under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation (HUPA). Government of India has
provisioned Rs.500 crore for the scheme. The scheme is integration of the National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM) and National Rural
Livelihoods Mission (NRLM). National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM) is renamed as Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana-(DAY-NULM) and
in Hindi as - Rashtriya Shahri Aajeevika Mission. Under the scheme urban areas extends the coverage to all the 4041 statutory cities and
towns, there by covering almost the entire urban population. Currently, all the urban poverty alleviating programmes covered only 790
towns and cities.
• Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs – Narendra Singh Tomar (Constituency – Gwalior in MP)
IIT-Hyderabad researchers unravel protein that repairs DNA
• In the evolution of life forms, what determines the formation of a bacteria? It’s the
Deoxyribonucleaci Acid (DNA), which is the blueprint of the life form.
• It also encodes the directions that the life form must take.
s
• Any damage to the DNA causes a range of diseases and problems.
• Nature has evolved techniques to not only protect the DNA but also repair it to an extent. In
humans, one such repair mechanism involves activation of a special class of proteins called
‘DNA repair proteins’.
• In a significant development, researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IITH)

have unravelled the mechanism of action of a protein ( alkB homolog 3, or ALKBH3) that repairs
damaged DNA.
UN raises 2020 budget, includes funds for war crimes probes
• The United Nations General Assembly adopted a USD 3.07-billion operating budget which for the first time
includes funding for the investigation of war crimes in Syria and Myanmar.
S
• The budget represents a slight increase from 2019’s figure of USD 2.9 billion.
• The increase is due to additional missions assigned to the UN Secretariat, inflation and exchange rate
adjustments, according to diplomats.
• These include the observer mission in Yemen, a political mission established in Haiti, the investigation of
crimes committed in Syria since the outbreak of civil war in 2011, and in Myanmar after the 2017
crackdown on the Rohingya Muslim minority.
• For the first time, the budgets for the Syria and Myanmar investigations — which were previously financed
by voluntary contributions — will in 2020 be transferred to the UN secretariat’s budget and will receive
compulsory contributions from the 193 member states.
• The UN’s operating budget is separate from the annual budget for peacekeeping operations of some USD
6 billion that is adopted in June.
Amitabh Bachchan honoured with Dadasaheb Phalke Award
• Veteran actor Amitabh Bachchan was presented the Dadasaheb Phalke award by President Ram Nath Kovind at
Rashtrapati Bhawan.
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• Mr Bachhan expressed gratitude towards government, Information and Broadcasting Ministry and all the jury members
after being conferred with the Award.
• Amitabh Bachhan made his debut in Hindi film industry in the same year with “Saat Hindustani”.
• About Dadasaheb Phalke Award
 The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is India's highest award in cinema. It is presented annually at the National Film
Awards ceremony by the Directorate of Film Festivals, an organisation set up by the Ministry of Information and
Broadcasting. The recipient is honoured for their "outstanding contribution to the growth and development of Indian
cinema" and is selected by a committee consisting of eminent personalities from the Indian film industry. As of
2017, the award comprises a Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) medallion, a shawl, and a cash prize of ₹1,000,000
(US$14,000).
 Presented first in 1969, the award was introduced by the Government of India to commemorate Dadasaheb
Phalke's contribution to Indian cinema. Phalke (1870–1944), who is popularly known as and often regarded as "the
father of Indian cinema", was an Indian filmmaker who directed India's first full-length feature film, Raja
Harishchandra.
eBkray launched for online auction of assets attached by banks
• PSBs have attached assets worth over 2.3 lakh crore over the last three financial years and to
enable online auction by banks of attached assets transparently and cleanly for improved
S
realisation of value, eBkray, a common e-auction platform was launched by the Finance Minister
Nirmala Sitharaman.
• The platform is equipped with property search features and navigational links to all PSB e-
auction sites, provides single-window access to information on properties up for e-auction as
well as facility for comparison of similar properties, and also contains photographs and videos of
uploaded properties.
• A total of 35,000 properties have already been uploaded on the platform by PSBs.
Amit Shah unveils new insignia for CRPF’s VIP security wing
• Union Home Minister Amit Shah unveiled a new insignia for the CRPF’s VIP security wing that protects 59
high-risk dignitaries, including members of the Gandhi family and a host of Union Ministers.
S
• The logo — with a “Garuda”, sword and shield — will give a distinct identity to the unit, Shah said. The
insignia will bear the motto of the force — “Always, Aware, Alert”.
• Shah unveiled the logo during an event, where he laid the foundation for raising a new headquarters
building for the CRPF. Of the 59 protectees under this unit, 15 are under the top “Z+” category, 21 under
the “Z” category and the remaining 23 under various other categories.
• “This is a historic day for the unit that serves with utmost dedication and discipline. VIP security is now a
core task for us. The insignia will now be worn by all commandos under this unit,” CRPF Inspector General
(Intelligence) Pradeep Kumar Singh stated.
Central and State pollution control bodies to meet in Patna
conference next month
• Union Minister for Environment Prakash Javadekar will inaugurate the two-day long 64th conference of
S
central and state pollution control boards and pollution committees, which is scheduled to start from
January 16 to 17 in Patna.
• During the inaugural session, issues related to implementation, challenges and enforcement strategies for
effective management of solid waste including plastic would be discussed.
• Bihar State Pollution Control Board spokesperson Birendra Kumar told that officials of 28 state pollution
control bodies and six pollution control committees from various U/Ts including Delhi, Lakshadweep,
Chandigarh, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Daman Diu and Nagara Haveli have been invited to participate
in it.
• Kumar further stated that discussion in details would also be held on bio-medical wastes, Action Plan for
polluted river stretches and status of implementation of Action Plans in Non-Attainment cities besides
others.
• Apart from all these issues, agendas which would be received from different states pollution control boards
shall also be discussed and delineated at the conference’s sessions gradually.
UAE extends 300 million US dollars of development aid to Jordan
• The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) announced that it is providing 300 million US dollars as development aid to the Hashemite
Kingdom of Jordan.
S
• In a statement the UAE government stated that the UAE leadership’s decision reaffirms the commitment to standing alongside the
brotherly leadership and people of Jordan, reflecting the nation’s foreign policy that carries the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan
Al Nahyan and continues under the leadership of President Sheikh Khalifa.
• This latest development aid provision, the Fund statement added, highlights the “strong relations between the UAE and Jordan, that are
based on brotherhood, mutual interest and respect.”
• Thousands of refugees have been pouring into Jordan to escape Syria’s civil war. Syria shares the northern border with Jordan.
• According to an UN estimate the Hashemite kingdom hosts about 630,000 Syrian refugees while Jordan claims that the number is over 4
million.
• About UAE
 Capital - Abu Dhabi, Currency - United Arab Emirates dirham, President - Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan
• About Jordan
 Capital - Amman, Currency - Jordanian dinar, PM - Omar Razzaz

