Ixambee Monthly December Capsule

Monthly GK Capsule
December 2018
Contents
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Monthly GK Capsule
December 2018
Contents
Economy & Banking………………………………………………………..4
Government & Polity……………………………………………………….12
International…………………………………………………………………19
States…………………………………………………………………………26
Sports………………………………………………………………………..32
Appointment…………………………………………………………………35
Person/Event/Award……………………………………………………….39
Schemes- Ministry of Women & Child Development..…………..….46
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Monthly GK Capsule
December 2018
Other Important Document Links

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Summary of Economic Survey of India (2017-18)
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Monthly GK Capsule
December 2018
Economy & Banking
1. Growth slows to 7.1% in second quarter on oil, rupee
 Second-quarter GDP growth slowed to 7.1%, from 8.2% in the preceding quarter.
 Gross Value Added (GVA) growth eased to 6.9% in July-September, from 8%.The GDP expansion in
the corresponding quarter of the last fiscal year was 6.3%, while GVA growth was 6.1%.
 Economists said while the slowdown was anticipated, given that oil prices had been high and the
rupee had weakened against the dollar during the quarter, the actual numbers had surprised on the
downside.
 Analysts expect easing oil prices and the rupee‘s recent rebound to boost third-quarter GDP growth
 GDP - gives the economic output from the consumers‟ side. It is the sum of
private consumption, gross investment in the economy, government
investment, government spending and net foreign trade (difference between
exports and imports)
 GVA- gives a picture of the state of economic activity from the producers‟
side or supply side. It is a measure of total output and income in the
economy. It also gives sector-specific picture like what is the growth in an
area, industry or sector of an economy
2. Import cover falls to 10.1 months in June
 The adequacy of foreign exchange reserves, as measured by import cover, declined to 10.1 months
as on June 2018 compared with March when it was 10.9 months.
 Also the ratio of short-term debt (original maturity) to reserves, which was 24.1% at end-March 2018,
increased to 24.3% at end-June 2018.
 The reserves, which stood at $424.54 billion as at end-March 2018, fell to $405.74 billion as at end-
June.
3. LIC surplus jumps over 10% in FY18
 LIC has expanded its annual surplus by 10.1% to Rs.48,444.82 crore for fiscal 2018 and paid
Rs.2,430.19 crore as the government‘s share.
 In fiscal 2017, the corporation paid Rs.2,206.70 crore to the government, which was 15.8% more than
what it paid in fiscal 2016.
 LIC- Life Insurance Corporation of India is state-owned insurance group and

Investment Company headquartered in Mumbai. It is the largest insurance
company in India with an estimated asset value of Rs.2,529,390 crore. V K
Sharma is current chairman of the group.
 It was founded on 1 September , 1956

Monthly GK Capsule
December 2018
4. Panel to look at selling OIL, ONGC fields
 The government has constituted a six-member committee to look at selling as many as 149 small and
marginal oil and gas fields of state-owned ONGC and Oil India to private and foreign companies to
boost domestic output.
 The panel is headed by NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Rajiv Kumar and includes Cabinet Secretary P. K.
Sinha and Oil Secretary M. M. Kutty.
5. Manufacturing PMI hits 11-month high in Nov
 Manufacturing activity expanded in November for the third month in a row. The Nikkei India
Manufacturing Purchasing Managers‘ Index registered a reading of 54 in November, the highest in 11
months, up from 53.1 in October.
 A reading above 50 denotes an expansion, while one below 50 implies a contraction.
.
6. Fitch retains negative outlook for banks on weak capital
 Rating agency Fitch maintained a negative outlook for Indian banks due to weak capital and said
public sector lenders would need more capital than what the Centre had planned to infuse.
 Fitch estimated that banks would need $38 billion by FY19 to sufficiently meet minimum Basel III
capital standards and other requirements.
 The agency also said banks were likely to report weak earnings for FY19 and that some state-run
banks might continue to report losses.
7. Reserve Bank stands pat on rates
 The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has left the key interest rate or the repo rate unchanged at 6.5%
during the fifth bimonthly monetary policy review.
 Consumer price index-based inflation is projected at 2.7-3.2% for the second half of the current
financial year and 3.8-4.2% in the first half of the next financial year.
 The RBI decided to retain GDP growth rate for 2018-19 at 7.4% and estimated growth at 7.5% for
the first half of the next financial year.
 To boost credit flows, It has decided to reduce SLR to 18% of net demand and time liabilities from
19.5% over the next six quarters, by 25 bps each in every quarter. The first reduction of 25 basis
points will take effect in the quarter starting in January 2019
8. Cabinet clears policy to double agri exports
 The Union Cabinet has approved the Agriculture Export Policy, 2018 , aimed at increasing India‘s
exports to $60 billion by 2022 from the current $37 billion.
 It is aimed at doubling the agricultural exports and integrating Indian farmers and agricultural products
with the global value chains. This is in line with the Prime Minister‘s vision of doubling farmers‘
income.

Monthly GK Capsule
December 2018
 Objectives of the Agriculture Export Policy are - To double agricultural exports from present ~US$
30+ Billion to ~US$ 60+ Billion by 2022 and reach US$ 100 Billion in the next few years thereafter,
with a stable trade policy regime, To diversify our export basket, destinations and boost high value
and value added agricultural exports , To strive to double India‘s share in world agri exports by
integrating with global value chain at the earliest, Enable farmers to get benefit of export opportunities
in overseas market etc.
9. MF assets rise 8% to Rs.24.03 lakh cr
 Despite stock market volatility, assets under management (AUM) of mutual funds (MFs) in November
increased 8% to Rs.24.03 lakh crore from Rs.22.23 lakh crore reported in October.
 This was primarily on account of fresh fund inflow into liquid MF schemes and recovery in the equity
markets. According to AMFI data, November witnessed an inflow of Rs.1.36 lakh crore into liquid
funds, which was more than double that of Rs.55,296 crore reported in October
 The Association of Mutual Funds in India is an industry standards organization in

India in the mutual funds sector. It was formed in 1995.
10. Current account deficit widens to 2.9% in Q2
 Current account deficit (CA) widened to 2.9% of GDP for the July-September quarter due to higher
trade deficit compared with 1.1% during the same period of the previous year.
 The deficit for the second quarter was $19.1 billion.The CAD for the April-June quarter was 2.4% of
GDP or $15.9 billion
11. Direct tax collections surge 15.7% in Apr.-Nov
 Gross direct tax collections surged 15.7% to Rs.6.75 lakh crore for April-November.
 The net direct tax collections represent 48% of the total budget estimates of direct taxes for financial
year 2018-19 (Rs.11.50 lakh crore).Gross collections in corporate income tax (CIT) and personal
income tax (PIT) grew 17.7% and 18.3%, respectively.
12. RBI slaps Rs.1 crore fine on Indian Bank
 The RBI said it had imposed a fine of Rs.1 crore on Indian Bank for violating cyber security norms.
 The RBI has imposed, by an order dated November 30, 2018, a penalty of Rs.1 crore on the lender
for contravention of Circular on Cyber Security Framework in bank.
13. IIP rises to 11-month high in October
 Growth in the Index of Industrial Production ((IIP) came in at 8.08% in October, up from 4.47% in the
previous month, and 1.83% in October of last year. This was primarily led by the 7.04% growth in the
mining sector and the 7.92% growth in the manufacturing sector respectively.

Monthly GK Capsule
December 2018
14. Retail inflation in November slows to 17-month low of 2.33%
 Growth in the Consumer Price Index (CPI), the measure of retail inflation, slowed sharply to 2.33% in
November from 3.38% in the previous month.
 CPI is the main price gauge that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) tracks. As per minutes of the
Monetary Policy Committee meeting held on December 5, former RBI Governor Urjit Patel said that
broad-based weakening of food prices and the sharp decline in international crude oil prices imparts a
downward bias to the headline inflation trajectory going forward..
15. India, China join hands to promote tea globally
 Two apex industry organisations, Indian Tea Association (ITA) and China Tea Marketing Association
(CTMA), have signed a memorandum of understanding to promote green and black tea consumption
in major tea markets.
 The MoU was signed between Vivek Goenka, ITA chairman, and Wang Qing, president, CTMA.The
MoU covers the areas of trade promotion, intellectual property protection and technology exchange.
16. Need to focus on cutting public debt in 4 to 5 years, says Garg
 The Indian economy has a large overhang of public debt and there is a need to focus on reducing this
in the next four to five years, Economic Affairs Secretary Subhash Chandra Garg said.
 Pointing out that the fiscal deficit was moving towards the ideal level of 3% of the GDP and inflation
was moderate, Mr. Garg also said India‘s macroeconomic parameters were among the best globally.
 Ratings agencies have raised concerns over the level of public debt and refrained from upgrading the
sovereign rating of the country.
17. Pharma exports cross $11 bn, may beat FY18 high of $17 bn
 Pharmaceutical exports have raced past the $11-billion mark in the first 7 months of this fiscal.
Exports stood at $17.27 billion in FY18.
 About a third of India‘s pharma exports are to the U.S. Europe, with about 15% and Africa at 17% are
the other major export markets.
 Pharmexcil chairman Dinesh Dua said China, as a supplier of key starting raw materials and
intermediates to Indian firms, has the potential to become a big market for India-made formulations.
18. IDFC Bank, Capital First merger done
 Private sector lender IDFC Bank has completed the merger process with non-banking financial
company Capital First following all the requisite approvals.
 Following the merger, the board of the bank, which has been renamed to IDFC First Bank, has been
reconstituted with the appointment of Capital First founder and Chairman V. Vaidyanathan as the
managing director and chief executive officer of the merged entity.

Monthly GK Capsule
December 2018
19. NITI Aayog releases Strategy Document for New India
 NITI Aayog unveiled its comprehensive national Strategy for New India, which defines clear
objectives for 2022-23.
 It recommends a number of steps, including increasing the investment rate, reforming agriculture, and
codifying labour laws.
 It envisioned economy‘s size in real terms from $2.7 trillion in 2017-18 to nearly $4 trillion by 2022-23.
 On boosting economic growth, the document identified two key steps for increasing the country‘s
investment rate (from 29% of GDP to 36% of GDP) and the tax-GDP ratio (from 17% to 22%).As per
the report an annual rate of growth of 9% by 2022-23 is essential for generating sufficient jobs and
achieving prosperity for all.
 The NITI Aayog (Hindi for Policy Commission), also National Institution for
Transforming India, is a policy think tank of the Government of India,
established with the aim to achieve Sustainable Development Goals and to
enhance cooperative federalism by fostering the involvement of State
Governments of India in the economic policy-making process using a
bottom-up approach.
20. „Sandbox policy to support fintech‟- SEBI
 The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is planning to come up with a ‗sandbox‘ policy to
support development of financial technologies for the capital market.
 Chairman Mr. Ajay Tyagi said on the sidelines of the 8th India Finance Conference organised by the
Indian Institutes of Management at Calcutta, Bangalore and Ahmedabad.
 A sandbox approach denotes the trial of a concept before final adaptation, thus minimising the impact
of any failure.
21. RBI caps outstanding ECBs at 6.5% of GDP
 The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced a cap for funds raised via external commercial
borrowing (ECB) at 6.5% of the country‘s GDP. Based on GDP figures for March 31, 2018, the soft
limit works out to $160 billion.The outstanding stock of ECB as on September 30, 2018 was $126.29
billion.
 ECBs refer to commercial loans in the form of bank loans, securitised
instruments buyers‟ credit, suppliers‟ credit availed of from non-resident
lenders with a minimum average maturity of three years
22. Fed raises interest rates by 25 bps
 The U.S. Federal Reserve has increased the key short-term interest rates by 25 basis points to
2.5%.This is the fourth rate hike in 2018. According to Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell,
U.S. economy continued to strengthen this year, roughly in line with expectations.

