1. General Knowledge (GK)
& Current Affairs
Bank & Govt. Exams. (BGE)
AUGUST 2017

2. India’s first private missile production facility unveiled in Hyderabad
India’s first private sector missile sub-systems manufacturing facility, Kalyani Rafael Advanced Systems (KRAS) plant was inaugurated at the Hardware Park in Rangareddy district near Hyderabad on 3 August 2017.
It is 51:49 joint venture between India’s Kalyani Group and Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defence Systems Ltd. It has been established line with the ‘Make in India’ initiative and Government’s policy to encourage private sector participation in defence production.

3. Delhi Police launches YUVA – a skill development programme
The Delhi Police has launched YUVA – a skill development programme under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY). It was inaugurated by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh.
For implementing YUVA initiative, Delhi Police has tied up with National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) to provide mass job linked skill training for selected youth.
The ‘YUVA’ initiative aims to connect with youth by upgrading their skill as per their competencies. It will help youths to get gainful employment under PMKVY. It will also play important role in building up confidence and faith of youths in police organization.

4. Shahid Khaqan Abbasi elected as Prime Minister of Pakistan
Senior PML-N leader and former petroleum minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi was elected the 18th Prime Minister of Pakistan by the National Assembly. Abbasi, nominee of ruling Pakistan Muslim League (N) secured 221 votes in the House of 342.
Abbasi succeeds Nawaz Sharif who was disqualified by the Supreme Court over the Panama Papers scandal. He will be interim PM of Pakistan. He will vacate the position for Nawaz Sharif’s brother Shahbaz Sharif, Punjab Chief Minister gets elected to the National Assembly.

5. Israel launches first environmental research satellite Venus
Israel on 2 August 2017 has launched its first environmental research satellite named as Venus (Vegetation and Environment Monitoring New Micro-Satellite). It was launched on board of Arianespace Vega launcher from the European spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.
The satellite is a joint effort by the Israel Space Agency and the French Space Agency (CNES). The satellite was built in Israel by the Israel Aerospace Industries.
Venus is considered the smallest satellite of its kind in the world. It is crafted to survey and monitor large areas to study soil, vegetation, forests, agriculture, water and air quality and other aspects of the environment.

6. Melbourne tops in 2017 EIU Liveability index
According to the 2017 Global Liveability Report compiled by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), Australian city Melbourne is the most liveable city in the world for the seventh consecutive year by the Economist Intelligence Unit.
The EIU Liveability index scores 140 major cities of the world on the scale ranging from 0 (least liveable city) to (most liveable city). The rankings are calculated by scoring 30 qualitative and quantitative factors, such as health care, education, and infrastructure, that provide the best and worst living conditions for people. The scores from each factor are then put together and weighted to give a final score of between
No Indian city was ranked in the top ten or bottom ten.

7. China launches first cyber court in e-commerce hub of Hangzhou
China launched its first cyber (internet) court specialising in handling internet-related cases in the e-commerce hub of Hangzhou, amid a spike in the number of online disputes.
The Hangzhou Internet Court in Hangzhou, capital of east China's Zhejiang Province will handle cases such as online trade disputes and copyright lawsuits. These cases handled by the court will be tried online.
It will provide a judicial guarantee for maintaining cyber security, resolving online disputes and promoting the integration of the Internet with society and the economy.

8. IAEA opens world’s first low Enriched Uranium bank in Kazakhstan
The UN global nuclear watchdog, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has opened world’s first low Enriched Uranium (LEU) Bank in Oskemen in Kazakhstan.
The bank is owned and managed by IAEA. It will be the first of its kind LEU bank not to be under control of any individual country. The IAEA also manages 123 tons of uranium in Angarsk, Russia but it is under the control of Russian government.
The LEU Bank has reserve capacity to store 90 tons of LEU, the essential ingredient needed to make the fuel for light-water nuclear reactors, which generate electricity.

9. Parliament passes Banking Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2017
Rajya Sabha on 10 August 2017 passed the Banking Regulation (Amendment) Bill, The Lok Sabha has already passed the Bill. Now, the bill will be sent to President Ramnath Kovind for his nod.
The bill will replace the Banking Regulation (Amendment) Ordinance, 2017 promulgated by President in May 2017.
The bill seeks to amend the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 to insert provisions for handling cases related to stressed assets or non-performing assets (NPAs) of banks. Stressed assets (NPAs) are loans defaulted by borrower in repayment or the loan which has been restructured by changing the repayment schedule.

