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Current Affairs January – April 2017 Dear readers,

Recently, in many SSC & Railways examinations a change in trend is seen when it comes to current affairs. All these examinations are now laying more stress on current affairs by increasing the volume of questions. Not only this, questions were also asked from events held last year. Many of you have requested us for the PDF of last year's current affairs. As per the request, we are providing you with the Current Affairs PDF which covers all news events from the month January to April 2017.

Current Affairs International

1. ‘Aoba Velox-III’ satellite belongs to the country -- Sin- 8. The Union Cabinet has agreed to sign an agreement gapore. for cooperation in field of agriculture and allied sec- Note: Aoba Velox-III is a joint project between tors -- Portugal. Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University (NTU) 9. The company who has launched the training program, and Japan’s Kyushu Institute of Technology (Kyutech). named Digital Unlocked, for Indian small and medium 2. The world’s largest solar park -- Longyangxia Dam businesses is -- Google. Solar Park (China). 10. has approved to sign a MoU with this country in Note: The Longyangxia Dam Solar Park occupies 27 sq the field of agriculture and allied sectors -- Kenya. km and built at a cost of about 6bn yuan. The solar park can produce about 850 MW of power in Qinghai 11. Three-year ban on import of some vegetables (bitter province. gourd, snake gourd and aubergines) from India-- Eu- ropean Union (EU). 3. As per The American Interest magazine India’s rank in the list of ‘Eight Great Powers of 2017’-- 6th. 12. ISRO has signed pact with the country’s space agency on satellite launch technology -- France. 4. India has signed a Protocol to amend the Double Taxa- tion Avoidance Convention in January this year -- Ka- Note: The space programmes of both countries are zakhstan. complementary in terms of comparable size and shar- ing similar objectives. ISRO is the second partner of 5. The first country in Europe to pay its unemployed citi- CNES, in terms of volume, after NASA. zens a basic monthly income, amounting to 560 euros (USD 587) --Finland. 13. The world’s first country to shut-down the Frequency Modulation (FM) radio broadcasting network and 6. NASA is sending first African-American space station started its’ switching to Digital Audio Broadcasting crew member to space station in 2018 --Jeanette (DAB)-- Norway. Epps. 14. India and Sri Lanka have signed MoU to construct rain 7. The Union Government has imposed an anti-dumping water harvesting system at a cost of 30 crore Sri duty ranging from USD 6.30 to USD 351. 72 per tonne Lankan Rupees in northern Jaffana District -- 3000. on imports of jute and its products from -- Bangla- desh and Nepal. 15. The International conference for peace talks between Israel and Palestinians will be held in -- Paris (France).

2 | P a g e www.gradeup.co Note: Around 70 nations delegates are expected to 25. The world’s first country to completely divest from re-affirm support for a two-state solution to the fossil fuels -- Ireland. decades-old conflict. 26. Who has successfully test a new version of missile 16. The first country in the world to officially recognize Dongfeng-5C missile -- China. parkour as a sport -- The United Kingdom. 27. The country hosted the Mobile World Congress 2017 - 17. National order of knighthood honour on former Union - Spain. Minister of State for External Affairs Eduardo Faleiro - - Portugal. Note:The 2017 Mobile World Congress was held in Barcelona, Spain from 27th February to 2nd March. 18. The Country has test-fired the first submarine- The MWC is the world’s largest gathering for the mo- launched Cruise Missile Babur-3 -- . bile industry. 19. The country has become an associate member of Eu- 28. The Airways has launched the world's longest sched- ropean Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) -- uled commercial airline route with the arrival of its India. flight from Doha to Auckland, New Zealand -- Qatar Note: The CERN operates the largest particle physics Airways. laboratory in the world and the headquarters is located at Geneva, Switzerland. Note: The airliner 777-200LR is 259-seat Boeing crossed 10 time zones before landing in Auckland 20. The India Innovation Index (III) will be developed by after taking off from Doha covering distance of 7848 the international organization to measure innovation nautical miles. performance of Indian states -- World Intellectual 29. Japan's Scientists have announced the development of Property Organization (WIPO). transmitter which can transmit digital data at a rate Note: The index will be based on key pillars of exceeding 100 gigabits per second over a single chan- innovation and sub-indices that together will assist in nel using the 300-gigahertz band -- Terahertz (THz). tailoring policies that promote inclusive growth. Note: It is a next generation system which can 21. The International Symposium on Medicinal and Aro- transmit digital data over 10 times faster than 5G matic plants of India was held in the city -- New . mobile networks expected to appear around 2020 Note: The 2-day International Symposium on 30. The International Conference on NexGen Technolo- Medicinal and Aromatic plants of India was held in gies for Mining and Fuel Industries at -- Vigyan Bha- . wan in New Delhi. 22. An appeal for 3 billion US Dollar to help 48 million Note: The conference has covered areas like children caught up in crises worldwide amid fears of a Innovative mining technology for sustainable funding cut from top donor the United States -- development and advances in mine design mine UNICEF. planning recent advancement in drilling and blasting. Note: The United States is the top donor to UNICEF, 31. International organization has opened the South Asia followed by Germany, Britain and the European. Regional Training and Technical Assistance Center 23. The programming committee meeting of South Asian (SARTTAC) in India -- International Monetary Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) was Fund(IMF). held at -- Kathmandu (Nepal). Note: The center is a collaborative venture between the IMF, the member countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan, Note: Indian delegation leads by Joint Secretary India, Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka) and (SAARC) Shri Prashant Agarwal and issues including development partners. budget of SAARC secretariat and its 5 regional centers and regular activities of the association has been 32. The Minister of State for Communications (Independ- discussed. ent Charge) Manoj Sinha has inaugurated the two-day ASEAN India Digital connectivity summit in -- New 24. Who hosted the 4th BIMSTEC Summit-2017 -- Nepal. Delhi. Note: The BIMSTEC was founded in 1997 and is an Note: Around 30 countries delegates explore areas of international organization involving a group of cooperation in the area of telecommunication and net- countries in South Asia and South East Asia. work technology.

3 | P a g e www.gradeup.co 33. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has 42. The country has won the 'Most Popular Tourism Des- successfully ground tested its indigenously developed tination Award' at the Guangzhou International Travel Cryogenic Upper Stage engine for -- GSLV Mark III. Fair (GITF) in China -- Sri Lanka. Note: The test was last in the series before going for Note: Sri Lanka won the award is the testament to the an actual rocket launch and the engine will be put into country's growing popularity among Chinese travel use in April. enthusiasts for the second consecutive year. 34. The Pakistan army has launched nationwide military 43. The two-week long joint military exercise between In- operation to eliminate terrorists and consolidate gains dia and Nepal has begun in Pithoragarh area of Utta- of its counter-terrorism operations -- Radd-ul- rakhand -- SURYA KIRAN-XI. Fasaad. Note: The Surya Kiran series of exercises are being Note: The operation aims include the elimination of conducted biannually, alternatively in India and the residual and latent threat of terrorism, Nepal. consolidating gains of operations made so far and 44. Indian and Royal Oman armies joint exercise “Al Na- ensuring the security of Pakistan's borders. gah-two” in Bakloh area -- Chamba district,HP. 35. Astronomers have discovered for the first-time new Note: Total sixty contingents from both sides are Earth-sized exoplanets that may be able to sustain life taking part in the exercise. The exercise would be -- seven. mainly focused on counter-terrorism and forest Note: The stunning discovery of seven Earth-like warfare. planets orbiting a small star in the galaxy open up the most promising hunting ground so far for life beyond 45. The Permanent Indus Commission (PIC) meeting was the Solar System. held in the city -- Lahore. 36. The world's first robot table tutor in Japan has Note: The PIC is a bilateral commission of officials set a new Guinness World Record for its uncanny abil- from India-Pakistan, created to implement and manage goals of Indus Waters Treaty (IWT). ity of being able to play the game better than most hu- mans -- FOPHEUS. 46. The Constitutional court has removed South Korean President from the office -- Park Geun-Hye. Note: FORPHEUS (Future Omron Robotics Technology for Exploring Possibility of Harmonised Note: The impeachment was carried out over Automation with Sinic Theoretics) has officially been allegations of corruption and cronyism on Park. given the Guinness title for its unique technological 47. The cultural festival ‘India by the Nile’ has started in intelligence and educational capabilities. the country -- Egypt. 37. The country to host the 9th edition of BRICS Summit- Note: The event is a special moment as this year India 2017--China. celebrates 70 years of independence and also 70 years of its diplomatic relations with Egypt. Note: The theme of this year’s event is ‘BRICS: Stronger Partnership for a Brighter Future’. 48. Two-day 12th CII-EXIM Bank Conclave on India-Africa Project Partnership in New Delhi -- President Pranab 38. India has signed MoU with the neighbour country for Mukherjee. development of Sylhet city -- Bangladesh. Note: The CII-Exim bank conclave was organized by 39. The country to build its’ first national under water ob- the CII (Confederation of Indian Industry) in servatory in disputed South China Sea -- China. partnership with the EXIM Bank of India with the 40. The country has decided to cancel visa-free entry for support of the Ministry of External Affairs and the North Koreans due to National security reasons from Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of 6th March 2017 -- Malaysia. India. Note: North Koreans will be required to obtain a visa 49. The country who has successfully test fired naval before entering Malaysia for national security reasons. strike ballistic missile ‘Hormuz 2’-- Iran. 41. The country hosted the 10th International Conference 50. The 23rd Conference of Auditors General of Common- on Theory and Practice of Electronic Governance -- In- wealth Countries and British Overseas Territories -- dia. New Delhi. Note: Three-day ICEGOV conference was organized by the Ministry of Electronics and Information 51. The country has launched a new Peace Education and Technology in collaboration with United Nations Reconciliation Unit (PERU) to create awareness on University and UNESCO. 4 | P a g e www.gradeup.co reconciliation among hundreds of thousands of stu- 60. The first country in the world to fully allow the pro- dents--The Sri Lankan. duction, sale, and consumption of marijuana when its pharmacies will be allowed to sell marijuana in July 52. The country is hosting the 3rd edition of World Con- 2017 -- Uruguay. ference on Environment -- India. Note: Under the law, users also have the option to Note: The conference has been organized by the grow their own pot at home, or join cannabis clubs National Green Tribunal (NGT) in New Delhi. that grow it in cooperatives. 8. 53. CEA (Central Electricity Authority) report, India has 61. The G-7 Foreign Ministers meeting was held in the exported electricity to Nepal, Bangladesh, and Myan- country- Italy. mar during the current FY 2016-17-- around 5,798 Note: The Group of 7 (G7) consists of Canada, France, million units. Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States (USA). Note: The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) is the designated authority of the government for cross- 62. The International Convention on World Homoeopathy border trade of electricity. Day (WHD) in the city -- New Delhi. 54. Four -day mega Conference of world parliamentarians Note: The 2-day International Convention has started in -- Dhaka. with the theme ‘Enhancing Quality of Research in Homoeopathy’ through scientific evidence and rich Note: Around 687 members of 131 national clinical experiences’ at Pravasi Bharatiya Kendra parliaments around the world are participated in the (PBK) in New Delhi. conference. The conference promising to focus on ways and means to end political & economic 63. The first NIMCARE World Health Day Summit 2017 inequality and uphold democracy and human rights. has started in city -- New Delhi. 55. 7th member of South Asia sub-regional Economic Co- Note: The slogan of the summit is ‘Unite for a Healthy operation (SASEC) program of the Asian Development Mind’.The NIMCARE is a registered Charitable Trust Bank (ADB) -- Myanmar. under the Government of Tamil Nadu. Note: It was officially made member at the SASEC 64. Amnesty International (Global death penalty-2016) Finance Ministers’ meeting in New Delhi. has topped on executions in 2016 -- China. 56. An initiative a virtual training programme "Amazon Note: China executed thousands each year, Iran Classroom" to help teach them the nuances of online executed (567 people), Saudi Arabia (154 people) and selling -- Amazon India. Pakistan (87 peoples) in 2016. Note: The program focusses on areas such as order 65. The centenary of Mahatma Gandhi's has been cele- processing, adding products and managing returns brated in London with the screening of a documentary that are required to operate a successful online to re-tell Gandhi's story -- Sabarmati Ashram. business. Note:The documentary 'Sabarmati Ashram- The 57. India-UAE cultural celebrations festival launched at -- Home of Gandhi's Experiments with Truth was Abu Dhabi. screened at the Nehru Centre. Note: India-UAE Cultural Celebrations is a cultural 66. The first Nepal-China joint army exercise ‘Sagarmatha partnership for a positive future is a cultural Friendship-2017 -- Kathmandu. engagement programme. Note: The 'Sagarmatha Friendship-2017’ drill is 58. The World's oldest and most experienced space- aimed to exchange experience, skills and professional woman is getting three extra months -- Peggy Whit- knowledge between the armies of Nepal and China. son. 67. Internet giant Google has launched an app that will ag- Note: The two men she flew up with in November gregate all hyperlocal services and food delivery apps Thomas Pesquet (France) and Oleg Novitskiy () in the country -- Areo. will return in June without her. Note: This is the first time that Google is entering the 59. Thailand King has signed a new constitution in Bang- business of food delivery and home services in India. kok -- Maha Vajiralongkorn. Google- Areo is an accreditor that provides services through other startups in the domain. Note: This is Thailand’s 20th constitution since 1932. The new constitution is expected to pave way for 68. India’s first conceptualized, designed and manufac- Democracy while also giving the army a substantial tured articulated industrial robot called -- ‘BRABO’ role in politics. (Bravo Robot). 5 | P a g e www.gradeup.co Note: It has been developed indigenously for micro, 78. The first country in the world to ban the mining of small and medium enterprises (MSME) in India. metals for environmental protection -- El Salvador. 69. The agreements with three Singapore universities to Note: The new law entered into force after being provide training opportunities to students at the signed by President Salvador ‘Sanchez Ceren’. ASEAN-India Business Forum in Singapore -- The 79. India and Cyprus have signed agreements after dele- Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). gation-level talks in New Delhi -- four. Note: CII is an association of Indian businesses which Note: The MoUs have been exchanged are Air works to create an environment conducive to the Services, Agriculture, Merchant Shipping and Culture growth of industry in the country. Education. 70. The country to host the 14th edition of United Nations 80. The first code for its new feature ‘Copy less Paste’ in International Day of Vesak – 2017-- Sri Lanka. its Chrome app running on Android OS -- Google. Note: Sri Lanka will host ‘Vesak -2017’ under the theme ‘Buddhist Teachings for Social Justice and Note: The Copy less Paste feature will take data from Sustainable World Peace’. Chrome usage and use that to improve the experience in other apps. 71. The world’s first airline to adopt new satellite-based airplane tracking system -- Malaysia Airlines. 81. A stadium-sized, heavy-lift Super Pressure Balloon (SPB) from Wanaka, a scenic spot on New Zealand's Note: Malaysia Airlines will track its flights with the South Island has been launched by -- NASA. help of satellites by 2018. Note: The balloon will float for more than 100 days at 72. The first World Ocean Festival (WOF) will be hosted 110000 feet across the globe in the Southern by the country -- United States. Hemisphere's mid-latitude band. Note: The first WOF will be organized by the Global 82. The founder of Wikipedia ‘Jimmy Wales’ is going to Brian Foundation (GBF). launch a news site to tackle the spread of false infor- 73. The BRICS Film Festival 2017 will be held in -- China. mation -- Wikitribune. Note: Around 30 films from BRICS countries will be Note: The site will be jointly run by journalists and a screened during the festival, including an anthology community of volunteers who will verify the stories by five directors from the mentioned countries from before publishing them. 23 to 27 June,2017. 83. The city has been designated UNESCO World Book 74. India and the East Asian nation have signed an Inter- Capital 2018 -- Athens. Governmental MoU for Defence Industry cooperation between their shipbuilding yards in New Delhi -- 84. The city who is hosting the 2017 Mobile World Con- South Korea. gress(MWC) -- Barcelona (Spain). Note: India has nominated Hindustan Shipyard at Note: The 2017 Mobile World Congress (MWC) has Vishakhapatnam whereas South Korea is yet to started in Barcelona, Spain from 27th February and nominate its shipyard. will continue till March. The MWC is the world’s 75. The first satellite Mongol Sat-I part of its efforts to biggest and best mobile industry event comprising of make use of new technology to diversify its resource- a massive exhibition, an award-winning conference, dependent economy -- Mongolia. outstanding networking opportunities, partner Note: The satellite was launched in partnership with programmes, the Glomo Awards and much more.

