<<

Current Affairs

NO. 38, Burkit road, T. Nagar, -17 Ph: 044-64563030 Mobile: 9043303030, www.theRace.in R.A.C.E Rapid Academy of Competitive Exams [Unit of Seeman Education]

Follow us!!!

raceinstitute.blogspot.in

www.facebook.com/RACE.RapidAcacdemy

https://plus.google.com/+RACEguru

https://twitter.com/RACEInstitute

Exclusively prepared for R.A.C.E students 2 NO. 38, Burkit road, T. Nagar, Chennai-17 Ph: 044-64563030 Mobile: 9043303030, www.theRace.in R.A.C.E Rapid Academy of Competitive Exams [Unit of Seeman Education]

January Current Affairs – 2014

National Affairs Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK) at delhi today. He also 1. Air Marshal Arup Raha took over as the Air inaugurated the three-day National Adolescent Health Force chief 1st Jan. He succeeded Air Chief Consultation. [7-Jan] Marshal NAK Browne. Earlier he had held various command, staff and instructional appointments in his 10. Dhanu Yatra of Bargarh, considered to be world's 39-year-old career. biggest open-air theatre, all set for 11-day festival in Odisha. [7-Jan] 2. Indian government has cancelled a USD 753 million helicopter deal with Italian defence giant 11. Maharashtra government‘s ambitious health Finmeccanica after allegations of corruption. The programme – ‗Jeevan Amrut Yojana‟ or „Blood-on- contract was for 12 luxury helicopters to transport Call‟ launched across the state today. [7-Jan] VIPs. The deal was scrapped because an integrity pact had been breached by the firm‘s Anglo-Italian 12. The ambitious North Eastern Region Community helicopter arm Agusta Westland. Resource Management Project (NERCORMP) was officially launched for the districts of Tirap, Changlang 3. International Petroleum Conference 2014 held and Longding in Arunachal Pradesh today. [7-Jan] in New Delhi from 12th – 15th January 2014 with 'Vision 2030: Emerging Global Energy Basket - 13. Govt launches 'Maulana Azad Taleem-e- Challenges and Opportunities' as its theme. Baligan' scheme to educate Muslim adults. [7-Jan]

4. People consuming 0 to 200 units and 201 to 400 14. The population of Kashmir Stag or 'Hangul', a units electricity a month in Delhi would get 50% highly endangered species found only in the valley's subsidy in power tariff with effect from 1st January Dachigam National Park, has increased substantially. 2014. 15. The union cabinet Thursday approved the National Youth Policy 2014, which focuses on education, skill 5. [3rd Jan] announced that a new rule whereby development, employment, entrepreneurship and all travelers from Pakistan would have to be vaccinated health. Union Cabinet approves recommendation to against polio would be implemented from February 14. increase 10,000 MBBS seats. [9-Jan]

6. PM Manmohan Singh inaugurated 90th anniversary 16. The government Thursday introduced a celebrations of 'Mathrubhumi' daily newspaper at comprehensive regulatory framework for television Kochi. [5-Jan] rating agencies in India. TAM (Television Audience Measurement) to be given 30 days to comply with new 7. Gujarat has done a little worse than the national guidelines that have been approved by cabinet. [9- average when it comes to achieving decline in the Jan] Total Fertility Rate (TFR) and Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR), according to the Union Health Ministry. [6- 17. Delhi government today introduced 1031 - an Jan] easy to remember anti-corruption helpline number - replacing the eight-digit number launched two days 8. The Visakhapatnam airport has commenced 24-hour back which received a whopping 23,500 calls. [10- operations from January 1 this year, Jan] Operates it. [6-Jan] 18. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today inaugurated 9. Ghualm Nabi Azad, Union Minister for Health and the state-of-the-art Terminal 2 or T2 at Chhatrapati Family Welfare launched the Rashtriya Kishor Shivaji International Airport in . This 4.4

Exclusively prepared for R.A.C.E students 3 NO. 38, Burkit road, T. Nagar, Chennai-17 Ph: 044-64563030 Mobile: 9043303030, www.theRace.in R.A.C.E Rapid Academy of Competitive Exams [Unit of Seeman Education] million square feet project has been inspired by India‘s relations, received a ceremonial reception at the national bird - the peacock. [10-Jan] Rashtrapati Bhavan, Delhi today. [16-Jan]

19. India's most wanted terrorist Dawood Ibrahim is in 28. Union Minister for Commerce & Industry Pakistan and joint efforts with the US were being made AnandSharma inaugurated 5th SAARC Business to nab him, Union Home Minister Shinde Leaders Conclave at FICCI, Federation House, New said. [10-Jan] Delhi. [16-Jan]

21. 18th National Youth Festival to be held in Ludhiana 29. Union Minister for Oil and Natural Gas Veerappa from 12th to 16th January 2014. [10-Jan] Moily has said that the proposal to increase subsidised LPG cylinder limit from nine to 12 per year, will be 22. The Supreme Court issued notices to the Centre submitted in the cabinet soon. [18-Jan] and states of Uttrakhand, , Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bangal on a PIL seeking its 30. Lauding the work of National Disaster Response direction to prohibit them from throwing waste Force (NDRF) during calamities, including one in material from factories into river Ganga and check Japan, Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar pollution. [10-Jan] Shinde on Sunday said the Centre would soon recommend Disaster Mitigation Medals for the brave 23. Punjab government has hiked the monetary personnel. [19-Jan] allowance given to gallantry award winners in the state by 20 percent. [10-Jan] 31. The Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) signed MoUs with FICCI. MoUs were signed to 24. Nirbheek, India‟s first gun for women, collaborate in the areas of Corporate Social launched Responsibility Competition Law, Corporate Laws, i. India‘s first gun for women, Nirbheek was launched Corporate Governance, Inclusive Growth and on 9 January 2014. It has been manufactured by the Sustainable Development of the industry and the Indian Ordnance Factory, Kanpur. economy. [19-Jan] ii. It is a 0.32 bore light weight revolver which has been developed to give more power to women to 32. No plastic tri-colour is used during the defend themselves. It only weighs 500 grams and is Republic Day celebration on January 26 - Odisha made of titanium alloy. Besides, being the lightest government. [19-Jan] revolver, Nirbheek is also the smallest revolver made in India. 33. Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Gulam Nabi Azad launched the National Urban 25. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh laid the Health Mission in Bangalore today. The programme foundation stone of country's largest 2800 mw nuclear aims to provide health security to urban poor and it power plant at Gorakhpur village in Fatehabad district, envisages creation of necessary health check up . [13-Jan] infrastructure and the manpower requirement. Central Government will share 80% of the cost to implement 26. India complete three years without any polio case, the programme. All the 779 urban areas with over a feat that is expected to prompt the World Health 50,000 population in the country will be covered under Organisation (WHO) to declare the country polio-free the programme by March 2015. Around 20 crore in March. [13-Jan] people in urban areas will have access to free health care, with the launch of this programme. [20-Jan] 27. South Korea's First women President Park Geun-hye, who is on a four-day state visit to India 34. A 125-member strong Indian delegation will attend hold talks over global issues for boosting bilateral the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting at Davos, Switzerland this week, where they will

