General Affairs
Hackers Steal Over $500 Million From Cryptocurrency Exchange In Japan
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Cryptocurrencies fell Friday after Japan-based digital exchange Coincheck suspended client deposits and withdrawals for virtual currencies except bitcoin, saying it had been hacked.
Coincheck said it was investigating "unauthorised access" of the exchange that appeared to result in a loss worth half a billion US dollars of NEM, the 10th biggest cryptocurrency by market capitalisation.
"At 3 am (1800 GMT) today, 523 million NEMs were sent from the NEM address of Coincheck. It's worth 58 billion yen based on the calculation at the the rate when detected," said Coincheck's chief operating officer Yusuke Otsuka late Friday.
"We're still examining how many of our customers are affected," he said, adding that the exchange was trying to find out whether the breach was from Japan or another country.
After the exchange suspended deposits and withdrawals, NEM plunged more than 16 percent in a 24-hour period, according to CoinMarketCap.com.
Major virtual currencies had rebounded slightly by late Friday but were still down, with Bitcoin dropping 2.13 percent to $10,987.70, ripple sliding more than six percent and ethereum flat.
Coincheck said it had discovered the breach at 11.25 am and announced it had suspended trading for all cryptocurrencies apart from bitcoin in a series of tweets.
According to its website, which proclaims it is "the leading bitcoin and cryptocurrency exchange in Asia", Tokyo-based Coincheck was founded in 2012 and had 71 employees as of July last year.
In 2014 major Tokyo-based bitcoin exchange MtGox collapsed after admitting that 850,000 coins -- worth around $480 million at the time -- had disappeared from its vaults.
Bitcoin is recognised as legal tender in Japan and nearly one third of global bitcoin transactions in December were denominated in yen, according to specialist website jpbitcoin.com.
The virtual currency is well down from record highs approaching $20,000 in late December, having rocketed 25-fold last year, before being hit by concerns about a bubble and worries about crackdowns on trading it.
Billionaire investor George Soros, known for his legendarily successful currency trading, has dismissed bitcoin as a "typical bubble".
But speaking Thursday at the Davos summit, he said the cryptocurrency would likely avoid a full crash because authoritarians would still use it to make secret investments abroad.
Coincheck said it was investigating "unauthorised access" of the exchange that appeared to result in a loss worth half a billion US dollars of NEM, the 10th biggest cryptocurrency by market capitalisation.
"At 3 am (1800 GMT) today, 523 million NEMs were sent from the NEM address of Coincheck. It's worth 58 billion yen based on the calculation at the the rate when detected," said Coincheck's chief operating officer Yusuke Otsuka late Friday.
"We're still examining how many of our customers are affected," he said, adding that the exchange was trying to find out whether the breach was from Japan or another country.
After the exchange suspended deposits and withdrawals, NEM plunged more than 16 percent in a 24-hour period, according to CoinMarketCap.com.
Major virtual currencies had rebounded slightly by late Friday but were still down, with Bitcoin dropping 2.13 percent to $10,987.70, ripple sliding more than six percent and ethereum flat.
Coincheck said it had discovered the breach at 11.25 am and announced it had suspended trading for all cryptocurrencies apart from bitcoin in a series of tweets.
According to its website, which proclaims it is "the leading bitcoin and cryptocurrency exchange in Asia", Tokyo-based Coincheck was founded in 2012 and had 71 employees as of July last year.
In 2014 major Tokyo-based bitcoin exchange MtGox collapsed after admitting that 850,000 coins -- worth around $480 million at the time -- had disappeared from its vaults.
Bitcoin is recognised as legal tender in Japan and nearly one third of global bitcoin transactions in December were denominated in yen, according to specialist website jpbitcoin.com.
The virtual currency is well down from record highs approaching $20,000 in late December, having rocketed 25-fold last year, before being hit by concerns about a bubble and worries about crackdowns on trading it.
Billionaire investor George Soros, known for his legendarily successful currency trading, has dismissed bitcoin as a "typical bubble".
But speaking Thursday at the Davos summit, he said the cryptocurrency would likely avoid a full crash because authoritarians would still use it to make secret investments abroad.
In A First, Floating Market Inspired By Bangkok Opens In Kolkata
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West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's dream of changing Kolkata into London has taken a detour, it seems, via Bangkok. Like the one in Bangkok, Kolkata now has a floating market. The shopkeepers love it and are saying, why Bangkok, we could even be in Venice.
"I have never been to Venice. But I have seen photos and it now feels like I am there. Mamata Banerjee has made it happen. This is the first such market in India. I am sure people will come to see it," said Kashinath Khobra, a vegetable seller at the market.
Just off Eastern Metropolitan Bypass -- something like Delhi's Ring Road linking north to south -- the floating market at Patuli was inaugurated on 24th January. One hundred and fifty boats are anchored on a lake right next to the Bypass and 228 shopkeepers are using them to sell their wares.
These shopkeepers used to set at a market nearby on terra firma but a major extension of Bypass displaced them. Faced with the rehabilitating these 228 people, Mamata Banerjee borrowed the idea from Bangkok and spent Rs. 9 crore to set it up.
Shibani Jana, a fish seller at the floating market, was excited about the unique marketplace but worried if her customers will still come to her at this new location.
"I have had a shop on land for 30 years. Now I have stepped into water. Let us see what Mother Ganga does, whether she keeps us afloat or drowns us."
The Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority is in charge of the market. Urban development minister Firhad Hakim laughed off questions on the Bangkok detour and said, "Calcutta is better than London now. We are proud of our Eco Park, which is better than Hyde Park. We have Seven Wonders of the World here. We have wax museum here. So we will take all the things which are good."
"I have never been to Venice. But I have seen photos and it now feels like I am there. Mamata Banerjee has made it happen. This is the first such market in India. I am sure people will come to see it," said Kashinath Khobra, a vegetable seller at the market.
Just off Eastern Metropolitan Bypass -- something like Delhi's Ring Road linking north to south -- the floating market at Patuli was inaugurated on 24th January. One hundred and fifty boats are anchored on a lake right next to the Bypass and 228 shopkeepers are using them to sell their wares.
These shopkeepers used to set at a market nearby on terra firma but a major extension of Bypass displaced them. Faced with the rehabilitating these 228 people, Mamata Banerjee borrowed the idea from Bangkok and spent Rs. 9 crore to set it up.
Shibani Jana, a fish seller at the floating market, was excited about the unique marketplace but worried if her customers will still come to her at this new location.
"I have had a shop on land for 30 years. Now I have stepped into water. Let us see what Mother Ganga does, whether she keeps us afloat or drowns us."
The Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority is in charge of the market. Urban development minister Firhad Hakim laughed off questions on the Bangkok detour and said, "Calcutta is better than London now. We are proud of our Eco Park, which is better than Hyde Park. We have Seven Wonders of the World here. We have wax museum here. So we will take all the things which are good."
India, ASEAN Relations "Free From Contests, Claims": PM Modi
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India and ASEAN have relations "free from contests and claims" and believe in sovereign equality of all nations irrespective of size, and support for free and open pathways of commerce and engagement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today.
