Unique IAS Academy September Current Affairs 2016 English
5 September: National Teachers Day 05-Sep-16 Every year 5th September is being observed as National Teachers Day in India. Significance of Day: Observance of this day commemorates the birthday of India’s first Vice President and second President Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan since 1962. Urjit Patel assumes charge as 24th RBI Governor 05-Sep-16 Eminent economist, consultant and banker Dr. Urjit Patel has assumed charge as the 24th Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Dr. Patel succeeds Raghuram Rajan who completed his tenure after serving a three-year term. He will have tenure of three years. WHO declares Sri Lanka malaria-free 06-Sep-16 The World Health Organisation (WHO) has officially declared Sri Lanka a malaria-free, after certifying that the life-threatening disease had been completely eliminated in the island. Union Health Ministry launches campaign to eradicate leprosy 06-Sep-16 The Union Health Ministry has recently launched the “Leprosy Case Detection Campaign (LCDC)” to eradicate leprosy from the country. 2016 G-20 Summit held in Hangzhou, China 06-Sep-16 The 2016 Group of Twenty (G20) Summit was held in Hangzhou, China from 4th to 5th September 2016 to discuss efforts to reform global economic governance. It was the eleventh meeting of the G20. It was the first ever G20 summit to be hosted in China and the second Asian country after 2010 G20 Seoul summit was hosted in South Korea GRSE hands over fast attack craft Tihayu to Indian Navy 07-Sep-16 The Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE) has handed over Tihayu, a Water Jet Fast Attack Craft (WJFAC) to the Indian Navy. The warship was handed over to the Indian Navy’s Commanding Officer Cdr Ajay Kashov by Rear Admiral (Retd) AK Verma, CMD of GRSE. Union Government launches #Gas4India campaign to promote use natural gas in the country 07- Sep-16 The Union Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas has launched #Gas4India campaign, aimed at promoting the use of natural gas in the country. It was launched by Union Minister of State (I/C) for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan in New Delhi. He also launched the website, Twitter handle, facebook page and Theme song of the campaign. India, Kazakhstan Joint Exercise PRABAL DOSTYK-16 begins 07-Sep-16 India, Kazakhstan joint bilateral military exercise PRABAL DOSTYK-16 began in Karaganda region of Kazakhstan. The fourteen day (till 17 September 2016) will be a significant step towards fostering military as well as diplomatic ties between both countries. ‘Prabal Dostyk’ means ‘Robust Friendship’ President gives assent to the Constitution (122nd Amendment) (GST) Bill, 2014 08-Sep-16 President Pranab Mukherjee has given assent to the Constitution (122nd Amendment) (GST) Bill,
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2014 as per Article 111 of the Constitution. With the assent, bill becomes law and opens road to roll out a new indirect tax regime and gives way for the concept of one nation, one tax. What is GST? The GST is a single indirect tax throughout country. It subsumes most of the Central and State indirect taxes such as the Value Added Tax (VAT), excise duty, service tax, central sales tax, additional customs duty and special additional duty of customs 2016 ASEAN Summit held in Vientiane, Laos 09-Sep-16 The 28th and 29th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit was held in Vientiane, Laos from 6th to 8th September 2016. Prime Minister of the Lao PDR H.E. Thongloun Sisoulith was Chairperson of the summit. The theme of the summit was “Turning Vision into Reality for a Dynamic ASEAN Community”. The summit was attended by the leaders of all 10-member nations of ASEAN viz. Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, Brunei Darussalam, Lao PDR (host), , Vietnam, Myanmar and Cambodia. About Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) ASEAN is a group of 10 South Asian nations which came into existence on August 8, 1967 after ASEAN declaration (also known as Bangkok declaration) Haryana wins Best Horticulture State award 10-Sep-16 Haryana has won ‘Best Horticulture State’ award of the Indian Council of Food and Agriculture (ICFA). The award was bestowed upon the state for its concerted efforts made to increase the income of the farmers in horticulture. The award was received by Haryana Agriculture Minister OP Dhankar at two-day 9th Agricultural Leadership Summit 2016 that organized by ICFA in New Delhi Mariyappan Thangavelu wins India’s first Gold medal at 2016 Rio Paralympic Games 10-Sep-16 Mariyappan Thangavelu has won India’s first gold medal at the 2016 Rio Paralympics. He won the gold medal in the Men’s High Jump T-42 event with jump of 1.89 metres. With this, Thangavelu became the first Indian high-jumper to win gold at the Paralympics. This was India’s overall third gold at the Paralympics and the first after 12 years. In addition, India’s Varun Singh Bhati won the bronze medal in same event with the jump of 1.86 metres to finish third. Sam Grewe of United States won the silver medal. India had won its first ever Paralympics Gold medal in the 1972 Heidelberg Games. It was won by Swimmer Murlikant Petkar. Mandi, Sindhudurg emerge cleanest Districts in India: Gramin Swachh Survekshan 10-Sep-16 Mandi in Himachal Pradesh and Sindhudurg in Maharashtra have emerged the cleanest districts in India according Gramin Swachh Survekshan. Sindhudurg was judged as the cleanest in the ‘Plains’ category and Mandi in the cleanest district in ‘Hills’ category. The Gramin Swachh Survekshan report was released by the Union Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj.
