India's Largest Online Test Series

Current Affairs Weekly Capsule I Current Affairs Weekly Capsule I 9th to 15th 9th to 15th December 2018 September 2018

India’s Largest Online Test Series 1

Current Affairs Weekly Capsule I Current Affairs Weekly Capsule I 9th to 15th 9th to 15th December 2018 September 2018

Table of Contents

Awards & Honours ...... 3 Days & Events ...... 4 International Affairs ...... 4 National Affairs ...... 5 India & World ...... 5 Government Policies & Schemes ...... 6 Personality in News ...... 6 Science & Technology ...... 7 Books & Authors ...... 7 Business & Economy ...... 7 Sports ...... 8

Defence ...... 9 Polity ...... 10

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Current Affairs Weekly Capsule I Current Affairs Weekly Capsule I 23rd to 29th Current Affairs Weekly Capsule I 16th to 22nd Current Affairs Weekly Capsule I 19th to 25th 9th to 15th December 2018 September 2018 September 2018 August 2018

Awards & Honours  'The Dark Room' will get a cash prize of Rs 15 lakh, which will be shared with the producer. Women Transforming India Awards 2018 Jharkhand gets 'Krishi Karman' award  Government think-tank NITI Aayog will organise the 3rd edition of the 'Women Transforming India Awards' 2018  Jharkhand has been selected for the 'Krishi Karman' award on 16 December 2018. in the rice category from the Union Ministry of Agriculture  It will also launch the upgraded portal of the Women on 13 December 2018. Entrepreneurship Platform.  The award to be given away in February 2019 carries a  Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu will present the awards cash prize of Rs 2 crore and a citation. and launch the portal.  Each farmer would be given a cash award of Rs 2 lakh  The awards were instituted to recognise and celebrate along with citation. stories of exemplary women from across India. Amitav Ghosh honoured with 'Jnanpith Award'  Noted English writer Amitav Ghosh has been honoured with the 'Jnanpith Award' 2018 for outstanding contribution towards literature.  The decision was taken in a meeting of Jnanpith Selection Board chaired by eminent novelist, scholar and Jnanpith laureate Pratibha Ray.  He is known for a series of novels such as 'The Shadow Lines', 'The Glass Palace', and 'The Hungry Tide'.

Tata Steel won the Prime Minister's Trophy UN honoured Indian startup 'HelpUsGreen'  Private steel major Tata Steel Limited won the Prime Minister's Trophy for the 'Best Performing Integrated Steel  Uttar Pradesh-based 'HelpUsGreen' named startup has Plant' in the country for 2016-17. been honoured by the UN.  It also won the award for 2014-15 and 2015-16.  The startup works to clean up the mighty river Ganga by  It was the fourth consecutive year when the company recycling thousands of tonnes of floral waste from was honoured with this award. temples.  The award has been instituted to recognize the  'HelpUsGreen' has come up with the world's first outstanding performance of integrated steel plants in the profitable solution to the monumental temple waste country. problem: 'flowercycling'. 'Doordarshan Mahila Kisan' Awards launched Mary Kom honoured with highest civilian title  Prasar Bharati Chairman Dr A Surya Prakash launched  Manipur Government honoured MC Mary Kom with the 'Doordarshan Mahila Kisan' Awards programme on DD title 'Meethoileima' (par excellent queen) in Imphal on 11 Kisan Channel in New Delhi on 14 December 2018. December 2018.  The award is an effort to bring the stories of struggle and  She was honoured with the title 'Meethoileima' for success of women farmers in front of the country. winning the sixth gold medal in the World Boxing  The women farmers have been selected by the Indian Championship 2018. Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)  On the occasion, state's Chief Minister N. Biren Singh handed over a cheque of ten lakh rupees to her. 8 parliamentarians awarded by M Venkaiah Naidu Shyam Sundar won the Sahitya Akademi Award  Eight parliamentarians were honoured by Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu for their contribution in strengthening  Shyam Sundar Besra has been conferred the 'Sahitya parliamentary democracy on 13 December 2018. Akademi Award 2018' on 5 December 2018.  Rajya Sabha MP Sharad Pawar and veteran leader Murli  He has been awarded for his novel 'Marom' in Santhali Manohar Joshi got the 'Lifetime Achievement' award. language.  Ghulam Nabi Azad and BJP MP Nishikant Dubey were  The novel highlights the situation emerged after the two selected for the 'Best Parliamentarians' award 2018. main industrial development of the Santhal area after Independence. Iranian Film 'Dark Room' won an award at IFFK  He is the Chief Inspector of Ticket working in Asansol  Iranian movie 'Dark Room' bagged the 'Suvarna Chakoram' Division of Eastern Railway. (The Golden Crow Pheasant) award in the 23rd edition of Best Woman Parliamentarian Award for Kanimozhi the International Film Festival of Kerala (IIFK) on 13 December 2018.  DMK MP Kanimozhi has been selected for the 'Best  The movie revolves around the efforts of the parents of a Woman Parliamentarian Award' (Rajya Sabha) set up by boy to identify the abusers of their child. Lokmat newspaper for 2018.

