Important Points

It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop. Important Points Index • Environment • Business & Economy • Sports • National Affairs • Summits & Conferences • Appointments & Resignations • Awards & Honours • Government Schemes & Policies • Days & Events Important Points Environment Madras High Court forms committee to remove alien species मद्रास उच्च न्यायालय ने विदेशी प्रजावियⴂ कोहटाने के ललए सवमवि बनाई Important Points Environment • The Madras High Court constituted an expert committee to suggest ways and means to remove the alien species from the Western Ghats. • 11 जनवरी 2019 को, मद्रास उच्च न्यायालय ने पश्चिमी घाट से ववदेशी प्रजावियⴂ को हटाने के िरीकⴂ और साधनⴂ का सुझाव देने के श्चलए एक ववशेषज्ञ सवमवि का गठन ककया। • The committee will be headed by Cherukuri Raghavendra Babu, the Chairman of the expert committee on invasive species in National Biodiversity Authority. Important Points Environment • चेन्नई नेशनल बायोडायवश्चसिटी अथॉररटी मᴂ आक्रामक प्रजावियⴂ पर ववशेषज्ञ सवमवि के अध्यक्ष चे셁कुरी राघवᴂद्र बाबू की अध्यक्षिा मᴂ इस सवमवि का गठन ककया जाएगा। • The committee will study all aspects related to the forests. • यह सवमवि जंगलⴂ से संबंधधि सभी पहलुओ ं का अध्ययन करेगी। Important Points Environment Extra Information: Madras High Court Chief Justice: Vijaya Kamlesh Tahilramani Important Points Environment Western Ghats: Important Points Environment → The Western Ghats are the mountain groups running parallel to the western coast of the Indian peninsula.

→ The Ghats is well known for its biodiversity, where we can find a variety of flora and fauna.

→ The Western Ghats again find a place in the news after the announcement of the UNESCO World Heritage site.

→ Followed by UNESCO announcement, the government of appointed two committees: 1) Gadgil committee 2) Kasturirangan committee, to study the measures taken to protect it. Important Points Environment Geographical Features • Mountain range starts around the border of Gujarat and Maharashtra, to the south of river Tapti. • Runs through the states of Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. • Ends at Kanyakumari, the southern tip of India. It covers approximately 1600 km. Important Points Environment Rivers • Major rivers originate from the Ghats, these include Godavari, Kaveri, Krishna, Thamiraparani, Tungabhadra. • These rivers flow to the east and drain into the Bay of Bengal. Important PointsBusiness and Economy DFC Bank renamed as IDFC First Bank IDFC बℂक का नाम बदलकर IDFC 괼र्स्ट बℂक ककया गया Important PointsBusiness and Economy • Private sector lender IDFC Bank's name has been changed to 'IDFC First Bank Ltd' with effect from 12 January 2019. • वनजी क्षेत्र के ऋणदािा IDFC बℂक का नाम बदलकर ‘IDFC फर्स्ि बℂक श्चलवमटेड' कर ददया गया है। • IDFC Bank and Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) 'Capital First' completed their merger on 18 December 2018. • IDFC बℂक और गैर-बℂककंग ववत्तीय कंपनी (NBFC) 'कैकपटल फर्स्ि' ने 18 ददसंबर 2018 को अपना ववलय पूरा कर श्चलया था। Important PointsBusiness and Economy Extra Information:

IDFC First Bank

• Founded: October 2015 • Parent: Infrastructure Development Finance Company • Headquarters: , Maharashtra, India • Key people: Rajiv Lall (Non-Exe Chairman) V. Vaidyanathan (MD & CEO) • Tagline Banking Hatke Important PointsBusiness and Economy NEW BANK LICENSE Since April 2014, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has granted 23 banking licences to new players - two were given universal banking licences (April 2, 2014), 11 were issued payments banks licences (August 19, 2015) and 10 were given licences for small finance banks (September 16, 2015). UNIVERSAL BANKS • Mumbai - IDFC • Kolkata - Bandhan Important PointsBusiness and Economy PAYMENTS BANKS Mumbai • Aditya Birla Nuvo • Fino PayTech • National Securities Depository • Reliance Industries • Dilip Shantilal Shanghvi (Sun Pharma) • Tech Mahindra • Vodafone M-pesa Important PointsBusiness and Economy • Airtel M Commerce • Department of Posts (IPPB) • Vijay Shekhar Sharma (PAYTM)

Chennai • Cholamandalam Distribution Important PointsBusiness and Economy SMALL FINANCE BANKS

Mumbai

• Au Financiers • Suryoday Micro Finance

Jalandhar

• Capital Local Area Bank (First Small Bank)

Chennai

• Equitas Holdings Important PointsBusiness and Economy Kerala (Thrissur)

• ESAF Microfinance and Investments Bengaluru

• Ujjivan Financial Services • Janalakshmi Financial Services • FINCARE Small Finance Bank Varanasi

