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 9th April 2019.
You can also attempt yesterday's current affairs quiz:
Current Affairs Quiz – 8th April 2019
Important Current Affairs 9th April 2019
• Guwahati Station gets ISO certification
o The Guwahati Railway Station has become the first ever railway station in
the Indian Railways to get an ISO certification from the National Green
Tribunal (NGT) for providing passenger amenities in a clean and green
environment'.
o The station also has amenities such as High-class reserve (VIP) lounge,
waiting rooms, AC and non-AC retiring rooms, food courts and sanitation
facilities.
Source Link: https://www.guwahatiplus.com/daily-news/guwahati-railway-
station-first-to-get-iso-certification-in-india
1|P ag e• India highest recipient of remittances
o According to World Bank India retained its position as the world's top
recipient of remittances with its diaspora sending a whopping USD 79
billion back home in 2018.
o India was followed by China.
o India has registered a significant flow of remittances from USD 62.7
billion in 2016 to USD 65.3 billion in 2017.
Source Link: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/nri/forex-and-
remittance/india-highest-recipient-of-remittances-at-79-bn-in-2018-world-
bank/articleshow/68788815.cms
• Shiv Das: New NBCC Chairman
o Shiv Das Meena, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Housing and
Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has been appointed as the Chairman cum
Managing Director (CMD) of National Buildings Construction Corporation
(NBCC).
o Meena, the 1989-Batch IAS officer of Tamil Nadu cadre has taken over the
office from Dr. Anoop Kumar Mittal, the outgoing CMD, who had served
the organisation for 34 years.
Source Link: https://egov.eletsonline.com/2019/04/shiv-das-meena-appointed-
as-nbcc-chairman-and-managing-director/
• Obituaries
o Bollywood actor Navtej Hundal passed away on 8 April. His recent movie
was ‘Uri: The Surgical Strike'.
o Former Manipur minister and former Lok Sabha MP Holkhomang Haokip
passed away on 8 April 2019.
2|P ag eSource Link: https://english.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/movie-news/uri-
actor-navtej-hundal-passes-away-1.3714931
• Dream 11 entered Unicorn Club
o Dream11, online gaming firm, announced the completion of a secondary
investment by Steadview Capital, an Asia-focused alternative asset
manager.
o The investment takes Dream11’s valuation at over $1 billion making it first
Indian gaming company to enter the Unicorn club.
o In terms of total user base on a fantasy sports platform, Dream11 is the
market leader with over 50 million users.
Source Link: https://www.livemint.com/companies/start-ups/dream11-enters-
unicorn-club-with-investment-from-steadview-capital-1554793159840.html
• World Homeopathy Day: 2-day convention
o World Homeopathy Day is observed on 10 April to commemorate the birth
anniversary of the founder of Homeopathy, Dr Christian Fredrich Samuel
Hahnemann.
o On the occasion, the Central Council for Research in Homeopathy, CCRH,
organized a two-day convention in New Delhi.
Source Link: http://www.newsonair.com/News?title=World-Homoeopathy-
Day%3a-2-day-convention-in-New-Delhi-to-formulate-strategies-for-
development-of-Homeopathy&id=362030
• Avaada Energy raised Rs.1000 crore from ADB
o Avaada Energy Pvt Ltd raised ₹1,000 crore from investors such as the
Asian Development Bank on 9 April 2019.
3|P ag eo The equity raised is for financing Avaada Energy’s 2.4 gigawatt (GW)
renewable energy portfolio.
o Avaada Group is targeting a 5 GW capacity and has executed 2 GW of
renewable energy project in India.
Source Link: https://www.livemint.com/companies/news/avaada-energy-raises-
rs-1-000-crore-from-adb-germany-s-deg-and-netherlands-fmo-
1554787044599.html
• 1500 Indian railway stations WiFi enabled
o RailTel has provided free high-speed Wi-Fi services to as many as 500
stations in just seven days.
o Sahibabad has become the 1500th station in the country to get free Wi-Fi
facility provided by RailTel, as per an ANI report.
o RailTel Corp. of India is a PSU under the Ministry of Railways which
focuses on providing broadband and VPN services.
