1. RBI's 1st Bi-Monthly Monetary Policy Review for 2019-20 -
- 6 member monetary policy committee IS chaired by RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das.
- RBI reduced 0.25 basis points in Policy Rates under liquidity adjustment facility (LAF) . Updated Rates -
- Repo Rate - 6 %
- Reverse Repo - 5.75 %
- Bank Rate - 6.25 %
- CRR (Cash Reserve Ratio) - 4 %
- SLR(Statutory Liquidity ratio) - 19.25 % (RBI decided to reduce SLR from to 18.0% in six quarterly instalments beginning January 2019)
- Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) Rate - _______________________ %
- RBI also projected GDP growth forecast for current fiscal at 7.2%, down from earlier estimate of 7.4 %.
2. Fitch Ratings kept India’s sovereign rating at lowest investment grade of BBB-with a stable outlook, unchanged for 13th straight year. Growth rate of India forecasted by Fitch is 6.8% in FY 2019-20 and 7.1% in FY 2020-21. Fitch had last upgraded India's sovereign rating from BB+ to BBB- with a stable outlook on August 1, ______________.
3. __________________ (CCMB) scientists discovered a new enzyme called “Murein EndopeptidiaseK”, paving way for a new drug treatment that prevents anti-bacterial resistance by existing antibiotics. It would act on the protein of cell wall in Escherichia coli (E. coli), a bacterium found in the lower intestine of warm-blooded organisms.
4. ________________ honoured PM Narendra Modi with prestigious Zayed Medal for giving a "big boost' to bilateral strategic ties. It is highest decoration awarded to kings, presidents, and heads of states.
5. _________________ took charge as Managing Director of Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC).
6. ___________________ - International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action 2019.
7. Indian Oil Corporation started Supply of ultra-clean BS-VI grade petrol and diesel in cities adjoining national capital and Agra (UP). Rest of country will Begin using BS-VI grade Fuel from April _______________________. New Delhi was first city in India to switch from BS-IV to BS-VI fuels.
- Bharat stage IV fuels contain 50 parts per million (ppm) sulphur whereas Bharat Stage-VI grade fuel only has 10 ppm sulphur.
- It will -
- Bring PM in diesel cars down by 80 % when compared to Bharat stage IV.
- Bring down nitrogen oxides from diesel cars by 70 per cent and in petrol cars by 25 per cent.
8. _________________________ launched world’s first nationwide 5G mobile networks, being first providers of super-fast wireless technology in world. Three top telecom providers—SK Telecom, KT, and LG Uplus—began their 5G services. 5G will bring smartphones near-instantaneous connectivity, 20 times faster than existing 4G.
9. Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and IIT ____________________ signed MoU to collaborate in field of standardisation and conformity assessment -
- It will enable setting up a Centre of Excellence in the field of Standardisation, Testing and Conformity Assessment with BIS branding at IIT ___________________, also appointing a Chair in field of standardisation and conformity assessment.
