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• Every year on January 25 National Voter's Day or Rashtriya Matdata Diwas is celebrated to encourage young voters to take part in the political process.


• In 2011, it was first celebrated to mark Election Commission's Foundation Day.

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• Every year on January 25 National Tourism Day is celebrated in India.


• The Theme of the National Tourism Day is to raise awareness and educate people about the importance of tourism and the role it plays in the Indian economy.

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• India and Sri Lanka signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that would provide modern infrastructural facilities to Swami Vipulananda Institute of Aesthetic Studies of Eastern University in Batticaloa district of Sri Lanka.


• The MoU was signed by High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka Taranjit Singh Sandhu, and Secretary, Minister of City Planning, Water Supply and Higher Education M.M.P.K. Mayadunne.


• Our government have sanctioned a total amount of 275 million sri lankan rupee as a support to modernise facilities in the institute.


• The project involved renovation of the auditorium and construction of a new building with recording cum editing facilities for the institute.

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• Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro directed his country`s diplomats in the US to leave that country and ordered the embassy and consulates there closed, also reiterating that US diplomatic personnel must leave the South American nation within 72 hours.


• Maduro issued his order before the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ), where magistrates and representatives of other government branches declared their support for him after the head of the opposition-controlled Parliament, Juan Guaido, proclaimed himself to be Venezuela`s interim president and received Washington`s immediate support.

• A non-profit organisation along with a trade association of Indian IT and BPO industry has announced a USD 50,000 scholarship fund for Indian start-ups accelerating in Israel.


• The fund created by MassChallenge Israel, along with the Deshpande Foundation and the National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM), would also provide a unique opportunity to win up to half a million Israeli shekels (USD 1,35,000) in cash prizes.

Source: Cick Here

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched Pravasi Teerth Darshan Yojana in New Delhi. Under this scheme a group of Indian origin currently in different nations will be taken to all religious places in India twice a year.


• Eligibility criteria for the scheme says that the person should be Indian origin and aged between 45 to 65. The group will be selected out of them with first preference given to people from ‘Girmitiya Countries’ such as Mauritius, Fiji, Suriname, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica.


• First batch with 40 members are at Pravasi Bharatiya Divas and will begin their tour from there.


• Religious places of all major religious in India are included in the scheme and Government will bear all the expenses including the airfare from their country of residence.

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• The Union Cabinet approved the landmark amendment to Article 280 of the Constitution to increase the financial and executive powers of the 10 Autonomous Councils in Sixth Schedule areas of North East.


• About 1 crore tribal people living in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram will benefit by the amendment.


• According to the approval, Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura, Karbi Anglong Autonomous Territorial Council and Dima Hasao Autonomous Territorial Council are the places where State Finance Commissions will be set up.


• The autonomous councils which till now had to depend on grants from Central Ministries and the State governments for specific projects would get financial resources upon the recommendation of newly constituted Finance Commission.


• The elections of Autonomous Councils, village and municipal councils in the scheduled areas of Assam, Mizoram and Tripura would be conducted by State Election Commissions. This will facilitate elected village municipal councils ensuring democracy at the grass-roots level.


• The village and municipal councils will have to reserve at least one third of the seats for women. Two nominated members in all the autonomous councils will be women.


• Furthermore additional 30 subjects including departments of Public Works, Forests, Public Health Engineering, Health and Family Welfare, Urban Development and Food and Civil Supply would be transferred to Karbi Anglong Autonomous Territorial Council and Dima Hasao Autonomous Territorial Council in Assam.


• The proposed amendments would enhance the funds available to the local government institutions for undertaking development works in the tribal areas.


• As far now, Meghalaya has chosen to opt out of the election provision.

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• Minister of state of Youth affairs and Sports (Independent Charge) Rajyavardhan Rathore inaugurates National declamation contest on Patriotism and nation building.


• It was organized by Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKC) along with Department of Youth affairs. The contest has been conducting since 2015-16.


• Minister said that India is a country of diversities and therefore symbols like National Flag and National Another are necessary to inculcate feeling of belongings and Patriotism.


• It aims to further strengthen the spirit of nationalism in youth and whole hearted participation in nation building.


• It will enable the government to take lead in understanding the functions and policies of the government towards nation building.


• The contest helps to identify youth with leadership qualities and good communication skills for their development.


