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Appointment and Resignation as the Acting Chairman. The move comes after VK Sharma retired from the top job at LIC on December 31. Piyush Goyal - Railways and Coal Minister Piyush Goyal appointed interim Finance Justice Thottathil Bhaskaran Nair Radhakrishnan - Justice Minister and Minister of Corporate Affairs for Thottathil Bhaskaran Nair Radhakrishnan was on January 1, 2018 second time in the absence of Arun Jaitley, will sworn in as the first Chief Justice of the Telangana High Court. present the upcoming Budget 2019. Mr. Jaitley With this, the state of Telangana will have its first independent would be designated as a Minister without a portfolio till the time high court. Prior to this, Justice Radhakrishnan had been serving he is able to resume work. as the Chief Justice of the High Court of Judicature at Hyderabad for both the states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Gita Gopinath - India born Gita Gopinath joined the International Monetary Fund as Amitabh Chaudhry - Axis Bank announced its its Chief Economist. She is the first woman Managing Director and CEO Shikha and second Indian after Raghuram rajan to Sharma has retired from the post occupy the top IMF post. Gopinath is the and Amitabh Chaudhry will be the new 11th chief economist of the IMF. managing director and CEO of the bank with effect from January 1, 2019. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra - Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was on January 23, 2019 appointed AICC Ravneet Singh Gill - YES Bank appointed Deutsche Bank’s Ravneet general secretary for Uttar Pradesh East by her Singh Gill as its MD and CEO, who will succeed Rana Kapoor. Gill brother and party chief Rahul Gandhi. will join the private lender on or before March 1, 2019.

Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah - Sultan Abdullah Sultan Vivek Joshi - The Centre has appointed Vivek Joshi, an 1989 batch Ahmad Shah was elected as Malaysia's new king by the members IAS officer from Haryana cadre, as the new Registrar General and of the country's royal families. He replaced Sultan Muhammad V Census Commissioner of India. of Kelantan, who stepped down recently, making it the first Rajeev Chopra - Lt Gen Rajeev Chopra assumed the appointment abdication in Malaysia's history. of Director General of NCC (DGNCC). Jair Bolsonaro - Jair Bolsonaro, was sworn in as president of Nicolás Maduro - Nicolás Maduro was sworn Brazil. Contesting from Social liberal party, Mr Bolsonaro, won in for a second term as Venezuela's the presidential election by a wide margin against Fernando President amid the economic and Haddad of the left-wing Workers Party on 28 October. humanitarian crisis. Maduro was re-elected Nancy Pelosi - In US, Veteran Democratic leader last year. The US, EU and 13 other countries Nancy Pelosi, considered an ardent supporter of have stated that they would not recognise Maduro's Presidency. India-US ties, has been elected as Speaker of the Juan Guaido - Germany has said, it will recognize Venezuelan House of Representatives for the second time, Opposition leader Juan Guaido as the country's interim President thus becoming the most powerful elected woman in America. unless an election is announced within eight days. The statement Hemant Bhargava - The government has appointed Hemant comes after USA, France and Spain made the same Bhargava, Managing Director, Life Insurance Corporation of India, announcements earlier in the day. President Nicolas Maduro was

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www.caforexam.com – Important News of January Month sworn-in for a second term earlier this month, after polls marred Manu Sawhney - The International Cricket by an opposition boycott and allegations of vote-rigging. Council (ICC) announced that Manu Sawhney has been appointed as Stefan Lofven - In Sweden, Prime Minister Stefan Lofven has the organization's new Chief Executive Officer been elected for a second term, ending a four-month political (CEO). vacuum. Ronojoy Dutta - IndiGo owner InterGlobe Aviation has Andry Rajoelina - Andry Rajoelina was sworn in as President of appointed Ronojoy Dutta as the new Chief Executive Officer Madagascar at capital city of Antananarivo. (CEO) of the company with immediate effect for the next five Su Tseng-chang - Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen appointed Su years. Tseng-chang as Prime Minister of the state. Kamala Harris - Kamala Harris, a U.S. Senator from California of Felix Tshisekedi - Congo's Constitutional Court has declared the African and Indian descent, officially launched her 2020 election of Felix Tshisekedi as the President and has rejected the presidential campaign from her hometown of Oakland. challenges to the vote by runner-up Martin Fayulu. Ambassadors Appointed - Modi Pranav R Mehta - Chairman of National Solar Energy Federation, government nominated Pranav R Mehta, has taken over as the president of Global Solar ambassadors to some key Council (GSC). He has become the first Indian to head the countries – GSC. The Global Solar Council (GSC) has its headquarters in Sanjeev Singla - New ambassador to Israel Washington D.C., USA. Ruchira Kamboj - Next Ambassador to Bhutan Dilip Sadarangani - Kerala based private sector lender Federal Bank has appointed Dilip Sadarangani as the part-time chairman. Jaideep Sarkar - New Ambassador to South Africa. The appointment of Sadarangani has been cleared by the Reserve Sunjay Sudhir - New ambassador to Maldives Bank. Pranay Verma - Next ambassador to Vietnam Pavan Vaish - Ride hailing platform Uber said it has appointed Daksh e-services co-founder Pavan Vaish as the head of central Muktesh Pardeshi – New ambassador to New Zealand, operations in India. Manpreet Vohra – New ambassador to Mexico. Kumar Rajesh Chandra - Civil Aviation Security head and senior Sanjeev Kohli - New ambassador to Tanzania. IPS officer Kumar Rajesh Chandra was appointed as the director general of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB). The SSB guards India's Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul - Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul have borders with Nepal and Bhutan. been suspended pending an inquiry into their comments during a TV show ‘Koffee with Karan’, ruling them out of the ODI series Sheila Dikshit - Former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit was against Australia starting. appointed the Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee president days after Ajay Maken resigned from the post citing ill health. Ashok Chawla - Ashok Chawla Former Finance Secretary Ashok Chawla has resigned as chairman of The Energy Resources Institute (TERI). Earlier, Mr. Chawla had stepped down as 2

www.caforexam.com – Important News of January Month chairman of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) after the Central allegations of conflict of interest against Ms. Kochhar in relation Bureau of Investigation (CBI) received the Finance Ministry’s to a loan given to Videocon Industries. approval to prosecute him in the Aircel-Maxis bribery scandal. Awards and Honours Alok Verma - The sacked CBI Chief, Alok Pranab Mukherjee, Nanaji Verma announced his resignation from Deshmukh and Dr. Bhupen service, refusing to take charge of the new Hazarika - On the eve of role as DG, Fire Services. The move comes a the 70th Republic Day, day after a high-powered selection former President Pranab committee headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi removed Mukherjee, social activist Nanaji Deshmukh and musician Dr. him from the post of CBI Director, less than 48 hours after he was Bhupen Hazarika have been awarded the . Mr. reinstated to the position by the Supreme Court after he was sent Deshmukh and Dr. Hazarika have been bestowed the nation's on forced leave by the government. Additional Director M. highest civilian honour posthumously. Nageswara Rao has again been appointed interim CBI Director.

Bharat Ratna - Bharat Ratna, the country’s highest civilian award Jim Yong Kim - World Bank President, Jim Yong Kim has made the instituted in 1954, is given in recognition of exceptional service, surprise announcement that he is stepping down after six years in performance of the highest order in any field of human the post. His resignation will take effect from 1 February. Mr. Kim endeavour. Any person without distinction of race, occupation, was not due to leave until 2022 after he was re-elected for a position or sex is eligible for this award. The number of annual second five-year term in 2017. awards is restricted to a maximum of three in a particular years. Sultan Muhammad V - Malaysia’s king has - Gandhi Peace Prize for 2018 will be abdicated in a historic first for the country. conferred on Yohei Sasakawa who is Goodwill Ambassador of the Sultan Muhammad V’s decision marks the first World Health Organization for eradication of Leprosy disease in time a king has abdicated in the country since India and across the world. Ekal Abhiyan Trust has been chosen it gained independence from Britain in 1957. for the award for the year 2017 while Akshaya Patra Foundation Malaysia is a constitutional monarchy. and Sulabh International will share the award for 2016. Kevin Sweeney - Kevin Sweeney, the chief of staff of the US Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari bagged the award for 2015. Department of Defence, has announced his resignation from the Gallantry Awards - The post. The move comes a month after the Defence Secretary Jim President approved the Mattis resigned in protest after Trump announced the withdrawal award of 411 gallantry and of U.S. troops from Syria. distinguished service medals. Chanda Kochhar - The ICICI Bank has decided These include one Ashoka Chakra, four , 11 Shaurya to terminate the contract of former managing Chakra. The Kirti Chakras were awarded to Major Tushar Gauba director and CEO, Chanda Kochhar after the and posthumously to Sowar Vijay Kumar, Constable Rajendra B.N. Srikrishna panel found that she violated Kumar Nain and Constable Pradip Kumar Panda. the bank’s code of conduct. In June last year, Ashoka Chakra - India’s highest peacetime gallantry medal, the the bank formed the one-member panel to look into the Ashoka Chakra, will be awarded posthumously to Lance Naik 3

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Nazir Ahmad Wani, who laid down his life during an anti-terror his poetry collection in Gujarati named “Vakhar”. This is the 27th operation at Batagund village in J&K’s Shopian in November last edition of the prestigious award instituted by K.K.Birla foundation year. given every year to an outstanding work of an Indian citizen published during the last 10 years in any of the languages Param - In a rare gesture, the Chief of the mentioned in Schedule 8 of the constitution. Army Staff, General Bipin Rawat, has been awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM) for distinguished service on the eve Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award - Three Indian expats from the of the 70th Republic Day. UAE are amongst those who won the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award the highest honour conferred on Indian Jeevan Raksha Padak Series of Awards - The President of India diaspora. President Ram Nath Kovind conferred the award on has approved the conferment of Jeevan Raksha Padak Series of Girish Pant, Surender Singh Kandhari and Dr Zulekha Daud and Awards – 2018 on 48 people, eight of them posthumously. The other awardees at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention Jeevan Raksha Padak series of awards are conferred for the in Varanasi. meritorious act of human nature in saving the life of a person. They are given under three categories: Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar - The President of India, Ram Nath Kovind conferred the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal # Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak - Given to 8 people Puraskar 2019. The awards were presented to 26 shortlisted

# Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak - Given to 15 people awardees including one joint award for National Child Award (now renamed as Bal Shakti Puraskar). Under National Child # Jeevan Raksha Padak - Given to 25 people Welfare Awards category (now renamed as Bal Kalyan Puraskar),

Philip Kotler Presidential Award - The Prime 2 individuals and 3 institutions were awarded. Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with Sheikh Saud International Prize - Eminent scientist and recipient the first-ever Philip Kotler Presidential Award of Bharat Ratna C N R Rao has been chosen for the first Sheikh for his outstanding leadership for the nation. Saud International Prize for Materials Research by the Centre for The Award focuses on the triple bottom-line Advanced Materials of the United Arab Emirates. of ‘People, Profit and Planet’. The award will be offered annually to the leader of a Nation. Golden Globe Awards - The 76th Annual Golden Globe Awards were Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar - The announced in California, USA. government has instituted an annual award titled Subhash While Green Book finished with Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar. It will be announced three awards, Bohemian Rhapsody- the Queen biopic and Alfonso every year on 23rd January, the birth anniversary of Netaji Cuaron’s Roma won two each. Subhash Chandra Bose. The Award carries a certificate and a cash prize of 51 lakh rupees. This year, 8th Battalion of National Best Motion Picture Drama - Bohemian Rhapsody Disaster Response Force located at Ghaziabad has been selected Best Motion Picture Musical/Comedy - Green Book for the Award for its commendable work in disaster management. Best Director in Motion Picture-Drama - Alfonso Cuaron (Roma)

Saraswati Samman - Noted Gujarati poet Sitanshu Best Actress in Motion Picture-Drama - Glen Close (The Wife) Yashashchandra has been awarded Saraswati Samman - 2017, for 4

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Best Actor in Motion Picture-Drama - Rami Malek (Bohemian first prize for the state tableau while tableau from Jammu and Rhapsody) Kashmir was adjudged the second and Punjab won the third prize. The theme of Tripura's tableau was 'Empowering Rural Exhibitor of the Year Award - The Defence Research and Economy the Gandhian Way'. Development Organisation (DRDO) pavilion received ‘Exhibitor of the Year Award’ at 106th Indian Science Congress held at Lovely Aparna Kumar - Aparna Kumar has become the first woman IPS Professional University (LPU), Jalandhar, Punjab. DIG and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) officer to successfully complete the South Pole expedition. She has already scaled the Adi Godrej - Industrialist and Godrej Group top six mountain peaks of the six continents of the globe. Chairman Adi Godrej was conferred the ICSIs Lifetime Achievement Award for 'Translating Gita Mehta - New York-based author and Odisha Chief Minister Excellence in Corporate Governance into Naveen Patnaik’s sister Gita Mehta declined to accept the Padmi Reality'. The awards were instituted by Shri, stating that it could be “misconstrued” in the year of Lok The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI), which is Sabha polls. On 25 January, the Centre had announced Padma celebrating its golden jubilee. Shri for Mehta for distinguished contribution to literature and education. Japan Prize – 2019 - The Japan Prize Foundation announced India born professor Dr. Rattan Lal as the recipient of the 2019 Japan Jean-Luc Van Den Heede - French sailor Jean-Luc Van Den Prize for his contributions in the field of “Biological Production, Heede has won the round-the-world yacht race after 212 Ecology”. days alone at sea without modern instruments. The 73-year- old, who completed his sixth circumnavigation of the globe, Sansad Ratna Award - Himachal Pradesh MP Anurag Thakur has became the oldest to complete the 30,000-mile Golden Globe been bestowed with Sansad Ratna Award for his distinguished race. performance as a parliamentarian under Jury Committee Special Award category. Thakur became the first BJP MP to receive the Special Guest at Republic Day in Jury Committee award. Mumbai - In an unprecedented gesture, India accorded the status Carnot Prize - Union Minister of Railways and Coal Piyush Goyal of “special guests” to Mauritius was formally conferred with the fourth annual Carnot Prize by the Prime Minister P.K. Jugnauth and Kleinman Center for Energy Policy at the University of his wife, Kobita, at the Republic Day celebrations in Mumbai. Pennsylvania School of Design in New Delhi. The 2018 Carnot Usually India hosted a foreign head of state or government or Prize has been conferred in recognition of India’s efforts towards royalty as chief guest at the Republic Day function in New Delhi. eliminating energy poverty with sustainable energy solutions. Piyush Goyal has decided that the award money will be Franco German Human Rights Award - A detained Chinese rights donated to the International Solar Alliance to institute the lawyer Yu Wensheng has won a Franco-German human rights Diwakar Award. award for his 'exceptional contribution' to the protection and promotion of human rights. Yu Wensheng, who is in pretrial Top Tableau in Republic Day - The Indian Council of Agricultural detention in China for more than a year. Research (ICAR) tableau in the Republic Day Parade has won the first prize for its Kisan Gandhi theme. The ICRA tableau with the theme "Mishrit Kheti, Khushiyon Ki Kheti". Tripura bagged the 5

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Arunima Sinha - , the Indian mountaineer who has been issued for his or her involvement in economic became the world’s first woman amputee to climb offenses involving at least Rs. 100 crore or more and has left India in 2013, has now become the first woman amputee to climb to avoid prosecution. Mount Vinson, highest peak of Antarctica. Arunima Sinha planned Person on Visit to scale six peaks in six continents. A Padmashri awardee, Sinha had earlier scaled five peaks including Mt Everest, Mt Kilimanjaro, Cyril Ramaphosa - President of South Africa Mt Ebrus, Mt Kosciuszko and Mt . Cyril Ramaphosa is arriving in New Delhi on a two-day visit to India. He will be the Chief Satyarup Siddhanta - Indian Guest at the Republic Day Parade. Mr. mountaineer Satyarup Ramaphosa is the second President of South Siddhanta became the world’s Africa after President Nelson Mandela to be the Chief Guest at youngest mountaineer to climb the Republic Day parade. the seven highest peaks and volcanic summits across all continents after conquering Pravind Kumar Jugnauth - Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Antartica's highest point Mount Sidley. Satyarup achieved the Kumar Jugnauth has reached New Delhi on a week-long visit to unique feat at the age of 35 years and 262 days, setting a new India. He will leave for Varanasi to take part in the Pravasi world record by beating Australia's Daniel Bull who did it at the Bhartiya Diwas. age of 36 years and 157 days. Sushma Swaraj Visited Uzbekistan - External Affairs Minister Birendra Prasad Baishya - President of the Indian Weightlifting Sushma Swaraj embarked on a two-day visit to Uzbekistan. Mrs. Federation (IWF), Birendra Prasad Baishya, has been named Chef Swaraj will be in Samarkand for the First India-Central Asia de Mission for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. It is for the first time Dialogue which she will co-chair with Uzbekistan’s Foreign that the Weightlifting has been accorded with the honor of Chef Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov. The Foreign Minister of Afghanistan de Mission for the Olympics. Baishya is also one of the Indian will participate in the Dialogue as a special invitee for the session Olympic Association Vice Presidents. dedicated to connectivity issues in the region.

