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Current Affairs 18th and 19th February 2018: Daily GK Update

Dear Aspirants,
The General Awareness Section of Banking Exams covers numerous sections in it like Banking Awareness, Static GK, and Current Affairs. But the most important thing that you might have noticed is that both the Banking Awareness and Static Awareness questions asked in the General Awareness Section are based on Current Affairs only. The questions on Static and Banking Awareness are related to the countries, events or anything that has been in news for a while. Apart from the GA Section, an excellent knowledge of current news also helps you deal with the PI (Personal Interview) more efficiently so you do not give a mumble jumble answer to the interviewee’s simple questions. Here is the Daily GK Update to get you acquainted with the top events that made the headlines today!!
Current Affairs 18th and 19th February 2018: Daily GK Update


National News

1. LS Speaker Sumitra Mahajan Inaugurated 6th India Region CPA Conference

Current Affairs 18th and 19th February 2018: Daily GK Update |_3.1
i. Lok Sabha Speaker, Sumitra Mahajan inaugurated the 6th India region Commonwealth Parliamentary Association conference at Patna in Bihar. The conference focused on the objectives and role of the Parliamentary Association body.
ii. The conference hold discussions mainly on two topics viz. ‘Parliament’s role in the development agenda’ and ‘Legislature and Judiciary – Two important Pillars of Democracy’. 
Static/Current Takeaways Important for Syndicate Bank PO 2018 Exam-

  • Bihar CM- Nitish Kumar, Governor- Satya Pal Malik.
  • Valmiki National Park is located in Bihar.

2. World Congress on Information Technology Begins in Hyderabad

Current Affairs 18th and 19th February 2018: Daily GK Update |_4.1
i. The prestigious World Congress on Information Technology 2018 has begun in Hyderabad. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the inaugural session of the three-day IT summit through a video link.
ii.The World Information Technology and Services Alliance (WITSA) is organising Congress while the National Alliance of Software and Services Companies (NASSC) and the Telangana state Government are jointly hosting the event.

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

  • Telangana CM– K Chandrasekhar Rao, Governor– ESL Narasimhan (Add. Charge).


3. 8th Edition of Theatre Olympics Inaugurated in Delhi

Current Affairs 18th and 19th February 2018: Daily GK Update |_5.1
i. Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu inaugurated the 8th edition of the Theatre Olympics at Lal Quila in New Delhi. The event has been organised by National School of Drama under the aegis of Ministry of Culture.
ii. The theme of the festival is – “Flag of Friendship”. 30 countries are participating from across the globe.


4. India-Iran sign 9 MoUs to boost bilateral ties

Current Affairs 18th and 19th February 2018: Daily GK Update |_6.1


i. India and Iran have signed nine agreements in order to further the bilateral cooperation between the two sides. The pacts were signed after delegation-level talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Iran President Hassan Rouhani at New Delhi’s Hyderabad house.

ii. The two countries inked pacts to enhance cooperation in the areas of taxation, maritime cooperation, health and medicine, trade, agriculture and postal cooperation.


Static/Current Takeaways Important for Syndicate Bank PO 2018 Exam-
  • The Iranian Rial is the currency of Iran.
  • Tehran is the capital of Iran.


5. India’s 2nd Mission to Moon Chandrayaan-2 to be Launched in April 2018
Current Affairs 18th and 19th February 2018: Daily GK Update |_7.1
i. According to the Union Minister of State of the Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is planning to launch Chandrayan-2 Mission around April 2018. Chandrayaan-2 is the country’s second mission to the moon.

ii. Chandraayan-2 is a challenging mission as for the first time we will carry an orbiter, a lander and a rover to the moon. Chairman of ISRO K Sivan stated that the total cost of the Chandrayaan 2 mission will be about Rs 8 billion. The window for launch is open till October 2018.

Static/Current Takeaways Important for Syndicate Bank PO 2018 Exam-
  • ISRO was established in 1969.
  • Founder and 1st Chairman of ISRO- Vikram Ambalal SarabhaiHeadquarters in- Bengaluru, Karnataka.
6. National Conference on “Agriculture 2022- Doubling Farmers’ Income”
Current Affairs 18th and 19th February 2018: Daily GK Update |_8.1
i. The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare has organized a National Conference under the title of “Agriculture 2022 – Doubling Farmers’ Income” in New Delhi.
ii. The main aim of the conference is to build a consensus around appropriate recommendations that will help in shaping and sharpening the vision of the Government on Doubling Farmers’ Income by 2022 into actionable points.
Static/Current Takeaways Important for Syndicate Bank PO 2018 Exam-

  • Radha Mohan Singh is the present Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.