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 A jury of eminent personalities headed by Murali Manohar  The aim of the day is to raise awareness about the Joshi selected her for the award. importance of mountains.  The award will be presented to her by Vice-President M.  The theme for 2018 is '#MountainsMatter'. Venkaiah Naidu on 13 December 2018.  Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) is the coordinating agency for celebrating International Imran won the Sanctuary Wildlife Service Award Mountain Day and is mandated to lead observance of it at  Conservationist Imran Siddiqui has been honoured with the global level. 'Sanctuary Wildlife Service Award 2018' on 8 December 'India Day' inaugurated in New Delhi 2018.  He is the Assistant Director for Conservation Science at  'India Day' was inaugurated in New Delhi on 10 December Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)-India that monitors 2018. tigers.  It is the official side event organised jointly by the Ministry  The Sanctuary Wildlife Awards are organised annually by of Health and Family Welfare and the development the Sanctuary Nature Foundation. partners ahead of 'Partners’ Forum 2018'.  The aim of the event is to highlight the government's Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Days & Events Health (RMNCH+A) programme. 1st Workshop on Explosives Detection held Human Rights Day: 10 December  The first National Workshop on Explosives Detection was  Human Rights Day is observed every year on 10 December. inaugurated at High Energy Materials Research Laboratory  On this day, the United Nations General Assembly adopted (HEMRL) in Pune on 14 December 2018. the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948.  A trace explosive detection device, 'OPX-Revelator',  This year, Human Rights Day marks the 70th anniversary of developed by HEMRL was also unveiled during the the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. workshop.  The theme for 2018 is 'Stand up for the human rights'.  The OPX Revelator is a portable, miniaturised, an electronic detector capable of detecting almost all the 1st Conference on Sustainable Water Management explosives.  The first International Conference on 'Sustainable Water National Energy Conservation Day: 14 December Management' is being organised in Mohali from 10 to 11 December 2018.  National energy conservation day is celebrated every year  The conference is being organised by the Bhakra Beas in India on 14 December. Management Board (BBMB).  The aim of the day is to raise awareness about the  The aim of the Conference is to promote sustainable importance of energy efficiency and conservation. policies for water management and to create awareness of  The day was established by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency water-related problems. (BEE) in 2001 when they executed the Energy Conservation Act of India. Universal Health Coverage Day: 12 December International Affairs Indian currency banned by Nepal government  International Universal Health Coverage Day is observed on 12 December.  The Nepal government banned the use of Indian currency  The aim of the day is to raise awareness about the need notes of Rs 2,000, Rs 500 and Rs 200 denominations. for strong and resilient health systems and universal  The Indian currency is extensively used by Nepalese health coverage with multi-stakeholder partners. people and businesses for their savings and transactions.  The theme for 2018 is 'Unite for Universal Health  India is Nepal's largest trade partner and supplies the Coverage: Now is the Time for Collective Action'. majority of its consumer goods. International Day of Neutrality: 12 December Global debt reached at $184 trillion  International Day of Neutrality is observed every year on  According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), 12 December. global debt has reached an all-time high of $184 trillion.  The aim of the day is to raise public awareness of the value  The amount, in nominal terms, is the equivalent of 225% of neutrality in international relations. of the world GDP in 2017.  It was officially declared by a UN General Assembly  The top three borrowers in the world are the United resolution adopted in February 2017 and first observed on States, China, and Japan. 12 December 2017.  In early 2018, the IMF had calculated the global debt to be International Mountain Day: 11 December around $182 trillion.  International Mountain Day (IMD) is observed every year Israel becomes a member of FATF on 11 December.

