DAILY GK UPDATE: 1ST NOVEMBER

1.Debt funding: RBI wants govt to remove FDI sectoral limits, seeks preference for long-term investor The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has urged the government to further liberalise foreign direct investment (FDI) norms by doing away with most sectoral caps in order to cut reliance on debt flows to fund India's record high current account deficit. 2. CCEA approved MSP hike for rabi crops; no decision on wheat Government approved hike in the support price of five rabi crops such as gram and masur by upto 20 percent for the next year starting April 2013, but no decision was taken on wheat price. 3. HCL Signed MoU with Madhya Pradesh Government for speedy clearance Public sector Enterprise Hindustan Copper Ltd (HCL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Madhya Pradesh government for obtaining required clearances of its proposed investment of 1856 crore Rupees in the state. 4. Virat Kohli Selected for BCCI Polly Umrigar Award Indian Cricketer Virat Kohli was chosen for the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) Polly Umrigar award for being India's top international cricketer in 2011-12. 5. Sachin, Virat, Gavaskar to be honoured at BCCI Awards function Sachin Tendulkar will be honoured for completing his 100th International century while Virat Kohli will get the Polly Umrigar Award for being India's top international cricketer of 2011-12 at the BCCI Annual Awards ceremony to be held on November 21 in Mumbai. 6. Telecom operators win spectrum concession A panel of ministers says telecom operators fighting the withdrawal by government of high quality airwaves will be allowed to keep some of their spectrum holdings. NOTE:- The panel's concession will allow carriers to retain 2.5 Mhz of spectrum, offering relief to operators who said they risked losing connectivity. The companies will have to match an auction-based price for the 2.5 Mhz of capacity they are allowed to retain and buy any additional spectrum they need from the auction, said the government official who asked not to be named. 7. Sunita Williams sets new record, embarks on 7th space walk Indian-American Sunita Williams along with a fellow astronaut today ventured out of the International Space Station, adding to her recordsetting space walking sojourns, to find an ammonia leak in the vital radiator system. NOTE:- Expedition Commander Williams and Flight Engineer Aki Hoshide switched their spacesuits to battery power at 1229 GMT (1759 IST), signalling the start of today's planned 6.5-hour excursion outside the International Space Station. 8. India-Vietnam set a trade target of $7 billion for 2015 India and Vietnam set a bilateral trade target of $7 billion for 2015 with India impressing upon Vietnam to adopt a flexible approach paving way for early conclusion of an ambitious agreement on services and investment, after the comprehensive trade in goods agreement. 9. Cabinet approves amendments to labour legislations for improving working condition

Union Cabinet today approved amendments to two important labour legislations. The amendments aim at improving the employment, working conditions and welfare of construction workers. NOTE:- The Cabinet approved amendments to the Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service Act, 1996 and Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Cess Act, 1996 and introduction of Building and Other Construction Workers Related Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2012 in the winter session of Parliament. 10. India inks protocol with U.K. to amend tax pact In its continuing drive to check tax evasion and proliferation of black money, India has signed a protocol with the U.K. for amending the convention between the two countries for avoidance of double taxation and prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income and capital gains. 11. IABF to retain Cuban coach The Indian Amateur Boxing Federation (IABF) has decided to retain the services of Cuban coach Blas Iglesias Fernandez till the next Olympics in Rio (2016). 12. TDP leader Yerram Naidu dies in road accident Telugu Desam Partys senior leader and former Union minister K. Yerram Naidu died in a road accident in Andhra Pradeshs Srikakulam district. He was 55.

DAILY GK UPDATE: 2ND NOVEMBER

1. Ashish Kumar Chauhan appointed as New MD & Chief Executive of BSE Ashishkumar Chauhan appointed as the Managing Director and Chief Executive of Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) today. NOTE:- He was Group Chief Information Officer of Reliance Industries Ltd prior to joining BSE. Chauhan, holds a mechanical engineering degree from IIT Bombay and has also done a post-graduate diploma at IIM Calcutta. He joined the BSE as Deputy CEO in 2009. 2. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan Conferred with French Award The Knight of the Order of Arts and Letter Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was conferred with the Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters (Chevalier dans lOrdre des Arts et des Lettres) by the French Ambassador to India Franois Richier. She was awarded on behalf of the French Authorities. NOTE:- She was conferred with the award for the contributions made by her to Indian and World Cinema and the developments in Indo-French cooperation in art, culture and the most important one, Cinema. 3. Indian Ambassador to Bhutan Pawan Varma Resigned Indian Diplomat Pavan K. Varma resigned as Indias ambassador to Bhutan with an idea of entering into politics. NOTE:- Ambassador Pavan Varma is set to join the Janata Dal-United (JDU). He asserted that he wants to contribute to clean politics and good governance in the country. Pawan Varma, is a 1976 batch IFS officer and had taken voluntary retirement but is going to demits office on 31 December 2012.

