We are here for you to provide the important current affairs may 4 2017 which have unique updates of all daily events from all newspapers such as The Hindu, The Economic Times, PIB, Times of India, India Today, Indian Express, Business Standard, all Government official websites. Our complete current affairs helps you to get more marks in Banking, insurance, UPSC, SSC,CLAT , Railway and all other competitive Exams.
- Daily Current Affairs
- Try our Current Affairs Quiz 2017
- Read Our 2017 Current Affairs
- Current Affairs 2017 May
INDIAN AFFAIRS
Indore is India’s cleanest city, UP’s Gonda dirtiest: Swachh Bharat survey
On May 4, 2017 Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu released 3rd edition of the Swachh Survekshan which ranked 434 Indian cities on various cleanliness parameters. Indore in Madhya Pradesh emerged as the cleanest city and Gonda in Uttar Pradesh ranked at the bottom as the dirtiest city.
Top 5 Clean Cities – Swachh Survekshan 2017:
| Rank | Cities |
| 1st | Indore – Madhya Pradesh |
| 2nd | Bhopal – Madhya Pradesh |
| 3rd | Visakhapatnam – Andhra Pradesh |
| 4th | Surat – Gujarat |
| 5th | Mysuru – Karnataka |
Recent Approvals by Central government – May 3 2017
i. The cabinet has cleared the nonperforming asset (NPA) resolution package that includes an ordinance to amend the Banking Regulation Act for empowering the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to deal with bad assets in an effective manner.
ii. Union Cabinet has given gave ex-post facto approval to the signing the Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) with Japan on Railway Safety. This MoC was signed in February 2017.
iii. Union Cabinet has approved modifications in the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) relating to the method of revision of pension of pre-2016 pensioners and family pensioners.
iv. Cabinet has given ex-post facto approval to signing of MoU with Malaysia on development of a urea and ammonia manufacturing plant in Malaysia.
v. The central government has approved the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cooperation in area of Civil Aviation with Spain.
vi. Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given approval for Scheme for Agro-Marine Processing and Development of Agro-Processing Clusters (SAMPADA) for period 2016-20.
vii. Union Cabinet has given its approval for the declaration of Vijayawada Airport in Andhra Pradesh as International Airport. The decision is in accordance with the provisions of Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014.
Haryana and Madhya Pradesh State legislative Assembly Passes GST Bill
Haryana and Madhya Pradesh cabinet gave its approval to a draft bill for implementation of the Goods and Services Tax in the state.The GST will be implemented from 1st of July.
Key Points:
i. With this the number of states that have passed the law of Parliament’s nod to the GST bills increased to eight.
ii. Four key GST legislations — the Central GST Act, the Integrated GST Act, the GST (Compensation to States) Act and the Union Territory GST Act — were passed by Parliament in its last session.
iii. Different indirect taxes like the central excise duty, central sales tax and service tax are to be merged with the C-GST.
iv. S-GST will include state sales tax, VAT, luxury tax and entertainment tax.
Nitin Gadkari inaugurates The Highway Saga, SRISHTI exhibitions
On May 3, 2017, Mr. Nitin Gadkari – Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, inaugurated two exhibitions, ‘The Highway Saga: Past Present & Future’ and ‘Safe Road & Inter State Highways Transforming India (SRISHTI)’ in New Delhi.
i. These exhibitions are part of India Integrated Transport and Logistics Summit 
(IITLS) organized by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways from 3rd to 5th of May, 2017.
ii. About The Highway Saga: Past, Present & Future – As the name indicates, this exhibition displayed the evolution of road transport in India starting from Indus Valley Civilisation to current times.
iii. About Safe Road & Inter State Highways Transforming India (SRISHTI): This exhibition had some interactive activities aimed at enhancing visitors’ awareness of road safety issues.
BANKING & FINANCE
Reliance, SAP launch ‘SARAL GST’ solution for taxpayers
Reliance Corporate IT Park Limited (“RCITPL”) it is a subsidiary of Reliance Industries has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with SAP to launch ‘SARAL GST’ solution for taxpayers.
Key Facts:
i. SARAL GST will enable easy access to taxpayers once it will be started from 1st of July 2017.
ii. SARAL GST will provide simplified operations high quality of service and security to taxpayers.
iii. It will hold the proficiency of RCITPL as GST Suvidha Provider (GSP) and SAP as Application Service Provider (ASP).
iv. GSP, RCITPL will connect ASPs to the Government’s GST system through Jio MPLS network.
v. It will enable taxpayers to create, manage and file GST Returns in a simple, safe and effective way.
vi. It will also help in boosting the Digital India initiative
Ujjivan Small Finance Bank commences operations in Pune
Ujjivan Small Finance Bank has started its operations in Pune. Its total branches now come to 30 across the country.
