07.04.
2017
Monthly One-liner Current Affairs Update June, 2017
Banking & Financial Updates
India on 31 May 2017 signed a loan agreement of USD
36 million with the World Bank for Himachal Pradesh
Public Financial Management Capacity Building
Programme.
India lost its fastest-growing major economy tag in
the January-March period, which was the fourth
quarter of the financial year (FY) 2016-17, with the
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth coming down to
6.1 per cent compared with a provisional 7 per cent in
the previous quarter.
India and Russia on 1 May 2017 signed five
Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs)/agreements
including a program of cultural exchanges and
implementation of the high-speed service at the
Nagpur-Secunderabad section among others.
The Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways
Nitin Gadkari on 1 June 2017 launched INAM-Pro + web
platform in New Delhi. INAM-Pro+ is an upgraded
version of INAM-Pro, the web portal launched by the
Ministry in 2015 as a common platform to bring
cement buyers and sellers together.
The State Bank of India (SBI) on June 2 announced
financing of rooftop solar projects worth Rs 400 crore,
with private developers. This would add at least 100
Mw of rooftop solar capacity to the grid, and is a
significant step towards meeting the Central
government's target for 40 Gw of rooftop solar
installations.
Samsung India on June 2 signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Micro,
Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) for its
Samsung Technical School initiative, renewing its
partnership for 10 existing schools run across the
country and adding two new MSME-Samsung
Technical Schools at Bengaluru and Jamshedpur.
Noting that India is recovering from the temporary
adverse effects of demonetisation, the World Bank has
projected a strong 7.2 per cent growth rate for India
this year against 6.8 per cent growth in 2016.
Page 1 of 13
Reliance Communications (RCom) Chairman Anil
Ambani on 2 June 2017 announced that the merged
entities of RCom and Aircel will be called Aircom.
The National Aviation University (NAU) signed an
Memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Bird
Worldwide Flight Services (India) Private Limited for
training in aviation and aerospace sector. The MoU was
signed on June 1, 2017, to develop professional
aviation and aerospace education programmes and
research for the benefit of the Indian civil aviation
industry.
Indias public sector bank, Vijaya Bank is going to
develop 100 digital villages spread across various states
of the country.
India on 5 June 2017 signed a USD 39.2 million loan
agreement with the World Bank for the Assam Citizen
Centric Service Delivery project.
India on June 6 signed an agreement with Sri Lanka to
provide USD 318 million as line of credit to develop
the island nations railway sector, officials said.
The Union government would be retrofitting 10 lakh
conventional street lights with LED lights in Gram
Panchayats of 7 districts in Andhra Pradesh.
Habibganj Railway Station, located in the suburbs of
Bhopal, will become Indias first railway station to be
redeveloped in a Public-Private Partnership (PPP)
mode.
The Reserve Bank of India kept the repo rate and
reverse repo rate unchanged at 6.25 per cent and six
per cent, respectively, on third monetary policy review,
keeping in line with what analysts and experts had
forecast. Statutory liquidity ratio (SLR) was cut by 50
basis points to 20 per cent starting June 24, in order to
provide more liquidity to banks. The RBI cut the
economic growth projection to 7.3 per cent for the
current financial year from 7.4 per cent earlier.
In a bid to check the rising numbers of railway
accidents, the NITI Aayog in a report has suggested
setting up of an independent outfit, Railway Safety
Authority. According to the report, Fund Deployment
Framework for Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh, its
suggestions were broadly in line with the best global
practices.
07.04.2017
The Union Government on 6 June 2017 said that
Ministries will have to decide on FDI proposals within
60 days of the application and any rejection will need
concurrence of the Department of Industrial Policy and
Promotion (DIPP).
Telangana government on 4 June 2017 launched the
single-women pension scheme across the state. Under
the scheme, the state government would be giving a
pension of about Rs 1000 per month to single women
on humanitarian grounds. This scheme is the first such
welfare scheme by any state in the country.
India's textile and fashion heritage on 8 June 2017
became the part of Google project 'We Wear Culture'.
India's largest and fastest-growing digital platforms for
local service Sulekha on June 8 announced its strategic
partnership with Axis Bank to provide the banks SMB
and SME customers special access to Sulekhas local
services marketplace.
State-owned Dena Bank has tied up with Maruti Suzuki
India for retail financing of vehicles in personal as well
as commercial segments.
Naresh Goyal-promoted private carrier Jet Airways on
June 8 said, it has collaborated with Mexican flag
carrier Aeromexico for codeshare flights and frequent
flyers programme.
The Cabinet on June 8 gave ex-post facto approval to a
memorandum of understanding (MoU) inked between
Bureau of Indian Standards and Mali's Direction
Nationale De Industries.
Sovereign gold bonds (SGBs) worth Rs 5,400 crore
have been issued in eight tranches till date, the
Reserve Bank of India said on June 10. Investors in
these bonds, launched in November 2015, have been
provided with the option of holding them in physical or
dematerialised form.
Siemens Industry Software India Pvt. Ltd., on June 10
said it has signed an MoU with the Karnataka
Government Tool Room and Training Center and
DesignTech Systems Limited to establish four Centers
of Excellence across the state. According to the state
government, the total cost of the project is Rs 2031.80
crore, out of which Siemens Industry Software, India
contributes Rs 1822.48 crore and Government of
Karnataka's share is Rs 219.32 crore.
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The Supreme Court (SC) on 9 June 2017 upheld the
newly-inserted provision in the Income Tax Act, 1961
mandating linking of Aadhaar number with
Permanent Account Number (PAN), but it partially
stayed its operation.
