GA UPDATES from 26Th DEC to 17Th JANUARY

GA UPDATES FROM 26th DEC TO 17th JANUARY

1. Raghuvar Das to be first non-tribal Chief Minister of Master (IM) Murali Karthikeyan, IM Aravindh Jharkhand.The BJP-AJSU alliance had won absolute Chithambaram and Kumaran Balaji won their respective majority in the recent Assembly polls bagging 42 out of the matches to clinch the Gold total 81 seats. i. Russia defeated Ukraine 3.5-0.5 in the final round to come at second place and win the Silver medal 2. PM Modi nominates Kapil Sharma, Saurav Ganguly, Kiran Bedi for 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan' nine people including Nagaland Governor Padmanabha Acharya, classical dancer Sonal Mansingh, Ramoji Rao of Eenadu group and Aroon Purie of India Today group.He also nominated some organisations which included Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, Eenadu and India Today groups besides 'dabbewale' of Mumbai, who deliver home- made food to lakhs of people in the city.

3. Death toll rises to 81, operations launched against NDFB militants along the border with Arunachal Pradesh.

4. President signs two key ordinance on insurance and coal allowing hike in the FDI cap in the insurance sector and facilitating e-auction of coal blocks. i.The NDA Government had recommended promulgation of these ordinances after failing to get them passed in Parliament. ii. The Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Bill, 2014 was passed by the Lok Sabha but could not be taken up for discussion in the Rajya Sabha, pushing the government to recommend a re-promulgation of the coal ordinance. iii. In case of the insurance amendment bill, the Government recommended promulgation of a fresh ordinance, allowing hiking the FDI cap in the sector from 26 to 49 per cent. iv. The government hopes the increased FDI cap would bring in additional capital inflow of USD 6-8 billion to the 6. India joins UN body to strengthen early warning system insurance sector. for natural disasters.India in association with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the v. While the Insurance Laws Amendment Bill, 2008 had been approved by the Select Committee of the Rajya Sabha, Pacific (UN-ESCAP) announced contribution of US$ 1 million to the Multi-Donor Trust Fund for Tsunami, it could not be taken up for discussion in Parliament owing disaster and climate preparedness in Indian Ocean and to pandemonium over the conversion row, among other Southeast Asian Countries. issues. i. India is a 'Regional Service Provider' for the Indian Ocean 5. India won Gold in World Youth Under-16 Chess Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System (IOTWS), which became operational in 2011. Olympiad against Turkey 3.0-1.0 in the final round at the FIDE (Federation Internationale des Echecs) tournament ii. India is also an active member of the ESCAP/World held at Gyor, Hungary.Te three Indians International Meteorological Organization Panel on Tropical Cyclones. www.bankersadda.com | www.careerpower.in | www.careeradda.co.in 1

to reduce driver fatigue and provide for a superior 7. Union Government launched health mission- 'Mission commuting experience.The buses, built by Tata Marcopolo, Indradhanush'.Jagat Prakash Nadda, Health and Family are being operated by private operators. Welfare Minister launched the mission with an aim to cover all those children who are unvaccinated or are 12. Trevor Bull appointed as CEO and MD of Aviva India partially vaccinated against seven vaccine preventable Life Insurance.He succeeded TR Ramachandran who led diseases which include diphtheria, whooping cough, Aviva India since October 2008. Bull will take charge of the tetanus, polio, tuberculosis, measles and hepatitis B, by the post from January 2015. end of the year 2020. 13. India’s Ankita wins maiden ITF singles title after 8. Microsoft’s chief Saty Nadella to help in digital India defeating British teenager Katy Dunne in straight sets in a initiative.He also met Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and one-sided final.She lift her maiden $25,000 ITF singles title Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad and discussed at the Deccan Gymkhana in Pune.This was the India no.1 modernisation and security of the government’s digital woman singles player’s maiden $25,000 title and the 294- infrastructure, among other issues. ranked Ankita expressed her delight over becoming the first from the host nation to clinch a title in the tournament 9. NYK Auto to set up Ro-Ro terminal at Pipavav port. after 14 years. Ankita earned 50 WTA points, She broke i. NYK Auto Logistics (India), a part of automotive ocean her rival’s serve five times in two sets while dropping her transportation and logistics major NYK Group of Tokyo, own only once in the title clash. has entered into an agreement with Gujarat Pipavav Port Ltd. (APM Terminals Pipavav) to set up a dedicated Roll- 14. Amitabh Bachchan honoured with Yash Chopra on/Roll-off (Ro-Ro) automobile yard at Pipavav port in Memorial Award.Maharashtra Governor C. Vidyasagar Rao Gujarat. honoured him with the award, which was given to Lata ii.Under the arrangement, Gujarat Pipavav Port has sub- Mangeshkar last year. leased 85,000 sq. meters of land for 10 years inside its premises to NYK Auto to develop a dedicated common 15. To re-energise the mutual fund industry, regulator Sebi user integrated Ro-Ro terminal. to set up expert panel to suggest measures for increasing iii. NYK group operates 18 Ro-Ro terminals globally, distribution of MF products through digital modes such as including seven in China, Thailand and Singapore. internet and mobiles. The panel, a sub-committee of Sebi's iv. Gujarat Pipavav Port will provide all the port and Advisory Committee on Mutual Funds, will look into related facilities for ensuring smooth and seamless flow of various options and steps required to boost the automobile cargo. penetration of mutual fund products through use of digital channels for their sale.The sub-committee, to be headed by M N Gopinath, will submit a report to the Sebi Advisory Committee.

