CURRENT GK WEEKLY DECEMBER FIST WEEK FOR SSC GD, SSC CPO, SSC, IAS, RAS, UPSC, RPSC, UP POLICE, RPSC, RSMSSB, FREE PDF

1. UNESCO adds Jamaican reggae, Georgian wrestling and Japanese rituals in coveted list of intangible heritage

UN cultural agency UNESCO has added six new elements viz. Jamaican reggae, Georgian wrestling and Japanese ritual into its coveted list of “intangible heritage”.

• They were added at UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage meeting held in Mauritius’
• This coveted list is made up of those intangible heritage elements that help demonstrate diversity of cultural heritage and raise awareness about its importance.
• The list was established in 2008 when Convention for Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage came into effect. It includes important intangible cultural heritages worldwide.
• It has two parts viz. Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of urgent Safeguarding.

2. Salom Zurichishvili elected as first female President of Georgia

Salom Zurichishvili was elected as the first female President of Georgia. She will take charge on December 16, 2018.

• In recently concluded presidential election, Salom Jurabishvili defeated her rival candidate Grigol Washadze. She received 59.5% of the votes, while Grigol Washadze received 40.5% of the votes.
• It is a country located in Eurasia, its area is 69,700 square kilometers. Its capital is located in Tbilissi. It had announced its independence from Soviet Union on April 9, 1991.

3. Asia Pacific Summit-2018 begins in Kathmandu

The Asia Pacific Summit-2018 has started in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. The theme of two day Summit is "Addressing the Critical Challenges of Our Time: Interdependence, Mutual Prosperity, and Universal Values".

• Nepal's Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli said to attain the goal of universal peace and harmony,  active partnership between governments, private sector and diverse social groups is necessary.
• Former Prime Minister of India, H.D. Deve Gowda said that terrorism and climate change are the biggest challenges of today's world. He said terrorism makes no distinction between the borders, genders or religions and magnitude of the threat multiplies when terrorism is state sponsored.

4. International Day of Persons with Disabilities

The annual observance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities Day was proclaimed in 1992, by a United Nations General Assembly resolution.

• International Day of Persons with Disabilities aims to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in all spheres of society and development and to increase awareness of the situation of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life.
• The theme for this year is Empowering persons with disabilities and ensuring inclusiveness and equality. 
• The United Nations will launch the first-ever flagship report on disability and development "UN Flagship Report on Disability and Development 2018 - Realizing the SDGs by, for and with persons with disabilities".

5. 80th Session of the Policy Commission of the World Customs Organization (WCO) to commence in Mumbai

The 80th Session of the Policy Commission of the World Customs Organization (WCO) will commence in Mumbai. The Session is being organized by the WCO and hosted by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), India.

• The Indian delegation will be headed by Chairman, CBIC, S Ramesh, along with Member PK Das and their team of senior officers.
• Some of the important topics to be discussed during the meeting include trade facilitation, controlling illicit financial flow, performance measurement, challenges of small island economies, etc.

6. Qatar to leave OPEC from January 2019

Qatar has announced its decision to leave the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) from January next year and focus more on the production of natural gas.

• Qatar has plans to increase its annual exports of liquified natural gas, LPG from 77 million tons of gas per year to 110 million tons.
• Qatar is the world's largest exporter of LPG. Al-Kaabi said, Qatar also wants to raise its oil production from 4.8 million barrels of oil equivalent a day to 6.5 million barrels.

7. International conference on bears starts in Agra

More than 80 delegates from 11 countries are participating in an international conference on bears being organized in the Taj city for the first time.

• Hosted by Wildlife SOS, a conservation non-profit, the conference from December 3-6 is focused on bear care, wildlife conservation and human wildlife conflict mitigation and is in collaboration with Bear Care Group from the US and Canada.
• The conference aims to share knowledge on principles of welfare of bears and other wild animals in zoos, sanctuaries and rescue centers.

8. World Bank unveils US $200 billion in climate action investment for 2021-25

World Bank has unveiled US $200 billion in climate action investment for 2021 to 2025 to fight impact of climate change. The move coincides with Conference of Parties-24 (COP24) United Nations Climate Summit in Katowice, Poland.

