1 | P a g e

Today Current Affairs for Competitive

Exams - Current Affairs 2018-2019

Online

If you are appearing for any Government Recruitment Exam, it is important that you are

familiar with the happenings around the world. Current Affairs is an important part of

your syllabus apart from English, Quantitative Aptitude or Logical Reasoning! Thus, we

bring you the Important General Awareness in PDF. Now, Banking, SSC and Insurance

aspirants can read the update containing all the Important Current Affairs 11th April

2019. You can also attempt yesterday's current affairs quiz:

Current Affairs Quiz – 10th April 2019

Important Current Affairs 11th April 2019

• Benjamin Netanyahu won Israel's elections

o Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has managed to hold

on to power, winning a record fifth term in office despite a

bruising reelection fight.

o Netanyahu is the longest-serving Prime Minister in Israeli

history — even longer than David Ben-Gurion, the country’s first

prime minister.

Source Link: https://www.vox.com/world/2019/4/10/18302233/israel-

election-results-benjamin-netanyahu-2019

• NGT set central monitoring panel

2 | P a g e

o The National Green Tribunal (NGT) constituted a Central

Monitoring Committee to ensure the implementation of action

plan meant for reducing pollution stretches across the country.

o It will undertake a national initiative by way of preparation and

enforcement of a national plan to make river stretches pollution-

free.

o The panel will coordinate with States to oversee the action plans.

Source Link: https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/ngt-

sets-up-central-monitoring-panel/article26801059.ece

• GPF interest retained at 8% for April-June

o The government has retained the interest rate for General

Provident Fund (GPF) and other related schemes at 8% for the

April-June quarter.

o The interest rate will be applicable on provident funds of central

government employees, railways and defence forces.

o The rate is in line with that of the Public Provident Fund.

Source Link: https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-business/gpf-

interest-retained-at-8-for-april-june/article26801022.ece

• Procurement of 464 T-90 tanks cleared

o The government has cleared the procurement of 464 T-90 tanks

from Russia in a deal worth over Rs 13,500 crore, despite the

tensions with Pakistan.

o Under the new deal, the tanks would be provided to the

Armoured Corps of the force which will use them for deployment

along the border with Pakistan.

3 | P a g e

o The new deal would increase the number of T-90s in the Army to

close to 2,000.

Source Link: https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/government-clears-

procurement-of-464-t-90-tanks-amid-growing-tension-with-pakistan-

1497936-2019-04-09

• Dost Education bagged Tech prize

o India's education tech startup 'Dost Education' bagged a $25,000

tech prize along with 2 other winners from Tanzania and Egypt.

o The Next Billion Edtech Prize 2019 recognises the most

innovative technology destined to have a radical impact on

education in low income.

o Dost was awarded for its ability to empower parents to take

charge of their child's early education.

Source Link: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/small-

biz/startups/newsbuzz/indias-education-technology-startup-dost-

education-claims-25000-global-tech-

prize/articleshow/68795345.cms?from=mdr

• UK introduced online safety regulations

o The UK government introduced the world’s first framework

designed to hold internet companies accountable for the safety

of those using their services.

o The Online Harms whitepaper is a joint proposal from the

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and

the Home Office.

4 | P a g e

o Various technology companies will be subject to the laws,

including social media platforms.

Source Link: https://www.computerweekly.com/news/252461252/UK-

introduces-worlds-first-online-safety-regulations

• Namami Gange got global recognition

o The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) was awarded the

distinction of 'Public Water Agency of the Year'.

o It was awarded by the Global Water Intelligence at the Global

Water Summit in London on April 9, 2019.

o The Global Water Awards are presented at the Global Water

Summit, the major business conference for the water industry

worldwide.

Source Link: https://indianexpress.com/article/india/namami-gange-gets-

global-recognition-at-world-summit-5669597/

• Bahumat Pass Launched for 7 Election Days

o In Lieu of the Election Season, Testbook has launched a special

Bahumat Pass which will be for just Rs. 273/- and will be valid for

a total of 273 days.

o If you are a Govt Exam aspirant and you are preparing for

upcoming exams, this is your opportunity to avail this special

pass.

o It is only valid during all 7 Election Days. Hurry!

Source

Link: https://testbook.com/?_branch_match_id=593475575325136474

• TCS partnered with Google

5 | P a g e

o Tata Consultancy Services partnered with Google Cloud to build

industry-specific cloud solutions, on 10 April 2019.

o TCS’ solutions on Google Cloud Platform (GCP) will help

enterprises build secure, cloud-native analytics platforms

that are cost-effective, easy to maintain, and future ready.

o TCS offers a set of cloud enablement services on GCP, applying

the Machine-First Delivery Model.