Monthly GK Capsule
December 2018
23. Start-up Swiggy gets $1 bn fresh funds
 Food delivery start-up Swiggy said it had raised $1 billion in a funding round led by existing investor
Naspers, a South African conglomerate.
 This is the single largest investment in India‘s food technology sector till date.
 The online food ordering and delivery market is expected to grow at a compounded annual growth
rate of more than 45% to reach $11 billion by 2023.
24. GST cut on 17 items, 6 services
 The Goods and Services Tax Council cut rates on 17 items and six types of services during its 31st
meeting, leaving only one common use item — cement — in the 28% bracket.
 Seven items that saw tax rates being slashed from the 28% bracket are certain vehicle parts used in
agriculture, monitors and TVs up to 32 inches, retreaded tyres, power banks, digital cameras,
videogame consoles (all from 28% to 18%), and parts and accessories for the carriages for disabled
persons (from 28% to 5%).
 GST-It is a destination-based taxation system. It has been established by the

101st Constitutional Amendment Act. It is calculated only in the “Value
addition” at any stage of a goods or services.
 There is a provision of GST Council to decide upon any matter related to GST
whose chairman in the finance minister of India.
25. Start-ups get a platform for listing, courtesy BSE
 As part of its attempts to encourage the start-up community to move towards listing, BSE has
launched a platform — ‗BSE Startups‘ in collaboration with two venture capital firms — Cornerstone
Ventures Investment Advisers LLP and Venture Catalysts.
 The platform will also help in listing of firms from hi-tech defence, drones, nano technologies, artificial
intelligence and genetic engineering among other sectors.
26. U.S. Q3 growth trimmed, business spending slowing
 The U.S. economy slowed slightly more than previously estimated in the third quarter and momentum
appears to have moderated further in the fourth quarter.
 Growth in the October-December quarter could still be strong and keep the economy on track to
achieve the Trump administration‘s 3% target this year.
27. RBI shortlists Wipro, TCS, 4 others for PCR
 The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has shortlisted six major IT companies, including TCS, Wipro and
IBM India, Capgemini Technology Services India, Dun & Bradstreet Information Services India and
Mindtree Ltd, to set up a digital public credit registry (PCR) for capturing details of all borrowers and
wilful defaulters.

Monthly GK Capsule
December 2018
 The proposed PCR will also include data from entities such as markets regulator SEBI, the Corporate
Affairs Ministry, Goods and Service Tax Network (GSTN) and the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board
of India (IBBI), to enable banks and financial institutions to get a 360-degree profile of existing as well
as prospective borrowers on a real-time basis.
28. Indian firm takes over Chabahar operations
 India Ports Global Ltd. had taken over operations at the Shaheed Behesti port at Chabahar.
 The crucial handover took place during the first meeting of the follow-up committee for
implementation of the trilateral Chabahar Agreement of India, Afghanistan and Iran.
 Chabahar Port is a seaport in Chabahar located in southeastern Iran, on the Gulf

of Oman. It serves as Iran's only oceanic port.
29. Radiant Life, Max Healthcare to merge
 Radiant Life Care will acquire a majority stake in Max Healthcare through a merger to create an entity
with valuation of Rs.7,242 crore.Max India will demerge its non-healthcare businesses (comprising
Max Bupa and Antara Senior Living) into a new listed entity.
 The combination of Radiant and Max Healthcare will create the largest hospital network in North
India.
30. Foreign fund outflows highest since 2008
 For the Indian equity markets, year 2018 will end as the worst in terms of foreign money outflows
since 2008. In the Indian context, 2018 would also be only the third such year in the last decade
when foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) would end a calendar year as net sellers of Indian shares.
 Foreign investors have been net sellers at almost $4.8 billion or Rs.33,344 crore during the current
calendar year, till date.
 Further, the year also saw overseas investors selling shares worth almost $4 billion or Rs.28,921
crore in just one month — October — making it the worst-ever month in terms of FPI outflows.
31. NCLT helps recover over Rs.80,000 cr. in 2018
 Tasked with helping recover unpaid corporate loans, the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) has
helped resolve insolvency and bankruptcy proceedings involving more than Rs.80,000 crore in 2018.
 Plans are afoot to further strengthen the NCLT by increasing the number of judges and benches, and
providng adequate infrastructure to fast-track the process, according to government officials.
32. Bimal Jalan to head six-member panel on RBI‟s economic capital framework
 The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), in consultation with the government, has set up a six-member
committee to review the economic capital framework of the central bank.

Monthly GK Capsule
December 2018
 Former RBI Governor Bimal Jalan will be the committee‘s chairman and former Deputy Governor
Rakesh Mohan deputy chairman.
 The terms of reference of the committee would be to review status, need and justification of various
provisions, reserves and buffers presently provided for by the RBI, keeping in mind ‗public policy
mandate of the RBI, including financial stability considerations. The committee will also review best
practices followed by the central banks globally in making assessment and provisions for risks.
33. Centre will infuse RS.28,615 crore in 7 PSBs
 The government is likely to infuse Rs.28,615 crore into seven public sector banks through
recapitalisation bonds.
 These banks include Bank of India,OBC,BoM,United Bank of India,UCO Bank.
 Recapitalisation would enhance the lending capacity of PSBs and help them exit the RBI‘s Prompt
Corrective Action framework.
34. ICRA downgrades NIC rating
 ICRA has downgraded the long-term rating for National Insurance Company Limited‘s (NIC)
subordinated debt programme to AA from AA+ due to weak underwriting performance.
 The rating takes into account NIC‘s continued weak underwriting performance driven by a high
combined ratio, resulting in pressure on profitability, and the high portfolio concentration in the motor
and health segments, leading to a weak solvency ratio below the regulatory minimum.
 National Insurance Company Limited- Kolkata based

 CMD Ms Tajinder Mukherjee
35. “State-run bank NPAs decline by Rs.23,860 cr.”
 Various initiatives taken by the government have yielded results, with the bad loans of public sector
banks declining by over Rs.23,000 crore from a peak of Rs.9.62 lakh crore in March 2018.
 Gross non-performing assets (NPAs) of PSBs have started declining after peaking in March 2018,
registering a decline of Rs.23,860 crore in the first half of the current financial year.
36. Centre launches global search for AI top slots
 The Centre plans to hire professionals for top positions in Air India through a global search process,
as part of efforts to revive the national carrier.
 Against this backdrop, the Centre is considering the proposal to professionalise AI management. The
carrier is estimated to have a debt of over Rs.55,000 crore and about Rs.29,000 crore is to be
transferred into an special purpose vehicle

Monthly GK Capsule
December 2018
Government & Polity
1. Coalgate: former Coal Secretary convicted
 A Delhi court convicted former Coal Secretary H.C. Gupta in a corruption case relating to allotment of
coal blocks in West Bengal during the previous UPA regime at the Centre.
 Five others, including one retired and another serving public servant — K.S. Kropha and K.C. Samria
— were held guilty of various offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act and Indian Penal Code,
including Sections 420 (cheating) and 120B (criminal conspiracy).
2. Central guidelines for crèches at workplaces
 The Centre has prepared guidelines for setting up of crèches at workplaces.

 In March this year, Parliament passed the Maternity Benefit Amendment Act, 2017, enhancing paid
maternity leave from a period of 12 weeks to 26 weeks.
 The law is applicable to all institutions with 10 or more employees. It also makes it mandatory for
every organization with 50 or more employees to have a crèche.
 The facility should be open for 8 to 10 hours and if the employees have a shift system, then the
crèche should also be run accordingly. A crèche must have a minimum space of 10 to 12 square feet
per child to ensure that she or he can play, rest and learn. There should be no unsafe places there.
3. India‟s first engine-less train, Train 18, breaches 180 kmph during trials
 India‘s first self powered engine-less train, known as Train 18, breached the 180 kilometre per hour
(kmph) speed limit during a trial run.
 It is the first train in the Indian Railway to travel at such speed. Train 18 is capable of touching 200
kmph but tracks in the Indian Railways‘ network will need to be upgraded for that. Integral Coach
Factory (ICF), Chennai manufactured the train.
 Train 18 will offer both comfort and pace to the passengers and will fit the bill of replacing intercity
express trains, which have travel time in six hour range. All coaches will be chair car type for day
travel
4. Services agree on Permanent Chair
 The three services are taking steps to improve ‗jointmanship‘ and have agreed on the appointment of
a Permanent Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee PCCoSC.
 The proposal has now been forwarded to the Defence Ministry. Admiral Lanba is the current
Chairman, CoSC
5. Disabilities Act: States going slow on roll-out, says study
 A study conducted by the Disability Rights India Foundation (DRIF) on the implementation of the
Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPWD) Act, across 24 States, has revealed that more than half
have not notified the State rules.

Monthly GK Capsule
December 2018
 The Act, passed in December 2016, should have been notified by all States within six months.
Though 62% of the States have appointed Commissioners for Persons with Disabilities, the progress
has not been substantial.
 The Act in 2016 replaced the existing PwD Act, 1995.

 Disability has been defined based on an evolving and dynamic concept. The
types of disabilities have been increased from existing 7 to 21. Speech and
Language Disability and Specific Learning Disability have been added for
the first time. Acid Attack Victims have been included.
 Reservation in vacancies in government establishments has been increased
from 3% to 4% for certain persons or class of persons with benchmark
disability.
6. „Big bird‟ to take Internet to villages
 India‘s first six-tonne-class ‗big bird‘ in space, advanced communication satellite GSAT-11, was put
into orbit from the European spaceport in Guiana in South America.
 Its mission is to enable high-speed satellite-based Internet services to users in rural and remote areas
and to businesses down home over the next 15 years. Hence it would help in achieving the goals
under Bharat Net.
 This, along with GSAT-29 and GSAT-19, smaller satellites already launched from within India, will
herald a new era of satellite-driven reliable high-throughput data services
 Launched in October 2011, Bharat Net (earlier called the National Optical Fibre
Network) aims to provide 2.5 lakh village panchayats with e-banking, e-
education, e-health and e-governance, among others, through reliable
broadband connectivity.
7. India has one-third of world's stunted children: Global nutrition report
 India is facing a major malnutrition crisis as it holds almost a third of the world's burden for stunting,
according to a global nutrition report.
 With 46.6 million children who are stunted, India tops the list of countries followed by Nigeria (13.9
million) and Pakistan (10.7 million).India also accounted for 25.5 million children who are wasted,
followed by Nigeria (3.4 million) and Indonesia (3.3 million).Of the 141 countries analysed, 88 per
cent (124 countries) experience more than one form of malnutrition
8. M.S. Swaminathan calls GM crops a failure
 The research paper, ‗Modern Technologies for Sustainable Food and Nutrition Security‘, authored by
P.C. Kesavan and Prof. Swaminathan, is a review of crop development in India and transgenic crops
— particularly Bt cotton, the stalled Bt brinjal as well as DMH-11, a transgenic mustard hybrid.

