Current Affairs Today: 22th January 2018

Current Affairs Today: 22th January 2018 

Latest News and Updates. Current affairs 2018 Quiz for preparation of UPSC,IPBS,RRB,SBI PO & Clerk, RBI, Railways, Postal and other Competitive Exams. Our Current affairs page covers various sections like banking & finance, business & economy, Indian and International affairs, defence, environment,persons and many for competitive exams preparing for all aspirants.

1-AU Small Finance Bank Inks MoU with LIC to Offer PMJJBY Scheme

Banking finance company AU Small Finance Bank has signed an MoU with LIC to offer Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY)

Under the MoU, LIC will give a life cover of ₹2 lakh in case of death to the customer at a nominal premium of ₹330 per annum.

The company will also offer loans under government’s affordable housing and subsidy schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana,

The product will be targeted for both salaried and self- employed (professional and non-professional) customers in urban, semi-urban and rural areas.

Important points: AU Small Finance Bank                                     

 Headquarters: Jaipur, Rajasthan.

MD/CEO: Sanjay Agarwal,

2-India becomes member of Australia Group

After the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) and the Wassenaar Arrangement (WA), the membership in another of the four major export control regimes is expected to give India a leg-up in its bid to secure a berth in the 48-member Nuclear India today gained entry into the Australia Group (AG), an important non-proliferation regime which seeks to ensure that exports do not contribute to the development of chemical or biological weapons.

India become the 43rd Member of that Group

The inclusion will raise India’s stature in the field of non-proliferation and help in acquiring critical technologies.

3- India to offer Yoga classes at World Economic Forum

India will offer Yoga training sessions at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, in a move aimed at promoting Indian traditions abroad.

More than 70 heads of states are expected to attend the summit next week. PM Narendra Modi will be the first Indian Prime Minister to attend the summit in 21 years.

Two yoga teachers from India will hold daily classes next week at the summit, which has attracted 70 heads of state and government, including U.S. President Donald Trump as well as celebrities, chief executives and top bankers.

Modi will be the first Indian prime minister to attend the WEF in 21 years, since when the economy has more than doubled to $2.3 trillion and become the world’s seventh largest.

4- Anandiben Patel Named New Madhya Pradesh Governor

Former Gujarat chief minister Anandiben Patel has been named as the new governor of Madhya Pradesh. She will replace Gujarat governor Om Prakash Kohli, who currently holds additional charge of the office of Governor of Madhya Pradesh.

Ms Patel became the first woman chief minister of Gujarat.

“The President of India is pleased to appoint Smt. Anandiben Patel to be the Governor of Madhya Pradesh, with effect from the date she assumes charge of her office,”

Important points:                                                                 

Madhya Pradesh                                                                             

Capital : bhopal

CM : shivraj singh chouhan

Gujrat

Capital :Gandhi Ngar

CM : Vijay Rupan

Governor : Om Prakash Kohli

5-President Ram Nath Kovind Unveils Book on Self-Development in Delhi

President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday unveiled a book on heartfulness techniques and principles titled ‘The Heartfulness Way’.Authored by Kamlesh Patel, widely known as Daaji.

It is the fourth Global Guide of Heartfulness, and Joshua Pollock, a heartfulness trainer and practitioner, the book promises to be a treat for those who are curious about what is heartfulness and how it can change our day-to-day lives. It was launched by Commerce and Industries Minister Suresh Prabhu.

6-S Selvakumar appointed as CMD of SPMCIL

The government today appointed senior IAS officer S Selvakumar as Chairman and Manging Director (CMD) of Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India Ltd (SPMCIL).

The state-owned SPMCIL produces bank notes, coins, postage stamps, non-judicial stamps and other official documents.

Selvakumar replaces Anurag Agarwal who was appointed to the post on September 27, 2017.

7-Union Government Announces List of 9 New Smart Cities

Urban Development Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has announced the name of nine more smart cities.

These nine cities are Silvassa in Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli has topped the list of winning cities in this round of competition. The other cities include Erode in Tamil Nadu, Diu in Union Territory of Daman and Diu, Biharsharif in Bihar, Bareilly, Saharanpur and Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh, Itanagar in Arunachal Pradesh and Kavaratti in Lakshadweep.

8-India to Set up $350 million Fund to Finance Solar Projects 

India will set up a $350-million fund to finance solar projects, Power Minister RK Singh said, as the country steps up efforts to achieve its ambitious target of adding 175 gigawatts (GW) in renewable energy by 2022.

The country, which receives twice as much sunshine as European nations, wants to make solar central to its renewable expansion. It expects renewable energy to make up 40 per cent of installed power capacity by 2030, compared with 18.2 per cent at the end of 2017.

The country will need at least $125 billion to fund a plan to increase the share of renewable power supply in the country’s grid by 2022, underlining the immense financing challenge ahead.

9-WhatsApp Unveils Business App for Android

Facebook-owned instant messaging platform WhatsApp rolled out a feature that connects small businesses with customers.

Currently, only Android users can access the feature and they can avail of it through the latest update of the app.

The new feature will be available first in Indonesia, Italy, Mexico, UK and the US before being launched globally in the coming weeks.

10-INS Vikramaditya Formally Affiliated to Bihar Regiment

Indian Naval Ship Vikramaditya, the Indian Navy’s largest ship and its sole aircraft carrier was formally affiliated to the Indian Army’s highly-decorated and battle-hardened Bihar Regiment and the Indian Air Force’s No 6 Squadron.

It is tasked with maritime strike operations with its Jaguar fighter aircraft. A glittering ceremony was held onboard INS Vikramaditya at the Karwar Naval Base, Karnataka.

Static/Current Takeaways Important for Syndicate Bank PO 2018 Exam-

Admiral Sunil Lanba is the present Chief of Naval Staff.

11-  Iconic Cartoonist Chandi Lahiri Passes Away

Famous Cartoonist Chandi Lahiri passed away he  was 86.

After a brief period of illness, marking the end of a chapter in Bengal’s history of the cartoon.

Marked by simplicity and ease, Lahiri left generations of Bengalis enthralled with his brand of humor that was non-acerbic for the past five decades.

12- NDRF Celebrated its 13th Raising Day

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) celebrated its 13th Raising Day in New Delhi. The Director Intelligence Bureau, Rajiv Jain was the chief guest on this occasion.

The meeting highlighted the disaster threat of country and important changes taken place in Disaster Management in India and across the world.

Important points:  NDRF.
Sanjay Kumar is the Director General of NDRF.
NDRF came into existence on 19th January 2006.

13- Mauritius Largest Source of FDI in India- RBI

Mauritius was the largest source of foreign investment in India (21.8 per cent share at market value), followed by the US and the UK, according to a census by the Reserve Bank of India.

Singapore and Japan were the next two sources of foreign direct investment (FDI), reported the Census on Foreign Liabilities and Assets of Indian Direct Investment Companies 2016-17, released by RBI.

Important points

Mauritius Capital- Port Louis,

Currency- Mauritian rupee.

President: Ameenah Gurib

Prime Minister:Pravind Jugnauth

14- 4th India International Science Festival to be held in Lucknow

The fourth edition of the India International Science Festival will be held in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.

The decision to hold the Festival in Lucknow was taken at the first preparatory meeting for the 4th India International Science Festival (IISF).

The meeting was chaired by Union Minister for Science & Technology, Dr Harsh Vardhan.

The 1st IISF was held at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) New Delhi. India had also set a Guinness Book of World Records when 2000 school students performed two experiments at the Festival.

Important points:-
The third in the series was held in October 2017 in Chennai.