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Daily GK updates are incorporated with the important news that made the current affairs headlines for banking or other competitive exams. Daily GK Update is the complete bag of the important news that held all day long. One should have complete knowledge about the banking terms, current affairs news, etc. So, here is the GK update of 23 and 24 February 2020 to help you prepare the Current affairs part. After reading this section, you can successfully attempt Current Affairs Quiz.
National News
1. Indian Railway has launched AI based ASKDISHA chatbot
The Indian Railways has launched the Hindi Version of Artificial Intelligence-based chatbot called “ASKDISHA”. The hindi version has been launched to further enhance the customer services rendered and to further strengthen the services of the chatbot. The Indian Railways is also planning to launch the chatbot in more languages in the near future.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Union Minister of Ministry of Railways: Piyush Goyal.
Appointments
2. Sunil Gurbaxani appointed as new MD and CEO of Dhanlaxmi Bank
The appointment of Sunil Gurbaxani as managing director and CEO of Dhanlaxmi Bank has been approved by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The appointment has been made for a period of three years. Gurbaxani is presently working with Axis Bank.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Headquarters of Dhanlaxmi Bank: Thrissur, Kerala.
- Dhanlaxmi Bank founded: 14 November 1927.
3. Rajlaxmi Singh Deo has been elected as president of Rowing Federation of India
Rajlaxmi Singh Deo has been re-elected as the president of the Rowing Federation of India (RFI). The presidential elections of the Rowing Federation of India were conducted under the observation of Indian Olympic Association (IOA)’s K Govindraj. He will remain at the post for four years till 2024.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Rowing Federation of India founded: 30 August 1976.
- Headquarters of Rowing Federation of India: Mumbai, Maharashtra.
4. USIBC appoints Vijay Advani as new Chairman of Global Board
Vijay Advani has been appointed by the US-India Business Council (USIBC) as new chairman of its Global Board of Directors. The council also announced two new members of the Global Board of Directors Lockheed Martin International Senior Vice President Tim Cahill and GE South Asia President & CEO Mahesh Palashikar.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Headquarters of US-India Business Council: Washington, D.C., United States.
- US-India Business Council founded: 1975.
Business News
5. Birla Estates has introduced “LIDEA” on WhatsApp for its customers
An interactive AI Powered ChatBot solution “LIDEA” has been launched by Birla Estates for its customers. “LIDEA” will enable the users to access authentic information of the projects which can be used for the evaluation of the residential developments of Birla Estates. The artificial intelligence empowered Chatbot will also offer features like viewing location, configurations, amenities, virtual tours and accepting site visit requests.
6. SEBI allows the use of regulatory sandbox by market players
Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has allowed the use of regulatory sandbox by the market players on select customers. SEBI will also grant limited registration for such testing purposes. The decision is expected to facilitate the use of latest fintech innovations in capital markets. The decision was taken at the board meeting of the market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Chairman of SEBI: Ajay Tyagi; Headquarter: Mumbai.
Awards & Rewards
7. Dr. Niti Kumar to be honoured with SERB Women Excellence Award-2020
Dr Niti Kumar, a Senior Scientist from Division of Molecular Parasitology and Immunology, CSIR-CDRI, Lucknow will be honoured with the SERB Women Excellence Award-2020. Her research team is testing the protein quality control machinery in human malaria parasite for exploration of alternative drug targets for malaria intervention. The SERB Women Excellence Award-2020 will be conferred by the President of India during the celebrations of National Science Day.
8. Manoj Kumar honoured by World Book of Records, London
Veteran actor Manoj Kumar has been honoured by the World Book of Records, London with the WBR Golden Era of Bollywood. He has been honoured for being a legendary actor and for his contribution to Indian cinema.
Summits & Conferences
9. North East SDG Conclave 2020 to be held in Assam
NITI Aayog will organize Sustainable Development Goals Conclave 2020: Partnerships, Cooperation and Development of North Eastern states in Guwahati, Assam. The event will feature the participation of the North-Eastern states, Central Ministries, academia, civil society and international development organizations.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- NITI Aayog: National Institution for Transforming India.
- NITI Aayog CEO: Amitabh Kant, Vice Chairman: Rajiv Kumar.