Movie on Modi - Prime Minister Narendra Erna Solberg - Prime Minister of Norway, Erna Solberg Modi is set to get a biopic. Produced by inaugurated a new green compound at the Royal Norwegian Suresh Oberoi and Sandip Singh, the film Embassy in New Delhi. Solberg is on an official visit to India. This titled PM Narendra Modi will star green embassy can serve as an inspiration for the shared efforts Bollywood actor Vivek Oberoi. Directed by to achieve the green transition and the Sustainable Development Omung Kumar, the film will go on floors in the coming days. Goals. The two countries also signed a MoU for holding an India- Norway Ocean Dialogue. Vijay Mallya - Vijay Mallya became the first person to be declared a ‘fugitive economic offender’ under the Fugitive Economic Taro Kono - External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj held a Offenders’ Act, 2018 by a special Prevention of Money strategic dialogue with her Japanese counterpart Taro Kono. Both Laundering Act (PMLA) Court in Mumbai. foreign minister attended 10th India-Japan foreign minister-level Strategic Dialogue. Swaraj also congratulated Kono for Japan's Fugitive Economic Offender - According to the new law, a fugitive hosting of the G-20 Summit in Osaka in June 2019. economic offender is a person against whom an arrest warrant

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Person Died than half a century, Legrand won three Oscars. His first was in 1969 for the song ‘The Windmills of Your Mind’ from the film ‘The George Fernandes - Former Defence Thomas Crown Affair’. Minister George Fernandes passed away following a prolonged illness. Fernandes Raghbir Singh Bhola - Former India hockey player Raghbir Singh was suffering from Alzheimer's disease. Bhola, a two-time Olympic medallist, passed away. Bhola had Fernandes held the portfolio of the represented India in the 1956 Melbourne and 1960 Rome Union Defence Minister from 2001 to Olympics, winning a gold and silver medal respectively for the 2004 under the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA government. country. The Bihar government declared a two-day State mourning. Vishweshwar Dutt Saklani - Vishweshwar Dutt Saklani, known as Shivakumara Swamiji - Prominent Lingayat seer of Tumakuru- Uttarakhand’s ‘Vriksha Manav’ or ‘Tree Man’ died aged 96, and based Siddaganga Math, 111-year old Shivakumara Swamiji, who his family estimates that he must have planted as many as 50 was known as the 'Walking God', passed away after a prolonged lakh trees in Tehri Garhwal district in his lifetime. He was illness. He received and Karnataka Ratna awards. awarded the Indira Priyadarshini Award in 1986 by then prime Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy has announced a minister Rajiv Gandhi. government holiday on January 22 and state mourning for three Meera Sanyal - Meera Sanyal, a former chief executive officer days. and the chairperson of the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) in India Kader Khan - Veteran actor-writer Kader passed away in Mumbai. She twice contested the Mumbai South Khan passed away in Canada. Born in Kabul, Lok Sabha seat unsuccessfully. Khan made his acting debut in 1973 with Dibyendu Palit - Renowned Bengali writer and Sahitya Akademi Rajesh Khanna's "Daag" and has featured in awardee Dibyendu Palit passes away due to age-related ailments. over 300 films. He wrote dialogues for over Palit was conferred the Sahitya Akademi for his novel 250 movies. ‘Anubhab’ in 1998. Krishna Sobti - Eminent Hindi author and poet Krishna Sobti Atin Bandyopadhyay - winning Bengali passed away in Delhi. She is a recipient of prestigious awards writer Atin Bandyopadhyay passed away of brain stroke. such as Sahitya Akademi award, Jnanpith and was also offered Padma Bhushan, which she had declined. Summit / Conference / Festival / Meeting

Ramakant Achrekar - Well-known cricket coach Ramakant World Economic Forum - The Achrekar has died aged 87. Achrekar was born in 1932 and played World Economic Forum (WEF) a key role in shaping up Tendulkar’s career over the years. In annual meet will begin in Davos 1990, Achrekar was conferred with the for from 21 January 2019. The theme Outstanding coaches in Sports and Games. He was honoured with of the event would be 'Globalization 4.0: Shaping a Global one of the country’s highest civilian award the in Architecture in the Age of the Fourth Industrial Revolution'. 2010. Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit - Prime Minister Narendra Modi Michel Legrand - Oscar-winning French composer Michel will inaugurate the ninth edition of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Legrand has passed away aged 86. During a career spanning more Summit 2019 on January 18, 2019 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The 7

www.caforexam.com – Important News of January Month theme Summit is “Youth Connect 2019: Shaping A New India – Raisina Dialogue - The fourth edition of the Raisina The Story of Billion Dreams”. Heads of five countries - Uzbekistan, Dialogue has begun in New Delhi. Norway Prime Minister Ms. Rwanda, Denmark, Czech Republic and Malta would be attending Erna Solberg delivered inaugural address in presence of PM the summit. Summit will also celebrate Africa Day on Jan 19, Narendra Modi. The theme of the Dialogue this year is “A World marking the trade ties between India and Africa. Reorder: New Geometries; Fluid Partnerships; Uncertain Outcomes”. Indian Science Congress - Prime Minister Narendra Modi Partnership Summit 2019 - The 25th edition of Partnership inaugurated the 106th Indian Summit 2019, a global platform for dialogue, debate, deliberation Science Congress at Lovely and engagement among Indian and global leaders on economic Professional University in policy and growth trends in India was held in Mumbai. The two- Jalandhar. PM Modi gave away the slogan of New India as “Jai day event was inaugurated by the Vice President of India, M Jawan, Jai Kisan, Jai Vigyan, Jai Anusandhan”. The theme of this Venkaiah Naidu. five-day mega event is ‘Future India: Science and Technology’. Arab Economic and Social Development Summit - The Arab India Will Host UNCCD - India will host the 14th session of the Economic and Social Development Summit kicked off in Conference of Parties to the United Nations Convention to Lebanon's capital Beirut. The leaders of 20 countries taking part Combat Desertification (UNCCD) to address the issue of land in the summit aim to make a joint statement on a 29-item agenda degradation and desertification which will have participation that ranges from discussions on an Arab free trade zone and the from over 100 countries. It is likely to be held in October 2019. economic effect of Syrian refugees on host countries.

Global Aviation Summit - The Union Minister of Civil Aviation, BES EXPO 2019 - Information and Broadcasting Secretary Amit Suresh Prabhu inaugurated the Global Aviation Summit 2019 in Khare and TRAI Chairman RS Sharma inaugurated the 25th Mumbai, Maharashtra. The theme of the Global Aviation Summit International conference and exhibition on terrestrial and 2019 is 'Flying for all-especially the next 6 Billion'. satellite broadcasting, BES EXPO 2019 in New Delhi. The theme for this exhibition is Next Gen Broadcasting in the IT World. India-Central Asia Dialogue - India and five Central Asian countries along with Afghanistan condemned terrorism in all its Making Elections Inclusive and forms. This was part of a joint statement issued at the end of the Accessible - Election Commission first ever meeting of the India-Central Asia Dialogue. External of India will be hosting an affairs minister Sushma Swaraj along with the foreign ministers of International Conference on Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, ‘Making Elections Inclusive and Accessible’ on January 24, 2019, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan took part in the meeting. in consonance with the 9th National Voters’ Day which will be held on January 25, 2019. Chief Election Commissioner Sunil National Youth Parliament Festival - Minister of Youth Affairs Arora will be attending the conference along with heads from six and Sports, Col Rajyavardhan Rathore launched the National Election Management Bodies (EMBs) namely, Bangladesh, Youth Parliament Festival 2019 at a function in New Delhi. The Bhutan, Kazakhstan, Maldives, Russia and Sri Lanka. festival will continue till 24th of next month. The theme of the festival is - Be the Voice of New India and Find solutions and Global Investor Summit - Tamil Nadu Government organised the contributes to policy. 2nd edition of Global Investor summit in Chennai. The state

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www.caforexam.com – Important News of January Month government would soon unveil e-vehicle policy to give a boost to Agri Vision 2019 - The 2-day Agri Vision 2019 Conference on electric vehicles manufacturing in the state. Defence envisioning Agro solutions for Smart and Sustainable Minister Nirmala Sitharaman was the chief guest. Agriculture was held in Hyderabad. It was inaugurated by Vice- President M Venkaiah Naidu. Bharat Parv - Fourth edition of Bharat Parv, showcasing the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat will begin at Red Fort in Delhi on Jallikattu - A grand jallikattu 26 January. It will continue till 31st January. The five day event is (bull-taming) event held in a part of Republic Day Celebrations and the objective of this Pudukottai, Tamil Nadu on festival is to generate a patriotic fervour and promote rich January 20, 2019 entered the cultural diversity of the country. world record for the maximum number of bulls released into the sporting arena which was over World Book Fair - The 27th New Delhi World Book Fair has begun 1,300 and almost double than the previous record. The bull at Pragati Maidan. Human Resources Development Minister taming sporting event, coordinated by Tamil Nadu Health Prakash Javadekar inaugurated the 9-day annual event. Over 20 Minister C Vijayabaskar at Viralimalai saw the participation of countries including Canada, China, Sri Lanka, and the US are 1,354 bulls and 424 tamers. participating in the book fair. The theme of this year is 'Readers with Special Needs'. Shehri Samridhi Utsav - Hardeep S. Puri, Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs informed that a series of events Sur Jahan Music Festival - The named ‘Shehri Samridhi Utsav’ will begin from 1 February to 15 three-day music festival Sur Jahan, February. The event will focus on urban livelihoods and extending previously known as Sufi Sutra, will the outreach of National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM) be held in Goa from February 6 to 8. to the poorest of the poor and the most vulnerable. Based on the theme “Music for all, music for peace”, the festival is likely to draw musical talents from around the world and India. World Orange Festival - The second World Orange Festival began in Nagpur. The festival, while offering its famed oranges to the Pakke Paga Hornbill Festival - Arunachal Pradesh Chief world, will also showcase and brand the exquisite fruit in order to Minister, Pema Khandu declared Pakke Paga Hornbill Festival boost its export. (PPHF) as the State Festival. Trump Has Cancelled WEF Meeting - President Donald Trump has World Integrated Medicine Forum - Union Minister of State for cancelled the US delegation's trip to the annual meeting of the Ayush Shripad Naik inaugurated the 2nd World Integrated World Economic Forum (WEF) at Davos, Switzerland, due to the Medicine Forum 2019 in Panaji, Goa. The forum is themed on partial government shutdown. The announcement comes as the ‘Regulation of Homeopathic Medical Products; Advancing Global shutdown entered its 27th day on 18 January. Collaboration’. Around 150 delegates from 21 countries are participating in the event. Meeting of Tourism Ministers of ASEAN and India - The Union Minister for Tourism, Shri. K. J. Alphons attended the Seventh India Steel Exhibition and Conference 2019 - India Steel 2019 Meeting of Tourism Ministers of ASEAN and India held in Ha Long Exhibition and Conference had begun in Mumbai. The three-day City, Viet Nam. As a follow up to the Summit, the Ministers event organized by the Ministry of Steel helped chart out the launched the ASEAN-India Tourism Cooperation Year 2019. future growth path of the steel industry.

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Rubber Expo - Union Minister for Commerce and Industries, Assemblies, the Law Minister had clarified that this Act would not Suresh Prabhu inaugurated the 10th edition of the India Rubber require such a process. Expo - 2019 in Mumbai. The India Rubber Expo is Asia's largest Constitution Validity of Reservation - A proposed law may run rubber expo. The event offers a unique opportunity for Indian into rough weather if challenged in the Supreme Court. A nine- companies to meet and collaborate with overseas companies. judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court in the Indira Micro Irrigation Conference - Ministry of Water resources and Sawhney case of 1992 specifically held that a backward class River development has organized 9th International Micro cannot be determined only and exclusively with reference to irrigation conference in Aurangabad, Maharashtra. The economic criterion. The Indira Sawhney judgment declared 50% conference focused on the theme of “Micro Irrigation and quota as the maximum limit unless extraordinary situations Modern Agriculture”. arises.

Act / Ordinance / Judgment Gujarat: First State To Implement EWS Reservation - Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani announced that Gujarat has become President Approved Reservation Bill first state to implement 10 per cent quota for economically - President Ram Nath Kovind gave his weaker sections in general category. It will be implemented in all assent to the Constitution (124th ongoing recruitment process too wherein there is the only Amendment) Bill, 2019 that provides advertisement published. 10% reservation for ‘economically backward’ upper castes in government jobs for those belonging Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2019 - Lok Sabha passed the to the upper castes and earning less than Rs 8 lakh per year and Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2019, which seeks to amend the possess less than 5 acres of land. According to a gazette Citizenship Act, 1955 to make illegal migrants eligible for notification, the legislation will be known as the Constitution (103 citizenship. The Bill seeks to provide Indian citizenship to non- Amendment) Act, 2019. Muslims from neighbouring countries. The bill will provide Indian citizenship to the Hindus, Christians, Jains, Sikhs, Parsis and 103rd Constitutional Amendment Buddhists from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh after six Act 2019 - The Act amends years of residing India rather than ongoing 12 years even when Articles 15 and 16 of the they do not have any document. Mizoram and Meghalaya Constitution — ensuring governments have opposed the bill by adopting a resolution Fundamental Rights to a citizen — by adding a clause that allows against it in their respective Cabinet meetings. the State to make “special provision for the advancement of any economically weaker sections of citizens”. These provisions Protest Against Citizenship Bill - The Chief Ministers of would relate to “their admission to educational institutions, Meghalaya, Conrad K Sangma and Mizoram, Zoramthanga said including private educational institutions, whether aided or that 11 parties resolved to jointly oppose the Citizenship unaided by the State, other than the minority educational Amendment bill. The parties include Asom Gana Parishad, institutions”. The Act makes it clear that reservation would be “in National Peoples Party, Mizo National Front and others. Nagaland addition to the existing reservations and subject to a maximum of became the third NDA-ruled state in the region to reject the 10% of the total seats in each category”. Unlike other Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016. Constitutional Bills that require ratification from half of the State

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Amendment in Aadhar Act - The setting up of 13 new central universities within the next 36 government introduced a bill in the months. The new Central universities were established under the Lok Sabha that will allow Central Universities Act, 2009 in Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, individuals to offer voluntarily Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, biometric ID Aadhaar as a means of Kerala, Orissa, Punjab, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu. While one identity verification for obtaining services like opening a bank university each is to be set up in 11 of these states, Jammu and account and getting a mobile phone connection. The bill also Kashmir will get two new central varsities. gives a minor an option to opt out of the 12-digit identity scheme Right to Education Act Amended - Parliament had passed the bill on attaining the age of 18 years. The bill proposes a civil penalty seeking to further amend the Right to Education Act, 2009 to of up to Rs 1 crore on entities that violate the provisions of the abolish the no-detention policy in schools. No student can be Aadhaar Act, with an additional fine of up to Rs 10 lakh per day in detained up to class 8th under current provisions of the Act. As case of continuous non-compliance. per the amendment, it would be left to the States to decide Chhattisgarh Withdrew General Consent To CBI - After West whether to continue the no-detention policy. Bengal and Andhra Pradesh, Congress-led Chhattisgarh too has DNA Technology Regulation Bill - 2019 - The Lok Sabha passed withdrawn general consent accorded to the CBI to probe cases in the DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill, 2019 the state. With this, the Central Bureau of Investigation would by voice vote. The bill seeks to provide regulation for the use and now require permission of the state government to conduct raids application of DNA technology for the purpose of establishing the and probe in Chhattisgarh. West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh identity of certain category of persons including the victims, governments had late last year withdrawn the general consent offenders, suspects, under trials, missing persons and others. accorded to the CBI to conduct probe and raids in the states.

