Daily Current Affairs for Competitive Exams: November 3, 2016

​Hello readers,

Here are today's important headlines with key details for UPSC, SSC, IBPS and other competitive examinations.

National

Central government launches Saur Suajal Scheme, harnessing solar energy for irrigation

•  Chhattisgarh is the first state to implement the scheme. Around 51,000 farmers would be benefit in the state with the launch of the scheme by 2018.
• Under the scheme, solar powered irrigation pumps of 3HP and 5HP capacity will be distributed to farmers.
• Beneficiaries would get the pumps at subsidized price.
• Priority will be given to those areas where electricity has not reached, so that farmers can utilize these solar pumps in irrigation and agriculture.

Bindeshwar Pathak is the new ambassador of Swachh Rail Mission  

• Bindeshwar Pathak is a sociologist and founder of Sulabh International.
• Pathak has done pioneering work in the field of sanitation and hygiene. He is the brain behind establishing Sulabh Sauchalayas - pay and use public toilets- across the country.
•  Under Swachh Rail Mission, Sulabh International will maintain cleanliness of railway stations across the country.
• The programme includes, clean trains (Swachh Rail Gaadi), clean station complex (Swachh Parisar), clean water (Swachh Neer), clear food (Swachh Ahar) 

International

India invited to develop fast-neutron reactor by Russia

• Russia is developing a fast-neutron reactor with closed fuel cycle.
• This is an attempt at developing fourth generation technology in nuclear power plants.
• This idea is in consonance with International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) idea of 'collective use centers'. this means one reactor can be used by multiple international users. 

Technology in Reactors which Russia is developing

• Fast neutron reactor or fast reactor is a type of reactor where nuclear fission chain reaction takes place.
• In such a reactor, there is no moderator like water. It will use a coolant like sodium.
• Closed fuel cycle is a process where recycled nuclear waste is used as nuclear fuel.

Advantages of closed fuel cycle 

• Safety
• Recycling of waste
• Enforcing non-proliferation 

Technology for nuclear power plants in India

• India is developing an Advanced Heavy Water Reactor (AHWR). 
• AHWR is being developed by Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC)
• AHWR uses Thorium as a fuel to generate commercial power.
• India has an estimated 3,60,000 tonnes of thorium deposits which are about 25 per cent of global reserves.   

Sports

Pratul Joshi wins Bahrain International Challenge badminton tournament 2016

• Badminton player Pratul Joshi has won his first international title, the Bahrain International Challenge badminton tournament 2016.
• The tournament was established in 2013. The challenge has Men's singles, Women's singles, Men's doubles, Women's doubles and Mixed doubles competition.

BWF International Challenge

• An International Challenge is sanctioned by Badminton World Federation (BWF).
• There are four types of tournaments organised by BWF- Super Series, Grand Prix Gold, Grand Prix and International Challenge

SURPLUS QUALIFIED CANDIDATES OF POSTAL UNDER UR ,SC ,ST FROM LGO EXAMINATIONS FOR THE VACANCIES OF THE YEAR 2015-2016

SURPLUS QUALIFIED CANDITATES OF POSTAL UNDER UR ,SC ,ST FROM LGO EXAMINATIONS FOR THE VACANCIES OF THE YEAR 2015-2016

GDS TO POSTAL ASSISTANT EXAMINATION RESULT IN AP CIRCLE

GDS TO POSTAL ASSISTANT EXAMINATION RESULT IN AP CIRCLE

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE RESULT

IBPS Probationary Officers and Management trainees (PO/MT) VI Preliminary Exam Result out

Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) has published the result of IBPS PO Preliminary Online Exam 2016. The IBPS has conducted Preliminary exam for the recruitment of Probationary Officers and Management trainees in various banks in the month of October 2016. 

IBPS PO VI Prelims Result : Click Here

Daily Current Affairs for Competitive Exams: November 4, 2016

​

Hello readers,

Here are today's important headlines with key details for UPSC, SSC, IBPS and other competitive examinations.

