DAILY CURRENT
AFFAIRS: 18TH APR 2017
(DAILY NEWS INDIA)
1.
SURESH PRABHU FLAGS OFF TRIAL RUN OF “VISTADOME COACHES”
i.
Suresh Prabhu flagged off the trial run of new glass roof coaches of Vistadome
between Arakuon and Visakhapatnam.
ii.
These coaches are specially designed for wide view to passengers. It is
equipped with LED lights, rotatable seats and GPS based information system.
iii.
The coaches include Lounge, infotainment system, wide side door for physically
disable and automatic sliding compartment door.
iv.
The feature of glass roof is it has electronically controlled opalescence that
will give a transparent outside view. The 2 coaches will run on the Vizag-Araku
route while 2 will be sent to Jammu and Kashmir.
2.
TELANGANA PASSES BILL TO HIKE RESERVATIONS FOR MUSLIM AND STS
i.
The Telangana legislature has passed the bill to hike reservation for Muslim
and STs. Under the bill the reservation for socially backward people and Muslim
people has been increased.
ii.
For Muslim 4% to 12% increment and for Scheduled tribes 6% to 10%. It includes
total quotas in government jobs and educational institutions.
iii.
The total quota in the state now increases to 62%. The bill will be included in
the 9th schedule of the constitution.s
3.
PRESIDENT PRANAB MUKHERJEE INAUGURATES KEMPEGOWDA FESTIVAL IN DELHI
i.
President Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated the Kempegowda Festival in Delhi. The
festival is organized by the Ndaprabhu Kempegowda foundation.
ii.
He mentioned kempe Gowda was a “just and humane” ruler of Vijaynagara Empire.
This foundation is working towards popularizing the legendary King and his
works.
4.
PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT DUTERTE WINS TIME 100 READER POLL
i.
Rodrigo Duterte, the President of Philippines has won this year’s TIME
magazine’s Readers’ Poll of the 100 most influential people in the world.
ii.
Rodrigo Duterte is the 16th President of Philippines. On assuming charge in
June 2016, he started a violent and aggressive anti-drug campaign which has
claimed more than 8000 lives so far.
iii.
US Democratic Presidential nominee Bernie Sanders had won the TIME 100 Reader’s
Poll in 2016.
5.
NEPAL AND CHINA TO CONDUCT SAGARMATHA FRIENDSHIP
i.
First ever Joint military exercise between Nepal and China named Sagarmatha
Frienship 2017 begin in Kathmandu.
ii.
It will be conducted from 17th April to 23rd April. The exercise will be taking
place at the Maharajgunj based training school.
iii.
Sagarmatha is the Nepali name for Mount Everest which stands in between both
the countries. It’s mainly focus on combining terror activities and disaster
management.
iv.
DGMO of Nepal Army General Binod Kumar Shrestha inaugurated the exercise. The
Joint training will prove to be a great platform to learn and share knowledge
and experiences with each other.
6.
INDIA’S ECONOMY WILL GROW BY 7.2% IN 2017-2018 PREDICTS WORLD BANK
i.
World Bank predicts India’s gross domestic product to 7.2% in the 2017-2018
from 6.8% in this fiscal year. Title of the World Bank report is “Globalization
Backlash”.
ii.
According to Globalization Backlash India’s economic growth will rise to 7.7%
in 2019-2020.
iii.
Exports to grow by 6% in the coming year. Inflation to grow by 5.2% in 2017-2018
and 5.4% in 2018-2019.
7.
FINANCE MINISTRY APPROVES 8.65% INTEREST RATE ON EPF
i.
EPFO has decided to reduce the interest rate on Provident Fund Deposits to
8.65% from 8.8%.
ii.
It has been done because RBI has cut their lending rates and banks have reduced
their deposit rates.
iii.
Around 17 cr subscribers’ accounts will be updated with this interest rate. It
was approved by the EPFO apex body, Central Board of Trustees headed by the
Bandaru Dattatreya (Labour Minister).
iv.
The Retirement fund body was holding on Rs 409 cr surplus after providing 8.8%
rate of interest for 2015-2016.
8.
CURRENT ACCOUNT DEFICIT TO WIDEN TO 1.6% FROM 0.5% OF GDP: NOMURA
i.
