Current Affairs!

rikejassal · January 12, 2017, 3:31pm

https://www.pagalguy.com/discussions/ibps-clerk-vi-2016-punjab-state-exams-5075972141350912 For Punjab State Exam's and IBPS Punjab State please join

Priyank.Pamkar · January 17, 2017, 2:29pm

Current Affairs for January 17, 2017

SEBI introduces new merger norms

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has introduced new rules for mergers and amalgamations by Indian companies with the purpose of safeguarding interests of the public shareholders.
The market regulator amended rules in an effort to make listing process more transparent and ensure wider public holding, prevent mergers of large unlisted firms with small ones.
New rules will ensure that all classes of shareholders get an equitable treatment during mergers and acquisitions. It will also stop practice using route of merger to get an indirect listing for an unlisted company.

New Rules

Holding of public shareholders post the merger cannot be less than 25%. Similar threshold must be for institutional shareholders of the unlisted entity as well, post-merger.
Unlisted company can be merged with a listed company only if the latter is listed on a stock exchange having nationwide trading terminals.
e-voting will be mandatory in cases wherein the stake of public shareholders reduces by more than 5% in the merged entity. In case of merger of an unlisted company with a listed company, the unlisted company will have to disclose all the material information.
Companies must follow the pricing formula for stocks as per SEBI’s ICDR (issue of capital and disclosure requirements) norms during mergers.
Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is the statutory regulator for the securities market in India. It was established in 1988 and given statutory powers through the SEBI Act, 1992. It was established in the aftermath of Harshad Mehta Scam with the aim to protect interests of investors in securities, promote the development of securities market and to regulate the securities market.
It has three functions: quasi-legislative (drafts regulations in its legislative capacity), quasi-judicial (passes rulings and orders in its judicial capacity) and quasi-executive (conducts investigation and enforcement action in its executive function).

SEZ India App launched by Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI)

Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI) has launched a mobile application named “SEZ India” under its e-Governance initiative to help the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Units and Developers.
It seeks to help the SEZ Units and Developers to find information easily and track their transactions like Bill of Shipping/Entry Bill etc through an Online System.
The App provides important information and tools such as Foreign Trade Policy (FTP), Hand Book of procedure, Customs & Excise Notification, Duty Calculator and MEIS Rates. In addition to this, it consists of contact details of all Development Commissioners Office, DG System, DGFT, DGCI & S and SEZ online.

Gonsalves committee: Reservation for Girls in IITs

Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) will have reservation for girl students up to 20% supernumerary seats for girls out of the total number of seats.
This recommendation has been made by a committee under Professor Timothy Gonsalves to address the issue of drop in number of female students entering the prestigious institutes.
No decision has been taken about when will this come into effect.
This reservation will only apply to candidates who have already qualified in JEE-Advanced. The reservation for girl students will not affect the number of seats for male candidates.
It is aimed at helping achieve the target of one lakh students in IITs by 2020.
Prof. Timothy Gonsalves is currently Director of IIT Mandi.

Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to be implement in Delhi NCR to combat air pollution

Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has notified the Graded Response Action Plan to combat air pollution in NCR Delhi region.
GRAP defines the measures to be taken based on air quality on the basis of PM 2.5 and PM 10 in the atmosphere.
Air quality will be classified in four ways : Emergency, Severe, Very Poor and Moderate poor. It will be enforced by Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA).
Under this plan, emergency measures will be automatically enforced in NCR if level of PM2.5 breaches 300 micrograms per cubic metre (µgm/m3) and PM10 levels stay above 500 (µgm/m3)for two consecutive days.
Emergency-Measures like odd-even car rationing scheme and ban on construction activities to combat air pollution will be implemented.
Very poor- Diesel generators will be banned and parking fee will be increased by three to four times, closing brick kilns, stone crushers, hot mix plants and intensifying public transport services and increasing the frequency of mechanised cleaning and sprinkling of water on roads.
Particulate Matter (PM): PM are tiny particles of dust which can cause very serious respiratory disorders and even damage the lungs.

ruchigour11 · January 17, 2017, 2:38pm

If anybody has gktoday December PDF then pls do share.

vaishnav78 · January 19, 2017, 12:43pm

What is Jallikattu? Why is there a controversy around it?