Monthly GK Capsule
December 2018
 The latter two have been cleared by scientific regulators but not by the Centre.It describes Bt cotton
as a ―failure‖.
 The piece also raises questions on the genetic engineering technology itself on the grounds that it
raises the cost of sowing. Also, the insertion of foreign genes (in the plant) could lead to ―molecular
and cellular events not precisely understood‖.
9. Govt notifies commonly used medical devices as drugs
 Government has notified commonly used medical devices nebulizers, blood pressure monitors, digital
thermometers and glucometers as drugs under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.
 It will enable the government to ensure their quality and performance.The Drug Controller General of
India (DCGI) will regulate the import, manufacture and sale of these devices from January 2020.
10. Centre amends rules for minorities from three nations
 The contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016, is pending in Parliament, but the Union Home
Ministry has notified amendments to the Citizenship Rules, 2009, to include a separate column in the
citizenship form for applicants belonging to six minority communities from Pakistan, Afghanistan and
Bangladesh.
 A parliamentary committee has been examining the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016, that
proposes citizenship to six persecuted minorities — Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, Parsis, Christians and
Buddhists — from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh, who came to India before 2014.
11. No tax on withdrawals from NPS
 The government announced increasing the government‘s contribution, exempting withdrawals from
tax, and also exempting up to Rs.1.5 lakh of contributions to the scheme from tax.
 NPS subscribers could withdraw 60% of the corpus, with 40% mandatorily being deposited in annuity
schemes.
12. SC directs Centre to declare 10 km area around national parks as eco-sensitive
 The Supreme Court directed the Union Environment Ministry to declare 10 km area around 21
national parks and wildlife sanctuaries across the country as ‗eco-sensitive zones‘.
 The parks and sanctuaries are the Pobitora sanctuary in Assam; Hemis and Kishtewar national parks,
Changthang, Hokersar, Trikuta sanctuaries in Jammu and Kashmir; Jogimatti, Thimlapura and
Yadahalli Chinkara sanctuaries in Karnataka; Deolgaon Rehekuri and Thane Creek Flamingo
sanctuaries and the Malvan marine sanctuary in Maharashtra; Siroi National Park and
Khongjaingamba Ching sanctuary in Manipur; Baghmara Pitcher Plant sanctuary in Meghalaya;
Fakim and Puliebadze and Rangapahar sanctuaries in Nagaland; Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar bird
sanctuary and Pilibhit sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh and the Jorepokhri sanctuary in West Bengal.

Monthly GK Capsule
December 2018
13. India gets submarine rescue system
 The Indian Navy joined a select group of naval forces in the world when it inducted its first non-
tethered Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV) system at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai.
 The DSRV is used to rescue crew members from submarines stranded under water in the high
seas.In March 2016, the Indian Navy had signed a Rs.2,000 crore contract with the U.K.-based
James Fisher Defence (JFD) for two submarine rescue systems as well as maintenance for 25 years.
The second system would be inducted in April and would be based at the Eastern Naval Command in
Vishakapatnam.
14. Scientists step in to save Punganur cow
 The Punganur cow, considered one of the world‘s smallest breeds of cattle, is said to be on the verge
of extinction due to cross-breeding conducted by farmers.
 Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the Animal Genetic Resources list the breed as facing
extinction.
 Animal genetics and breeding scientists from the NTR University of Veterinary Sciences in
Gannavaram are now engaged in efforts to save the unique breed from extinction.
15. ISRO‟s GSAT-7A to add muscle to Air Force
 Military communication satellite GSAT-7A, due to be launched on December 19 evening from

Sriharikota, is expected to add a new space-based strength to the Indian Air Force.GSAT-7A will be
the first one built primarily for the IAF.
 The GSAT-7A/ GSLV-F11 mission will also wrap up the calendar year for the Indian Space Research
Organisation (ISRO). The GSLV-F11 space vehicle will release it to an eventual geostationary orbit
about 36,000 km from Earth.
16. LPG scheme to cover poor people
 The Union Cabinet approved the expansion of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, which aims to
provide deposit-free LPG connections to all poor households.
 So far, the scheme targeted the poor and underprivileged so listed in the Socio-Economic and Caste
Census, 2011.Poor people will be able to opt for the scheme even if they so far were not eligible, after
furnishing the required identification documents and an affidavit saying that they do not have an
existing LPG connection
 Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) aims to safeguard the health of

women & children by providing them with a clean cooking fuel – LPG.
 It was launched Prime Minister on May 1st, 2016 in Ballia, Uttar Pradesh.
Under this scheme, 5 Cr LPG connections will be provided to BPL families
with a support of Rs.1600 per connection in the next 3 years.

Monthly GK Capsule
December 2018
17. „Centre drafts child protection policy
 The Ministry of Women and Child Development has released the draft policy and invited comments
from stakeholders.
 This will be the first policy dedicated to the protection of children.
 A code of conduct for employees of all organisations and a declaration signed by them agreeing to
ensure the safety of children are some of the provisions included in the draft policy, prepared on the
prodding of the Supreme Court in the wake of the Muzaffarpur shelter abuse case.
 As per the draft, the policy will apply to ―all institutions, and organisations (including corporate and
media houses), government or private sector‖.
18. Bill banning commercial surrogacy passed in LS
 The Lok Sabha passed a Bill banning commercial surrogacy with penal provisions of jail of up to 10
years and fine of up to Rs.10 lakh.
 The Bill, which will become law once the Rajya Sabha approves it, allows only close Indian relatives
to be surrogate mothers and purely for ―altruistic‖ reasons.
 It states an Indian infertile couple, married for five years or more, can go in for ‗altruistic surrogacy‘
where the surrogate mother will not be paid any compensation except medical expenses and
insurance.
19. LS clears Consumer Protection Bill
 Lok Sabha passed Consumer Protection Bill, 2018, to replace the Consumer Protection Act, 1986.
 It is meant to protect those who use new technologies such as e-commerce and online shopping.
 The financial jurisdiction of the District Consumers Courts has been increased: they can deal with
complaints involving Rs.1 crore as against the Rs.20 lakh earlier. Under the clause of product liability,
a manufacturer will be liable to give compensation for products with defects.
20. Gurugram centre to monitor IOR
 Consolidating the regional efforts with friendly nations to keep the global commons ―open and
accessible for all,‖ India inaugurated an Information Fusion Centre - Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR)
which will work closely with countries in the region and will be manned by the Indian Navy.
 The IFC has been established at the Navy‘s Information Management and Analysis Centre (IMAC) at
Gurugram.
 It is the single point centre interlinking all the coastal radar chains to generate a seamless real-time
picture of the nearly 7,500-km long coastline.
21. PM announces new award for national unity
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced the institution of a national unity award on the lines of
the Padma awards.
 The annual award would be given to any Indian who has contributed to national unity in any manner.
Prime Minister drew inspiration from Sardar Patel‘s contribution towards the unification of the country.

Monthly GK Capsule
December 2018
22. Draft „The Information Technology [Intermediaries Guidelines (Amendment) Rules]

2018‟ released
 As per the draft ‗The Information Technology [Intermediaries Guidelines (Amendment) Rules] 2018‘,
the intermediary after being notified by the appropriate authority would have to remove or disable
access to unlawful content within 24 hours in the ―interests of the sovereignty and integrity of India,
the security of the state, friendly relations with foreign states, public order, decency or morality, or in
relation to contempt of court, defamation or incitement to an offence, on its computer resource without
vitiating the evidence in any manner…‖.
 The proposed amendments to the Information Technology (IT) Act seek to make it mandatory for
platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook and Twitter to trace ―originator‖ of ―unlawful‖ information,
while also removing such content within 24 hours after being notified.
23. Another olive ridley nesting site soon
 Odisha Forest department has started preparing the beach at the Bahuda river mouth in Ganjam
district to lure the endangered turtles to come over for mass nesting next year.
 The Bahuda rookery is located around 20 km to the south of Rushikulya rookery coast, a major mass
nesting site of olive ridleys on the Indian coastline.
24. Virudhunagar was the best in development
 Tamil Nadu‘s Virudhunagar showed the most improvement, during June-October, among the
country‘s 111 most underdeveloped districts, while Jharkhand‘s Pakur reflected the least
improvement, according to a survey by the Niti Aayog.
 NITI Ayog released the second ‗‖Delta‖ ranking of these districts that measures the incremental
progress made by them across areas.
 The Aspirational Districts Programme was initiated by NITI Aayog in January 2018.
25. India to go ahead with manned space mission “Gaganyaan” by 2022
 Union cabinet approved Gaganyaan, India‘s first manned flight to space which is slated to take off by
2022.This would be one of the cheapest manned spaceflights in the world, with the entire mission,
including technology development, flight hardware realization and infrastructure, estimated to cost no
more than Rs.10,000 crore.
 The mission would make India the fourth country after Russia, the US, and China to launch a manned
spaceflight.
26. First 50 world-class stations by 2022
 50 world-class railway stations (with concourses modelled on airport-like swanky retail spaces for
commuters to wait ) will be completed by the Indian Railway Station Development Corporation
(IRSDC) by 2022.Phase I of the Habibganj railway station in Madhya Pradesh, being redeveloped on
the lines of Germany‘s Heidelberg station in the public-private partnership (PPP) mode, will be the
first to be commissioned in February next.

Monthly GK Capsule
December 2018
27. PM Modi Inaugurated International Rice Research Centre In Varanasi
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the International Rice Research Institute's South Asia
Regional Centre (ISARC) campus in Varanasi.
 The centre will serve as a hub for rice research and training in South Asia.The International Rice
Research Institute is an international agricultural research and training organization with headquarters
in Los Baños, Laguna in the Philippines.

Monthly GK Capsule
December 2018
International
1. Ramaphosa to be Republic Day guest
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi met South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on the sidelines of the
G20 summit here and invited him to be the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations next year.
 Mr. Ramaphosa has accepted the invitation. Mr. Ramaphosa‘s visit would further cement ties
between the two countries.
 South Africa Capitals Cape Town, Pretoria, Bloemfontein

 Currency South African rand
 President Cyril Ramaphosa
2. India to host G20 summit in 2022
 For the first time, India will host the annual G20 summit in 2022, when the country celebrates its 75th
anniversary of Independence.
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi made the announcement at the closing ceremony of the 13th G20
summit in the Argentinian capital BUENOS AIRES.
 He thanked Italy for allowing India to play the host. Italy was to host the summit in 2022.2019 summit
will be held in Osaka, Japan
 The G20 (or Group of Twenty) is an international forum for the governments
and central bank governors.
 It was founded in 1999 with the aim to discuss policy pertaining to the
promotion of international financial stability, but the G20 has expanded its
agenda since 2008.
 Membership of the G20 consists of 19 individual countries plus the
European Union (EU).
3. India, U.S. Air Forces to begin joint drill Ex Cope India 2018
 The Air Forces of India and the U.S. will begin a 12-day military exercise in the Kalaikunda and
Panagarh air bases in West Bengal to enhance operational coordination.
 The ‗Ex Cope India-18‘ will be the fourth edition in the series of bilateral drills between the Indian Air
Force and the U.S. Air Force. This is for the first time, the exercise is being held at two Air Force
base.
4. Qatar to quit OPEC in Jan 2019
 Qatar will leave the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) next month in order to
focus on gas production.

