Current Affairs December 11 2018

We are here for you to provide the important Current Affairs December 11 2018, which have unique updates of all daily events from all newspapers such as The Hindu, The Economic Times, PIB, Times of India, PTI, Indian Express, Business Standard and all Government official websites.

Our complete current affairs helps you to get more marks in Banking, Insurance, SSC, Railways, UPSC,CLAT  and  all State Exams.

Useful Links:

• Current Affairs
  
• Current Affairs 2018
  
• Current Affairs Today
• Current Affairs December 2018
• Current Affairs November 2018
• Current Affairs October 2018
• Current Affairs 2018 PDF

Click here for Current Affairs December 10  2018

 INDIAN AFFAIRS

NITI Aayog Launches Global Hackathon on Artificial Intelligence
NITI Aayog in partnership with a Singapore based AI startup ‘Perlin’ launches ‘AI 4 All Global Hackathon’ to develop AI Applications to make significant positive social and economic impact in India.
i. NITI Aayog is inviting developers, students, start-ups and companies to participate in the Hackathon.
ii. This Hackathon is a part of National AI Strategy which has a vision to expand the idea of “Artificial Intelligence, AI for All”.

Indian Railways launched new Buddhist Circuit Tourist Train for the 16-day pilgrimage tour
On December 8, 2018, Indian Railways’ catering and tourism arm IRCTC announced the launch of the Buddhist Circuit Tourist Train.

i. The Tourist Circuit will consist of destinations including:
Delhi, Bodhgaya, Nalanda/Rajgir, Varanasi/Sarnath, Lumbini, Kushinagar, Sravasti and Agra.
ii. According to the IRCTC website, the train will depart on December 8 and December 22 completing a 16-day tour.
Portal for booking of tickets are: https://www.irctcbuddhisttrain.com/.
iii. Earlier, Indian Railways launched another tourist circuit train called the Shri Ramayana Express.

Kazakhstan opened consulate, under Dilip Chandan, in Gujarat to push business ties
On December 10, 2018, Kazakhstan opened a consulate,under the leadership of the managing director of Chandan Steel Limited, Dilip Chandan,in Gujarat to further business partnership.
i. The consulate was inaugurated on the eve of the 27th Anniversary of the Independence Day of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
ii. It would help in enhancing development of mutually beneficial cooperation between Kazakhstan and India in the fields of IT industry, engineering, tourism and transport and logistics infrastructure, as well as agriculture.
Other News:
i. On his visit for the inauguaration, Kazakhstan Ambassador to India Bulat Sarsenbayev, delivered a lecture at the University of Gujarat about the latest achievements in the India-Kazakh bilateral relations.
ii. He also addressed the round table of the Chamber of Commerce of Gujarat, to showcase the investment opportunities in Kazakhstan.
Background:
Kazakhstan has plans to link Gujarat’s Mundra Port via multimodal transport through Iran.
Kazakhstan:
♦ Capital: Astana.
♦ Currency: Kazakhstani tenge.

Second edition of exercise AVIAINDRA 2018 commenced between IAF and RFSAF at Jodhpur
On December 10, 2018, 11-day long AVIAINDRA 2018, the 2nd edition of bi-annual air service exercise between Indian Air Force (IAF) and Russian Federation Aerospace Force (RFSAF), commenced at Air Force Station Jodhpur,Rajasthan.It would conclude on 21 December 2018.
i. The exercise would be conducted in 2 phases and is unique in nature, where in the foreign participant does not bring its air assets.
ii. The inaugural IAF-RFSAF,Ex AVIAINDRA was conducted in 2014.

Shi Yomi became 23rd district of Arunachal Pradesh
On December 9, 2018, Arunachal Pradesh got Shi Yomi as its 23rd district after its inauguration by Chief Minister Pema Khandu in presence of Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju.
i. The district,consisting of four circles — Mechuka, Pidi, Tato and Monigong — was carved out of West Siang district.
ii. This including two other districts- Pakke-Kesang, Lepa Rada– was created after the approval of District Re-Organisation Bill, 2018 on August 29, 2018.
iii. The Pakke-Kessang district was carved out of East Kameng district with five administrative units namely Pakke-Kessang, Seijosa, Pijiriang, Passa Valley and Dissing Passo with district headquarters at Lemmi.
iv. Lepa Rada was created by bifurcating the Lower Siang district with headquarters at Basar with four administrative units – Tirbin, Basar, Daring and Sago.

