First plastic-free Bollywood film

• Varun Dhawan's 'Coolie No.1' first Bollywood film set to go plastic-free • The movie’s producer Deepshikha Deshmukh announced on twitter

Qs: Which was the first Bollywood film to go plastic-free? 'Nuakhai'

• Nuakhai, a major agrarian festival of western Odisha districts is being celebrated in every nook and corner collectively with much fanfare and religious fervour. • People offer the newly harvested crop called Nabanha to their respective presiding deities at a stipulated moment this morning.

Qs: Nuakhai festival was celebrated in which state ? 4000th railway station to get WiFi

• Tinsukia Junction in Assam has become the 4000th railway station in the country to have free public WiFi. • On average they have been rolling out WiFi in 83 stations everyday

Qs: Tinsukia Junction which has become the 4000th railway station in the country to have free public WiFi was situated in which state? Association of World Election Bodies

• 4th General Assembly of Association of World Election Bodies Concludes at Bengaluru • Chief Election Commissioner, Shri Sunil Arora today assumed Chairmanship of Association of World Election Bodies (AWEB) • takes over the Chair from Romania • An AWEB Centre of Training, Research and Documentation to be set up at the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management, New

Qs: 4th General Assembly of Association of World Election Bodies held at ______Gorewada International Zoo

• Government gives nod to set up Gorewada International Zoo in Nagpur, • Prakash Javadekar has announced the approval for the establishment of new International Standard Zoo and Biopark on 1914 hectares in the forest land

Qs: Gorewada International Zoo to be setup in which state? ‘Angikaar campaign’

• ‘Angikaar campaign’ launched by HUA to bring PMAY(U) beneficiaries into Ujjawala and Ayushman Bharat schemes • Aims at reaching the beneficiaries of the PMAY(U) in a phased manner with the help of volunteers in visiting the beneficiaries and making them enrolled in the scheme • Launched by Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of State of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA)

Qs: ‘Angikaar campaign’ launched by ______

2019 World’s Safe Cities Index

• World’s Safe city index(SCI) for the year 2019 list was topped by Tokyo (Japan) followed by Singapore and Osaka in 2nd and 3rd spots respectively • was ranked 45th safest city whereas Delhi stood at the 52nd position. • Report released by the Economist Intelligence Unit sponsored by NEC corporation’s (formerly Nippon Electric Company)

Qs: World’s Safe city index(SCI) for the year 2019 list was topped by ______Ghaznavi test fired

• Pakistan army successfully test-fired its 290km range surface to surface(SSM) name “Ghaznavi” during its night training launch • The missile was launched from Sonmiani flight test range of Balochistan

Qs: Which country has tested its surface to surface (SSM) missile named “Ghaznavi”? Indonesia chooses new capital

• Indonesia chooses Borneo Island of East Kalimantan province for its new capital • The current capital of Jakarta, overcrowded ( home to more than 10 million people), sits on watery land. • Parts of the city are sinking by as much as 25cm a year and almost half now sits below sea level.

Qs: Indonesia chooses ______as its new capital

India’s contribution to GFTAM

• India has announced a contribution of 22 million US Dollars to the Global Fund for AIDS, TB and Malaria (GFTAM) for the 6th replenishment cycle (2020-22) • This is an increase of 10% over the amount contributed by us in the 5th cycle. • India has demonstrated strong political leadership and commitment to fight HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria

Qs: How much amount is India’s contribution to GFTAM for the 6th replenishment cycle (2020-22) ? Capital Infusion in IDBI Bank

• Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the Infusion of Rs 4,557 crore by Government in IDBI Bank. • It will help in Bank’s turnaround and enable it to return to profitability and normal lending, and giving Government the option of recovering its investment at an opportune time.

Qs: How much capital infusion was announced by Government in IDBI Bank?

ADB Pledges To India

• ADB President Mr. Takehiko Nakao Pledges Over $12 Billion To India In Support Of New Flagship Initiatives over the next 3 years (2020-22) • Averaging annually over $3 billion for sovereign operations and $1 billion for nonsovereign operations. • Announced a $100 million investment in the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF).

Qs: How much ADB has announced to pledge India for the next 3 years? 10 PSBs to be merged

• Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has made announcement about the formation of four large banks by merging 10 banks under the scheme of amalgamation • The decision aimed at making state-owned lenders global sized banks. • With this, the number of public sector banks will be 12 as against 27 in the year 2017.

Qs: Who has made announcement regarding the merger of 10 banks under the scheme of amalgamation?

India's most successful Test skipper

• Virat Kohli has surpassed Mahendra Singh Dhoni to become India's most successful Test skipper. • It came after the Indian team recorded its 28th win under Kohli's leadership in the second and final test against the West Indies at Kingston. • The 28 wins have come from 48 matches for Kohli as captain.

Qs: Who has become India's most successful Test skipper with 28 wins? 1st Indian cricketer to set rare record

• Kerala all-rounder Jalaj Saxena has become the 1st Indian cricketer to set rare record in Indian first-class cricket history • He became the only cricketer to score 6044 runs in first-class cricket, as well as 305 wickets and still not have played for Team India. • The record was made during the 58th season of Duleep Trophy 2019–20 match between India Red and India Blue played at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, Karnataka.

Qs: Who has become the 1st Indian cricketer to set rare record in Indian first-class cricket history? U-14 Subroto Cup

• Mizoram’s Saidan Secondary School clinched U-14 Subroto Cup International Football tournament title 2019 by beating Unique Model Academy, Manipur by 2-0 • Held at Dr. Ambedkar Stadium, New Delhi • It is Asia’s largest youth football tournament.

Qs: Who has clinched U-14 Subroto Cup International Football tournament title 2019? OBITUARY

• Ex-South American Football Boss Nicolas Leoz passed away in Asuncion, Paraguay • Veteran comedian and four-time Emmy winner Valerie Harper passed away in US

Qs: AWARDS & HONOURS

• Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM) bagged SKOCH Governance Gold Award for the year 2019 for its Portal for Affordable Credit and Interest Subvention Access (PAiSA) portal.

Qs: AGREEMENTS

• Health Ministry’s TB division signs MoU with Wadhwani Institute to explore AI based solutions for combating TB • Samsung India inks with Mastercard, RBL Bank for mobile payments through Samsung Pay for RBL Bank’s Mastercard credit card customers • Mou signed between Government e Marketplace (GeM), Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry and Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) to enable growth of MSMEs, Start-ups and Women Entrepreneurs

Qs: APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS

• Mithali Raj(ODI captain) – retires (from T20Is) • Pramod Chandra Mody - Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) Chairman - tenure extended by 1 year • Naresh Takkar - MD and Group CEO of ICRA - expelled • Parthasarathi Mukherjee - MD & CEO of LVB - resigns

Qs: IMPORTANT EVENTS

• Exercise Yudh Abhyas – 2019 (Indo-US defence joint military training) - Joint Base Lewis Mc Chord, Washington, USA • Amit Shah flags off the first fleet of eco-friendly e- buses in Ahmedabad, and India’s 1st automated battery charging & changing station for e-buses there. • 26th Ladakhi-Kisan-Jawan-VigyanMela inaugurated by Rajnath in Leh

Qs:

India – Largest importer of coal

• India will overtake as the largest importer of coking coal by 2025 • China will remain dominant in terms of overall market share. • But India will become increasingly important in terms of seaborne demand. • Report by Fitch Solutions Macro Research

Qs: By which year India would overtake China to become the largest importer of coking coal? AB-MGRSBY launched in

• Rajasthan state government has launched a new health insurance scheme called Ayushman Bharat-Mahatma Gandhi Rajasthan Swasthya Bima Yojna (AB-MGRSBY) • By integrating the Bhamashah Health Insurance Scheme(BSBY) of the State Government and Ayushman Bharat- Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojna Scheme(AB-PMJAY) of the Central Government. • The sum insured now is Rs. 30000 for general diseases and Rs. 3 lakh per year for serious diseases

Qs: AB-MGRSBY launched by which state? India’s longest electrified rail tunnel

• India’s longest electrified rail tunnel in Andhra Pradesh inaugurated by Vice president • Railway tunnel (6.7km) was between Cherlopalli and Rapuru costing Rs 437 crores • The electrified railway line (112km) between Venkatachalam (Krishnapatnam) and Obulavaripalli costing Rs 1,993 crores in Andhra Pradesh.

Qs: India’s longest electrified rail tunnel was inaugurated at ______

Global Happiness Survey

• “Global Happiness Survey” conducted by market research firm Ipsos • and topped with 86% • India is ranked 9th with 77% on happiness index • Argentina is at the bottom with 34%

Qs: What is India’s Rank in “Global Happiness Survey”?

Task force recommends for contract registry

• RBI task force calls for central corporate loan contract registry to remove information asymmetries between buyers and sellers. • The report also recommends setting up of an online loan sales platform to conduct auctions/sale process of secondary market loans. • The six-member task force, headed by Canara Bank chairman TN Manoharan, was formed to examine the scope for developing a secondary market for corporate loans

Reserve Bank of India Governor: Shaktikanta Das Headquarters: Mumbai Qs: Who has formed the task force which calls for central corporate loan contract registry to remove information asymmetries between buyers and sellers ? Rationalisation of BHIM UPI charges

• NPCI has rationalises BHIM UPI charges for merchant transactions to promote digital payments • It has waived merchant fees for offline UPI transactions of up to Rs 100 made using QR code • For the large transactions, merchant fees have been capped at Rs 100. • For other transactions, the merchant discount rate (MDR) has been hiked to 0.30% (maximum Rs 100). • It will be 0.65% for transactions above Rs 2,000.

National Payments Corporation of India Headquarters : Mumbai Non Executive Chairman : Biswamohan Mahapatra Qs: Who has rationalised BHIM UPI charges for merchant transactions to promote digital payments? Sliding GDP

• India’s GDP growth slows to 5% in Q1 (April to June) FY20 • It is the lowest in 7 years due to a sharp dip in the manufacturing sector and agriculture output. • Information released by Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation

Qs: As per the Information released by Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, what is India’s GDP growth in Q1 FY20?

Fintech in India – Powering mobile payments

• Report titled “Fintech in India – Powering mobile payments” released by KPMG • Digital payments in India have grown with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.7% in the number of non-cash transactions. • Factors responsible for a transformational role and democratised mobile payments in India was the role played by wallet players and Unified Payments Interface (UPI)-based real time payments. • The global digital payments market is expected to touch $10.07 trillion by 2026.

Qs: Digital payments in India have grown with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of what percentage? TDS on withdrawals of over Rs.1 cr

• Department of Revenue notified that 2% tax deduction at source (TDS) on cash withdrawals of over Rs 1 crore will come into effect from September 1, 2019 • Aims to discourage cash transactions and move towards less cash economy.

Qs: How much TDS was notified on cash withdrawals of over Rs 1 crore? Startup Cell by CBDT

• CBDT frames 5-member special cell “Startup Cell” to redress grievances of start-ups • Start-up firms can approach the special cell for the quick resolution of their grievances. • “Startup Cell” will be led by Shri P.K. Dash

Qs: Startup Cell by CBDT will be headed by ______

ISSF World Cup Shooting C'ship

• India finished at the top of the ISSF World Cup Rifle/Pistol Championship in Rio De Janeiro with 5 gold, 2 silver and 2 bronze medals. • Indian pair of Manu Bhaker and Saurabh Choudhary won gold in 10-Metre Air Pistol mixed team event. • World number one Apurvi Chandela, partnered with Deepak Kumar to win India their fourth gold medal in 10-Metre mixed team air rifle

Qs: Which country finished at the top of the ISSF World Cup Rifle/Pistol Championship in Rio De Janeiro? SAFF U-15 Championship 2019

• India clinched SAFF U-15 Championship 2019 title for the 3rd time by beating Nepal • Held at Kalyani Stadium, West Bengal • India has now become the most successful team in the history of the tournament

Qs: Which nation clinched SAFF U-15 Championship 2019 title ? OBITUARY

• Italian born bodybuilder, powerlifter, actor and author, Franco Columbu passes away • Swedish billionaire Hans Rausing dies at the age of 93

Qs: Who was the Italian born bodybuilder, powerlifter, actor and author who had died recently? AGREEMENTS

• Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology(MeitY) partners with Google to roll-out ‘Build for Digital India’ programme - will provide engineering students with a platform to develop market-ready, technology-based solutions that deals with key social challenges. • ECL Finance Ltd and Central Bank of India entered into an agreement to co-lend to MSMEs • IIT-Kharagpur and Amazon Web Services collaborates to develop AI portal

Qs: Who has collaborated with Amazon Web Services to develop AI portal? BOOKS & AUTHORS

• ‘Jin Dhoondha Tin Paaiyan’ by O P Singh – it covers a wide range of issues including crime, violence, police, sports and social media. • “A Short History of ” by Rajendra B Aklekar - on the history of Indian Railways details the journey of the national transporter starting from the 1830s (almost 15 years before the official train run of 1853) to the new high-speed Train 18 • “India’s Lost Frontier the Story of the North-West Frontier Province of Pakistan” by Raghvendra Singh - presents the history of Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which was earlier known as the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP).

Qs: Who has authored the book titled ‘Jin Dhoondha Tin Paaiyan’? AWARDS & HONOURS

• ‘Best Navratna‘ Award (in Manufacturing Sector) - Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) @ Dun & Bradstreet PSU Awards 2019 (Theme : “Strengthening PSUs: Strengthening Brand India”)

Qs: Who has won ‘Best Navratna‘ Award at Dun & Bradstreet PSU Awards 2019? IMPORTANT EVENTS

• International symposium on buckwheat – Shillong, Meghalaya. Theme: "diversifying food systems for health and nutritional security" (organised by North Eastern Hills University) • 14th Conference of Parties, COP14 to United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification - Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh • 36th National Games - Goa (from October 20 – November 4, 2020) • Cultural event ‘Namaste pacific’ – Delhi (jointly by the high commissions of Australia, , Papua New Guinea, and Fiji) • 5th Aqua Aquaria India 2019 – Hyderabad, Telangana • International Snacks Festival 2019 - Hyderabad, Telangana

Qs: International Snacks Festival 2019 was held at ______APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS

• Shireen Mathews (Indian-American ) - District Court judge (for the Southern District of California). • Nripendra Misra (Principal Secretary to PM) – steps down • Shri P.K. Sinha - Officer on Special Duty (PMO) • SBI’s MD Anshula Kant – Resigns (joins World Bank as MD and CFO) • Vivek Kumar Johri - DG of BSF • Oleksiy Honcharuk - Prime Minister of Ukraine

Qs: Who was apppointed as the DG of BSF?

Reliance to Power - Bangladesh

• Reliance Power will give electricity to Bangladesh for next 22 years • A power project agreement to buy 718 megawatts(MW) of electricity has been signed by Bangladesh with Reliance Power

Bangladesh Capital: Dhaka Currency: Bangladeshi taka Prime minister: Sheikh Hasina Qs: Which Indian company will give electricity to Bangladesh for next 22 years? Advanced Driver Training Simulator Centre

• Asia’s only 5th Generation VR based Advanced Driver Training Simulator Centre launched at Chennai • It is aimed to reduce on-road fatalities and make Indian roads safer.

Qs: 5th Generation VR based Advanced Driver Training Simulator Centre launched at ______First Manufacturer to meet BS-VI

• Ashok Leyland becomes the 1st Indian original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to meet BS-VI emission norms • For all its heavy-duty trucks with a gross vehicle weight of 16.2 tonnes and above.

Qs: Who becomes the 1st Indian original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to meet BS-VI emission norms? Samudrayaan

• India’s deep-sea project “Samudrayaan” undertaken by National Institute of Ocean Technology, Chennai (NIOT) is proposed to be launched in 2021-22 • Plans to send three persons to depth in a submersible vehicle of 6000mtrs for underwater studies related to deep-sea mining of rare minerals.

Qs: Which project was undertaken by National Institute of Ocean Technology for underwater studies?

Iran’s jet-propelled drone

• Iranian army introduces a new homegrown jet-propelled drone called “Kian” • It has the capacity of carrying long-time surveillance missions and attack the targets far from the country’s borders.