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Indian Coast Guard commissions offshore patrolling vessel Sarathi 10-Sep-16 The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has commissioned well-equipped offshore patrolling (OPV) vessel named ‘Sarathi’. It was commissioned by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar at Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL) shipyard at Vasco in south Goa. World’s first daily driverless bus service launched in Lyon, France 10-Sep-16 The world’s first daily driverless bus service has started in Lyon, France which will run in the city’s Confluence area. The driverless bus service includes two electric shuttles that will transport passengers on a tenminute route hosting five stops. Stan Wawrinka wins 2016 US Open Men’s Singles title 12-Sep-16 Stan Wawrinka (World no 3) from Switzerland has won the 2016 US Open men’s singles title. This is Wawrinka’s maiden US Open title and his third major title. In the final match, he defeated Novak Djokovic (World number One) from Serbia by 6-7, 6-4, 7-5 and 6-3 score. He has won three Grand Slam singles titles viz. 2014 Australian Open, 2015 French Open and 2016 US Open. Army Green wins 2016 Durand Cup Football Title 14-Sep-16 Army Green has won the 2016 Durand Cup Football Title by defeating Neroca FC. It was the 128th edition of the Durand Cup. 3rd BRICS Urbanisation Forum Meet begins in Vishakhapatnam 14-Sep-16 The third edition of BRICS Urbanisation Forum Meet has started in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The three days conference was be inaugurated by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu in the presence of Union Minister of Urban Development, M. Venkaiah Naidu. Devendra Jhajharia wins gold medal in javelin throw at 2016 Rio Paralympics 14-Sep-16 India’s Devendra Jhajharia (36) has won gold medal in the men’s javelin throw, F46 event held at the 2016 Rio Paralympics Subramanian Swamy awarded Tamil Ratna award 15-Sep-16 Senior BJP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Subramanian Swamy has been honoured with Tamil Ratna award by America Tamil Sangam (ATS) in 15 September: International Democracy Day 15-Sep-16 The International Democracy Day is being observed every year on 15 September to raise public awareness about the democratic system. The observance of the day provides an opportunity to review the state of democracy in the world. It focuses on essential elements of democracy i.e. values of freedom, respect for human rights and principle of holding periodic and genuine elections by universal suffrage. 2016 Theme: “Democracy and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development“New York Meeting of BRICS Representatives in charge of security held in New Delhi 16-Sep-16 The meeting of BRICS Representatives in charge of security was held in New Delhi, India. It was hosted
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National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval. The meeting was attended by representatives in charge of security of BRICS nations viz. Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa NASA’s Cassini spacecraft to make final observations of Saturn 16-Sep-16 NASA’s Cassini spacecraft after studying Saturn, its rings and moons for more than 12 years, has entered in the final year of its epic voyage. In its epic voyage, the Cassini spacecraft will make the closest-ever observations of the planet. Beginning November 30, 2016 Cassini will make the closest-ever observations of Saturn 16 September: International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer 16-Sep-16 The International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer is observed every year on September 16 for the preservation of the Ozone Layer. Significance of the Day: The day is commemoration of the date in 1987 on which the Montreal Protocol was signed on substances that deplete the ozone layer. 2016 theme: “Ozone and climate: Restored by a world united”. The theme recognizes the collective efforts of the parties to the Montreal Protocol and Vienna Convention towards the restoration of the ozone layer over the past three decades and the global commitment to combat climate change. Background: The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) had designated 16 September as the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer on December 19, 1994. What is Ozone Layer? The ozone layer is a region of Earth’s stratosphere that absorbs most of the Sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation that may cause skin cancer. It contains high concentrations of ozone (O3) in relation to other parts Writer Meghna Pant wins FON South Asia Short Story Award 17-Sep-16 Writer Meghna Pant has won the Fellows of Nature (FON) South Asia Short Story Award in Nature writing. The award will be presented to her for her short story “People of the Sun” at Kumaon Literary Festival in October 2016. Her story was shortlisted from over 165 entries received from across South Asia Meghna Pant is Mumbai-based writer. She has penned a novel, “One & A Half Wife” and a collection of short stories called, “Happy Birthday! Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma conferred with Arjuna Award 17-Sep-16 Cricketers Ajinkya Rahane and Rohit Sharma were conferred with the Arjuna Award for their contributions to sport of cricket. The award was bestowed upon them by Union Sports Minister Vijay Goel in New Delhi. Sharma was bestowed with the award for the year 2015 and Rahane for the year 2016. India declares itself free from Avian Influenza 17-Sep-16 India has officially declared itself free from highly contagious Avian Influenza (H5N1) or bird flu and has notified the same to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). It was announced by the Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries in the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers welfare. This
