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Home , Ratan Tata, Sharad Pawar, Syed Rahim Nabi, Vinod Rai

Important Dates/Deaths/Awards

1. World AIDS Day observed across the country (1 Dec) NOTE:- i. A report of the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) released on Friday reveals

2. Nation pays tributes to Architect of Indian Constitution Dr. BR Ambedkar on his 57th death anniversary. The day is observed as Mahaparinirvan Diwas.

3. Dave Brubeck, the Renowned Jazz Pianist and Composer Died At 91

4. Human Rights Day is being observed across the globe on 10. Dec. On this day in 1948, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

5. Nobel Peace Prize 2012 Awarded to European Union (EU) Nobel Peace Prize 2012 was awarded to the European Union (EU) leaders on 10 December 2012 at Oslo, Norway. The award was given to the European Union leaders for the efforts in promotion of peace as well as human rights. The award was given despite criticisms from some. NOTE:- Around 20 European government leaders which included French President Francois Hollande, German Chancellor Angela Merkel as well as the Italian Premier Mario Monti, attended this ceremony in Oslo, the capital city of Norway. It is important to note that Norway, which is a country rich in oil, has rejected joining EU twice.

6. Pandit , the Indian sitar Maestro Passed away in California Renowned Indian sitarist and Bharat Ratna Recipient Pandit Ravi Shankar passed away in San Diego city of California. He was 92 years old

7. Pandit Ravi Shankar to be Honoured with Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award 2013 Organisers of the Recording Academy announced that Pandit Ravi Shankar, the sitar maestro would be honoured with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award posthumously. Pandit Ravi Shankar would become first Indian to receive the prestigious award. The award would be presented at 55th Grammy Awards ceremony on 10 February 2013 in Los Angeles. NOTE:- Pandit Ravi Shankar is a three-time Grammy Award winner. Pandit Ravi Shankar, 92 had passed away on 11 December 2012 after heart-valve replacement surgery in California

8. Bollywood Actress Hema Malini Selected for Bharat Muni Samman Famous Bollywood actress and Bharatanatyam exponent Hema Malini had been selected for the prestigious Bharat Muni Samman of year 2012 for her outstanding contribution to the field of art and culture. NOTE:- Bharat Muni Samman is named after the author of Natyashastra Bharat Muni and has been instituted by Bhubaneswar-based organisation Kalingayana Touryatrikam.

9. Uttarakhand’s 1st Chief Minister Nityanand Swami Passed Away The 1st Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Nityanand Swami, passed away. He was 84 years old and belonged to the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP). NOTE:- Uttarakhand Government had declared 3days' of state mourning as a mark of respect to the departed leader. 10. DAVP Received the Web Ratna Award-2012-Golden Icon Award Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity (DAVP) was conferred the prestigious Web Ratna 2012, Golden Icon Award for Innovative use of Technology. NOTE:- The DAVP Website http://www.davp.nic.in/ has enabled a complete change from the manual mode to the online mode where the media plans are made and released for the end users. The website with several user friendly features is the only advertising agency in the country which releases its designs, Release orders, payments online. The DAVP website has added a great deal of transparency to the entire system in its billing as well as other procedures which have not only helped the organisation but also its stakeholders. DAVP also keeps as much information as possible on the website for public scrutiny and information.

11. Bhanu Athaiya, First Indian to Win Oscar decided to Return Her Trophy Bhanu Athaiya, the first Indian to win an Oscar for costume design in the movie Gandhi decided to return her award to the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) in December 2012. Bhanu Athaiya fears that she might lose her trophy as the government might not be able to protect it.

12. Robert Amritraj passed away Robert Amritraj, father of tennis icons Anand, Vijay and Ashok has passed away. He was 91. NOTE:- Indian tennis considered Robert Amritraj as a father figure since he was instrumental in shaping the State Tennis Association and the formation of the Brittania-Amritraj Tennis Academy.

13. Nation celebrated Vijay Diwas with pride and honour Nation celebrated Vijay Diwas with pride and honour on 16th Dec.. On the occasion of Vijay Diwas, several commemorative functions were organised across the country to pay homage to the martyrs who laid down their lives in the service of the nation.This is the day on which defeated Pakistan in the war of 1971. NOTE:- Bangladesh also celebrated the 42nd Victory Day marking the historic triumph of the Indian army and Mukti Bahini over the Pakistan armed forces in 1971.16th December 1971 is the most important day in the history of Bangladesh. The day is also equally important for India as on this day Pakistan Army General AAK Niazi along with 93,000 soldiers surrendered unconditionally to the Lt. General Arora of Indian army.

14. Shahrukh Khan honoured with BrandLaureate Legendary Award in Malaysia 47 Years old Bollywood Actor Shah Rukh Khan awarded with the prestigious BrandLaureate Legendary Award in Malaysia. NOTE:- The award was given by the Malaysia-based Asia Pacific Brands Foundation for his contributions to the Bollywood film industry and as India's foremost brand ambassador.

15. Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram awarded with Best Administrator in India Award Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram awarded with the Best Administrator in India Award instituted by K. Karunakaran Foundation. The award was presented to him by Vice President of India, M. Hamid Ansari. NOTE:- The award is given to him for his role in evolving indian economy as Finance Minister in the late 1990s when he presented what was widely called a dream budget which gave a road map for economic reforms in India and lowered income and corporate tax rates. 16. Olivia Culpo crowned Miss Universe 2012 American Olivia Culpo was crowned Miss Universe 2012 at a gala ceremony in Los Angeles, while Philippines' Janine Tugonon was adjudged the first runner-up followed by Venezuela's Irene Esser. NOTE:- India's Shilpa Singh made it to the top 16 spot but failed to progress further.

17. Sahitya Akademi Awards announced Booker-nominated Jeet Thayil and Bengali novelist Subrata Mukhopadhyaya are among 24 authors selected for this year's Sahitya Akademi Awards, which was dominated by poets. Twelve of the 24 awards went to works of poets, which include K Sachitandandan (Malayalam - Marannu Vacha Vazhikal), late Bal 'Bhaura (Dogri - Tim-Tim Karde Tare) and Makhan Lal Kanwal (Kashmiri - Yath Aangnaz Manz). NOTE:- A Sahitya Akademi release says, 12 books of poetry, six short story collections, four novels and one each of autobiography and criticism were selected for the awards this year, two of them posthumously. The awards were given to books first published between January 2008 and December 2010. The award carries one lakh rupees, engraved copper plaque and a shawl.

18. Legendary Hockey player Leslie Claudius passed away Legendary hockey player and one of India's greatest Olympians Leslie Claudius, passed away in Kolkata after a prolonged illness. He was 85-years-old. Claudius was suffering from cirrhosis of the liver and frequently needed hospitalization in the past couple of years. NOTE:- Claudius had three Olympic gold medals - London 1948, Helsinki 1952 and Melbourne 1956. At Rome in 1960, he led India to a silver-medal finish.

19. Roger Federer Named Swiss Male Athlete of the Year 2012

Roger Federer, 31, the No. 2 of the world and 17 times Grand Slam champion, was named Swiss Male Athlete of the Year 2012. Federer received the honour for the fifth time. NOTE:- Earlier in 2012, Federer had grabbed the 17th Grand Slam title at Wimbledon Championships, London, while also reclaiming his No. 1 ranking in the month of July 2012. He also acquired top most position by the end of the season.

20. Marathi actors Anand Abhyankar, Akshay Pendse killed in road accident:

Note: Well-known Marathi actors Mr. Anand Abhyankar and Mr. Akshay Pendse were among three people killed in an accident on the - Expressway on Sunday last night.Mr. Anand Abhynkar had worked in number of Marthi, Hindi movies and tele serials

21. Ilayaraja gets Sangeet Natak Akademi award:

Note: Legendary South Indian composer Ilayaraja is among the nine artistes from the field of music who will receive the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for this year. Ilayaraja has been awarded for Creative and Experimental Music. Grammy Award-winning percussionist T H Vinayakram, Violinist N Rajam, who performs Hindustani classical music and veteran playwright Ratan Thiyam have been selected for the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowships

22. Actor Jack Klugman dies at 90: Note: Veteran US actor Jack Klugman, who had starring roles on television, Broadway and in Hollywood movies, died Monday at age 90 at his home in Los Angeles, according to news reports quoting family members.

23. Largest Kuchipudi dance performance in H'bad enters Guinness book:

Note: In Hyderabad, a performance by 5,974 Kuchipudi dancers has found its way into the Guinness Book of World Records for being the largest Kuchipudi dance. A representative of the Guinness Book, who observed the event said it was the largest Kuchipudi dance. The event was organised by Silicon Andhra, a cultural organisation run by US-based Telugus, at the GMC Balayogi stadium.

24. Oriya novelist is Jnanpith award winner of 2011:

Leading Oriya novelist and academician Pratibha Ray named for the prestigious Jnanpith Award for the year 2011.

Note: Pratibha Ray who has over 40 novels, travelogues and short stories to her credit, was on Thursday named for the prestigious Jnanpith Award for the year 2011. The award carries a cash prize of Rs. 7 lakh, a citation and a public felicitation. Ray will be the 47th author to be bestowed with the honour. Born in 1943, Pratibha Ray is one of the most widely read Oriya novelists and short story writers. She has 20 novels, 24 short stories, 10 travelogues, two poetry collections and a number of essays to her credit

25. Shihab Ghanem became the First Arab to receive India’s Tagore Peace Prize:

Ghanem was chosen due to the promotion of the human values of love and peace via his poetic works.

Note: Emirati poet and translator Shihab Ghanem became the first Emirati and Arab to win the Tagore Peace Prize. The award is given to one person every two years. He said he was led to poetry by his father, brother and uncle, who have each published their own verses. He had written 31 Arabic poems and 36 English poems and had published 45 books mainly in Arabic verse.

Tagore Peace Prize is instituted by the Indian government to commemorate the birth anniversary of India’s poet, philosopher and Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore.

Ghanem will officially receive the Tagore award in a ceremony to be held in Kolkata, India on May 6, 2013.

Awards and Honours won by Shihab Ghanem:

• Rashid Award for Scientific Excellence in 1989

• 1st prize for poetry in the UAE in 1984

• Book prize from the Ruler of Sharjah for poetry translation in 2003 and 2007. Ghanem said “Work for your first life as if you will live forever, and for your hereafter as if you will die tomorrow,”

26. General Norman Schwarzkopf passes away:

Note: Retired Army General Norman Schwarzkopf, who commanded the U.S.-led international coalition that drove Iraqi forces out of Kuwait in 1991, has died. He was 78. Schwarzkopf died yesterday of complications from pneumonia in Tampa, Florida, where he lived in retirement

27. Former England captain Tony Greig passes away:

Losses his battle with lung cancer in Sydney on Saturday…

Note: Former England captain and celebrated commentator (66) breathed his last at a hospital here after being brought in a "critical condition". In his 58-match Test career, Greig scored 3,599 runs and picked up 141 wickets. In 22 ODIs that he played, Greig scored 269 runs and managed 19 wickets. Greig turned into a successful commentator following the end of his playing career in 1977 and as forthright with his views.

28.

Business

1. PSU banks report 6,457 crore fraud cases in 2012 Fraud cases involving an amount of Rs.6,457 crore have been reported by public sector banks in 2012,. This was much more than Rs.3,850 crore reported in 2011, NOTE:- Chidambaram was replying to a question about scams that took place in banks. Indian Overseas Bank reported fraud cases involving an amount Rs.758 crore so far in 2012, followed by Punjab National Bank, which reported cases involving Rs.728 crore. On measures taken to prevent/frauds, he said, "RBI is sensitising banks from time to time about common fraud prone areas through issuance of modus operandi circulars on various types of frauds.

2. Infosys Decided Shifting Its American Shares From Nasdaq to NYSE Infosys decided to transfer listing of American shares of the company from Nasdaq to NYSE or New York Stock Exchange, which is partner of the Paris as well as London exchanges. The trading market of NYSE known as NYSE Euronext, enables the European investors trading easily in the American shares of Infosys through the European exchanges.

3. has de-allocate Bhatgaon coal block of Chhattisgarh According to the letter written to the Chairman of Chhattisgarh Mineral Development Corporation,(CMDC), the Shankarpur Bhatgaon - II and extension coal block allocated to CMDC is de- allocated. NOTE:- The CMDC formed a joint venture to develop this coal block with a based firm SMS Infrastructure of BJP leader . Sancheti is known to be close to BJP President Nitin Gadkari. 4. Cheque signature mismatch may lead to criminal proceedings: Supreme Court The Supreme Court today said, a person may face criminal proceedings if a cheque issued by him gets dishonoured on the ground that his signature does not match the specimen signature available with the bank. The apex court, however, said that in such cases, the account holder must be given a notice and an opportunity to arrange the payments before initiation of criminal proceedings against him. NOTE:- A bench of justices T S Thakur and Gyan Sudha Mishra set aside the verdict of Gujarat High Court which had held that criminal proceedings for dishonouring of cheque can be initiated only when the cheque is dishonoured because of lack of sufficient amount in the bank account and not in case where a cheque is returned due to mismatch of signature of account holder. 5. India Pharma Summit-2012 kick-started in India Pharma Summit-2012 kick-started today in New Delhi. Special Secretary in the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers V. Rajagopalan today said that government has proposed to open 3Jan Aushadhi Generic Drug outlets in coming years across the country in the 12th five year plan. NOTE:- Special Secretary in the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers V. Rajagopalan said there is a need to provide affordable and quality generic medicines to the people of the country especially to the weaker section of the society.WHO representative to India, Nata Menabde urged India to develop more generic medicines. Ms Menabde said WHO is a strong supporter of generic medicines as these medicines are easily affordable and accessible for all.

6. News Corp Decided to Split Into Two companies News Corp announced restructuring of the top management of the company. The company decided that the top management would split into the two publically traded firms. Consequently, there would be a new head for the British newspaper arm as well as Indian-origin executive who would be heading the publishing business' finances. great success in retarding the spread of HIV/AIDS in the country as the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) Phase-3 completes its fifth year next month. ii. There has been a sharp 57 percent drop in the rate of new HIV infections in the last decade, a fact also hailed by the UNAIDS, the United Nations' arm working to achieve the UN Millennium Development Goals of halting and reversing the epidemic by 2015.

7. RBI fixes reference rate of rupee for US dollar and EURO Reserve Bank today fixed the reference rate of the rupee for the US dollar at 54.5690 and the euro at 71.5 as against 54.9 a dollar and 71.7 a euro as on Tuesday. NOTE:- In a press release issued by RBI, the exchange rates for the pound and yen against the rupee were quoted at 87.9 a pound and 66.3 per 100 yen, based on reference rates for the US dollar and cross-currency quotes at noon. The reference rate is based on the noon rates of select banks here and the SDR-Rupee rate would be based on this rate. 8. Google India Partnered With E-Commerce Sites to Bring Cyber Monday to India In order to develop the concept of online shopping in India, Google India decided to partner with leading e-commerce websites to introduce the concept of Cyber Monday in the country. Titled as the Great Online Shopping Festival, it is slated for 12 December 2012. Some of the e-commerce websites that would partner with Google India include Snapdeal, Flipkart, Homeshop 18 as well as Makemytrip. NOTE:- India has more than 137 million Internet users. Significant growth is being observed in online activity. It is the first time that there will be an industry-wide program of such a scale. It would enable the entire country to benefit from the unbeatable deals which would be offered on the Internet. 9. US’ Export-Import Bank to extend $2.1 billion credit to US' Export-Import (Ex-Im) Bank has extended $2.1 billion credit to Reliance Industries (RIL), which will be primarily used to finance goods and services sourced from America for expanding Reliance's projects at Jamnagar. 10. SBI Announced Expectation of 4000 crore Rupees Equity From the Government (SBI), the largest lender of India announced about its expectation of infusion of approximately 4000 crore Rupees from the government in 2012-2013 fiscal year. NOTE:- SBI declared that this move would help it in ramping up the capital to more than 13 percent.

11. Sahara Companies Got 2 Months Time to Repay Investors’ Money The provided a relief to two Sahara companies when it gave them the time of two months till first week of February 2012. The two Sahara companies- Sahara India Real Estate Corporation (SIRECL) and Sahara Housing Investment Corporation (SHICL) are required to deposit 24000 crore Rupees to the investors. NOTE:- The Apex Court provided breather to the Sahara Companies when it declared that the companies can deposit 24000 crore Rupees, which was collected from the investors, in two installments with SEBI.