Source Link: https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/info-tech/tcs-google-

partner-to-build-industry-specific-cloud-solutions/article26793900.ece

• Tata Trust and Microsoft signed MoU

o Tata Trusts and Microsoft India signed a MoU to jointly

rejuvenate the handloom clusters in the Eastern and North-

Eastern parts of the country.

o Microsoft’s ReWeave initiative helps preserve traditional

weaving forms by upskilling, design, marketing, and

entrepreneurship.

o Tata Trusts’ initiative, ‘Antaran’, aims at rejuvenating ailing

handloom clusters through an end-to-end programme.

Source Link: https://www.expresscomputer.in/cloud/tata-trusts-and-

microsoft-partner-to-empower-the-indian-handloom-weaving-

community/34916/

• India's population grew at 1.2% average

o India’s population grew at an average annual rate of 1.2%

between 2010-2019 to 1.36 billion, according to a report by the

United Nations Population Fund.

6 | P a g e

o India’s population in 2019 stood at 1.36 billion, growing from

942.2 million in 1994 and 541.5 million in 1969.

o The data was given by the UN sexual and reproductive health

agency in the State of World Population 2019 report.

Source Link: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/indias-population-

grew-at-12-average-annual-rate-between-2010-and-2019-un-

report/article26802684.ece

• Varun Dhawan: Navratna brand ambassador

o Emami has roped in Varun Dhawan to endorse Navratna Cool

brand.

o Emami will launch Dhawan as its new brand ambassador of

Navratna Cool and he would feature in the new commercial.

o Navratna brand, over the years, has been endorsed by leading

actors including Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Govinda,

and Shilpa Shetty.

o Some of its products are Navratna Oil and Navratna Cool.

Source Link: https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/emami-

ropes-in-varun-dhawan-as-navratna-cool-brand-ambassador-3789821.html

• Google launched new cloud platform

o Google launched Anthos, a new open platform from Google

Cloud, that lets users run applications from anywhere, on 10

April 2019.

o It allows users to run applications, unmodified, on existing on-

premise hardware or on the public cloud and is based on the

Cloud Services Platform.

7 | P a g e

o It is a complete software-based solution. Users can set it up on

existing hardware.

Source Link: https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/info-tech/google-

launches-new-cloud-platform-anthos/article26797939.ece

• Appointments

o Justice Vikram Nath, seniormost judge of the Allahabad High

Court, has been appointed Chief Justice of the Andhra Pradesh

High Court. He succeeds acting CJ Justice C. Praveen Kumar.

o In a bureaucratic reshuffle, the Centre has appointed Gargi Kaul,

a 1984-batch officer of the Indian Audit and Accounts Service

(IA&AS), as Secretary, Defence Finance.

Source Link: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-

pradesh/vikram-nath-is-new-chief-justice-of-ap-high-

court/article26799966.ece

• Indian Oil bagged AIMA award

o Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) bagged the prestigious 'AIMA

Managing India Award 2019 for outstanding PSU of the year.'

o The award was presented by former President Pranab

Mukherjee to Sanjiv Singh, Chairman, Indian Oil.

o The AIMA awards declared under 11 categories, shortlisted 11

eminent enterprises and personalities of the country for their

contribution to nation-building.

8 | P a g e

Source Link: https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/indian-

oil-bags-aima-managing-india-award-for-outstanding-psu-

119040901364_1.html

• WB Govt fined for virtual ban on a film

o The West Bengal government was slapped with a fine of Rs. 20

lakh by the Supreme Court for imposing a 'virtual' ban on the

public screening of a Bengali film.

o The court had asked Mamata Banerjee's government in March to

ensure that the satirical film is screened without obstruction.

o The film, 'Bhobishyoter Bhoot' had disappeared from movie halls

a day after its release on February 15, 2019.

Source Link: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/west-bengal-government-

fined-rs-20-lakh-by-supreme-court-for-virtual-ban-on-bhobishyoter-bhoot-

2021385

• Cyclone Idai's death toll rose to 1000

o The death toll from the cyclone Idai is now above 1,000.

o Mozambique has reported 602 deaths while 59 people have died

in Malawi.

o Cyclone Idai smashed into the coast of central Mozambique in

March 2019. It unleashed hurricane-force winds and rains that

flooded the hinterland and drenched eastern Zimbabwe.

o Around 2 million people have been affected in Mozambique,

Zimbabwe, and Malawi.