India likely to surpass Germany to become the fourth-largest
economy in 2026
• India will overtake Germany to become fourth-largest economy in the world by the year According to a
S
report by the UK-based Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR), India is all set to overtake
Japan to become the third-largest economy by 2034.
• The report titled ‘World Economic League Table 2020’ stated that India is also set to become a 5 trillion
dollar economy by 2026, 2 years later than the government’s target of 2024.
• India has decisively overtaken both France and the UK to become the world’s fifth-largest economy in
2019. The report said that Japan, Germany and India will battle for third position over the next 15 years.
• The World Economic League Table is an annual calculation by CEBR jointly published by CEBR and Global
Construction Perspectives. The base data for 2019 is taken from the IMF World Economic Outlook.
• About Germany

Tamil Nadu to set up four Electronics Manufacturing Clusters
• The Tamil Nadu government is planning to develop four Electronics Manufacturing Clusters (EMCs) in Chennai,
Tiruvallur, Hosur and Kancheepuram, according to sources in the state industries department.
• The project is likely to come up by 2023.
• The EMCs will provide necessary bolster to the upcoming electronic manufacturing industries in the state. According to
•
s
sources, the EMCs will provide multi-level logistics, infrastructure and necessary testing and training facilities.
Official sources stated that the Union government will be providing assistance to the EMCs to attract investment in
Electronic Systems Design and Manufacturing.
• The state government will extend support to investors through various ‘ease of doing business’ initiatives to avail Union
government and state incentives and approvals and develop complementary external infrastructures such as roads and
railways.
• The state government will also notify the EMCs as industrial townships and will provide facilities like high-speed internet
connectivity, last-mile water supply and road connectivity.
 Capital – Chennai, CM – E. Palaniswamy, Governor – Banwarilal Purohit