TN Government launches 24-hour helpline 181 for women
On 10^th December 2018, Tamil Nadu Government launched a 24-hour toll free helpline number 181 for women facing domestic violence and sexual harassment to get assistance ranging from police help, legal aid or medical services including ambulance.
The Service developed at a cost of 62.70 lakh will be available round-the-clock on all days of the week and women can also get information about the welfare schemes aimed at their benefit.

CBSE conducts largest ever Central Teacher Eligibility Test
On 9^th December 2018, The Central Board of Secondary Education(CBSE), conducted the largest ever Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) at 2144 centres in 92 cities across the country.

Key points:
i. As many as 16,91,088 teaching job aspirants took the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET). Among them the number of female candidates were 9,78,818 while male candidates numbered 7,12,071.
ii. 199 transgender candidates also participated in the 11th edition of the teacher eligibility test while 33,107 differently abled candidates filled their applications for the exam this year.
iii. This year onwards, the score cards and CTET certificate will be given to the candidates in a digital format. CBSE will create DigiLocker accounts of the candidates and digitally signed certificates will be legally valid as per the IT Act.
iv. The mark sheets and certificates will contain encrypted QR code and can be downloaded using the login credentials that will be sent by the board.
About Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE):
♦ Chairperson: Anita Karwal
♦ Headquarters: New Delhi

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

UN conference adopts migration pact despite withdrawals
On 10^th December 2018, A United Nations Conference in Moroccan city of Marrakesh adopted a global pact “The Global compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration” to better handle migrant flows despite a string of withdrawals driven by anti-immigrant populism.
The pact is described as a “Roadmap to prevent suffering and chaos” by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.

BANKING & FINANCE

RBI to implement an Ombudsman scheme for digital transactions
On 5^th December 2018, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said that it will implement an ‘Ombudsman Scheme for Digital Transactions’ covering services provided by entities falling under Reserve Banks regulatory jurisdiction.
Key points:
i. The scheme will be notified by the end of January 2019.
ii. The ombudsman scheme will provide cost-free mechanism to redress grievances of customers related to digital transactions to strengthen consumer confidence.
iii. In another customer protection initiative, the RBI has issued instructions on limiting customer liability in respect of unauthorized electronic transactions involving banks and credit card issuing non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) and will very soon work out a frame work for the same purpose involving transactions of prepaid payment instruments PPIs like mobile wallets.
About Reserve Bank of India (RBI):
♦ Governor: Urjit Patel (resigned on 10^th December 2018)
♦ Headquarters: Mumbai

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

Prathamesh Maulingkar, hailing from Goa, India, became the first Asian/Indian Mr Supranational 2018
On December 9, 2018, Prathamesh Maulingkar from Goa, dubbed as Mr. India, became the first Asian/Indian to win 2018 Mister Supernational title after defeating 37 candidates in the 3rd edition of the competition held in Krynica-Zdroj, Poland.

i. He was followed by Mr. Poland at 2nd position and Mr. Brazil at 3rd position.
ii. Mr. Brazil was also crowned with Mr Popularity sash.
Poland:
♦ Capital: Warsaw.
♦ Currency: Polish zloty.

Asian Academy Creative Awards announced in Singapore
On December 9, 2018, the 2-day inaugural Asian Academy Creative Awards concluded at Singapore’s Capitol Theatre, Singapore.
i. The winners of the Asian Academy Creative Awards are:

Click here to read the Entire Medal Winners
ii. Additionally, Singapore’s Mediacorp and CNN won a tally of 5 awards each.

DMK MP Kanimozhi gets the best woman Parliamentarian Award
On 13^th December 2018, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) Member of Parliament (MP), Kanimozhi will be awarded as “Best Woman Parliamentarian – Rajya Sabha” by the Vice-President of India, M. Venkaiah Naidu at Dr. Ambedkar International Center in New Delhi.
Key Points
i. A 10-member board of Jury of eminent personalities headed by Murali Manohar Joshi selected Kanimozhi for the award presented by Lokmat Group of Newspaper.
ii. She has been awarded for her outstanding Contribution in Parliament and Strengthening Democratic Values and Principles for Several Decades.