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 Israel became a full member of the Financial Action Task  By this EXIM trade will benefit and there will be a saving of Force (FATF) on 10 December 2018. approximately 50 USD per container as the handling of the  Membership of the FATF will present Israel as a safe and container at Colombo will not be required. attractive place for investments.  This service will give benefit to the importers and  The FATF is an intergovernmental organisation founded in exporters in terms of saving transhipment cost and transit 1989 to combat money laundering and terrorism time. financing. Home Ministry launches Twitter account  The headquarters of FATF is in Paris, France.  President of FATF is Marshall Billingslea.  The Ministry of Home Affairs has launched a Twitter handle '@CyberDost' on 11 December 2018. Migration pact adopted by United Nations  The aim of the twitter account is to enhance people's basic  The United Nations adopted the 'Global Compact for Safe, knowledge about cybercrimes and precautions to be taken Orderly and Regular Migration' in Morocco on 10 for prevention. December 2018.  The twitter handle will also mitigate possibilities of  It is the non-binding global pact. disruption in normal business activities or losses due to  The pact is aimed at coordinating action on migration cyber crimes. around the world. Govt to declare ESZs around 21 National Parks  The global pact lays out 23 objectives to open up legal migration and discourage illegal border crossings.  The Supreme Court directed the Union Environment Ministry to declare 10 km area around 21 national parks and wildlife sanctuaries as 'Eco-Sensitive Zones' (ESZs) on National Affairs 11 December 2018. 15 new breeds of livestocks registered  The 21 national parks & wildlife sanctuaries are in Assam, J&K, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya,  ICAR has approved registration of record 15 new breeds of Nagaland, Uttar Pradesh, & West Bengal. livestock and poultry this year.  ESZs are notified by Union Environment Ministry.  These include 2 cattle breeds - Ladakhi and Konkan Kapila (Maharashtra & Goa); 3 buffalo breeds - Luit (Assam & Manipur), Bargur (TN), Chhattisgarhi etc. India & World  The process of identification of animal breeds and their Myanmar announces Visa-On-Arrival Facility documentation plays a special role in preserving the biodiversity of the country.  Myanmar decided to start a visa-on-arrival facility for Indian tourists, reports the Deccan Herald. ‘AYUSHCHARYA’: a two day Conference held  The visit is part of India’s ‘Act East’ and ‘Neighbourhood  All India Institute of Ayurveda, New Delhi organised a First’ policies. National conference ‘AYUSHCHARYA’ on Dinacharya (Daily  Mr Kovind also visited a temple of goddess Kali which is Regimen) and Ritucharya (Seasonal Regimen). managed by a trust represented by people who came to  The aim was to promote public health. Myanmar from different regions of India.  It was held on 10th and 11th of December, 2018. Kovind Dedicated ACARE project to Myanmar  The Minister of State for AYUSH Shri Shripad Yesso Naik released the Dinacharya booklet and AYUSHCHARYA  President Ram Nath Kovind dedicated India assisted Calendar-2019. project ‘Advanced Centre for Agricultural Research & Education’ (ACARE) to the people of Myanmar. PM inaugurated the 'Partners’ Forum, 2018'  The project focuses on Genetics, Post Harvest Technology,  PM Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the 'Partners’ Forum, Participatory Knowledge Management and capacity 2018' in Delhi. building for farmers in Myanmar.  He also released the coffee table book ‘Proven Paths’, a  Earlier he dedicated the Advanced Centre for Agricultural compendium of 36 best practices in maternal, child and Research and Education to the people of Myanmar. adolescent health. Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence inaugurated  Partners’ Forum is a global health partnership launched in September 2005 to accelerate efforts to reduce child and  India's first 'Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence' established maternal mortality, improve adolescent, child, newborn by the European Union, was inaugurated at Manipal and maternal health. Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) in Karnataka.  The Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence in India aims to First container mainline vessel flagged off strengthen and enhance the educational connect between  Shri Nitin Gadkari flagged off India's first container India and EU. mainline vessel from VoC Port (Tuticorin Port).  Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to India and Bhutan, Mr Tomasz Kozlowski inaugurated the Centre at MAHE.