• The breakdown of US $200 billion will comprise approximately 100 billion in direct finance from World Bank.
• Around one-third of remaining funding will come from two World Bank Group agencies and rest will be private capital mobilized by the World Bank Group.
• World Bank is an international financial institution that provides loans to countries of the world for capital projects. Its official goal is reduction of poverty by providing loans to developing countries for capital programmes.
• It is one of five institutions created at Breton Woods Conference in 1944. Its headquarters is situated at Washington DC, US.

9. EAM Swaraj co-chair India-UAE JCM for Economic and Technical Cooperation

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Foreign Minister of UAE Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan co-chaired 12th India-UAE Joint Commission Meeting for Economic and Technical Cooperation.

• Sushma Swaraj also co-inaugurated the Gandhi- Zayed digital museum along with the Foreign Minister of UAE Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
• India and the UAE enjoy strong bonds of friendship. With nearly 50 billion US Dollar bilateral trade, the two countries are one of the largest trade partners for each other and have made robust investments bilaterally.
• UAE is the sixth-largest source of India's oil imports and hosts a 33 lakh strong Indian community.

10. India and the Republic of Peru sign Co-operation and Mutual Assistance in Customs Matters

An Agreement between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the Republic of Peru on Co-operation and Mutual Assistance in Customs Matters was signed in Mumbai, on the side-lines of the 80th Session of the Policy Commission Meeting of the World Customs Organizations (WCO).

• The three day 80th Session of the Policy Commission Meeting of the WCO is being organized by the Central Board of Customs and Indirect Taxes (CBIC), Government of India in Mumbai, India, from 3rd to 5th December 2018.
• The Agreement was signed by Mr. S. Ramesh, Chairman, CBIC on behalf of the Government of India and Mr. Rafael Garcia, as the National Superintendent of Customs on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Peru.

11. South Asia Youth Peace Conference held in New Delhi

The three day South Asia Regional Youth Peace Conference was held in New Delhi as part 150th birth anniversary celebrations of father of nation Mahatma Gandhi.

• It was organised by Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti, UNESCO Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development (MGIEP) and STEP (Standing Together to Enable Peace).
• It was inaugurated by Krishna G Kulkarni, great grandson of Mahatma Gandhi.
• It provided platform for young people of South Asia to further peace agenda in the region.

12. Cope India 2019: India, US air exercise to be held in West Bengal

Indian Air Force (IAF) and US Air Force (USAF) will participate in bilateral exercise ‘COPE INDIA 2019’ – scheduled to be held between December 3 and 14, 2019 in West Bengal. 

• The bilateral flying training programme will be held at two important airbases in West Bengal – Air Force Station Arjan Singh at Panagarh.
• Cope India is series of international Air Force exercises between Indian Air Force (IAF) and United States Air Force (USAF) conducted on and over Indian soil.
• The exercise was repeated in 2005, 2006, 2009 and was last held in 2010.

13. eDrishti software launched to help Railways Minister keep track of punctuality of trains

Indian Railways unveiled ‘eDrishti’ software that will help Union Railway Minister to keep track of punctuality of trains as well as freight and passenger earnings and much more from anywhere in the country.

• The software has been developed by Centre for Railway Information System (CRIS) to help Minister keep track of all information related to Indian Railways, one of the world’s largest rail networks.
• Using this software, Railway Minister can track any information with just a click of mouse — whether from his office or while on the move.

17. Index of Eight Core Industries (Base: 2011-12=100) October, 2018

The Eight Core Industries comprise 40.27 per cent of the weight of items included in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP). 

• The combined Index of Eight Core Industries stood at 134.8 in October, 2018, which was 4.8 per cent higher as compared to the index of October, 2017.
•  Its cumulative growth during April to October, 2018-19 was 5.4 per cent.
• Coal production : increased by 10.6 per cent in October, 2018 over October, 2017.
• Crude Oil production : declined by 5.0 per cent in October, 2018 over October, 2017.
• The Natural Gas production : declined by 0.9 per cent in October, 2018 over October, 2017.
• Petroleum Refinery production : increased by 1.3 per cent in October, 2018 over October, 2017.
• Fertilizers production : declined by 11.5 per cent in October, 2018 over October, 2017.
• Steel production :  increased by 2.2 per cent in October, 2018 over October, 2017.
• Cement production : increased by 18.4 per cent in October, 2018 over October, 2017.
• Electricity generation : increased by 11.4 per cent in October, 2018 over October, 2017.

15. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to be chief guest at Republic Day celebrations 2019

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will be the Chief Guest at the 2019 Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, at a time when India is celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, it is our honour to welcome President Ramaphosa as the Chief Guest for 2019 Republic day celebrations.
• Mr Modi said, Mahatma Gandhi's close links with South Africa is well known. Mr Modi also said that Mr  Ramaphosa's visit will further cement business and people to people ties between India and South Africa.

16. President of India Inaugurates 13th Edition Of CII Agro Tech India – 2018

The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, inaugurated the 13th edition of CII Agro Tech India-2018 (December 1, 2018) in Chandigarh.

• The President said that through human history, agriculture has moved ahead with cross-fertilisation. It is the ideal stage for partnerships, and for mutual learning and sharing. Partnerships can be formed across sectors and across geographies.
• Pointing to the issue of pollution due to stubble burning, the President said that the farmers of Punjab and Haryana are a matter of pride for our country. They have never shied away from a challenge and a responsibility to larger society. Today we are facing a problem related to disposal of crop residue and of safe and clean removal of husk or stubble.

17. FSSAI launches Heart Attack Rewind Campaign for elimination of industrially produced trans-fat

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) launched media campaign “Heart Attack Rewind”, calling for elimination of industrially produced trans-fat in the food supply.

• It will support FSSAI’s global target of eliminating trans-fat in India by 2022, a year ahead of global target by World Health Organization (WHO). It is in line with FSSAI’s objective to get Freedom from ‘Trans Fat: India@75′.
• Globally, trans-fat intake leads to more than 500,000 deaths from cardiovascular disease every year. Trans-fat are made by adding hydrogen to liquid vegetable oils to make them more solid and to increase shelf life of foods.

18. Government puts imports of gold dore in restricted category

Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under Ministry of Commerce and Industry has put imports of gold dore in restricted category. This means, now, importer needs a license to import this commodity.

• It is semi-pure alloy of gold and silver which is refined for further purification. Proportions of silver and gold can vary widely.
• It usually created at site of a mine and then transported to refinery for further purification. Refined gold bars are manufactured from gold dore bar. India imports about 900 tonnes of gold year making it world’s second-biggest gold consumer after China.

19. Union Home Minister inaugurates Hornbill Festival in Kohima

The Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh inaugurated the hugely popular Hornbill Festival 2018 in Kohima, coinciding with the Formation Day of Nagaland.

• Hornbill Festival is a spectacular event showcasing the rich ancient culture and civilization of the people of Nagaland.
• It powerfully demonstrates the cultural diversity and civilizational unity of the people.
• Government of India has established the North Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre at Dimapur, Nagaland.
• Nearly 50% of Nagaland population is below 25 years. It is they who will shape the future of India including the future of Nagaland.  We have to create conditions where their creative and entrepreneurial potential is unleashed to the optimum.

20. Union Environment Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan to Lead The Indian Delegation At COP-24

The 24th meeting of Conference of Parties (COP-24) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) will be held at Katowice, Poland from 2nd December 2018 to 14th December 2018. COP-24 is very significant as it is expected to finalise guidelines for implementation of the Paris Agreement adopted in 2016.

• India strongly supports the objective of the Paris Agreement to strengthen the global response to the threat of climate change by keeping the global temperature rise this century well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
• India made a voluntary pledge in 2009 to reduce the emission intensity of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 20-25 per cent from 2005 levels by 2020.

21. India's first locomotive-less train 'Train 18' crosses 180 kmph speed limit

India's first locomotive-less less train, known as Train 18, breached the 180 kmph speed limit during a test run.

• Train 18 is capable of touching 200 kmph provided the rest of Indian Railways' system such as tracks and signals permit. When this indigenously designed train is made operational, it will become country's fastest train.
• With 16 coaches, the train will have the same passenger carrying capacity as that of the Shatabdi Express.