12. Adani Group completed Australia’s Largest Coal Mining Project in a Record Time Adani Mining, a global integrated infrastructure player announced completion of the largest mining exploration programme inAustralia in a record time of Nine months. NOTE:- For achieving this feat it had deployed a record number of drill rigs to drastically reduce the exploration time frame at the Carmichael mine in the Galillee basin of Queensland in Australia to nine months. 13. Suresh Vaswani Appointed As the New President of Dell Services Suresh Vaswani, the former co-CEO of Wipro was appointed as the President of Dell Services, the computer-maker. He replaced Steve Schuckenbrock, the former president of Dell Services. NOTE:- As per the new role, Suresh Vaswani is required to report to the chairman and CEO of Dell Services, Michael Dell. Suresh Vaswani apart from his role would also be responsible for IT delivery of Dell which includes 64 billion dollar Dell’s infrastructure as well as applications across the world.

14. Government authorises state governments to fix prices for sugarcane With farmer organisations protesting against implementation of Rangarajan Committee report on de-regulating sugarcane sector, the government has authorised state governments to fix prices for the produce.

15. Union Bank of India expects Rs 1,000 cr infusion this fiscal as part of recapitalisation plan also opens its 180th branch Union Bank of India expects Rs 1,000 cr infusion this fiscal as part of recapitalisation plan Union Bank of India today opened its 180th branch at new Motibagh area in the national capital. The branch has been opened under the Bank’s Nav Nirman transformation initiative, which aims at delivering superior customer services. Inaugurating the branch, the Chairman and Managing Director of the bank, D. Sarkar said that it is committed to provide better facilities to customers and has also started several special initiatives for the physically handicapped.

16. Sanjiv Goenka appointed chairman of BPO service provider Firstsource Solutions Sanjeev Goenka has been appointed chairman of BPO service provider Firstsource Solutions (FSL), which has been acquired by CESC Ltd through a wholly-owned subsidiary. NOTE:- Sailesh Mehta had ceased to be the Chairman of FSL but continued as an Independent Director.

17. New drug policy to cut cap prices of 650 common drugs Prices of 652 commonly used medicines under 27 therapeutic areas are likely to come down by 10-15% once the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Policy 2012 is notified, which is expected in a few days. The policy, which caps prices of essential drugs, was finalized recently after several twists and turns over the years. NOTE:- It will cover a wide range of drugs, such as anti-infectives (Cetrizine), cardiac (Aten) and gastro-intestinal medicines (Ocid), pain-killers (Paracetamol) and anti-diabetic drugs (insulin).

18. to buy 2000 MW Hydel Power from Bhutan Government of Haryana approached Bhutan to provide hydel-power to resolve the power crisis in the state. Haryana Government is supposed to purchase 2000 MW power from the country for which they have alreday finalised modalities regarding the purchase at the administrative level. NOTE:- Chief Minister of Haryana Bhupinder Singh Hooda is going to lead a high-level delegation to Bhutan from 14 December 2012 to 16 December 2012 calling for a significant step to make the state free of any power shortage in the coming days. Hydel-power is available at cheaper rates as compared to coal-based power plants. 19. Indian economy may beat expectations in 2013: Goldman Sachs India's GDP may exceed all expectations next year as there are signs that policymakers might spring up positive surprises, leading international fund house Goldman Sachs has said. NOTE:- Goldman Sachs Asset Management Chairman Jim O'Neill said that India in many ways remains the most complex of the four (BRIC nations), with its demographics giving it the best potential GDP growth rate, but its inability to introduce effective policy change is a persistent source of disappointment

20. Standard Chartered Bank to pay $330 mn to US regulators for Iran transactions Asia focused bank Standard Chartered expects to pay about $330 million to U.S. regulators as settlement for its failure to comply with sanctions against Iran, denting its full year profit growth. The payment is on top of the $340 million it has already paid to the New York State Department of Financial Services in the third quarter

21. Moyukh Bhaduri to take over as CMD of Hindustan Steelworks Public Enterprise Selection Board has appointed Moyukh Bhaduri as the New CMD of Hindustan Steelworks Construction Ltd (HSCL). NOTE:- Bhaduri, who now holds the position of Director Finance at HSCL , was selected from among 9 candidates on November 22.

22. Wipro Bought Singapore Based FMCG Company LD Waxson Wipro Consumer Care and Lightning (WCCL) acquired the Singapore-based FMCG Company LD Waxson for Rs. 790 Crore. NOTE:- It is being considered as the second largest acquisition by Wipro till date, Earlier Wipro had acquired Unza, another Singapore-based FMCG brand in Year 2007 for 246 million Dollars.

23. Mobile towers installation to touch 4,20,000 by FY'17: Report by Analysys Mason According to a report by Analysys Mason the Second generation (2G) telecom base stations, which are currently installed on 3,76,000 towers in the country are likely to increase to 4,20,000 by 2017. The future deployment of towers will be demand driven and not based on proactive deployment. The tenancies are expected to be driven by 3G capacity and 4G coverage with capacity in later years, and some 2G coverage in select areas,

24. RBI may hike NPA provision ratio if needed: K C Chakrabarty RBI Deputy Governor K C Chakrabarty has come down heavily on banks showing higher profits without providing adequately for bad loans, and said if need be, the central bank may hike provision coverage ratio (PCR) levels.

25. Government ready to disinvest 10 per cent equity in NMDC The government is likely to sell its 10 per cent equity this week in iron ore miner National Mineral Development Corporation Limited which could fetch the exchequer nearly Rs 6,300 crore at the current market price. NOTE:- The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on October 25 approved disinvestment of 10 per cent government shares in NMDC, amounting to 39,64,71,600 shares of face value of Rs 1 each to investors through "Offer for the Sale" (OFS) route, also known as auction route.

26. Trade between South Asian countries crosses $2 billion Secretary General of SAARC Ahmed Saleem has said, that the trade within the South Asian region has crossed USD 2 billion following the implementation of South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA). NOTE:- Regional efforts on poverty alleviation, food security and social development continue to make progress and devoting to the progress which South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) has made in the past 27 years.

27. Seed industry expected to grow by 53 per cent by 2015 Country's seed industry is expected to grow by 53 per cent to 10,700 crore rupees by 2015 on increased demand for high-yielding varieties to ensure food security. NOTE:- According to industry body Assocham, awareness about high-yielding varieties among farmers and public private partnership with a strong regulatory framework and collaborative research would be key measures to ensure smooth growth of the seed industry.

28. Telecom Commission approves subsidy for BSNL operations in rural areas Telecom Commission today approved a subsidy of 1500 crore rupees for supporting landline operations of BSNL in the rural areas. The move follows recommendations by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) that 2,700 crore rupees be given to BSNL as it operates in remote and rural telecom circles that are less profitable. NOTE:- Commission's Chairman and Telecom Secretary R. Chandrashekhar said the subsidy will be paid out of the Universal Service Obligation Fund without impacting fiscal deficit. The first part of the approved amount is part of the total proposed subsidy of 2,750 crore rupees for supporting rural landline connections installed before April 1, 2002. This will also lower the losses incurred by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited.

29. Govt ready for probe into alleged Walmart lobbying issue Union Government has said it is ready for an inquiry into the allegations that Walmart bribed Indian officials and lobbied its entry into India. Sharing the concern of the members, Parliamentary Affairs Minister informed both the Houses that the government is ready for a discussion on the issue. NOTE:- Both the Houses of Parliament witnessed frequent adjournments yesterday, the on the issue of Walmart and the on Reservation in promotions for SCs and STs.

30. Security and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) allowed 12 more Alternative Investment Funds Capital Market regulator Security and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) allowed 12 entities to set up Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs), a newly created class of pooled-in investment vehicles for real estate, private equity and hedge funds, in the last two months of October and November 2012. NOTE:- The 12 Alternative Investment Funds AIFs that were registered with SEBI since October 2010 included India Realty Fund, Dar Mentorcap Film Fund, Capaleph Indian Millennium Small & Medium Enterprises Fund and Capaleph Indian Millennium Private Equity Fund

31. Reforms improves India's growth prospects in 2013: Moody A flurry of reforms have improved India's growth prospects in 2013, global rating agency, Moody's said today. Moody's said in a report, that growth prospects have improved with a new finance minister, and a flurry of pro-business reforms designed to lift the economy. It said these moves are working.

32. Indian Economy Would Dominate the Economy of the World by 2030: US Intelligence Community Report US intelligence community in its report called Global Trends 2030: Alternative Worlds declared that India would straddle international commerce and will also dominate the economy of the whole world by 2030. This would happen with decelerating Chinese economy as well as declining West.

33. Banks to remain stressed next year too: Fitch Maintaining negative outlook on the country's banking sector, Fitch Ratings today said gross bad assets of domestic banks could reach 4.2 per cent of advances this fiscal and the asset quality could remain stressed over the next year. NOTE:- There is a risk that our initial gross NPA ratio forecast of 3.75 per cent could rise to 4.2 per cent this fiscal due to a more protracted downturn, the impact of which should be felt over the next three-four quarters," Fitch said in a report.

34. to become Chairman from Decemeber 28 Tata Motors today said it has appointed Cyrus P Mistry as its Chairman with effect from December 28 after retirement of group chief Ratan N Tata. The board also conferred on Tata the honorary title of Chairman Emeritus.

35. Government to auction spectrum held by telcos in 900 MHz band, says Telecom Secretary R Chandrashekhar Government will auction the spectrum being held by incumbent GSM operators in 900 MHz band whose licence are coming up for renewal in November 2014, Telecom Secretary R Chandrashekhar said 13th Dec.. NOTE:- They will, however, be allowed to hold 2.5 Mhz in each circle in the same band even after expiry of their licences after a paying a market-determined price.

36. New RBI norms likely to affect NBFCs' return on asset: CRISIL Rating agency Crisil today said the revised guidelines for non-banking financial companies could lower their return on asset by 0.25 per cent over next 2-3 years, even though the new norms would structurally strengthen the sector and enhance confidence of lenders in them. NOTE:- The hit on bottomlines will be primarily due to higher provisioning requirements on account of increase in standard asset provisioning and revision in recognition norms for bad assets.

37. Govt committed to protecting interests of Jute farmers & industry: Textiles Min Textiles Minister has said the Government is committed to protect the interests of jute farmers and the industry. Government raised the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of jute to Rs. 2,200 per quintal, a 32 percent hike compared to the previous year. NOTE:- Jute Corporation of India has already procured 2 lakhs 61 thousand bales of jute so far and is now ready to open more purchasing centres wherever necessary.

38. Inflation declines to 7.24 percent Inflation declined to 7.24 per cent in November from 9.46 per cent in the same month a year ago although prices of food items like potato, wheat, cereals, rice, pulses, edible oil and sugar went up during the period. NOTE:- Inflation, as measured by the Wholesale Price Index, had stood at 7.45 per cent in the previous month. Food inflation, as a category, rose to 8.5 per cent during the month, from 8.32 per cent a year ago. Vegetables prices declined by 1.19 per cent in November this year as compared to a surge of 10.68 per cent in the same month a year ago. 39. India Telecom 2012 conference held in New Delhi Telecom Secretary R Chandrashekhar has said that India is at the threshold of 3rd revolution in telecommunication. He said, the anticipated broadband revolution will revolutionize the socio- economy sector including health and information. Mr. Chandrashekhar was delivering the keynote address of the special session on ‘Critical Internet Resources and Way Forward’ on the second day of the India Telecom 2012 conference in New Delhi. 40. Economy likely to grow at 5.5-6% this fiscal: Rangarajan Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council (PMEAC) Chairman C Rangarajan said, the economy is expected to grow at 5.5 to 6 per cent in the current fiscal and the next year will see a better rate of expansion. Mr Rangarajan said, growth in the first half of 2012-13 has fallen to 5.4 per cent, from 7.3 per cent in the same period last fiscal. He expressed hope that the economy will do better in the second half and the manufacturing sector could grow. 41. ICICI Bank Opened 101 Gramin Branches across Villages in 6 States ICICI Bank, the largest private sector bank of India opened 101 distinct gramin branches or rural branches as the part of its financial enclosure plan. These branches were opened in villages which lack the banking facilities, across six states of India. NOTE:- All these gramin branches of the ICICI Bank would remain open for 4 hours per day and 6 days per week. These branches would offer banking services like fixed and recurring deposits, saving bank accounts, remittances, tractor loans as well as Kisan credit cards. Just like their current rural branches, ICICI will have at least 3 employees at the bank. Depending upon the business of the bank, ICICI might also make an addition of ATMs to a few of these rural branches. 42. Bombay Stock Exchange launched SME Platform Index aimed at Tracking Primary Market Condition Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) launched an SME index which primarily aims at tracking the current primary market conditions in the Indian capital market and measuring the growth in investors’ wealth over a period. NOTE:-The index is going to be constituted by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) which are listed on the BSE SME platform. Presently, there are 11 companies which are listed on the SME platform and this index is going to have features similar to the BSE IPO index 43. Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the Setting up of CCI Union approved the setting up of a Cabinet Committee on Investment (CCI), to fast track investment clearances for mega projects. The decision was taken in the Union Cabinet meeting held under the chairmanship of Prime Minister . NOTE:- Prime Minister will head the CCI and he will also nominate the members of the committee. The CCI will expedite projects offering single window clearance for projects costing 1000 crore rupees or more by setting timelines for the concerned ministries. 44. Union Government of India lowered the Growth Projection for Current Fiscal to 5.7 Percent Union Government of India today lowered down the growth projection for the current financial year 2012-13 from 7.6 percent that was estimated earlier to 5.7-5.9 percent. It also pitched for the supportive monetary and fiscal policies for improving the confidence of the investors. NOTE:- The projection was showcased in the Mid-Year Economic Analysis tabled in Indian Parliament. 45. Govt to provide cheap loans to more sectors: Anand Sharma Government is considering to provide cheap loans to some over stressed sectors other than SMEs to provide them a cushion against the global economic slowdown. Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma said that he has discussed the matter with the Finance Minister. He said the government would shortly announce incentives for export sectors which are facing the heat of global demand slowdown 46. RBI keeps key rates unchanged in mid-quarter policy review The Reserve Bank of India has decided to keep all the key rates unchanged in its mid-quarter policy review today. Repo Rate has been kept unchanged at 8 per cent. Cash Reserve Ratio has also been kept unchanged at 4.25 per cent. Bank Rate has also been kept unchanged at 9 per cent. Reverse Repo Rate will remain unchanged at 7 per cent. Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) will remain unchanged at 9 per cent. NOTE:- The Reserve Bank has said that in view of inflation pressures ebbing, monetary policy has to increasingly shift focus and respond to the threats to growth from this point onwards. The RBI has said that liquidity will be managed to support growth. GDP growth is evolving along the baseline projection of 5.8 per cent for 2012-13. The headline WPI inflation has edged down to 7.2 per cent in November, however inflation may edge higher over the next two months. The RBI will update its forecast for FY13 growth and inflation in the quarter ending December 31, 2012 47. LS passed Banking Laws Amendment Bill, 2012 Lok Sabha today passed the Banking Laws Amendment Bill, 2012 by voice vote. Key Points related to Banking Laws Amendment Bill, 2012:- The Bill was passed after the government agreed to drop Forward Markets Contract Clause which allows banks to enter commodity futures trading. The Bill paves the way for the RBI to issue new banking licences to private sector. Finance Minister P Chidambaram said, some of the smaller banks in public sector will be merged to make two to three world size banks. RBI will continue to be the regulatory authority for the banking sector and the Competition Commission of India will deal only with competitive practices. Finance Minister Government is committed to strengthening the public sector banks and there are no plans to retrench staff. He said plans are also underway to recruit over 84 thousand employees this year. The Minister said, 6 thousand Bank branches will be opened each year. Mr Chidambaram said, during this fiscal, 15 thousand crore rupees will be infused into the public sector banks. Referring to the non-performing assets of these banks, he said, no doubt it is a matter of concern but not alarming. 48. Conferred with the Title of Chairman Emeritus for Ratan Tata, the outgoing Chairman of Tata Group was conferred with the honorary title of Chairman Emeritus-the holding company of the 100 billion dollar Tata Group. NOTE:- The decision of conferring him with the title was made by the board of . Ratan Tata will retire from his office on 28 December 2012 and Cyrus Mistry would be taking over the chair of the group after him on the same day. Ratan Tata as an honorary chairman will not attend any of the board meetings of Tata Group and would also not have any responsibility towards the company. 49. Government tables mid year economic review in Parliament The government lowered the growth projection for the current financial year to 5.7-5.9 per cent from 7.6 per cent estimated earlier. The Mid-Year Economic Analysis tabled in Parliament also pitches for supportive monetary and fiscal policies to improve investor confidence. NOTE:- Besides, its says that the government will also have to address the concerns relating to structural supply side bottlenecks. Earlier RBI had lowered the growth rate to 5.8 per cent for 2012-13. 50. India, Malaysia share disappointment over GMR Male airport project issue External Affairs minister today said that Malaysia shared with India the disappointment over the termination of USD 511 million GMR Male airport project by the Maldivian government. NOTE:- GMR from India had 77 per cent stake while Malaysian government-owned MAHB held 23 per cent in the upgradation of Male International Airport project awarded by the previous Nasheed government in Maldives. 51. Fuel Supply Agreement - FSA between power producers and Coal India Limited- CIL will be signed Coal Minster said that Fuel Supply Agreement - FSA between power producers and Coal India Limited-CIL will be signed within a month to resolve the issues of coal supply to the power companies. A meeting between the Coal Minister and Power Minister was held in New Delhi to resolve various issues related to the power sectors and quality of coal.