• Utkarsh Micro Finance Guwahati

• RGVN (North East) Microfinance Important PointsBusiness and Economy GoM constituted to look into revenue shortfall राजस्व की कमी के अिलोकन के ललए GoM का गठन Important PointsBusiness and Economy • The GST Council had decided to set up a Group of Ministers (GoM). • 12 जनवरी 2019 को, GST पररषद ने मंकत्रयⴂ के समूह (GoM) की ापना का वनणिय श्चलया। • The GoM will be headed by Bihar's Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi. • इस GoM की अध्यक्षिा वबहार के उप मुख्यमंत्री सुशील कुमार मोदी करᴂगे। • The GoM will look into the revenue shortfall being faced by states following the rollout of Goods and Services Tax (GST). Important PointsBusiness and Economy • यह GoM वु और सेवा कर (GST) की शु셁आि के बाद राज्यⴂ द्वारा होने वाली राजस्व की कमी का अवलोकन करेगा। • The committee will suggest steps for increasing the revenue of states. • यह सवमवि राज्यⴂ के राजस्व को बढाने के श्चलए कदम भी सुझाएगी। Important PointsBusiness and Economy Extra Information: Important PointsBusiness and Economy Goods and Service Tax (GST) Important PointsBusiness and Economy 1. The Goods and Services Tax (GST) was first implemented in France. 2. India's GST is based on the Canadian model. 3. GST in India was made on the recommendation of Vijay Kelkar Committee. 4. GST in India was implemented on July 1, 2017 5. The first state which implemented the GST was Assam. Important PointsBusiness and Economy 6. Amitabh Bachchan has been made the brand ambassador of GST. Important PointsBusiness and Economy 7. GST has been implemented under Article 279 of the Indian constitution. 8. GST Council was formed by the President of India in September 2016. 9. At present Finance Minister Arun Jaitley is the Chairman of the GST Council. 10. At present GST Council has 31 members. 11. GST has been implemented by the 101st Constitution Amendment Act, 2016. Important PointsBusiness and Economy 12. The GST was the 122nd constitutional amendment bill to be introduced in the Parliament of India. 13. The President of India approved GST bill on 8th September 2016. 14. During passing of GST bill in parliament; 336 votes casted in the favour of GST bill and 11 votes were against it. 15. There is a provision of 5 years imprisonment for those who do not pay GST. 16. There are 5 rates of taxes in GST i.e. 0%, 5%, 12%, 18% and 28%. 17. GST is an indirect tax. Important PointsBusiness and Economy WPI inflation at 3.80% in December 2018 WPI मुद्रास्फीवि ददसंबर 2018 मᴂ 3.80% पर Important PointsBusiness and Economy • Inflation based on wholesale prices fell to an 8-month low of 3.80% in December 2018 due to reducing prices of fuel and some food items. • ℂधन और कुछ खाद्य पदाथⴂ की कीमिⴂ मᴂ कमी के कारण ददसंबर 2018 मᴂ थोक मूल्यⴂ पर आधाररि मुद्राीवि 8 महीने के वनचले र 3.80% िक गगर गई। • The Wholesale Price Index (WPI)-based inflation stood at 4.64% in November 2018, and 3.58% in December 2017. • थोक मूल्य सूचकांक (WPI) आधाररि मुद्राीवि नवंबर 2018 मᴂ 4.64% और ददसंबर 2017 मᴂ 3.58% थी। Important PointsBusiness and Economy Extra Information: Different inflation based on causes: a. Demand Pull Inflation: Demand pull inflation arises due to higher demand for goods and services over the available supply. Higher demand for goods and services arises due to increase in income of the people, increase in money supply and change in the taste and preference of people etc. In other words, demand pull inflation takes place when increase in production lags the increase in money supply. Important PointsBusiness and Economy b. Cost Push Inflation: Price rise due to increased input costs like raw material, wages, profit margin etc., is called Cost push inflation. Both demand pull inflation and cost push inflation are affected by forces of demand and supply c. Sectoral Inflation: It refers to the rise in prices occurring in different commercial sectors of a country. With the rise in prices of different raw materials, the prices of the finished products in diverse sectors increase simultaneously, leading to the initiation of Sectoral Inflation. Important PointsBusiness and Economy d. Skewflation: Skewflation refers to inflation in some commodities, deflation in Others. e. Stagflation: Stagflation refers to the situation of coexistence of stagnation and inflation in the economy. Stagnation means low National Income growth and high unemployment. The Phillips curve (below) shows that at high rate of inflation, there is low rate of unemployment. But stagflation proves the contrary. Important PointsBusiness and Economy Important PointsBusiness and Economy g. Disinflation: The rate of inflation at a slower rate is called disinflation. For example, if the inflation of last month was 6% and rate of inflation in the current month is 5% it is termed as disinflation. h. Reflation: Reflation means deliberate action of government to increase rate of inflation to stimulate economy. It is usually done to redeem the economy from deflationary situation. Important PointsBusiness and Economy Extra Information: List of Biosphere Reserves Biosphere Key Reserve Location State Type Fauna Part of Waynad, Tamil Nagarhole, Nadu, Nilgiri Bandipur and Kerala tahr, Nilgiri Mudumalai, and lion- Biosphere Nilambur, Silent Karnatak Western tailed Reserve Valley a Ghats macaque Parts of Chamoli District, Snow Pithoragarh Leopard, Nanda Devi District & Western Himalaya Biosphere Bageshwar Uttarakh Himalayan Black Reserve District and s Bear Important PointsBusiness and Economy Extra Information: List of Biosphere Reserves