Iran Capital: Tehran Currency: Iranian rial Supreme leader: Ali Khamenei Qs: Iranian army introduces a new homegrown jet-propelled drone called ______“First They Erased Our Name: A Rohingya Speaks”

• A new book entitled “First They Erased Our Name: A Rohingya Speaks” to be released by Penguin Random House (India) • It was penned by journalist Sophie Ansel ()

Qs: Book entitled “First They Erased Our Name: A Rohingya Speaks” was written by ______

India’s LoC to Russia's Far East

• India announces 1 billion dollar line of credit for development of the Far East region of Russia. • Announcement will prove to be a take-off point for 'Act Far East‘ • Plenary Session of 5th Eastern Economic Forum, was held in Vladivostok

Qs: How much India announced as line of credit for development of the Far East region of Russia? NEWS ON RBI

• Reserve Bank of India has made it mandatory for banks to link all of their new loan products, be it personal, housing or auto to an external benchmark like the policy repo rate. • Reserve Bank says early recognition and resolution of stressed assets have helped banks contain their Gross Non-Performing Loans ratio at 9.1 percent down from 11.2 percent a year before. • Inter-Ministerial committee headed by Shri Atanu Chakraborty, submitted its final report “‘Steering Committee on Fintech related issues 2019 ” to the Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman

Reserve Bank of India Governor: Shaktikanta Das Headquarters: Mumbai Qs: Who was the head of the Inter-Ministerial committee submitted its final report “‘Steering Committee on Fintech related issues 2019 ”? First bank with ‘Robotic Arms’

• ICICI becomes the country’s first bank to deploy ‘Robotic Arms’ for counting currency at its chests • 14 machines (robotic arms) have been deployed in 12 cities so that all these can count 6 million notes in a working day or about 1.80 billion notes annually.

Qs: Which becomes the country’s first bank to deploy ‘Robotic Arms’ for counting currency at its chests? Capital for IDBI

• Government of India(GoI) has approved a capital infusion of Rs 9,300 crore in IDBI Bank(Industrial Development Bank of India) • The objective behind the government’s move is to increase the bank’s capital base. • Out of Rs 9,300 crore, the government (49%) will give Rs 4,557 crore, while Rs 4,743 crore will be given by LIC- Life Insurance Corporation (51%).

Qs: How much capital infusion has been approved by Government of India(GoI) crore in IDBI Bank? WB to fund UP

• World Bank(WB) announced to fund the Uttar Pradesh(UP) government’s ‘pro-poor tourism’ (PPT) development projects with funding worth more than $57 million • PPT project is a poverty alleviation concept by the UP government in tourism hubs with 70% funding from the WB and the remaining by the UP government.

World Bank Headquarters: Washington, D.C., United States CEO: Kristalina Georgieva Qs: How much fund was announced by World Bank(WB) to Uttar Pradesh(UP) government’s ‘pro-poor tourism’ (PPT) development projects ?

78th ISTAF 2019

• Indian Athlete, Jinson Johnson of Kerala brokes his own 1500m national record by winning silver medal at the 78th edition of ISTAF (International Sepaktakraw Federation) event 2019 • Event held in Olympiastadion (Olympic Stadium) Berlin, .

Qs: Which Indian Athlete has won silver medal at the 78th edition of ISTAF (International Sepaktakraw Federation) event 2019 ?

Tejinderpal wins silver

• Shot putter, Tejinderpal Singh Toor clinched silver in , still missed World C’ships standards • At V. Koci memorial athletics meet 2019 held at Decin, Czech Republic.

Qs: Who has clinched silver at V. Koci memorial athletics meet 2019? Belgian Grand Prix

• Charles Leclerc wins maiden 2019 F1 Belgian Grand Prix • He became the third-youngest winner in F1(Formula 1) history.

Qs: Who has won 2019 F1 Belgian Grand Prix? Highest T20I wicket-taker

• Srilankan paceman Lasith Malinga became the highest T20I (Twenty-Twenty International) wicket-taker during the tri-match series of T20I between Srilanka and New Zealand surpassing Afridi • At Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy, Sri Lanka • Malinga took a total of 99 wickets from 74 matches surpassing Afridi’s 98 wickets in 99 matches.

Qs: Who became the highest T20I (Twenty-Twenty International) wicket-taker surpassing Afridi? India’s fastest couple in swimming

• Virdhawal Khade and Rujuta becomes India’s fastest couple at 73rd Glenmark National senior aquatics championships • Indian swimmer Rujuta became the fastest female swimmer of India winning the title in 50m freestyle whereas her husband Virdhawal Khade(2010 Asian bronze medallist) broke his own national record winning gold in the men’s 50m breaststroke event

Qs: Which Indian pair becomes India’s fastest couple at 73rd Glenmark National senior aquatics championships? APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

• Telangana’s Governor - Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan • Maharashtra’s Governor – Bhagat Singh Koshyari • Rajasthan’s Governor - Kalraj Mishra • Kerala’s Governor - Arif Mohammed Khan • Himachal Pradesh’s Governor - Bandaru Dattatreya • Vice chief of Army staff - Manoj Mukund Naravane

Qs: Who was appointed as Vice chief of Army staff? AGREEMENTS

• Gujarat Govt, Delaware State of America sign MoU for sister state

Qs: Which state govt and Delaware State of America sign MoU for sister state? AWARDS AND HONOURS

• BangladeshI Nobel Laureate, Professor Muhammad Yunus - 'Lamp of Peace of Saint Francis ' - by the Vatican (for his contribution towards establishing peace and harmony)

Qs: Who won the 'Lamp of Peace of Saint Francis’? IMPORTANT EVENTS

• Tourism & Culture Minister flags off 1st Mobile Science Exhibition in Leh • CBI's 1st national conference on cybercrime investigation inaugurated at CBI Headquarters in New Delhi. • First ASEAN-U.S. Maritime Exercise(AUMX) begins in Sattahip Naval Base, Thailand

Qs: First ASEAN-U.S. Maritime Exercise(AUMX) begins in ______

Sophisticated Analytical and Technical Help Institute (SATHI) • Department of Science and Technology (DST) selects IIT-Delhi & IIT Kharagpur to establish shared science and technology infrastructure facility Sophisticated Analytical and Technical Help Institute (SATHI). • The centre will provide professionally managed services to meet the demands of industry, start-ups and academia which will be accessible to them and to manufacturing units and research & development labs.

Qs: Which institutions were selected by DST to establish Sophisticated Analytical and Technical Help Institute (SATHI) ? Panel to ban e-cigarette

• A ministerial panel chaired by FM Nirmala Sitharaman to study Health Ministry’s proposal • The proposal was to ban the production and import of e-cigarettes, through an ordinance.

Qs: Who will chair the panel to study Health Ministry’s proposal to ban the production and import of e-cigarettes? Terracotta Grinder Launched

• Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) has launched ‘Terracotta grinder’ at Sewapuri, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh • It is manufactured under KVIC’s project REPLAN (Reducing PLAstic in Nature) and grinds waste and broken pottery items for reuse in pottery making.

Qs: Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) has launched ‘Terracotta grinder’ at ______DELHI SCHEME EXPANDED

• Cabinet of Delhi included OBC, general category students in ‘Jai Bheem Mukhyamantri Yojana’ • It was initially meant for the Scheduled Caste (SC) category students who were provided financial assistance of Rs 40,000. • It hiked the financial assistance from Rs 40,000 to Rs 1 lakh for coaching for various competitive exams.

Qs: Which state govt has included OBC, general category students in its ‘Jai Bheem Mukhyamantri Yojana’?

Global Liveability Index 2019

• “Global Liveability Index” prepared by the Economist Intelligence Unit(EIU) • The list was topped by Vienna, the capital of for the second consecutive time • Damascus, the capital of Syria was ranked last becoming the least liveable city at 140th position • It has ranked Delhi at the 118th spot and Mumbai at 119th

Qs: Which city topped the “Global Liveability Index”? Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Index (TTCI)

• Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Index (TTCI) for the year 2019 released by the World Economic Forum(WEF) • The index was topped by followed by France and Germany in the second and third places respectively. • Yemen was ranked last in the index at 140th position. • India was ranked at the 34th spot

Qs: Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Index (TTCI) was topped by which country?

Fund for Fisheries

• Central Government to invest Rs 25,000 crore in different sectors of fisheries in next 5 years • With an aim to improve the fisheries sector • Funds will be brought in from different schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Sampada Yojana (Matsya) and World Bank schemes which will be launched in 2020.

Qs: How much Central Government to invest in different sectors of fisheries in next 5 years?

Panel set by IRDAI

• IRDAI has set up a 9-member panel headed by New India Assurance Company Ltd (NIACL) Chief Managing Director(CMD) Atul Sahai • To review its three-year old guidelines (set up in 2016) on trade credit insurance due to the changing market requirements. • Would study the scope of changes and suggest suitable amendments to be added or changed to the guidelines based on Terms of Reference (ToR) after complete examination on the current guidelines.

Qs: Who will be the head of the 9-member panel formed to review IRDAI’s three-year old guidelines (set up in 2016) on trade credit insurance ? CRISIL revises GDP

• CRISIL has reduced the India’s GDP growth to 6.3% for FY20 (Fiscal Year 2020) from its previous estimate of 6.9% • The lower GDP growth forecast states about the India’s deep economic slowdown and is broad-based than suspected.

Qs: What is CRISIL’s GDP growth for India in FY20?

World Martial Arts Mastership Jiu-Jitsu 2019

• Odisha’s woman athlete Anupama Swain clinched a bronze medal (52kg) in World Martial Arts Mastership Jiu-Jitsu 2019 • Held at the Konkuk University Glocal Campus in Chungju, South Korea. • She has qualified for the 2022 Asian Games.

Qs: Who has clinched a bronze medal (52kg) in World Martial Arts Mastership Jiu-Jitsu 2019? BOOKS & AUTHORS

• “Phoolpur: Indian Flowers, Their Myths, Traditions and Usage” by Jhelum Biswas Bose. The book explains the subtle power and meaning of different Indian flowers.

Qs: Book titled “Phoolpur: Indian Flowers, Their Myths, Traditions and Usage” was written by ______IMPORTANT EVENTS

• 2019 Joint Naval Annual Quality Conclave - Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. Theme :“Transformation of QA Paradigm: Opportunities and Challenges”(hosted by Naval Quality Assurance Establishments). • 22nd India International Seafood Show - Kochi (hosted by the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA))

Qs: 22nd India International Seafood Show held at ______OBITUARY

• Aalayam Sriram - producer of ‘Bombay’ movie • KiranNagarkar - noted novelist and playwright

Qs: Aalayam Sriram who has passed away recently was a famous ______APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

• Hamilton Masakadza (Zimbabwe captain) - retires

Qs: Hamilton Masakadza was the cricketer of which country? AWARDS & HONOURS

• “Global Goalkeeper Award 2019”(by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation) - Narendra Modi (for Swachh Bharat Abhiyan) • UEFA President’s Award 2019 - Eric Cantona (Former French footballer)

Qs: “Global Goalkeeper Award 2019” was given to ______AGREEMENTS

• MoU signed between Multi Commodity Exchange of India (MCX) & Zhengzhou Commodity Exchange (ZCE) for co-operation and the exchange of information

Qs: Which Indian exchange has MOU with Zhengzhou Commodity Exchange (ZCE) for co-operation and the exchange of information?

C-plan app

• “C-plan” app to aid community policing by Uttar Pradesh police launched • To aid community policing throughout the state whereby the police would be involved in tracking anti-social elements in time. • This app helps at being informed about communal tensions and also in verifying the received information.

Qs: “C-plan” app to aid community policing was launched by which state police ? 5 Public Institutes Were Awarded with IoE

• Ministry of Human Resource & Development (MHRD) awarded Institute of Eminence (IoE) status to a total of 5 institutions • Also given Letter of Intent (LoI) for granting the IoE to 5 private universities, based on the recommendation of the University Grants Commission(UGC). • They are - Delhi University (DU- New Delhi), Banaras Hindu University (BHU-Varanasi- Uttar Pradesh), University of Hyderabad(UoH- Telangana), Indian Institute of Technology- Madras (IIT-M- Tamilnadu) and IIT-Kharagpur (IIT-Kgp- West Bengal)

Qs: Who has awarded Institute of Eminence (IoE) status to a total of 5 institutions? POSHAN Maah 2019

• Govt. launches POSHAN Maah 2019 campaign to promote ‘eat right India movement’ • To improve public health and combat negative nutritional trends

Qs: Which campaign was launched by govt to improve public health and combat negative nutritional trends?

Countries with gold reserves

• World Gold Council (WGC) released the 2019 list of gold reserves in each country. • The list was topped by United States(US) with gold reserves of 8,133.5 tonnes followed by Germany (3,366.8 tonnes) at second place. • India entered the top 10 list this year ranking at 10th spot surpassing • It is ranked at 9th position in terms of individual countries with 618.2 tonnes

Qs: World Gold Council (WGC) released the 2019 list of gold reserves in each country.It was topped by ______

DigiSmart credit card

• Standard Chartered Bank has launched its “DigiSmart” credit card • Primarily focused on the ever-growing segment of millennials. • Instant discounts and other benefits make this card special.

Qs: “DigiSmart” credit card was launched by ______India’s FDI growth

• As per the official data from Commerce and Industry Ministry, Government of India • India’s FDI grew by 28% to $16.33 bn in Q1 FY 2019-20 • Singapore emerged as the largest source

Qs: Which country has emerged as the largest source of FDI for India?

Youngest test cricket captain

• Afghan cricketer Rashid Khan becomes youngest test cricket captain • He led the match against Bangladesh at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong(Bangladesh) • At the age of 20 years and 350 days.

Qs: Who has became youngest test cricket captain? IMPORTANT DAYS

• National teachers’ day - September 5, 2019 • International Day of Charity - 5th September

Qs: National teachers’ day was observed on ______IMPORTANT EVENTS

• 28th Indo-Thai CORPAT - Bangkok, Thailand (between India’s Indian Navy(IN) and Thailand’s Royal Thai Navy) • Swachh Mahotsav 2019 - New Delhi • World Wrestling Championships 2019 - Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan

Qs: Swachh Mahotsav 2019 held at ______OBITUARY

• LaShawn Daniels - songwriter of ‘Destiny’s Child’ • Robert Mugabe - Former Zimbabwean president •

Qs: LaShawn Daniels who has passed away recently was a famous ______AWARDS & HONOURS

• 2019 IT Excellence Award - Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA) (for designing the app SATARK) • Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics (Oscars of science) - Event Horizon Telescope Team (347 scientists who produced the world’s first image of a black hole)

Qs: 2019 IT Excellence Award was given to ______AGREEMENTS

• Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) entered into an agreement with State Bank of India (SBI) for direct benefit transfer facility for all ESIC beneficiaries • UNESCO ties up with Rajasthan to promote state’s intangible cultural heritage

Qs: Which Indian state ties up with UNESCO to promote state’s intangible cultural heritage?

Mobile App for farmers

• A multilingual Mobile App “CHC Farm Machinery” was launched • Farmers can now get affordable access to cutting-edge technology at their doorsteps. • The App connects the farmers with Custom Hiring Service Centers in their area. • During a conference on Crop Residue Management in New Delhi

Qs: What is the name of the multilingual Mobile App launched for Farmers? 3-member panel for Kashmir issue

• Centre has set up a three-member panel to oversee the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories. • The committee headed by Former Defence Secretary Sanjay Mitra • The committee will look into the distribution of assets and liabilities of Jammu and Kashmir between two successor Union territories, which will come into existence on 31st of October this year.

Qs: Who is the head of the a three-member panel to oversee the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories? Second Multi-Modal Terminal

• India’s second riverine Multi-Modal terminal (MMT) built at Sahibganj in Jharkhand • It has been built at a cost of 290 crore rupees in a record time of about two years. • The terminal at Sahibganj will open up industries of Jharkhand and Bihar to the global market and provide Indo-Nepal cargo connectivity through waterways route. • Coal, stone chips, fertilizers, cement and sugar are other commodities expected to be transported through the terminal.

Qs: India’s second riverine Multi-Modal terminal (MMT) built at ______

2019 Knight Frank Co-Living Index

• Co-living index for the year 2019 titled “Insights on Co-living – An Asia-Pacific Perspective” was released by Knight Frank. • The index was topped by • Among the Indian cities, Mumbai ranked at the 5th spot, New Delhi ranked at the 11th spot and the electronic city of India, Bengaluru ranked at the 19th spot in the index

Qs: Which city has topped 2019 Knight Frank Co-Living Index?

IPPB launched AePS

• India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) has launched Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AePS) Services at the first anniversary of its business operations. • With this, IPPB became the single largest platform in the country for providing interoperable banking services to the customers of any bank including the 34 crore Jan Dhan account holders. • With the help of AEPS services anyone with a bank account linked to Aadhaar can carry out basic banking services like cash withdrawals and balance enquiry irrespective of the bank they hold their account with.

Qs: Which bank has launched Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AePS) Services at the first anniversary of its business operations?