To usher in transformation in the education and
healthcare sectors along with State governments, NITI
Aayog has launched the SATH (Sustainable Action for
Transforming Human capital) programme.
The Indian Railways is all set to induct about 40000
revamped coaches at an estimated cost of Rs 8,000 Cr
to provide world-class comfort to passengers. The
total estimated cost of retrofitting would be about Rs
30 lakh per coach.
The GST Council on 9 June 2017 constituted 18 Sectoral
Groups representing various sectors of the economy
to ensure smooth implementation of GST by timely
responding to the issues and problems of the
respective Sector.
Commerce Secretary Rita Teaotia, while addressing the
22nd APEDA Export award function in New Delhi on 12
June 2017, said that India has emerged as the 7th
largest exporter of agri-products globally.
The GST Council on 11 June 2017 reduced the GST
Rates of 66 items including insulin, pickles, printers,
agarbattis, school bags, and cashew nuts. However,
the GST rates for telecom services, marbles, granite
and spectacles were retained. The GST Council, headed
by Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, went beyond
the equalisation principle of maintaining the current
tax incidence in certain cases.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on 10
June 2017 announced the formation of a six-member
high powered committee. The constituted committee
will look into various demands of farmers, including a
loan waiver. Reports suggest that the panel will be
headed by senior BJP minister Chandrakant Patil.
The Maharashtra government on 11 June 2017
announced a loan waiver for farmers. He also decided
to form a committee to decide the criteria for debt
relief, after which cultivators called off their protests.
Indians working across the globe sent home $62.7
billion last year, making India the top remittance-
receiving country surpassing China, according to a UN
report.
07.04.2017
Exim Bank and its Korean counterpart have signed an
agreement to utilise USD 9 billion export credits to
support priority sectors investments.
Thomson Reuters and NSDL e-Governance have joined
hands to offer an integrated Goods and Service Tax
(GST) proposition for large and mid-sized corporations
in India.
The Union Cabinet, presided by Prime Minister
Narendra Modi, on 14 June 2017 approved the Interest
Subvention Scheme (ISS) for farmers for the year
2017-18. The scheme will help farmers getting short
term crop loan up to Rs. 3 lakh payable within one year
at only 4 per cent per annum. The Government has
allocated a sum of Rs. 20339 crore for the purpose.
Competition Commission of India (CCI), also known as
Indias antitrust watchdog, on 14 June 2017 imposed a
fine of Rs 870 million ($13.6 million) on automaker
Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL). While imposing
the fine, the antitrust watchdog accused the South
Korean automaker of anti-competitive behaviour in its
local unit in India.
The Union Cabinet, presided by Prime Minister
Narendra Modi, on 14 June 2017 gave a green signal to
the proposal to introduce a Financial Resolution and
Deposit Insurance Bill, 2017. The Bill aims at providing
a comprehensive resolution framework for specified
financial sector entities to deal with bankruptcy
situation in banks, insurance companies and financial
sector entities.
The Indian government on 13 June 2017 ratified two
fundamental Conventions of the International Labour
Office (ILO) concerning the elimination of child labour,
the Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No 138) and the
Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No.
182).
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 13 June 2017 stated
that 12 accounts representing about 25 per cent of the
gross bad loans in the banking system would be
eligible for immediate reference for bankruptcy
proceedings.
The European Union (EU) delegation to India on 13
June 2017 announced its decision to release the final
tranche of Euro 25 million of its euro 80 million grant
to the Indian governments Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and
Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA).
Page 3 of 13
The government has made quoting of biometric
identity number Aadhaar mandatory for opening of
bank accounts as well as for any financial transaction
of Rs 50,000 and above. Existing bank account holders
have been asked to furnish the Aadhaar number issued
by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI)
by December 31, 2017, failing which the account will
cease to be operational, according to a revenue
department notification.
Three public sector oil marketing companies namely
Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum and
Hindustan Petroleum on 15 June 2017 signed the joint
venture agreement to jointly set up the worlds largest
refinery along with petrochemical complex in Ratnagiri
district of Maharashtra. Indian Oil Corp (IOC) will hold
50 per cent stake and the Hindustan Petroleum Corp
Ltd (HPCL) and Bharat Petroleum Corp Ltd (BPCL) will
hold a stake of 25 per cent each in the refinery. The
refinery is expected to be set up at an estimated cost
of Rs 3 lakh crore (USD 30 billion).
The Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) in collaboration
with Ministry of Shipping, Government of India (GOI)
organised Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas sammelan on 15
June 2017 at Bhaidas Hall, Vile Parle in Mumbai.
Infrastructure conglomerate Adani Group in the
second week of June 2017 announced commissioning
of a 50 megawatts (MW) solar photovoltaic (PV) plant
in Mahoba, Uttar Pradesh.
Railways Minister Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu on 13 June
2017 launched Mission Retro-Fitment to enhance the
passengers experience by upgrading existing fleet of
coaches with better furnishing, aesthetics & amenities
and better safety features to provide a safe and
comfortable travel.
Bank of Maharashtra on June 17 informed the bourses
that Reserve Bank of India (RBI) vide its letter dated
June 15, 2017, has initiated Prompt Corrective Action
against it due to high net NPA.
Edging over competitors, DCB Bank launched first of
its kind ATM, that will not require a debit card to
dispense cash as the machine will instead verify the
customers Aadhar card details including the iris and
the fingerprint of the customer.
Lockheed Martin signed an agreement with India's
Tata Advanced Systems on 19 June to produce F-16
07.04.2017
fighter planes in India, pressing ahead with a plan to
shift its Fort Worth, Texas plant to win billions of dollars
worth of order from the Indian military.
