April 2017 Current Affairs PDF

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Current Affairs Pocket PDF – April 2017
INDIAN AFFAIRS
• Finance Ministrylowers interest rates on small saving schemes like PPF, KVP and Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana
by 0.1 per cent for April-June quarter
• With this approval, quantitative ceiling on exports of organic agricultural and organic processed products has
been squashed. However quantitative ceiling will still prevail on organic lentils and pulses owing to its acute
shortage in the domestic market.
• In a bid to make the ‘Regional Connectivity Scheme’ operational; Civil Aviation Ministry has selected 27
proposals from 5 airlines to operate 128 routes across the country, connecting 31 unconnected airports. It
added that first regional flight under UDAN scheme will start operating from April 2017 , these are Air
Deccan, Air Odisha, Alliane Air, SpiceJet, Trujet.
• Pawan Hans, the National chopper operator is all set to launch its “Dilli Darshan” rides from April 1, 2017
with a 10 minute chopper ride costing Rs 2499 per person. In addition to that, the Chopper operator also
offers a 20 minute helicopter ride for Rs 4999.
• Indian railways has announced the 5 Green Corridors under which Barmer Munawab and Pipad Road-Bilara
rail routes in Rajasthan have been declared by North Western Railways as Green Corridors under “Swachh
Rail- Swachh Bharat” mission.
• The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved amendments to the New Urea Policy–
2015 on March 31, 2017. The policy is effective from June 1, 2015 to March 31, 2019.
• The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved the amendments in the Mega Power Policy
2009 on March 31, 2017. Total of 25 projects comes under this policy.States under these projects are Jammu
and Kashmir, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura.
• On 31st March 2017, President Pranab Mukherjee gave his assent to the Finance Bill 2017. Thus, all financial
and taxation related provisions as announced in Budget 2017 have now attained a legal status.
• Union Ministry of Tourism has sanctioned Rs 98.35 crores for tourism development in Assam.
The amount sanctioned will be used under the scheme of Swadesh Darshan. The cities to be developed are
Tezpur, Majuli and Sivasagar.
• In a bid to promote electric mobility and manufacturing of electric/hybrid vehicles and their components,
Central Government constituted National Board for Electric Mobility (NBEM) on 3rd April 2017.
• In its ongoing efforts to combat the problem of declining child sex ratio in the state, Haryana State Govt. has
announced to provide one-time grant of Rs 21,000 to all those families whose third girl child was born after
August 24, 2015 under the currently operational 'Aapki Beti Humari Beti' scheme.
• Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways and Shipping, Nitin Gadkari has announced the first North
East Express Highway project at the closing ceremony of the 'Namami Brahmaputra' festival on April 4,
2017.This 1300 Km highway project will be implemented with an outlay of Rs 40,000 crore in Assam.
• Uttar Pradesh chief minister, Yogi Adityanath declares Rs 36,359 crore farm loan waivers at its first cabinet
meeting on 4thApril 2017. Upon this waive off crop loans of up to Rs 1 lakh of small and marginal farmers in
the state.
• Union Cabinet approved a proposal to set up a regulator for Indian Railways to recommend passenger and
freight fares and set the performance benchmarks.This entity will be named Railway Development Authority
(RDA) and will be based in New Delhi. Rs.50 crore has been earmarked to set up the authority. Its functions
will be regulated by Railway Act, 1989.
• Union Home Ministry’s proposal for extending the implementation of the Crime and Criminals Tracking
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Network and Systems (CCTNS) project for one year till March 2018. CCTNS aims to create a national
database of crimes and criminals. The Allocated funds for this is Rs. 2,000 crore.
• West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on March 4, 2017 declared Jhargram as the 22nd district of
Bengal and it has been bifurcated from West Midnapore.
• The Finance Act, 2017 introduced Section 139AA of the Income-tax Act, 1961 which states that mandatory
quoting of Aadhaar /Enrolment ID of Aadhaar application form, for filing IT returns and application for
allotment of Permanent Account Number(PAN) with effect from July 1.
• The Madhya Pradesh Government-run Maharshi Patanjali Sanskrit Sansthan plans to launch one year
diploma course from July 2017 known as “Diploma in Purohityam “ for teaching priesthood.
• The agreement was signed between representatives of Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) and
the ASE Group of Companies, a subsidiary of ROSATOM State Atomic Energy Corporation of Russia on the
final settlement of Kudankulam 1.
• Union Govt. has decided to revive its 45-year-old North Koel river irrigation project with an objective to
provide irrigation facilities to over one lakh hectare of farm land in Jharkhand, specifically in Daltonganj and
Palamu region along with neighbouring districts of Bihar. The pending work on this project will be completed
at an estimated cost of Rs 1,622 crore.
• This was for the first time in the history of Haryana , the sex ratio has touched the 950 mark. Haryana CM
Manohar LalKhattar said that the sex ratio at birth stood at 950 girls to 1000 boys.
• The union government declared Kerala as a drought hit state along with 7 other states and announced a
drought relief package of Rs 24000 crore to drought affected areas as well. The Government has allowed 50
additional working days under The NATIONAL RURAL EMPLOYMENT GURANTEE SCHEME. Seven
states which are included along with Kerala are Tamil Nadu, Karnataka,Uttarkhand, UttarPradesh,
AndhraPradesh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.
• The Minister of Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation Shri Venkaiah Naidu launched 352 housing projects in
53 cities.
• On April 7, 2017, Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting M. Venkaiah Naidu inaugurated the
three-day National Children’s Film Festival (NCFF) at VUDA Children’s Arena in Visakhapatnam, Andhra
Pradesh.
• President Pranab Mukherjee will draw lots for Lucky Grahak Yojana (3 Mega Prizes for worth Rs. 1 crore,
Rs. 50 lakh, Rs. 25 lakh – for consumers) and Digi Dhan Vyapar Yojana (3 Mega Prizes worth Rs 50 lakhs,
Rs. 25 lakh, Rs. 12 lakh – for merchants) at a function to be held at Rashtrapati Bahvan.
• The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) has approved 26 projects worth Rs 2,154.28 crore under the
Centre’s ‘Namami Gange’ programme, focusing to reduce the river’s pollution.
• After Jhargram, West Burdwan has declared as 23rd district of West Bengal by West Bengal CM Mamata
Banerjee as a "Bengali New Year gift to the people."
President three day Visits to West Bengal, Jharkhand and Bihar
• President was the Chief Guest at 52nd Annual Convocation of Indian Institute of Management (IIM) –
Calcutta.
• Followed by In Jharkhand, Ranchi, President laid foundation stone of Rabindra Bhawan and Haj House. Other
functions and ceremonies attended by President in Jharkhand included: Inauguration of 44 Kms Deoghar -
Basukinath Solar Street Light Project, laying foundation stone of Software Technology Parks of India (STPI)
Centre and Employees State Insurance Corporation Hospital.
• The President concluded his three-day tour on 03 rd April by visiting Vikramshila University Monument,
Museum at Vikramshila, Shyama Charan Lahiri Peeth and Gurudham-Bounsi in Bihar.
• An exhibition titled “Swachhagraha – Bapu Ko Karyanjali – Ek Abhiyan, Ek Pradarshani” inaugurated by PM
Narendra Modi at National Archives of India (NIA) in New Delhi. This exhibition has been organised to mark
100 years of Champaran Satyagraha, which was Mahatma Gandhi’s first experiment in using non-violence
and non-cooperation as methods to protest.
• AYUSH Minister Shripad Yesso Naik inaugurated the International Convention on World Homoeopathy Day
in New Delhi on April 10 and the Theme of the convention: “Enhancing Quality Research in Homoeopathy
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through scientific evidence and rich clinical experiences”