US Open

• Rafael Nadal has won US Open Men's singles beating • beats in US Open women's final

Qs: Who has won US Open Men's singles? 2019 Italian Grand Prix

• Charles Leclerc wins second successive F1 win through 2019 Italian Grand Prix • This marks Ferrari’s first Italian Grand Prix win in 9 years (last win 2010) • Also Charles’s second successive win in the F1 race after winning the maiden 2019 Belgian Grand Prix.

Qs: Who has won 2019 Italian Grand Prix? 5 int’l hat-tricks

• SL cricketer Malinga takes double hat-trick in T20 and became 1st bowler with 5 International hat-tricks • He is the only bowler in international cricket to have picked up 4 wickets in 4 balls twice • Record made during a 3rd T20I match against New Zealand at Pallekele, Sri Lanka

Qs: Who has made double hat-trick in T20 and became 1st bowler with 5 International hat-tricks?

2019 Duleep Trophy

• India Red wins 2019 Duleep Trophy at Chinnaswamy stadium, Bengaluru • India Red defeated India green by an innings and 38 runs to win the 2019 Duleep trophy

Qs: Which team won 2019 Duleep Trophy? 2019 Great North Run

• Kenya’s Brigid Kosgei created record in the 2019 Great North Run event held in the United Kingdom(UK) • She made the fastest half-marathon run ever by a woman by winning the event in 1hr 4min and 28 secs • Britain’s Mo Farah won the men’s elite race

Qs: Who has created record in the 2019 Great North Run event for women? All-India MCC Hockey Tournament 2019

• Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) won 93rd All-India MCC Hockey Tournament for 2019 by defeating Punjab National Bank (PNB) • Event held at Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

Qs: Who won 93rd All-India MCC Hockey Tournament for 2019? BOOKS & AUTHORS

• ‘Fortune Turners: The Quartet that spun India to glory’ - by Aditya Bhushan and Sachin Bajaj - It reveals the careers of the famous four spinners of Indian cricket team- Bishan Singh Bedi, Erapalli Prasanna, Bhagwat Chandrashekhar, and S. Venkataraghavan, who dominated Indian bowling in the 1960s-70s and were instrumental in some of the team’s famous victories of the time.

Qs: Who were the authors of the book titled ‘Fortune Turners: The Quartet that spun India to glory’? IMPORTANT DAYS

• Himalaya day 2019 - September 9 • 2019 World water week - 25th to 30th August (organised by the Stockholm International Water Institute(SIWI) was observed in Stockholm, Sweden)

Qs: Himalaya day 2019 was observed on ______OBITUARY

• Freedom fighter Heeralal Sharma passes away • Senior Journalist Dilip Satpathy from Cuttack, Odisha passed away

Qs: Heeralal Sharma who has passed away recently was a famous ______APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

• Madras HC Chief Justice - Vijaya K. Tahilramani - resigns

Qs: Who has resigned as the Madras HC Chief Justice ? IMPORTANT EVENTS

• 8th Asian Ministerial Energy Roundtable (AMER8) - Abu Dhabi. • 22nd Session of UN Committee on Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) – Geneva • First edition of helicopter summit 2019 - Dehradun, Uttarakhand

Qs: 8th Asian Ministerial Energy Roundtable (AMER8) was held at ______

India declares free from H5N1

• India has been declared free from H5N1 avian influenza (commonly known as bird flu) • Announced by OIE (Office International des Epizooties)-World Organisation for Animal Health • The flu was last reported in 2017 with disease outbreaks in Odisha, Bihar, and Jharkhand.

Qs: Which country was declared free by OIE from H5N1 avian influenza? India’s first iWTC

• Kerala will set up India’s first International Women’s Trade Centre (iWTC) in Kozhikode • To boost women entrepreneurship and secure gender parity. • It is an important Gender Park under the Department of Social Justice of Kerala Government.

Qs: India’s first International Women’s Trade Centre (iWTC) was setup in ______India’s first Digital Capability Centre

• Niti Aayog selected McKinsey & Company to set up India’s first Digital Capability Centre in New Delhi • DCC is a unique digital manufacturing learning centre offering company leaders and their workforces hands-on experience and workshops in next-generation technology. • The government will act as a facilitator to bring together industry, academia, and research on one platform by forming DCC.

Qs: India’s first Digital Capability Centre to be setup in ______“Global Top 50 IB Schools 2019″

• “Global Top 50 IB Schools 2019″ list released by ‘Education Advisers ltd’ • India’s Dhirubhai Ambani International School (DAIS), Mumbai, Maharashtra was ranked at 10th position in the list • The list is topped by Anglo Chinese of Singapore

Qs: Which institution has topped “Global Top 50 IB Schools 2019″? Mid-Monsoon 2019 Lightning

• India Meteorological Department(IMD) has released a report titled ‘Mid-Monsoon 2019 Lightning’ • It is a first of its kind report in India about lighting incidents and lighting hotspots. • Odisha was reported to have more lightning strikes than any other states in India in the last 4 months. • Uttar Pradesh witnessed more lightning deaths during the same period

Qs: Which Indian is reported to have more lightning strikes than any other states? Savarkar: Echoes from a forgotten past, 1883-1924

• “Savarkar: Echoes from a forgotten past, 1883-1924” by Vikram Sampath released • The book describes the life of freedom fighter and Philosopher Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, popularly known as Veer Savarkar

Qs: The book titled “Savarkar: Echoes from a forgotten past, 1883-1924” was written by ______

Report by Harsh Vardhan Panel

• The panel headed by Harsh Vardhan for the development of housing finance securitisation market has submitted its report to the governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) • The panel suggested that the National Housing Bank (NHB) should create an intermediary for standard-setting and market-making for the instruments.

Qs: Who was the head of the panel for the development of housing finance securitisation market? India Ratings cuts NBFC growth forecast

• India Ratings & Research (Ind-Ra) downgraded growth forecast for Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFC) to 10-12% • Previous estimate was 15% • This was due to slowdown in economic activity

Qs: What is Ind-Ra’s growth forecast for Non-Banking Financial Companies? Digital Economy Report 2019

• United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) released a report titled ‘Digital Economy Report (DER) 2019 • Regarding value added in the information and communications technology (ICT) sector, the United States and China together account for almost 40% of the world’s total. • India has the largest share among developing countries in the computer services industry. • “Share of ICT services in total exports of services: Top 20 countries, 2017”, India ranked 2nd which is topped by Ireland

Qs: Which country has the largest share among developing countries in the computer services industry?

Paralympic Committee of India de-recognised

• Sports Ministry derecognises Paralympic Committee of India • Citing a violation of the National Sports Code in the body's decision to sack President Rao Inderjit Singh.

Qs: Which sports authority was derecognized by Sports Ministry? Diego Matos banned

• Brazilian player Diego Matos has been banned for lifetime because of match-fixing • He was fined $125,000 by an independent anti-corruption hearing.

Qs: Who was the Brazilian tennis playerbanned for lifetime because of match-fixing? OBITUARY

• Actor, cinematographer and director Raja sekar passes away at the age of 61 years in Tamil Nadu

Qs: Actor, cinematographer and director Raja sekar who has passed away recently belong to which state? IMPORTANT DAYS

• World Suicide Prevention Day 2019 - 10th of September. Theme: “Working Together to Prevent Suicide”

Qs: World Suicide Prevention Day 2019 was observed on ______AWARDS AND HONOURS

• 16-year-old Priyavrata becomes youngest person to clear 2019 “Mahapariksha” examination

Qs: Who has become the youngest person to clear 2019 “Mahapariksha” examination? IMPORTANT EVENTS

• 2019 National conference on crop residue management - New Delhi • 8th Ladakh Marathon (world’s highest marathon) - Leh, Ladakh

Qs: 2019 National conference on crop residue management was held at ______AGREEMENTS

• Government e Marketplace (GeM) and Punjab Government sign MoU for Setting up a GeM Organizational Transformation Team (GOTT) Project Management Unit (PMU)

Qs: Which state govt has signed MOU for Setting up a GeM Organizational Transformation Team (GOTT) Project Management Unit (PMU) with Government e Marketplace (GeM)?

APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS

• PK Mishra - Principal Secretary to PM Modi • Daniel Zhang - Alibaba Group’s chairman • Amol Muzumpar - ’s interim batting coach (in test match against India)

Qs: Who was appointed as Principal Secretary to PM Modi?

MPATGM missile test fired

• DRDO successfully test fires indigenously developed Man Portable Antitank Guided Missile (MPATGM) in the ranges of Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh. • The target was mimicking a functional tank. • The test paves the way for the Army to have developed 3rd generation man portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile indigenously.

Qs: DRDO successfully test fires indigenously developed Man Portable Antitank Guided Missile at ______Kisan Maan Dhan Yojana launched

• Prime Minister Narandra Modi launched Kisan Maan Dhan Yojana from Ranchi • The scheme will secure the lives of five crore small and marginal farmers by providing a minimum pension of three thousand rupees per month, to those who attain 60 years of age. • All small and marginal farmers who are currently between the ages of 18 to 40 years can apply for the scheme.

Qs: Kisan Maan Dhan Yojana was launched for ______National Animal Disease Control Programme

• PM Shri Narendra Modi launched National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP) in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh • NADCP aims to control the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and Brucellosis in the livestock by 2025 and eradicate them by 2030.

Qs: Cows for online adoption

• (MP) govt. announced to launch online service for cow adoption and shed provisions • Under the MP govt’s initiative “Project Gaushala”at Gaushalas(cow shelters) • In this project a cow can be adopted for a minimum period of 15days • Currently there are 626 gaushalas in the state

Qs: Which state govt. announced to launch online service for cow adoption and shed provisions? GI for our Palkova

• “Srivilliputtur Palkova” in Virudhunagar district of Tamil Nadu has got Geographical Indication(GI) tag • The sweet is prepared from high quality flavour of milk with sugar • The milk is fetched only from in and around reared cows of Srivilliputtur.

Qs: “Srivilliputtur Palkova” which got Geographical Indication(GI) tag has originated from ______Golden Arrows

• IAF Chief B S Dhanoa restored Ambala-based 17th Squadron ‘Golden Arrows’ to operate first unit of Rafale aircraft • He also presented a memento to Station Commander Group Captain Harkirat Singh to commemorate the occasion.

Qs: 17th Squadron ‘Golden Arrows’ to operate first unit of Rafale aircraft was launched by ______New Apps by Samsung

• Samsung unveils ‘Good Vibes’ and ‘Relumino’ app for deaf-blind and visually impaired people in India • Good Vibes app allows communication between deaf-blind people with caregivers • Relumino app will be used by National Association for the Blind (NAB) in classrooms for students with low vision.

Qs: Which firm unveiled ‘Good Vibes’ and ‘Relumino’ app for deaf-blind and visually impaired people in India?

Lancet Report on Malaria

• African countries Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo and Mozambique topped the Global Malaria Cases list in 2017 • India Is Ranked Fourth In Global Malaria Cases In 2017 • 71% of the cases in Tamil Nadu occurred in Chennai with a population of 7 million people. • The report was published by Lancet journal

Qs: What is India’s rank in Global Malaria Cases In 2017 by Lancet journal? Thailand‘s plain cigarette packaging

• Thailand became the first Asian nation to unveil plain cigarette packaging • To reduce the appeal of smoking and complied with the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) guidelines. • Under the new regulation, the cigarette packs will be in drab brown color, free of brand logo or trademark, with brand name displayed in standardized font and size. • Australia became the first country to require tobacco products to be sold without colourful brand logos in 2012

Qs: Which became the first Asian nation to unveil plain cigarette packaging? 10 Most Censored Countries list

• “Committee to Protect Journalists” (CPJ) released “10 Most Censored Countries list” that have high press censorship. • The list was topped by East African country Eritrea that shut all independent media in 2001and has only 1% of the country’s population in internet penetration. • Eritrea is followed by North Korea and Turkmenistan in the second and third place respectively. • Most of these countries were framed to have been jailing and harassing journalists and their families and also engaging in digital monitoring and censorship of internet access Qs: Which country topped the “10 Most Censored Countries list” that have high press censorship?

Track Asia Cup cycling

• In Cycling, India's Ronaldo Laitonjam won his fourth gold medal • At Track Asia Cup competition held in New Delhi • India topped the medals tally, with 10 gold, 8 silver and 7 bronze as the tournament came to an end

Qs: Track Asia Cup competition was held in ______OBITUARY

• Documentary photographer Robert Frank passed away at the age of 94

Qs: Robert Frank who has passed away recently was a famous ______APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS

• P K Sinha - Principal advisor to Prime Minister • Ranveer Singh (Bollywood Actor) - Global brand ambassador of JBL (Audio equipment Maker)

Qs: Who was appointed as the Principal advisor to Prime Minister? AGREEMENTS

• Industrial Development Bank of India (IDBI Bank) and Life Insurance Corporation of India Credit Cards Services (LIC CSL), will launch a co-branded credit card.

Qs: Which bank has tied up with Life Insurance Corporation of India Credit Cards Services (LIC CSL) to launch a co-branded credit card? IMPORTANT EVENTS

• First conference on military medicine for SCO member nations - New Delhi, India • National Conference on ‘Criminal Activities and Radicalization in Jails: Vulnerability of Inmates and Jail Staff and their Protection’ – New Delhi (organized by Bureau of Police Research and Development) • Joint Military Exercise MAITREE-2019 (between India and Thailand) - Umroi, Meghalaya • 11th DefExpo 2020 - Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. Theme: ‘Digital Transformation of Defence’.

Qs: 11th DefExpo 2020 will be held at ______AWARDS AND HONOURS

• Navdeep Singh Suri (Ambassador) - First Class Order of Zayed II award (bestowed BY UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan ) • Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Limited (MEIL) (for Kaleshwaram project’s outstanding concrete structure in Hyderabad) - Indian Concrete Institute award 2019 • Pawan Munjal (Chairman, MD and CEO of Hero MotoCorp) - inducted in 2019 Asia Pacific Golf Hall of Fame ( for his support in sports in India as well as globally)

Qs: Who has been recently inducted into 2019 Asia Pacific Golf Hall of Fame?

Insurance schemes for traders

• State government of has launched two insurance schemes for registered small and medium traders. • The schemes were “Mukhyamantri Vyapari Samuhik Niji Durghatna Beema Yojana” and “Mukhyamantri Vyapari Kshatipurti Beema Yojana“. • An insurance cover of Rs 5 lakh would be provided under the Mukhyamantri Vyapari Samuhik Niji Durghatna Beema Yojana. • An insurance cover ranging from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 25 lakh would be provided under the Mukhyamantri Vyapari Kshatipurti Beema Yojana.

Qs: Which state govt has launched two insurance schemes for registered small and medium traders? INS Khanderi

• India’s 2nd Scorpene-class submarine, INS Khanderi will be commissioned into the Indian Navy by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. • The conventional diesel-electric submarine has been manufactured by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd in Mumbai.

Qs: What is the name of India’s 2nd Scorpene-class submarine which will be commissioned into the Indian Navy? India joins global antimicrobial resistance R&D hub

• India has become a member of the Global Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Research and Development (R&D) Hub. • With India’s inclusion, the Global Antimicrobial Resistance Research and Development hub now has 16 member nations. • The partnership works to address challenges and improve coordination and collaboration in the global antimicrobial resistance research and development.

Qs: Who has become a new member of the Global Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Research and Development (R&D) Hub? India’s tallest air traffic control tower

• The tallest Air Traffic Control tower was inaugurated in India earlier this month at the Indira Gandhi International Airport. • The tower will ensure up-to-date services and systems for efficient, smooth and uninterrupted air traffic management.

Qs: India’s tallest air traffic control tower was inaugurated in ______Gurugram Police tied up with Google

• The Gurugram traffic police have tied up with Google maps for real-time traffic updates. • The information such as planned road closures, diversions, traffic alerts regarding road crash etc. will be shared by Gurugram traffic police with Google maps. • Responding to the situation, Google maps will immediately update the information on its public maps.

Qs: Who has tied up with Google maps for real-time traffic updates? Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) 2019

• PM Narendra Modi launched Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) 2019, a massive countrywide awareness and mobilization campaign on Swachhata at Mathura, UP • SHS 2019, with special focus on 'plastic waste awareness and management' is being organized from 11 September to October 2,2019. • It was launched by the Departments of Animal Husbandry and Dairying and Drinking Water and Sanitation.