Biosphere Key Reserve Location State Type Fauna Indian part of Gulf of Mannar extending from Rameswaram island in the North to Kanyakumari in the Gulf of South of Tamil Tamil Mannar Nadu and Sri Lanka Nadu Coasts Dugong East Meghalay Himalaya Red Nokrek In west Garo Hills a s panda Important PointsBusiness and Economy Extra Information: List of Biosphere Reserves

Biosphere Key Reserve Location State Type Fauna Part of delta of Ganges and Royal Brahmaputra river West Gangetic Bengal Sundarbans system Bengal Delta tiger Important PointsBusiness and Economy Extra Information: List of Biosphere Reserves Biosphere Key Reserve Location State Type Fauna Asiatic Elephant , Tiger, Assam Part of Kokrajhar, roofed Bongaigaon, East turtle, Manas Barpeta, Nalbari, Assam Himalaya hispid Kamrup and s hare, Darrang Districts Golden Langur, pygmy hog Important PointsBusiness and Economy Extra Information: List of Biosphere Reserves Biosphere Key Reserve Location State Type Fauna Gaur, royal Bengal Part of Deccan tiger, Mayurbhanj Peninsul Asian Simlipal district Odisha a elephant Mishmi Arunach Takin, Dihang- Part of Siang and al Eastern Musk Dibang Dibang Valley Pradesh HimalayaDeer Important PointsBusiness and Economy Extra Information: List of Biosphere Reserves

Biosphere Key Reserve Location State Type Fauna Parts of Betul District, Hoshangabad Giant Pachmarhi District and squirrel, Biosphere Chhindwara Madhya Semi- flying Reserve District Pradesh Arid squirrel Important PointsBusiness and Economy List of Biosphere Reserves

Biosphere Key Reserve Location State Type Fauna Four-horned antelope, Indian wild dog, Sarus crane, White- rumped Achanakma Part of vulture, r- Anuppur, Madhya Philautus Amarkanta Dindori and Pradesh, (Sacred k Biosphere Bilaspur Chhattisg Maikal grove bush Reserve districts arh Hills frog) Important PointsBusiness and Economy List of Biosphere Reserves

Biosphere Key Reserve Location State Type Fauna Part of Kutch, Morbi, Surendranagar and Patan Districts. It is the largest Great Rann Biosphere Reserve Indian of Kutch in India. Gujarat Desert wild ass Pin Valley National Park and surroundings;Chan dratal and Sarchu & Western Kibber Wildlife Himachal Himalaya Snow Cold Desert Sanctuary Pradesh s leopard Important PointsBusiness and Economy Extra Information: List of Biosphere Reserves

Biosphere Key Reserve Location State Type Fauna Snow East leopard, Khangchen Parts of Himalayared dzonga Kangchenjunga Sikkim s panda Neyyar, Peppara Agasthyam and Shenduruny Nilgiri alai Wildlife Sanctuary Kerala, tahr, Biosphere and their Tamil Western elephant Reserve adjoining areas Nadu Ghats s Important Points Sports 1956 Olympian footballer Zulfiqar passes away 1956 के ओलंकपयन फुटबॉलर जुल्फिकार का वनधन Important Points Sports • Former India footballer Mohammed Zulfiqaruddin passed away on 13 January 2019. • भारि के पूवि फुटबॉलर मोहम्मद जुल्फिका셁द्दीन का 13 जनवरी 2019 को वनधन हो गया। • He was the part of the Indian football team which took part in the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne. • वह उस भारिीय फुटबॉल टीम का दहस्सा थे श्चजसने 1956 मᴂ मेलबनि मᴂ ओलंकपक मᴂ भाग श्चलया था। • He was the captain of Andhra Pradesh in the Santosh Trophy from 1955 to 1967. • वह 1955 से 1967 िक संिोष टरॉफी मᴂ आंध्र प्रदेश के कप्तान थे। Important Points Sports Important Obituaries • Former Indian cricket captain Ajit Wadekar, passed away at the age of 77 on August 15, 2018 after a prolonged illness. • Renowned Bengali writer Dibyendu Palit passed away on 3 January 2019 • Cricket coach Ramakant Achrekar passed away in Mumbai on 2 January 2019 • Veteran actor-writer Kader Khan passed away on 31 December 2018. • Legendary filmmaker Mrinal Sen passed away in Kolkata on 31 December 2018 Important Points Sports Important Points Sports Abhinav Shaw won gold medal in shooting अभिनि शॉ ने शूकटंग मᴂ स्वर्ट पदक जीिा Important Points Sports • On 14 January 2019, 10-year old Abhinav Shaw became the youngest gold medallist in the shooting at the Khelo India Youth Games in . • 14 जनवरी 2019 को, 10 वषीय अधभनव शॉ पुणे के खेलो इंकडया यूथ गेम्स मᴂ शूकटंग मᴂ सबसे कम उम्र के स्वणि पदक ववजेिा बने। • He teamed up with Mehuli Ghosh to help West Bengal win the 10m air rifle mixed team event. • उन्हⴂने मेहुली घोष के साथ वमलकर पश्चिम बंगाल को 10 मीटर एयर राइफल वमश्रिि टीम धा जीिने मᴂ मदद की। Important Points Sports • Delhi's Devanshi Rana bagged gold in Under-21 girls 25m pistol event. • ददल्ली की देवांशी राणा ने अंडर-21 बाश्चलकाओ ं की 25 मीटर कपर्स्ल धा मᴂ स्वणि जीिा। Important Points Sports List of Sporting Events in 2019 (Till April)