• The contest will be block level, District level and state level declamation contest for the years 2018-19 which is organized from September 2018 to 15th January 2019.

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• The final planning conference to work out the modalities for India Africa Field Training Exercise (IAFTX) which is to be held from 18th to 27th March 2019 commenced in Pune, Maharashtra.


• India Africa Field Training Exercise (IAFTE) 2019 will boost strategic Cooperation, political and military ties between the countries.


• Representatives from Egypt, Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, Sudan, South Africa, Tanzania, Namibia, Mozambique, Uganda, Niger, and Zambia are attending the conference.


• Field Training Exercise will be carried out at Aundh Military station and College of Military Engineering in Pune.


• At present, the Chinese Military has spread its tentacles in Africa through military hardware cooperation. The exercise will unify humanitarian action and joint peace operation.


• As part of the exercise initial planning conference was held in December 2018. IAFTX will be the first ever exercise with several armies from Africa although Indian armed forces had given training to some military personnel from few African Nations.

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• The Telangana government decided to form a ‘State Tiger Protection Force’ to save the Big cat population in the State.


• The State and Central government will share the cost of the force with 112 members headed by the assistant conservator of the forest on40:60 basis.


• They are organised to protect the tiger population in the areas of Amarabad and Kawal tiger reserves.


• Fund amount of 2.25cr was also sanctioned to protect the tigers and to prevent forest fire accidents.

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• The United Nations released the World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) report which projected India’s gross domestic product (GDP) to grow at 7.4 per cent during 2018-19 and improve to 7.6 per cent in the next fiscal.


• Besides the report projected that the gross domestic product (GDP) of India in 2020-21 will grow at 7.4 per cent.


• The robust private consumption, a more expansionary fiscal stance and benefits from previous reforms are the major pulling forces for India’s Economic growth.


• But according to the report a crucial challenge which needs to be addressed to uplift medium-term growth is a more robust and sustained recovery of private investment.


• The report also pointed out feeble job creation rates in the formal sector which has left many workers underemployed or in low-salary jobs, with the situation for youth particularly worrisome.


• Besides the UN report said the size and composition of public budgets have been important in promoting growth in India and any reduction of the fiscal deficit in the near term will be difficult because of prioritization of subsidies and welfare payments.


• The global economy is expected to grow at a steady pace of around 3 per cent in 2019 and 2020 but global trade tensions pose a threat to the economic outlook according to the report.


• The rising financial, social and environmental challenges are the major concerns over the sustainability of global economic growth according to the World Economic Situation and Prospects 2019.

Source: Cick Here

• The United Nations released the World Economic Situation and Prospects 2019 report which projected the Global growth to remain at 3.0 per cent in 2019 and 2020.


• In 2018 the Global Economy grew with a flat rate of 3.1 %.The report stated that more than half the world’s economies growth rate accelerated in 2017 and 2018.


• The report cautioned that the constant growth rate in the global economy hides an increase in downside risks that could potentially exacerbate development challenges in many parts of the world.


• The trade tensions which are accelerating are causing an impact on global trade and employment.


• The report suggested that the countries which are facing the problem of rising national debt and thus are unable to provide basic services and those which are affected from climate change and waning support for international cooperation could avoid or minimize such situation if they work together.


• For Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), including Russia the overall growth is forecasted to slow to two per cent, and 2.5 per cent in 2020.


• The report further noted that the US-China trade tension had led to a fall in global trade levels in 2018, from 5.3 per cent in 2017, to 3.8 per cent.


• The result of trade war is that China which grew at 6.6 % in 2018 is expected to grow at 6.3% in 2019. Unless the dispute is settled, the developing countries may suffer the fallout too, due to this.


• The strengthening of the dollar and rise in interest rates in the US could make matters worse for fragile emerging economies. This could lead a substantial rise in interest repayments on debt in many low-income countries.


• The report warned that the effect of ‘Brexit’ fallout might affect the countries outside the EU, with a possible “10-15 per cent decline in funding available to EU accession countries”.

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• State Bank of India recommended Unconditional Cash Transfer to farmers to alleviate the agrarian distress instead of Universal Basic Income (UBI) scheme in its Ecowrap report.


• Initiating Rythu Bandhu Scheme on national level may not be feasible presently because land data in several states including Bihar, Jharkhand, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu is not yet digitized.