India on 19 June said it had ratified the United Nations
TIR (Transports Internationaux Routiers) Convention,
a move that would ensure a secured supply chain and
boost trade.
Switzerland on 16 June 2017 ratified the automatic
exchange of financial account information with India
and 40 other jurisdictions to facilitate immediate
sharing of details of suspected black money. The
country has, however, sought strict adherence to
confidentiality and data security.
Asian Development Bank (ADB) will provide $275
million loan for a piped water supply project for rapidly
urbanising small towns, covering 3 lakh households, in
Madhya Pradesh.
Axis Bank, India's third largest private sector bank in
association with Kochi Metro Rail Corporation (KMRL)
has launched KMRL Axis Bank 'Kochi1' Card, India's
first open loop EMV contactless metro card that would
make travel a convenient and hassle free experience
for commuters in Kochi.
Indian messaging app Hike on 20 June added
payments feature that will allow its over 100 million
users to transfer money and recharge/pay mobile bills
through the messaging platform. The Hike wallet
powered by Yes Bankwill allow free and instant
bank-to-bank transfer via unified payments interface
(UPI), free and instant money transfer via wallet and
recharge right from the app, Hike Messenger founder
and CEO Kavin Bharti Mittal told reporters in New
Delhi. Hike is the first in India to launch payments
facility on a messaging platform.
East Hope Group, one of China's largest private
companies, will invest $300 million in setting up
manufacturing units at the Mundra SEZ in partnership
with Indian infrastructure giant Adani Group.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has removed the
restriction on foreign investment in IDFC Ltd after the
shareholding of overseas investors fell below the
prescribed level.
The Reserve Bank of India on 22 June announced
names of the members of overseeing committee. The
composition of OC will be as follows with effect from
Page 4 of 13
September 7, 2017: Pradeep Kumar (chairman), Janki
Ballabh, M B N Rao, Y M Deosthalee, S Raman.
The Union Ministry of Electronics and IT has launched
a dedicated webpage to help companies in the IT
services and electronics sector to adapt to the new
GST regime.
Elbit SystemsCyclone of Israel and Mahindra
Aerostructures have signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on the production
of aerostructures parts and assemblies.
In an effort to help customers keep a better track of
all their transactions, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
has asked commercial banks to provide sufficient
details of all transactions in the passbooks. The central
bank said It has come to our notice that many banks
still do not provide adequate details of the transactions
in the passbooks and/ or statements of account to
enable the account holders to cross-check them. To
keep a check on the details provided by these banks,
the RBI further has decided that banks shall provide a
minimum amount of relevant details of account
entries.
The Union government on 23 June 2017 announced
another list of 30 cities for development as smart cities
under Smart City Mission, taking the total tally of cities
picked up so far to 90. A total investment of Rs. 57,393
Cr has been announced for the development project.
The list is topped by Thiruvananthapuram, the capital
of Kerala, while Chhattisgarh's new capital Naya Raipur
came second.
Reserve Bank of India has widened the scope of its
banking ombudsman platform for addressing mis-sell
of third party products, and customer grievances on
and mobile banking and electronic banking issues,
recognising customers' plight in dealing with such
troubles. The new rule will be effective from July 1,
and the banking ombudsmen will enjoy more power in
their pecuniary jurisdiction.
Piyush Goyal, the Union Minister of State (IC) for
Power, Coal, New & Renewable Energy and Mines
launched a weather portal for Power sector on 23
June 2017 that will help all the electricity distribution
companies of India in managing power distribution.
Top stock exchange NSE on 27 June inked a pact with
Andhra Pradesh government to help micro, small and
07.04.2017
medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the state to raise
capital through listing on the bourse's platform.
The Maharashtra government issued the Government
Resolution (GR) on 28 June 2017 for the farm loan
waiver of Rs 34022 crore announced by Chief Minister
Devendra Fadnavis last week.
India on 27 June 2017 made voluntary contribution of
USD 100000 to the United Nations Trust Fund for
International Cooperation in Tax Matters (UN Tax
Fund).
The Union Government on 28 June 2017
simultaneously launched two key interventions: a
revamped oil and gas bidding mechanism named Open
Acreage Licensing Process (OALP) and the National
Data Repository (NDR) for the first major oil field
auctions to be held from 1 July 2017.
India on 27 June 2017 signed a loan agreement of USD
35 million with the World Bank for Assam State Public
Financial Institutional Reforms Project.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on 29 June 2017
committed USD 10 billion support for infrastructure
building and immediate development needs of less-
developed states in India.
Private Sector Lender, Yes Bank, along with YES Global
Institute has launched 'YES GST' program for MSMEs
under its MSME CSR initiative, 'Say YES to Sustainable
MSMEs in India'.
The Delhi Development Authority's much-awaited new
housing scheme that includes construction and
delivery of around 13000 houses was launched on 30
June 2017. The scheme has been linked with the
Pradhanmantri Awas Yojna, which means that people
fulfilling the criteria will get a subsidy in the interest
when they take a bank loan.
Amid the continuing clampdown on the suspected
black money stashed behind the framed secrecy walls,
a data published on 29 June 2017 says that money
parked by Indians in the banks of Switzerland has
nearly halved to 676 Swiss francs (about Rs 4500
crore) in 2016. The data was released by Switzerlands
central banking authority SNB (Swiss National Bank).
India & States News Updates
Page 5 of 13
The Odisha state government is all set to commission
the ambitious Early Warning Dissemination System
(EWDS) that would set off a warning in the event of the
occurrence of natural disasters like a tsunami or
cyclone by July 2017.