27 newspapers in 10 languages in 10 ASEAN countries have published the op-ed by the Prime Minister on the historic occasion of 69th Republic Day and ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said in a tweet.
In the article, 'Shared Values, Common Destiny' published in the Straits Times, PM Modi highlighted the importance of India's ties with ASEAN nations, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and Brunei.
"India and ASEAN nations have relations free from contests and claims," PM Modi said.
"We have a common vision for the future, built on commitment to inclusion and integration, belief in sovereign equality of all nations irrespective of size, and support for free and open pathways of commerce and engagement," he said.
PM Modi said that he had the privilege to host the ASEAN leaders for the commemorative summit to mark 25 years of ASEAN-India partnership.
It is a historic milestone in a remarkable journey that has brought India and ASEAN to a deepening partnership of great promise for their 1.9 billion people, about one-fourth of humankind, he said in the article.
India-ASEAN partnership may be just 25 years old, but India's ties with South-east Asia stretch back more than two millennia, Modi said.
Forged in peace and friendship, religion and culture, art and commerce, language and literature, these enduring links are now present in every facet of the magnificent diversity of India and South-east Asia, providing a unique envelope of comfort and familiarity between our people, he said.
More than two decades ago, India opened itself to the world with tectonic changes. And, with instincts honed over centuries of interaction, it turned naturally to the East.
Thus began a new journey of India's reintegration with the East, the Prime Minister said.
"For India, most of our major partners and markets - from ASEAN to East Asia to North America - lie to the East. And south-east Asia and ASEAN, our neighbours by land and sea, have been the springboard of our Look East and, since the last three years, the Act East policy," he said.
Along the way, from dialogue partners, ASEAN and India have become strategic partners, he said.
"We advance our broad-based partnership through 30 mechanisms. With each ASEAN member, we have growing diplomatic, economic and security partnership. We work together to keep our seas safe and secure. Our trade and investment flows have multiplied several times," Modi said.
ASEAN is India's fourth-largest trading partner; India is ASEAN's seventh.
Over 20 per cent of India's outbound investments go to ASEAN. Led by Singapore, ASEAN is India's leading source of investments.
India's free trade agreements in the region are its oldest and among the most ambitious anywhere.
Air links have expanded rapidly and we are extending highways deep into continental South-east Asia with new urgency and priority. Growing connectivity has reinforced proximity.
It has also put India among the fastest-growing sources of tourism in South-east Asia.
"The over six-million-strong Indian diaspora in the region - rooted in diversity and steeped in dynamism - constitutes an extraordinary human bond between us," the Prime Minister said.
Singapore is a window to the heritage of India's ties to the region, the progress of the present and the potential of the future. Singapore was a bridge between India and ASEAN.
"Today, it is our gateway to the East, our leading economic partner and a major global strategic partner, which resonates in our membership in several regional and global forums. Singapore and India share a strategic partnership.
"Our political relations are infused with goodwill, warmth and trust. Our defence ties are among the strongest for both. Our economic partnership covers every area of priority for our two nations. Singapore is India's leading destination and source of investments. Thousands of Indian companies are registered in Singapore," he said.
16 Indian cities have over 240 direct flights every week to Singapore. Indians make up the third-largest group of tourists in Singapore.
"India and ASEAN are doing much more. Our partnership in ASEAN-led institutions like the East Asia Summit, ADMM+ (ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus) and ARF (ASEAN Regional Forum) is advancing peace and stability in our region," he said.
"India is also an eager participant in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement, seeking a comprehensive, balanced and fair agreement for all 16 participants. With every passing day, it is easier and smoother to do business in India. I hope that ASEAN nations, as our neighbours and friends, will be an integral part of New India's transformation," PM Modi added.
27 newspapers in 10 languages in 10 ASEAN countries have published the op-ed by the Prime Minister on the historic occasion of 69th Republic Day and ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said in a tweet.
In the article, 'Shared Values, Common Destiny' published in the Straits Times, PM Modi highlighted the importance of India's ties with ASEAN nations, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and Brunei.
"India and ASEAN nations have relations free from contests and claims," PM Modi said.
"We have a common vision for the future, built on commitment to inclusion and integration, belief in sovereign equality of all nations irrespective of size, and support for free and open pathways of commerce and engagement," he said.
PM Modi said that he had the privilege to host the ASEAN leaders for the commemorative summit to mark 25 years of ASEAN-India partnership.
It is a historic milestone in a remarkable journey that has brought India and ASEAN to a deepening partnership of great promise for their 1.9 billion people, about one-fourth of humankind, he said in the article.
India-ASEAN partnership may be just 25 years old, but India's ties with South-east Asia stretch back more than two millennia, Modi said.
Forged in peace and friendship, religion and culture, art and commerce, language and literature, these enduring links are now present in every facet of the magnificent diversity of India and South-east Asia, providing a unique envelope of comfort and familiarity between our people, he said.
More than two decades ago, India opened itself to the world with tectonic changes. And, with instincts honed over centuries of interaction, it turned naturally to the East.
Thus began a new journey of India's reintegration with the East, the Prime Minister said.
"For India, most of our major partners and markets - from ASEAN to East Asia to North America - lie to the East. And south-east Asia and ASEAN, our neighbours by land and sea, have been the springboard of our Look East and, since the last three years, the Act East policy," he said.
Along the way, from dialogue partners, ASEAN and India have become strategic partners, he said.
"We advance our broad-based partnership through 30 mechanisms. With each ASEAN member, we have growing diplomatic, economic and security partnership. We work together to keep our seas safe and secure. Our trade and investment flows have multiplied several times," Modi said.
ASEAN is India's fourth-largest trading partner; India is ASEAN's seventh.
Over 20 per cent of India's outbound investments go to ASEAN. Led by Singapore, ASEAN is India's leading source of investments.
India's free trade agreements in the region are its oldest and among the most ambitious anywhere.
Air links have expanded rapidly and we are extending highways deep into continental South-east Asia with new urgency and priority. Growing connectivity has reinforced proximity.
It has also put India among the fastest-growing sources of tourism in South-east Asia.
"The over six-million-strong Indian diaspora in the region - rooted in diversity and steeped in dynamism - constitutes an extraordinary human bond between us," the Prime Minister said.
Singapore is a window to the heritage of India's ties to the region, the progress of the present and the potential of the future. Singapore was a bridge between India and ASEAN.
"Today, it is our gateway to the East, our leading economic partner and a major global strategic partner, which resonates in our membership in several regional and global forums. Singapore and India share a strategic partnership.
"Our political relations are infused with goodwill, warmth and trust. Our defence ties are among the strongest for both. Our economic partnership covers every area of priority for our two nations. Singapore is India's leading destination and source of investments. Thousands of Indian companies are registered in Singapore," he said.
16 Indian cities have over 240 direct flights every week to Singapore. Indians make up the third-largest group of tourists in Singapore.
"India and ASEAN are doing much more. Our partnership in ASEAN-led institutions like the East Asia Summit, ADMM+ (ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus) and ARF (ASEAN Regional Forum) is advancing peace and stability in our region," he said.
"India is also an eager participant in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement, seeking a comprehensive, balanced and fair agreement for all 16 participants. With every passing day, it is easier and smoother to do business in India. I hope that ASEAN nations, as our neighbours and friends, will be an integral part of New India's transformation," PM Modi added.