• The Report suggested that Government should consider Unconditional Cash Transfer scheme until the problems are ironed out in terms of proper tenancy laws because it will be more equitable (on per farmer basis) with meaning full impact.


• As per the report, The Government had estimated Agriculture Subsidy (Plus Support) at Rs 98,100 crore in the 2019-20 budget which includes 13,000 crore for Crop Insurance, 15,000 crore for Interest Subsidy and Rs. 70,100 crore for Fertilizer subsidy.


• As per the SBI Ecowrap Report, Government needs to provide cash support in the range of Rs. 10000 to Rs 12000 per annum to make it completely cash neutral and such as scheme would cost government about 1.2 lakh crore per annum.

Source: Cick Here

• Following CoA's decision to lift the bans on Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul, the BCCI has decided to include Pandya in India's limited-overs squad for the series against New Zealand.


• The BCCI said "Pandya will be sent to New Zealand at the earliest". Meanwhile, KL Rahul will join India A squad to play the last 3 one-day games against England Lions.

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• The government formed an annual award titled Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar. This award is to be awarded every year on 23rd January, the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.The Award carries a certificate and a cash prize of 51 lakh rupees.


• For the year 2019, 8th Battalion of National Disaster Response Force located at Ghaziabad is selected for its work in disaster management.


• The award is a honour to acknowledge the contribution and selfless service of organisations and individuals to humanity in any kind disaster.

Source: Cick Here

• Karthiyani Amma from Kerala became Commonwealth Learning Goodwill Ambassador. She was the oldest ever candidate to appear for Kerala Literacy Mission’s Akshara Laksham (Million Letters) literacy exam.


• Karthiyani Amma is from Alappuzha district in Kerala. She secured top position with 98% marks in Kerala Literacy Mission’s Akshara Laksham (million letters) literacy exam for Grade 4. She was 96 year old.


• Her story will now inspire other commonwealth countries and it also aims at promoting distant education in the member countries.


• Literacy exam includes reading, writing and Mathematics skills. Her next aim is to clear Class 10 equivalent. She started learning computer in a laptop which was gifted by Kerala Education.


• Commonwealth of learning is works for furthering education in the commonwealth nations and Akshara Laksham programme was launched by the government of Kerala on 26th January 2018 to achieve 100 percent literacy in the slate about Kerala.

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• Yes bank got its approval to appoint Deutsche Bank India head Ravneet Singh Gill as the successor to Rana Kapoor.His tenure will begin from March 1,2019.


• Yes Bank ‘s hunt for new CEO ended up in Ranveet Gill as RBI rejected Rana Kapoor’s query extend to next three years.


• Though Kapoor’s CEO position ends up on January 31, 2019,He will still hold 10 percent in the bank share and will be entitled as the ‘Indian Partner’.


• Kapoor’s term at the bank ends on Jan. 31, after which there will be a month-long gap before Gill takes over,so the board of directors have decided to appoint a interim head to hold the post for that period.

Source: Cick Here

• The President of India appointed Piyush Goyal as the interim finance and corporate affairs minister because of Arun Jately’s health issues. Piyush Goyal’s tenure as a interim finance Minister will be till August 2019.


• Jaitley will be designated as a minister without a portfolio during his period of indisposition.


• Being the interim finance and corporate affair minister, he will present the budget on February 1.


• This is second time, Goyal has been given charge of the Finance Ministry.

Source: Cick Here

• West African country Burkina Faso President appointed Christophe Joseph Marie Dabire new Prime Minister as Paul Kaba Theiba and his cabinet resigned last week.


• Christophe Joseph Marie Dabire is a politician and economist. He takes the reins of government at the time when Burkina Faso is economic and security challenges.


• He worked as commissions for 10 years at the West African economical and Monetary Union. He served as ministers under former President Blaise Compaore between 1994 and 1996.


• Dabire was head of the department of health between 1992 to 1997 and Higher Education and Scientific Research between 1997 to 2000.


• He was a member of the National assembly from 1997 to 2007 under the former ruling partner.


• Thieba did not give reasons for his resignation. It is evident that growing concerns over terrorists threats and social uneasiness are said to be the reasons.

Source: Cick Here

• Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba commissioned new Naval Air Base ‘INS KOHASSA’ at Diglipur, Andaman and Nicobar Islands.


• The air base is situated at the northernmost part of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It will be used for both defence and civil aircraft.