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India signed ascension pact to 'T-RMN'  It is an Energy Conservation Building Code for Residential Buildings (ECBC-R).  India signed an ascension pact to the 30-member 'Trans-  The objective is to benefit the occupants and environment Regional Maritime Network' (T-RMN) on 10 December by promoting energy efficiency in the design and 2018. construction of homes, apartments and townships.  The pact will give India an access to the information on  The Code is expected to assist a large number of architects ships passing through the Indian Ocean Region. and builders.  This will greatly help the security forces of India in keeping a tab on any suspicious activity. Govt of India to set up NMDPC under DIPP

 The government of India announced setting up of a 'National Medical Devices Promotion Council' (NMDPC) under the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) in the Ministry of Commerce & Industry.  The Council will be headed by Secretary of DIPP.  It will act as a promotion and developmental body for the Indian Medical Devices Industry (MDI). Kovind launched app for farmers in Myanmar  President Ram Nath Kovind launched a mobile app developed for farmers in Myanmar and dedicated a centre and a bio park to promote agriculture research and education to the people.  App provides crop and livestock knowledge and information apart from cropping guidelines based on location.  The app links farmers with more than 2,000 experts. Govt formulates 'Crisis Management Plan'  The government of India has formulated a 'Crisis Management Plan' to counter cyber attacks and cyber terrorism.  It will be implemented by all Ministries and Departments of the Centre and the state governments in critical sectors. Government Policies & Schemes  The Government of India has empanelled 76 security audit organisations to ensure information security. Railways offers 25% discount 'Operation Minimum wage' launched in Delhi  The railways will give a discount of 25% on the extant  Delhi Government launched 'Operation Minimum Wages' haulage rate per Twenty Feet Equivalent Unit (TEU) on the on 10 December 2018. transport of empty containers as well as empty flat  container wagons. Under the operation, an employer who does not pay minimum wages may be fined or can face three years of  It is expected to enhance the efficient handling of traffic at jail. ports and attract a larger share of container traffic to rail.  The Delhi government fixed the minimum wage for the  It will help to load more commodity at an economical rate. unskilled labourers at Rs 14,000 per month while that for Delhi Police launches 'Prahari' scheme semi-skilled at Rs 15,400 per month, and for the skilled, it at Rs 16,962 per month.  Delhi Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik launched the 'Prahari' scheme in the southwest district of Delhi on 14 Online portal 'Ensure' launched December 2018.  The Agriculture Ministry launched the online portal  The aim of the scheme is to prevent crime and maintain 'Ensure' to connect with direct benefit transfer and law and order. provide a simple, useful and transparent system to the  Under the scheme, civic personnel such as chowkidars and beneficiary on 12 December 2018. security guards, deployed in commercial and VIP areas, will  The portal has been developed by NABARD. act as the eyes and ears of the police for prevention of  It is operated under the Department of Animal Husbandry, crime. Dairying & Fisheries. 'ECO Niwas Samhita 2018' launched  Through this portal, the flow of information/funds will be quicker.  The Ministry of Power launched 'ECO Niwas Samhita 2018' on 14 December 2018. Indian Ports Association launched ‘PCS 1x’