52. UK Planned to Replace Paper Money with Plastic Banknotes Britain planned to replace the paper money with plastic banknotes, which are said to be more durable as well as waterproof. NOTE:- Another advantage of these plastic bank money has been used in Britain for over 300 years. The radical renovation in Britain might see polymer sterling currency in circulation in just three years time. 53. US based Food Producer Cargill India acquired Wipro's Sunflower Vanaspati brand

Detaisls: US-based food producer and marketer Cargill India on announced the acquisition of the Sunflower Vanaspati brand from Wipro. Cargill and Wipro did not disclose the deal value of the brand but as per the trade analysts the deal was pegged at 30-40 crore Rupees 54. DoT announces women helpline number '167':Note: Admist nationwide uproar over brutal gang-rape of a paramedic student, the Telecom Ministry on Monday announced a three-digit women helpline number '167'. For helping women in distress, Delhi Chief Minister requested (Telecom Minister) to allot a three digit phone number. "Though DoT has limited resource in respect of three-digit numbers, yet within two hours of the request, a three- digit number '167' has been allotted for Chief Minister's helpline," a statement from the Department of Telecom said

55. WB Govt. to organize credit fare for welfare of minority communities:

Note: The West Bengal Government has decided to organize credit fare in the districts of the state for the welfare of minority communities. The West Bengal Government has decided to organize credit fare in the districts of the state for the welfare of minority communities. Around 22 lakhs people belonging to minority.

56. Govt. hikes Wheat MSP by Rs 65 a quintal:

Note: The government on Wednesday announced Rs 65 per quintal hike in the support price of wheat to Rs 1,350 per quintal and allowed additional exports of 2.5 million tonnes of wheat from its godowns to clear surplus stock and ease storage crunch

57. Ratan Tata retires as Tata Group Chairman:

Cyrus Mistry appointed as a new Chairman...

Note: Veteran corporate leader Ratan Tata retired as Chairman of Tata Group Friday after successfully heading the group for 50 years. Tata, who turned 75 on Friday has handed over the reins of the group to Cyrus Mistry and appointed Chairman earlier this month. Mistry made a visit to the group’s headquarters today and will take charge of the new assignment on Saturday. Mistry was groomed for the assignment by Tata for a year.

Ratan Tata, who helmed the group for 21 years after being chosen successor by his uncle, the iconic JRD Tata, in 1991, is credited with transforming the group through bold decisions. During Ratan Tata's tenure, the group's revenues grew manifold, totaling to 100.09 billion US Dollars in 2011-12 from a turnover of a mere 10,000 crore ruppes in 1991.

58. National Water Resources Council adopts National Water Policy – 2012

Policy highlights the need for the conservation of water resources...

Note: The National Water Resources Council has adopted National Water Policy-2012 at its meeting held in New Delhi on Friday. Water Resource Minister said that there was broader consensus in the meeting on community management of water resources, climate change adaptation strategy and efficient use of water. The policy emphasizes on the concept of basin management to promote integrated resources of water management. Mr Rawat said that the proposed National Water Framework Law and river basin management Law would be drafted only after extensive consultation with States so that their powers are not curtailed

59. MS Sahoo appointed as Secretary of Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI):

Appointment will be effective from 1 January 2013.. Note: MS Sahoo, the former member of SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) on 27 December 2012 had been appointed secretary of the Institute of Company Secretaries. He served as the Joint Secretary (non-functional), Director and Joint Director in the Ministry of Finance, as the Chief General Manager with SEBI, and as Economic Adviser with National Stock Exchange of India Limited (NSE). He had over three decades of rich work experience in self- employment, private sector, public sector, regulator and government in varied functional areas such as reforms, policy, regulations, research and analysis.Before joining the ICSI, he was an eminent legal practitioner in the field of securities laws.

60. Security and Exchange Board of India(SEBI) appointed S Raman as Whole Time Member:

Now SEBI has three whole time members, including Prashant Saran and Rajeev Kumar Agarwal..

Note: Indian Market Regulator SEBI on 28 December 2012 appointed S. Raman as Whole-time Member of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). Prior to this appointment, Raman, had served as Chairman and Managing Director of Canara Bank from September 2010 to September 2012 and had also served as Executive Director of Union Bank of India from October 2008 to August 2010.

61. TRAI restricts Central or State government to enter into broadcasting and distribution of TV channels:

Note: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India -TRAI today recommended not allowing Central or State Government or any company or any entity funded by them to enter into the business of broadcasting or distribution of TV channels. It said that the arm’s length relationship between Prasar Bharti and the Government be further strengthened. TRAI has also recommended for taking such measures to ensure functional independence and autonomy of Prasar Bharti. An official release said the recommendations have been made following a reference by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting last month.

National

1. Supreme Court Issued Guidelines to Curb Eve Teasing At the Public Places Supreme Court issued certain guidelines in order to put a halt to eve-teasing. NOTE:-The state governments as well as the union territories are ordered by the Supreme Court to depute female police officers in plain clothes at the public places such as metro stations, bus stands, railway stations, shopping malls, beaches, parks, worship places, cinemas as well as public service vehicles. This has been done to monitor as well as supervise the incidents of eve-teasing.

2. Projects under NLCPR implemented in Mizoram: Ghatowar Union Minister for Development of North East Region says, Projects under NLCPR has been well implemented in Mizoram state. The State Government has completed 65 projects worth 393 crores rupees.

3. Former Karnataka CM Yeddyurappa sets to resign from primary membership of the BJP on 1 Dec 2012.

4. PMGSY norms relaxed for Assam to boost rural road network Centre has decided to relax norms for Assam so that it can get benefits at par with tribal areas and hill states for constructing rural roads under the “Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana”(PMGSY), Union Min said.

5. Haryana top among states in exceeding revenue mobilisation target Haryana has topped the chart of the states which have significantly exceeded revenue mobilisation target during the 11th Five Year Plan. NOTE:- According Planning Commission's latest report on state finances, Haryana mopped up Rs. 64,123 crore during the 5 year policy period which was 192 per cent of the targeted resource mobilisation in the 11th Plan. Majority of states have failed to meet the projected planned resources as collectively they could fetch only 92.5 per cent of target. About 8 states in the country including Haryana, Assam, Odisha, Karnataka, , Bihar and Arunachal Pradesh could mop up more than their targets.

6. Ranjit Sinha takes over as CBI Director Senior IPS officer Ranjit Sinha today took over as the new CBI Director and said he would lay special emphasis on addressing delays in execution of Letters Rogatory and improving forensic capabilities of the agency. NOTE:- Addressing the media after assuming charge, Sinha said he was aware of challenges facing the agency like shortage of manpower, delays in execution of Letters Rogatory and in the forensic field and would try to address them during his tenure.

7. Centre starts scheme named Ganga Action Plan to clean Ganga Central government has started a mega scheme named Ganga Action Plan to clean the river Ganga. One billion dollars have been approved from the World Bank to fund an eight-year project. The focus is on clearing large stretches of the river heavily polluted by industrial effluents and domestic waste. NOTE:- The accumulation of silt deposit, discharge of industrial effluents and domestic waste along the banks has worried the environmentalists along with the shrinking size of the river.In Kanpur and in Patna Bihar campaigns have been launched.

8. SC restores limit of 200 SMSes per day per SIM The Supreme Court has stayed Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT)'s order, which had quashed the sector regulator TRAI's circular limiting the number of SMSes to 200 per day per SIM. NOTE:- A bench headed by Justice G S Singhvi stayed the tribunal's order and issued notice to late 's grandson Aditya on whose plea TDSAT had passed the order. The apex court passed the order on an appeal filed by TRAI challenging tribunal's order and asked Thackeray to respond to regulator's plea within six weeks. 9. S.A. Ibrahim Appointed as New Director of Intelligence Bureau The Competent Authority approved appointment of S. A. Ibrahim the IPS (MP-77) as officer on Special Duty in the Intelligence Bureau and also as the Director for Intelligence Bureau for a next 2 years from the date he acquires his charge or till the next order that is is further sent. His tenure to the post of Officer on Special Duty in the Intelligence Bureau started from 1st December 2012.

10.NABARD to provide Rs 400 cr credit for Punjab dairy sector National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) would provide a credit of Rs. 400 crore to Punjab's dairy sector during the next 3 years to boost milk production and promote dairy farming in the state. Animal Husbandry Minister of Punjab, Mr. Sarwan Singh Phillaur, said in Chandigarh that NABARD has identified three districts Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Ropar for modernization and capacity building in the dairy sector. NOTE:- NABARD has decided to develop dairy sector as commercial activity rather than calling it as allied agriculture activity. Under the project milking machines would be provided to dairy farmers, milk coolers would also be given to both farmers and societies. Punjab's dairy farming has 9 per cent share in country's milk output with less than 2 per cent livestock of the country and per capita availability of milk in the state stood at 931 gram, which is highest in the country. 11.Union Govt. announced to spend Rs. 1000 crore in the current financial year to increase rice production in the eastern states Centre is to spend one thousand crore rupees in the current financial year to increase rice production in the eastern states. Agriculture Minister said the amount will be spent under the scheme called Second Green Revolution in Eastern India. NOTE:- Mr. Pawar said Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh are being advised to change their cropping pattern to maintain the quality of soil which is being adversely affected because of excessive use of fertilizers and over production of rice and wheat.

12.India ranks 94 in list of corrupt nations India was ranked 94 out of 176 countries surveyed in the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2012, with a score of 36 on a scale from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean) according to a report by Transparency International India (TII). Last year India ranked 95 out of 183 countries. NOTE:- The 2012 index ranks countries by their perceived levels of public sector corruption and assigns scores of between one (highly corrupt) and 100 (clean). While Somalia, North Korea and Afghanistan were the most corrupt countries with a score of eight, Denmark, Finland and New Zealand tied for the first place of the least corrupt with a score of 90. China had a CPI score of 39, which is better than India, while Pakistan's was 27.

13.Govt wins FDI vote by 253 votes against 218 in Lok Sabha The government has won the vote on motion against FDI in multibrand retail in the Loksabha. The voting came a shortwhile ago after two days of intense debate under rule 184. NOTE:- The motion brought by opposition parties was defeated by a margin of 35 votes. 218 members voted in favour of the motion while 253 against it. The discussion was initiated on Tuesday by BJP leader .

14. 11th Meeting of India-Canada JWG on Counter Terrorism held in New Delhi a. 11th meeting of the India-Canada Joint Working Group (JWG) on Counter Terrorism held in New Delhi. The meeting took place within the framework of the enhanced interaction in bilateral relations between India and Canada, and in keeping with the desire of the governments of India and Canada towards greater cooperation in counter terrorism matters. b. NOTE:- The next and the 12th meeting of the Joint Working Group will be held in Canada in 2013 on mutually convenient dates.

15.IAEA certified that all the 20 Atomic Power Reactors in the country are very safe Minister of State in the PMO, V. Narayanasami said the International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA has certified that all the 20 Atomic Power Reactors in the country are very safe. He said the certificate was given by IAEA after inspection by the officials of the Agency along with the officials of the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL).

16.Anti Collision Device for Railways developed by Hyderabad Based Firm Hyderabad Based Company, Hyderabad Batteries Limited (HBL) developed a new anti collision safety device which is path breaking technology in ensuring safe travelling and fewer accidents. NOTE:- The device is based on a combination of railway signalling data with radio communications, global position, radio frequency identification devices, software and logic.

17.Union Government of India cleared Decks for Ambedkar Memorial Union Government of India cleared the decks for transferring the prime India 12.5 acre United Mill land in Mumbai to the government for building a state-of-the-art memorial to B.R. Ambedkar. NOTE:- The Maharashtra State government is going to bear the entire cost of the memorial project and will henceforth take care of the land.

18. to be sworn in as Deputy CM of Maharashtra Former Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra Ajit Pawar is all set to return to Maharashtra cabinet, days after he got a clean chit in the alleged irrigation scam in the state. Ajit Pawar will take oath as Deputy Chief Minister at Raj Bhavan at 10 am tomorrow on 7 December. NOTE:- Pawar had stepped down as the deputy CM of Maharashtra on September 25 after his name cropped up in the state irrigation scam.

19.Parthasarathi Shome Appointed As the Adviser to Finance Minister of India The Union government of India appointed Parthasarathi Shome, the tax expert, as the adviser to finance minister P Chidambaram. Shome was appointed with a rank of minister of state and this also indicated his comeback to the Secretariat building after almost 5 years. NOTE:- Shome was also the adviser to P Chidambaram during the UPA-I. He was the working brain behind fringe benefit tax as well as banking cash transaction tax on the withdrawals of the cash. These tax policies were aimed towards keeping a check on black money which was a subject of sharp criticisms apart from the securities transaction tax.

20.Manmohan Singh and on the List of Top 20 Most Powerful People of the World Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh were named in the list of top 20 most powerful people in the world by the Forbes Magazine in annual power rankings. Enjoying the first position for the second year consecutively is the US President Barrack Obama. NOTE:- Prime Minister Manmohan Sign was ranked at number 19. Sonia Gandhi dropped from the rankings of 2011 to number 12 in 2012. Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani, the richest business tycoon of India as well as Arcelor Mittal CEO also appeared in this list. Ambani is ranked at number 37 and he outranked Mittal by various positions. 21.Life of Pi was awarded with two National Tourism Awards by the Ministry of Tourism Life of Pi was given two National Tourism Awards by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India recognizing the impact it has had in promoting India as a tourism destination, especially Puducherry and Munnar (). These Awards will be given to Ang Lee, Director of the film ‘Life of Pi’ and Yann Martel, writer of the book of the same name. NOTE:- The Ministry of Tourism identified Film Tourism as a Niche Tourism product. It has requested the State Governments and Union Territory Administrations to recognize the potential of Film Tourism and constitute special bodies/cells to facilitate filming in their respective States/Union Territories.

22.Abhay Chautala elected as New President of Indian Olympic Association Indian Olympic Association on unanimously elected Abhay Singh Chautala as its new president after it decided to go ahead and hold its annual general meeting as well as elections, despite being suspended by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which found the election violating its charter.

23.President's house Rashtrapati Bhavan now opened for Common People On the instructions of Union President it was decided to make the ceremonial change of guard of the President's Bodyguard open to the public every Saturday. NOTE:- Rashtrapati Bhavan will now host 200 public visitors at its forecourt for watching the ceremony. The ceremony that entails a series of military traditions — from bugles and bands to the horse-riding President's Bodyguard (PBG) is now going to have a new look as the drill will be conducted in the backdrop of the majestic dome of the presidential house from the earlier North Block.