16. Save paper: Officials asked to write notes on both sides.With an aim of saving precious paper pulp, Labour 10.DRDO conducts maiden test-flight of Panchi,the Department of the Delhi government has asked all its wheeled version of the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) officials, including all deputy commissioners, to write Nishant, capable of taking off from and landing on small notes on both sides of paper and type in single space.The airstrips, had its maiden flight from an airfield at Kolar in department has issued a circular directing officials to take Karnataka. such steps to minimise the impact on environment as trees i. The aim of the flight, which lasted 25 minutes, was “to are the major source of paper pulp production. demonstrate that Panchi can take off and land on its wheels. 17. France hopeful of $6-billion surface-to-air Maitri ii. Panchi was designed and developed by the Aeronautical missile project. The project for joint development and Development Establishment (ADE), a Defence Research production between India's Defence Research and and Development Organisation (DRDO) facility at Development Organisation (DRDO) and France's MBDA, Bengaluru. was initiated in 2007. An MoU to co-develop the missile was signed during French President Francois Hollande's 11. Tata Motors country's largest automobile company visit to India in February last year.The range of SRSAM will flags off 123 AC buses in Ahmedabad be of 40 km, Akash's range is only 25 km. equipped with automatic transmission.These buses are in addition to the order bagged by Tata Motors for 3,200 18. Congress marks 130th Foundation Day.Established in buses under the JNNURM-phase II scheme and are meant 1885. www.bankersadda.com | www.careerpower.in | www.careeradda.co.in 2

incremental gas production of 1.971 billion cubic metres 19. US and NATO combat forces marks end of war fought (BCM) by 2030. for 13 years in Afghanistan.From January 1, the US-led ii. L & T Hydrocarbon Engineering (LTHE) has bagged the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) combat contract from ONGC to improve recovery factor of Vasai mission, will be replaced by a NATO “training and support” East field where production started in 2008, and it is mission. scheduled to be completed by April 2016.

20. Tata Coffee names Sanjiv Sarin as Managing Director 23. PM chairs high-level meeting with Government officials and CEO designate after the retirement of Hameed Huq, on 'Smart City' initiative. the current MD and CEO. 24. Black money: Over 1,000 individuals and companies 21. AirAsia QZ8501: Indonesia plane 'at bottom of sea'.162 under Sebi scanner for allegedly using stock markets to died evade taxes and launder money through companies mostly existing on paper. 22. L&T Hydrocarbon bags Rs 894 cr offshore contract from ONGC(Oil & Natural Gas Corporation) for additional 25. Dhoni retires from Test cricket with immediate effect, development of the Vasai East project. citing strain of playing all formats, after his team lost the i. The Rs 2,500 crore project will result in incremental oil Border - Gavaskar Trophy to Australia. production of 1.83 million metric tonne (MMT) and Mat Inns NO Runs HS Ave BF SR 100 50 4s 6s Ct St Tests 90 144 16 4876 224 38.09 8249 59.11 6 33 544 78 256 38

Dhoni's Test Career in numbers 26. Virat Kohli named captain i. Virat Kohli is named the new captain of the Indian Test team.He will be the 32nd Indian Test captain and will take the reign in the full time manner from the Sydney Test.Kohli first captained India as a stand in captain in the first test of the series at Adelaide.