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 Indian Ports Association under the guidance of the  Arunima Sinha had earlier conquered the highest peaks in Ministry of Shipping launched the Port Community System five continents, becoming the first female Divyang to 'PCS1x' on 11 December 2018. achieve the feat.  This system will enable trade to have an improved Time magazine's 'Person of the Year' announced communication with the customs.  It is a cloud-based technology with a user-friendly  Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi has been named Time interface. magazine's 'Person of the Year' on 11 December 2018.  The platform offers services such as notification engine,  This is the first time that a 'Person of the Year' is a workflow, mobile application, track and trace. deceased person.  Jamal Khashoggi was murdered in October 2018. Government contribution to NPS raised to 14%  The magazine has also honoured Philippine journalist  The government of India announced a slew of changes to Maria Ressa and Reuters reporters Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe the National Pension Scheme (NPS) on 10 December 2018. Oo who are currently imprisoned in Myanmar.  Central Government contribution has been raised to 14% Indian Air Force Chief on a visit to Japan from 10% in NPS.  The tax exemption limit for lump sum withdrawal on exit  Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa, Chief of the Air from NPS has been enhanced to 60%. Staff is on a visit to Japan from 10-14 December 2018.  The NPS was introduced for central government  The visit is intended to further strengthen the existing employees who joined service on or after 1 January 2004. defence cooperation between the Air Forces of the two countries. Government notifies medical devices as drugs  The main focus would be to share ideas, enhance bilateral  The government of India notified commonly used medical defence cooperation and mutual ties. devices like nebulizers, blood pressure monitors, digital Prathamesh won 'Mister Supranational 2018' thermometers, and glucometers as 'drugs' under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.  Goa's Prathamesh Maulingkar has become the first  It will enable the government to ensure their quality and Asian/Indian to win 'Mister Supranational 2018' title on 9 performance. December 2018.  The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) will regulate  Mister Supranational Poland was adjudged first runner-up the import, manufacture and sale of these devices from and Mister Supranational Brazil was adjudged the second January 2020. runner-up.  The third edition of 'Mister Supranational 2018' pageant took place in Poland. Personality in News Vanessa Leon won 'Miss World 2018' crown Chiefs of IB and RAW gets six months extension  Mexico's Vanessa Ponce de Leon won the coveted 'Miss  The Chiefs of Intelligence Bureau and Research and World 2018' crown on 8 December 2018. Analysis Wing Rajiv Jain and Anil K Dhasmana respectively  She is a volunteer for 'Migrantes en el Camino' and is on got extensions of six months each on 14 December 2018. the board of directors of a rehab centre for girls.  The decision to extend the tenure of the two intelligence  Thailand's Nicolene Pichapa Limsnukan was declared the chiefs by six months was taken due to the forthcoming runner-up. general elections.  Miss Belarus Maria Vasilevich, Miss Jamaica Kadijah  Rajiv Jain, 1980-batch IPS officer from Jharkhand, was Robinson, and Miss Uganda Quiin Abenakyo were also appointed IB Director on December 30, 2016. among the final five. Shri Bharat Bhushan became member of UPSC  Shri Bharat Bhushan Vyas, IAS (J&K 1986) (Retd.) took the Science & Technology Oath of Office and Secrecy as Member, Union Public Hubble discovers a vanishing planet Service Commission (UPSC).  The Oath was administered by Shri Arvind Saxena,  Astronomers using the Hubble Space Telescope have Chairman, UPSC. He was born on 15/11/1957. discovered a planet roughly the size of Neptune,  He has done B.Sc. (Botany). evaporating at a rate 100 times faster than a previously  He joined Indian Administrative Service in 1986. identified exoplanet of similar size.  The name of the planet is 'GJ 3470b'. Arunima Sinha to climb Mt. Vinson, Antarctica  GJ 3470b is 96 light-years away from earth and circles a  The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi handed over the red dwarf star in the general direction of the constellation tricolour flag to Arunima Sinha, marking the beginning of Cancer. her expedition to Mount Vinson, Antarctica. Manned mission to space  Ms. Arunima Sinha is the first female Divyang to climb Mount Everest.