National

Central government launches Saur Suajal Scheme, harnessing solar energy for irrigation

•  Chhattisgarh is the first state to implement the scheme. Around 51,000 farmers would be benefit in the state with the launch of the scheme by 2018.
• Under the scheme, solar powered irrigation pumps of 3HP and 5HP capacity will be distributed to farmers.
• Beneficiaries would get the pumps at subsidized price.
• Priority will be given to those areas where electricity has not reached, so that farmers can utilize these solar pumps in irrigation and agriculture.

Bindeshwar Pathak is the new ambassador of Swachh Rail Mission  

• Bindeshwar Pathak is a sociologist and founder of Sulabh International.
• Pathak has done pioneering work in the field of sanitation and hygiene. He is the brain behind establishing Sulabh Sauchalayas - pay and use public toilets- across the country.
•  Under Swachh Rail Mission, Sulabh International will maintain cleanliness of railway stations across the country.
• The programme includes, clean trains (Swachh Rail Gaadi), clean station complex (Swachh Parisar), clean water (Swachh Neer), clear food (Swachh Ahar) 

International

India invited to develop fast-neutron reactor by Russia

• Russia is developing a fast-neutron reactor with closed fuel cycle.
• This is an attempt at developing fourth generation technology in nuclear power plants.
• This idea is in consonance with International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) idea of 'collective use centers'. this means one reactor can be used by multiple international users. 

Technology in Reactors which Russia is developing

• Fast neutron reactor or fast reactor is a type of reactor where nuclear fission chain reaction takes place.
• In such a reactor, there is no moderator like water. It will use a coolant like sodium.
• Closed fuel cycle is a process where recycled nuclear waste is used as nuclear fuel.

Advantages of closed fuel cycle 

• Safety
• Recycling of waste
• Enforcing non-proliferation 

Technology for nuclear power plants in India

• India is developing an Advanced Heavy Water Reactor (AHWR). 
• AHWR is being developed by Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC)
• AHWR uses Thorium as a fuel to generate commercial power.
• India has an estimated 3,60,000 tonnes of thorium deposits which are about 25 per cent of global reserves.   

Sports

Pratul Joshi wins Bahrain International Challenge badminton tournament 2016

• Badminton player Pratul Joshi has won his first international title, the Bahrain International Challenge badminton tournament 2016.
• The tournament was established in 2013. The challenge has Men's singles, Women's singles, Men's doubles, Women's doubles and Mixed doubles competition.

BWF International Challenge

• An International Challenge is sanctioned by Badminton World Federation (BWF).
• There are four types of tournaments organised by BWF- Super Series, Grand Prix Gold, Grand Prix and International Challenge

Karur Vysya Bank(KVB) Recruitment for Clerk Posts

Karur Vysya Bank has published Advertisement for below mentioned Posts 2016. Other details like age limit, educational qualification, selection process, application fee and how to apply are given below.

Posts : Clerk

Educational Qualification :

• Any Degree (Graduation) from a college affiliated to a recognized University with 
• First Class (with 60% of marks and above in aggregate). 
• Candidates  who  are  appearing  for  the  final  semester  of  their  graduation  -UG  from  a  college  affiliated  to  a  recognized  University  (final  exam  in  May  /June  2017)    can  also  apply  with  aggregate  of  60%  marks  and  above  without  any  standing arrears at the time of applying. 
• Degree  obtained  through  Correspondence  and  Open  Universities  are  not eligible. 
• If the percentage of marks is in CGPA mode, the same should be converted into equivalent percentage. 

Age Limit : A. Minimum 19 years (for all categories)

B. Maximum 26 years for under graduates and 28 years for post graduates

(A candidate must have been born not earlier than 02.01.1989 for PG and 02.01.1991 for UG and not later than 01.01.1998)

Application Fees (Non-Refundable ): For All Candidates (No reservation) Rs.500/-

Selection Process : Candidates will be selected based on written exam and interview.

How to Apply : Interested Candidates may Apply Online Through official Website.

