4th APRIL CURRENT AFFAIRS IN ENGLISH

1. India ranks 37th in global startup ecosystem in 2017: Report

India ranked 37th in the global startup ecosystem in 2017, according to a report released by global startup ecosystem map Start up blink.

• The list, measuring startup ecosystem strength and activity, was topped by the United States followed by the United Kingdom.

2. Indo-Kyrgyzstan joint training exercise KHANJAR-V concludes

The fifth Indo-Kyrgyzstan Joint Training Exercise KHANJAR-V culminated on 29 March, after a joint tactical validation exercise and a closing ceremony held at Counter Insurgency Jungle Warfare School.

• Two week of joint training that commenced on 16 March included understanding tactics of platoon level, developing inter operability and sharing of best practices.

3. NIRF India Rankings 2018’ for Higher Education Institutions

The Union Minister of Human Resource Development, Shri Prakash Javadekar, released the NIRF India Rankings 2018 in various categories on the basis of performance of Higher Educational Institutions in a programme held in New Delhi.

• Minister of State Human Resource Development, Dr. Satya Pal Singh released the report on the NIRF Rankings during the event. 69 top institutions in 9 categories were given awards at today’s event.
• In this third edition of India Rankings, a total of 2809 institutions have participated in 9 categories.

Given below is the list of winners in various categories:

• Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru in overall category
• Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad in management category.
• Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru in overall in university category
• Miranda House, Delhi in college category
• National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Mohali in pharmacy category
• All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi in medical category
• Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur in architecture category
• National Law School of India University, Bengaluru in law category
• Indian Institute of Technology Madras in engineering category

4. India to be partner country for Ambiente 2019

India will be the partner country for International Frankfurt Trade Fair, Ambiente 2019 to be held during February 8-12, 2019.

• This was announced by Messe Frankfurt at a festive ceremony on the penultimate day of Ambiente 2018.

5. Jio Payments Bank begins operations

The Reserve Bank has said that Jio Payments Bank has commences its banking services from April 3.

• Reliance Industries Ltd was one of the 11 applicants which were issued in-principle approval for setting up a payments bank in August 2015.
• Telecom major Bharti Airtel was the first to begin payment bank services in November 2016.

6. MoU between Indian Army and HDFC Bank

A Memorandum of Undertaking (MoU) was signed between the Indian Army and HDFC Bank on the Defence Salary Package on 03 Apr 2018.

• The first MoU between HDFC Bank and the Indian Army was signed in 2011 and was renewed on 13 Mar 2015.
• The current MoU is tailor made to suit the requirements of serving soldiers, pensioners and families.
• Currently Indian Army has MoUs on Defence Salary Package with 11 public and private sector banks.

7. RBI drops Axis Bank from list of bullion importers

RBI has dropped Axis Bank from a list of banks it has cleared to import gold and silver in the current financial year that began April 1.

• Bank of Baroda, HDFC Bank and Bank of Nova Scotia were among the 16 banks allowed to import bullion.
• Two other small banks Karur Vyasa and South Indian Bank, were also dropped from the RBI list.

8. M L Srivastava appointed protem chairman of Lalit Kala Akademi

M L Srivastava, Joint Secretary (Akademies) at the culture ministry has been appointed as the protem chairman of the Lalit Kala Akademi.

• He will continue to hold the office till a regular chairman is appointed.
• On the recommendation of the Minister of Culture, the President has appointed M L Srivastava.

9. 21st Commonwealth Games to begin today

The 2018 Commonwealth Games, officially known as the XXI Commonwealth Games and commonly known as Gold Coast 2018, is an international multi-sport event for members of the Commonwealth that will be held on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia, between 4 and 15 April 2018.

• It will be the fifth time Australia has hosted the Commonwealth Games.
• A total of 275 events will be held in 19 sports.
• Opening ceremony will be held in Carrara Stadium.
• The official motto for the 2018 Commonwealth Games is "Share the Dream".
• Borobi was named as the mascot of the 2018 Commonwealth Games.