Key Notes:
i. It has started its operations from 4 locations. The four locations are Swargate, Pimpri, Akurdi and Hadapsar.
ii. It provide services like doorstep banking, mobile, internet and phone banking, access to 
biometric ATMs and Aadhar enabled debit cards.
iii. It offers savings bank account with no charges for minimum balance.
iv. Small finance bank now operates out of Bengaluru, Ramanagara, Mumbai, New Delhi, Kolkata and Pune.
v. Ujjivan has presence across 14 districts in Maharashtra with 51 branches, catering to over 3.65 lakh customers.
ADB Predicts 7.4 percent growth for Indian Economy this Fiscal
Asian Development Bank predicts 7.4% in the current fiscal year 2017-18 and 7.1% in the fiscal year.
Key Points:
i. It is projected by ADB that India market is more deregulated and have open the paths to welcoming to FDIs.
ii. One of the reasons of Asian economies growth is that they have enjoyed from open free trade system.
iii. The overall export performance of India is also become positive day by day.
iv. ADB forecast 7.6% growth for next year.
v. Open trade and free movement of capital plays an important in India’s economy growth.
vi. ADB Chief Economist Yasuyuki Sawada mentioned that Goods and Services Tax and the new bankruptcy law will make it easier to do business in India.
vii. The rupee has appreciated by over 5 per cent against the US dollar since January
BUSINESS
Cabinet approves National Steel Policy 2017
On May 3, 2017 Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved National Steel Policy 2017 which aims to make India self sufficient in steel production. The policy is geared towards increasing domestic steel consumption, ensuring high quality steel production and creating a technology-driven globally competitive steel industry.
i. Additional 10 lakh crore will be invested by year 2030-31 to increase the steel production capacity.
ii. Establishment of Steel Research and Technology Mission of India (SRTMI) to facilitate Research and Development (R&D) in steel sector.
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
Sports Ministry announces changes in National Youth Awards
Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports Vijay Goel announces changes in the National Youth Awards (NYA) on 3rd May 2017
Key Points:
i. The changes are done to bring transparency in the selection process.
ii. The National Youth Awards are granted by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports every year.
iii. A new Logo for the National Youth Awards was also released by the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports.
iv. Increase in the number of the awards under National Youth Award.The prize money is 
now Rs 200000 with a Trophy and Certificate.
v. For the first time, the nominations for the National Youth Awards (NYA) will be received and processed through online mode to cover the people on pan-India basis.
vi. It has been presented to give recognition to their outstanding work and to motivate them to achieve excellence in the field on National Development and Social Service.
vii. Applicants will be given 30 days to apply online at https://innovate.mygov.in/national-youth-award/.
viii. The final selection will be made by the 8-member Central Selection Committee which is headed by the Secretary of Department of Youth Affairs and prominent and eminent personalities.
ix. The number of Awards in the Organization category has now been increased from 1 to 10.
x. The number of awards in the Individual category has now been increased to 25 and amount of money for the Award has also been enhanced to Rs 50000.
Village Financial Services gets award
A Kolkata-based Micro Finance Institution, Village Financial Services has bagged MSME Banking Excellence Awards 2016, instituted by the Chamber for Indian Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (CIMSME).
♦ Village Financial Services won the award under the category ‘Best NBFC-MFI for Promotional Schemes’. Village Financial Services was also adjudged as the runner-up in Eco-Technology Savvy NBFC-MFI category.
♦ The award was presented to Kuldip Maity – CEO and Managing Director of Village Financial Services, by Arjun Ram Meghwal – Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs in New Delhi.
About Village Financial Services:
i. It started micro finance operations in the financial year 2005-2006.
ii. Village Financial Services is the 1st Micro Finance Company in Eastern Region with Non Banking Financial Company status (NBFC) registered by Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
iii. It is also the 1st ISO certified Micro Finance Company in India.
APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNS
Bharti Enterprises Appoints Soumen Ghosh As MD, Financial Services
Bharti Enterprises, has appointed Soumen (Sam) Ghosh as Managing Director – Financial Services. Ghosh will be responsible for business expansion, strengthening the 
management processes and governance of these businesses.
About Soumen Ghosh:
i. He is a Chartered Accountant from England and a Mechanical Engineer.
ii. Prior to joining Bharti, Ghosh was heading the Financial Services business at Reliance Capital which included insurance, mutual funds, commercial and housing finance, broking and distribution.
iii. He is known as one of the pioneers of the insurance industry ever since the sector was opened up for participation of private players.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
India test-fires Agni-II ballistic Missile from Wheeler Island, off Odisha coast
India’s nuclear-capable, surface-to-surface Agni-II ballistic missile was test-fired from the Wheeler Island Odisha coast on May 4, 2017
i. Agni-II ballistic missile has a strike range of 2000 kilometers.The test was aimed at re-establishing the operational effectiveness of the weapon system.
ii. Agni missile series being developed by DRDO as a deterrent against nuclear armed neighbours.