Monthly GK Capsule
December 2018
 It has been a member of OPEC since 1961, and the decision to pull out after all these decades
comes at a turbulent time in Gulf politics, with Doha under a boycott by former neighboring allies,
including Saudi Arabia, for 18 months.
 The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries is an

intergovernmental organization of 15 nations, founded in 1960 in Baghdad by
the first five members, and headquartered since 1965 in Vienna, Austria.
5. First manned Soyuz mission to ISS since October failure
 A Soyuz spacecraft carrying Russian, American and Canadian astronauts arrived at the International
Space Station for six-and-a-half months stay on the station. It was the first manned voyage for the
Soviet-era Soyuz since October 11, when a rocket carrying astronauts failed.
 The Soyuz is the only means of reaching the ISS since the U.S. retired the space shuttle in 2011.
 The International Space Station is a space station, or a habitable artificial

satellite, in low Earth orbit.
 Its first component launched into orbit in 1998.
6. India‟s Bhutan hydel project ready
 India is expected to commission the flagship 750 megawatt Mangdechhu hydropower project in
Bhutan in the coming weeks.
 The Mangdechhu project was bagged by the Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd. (BHEL) and it will be
implemented on a bilateral basis
7. India‟s Bhutan hydel project ready
 The Japanese Air Self Defence Force (JASDF) is in India for a bilateral air exercise "SHINYUU Maitri-
18" with the Indian Air Force (IAF) from December 3-7.
 The theme of the exercise, held at the Air Force station in Agra in northern state of Uttar Pradesh, is
joint mobility and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) on transport aircraft.
8. Taking fast road to „e-mobility‟ central to a sustainable future: COP24
 COP 24 aims of adopting global guidelines for the 197 parties of the 2015 Paris Agreement, when
countries committed to limiting global warming to less than 2°C – and as close as possible to 1.5° –
above pre-industrial levels.
 Globally, transport accounts for one quarter of total emissions – 8 gigatons per year, according to the
Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC).To prevent this from happening, investments
need to be made into creating electricity from renewable sources, not from fossil fuels, and ensuring a
solid supply chain

Monthly GK Capsule
December 2018
 COP24 is the informal name for the 24th Conference of the Parties to the
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
9. OPEC and allies agree to cut oil production by 1.2 million barrels per day
 Major oil producers have reached a deal to cut oil production and boost the market.
 OPEC clinched the deal with allied oil-producing nations including Russia at its headquarters in
Vienna, Austria.
 The alliance will take 1.2 million barrels per day off the market for the first six months of 2019. The
15-member OPEC cartel has agreed to reduce its output by 800,000 bpd.
 OPEC agreed to exempt Iran, along with Venezuela and Libya. Nigeria, which was exempt under the
previous deal, will participate in this round of cuts.
 The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is a group of oil-

producing nations that was first established in Baghdad, Iraq, in 1961.
 Currently, the Organization has a total of 15 Member Countries. The current
OPEC members are the following: Algeria, Angola, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea,
Gabon, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, the Republic of the Congo,
Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Venezuela.
10. Luxembourg Becomes First Country in World to Make All Public Transport Free
 Luxembourg is a landlocked country, bordered by Belgium, France and Germany.In an eco-friendly

move aimed at reducing traffic congestion, Luxembourg has announced plans to become the world's
first country to make its public transportation free for everyone.
 It was one of the first measures to come out of the new coalition government led by the Democratic
Party's Xavier Bettel, who was sworn in for his second term as prime minister this week.
11. China‟s rover on mission to uncover moon‟s „dark side‟
 China launched a rover destined to land on the far side of the moon, first ever such launch globally. It
would boost ambitions to become a space superpower.
 The Chang‘e-4 lunar probe mission — named after the moon goddess in Chinese mythology —
launched on a Long March 3B rocket from the southwestern Xichang launch centre.
12. Maldives applies to rejoin Commonwealth
 The Maldives has applied to rejoin the Commonwealth, reversing a policy of isolation under Abdulla
Yameen.
 President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, wrote to the bloc seeking readmission two years after Mr. Yameen
pulled the nation out of it.

Monthly GK Capsule
December 2018
 The Commonwealth of Nations(London), normally known as the Commonwealth,

is an intergovernmental organisation of 53 member states that are mostly former
territories of the British Empire.
13. India, Russia war games in Jaipur
 The Indian and Russian Air Forces will begin a 12-day war game in Jodhpur with an aim to enhance
their operational coordination.
 The exercise — Aviaindra — would be unique as the Russian Air Force would not bring its assets and
would take part in the drill using Indian platforms.
14. Voyager 2 has officially reached interstellar space, confirms NASA
 NASA‘s Voyager 2 has become the second human-made object in history to reach the edge of our
solar system, after the spacecraft exited the protective bubble of particles and magnetic fields created
by the Sun.
 Its twin, Voyager 1, crossed this boundary in 2012, but Voyager 2 — launched 41 years ago in 1977
— carries a working instrument that will provide first-of-its-kind observations of the nature of this
gateway into interstellar space.
15. India, Russia to boost joint production in defence
 India and Russia have agreed on ways to simplify export clearances to take forward joint
manufacturing in defence.
 This was among the various issues discussed during the 18th meeting of the India-Russia Inter-
Governmental Commission on Military Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-MTC) chaired by Defence
Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and her Russian counterpart General Sergei Shoigu.
16. India ups ante over SAARC meet spat
 Taking its protest over the presence of a minister from Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) at a South
Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) meeting to the next level, India has now
demanded that the SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) be ―derecognised‖ by the
South Asian grouping.
 Founded in 1992, the SCCI is formed from local chambers of commerce from all nine members of
SAARC including the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). The group
led by SCCI president Ruwan Edrisinghe meets regularly and is one of the SAARC‘s most active
bodies.
17. India, Nepal and Bhutan plan task force to protect wildlife.
 The governments of India, Nepal and Bhutan are actively considering having a joint task force for
allowing free movement of wildlife across political boundaries and checking smuggling of wildlife

Monthly GK Capsule
December 2018
across the Kanchenjunga Landscape, a trans-boundary region spread across Nepal, India and
Bhutan.
 The landscape stretches along the southern side of Mount Kanchenjunga and covers an area of
25,080 sq km spread across parts of eastern Nepal (21%), Sikkim and West Bengal (56%) and
western and southwestern parts of Bhutan (23%).
.
18. France, India focus on energy sector
 India and France are moving fast towards operationalising the nuclear power project at Jaitapur
(Maharashtra).
 The French Minister said the project, which involved building six EPR reactors, would also help the
‗Make in India‘ project of the Government of India as it will include transfer of technology.
 Both countries were working in the field of energy and also intensifying international developmental
and counter-terrorism cooperation.
19. Sirisena reinstates Ranil as PM
 Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena reinstated United National Party leader Ranil
Wickremesinghe as Prime Minister.
 The re-appointment signals a likely end to the impasse that has gripped the island since October 26,
when Mr. Sirisena appointed his former rival Mahinda Rajapaksa as premier.
20. Britain unveils post-Brexit immigration policy
 The British government revealed plans for its post-Brexit immigration regime, which it insists would
create a level-playing field for EU workers and non-EU workers based on skills levels and mean that
workers from Europe would not have priority over those from Asia.
 Among the changes proposed are the removal of the current annual cap on the number of Tier 2
visas for skilled workers, as well as the requirement that employers demonstrate that they attempted
to fill the role domestically before bringing in a person from abroad (the resident labour market test).
21. Jim Mattis quits after clashing with Trump
 U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis announced his resignation after falling out with President Donald
Trump over his foreign policies, including surprise decisions to yank troops from Syria and start
planning a drawdown in Afghanistan.
 The President announced on Wednesday that U.S. troops in Syria would be withdrawn, a decision
that upended American policy in the region.
22. Rare albino orangutan released back into the wild
 The world‘s only known albino orangutan has been released back into the jungle more than a year
after she was found in Borneo.

Monthly GK Capsule
December 2018
 The population of orangutans in Borneo has plummeted from about 2,88,500 in 1973 to about
1,00,000 today, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
 The International Union for Conservation of Nature is an international

organization working in the field of nature conservation and sustainable use
of natural resources.
 Its headquarter is in Gland, Switzerland.
23. Cuban MPs approve new Constitution
 Cuban lawmakers unanimously approved a revised draft of a new Constitution that retains the
island‘s one-party socialist system but reflects its socio-economic opening since the fall of the Soviet
Union.
 The draft Constitution will maintain the Communist Party as the country's guiding force.
.
 Cuba- Capital Havana
 Currency Peso
 President Miguel Diaz-Canel
24. Newly elected Bhutan PM visited India
 India will host the newly elected Prime Minister of Bhutan Dr. Lotay Tshering from December 27-29. It
will mark the golden jubilee of the diplomatic relations between Delhi and Thimphu.
 He reiterated that his country will continue to have special ties with India and avoid establishing
diplomatic ties with any of the permanent members of the UN Security Council.
 Bhutan- Capital Thimphu

 Currency The ngultrum
 Prime Minister Dr. Lotay Tshering
25. Russia successfully tests hypersonic missile
 Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday hailed final tests of a hypersonic missile.The
intercontinental ―Avangard‖ system would be ready for use from 2019.
 The hypersonic missile could fly at 20 times the speed of sound and manoeuvre up and down.
26. Rs.4,500-cr. assistance for Bhutan
 India will support Bhutan‘s development needs by providing Rs.4,500 crore, Prime Minister Narendra
Modi announced.

Monthly GK Capsule
December 2018
 It remains one of the key recipients of development assistance from India. According to the Ministry of
External Affairs, India provided Rs.4,500 crore for the 11th five year plan that lasted between 2013
and 2018.

Monthly GK Capsule
December 2018
States
1. Delhi fixes weight of school bags
 The weight of a school bag in Delhi is officially fixed now. As per a recent circular school bags for
students in Class I and II should not be above 1.5 kg; for Classes III to V (2-3 kg), Classes VI-VII (4
kg), Classes VIII—IX (4.5 kg), and Class X (5 kg).
 The circular also asks schools not to assign any home work to Class I and II children.
 The decision of the Delhi Directorate of Education follows Centre‘s order and guidelines for capping
the weight of school bags for Classes I-X.
2. “Atal Aarogya” camps to help poor: Fadnavis
 The Maharashtra government launched ‗Atal Aarogya‘ camps to take health benefits to the poor and
tribals in every corner of the State.
 Those who cannot afford medical treatment and thus remain out of the healthcare system will benefit
from the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) and the Ayushman Bharat scheme of the
Central government.
3. Rajnath Singh inaugurates 19th Hornbill festival in Nagaland
 In Nagaland, the 19th edition of the Hornbill Festival 2018 began with a colourful extravaganza of
music and dance.
 Inaugurating the opening ceremony this evening, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh conveyed his
greetings to the people of Nagaland on the occasion of Statehood Day on 1st December.
 Hornbill festival showcases the rich ancient culture and civilization of the people of Nagaland
4. Odisha CM felicitates winners of „Hausla 2018‟
 Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced cash prizes for the winner of ‗Hausla 2018‘, the
national festival for children living in childcare institutions (CCIs).
 The festival was held in Delhi in the last week of November
.
 The National Festival for Children of Child Care Institutions (CCIs)- “Hausla
2018” of the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) was held in
New Delhi.
 The idea behind the entire event is to provide a national platform for the
children from CCIs across India to showcase their talent,
5. Kandhamal Haldi likely to get GI tag
 Odisha‘s Kandhamal Haldi (turmeric), famous for its healing properties, is likely to receive GI tag as
the Geographical Indications Journal has advertised its application seeking objections.