Advertisement : Click Here

Notification : Click Here (Available on 07-11-2016)

Apply Online : Click Here

Important Dates :

Starting Date of Online Application : 09-11-2016

Last Date to Apply Online : 22-11-2016

Irregularities found in the question papers of Inspector Post Examination 2016

Daily Current Affairs for Competitive Exams: November 1, 2016

Hello readers,

Here are today's important headlines with key details for UPSC, SSC, IBPS and other competitive examinations.

National

Central Government reconstitutes the Inter-State Council

• The Union Government reconstituted the Inter-State Council (ISC) and the Standing Committee of the ISC. The Inter-State Council is a constitutional body to facilitate coordination between the states and the centre.  
• The composition of reconstituted Inter-State Council: Chief Ministers of all states and Union Territories (having legislative Assembly), Six Union Ministers. Besides, administrators of Union Territories which do not have legislative Assembly are also members of the Council.

What is the inter-state council? 

• It investigates and discusses subjects, in which some or all the states, the Central government, have a common interest. It was set up on the on the recommendation of Sarkaria Commission.  
• Not a permanent constitutional body: The Inter-state council is not a permanent constitutional body. Rather, President can establish it at any time if it appears to him that the public interests would be served by the establishment of such a council. 

The composition of the inter-state council?

• The Council is headed by Prime Minister (Chairman).  Besides, Chief Ministers of all states and UTs (having legislative Assembly) are its members. Six Union ministers of cabinet rank nominated by the Prime Minister are also members.

Himachal Pradesh becomes India’s second open defecation free state

• Himachal Pradesh on October 28, 2016, was declared the second state in India to became Open Defecation Free (ODF) State. Himachal Pradesh successfully achieved 100 percent rural sanitation in the state.
• The state is also the first among bigger Indian states to become ODF under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Swachch Bharat Abhiyan.

What is open defecation?

• Open defecation is the practice of defecating outside and not into a designated toilet.
• High levels of open defecation in a country are usually correlated with high child mortality, as well as high levels of undernutrition, high levels of poverty, and large disparities between rich and poor.
• Open defecation causes public health problems in areas where people defecate in fields, urban parks, rivers, and open trenches near the living space of others.
• About one billion people around the globe practice open defecation.
• India has the highest number of people practicing open defecation (around 190 million people). 

AP and Telengana tops the ease of doing business list

• Andhra Pradesh and Telengana have jointly topped the 2016 all-India State/Union Territory-wise Ease of Doing Business rankings, while last-year's topper Gujarat slipped to the third spot.

Methodology

• The rankings are given on the basis of a 340-point business reform action plan and their implementation by the States. This covers the period from July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016.
• These 340 reform areas are under six key categories:  Tax reforms, Single-window systems, Environment and Labour reforms, Construction permits, Inspection reforms and commercial disputes and paper-less courts. 32 States and UTs had submitted evidence of implementation of 7,124 reforms. These submissions were reviewed by the World Bank team and validated by the DIPP.

Institutions involved in the Ranking

• The ease of doing business index is annually released by the World Bank Group in its Ease of Doing Business Report. It was introduced in 2004.

Other Facts

• Four of seven States with lowest income levels in India had found a place in top 10. All seven such lowest income levels states had an implementation rate of over 75%.  
• These low-income States included Chhattisgarh (97.32%, 4th rank), Madhya Pradesh (97.01%, 5th rank), Jharkhand (96.57%, 7th), Rajasthan (96.43% and 8th), Odisha (92.73%, 11th), Uttar Pradesh (84.52%, 14th), and Bihar (75.82%, 16th rank).
• Top 10 states: Andhra Pradesh (Score 98.78%), Telangana (98.78%), Gujarat (98.21%), Chhattisgarh (97.32%), Madhya Pradesh (97.01%), Haryana (96.95%), Jharkhand (96.57%), Rajasthan (96.43%), Uttarakhand (96.13%) and Maharashtra (92.86).