Haryana CM Khattarunveils five e-initiatives
• Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar launched five new e-initiatives, including Lokayukta portal and addition of 42 new schemes and services on the Saral
portal, at the State-level Good Governance programme.
• The other three initiatives were websites of all 22 districts, integration of 91 Tehsils to Web Helris and digital map of village Sirsi (district Karnal) to make the
village free from Lal Dora.
• Khattar also announced that the year 2020 would be observed as “Susashan Sankalp Varsh” during which suggestions and reforms in the field of governance
would be invited from people of the State. A dedicated website would also be prepared for this purpose on which the people could upload their suggestions. The
• s
best among all such suggestions to be received on the website would be considered by the State government.
The ‘Lokayukta Portal’ has been developed with several features like acceptance of complaint or grievances, marking of complaint or grievances, enquiry of
complaints, disposal of complaints, finalisation of complaints, daily cause list, reopened disposed-of cases and monitoring reports.
• ‘Web-Helris’ is a web-enabled integrated solution for deed registration and land records management. This portal provides the facility related to deed registration,
mutation, jamabandi, khasragridawari, issuing of copies of record and rights and integration with internal and external entities.
• The pilot project of Sirsi village in district Karnal has been completed for the rural and abadideh areas and field verification of Sirsi work has been done, making it
first village in the State to become ‘Lal Dora free’.
• The State government has also developed 22 district websites.
• These schemes and services pertaining to the 38 departments, boards and corporations are being provided to the citizens through more than 6,000 Atal Seva
Kendras and 115 Antyodaya Kendras throughout 22 districts of the State.
• About Haryana

Maharashtra cabinet approves farm loan waiver, meal scheme
• Maharashtra approved the farm loan waiver scheme and also gave its nod to a subsidised meal scheme for the poor.
• The state cabinet approved the Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Farmer Loan Waiver Scheme, under which crop arrears
pending till September 30, 2019, will be waived.
• Short-term crop loan up to Rs. 2 lakh taken by farmers between April 1, 2015-March 31, 2019, and short-term
•
s
restructured crop loan arrears up to September 30, 2019, will be waived under the scheme.
Similarly, the cabinet gave its approval to launching the ‘Shiv Bhojan’ programme, under which the poor will be served
meal at the subsidised rate of Rs. 10 at designated centres in all districts of the state.
• Under the pilot scheme, at least one ‘Shiv Bhojan’ canteen will be started at district headquarters. Each canteen will
serve 500 thalis (plates).
• The Shiv Bhojanthali, available at Rs 10 each, will consist of two chapatis, one vegetable, rice and dal.
• About Maharashtra
 Capital – Mumbai, CM – Udhhav Thackeray, Governor – Bhagat Singh Koshyari

New policy for population control to be ready soon in Bihar
• Bihar, one of the most populous states in the country, will have a new population-control policy
soon.
• The new policy will be aimed at increasing the use of injectable contraceptives, creating more
awareness among men and women — particularly young women in high schools and colleges
s
— on population control and the use of contraceptives, expanding existing medical festivals and,
most likely, offering a package of incentives and disincentives.
• The total fertility rate (TFR) — roughly, the average number of children born per woman — has
slightly reduced in Bihar in the last few years but it still is the highest in the country.
• About Bihar
 Capital – Patna, CM – Nitish Kumar, Governor – Phagu Chauhan