27. 8 FDI proposals worth Rs 35 crore cleared including that of CSC Computer Sciences International Operations and Life Positive Pvt Ltd.CSC has sought permission for setting up a proposed LLP with an investment of about Rs 30 crore. i. While, Life Positive seeks to increase foreign equity participation from existing 96 per cent to 99 per cent and induction of further FDI of about Rs 4.61 crore by foreign collaborators. ii. Among others, government cleared proposals of Mahanagar Gas Limited, Medicamen Biotech Ltd, TutorVista Global Private Ltd, Ventura (India) Pvt Ltd, Syssmart Services LLP and Mahindra CIE Automotive Ltd.

28. Super 30 among top 3 pioneering education initiatives i. A Japanese media group has selected Mathematician Anand Kumar’s Super 30 among three pioneering initiatives in the field of education.Two others academic institutions, namely Japan’s educational club, which works for education to children from lower and middle classes, and France’s reading and writing club, working with a 29. Union Cabinet approved hike of government stake in mission to arrest declining educational standards in the IFCI to 51 percent.The increase in government stake will be through infusion of 60 crore rupees by way of country, find berth as initiatives across the world by acquisition of preference shares from existing share Japanese media group Asahi Shinbun. holders.

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i.As a result, India’s oldest financial institution IFCI will Limited (NPCIL) will start charging money from the State now become a government owned company. Electricity Boards (SEBs) to which it sells the electricity. ii. The current shareholding of Union government in IFCI R.S. Sundar, Site Director, Kudankulam Nuclear Power after inclusion of the preference share capital was 47.93 Project, said Kudankulam-1 had been generating its full percent. Therefore, IFCI was not a Government Company power of 1,000 MWe from December 10, 2014. under section 2(45) of the Companies Act, 2013. iii. IFCI was set up in 1948 and it is a statutory corporation 33. Cristiano Ronaldo voted Europe’s top footballer:The under the Industrial Finance Corporation Act, 1948. results of the survey showed 89 of the 144 European sports reporters queried named the Real Madrid forward as the region’s top player,for the second year in a row carried out by Uruguay’s El Pais daily. i.German goalie Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich) and Argentina’s Lionel Messi (Barcelona) came in distant second and third places, with 19 and 16 votes, 30. RBI liberalised norms for Overseas Direct Investment respectively. by Indian companies i. The liberalization of norms was part of series of 34. Gmail blocked in China, Great Firewall suspected:The amendment done by RBI from time to time in the Foreign Google disruption began in the run-up to the 25th Exchange Management (Transfer or Issue of any Foreign anniversary of the government’s bloody crackdown on Security) (Amendment) Regulations, 2004. pro-democracy demonstrators around Beijing’s ii. Liberalised norms - Tiananmen Square on June 4, 1989. • Bank may permit creation of charge on the shares of the Joint Venture/Wholly Owned Subsidiary/Step down 35. Lupin’s HIV drug gets USFDA nod:Drug firm Lupin has Subsidiary (JV/WOS/SDS) of an Indian party in favour of a received tentative approval from the U.S. health regulator domestic or overseas lender for securing funded and/or to market a generic version of Prezista tablets, used in non-funded facility. treating HIV infection.The company has received tentative • The loan availed by the JV/WOS/SDS from the approval from the United States Food and Drugs domestic/overseas lender shall be utilized only for its core Administration (FDA) to market its Darunavir Ethanolate business activities overseas and not for investing back in tablets in multiple strengths in the American market, India in any manner whatsoever. Lupin said in a statement. • Bank may permit creation of charge on the domestic i. Last week, the company had received USFDA approval to assets of an Indian party in favour of an overseas lender market a generic version of ViiV Healthcare’s Epivir for securing the funded and/or non-funded facility. Tablets, used in treating HIV infection, in the American • Bank may permit creation of charge on the overseas market. assets (excluding the shares) of the JV/WOS/SDS of an Indian party in favour of a domestic lender for securing the funded and/or non-funded facility.

31. Palestinian statehood resolution fails at UNSC:The UN Security Council has failed to adopt a Palestinian statehood resolution that set a deadline for the withdrawal of Israeli 36. IRDA renamed to Insurance Regulatory and forces from Palestinian territories by 2017. Development Authority of India i.The long-anticipated draft drew the support of eight Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) countries -- Argentina, Chad, Chile, China, France, Jordan, was renamed as Insurance Regulatory and Development Luxembourg, Russia -- just one shy of the nine needed to Authority of India on 30 December 2014. pass a resolution in the absence of a veto by any of the i. The change in name came in to effect after the Council’s five permanent members. promulgation of Insurance Laws (Amendment) Ordinance, ii. The United States and Australia opposed the resolution 2014, by the President of India on 26 December 2014. while the United Kingdom, Nigeria, South Korea, Rwanda ii.The amendment was done to the Insurance Regulation and Lithuania abstained. and Development Act, 1999 by inserting the words India after Development Authority in Section 105 of the 32. Kudankulam commercial power: SEBs to pay more per Ordinance amends section 2 (1)(b) of the IRDA Act. unit:The significance of commercial generation of power from the first unit at the Kudankulam Nuclear Power 37. Union Government signed 75 million dollar loan deal Project is that the Nuclear Power Corporation of India with ADB for KIUWMIP www.bankersadda.com | www.careerpower.in | www.careeradda.co.in 4