India Army on 2 June 2017 successfully test-fired its
indigenously developed nuclear-capable Prithvi-II
missile from a test range in Odisha as part of a user
trial.
India and Russia on 1 June 2017 signed the St
Petersburg Declaration to mark the 70th anniversary of
the establishment of diplomatic relations between the
two nations.
Making of Developed India (MODI), the three-day
festival, was launched in Andhra Pradesh on 2 June
2017 to celebrate the successful completion of the
three-year rule by the NDA government.
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on 5 June
2017 successfully launched the communication
satellite GSAT-19 into a Geosynchronous Transfer
Orbit (GTO). The communication satellite was lifted by
an indigenously developed launch vehicle named
Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III
(GSLV Mk- III) D-1 from the second launch pad of the
spaceport at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre,
Sriharikota at 5.28 pm.
India on 4 June 2017 successfully test-fired indigenous
first all weather tracked-chassis Quick Reaction
Surface-to-Air Missile (QR-SAM). The QR-SAM was
test-fired from a mobile launcher at Integrated Test
Range (ITR) at Chandipur in Odisha at around 12:39
p.m. local time.
Sector regulator Trai on 5 June launched a new app
MyCall that enables subscribers to rate the quality
of a phone call. Trai has also rolled out an update to its
MySpeed app, which allows customers to measure
3G/4G data speeds and send the results to the
regulator.
The Government of Kerala has implemented a green
protocol to make auspicious occasions such as
weddings more nature-friendly.
Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare J P Nadda
on 6 June 2017 launched the Skill for Life, Save a Life
Initiative with an aim to promote skill development in
the health sector.
07.04.2017 Page 6 of 13

The Union government would be appointing Nyaya The Defence Research and Development Organisation
Mitras across the country to speed up the hearing of (DRDO) on 13 June 2017 successfully test fired anti-
cases that have been pending in the lower courts for tank Nag missile in Rajasthan.
the last 10 years.
Three Indian warships on 13 June 2017 sailed into
CK Mishra, Secretary Health and Family Welfare, on 7 Fremantle to participate in a week-long naval exercise,
June 2017 inaugurated the Vatsalya Maatri Amrit AUSINDEX-17, off the Western Australian coast.
Kosh, a National Human Milk Bank and Lactation
Bihar Governor Ramnath Kovind will be NDA's
Counselling Centre at the Lady Hardinge Medical
presidential candidate for the upcoming Presidential
College (LHMC), New Delhi.
election. The presidential election is scheduled to be
India & Mauritius signed a MoU to co-operate in held on 17 July 2017.
Parliamentary Affairs. The Memorandum of
Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), ISROs maiden
Understanding (MoU) was signed by Lok Sabha
interplanetary mission completed 1000 Earth days in
speaker Sumitra Mahajan and Speaker of National
its orbit on 19 June 2017, well beyond its designed
Assembly of Mauritius Santi Bai Hanoomanjee after
mission life of six months.
their meeting in Port Louis.
Narmada Control Authority (NCA) has cleared the
India and the United Nations Office for South-South
proposal of final raising of the Sardar Sarovar Dam
Cooperation (UNOSSC) on 8 June 2017 launched a
(SSD) in Gujarat by lowering of the gates and
partnership fund to support the Sustainable
impounding of water in the reservoir up to its Full
Development Goals (SDGs) across the developing
Reservoir Level (FRL) of EL 138.68 meters.
world.
Dr Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State (Independent
The Union Ministry of Law and Justice has cleared the
Charge) for Culture & Tourism on 17 June 2017
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Karnataka
launched the implementation of the National Mission
Amendment) Bill 2017, legalising Kambala, a
on Cultural Mapping of India at Goverdhan Block,
traditional race involving buffaloes.
Mathura District of Uttar Pradesh.
The Minister of State for AYUSH (Independent Charge),
Vijay Rupani, the Chief Minister of Gujarat flagged off
Shripad Yesso Naik inaugurated the second National
Astha Tourist Train, a special Gandhi Darshan train
Health Editors' Conference on Yoga on 9 June 2017 at
from Sabarmati railway station on 17 June 2017.
the National Media Centre in New Delhi. The theme of
this years conference is Yoga for Health and Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first
Harmony. phase of the Kochi Metro, Indias eighth metro rail
service and the first in a tier-II city on 17 June 2017 at
To provide legal aid for the people living in rural areas,
an inaugural ceremony held at the Jawaharlal Nehru
the Union Government on 11 June 2017 launched 'Tele
International Stadium.
Law' service. Under the service, the legal aid will be
provided through video conferencing to marginalised The government has roped in Bollywood megastar
communities of rural areas. Amitabh Bachchan to promote Goods and Services
Tax (GST), ahead of the sweeping tax reform's
Calcutta High Court Judge C S Karnan, who was
implementation scheduled from July 1.
sentenced six months of imprisonment by Supreme
Court, retired on 12 June 2017 at the age of 62, the Union Minister for Science and Technology Harsh
retirement age for a High Court judge. Vardhan on 19 June 2017 launched a mobile app
Celebrating Yoga to popularize Yoga and encourage
The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on 14
people to participate in it for a scientifically healthy
June 2017 launched the Intensified Diarrhoea Control
living.
Fortnight (IDCF) to intensify efforts to reduce child
deaths due to diarrhoea. India and Portugal on 17 May 2017 signed a Protocol
of Cooperation agreement to promote cooperation in
the field of archives. The information regarding this
07.04.2017
was published by Press Information Bureau on 20 June
2017.