Qs: PM Narendra Modi launched Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) 2019 at ______

IDMC Report

• Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) has released a new global report on the displacement of people due to natural disasters. • More than 950 climate-related issues forced about seven million people have been displaced globally due to natural calamities including floods and storms between January and June 2019 • India accounted for 2.8 million displaced people in 2018 was among the highest in the world

Qs: How many displaced people are there in India in 2018? S.East Asia's largest solar power farm

• Vietnam has inaugurated Southeast Asia's largest solar power farm which has the capacity to produce 688 million kWh of electricity annually. • The Dau Tieng Solar Power Complex occupies 540 hectares in Tay Ninh province and has an investment of more than $391 million. • The complex, was constructed on the Dau Tieng Reservoir - the largest artificial lake in Vietnam.

Qs: Southeast Asia's largest solar power farm was inaugurated at ______

BCCI partnered with All India Radio

• The BCCI announced a two-year radio rights arrangement with All India Radio (AIR) for live commentary of the national cricket team's international games. • This initiative will offer millions of listeners across India the opportunity to follow cricket via live radio commentary. • The audio commentary will commence from the first game of T20 International series against South Africa.

Qs:BCCI has partnered with whom for live commentary of the national cricket team's international games? AWARDS AND HONOURS

• India’s ‘Yogi of the Racetrack’ - ‘Best Video’ award for the Asia & Pacific Region (UNWTO Tourism Video Competition 2019) • Geoffrey Boycott and Andrew Strauss (England cricket greats) - knighthoods (by Theresa May in her resignation honours list)

Qs: Who has won ‘Best Video’ award for the Asia & Pacific Region at UNWTO Tourism Video Competition 2019? APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS

• Lieutenant General (Retired) Abhijit Guha - head of the UN mission in Hodeidah, Yemen.

Qs: Who has been appointed as the head of the UN mission in Hodeidah, Yemen? AGREEMENTS

• Indian Railways signed a Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) with Confederation of Indian Industries in New Delhi for the facilitation of green initiatives.

Qs: Who has signed a Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) with Confederation of Indian Industries in New Delhi for the facilitation of green initiatives?

Nutrition International’s survey 2019

• Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) has topped the list of best performers in iodised salt coverage. • Nagaland and Manipur in the second and third place respectively. • Meanwhile the country’s third largest iodized salt producer Tamil Nadu was reported to be the lowest iodised salt consuming state in the country. • Country’s first survey to measure iodized salt coverage conducted by Nutrition International in collaboration with the AIIMS and the Indian Coalition for the Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders (ICCIDD)

Qs: Which state has topped the list of best performers in iodised salt coverage? World University Ranking 2020

• Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Ropar and Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore were ranked number 1 among the 56 Indian institutes on the list • Since 2012, for the first time Indian institutions did not feature among the top 300 in World University Rankings 2020. • University of Oxford, UK topped the list • World University Rankings 2020 was published by the United Kingdom (UK) based Times Higher Education (THE)

Qs: Which institution has topped the World University Rankings 2020? AEWC aircraft ‘Netra’

• Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) gives second indigenously developed AWAC (Airborne Early Warning and Control) aircraft ‘Netra’ to Air Force • It can be used for surveillance, tracking, identification and classification of airborne and sea surface targets and is useful in detecting upcoming ballistic missile threats.

Qs: What was name of AWAC given by DRDO to IAF?

Export of bulletproof jackets

• India is the fourth country in the world to export bulletproof jackets with its own national standard on bulletproof jackets • The bulletproof jackets are being exported from India to more than 100 countries, including European nations. • United States, United Kingdom and Germany are at the top three positions

Qs: Which is the fourth country in the world to export bulletproof jackets with its own national standard on bulletproof jackets? National Genomic Grid

• MoS for Health & Family Welfare Aswini Kumar Choubey announces plans to set up National Genomic Grid for cancer research • It will be in line with the National Cancer Tissue Biobank (NCTB) and to be set up at the Indian Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras • It will study genomic data of cancer patients from India, collect samples from cancer patients to study genomic factors influencing cancer and identify the right treatment modalities.

Qs: National Genomic Grid for cancer research to be set up at ______Comm. for illegal groundwater extraction

• National Green Tribunal(NGT) forms committee headed by AK Goel to prevent illegal groundwater extraction • Panel will frame mechanism to prevent the unauthorized extraction and also to monitor the functioning of Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA)

Qs: Who will be the head of the panel formed by NGT to prevent illegal groundwater extraction? 2019 LEADS index

• Gujarat again tops the second edition of perception based 2019 LEADS index • Followed by Punjab and Andhra Pradesh • Among Union Territories, Chandigarh topped the list followed by Delhi and Puducherry • The index is developed by commerce and industry ministry along with the company Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Ltd (Deloitte) • To establish the performance of the logistics sector based on user and stakeholder perception.

Qs: Which state has tops the second edition of perception based 2019 LEADS index?

Pulathisi Express

• Sri Lanka’s new luxury train Pulathisi Express by Indian railways was flagged off • It was produced under the ‘Make in India’ project of the Indian Railways was launched • SL’s President Shri Maithripala Sirisena flagged off the new train from Fort railway station in Colombo to Polonnaruwa, North central province of SL.

Qs: Pulathisi Express by Indian railways was flagged off in which country ?

WB’s aid for food parks

• World Bank will provide Rs 3,000 crore assistance to finance, mini and mega food parks across India. • This will help boost farmers' income

Qs: How much assistance was given by World bank to finance mini and mega food parks across India?

IBSF Billiards C’ship

• Pankaj Advani, has clinched a record 22nd world titles by winning a fourth straight final in the 150-up format at the IBSF World Billiards Championship in Myanmar. • He defeated Nay Thway of Myanmar

Qs: Who has won IBSF World Billiards Championship? Vietnam Open Men's Singles title

• In Badminton, Sourabh Verma clinched the Vietnam Open Super 100 title • He defeated China’s Sun Fei Xiang in a thrilling Men's Singles summit clash at the Ho Chi Minh City

Qs: Who won Vietnam Open Super 100 title? Myanmar International Series

• Indian shuttler Kaushal Dharmamer clinched the Myanmar International Series by defeating Indonesia's Karono Karono in a thrilling men's singles final • He had won the Hatzor International in October last year

Qs: Who has won men's singles final in Myanmar International Series? 1st woman to claim 2 white-ball hat-tricks

• Australian fast bowler Megan Schutt created record by becoming the first woman to have two hat tricks in white ball cricket in 3rd ODI matches against West Indies • Match held at Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium in Antigua, Barbuda • Her first hat-trick in a Twenty20 game against India in March last year • She also became the first Australian woman to claim a hat trick in ODI

Qs: Who has created record by becoming the first woman to have two hat tricks in white ball cricket? IMPORTANT DAYS

• United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation - September 12, 2019 Theme : “South-South Cooperation is From Commitment to Action — Follow up to Buenos Aires Plan of Action+40” • National forest martyrs day - September 11, 2019 (Observed at Forester Memorial in the Forest Research Institute (FRI) in Dehradun, Uttarakhand)

Qs: National forest martyrs day was observed on ______OBITUARY

• Climate change campaigner, Tongan PM Akilisi Pohiva, aged 78, passed away • Former Indonesian president Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie passes away

Qs: Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie who has passed away recently has been the president of ______AGREEMENTS

• International Finance Corporation (IFC) & Finance Industry Development Council (FIDC) sign a MoU to train Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC). To build the capacities of NBFCs to improve reporting and enquiring on Commercial Credit Information Data from the Credit Bureaus

Qs: Who has signed an MoU with FIDC to train NBFC’s ? APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS

• Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) chief Noor Wali Mehsud - ‘Specially Designated Global Terrorist’ (SDGT) (United States (US) Department of State designated) • MS Mahabaleshwara (Karnataka Bank MD & CEO) - Indian Banks Association’s (IBA) Managing Committee (inducted) • Hima Das (brand ambassador) – Gatorade (sports drink brand by PepsiCo India)

Qs: Who was appointed as brand ambassador of Gatorade sports drink brand? IMPORTANT EVENTS

• Neermahal Jal Utsav – Tripura (Neermahal is a water palace built at the middle of Rudrasagar lake by Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya) • Maiden IN-RSN-RTN (Indian Navy (IN), Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) and Royal Thailand Navy (RTN))Trilateral Exercise - Port Blair • 24th World Energy Congress 2019 - Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, in Abu Dhabi UAE. Theme: “Energy for Prosperity” • INS Sahyadri and Kiltan to participate in Samudra Laksamana 2019 at Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia • COP 14 of United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) - Greater Noida, Delhi. Theme: “Investing in Land, Unlocking Opportunities”

Qs: COP 14 of United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) was held at ______AWARDS AND HONOURS

• Arcadia Education Project (South Kanarchor of Bangladesh) - Aga Khan Architecture Award 2019

Qs: Who has won Aga Khan Architecture Award 2019

Massive Shramdan

• Railways will undertake - Massive Shramdan drive with main focus on collection of plastic waste. • This Shramadan is for enhanced cleanliness, through collection of plastic waste from all railway premises and creating awareness for a greater impact against single use plastic.

Qs: Massive Shramdan drive with main focus on collection of plastic waste was launched by which department? Astra successfully tested

• Air-to-Air missile Astra has been successfully flight tested off the coast of Odisha. • The missile was launched from Su-30 MKI as a part of User trials.

Qs: Which Air-to-Air missile has been successfully flight tested off the coast of Odisha? HimVijay

• Indian army and Indian Air Force (IAF) will conduct a large war exercise along the china border near Arunachal Pradesh named ‘HimVijay’ • This would be the 1st and biggest ever war game done by the strike corps in the eastern region. • For the first time, 17 Mountain Corps will be involved, over 2500 soldiers will participate in it.

Qs: Indian army and Indian Air Force (IAF) will conduct a large war exercise named ‘HimVijay’ near ______‘Jan Soochna Portal’

• Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot launched India’s first ‘Jan Soochna Portal’ under the Rajasthan Innovation Vision (RAJIV) campaign • It is a first of its kind in India to provide access to information about govt. departments in a single platform. • This portal will provide people to seek the Right to Information(RTI) with transparency and accountability.

Rajasthan Chief minister: Ashok Gehlot Governor: Kalraj Mishra Qs: India’s first ‘Jan Soochna Portal’ was launched by which state government? First-ever arrested landing of Tejas

• First-ever arrested landing of the Light Combat Aircraft(LCA) Tejas was successfully executed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation(DRDO) and Aeronautical Development agency(ADO) at INS Hansa, Goa • This achievement would pave way to take up aircraft carrier landing demonstration on Indian Naval Aircraft Carrier, INS (Indian Naval Ship) Vikramaditya.

Qs: First-ever arrested landing of the Light Combat Aircraft(LCA) Tejas was successfully conducted at ______Mukhya Mantri Dal Poshit Yojana

• Uttarakhand CM Trivendra Singh Rawat launches “Mukhya Mantri Dal Poshit Yojana” scheme in the state • In this scheme ration card holders will be provided 2kg of pulses at subsidised price every month in the state.

Uttarakhand Governor: Baby Rani Maurya Chief Minister: Trivendra Singh Rawat Qs: “Mukhya Mantri Dal Poshit Yojana” was launched by which state government? Ayushman Bharat Haryana Income limit raised

• Government of Haryana raised the income limit to Rs 1.8 lakh per annum (p.a) in order to claim the benefits under Ayushman Bharat- Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (PMJAY) scheme • People will get a ‘Ayushman Bharat Card’. • The people will have to get their ‘Parivaar Pahchan Patra (Family Identity Card)’. It can be made at any ‘Atal Seva Kendra’.

Haryana Governor: Satyadev Narayan Arya Chief minister: Manohar Lal Khattar Qs: Which state government raised the income limit to Rs 1.8 lakh per annum (p.a) in order to claim the benefits under Ayushman Bharat? Panel to examine non-personal data regulation

• 8-membered high-level panel headed by Infosys co-founder Kris Gopalakrishnan has been formed • To study issues related to non-personal data and suggest the ways to regulate non-personal data.

Qs: Who will be head of the high-level panel to study issues related to non-personal data? Rethinking Good Governance

• Venkaiah Naidu releases the book ‘Rethinking Good Governance’ authored by the former CAG Vinod Rai in New Delhi • The book has been published by Rupa Publications.

Qs: Book titled ‘Rethinking Good Governance’ was authored by ______

World’s top oil exporter

• The US becomes the world’s top oil exporter surpassing Saudi Arabia and Russia • In June 2019, crude exports grew above 3 million barrels per day (bpd) in the US. • Announced by International Energy Agency (IEA)

Qs: Which country becomes the world’s top oil exporter as per International Energy Agency (IEA)?

Centre support for ECGC

• Central government will give support of 8,500 crore rupees to Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India, ECGC, in the next five years. • ECGC has introduced a scheme called Niryat Rin Vikash Yojana - NIRVIK to enhance loan availability to exporters. • ECGC provides credit guarantee to exporters up to 60 per cent of loss. • Under the new scheme NIRVIK, up to 90 per cent of the principal amount and interest will be covered through insurance. It will cover both pre and post-shipment credit.

Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India, ECGC CMD: N. Shankar Headquarters: Mumbai Qs: How much Central government will give as a support to ECGC? Federal body for agriculture sector

• RBI panel chaired by Mahesh Kumar Jain suggests to set up of a federal body like GST council for the agriculture sector • The panel stated that subsidy on interest subvention or agricultural credit should be converted into direct benefit transfer like LPG • And subsidy on fertilizer with an overall limit of Rs 3 lakh per individual farmer through Kisan Credit Card (KCC) mode. • Banks should increase credit supply for agricultural activities and give consumption loans to farmers up to Rs 1 lakh

Reserve Bank of India Governor: Shaktikanta Das Headquarters: Mumbai Qs: Who will head the RBI panel which suggested to set up of a federal body like GST council for the agriculture sector?

‘On tap’ license for SFB’s

• RBI proposes new rule to set up Rs 200 crore minimum capital within 5 years for Small Finance Banks(SFB) under ‘on tap’ license regime • To make more participants in the finance banking section. • On- tap licencing is a time-efficient feature that will allow eligible parties to obtain license on-demand basis and without the need to wait.

Qs: How much min. capital should be maintained by Small Finance Banks(SFB) under ‘on tap’ license regime as per new rule? Risk weight on consumer credit reduced

• Reserve Bank of India (RBI) reduces the risk weight on consumer credit required by banks from 125 % to 100 % • Now banks will be able to give more loans to customers for purchasing consumer products such as mobile phones, home appliances, two-wheelers, and three-wheelers. • This will reduce the cost of banks on personal loans, consumer loans and they can reduce the interest rates for them.

Qs: Reserve Bank of India (RBI) reduces the risk weight on consumer credit required by banks to ______IMF cuts India’s GDP

• International Monetary Fund (IMF) cuts India’s GDP growth to 7% from 7.3% for FY20 • This economic growth rate is expected to rise to 7.2 % FY21, which is also a downgraded projected growth rate of 7.5 in the earlier report. • The rate cut is attributed to uncertainty in corporate and environmental regulatory in some Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFC).

International Monetary Fund (IMF) Headquarters: Washington, D.C. Managing Director (MD): David Lipton Qs: International Monetary Fund (IMF) cuts India’s GDP growth to how much for FY20? NPCI reduced merchant discount rate

• NPCI reduced merchant discount rate on RuPay Debit Card to 0.60 % on transactions above Rs 2,000 • There will be a maximum of Rs 150 per transaction • Currently, MDR of 0.90 percent is charged on transactions above Rs 2,000. • Bharat QR (Quick Response) i.e. card-based QR transactions also reduced MDR to 0. 50 percent and the maximum MDR will be Rs 150 per MDR.

Qs: NPCI reduced merchant discount rate on RuPay Debit Card to how much percent?

India wins U-19 Asia Cup title

• India clinched the Under-19 Asia Cup title, with a thrilling five-run win over Bangladesh in a low-scoring final at Colombo • Defending a paltry total of 106, India dismissed Bangladesh for 101 in 33 overs.

Qs: Who has clinched the Under-19 Asia Cup title? IBSF World U-16 Snooker Championship 2019

• Ranveer Duggal, aged 15 from Chandigarh, clinched bronze medal in IBSF World U-16 Snooker Championship 2019 in Tyumen, Russia • He is a student of IX standard at St Stephen’s School, Sector 45, Chandigarh.

Qs: IBSF World U-16 Snooker Championship 2019 was held in ______Steve Smith breaks world record

• Australian former captain Steve Smith breaks world record, making 10th straight 50+ score against England at The oval stadium, London • He broke the record of most 50 plus runs in a row against a single nation • The previous record was held by Pakistan cricketer Inzamam-ul-Haq, who had hit 9 straight 50-plus scores against England from 2001 to 2006

Qs: Who has broke the record of most 50 plus runs in a row against a single nation? IMPORTANT DAYS

• Hindi Diwas - September 14 2019 • Engineers Day 2019 - September 15. Theme: “Engineering for change” • International Day of Democracy 2019 - September 15. Theme: ‘Participation’.