24.Former CM of Karnataka B S Yeddyurappa formally launched Karnataka Opening a new chapter in Karnataka politics, former Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa today formally launched Karnataka Janata Party(KJP) and took over as its President at a massive rally here in North Karnataka.

25.Tajganj project to intensify Taj's security by U.P. Govt. Security of the Taj Mahal would be increased further under Uttar Pradesh Tourism Ministry's project to develop the slums of Agra's nearby Tajganj area. Separate set of CCTV cameras will be installed and a buffer zone created to ensure the safety of the monument. NOTE:- The slums of Tajganj are often seen as an eyesore on the canvas of Taj. The project comprises all-round development of the Tajganj area.

26.Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram Selected For K Karunakaran Foundation Award Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram was selected for K Karunakaran Foundation award for his brilliant administration. NOTE:- The award is being offered in the memory of renowned Congress leader as well as the former Kerala Chief minister K Karunakaran. It includes 1 lakh Rupees as well as citation.

27.ADB to provide $300 mn loan to Chhattisgarh for overhauling roads ADB to provide $300 mn loan to Chhattisgarh for overhauling roads by the ADB said, the project would include works such as expanding roads for two-laning, building new sections, construction and strengthening of culverts and bridges. The Chhattisgarh government will provide 128 million Dollars taking the total cost of the project to 428 million Dollars. NOTE:- Asian Development Bank, ADB, will provide a 300-million US Dollar loan to Chhattisgarh for overhauling over 900 kilometres of roads in the state

28.Telecom Commission approves subsidy for BSNL operations in rural areas Telecom Commission today approved a subsidy of 1500 crore rupees for supporting landline operations of BSNL in the rural areas. The move follows recommendations by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) that 2,700 crore rupees be given to BSNL as it operates in remote and rural telecom circles that are less profitable. NOTE:- Commission's Chairman and Telecom Secretary R. Chandrashekhar said the subsidy will be paid out of the Universal Service Obligation Fund without impacting fiscal deficit. The first part of the approved amount is part of the total proposed subsidy of 2,750 crore rupees for supporting rural landline connections installed before April 1, 2002. This will also lower the losses incurred by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited.

29.Union Government Introduced Bill to Amend Competition Act Union Government of India introduced a bill in Parliament to amend the Competition Act which, among other things, will require the Competition Commission to decide on corporate mergers within 180 days. NOTE:- The bill would also confer powers on fair trade regulator Competition Commission of India (CCI) to vet all M&A deals and also authorise its Director General to carry out search and seizure activities. Presently, CCI's Director General, upon authorisation by the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Delhi, has the powers to carry out search and seizure in any investigation. This is under Section 41(3) of the Competition Act, 2002. The Bill also seeks to amend the existing provision on abuse of dominant position to provide that no enterprise or group either jointly or singly shall abuse its dominant position.

30.Bihar received the Silver Icon Web Ratna Award 2012 Bihar's public grievance redressal website received the Silver Icon Web Ratna Award 2012. NOTE:- The public grievance redressal website http://www.bpgrs.in/ has been developed by the state government as an e-governance initiative and has various features for quick and transparent disposal of complaints. The complainant is also intimated on his/her e- mail about the action taken.

31.Vinod Rai Re-Elected As Chairman of UN Panel of External Auditors United Nations gave Vinod Rai, the comptroller and auditor general of India a second term as the designation of chairman of UN Panel of External Auditors for 2013. CAG of the UK, Amyas Morse was re-elected as the vice-chairman. NOTE:- Panel of the United Nations is the deciding body of the course as well as subject of audit of the different UN organisations which also include International Atomic Energy Agency.

32.Retail Inflation Increased to 9.9% in November 2012 Consumer Price Index (CPI) data released recently showed that the retail inflation increased for the second successive month to 9.90 percent in November 2012 mainly because of the increase in price of food products like edible oil, sugar, vegetables as well as clothing. In October 2012, the retail inflation was 9.75 percent and in September 2012, it was 9.73 percent.

33.Union Government Spent Over Rs. 1768 Crore for Its Own Promotion: I&B Ministry Union Government spent more than Rs. 1768 crore in previous 3 years for its own promotion, revealed the Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Ministry. NOTE:- I&B Ministry revealed that the Directorate of Audio-Visual Publicity (DAVP) spent a total of Rs. 1768.55 crore in publicity as well as advertisements in magazines and newspapers as well as on television. Most of the money was spent on newspaper advertisements with Rs. 375.31 crore from 2011 to 2012. Spending on newspaper advertisement in 2012 is Rs. 99 crore.

34.India's Foreign Trade in November 2012: Exports valued at 22299.63 Million Dollars As per the data released by Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry exports and imports during November 2012 were valued at 22299.63 and 41586.90 million US dollars respectively. NOTE:- The trade deficit for April - November 2012-13 was estimated at 129500.18 million US dollars which was higher than the deficit of 122638.35 million US dollars during April -November 2011-12.

35.India Successfully test fired Agni I Ballistic Missile India successfully test-fired it’s indigenously developed nuclear capable Agni-I ballistic missile with a strike range of 700 km from a test range off Odisha coast. NOTE:- The missile was test-fired under a practice trial by the Strategic Force Command of the Indian Army from a mobile launcher at about 8.30 am on 12 December 2012 from launch pad-4 of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Wheeler Island, about 100 km from Balasore, defence

36.Bollywood Actress Hema Malini Selected for Bharat Muni Samman Famous Bollywood actress and Bharatanatyam exponent Hema Malini had been selected for the prestigious Bharat Muni Samman of year 2012 for her outstanding contribution to the field of art and culture. NOTE:- Bharat Muni Samman is named after the author of Natyashastra Bharat Muni and has been instituted by Bhubaneswar-based organisation Kalingayana Touryatrikam.

37.West Bengal Cabinet approves land allotment policy, guidelines

West Bengal Cabinet approved land allotment policy and guidelines today. The State Commerce and Industries Minister Mr. Partha Chatterjee said that, land will be allotted to 14 big, medium and small scale Industries soon as per the new policy. NOTE:- Mr. Chatterjee said that, the Cabinet also decided to give one time assistance of Rs. 8,000 to the farmer for electrification of agricultural pump sets. Besides, sanctioning of loan from Rs. 10 thousand to maxinim Rs.45 thousand for procuiring of agri-equipment through Kisahan Credit Cards.

38.Assam Government Announced Special Health Scheme for People in Riverine Area Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that 50 riverine public health centres would be set up in the state under the National Rural Health Mission. The public health centres would be located primarily in the districts of Barpeta, Dhubri, Goalpara and Darrang. NOTE:- Government was in Process to implement several schemes under the health department such as 15 boats with process theatre facilities, including five boat ambulances under the 108 emergency schemes.

39.Promotion Quota bill: 18 lakh UP government employees go on flash strike About 18 lakh employees and officers of UP government today went on a flash strike boycotting work in protest against attempts at "forcible passage" of the SC/ST quota bill in Rajya Sabha, saying the stir will continue. 40.Union Cabinet clears Land Acquisition Bill The controversial Land Acquisition Bill was today cleared by the Union Cabinet, making mandatory the consent of 80 per cent of people whose land is taken for private projects. In the case of Public-Private Partnership projects, the bill makes mandatory obtaining of consent of 70 per cent of the people whose land will be for acquired. The bill was given the go-ahead at the Cabinet presided by Prime Minister Manmonan Singh. NOTE:- The bill was finalised by the Rural Development Ministry incorporating the suggestion of UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi who had asked the government to take the consent from 80 per cent land owners for purchase of land for the purpose of setting up industries and PPP projects.

41.Meghalaya Lokayukta Bill passed Meghalaya Legislative Assembly toaday passed the Meghalaya Lokayukta Bill-2012 on the concluding day of its 4-day winter session amidst walk out by Opposition members of the Nationalist Congress Party. NOTE:- Introducing the Bill, Meghalaya Chief Minister, Dr. Mukul Sangma termed the Bill as, historic, as it would provide for establishment of a body of Lokayukta for the State of Meghalaya to inquire into allegation of corruption against certain public functionaries.

42.RBI says direct cash transfer can help control inflation RBI Deputy Governor, KC Chakrabarty said in Mumbai that the Central Government’s ambitious direct cash transfer scheme will play a crucial role in reducing the fiscal deficit and controlling inflation in the country. Describing the scheme as a “power tool” the senior most of the four RBI deputy governors explained that the scheme if implemented well the scheme will have a positive impact on the inflation front and efficiency in expenditure will help reduce the fiscal deficit. NOTE:- The programme which is planned to be introduced in 43 districts beginning from early next year, will help in curtailing massive leakages and wastages in the subsidy distribution system. Initially 16 states will be covered by 1st April 2013 and the national roll out is planned till 1st April 2014. He also said that the programme will help in driving the financial inclusion agenda of the apex bank RBI.

43.India and Pakistan seal accord to ease visa restrictions The liberalised visa agreement between India and Pakistan has been operationalized by home minister Sushil Kumar Shinde and Pakistan interior minister Rehman Malik with the latter calling it a historic step forward for the peace process. NOTE:- The places of visit allowable have been increased by both countries from 3 to 5 and a provision made for issue of visa up to 2 years for persons above 65, nationals married to nationals of the other country and children below 12. Exemption from police reporting will also be offered to those arriving on a business visa and who have an income of above 5 million Pakistani rupee. Both concessions will kick in immediately.

44.Cabinet Committee on Security gave its nod to a Rs. 2,150 crore proposal on coastal security Cabinet Committee on Security gave its nod to a 2,150 crore rupee proposal on coastal security that aims at preventing any 26/11-type attack. NOTE:- Under the proposal, 5 offshore patrol vessels would be bought for the Coast Guard for Rs. 1,500 crore. As part of the proposal, Rs. 640 crore would be spent on setting up the second phase of coastal security network under which 38 radars would be established to create a near gap free electronic surveillance along the entire coastal area.

45. Economy likely to grow at 5.5-6% this fiscal: Rangarajan Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council (PMEAC) Chairman C Rangarajan said, the economy is expected to grow at 5.5 to 6 per cent in the current fiscal and the next year will see a better rate of expansion. Mr Rangarajan said, growth in the first half of 2012-13 has fallen to 5.4 per cent, from 7.3 per cent in the same period last fiscal. He expressed hope that the economy will do better in the second half and the manufacturing sector could grow.

46. Lok Sabha passed Supplementary Demand Grants for 2012-13 Lok Sabha yesterday passed the Supplementary Demands for Grants for 2012-13 and the relevant Appropriation Bills. This authorises the Centre to withdraw Rs. 30,804 crore from the Consolidated Fund of India. NOTE:- The country has a comfortable stock of 682 lakh tonnes of wheat and rice at present.

47. India Telecom 2012 conference held in New Delhi

Telecom Secretary R Chandrashekhar has said that India is at the threshold of 3rd revolution in telecommunication. He said, the anticipated broadband revolution will revolutionize the socio- economy sector including health and information. Mr. Chandrashekhar was delivering the keynote address of the special session on ‘Critical Internet Resources and Way Forward’ on the second day of the India Telecom 2012 conference in New Delhi.

48.Naina Lal Kidwai becomes first woman President of FICCI Naina Lal Kidwai took over as President of FICCI, becoming the first woman to head the leading industry body. NOTE:- Kidwai succeeds R V Kanoria of Kanoria Chemicals & Industries Ltd. Chairman of Xpro India Ltd and Digjam Ltd, Sidharth Birla, also has been elected as Senior Vice-President of FICCI.

49.Justice Arun kumar Mishra appointed Chief Justice of Calcutta High Court Justice Arun Kumar Mishra took over as the new Chief Justice of Calcutta High Court. NOTE:- Arun Kumar Mishra was earlier the Chief Justice of High Court. He was administered the oath of office by West Bengal Governor M K Narayanan.

50.Advocate R S Goswami Elected As the Chairman of Bar Council of Delhi Advocate R S Goswami was elected as the chairman of Bar Council of Delhi. Goswami has the career span of 25 years as legal practitioner in different courts. He was elected unanimously by council members NOTE:- R S Goswami has second term as member of bar council. From 2006 to 2008, he was the honourary secretary of the Bar Council of Delhi

51.Union Government launched Government Calendar Featuring Flagship Schemes Government of India’s Wall Calendar for 2013 was launched featuring various flagship programmes of the Government, which includes Aadhaar based Direct Cash Transfer Scheme to be implemented in 51 districts from January 2013 among others. NOTE:- The calendar is printed and designed by Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity (DAVP) of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, which has over the years worked on developing social advertising brand Bharat Nirman. The theme of the calendar is ‘Bharat Nirman- Sabka hit, Sabka Haq’.

52.Sonia Gandhi launched "Delhi Annshri Yojna" UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi launched a major food security programme of Delhi Government "Delhi Annshri Yojna". NOTE:- Congress president Sonia Gandhi today strongly backed the Centre's New Direct Benefit Transfer system that will ensure cash transfer directly in the hands of beneficiaries of various schemes, saying it is in line with many other "revolutionary" measures taken by the UPA.

53.Central Zoo Authority of India Approved Exchanging White Tigress against Puma Pair from Russia Central Zoo Authority of India approved exchanging white tigress from the Delhi Zoo against a pair of puma, which is also called cougar, panther or mountain lion, from the Krasnoyarks Park of flora and fauna, Roev Ruchey in Russia. NOTE:- This pair of puma would arrive soon from Russia. This pair would be among other foreign species such as South American jaguars as well as grey kangaroos which are nestled at National Zoological Park, New Delhi.

54.Union Government of India Extended ban on ULFA and NDFB Union home ministry in Month of December extended the ban on United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) and National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) under the Unlawful Prevention Act. NOTE:- The home ministry in a gazette notification announced that all the factions of the ULFA and the NDFB are banned under Section three of the Unlawful Prevention Act

55.RS passes bill for reservation in promotion for SCs and STs in govt. jobs. Rajya Sabha has passed the Constitution (117th Amendment) Bill, 2012 providing for reservation in promotions to SCs and STs in government jobs. 206 members voted in favour while 10 against it. NOTE:- The Bill required majority of the total members of the House and two-third majority of the members present and voting

56.WB govt.to start pre-primary education in all schools West Bengal Government is due to start pre-primary education in all Government and Government-aided Schools. NOTE:- State Education Minister Mr. Bratya Basu said that, additional class rooms for pre- primary teachings and appointment of pre-primary teachers are to be undertaken soon. He said that, the admission of students in these sections will be through lotteries. The education minister said that although admissions to the primary stage is going to be at 6 plus age of students, those who pass pre-primary before 6 syears of age will not be debared from admition to class one

57.Sharad Pawar releases book “For the Grains” written by KV Thomas Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar today released a book titled 'For the Grains' at a function in New Delhi. The book written by Food Minister K V Thomas is a compilation of 37 speeches delivered by him in recent years. NOTE:- The Book covers a wide range of issues including agriculture, food security, climate change, ayurveda, research and education in the country

58.Tamil Version of the Book "Still Counting the Dead" authored by Frances Harrison Released Tamil version of the book, Still Counting the Dead- Survivors of Sri Lanka's Hidden War authored by Frances Harrison was released on 15 December 2012. The first copy of the translated work was received by noted art critic and writer Sadanand Menon. NOTE:- This book reveals the unprecedented killings in the last phase of civil war-also called as Eelam War in Sri Lanka in the year 2009

59.LS unanimously passed Constitution Amendment Bill Lok Sabha today unanimously passed the Constitution Amendment Bill providing special provisions for setting up a separate Development Board for the backward areas of the erstwhile Hyderabad-Karnataka region in Karnataka state. NOTE:- The Bill seeks insertion of Article 371 J in the Constitution, providing equitable allocation of funds for development, promotion of employment and education in the region. The erstwhile Hyderabad-Karnataka region include the districts of Gulbarga, Bidar, Raichur, Koppal, Yadgir and Bellary. Both Houses of the Karnataka legislature had passed resolutions to provide special provisions to the region in 2010.

