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MOU/Agreement Countries

1 India Pakistan Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear Installations and Facilities. (This is 26th consecutive agreement)

2 India Kazakhstan Double Taxation Avoidance Convention (DTAC)

3 India Portugal Co-production agreement in the Film Sector.

4 India US For greater cooperation on on cyber security

5 India Sri Lanka To construct 3000 rain water harvesting systems at a cost of 30 crore Sri Lankan Rupees in northern Jaffna District.

6 India US Assist the third world countries.

7 India France Maritime Information Sharing in Indian Ocean Region

MOU Industry/States/Others

1 Bank of Baroda CNX Corporation To provide collateral management services towards the loans against warehouse receipt sanctioned to the farmers through the network of the bank’s branches across the country.

2 Coca-Cola State Bank of India For conducting business transactions digitally.

3 Yes Bank Bajaj Electricals For vendor financing using blockchain solution

4 HDFC Bank Niki.ai (AI firm funded by Ratan Tata)

To bring in ‘conversational banking’ — chatbots named called OnChat on Facebook’s Messenger platform that facilitate commerce and banking transactions without getting out of the chat window.

5 Freecharge Grofers For on demand grocery delivery

www.aspirantszone.com

A2Z January Current Affairs

service provider to help consumers go cashless for their purchases.

6 Droom (Online automobile marketplace)

Axis Bank To provide quick sanction of loans on both new as well as used cars.

7 SIDBI LIC To supplement funds under its fund-of-funds operation that aims to provide venture capital for medium and small enterprises.

8 Tata Motors Castrol Three-year strategic partnership agreement for the supply of Commercial Vehicle Oils to Tata Motors globally.

9 Microsoft ICRISAT To improve crop yields in Andhra Pradesh

10 Uber Apollo Hospitals To implement a road safety training programme for its driver-partners in 29 cities across the country.

11 ISRO CNES(French Agency) Partnership agreement in satellite launch technology

12 Arunachal Pradesh National Dairy Development Board (NDDB)

To promote dairying and rural livelihoods in the State

13 Amazon Gujarat Tribal Development Department

To empower tribal entrepreneurs

14 Gujarat Indian Railways For manufacturing parts of the bullet train (high speed train) with a value of Rs. 67,000 crore.

15 Indus OS Freecharge To launch digital payment platform ‘Recharge 2.0’

16 BSNL Tata Communications To provide its customers access to 44 million Wi-Fi hotspots globally at fixed prices starting Rs 999.

17 Vodafone Tata Medical Centre- Kolkata

To spread cancer awareness

18 SBI State General Reserve Fund of Oman (SGRF)

SGRF and SBI will invest $150 million and $50 million



respectively in private equity fund Oman India Joint Investment Fund (OIJIF).

19 Amul Gujarat government MOUs worth Rs 450 crore for expansion plans and augmentation of its ongoing project involving the state government in tackling SAM (severe acute malnutrition) among children and women.

20 Central(Future Group’s fashion and lifestyle departmental store)

SBI Card Co-branded credit card

21 Punjab National Bank

India Post Payments Bank

PNB will provide technology platform for pilot launch of IPPB.

22 NITI Aayog University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES), Dehradun

For designing, developing, and conducting consultative policy dialogue and business research to promote and enable high level energy efficiency policy formulation in India.

23 Government of India

National Yuva Cooperative Society

To set up 1,000 ‘Janaushadhi Kendras’ (Medical Store)

24 Kwality Ltd Bank of Baroda For providing Rs 4,000 crore loans to the Kwality′s one lakh farmers from whom the company procures milk.

25 Amazon India National Skill Development Corp (NSDC) and Nagaland Government

With a view to drive digital literacy among women entrepreneurs in Nagaland and provide them a global platform to sell their products at zero initial cost.

26 Indiabulls Housing Finance Ltd. (IBHFL)

Paisabazaar.com To offer online home loans to consumers

27 Karnataka Bank Ltd

Tirth Agro Technology Pvt Ltd

For financing agricultural mechanisation.

28 Central Water IIT Madras and IIS To help them procure specified



Commission (CWC)

Bengaluru equipment and software for enhancing their capability to support its dam rehabilitation efforts.

29 Telangana government

French firm Aerocampus Aquitaine

To create a world-class aero skill academy

30 CASHe Paytm To allow its users to deposit cash transfers from CASHe to their Paytm wallets.

31 Future Generali India Insurance Company (FGII)

Bank of Maharashtra For insurance product

32 Lakshmi Vilas Bank

Fisdom To launch financial planning and wealth management services based on robo-advisory platform.(Mobile application Mission FINFIT has been launched for this)

33 Reliance Defence Ministry of Defence Contract worth Rs. 916 crore to design and construct 14 Fast Patrol Vessels for the Indian Coast Guard.

34 Rubber Skill Development Council (RSDC)

Hindustan University For imparting programmes in Rubber Technology.

Appointments and Resignations

S.No Name Post Institution

1 David R. Syiemlieh Chairman Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)

2 Air Marshal SB Deo Vice Chief Air Staff of Indian Air Force

3 Surekha Marandi Executive Director (ED)

Reserve Bank of India(RBI)

