Current Affairs Update 20 September 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. 20 September 2018
President Ram Nath Kovind Approves Instant Triple Talaq Ordinance
- President Ram Nath Kovind has cleared the instant triple talaq ordinance making it a punishable offence.
- Under the ordinance, giving instant triple talaq is illegal and void, and will attract a jail term of three years for the husband.
- However, a FIR in the case will only be registered if approached by the victim (wife) or her close relatives by blood or marriage. Neighbours and others cannot lodge a complaint under the proposed law.
DRDO Test Fires Surface-to-Surface Tactical Missile Prahaar
- The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully flight tested the indigenously developed surface-to-surface tactical missile ‘Prahaar’ from Launch Complex-III, ITR, Balasore on September 20.
- ‘Prahar’ is a contemporary weapon system capable of carrying multiple types of warheads and neutralizing a wide variety of targets.
Revised Interest Rates for Small Savings Schemes for the Third Quarter 2018-19
- The interest rates for Small Savings Schemes are notified on Quarterly Basis.
- Accordingly, the Rates of Interest on various Small Savings Schemes for the Third Quarter of the Current Financial Year 2018-19 starting 1st October, 2018 and ending on 31st December, 2018 is as given below:
| Instrument | Interest Rate (October 2018-December 2018) | Compounding frequency* |
| Savings Deposit | 4.0 | Annually |
| 1 Year Time Deposit | 6.9 | Quarterly |
| 2 Year Time Deposit | 7.0 | Quarterly |
| 3 Year Time Deposit | 7.2 | Quarterly |
| 5 Year Time Deposit | 7.8 | Quarterly |
| 5 Year Recurring Deposit | 7.3 | Quarterly |
| 5 Year Senior Citizen Savings Scheme | 8.7 | Quarterly and paid |
| 5 Year Monthly Income Account | 7.7 | Monthly and paid |
| 5 Year National Savings Certificate | 8.0 | Annually |
| Public Provident Fund Scheme | 8.0 | Annually |
| Kisan Vikas Patra | 7.7 (will mature in 112 months) | Annually |
| Sukanya Samriddhi Account Scheme | 8.5 | Annually |
India contributes USD 1 mn to UN Headquarters’ Solar Project
- India has contributed USD 1 million for the installation of solar panels on the roof of the UN building at the headquarters of UN i.e New York. (UN Headquarters’ Solar Project)
- The contribution will help reduce carbon footprint and promote sustainable energy.
Turnaround time for MSMEs improves to 26 days in 2018
- Turaround Time(TAT) is defined as the number of days between the date of enquiry and the date of loan sanctioned or renewal date.
- The average turnaround time (TAT) for a micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) to take credit improved to 26 days in 2018 from 29 days in 2017, according to a TransUnion Cibil-SIDBI joint report (MSME Pulse). in 2016- TAT-32 days.
New Development Bank (NDB) approves $525-million loan to Madhya Pradesh for infrastructure project
- The New Development Bank (NDB) of the BRICS countries has approved a $525-million loan to Madhya Pradesh for infrastructure projects.
- The loan consists of $350-million loan for the Major District Roads Project II of Madhya Pradesh and $175 million for building and upgrading 350 bridges.
- The NDB was set up by the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) nations to promote green and infrastructure projects in the member countries.
ESIC Rolls Out Atal Bimit Vyakti Kalyan Yojna
- The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) has approved a new scheme named “ATAL BIMIT VYAKTI KALYAN YOJNA” for Insured Persons covered under the Employees’ State Insurance Act.
- This Scheme is a relief payable in cash directly to their Bank Account in case of unemployment and while search for new engagement.
- The ESIC also approved the proposal for increasing the funeral expenses from existing Rs 10 thousand to Rs 15 thousand being paid on the death of Insured Person.
India-Russia Joint Air Exercise Aviaindra-18 Commences at Lipetsk
- The Exercise Aviaindra is an Air Force level exercise between India and the Russian Federation. It was first was conducted in 2014 and has been planned as a bi-annual exercise.
- Exercise Aviaindra 18 is being conducted at Lipetsk, Russia from 17 September 2018 to 28 September 18 and will be conducted in Jodhpur, India from 10 December to 22 December 18.
- The Indian aircraft that are part of the 2018 exercise include Su-30 SM, Mig-29, Su-25, Mi-8 and An-26.
Axis Bank, Raipur Smart City launch payment platform
- Raipur Smart City in association with Axis Bank has launched a payment platform having a smart card, a mobile app and a web portal, which can be used for payments.
- Using a single card or the app, citizens will be able to pay for their bus travel, shopping at merchants, property bills and also e-commerce. It is primarily targeted at the overall seven lakh users of the civic body bus transport.
National Sports Awards -2018 announced; Virat and Mirabai to get Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna
National Sports Awards are given every year to recognize and reward excellence in sports.
Click Here to View the list of selected sportsperson who will receive these awards this year.