Today Current Affairs for Competitive Exams - Current Affairs 2019-2020 Online - Testbook
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Today Current Affairs for Competitive
Exams - Current Affairs 2019-2020
Online
If you are appearing for any Government Recruitment Exam, it is important that you are
familiar with the happenings around the world. Current Affairs is an important part of
your syllabus apart from English, Quantitative Aptitude or Logical Reasoning! Thus, we
bring you the Important General Awareness in PDF. Now, Banking, SSC and Insurance
aspirants can read the update containing all the Important Current Affairs 1st January
2019. You can also attempt yesterday's current affairs quiz:
Current Affairs Quiz – 31st December 2018
Important Current Affairs 1st January 2019
Jasprit becomes highest wicket taker of 2018
o Indian bowler Jasprit Bumrah became the highest wicket-taker across all
formats in 2018.
o He took 78 wickets in 2018.
o He took 48 wickets in 9 Tests, 22 wickets in 13 ODIs and 8 wickets in 8
T20I matches.
o South Africa's bowler Kagiso Rabada is at second place, who took 77
wickets in 2018.
Source Link: https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/jasprit-bumrah-finishes-
2018-as-the-highest-wicket-taker-across-all-formats/story-
A4Z8VrEIwMFXrYgQOpdJbN.html
1|Page DRDO day is observed on 1 January
o Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) day is observed
on 1 January.
o The DRDO was established in 1958 with just 10 laboratories to enhance
the research work in defence sector.
o Dr. G Satheesh Reddy is the Chairman of DRDO.
o DRDO works under the Department of Defence Research and
Development of Ministry of Defence.
Source Link: http://www.newsonair.com/Main-News-Details.aspx?id=357406
Provision coverage ratio of banks increases
o Public sector banks' Provision Coverage Ratio (PCR) has increased to
66.85% as of September 2018.
o In 2015, the PCR was less than 50%.
o The provision coverage ratio (PCR) gives an indication of the provision
made against bad loans from the profit generated.
o Higher the PCR, lower is the unexposed part of the bad debts.
Source
Link: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/banking/finance/banking
/provision-coverage-ratio-of-psu-banks-on-the-rise-crosses-
66/articleshow/67309291.cms
Fund raising via NCD surges in 2018
o As per the Security and Exchange Board of India's (SEBI) report, Indian
companies raised over Rs 29,300 crore by issuing Non-Convertible
Debentures (NCDs) to retail investors in 2018.
o The companies raised money for funding expansion plans and other
general purposes.
2|Pageo NCDs are loan-linked bonds that cannot be converted into stocks and
usually offer higher interest rates than the convertible.
Source
Link: https://www.livemint.com/Money/rAJqFCZJVerP5oxyBNhUqL/Fund-
raising-via-NCDs-surges-3fold-to-29300-crore-in-2018.html
Govt approves Central assistance to Tamil Nadu
o On 31 December 2018, the government of India approved the release of Rs
1,146 crore to Tamil Nadu for the people affected by cyclone 'Gaja'.
o The approval was given by High-Level Committee (HLC) chaired by Home
Minister Rajnath Singh.
o The Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Union Minister for Agriculture,
Radha Mohan Singh and Vice Chairman, Niti Ayog, Dr. Rajiv Kumar are
the members of HLC.
Source Link: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/cyclone-gaja-centre-approves-
rs-1-146-crore-assistance-to-tamil-nadu-1970714
Tropical storm 'Usman' strucks Philippines
o A tropical storm named 'Usman' struck the Philippines on 25 December
2018.
o Storm Usman resulted in heavy rain and triggered deadly landslides in the
Bicol region in Manila, Philippines.
o The tropical storm Usman emerged as the deadliest weather disaster for
the Philippines after typhoon 'Mangkhut' in September 2018.