Asia Broadcast Satellite (ABS). It is 1227 Megahertz 85. Who has given its final approval for the withdrawal of Britain from the European Union -- satellite. UK House of Lords. 76. The first Indian-Indonesia Energy Forum in -- Ja- Note: A royal assent is now a waited for the karta, Indonesia. legislation, post which Prime Minister Theresa May Note: Major Indian companies in oil and gas sector, would be free to withdraw the country from the like ONCG Videsh Limited, Petronet LNG Limited, Gas world’s largest economic union and begin a 2- year are participating in this forum. negotiation period as mentioned in the Article 50 of European Union’s Lisbon Treaty. 77. India has signed three with the country on peaceful 86. The city has topped the list in the Mercer’s uses of outer space -- Armenia. 2017 Quality of Living index -- Vienna. Note: The two countries are celebrating the 25th Note: Zurich is in second place, followed by Munich, anniversary of their diplomatic ties. Auckland, Vancouver, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt and Geneva 6 | P a g e www.gradeup.co

Current Affairs National

1. The first-ever Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) In- 11. The 3rd edition of 2017 National conference ‘Jal Man- ternational Dance festival was held in the city -- Hydera- than-III’ was held in the city- New Delhi. bad. Note: The focus of the conference was to on refining Note: Around 100 performers from 9 countries show policies of the Ministry to make them more people friendly and responsive to the needs of the states. cased their traditional and contemporary dance nuances. 12. The world’s largest street light replacement programme 2. The 104th Indian Science Congress (ISC) has started in of India- Street Lighting National Programme (SLNP). the state - . Note: The SLNP is the world’s largest street light Note: The focal theme of 5-day annual ISC is “Science and replacement programme, implemented by the Energy Technology for National Development”. Efficiency Services Limited (EESL). 3. India’s first laser technology-based advanced Automatic 13. The 8th Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors Summit 2017 at Vechime Monitoring System (AVMS) RTO check post has Mahatma Mandir in - Gandhinagar. set up at- Gujarat. Note: The purpose of the summit is to provide a plat- Note: It will provide transparent, sensitive, decisive and form to debate global economic and social issues on the progressive government to the people. lines of the World Economic Forum in Davos. 4. The 25th New Delhi World Book Fair (NDWBF) was held 14. India’s second Kalvari-class Scorpene stealth submarine at - Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. “INS Khanderi” has been launched in -- Mumbai, Maha- Note: The 2017 theme is Manushi – Books Written on rashtra. and by Women. Note: Khanderi is named after the Island fort of Maratha 5. The 2017 Pravasi Bhartiya Divas (PBD) hosted by the forces, which played a vital role in ensuring their city- Bengaluru. supremacy at sea in the late 17th century. 6. The International Conference on “Yoga for diabetes” has 15. India’s first-ever solar powered boat “Aditya” has been been held in the city- New Delhi. launched in -- Kerala. Note: The 3-day conference was inaugurated by Shripad Note: The 'Aditya' is the 75-seater boat fitted with 78 Yesso Naik, the minister of State for AYUSH rooftop solar panels. It will ferry along a 2.5 kilometre (Independent Charge). route between Vaikom and Thavanakkadavu 22 times a day. 7. The birth anniversary of 10th and last Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh being celebrated - 350th. 16. ‘SEZ India’ mobile app has been launched by the union ministry for special economic zones- Ministry of Com- Note: The main function was held at "Takht Harmandar merce and Industry. Sahib" in Patna. 8. Pan-India expansion of this programme to benefit preg- Note: The app would help the SEZ units and developers to find information easily and track their transactions on nant and lactating mothers across the country - Mater- SEZ Online System. nity Benefit Programme (MBP). 17. The Chinese Mobile handset brand 'Gionee' has signed as 9. The city is going to play host to the ninth edition of Jai- the brand ambassador- . pur International Film Festival (JIFF)- Jaipur. Note: He will be joining Bollywood actor Alia Bhatt. 10. The 20th Edition of the National Conference for e-Gov- 18. Android-based mobile application named app to pro- ernance 2016-17 - Visakhapatnam, (Andhra Pra- mote ease of ticketing through digital transactions - desh). IRCTC Rail Connect app. Note: The theme of conference is ‘Internet of Things and Note: Rail Connect has been developed to bring the e-Governance’. power of next generation e-ticketing system like high performance and enhanced security. 7 | P a g e www.gradeup.co 19. The Tamil Nadu tourism department has launched a mo- Note: The drive aimed to create awareness amongst bile app- Pinakin. masses towards judicious utilization and conservation of petroleum products along with the use of energy Note: User can listen to interesting stories, facts and efficient appliances. trivia about the sites in two languages Tamil and English. 30. The Indian Railways has launched of Aastha Circuit Tourist Train from Guwahati (Assam) -- North-East 20. The 58th edition of India International Garment Fair Frontier (NF). (IIGF) was held in - New Delhi. Note: The train would take the tourists to various Note: The fair was organized by Apparel Export famous religious destinations like Gangasagar, Sri Council (AEPC) India and around 312 Swamy Narayan Temple, Kalighat, Birla Temple in participants from 14 states of India has participated in , Sri Jagannath Temple and Konark Temple in the Fair. Puri and Bhubaneswar - Lingaraj Temple. 21. The mega-cultural event "Bharat Parv" from 26th Janu- 41. The first Indian state to opt for electronic transmission ary at - Red Fort. of postal ballot to service voters in the upcoming elec- Note: Bharat Parv has organized from 26th to 31st tions -- Goa. January at Red Fort. 42. “e-health project” has launched by the state government 22. The 2nd edition of Ministry of External Affairs’ annual with support of World Bank (WB)- Kerala. conference “Raisina Dialogue” was held at - Taj Palace (New Delhi). Note: The project is already running in 12 healthcare institutions in Thiruvananthapuram district that will be Note: The theme “The New Normal: Multilateralism in a scaled up across the state. multipolar world”. 43. Who has launched “Khelegi toh Khileg” in India -- Nur- 23. “Mission 41K” has been launched by the union ministry turing Excellence in Sports Trust (NEST). to save energy- Ministry of Railways. Note: It is the pan-India initiative for girl football 24. The portal by the Union Government for Sarva Shiksha between the age of 10 to 15 years along with the Abhiyan (SSA) -- Shagun portal. National Yuva Cooperative Society (NYCS). Note: The purpose of the portal is to capture and 44. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has decided showcase innovations and progress in Elementary to set up weather stations in 660 districts of the country Education sector of India by continuous monitoring of by -- 2019. the scheme. Note: Initially, 130 districts have shortlisted in the first 25. The most dynamic city out of 137 cities as per the 4th an- phase and gradually increase it to 660 by 2019. nual edition of JLL City Momentum Index (CMI) 2017- 45. Who has launched two-wheeler aggregation service Bengaluru. UberMOTO in Hyderabad-- Uber. Note: There are six Indian cities Bangaluru-1, Note: UberMOTO can hire two-wheelers for short- Hyderabad-5th, Pune-13th, Chennai-17th, Delhi-23rd distance commute at cheaper rates to provide the last- and Mumbai-25th in the list of 30. mile connectivity from and to the upcoming Metro 26. The Chief Guest for the 2017 Republic Day of India -- Mo- railway stations. Fares at Rs. 25 for (first 3 km) and Rs. hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. 5 per km thereafter. 46. India’s first social luxury travel magazine “Luxury Travel 27. Indian personality has become judge in the 2017 Miss Times” has launched -- MakeMyTrip. Universe pageant -- Sushmita Sen. Note: The mobile-only magazine is targeted at luxury 28. The first flight is likely to take off next month under the travellers and is released through innovative ad government's ambitious regional connectivity scheme -- platforms like Facebook Canvas & Instagram-Stories. UDAN (Ude Desh Ke Aam Naagrik). 47. A memorandum of understanding with the AYUSH min- Note: Under the scheme, the fare for a one hour journey istry to regulate the misleading advertisements in this of approximately 500 km on a fixed wing aircraft or for AYUSH sector -- Advertising Standards Council of In- the 30-minute journey on a helicopter will be capped at dia (ASCI). Rs. 2500. 29. The Petroleum ministry has inaugurated a month-long 48. The union govt. will invest how many crore rupees in awareness drive on fuel conservation in New Delhi -- North East in telecom infrastructure in the next two Saksham 2017. years -- 5,500 crore rupees

8 | P a g e www.gradeup.co 49. The Farmer’s Martyrs day to pay homage to the martyrs 59. India’s first a-political three days National Women’s Par- of 1894 farmers’ rising in the state -- Assam. liament (NWP) was held in -- Amaravati (Andhra Pra- 50. The world's tallest building has lit up in the color of the desh). Indian to celebrate India's 68th Republic Day -- Burj Note: Three-day conference has been organized by the Khalifa tower (Dubai). Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly with the theme of “Empowering Women-Strengthening Democracy”. 51. Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has success- 60. India’s first inter-disciplinary school on Quality and Reli- fully ground tested the Cryogenic Upper Stage engine ability (Q&R) will be set up by the -- IIT Kharagpur. meant for the rocket -- GSLV-Mark-III.The 19th edition Bharat Rang Mahotsav has begun with the special focus Note: The purpose for establishing the school is to on the different genres of Indian theatre-- New Delhi. improve the quality of life for the people of India as well as develop quality conscious global citizens. Note: It is the annual theater festival of India's premier theater training institute of Govt. of India National School 61. The world’s first Braille Atlas for visually impaired per- of Drama (NSD), New Delhi. sons has been launched by -- Dr. Harsh Vardhan. 52. Who is planning to remeasure the height the world’s tall- Note: The special edition of the “Atlas for Visually est peak Mount Everest -- The Survey of India. Impaired (India)” in English Braille has been prepared by National Atlas and Thematic Mapping Organization Note: The Survey of India would be sending an (NATMO) under the Department of S&T. expedition to Nepal in two months to conduct the exercise. The Mount Everest currently stands at a height 62. The Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE) has of 8,848 metres (29,028 feet) above the sea level. constituted a sub-committee to boost girls’ education-- Kadiyam Srihari committee. 53. The 9th edition of Bengaluru International Film Festival - -Bengaluru () Note: He is the Deputy Chief Minister and Education Minister of Telangana. Note: Form 55 countries,200 films will be screened in Bengaluru and Mysuru during this film festival. 63. The first floating elementary school of India has been in- augurated at Langolsabi Leikai of Champu Khangpok 54. The three non-stop flights a week from New Delhi to Dul- floating village on Loktak Lake in Manipur-- Loktak Ele- les International Airport in the suburb of Washington DC mentary Floating School. (USA) this summer -- Air India (AI). 64. The Union Minister has launched the National Career Note: The move will bring 30,000 people from India to America every year for economic, commercial and family Service (NCS) and JeevanPraman facility to the EPFO purposes. pensioners through Post Offices in Hyderabad -- 55. The “Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccination campaign” has Bandaru Dattatreya. been launched in the state -- Karnataka. Note: The post offices will work as employment registration centres for unemployed youth through the Note: The campaign against these two diseases will start NCS portal as India Post has a large network of more from Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Goa and than one and half lakh post offices. Lakshadweep and will cover nearly 3.6 crore children. 65. The first Indian airport to enter the list of top 15 airports 56. The Union HRD Ministry will set up a department to con- in the World - International Airport, duct examinations for higher and secondary education -- New Delhi National Testing Agency (NTA). 66. The union Govt. has decided to open the Post Office Pass- port Seva Kendras (POPSK) at different locations in 57. The country's first centre of excellence for differently many states for delivering passport related services to abled sportsmen at -- Gandhinagar(Gujarat). the public-- 56 Post Office Passport Seva Kendras. Note: The center is proposed with an estimate of 50 67. A record 104 satellites in a single flight in one go on crores rupees and will provide World class facilities such board a single rocket PSLV-C37 -- ISRO. as indoor halls, dedicated tracks, and 100 bedded hostel. Note: All the satellites were successfully put into a 505- 58. The first North-eastern state government has imple- km polar Sun Synchronous Orbit. 96 belong to USA and 5 mented e-Cabinet solution for the state cabinet mem- from International customers of ISRO - Israel, Kazakhstan, Netherlands, Switzerland, United Arab bers--- Arunachal Pradesh. Emirates. Note: The ‘e-Cabinet’ system uses a web-based software 68. adopted another village for transfor- by which ministers can prepare for cabinet meetings, mation under the ‘Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojna’-- ‘Donja’ conduct them and review minutes, entirely without in Osmanabad (Maharashtra). paper. 9 | P a g e www.gradeup.co Note: The amount will be spent on development of a 77. The India Vetiver Network (INVN) has been launched in new school building, a water supply scheme that would the state -- Tamil Nadu. provide potable water to each household, concrete roads and a sewage line. Note: The INVN is a not-for-profit scientific network to promote vetiver in India. ➢ Earlier, he was transforming the lives of villagers in ‘Puttamraju Kandriga’ in Andhra Pradesh. 78. Hospitals has been asked to display revised price list of 69. The city is hosting the 2017 Indian Panorama Film Festi- cardiac stents -- National Pharmaceutical Pricing Au- val-- Port Blair. thority (NPPA). Note: The Film Festival is being organized after a gap of Note: NPPA has warned stent manufacturers and five years in the Island. The film Bahubali (Telugu) importers against shortage and said the companies were directed by SS. Rajamauli has screened on the occasion. under legal obligation to maintain smooth production and supply of coronary stents. 70. The portal has been launched by the union government to ensure transparency in mining operations --Tamra. 79. Indian scientists have discovered new miniature frog species which can comfortably sit even on a child’s Note: TAMRA stands for “Transparency, Auction thumbnail in the Western Ghats-- Seven. Monitoring and Resource Augmentation”. 71. The theme of the second edition of Hunar Haat-2017-- Note: These frogs were overlooked earlier because of their insect-like calls and secretive habitats. Out of seven Craft aur cuisine ka sangam. new species, five are facing considerable anthropogenic Note: ‘Hunar Haat’ is to encourage, promote and threats and require immediate conservation provide national and international market to master prioritisation. artisans and craftsmen belonging to minority 80. Two-day high-level workshop on advancing passenger communities. mobility and transportation has been organized by the -- 72. Mega event of Global investor summit "Momentum Jhar- NITI Aayog. khand" has been augurated at -- Ranchi (Jharkhand). Note: The workshop in association with an international Note: The Global Investor Summit is being organised for non-profit organization Rocky Mountain Institute to the first time in Jharkhand since its creation and more explore technologies and business models to help India than one thousand delegates of Indian & other countries leapfrog traditional approaches to passenger mobility are taking part in this event. M S Dhoni is Brand and transportation. Ambassador for the Summit. 81. The latest report by Stockholm International Peace Re- 73. The state hosted the 2017 South Asian Speaker’s summit search Institute (SIPRI), the world’s largest arms im- -- Madhya Pradesh. porter country during 2012-16 -- India. Note: Two-day South Asian Speaker’s summit has been Note: inaugurated by the Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan at Indore in Madhya Pradesh. 82. The city to host the first edition of Gramin Khel Mahotsav (GKM) -- New Delhi. 74. The Indian Seed Congress-2017 has been inaugurated in- -Kolkata. Note: The first edition of Gramin Khel Mahotsav (GKM) will be held from 25th to 31st March 2017 in New Delhi. Note: The theme of Seed Congress is “Seed of Joy”. The 83. The Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapati Raju has inau- theme is in line with vision to bring happiness and pros- gurated the first ever dedicated heliport at -- perity in the lives of farmers by doubling their farm in- Rohini(Delhi). come by 2022. Note: The heliport is built by state-owned Pawan Hans 75. The new communication radio for the Indian armed Ltd. forces (STARS-V Mk III) at the Aero India 2017 show -- Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL). 84. The union Railways minister Suresh Prabhu has flagged off new 'Humsafar Express' between --Sriganganagar Note: The radio is completely designed, developed and and Tiruchirapalli. made in BEL. Note: The new train is fully air-conditioned third AC 76. A signed pact with which technological giant for con- service with an optional service for meals. nected vehicle technology -- Tata Motors. 85. The International conference on ‘Bharat Bodh’ was held Note: The purpose of the pact is to provide an enriched in -- New Delhi. mobile experience for its consumers.