Important To Not Change Status Quo At Sensitive Points At India-China Border: Indian Ambassador
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The Doklam standoff has been blown out of proportion but it is important to not change the "status quo" at sensitive points at the India-China border, Indian Ambassador to China Gautam Bambawale said.
In an interview to the state-run Global Times in Beijing today, he said post-Doklam, India and China should hold candid talks to resolve contentious issues, including the USD 50 billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
"I believe that you are blowing it out of proportion. The people of India and China and our leaders are experienced enough and wise enough to overcome such momentary hurdles in our relationship," Mr Bambawale said while answering a question if the Doklam standoff damaged ties.
"I believe that in the post-Doklam period, India and China need to be talking to each other and conversing with each other much more than in the past" at different levels including at the leadership level, he told the tabloid daily of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) known for its strident anti-India write ups.
Also, in an apparent reference to reports of China may try to make yet another attempt to build the road in Doklam near India's Chicken's Neck corridor which led to the standoff, he said it is important to not change the "status quo" at sensitive points.
The 73-day standoff at Doklam in Sikkim where the Chinese military attempted to build a road close to the Chicken's Neck corridor has sparked a new round of tensions at the border. It finally ended on August 28 after China agreed to stop road building.
As the two sides made efforts to improve ties, officials here said a new incident of Chinese military's attempts to build a road inside the Indian territory in Siang district in Arunachal Pradesh has been resolved.
"In our conversations and discussions, it is important to talk to each other and not talk past each other. We must be sensitive to the other side's concerns. Our interaction must be based on equality and mutual benefit. Also, in the India- China border areas, especially at some sensitive points, it is important not to change the status quo. We need to be clear about this," he said.
Recent reports say that Chinese troops have been building facilities not far from the standoff area. China asserts that Doklam which is also claimed by Bhutan belongs to it.
Dispelling the notion that India-China are rivals, Mr Bambawale also said there is no "anti-China mentality" in India.
"If India and China could hold the dialogue successfully we will understand each other much better and we will build trust and confidence in each other," he said.
"With enhanced trust and understanding will come a stronger partnership between India and China. I would like to say that India and China are partners in development and progress. We are not rivals," he said.
Answering a question, he refuted reports of there being adverse sentiments in India against China.
"If you travel to India and meet the common people in our cities and villages, you will come to know that they do not have an anti-China mentality. In fact, the people of India have great admiration for what China has achieved in economic development over the past four decades," he said.
He pointed to the success of Bollywood super star, Aamir Khan's Dangal and Secret Superstar in China to show the goodwill for India and asked China to allow screening of more Indian films to enable Chinese to understand India better.
But at the same time "there are a few issues about which, we in India, have been focusing attention on".
"The foremost is the large and growing trade deficit we face with China. In 2017, the deficit for India is likely to be USD 55 billion," he said and questioned why China is not opening its markets to Indian Pharmaceuticals and IT products.
"For 20 years, we have been asking for the Chinese market to be opened for our pharmaceutical and IT products and services, to no avail. What do we make of this? What conclusions should we draw? We should discuss such issues frankly but also take steps to resolve them," he said.
"Secondly, the CPEC passes through Indian-claimed territory and hence violates our territorial integrity. This is a major problem for us. We need to talk about it, not push it under the carpet," he said.
"I believe, the more we talk to each other, the easier it will become to resolve problems. Also, please don't forget, there are many subjects - the vast majority of issues - on which we are already working together and where we can expand cooperation," he said.
He suggested India and China should work together this year to have more summit-level meetings and official meetings besides enhancing exchanges of military personnel, parliamentarians, business persons, journalists, academicians, students, sportspersons and film makers.
Calling for more Chinese investments he pointed to the success of Chinese telecom firms in India. "We would like them to manufacture at least some of their products in India" under 'Make in India' programme," he said.
Similarly, India has embarked on a programme of 'Smart Cities'. Do you think it would be possible for Chinese companies to assist us in one or two of these new 'Smart Cities'? Perhaps, some Indian IT firms can assist with China's plans on big data, he asserted.
He said India and China also have common positions on many international and global issues. The prime example is that of climate change.
"We have been working together on this subject in the past and under the new international circumstances it is especially important that we continue to work together, he said and congratulated Beijing city for improving city's air by reducing pollution," he added.
In an interview to the state-run Global Times in Beijing today, he said post-Doklam, India and China should hold candid talks to resolve contentious issues, including the USD 50 billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
"I believe that you are blowing it out of proportion. The people of India and China and our leaders are experienced enough and wise enough to overcome such momentary hurdles in our relationship," Mr Bambawale said while answering a question if the Doklam standoff damaged ties.
"I believe that in the post-Doklam period, India and China need to be talking to each other and conversing with each other much more than in the past" at different levels including at the leadership level, he told the tabloid daily of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) known for its strident anti-India write ups.
Also, in an apparent reference to reports of China may try to make yet another attempt to build the road in Doklam near India's Chicken's Neck corridor which led to the standoff, he said it is important to not change the "status quo" at sensitive points.
The 73-day standoff at Doklam in Sikkim where the Chinese military attempted to build a road close to the Chicken's Neck corridor has sparked a new round of tensions at the border. It finally ended on August 28 after China agreed to stop road building.
As the two sides made efforts to improve ties, officials here said a new incident of Chinese military's attempts to build a road inside the Indian territory in Siang district in Arunachal Pradesh has been resolved.
"In our conversations and discussions, it is important to talk to each other and not talk past each other. We must be sensitive to the other side's concerns. Our interaction must be based on equality and mutual benefit. Also, in the India- China border areas, especially at some sensitive points, it is important not to change the status quo. We need to be clear about this," he said.
Recent reports say that Chinese troops have been building facilities not far from the standoff area. China asserts that Doklam which is also claimed by Bhutan belongs to it.
Dispelling the notion that India-China are rivals, Mr Bambawale also said there is no "anti-China mentality" in India.
"If India and China could hold the dialogue successfully we will understand each other much better and we will build trust and confidence in each other," he said.
"With enhanced trust and understanding will come a stronger partnership between India and China. I would like to say that India and China are partners in development and progress. We are not rivals," he said.
Answering a question, he refuted reports of there being adverse sentiments in India against China.
"If you travel to India and meet the common people in our cities and villages, you will come to know that they do not have an anti-China mentality. In fact, the people of India have great admiration for what China has achieved in economic development over the past four decades," he said.
He pointed to the success of Bollywood super star, Aamir Khan's Dangal and Secret Superstar in China to show the goodwill for India and asked China to allow screening of more Indian films to enable Chinese to understand India better.
But at the same time "there are a few issues about which, we in India, have been focusing attention on".
"The foremost is the large and growing trade deficit we face with China. In 2017, the deficit for India is likely to be USD 55 billion," he said and questioned why China is not opening its markets to Indian Pharmaceuticals and IT products.
"For 20 years, we have been asking for the Chinese market to be opened for our pharmaceutical and IT products and services, to no avail. What do we make of this? What conclusions should we draw? We should discuss such issues frankly but also take steps to resolve them," he said.