Exclusively prepared for R.A.C.E Students 4 NO. 38, Burkit road, T. Nagar, Chennai-17 Ph: 044-64563030 Mobile: 9043303030, www.theRace.in R.A.C.E Rapid Academy of Competitive Exams [Unit of Seeman Education] highlight efforts being undertaken to turn around the 42. Country's first monorail to roll out from economy. [21-Jan] Mumbai on Feb 2nd. The Chief Minister of Maharashtra Prithviraj Chavan will officially launch the 35. The Central Government has granted minority first phase of the monorail project between Chembur status to the Jain Community yesterday, this will and Wadala on February 1. enable them to avail of benefits in government Minimum fare will five rupess while, maximum fare will schemes and programmes. With this be twenty rupees. Capacity is 20,000 passengers per announcement, Jains became the sixth community to hour. Initially the frequency of train will be after every have minority status after Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, 15 minutes. [30-Jan] Buddhists and Parsis. [21-Jan] 43. India has 37 per cent of the world's illiterate 36. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee adults attended the national convention of Tamang tribe at i. India has by far the largest population of illiterate Mirik, Darjeeling district today. [21-Jan] adults -- 287 million or 37 percent of the global total, said a report released on Wednesday. 37. INS Vikramaditya arrives in India from Russia. ii. The "EFA Global Monitoring Report, 2013-14: [22-Jan] Teaching and Learning: Achieving Quality for All", commissioned by the UNESCO, said 10 countries 38. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will pay (including India) account for 557 million or 72 per cent an official visit to New Delhi from January 25-27 of the global population of illiterate adults. and will be the chief guest at this year‟s Republic iii. "India's literacy rate rose from 48 per cent in 1991 Day celebrations, as per the Ministry of External to 63 per cent in 2006, (the latest year for which data Affairs. During his visit, Abe will also hold discussions was available), but population growth cancelled the with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. [22-Jan] gains. So there was no change in the number of illiterate adults," the report said. 39. India would be declared Polio free in march by iv. The report said that without attracting and World Health Organization as it completes three years adequately training enough teachers, the learning without any polio case. [22-Jan] At the same time, crisis will "last for several generations and hit the Peshawar in Pakistan had the largest number of polio disadvantaged the hardest". cases in the world in 2013. [18-Jan]. v. "It leaves one in four young people in poor countries unable to read a single sentence, affecting one-third of 40. The National Innovation Council (NInC) and young women in South and West Asia," it said. the Ministry of Micro, Small vi. The countries include Bhutan, India, Bangladesh, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) come together to set Sri Lanka and Afghanistan. up 'India Inclusive Innovation Fund' (IIIF). The vii. At the report launch, Delhi Education Minister fund seeks to leverage the model of Venture Capital to Manish Sisodia said it was essential to change the transform the lives of the underprivileged. It‘s to add content in our textbooks, so that the "future teeth to the efforts of socio-economical upliftment by generation is more aware" about the various issues assisting inadequate philanthropy and Government prevalent in society. [30-Jan] grants/subsidies provided to the poors. [27-Jan] 44. India became third largest crude oil importer 41. India remembered Mahatma on his in the World 66th death anniversary with President Pranab i. India overtook Japan to become the third largest Mukherjee and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh crude oil importer in the World. As per the data leading the country in paying homage to the released by Reuters on 30 January 2014, India Father of the Nation. [30-Jan] imported 3.86 million barrels-per-day of crude oil in the year 2013.

Exclusively prepared for R.A.C.E Students 5 NO. 38, Burkit road, T. Nagar, Chennai-17 Ph: 044-64563030 Mobile: 9043303030, www.theRace.in R.A.C.E Rapid Academy of Competitive Exams [Unit of Seeman Education] ii. India‘s crude oil imports were nearly 6 percent Chile, other non-permanent members joining the higher than Japan‘s customs-cleared imports of council for the next two years included Chad, Lithuania 3648372 barrels-per-day (211716710 kilolitres). [31- and Nigeria. Chile previously sat on the UNSC from Jan] 1952-1953, 1961-1962, 1996-1997 and 2003-2004. World‟s Top Five Oil-Importing Countries [2-Jan] 1. China: China imports 6.30 million barrels per day 2. U.S.A: USA imports 6.24 million barrels per day 47. Jan 3rd is the 45th birthday of Michael Schumacher 3. India: India imports 3.86 million barrels per day (a retired German racing driver), who is struggling for 4. Japan: Japan imports 3.64 million barrels per day life after accident. 5. : Germany imports 2.67 million barrels per day 48. Nepal SC gives voters 'None of the Above' (NOTA) option; becomes 15th country to ensure 45. Sachin & Prof C N R Rao to get negative voting in elections. [6-Jan] on February 4 i. President Pranab Mukherjee will confer cricket 49. Malaysia has introduced visa on arrival (VoA) legend and eminent scientist Prof C facility for Indians travelling to this South Asian N R Rao with Bharat Ratna on February 4 at country from a third country, including Singapore and Rashtrapati Bhavan. Thailand. [6-Jan] ii. A formal ceremony, which is likely to be attended by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson 50. The euro zone‟s unemployment rate remained Sonia Gandhi, will be held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. stable at 12.1% in November. With this, the euro iii. The Little Master was given the honour hours after zone jobless rate has now been unchanged at its he played his 200th and last Test against the touring current record level for eight consecutive months West Indies in November last year. now. Greece has the highest unemployment rate of iv. Tendulkar (40) and Rao (89), both of whom are 27.4% followed by Spain at 26.7%. has the recipients of –the country‘s second lowest unemployment rate of 4.8% followed by 5.2% highest civilian honour, join the list of 41 in Germany. [8-Jan] eminent personalities to get the award given in recognition of exceptional service of the highest order. 51. US President Barack Obama today invited German Note: i. Tendulkar is the first sportsman and the Chancellor Angela Merkel to Washington in an effort to youngest recipient of the the Bharat Ratna. Besides mend fences after a diplomatic crisis provoked by Tendulkar, Rao will also be presented with the award. revelations of US eavesdropping on her mobile phone. ii. Prof Rao is a well recognized international authority [9-Jan] on solid state and materials chemistry. The 89-year- old has published over 1,400 research papers and 45 52. China took its propaganda war with Japan to the books. His contributions have been recognized by most United Nations, questioning Japanese Prime Minister major scientific academies around the world through Shinzo Abe‘s motives for visiting a controversial war conferment of memberships and fellowships, and has shrine and calling on him to correct his ―erroneous been honoured with several national and international outlook‖ on history. [9-Jan] awards. iii. Sachin Tendulkar and Prof Rao join the list of 41 53. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is heading to eminent personalities to get the Bharat Ratna. [31- Africa, keeping up a busy overseas travel schedule Jan] designed to boost Japan's global profile in the face of China's rise. [9-Jan] International Affairs 46. Chile took its seat at the United Nations Security 54. As Corporate America increasingly looks overseas Council (UNSC) as a non-permanent member of the to expand its business and remove hurdles in foreign international body till Dec 31, 2015. In addition to