10 | P a g e www.gradeup.co Note: Three- day conference is organized by the Indira ➢ NBC Drugs: The drugs were developed by the Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) and Bhartiya DRDO’s institute of Nuclear medicine and allied sci- Shikshan Mandal (BSM). ences (INMAS) 86. The largest flag Inaugurated on India's tallest post at -- 93. The Prime Minister Narendra Modi has released com- Attari Border. memorative Postage Stamp on 100th Anniversary of the- Note: The Flag post measuring 110 metres (360-foot) in - Yogoda Satsang Society of India. length and 24 metres in width with 55-ton weight and Note: Yogoda Satsanga Society is a non-profit religious built at an approximate cost of 3.50 crore. organization founded by Paramahansa Yogananda in 87. “Swachh Shakti Saptah” to raise awareness on sanitation 1917. and cleanliness in Gurugram, Haryana -- Mr. Narendra 94. The nationwide “Swachh Shakti Saptah” has been Singh Tomar. launched from the city -- Gurugram. Note: The union govt. has decided to observe 'Swachh 95. The nation a Petrochemical Complex of ONGC Petro Ad- Shakti Saptah' from 1st to 8th March 2017 across the ditions Limited at Dahej -- Narendra Modi. country. 96. The week-long ‘Bhagoria Haat’ festival has begun at dif- 88. Shri Parshottam Rupala has launched NDDB’s cattle feed ferent Bhagoria haats (local markets) in -- western knowledge portal in -- Anand, Gujarat. Madhya Pradesh. Note: The portal will have information on least cost Note: The festival has been celebrated by the tribal formula for feeds, suppliers of feed ingredients, raw people of the western Madhya Pradesh. Young tribal men material specifications as well as a discussion forum to and women, attired in colorful dresses, turn up at the share information. haats with their traditional musical instruments to sing 89. The city hosted the 4th India-CLMV Business Conclave - and dance as a part of the festival. 2017 ---Jaipur. 97. The two-day International Yoga fest at Talkatora sta- Note: The Conclave was inaugurated by the Union dium in New Delhi -- Venkaiah Naidu. Minister of Commerce and Industry Nirmala Sitharaman Note: More than 3,500 participants including yoga gurus, and organised by the Department of Commerce and yoga masters, scholars, policy makers and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). representatives from 15- 18 countries has participated 90. The International Yoga festival 2017 has started in the in this event. state -- Uttarakhand. 98. A mobile application 'Exam Locator' to help students ap- Note: The 29th edition of the International Yoga festival pearing for class 10th and 12th examinations locate their has started in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand from March 1, exam centres -- The Central Board of Secondary Ex- 2017. amination (CBSE). 91. The union govt. has approved over 4,000 Post Graduate Note: The App will help students to quickly know the seats in medical colleges and hospitals across the coun- exam centre (address, images, and geolocation) on the try for the academic session -- 2017-18. basis of their roll number. Note: Now, the total number of PG seats available in the 99. The last date of submission of digital life certificate country will go up to over 35 thousand. This will boost through Jeevan Pramaan Patra by 31st March under Em- nation's resolve to strengthen tertiary care and improve ployees' Pension Scheme (EPS) -- Employees' Provi- the medical education in the country. dent Fund Organisation(EPFO). 92. The Defense Research and Development Organisation 100. The two-day, 11th edition of North-East Business Sum- (DRDO) handed over how many product for induction mit (NEBS) has started in the city -- New Delhi. into the Indian Army in New Delhi -- three products. Note: The North-East Business Summit is an annual The three new products are: flagship event to promote investment and business ➢ Weapon Locating Radar (WLR), SWATHI: The ra- opportunities in the North-Eastern part of India. dar provides fast, automatic, and accurate location of 101. The web portal for obtaining Coastal Regulation Zone all enemy weapons like mortars, shells and rockets clearances in New Delhi -- Anil Madhav Dave. firing within in its effective zone of coverage. Note: The Portal enables submission of applications for ➢ NBC Recce vehicle MK-I: It was developed by the CRZ clearance in a single-window interface. Vehicles Research and Development Establishment 102. Under the recommendations of the bill 2016, working (VRDE). women in all establishments (either public or private) 11 | P a g e www.gradeup.co will be entitled to weeks of paid maternity leave -- 26 rivers Ganga and Yamuna have been declared to be weeks. treated as living human entities”. Note: If a woman adopts a child below 3 months of age, 111. The city is hosting the 15th edition of ‘All India Meet of she will be entitled to 12 weeks leave from the date the State Legal Services Authorities’-- New Delhi. child is handed over to her. This entitlement will be Note: The two-day event is organized by the National applicable for the first two children. For the 3rd child, Legal Services Authority (NALSA) in collaboration with any women will be granted 12 weeks of maternity leave. Delhi State Legal Services (DSLS). 103. The union ministry has instituted ‘Kamaladevi Chatto- 112. The first fully India-made 12-coach train has flagged off padhya National Awards’ for women handloom weavers between Dadar to Borivali at Lokmanya Tilak Terminus and women handicraft artisans -- Ministry of Textiles. in Mumbai, Maharashtra -- Medha. 104. A mobile app and website ‘MeraHunar HP’or ‘My Talent’ 113. The country is hosting the International Diamond Con- to help skilled and semi-skilled workers find jobs -- ference ‘Mines to Market 2017 -- India. Virbhadra Singh. Note: The theme of the conference is “Mines to Market Note: The mobile app will connect prospective 2017” and is organized by the Gem and Jewellery Export employers with job aspirants as the latter’s resume will Promotion Council of India (GJEPC). contain addresses and contact numbers. 114. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has 105. The first Indian power utility to successfully deploy tele- unveiled new exam format for -- Class VI to IX. protection service using Line-Differential Relay (LDR) over an IP/MPLS network -- The Tata Power Delhi Note: The board has replaced Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) which was in place Distribution Limited. since 2009 with a uniform system of assessment and 106. The 6th edition of the International Engineering Sourc- examination to be followed by its affiliated schools. ing Show (IESS) has started in the city -- Chennai. 115. The world’s third largest hypersonic wind tunnel at Note: It is the largest Engineering sourcing show in Thiruvananthapuram’s Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre India for International visitors, which is organized (VSSC) in Kerala -- ISRO Chairman A S Kiran Kumar. under the aegis of Union Ministry of Commerce & Industry. Note: He commissioned two facilities at the center, one- metre Hypersonic Wind Tunnel, and one-metre Shock 107. International Buddhist conference has been inaugurated Tunnel. The facilities comprise 500 valves, 2 km long at -- Rajgir (Bihar). pipelines, 41 electric motors, 35 pumps, 320 Note: More than 1000 delegates from 35 countries instruments and 10 km of cables. including Indonesia, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Singapore is 116. Indian cities were included in the Tentative List of participating in the event. Last year, it was held in UNESCO World Heritage Sites -- Five. Kathmandu, Nepal. Note: The five Indian cities included in the list are 108. The 5th foundation day function of BIRAC has been in- Ahmedabad, Delhi, Jaipur, Bhubaneswar and Mumbai. augurated by -- Harsh Vardhan. 117. An integrated grievances redressal platform for Petro- Note: More than 300 Scientists, Entrepreneurs, Industry leum and Gas related queries -- MoPNG e Seva. Experts, and Policy Makers including,large number of Note: stakeholders both national and international is taking ➢ MoPNG e-Seva is a dedicated grievances redressal part in the event. platform on Social Media for all queries and griev- 109. The Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal has inaugu- ances relating to Oil and Gas Sector. rated a passport seva kendra at a post office in -- Bika- ➢ The grievances will be dealt on real-time basis. ner (Rajasthan). 118. India’s first vertical garden has set up in the state-- Kar- Note: Similar kendra will be inaugurated in Jhunjhunu, nataka. Kota, Jhalawar (RPT Jhalawar) and Jaisalmer by 31st Note: The garden will help to control the pollution level March. of the city and also act as a sound proofing barrier. 110. The Court accorded the status of ‘living human entities’ 119. The surveillance ship was commissioned into the Indian to the India's most sacred Ganga and Yamuna rivers --- Navy at Port Blair -- INLCU L51. Uttarakhand High Court. Note: LCU 51 is the first of the eight ships of the Landing Note: According to a division bench of Justices Rajeev Craft Utility (LCU) Mk IV Class. The ship is also equipped Sharma and Alok Singh of Nainital High Court "Holy with Integrated Platform Management System and 12 | P a g e www.gradeup.co Integrated Bridge System for automated controls and Note: 'eChallan' is an integrated enforcement solution quick functioning. to manage traffic violations through a mobile app. 120. The city to host the 105th edition of the 2018- Indian 'mParivahan' is an empowering app for the citizen Science Congress (ISC) -- Hyderabad. which provides access to various services, information, and utilities related to the transport sector. Note: The theme of the conference will be ‘Science and Technology – Reaching the Unreached’. 128. The 5-day conference at Forest Research Institute (FRI) in Dehradun, Uttarakhand is being organized on the 121. Who has become the first Indian state to carry financial theme -- ‘Forests for Prosperity and Posterity’. inclusion and extend banking services to unbanked ar- Note: The international conference is being organized in eas through Self Help Groups(SHGs) -- Odisha. association with the Ministry of Environment, Forests Note: The state government has signed an agreement and Climate Change and Commonwealth Forestry with State Bank of India (SBI)to provide banking Association of UK. facilities to people in unbanked areas. 129. The beneficiaries of Prime Minister’s 'Yojana’ has 122. Who has become the first tiger reserve in India to offi- reached more than 2 crores in less than a year -- cially introduce a mascot “Bhoorsingh the Barasingha" Ujjwala Yojana. to create a better connection with its visitors -- Kanha tiger reserve. Note: ‘Ujjwala Yojana’ is serving as a novel means of women empowerment and achieving the goals of Note: providing clean fuel and a better life to the people. ➢ The aims of mascot to present the hard ground 130. A comprehensive scheme for power loom sector devel- swamp deer ‘Barasingha’ as the spirit of the reserve opment ‘PowerTex India’ in Bhiwandi, Thane district, and spread awareness to save it from possible ex- Maharashtra -- Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani. tinction Note: The scheme will especially benefit small power 123. The union Information & Broadcasting Ministery has loom weavers. launched the online film certification system with an 131. India’s rank in the WADA’s Anti-Doping Rule Violations aim to the elimination of middlemen and promote clean (ADRVs) report for year 2015 -- 3rd. cinema -- 'e-CinePramaan'. Note: The list is topped by Russia (176), followed by 124. India’s first International Centre for Foot and Mouth Italy (129), India (117), France (84) and Belgium (67). Disease (ICFMD) has set up at Argul in the state -- Od- 132. A three-day National Children’s Film Festival in --Visha- isha. khapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) Note: The research center has been constructed in joint Note: The aim of the film festival is to expose children to collaboration of UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization quality cinema and to introduce novel elements beyond & Indian Council of Agricultural Research to conduct films. research on the viral disease of cattle and buffaloes. More than 40,000 children from the state are expected 125. India has decided to liberalize e-visa regime by increas- to attend a screening of 24 films during the festival. ing the time limit for seeking the entry permit from ex- 133. The two days national TB summit has begun with the isting 30 days to a maximum of -- four months. slogan in Dharamshala, Kangra district of Himachal Pra- Note: The duration of stay for foreigners, coming into desh -- TB Harga, Desh Jeetega. the country through select categories of e-visa, has also Note: Several MP’s from different political parties, been extended to two months. renowned experts, doctors, and celebrities is taking part 126. The North-Western Railway has declared rail routes as in the deliberations. Tuberculosis (TB) is the potentially Green Corridors -- Barmer-Munawab & Pipad Road- serious infectious bacterial disease that mainly affects Bilara. the lungs. 134. The first Indian city to offer 1Gbps wired broadband in- Note: The trains in the section have been equipped with bio-toilets to ensure zero discharge of human waste on ternet service -- Hyderabad. the rail tracks under the ‘Swachh Rail-Swachh Bharat’ 135. A mobile app as well as a web portal to help in contribu- initiative. tions towards the families of soldiers who lost their 127. The union government has launched two mobile apps to lives while on duty -- Bharat ke Veer. provide access to various services and information to Note: The donors can also help the soldiers they wish to enable citizens to report any traffic violation -- ‘echal- support or donate to ‘Bharat ke Veer’ corpus through lan’ and ‘mParivahan’. this app/ portal.

13 | P a g e www.gradeup.co 136. The special digital exhibition, ‘Swachhagraha – Ko 144. The Union Power ministry has launched app for em- Karyanjali’ to celebrate the centenary of Champaran -- powering citizens by real-time information sharing on Narendra Modi. the power supply -- URJA MITRA. Note: The exhibition aims to connect the essential Note: The app is a first of its kind which provides a principles of Satyagraha with Swachhagraha. The central platform, web-portal “urjamitra.com” as well as exhibition will be launched at National Archives in New a mobile app for state power Distribution utilities to Delhi. disseminate power outage information to rural/ urban 137. The 12th joint military exercise of India and Mongolia power consumers through SMS/ push/email ‘Nomadic Elephant’ has started in -- Vairengte, Mizo- notifications across the country. ram. 145. Railway Minister ‘Suresh Prabhu’ has flagged-off first- ever train with glass roof coaches on -- Visakhapat- 138. The Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu has released a book nam-Araku route. by DG Tendulkar printed by Publications Division -- Gandhi in Champaran. Note: Vistadome coach launched with an aim to provide a delightful traveling experience of the picturesque Note: The book aims at relieving, recounting & retelling Araku valley. the experiences that have had a deep impact on Gandhi and how it had shaped the course of our nation’s 146. The union Human Resource and Development Ministery history. has launched its own portal and mobile app -- 139. The ministry of Rural Development has released nearly Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA). 23,500 crores to the states as the first tranche for this Note: The portal will act as a one-stop for States’ Higher Financial Year, under the -- MGNREGS. Education Plans, the decision of the States’ Higher Education Councils and details of the resources under Note: The Government is laying considerable emphasis this scheme. on Water Conservation and Water Management works under MGNREGS and a list of 2264 water-stressed 147. The thermal power plants at Koradi, Chandrapur, and Blocks in 324 districts of 21 states has been prepared. Parli of Maharashtra -- PM Narendra Modi. 140. India’s first-ever micro-drama festival ‘Thespis’ has Note: These include three super-critical units 660 MW each at Koradi, two of 500 MW each at Chandrapur and started in -- New Delhi. one of 250 MW at Parli. Koradi Thermal Power Station Note: The micro drama festival has presented the series (KTPS) is located at Koradi near Nagpur, Maharashtra. of 25 micro drama tales composed with the duration of 148. First time in Indian Railway history Indian Railway sta- 10 minutes and is named after Thespis of Icaria. tion has been handed over to the private firm to be op- 141. A new web portal called ‘nakshe’ to celebrate Survey of erated by it -- Habibganj. India’s 250 Anniversary in New Delhi -- Harsh Note: The station building will be developed in line Vardhan. with airport terminals. Note: The portal ‘nakshe’ will offer Topographic maps 149. The first mock drill exercise on forest fire in Uttarak- for free download in a pdf format through ‘Aaadhar’ hand -- The National Disaster Management Authority enabled user authentication process. (NDMA). 142. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has released a book au- Note: The fire officials from all the districts and other thored by Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan in New departments of the state will participate in the exercise. Delhi -- Matoshree. 150. A two-day 11th civil services day function in ___New Note: The book 'Matoshree' covers the life and times of Delhi. legendary ‘Devi Ahilyabai Holker’ who ruled the Holkar Empire spread over the Malwa region from 1767 to Note: Singh has asked civil servants to interpret and 1795. implement rules and regulations with an open and progressive mindset. 143. Two-day workshop on the review of the National Disas- 151. The global e-commerce major has launched the 'Amazon ter Management Plan (NDMP) in New Delhi -- Kiren Ri- Fire TV Stick' with Voice Remote in India -- Amazon. jiju. Note: Fire TV Stick is the powerful streaming media Note: The workshop has been organized by the National device that plugs into an HD Television and lets Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). customers access thousands of movies, TV shows, apps, and games.

14 | P a g e www.gradeup.co 152. The three-day International Conference and Exhibition broadband connectivity to Post Offices in rural areas -- on Steel Industry 'India Steel 2017'at -- Mumbai Exhi- BharatNet. bition center in Mumbai. Note: About 1.3 lakh post offices in rural areas and 25 Note: The exhibition-cum-conference was organized by thousand sub-post offices will be connected through Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and broadband for high-speed Internet connectivity in rural Industry (FICCO) along with Union Ministry of Steel. masses. 153. The IIT institute will start ‘Vastu Shastra’ classes for ar- 162. The sacred portals of the famous Himalayan shrine chitecture students -- IIT Kharagpur. ‘Gangotri’ and ‘Yamunotri’ have been opened for the pil- Note: IIT Kharagpur will start ‘Vastu Shastra’ classes for grims after six-month winter break in -- Uttarakhand. architecture students from August 2017. 163. The council of IITs (51st meeting) has decided to in- 154. The Indian Space Research Organisation has tied up crease female representation in IITs from eight to -- with the PSU company to develop low-cost lithium ion 20%. batteries for electric vehicles -- Bharat Heavy Electri- Note: An amount of Rs. 75,000 will be released per cals Ltd (BHEL). month from Prime Minister’s Scholarship scheme to 155. The state government will set up “Book Banks” in promote research and innovation in IITs. 164. ‘the Test and Treat policy’ for providing treatment to schools to provide old books to the students -- Punjab. patients suffering from Human Immunodeficiency Virus Note: These book banks will request students to (HIV) -- JP Nadda. deposit their old books so that the needy students in the 165. The Water Resources Minister has inaugurated the day- next batch can use them free of cost. long national conference in New Delhi -- Jal Kranti Ab- 156. The country is hosting the 3rd Edition of Global Exhibi- hiyan. tion on Services 2017 -- India. Note: The objectives of the Abhiyan is strengthening Note: The GES-2017 will highlight India’s potential to grass root involvement of all stakeholders including boost its services exports. panchayati raj institutions and local bodies for participatory irrigation management. 157. The bungalow is being readied as the retirement home 166. A high-level committee to look in to the grievances of of President ‘Pranab Mukherjee’-- 10 Rajaji Marg, New women players in New Delhi -- Vijay Goel. Delhi. Note: The five- member (two- woman player and one Note: The 10 Rajaji Marg house is spread over an area sports journalist) committee will be headed by Joint of 11,776 sq. feet with the ground floor housing a library Secretary of Sports Ministry. and an attached reading space. 167. An app named “MP e-NagarPalika” to provide various municipal services online in the state -- Shivraj Singh 158. The three-day Centenary Celebrations of the ‘Osmania Chouhan. University’ and also take part in the first convocation of Note: The primary goal of the project is to provide the English and Foreign Languages University (EFLU) in municipal services to citizens through multiple service -- Hyderabad delivery channels and ensure accessible, convenient, Note: The Osmania University is the largest institute in transparent, and timely delivery of services. Asia with the maximum number of affiliated colleges of 168. The state government has imposed ban on the use of over 1000. polythene bags manufactured below fifty microns in the state -- Jammu & Kashmir state. 159. The "Jal Sanrakshan Karyakram - Bundelkhand " at 169. The world’s number 2 airport in the over 40 million Baandri in Sagar district, Madhya Pradesh -- Uma passengers per annum category, as per the Montreal Bharti. (Canada)-based Airports Council International 2016 rankings -- Indira Gandhi International Airport Note: The work of development of water bodies to (IGIA). improve socio-economic situation in drought prone Note: The ranking is based on the Airport Service areas has been undertaken through Jal Sanrakshan Quality (ASQ) survey report 2016. Karyakram in the country. 170. The city is hosting the 2017 National Children’s Film 160. An android App has been developed by Space Applica- Festival (NCFF) --Visakhapatnam. tions Centre (SAC), ISRO, Ahmedabad for the computa- Note: It is the largest film festival for children in India tion of solar energy potential -- Solar Calculator. giving the audience quality and wholesome entertainment organized by the Children’s Film Society, Note: It is a very useful tool for installation of PV solar India (CFSI). panels for tapping solar energy. 171. A month-long awareness drive on fuel conservation in 161. Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and Department New Delhi -- Saksham 2017. of Post have signed a tripartite MoU for providing of a

15 | P a g e www.gradeup.co Note: The drive aimed to create awareness amongst stakeholders. This application acts as a source of all masses towards judicious utilization and conservation information related to MSME’s Policies, Registration, of petroleum products along with the use of energy Services, Schemes, etc. efficient appliances. 174. India's first public hospital for eye tumors -- AIIMS. 172. PM Modi has inaugurated flights under the Regional Note: AIIMS is India's first public hospital to start Connectivity Scheme by flagging off the Alliance Airlines plaque brachytherapy facility for the treatment of eye flight on Shimla-Delhi sector from Jubbar Hatti airport tumors. near Shimla -- Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN). 175. The 18th World Road Meeting on November this year in Note: Over 45 unserved and under-served airports -- India. would be connected under the scheme the UDAN. Note: Around 4000 delegates across the world will 173. The union minister ‘M Venkaiah Naidu’ has launched an discuss important issues facing in mobility sector. The app and website portal of MSME facilitation council in theme of World Road Meeting 2017 is ‘Safe Roads and Smart Mobility: The Engines of Economic Growth’. New Delhi -- MyMSME app. Note: My MSME mobile application is for all Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) in India and other