• On April 10, 2017, Lok Sabha passed 123rd Constitution Amendment Bill, 2017 with 360 members voting in
favour and two members voting against it. This amendment bill seeks to grant constitutional status to
National Commission for Socially and Educationally Backward Classes.
• The Survey General of India (Nakshe Portal ) completes 250 years on 10th April, 2017. The center launched a
website which allows the public access to 3000 maps which are prepared by Survey General of India. It also
made a subscription to Aadhaar mandatory for the service.
• On April 10, 2017, Lok Sabha passed The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill 2016 by voice vote. This bill
amends the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
• After passed by Rajyasabha The Parliament has passed the Constitution (Schedule Castes) Order
(Amendment) Bill 2017. It was already passed by LokSabha in March 2017.The Bill seeks to amends the
constitution (Schedule Castes) order, 1950 and the constitution (Pondicherry) Scheduled Castes Order, 1964.
• Ministry of Rural development has released nearly 23,500 crore rupees to the States under Mahatma Gandhi
National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS)
• Parliament passed Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
(AIDS) (Prevention and Control) Bill, 2017 to ensure equality for HIV positive persons in spheres of
education, employment and treatment.
• The Kerala government has announced to make Malayalam language mandatory in all schools in the state.
• Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh impose liquor ban in Chhattisgarh after his meeting with Bihar Chief minister
Nitishkumar.Chhattisgarh has now become the second state to declare a ban on alcohol.
• Cabinet approves signing of Framework of Understanding between India and Bangladesh on Cooperation in
the hydrocarbon sector.
• Cabinet approves implementation of Supreme Court’s Judgment regarding Target Plus Scheme (TPS) under
Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2004-09
• Cabinet approves setting up of Indian Institute of Petroleum and Energy (IIPE) at Visakhapatnam in Andhra
Pradesh. IIPE will be built at a cost of over Rs. 655 crore.
• Cabinet approves setting up of a Special Purpose Vehicle to be called Government e-Marketplace (GeM SPV)
• In order to safeguard the economic interests of Jute farmers, Govt. has hiked the Minimum Support Price
(MSP) for raw Jute from Rs. 3200/- per quintal in previous season to Rs. 3500/- for 2017-18 season.
• The Pilot Project has been launched by State-owned fuel retailers Indian Oil Corp (IOC), Bharat Petroleum
Corp Ltd (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corp Ltd (HPCL), for daily price revision in five select cities
from May 1 that owns nearly 58,000 petrol pumps in the country.
• A unique programme“Ammaku Vandanam”will be launched by the Andhra Pradesh in the government
schools to pay tribute to mothers.
• With a motive to enlighten children in naxal-affected areas of Jharkhand’s Palamau district, Jharkhand Police
has initiated Tare Zameen Par program to encourage children to lead happy lives.
• After UP's Anti Romeo Squad Harayana launches Operation Durga. Haryana announced the launch of Durga
Vahini - police squads it aims to stop harassment of women on public spaces.
• ‘Operation Meghdoot' the code-name for an Indian Armed Forces operation, was launched 33 years back. A
Platoon of four Kumaon led by then Captain Sanjay Kulkarni planted the first Indian Flag on Siachen Glacier
at Bilafond La which began Operation Meghdoot.
• The safety measures that are recommended by the Ministry of Women and Child Development for the safety
of women commuters who avails cab services have been included in the new Taxi Policy Guidelines.
• On April 14, 2017, during his Nagpur visit, PM Narendra Modi launched a less - cash township model,
developed by Gujarat Narmada Valley Fertilizers and Chemicals Ltd (GNFC), across 81 townships in 12
States.
• Urdu to be included in NEET exam the common test for admission from 2018-2019
into medical college announced by the Supreme Court.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. He felicitated the family members of 16
freedom fighters who were martyred during the Paika Rebellion.
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• Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh announced the prohibition of the names of any Ministers, MLAs on the
foundation stone.All the schemes that are announced by the CM or any other minister, MLAs and other
officials from now would be dedicated to the people of Punjab.
• ASCI (Advertising Standards Council of India) have released a set of guidelines for celebrities. As per the
guidelines Celebrities who endorse for the advertisements should take care of that the advertisements should
not be misleading and deceptive.
• Maharashtra has become the first state to launch a special awareness drive to ensure that transgenders in the
state register as voters in larger numbers. It is to be noted that 15th April is celebrated as ‘Third Gender
Day’ to commemorate Supreme Court judgement in 2014 to recognise transgenders as ‘Thrd Gender’.
• Uttar Pradesh has decided to set up 40 Yoga wellness centers in 40 districts across the state in this current
year. The International Yoga Day (IYD) is celebrated across the world on 21 June.
• Under rural employment program (MGNREGA) Ministry of Rural Development achieved a milestone by
successfully geotagging 1 crore assets. It started in 2006-07 and each year a huge number of rural assets are
created under MGNREGA. All the assets created under the program will be geotagged.
• The Telangana legislature has passed the bill to hike reservation for Muslim and STs
For Muslim 4% to 12% increment and for Scheduled tribes 6% to 10%.
PM Narendra Modi’s two day visit to Gujarat.
• PM inaugurates Multi-Speciality Hospital, Diamond Manufacturing Unit in Surat
• At Bajipura village in Tapi district of Gujarat, PM Modi inaugurated a fully automated cattle feed plant
of SUMUL Dairy.
• In Botad district of Gujarat, PM Modi inaugurated Phase-I of Link 2 pipeline canal of the
ambitious Saurashtra-Narmada Avtaran Irrigation (SAUNI) Yojana by formally releasing the Narmada water
in Krushna Sagar Lake.
• In Silvassa, PM inaugurated Passport Seva Kendra, Jan Aushadhi Kendra and Solar Photo Voltaic Plant.
• The Centre launched a training programme for Women Panchayat leaders to skill and administers them so that
they can give special emphasis on efficient usage of funds for achieving their overall development.
• The country's oldest IIT (Indian Institute of Technology) is going to introduce Vastu Shastra classes for its
architecture students. Classes will be introduced from August, 2017. VastuShastra has its beginnings in Rig
Veda.
• Union Cabinet has given its approval for procurement of Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) Units
for use in the General Elections, 2019.
• Cabinet has given its approval for Ex-post facto approval for Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-third
Amendment) Bill 2017 and (ii) National Commission for Backward Classes (Repeal) Bill, 2017
• In order to ensure prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income, Union Cabinet has given its
approval for signing of a Protocol amending the Convention between India and Portugal for avoidance
of double taxation.
• The Union Cabinet has decided to impose a ban on the use of red beacons atop vehicles of government
officials and VIPs. This rule will be effective from May 1, 2017.
• Union Cabinet has approved a proposal of extending stock limits on sugar traders by another six months till
October 2017.
• Power Purchase agreement (PPA) has signed between Delhi Metro Railways Corporation (DMRC) & Madhya
Pradesh Power Management Company (MPPMC) with Rewa Ultra Mega Solar Limited, the implementing
agency for the ‘world’s largest single site solar power project’, the Rewa Ultra Mega Solar Power Project
(UMSPP, 750MW) in Bhopal.
• According to the report of “Youth in India” the sex ratio in India falls to 898 girls for 1,000 boys in 2031 from
939 in 2011.
• PM Narendra Modi will inaugurate a mega event Textiles India showcase the country as a global sourcing hub
in Gandhinagar on June 30, 2017.
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• Indian Govt. has extended the ceasefire with the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Reformation (NSCN-
R) for one year till April 27, 2018. This decision was taken during a meeting between Ceasefire Supervisory
Board of the NSCN-R and Union Home Ministry officials held in New Delhi.
• ‘Inter-Ministerial Consultation on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Containment’ was held on April 19, 2017
in New Delhi. At this meeting, Union Health Minister J P Nadda announced the finalization of India’s
comprehensive and multi-sectoral National Action Plan to combat Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).
• Punjab Govt. took a decision to set up ‘Book banks’ in all schools .The old students would be asked to submit
their old books which would be afforded to needy children free of charge.
• The Supreme Court (SC) of India in April 2017 set a benchmark for maintenance to be paid by a husband to
his former wife. The court has mentioned that 25% of his net salary to be given to his ex-wife for
maintenance.
• Central Govt. has unveiled a draft model law ‘Agricultural Produce and Livestock Marketing (Promotion and
Facilitating) Act (APLM), 2017’. This draft model seeks to liberalise the trade in agri-products and livestock
and will thereby help in doubling farmers’ income by 2022.
• The second quarterly review meeting on the Swachh Iconic Places (SIP) was held at Mata Vaishno Devi
Shrine, in Katra, Jammu and Kashmir. 10 places Gangotri, Yamunotri Mahakaleshwar Temple, Ujjain, Char
Minar, Hyderabad, Church and Convent of St. Francis of Assissi, Goa, Adi Shankaracharya’s abode Kaladi in
Ernakulam, Gomateshwar in Shravanbelgola, BaijnathDham, Devghar, Gaya Tirth in Bihar and Somnath
temple in Gujarat.
• The subscribers of Atal Pension Yojana (APY) can now have online access to their statement of
transaction (e-SOT) and Permanent Retirement Account Number (e-PRAN).
• The International Road Federation (IRF) has announced that India is set to host the 18th World Road Meeting
(WRM 2017) on November 13. The theme of World Road Meeting is ‘Safe Roads and Smart Mobility: The
Engines of Economic Growth’.
• The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) has become the India’s First public hospital to start
plaque brachytherapy facility for the treatment of eye tumours.
• The Yogi Adityanath government has set up an anti-land mafia task force in Uttar Pradesh.
• The Haryana chief minister 'Manohar La lKhattar' has announced to change the name
of Ballabhgarh to Balramgarh. The name Ballabgarh is a corruption of Balramgarh (the fort of Balram).
• Central Asian country, Kazakhstan has opened its consulate in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. This consulate will
cover Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
• Under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation has
sanctioned 1, 00,537 houses for urban poor.
• The government of Pondicherry announced that the farmers in the Union Territory will be getting free power
supply for pump sets used for irrigation purpose. The scheme is expected to benefit around 7000 farmers.
• Bihar State Legislature has ratified the Constitution Amendment Bill on Goods and Services Tax (GST) on
April 24, 2017
• On 23 April 2017 “The India Post”has released a Commemorative Postage Stamp on Coffee as bring
aFragrance Stamp in Bengaluru.
• The Sumi Baptist Church Zunheboto (SBCZ) is in the northeastern state of Nagaland, India. It is finally set for
dedication after almost a decade since its construction began.
• According to survey based on 20 states karnataka is the most corrupt state in the country. The Centre for
Media Studies (CMS) released its 11th round of the the annual corruption study ‘CMS India Corruption Study
2017'.
• Chhattisgarh passed Goods and Service Tax (GST) Bill on April 28th 2017 and become the fifth state in the
country after Bihar, Jharkhand, Telangana and Rajasthan.
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• Union Health Minister JP Nadda has launched the Test and Treat policy for Human Immunodeficiency Virus
(HIV) patients. Under this policy anyone who is tested and found positive will get the treatment free of cost.
• Kerala is the first state to conduct the country’s first-ever transgender one-day athletic meet in
Thiruvananthapuram.
• Bhilar village in Maharastra will become India’s first ‘book village’. It will be started from 4th May, 2017.
• On April 23, 2017, Vice-Chairman of NITI Aayog, Mr. Arvind Panagariya presented a glimpse of ‘India
2031-32: Vision, Strategy and Action Agenda’ to Governing Council of NITI Aayog, chaired by Prime
Minister Narendra Modi.
• Rajasthan assembly passed the Rajasthan Goods and Services Tax Bill 2017 and thereby became the third
state assembly after Telangana and Bihar to adopt this comprehensive indirect tax reform
• Jharkhand assembly passed the Jharkhand Goods and Services Tax Bill 2017. A one-day special session of the
assembly was convened to take up the GST bill.
• Belgium has become the first country to open an honorary consulate office in Gujarat International Finance
Tec-City (GIFT City).
• Haryana will become the first Indian state to invite all Twitter and Facebook users to interact with the Chief
Minister Manohar Lal.
• M Venkaiah Naidu has inaugurated the function to commemorate HUDCO’s 47th Foundation Day in New
Delhi on April 25, 2017. HUDCO has completed 47 years of existence in providing housing and basic
infrastructure across the country.
• On April 24, 2017, Mumbai Port Trust announced plans to construct India’s first and longest sea ropeway to
connect Mumbai mainland with famous Elephanta Island in Arabain Sea. The 8-km long ropeway connecting
Elephanta Island with Mumbai will begin from Sewri (Eastern Edge of South Mumbai).
• On April 24, 2017, Central Govt. has submitted an expert panel report in the Supreme Court which suggests
tagging of cows with Aadhar-like unique identification (UID) number in order to ensure better protection for
them and check smuggling.
• Thaawarchand Gehlot inaugurates Photo exhibition “The Paths We Walk” on April 24, 2017 in New Delhi.
• UP Government will set up a Central university for Divyangs in the state.
PLACES IN NEWS
• The Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi inaugurated the India’s longest Chenani-Nashri All-weather road
tunnel on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway on April 2, 2017. The tunnel is among the longest highway
tunnels of length 9.2Km in Asia. The tunnel was built at a cost of Rs 2519 crore in an altitude of 1,200
meters above sea level.
• India’s first International Centre for Foot and Mouth Disease (ICFMD) has been inaugurated by Union
Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh at Argul near Bhubaneswar in Odisha on 1st April 2017.
• First bio-gas bus with flat Re 1 fare inaugurated in Kolkata. Phoenix India Research and Development Group
in Kolkata has designed a bus that will run on biogas produced from cow dung.
• The Jammu & Kashmir state government has banned the usage of polythene bags which is manufactured
below 50 microns from April 3, 2017.Violator of the Act will be liable for punishment up to one month in jail
or fine of Rs 5000 or both.
• The festival of Goddess Budhi Thakurani called Berhampur Thakurani Yatra begun in southern Odisha
on April 3, 2017. The month long festival will be celebrated by the weaving community, known
as Devangiris.
• PM Modi Lays the Foundation Stone of a Multi-Modal Terminal on River Ganga at Sahibganj in Jharkhand.
This 5.8 km long 4-lane bridge will be built by National Highways Authority of India at an estimated cost of
Rs 2,266 crore.
• Vriksh is organising the country’s first ever micro-drama festival , Thespis which is scheduled to be held at
the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts in Delhi. Theatre director is actor Ajith G Maniyan.
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• The Uttar Pradesh government led by Yogi Adityanath has given its approval to building a music village
named 'Bismillah Khan Sangeet Gram' to honour of legendary Shehnai player Ustad Bismillah Khan.This
project is planned to develop at Varanasi.
• A court of the financial commissioner headed by Ashok Khemka IAS officer has ordered summons in
a property dispute case on WhatsApp to one of the respondents who shifted to Kathmandu.
• On April 15, 2017, Himachal Pradesh celebrated its 70th Foundation Day. It came into existence in
year 1948 post merger of 30 odd princely states. On the occasion of the 70th foundation day of Himachal
Pradesh, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh launched an 'Unemployment Allowance Scheme' at a state level
function in Chamba.
• On April 14, 2017, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu laid the foundation-stone for Dr B
R Ambedkar Smriti Vanam (memorial park) with 100 cr budget in state’s de facto capital Amaravati.
• The Madhya Pradesh government has planned to ban Plastic and Polythene bag from 1st of May. It has been
done because of the numbers of cow death across the state.
• A Bihar government has set up a special court for speedy trial for those cases which are registered against
violation of the law. The judge of the Special court has been appointed to Justice Trilokinath Tiwari.
• According to Assamese Calendar Rongali Bihu celebrates on the month of April which usually falls on
13th and 14th of April.The first day known as Goru Bihu that is purely dedicated to cattle.The Rongali Bihu
marks the agricultural New Year and is celebrated as a festival of Prosperity.
• For the first time in Indian Railway’s history Habibganj station in Bhopal has been handed over to Private
firm to be operated by it.
• President Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated the Kempegowda Festival in Delhi. This foundation was founded on
17th April 2016.
• Suresh Prabhu flagged off the trial run of new glass roof coaches of Vistadome between Visakhapatnam and
Arakuon on April 16, 2017. The 2 coaches will run on the Vizag-Araku route while 2 will be sent to Jammu
And Kashmir
• UP government renames Gorakhpur and Agra airports. The Gorakhpur Airforce Station has been renamed as
Mahayogi Goraknath Airport.It was named after the founder of the Nath monastic movement. The Agra
Airport will be renamed after RSS ideologue Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay airport. The Department of
Disabled Welfare will now be known as 'Divyang Jan Vikas Empowerment'.
• The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has conducted first-of-its-kind State-level mock
exercise on forest fire in Uttarakhand. It is a 3 day event and started on 18th April 2017.
• Northeast India’s largest Information Technology (IT) hub has been inaugurated in Tripura’s capital city
Agartala on April 24, 2017. It is the sixth IT hub in the Northeast region.
• The country’s first electric taxi trial in the country would be launched in Nagpur from May 24. The first
project of this kind will be undertaken by Nagpur Municipal Corporation.
• The decision to raise all-women battalion comes after it was observed that girl students were throwing stones
at security forces in Srinagar.
• Andhra Pradesh has now established a welfare board for transgender persons in the state. Andhra Pradesh has
launched Hijra Transgender Welfare Board at the Sri Venkateshwara University in Tirupati.
• Uma Bharti - Union Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Minister launched
Centre’s extensive water conservation programme for drought prone areas of country. The programme was
launched at Bandri in Sagar district of Madhya Pradesh.
FOREIGN VISITS
Malaysian Prime Minister Mohd Najib Tun Razak’s five day visit to India
• MoUs that were signed in presence of Malaysian Prime Minister Mohd Najib Tun Razak and Indian Prime
Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi:
• A revised Air Service Agreement, which was in effect since 1974 and MoU on Cooperation in Fertiliser and
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mutual recognition of educational qualifications, sports, Malaysian Human Resource Fund/ Pembangunan
Sumber Manusia Berhad (PSMB) and Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII), Ahmedabad.
• MoU on technology development in the field of Palm Oil signed between Institute of Chemical Technology
(ICT), India and Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB)
• MoU on implementation of 4th Generation Technology Park in Andhra Pradesh, signed between Andhra
Pradesh Economic Development Board and MIGHT Technology Nurturing Sdn. Bhd (MTN)
Indian Army Chief conferred with Nepal Army honorary title in Kathmandu
• General Bipin Rawat, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) has visited Nepal and Bangladesh from March 28,
2017 to April 2, 2017 on his first foreign visit.
• On his visit to Nepal, the Army Chief was presented with Honorary General of the Nepalese Army title by the
President of Nepal on March 29, 2017.
Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina’s four day visit to India
• In a bid to strengthen bilateral ties, India and Bangladesh signed 22 agreements for cooperation in various
areas viz. civil nuclear cooperation, cyber security, media, judicial sector, peaceful uses of outer space,
defence, information technology, electronics and transport connectivity.
• PM Modi announces $4.5 billion line of credit to Bangladesh and also India Commits $500 Million for
Bangladesh Military
• With an aim to promote people-to-people ties and increasing connectivity, third bus service between Kolkata
and Dhahka via. Khulna (in Bangladesh) has been launched. The distance covered by bus following this route
will be 409 km.
• On April 10, 2017, top leaders of Indian and Bangladeshi business firms signed agreements worth $9 billion
which mainly focused on energy requirements of Bangladesh.
• PM Modi and Bangladeshi PM Sheikh Hasina jointly released the Hindi translation Sheikh Mujibur
Rahman's autobiography - "The Unfinished Memoirs".Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, father of Sheikh Hasina, was
popularly known as ‘Bangabandhu’.
Australian PM Turnbull arrives in New Delhi on 4-day visit
• India and Australia inked six pacts after comprehensive talks between PM Narendra Modi and visiting
Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull in New Delhi. The two leaders discussed a range of bilateral, regional and
international issues.
• List of MoUs signed between India and Australia:
1. MoU on Cooperation in Counter-Terrorism and Organised crime
2. MoU on Cooperation in Sports
3. MoU for Promotion and Development of Cooperation in Civil Aviation Security
4. MoU on Cooperation in the field of Health and Medicine
5. MoU on Cooperation in the field of Environment, Climate and Wildlife
• India and Australia have agreed to hold a bilateral maritime exercise named ‘AUSINDEX’ in the Bay of
Bengal in 2018. Besides, holding joint exercise of Special Forces in later half of 2017 has also been agreed
upon.
• On April 10, 2017, Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull and Indian PM Narendra Modi, jointly
inaugurated TERI-Deakin Nanobiotechnology Centre (TDNBC)Gurugram through a video conference.
• Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull launched Sports Partnership in Mumbai with an aim to increase
cooperation in sports among India and Australia.
President of Nepal, Bidya Devi Bhandari’s visit to India
• Bidya Devi Bhandari, the first female President of Nepal, was on an official visit to India from 17th to
21st April, 2017.
• During Ms. Bhandari’s visit, both sides assessed the implementation of ongoing cross-border connectivity
projects including development of Terai roads, cross-border railway lines, integrated border check posts, and
cross-border pipeline for carrying petroleum products which is first of its kind in South Asia.
• Both sides also reviewed bilateral energy cooperation, including development of 5,723 crore Arun 3 power
project in Nepal and Muzaffarpur-Dhalkebar high capacity transmission line.
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Vice President Hamid Ansari’s five days visit to Armenia & Poland
• India signed three agreements with Armenia in the field of cultural co-operation, youth affairs and peaceful
use of outer space.
• India, Poland ink pact on agriculture
• India and Poland signed an agreement on the exchange of information and technology in the agriculture
sector. From the Indian side, the agreement was signed by Minister of State of Small Industries Giriraj Singh.
• Polish leadership reiterated its support to India's bid for Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) membership, Missile
Technology Control Regime (MTCR) issue and a permanent seat in the expanded UN Security Council.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley's five days visit to USA
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley along with Mr. Urjit Patel and Mr. Shaktikanta Das attended the G-20 Finance
Ministers’ and Central Bank Governors’ Meeting in Washington D.C. The discussion in this meeting focused upon
following areas:
1. Financial Sector Development and Regulations
2. International Financial Architecture
3. Global Financial Governance
4. Compact with Africa (framework for supporting private investment, including in
infrastructure in African continent)
During the meeting with US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley raised the issue of
tightening of the H-1B visa norms. Earlier he had raised this issue with US commerce secretary Wilbur Ross.
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
• Israel government approved the establishment of a new settlement within West Bank for the first time in more
than two decades on March 31, 2017. In addition, the government also laid the groundwork for further
expansion and the law is intended to prevent future evacuations.
• South Asia Sub-regional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) program of Asian Development Bank (ADB)
accepts Myanmar as its 7th member in 2017.
• According to a new report released by World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), India's travel and tourism
sector ranks 7th in the world in terms of its total contribution to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
• On April 3, 2017, the Dispute Settlement Body of World Trade Organisation (WTO) agreed to set up a panel
for resolving a dispute pertaining to imposition of safeguard duty on imports of Japanese steel products by
India.
• Germany is the first NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) state to launch a “self-contained” cyber
command unit to protect from growing attacks. The Bundeswehr’s Cyber and Information Space (CIR) boasts
a status of army, navy, and air force.
• As a part of its ongoing effort to curb the spread of fake news and fabricated articles, leaders from Tech
industry and academic organizations joined together with $14 million to create an awareness of news literacy
and make trust in social media.
• Iceland ranks first on the World Economic Forum’s 2015 Global Gender Gap Index, followed by fellow
Nordic nations Norway, Finland and Sweden.50 percent of Women are law makers in Iceland Parliament.
• Nobel Peace Prize winner from Pakistan, Malala Yousafzai is set to become the United Nations’ youngest-
ever ‘Messenger of Peace’. She has been selected for this honour by United Nations current Secretary
General Antonio Guterres.
• Uruguay is set to become the first country to allow recreational marijuana to be sold in pharmacies in July.
The country is trying for nearly four years to legalize the production, sale and consumption of marijuana
• A Pakistani army court awarded death sentence to Indian national Kulbhushan Jhadav who was arrested last
year on charges of spying.
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• The first rail freight service from U K to China has departed on a journey of 7500 mile from Essex. Thirty
containers will carry British goods which include whiskey, soft drinks, vitamins pharmaceuticals and baby
products.
• The Hundredth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’s Sabarmati Ashram was celebrated in London to retell
Gandhi’s story with some interesting visual elements to the Internet generation.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has now become the most followed world leader on photo-sharing app
Instagram with a massive 6.9 million followers, Donald Trump has emerged the second most followed leader
with 6.3 million followers.
• Saudi Arabia raised $9 billion in its first global Islamic bond issue. The sale of Islamic bonds known
as Sukuks.
• US drops largest nuclear bomb in Afghanistan area populated ISIS members. The US has dropped the "mother
of all bombs" GBU-43 bomb - the largest non-nuclear weapon.
• India and Nepal have agreed to solve their border disputes by a Joint Survey of Boundaries.The survey of the
entire border between Kheri in UP and Kanchanpur in Nepal has been done to resolve the border disputes
• Five prominent Madhesi parties in Nepal have united to form a new united party named the Rastriya Janata
Party,It is the fifth largest party in Nepal’s Parliament.
It has been announced that leaders of the five parties will lead the Rastriya Janata Party by rotation.Madhesis
account for 50% of Population of Nepal.
• As mentioned by officials of National Grid, April 21, 2017 was Britain’s first ever working day without coal
power since the Industrial Revolution. All coal-fired power plants went offline from April 20, 2017.
• Cuba and Morocco has signed an agreement to re-establish diplomatic ties after a time period of 37 years. The
two governments have also agreed to forge political, economic and cultural cooperation.
• India with 12 other members was elected to the Committee for Programme and Coordination (CPC), a
subsidiary body of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
• First India Indonesia Energy Forum was held in Jakarta, Indonesia on April 20, 2017. Mr. Piyush Goyal -
Union Minister of State (IC) for Power, Coal, New & Renewable Energy and Mines and Mr. Ignasius Jonan -
Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources of Indonesia took part in this forum.
• The China Overseas Port Holding Company would carry out all the development work on the Gwadar port on
the Arabian Sea.
• Federica Mogherini a European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy is agreed
to strengthen cooperation for counter-terrorism with India. EU is one of the India’s largest trading
partners with bilateral trade in goods that reach to 85 billion dollars in 2016.
• Rodrigo Duterte, the President of Philippines has won this year’s TIME magazine's Readers' Poll of the 100
most influential people in the world. Duterte received 5% of total ‘YES’ votes.
• Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan won a historic referendum on Sunday in the biggest overhaul of
modern Turkish politics and the opposition not satisfied about the result. The 'Yes' campaign won 51.4
percent of the vote against 48.6 percent for 'No'.
• Australia abolishes 457 visas programme largely used by Indians. Its objective is to tackle the growing
unemployment in the country.
• US President Donald Trump signs executive order to tighten H-1B visa programme.
• China has announced its official names for six places in Arunachal Pradesh and has strong protests with India
over the Dalai Lama’s visit to the frontier state. It was aimed at declare China’s claim over Arunachal
Pradesh. The official names of the six places using the Roman alphabet are Wo’gyainling, Mila Ri,
Qoidengarbo Ri, Mainquka, Bumo La and Namkapub Ri.
• The 14th edition of United Nations International Day of Vesak will be hosted by Sri Lanka from May 12-14,
2017.The PM Narendra Modi will be the chief guest for UN Vesak Day.
• A set of four rare stamps, featuring the portrait of Mahatma Gandhi has fetched 5 lakh pounds at an auction
which is so far, the highest price ever paid for Indian stamps. The auction was held in United Kingdom, the
purchaser is a private Australian collector.The record price for a stamp sold at an auction is 7.4 million
pounds.
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• The United Nations will be going to issue special stamps commemorating the International Yoga Day on June
21, 2017 said by India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin.
• Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has made broad changes to Citizenship laws for new
applicants. Under this announcement the removal of 457 visa program for foreign workers that was used
majorly by the Indians. It was done to tackle the growing unemployment in the country.
• A freight train has introduced which connects Russia with China. It arrived in Ganzhou an inland city in
Jiangxi province that will carry goods from Moscow.
• China and Iran have signed the first agreement on the reconfiguration of Iran's Arak reactor. The deal was
concluded between the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) and a Chinese company at the official
ceremony in the Austrian capital Vienna.
• The 24th Arabian Travel Market begins in Dubai. This year the event will focus on the latest industry trend of
experiential travel.
• On April 28, 2017, office of United States Trade Representative (USTR) released 2017 edition of ‘Special 301
Report’. In this report, India has once again been placed in the ‘Priority Watch List’ for not providing
adequate protection to Intellectual property Rights (IPR).
• On April 28, 2017, office of United States Trade Representative (USTR) released 2017 edition of ‘Special 301
Report’. In this report, India has once again been placed in the ‘Priority Watch List’ for not providing
adequate protection to Intellectual property Rights (IPR).
• The first freight train linked China directly to the United Kingdom and arrived in the eastern Chinese city of
Yiwu on April 29th 2017 after a 12,000-kilometre (7,500-mile) trip, becoming the world’s second-longest rail
route.
• Peggy Whitson is the first woman to command the space station twice. She holds the record for most
spacewalks conducted by a female astronaut. It will break Jeff Williams’ standing United States record of 534
cumulative days in space.
• Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan became the first Indian actor to deliver TED speech in Vancouver, Canada.
• El Salvador became the first country in the world to ban metal mining. The law was favoured by nearly 80
percent of the El Salvadorian population.
• A Pakistani court allowed Hindus to worship at a Shiva temple in Abbottabad district which had banned to
them for 20 years.
SUMMITS & CONFERENCES