International

World's largest Marine Protected Area declared in Antarctica

• The Ross Sea, a deep bay of the Southern Ocean in Antarctica, was declared as the world’s largest Marine Protected Area (MPA) on October 28, 2016. With this, there will be a blanket ban on commercial fishing in that area for coming 35 years.
• It will be the world's largest marine protected area and covers 1.6 million square kilometres

About Ross Sea

• The Ross Sea is a deep bay of the Southern Ocean in Antarctica, between Victoria Land and Marie Byrd Land.            
• To the west of the sea lies Ross Island and to the east Roosevelt Island, while the southernmost part is covered by the Ross Ice Shelf, and is about 200 miles (320 km) from the South Pole.
• The nutrient-laden water supports an abundance of plankton and this encourages a rich marine fauna.

Daily Current Affairs for Competitive Exams: October 26, 27, 2016

Hello readers, 

Here are today's important headlines with key details for UPSC, SSC, IBPS and other competitive examinations.

National

Union Government launches Biotech-KISAN and Cattle Genomics to empower farmers

• The Union Ministry of Science and Technology has launched two new schemes Biotech-KISAN and Cattle Genomics to boost the Indian rural economy. The intent of these programmes is to form a network between farmers and agricultural experts.

Biotech-KISAN (Krishi Innovation Science Application Network) Scheme

• Its purpose is to connect farmers, scientists and science institutions across the country. Under it, fellowship will be given to women farmers for training and education in farm practice.
• Scientists will spend time on farms and link communication tools to soil, water, seed and market. The main aim of the scheme is to understand individual problems of the small holding farmers and provide ready solutions. It will be implemented in 15 agro-climatic zones of India.

Cattle Genomics Scheme

• The scheme aims at boosting selective breeding of the native livestock more accurately to ensure high-yielding, disease-resistant, resilient livestock.
• Under it, the Government will undertake an ambitious project of genome sequencing of 40 registered indigenous cattle breeds of India. Besides this, a high-density DNA chips will be developed under this scheme to reduce the cost and time interval of breeding of the native livestock.
• Genome selection will use information on variations in DNA sequences between animals to predict the breeding value more accurately. Thus, it will help transform livestock breeding.

IPS officer Karnal Singh appointed as Director of Enforcement Directorate

• The Union Government has appointed Senior IPS officer Karnal Singh as the Director of Enforcement Directorate (ED). Decision in this regard was taken by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

What is Enforcement Directorate (ED)?

• Economic Enforcement is the economic intelligence and law enforcement agency responsible for enforcing economic laws and fighting economic crime in India. It functions under the aegis of the Department of Revenue, Union Ministry of Finance. It has a mandate to enforce two of the most stringent laws in the country.
• They are Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) to check black money and hawala trade cases.

India, New Zealand sign three pacts including avoidance of double taxation

India and New Zealand signed three agreements in the areas of double taxation avoidance, food security and sports, on October 26, 2016.List of agreements

• Arrangement regarding Food Safety Cooperation: It was inked between the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India and the Ministry for Primary Industries of New Zealand.
• MoU for cooperation in the field of Youth Affairs and Sports: It was inked between the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and the Government of New Zealand.
• Third Protocol to the Convention for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income: It was inked between the Union Government and the Government of New Zealand.
• Apart from this, the two nations also agreed to establish a Bilateral Ministerial dialogue between two Foreign Ministries. They also agreed for establishment of Annual Foreign Ministry Consultations at Senior Officials Level and cooperation and Dialogue on Cyber Issues.

International

World Economic Forum released Global Gender Gap Report 2016

• The World Economic Forum (WEF) on October 25, 2016, released the Global Gender Gap Report for the year 2016. The report provides Gender Gap scores for 144 countries compared to 145 countries included in 2015 report.

India and the Report

• India which was ranked at the 87th position had succeeded in closing the gender gap with regards to wage equality and across all indicators of the Educational Attainment sub-index, fully closing its primary and secondary education enrolment gender gaps.
• However, the report shows some regression on women’s estimated earned income and continues to rank third-lowest in the world on Health and Survival, remaining the world’s least-improved country on this sub-index over the past decade.
• Economic Participation and Opportunity: India was ranked at 136th position with 0.408 score. In this segment, India’s performance was one of the lowest among the surveyed countries. In 2015, India was placed at 139th position.
• Educational attainment: India was ranked at 113th position with 0.950 score.
• Health and survival: India was ranked at 142nd position with 0.942 score.
• Political empowerment: India was placed at 9th position with 0.433 score.