7. Assam Worst in MMR, Spent Just 13.58% of NHM Fund in 2017-18
Current Affairs 18th and 19th February 2018: Daily GK Update |_9.1
i. Assam is at the bottom of the list with regard to maternal mortality rate (MMR) with a figure of 300 against the national average of 167, while the fund spending under National Health Mission (NHM) is just 13.58% for 2017-18.
ii. MMR is the annual number of female deaths per 1,00,000 live births from any cause related to or aggravated by pregnancy or its management. The Centre had allocated Rs 1,056.25 crore for Assam under National Health Mission (NHM) for 2017-18.
Static/Current Takeaways Important for Syndicate Bank PO 2018 Exam-

  • Assam CM- Sarbanand Sonowal, Governor- Jagdish Mukhi.
  • The Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare of India is Jagat Prakash Nadda.

8. Mumbai to have India’s 1st Artificial Intelligence Centre
Current Affairs 18th and 19th February 2018: Daily GK Update |_10.1
i. In a first in the country, the Maharashtra government will be setting up an institute for artificial intelligence (AI) in Mumbai.
ii. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will unveil the plan for the institute during the Magnetic Maharashtra Summit and at the Global Economic Conference in Canada in March 2018.
Static/Current Takeaways Important for Syndicate Bank PO 2018 Exam-
  • Maharashtra has already become the first state to unveil a FinTech Policy.
  • Maharashtra Governor- CV Rao.

International News


9. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on a Two-Day Visit to Saudi Arabia
Current Affairs 18th and 19th February 2018: Daily GK Update |_11.1
i. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley arrived in Riyadh on a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia. He will co-chair the 12th India-Saudi Arabia Joint Commission Meeting to be held in the Saudi capital Riyadh. Mr Jaitley will also open the Saudi-Indian Business Council.
ii. Finance Minister will also visit India Pavillion at the Saudi National Heritage and Cultural Festival Janadriyah. Mr Jaitley will meet with the Saudi Minister of Trade & Investment Majid Al-Qassabi to discuss the bilateral issues between the two countries.
Static/Current Takeaways Important for Syndicate Bank PO 2018 Exam-
  • Saudi Arabia Capital- Riyadh, Currency- Saudi Riyal.

10. Health Minister Addresses Global Digital Health Partnership Summit in Australia
Current Affairs 18th and 19th February 2018: Daily GK Update |_12.1

i. Mr. J P Nadda, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare has addressed the Global Digital Health Partnership Summit, at Canberra, Australia.
ii. The Union Health Minister spoke on the topic: Making Digital Health Services a Priority in Healthcare Reform. 
Static/Current Takeaways Important for Syndicate Bank PO 2018 Exam-

  • Australia Capital- Canberra, Currency- Australian dollar.

Banking/Business/Economy News
11. UP Budget 2018: UP Government Presents Rs 4.28 trillion Budget
Current Affairs 18th and 19th February 2018: Daily GK Update |_13.1

i. Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh presented its second budget. Ahead of 2019, general elections, this is considered one of biggest budgetary allocation for the state.
ii. UP Finance Minister Rajesh Aggarwal presented a mega budget of over Rs 4.28 lakh crore with a focus on farmers, artisans, youth, infrastructure and urban development.

Read the Complete Article Here

12. NABARD Launches Rs 1,918 crore Area Development Plan for Punjab

Current Affairs 18th and 19th February 2018: Daily GK Update |_14.1
i. The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) announced area development plans worth Rs 1,918 crore for Punjab to supplement farmers’ income.
ii. Under this plan, the activities like dairy, vegetable cultivation, bee keeping, mushroom growing will be promoted in order to provide income to farmers at the sustainable basis.
Static/Current Takeaways Important for Syndicate Bank PO 2018 Exam-
  • NABARD came into existence on 12 July 1982.
  • Chairman of NABARD- Harsh Kumar Bhanwala, Headquarters in- Mumbai.
13. PhonePe Partners with IOCL for Deployment of PoS Terminals
Current Affairs 18th and 19th February 2018: Daily GK Update |_15.1
i. Digital payments entity PhonePe has partnered with Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) for the adoption of its indigenously-designed Point of Sale (POS) device at IOCL retail outlets.

ii. As part of this partnership, customers can pay using UPI, credit and debit cards, PhonePe wallet and other external wallets like Jio Money & Freecharge for their fuel purchases, through the PoS device at 30 IOCL retail outlets in Bengaluru.