• South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) Finance Ministers’ Meeting held in New Delhi. The
strategic vision document titled “SASEC: Powering Asia in the 21st Century” will supplement the SASEC
Operational Plan 2016-2025, which was released in May 2016.
• The national conference on Communicating India 2017 held in New Delhi on April 5, 2017.
A day-long conference was based on the three main themes1.Telling India's story to the world
2.Communicating via Journalism and3.Dialogue with Diaspora.
• The 19th Commonwealth Forestry Conference (CFC), 2017 begins at Forest Research Institute (FRI) in
Dehradun, Uttarakhand on April 3, 2017. The members from 49 Commonwealth countries will be present at
the conference.
• 9th UK-India Economic and Financial Dialogue held in New Delhi which was led by Finance Minister Arun
Jaitley and UK Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond.
• Tow-Day National TB Summit, for raising awareness and increasing momentum to fight against TB is being
held in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh on 7th and 8th April. The TB Summit will conclude with a will
pledge their support for ‘TB free India by 2025’.
• The 136th Mega-Conference of World Parliamentarians has begun in Dhaka on April 1, 2017.The conference
was inaugurated by Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina. She will also release a commemorative
postage stamp and launch Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) web television.
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• The Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh chaired the 11th Standing Committee meeting of the Inter-
State council. The 11th Standing Committee meeting of the council will discuss the recommendations of the
Punchhi Commission on Center-State relations.
• A two-day meeting of BRICS special envoys on Middle-East was held in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh on
11th and 12th April 2017. This was the second such meeting of BRICS envoys on Middle-East.
• G-7 Foreign Ministers meeting held in Lucca, Italy.Latest conflicts in Syria, dominated the G-7 foreign
ministers meeting.
• A ministerial conference of G20 ministers in charge of digitalisation was held on 6th and 7th April, 2017
in Dusseldorf, Germany. This was the first such meeting of G20 ministers responsible for digitalisation.
• On April 17, 2017, President Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated 3rd edition of the Global Exhibition on Services
(GES 2017) at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi.
• Steel Minister Chaudhary Birender Singh inaugurates India Steel 2017 in Mumbai.
• The international conference on “Dara Shiko” held on April 27 and 28. The theme of this conference
is Reclaiming Spiritual Legacy of India.
• The Global Mobile Internet Conference(GMIC), organized by the Great Wall Association (GWC) held from
27th April to the 29th April 2017 at the China National Convention Center (CNCC) in Beijing, China.
RANKINGS & REPORTS