4 Justice Mian Saqib Nisar Chief Justice of Pakistan (25th )

5 Justice Virender Singh Chairperson Principal Bench of the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT)



6 Jovenel Moise President Haiti

7 S Padmanabhan Chairman Tata Power

8 Kumar Sharadindu MD & CEO SBI Pension Funds

9 Kalyan Krishnamurthy CEO Flipkart

10 David Rudisha International Event Ambassador

14th Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon

11 Virat Kohli Brand ambassador Gionee

12 Daniel Ortega President Nicaragua

13 N. Chandrasekaran Chairman Tata Sons group

14 Rajesh Gopinathan MD, CEO TCS

15 Ashish Shelar President Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA)

16 Rajeev Singh interim CEO Prasar Bharti

17 Mani Palvesan Managing Director State Bank of Hyderabad

18 Sanjeev Srinivasan CEO and MD Bharti AXA General Insurance

19 Alok Verma Chief Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)

20 Adama Barrow President Gambia

21 Anurag Thakur Head Himachal Pradesh Olympic Association (HPOA)

22 Siddhartha Murarka Chairman Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI)

23 AP Singh Interim MD and CEO

India Post Payment Bank

24 Dr. Vijay Pandurang Bhatkar

Vice-Chancellor Nalanda University, Bihar

25 Banwarilal Purohit Governor(additional charge)

Meghalaya

26 PB Acharya Governor(additional charge)

Arunachal Pradesh

27 Dushyant Chautala President Table Tennis Federation of India(TTFI)

28 Sanjiv Ranjan Ambassador of India To the Oriental Republic of Uruguay

29 Dr. Ausaf Sayeed High Commissioner of India

to the Republic of Seychelles

30 Birender Singh Yadav High Commissioner of

to the Republic of Sierra Leone



India

31 Ashok Warrier Ambassador of India to the Central African Republic

32 Bishwadip Dey High Commissioner of India

to Grenada

33 Ashok Amritraj appointed UN in India Goodwill Ambassador for the Sustainable Development Goals

Resignations/Terminations

1 Supreme Court Removes Anurag Thakur As BCCI President

2 Prime Minister of Mauritius Anerood Jugnauth resigns

3 Meghalaya Governor V Shanmuganathan resigns

Awards and Recognitions

S.No Award Name Person/Institution Extra Knowledge

1 Bharatiya Jnanpith Navlekhan Award 2016

Shraddha and Ghyansham Kumar Devansh

2 Technical Oscar Parag Havaldar Alumnus of IIT Kharagpur

3 Best FIFA Men's Player 2016 award

Cristiano Ronaldo Portuguese Football Player

4 ‘Best Governed Company’ award from ACCGS

Bharti Airtel

5 US Presidential Medal of Freedom (with Distinction)

Joe Biden (Former Vice President of US)

6 Young Travel Photographer Of The Year (TPOTY) award 2016

Darpan Basak and Ankit Kumar

7 The Hindu Prize 2016 Kiran Doshi For book "Jinnah Often Came to Our House"

8 Golden Peacock Award for Corporate Social Responsibility 2016

Delhi International Airport Ltd. (DIAL)

(under the aviation transport sector.)

9 National Geoscience Award for 2016

Dr. A Keshav Krishna

10 Miss Universe Iris Mittenaere(France)

11 National Entrepreneurship Lucideus Tech



Awards 2016(IT &ITES, Financial)

12 Amitabh Bachchan Awarded by US Embassy for TB Awareness

Conference and Summits

S.No Summit Place Extra Knowledge

1 104th Indian Science Congress Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh.

2 International Conference on “Yoga for Diabetes”

New Delhi

3 Assam Biotech Conclave 2017 and Fourth Assam International Agri-Horti Show

Guwahati, Assam

4 The Island Tourism Festival Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar islands

5 14th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Bengaluru Portugal Prime Minister Antonio Costa was the chief guest

6 All India Conference of Waqf Boards

New Delhi

7 44th New Delhi World Book Fair New Delhi Theme: "Manushi: writings on and by women".

8 2017 International Kite festival Ahmedabad, Gujarat

9 Nobel Prize Series Exhibition Gandhinagar, Gujarat

10 International Conference & Exhibition on Re-enforced Plastics

Mumbai

11 20th National Conference on e-Governance

Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh

12 21st National Youth Festival Rohtak, Haryana Theme : “Youth for Digital India”

13 1st ‘Gender Literature Festival’ Patna, Bihar

14 International conference on Disability Communication

Mumbai



15 8th Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors Summit 2017

Gandhinagar, Gujarat

Theme : “Vibrant Gujarat: Connecting India to the World”

16 Jal Manthan-III New Delhi

17 Camel Festival Bikaner, Rajasthan

18 5th World Government Summit (WGS)

Dubai, UAE

19 World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2017

Davos-Klosters, Switzerland

Theme : "Responsive and Responsible Leadership"

20 58th edition of India International Garment Fair (IIGF)

New Delhi

21 28th Dantan Gramin Mela West Bengal

22 2nd Raisina Dialogue New Delhi Theme : “The New Normal: Multilateralism in a multipolar world”

23 10th Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) Jaipur, Rajasthan Theme : "Freedom to Dream: India at 70"

24 Arogya Mitra Conference Silchar, Assam

25 First Brahmaputra Literary Festival Guwahati, Assam

26 1st North East Investors’ Summit Shillong, Meghalaya

International News

Finland has become the first country in the world to pay a basic income to randomly picked citizens on a national level.

Norway to become first country to switch off FM radio. FM radio has been replaced by Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) technology.

Israel to build World’s Tallest Solar Tower in Israel’s Negev desert by the year 2018. 250 meters (820 feet) tall.



China to set up world’s highest altitude telescopes in Tibet located 5,250 meters above sea level. Outlay – $18.8 million

Vishwa Hindi Divas (World Hindi Day) and Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (Overseas Indian Day) was celebrated in the Egypt’s capital Cairo on Jan 10, 2017.

Japan pledges $ 8.66 billion (1 trillion yen) aid package to Philippines which would be spread over 5 years.

Russia to ban cigarette sale ‘to anyone born after 2015’. Ecuador has taken over from Thailand as chair of the Group of 77. (A group of 134

countries)

US Ends Two-Decade Economic Sanction on Sudan.

Obama administration gives $500m to UN climate change fund.

Estonia launches e-residency program for Indian entrepreneurs.

Hong Kong has withdrawn the visa-on arrival facility for Indians effective from 23 January 2017.