Jallikattu is a sport where a bull is chased by participants in an open arena. Jallikattu is also called Eru Thazhuvuthal meaning ‘Embracing a Bull’. The sport is played during Pongal, the Tamil harvest festival. The aim of the sport is to subdue the bull with bare hands. Bulls which are subdued are used for domestic purposes like agriculture and bulls which are untamed are used for breeding. It involves native Indian breed like Bos Indicus. Bulls were included in a list (notification) of animals which have been banned from being used by Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) in 2011. This decision was challenged in Supreme Court (SC) in 2014. But SC upheld the Ministry decision to ban jallikattu. This banned the sport for close to two years. In 2016, the Ministry modified its earlier notification, allowing use of bulls despite the existing ban continuing as per SC order. The issue is in news because people in Tamil Nadu are protesting the ban by openly defying SC orders and conducting the sport.

Arguments supporting Jallikattu

· It is a cultural aspect of people rooted in their customs and traditions. Indus Valley seals depict men taming bulls.

· People are free to practice their customs and traditions in a democratic country.

· People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), face of those opposing the sport , does not understand Indian/native traditions and customs.

· Bulls of native breed are used in the sport which are breed and trained with special attention. The untamed bulls are used for breeding. This way the sport helps in protection of native breed preventing extinct of the specie.

Argument opposing Jallikattu

· After Environment Ministry’s 2011 notification was challenged, the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) was given the responsibility to file a detailed report.

· In its report, AWFI testified that bulls were beaten, kicked, chilly-powder rubbed into their eyes, their humps and horns were seized and twisted, and that the tails of the animals were routinely pulled and twisted, leading to painful injuries and broken tails. Thus, SC banned the sport on basis of AWFI report.

· The aim to preserve native breed can be achieved by public participation without hurting the animal through sports.

abubakkarsithik · January 19, 2017, 1:05pm

Hi @vaishnav78 Well Said. People in Tamil Nadu Protesting Jallikatu. You should Support them for justice.

Priyank.Pamkar · January 19, 2017, 1:07pm

Editorial Artilce for January 19, 2017 https://www.pagalguy.com/discussions/editorials-for-competitive-exam-essays-4912103771078656

abubakkarsithik · January 19, 2017, 1:27pm

Do you know the schedule of SBI PO exam 2017?

vaishnav78 · January 23, 2017, 3:18pm

120th Birth Anniversary of Subhash Chandra Bose (Born Jan 23, 1897)

· Influenced by ideas of Swami Vivekananda and Aurobindo Ghosh

· Mobilized All-Bengal Young Men’s Conference in 1920s towards freedom struggle

· 1938- Haripura Session, President of Congress. Bose wanted to take advantage of Britain’s political instability and revolt against them using violent means if necessary. According to Bose, this would ensure freedom.

· Organised the National Planning Commission (NPC), a precursor to Planning Commission formed in independent India. NPC would formulate a plan for industrialization of India.

· 1939- following fallout with other members of Congress, Bose established his own political organisation called “Forward Bloc”. He also started a newspaper by the same number. · Was put under house arrest by British for his views. He escaped in 1941 to Berlin.

· Established “Free India Centre” in 1941 from Berlin.

· 1943- Bose travelled to Japan and established Indian National Army or Azad Hind Fauz. Also started “Azad Hind Radio”. It was made by Indian resident in South East Asia.

· With help of Japanese, Bose intended to launch an armed assault on British forces in North East India. But suffered a defeat as Japanese withdrew support.

· He later died in a plane crash in 1945.

vaishnav78 · January 25, 2017, 3:47pm

HAPPY REPUBLIC DAY!!! As we celebrate completion of 67 years of adopting the Constitution on January 26, 2017, below are two issues which brought to light some constitutional provisions. - a bull taming sport played in Tamil Nadu received widespread news coverage in last week. It is important to understand the constitutional background of this issue. · An ordinance was promulgated to help pass a bill allowing Jallikattu. The ordinance is passed under Article 213, which authorizes Governor of a state to do so. This happens with prior approval of President. · The ordinance needs to be passed by legislature of the state within six weeks of the ordinance coming into effect. President Pranab Mukherji disagreed with suggestions of death penalty forwarded by Ministry of Home Affairs to convicts of Bara massacre case, 1992. The death sentence was commuted to life imprisonment by the President. Here is how the President did it- · Article 74 states that President is bound to act according to advice of Prime minister and his council of minister. · But in Shatrughan Chauhan case (2014), the Supreme Court (SC) had said that if there is inordinate delay in disposing of a mercy petition, then the sentence may be commuted. The accused of Bara Massacre were given the sentence in 2000. · In the 2014 order, SC also said that under Article 141, law declared by SC shall be binding on everybody in the territory of India. This includes, Government and President. · Thus, President followed this order and commuted the sentence. · This is being heralded as a first-ever by any President. · In 2013, President Mukherji had expressed strong reservations on an ordinance, “Convicted Legislators’ Protection Ordinance”. The government later withdrew the ordinance. This instance was called “Presidential Differential.” These two recent incidents highlight why the Constitution is an important document.