Exclusively prepared for R.A.C.E Students 6 NO. 38, Burkit road, T. Nagar, Chennai-17 Ph: 044-64563030 Mobile: 9043303030, www.theRace.in R.A.C.E Rapid Academy of Competitive Exams [Unit of Seeman Education] countries, the US Chamber of Commerce has called for better intellectual property protection in India. [9-Jan] 64. Three international airlines (Fly Dubai, Silk Air (Singapore) and Air Arabia) are ready to begin flights 55. Cuban leader Fidel Castro makes first public from the Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) after appearance in nine months, coincides with 55th the state government decided to slash the VAT on anniversary of his entry to Havana. [9-Jan] Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF). [10-Jan]

56. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has conveyed to 65. The US unemployment rate dropped to a five Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck year low of 6.7% in December compared to India's "full commitment" and support to the country's unemployment rate of 7% in November as firms socio-economic welfare, particularly for development of created 74,000 new jobs. The number of jobs its hydropower resources. [9-Jan] created was the lowest for three years and was well under half the number expected by analysts mainly 57. Iran and world powers met today to discuss how to because of the bad weather faced by the USA in implement a landmark deal aimed at containing December. This data confirms strong recovery in the Tehran's nuclear drive, less than two weeks before the USA job market. [10-Jan] agreement is due to take effect. [10-Jan] 66. UN leader Ban Ki-moon and the UN Security 58. The latest Chinese moves to restrict fishing in Council are urging South Sudan President to release contested waters of the South China Sea are political detainees at the centre of efforts to start a "provocative and potentially dangerous acts," the ceasefire in the country‘s conflict. [11-Jan] United States has said. [10-Jan] 67. Ali Larayedh, the Prime Minister of Tunisia 59. The US has stepped up assistance to Iraq to resigned combat al-Qaeda-linked global terrorist groups who i. Ali Larayedh, the Prime Minister of Tunisia resigned have seized the oil-rich country's two major cities in from his office on 9 January 2014. the western province of Al-Anbar, the White House has ii. With his resignation, the country will be led by the said. [10-Jan] caretaker Government of technocrats led by led by new Prime Minister Mehdi Jomaa.[11-Jan] 60. Germany has agreed to join global efforts to destroy Syria's chemical weapons stockpiles by 68. US President Barack Obama announced to disposing residues of the most toxic materials. [10- establish an Af-Pak Strategic Partnership Office Jan] (APSPO) on 18 January 2014.

61. Pakistan's Attorney General Munir Malik, the 69. BIS and Ministry of Labour and Employment signed government's top law officer, resigned today. [10- an MoU to enhance the collaboration within the Jan] framework of UKIERI in New Delhi. [18-Jan]

62. India on Friday advised its nationals in Thailand to 70. Egypt's new constitution approved by 98.1 take precautions for personal safety as protesters percent. prepared for a massive rally on Monday aimed at Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, the Army chief who ousted the paralysing the capital to intensify an ongoing bid to democratically elected Islamist president Mohamed oust Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. [10-Jan] Morsi in last July, is said to be eyeing the presidential office. 63. Iran's nuclear envoy Abbas Araghchi in Geneva says an initial agreement has been reached on 71. US President Barak Obama has signed a $1.1 implementing a nuclear deal with six world powers and trillion spending bill that puts condition on continuation that it's been sent to capitals for approval. [10-Jan] of America aid to Pakistan. [19-Jan]

Exclusively prepared for R.A.C.E Students 7 NO. 38, Burkit road, T. Nagar, Chennai-17 Ph: 044-64563030 Mobile: 9043303030, www.theRace.in R.A.C.E Rapid Academy of Competitive Exams [Unit of Seeman Education]

79. A. K. Jain, a 1977-batch IAS officer of Nagaland 72. Afghanistan is likely to join the World Trade cadre, appointed as Secretary in Ministry of Women Organization (WTO) within the next three and Child Development. [3-Jan] months, as per the Afghan Commerce and Industries Ministry. [20-Jan] 80. AAP ‗s M S Dhir becomes Delhi Assembly Speaker. [3-Jan] 73. The Philippines said Tuesday it has banned imports of poultry and related products from China after it 81. B. G. Srinivas and U.B. Pravin Rao have been confirmed an outbreak of the HN52 strain of bird flu in appointed as presidents of the Infosys Ltd the northern province of Hebei. [21-Jan] Company. B. G. Srinivas will focus on global markets while U. B. Pravin Rao will focus on global delivery and 74. Chilika lagoon has been named „destination service innovation and they will report to CEO Shibulal. flyways‟ by United Nations World Tourism Also Infosys has announced that Executive Council will Organization (UNWTO) after its inclusion in a list cease to exist from 1st April 2014. [4-Jan] of eight such sites worldwide. It is the only site in Asia to be thus recognized by UNWTO. The 82. Justice B.S. Chauhan appointed as lagoon was so named because it is a sustainable and the Chairman of Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal. He resilient destination for migratory water birds, said will succeed Justice N.P. Singh as such who had official sources. UNWTO is the United Nations agency resigned on health grounds way back in April 2012. responsible for the promotion of universally accessible [6-Jan] tourism. Over the years, Chilika has proved to be the ideal destination for migratory birds, which is the 83. Raman Singh and BJP MLAs took oath as the first reason why it is also a globally-acclaimed tourist session of the newly-elected Chhattisgarh Assembly destination. [22-Jan] began on Monday, with BJP leader Gaurishankar Agrawal set to be elected as the Speaker. Agrawal, a Appointments two-time MLA, is the only candidate who had filed 75. has formally joined the euro zone with nomination for Speaker's post by Sunday evening, as new year, becoming the 18th member of the the deadline expired. The session will have five sittings group of EU states which uses the euro as its and end on January 10. [6-Jan] currency. Latvia recently emerged from the financial crisis to become the EU‘s fastest-growing economy as 84. US Senate confirms Janet Yellen as head of Federal well. This step will improve Latvia‘s credit rating and Reserve making her first woman to lead world's most attract foreign investors. [1-Jan] powerful central bank. [7-Jan]

76. Ashraf Jehan becomes the first female 85. Former Additional Judge Sudip Ranjan Sen was judge in National Sharia Court of Pakistan. [1-Jan] sworn in as judge of the Meghalaya High Court at shillong today. [7-Jan] 77. Pradeep Kumar Saxena has taken over charge as full-fledged General Manager of South Western Railway 86. The Telenor Group has nominated Morten (SWR). Before taking over as General Manager, SWR, Karlsen Sorby as the new Chief Executive Officer Saxena was Principal Chief Engineer, Central Railway, of Uninor with immediate effect. He replaces Sigve Mumbai. [2-Jan] Brekke who has served as interim CEO of Uninor since early November last year. Morten Karlsen Sooby joined 78. Nita Chowdhury, 1977 batch IAS officer of Uttar Telenor in 1993 and has been a member of the Group‘s Pradesh cadre, appointed as Secretary, Dept of Official executive management team since 2003. [8-Jan] Language, Ministry of Home Affairs. [3-Jan] 87. Bangladesh's newly elected lawmakers were sworn-in Thursday, four days after Prime Minister