Pawan Varma is also an author of several well-acclaimed books, including Ghalib and The Great Indian Middle Class. 4. Delhi's first Mahila Haat opened Delhi's first Mahila Haat opened for the public. It showcased women artisans who sold handicrafts, fabrics, artifacts and kitchen products. NOTE:- The market is at Aruna Asaf Ali Road parking lot near Delhi Gate and only men accompanying their families will be allowed in. The formal inauguration will be done on Saturday by BJP leader Sushma Swaraj. North Delhi Municipal Corporation, which owns the Haat, expects a bigger crowd in the weekends. 5. Anand Kumar of Super 30 Fame Declared Peoples Hero Anand Kumar, teacher and founder of Super 30 institute, which provides free residential coaching to students from economically backward families for IIT-JEE exams, named 'People's Hero' by People magazine of American Time Magazine Group. NOTE:- It is itself an uncommon occasion where the people magazine which usually profiles celebrities from films and other fields onto their magazine had chosen a person who is a teacher by profession. The magazine stated that Anand has done it on his own, which is remarkable. 6. Pakistan Cabinet Ratified the Landmark Visa Pact with India Pakistans Cabinet ratified four recent agreements with India. The major of which is landmark visa pact aimed at facilitating restrictions on several categories of travellers, including senior citizens and businessmen. 7. Case cant be dismissed if delay in lodging complaint is explained: SC Supreme Court today said a criminal case cannot be dismissed merely because of delay in lodging a complaint if the delay has been reasonably explained. NOTE:- A bench of justices P Sathasivam and Ranjan Gogoi said, the prosecution case cannot be rejected merely on the ground of delay since the complainant has reasonably explained the reasons for the delay. 8. Scientists from India and Switzerland develope bio-fertilizer product A group of scientists from India and Switzerland have developed a biofertilizer product that can enhance productivity and nutrition of agricultural crops. The product made from a combination of micro organisms can increase yield of wheat, rice and pulses by up to 30 per cent and improve nutrient intake capacity of plants. An event to mark the achievement of this milestone and its technology transfer was held in New Delhi today. NOTE:- Two Indian fertilizer companies were chosen to lead the process of commercialisation of this technology in the country. Speaking on the occasion, Alok Adholeya one of the technology developers said, the product, which will be available in the market in a year's time, can reduce dependence on chemical fertilizers by up to 25 per cent 9. Union Government Body CCEA lifted Export Ban on Some Milk Products Union Government body, Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) lifted the export ban on milk products, especially on whole milk

powder (WMP), dairy whitener, infant milk foods and other milk products till March 2013. NOTE:- In February 2011 to meet the domestic supply of Milk Products the Union government had imposed ban on export of all kinds of milk products that is skimmed milk powder (SMP), whole milk powder (WMP), dairy whitener, infant milk foods, casein and casein products. 10. Master card and Thomas Cook Came up Together for Travel Prepaid Cards Thomas Cook (India), the integrated travel and travel-related financial services company launched prepaid foreign exchange borderless prepaid card in collaboration with MasterCard Worldwide, a global payments and technology company. NOTE:- The borderless prepaid card is going to enable travellers with an option of loading eight currencies on a single card that is US Dollars, British Pounds, Euro, Australian Dollars, Canadian Dollars, Swiss Francs, Singapore Dollars and Japanese Yen. 11. 12th IORARC meet held in Gurgaon Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC) meet held in Gurgaon to resolved further deepen cooperation among the member countries to ensure sustained growth and balanced economic development of the region. The grouping reaffirmed to ensure freedom of navigation and strengthen security of sea lanes in the Indian Ocean. NOTE:- The United States has been included as the 6th Dialogue partner of the grouping consisting of Indian ocean rim countries. India also the outgoing Chair would hand over the Group Chair position to Australia, which hosts the 13th council of meeting next year. 12. Veteran cartoonist T Samuel passed away Veteran cartoonist T Samuel, a pioneer of pocket cartoons in the country, died in New Delhi today. He was 86.