• Union Human Resource Development Minister Mr. Prakash Javadekar announced ‘India Ranking 2017’ based
on National Institutional Ranking Framework.
Toppers of India Rankings 2017 (NIRF 2017):
Category College/Institute/University
Overall Indian Institute of Science Bangalore
Engineering Indian Institute of Technology Madras
Management Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad
Universities Indian Institute of Science Bangalore
Colleges Miranda House (Delhi)
Pharmacy Jamia Hamdard (Delhi)
• India has been ranked 3rd in the doping violation report published by the World Anti-Doping Agency
(WADA) for the year 2015. The report stated that, 117 athletes from India have been punished after testing
positive for banned substances. The top spot is held by Russia.
• India has ranked 40th out of 136 countries on Global Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report 2017
published by World Economic Forum (WEF). This marks a commendable jump of 12 spots as compared to
previous year’s rank. The list is topped by Spain.
• India has ranked 9th out of 41 countries in bribery and corrupt practices in businesses as per the EY (Ernst &
Young) Europe, Middle East, India and Africa (EMEIA) Fraud Survey 2017. Countries which rank higher
than India in this survey are: Ukraine, Cyprus, Greece, Slovenia, Croatia, Kenya, South Africa and Hungary.
• The Haldia Port of West Bengal has emerged as the cleanest ports among Indian ports on sanitation
parameters.The ranking of all the 13 Indian ports was conducted by the Quality Council of
India. Haldia and Vizag ports receive the first and the second rank.
• Amnesty International published the review stated that China executed the most people in 2016, followed by
Iran and Saudi Arabia. The china alone killed thousands of people when 23 countries together executed
1032, the MENA region has executed the majority of 852 numbers.
• Actress Alia Bhatt has featured in Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia list. She is the only Bollywood actress who has
made it to this year. The actress has got a place in Forbes Under 30 Asia list.
• The World Health Organization has published the Global Analysis and Assessment of Sanitation and
Drinking-Water (GLAAS) 2017 report that nearly 2 billion people worldwide using Contaminated Water.
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• India ranked at 8th position in the 2017 A.T. Kearney Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Confidence Index. US
has topped A.T. Kearney Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Confidence Index for the fifth year in a row.
• India’s Current Account Deficit is expected to grow by 1.6% from 0.5% in this fiscal year: Nomura
• This year Margot Robbie has been featured in Time's 100 Most Influential People Of 2017.Margot Robbie is
an Australian actress. She started her career in his late 2000s.
• In Time’s 100 two Indians are on the list Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Paytm founder Vijay Shekhar
Sharma.
• In the latest World Economic Outlook (WEO), International Monetary Fund (IMF) has cut down India’s
growth forecast for year 2017 by 0.4 percentage points to 7.2 %.
• As per figures revealed by Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), India has
become world’s fifth largest military spender in year 2016. India’s military expenditure for 2016 was $55.9
billion, which marks 8.5% growth over 2015 figure. US retained its position as largest military spender in the
world.
• India ranks 136th among 180 countries in the 2017 ‘World Press Freedom Index’ released by Reporters Sans
Frontières (RSF) also known as Reporters Without Borders. In 2016 India ranked 133rd on this index.
Norway ranked first on the index. It replaced Finland which was holding the top spot since past six years.
• Mumbai and Chennai have ranked among the top 20 tourist destinations in Asia Pacific Region as per
the Mastercard Asia Pacific Destinations Index 2017.
In terms of total expenditure by international tourists, Singapore hosted the highest spending visitors at $254
per day. For the entire APAC region, overall tourism expenditure stood at $244.9 billion
BANKING & FINANCE

RBI – First Bi-Monthly Monetary Policy Statement for financial year 2017-18.
Policy Repo Rate 6.25% Unchanged - since 4th October 2016
Reverse Repo Rate 6.00% Hiked by 25 basis points. Earlier it was 5.75%
Marginal Standing Facility Rate 6.50% Reduced by 25 basis points. Earlier it was
6.75%
Bank Rate 6.50% Reduced by 25 basis points. Earlier it was
6.75%
Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) 4.00% Unchanged – since 9th February 2013
Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR) 20.50% Effective from 1st January 2017
GDP growth has been forecasted at 7.4% for current fiscal as compared to 6.7% in 2016-17.
Gross Value Added (GVA) growth has been forecasted at 7.4% for current fiscal as compared to 6.7% in
2016-17.
• Having commenced operations from 1st April 1935, India’s central bank, Reserve Bank of India
(RBI) celebrated 82nd Establishment Day on 1st April 2017.
• On March 31, 2017, Japan made a commitment with India for providing Official Development
Assistance (ODA) for Infrastructure projects in India. Japan is providing India with 371.345 billion yen (about
Rs 21,590 crore) under the financial year 2016-17.
• Private sector Karnataka Bank in collaboration with SBI Card launched co-branded credit cards for Karnataka
Bank customers on March 31, 2017. Two types of credit cards are launched namely1.Karnataka Bank
Platinum SBI card and2.Karnataka Bank Simply SAVE SBI.
• On April 1, 2017, State Bank of India (SBI) successfully merged with its five associate banks and Bharatiya
Mahila Bank. By this merger, SBI entered the league of Top 50 Global Banks which ranks 44th and a balance
sheet size of Rs 41 lakh crore along with the new logo.
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• The New Development Bank (NDB) backed by BRICS has invested a total of USD 1.5 billion through 7
projects in the year 2015 and 2016. The information was shared by NDB president K V Kamath during the
second annual meeting of the bank on April 1, 2017.
• Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance, Mr. Santosh Kumar Gangwar informed Lok Sabha that Reserve
Bank of India (RBI) is planning to set up a separate in-house Enforcement Department which will be
operational from 3rd April 2017.
• The Central government has decided to make tax evasion of over Rs 5 crore under the proposed Goods and
Services Tax (GST) regime as a non-bailable offence. Earlier, the tax evasion of over Rs 2.5 crore was
proposed by the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime.
• Market leaders ICICI Bank and Axis Bank sold Rs 1800 crore worth loans of paper maker Ballarpur
Industries to Edelweiss Asset Reconstruction Company.
• India’s central bank, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has cleared a proposal to introduce new currency notes
of Rs 200 on April 3, 2017.
• Aditya Birla Idea Payments Bank Ltd. has become the seventh entity to receive a final licence from Reserve
Bank of India (RBI) for carrying out the business of payments bank in India. Aditya Birla Idea Payments
Bank Ltd. will be launched in the first half of year 2017.Its headquarters is in Mumbai.
• The currency of the Internet, Biticoin and other digital currencies have recognised as a payment method by
Japan with effect from its new fiscal year. It was recognised under new banking law of Japan but it is not a
legally-recognized currency.
• The Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has signed a $175 million loan agreement
to support construction of high voltage transmission systems. The project will improve the capacity and
efficiency of interstate transmission networks, particularly in transmitting the electricity generated from the
new solar parks to the national grid.
• India recorded a growth rate of 7.4% in this fiscal year and it expects to be 7.6% in the next financial
year. Despite the effect demonization India’s growth grew from 1% to 7.4%. India is the fastest growing
economy ahead of China mentioned by the ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK (ADB).
• RBI allow banks to invest in REITs And InvITs and enables faster money transfer by finetuning NEFT
Network.
• The Income Tax Department clarified that the Rs 2 lakh cash transaction limit will not be applicable on
withdrawals from bank, cooperative bank or a post office savings account. Section 269ST in the I-T Act, the
Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) said the restriction shall not apply to withdrawal from banks and post
offices.
• Private Sector Lender. HDFC Bank Ltd., announced the launch of its Unified Payments Interface (UPI) on
Chillr. Henceforth the HDFC Bank UPI will be available on Chillr, in addition to the bank’s Mobile Banking
app.
• RBL bank announced the opening of its IFSC banking unit at Gujarat International History of RBL
Bank Finance Tec-city called Gift city. It opens the opportunity door for our clients and can show their
potential growth overseas.At present GIFT IFSC has already crossed the $2.5 billion.
• South Indian Bank made an agreement with Flyworld Money Exchange to facilitate remittances by Indian
migrants in Australia. NRIs in Australia could enjoy quick and cost-effective remittances to India using
the SIB Express facility.
• FINO Paytecha primarily a business correspondent received a license to launch a Payments Bank by RBI. It
inked a deal with ICICI group companies to distribute Insurance products and also tied up with Exide Life
Insurance to sell products through distribution channel.
• ESAF Small Finance Bank has launched a social deposit scheme called Hrudaya Deposit that provides
customers an opportunity to be a part in social welfare projects. An individual or a legal entity can join the
Hrudaya deposit scheme with a minimum deposit amount of Rs 15 lakh and for a minimum period of 2 years.
• The Bank Board Bureau has recommended that government bring reforms in the compensation process in
Public Sector Banks similar to Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs).
• To promote financial transactions the Kerala based NBFC Manappuram Finance with launch its own prepaid
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cards. It tied-up with Yes bank.

• The Department of Posts has joined hands with the State Bank of India to promote cashless transactions like
'SBI buddy e-wallet' and POS machines. The installation of SBI Buddy e-wallet and POS Machines will make
the transactions easy through digital payments and cashless transactions in post offices.
• RBI has given an approval to Amazon India to launch its own digital wallet or pre-paid payment
instrument (PPI) in India. This move by the RBI is believed an Amazon to enter India’s fast-growing digital
payments business.
• World Bank has approved a $375 million loan to India for developing its first waterway project - The National
Waterway 1. Under this project, a navigable stretch of 1360 km will be developed on River Ganga from
Varanasi (in Uttar Pradesh) to Haldia (in West Bengal). The loan has maturity of 17 years and grace period of
7 years.
• Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) was announced by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in the Union
Budget for financial year 2016.Loans extended under the PMMY during 2016-17 have crossed the target of
Rs 1.8 lakh crore.
• On April 14, 2017, the Income Tax department launched second phase of ‘Operation Clean Money’ under
which it will probe over 60000 individuals including 1300 ‘high risk’ individuals.
RBI- Prompt Corrective Action (PCA) framework
To ease bad debt in the system, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had revised Prompt Corrective Action (PCA)
framework for banks which will be effective from April 1, 2017. The revised framework is applicable to all banks,
including foreign banks and small banks.
Parameters Risk Threshold 1 Risk Threshold 2
Capital Adequacy Ratio below 10.25% or common equity tier –I below 7.75% or common equity tier –I
(CAR) (Falls) (CET1) capital ratio falls below 6.75% (CET1) capital ratio falls below 5.125%
Net Non-Performing Above 6% above 12%
Assets (NPA) (Rises )
Leverage Ratio (falls) Below 4% below 3.5%
Time Two consecutive years of negative Return on Three consecutive years of negative Return
Assets (RoA) on Assets (RoA)
Consequences Restriction on dividend distribution. Restriction on expansion of
Promoters/Owners (or parent organisation in branches(domestic as well as overseas)
case of foreign banks) will have to infuse
more capital
When Breach in Risk Thersold 1-Common Equity Tier –I (CET1) capital ratio falls below 3.625% in combination
with NPA above 12% for four consecutive years of negative Return on Assets (RoA)
• IRDAI unveils portal for insurers to sell policies online. The portal name is isnp.irda.gov.in. All the Insurance
companies, Brokers and Corporate agents now can sell insurance policies through online platform.
• The Bank Board Bureau (BBB) has developed a Governance Reward and Accountability (GRAF)framework
for the public sector banks.
• As per ‘Migration and Development Brief’ released by World Bank, India is world’s largest remittance
recipient for the year 2016. Remittance inflows to India amounted to $62.7 billion in 2016. However, there
has been a drop of 8.9% as compared to $68.9 billion received in 2015.Global remittances amounted to $575
billion in 2016, which is a 2% drop as compared to $582 billion remitted in 2015.
• Filing of declarations about tax payment and deposits under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan
Yojna (PMGKY) has been extended up to May 10 for black money holders.
• Nirjuli village-1 in Papum Pare district was declared as the first digital village of Arunachal Pradesh. It aims
to improve connectivity to speed up socio-economic development of the masses.
• EPFO( Employess Provident fund Organisation) has decided to reduce the interest rate on Provident Fund
Deposits to 65% from 8.8%.
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• State Bank of India (SBI) surpassed ONGC to become the most valued public sector undertaking (PSU) state-
owned firm in terms of market valuation.
• Punjab National Bank (PNB) has launched three new products for its customers on the occasion
of 123rd foundation Day. PNB Headquarter is in New Delhi and was founded on 12th April 1895.
• A new Memorandum of Understanding has signed between The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Royal
Monetary Authority of Bhutan.
• The Reserve Bank has started a new office at Raipur for Chattisgrah and for Jammmu.Focus is to look into the
grievances of residents and entities.
• ICICI Bank Data Centre has become country’s first Platinum rated project under IGBC Green Data Centre
Rating System. Main objective of becoming partner with IGBC is to bring the Green Building movement in
the country.
• The RBI has allowed banks to invest up to 10 per cent of the unit capital of a Real Estate Investment
Trust (REITs) or Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs).
• India contributes USD 250000 to the United Nations programme for helping countries to hold elections and
develop their electoral systems.
• Au Financiers India is a non-banking finance company that has converted into a small finance bank and
called AU Small Finance. AU NBFC had a network of 300 branches spread across 10 States — Rajasthan,
Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Goa
• Payment Technology company will going to launch Payments bank FinoPaytech. It helps to facilitate
NABARD to help the rural bank digitization drive in the states of Haryana, MP, Bihar, Gujarat and
Maharashtra.
• World Bank predicts India’s gross domestic product (GDP) to 7.2% in the 2017-2018 from 6.8% in this fiscal
year.Title of the World Bank report is “Globalization Backlash”. According to Globalization Backlash India’s
economic growth will rise to 7.7% in 2019-2020.
• The central bank of India the Reserve Bank is set to issue new Rs 10 and Rs 5 coins. Rs 10 Coin has been
minted to celebrate 125th year of National Archives of India. Rs 5 coins to celebrate 150th anniversary of
Allahabad High Court.
• Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 26 April 2017 issued draft guidelines on cross border Merger and
Acquisitions transactions. The draft regulations will be known as 'Foreign Exchange Management (Cross
Border Merger) Regulations'.
• Microfinance Institutions Network (MFIN), a self-regulatory organization and industry association of the
microfinance industry in India launched the financial literacy mobile app for microfinance clients on April 25,
2017.
• GIC Re has become the first re-insurer company to open an office at India’s first International Financial
Services Centre (IFSC) at Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City).
• International Monetary Fund has mentioned the Goods and Services Tax(GST) to be implemented from July
1, 2017. GST would help raise India’s medium-term growth to above 8%.
• This small Panchayat ward in Kerala has become the first one to go digital in the country.
• As per a new financial norm, all bank accounts opened between July 1, 2014 and August 31, 2015, as well as
investments made during this period in mutual funds and Insurance schemes will freeze if FATCA
compliance has been not filed by April 30, 2017.
• On April 28, 2017, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said that all the existing asset reconstruction companies
(ARCs) must have a minimum Net Owned Fund (NOF) of Rs100 crore by March 2019. Minimum NOF of Rs
100 crore for ARCs was proposed by RBI in the first bi-monthly monetary policy review for FY 2017-18.
• Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has barred resident as well as non-resident Indians (NRIs) from
making investments through participatory notes (P-Notes).
• Paytm launched ‘Digital Gold’ on its platform to allow customers to buy and sell gold through electronic
platform. It is the first wealth management product that was launched in partnership with gold refiner MMTC-
PAMP.
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• Yes Bank, a Private sector lender has announced a tie up with Paisabazaar.com. Under which the bank will
offer conditionally approved loans to the existing customers.
BUSINESS
• On March 31, 2017, 1,000 MW Atomic Power Reactor has begun its 1 year period of warranty operation
at Kundankulam Nuclear Power Project (KNPP) in Tamil Nadu. This was the 2nd unit to be successfully
launched for commercial operation out of 4 units. The information was announced by the Russian builders.
• National Thermal Power Corporation Limited (NTPC) successfully crossed the 50 GW power generation
capacity on April 1, 2017.
• National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), the drug price regulator increased price of stents by
around 2 percent effective after taking into account the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) on April 1, 2017.
• For the first time, Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) on April 2, 2017 assigned a task of making two
Full Multi-Crore Heavy Duty Satellites to Alpha Design Technologies, a private sector high-tech defense
equipment supplier. A sum of Rs 400 crore is signed up with the company to give India its first large private
satellite.
• Central government has approved the procurement of a fresh batch of Barak surface-to-air missiles for its
naval warships on April 3, 2017. The missiles will be procured under buy global category from Rafael
Advance Defense Systems Limited of Israel at an approximate cost of 77 million USD.
• A landmark contract for Alternate Fuel was signed by Indian Railways with Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited
for constructing the 2 Megawatt roof top solar power plant under the government's incentive scheme.
• Israel Aerospace Industries signs $2 billion with India. This is the largest arms deal in the history of Israel's
defense industries.The deal made a $1.6 billion contract to deliver a medium-range surface-to-air missile
defense system(MRSAM), and a $400 million contract for a long-range surface-to-air missile defense
system(LRSAM).
• India set to become the world’s largest steel producer after China while boosting exports to the highest ever.
India becomes the “Bright Spot”for growth in the global steel industry. India will overtake Japan as
the second biggest producer by 2019.
• The agreement of 2 MWp Roof Top SPV Systems to be installed at Diesel loco Modernization
Works (DMW), Patiala was signed between Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited BHEL & IROAF (Indian
Railways Organisation for Alternate Fuels).
• Nokia inks Mous with Airtel and BSNL to bring 5G network in India. 5G connectivity is expected to take
place during 2019-2020.
• India and Georgia signed a joint statement on the launch of Joint feasibility study on the bilateral free trade
agreement.
• US-based tech giant Cisco has launched its fifth global cyber range lab in Gurugram, Haryana with an aim to
train Indian firms and government agencies on real-world cyber attacks. The facility was inaugurated
by National Cyber Security Coordinator Gulshan Rai.
• The Central Processing Centre in Benglaru gets new pin code for taxpayers benefit. The new pin code is-
560500-while the CPC earlier old pin code was--560100.
• The RBI has allowed Aditya Birla Group firm Grasim Industries to raise the foreign shareholding to 49%
from 30%.
• A Wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Motors, The TAL Manufacturing Solutions has launched a Made-In-India
Robot.TAL Brabo is the first robot which is deliberately designed in India.It is designed for manufacturing
units across the world.
• The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the PM Narendra Modi has given its approval for
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listing of the following 11 Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) on stock exchanges.
• The government has approved guidelines on service charge. It is not mandatory for customers to pay service
charges in hotels and restaurant bills according to the Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas
Paswan.
• “Quality Mark” Award Scheme for dairy Cooperatives has been initiated to promote and encourage
enhancement of safety, quality and hygiene of milk and milk products manufactured by dairy cooperatives
(National Dairy Development Board (NDDB)).
• Reliance Industries CEO Mukesh Ambani has regained its status as India's most valued firm by market
capitalization. Reliance Industries has overtaken Tata Group's crown jewel TCS.
• The government has raised over Rs 1,200 crore through the sale of 9.2 per cent stake in Nalco National
Aluminium Company Ltd (Nalco) is the first disinvestment of the current fiscal that has started on April 1.
• BHEL (Bharat heavy electrical ltd.) has commissioned 2 units of 270 MW at Rattan India Nashik Power ltd.
This is the project of 270 MW unit commissioned by BHEL in Phase-1 of the project. The 5*270 MW
Thermal Power project located at Sinnar in Nashik district of Maharashtra.
• The Red chillies farmers of Andhra Pradesh has to suffer a lot due to the price crash of chillies from Rs
12000-14000 per quintal last year to below Rs 5,000 per quintal this year at the Guntur Chilli market yard
• The Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) has planned to build a new oil terminal at Motihari in Bihar to Nepal from
the planned pipeline up to Amlekganj in Nepal.
The 69-km Motihari-Amlekganj pipeline will be built at a cost of Rs.325 crore.
• India has replaced Japan as the world’s second-largest importer of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).Import of
LPG, which is mostly used as cooking fuel in India, during 2016 -17 was 11 Million Tonnes.
• Indian mangoes will be imported to Australia for the first time after protocols were revised to allow the Asian-
grown fruit into the local economy.
• For a period of five years India has imposed an anti-dumping duty of up to USD 135.40 per tonne on
imports of a chemical used in foam making from Thailand.
• Brazilian aerospace major Embraer has partnered with state owned Air India to maintain its brand of private
and business jets in the entire South east Asian region.
• The Tamil Nadu government signed an agreement with Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BBNL). It is
aimed to implement the Centre's rural internet connectivity programme"Bharatnet”.
• Infosys a global leader in consulting, technology and outsourcing has launched the next-generation services
called Infosys Nia.
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