Exclusively prepared for R.A.C.E Students 8 NO. 38, Burkit road, T. Nagar, Chennai-17 Ph: 044-64563030 Mobile: 9043303030, www.theRace.in R.A.C.E Rapid Academy of Competitive Exams [Unit of Seeman Education]

Sheikh Hasina's Awami League bagged a three-fourth elections conducted with an aim to restore democracy. majority in the contentious polls, marred by violence His election as the President came as the result of the and opposition boycott. [9-Jan] elections conducted on 20 December 2013 with an aim to restore democracy in the nation. [18-Jan] 88. Justice Kuldeep Singh was today sworn in as additional judge of Punjab and Haryana High Court. 100. Government has appointed senior police With his elevation, the number of judges in the High officer Aruna Bahuguna as the new chief of the Court rose to 48. [10-Jan] -based National Police Academy, alma mater for IPS officers in the country. She 89. Congress General Secretary Ajay Maken today took succeeded incumbent IPS Subhas Goswami who was oath as a member of the New Delhi Municipal Council appointed as the Director General of the Indo-Tibetan (NDMC). [10-Jan] Border Police (ITBP) last year. She is the 28th chief of the academy and will be at its helm till February 2017. 90. Czech President Milos Zeman will appoint Social With this, she has also become the first woman to Democrat leader Bohuslav Sobotka as prime minister head National Police Academy. [21-Jan] by next week. [10-Jan] 101. Anand Sinha, the Deputy Governor of the 91. Sheikh Hasina sworn in as Bangladesh's Prime Reserve Bank of India retired yesterday. Post his Minister for a third spell. [11-Jan] retirement, his portfolio has been allocated to other three Deputy Governors, K.C. Chakrabarty, 92. Union minister Sachin Pilot appointed as the H.R. Khan and Urjit Patel. [21-Jan] Congress chief in Rajasthan. [13-Jan] 102. Indian Energy Exchange (IEX) has appointed 93. Rajeev Kher appointed India‟s S N Goel as its chief executive officer and new commerce secretary: Rajeev Kher, a 1980 managing director as India‟s leading electricity batch IAS officer, was on Wednesday appointed bourse was without a full-time CEO for some secretary in the department of commerce. The UP time. Before that, Goel was director (marketing & cadre officer is currently special secretary in the operations) at PTC India Ltd. He has also served as department in the ministry of commerce and industry. executive director with NTPC, a release said today. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) [21-Jan] named Kher to replace current secretary S.R. Rao, who retires on 31 January, according to an official 104. Aruna Bahuguna appointed as chief of statement. [16-Jan] National Police Academy: Aruna Bahuguna is the first woman to be appointed as the chief of Sardar 94. Three months after taking over as the CEO of Jet National Police Academy, Hyderabad. Airways, Gary Kenneth Toomey has resigned from the The Appointments Committee of Cabinet (ACC) issued position. Ravishankar Gopalakrishnan, the chief the orders for the appointment on 20 January 2014. financial officer of the airline, will officiate as the She is the 28th chief of the academy and will be at its "acting chief executive officer" till the board appoints a helm till February 2017. [22-Jan] new chief. [16-Jan] 105. T. Nanda Kumar will be the new Chairman of 95. Jamila Bayaz was appointed as the police chief the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB). of District One of Kabul province on 15 January 2014. He will replace Amrita Patel who has been She is the first woman in Afghanistan to be appointed holding the post since 1998. He is currently as police chief of an entire district. [17-Jan] Member of the National Disaster Management Authority, is slated to take over from March 1st. Nanda 99. Hery Rajaonarimampianina declared as the new Kumar will be the first ever person from the Indian President of Madagascar following the result of Administrative Service to hold the position of NDDB

Exclusively prepared for R.A.C.E Students 9 NO. 38, Burkit road, T. Nagar, Chennai-17 Ph: 044-64563030 Mobile: 9043303030, www.theRace.in R.A.C.E Rapid Academy of Competitive Exams [Unit of Seeman Education]

Chairman. Both Patel and her illustrious predecessor of promoting the 59-year-old Sisi to the rank of Field , who was chairman from 1965 to Marshalwas issued by the interim president Adly 1998, have dairy professional backgrounds. [22-Jan] Mansour. Egypt‘s army rarely promotes senior officers to the rank of a field marshal. [28-Jan] 106. Alok Sinha, Joint Secretary- Ministry of Civil Aviation, has been appointed as the Chairman of 111. Arun Kumar Gupta has assumed charge as Airports Authority of India (AAI), who has been the Chairman and Managing Director of Shipping given additional charge of the new post. He Corporation of India (SCI), a navratna public sector replaced V P Agarwal who was removed from the undertaking under the aegis of the Ministry of Chairman post. The move comes as the Government Shipping. He joined the company in 1976 and he has has set on fast track the move to involve the private the experience of working at the senior management sector in the modernisation of six airports including level of SCI, which includes serving as Director, Irano- those in Chennai and Kolkata. [24-Jan] Hind Shipping Company, at Tehran with additional charge of safety and quality department for a period of 107. DMK suspended Mr. Alagiri, the son of DMK over three years. [30-Jan] Chief Mr. M. Karunanidhi from being a member of the party and also relieved him of the party posts 112. Ajoy Misra has been appointed as the CEO and today. [24-Jan] Managing Director of Tata Global Beverages Limited (TGBL) on 29 January 2014. [30-Jan] 108. Aviation ministry removed V.P.Agrawal from position of AAI chairman. [25-Jan] 114. Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna visited the i. The Aviation Ministry removed V.P.Agrawal as Rajbhavan in Dehradun and submitted his resignation chairman of the state-run Airports Authority of India letter to the Governor Aziz Qureshi on Friday. (AAI) on 24 January 2014. Union Water Resources Minister Harish Rawat is all set ii. Alok Sinha has given additional charge as AAI to become Bahuguna‘s successor in the state. chairman. Alok Sinha is a joint secretary in the Aviation Ministry. Awards iii. V.P. Agrawal took over as chairman on 1 January 115. Chief Scientist & Head of Inorganic and 2009 for a period of five years. His tenure was ended Physical Chemistry Division, CSIR-Indian on 31 December 2013, but he was allowed to continue Institute of Chemical Technology, B. Mahipal in the post. Reddy was honoured with the Best Scientist Award of Science-Tech Foundation 109. H C Meena, an Indian Police Service (IPS) (STF), Bangalore for the year 2013. He has been officer of the 1976 batch, has been appointed as selected for his efforts which resulted in the the Secretary Security in the Cabinet Secretariat development of novel catalysts for air pollution control, last week. She will hold the post till his bio-mass conversion to value-added products, superannuation on 30 September 2014. Earlier, she synthesis of fine chemicals and solar fuels, and the has served as the director general in Rajasthan. [28- conversion of greenhouse gases to useful chemicals. Jan] [1-Jan]