22. Chennai: Vice President inaugurates Rainbow Children's Hospital

Vice President, M Venkaiah Naidu has said that the private sector must ensure that the treatment provided by them is not only accessible but also affordable.

• After inaugurating Rainbow Children's Hospital, in Chennai, Vice President hoped that the Hospital would provide specialized but affordable care to children and contribute to the larger national mission of ensuring all infants survive, thrive and grow up into healthy active citizens of the New India.
• Vice President called on the private sector to partner with the government in making healthcare affordable as well as accessible to the common man, particularly in the rural and remote parts of the country.

23. India to host G20 summit in 2022, 75th year of Independence

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that India will host the G20 summit in 2022, the year the country would celebrate the 75th anniversary of its Independence.

• The G20 is a grouping of the world’s 20 major economies. Modi made the announcement at the closing ceremony of the two-day summit held here in Argentina’s capital.
• Italy was to host the international forum in 2022. Thanking Italy for allowing India to play the host, Modi invited G20 leaders to India in 2022, which also marks the 75th anniversary of India’s Independence.
• The G20 economies account for nearly 90% of the gross world product, 80% of world trade, two-thirds of the world population, and approximately half of the world land area.

24. PM Modi meets FIFA President Gianni Infantino in Buenos Aires

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who gifted him a football jersey with his name on its back.

• During ''Yoga for Peace' event, Prime Minister Modi had elaborated how football connected the two countries.
• He said, If Argentina is interested in India's philosophy, art, music and dance, then there are millions of fans of the Argentine soccer stars in India.
• Maradona has now become a household name and also used in many vernacular phrases.

25. ADB, Centre sign 85 mn dollar loan to support Odisha skill development project

The Centre and Asian Development Bank (ADB) have signed an 85 million dollar loan to improve skill development eco-system in Odisha. 

• An advanced skill training center, the World Skill Center (WSC) will also be established in Bhubaneswar with the help of a loan.
• The Odisha Skill Development Project agreement was signed by Additional Secretary in the Finance Ministry Sameer Kumar Khare and Country Director of ADB’s India Resident Mission Kenichi Yokoyama in New Delhi.
• The project will help over 1.5 lakh people learn skills in priority sectors, including manufacturing, construction and services for formal employment. The Skill Centre will deliver eight training courses for 13 thousand students and provide training to five thousand teachers.

26. Navy Day : 04 December

The day is celebrated in honor of the maritime force's role during the war with Pakistan in 1971 when Indian warships attacked Karachi port and successfully hurt Pakistani operations in the western coast.

• The Day is also celebrated to highlight the role the Navy plays in securing the country's marine borders during peacetime and carrying out humanitarian missions.
• Operation Trident, the codename for the naval attack on Karachi, is considered one of the most successful operations in the post-World War II era.

27. Government forms Rajiv Kumar Committee to look at selling of OIL, ONGC fields to private companies

Union Government has constituted six-member committee to look at selling as many as 149 small and marginal oil and gas fields of state-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC) and Oil India Ltd (OIL) to private and foreign companies to boost domestic output.

• The committee will be headed by NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Rajiv Kumar and includes Cabinet Secretary P K Sinha, Oil Secretary M M Kutty, Economic Affairs Secretary Subhash Chandra Garg, NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant and ONGC Chairman and Managing Director Shashi Shanker as members.
• Constitution of this committee is follow up of October 2018meeting called by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to review domestic production profile of oil and gas and the roadmap for cutting import dependence by 10% by 2022.

28. Exercise SHINYUU Maitri-2018 with JASDF Commences

The Japanese Air Self Defense Force (JASDF) is in India for a bilateral air exercise SHINYUU Maitri-18 with Indian Air Force from 03-07 Dec 18 at A F Station Agra.

• The theme of the exercise is joint Mobility/Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Relief (HADR) on Transport aircraft.
• IAF is participating with An-32 and C-17 aircraft with aircrew & observers. The focus of the exercise is set for the IAF and JASDF crews to undertake Joint Mobility/ HADR operations.