India’s Current Account Deficit is expected to grow by 1.6% from 0.5% in this
fiscal year.
ii.
Overall the stronger global demand and higher export prices are key factor of
the exports recovery.
iii.
FDI inflows around 2% of GDP. According to Japanese Financial services Nomura
exports and global demand will likely to increase and in imports reflects
higher commodity prices and likely to improve in the near future.
iv.
The major reason of strengthening Indian economy is the appreciation of the
Indian rupee. The difference between the value of Imports of Goods, services
and investment incomes with that of exports increased to $7.9 billion or 1.4%
of GDP.
9.
BHEL COMMISSION 2 UNITS OF RATTAN INDIA PROJECT
i.
BHEL has commissioned 2 units of 270 MW at Rattan India Nashik Power ltd. This
is the project of 270 MW unit commissioned by BHEL in Phase-1 of the project.
ii.
The 5*270 MW Thermal Power project located at Sinnar in Nashik district of
Maharashtra. BHEL has commissioned 8 sets for Rattan India in Maharashtra, 3
sets will be at Nashik and 5 sets at Amravati.
iii.
The 5th phase project of 270 MW will also be in completion stage. BHEL is a
market leader in the Indian Power sector.
10.
PRAKASH JAVADEKAR LAUNCHES OWN PORTAL AND MOBILE APP OF RUSA
i.
Union HRD Minister Mr. Prakash Javadekar launched a portal and a mobile app of
Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan in New Delhi. 12 State Education Ministers,
Department Secretaries and RUSA Nodal officers were also present on the launch
occasion.
ii.
He also released the Booklet “Digital Launch of Projects; Rashtriya Uchchatar
Shiksha Abhiyan”
11.
SEBASTIAN VETTEL BEATS LEWIS HAMILTON IN BAHARAIN GRAND PRIX
i.
Sebastian Vettel won Baharain Grand Prix by defeating Lewis Hamilton. It was
held at Baharain International circuit Baharain.
ii.
It was Sebastian 3rd victory in Bahrain and the 44th of his career.
12.
PULLELA GOPICHAND’S DAUGHTER GAYATRI WINS TWIN CROWN IN JAKARTA
i.
Pullela Gopichand, a National Badminton coach’s daughter Gayatri has won both
single and double crown at the Pembangunan Jaya Raya Junior Grand Prix in
Jakarta.
ii.
Gayatri teamed up with Samiya in doubles title and win over Indonesian players
of Kelly Larissa and Shelandry Vyola.
OBJECTIVE QUESTIONS BASED
ON TODAY’S NEWS
Q1.
PRESIDENT PRANAB MUKHERJEE INAUGURATED THE KEMPEGOWDA FESTIVAL IN:
a) Bengaluru
b) New Delhi
c) Hubli
d) Bijapur
Q2.
SAGARMATHA FRIENSHIP 2017’ IS THE 1ST EVER JOINT MILITARY EXERCISE BETWEEN
WHICH TWO ASIAN COUNTRIES?
a) Bangladesh and Nepal
b) China and Bangladesh
c) China and Nepal
d) India and Sri Lanka
Q3.
AS PER WORLD BANK REPORT, THE INDIAN ECONOMY IS EXPECTED TO GROW AT ____% IN
2017?
a) 7.8%
b) 7.5%
c) 8.1%
d) 7.2%
Q4.
BHEL HAS COMMISSIONED TWO UNITS OF 270 MW THERMAL POWER PROJECT IN WHICH
DISTRICT OF MAHARASHTRA?
a) Nashik
b) Latur
c) Kolhapur
d) Jalna
Q5.
UNION HRD MINISTER MR. PRAKASH JAVADEKAR LAUNCHED A PORTAL AND A MOBILE APP OF
RUSA IN NEW DELHI. WHAT DOES ABBREVIATION RUSA STAND FOR?
a) Rojgar Uchchatar Shaaksharta Abhiyan
b) Rojgar Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan
c) D.Rashtriya Uchchatar Shaaksharta Abhiyan
d) Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan
ANSWERS:
1 - B 2 - C 3 - D 4 - A 5
- D