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announcement was made as no outbreak of Avian Influenza (H5N1) was reported in the country after the last notified outbreak at Humnabad, Bidar district, Karnataka in June 201 . Alka Sirohi appointed as UPSC chairman 19-Sep-16 President Pranab Mukherjee has appointed former IAS officer Alka Sirohi as chairman of Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) as per Article 316 of Constitution. She will replace Deepak Gupta who demits office on 20th September 2016. She will be in office till completion of her term as member on January 3, 2017 Indian Railways launches Yatri Mitra Sewa to help elderly, differently-abled 20-Sep-16 Indian Railways has launched launched ‘Yatri Mitra Sewa’ in a move to make rail travel comfortable for elderly, differently-abled and ailing travellers. The ‘Yatri Mitra Sewa’ will facilitate access to wheelchairs, battery operated cars and porter services elderly, differently-abled and ailing travelers HRD Minister inaugurates Super Computer PARAM-ISHAN at IIT Guwahati 20-Sep-16 The Union Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Prakash Javadekar has inaugurated the super computer PARAM ISHAN at IIT Guwahati campus. PARAM ISHAN is the fastest and most powerful computer in North East, Eastern and Southern region of India outside Bengaluru (Karnataka). India ranks 112th in 2016 World Economic Freedom Index 20-Sep-16 India has been ranked 112th out of 159 countries in the 2016 World Economic Freedom Index (WEFI). The index was release as part of the 2016 annual report of the Economic Freedom. The report measures the economic freedom by analyzing the policies and institutions of all 159 countries and territories and was based on data from the year 2014 Long range surface-to-air Barak-8 missile successfully test fired 20-Sep-16 India and Israel jointly developed most advanced long range surface-to-air missile (LR-SAM) Barak-8 was successfully test fired off the Odisha coast. The missile was test fired from a mobile launcher at the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur in Balasore district in Odisha. The Union Ministry of Urban Development has shortlisted 27 cities from 12 States in the list of third batch of Smart Cities Mission. These cities were shortlisted based on scores obtained in the latest round of the Smart City Challenge competition in which total 63 cities had participated. This competition list was topped by Amritsar in Punjab. With five cities, Maharashtra has the highest number of cities in the list. The list also includes four cities each from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, three cities from Uttar Pradesh and two each from Raj 21 September: International Day of Peace 21-Sep-16 The International Day of Peace is observed across the world on 21 September every year to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples. Significance: The International Day of Peace acknowledges
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the efforts of those who have strived to end conflict and promote peace. This day is also observed as a day of ceasefire. 2016 Theme: “The Sustainable Development Goals: Building Blocks for Peace”. Union Cabinet approves merger of Rail budget with General budget 21-Sep-16 The Union Cabinet has approved the proposals of Ministry of Finance to merge of Railway budget with the General budget. Merger of Railway Budget with the General Budget will be effective from the Budget 2017-18. It will end 92-year-old tradition as the presentation of separate Railway budget started in year 1924. Since then it has continued after independence as a convention rather than under Constitutional provisions. World’s largest solar power plant commissioned at Kamudhi, Tamil Nadu 24-Sep-16 The world’s largest solar power plant with an installed capacity of 648MW was commissioned at Kamudhi in Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu. The plant was set up on an area of around 5,000 acres by Adani Group at a total cost of Rs 4,550 crore. It was connected to the grid through a sub- station Union Government to launch Mission Parivar Vikas for improved family planning services 24- Sep-16 The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is going to launch Mission Parivar Vikas for improved family planning services in 145 High Focus districts in seven states India, France ink deal for 36 Rafale fighter jets 24-Sep-16 India and France has signed an Inter- Governmental Agreement for the purchase of 36 Rafale fighter jets at a cost of 7.87 billion Euros. The deal was signed by Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and his French counterpart Jean Yves Le Drian. Eric Trappier in New Delhi. 2nd SAARC Anti-Terrorism Mechanism held in New Delhi 24-Sep-16 The second meeting of the High Level Group of Eminent Experts to strengthen the SAARC AntiTerrorism Mechanism was held in New Delhi. Delegations from all eight SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) member countries participated in the conference. SAARC members are Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. UNSC approves resolution for global implementation CTBT to ban nuclear weapons tests 24-Sep- 16 The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has approved a resolution urging quick global implementation of Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban treaty (CTBT) to ban tests of nuclear weapons. The CTBT bans all nuclear explosions for both civilian and military purposes. It was adopted by the UNGA under resolution 50 (1996). Velavan Senthilkumar wins U-19 Asian title of Squash 26-Sep-16 India’s squash player Velavan Senthilkumar has won the Under-19 Asian Junior Individual squash championship title. In the