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 It is proposed to undertake a manned mission to space  Global financial technology company, OBOPAY, announced before the 75th Anniversary of Indian Independence. the launch of a new generation pre-payment instrument in  The manned mission will be accomplished using ISRO’s partnership with Federal Bank and Mastercard. launch vehicle GSLV MkIII.  The OBOPAY card can be availed by all the business  The manned mission will launch Indian astronauts from entities including corporate, distributor – retailer Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota into an ecosystem, colleges, factories etc. approximately 400 Km Low Earth Orbit.  The card includes 'Split transaction' feature which provides  The maximum mission planned is of 7 days duration. payment flexibility to users. ISRO to launch GSAT-7A Communication Satellite India Post introduces internet banking service  The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will launch  India Post launched internet banking services for all the communication satellite 'GSAT-7A' from Sriharikota on 19 Post Office Savings Bank (POSB) account holders on 14 December 2018. December 2018.  GSAT-7A is the 35th Indian Communication satellite built  India Post has introduced the net banking facility to push by the ISRO. the digital payments.  The satellite will enable the Indian Air Force to interlink  Under India Post internet banking facility, customers will different ground radar stations, ground airbase and be eligible to transfer funds from one post office savings airborne early warning and control aircraft. bank account to another POSB account. 'Journalism AI' Project announced by Google SEBI eases norms for cyber security operations  Google has announced a partnership with Polis, the  Market regulator SEBI relaxed guidelines pertaining to international journalism think-tank at London School of setting up cyber security operations centre for small Economics and Political Science, to create 'Journalism market intermediaries as they lack knowledge in cyber Artificial Intelligence (AI)' project. security.  The 'Journalism AI' project will focus on research and  Under the new framework, small intermediaries can utilise training for newsrooms on the intersection of AI and services of market security operations center (SOC). journalism.  The SOCs is proposed to be set up by Market  The project is the part of Google News Initiative (GNI). Infrastructure Institutions (MIIs). Voyager 2 probe reached interstellar space WPI inflation falls to 4.64% in November  NASA's 'Voyager 2' probe has become the second human-  Inflation based on wholesale prices fell to a three-month made object to enter interstellar space or space between low of 4.64% in November 2018, as prices of food articles, stars. especially vegetables reduced.  It carries a working instrument that will provide first-of-its-  The Wholesale Price Index (WPI)-based inflation stood was kind observations of the nature of interstellar space. 5.28% in October 2018 and 4.02% in November 2017.  It is now slightly more than 18 billion kilometres from  Vegetables, too, became cheaper with deflation at 26.98% Earth. in November 2018 as compared to 18.65% in October  'Voyager 1' was the first one to enter the interstellar space 2018. in 2012. SEBI eased norms for FPIs and startups

 The SEBI eased norms for startup listings and allowed Books & Authors mutual funds to segregate distressed assets to safeguard Book authored by former CEA launched investment returns.  It also approved a proposal to expand the offer-for-sale  The book titled 'Of Counsel: The Challenges of the Modi- mechanism for reduction of the stake in listed companies. Jaitley Economy' was launched in Mumbai on 7 December  It also cleared a proposal to allow custodial services in the 2018. commodity derivatives market to enable institutional  The author of the book is Arvind Subramanian. participation.  Arvind Subramanian is an Indian economist and the former Chief Economic Advisor to the Government of India. Single cover for multiple vehicles allowed  The book talks about the journey of Arvind Subramanian  The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of as the CEA from 2014 to 2018. India (IRDAI) allowed customers to buy one single Compulsory Personal Accident (CPA) cover for multiple vehicles. Business & Economy  The cover will extend to all the vehicles driven by the OBOPAY partners with Federal Bank & Mastercard policyholder and have a validity of one year.  Currently, a vehicle buyer has to buy a CPA for every vehicle he or she purchases.