Allahabad is Now Prayagraj Ordinance On Instant - Days before Kumbh Mela, Triple Talaq - The Union the Union Home Ministry Cabinet approved a has approved the Uttar proposal to re-promulgate Pradesh government’s the ordinance making the proposal to rename Allahabad as Prayagraj. No Objection practice of instant triple talaq a criminal offence. The earlier Certificate (NOC) from the MHA will now ensure that names of ordinance was to expire on January 22. The Bill to convert the other institutes in the district, including railway station, High first ordinance into a law is pending in Rajya Sabha. Court and university, are also changed. Char Dham Project - The Supreme Court allowed the Centre to go Cabinet Approved Three AIIMS - The Union Cabinet approved a ahead with its ambitious ‘Char Dham’ project to provide all- proposal for establishing three new AIIMS -- two in Jammu and weather connectivity of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Kashmir and one in Gujarat. The AIIMS at Vijaynagar in Samba, Badrinath and refused to stay ongoing construction work but said Jammu, will be set up at a cost of Rs 1,661 crore, the one at any new project under the scheme must be undertaken after Awantipora in Pulwama, Kashmir, at a cost of Rs 1,828 crore and getting the environment impact assessment (EIA) clearance. the AIIMS at Rajkot, Gujarat, will be set up at a cost of Rs 1,195 13 Central Universities Within 36 Months - The Union Cabinet crore. granted approval to an expenditure of over Rs 3,600 crore for 11

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Goods and Services Tax Appellate Tribunal - Cabinet has Single Use Plastic Ban in Puducherry - Puducherry Chief Minister approved the creation of National Bench of the Goods and V Narayanasamy said that the cabinet has decided to ban Services Tax Appellate Tribunal, GSTAT. The bench will be production, sale and use of single-use plastic products in the situated at New Delhi. Union Territory from March 1. Tamil Nadu government had already announced that it would ban the use of plastic items Women Will Be Inducted in including non-biodegradable carry bags from January 1, 2019 to Military Police - The "gift a plastic-free state to future generations". government has decided to induct women for the first time One Family One Job - Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Kumar in Personnel Below Officer Rank, Chamling launched the ‘One Family One Job’ scheme which PBOR, role in Corps of Military Police. Defence Minister Nirmala entitles one government job for every family in the state. Sitharaman said, the women will be inducted in graded manner Chamling said that Sikkim has become the first state in the to eventually comprise 20 per cent of total Corps of Military country to carry out such an exclusive programme. Police. Norms For Food Packaging - Food Safety and Standards Authority Fixed Dose Combination (FDC) Drugs Banned - The Union health of India (FSSAI) has said that food businesses would need to ministry has banned 80 more fixed-dose combination (FDC) comply with new packaging regulations that bar use of recycled drugs. With this, the total number of banned FDCs now stand at plastics and newspapers to wrap food articles by July 1, 2019. 405. Another 325 drugs were banned in September last year. A Bilateral Swap Arrangement - The Union Cabinet has approved fixed-dose combination contains two or more drugs combined in the proposal for entering into an Agreement for Bilateral Swap a fixed ratio of doses, available as a single dose. Arrangement (BSA) between India and Japan and authorizing the Cabinet Approved MoU on Mines Safety - Union Cabinet chaired Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to sign the Agreement for Bilateral by Prime Minister Narendra Modi MoU between India and Swap Arrangement between the RBI and the Bank of Japan for a Australia on the safety in Mines, Testing and Research Station. maximum amount of USD 75 billion.

Cabinet Approved Visa Arrangements - Union Cabinet approved Reservation For Local People - the Agreement on the facilitation of visa arrangements signed Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister between India and Maldives signed in December 2018. The Kamal Nath amended the Agreement provides for 90-day visa free travel for tourism, policy for Micro, Small and medical and limited business purpose and also provides for easy Medium Enterprises (MSME) to conversion of such visa free entry to medical visa. make it compulsory to provide 70 per cent jobs to permanent residents of the state. Accordingly, concessions such as cheap Reservation For EWS in Academic Session 2019 - The HRD land and other subsidies will be given to MSMEs only if they ministry announced that it will implement 10 per cent reservation provide 70 per cent of the total jobs to local persons. for economically weaker section of the general category from the 2019 academic session and increase around 25 per cent seats in Sterlite Copper Smelter Plant - The Supreme Court upheld the higher educational institutions and universities across the National Green Tribunal (NGT) order allowing the reopening of country. the Sterlite Copper smelter plant in Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu. In May 2018, the state government had ordered that the smelter be shut

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www.caforexam.com – Important News of January Month after protests over the plant’s alleged pollution led to widespread Christians) 1869, Special Marriage Act 1954 and the Hindu violence. After the NGT allowed the plant to reopen in December, Adoptions and Maintenance Act 1956. the AIADMK government moved a petition in the Supreme Court. CNG From Agriculture Waste - Government owned farm Manipur People’s Protection Bill - Manipur Chief Minister N. cooperative Nafed will set up 100 facilities, which will use Biren Singh has assured the people of Manipur that his agriculture waste such as sugarcane press-mud, the residue of government will protect the indigenous people of the state at any the filtration of sugarcane juice, and stubble to produce bio-CNG. cost, citing the Manipur People’s Protection Bill, 2018. The The first such plant will come up at Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Manipur People’s Protection Bill, 2018 which was passed during Pradesh, which is in the sugarcane belt. Indian Oil Corporation the 5th session of the Manipur Legislative Assembly on July 23, has agreed to procure the bio-CNG from these plants at Rs 48 per 2018, seeks to regulate entry and exit of non-Manipuris from kg. outside the state. 6 Monuments Declared As Single Use Plastic In Airports - The Airports Authority of India National Importance - Ministry (AAI) imposed a ban on single-use plastic items in its 129 airports of Culture announced across the country. These steps include banning of single-use that Archaeological Survey of plastic items like straws, plastic cutlery, plastic plates etc. India (ASI) declared 6 monuments as ‘protected and of national importance’ under All India Radio News - Union Minister of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains State (IC) for Information & Act, 1958, in 2018. These sites are - Broadcasting and Youth Affairs & Sports, Col. Rajyavardhan Rathore Old High Court Building in Nagpur, Maharashtra. (Retd) launched the sharing of All India Group of Temples in Ranipur Jharail in Bolangir district of Odisha. Radio News with private FM broadcasters. This will be done free of cost, on trial basis initially till 31st May, 2019. Agra- Haveli of Agha Khan

Constitution Bench For Ram Janmabhoomi Dispute - Hathi Khana The Supreme Court set up a five-judge Constitution Bench to hear Neemrana Baori in Alwar district of Rajasthan the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land title dispute case. It will hear the matter on January 10. The Bench, headed by Chief Vishnu Temple in Kotali, Pithoragarh district in Uttarakhand. Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi, comprises Justices S.A. Bobde, N.V. Miners Trapped in Meghalaya - National Green Tribunal imposed Ramana, U.U. Lalit and D.Y. Chandrachud. a fine of whopping Rs 100 crore on the Meghalaya government Leprosy No Ground For Divorce - The Lok Sabha passed the for failing to curb illegal coal mining in the state. At least 15 Personal Laws (Amendment Bill), 2018, which seeks to remove miners are trapped in the 370 foot-deep illegal coal mine in leprosy as a ground for divorce as it is now a curable disease as Lumthari village of East Jaintia Hills district of Meghalaya since against the earlier notion of it being incurable. The Bill seeks to December 13 and all efforts to pump the water out of flooded amend five personal laws- the Hindu Marriage Act 1955, mine have been in vain. Supreme Court also had expressed strong Dissolution of Muslim Marriages Act 1939, Divorce Act (for dissatisfaction over the rescue efforts to trace the miners.

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Event in News Beating the Retreat - The four-day long celebrations of the 70th Republic Day concluded on January 29, 2019 with 'Beating the 70th Republic Day - India celebrates Retreat' ceremony, which was held at the historic Vijay Chowk in 70th Republic Day honouring the New Delhi. The Beating Retreat' marks a centuries-old military date on which the Constitution of tradition, when the troops ceased fighting, sheathed their arms India came into effect on 26 January and withdrew from the battlefield and returned to the camps at 1950 replacing the Government of India Act (1935). sunset at the sounding of the Retreat. # Life of Gandhi - The theme of the 70th Republic Day parade is Ganga Expressway - Uttar Pradesh State Cabinet approved the 'life of Gandhi' which is a tribute to the father of the nation construction of a four-lane Ganga Expressway connecting Mahatma Gandhi on his 150th birth anniversary. Highlights of Prayagraj to Meerut. Once completed, it would be longest Republic Day - expressway in the world. The decision was taken during UP State # Highest Number Of Women Officers - The 70th Republic Day Cabinet meeting at Prayagraj during the ongoing Kumbh Mela. parade will have the highest number of women officers For the first time in the history of Kumbh, UP State Cabinet participating in the celebrations with Lt. Bhavana Kasturi leading meeting was held at Prayagraj. The four-lane expressway will be a contingent of 144 male personnel. This is the first time in the 600 kilometres long. It would cost around Rs 36,000 crore. history of that a woman will lead the Army services Vande Bharat Express - Acknowledging its made-in-India status, corps. the Indian Railways has named the indigenously manufactured # All Women Contingent - An all-women contingent of Assam Train 18 as Vande Bharat Express. The train is set to run between Rifles, India's oldest paramilitary force, will be participating for Delhi and Varanasi at a maximum speed of 160kmph. The 16- the first time. coach train, built in 18 months at a cost of Rs 97 crore by the Integral Coach Factory, Chennai, is regarded as a successor to the # New Weapons - The weapons which will be showcased for the 30-year-old Shatabdi Express. It’s also the first locomotive-less first time in a Republic day parade are M777 and K-9 Vajra ultra train in the country. light howitzers along with the Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM) missile of the DRDO. Cloning of Monkeys - Scientists in China have cloned # Bio Fuel Aircraft - For the first time in the Republic Day parade, five monkeys for human An-32 aircraft will be flying using a mix of traditional and biofuel. disease research. The research

# INA Soldiers Participated - Four former Indian National Army team edited genes of monkeys (INA) soldiers will participate for the first time in the parade. INA to induce several human diseases like Alzheimer's claiming that it was an armed force formed by Indian nationalist Rash Behari would help in medical research. This experiment may likely to Bose in 1942 in Southeast Asia during World War II raise fresh ethical concerns about gene-editing. As per reports, this is the first time multiple clones had been made from a gene- # Sankhnaad - Sankhnaad', a martial tune created for the Indian edited monkey for biomedical research. armed forces, will be played for the first time on the 70th Republic Day parade. Since Independence, the Indian defence National Salt Satyagraha Memorial - Prime Minister Narendra forces have been playing 'martial tune' created by the Britishers. Modi dedicated the National Salt Satyagraha Memorial at Dandi `Sankhnaad' is based on Indian classical music. in Navsari district, Gujarat to the nation, on the occasion of 14

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Mahatma Gandhi’s 71st death anniversary. The Prime Minister the K9 Vajra self-propelled Howitzer guns will be manufactured. also unveiled at the memorial site, the statues of Mahatma L&T had in 2017 won the Rs 4,500-crore contract from the Gandhi and 80 Satyagrahis who had marched with him during the Ministry of Defence to supply 100 units of K9 Vajra-T 155 mm/52 historic Dandi Salt March in 1930 to make salt from sea water calibre tracked self-propelled gun systems to the Indian Army against the British law. under the Centre’s ‘Make in India’ initiative.

Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Centralised Processing Centre 2.0 Project - The government said Museum - Prime Minister IT major Infosys will develop the next-generation income tax filing Narendra Modi inaugurated the system for Rs 4,241.97 crore which will cut down the processing Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose time for returns to one day from 63 days and expedite refunds. museum at the iconic Red Fort in The Cabinet gave its approval for Integrated E-filing and Delhi to mark the leader’s 122nd birth anniversary. The museum Centralised Processing Centre 2.0 Project of the Income Tax showcases various artefacts related to Subhash Chandra Bose and Department. Project is expected to be completed in 18 months. Indian National Army. One nation One Grid - Kargil and National Museum of Indian Cinema - Prime Minister Narendra Leh is now connected to national Modi will inaugurate the National Museum of Indian Cinema power grid. In a major push to the (NMIC) in Mumbai. The development of the Museum was guided ‘One nation One Grid’ project’ by the Museum Advisory Committee headed by Shyam Benegal. Ladakh has been connected to the An innovation Committee headed by Prasoon Joshi provided an National Grid for the first time since 1947. Prime upgrade to the NMIC. Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation for the 220 kV Leh- Kargil-Alusteng Single Circuit transmission line in August 2014. National Museum Institute - Prakash Javadekar, Union Minister for Human Resource Development will inaugurate the new Defence Innovation Hub - Nasik in Maharashtra will be the site of Campus of the National Museum Institute at NOIDA. Since its the country’s second defence innovation hub after Coimbatore in inception, the Institute has been one of the leading centers in the Tamil Nadu. Defence innovation hub at Nashik will help local country for training and research in the field of art and cultural industries and entrepreneurs and further the Centre’s Make in heritage. India push in the country’s defence sector.

Tamil Nadu Defence Industrial Corridor - Defence Minister Domestic Council for Gems & Jewellery - The Commerce Ministry Nirmala Seetharaman will formally launch the Tamil Nadu announced the formation of a Domestic Council for Gems & Defence Industrial Corridor. This will be the country's second Jewellery to bring the industry’s domestic business stakeholders defence industrial corridor, the first one has already been under one umbrella so that they could evolve a unified approach launched in Aligarh, UP in last August. The Tamil Nadu corridor is to promote growth in the sector. The basic objective of the expected to have six nodes at Trichy, Salem, Hosur, Kovai, government is to make this unorganised sector organised and Madurai as well as Chennai. structured.