"Secondly, the CPEC passes through Indian-claimed territory and hence violates our territorial integrity. This is a major problem for us. We need to talk about it, not push it under the carpet," he said.
"I believe, the more we talk to each other, the easier it will become to resolve problems. Also, please don't forget, there are many subjects - the vast majority of issues - on which we are already working together and where we can expand cooperation," he said.
He suggested India and China should work together this year to have more summit-level meetings and official meetings besides enhancing exchanges of military personnel, parliamentarians, business persons, journalists, academicians, students, sportspersons and film makers.
Calling for more Chinese investments he pointed to the success of Chinese telecom firms in India. "We would like them to manufacture at least some of their products in India" under 'Make in India' programme," he said.
Similarly, India has embarked on a programme of 'Smart Cities'. Do you think it would be possible for Chinese companies to assist us in one or two of these new 'Smart Cities'? Perhaps, some Indian IT firms can assist with China's plans on big data, he asserted.
He said India and China also have common positions on many international and global issues. The prime example is that of climate change.
"We have been working together on this subject in the past and under the new international circumstances it is especially important that we continue to work together, he said and congratulated Beijing city for improving city's air by reducing pollution," he added.
Indonesia, Malaysia Share Counter-Terrorism Experiences With India
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Indonesian President Joko Widodo and Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak shared their respective countries' experience of countering terrorism during the course of their visit to India to attend the Commemorative Summit to mark 25 years of the India-Asean Dialogue Partnership, a senior official said in Delhi on Friday.
At a media briefing, Preeti Saran, Secretary (East) in the External Affairs Ministry, said that during the bilateral meetings, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had with Mr Widodo and Mr Razak, both visiting leaders "shared their own experiences and the legislations they have introduced in their own countries".
"The soft and hardware aspects of countering terrorism," Mr Saran explained. "The hardware aspects of strict actions to be taken through enabling laws and the software actions in terms of how to ensure that the youth do not go the path of extremism or radicalisation."
Indonesia is the country with the largest Muslim population, as over 61 per cent of the population in Malaysia follows Islam.
A Delhi Declaration issued following Thursday's Summit said both India and the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) agreed to "deepen cooperation in combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, violent extremism and radicalisation through information sharing, law enforcement cooperation and capacity building under the existing Asean-led mechanisms".
The statement reiterated both sides' commitment to promote a "comprehensive approach to combat terrorism through close cooperation by disrupting and countering terrorists, terrorist groups and networks, including by countering cross border movement of terrorists and foreign terrorist fighters and misuse of Internet including social media by terror entities; strengthen cooperation to stop terrorism financing efforts, and prevent recruitment of members of terrorist groups; support efforts in targeting terrorist groups and sanctuaries; and take further urgent measures to counter and prevent the spread of terrorism, while stressing that there can be no justification for acts of terror on any grounds whatsoever".
While PM Modi held a bilateral meeting with Mr Widodo late on Thursday evening, he met Razak on Friday afternoon.
Mr Widodo and Mr Razak were among the 10 heads of government or state from the Asean member states who attended Friday's Republic Day celebrations as guests of honour, an unprecedented first.
The Asean comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
Giving an overview of the Commemorative Summit, Ms Saran said: "All of the 10 Asean countries have appreciated India's role and the bilateral relationship we enjoy with each one of them and the fact that India has played such a positive role in the Indo-Pacific region".
"The message we got from the 10 leaders was that they feel India is a very important component for peace, stability and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region," she said.
According to Ms Saran, all the 10 leaders greatly appreciated India's growth story.
"All of them repeatedly acknowledged the growth rates India is clocking at the moment, being one of the fastest growing economies." she said.
She said the reforms introduced to fight corruption in India was of interest to Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte, who particularly showed interest in the Aadhaar system, digital economy and cashless transactions.
"It was another issue of interest for Singapore who would like to go more and more into cashless financial transaction," Ms Saran said.
At a media briefing, Preeti Saran, Secretary (East) in the External Affairs Ministry, said that during the bilateral meetings, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had with Mr Widodo and Mr Razak, both visiting leaders "shared their own experiences and the legislations they have introduced in their own countries".
"The soft and hardware aspects of countering terrorism," Mr Saran explained. "The hardware aspects of strict actions to be taken through enabling laws and the software actions in terms of how to ensure that the youth do not go the path of extremism or radicalisation."
Indonesia is the country with the largest Muslim population, as over 61 per cent of the population in Malaysia follows Islam.
A Delhi Declaration issued following Thursday's Summit said both India and the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) agreed to "deepen cooperation in combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, violent extremism and radicalisation through information sharing, law enforcement cooperation and capacity building under the existing Asean-led mechanisms".
The statement reiterated both sides' commitment to promote a "comprehensive approach to combat terrorism through close cooperation by disrupting and countering terrorists, terrorist groups and networks, including by countering cross border movement of terrorists and foreign terrorist fighters and misuse of Internet including social media by terror entities; strengthen cooperation to stop terrorism financing efforts, and prevent recruitment of members of terrorist groups; support efforts in targeting terrorist groups and sanctuaries; and take further urgent measures to counter and prevent the spread of terrorism, while stressing that there can be no justification for acts of terror on any grounds whatsoever".
While PM Modi held a bilateral meeting with Mr Widodo late on Thursday evening, he met Razak on Friday afternoon.
Mr Widodo and Mr Razak were among the 10 heads of government or state from the Asean member states who attended Friday's Republic Day celebrations as guests of honour, an unprecedented first.
The Asean comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
Giving an overview of the Commemorative Summit, Ms Saran said: "All of the 10 Asean countries have appreciated India's role and the bilateral relationship we enjoy with each one of them and the fact that India has played such a positive role in the Indo-Pacific region".
"The message we got from the 10 leaders was that they feel India is a very important component for peace, stability and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region," she said.
According to Ms Saran, all the 10 leaders greatly appreciated India's growth story.
"All of them repeatedly acknowledged the growth rates India is clocking at the moment, being one of the fastest growing economies." she said.
She said the reforms introduced to fight corruption in India was of interest to Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte, who particularly showed interest in the Aadhaar system, digital economy and cashless transactions.
"It was another issue of interest for Singapore who would like to go more and more into cashless financial transaction," Ms Saran said.
Business Affairs
Idea Cellular requests government approval to hike FDI limit to 100%
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Telecom operator Idea Cellular has approached the government for raising foreign direct investment (FDI) level in the company to 100 per cent.
"Application made to DIPP (Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion) for 100 per cent FDI in Idea," the company said in an investor presentation filed late on Friday evening.
Foreign investors hold around 27 per cent stake in Idea, as per shareholding pattern of the company till December 2017.
At present, 100 per cent FDI is allowed in telecom companies, of which up to 49 per cent can be done through the automatic route. The inflow of overseas investment beyond that level requires government approval because of security reasons.
Idea Cellular is in the process of merging its telecom business with the Indian unit of British telecom major Vodafone.
As per latest data published by sector regulator Trai, Idea and Vodafone jointly have over 40 crore mobile subscribers and together account for the largest share in the Indian telecom segment.