Nepal has Launched a 10-year-plan to Reduce Depending on India for Vegetable Imports.

China Develops World’s Biggest Solar Park " Longyangxia Dam Solar Park". Output - 850 MW. Outlay - $875 million.

Denmark to appoint world’s first digital ambassador.

American President Donald Trump Bans 7 nations from Entering US on Security Issues. (Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen).

Dubai’s Department of Economic Development has launched a programme ‘Buyer Protection Programme’ to promote bilateral trade relations with India

National News

Swachh Bharat survey, Swachh Survekshan 2017 Begins in 500 cities.

Election Commission of India Announces Assembly polls Dates for Five States. Goa, Uttarakhand, Manipur, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh.

China launches longest bullet train named “Shangri-la of the World”

Japan to Help in Developing Chennai, Ahmedabad and Varanasi Smart Cities

Saudi Arabia Increases Annual Haj Quota for India from 1,36,020 to 1,70,520.(Increase of 34,500)

Uhuru Kenyatta , President of Kenya was on a 3 Day State Visit to India.

India has emerged as the most trusted nation in terms of its institutions by general population. The Indian government is also the second most trusted after neighbouring China, according to the 2017 Edelman Trust Barometer.

‘Sitalpati’ from Bengal recognised as ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage’ by UNESCO.



Russian Railways to help India in increasing the speed of train to 200km/hr

Government to pump in Rs 5500 crore in northeast India to beef up connectivity in the region

State News

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh government announces Rs 100 crore fund for fintech startups.

Hindustan Petroleum Corp Ltd(HPCL) and GAIL India Ltd signed a pact with Andhra Pradesh for setting up a Rs 40,000 crore petrochemical plant in the state. Assam

The Assam government will soon launch its indigenously-developed e-Wallet named Tokapoisa.in.

Assam for the first time organised Farmer’s Martyrs Day on 27 January 2017. Nitin Gadkari declares 1,253 km road in Assam as National Highways. Outlay – Rs

15,000 Crore. Bihar

Bihar formed ‘world’s longest human chain’ of over 11,292 km in support of prohibition of Liquor in Bihar.

Bihar Govt will stop manufacturing of liquor from 1 April 2017. Delhi

Power Minister Piyush Goyal unveiled world’s largest street light replacement programme in South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) area. In this programme, two lakh LED lights will replace inefficient lamps.

Delhi Airport first in world to adopt digital platform Arc

India’s first Madame Tussauds museum to open in Delhi. This will be the 23rd Museum across world.

Delhi declared free of bird flu (H5N8 avian influenza) Goa

Goa will become the first state in the country to opt for electronic transmission of

postal ballot to service voters in the upcoming assembly polls.



Gujarat

Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani dedicated India’s first laser technology-based advanced AVMS RTO check-post at Shamlaji of Aravalli district. Outlay – Rs Rs 4.72 crore.

Gandhinagar becomes India’s first model Smart City.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the India International Exchange (INX), the first international exchange from India at International Financial Service Centre (IFSC), Gujarat International Finance Tech (GIFT) City, Gujarat.

The Gujarat government has introduced India’s first Student Startup and Innovation Policy to provide financial support to enable the students in developing their innovative ideas. Outlay – Rs 200 Crore.

Digital Services firm Atos and NASSCOM Foundation has collaborated to launch National Digital Literacy Mission (NDLM) centers at Vadodara, Gujarat.

Gujarat announces 124% wage hike for fixed-pay employees from 1 February 2017.

Around 3.5 lakh People Created World Record by Singing National Anthem in Gujarat.

Gujarat government pardons 439 prisoners on Republic Day eve Haryana

Haryana launches ‘green Gurugram’ scheme. About 20 lakh saplings will be distributed in the city by Haryana Forest Department in February.

Haryana to set up ‘Prarambh School for Teachers Education’ in Jhajjar Himachal Pradesh

Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh has become the first district in the country to geo-tag 100 per cent of the assets generated under the MGNREGA.

Dharamsala declared second capital of Himachal Pradesh by the CM Karnataka

Centre Grants Drought Relief Assistance of Rs. 1782 Crore for Karnataka.

Bengaluru Ranked Most Dynamic City in the World as per WEF Report. (Total 6

Indian city. Other Indian cities in the list are Hyderabad at the 5th position, Pune

(13), Chennai (18), Delhi (23) and Mumbai (25).

Mysuru gets India’s first Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK).

Hubballi to get country’s largest startup incubator. Outlay - Rs 30 crore

Google to assist Karnataka government with tools to collect, analyze health data



Kerala

Kerala Launched its First Solar Powered Boat named "Aditya".

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the 4 lakh square feet latest IT building, ‘Jyothirmaya’ at the Infopark near Kochi.

Kerala becomes the first State in the country to introduce E-health project in Government health sector. Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh CM announces total ban on polythene bags from 1 May 2017. Maharashtra

Purse seine fishing nets banned across Maharashtra from Jan 1, 2017.

Maharashtra tops 2015 suicide chart.

Maharashtra government has launched India’s largest public WiFi service called ‘MumbaiWifi’.

ISKCON’s Govardhan eco village in Thane district of Mumbai has been conferred the United Nations award for taking innovative measures of ’sustainable tourism’ in country. Manipur

Karang island of Manipur is India’s first cashless island. Meghalaya

Mawlynnong village in Meghalaya has become a role model for other states in maintaining cleanliness. Known as Asia’s cleanest village. Mizoram

Entrepreneurship Development Scheme inaugurated in Mizoram. Outlay- Rs. 2 Crore Nagaland

Petroleum awareness drive ‘Saksham 2017’ launched in Nagaland. Odisha

11- Days Gala Festival Bargarh Dhanua Jatra Begins in Odisha. Puducherry

Arudra festival celebrated with fervour in Puducherry



Rajasthan

Rajasthan Government has collaborated with CISCO to develop Jaipur as the 2nd startup destination after Bengaluru. Sikkim

Sikkim observed State Organic day on January 18, 2017. Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu CM rolls out free bicycle scheme for 2016-17 for class 1 students. Outlay – Rs 243.96 crore.