60.Government of Maharashtra ordered SIT Probe into Multi-Crore Irrigation Scam Government of Maharashtra ordered a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the matter of multi-crore irrigation scam. The announcement was made in both the legislative houses of the state. NOTE:- The SIT would be headed by the Dr. Madhavrao Chitale and comprise experts from law and judiciary and finance departments. Its deadline would be finalized by 31 December 2012. Dr. Chitale is a water expert and has worked for different commissions and at different capacities and served the Union Water Resource Ministry as its Secretary

61.Malaria cases in India to go down by 50 to 75 per cent by 2015, says World Health Organisation. A report by World Health Organisation (WHO), says, India will see a decrease of 50-75 per cent in malaria cases by 2015. The WHO's World Malaria Report 2012 said, a concerted effort by endemic countries, donors and global malaria partners during the past decade has led to strengthened malaria control around the world. It, however, warned that a significant slowdown in global funding of anti-malaria campaigns threatens to roll back the gains made against the preventable mosquito-borne disease over the last 10 years. NOTE:- In the south-east Asia Region, Bhutan, Korea, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand have registered decreases of 75 per cent or more in the malaria incidence rates between 2000 and 2011. The report said, India, Nepal and Thailand could also potentially move from the control to the pre-elimination phase by continuing their progress.

62.India Developed Indigenous Japanese Encephalitis (JE) Vaccine First vaccine of the world was developed against Japanese Encephalitis (JE) using the Indian strain of virus. National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune offered the strain of JE virus to Bharat Biotech. NOTE:- This JE virus was gathered from Kolar in Karnataka. Bharat Biotech had submitted results from final human trials to Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) so that it could have marketing clearance.

63.First of the Eight P-8I Maritime Surveillance Aircraft received by Indian Navy Indian Navy received its first P-8I Maritime Surveillance Aircraft at its facility located at Seattle, out of the eight that it would get from Boeing. P-8I would be armed with torpedoes, rockets and deadly missile with abilities to fight against powerful warships and anti-submarine warfare. NOTE:- A deal of 2.1 billion dollar was signed between India and the US Aircraft maker Boeing in January 2009 for procurement of the long range surveillance aircraft equipped with anti-submarine weaponry. This contract also included the option of having four additional aircrafts along with the intelligence and surveillance systems, training and maintenance support and warfare. The aircraft will arrive in India by May 2013 along with two more aircrafts expected to be handed over the Indian Naval team by the month.

64.India's uranium reserve pegged at two lakh tonnes India has a confirmed reserve of nearly two lakh tonnes of uranium at present. The reserves of monazite amount to one hundred seven lakh tonnes. NOTE:- Although the reserves of uranium in the country are modest, they are located in 10 States. Its highest quantity occurs in Andhra Pradesh with a reserve of 93,492 tonnes followed by Jharkhand with over 53,000 tonnes. While Meghalaya, Rajasthan, Karnataka and Chhattisgarh have substantial quantities of uranium, the rare earth is found in modest quantities in Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra and Uttarakhand. The Atomic Mineral Directorate under the Atomic Energy Department is the specialist agency to survey and explore the reserves of this vital component in generating atomic power in the country.

65.Nuclear capable Prithvi-II test successful India successfully test-fired its indigenously developed nuclear capable Prithvi-II missile with a strike range of 350 km from a test range at Chandipur near Balasore (Odisha). The surface-to-surface missile was test fired from a mobile launcher in salvo mode from launch complex-3 of Integrated Test Range. NOTE:- The launch of the sophisticated missile, conducted as part of operational exercise by the Strategic Force Command (SFC) of the defence services, was successful.

66. Re-elected as Gujarat Chief Minister; scores a hat-trick The BJP registered its fifth consecutive victory in Gujarat, third under Modi, when it bagged 115 seats, two less than in the 2007 elections while Congress bagged two more to finish at 61. The Nationalist Congress Party won two seats while Janata Dal-U one seat.

67.Virbhadra reclaims his throne in Himachal Seventy-eight-year-old Virbhadra Singh is an old war horse who could not be put down by allegations of corruption nor by infighting in the Congress as he steered the party back to power in Himachal Pradesh with a spirited campaign. The veteran may all be set to become chief minister of the state for the sixth time, setting a record.

68.India successfully test-fires Astra interceptor missile off Odisha coast India today successfully test-fired indigenously developed Astra air-to-air interceptor missile from Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur off Odisha coast. The beyond- visual-range missile was tested at 1.25 today afternoon from launch complext number 3 of ITR. NOTE:- This was a development trial of the missile and the target was an unmanned aerial vehicle which was flown from the same base few minutes before the launch of the missile. 69.Govt. of India to set up Real Time Water Quality Monitoring stations along River Ganga Government of India decided to set up 113 Real Time Water Quality Monitoring Stations along the river Ganga. NOTE:- The Environment and Forests Minister Jayanti Natarajn in a written reply in the Lok Sabha asserted that the Real Time Water Quality Monitoring Stations stations is going to be set up in the next five years which includes eight in Uttarakhand, 57 in Uttar Pradesh, 13 in Bihar and 35 in West Bengal to monitor the water quality in the river

70.Chhattisgarh the first state to pass legislation on food security Chhattisgarh became the first state in the country to bring legislation on food security. The state legislative assembly passed the Food Security Bill 2012 that confers legal rights to the beneficiaries to receive food grains and food items at highly subsidized prices. NOTE:-Moving the Bill, Chief Minister Dr. Raman Singh said, the legislation has got the most unique features that covers all sections of the society, including poor families, children, women and other vulnerable groups 71. Prime Minister approves new measures for the security of women: Details:Government today approved new measures for security of women in the national capital. Briefing media in New Delhi after meeting with Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde said that:Government to take immediate steps for amendment of criminal law for more effective punishment in rarest of rare case of sexual assault.

72. India Successfully Test Fired Air to Air Interceptor Astra Missile

Details:: India on 21 December 2012 test launched its indigenously developed beyond visual range(BVR) air-to-air interceptor missile Astraat the interim test range (ITR) at Chandipur in Odisha. The missile was fired from the launch pad number two of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

Missile Specification:

• Astra has the capability to intercept and destroy enemy aircraft at a supersonic speed and can be fitted into any fighter aircraft.

• 3.8 metre long, it is considered as one of the best of its kind in the world as it weighs about 160 kg and can carry explosive loaded conventional warheads up to 15 kg.

• It is designed to intercept and destroy enemy aircraft at supersonic speeds (1.2 to 1.4 Mach) in head-on and tail-chase modes.

• The missile uses solid propellant and can carry a conventional warhead weighing 15 kg.

• It can be launched from different altitudes and cover 110 km when fired from an altitude of 15 km, reach 44 km when launched from an altitude of eight km, and 21 km when launched from the sea-level.

73. Blackberry Smartphone maker Research-In-Motion (RIM) signed: Ranbir Kapoor as its Brand Ambassador

Details:The signing of Ranbir Kapoor is a move to attract young entrepreneurs and professionals, as the celebrity endorsement is an accepted norm in India in terms of youth and consumer association with brand. It is also the first time Blackberry had signed a celebrity in India as its brand ambassador

74. Karishma Kapoor Appointed Brand Ambassador of McCain Food:

Details: McCain Foods India Pvt Ltd, the makers of frozen French fries and potato specialty products, appointed Karisma Kapoor as its first brand ambassador in India. Karisma Kapoor is going to endorse the entire range of McCain’s Indian and International product portfolio.38 Years old Karishma Kapoor asserted that McCain is a great solution for women, whether working or homemakers.

About McCain Food:

McCain Food is the world's largest producer of French Fries and Potato Specialties It is Located in Florenceville, New Brunswick in the country of Canada. McCain Foods India is a 100% subsidiary of McCain Foods Canada. From year 1998 on wards McCain is engaged in agriculture R&D and in development of frozen food market in India and subcontinent countries. McCain products are used by leading fast food chains, hotels, restaurants, catering companies and are popular for in-home consumption.

75. Accreditation for all higher educational institutes to be made mandatory soon.

Details: Accreditation for all higher educational institutes will soon be mandatory. University Grants Commission, UGC, and All India Council for Technical Education, AICTE, are set to issue regulation guidelines by early next year in this regard. The Ministry of Human Resources Development said the regulations could be notified by as early as January

76. Telecom Commission approved 1500 crore Rupees subsidy for BSNL:

Details: The approval came in line with the TRAI recommendation which had suggested that 2700 crore rupees should be given to BSNL as operations in rural areas don’t generate enough revenues. TRAI had suggested that subsidy be given in two installments-1500 crore for 2011-12 and for 2012-13 1250 cr. rupees.The subsidy is going to be paid out of the Universal Service Obligation (USO) Fund. BSNL had demanded 2580 crore rupees per from the government to support its rural operations.

77. Virbhadra Singh to be Himachal CM for 6th time: Note: Virbhadra Singh, who successfully spearheaded the Congress campaign in the Assembly polls, will be the next Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh. 78-year-old Singh, President of the Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC), was named leader of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) by AICC General Secretary Janardan Dwivedi after his appointment was approved by Sonia Gandhi.

78. Delhi gang rape: Centre to ensure maximum punishments to culprits, says MoS Home Affairs: Note: Centre has decided to take steps to enhance punishment in rarest of rare rape cases even Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has directed Home Minister to ensure sense of security in Delhi and see that incidents like last Sunday's gang-rape do not recur.

79. Direct Cash Transfer Scheme in Puducherry from Jan 1: Note: Aadhar based Direct Cash Transfer Scheme will be launched in Puducherry from 1st January 2013. The Union Finance Minister Mr. P. Chidambaram will visit Puducherry on tomorrow to review the preparation for implementing the scheme

80. Hooda inaugurates Akshay Urja Bhawan in Panchkula. Note: Haryana Chief Minister Mr. Bhupinder Singh Hooda yesterday inaugurated “Akshay Urja Bhawan” constructed at a cost of 11 crore rupees in Panchkula . The building demonstrates energy efficient building design and green building concepts. It will house the offices of the Renewable Energy Department and Haryana Renewable Energy Development Agency (HAREDA).

81. Nation remembering former PM Charan Singh on his 110th birth anniversary: Note: The nation is remembering former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh on his 110th birth anniversary today. A ceremony will be held at his samadhi at Kisan Ghat in the national capital Delhi to commemorate the occasion

82. India’s first and unique cow sanctuary to be established in MP:

Note: India’s first and unique cow sanctuary will be established in Madhya Pradesh. State’s chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today laid the foundation stone of the Kamadhenu Cow Sanctuary at Salriya village in Susner tahsil of Shajapur district. The Forest Department will run large-scale fodder production scheme here while arrangements will be made in the sanctuary for manufacture of insecticides from cow dung and urine.

83. President to attend special convocation of BHU:

Note: President Shri Pranab Mukherjee will attend a special convocation of the Benaras Hindu University (BHU) in Varanasi on Tuesday to mark the concluding function of the year long 150th Birth Anniversary celebrations of its founder 'Mahamana' Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya born on 25th Dcember, 1861. Nepalese President Ram Baran Yadav will also attend the function. He will be presented with an of Doctorate of Law by the University.

84.Veteran Cong leader Virbhadra Singh sworn in as HP CM for sixth time:

Note: Veteran Congress leader Virbhadra Singh was today sworn-in as Himachal Pradesh's Chief Minister for a record sixth term in . The 78-year-old took oath at 10.40 am as the hill state's 13th Chief Minister in the presence of thousands of his supporters at the historic Ridge.

85. Justice Verma Committee seeks suggestions from public:

Note: Justice Verma Committee which has been constituted to look into the need for reviewing present law for speedier justice and enhanced punishment in cases of aggravated sexual assaulted has asked for suggestion from the public, eminent jurists, legal professionals, NGOs, women groups and civil society members through advertisement in newspapers. Suggestions can be sent on email at [email protected] through fax at 011-23092675 latest by 5th January, 2013. The Committee has to submit its report within one month from today

86. Inquiry Commission set up into rape case:

Note: Government today constituted a Commission of Enquiry to look into various aspects of the gangrape of the 23 year-old paramedic in a moving bus on December 16th. Retired Justice Usha Mehra will head the commission and will also suggest measures to make Delhi and NCR safer for women and identify lapses on the part of the police among other things. It will submit its report within three months.

87. Narendra Modi sworn in as CM of Gujarat for 4th time:

Note: In Gujarat,Naredra Modi was today sworn-in as the Chief Minister for the fouth consecutive term. Governor Dr.Kamla Beniwal administered the oath of office and secrecy to him at Sardar Patel Stadium at Ahmedabad. Seven cabinet Ministers and nine Ministers of State also took oath in today’s ceremony 88. Justice Swatanter Kumar took over as NGT Chairperson:

Note: Justice Kumar took over as the Chairperson of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) - the apex body constituted under The National Green Tribunal Act 2010. Justice Swatanter Kumar is the first Judge of Supreme Court of India to preside over the Tribunal that never had a full-time Chairperson for itself. He would look forward to the issues related to the cases of environmental protection and conversation of forests and the natural resources.

89. Rape trials must end within 2 months: SC:

The Supreme Court says, rape trials must end within two months as stipulated under law.

Note: A bench of justices Swatanter Kumar and Fakkir Mohammed Ibrahim Kalifulla gave their judgement on December 6th, 10 days before the Delhi gangrape which triggered nation-wide outrage with strong demands for fast-tracking of rape cases. The apex court also noted that in cases that come under section 376 (rape) and related offences under sections 376 A to D of the IPC, the CrPC stipulates that the inquiry or trial shall, as far as possible, be completed within a period of two months from the date of commencement of the examination of witnesses.

90. Bihar became the Fastest Growing Indian State between 2006 and 2010:

Bihar became the fastest growing state in India at 10.9 per centbetween 2006 and 2010

Note: As per the data released by the Planning Commission of India, after Bihar became the fastest growing state in India at 10.9 per cent between 2006 and 2010 while Gujarat’s growth rate declined to 9.3 per cent and it lagged behind Bihar and other four states- Orissa, Maharashtra, Haryana, Chhattisgarh in terms of growth rate. Bihar was the slowest growing state during 2001- 05 period with GDP figure of 2.9 percent whereas Gujarat was the fastest growing state between 2001 and 2005 with figure of 11 percent.

91. Kumbh Mela the greatest show on Earth: Study:

The study described the Kumbh Mela as an incredible event and the "greatest show on Earth".

Note: The Kumbh Mela, one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, to be held at Sangam in Allahabad early next year has been described as the "greatest show on Earth" in a four-year study. Up to 100 million people will gather on the shores of the Ganges to celebrate festival commencing on 14th January 2013. For four years the team of British and Indian researchers have been studying the event, seeking to understand how people treat each other, how they experience the crowd and what impact the crowd has on their everyday lives. They will present their findings at a special event at Allahabad University on 24th January 2013.

92. Kamal Nath Appointed as New Ex officio Member of Plan Member:

Kamal Nath will be replacing Jairam Naresh as New Ex officio Member of Plan Member.

Note: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s office on 26 December 2012 re-constituted the Planning Commission by appointing parliamentary affairs and urban development minister Kamal Nath as the new ex-officio member of the Plan panel. The other ex-officio members of the Commission, are Finance Minister P. Chidambaram, Agriculture minister Sharad Pawar, Home minister , health minister , Chemicals and fertilisers minister M K Alagiri, Communications ministerKapil Sibal & Law minister Ashwani Kumar.

93.4th World Telgu Conference held in Tirupati: Conference was Inaugurated by President Pranab Mukherje...

Note: President Pranab Mukherjee on 27 December 2012 declared open the 4th World Telugu Conference in the presence of thousands of Telugu-speaking people from across the world in the temple town of Tirupati of Andhra Pradesh. The purpose behind the conference is to give a new dimension and vision for the upkeep of Telugu, tracing its history and while naming prominent persons and their contributions and various literary movements.The event marked with the felicitation of 14 eminent Telugus.

94. N Railway makes history by connecting with Kashmir valley:

a. Kashmir valley connected with Banihal town..

b. Note: The history was made by the Northern Railway on Friday by connecting India's longest railway tunnel through the Pir Panjal mountain range, connecting Kashmir Valley to Banihal town passing through the longest tunnel in India.on Srinagar-Jammu National highway. An 11 Kilometer tunnel in this section has been completed with a cost of 1800 crore paving way for the completion of the prestigious project in 2017

95. 30% reservation for rural candidates in Assam Govt. jobs:

a. Note: Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has announced that "In order to achieve inclusive growth and facilitate decentralization, we are planning to bring to effect 30 per cent reservation in government jobs in all sectors to candidates from villages of Assam," from next year end. The Chief Minister also proposed a Rural Administrative Service in Assam and it will extensively and comprehensively administer at Panchayat level in all sectors.