• N Chandrababu Naidu, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh has been selected for the US India Business
Council (USIBC) award. The award is to be presented at the 2nd Annual West Coast Summit to be held in
Menlo Park, California on May 8, 2017.
• Dawit Isaak, an imprisoned Eritrean-Swedish journalist has been chosen for the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano
World Press Freedom Prize 2017 dedicated to promoting press freedom. The award is to be presented on May
3, 2017.
• Lance Havildar Prem Bahadur Resmi Magar of Gorkha Rifles has been conferred with Kirti Chakra by
President Pranab Mukherjee at the defence investiture ceremony in New Delhi.
• Asha Khemka, an Indian-origin educationist in the United Kingdom (UK) has been named the 'Asian
Businesswoman of the Year' at the 5th annual Asian Business Awards Midlands, which honours the
outstanding achievements of local Asian businesses. The award ceremony was held at Edgbaston cricket
ground in Birmingham, UK.
• NTR National Film Award for the year 2012 and 2013 were announced at the Film Development Corporation
office in Hyderabad by Andhra Pradesh government. Each NTR award winners will get Rs.5 lakh and a
citation.
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NTR National Film Award 2012: S. P. Balasubrahmanyam(Singer)

Raghupathi Venkaiah Film award - Kodi Rama Krishna(Director)
NTR National Film Award 2013: Hema Malini(Actor)
64th National Awards - List of winners
Category Film Awardee/s
Best FEATURE FILM Kasaav (Marathi) Director: Sumitra Bhave & Sunil Sukthankar
Producer: Sumittra Bhave, Sunil Sukthankar &
Mohan Aghase
BEST POPULAR FILM Sathamanam Bhavathi Director: Satish Vagesna Producer: V.Venkata
PROVIDING WHOLESOME (Telugu) Ramana Reddy
ENTERTAINMENT
BEST FILM ON SOCIAL ISSUES Pink (Hindi) Director: Anniruddha Roy Chowdhury
Producer: Rashmi Sharma Films
BEST FILM ON ENVIRONMENT Loktak Lairembee Director & Producer: Haoban Paban Kumar
CONSERVATION/ (Manipuri)
PRESERVATION
BEST CHILDREN’S FILM Dhanak (Hindi) Director: Nagesh Kukunoor Producer:
Drishyam Film
BEST ANIMATION FILM Mahayodha Rama Director: Rohit Vaid
(Hindi) Producer: Contiloe Pictures Pvt. Ltd.
Animator: Deepak S.V
NARGIS DUTT AWARD FOR Dikchow Banat Palaax Director: Sanjib Sabha Pandit Producer:
BEST FEATURE FILM ON (Assamese) Canvascope
NATIONAL INTEGRATION
BEST ACTOR Rustom (Hindi) Akshay Kumar
BEST ACTRESS Minnaminungu – the Surabhi C.M
Firefly (Malayalam)
BEST CHILD ARTIST a). Kunju Daivam a) Adish Praveen
(Malayalam) b) Sahaj b) Nur Islam and Samiul Alam
Pather Gappo (Bengali) c) Manohara. K
c) Railway Children
(Kannada)
• Judge Tej Bahadur Singh Family Court Judge Created Guinness World Record – 6065 Cases in 327 working
days.This is also the highest number of cases ever disposed of in the country.
• Colson Whitehead wins Pulitzer prize in Fiction for The Underground Railroad. This is the 101st edition of
Pulitzer Prizes.
• Professors from Japan, USA to be honoured for promoting Hindi.26 writers including 2 Japanese and
American Professors will be privileged for Hindi Sevi Samman by President Pranab Mukherjee for their
efforts to promote the language.
• On April 12, 2017, President Pranab Mukherjee conferred National Geoscience Awards 2016 on 27 bright
Geo-scientists of India. The awards were conferred at a ceremony held in Rashtrapati Bhawan. Young
Scientist Award – 2016: Dr. Abhishek Saha, NIO, Goa
• President Pranab Mukherjee presented Scope excellence awards to honor the outstanding Central Public
Sector enterprises.
• An Indian software engineer Abdulqadir Rashik has won the top prize at a global challenge for an open-source
tool.
• Veteran actor Dilip Kumar was honoured with the Living Legend Lifetime Award by the Punjab Association.
• The Union Ministry of Agriculture has selected Himachal Pradesh for the Krishi Karman Award 2015-16 for
increase in food grains production.
• American Helicopter Society (AHS) International has awarded 'World's Outstanding Aerospace Engineer
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Leadership Award' to Dr. Arvind Sinha - an India-born aeronautics engineer, currently based in Australia.
• Tirupati Jain is an environmental enginner who won a Cartier Women’s Initiative Award.She has chosen by
an Independent International Jury.The Awardee will receive $100000 prize money.
• The 6th edition of M.S. Swaminathan Award for honouring outstanding contribution in the field of agriculture
has been given to Rayappa Ramappa Hanchinal - Chairperson of Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers
Rights Authority.
• Bollywood Superstar Shah Rukh Khan was honoured with a tribute at the ongoing 60th San Francisco
International Film Festival (SFIFF) in USA.
Krishi Karman Award Winners
Madhya Pradesh (MP) For highest production of wheat.
Tamil Nadu (Category I) Food grains production is higher than 10 million tones
Himachal Pradesh food grains production is between 1 – 10 million tones
Tripura Category III Food grains production is lesser 1 million tonnes.
Meghalaya Commendation award for total food grains production.
• Veteran Bollywood actress Saira Banu and actor Jackie Shroff have been named by Maharashtra State Govt.
for Raj Kapoor Lifetime Achievement Award and Raj Kapoor Special Contribution award respectively.
• The Giuseppina (Giusi) Nicolini has awarded the peace prize by UNESCO. She is the mayor of the Italian
island of Lampedusa.
• British Pop singer turned fashion designer, Victoria Beckham has been made an Officer of the Most Excellent
Order of the British Empire.
• 91 year old gynaecologist Dr Bhakti Yadav, the first woman doctor from Indore has received the Padma Shri
Award at her home.
• Golf Industry Association awards 2017 has been won by Golfers Aditi Ashok, S.S.P Chawrasia and Ali
Sher on 20th April 2017. Aditi Ashok has given the award for Outstanding Achievement. SSP Chawrasia has
given the award for the Men's Player of the Year (2016).
• The Gujarat Narmada Valley Fertilizers & Chemicals Ltd (GNFC) won the prestigious Golden Peacock
Award. It was given on 19th April 2017.
• Indonesia Island Bali has been presented with 2017 Travelers' Choice Awards by American travel website
company TripAdvisor.
• Bengal film Journalists Association Awards (BFJA) has been given to Veteran actress Moushumi Chatterjee.
It is a lifetime achievement award. The BFJA is the oldest association of film scribes in the country.
• All India Radio (AIR) Aizawl has been honoured with the prestigious "Lelte Award". Lelte is a popular
Weekly Magazine in Mizoram which hit the stand since 1983.
• Shambhavi Puraskar, 2017 has been persented to Hari Sankar Rout for his noteworthy contribution
towards social change.
• On April, 17, 2017, D.V. Sadananda Gowda - Union Minister for Statistics and Programme Implementation,
conferred the Dr. Paduru Gururaja Bhat Memorial Award 2017 on historian and archaeologist Prof. A.V.
Narasimha Murthi in Udipi, Karnataka
Aniruddhan Vasudevans has been chosen for Sahitya Academy award.He is chosen for his novel "One Part
Woman", a translation of Perumal Murugans controversial Tamil novel "Maadhorubaagan".
• Raj Kumar, a Hindu youth from Pakistan has been selected for the prestigious ‘Emerging Young Leaders
Award’ given by the US State Department for the positive role played by youngsters in building sustainable
peace.
• The Dinanath Mangeshkar Awards has been given to Actor Aamir Khan and kapildev cricketer. It is
the 75th Master Dinanath Mangeshkar Award.
• National Safety Council’s ‘NSCI Safety Awards’ for the year 2016 were presented by Mr. Bandaru
Dattatreya - Minister of State (Independent Charge), Labour & Employment on April 20, 2017 in New Delhi.
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The Winners of Sarva Shreshtha Suraksha Puraskar are as follows:

Sector Awardees
Manufacturing Sector IOCL- Digboi Refinery
National Fertilisers Ltd., Panipat, Haryana
NPCIL, Kaiga Generating Station 3 & 4, Kaiga, Uttar Kannada,
Karnataka
Construction Sector L & T Ltd., Rawatbhata, Chittorgarh, Rajasthan
MSME Sector Godrej & Boyce Mfg. Co. Ltd., Electricals & Electronics, Bhiwandi,
Thane, Maharashtra
• Japan has selected former Union Minister Ashwani Kumar for this year’s 'Order of the Rising Sun' award for
his contribution to strengthening of bilateral ties between Japan and India.
• Sudarsan Pattnaik is an internationally renowned sand artist. He won the jury prize gold medal at the 10th
Moscow Sand art Championship at Kolomenskoye, Moscow in Russia. The theme for the competition
was "The world around us".
• Legendary filmmaker and actor Kasinathuni Viswanath conferred prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke award
• Two Indian-American, Ritu Raju and Sundeep R Muppidi selected for ACE fellowship
• World’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer Hero MotoCorp was get the ‘Indian MNC of the year‘. It was
given by All India Management Association.
• The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee presented CII President’s Award for Lifetime Achievement to
Mr. Rahul Bajaj and CII foundation Woman modal Award in New Delhi.
• Srishti Kaur of India has been crowned Miss Teen Universe 2017 at Managua. Srishti won after beating 25
contestants from across the world. She also bagged an award for the best national costume.
• Vani Jairam a versatile playback singer was received the Ghantasala national award. It was instituted by
the Ghantasala National Art Academy.
• Dileep K Nair, the youngest ever chancellor of any university in India has received Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar
International Foundation Kerala State award for the year 2016-17 for excellent performance in the field of
education.
• 65 year-old social activist, Prafulla Samantra has been announced as one of the six winners of 2017 Goldman
Environmental Prize.
• P C Chandra Puraskar has been given to Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi on 23 April 2017.
• Actor Rajkummar Rao-starrer film ‘Newton’ in April 2017 won the best film honour at the 41st Hong Kong
International Film Festival (HKIFF).
• Bhubaneswar the capital city of Odisha has been selected for the 2017 Pierre L'Enfant International Planning
Excellence Award by American Planning Association (APA). Bhubaneswar has become the first Indian city to
win this award.
• Kerala-born, UAE-based entrepreneur Yusaffali MA’ food processing plant ‘Y International (UK) Ltd’ in
Britain has won the prestigious Queen's Enterprise Award 2017 for its exceptional contribution to the UK's
trade, industry and economy. ‘Y International (UK) Ltd’has been chosen for this award in ‘International
Trade’ category.
• Yes Bank has won the prestigious ‘Golden Peacock Innovative Product Service Award 2017’.
• Karnataka Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Depthas bagged e-Puraskar Award. They receive for the
best performance in empowering panchayats by using Information and Communication Technology tools, for
2016-17.
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APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNS

Name Designation
Tapan Singhel (re-appointed) Bajaj Allianz General CEO
Ajit Kumar Srivastava & Shabri Bhattasali CBDT members
Mahabaleshwara MS MD and CEO of Karnataka Bank
Achim Steiner Administrator of UNDP
Justice Gita Mittal Acting Chief Justice of Delhi HC
Actress Kristin Davis UNHCR goodwill ambassador
B Venugopal, Sunita Sharma Govt MDs at LIC
Harbhajan Singh Ambassador for ICC Champions Trophy (among Eight
)
Sheela Patel named by the UN chief to panel on Urban development
Gynaecologist Dr Duru Shah President of the Indian Society for Assisted
Reproduction (ISAR).
Himanta Biswa Sarma Badminton Association of India's interim President
Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) chairman
Vinay Shah MD & CEO of LIC Housing Finance
B.N. Mohapatra Railway Financial Commissioner
Iran bars Mahmoud Ahmadinejad from running for President
Nita Ambani Member of IOC’s important commissions
Shri Rajiv Rai Bhatnagar DG, CRPF
Shri RK Pachnanda DG, ITBP
Yushra Mardini UNHCR goodwill ambassador
T Krishnakumar Coca-cola India’s new chief
Ilir Meta President of Albania
Mridul Gehlot President of kabaddi federation
Rajiv Kumar Chander Permanent Representative to Geneva UN offices from
India.
Lenin Moreno Ecuador President.
Indira Banerjee New Chief Justice of Madras High Court
Mahesh Kumar Jain IDBI bank MD and CEO
K Kharat MD and CEO of Indian Bank
MS Dhoni CEO of Gulf Oil for 1 day
Brayan Jimenez banned for life-time by FIFA
DGP Geetha Johri Gujarat’s first woman police chief
Aliza Knox (quits) Twitter’s VP of Asia Pacific
Prithika Yashini India’s first transgender police officer Tamilnadu
Police Dept
Malvika Sinha New Executive Director of RBI
Kenichi Yokoyama New Country Director of India Resident Mission of the
Asian Development Bank (ADB).
Quatrro's Raman Roy CEO of NASSCOM
Rishad Premji vice chairman of NASSCOM
Former Supreme Court judge Shiva Kirti Head of Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate
Singh Tribunal(TDSAT).
Mukta Dutta Tomar New Ambassador of India to Germany
Anuja dhir First non-white circuit judge at Old Bailey in London
Smita Sandhane MD of Saraswat Co-operative Bank.
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S.N. Subrahmanyan CEO -Larsen and Toubro Ltd (L&T)

Foreign Coaches in Athletics
Name Sports
Dave Smith (Australia) Race walking
Galina P Bukharina (USA) 400m and 400m relay
Dmitry Kislev (Russia) Masseur
Elmira Kisleva (Russia) Masseur.
ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS

• ICICI Venture is planning to do a new project by investing $20 million to acquire a considerable stake
in Theobroma, owned and managed bakery, patisserie and chocolate based in Mumbai, India.
• Flipkart announced its biggest funding and it is buying eBay’s Indian operations and marked drastic moves by
the country’s largest online retailer. It builds a ‘mahagathbandhan’ of global tech giants to counter Amazon.
This buy was a part of its mega fund raising of $1.4 Bn.
• Natural resources major Vedanta Ltd. merger with subsidiary energy firm Cairn India has become effective.
• Anil Agarwal buys 11.4% of minor Anglo American and becomes the 2nd largest holder in Anglo
American.Indian billionaire Anil Agarwal has become the second largest shareholder in Anglo American after
acquiring the shares of 11.44 per cent of the British mining group
• HCL Technologies ,India's fourth largest software services will acquire US- based Urban Fulfillment Services
(UFS) for up to $30 million (over Rs 193 crore) in cash to boost its mortgage business process
outsourcing(BPO) business.
MoUs
• Cabinet approves MoU between Forum of Regulators and the National Association of Regulatory Utility
Commissioners.
• Union Cabinet has Cleared Revised Air Service Pacts With Malaysia, Serbia in accordance with the latest
template of International Civil Aviation Organisation and have factored in the recent developments in civil
aviation sector.
• The Agreement was signed between Indian Ministry of Rural Development and Centre on Integrated Rural
Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP). The CIRDAP centre will be setup at National Institute of
Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRD&PR), Hyderabad.
• Cabinet approves MoU between India and Australia on cooperation in the field of Health and Medicine
• Ahead of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's official visit to India from April 7 to 10, Indian cabinet
approved various bilateral MoUs with Bangladesh. These MoUs pertain to cooperation in following areas:
• Agreement on Audio Visual Co-production:
• MoU on cooperation in the field of Mass Media:
• MoU on passenger cruise services on the coastal and protocol routes:
• Cabinet approves MoU between India and France on Technical Cooperation in Civil Aviation
• Cabinet approves Air Services Agreement between India and Georgia
• Air Services Agreement (ASA) between India and Georgia has been approved by Union Cabinet chaired by
the PM Modi.
• Union Cabinet has given its approval for signing a Collaborative Agreement with French National Research
Agency (ANR), France for supporting the Belmont Forum Secretariat. The estimated expenditure to support
Belmont Forum Secretariat (currently hosted at ANR) from January 2015 to December 2017 will be Euro
40,000.
• Cabinet apprised of the MoU with Ferrovie Dello Stato Italiane S.P.A. of Italy on Technical Cooperation in
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the Rail Sector.

• India-UK Agree on New Areas of Economic Cooperation.
• US President Donald Trump and President of the People's Republic of China & Chairman of the Central
Military Commission, Xi Jinping have agreed to pursue a '100-day plan' aimed at reducing the US trade deficit
with China.
• A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in the field of justice between India and the North
African country, Tunisia has been approved by the Union Cabinet.
• The MOU has signed between NSFDC and the Development Commissioner (Handlooms).The main objective
of signing this MOU is to help and promote production and marketing of high value quality Handlooms
products among Scheduled class weavers.
• A MoU has signed between the Indian academy of Highway Engineers and the University of New South
Wales, Australia. The agreement is signed to bring the innovation in the transportation sector.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has signed an MoU with the Bank of Guyana on "Supervisory Cooperation
and Exchange of Supervisory Information". The MoU was signed with an aim to promote greater co-operation
and share supervisory information.
• A MoU has signed between CII and 3 Singapore Universities at the ASEAN-India Business Forum held in
Singapore. The MoUs signatories are Nanyang Technological University, National University of Singapore
and Singapore Management University.
• The MoU has signed between Indian space Research Organization (ISRO) and Bharat Heavy electrical
Limited (BHEL) to develop low-cost lithium ion batteries for electric vehicles and also an agreement of
buyback commitment for such batteries.
• HPCL and Rajasthan Govt. sign revised Rs 43129 crore Mou for Barmer refinery
• India and the Republic of Korea (RoK) have signed an Inter-governmental Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) for Defence Industry Co-operation in Shipbuilding.
• Maharastra govt. sign MoU with Railways to expand Green cover & Railways to set up Rs 200 Crore Solar
Power Plant. The Indian Railways is looking to set up a solar power plant in Bhilai (Chhattisgarh) where it has
spare land, through Railway Energy Management Company Limited (REMCL)
• SBI and CREDAI have signed an agreement to provide loans at a concessional rate to builders as well as
customers for affordable housing projects. SBI will provide 10 basis points concession to home buyers
and 10-35 basis points to CREDAI’s developer members.
• TERI, French firm sign MoU for 'Clean India'to strengthen India’s waste management capabilities a Delhi-
based green body, a French waste company and a Geneva-based innovation foundation have joined hands
with one another.
• A tripartite Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between BBNL, Department of Posts and BSNL.
It provides broadband connectivity of BharatNet to Post Offices in rural areas.
SCHEMES
• Thaawarchand Gehlot, Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment launched, first of its kind “Rashtriya
Vayoshri Yojana” in Nellore; Andhra Pradesh aimed to make life comfortable for senior citizens of India.
This scheme has been launched for providing Physical Aids and Assisted-living Devices to Senior Citizens
belonging to Below Poverty Line (BPL) category who suffer from age related problems viz. hearing
impairment, low vision, dental problems etc.
• Union Textiles Minister, Ms. Smriti Irani launched PowerTex India Scheme on 1stApril 2017 at Bhiwandi in
Thane district of Maharashtra. It is a gamut of schemes aimed at development of powerloom sector in India
with a special focus on small powerloom weavers. The scheme was simultaneously launched at 45 locations
across India.
• The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Government of India (GoI)
and Mizoram under the scheme Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana (UDAY). The agreement was signed for
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operational improvement of the State’s Power Distribution Department. The state becomes 27th State to join
UDAY scheme.
• As per a notification issued by Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises, benefits to given to mild
hybrid vehicles under FAME India scheme have been withdrawn with effect from 1st April 2017. The
notification also clarified that decision does not apply to sales of mild hybrid vehicles made to retail
purchasers up to 31st March 2017.
• The number of people benefitting from the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana for providing (Liquefied
Petroleum Gas) LPG connections to Below Poverty Line (BPL) households has crossed 2 crore mark. This
feat has been accomplished in less than a year’s time since its launch.
• Union Cabinet has approved closure of the Mahatma Gandhi Pravasi Suraksha Yojana (MGPSY). This
scheme was launched in 2012 to provide insurance, resettlement expenses and other social security needs of
blue collar workers going abroad for work to Emigration Check Required (ECR) countries.
• Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has launched subsidized meal scheme at Rs.5 in
Gwalior. This scheme helps people to get economical nutritious and good quality food under the Deendayal
Rasoi Yojana at cheaper rates. It is launched in 49 districts across the state.
• The Government has reduced the number of Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) from 66 to 28 and effective
from the financial year 2016-2017. Centrally Sponsored Schemes are implemented by state governments of
India but are funded by Central government with a defined State government share.
• The Uttar Pradesh State Govt., headed by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has stalled the Samajwadi Pension
Scheme of the previous Samajwadi Party Govt. under Akhilesh Yadav.
• Union Food Processing Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal has announced that her ministry will soon approach
the Cabinet for the approval for an umbrella programme ‘Scheme for Agro-Marine Produce Processing and
Development of Agro-Processing Clusters (SAMPADA) with 6000 crore.
• Andhra Pradesh CM relaunches Adarana, a scheme for improving traditional occupations.It includes modern
tools, technology, marketing, and financial support that are for the artisans.
• MOU has been signed between Uttar Pradesh government and Centre for the “Power for All” to provide
electric connection to every house and agriculture field by 2019. The cost of the project will be 40 thousand
crore and 20 thousand crore will be spent till 2018.
• Maharashtra State Govt. has announced ‘Advanced Farming – Enriched Farmer’ scheme, with an aim to
increase farmers’ income by cutting production cost and increasing the output. The scheme will be launched
in the upcoming kharif season.
• The Bengal government has launched the scheme for unorganized sectors and self-employed people.5 crore
people will get benefit from the Social Security Yojana and around 1 crore will get direct benefit.
• Haryana extends Accidental insurance cover to all residents. One of the most prominent schemes of Modi
government Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) has been implemented by the Haryana
government.
• Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad launches Pro bono Services, Legal Aid Schemes, Nyaya Mitra
The CPI (M)-led LDF government in Kerala has decided to provide pension to former circus artistes in the
state.
• On April 26, 2017, Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged-off first UDAN flight from Shimla to Delhi under
the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS). PM Modi also flagged off UDAN flights from Kadapa (Andhra
Pradesh) to Hyderabad and Nanded (Maharashtra) to Hyderabad through video conferencing link.
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COMMITTEE
• The Government has set up an inter-ministerial committee to monitor the regional air connectivity scheme
UDAN which seeks to make flying affordable by connecting unserved and under-served airports.
• The committee constituted to prepare draft Ganga Act submitted its report to the Union Minister of Water
Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation to Uma Bharti in New Delhi. The Chairman of this
committee is Justice Shri Girdhar Malviya.
• Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance has made an Inter- Disciplinary Committee chaired
by Dinesh Sharma, to examine existing framework regarding Virtual currencies.
• On Implementation of 7th pay commission in educational institutions after teachers associations the HRD
ministry forms a committee headed by Higher education secretary, Kewal Kumar Sharma
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