10. New Delhi hosts the International Judicial Conference
New Delhi hosts the International Judicial Conference which was addressed by PM Modi. The conference was held with the theme of “Gender Just World”. The topic of the one-day conference is “Judiciary and The Changing World”. The changes made by GoI to bring gender equality including recruitment of women in military service, changes in the selection process of fighter pilots, and the freedom to work at night in the mines were discussed during the conference.
11. NCMRWF to organize international conference on “EMMDA” in Noida
A 3-day international conference on Ensemble Methods in Modelling and Data Assimilation (EMMDA) was organized by National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF), Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) in Noida, Uttar Pradesh.
The conference will be held with the following major themes:
- Ensemble methods in Global Weather Prediction
- Ensemble methods in Data Assimilation
- Ensemble methods in Monthly and Seasonal Forecasting
- Convection Permitting Ensemble Prediction Systems
- Verification of Ensemble weather forecasts
- Applications of Ensemble weather forecasts
12. SCO’s Defence Experts Working Group meeting was held in Pakistan
The 9th Defence and Security Expert Working Group (EWG) meeting of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) was held in Islamabad, Pakistan. The meeting was the part of the ‘Shanghai Cooperation Organization Defense & Security Cooperation Plan 2020’. China, Russian Federation, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and India including Pakistan participated in the event.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Secretary-General of SCO: Vladimir Norov.
- SCO founded: 19 September 2003; Headquarters of SCO: Beijing, China.
Sports News
13. FC Goa has become 1st club from India to qualify for AFC Champions League
FC Goa has become the first Indian club to qualify for the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League group stage. FC Goa sealed the top spot in the Indian Super League (ISL 2019-20) standings, finishing as the league’s table-topper after beating Jamshedpur FC 5-0 in an Indian Super League match.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- President of Asian Football Confederation: Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa.
- Headquarters of Asian Football Confederation: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
14. D Gukesh wins 34th Cannes Open in France
Indian Grandmaster D Gukesh defeated Harutyun Bargseghyan of France to win the 34th Cannes Open in France. Siva Mahadevan of India secured the 10th place with six points.
15. AIBA World Cup 2020 to be held in Russia
Russia will host the International Boxing Association (AIBA) Team World Cup 2020. The tournament will be coinciding with the 75th anniversary of the victory in World War II under the motto “Boxing for peace”. This format is expected to make boxing more attractive to spectators and sponsors.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- AIBA Founded: 1946.
- AIBA Headquarters: Lausanne, Switzerland.
- AIBA President: Dr Mohamed Moustahsane.
16. 1st Khelo India University Games launched by PM Narendra Modi
1st edition of the Khelo India University Games was launched at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium at Cuttack, Odisha by Prime Minister Narendra Modi through video conferencing. The tournament will feature the participation of about 3,400 athletes from 159 universities across the country across 17 disciplines.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Utkal Divas or Odisha Day falls every year on 01st April.
- CM of Odisha: Naveen Patnaik; Governor of Odisha: Ganeshi Lal.
Obituaries
17. Former Indian footballer Ashok Chatterjee passes away
Former Indian footballer Ashok Chatterjee passed away. He made his international debut when he came on as a second-half substitute for PK Banerjee against Japan in the Merdeka Cup in 1965. He made 30 appearances for the senior national team. He was also honoured with the Mohun Bagan Lifetime Achievement Award by the club in 2019.
Miscellaneous News
18. “PM KISAN” mobile application launched by Agriculture Minister
On the occasion of 1st anniversary of the launch of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar launched PM KISAN mobile application for the further expansion of the scheme. The application also help the farmers to check their payment status, correct their name along with checking their eligibility for the scheme.
19. India’s first floating jetty inaugurated in Goa
India’s first floating jetty has been inaugurated by the Union Minister of State for Shipping Mansukh Mandaviya at a cruise terminal in Vasco at Goa. The floating jetty is made of cement concrete and is expected to boost inland waterways.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Pramod Sawant is the current CM of Goa.
- Satya Pal Malik is present Governor of Goa.
20. ‘Watan Ko Jano’ youth exchange programme flagged off by Farooq Khan
J&K Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Farooq Khan has flagged off a youth exchange programme ‘Watan Ko Jano’. The programme has been organised by Jammu and Kashmir Rehabilitation Council, Department of Social Welfare under the aegis of Department of JK Affairs, Government of India.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir: Girish Chandra Murmu.
- Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh: Radha Krishna Mathur.
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