i. Union Government on 30 December 2014 signed a loan 41. BHEL bags first key power project in Telangana:BHEL agreement with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for 75 will set up first Supercritical Thermal Power Plant in million dollar and 1.8 million dollar grant for Karnataka newly formed state of Telangana. The company has bagged Integrated Urban Water Management Investment Program contract worth Rs. 3,810 crore. (KIUWMIP). i. The order is for setting up the 1x800 MW Supercritical ii. The funds will be used to improve water resource Thermal Power Plant on EPC (Engineering, Procurement & management in three towns of Karnataka, namely Byadagi, Construction) basis at Kothagudem in Khammam District Davanagere and Harihar in the Upper Tungabhadra sub- of Telangana. basin. ii. To this effect, an advance cheque of Rs. 350 crore was iii. This project will help increase water treatment capacity handed over by the Chief Minister of Telangana, K. by 15000 cubic meters per day. Chandrasekhar Rao to Chairman & Managing Director. iii. The project is targeted to be commissioned in 36 38 Krishan Kant Paul to be Uttarakhand 6th Governor:Mr. months on fast track basis with both BHEL and TSGENCO Paul, Meghalaya Governor, would continue to hold the setting up teams to expedite clearances and execution of office of the Governor of Manipur. the project.

39. Uttarakhand governor Aziz Qureshi transferred to 42.India's LIC International launches co-branded credit Mizoram. card with UAE's First Gulf Bank. West Bengal governor K N Tripathi meanwhile has been It is first of its kind payment solution. This is the first time asked to take additional charge of Meghalaya. that an insurance firm has entered into a strategic alliance with a bank in the gulf country. LIC International, 40. Pakistani fishing boat carrying explosives sets itself on established in Bahrain in 1989 by LIC of India to facilitate fire after being chased by Indian Coast Guard in Arabian residents in the gulf region, has over 350 million Sea near Indo-Pak maritime boundary. The incident came policyholders worldwide. a month after sixth anniversary of the Mumbai terror attack. 43. Government to prioritise drugs, states to revive Jan Aushadhi Pharmacies.Government is considering a proposal to trim the list of drugs being distributed through Jan Aushadhi outlets to 40-50 mass consumption ones from the 320 medicines enlisted to be part of stock at present.

44. R Koteeswaran takes over as new Indian Overseas Bank CMD. Prior to this, Koteeswaran was serving Bank of India as its Executive Director.He replaces M Narendra who has superannuated

45. LED there be light: Modi launches scheme to brighten Delhi i. Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a scheme for LED bulb distribution under domestic efficient lighting programme (DELP) in Delhi. ii. Describing the LED bulb as a ‘prakash path’ (way to light), Mr. Modi said that it is much more economical to conserve power than to produce power. iii. LED bulbs shall be distributed in a phased manner from March 2015 onwards, an official statement said. iv. The entire project of installing LED bulbs for domestic and street lighting in 100 cities is targeted for completion by March 2016. v. In Delhi, LED bulbs will be provided to all domestic consumers at an initial payment of Rs 10 each and recovery of Rs 10 each for 12 months from their electricity bill.