First Private Howitzer Gun Factory - Prime Minister Narendra System For Predicting Thunderstorms And Lightening Strikes - Modi inaugurated the Armoured Systems Complex of Larsen and Government will set up a complete system for predicting Toubro in Gujarat, the first private facility in the country where thunderstorms and lightening strikes in the country in next three

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www.caforexam.com – Important News of January Month months. Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) has Now, only about 10.48 lakh households are left to be electrified already installed 48 lightening sensors across the country. This in 4 states - Assam, Rajasthan, Meghalaya and Chhattisgarh. The tool is developed by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology central government launched 'Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har (IITM), Pune and India Meteorological Department (IMD), New Ghar Yojana' (Saubhagya) in September 2017 to achieve the goal Delhi. IITM has also developed a mobile app called ‘Damini’ for of universal household electrification in the country by 31 March, giving updated information about lightening activity over a 2019. certain area. Samwad with Students - Indian Space Research Organisation Alliance Between SP and BSP - ushered in new year by launching a student outreach programme In Uttar Pradesh, Samajwadi called ‘Samwad with Students’ at its facility in Bengaluru. ISRO Party and Bahujan Samaj Party will organise guided tours of students thrice in a year, especially have entered a alliance for Lok during summer and Christmas holidays. Students will be taken to Sabah Poll 2019. SP and BSP will ISRO facilities in Thiruvananthapuram and Bengaluru and the fight coming lok Sabha election jointly on seat sharing of 38 each launch centre at Sriharikota. They will also be allowed to make in Uttar Pradesh. Two seats are left for other parties. Alliance will small satellites. not field it's candidate on Amethi and Raebareli seats. World’s Largest Cricket Stadium - The construction of the world’s Prime Minister Released Rs 350 Coin - largest cricket stadium, which will have a seating capacity of over Prime Minister Narendra Modi released a 1 lakh, at Motera in Ahmedabad is underway. Stadium will be commemorative coin of Rs. 350 in the built across 63 acres of land and is being designed by renowned national capital to mark the birth architect firm M/s. Populous. The cost of the project is estimated anniversary celebrations of Guru Gobind to be Rs 700 crore and the construction tender has been given to Singh jee. Rs 350 commemorative Coin with the standard weight L&T. of 35 gram will bears the rupee symbol and denominational value Tulip Garden - Uttarakhand's first tulip garden will come up ‘350’ in international numerals below the Lion Capital. in Pithoragarh district. The state government has obtained the Time Capsule - A laptop, a smartphone, a drone and VR glasses Centre's nod for development of the garden. To be developed by were among 100 items buried as part of a Time Capsule during the ONGC, under its corporate social responsibility programme, the ongoing 106th Indian Science Congress by three Nobel the proposed tulip garden will be the country's second after the Laureates — Avram Hershko, F Duncan M Haldane and Thomas one located in Srinagar (J&K). Christian Sudhof. The Capsule, which will remain buried for 100 Reliance E-Commerce - Reliance Industries Ltd Chairman and years, was developed with an objective to “capture” the current managing director Mukesh Ambani announced that group technological essence for future generations. The capsule was companies Reliance Retail and Reliance Jio Infocomm would buried on the campus of Lovely Professional University, in jointly launch a new e-commerce platform in the country. The Jalandhar at a depth of 10 ft. According to university officials, it announcement was made at the inauguration of the three-day will be unearthed and opened on January 3, 2119. Vibrant Gujarat summit. 25 States Achieved 100% Electrification - The country achieved Atal Setu - Union Minister Nitin Gadkari inaugurated four-lane yet another milestone in the power sector with the completion 5.1-kilometer long “Atal Setu”, the third Cable Bridge across river of electrification in 100% households in 25 states at year end. 16

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Mandovi in Panaji, Goa. Infrastructure works worth Rs 15000 population in the State. The State and Central government will crore have been sanctioned for the state of Goa. share the cost of the force on 40:60 basis. Fund amount of 2.25 Cr was also sanctioned to protect the tigers and to prevent forest First Geographical Indication Store - fire accidents. The Civil Aviation ministry launched the country’s first Geographical Norms Relaxed For Under Trial Prisoners - Home Minister Indication (GI) store at Dabolim Rajnath Singh has said that the Centre has issued an advisory to International Airport in Goa. Union Minister for Civil Aviation release under trial prisoners who have served half of their Suresh Prabhu stated that the GI stores will promote local maximum punishment provided under the law. There are about products made by the artisans and handicrafts at the airport. four lakh prisoners in jails and out of them about half are under trials. Rajiv Saxena and Deepak Talwar - Dubai-based businessman Rajiv Saxena, the co-accused in 3,600-crore rupee Agusta Reservation in Andhra Pradesh - Andhra Pradesh cabinet has Westland chopper deal case and corporate lobbyist Deepak decided to cater 5% reservation each for Kapu community and Talwar were extradited to India from United Arab Emirates. the economically backward classes (EBCs) among the forward castes. Penalty on Indian Railway - The Central Pollution Control Board has slapped a fine of Rs 1 crore each on the North Delhi Municipal Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust - The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust Corporation and the Northern Railways over non-compliance of (JNPT), India’s premier container port got listed amongst the top norms. The board sent the notice to the Northern Railways over 30 container ports globally, as per the latest Lloyds Report. JNPT its construction and demolition activities. notched up five spots, to be 28th on the list, compared to its previous ranking. Central Assistance From NDRF - The High Level Committee, chaired by the Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, approved the Bio-Fuel For Military Aircraft - additional Central assistance from National Disaster Response In a significant move, the use of Fund (NDRF) of Rs 7214.03 crore to 6 States and one Union indigenously produced bio-fuel Territory. The funds allocated to these states are - Rs 317.44 for military aircraft has been crore to Himachal Pradesh, Rs 191.73 crore to Uttar Pradesh, Rs. cleared after months of exhaustive ground and flight trials, The 900.40 crore to Andhra Pradesh, Rs. 127.60 crore to Gujarat, Rs. is expected to use bio fuel for its transport fleet 949.49 crore to Karnataka, Rs. 4,714.28 crore to Maharashtra and and helicopters following the clearance given by the Centre for Rs. 13.09 crore to UT of Puducherry. Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC).

Eco Smart Stations - National Green Tribunal has directed the National Women’s Party - The National Women’s Party (NWP), Railways to identify and develop at least 36 stations as "eco- which has been formed with the motto of women empowerment, smart stations" within two weeks. ‘Polluter Pays' principle may be was launched in Mumbai, Maharashtra. The party has been invoked by regulatory authorities, including the Railways, for founded by Dr Swetha Shetty, a medical practitioner-cum - compliance of Solid Waste and Plastic Waste Management Rules, activist from Hyderabad, who would also serve as its President. 2016. Announcing its formation, Shetty said that apart from ensuring empowerment of women, issues like getting 50 per cent Tiger Protection Force - Telangana government has decided to reservation for women in the parliament and state assemblies. form a 'State Tiger Protection Force' to save the Big Cat 17

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No Single Use Plastic in Election Campaign - Seeking to meet Kumbh 2019 - The world's India’s voluntary commitment to eliminate single-use plastic in largest religious and cultural the country by 2022, the Centre urged states and Union human congregation, ‘Kumbh territories to desist from single-use plastic election material and 2019’ began at Prayagraj requested use of sustainable alternate materials during the (erstwhile Allahabad), Uttar campaign. Pradesh on January 15, 2019 and will go on till March 4, 2019. This 7-week event began with the holy dip at Sangam, the Mahatma Gandhi Convention Centres - External affairs minister confluence of three rivers - Ganga, Yamuna and mythical Sushma Swaraj mentioned that India will build Mahatma Gandhi Saraswati. Convention Centres across African nations on grant assistance basis to mark 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. Longest Cable Suspension Bridge - India’s longest 300-meter single lane steel cable suspension bridge was inaugurated by ROADEO Robot - The Chennai Traffic Police inducted a road Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu. The bridge safety robot into service on January 14, 2019 for traffic across the Siang river at Yingkiong in Upper Siang district has management. The robot is named as ‘ROADEO’. The robot will been named Byorung Bridge. help police in traffic management and assist pedestrians in Chennai roads. Ads Transparency Centre by Twitter - With general election in India less than five months away, Twitter will soon introduce its Vision 2040 - The Ministry of Civil Aviation unveiled the Vision Ads Transparency Centre in the country that will enable users to 2040 document, which highlights the growth potential in see the identity of advertisers funding a political ad on the different sub-sectors of Indian aviation. As per the document the platform as part of efforts to be more transparent. total passenger traffic in India is expected to rise nearly six-fold from 187 million in FY 2018 to around 1124 million in FY 2040. Privatisation of Delhi Metro - The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation This includes around 821 million domestic passengers and around (DMRC) will privatise operations of two of its oldest corridors - 303 million international passengers. Red (Dilshad Garden-Rithala) and Yellow Lines (Samaypur Badli- HUDA City Centre) - and outsource arguably the most crucial job: Multi-Modal Logistics Park - PM Modi dedicated to the nation that of a train operator (driver). the Multi-Modal Logistics Park at Jharsuguda, Odisha. The Park promotes movement of goods for domestic as well as global Insurance For Air Passengers - Indian Railway Catering and trade. It will establish Jharsuguda as a prime logistics hub and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), the Railways’ subsidiary, will offer boost ease of doing business in the state. insurance of up to Rs 50 lakh for free for air passengers who book their tickets through its portal. IRCTC has tied up with Bharti- DD Science and India Science - The Axa for the offer. IRCTC’s service charge of Rs 59 is the cheapest Department of Science and Technology, compared with travel websites. IRCTC has tied up with Galileo, a along with Doordarshan, launched two computer reservation system, for powering the flight search science communication initiatives - DD engine. Science and India Science. While DD Science is a one hour slot on Doordarshan National channel, India Science is an internet based Seaplanes For Andaman Islands - According to the Ministry of science channel. Civil Aviation, islands in Andaman will soon be connected by seaplanes that can land on or take-off from the water. To

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www.caforexam.com – Important News of January Month facilitate the same, the government has approved flight Cyclone Pabuk - A ‘yellow alert’ was issued in the Andaman and operations on 13 water aerodrome routes under the Ude Desh ka Nicobar Islands as Cyclone Pabuk made its way towards the Aam Nagrik (UDAN) scheme. archipelago. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall. Airboat Service From Varanasi To Prayagraj - Minister for India Will Be Most Populous Country - Prediction of the United Shipping and Water Resources Nations about India to be the world’s most populous country in Ministry has said the government the 21st century may soon turn into a reality as the nation is likely will launch an airboat service from Varanasi to Prayagraj for the to produce as many as 69,944 babies on New Year’s Day. Kumbh Mela from January 26. The airboat is a popular means of Globally, around 18 per cent of total baby births are estimated to waterway transportation propelled by an aircraft-like rotor and take place in India only. As per the latest data compiled by the powered by an aircraft or an automation engine. United Nations, over 69,944 children will be born in India on New Year’s Day followed by China and Nigeria with 44,940 babies and Integrated Security System For Indian Railways - Indian Railways 25,685 babies respectively. is planning to seal railway stations 15-20 minutes before the scheduled departure of trains, in order to complete the process Banking and Economic of security checks. Passengers will now have to arrive at least 20 CSO Data on GDP - The government minutes before the scheduled departure of their trains. Security revised the economic growth rate plan with high-end technology has already been implemented at upwards to 7.2% for 2017-18 from Allahabad, before the Kumbh Mela 2019 and at Hubli railway the 6.7% estimated earlier. Earlier, station in Karnataka. These steps are a part of a security plan the CSO in its advance estimate had pegged the GDP growth rate under the Integrated Security System (ISS) which was approved in for 2018-19 at 7.2%. India’s contribution to global economy has 2016 to strengthen surveillance mechanism at 202 railway increased from 2.6 per cent in 2014 to 3.3 per cent in 2017 on the stations. back of high growth rate during the last four and a half years. Asia Pulp & Paper Group - Indonesian pulp and paper giant Asia India is Second Largest Producer of Steel - According to World Pulp & Paper Group (APP) is setting up India’s largest paper mill Steel Association India has replaced Japan as the world's second- with a capacity of a staggering 5 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) largest steel producing country, only behind China, which is the at Ramayapatnam in coastal Andhra’s Prakasam district. This largest producer of crude steel accounting for more than 51 per could well be the world’s largest such facility at a single site. cent of production. India's crude steel production in 2018 was at Polavaram Project - The Polavaram project in Andhra Pradesh 106.5 MT. Japan produced 104.3 MT. While China's crude steel entered the Guinness Book of World by pouring 32,100 cubic output was 928.3 MT. metres of concrete in 24 hours. The project had recently bagged Cabinet Approved Merger Of Three PSB - Union Cabinet the Central Board of Irrigation and Power (CBIP) award for speedy approved the proposal to merge Bank of Baroda (BoB), Vijaya execution of Polavaram multipurpose project and best Bank and Dena Bank with an aim to make it India’s third largest implementation of water resources project for better planning, bank. The merger will become effective from April 1 2019. Of the implementation and monitoring. three banks, Dena Bank is the weakest bank with highest NPA ratio of 11.04% and lowest business of merely Rs 1.72 lakh crore

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www.caforexam.com – Important News of January Month as compared to 5.4% NPA and Rs 10.2 lakh crore worth business Paytm Payments Bank of Bank of Baroda and 4.10% NPA and Rs 2 lakh crore worth Allowed To Open New business of Vijaya Bank. Accounts - The Reserve Bank of India has allowed Paytm Employment Data of NSSO - The Payments Bank to restart opening new accounts for its assessment by the National consumers after almost six months of the ban. Paytm Payments Sample Survey Office conducted Bank stopped enrolling new customers in June 2018, following an between July 2017-June 2018, audit by the RBI, which made certain observations about the showed the unemployment rate process the company follows in acquiring new customers and its stood at 6.1 percent, the highest since 1972-73 (45-year high). adherence to know-your-customer (KYC) norms. Joblessness stood at 7.8 percent in urban areas compared with 5.3 parts in the countryside. India’s economy has been expanding Liability in Prepaid Payment Instruments - Reserve Bank of India by 7 percent plus annually but the uneven growth has meant has come up with a framework for customer protection by there are not enough jobs created for millions of young Indians. limiting the liability in the case of an unauthorised transaction in any Prepaid Payment Instruments (PPIs). PPI issuers have been Legal Tender of Indian Notes In Nepal - The Nepal Rastra Bank asked to compulsorily send the SMS and e-mail alert for any (NRB) has written to the Reserve Bank of India, asking it to make payment transaction. PPI issuer shall have to reverse the Indian bank bills Rs 200, Rs 500 and Rs 2,000 legal tender in transaction and refund the amount involved in the unauthorised Nepal. The NRB has asked RBI to issue a notification under the electronic payment transaction to the customer’s PPI within 10 Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), which will make days. Customer’s liability in case of unauthorised transaction – Indian bank notes of denomination more than Rs 100 legal tender in Nepal. The RBI has only allowed the circulation of Indian Fraud / Negligence / Deficiency on the Part of the PPI issuer - currency notes of Rs 100 and less in Nepal. Liability of Customer is Zero.

Before Demonetisation - Before the demonetisation of Rs 500 Third Party Breach where the deficiency lies neither with the PPI and Rs 1,000 bank notes in November 2016, the RBI had issued a issuer nor with the customer - Liability of Customer is Zero if FEMA notification allowing Nepali citizens to carry Rs 25,000 reported within three days. worth of such bank notes. After the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Negligence by a customer - The customer will bear the entire loss Rs 1,000 Indian currency notes, circulation of new bank notes of until he reports the unauthorised transaction to the PPI issuer. denominations Rs 200, Rs 500 and Rs 2,000 was started by the Indian government. The RBI did not issue the notification for the Old ATM Card Banned From 1 January 2019 - Reserve Bank of newly circulated bank notes, making their use illegal in Nepal. India in 2015 had issued a directive to all bank across India mandating them to get rid of old magnetic stripe cards. This is Calamity Cess Approved - The ministerial panel under Bihar because magnetic stripe cards can easily be skimmed and Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Modi approved levy of 1 per cent misused by criminals. As per the RBI directive, all magnetic stripe ‘calamity cess’ by Kerala for a period of two years to fund cards were to be replaced by EMV (Europay, MasterCard, Visa) rehabilitation work in the state hit by floods. Later GST Council Chip Based cards by December 31, 2018. headed by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley also allowed the state government of Kerala to impose 1 per cent disaster cess on intra- Universal Basic Income - With the Congress announcing to state sales for a period of two years. introduce a minimum income guarantee scheme in 2019, if voted 20

www.caforexam.com – Important News of January Month to power, talks about Universal Basic Income has again gained GDP in FY18, the same has not translated into job creation, says steam. The idea was first mooted by the Economic Survey of report. 2016-2017. “A Universal Basic Income (UBI) is a periodic cash Top Performer - Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, and Gujarat. payment unconditionally delivered to all on an individual basis. Many countries like Norway and Finland practice it, Worst Performer - Jharkhand, Kerala, and Punjab. whereas others like Germany, Switzerland and France are IDFC First Bank Ltd - Private sector experimenting with it. lender IDFC Bank said its name has Gau Kalyan Cess - The UP been changed to IDFC First Bank Ltd government has introduced a “gau with effect from January 12, 2019. IDFC Bank and non-banking kalyan” (cow welfare) cess, a 0.5% financial company Capital First had announced completion of additional levy on excise items, their merger on December 18. Following the merger, the board of which could include alcohol apart from toll tax, as well as several IDFC Bank had approved the appointment of V Vaidyanathan, public sector infrastructure companies, to fund construction and founder and chairman of Capital First Ltd, as managing director maintenance of cow shelters across the state. and chief executive officer of the merged entity.