10. Government launches e-RaKAM portal
The Union Government on 1 August 2017 has launched e-Rashtriya Kisan Agri Mandi (e-RaKAM) portal to provide a platform for farmers to sell agricultural produce.
The portal is a joint initiative by state-run-auctioneer MSTC and Central Warehousing Corporation arm CRWC.
e-RaKAM is a first of its kind initiative that leverages technology to connect farmers from the smallest villages to the biggest markets of the world through internet.
e-RaKAM is a digital initiative that aims to bring together the farmers, PSUs, civil supplies and buyers on a single platform to ease the selling and buying process of agricultural products.

11. 75th anniversary of Quit India Movement
The 75th anniversary of Quit India Movement, also known as August Kranti Andolan was observed across the country. This year’s theme was “Sankalp se Siddhi- the attainment through resolve”.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently called for the launch of the mega campaign, Sankalp Se Siddhi, from 9 August. He urged the youth, student organisations and NGOs in India to organise group discussions to bring forth new ideas.
Modi also termed the month of August as the month of revolution, as it has witnessed the three most significant events of Indian history – the non- cooperation movement (1 August 1920), Quit-India movement (9 August ) and finally the day India gained its Independence from the British Raj (15 August 1947).
The campaign pledges to build new India by It calls on everyone to pledge together towards Clean India, Poverty–free India, Corruption-free India, Terrorism-free India, Communalism-free India, Casteism-free India.

12. Odisha government and Facebook launches ‘SheMeansBusiness’ programme
Odisha Chief Minister, Naveen Patnaik launched Facebook's programme called 'She Means Business' for women entrepreneurs in the state on 10 August 2017.
The programme was launched in partnership with Odisha’s micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) department and Project Mission Shakti.
Under this initiative, 25, 000 women entrepreneurs and self-help group (SHG) members from the state will be given training on digital marketing skills within by the end of Facebook will monitor the growth of the MSMEs in Odisha after imparting training to them in next one year.

13. Government launches Harit Diwali, Swasth Diwali Campaign
Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Dr. Harsh Vardhan on 17 August launched the “Harit Diwali, Swasth Diwali” campaign.
The campaign was launched with an aim to reduce adverse environmental conditions especially pollution in the country after post Diwali celebrations due to excessive bursting of crackers which contributes significantly to air and noise pollution.
The campaign aims at enlightening the children about harmful fire crackers. It will motivate children to not to buy fire crackers, instead buy a gift, food items, or sweets for poor and underprivileged children living in their locality.

14. Government inaugurates India’s first Videsh Bhavan in Mumbai
The Union Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) launched country’s first Videsh Bhavan by assimilating all Regional Passport Offices and allied departments under a single roof at the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
As a first pilot project, four offices of MEA — Regional Passport Office (RPO), Protector of Emigrants (PoE) office, Branch Secretariat and Regional Office of ICCR — have been integrated and brought to function under one roof at the state-of-art office in BKC

15. Karnataka ties up with Microsoft to develop India’s first Farm Price Forecasting Model
The Agriculture Department of Karnataka has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with software giant Microsoft India to develop a unique ‘farm price forecasting model’.
The first-of-its-kind initiative will use the latest IT tools to aid farmers, administrators and other stakeholders to understand the market behaviour in advance. The move will enable the farmers of Karnataka, who struggle with the market’s unpredictability, to be more prepared.
The project is being supervised by the Karnataka Agriculture Prices Commission (KAPC).

16. Renowned scientist Pushpa Mitra Bhargava passes away
Veteran molecular biologist Pushpa Mittra (PM) Bhargava passed away on 1 August 2017 following a prolonged illness in Hyderabad. He was 89.
Bhargava was the founding director of Hyderabad based Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB). He was one of the leading scientists who led to the discovery of 5-fluorouracil, an anticancer drug.
Bhargava was a recipient of over 100 national and international honours and awards, including the Padma Bhushan in 1986 and the Legion d'Honneur in 1998 of France.