Uttarakhand has become the fourth state to be open
defecation free (ODF) in the country.
A joint team of the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation
(ONGC) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific
and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in June 2017
carried out a preliminary survey for the conservation of
Chilika Lake.
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra
Modi on 22 June gave its approval for signing a
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for
cooperation in Traditional Systems of Medicine and
Homoeopathy between Ministry of AYUSH the
Ministry of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine
of Sri Lanka.
Tata Trust has joined hands with the Andhra Pradesh
Government to accelerate the Rural Prosperity
Mission, in which the World Bank is a strategic partner.
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister
Narendra Modi on 22 June 2017 approved amendment
of the bilateral Social Security Agreement (SSA)
between India and the Netherlands by incorporating
the 'Country of Residence' Principle into the SSA.
The Department of Science and Technology (DST)
under Ministry of Science and Technology on 22 June
2017 launched the Visiting Advanced Joint Research
Faculty (VAJRA) scheme in a bid to bring together the
Indian scientists abroad and India-based researchers
for conducting joint researches in India.
Meira Kumar, former Lok Sabha speaker was chosen as
the Congress-led Oppositions presidential candidate
against BJP-led NDAs Ram Nath Kovind.
Haryana was on 22 June 2017 declared as the 5th Open
Defecation Free (ODF) state of India under the Swachh
Bharat Mission Gramin (SBM-G). On the same day
itself, Uttarakhand was decalred as the 4th state to be
open defecation free.
The National space agency, Indian Space Research
Organisation (ISRO), on 23 June 2017 successfully
launched Indias Cartosat-2 Series satellite and 30
other co-passenger payloads
Maharashtra Forest Minister, Sudhir Mungantiwar
announced on 23 June 2017 that the government plans
Page 7 of 13
to launch a mobile app named My Plant on 1 July
2017.
The Union Government on 26 June 2017 constituted a
committee for preparation of final draft of National
Education Policy under the Chairmanship of eminent
Scientist Padma Vibhushan K Kasturirangan.
India and the United States on 26 June 2017 released
a Joint Statement (JS) titled - United States and India:
Prosperity through Partnership. The JS was released
after bilateral talks were held between Prime Minister
Narendra Modi and President Donald J. Trump.
India-Portugal signed 11 agreements/MoUs ranging
from science and technology, education, anti-
terrorism, climate, among others. The signed MoUs will
help in enhancing the bilateral relationship between
the two nations.
The Union Cabinet, presided by Prime Minister
Narendra Modi, on 28 June 2017 approved signing of a
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India
and Israel on National Campaign for Water
Conservation in India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 29 June 2017
inaugurated the centenary celebrations of Sabarmati
Ashram in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. In addition, PM Modi
also released the coin and postal stamp in the honour
of Jain saint and philosopher Shrimad Rajchandra on
his 150th birth anniversary at Abhay Ghat.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) on 28 June 2017
announced that it will launch a special drive to enrol
left out electors, with a special focus on first time
electors. The step is taken in the direction of
Commissions motto that 'No Voter to be Left Behind.
It is the first time that Facebook's voter registration
reminder has been rolled out across India.
India's latest communication satellite GSAT-17 was
successfully launched from Kourou in French Guiana
on 29 June 2017. The satellite was launched by French
rocket Ariane-5.
India and the Netherlands on 27 June 2017 released a
Joint Communiqu at The Hague. The Joint
Communique was released after bilateral talks
between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Dutch
counterpart, Prime Minister Mark Rutte.
07.04.2017
The Indian Army reportedly received its first batch of
bullet-proof helmets from Kanpur-based MKU
Industries.
Operations at one of three terminals at India's largest
container port Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPT) in
Mumbai were disrupted by the global ransomware
attack. The attack was confirmed by the port
authorities on 28 June 2017.
The Cabinet Minister for Science and Technology, Earth
Sciences, Environment, Forests and Climate Change,
Harsh Vardhan, on 30 June 2017 launched a first ever
Industry-Academia mission. The National Biopharma
Mission was launched to accelerate biopharmaceutical
development in India.
National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) on 29 June
2017 launched a web application for free legal services
to prisoners and the Legal Services Management
System. NALSA is entrusted with the responsibility to
provide legal aid inter-alia to all persons in custody. The
web application was launched by Justice Dipak Misra,
Judge at Supreme Court of India and Executive
Chairman of NALSA.
Appointments
Reserve Bank of India has appointed S. Ganesh Kumar
as Executive Director.
Indian Oils Director (Refineries), Sanjiv Singh took over
as the Chairman of IOC on June 1.
Former Indian Ambassador to the United States,
Nirupama Rao has been appointed as the public policy
fellow to a top American think-tank based in
Washington.
Amul Thapar, an Indian-American legal luminary, has
been appointed a judge on the US Court of Appeals for
the Sixth Circuit by President Donald Trump, the White
House has said.
Ireland's governing Fine Gael Party on 2 June 2017
elected Leo Varadkar as its new leader to succeed Enda
Kenny as the Prime Minister. He will be the first Indian-
origin to lead Ireland.
Ganeshan Neelakanta Iyer in the first week of June
2017 became the first Indian to be nominated as a
Page 8 of 13
member of the Umpires and Referees Committee
(URC).
Shashi Shekar Vempati was on 2 June 2017 appointed
as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Prasar Bharati.
Sher Bahadur Deuba took the oath as the Prime
Minister of Nepal for the fourth time on 7 June 2017.
He was elected as the nations 40th Prime Minister on
6 June 2017.
The Maharashtra government on June 7 appointed
senior counsel Ashutosh Kumbhakoni as the new
Advocate General of the state.