Date(s) Sport Event Location Jan 5 - Football Feb 1 (Soccer) AFC Asian Cup UAE Jan 10- World Germany & 27 Handball Championships(men) Denmark Jan 14- Melbourne, 27 Tennis Australia Open Australia Jan 24- Extreme Aspen, 27 Sports Winter X Games 23 Colorado, USA? Gridiron/Foo Atlanta, 43499 tball Super Bowl Georgia Feb 5- Alpine World Ski 17 Skiing Championships Åre, Sweden Important Points Sports Date(s) Sport Event Location Feb 20 Nordic World Ski Seefeld in Tirol, - Mar 3 Skiing Championships Tyrol, Austria Feb 27 World Track Pruszków, - Mar 3 Cycling Championships Poland Mar 2- Krasnoyarsk, 12 Multi-sports Winter Universiade Russia Special Olympics Abu Dhabi, Mar World Summer United Arab 14-21 Multi-sports Games Emirates Aintree Horse Racecourse in 43561 Racing Grand National Liverpool Apr 11- 14 Golf Masters Augusta, USA Important Points Sports Bengaluru Raptors win बᴂगलु셁 रैप्टसट ने प्रीवमयर बैडवमंटन लीग जीिी Important Points Sports • Bengaluru Raptors won the Premier Badminton League (PBL) title on 13 January 2019. • बᴂगलु셁 रैप्टसि ने 13 जनवरी 2019 को प्रीवमयर बैडवमंटन लीग (PBL) का खखिाब जीिा। • They defeated in the final match. • उन्हⴂने फाइनल मुकाबले मᴂ मुंबई रॉकेट्स को हराया। • Bengaluru Raptors consists of Kidambi Srikanth, Mohammad Ahsan, Hendra Setiawan, Sai Praneeth, Mithun Manjunath, Lauren Smith, Sanjana Santosh, Marcus Ellis, Vu Thi Trang, and Nguyễn Tiến Minh. Important Points Sports • बᴂगलु셁 रैप्टसि मᴂ ककदांबी िीकांि, मोहम्मद अहसन, हᴂडरा सेवियावान, साई प्रणीि, वमथुन मंजुनाथ, लॉरेन स्मिथ, संजना संिोष, माकिस एश्चलस, वू थी न्रांग, और गुयेन विआन वमन्ह शावमल हℂ। • It is owned by Matrix Badminton Teamworks Pvt. Ltd • इसका स्वावमत्व मैकटरक्सबैडवमंटन टीमवक्सि प्राइवेट श्चलवमटेड के पास है। Important Points Sports List of PBL Teams and its owners Team name City Owner(s) Home ground Agile Security Gachibowli Indoor Hunters Hyderabad Force Stadium, Hyderabad Bengaluru Sachin Koramangala Indoor Raptors Tendulkar Stadium, Bangalore Babu Banarasi Das Awadhe Sahara India Indoor Stadium, Warriors Pariwar Lucknow Sardar Vallabhbhai Mumbai Devyani Patel Indoor Stadium, Rockets Mumbai Leisures Mumbai Infinite DDA Badminton & Delhi Computer Squash Stadium, New Dashers New Delhi Solutions Delhi Important Points Sports Team name City Owner(s) Home ground Jawaharlal Nehru Chennai Vijaya Stadium (Chennai), Smashers Chennai Prabhakaran Chennai Ahmedaba Padmanabh The Arena by d Smash Ahmedaba Sports Pvt. TransStadia, Masters d Ltd Karmabir Nabin The Eastern Chandra Bordoloi Northeaste Warriors Pvt Indoor Stadium, rn Warriors Guwahati Ltd Guwahati Important Points National Affairs Commemorative coin of Rs 350 introduced 350 셁पये का स्मारक लसक्का पेश ककया गया Important Points National Affairs • Prime Minister Narendra Modi released a commemorative coin of Rs 350 to mark the birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh on 13 January 2019. • प्रधानमंत्री नरᴂद्र मोदी13 ने जनवरी 2019 को गु셁 गोववंद श्चसंह की जयंिी मनाने के श्चलए 350 셁पये का िारक श्चसक्का