96. NDC approves 12th Five Year Plan:

a. Strategy to achieve average growth rate of 8 pc during the 12th Five Year Plan (2012-17)..

b. Note: Country's apex policy making body NDC has approved the strategy to achieve average growth rate of 8 pc during the 12th Five Year Plan (2012-17), generate 50 million new jobs and increase investments in infrastructure sector. Planning Commission Deputy Chairman said: "We expect with the growth rate of 5.8 per cent this fiscal and little over 7 per cent next fiscal, and with extra effort in the remaining three more years we can reach 8 per cent.

97. Delhi gang-rape victim passes away !

a. The body of the girl is likely to be flown back to India tonight for last rites…

b. Note: The 23-year-old girl, who was gang-raped and brutally assaulted in a Delhi bus nearly a fortnight ago, died at a hospital in Singapore early Saturday. Victim died due to multiple organ failure and severe injuries to her brain and body at Mount Elizabeth hospital in Singapore at 2:15am (IST). The hospital chief executive officer Dr Kelvin Loh said: “We are very sad to report that the patient passed away peacefully, her family and officials from the High Commission of India were by her side. Indian High Commissioner in Singapore T.C.A. Raghavan told that the parents of the girl have requested to make arrangements for sending her body to India. He said the final few hours were a trying time for the girl's family and they bore the entire process with a great deal of fortitude and courage.

98. UN chief expresses sorrow at death of Delhi gang-rape victim:

a. Girl body was cremated in Delhi on Sunday morning…

b. Note: UN chief Ban Ki-moon has voiced "deep sorrow" at the death of the 23-year-old Delhi gang-rape victim, asking the Indian government to implement reforms to deter such crimes and bring the perpetrators to justice. He said "Violence against women must never be accepted, never excused, never tolerated. Every girl and woman has the right to be respected, valued and protected”.

c. Millions of Indians held candle-light vigils and protests demanding immediate action from the government to punish perpetrators of the heinous crime and strengthen laws that deal with violence against women

99. Name of interview board members can't be revealed under RTI: Supreme Court

a. It would endanger their lives, to expose the members of the interview board: SC...

b. Note: The Supreme Court has ruled that the names of the members of an interview board, set up to select candidates for government jobs, cannot be divulged under the RTI Act as it might endanger their lives. "The disclosure of names and addresses of the members of the interview board would ex facie endanger their lives or physical safety. The possibility of a failed candidate attempting to take revenge from such persons cannot be ruled out," a bench of justices Swatanter Kumar and S J Mukhopadhaya said. The apex court set aside the order of the Patna High Court which had directed Bihar Public Service Commission to reveal the names and addresses of the members of the interview board which had cleared the names of candidate for job in Police Laboratory in Crime Investigation Department of the state.

100. Srinivasa Ramanujan's cryptic theory proved right:

a. Ramanujan theory on behaviour of black holes finally proved…

b. Note: Indian maths genius Srinivasa Ramanujan’s cryptic deathbed theory which he claimed was conceived in his dreams was finally proved by American scientist in the month of November. In 1920, while on his death-bed, Ramanujan wrote a letter to his mentor, English mathematician G H Hardy, outlining several new mathematical functions never heard of before, along with a hunch about how they worked. Quoting the Researchers report the Daily Mail newspaper reported that Mr. Ramanujan was right and that the formula could explain the behaviour of black holes. Researchers say they have solved the problems from his last mysterious letters. The findings were presented in November at a Ramanujan conference held at the University of Florida, ahead of the 125th anniversary of the Ramanujan 's birth on 22 December.

101. 14th North East Book Fair opens in :

a. Fair is dedicated to Poet Hiren Bhattacharya…

b. Note: In Assam, the 14th North East Book Fair has begun today in Guwahati organised by All Assam Book Publishers and Sellers Association. A total of 135 publishing houses from across the country have taken part in the North -East book fair .The organizer said that 254 stalls have been set up and fair will be concluded on 10th January 2013

102. Direct cash transfer scheme set to roll out from tomorrow:

Scheme rolls out in 20 districts from tomorrow…

Note: The Direct Benefit Transfer system will be implemented in seven schemes such as scholarships and old age pensions from Jan 1. A total of 26 schemes will be covered under it. Chidambaram said "The scheme will be rolled out in 11 more districts on Feb 1 and 12 more districts will join on March 1," and the scheme would be implemented in all the districts of the country by the end of 2013. He added that ‘the government has no intention to provide cash subsidy for food, fertiliser and petroleum products’.

103. Delhi Government launches 181 helpline for Delhi women:

Note: The helpline was announced in the wake of the recent gang rape incident in the national capital. The helpline number 181 for women in distress in Delhi Chief Minister’s office, has become operational. The toll free number, which can be dialed from landline and mobile phones, will be connected with all the police stations across the city.

104. Nagaland gets new Chief Secretary & DGP:

Note: Nagaland gets new Chief Secretary and Director General of Police on the New Year day as the incumbents retire today. Additional Chief Secretary Alemtemshi Jamir, a Nagaland Cadre IAS of 1977 batch, is the new Chief Secretary while B Kezo, Director General of Civil Defence, replaces incumbent O Alem as DGP of Nagaland.

Sports

1. Tennis: Serena named WTA Player of the Year. Serena Williams has been named WTA Tour Player of the Year for the fourth time after winning Wimbledon, the US Open and Olympic gold in a stunning summer of success. 2. The 10th edition of World Junior Table Tennis Championship will be held in Hyderabad in mid Decmber.

3. Ravindra Jadeja becomes first Indian batsman to hit three triple centuries in first-class Ravindra Jadeja became the first Indian batsman and only the 8th in the first-class history to hit 3 triple-centuries as his career-best unbeaten 320 helped Saurashtra reach a mammoth 534 for six against the Railways in a Ranji Trophy Group A match, in Rajkot today. NOTE:- Jadeja, who had smashed 303 in the first match of the season against Gujarat, scored his second triple ton and third overall to become the only Indian cricketer to achieve such a feat.

4. Third World Cup tournament begins in Bathinda The third World Cup Kabaddi -2012 was declared open by Punjab Chief Minister at the Multipurpose Stadium in Bathinda. NOTE:- As many as 16 men's teams and 7 women squad from all six continents of the world have descended on the heartland of Malwa as Punjab witnessed biggest ever sports extravaganza in the gala but somber opening of World Cup Kabaddi -2012.

5. World Squash rankings: Pallikal becomes 1st Indian to come under top 10 Squash ace Dipika Pallikal has become the first Indian to break into the top 10 of the world rankings. NOTE:- Pallikal jumped three places to be ranked 10th by the Women's International Squash Players Association with 5175.75 points. She was also the first Indian woman to break into the top 20 in the WSA rankings.

6. Srinagar hosting international cycling event- Tour de India In Srinagar, an international cycle event "Tour de India" is underway on the banks of world famous Dal lake. Nearly 140 athletes are participating in the event which is being held in Kashmir valley for the first time. The state Chief Minister and the Sports Minister flagged off these cyclists at Royal Spring Golf Course. The event will conclude by afternoon today.

7. IOC suspends IOA for violating Olympic charter International Olympic Committee (IOC), on Tuesday suspended the Indian Olympic Association (IOA). The decision was taken in the Executive Board meeting in Lausanne. NOTEi:- The decision was largely expected after the IOA decided to go ahead with the elections on Wednesday under the government's Sports Code, defying the IOC's diktat to hold the polls under the Olympic Charter. IOA went ahead saying they were bound by the Delhi High Court order. NOTE ii:- The suspension means that the IOA will stop receiving IOC funding and its officials will be banned from attending Olympic meetings and events. India's athletes will be barred from competing in Olympic events under their national flag, but they can participate under the IOC banner.

8. Graeme Mcdowell of Northern Ireland Won World Challenge Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland ended his two-year wait of winning the tournament on 2 December 2012 with his three-shot victory in World Challenge which was hosted by Tiger Woods. NOTE:- McDowell had last won in 2010 season in which he captured the victory in US Open but since then, he hasn’t won anywhere.

9. Kobe Bryant Became Youngest Player in the History of NBA to Reach 30000 Career Points NBA (basketball) on 5 December 2012. 10. England Cricket Captain Alastair Cook became the youngest Batsman to score 7000 Runs England Cricket team captain Alastair Cook claimed his place among the cricketing greats when he set an England record for the most Test centuries and became the youngest player in the long history of the game to pass 7000 runs. NOTE:- The 27 years old Alastair Cook scored his 23rd Test hundred to leave England closing in on a rare series win in India.

11. Government de-recognised the Indian Amateur Boxing Federation Union government of India de-recognised the Indian Amateur Boxing Federation and the Archery Association of India. The government took this step in the interest of sportspersons. NOTE:- Earlier, the International Boxing Association (AIBA) had suspended the Indian Amateur Boxing Federation, IABF alleging possible manipulation in its recent elections. However, the IABF has denied the charge, insisting that the process was transparent.

12. India lose bronze to rivals Pak in Champions Trophy India will once again return empty-handed from the Champions Trophy after losing 2-3 in the bronze medal play-off against arch-rivals Pakistan, who walked away with their first medal in the event in 8 years.

13. Australia Won Hockey Champions Trophy for the 5th Consecutive Year At the Champions Trophy 2012, Australia won once again, adding to fifth victory consecutively after it earned a 2-1 win in a match against Netherlands in Melbourne. For the Netherlands, it was silver medal with the silver lining. The bronze was claimed by Pakistan after they beat India 3-2 on a match.

14. Lionel Messi set the Record for most Goals in a Calendar Year Lionel Messi, the renowned soccer player set the record for most goals in a calendar year by scoring his 86th goal of 2012. He set the record while scoring the winning goal against Real Betis. Messi's record included 12 for Argentina and 74 goals for Barcelona in 66 games. The earlier record was made by Gerd Mueller who had scored 85 goals in 1972 which included 72 goals for his club Bayern Munich and 13 for his country West Germany.

15. India at third place in latest T-20 ranking In the latest T-20 ranking released by ICC, India occupy third place with 120 points. Sri Lanka retains the number one position with 127 points followed by West Indies. NOTE:- Among Indian players, Suresh Raina figures at number 5 among the batsmen while New Zealand’s Brendan McCallum is at number 1. Among the bowlers Pakistan’s Saeed Ajmal leads the pack followed by Dale Steyn. Shane Watson is the best all rounder in T-20 format. No Indian figures in top 10 list of bowlers and all rounders.

16. 5 wrestlers suspended for testing positive during Senior National Wrestling Championship 5 wrestlers which also include four medalists were tested positive on banned substances during Senior National Wrestling Championship at Gonda, Uttar Pradesh which was held from 8 November 2012 to 11 November 2012. NOTE:- All 5 wrestlers were provisionally suspended while they have pending hearing against them. All these wrestlers agreed to B Sample testing which would be conducted soon. 17. India bags Kabaddi World Cup in both Men's, Women's category India has won the 3rd World Cup Kabaddi Tournament for the third consecutive time in Men’s category and second consective time in Women’s category. NOTE:- Indian men thrahsed its arch rival Pakistan with a decisive margin of 59-22 points whereas, Indian eves out scored Malaysia by 72-12. Both the finals were played at Guru Nanak Dev Stadium in Ludhiana.

18. Arunachal Weightlifter Jimjang Deru creates National Record Arunachal weightlifter Jimjang Deru brought laurels to the state by creating three New National Record in the ongoing 8th Youth National Weightlifting Championship at Nehru stadium, New Delhi. NOTE:- He broke the previous record of Sukhen Dey set in 2005 during Bhilai Youth National Weightlifting Championships by lifting one kg more weight. Dey was the lone Indian male weightlifter in 2012 London Olympics. Deru lifted a total of 193 kg (snatch 86 kg + Clean and Jerk 107 kg) to win three gold medals.

19. Gurbani regains All India Ladies Golf Title Rising golfer Gurbani Singh regained the Usha All India Ladies Matchplay title after a gap of 3 years. 16-year old Gurbani outplayed Gursimar Badwal in the final of the National Championships in Kolkata today. The contest was to be played over 36 holes, but ended in just 27. Gurbani emerged a victor by 10 & 9. NOTE:- By winning the title, Gurbani underlined her status as the top amateur in the country. 3 years back, she had become the youngest to win the All India Ladies title for the first time. The Trophy for the Championships, which was being held for the 96th time, was given away by Indian women's boxing legend and Olympic bronze-medallist M C .

20. World Series Boxing: Afghanistan wins 2 bronze medals Afghanistan has won two bronze medals in the World Series Boxing tournament in Kazakhstan yesterday. NOTE:- Afghan boxer Rezaye reached quarter finals of the tournament defeating his Chinese and Kazakh rivals in the qualifying rounds before he was defeated by another Kazakh boxer. In women’s category Afghan female boxer Sadaf Rahimi received an honorary bronze medal for her performance in the tournament.

21. India retain No.5 spot in ICC Test rankings Despite losing to England 1-2 in the home Test series, India retained their number five position as per the latest ICC Test Championship rankings issued Dubai today. India, however, dropped a ratings point to 105, and are now four-points behind arch-rival Pakistan who are placed at the fourth position

22. Junior World TT Championship: China Claimed All Titles China got the clean sweep of titles at Volkswagen 2012 World Junior Table Tennis Championship after it won girls as well as boys trophies. NOTE:- In the second week of December 2012, China had won girls’ and boys’ team titles

23. India Lost the Test Series by 1-2 after Nagpur Test ended as a Draw The last test match between India and England of the Tournament England Tour to India ended up as a draw and with this India lost the four-test match cricket series against England by 1-2 on 17 December 2012. NOTE:- With this win England succeeded in ending a 28 year long wait of winning a test series on Indian Soil. Before this the English side under the captaincy of David Gower won the test series in India 1984-85.

24. AIFF appointed a Probe Panel with Retired Judge A.K. Ganguly as its One-man Committee All India Football Federation in the third week of December 2012 appointed A.K. Ganguly, the retired Judge of Supreme Court and Chairperson of the West Bengal Human Rights Commission, as the one-man committee for probing into and make a decision about the fate of the abandoned 10th round I-League match between the Mohun Bagan and East Bengal. NOTE:- Mohun Bagan decided not to play the second half of the match and abandoned it after one of its players was hit by a stone from the stands in first half of the match on 9 December 2012 after a violence erupted in the gallery, when the Okolie Odafa, Captain of the West Bengal team was shown red card.

25. Eoin Morgan's stunning blow gives England dramatic T20 win over India:

26. Details:India had set the victory target of 178 runs for England but England Eoin Morgan played a match-winning innings of 49 not out and Morgan made sure, giving England victory by six wickets, which sounds an emphatic win.Man of the Match - Eoin Morgan. England won by 6 wkts.

27. announces retirement from ODI cricket:Note: One of the game's all-time greats, Sachin Tendulkar, on Sunday announced his retirement from one-day cricket, bringing to an end a glorious 23-year-old career in the format during which he rewrote numerous batting records. I have decided to retire from the One-Day format of the game. I feel blessed to have fulfilled the dream of being part of a World Cup wining Indian team. The preparatory process to defend the World Cup in 2015 should begin early and in right earnest," the 39-year-old said in a statement released by the BCCI on Sunday.

28. National Squash Champ: Saurav Ghosal wins Men's title; Joshna Chinappa bags women's title:

Note: Saurav Ghosal reigned supreme, winning the men's titles in the60th National Squash Championship in Kolkata on Sunday. The world number 11, Ghosal faced little resistance from second seed Harinder Pal Sandhu to wrap the issue, 11-5, 11-4, 11-3 in 33 minutes.