In the presentation, Idea showed that post amalgamation with Vodafone, the resultant entity will be second highest spectrum holder with 1,850 Mhz of radiowaves and highest revenue share at 37.5 per cent.
Bharti Airtel will have biggest spectrum holding at 1,976 megahertz radiowaves and Reliance Jio will have 1,480 Mhz of spectrum after completing the various asset acquisition of smaller telecom operators, as per the presentation.
Vodafone is expected to hold around 47.5 per cent stake in the merged entity and rest will be owned by Idea and its promoter Aditya Birla Group.
"Application made to DIPP (Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion) for 100 per cent FDI in Idea," the company said in an investor presentation filed late on Friday evening.
Foreign investors hold around 27 per cent stake in Idea, as per shareholding pattern of the company till December 2017.
At present, 100 per cent FDI is allowed in telecom companies, of which up to 49 per cent can be done through the automatic route. The inflow of overseas investment beyond that level requires government approval because of security reasons.
Idea Cellular is in the process of merging its telecom business with the Indian unit of British telecom major Vodafone.
As per latest data published by sector regulator Trai, Idea and Vodafone jointly have over 40 crore mobile subscribers and together account for the largest share in the Indian telecom segment.
In the presentation, Idea showed that post amalgamation with Vodafone, the resultant entity will be second highest spectrum holder with 1,850 Mhz of radiowaves and highest revenue share at 37.5 per cent.
Bharti Airtel will have biggest spectrum holding at 1,976 megahertz radiowaves and Reliance Jio will have 1,480 Mhz of spectrum after completing the various asset acquisition of smaller telecom operators, as per the presentation.
Vodafone is expected to hold around 47.5 per cent stake in the merged entity and rest will be owned by Idea and its promoter Aditya Birla Group.
India can reach top 50 on ease of doing business index, says Arun Jaitley
-
Improving India's ranking in the World Bank's ease of doing business index is "reasonably possible" if various machineries, including the tax department, make concerted efforts to improve the three laggard parameters, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said today.
He also said that WTO talks have not made much headway in most areas except trade facilitation, which helps cut costs and make it more efficient.
"Therefore, even without international agreement to that effect, it is even within larger benefits and interest of our domestic economy to ensure that trade facilitation takes place," he said addressing officials on the International Customs Day.
Citing success achieved by India in Ease of Doing Business ranking, Jaitley said the country has moved ahead from 142 to 100th position in the last three years and the last 30 being in one year.
"The Prime Minister has given us goal that we must try and come within first 50. So, at a time when you were at 142, to come within first 50 is somewhat challenging," he said.
He added that out of the 10 criteria which the World Bank follows there are actually three that need to be improved -- one relating to municipal permission of land and buildings, the other is trading across borders and third one is contract enforcement.
"Each one of these has a number of minute details which we need to satisfy and most of them are not very difficult to satisfy," he said.
Exhorting officials of the customs department to improve India's ranking in trade facilitation parameter, Finance Secretary Hasmukh Adhia said: "All of us together have to work harder to ensure that our ranking in that particular item, which is 146 as of now, we must make it within 100 as early as possible. If not within a year, within two years."
Adhia asked the official to take this as a challenge and focus on this during the year.
"If we are used to getting so many laurels in terms of GST and other things, why can't we make this also possible. I am sure if you all decide, we can do it," he said.
Jaitley also said that the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion is working on the improvement in the three laggard parameters.
"With these, to come down substantially below 100 is reasonably possible. And in one (trade facilitation) of them customs department has a role," he said.
Jaitley added: "You have twin role to play that whereas you have to play role of detection machinery to ensure evasion doesn't take place, at the same time you have to be a facilitator which makes entry into border itself fairly easy
"How do you blend these two somewhat a contradictory challenge and bring the balance between the two, I think with experience of your service you would be able to do this."
On the role of customs and the entire tax department, Jaitley said it has been evolving with changing nature of economy and with increased tools of technology now being available.
"As the economy itself has expanded the nature of each of these taxation departments also have to change. In income tax, the base is becoming larger. It is bound to enlarge and therefore charging higher rates from few selective groups which has traditionally done is an area which has been changing," he said.
The finance minister unveiled two technology platforms -- ICETRAK and ICETAB designed by Central Board of Excise and Customs as part of effort towards improving ease of doing business.
He also said that WTO talks have not made much headway in most areas except trade facilitation, which helps cut costs and make it more efficient.
"Therefore, even without international agreement to that effect, it is even within larger benefits and interest of our domestic economy to ensure that trade facilitation takes place," he said addressing officials on the International Customs Day.
Citing success achieved by India in Ease of Doing Business ranking, Jaitley said the country has moved ahead from 142 to 100th position in the last three years and the last 30 being in one year.
"The Prime Minister has given us goal that we must try and come within first 50. So, at a time when you were at 142, to come within first 50 is somewhat challenging," he said.
He added that out of the 10 criteria which the World Bank follows there are actually three that need to be improved -- one relating to municipal permission of land and buildings, the other is trading across borders and third one is contract enforcement.
"Each one of these has a number of minute details which we need to satisfy and most of them are not very difficult to satisfy," he said.
Exhorting officials of the customs department to improve India's ranking in trade facilitation parameter, Finance Secretary Hasmukh Adhia said: "All of us together have to work harder to ensure that our ranking in that particular item, which is 146 as of now, we must make it within 100 as early as possible. If not within a year, within two years."
Adhia asked the official to take this as a challenge and focus on this during the year.
"If we are used to getting so many laurels in terms of GST and other things, why can't we make this also possible. I am sure if you all decide, we can do it," he said.
Jaitley also said that the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion is working on the improvement in the three laggard parameters.
"With these, to come down substantially below 100 is reasonably possible. And in one (trade facilitation) of them customs department has a role," he said.
Jaitley added: "You have twin role to play that whereas you have to play role of detection machinery to ensure evasion doesn't take place, at the same time you have to be a facilitator which makes entry into border itself fairly easy
"How do you blend these two somewhat a contradictory challenge and bring the balance between the two, I think with experience of your service you would be able to do this."
On the role of customs and the entire tax department, Jaitley said it has been evolving with changing nature of economy and with increased tools of technology now being available.
"As the economy itself has expanded the nature of each of these taxation departments also have to change. In income tax, the base is becoming larger. It is bound to enlarge and therefore charging higher rates from few selective groups which has traditionally done is an area which has been changing," he said.
The finance minister unveiled two technology platforms -- ICETRAK and ICETAB designed by Central Board of Excise and Customs as part of effort towards improving ease of doing business.
Atal Pension Yojana extended to small finance banks for better outreach
-
The Finance Ministry today said payments banks and small finance banks will offer Atal Pension Yojana (APY).
"To strengthen the existing channels of APY distribution, it is felt that these new Payments Banks and Small Finance Banks will provide a boost to the outreach of subscribers under APY," an official statement said.
Atal Pension Yojana is a government-run old age pension scheme being implemented through all banks across the country as per the mandate received from the Ministry of Finance and monitored periodically at PMO.
Payments banks and Small Finance Banks are new models of banks conceptualised by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
There are 11 Payments Banks and 10 Small Finance Banks which have received licence from the RBI to start banking operations in India.