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46. Laxman, SP Balasubrahmanyam new Swachh Bharat i. A smart "world-class" city in Dwarka, exclusive ambassadors apartments for senior citizens, a financial hub, electric The Centre on Monday nominated cricketer V.V.S. Laxman, buses for Delhi and erecting the city's tallest building are chess player Koneru Humpy, playback singer S.P. among DDA's major plans this year. Balasubrahmanyam , MPs K.Kavitha, Jayadev Galla, badminton icon P.Gopichand, corporate personalities 52. World Cup 2015 squad announced: The Board of B.V.R. Mohan Reddy, J.A.Chowdary, Rameshwar Rao and Control for Cricket in India on Tuesday released its 15- Gopichand, G.S. Rao from medical field, lyricist S. Ashok member squad for the World Cup 2015.Mahendra Singh Teja, Telugu actor Nitin and media personality V. Dhoni (c), Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Radhakrishna. Kohli,Ajinkya Rahane, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, i.The nomination was formally made by Union Urban Ravindra Jadeja , Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Development Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu at a function in Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Hyderabad. Stuart Binny and Umesh Yadav. India will start it's World Cup campaign against Pakistan on 15th of February. 47. Sports ministry recommends Saina Nehwal's name for Padma Bhushan 53. Five-day coal strike begins i. The Trade union have gone on strike to protest against ’disinvestment and restructuring of State-run Coal India’ and to press for their other demands including the roll- back of what they call as “process of denationalizing of coal sector”. ii.The strike can affect coal production of up to 1.5 million 48. 18 Jharkhand villages identified under 'Green India tonnes a day and may also hit supplies to power plants Mission' for undertaking eco-friendly development which are already grappling with fuel shortages. programmes in the areas falling under Seraikela forest iii. All five major trade unions of the coal PSU had division in Seraikela-Kharswan district of Jharkhand. boycotted a meeting called by Coal Minister Piyush Goyal i.The main objective of the mission was to develop the last week. ecological and economic scenerio by choosing different developmental schemes including rain water harvesting 54. ISRO gears up to launch IRNSS 1D which would put in and greenery among others. place India's own navigation system on par with the Global Positioning System of the US. 49. Arvind Panagariya to be Vice-Chairman of PM i "The launch campaign for IRNSS 1D has come, which Narendra Modi's NITI Aayog starts on January 16. Within two months, all components i. Eminent free-market economist Arvind Panagariya has from other ISRO labs have to reach Sriharikota. The launch been appointed to run Indian prime minister Narendra is likely after March 15. Modi's new policy commission, or NITI Aayog.He is Indian- ii. IRNSS 1D is the fourth in the series of seven satellites, born economics professor at Columbia University in New the national space agency is planning to launch to put in York. place the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System Note: Niti Aayog has been set up to modernise economic (IRNSS). strategy after decades of Soviet-style central planning. 55. P Krishnamurthy appointed as Private Secretary of 50. Government to implement new Companies Act that Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar. He is appointed includes setting up IEPFA Investor Education and for a five-year period or on co-terminus basis with the Protection Fund Authority and NFRA National Financial minister's tenure.He served as the Director of National Reporting Authority within six months. Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) from 2011 to 2014. i. NFRA will be responsible for monitoring, compliance review and overseeing quality of service, enforcement and 56. Union Cabinet approved to set up India-based Neutrino standard setting in accounting and auditing. Observatory in TN. The INO laboratory will host iv. IEPFA, which will be set up under the new Companies experiments such as the neutrino-less double beta decay Act, will manage investor education and protection fund. If and the search for dark matter. the amount deposited with companies is not claimed for i.The INO project will be set up near Pottipuram village in more than seven years, it will go to IEPFA. the Bodi West Hills of Theni district in Tamil Nadu. The project is at an estimated cost of 1500 crore rupees. 51. DDA plans smart city, flats for senior citizens in 2015

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61. Google CEO Larry Page emerges as 'business person of the year' for 2014 edging past the likes of Alibaba co- founder Jack Ma and Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, according to Fortune magazine.

