Important Current Affairs Updates: 22 June 2015

1) Maharashtra declared Blue Mormon as state butterfly:

--> Maharashtra government on 22 June 2015 declared Blue Mormon as the state butterfly.

--> The state is also the first in the country to make such announcement.

--> The decision was taken in a meeting of the state Wildlife Board chaired by Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar.

--> Maharashtra already has Indian Giant Squirrel (Shekru) as its state animal, Yellow Footed Green Pigeon (Hariyal) as state bird, mango as state tree, and Lagerststroemia (Jarul) as state flower.

2) Kerala declared June 22 as 'Snake Bird Day':

--> Kerala government on 22 June 2015 declared June 22 as the 'snake bird day' as part of a campaign to protect the endangered species.

--> State minister for forest Thiruvanchur Radhakrishnan formally made the announcement at a function organised by the Snake Bird Foundation.

--> Known as darter-Anhinga melanogaster in scientific parlance, snake bird is a large slender long-necked water bird and is mostly black with silver wing markings.

3) Sri Lanka, China began joint military training exercise 'Silk Route- 2015':

--> Joint military training exercise code named 'Silk Route- 2015' between China and Sri Lanka has begun at Buttala in Central Sri Lanka.

--> It is three-week long joint military training exercise and will be conducted in three phases.

4) Former Indian women hockey captain Shashi Bala passed away:

--> Former Indian women hockey team captain Shashi Bala passed away on 21 June 2015.

--> Shashi was killed in a car accident along with her son in Kahma village of Punjab.

--> She had captained Indian hockey team for women in Women Hockey World Cup Qualifier held in Harare, Zimbabwe in 1997.

5) Roger Federer won eighth Halle Open ATP title of Tennis in Germany:

--> World number two Roger Federer has won the Halle Open ATP title in Germany.

--> In the final match he defeated Andreas Seppi of Italy by 7-6, 6-4 score.

6) Taliban attacked Afghan parliament:

--> Taliban launch attack on Afghan parliament on 22 June 2015 as president's nominee for the crucial post of defence minister was to be introduced in parliament.

--> The seven attackers were killed by police after a two-hour gun battle.

--> Several civilians, including two women and two children, were wounded by flying glass.

7) After 53 years, Nathu La pass opened for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra:

--> China on 22 June 2015 opened the second land crossing in Tibet via Nathu La to allow the first batch of Indian pilgrims undertaking the arduous Kailash- Manasarovar Yatra, in the latest confidence-building measure between the two neighbours.

--> The opening of the second route through the Himalayan pass of Nathu La in Sikkim, 4,000 metres above sea level, was officially announced during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to China last month.

8) Bangladesh registered historic first-ever series win over India:

--> Bangladesh created history as they, for the first time, clinched a bilateral ODI series win against India.

--> Bangladesh's left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman (6-43) was the star of the match.

--> He picked up a back-to-back five-wicket haul after his 5-50 in the first ODI.

21st June 2015 Daily Current Affairs Updates

1) International Yoga Day celebrated across the globe:

--> The first International Day of Yoga was on 21 June 2015 observed globally.

--> India set two new Guinness World Records — for the most individuals, and individuals from the largest number of nationalities — in performing the exercises at a single venue.

--> Showcase yoga programme at Rajpath saw the largest number of participants around 36 thousand participants performed asanas and 84 nationalities joined the official observation of International Yoga Day at Rajpath in New Delhi.

--> National Yoga Day is celebrated on 3 June 2015. 

2) Sanjay Subrahmanyan selected for Sangita Kalanidhi award:

--> Carnatic vocalist Sanjay Subrahmanyan has been selected for this year's Sangita Kalanidhi award.

--> He will preside over the 89th annual conference of the Academy to be held between December 15, 2015 and January 1, 2016.

--> With this honour Sanjay joins the league of select few artistes like Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar who were conferred with the award before they turned 50.

3) Nico Rosberg won Austrian Grand Prix of F1 racing 2015:

--> Nico Rosberg of Mercedes on 21 June 2015 won the Austrian Grand Prix of F1 ahead of Mercedes teammate Hamilton.

--> It is Rosberg's  third win this season and 11th victory of his career .

--> He was also the winner of  Austrian Grand Prix Formula One (F1) of 2014.

--> Felipe Massa finished third.

4) World's biggest cruise ship “Harmony of the Seas” takes to the water:

--> “Harmony of the Seas” world’s largest cruise ship that made its maiden entry into water in France on 19 June 2015 and is expected to take its maiden voyage in 2016.

--> Harmony of the Seas” is being constructed since 2013.

--> The ship will carry 6,360 passengers along with 2,100 staff.

--> It weighs 227,000 tons and measures 1,187 feet, which is 50 meters longer than the height of the Eiffel Tower.

5) India's first air-conditioned DEMU train launched in Kochi:

--> Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu on 21 June 2015 flagged off India’s first diesel electric multiple unit (DEMU) train service with an air-conditioned coach in Kochi.

--> The Angamaly-Ernakulam-Tripunithura-Piravom train service is expected to help in reducing traffic congestion in the Kerala’s fastest growing city.

