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Daily Current affairs - June 14th and 15th, 2018 for all competitive exams


May 14 - World Blood Donor Day
World Blood Donor Day 2018 is celebrated on June 14 every year. The occasion is meant to thank those voluntary and unpaid blood donors for their life saving gift of blood.
  • Theme: Be there for someone else. Give blood. Share life
The event, established in 2004, serves to raise awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products, and to thank blood donors for their voluntary, life-saving gifts of blood. World Blood Donor Day is one of eight official global public health campaigns marked by the World Health Organization (WHO), along with World Health Day, World Tuberculosis Day, World Immunization Week, World Malaria Day, World No Tobacco Day, World Hepatitis Day, and World AIDS Day.

Women and Child Development launches ‘#YogaFor9to5’
Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD) launched a contest, ‘#YogaFor9to5’ focused on generating awareness regarding benefits of Yoga at Workplace for Women.
  • The contest invites self-demonstration Videos & Pictures of Yoga Asanas being practiced during office hours.
  • The Ministry proposes to invite entries on easy Yoga Asanas which can calm Women during her work hours. The deadline for the contest is June 21, 2018.

Fitch ups India growth forecast to 7.4% for FY'19
Fitch Ratings raised India growth forecast for 2018-19 to 7.4% from 7.3% but cited higher financing costs and rising oil prices as risks to growth.
  • For 2019-20, it estimated the country to grow at 7.5%.
  • The economy grew at 6.7% in 2017-18 and 7.7% in January-March quarter.

President Ram Nath Kovind to launch Solar Charkha mission
President Ram Nath Kovind will launch Solar Charkha Mission which will entail a subsidy of 550 crore rupees in the initial two years for 50 clusters.
  • According to the Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Giriraj Singh, the scheme is aimed at linking 5crore women and self-help groups to the initiative.
  • 15 new technology centers will be set up and out of these, ten will be made operational this year. These centers will provide technological support to small industries.

Union cabinet approved for introduction of Dam Safety Bill, 2018
Union Cabinet has approved the proposal for introduction of Dam Safety Bill, 2018 in the Parliament.
  • The Bill provides for proper surveillance, inspection, operation and maintenance of all specified dams in the country to ensure their safe functioning.
  • The Bill provides for constitution of a National Committee on Dam Safety which shall evolve dam safety policies and recommend necessary regulations as may be required for the purpose.
  • The Bill provides for establishment of National Dam Safety Authority as a regulatory body which shall discharge functions to implement the policy, guidelines and standards for dam safety in the country.
  • The Bill provides for constitution of a State Committee on Dam Safety by State Government.

Union cabinet approved for Sanchi Stupa of India and Pho Minh Pagoda of Viet Nam
Cabinet approves MoU between India and Viet Nam on Joint issue of postage stamp. Joint Issue depicts Sanchi Stupa of India and Pho Minh Pagoda of Viet Nam.
  • Sanchi Stupa commissioned in 3rd century BCE, Expansion/ additions/restoration works/ made in different periods. Commissioned by Emperor Ashoka of the Maurya Dynasty. Located 46 km north-east of Bhopal, the capital city of Madhya Pradesh, India
  • Architectural Style: Buddhist Art and Architecture. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • Pho Minh Pagoda was originally built during the Ly Dynasty and later expanded in 1262 during the Tran Dynasty. It was a place for high-ranking mandarins and the aristocracy of the Tran Royal Court to worship and lead their religious life.