Source Link: https://www.livemint.com/news/india/1-500-railway-stations-in-
india-are-now-wi-fi-enabled-1554790778334.html
• PNB Housing Stake sale to boost PNB capital
o The PNB's 13% stake sale in PNB Housing Finance for ₹18.5 billion will
strengthen the bank's capital, as per Moody's.
o The report said that it estimates the sale will increase PNB's Common
Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio by about 40 basis points from the 6.9% reported
in December 2018.
o The bank's pro forma CET1 ratio exceeds the Basel III March 2019
regulatory requirement of 7.375%.
4|P ag eSource Link: https://www.livemint.com/companies/news/pnb-housing-stake-
sale-to-boost-pnb-capital-moody-s-1554732566872.html
• Singapore sold 6.8 crore shares of DLF
o Singapore government sold 6.8 crore shares of DLF for ₹1,298 crore
through open market transaction, with its stock price tumbling sharply by
over 8%.
o Singapore government held around 7.32 crore shares in DLF as on
December 31, 2018 quarter, which were worth 4.11% stake in the realty
company.
o Shares of the company closed at ₹184.60, 8.43% lower on the NSE.
Source Link: https://www.livemint.com/companies/news/singapore-govt-sells-
6-8-crore-shares-of-dlf-for-rs1-298-crore-1554735367881.html
• Coffee Day formed joint venture with Impact
o Coffee Day Enterprises Ltd, along with its subsidiary Coffee Day Global
Ltd, announced that Japanese company Impact HD will acquire a 49%
stake Coffee Day Consultancy Services Pvt. Ltd for $15 million.
o Post subscription of equity shares by Impact HD, CDEL and CDGL will
hold 51 % of the paid-up equity capital of CDCSPL.
o Coffee Day group will have 51% stake in the joint venture.
Source Link: https://www.livemint.com/companies/news/coffee-day-forms-
joint-venture-with-japan-s-impact-hd-1554733076819.html
• ICMR's ethical guidelines mandatory
5|P ag eo The Indian Council of Medical Research’s (ICMR) National Ethical
Guidelines for Biomedical Research is now mandatory and needs to be
adhered to for all biomedical research in India.
o This was decided as per the New Drugs and Clinical Trials Rules 2019.
o This will help bring about much-needed transparency and accountability.
Source Link: https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/icmrs-
ethical-guidelines-for-biomedical-research-now-mandatory/article26776343.ece
• PVs grew 2.7% in FY19
o The passenger vehicle (PV) segment grew 2.7% in 2018-19, the slowest
pace in the last five years, according to the Society of Indian Automobile
Manufacturers (SIAM).
o According to SIAM data, passenger vehicle sales in the last fiscal stood at
33,77,436 units, compared to 32,88,581 units in 2017-18.
o This is the slowest pace of growth for the industry since 2013-14, when
sales declined 6.7%.
Source Link: https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-business/pvs-grew-
27-in-fy19-the-slowest-in-5-years/article26776295.ece
• Isaak Hayik set new record
o Isaak Hayik became the world's oldest player to take part in a professional
game at the age of 73.
o He set the record by playing as a goalkeeper for Israeli team Ironi or
Yehuda recently.
o He received the Guinness World Records prize at a ceremony after the
match, just days ahead of his 74th birthday.
Source Link: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-47835245
6|P ag e• Kushagra Rawat qualified for 2020 Olympics
o Indian swimmer Kushagra Rawat qualified for 2020 Olympics on 7 April
2019.
o He did so after achieving the B standard of the 800m freestyle event at the
Speedo Thailand Age Group Championships in Bangkok.
o Rawat clocked 08.07.99 to cross the Olympic Games B standard qualifying
time of 08:08.54 for the men's 800m freestyle event.