Theresa May on 11 June 2017 appointed her close ally
Damian Green as her first secretary of state, effectively
her deputy prime minister.
Automobile major Tata Motors on 13 June 2017
announced the appointment of Girish Wagh as the
head of its Commercial Vehicle Business Unit.
Indian nominee Neeru Chadha was on 15 June 2017
became the first Indian Woman to be elected as the
Member of International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea
(ITLOS).
United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) on 19 June
2017 announced the appointment of Muzoon
Almellehan, a 19-year-old education activist and
Syrian refugee, as its newest and youngest Goodwill
Ambassador.
India decided to re-nominate Dalveer Bhandari for
another term as the Judge of the International Court of
Justice (ICJ).
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on
21 June 2017 appointed Vladimir Ivanovich Voronkov
of the Russian Federation as Under-Secretary-General
of the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Office.
Senior White House official Kenneth I Juster, a top aide
of US President Donald Trump, is set to become
America's next Ambassador to India.
Urban Development Secretary Rajiv Gauba was named
as the next Union Home Secretary. He will succeed
Rajiv Mehrishi, who will complete his term on 30
August 2017.
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis on 26 June 2017
appointed Social Democrat Mihai Tudose as the Prime
07.04.2017
Minister and mandated him to form a new
government.
Rajiv Kumar was on 29 June 2017 appointed as the
Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh.
Dr. Manoj Soni, former Vice Chancellor of Dr.
Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University, took the Oath
of Office and Secrecy as Member of the Union Public
Service Commission (UPSC) on 28 June 2017 at Delhi.
Indian-American Krishna R Urs was on 28 June 2017
appointed as the United States (US) Ambassador to
Peru by the President Donald Trump administration.
Jammu and Kashmir Governor Narinder Nath Vohra in
the last week of June 2017 was appointed the President
of the India International Centre (IIC).
Loknath Behra was on 28 June 2017 appointed as the
Director General of Police (DGP) of Kerala as incumbent
TP Senkumar will retire as the state DGP on 30 June
2017.
Former Chief Economic Advisor Kaushik Basu on 27
June 2017 took over as the President of the
International Economic Association (IEA) with effect
from 23 June 2017.
Narendra Kumar Sinha, a 1980-batch IAS officer from
Bihar, took over as Secretary in the Ministry of
Information & Broadcasting on 30 June 2017.
Resignations
First woman Chief Justice of Nepal Sushila Karki retired
on 8 June 2017 after attaining the age 65 years.
Prominent telecom engineer and policymaker Sam
Pitroda on 7 June 2017 resigned as the Technical
Advisor to the Odisha Government.
Bihar Governor Ram Nath Kovind resigned from his
post on 20 June 2017. His resignation came following
his nomination as the NDAs Presidential Candidate. His
resignation was accepted by President Pranab
Mukherjee.
Page 9 of 13
Days & Observances
The Global Day of Parents was observed on 1 June
2017.
International Day of Innocent Children Victims of
Aggression was observed across the world on 4 June
2017.
The World Environment Day (WED) was observed on 5
June 2017 with the years theme Connecting People to
Nature.
The United Nations Russian Language Day was
observed on 6 June 2017.
The World Oceans Day was observed across the world
on 8 June 2017 with the theme Our oceans, our future.
The World Day against Child Labour was observed
globally on 12 June 2017 with the theme In conflicts
and disasters, protect children from child labour.
The International Albinism Awareness Day was
observed on 13 June 2017 with an aim to end multiple
forms of discrimination that is faced by people who
suffers from albinism.
World Blood Donors Day (WBDD) was observed on 14
June 2017. The theme of the 2017 World Blood Donor
Day is Give Blood. Give Now. Give Often.
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day was observed
globally on 15 June 2017. The theme of the 2017 World
Elder Abuse Awareness Day is Understand and End
Financial Abuse of Older People: A Human Rights Issue.
The International Day for the Elimination of Sexual
Violence in Conflict was observed globally on 19 June
2017 with the theme Preventing Sexual Violence
Crimes through Justice and Deterrence.
The World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought
was observed globally on 17 June 2017 with a
campaign 'Our land. Our home. Our Future' to promote
public awareness of international efforts to combat
desertification.
The World Refugee Day was observed across the world
on 20 June 2017 to commemorate the strength,
courage, and perseverance of millions of refugees.
International Yoga Day was celebrated world-wide on
21 June 2017. The day is being celebrated with the
theme "Yoga for Health".
07.04.2017
The International Widows Day was observed globally
on 23 June 2017.
The 2017 International Day against Drug Abuse and
Illicit Trafficking was observed on 26 June 2017. The
day was observed with the theme Listen First -
Listening to children and youth is the first step to help
them grow healthy and safe.
The 2017 Day of the Seafarer (DotS) was observed on
25 June 2017 by the International Maritime
Organisation (IMO) with the theme 'Seafarers Matter'.
The International Day of the Tropics 2017 was
observed across the world on 29 June 2017.
Sharjah, a city in the United Arab Emirates has been
named as 'the World Book Capital' for 2019 by the
Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova for the
quality of its literary and cultural activities and for its
efforts to make books accessible to the entire
population of the nation. The programme runs with a
slogan Read - you are in Sharjah.
World News Updates
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration
(NASA) on 31 May 2017 renamed the Solar Probe Plus
Spacecraft, NASA's first mission to a star which will be
launched in 2018, as the Parker Solar Probe in honour
of astrophysicist Eugene Parker.