"Participation in APY not only builds a pensioned society but also adds sustainable fee income to banks by way of attractive incentive for mobilizing APY at Rs 120-150 for each account," the statement added.
"To strengthen the existing channels of APY distribution, it is felt that these new Payments Banks and Small Finance Banks will provide a boost to the outreach of subscribers under APY," an official statement said.
Atal Pension Yojana is a government-run old age pension scheme being implemented through all banks across the country as per the mandate received from the Ministry of Finance and monitored periodically at PMO.
Payments banks and Small Finance Banks are new models of banks conceptualised by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
There are 11 Payments Banks and 10 Small Finance Banks which have received licence from the RBI to start banking operations in India.
"Participation in APY not only builds a pensioned society but also adds sustainable fee income to banks by way of attractive incentive for mobilizing APY at Rs 120-150 for each account," the statement added.
Sundaram BNP Paribas clocks Q3 net profit at Rs 39.42 crore
-
Sundaram BNP Paribas Home Finance has clocked net profits of Rs 39.42 crore for the third quarter ending December 31, 2017.
The city-based company recorded net profits of Rs 39.39 crore in the corresponding period of the previous year.
Disbursements for the October-December 31, 2017 period surged 106 per cent to Rs 744 crore from Rs 361 crore registered during the year ago period, a company statement said.
The company's loan under management stood at Rs 8,081 crore as of December 31, 2017 from Rs 7,660 crore recorded in the same period last year.
Sundaram said during the quarter ending December 31, 2017 it received FAAA rating for the fixed deposits from CRISIL.
Commenting on the results, Sundaram BNP Paribas Home Finance, Managing Director, Srinivas Acharya said the rise in loan disbursements during the third quarter was an "indication of good traction seen in recent months".
"The Chennai market that had seen a slowdown in the last few years has registered a good growth in the first nine months of the year and this is particularly heartening. We expect this to continue in Q4 as well", he said.
Sundaram BNP Paribas Home Finance Ltd is a 50.1 per cent- 49.9 per cent Joint Venture between Sundaram Finance and BNP Paribas of France.
The company has over 110 branches across the country and over 50,000 customers, the release added.
The city-based company recorded net profits of Rs 39.39 crore in the corresponding period of the previous year.
Disbursements for the October-December 31, 2017 period surged 106 per cent to Rs 744 crore from Rs 361 crore registered during the year ago period, a company statement said.
The company's loan under management stood at Rs 8,081 crore as of December 31, 2017 from Rs 7,660 crore recorded in the same period last year.
Sundaram said during the quarter ending December 31, 2017 it received FAAA rating for the fixed deposits from CRISIL.
Commenting on the results, Sundaram BNP Paribas Home Finance, Managing Director, Srinivas Acharya said the rise in loan disbursements during the third quarter was an "indication of good traction seen in recent months".
"The Chennai market that had seen a slowdown in the last few years has registered a good growth in the first nine months of the year and this is particularly heartening. We expect this to continue in Q4 as well", he said.
Sundaram BNP Paribas Home Finance Ltd is a 50.1 per cent- 49.9 per cent Joint Venture between Sundaram Finance and BNP Paribas of France.
The company has over 110 branches across the country and over 50,000 customers, the release added.
'Market reforms essential for farmers to get their due'
-
The agriculture sector is the backbone and crucial in our Indian economy that provides employment to 48.9 percent of the total workforce in India and contributes around 17-18 percent to the country's GDP. This year's budget can be a landmark in terms of agrarian policies and rural initiatives. Government will continue to keep emphasis for the growth of agriculture, focus more on the market reforms and to ensure that the farmers get a better price for the produce.
To ensure the advancement of the rural economy, the combination of strong agricultural regulations, ease of improving the source of non-farm incomes and thereby promoting rural employment schemes and good policy are especially important for the upgradation of rural sector.
The sector will attract more budgetary outlays from this budget. Reforms such as 'Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana', the delivery of remunerative prices to farmers, electronic trading facilities, boost to agro processing facilities, crop insurance will all aid in reviving of the sector and the income of the farmers.
Also, the focus of the budget should also be on dairy, fruit and vegetable items which have potential to grow 3-4 times. To meet the future challenges, government should create additional milk processing infrastructure to aid the scheme of doubling farmers' income.
The contribution of dairy and animal husbandry to the GDP is 30 percent of the agricultural share and also growth rate is as high as 14 percent. Dairy sector should be treated at par with the agriculture sector with more fund allocation during the budget, with attractive schemes where maximum people in rural India can grow. It should also enjoy the income tax exemption as the agriculture sector.
To ensure the advancement of the rural economy, the combination of strong agricultural regulations, ease of improving the source of non-farm incomes and thereby promoting rural employment schemes and good policy are especially important for the upgradation of rural sector.
The sector will attract more budgetary outlays from this budget. Reforms such as 'Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana', the delivery of remunerative prices to farmers, electronic trading facilities, boost to agro processing facilities, crop insurance will all aid in reviving of the sector and the income of the farmers.
Also, the focus of the budget should also be on dairy, fruit and vegetable items which have potential to grow 3-4 times. To meet the future challenges, government should create additional milk processing infrastructure to aid the scheme of doubling farmers' income.
The contribution of dairy and animal husbandry to the GDP is 30 percent of the agricultural share and also growth rate is as high as 14 percent. Dairy sector should be treated at par with the agriculture sector with more fund allocation during the budget, with attractive schemes where maximum people in rural India can grow. It should also enjoy the income tax exemption as the agriculture sector.
General Awareness
GENERAL AWARENESS PRACTICE MCQs FOR IBPS EXAM
-
1. Who received the Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration for 2015-16 on October 31,
2017?
1) Bezwada Wilson
2) A.R. Rahman
3) T.M. Krishna
4) Gulzar
5) Shyam Benegal
2. What is India's rank in the World Bank's Ease of Doing Business index 2018?
1) 130
2) 100
3) 101
4) 131
5) 123
3. Paolo Gentiloni visited India in October 2017. He is the Prime Minister of which of the following countries?
1) France
2) Portugal
3) Italy
4) Spain
5) Netherlands
4. Where are the headquarters of the Nordic Investment Bank (NIB) located?
1) Copenhagen, Denmark
2) Oslo, Norway
3) Stockholm, Sweden
4) Helsinki, Finland
5) Riga, Latvia
5. The proposed Gorakhpur Nuclear Power Plant will be built in which of the following States?
1) Uttar Pradesh
2) Rajasthan
3) Haryana
4) Jharkhand
5) Uttarakhand
6. World Day for International Justice is celebrated every year on:
1) July 17
2) August 17
3) September 17
4) October 17
5) November 17
7. Who is the first Indian woman to climb Mount Everest from China side?
1) Anshu Jamsenpa
2) Anita Kundu
3) Arunima Sinha
4) Santosh Yadav
5) Premlata Agarwal
8. Which private sector bank was previously a microfinance institution?
1) IDFC Bank
2) Yes bank
3) Axis Bank
4) Bandhan Bank
5) IndusInd Bank
9. In which Indian State is the City Union Bank headquartered?
1) Karnataka
2) Kerala
3) Tamil Nadu
4) Andhra Pradesh
5) Maharashtra
10. The Karlovy Vary International Film Festival is held annually in which of the following countries?
1) Czech Republic
2) Bulgaria
3) France
4) Poland
5) Austria
11. Which city hosted the India- ASEAN Youth Summit in August 2017?
1) Bhopal
2) New Delhi
3) Hyderabad
4) Mumbai
5) Jaipur
12. Who is the Chairman of the committee constituted to prepare a blueprint for doubling farmers'
income by 2022?
