Current Affairs Update 19 December 2018

Current Affairs is an important part for many exams. Be prepared for this section with ByScoop which brings all the important Current Affairs in one place. 19 December 2018

Haryana launches ‘Shiksha Setu’ app to ensure better connectivity with students

The Haryana government has launched a mobile application ‘Shiksha Setu’ to provide students information on attendance, fee, online admission and scholarships of all government colleges of the state.
The app will provide instant updates of important notices, circulars and other programmes to students and teachers, while allowing the former to pay their fee online.

ISRO Successfully Launches GSAT-7A Satellite for IAF

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched India’s geostationary communication satellite GSAT-7A onboard Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle GSLV-F11 on December 19, 2018 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
The GSLV – F11 is ISRO’s fourth generation launch vehicle and this was the 13th flight of the GSLV launch system.
GSAT-7A is an exclusive satellite meant for the Indian Air Force to boost its warfare capabilities and enhance its global operations through better connectivity and range in the area of satellite-controlled unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
The mission life of the 2250 kg satellite is eight years.
This new satellite, dubbed the Indian Angry Bird, along with GSAT-7 and GSAT-6 will form the band of communications satellite for use of Indian military.
It is the 35th Indian Communication satellite built by ISRO to provide communication capability to the users in KU-band over the Indian region.

NITI Aayog releases ‘Strategy for New India @75’

The NITI Aayog has unveiled the Strategy for New India @75’ which defines clear objectives for 2022-23.
The focus of the document is to improve the policy environment in which private investors and other stakeholders can contribute towards achieving the goals set out for New India 2022 and propel India towards a USD 5 trillion economy by 2030.
It has 41 Chapters divided into four sections: Drivers, Infrastructure, Inclusion and Governance

Some Major points of the document are:

Steadily accelerate the economy to achieve a GDP growth rate of about 8% on average during 2018-23.
Raise economy’s size in real terms from USD 2.7 trillion in 2017-18 to nearly USD 4 trillion by 2022-23.
Launch a mission “Explore in India” by revamping minerals exploration and licensing policy.
Aim to deliver all government services at the state, district, and gram panchayat level digitally by 2022-23.

EPF withdrawal before retirement capped at 75%

The Ministry of Labour and Employment has notified that a jobless Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) subscriber who has not crossed the retirement age of 60 years will now be able to withdraw only up to 75 per cent of the accumulated EPF deposits as against the earlier 100 per cent.
A subscriber without a job for a month will be eligible to withdraw the deposits. Earlier, pre-retirement withdrawal of EPF funds required the subscriber to be without job for a continuous period of two months.
Though the move was announced in June, only now the government notified it so that it becomes law.

Capital First merges with IDFC Bank to create IDFC First Bank

IDFC Bank and Capital First have announced the completion of merger on December 18, 2018 after receiving all requisite shareholder and regulatory approvals.
The merged entity will be called IDFC First Bank after receiving the shareholders’ approval.
After the merger, V Vaidyanathan has been appointed as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer IDFC First Bank. He is the Founder and Chairman of Capital First.
Rajiv Lall, Founder MD and CEO of IDFC Bank has been appointed as Part-Time Non-Executive Chairman of IDFC First Bank.
The merged entity will have an authorised share capital of Rs 5,363 crore.

Belgium Prime Minister Charles Michel Resigns Over Migration Pact

Charles Michel, the Prime Minister of Belgium, has stepped down as leader of his country’s government over his support for the UN global compact on migration.
The country was facing a political crisis over whether to sign the Global Compact for Migration.
He announced his intention to resign after opposition parties refused to support his minority government backing the deal.
Michel, 42, took office in October 2014 and became the youngest prime minister of the country since 1841 at the age of 38.

Minorities Rights Day : December 18

When: The Minorities Rights Day is observed in India every year on December 18 since 1992.
Why: Protect the existence of the National or Ethnic, Cultural, Religious and Linguistic identity of minorities within their respective territories and encourage conditions for the promotion of that identity.
The Day was promulgated by United Nations on December 18, 1992 to strengthen the cause of the minorities.

Current Affairs Update – 19 December 2018