Qs: Hindi Diwas was observed on ______OBITUARY

• Former bureaucrat BN Yugandhar, father of Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, passes away in Hyderabad, Telangana • Photographer Charlie Cole, who took a picture of ‘Tank Man’ died at the age of 64 • Renowned writer of Kerala Sivaraman Cheriyanad passed away at the age of 78 years

Qs: Charlie Cole who has died at the age of 64 was a famous ______AWARDS AND HONOURS

• Sheikh Hasina (Prime Minister of Bangladesh) - Dr Kalam Smriti International Excellence Award 2019

Qs: Dr Kalam Smriti International Excellence Award 2019 was given to ______IMPORTANT EVENTS

• Great Ganga Run-2019 - Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi • 25th Asian Junior and Cadet Table Tennis Championships 2019 - Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia • 23rd United Nations World Tourism Organization’s (UNWTO) General Assembly 2019 - Saint Petersburg, Russia • 2020 FIFA Women’s U-17 World Cup - India (from Nov 2-21, 2020)

Qs: 2020 FIFA Women’s U-17 World Cup will be hosted by which nation?

Texas @ Trichy

• US company Texas Instruments (TI) to set up research lab at National Institute of Technology (NIT) in Trichy, Tamilnadu • It envisages joint R&D projects over a period of three years for the development of new technologies in various engineering domains. • As a part of the MoU, TI will deliver products and EVMs worth USD 25,000.

Qs: US company Texas Instruments (TI) to set up research lab at ______Jaldoot bus

• Union Minister Prakash Javadekar flags off ‘Jaldoot’ bus in Pune, Maharashtra • It showcases the importance of water conservation. • This bus which is redesigned to create “Jaldoot: Travelling Exhibition on Jalshakti Abhiyan”, would travel to 8 districts of Maharashtra for 2 months • It will also convey to people about the work of govt. in last 100 days, along with bold initiatives and decisions undertaken.

Qs: ‘Jaldoot’ bus was flagged off in ______“The Guardian” list of 100 Best Films

• Anurag Kashyap’s ‘Gangs Of Wasseypur’ became the only Indian film in “The Guardian” list of 100 Best Films of the 21st century • It claimed the 59th position • The first spot was claimed by the film There Will Be Blood (2007).

Qs: Which became the only Indian film in “The Guardian” list of 100 Best Films of the 21st century? 24 kW Dikshi Hydroelectric Project

• Arunachal Pradesh CM Pema Khandu inaugurated 24 kW Dikshi Hydroelectric Project, state’s first community-managed mini-hydroelectric project • Dikshi Hydroelectric Project on the Phudungto river at Dikshi village in West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh.

Qs: 24 kW Dikshi Hydroelectric Project was launched in ______National Centre for Clean Coal Research and Development • Union Minister of Science & Technology, Dr. Harsh Vardhan, inaugurated the National Centre for Clean Coal Research and Development (NCCCR&D) at Indian Institute of Science (IISc)- Bengaluru, Karnataka • It is a national level consortium on clean coal Research & Development (R&D) and it is led by the IISc- Bengaluru.

Qs: National Centre for Clean Coal Research and Development (NCCCR&D) at ______SITMEX

• First edition of SITMEX- Trilateral Maritime exercise of Singapore, India and Thailand of 2019 begins in Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar islands • To strengthen the maritime relationships of the three countries and to enhance security.

Qs: 1st SITMEX- Trilateral Maritime exercise begins in ______Mukhya Mantri Seva Sankalp Helpline ‘1100’

• Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh Shri Jai Ram Thakur launched the “Mukhya Mantri Seva Sankalp Helpline ‘1100’ for redressal of public grievances in a speedy and time bound manner. • 56 state departments are involved in this helpline by geo-mapping and geo-tagging. • Grievances will be addressed within a minimum period of 1 week and a maximum of 2 weeks.

Qs: “Mukhya Mantri Seva Sankalp Helpline ‘1100’ was launched in ______

International Migrant Stock 2019

• The International Migrant Stock 2019, a dataset released by the Population Division of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs • India is the leading country of origin of international migrants in 2019 with a 17.5 million strong diaspora • The report says that the number of migrants globally reached an estimated 272 million.

Qs: Which is the leading country of origin of international migrants in 2019 with a 17.5 million strong diaspora?

Handbook of Statistics on the Indian Economy 2018-19 • According to the Handbook of Statistics on the Indian Economy 2018-19 released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) • The aggregate savings deposits in the Indian private and public sector banks (PSBs) reached Rs 39.72 lakh crore as on March 31, 2019. • The foreign banks had a share of Rs 58,630 crore.

Qs: Handbook of Statistics on the Indian Economy 2018-19 released by ______

Rory Hie wins title

• Indonesian golfer Rory Hie won Classic Golf and Country Club International Championship 2019 • Indian golfer Rashid Khan and Korea’s Byungjun Kim secured the second position.

Qs: Who has won Classic Golf and Country Club International Championship 2019? Western Asia Youth and Junior Chess Championship 2019 • Western Asian Youth and Junior Chess Championships 2019 was held at Tivoli Grand Resort Hotel, New Delhi • It was organized by Delhi Chess Association (DCA) • India won 125 medals (with 44 gold, 41 silver and 40 bronze medals)

Qs: Western Asian Youth and Junior Chess Championships 2019 was held at ______18th Men’s World Basketball Championship 2019

• Spain defeated Argentina to win the 18th Men’s FIBA (Federation Internationale de Basketball ) World Basketball Championship 2019 • The event held in Beijing, China

Qs: Which nation won 18th Men’s FIBA (Federation Internationale de Basketball ) World Basketball Championship 2019? Copenhagen Half Marathon 2019

• Kenya’s Kamworor creates world record at the Copenhagen Half Marathon 2019 • In men’s category he finished at 58min 01sec, 17 seconds earlier than the record held by Abraham Kiptum (58:18) of Kenya in the Valencia Half Marathon in Valencia, Spain

Qs: Who has created world record at the Copenhagen Half Marathon 2019? Afghanistan breaks record

• Afghanistan breaks own record of most Consecutive T20I Victories and Equals Australia’s Top Record at Dhaka, Bangladesh • After their 12th successive win in T20I during 2019 Bangladesh Tri-Nation Series held at Dhaka, Bangladesh against Bangladesh

Qs: Which national team breaks own record of most Consecutive T20I Victories and Equals Australia’s Top Record? 1st Indian to complete Enduroman triathlon 2019

• Mayank Vaid becomes 1st Indian to complete Enduroman triathlon in 2019 • He breaks world record for shortest completion time held between London and Paris

Qs: Who becomes 1st Indian to complete Enduroman triathlon in 2019? YONEX Belgian International 2019

• YONEX Belgian International 2019, an annual badminton tournament, was held at Sportoase, Leuven, • Men’s Singles title was won by Lakshya Sen (India) against Victor Svendsen (Denmark) • Women’s Singles was won by Line Christophersen (Denmark) against Neslihan Yiğit (Turkey)

Qs: Who has won Men’s Singles title in YONEX Belgian International 2019? YONEX-SUNRISE Vietnam Open 2019

• YONEX-SUNRISE Vietnam Open 2019, an annual badminton tournament, was held at Nguyen Du Cultural Sports Club in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam • Men’s Singles title was won by Sourabh Verma (India) • Women’s Singles title was won by Zhang Yi Man (China)

Qs: Who has won Men’s Singles title at YONEX-SUNRISE Vietnam Open 2019? 2019

• Czech tennis player Karolina Pliskova won her career 15th WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) title by defeating Croatia’s Petra Martic • At 6th 2019 Zhengzhou Open at Zhongyuan Tennis training base management Center, China

Qs: Who has won 2019 Zhengzhou Open? IMPORTANT DAYS

• International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer / World ozone day - September 16. Theme : “32 Years and Healing”

Qs: World ozone day was observed on ______OBITUARY

• Writer and Dissident of ’s movement of communist rule Gyorgy Konrad, passed away at the age of 86 • American historian and Francis Parkman awardee Jean Edward Smith passed away at 86

Qs: Gyorgy Konrad belong to which field? AWARDS AND HONOURS

• Chhaya Sharma (IPS officer) - 2019 Asia Society Game Changers Award (by Asia Society) • Usha Khanna (Veteran music director) - “Lata Mangeshkar Award” 2019-20 (Maharashtra government) • Raghu Rai (Indian photographer) - “Acadmie des beaux-arts Photography Award – William Klein” • Anjali Singh (Wing Commander) - India’s first female military diplomat to join Indian Mission in Russia

Qs: Who became India’s first female military diplomat to join Indian Mission in Russia? AGREEMENTS

• Skill India and IBM come together for nationwide Train-the-Trainer program in Artificial Intelligence. IBM aims to train 10,000 faculty members from ITIs across India • Kerala govt and Regional Cancer Centre (RCC) jointly signs MoU with Maldives on cancer care • Wipro Infrastructure and Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) signs MoU to work together in technical sections in Bengaluru

Qs: Which state govt and Regional Cancer Centre (RCC) jointly signs MoU with Maldives on cancer care? IMPORTANT EVENTS

• 2nd flower festival during North East Monsoon (in October and November) - Udhagamandalam - Ooty - in Tamilnadu

Qs: 2nd flower festival during North East Monsoon was held in ______

Central Police University

• India’s first Central Police University will be established in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh near the Yamuna Expressway • Aim to improve the law and order of the country • The varsity will offer undergraduate (UG) & post-graduate (PG) courses on policing, internal security, cybercrime & forensic sciences.

Qs: India’s first Central Police University will be established in ______National Antimicrobial Resistance Hub

• Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) inaugurated India’s first National Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Hub in Kolkata, West Bengal • It was developed by ICMR in association with the United States (US) Department of Health and Human Services. • Aim to identify antibiotics that work best for diseases and frame a policy for antibiotic use.

Qs: India’s first National Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Hub was inaugurated in ______Vertical property rules

• Maharashtra set to become India’s first state to formulate vertical property rules • To create a database of all flats, buildings and commercial complexes with an aim to prevent property-related frauds.

Qs: Which state set to become India’s first state to formulate vertical property rules?

Lotus tower- the tallest tower of South Asia

• Sri Lankan president Shri Maithripala Sirisena unveiled “Lotus tower” which is the tallest tower of South Asia that cost over $100 million • A television tower, telecommunications museum, restaurants, observation deck, shopping mall, auditorium and a conference centre is comprised within the building. • 80% of the funding cost of the tower situated in Colombo, Srilanka has been done by China under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Qs: Lotus tower” which is the tallest tower of South Asia was unveiled in ______

ZestMoney joins PayU

• Consumer lending platform, ZestMoney has partnered with PayU, a fintech firm that provides payment technology to online merchants • To offer cardless EMI (equated monthly installment) payment option to consumers.

Qs: With whom ZestMoney has partnered to offer cardless EMI (equated monthly installment) payment option to consumers?

Visa joins with BillDesk

• Visa in partnership with BillDesk to launch interface for recurring payments , “standing instructions (SI) Hub” • It is a smooth and secure way to make recurring payments using cards with a one-time enrollment.

Qs: Visa in partnership with whom will launch interface for recurring payments , “standing instructions (SI) Hub”? Airtel’s new savings account

• Airtel Payments Bank has launched “Bharosa” savings account services with the aim of deepening the financial inclusion in India. • Customers of Airtel Payments Bank will get personal accident insurance up to Rs 5 Lakh, even with the minimum balance of 500. • However, the customer will need to make a debit transaction at least once a month.

Qs: Who has launched “Bharosa” savings account services with the aim of deepening the financial inclusion in India? EPFO to credit interest in 6 crore accts

• EPFO to credit 8.65% interest in over 6 crore accounts for 2018-19 after the approval from the Ministry of Finance • The rate which was increased to 8.65% for the year 2018-19 was the first increase in the past 2 years. • As per EPFO’s estimates, there would be a surplus of Rs 151.67 crore after providing an 8.65% rate of interest for 2018-19 on EPF.

Qs: What is EPFO interest rate for 2018-19?

Official mascot for Beijing Olympics

• An official mascot for Beijing Winter Olympics and Paralympics 2022 revealed • The smiling panda, named Bing Dwen Dwen was revealed as the official mascot for Beijing Winter Olympics 2022 • A walking Chinese lantern Shuey Rhon Rhon was declared as the official mascot for Winter Paralympics 2022.

Qs: What is the official mascot for Beijing Winter Olympics 2022? U-17 Junior Boys Subroto Cup International Football Tournament 2019 • Meghalaya’s Hopewel Elias Higher Secondary School clinched the title of 60th edition of Under-17 Junior Boys Subroto Cup International Football Tournament 2019 • By beating Bangladesh Krida Shiksha Prothishtan (BKSP) by a scoreline of 1-0 at the tournament held in Dr. Ambedkar Stadium, New Delhi.

Qs: Who has clinched the title of 60th edition of Under-17 Junior Boys Subroto Cup International Football Tournament 2019? OBITUARY

• Noted Malayalam actor Sathar passed away in Kochi, Kerala

Qs: Sathar was a famous ______APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

• R Ramamoorthy - New CMD of Cognizant India • President of Asian Development Bank (ADB) Takehiko Nakao - resigns • Dinesh Mongia (Former India all-rounder) - retires (all forms of cricket career)

Qs: Dinesh Mongia belong to which sport? AWARDS AND HONOURS

• Documentary ‘Moti Bagh’ (Prasar Bharati funded) - Nominated for Oscars • Agnes Kharshiing- rights activist (Meghalaya) - 11th International Hrant Dink award 2019 • 16 yrs Greta Thunberg (Swedish environmental activist) and the ‘Fridays for Future youth movement’ -‘Ambassadors of Conscience’ award 2019 (Amnesty International) • Dutch footballer Virgil van Dijk - UEFA Men’s Player of the Year 2018/2019

Qs: Who has won UEFA Men’s Player of the Year 2018/2019? IMPORTANT EVENTS

• First International Conference on Sustainability Education 2019 - India Habitat Centre, New Delhi • 5th International Ramayana Festival ( organised by Indian Council for Cultural Relations(ICCR) ) - New Delhi • 44th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF)2019 - Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Qs: 5th International Ramayana Festival was held in ______

1 crore beneficiaries

• Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) has achieved a significant milestone by crossing one crore beneficiaries. • The PMMVY is a direct benefit transfer scheme under which cash benefits are provided to pregnant women in their bank account directly to meet enhanced nutritional needs and partially compensate for wage loss. • The scheme, under which the beneficiaries receive a cash benefit of five thousand rupees in three installments • The total amount disbursed to the beneficiaries under the scheme has crossed four thousand crore rupees. Qs: Which scheme provides cash benefits to pregnant women to meet enhanced nutritional needs and partially compensate for wage loss?

Company Law Committee

• Government constitutes Company Law Committee for examining provisions and issues related to Companies Act 2013 implementation • The 11- member company law committee will be headed by Corporate Affairs Secretary Injeti Srinivas

Qs: Who will be the head of Company Law Committee ? Spl attention to 250 Districts

• Govt gives special attention to 250 Districts under Poshan Maah • During the celebration of “Rashtriya Poshan Maah” (National Nutrition Month), the entire month of September, 2019 with the theme of ‘Complementary Feeding • In these districts malnutrition level is higher than the national average

Qs:How many districts were to be given special attention under Poshan Maah?

Swachh Bharat World University

• Maharashtra govt. to set up “Swachh Bharat World University” at Sevagram in wardha district of Maharashtra • To focus on cleanliness and sanitation research and also to mark Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary

Qs: “Swachh Bharat World University” was to be set up in ______The Cousins Thackeray: Uddhav, Raj and the Shadow of their Senas • The book titled “The Cousins Thackeray: Uddhav, Raj and the Shadow of their Senas” written by the journalist Dhaval Kulkarni was released • The book depicts the political journey of Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray.

Qs: The book titled “The Cousins Thackeray: Uddhav, Raj and the Shadow of their Senas” was written by ______Telangana’s AI year

• Telangana state Government will celebrate 2020 as Year of Artificial Intelligence (AI) • By organising multiple programs and activities related to the new age technology throughout the year

Qs: Which state Government will celebrate 2020 as Year of Artificial Intelligence? Tatpar - new app

• Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal has launched a new mobile app called ‘Tatpar’ developed by various units of Delhi Police over the last three years • People will be able to do more than 50 works of their need through this app with a single touch. • By visiting this app, people can navigate to their nearest police station, traffic pit and prepaid taxi booth & can also get complete contact details of the concerned Station House Officer (SHO) of a police station

Qs: Which state has launched a new mobile app called ‘Tatpar’?