Japan on 1 June 2017 launched a satellite to help build
a high-precision geolocation system that will
complement the US operated Global Positioning
System (GPS). The rocket carrying the Michibiki No. 2
satellite, H-IIA, was launched from the Tanegashima
space center in Kagoshima Prefecture, Southern Japan
President Donald Trump announced on 1 June 2017
that he would withdraw the United States from the
landmark 2015 Paris agreement to fight climate
change.
The world's fastest elevator that can operate at a
record breaking speed of 1260 metres per minute is set
to been installed in a skyscraper complex building in
China.
The World Bank on 13 June 2017 approved a USD 520
million package of funding for projects to boost
Page 10 of 13
Afghanistan's economy and build critical
infrastructure.
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on 15
June 2017 re-elected India to another three-year term
on the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
China on 15 June 2017 successfully launched its first X-
ray Space Telescope named 'Insight' to study black
holes, pulsars and gamma-ray bursts.
The Australian High Commission and Australian
Department of Immigration and Border Protection
announced on 16 June 2017 that from 1 July 2017, all
Indian nationals will be able to apply for visitor visa
online.
Taking ahead the bilateral relations between India and
Afghanistan, the Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on 19
June 2017 inaugurated the first Afghanistan-India air
corridor. The corridor inaugurated at the Kabul
International Airport is a direct route that will bypass
Pakistan.
Sweden in the second week of June 2017 committed to
become a net-zero carbon emission emitter by 2045.
The vote makes Sweden the first country to
significantly strengthen its climate targets since the
Paris Agreement in 2015.
China has unveiled the world's first railless train that
runs on a virtual track making use of a sensor
technology instead of metal rails.
China launched its first self-developed 'next-
generation' bullet train 'Fuxing' with a maximum speed
of 400kmh on 26 June 2017.
The Trump administration has set new criteria for visa
applicants from six Muslim nations and all refugees
that require a close family or business tie to the
United States. According to the new guidelines sent to
all the US embassies and consulates on 28 June 2017,
visa applicants from six countries- Iran, Libya, Somalia,
Sudan, Syria and Yemen-must prove a relationship with
a parent, spouse, child, adult son or daughter, son-in-
law, daughter-in-law or sibling in the United States in
order to get a go ahead.
The Automated Teller Machine (ATM) marked its 50th
anniversary on 27 June 2017. The first ATM was
opened on 27 June 1967 at a branch of Barclays bank
07.04.2017
in Enfield, north London, the first of six cash dispensers
commissioned by the bank.
The words Chana and Chana Dal were on 27 June 2017
added to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED). 'Chana'
means Chickpeas and 'Chana Dal' stands for split
chickpea lentils.
Leaders of the worlds 20 largest economies will be
converging at the upcoming 12th G20 Summit on 7-8
July 2017 at Hamburg, a major port city in northern
Germany. The topics that are expected to dominate the
discussion include counter-terrorism and economic
reforms.
Sports News Updates
Manika Batra and Mouma Das on 1 June 2017 entered
into the quarterfinals of the World Table Tennis
Championships in Dusseldorf. With this, the duo also
created a history by becoming the first Indian pair to
reach the quarterfinals of the World Table Tennis
Championships.
Indian third seed B. Sai Praneeth on 4 June 2017
captured the Mens Singles title in the USD 120000
Thailand Open Grand Prix Gold badminton
championship.
Real Madrid made history on 3 June 2017 as they
became the first team ever to win back-to-back
Champions League titles.
Cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar will be joining the
likes of Noval Djokovic and David Beckham for a United
Nations campaign/initiative titled Super Dads.
Indias Rohan Bopanna and his Canadian teammate
Gabriela Dabrowski on 8 June 2017 won the mixed
doubles title at the 2017 French Open of Tennis. In the
finals played at Philippe-Chatrier Court of Paris, France,
the Indo-Canadian pair defeated the pair of Germanys
Anna-Lena Groenefeld and Colombia's Robert Farah by
2-6, 6-2, 12-10.
Legendary off-spinner Muttiah Muralidaran was on 8
June 2017 inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame by
ICC Chief Executive David Richardson after the India
versus Sri Lanka ICC Champions Trophy match at The
Oval.
Page 11 of 13
Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli is the sole Indian
sportsperson to feature in the 2017 Forbes list of The
Worlds highest paid athletes. Kohli has been ranked
89th among the 100 top-earning athletes with a total
pay of $22 million that includes $3 million from salary
and winnings and another $19 million from
endorsements.
Rafael Nadal on 11 June 2017 set a record winning his
10th French Open title. No other player has ever won
10 championships at the same event. Nadal defeated
Stan Wawrinka to grab the historic win.
Jelena Ostapenko on 10 June 2017 grabbed her first
ever grand slam title by beating the match favourite,
third-seeded Simona Halep in the final of French Open
2017.
England on 11 June 2017 lifted the FIFA U-20 World
Cup for the first time ever. England defeated Venezuela
1-0 in the summit clash held in Suwon, South Korea.
Indian shuttler Kidambi Srikanth on 18 June 2017
clinched the Indonesia Open Men's Singles trophy with
a straight-game victory over Japanese qualifier
Kazumasa Sakai in the final.
Pakistan on 18 June 2017 defeated India in the final
played at The Oval, London to lift the 2017 ICC
Champions Trophy.
Anil Kumble, the legendary cricketer and cricket
thinker, resigned from the post of head Coach of the
Indian Cricket team on 20 June 2017. His resignation
came four days before the limited overs tour to the
Caribbean (West Indies team) begins.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Intel
on 21 June 2017 announced a long-term technology
partnership.
