Hello and welcome to exampundit . Here are the important Current Affairs of 3, 4 and 5 December, 2016. These are important for the upcoming IPPB PO Mains, NIACL AO Mains, IBPS Clerk Mains, IBPS RRB Office Assistant Mains and RBI Assistant Mains 2016-17.
Current Affairs at a Glance- 3-5 December, 2016
YES Bank, India’s fifth-largest private sector bank, has partnered Ola to set up mobile ATMs for cash withdrawal.
The Indian e-commerce market is set to overtake the US and become the second largest in the world in less than two decades, going head-to-head with China for the position of biggest e-commerce market; this according to new research from Worldpay, the leader in global payments.
Assam’s Hailakandi district becomes the first in the state to pay wages to tea garden workers through bank accounts.
India and Qatar on 3 December 2016 signed four agreements to boost the bilateral relations between the two nations.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the clear winner of online reader’s poll for the TIME ‘Person of the Year 2016’.
After Time Magazine put Flipkart Founders - Sachin Bansal and Binny Bansal - on the list of 100 Most Influential People in the world, the Straits Times of Singapore has chosen them for the prestigious "2016 Asian of the Year" as part of a group called the "The Disruptors."
The International Volunteer Day (IVD) was observed across the world on 5 December 2016 with the theme Global Applause– give volunteers a hand.
The World Soil Day (WSD) 2016 was observed on 5 December 2016 at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) headquarters in Rome. The theme for the day is “Soils and pulses, a symbiosis for life.”
The National Pollution Control Day 2016 was observed on 2 December 2016 in India with an aim to make aware the people and industries about the need of Pollution Control Acts.
The International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) 2016 was observed across the world on 3 December 2016. The theme for the day was Achieving 17 Goals for the Future We Want.
Bharti Airtel Limited on 5 December 2016 announced the appointment of Sunil Taldar as the Chief Executive Officer and Director for its DTH business.
In a surprising move, New Zealand’s Prime Minister, John Key announced his resignation during a weekly press conference in Wellington on 5 December 2016. He cited family reasons for his sudden exit.
Italy's Prime Minister Matteo Renzi announced that he would be stepping down after losing a referendum on constitutional reform.
India women’s cricket team on 4 December 2016 defeated Pakistan to win the 2016 Asia Cup T20 at Bangkok, Thailand.
Finance/Banking –
YES Bank, Ola join hands to set up mobile ATMs in 10 cities
YES Bank, India’s fifth-largest private sector bank, has partnered Ola to set up mobile ATMs for cash withdrawal.
The service will be made available in over 30 locations across 10 cities including Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Pune, Kolkata, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and Jaipur. Customers can swipe debit cards of any bank to withdraw an amount of up to Rs. 2,000 per card.
This is enabled using Point of Sales machines available in Ola cabs stationed near YES Bank branches across locations in these cities.
Ola is into digital technology and enables convenience for consumers.
RBI to issue new Rs 50 & Rs 20 currency notes
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 4 December 2016 announced to issue Rs 50 and Rs 20 denomination banknotes.
However, the old Rs 50 and Rs 20 notes will also continue to be legal tender.
Features of Rs 50 denomination banknotes
These notes of the Mahatma Gandhi Series-2005 will not have inset letter in both the number panels.
It will bear the signature of Dr Urjit R Patel, Governor of Reserve Bank of India.
The year of printing that is '2016' will be printed on the reverse of the banknote.
The design and security features of these banknotes will be similar to the banknotes of old Rs 50 denomination with the ascending font of numerals in both the number panels and without intaglio print that was issued earlier in Mahatma Gandhi Series- 2005.
Features of Rs 20 denomination banknotes
The new Rs 20 denomination currency notes will be printed with inset letter ‘L’ in both the number panels.
It will bear the signature of Dr Urjit R Patel, Governor of Reserve Bank of India.
The year of printing '2016' will be printed on the backside of the banknote.