Monthly GK Capsule
December 2018
 Kandhamal Apex Spices Association for Marketing had moved for registration ‗Kandhamal Haldi‘
which was accepted under sub-section (1) of Section 13 of the Geographical Indications of Goods
(Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.
 A geographical indication (GI) is a sign used on products that have a

specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are
due to that origin. In order to function as a GI, a sign must identify a product
as originating in a given place.
 India, as a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), enacted the
Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration & Protection) Act, 1999.
6. SMART initiative to provide market to farmers
 Maharashtra launched a scheme SMART State of Maharashtra‘s Agribusiness and Rural

Transformation, to revamp agriculture value chain and improve price realization for farmers.
 It received support of Rs.1500 cr from World Bank for Rs.2000 cr scheme. Over 49 companies
including ITC, Patanjali Tata Group etc signed MoUs under the scheme.
7. Three lakh Maharashtra families with girl child to get 10 saplings
 The initiative is part of Kanya Van Samruddhi Yojana, a Maharashtra government programme to
celebrate the birth of girl children in agricultural families in rural areas.
 Three lakh families in the State, in which a girl child was born in the last one year, will be gifted 10
saplings each to ensure monetary returns to the families and help the children. The saplings will be of
lucrative species.
 The families will also get training in horticulture.
8. Piers placed for world‟s tallest railway bridge
 The Northeast Frontier Railway Construction Organisation has put in place tall piers near Manipur‘s
Noney for the tallest railway bridge in the world.
 The bridge, across the valley of river Ijai, is part of the 111 km Jiribam-Tupul-Imphal project. Once
completed, it will have a pier height of 141 m. The record for the tallest railway bridge is now held by
the 139 m Mala Rijeka viaduct, Montenegro.
9. Kerala first state to have 4 international airports
 Kerala has become the first state in the country to have four international airports with the
inauguration of the Kannur airport.
 With the commissioning of the airport, the state has become the first in the country to have four
international airports, with Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Kozhikode being the other three.
 Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan jointly flagged off the
inaugural Air India Express flight.

Monthly GK Capsule
December 2018
10. Kaiga n-power unit creates world record
 The Kaiga nuclear power plant in western Karnataka has created a world record for the longest
uninterrupted operation of 941 days, breaking the earlier record of 940 days by the Heysham plant in
the United Kingdom.
 While the KGS-1 is a Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR), Heysham-2 Unit-8 is an Advanced
Gas Cooled Reactor (AGR).
11. KCR sworn in as Telangana CM
 Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) president K. Chandrasekhar Rao was sworn in as Chief Minister of
Telangana for the second term by Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan.
 Most of the 88 newly-elected MLAs of TRS were present.Chief Secretary S.K. Joshi conducted the
proceedings,
12. Delhi Assembly silver jubilee celebrations
 Silver jubilee celebrations of the Delhi Assembly were held on December 15.Delhi Chief Minister
Arvind Kejriwal will be the chief guest while his deputy Manish Sisodia will be the guest of honour at
the celebrations.
 The Delhi Metropolitan Council governed the national capital before the Delhi Assembly came into
being in 1993, following the enactment of the Government of National Capital Territory Act. The Delhi
Vidhan Sabha had its first sitting on December 14, 1993.
13. Jammu & Kashmir legislation to stop „sextortion‟ of women
 J&K has become the first State in the country to bring a law to prevent people in power from
exploiting subordinates sexually.
 Governor Satya Pal Malik‘s administration in Jammu & Kashmir approved an amendment to the
Ranbir Penal Code (RPC), to insert a section to provide for the offence of ―sextortion.‖
 Under Section 354E of the RPC, the new law explicitly bans sexual exploitation of women by those in
positions of authority, having a fiduciary relationship, or a public servant, reads the order issued by
Governor Malik-headed State Administration Council (SAC).
14. Zoramthanga takes charge in Aizawl
 Mizo National Front (MNF) president Zoramthanga was sworn in as the ninth Chief Minister of
Mizoram, beginning his third stint at the helm of the State.
 Governor Kummanam Rajasekharan also administered the oath of office and secrecy to 11 members
of the Zoramthanga Cabinet at the Raj Bhavan in Aizawl.
 They included the 75-year-old Tawnluia, a former extremist who fought alongside Mr. Zoramthanga
when the MNF was an underground organisation seeking secession from India.

Monthly GK Capsule
December 2018
15. Kerala slips in „baby-friendly‟ status
 Kerala has slipped from the top slot on the list of ‗baby-friendly‘ States, which is a certification of
exclusive breastfeeding for six months.
 Breastfeeding Promotion Network of India, an independent body of organisations, had reported the
downward trend.
 It is based on the health indicators in the National Family Health Survey III. In 2002, Kerala had
helmed the list. The current topper is Chhattisgarh.
16. Cyclone Phethai crosses the coast near Kakinada in A.P
 Severe cyclonic storm Phethai kept the Andhra Pradesh government on the tenterhooks in the last
couple of days.
 It triggered a spell of heavy rain in East and West Godavari districts and moderate rain down south.
 However the lessons drawn from Hudhud and the Titli cyclones had helped a lot in preparing for the
worst and in avoiding a major disaster..
17. President‟s rule imposed in Jammu and Kashmir
 After Jammu and Kashmir completed six months under Governor‘s rule, President Ram Nath Kovind
imposed President‘s rule in the state.
 After 1996, this is the first time the Central rule has been imposed in the militancy-hit state.The Union
cabinet took the decision after Governor Malik sent a report to the Centre, recommending imposition
of President‘s rule in the state.
 After the proclamation, the powers of the state Legislature shall be exercised by or under the
authority of Parliament and all decisions will be taken with concurrence of the President with the
council of Ministers and the PM advising the President.
18. Himachal, Kerala and T.N. top development index
 SDG Index Score for Sustainable Development Goals 2030 was released by NITI Aayog.
 The index comprises a composite score for each State and Union Territory based on their aggregate
performance across 13 of the 17 SDGs. The score, ranging between 0 and 100, denotes the average
performance of the State/UT towards achieving the 13 SDGs and their respective targets. The
average Indian score was 57.
 Kerala was the best and Uttar Pradesh was the worst performer in overall category.Among the
States, Kerala and Himachal Pradesh are the front runners, with an SDG India Index score of 69.
Among the UTs, Chandigarh is the front runner with a score of 68.
19. Odisha‟s KALIA to attack poverty
 Odisha Cabinet approved the Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation (KALIA)
scheme amounting to Rs.10,000 crore to accelerate agricultural prosperity in the State and to reduce
poverty.

Monthly GK Capsule
December 2018
 Under KALIA an amount of Rs.10,180 crore will be spent over a period of three years till 2020-211.
Crop loans up to Rs.50,000 will henceforth be interest free, and the scheme will be reviewed in 2020-
21 for further modifications.
20. Rs.2,250-cr. scheme for farmers in Jharkhand
 Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das announced a Rs.2,250-crore scheme to help 22.76 lakh
medium and marginal farmers of the State double their income by 2022.The State government will
give Rs.5,000 per acre to 22.76 lakh medium and marginal farmers from the next financial year.
21. Kashmir power project meets first deadline
 Chenab Valley Power Projects Limited has completed the construction of Main Access Tunnel of the
1000 MW Pakal Dul Hydroelectric Project.
 Pakal Dul is the biggest hydroelectric project under construction in J&K. The project is part of the
Prime Minister‘s Development Package for Jammu and Kashmir and is scheduled to be completed in
the next five years.
22. PM to open Buddhist site museum at Lalitgiri in Odisha
 One of the earliest Buddhist settlements in Odisha, Lalitgiri, where excavations have yielded ancient
seals and inscriptions, has been converted into a museum. Prime Minister Narendra Modi
inaugurated the museum.
 It is located in Cuttack district and will be the third site museum of the Bhubaneswar circle of the
Archaeological Survey of India.
23. Bogibeel: India‟s longest rail-road bridge
 India‘s longest rail-road bridge that took Rs.5,920 crore to build and was conceptualized 22 years ago
, was inauagarated by PM.
 The 4.94 km Bogibeel is the fourth bridge across river Brahmaputra.
 The double-decker bridge has two railway lines on the lower deck and a three-lane road on the upper,
strong enough to withstand movement of even heavy military tanks.
24. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana to have separate High Courts
 After a Supreme Court order to the Centre to notify the bifurcation of the Andhra Pradesh and
Telangana High Courts by January 1, President Ram Nath Kovind ordered the separation of the
―common‖ Hyderabad High Court into the separate High Courts of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
 Both will function separately from January 1, 2019.The principal seat of the Andhra Pradesh High
Court is Amaravati, the capital of the State. The High Court in Hyderabad will function separately as
the High Court of the State of Telangana.
 Article 214 of the Constitution provides for a High Court for each State.

Monthly GK Capsule
December 2018
25. Maharashtra launched Bharat Ratna Atal Bihar Vajpayee International Schools for
rural students
 On the 94th birth anniversary celebrations of the late Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee,
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis launched the ―Bharat Ratna Atal Bihar Vajpayee
International Schools‖ for students in rural areas.
 With this, students in the rural areas will get education of international standards.
26. Havelock Island and two others in Andaman and Nicobar to be renamed
 Three islands in Andaman and Nicobar - Ross Island, Neil Island and Havelock Island- will be
renamed as Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island, Shaheed Dweep and Swaraj Dweep, respectively,
by the central government.
 The renaming of the islands will reportedly take place to mark the 75th year of freedom fighter
Subhash Chandra Bose hoisting the national flag at Port Blair.
27. Madhya Pradesh to get “spiritual department”
 Madhya Pradesh government announced that it is going to create an ‗Adhyatmik Vibhag‘ (spiritual
department) by merging several existing departments.
 The ‗Anand Vibhag‘ (Department of Happiness) set up by the previous BJP government, a first in the
country, would be incorporated into the new department.
 The proposed Adhyatmik Vibhag (Spiritual Department) going to be formed by merging Dharmik Nyas
Evam Dharmasv Department (Religious Trust and Endowment Department), Anand Vibhag
(Happiness Department) in addition to the Directorate of Religious Trust and Endowment, Madhya
Pradesh Teerth Evam Mela Pradhikaran and Rajya Anand Sansthan.
 Madhya Pradesh- CM Kamal Nath

 Governor Anandi Ben Patel
28. Permanent NDRF battalion for Arunachal
 Arunachal Pradesh was given a permanent battalion of the National Disaster Response Force.Chief
Minister Pema Khandu laid the foundation stone for the 12th battalion headquarters at Hollongi near
Itanagar.
 Permanent stationing of the NDRF battalion in Arunachal Pradesh will not only help the State, but
also be available for service to neighbouring Assam.
 Arunachal Pradesh- Capital Itanagar

 Governor- B D Mishra

Monthly GK Capsule
December 2018
Sports
1. Karman loses in final
 Karman Kaur Thandi, seeded number four, met World No. 70 Tamara Zidansek in the final of the
$25000 BVG Pune Open ITF Women‘s Championships, played at the MSLTA School of Tennis,
Balewadi.
 The Slovakian player defeated Karman.The event is organized under the auspices of AITA , MSLTA
and PMDTA by NS Sports Academy
2. Indian youth team wins silver
 India won the silver medal in the World youth (u-16) chess Olympiad, which concluded at Konya,
Turkey.
 Uzbekistan took gold.
 The Indian team consisted of Erigaisi Arjun,Iniyan, Koustav Chatterjee, Sankalp Gupta and Divya
Deshmukh and was coached by GM Srinath Narayan
3. Modric crowned world‟s best
 Real Madrid and Croatia midfielder Luka Modric won Ballon d‘Or 2018 in Paris. He broke the decade-
long duopoly over the award held by Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
 The last player to win the award outside of Ronaldo and Messi was Brazilian great Kaka in
2007.Modric won the Champions League with Real Madrid for the third successive year and was a
mainstay in midfield for the Croatian team that reached the final of the World Cup this year in Russia
4. Karthik, Sakshi win
 Grandmaster Karthik Venkataraman (Andhra) and third seed Sakshi Chitlange (Maharashtra) won the
National junior (under-19) titles in New Delhi.
 Karthik, one among the five overnight leaders, defeated Karnataka‘s R. K. Srihari.Sakshi, the reigning
Asian Junior silver medallist, took the title by beating K. Priyanka.
5. Asian Tour Order of Merit for Shubhankar Sharma
 Shubhankar Sharma (golfer) became the youngest Indian to clinch the Asian Tour Order of Merit .
 Shubhankar, 22, became the fifth and the youngest Indian to win the Asian Tour Order of Merit.
 He joins Jyoti Randhawa (2002), Arjun Atwal (2003), Jeev Milkha Singh (2006 and 2008) and Anirban
Lahiri (2015..
6. Salsa , Kasidit Won Gadre Marine MSLTS ITF Junior titles
 Salsa Aher and Kasidit Samrej lifted the girls‘ and boys‘ singles titles at the Gadre Marine MSLTA-ITF
junior u-18 tennis championship for the MV Deo Memorial Trophy.