Tamil Nadu Becomes 21st State to Join UDAY.

Helped by HDFC Bank, five temples in Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu have

introduced digital wallets and PoS to enable their devotees pay donations.

Tamil Nadu declares all districts drought-hit.

Tamil Nadu assembly unanimously passed the Jallikattu Bill. The bill seeks to amend Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. Telangana

Chandrababu Naidu announces Rs 100 crore reward for anyone who wins Nobel Prize from Andhra Pradesh.

Telangana CM announces ‘Rs. 1000 per month pension for single woman’ scheme.

The first edition of Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) International Television Dance Festival held in Hyderabad, Telangana. Prasar Bharati hosted the event. Uttrakhand

Center grants Rs. 209 crore to Uttarakhand which had been hit by floods in 2013.

Finance and Banking News

The Reserve Bank announced Rs 1 lakh penalty on the Mumbai District Co-operative

Bank (Mumbai Bank) for violating know-your-customer and anti-money laundering

norms.

State Bank of India (SBI) has launched a Digital Platform, Mobile App powered by

Manipal Global Education Services’ (MaGE) EduNxt Platform. Paytm gets RBI approval for payments bank.

SBI launches Hamara Ghar home loan scheme offering fixed rate for the first two

years at 8.5% for women and 8.55% for men.



Karnataka Bank launches group personal accident insurance scheme named ‘KBL Suraksha’

Yes Bank partnered in partnership with Gupshup will launch artificial intelligence-

powered banking chatbot ‘YES mPower’ that instantly gives information about loan products. The ‘YES mPower’ bot is available through Facebook Messenger.

RBI to provide rupees 1 billion in Rs 100 notes to Nepal Rashtra Bank.

UCO Bank has launched its ‘UCO Suvidha (e) Prepaid Card’. It is “a hassle-free” alternative to cash.

Government asks banks to obtain PAN from all account holders by 28 February

2017.

SBI has waived Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on debit card transactions for all

small merchants with annual turnover of up to Rs 20 lakh for one year till 31

December 2017.

Exim Bank launches export facilitation portal ‘EXIM Mitra’ HDFC Bank unveils its first Humanoid Banking Assistant named "Ira" (which means

Intelligent Robotic Assistant.) to help customers in their transactions.

Axis Bank becomes third lender to offer block chain service. (1st – ICICI Bank, 2nd –

Yes Bank)

British lender Barclays became the first bank to have a national tie-up with the India

Post. (Headquarter of Barclays – London, UK)

Oxigen Wallet announced the launch of ‘Chat & Pay’ a chatbot service in collaboration with Niki.ai.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley inaugurated Airtel Payments Bank of Bharti

Enterprises, which is being rolled out across the country with an investment of Rs

3,000 crore. Bharti Airtel has 80 per cent stake, Kotak Mahindra Bank has 20 per

cent stake in Airtel Payments Bank. (Interest rate of 7.25%)

Citibank India has launched a Voice Biometrics Authentication for its phone banking

customers.(Headquarter of CITI Bank- South Dakota, United States)

Andhra Bank announced the launch of a new initiative ‘AB e-Vyapar’ for cashless transactions through mobile phones for which only the Aadhar number is required.

YES Bank has launched YES FINTECH, an exclusive accelerator programme for

fintech start-ups.

Yes Bank Launches India’s First Customisable Savings Account. 30 More Countries to Join Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank. Presently there are

57 members.



Government to infuse Rs 1,894 crore capital into SBI. This is the part of Rs 7,575

crore capital infusion.

HDFC Bank will organize “Digital Literacy Camps” to provide training to 25,000 people in Madhya Pradesh to carry out cashless transactions.

Lloyd's of London gets final approval from IRDAI to open branch in India.

Wholesale reinsurance provider Swiss Re (headquartered in Zürich, Switzerland) has

received approval from IRDAI to open a branch in Mumbai.

XL Catlin’s reinsurance business group gets nod from IRDAI to open an onshore

reinsurance branch office. (Headquarter - Dublin, Ireland)

As per guideline by Income Tax Department, banks need to report deposits made by

individuals’ upto Rs. 2.5 lakh or more in savings account during the demonetisation period and for current account the limit is Rs 12.5 lakh.

Kerala Gramin Bank to propagate financial literacy among school children by its

FI@School Programme.

Cooperative Banks Barred From Accepting Deposits under PMGKDS.

Restructured education loans not to be treated as NPA : RBI

Punjab National Bank (PNB) has launched a Contactless Credit Card named PNB

Wave N Pay –Contactless Card. No need for PIN for transactions of up to Rs 2,000.

Utkarsh Micro Finance (headquartered in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh) and Suryoday

Microfinance (headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra) have started their small

finance bank. With this the number of Small Finance Banks in the country rises to

4.[Other two - Capital Small Finance Bank (headquartered in Jalandhar, Punjab)

and Equitas Small Finance Bank (headquartered in Chennai, Tamil Nadu)]

The Banking Codes and Standards Board of India (BCSBI) will organise “Know Your Rights” to enhance awareness on Banking Codes at the grassroot level.

Yes Bank has forged a strategic partnership with Andhra Pradesh Non-Resident

Telugu (APNRT) Society to offer exclusive banking services to all Telugu-speaking

NRIs in the state.

Cabinet approves Varishtha Pension Bima Yojana. Scheme will be implemented

through LIC, will protect elderly persons aged 60 years and above. Guaranteed rate

of return of 8 percent per annum for ten years.