Source Link: https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/swimmer-
rawat-takes-a-step-towards-olympics-qualification-achieves-b-standard-
119040700581_1.html
• Adani Power received LoI
o Adani Power received the Letter of Intent (LoI) to acquire the insolvent
Korba West Power Company (KWPCL) on 8 April 2019.
o The LoI dated April 6, 2019, was issued by the resolution professional
appointed by the Ahmedabad bench of the National Company Law
Tribunal (NCLT).
o KWPCL owns and operates a 600 megawatt (MW) thermal power plant in
Raigarh District, Chhattisgarh.
Source Link: https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/adani-
power-receives-letter-of-intent-for-korba-west-power-119040800423_1.html
• Indo-Sri Lanka joint exercise concluded
o The 6th edition of the joint military training exercise between the Indian
Army and the Sri Lankan Army, Exercise Mitra Shakti concluded in Sri
Lanka on 8 April 2019.
o The 2-week long training had commenced on 26th March 2019
7|P ag eo The 2 army contingents also shared the best practices of each other to
further enhance their learning experiences.
Source Link: http://www.newsonair.com/News?title=Indo-Sri-Lanka-joint-
exercise-Mitra-Shakti-VI-concludes-in-Sri-Lanka&id=362006
• NGT formed committee
o The National Green Tribunal formed a committee to look into the alleged
erosion of Yamuna floodplain in Haryana's Sonipat district.
o The nodal agency for coordination and compliance will be the principal
secretary of the Haryana Irrigation and Water Resources Department.
o The joint report may be furnished within 1 month by e-mail so that matter
can be taken up before monsoon.
Source Link: https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/ngt-forms-
committee-to-look-into-yamuna-floodplain-erosion-in-sonipat-
119040800640_1.html
• Tata Motors launched initiative for drivers
o Tata Motors Monday launched an initiative to promote driving profession
in the trucking space.
o Under the Tata Motors Samarth initiative, the company plans to address
four critical areas -- health and wellness, insurance, education and
financial planning for the drivers' well-being.
o The auto major aims to reach to five lakh drivers every year under the
programme.
Source Link: https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/tata-
motors-launches-initiative-for-drivers-119040800776_1.html
• Appointments
8|P ag eo Usha Martin has appointed Anirban Sanyal as its Chief Financial Officer
(CFO) with effect from 10 April 2019.
o SUN Group Chairman Vikramjit Singh Sahney elected as the new
president of International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) - India.
o Australian Graham Reid has been appointed as the Indian men's hockey
national team's chief coach till the end of 2020.
Source Link: https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/usha-
martin-appoints-anirban-sanyal-as-cfo-119040801157_1.html
• Army gets more fire power with Dhanush
o The Indian Army received the first batch of six 'Dhanush' artillery guns
from the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB).
o The guns were handed over by Saurabh Kumar, Director General,
Ordnance Factories and the OFB chairman, at a ceremony organised in
Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh.
o The 155mm x 45 calibre modern artillery gun system was developed by the
Ordnance Factories jointly with the Army.
Source Link: https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/army-gets-
more-fire-power-with-dhanush-artillery-guns-119040801024_1.html
• Language not a Hindrance in Govt Exam Prep
o Not everyone is very well-versed with the English Language. But, when it
comes to preparation of Online Govt Exams, it is a common notion that
you need to practice in English.
o This is no more the case. Now, Govt Exam Prep can also be done in Hindi.
o Testbook.com provides Online Mock Tests as well as important tips &
syllabus for all exams in the Hindi Language.
9|P ag eSource Link: https://testbook.app.link/ZuAlwIswPU
• RBI issued norms for banks
o The Reserve Bank of India came out with guidelines for banks to set up
new currency chests, which include a minimum area of 1,500 square feet
for a strong room.
o Besides, the new chests should have a processing capacity of 6.6 lakh
pieces of banknotes per day.
o For those situated in the hilly/ inaccessible places, a capacity of 2.1 lakh
pieces of banknotes per day.