57. Former Minister of State for PWD (Public Works 62. KKR partners GIC to set up India real estate lending Department) Ram Prasad Kamal died. company i. KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co), American 58.Mahinda Rajapaksa concedes defeat to opposition multinational private equity firm, had set up a non- candidate Maithripala Sirisena in the presidential election. banking financial company in the country for lending to i. Sirisena met the next Prime Minister Ranil the real estate sector, with an investment from Singapore Vickramaisnghe at the Independence Square, Colombo to sovereign wealth fund GIC. discuss the future course of action. ii. Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund GIC, which has shown ii. Less than two months ago, when the president called interest in the realty segment in the recent past, will also snap elections, this outcome was unimaginable. There was invest in the newly formed company. no big opposition candidate in sight. iii.. Then suddenly Mr Sirisena, then the health minister, 63. Governor’s rule imposed in Jammu and Kashmir on the switched sides, propped up by heavyweight politicians and Governor N.N. Vohra's recommendations. later supported by many minority groups. i. More than a fortnight after the results of the Assembly elections have been out, neither PDP which emerged as the 59. SEBI proposes e-IPO norms (Electronic-Initial public single largest party with 28 seats nor BJP with 25 could get offer) the magic figure of 44 to stake claim to form a government i. Investors can bid for shares through Internet and in the 87-member House. NC has 15 MLAs while the eventually on mobiles, while already listed PSUs will be Congress 12. provided a 'fast-track' route for share sales to meet the disinvestment targets. 64. Vaccine Raksha Blu for bluetongue disease launched by ii. For already listed companies ,Sebi has proposed a fast- Gachibowli facility of Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL) track route for raising of funds through FPOs (Follow-on in Hyderabad, Telangana with an aim to minimise the Public Offers) or Rights Offers (where funds can be raised economic loss of the animal farming community that from existing shareholders). occurs due to bluetongue disease.Per dose of the vaccine iii. The fast-track route of raising capital has been will be available for farmers at an expense of 5 rupees. proposed for companies having public shareholding NOTE: The vaccine is the result of collaborative efforts of market valuation of as low as Rs 250 crore, as against Rs IIL, TANUVAS (Tamil Nadu University of Veterinary and 3,000 crore currently. Animal Sciences) and ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural iv. Currently, applications for IPOs can be uploaded on a Research). The vaccine was developed in three years. real-time basis only through ASBA (Application Supported by Blocked Amount). Only self-certified syndicate banks are authorised to manage it. v. With regard to fast-track issuances of Follow on Public Offer (FPO) and rights issue, Sebi proposed that route can be extended to companies having an average market capitalisation of between Rs 250 crore to Rs 3,000 crore. 65. Tatas’ Vistara starts flying:Tatas hold a majority 51 per cent stake in Vistara — a joint venture with Singapore 60. Qantas rated as ‘World’s Safest Airline for Airlines, which holds the remaining 49 per cent. The first 2015′:AirlineRatings.com, safety and product rating Vistara flight flew from Delhi to Mumbai today — over six website, has announced its top ten safest airlines and top decades after Tata Airlines was rechristened as Air India, ten safest low cost airlines for 2015 from the 449 it and eventually nationalised in 1950s. monitors.Making up the remainder of the top ten in alphabetical order are: Air New Zealand, Cathay Pacific 66. Vibrant Gujarat: PM Narendra Modi promises to make Airways, British Airways, Emirates, Etihad Airways, EVA India easiest place to do business with a stable tax regime Air, Finnair, Lufthansa and Singapore Airlines.Over its 94- and a predictable, transparent and fair policy environment. year history Qantas has amassed an extraordinary record ii. a single window clearance for projects is being set up at of firsts in safety and operations and is now accepted as both central and state level. the world’s most experienced airline. www.bankersadda.com | www.careerpower.in | www.careeradda.co.in 7

ii. According to the Organisation for Economic Co- 68. World Bank projects 6.4% economic growth in India in operation and Development (OECD), India would be the 2015:World Bank President Jim Yong Kim said that the only country among world's top economies which would Indian economy is likely to grow at 6.4 per cent in 2015 increase its pace of growth this year. and accelerate further in the next year. iii. Recent initiatives towards a favourable enviornment is - i.After slowing to sub-five per cent growth in the previous FDI in construction has been liberalised, 100 per cent two financial years, the economy has started showing signs foreign investment has been allowed in railways, the of pick-up as it expanded by 5.7 per cent and 5.3 per cent defence sector has been opened for FDI up to 49 per cent in the second and third quarter of 2015. and a similar level in the insurance sector. ii. Mr. Jim said, he was “very encouraged” by the recent proposal of a Constitution amendment bill for Goods and 67. Investers Boom in Gujrat: Reliance will invest Services Tax. Rs.1,00,000 crore in Gujarat across its businesses, iii. GST will create one common market and substantial including the Gujarat petrochemical complex, in the next saving for companies on logistics, especially if the 18 months. structure of the GST is uniform. i. As part of the investment programme, RIL will partner with thousands of small businesses and Gujarati 69. Facebook is the leader of social media, a survey by a entrepreneurs to create virtuous cycle of prosperity, Mr. US-based global think tank Pew Research Centre that Ambani said. involved 1,597 internet users revealed that 71 per cent of ii. Kumarmangalam Birla said the diversified Aditya Birla US adults were hooked to Facebook in 2014. Group will invest Rs. 20,000 crore over a period of time in the state to ramp up capacities across various existing 70. SunEdison inks pact with OmnigridMicropower facilities. Company (OMC), which is engaged in building small-scale iii . On the anvil are brownfield expansions at our cement power plants with renewable sources have entered into an plant in Sevagram, the VSF plants in Vilayat and Bharuch, agreement to develop 5,000 rural projects, representing and along with that, expansion in metal plants (among 250 MW of electricity, throughout India over the next others) here. three to five years. ii. SunEdison and OMC have an offering that can help telecommunication organisations meet their regulatory requirements and provide energy to local communities. iii. SunEdison is currently building 60 mini grids across India - this initiative will further accelerate our efforts towards the Prime Minister's Energy Vision of making electricity available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

80. Federer notches 1,000th match win, claims Brisbane title and collected his 83rd title with a win over third- seeded Milos Raonic of Canada in the Brisbane International final. i. The 17-time major winner broke Raonic’s serve in the third game and again in the opening game of the second set before Raonic broke back for 2-2 and then dominated the tiebreaker.