29. India Water Impact Summit-2018 to be held from 5th December

Union Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Shri Nitin Gadkari will inaugurate India Water Impact Summit 2018, being jointly organized by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) and the Centre for Ganga River Basin Management and Studies (cGanga) from 5-7 December 2018 in New Delhi.

• The India Water Impact Summit is an annual event where stakeholders get together to discuss, debate and develop model solutions for some of the biggest water related problems in the country.
• Nearly 200 domestic and international participants from nearly 15 countries and more than 50 Central, State and Municipal Government representatives are likely to participate in the summit.

30. Ministry of Railways Signs a MoU with Madame Tussauds Wax Museum to foster tourism in DelhiNCR

Ministry of Railways’ National Rail Museum (NRM) and Madame Tussauds Wax Museum join hands together to provide an amazing combo offer to Delhi NCR tourists.

• As a part of the collaboration, a special discount of 35% on ticket prices will be offered to NRM visitors when they visit Madame Tussauds Museum.
• Similarly, Madame Tussauds Wax Museum visitors will be getting an attractive discount of 30% on combo packages of NRM.
• It is envisaged that this innovative, first time ever, public-private museum collaboration, shall attract more tourists to both National Rail Museum and Madame Tussauds Wax Museum.

31. India's heaviest satellite GSAT-11 successfully launched by Ariane-5 rocket to provide better broadband services

The ISRO launched GSAT-11 satellite and put it successfully in earth orbit from Kourou Launch Zone, French Guiana in South America. ISRO used the Ariane-5 VA246 heavyweight rocket of Arianespace for this mission.

• It will operate from 74 degree east. The GSAT-11 weighing 5,854 kg is the heaviest satellite built by ISRO.
• The GSAT-11 is the next generation high throughput communication satellite that will play a vital role in providing broadband services across the country.
• It will also provide a platform to demonstrate new generation applications such as in flights internet connectivity. The satellite is expected to have a lifespan of 15 years.

32. DIPAM uses the Swachhta Pakhwada from 16th to 30th November, 2018 to mobilize its Staff for Voluntary Work

The Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM), Ministry of Finance observed Swachhta Pakhwada from 16th to 30th November, 2018.

• The Department started the Pakhwada with all the Officers/staff of the Department taking Swachhta Pledge.
• The Pledge was administered by the Secretary, DIPAM, Shri Atanu Chakraborty.
• All the employees and officers of the Department led by the Secretary, Shri Atanu Chakraborty, cleaned a nearby Park in the CGO Complex as part of the cleanliness drive.
• The Pakhwada concluded on 30th November, 2018 with a Swachhta Awareness March undertaken by the officers/staff of the Department.

33. PM Modi most followed world leader on Instagram

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emerged as the most popular global leader on social media platform Instagram with 14.8 million followers.

• According to a list published by online platform twiplomacy, Mr Modi is closely followed by Indonesian President Joko Widodo with 12.2 million followers.
• With 10 million followers, US President Donald Trump is at the third position on photo-sharing platform.
• The picture of newly married Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli and his wife, actress Anushka Sharma meeting the prime minister has become the most liked picture posted by any world leader.

34. Nation pays homage to Dr B R Ambedkar on his 63rd Maharparinirvan Diwas

Nation pays homage to Bharat Ratna Dr BR Ambedkar on his 63rd Mahaparinirvan Diwas.

• The Father of the Indian Constitution Dr Ambedkar was a jurist, economist, politician and a social reformer who campaigned against social discrimination of Dalits, women and labourers.
• He died on this day in 1956 and the day is observed as Mahaparinirvan Diwas every year. A number of functions are being organised all over the country to mark the occasion.

35. World Soil Day: 05 Decemeber

The day is observed annually on 5th December to focus attention on the importance of healthy soil and advocating for the sustainable management of soil resources.

• The theme for this year's World Soil Day is - 'Be the Solution to Soil Pollution'.
• According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Soil holds three times as much carbon as the atmosphere and can help meet the challenges of a changing climate.
• It said, 815 million people are food insecure and 2 billion people are nutritionally insecure, but it can be mitigated through soil. 95 per cent of food comes from soil and 33 per cent of the global soils are already degraded.