Recession Again - U.S. economic growth will slow this year to 2.3 BHIM-UPI Transactions - Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad percent from 3.1 percent in 2018, as the stimulative effects of informed via tweet that the total value of BHIM-UPI transactions President Donald Trump’s tax cuts wane and the federal budget crossed 1 Lakh Crore Rupees mark in December 2018. The deficit climbs to nearly $900 billion, congressional researchers Minister said BHIM-UPI, a unique fintech innovation of India, has said. US and China are considered two main drivers of global become immensely popular among users. growth because of the size of their economies and a less than Merger of Rural Regional Bank - The government has expected GDP growth in both the countries will ring alarm bells in amalgamated three Regional Rural Banks - Punjab Gramin Bank, other emerging economies including India. Malwa Gramin Bank and Sutlej Gramin Bank - into a single RRB. PSU Banks Authorised To Issue Lookout Circulars - In a bid to Gruh Finance Merged With Bandhan Bank - Gruh Finance board prevent big economic offenders like Vijay Mallya and Nirav Modi approved merger of housing financier with Bandhan Bank. The from fleeing the country, the government has empowered PSU merger is effective from January 1, 2019. The deal follows the banks to request lookout circulars (LOCs) against wilful defaulters Reserve Bank of India’s decision to impose strictures on Bandhan and fraudsters. The Home Ministry has also authorised the Bank for failing to reduce promoter shareholding as per the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO), a statutory corporate agreed regulatory timeline. fraud investigation agency, to request LOCs if it feels the suspect may escape from India. HDFC Mutual Fund - HDFC Mutual Fund has pipped ICICI Prudential MF to become the country's largest asset Best Performing States - Bihar and Andhra Pradesh led the pack management company As of December-end. HDFC MF manages among States in terms of GDP growth in financial year 2017-18, assets to the tune of Rs 3.35 lakh crore, while those of ICICI clocking 11.3% and 11.2% growth, respectively, compared with Prudential MF stood at Rs 3.08 lakh crore, as per the latest data the national GDP growth of 6.7% for the year, according to a available with Association of Mutual funds in India (Amfi). report by CRISIL. Even as 12 large states grew faster than national

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Jet Airways Downgraded to Venugopal Dhoot and Deepak Kochhar. Since then, ICICI Bank has Default Grade - Jet Airways also initiated an internal enquiry under former Supreme Court India Ltd. has missed judge BN Srikrishna. Earlier, ICICI bank CEO Chanda Kochhar payment to lenders, resigned from her post in October 2018. prompting ratings agency India Fastest Growing Economy - India will continue to remain ICRA to downgrade the rating to ‘D’ or default grade due to the the world’s fastest-growing large economy in 2019 as well as in default and the inability of the airline to mobilise funds to 2020. According to the UN’s World Economic Situation and improve liquidity. The company’s liquidity position is stressed Prospects (WESP) 2019, India’s GDP growth is expected to with operating losses, high debt levels and negative networth. accelerate to 7.6 per cent in 2019-20 from an estimated 7.4 per NHAI Signed MoU with Oil Marketing Companies - To ensure cent in the current fiscal ending March 2019. In the case of China, easier availability of FASTags, Indian Highways Management the growth is estimated to decelerate to 6.3 per cent in 2019 Company Ltd. (IHMCL), a company promoted by NHAI, is signing from 6.6 per cent in 2018. MoUs with state-run Oil Marketing Companies (IOCL, BPC, and Digital Currency Aber - The HPC). It will ensure availability of FASTags at petroleum outlets central banks of the UAE and across India. In the first phase, the tags will be available across 50 Saudi Arabia have launched a Fuel Station in Delhi NCR. IHMCL has been mandated to common digital currency called implement the National Electronic Toll Collection Program (NETC) "Aber", which will be used in in the country. IHMCL is also striving for the vision of One Nation financial settlements between the two countries through – One Tag. Blockchains and Distributed Ledgers technologies. GST e-way Bill Will Be Integrated With FASTag - The GST e-way India Will Surpass China In Fuel Consumption - India will surpass bill system is likely to be integrated with NHAI’s FASTag China to become the second largest oil demand growth centre mechanism from April to help track movement of goods and globally in 2019 on back of buoyant auto fuel and LPG check GST evasion. Integration of e-way bill with FASTag would consumption, as per a report by research and consultancy group help find the location of the vehicle and when and how many Wood Mackenzie. According to the US Energy Information times it has crossed NHAI’s toll plazas. The integrated system on Administration (EIA), India is currently ranked behind the United an all-India basis is planned to be rolled out from April. Karnataka States and China as the world's third-largest oil consumer. is implementing an integrated system on a pilot basis. Recapitalisation of Export-Import Bank - The Union Cabinet Roshni Android App - The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), approved the recapitalisation of the Export-Import Bank of Ropar, has developed first Android app Roshni that would help India. The Cabinet also approved an increase in the authorized the Visually Impaired to recognise currency notes. The app can capital of EXIM Bank from Rs 10,000 crore to Rs. 20,000 recognise both old and new notes and gives audio information as crore. The Government will issue the Recapitalization Bonds to to which note you are holding in your hands. the tune of Rs 6000 crore for capital infusion in the EXIM CBI Filed Case in ICICI Loan Case - Central Bureau of Investigation Bank. The equity will be infused in two tranches. First tranche will registered an FIR regarding the alleged irregularities in the Rs be of Rs 4,500 crore in FY 2018-19, and then of Rs 1,500 crore in 3,250 crore loan case by ICICI Bank to Videocon. The CBI had in FY 2019-20. 2018 registered a preliminary enquiry against Videocon promoter 22

www.caforexam.com – Important News of January Month

Allahabad Bank and SBI Automatic Exchange Of Information - India will start receiving Life Signed Pact - from Switzerland this year information relating to financial Allahabad Bank and SBI accounts held by Indians in Swiss banks on automatic basis. Life Insurance came Switzerland has been long perceived as one of the safest havens together and signed for illicit wealth allegedly stashed abroad by some Indians In a bancassurance pact, to offer a holistic financial planning 2016, India and Switzerland signed a joint declaration relating to solution to consumers. This will empower the consumer to automatic exchange of information (AEOI) relating to tax. address their complete financial needs under one roof. The tie- RBI Reviewed PCA Framework - The Reserve Bank of India has up, one of the largest Bancassurance partnerships in the country. decided to allow three public sector banks — Bank of India, Bank Capital Infusion in PSB - The government has infused 10,882 of Maharashtra and Oriental Bank of Commerce — to exit the crore Rupees in four public sector banks, including UCO Bank and PCA framework following capital infusion by the government and Syndicate Bank. It is a part of 28,615 crore rupees capital infusion a decline in net non-performing asset ratio. The RBI which to be done in about half a dozen public sector lenders. UCO Bank conducted a review following a demand made by government to has received 3,074 crore rupees. Besides, Bank of Maharashtra lift the restrictions in order to boost credit growth. got 4,498 crore rupees, Syndicate Bank 1,632 crore rupees and Kochi Refinery Project Dedicated To Nation - Prime Minister Central Bank of India 1,678 crore rupees. Narendra Modi dedicated Kochi Refinery project and IOCL LPG Tokenisation For Card Transactions - Reserve Bank of India Bottling Plant to the Nation in Kochi, Kerala. Prime Minister also released guidelines on tokenisation for various card transactions. laid a foundation stone for Petrochemical Complex. Tokenisation, which aims at improving safety and security of the SBI Card and Etihad Signed payment system, refers to replacement of actual card details with Agreement - SBI Card and an unique alternate code called the ‘token’, which shall be unique Etihad Guest, the loyalty for a combination of card, token requestor and identified device. programme of Etihad Instead of using actual card details, this token is used to perform Airways, have joined hands to card transactions in contactless mode at point of sale (POS) launch a travel-specific Visa credit card for members and Indian terminals, quick response (QR) code payments. A customer would travelers. This is the first international co-brand partnership of not have to pay any charges for availing this service. SBI Card, the country's second-largest credit card issuer. HDFC Standard Life Insurance Renamed - HDFC Standard Life Praveen Kutumbe Panel - Insurance Regulatory Development Insurance has changed its name to HDFC Life Insurance following Authority of India (IRDAI) has set up a panel headed by Praveen the receipt of relevant approvals from regulatory authorities. Kutumbe, to identify domestically systematically important Record Quarterly Profit - Reliance Industries Ltd became the first insurers (SIIs) and an augmented regulatory framework is logically Indian private sector company to report a quarterly profit of established in this regard. more than Rs 10,000 crore after record earnings from Highest Allocation for MGNREGA - After exhausting 99% of its petrochemical, retail and telecom business. State-owned Indian annual allocation three months ahead of time, MGNREGA scheme Oil Corp (IOC) holds the distinction of posting highest ever has been given an additional allocation of Rs 6,084 crore to tide quarterly profit by any Indian firm when it had reported a net over the next three months. This lifts the total allocation to profit of Rs 14,512.81 crore in January-March 2013. 23

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MGNREGA for 2018-19 to Rs 61,084 crore, which is the highest ADB Forecast on GDP Growth - The Asian Development Bank ever allocation. (ADB) forecast that the Indian economy would grow at 7.3 per cent in FY19. On the back of strong investment and GST SEBI Issued Guidelines For REITs And InvITs - Markets regulator stabilisation, the growth would improve to 7.6 per cent in FY20. Sebi amended guidelines for Real state Investment Trusts (REITs) Earlier World Bank had also said that India’s GDP is expected to and Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs) to ease the process grow at 7.3 per cent in the fiscal year 2018-19. It has forecast the of public issue of their units. Now, these trusts can accept only growth to hit 7.5 per cent in the following two years. Applications Supported by Blocked Amount (ASBA). Among others, the manager on behalf of the REIT or InvIT will announce SAARC Swap Facility - Sri Lanka’s Central Bank announced that the floor price or price band at least two working days prior to the Reserve Bank of India has agreed to provide USD 400 million the opening of the bid in case of an initial public offer. under a swap arrangement to boost the island nation’s reserves. The RBI has agreed to provide the funds under Inflation Declined - Retail its SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) inflation in December 2018 Swap Facility. continued the downward trend, slipping to an 18- Pasargad Bank - Union Minister Nitin month low of 2.19 per cent with food prices staying in the Gadkari has announced that India has negative zone along with lower vegetable and fuel prices. Earlier allowed an Iranian bank, Pasargad Bank, Whole Sale Price Inflation data showed that it fell to 8-month low to open a branch in Mumbai. The move in December falling to 3.80 per cent from 4.64 per cent in is aimed at circumventing US trade and November amid decline in fuel and food items. investment sanctions as India builds a strategic port in the West Asian country. Hike in Non Performing Assets - Reserve Bank of India has raised Alongside, India’s UCO Bank will open a branch in Iran. a red flag over spike in non—performing assets (NPAs) under the government’s flagship scheme to support micro enterprises in the Relief For MSMEs - In a major relief to micro, small and medium country — the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana. RBI said that enterprises (MSMEs), the GST Council chaired by finance minister bad loans under PMMY had risen to Rs 11,000 crore. Arun Jaitley doubled the GST exemption limit for companies in the sector to those with an annual turnover of Rs 40 lakh from Penalty on Citibank - The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has slapped the current Rs 20 lakh. For North East and hilly states, the limit a penalty of Rs. 3 crore on foreign lender Citibank India for not has been increased to Rs 20 lakh from Rs 10 lakh. complying with ‘fit and proper’ criteria for directors. It said the action is based on deficiencies in regulatory compliance. Per Capita Income - According to first advance estimates of national income released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO), India Will Be Second Largest Economy - India is likely to overtake Per Capita income earned by an average Indian doubled in 7 the United States and become the world’s second-largest years, from Rs 63,642 per year in 2011-12 to Rs 1.25 lakh in 2018- economy by 2030, a British financial services firm has predicted. 19. According to Standard Chartered Plc, China will assume the top spot by dislodging the US, which will fall to third on the list Unemployment Rate Worsen - The estimated unemployment behind the two Asian giants. rate rose to a 27-month high of 7.38% in the month of December 2018 and the total number of people employed fell by about 1.09

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www.caforexam.com – Important News of January Month crore, according to CMIE data. In December 2017, a total of 40.78 home buyers to avail up front financial assistance of about Rs 2.5 crore people were employed, while in the month of December lakh from the central government, which they can use for down 2018 the number fell to 39.69 crores, the Centre for Monitoring payment while booking, construction or re-purchasing the flat. Indian Economy (CMIE) data showed. International News Public Sector Banks Rationalising Foreign Operation - Public Shutdown Ended in USA - sector banks are in the process of closing or rationalising about Submitting to mounting 69 overseas operations in the next few months as part of their pressure, U.S. President Donald capital conservation exercise. Following the review, 35 overseas Trump has signed a Bill to reopen operations were closed while 69 are under process or being the government for three weeks, considered for rationalisation. backing down from his demand that Congress give him money for NHAI Plans To Raise Rs 10,000 Cr - The National Highways his border wall before federal agencies go back to work. The deal Authority of India (NHAI) plans to raise Rs. 10,000 crore through he reached with congressional leaders contains no new money Bharatmala Taxable Bonds in the current fiscal. Highways for the wall but ends the longest shutdown in U.S. history. Mr. Minister Nitin Gadkari said as per the internal and extra Trump’s retreat came on the 35th day of the partial shutdown. budgetary resources approved for 2018-19 by the government, Nicolas Maduro - Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro rejected Rs. 62,000 crore is to be raised by NHAI through various sources an international ultimatum to call elections within eight days and including Bharatmala bonds. said Opposition leader Juan Guaido had violated the Constitution ICICI Band Signed MoU by declaring himself the interim leader. Israel joined a growing list with FinCredit India - ICICI of countries led by the United States that back Mr. Guaido’s claim Bank, in a first-of-its-kind to the presidency on the basis that Mr. Maduro’s second-term programme, signed a election victory was fraudulent. Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Small Business World Economy Outlook Report - India is projected to grow at FinCredit India Pvt. Ltd. (SBFC), a systemically important Non- 7.5 per cent in 2019 and 7.7 per cent in 2020, an impressive over Banking Finance Company for entrepreneurs, to jointly provide one percentage point ahead of China’s estimated growth of 6.2 credit worth up to Rs 1 crore to MSMEs for a tenure of 15 years. per cent in these two years, the International Monetary Fund Growth Outlook for 2019 - In its ‘Growth Outlook for 2019’, (IMF) said in its World Economy Outlook report. The IMF trimmed Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) stated that the GDP growth global growth projections for 2019 and 2020 to 3.5 per cent and will be in the range of 7.5% in 2019. A settled goods and services 3.6 per cent respectively. tax (GST), improving credit availability and capacity expansion World Capital of Architecture for 2020 - The United Nations from increasing investment in infrastructure are among seven key Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has drivers that will help Indian economy grow 7.5% in 2019. named the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro as the World Capital of Interest Subsidy Scheme Extended - The government extended Architecture for 2020. Rio will be the first city to receive the title the interest subsidy scheme for middle-income group till 31 under a programme launched together by UNESCO and the March 2020 for first time urban homebuyers who have annual International Union of Architects (UIA) in November 2018. The income between Rs 6 lakh and Rs 18 lakh. This will enable new city beat Paris and Melbourne to get the position.