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNS

Urjit Patel resigned as the 24^th RBI Governor
On December 10, 2018, 24th Governor of Reserve Bank of India, Dr. Urjit Patel, resigned citing personal reasons.

i. The resignation of the former governor was imminent from the recent government-RBI tussles on a host of issues, including:

• Central bank autonomy,
• The government reportedly seeking a share of the RBI reserves and
• Relaxing the restrictive prompt corrective action (PCA) framework for state-owned banks.

ii. With his resignation,he has become the first governor since 1990 to step down before the end of his term.
iii. He succeeded ex-RBI Raghuram Rajan in September 2016 and his term was due till September 2019.
iv. Prior to being the governor of the central bank, he was the deputy governor in RBI.

Wasim Khan appointed as PCB’s Managing Director
On 6^th December 2018, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) appointed Wasim Khan, CEO of Leicenstershire County Cricket Club as the Managing Director of PCB.
The former Warwickshire batsman, Wasim Khan who had played 58 first-class matches in his professional career will leave his role as CEO of Leicestershire County Cricket Club and will join PCB in February 2019.

Myntra CEO Ananth Narayanan Quits
On 10^th December 2018, Ananth Narayanan Chief Executing Officer (CEO) of online Fashion Retailer Myntra which is a unit of Walmart Owned Flipkart has resigned from his post.
The Flipkart Executive, Amar Nagaram will head Myntra after the resignation of Ananth Narayanan.

RLSP chief Upendra Kushwaha resigns from Union council of ministers
On December 10, 2018, Rashtriya Lok Samata Party(RLSP) president Upendra Kushwaha resigned from the Union council of ministers on account of seat sharing for 2019 elections.
i. He was the Minister of State for Human Resource and Development.
ii. His resignation came a day ahead of the start of Parliament’s Winter Session.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

India test fires nuclear capable Agni-5 missile, 2nd test in six months
On 10^th December 2018, India successfully test fired the surface-to-surface ballistic missile Agni-5 from Dr Abdul Kalam Island in the Bay of Bengal off Odisha coast.
i. This is the seventh trial of the indigenously-developed surface-to-surface missile, while second one in the last six months.
ii. Agni-5 is a three stage missile with a length of 17 metre and width of two metre, can carry 1.5 tonnes of nuclear warheads and has a strike range of 5,000 km.
iii. Once inducted in the military, India will join an exclusive club of countries like the US, Russia, China, France and Britain which have intercontinental ballistic missile capabilities.

Long-lasting re-writable paper, controlled by temperature, developed by scientists
On December 8, 2018, Scientists from the Fujian Normal University in China developed a “rewritable” paper that can be drawn or printed on over and over again by changing the temperature.
i. The new material consisted of three layers in a sandwich-like structure where the text could be changed or wiped clean over 100 times by changing the temperature.
ii. According to a study published in the journal ACS Applied Material & Interfaces, the messages can last more than half a year, compared to other re-writable papers.
iii. It can be used in practical applications such as long-lasting information recording and reading, rewritable label, reprintable display.

CROSS BOW-18: IAF conducts combined guided firing of surface-to-air missiles
On December 8, 2018, the Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully concluded combined guided weapons firing of Surface-to-Air Missiles from the Air Force Station at Suryalanka in Andhra Pradesh, as part of a first-of-its-kind two-day exercise codenamed- CROSS BOW 18.
i. The exercise was carried out on December 5, 7 and 8 during day and night in an integrated networked environment.
ii. In the exercise, successful firing of four different classes of missiles, like Akash, Spyder, OSA-AK-M and IGLA, took place.
♦ Chief of Air Staff: Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa.