17. Justice Dipak Misra appointed as 45th Chief Justice of India
The Union government on 8 August 2017 appointed Justice Dipak Misra (63), senior-most judge of the Supreme Court as the 45th Chief Justice of India (CJI). Justice Misra will be sworn in as the 45th Chief Justice of India by President Ram Nath Kovind on 27 August
He will succeed incumbent Justice J S Khehar, who is set to retire on 27 August 2017.
He will have tenure of over 13 months till October He will be the third person from Odisha to be appointed the CJI, after Justices Ranganath Misra and G B Pattanaik.
Justice Misra is currently serving as the Executive Chairman of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA).

18. S. Aparna appointed as Executive Director of World Bank
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has appointed senior IAS officer from Gujarat S. Aparna as Executive Director of the World Bank.
The batch IAS officer has been appointed to the post for three years. She would be representing four nations- India, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka at the prestigious international body. The information was shared by an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT).

19. Economist Rajiv Kumar appointed as Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog
The Union government on 5 August 2017 appointed noted economist Rajiv Kumar as the new Vice- Chairman of National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog.
Rajiv Kumar will succeed Arvind Panagariya, who recently announced his resignation in order to return to the field of academics.
As Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog he will hold cabinet minister rank. Prime Minister is ex-officio Chairperson of the Aayog.
Kumar, who holds a doctorate in economics from Oxford University and Lucknow University, is a senior fellow at the Centre for Policy Research (CPR), a public policy think-tank. He has also authored several books on the Indian economy and India’s national security.

20. Venkaiah Naidu sworn in as 13th Vice President of India
Former Union Minister Muppavarapu Venkaiah Naidu has sworn in as the 13th Vice President of India on 11 August He has been administered the oath of office and secrecy by President Ram Nath Kovind at a special function at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
After the swearing in he took charge as the Chairman of Rajya Sabha at Parliament House and presided over the proceedings in the Upper House.
He was elected as the Vice President after defeating opposition candidate Gopal Krishna Gandhi.

21. Prasoon Joshi appointed as new chairman of CBFC
The Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry has appointed Prasoon Joshi as the new Chairman of Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). He will replace Pahlaj Nihalani and shall have tenure of three years.
Prasoon Joshi is renowned songwriter-poet known for his contribution to various films and for designing successful ad campaigns. He has penned the theme song for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and other campaigns.
Besides, the ministry by exercising its powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 3 of the Cinematograph Act, 1952 and the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 1983 also reconstituted the existing CBFC Board for a period of three years or until further orders, whichever is earlier. The new board will be headed by Prasoon Joshi.

22. Veteran photographer S Paul passes away
Veteran photographer S Paul passed away in New Delhi. He was 88.
A self-taught photographer, Paul discovered his passion for the art as a teenager. He joined The Indian Express in the 1960s and retired from the newspaper in 1989.
Paul was the first Indian to be profiled by The British Journal of Photography in He was the first Indian to win the Nikon International Photo Contest in Famous B&W Magazine of US had described him as ‘The Henry Cartier-Bresson of India’.

23. Government appoints Ashwani Lohani as New Chairman of Railway Board
The Union Government has appointed Ashwani Lohani as the new Chairman of the Railway Board (Ministry of Railways). Prior to this appointment, he was serving as Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Air India.
His name for the post was announced after the incumbent Railway Board Chairman A K Mittal resigned owning moral responsibility for Muzzafarnagar train accident which had claimed over 20 lives.
Mr. Lohani is an Indian Railway Service of Mechanical Engineering (IRSME) cadre. Earlier he had served as DRM, Delhi Division; Chief Administrative Officer, Rail Alternate Fuel and Director, National Rail Museum.

24. Former Manipur CM Rishang Keishing passes away
Former Manipur Chief Minister and Veteran Congress leader Rishang Keishing passed away in Imphal following a brief illness. He was 96.
He was freedom fighter and member of India’s first parliament ( ). He had served as Manipur has served as Manipur Chief Minister four times, besides stints in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.
He was the last surviving member of India's first post Parliament.

25. Dhanraj Pillay conferred with Bharat Gaurav by East Bengal Football Club
Former India hockey captain Dhanraj Pillay was on 1 August honoured with the 'Bharat Gaurav' by East Bengal Football Club on its foundation day. Bharat Gaurav is the highest award of the club.
Pillay has played a huge role in reviving the Indian team and performed brilliantly during his 15-year career, representing the country in four Olympics, World Cups, Champions Trophy and Asian Games. He played total 339 matches for India, scoring 170 goals.
The East Bengal club has chosen former India footballers -- Syed Nayeemuddin and Subhas Bhowmick -- for the Lifetime Achievement Awards.