Justice Deepak Verma appointed DDCA’s new Ombudsman
• The Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) appointed Justice (Retd) Deepak Verma as its
new Ombudsman.
• There were five agendas for the meeting — passing of annual accounts, appointment of
statutory auditors, reappointment of retiring directors, adoption of new articles and appointment
of Ombudsman.
s
• It was also learnt that the DDCA could have its new president in January.
65th National School Games of SGFI
• Union HRD Minister Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ inaugurated Lawn Tennis Event (Under
19, Boys & Girls) of 65th National School Games organised by School Games Federation of
S
India (SGFI) at K. Khanna Stadium in New Delhi.
• A total number of 232 qualified Tennis Players have gathered in Delhi selected from 23 states for
the National Level competition here.
• These players will compete in different categories for the next four days till 28th December.
Dharmendra Pradhan unveils India’s first CNG Bus which can run
1000 kms in one fill
•
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Delhi has witnessed a revolution in shift towards cleaner gas based fuels.
• In a major step towards making India a gas-based economy and making CNG as the eco-friendly option for
long distance transport in the country, Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of Petroleum& Natural Gas and
Steel, unveiled India’s first long distance CNG bus fitted with composite CNG cylinders, which can travel
around 1000 kms in a single fill. The project has been executed by Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL) and has
been achieved through pioneering design of Type IV Composite Cylinders in buses, replacing traditional
very heavy Type-I Carbon Steel cylinders.
• These CNG buses are being run on pilot basis, but soon they will be scaled on commercial basis. Delhi has
witnessed revolution in shift towards cleaner, gas based fuels. Over 500 CNG stations are operating in
Delhi NCR and about 12 lakh piped natural gas connections have been provided.
• Over 1,000 PNG connections are being provided daily in the NCR. Long haul CNG buses originating from
Delhi to other locations will further drive this shift towards cleaner gas based fuels. This will improve overall
ease of living of people by mitigating the problem of air pollution, ensuring a cleaner environment and
reducing waiting time at CNG stations.
Digital Radio to be launched in 2024
• Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar (Constituency – Pune) has stated that
NDA government is bringing Digital Radio in 2024.
• Addressing the annual Akashvani awards function in New Delhi, Mr. Javadekar stated that the
audio of digital radio will be more clear and its reach will be higher.
s
PM Modi to unveil statue of Atal Bihari Vajpayee in Lucknow
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will unveil a statue of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in Lucknow.
• Mr. Modi will unveil the 25-feet bronze statue at Lok Bhawan, the secretariat of Uttar Pradesh government.
Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone of Atal Bihari Medical University.
•
s
Apart from the unveiling of statue by PM Modi, many other functions have also been organised to mark the
birth anniversary of Vajpayee. These include blood donation camps, fruit distribution and cleanliness drive
all over the state.
• Sushashan Day will also be observed on this occasion in many districts. In Lucknow, a Kavi Sammelan has
also been organised.
PM Modi to launch Atal Bhujal Yojana
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch Atal Bhujal Yojana in New Delhi.
• The Central Government scheme will promote Panchayat led ground water management and behavioural changes with
primary focus on demand side management. Union Cabinet approved the 6,000 crore rupees scheme at a meeting.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar stated that, the scheme will be implemented over a period of
5 years in identified areas in Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar
•
Pradesh.
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That ground water contributes to nearly 65 per cent of total irrigated area of the country and nearly 85 per cent of the
rural drinking water supply.
• The limited ground water resources in the country are under threat due to the increasing demands of growing population,
urbanization and industrialization.
• Atal Bhujal Yojana has two major components. One is strengthening institutional arrangements for sustainable ground
water management in the States including improving monitoring networks, capacity building and strengthening of Water
User Associations. Second is incentivising the States for achievements in improved groundwater management practices.
The scheme will result in efficient use of available ground water resources with emphasis on demand side measures like
micro-irrigation, crop diversification and electricity feeder separation. It will also contribute towards the goal of doubling
the farmers’ income.
China, Japan, South Korea meet on North Korea, free trade
• Leaders from China, Japan and South Korea reiterated their commitment to ending North Korea’s nuclear and missile
programs at a trilateral summit that comes against the backdrop of increasing demands by Pyongyang for sanctions
relief.
• Free trade and economic cooperation were also at the forefront of the meetings between Chinese Premier Li Keqiang,
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and South Korean President Moon Jae-in in the southwestern Chinese city of
•
Chengdu.
s
The North has threatened to take unspecified action if that relief is not forthcoming by the end of the year.
• Speculation has centered on the possibility of conducting a new missile test, possibly of an intercontinental ballistic
missile capable of delivering a nuclear warhead.
• Although China is Pyongyang’s most important source of investment, diplomatic support and economic aid, it has shown