--> Other coaches of DEMU train are provided with bench type cushion seats and large windows with glass shutters.

--> The train is equipped with bio-toilets and fully vestibule for free movement of passengers between coaches.

6) NSE to begin overnight investment facility from 22 June 2015:

--> Country's top stock exchange NSE will introduce an overnight liquid transaction facility on its web-based Mutual Fund platform from 22 June 2015.

--> The facility will enable traders, especially small investors, to invest even for a single night in liquid funds.

7) WiFi at Bangkok airport declared world's fastest:

--> Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport has the world's fastest WiFi service.

--> The result emerged after a survey was conducted by internet speed-test watchdog Rotten Wifi in over 130 airports all over the world.

--> Rotten Wifi said Suvarnabhumi's WiFi speed topped all airports at 41.45 mbps, ahead of the airport in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where the speed was measured at 30.99 mbps.

8) World Music Day observed:

--> World Music Day also called Fête de la Musique was observed on 21 June 2013 across the world.

--> This day is celebrated to promote peace and spread goodwill through music.

--> The main idea behind the day is to bring music out onto the streets.

Daily Current Affairs: 24 June 2015

1) Parliament's monsoon session to begin on July 21:

--> The monsoon session of Parliament will start on July 21 and last for just three weeks, the Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs decided on 24 June 2015.

--> The government has planned a heavy legislative agenda, with at least 17 Bills to be cleared by both Houses that will require the cooperation of the Opposition. 

2) Veteran journalist Praful Bidwai passed away:

--> Praful Bidwai, a senior journalist and well-known columnist passed away on 24 June 2015.

--> Mr. Bidwai was a fellow at Transnational Institute at Amsterdam in the Netherlands.

--> He was also a founding member of an anti-nuclear group Movement in India for Nuclear Disarmament (MIND) set up after the 1998 Pokhran nuclear tests.

3) Steffi Graf appointed Kerala's brand ambassador for Ayurveda:

--> Tennis legend Steffi Graf was on 24 June 2015 appointed the Ayurveda brand ambassador of Kerala.

--> The Kerala tourism department was given sanction to sign an agreement with Graf to become Ayurveda brand ambassador as part of the department's 'Visit Kerala Scheme'.

--> The 46-year-old Graf, who retired in 1999, married former World number one men's tennis player Andre Agassi in October 2001.

4) Sri Sri Ravi Shankar to Receive Colombia’s Highest Civilian Award:

--> Indian spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has been conferred with Colombia’s highest civilian award, Orden de la Democracia Simon Bolivar en el grado de cruz Caballero.

--> He was bestowed with this award for spreading the message of peace in society, reducing stress, inter-mediation in war and combating violence through yoga and breathing exercises.

5) Union Cabinet gives nod to 6 new IIMs:

--> Union Cabinet has approved setting up 6 new Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) in the country.

--> Decision in this regard was taken Union Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi.

--> Now the total strength of IIMs increases to 19 from 13. These new IIMs will be located at Bodh Gaya (Bihar), Vishakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh), Nagpur (Maharashtra), Sirmaur (Himachal Pradesh), Amritsar (Punjab) and Sambalpur (Odisha).

6) 'Jurassic World' fastest movie to earn $1 billion:

--> Two months after Fast and Furious 7 became the fastest film to reach $1 billion worldwide by earning the money in 17 days, Jurassic World has usurped the title.

--> In 13 days flat, the film starring Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard and Irrfan Khan has earned the mammoth amount (approximiately Rs 6300 crore).

Daily Current Affairs: 26 June 2015

1) Axis Bank launched debit card with enhanced security:

--> Axis Bank on 25 June 2015 launched a new debit card, which can be "switched off" for specified time periods, and has also put in fraud protection and personal accidental cover along with the offering.

--> The card named 'Secure+' can be switched off by using a mobile phone application or Internet banking gateway or through the phone-banking application. 

2) Government to set up memorial for Jai Prakash Narayan in Bihar:

--> Government on 25 June 2015 decided to set up a national memorial for socialist icon Jai Prakash Narayan in his birthplace in Bihar.

--> The memorial will also house a virtual museum and an institute to undertake study and research on democracy, enhancing the role of panchayats in nation-building, Gandhian thoughts and centre for Khadi and constructive work keeping in view the thoughts of Jai Prakash Narayan.

3) Terrorist attacks rocks Tunisia, France and Kuwait:

--> On 26 June 2015, terror strike at 3 countries killing more the 50 people from these 3 nations.

-->  27 killed in an ISIS suicide bombing at Tunisian beach resort and 13 at a mosque in Kuwait while a beheading at a gas factory in Eastern France.

--> In France terrorists struck at a gas factory in eastern France.

4) Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena dissolved Parliament:

--> Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on 26 June 2015 dissolved the parliament, paving the way for fresh parliamentary elections in mid-August, eight months ahead of the schedule.

--> The long awaited dissolution of the 225-member house will pave the way for a fresh parliamentary election mid-August.

--> The election will come eight months ahead of the scheduled date in April 2016.