110. Egypt‟s Army Chief Fattah al-Sisi promoted 116. Minister of State for Human Resource to Field Marshal: Egypt‘s army chief Gen Fattah al- Development Shashi Tharoor has been awarded for Sisi on 27 January 2014 was promoted to the rank working towards animal protection by PETA-India. [1- of Field Marshal (the highest in the military). His Jan] promotion came amid speculation that the military strongman way readying for the Presidential bid. 117. Mahipal Reddy receives the 'Best Scientist Fattah al-Sisi is the person who ousted the Islamist Award' of Science-Tech Foundation (STF), Bangalore President, Mohammed Morsi. The presidential decree for the year 2013. He is currently a Chief Scientist &

Exclusively prepared for R.A.C.E Students 10 NO. 38, Burkit road, T. Nagar, Chennai-17 Ph: 044-64563030 Mobile: 9043303030, www.theRace.in R.A.C.E Rapid Academy of Competitive Exams [Unit of Seeman Education]

Head of Inorganic and Physical Chemistry Division iv. Before the platform number one of Gorakhpur, the of CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology. [1- platform of Kharagpur railway station of West Jan] Bengal had the distinction of being world‘s largest platform with length of 1072.5 meters. [11-Jan] 118. Serena Williams honoured with Associated Press' (AP) female 'Athlete of the year' award 2013 for 123. President Pranab Mukherjee on Saturday the 3rd time after 2002 and 2009. American Basket presented the first 'Sunil Gangopadhyay Memorial ball player 'LeBron James' won the male 'Athlete of Award' for Excellence in Bengali Literature to eminent the year' award for this season. [1-Jan] poets and litterateurs Nirendranth Chakravarti for the year 2012 and Sankha Ghosh for the year 2013 119. 's M Khayingthei and Mizoram's respectively at an award function at the Raj Bhavan. Ramdinthara, who lost their lives while trying to save [11-Jan] friends from drowning, are among three persons selected for 'Sarvottam '. [6- 124. Maharashtra Governor K Sankara narayanan Jan] today presented the K Veeramani Award for Social Justice to Maharashtra Minister for Public Works and 120. Writer-director Jane Campion will succeed Steven Tourism Chhagan Bhujbal. [11-Jan] Spielberg as the jury president of the next Festival de Cannes, slated to take place from May 14 to 24 this 125. Former India captain was with the C K year. [7-Jan] Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award by the BCCI at its seventh annual awards ceremony today. [11-Jan] 121. ‟s grand-daughter Ela Gandhi, Australian senator of Indian origin Lisa 126. Golden Globe Awards, 2014 announced. [13- Maria Singh and Ramkrishna Mission in Fiji were Jan] among the 13 recipients of Award conferred in Delhi yesterday. 127. Cristiano Ronaldo wins 2013 Ballon d'Or award. President Pranab Mukherjee conferred the awards to [13-Jan] the winners at the Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas programme. Ela Gandhi has been awarded 128. American Hustle and Gravity lead 2014 Oscar the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman for public service, nominations with 10 nods each, while 12 Years A enhancing India‘s image and promoting ties between Slave earns nine. [16-Jan] India and . Riyadh-based social worker Shihabudeen Kottukad was also awarded with the 129. In a press meet at Delhi on January 17, Gita prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (PBSA) Siddartha, president of the Indian Council for Child for community service and promoting ties between Welfare (ICCW) introduced 23 the brave-hearts, who India and Saudi Arabia. [10-Jan] will be honored with National Bravery Awards. Of the 23 — nine girls and 14 boys — two children will be 122. Gorakhpur railway station entered Limca awarded posthumously. [17-Jan] Book of Records as world‟s longest platform i. Gorakhpur railway station‘s platform number one of 130. Yushi, Taiwanese poet awarded Uttar Pradesh has entered into the Limca Book of [17-Jan] Records as longest rail platform in the world. i. Taiwanese poet Yushi was awarded the Thiruvalluvar ii. The certificate given by the Limca Book of Records award on 15 January 2014 by the was unveiled on 10 January 2014 by KK Atal, the government in Chennai. Yushi is the first foreign General Manager North Eastern Railways (NER). scholar to receive Thiruvalluvar award. iii. The platform‘s length is 1355.40 meters and was ii. The award was given to Yushi on the occasion of inaugurated in 6 October 2013. Thiruvalluvar Day. The award was given to him in recognition of his contribution to the Tamil language.

Exclusively prepared for R.A.C.E Students 11 NO. 38, Burkit road, T. Nagar, Chennai-17 Ph: 044-64563030 Mobile: 9043303030, www.theRace.in R.A.C.E Rapid Academy of Competitive Exams [Unit of Seeman Education]

Yushi has translated Tirukkural (one of the collection of different categories under the flagship schemes of the sangam literature), the poems of poet Subramanya Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation Bharathi and poet Bharathidasan in Mandarin, Chinese today. [21-Jan] language. iii. Yushi is the founder president of the Tamil Sangam 138. Danielle Steel receives the Legion of Honor, in Taiwan. In 2004 he received the highest honour France‘s highest award. [22-Jan] award by Seoul World Academy of Arts and Culture. 139. Coimbatore-born scientist and Stanford 132. Cyrus Mistry bags 'DSC prize for South Asian University Emeritus Professor Arogyaswami literature 2014'. [19-Jan] Joseph Paulraj has been awarded the prestigious 2014 Marconi Society Prize. Paulraj is the only 133. Kerala-based writer Anees Slim won The Hindu India-born scientist to receive both the Marconi Prize Prize for Best Fiction 2013 for his novel, Vanity Bagh and the Bell Medal, two top global IT technology for consistent writing and humour and imagination. awards. He was awarded for his invention and The Hindu Prize for Best Fictionrecognises the advancement of MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) contribution of Indian writers to literary culture. [19- technology, which is at the heart of WiFi and 4G Jan] technologies that millions worldwide use. [22-Jan]