little success in convincing Kim Jong Un’s government to abandon its nuclear arsenal.
• The U.S. has demanded steps toward complete denuclearization before any sanctions can be lifted, while Beijing
favours a multi-stage approach.
RBI caps lending on P2P platforms at Rs. 50 lakh
• To protect consumers interest, the Reserve Bank on December 23 stated that on a peer-to-peer lending (P2P) platform the permissible
exposure of a lender to all borrowers should not exceed Rs. 50 lakh at any given point of time.
• “On a review, it has been decided that the aggregate exposure of a lender to all borrowers at any point of time, across all P2P platforms,
shall be subject to a cap of Rs. 50,00,000 provided that such investments of the lenders on P2P platforms are consistent with their net-
worth.
s
The lender investing more than R.s 10 lakh across P2P platforms will produce a certificate to P2P platforms from a practising Chartered
Accountant certifying minimum net-worth of Rs. 50 lakh.
• Further, all the lenders shall submit declaration to P2P platforms that they have understood all the risks associated with lending
transactions and that P2P platform does not assure return of principal/payment of interest the RBI stated in a notification.
• On fund transfer mechanism, it said: “Escrow accounts to be operated by bank promoted trustee for transfer of funds need not be
mandatorily maintained with the bank which has promoted the trustee”.
• The transfer of funds under P2P lending happens through an escrow account mechanism, which is operated by a bank promoted trustee.
• It requires at least two escrow accounts, one for funds received from lenders and pending disbursal, and the other for collections from
borrowers, be maintained.
• It also mandates that all the transactions through bank accounts, and cash transaction are strictly prohibited.
Amazon to open first farm collection centre in Pune
• Amazon Retail India Pvt Ltd, the retail arm of e-commerce giant Amazon, will soon open its first farm collection centre in
Pune, sources privy to the development said. Under its farm-to-fork initiative, Amazon will directly purchase vegetables
from farmers, who would be paid within 24 hours.
• This is pursuant to Amazon’s focus on using technology to enable farmers to directly offer the products to customers and
unlock greater value.
• s
A full-fledged operational launch of the centre is expected soon. Amazon’s foray into fresh food retail business in India
follows a $500 million investment the company made into food and grocery segments after getting government approval
in 2017.
• The online marketplace’s rival Flipkart has already signed up local farmers and strengthened its fresh food offerings with
the help of Walmart’s best-price wholesale stores.
• “Amazon Retail’s vision is to offer the largest selection of fresh fruits and vegetables to our customers in two hours.
• Currently, the grocery and fresh food sales make up for 40 per cent of the total purchases made through e-commerce,
but the market was largely dominated by hyperlocal players like BigBasket and Grofers until Flipkart scaled up its
offerings.
NPAs dip, banks’ profitability up in H1 of FY20
• The banking sector has shown good signs with improvement in the gross nonperforming assets
(GNPA), however, a fall in interest income adversely affected urban co-operative banks’
profitability among rural co-operatives.
• The financial health of state co-operative banks and district central cooperative banks weakened
s
with a rise in the non-performing assets (NPAs) and slowdown in profitability, the Reserve Bank
of India (RBI).
• The banking sector showed improvement with the GNPA ratio of scheduled commercial banks
(SCBs) declining from 2 per cent in March 2018 to 9.1 per cent in March 2019 and a return to
profitability in H1 of 2019-20.
• The government has been infusing capital in some PSBs, which has been just enough to meet
the regulatory minimum including capital conservation buffer (CCB). The deferment of the
implementation of the last tranche of the CCB till March 31, 2020 has offered some breathing
space to these banks.
Bharti Infratel, Indus Towers extend deadline for merger to
February 24
• Bharti Infratel stated it has extended the deadline for a merger with mobile tower company Indus
Towers by two more months to February 24, as it has not received the necessary government
approvals so far.
s
• The Board of Directors has further extended the long stop date till February 24, 2020, subject to
agreement on closing adjustments and other conditions precedent for closing, with each party
retaining the right to terminate and withdraw the scheme Bharti Infratel.
• It also cautioned that “there can be no assurance that the merger can be completed within the
extended time-frame” and added that the completion of the merger is contingent upon receipt of
requisite regulatory approvals and fulfilment of other conditions precedent.
Rohtang tunnel named after Vajpayee
• On the eve of the birth anniversary (25th Dec) of former Late PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the
Central government announced to name the Rohtang tunnel, a road link between Kullu and
landlocked Lahaul Valley in Himachal Pradesh, after Vajpayee.
• The Union Cabinet approved two schemes in his honour: one to improve groundwater
s
management in villages and the other to rename the tunnel being built under the Rohtang Pass
after him.
• The tunnel, being constructed from Manalito Leh, would be renamed as the ‘Atal Tunnel’.
Hemant Soren set to be sworn in Jharkhand CM
• Hemant Soren is an Indian politician from Jharkhand, who is the current 11th Chief Minister
designate of Jharkhand.
• He had also served as the 5th Chief Minister of Jharkhand.
s
• He is elected as the Chief Minister of Jharkhand second time.
• He is also the president of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, a political party in Jharkhand.
• About Jharkhand
 Capital – Ranchi, CM – Hemant Soren, Governor – Draupadi Murmu