Source Link: http://www.newsonair.com/News?title=Cyclone-

Idai%26%2339%3bs-death-toll-now-above-1%2c000-in-southern-

Africa&id=362068

9 | P a g e

• INS Shikra hosted Naval Investiture Ceremony

o The Naval Investiture Ceremony was held at the naval helicopter

base INS Shikra of Western Naval Command (WNC), Mumbai on

10 April 19.

o Admiral Sunil Lanba conferred Gallantry and non-Gallantry

Awards to meritorious personnel, as well as citations to Naval

units which have distinguished themselves during the past year.

o A 50-men Guard of Honour was paraded during the ceremonial

parade.

Source Link: http://pib.nic.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1570368

• India builds maternity hospital in Nepal

o India has built a 25-bed maternity hospital in Nepal. It has been

built under the Government of India's Small Development

Projects Scheme.

o The Hospital will provide quality maternity and health care

services to the people of 50 Village Development Committees in

and around Siraha district.

o The Hospital will be run by the Chandra Narayan Yadav

Memorial Trust on no profit-no loss basis.

Source Link: http://www.newsonair.com/News?title=India-builds-

maternity-hospital-in-Nepal&id=362071

• Vice President conferred awards

o Vice President Venkaiah Naidu conferred President’s Certificate

of Honour and Maharshi Badrayan Vyas Samman Awards at New

Delhi, recently.

10 | P a g e

o The award of the Certificate of Honour was introduced in the

year 1958 to honour the scholars of Sanskrit, Arabic and Persian

Languages.

o Maharshi Badrayan Vyas Samman was introduced in the year

2002.

Source Link: http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=181915

• CRPF Veer Pariwar app launched

o President Ram Nath Kovind launched ‘CRPF Veer Parivar’ app, a

mobile application for families of CRPF personnel killed in the

line of duty.

o He also paid homage to the martyrs at National Police Memorial

in New Delhi on the occasion of 54th Valour Day of Central

Reserve Police Force, CRPF.

o The app will render all assistance to the families of the martyred

CRPF personnel.

Source Link: http://www.newsonair.com/Main-News-

Details.aspx?id=362024

• EI launched banking via Whatsapp

o Emirates Islamic announced the launch of Chat Banking services

for customers via WhatsApp, marking a global first in the Islamic

banking sector.

o The bank’s customers will now be able to conduct daily banking

activities via WhatsApp in a seamless and hassle-free manner.

o It is supported by Infobip and allows customers to use features

such as checking account balances and more.

11 | P a g e

Source

Link: https://www.zawya.com/mena/en/companies/story/Emirates_Islami

c_becomes_worlds_first_Islamic_bank_to_launch_banking_via_WhatsA

pp-ZAWYA20190407092519/

• Virat Kohli: Wisden's Leading Cricketer

o Team India captain Virat Kohli has been named as the Wisden

Almanack’s ‘Leading Cricketer of the Year’ for the third time in a

row.

o He smashed 2,735 runs in 47 international innings at an average

of 68.37 in 2018, including 11 hundred and 9 fifties.

o Smriti Mandhana has been named the Women’s Leading

Cricketer of the Year for 2018.

Source Link: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/sports/kohli-

named-wisdens-leading-cricketer-in-the-world/articleshow/68816765.cms

• HDFC AMC ranked 1st

o HDFC Asset Management Co. Ltd has claimed the top spot with

an average AUM of Rs.3.42 trillion.

o It overtook ICICI Prudential Asset Management Co. Ltd with an

average AUM of at Rs.3.20 trillion.

o India’s asset management companies (AMCs) own assets under

management (AUM) worth Rs24.46 trillion, according to data

released by the Association of Mutual Funds in India (Amfi).

12 | P a g e

Source Link: https://blog.madguy.co/hdfc-amc-ranked-1st-in-terms-of-

assets-amfi-report/

• Lok Sabha elections 2019 begin

o Voting began in 91 Lok Sabha constituencies spread across 18

states and 2 union territories in the first phase.

o In Odisha, voting for 28 out of 147 assembly seats and four Lok

Sabha seats was also held on 11 April 2019.

o Voting for 543 Lok Sabha seats will be held in seven phases: April

11, April 18, April 23, April 29, May 6, May 12 and May 19.

Counting will be done on May 23, 2019.

Source Link: https://www.livemint.com/elections/lok-sabha-elections/lok-

sabha-elections-2019-begins-91-seats-vote-in-phase-1-1554950417553.html

• River Periyar witnessed decolorisation

o The River Periyar in Kerala is witnessing decolorization.

o The Pollution Control Board (PCB) has attributed the change in

colour to the poor quality of water as a result of eutrophication.

Source Link: https://www.gkdigest.com/2019/04/keralas-river-periyar-

witnesses.html

Attempt Daily Current Affairs Quiz