81. NRIs can vote through postal ballots:Centre gave their nod to the proposal prepared by a 12-member committee led by Vinod Zutshi, Deputy Election Commissioner, for ‘Exploring Feasibility of Alternative Options for Voting by Overseas Electors’. i.The Centre told the Supreme Court that the EC’s recommendation to extend voting rights to NRIs through postal ballots have been accepted in letter and spirit. ii. Chief Justice H L Dattu and A K Sikri asked the Centre to inform it about “further steps taken to implement the suggestions.”

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iii. The poll panel had contended that the move to allow 84. Microsoft ties up with Idea for paid apps, games.Idea NRIs to use proxy voting on the lines of defence personnel users will be able to purchase premium apps and games and e-ballot facility will require changes in the law and a from the Windows Store on Microsoft Lumia as well as legislative framework. other Windows-based smartphones and pay for them through integrated billing. 82. The 72nd Golden Globe Awards announced in Beverly Hills, California. 85. National Youth Day observed across India on 12 ii. Coming of age tale "Boyhood" won the coveted Golden January to mark the birth anniversary of social reformer, Globe for best drama. philosopher and thinker Swami Vivekananda.This is the ii. while the quirky period caper "The Grand Budapest 152nd birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda.He is best Hotel" was the surprise winner for best comedy or known for his inspiring speech at the Parliament of the musical, in a big upset to awards season front-runner World's Religions in Chicago in 1893 in which he "Birdman." introduced Hinduism, his words began with words, Sisters List of award winners - and brothers of America. • Best Motion Picture-Drama: Boyhood • Best Actor in a Motion Picture- Drama: Eddie 86. Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC)-SHAR(Sriharikota Redmayne, The Theory of Everything Range) director MYS Prasad chosen for Vikram Sarabhai • Best Actress in a Motion Picture-Drama: Julianne Memorial Award 2015 Moore, Still Alice • Best Motion Picture-Comedy or Musical: The Grand Budapest Hotel • Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical: Amy Adams, Big Eyes • Best Actor in a Motion Picture-Comedy or Musical: Michael Keaton, Birdman 87. EC announces Delhi Assembly poll dates; voting on Feb • Best Animated Film: How To Train Your Dragon 2 7, counting on Feb 10 held in a single phase for 70 • Best Foreign Language Film: Leviathan (Russia) Assembly seats. The total electorate of Delhi is 1.3 crore • Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture: Patricia and the total number of total stations are 11763. Model Arquette, Boyhood Code of Conduct has come into force from today.In 2013, • Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture: J.K. the BJP had emerged as the single largest party with 31 Simmons, Whiplash MLAs, followed by AAP which got 28 MLAs. • Best Director-Motion Picture: Richard Linklater, Boyhood 88. Stan Wawrinka wins Chennai Open over Slovenian • Best Screenplay: Birdman qualifier Aljaz Bedene it was the second consecutive title • Best Original Score - Motion Picture: Johann victory at Chennai and third overall for the top-seeded Johannsson, The Theory of Everything player, who did not drop a set in the tournament. • Best Original Song - Motion Picture: John Legend and Common, "Glory," Selma 89. AS Kiran Kumar appointed as new ISRO chief. He was the director of Satellite Application Centre and joined ISRO 83. Govt to sell stake in PSUs:Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in 1975.He was also behind the success of India's Mars said the divestment programme would be pursued on Orbiter Mission which entered the Martian orbit on priority and involve more than one PSU during this period. September 24.Kumar has contributed to the design and There are reports that the government is looking to sell 10 development of Electro-Optical Imaging Sensors for per cent stake in Coal India to raise Rs 24,000 crore.The Airborne, LEO and GEO platform based imaging sensors government has realised Rs 1,715 crore from starting from Bhaskara TV payload to the latest TMC disinvestment proceeds so far in the current fiscal 2014- adHySI payloads for Chandrayaan-1 missions. 15.Government have set a target of Rs 43,425 crore from sale of its shares in listed companies. 90. Raghuram Rajan named Governor of the Year in Central Banking Awards i.Jacques de Larosiere winning the Lifetime Achievement Award after a lengthy struggle for monetary order while Claudio Borio, head of the monetary and economic department at the Bank for International Settlements, was handed the inaugural award for Economics in Central