Priyank.Pamkar · January 27, 2017, 5:32pm

Highlights of the 68th Republic Day of India

The Indian Constituent Assembly on on November 26, 1949, adopted by the Constitution, which came into effect on January 26, 1950. As we celebrate our 68th Republic Day on January 26, 2017.Highlights:

The theme for the 68th Republic day of India was 'Skill India and Beti Bachao Beti Padhao'.
Chief Guest - Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who was the first guest from any middle-east country.
No. of states participating in the parade - 17
First Time in History - Debut show of Sherpa (a bullet-proof NSG vehicle).
This was the second time that a foreign military contingent marched down the Rajpath, with the French contingent being the first.
India became a Republic at 10:18 a.m. on January 26 in the year 1950.
Around six minutes later, Dr. Rajendra Prasad was sworn in as President of India at the Durbar Hall in President House.
The Constitution was neither typed nor printed but handwritten and calligraphed both in English and Hindi.
After inception of the Indian Constitution, around 101 amendments (alterations) have been done.
The members signed the handwritten document on January 24, 1950.
The original copies are kept safely in the Parliament's library in helium-filled cases.
The Indian Constitution is the longest in the world, comprising of 448 articles, 12 schedules and 101 amendments.
Satyamev Jayate (one of the biggest Indian mottos) is taken from the Mundaka Upanishad, Atharvaveda. It was first translated in the Hindi language by Muslim Abid Ali in 1911.
It was Madan Mohan Malviya who selected the Indian motto of Satyamev Jayate.
From 1950 and 1954, the venues of the Republic Day parade were the Red Fort, National Stadium, Kingsway Camp and the Ramlila ground. It was only in 1955 that Rajpath was chosen as the regular venue.
The first Republic Day parade was held in 1955 at Rajpath, five years after India became a Republic.
President Sukarno of Indonesia was the first chief guest at the first Republic Day celebrations held on January 26, 1950.
A Christian hymn 'Abide With Me' is played at the parade as it was one of Mahatma Gandhi's favourite songs.
Jana Gana Mana (National Anthem) was written first in Bengali language by the Rabindranath Tagore.
Jana Gana Mana (National Anthem) was first translated into Hindi language by the Abid Ali in 1911 which was later officially adopted as National Anthem of India in 1950 on January 24.
The National Anthem of India was first sung in the meeting of Indian National Congress, Calcutta on December 27, 1911.
The National Anthem of India takes 52 seconds to sing or play.
A 21 gun salute is given every Republic Day when the President of India unfurls the national flag.
Republic Day celebration of India lasts for three days and concludes with Mahatma Gandhi's favourite hymn 'Abide by Me' during the Beating Retreat.
Beating Retreat ceremony is held on January 29 at Vijay Chowk with the performance of Indian Army, Air Force and Navy bands. It marks the end of the Republic Day celebrations in India.
This day is one of three national holidays, the other two being Independence Day on August 15 and Gandhi Jayanti on October 2.

India in Red Zone in Transparency List

A major international index of corruption and transparency has placed India on the watch list for its inability to curb mega corruption scandals and petty bribery.The annual index of Transparency International issued on January 25, 2017 for 2016 placed India with Brazil and China in the 40th position. India’s condition showed growth with inequality.Highlights:

India’s ongoing poor performance with a score of 40 reiterates the state’s inability to effectively deal with petty corruption and large-scale corruption scandals, said Transparency International.
The impact of corruption on poverty, illiteracy and policy brutality showed that not only was the economy growing but so was inequality.
India’s current ranking, putting it in the high corruption zone, has drawn critical observations from transparency campaigners.
South Asia had performed poorly. Bangladesh at 27th and Nepal at 29th positions were slotted in the highly corrupt section.
Pakistan, at 32, also came in the red zone. Afghanistan ranked 15th was in the “highly corrupt” list with South Sudan, North Korea and Libya.
The organisation recognised China’s recent anti-corruption campaign under President Xi Jinping which had been targeting ‘tigers and flies’ and slotted it alongside India.
China’s latest score was an improvement of three points. India, though it improved two ranks, remained in the same red-zone of corruption.