Paul Beatty wins Man Booker 2016

Paul Beatty (54) has won the 2016 Man Booker Prize. With this he becomes the first US author to win this prestigious literary award. He was bestowed with this award for his racial satirical novel ‘The Sellout’ at a ceremony held in London’s Guildhall. His novel tells the story of a young black man who tries to reinstate slavery and racial segregation in a suburb of Los Angeles.About Paul Beatty

• Born in Los Angeles in 1962, Beatty did his MFA in creative writing from Brooklyn College and an MA in psychology from Boston University. He wrote novels like The White Boy Shuffle (1996), Tuff (2000), Slumberland (2008) and The Sellout (2015).
• In 2016, he was bestowed with the National Book Critics Circle Award (Fiction) for his novel The Sellout.

About Man Booker Prize:

• The Man Booker Prize is the world’s most prestigious literary award. It was launched in 1969 and presented by the Man Group.
• The award aims at promoting the finest literary work in fiction by rewarding the best novel of the year written in English and published in the United Kingdom. It carries a cash prize of 50,000 pounds. T
• The authors are shortlisted by judges from a wide range of disciplines and all with a passion for quality fiction.
• The 2015 Man Booker Prize was conferred on Jamaican author Marlon James for his book A Brief History of Seven Killings.

SSC Answer Key for Combined Graduate Level Re - examination (Tier-I), 2016

Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has published Answer Key for Combined Graduate Level Re- examination (Tier-I), 2016, Check below for more details.

Combined Graduate Level Re-examination (Tier-I),2016 held on 27.10.2016 Uploading of answer key

The Commission had conducted Re-examination of CGLE(T-I), 2016 for one shift, i.e. the Second Shift (Batch II) (4.15 pm to 5.30 p.m.) of 27.08.2016 on 27.10.2016 at various centres.

The answer keys for the said Re-examination have been uploaded on the website of the Commission: www.ssc.nic.in. The candidates may login using their same User Id and Password which were used during the Examination and submit representations, if any, between 5.00 pm on 28.10.2016 and 5.00 P.M. on 31.10.2016 through on-line method only on payment of Rs.100/- per answer. Representation received after the due date will not be entertained under any circumstances.

Answer key : Click Here

GPSC Recruitment for 310 Various Posts (Advt. No. 58/2016-17 to 68/2016-17) (OJAS)

Gujarat Public Service Commission (GPSC) has published an Advertisement for below mentioned Posts 2016. Other details like age limit, educational qualification, selection process, application fee and how to apply are given below.

Posts :

Child and Women Officer Class - 1 : 17 Posts

Child Development Scheme Officer Class - 2 : 27 Posts

Orthopaedic Surgeon Class - 1 : 46 Posts

Assistant Professor (Jurisprudence) Class - 2 : 03 Posts

Senior Superintendent Class - 2 : 18 Posts

Horticulture Officer Class - 2 : 50 Posts

Municipal Accounts Officer Class - 2 : 09 Posts

Head Officer Municipality Class - 2 : 25 Posts

Head Officer Municipality Class - 3 : 18 Posts

Assistant Director (I.T.) Class - 1 : 25 Posts

I.C.T. Officer Class - 2 : 72 Posts

Total No. of Posts : 310 Posts
Educational Qualification : Please read Official Notification for Educational Qualification details.
Application Fee: Candidates have to pay Rs. /- + Postal Charges through challan at the computer-based post office.
Selection Process : Candidates will be selected based on competitive written exam & computer proficiency test.

How to Apply : Interested Candidates may Apply Online Through official Website www.ojas.gujarat.gov.in.

Advertisement : Click Here

Notification : Click Here (Available soon)

Apply Online : Click Here

Important Dates :

Starting Date of Online Application : 05-11-2016
Last Date to Apply Online : 21-11-2016

Last Date to Pay Fees in Post Office :

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