5) US Supreme Court rules same-sex marriage is legal:

--> Supreme Court ruled on 26 June 2015 that the US Constitution provides same-sex couples the right to marry in a historic triumph for the American gay rights movement.

--> The court ruled 5-4 that the Constitution's guarantees of due process and equal protection under the law mean that states cannot ban same-sex marriages.

--> With the ruling, gay marriage will become legal in all 50 states.

6) Satnam Singh Bhamara becomes first Indian to be drafted by a NBA team:

--> Satnam Singh Bhamara became the first Indian born basketball player to be drafted in the National Basketball Association (NBA).

--> He was chosen by the Dallas Mavericks team as the 52nd pick in the NBA Draft.

--> He was selected amongst the 60 young men who will play in the next season of NBA.

7) India ranked best for investment:

--> A ranking of destinations for attractiveness to foreign investors has placed India at the top among 110 countries.

--> China has secured the 65th position and the U.S. is at the 50th.

--> In the 2014 index, India was at the sixth position and Hong Kong was number one.

25th June 2015 Daily Current Affairs Updates

1) PM launched three mega schemes for urban development:

--> Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 25 June 2015 launched three flagship schemes for urban development and promised that states and Union Territories (UT) will have a greater say in the implementation of the these programmes.

--> The three projects are :-

1. Smart Cities Mission: For smart cities, bottom-up approach will be followed where the responsibility will be on local bodies rather than states or the Centre to develop them.

2. Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT): The AMRUT mission, worth Rs 50,000 crore, aims at infrastructure development of 500 cities with population of over one lakh.

3. Housing for All by 2022: Housing For All mission will enable decent houses to all the needy, particularly the economically weaker sections and low income group.The mission will be taken up in all the 4041 notified towns across the country. 

2) Union Cabinet approved renaming of SECI as Renewable Energy Corporation of India:

--> The Union Cabinet on 24 June 2015 approved renaming of Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) as Renewable Energy Corporation of India (RECI).

--> Besides, the Cabinet also gave its nod to the SECI to apply to the Registrar of Companies (ROC) for converting it into a Section 3 company from a Section 8 company under the Companies Act, 2013.

--> SECI was established as a registered company under the Section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956.

3) Former Pakistan captain Zaheer Abbas is new ICC president:

--> Former Pakistan captain Zaheer Abbas was selected as the new president of the International Cricket Council on 25 June 2015.

--> The 67-year-old Abbas has already assumed the role, which will be on a one-year tenure.

--> ICC Chairman N Srinivasan, who also represented the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in the annual meeting, was one one of the first persons to welcome Zaheer in the ICC.

--> The poisition was lying vacant after Mustafa Kamal resigned as ICC President, with effect from 1 April, 2015.

4) RBI extends deadline for exchanging pre-2005 currency notes by six months:

--> Reserve Bank of India has extended the date for the public to exchange their pre-2005 banknotes till December 31, 2015.

--> RBI earlier had set up 30 June 2015 as the last date for the exchanging pre-2005 year currency notes of various denominations, including of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000.

--> The currency notes issued before 2005 do not have the year of printing on the reverse side.

Reasoning Quiz For SSC

 1.  Find out the pair of numbers that does not belong to the group for lack of common property.

(1) 16 - 18

(2) 56 - 63

(3) 96 - 108

(4) 86 - 99 

2.   In the following question, number of letters are skipped in between by a particular rele. Which of the following observers the rule?

(1) ACZXFG

(2) CFXURI

(3) CFIURX

(4) CXFUIR

3.    Which one of the given responses would be a meaningful order of the following?

1. Sentence 2. Word 3. Chapter 4. Phrase 5. Paragraph

(1) 4, 3, 1 2, 5            

(2) 2,3,5,4,1               

(3) 3,5,1,4,2               

(4) 1,3,2,4,5

4.   Arrange the following words as per order in the dictionary:

1. Inhabit 2. Ingenious 3. Inherit 4. Influence 5. Inflation

(1) 12345                   

(2) 54123   

(3) 45213   

(4) 54213

5.  Which one set of letters when sequentially placed at the gaps in the given letter series shall complete it?

______ ab __b ____aba______abab

(1) a bb aa                  

(2) bb aa b

(3) ab aa b  

(4) a aa ba

Directions (6-9) : in each of the following questions, a serires is given, with oneterm misisng. Choose the correct alternative from the given ones that will complete the series.

6.   14, 19 29, 49 89, ____? ________

(1) 139                        

(2) 149                        

(3) 159                        

(4) 169

7.   BMRG, DLTF, FKVE, HJXD ________?

(1) JIZC                        

(2) JZIB       

(3) GIFB      

(4) MOLC

8.   121, 144, 289, 324, 529, 576, ________?

(1) 961                        

(2) 841                        

(3) 900                        

(4) 729

9.   5, 21, 69, 213, 645, ____?__

(1) 1670                     

(2) 1941     

(3) 720                        

(4) 1320

10.  Find out the questioned number.  6 : 5 : : 8 : ?

(1) 2              

(2) 4      

(3) 6      

(4) 10