Code for Responsible Lending

• Code for Responsible Lending (CRL) for the micro-credit industry launched by Microfinance Institutions Network (MFIN), Sa-Dhan and FIDC(Finance Industry Development Council) • To bring more transparency & address customer-centric issue • The revised microfinance code mandates that only three microcredit entities can lend loans to a single client and cap the size of total lending to Rs 1 lakh per microfinance customer • It also bars lending to a customer whose loan has turned non-performing & lending will not be allowed without update credit bureau report. Qs: What is the expansion of FIDC? Relaxing Investments In IDF Bonds

• Govt Waives 3-Year Lock-In Period On Non-Resident Indians(NRI) Investments In Infrastructure Debt Funds (IDFs) Bonds • To boost foreign investment in the infrastructure sector • Investment made by an NRI in bonds should be subjected to a 3-year lock-in period except where the transfer is made to another non-resident. • Thus, NRI investors can now transfer IDF bonds freely to another NRI outside India.

Qs: Govt Waives 3-Year Lock-In Period On Non-Resident Indians(NRI) Investments In ______NR invts in MFs

• United Arab Emirates (UAE) tops in non-residents investments in Indian mutual funds (MFs) with the share of 16% • The foreign liabilities of units in Indian MFs made by UAE stood at Rs 14,979 crore • The second place was acquired by the United States (US) with Rs 8,989 crore (9.6% share) • Announced by Reserve Bank of India (RBI)

Qs: Which country tops in non-residents investments in Indian mutual funds (MFs)? IMPORTANT DAYS

• World Bamboo Day for 2019 - September 18. Theme: ‘Bamboo for sustainable development goals‘ • World Patient Safety Day (by WHO) - 17th September 2019. Theme : ‘Patient Safety: a global health priority’

Qs: AWARDS & HONOURS

• Jindal Global University (Haryana) - ‘Institution of Eminence’ Status • Super 30 founder Anand Kumar - Education Excellence Award 2019 • Entrepreneur Kapil Pathare - Doctorate in Business (Ballsbridge University)

Qs: Who has been awarded Education Excellence Award 2019? IMPORTANT EVENTS

20th NEXA International Indian Film Academy Awards 2019 - Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Indoor Stadium, Mumbai, Maharashtra AWARD WINNERS:- Best Film – Raazi Best Actor in a Leading Role (Female) - Alia Bhatt (Raazi) Best Actor in a Leading Role (Male) - Ranveer Singh (Padmaavat) Best Director - Sriram Raghavan (Andhadhun)

Qs: 20th NEXA International Indian Film Academy Awards 2019 was held at ______APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS

• Air Marshal RKS Bhadauria - New Air Chief

Qs: Who was appointed as new Air Chief of Indian Air Force?

Petronet to import 5m tonnes of LNG

• India's Petronet to import five million tonnes of LNG from US Company Tellurian • Petronet will invest 2.5 billion US dollar in Tellurian's proposed Driftwood LNG export terminal in the US, in exchange for the rights to 5 million metric tonnes of LNG per year over 40 years.

Qs: How much will Petronet invest in Tellurian's proposed Driftwood LNG export terminal in US? Family pension for hiked

• Family pension for Central govt employee dying within 7 years of service hiked from 30% to 50% • The government has amended Rule 54 of the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972 • After it felt that the need for family pension at enhanced rate is more in the case of a government servant who dies early in his career.

Qs: Family pension for Central govt employee dying within 7 years of service hiked to ______UMMID initiative

• Govt launches ‘UMMID’ initiative to tackle inherited genetic diseases of newborn babies • Also inaugurated NIDAN (National Inherited Diseases Administration) Kendras. • The new initiative aims at creating awareness about genetic disorders amongst clinicians and establish molecular diagnostics in hospitals so that the benefits of developments in medical genetics could reach patients

Qs: Govt launches which initiative to tackle inherited genetic diseases of newborn babies? Leadership Group for low-carbon economy

• New leadership group announced at Climate Action Summit to drive industry transition to low-carbon economy • India and Sweden together with Argentina, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, South Korea and the UK, as well as a group of companies announced a new Leadership Group for Industry Transition • This global initiative will ensure heavy industries and mobility companies can find a workable pathway to deliver on the Paris Agreement.

Qs: Which initiative was announced at Climate Action Summit to drive industry transition to low-carbon economy? Two agriculture-related Mobile Apps

• Agriculture and Farmer Welfare Minister Narendra Singh Tomar launched two agriculture-related Mobile Applications - CHC Farm Machinery and Krishi Kisan • Using Custom Hiring Service Centers or CHC App, small level farmers can avail agriculture Machinery on rental basis to enhance their production • Krishi Kisan App will provide farmers information of best demonstration of high-yielding crops and seeds at nearby area.

Qs: Which two agriculture-related Mobile Applications was launched by Narendra Singh Tomar? Cane and Bamboo Technology Park

• Cane and Bamboo Technology Park-cum-Office Premises of Cane and Bamboo Technology Centre (CBTC) was inaugurated at Burnihat, Assam • The Centre will be identifying and transferring appropriate manufacturing techniques, providing technical assistance, rendering specific services such as, laboratory testing and quality assurance.

Qs: Cane and Bamboo Technology Park was inaugurated at ______NEAT Scheme

• HRD ministry announces National Educational Alliance for Technology (NEAT) Scheme for Higher Education learning outcomes • The main objective of this scheme is to use Artificial Intelligence(AI) in making personalized learning and will be developed through Public-private partnership (PPP) model. • AICTE (All India Council for Technical Education) will be the implementing agency of this scheme.

Qs: HRD ministry announces which Scheme for Higher Education learning outcomes? WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) report 2019 • The open defecation practices in India between 2000 and 2017 has decreased by 47% • 43% of Indian people have gained access to basic sanitation facilities. • This was highlighted in WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Program (JMP) for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene, report 2019, “Progress on drinking water, sanitation and hygiene: 2000-2017: Special focus on inequalities”

Qs: The open defecation practices in India between 2000 and 2017 has decreased by ______Chang Thang exercise

• Indian army conducted massive integrated exercise named ‘Chang Thang’ in the Eastern Ladakh region bordering China • The exercise involved all the arms of the Indian army like T-72 tanks, artillery guns and helicopters, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles etc.

Qs: Indian army conducted massive integrated exercise named ‘Chang Thang’ in ______PET bottle crush in

• Indian Railways for the first time installed Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) bottle crush machine in Mumbai Rajdhani express which runs between Mumbai Central and New Delhi • It was implemented by the Western Railways as part of the Indian Railway’s Swachh Bharat and Go Green missions associated with the ban of single-use plastic imposed by the Centre.

Qs: Indian Railways for the first time installed Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) bottle crush machine in ______Karo Sambhav

• 32 leading Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) companies like Coca-Cola India, PepsiCo India, and Bisleri etc are to jointly launch first-of-its-kind packaging waste management venture named Karo Sambhav in the country • Aims to create an ecosystem for post-consumer packaging collections and optimization of material recycling processes.

Qs: 32 leading FMCG companies has launched which initiative for packaging waste management? Champions campaign

• Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal launched ‘champions campaign’ against dengue • He had also launched 10Hafte 10Baje 10Minute campaign. • He had urged the Delhi residents to give 10 minutes every Sunday from September 1- November 15, 2019, to check the surroundings to prevent the breeding of dengue-carrier mosquitoes.

Qs: ‘Champions campaign’ against dengue was launched in which state?

World’s first camel hospital

• World’s first camel hospital at Dubai set to expand its facilities • In response to the increase in demand the hospital has decided to its services facilities by an additional 50 per cent • According to the veterinary hospital, the facilities have been enlarged to treat over 30 camels simultaneously. It currently has capacity for 22

Qs: World’s first camel hospital was in ______

PMC Bank under directions

• Reserve Bank of India has placed the Punjab and Maharashtra Cooperative (PMC) Bank Limited, Mumbai, Maharashtra under Directions • According to the Directions, depositors will be allowed to withdraw a sum not exceeding 1,000 rupees of the total balance in every savings bank account or current account or any other deposit account, subject to conditions stipulated in the RBI Directions. • The RBI monitors banks' health and issues such directions in case of concerns over financial health of an institution.

Qs: Reserve Bank of India has placed which bank in Maharashtra under Directions? Digital Payment Abhiyan

• NASSCOM’s Data Security Council of India (DSCI), Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) and Google India launched a nationwide ‘Digital Payment Abhiyan’ • It is aimed to educate people on the benefits of making digital payments and adopt security and safety best practices.

Qs: NASSCOM’s Data Security Council of India (DSCI), Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) and Google India launched a nationwide awareness programme named ______Banks not to declare stressed assets of MSMEs as NPAs • Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stated that, till March 31, 2020, Banks not to declare stressed assets of MSMEs as NPAs • This was done in order to overcome the slowdown in the economy and increase business activities

Qs: Banks to not declare stressed assets of MSMEs as NPAs till which date? Move to protect consumer credit data

• Reserve Bank Of India(RBI) bars unregulated fintech firms from accessing the consumer credit data • RBI has directed the banks and NBFCs to stop sharing the pattern of consumer’s credit information held by credit information companies (CICs) with analytics firms , IT companies, institutional agents and unregulated parties. • The banking bodies have been given 15 days time period to implement the measure.

Qs: Who has issued directives to bar unregulated fintech firms from accessing the consumer credit data? Comm. for social stock exchanges

• Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) sets up committee to suggest structure and norms for social stock exchanges • 15-member committee headed by Ishaat Hussain to suggest possible measures and regulations in creating the ‘social stock exchanges’

Qs: Who was the head of the committee to suggest structure and norms for social stock exchanges by SEBI?

OECD growth forecast

• India’s GDP growth expected to grow by 5.9 per cent for 2019 (FY-Fiscal Year 2020) and 6.3 % in 2020 (FY21) • As per the intergovernmental economic organisation, OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development ) latest “Interim Economic Outlook” with title “Warning: Low Growth Ahead”

Qs: As per OECD, India’s GDP growth was expected to grow by what percent for 2019?

Rahul Aware wins bronze

• Indian wrestler Rahul Aware has won a bronze medal in men's 61 kilogram free-style category at the World Championship in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan • Rahul beat 17th seeded American Tyler Lee Graff 11-4 to ensure he finished on the podium.

Qs: Who has won a bronze medal in men's 61 kilogram free-style category at the World Championship ? Kyle Abbott creates history

• Former South African cricketer Kyle Abbott creates history with a total of 17 wickets in 120th Specsavers County Championship 2019 against Somerset in a match playing for Hampshire • Kyle took 17 wickets for 86 runs. • This was the best figures in first-class cricket for 63 years

Qs: Who has created history with a total of 17 wickets in 120th Specsavers County Championship 2019 against Somerset? BOOKS & AUTHORS

• ‘Himalayan Odyssey’ - by Member of Parliament (MP) Veerendra Kumar • Turbulence & Triumph: The Modi Years’ - jointly authored by Rahul Agarwal and Bharathi S Pradhan • “Being Gandhi” - by Paro Anand

Qs: “Being Gandhi” book was written by ______APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS

• Samuel Joseph Jebaraj - Deputy Managing Director (DMD) of IDBI Bank

Qs: Who was appointed as Deputy Managing Director (DMD) of IDBI Bank? AWARDS & HONOURS

• Indian School of Business (ISB) Hyderabad ranked 7th globally & 1st in Asia in Forbes “Best International 1-Year Business Schools 2019” rankings; International Institute for Management Development (IMD) Tops • Neena Gupta (60) has won Best Actress award for the film ‘Badhaai Ho’ & her film “ Last Color” has won the Best Feature Film award at Indian International Film Festival of Boston(IFFB) 2019 • Indian Railways Secunderabad station becomes 1st station to get Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) green platinum rating

Qs: Which railway station has become the 1st station to get Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) green platinum rating? AGREEMENTS

• Ayushman Bharat signs MoU with Ola to extend healthcare benefits for its driver-partners and families

Qs: Ayushman Bharat signs MoU with whom to extend healthcare benefits for its driver-partners and families? OBITUARY

• Veteran cricketer Madhav Apte passes away • Former Tunisia president Zine el-Abidine Ben passed away at the age of 83 in Saudi Arabia • Former Netherland’s football international Fernando Ricksen passes away • Famous filmmaker Shyam Ramsay passes away at Mumbai, Maharashtra

Qs: Madhav Apte who has passed away recently was a famous ______IMPORTANT DAYS

• International Day of Sign Languages - Sep 23. Theme : Sign Language Rights for All.

Qs: International Day of Sign Languages was observed on ______IMPORTANT EVENTS

• 55th Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Day (celebration) - Dhaka, Bangladesh (High Commission of India) • 16th Global SME Business Summit 2019 - New Delhi

Qs: 16th Global SME Business Summit 2019 was held at ______

ICGS Varaha

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh commissioned the Indian Coast Guard Ship ICGS Varaha at Chennai Port • The ship is the fourth in the series of seven offshore patrol vessels of the Coast Guard. • It will be based at New Mangalore in Karnataka under the Western Command. • The 98-metre offshore patrol vessel ICGS Varaha has been designed and constructed indigenously.

Qs: ICGS Varaha was commissioned at ______Aponar Apon Ghar

• Assam Govt launches housing loan subsidy scheme - Aponar Apon Ghar • To provide financial assistance on purchase or construction of the first house for a family. • Subsidy up to 2 lakh 50 thousand rupees will be provided for loan amounts from five lakh to 40 lakh rupees.

Qs: Aponar Apon Ghar was launched by which state government? MALABAR 2019

• The 23rd edition of the Trilateral Maritime Exercise MALABAR is held off the coast of Japan • It is scheduled between the navies of India, Japan and USA • MALABAR 2019 would endeavour to further strengthen India - Japan - US Naval cooperation and enhance interoperability, based on shared values and principles.

Qs: 23rd MALABAR 2019 was held in ______Biggest solar park @ Gujarat

• NTPC ltd (National Thermal Power Corporation Limited) announced to set up a 5GW (gigawatt) solar national park in Gujarat and is also expected to be the biggest in the country • The cost of the site set up is expected to be Rs 25,000 crores ($3.5 billion) and is to be operational in 2024. • This solar park is part of NTPC’s aim to build 32GW renewable energy by 2032 and reduce the energy mix of fossil fuels from 96% to 70%.

Qs: NTPC ltd announced to set up a 5GW solar national park in ______Ladakhi dance enters Guinness record

• Ladakhi Shondol dance ,the royal dance of Ladakh creates history by entering into the Guinness book of world records as the largest Ladakhi dance • On the occasion of 4 days long annual Naropa Festival 2019 themed ‘Environmental sustainability of Ladakh and the Himalayan region’ • As many as 408 women attired in traditional dresses and beautiful headgears performed the dance • Broke the previous record of 299 artists dance of Shondol in the 2018 festival.

Qs: Which Ladakhi dance has entered into Guinness book of world records as the largest Ladakhi dance?

Brand ambassador of Madhya Pradesh

• Actor Govinda appointed as the brand ambassador of Madhya Pradesh • To promote the state’s traditions and tourist places • The government also has plans to set up a film city in the state.

Qs: Who was appointed as the brand ambassador of Madhya Pradesh tourism?

QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2020

• In the latest QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) Graduate Employability Rankings 2020, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), United States (US) topped the list • Indian Institute of Technology(IIT) Bombay topped all the Indian institutes in the list with band ranking 111-120 • The other two best ranked Indian institutes are IIT Delhi at band ranking 151-160 and IIT Madras at band ranking 171-180 • The Birla Institute of Science and Technology (BITS) Pilani, Rajasthan, for the first time entered the 201-250 band ranking

Qs: Which institution topped QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2020?

India’s fund for projects in Pacific region

• India announces 12 million dollar grant for high impact developmental projects in Pacific Island countries • In addition, a concessional Line of Credit of 150 Million dollars which can be availed by the Pacific Islands Developing States (PSIDS) for undertaking solar, renewable energy and climate-related projects

Qs: How much fund was announced by India for high impact developmental projects in Pacific Island countries?

Govt cuts corporate tax

• The government has cut the corporate tax from nearly 35 to about 25 per cent for domestic investors. • Total revenue foregone for the reduction in corporate tax rate and other relief are estimated to be at 1.45 lakh crore rupees. • New domestic manufacturing companies will have to pay 15 per cent tax.

