Current Affairs 3rd January 2017

Current Affairs 3rd January 2017 - Important Points

• Union Government launches mobile app for - Haj Pilgrimage
• British-Indian Cambridge professor knighted by - Queen Elizabeth
• India successfully test-fires - Agni IV Missile 
• Seeking votes on religious basis a corrupt act - SC 
• Who has been appointed as new UPSC chairman - David R Syiemlieh 

Current Affairs 3rd January 2017 - Details

Union Government launches mobile app for - Haj Pilgrimage

Among Important National Current Affairs, The Union Ministry of Minority Affairs has finally launched the Mobile App for Haj Pilgrimage. 

However, this app will provide information and facilitate e-payments for the pilgrimage. 

Also, this is for the first time that digital push has been given to the Haj application process. 

Without any doubt it is really a major initiative in the government’s ‘Digital India’ programme.

British-Indian Cambridge professor knighted by - Queen Elizabeth

Among Important International Current Affairs, Shankar Balasubramanian who is an Indian-origin British professor of chemistry has received a Knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II for his contribution to the field of science and medicine.

However, Balasubramanian, 50, Herchel Smith Professor of Medicinal Chemistry at Cambridge University, has been recognised for his work as a co-inventor of Next Generation DNA sequencing, and also described as the most transformational advance in biology and medicine for decades.

India successfully test-fires - Agni IV Missile 

Among Important National Current Affairs, India has successfully test-fired its nuclear-capable strategic ballistic missile named as ‘Agni-IV’ with a strike range of 4000 km as part of a user trial from a test range off Odisha coast. 

However, supported by a mobile launcher the surface-to-surface missile was flight tested from launch complex-4 of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Dr Abdul Kalam Island, which is formerly known as Wheeler Island, at about 11.55 hours, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

According to the sources, this was the 6th trial of the indigenously developed Agni-IV missile which met the mission objectives. 

Also, the last trial conducted by the specially formed strategic force command (SFC) of Indian Army on 9th November, 2015 was also successful. 

Seeking votes on religious basis a corrupt act - SC 

Among Important National Current Affairs, the Supreme Court in its latest verdict has held that election candidates cannot seek votes on the grounds of the religion, caste, creed, community or language of voters. 

However, the ruling was given by a 4-3 majority of the seven-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice TS Thakur.

It was held that if the candidate is found violating the order will result into call for his disqualification.

Who has been appointed as new UPSC chairman - David R Syiemlieh

Among Important National Current Affairs, Prof David R Syiemlieh has been appointed by the President Pranab Mukherjee as the Chairman of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) as per Article 316 of Constitution. 

However, he will take over all the responsibility from Alka Sirohi and shall remain the head of the organisation till his retirement on 21st January, 2018 or till further orders. 

Also, prior to this appointment he was functioning as a UPSC member from 25th June, 2012.