26. Government announces National Sports Awards 2017
The Union Government on 22 August 2017 announced the National Sports Awards. Para athlete Devendra and hockey player Sardar Singh will be honoured with the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award.
National Sports Awards are given every year to recognize and reward excellence in sports.
The awardees will receive their awards from the President of India at a specially organized function at the Rashtrapati Bhawan on 29 August 2017.
2017 Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award recipients are: Devendra (Para Athletics), Sardar Singh (Hockey).
2017 Dronacharya Award recipients are: Dr. R. Gandhi (Athletics), Heera Nand Kataria (Kabaddi), G.S.S.V. Prasad (Badminton), Brij Bhushan Mohanty (Boxing), P.A. Raphel (Hockey), Sanjoy Chakraverthy (Shooting) and Roshan Lal (Wrestling).

27. 2017 Arjuna Award recipients are: V. J
2017 Arjuna Award recipients are: V.J. Surekha (Archery), Khushbir Kaur (Athletics), Arokia Rajiv (Athletics), Prasanthi Singh (Basketball), LaishramDebendro Singh (Boxing), Cheteshwar Pujara (Cricket), Harmanpreet Kaur (Cricket), OinamBembem Devi (Football), S.S.P. Chawrasia (Golf), S.V. Sunil (Hockey), Jasvir Singh (Kabaddi), P. N. Prakash (Shooting), A. Amalraj (Table Tennis), Saketh Myneni (Tennis), SatyawartKadian (Wrestling), Mariyappan (Para-Athletics) and Varun Singh Bhati (Para-Athletics).
2017 Dhyan Chand Award recipients are: Bhupender Singh (Athletics), Syed Shahid Hakim (Football), Sumarai Tete (Hockey).

28. Konkani writer Mahabaleshwar Sail receives 2016 Saraswati Samman
Eminent Konkani writer Mahabaleshwar Sail was bestowed with prestigious Saraswati Samman He was awarded for his novel “Hawthan ” that captures cultural lives of traditional potter community in Goa.
The 74-year-old writer's novel, published in 2009, was shortlisted from 22 books written in as many languages.
He was presented the award, comprising plaque and a cash purse of Rs.15 lakh by Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman at event held in New Delhi.

29. ISRO to develop full-fledged Hyperspectral Imaging Earth observation satellite
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is planning to launch a full-fledged niche Earth observation (EO) satellite — called the Hyperspectral Imaging Satellite (HySIS) in August 2017.
The chip is technically called an “optical imaging detector array.” The EO satellite will be called the Hyperspectral Imaging Satellite (HySIS).
HySIS satellite developed by ISRO can see in 55 spectral or colour bands from 630 km above ground. It can be used for a range of applications from monitoring the environment, crops, looking for oil and minerals, military surveillance.
Its launch will allow ISRO to enter the domain of operational hyperspectral imaging from earth orbit.

30. IISc researchers develop low-cost, sensitive CO sensor
Indian Institute of Science (IISc) researchers from Bengaluru have developed a highly sensitive, low cost nanometre-scale carbon monoxide (CO) sensor, with potential applications in environmental pollution monitoring.
The sensor was developed using novel fabrication technique that does not involve costly and time consuming lithography technology.
The nanometer-sized sensor was made using zinc-oxide (ZnO) nanostructure on a silicon wafer substrate. The nanometre- scale CO sensor is able to detect a difference in CO level as low as 500 parts per billion (ppb). It can selectively respond to CO even in the presence of other gases.

31. NASA successfully launches Tracking and Data Relay Satellite-M
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NSAS) has successfully launched Tracking and Data Relay Satellite-M (TDRS-M) into orbit. The satellite was launched on 18 August 2017 to help astronauts at the International Space Station in communicating with the Earth. This USD 408 million Boeing-made satellite was sent into space through United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket that was launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
TDRS-M is third and final satellite in a series of the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS), next generation communications satellites.

32. RBI cuts repo rate by 25 base points to 6%
The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has reduced repo rate - the rate at the which the central bank lends short-term money to banks - by 25 basis points to 6% from 6.25%.
It was RBI’s third bimonthly policy review for the financial year
The decision of the MPC was consistent with a neutral stance of monetary policy in consonance with the objective of achieving the medium-term inflation target of 4% within a band of +/- 2%, while supporting growth.