• Researchers from the University of Birmingham and Newcastle University in the United Kingdom have found
a drug to fight against drug resistant superbugs on April 1, 2017. The process was clearly explained by Tony
De Soyza, Senior Lecturer at Newcastle University.
• The Madhya Pradesh government has launched mobile application MP e-Nagarpalika to provide various
municipal services online. The App was launched by Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Shivraj Singh
Chouhan.The mobile app is the part of Rs 225-crore e-nagarpalika project, under which all municipal services
would be made available online on a unified web platform.
• A group of scientist from India has discovered indications of a massive planet orbiting a low mass X-ray
binary star system. The planet was discovered by scientists from Raman Research Institute,
Bangalore and University of Delhi. The X-ray binary star system is named as MXB 1658-298.
• Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of State (I/C) for Petroleum and Natural Gas officially launched the low
emission Bharat stage (BS)-IV Grade fuel in Bhubaneswar on April 1, 2017. The launch was made on the
special occasion of Utkal Diwas which is the foundation day of Odisha.
• Online tax filing portal ClearTax.com announced that it has developed a technology platform to help
businesses comply with the provisions of GST law.
• Morocco King Launches Final Stage of Largest Solar Plant in The World. The plant is based on photovoltaic
(PV) technology, which spanned over an area of 137 hectares (1.37 square km).The cost of this plant is
nearly 75 million U.S. dollars.
• The Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Hansraj Gangaram Ahir launched the website,
http://npdrr2-mha.net.in, during the meeting of National Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction (NPDRR). This
is an exclusive website to share all information related to the NPDRR.
• The Department of Science and Technology (DST) under Union Ministry of Science and Technology has
initiated a Cyber Physical Systems (CPS) programme.This programme has a financial outlay of Rs. 3000
crore, out of which Rs. 100 crore have been earmarked in the current financial year itself.
• The Government is going to geo-tag all the agricultural assets in the country for better land and crop
management. Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh is going to sign a Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) with National Remote Sensing Agency (NRSA), ISRO, for geo-tagging the agriculture land created
under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna (RKVA) in the country.
• Astronomers have detected an atmosphere around the super-Earth GJ 1132b marks the first time that an
atmosphere has been detected around an Earth-like planet.
• Scientists have discovered a protein which helps to make vaccinations provide protection from diseases such
as cancer, HIV, and influenza before they have a chance to establish within the body.
• Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the web portal and mobile application named “Bharat ke
Veer” to enable the willing donors to contribute towards the family of soldiers who sacrificed his/her life in
line on duty.
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• NASA's Kepler space telescope have discovered a Venus-like planet orbiting a dim star and located 219 light-
years away.This new planet is slightly larger than Earth, and it tightly embrace its low-temperature star
called Kepler-1649, encircling it every nine days.
• Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal has launched an mobile application named ‘e-Sewa’ to provide
information about more than 250 schemes and programmes of 30 different departments
• Power Minister Piyush Goyal has launched the 'Urja Mitra' mobile application and Rural Feeder Monitoring
Scheme on April 11, 2017 in New Delhi.While Urban Jyoti Abhiyaan (Urja) app which was launched in June
2016 to monitor service delivery to consumers in towns.
• Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah launched a Mobile App ‘Suraksha’ for the safety of women in the city.
• NASA scientists have released a new global composite map of planet Earth at night as observed in 2016.
These maps show the clearest yet composite view of the patterns of human settlement across our planet.
Satellite images of Earth at night are referred to as “night lights”.
• The High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK) completed the experiment of the Belle-II
Tsukuba, Japan.
• On April 14, 2017, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu launched a new mobile app CM
Connect, at Secretariat at Velagapudi near Vijaywada. This mobile app runs on Microsoft’s Kaizala
platform and will be useful in receiving feedback from the public directly on any given issue.
• Researchers of CSIR National Institute of Oceanography have developed a platform of Robotic that can be
located at any depth from 0 to 200 meters.
• On April 14, 2017, Manipur Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren Singh launched two web applications to
check corruption and keep track of government activities. Digital Application for Review by Public And
Nation (DARPAN): This web application would upload details of projects right from the initial stage till
sanction of fund and photos of work-in-progress from sites.
• NASA’s Cassini spacecraft has detected gases on Enceladus and some earth- based bacteria are founded.
Enceladus is an icy moon of Saturn which hides an ocean and sprays water into space.
• Google has launched a new food delivery and home services App called Areo for the Indian market.It allows
user to order food or scheduled appointments with a local beautician, plumber, and painter, cleaner. It is
currently operated in Bangalore and Mumbai.
• Team of scientists, including Indian origin researchers Rahul Satija from New York University and Karthik
Shekhar from Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard in the US, have identified new types of blood cells in the
human immune system.
• Harayana launches mobile app Kilkari to create awareness among pregnant women
• The BrahMos supersonic cruise missile has successfully test fired. It is a land-attack version with an
extended range increased from 290 km to 450 km.
• Union HRD Minister Mr. Prakash Javadekar launched a portal and a mobile app of Rashtriya Uchchatar
Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) in New Delhi. He also released the Booklet “Digital Launch of Projects; Rashtriya
Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA)”
• Leading bot platform Gupshup has announced the launch of ‘InterBot’, a first of its type platform that enables
bot-to-bot communication. Ability to communicate will give bots human-like capabilities to transact, co-
ordinate, compete, collaborate and negotiate with each other.
• Mongolia has launched its first satellite Sat-1 Mongol on 19th April 2017.It is 1227 megahertz satellite.
• Amazon.com Inc. launched its content-streaming Fire TV Stick in India.The Fire TV Stick runs a customized
version of Android and has support for Android apps and games.
• China has launched its first unmanned Cargo Spacecraft named Tianzhou 1. It is programmed to conduct
scientific experiments after reaching China’s second space station.
• Malaysia Airline has become the first to use new satellite-based real-time global aircraft tracking
• ISRO has launched a solar calculator app that can calculate the benefits of installing solar panels in different
regions of the country. This app has been created by the Space Application Center (SAC). At present this app
can be downloaded from ‘New and Renewable Energy’ section at sac.gov.in.
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• India has successfully test-fired 3000 kilometre range Agni-III ballistic missile. It has launched from Abdul
Kalam Island off Odisha coast. It can carry a warhead of 1.5 tonne which is protected by carbon all composite
heat shield.
• Union Minister for Urban Development, Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation M Venkaiah
Naidu launched MyMSME Mobile App on 27 April 2017. Its aim is to access information on all schemes
implemented by the Ministry and as well as apply for any of them.
• The National Aeronautics and Space Administration(NASA) has successfully launched a super pressure
balloon to conduct near space scientific investigations. It is the the fifth attempt and it was launched from
South Island Wanaka Airport, New Zealand.
• China carried out maiden glide test of its first amphibious aircraft AG600, the largest in the world, in the
southern Chinese city of Zhuhai.
• On April 30th 2017,Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced South Asia Satellite will be launched on
May 5 and describing it as India's "priceless gift" to its neighbours as 'sabka sath, sabka vikas' (cooperation of
all, development for all) concept.
• NASA’s Cassini spacecraft completed its final close of Saturn’s moon Titan and has now started its final set
of 22 orbits before jumping into Saturn on September 15, 2017 and completed its 20-year long journey.
• By using an “artificial womb” the extremely premature babies could be kept alive in future. After a successful
study involving unborn lambs scientists plan to test in humans.
• China has launched its first domestically built aircraft carrier on 26 April 2017. It helps in transferring the ship
from a dry dock into open water in Dalian, a port city in China’s Liaoning Province.
• Indian Institute of Information Technology and Management-Kerala (IIITM-K) has launched an application
named Kaapi Soil Health Management and Monitoring (Kshemam).
DEFENCE
• INS Darshak, the Indian Navy's hydrographic survey ship is on a two-month deployment in the Sri
Lankan waters since March 3, 2017. INS Darshak was commissioned on April 28, 2001 at
Visakhapatnam under Eastern Naval Command of Indian Navy.
• INS Chennai a P 15A Guided Missile Destroyer of Indian Navy was dedicated to the city of Chennai on April
17, 2017.The ship has a complement of about 45 officers and 395 personnel.
• First ever Joint military exercise begin between Nepal and China named Sagarmatha Frienship 2017 in
Kathmandu.
• India- Mongolia military exercise training has started at Vairengte in Mizoram. Christened “Exercise
Nomadic Elephant- XII”aimed at training troops in operations like counter-terrorism and counter insurgency.
• The National Nuclear security Administration (NNSA) and US Air force have conducted a test of a
modification of the B61 atomic bomb.B61-12 bomb was tested without a nuclear warhead.
• On April 28, 2017, Indian Coast Guard ship, ICGS Varad, the eight in the Vikram-class offshore patrol vessel,
was decommissioned at Chennai Port. ICGS Varad was in service for 27 years.
• Indian Air Force introduced its frontline Su-30 MKI fighter aircraft into the 221 Squadron, ‘Valiants’, at its
base in Punjab to enhancing the IAF’s capabilities. Su-30 MKI is a state-of-the-art all-weather multi-role
fighter jet.
• A "joint doctrine" envisaging deeper operational synergies among the army, navy and air force was unveiled
on April 25, 2017. The three defence services will now follow a unified approach to deal with all possible
security challenges including conventional and proxy wars.
• The Indian Navy began a joint maritime exercise Varuna with the French Navy at the Mediterranean Sea. The
exercise was begun on 24th April 2017 and will be ended on 30th April 2017. It aims at deepening combat
coordination between the two navies.
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ENVIRONMENT
• Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences have identified a soil fungus which uses enzymes to
rapidly break down plastic materials. The research was published in the journal called Environmental
Pollution.
• The new tree-living species named Kani maranjandu has been found by Scientists from University of Kerala
in Kerala. It was stated in the Journal of Crustacean Biology.
• India's first DNA bank for wild animals will be setup by the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) at
Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh.It was informed by R K Sharma,director of IVRI.
• As per a report titled `Not For Sale`, published by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), nearly 30% of
World Heritage Sites are plagued by poaching, illegal logging and fishing.
• A temperate rocky 'Super-Earth' planet has been discovered.Temperate planet known as LHS 1140b is 39 light
years from Earth.
• Scientists have unearthed five ancient dinosaur egg fossils in China dating back to 70 million years.
• NASA scientists have discovered a new planet- OGLE-2016-BLG-1195lb- that has the same mass as Earth
and orbits its star from the same distance as Earth orbits the sun. The newly discovered planet is nearly 13,000
light-years away and orbits a small star.
• Scientist Federica Bertocchini and his colleagues of the Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology of
Cantabria in Spain have found that a caterpillar commercially bred for fishing bait has the ability to
biodegrade polyethylene.
SPORTS
• New Zealand all-rounder Grant Elliott has confirmed his retirement from international cricket on March 30,
2017. He will retire from cricket after playing his last T20 series against England.
• Joyciline Jepkosgei of Kenya broke three world records by winning the Prague Half Marathon in Czech
Republic on April 1, 2017. Defending champion Violah Jepchumba and Fancy Chemutai, both from Kenya
finished 2nd and 3rd respectively.
33rd edition - Miami Open 2017 at Crandon Park, Florida in USA - An Overview
CATEGORY WINNER’s RUNNER’s
Men’s single Roger Federer(Switzerland) Rafael Nadal (Spain)
Women’s single Johanna Konta (Great Britain) Caroline Wozniacki (Denmark)
Men’s doubles Łukasz Kubot (Poland)/ Marcelo Melo Nicholas Monroe (USA)/Jack
(Brazil) Sock (USA)
Women’s doubles Gabriela Dabrowski (Canada) /Xu Yifan Sania Mirza (India)/Barbora
(china) Strýcová (Czech Republic)
• Rio Olympics silver medalist P V Sindhu won championship in India Super Series tournament on April 2,
2017. She defeated the Olympic champion Carolina Marin from Spain in straight sets 21-19, 21-16.
• Mashrafe Mortaza(33) who led the Bangladesh international cricket team for One day and Twenty20
international matches has announced retirement from T20Is in Colombo.
• A right handed Indian international cricketer Virat Kolhi(28) was named as the Leading Cricketer in the
World for the year 2016 by Wisden India Almanack. Kohli also features on the cover of the 2017 edition of
the Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack. Besides Ellyse Perry of Australia has been named as Leading Woman
Cricketer in the World.
• After two decades, the Indian football team has risen to 101st from 132nd in the latest FIFA rankings which
was released on April 6, 2017. Brazil retained its top position.
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• Rio Olympics silver medallist P V Sindhu achieves a career-best world number two ranking in the latest
Badminton World Federation (BWF) rankings list. Badminton World Federation rankings as Chinese Taipei’s
Tai Tzu Ying stayed at first position.
• US based National Basketball Association (NBA) has launched its first basketball school in Mumbai, India on
April 7, 2017.More schools will be opened in India and around the world in this year. The school was opened
as part of a multi-year agreement with India On Track (IOT).
• The IPL team owned by Royal Challengers Sports Private Ltd, Royal Challengers Bangalore(RCB) joined
hands with the gaming entity Nazara Games have announced the launch of online cricket game named RCB
Star Cricket on April 7, 2017
• India has finished the Thailand International Tournament with two medals includes 1 gold medal and 1
bronze medal in Bangkok on April 8, 2017. Indian boxer K Shyam Kumar (49kg) won a gold medal for the
second time in Thailand International Tournament.
• Former captain of the Pakistan cricket team Younis Khan(39) has announced to retire from international
cricket matches after the 2017 test series against West Indies which will be ending on May 14 in Jamaica.
• Indian team stood top at the Asian Youth Chess Championship in Tashkent,
Uzbekistan. They elevated our country with 12 medals, including four gold medals.
• Mercedes team Driver Lewis Hamilton wins Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix for Mercedes
• The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has granted affiliation to the Boxing Federation of India (BFI), a long-
standing tie made between the two bodies.
2017 Malaysia Super Series Premier –Overview
CATEGORY WINNERS RUNNERS
Men’s Singles Lin Dan Lee Chong Wei
Women’s Singles Tai Tzu-Ying Carolin Marin
Men’s Doubles Marcus Fernaldi Gideon & Kevin Sanjaya Fu Haifeng & Zheng Siwei
Sukamuljo
Women’s Yuki Fukushima & Sayaka hirota Huang Yaqiong & Tang
Doubles Jinhua
Mixed Doubles Zheng Siwel & Chen Qingchen Lu Kai & Huang Yaqiong
• Marouane Fellaini (Belgian professional) becomes the first Muslim to captain Manchester United. He is the
world’s most expensive player.
• The US, Mexico and Canada finally announced the details for a joint bid for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.It
would be the first World cup hosted by three nations and the first jointly hosted World Cup.
• The Indian School team beat Malaysia 5-1 to lift the title at the Fifth Asian School Hockey Championship in
Bhopal at the Aishbagh Stadium. Indian Alishan Mohammad scored 2 goals and converted a penalty corner
and a penalty stoke in the goal.
• Pankaj Advani has won his 7th Title by defeating Sourav Kothari in the Asian Billiads Championship held in
Chandigarh . PankajA dvani is the 16th time world champion. Advani defeated Sourav Kothari by 6-3 in the
finals.
• Sai Praneeth has won the Men’s Single at Singapore Open Badminton championship. Srikanth is the first
Indian to won a Superseries title after defeating K Srikanth in Singapore.
• Former Ranji cricketer Tushar Arothe has been appointed as the coach of the Indian women’s cricket team.
• Cricket, Skateboarding, Sambo and Surfing are among the sports which have been removed from the 2018
Asian Games to be held in Jakarta and Palembang in Indonesia. Total number of events has been reduced
from 493 to 431.
• Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) won a Baharain Grand Prix by defeating Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes).It was held at
Baharain International circuit Baharain.Sebastian Vettel belongs from Germany.
• Pullela Gopichand a National Badminton coach daughter has won both single and double crown at the
Pembangunan Jaya Raya Junior Grand Prix in Jakarta. Gayatri teamed up with Samiya in doubles title and
win over Indonesian players of Kelly Larissa and Shelandry Vyola.
30 | P a g e
• Chris Gayle became the first cricketer to score 10,000 runs in T20 cricket. He accomplished this feat while
playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore against Gujarat Lions in an Indian Premier League (IPL), 2017
match.
• Visually impaired Indian runner Sagar Baheti completes historic Boston Marathon
• International Cricket Council (ICC) has named former Indian Cricket Team Captain, Sourav Ganguly and
former Australian Cricket Team Captain, Ricky Ponting as commentators for the upcoming Champions
Trophy, scheduled to be held in England from 1-8 June 2017.
• Five Indian Badminton players have been upgraded in the latest BWF rankings released on April 20, 2017.
Notably PV Sindhu: Moved to number 3 position. Last week she was at number 5 position. Saina
Nehwal: Ranked at number 8 position. Last week she was at number 9 position.
• Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) has launched a new feature called Video gaming as a full sport at the 2022
Asian Games which is scheduled to be held in Hangzhou, China from September 10 to September 25, 2022.
The 2018 Asian Games will be held in Jakarta and Palembang, Indonesia.
• 101-year-old Man Kaur has won Gold Medal for 100 metres sprint at the World Masters Games in
Auckland on April 24, 2017. Including this, she has won 17 Gold Medals so far.
• Sandhya Agarwal, former captain of the Indian women’s Test Cricket team has been offered honourary life
membership of ‘Marylebone Cricket Club’ (MCC) in recognition of her distinguished service to the game.
• Indian shot putter Manpreet Kaur has clinched gold in the Asian Grand Prix Athletics Meet. It was held in
Jinhua, China. Manpreet also qualified for the IAAF World Championships to be held in August 2017
in London.
• On April 28, 2017, Indian professional snooker player Pankaj Advani, won silver at the Asian Snooker
Championship at Doha, Qatar. He lost the finals to China's Lv Haotian by 3-6.
• Actress Gul Panag has become the first Indian woman to drive a Formula E racing car. She drove the
M4Electro at the Circuit de Calafat in Catalonia,Spain. The M4Electro is a Mahindra fourth generation
Formula E race car.
• Jehan Daruvala becomes 1st Indian to take pole in FIA F3 European Championship in Monza, Italy.
• Nadal wins Men’s Singles and Bopanna and Cuevas Lift men’s doubles in the Monte Carlo Masters
• Haryana beats Kerala at the National Youth Athletics Meet at Hyderabad Kerala was at the top place for the
last five years but now Haryana emerged champions with 166.5 points.
• India has won 16 medals at US Open karate Championship and grabbed 3 gold 2 silver and 11 bronze
medals.The US Open Karate Championship was held in Las Vegas.It was held from April 12 to April 16.
OBITUARY
• Ajey Jhankar – The Noted Scriptwriter passed away
• Pop art pioneer James Rosenquist dies at 83
• Kishori Amonkar a Hindustani classical vocalist passed away
• Gilbert Baker – The LGBT rainbow flag creator passed away
• Comedian Don Rickles dead at 90 in USA
• Roland founder and music pioneer Ikutaro Kakehashi dies aged 87
• Spain’s First Female Defence Minister Carme Chacon Dies
• Ex-Union minister and Badminton Association of India chief Akhilesh Das Gupta dies in Lucknow.
• Veteran Malayalam actor Munshi Venu passes away
• Pioneering Canadian HIV/AIDS researcher Mark Wainberg passes away
• Former J&K Governor Girish 'Gary' Saxena Dies
• Computer pioneer Robert W. Taylor dies at 85 in California
• Italian Emma Morano last known survivor of 19th Century dies
• Former Bihar minister Narsingh Baitha is dead
• Veteran journalist Nora Chopra no more
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• Germaine Mason has died at the age of 34. He is a British Olympic silver medallist.
• The rock and Jazz fusion guitar pioneer Allan Holdsworth has died at the age of 70 in USA
• Former Andhra Pradesh minister Devineni Rajashekhar passes away
• Top Maoist Leader Narayan Sanyal Passes Away
• Ali Mohammad Naika Senior National Conference (NC) leader and former speaker of Jammu and Kashmir
Legislative Assembly passed away.
• Vinod Khanna a Bollywood actor and politician was expired at the age of 70.
• Begum Yaman K. Khan has passed away. She is a famous sufi singer and daughter of legendary Sitar Maestro
(late) UstadVilayat Ali Khan.
• The Oscar-winning director of The Silence of the Lambs, Jonathan Demme passed away on 26 April 2017. He
was 73.
• Tamil actor Vinu Chakravarthy passes away at 71
• Legendary Serbian writer for children, Rasa Popov, passed away.
BOOKS & AUTHORS