DAILY GK UPDATE: 3RD NOVEMBER

1. Vice President Releases Series of Books Granthavali Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari today released a collection of writing and works -Granthavali of late Dr Dineshnandini Dalmia in New Delhi. Speaking on the occasion Mr. Ansari said that she was an outstanding literary figure - an author of prose and poetry, a social reformer and a philanthropist. 2. Meira Kumar to address sixth SAARC Parliamentarians' meet Lok Sabha Speaker Mrs. Meira Kumar will address the 3-Day sixth conference of Association of SAARC Speakers and Parliamentarians in Islamabad. NOTE:- Mrs. Kumar is the lead speaker on meaningful Participatory Democracy in South Asia in the conference to be inaugurated by the Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari. The Deputy chairman of Rajya Sabha P J Kurien is also part of the delegation. The conference will also delebrate on targeting Food Security for the region and streamlining Parliamentarians role in accomplishing the Minimum Development Goals.

3. India, S Korea discuss possibility of revising DTAC India and South Korea today discussed the possibility of revising Double taxation avoidance convention (DTAC) at a high level meeting between Finance Minister P Chidambaram and his counterpart Jaewan Bahk. NOTE:-The meeting, which took place in the South Korean capital of Seoul, discussed expanding information sharing between the taxation authorities and cooperation in modernising the customs system of both nations. It also discussed public procurement cooperation and measures to develop co-financing infrastructure projects. The cooperation between the two countries covers all areas of bilateral relations, including political, economic and commercial, defence, information technology, science and technology and cultural exchange. 4. Veteran BJP leader Kailashpati Mishra dies in Patna Veteran BJP leader and former governor of Gujarat Shri Kailashpati Mishra died today in Patna after prolonged illness. 5. Carrom WC: India bags Mens Team title India defeated the defending champions Sri Lanka in the Mens Team Championship at the 6th World Carrom World Cup to bag the title in Colombo today. NOTE:- Indian slicers led by World No.1 Yogesh Paradeshi, K. Srinivas and Prakash Gaekwad beat Sri Lankas Nishantha Fernando, Mohamed Sherifdeen and Chamil Cooray. Earlier, Indian Womens team had defeated Sri Lankan team to bag the womens team title yesterday. 6. Panabaka Lakshmi assumes charge as MoS Petroleum & Natural Gas Panabaka Lakshmi today assumed charge as Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas. NOTE:- Prior to her present assignment after the recent reshuffle, Ms Lakshmi was Minister of State for Textile and Health and Family Welfare. 7. Kataria takes over as MoS rural development Lalchand Kataria took over as minister of state for rural development after his portfolio was changed following an apparent goof-up in work allocation in the ministerial revamp. 8. Centre to provide generic medicines free of cost in government hospitals:PM; Health sector spending to go up three fold in 12th Five Year Plan. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said that generic drugs would be made available free in all public hospitals across the country to help the poor reduce their expenditure on health. He said the spending in health sector in the 12th Five Year Plan will go up by three times. NOTE:- Speaking at the foundation stone laying of the Lady Hardinge Medical College project in New Delhi, the prime minister said that health indicators reflected a country's overall well-being. 9. Indian pair of Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna qualifies to play at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals The Indian pair of Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna have booked the final berth at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in London. The pair

clinched the WTF berth after advancing to the semifinals of the Paribas Masters in Paris. 10. Hironmoy Chatterjee appointed as the CEO of AITA Hironmoy Chatterjee, Secretary of the Bengal Tennis Association appointed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of The All India Association (AITA). TNOTE:- he decision of Chatterjees selection was made by the Executive Board of AITA that is headed by President Anil Khanna consultation to the honourable Life President, Yashwant Sinha.