Current Affairs States

1. The state governments have signed MoU to prepare Note: Professional kite flying experts from across India State Resident Data Base (SRDB) -- Haryana and like Gujarat, Maharashtra, Jaipur, Chennai, Kerala, Pun- Andhra Pradesh. jab, Delhi and the globe are taking part in the festival. 2. New health scheme 'NTR Arogya Raksha' has been 9. The 21st edition of National Youth Festival was held in - launched by the state -- Andhra Pradesh. - Rohtak (Haryana). Note: It will offer medical insurance to those who were not covered under any of the existing health schemes of Note: The 2017 theme of festival is “Youth for Digital the state government. India”. 3. The Bargarh Dhanua Jatra festival has started in the 10. The world’s first ‘Gender literature festival’ was held in state -- Odisha. the state -- Bihar. Note: The 11-day gala event will set the stage for all Note: The purpose of this initiative is to create a mythological places related to Lord Krishna based in the platform, to exchange ideas, and to share and learn ancient city itself. It is considered to be the world’s larg- experiences of renowned people in the field of gender- est open-air theatrical festival. based or focused literature. 11. The first-ever Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) In- 4. The 10-day Island Tourism Festival 2017 in Andaman & ternational Dance festival has been held in the -- Hyder- Nicobar Islands --Port Blair. abad. 5. The city hosted the International Conference on Yoga Note: Around 100 performers from 9 countries show for Diabetes -- New Delhi. cased their traditional and contemporary dance 6. ‘Good Samaritan Policy’ has been launched by the state nuances. / union territory -- Delhi government. 12. Digital Dakiya scheme has been launched by the state Note: Rs 2,000 and appreciation certificate will be government to encourage cashless transactions -- given to people who help road accident victims in the Madhya Pradesh. national capital. Note: Digital Postman will visit different places of state 7. India’s largest public WiFi service has been launched by to teach and encourage people about cashless the state government -- Maharashtra. transactions and its benefits. Note: The facility will provide 500 Wifi hotspots across 13. The 2017 Dantan Gramin Mela has started in the states - various locations like Kalanagar in Bandra, Vidhan - West Bengal. Bhawan, Bombay High Court and Mumbai Police Note: 28th edition of Dantan Gramin mela has Commissioner’s office. displayed the rural handicraft skills of the people of the 8. The three-day International Kite Festival (fourth) has region. begun in -- New Delhi. 14. First Indian state to launch ‘Aanandam programme’ to help the needy persons -- Madhya Pradesh. 16 | P a g e www.gradeup.co Note: The places have been fixed in each district where 24. The 31st Surajkund International Crafts Mela was held the economically sound citizens can donate items for at -- Faridabad (Haryana). the needy persons under the programme. Note: The Mela is located near the Surajkund village in 15. The second capital of Himachal Pradesh -- Dharamsala. Faridabad, Haryana and Jharkhand is the theme state. Note: Dharamsala was already marked prominently not 25. The state government has introduced third gender cate- only in the map of India but of the world due to its gory in school exams_____ Bihar. significance owing to many reasons, including the Dalai Lama's abode. Note: Now, under the third-gender category the Board exams will be conducted by the Bihar School 16. The state government has decided to allow the sale of Examination Board (BSEB). white kerosene in open market -- Karnataka. 26. The state government has launched “Chief Minister Sa- 17. The govt. has approved the installation of solar energy magra Gramya Unnayan Yojana” _____ Assam. devices at a cost of Rs 44 crore in all 25,962 Anganwadi Note: The purpose of the mission is to bring centers in the State -- Haryana. revolutionary changes by doubling the farm income in Note: LED lights and fans in these centers would be run the State. with solar power. This scheme would reduce electricity 27. The first Indian State to establish cashless system for bills of 'Anganwadi centers' by Rs. 12 crore annually. distribution of food grains-- Gujarat. 18. The Bihar state government has launched a campaign to Note: The beneficiaries under National Food Security make state addiction-free -- Nasha Mukt campaign. Act (NFSA) will need to carry only Aadhaar cards for Note: human chain covered all panchayats of the state getting their food grain in the state. and over two crore people participated in this human 28. The state who has hosted the 17th International Semi- chain. nar on Counter Terrorism-2017-- Haryana. 19. The 10th edition of the Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF)- Note: The Minister also unveiled the NSG annual 2017 was held in the state -- Rajasthan. magazine ‘The Bombshell’, which contains details of Note: It is a five-day festival, appox. 250 authors, various IED explosions that occurred in various parts of thinkers, politicians, journalist, and popular culture the world in 2016. icons participated and the theme was “Freedom to 29. The 2017 UNESCO Natural Heritage festival was held in dream: India at 70”. the state-- Himachal Pradesh. 20. The state government has launched e-health program Note: The festival feature a media workshop on “Jeevan ” to provide a centralized database of environmental journalism, discussions on natural and healthcare information --- Pinarayi Vijayan. cultural heritage of the Himalayan region and a heritage Note: The new system would help in creating a good walk. hospital management system and patient-friendly 30. The cities to host the 11th International Aerospace and atmosphere in hospitals. Defence Exhibition ‘Aero India 2017’ -- Bengaluru. 21. The state govt. has launched a scheme “Dulari Kanya” to 31. The state is hosting the 2nd edition of International check infant mortality in the state -- Arunachal Pra- Spice Conference -- Kerala. desh. Note: The central theme of the conference is “21st Note: In Dulari Kanya scheme, govt. will deposit Rs century spice industry: Disrupt or be disrupted”. 20,000 in the bank account of a girl child, born in any 32. Andhra Pradesh government has allocated lands for the government hospital. It would be paid along with the construction of nine thematic cities in the new capital -- accrued interest after she attains 18 years of her age. Amaravathi. 22. The “Beat Marshall Monitoring Mobile App” on experi- Note: Three Internal roads with 60-meter width would mental basis has been launched -- The Pune City Po- be constructed connecting the nine thematic cities and lice. 97.5 km six-lane Inner Ring Roads, 186 km 8 lanes 23. The 2017 Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Part- Outer Ring Road would be constructed around the nership Summit has started in -- Visakhapatnam (An- Capital city. dhra Pradesh). 33. A sub-committee of Council of Ministers to prepare a blue print of Integrated Dairy Complexes in all cities of Note: Around 2,000 delegates from 51 countries has taking part in the deliberations. the State -- Haryana Govt.

17 | P a g e www.gradeup.co Note: The committee will submit its report within a 44. India’s First Post Office Passport Seva Kendra in -- Vid- month. isha,Madhya Pradesh. 34. The state government has launched “Aardram” a public Note: The Vidisha’s Post Office Passport Seva Kendra health initiative-- Kerala. will work as Laghu Passport Seva Kandra. 35. The world famous 43rd edition of Khajuraho Dance Fes- 45. The first Indian state to have a public registry of sex of- tival begins at Khajuraho in -- Chhatrapur, Madhya fenders -- Kerala. Pradesh. Note: This has been stated by the Kerala Governor Note: It is a cultural festival that highlights the richness Justice (Retd) P Sathasivam in the budget session. of the various Indian classical dance styles. 46. The Andhra Pradesh government has signed MoU with 36. 'Mil Banche’ program was held in all the primary and the payment network company to transform Vishakha- middle government schools in -- Madhya Pradesh. patnam into India’s first ‘less cash’ city -- Visa. Note: Under the program, public representatives, other 47. India’s first hill station bicycle path was inaugurated in - dignitaries have gone to schools to motivate children - Darjeeling (West Bengal). and read out a portion of Hindi book of their choice. Note: The path was opened in response to growing 37. The Director General of Police Jammu has launched a interest from both national and foreign tourists. website -- suvidhajkpolice.in 48. The state government has launched “RAHAT” project for Note: This mobile application will provide updates to treatment of heart disease in remote and rural areas -- the people about various policing related activities, Rajasthan. advisories, and National Highway status. 49. The state government has launched pilot project “Sex 38. New service conduct rules for judicial officers and Ratio Monitoring Dashboard” for the state -- Haryana. amended existing rules for state government officials to ensure strict adherence to the provisions of total prohi- 50. The state govt. has decided to appoint a teacher in all bition -- Bihar. high-schools to monitor cleanliness -- Assam govern- ment. Note: As per the new norms, no judicial officers or state Note: The teachers will be appointed in high-schools government official is allowed to be under the influence under Swachh Bharat Mission and responsible to of any intoxicating drink or drugs wherever they are. maintain cleanliness. 39. The state government has approved cloud seeding pro- 51. The state government has signed MoU with Invest India gram to produce adequate rain -- Maharashtra. to encourage startups -- Odisha. Note: The programme would be coordinated by the Note: The Odisha government has signed an agreement Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology. with “Invest India” the National Investment Promotion 40. The “Cyber Swachhta Kendra” for Botnet cleaning and and Facilitation Agency of the Union ministry of Malware analysis launched by -- Shankar Prasad. commerce and industries. 52. The state government has made Sanskrit compulsory up Note: The Cyber Swachhta Kendra (CSK) is a part of to class eight in all classes -- Assam. Government’s digital India initiative to create a secure cyber space by detecting botnet infections. 53. The state govt has extended midday meal scheme for girls up to class 12-- Delhi Govt. 41. Bhim awards to 42 sports persons of the state -- Har- yana govt. Note : Earlier, the scheme covers all primary classes of MCD and government schools and upper primary Note: Spotting them for their outstanding performance classes till Class 8th with 16 lakh students. at the national and international fronts between the years 2013 and 2017. 54. A portal 'ammakalviyagam.in' as a part of 69th birth an- niversary celebrations of late chief minister Jayalalithaa 42. Anti-corruption induction training mandatory for gov- (known as Amma) -- O Panneerselvam. ernment officials - Kerala. Note: The portal is a hub of learning, interaction, 43. The state government has made mandatory for all pri- opportunity, and connection. vate schools to install solar systems -- Haryana. 55. Andhra Pradesh Cabinet accepts naming of Tirupati Air- Note: A special grant at the rate of Rs 20,000 per port as -- Sri Venkateswara Airport. kilowatt will be given to the schools for installing solar Note: The Andhra Pradesh State Cabinet has accepted power plants. the naming of "Gannavaram Airport" as "NTR Amaravati

18 | P a g e www.gradeup.co Airport" and "Tirupati Airport" as "Sri Venkateswara Note: Under the scheme, 123 villages will be developed Airport". as “Model Villages” during the FY 17-18. 56. The state govt. has signed an agreement to fast-track the 66. The state government has launched a 24X7 toll free completion of 206 megawatt 2,285-crore rupees Shah- helpline number “181” for distressed women -- Odisha. pur Kandi dam project on the Ravi river in Chandigarh -- Note: The helpline will facilitate quick response of Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir. various services including lodging police complaint to Note: Shapur Kandi project will be constructed on the provide medical, legal and counselling to women canal from Shahpurkandi Barrage to Madhopur victims. headworks, downstream of the existing Ranjit Sagar 67. The state govt. has launched an Idea2POC fund for Dam. women entrepreneurs --Karnataka. 57. The concept of smart classes in government-run schools Note: The Karnataka government has launched a Rs. 10- to see use of information and communications technol- crore Idea2POC (Idea to Proof of Concept) fund for ogy (ICT) to impart education -- Arunachal Pradesh. women entrepreneurs. Note: In the smart classrooms, the blackboards would 68. India’s largest floating solar Photo-Voltaic (PV) plant give way to digital screens, and pens would be replaced has been installed in the state -- Kerala. with keyboards. Note: The National Thermal Power Corporation 58. The state government has given official language status Limited (NTPC) has recently installed India’s largest to endangered tribal language ‘Kurukh’ -- West Bengal. floating solar Photo-Voltaic (PV) plant at Rajiv Gandhi 59. Three-day long 'Destination North East' 2017 inaugu- Combined Cycle Power Plant (RGCCPP) in Kerala’s rated in --Chandigarh. Kayamkulam district. Note: The event show casing North East as a potential 69. The state government will launch Namma Canteens to destination for investment and organised by the serve cheap food -- Karnataka. Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region and Note: The Karnataka government has allocated Rs.100 an industry body PHD Chamber of Commerce and crore for setting up of government subsidized chain of Industry. food centres “Namma Canteens” across the state. 60. The state govt. has informed that the girl child ratio has 70. The first police station in India to be linked with Crime increased to 938 per 1000 male children in February in and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems (CCTNS) -- the state -- Haryana. Shimla. Note: In January 2017, the registered girl child ratio Note: Under this system, over 200 police posts across was 922. the state will be linked. 61. The state government organize the first-of-its-kind Tu- 71. The 2017 National Theatre Festival (NTF) has started in lip festival -- Jammu and Kashmir. the state -- Kerala. Note: The mega tulip festival will be part of Bahaar-e- Note: The 2017 National Theatre Festival (NTF) has Kashmir (Spring in Kashmir) event to showcase Asia’s started at Tagore Theatre in Thiruvananthapuram, largest tulip garden “Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Kerala. Garden”. 72. The state govt. has decided to provide 33% reservation 62. The state government has launched “Tirtha Darshan” for women in all government jobs -- Punjab govt. scheme for senior citizens -- Haryana. Note: The cabinet has also decided to increase Note: The senior citizens would be selected for the representation of women in the Panchayati Raj pilgrimage on the basis of draw of lots. Institutions and Urban Local Bodies from the present 63. The state govt. has launched web-based platform ‘Prati- 33% to 50%. bimba’ to project government achievements -- Karna- 73. The state govt has notified Ayurveda, Yoga, and Natur- taka. opathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy Medicine Pro- curement Policy, 2016 -- Haryana Govt. 64. The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AI- ADMK) IT Wing has launched the women safety applica- Note: The objective of ensuring uninterrupted supply of tion in Tamil Nadu -- Ammavin Aran. good quality AYUSH medicines free of cost to the people through Government Hospitals, Prathmik Swasthay Note: The app will give the user details about the Kendras, Government Ayurvedic, Homeopathic and nearest police station and hospital along with map Unani Dispensaries, Panchkarma Centres and National details and phone number. Health Mission (NHM) Institutions in the State. 65. A new scheme 'Adarsh Gram Yojana' to reach the poor people in rural areas of the state to serve them better -- Arunachal Pradesh. 19 | P a g e www.gradeup.co 74. The state govt. has reserved 93 hectares of land in Lo- 85. India’s longest highway tunnel ‘Chenani-Nashri’ in hara MIDC of the district for setting up a “Textile Park -- Jammu & Kashmir inaugurated by the PM Narendra The Maharashtra govt. Modi -- 9.28 km long Note: The Park would ensure large scale employment to Note: This road tunnel will cut the distance between the the youths of the region besides providing better two state capitals Jammu and Srinagar to around 250 avenues for the farmers to garner maximum benefit. km from the current 350 km and reduce the travel time 75. The first-ever Haryana Sahitya Sangam has started in by approximately two hours. the city -- Panchkula. 86. The ‘Gunotsav program’ has been launched in 8 districts 76. India’s first carbon neutral district and as a biodiversity of the state to improve elementary education -- Assam. heritage -- Majuli. Note: Over 9 lakh students in 2,000 schools will be cov- 77. The state govt. has made Aadhaar mandatory to farmers ered under the programme in the next 3 days in the first for availing crop insurance schemes from the next Kha- phase. rif season -- Maharashtra. 87. e-governance project for Himachal Pradesh (HP) under Note: Now, the farmers of the state will have to link it good governance and best practices in India -- Rs. 5.24 with the Aadhaar number before June this year to avail crore. crop insurance schemes. The scheme is applicable to Note: The project approved by the department of food grain and horticulture sectors electronics and information technology (DEIT), Union 78. The 5th edition of ‘2017 Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav ministry of communications and IT. (RSM) has started at -- Tawang (Arunachal Pradesh). 88. The state govt. will provide Rs 21,000 to all those fami- Note: It is organized by the Union Ministry of Culture. lies whose third girl child was born under the 'Aapki Beti, Hamari Beti' scheme (after August 24, 2015) -- The 79. The state Assembly has passed bills for the establish- Haryana government. ment of four private and two government-run universi- ties in the state -- Gujarat state. Note: The scheme is aimed to combat the problem of declining child sex ratio and promote girls’ education in Note: Two new private universities are Birsa Munda the state. Tribal University at Rajpipla in Narmada district and the Gujarat Organic Agricultural University. 89. The Chief Minister of West Bengal 'Mamata Banerjee' has declared the 22nd district of the state -- Jhargram. 80. The National Commission for Schedule Tribes has ap- proved the proposal for additional seats for tribal in the Note: Jhargram has been formed by bifurcating West Sikkim Assembly -- five. Midnapore district. Note: The proposal of increasing reserve seats for 90. The state government will start a one-year diploma Schedule Tribes from 12 to 17 in 32 members in Sikkim course on Hindu Purohityam -- Madhya Pradesh. Assembly and now it would be increased to 40. 91. The state government has launched 'Deendayal Rasoi 81. The state government has launched a program to pro- Yojana' to provide food at subsidized rate -- Madhya vide free WiFi facilities in educational institutions -- Bi- Pradesh. har. Note: Under this scheme, people would be provided Note: The purpose of the program is to provide free Wi- wholesome meal through canteens that would offer Fi facility to help youths to move ahead in life and to be- subsidized prices (wholesome meal below Rs. 5/-). come digital smart. 92. The state government has imposed a 10% cow cess as 82. The Kerala transport minister has announced his resig- surcharge on stamp duty for protection and propagation nation after allegations of misconduct were raised of cows -- Rajasthan. against him - A. K. Saseendran. Note: The Rajasthan government has imposed a 10% Note: The minister made the decision following an cow cess as surcharge on stamp duty for protection and audio clip hinting at alleged misconduct with a woman propagation of cows. was aired by a TV channel. 93. The city police have launched ‘Pink Hoyslas’ police Pet- 83. President Pranab Mukherjee has inaugurated India's rol vehicles for women safety -- Bengaluru. largest river festival in Assam -- Namami Brahmputra. Note: Pink Hoysalas will be stationed at 51 hot spots’ Note: A festival to be organized across 21 districts in that have been identified on the basis of the crime Assam from 31st March to 4th April,2017. pattern in various city areas, especially those related to safety of women and children. 84. The popular tribal festival of nature worshipping ‘Sarhul’ has started in the state -- Jharkhand 94. The state Government has decided to increase the num- ber of ‘Science Clubs’ being operated in ‘Sanskriti Note: The festival marks the beginning of New Year by worshiping trees. 20 | P a g e www.gradeup.co Schools’ from 20 to 200 to scale up the interest of youth schemes for workers in the unorganized sectors and for in science and technology -- Haryana. self-employed people -- West Bengal Govt. Note: The financial assistance to these Clubs will be 105. The UP government has changed the name of Airports -- enhanced from Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 50,000. Gorakhpur and Agra. 95. The state government will electrify all villages in the Note: The Gorakhpur Airforce Station has been state by 30th June this year -- Assam. renamed as ‘Mahayogi Goraknath Airport’ and the Agra Note: The deadline to connect un-electrified villages in Airport will be ‘Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay’ Assam under ‘Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gram Jyoti Yojana’. 106. The state government has decided to change its ‘sugar- 96. The state Government has promulgated an Ordinance to cane price fixation policy’ from next crushing season -- make the teaching of ‘Malayalam language’ mandatory Uttar Pradesh Govt. in all schools in the State -- Kerala Government. 107. The state government has launched ‘unemployment al- Note: The usage of the official language ‘Malayalam’ has lowance scheme’ -- Himachal Pradesh. been made compulsory in all government offices from Note: The state government will provide an 1st May. unemployment allowance of Rs 1,000 per month to 97. The state government to launch cheap food canteen ‘An- youth having intermediate or above qualification. napurna Bhojnalayas’-- Uttar Pradesh. Unemployed youth with disability would be given Rs 1,500 per month. Note: The Uttar Pradesh will launch cheap food canteen “Annapurna Bhojnalayas” across all 14 municipal 108. The state government has decided to set up 40 Yoga corporations in the state. wellness centers in 40 districts during current financial year -- Uttar Pradesh. 98. The city has ranked the top-paying city for professionals in India, according to the 2017 Salary Trends Study by Note: There are 23 Ayurvedic hospitals 12 homeopathic Randstad -- Bengaluru. and 7 Unani hospitals and colleges will be set up. 99. The state has selected for the ‘Krishi Karman Award 109. The state govt. has signed a Memorandum of Under- 2015-16’ for the commendable increase in food grains standing (MoU) with the Indian Railways to expand the production -- Himachal Pradesh. green cover -- Maharashtra. Note: The total food grains production has increased Note: Trees will be planted on the land adjacent to the from 14.94 lakh ton to 16.34 lakh ton in last five years. railway tracks in the state. 100. The state govt. has launched ‘Operation Durga’ to en- 110. The union Government will set up a Central university sure women safety in the state - Haryana government. for Divyangs -- Uttar Pradesh. Note: ‘Operation Durga’ has been launched so that Note: Under the Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan, HRD ‘flying squads patrol those areas where such anti-social ministry has instructed to make ramps and install lifts elements committed crimes against women. to facilitate ‘Divyangas’ at all educational institutions. 101. The state govt. has signed a reworked MoU with Hindu- 111. The state govt. of Haryana has announced to change the stan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) for the Rs. name of Ballabhgarh to -- Balramgarh. 43,129 crore Barmer refinery -- Rajasthan govern- Note: Ballabhgarh is a town and a tehsil (sub-district) in ment. Faridabad District of Haryana and is part of the National Note: The Barmer refinery will be the first in the Capital Region (NCR). country to produce BS-6 standard fuel. 112. The Telangana Chief General Manager of BSNL has 102. The state Govt. will provide pension to former circus launched the 5 G Plus WiFi services at four spots in -- artists in the state -- Kerala. Hyderabad. Note: The state govt. has allocated 1.13 crore rupees. Note: The 4.5 G services will provide higher speeds of Thalassery in Kannur district considered to be the Data than any other service provider to its existing cradle of Indian circus. customers. 103. The state Govt. will provide accidental insurance cover 113. The Haryana govt. launched a mobile-based application to all residents of the State having Aadhaar seeded sav- to create awareness among pregnant women, parents, ing bank accounts -- Haryana Government. and health workers -- Kilkari. Note: The premium would be reimbursed by the state Note: The app ‘Kilkari’ was launched during the government of the age group of 18 to 70 years under the concluding day of the 'State-level Orientation ‘Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana’ (PMSBY). Workshop'. The application 'Kilkari' will deliver 72 times appropriate audio messages to registered mobile 104. The state Government has introduced the ‘Social Secu- numbers on pregnancy, child, and childbirth care every rity Yojana’ by converging five separate beneficiary