Source Link: https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/rbi-issues-
norms-for-banks-to-set-up-currency-chests-119040801103_1.html
• Delhi scored high in HRD rankings
o Six colleges of the Delhi University have figured in the top 10 rankings by
the HRD Ministry.
o Miranda House scored a hattrick in bagging the first rank.
o Hindu College has been ranked second.
o IIT Delhi has been ranked third in the overall ranking of higher education
institutions and the second best among the engineering institutions.
Source Link: https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/delhi-
scores-high-in-hrd-rankings-6-du-colleges-in-top-10-hattrick-by-miranda-
house-for-top-rank-119040801147_1.html
• India Rankings - 2019 released
o The President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, released the India Rankings –
2019 on 8 April 2019.
10 | P a g eo He also presented the India Rankings awards to the top eight institutions
in different categories at a function held in New Delhi.
o He also released the Atal Ranking of Institutions on Innovation
Achievements (ARIIA) and presented the ARIIA awards to the top two
institutions.
Source Link: http://www.pib.nic.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1570197
• New feature of Whatsapp tested
o In a bid to minimize fake news on its platform, WhatsApp is now testing a
new feature within its Groups Settings to help users stop sending
'Frequently Forwarded' messages.
o It is working on 2 features that will help over 1.5 billion users know how
many times a message has been forwarded.
o When the feature is enabled, nobody will be able to send a Frequently
Forwarded message in the group.
Source Link: https://www.livemint.com/companies/news/how-to-stop-
frequently-forwarded-messages-soon-on-whatsapp-1554694969685.html
• Etihad Airways to seek loan
o Etihad Airways PJSC is seeking a loan of about $600 million to help make
initial payments for planes.
o Etihad Airways has 43 unfilled orders from the Boeing Co.’s 787 family,
according to a Boeing January report.
o The airline is also being sued over an August 2017 decision.
Source Link: https://www.livemint.com/news/world/etihad-airways-is-said-to-
seek-600-million-loan-for-planes-1554665870653.html
11 | P a g e• BARC resumed viewership data publication
o Television viewership monitoring agency BARC (Broadcast Audience
Research Council) has resumed the publication of viewership data on its
websites.
o On 1 April 2019, TRAI had issued a show-cause notice to BARC for not
complying with its direction on the release of TV viewership data.
o It is related to the sector's migration to the new tariff regime.
Source Link: https://www.livemint.com/industry/media/barc-resumes-
viewership-data-publication-post-trai-stand-off-1554715014821.html
• US Homeland Secretary stepped down
o US President Donald Trump announced that US Homeland Security
Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen is stepping down.
o She would be temporarily replaced by Customs and Border Protection
Commissioner Kevin McAleenan.
o Ms. Nielsen's department was responsible for implementing the proposed
border wall and the separation of migrant families.
Source Link: http://www.newsonair.com/News?title=US-homeland-secretary-
Kirstjen-Nielsen-steps-down&id=361994
• India, Sri Lanka agree to increase cooperation
o India and Sri Lanka have agreed to increase cooperation in security and
defence spheres in several areas.
o The cooperation areas include regional security, curbing drug smuggling
and human trafficking.
o The issues came up for discussion when Defence Secretary Sanjay Mitra
called on Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirsena in Colombo during his
official visit.
12 | P a g eSource Link: http://www.newsonair.com/News?title=India%2c-Sri-Lanka-agree-
to-increase-cooperation-in-security-and-defence-spheres&id=362004
• CRPF celebrared 54th Valour Day
o Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) celebrated its 54th Valour Day on 9
April 2019.
o On this day, in 1965, a small contingent of 2nd Battalion of CRPF
successfully fought and repulsed an attack by a Pakistani Brigade on
Sardar Post in the Rann of Kutch in Gujarat.
o On the Occasion, President Ram Nath Kovind paid homage to the martyrs
of police at National Police Memorial in New Delhi.
Source Link: http://www.newsonair.com/News?title=CRPF-celebrating-its-54th-
Valour-Day-today&id=362024
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