134. exchange4media News Broadcasting Awards 140. Gujarati poet Chinu Modi was conferred the (ENBA) Awards 2013 Winners [19-Jan] for the year 2013 for his Best News Channel of the Year (English) - NDTV poetry book ―Khara Zaran‖. [22-Jan] 24X7 News Channel of the Year (Hindi) - Aaj Tak 141. Kerala Tourism has been conferred the United Best Anchor (English) - Shereen Bhan Nations Award for creating innovative initiatives for Best Anchor (Hindi) - Punya Prasun Bajpai sustainable tourism, the first time India has ever won Best Editor-In-Chief (English) - . the recognition. Kerala won the UNWTO Ulysses Award Best Editor-In-Chief (Hindi) - Shazi Zaman (Group for Innovation in Public Policy and Governance, the Editor, ABP News) highest honour given to the government bodies for Best In-Show graphics (Hindi) - Pradhanmantri (TV shaping global tourism policies through innovative Series) (ABP News-MCCS) initiatives. [23-Jan] Best In-Show graphics (English) - World view-Race for White House (CNN-IBN) 142. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw of the country‟s Best News Producer (Hindi) - Sweta Singh largest biotech research firm, Biocon Ltd, has been named winner of the 2014 Othmer Gold 135. West Bengal has been selected for „Krishi Medal, It is a top award of the US-based Chemical Karman‟ Award for 2012-13 as the best Heritage Foundation. The Philadelphia-based performing state in overall agricultural Foundation is a collections-based non-profit production in the country. The award would be organisation that preserves the history and heritage of presented by the President during the inaugural chemistry, chemical engineering, and related sciences ceremony of the World Congress on Agro Forestry and technologies. The collections are used to create a 2014 at Delhi on 10th February. Krishi Karman Awards‘ body of original scholarship that illuminates are the first ever awards being given to states for their chemistry‘s role in shaping society. [24-Jan] effort and contribution towards raising the country‘s foodgrain production. [20-Jan] 143. Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh gave away National Bravery awards for the year 2013 to children 137. The Shri Pranab Mukherjee from various parts of the country in New Delhi today. presented awards for the year 2012-13 to various 25 children from various States, including Uttar States and Cities for outstanding performance in Pradesh, Delhi, Chattisgarh, Manipur, Madhya Pradesh

Exclusively prepared for R.A.C.E Students 12 NO. 38, Burkit road, T. Nagar, Chennai-17 Ph: 044-64563030 Mobile: 9043303030, www.theRace.in R.A.C.E Rapid Academy of Competitive Exams [Unit of Seeman Education] and Jammu and Kashmir won the National Bravery iii. The Award recognizes Mr. Quest‘s reporting across awards. the globe on CNN, which has showcased the challenges The awardees include nine girls. Five children and successes of the tourism industry – raising it into were awarded posthumously. The award winning the mainstream of the international agenda. children will be part of Republic Day Parade at Rajpath About UNWTO Lifetime Achievement Award on Sunday. [24-Jan] The UNWTO Award for Lifetime Achievement is conferred to recognize a lifetime achievement of 144. Noted actor-director Kamala Haasan and individuals with visionary leadership and significant classical singer Begum have contribution throughout the nominee‘s career as an been selected for the prestigious inspirational role model for the development at the award this year, while actors Vidya local, national, regional or international level. Balan and will receive . Cricketer , ace shuttler Gopichand and 147. Dr. Tej Vir Singh won the UNWTO Ulysses squash player Pallikkal have got Padma Shri Prize [25-Jan] awards. Dr Raghunath A Mashelkar, Director- i. Dr. Tej Vir Singh from , Uttar Pradesh won General of India‟s Council of Scientific and the 2013 UNWTO Ulysses Prize for Excellence in the Industrial Research and B K S Iyengar, founder Creation and Dissemination of Knowledge on 22 of Iyengar Yoga and is considered one of the January 2014. foremost yoga teachers in the world,have been ii. Dr.Singh is the professor and Founding Director of awarded with the Padma Vibhushan, which is the the Centre for Tourism Research & Development second highest civilian award after Bharat Ratna. [25- (CTRD) in India. Jan] iii. Dr. Singh started the first Himalayan tourism training course, as the Founding Director of the 145. Dr. Mohinder Singh, member of the National Institute of Himalayan Studies and Regional Commission for Minority Educational Institutions Development at the University of Garhwal. and famous academician N Radhakrishnan have About UNWTO Ulysses Prize been awarded with the National Communal The UNWTO Ulysses Prize is given to a distinguished Harmony Award. Dr. Singh has been chosen for his scholar, whether in academia, government or private work done in restoring peace after the 1984 anti-Sikh industry, for outstanding contributions to innovation riots and Radhakrishnan for promotion of Gandhian and knowledge in tourism. values. [25-Jan] 148. The Centre for Study of Society and 146. Richard Quest won 2013 UNWTO Lifetime Secularism, Mumbai won the award under Achievement Award [24-Jan] organization category for its work to promote i. UNWTO awarded CNN‘s Richard Quest the 2013 peace, secularism and communal harmony in the UNWTO Award for Lifetime Achievement on 22 January country. The Awards are instituted by the National 2014. Foundation for Communal Harmony to give ii. The UNWTO Award for Lifetime Achievement was appreciation and recognition to the efforts of presented during the UNWTO Awards Ceremony held individuals and Organizations for promotion of in Madrid, Spain. communal harmony and national integration in a sustained manner.

149. Padma Awards Announced 2014 [26-Jan]

Padma Vibhushan Sl No. Name Discipline State/ Domicile 1. Dr. Raghunath A. Mashelkar Science and Engineering Maharashtra

Exclusively prepared for R.A.C.E Students 13 NO. 38, Burkit road, T. Nagar, Chennai-17 Ph: 044-64563030 Mobile: 9043303030, www.theRace.in R.A.C.E Rapid Academy of Competitive Exams [Unit of Seeman Education]

2. Shri B.K.S. Iyengar Others-Yoga Maharashtra

Padma Bhushan Sl. N0 Name Discipline State/ Domicile 1 Prof. Art - Painting Gujarat 2 Begum Parveen Sultana Art - Classical Singing Maharashtra 3 Shri T.H. Vinayakram Art - Ghatam Artist Tamil Nadu 4 Shri Kamala Haasan Art-Cinema Tamil Nadu 5 Justice Public Affairs Delhi 6 Prof. Science and Engineering Karnataka 7 Prof. Science and Engineering Maharashtra 8 Dr. Madappa Mahadevappa Science and Engineering Karnataka 9 Dr. Science and Engineering Delhi 10 Dr. Science and Engineering Delhi 11 Dr. Radhakrishnan Koppillil Science and Engineering Karnataka 12 Dr. Literature and Education Delhi 13 Ms. Literature and Education Delhi 14 Dr. Dhirubhai Thaker Literature and Education Gujarat 15 Shri Ramasamy Thevar Literature and Education Tamil Nadu 16 Shri Literature and Education Uttarakhand 17 Shri Sports - Badminton Andhra Pradesh 18 Shri Sports - Tennis Maharashtra 19 Shri Vijayendra Nath Kaul Civil Service Delhi 20 Late Justice Jagdish Sharan Verma Public Affairs Uttar Pradesh# 21 Late Dr. Science and Engineering Andhra Pradesh # 22 Prof. Literature and Education Bangladesh* 23 Prof. Lloyd I. Rudolph Literature and Education USA*$ 24 Prof. Susanne H. Rudolph Literature and Education USA*$ 25 Dr. (Smt.) Medicine - Neonatology Delhi

Padma Shri S No Name Discipline State/ Domicile 1 Shri Art - Theatre Andhra Pradesh 2 Ms. Nayana Apte Joshi Art - Maharashtra 3 Shri Art - Instrumental Music - Himachal Pradesh Pauna Manjha 4 Ms. Art - Film West Bengal