RBI Prohibits FDI in Non-Cooperative Countries as identified by the inter-

governmental body Financial Action Task Force (FATF). [Headquarter of FATF -

Paris, France]



Abu Dhabi sets up Personal Status and Inheritance Court for non-Muslims.

India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) kicked off its operations by rolling out pilot

services in Raipur and Ranchi. The paid up equity of the new bank is Rs 800 crore, of

which the government has already infused Rs 275 crore. The bank will offer an

interest rate of 4.5 per cent on deposits up to Rs 25,000; 5 per cent on deposits of Rs

25,000-50,000 and 5.5 per cent on Rs 50,000-1,00,000.

According to ICRA, credit growth is likely to remain muted at 5-6 per cent at the end

of the financial year 2016-17.

Reserve Bank Lifts ATM Withdrawal Limits Effective From 1 February 2017.

However the weekly limit to withdraw Rs. 24000 from savings account will still

continue.

Business News

Petronet has signed an agreement to set up a $950 million liquefied natural gas import project in Bangladesh.

Google introduces tools for small businesses in India. (i) My Business –to help setting up a website using smart phone. (ii) Digital Unlocked - mobile and online course.

PropTiger, Housing.com merge to form India’s largest online real estate company. The joint entity will raise $55 million of fresh investment.

FreeCharge has partnered ZEE Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF), the world’s largest free literary festival.

NIIT opens its biggest data training center in China.

BSNL has launched Customer Acquisition and Customer Communication Management (CACMS) project “Sanchar Aadhar” that digitalizes mission critical, customer centric business process to provide compelling customer experience across all channels throughout the customer lifecycle.

NTPC Signs MoU To Takeover Chhabra Thermal Power Plant of Rajasthan.

BSNL launches mobile TV service ‘Ditto TV’, Fixed Mobile Telephony service. Intel unveils Simbe Robotics Tally, ‘world’s first robotic solution’ for retail. Flipkart launches “Project Nanjunda” to safeguard delivery staff. The Union Cabinet approved listing of 5 state-owned general insurance firms – New

India Assurance Company, United India Insurance, Oriental Insurance Company, National Insurance Company and General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC), on the stock exchanges.

Google has acquired Twitter’s mobile app developer platform Fabric.



Flipkart topped the ‘The Indian E-tailing Leadership Index’. Apple named most innovative company of 2016 in the Boston Consulting Group’s

annual list.

MakeMyTrip has launched the first ever social luxury travel magazine called ‘Luxury Travel Times’.

Nokia has bagged a contract worth $500 million (Rs 3,650 crore) from Vodafone for expansion of 4G network in the country.

Ant Financial, e-commerce giant Alibaba’s financial arm acquired MoneyGram for $880 million.

E-paathsala, a Bangalore based startup, launched its first-of-its-kind, end to end integrated accreditation and ERP technology solution for managing colleges and universities with multiple accreditations for standards

Economy News

EPFO launches "Enrollment & Establishment coverage campaign 2017" a 3 month campaign to encourage firms to enroll their workers. Late fine of Re.1

The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) has approved new projects worth Rs 370 crore for its ongoing Ganga rejuvenation programme in Haridwar and Varanasi.

Central Statistics Office (CSO), has estimated the per capita net national income of India during 2016-17 “to be Rs 103,007”.

General Anti-Avoidance Rule (GAAR) will come into effect from April 1, 2017. (Assessment Year 2018—19)

India announced a $100-million Line of Credit to Kenya for agricultural mechanization.

NITI Aayog to come out with 3-year action plan to accelerate economic growth.

Govt hikes minimum pension for central govt employees to Rs 9000.

Government to Disinvest 51% Stake in Pawan Hans Ltd. GOI hold 51% stake in Pawan Hans while rest 49% stake is held by ONGC.

The corpus of the Credit Guarantee Trust Fund(for micro and small enterprises) has been enhanced from Rs 2,500 crore at present to Rs 7,500 crore. Coverage of the loans under the credit guarantee scheme has been increased from Rs 1 crore to Rs 2 crore.

The government approved Rs 45,000 crore loan to FCI out of National Small Savings Fund.

Suresh Prabhu unveiled ‘Mission 41K’ to save Rs. 41,000 crore on the Indian Railways’ expenditure on energy consumption over the next 10 years.

Centre releases Rs 2,207.30 cr to J&K as special assistance in FY17.



The Indian Railways has decided to set up a $5 billion Railways of India Development Fund (RIDF). World Bank would fund 80% of RIDF while the rest 20% will be funded by Indian Railway.

The GST Council has decided that tax evasion of upto than Rs. 2 crore would be bailable offense. Currently the limit is Rs 1 crore.

Singapore most favoured destination to invest for Indian companies : RBI Report.

Cabinet has permitted NABARD to raise about Rs 20,000 crore from the market for on-lending to cooperative banks at 4.5 per cent interest with an aim to provide cheaper crop loans to farmers.

National MSME Policy to be formulated for the First Time in India as per the report submitted by Dr.Prabhat Kumar.

Apps Launches/ Portal/Helpline

The Maritime Union of India (MUI), country’s oldest union representing Indian Merchant Navy Officers since 1939, has launched android based mobile app named MUI.

Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi launched a mobile application ‘Haj Committee of India’ which will provide information and facilitate e-payments for the pilgrimage.

Piyush Goyal launches Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana (UDAY) Web Portal & Mobile App.

The District Administration of Ludhiana has launched a mobile application named “ECI360” for Election Commission of India(ECI).

Government’s helpline number 14444 for digital payments support launched. The Road Ministry along with the National Informatics Centre (NIC) has readied an

app, e-challan, which will help traffic rule enforcers, such as the transport department and traffic police.

Madhya Pradesh Police launched women safety app named ‘MP e-Cop’ IRCTC has launched "IRCTC Rail Connect App" to facilitate booking of train tickets

in a faster and easier way.