36. SpaceX successfully launches 64 small satellites using reusable Falcon 9 rocket.

Elon Musk-led SpaceX has successfully launched 64 small satellites into low Earth orbit onboard of its reusable and preflown Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. This has set new record in United States of launching satellites in single go.

• Space X It is private US space agency. It was founded by Elon Musk on May 6, 2002 who is its current CEO of Space X.
• Its main purpose for its establishment was to reduce cost of space transport and establish human habitation on Mars house. Space X has developed series of Falcon Rockets.

37. Cabinet approves MoU between India and Tajkistan on Cooperation on Peaceful uses of Space Technology for Development

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has been apprised of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India andTajkistan on Cooperation on Peaceful uses of Space Technology for Development.

• The MoU was signed on 8th October 2018 at Dushanbe, Tajkistan.
• The MoU would lead to development of joint activity in the field of application of space technologies for the benefit of humanity. It will lead to setting up of a Joint Working Group, which will further work out the plan of action including the time-frame and the means of implementing the provisions of this Agreement.

38. Sino-India Joint Exercise Hand-in-Hand 2018

Exercise Hand-in-Hand is conducted annually as part of military diplomacy and interaction between armies of India and China. The joint exercise for the year 2018 will be conducted from 10 to 23 December 2018 at Chengdu, China.

• The aim of the exercise is to build and promote close relations between armies of both the countries and to enhance ability of joint exercise commander to take military contingents of both nations under command.
• Exercise Hand-in-Hand 2018 will go a long way to further cement relationship between both the nations and will act as a catalyst in bringing bonhomie at grassroots levels between the armies of both countries.

39. Annual Startup India Venture Capital Summit 2018 to be held in Goa

The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Government of Goa, is hosting the annual Startup India Venture Capital Summit in Goa on December 07, 2018.

• The theme of the Summit is ‘Mobilizing Global Capital for Innovation in India.’ The event will showcase the Indian startup opportunity for funds from around the world. The summit aims to attract more global capital into the country.
• Government of Goa is focused on building a vibrant startup ecosystem in the state. It aims to make the state, one of the most preferred start-up destinations in India, and ensure that Goa features in the top 25 start-up destinations in Asia by 2025.

40. Cabinet approves implementation of Shahpurkandi Dam (National Project) on river Ravi in Punjab

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved implementation of Shahpurkandi Dam Project, Punjab on river Ravi.  For this, Central Assistance of Rs. 485.38 cr (for irrigation component) would be provided over five years from 2018-19 to 2022-23.

• Implementation of this project would help minimising some of the water of the River Ravi which at present is going waste through the MadhopurHeadworks downstream to Pakistan.
• On completion of the project an Irrigation Potential of 5,000 ha in Punjab State and 32,173 ha in J&K State would be created.
• The project would be implemented by Govt. of Punjab with Central Assistance of Rs. 485.38 crore The project would be completed by June 2022.

41. RBI keeps all key policy rates unchanged

The Reserve Bank of India maintained status quo on all key policy rates in the fifth bi-monthly monetary policy review. Subsequently, the repo rate remains unchanged at 6.5 percent and the reverse repo rate at 6.25 percent.

• Repo rate is the rate at which RBI lends to banks generally against government securities. The reverse repo is the rate at which RBI borrows money from banks.
• The RBI informed the marginal standing facility rate and the Bank Rate too remain at 6.75 percent.
• The six-member monetary policy committee headed by RBI Governor Urjit Patel unanimously voted to maintain the status quo on policy rates.
• In the last policy announced in October, RBI had kept all the policy rates unchanged.

42. Exim Bank extends USD 500 mn loan to Tanzania for water supply projects

Export-Import Bank of India (Exim Bank) has extended a credit facility of USD 500 million to Tanzania for water supply projects in the  country.

• Exim Bank signed an agreement on May 10, 2018, with the Tanzania government for making available a Government of India-supported line of credit of USD 500 million for the purpose of financing water supply schemes.
• The RBI said in a release that under this agreement, of the total credit by Exim Bank, goods and services of value of at least 75 per cent of the contract price shall be supplied by the seller from India. The remaining 25 per cent of goods and services may be procured by the seller for the purpose of the eligible contract from outside India.