Union cabinet approved for withdrawl of Nalanda University
Union Cabinet has approved the proposal for withdrawal of Nalanda University (Amendment) Bill, 2013 pending in the Rajya Sabha.
  • The Nalanda University was established on the basis of a Joint Press Statement at the 4th East Asia Summit held in Thailand in October, 2009, which supported its establishment as a non-state, non-profit, secular and self-governing international institution. Subsequently, the Nalanda University Act, 2010 was passed by the Parliament and came into effect from 25thNovember 2010.
Highlights of Nalanda University (Amendment) Bill, 2013:

It establishes Nalanda University in Bihar as a result of decisions taken at the East Asia Summits.
Under the Act, the University is a non-profit public-private partnership, supported by each member country as well as other sources. The Bill amends the Act to provide for the Government of India to meet the university’s capital and recurring expenditure to the extent required.
  • Nalanda stands out as the most ancient university of the Indian Subcontinent. It engaged in the organized transmission of knowledge over an uninterrupted period of 800 years.
  • The construction of Nalanda university began in 5th century AD and flourished under the Gupta rulers. It came to an end in the 12th century when it was destroyed in 1193 AD by the invading Turkish army led by its commander Bakhtiar Khilji.
  • UNESCO has declared Bihar’s much awaited ancient site – the ruins of Nalanda Mahavihara – a World Heritage Site.

Union cabinet approved for ex official chairman to North Eastern Council
Union Cabinet has approved the proposal of Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) for the nomination of the Union Home Minister as ex-officio Chairman of North Eastern Council (NEC).
  • The Cabinet has also approved that Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of DoNER would serve as Vice Chairman of the Council.
  • Under the new arrangement, Home Minister shall be the Chairman and Minister of DoNER as Vice Chairman, NEC and all the Governors and Chief Ministers of North Eastern States will be Members.
  • This would provide a forum for discussing inter-state matters more comprehensively and also consider common approaches to be taken in future.
NEC was established under the North Eastern Council Act, 1971 as an apex level   body for securing balanced and coordinated development and facilitating coordination with the States.

UGC brought out new norms for College teachers
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has brought out a new set of regulations to alter the conditions for recruitment and promotion of college and university teachers, so as to make universities more focussed on research and colleges on the teaching-learning process.
  • Research will no longer be mandatory for college teachers for promotion. However, university promotions will offer weightage to research done. College teachers will be graded on teaching rather than research. College teachers can still do research and earn higher grades for it.
  • College teachers can become professors now. Till now, a college teacher could not rise above the rank of associate professor, the professor post being limited to university departments.
  • To become an assistant professor in a college, the requirement remains the same: Ph.D or NET plus a master’s degree. However, for promotion to the post of associate professor, a Ph.D will be mandatory even at the college level.
  • Indians who had been awarded a doctoral degree from any of the top 500 global universities would be eligible to teach in Indian universities without the requirement of any equivalence certificate or NET as soon as the regulations are notified.
University Grants Commission of India (UGC India) is a statutory body set up in accordance to the UGC Act 1956 under Ministry of Human Resource Development. It is charged with coordination, determination, and maintenance of standards of higher education. It provides recognition to universities in India and disburses funds to such recognized universities and colleges.

Cashless ticketing through 'Utsonmobile' app developed by CRIS
The Centre for Railway Information System (CRIS) has developed a mobile-based application ‘utsonmobile'.
  • The ‘utsonmobile’ application enables booking and cancellation of unreserved tickets, issue and renewal of season and platform tickets, check and load R-wallet balance and helps maintain user profile management and booking history.
The 'utsonmobile' application is very handy, free and is available for both Android and Windows smart phone. Users can download this app from Google Play Store or Windows store free of cost. First the passenger will get registered by providing his/her mobile number, name, city, default booking train type, class, ticket type, number of passenger and frequently travelling routes.

NITI Aayog planning to launch Water Management Index
NITI Aayog is planning to launch a Composite Water Management Index.
  • The index can be utilised to formulate and implement suitable strategies for better management of water resources.
  • The index would provide useful information for the States and also for the concerned Central Ministries/Departments enabling them to formulate and implement suitable strategies for better management of water resources.
  • This index is an attempt to inspire States and UTs towards efficient and optimal utilization of water, and recycling thereof with a sense of urgency. It will be a useful tool to assess and improve the performance in efficient management of water resources.

