Sanjiv Singh has taken over as the Chairman of Indian Oil Corporation (IOC).
He replaces B Ashok.
From July 2014, he was Director (Refineries) on the Indian Oil Corporation Board.
He joined Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) in 1981 and spearheaded refinery operations as well as mega greenfield and brownfield projects in refining and petrochemicals.
Note: Mr. Sanjiv is the chemical engineer from IIT-Roorkee with a diploma in Management.
Prithvi-II missile successfully test-fired
India has successfully test-fired its indigenously developed nuclear-capable Prithvi-II missile (surface-to-surface) from a test range in Odisha as part of a user trial by the Army.
The missile can carry 500 kg to 1,000 kg of warheads and is thrusted by liquid propulsion twin engines.
The missile has a strike range of 350 km.
The missile carried out from a mobile launcher from launch complex-3 of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur.
Note:
Prithvi is a tactical surface-to-surface short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) developed by DRDO of India under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP).
It is deployed by India's Strategic Forces Command.
India & Russia sign St Petersburg Declaration for enhanced ties across the board
India and Russia have signed the St Petersburg Declaration as a road map to enhance cooperation to mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The Declaration was signed following the annual bilateral summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Both nations agreed to strive to build an energy bridge and expand bilateral relations in all areas of energy cooperation, including nuclear, hydrocarbon, hydel, and renewable energy sources.
Trump announces US withdrawal from Paris Agreement on Climate Change
US President Donald Trump has announced to withdraw the US from the Paris Agreement on climate change.
He said that countries like China and India are benefiting the most from the Paris Agreement.
The United States will cease all implementation of the non-binding Paris accord, the draconian financial and economic burdens the agreement imposes on the US.
TRAI floats paper to frame rules for mobile data speed
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has floated a consultation paper to frame rules for mobile data speed.
This consultation paper to ensure transparency in the claims made by service providers surrounding wireless broadband speed.
The authority has sought views from public on the paper by 29th June and counter comments by 13th July.
Note: At present, service providers are selling SIM cards in the name of 2G, 3G and 4G, however, telecom operators do not guarantee any fixed speed.
Haryana Cabinet approves extension of Metro rail from Delhi to Sonepat
The Haryana Cabinet has approved the extension of Metro Rail from Narela (Delhi) to Kundli (Sonepat district) Haryana and also revised funding pattern of Metro projects in Haryana.
Now, 50% of funds for DMRC projects will be contributed by the Haryana Infrastructure Development Board, the Haryana Urban Development Authority (20%), state government (18%) and the Haryana State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corp (12%).
The Narela to Kundli extension (4.86-km long) will have three stations, Narela Sector 5, Kundli and Nathupur.
Union Govt. launches web platform INAM-Pro +
The Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has launched INAM-Pro + web platform in New Delhi.
INAM-Pro+ is an e-commerce platform for construction and infrastructure raw material for government and private procurement.
INAM PRO+ is an updated version of the INAM portal (launched in 2015).
Note: The web portal was designed by National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL).
Economy expected to grow by 7.5 % in current fiscal: NITI Aayog
According to the NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Arvind Panagariya, the country economy is expected to grow by 7. 5% in the current fiscal.
NITI Aayog is working on reducing fiscal deficit to 3% of the GDP by next financial year and revenue deficit to 0.9% by 2019-20.
The agenda also includes creating a tiered regulation of universities and college to provide greater autonomy to top universities.
The Aayog will develop a composite gender based index to reflect the status of women in the country and enhance the welfare of women, children, youth, minorities, SC, ST, OBC and divyangs.
The Aayog proposes to introduce skill based education and extracurricular activities as mandatory part of school curricula and design innovative conditional cash transfer schemes to encourage girls' education.
NAAC receives Asia Pacific Quality Network Award 2017
National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) of India has received International Award of Asia Pacific Quality Network (APQN) Quality Award 2017 for International Co-operation in Quality Assurance in Moscow, Russia.
APQN Quality award are among the most prestigious International Awards in quality assurance of higher education.
Note:
The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) is an organisation that assesses and accredits institutions of higher education in India.
It is an autonomous body funded by University Grants Commission of Government of India headquartered in Bangalore.
Indian-American Ananya Vinay wins Spelling Bee title
Indian-American girl Ananya Vinay (12-year) has won the 90th Scripps National Spelling Bee competition of the United States.
She has become the 13th Indian-American in a row to win this spelling bee competition.
Ananya will be awarded with a USD 40000 cash prize, a trophy, and other awards.
RBI appoints S. Ganesh Kumar as Executive Director
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has appointed S. Ganesh Kumar as the Executive Director (ED) due to voluntary retirement of Chandan Sinha.
He will look after the departments of Information Technology, Payment and Settlement Systems and External Investments and Operations.
Kumar had joined the Reserve Bank in 1984 and served in the areas of payment systems, supervision, foreign exchange, information technology and Government and Bank Accounts.
Earlier, he was the Chief General Manager-in-Charge, Department of Information Technology, in Reserve Bank of India.
