Top GKToday’s News Headlines – 31 August 2019
Here are the top News Headlines of 31 August 2019 for all competitive examinations of India.
National Current Affairs
SC collegium recommends to Centre 4 names for elevation as apex court judges
SC Collegium has recommended to the Centre names of four high court chief justices for elevation as apex court judges. They are: Punjab and Haryana HC CJ Justice Krishna Murari, Rajasthan HC CJ S. Ravindra Bhat, Himachal Pradesh HC CJ V. Ramasubramanian and Kerala HC CJ Hrishikesh Roy
PM releases commemorative postal stamps on great Master Healers of AYUSH
PM Modi released 12 commemorative postal stamps to honour eminent scholars, practitioners and Great Master Healers of AYUSH Systems. He also launched ten AYUSH Health and Wellness Centres located in Haryana.
Principal Secretary Nripendra Misra steps down; PK Sinha appointed as OSD in the PMO
Former Cabinet Secretary PK Sinha was appointed as OSD in the PMO after Principal Secretary Nripendra Misra stepped down from his post
Foreigners can avail treatment, except organ transplant, without obtaining medical visa: Govt.
The Union Home Ministry announced that foreigners visiting India can avail treatment, except organ transplant, anywhere in the country without obtaining a medical visa.
PM addresses the Malayala Manorama News Conclave 2019 in Kochi via video conferencing
PM Modi addressed the Malayala Manorama News Conclave 2019 in Kochi via video conferencing. He lauded Malaya Manorama for its contribution in making the citizens of Kerala more aware and for its role in supporting India’s freedom movement.
Himachal Pradesh Assembly passes bill against religious conversion
Himachal Pradesh Assembly passed a bill against religious conversion by use of force, inducement and fraudulent means.
West Bengal assembly passes bill against mob assault and incidents of lynching
The West Bengal assembly passed a bill against mob assault and incidents of lynching, with the legislation providing for life imprisonment to those injuring a person and capital punishment for causing death.
Haryana govt. launches poor family welfare scheme ‘Mukhya Mantri Parivar Samridhi Yojna’
Haryana govt. has launched poor family welfare scheme ‘Mukhya Mantri Parivar Samridhi Yojna’. A grant of Rs 6,000 per year will be provided to families having an annual income below Rs 1.80 lakh.
Mosquito Terminator train flagged off at New Delhi Railway Station
Mosquito Terminator train was flagged off at New Delhi Railway Station. This train will help in preventing the mosquito breeding along the railway tracks in Delhi area.
Government announces merger of 10 public sector banks (PSBs) into four banks
Government announced merger of 10 public sector banks (PSBs) into four banks after which the total number of PSBs to come down to 12 from 24 banks. Punjab National Bank, Oriental Bank of Commerce and United Bank will be merged into one entity making its 2nd largest PSB after SBI. Canara Bank and Syndicate Bank will be merged to become fourth largest PSB. Union Bank of India, Andhra Bank and Corporation Bank will be merged to make fifth largest PSB. Indian Bank will merge with Allahabad Bank to become 7th largest PSB. Bank of India, Central Bank of India, Indian Overseas Bank, UCO Bank, Bank of Maharashtra and Punjab & Sindh Bank will continue to operate on their own
Economy & Business Current Affairs
BSE Sensex: 37,332.16 (+263.), NSE Nifty: 11,033.95 (+85.15)
30-share BSE Sensex rose 263.8 points or 0.71% to close at 37,332.16. Nifty 50 index rose 85.15 points or 0.78% to close at 11,033.95
India’s GDP growth slumps to 7-yr low of 5% in April-June quarter
Sharp deceleration in manufacturing output and subdued farm sector activity pulled down India’s GDP growth to a seven-year low of 5 per cent in the April-June quarter of 2019-20.
India’s foreign exchange reserves at $ 429.050 billion in the week to August 23
India’s foreign exchange reserves fell by a steep $ 1.45 billion to $ 429.050 billion in the week to August 23 due to a fall in foreign currency assets.
Finance Minister announces upfront capital infusions of Rs 55250 crore into 10 public sector banks
Finance Minister announced upfront capital infusions of Rs 55250 crore into 10 public sector banks. Among the major banks to receive capital, Punjab National Bank is being allocated Rs 16000 crore, followed by Union Bank Rs 11700 crore, Bank of Baroda Rs 7000 crore, Canara Bank Rs 6500 crore and Indian Bank Rs 2500 crore.
Fiscal deficit as a percentage of full year estimate stood at 77.8% in April-July 2019-20
Fiscal deficit as a percentage of full year estimate stood at 77.8% in April-July 2019-20 compared with 86.5% touched in the corresponding period of last year.
CBDT notifies creation of special cell to address grievances of startups
The he CBDT notified creation of a five-member special cell to address grievances of startups with relation to angel tax and other tax-related issues.
2% TDS on cash withdrawals of over Rs 1 crore from September 1
The CBDT said that the 2 per cent tax deduction at source (TDS) on cash withdrawals of over Rs 1 crore will come into effect from September 1.
GeM signs MoU with SIDBI to ensure timely payments for MSMEs selling products on GeM
Government e Marketplace (GeM) signed an MoU with SIDBI to benefit MSMEs, women entrepreneurs, SHGs under MUDRA and Stand-up India scheme. GeM and SIDBI will take steps to ensure payments within a guaranteed timeframe to sellers.
International Current Affairs
EAM S. Jaishankar calls on President of the European Parliament David Maria Sassoli in Brussels
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar calls on President of the European Parliament David Maria Sassoli and discussed the India-EU strategic partnership on regional, global and multilateral issues.
President Donald Trump establishes the US military’s Space Command
President Donald Trump has announced the official establishment of the US military’s Space Command. The command will initially consist of just 287 personnel and its responsibilities will be transferred primarily from US Strategic Command.
International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances observed on August 30
The International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances was observed on August 30. Once largely the product of military dictatorships, enforced disappearances have become a means of political repression of opponents.
US: Hurricane Dorian strengthens to a Category 2 storm
Hurricane Dorian strengthened to a Category 2 storm as it barrelled toward the US state of Florida. The storm’s maximum sustained winds have reached 105 miles per hour (165 kilometers per hour).
Sports Current Affairs
Abhishek Verma wins gold in men’s 10 m air pistol event at ISSF Wold Cup in Rio de Janeiro
Abhishek Verma and Saurabh Chaudhary won gold and bronze respectively in men’s 10m air pistol event at ISSF Wold Cup in Rio de Janeiro. Sanjeev Rajput won silver in the men’s 50m rifle 3 positions.