BSE launches mobile app for mutual fund trading ‘BSE StAR MF’ mobile application. BMC launches mobile app to locate public toilets across Mumbai. ‘Mumbai Toilet

Locator’ Tamil Nadu Tourism Department launched mobile app ‘pinakin’ with information on

tourism in Tamil Nadu with audio facilities.

Commerce Secretary launched the app ‘SEZ India’ which would help the SEZ Units and Developers to find information easily and track their transactions on SEZ Online System.



HRD Minister Shri Prakash Javadekar launched a dedicated web portal ‘ShaGun’ for the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan at New Delhi. ShaGun has been coined from ‘Shala’ meaning Schools and ‘Gunvatta’ meaning Quality.

‘Natyarambha’ smartphone app launched for Bharatanatyam enthusiasts.

Projects

Kiren Rijiju laid the foundation stone for an Integrated Check-Post (ICP) on January 24, 2017 at the Indo-Bangladesh border in Meghalaya. Outlay - Rs. 92.34 crore.

Japan launches its first Military Communication satellite named Kirameki-2.

Defence News

India Test Fires Agni IV Ballistic Missile off Odisha Coast. Agni IV surface-to-surface ballistic missile of range 4000 kms.

Russia Delivers 4 Sukhoi Su-35 Fighter Jets to China.

INS Khanderi, Second Scorpene Class Submarine Launched in Mumbai.

BSF launches operation ‘Sard Hawa’ at Rajasthan border. The purpose of the operation is to keep a hawk’s eye on the international border.

INS Vikramaditya will become India’s first warship to have ‘onboard’ ATM. SBI will set up ATM.

The Indian Navy’s Annual Theatre Readiness Operational Exercise (TROPEX) starts.

The Defence Ministry will set up Rs 1500 crore Defence Unit in Morena district of Madhya Pradesh.

Sports News

Tournament Winner Runner Up

Mubadala World Tennis Championship

Rafael Nadal

World Blitz Chess Championship

Sergey Karjakin(Russia) Magnus Carlsen(Norway)

South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Women’s Football Championship

India Bangladesh

Brisbane International Sania Mirza + Bethanie



women’s doubles title. Mattek-Sands(American)

Qatar Open Tennis Title Novak Djokovic Andy Murray

Chennai Open Men’s Double Tennis Title

Rohan Bopanna and Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan

Chennai Open Men’s Single Title Tennis

Roberto Bautista Agut Daniil Medvedev

Kolkata Open snooker Championship

Pankaj Advani Aditya Mehta

Malaysia Masters Badminton Grand Prix

Saina Nehwal Pornpawee Chochuwong

7th National Billiards Championship

Pankaj Advani Rupesh Shah

Syed Modi Grand Prix PV Sindhu Gregoria Mariska(Indonesia)

Australian Open Men’s Singles

Roger Federer Rafael Nadal

Australian Open Women’s Singles

Serena Williams Venus Williams

Sports

India’s lawn tennis player Somdev Devvarman announced his retirement from professional tennis

Lionel Messi wins World’s Best Playmaker of 2016 by International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS).

Australian Cricketer Arthur Morris Inducted into ICC Cricket Hall of Fame.

PR Sreejesh becomes member of FIH Athletes’ Committee. Laishram Sarita becomes 1st female boxer from India to turn pro.

FIFA Ranking : 1st – Argentina ; 2nd - Brazil ; 3rd – Germany ; India – 129th

Mercedes has signed Valtteri Bottas to replace F1 champion Nico Rosberg.

Kapil Dev inducted into Legends Club Hall of Fame of Cricket Club of India in Mumbai.

Indian Women Boxers won 6 medals at the 6th Nations Cup in the Serbian city and finished 3rd after Kazakhstan and Russia.

Alibaba Group becomes worldwide Olympic partner through 2028.

Praful Patel (president of AIFF) becomes a member of FIFA finance committee.

David Boon and Matthew Hayden inducted into Australian Cricket Hall of Fame.

Tokyo Olympic Committee has selected Son Goku as one of its brand ambassadors apart from Naruto, Shin Chan, Sailor Moon, Petty Cure, Luffy and Astroboy for Tokyo Olympics in 2020.

India gets its first multi-sports museum "Fanattic Sports Museum" in Kolkata.



Schemes and Policy

Scheme Name Information Outlay

“Arogya Raksha Scheme” (Andhra Pradesh)

Health Insurance Scheme. Insurance Cover of Rs. 2 lakh. Premium Rs 100/month

“Good Samaritan Policy” (New Delhi)

To encourage people to help accident victims monetary incentive of Rs 2,000 and appreciation certificate will be given to people who help road accident victims in New Delhi

“Fly For Sure” scheme (Air India)

The customer will have to pay extra Rs. 2,000 while booking the ticket and in return he will get to board any Air India flight on the same day and same sector in case of missing or cancelled flight.

“The Journalism Project” (Facebook)

Facebook will collaborate with news organisations on product development, help train journalists on how to use Facebook as a reporting tool and work on efforts to promote news literacy.

“Digital Dakiya” or Digital Postman (Madhya Pradesh)

Postman will visit different places to teach and encourage people about cashless transactions and its benefits.

“Anandam Scheme” (Madhya Pradesh)

Under this scheme the people who are economic sound can donate items for the needed person.

“Khelegi toh Khilegi” A pan-India football based programme for girls between the age to 10-15 years.

“Dulari Kanya” (Arunachal Pradesh)

Scheme to check infant mortality in the state. The government will deposit Rs 20,000 in the bank account of a girl child, born in any government hospital. It will be paid with interest when girl attains 18 year of age.