Former Indian hockey captain, Dhanraj Pillay would be
conferred East Bengal football club's highest honour -
Bharat Gaurav -at its foundation day ceremony on 1
August 2017.
Two Indians from Maharashtra, Srinivas Gokulnath
and Amit Samarth created history on 25 June 2017 by
becoming the first from the country to complete the
4900 km long Race Across America (RAAM) in the solo
category.
Kidambi Srikanth on 25 June 2017 won the 2017
AustralianOpen Mens Singles title.
07.04.2017
Indian badminton player Kidambi Srikanth has re-
entered the top ten of the Badminton World
Federation (BWF) men's singles rankings for the first
time in ten months.
Sri Lankan fast bowler, Lasith Malinga has been
handed over a suspension ban of six months after a
disciplinary inquiry found him guilty of breaching his
contract by speaking to the media without permission.
Swiss legend Roger Federer on 25 June 2017 defeated
Alexander Zverev 6-1, 6-3 in the final to clinch the 2017
Halle Open Mens Singles title.
Awards & Honors
The Union Ministry of Rural Development in the first
week of June 2017 selected Vizianagaram as one
among the 17 districts across the nation for the
MGNREGA Annual Award for effective implementation
of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment
Guarantee Act during 2015-16.
Popular writer Anand Neelakantan, Odia poet
Haraprasad Das and author Paramita Satpathy were
on 6 June 2017 announced as the winners of the
Kalinga Literary Awards.
J P Nadda, the Union Minister of Health and Family
Welfare was conferred the WHO Director-Generals
Special Recognition Award for global tobacco control
on 8 June 2017.
Polish poet and author Adam Zagajewski on 8 June
2017 won the Spain's prestigious Princess of Asturias
Award for Literature 2017.
Renowned poet and essayist Haraprasad Das on 11
June 2017 was conferred with the prestigious Kalinga
Literary Award.
Project Jal Sanchay, a water conservation model
adopted successfully by the authorities in Nalanda
district of south-central Bihar, has been selected for
the national award for excellence in the Mahatma
Gandhi national rural employment guarantee
programme (MGNREGP) by the Union ministry of rural
development.
Eminent litterateur Yeshe Dorje Thongchi was on 15
June 2017 chosen for the Bhupen Hazarika Award
2017.
Page 12 of 13
A Horse Walks Into a Bar by David Grossman on 14
June 2017 was announced as the winner of the 2017
Man Booker International Prize.
Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute of Pune
was on 21 June 2017 selected as the first recipient of
the Prime Ministers Award for Outstanding
Contribution to Promotion and Development of Yoga
for 2017. The award was announced on the occasion of
third edition of International Yoga Day.
Qatar Airways on 20 June 2017 was announced the
Worlds Best Airline at the SKYTRAX 2017 World Airline
Awards.
Fashion label Rheson, owned by actress Sonam Kapoor
and her producer-sister Rhea Kapoor, on 22 June 2017
won the Compassionate Business Award 2017 from the
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)
India for a line of bags made exclusively of vegan
materials.
Anti-hunger activist Ankit Kawatra is all set to receive
the prestigious Queens Young Leaders Award with 60
others from all 53 Commonwealth countries.
The West Bengal Government's Kanyashree Prakalpa
on 23 June 2017 was awarded the first prize in United
Nations Public Service Award for Asia Pacific. The
award was presented at The Hague, Netherlands.
Haryanas Manushi Chhillar on 25 June 2017 was
crowned the 54th Femina Miss India World 2017. The
event was held at Yash Raj Studios in Mumbai,
Maharashtra.
Reports
Indian superstars Shahrukh Khan, Salman Khan and
Akshay Kumar are among Forbes annual list of the
highest-earning entertainers in the world. Shah Rukh
Khan, ranks 65th on the list. Salman Khan is on the 71st
spot. Akshay Kumar is ranked 80th on the list
In roughly seven years, around 2024, the population of
India is expected to surpass that of China, according to
a UN report the World Population Prospects: The
2017 Revision--published by the United Nations
Department of Economic and Social Affairs. The report
stated that currently, China with a population of about
1.41 billion and India with a population of about 1.34
07.04.2017 Page 13 of 13

billion are two of the most populous countries

comprising 19 and 18 percent of the total global

An obstacle is a
population.

The UNESCOs World Heritage Centre on 23 June 2017

stepping Stone
released the first global scientific assessment of
climate change impacts on World Heritage coral reefs.
The social, cultural and economic value of coral reefs is
estimated at USD 1 trillion. Recent projections indicate
that climate-related loss of reef ecosystem services will
total USD 500 billion per year or more by 2100, with Visit www.exampundit.in for more Free
the greatest impacts felt by people who rely on reefs
Materials for IBPS PO, SSC CGL & other
for day-to-day subsistence.
exams.
The National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) under Union
Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation
on 29 June 2017 released the report titled 'Key
Indicators of Unincorporated Non-Agricultural
Enterprises (Excluding Construction) in India.

Books
Beren and Luthien, a book by Lord of the Rings author
John Ronald Reuel Tolkien (JRR Tolkien), was published
on 1 June 2017, 100 years after it was first conceived.

A book titled Indira Gandhi: A Life in Nature authored

by Jairam Ramesh was released on 10 June 2017 at the
Indira Gandhi Memorial Museum in New Delhi.

Obituaries
Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission President
Swami Atmasthananda passed away on 18 June 2017
after a prolonged illness.

Helmut Kohl, former German Chancellor who presided

over both German reunification and the creation of the
eurozone passed away on 16 June 2016.