Exclusively prepared for R.A.C.E Students 14 NO. 38, Burkit road, T. Nagar, Chennai-17 Ph: 044-64563030 Mobile: 9043303030, www.theRace.in R.A.C.E Rapid Academy of Competitive Exams [Unit of Seeman Education]

5 Prof. Art - Sculptor Delhi 6 Shri Art - Painting West Bengal 7 Smt. Art - Manipuri Dance Manipur 8 Shri Art - Instrumental Music - Tabla Maharashtra 9 Smt Art - West Bengal 10 Shri Art - Theatre Jammu & Kashmir 11 Ustad Moinuddin Khan Art - Instrumental Music- Rajasthan Sarangi Player 12 Ms. Art - Odishi Dance Delhi 13 Shri Art - Painting Delhi 14 Shri Art - Film Animation Maharashtra 15 Shri Art - Sand Artist Orissa 16 Shri Paresh Rawal Art - Cinema and Theatre Maharashtra 17 Shri Wendell Augustine Rodricks Art - Fashion Designing Goa 18 Prof. Kalamandalam Sathyabhama Art – Mohini Attam Kerala 19 Shri Anuj (Ramanuj) Sharma Art - Performing Art Chhattisgarh 20 Shri Art - Film Tamil Nadu 21 Ms. Art-Bengali Cinema West Bengal 22 Ms. Art- Script Writing Maharashtra 23 Ms. Art-Cinema Maharashtra 24 Smt. Durga Jain Social Work Maharashtra 25 Dr. Rao Anumolu Social Work Andhra Pradesh 26 Dr. Brahm Dutt Social Work Haryana 27 Shri Mukul Chandra Goswami Social Work Assam 28 Shri J.L. Kaul Social Work Delhi 29 Shri Mathurbhai Madhabhai Savani Social Work Gujarat 30 Shri Tashi Tondup Public Affairs Jammu and Kashmir 31 Dr. Hasmukh Chamanlal Shah Public Affairs Gujarat 32 Shri Science and Engineering Maharashtra 33 Shri Madhavan Chandradathan Science and Engineering Kerala 34 Prof. Sushanta Kumar Dattagupta Science and Engineering West Bengal 35 Dr. Bhushan Grover Science and Engineering Maharashtra 36 Prof. Eluvathingal Devassy Jemmis Science and Engineering Karnataka 37 Shri Ramkrishna V. Hosur Science and Engineering Maharashtra 38 Dr. Science and Engineering Tamil Nadu 39 Dr. Malapaka Yajneswara Satyanarayana Prasad Science and Engineering Andhra Pradesh

Exclusively prepared for R.A.C.E Students 15 NO. 38, Burkit road, T. Nagar, Chennai-17 Ph: 044-64563030 Mobile: 9043303030, www.theRace.in R.A.C.E Rapid Academy of Competitive Exams [Unit of Seeman Education]

40 Shri Kiran Kumar Alur Seelin Science and Engineering Gujarat 41 Dr. Science and Engineering Delhi 42 Prof. Vinod Kumar Singh Science and Engineering Madhya Pradesh 43 Dr. Science and Engineering Andhra Pradesh 44 Ramaswamy R. Iyer Science and Engineering Delhi 45 Dr. Science and Engineering West Bengal 46 Shri Ravi Kumar Narra Trade and Industry Andhra Pradesh 47 Shri Trade and Industry Maharashtra 48 Ms. Trade and Industry Tamil Nadu 49 Shri Trade and Industry Maharashtra 50 Dr. Kiritkumar Mansukhlal Acharya Medicine - Dermatology Gujarat 51 Dr. Medicine - Cardiology Uttar Pradesh 52 Prof. (Dr.) Indra Chakravarty Medicine - Health & Hygiene West Bengal 53 Dr. Ramakant Krishnaji Deshpande Medicine - Oncology Maharashtra 54 Prof. (Dr.) Medicine - Chest Disease Haryana 55 Prof. Medicine - Opthalmology Haryana 56 Prof. (Dr.) Daya Kishore Hazra Medicine Uttar Pradesh 57 Prof. (Dr.) Thenumgal Poulose Jacob Medicine - Vascular Surgery Tamil Nadu 58 Prof. (Dr.) Shashank R. Joshi Medicine - Endocrinology Maharashtra 59 Prof. Hakim Syed Khaleefathullah Medicine - Unani Medicine Tamil Nadu 60 Dr. Medicine - ENT Surgeory Maharashtra 61 Dr. Medicine - oncology Delhi 62 Dr. Medicine Bihar 63 Dr. M. Subhadra Nair Medicine - Gyneacology Kerala 64 Dr. Medicine - Neurology Rajasthan 65 Dr. Medicine - Surgery Haryana 66 Dr. Medicine - Neurology Uttar Pradesh 67 Dr. Medicine - Orthopaedics Delhi 68 Dr. Kamini A. Rao Medicine - Reproductive Karnataka 69 Dr. Medicine - Surgery Andhra Pradesh 70 Prof. Medicine - Punjab 71 Prof. (Dr.) Medicine - Dental Science Delhi 72 Dr. J.S. Titiyal Medicine- Opthalmology Delhi 73 Dr. Medicine- Cardiology Delhi 74 Dr. Surbrat Kumar Acharya Medicine- Gastroentrology Delhi 75 Dr. Medicine-Oncology Delhi

Exclusively prepared for R.A.C.E Students 16 NO. 38, Burkit road, T. Nagar, Chennai-17 Ph: 044-64563030 Mobile: 9043303030, www.theRace.in R.A.C.E Rapid Academy of Competitive Exams [Unit of Seeman Education]

76 Dr. Naheed Abidi Literature and Education Uttar Pradesh 77 Prof. Literature and Education Delhi 78 Shri Chhakchhuak Chhuanvawra Literature and Education Mizoram 79 Shri Keki N. Daruwalla Literature and Education Delhi 80 Prof. Ganesh Narayandas Devi Literature and Education Gujarat 81 Prof. Literature and Education Andhra Pradesh 82 Prof. (Dr.) Ved Kumari Ghai Literature and Education Jammu and Kashmir 83 Smt. Jafa Literature and Education Delhi 84 Prof. Literature and Education Delhi 85 Dr. Waikhom Gojen Meeitei Literature and Education Manipur 86 Shri Vishnu Narayanan Namboothiri Literature and Education Kerala 87 Prof. Literature and Education Delhi 88 Dr. (Mrs.) P. Kilemsungla Literature and Education Nagaland 89 Ms. Sports - Cricket Delhi 90 Ms. Sports - Kabbadi Haryana 91 Shri Love Raj Singh Dharmshaktu Sports - Mountaineering Delhi 92 Ms. Dipika Rebecca Pallikal Sports - Squash Tamil Nadu 93 Shri H. Boniface Prabhu Sports - Wheelchair Tennis Karnataka 94 Shri Yuvraj Singh Sports - Cricket Haryana 95 Smt. Mamta Sodha Sports - Mountaineering Haryana 96 Ms Parveen Talha Civil Service Uttar Pradesh 97 Late Dr. Narendra Achyut Dabholkar Social Work Maharashtra# 98 Shri Mago Trade and Industry USA* 99 Dr. Siddharth Mukherjee Medicine-Oncology USA* 100 Dr. Medicine - Biomedical Research USA* 101 Dr. Literature and Education Japan*