43. Dr. Ajay Bhushan Pandey takes over as Revenue Secretary

Dr. Ajay Bhushan Pandey (IAS: MH 1984) took over as the Union Revenue Secretary upon superannuation of Dr Hasmukh Adhia.

• A Maharashtra cadre officer, Dr. Pandey will continue to head the Unique Identification authority of India (UIDAI) as its CEO and will also hold his position as the Chairman of GSTN.
• An Indian Administrative Service officer with over 34 years of experience in State and Central Governments, he had a remarkable stint of more than 8 years in UIDAI where he played a key role in establishing and steering Aadhaar across the country and drafting the historic Aadhaar legislation for providing statutory basis to Aadhaar.

44. Mohammad Azharuddin appointed working president of Telangana Congress

AICC has appointed former MP and Cricketer Mohd Azharuddin as working president of the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee.

• Congress General Secretary Ashok Gehlot announced this in a release in Delhi.
• He informed that Party President Rahul Gandhi also approved 14 more appointments for the Telangana PCC office bearers.
• Two vice presidents, 8 General Secretaries and 4 secretaries have been included to the office bearers of the Telangana PCC.
• It may be recalled that the Mohd Azharuddin is a start campaigner of the Congress party in the poll-bound Telangana state.

45. Shri Sunil Arora takes over as new Chief Election Commissioner of India

Shri Sunil Arora assumed charge as the 23rd Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India succeeding Shri O.P.Rawat. Shri Rawat who demitted the office on 1st December, 2018 after completing his tenure.

• Born on 13th April, 1956, Shri Arora, a former Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of Rajasthan cadre 1980 batch, superannuated on 30th April, 2016 as Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, and Government of India.
• During the 36 years of his service, he held various crucial positions in the State Government of Rajasthan and in the Central Government.
• Prior to assuming charge as Chief Election Commissioner, Shri Arora had been serving as Election Commissioner in Election Commission of India since 1st September 2017.

46. Pawan Singh first Indian to be elected in ISSF's judges committee

Pawan Singh has become the first Indian to be elected one of seven member's of the Judges Committee of the International Shooting Sports Federation (ISSF).

• Mr Singh also holds the post of the Joint Secretary General of the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI).
• Mr Singh got elected onto the seven members' Judges Committee for which 22 candidates from all over the world were in the fray. Members of the administrative council of ISSF voted to select the committee during the elections held at Munich. The ISSF elections take place every four years.
• A few days back Raninder Singh, President of NRAI had become the first Indian to be elected Vice President of ISSF.

47. Shri A. N. Jha appointed as Finance Secretary

The appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved designating Shri A. N. Jha, IAS, Secretary, Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance as Finance Secretary.

• The senior most secretary in the Finance Ministry is normally designated as the Finance Secretary.
• Mr. Jha had been succeeded Mr. Ashok Lavasa as the Expenditure Secretary in November, 2017.
• Before that, he had served as Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change.

48. Former Indian diplomat elected to UN's Socio-Economic Cultural panel

A former senior Indian diplomat, Preeti Saran, has been elected unopposed to an Asia Pacific seat on the UN's Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR).

• Saran was elected to the CESCR for a four-year term beginning on the 1st of January next year.
• All States are obliged to submit regular reports to the committee on how the rights are being implemented.
• The committee examines each report and addresses its concerns and recommendations to the State party in the form of concluding observations. The panel meets in Geneva and holds two sessions per year.

49. Croatia’s Luka Modric wins Men’s Ballon d’Or award 2018.

Croatia’s midfielder Luca Modrich (33) has won prestigious honor of football, Ballon d’Or. He was rewarded for his key role in Croatia’s historic run to FIFA World Cup final (defeated by France) and his club Real Madrid’s third straight Champions League trophy.

• With this, he ended the tenure of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for almost decade. Messi and Ronaldo have won this award since 2008.
• Cristiano Ronaldo remained second in run of ballon d’or race this year.
• FIFA Ballon d’Or Award is annual football association award given by FIFA to the male player who has performed the best in previous calendar year.

50. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy conferred Skoch Award for National Significance

Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India has been conferred the Skoch Award for National Significance at an event held recently in New Delhi. The award was received by Secretary, Ministry of New Renewable Energy Shri Anand Kumar.

• The award has been conferred on the Ministry considering its purpose and critical role played in installing about 73 GW renewable energy capacity in the country.
• Today, India ranks 4 in the world in wind energy capacity and 5th in solar & total renewable energy capacity installed in the world. India has played a critical role in setting up of international solar alliance. Further, India moved a resolution during the first meeting for making it a global initiative.

51. Carlsen retains World Chess Championship title

World number one Norwegian Magnus Carlsen has retained his World Chess Championship title, beating US opponent Fabiano Caruana in a tie-breaker event.

• The Norwegian is ranked number one worldwide for fast-paced games, whereas Caruana is ranked at number 18.

52. Atlawim Debebe of Ethiopia wins Pune International Marathon

Atlawim Debebe of Ethiopia won the Full Marathon with the timing of 2 hours 17 minutes 17 seconds.

• Teshome Getachew claimed second and Bekele Asefa third position. Both of them are also from Ethiopia.

• In women’s Full Marathon Pascalia Chepkogei from Kenya stood first with the timing of 2 hour 50 minutes 27 seconds. Belew Mekonnen and Fekede Tilahun of Ethiopia claimed second and third position.
• Dekebe Tafa and Degefa Gezmu both from Ethiopia are winners of the men’s and women’s half marathon.
• Among Indian runners this year also Karan Singh of Bombay Engineering Group stood first in Men’s category. In women’s Full marathon Urvi Tambe stood first amongst Indian participants.

53. Maheshwari Chauhan retains women's skeet title

Rajasthan's Maheshwari Chauhan retained her women's skeet title at the 62nd National Shooting Championship Competitions (NSCC) for shotgun events in Jaipur.

• Maheshwari overcame Ganemat 52-51 in the final to clinch the gold.
• The bronze medal was won by Punjab's Simran Preet Kaur Johal, who later picked up three gold in other events.

54. Gautam Gambhir announces retirement from all forms of cricket

Former India opening batsman Gautam Gambhir has announced his retirement from all forms of Cricket, saying his time to continue with the game is over.

• Gambhir played in 58 Tests between 2004 and 2016, scoring 4,154 runs at an average of 41.95, with the help of nine hundreds and 22 fifties.
• He also played in 147 ODIs between 2003 and 2013, besides featuring in 37 T20 Internationals.

55. Former US President George H .W. Bush passed away

Former US President George HW Bush has died at the age of 94 at home in Houston, Texas.

• Bush served as the 41st US president between 1989 and 1993, his term defined by the end of the Cold War and the first Iraq war against Saddam Hussein.
• Bush entered politics in 1964 after starting a Texan oil business and becoming a millionaire by the age of 40.

56. Congress MP Maulana Asrar-ul-Haque Qasmi passes away at 76

Maulana Asrar-ul-Haque Qasmi, noted Islamic scholar and Congress Lok Sabha MP from Bihar’s Kishanganj constituency, passed away recently. He was 76.

• The state government has announced his funeral will take place with state honour.
• Qasmi won the Kishanganj seat in 2009 general elections by contesting on an Indian National Congress ticket after five consecutive failures.
• He retained his constituency in the 2014 general elections by defeating BJP’s Dilip Kumar Jaiswal.
• He was a member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board and also a founder member of the All India Milli Council.

57. Book Release - ‘Blue Waters Ahoy!’ Chronicling the Indian Navy’s History from 2001-10

Admiral Sunil Lanba, released a book titled ‘Blue Waters Ahoy!’ – chronicling the Indian Navy’s History from 2001-10. The unveiling was a part of an At Home function held at the Navy House in the presence of His Excellency, Sh. Ramnath Kovind, the President of India and the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.

• The Indian Navy celebrates Navy Day every year on 04 December 2018 to commemorate its offensive actions during the 1971 war.
• The book has been authored by Vice Admiral Anup Singh, who retired as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Eastern Naval Command in 2011.

 FREE DOWNLOAD PDF

                                             CLICK THIS LINK    ⇒⇒CLICK HEARE ⇐⇐⇐