Monthly GK Capsule
December 2018
 Left-hander Salsa moves into the top 200 in the world junior rankings and also gained an entry to the
Australian Open junior qualifiers.
7. „Bigger and better‟ Khelo India Games
 The Khelo India Youth Games to be hosted in Pune from January 9 to 20, promises to be ‗bigger and
better,‘ by Union Sports Minister, Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore.
 Rathore announced that with 9000 sports persons, and covering college students, taking the age
group from under-17 to under-21, this would be a big jump from the 3750 athletes who competed in
the Khelo India School Games earlier this year.
8. ITTF award for Manika
 India‘s star paddler Manika Batra was bestowed with the International Table Tennis Federation‘s
Breakthrough Star Award 2018.At this year‘s Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast,
 Manika won four medals including a historic women‘s singles gold, team gold, women‘s doubles
silver (with Mouma Das) and mixed doubles bronze (with G. Sathiyan).
9. 16 shooters in TOPS list
 A long list of 29 athletes got the nod for government support through the Target Olympic Podium
Scheme (TOPS) after a meeting of the Mission Olympic Cell of the Sports Authority of India (SAI).The
list included 16 shooters.
 In tennis, only the Asian Games doubles gold medalists Rohan Bopanna and Divij Sharan have been
included in the scheme.
 Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (Department of Sports) have formulated

„Target Olympic Podium (TOP) Scheme with the objective of identifying and
supporting potential medal prospects for Olympic Games.
 Focused disciplines will be Athletics, Archery, Badminton, Boxing,
Wrestling and Shooting.
10. BWF World Tour Finals 2018: PV Sindhu wins her maiden title
 Sindhu became the first Indian shuttler to win gold at the year-ending tournament which pits the top-8
ranked players in the world.
 Previously, Saina Nehwal had reached the summit clash of 2011 World Super Series Finals and
Jwala Gutta/V Diju contested the final in 2009.
11. Belgium beat Netherlands in shootout to win Men's Hockey World Cup 2018
 A gritty Belgium defeated former champions the Netherlands to win their maiden men's hockey World
Cup title at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.

Monthly GK Capsule
December 2018
 Olympic silver medallist Belgium created history. Last edition champions Australia secured a
consolation bronze medal.
12. Pro Tennis League set to begin today
 Some of the top players of the country — Saketh Myneni, Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan, Vijay Sundar
Prashanth, Vishnu Vardhan, Arjun Kadhe, Siddharth Vishwakarma, Sriram Balaji and Sidharth Rawat
— will be in action in the Pro Tennis League to be played at the R.K. Khanna Stadium Complex in
New Delhi from December 18 to 22.
 The eight players will figure in eight teams, which would compete on a league-cum-knockout basis.
13. Lionel Messi: Barcelona forward wins record fifth Golden Shoe award
 He scored 34 goals in 36 La Liga appearances in 2017-18, making him the highest goalscorer in
Europe ahead of Liverpool's Mohamed Salah.
 His latest Golden Shoe award moves him one ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo, who has won four in total
14. End of year FIFA Rankings: Belgium topped
 Belgium ends 2018 atop FIFA‘s rankings with World Cup winners France at No.2.Brazil is No.3 and
World Cup runner-ups Croatia are No.4 in a mostly unchanged monthly ranking.
 England and Portugal, who both qualified last month for the UEFA Nations League Final Four
tournament, are No.5 and 6 respectively.
15. Celebrating N. Srinivasan‟s 50 years
 A coffee table book chronicling the history of India Cements and N. Srinivasan‘s five-decade journey
at the company was launched in Chennai.
 Titled Defying the Paradigm N. Srinivasan: Fifty years of an extraordinary journey, the book, which
also highlights the company and Mr. Srinivasan‘s involvement with sports, was released by the Tamil
Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami and the first copy was received by Mahendra Singh
Dhoni.
16. Indian Oil triumphs
 Indian Oil rallied from two goals down to beat Bharat Petroleum, via penalty shootout, in the final of
the Beighton Cup hockey tournament.
 The Beighton Cup, held in Kolkata from 1895, and the Aga Khan Cup, held in
Mumbai since 1896, are the fore-runners of all hockey tournaments in India.

Monthly GK Capsule
December 2018
Appointments
1. AN Jha To Take Over As New Finance Secretary From Hasmukh Adhia
 AN Jha, Secretary, Expenditure, has been appointed as the new Finance Secretary.
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has cleared Mr Jha's
appointment to the post after incumbent Hasmukh Adhia, a 1981-batch Gujarat cadre officer of the
Indian Administrative Service (IAS), retired on November 30.
 Fifty-nine-year old Ajay Narayan Jha, is a 1982-batch IAS officer of Manipur Tripura cadre
2. Yes Bank appointed T S Vijayan to Board
 Yes Bank has appointed former Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) chairman T.S Vijayan as an
independent director on the board.
 Mr. Vijayan, who was also the chairman of the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of
India (IRDAI), has been given a five-year term.
3. Krishnamurthy Subramanian Is New Chief Economic Advisor
 The government appointed Krishnamurthy Subramanian as chief economic advisor. His appointment
is for a period of three years.
 A professor from the Indian School of Business, Krishnamurthy Subramanian fills the role vacated by
Arvind Subramanian, who left the finance ministry in June this year.
 Currently, Krishnamurthy Subramanian serves as Associate Professor of Finance (with tenure) and
Executive Director for the Centre for Analytical Finance at Indian School of Business..
 The Chief Economic Adviser is the economic advisor to the Government of

India. The CEA is the ex-officio cadre controlling authority of the Indian
Economic Service.
 The CEA is under the direct charge of the Minister of Finance.
4. Ex-SBI chief is SWIFT India chairman
 SWIFT India appointed ex-SBI chief Arundhati Bhattacharya as the new chairman of its board.
 SWIFT India is a joint venture of top Indian public and private sector banks and SWIFT (Society for
Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication).The company was created to deliver high quality
domestic financial messaging services to the Indian financial community.
5. CAG Rajiv Mehrishi appointed as Vice-Chair of UN Panel of Auditors
 Comptroller and Auditor General Rajiv Mehrishi has become the Vice-Chair of the UN Panel of
Auditors. The panel also elected the Comptroller and Auditor General of the UK as Chair of the Panel
for another term (2019).

Monthly GK Capsule
December 2018
 The United Nations Panel of Auditors consists of External Auditors of the United Nations and its
agencies.
 Presently, the panel consists of 11 countries -- India, Germany, Chile, Canada, France, Italy,
Philippines, Ghana, Indonesia, Switzerland and United Kingdom. Currently, the panel is chaired by
the Comptroller and Auditor General of the UK.
6. Shaktikanta Das appointed RBI Governor
 A day after the sudden resignation of Governor Urjit Patel, the Modi administration appointed former
bureaucrat Shaktikanta Das as the 25th Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
 The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Shri Shaktikanta Das,
IAS Retd., former Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, as Governor, Reserve Bank of India,
for a period of three years.
 Mr. Das is currently a member of the Fifteenth Finance Commission and represents India at the G-20
in the role of a sherpa.
7. Gehlot to be Rajasthan CM
 67-year-old Ashok Gehlot has been selected as CM of Rajasthaan and 41-year-old Sachin Pilot as
his deputy.
 A Congress party delegation met Governor Kalyan Singh and staked the party‘s claim to form the
government.
8. BP Singh, Producer Of Crime Series CID, Is New FTII Chairman
 Producer-director Brijendra Pal Singh was appointed as the new president of the Film and Television
Institute of India (FTII) and chairman of the institute's governing council by the Ministry of Information
and Broadcasting.
 Mr Singh is currently the vice-chairman of the FTII governing council. He succeeds veteran actor
Anupam Kher, who had stepped down as the chairman in October citing "international commitments".
 The FTII functions as an autonomous body under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
9. Trump names Mulvaney as new Chief of Staff
 President Donald Trump announced that Mick Mulvaney will step in as acting Chief of Staff to replace
John Kelly.
 Mr. Mulvaney is currently head of the White House Office of Management and Budget, which
oversees federal spending and administers the federal budget.
10. IB director Rajiv Jain, RAW chief Anil Dhasmana get six months extension
 Intelligence Bureau Director Rajiv Jain and Research & Analysis Wing Secretary Anil K Dhasmana,
have been given extensions of six months.
 The decision to extend the tenure of the two intelligence chiefs was taken due to the forthcoming
general election by the prime minister-led Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC).

Monthly GK Capsule
December 2018
11. Goss is CEO for Tata Steel JV in Europe
 Andreas Goss will be the chief executive officer of Thyssenkrupp Tata Steel B.V., the proposed joint
venture between Tata Steel and Thyssenkrupp.
 Mr. Goss is currently the chief executive officer of Thyssenkrupp‘s steel division.
12. Madhavi Divan, new additional solicitor-general
 The central government appointed advocate Madhavi Goradia Divan as the Additional Solicitor
General (ASG).She is the third woman who has been appointed ASG in the apex court.
 Earlier, Indira Jaising was the ASG and presently, Pinky Anand holds the post.Divan will represent
the government in the Supreme Court and will hold office till 30 June, 2020.
13. Appointment of Shri Ramphal Pawar as Director, NCRB
 Curtailing his present tenure as Joint Secretary, NATGRID, the Government has approved
appointment of Shri Ramphal Pawar, IPS (WB: 88), as Director (ADG level), NCRB.
 The National Crime Records Bureau, abbreviated to NCRB, is an Indian

government agency responsible for collecting and analysing crime data as
defined by the Indian Penal Code.
 NCRB is headquartered in New Delhi and is part of the Ministry of Home
Affairs.
14. Nilanjan Roy is new CFO of Infosys
 Global IT services company Infosys appointed Nilanjan Roy as the chief financial officer (CFO) of the
company, effective March 1, 2019.
 Mr. Roy has spent the last 13 years with Bharti Airtel prior to which he worked for 15 years with
consumer goods company Unilever across their global operations.
15. Rudy named BJP national spokesperson
 Former Union Minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy was appointed a BJP national spokesperson.
 He is a Lok Sabha MP from Bihar and has held organisational responsibilities in the past as well and
has served as a general secretary.
16. Pranab K. Das new CBIC Chairman
 Senior bureaucrat Pranab Kumar Das has been appointed as Chairman of the Central Board of
Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), the apex policy-making body for indirect taxes.
 He will succeed S. Ramesh, who superannuates on December 31.