The design and security features of these banknotes will be similar to the old banknotes of Rs 20 with the ascending font of numerals in both the number panels and without intaglio print that was issued earlier in Mahatma Gandhi Series- 2005
India set to become world's largest e-commerce market
The Indian e-commerce market is set to overtake the US and become the second largest in the world in less than two decades, going head-to-head with China for the position of biggest e-commerce market; this according to new research from Worldpay, the leader in global payments.
For its Global Payments Report 2016, Worldpay analysed 30 markets around the world, including India, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore and Australia in Asia-Pacific. The Global Payments Report is an annual Worldpay report compiled using a combination of Worldpay's data and insights, external findings from Euromonitor, Datamonitor andystats.com and secondary data from other independent sources.
This year, Worldpay's research has discovered increasing complexity in the global payments market and found that e-commerce is expected to grow exponentially. This growth will occur around the world, but emerging markets are leading the charge particularly India, where e-commerce is predicted to mature by 28 per cent per year from 2016 to 2020. According to Worldpay projections, India will be the world's second largest e-commerce market by 2034, thanks to massive surges in internet penetration, a swelling millennial population and the rising uptake of mobile phones.
Hailakandi becomes first district in Assam to make cashless payment
Assam’s Hailakandi district becomes the first in the state to pay wages to tea garden workers through bank accounts.
The move follows Assam government’s directive of making cashless transactions to the plantation workers. It has, however, come much before the set deadline of 15 December 2016.
Key Highlights
Five correspondents from the Assam Gramin Vikash Bank assisted the payment process.
It covered at least 504 plantation workers who are employed at the Burnie Braes tea estate. They all received their wages through their individual bank accounts.
The move was made possible through the efforts put in by the District Deputy Commissioner Moloy Bora, who held back-to-back meetings with bank officials along with the tea garden management and mobile service providers.
This move supports Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Cashless India drive, following the shocking demonetization of old ₹500 and ₹1000 currency notes on 9 November 2016.
India –
India, Qatar signed four agreements including visa and cyberspace
India and Qatar on 3 December 2016 signed four agreements to boost the bilateral relations between the two nations.
The agreements were inked in New Delhi after delegation level talks held between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister of Qatar Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser Bin Khalifa Al Thani. Emir Al Thani was on a two-day visit to India.
List of agreements exchanged include
Agreement on the exemption from visa requirement for holders of diplomatic, special and official passports: The agreement allows holders of diplomatic, special and official passport of the two countries to visa-free travel between the two countries.
Protocol on Technical Cooperation in cyber space and combating cyber crime: This Protocol adds an important dimension of bilateral Technical Cooperation in Cyber Space and Combating Cyber Crime to the existing framework agreement in the field of security signed on 10 November 2008.
Letter of Intent regarding negotiations on an Agreement on the grant of e-Visa for businessmen and tourists of the two countries: This allows negotiations on an agreement on the grant of e-visa to businessmen and tourists of the two countries.
MoU between Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy of Qatar and Confederation of Indian Industry: This MoU will provide the framework for project experts for Indian companies in Qatar, including through participation in infrastructure projects in Qatar undertaken for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Lists & Reports –
Narendra Modi wins reader’s poll for the TIME Person of the Year 2016
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the clear winner of online reader’s poll for the TIME ‘Person of the Year 2016’.
Amoung the total votes cast, 18 percent went to Modi, which is almost two times more than the percentage of yes votes received by U.S President Barack Obama, US President-elect Donald Trump and Founder of Wikileaks Julian Assange, who all got 7% votes each. The results were calculated on the basis of votes received until the midnight of 4 December 2016.
The Indian elected head was also way ahead of U.S presidential nominee Hillary Clinton who received 4 percent votes and the founder of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, who just received 2 percent votes in his favour.
However, this is not the first time that Narendra Modi has dominated the online reader’s poll for the ‘Time Person of the Year’ title. He was at the top of the list in 2014 as well securing almost 16 percent of the total five million votes cast. That was the same year when he was elected as the Prime Minister of India, with his party gaining a landslide victory.