21 | P a g e www.gradeup.co week from the second trimester of pregnancy till the 116. The farmers of UT (Union Territory) will get free power child is one-year-old. supply from this month for pump sets used for irriga- 114. The ‘Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation’ tion purpose -- Pondicherry. (MTDC) has signed an agreement with the two Airways Note: The move has been adopted in the current fiscal to attract visitors to the state -- Etihad and Jet Airways. year 2017-18. Note: Etihad and Jet Airways will provide information 117. The state will provide skill development training to 5 to its users on less-explored but high potential lakh youths in the current financial year -- Assam govt. destinations in Maharashtra. Note: A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has 115. The Northeast India's largest Information Technology been signed with a Singapore institute to set up skill (IT) hub to boost employment and e-governance be- development center in the state. sides to export software technology – Agartala. 118. The state govt. has signed a MoU with the Bill and Note: This IT hub would help to create employment Melinda Gates Foundation with the objectives of im- opportunities for the IT educated youth and to further proving the lives of smallholder farmers and promoting extend the e-governance to the doorstep of people. The inclusive agricultural transformation -- Odisha. Hub was set up at a cost of Rs. 50 crore.

Honours & Award

1. Indian personality has been honored by US Embassy for Note: He has been inducted into Legends Club "Hall of Tuberculosis (TB) awareness -- . Fame" in presence of former India captains Ajit Note: The award has been presented by US Ambassador Wadekar, Sunil Gavaskar and at the to India Richard R Verma to Amitabh Bachchan. Cricket Club of India in Mumbai.The ICC Cricket Hall of 2. Indian-origin British professor has been honored with Fame recognizes the achievements of the legends of the game from cricket's long and illustrious history. the Queen Elizabeth II Knighthood -- Prof. Shankar Bal- 8. Indian village has been conferred the UNWTO Award for asubramanian. Innovation in the category of Non-Governmental Organi- Note: He has been honored with the Queen Elizabeth II sations (NGO) -- Govardhan Ecovillage. Knighthood for his work as a co-inventor of Next Generation DNA sequencing, described as the most Note: This is for the first-time India has won such transformational advance in biology and medicine for recognition from the UN in the NGO sector. decades. 9. The prestigious award ‘The Hindu Prize 2016’ -- Kiran 3. The Government of India has been awarded 'Scroll of Doshi. Honor' to promote cashless transactions -- Gaurav Note: The novel is set against the political turmoil of the Goyal. subcontinent from the early part of the 20th century, ending with the Partition and Independence. The award Note: The district collector of Ajmer "Gaurav Goyal" has carries a citation and a cash prize of Rs.5 lakh. been awarded ‘Scroll of Honor’ by Prime Minister 12. The 2016 Golden Peacock Award for Corporate Social Narendra Modi in New Delhi for encouraging cashless transactions in the district. Responsibility (CSR) in the transportation sector under 4. The Social reformer who has been honoured by Google the Aviation category-- Delhi International Airport Doodle on her 186th birth anniversary -- Savitribai Limited. Phule. Note: The Delhi Airport has also been adjudged the 5. Indian film has won the best motion picture award at the world’s number one airport in ACI ASQ survey in 25- 40 Million Passengers Per Annum (MPPA) category for two 2017 Golden Globes awards -- Moonlight. consecutive last years. The Golden Peacock Awards Note: The Golden Globe Awards is a major part of the instituted by the Institute of Directors (IOD), India in film industry’s awards season, which culminates each 1991. year with the Academy Awards or Oscars. 13. The Venezuela’s first-ever Hugo Chavez Prize for Peace 6. The prestigious Young Travel Photographer of The Year and Sovereignty for his fight for peace-- . (TPOTY) 2016 -- Darpan Basak. Note: The prize was created by the president of Note: The TPOTY is the premier annual international Venezuela Nicolas Maduro in honour of the late socialist travel photography awards for amateur, professional, leader Hugo Chavez. and young photographers. 14. The highest peace time gallantry decoration ‘Ashok 7. Indian cricketer has been inducted into Legends Club Chakra’ -- Hangpan Dada. ‘Hall of Fame’ -- .

22 | P a g e www.gradeup.co Note: He was killed at Naugam sector in Jammu and by Hon’ble President of India on 1st July, 2017 on Kashmir in May 2016 while fighting terrorists and the Doctors’ Day. award was received by his wife Chasen Lowang Dada. 14. The Indian-origin sculptor has awarded Israel’s Genesis 15. A special stamp cover featuring Olympic medalists PV prize -- Anish Kapoor. Sindhu, , and -- The Indian Note: He honored with the prestigious $1 million postal department. Genesis Prize by Israel for his utmost contribution for Jewish community. 16. NTPC award 2015-16 from the Union Power Minister, ➢ He was chosen by the prize committee headed Shri Piyush Gayal -- Damodar Valley Corporation by Jewish Agency Chairman Natan Sharansky. (DVC) 15. The NGO has bagged the IMC Ram Krishna Bajaj National Note: DVC Chairman Andrew W.K. Langestieh has Quota award in the NGO category -- Annamrita. received the prize amongst the power sectors for Note: The allocation for the mid-day meal scheme in the implementation of the official language. Union Budget 2017 has been increased from Rs 9,700 17. Recipients of the year 2017 Padma awards, Padma crore to Rs 10,000 crore by the government and this will Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri -- 89 per- support Annamrita to reach out to serve more and more sons. children from government-aided and municipal schools. Note: Padma Vibhushan (7), Padma Bhushan (7) and 16. The Director Damien Chazelle's musical "La La Land" Padma Shri (75). has taken trophies at the 70th British Academy Film 18. A scientist at the National Geophysical Research Institute Awards (BAFTA) ceremony at Royal Albert Hall, London (NGRI) has been selected for the National Geoscience -- 5. Award – 2016 -- Keshav Krishna. List of winners: 19. 2017 Ophthalmology Hall of Fame instituted by the ➢ Outstanding British film: I, Daniel Blake American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery -- ➢ Best film: La La Land Dr. Gullapalli N. Rao. ➢ Best director: Damien Chazelle -La La Land Note: He will be honored at the ceremony in Los Angeles ➢ Best actor: Casey Affleck - Manchester by the Sea at the annual meeting of the ASCRS on 6th May 2017. ➢ Best actress: Emma Stone -La La Land The L V Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI) was established in 17. Indian tabla player has won the Grammy in the World 1987 at Hyderabad as a not-for-profit, non-government Music category that also included sitarist Anoushka eye care institution. Shankar's ‘Land of Gold’ -- Sandeep Das. 20. The 2016 TS Eliot Prize for poetry -- Jacob Polley. Note: He was part of Yo-Yo Ma's Silk Road Ensemble Note: The award ceremony was organized at the Wallace "Sing Me Home". Adele won in all the five categories that Collection Gallery in London(UK). Jackself is a sequence she was nominated for including Best Pop Solo of narrative poems partly inspired by his childhood in Performance and Best Pop Vocal Album, triumphing over Cumbria, England. Beyonce, who was the front-runner in the race. 10. The states emerged Winners of Excellence under the 18. Veteran agriculture scientist M S Swaminathan has re- state category -- Rajasthan and Telangana. ceived an honorary medallion from this country for his Note: eGov awards instituted by the Computer Society contribution towards development of agricultural prac- of India’s (CSI) Special Interest Group with sponsorship tices -- Canada. from Nihilent Technologies. The award help to recognize 19. Indian health institute has won first prize for sanitation the efforts of e Governance practitioner from across & hygiene under the Kayakalp awards 2017 -- All India central and state departments, projects and in district Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi. administrative units. Note: AIIMS has won the first prize and a cash reward of 11. An IT risk assessment and digital security services pro- Rs. 5 crore for maintaining high standards of sanitation vider startup company Lucideus has bagged the govern- and hygiene under the Government of India (GoI)’s ment’s ‘Best IT Startup of India -- Lucideus. Kayakalp awards 2016-17. Note: Lucideus is behind the security for BHIM app. 20. Indian master has been honored with the title of Lucideus has been co-founded by its CEO Saket Modi and Candidate Master (CM) by World Chess Federation -- was incubated out of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kush Bhagat. Bombay. Note: A second-grade student from Hill Spring 12. The first Indian Versatile female singer to collaborate International School has been awarded the title of with United Nations for women empowerment -- Neeti Candidate Master (CM) by World Chess Federation body. Mohan. 21. Indian-origin personality has been awarded the 2017 13. The prestigious Dr. B C Roy National award-2016 for United Kingdom’s (UK) Outstanding Bravery of the Year outstanding service in the field of socio-medical relief -- Award -- Shand Panesar. Dr. P Raghu Ram. Note: Panesar and Craig Nicholson were jointly awarded Note: This is the highest award that is bestowed upon a after the public voted for them in the Total Excellence in Medical person practicing in India & would be conferred Policing Awards.

23 | P a g e www.gradeup.co 22. The 4th National Yash Chopra Memorial Award-2017 -- 33. Eminent Malayalam journalist and author will be pre- . sented the 30th Moortidevi award by Bharatiya Jnanpith Note: The award commemorates the director-producer organization -- M P Veerendra Kumar. by honouring excellence in various spheres of cinema Note: He was chosen for the prestigious award for his like acting, music etc. Malayalam travelogue 'Hymavathabhoovil'. The award 23. The 2017 Brand Laureate Legendary Award -- Lata was presented by Jnanpith laureate M T Vasudevan Nair Mangeshkar. at a function at the Tagore Centenary. Note: The Brand Laureate Awards recognize world-class 34. The Harvard foundation 'Artist of the Year-2017 award" achievement in branding amongst individuals and in Cambridge -- Viola Davis. companies. Note: Harvard foundation award aims to honour the 24. Hindi litterateur and playwright has been selected for America’s most acclaimed artists and scientists each ‘Vyas Samman-2016’ -- Surendra Verma. year. Note: Vyas Samman was instituted in 1991 by the KK 35. The first Indian educational institution to make it to the Birla Foundation and carries a cash award of Rs 3.50 top 10 of a global ranking for universities -- The Indian lakh, a citation and a logo. Institute of Science(IISc), Bangalore. ➢ Surendra Verma has been selected for his novel Note: The IISc has been ranked eighth in the Times “Kaatna Shami Ka Vriksha Padma Pankhuri Ki Dhar Higher Education Rankings, 2017 in the best small Se”. universities category 25. Indian professional hockey player has been honored IISc, a public university for scientific research and higher education, was established in 1909 with active support with an Honorary Doctorate Degree by Desh Bhagat Uni- from Jamsetji Tata and Sir Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV, the versity -- Sandeep Singh. Maharaja of Mysore. 26. Two Indian films have bagged tophonorss at the annual 36. The best actress award for her performance in Sarbjit at 67th Berlin International Film Festival -- Newton and the International Film Festival and Awards of Australia Aaba (Short film). (IFFAA) -- . Note: Newton has won the CICAE Art Cinema Award and Short film Aaba has won Special Prize of Generation Note: The film “Sarabjit” is based on the story of an KPlus International Jury for Best Short Film. Indian national Sarbjit Singh (Randeep Hooda) who was 27. Indian institute has won the International Mercury punished by Pakistan’s Supreme Court on the charges of spying. Sarbjit’s sister Dalbir Kaur (Aishwarya Rai Awards for the year 2016-17 -- Entrepreneurship De- Bachchan) fought for him for years to get him back to the velopment Institute of India (EDII). country. 28. The movie won the Best Picture award at 89th Oscar 37. The women were honoured by the Prime Minister for Academy Awards -- Moonlight. their outstanding work in the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan -- Note: An American drama ‘Moonlight’ directed by Barry 10 women. Jenkins has won the Best Picture award at the 89th edition of Oscar Academy Awards at the Dolby Theater 38. Who has been bestowed with the 2016 Moorti Devi in Los Angeles, California. Award -- M P Veerendra Kumar. 29. The Best Foreign Language Film at 89th Oscar Academy Note: Kumar is Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) Awards -- The Salesman. of the Malayalam daily Mathrubhumi and a Rajya Sabha 30. The 2017 Harvard Humanitarian of the Year award -- MP. Robyn Rihanna Fenty. 39. Noted Konkani writer, has been honoured with the 2017 31. The 2017 Award for International Crick- Saraswati Samman for his novel ‘Hawthan’-- Mahaba- eter of the Year -- Virat Kohli. leshwar Sail. Note: Earlier, Kohli had won Polly Umrigar Award in Note: Mahabaleshwar is best known for his work, 2011-12 and 2014-15 and becomes the first Indian ‘Paltadcho Munis’, which inspired a film by the same cricketer to be bestowed the honor on three occasions. name. 32. The university who has won the annual Visitor’s Award 40. Honorary degree of Doctor of Science (DSc) by the city- for the ‘Best University 2017’ -- Jawaharlal Nehru Uni- based Maharashtra Animal and Fishery Sciences Univer- versity (JNU). sity --Mohan Bhagwat. Note: The Visitor’s Award for ‘Research’ is jointly won Note: Maharashtra Governor Vidyasagar Rao awarded by Shyam Sunder (Banaras Hindu University) and the honorary degree to Bhagwat at the convocation of Professor Niranjan Karak (Tezpur University). The the varsity. Bhagwat was honored with the degree for his 'Best University' will receive a Citation and Trophy while contribution in the field of veterinary sciences and social winners of Visitor's Award for 'Innovation' and work. 'Research' will receive a Citation and cash award of Rs. 41. Indian institute has won the 2017 IEEE Spectrum Tech- one lakh. nology in the Service of Society Award -- IIT Madras.