Assam government to launch awareness programme — Sanskar
Assam government is planning to launch an awareness programme, ‘Sanskar’ in all development blocks and panchayats.
  • This comes in the wake of incidents triggered by superstition and ignorance including the lynching of two young artistes in Karbi Anglong district of the state.

Raksha Mantri inaugurates 1st BEL representative office in Vietnam
Raksha Mantri, Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated the first Representative Office of Navratna Defence PSU Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) in Hanoi, Vietnam.


  • The Representative Office will aim to promote BEL’s exports in areas such as Weapon Systems, Radar Systems, Naval Systems, Military Communication Systems, Electronic Warfare Systems, Combat Management System and Coastal Surveillance System.
BEL, India’s leading defence electronics company, is fast expanding its global presence, putting its best foot forward to give a thrust to exports worldwide, especially South East Asian countries such as the Republic of Union of Myanmar, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Philippines. Spotting a niche market in Vietnam, BEL has now set up its first Representative Office at Vietnam for addressing export business opportunities and to provide unstinted product support and services to users in the region.

Maharashtra government, Quebec province sign pact to increase economic cooperation
Maharashtra government and Canada’s Quebec province have signed a pact to increase the economic cooperation, especially in areas of information technology, biotechnology, artificial intelligence and welfare of the tribal community. 
  • Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who was on a week-long tour to the US and Canada, signed MoU to this effect with Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard. 
  • They also discussed ways to increase collaboration over knowledge-sharing on ports.

India-Nepal joint military exercise concludes
The thirteenth edition of India-Nepal joint military exercise, Surya Kiran-XIII has been concluded at Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand.
  • The joint military exercise was aimed at further enhancing and strengthening level of defence cooperation between the two neighbouring nations.
  • Exercise SURYA KIRAN-XIII, a joint military training exercise between India & Nepal culminated at Pithoragarh, wherein the troops of both Armies participated in 14-day long joint training based on counter terrorist operations.

India, US agree to hold comprehensive talks to address Trade & Economic issues
India and the US have agreed to hold comprehensive talks to address trade and economic issues. 
  • The decision in this regard was taken during a series of meetings, Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu had with US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer. 
  • Mr Suresh Prabhu was on a two-day visit to the US.

India among over 90 nations without paid paternity leave
According to a new UNICEF analysis, India is among almost 90 countries in the world without national policies in place that ensure new fathers get adequate paid time off with their newborn babies.
  • Almost two-thirds of the world’s children under one-year-old, nearly 90 million, live in countries where their fathers are not entitled by law to a single day of paid paternity leave.
  • India and Nigeria, which have high infant populations, are among the 92 countries do not have national policies in place that ensure new fathers get adequate paid time off with their newborn babies.
  • In eight countries across the world, including the United States which is home to nearly four million infants, there was no paid maternity or paternity leave policy.
  • Other countries with high infant populations, including Brazil and Congo, all have national paid paternity leave policies, albeit offering relatively short-term entitlements.
UNICEF has launched ‘Super Dads’ campaign which aims to break down barriers preventing fathers from playing an active role in their young children’s development. The campaign celebrates Father’s Day – recognised in more than 80 countries in June – and focuses on the importance of love, play, protection and good nutrition for the healthy development of young children’s brains.

Indigenous Pinaka rocket system of DRDO evolved precision guided missile
The indigenous Pinaka rocket system of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is being evolved into a precision-guided missile, with enhanced range and accuracy to hit its targets.
  • The rocket has been developed by the Armament cluster of the DRDO, with a lead from Pune-based Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE).
  • It is used to neutralize the enemy’s positions that are strategically important for the enemy. The advanced versions of this system can also be used to conduct surgical strikes even without entering into the enemy area.
  • The launcher can fire 12 rockets with 1.2 tonnes of high explosives within 44 seconds and destroy a target area of 4-square km at a time.
Pinaka is capable of working in different modes – autonomous mode, stand-alone mode, remote mode and manual mode. The second variant of Pinaka, known as Mark-II, has a maximum range of 75 km. DRDO is working with Israel’s IMI to develop Pinaka Mark-III which will use IMI’s Trajectory Correction System (TCS) that will enhance the accuracy of the attack.

