Indian economy is expected to grow at 7.2% in 2018-19 against 6.7% in the previous fiscal due to improvement in the performance of agriculture and manufacturing sectors. The per capita net national income in 2018-19 shows a rise of 11.1%.
RBI estimates India’s growth rate at 7.4%.
The Union Cabinet has given its nod for a Constitutional amendment Bill providing 10% more reservation for economically weaker sections in direct recruitment (in Government jobs) and for admission in higher educational institutions.
EWS - Having annual income below Rs 8 lakh.
Govt of India has given permission to Iran to open a bank branch in Mumbai. It will open a branch within 3 months. Gadkari also stated that India can provide steel rails to Iran and the Persian Gulf nation can provide urea to India.
Iran: Capital – Tehran; Currency – Rial.
The 4th edition of the Raisina Dialogue will begin in New Delhi. The theme of the Dialogue is ‘A World Reorder: New Geometries; Fluid Partnerships; Uncertain Outcomes’. The discussions will seek to address issues arising from ongoing global transitions.
Union Minister of External Affairs - Sushma Swaraj.
World Bank President Jim Yong Kim has announced his resignation. He plans to leave the bank on Feb 1 to join a firm focused on infrastructure investments. He first became president of the World Bank in 2012 appointed by former US President Obama.
Kristalina Georgieva is the current CEO of the World Bank.
India’s newly-announced Drone Regulation 1.0 is a step to open the use of Remotely Piloted Aircraft commonly known as drones for commercial activities. The global market for drones and drone powered solutions is expected to cross $100 billion by 2023.
The policy has been formulated by Ministry of Civil Aviation.
India has taken over operations of the strategic Chabahar port. This is the 1st time India will be operating a port outside its territory. The physical take-over of the terminal area, cargo handling equipment & Office building was completed by Dec 29, 2018
India is to equip and operate 2 berths in Chabahar Port Phase-I.
Maharashtra is all set to host the second edition of Khelo India Youth Games which will officially begin in Pune. More than 9000 players from different states will participate in 18 different games at Khelo India Youth Games.
Union Minister of Sports and Youth Welfare - Rajyavardha Rathore
Guwahati is likely to be the 1st city to be connected internationally under UDAN scheme. Under the scheme, Assam is likely to provide a subsidy of ₹ 2370 & ₹ 4400 for certain no. of seats on the flights operating on Guwahati-Dhaka & Guwahati-Bangkok routes.
Assam had proposed subsidized connectivity to 6 destinations.
Sushma Swaraj held a strategic dialogue with her Japanese counterpart Taro Kono at the 10th India-Japan Foreign Minister-level Strategic Dialogue during which they reviewed the progress in ties and exchanged views on regional and global issues.
Prime Minister of Japan - Shinzo Abe.