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Aadhaar Cards is Valid For Traveling Nepal - According to a economic blockade imposed on the country by its Persian Gulf Home Ministry Aadhaar cards are now valid travel documents for neighbours and several Arab states. These countries accuse Doha Indians under 15 and over 65 travelling to Nepal and Bhutan. of supporting terrorism and interfering in their internal affairs. Indian citizens going to Nepal and Bhutan don't need a visa if they Republic of Macedonia Renamed - The parliamentarians of the have a valid passport, a photo identity card issued by the Republic of Macedonia voted on January 11, 2019 to change their government of India or an election ID card issued by the Election country’s name to the “Republic of North Macedonia”. The move Commission. now awaits approval from the Greece Parliament. The change of Palestine Took Chairmanship of G 77 - Palestinian President name, if cleared by Athens, would pave the way for the small Mahmoud Abbas has pledged to protect the interests of all 134 republic to enter NATO and the European Union. countries in the UN's Group of 77, as Palestine took GAFA Tax - The the chairmanship of the group from Egypt for 2019. The G77 finance minister of group was originally founded by 77 members in 1964 but has France Bruno Le Maire expanded to 134 mainly developing nations. announced that British PM Faces Defeat in Parliament - France will introduce its own tax on large internet and technology British Prime Minister Theresa May companies from January 1. France has been pushing hard for a suffered a crushing defeat in the new so-called “GAFA tax” -- named after Google, Apple, Parliament on January 15, 2019 when Facebook and Amazon -- to ensure the global giants pay a fair lawmakers overwhelmingly rejected share of taxes on their massive business operations in Europe. Britain’s withdrawal deal by a vote of 432 New Temporary Members Joined UNSC - Five nations, namely, to 202, a majority of 230 votes, with just 73 days to go until Belgium, Dominican Republic, Germany, Indonesia and South Britain is scheduled to leave the European Union. Britain is Africa assumed the charge as the Non-Permanent Members of scheduled to leave the EU on March 29, 2019. Following the vote, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). These five countries Labour tabled a no-confidence motion against May's minority will hold a two-year term in the Council with effect from January government but Prime Minister Theresa May survived a no- 1, 2019. This will be the Dominican Republic’s first time on the confidence vote in Parliament. May won a narrow victory, 325 Security Council. votes to 306 votes. Chinese Telecom Giant Huawei - The U.S.’s Department of US and Israel Quit From UNESCO - The United States and Israel Justice has charged Chinese telecom giant and world’s second officially quit the United Nations Educational, Scientific and largest smartphone manufacturer Huawei and its CFO Meng Cultural Organization (UNESCO) with the close of 2018. The Wanzhou with attempts to steal trade secrets, obstructing a Trump administration filed its notice to withdraw in October 2017 criminal investigation and evading U.S. sanctions against Iran. and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu followed suit for Huawei has denied the charges against itself and Ms. Weng. agency’s anti-Israel bias. Africa Centre for Climate and Sustainable development - Italian Qatar Quits OPEC - Qatar will cease to be a member of the Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte along with UN representative has Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries from 1 launched Africa Centre for Climate and Sustainable January 2019. Now OPEC will focus on its liquefied natural gas development. The new center is located near the Food and production. The decision came amid the ongoing diplomatic and 26

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Agriculture Organization headquarters in Rome. The major global consultancy firm PwC. According to World Bank data, India objective is boosting the agricultural sectors and promoting rural became the world's sixth largest economy in 2017 surpassing development in Africa. France.

Dubai International Airport - Dubai International Airport Pakistan Received Assistance (DXB) retained its position as the world's busiest airport for From Gulf Nation - Cash- international customer numbers for the fifth consecutive strapped Pakistan has received year with annual traffic for 2018. It overtook the crown of the USD 1 billion each from Saudi world's busiest hub for international travel from London's Arabia and the United Arab Heathrow in 2014. Emirates (UAE), as part of the bailout package by the two Gulf nations to help shore up Islamabad’s dwindling foreign currency America and Taliban Will Sign Peace Agreement - American and reserves. The assistance was the first part of the USD 3 billion Taliban officials have agreed to the framework of a peace deal in assistance announced by the Gulf nation. which the insurgents guarantee to prevent Afghanistan from being used by terrorists, and that could lead to a full pull-out of India Signed Agreement With South Africa - Following delegation U.S. troops in return for a ceasefire and Taliban talks with the level talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South Afghan government. African President Cyril Ramaphosa, the two sides inked an agreement to further deepen their strategic partnership. India India and OECD Signe Agreement - Human Resources and South Africa are keen on expansion of cooperation in sectors Development Ministry signed an agreement with Organisation for including agro-processing, defence, mining and the financial Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) for India’s sector. India will also be setting up Gandhi-Mandela Skills Participation in Programme for International Student Assessment Institute in Pretoria. - PISA 2021. PISA is a triennial international survey which aims to evaluate the education system worldwide by testing the skills and India and Australia Revamped Extradition Treaty - India is all set knowledge of 15-year-old students. to sign a revamped extradition treaty with Australia that would enable both countries to exchange information on spies, General Data Protection terrorism and human traffickers. India and Australia signed an Regulation - Nearly 65% of extradition treaty in 2008, but it came into force only in 2011. Indian organizations are Under this treaty, both countries decided to recognise better prepared for the extraditable offences which are punishable by an imprisonment European Union's General of at least one year or severe penalty. Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), making the country the sixth leading nation globally in the GDPR readiness index, global India Donated Ambulance to Nepal - India donated 30 networking leader, according to CISCO. The GDPR, which focused ambulances and six buses to Nepal and extended its support to on increasing protection for EU residents' privacy and personal the country in achieving prosperity. India’s gesture came as it data, came into force in May 2018. marked 70th Republic Day.

India Will Surpass UK in 2019 - India is likely to surpass the India and Maldives Agreed for Cooperation - India and Maldives United Kingdom in the world's largest economy rankings in 2019, have agreed to continue their traditionally close cooperation on to become world's fifth largest economy, according to a report by issues of maritime security, counter-terrorism and medical

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www.caforexam.com – Important News of January Month cooperation. This was decided during the meeting between facilities to Swami Vipulananda Institute of Aesthetic Studies of Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and her Maldivian Eastern University in Batticaloa district of Sri Lanka. counterpart Mariya Ahmed Didi in New Delhi. Penalty on Google - France’s India Signed MoU With Bhutan - On the sidelines of the data watchdog announced a international conference, the Election Commission of India will fine of 50 million euros (USD renew Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for cooperation in 57 million) for US search the field of election management with the Election Commission giant Google, using the EU’s strict General Data Protection of Bhutan. Regulation (GDPR) for the first time.

Dispute Between Venezuelan and USA - Venezuelan President India Signed MoU with Uzbekistan - India has signed a long-term Nicolas Maduro has announced that he is breaking off diplomatic contract with Uzbekistan for supply of uranium ore ties with the United States after his American counterpart Donald concentrates to widen its source base for the nuclear fuel. The Trump recognized Opposition leader Juan Guaido as the South contract was exchanged in the presence of Prime Minister American country's interim President. Narendra Modi and Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who were at the Vibrant Gujarat summit in Gandhinagar. The Institute for Ethics in Artificial intelligence - Social media Exim Bank also signed an agreement with Uzbekistan to extend a giant Facebook announced that it will create an independent 200-million US dollar line of credit for financing housing and Institute for Ethics in Artificial intelligence (AI) with an initial social infrastructure projects. investment of $7.5 million over a period of five years. Technical University of Munich (TUM) in Germany will collaborate with this Netherland Signed 10 MoU - The Netherlands said it is signing 10 project which aims to explore fundamental issues affecting the MoUs at the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit starting with focus on use and impact of AI. sectors like smart city and waste management, healthcare and agricultural cooperation. India and Japan Signed MoU - The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval to the Farm-To-Port Project - The UAE and Saudi Arabia will use India as Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) between India and Japan in a base in addressing their social security concerns. For the first the field of food processing sector. The MoC will lead to time, India’s export policy launched farm-to-port project which is betterment of the food processing sector in the country by similar to a special economic zone but in the style of a introducing innovative techniques and processes. corporatised farm, where crops would be grown keeping a specific UAE market in mind. India and Kuwait Signed MoU - The Union Cabinet approved the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Facebook Will Invest in Local News India and Kuwait for cooperation on the recruitment of domestic Programs - Facebook says it is workers. The move is likely to benefit around 3 lakh Indian investing $300 million over the next workers deployed in Kuwait, including about 90,000 female three years in local news programs, domestic workers. partnerships and other initiatives. The move comes at a difficult time for the news industry, which is facing falling profits and print Swami Vipulananda Institute of Aesthetic Studies - India and Sri readership. Facebook, like Google, has also been partly blamed Lanka signed an MoU to provide modern infrastructural for the ongoing decline in newspapers’ share of advertising

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www.caforexam.com – Important News of January Month dollars as people and advertisers have moved online. In the U.S. infringement allegations after similar moves in the United States social media has overtaken print newspapers as a news source for and China. Americans. Asia Reassurance Initiative Act - U.S. President Donald OPEC Will Cut Oil Production - Trump signed into law the Asia Reassurance Initiative Act OPEC kingpin Saudi Arabia (ARIA), which passed the U.S. Senate earlier in December. Act announced that it has decided to establishes a multifaceted U.S. strategy to increase U.S. security, slash its oil exports in January by economic interests, and values in the Indo-Pacific region. 10 per cent in comparison to Specifically, the ARIA will authorize $1.5 billion in spending for a November. OPEC and its allies had decided last month to cut their range of U.S. programs in East and Southeast Asia and develop a overall output by 1.2 million bpd starting in January, to boost long-term strategic vision. prices hit by a supply glut and fears demand could plummet. No Immediate Pullout of India Will Be Third-Largest Consumer Market - According to US Troops From Syria - World Economic Forum (WEF) India is poised to become the President Donald Trump third-largest consumer market behind only the US and China; and appeared to water down consumer spending in India is expected to grow from $1.5 trillion shock plans for an at present to nearly $6 trillion by 2030. immediate pullout of U.S. troops from Syria. Mr. Trump had promised to stay in Syria to finish the job of destroying the Islamic Chabahar Port - India has taken over operations of the strategic State (IS) — days after he shocked allies, and his own military Chabahar port in the Sistan-Balochistan province of energy-rich establishment, by saying troops were coming home. Trump has Iran's southern coast. This is the first time India will be operating agreed to give the military about four months to withdraw the a port outside its territory. The heads of Indian, Iranian and two thousand American troops in Syria. Afghanistan delegation jointly inaugurated the office of the Indian SPV - India Ports Global Chabahar Free Zone (IPGCFZ) at India and Pakistan Exchanged Nuclear Facilities List - India and Chabahar. Pakistan exchanged the list of nuclear installations and facilities covered under the Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack Data Leak in Germany - Personal data and documents on against Nuclear installations between them. Under the 1988 hundreds of German politicians and others have been posted agreement, the two countries inform each other of nuclear online, and the German government said authorities were installations and facilities on the first of January every year. examining how the information was obtained. Politicians at all levels, including the European, German and State parliaments as Scheme / Programme / Policy / Mission well as at municipal level, appeared to have been affected. Pravasi Teerth Darshan Yojana - Prime Minister Narendra Modi iPhone Sale Banned in Germany - US chipmaker Qualcomm Inc launched the Pravasi Teerth Darshan Yojana under which a group took steps to enforce a court order banning the sale of some of Indian diaspora will be taken on a government-sponsored tour iPhone models in Germany following a patent dispute, a move of religious places in India twice a year. The first batch will include that will likely see Apple Inc pull those models from its German 40 Indian-origin people from Pravasi Bharatiya Divas. All people stores. The German case is Qualcomm’s third major effort to of Indian-origin, aged between 45 and 65 can apply. The first secure a ban on Apple’s lucrative iPhones over patent preference will be given to people from 'Girmitiya countries' such

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www.caforexam.com – Important News of January Month as Mauritius, Fiji, Suriname, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago and Renukaji Dam Multipurpose Project - An agreement for Renukaji Jamaica. Dam Multipurpose Project was signed in New Delhi among the States of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Sovereign Gold Bonds 2018-19 Rajasthan and Uttarakhand. Under the agreement, three storage (Series V) - Sovereign Gold Bonds projects are proposed to be constructed on the river Yamuna and 2018-19 (Series V) will remain open two of its tributaries. These include Lakhwar project on river from 14th to 18th January, 2019. Yamuna in Uttarakhand, Kishau on river Tons in Uttarakhand and The Issue Price of the Gold Bond is fixed at Rs 3,214 per gram. Himachal Pradesh and Renukaji on river Giri in Himachal Pradesh. Government has decided to allow discount of Rs 50 per gram from the issue price to those investors who apply online and the Swasth Bharat Yatra payment is made through digital mode. Investors will get a fixed - The Swasth Bharat interest rate of 2.50% per annum on principal amount payable Yatra, the world’s semi-annually. biggest cyclothon to push people to eat right, culminated in New Delhi on 28 January. UNNATI programme - Minister of State in Department of Space The campaign was flagged-off on 16th October last year on the Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurated UNNATI programme of Indian occasion of World Food Day. The yatra began from six different Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in Bengaluru. UNNATI is an locations - Leh, Panaji, Thiruvananthapuram, Puducherry, Kolkata acronym for Unispace Nanosatellite Assembly and Training and Agartala on six different tracks in which more than ten programme launched by ISRO as part of initiative by United thousand volunteer cyclists covered over twenty thousand Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs that is commemorating the kilometres spreading the message of ‘Eat Safe, Eat Healthy and 50th anniversary of the first United Nations Conference on the Eat Fortified. This yatra is a part of the Eat Right India movement. Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. India will train participants from 45 countries in nano-satellite making through a National Clean Air Programme - The Centre has launched 300- new capacity building programme. The programme named crore rupees programme to reduce particulate matter (PM) Unispace Nanosatellite Assembly and Training by ISRO (UNNATI) pollution by 20-30% in at least 102 cities by 2024. The National was flagged off by Minister of State in Deparment of Space Clean Air Programme (NCAP) is envisaged as a scheme to provide Jitendra Singh in Bengaluru yesterday. the States and the Centre with a framework to combat air pollution. The NCAP will be five-year action plan with 2019 as the Lakhwar Multipurpose Project - More than four months after the first year. This is not a pan-India, but a city-specific programme. Centre revived the Lakhwar Multipurpose Project, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) stayed the project, directing the Expert Swadesh Darshan Project - K.J. Alphons, Union Minister for Appraisal Committee to “appraise the project afresh” by April 15. Tourism will inaugurate the first project under the Swadesh In August 2018, Union Water Resources Minister Nitin Darshan Project of the Union Ministry of Tourism at the Zero Gadkari signed an MoU with chief ministers of Uttar Pradesh, Point, Gangtok, Sikkim. Under the scheme Government is Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Uttarakhand and Delhi focusing on development of quality infrastructure in the and revived work on the dam project in Uttarakhand. The 204-m country. The scheme was launched in 2014 -15 when the Ministry concrete dam was slated to come up in the upper Yamuna basin sanctioned 77 projects worth projects. near Lohari village in the state and is aimed at providing water for Jiban Sampark - Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has domestic and industrial use in the six basin states. announced "Jiban Sampark" project in partnership with UNICEF 30

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India to generate awareness about the development and welfare Pradhan Mantri Rozgar Protsahan Yojana - The Pradhan Mantri initiatives of state government among the Particularly Vulnerable Rozgar Protsahan Yojana (PMRPY) crossed the milestone of one Tribal Groups of the state. crore beneficiaries. The scheme is being implemented by the Union Ministry of Labour and Employment through the Pravasi Dividend Pension Scheme - Kerala government has Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO). Under the floated a 'Pravasi Dividend Pension Scheme' to provide regular scheme, Government is paying full employers’ contribution of 12 pension to Non-Resident Keralites on a one-time payment of Rs 5 percent towards Employees’ Provident Fund and Employees’ lakh. A non-resident Keralite can invest an amount ranging Pension Scheme both for a period of 3 years. The new employees from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 50 lakh, as a whole or as 6 who are registered with the EPFO on or after April 1, 2016, with installments paid within 3 years. Each beneficiary will be entitled salary up to Rs. 15,000 per month are covered under the scheme. to receive pensions ranging from Rs 5,000-50,000 every month, 3 years after the total amount is deposited, at a dividend rate Womaniya on Government e Marketplace - The Union of 12%. Government launched the ‘Womaniya on Government e Marketplace (GeM)’, an initiative to enable women Yuva Swabhiman Yojana - entrepreneurs and Women Self-Help Groups (WSHGs) to sell Madhya Pradesh Government handicrafts, handloom, accessories, and other products directly announced the Yuva to Government departments and institutions. Swabhiman Yojana to provide employment for the Jai Kisan Rin Mukti Yojana - Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister unemployed youth from the economically weaker sections of the Kamal Nath launched his government’s Rs 50,000-crore farm society. The scheme aims to provide 100 days of employment to debt-waiver scheme named ‘Jai Kisan Rin Mukti Yojana’. Kamal youngsters from economically weaker sections of the society in Nath said it would benefit 55 lakh small and marginal farmers. urban areas. National Action Plan for Drug E-passports - E-passports to be issued soon in India. Indian Demand Reduction - The Union passport holders will soon travel with e-passports which will be Ministry of Social Justice and based on Indian software developed by IIT-Kanpur and National Empowerment has drafted a Informatics Centre (NIC). Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke at five-year action plan for addressing the problem of drug and the Pravasi Bhartiya Divas about the new e-passports that will substance abuse in the country. The National Action Plan for Drug soon be introduced. Demand Reduction (NAPDDR), 2018 to 2023, aims to employ a multi-pronged strategy to address the issue of drug abuse. It Jai Bhim Mukhyamantri Pratibha Vikas Yojana - The ‘Jai Bhim involves education, de-addiction and rehabilitation of affected Mukhyamantri Pratibha Vikas Yojana’, launched by Delhi Chief individuals and their families. Minister Arvind Kejriwal for ST/ST category. The scheme provides free coaching for students preparing for civil services, judicial Global Innovation Policy Center - The Global Innovation Policy services, banking, engineering, medicine, and other competitive Center (GIPC) of United States Chamber of Commerce launched a examinations through known and established coaching new innovation strategy at Raisina Dialogue, 2019 in New Delhi. institutions. The Initiative is titled as “Fair Value for Innovation”. The Initiative will examine economic underpinnings in order to enable

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www.caforexam.com – Important News of January Month breakthrough innovation and explore the opportunities to down on entities that are suspected to be conduits for illicit fund harness innovation capital in India. flows.