Qs: The government has recently cut the corporate tax to ______Economic Advisory Council reconstituted

• Government of India has reconstituted the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) for a period of two years with effect from 26th September 2019 • Dr. Bibek Debroy and Shri Ratan P. Watal will continue to be the Chairman and Member Secretary respectively • EAC-PM will have two Part-Time Members Dr. Ashima Goel and Dr. Sajjid Chinoy

Qs: Who is the chairman of Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM)? Turn Around Time (TAT)

• Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Comes Out With A New Order Regarding ‘Failed’ Transactions • Under this, the time period has been fixed for the disposal of grievances and auto reversal of the amount on the failed transaction for the banks, which has been termed as Turn Around Time (TAT) • Banks will have to pay compensation to the customers if there is no settlement or reversal of the transaction within this time period. • This compensation will be as per Rs 100 per day after completion of the time period.

Qs: Which institution came out with a new order regarding ‘failed’ transactions?

Loan limit for small exporters increased

• RBI increased the loan sanction limit for small exporters as priority sector lending (PSL) by banks to Rs 40 crore per borrower from Rs 25 crore • In order to boost credit to the export sector.

Qs: RBI increased the loan sanction limit for small exporters as priority sector lending (PSL) by banks to ______Most valued domestic firm

• Reliance Industries becomes the most valued domestic firm in market capitalisation surpassing Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) • RIL’s m-cap stood at Rs 7,95,179.62 crore at the close of trade on September 20, 2019 while that of TCS stood at Rs 7,75,092.58 crore

Qs: Which became the most valued domestic firm in market capitalization in India? Baroda Kisan

• Bank of Baroda (BoB) has launched an agriculture digital platform called “Baroda Kisan” in Bardoli, Surat,Gujarat • It is a web-based portal that can also be accessed by farmers through mobile.

Qs: Bank of Baroda (BoB) has launched an agriculture digital platform called “Baroda Kisan” in ______IMPS - best payment service

• India’s IMPS rated as the world’s best real-time payment service in 6th annual Flavours of Fast report for 2019 by Fidelity National Information Services (FIS) • It received the 5+ rating which is the highest in FIS’s ‘Faster Payments Innovation Index 2019’.

Qs: Which has been rated as the world’s best real-time payment service in 6th annual Flavours of Fast report for 2019?

25th Senior Women's National Football Championship • Defending champion Manipur have clinched the title of the 25th Senior Women's National Football Championship for the 20th time. • In the final at CHF Ground in Pasighat (Arunachal Pradesh), Manipur defeated Railways 1-0 in a thrilling contest.

Qs: Which team has clinched the 25th Senior Women's National Football Championship title? Masakadza - highest scorer in last T20

• Zimbabwe’s batsman Hamilton Masakadza becomes the highest scorer in career’s last T20I match by scoring 71 runs against Afghanistan during 2019 Bangladesh Tri-Nation Series • It was his last match in international cricket. • He is the 15th highest T20I run-scorer and the highest run-scorer for Zimbabwe (1,662 runs from 66 innings).

Qs: Hamilton Masakadza belongs to which nation? 2019 World Boxing Championships

• Ekaterinburg AIBA 2019 World Boxing Championships held in Ekaterinburg Expo, Yekaterinburg, Russia • Indian boxers clinched 2 medals and it was for the first time that India had won 2 medals in the championships. • Amit Panghal, aged 23, lost to Olympic champion Shokhobidin Zoirov of Uzbekistan by 0-5 in the 52kg category and settled for silver • India’s Manish Kaushik defeated top seed Andy Cruz Gomez from Cuba in the 63 kg category and secured bronze medal.

Qs: Ekaterinburg AIBA 2019 World Boxing Championships held in ______AGREEMENTS

• Max Bupa and Indian Bank signed bancassurance corporate agency agreement

Qs: Who has signed bancassurance corporate agency agreement with Indian Bank? IMPORTANT DAYS

• International Day of Peace / World Peace Day - 21 September. Theme 2019 : ‘Climate Action for Peace’ • World Alzheimer’s Day 2019 - September 21. Theme : raising awareness and challenging the stigma around the disease. • World Rhino Day 2019 - September 22. • World rose day - 22nd September

Qs: World Rhino Day 2019 was observed on ______OBITUARY

• Veteran American journalist & Pulitzer Prize winner Robert S Boyd passes away • B R Vats, former PTI correspondent who covered 1st LS polls passed away at the age of 97 in New Delhi • Veteran actor and multi-faceted artiste S.K. Padmadevi who was part of the first Kannada talkie film ‘Bhakta Dhruva’ passed away

Qs: Robert S Boyd who has passed away recently was a famous ______IMPORTANT EVENTS

• 35th Tri-Services Commanders Conference 2019 - Jaisalmer, Rajasthan • 63rd General Conference of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) - Vienna, Austria

Qs: 35th Tri-Services Commanders Conference 2019 was held at ______APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS

• Adille Sumariwalla (President of Athletics Federation of India) - IAAF Council member (re-elected) • Madhukar Kamath - Chairman of Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) 2019-20 • Sri Lankan spinner, Akila Dananjaya (for suspected bowling action) - 12-month ban • Krishna Mohan Prasad (IRS officer) - First Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax of National e-Assessment Centre (NeAC).

Qs: Akila Dananjaya who was issued 12-month ban for suspected bowling action belong to which international cricket team? AWARDS AND HONOURS

• Amitabh Bachchan - Dada Sahab Phalke award • PT Usha - IAAF Veteran Pin • Kerala tourism wins 3 awards - 2019 PATA gold awards (Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan)

Qs: Dada Sahab Phalke award to be given to ______

Digital census

• Home Minister Amit Shah announced first ever “digital census” in 2021 • The digital census is expected to have the potential in bringing all the cards like Aadhaar, passport, bank account, driving license etc. under a single platform. • Rs. 12, 000 crores will be spent on preparation of National Population Register (NPR) and census 2021. • It will be a transformation from paper census to digital census as mobile app will be used to collect data.

Qs: In which year India will have “digital census”? Assistance for Deep Sea Fishing

• Centre introduced a new scheme named ‘Assistance for Deep Sea Fishing’ for the fishermen in Tamil Nadu • Rs 300 crore was released for this scheme by the union government. • The total cost of the scheme is Rs 1600 crore. The share of the Central government is Rs 800 cr and Rs 320 cr will be borne by the state.

Qs: How much amount was released by union government for a new scheme named ‘Assistance for Deep Sea Fishing’? Aadhaar on arrival for NRIs

• Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) announces applying for Aadhaar on arrival by NRIs without 182-day wait • A valid Indian passport will be accepted as proof of identity, proof of address (PoA) and date of birth document.

Qs: Who has announced applying for Aadhaar on arrival by NRIs without 182-day wait? Tiger Triumph 2019

• India and the United States(US) are set to host the first ever tri-services exercise codenamed “Exercise Tiger Triumph” at Visakhapatnam and Kakinada, both of state Andhra Pradesh • The announcement for the ‘Tiger Triumph’ was made by US president Donald Trump during the ‘Howdy Modi!’ event in America.

Qs: “Exercise Tiger Triumph” was held at ______

Abortion decriminalised across Australia

• Abortion has been decriminalised across Australia after the last remaining state where it was illegal, New South Wales (NSW), voted to reform its laws. • Previously, abortions were possible in NSW only if a doctor deemed, there was "serious risk" to a woman's health. • The law makes it legal for terminations to be conducted up to 22 weeks into a woman's pregnancy - or later if two doctors agree.

Qs: Which nation has recently decriminalized Abortion? World’s best ‘regarded’ companies list 2019

• The first and second place were held by global payments technology company Visa and Italian car-maker Ferrari respectively in the Forbes World’s best ‘regarded’ companies list 2019 • The company which topped among other Indian firms is Infosys which ranked third in the overall list. • Nearly 17 Indian companies were listed

Qs: Which firm topped the Forbes World’s best ‘regarded’ companies list 2019?

Pre-paid plan with insurance protection

• Bharti Airtel & Bharti AXA Life Insurance tie up to offer pre-paid plan with insurance protection cover • Airtel has brought a special prepaid plan of Rs 599, in which customers will get 2GB (gigabyte) data per day, unlimited calling and 100 SMS (Short Message Service) per day on any network, as well as a life insurance cover of Rs 4 lakh from Bharti AXA Life Insurance.

Qs: Who has partnered with Bharti AXA Life Insurance to offer pre-paid plan with insurance protection cover? Federal Bank join hands with Pine Labs

• Federal Bank and Pine Labs join hands to provide monthly EMIs for offline debit card transactions • Federal Bank’s 57 lakh debit card customers will now be able to instantly avail loans on EMI at the Pine Labs terminals. • The tie-up focused on technology and analytics to deliver customer-centric digital services.

Qs: Which bank has joined hands with Pine Labs to provide monthly EMIs for offline debit card transactions?

World Team Snooker title

• Indian duo of Pankaj Advani and Aditya Mehta has won the IBSF World Snooker Team title at Mandalay, Myanmar • Indian pair beat Thailand's team comprising C.Pongsakorn and D.Poramin 5-2 in the final. • This takes Advani's world title tally to a phenomenal 23 while Aditya claimed his maiden title

Qs: IBSF World Snooker Team title was held at ______2019

• 2019 China open, officially called as VICTOR China Open 2019 was held at Olympic Sports Center Xincheng Gymnasium in Changzhou, Jiangsu, China • Carolina Marin wins women’s singles by defeating Taiwanese player Tai Tzu Ying • Kento Momota wins men’s singles defeating Anthony Sinisuka Ginting

Qs: Who has won men’s singles in 2019 China open? Moselle Open (Tennis) for 2019

• 16th Edition of Moselle Open (Tennis) for 2019 held at the Arènes de Metz, in Metz France • Men’s Singles category, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France defeated Aljaz Bedene from Slovenia in 3 sets and clinched the singles title • In Men’s Doubles, Robert Lindstedt of Sweden and Jan-Lennard of Germany clinched the title

Qs: Moselle Open (Tennis) for 2019 held at ______St. Petersburg Open 2019

• 24th St. Petersburg Open for 2019 held at Sibur Arena in St. Petersburg, Russia • Russia’s Daniil Medvedev defeated Crotia’s Borna Coric and clinched the men’s singles title • India’s Divij Sharan along with Slovakia’s Igor Zelenay defeated Italian pair of & Simone Bolelli and clinched the men’s doubles title

Qs: Who has won men’s singles title in St. Petersburg Open 2019?

Singapore Grand Prix 2019

• Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel of Germany won the Formula 1 (F1) Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix 2019 held at Marina Bay Street Circuit, Singapore • He also became the first person to win the Singapore Grand Prix 5 times.

Qs: Who has won Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix 2019? FIFA Football Awards 2019

• FIFA Football Awards 2019 Held In Teatroalla Scala In Milan, • The Best FIFA Men’s Player : Lionel Messi (Argentina) • The Best FIFA Women’s Player : Megan Rapinoe (America)

Qs: FIFA Football Awards 2019 was held in ______IBSF World 6Reds championships 2019

• Snooker player Laxman Rawat won the men’s title in IBSF World 6Reds championships 2019 • The event held in Mandalay, Myanmar

Qs: Who has won the men’s title in IBSF World 6Reds championships 2019? Skolkova Fides Grand Prix title 2019

• Indian chess grandmaster, Koneru Hampi (32) of Gudivada ( Andhra Pradesh) has cliched Fide World Grand Prix 2019 title • Event held at Skolkovo, Russia

Qs: Who has clinched Fide World Grand Prix 2019 title? IMPORTANT DAYS

• 1st Ayushman Bharat Diwas 2019 - September 23 • International Coastal Cleanup Day - 21st September. 2019 International Coastal Cleanup Animal : The Pelican.

Qs: 1st Ayushman Bharat Diwas 2019 was observed on ______BOOKS & AUTHORS

• “From Leeches to Slug Glue: 25 Explosive Ideas that Made (and Are Making) Modern Medicine” - Roopa Pai • ‘Girl Power: Indian Women Who Broke The Rules’ - Neha J Hiranandani • “India in the Persianate Age: 1000-1765” - Richard M Eaton

Qs: The book titled “India in the Persianate Age: 1000-1765” was written by ______AWARDS AND HONOURS

• Sonu Nigam (Bollywood playback singer) - ‘Magnificent performing arts award 2019’ (at 21st century icon award ceremony) • NDTV’s Ravish Kumar - 1st Gauri Lankesh Memorial Award 2019

Qs: 1st Gauri Lankesh Memorial Award 2019 was given to ______IMPORTANT EVENTS

• 71st Primetime Emmy Awards 2019 - Los Angeles, California, US

Qs: 71st Primetime Emmy Awards 2019 was held at ______AGREEMENTS

• Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) and Central University of Jammu sign MoU to set up Kalam Centre for Science and Technology • Paisalo Digital inks co-origination of loan agreement with Bank of Maharashtra • Bharti Airtel & Bharti AXA Life Insurance tie up to offer pre-paid plan with insurance protection cover • SBI Life Insurance & Repco Home Finance signs corporate agency agreement

Qs: Who has signed MoU with Central University of Jammu to set up Kalam Centre for Science and Technology?

APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS

• Kristalina Georgieva (Bulgaria) - New Head of International Monetary Fund(IMF) • Shyam Srinivasan - MD & CEO of Federal Bank (reappointed for another year) • Nilesh Shah - Chairman of Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI) • Coach Kim Ji Hyun (South Korea) – Resigns (who guided world championship gold medalist PV Sindhu)

Qs: Who has appointed as the New Head of International Monetary Fund(IMF)?

First Indigenous Fuel Cell System

• President Ram Nath Kovind, unveiled the first Indigenous High Temperature Fuel Cell System developed by Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in partnership with Indian industries • Under India’s flagship program named “New Millennium Indian Technology Leadership Initiative (NMITLI)” on the occasion of CSIR Foundation Day (26 SEP 2019) • This system will also meet the requirement of efficient, clean and reliable backup power generator for telecom towers, remote locations and strategic applications as well. • This development would replace Diesel Generating (DG) sets and help reduce India’s dependence on crude oil.

Qs: India’s first Indigenous High Temperature Fuel Cell System developed by ______Exercise KAZIND - 2019

• Joint Military Exercise KAZIND-2019 between India and Kazakhstan will be conducted at Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand • The joint military exercise will enhance the level of defence cooperation further fostering bilateral relations between the two nations.

Qs: Joint Military Exercise KAZIND-2019 was held between India and ______RamanSat 2

• NASA successfully launches RamanSat 2, a miniature satellite made by Indian student Aabhaas Sikka • From NASA’s Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility in New Mexico, US and achieved an altitude of 38 km. • The satellite will measure the radiation from the sun and space to make space exploration safer for humans and satellites.

Qs: RamanSat 2 was launched by ______Assam launches of 3 public welfare schemes

• Assam launches of 3 public welfare schemes called ‘Aponar Apon Ghar’, ‘Abhinandan’ & ‘Free Drugs Scheme for 651 Tea Garden Hospitals’ • Aponar Apon Ghar will provide a subsidy of up to Rs 2.5 lakh on home loans up to Rs 40 lakh to all citizens of the state • Abhinandan will provide a one-time subsidy of up to Rs 50,000 to all educational loans. • Under Free Drugs Scheme for 651 Tea Garden Hospitals scheme, 142 essential drugs, 47 surgical items, 45 consumables/linens and 6 numbers of disinfectants would be provided free of cost to the 651 tea garden hospitals of the state Qs: ‘Aponar Apon Ghar’, ‘Abhinandan’ & ‘Free Drugs Scheme for 651 Tea Garden Hospitals’ Were the three schemes launched by which state government?

Saudi offers tourist visas

• Saudi Arabia to offer tourist visas for first time opening up the kingdom to holidaymakers • As part of a push to diversify its economy away from oil. • It will open applications for online tourist visas to citizens of 49 countries.

Qs: Which Arab nation to offer tourist visas for first time opening up the kingdom to holidaymakers? UN Climate Action Summit 2019

• 74th United Nations Climate Action Summit 2019 was held in the General Assembly Hall of the UN Headquarters in New York, United States • The theme of this summit was “Climate Action Summit 2019: A Race We Can Win. A Race We Must Win”. • It was hosted/convened by the UN Secretary-General António Guterres • Luis Alfonso de Alba was the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the 2019 Climate Action Summit. • PM launched Global Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure

Qs: Who was the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the 2019 Climate Action Summit?