1) Ramesh Chand
2) Ashok Dalwai
3) Bibek Debroy
4) M.S. Swaminathan
5) None of these
13. Prasoon Joshi is the present Chairperson of which of the following?
1) FTII
2) NSD
3) CBFC
4) IIMC
5) SRFTI
14. Who was appointed as Executive Director in World Bank in August 2017?
1) Soumya Swaminathan
2) Ruchira Kamboj
3) Meira Shankar
4) S. Aparna
5) Eenam Gambhir
15. Which of the following statements about the 2017 Global Retirement Index (GRI) is not correct?
1) GRI is published by French asset management company Natixis Global
2) It ranked 43 countries
3) India is ranked 43rd
4) Norway topped the list
5) Eight of the top ten countries are located in Asia
16. National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Amendment) Bill, 2017 will allow
Union Government to increase capital of NABARD from Rs.5,000 crore to?
1) Rs. 10,000 crore
2) Rs. 20,000 crore
3) Rs. 25,000 crore
4) Rs. 30,000 crore
5) None of these
17. Who was appointed as Chairman and Managing Director of Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) in August 2017?
1) Ashwani Lohani
2) Mohammad Mustafa
3) E. Sankara Rao
4) Santosh Sharma
5) None of these
18. Which State declared Dailong village as a Biodiversity Heritage Site recently?
1) Mizoram
2) Meghalaya
3) Manipur
4) Tripura
5) Assam
19. In which State is Almatti Dam located?
1) Telangana
2) Andhra Pradesh
3) Tamil Nadu
4) Karnataka
5) None of these
20. In a "banking outlet" services are provided for a minimum of how many hours per day for at least five days a week?
1) 2 hours
2) 4 hours
3) 5 hours
4) 6 hours
5) None of these
21. Who is the author of the recently released book "India 2017 Yearbook"?
1) Rajiv Mehrishi
2) Amitabh Kant
3) Bibek Debroy
4) V.K. Saraswat
5) None of these
22. In which State are the Bhimbetka rock shelters located?
1) Maharashtra
2) Madhya Pradesh
3) Punjab
4) Haryana
5) Rajasthan
23. Where is the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex situated?
1) Mumbai
2) Nagpur
3) Pune
4) Nanded
5) Nashik
24. Which of the following regulates credit rating agencies in India?
1) RBI
2) SEBI
3) IRDA
4) PFRDA
5) None of these
25. In which State is Ghatampur Thermal Power Station located?
1) Bihar
2) Chhattisgarh
3) West Bengal
4) Madhya Pradesh
5) Uttar Pradesh
26. Abu Dhabi is the capital of which of the following countries?
1) Qatar
2) Saudi Arabia
3) UAE
4) Jordan
5) Lebanon
27. Y-20 is a large military transport aircraft developed by which of the following countries?
1) Russia
2) USA
3) Japan
4) China
5) North Korea
28. The Reserve Bank of India published report of the Household Finance Committee in August
2017. The Committee was chaired by:
1) Bimal Jalan
2) Tarun Ramadorai
3) Raghuram Rajan
4) Nachiket Mor
5) None of these
29. The Bandodkar Gold Trophy is associated with which of the following sports?
1) Kabaddi
2) Cricket
3) Football
4) Hockey
5) Wrestling
30. Who is the first Indian to scale Mount Everest six times?
1) N. Jagoi
2) Rahul Jarngal
3) Loveraj Singh
4) Yogender Garbiyal
5) None of these
31. The Capital Small Finance Bank (CSFB) is India's first Small Finance Bank. It is headquartered in:
1) Jalandhar
2) Jaipur
3) Jaisalmer
4) Bangalore
5) Mangalore
32. Which of the following is the capital city of Spain?
1) Barcelona
2) Bratislava
3) Stockholm
4) Madrid
5) Lisbon
33. The India Aspiration Fund (IAF) would invest in venture capital funds for meeting the equity requirement of:
1) Agriculture
2) Housing
3) MSME start-ups
4) IT sector
5) None of these
34. Which bank has executed India's first transaction on block chain technology?
1) Yes Bank
2) Axis Bank
3) HDFC Bank
4) ICICI Bank
5) None of these
35. Where are the headquarters of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization?
1) Shanghai
2) Hong Kong
3) Beijing
4) Singapore
5) None of these
36. In which State is Mathikettan Shola National Park located?
1) Tamil Nadu
2) Karnataka
3) Odisha
4) Kerala
5) None of these
37. Which city hosted the IAAF World Under-18 Championships in Athletics in July 2017?
1) Nairobi, Kenya
2) Lille, France
3) Donetsk, Ukraine
4) Cali, Colombia
5) Marrakech, Morocco
38. Vijender Singh of India won the unified WBO Asia Pacific and Oriental Super Middleweight
title in Mumbai by defeating Zulpikar Maimaitiali of:
1) Pakistan
2) China
3) Kazakhstan
4) Tajikistan
5) Malaysia
39. Who won the men's singles title in Rogers Cup tennis played in Montreal, Canada in August 2017?
1) Alexander Zverev
2) Roger Federer
3) Dominic Thiem
4) Kei Nishikori
5) Rafael Nadal
40. Who clinched the women's singles title in Rogers Cup tennis played in Toronto, Canada in August 2017?
1) Simona Halep
2) Elina Svitolina
3) Angelique Kerber
4) Johanna Konta
5) Petra Kvitova
ANSWERS:
1) 3 2) 2 3) 3 4) 4 5) 3 6) 1 7) 2 8) 4 9) 3 10) 1
11) 1 12) 2 13) 3 14) 4 15) 5 16) 4 17) 2 18) 3 19) 4 20) 2
21) 1 22) 2 23) 3 24) 2 25) 5 26) 3 27) 4 28) 2 29) 3 30) 3
31) 1 32) 4 33) 3 34) 4 35) 3 36) 4 37) 1 38) 2 39) 1 40) 2
2017?