Static/Current Takeaways Important for Syndicate Bank PO 2018 Exam-
  • Sanjiv Singh is the present Chairman of IOCL.

14. PNB Arm, IFC Tie up to Raise $800 mn for Affordable Housing
Current Affairs 18th and 19th February 2018: Daily GK Update |_16.1
i. PNB Housing Finance Ltd has tied up with International Finance Corporation (IFC), part of the World Bank Group, to raise $800 million for green and affordable housing in India.

ii. IFC is in negotiations with two other housing finance firms to invest another $150 million, as well as with property developers to assist the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) from both the demand and supply sides, the person said, requesting anonymity.

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

  • International Finance Corporation (IFC) is an international financial institution that offers investment, advisory, and asset management services to encourage private-sector development in developing countries.
  • The IFC is a member of the World Bank Group and is headquartered in Washington, D.C.

15. Amazon Launches its 1st Food Retail Service in India
Current Affairs 18th and 19th February 2018: Daily GK Update |_17.1
i. Amazon has become the first foreign e-commerce firm to start its own food retail venture in India called Amazon Retail, piloting its services in Pune.
ii. It will reportedly be available on Amazon India platform and sell locally made and packaged food to the consumers directly.
Awards
16. BAFTA Awards 2018: Complete List Of Winners
Current Affairs 18th and 19th February 2018: Daily GK Update |_18.1
i. Crime drama Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri won maximum prizes at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards 2018, which took place at the Royal Albert Hall in London, UK.

Find the Complete List Here

17. Milkbasket Recognised as ‘Startup of the Year’ 2017

Current Affairs 18th and 19th February 2018: Daily GK Update |_19.1
i. Milkbasket, India’s first and largest micro-delivery platform has been recognised as ‘Startup of the Year’ 2017 at the 7th Small Business Awards held in New Delhi.
ii. The startup of the year award is dedicated to young SMEs, aged 7 years or less, with great potential to become big in local/international markets.
Static/Current Takeaways Important for Syndicate Bank PO 2018 Exam-
  • Co-founder and CEO of Milkbasket is Anant Goel.
18. Sanjiv Bajaj Named EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2017
Current Affairs 18th and 19th February 2018: Daily GK Update |_20.1

i. Business consultancy firm EY has named Bajaj Finserv’s Sanjiv Bajaj as the entrepreneur for 2017. Sanjiv Bajaj will now represent India at the EY World Entrepreneur of the Year award (WEOY) in Monte Carlo.

ii. The awardees were selected by a nine-member jury led by Sun Pharmaceuticals’ managing director Dilip Shanghvi.

Appointments
19. Arvind Jamkhedkar to be Next Chairman of ICHR
Current Affairs 18th and 19th February 2018: Daily GK Update |_21.1
i. Archaeologist and historian Arvind P. Jamkhedkar will be the next Chairman of the Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR).
ii. He will replace Prof. K. Sudershan Rao
Sports
20. Roger Federer Wins Rotterdam Open for 97th Career Title
Current Affairs 18th and 19th February 2018: Daily GK Update |_22.1
i. Roger Federer (Switzerland) celebrated his return to the top of the world rankings by winning the Rotterdam Open, in the Netherlands. It was his 97th career title.
ii. The 36-year-old, the oldest No.1 in history, defeated Grigor Dimitrov (Bulgaria) in the final.
iii. Federer is three years older than American Andre Agassi was when previously holding the record for oldest No.1 back in 2003. This was his third title in Rotterdam following successes in 2005 and 2012.
iv. France doubles pair P. H. Herbert and N. Mahut won the Men’s Doubles Title.
Static/Current Takeaways Important for Syndicate Bank PO 2018 Exam-

  • Netherlands Capital- Amsterdam, President- Mark Rutte.
21. Australia’s Most-Capped Female Player Alex Blackwell Retires
Current Affairs 18th and 19th February 2018: Daily GK Update |_23.1
i. Australia’s most-capped female player and vice-captain Alex Blackwell has announced her retirement from international and state cricket.
ii. She became just the fourth female Australian to pass 5,000 runs when she batted in the Test, Twenty20 and One-Day arenas, compiling 5,250 runs.
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