Source
Link: https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/international/2018/12/31/51325
9.htm
Fourfold jump in bank frauds: RBI
3|Pageo As per the RBI's Financial Stability Report, 5,917 frauds involving an
amount of Rs 41,167 crore were reported by the banks in the fiscal year
2017-18.
o There has been an increase in the number of large frauds involving
amounts of over Rs 50 crore.
o There has been a huge jump in credit-related frauds in the first half of the
current fiscal.
Source
Link: https://www.livemint.com/Companies/55OINS9MTsI7xS7DERKmiJ/Four
fold-jump-in-quantum-of-money-defrauded-from-banks-in-l.html
Govt infuses Rs 10,882 crore capital in 4 PSBs
o The government of India has infused 10,882 crore rupees in four Public
Sector Banks (PSBs).
o It is a part of 28,615 crore rupees capital infusion to be done in about half
a dozen public sector lenders.
o The four PSBs are UCO Bank, Bank of Maharashtra, Syndicate Bank, and
Central Bank of India.
o The recapitalisation would enhance the lending capacity of the PSBs.
Source Link: https://www.businesstoday.in/top-story/government-infuses-rs-
10882-crore-capital-in-four-public-sector-banks/story/305742.html
Core sector growth slows in Nov 2018
o The Core sector growth slowed to 3.5% in November from 4.8% in October
2018, due to a slowdown in the coal, cement, and electricity sectors.
o Coal production increased by 3.7% in November 2018 over November
2017.
o The cement sector saw growth in November 2018 slowing to 8.8% from
18.4% in October.
4|Pageo The electricity sector grew 5.4% in November 2018 as compared with
10.9% in October 2018.
Source Link: : https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-business/core-
sector-growth-slows-to-16-month-low-in-nov/article25876189.ece
CLSS on home loans for MIG extended
o The government of India extended the Credit Link Subsidy Scheme (CLSS)
on home loans for the Middle Income Group (MIG) under the Pradhan
Mantri Awas Yojana till March 2020.
o The last extension was up to March 31, 2019.
o Under CLSS, the government provides a subsidy of up to Rs 2.67 lakh on
the home loan.
o Till 30 December 2018, around 3,39,713 beneficiaries have availed loans
under CLSS.
Source Link: https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/credit-link-
subsidy-scheme-on-home-loans-for-mig-extended-till-march-2020-puri-
118123100598_1.html
Allahabad Bank & SBI Life signed a pact
o Allahabad Bank signed a bancassurance pact with SBI Life Insurance on 31
December 2018.
o Under the pact, the SBI Life Insurance will be able to sell its products
through various branches of Allahabad Bank.
o Sanjeev Nautiyal is the CEO & MD of SBI Life Insurance.
o Bancassurance is an arrangement through which an insurance company
can sell its products through a bank.
Source Link: https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/allahabad-
bank-sbi-life-join-hand-for-bancassurance-partnership-118123100617_1.html
5|Page Medical Council (Amendment) Bill passed in LS
o The Indian Medical Council (Amendment) Bill 2018 was passed in the Lok
Sabha on 31 December 2018.
o The bill aims to run the Medical Council of India (MCI) through a panel of
eminent professionals.
o The powers of the council have been vested in a Board of Governors (BoG).
o It will continue to perform till a Council is constituted.
Source
Link: https://www.livemint.com/Politics/fWhlYSVJiZ0VQti49VmOxK/Lok-
Sabha-passes-Indian-Medical-Council-Amendment-Bill-20.html
Govt sets up export promotion cell for MSMEs
o The MSME ministry has established an export promotion cell to create a
sustainable ecosystem for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
(MSMEs).
o It will help in the integration of MSMEs into the global value chain.
o It will also look into the areas where improvements are required in order
to be able to export effectively and efficiently.