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CBIC to notify Korean Won and Turkish Lira  The proposed changes also include renaming the 'Institutional Trading Platform' that the regulator had  The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) created for such listings as 'Innovators Growth Platform'. will include 'Korean Won' and 'Turkish Lira' in the list of currencies for exchange rates for the purpose of valuing imports and exports.  CBIC notifies the Rate of Exchange for the purpose of conversion of foreign exchange to Indian rupees for assessment of imports and exports.  CBIC notifies the conversion under Customs Act, 1962. Route mobile collaborates with Oracle  Route Mobile Ltd, a cloud-communication platform service provider and a member of Oracle Partner Network announced the collaboration with Oracle Marketing Cloud.  This will empower them to take a smarter approach to customer experience management & business transformation initiatives.  This enables companies to leverage Route Mobile’s quality connections for mobile customer engagement over SMS FDI inflows to South West Asia down: UN report  As per the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) report, FDI inflows to South and South-West Asia decreased by 6 percent in 2017.  It is due to a drop in foreign funding flow to countries like India and Turkey.  The foreign direct investment (FDI) inflow to South and South-West Asia stood at USD 63 billion in the last calendar year. RBI imposes ₹1 cr fine on Indian Bank  The Reserve Bank of India imposed a fine of Rs 1 crore on Indian Bank for violating cybersecurity norms on 11 December 2018.  This penalty has been imposed in the exercise of powers vested in RBI under the provisions of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.  RBI said that this action is based on deficiencies in regulatory compliance. Current account deficit widens to 2.9% in Q2  According to the Reserve Bank of India, the Current Account Deficit (CAD) widened to 2.9% of GDP for the July- September quarter.  The deficit for the second quarter was $19.1 billion.  The CAD for the April-June quarter was 2.4% of GDP or $15.9 billion.  The widening of CAD on a year-on-year basis was primarily on account of a higher trade deficit at $50 billion. Sports SEBI to relax listing norms for start-ups ICC ropes in Royal Stag as official sponsor  SEBI has proposed few relaxations for new-age ventures in  The International Cricket Council (ICC) has roped in Royal sectors like e-commerce, data analytics and biotechnology. Stag as the official sponsor for the next five years.  The proposed relaxation will help startups to raise funds  The partnership, which runs through 2023, will cover and get their shares traded on stock exchanges. international events, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, ICC T20 World Cup and ICC World Test Championship.  ICC currently also has Nissan, Oppo, MRF Tyres and Emirates as global partners.