जारी ककया। • Guru Gobind Singh was the 10th Sikh Guru. • गु셁 गोववंद श्चसंह 10वे श्चसख गु셁 थे। • On 5 January 2017, commemorative postage was released during the 350th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Gobind Singh. • 5 जनवरी, 2017 को, गु셁 गोववंद श्चसंह के 350वी जयंिी समारोह के दौरान िारक डाक जारी ककया गया था। Important Points National Affairs List of Guru in Sikhism 1. Guru Nanak Dev Ji - Guru from 1469 to 1539 2. Guru Angad Dev Ji - Guru from 1539 to 1552 3. Guru Amar Das Sahib Ji - Guru from 1552 to 1574 4. Guru Ram Das Sahib Ji - Guru from 1574 to 1581 5. Guru Arjan Dev Ji - Guru from 1581 to 1606 6. Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji - Guru from 1606 to 1644 7. Guru Har Rai Sahib Ji - Guru from 1644 to 1661 8. Guru Har Krishan Sahib Ji -Guru from 1661 to 1664 Important Points National Affairs 9. Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji - Guru from 1665 to 1675 10. Guru Gobind Singh Sahib Ji - Guru from 1675 to 1708 11. Guru Granth Sahib Ji - Guru from 1708 to eternity Important Points National Affairs Robots introduced for traffic management टरैकफक प्रबंधन के ललए रोबोट पेश ककए गए Important Points National Affairs • The Chennai Traffic Police inducted a road safety robot into service on 14 January 2019. • चेन्नई टरैकफक पुश्चलस ने14 जनवरी 2019 को एक सड़क सुरक्षा रोबोट को सेवा मᴂ शावमल ककया। • The name of the robot is 'ROADEO'. • रोबोट का नाम 'ROADEO' है। • The robot will help police in traffic management and assist pedestrians in Chennai roads. • रोबोट यािायाि प्रबंधन मᴂ पुश्चलस की मदद करेगा और चेन्नई की सड़कⴂ पर पैदल चलने वालⴂ की सहायिा करेगा। Important Points National Affairs • It will also ease the work of traffic police, as these robots can be integrated with the traffic signals, as well as can be operated manually, through a Bluetooth app. • यह टरैक़िक पुश्चलस के काम को भी आसान करेगा, क्यⴂकक इन रोबोटⴂ को टरैक़िक श्चसग्नलⴂ के साथ एकीकृि ककया जा सकिा है, साथ ही एक ब्लूटूथ ऐप के माध्यम से मैन्युअल 셂प से संचाश्चलि ककया जा सकिा है। Important Points National Affairs Extra Information: Important Points National Affairs Special weather services for Kumbh launched कुं ि के ललए विशेष मौसम सेिाएं शु셂 की गℂ Important Points National Affairs • A mobile application named 'Kumbh Mela Weather Service' has been developed to disseminate the live weather information. • लाइव मौसम की जानकारी प्रसाररि करने के श्चलए 'कुं भ मेला मौसम सेवा' नामक एक मोबाइल एस्मिकेशन ववकश्चसि की गई है। • It will provide information about the prevailing weather condition and forecasts to the people visiting Prayagraj during Kumbh Mela. • यह कुं भ मेले के दौरान प्रयागराज आने वाले लोगⴂ के श्चलए मौजूदा मौसम की ल्फवि और पूवानुमान के बारे मᴂ जानकारी प्रदान करेगी। Important Points National Affairs • For this purpose, four Automatic Weather stations have been installed at four locations at Prayagraj. • इस उद्देश्य के श्चलए, प्रयागराज मᴂ चार ानⴂ पर चार स्वचाश्चलि मौसम कᴂद्र ाकपि ककए गए हℂ। Important Points National Affairs Extra Information:

FACTS ABOUT KUMBH MELA • It is held once in every 12 years.

• Intangible Cultural Heritage under UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation). Important Points National Affairs Extra Information: • The Mela is the largest peaceful congregation of pilgrims on earth, and it represents a syncretic set of rituals related to worship and rituals cleansing in holy rivers in India. • According to Hindu belief, During a battle between God and Demons over a pitcher containing nectar of immortality(Amrit), a few drops fell at four main locations- Haridwar, Ujjain, Allahabad, and Nasik, where Kumbh is held after every 12 years. Important Points National Affairs SAFEGUARDING THE HERITAGE

→ In 2003, the UNESCO General Conference has adopted the convention for the safeguarding of the Intangible Heritage as an international treaty.

→ UNESCO has also added 12 new elements to the Representative List of the Intangible Important Points National Affairs Cultural Heritage of Humanity- • INDIA- KUMBH MELA • KAZAKHSTAN- KAZAKH TRADITIONAL ASSYK GAMES. • PORTUGAL- CRAFTSMAN OF ESTREMOZ CLAY FIGURES • GERMANY- ORGAN CRAFTSMAN AND MUSIC • GREECE- REBETIKO • INDONESIA- PINSI • IRAN- CHOGAN Important Points National Affairs Cultural Heritage of Humanity- • IRAN (Islamic Republic of Azerbaijan)- ART OF CRAFTING AND PLAYING WITH KAMANCHEH • IRELAND- UILLEANN PIPING • ITALY- ART OF NEAPOLITAN ‘PIZZAIUOLI’ • KYRGYZSTAN- KOK BORU • MALAWI- NSIMA Important Points National Affairs Gujarat implements new 10% quota law गुजराि ने 10% कोटा कानून लागू ककया Important Points National Affairs • Gujarat has become the first state to provide a 10% reservation in jobs and educational institutions to the economically weaker sections in the general category. • गुजराि सामान्य िेणी मᴂ आधथिक 셂प से कमजोर वगⴂ के श्चलए नौकररयⴂ और शैश्चक्षक संानⴂ मᴂ10% आरक्षण प्रदान करने वाला पहला राज्य बन गया है। • It will be applicable from 14 January 2019. • यह 14 जनवरी 2019 से लागू होगा। • The eligibility of the new quota will be applicable only for which the announcement for jobs and admissions have been made but the process has not yet begun. • नए कोटे की पात्रिा केवल उन्हीं नौकररयⴂ और प्रवेशⴂ पर लागू होगी श्चजनकी घोषणा कर दी गई है, लेककन अभी िक प्रकक्रया शु셂 नहीं हुई है। Important Points National Affairs Extra Information: Important Points National Affairs Single-use plastics banned in Puducherry पुडुचेरी मᴂ एकल उपयोग िाला प्लास्टर्स्क प्रविबंभधि Important Points National Affairs • The Puducherry government announced a total ban on manufacture, sale, and storage of single-use plastics in the Union Territory. • 13 जनवरी 2019 को, पुडुचेरी सरकार ने कᴂद्र शाश्चसि प्रदेश मᴂ एकल उपयोग वाले िास्टर्स्क के वनमाण, वबक्री और भंडारण पर कुल प्रविबंध की घोषणा की। • The ban on single-use plastics such as paper cups, disposable plates and straws would come into effect from 1 March 2019. • कागज के कप, कडोजेबल िेट और र्स्रॉ जैसे एकल उपयोग वाले िास्टर्स्क पर प्रविबंध1 माचि 2019 से लागू होगा। Important Points National Affairs • A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of the Cabinet chaired by Puducherry's Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy. • पुडुचेरी के मुख्यमंत्री वी. नारायणसामी की अध्यक्षिा मᴂ हुई मंकत्रमंडल की बैठक मᴂ इस आशय का वनणिय श्चलया गया। Important Points National Affairs Extra Information: Important Points National Affairs Extra Information: ImportantSummits, Points Conference and Meets Youth Parliament Festival 2019 launched युिा संसद महोत्सि2019 का शुिारंि ImportantSummits, Points Conference and Meets • The National Youth Parliament Festival 2019 was launched on 12 January 2019. • 12 जनवरी 2019 को राष्ट्र ीय युवा संसद महोत्सव 2019 शु셂 ककया गया था। • The themes for National Youth Parliament Festival 2019 are 'Be The Voice of New India' and 'Find solutions and contribute to policy'. • राष्ट्र ीय युवा संसद महोत्सव 2019 का ववषय ‘नए भारि की आवाज़ बनो’ और ‘उपाय ढूंढो और नीवि मᴂ योगदान करो’ हℂ। ImportantSummits, Points Conference and Meets • It is organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. • इसका आयोजन युवा मामले और खेल मंत्रालय द्वारा ककया जािा है। ImportantSummits, Points Conference and Meets Extra Information: Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. ImportantSummits, Points Conference and Meets Extra Information: Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

• Officeholder: Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore (MOS independent charge) • Headquarters: New Delhi • Child agency: Sports Authority of India (New Name - Sports India) ImportantSummits, Points Conference and Meets Sports Authority of India (Sports India)