1) Bezwada Wilson
2) A.R. Rahman
3) T.M. Krishna
4) Gulzar
5) Shyam Benegal
2. What is India's rank in the World Bank's Ease of Doing Business index 2018?
1) 130
2) 100
3) 101
4) 131
5) 123
3. Paolo Gentiloni visited India in October 2017. He is the Prime Minister of which of the following countries?
1) France
2) Portugal
3) Italy
4) Spain
5) Netherlands
4. Where are the headquarters of the Nordic Investment Bank (NIB) located?
1) Copenhagen, Denmark
2) Oslo, Norway
3) Stockholm, Sweden
4) Helsinki, Finland
5) Riga, Latvia
5. The proposed Gorakhpur Nuclear Power Plant will be built in which of the following States?
1) Uttar Pradesh
2) Rajasthan
3) Haryana
4) Jharkhand
5) Uttarakhand
6. World Day for International Justice is celebrated every year on:
1) July 17
2) August 17
3) September 17
4) October 17
5) November 17
7. Who is the first Indian woman to climb Mount Everest from China side?
1) Anshu Jamsenpa
2) Anita Kundu
3) Arunima Sinha
4) Santosh Yadav
5) Premlata Agarwal
8. Which private sector bank was previously a microfinance institution?
1) IDFC Bank
2) Yes bank
3) Axis Bank
4) Bandhan Bank
5) IndusInd Bank
9. In which Indian State is the City Union Bank headquartered?
1) Karnataka
2) Kerala
3) Tamil Nadu
4) Andhra Pradesh
5) Maharashtra
10. The Karlovy Vary International Film Festival is held annually in which of the following countries?
1) Czech Republic
2) Bulgaria
3) France
4) Poland
5) Austria
11. Which city hosted the India- ASEAN Youth Summit in August 2017?
1) Bhopal
2) New Delhi
3) Hyderabad
4) Mumbai
5) Jaipur
12. Who is the Chairman of the committee constituted to prepare a blueprint for doubling farmers'
income by 2022?
1) Ramesh Chand
2) Ashok Dalwai
3) Bibek Debroy
4) M.S. Swaminathan
5) None of these
13. Prasoon Joshi is the present Chairperson of which of the following?
1) FTII
2) NSD
3) CBFC
4) IIMC
5) SRFTI
14. Who was appointed as Executive Director in World Bank in August 2017?
1) Soumya Swaminathan
2) Ruchira Kamboj
3) Meira Shankar
4) S. Aparna
5) Eenam Gambhir
15. Which of the following statements about the 2017 Global Retirement Index (GRI) is not correct?
1) GRI is published by French asset management company Natixis Global
2) It ranked 43 countries
3) India is ranked 43rd
4) Norway topped the list
5) Eight of the top ten countries are located in Asia
16. National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Amendment) Bill, 2017 will allow
Union Government to increase capital of NABARD from Rs.5,000 crore to?
1) Rs. 10,000 crore
2) Rs. 20,000 crore
3) Rs. 25,000 crore
4) Rs. 30,000 crore
5) None of these
17. Who was appointed as Chairman and Managing Director of Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) in August 2017?
1) Ashwani Lohani
2) Mohammad Mustafa
3) E. Sankara Rao
4) Santosh Sharma
5) None of these
18. Which State declared Dailong village as a Biodiversity Heritage Site recently?
1) Mizoram
2) Meghalaya
3) Manipur
4) Tripura
5) Assam
19. In which State is Almatti Dam located?
1) Telangana
2) Andhra Pradesh
3) Tamil Nadu
4) Karnataka
5) None of these
20. In a "banking outlet" services are provided for a minimum of how many hours per day for at least five days a week?
1) 2 hours
2) 4 hours
3) 5 hours
4) 6 hours
5) None of these
21. Who is the author of the recently released book "India 2017 Yearbook"?
1) Rajiv Mehrishi
2) Amitabh Kant
3) Bibek Debroy
4) V.K. Saraswat
5) None of these
22. In which State are the Bhimbetka rock shelters located?
1) Maharashtra
2) Madhya Pradesh
3) Punjab
4) Haryana
5) Rajasthan
23. Where is the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex situated?
1) Mumbai
2) Nagpur
3) Pune
4) Nanded
5) Nashik
24. Which of the following regulates credit rating agencies in India?
1) RBI
2) SEBI
3) IRDA
4) PFRDA
5) None of these
25. In which State is Ghatampur Thermal Power Station located?
1) Bihar
2) Chhattisgarh
3) West Bengal
4) Madhya Pradesh
5) Uttar Pradesh
26. Abu Dhabi is the capital of which of the following countries?
1) Qatar
2) Saudi Arabia
3) UAE
4) Jordan
5) Lebanon
27. Y-20 is a large military transport aircraft developed by which of the following countries?
1) Russia
2) USA
3) Japan
4) China
5) North Korea
28. The Reserve Bank of India published report of the Household Finance Committee in August
2017. The Committee was chaired by:
1) Bimal Jalan
2) Tarun Ramadorai
3) Raghuram Rajan
4) Nachiket Mor
5) None of these
29. The Bandodkar Gold Trophy is associated with which of the following sports?
1) Kabaddi
2) Cricket
3) Football
4) Hockey
5) Wrestling
30. Who is the first Indian to scale Mount Everest six times?
1) N. Jagoi
2) Rahul Jarngal
3) Loveraj Singh
4) Yogender Garbiyal
5) None of these
31. The Capital Small Finance Bank (CSFB) is India's first Small Finance Bank. It is headquartered in:
1) Jalandhar
2) Jaipur
3) Jaisalmer
4) Bangalore
5) Mangalore
32. Which of the following is the capital city of Spain?
1) Barcelona
2) Bratislava
3) Stockholm
4) Madrid
5) Lisbon
33. The India Aspiration Fund (IAF) would invest in venture capital funds for meeting the equity requirement of:
1) Agriculture
2) Housing
3) MSME start-ups
4) IT sector
5) None of these
34. Which bank has executed India's first transaction on block chain technology?
1) Yes Bank
2) Axis Bank
3) HDFC Bank
4) ICICI Bank
5) None of these
35. Where are the headquarters of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization?
1) Shanghai
2) Hong Kong
3) Beijing
4) Singapore
5) None of these
36. In which State is Mathikettan Shola National Park located?
1) Tamil Nadu
2) Karnataka
3) Odisha
4) Kerala
5) None of these
37. Which city hosted the IAAF World Under-18 Championships in Athletics in July 2017?
1) Nairobi, Kenya
2) Lille, France
3) Donetsk, Ukraine
4) Cali, Colombia
5) Marrakech, Morocco
38. Vijender Singh of India won the unified WBO Asia Pacific and Oriental Super Middleweight
title in Mumbai by defeating Zulpikar Maimaitiali of:
1) Pakistan
2) China
3) Kazakhstan
4) Tajikistan
5) Malaysia
39. Who won the men's singles title in Rogers Cup tennis played in Montreal, Canada in August 2017?
1) Alexander Zverev
2) Roger Federer
3) Dominic Thiem
4) Kei Nishikori
5) Rafael Nadal
40. Who clinched the women's singles title in Rogers Cup tennis played in Toronto, Canada in August 2017?
1) Simona Halep
2) Elina Svitolina
3) Angelique Kerber
4) Johanna Konta
5) Petra Kvitova
ANSWERS:
1) 3 2) 2 3) 3 4) 4 5) 3 6) 1 7) 2 8) 4 9) 3 10) 1
11) 1 12) 2 13) 3 14) 4 15) 5 16) 4 17) 2 18) 3 19) 4 20) 2
21) 1 22) 2 23) 3 24) 2 25) 5 26) 3 27) 4 28) 2 29) 3 30) 3
31) 1 32) 4 33) 3 34) 4 35) 3 36) 4 37) 1 38) 2 39) 1 40) 2
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