BNP was Tennis with

DAILY GK UPDATE: 4TH NOVEMBER

1. Teledensity increases to over 77 per cent The teledensity in the country has been increased to over 77 per cent at the end of August this year. It was around 74.96 per cent in August last year, thus registering a growth of over 4 pc in Telephone users base. NOTE:- The data released by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) shows that the user base stood at 899.78 million in August 2011 which rises to 939.57 million in August this year. The wireless phones have increased to 908.3 million in August 2012, from 865.7 million in the same period last year. However, wireline users base declined to 31.2 million by August end this year, from 34.1 million in August 2011. 2. SAARC Association Conference kick started in Islamabad The sixth conference of the Association of SAARC Speakers and Parliamentarians began in Islamabad today. During the inaugural session, SAARC women parliamentarians met with the general secretary of the Women Parliamentary Caucus Nafeesa Shah in the chair. 3. Kimi Raikkonen won the thrilling Abu Dhabi Grand Prix The former World Champiton Kimi Raikkonen leaded to victory at the end of the 40th lap at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix . NOTE:- He was followed by Ferrari's Fernando Alonso in the second place while Red Bulls Sebastian Vettel was third . McLarens Jenson Button was in the fourth place. 4. Family courts to be set-up in all districts of UP Uttar Pradesh Govt. has announced to set up Family Courts all districts of the state. At present these courts are functional in 12 districts and in remaining 63 districts it will be set up very soon. NOTE:-The government has also said that like other state government employees, women judicial officers in the state will also be entitled for child care leave. 5. Paris Masters: Bhupathi- Bopanna won Men's Double title The Indian duo Mahesh Bhupati and Rohan Bopanna have clinched Men's Double title of the BNP Paribas Masters Tennis Tournament. NOTE:- They defeated Pakistan's Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi and his Dutch partner Jean-Julien Rojer in a thrilling final match by 7-6, 6-3 in Paris today. 6. Centre to launch special skill development programme to facilitate employment of youths from Naxal-affected states.

Centre will launch a special skill development programme to facilitate employment of youth belonging to Naxal-affected states in the corporate sector. Home Ministry has roped in the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) to impart training to youth from the Naxal-affected states in vocational courses like computer and mobile phone repairing, motor mechanic, catering, hospitality, carpentry, nursing assistant and driving. NOTE:- A total of 1,500 youths will be enrolled in the three-month training course beginning next month, while 2,000 more will be trained in the next fiscal. The Ministry will bear the expenses up to 30,000 rupees for each youth. 7. Sikkim will soon be the first state in the country to provide 'pucca' houses to all its residents Sikkim will soon be the first state in the country to provide 'pucca' houses to all its residents as it has launched a mega social housing mission of quality housing to families living in hutments. Under the 211 crore rupee ambitious project, 6,000 poor household dwellers living in 'kutcha' houses will be given a single storey earthquake-resistant new 'pucca' house free of cost by the end of 2013. 8. 11th Lokayukta's conference held in New Delhi. 11th Lokayukta's conference held in New Delhi. Meet wants more Lokayukta power to curb corruption. Central Vigilance Commission's suggest of setting up an association of anti-corruption agencies to check graft. 9. Japan looks for security alliance with India Japan and India may start a bilateral group to discuss security in the South China Sea, according to Japanese media. This grouping of senior officials would be set up during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's forthcoming visit to Tokyo on November 15. NOTE:- Japanese PM Yoshihiko Noda would be looking for a security alliance with India as Japan attempts to counter a belligerent China over the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea. Part of this exercise could involve increased naval exercises. 10. Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam invited by China to teach at Peking University China invited Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, the former President and Missile Man of India to teach at the Peking University of China. The nation also offered him the lab of his choice to work on with the students. The invitation came up during Dr. Kalams visit to the Beijing Forum by the Chairperson Zhu Shanlu of Peking University.

DAILY GK UPDATE: 5TH NOVEMBER

1. World Bank sanctioned 320-million dollar loan to India for road projects in Assam India has signed a 320-million dollar loan agreement with the World Bank for road projects in Assam. The agreement was inked by Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Prabodh Saxena and Country Director of World Bank, Onno Ruhl in New Delhi.