SPORTS

Pune to host Khelo India Youth Games 2019; Jersey launched
On 9^th December 2018, Col. Rajyavardhan Rathore, Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, launched jersey for Khelo India Youth Games and announced that 2^nd edition of the national-level competition is moving out of the Capital and will be held in Pune, Maharashtra from January 9 – January 20, 2019.

i. In its second edition, the games, has expanded its scope, and will allow participants to compete in two categories, (Under 17) and (Under 21), besides allowing students from colleges and Universities to compete.Tennis and table tennis also to be part of 2019 edition of games.
ii. In 2019 the number of participants will almost be tripled with 9000 athletes as compared to 3500 young athletes that had participated in the games, in 2018.
iii. The 1^st edition of the game had chosen 1500 children under this scheme, all of them are being funded with Rs 5 lakh each and are being provided the best training that they need to ensure that they win at the highest international levels.

Virat Kohli becomes first Asian skipper to win a Test in South Africa, England and Australia
On 10^th December 2018, Indian Skipper Virat Kohli became the first Indian captain to win a Test in South Africa, England and Australia after defeating Australia by 31 runs in the First Test Match of the Four Match Test Series at Adelaide.
Key Points
i. Former Indian Captains Rahul Dravid and MS Dhoni won Test matches as Captains in England and South Africa but not in Australia.
ii. Out of 43 Tests, India has won 25 Tests in Kohli’s Captaincy.
iii. After this win India became the Second Asian Country after Pakistan to win the Opening Test of a Series in Australia.
iv. The last Test India won in Australia was at the WACA Ground in Perth in 2008 under the Captaincy of Anil Kumble.
v.India now have six Test victories in more than 70 years on Australian soil. This is also the first time India has won the opening Test match on an Australian tour. India are the second Asian side to win the opening Test of a series in Australia. Pakistan defeated Australia at the MCG in 1979.
About Australia
♦ Capital: Canberra
♦ Currency: Australian Dollar
Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)
♦ Headquarters: Mumbai
♦ President: C K Khanna
♦ Men’s Team Head Coach: Ravi Shashtri

OBITUARY

Senior Journalist Jagdish Thakkar Passes Away
On 10^th December 2018, Public Relations Officer (PRO) in the Prime Minister’s office and senior journalist Jagdish Thakkar passed away at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences due to multiple organ failure. He was unwell for some time.

Key points:
i. The veteran journalist, Jagdish Thakkar has worked with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his time as the chief minister of Gujarat and former CM Keshubhai Patel and was promoted as the PRO in the PMO after Modi became the PM in 2014.
ii. A native of Bhavnagar, Gujarat, Thakkar, had joined the state information department of Gujarat in 1966-67 and had retired in the year 2004, but continued to work with Modi.
About Gujarat:
♦ Capital: Gandhinagar
♦ Chief Minister: Vijay Rupani
♦ Governor: Om Prakash Kohli
♦ National Parks (NP) in Gujarat: Gir Forest NP, Blackbuck NP, Marine NP and Vansda NP

Padma Shri historian and former Jamia VC, Mushirul Hasan passed away at 71
On December 10, 2018, renowned historian and former vice-chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia, Professor Mushirul Hasan, passed away at 71.

i. Hasan was the Pro Vice-Chancellor of Jamia between 1992-96 and later became the VC between 2004-09.
ii. He was also the former director general of the National Archives of India.
iii. He also served as vice-chairman, Indian Institute of Advanced Study, president of the Indo-Iran Society of the Iran embassy and president of the Indian History Congress.
iv. He wrote extensively on Partition and the history of Islam in South Asia and had won Padma Shri in 2007 and the Ordre des Palmes Académiques.
v. Some of the books he authored include:
India Partition: The Other Face of Freedom, When Stone Walls Cry, Partners in Freedom: Jamia Millia Islamia (co-authored with Rakshanda Jalil) and From Pluralism to Separatism: Qasbas in Colonial India.

IMPORTANT DAYS

December 10 celebrated annually as International Day of Human Rights; UDHR turned 70 in 2018
December 10 is celebrated annually as International Day of Human Rights or Human Rights Day.

i. The Campaign of the 2018 Human Rights Day is: #StandUp4HumanRights.
ii. 2018 marked the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), adopted in 1948 by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
iii. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights document is the most translated document in the world, available in more than 500 languages.