Monthly GK Capsule
December 2018
17. Donald Trump to replace Mattis with Shanahan
 U.S. President Donald Trump announced he would replace Defense Secretary Jim Mattis with his
deputy Patrick Shanahan.
 Mr. Shanahan spent over three decades working for Boeing, before moving to the Pentagon as
deputy in 2017.
18. Chacko Thomas is Tata Coffee MD and CEO
 Tata Coffee executive director and deputy CEO Chacko Purackal Thomas has been promoted as the
managing director and chief executive officer.
 He will assume the charge from April 1. He will take over from Sanjiv Sarin, whose term ends on
March 31.
19. P.V. Bharathi appointed MD and CEO of Corporation Bank
 P V Bharathi has been appointed as managing director and chief executive officer of the Corporation
Bank. Bharathi is at present Executive Director, Canara Bank.
 She will take over the charge on or after February 1, 2019 and remain in the post till March 31, 2020.
 Also Birupaksha Mishra and Balakrishna Alse S has been appointed as executive director in the
Corporation Bank and the Oriental Bank of Commerce, respectively.
20. CIC gets four Information Commissioners
 The government has appointed four new Information Commissioners in the Central Information
Commission. The commission was functioning with just three of Commissioners as against a
sanctioned strength of 11, including the Chief Information Commissioner.
 President has approved the appointment of former IFS officer Yashwardhan Kumar Sinha, former IRS
officer Vanaja N. Sarna, former IAS officer Neeraj Kumar Gupta and former Law Secretary Suresh
Chandra as Information Commissioners in the CIC.

Monthly GK Capsule
December 2018
Person/Event/Award
1. Abhinav Bindra gets award
 Abhinav Bindra, chairman, ISSF Athletes Committee, who has been inducted as a member in the IOC
athletes committee, was presented the Blue Cross and Diploma of Honour in appreciation of
―exceptional services‖ to the sport.
 Also Raninder Singh, president, National Rifle Association of India (NRAI), was presented the gold
medal and the Diploma of Honour for ―exceptional services to the sport‖ of shooting by the outgoing
president of the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF), Olegario Vazquez Rana
2. On World AIDS Day, WHO Calls for Making Quality Testing Accessible to All
 On the eve of World AIDS Day 1st December, the World Health Organisation pitched for making
quality testing accessible to all to accelerate progress against HIV/AIDS.
 World AIDS Day, designated on 1 December every year since 1988, is an international day dedicated
to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection and mourning
those who have died of the disease.
3. Ex-President George H.W. Bush dead
 Former U.S. President George H.W. Bush, who guided America through the end of the Cold War and
launched the international campaign to drive Iraqi strongman Saddam Hussein‘s forces from Kuwait,
died.
 He was the 41st U.S. President of U.S.He was a decorated World War II pilot, skilled diplomat and
one-time CIA chief, who also saw his son George W. Bush follow in his footsteps to be the president.
4. International Day for the Abolition of Slavery
 The International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, 2 December, marks the date of the adoption, by the
General Assembly, of the United Nations Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons
and of the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others (resolution 317(IV) of 2 December 1949).
 The focus of this day is on eradicating contemporary forms of slavery, such as trafficking in persons,
sexual exploitation, the worst forms of child labor, forced marriage, and the forced recruitment of
children for use in armed conflict.
 An estimated 40.3 million people are in modern slavery, including 24.9 in forced labor and 15.4 million
in forced marriage.
5. Indian Navy Day 2018
 India is commemorating the 47th Navy Day on 4th Dec. It was on this day in 1971 that Indian Navy
left its shores for the very first time to successfully attack Pakistan.
 Operation Trident, the codename for the naval attack on Karachi, is considered one of the most
successful operations in the post-World War II era

Monthly GK Capsule
December 2018
6. Day of Persons with Disabilities
 International Day of Persons with Disabilities is an international observance promoted by the United
Nations since 1992 on 3rd December.
 This year‘s theme of the International Day on Persons with Disabilities, ―Empowering persons with
disabilities and ensuring inclusiveness and equality‖.
7. Sailing prowess of world navies on show
 Sailing and racing skills of Naval cadets from 31 countries were on display in the waters off the
Ettikulam Bay in Kannur, Kerala on the first day of Admiral Cup Sailing Regatta 2018 conducted by
the Indian Naval Academy (INA).
 The ninth edition of the annual race was formally inaugurated by INA Commandant Vice Admiral R.B.
Pandit.Participants also highlighted the importance of the event as a way of making bridges of
friendship among the navies.
8. World Soil Day
 World Soil Day is celebrated annually on the 5th of December at the Food and Agriculture
Organization of the United Nations (FAO) headquarters in Rome, the regional offices and through
national and local events.
 Soil holds three times as much carbon as the atmosphere reduces the risk of flooding by absorbing
water and delivers 95 per cent of our global food supplies.
 For World Soil Day 2018 the UN is calling on people to #StopSoilPollution, noting that one third of our
global soils are already degraded
9. Sailing prowess of world navies on show
 Sahitya Akademi today announced its annual Awards in 24 languages. Seven books of poetry, six
novels, six short stories, three of literary criticism and two of essays have won the Sahitya Akademi
Awards, 2018.Winners include Anees Saleem in English, Rama Kant Shukla in Sanskrit, Rajesh
Kumar Vyas in Rajasthani, Rahman Abbas in Urdu, Lok Nath Upadhyay in Nepali, Chitra Mughal in
Hindi and S. Ramakrishnan in Tamil. Writers who won the awards for short stories include Sanjib
Chattopadhyay in Bengali, Mushtaq Ahmed Mushtaq in Kashmiri and Prof Bina Thakur in
Maithili.Inderjeet Kesar in Dogri, Anees Salim in English, Chitra Mudgal in Hindi are among the
awardees in the novel category
 The Sahitya Akademi, India's National Academy of Letters, is an organisation

dedicated to the promotion of literature in the languages of India. Founded
on 12 March 1954.

Monthly GK Capsule
December 2018
10. International Civil Aviation Day
 In 1996 the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed that 7 December was to be the
International Civil Aviation Day.
 The purpose of International Civil Aviation Day is to help generate and reinforce worldwide
awareness of the importance of international civil aviation to the social and economic development of
States, and of the unique role of ICAO International Civil Aviation Organization.
 The International Civil Aviation Organization is a specialized agency of the

United Nations.
 It codifies the principles and techniques of international air navigation and
fosters the planning and development of international air transport to
ensure safe and orderly growth. Its headquarter is in Montreal, Canada.
11. Gautam Gambhir announced retirement
 After 15 years of international cricket for India, World Cup winner Gautam Gambhir has announced
his retirement from all formats of cricket.
 Gambhir retires after last playing for the country in 2016 against England in Rajkot. He scored 4154
runs in Test cricket from 58 matches, 5238 runs in ODIs and 932 in T20Is.
12. Mexican model crowned Miss World
 A Mexican model and volunteer Vanessa Ponce de Leon, 26, was crowned Miss World in Chinese
island of Hainan.
 She was crowned as the 68th Miss World by last year‘s winner, Manushi Chhillar of India, in the
coastal city of Sanya.First runner up was Thailand‘s Nicolene Pichapa Limsnukan, a 20-year-old
studying business administration.
 Miss Belarus Maria Vasilevich, Miss Jamaica Kadijah Robinson and Miss Uganda Quiin Abenakyo
were among the final five.
13. Mushirul Hasan no more
 Eminent historian and former Vice-Chancellor of Jamia Milia Islamia Mushirul Hasan passed away.
 In 2002, Hasan was elected as the President of the Indian History Congress. He also served as the
Director-General of the National Archives of India.
14. Khashoggi among journalists honoured by Time
 Time magazine named a group of journalists, including Jamal Khashoggi and a pair of journalists
imprisoned by Myanmar, as its ―Person of the Year‖, in a cover story headlined ―The Guardians and
the War on Truth.‖

Monthly GK Capsule
December 2018
 The honour went to a series of journalists including Reuters journalists Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo
who the government of Myanmar convicted under the colonial-era Official Secrets Act. Also honoured
was Saudi journalist Khashoggi, who was killed two months ago at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.
15. The Dark Room bags Suvarna Chakoram
 Iranian film The Dark Room, directed by Rouhollah Hejazi, won the Suvarna Chakoram (Golden Crow
Pheasant) award at the 23rd International Film Festival of Kerala.
 Malayalam film Ee Maa Yau, directed by Lijo Jose Pellissery, won the Rajatha Chakoram (Silver
Crow Pheasant) award for the best director. The film also won the Audience Poll award for the best
film and the Network for Promotion of Asian Cinema (NETPAC) award for the best Asian film in the
competition category.
 The Rajatha Chakoram award for debut director was won by Anamika Haksar for her film Taking the
Horse to Eat Jelabis.The awards were presented by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan..
16. French govt. honours producer Ashok Amritraj
 Producer Ashok Amritraj was honoured with the French Knight of the National Order of Merit.Mr.
Amritraj has been the producer of Hollywood films such as Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance with
Nicholas Cage and 99 Homes starring Andrew Garfield.
 The former CEO of National Geographic Films and United Nations Goodwill Ambassador was lauded
for his contribution to the world of cinema and Indo-French film industry.
17. Author Amitav Ghosh Honoured With 54th Jnanpith Award
 Noted English writer Amitav Ghosh has been honoured with the Jnanpith Award for "outstanding
contribution towards literature". He is the first English writer to receive the honour.
 Mr Ghosh, one of the most prominent contemporary Indian writers, is known for a series of novels
such as "The Shadow Lines", "The Glass Palace", "The Hungry Tide", and Ibis Trilogy -- "Sea of
Poppies", "River of Smoke", and "Flood of Fire" -- chronicling the Opium trade between India and
China run by the East India Company.
 His most recent book, "The Great Derangement; Climate Change and the Unthinkable, a work of non-
fiction", was released in 2016.
18. „Vijay Diwas: Bangladesh honours Indian brave hearts of 1971 war posthumously
 The Bangladesh government, on the occasion of ‗Vijay Diwas‘, posthumously honoured 12 Indian
Armed Forces personnel for sacrificing their lives during the 1971 Indo-Pak War.
 Vijay Diwas (victory day) is celebrated every year on 16 December to mark India‘s decisive win over
Pakistan and the birth of Bangladesh.
19. Renowned yoga exponent passes away
 Geeta S. Iyengar, the noted yoga exponent in her own right, passed away.
 She is described as the world‘s ―leading female yoga exponent‖ and a ―pioneer‖ in yoga.

Monthly GK Capsule
December 2018
 Her book, Yoga: A Gem For Women, became the primer for women across the world.
20. Catriona Gray is new Miss Universe
 Australian-Filipino beauty queen Catriona Elisa M. Gray was crowned 2018 Miss Universe in
Bangkok, Thailand.
 Miss Spain Angela Ponce, who made history as the first transgender woman to compete in the Miss
Universe beauty pageant, did not make it to the semis.
 Miss SA Tamaryn Green earned her spot in the Miss Universe top 3 next to Miss Philippines and
Miss Venezuela.
21. HQ Trivia and Vine co-founder Colin Kroll dead at 34
 The co-founder of the popular app HQ Trivia, Colin Kroll, died in his apartment in New York at the age
of 34.
 The CEO, who also co-founded the video platform Vine.HQ Trivia, a live trivia game on mobiles,
became hugely popular, although its appeal waned this year.
22. India ranks 108 in WEF gender gap index in 2018, Iceland holds top spot
 India has been ranked 108th in World Economic Forum (WEF) gender gap index, same as
2017.Gender gap was measured across four key pillars -- economic opportunity, political
empowerment, educational attainment, and health and survival.
 World has closed 68 per cent of its gender gap and at the current rate of change, it will take 108
years to close the overall gender gap and 202 years to bring about parity in the workplace.
 It was topped by Iceland for the 10th consecutive year.
 Nordic countries Norway (2nd, 83.5 per cent), Sweden (3rd, 82.2 per cent), and Finland (4th, 82.1 per
cent) dominated the top slots.
23. Country Celebrates 57th Goa Liberation Day, Parade Held in Coastal State
 India celebrated the 57th Goa Liberation Day on 19 December in commemoration of the freedom of
Goa from Portuguese rule.
 On December 19, 1961, India completed Operation Vijay, ending Portugal‘s 450-year rule over the
state.
24. Pakistani Activist Asma Jahangir Wins UN Human Rights Prize For 2018
 Late lawyer and human rights activist Asma Jahangir has been awarded the UN Human Rights Prize
for 2018.The award is given to individuals and organisations in recognition of outstanding
achievement in human rights.
 Asma Jahangir was announced as one of the four winners of the quinquennial prize in.
 Other prize winners included women's rights activist in Tanzania, Rebeca Gyumi; activist for the rights
of indigenous Brazilian communities Joenia Wapichana and Ireland's human rights organisation Front
Line Defenders.