The official result for the TIME ‘Person of the Year’ will be announced on 7 December 2016. The winner’s name will be decided by the editors of the magazine.
Flipkart founders Sachin and Binny Bansal named 'Asians of the Year'
After Time Magazine put Flipkart Founders - Sachin Bansal and Binny Bansal - on the list of 100 Most Influential People in the world, the Straits Times of Singapore has chosen them for the prestigious "2016 Asian of the Year" as part of a group called the "The Disruptors."
"Flipkart's innovative steps, aimed at transforming commerce in India through technology, have truly disrupted the market and it makes us proud to be recognized for this achievement.We accept this honor on behalf of all Indians," Sachin Bansal and Binny Bansal said in a joint statement.
Earlier this year, Time Magazine put Sachin Bansal and Binny Bansal on the list of 100 Most Influential People in the world.
In 2014, the award was given to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and in 2015, it was awarded posthumously to Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore's founding father, the statement said.
The Asian of the Year 2016 awards recognises entrepreneurs "operating at the frontiers of technology's interface with business", who have launched companies that have disrupted traditional business model for the benefit of end-consumers.
Days –
International Volunteer Day observed across the world
The International Volunteer Day (IVD) was observed across the world on 5 December 2016 with the theme Global Applause– give volunteers a hand.
This year's theme recognizes the volunteers worldwide and their efforts in making peace and sustainable development a reality.
To mark International Volunteer Day, the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme released the data showing the increase in keyboard volunteers that is online volunteers. By volunteering online, volunteers work for sustainable human development by supporting the activities of development organizations.
World Soil Day 2016 observed
The World Soil Day (WSD) 2016 was observed on 5 December 2016 at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) headquarters in Rome. The theme for the day is “Soils and pulses, a symbiosis for life.”
The theme for the 2016 WSD focuses on the positive contributions of pulses to soil properties, such as fixing the atmosphere nitrogen and improving its biodiversity, fertility and structure.
The observance of World Soil Day aims at connecting people with soils and raising awareness on their critical importance in lives of human beings.
On the other hand, 2016 was declared the International Year of Pulses (IYP).
National Pollution Control Day 2016 observed in India
The National Pollution Control Day 2016 was observed on 2 December 2016 in India with an aim to make aware the people and industries about the need of Pollution Control Acts.
This day is observed every year to give honour to thousands of human beings who lost their lives in 1984 due to the Bhopal gas tragedy and who were left severely affected due to leakage of poisonous gas from Union Carbide plant in Bhopal.
This catastrophe was the worst in the world's industrial history and people there still continue to witness physical and mental disabilities.
International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2016 observed across the world
The International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) 2016 was observed across the world on 3 December 2016. The theme for the day was Achieving 17 Goals for the Future We Want.
In 2016, the goal of the IDPD is assessing the current status of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and SDGs. The day also looks forward for laying the foundation for a future of greater inclusion for persons with disabilities.
The observance of the 2016 International Day of Persons with Disabilities coincides with the 10-year anniversary of the adoption of the CRPD. The CRPD is one of the most quickly and widely ratified international treaties put forth by the United Nations till now.
Appointments –
Airtel appoints Sunil Taldar as CEO and Director for DTH business
Bharti Airtel Limited on 5 December 2016 announced the appointment of Sunil Taldar as the Chief Executive Officer and Director for its DTH business.
Taldar will take over from Shashi Arora who moved as Managing Director and CEO of Airtel Payments Bank.
Taldar will be a member of the Airtel Management Board and will report to Gopal Vittal, Chief Executive Officer at Bharti Airtel (India and South Asia).
As per Airtel, Taldar will be “responsible for driving growth and innovation for Airtel Digital TV, which is a key growth driver within the company’s B2C portfolio.”
Previously, Taldar worked with Cadbury as India Sales Director. He had also worked with Mondelez (Indonesia) as Country Head.