GSLV’s cryogenic upper stage tested successfully

The Indian Space Research Organisation’s Propulsion Research Complex at Mahendragiri, successfully conducted the stage level test of GSLV MK III’s cryogenic upper stage C-25 on January 25, 2017.What

Accompanied by his colleagues at IPRC, ISRO Chairman A.S. Kiran Kumar witnessed the test that lasted about 50 seconds.
The 50-second long test of C-25 of the country’s most powerful launch vehicle that can carry satellites weighing 4,000 kg was successful.
The cryogenic upper stage of the GSLV is the large C-25, the most difficult component of the launch vehicle to be developed.
It will be powered by the indigenously developed CE-20 engine.

Priyank.Pamkar · January 30, 2017, 1:44pm

Current Affairs for January 29, 30, 2017 https://www.pagalguy.com/news/daily-current-affairs-for-competitive-exams-january-30-2017-6173136921821184

manoj_pnchal · January 31, 2017, 8:28am

Hi all,

I have created a WhtsApp group where current affairs news is shared 4 times in a day. You might find this group helpful in your preparation. Here is a link to join the same:

https://chat.whatsapp.com/3aso8tBgLoK1KQJNR5pSaF

Priyank.Pamkar · January 31, 2017, 3:19pm

IPPB starts pilot services in Ranchi and Raipur

India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) on January 30, 2016, kicked off its operations by rolling out pilot services in the cities of Raipur in Chattisgarh and Ranchi in Jharkhand.The bank will offer an interest rate of 4.5% on deposits up to ₹25,000; 5% on deposits of ₹25,000-50,000 and 5.5% on ₹50,000-1,00,000. The paid up equity of the new bank is ₹800 crore, of which the government has already infused ₹275 crore.

Highlights:

The idea is to have a branch in every district and make 3 lakh postmen come alive in payment bank function.
Terming IPPB as a mechanism for financial inclusion and a milestone, Sinha said the payments bank — the third one to get a permit after Airtel and Paytm and the first one promoted by the government — will not just conduct business but also serve people.
India Post Payments Bank is the third entity to receive payments bank permit after Airtel and Paytm. Payments banks can accept deposits up to ₹1 lakh per account from individuals and small businesses.
The new model of banking allows mobile firms, super market chains and others to cater to banking requirements of individuals and small businesses. It will be set up as a differentiated bank and will confine its activities to acceptance of demand deposits, remittance services, Internet banking and other specified services.
In 2015, the RBI had granted ‘in-principle’ approval to 11 entities, including the Department of Posts, to set up payments banks and proposed to give such licences ‘on tap’ basis in future.

RBI rejects EC's plea

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) rejected the Election Commission's reuest to enhance the weekly cash-withdrawal limit, imposed after demonetisation, for those contesting Assembly elections in five states, prompting an angry reaction from the poll panel.The Commission had requested RBI to enhance the withdrawal limit of candidates to Rs 2 lakh from Rs 24,000 per week imposed post-demonetisation as the nominees would find it difficult to meet campaign expenditure. But RBI said that it was not possible for it to hike the limit at this stage.

Highlights:

An apparently peeved Commission has now written back to RBI Governor Urjit Patel expressing "serious concern about the cursory manner in which the issue has been dealt with.
The Commission had told RBI that it has been apprised of the problems candidates were facing due to withdrawal limits imposed after the note ban.
It said the returning officer of the constituency would issue a certificate that the person was a candidate in the fray and the contestant be allowed to withdraw Rs 2 lakh cash per week from the bank account opened especially to meet poll expenses.
The EC said the facility be extended till March 11, the day of counting. Candidates are bound to open an election account for meeting poll-related expenditure which is monitored by the EC.
The Commission said that with a weekly withdrawal limit of Rs 24,000, a candidate would be able to withdraw Rs 96,000 in cash during the election process which lasts three to four weeks.
It reminded the central bank that as per law, candidates contesting the assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Punjab can spend Rs 28 lakh each for electioneering.
The limit in Goa and Manipur is Rs 20 lakh each. The poll panel said despite paying amounts through cheques, candidates still need hard cash for petty expenses. Also the issue is further adversely effected in rural areas where banking facilities are negligible.