29. Shreyasi & Sushma Singh win Gold in 56th National Shooting Championship:

Note: Shreyasi Singh and Sushma Singh have won gold medals in the 56th National Shooting Championship being played in New Delhi. Shreyasi of Bihar shot 88 in women's double trap for the coveted medal. Sushma from Uttrakhand won the gold medal in sports pistol event after she shot 580 + 200.5

30. IOA suspended officials barred from participating in OCA events Olympic Council of Asia has barred officials of the suspended Indian Oympic Association from participating in OCA events. However, it said "as a special case" Indian atheltes will be allowed to take part in the OCA Games, including the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon under the IOC flag. NOTE:- The OCA's decision came in the wake of the suspension imposed on IOA by the International Olympic Committee earlier this month 31. Clarke breaks Ponting record:

Captain Michael Clarke became Australia's highest run scorer in a calendar year

Note: Clarke breaks 's previous national record of 1,544 runs and went on to score 106 to continue his stellar 2012 as a heavy defeat loomed for the hapless Sri Lankans.

32. Asian Champions Trophy Hockey: Pakistan defeat India 5-4 in final:

India failed to defend their Men's Asian Champions Trophy Hockey title...

Note: In the final match of the second edition of the event at Doha, the Sardar Singh-led Indian team lost to arch-rivals Pakistan, 4-5 and settled for the silver medal.

33. World Tennis Champ: Djokovick to take on Nicolas in the finals:

In semi final Novak Djokovick defeated David Ferrer 6-0,6-3 in straights sets…

Note: Defending champion and World Number 1 Novak Djokovick will take on Spaniard Nicolas Almagro in the final of Abu Dhabi World Tennis Championship final today. This is the last tennis tournament of 2012.

34. Mahaveer Singh and Tejaswini Sawant Bagged Gold in National Shooting Championship:

Note; In the category called standard-pistol, Mahaveer Singh shot 569 to get hold of the prestigious prize . In 3-position women’s event, Tejaswini Sawant shot 581 + 98.2 for the gold. ONGC’s Amanpreet Singh shot 580 + 99.5 to secure gold in the men’s air pistol. The silver was grabbed by Army’s Jitu Rai scoring 579 + 100. Karnataka’s P N Prakash was the one to win bronze with 580 + 98.4 score.

35. Indian I-League football Club Mohun Bagan banned for 2 Years:

123-year-old club, withdrawn from the current I-League season…

Note: Iconic football club Mohun Bagan was on Saturday handed a two-year ban from the I- League by the All India Football Federation for abandoning the violence-marred derby match against East Bengal on December 9. Justice Ganguly in his report concluded that the decision of Mcdowell Mohun Bagan (MMB) for not playing the match after the interval cannot be supported on the grounds of Force Majeure and accordingly MMB has breached Regulation 22 of the I- League Regulation 2012-2013.In effect, this season will have 13 teams now.

About Mohun Bagan Football Club:

Founded in 1889, Mohun Bagan is the oldest football club in India. • It is the first Indian club to win the IFA Shield final, in 1911, beating East Yorkshire Regiment. • It have won the erstwhile National Football League thrice — in 1997-98, 1999-2000, 2001-02 — and their best performance in the re-christened I-League has been a runner-up finish in 2008-09.

36. World No 1, Djokovick retains Abu Dhabi World Tennis title:

Note: World Number 1 and the defending champion Novak Djokovick has retained Abu Dhabi World Tennis Championship title beating Spaniard Nicolas Almagro 6-7, 6-4,6-3. The Nicolas won the first set on a tie breaker but Djokovick came from behind in the second and third set to prove his class as the World Number one. his is the last tennis tournament of the calendar year 2012.

37. India stands 3rd in latest T20 ranking:

Sri Lanka leads the table..

Note: The International Cricket Council, ICC has released the latest T-20 rankings. India stands third in the ranking behind Sri Lanka and West Indies.Among Indian players, Virat Kohli at fifth, Suresh Raina at eighthand Yuraj Singh at eleventh figure in top 15 batsmen ‘s list. Among the batsmen Australia’s Shane Watson is at number one followed by Kiwi Brendon Mccallum and Chris Gayle.

38. Pakistan clinch first ODI:

39. iMan of the Match – M.S Dhoni..

Note: Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s heroic unbeaten century under pressure went in vain as arch rivals Pakistan held their nerve to clinch the first one day international with a comfortable six-wicket victory in a low-scoring contest in Chennai on Sunday. India posted 227 for six after recovering from a precarious 29 for five one stage but that turned out to be insufficient for the Pakistanis who rode on Nasir Jamshed’s unbeaten century to overhaul the target with 11 balls to spare and take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

40. Australian Cricketer Michael Hussey Announced Retirement from Test Cricket:

Note: Australian veteran Michael Hussey on 29 December 2012 announced that he would retire from Test cricket after playing the final match of the series against Sri Lanka at Sydney starting on 3 January 2012. However Hussey will continue playing the ODI tri-series involving Australia, West Indies and Sri Lanka which will be his last international assignment. Hussey has till now played 78 Tests scoring 6183 runs including 19 centuries and 29 half centuries at an impressive average of 51.52.

41. McGrath in ICC Cricket Hall of Fame:

McGrath became the third inductee of the year 2012-13 to the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame:

Note: Australian pace legend Glenn McGrath is going to be inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame during the third Test between Australia and Sri Lanka starting from 4 January2013 in Sydney. He will join Enid Bakewell and Brian Lara to the list and also became the 68th male member of the Hall of Fame.

42. India-Korea Davis Cup tie to be held in Delhi:

Note: India have decided to host their February 1 to 3 Davis Cup tie against Korea in the national capital. "Since it is a home tie, the All India Tennis Association has decided to hold the tie in New Delhi at the R K Khanna Tennis Stadium from February 1 to 3," the AITA said. International

1. Jeff Zucker named CNN's (Cable News Network) New Chief Executive Former NBC Universal (an American media and entertainment company) chief Jeff Zucker has been named president of CNN Worldwide. He will succeed outgoing CNN chief Jim Walton starting in January 2013.

2. 2. India to erect 'floating fence' along Sir Creek border area India will soon erect a 'floating fence', anchored by submerged metallic meshes, along the disputed Sir Creek border area with Pakistan. NOTE i:- Sir Creek Border is a 96-km strip in the Gujarat's Rann of Kutch marshes and is notorious for illegal crossings and smuggling of narcotics and arms and is patrolled round- the-clock by BSF marine commandos.Union Home Ministry has entrusted the CPWD and NBCC to install an all-weather 'gabion box' fence along the stretch. NOTE ii:- The 'Gabion box' is a regular technology used for flood water control and prevention of rock breaking along coasts by the impact of the saline ocean water. The Sir Creek area is characteristic with shallow and slushy water and these boxes would be the best material to be sunk under water considering the difficulty of the terrain to execute such a difficult project.

3. National Security Advisor Menon reached in Beijing National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon arrived in Beijing today for wide-ranging talks on bilateral ties, including the vexed border issue. During his three-days stay Mr. Menon would be meeting some of the new leaders elected during last month's Congress of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) to succeed the outgoing administration headed by President Hu Jintao. NOTE:- Besides holding talks with his counterpart and China's top diplomat Dai Bingguo, Mr.Menon is expected to call on Vice Premier Li Keqiang, the number two leader in the seven-member new Standing Committee of the party headed by General Secretary Xi Jinping. 4. Menon First Top Ranking Indian Official to Visit China after Changes in Communist Party of China Shiv Shankar Menon, the national security advisor as well as negotiator in the border talks with China paid the visit here on 2 December 2012. This was the first visit by any top ranking Indian official post changes announcement in Communist Party of China. Menon would meet the next premier of China- Li Keqiang. 5. Stage set for first ever 3 day India Show in Bangladesh The stage is all set for the first ever three day India Show in Bangladesh. The Show is being organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry with the assistance of Government of India in partnership with the Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the India-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry. NOTE:- The theme of the Show which involves the participation of more than sixty top Indian companies is ‘Partnerships for Progress'. 6. UN Climate Change Conference in Doha runs into rough weather UN Climate Change Conference in Doha has run into rough weather with the differences on the Kyoto Protocol extension, Climate financing, Closure of Long term co-operative Action, issue of unused emission credits among the participating countries. However, the negotiators from around 200 countries are optimistic that the issues might be thrashed at the Ministerial level talks beginning on Tuesday. NOTE:- India and G-77 Countries have opposed the move to rush through the text of Long term Co-operation Action (LCA) since it made no mention of the concerns raised over finance, technology transfer, equity intellectual property rights and unilateral action in climate change. Developed countries say its time to wind up LCA since the work under it is complete as in 2009.2010 and 2011.

7. Syrian govt forces continue attacks on rebels at Damascus Syria, the government forces have continued attacks on areas around Damascus as they try to push back against rebel attempts to close in on the capital.

8. MoU Signed Between Mysore Zoo and Leipzig Zoo in Germany for Transporting Four Sloth Bears Zoo authorities of the Mysore Zoo and Leipzig zoo in Germany signed a MoU, according to which four sloth bears will be transported to the zoo in Germany. NOTE:- Leipzig zoo in Germany is well known for its management of vulnerable nocturnal mammal. In return to transportation of these sloth bears, India will get access to expertise as well as knowledge of handling these bears. This is actually the primary feature of MoU which is signed between the zoos of two countries. 9. Kuwait Elected Its News Parliament But With Low Turnout Kuwait elected its parliament which might prove to be government-friendly than the previous one. NOTE:- However, it faced low voter turnout as well as opposition boycott. Around 39 percent of the 422569 eligible voters had cast their ballots on 2 December 2012. However, it wasn’t evident whether these figures included any invalid voters as well or not. 10. Extreme weather calls for action, says WMO Chief The rise in global warming is leading to extreme weather conditions from melting of polar ice caps to Super storm Sandy are a wake up call to the international community to urgently address the issues related to climate change. NOTE:- Addressing the UN Climate Change Conference in Doha, the Chief of the World Meteorological Organization, Michael Jarraud called for urgent action to tackle such changes before it is too late. The negotiators from over 194 countries are busy working out the details for Ministerial and Head of States level talks at the Conference in Doha. More than 100 Cabinet Ministers are expected to attend the Ministerial levels talks beginning tomorrow.

11. RBI signs currency swap agreement with Bank of Japan India and Japan signed a currency swap agreement for up to 15 billion dollars today to address short-term liquidity problems. The bilateral swap arrangement (BSA) has been inked between the Reserve Bank of India and the Bank of Japan. NOTE:- The arrangement to be effective from December 4, 2012 would be for a three year period. Earlier, both countries had a similar arrangement for an amount of up to 3 billion dollars for a period of 3 years between June 2008 and June 2011.

12. India invites Pak Interior Minister to launch visa pact India on Tuesday invited Pakistan's Interior Minister Rehman Malik to visit here on December 11-13 for operationalisation of liberalized visa agreement between the two countries. NOTE:- The new liberalised Indo-Pak visa pact replaces a 38-year-old restrictive visa agreement and paves the way for time-bound visa approval and greater people-to-people contact and trade.

13. World Conference on International Telecommunications (WCIT-12) started off in Dubai The World Conference on International Telecommunications (WCIT-12) started off in Dubai on 3 December 2012 in order to review the regulations which were reached back in 1988. NOTE:- Head of the UN telecommunications body, Hamadoun Toure, made it clear that the freedom of the Internet will not be cramped or controlled. Hamadoun Toure made this clear in the meeting in which 24-year-old telecom regulations were reviewed. 14. Global Terrorism Index Revealed India Ranked Among Top Five Terror-Hit Nations New index called Global Terrorism Index (GTI) prepared by Australian think tank revealed on 4 December 2012 that India, Afghanistan and Pakistan were the most terrorism-hit nations in 2011. NOTE:- GTI was released by Australia-based Institute for Economics & Peace and it ranked various countries based on the data collected from Global Terrorism Database, which in turn is operated by a group at University of Maryland. GTI revealed that India, Afghanistan and Pakistan accounted for 11 percent, 10 percent and 12 percent of global terrorist events respectively from time period 2002 to 2009.