• The air base will function as an independent unit and will be used to handle operations of helicopters and small aircrafts like the Dornier.


• INS Kohassa being the third air base in Andaman and Nicobar Islands will be used for surveillance of Chinese ships and submarines entering the Indian Ocean through Malacca Strait.


• The probable reason behind INS Kohassa is a Chinese submarine docked on Colombo port in Sri Lanka in 2014 which drew an alarm and India government raised the issue to Sri Lankan authorities.

Source: Cick Here

• Pulitzer Winning Author Russell Baker yet well known for his columns in The New York Times passed away at the age of 93 due to severe health complications.


• Baker won Pulitzers in 1979 for the “Observer,” the Times column , and in 1983 for his autobiography “Growing Up”.

A. Mumbai B. New Delhi C. Chennai D. Kolkata Answer: B

A. Altaf Fort B. NeeraMahal C. Wall Gardens D. MarinaPalace Answer: B

A. Karnataka B. Madhya Pradesh C. Gujarat D. Telangana Answer: D

A. Pune, Maharashtra B. Ahmedabad, Gujarat C. Shimla, Himachal Pradesh D. Dehradun, Uttarakhand Answer: A

A. 280 B. 362 C. 198 D. 142 Answer: A

A. Pradhan Mantri Pravasi Bakth Yojana B. Pradhan Mantri Pravasi Darshan Yojana C. Pravasi Teerth Darshan Yojana D. Pravasi Desh Darshan Yojana Answer: C

A. Mumbai, Maharashtra B. New Delhi, Delhi C. Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh D. Jaipur, Rajasthan Answer: C

A. Togetherness of Indian Diaspora B. Role of Indian Diaspora in building New India C. Indian Diaspora and Economic Development D. Cultural Awareness among Indian Diaspora Answer: B

A. Nepal B. Myanmar C. Maldives D. Mauritius Answer: D

A. Nashik, Maharashtra B. Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh C. Raipur, Chhattisgarh D. Mohali, Punjab Answer: B

A. Nepal B. Sri Lanka C. Bangladesh D. Maldives Answer: B

A. Tokyo, Japan B. California, United States of America C. Shanghai, China D. London, England Answer: C

A. World Human Rights Organiation (WHRO) B. World Health Organisation (WHO) C. Labour Welfare Board (LWB) D. Workforce Support Committee (WSC) Answer: B

A. State Bank of India (SBI) B. National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) C. Reserve Bank of India (RBI) D. Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) Answer: A

A. 7.4 % B. 7.3 % C. 7.2 % D. 7.5 % Answer: A

A. National Insurance Company Limited B. General Insurance Corporation of India C. Max Life Insurance D. Birla Sun Life Insurance Answer: C

A. 3.0 % B. 4.1 % C. 6.4 % D. 5.3 % Answer: A

A. Lakshmi Amma B. Karthiyani Amma C. Sugumari Amma D. Shantakumari Amma Answer: B

A. Pune B. Udaipur C. Chandigarh D. Ghaziabad Answer: D

A. Abacus: Small Enough to Jail. B. Period. End of Sentence C. Last Men in Aleppo D. Strong Island Answer: B

A. Roger Henry Maria Thomas B. Christophe Joseph Marie Dabire C. Rex Van De Camp D. Ron Haguard Alfred Simon Answer: B

A. K J Alphons B. Narendra Singh Tomar C. Piyush Goyal D. Nitin Gadkari Answer: C

A. Anuradha Ramakrishnan B. Ranveet Gill C. Prithvi Jain D. Anmol Sinha Answer: B

A. Infosys B. Reliance Industries C. General Electrical D. HCL Answer: B

A. Andaman and Nicobar Islands B. Goa C. Maharashtra D. Gujarat Answer: A

A. Marketing B. Market C. Meet D. Minimum Answer: B

A. Zambia B. Phillipines C. Nigeria D. Libya Answer: C

A. Writer B. Politician C. Businessman D. Athlete Answer: A

A. Football Player B. Singer C. Film Maker D. Author Answer: D

A. January 23 B. January 22 C. January 24 D. January 21 Answer: C

A. Save Girl Child B. Empowering Girls for a Brighter Tomorrow C. Girl Child: Tomorrow’s Pillars D. Help Girl Child Answer: B

A. January 22 B. January 21 C. January 24 D. January 23 Answer: C