24 | P a g e www.gradeup.co 42. The new Miss International Queen 2016 -- Jiratchaya Si- Note: Earlier, The Government of India honored him rimongkolnawin. with the Padma Shri in 2004 and the Padma Bhushan in Note: This 12th edition of beauty pageant was held in 2016 for his contribution in the field of cinema and arts. Pattaya City, Thailand on March 10, 2017. 53. The Glenfiddich’s Emerging Artist of the Year-2017 -- Si- 43. 2017 Regeneron Science Talent Search award -- Indrani taram Swain. Das. 54. The best educational institution by HRD Ministry -- IISc Note: Indrani Das is a 17- year old Indian American Bangaluru. student from New Jersey. ➢ This is the oldest US Science Competition for the Note: Top University - Indian Institute of Science (Bengaluru) and Top College- Miranda House (Delhi) students and has been given the name of ‘ have made it to the top of respective categories. Nobel Prize’. 55. Indian Chief Minister has been selected for the US-India 44. The World's Best Airport by air travellers at the 2017 Business Council Award (US IBC) -- N. Chandrababu World Airport Awards for the fifth consecutive year -- Naidu. The Changi Airport (Singapore). Note: The USIBC has selected Mr. Naidu for the award of Note: The 2017 World Airport Awards are based on ‘Transformative Chief Minister. The Electronics and IT 13.82 million customer nominations across 105 Secretary Aruna Sundararajan would also receive nationalities of air travellers, with 550 airports Transformative Leadership Award at the Summit. worldwide. 56. An imprisoned Eritrean-Swedish journalist will receive 45. Indian personality has been selected to newly formed the 2017 UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom United Nations (UN) group on antimicrobial resistance -- Prize -- Dawit Isaakhas. Soumya Swaminathan. Note: Isaak was chosen for the prestigious award in 46. The institution has topped the Times Higher Education recognition of his courage, resistance, and commitment (THE)’s Asia University ranking 2017 -- National Uni- to freedom of expression. versity of Singapore (NUS). 57. Wisden's Leading Cricketer in the World for 2016 -- Vi- 47. A Canadian teacher has been named the winner of the rat Kohli. annual Global Teacher Prize at the Global Education and Note: Kohli becomes the third Indian to be bestowed Skills Forum in Dubai -- Maggie MacDonnell. with the honor, with (2008 and 2009) and Sachin Tendulkar (2010). Note: She received the cash prize of US $1m from the 58. The Best Children’s Film in the 64th National Awards - Vice President & Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and the Emir of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin 2017 -- Dhanak. Rashid al-Maktoum. Note: The award carries a ‘Golden Lotus Award’, a 48. Who has won the Abel Prize 2017 -- Yves Meyer. certificate and cash prize of Rs. 1.5 Lakh. Note: Meyer won the prestigious 2017 Abel Prize for 59. 64th National Awards - the Best actor for his movie, his pivotal role in the development of the mathematical ‘Rustom’ -- . theory of wavelets. Note: Director, was the head of the jury for 49. The Lifetime Achievement Award at the 6th National the 64th National Awards.National Film Awards were Photography Awards organized by the photo division of constituted in 1954 and are awarded yearly by the I&B ministry in New Delhi -- Raghu Rai. Directorate of Film Festivals. 60. The Best Hindi Movie of 2016 -- Neeraja. Note: Rai has also served on the jury of World Press Photo and UNESCO’s International Photo Contest. 61. The United Nations (UN)’s youngest-ever Messenger of 50. Who has been honoured with the Kuldip Nayar journal- Peace -- Malala Yousafzai. ism award 2017 -- Ravish Kumar. Note: As a peace messenger, Malala will help to promote Note: Eminent TV journalist Ravish Kumar has been education of girls across the globe. She is also the awarded inaugural ‘Kuldip Nayar journalism award’ youngest recipient of Nobel Peace Prize. for his contribution to the field of journalism at the India 62. The ‘Best Movie on Social Issues’ -- Pink. International Centre, New Delhi. He conferred with an 63. MIT Professor and inventor of World Wide Web has been award plaque along with a cash amount of Rs. 1 lakh. awarded Computer Science’s most prestigious award A. 51. Indian-origin filmmaker has been honoured with the M. Turing Award -- Tim Berners Lee. Sikh Jewel Award for 2017-- Gurinder Chadha. Note: The award is provided by Association for Note: She received the award from UK Defence Computing Machinery (ACM) and carries cash prize of $ Secretary Michael Fallon at the Vaisakhi Dinner 1 million which is provided by Google. organized by the British Sikh Association. 64. The Pulitzer Prize for 'Underground Railroad' -- Colson 52. ‘Kala Ratan Award’ received from Vice President of India Whitehead. -- . Note: Colson Whitehead's novel ‘The Underground Railroad’ has won the ‘Pulitzer Prize’ for fiction. The 25 | P a g e www.gradeup.co novel is about an escaped slave that combined liberating award is instituted and given under the aegis of Retired imagination and brutal reality. ICAR Employees Association (RICAREA) in association 65. Indian-origin educationist in the UK has been named the with the Nuziveedu Seeds Ltd (NSL). 'Asian Businesswoman of the Year' -- Asha Khemka. 74. The prestigious Raj Kapoor ‘Lifetime achievement Note: Khemka is the Principal and CEO of West award’ of the Maharashtra -- Saira Banu. Nottinghamshire College. She was honored for her 75. Veteran Actor has been selected for the Raj Kapoor ‘Spe- efforts in the field of education and skills at the Asian cial contribution award’ -- Jackie Shroff. Business Awards ceremony. Note: The lifetime achievement awards carry a citation 66. Posthumously conferred the 2016 Kirti Chakra award by and cash of five lakh rupees each, while both the special President Pranab Mukherjee -- Lance Havildar Prem contribution awards carry a citation and three lakhs Bahadur Resmi Magar. rupee in cash. Note: The Kirti Chakra is the second highest peacetime 76. The lifetime achievement award at the 80th Bengal Film gallantry award i.e. awarded for valour, courageous Journalists’ Association (BFJA) awards -- Moushumi action or self-sacrifice away from the field of battle. Chatterjee. 67. The most followed world leader on Instagram -- PM Nar- 77. Italian mayor has won the UNESCO Peace Prize -- endra Modi. Giuseppina Nicolini. Note:The Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emerged as Note: The UNESCO has awarded the ‘Peace Prize’ to the the most followed ‘world leader’ on photo-sharing app mayor of the Italian island of Lampedusa ‘Giuseppina ‘Instagram’ with a whopping 6.9 million followers. He Nicolini’ for her commitment to saving the lives of surpassed US President Donald Trump (6.3 million migrants and refugees. followers) and Pope Francis (3.7 million followers). 78. Two Indians to feature on the list of 100 most influential 68. The first Naga cop to receive Shaurya Chakra award people of 2017 -- PM 'Narendra Modi' and 'Vijay Shek- since Nagaland attained statehood -- Atu Zumvu. har Sharma'. 69. Gurudwara in Dubai has broken the world record for Note: PM Narendra Modi is described as a maestro of the serving free breakfast to the maximum number of people art of political seduction, playing on the existential fears from diverse nationalities on 'Baisakhi' -- Guru Nanak and cultural insecurities of people facing downward. Darbar. Paytm founder ‘Vijay Shekhar Sharma’ venture Paytm Note: Around People 101 nationalities people and over witnessed a huge growth by the end of 2016 with 177 600 people have participated in the 'Breakfast for million users. Diversity' an hour-long event to create the new record. 79. Writer novel Mathorubhagan (One Part Woman) has 70. The 2017 Cartier Women’s Initiative Award winner -- won the Sahitya Akademi award -2016 for translation in Trupti Jain. English -- Perumal Murugan. Note: Trupti Jain’ has won 2017 'Cartier Women's Note: The prize in the form of a casket containing an Initiative Awards' for providing women working on engraved copper plaque and a cash component of Rs farms with water management solutions and protecting 50,000. The book “One Part Woman” is a novel based on small farmers against droughts and flash floods. She a possible ancient cultural practice among people living receives a USD 100,000 prize money as well as a year of around Tiruchengode. mentoring. 80. The historian and archaeologist has won the prestigious 71. Philippine President has won Time magazine's readers' Dr. Paduru Gururaja Bhat Memorial Award- 2017 -- Prof. poll of the 100 most influential people in the world -- Ro- A.V. Narasimha Murthy. drigo Duterte. Note: The award carries a citation and a purse of fifty Note: Duterte received 5% of “yes” votes in the online thousand rupees. poll that started in the last week of March and closed on 81. The 75th Master Dinanath Mangeshkar award for his Monday.US Sen. Bernie Sanders and Russian President outstanding contribution to Indian Cricket -- Kapil Dev. Vladimir Putin won the reader poll in 2016 and 2015, 82. The second edition of the Golf Industry Association (GIA) respectively. Awards 2017 -- Aditi Ashok, S.S.P Chawrasia and Ali 72. 'Rashtriya Gaurav Gram Sabha Puraskar-2017 -- Bhalkhi Sher. Gram Panchayat. Note: Recently, Aditi finished second in the Ladies Note: These awards are being given to panchayats of European Tour (LET) order of merit in 2016. SSP various states for best performance during the year Chawrasia has won the Men's Player of the Year (2016). 2015-16. The awards would be given on the occasion of Golfer Ali Sher has won an Arjuna Award in 1991 and National Panchayati Raj Day (24th April) in Lucknow. then went on to win the Indian Open again in 1993. 73. The sixth ‘Dr. M.S. Swaminathan Award’ -- Rayappa 83. The prestigious ‘Krishi Karman Award 2015-16’ for the Ramappa Hanchinal. fifth consecutive year -- Madhya Pradesh. Note: He is the Chairperson of the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority, New Delhi. The 26 | P a g e www.gradeup.co Note: The award instituted by the Agriculture Ministry Directorate of Film Festivals, an organization set up by carries a trophy, citation & cash prize of Rs. 2 crores and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. cash reward of Rs 2 lakh rupees will be handed over to a 89. The lifetime achievement award at the 80th Bengal Film woman and a male farmer as 'best wheat producer'. MP Journalists' Association (BFJA) awards -- Moushumi wheat production in 2015-16 stood at 184.10 lakh tons Chatterjee. as against 171.03 lakh tons in 2014-15(rise of 7.64 %). Note: Bengali film actor Prosenjit Chatterjee has given 84. “Golden Peacock Award 2017” in the category of Innova- the best actor award for his role in ‘Sankhachil’. BFJA tive Product/Service for pioneering a cashless township Awards is given by the Bengal Film Journalists' transformation model -- The Gujarat Narmada Valley Association. Fertilizers & Chemicals Ltd (GNFC). 90. ‘Goldman Environmental Prize’ from Asia region for Note: The GNFC has won from among 313 applicants for championing the cause of State’s Dongria Kondh tribals Golden Peacock Global Award for Innovative and safeguarding their land & culture -- Prafulla Saman- Product/Service. Golden Peacock Awards has been tara. instituted by the Institute of Directors (IOD), India in Note: The prize also known as Green Nobel prize and 1991, are now regarded as a benchmark of Corporate Samantara is the sixth Indian to win the prize.Green Excellence worldwide. Nobel prize has been Instituted by the Goldman 85. Bollywood film has won the Jury Prize for best film at the Environmental Foundation, headquartered in San Hong Kong International Film Festival -- Newton. Francisco, Note: ‘Newton’ is Amit Masurkar's second film after 91. Who has honored with the 75th Master Dinanath ‘Sulemani Keeda’ in 2014. Newton is a 2017 Indian Mangeshkar Award for his outstanding performance in Hindi-language black comedy film directed by Amit V film ‘Dangal’ -- . Masurkar and produced by Manish Mundra of Drishyam Films. Note: Cricket legend Kapil Dev and veteran actor 86. Nobel laureate has been awarded the ‘P C Chandra Pu- Bali were also honored in the function. 92. Indian city has won Pierre L’enfant Planning Excellence raskar 2017’ for his global crusade against child slavery and Achievement Awards-2017-- Bhubaneswar. and exploitative child labour in Kolkata -- Kailash Sat- Note: The smart city ‘Bhubaneswar’ has received this yarthi. award for good and advanced town planning and Note: He was handed over a citation, a trophy and a engaging its residents in the planning process. cheque of Rs 10 lakh. Satyarthi has founded the 'Bachpan 93. The first Indian actor to deliver Ted Talk in Canada -- Bachao Andolan' in 1980. Shah Rukh Khan. 87. The honorary life membership to the former captain of Note: Mr. Khan has become the first Indian actor to the Indian women's Test team ‘Sandhya Agarwal’ -- deliver TED (Technology, Entertainment, and Design) Marylebone Cricket Club(MCC). speech in Vancouver, Canada. He also collaborated with Note: Agarwal is being honoured in recognition of her TED to host the Hindi version of the famous talk show. distinguished service to the game. 94. ‘Miss Teen Universe 2017’ in the event held at the Ru- 88. The 'Dadasaheb Phalke award' for the year 2016 for his ben Dario National Theatre in Nicaragua’s capital Mana- outstanding contribution to the film industry -- Kasina- gua -- Srishti Kaur. dhuni Viswanath. Note: Samantha Pierre (Canada) and Ary Trava (Mexico) Note: The award consists of a golden lotus, a cash prize were the runners-up in the event.The Miss Teen of Rs. 10 lakh and a shawl. The ‘Dadasaheb Phalke Universe beauty pageant for teens aged 15 to 19 is held Award’ is India's highest award in cinema. It is presented by the Miss Universe Organisation. annually at the National Film Awards ceremony by the

Important Dates

1. The World Braille Day (WBD) is observed on - 4th Janu- 6. The 2017 National Immunization Day (NID) celebrated ary. on-29th January. 2. The World Hindi Day (WHD) is observed every year on - 7. The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has celebrated its 40th 10th January. raising day on 1st Feb. 3. National Youth Day is celebrated in India on -12th Janu- 8. The World Cancer day (WCD) is observed every year on - ary. 4th February. th 4. The National Girl Child Day is celebrated on- 24 Janu- 9. The National Deworming Day (NDD) is celebrated on 10th ary. February. 5. The National Tourism Day is celebrated in India on 25th January.

27 | P a g e www.gradeup.co 10. The International Day of Women and Girls in Science is 37. The “International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of observed on 11th February. Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade” - 25th March. 11. The World Radio Day (WRD) is observed every year on - 38. The World Theatre Day (WTD) is observed on - 27th 13th February. March. 12. The United Nations' (UN) World Day of Social Justice is 39. The ‘World Autism Awareness Day’ has been observed annually observed on - 20th February. across the world on - 2nd April. 13. International Mother Language Day (IMLD) is a world- 40. The International Day of Mine Awareness and Assistance wide annual observance held on - 21st February. in Mine Action - 4th April. 14. The Central Excise Day (CED) is celebrated in India on 41. The National Maritime Day is being observed every year 24th February. in India on - 5th April. 15. The National Science Day (NSD) is celebrated every year 42. The United Nations’ (UN) International Day of Sport for in India on - 28th February. Development and Peace (IDSDP) is observed across the 16. The Zero Discrimination Day (ZDD) is observed every world on - 6th April. year on- 1st March. 43. The 'World Health Day’ is a global health awareness day 17. The World Hearing Day (WHD) is observed every year celebrated every year on - 7th April. on- 3rd March. 44. The 'World Heritage Day' is being observed across the 18. The World Wildlife Day (WWD) is observed every year on globe on - 18th April. -3rd March. 45. The ‘UN Chinese Language Day’ is observed every year 19. The International Women’s Day (IWD) is observed every on- 20th April th year on - 8 March. 46. The Civil Services Day (CSD) has been celebrated in India 20. The World Day Against Cyber Censorship (WDACC) is ob- - 21st April. served on - 12th March. 48. The International Mother Earth Day has been celebrated 21. The World Kidney Day (WKD) is observed every year on every year around the world on - 22nd April. the-2nd Thursday in March 49. The ‘World Book and Copyright Day’ (WBCD) is being ob- 29. The World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD) is observed served every year on - 23rd April. every year on - 15th March. 50. The United Nations English Language Day being observed 30. The 'International Day of Happiness' is celebrated annually on - 23rd April. throughout the world on - 20th March.

31. International Day of Forests observed every year on - 51. The ‘National Panchayati Raj Diwas’ being observed every year across India- 24th April. 21st March. 32. The World Poetry Day observed every year on- 21st 52. The ‘World Malaria Day being observed every year across March. the world on - 25th April. 33. The World water day is celebrated annually on - 22nd 53. The 'World Intellectual Property Day' is observed annu- March. ally on- 26th April. 34. The foundation day of Bihar (Bihar Diwas) is celebrated 54. The World Day for Safety and Health at Work to promote every year on- 22nd March. the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases 35. The United Nations' (UN) World Meteorological Day is an- globally observed on -28th April. nually held on - 23rd March. 55. The ‘World Press Freedom Day’ is observed every year on 36. The "World Tuberculosis Day" observed every year on - -- 3rd May. 24th March. 56. The ‘World Red Cross Day’ is observed annually on -- 8th May.

Defence

1. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has 3. China has successfully launched Fengyun-4 satellite, successfully launched remote sensing satellite Re- first of its new generation weather satellites into geosta- sourcesat-2A into its dedicated orbit. It was launched tionary orbit. onboard of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV)-C36 4. India successfully test fired its home-grown long range in- from first launch pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre in tercontinental surface-to-surface nuclear capable bal- Sriharikota. listic missile Agni-5. 2. Indian Navy’s eight landing craft utility (LCU) L-58 5. The first-ever joint military exercise “Pratikar-I” will be was launched by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engi- held between Nepal and China on 10th February neers Ltd (GRSE) in Kolkata, West Bengal. 2017.The focus of the military exercise will be on training

28 | P a g e www.gradeup.co Nepali forces in dealing with hostage scenarios involving The 610-foot The 610-foot-long ship, commissioned in international terror groups. Baltimore also has an advanced power plant and weapon 6. The first country in the world to use drones for national systems. mail service France. 21. Barak-8 - surface-to-air missile (LR-SAM) - India and Is- 7. The Google India will launch “Digitally Safe Consumer” rael jointly developed most advanced long range surface- campaign with the Ministry of Consumer Affairs in 2017 to-air missile (LR-SAM) Barak-8 was successfully test to raise awareness and protect consumer interest on the fired off the Odisha coast. The missile was test fired from internet. a mobile launcher at the Integrated Test Range in Chandi- pur in Balasore district in Odisha. 8. China has launched a global carbon dioxide monitoring 22. Akula II - India has signed agreement with Russia to satellite to understand climate change TanSat. lease second Akula-II class nuclear attack submarine 9. China has successfully tested the newest version of the J- (SSN). The deal is believed to be worth about $2 billion. 31stealth fighter “FC-31 Gyrfalcon”. 23. S-400 ‘Triumf’ air defence systems - India has signed a 10. NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) is defence deal worth nearly Rs 39,000 crore with Russia to sending first African-American space station crew purchase five state of art S-400 ‘Triumf’ air defence sys- member to space station in 2018 Jeanette Epps. tems. 11. India’s second Kalvari-class Scorpene stealth subma- Note: rine “INS Khanderi” has been launched in Mumbai. ✓ The S-400 Triumf- NATO names it Growler- is an anti- 12. The union railway minister Suresh Prabhu has released an aircraft weapon system. It has been developed by Android-based mobile application named “IRCTC Rail Russia’s Almaz Central Design Bureau. Connect’’ app to promote ease of ticketing through digital ✓ The system uses long range and medium range transactions. missiles. 13. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has ✓ The S 400 is the latest of a long range of highly signed pact with the French Space agency (CNES) satellite successful air defence systems that have been the launch technology. biggest threat to western aircraft across the world. 24. INS Tihayu - Indian Navy has commissioned INS Tihayu, 14. Pakistan Army has test-fired the first submarine- a Car Nicobar Class water jet fast attack craft (WJFAC). INS launched Cruise Missile Babur-3. Tahiyu is the sixth WJFAC Car Nicobar Class vessel to be 15. India and Vietnam have signed a civil nuclear cooper- commissioned and allotted to the Eastern Fleet of the ation agreement. With this, Vietnam became 14th coun- Indian Navy. It has been built by Kolkata-based shipyard try with which India has signed the civil nuclear deal. Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE). 16. China has successfully launched a navigation satellite 25. Communication satellite GSAT-18 successfully launched - XPNAV-1 India successfully launched the communication satellite 17. India has become the first non-NPT country with GSAT-18. The satellite was launched by a heavy-duty which Japan has signed a Civil Nuclear Agreement. rocket of Arianespace from the spaceport of Kourou in 18. NASA’s most powerful space telescope completed. French Guiana. The James Webb Space Telescope will be the succes- 26. Sarathi - The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has commissioned sor to NASA’s 26-year-old Hubble Space Telescope. It well-equipped offshore patrolling (OPV) vessel named will be 100 times more powerful than the Hubble ‘Sarathi’. It was commissioned by probe and may find the first galaxies that formed in the Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Union Defence early universe. Minister Manohar Parrikar at Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL) 19. China launches Long March 5 Rocket. shipyard at Vasco in south Goa. 20. Zumwalt - US Navy has commissioned its largest, most ex- pensive and technologically advanced destroyer, Zumwalt.