NOTE:- The Assam State Roads project aims to enhance road connectivity in the north-eastern state by helping the Public Works Department to improve state connectivity and facilitate regional integration. It will be implemented over a period of six years. The project will have three components including improvement, modernization and safety management of roads. 2. Prez confers Dr. Durgabai Deshmukh awards The President Mr Pranab Mukherjee today conferred the Dr. Durgabai Deshmukh awards for the years 2005, 2006 and 2007 at a function organised at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday. The eighth award for the year 2005 was jointly given to the Mizoram Hmeithai (Widows) Association and the Peoples Forum, Bhubaneswar for providing services to destitute and widows women. While the ninth award for the year 2006 was given to Sumangali Seva Ashram of Bangalore for providing care, education to orphan and needy children and socio-economic opportunities for development of women. For the year 2007, the tenth award was presented to Snehalaya of Ahmednagar, Maharashtra for its landmark work in the rehabilitation of women of the red light areas and other destitute women. 3. Kerala government has lifted the ban on eggs and poultry from Tamil Nadu Kerala government has lifted the ban on eggs and poultry from Tamil Nadu today, according to Tamil Nadu poultry farmers association. The poultry farmers of Namakkal region were badly affected by the ban imposed on poultry and eggs by Kerala, suspecting bird flu. NOTE:- The ban was imposed last week after reports of bird flu in a private turkey farm in Karnataka. The poultry farmers of Namakkal region including Namakkal, Erode, Karur and Salem districts had reportedly suffered a loss of Rs 25 crore because of the ban. 4. Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) set the limit for concessional SMS at 100 per day per SIM. Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) in its latest directive to be implemented in 15 days, has set the limit for concessional SMS at 100 per day per SIM. According to the latest measures, there is no maximum limit for SMS, but consumers will be charged not less than 50 paisa per SMS once it crosses 100 a day. NOTE:- The TRAI directives are aimed at curbing unsolicited SMS and calls which continue to be a menace for mobile users. 5. Chandresh Kumari Katoch assumed charge as Union Minister of Culture. Chandresh Kumari Katoch today assumed charge as Union Minister of Culture. Ms. Katoch said that her priority will be to make the monuments of the country more visitor friendly and improve the quality of the countrys museums. Ms. Katoch said, she will also focus to energize the Library Mission and to promote archival initiatives work. She said, her Ministry will promote classical and folk arts through various organizations in the country. 6. India, Egypt looking forward to expand trade, economic ties India and Egypt are looking forward to expand trade, economic cooperation and investment to give a boost to their age old ties. NOTE:- A visiting India business delegation led by the CII signed a Memorandum of Understanding with its counterpart, the Egyptian

Business Development Association in Cairo to explore new business and investment opportunities in Egypt. 7. Irom Sharmila completed 12 yrs of indefinite fast Irom Sharmila, Iron Lady of Manipur, today completed 12 years of indefinite fast demanding repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA). NOTE:- Ms Sharmila, who is force-fed through the nose to keep her alive began her fast till death after ten persons, including a boy who received the national bravery award, were shot dead in an alleged encounter with Assam Rifles personnel at Malom near Imphal airport on November 2, 2000. 8. Andhra Pradesh Government announced an assistance of Rs. 1.5 lakh to the families of those who died in rain related incidents Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy decided this at a high level review meeting held in Hyderabad. He directed the district authorities to immediately release funds to carry out rescue and relief operations. Rescue and relief operations are in full swing in the north coastal region of the state. NOTE:- Revenue Minister Raghuveera Reddy told that about 90 thousand people are taking shelter at 170 relief camps . Standing crops and horticulture produce were damaged in about 6 lakh hectare and over 1300 tanks have been breached. 9. IIT panel for 80% fee hike Undergraduate students at the premier Indian Institutes of Technology could see their annual tuition fees hiked to Rs. 90,000 next year, after a committee of IIT directors recommended the 80 per cent increase. NOTE:- Students currently pay a hugely subsidised Rs. 50,000 per year. 10. Mahesh Jethmalani quits BJP National Executive Council BJP leader and senior advocate Mahesh Jethmalani has resigned from the party's National Executive Council over corruption charges against the party President Nitin Gadkari. 11. Chef Jacob Sahaya Kumar Aruni, passed away Chef Jacob Sahaya Kumar Aruni, or Chef Jacob popularly, host of the television show Aaha Enna Rusi, passed away following a cardiac arrest. He was 37. NOTE:- He created a Guinness record in 2010, for the worlds longest barbeque marathon by cooking outdoors, for 24 hours and five minutes.