15. Barack Obama leads Forbes ranking of world's most powerful The US President leads and then there's the Pope, and Angela Merkel, and Facebook's founder, and other global rainmakers on Forbes' ranking of the mightiest earthlings. But the magazine's 2012 list of the planet's most powerful people also features folks who might raise an eyebrow or two: a Mexican drug baron, and the pudgy-faced young leader of North Korea, a hermit state assailed for pursuing a nuclear program at the expense of feeding its very poor people. Last year's No. 2 on the list, Chinese President Hu Jintao, is among the heavyweights off the list altogether this time. NOTE:- The ranking features 71 names, a figure Forbes said it set as a cutoff because there are an estimated 7.1 billion people in the world and thus the ranking works out to one very heavy hitter for every 100 million people. 16. US President Barack Obama named Person of the year 2012 by TIME Magazine US President Barack Obama was named TIME's Person of the Year for 2012, because of his historic win over the re-election in November 2012 which is being considered as symbol of the nation's changing demographics amid the backdrop of high unemployment and other challenges. NOTE:- His name was announced by TIME editor Rick Stengel on NBC's Today program. It is the second time Barack Obama is being accorded with this honour. He had also received the honour in 2008, when he was first elected as president 17. Typhoon Bopha: Death Toll Rises in Philippines Typhoon Bopha is the strongest ever tropical cyclone which hit Philippines. With the central winds at a speed of 120 kmph and gusts of around 150 kmph Typhoon Bopha swept away the dive spots as well as beach resorts on Palawan Island. The worst hit area by Typhoon Bopha was southern island of Mindanao. 18. China Held largest Air Force Drill involving 100 Fighter planes China held one of its largest- ever airforce drill involving about 100 multi-types fighter planes, amid heightened tensions with Japan over territorial dispute in the East China Sea. 19. Italy PM Mario Monti to resign as soon as budget passes Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti announced on Saturday that he intended to resign once next year's budget is approved in parliament after Silvio Berlusconi's party withdrew its support for his technocrat government this week. NOTE:- President Giorgio Napolitano is now expected to set the date for an election which must come within 70 days of the government resigning. Italy had in any case been due to go to the polls by April at the latest. 20. ADB report: Lagging Asian economies should pick up steam in coming year New report from the Asian Development Bank says lagging Asian economies should pick up steam in the coming year. The latest Asian Development Outlook Supplement predicts that developing Asia will post a growth of 6 percent in 2012 and 6.6 percent in 2013, about a tenth of a percentage point lower than anticipated in October. The report said vigorous private consumption in Southeast Asia and a mild economic recovery in China nearly balance out the weaknesses in India's economy. 21. Maladives took over Charge of Male Airport scrapping Agreement with GMR Maladives took charge of Male airport from GMR. Maldives government had scrapped the agreement with GMR on first December 2012, saying that the agreement was not in the interest of the country. Singapore Supreme Court had upheld the right of Maldives to terminate the 25 year contract. NOTE:- There will be a three-week transition period starting 7 December 2012 at the end of which GMR will stop operating the airport. Maldivian Airport Company Limited, which will run the airport, has agreed to retain all staff, including Indian nationals, on the same terms. 22. Six Patriot missile systems to be deployed in Turkey Around 600 foreign troops are expected to accompany six Patriot missile systems to be deployed in Turkey to reinforce the NATO member country's air defence and calm its fears of coming under a possible missile attack from neighboring Syria. NOTE:- The surface-to-air batteries, able to intercept ballistic missiles, are expected to be transported to Turkey by sea within four or five weeks. The United States, Germany and the Netherlands, the only three NATO nations with the most modern type of Patriots, have all agreed to send missiles to protect their ally. 23. United Nations Conference on Climate Change in Doha extends the Kyoto Protocol till 2020. UN Conference on Climate Change in Doha has come to an end with around 200 countries agreeing to extend the Kyoto Protocol till 2020. The treaty seeks to limit the emission of greenhouse gases by around 35 nations until the end of this year. NOTE:- The conference also agreed on promises of financing to help poor countries tackle climate change, and reaffirmed the previous decision of adopting a new global climate treaty by 2015. 24. India and Ukraine sign 5 pacts India and Ukraine today signed five agreements to enhance cooperation including in areas of defence, Nuclear energy, Science and Technology and also to remove barriers for trade. The two countries also agreed to raise the bilateral cooperation to a Comprehensive partnership level. The pacts were signed at the end of delegation level talks between visiting Ukraine President Victor Yanukovich and Prime Minister Manmohnan Singh at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi. NOTE:- Bilateral trade between the India and Ukraine had doubled in the last five years to nearly 2.9 billion dollars 25. India to sign Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty in criminal matters with 4 other nations India would sign Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty in the criminal matters with four other countries in 2013. The treaty in general helps in mutual assistance between two nations for preventing, investigating as well as prosecuting crime. NOTE:- Discussions on treaty were initiated already with four countries namely Azerbaijan, Israel, Nepal and Oman. Ministry of Home Affairs announced that formal signing of this treaty will take place in 2013. 26. The 2nd Meeting on India-China Border Affairs held in New Delhi The 2nd meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India- China Border Affairs was held in New Delhi on 29-30 November, 2012. The discussions took place in a cordial, constructive and cooperative atmosphere. The two delegations reviewed developments in the India-China border areas since the 1st meeting of the Mechanism and acknowledged with satisfaction that peace and tranquillity continued to be maintained due to the efforts of both sides. 27. United Nations assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has convened consultation meetings in preparation for an inclusive intra-Afghan dialogue. A statement issued by the UNAMA in Kabul today said this dialogue is non-official and intended to provide Afghan people with the opportunity to informally present and discuss their future visions of Afghanistan. NOTE:- These consultations will engage representatives of civil society, women’s groups, political leaders and religious figures to obtain their views on how the informal dialogue process should be organized. UNAMA’s role in the process is limited to hosting the meetings and facilitating dialogue among Afghans of all political stances and backgrounds. According to the statement the purpose of the dialogue is to support and Afghan-led and Afghan-owned process of peace and reconciliation. 28. Russia delivers 3 upgraded MiG-29s to India Russia has delivered the first three of the upgraded MiG-29 fighters to India, more than 2 years behind schedule. The planes were flown to India aboard an AN-124 heavy lift transport aircraft. NOTE:- The MiG-29s have been equipped with new avionics, weapons, radar, glass cockpit, helmet-mounted displays and an inflight refuelling system. 29. Japan accuses China of violating airspace for first time Japan has accused China of violating its airspace for the first time after a Chinese government plane flew near disputed East China Sea islands. A total of 8 F-15 fighters were sent after reports of the presence of the plane, which belong to China's State Oceanic Administration. Japan lodged an immediate protest with Beijing. NOTE:- The islands, known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China, have been a long- standing source of tension. 30. S&P revises United Kingdom's outlook to negative Standard & Poor's today revised down its sovereign credit outlook for the United Kingdom's AAA rating to negative from stable citing the potential for delayed and uneven economic recovery. NOTE:- S&P said the revision was driven by an expectation that net general government debt as a percentage of gross domestic product will continue to rise in 2015 before declining again. At the same time, we affirmed our 'AAA/A-1+' long- and short-term unsolicited sovereign credit ratings. The transfer & convertibility (T&C) assessment on the U.K. remains 'AAA'. We have also revised to negative from stable our outlooks on the 'AAA' long-term issuer credit ratings of the Bank of England and the debt program of Network Rail Infrastructure Finance PLC. 31. Greece gets new EU aid, declares 'Grexit' era dead The euro zone agreed today to provide nearly 50 billion euros ($64 billion) in long-delayed aid to Athens, prompting its Prime Minister Antonis Samaras to declare an end to talk of a Greek exit from the single currency. "We are convinced that the programme is back on a sound track," Jean-Claude Juncker, chairman of the 17-nation euro area's finance ministers told a news conference after they met in Brussels ahead of an EU summit later in the day. 32. Global Telecom Treaty without Net Control Signed by 89 Nations A controversial new global treaty on telecom regulations was signed by 89 International Telecommunication Union member states out of a possible 144 Countries regardless of US objections to prospective regulation of the Internet. NOTE:- Over 150 nations met in Dubai, under the support of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to update a set of telecom rules of 1988, before the Internet and mobile phones transformed communications. But they failed to draw a conclusion which will lead to a new fight over cyberspace. 55 countries did not sign the treaty that enters effect in January 2015. A US-led bloc advocated a tolerant approach to the Internet, while Russia, China and much of Africa and the Middle East wanted greater governmental oversight of cyberspace. 33. WHO clears India's vaccine industry to export vaccines across the world India's 19,000 crore rupee vaccine industry has been cleared by the World Health Organization (WHO) to export vaccines across the world. NOTE:- After a four-day audit, a 16-member multi-nation team headed by WHO officials informed Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad that they are satisfied with the vaccine clearance procedure adopted by the National Regulatory Authority (NRA) or the Drug Controller General's Office (DCGO). Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) Dr G N Singh said India has become the first country to pass the stringent indicators put in place by the WHO, in one shot. 34. WHO’s clearance for India’s vaccine regulatory system World Health Organization team today cleared India's vaccine regulatory system for maintaining international standards. This has paved the way for easy export of vaccines produced in the country. NOTE:- India's Rs 19,000-crore vaccine industry accounts for exports worth 13 billion US dollars to 150 countries across the world. The latest certification means all the 12 Indian vaccine makers can now apply for WHO pre-qualification and thus improve the chances of exporting their products to all over the world.

35. North Korea Launched Long Range Unha-3 Rocket amid International Opposition North Korea launched a long-range rocket Unha-3 despite international opposition and growing tensions in the region successfully delivering a scientific satellite Kwangmyongsong- 3 into orbit. NOTE:- Unha-3 is the second version of satellite Kwangmyongsong-3 which is successfully lifted off from the Sohae Space Center by carrier rocket. 36. Israeli Foreign Minister Lieberman submits resignation Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman today submitted his resignation after several days of indecision over leaving his post due to an indictment by the state attorney general on charges of breach of trust and fraud. 37. Liberal Democrats Win Landslide Victory in Japan Elections Japan’s voters handed a landslide victory to the Liberal Democratic Party in parliamentary elections on Sunday, giving power back to the conservative party that had governed Japan for decades until a historic defeat three years ago 38. Park Geun-Hye Elected As the First Woman President of South Korea Park Geun-hye was elected as the president of South Korea, the first woman who acquired this post. Park Geun-hye is the daughter of longest ruling dictator of South Korea. NOTE:-After the counting of votes, it was declared by the National Election Commission that Park had enjoyed clear victory with 51.64 percent votes in comparison to 47.93 percent votes for Moon Jae-in, who is the former lawyer of human rights 39. UN Slashed World Growth Forecast to 2.4 Percent for year 2013 United Nations slashed its global growth predictions to 2.4 percent for 2013 and 3.2 percent for the following year and warned of a lasting employment crisis for western countries. NOTE:- The UN's World Economic Situation and Prospects 2013 report warned that the Debt crises in Europe and the United States and a slowdown in China could all throw the world economy into recession. Earlier in the t month of June 2012 UN had predicted a growth forecast 2.7 percent for 2013 and 3.9 percent for the year after. 40. India, ASEAN finalise FTA in services, investments Targeting an ambitious two-way commerce of USD 200 billion by 2022, India and the 10- member ASEAN finalised a free trade agreement in services and investments, a move which would give Indian professionals access to the 800 million Southeast Asian market. NOTE:- Strengthening ties, India and ASEAN also elevated their dialogue partnership to a strategic level. 41. UNSC member including India slam Israel's construction plan India was joined by all members of the 15-nation UN Security Council except the US to condemn Israel's announcement of new construction activity in Palestinian territories and demand immediate dismantling of the "illegal" settlements. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon also expressed his deep concern by the heightened settlement activity in West Bank, saying the move by Israel "gravely threatens efforts to establish a viable Palestinian state." NOTE:- India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Hardeep Singh Puri, in his capacity as Coordinator of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) caucus of the Security Council, told reporters in United Nations after a UNSC briefing on the situation in the Middle East that there was an attempt in the Council to bring a resolution on the issue. 43. Ireland to revamp abortion laws after Savita's death Laws allowing limited access to abortion will be introduced in Ireland, the only EU member state that bans the procedure, following the death of 31-year-old Savita Halappanavar who was refused a termination. NOTE:- The death last month of Halappanavar, who was denied an abortion of her dying foetus and later died of blood poisoning, shocked the predominantly Roman Catholic country and spurred the government to act on an issue it had delayed for decades. 44. US to reimburse USD 688 mn to Pak The US has decided to reimburse USD 688 mn to Pakistan for the cost of supporting some 140,000 coalition troops on Af-Pak border in what appears to be a fall back to its decades-old policy of "appeasement" to seek an honorable exit from war-torn Afghanistan. NOTE:- The Pentagon notified the Congress about its decision to reimburse USD 688 million to Pakistan, under Coalition Support Fund (CSF). 45. Britain to withdraw 3,800 troops from Afghanistan Britain will withdraw 3,800 troops, almost half of the current force serving in Afghanistan's troubled Helmand province, by the end of 2013, Prime Minister David Cameron has announced. NOTE:- Cameron told the Parliament that 3,800 British troops are to be withdrawn from Afghanistan next year.

46. Obama appoints Indian-American Smita Singh to key post: President's Global Development Council

Details: The Obama administration has appointed yet another Indian-American to a key administrative post, naming Smita Singh as member of the president's Global Development Council. Along with Singh, Obama also announced names of eight other members of the Council including its Chair Mohamed El-Erian. The Global Development Council was established in February through an executive order of the President

47. Philippines typhoon (Bopha) death toll 'likely to hit 1,500':

Details:The death toll from a typhoon (Bopha) that devastated the Philippines earlier this month will likely hit 1,500, making it the second deadliest since the country began keeping records, the civil defence chief Benito Ramos said today. If the toll reaches 1,500 it would make it the second deadliest storm to hit the Philippines since 1947, when the Philippines began keeping records a year after independence.

48. US President nominates Senator John Kerry, as the next Secretary of State replacing Hillary Clinton.

Details: 69-year-old Kerry, known for his relationship-building skills and currently the chairman of the powerful. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has been a close confidant of Obama on foreign policy issues.

49. Russian Prez Putin to arrive in New Delhi Note: The President of Russia Vladimir Putin will arrive in New Delhi to attend 13th India-Russia annual summit. During his one day visit, Mr. Putin will hold delegation level talk with Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh. The two leaders will discuss specific steps to further develop the Russian-Indian strategic partnership in trade, economic, energy, and cultural and humanitarian spheres.

50. India, Russia seal new defence deals worth USD 4 bn; inks 10 pacts:

Note: India has inked deals worth around Rs 22,000 crore with Russia to procure 42 new Su-30 MKI combat aircraft and 71 Mi-17V5 medium-lift helicopters. "Russia is a key partner in our efforts to modernise our armed forces and enhance our defence preparedness. A number of joint design, development and production projects are underway in high technology areas. We expressed satisfaction that these projects are progressing well," the Prime Minister said.

51. India and Russia signed pacts on Economic Ties for 2 billion dollar Investment Fund:

Note: During the twelfth straight annual summit, the leaders of both the nations signed a pact for strengthening their economic ties with a Kremlin-backed 2 billion dollar investment fund and finalized 10 agreements including two military contracts of 20000 crore rupees, which was under process for past some time. Both the parties also agreed to talk about a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement involving Kazakhstan and Belarus.

52. World's longest high-speed rail line takes test run: Note: China put the 2,298-kilometre Beijing-Guangzhou high-speed railway, the world's longest, into a test operation yon Saturday. Running at an average speed of 300 km per hour, it only took two and a half hours for the train to cover the 693 kilometre distance from Beijing to Zhengzhou, the northern section of the whole route that links the country's capital and the southern economic hub 53. Physical connectivity with SE Asian block will boost devlopment: PM Note: Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh said that India- ASEAN Free Trade Agreement in services and investments will pave way for professionals to access the South East Asian market. Flagging down the 22 – day eight-nation India-ASEAN car rally in the capital, Prime Minister said that. the car rally, which traversed nearly 8,000 kms in 22 days, has reinforced the importance of strengthening connectivity in all its dimensions between India and ASEAN.

54. Egypt gets first people-approved constitution: Note: Over a year after overthrowing an entrenched dictator, Egypt on Wednesday adopted a new constitution after a two-thirds 'yes' vote in a polarising referendum. Egypt's Islamist President Mohamed Mursi signed into law the country's post revolution constitution last night after the election authorities declared it overwhelmingly approved in a two-stage referendum that was held on December 15 and 22

55. Shinzo Abe is elected as a new PM of Japan:

Note: Shinzo Abe was elected Japan's prime minister by the lower house of parliament on Wednesday. The governing Democratic Party (DPJ) suffered major losses in the poll, with leader Yoshihiko Noda stepping down. Mr Abe, who was the Prime Minister in 2006-07, has pledged to take a tough line in a territorial row with China.

56. Afghan Govt. launches to provide electronic I cards to all citizens: More than 400 registration teams will be deployed across the country.. Note: Afghan Government has launched a programme to provide electronic identity cards to all its citizens. Afghan Interior Ministry said that more than 400 registration teams will be deployed across the country to collect data and issue cards to all eligible citizens. Recently govt. conducted written examination for the selection of staff for the registration teams. Nearly five thousand candidates, including 340 female candidates took part in the examination. Initially 550 successful applicants will be selected for the job and deployed in 50 teams in Kabul province.

57. Egypt's Mursi hails new constitution:

Mursi said: constitution is chosen by the people "with their own free will"..

Note: Egypt's Islamist President Mohamed Mursi today congratulated his countrymen for endorsing a new constitution in a referendum that was "totally transparent" and called on the opposition to join him in a national dialogue to resolve lingering tensions. Passing of the constitution meant Egypt could now move to a new stage that should bring security and stability for the people. He welcomed those who had said "no" as well as those who had said "yes", saying that Egypt would not return to a time "when there was only one opinion"

58. Cyclone Freda strikes Solomon Islands:

Parts of the Solomon Islands hit by very strong winds and heavy rain…

Note: Tropical Cyclone Freda has struck the Solomon Islands, bringing heavy rains and winds of up to 130 kilometres per hour. Witnesses say roofs have been ripped off houses and trees have been flattened, while rising rivers caused flooding in some areas. There are no reports of deaths or injuries

59. Beijing was 14th Safest City In China, Lhasa was the 1st:

The safest place is the capital of Tibet, Lhasa, followed by Shanghai…

Note: A survey conducted by China Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) which is a government owned body, revealed that the capital of China, Beijing is less safe than other cities of the country. Other major cities of China were ranked much safer than Beijing and these safe cities included Xiamen, Ningbo, Changchun, Chongqing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Dalian, Hangzhou and Nanjing. It was also found out that people in the coastal cities of East China as well as municipalities were safer than other parts of country

60. Patrick Suckling appointed as Australia's Next High Commissioner to India:

Suckling replaces Peter Varghese…

Note: Career diplomat Patrick Suckling on 30 December 2012 had been appointed as Australia’s next High Commissioner to India. The appointment of Patrick Suckling was announced by Foreign Minister Bob Carr who asserted that the role was important because India is Australia’s fourth largest export market, with trade between the two countries reaching 18-billion dollars a year. Suckling holds a Post-Graduate Diploma in Hindi from the University of Sydney and as a career diplomat had an expertise in policy development, public diplomacy and consular service

61. Hillary Clinton admitted to hospital with blood clot:

Note: US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has been admitted to hospital in New York with a blood clot. Officials say, Mrs. Clinton suffered a concussion earlier this month after fainting and falling down. Doctor said "She is being treated with anti-coagulants and is at New York- Presbyterian Hospital so that they can monitor the medication over the next 48 hours’.

Science

1. Newly Discovered Colourful Species of Fish Named After US President Obama Recently discovered colourful, freshwater species of fish known as Darters, was named after the re-elected US President Barack Obama in the first week of December 2012. The species of fish was named so because of Obama’s global vision towards environment conservation as well as protection. 2. NASA Spacecraft "Voyager 1" Drifted Into Unknown Region of the Space Voyager 1 spacecraft sailed into the new area of solar system which scientists were not aware about. Both Voyager 1 as well as Voyager 2 have been continuously moving away from the Sun into the interstellar space, also known as the space between the stars. 3. Scientists Developed a 100 Times Faster and Sensitive Laser Explosives-Detection Device Scientists of the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in the second week of December 2012 developed an all-new 100 times sensitive and faster laser device than any other explosives- detection device, for detecting even the minor traces of explosives. NOTE:- The sample which is pulsed, cavity ring-down spectrometer, quantum laser-based is currently being tested in New Mexico at Los Alamos National Laboratory of US government. i