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final match held in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia’s capital), he defeated Jordan’s Mohammad AlSarraj by 12-14, 9-11, 11-6, 11-8, 11-7 score. With this he becomes, second Indian to win this title after Ravi Dixit in 2010. CSIR celebrates its platinum jubilee 26-Sep-16 India’s largest civilian research and development agency Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) celebrated its platinum jubilee About Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) CSIR is an autonomous body and the largest research and development (R&D) organisation in India. It became operational on 26 September 1942. ISRO successfully launches 8 satellites into two different orbits 26-Sep-16 The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for first time has successfully launched eight satellites into two different orbits in a single mission. These satellites were launched onboard of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle C35 (PSLV C35) from the first launch pad of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikotta. It was PSLV’s longest and most complex mission. It is also for the first time PSLV has successfully placed satellites in two different orbits in single mission. SCATSAT-1 satellite: It is weather satellite that was placed in polar sun synchronous orbit of 730 kilometer height. It will provide weather forecasting services meant for ocean and weather forecasts, cyclone detection and tracking through wind-vector products. It will have life of five years India wins historic 500th Test against New Zealand 27-Sep-16 India has won the test match against New Zealand by 197-runs in their historic 500th cricket Test in Kanpur. On the fifth and final day of the match at Green Park, India bowled out the visitors for 236 in their second innings. Shortly after Lunch, they set them an improbable target of 434 27 September: World Tourism Day 27-Sep-16 The World Tourism Day (WTD) is being observed annually on 27th September to raise awareness about the importance of tourism. Significance of the day: To foster awareness among the international community of the importance of tourism and its social, cultural, political and economic value. 2016 Theme: ‘Tourism for all – promoting universal accessibility’. It seeks to spread both the importance and immense benefits universal accessibility of tourism. Union Government decides to suspend talks on Indus Waters Treaty 27-Sep-16 The Union Government has decided to suspend all talks on India-Pakistan Indus Waters Treaty in the wake of the Uri attack. Decision in this regard was taken by meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It was attended by National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar, tWater Resources Secretary and senior PMO officials. Key Highlights of Meeting No review or abrogation of the Indus Waters Treaty. Decision to utilise water under India’s share to fullest. Suspend talks on the Permanent Indus Commission (PIC), the dispute redressal
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mechanism until terrorism stops. Review the 1987 suspension of the Tulbbul navigation project that Pakistan had objected. Build more run-of-the-river hydropower projects on western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) to exploit full potential. Expedite construction of Pakal Dul, Sawalkot, Bursar dams in Jammu and Kashmir. Use 20% of river water allocated under treaty for Jammu and Kashmir farmers. About Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) IWT is a water-distribution treaty between India and Pakistan. It brokered by the World Bank (then the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development). Jim Yong Kim re-appointed as President of World Bank for second term 28-Sep-16 Jim Yong Kim has been re-appointed as President of World Bank for a second five-year term beginning 1 July 2017. He was unanimously chosen by the Executive Directors of the World Bank. He was the only candidate in a process. About Jim Yong Kim Jim Yong Kim is a South Korean-American physician and anthropologist. He is the 12th President of the World Bank and for first time was appointed in 2012 28 September: World Rabies Day 28-Sep-16 The World Rabies Day is observed on 28 September across the world to raise awareness about the rabies disease and its preventable measures. CCEA approves implementation of Project SAKSHAM for CBEC’s GST integration 29-Sep-16 The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved ‘Project SAKSHAM’. The Project SAKSHAM is a New Indirect Tax Network (Systems Integration) of the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC). It seeks to bolster the information technology network for the new Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime that the Union Government intends to roll out from 1st April 2017. 29 September: World Maritime Day 29-Sep-16 The World Maritime Day is observed across the world on 29 September to highlight the importance of shipping safety, maritime security and the marine environment. Union Cabinet approves ratification of the Paris Agreement 29-Sep-16 The Union Cabinet has given its approval to ratify the Paris Agreement (on Climate Change) on Gandhi Jayanti i.e. on 2nd October 2016. The Paris Agreement was adopted by 185 nations in December 2015. India had signed the agreement in New York in April 2016. So far, 191 countries have signed the agreement. Indian Army carries out surgical strikes on terror launch pads across LoC 29-Sep-16 Indian Army has successfully conducted surgical strikes on terror launch pads across the Line of Control () in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) i.e. along India’s de-facto border with Pakistan.
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