Awards & Honors –
Srinidhi Shetty won 2016 Miss Supranational title
Srinidhi Shetty, a girl from Mangalore, was crowned Miss Supranational 2016 in the first week of December 2016. She was crowned at a ceremony held in Krynica Zdroj, Poland. With this, India became the first country to win Miss Supranational twice in three years.
Along with the crown, Shetty, an engineer by profession, also received the prize amount of $30,000. In addition, she also won the title of Miss Asia-Oceania.
UAE-based Indian teen Kehkashan Basu wins Children's Peace Prize
Kehkashan Basu, a 16-year-old UAE-based Indian teenager won the International Children’s Peace Prize for her work towards climate justice and combating environmental degradation.
The award was conferred to her by Bangladesh’s Nobel peace prize winner Mohammad Yunus at a ceremony held in The Hague. The teen in her award-winning speech stressed on the importance of continuing the fight against climate change and focusing on creating a more sustainable future.
Her speech comes not long after the new President-elect of the United States, Donald Trump revealed his decision of withdrawing the U.S from a global agreement on climate change.
World –
New Zealand PM announces surprise resignation
In a surprising move, New Zealand’s Prime Minister, John Key announced his resignation during a weekly press conference in Wellington on 5 December 2016. He cited family reasons for his sudden exit.
Key will be leaving the post after almost eight years of service. Explaining his decision, he stated that there was no way he could have sat through an entire fourth term. He, however, does plan to stay long enough to avoid by-election for his seat.
Italian PM Matteo Renzi announces resignation after losing referendum
Italy's Prime Minister Matteo Renzi announced that he would be stepping down after losing a referendum on constitutional reform.
Interior Ministry projections suggested the No camp, led by the populist Five Star Movement, had won the referendum with the backing of 59.5 per cent of those who voted.
Nearly 70 per cent of Italians entitled to vote yesterday cast their ballots, an exceptionally high turnout that reflected the high stakes and the intensity of the various issues involved.
Renzi said he would be visiting President Sergio Mattarella to hand in his resignation following a final meeting of his cabinet.
Mattarella will then be charged with brokering the appointment of a new government or, if he can't do that, ordering early elections.
Sports –
India beats Pakistan to win 2016 Women's Asia Cup
India women’s cricket team on 4 December 2016 defeated Pakistan to win the 2016 Asia Cup T20 at Bangkok, Thailand.
India defeated Pakistan in the final of the regional tournament by 17 runs. The win is India’s sixth Asia Cup crown.
In the final, India, who remained undefeated during the tournament, batted first and scored 121/5.
Usain Bolt and Almaz Ayana win IAAF World Athlete of the Year Award
Nine-time Olympic champion Usain Bolt on 2 December 2016 won the IAAF male Athlete of the Year award. He won the award for the record sixth time.
Ethiopia's Almaz Ayana won the IAAF women Athlete of the Year award. Ayana broke the 10000m world record by over 14 seconds in winning Olympic gold in Rio in 2016.
Other Awards:
Male Rising Star: Canada’s Andre De Grasse
Female Rising Star: Belgium’s Nafissatou Thiam
Women in Athletics: Greece’s Polyxeni Argeitaki
Coaching Achievement: USA’s Harry Marra
President’s Award: Tegla Loroupe
Get 6 Banking Awareness Sectionals @55/- BUY NOW
Nico Rosberg announces shocking retirement after World title win
In an unexpected move, Nico Rosberg announced his retirement from Formula One on 2 December 2016, just five days after he grabbed his first-ever F1 World Champion title in the season’s final race at Abu Dhabi.
The 31-year-old, who beat his Mercedes team-mate and three-time world champion Lewis Hamilton by five points, stated that he was retiring from the sport to spend more quality time with his wife, Vivian and baby daughter, Alaia.
This is the first time that a reigning world champion has decided to quit the sport. Last time something similar happened was in 1993 when Alain Prost announced his retirement after winning his fourth driver’s title.
:: DOWNLOAD PDF ::
Sponsored
Regards
Team ExamPundit