Monthly GK Capsule
December 2018
25. International Human Solidarity Day 20 December
 International Human Solidarity Day is observed on 20 December to celebrate our unity in diversity. It
reminds governments to respect their commitments to international agreements.
26. Mamata Banerjee is the Skoch Chief Minister of the Year
 West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has been conferred the Skoch Chief Minister of the
Year Award for her contribution in the overall development of the state and emerging as the best chief
minister in the country.
 The state's Kanyashree scheme for the girl child has earned Banerjee much acclaim and the highest
public service honour from the United Nations.
27. Former Union Minister Captain Nishad dies
 Former Union Minister Captain Jai Narain Prasad Nishad, 88, died following prolonged illness.Jai
Narain Prasad Nishad was an Indian politician and member of parliament from Muzaffarpur Lok
Sabha Constituency in the Indian State of Bihar.
 He was a Union Minister for State in 1996-1998 and has been a member of Lok Sabha five times and
a former member of Rajya Sabha.
28. Veteran CPI(M) leader Nirupam Sen dies at 72
 Veteran Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader and former Industries Minister of West Bengal
Nirupam Sen passed away.
 Mr. Sen was the driving force behind the attempts to industrialise the State during the last 10 years of
the Left Front government led by Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee.
29. Bengali poet Nirendranath passes away
 Famous Bengali poet Nirendranath Chakraborty died following a massive cardiac arrest.
 He was a Sahitya Akademi award winner.
 He won the Sahitya Akademi award in 1974 for his poem ‗Ulanga Raja‘ (naked king). ‗Amalkanti
Roddur Hote Cheyechhilo‘ (Ammalkanto wanted to be the sunshine), ‗Kolkatar Jishu‘ (Christ of
Kolkata) and ‗Pahari Bichhe‘ (Mountain scorpion) are among his other noted poems.
30. Sitarist Manju Mehta gets “Tansen Samman” 2018
 Famous sitar player Manju Mehta has been conferred with the 'Tansen Samman' for 2018 by the
Madhya Pradesh government for her outstanding contribution in the field of music.
 The award is given to institutions for nurturing good music.
 The Tansen Music Festival is organised annually in Gwalior by the MP culture department in the
memory of Tansen, the greatest musician in Indian history.

Monthly GK Capsule
December 2018
31. PM Narendra Modi To Inaugurate 106TH Indian Science Congress On 3 January
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the 106th Indian Science Congress on 3 January 2019
at Lovely Professional University.
 The theme of the four-day event is ―Future India: Science and Technology‖.The Indian Science
Congress Association (ISCA) has been organising the event annually to bring together science
fraternity from across the world to discuss innovations and researches.
32. Rafi Award conferred to late music composer Laxmikant and singer Usha Timothy
 The Mohammed Rafi Award has been bestowed upon late music composer Laxmikant Shantaram
Kudalkar and playback singer Usha Timothy.
 Kudalkar formed a successful and long partnership with Pyarelal Ramprasad Sharma.
 Timothy has sung 1,000 songs in multiple Indian languages such as Hindi, Malayalam, Punjabi,
Bhojpuri and Marathi, among others.
33. Postage stamp on Bengal‟s Rosogolla
 A postage stamp and special cover were released to mark 150 years of the invention of ‗Bengal‘s
Rossogolla‘ by Nabin Chandra Das.
 After years of contesting claims, the Geographical Identification tag for ―Bengal Rosogolla‖ was given
to West Bengal in November 2017.
34. Veteran filmmaker Mrinal Sen died
 Mrinal Sen, one of the towering figures of Indian cinema, passed away.
 He was a noted Bengali filmmaker based in Kolkata.
 Along with his contemporaries Satyajit Ray and Ritwik Ghatak, he was often considered to be one of
the greatest ambassadors of Bengali parallel cinema on the global stage.

Monthly GK Capsule
December 2018
Schemes-Ministry of Women & Child Development
1. Integrated Child Development Service Scheme
 Launched on 2nd October, 1975, the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme is one
of the flagship programmes of the Government of India and represents one of the world‘s largest and
unique programmes for early childhood care and development.
 The beneficiaries under the Scheme are children in the age group of 0-6 years, pregnant women and
lactating mothers.
 Objectives of the Scheme are : to improve the nutritional and health status of children in the age-
group 0-6 years, to lay the foundation for proper psychological, physical and social development of
the child, to reduce the incidence of mortality, morbidity, malnutrition and school dropout, to achieve
effective co-ordination of policy and implementation amongst the various departments to promote
child development and to enhance the capability of the mother to look after the normal health and
nutritional needs of the child through proper nutrition and health education.
 The ICDS programme has been provided additional allocation of approximately Rs.1100 crores for
the year 2018-19.
2. eSamvad
 NGO eSamvad is a portal started by the Ministry of Women and Child Development to provide a
platform to interact with NGOs, civil society and concerned citizens.
 This is a way for the Ministry to receive input on its schemes and programmes. Individuals and
organisations can register themselves here to share their feedback, suggestions, best practices,
grievances etc. with the Ministry.
3. Beti Bachao Beti Padhao
 Alarmed by the sharp decline, the Government of India has introduced Beti Bachao, Beti The
objectives of the Scheme are as under. Prevent gender biased sex selective elimination, Ensure
survival & protection of the girl child, Ensure education of the girl child.
 The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) initiative has two major components. i) Mass Communication
Campaign and ii) Multi-sectoral action in 100 selected districts (as a pilot) with adverse CSR, covering
all States and UTs.
 This scheme has been expanded for a Pan India reach covering all the 640 districts (as per census
2011) of the Country to have a deeper positive impact on Child Sex Ratio.
 The budget allocation for the scheme was Rs.280 crore for 2018-19.
4. One Stop Centre Scheme
 The Scheme of One Stop Centre was approved for implementation from 1st April, 2015.The scheme
aims to facilitate access to an integrated range of services including medical aid, police assistance,
legal aid/case management, psychosocial counselling, and temporary support services to women
affected by violence.

Monthly GK Capsule
December 2018
 It has been envisaged that 50 additional One Stop Centres each will be setup during the years 2017-
18, 2018-19 and 2019-2020 respectively.
5. UJJAWALA
 It is a Comprehensive Scheme for Prevention of Trafficking and Rescue,Rehabilitation and Re-

Integration of Victims of Trafficking for Commercial Sexual Exploitation.
 It is effective from 1st April 2016.
 Beneficiary under the scheme includes Women and children who are vulnerable to trafficking for
commercial sexual exploitation and Women and children who are victims of trafficking for commercial
sexual exploitation.
 The implementing agencies can be the Social Welfare/Women and Child Welfare Department of
State Government, Women‟s Development Corporations, Women‟s Development Centres, Urban
Local Bodies, reputed Public/Private Trust or Voluntary Organizations.
6. Swadhar scheme
 The Swadhar scheme was launched by the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development in 2002
for rehabilitation of women in difficult circumstances. The scheme provides shelter, food, clothing and
care to the marginalized women/girls who are in need.
 Under Swadhar Scheme, funds are released to the implementing agencies which are mainly NGOs.
 The allocation to the Swadhar Greh Scheme is Rs.95.00 crores for current year.
7. Mahila Shakti Kendra Scheme
 Mahila Shakti Kendra scheme was launched in 2017-18 upto 2019-20 to empower rural women
through community participation.
 Under the Scheme, State Resource Centre for Women is provided for all States/UTs, District Level
Centre for Women (DLCW) for 640 districts to be covered in a phased manner (220 districts during
2017-18, 220 more in 2018-19 and remaining 200 districts in 2019-20) and Block Level initiative to be
focussed in 115 most backward districts covering 8 blocks in each district (50 districts to be covered
during FY 2017-18 and remaining 65 districts to be covered during FY 2018-19).
“Your time is limited. So don‟t waste it living someone else‟s life.”-Steve Jobs

Monthly GK Capsule
December 2018


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Monthly GK Capsule

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Economy & Banking………………………………………………………..4

Government & Polity……………………………………………………….12

Schemes- Ministry of Women & Child Development..…………..….46

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Economy & Banking

1. Growth slows to 7.1% in second quarter on oil, rupee

2. Import cover falls to 10.1 months in June

3. LIC surplus jumps over 10% in FY18

 LIC- Life Insurance Corporation of India is state-owned insurance group and

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4. Panel to look at selling OIL, ONGC fields

5. Manufacturing PMI hits 11-month high in Nov

6. Fitch retains negative outlook for banks on weak capital

7. Reserve Bank stands pat on rates

8. Cabinet clears policy to double agri exports

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9. MF assets rise 8% to Rs.24.03 lakh cr

 The Association of Mutual Funds in India is an industry standards organization in

10. Current account deficit widens to 2.9% in Q2

11. Direct tax collections surge 15.7% in Apr.-Nov

12. RBI slaps Rs.1 crore fine on Indian Bank

13. IIP rises to 11-month high in October

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14. Retail inflation in November slows to 17-month low of 2.33%

15. India, China join hands to promote tea globally

16. Need to focus on cutting public debt in 4 to 5 years, says Garg

18. IDFC Bank, Capital First merger done

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19. NITI Aayog releases Strategy Document for New India

20. „Sandbox policy to support fintech‟- SEBI

21. RBI caps outstanding ECBs at 6.5% of GDP

22. Fed raises interest rates by 25 bps

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23. Start-up Swiggy gets $1 bn fresh funds

24. GST cut on 17 items, 6 services

 GST-It is a destination-based taxation system. It has been established by the

25. Start-ups get a platform for listing, courtesy BSE

26. U.S. Q3 growth trimmed, business spending slowing

27. RBI shortlists Wipro, TCS, 4 others for PCR

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28. Indian firm takes over Chabahar operations

 Chabahar Port is a seaport in Chabahar located in southeastern Iran, on the Gulf

29. Radiant Life, Max Healthcare to merge

30. Foreign fund outflows highest since 2008

31. NCLT helps recover over Rs.80,000 cr. in 2018

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33. Centre will infuse RS.28,615 crore in 7 PSBs

34. ICRA downgrades NIC rating

 National Insurance Company Limited- Kolkata based

35. “State-run bank NPAs decline by Rs.23,860 cr.”

36. Centre launches global search for AI top slots

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Government & Polity

1. Coalgate: former Coal Secretary convicted

2. Central guidelines for crèches at workplaces

 The Centre has prepared guidelines for setting up of crèches at workplaces.

4. Services agree on Permanent Chair

5. Disabilities Act: States going slow on roll-out, says study