Scientists develop new ink formulation for security printing
• Researchers from Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Physical Laboratory (CSIR-NPL)
have developed an ink that may help in combating the problem of counterfeiting of currency notes, fake
printing of passports and pharmaceuticals.
• The ink is based on a single excitable dual emissive luminescent pigment. This new security feature of the
•
s
ink is suitable for printing of valuable products for protection against duplicity.
The formulation is based on unexplored combinatory concept of the fluorescence and phosphorescence
phenomenon.
• Both fluorescence and phosphorescence are spontaneous emissions of electromagnetic radiation.
• The glow of fluorescence stops right after the source of excitatory radiation is switched off, but in the case
phosphorescence afterglow continues for duration ranging from fraction of a second to hours.
Manu Bhaker, Anish Bhanwala clinch five gold medals at National
Championships
• Commonwealth Games champions Manu Bhaker and Anish Bhanwala clinched gold medals at
the 63rd National Shooting Championships in Bhopal. The 17-year-old Bhaker, representing
Haryana, clinched four gold medals (individual and team events in senior and junior) in the
women’s 10 meter air pistol. She shot 243 to emerge triumphant in the eight-woman final. She
s
then shot 588 to top qualifications and equal the record set by Annu Raj Singh in the South
Asian Games.
• Her state-mate Anish, also 17, won individual gold medal in the senior men’s 25 meter rapid fire
pistol event to stamp his dominance. Bhanwala shot 28 in the rapid fire final to leave behind
Bhavesh Shekhawat of Rajasthan who ended with 26 while Chandigarh’s Vijayveer Sidhu came
third with 22 hits.
• Devanshi Dhama bagged the silver in the senior women’s 10 meter air pistol event while
Yashaswini Singh Deshwal won the bronze medal in the same event. Manu Bhaker and
Yashaswini have already secured quotas for the 2020
SDG India Index & Dashboard 2019–20 will be launched by NITI
Aayog
• NITI Aayog, the policy think tank of Government will launch the second edition of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) India Index and
Dashboard 2019–20 on 30 December 2019 at NITI Aayog, New Delhi.
• The first edition of SDG India Index was launched in December 2018. It was the first tool developed by any large country to monitor
progress towards achieving SDGs at sub-national level.
•
s
NITI Aayog has the mandate of overseeing adoption as well as monitoring of SDGs in India, at the national and sub-national level.
About NITI Aayog
 Formed – 2015 by replacing Planning Commission, Chairperson – Narendra Modi, Vice Chairperson – Rajiv Kumar, CEO – Amitabh
Kant
• About SDG India Index and Dashboard 2019–20
 The SDG India Index and Dashboard 2019 documents the progress made by India’s States and Union Territories (UTs) towards
implementing the 2030 SDG targets. Besides indicating where the States and UTs currently are on SDG implementation, the Index
and Dashboard also charts distance to be travelled to reach SDG targets.
 It has been developed by Union Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) in collaboration with United Nations in
India, and Global Green Growth Institute.
Cabinet approves funds to update National Population Register
• Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given in principal approval to clear budgetary
allocation of Rs. 8,754.23 crore for conducting Census of India, 2021, a Decennial Census (recurring every
10 years) exercise along with Rs.3,941.35 crore for updating National Population Register (NPR) across
the country (barring Assam),which is a list of ‘usual residents’ of India.
•
s
Both the exercises will be conducted simultaneously through door-to-door enumeration, with commencing
from April 2020 to September 2020.
• About National Population Register (NPR)
 The NPR exercise aims to create a comprehensive identity database by collecting biometric and
demographic details of every “usual resident” of India. It is mandatory for every usual resident of
country to register in NPR. A ‘usual resident’ is defined as a person who has resided in an area for past
6 months or more, or a person who intends to reside in that area for next 6 months or more.
 The NPR was last updated in 2010 and 2015. The data for National Population Register was collected
in 2010 along with house-listing phase of 2011 Census of India.
Delhi cabinet approves new policy on pollution
• CM of Delhi Arvind Kejriwal introduced a new policy to make Delhi the capital of Electric
vehicles. Under the policy, the government has planned to provide subsidies to electric vehicles.
• The goal of the policy is to ensure that 25% of new vehicles registered are electric by 2024.
s
• Along with electric vehicles, the government also has planned to construct 250 charging
stations. It also includes 20% of the parking enabled for electric vehicles.
• The policy has been drafted after feedback from UNEP (United Nations Environment
Programme) experts and International Transport Council. The draft of the policy was already
made public in November 2018.