Global Housing Technology Challenge - Union minister Hardeep Projects Launched in Odisha - Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid Singh Puri launched the Global Housing Technology Challenge foundation stone of revival of six irrigation projects, including (GHTC) among stakeholders, a move aimed at introducing best North Koel (Mandal Dam) project amounting to 2,500 crore technologies that seek to construct houses in a shorter period of rupees and Kanhar Stone Pipeline irrigation system. Mr Modi will time with lower cost. Under the initiative launched by the dedicate to the nation, Balasore-Haldia-Durgapur section of LPG Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U), the government pipeline project of IOCL and the Balasore multi modal logistic will hold 'grand expo-cum-conference' in March where park, at Baripada in Odisha. stakeholders will showcase their best technologies to build Krishi Krishak Bondhu - West Bengal government announced two houses. welfare initiatives for farmers. Both initiatives, which are part of Ayushman Bharat scheme - West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata the ‘Krishi Krishak Bondhu’ scheme, will come into effect from 1st Banerjee announced that her government will pull out of the January 2019. The first of the two initiatives will provide Rs 2 lakh Centre’s Ayushman Bharat scheme. She said the Narendra Modi- to the family of a deceased farmer. Under the second led BJP government has been taking credit for the scheme, which initiative, farmers would get Rs 2,500 twice a year for growing a is funded by state governments. Now, the Centre will have to single crop on one acre of land. bear the entire cost of the scheme. Till now States bear 40 per Smart phones Distributed to Student - Punjab Cabinet approved cent of the cost of the scheme. the modalities for the distribution of smart phones, with Free High Speed Wifi - Indian graduating students of government schools, colleges and Railways is now providing free technical institutions to be covered in the first phase of the high-speed WiFi on all railway scheme. The scheme will give a further impetus to the state stations of Kalka-Shimla section. government’s digital empowerment agenda. RailTel has transformed all railway stations into a digital hub by Defence / Exercise / Space providing public WiFi through its RailWire WiFi project. ISRO Launced Military Satellite - The Interest Free Loans For Women Self Help Group - Odisha Chief Indian Space Research Organisation Minister Naveen Patnaik announced interest-free loans of up to (ISRO) launched PSLV C-44 (Polar Satellite Rs. 3 lakh for women self-help groups (WSHGs) in the State. Launch Vehicle) to space which injected a Speaking at the ‘Mission Shakti’ convention, Mr. Patnaik said the 740kg imaging satellite for military initiative would benefit about 70 lakh women. applications into orbit with precision KYC Norms For Corporate - Corporate Affairs Ministry plans to before going to demonstrate a new technology that can collect KYC details of companies, chartered accountants, cost eventually reduce space debris. PSLV C-44 lifted off with Microsat accountants and company secretaries. Last year, the ministry R, a military application satellite, and Kalamsat, a 10cm cubesat carried out the Know Your Customer (KYC) initiative for directors made by students from the first launch pad at Satish Dhawan to ascertain their identities as part of larger efforts to clamp Space Centre in Sriharikota.

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NGARM Missile Tested - India has tested a new indigenous air- surface on 3 January. The rover’s touchdown is part of China launched missile called NGARM, which is designed to destroy a Chang’e-4 lunar probe. variety of surveillance and radar targets on the ground after Opportunity Rover - NASA's Opportunity rover has completed 15 being fired from a Sukhoi-30MKI fighter at Balasore, Odisha. This years of its touchdown on the surface of Mars. The six-wheeler new-generation anti-radiation missile (NGARM), with a strike rover had landed in a region of Mars called Meridiani Planum on range of around 100-km, is the first indigenous air-to-ground January 24, 2004. The solar-powered rover went silent since a missile to be developed by the DRDO. global dust storm in June last year. Apache and Chinook Plant on Moon - A small Helicopter - India will start green shoot is growing taking deliveries of the Boeing on the moon in an out- AH-64E Apache Longbow attack of-this-world first after a Helicopters and Chinook CH cotton seed germinated 47F (I) helicopters. The delivery of Apache helicopters by the on board a Chinese lunar company will start in July and will be completed by March 2020 lander. The sprout has emerged from a lattice-like structure and the delivery of the Chinooks which starts in March this year inside a canister since the Chang’e-4 lander set down earlier this too is expected to be completed by March 2020. The helicopters month. The Chang’e-4 probe made the world’s first soft landing coming through the Foreign Military (FMS) route was inked in on the moon’s “dark side” on January 3. 2015 worth $3 billion for 22 Boeing AH-64E Apache Longbow attack Helicopters and 15 Chinook heavy-lift machines. China Developed ‘Mother of All Bombs’ - China has developed a massive bomb, said to be the country’s answer to the US-built Arrow 3 Interceptor System - The Israeli and US defence ‘Mother of All Bombs’, the most powerful non-nuclear weapon. ministries announced that they have successfully tested ballistic China’s defence industry giant NORINCO for the first time missile interceptors deployed at Israeli airbases. The Arrow 3 showcased the aerial bomb. The bomb was airdropped by an H- interceptor system, designed to shoot down missiles above the 6K bomber and caused a gigantic explosion. atmosphere, was deployed at air force bases across Israel two years ago. Israel Aerospace Industries - Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) announced entering into agreements worth $93 million this Chinese Spacecraft Chang'e-4 - ‘Chang'e-4’, a Chinese spacecraft, for providing Naval Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile has made the first-ever landing on the far side of the moon. (MRSAM) systems to India. The contracts for the air defence Earlier in 2013, China landed its rover on the moon, joining the system were entered with the and the Cochin United States and the Soviet Union as the only nations to have Shipyard. carried out a “soft landing” there, but the Chang’e-4 is the first to touch down on the far side of the moon that perpetually faces Nasr Missile Tested - Pakistan successfully conducted training away from the Earth. The far side of the moon is relatively launch of the short range surface-to-surface ballistic missile unexplored. It is also known as the dark side of the moon. “Nasr”. The launch was aimed at enhancing the operational efficiency of Army Strategic Forces Command. Yutu-2 Lunar Rover - China has named the lunar rover, successfully deployed to carry out a string of experiments on the Sea Vigil Exercise - The Indian Navy on January 22, 2019 far side of the moon, as ‘Yutu-2’. Yutu-2 touched the lunar commenced its largest-ever coastal defence exercise - ‘Sea Vigil’- 33

www.caforexam.com – Important News of January Month off the Indian coast, ten years after the "26/11" attack. The withstanding a nuclear attack before it responds with its strategic exercise, a first of its kind, is being undertaken along the entire weapons. 7516.6 km coastline and Exclusive Economic Zone of India and is Manned Space Mission - involving all the 13 coastal States and Union Territories. ISRO is aiming for a manned Indian Africa Field Training Exercise - The final planning mission to space in conference to work out the modalities for Indian Africa Field December 2021. This will Training Exercise (IAFTX)-2019 is being conducted at Pune on 23- be preceded by two 24 January 2019. Delegates from Egypt, Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, unmanned missions, slated for December 2020 and July 2021. Sudan, South Africa, Tanzania, Namibia, Mozambique, Uganda, ISRO got a shot in its arm with the approval of Rs 10,000 crore Niger & Zambia attended the conference. budget for the human space mission recently.

IMBEX Exercise - The second edition of the India-Myanmar Construction of Six Submarines Approved - Defence Ministry bilateral army exercise, IMBEX 2018-19, commenced at Approved In a major decision, the Defence Ministry approved Chandimandir Military Station in Chandigarh. The aim of this joint indigenous construction of six submarines for the Indian Navy at a training programme is to train the Myanmar delegation for cost of over Rs 40,000 crore. This was decided at a meeting of the participation in United Nations peacekeeping operations under Defence Acquisition Council (DAC). The Defence Acquisition the UN flag. Council headed by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also gave approval for the Rs 12,000 crore Milan-2T anti-tank missiles. Joint Military Drill Involving Three Forces - Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will witness a joint military drill involving the INS Kohassa - Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba commissioned the Army, the Air Force, the Navy and the Coast Guard in Andaman new Naval Air Base ‘INS Kohassa’ at Diglipur in Andaman and and Nicobar Islands. She will witness three exercises - general Nicobar Islands. The Naval Air Base will enhance the maritime survival exercise, amphibious drill and a joint drill. Andaman and capability along with keeping the northern part of Andaman sea Nicobar is an Integrated Services Command. The Marine and the area under surveillance. Commando (MARCO) unit of the Indian Navy and specialist Japan Will Launched Mini platoon (GHATAK) of the Indian Army displayed their operational Satellite - Japan Aerospace capabilities by carrying out helocasting and beach assault. Exploration Agency has launched Iran And Russia Will Hold Joint Naval Exercises - Iran and Russia Tokyo-based startup Star-ALE’s are preparing to hold joint naval exercises in the Caspian Sea, mini-satellite aimed to deliver including rescue and anti-piracy drills. Iran and Russia have close the world’s first artificial meteor shower. The satellite carries 400 ties, including in Syria where they both back President Bashar al- tiny balls, will be enough for 20-30 events, that will glow as they Assad in the country's civil war. rush down the atmosphere on being released. ALE plans to deliver its first show in Hiroshima in early 2020. Underground Steel Great Wall - According to Chinese defence scientist Qian Qihu, China has built an “Underground Steel Great Iran Launched Satellite - Iran launched a satellite, however, it Wall” below the mountains to hide its nuclear weapons from the failed to reach the orbit in the final stage. Payam satellite was potential attacks. China’s nuclear strategy follows the principle of successfully launched with the Basir satellite carrier. Iran still “no first use” and requires the country to have the capability of

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www.caforexam.com – Important News of January Month plans to launch another low Earth orbit satellite, Doosti which including Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Uttarakhand, mean Friendship in Persian. Jammu and Kashmir, Odisha, Goa, Bihar, Gujarat and Delhi are facing revenue shortfall in the range of 14-37 per cent in the 40 Satellite In Next 4 Years - Indian Space Research Organisation April-November period following the implementation of goods (ISRO) Chairman Dr. K Sivan stated that the Union Government and services tax (GST). Among the union territories, Puducherry is has allocated 10,900 crore rupees for the development of 40 facing maximum shortfall of 43 per cent. Out of 31 states, only satellite launch vehicles in the next 4 years. Dr. Sivan also stated Andhra Pradesh and five north eastern states — Mizoram, that Chandrayan Mission will be launched within three months. Andhra Pradesh, Manipur, Sikkim and Nagaland — have recorded He also said that the human spaceflight Gaganyaan is planned to revenue increase post the GST roll out. be launched by 2022, the 75th anniversary of Independence. Committee For EVM Space Galleries - The ISRO has plans to set up Space Galleries in Manipulation - A four- various locations in the country. Initially, Space Galleries are member committee of planned to be established at Birla Science Centre at Hyderabad, opposition party leaders Nehru Science Centre at Mumbai and National Science Centre at has been formed after Pragati Maidan in New Delhi. In addition to this, ISRO has taken reports of EVM manipulation by the BJP, West Bengal Chief initiatives to establish space gallery in all the national Minister Mamata Banerjee said. The committee, comprising museums/science centres (under Ministry of Culture) across the Abhishek Manu Singhvi (Congress), Akhilesh Yadav (Samajwadi country in a phased manner. Party), Satish Mishra (Bahujan Samaj Party) and Arvind Kejriwal India’s Space Diplomacy - As part of New Delhi’s space (Aam Aadmi Party) will submit its recommendations to the EC for diplomacy, India will set up five large ground stations and more implementation and will press for wider use of VVPAT. than 500 small terminals in five neighbouring countries – Bhutan, Corruption Perceptions Index - India rose by three points to 78 in Nepal, Maldives, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. These stations and the list of 180 countries in the world, while China ranked 87 and terminals will help put in place applications ranging from Pakistan 117 in 2018, the Transparency International said in its television broadcasting to telephony and internet, disaster Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) for 2018. The top countries on management and tele-medicine. ISRO meanwhile can use these the list are Denmark and New Zealand. Somalia, Syria and South ground stations to communicate with its own satellites. first of Sudan are at the bottom of the list. the five ground stations, coming up in Bhutan’s capital Thimphu, will be ready for commissioning on January 9. A similar project in Global Talent Competitive Index - India has moved up one Afghanistan is set to come up later. position to rank 80th on the global talent competitive index, but remains a laggard among the BRICS nations. Switzerland Committee / Report / Index / Ranking continues to top the list, released on the first day of the World Committee on GST - Bihar Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting at Davos by INSEAD Deputy Chief Minister Sushil business school in partnership with Tata Communications and Modi will head the seven- Adecco Group. member committee to look Top 3 Countries - Switzerland, Singapore, USA. into revenue shortfall being faced by the states after the GST roll- out, and suggest steps for augmenting collections. Several states

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Innovative Index - In Bloomberg 2019 Innovative Index, India has candidates for Lokpal and the anti-corruption authority will frame grabbed the 54th position among 95 countries. South Korea has its own rules of functioning. The panel is led by former Supreme retained the top spot, Germany ranked second. Court judge, Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai.