• Formed: 1961 • Headquarters: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (Delhi), Lodhi Road, Delhi • Agency executive • Neelam Kapoor Indian Information service, Sports Secretary-cum-Director General ImportantAppointments Points and Resignations Brahm Dutt appointed as non-executive Chairman ब्रह्म दत्त -को गैर कायटकारी अध्यक्ष वनयुक्त ककया गया ImportantAppointments Points and Resignations • The Yes Bank appointed Brahm Dutt as Non-Executive part-time Chairman. • यस बℂक ने ब्रह्म दत्त को गैर-कायिकारी अंशकाश्चलक अध्यक्ष वनयुक्त ककया। • The appointment is till July 2020. • यह वनयुगक्त जुलाई2020 िक है। • He has been on Yes Bank’s board since July 2013 as an Independent Director • वह एक स्विंत्र वनदेशक के 셂प मᴂ जुलाई 2013 से यस बℂक के बोडि मᴂ शावमल रहे हℂ। ImportantAppointments Points and Resignations Extra Information:

• Founded: 2004 • Founder: Rana Kapoor, Ashok Kapur • Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India • Tagline Experience our Expertise. • Key people • Brahm Dutt: (Chairman (interim)) • Rana Kapoor (MD & CEO) ImportantAppointments Points and Resignations Recent Appointments • Kumar Rajesh Chandra was appointed as the Director General of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB). • Kristalina Georgieva, World Bank CEO, was appointed as interim President of World Bank from 1 February 2019. • Gita Gopinath has joined International Monetary Fund (IMF) as its Chief Economist on 7 January 2019. • N. Ram was appointed as the President of the 'Alliance for Media Freedom' (AFMF). ImportantAppointments Points and Resignations • Saurabh Kumar took over as the Director General of Ordnance Factories and Chairman of the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) in Kolkata on 1 January 2019. • Justice AK Sikri was nominated as the Executive Chairman of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA). • The government of India appointed Life Insurance Corporation's (LIC) Managing Director Hemant Bhargava as the interim Chairman of LIC. ImportantAppointments Points and Resignations Lt Gen JS Nain is Rising Star Corps Commander लेफ्टिनᴂट जनरल. जे एस. नैन राइलजंग र्स्ार कॉर्प्ट कम車डर ImportantAppointments Points and Resignations • Lt Gen JS Nain took over as the 14th Corps Commander of the strategic Rising Star Corps. • लेफ्टिनᴂट जनरल. जे एस. नैन ने रणनीविक राइश्चजंग र्स्ार कोर के 14वे कोर कमांडर के 셂प मᴂ पदभार संभाला। • He took over from Lt Gen YVK Mohan. • उन्हⴂने लेफ्टिनᴂट जनरल वाई.वी.के . मोहन से पदभार संभाला। • The Rising Star Corps was raised in 2005 and is the Indian Army’s youngest corps. • राइश्चजंग र्स्ार कॉर्प्ि को2005 मᴂ गदठि ककया गया था और यह भारिीय सेना का सबसे युवा दल है। ImportantAppointments Points and Resignations • It has its area of operation in three districts of Jammu region including Jammu, Samba, and Kathua. • जम्मू, सांबा और कठुआ सदहि जम्मू क्षेत्र के िीनश्चजलⴂ मᴂ इसका संचालन क्षेत्र है। ImportantAppointments Points and Resignations Extra Information: Hierarchy in Army

Officers • Field Marshal • General • Lieutenant General • Major General • Brigadier • Colonel • Lieutenant Colonel • Major • Captain • Lieutenant ImportantAppointments Points and Resignations Junior Commissioned Officers • Subedar Major • Subedar • Naib Subedar

Non Commissioned Officers • Havalder • Naik • Lance Naik • Sepoy Important PointsAwards and Honors Namita wins Sushila Devi Literature Award नवमिा ने सुशीला देिी सादहत्य पुरस्कार जीिा Important PointsAwards and Honors • Writer Namita Gokhale won the 'Sushila Devi Literature Award' for her novel 'Things to Leave Behind' on 12 January 2019. • लेखखका नवमिा गोखले ने 12 जनवरी 2019 को अपने उपन्यास 'धथंग्स टू लीव वबहाइंड' के श्चलए 'सुशीला देवी सादहत्य पुरस्कार' जीिा। • She was awarded in the 'Best Book of Fiction Written by a Woman Author' category at the inaugural edition of Bhopal Literature and Art Festival (BLF). • भोपाल श्चलटरेचर एंड आटि फेस्टर्स्वल (BLF) के पहले संस्करण मᴂ उन्हᴂ 'एक मदहला लेखक द्वारा श्चलखखि सवििेष्ठ क़िक्शन पुक' िेणी मᴂ सम्मावनि ककया गया। Important PointsAwards and Honors • The literary event was attended by over 70 writers and artists. • इस सादहस्टत्यक कायिक्रम मᴂ70 से अधधक लेखकⴂ और कलाकारⴂ ने भाग श्चलया। Important PointsAwards and Honors Extra Information • The Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on January 14, 2019 conferred with the first-ever Philip Kotler Presidential Award. • Late human rights activist, Asma Jahangir was on December 18, 2018 awarded with the UN Human Rights Prize 2018, posthumously. • Noted English writer Amitav Ghosh was on December 14, 2018 honoured with 54th Jnanpith Award. • Sahitya Akademi Award - 2018 Important PointsAwards and Honors Extra Information