ENVIRONMENT
Madhya Pradesh Assembly declares Narmada living entity
Madhya Pradesh government has passed a law in the state to give recognition to Narmada River.
Key Point:
i. A special session of the state Assembly passed the resolution granting the 1312-km-long Narmada.
ii. It provides all legal rights of a person or a living entity to ensure “conservation of aquatic bio-diversity linked with the purity and continual flow of the river”.
iii. They have been tasked to work as the human face to protect, conserve and preserve them and their tributaries.
iv. Madhya Pradesh government should bring a bill in the state assembly in order to give a living entity status to river Narmada.
v. Namami Gange project aims for cleaning and rejuvenating the river.
Andhra Pradesh’s Banganapalle mango gets GI tag
Andhra Pradesh’s Banganapalle mango got Geographical Indication registration from the Geographical Indications Registry.
Key Notes:
i. GI is covered under the Intellectual Property Rights and the Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights.
ii. A GI tag certifies the origin of a product or produce from a particular region as the quality or other feature of the product is marked only to the place of its origin.
iii. The Andhra Pradesh government is the registered proprietor of the GI tag for mangoes.
Archaeologists discover 4000-year-old model garden outside Egypt tomb
A group of archaeologists discovered the remains of a nearly 4000 year old model garden outside a tomb in the ancient Egyptian capital of Thebes known as Luxor.
Key Points:
i. The discovery was made by a Spanish team in the Draa Abul Nagaa necropolis across the Nile from the modern-day city of Luxor.
ii. The DraaAbul Naga necropolis lies near the Valley of the Kings, where many of the pharaohs, including Tutankhamun, were buried.
iii. It is divided into equal square plots, each about 30 centimeters across.
iv. The garden was discovered during excavations in an open courtyard outside a Middle Kingdom tomb.
v. The plots seem to have each included various species of plants and flowers.
vi. A small mud-brick temple attached to the tomb containing three stone slabs was also discovered.
vii. Two elevated spots were found in the middle of the garden, which were probably used for planting trees.
Ancient city of Thebes
♦ Thebes was an ancient Egyptian city.
♦ Its ruins lie within the modern Egyptian city of Luxor.
♦ The city served as the capital of Egypt during the New Kingdom.
♦ Thebes was the main city of the fourth Upper Egyptian nome (Sceptrenome).
♦ It was located east of the Nile about 800 kilometers south of the Mediterranean.
SPORTS
India rises to 100th spot in FIFA rankings in 21 years
In the latest FIFA rankings the Indian football team has raised to be ranked 100th for the first time ever in over two decades.
Top3 : 1.Brazil 2. Argentina 3. Germany
Key Notes:
i. This is India’s best-ever FIFA ranking since April 1996.
ii. AIFF has been providing the national team the best of exposure and facilities.
iii. In the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers the first ever win in Myanmar in over 64 years and first ever win in over a decade when they defeated Cambodia.
iv. The national team has secured victories in 11 of their last 13 matches (including an unofficial match against Bhutan), scoring 31 goals in the process.
About FIFA
♦ FIFA formed in 21 May 1904.
♦ HQ: Zurich Switzerland
♦ President: Gianni Infantino
♦ Membership: 211 National Associations
OBITUARY
Dronacharya awardee Wrestler Capt Chand Roop passes away
Dronacharya awardee and wrestler Capt. Chand Roop has passed away. He was 88.
Key Point:
i. Capt Chand Roop was received Dronacharya award in 2010
ii. He received the award for his contribution to Wrestling
iii. Roop who was born in 1930 joined the Indian Army in 1948 in Grenadiers regiment.
iv. After retirement from Army in 1979 from the post of captain, he opened an akhara at Azadpur Mandi of New Delhi in 1980.
German painter AR Penck dies at 77
German artist A.R. Penck has passed away at the age of 77.
Key Point:
i. Penck was born in Dresden as Ralf Winkler.
ii. It cited the Michael Werner Gallery, which first exhibited his work in the late 1960s.
iii. His works features primitive depictions of people and animals and recognized as an important example of the new figurative style in Europe.
BOOKS & AUTHORS
Venkaiah Naidu releases set of books titled ‘Swachh Jungle kikahani – DadikiZubani’
Minister for Information & Broadcasting Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu released a set of books titled ‘Swachh Jungle kikahani – DadikiZubani’ published by Publications Division.
Key Notes:
i. The books aimed at transformation and creating awareness among children.
ii. The series of books had been published in 15 Indian languages.
iii. The books contain lot of interesting and eye-catching illustrations made by young artists.
iv. It would provide an encouragement to the Prime Minister’s Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.
v. It helps in developing a habit of cleanliness among school going children.Publications Division, a media unit of Ministry of I&B has been bringing out books/journals on subjects of national importance including Swachhta Abhiyaan.
Thanks for choosing AffairsCloud. If you like our services, kindly suggest our site AffairsCloud.com to all your aspirant friends.