33. Union Government launches Bharat 22 ETF to sell stakes in 22 firms
The Union Finance Ministry on 11th Aug 2017 has launched second exchange-traded fund (ETF), named Bharat 22. It will help to speed up Government’s disinvestment programme budgeted to raise a record Rs 72,500 crore in the FY 2018.
Bharat 22 comprise of 22 stocks including those of central public sector enterprises (CPSEs), public sector banks (PSBs) and its holdings under the Specified Undertaking of Unit Trust of India (SUUTI).
Bharat 22 is a well-diversified ETF spanning six sectors — basic materials, energy, finance, industrials, FMCG and utilities. The sector wise weightage in the Bharat 22 Index is basic materials (4.4%), energy (17.5%), finance (20.3%), FMCG (15.2%), industrials (22.6%), and utilities (20%).

34. MCX gets SEBI approval to launch India’s first gold options contract
Commodity derivatives bourse Multi Commodity Exchange Ltd (MCX) on 9 Aug 2017 has received markets regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India’s (SEBI) approval to launch India’s first gold options contract.
The gold futures contract will have bi-monthly duration. The option will also have the existing gold kilo futures contract as its underlier.
The launch of gold options is one of the major reforms SEBI has taken for the commodity derivatives market.

35. SEBI launches online registration for custodians of securities
Markets regulator SEBI on 9 August 2017 launched online registration mechanism for custodians of securities to make it convenient for them to do business.
The new system will help custodian of securities to complete registration and other regulatory filings with SEBI in a cost-effective manner.
All applicants who want to seek registration as a custodian of securities are now required to submit their applications online only.
The custodian of securities, who seek approval as Designated Depository Participant (DDP) in terms of Regulation 11 of SEBI (FPI) Regulations, 2014, will also be required to apply through this portal.

36. SEBI forms committee on fair market conduct
Market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has set up a committee on ‘fair market conduct’. It will be headed former law secretary T K Viswanathan.
The committee will suggest measures for improving surveillance of the markets and strengthen rules for algorithm trades, among other norms.
Its members include representatives from law firms, mutual funds, retail and institutional brokers, forensic auditing firms, foreign portfolio investors, stock exchanges, chambers of commerce, data analytics companies and the markets regulator.

37. SEBI forms committee on fair market conduct
Market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has set up a committee on ‘fair market conduct’. It will be headed former law secretary T K Viswanathan.
The committee will suggest measures for improving surveillance of the markets and strengthen rules for algorithm trades, among other norms.
Its members include representatives from law firms, mutual funds, retail and institutional brokers, forensic auditing firms, foreign portfolio investors, stock exchanges, chambers of commerce, data analytics companies and the markets regulator.

38. Indian Railways signs first EPC contract with L&T to speed up electrification
The Indian Railways on 05 August 2017 has signed its first EPC (engineering, procurement, construction) contract with Larsen and Toubro (L&T) for electrification of railway lines.
The contract valuing Rs 1,050 crore was awarded by Central Organisation for Railway Electrification (CORE) and Konkan Railways for electrification of 781 route kilometres (RKM).
It will cover Delhi Sarai Rohilla – Rewari and Alwr – Bandikui – Jaipur – Phulera – Ajmer (353 rkm) section and Roha – Verna (428 rkm) of Konkan Railway.
The EPC contracts were awarded as part of a strategy to speed up the electrification of railway lines under ‘Mission Electrification’ plan.

39. IIP output contracts 0.1% in June 2017
India’s factory output, as measured in the terms of the Index of Industrial Production (IIP), declined by 0.1% in the month of June, compared to a 1.7% rise in the previous, its first fall since June 2013.
It was mainly due to a fall in output of the manufacturing and capital goods sectors.
According to data released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) it is the first negative fall since June In June 2016, it had grown 8%.

40. RBI to issue new Rs. 50 currency note
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will shortly issue new banknotes of Rs. 50 denomination in the Mahatma Gandhi (New) Series.
The base colour of the new notes will be fluorescent blue. It has a motif of Hampi with Chariot on the reverse, depicting the country's cultural heritage, along with the Swachh Bharat logo, numeral 50 in devnagiri, year of printing and the language panel.
RBI also has clarified that all banknotes in Rs.50 denomination issued in the earlier series will continue to be legal tender.