“Operation Clean Money” (Income Tax Department)

Data analytics has been used for comparing the demonetisation data with information in the department’s databases. Income Tax Department has identified 18 lakh taxpayers who will be served notices seeking explanation within 10 days.

Committees

Head of Committee Purpose

TS Thakur Seeking Votes in the name of caste, language or religion is Corrupt and not Permissible

Injeti Srinivas to suggest improvements in the National Sports Development Code functioning of sports federations.

Dr H R Nagendra committee to search for a new chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC)

Amitabh Chaudhry panel to review life insurance product norms formed by IRDAI.

Timothy Gonsalves Committee formed by the IIT Joint Admission Board (JAB) has recently given its suggestion to create 20 percent reservation seats for the girl students in IITs out of the total number of seats available. The decision will enable IITs to achieve the 1 lakh target by 2020.

J.S. Khehar To replace the thrice-a-week dosage norm of tuberculosis drugs with a daily dosage regimen

Abhinav Bindra Identifying and supporting potential medal prospects for 2020 and 2024 Olympic Games under the “Target Olympic Podium” scheme.

Rankings

Index India’s Rank Other Information

Highest average annual salary to expatriates (HSBC Holdings data)

India’s Rank -3rd Top - Switzerland

Global Index Of Talent Competitiveness

India’s Rank -92nd Top - Switzerland

Inclusive Development India’s Rank -60th Top - Lithuania



Index (WEF)

Global ‘Passport Index’ India’s Rank -78th Top- Germany

Corruption Perception Index (CPI) by (Transparency International (TI))

India’s Rank -79th Top - Denmark

Loans from Banks

From To Amount Purpose

World Bank India USD 48 million

for the ‘Nagaland Health Project’.

World Bank Maharashtra Rs 2,800 crore

Project for reclaiming saline lands, spread over 5 lakh hectares affecting 1,000 villages in the State.

World Bank Tripura Rs 1,376 crore

For complete upgradation and improvement of the power system network in Tripura.

NABARD Kerala 1,28,199.38 crore

towards priority sector lending by banks in Kerala for the year 2017-18

Miscellaneous News

NRIs can deposit a maximum of Rs 25,000 per person till 30 June 2017.

Google dedicated a Doodle on January 03, 2017 to mark the 186th birth anniversary of India’s 19th century social reformer Savitribai Jyotirao Phule, considered the first feminist of the country.

2017 Named International Year Of Sustainable Tourism For Development By United Nations.

Commerce Ministry launched of IPR Enforcement Toolkit for Police and IPR Awareness Campaign for Children.

New organ discovered inside human body by scientists. Now total 79 organs.

Mega Festival on 350th Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti Organized in Patna, Bihar on 5 January 2017.

30 Indian-Origin Men & Women Inducted into 2017 Forbes’ Super Achievers List. On-road emission tests to be mandatory from 2020, once the Bharat Stage VI norm

kicks in from 2020.



Indian Standard on gold hallmarking has been revised by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). Now hallmarked Gold will be available in three grades of 14 carat, 18 carat and 22 carat.

TRAI increases data vouchers validity from 90 days to 365 days.

2016 was country’s warmest year since 1901: IMD. Cabinet approves India’s Membership in the International Vaccine Institute (IVI),

South Korea. The move involves payment of annual contribution of US $ 5,00,000 to IVI.

Indian Post releases special stamp cover titled “Golden girls of India – Pride of Nation” featuring Dipa Karmakar, PV Sindu, Sakshi Malik and Bishweshwar Nandi.

The Ministery of Commerce & Industry launched Rubber Soil Information System (RubSIS) to provide the detail about the soil quality to the rubber growers to enhance productivity

According to the Flag Foundation of India, DU is the first public university in the country to get a monumental flagpole.

India ranks sixth on eight great powers in 2017 as per American foreign policy magazine. Topped by US.

Delhi based Observer Research Foundation (ORF) has been ranked as the top think tank in the China, India, Japan and the Republic of Korea category.

IMD to Set up Weather Stations in 660 Districts by 2019.

Vinod Rai to head the four-member panel to run Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)

Paytm has been included as a case study by the India Research Center of the Harvard Business School.

Arnab Goswami’s media house name changed from ‘Republic’ to ‘Republic TV’.

Growth rates predictions India’s GDP for 2016-17 by Government of India – 7.1%

India’s GDP for 2016-17 by World Bank – 7.0%

India’s GDP for 2016-17 by NITI Aayog – 8.0%

India’s GDP for 2016-17 by IMF – 6.6%

India’s GDP for 2016-17 by UN – 7.7% and for 2017-18 – 7.6%

India’s GDP for 2016-17 as per Ficci’s Economic Outlook Survey – 6.8%

Global growth rate prediction by World Bank for 2017 - 2.7%

As per PwC’s global economy watch (GEW) India’s contribution to world GDP to reach 17% this year.

Global unemployment to rise by 3.4 m in 2017: ILO



Books “The People’s President: Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam” => Author - Shri S.M. Khan

"Akhada: The Authorized Biography of Mahavir Singh Phogat" => Author- Sourabh

Duggal

"Cyber Pathshala" => Author - Tarun Vijay

“Khullam Khulla: Rishi Kapoor Uncensored” (Autobiography of actor Rishi Kapoor) =>Author- Rishi Kapoor and Meena Iyer

Obituaries

Name Profession Other Info

Abdul Halim Jaffer Khan Sitar player Age - 88

Gangumei Kabui Politician and Historian

Om Puri Actor Age- 66

Mario Soares Former prime minister and president of Portugal

Age -92

C. G. Weeramantry Sri Lankan Lawer and Judge at the International Court of Justice

Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani Iran’s former president Age - 82

Ramu Sharma Sports journalist

Roman Herzog Former German president Age - 82

Easwar Sagar Journalist Age - 95

Surjit Singh Barnala Former Punjab Chief Minister

Mangal Negi Political And Social Activist Age - 86

Geeta Sen Film and stage actoress

Deepak Roy Film-maker Age- 67

Eugene Cernan Astronaut (the last man who walk on the moon)

Age - 82

C.V. Vishveshwara Scientist and black hole physicist.