Schemes/ Policy Govt. of India

1. NITI Aayog announces launch of the schemes - Lucky The scheme became operational with the first draw on Grahak Yojana and Digi-Dhan Vyapar Yojana - for 25th December, 2016, leading up to a Mega Draw on incentivising digital payments. Babasaheb Ambedkar Jayanti on 14th April 2017. The primary aim of these schemes is to incentivize digital a) Lucky Grahak Yojana [Consumers]: Daily reward of transactions so that electronic payments are adopted by Rs 1000 to be given to 15,000 lucky Consumers for a all sections of the society, especially the poor and the period of 100 days, Weekly prizes worth Rs 1 lakh, Rs middle class. 10,000 and Rs. 5000 for Consumers who use the alternate 29 | P a g e www.gradeup.co modes of digital Payments. Note: Urja Ganga”, 1500 km long gas pipeline project b) Digi-Dhan Vyapar Yojana [Merchants]: Prizes for which costing Rs 51,000 crore to provide piped cooking Merchants for all digital transactions conducted at gas to residents of Varanasi within two years. Merchant establishments. Weekly prizes worth Rs. 10. The Ministry of Science and Technology has started two 50,000, Rs 5,000 and Rs. 2,500 new initiatives namely Biotech-KISAN (Krishi Innovation c) Mega Draw on 14th of April (Ambedkar Jayanti) - 3 Science Application Network) and Cattle Genomics. Mega Prizes for consumers worth Rs 1 cr, 50 lakh, 25 lakh & 3 Mega Prizes for merchants worth Rs 50 lakhs, 25 Note: Under the scheme, fellowship will be given to lakh, 12 lakh for digital transactions between 8th women farmers for training and education in the farm November, 2016 to 13th April, 2017 to be announced on practice. 14th April, 2017. 11. The Union Cabinet chaired by PM Narendra Modi has 2. The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY) given its approval to New Productivity Linked notified along with other provisions of Taxation Laws Reward(PLR) Scheme for all Major Port Trusts and Dock (Second Amendment) Act, 2016 came into effect from 17 Labour Board employees/workers for the years 2015-16 December 2016. It will remain open until March 31, 2017. to 2017-18. PMGKY is Union Government’s second income disclosure 12. Smart Ganga City Scheme in 10 cities – The scheme was scheme (IDS) to allow tax evaders to come clean with launched by Union Minister for Water Resources, River unaccounted wealth. It provides for 50 per cent tax and Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Uma Bharti and surcharge on declarations of unaccounted cash deposited Union Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu. in banks. Key points: The scheme was launched in 10 ten 3. Vittiya Saksharata Abhiyan (VISAKA) was launched by important cities through video conference. These cities the Union Ministry for Human Resource Development are – 1. Haridwar, 2. Rishikesh, 3. Mathura-Vrindavan, 4. (HRD) to make people aware about cashless economic Varanasi, 5. Kanpur, 6. Allahabad, 7. Lucknow, 8. Patna, 9. system. It was launched by Union HRD minister Prakash Sahibgunj, 10. Barrackpore. These cities were chosen as Javadekar in New Delhi. It is campaign by Higher part of the Phase-I of the National Mission for Clean Educational institutions for digital economy. Ganga (NMCG) for infrastructure development for sewage treatment. 4. Rajasthan Government has launched Annapurna Rasoi Scheme to provide quality meal at cheap price to poor 13. Odisha government has launched Madhubabu Aain and needy on lines with Tamil Nadu Government’s Amma Sahayata Sibir’ (MASS) scheme to provide legal assistance canteens. The tagline for the scheme is: “Sabke liye to deprived sections of the society at the grassroots level. bhojan, sabke liye sammaan (Food for all, respect for all)”. The scheme has been named after great Odia lawyer Babu, who is considered as the first lawyer of 5. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has launched Student Odisha. Key Features of Scheme State government will credit card scheme for the students passing Class 12th provide free legal consultations to deprived sections of exam.It will fecilaitate to get an interest free loan of Rs the society by setting up legal assistance cells in all 6,812 four lakh for pursuing higher studies. gram panchayats across the state. Legal assistance will 6. Jharkhand became the first state in the country to be given in shape of free legal aid in order to ensure that implement Direct Benefit Transfer(DBT) in Kerosene. The opportunities for securing justice are not denied to any scheme would be implemented in four identified districts citizen for economic and other reasons. of the state from 1st of October 2017. These districts are 14. Swadesh Darshan scheme – The scheme was launched Chatra, Hazaribagh, Khunti and Jamtara. by Union Tourism Ministry with an aim to develop theme 7. The 'Farm Tourism' scheme launched by Haryana based tourist circuits in the country. Key points: The Tourism Minister Rambilas Sharma to attract people to Union Government has approved 450 crore for the villages. scheme. The scheme was launched in 5 states for the Note: Under this scheme, farm owners can host tourists development of Heritage circuit in Madhya Pradesh and under holiday packages. Uttarakhand, Ramayana Circuit in Uttar Pradesh, North East Circuit in Sikkim and Coastal Circuit of Tamil Nadu. 8. Maharashtra government launched ‘Kaushalya Setu’, its skill development programme for students. 15. Biju Kanya Ratna Yojana (BKRY) - The scheme was launched by the Odisha Government for the development Note: The state will play a leading role in fulfilling PM of girls in three districts of the state which are - Ganjam, Narendra Modi’s Skill India Mission-2020. Dhenkanal and Angul. The objective the scheme is to 9. PM launched several schemes including ‘Urja Ganga’ gas improve Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) and Child Sex Ratio pipeline project in Varanasi. (CSR) in the three districts. 16. National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) – The scheme was announced by the union government 30 | P a g e www.gradeup.co which aims to providing apprenticeship training to over Note: A special assistance scheme for elderly weavers. 50 lakh youngsters in order to create more jobs. Key The scheme was launched by Chief Minister Naveen points – The Scheme has an outlay of 10,000 crore Patnaik on the occasion of the second National rupees with a target of 50 Lakh apprentices to be trained Handlooms Day (observed on 7th August). The scheme by 2019-20. Central Government will also directly share aims at improving the financial condition of over 8,000 25% of the total stipend (maximum of 1,500 rupees per weavers in the state. month per apprentice) payable to an apprentice with 21. DISHA scheme launched by govt. - The Union employers. Government has constituted the District Development 17. Indian Railway launched Insurance scheme for Coordination and Monitoring Committee (DDCMC) for passengers travelling on e- ticket effective development and coordination of Central Note: The scheme was launched by Union Railway Government’s programme. It will be known as DISHA. Minister Suresh Prabhu in New Delhi. Key Points - It will monitor the implementation of 28 Key points – Person booking a train ticket through the schemes and programmes of Union Ministry of Rural IRCTC website will be eligible for the travel insurance and Development and other Ministries to promote synergy it is optional. To avail the facility, train passengers have and convergence for greater impact. The main purpose of to pay 92 paisa premium. The insurance cover will not be the DISHA is to coordinate with Central and State and applicable for children upto 5 years of age and foreign local Panchayat Governments. It has been created for citizens. The facility will be available only for confirmed effective coordination and development of Central and RAC ticket passengers. The scheme offers travellers Government’s programme for infrastructure or nominees a compensation of 10 lakh Rupees in the development or Social and human resource development. event of death or total disabilty, 7.5 lakh Rupees for 22. ‘Himayat’ programme launched in J & K – The scheme partial disability. Besides it will pay upto 2 lakh Rupees was launched in Jammu & Kashmir. for hospitalisation expenses and 10,000 rupees for Note: The govt. had approved nearly 1,600 crore rupees transportation of mortal remains from the place of a train for the implementation of the ‘Hinayat Programme’ in the accident. state. 18. E-Library ‘Sugamya Pustakalaya’ - The Union 23. Prime Minister launched Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Government has launched Accessible E-Library ‘Sugamya Yojana at Ballia. Pustakalaya’ for Divyang under Prime Minister’s Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan. It was jointly launched by Union Note: It will provide 5 crore LPG connections to BPL Ministers Ravi Shankar Prasad, Prakash Javadekar and Families. Thawar Chand Gehlot at a fucntion in New Delhi. 24. Interest Subvention Scheme for farmers - The scheme Key points: Sugamya Pustakalaya is an online library for will help farmers getting short term crop loan payable Divyang and houses publications across diverse subjects within one year up to 3 lakhs Rupees at only 4% per and languages and multiple accessible formats. In this annum. online library books will available in accessible formats 25. Ujjwal Discom Assurance Yojana (UDAY) - The Union for people with visual impairment and other print Cabinet has approved proposal of extending the deadline disabilities. It will house over 2 lakhs books in diverse for implementing the Ujjwal Discom Assurance Yojana languages. It will also integrate libraries across India and (UDAY) by a year to March 31, 2017. The UDAY scheme the Globe, including the largest international library aims at bringing ailing power discoms to a state of Bookshare. operational efficiency, with state governments taking 19. Mission Bhagiratha, safe drinking water scheme over up to 75% of their respective debt and issuing launched in Telangana – The scheme was launched by sovereign bonds to pay back the lenders. Prime Minsiter Narendra Modi. It was launched by state 26. Union Government launches UJALA Scheme - Unnat Government at Komatibanda Village, Gajwel in Medak Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All (UJALA) will help people District of Telangana. of Madhya Pradesh get subsidised 9W energy efficient Key points : Mission Bhagiratha is a water grid project LED bulbs by paying just 85 rupees per LED bulb. that aims to provide safe drinking water to all even to remotest places in Telangana. The objective of the 27. Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana: It is a small deposit scheme scheme is to provide 100 litres of clean drinking water for the girl child. per person in rural households and 150 litres per person Key points of the scheme – in urban households. Under it safe drinking water will be In one family, a maximum of two accounts can be opened provided to about 25000 rural habitations and 67 urban for two girl children. The account can be transferred habitations. anywhere in India from one Post office/Bank to another. Age Limit: The upper age limit of the girl child for 20. Baristha Bunakar Sahayata Yojana launched in Odisha opening this account is 10 years. The govt. has given a

31 | P a g e www.gradeup.co relaxation of one year in the upper age limit for those tax-free under section 80C and also the proceeds amount opening accounts till December 1, 2015. will get tax-exemption u/s 10(10D). Documents required - 1. Birth Certificate of the girl 30. Atal Pension Yojana (APY): It is a scheme mainly for child. 2. Address proof. 3. Identity proof. workers in unorganised sector. The scheme will be Minimum & Maximum deposit: The minimum deposit administered by the Pension Fund Regulatory and under the scheme is Rs. 1000/-. The maximum deposit is Development Authority (PFRDA) and replace the Rs. 1.5 lakhs. There is no limit on the number of previous government's Swavalamban Yojana NPS Lite. investments one can make in an account either in a Key points of the scheme: month or in a year. The subscribers who will joined the scheme would Interest rate: The revised rate is 8.6%. receive the fixed pension of Rs. 1000 per month, Rs. 2000 Maturity period: The maturity period of the scheme is 21 per month, Rs. 3000 per month, Rs. 4000 per month, Rs. years from the date of account opening, though deposits 5000 per month, at the age of 60 years, depending on need to be made only for the first 14 years. The minimum their contributions. lock-in in period under the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana is Age limit: minimum 18 years and maximum age is 40 11 years. years. 28. Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY): The A subscriber can contribute for minimum period of 20 scheme aims to impart skill training to youth with focus years or more and pension payment will start at the age on first time entrants to the labour market and class 10 of 60 years. and class 12 drop outs. The scheme will be implemented The government of India has decided to co-contribute by the Union Ministry of Skill Development and 50% of the subscriber's contribution or Rs. 1000 per Entrepreneurship through the National Skill annum, whichever is lower, to each eligible subscriber Development Corporation (NSDC). It will cover 24 lakh account, for a period of 5 years, i.e., from 2015-16 to persons and skill training would be based on the National 2019-20, who join the NPS before 31st December, 2015 Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF) and industry led and who are not income taxpayers. standards. 31. Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY): It is 29. Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY): It an insurance scheme which covers death or disablement is a low premium insurance scheme which will link with of the policyholder caused due to accident or accidental the Pradhan Mantri Jhan Dhan Yojna. injuries. Key points of the scheme: Key points of the scheme: Age limit: Minimum 18 yrs Eligibility: Minimum 18 years and maximum 50 years and maximum 70 years. The scheme will be a one year and have bank account are eligible for the scheme. If the cover, renewable from year to year and would be account is opened before attaining the age of 50 years, administered through the Public Sector General the life cover would remain intact up to the age of 55 Insurance Companies in collaboration with Banks. years, if premium is paid regularly. Premium - Rs.330 per Risk coverage: Rs. 2 Lakh and for partial disability cover year i.e. less than Rs.1 per day. Risk coverage - Rs.2 Lakh of Rs. 1 Lakh. in case of death for any reason. The premium paid will be Premium: Rs.12 per annum. The premium will be directly auto-debited by the bank from the subscribers' account.

Sports International

1. The 2016 Mubadala World Tennis Championship -- Note: He has become the 82nd player to be inducted . into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame. Note: The winner received a purse of $ 250,000. 4. First batsman of Pakistan to score test hundreds in 11 2. Gold Medal in the 2016 World Blitz Chess Champion- countries-- Younis Khan. ship in Doha, Qatar -- Sergey Karjakin. 5. The 2017 Qatar Open Men’s singles tennis tournament winner-- . Note: This was Karjakin’s first world title in blitz chess. Note: He won the match at Doha by defeating World 3. The Australian opening batsman who was recently in- ducted into ICC Hall of Fame posthumously is -- Ar- No. 1 by 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 thur Morris. 32 | P a g e www.gradeup.co 6. A new world record for cycling the furthest distance in record set by tennis legends and Serena one hour for riders aged 105 or older -- Robert Williams and surfer Kelly Slater, who are all four-time Marchand. Laureus winners. Note: Robert rode more than 22.5 kilometers at an 19. The Legendary Pakistan all-rounder has announced his indoor venue on the outskirts of Paris. retirement from international cricket -- Shahid Afridi. 7. The Best FIFA Men’s player award at the 2016 Best 20. Who has claimed ABN AMRO World Tennis Tourna- FIFA Football Awards in Zurich-- Cristiano Ronaldo. ment in Rotterdam -- Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Note: He beat Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Atletico Note: He defeated third seeded David Goffin of Madrid's Antoine Griezmann to the prize. Belgium 4-6, 6-4, 6-1. 8. The 2017 Qatar Open Men’s Singles title winner -- No- 21. The International Hockey Federation (FIH) Male Player vak Djokovic. of the Year 2016 -- John-John Dohmen. 9. New Director of West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) -- 22. The country to host 2017 ICC Women’s Cricket World Jimmy Adams. Cup-- England. Note: Adams is the former head coach of the Kent Note: The 11th edition of ICC Women’s Cricket World County Cricket Club (England county) will officially Cup 2017 will be hosted by England from 24 June to 23 take over the position for a three-year contract. July 2017. 10. The 2017 Scottish Junior Open Squash championship 23. The International Hockey Federation (FIH) female winner -- Shreyas Mehta. Player of the Year 2016 -- Naomi van. 11. The 2017 Delhi International Open chess tournament 24. Teenage spinner of Bangladesh has won the Debutant winner -- Farrukh Amonatov of the Year Award for his 19 wickets in the 2 match Note: He has won the 15th edition of Delhi Test series against England -- Mehedi Hasan Miraj. International Open chess tournament-2017 and 25. The ‘Test Batting Performance of the Year’ -- Ben received Rs. 4 lakh in prize money. Stokes (England). 12. All-rounder of Australia has been adjusted Cricket Aus- 26. The new brand ambassador for 2018 ODI Blind Cricket tralia's T20 International Player of the Year -- Shane World Cup -- Shahid Afridi. Note: The Pakistan Blind Cricket Council (PBCC) has Watson. announced that former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Note: Watson retired from international cricket just Afridi has been appointed as the ambassador for the after the World T20 in India last year. fifth edition of the Blind Cricket World Cup next year. 13. The 2017 Women's Singles title win- 27. The ATP Mexico Open hard court tennis tournament at ner ---Serena Jameka Williams. Acapulco in Mexico -- Note: She defeated her sister (36- Note: He defeated Rafael Nadal (second-seeded) in years) in the final, 6–4, 6–4. straight sets 6-3, 7-6. 14. The 2017 Men’s singles Australian Open tennis 28. The third consecutive Brazil Open title by beating Al- tournament winner -- Roger Federer. bert Ramos-Vinolas -- (Uruguay). Note: He defeated Rafael Nadal of Spain by 6-4, 3-6, 6- Note: It was Cuevas' sixth career ATP singles title. 1, 3-6, 6-3. It was Federer’s first major title win after 29. The country is hosting the 2017 Special Olympics the 2012 Wimbledon. World Winter Games --Austria. 15. Australian cricketer has decided to retire from all for- Note: The Special Olympics World Games are an mats of international cricket -- Adam Voges. international sporting competition for athletes with Note: He has played 20 Tests for Australia after intellectual disabilities, organized by Special Olympics. debuting at the age of 35-year in 2015 and became the 30. The ATP title in California, USA oldest debut centurion when he scored not out 130 winner -- Roger Federer. runs against West Indies in Dominica. Note: He defeated (Switzerland) 6-4, 16. The 2017 Laureus World Sports Awards for Sports- 7-5. woman of the Year --Simone Biles. 31. The Men's Singles crown at the All England Open bad- Note: She is the first woman to win four gymnastics minton championships -- Lee Chong Wei(Malaysia). gold medals in a single Olympic Games. Note: He defeated Shi Yuqi (China) in straight games 17. The first Indian ever to be promoted by the Interna- 21-12, 21-10. The All England Open Badminton tional Basketball Federation (FIBA) as Technical Dele- Championships is the world's oldest badminton gate (TD)-- Norman Isaac. tournament, held annually in England. 18. The 2017 Laureus World Sports Awards for Sport man 32. The season-opening Australian Formula One Grand of the Year -- Usain Bolt. Prix for Ferrari winner -- Sebastian Vettel (Ger- Note: Bolt was conferred with the top honour for the many). fourth time (2009, 2010 and 2013) and equal the 33 | P a g e www.gradeup.co Note: Lewis Hamilton finished second and the Briton’s 37. FIFA has banned Guatemala's former football chief for Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas into third. life from all football-related activities at national and 33. The Australian fast bowler retires from all forms of international level -- Brayan Jimenez. cricket -- Shaun Tait. Note: He was banned for accepting bribes worth Note: Tait represented his country in 3 Tests, 35 One- several hundred thousand dollars in exchange for Day Internationals (ODI) and 21 Twenty20 media and marketing rights for key matches. Internationals during which he picked up 95 wickets. 38. Men's Singles title of Monte Carlo Masters Tennis tour- 34. Who won the 2017 Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix tour- nament -2017 winner-- Rafael Nadal. nament -- Lewis Hamilton. Note: The Monte-Carlo Masters is an annual tennis Note: British Formula One racing driver from England tournament for male professional players held in has won the 2017 Formula One Chinese Grand Prix at Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, France, a commune that the Shanghai International Circuit in Shanghai, China. borders on Monaco. 35. The 2017 at Crandon Park in Key Bis- 39. Pakistani legendary cricketer has become the first Pa- cayne, Florida, United States winner -- Roger Federer. kistan player and 13th ever batsmen to complete Note: It was the 32nd edition of the Miami Open and of 10,000 Test runs -- Younis Khan. the Premier Mandatory category on the 2017 WTA Note: He became the oldest and sixth fastest batsmen Tour. to reach 10,000 runs milestone with respect to innings 36. The 2017 Bahrain Grand Prix winner -- Sebastian Vet- played. tel. Note: The 2017 Bahrain Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race that took place at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain. National