41. NPCI approves Spice Digitals operation under Bharat Bill Payment System
The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has given a nod to Spice Digital Ltd. for processing bill payments under the Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS) as a Bharat Bill Payment Operating Unit (BBPOU).
The BBPS through its centralised bill payment system will allow the users to use a single website or outlet to pay all their monthly or repetitive bills such as mobile phone and electricity.
Spice Money Ltd, a fintech company had received an in-principle approval to set-up as a BBPOU under the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007 in May In August 2016, NPCI had launched a pilot project for BBPS with eight BBPS operating unit, Spice Digital was one of them.

42. Microsoft launches Project Brainwave for real-time Artificial Intelligence
Software giant Microsoft in August 2017 has launched Project Brainwave, a deep learning acceleration platform for real-time artificial intelligence (AI).
Microsoft has launched the project during the time when real-time artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly important as cloud infrastructures process live data streams, whether they be search queries, videos, sensor streams, or interactions with users.
The Project Brainwave uses the massive Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) infrastructure that Microsoft has been deploying over the past few years.
By attaching high-performance FPGAs directly to the data centre network, DNNs can be served as hardware microservices, where a DNN can be mapped to a pool of remote FPGAs and called by a server with no software in the loop.

43. 17th meeting of FSDC held in New Delhi
The seventeenth Meeting of the Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC) was held in New Delhi under the Chairmanship of the Union Minister of Finance Arun Jaitley.
The meeting was attended by RBI Governor Dr. Urjit R. Patel, SEBI chairman, IRDAI Chairman along with heads and other senior officers of the Government and financial sector regulators.
FSDC is a super regulatory body for regulating financial sector which is a vital for bringing healthy and efficient financial system in the economy.

44. ICEX launches world’s first diamond futures contracts
The Indian Commodity Exchange (ICEX) has launched world’s first diamond futures contracts to provide exporters with a hedging tool.
India is a global diamond polishing hub where 14 out of every 15 rough diamonds in the world are polished. The futures contracts will enable companies involving in cut and polished gems business to better hedge price risks.
At the launch, the first diamond contract for delivery in November was traded at Rs 3,279/cent. One cent is the one-hundredth of a carat (ct).
ICEX has received approval from market regulator Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to commence trading with diamond futures contracts.

45. Google introduces new Android version named Oreo
Google on 21 August 2017 officially introduced final version of Android 8.0 named as Oreo, name of popular Oreo chocolate biscuit brand. Previously it was known as Android O. Oreo is smarter, faster and more powerful than ever.
It comes with new features like picture-in- picture and Autofill to help navigate tasks seamlessly.
Android Oreo is more secure with inbuilt Google Play Protect, Security Status Front and tighter app install controls.

46. Government notifies new Rs.200 notes
The Union Finance Ministry on the recommendations of the Central Board of Directors of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has notified currency notes of Rs.200. The new notes are likely to be in circulation shortly.
The new Rs.200 currency note was issued through an official gazette notification by the Finance Ministry’s Department of Economic Affairs in exercise of powers conferred by sub- section (1) of section 24 of RBI Act, 1934.
The currency note is expected to address liquidity issue and also reduce the burden on the Rs 100 note.

47. Real Madrid wins 2017 UEFA Super Cup
Real Madrid on 8 August 2017 defeated Manchester United, the winners of the 2016–17 UEFA Europa League, to grab the 2017 UEFA Super Cup.
Real Madrid won the match 2–1 for their fourth UEFA Super Cup title.
The match was played at the Philip II Arena in Skopje, Macedonia. It was the first UEFA final staged in the country.
Real Madrid’s Isco was declared the Man of the Match.

48. Government to establish first National Sports Museum in New Delhi
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports is going to establish National Sports Museum, first of its kind, at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi. It will be first of its kind sports museum in India.
The aim of the sports museum is to popularise the sports as a way of life within the country. It will showcase the India’s achievements in sports and also focus on the traditional sports within the country.
The aim of the Museum is to popularise the sports as a way of life within the country.

49. Government launches National Sports Talent Search Portal
The Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports on 28 Aug 2017 has launched ‘National Sports Talent Search Portal’ to unearth sporting talent from every nook and corner of the country.
Under the initiative, a child or his parents, teachers or coaches can upload his bio data or video on the portal. The Sports Ministry will select talented players and impart training to them at Sports Authority India centres.
The portal will be also available as smartphone application.

50. THANK YOU