Age - 78

Naqsh Lyallpuri Urdu Poet, Lyricist Age - 88

Mary Tyler Actress Age - 80

Devdutt Journalist (who witnessed Mahatma Gandhi assassination)

Age -88



Important Days

Date Day Extra Info

4 January World Braille Day

10 January World Hindi Day This was the 12th edition

12 January National Youth Day Theme : Youth for Digital India

15 January Indian Army Day This was the 69th edition

24 January National Girl Child Day Theme : Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao

25 January National Voters Day Theme : “Empowering Young & Future Voters”

27 January International Holocaust Remembrance Day

29 January World Leprosy Day

30 January Shaheed Diwas

31 January Raising Day of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)

12th Edition



January Special

Announcement made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for farmers, traders, Women and senior citizens 1) Interest Subvention on Home loans

a) Urban – 4% Interest Subvention for loans upto Rs 9 lakh - 3% Interest Subvention for loans upto Rs 12 lakh. b) Rural – 3% Interest Subvention for loans upto Rs 2 lakh for building new houses and extension of houses. The number of houses to be built for poor to be increased by 33%

2) Farmers

a) Conversion of 3 crore Kisan Credit Card into Rupay Card in next 3 months b) Waive 60 days interest on farm loans taken in Rabi season from DCCB and primary society. c) Added Rs 20,000 crore to the already present Rs 21,000 crore fund of NABARD for loan distribution to farmers.

3) Senior Citizen – Monthly fixed interest rate of 8% on their fixed deposit of upto Rs 7.5 lakh for 10 years. 4) Women – Rs 6,000 will be deposited in the account of pregnant women. 5) MSME Sector

a) Cash Credit limit raised from 20% to 25% b) Credit Guarantee for MSME will be raised from 1 Crore to Rs 2 Crore. c) Working capital loan will be increased from 20% to 30% d) For business upto Rs 2 crore earlier the tax on income was calculated on 8% of turnover, now it has been reduced to 6%. This will bring down the tax liability by 25%.

Interest rates on Small Savings Scheme (Effective from 1 January 2017- 31 March 2017)

Public Provident Fund – 8%

Kisan Vikas Patra – 7.7% (Maturity – 112 months)

Sukanya Samriddhi Scheme – 8.5%

5 years National Saving Certificate – 8%

5 years Senior Citizen Saving Scheme – 8.5%

Saving Deposits – 4%

Term Deposit (1-5 years) – 7 to 7.8%



5 year Recurring Deposit – 7.3%

62nd Filmfare Award

Best film Dangal Best director Nitesh Tiwari (Dangal) Best actor in a leading role (male) Aamir Khan (Dangal) Best actor in a leading role (female) Alia Bhatt (Udta Punjab) People's choice award for best short film Khamakha Best short film in fiction Chutney Lifetime achievement award Shatrugan Sinha

Padma Award Padma Awards - one of the highest civilian Awards of the country, are conferred in three

categories, namely, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri. This year the

President of India has approved conferment of Padma Awards to 89 persons ( 7 Padma

Vibhushan, 7 Padma Bhushan and 75 Padma Shri Awardees.)

Padma Vibhushan

Sl. No Name Field State

1. Shri K J Yesudas Art-Music Kerala

2. Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev Others-Spiritualism Tamil Nadu

3. Shri Sharad Pawar Public Affairs Maharashtra

4. Shri Murli Manohar Joshi Public Affairs Uttar Pradesh

5. Prof. Udipi Ramachandra Rao

Science & Engineering Karnataka

6. Late Shri Sunder Lal Patwa (Posthumous)

Public Affairs Madhya Pradesh

7. Late Shri PA Sangma (Posthumous)

Public Affairs Meghalaya



Padma Bhushan

Sl. No. Name Field State

8. Shri Vishwa Mohan Bhatt Art-Music Rajasthan 9. Prof. (Dr.) Devi Prasad

Dwivedi Literature & Education Uttar Pradesh

10. Shri Tehemton Udwadia Medicine Maharashtra

11. Shri Ratna Sundar Maharaj Others-Spiritualism Gujarat

12. Swami Niranjana Nanda Saraswati

Others-Yoga Bihar

13. H.R.H. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn (Foreigner)

Literature & Education Thailand

14. Late Shri Cho Ramaswamy (Posthumous)

Literature & Education –Journalism

Tamil Nadu

Padma Shri awardees: The award was given to 75 people. Some of the awardees are

Virat Kohli, Shekar Naik, Deepa Malik, Dipa Karmakar, Sakshi Malik, Mariyappan

Thangavelu, Vikas Gowda, P R Shreejesh.

Republic Day 2017 On 26 January 2017, India celebrated its 68th Republic Day.

Theme of 68th Republic Day: "Skill India and Beti Bachao Beti Padhao".

Chief Guest: Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi)

Important Points about 68th Republic Day

This was for the first time that, a foreign contingent took part in Republic Day

parade. A contingent of 179 UAE Soldiers led the annual parade on Rajpath.

For the first time contingent of National Security Guards (Black Cat commandos)

took part in parade.

O. Panneerselvam becomes first CM to host national flag on Republic day. (On

the Republic Day the Governor of the state hosts the flag)



Best marching contingent (Service Category): Madras Engineer Group

Best marching contingent (Para-Military Forces category): Central Industrial Security

Force (CISF)

Best tableaux (States): Arunachal Pradesh – for Yak Dance

Best tableaux (Union Ministries/Departments): Union Ministry of Skill Development

and Entrepreneurship. Theme: "Transforming India through Skill Development")

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