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Banking, designed to recognise significant contributions to the field. 95. Australia launched Online Visa Pilot Programme to ii. This is a recognition of the part the Reserve Bank of make it easier for Indian business and tourism visitors to India and its staff have been playing in bringing apply online visa for travelling Australia. macroeconomic stability to the Indian economy. i. It covers online lodgement of subclass 600 visas for Indian business and tourism visitors. It will be rolled out 91. Retail inflation up at 5% in Dec on higher food prices as through selected travel agents across India. prices of some food items, including fruits and vegetables, ii. India has the potential to contribute between 1.9 billion increased.In November, retail inflation based on the US dollars and 2.3 billion US dollars annually to tourism Consumer Price Index (CPI) was at 4.38 percent, the industry by 2020. lowest level since government started computing the new series of data in January 2012.The consumer inflation rose 96. Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo retains the FIFA Ballon to 5.32 percent in urban India and 4.71 percent in rural d’Or for the second year in a row and the third time in his area during December. career, ahead of Argentinean Lionel Messi and Manuel Neuer of Germany. 92. India’s Mars Orbiter team wins US award,Space i. Joachim Low’s feat in guiding Germany to the 2014 FIFA Pioneer Award, in the science and engineering category World Cup earned him the Coach-of-the-Year award. from the US based National Space Society (NSS). ii. Colombian James Rodriguez won the Puskas Award for i.This award will be presented to an ISRO representative the goal of the year. during the National Space Society’s 2015 International iii. Contributing to Ronaldo’s win were 37.66% of the votes Space Development Conference, the 34th ISDC, to be held coming from 181 of the national team coaches, 182 of the in Toronto, Canada. national team captains, and 181 of the media Note - India’s Mars Orbiter launched on Nov 5, 2013 that representatives who voted. went into Mars orbit on Sep 24, 2014 achieved two iv. Messi was second with 15.76% and Neuer, third with significant mission firsts in terms of an Indian spacecraft 15.72%. that has gone into orbit around Mars on the very first try and that no other country has ever done this. Secondly, the 97. H.S.Brahma to be the next chief Election Commissioner spacecraft is in an elliptical orbit with a high apoapsis, and of India replaced Veeravalli Sundaram Sampath, Chief has a high resolution camera which is taking full-disk Election Commissioner, demits office on 15th January colour imagery of Mars.The Mars Orbiter programme team 2015, capping less than six years of an eventful tenure. located in Bangalore is headed by Mylswamy Annadurai. H.S.Brahma will be the 19th Chief Election Commissioner of India, He was the other election Commissioner along with Ahmed Zaidi in the outgoing Sampath regime.

98. DRDO chief Avinash Chander removed by thre Modi government 15 months before his contract was supposed to end. 93.Zomato(Indian restaurant search services provider) Chander was also the scientific advisor to the defence acquires U.S. -based rival Urbanspoon firm for about $50 minister.Chander is the chief architect of Agni series of million in one of the biggest overseas deals by an Indian ballistic missile systems.The action could have been taken startup. against the backdrop of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's i. Company is said to be in talks to raise about $100 million comment that the 'laid back' attitude in the DRDO will not in fresh funding. be tolerated. ii. The acquisition of Urbanspoon, which marks Zomato's entry into the United States, Canada and Australia, will 99. The Ajay Bijli PVR set to acquire Chennai's premier result in its presence in 22 countries, covering more than movie exhibition company SPI Cinemas popularly known one million restaurants. as Sathyam Cinemas.This could end up to be the biggest iv. Founded in 2008, Zomato is currently valued at around deal in India's multiplex sector. the deal may close for a $660 million. rather steep valuation of approximately Rs 750-1,000 crore for just 40 odd screens, located predominantly in the 94. Deepak Parekh appointed as Non-Executive Director Southern metro.last month Carnival Cinemas paid a little and Chairman of BAE Systems India (Services) Private over Rs 700 crore to buy out Anil Ambani's Big Cinemas Limited:Deepak Parekh appointed as a Non-Executive that has 242 screens across the country. Director and Chairman of BAE Systems India (Services) Private Limited with effect from 1 January 2015. www.bankersadda.com | www.careerpower.in | www.careeradda.co.in 10