N.K. Singh Committee - While the Centre is moving in the right Swachh Survekshan 2019 - Union Housing and Urban Affairs direction in terms of meeting the N.K. Singh Committee Minister, Hardeep Singh Puri, launched the ‘Swachh Survekshan recommendations on public debt, the States are moving in the 2019’, the fourth edition of the annual nationwide cleanliness opposite direction. Centre’s total debt as a percentage of GDP survey of urban India in New Delhi. The survey will cover 40 crore reduced to 46.5% in 2017-18 from 47.5% as of March 31, 2014. people across over 4000 towns and cities. Swachh Survekshan The total debt of the States, however, has been rising over this 2019, completely digital and paperless survey, will be completed period, to 24% in 2017-18, and is estimated to be 24.3% in 2018- in a record time of 28 days. 19. Six districts Selected for Ease of Doing Business - Six districts in FRBM Act - The N.K. Singh-headed FRBM (Fiscal Responsibility Maharashtra, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, and and Budget Management) Review Committee report had Himachal Pradesh have been selected towards district-level ease recommended the ratio to be 40% for the Centre and 20% for the of doing business, commerce minister Suresh Prabhu said. The States, respectively, by 2023. minister added that a baseline is being created for the purpose and resources and skills available in districts are being identified Committee For Digital Payment - The Reserve Bank of India has so that they could be harnessed. appointed a five-member panel headed by Nandan Nilekani to suggest ways to improve digital payments. The committee will Bloomberg Innovation Index submit its report in 90 days. Other Member are - Former Deputy - India has been ranked Governor of RBI H.R. Khan, former Vijaya Bank MD and CEO in Bloomberg’s 2019 list of Kishore Sansi, former Secretary of Information and Technology most innovative countries in the world - 2019 Bloomberg Aruna Sharma and Sanjay Jain, Chief Innovation Officer, Center Innovation Index - for the first time ever. India has grabbed for Innovation, Incubation & Entrepreneurship (CIIE), IIM the 54th spot with a score of 47.93 out of 100 in the Innovation Ahmedabad. Index of 60 economies. South Korea has topped the Index for the sixth time, followed by Germany and Finland. Andhra Pradesh Topped in Ease Doing UK Sinha Committee - The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of Business Index - Andhra India (IBBI) has set up an 11-member working group under the Pradesh emerged on top of Asia Competitiveness Institute Chairmanship of former SEBI chief UK Sinha to go into the (ACI), Singapore's 2018 Ease of Doing Business (EDB) Index ABC concept of ‘Group Insolvency’ and suggest a suitable framework. rankings for economies of 21 states of India, while Maharashtra This Working Group has been tasked to submit a report within and Delhi came in second and third place, respectively. Andhra two months. Pradesh rose from the 5th rank in 2016 to the top spot in 2018. Committee for MSME - Reserve Bank of India has appointed an Committee For Lokpal Selection - The government informed the eight-member expert committee headed by former SEBI Supreme Court that a eight-member search committee has been chairman U.K. Sinha to comprehensively review and propose constituted in September 2018 for zeroing in on eligible

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www.caforexam.com – Important News of January Month long-term solutions for revival of the micro, small and medium globally when it comes to government, business, NGOs and enterprises (MSME) sector. media but the country’s brands are among the least-trusted. China topped the Trust Index among both the informed public Economist Intelligent Unit Democracy Index - The 11th edition of and the general population segments. India was at the 2nd Economist Intelligent Unit Democracy Index 2018 was released by place in the informed public category and 3rd place in the general the Economist Intelligent Unit compiling the state of democracies population category. The findings are based on an online survey in 167 countries in the world. In the list, Norway topped and India in 27 markets covering over 33,000 respondents. ranked at 41st place. Top 3 performing countries – Norway, Iceland and Sweden. Group of Ministers on Lottery - The Ministry of Finance constituted a Group of Ministers (GoM) on issues relating to Committee on Digital Media - lottery. The GoM was constituted in pursuance of the decision of Committee headed by Umesh GST Council taken in the 32nd meeting held on January 10, 2019 Sinha has submitted its report on at New Delhi. Sudhir Mungantiwar is the Convener of GoM. digital media and campaigning during last 48 hours before polls Group of Ministers on Real Estate - The Ministry of Finance to the Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora. Task of constituted a Group of Ministers (GoM) for boosting the Real maintaining campaign silence during last 48 hours before the Estate Sector under the GST regime. Deputy Chief Minister of conclusion of polling is becoming increasingly onerous due to the Gujarat Nitin Patel is the convener of the GoM. The Secretary of influence of digital media. No campaigning is allowed in the last the GoM will be Manish Sinha. Finance Ministers of Maharashtra, 48 hours so that voters can think independently. Karnataka, Kerala, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh and the Panchayat Minister of Goa are the members. Henley Passport Index - According to the Henley Passport Index Japan for the second time in a row, has topped a global index for SEBI Constituted Research the world's most powerful passport in 2019, while India ranked at Advisory Committee - Security the 79th position. and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has constituted a Tata Most Trusted Indian Brand - Tata group has been ranked "Research Advisory" committee 86th in the list compiled by the London-based consultancy Brand that will assist in formulating policy to undertake research Finance, up from 104 in 2018. It is the only domestic brand in the relevant for development and regulation of capital markets. The global top-100. The value of the brand Tata has soared 37 percent committee, headed by Sankar De, would comprise prominent to USD 19.5 billion in 2019. financial economists and market practitioners. Standing Committee Drug Pricing - The Government constituted Global Economic Prospects Report - According to Global a Standing Committee headed by NITI Aayog to oversee the drug Economic Prospects report released by the World Bank, India’s pricing regime. The constitution of the Committee is seen as a GDP is expected to grow at 7.3% in the fiscal year 2018-19, move that would curb the powers of the National and 7.5% in the following two years. India will continue to be the Pharmaceuticals Pricing Authority (NPPA) when it comes to fastest growing major economy in the world. China’s economic regulating the prices of medicines in the country. growth is projected to slow down to 6.2% each in 2019. While

Edelman Trust Barometer Report - According to Edelman Trust The World Bank has projected moderation of global growth from Barometer report - 2019 India is among the most trusted nations three per cent last year to 2.9 per cent this year. 37

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Web Wonder Women Campaign - The government launched January 21, 2019, giving a chance to the Indian diaspora to Web Wonder Women Campaign to celebrate the exceptional participate in the ongoing Kumbha Mela. For the first time in the achievements of women who have influenced and impacted history of Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas, the event is being held in society through social media. Ministry in collaboration with Varanasi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will formally inaugurate Breakthrough and Twitter India has started this campaign. The the event on January 22, 2019, along with his Mauritian Campaign invites entries from across the world till 31st of this counterpart Pravind Jugnauth, the Chief Guest of the event. The month. Indian-origin women, working or settled anywhere in the theme 15th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was 'Role of Indian Diaspora world, are eligible for nomination. The shortlisted entries will be in building New India'. The Youth Pravasi Bhartiya Divas and Uttar open for public voting on Twitter and the finalists will be selected Pradesh Pravasi Bhartiya Divas were held on the opening day by a specialized panel of judges. itself that is on January 21, 2019.

Grading Index For School - The HRD ministry has introduced a 70- National Voters' day - The point grading index to assess the quality of school education 9th National Voters' day offered by states. A state performance grading will be done was observed across India wherein the states will be marked out of 1,000 scores on 70 on January 25, 2019 with parameters. It will give the correct picture of where every states. an aim to increase There will be a fair competition to improve each other's enrolment of voters, especially of the newly eligible ones. The performances. theme of the Day is - No Voter to be Left Behind. 25th January is the foundation day of the Election Commission of India Task Force For Navodaya Vidyalayas - The Union Human (ECI) which came into existence in 1950. Resource Development Ministry constituted a task force under the Chairmanship of Psychiatrist, Dr Jitendra Nagpal, to look into World Leprosy Eradication Day - 30th January 2019, is celebrated the issues of suicides of the students in Jawahar Navodaya as World Leprosy Eradication Day which stresses the need Vidyalayas. The task force will look into the circumstances leading of eradicating the disease. This year’s theme for World Leprosy to the suicidal deaths of students residing in the hostels of Day is ‘ending discrimination, stigma, and prejudice’. Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas residential schools. Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease is a highly contagious infection caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae. Books and Authors Uttar Pradesh Foundation Day - Uttar Pradesh celebrated its Malala Yousafzai - Nobel Peace Prize 69th foundation day on January 24, 2019. To celebrate the winner and Pakistani activist Malala occasion, the main function was organised at Awadh Shilp Gram Yousafzai pens a new book, titled 'We in Lucknow. Uttar Pradesh was earlier known as United Province Are Displaced: My Journey and Stories but through a Gazette notification, it got its name of Uttar from Refugee Girls Around the World,' Pradesh on January 24, 1950. charting her experiences traveling the world and visiting refugee camps. Manipur, Meghalaya and Tripura Statehood Day - Manipur, Meghalaya and Tripura are celebrating their statehood day on 21 Important Days January. On this day in 1972, all the three states became full-

15th Pravasi Bhartiya Divas - The 15th edition of the Pravasi fledged states under the North Eastern Region (Reorganisation) Bhartiya Divas (PBD) began at Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh on Act, 1971. President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister 38

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Narendra Modi extended his best wishes to the states for a bright World Braille Day - The world Braille Day is being celebrated on 4 and prosperous future. January. The day is marked remembering the birth anniversary of Louis Braille, the inventor of Braille - for the people with visual Himachal Pradesh Statehood day - Himachal Pradesh is disabilities. United Nations observes the first official World Braille celebrating its 49th full Statehood day on 25. It was on this day in Day for raising awareness on the importance of Braille. 1971 when Himachal Pradesh was carved out as the 18th State of the country. National Youth Day - The National Youth Day is celebrated across the country on 12th January. This day is celebrated on the birth Hindi Word of The Year - Nari Shakti was chosen as the Hindi anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. word of the year 2018 by Oxford Dictionary. The March 2018 recorded a large spike in the use of ''Nari Shakti'' as discussion Data Protection Day - The Council of Europe had launched a Data began around Indian government's given by Protection Day to be celebrated each year on 28 January, the the Ministry of Women and Child Development. date on which the Council of Europe’s data protection convention, known as “Convention 108”, was opened to the National Girl Child Day - National Girl Child Day is being signature. celebrated on 24 January. The theme this year is “Empowering Girls for a Brighter Tomorrow”. Women and Child Development Sports News Ministry have organised an event in Delhi to observe the Novak Djokovic - Novak anniversary of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme. Djokovic defeated Rafael Army Day - 71st Army Nadal to win his 7th Australian Day was celebrated Open Men's Singles title at across India on January Melbourne. The resurgent 15, 2019. The Day is world No.1 outplayed the celebrated every year second-ranked Nadal 6-3, 6-2, 6-3 in a largely one-sided match. to commemorate the Earlier, In Women's Singles, Japan's Naomi Osaka clinched her day when General (later Field Marshal) KM Carriappa took over maiden Australian Open Grand Slam Singles title in Melbourne. the command of Indian Army from General Sir FRR Bucher, the Osaka defeated Petra Kvitova of Czech Republic. last British Commander-in-Chief in 1949 and became the first Saina Nehwal - Ace shuttler Commander-in-Chief of Indian Army. Saina Nehwal won her first World Hindi Day - World Hindi Day is celebrated on January Indonesia Masters title after 10 every year, marking the anniversary of first World Hindi three-time world champion Conference which was held in 1975. World Hindi Day Carolina Marin limped out of and National Hindi Diwas are completely different. National Hindi the final due to a leg injury. The Spaniard was leading 10-4 in the Diwas is celebrated every year on September 14. first game at Jakarta today when she developed an injury in the knee. DRDO Day - Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) day was observed on 1 January. The DRDO was Maharashtra Topped in Khelo India Youth Games - Maharashtra established in 1958 with just 10 laboratories to enhance the topped the medal tally with 37 golds at the Khelo India Youth research work in defence sector. Games in Pune. It had 111 medals in its kitty with 37 gold, 31 39

www.caforexam.com – Important News of January Month silver and 43 bronze. Delhi was at second position with 35 gold Men's Test Player of the Year and the ICC ODI Player of the Year and Haryana too maintains its third position with 29 gold. 10-year for his performances in 2018. old Abhinav Shaw became the youngest gold medallist in the ICC Emerging Player Of The Year - Rishabh Pant was named shooting. the International Cricket Council's (ICC) Emerging Player Of The Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri - Year following an impressive show in India's first-ever Test Indian national cricket team's series win in Australia. With an unbeaten 159-run knock in the captain Virat Kohli and coach 4th Test in Sydney, Rishabh Pant became the first Indian wicket- Ravi Shastri received the keeper to score a Test century in Australia. honorary membership of the Mohammed Shami - Mohammed Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) for their contribution to the sport of Shami became the fastest Indian bowler to cricket. The Indian team defeated Australia 2-1 in the four-match claim 100 ODI wickets, during the first one- Test series, ending the country's 71-year-old wait for a rare series dayer against New Zealand at Napier. win Down Under. Shami reached the milestone in his 56th D Gukesh - Tamil Nadu lad D Gukesh became the 2nd youngest match. The Indian record was previously Grand Master in the world and the youngest Indian to achieve held by Irfan Pathan, who got there in his 59th match. The world the feat at 12 years, 7 months and 17 days. Gukesh becomes record is currently held by Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan, India's 59th Grand Master. Ukraine's Sergey Karjakin remains the who needed only 44 games to reach the mark. youngest-ever GM, having achieved the feat at the age of 12 Jasprit Bumrah - The 25-year-old fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah years and 7 months in 2002. became the highest international wicket-taker across formats in MC Mary Kom - MC Mary Kom became 2018. He took a total of 78 wickets in the calendar year. Bumrah the World No 1 Boxer in 45-48 kg surpassed South Africa's Kagiso Rabada's tally of 77 wickets to category with 1700 points in the latest reach the milestone. International Boxing Association’s (AIBA) Rohit Paudel - Nepal batsman Rohit Paudel has become World Rankings. An Indian Olympic the youngest male cricketer to score an international fifty at the boxer from Manipur, Mary Kom is the only woman to become age of 16 years and 146 days, breaking Sachin Tendulkar's World Amateur Boxing champion for a record six times. previous mark. He is also the youngest man to score a one-day Africa Cup of Nations - Egypt will host the 2019 Africa Cup of international half-century, beating Shahid Afridi. Nations between June 15 and July 13, 2019. Confederation of IPL From 23 March - This year’s Indian Premier League (IPL) will African Football executive committee preferred Egypt to South be held in India from March 23. The BCCI confirmed that the IPL Africa as replacement for original hosts Cameroon, who were will be staged in India despite the general elections. Panel dropped due to delays in preparations and concerns over decided to advance the IPL dates on account of the ICC World security. Cup to be held in England from May 30. Virat Kohli - Indian skipper Virat Kohli became the first cricketer Ambati Rayudu - Part-time bowler Ambati Rayudu was banned to win all the top three ICC individual awards including the Sir from bowling in international cricket by the International Cricket Garfield Sobers Trophy for ICC Cricketer of the Year, the ICC Council (ICC) after he failed to submit a test of his bowling 40

www.caforexam.com – Important News of January Month action. His action was reported by the match officials during the Vinesh Phogat - Indian star first ODI between India and Australia in the recently-concluded wrestler Vinesh Phogat series. became the first Indian athlete to be nominated for World Para Swimming the prestigious Laureus Championships - Malaysia was World Comeback of the Year Award. The Awards will be stripped of the right to host the presented on February 18, 2019 in Monaco, a tiny independent 2019 World Para Swimming city-state on France’s Mediterranean coastline. Championships. The International Paralympic Committee announced the decision Mohammed Ali Qamar - Mohammed Ali Qamar, the man who after the Malaysian authorities failed to provide the necessary won India's first Commonwealth Games gold medal in boxing, has guarantees that Israeli Para swimmers could participate safely in taken over as the chief coach for the country's female boxers. He the Championships, free from discrimination. has replaced veteran Shiv Singh.

Amateur Golf Championship - India's Kartik Sharma won the New Eklavya Model Residential Schools - The 1st National Level South Wales men's Amateur Golf Championship in Australia. Sports Meet for the students of Eklavya Model Residential Kartik notched up a magnificent win over Australia's Nathan Schools (EMRS) was inaugurated by Jaswantsinh Sumanbhai Barberie in the scheduled 36-hole final to emerge as champion. Bhabhor, Minister of State for Tribal Affairs at G.M.C Balayogi Stadium, Hyderabad. Johan Botha - Veteran South African all-rounder Johan Botha has announced his immediate retirement from all forms of cricket. Stephen Constantine - Stephen Constantine has decided to step The former cricketer had played for the South African national down as the head coach of the Indian football team following team between 2005 and 2012. team's exit from 2019 AFC Asian Cup.

Ankita Raina - India's Ankita Raina has won the International African Football Player of the Year - Egypt ‘s Mohamed Salah has Tennis Federation's 25,000-dollar Women's tournament in been named as the 2018 Confederation of African Football Player Singapore. In the final faceoff Ankita defeated Arantxa Rus of the of the Year. For the second consecutive year he has won the Netherlands. award.

India and Australia ODI - India defeated Australia in the third ODI Harendra Singh - Hockey India officially parted ways with to clinch the three-match series 2-1. With this, India became the Harendra Singh as the men’s chief coach and recommended him first visiting side to win a bilateral series (two or more matches) in for the junior side instead. all three formats in Australia. Hopman Cup - Switzerland's Roger Federer and Belinda Shakil Ahmed - Asian Cup gold medallist Shakil Ahmed has set up Bencic secured victory over Germany's Angelique Kerber and a world record in indoor rowing by completing 1 lakh Alexander Zverev to win the Hopman Cup for the second year in a meters in above-40 years category in Kolkata. Shakil began his row. record-setting indoor rowing feat in Salt Lake stadium National Table Tennis Championship - The 80th National Table complex and achieved the milestone of covering 1 lakh meters of Tennis Championship began at Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium simulated distance in 10 hours. in Cuttack

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