• Sahitya Akademi Awards 2018 announced in 24 languages • India's national academy of letters, Sahitya Akademi on December 6, 2018 announced the annual ‘Sahitya Akademi Awards 2018’, recognising the literary works of 24 writers in 24 different Indian languages. Important PointsAwards and Honors Selection of Awardees • The awardees were recommended by distinguished jury members representing 24 languages and were approved by the Executive Board under the chairmanship of Dr. Chandrashekhar Kambar, the President of Sahitya Akademi. • Seven books of poetry, six novels, six short stories, three of literary criticism and two of essays won the Sahitya Akademi Awards 2018. Important PointsAwards and Honors To name a few, this year’s winners include • Sanjib Chattopadhyay for Bengali, • Anees Salim for English, • Sharifa Vijaliwala for her essays in Gujarati, • Chitra Mudgal for Hindi, • S Ramesan Nair for his poetry in Malayalam

• Eminent short-story writer, Mushtaq Ahmad Mushtaq, bagged the Award for his collection of short stories “AAKH’’ in Kashmiri Category. Important PointsAwards and Honors Complete list of winners of Sahitya Akademi Awards 2018 GovernmentImportant Points Schemes and Policies One Family One Job' scheme launched in Sikkim लसल्फक्कम' मᴂ एक पररिार एक नौकरी' योजना शु셂 GovernmentImportant Points Schemes and Policies • Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling launched the 'One Family One Job' scheme . • श्चसल्फक्कम के मुख्यमंत्री पवन कुमार चामश्चलंग ने'एक पररवार एक नौकरी' योजना शु셂 की। GovernmentImportant Points Schemes and Policies • The scheme envisions employment to a member of every family which does not have a government job in the state. • यह योजना हर उस पररवार के एक सदस्य को रोजगार देगी, श्चजसमᴂ ककसी सदस्य के पास राज्य मᴂ सरकारी नौकरी नहीं है। • Under this scheme, all loan debts in the farming and agriculture sector would be revoked. • इस योजना के िहि, खेिी और कृकष क्षेत्र मᴂ सभी ऋण वनर कर ददए जाएंगे। GovernmentImportant Points Schemes and Policies Extra Information: GovernmentImportant Points Schemes and Policies Other State Government Schemes announced recently: • The government of Odisha launched the 'Ama Ghare LED' scheme on 11 January 2019. • Odisha's Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced interest-free loans of up to Rs. 3 lakh for Women Self- Help Groups (WSHGs) in the state. • Meghalaya's Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma inaugurated the project 'Development of North East Circuit: Umiam (Lake View) - U Lum Sohpetbneng- Mawdiangdiang - Orchid Lake Resort' on 9 January 2019. GovernmentImportant Points Schemes and Policies • The Maharashtra Cabinet approved the ‘State of Maharashtra’s Agribusiness and Rural Transformation (SMART)’ project assisted by the World Bank. GovernmentImportant Points Schemes and Policies Extra Information: Other State Government Schemes announced recently: • Haryana's Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar announced to name all the Child Care Institutes (CCIs) being run in the state as 'Jagannath Ashrams.' Important Points Days and Events Armed Forces Veteran Day observed on 14 Jan 14 जनिरी को सशस्त्र बल िूिपूिट सैवनक ददिस मनायाया ग Important Points Days and Events • The Indian Armed Forces Veterans Day is observed every year on 14 January. • हर वषि 14 जनवरी को भारिीय सशस्त्र बल भूिपूवि सैवनक ददवस मनाया जािा है। • K.M. Cariappa was the first Commander of the Indian Armed Forces. • के .एम. कररयप्पा भारिीय सशस्त्र बलⴂ के पहले कमांडर थे। Important Points Days and Events Extra Information Equivalent Ranks of Indian Army, Navy and Air Force Important Points Days and Events Extra Information: List of Important Days for the month of January in 2019. • 1 January – Global Family Day • 8 January - African National Congress Foundation Day • 9 January – NRI (Non-Resident Indian) Day or Pravasi Bharatiya Divas • 11 January – Death anniversary of Lal Bahadur Shastri • 12 January – National Youth Day • 15 January – Indian Army Day • 23 January - Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti Important Points Days and Events • 24 January- National Girl Child Day • 25 January- National Voters Day • 25 January- National Tourism Day • 26 January- Republic Day • 26 January – International Customs Day • 28 January- Birth Anniversary of Lala Lajpat Rai • 30 January – Martyrs Day or Shaheed Diwas • 30 January – World Leprosy Eradication Day