• President Pranab Mukherjee has released the book on Draupadi authored by Veerappa Moily in New Delhi on
April 7, 2017. The book titled 'Flaming Tresses of Draupadi' was written in both English and Kannada and it
is published by Rupa.
• Vice President receives first copy of the book titled ‘Hope in a challenged democracy: An Indian narrative’
authored by Shri Ashwini Kumar
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi released a book ‘Matoshree’ authored by Sumitra Mahajan.The book
‘Matoshree’ covers the life and times of legendary Devi Ahilyabai Holker who ruled the Holkar Empire
spread over the Malwa region from 1767 to 1795.
• The Dalai Lama released a book named - 'Ocean and Blue Mountains' published by department of Karmik and
Adhyatmik Affairs (DoKAA) in presence of Chief Minister Pema Khandu and other dignitaries.
• Salman Khan launched the autobiography of Asha Parekh, The Hit Girl, with well known author and
journalist Khalid Mohamed who was the co-author of the biography.
• The author Arjun Gaind launched his book on Punjab, Building the land of five rivers. On the occasion of
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu a panel has organized a discussion in which there is a discussion of
Punjab’s history, heritage, culture and growth.
IMPORTANT DAYS
• World autism Awareness Day is observed on 2nd April every year by United Nations (UN) member countries
to raise awareness about autism and problems faced by people suffering from it. World Autism Awareness
Day Theme 2017: ‘Toward Autonomy and Self-Determination’
• The International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action was celebrated on April 4,
2017. The theme of this year was “Needs driven. People Centered”
• 54th National Maritime Day is celebrated on 5th April 2017 since 1964 to mark the day when the first voyage
of the SS Loyalty, the first ship of Scindia Steam Navigation Company towards United Kingdom from
Mumbai on this day in 1919.
• The United Nation proclaimed 6th April as International Day of Sport for Development and Peace on August
23, 2013. The day also coincide with the first modern Olympic Games in Athens in 1896.
• World Health Day observed on 7th April with theme 'Depression: Let's Talk'.
• President Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated the first NIMCARE World Health Day Summit 2017 in New
Delhi on April 7, 2017. ‘Unite for a Healthy Mind’ was chosen as the slogan of the summit.
• Every year 12th April is celebrated as International Day of Human Space Flight to mark the day when the first
32 | P a g e
human space flight, carried out by Yuri Gagarin on 12 April, 1961.

126th birth anniversary of Dr. Ambedkar- April, 14
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on a day-long visit to Nagpur for a series of programmes to commemorate
126th birth anniversary of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, the chief architect of Indian Constitution. Firstly, PM
Modi visited sacred Deekshabhoomi and paid tributes to Dr. Ambedkar.
• PM releases 2 special commemorative postal stamps - Deekshabhoomi and the twin pictures of Lord Gautam
Buddha and Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar
• PM Modi inaugurated several units of thermal power plants across Maharashtra, including three super-critical
units (660 MWX3) at Koradi, two units (500 MW X 2) at Chandrapur and one of 250 MW at Parli.
• PM Modi formally launched BHIM-Aadhaar platform for merchants at a function organized by the Niti Ayog
at Mankapur Indoor Stadium in Nagpur.
• In a bid to encourage cashless transactions through the BHIM-Aadhar platform, PM Modi has announced two
incentive schemes.Rs. 495 crore has been allocated for the above mentioned Referral Bonus and Cashback
schemes, which will be operational till October 14, 2017.
• The Prime Minister also graced the 100th and final Digidhan Mela in Nagpur.PM also laid the foundation
stones for IIM-Nagpur, new AIIMS and Indian Institute of Information Technology.
• On April 20, 2017, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the two-day 11th Civil Services Day
function in New Delhi.
• World Heritage day is celebrated on 18th of April every year.It’s been chosen to tie in with the UN’s
International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development.
♦ Theme of the World Heritage day is Cultural Heritage & Sustainable Tourism.
• The World Book and Copyright Day was celebrated on 23 April 2017 across the globe.
♦ 2017 Theme is Quotes Wishes Slogans Greetings.
• Earth Day was first celebrated in 1970 and it is celebrated every year on April 22. It is celebrated in more than
193 countries by over a billion people every year.
♦ Theme of Earth day is 2017 is Campaign is Environmental & Climate Literacy.
• The World Book and Copyright Day was celebrated on 23 April 2017 across the globe.
♦ 2017 Theme is Quotes Wishes Slogans Greetings.
• Earth Day was first celebrated in 1970 and it is celebrated every year on April 22. It is celebrated in more than
193 countries by over a billion people every year.
♦ Theme of Earth day is 2017 is Campaign is Environmental & Climate Literacy.
• World Intellectual Property Day (WIP) is observed on 26th April. Theme for 2017 - "Innovation – Improving
Lives".
• International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day is observed on April 26, 2017.
• World Malaria Day (WMD) 2017 was observed globally on 25 April 2017 with the theme "Malaria
prevention: let’s close the gap". First malaria vaccine to be tested in Kenya, Ghana and Malawi in 2018
announced by WHO.
• PM Modi released 23 volumes of Vachana of Basavanna & other saints on social reformer's birth anniversary
• The Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare 2017 was observed on 29 April 2017 by the
United Nations (UN). This day will provide an opportunity to pay tribute to the victims of chemical warfare.
• World Immunization Week 2017 is being observed across the globe between 24 April and 30 April
2017. The theme for the 2017 World Immunization Week is ‘VaccinesWork.’Its objective is to achieve the
2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
• National Panchayati Raj (PR) Diwas has observed on April 24 every year.
• World Day for Safety and Health at Work is annually observed on 28 April. It has been observed by
the International Labour Organization (ILO) since 2003. 2017 Theme for World Day for Safety and Health at
Work: Optimize the collection and use of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) data.
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through scientific evidence and rich clinical experiences”

SUMMITS & CONFERENCES

RANKINGS & REPORTS

BANKING & FINANCE

cards. It tied-up with Yes bank.

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

NTR National Film Award 2012: S. P. Balasubrahmanyam(Singer)

The Winners of Sarva Shreshtha Suraksha Puraskar are as follows:

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNS

S.N. Subrahmanyan CEO -Larsen and Toubro Ltd (L&T)

ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS

the Rail Sector.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

BOOKS & AUTHORS

human space flight, carried out by Yuri Gagarin on 12 April, 1961.

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