1. The women football team has won the 2016 SAFF Note: An initial stage of 16 groups of three teams will Women’s Championship -- India. precede a knockout stage for the remaining 32 when Note: This is India’s 4th consecutive SAFF Women’s the change is made for the 2026 tournament. Championship title. 9. Under-19 British Junior Open Squash 2017 tourna- 2. The 2017 National Ice Skating Championship was held ment winner -- Velavan Senthilkumar. -- Gurugram (Haryana). 10. Indian hockey player has become a member of Interna- Note: Approx 300 ice skaters across the country will tional Hockey Federation (FIH) Athletes’ Committee -- participate in the 2-day event PR Sreejesh 3. India's tennis singles player has announced his retire- Note: The committee consists of a total of 8 current ment from professional tennis -- . and former hockey players who have the responsibility Note: He has two runners-up finishes on the ATP to act as a liaison between the FIH and the athletes to World Tour as his best performances on the Tour. make sure the players have voice in the FIH decision 4. Indian cricketer has announced to step down as cap- making process. tain of Team India's limited over cricket matches -- 11. The 2017 Chennai Open Men’s Singles title winner -- Mahindra Singh Dhoni . 5. All three gold medals on offer in the 1st Western Asia 12. The 3rd edition of Kolkata Open National Invitation Youth Chess Championships -- Kush Bhagat. Snooker Championship 2017 winner -- Pankaj Ad- 6. The 38th All India Railways Woman's Hockey champi- vani. onship winner -- South Eastern Railway (SER). Note: He has defeated Aditya Mehta by 5-1 and wins Note: South Eastern Railway (SER) has defeated the 3rd Kolkata open National Invitation Snooker Western Railway 2-1 in the final of the 38th All India Championship 2017 at the Bengal Rowing Club in West Railways Women's Hockey Championship. Bengal. 7. The 2017 Aircel Chenni Open men’s doubles tourna- 13. The tournament 2016-17 winner -- Guja- ment winner -- and Jeevan Nedun- rat. chezhiyan. Note: The Gujarat cricket team has won their first- Note: They defeated compatriots Purav Raja and Divij ever Ranji Trophy title in the 2016–17 season after Sharan in the final by 6-3, 6-4 at the SDAT Tennis defeating Mumbai by 5 wickets in the final in Indore Stadium in Chennai (Tamil Nadu). (Madhya Pradesh). 8. The Federation Internationale de Football Association 14. The National Level Competitions for various sports for (FIFA) Council has decided to expand the FIFA World Under-14 and Under-17 children “Khelo India” has in- Cup to a 48-team competition as of -- 2026 edition. augurated in the city -- New Delhi. 34 | P a g e www.gradeup.co 15. the 2017 Vodafone (PBL) Note: He scored 211 times for Chelsea and won every tournament winner -- Chennai Smashers. major club honour, netting the goals which in 2005 Note: He defeated Mumbai Rockets in the final by 4-3 secured the club's first championship title in 50 years. at the Siri Fort Complex in New Delhi. 25. Who has won the Indian National Snooker Champion- 16. The 2017 Pro Wrestling League (PWL) winner -- Pun- ship -- Pankaj Advani. jab Royals. Note: He has become the only Indian men's cueist to Note: He defeated Haryana Hammers in the final by 5- be the holder of all national billiards and snooker titles 4 in New Delhi. at the same time - Billiards, 6-red Snooker and 15-red Snooker. 17. The Under-19 Cooch Behar Trophy 2016-17 season 26. The gold medal in the boy's team event at the Asian winner -- Bengal. Junior Squash championship in Hong Kong -- India. 18. The first Indian stadium to have stands named after Note: Indian boys had won the title for the second war heroes -- Eden Gardens stadium(Kolkata). time, Earlier, in 2011 they defeated arch-rivals Note: Eden Gardens stadium at Kolkata will become Pakistan in Colombo. the first Indian stadium to have stands named after 27. An emphatic 4-1 victory over New Zealand in the Davis the war heroes. Cup Asia/Oceania Group I tie, in Pune -- India. 19. The T20 Blind Cricket World Cup -2017 hosted by -- Note: India now play second round tie at home in India. April against Uzbekistan. Note: T20 Blind Cricket World Cup will be hosted by 28. The Women's Singles title of the 81st Senior National India from January 29 to February 12, 2017. Badminton Championships tournament -- Rituparna 20. The fastest captain of the country who scored 1000 Das. runs -- Virat Kohli. Note: She defeated Reshma Karthik of Air India in Note: He took just 17 innings as captain to get the straight sets 21-12, 21-14. milestone.Kohli has overtaken the previous record of 29. The country will host 2017 FIBA women’s Asia Cup AB de Villiers (South Africa)-18 innings, Kane basketball tournament -- India. Williamson (New Zealand)-20 innings, Alastair Nathan Note: This tournament will be the qualifying Cook (English cricketer)-21 innings and Sourav tournament for FIBA Asia at the 2018 FIBA World Ganguly (former India captain)-22 innings. Championship for Women in Spain. 36. The 2017 Men’s singles Syed Modi Grand Prix Gold 30. The Billiards and Snooker Federation of India (BSFI) badminton tournament winner-- Sameer Verma. has announced that India will host the World Billiards Championship for the next -- four years. 37. Who won the Gold at Malaysia Masters Grand Prix - Note This will be the only World Championship 2017 title -- . recognized by all as the earlier one being held by the Note: The 2017 Malaysia Masters Grand Prix Gold was World Billiards Limited will not take place now. The the first grand prix's badminton tournament of the World Billiards Limited will only have ranking events. 2017 BWF Grand Prix Gold and Grand Prix. 31. The Men’s singles title of the 81st senior national Bad- 21. The 18th Asian Junior Team Squash Championship- minton Championships tournament winner -- Sourabh 2017 winner-- India. Verma. Note: Indian team has won gold medal in the boys’ Note: He defeated Lakshya Sen in straight sets 21-13, team event at the 18th Asian Junior Team Squash 21-12. Championship-2017 by defeating Malaysia by 2-0 in 32. Selected for 2017 All-Star Basketball without Borders the final in Hong Kong. (BWB) Global Camp -- Aashay Verma and Priyanka 22. Olympic and Paralympic medals for the Tokyo 2020 Prabhakara. Games will be made from recycled -- mobile phones. 33. The country to host the 2017 IAAF World Athletics Note: The Japanese public will be asked to donate old Championship -- United Kingdom. phones and small appliances to gather two tonnes of Note: The 16th edition of the IAAF World gold, silver, and bronze for the 5,000 medals. Championships will be held in August 2017 in London, 23. The World No. 1 Junior Badminton player in the latest United Kingdom (UK). rankings of the Badminton World Federation (BWF) -- 34. The first Indian cricketer to sign for a foreign T20 Lakshya Sen. league--Yusuf Pathan. Note: He moved Chia-Hao Lee of Chinese Taipei to 35. The Official mascot of FIFA U-17 World Cup _____Khe- attain the top spot. leao. 24. The former Football player of England and Chelsea has Note: The clouded leopard is an endangered wild cat announced to retire -- Frank Lampard. whose habitat extends from the Himalayan foothills to mainland Southeast Asia.

35 | P a g e www.gradeup.co 36. The sports outreach programme has been launched by 46. The silver in men’s double trap at the International the Union Government to promote football among Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup 2017-- school children -- Mission-XI-Million. Ankur Mittal. Note: A “Mission-Eleven-Million” sports outreach 47. Indian shooter has clinched a silver medal in 50-metre programme to promote football among school air pistol event of ISSF World Cup in New Delhi -- children. Amanpreet Singh. 37. The city to host India’s first sport theme literary festi- 48. Indian shooter has clinched a gold medal in 50-metre val ‘SporTale’ -- Pune. air pistol event of ISSF World Cup in New Delhi -- Jitu Note: The 2-day event will feature approx 38 Rai. luminaries from the field of sports, media, cinema, 49. The 'Captain of the Year' at the 10th annual books and photography. ESPNcricinfo Awards -- Virat Kohli. 38. The Indian Women's team has won a medal at the 50. Indian has won bronze at 2017 Women’s Asian women’s Rugby Sevens Trophy tournament at -- Harika Dronavalli. Vientiane, Laos -- Silver medal. Note: She has won a bronze medal at the 2017 39. Legendary cricketer has been removed from captaincy Women’s World Chess Championship in Tehran. of IPL franchise Rising Pune Super giants -- Mahendra 51. Indian shuttler duo has won the Men’s Double title at Singh Dhoni. the 2017 Series at MTN Arena Note: The Rising Pune Super giants (RPS) are a cricket Lugogo, Kampala -- and . team based in Pune, Maharashtra, India that plays in Note: They defeated and Georges Julien the starting 2016. Paul of Mauritius, 21-8, 21-14. 40. The gruelling men's 50-kilometre event of the National 52. The first set of spinners to be jointly ranked number Race Walking Championships in New Delhi -- Sandeep one in the “ICC Test rankings” for bowlers -- Ravichan- Kumar. dran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. Note: Sandeep clocked three hours 55 minutes and Note: Jadeja reached the top position for the first time 59.05 seconds in a brilliant performance to win the in his career. race and qualify for the London World Championships in August. 53. The second Indian golfer to successfully defend the Hero Indian Open title -- SSP Chawrasia. 41. National level swimmer-turned-model has completed Note: He clinched a seven-stroke win at the redesigned an extremely high endurance event called ‘Ultraman’ a DLF golf and country club in Gurgaon(Haryana). 517.5 km race on in Florida -- Milind Soman. Note: The challenge requires participants to complete 54. Indian sportsperson has won silver at 2017 Eden a 10-kilometre open water swim, a 423-kilometre-long World Women Snooker Championship -- Vidya Pillai. bike ride and an 84-kilometre ultra-marathon run. 55. The bronze in Asian 20km Race Walk Championships - 42. Former Asian champion has won the bronze in the - K T Irfan. women’s 10 metre air rifle event in the 2017 Interna- Note: National record holder K T Irfan clocked an tional Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup -- impressive timing to win a bronze in the 20 kilometer Pooja Ghatkar (India). men's event in the Asian Race Walk Championships at Note: Ghatkar shot 228.8 score in the final to finish Nomi in Japan. third. 56. The team has won Trophy 2017 -- Tamil 43. The country to host the 2019 Combined World Cup for Nadu. shooting -- India. Note: The (known as the Ranji Note: India will host the 2019 Combined World Cup One-Day Trophy) was started in 2002–03 as a limited- for shooting, a qualifying event for the 2020 Tokyo overs cricket domestic competition involving state Olympics. teams from the Ranji Trophy plates. It is named after 44. The men's title in the second edition of the IDBI Fed- the famous Indian cricketer Vijay Hazare. eral Life Insurance New Delhi Marathon -- Thanackal 57. The union govt. has designated National Observers in Gopi. their respective disciplines to assist the Govt, Sports Note: In Men's full marathon Gopi clocked 2 hours, 15 Authority of India, and National Sports Federations minutes, and 37 seconds to win the race in his first (NSFs) -- 12 Olympians. appearance in the event. Note: These National Observers will be playing a key 45. The hockey team has won the 5th edition of Coal India role in the implementation of action plans for Mission (HIL) 2017 tournament -- Ka- Olympics 2020, 2024 and 2028. 58. Indian Badminton player has been appointed a new linga Lancers. member of the governing body of Sports Authority of Note: Kalinga Lancers have lifted the fifth edition India (SAI) -- Jwala Gutta. Hockey India League Title in Chandigarh.

36 | P a g e www.gradeup.co 59. The ‘Garfield Sobers Trophy’ for the ‘ICC Cricketer of Note: She has defeated top seed Carolina Marin the Year 2016’ as well as the ‘ICC Test Cricketer of the (Spain) in straight sets 21-19, 21-16 at the India Open Year 2016’ -- Ravichandran Ashwin. badminton championship 2017 at the Siri Fort Sports Complex in New Delhi. Note: The ‘Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy’ is a cricket trophy awarded annually by the International Cricket 68. The first title of the season Leon Challenger Tour ten- Council (ICC) to its chosen world player of the year. nis tournament's men's doubles trophy in Mexico -- 60. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has & . Note:They defeated (Switzerland) and doubled the Annual Retainer ship fee of India's cen- Caro Zampieri (Brazil) 6-1, 6-4 in the title clash. With trally contracted cricketers -- 32 players. this win, Paes clinched his 20th ATP Challenger title. ➢ Grade-A cricketers (Seven) are skipper Virat 69. Who will not take part in the ‘2018 Pyeongchang Win- Kohli, former captain MS Dhoni, Ravichandran ter Olympics’ -- The National Hockey League (NHL). Ashwin, Ajinkya Rahane, Cheteshwar Pujara, Note: The NHL had participated in every Winter Ravindra Jadeja and Murali Vijay, will be paid two Olympics since the 1998 Nagano Winter Games. crore rupees annually. 70. The Indian Premier League has begun with defending ➢ Grade-B players (Nine) including Rohit Sharma, champions Sunrisers Hyderabad taking on Royal Chal- lengers Bangalore in the season opener in the city -- , Lokesh Rahul and Wriddhiman Saha Hyderabad. will be paid Rs. one crore per annum. Note: The IPL matches this time will be played over ➢ Grade-C players (Sixteen) including Shikhar Dha- the course of 47 days at 10 different venues, with a wan, Amit Mishra, and Ashish Nehra, will be paid total of 60 matches to be played between April 6 and Rs. 50 lakh annually. May 21. 61. Indian Para-athletes bagged medals in the 9th Fazaa 71. India’s first NBA Basketball School has started in the International IPC Athletics Grand Prix in Dubai -- city -- Mumbai. Note: The school is a part of a multi-year agreement Eight. with India On Track (IOT), open to male and female Note: 3 gold, 1 silver, and 4 bronze. players between ages 6-18. 62. The 71st edition of premier domestic football tourna- 72. The company has been named the official Innovation ment ‘’ by defeating Goa at Bambolim -- Partner for the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 -- Intel. West Bengal. Note: The ICC has collaborated with Intel to transform Note: Santosh Trophy is an annual Indian football the cricket experience for fans and help coaches and tournament started in 1941. players improve performance. 63. Indian pair have won the USD 20,000 ‘Vietnam Open 73. The ace cueist has won his sixth Asian Billiards title International Challenger badminton title’ in Hanoi, Vi- and seventh overall Asian championship -- Pankaj Ad- etnam -- Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty vani. Note: He defeated compatriot Sourav Kothari 6-3 to Note: They defeated the fifth-seeded Thai duo of clinch the Asian Billiards Championship title in Trawut Potieng and Nanthakam Yordphaisong in 17- Chandigarh. 21, 21-9, 21-15. 74. The 2017 Men’s singles Singapore Open Badminton 64. Indian forward has been named the ‘Asian Player of tournament winner -- B Sai Praneeth. the Year 2016’ by the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) - Note: Indian badminton player ‘B Sai Praneeth’ has - V Sunil. won men’s single title, beating ‘Kidambi Srikanth’ 17- Note: The nominations for the awards were made by 21, 21-17, 21-12 in the 2017 Singapore Open coaches across the national teams in Asia. Badminton tournament. 65. In the junior Hockey men's category, drag flicker has 75. Both the singles and doubles crown at the Pem- been named the Asian Promising Player of the Year bangunan Jaya Raya Junior Grand Prix in Jakarta -- Ga- 2016 -- Harmanpreet Singh. yatri Pullela. 66. Who won the at Visakhapatnam -- Note: Gayatri defeated (21-11, 18-21, 21-16) her doubles partner Samiya Farooqui to win the girls U-15 Tamil Nadu. singles title. Note: Tamil Nadu beat India ‘B’ by 42 runs in the final 76. Two International captains are a part of a stellar line- to clinch the ‘Deodhar Trophy’ at Visakhapatnam. The up of commentators named by the ICC for the upcom- Deodhar Trophy is a List A cricket competition in ing Champions Trophy -- (India) and Indian domestic cricket. Ricky Ponting (Australia). 67. Who has won the India Open badminton title 2017 -- Note: Some of the other former captains in the line-up P.V. Sindhu. include Brendon McCullum (New Zealand), Kumar 37 | P a g e www.gradeup.co Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) and Graeme Smith (South 81. The oldest person to sky walk around Auckland’s fa- Africa). mous landmark Sky Tower and set a new world record 77. India’s first visually impaired runner to compete the on the field -- Athlete Mann Kaur. historic Boston Marathon -- Sagar Baheti. Note: Kaur stepped out 192 meters above 'Auckland Note: He covered the 42.195 km distance in 4 hours, city' to achieve the feat. 14 minutes and 7 seconds and finished the race at the 82. India's top cueist lost to Lv Haotian (China) 3-6 in the 18th spot in the visually impaired category. summit clash of Asian Snooker Championship in Doha 78. The men's doubles Monte Carlo Masters-2017 winner - __Pankaj Advani - Rohan Bopanna and Cuevas. Note: He could not become the first player to win both Note: India's Rohan Bopanna and his Uruguayan Asian titles in Billiards and Snooker in same calendar partner Pablo Cuevas win over Spain's Feliciano Lopez year. and Marc Lopez (6-3, 3-6, 10-4) at the Monte Carlo 83. The Sultan of Azlan Shah Cup Men's Hockey tourna- Country Club. ment has begun in -- Ipoh, Malaysia. 79. Indian shot putter has clinched a gold in the first leg of Note: Six nations (India, Malaysia, Australia, Great the Asian Grand Prix Athletics Meet in Jinhua, China Britain, Japan, and New Zealand) are taking part in the __Manpreet Kaur. 8-day tournament which will be held in a round-robin Note: Manpreet came up with the best throw of 18.86 format. metre and Bian Song (China) finished second with 84. The world’s biggest cricket stadium will come up at -- 17.96m. Motera area (Ahmedabad). 80. India's top goalkeeper has been provisionally sus- pended after failing a dope test -- Subrata Paul. Note: The stadium will be constructed at a cost of Rs Note: Paul will go for the 'B' sample test and claimed 700 crore, spread across a 63-acres land and seating that he will prove his innocence. capacity of 1.10 lakh people Designed by architect firm M/s. Populous and the construction has been given to Larsen and Turbo (L&T).

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