Current Affairs Update 6 January 2019
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. 6 January 2019
HRD Ministry Introduces 70-point Grading Index to Assess Quality of School Education
- The Ministry of Human Resource Development has introduced a 70-point grading index to assess the quality of school education offered by states.
- Under the initiative, the states will be marked out of 1,000 scores on 70 parameters to assess areas of deficiency in each state’s school education system so that necessary actions can be made at every level from pedagogy to teacher training.
- The move is aimed at bringing uniformity in educational standards across Indian States.
- Additionally, the ministry is also planning to set up a Central Institute of Assessment (CIA) which will work with NCERT and the states on pedagogical interventions to improve the learning outcomes.
Mobile App launched for Kumbh Mela 2019 to help Devotees & Tourists
- The North Central Railway, NCR has launched a mobile application ‘Rail Kumbh Seva Mobile App’ to help people navigate through Prayagraj city during Kumbh Mela 2019 starting from January 15 till March 1, 2019.
- Some of the features of the app includes:
- It will provide information regarding all the ‘Mela special’ trains that will be run during the period and help them to buy both unreserved and reserved train tickets.
- The app will enable the users to know their current location, help them to reach to all railway stations, the mela zone, major hotels, bus stations and other facilities within Prayagraj.
- It will also provide information about passenger amenities available at the stations such as parking lots, refreshment rooms, waiting rooms, book stall, food plaza, ATMs and train enquiry,
- It will have a photo gallery, containing pictures of previous Kumbh Melas that can also be accessed through the app.
Government Revises Interest Rate On Time Deposit Small Savings Scheme
The government revises the interest rates on small savings schemes on a quarterly basis. The latest Interest rate for the Quarter January-March 2019 is:
| INSTRUMENTS | RATE OF INTEREST WITH RESPECT TO OCTOBER 1, 2018 TO DECEMBER 31, 2018 | RATE OF INTEREST WITH RESPECT TO JANUARY 1, 2019 TO MARCH 31, 2019 | COMPOUNDING FREQUENCY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Savings Deposit | 4.0% | 4.0% | Annually |
| 1-Year Time Deposit | 6.9% | 7.0% | Quarterly |
| 2-Year Time Deposit | 7.0% | Quarterly | |
| 3-Year Time Deposit | 7.2% | Quarterly | |
| 5-Year Time Deposit | 7.8% | 7.8% (Unchanged) |
Quarterly |
| 5-Year Recurring Deposit | 7.3% | 7.3% (Unchanged) |
Quarterly |
| 5-Year Senior Citizen Savings Scheme | 8.7% | 8.7% (Unchanged) |
Quarterly and paid |
| 5-Year Monthly Income Account | 7.7% | 7.7% (Unchanged) |
Monthly and paid |
| 5-Year National Savings Certificate | 8.0% | 8.0% (Unchanged) |
Annually |
| Public Provident Fund Scheme | 8.0% | 8.0% (Unchanged) |
Annually |
| Kisan Vikas Patra | 7.7% (will mature in 112 months) | 7.7% (will mature in 112 months) (Unchanged) | Annually |
| Sukanya Samriddhi Account Scheme | 8.5% | 8.5% (Unchanged) |
Annually |
| (Source: Ministry of Finance) | |||
High-level committee set up to implement Clause 6 of Assam Accord; Head- MP Bezbarauah
- The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has formed a nine-member high-level committee to look into the implementation of Clause 6 of Assam Accord.
- The committee is headed by retired IAS officer MP Bezbarauah.
- The committee will examine the effectiveness of actions taken since 1985 to implement Clause 6 of the Assam Accord.
IMD Issues Orange Alert in Andaman And Nicobar Islands Amid Cyclone Pabuk
- The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an Orange alert for the Andaman Islands in view of Cyclonic Storm Pabuk.
- An orange weather warning means people should be prepared and there is an increased likelihood of bad or extreme weather, which may disrupt road and air travel and threaten life and property.
- Pabuk, a once in three-decades weather system, originated over the Gulf of Thailand made landfall in Nakhon Si Thammarat province on January 4 and is now over the Andaman sea and its neighbourhood moving north-northwestwards at a speed of 20 kmph in the last six hours.
- It is likely to recurve northeastwards towards Myanmar coast and weaken further during 7th -8th January, 2019.
- IMD warned total suspension of fishing operation over the Andaman Sea and adjoining southeast & east central Bay of Bengal till January 8.
MP cabinet approves farm loan waiver, extends cut-off date to Dec 12
- The Madhya Pradesh cabinet has approved a farm loan waiver scheme under which dues of farmers worth Rs 2 lakh would be waived in the state.
- The cabinet has extended the cut-off date for farm loan waiver from March 31 to December 12, 2018. farm loan defaulters from April 1, 2007 are included under the ambit of the scheme.
- The cabinet has also increased the financial assistance provided under the ‘Kanyadan Yojana’ to Rs 51,000 from previous Rs 28,000.
Viswanathan Anand Sworn as Asian Continental Assistant to World Chess Federation Chief
- Indian Chess Grand Master Viswanathan Anand has been appointed as Asia’s Continental Assistant to World Chess Federation (FIDE) President Arkady Dvorkovich.
- The former World Chess Champion, Anand, is among the 4 Continental Assistants appointed by FIDE President to help further develop and promote chess around the world with diverse experience and professional knowledge of the four persons.
- The other three Continental Assistants are:
- Europe: Former World Champion Vladimir Kramnik
- Americas: President of Venezuela Chess Federation Fidel Gonzalez and
- Africa: Tshepiso Lopang, Vice President of the African Chess Confederation
- With this appointments, the four Continental Assistants also become councilors of the Planning and Development Commission, a new body that was created on the FIDE President’s initiative that will assist national federations in chess development
Switzerland defeat Germany at Hopman Cup 2019 (Tennis)
- The Switzerland defeated Germany to win the Hopman Cop 2019 of Tennis.
- Mens Single– Roger Federer of Switzerland defeated Alexander Zverev of Germany. (Switzerland 1 point; Germany 0 point)
- Womens Single– Angelique Kerber (Germany) defeated Belinda Bencic (Switzeland) (Swit- 1 point; Germany also 1 point)
- In Mixed Double– Roger Federer and Belinda Bencic of Switzerland defeated the German pair of Alexdander Zverev and Angelique Kerber. (Hence Switzerland 2 points and Germany 1 point).
- Roger Federer has become the first tennis player in history to win three Hopman Cup trophies.
Roberto Bautista Agut wins Qatar Open title 2019 against Tomas Berdych
- Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain defeated Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 to win the the Qatar Open final 2019.
- This was the ninth title of his career.
Kevin Anderson wins single while Bopanna- Sharan dobles at Maharashtra Open 2019 (Tennis)
- The 24th edition of 2019 Maharashtra Open (also known as Tata Open Maharashtra) has come to an end. It is the only ATP tournament played in India. The winners are:
- Men’s Single: Kevin Anderson (South Africa) defeated Ivo Karlović (Croatia)
- Men’s Double: Rohan Bopanna and Divij Sharan (India) defeated Luke Bambridge andJonny O’Mara (Britain)
Nishikori, Pliskova wins in Men’s, Woman’s single resp of Brisbane International
- The Brisbane International Tennis Tournament 2019 has ended in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia and the winners are:
- Mens Single: Kei Nishikori (Japan) . He defeated Daniil Medvedev
- Woman’s Single: Karolina Pliskova (Czech Republic). This is her 12th title. She defeated Lesia Tsurenko