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Banking exam Special Classes

By: Kapil Kathpal

• About NITI Aayog: s

• Russia was the focus country in the 2019 IFFI

• Haryana participated in the IFFI for the first time.

• I&B Secretary Amit Khare launched NFAI Calendar 2020

Best Actor (Male) Marighella Seu Jorge.

Best Actor (Female)

Best Director award Jallikattu Director: Lijo Jose Pellissery

Best Film Particles Director: Blaise Harrison

About National Payments Corporation of India(NPCI):

• The award is a tribute to Late Abdul Kalam.

• The Accelerator Lab is an innovative initiative by the UNDP, Germany and

• About United Nations Development Programme(UNDP):

• Headquarters- New York

• 1st Global Framework of Professional Teaching Standards was launched at

About Education International(EI):

About Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)

• It is produced by Brahmos aerospace which is a joint venture between India’s

• Akkitham Achuthan Namboodri, a renowned Malayalam poet has been chosen

• He is also the 6th Malayalam Poet to receive the Jnanpith award.

• About Saudi Arabia:

• The theme of the festival is based on eco-tourism, culture, Fairs, women

• Krishnasar, a blackbuck antelope is the official mascot of the SAG.

National Pension Scheme for Traders and Self-Employed Persons (NPS-Traders):

About International Labour Organisation:

• The theme of the event was ‘Communities make Difference’.

• The data will be entered at the district level.

• Health and Family Welfare Minister – Dr. Harsh Vardhan.

Source : The Hindu

• It will be released in the Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) by Westland publications.

• About Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF)

• About Transparency International (TI)

Source : Times of India

• About University Grants Commission (UGC)

Source : Times of India

• About Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB)

Source : The Hindu

• He preceded Ammenah Gurib-Fakim who resigned in March 2018.

Source : The Hindu

• About Walmart India

 HQ – Gurgaon, President and CEO – Krish Iyer

• About HDFC Bank

 HQ – Mumbai, MD – Aditya Puri, Tagline – We Understand Your World

Source : Times of India

About Aditya Birla Health Insurance

 HQ – Bengaluru, CEO – Mayank Bathwal

 CEO and Director – Bipin Preet Singh, HQ – Gurgaon

Source : Deccan Chronicle

Source : The Hindu Businessline

• About Andhra Pradesh

 Capital – Amravati, CM – YS Jaganmohan Reddy, Governor – Biswabhusan Harichandan

Source : The Hindu

 First winner – Stanley Matthews Source : The Hindu

Source : Economic Times

Source : Business Standard

• About Press Trust of India (PTI)