PhonePe partners with Ola
Flipkart-owned PhonePe has partnered cab aggregator Ola that will allow riders to book rides using the former’s payment platform.
  • With this partnership, users can enjoy the ease of using their preferred ride-sharing app from within PhonePe while being assured of the reliability and integrity of their payments.
  • PhonePe has also added ‘Auto-pay’ feature that allows users to make payments seamlessly.

Inflation rises to 14-month high of 4.43% in May
Inflation based on wholesale prices shot up to a 14-month high of 4.43% in May on increasing prices of petrol and diesel as well as vegetables.
  • Wholesale Price Index (WPI) based inflation stood at 3.18% in April and 2.26% in May 2017.
According to government data released, inflation in food articles was at 1.60% in May 2018, as against 0.87% in the preceding month. Inflation in vegetables climbed to 2.51% in May. Inflation in ‘fuel and power’ basket rose sharply to 11.22% in May from 7.85% in April as prices of domestic fuel increased in line with rising global crude oil rates.

HDFC bank’s proposal to raise additional share capital approved
Union Cabinet has approved the proposal for grant of permission to HDFC Bank to raise additional share capital of up to a maximum of 24,000 crore rupees. 
  • The composite foreign shareholding in the Bank will not exceed 74% of the enhanced paid-up equity share capital of the bank.
  • According to the Finance Minister Piyush Goyal, the proposed investment is expected to strengthen the capital adequacy ratio of the bank.

HDFC, 5th biggest Consumer financial services company worldwide: Forbes
Housing finance major HDFC has been ranked as the 5th biggest public company globally in the ‘consumer financial services category’ on a list compiled by Forbes magazine. 
  • HDFC’s rank has moved up from 7th place last year. American Express has topped this category, while Indiabulls Housing Finance is the only other Indian company (at 13th place) on the list.
  • In the overall list, topped by China’s banking behemoth ICBC, HDFC took 321st place, up from 404th a year ago. 
  • There are a total of 58 Indian companies on the overall list of 2,000 firms from across the world. These include Reliance Industries at 83rd place, the only from India in the top-100. Besides, HDFC Bank is at 202nd, ONGC at 266th, Indian Oil at 270th and ICICI Bank at 320th.
Forbes compiled the Global 2000 list using data from FactSet Research systems to screen for the biggest public companies in four metric: sales, profits, assets and market value. The market value calculation is as of May 11, 2018, closing prices and includes all common shares outstanding.

Global alliance to eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis
India is hosting the 10th meeting of Global Alliance to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis. India has highest burden of Lymphatic Filariasis and there is need of taking leadership role to Eliminate lymphatic filariasis.
  • Theme: Celebrating progress towards elimination: Voices from the field on overcoming programme challenges.
LF or commonly known as Elephantiasis is one of the oldest and most debilitating neglected disease, which is currently endemic in 73 countries of the world, including India.
LF is a devastating parasitic infection spread by mosquitoes. The parasites are thread-like worms (filariae) that develop in and then damage the human lymphatic system and associated tissues. It is usually contracted in childhood, often before the age of five. The lymphatic system is a network of vessels and specialised tissues that are essential to the maintaining the overall fluid balance and health of organs and limbs and importantly are a major component of the body’s immune defence system.

India to host European Union film festival
The European Union Film Festival (EUFF) will premiere in New Delhi at the Siri Fort Auditorium. With a selection of 24 latest European films from 23 EU Member States, this years' film festival brings some unusual stories for the world cinema enthusiasts.
  • The European Union Film Festival is organized by Directorate of Film Festivals. Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India partnering with the Delegation of the European Union and embassies of EU Member States in various city film clubs. 
  • The Festival will be inaugurated by the Hon'ble Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, Mr Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore.