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Manika won 'Breakthrough Star award' HAL’s Helicopter clears 6-km flight test  India's Manika Batra became the first Indian Table Tennis  The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited's (HAL) multi-purpose player to be decorated with the 'Breakthrough Table Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) that is under development Tennis Star' award. achieved an important milestone of flying at 6 km altitude  She was honoured at the prestigious 'International Table on 10 December 2018. Tennis Federation Star Awards' in Incheon.  The LUH has a maximum permitted height limit of 6.5 km.  Manika started the year on a high at the 2018  The LUH will replace the aged Cheetah and Chetak Commonwealth Games, guiding India to it's first-ever gold helicopters of the Armed Forces. medal in the Women's Team category. DSRVs inducted by the Indian Navy Sascha Bajin named WTA 'Coach of the Year'  The Indian Navy inducted its first Deep Submergence  Tennis coach Sascha Bajin was chosen as the first winner Rescue Vehicle (DSRV) system at the naval dockyard in of the Women's Tennis Association's (WTA) 'Coach of the Mumbai on 11 December 2018. Year' award on 10 December 2018.  DSRV is used to rescue crew members stranded in  Sascha Bajin is the coach of tennis player Naomi Osaka. submarines that get disabled.  According to the WTA, the award is given to the coach  The Indian Navy joined a select group of naval forces in the with not only success on the court, but also one who world that boasts of DSRVs. serves as an ambassador of the sport.  The DSRV can be operated at a depth of 650 meters and can hold around 15 people. SAIL Hockey Academy won 'Aga Khan Gold Cup' Agni V Missile successfully launched  Steel Authority of India's Hockey Academy won the 115th 'All India Aga Khan Gold Cup' hockey tournament 2018 in  Agni V was successfully launched from a canister on a Delhi on 10 December 2018. road-mobile launcher at the Dr Abdul Kalam Island off the  They defeated the Army XI Danapur in the final match. coast of Odisha on 10 December 2018.  SAIL's Hockey Academy is run SAIL's Rourkela Steel Plant.  Agni V is a long-range surface-to-surface Nuclear Capable  Aga Khan Gold Cup is one of the oldest hockey Ballistic missile. tournaments in the country.  The launch operations were carried out and monitored by the Strategic Forces Command (SFC) and Scientists from Khelo India Youth Games to be held in Pune Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).  The 2nd edition of 'Khelo India Youth Games' will be held Exercise 'Cross Bow 18' conducted by IAF in Pune in January 2019.  Students from colleges and Universities will also be  The Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted the exercise code- allowed to compete in the games. named 'Cross Bow 18' at the Air Force Station at  Tennis and table tennis will also be the part of 2019 Suryalanka in Andhra Pradesh on 8 December 2018. edition of games.  In the exercise, the Indian Air Force successfully tested  The 1st edition of Khelo India games was held in Delhi in the firing of four different classes of missiles like Akash, January 2018. Spyder, OSA-AK-M, and IGLA.  The Khelo India games is organised by the Ministry of  The aim of the exercise is to improve the combat skills of Youth Affairs & Sports. the missile squadron crew.

Ex 'Indra Navy 2018' commenced Defence  Indian Navy and Russian Federation Navy will hold the India's first private UAV factory inaugurated maritime exercise 'Indra Navy 2018' from 9 to 16 December 2018.  India' first private sector unit for manufacturing unmanned  The exercise will be conducted at Visakhapatnam. aerial vehicles (UAVs) opened at Adani Aerospace Park in  The aim of the exercise is to increase interoperability Hyderabad. amongst the two navies and develop common  The Adani Aerospace Park facility has been built by the understanding and procedures for maritime security Adani Group and Israel-based Elbit Systems. operations.  The facility will develop 'Hermes 900' medium altitude  The first 'Indra Navy' exercise was held in 2003. long-endurance UAVs for the Indian and global markets. Ex 'Aviaindra 2018' commenced on 10 Dec 2018 Coast Guard launches 'Operation Oliva'  Indian Air Force and Russian Federation Aerospace Force  The Indian Coast Guard launched the 'Operation Oliva' (RFSAF) will hold exercise 'Aviaindra 2018' at Air Force exercise at the Gahirmatha marine sanctuary in Odisha. Station Jodhpur from 10 to 21 December 2018.  The aim of the exercise is to protect the endangered Olive  The first exercise 'Aviaindra' was held in 2014. Ridley sea turtles during their breeding season.  The aim of the exercise is focused on anti-terrorist  A state-of-the-art Coast Guard ship is maintaining round- operations. the-clock vigil along the coastal shoreline.

India’s Largest Online Test Series 10

 The exercise is unique wherein the RFSAF will not bring its air assets.

Polity 1st state to have a law banning 'sextortion'  Jammu and Kashmir have become the first state in the country to have a law banning sexual exploitation of women by those in positions of authority, having a fiduciary relationship or a public servant.  The State Administrative Council approved the amendment of 'Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill, 2018'.  It also approved the 'Jammu and Kashmir Criminal Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2018'. Dam Safety bill introduced in Lok Sabha  The government of India introduced the 'Dam Safety Bill' in the Lok Sabha on 12 December 2018.  The bill will help states and union territories adopt uniform procedures to ensure the safety of reservoirs.  The bill also provides for surveillance, inspection, operation, and maintenance of specified dams to prevent dam failure related disasters.

India’s Largest Online Test Series 11