Source Link: https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/govt-sets-
up-export-promotion-cell-for-msmes-118123100697_1.html
Committee formed for implementation of RERA
o The government of India constituted a committee to suggest
recommendations to strengthen the 'Real Estate Regulatory Authority'
(RERA) and to remove difficulties in its implementation.
o It will be headed by the Union Housing & Urban Affairs Joint Secretary,
Shiv Das Meena.
o RERA, which protects the interest of home buyers, empowers states to
notify their rules & appoint regulatory authorities.
6|PageSource Link: https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/govt-forms-
committee-for-effective-implementation-of-real-estate-law-rera-
118123100740_1.html
RBI: NBFCs balance sheet grew by 17.2%
o As per the RBI, the balance sheet size of Non-Bank Financial Companies
(NBFCs) grew by 17.2% to Rs 26 trillion in September 2018 from Rs 22.2
trillion in September 2017.
o The NBFCs Capital to Risk-weighted Assets Ratio (CRAR) decreased to
21% in September 2018 from 22.8% in March 2018.
o Loans and advances in the NBFC sector increased by 16.3% and
investments increased by 14.1%.
Source Link: https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/nbfcs-
balance-sheet-grew-17-2-to-rs-26-trn-as-of-sep-2018-rbi-118123100795_1.html
WB govt announces two initiatives for farmers
o The West Bengal government announced two welfare initiatives for
farmers on 31 December 2018.
o Both initiatives are part of the 'Krishi Krishak Bondhu' scheme and will
come into effect from 1 January 2019.
o The 1st initiative will provide Rs 2 lakh to the family of a deceased farmer.
o Under the 2nd initiative, farmers will get Rs 2,500 twice a year for growing
a single crop on an acre of land.
Source Link: https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/wb-govt-
announces-two-initiatives-for-farmers-118123100867_1.html
V K Yadav appointed as Railway Board Chairman
o The government of India appointed Vinod Kumar Yadav as Chairman of
Railway Board (Ministry of Railways).
7|Pageo He replaced Ashwani Lohani, who retired on 31 December 2018.
o He was the General Manager of South Central Railway (SCR).
o He belongs to the 1980 batch of the Indian Railway Service of Electrical
Engineers (IRSEE).
Source
Link: https://www.livemint.com/Politics/ZJm6uMUcazjmDDWXDMJWlI/Vino
d-Yadav-appointed-Railway-Board-Chairman.html
Bank GNPAs improved to 10.8%
o The 'Financial Stability Report' was released by the Reserve Bank of India
(RBI) on 31 December 2018.
o As per the report, banks showed improvement with Gross Non-Performing
Assets' (GNPAs) ratio declining to 10.8% in September 2018 from 11.5% in
March 2018.
o The Net Non-Performing Assets (NNPAs) ratio also witnessed a fall at
5.3% in September 2018 as against 6.2% in March 2018.
Source Link: https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/bank-
gnpas-improved-to-10-8-net-npas-to-5-3-in-sep-rbi-118123100926_1.html
Veteran actor-writer Kader Khan passed away
o Veteran actor-writer Kader Khan passed away on 31 December 2018.
o He made his acting debut in 1973 with the movie 'Daag' and acted in more
than 300 films.
o He also wrote dialogues for over 250 movies, with his first film as a
dialogue writer being 'Jawani Diwani'.
o He was also a screenwriter.
Source Link: https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/veteran-bollywood-
actor-kader-khan-dies-at-81/story-ZaefK2wK9ubCHYXx1RDYvO.html
8|Page Radhakrishnan appointed as CJ of Telangana HC
o B Radhakrishnan took over as the first Chief Justice of the Telangana High
Court.
o He was administered the oath of office by Governor of Andhra Pradesh
and Telangana E S L Narasimhan.
o The separate High Court for Telangana came into existence on 1 January
2019, following the division of the High Court at Hyderabad.
o The AP High Court at Vijayawada also comes into existence from 1
January 2019.
Source Link: https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/thottathil-
b-radhakrishnan-takes-charge-as-first-cj-of-telangana-hc-119010100151_1.html
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