Rana Kapoor re-appointed as MD & CEO for Yes Bank
Yes Bank shareholders have approved the re-appointment of Rana Kapoor as the bank’s chief executive officer and managing director for a period of three years.
  • The AGM also approved the appointment of Subhash Chander Kalia and Ajai Kumar as non-executive non-independent directors.
Yes Bank
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Indian-American Dhivya Suryadevara to become CFO of General Motors
An Indian-American woman, Dhivya Suryadevara has been named the Chief Finance Officer of the US’ largest automaker, General Motors.
  • Ms. Suryadevara, currently the vice president of corporate finance, will succeed Chuck Stevens, the General Motor’s present CFO, on September 1, 2018.
  • She will report to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mary Barra, 56, who has been head of the automaker since 2014.

Georgia's PM  Giorgi Kvirikashvili resigns
Giorgi Kvirikashvili, prime minister of Georgia, has announced his resignation amid a disagreement with Bidzina Ivanishvili, the leader of the ruling party.
  • Kvirikashvili, 50, has been the country's prime minister since 2015.

Water Productivity Mapping of Major Indian Crops
Water Productivity Mapping of Major Indian Crops is a book published by NABARD.
  • The book is based on study of 10 important crops. The ten important crops include rice, wheat, maize, pulses, oilseeds, sugarcane, cotton and potato etc.
  • The book suggests to realign cropping pattern keeping in view water scarcity of irrigation, ration irrigation supplies in canal irrigation system, improve micro-irrigation and invest in water harvesting and artificial recharge and encourage participatory irrigation management through water user association and farmer’s producer organisation.

Sulabh founder honoured with Japan's Nikkei Asia Prize
Noted social reformer and founder of Sulabh International, Bindeshwar Pathak was honoured with Japan’s prestigious Nikkei Asia Prize. 
  • The award was given under Culture and Community category for his significant work in tackling poor hygiene and discrimination.
  • Other winners: Science and Technology - Professor Nguyen Thanh Liem
  • Economic and Business Innovation Mr. Ma Jun
The Nikkei Asia Prize is an award which recognizes the achievements of people and organizations that have improved the lives of people throughout Asia. The awards were created and presented by Nikkei Inc, one of the largest media corporations in Japan.
Launched in 1996, the program honors people in Asia who have made significant contributions in one of the three areas: regional growth; science, technology and innovation; and culture.

Former PM Manmohan Singh and Infosys Chairman Narayan Murti are among the few Indians who have won the prize in the past.

Saweety Boora wins gold at the Umakhanov memorial tournament
Indian woman boxer Saweety Boora has claimed a gold medal in the middleweight category at the Umakhanov Memorial Tournament in Kaspiysk, Russia.
  • She beat home favourite Anna Anfinogenova in the final to finish on top in the 75 kilogram category.

Smriti Mandhana to become 1st Indian to play in England's Kia Super League
India Women's Cricket team opener Smriti Mandhana will become the first Indian player to appear in Kia Super League - the women's cricket super league in England.
  • Smriti was signed by Western Storm and will represent them in the upcoming edition of the tournament that features six teams. 

United States, Mexico and Canada win Right to host 2026 World Cup
United States, Mexico and Canada won the right to host the 2026 World Cup after easily beating Morocco in a vote by FIFA member nations in Moscow.
  • The North American bid received 134 of the 203 votes, while Morocco polled 65 in the ballot at a FIFA Congress held in Moscow. 
  • 2014 Brazil; 2018 Russia; 2022 Qatar
FIFA World Cup, often simply called the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men’s national teams of the members of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the sport’s global governing body. The championship has been awarded every four years since the inaugural tournament in 1930, except in 1942 and 1946 when it was not held because of the Second World War. The current champion is Germany, which won its fourth title at the 2014 tournament in Brazil.




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