ADB cuts India’s GDP forecast

• Asian Development Bank (ADB) in its Asian Development Outlook (ADO) 2019 update cuts India’s GDP growth to 6.5% from 7% for FY 2019-20 • It predicted that India is expected to rebound to 7.2% growth in the FY 2020-21. • The reasons for the decline are an unexpected decline in manufacturing and investment, subdued lending by banks and other financial institutions, stress in the rural economy, and a weakening external outlook.

Qs: Asian Development Bank (ADB) in its Asian Development Outlook (ADO) 2019 update has cut India’s GDP growth to what percentage? IIFL Wealth Hurun India Rich List 2019

• Mukesh Ambani is the richest person in India with wealth of Rs 3.8 lakh crore for the eighth straight year. • London based SP Hinduja and family (Rs 1.86 lakh crore) and Wipro founder Azim Premji (Rs 1.17 lakh crore) secured the second and third position • According to the IIFL (India Infoline Finance Limited) Wealth Hurun India Rich List 2019

Qs: Who is the richest person in India according to the IIFL (India Infoline Finance Limited) Wealth Hurun India Rich List 2019?

Deepak Punia on top

• Wrestler Deepak Punia claims world number 1 spot in 86 kg • In 57kg, world bronze medallist Ravi Dahiya was ranked five, while Rahul Aware stands at number two. • In women's rankings, Vinesh Phogat has jumped to number two in 53kg category. • In 50kg, Seema Bisla has dropped a rung to number three while Pooja Dhanda is ranked five in 59kg, two places behind compatriot Manju Kumari. • Latest rankings issued by the international wrestling federation

Qs: Who has claimed world number 1 spot in 86 kg? Toray 2019

• 36th edition of Toray Pan Pacific Open 2019 held in Osaka, Japan • Women’s singles: Japanese tennis player won the women’s singles title by defeating Netherlands tennis player • Women’s doubles: Taiwanese tennis players and Chan Hao-ching won the women’s doubles title

Qs: 36th Toray Pan Pacific Open 2019 held in ______BOOKS AND AUTHORS

• ‘Reset: Regaining India’s Economic Legacy’ - by BJP MP Subramanian Swamy

Qs: The book titled ‘Reset: Regaining India’s Economic Legacy’ was written by ______IMPORTANT DAYS

• Antyodaya Diwas Day 2019 - September 25 • World Pharmacists day - September 25, 2019. Theme 2019 : “Safe and effective medicines for all”. • International day for the total elimination of nuclear weapons 2019 - September 26 • World Environmental Health Day 2019 - September 26. Theme: “Climate change challenges, time for global Environmental Health to act in unison” • World Maritime Day 2019 - September 26. Theme: “Empowering women in the maritime community” • World contraception day - 26 September, 2019.

Qs: World Maritime Day 2019 was observed on ______AGREEMENTS

• Airtel payments bank joins hands with HDFC ERGO to offer Mosquito Diseases Protection Policy (MDPP) • Hyundai motor signs agreement with Bank of Baroda (BoB) for vehicle finance

Qs: Which bank has recently joined hands with HDFC ERGO to offer Mosquito Diseases Protection Policy (MDPP)? OBITUARY

• Jacques Chirac - Former French president • Davo Karnica (Slovenia) - Active mountain skier • J. Michael Mendel - American television producer & 4-time Emmy Award winner • Venu madhav - Telugu film comedian

Qs: Venu Madhav was a famous ______

End TB by 2025

• Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan Launched ‘TB Harega Desh Jeetega’ Campaign & National TB Prevalence Survey 2019 in New Delhi • On the sidelines of the India’ s aim of eradication of Tuberculosis (TB) by 2025

Qs: India aims to eradicate Tuberculosis (TB) by which year? Mukhyamantri Kirayedar Bijli Meter Yojana

• Chief Minister (CM) of Delhi Arvind Kejriwal notified the launch of Mukhyamantri Kirayedar Bijli Meter Yojana • Through this new scheme, tenants will get a prepaid meter using 2 documents – rent agreement or rent receipt and current address proof. • They will have to deposit security money of Rs 3,000.

Qs: Mukhyamantri Kirayedar Bijli Meter Yojana was launched by which state government? Swachhata hi Seva Abhiyan

• Madhya Pradesh government launched a month long “Swachhata hi Seva Abhiyan” against the single-use plastic which will be observed till October 25, 2019 • It has an aim to administer oath to at least 50 lakh citizens against the use of single-use plastic and targets to reach 2 crore urban population.

Qs: “Swachhata hi Seva Abhiyan” against the single-use plastic was launched by which state government? Annual asst. for triple talaq victims

• Uttar Pradesh (UP) Government will provide an annual assistance of Rs. 6,000 to the triple talaq victims till their rehabilitation and also they will get free legal aid. • They will also be given affordable housing, their children’s education, government jobs as per their qualifications, scholarship and health cover under Ayushman Yojana or under the Chief Minister Arogya Scheme.

Qs: Which state government has announced to provide assistance of Rs. 6,000 to the triple talaq victims?

Kounotori8

• World’s biggest transport spaceship Kounotori8 (also known as HTV 8) launched by Japan • It intends to deliver about 5.3 tonnes of supplies to astronauts at the International Space Station (ISS). • Kounotori8 means “white stork” in Japanese.

Qs: World’s biggest transport spaceship Kounotori8 was launched by which country?

PNB‘s Preventive Vigilance portal

• Punjab National Bank(PNB) has introduced 1st of its kind Preventive Vigilance (PV) portal • To facilitate all staff members to contribute towards arresting procedural lapses and unhealthy practices

Qs: 1st of its kind Preventive Vigilance (PV) portal was launched by which bank? UNCTAD India’s growth estimates

• United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in its Trade and Development Report 2019 forecasted India’s economic growth rate at a 7-year low of 6% in calendar year (CY) 2019 from 7.4% in 2018 • The estimates were reduced due to sharp fall of growth to 5.8% in the first quarter of CY19, the risk of shadow banking in countries such as India and China, lower-than-targeted tax collections and limited public spending.

Qs: What is India’s GDP forecast for calendar year (CY) 2019 by UNCTAD? India’s Most Valuable Brand

• HDFC Bank retains the top spot in India’s Most Valuable Brand for the 6th consecutive year with the brand value of $ 22.70 billion • LIC ( Life Insurance Corporation of India) stood at number two with a brand value of Rs 1.43 lakh crore. • As per the report, “BrandZ Top 75 Most Valuable Indian Brands 2019 ranking” released by WPP and Kantar Millward Brown

Qs: Which retains the top spot as India’s Most Valuable Brand in “BrandZ Top 75 Most Valuable Indian Brands 2019 ranking”?

20th Asian Senior Men’s Volleyball Championship

• 20th Asian Senior Men’s Volleyball Championship for 2019 held in Tehran, Iran • The biennial tournament was organised by the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) with Islamic Republic of Iran Volleyball Federation (IRIVF) • The host nation, Iran emerged as champions by defeating Australia in straight sets • Most Valuable Player: Thomas Edgar (Australia)

Qs: 20th Asian Senior Men’s Volleyball Championship for 2019 was won by ______Maldives International Future Series 2019

• LI-NING Maldives International Future Series 2019 was held in Male, Maldives • Women’s singles: Indian shuttler Malvika Bansod from Nagpur, Maharashtra won her maiden women’s singles Maldives International Future Series 2019 title • Men’s doubles: In doubles event, Vaibhaav and Prakash Raj claimed the men’s doubles title • Men’s singles : Kantawat Leelavaechabutr (Thailand) has won the men’s singles title

Qs: Who won women’s singles title in Maldives International Future Series 2019 title? IMPORTANT EVENTS

• 2nd Singapore - India Hackathon - IIT Madras, Chennai • 5th Indian International Science Festival 2019 – Kolkata. Theme : “RISEN India – Research, Innovation, and Science Empowering the Nation”. • 2019 United Nations Climate Change Conference (also known as COP25) - Santiago, Chile (from December 2-13, 2019)

Qs: 2019 United Nations Climate Change Conference will be held at ______AWARDS AND HONOURS

• Sheikh Hasina (Bangladesh Prime Minister) - ‘Vaccine Hero’ award 2019 • Greta Thunberg (16-year-old Swedish climate activist) - 2019 Right Livelihood Award • Adam Harper (UK mathematician) - 2019 SASTRA Ramanujan prize • Pooja Desai (Gujarat) - Mrs India – Pride of the Nation 2019 • Rajasthan’s Payal Jangir (first Indian) - Changemaker Award 2019

Qs: Who was awarded with 2019 Right Livelihood Award? APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS

• PV Sindhu (Indian professional badminton player) - brand ambassador of Visa (for 2 years) • Sebastian Coe - International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) chief (re-appointed) and Adille Sumariwalla - Member of the council of IAAF (re-elected) • Madhuri Dixit (Actress) - Goodwill ambassador for Maharashtra Assembly polls

Qs: Who was appointed as the brand ambassador of Visa for 2 years?

School Education Quality Index

• School Education Quality Index, SEQI prepared by NITI Aayog was launched by NITI Aayog Vice Chairman and CEO in New Delhi • Kerala has bagged the number one rank followed by Rajasthan in overall performance. Karnataka stands at 3rd place. • In small states category, Manipur has claimed the top spot followed by Tripura and Goa in overall performance.

Qs: Which state bagged the number one rank in School Education Quality Index? Plants for Plastic campaign

• 'Plants for Plastic' campaign to be launched in Bongaigaon district, Assam • The campaign aims to encourage people to collect and remove plastic from their houses, commercial establishments and educational institutions. • Under this unique initiative, any person can deposit one kilogram plastic in the Municipality office and get a valuable sapling for free.

Qs: 'Plants for Plastic' campaign was launched in which state? Bhopal metro will be renamed

• Madhya Pradesh government has announced that the name of the metro of its capital Bhopal will be ‘Bhoja Metro’ after the late king Raja Bhoj • CM Kamal Nath laid the foundation stone of the Bhopal Metro Rail Project to be built at a cost of about Rs 6,941.4 crore rupees.

Qs: Madhya Pradesh government has announced that the name of the metro of its capital Bhopal will be ______Tikki Mausi

• Odisha unveils mascot “Tikki Mausi” to combat malnutrition among women and children • It was launched in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) • The mascot was named as “TikkiMausi” with reference to second mother of a child.

Qs: Which state unveils mascot “Tikki Mausi” to combat malnutrition among women and children? Project NETRA

• Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) initiated ‘Project NETRA’- A space situational awareness step to detect debris and other hazards to Indian satellites • The project is estimated to be worth of Rs. 400 Crore. • India will have its own SSA like other space powers in predicting debris to Indian satellites and this SSA will be the first for low-earth orbits (LEO)

Qs: ISRO has initiated which project as a space situational awareness step? Delhi High Court app

• Delhi High Court(HC) has launched official mobile app named “Delhi High Court” for lawyers and litigants (person involved in a lawsuit) • The app was launched by its Chief Justice(CJ) Dhirubhai Naranbhai Patel. • The app provides details about case status, display board, cause list and access to other important links of the website of HC.

Qs: Which High Court(HC) has recently launched its official mobile app?

World Digital Competitiveness Rankings 2019

• International Institute for Management Development’s (IMD) released World Digital Competitiveness Rankings (WDCR) 2019 • The list was topped by United State (US) followed by Singapore and Sweden in the second and third places respectively • India has moved up by 4 places from 48th rank in 2018 to rank at 44th position in 2019

Qs: Which country has topped IMD’s World Digital Competitiveness Rankings (WDCR) 2019?

8th continent

• Scientists discover 8th continent, “Greater Adria” hidden under Europe in the mediterranean region • This Greater Adria island is a piece of continental crust in the size of Greenland. • After successful analysation of mountain ranges from Spain to Iran in detail for 10 years. • The discovery of this continent is published in the journal ‘Gondwana Research’.

Qs: What is the name of the 8th continent discovered by scientists in the mediterranean region?

PAN – Aadhaar Linking extended

• Deadline to link permanent account number (PAN) with Aadhaar extended till Dec 31 • Earlier, the deadline was September 30. • This is the seventh time that the government has extended the deadline for individuals to link their PAN with Aadhaar.

Qs: Deadline to link permanent account number (PAN) with Aadhaar extended till ______LVB under PCA

• Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Placed Lakshmi Vilas Bank Under Prompt Corrective Action (PCA) Framework • After an inquiry against the directors of the bank over the alleged fraud. • United Bank of India, Indian Overseas Bank (IOB), Central Bank of India, IDBI Bank (Industrial Development Bank of India )and UCO Bank are currently under PCA framework.

Qs: Which bank was recently placed by RBI under PCA? Green Bond for Green Finance

• Basel-based Bank of International Settlements (BIS) launches ‘green’ bond fund for central banks to promote green finance • The primary aim of this initiative is to let the central banks incorporate environmental sustainability into reserve management without destroying assets & value of their reserves.

Qs: Who has launched green bond fund for central banks to promote green finance?

ATP Challenger Tournament

• In Tennis, Sumit Nagal has won the men's singles title of ATP Challenger Tournament at Buenos Aires in Argentina • He defeated local favourite Facundo Bognis

Qs: Who has won the men's singles title of ATP Challenger Tournament ? SAFF U-18 C’ship title

• In Football, India defeated Bangladesh by 2-1 in the final of SAFF Under-18 Championship 2019 to lift the title in Kathmandu • This is India's maiden SAFF U-18 trophy. • India's Ninthoinganba Meetei was declared Most Valuable Player of the championship

Qs: Who has won SAFF Under-18 Championship 2019? Maldives International Challenge

• In Badminton, Indian shuttler Kaushal Dharmamer clinched the men's singles title at the Maldives International Challenge with a straight-games win over Siril Verma • In the women's doubles event, the duo of Ashwini Ponnappa and Sikki Reddy ended as runner-up

Qs: Who has clinched the men's singles title at the Maldives International Challenge? IMPORTANT DAYS

• World Tourism Day - September 27 2019. Theme : “Tourism and jobs: a better future for all” • World Rabies Day 2019 - September 28. Theme: “Rabies: Vaccinate to Eliminate” • International Day for Universal Access to Information 2019 - September 28. Theme: “Leaving No One Behind!”

Qs: World Tourism Day was observed on ______BOOKS & AUTHORS

• “Loss” - Siddharth Dhanvant Shanghvi (It is a record on death and grief, drawing on a stock of personal losses of his parents and a beloved pet (Bruschetta))

Qs: A book titled “LOSS” was written by ______AWARDS AND HONOURS

• Infosys Limited - United Nations (UN) Global Climate Action Award 2019 (‘Climate Neutral Now’ category) • Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL) - Best in terms of customer satisfaction 2018 (Airport Council International (ACI) survey) • Dr. G. B. Deglurkar (Archeologist) - 31st Punyabhushan Award for 2019 • Novel ‘Nireeswaran’ (Malayalam Writer V J James) - Vayalar Ramavarma Memorial Literature Award 2019

Qs: Which Indian airport was recognized best in terms of customer satisfaction 2018? AGREEMENTS

• PNB MetLife & Religare Health Insurance join hands to offer insurance products covering health, death and illness

Qs: Who has joined hands with Religare Health Insurance to offer insurance products covering health, death and illness? IMPORTANT EVENTS

• Bada Dashain - the biggest festival of Nepal (begun) • Mysuru Dasara festival – Karnataka (inaugurated) • Vibrant Navratri- Mahotsav 2019 - Gujarat (inaugurated) • Indo-Thailand Joint Military Exercise Maitree 2019 - Umroi, Meghalaya (concluded) • 21st FAO-WHO Coordinating Committee of Asia 2019 - Panaji, Goa • National Tribal Festival “Aadi Mahotsav 2019” - Noida, Uttar Pradesh

Qs: Indo-Thailand Joint Military Exercise Maitree 2019 was held in ______OBITUARY

• Viju Khote - Veteran actor (Hindi and Marathi films) • Boman Rashid Kohinoor - Owner of the Britannia & Co restaurant (Mumbai)

Qs: Viju Khote was a famous ______APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS

• Rakesh Bhadauria - 26th Chief of the Indian Air Force (takes charge) • Mohammad Azharuddin (Former India Captain ) - President of the Hyderabad Cricket Association. • Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat - New Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee • Air Marshal HS Arora - New IAF Vice Chief and B Suresh - Head of Western Command • Suresh Chitturi - Chairman of the International Egg Commission (first Asian) • Rupa Gurunath - President of Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (first woman president) • Sarah Taylor (England women’s wicketkeeper) - retirement (from international cricket)

Qs: Who was appointed as President of the Hyderabad Cricket Association?