150. India ranked 155th in global environment performance list at World Economic Forum: India has been ranked at a low 155th position out of 178 with an index score of 31.23 points in a global list that places countries on how well they perform on high-priority environmental issues. Its rank is also much lower than BRICS peers. Among the BRICS, South Africa was placed at the 72nd rank with an index score of 53.51, followed by Russia (73rd rank, 53.45 points), Brazil (77th rank, 52.97 points) and China (118th rank, 43 points). Besides, India has fared poorly compared to neighbouring countries like Nepal and Pakistan — which are ranked 139th and 148th, respectively. Switzerland secured No 1 rank and Luxembourg, Australia, Singapore and the Czech Republic secured the other top 5 ranks in the same order in the same index, which ranks countries on high-priority environmental concerns that include air quality, water management and climate change. The bottom five performers in the EPI are Somalia, Mali, Haiti, Lesotho, and Afghanistan. [26-Jan]

Exclusively prepared for R.A.C.E Students 17 NO. 38, Burkit road, T. Nagar, Chennai-17 Ph: 044-64563030 Mobile: 9043303030, www.theRace.in R.A.C.E Rapid Academy of Competitive Exams [Unit of Seeman Education]

151. 368 Republic Day Gallantry and Other 154. Queen Latifah won 2014 Matrix Award [28- Defence Decorations Announced: The President has Jan] approved awards of 368 Gallantry and other Defence i. Rapper-turned-actress Queen Latifah won the 2014 decorations to Armed Forces personnel and others on Matrix Award on 25 January 2014. the eve of the 65th Republic Day Celebrations. This ii. New York Women in Communications presented the includes 03 , 10 , 1 Bar 2014 Matrix Awards to honor seven remarkable women (Gallantry), 48 Sena Medal (Gallantry), 02 who have changed the world, through their work in the Nao Sena Medal (Gallantry), 1 Bar to communications industry. (Gallantry), 14 Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry), 28 Param About Matrix Award , 05 Uttam , 07 i. The Matrix Awards is recognized by the Bar to , 45 Ati Vishisht Seva communications and entertainment communities as Medal, 19 Yudh Seva Medal, 05 Bar to Sena Medal one of the most outstanding and prestigious events of (Devotion to Duty), 35 Sena Medal (Devotion to Duty), the year. 08 Nao Sena Medal (Devotion to Duty), 15 Vayu Sena ii. The Matrix Awards are given by New York Women in Medal (Devotion to Duty), 10 Bar to Vishisht Seva Communications to honour females who change the Medal and 112 Vishisht Seva Medal. In addition a total world. of 25 Mention-In-Despatches have also been About Queen Latifah announced for participating in Operation Rakshak. Dana Elaine Owens, better known by her stage name [26-Jan] Queen Latifah, is an American singer-songwriter, rapper, model, comedienne, television producer, 152. 83 Presidential Awards for IAF this Year : 83 record producer, actress, and talk show hostess. She IAF Air Warriors have been decorated with Presidential has long been considered one of hip-hop's pioneer Awards on the eve of Republic Day, this year.This feminists. includes Param Vishist Seva Medal (PVSM) for six Air Marshals, Ati Vishist Seva Medal (AVSM) for one Air 155. India ranks 16th among the top 20 global Marshal, eight Air Vice Marshals and four Air economies receiving the most FDI as per the latest Commodores.One Kirti Chakra (Posthumously), one report by the United Nations. India received USD 28 Shaurya Chakra (Posthumously), two Shaurya Chakra, billion as FDI in 2013 which is 17% more than the three Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry) (Posthumously), previous year. [30-Jan] one Bar to Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry), eleven Vayu Sena Medal (VM) Gallantry, fifteen Vayu Sena Medal 156. India (Goa) emerges overall champions with a for devotion to duty have been awarded.The Vishist rich haul of 92 medals (37 Gold, 27 Silver and 28 Seva Medal (VSM) have been awarded to two Air Vice Bronze) in the recently (Jan 2014) concluded 3rd Marshal, seven Air Commodores, nineteen Group Lusofonia Games 2014 held in Goa. [30-Jan] Captains and two Wing Commanders. [26-Jan]  Portugal and Macau (China) finished 2nd and 3rd respectively in this 153. Rapper-turned-actress Queen Latifah will be edition of the 'Portuguese Commonwealth honoured by the New York Women in Games' that featured 12 Portuguese Communications with its 2014 Matrix Award, Commonwealth countries. which honours females who change the  The games were marred by the allegation that world. She will be honoured on April 28 at the Waldorf the standard and level of competition was Astori along with eight others. Past Matrix winners lower than the previous two as most of the include Meryl Streep, Tina Fey, Robin Roberts, Ellen countries did not send their best athletes. DeGeneres, Martha Stewart, Whoopi Goldberg and  Brazil and Sri Lanka had also put in bids to Meredith Vieira. [28-Jan] stage the event but lost out to eventual winner India (Goa).

Exclusively prepared for R.A.C.E Students 18 NO. 38, Burkit road, T. Nagar, Chennai-17 Ph: 044-64563030 Mobile: 9043303030, www.theRace.in R.A.C.E Rapid Academy of Competitive Exams [Unit of Seeman Education]

 Macau (China) and Lisbon (Portugal) had 158. The US Federal Reserve announced a USD 10 hosted the first two editions of this even in billion reduction in its monthly bond purchases 2006 and 2009 respectively. from USD 75 billion to USD 65 billion in final  Mascot of the games was a rooster meeting for outgoing Fed chairman Ben named Jojo Bernanke. This is the second straight month of Medal Tally reducing stimulus efforts. The Fed left its overnight  India: 92 (Gold 37, Silver 27 and Bronze 28) interest rate unchanged at 0% – the level it has been  Portugal: 50 (Gold 18, Silver 20 and Bronze at since December 2008. Most of the stock markets 12) including China, Japan and India were down following the news bond purchase cut. [30-Jan]  Macau: 38 (Gold 15, Silver 9 and Bronze 14)

 Sri Lanka: 31 (Gold 7, Silver 11 and Bronze 159. Army‟s Sikh Light Infantry wins best 13) marching contingent award [31-Jan]  Angola: 27 (Gold 5, Silver 8 and Bronze 14) i. Army‘s Sikh Light Infantry has been awarded the Mozambique: 13 (Gold 4 Silver 4 and Bronze  best marching contingent among the three Services at 5) the Republic Day parade this year while the CRPF  Brazil: 6 (Gold 2, Silver 1 and Bronze 3) contingent bagged the honours in the paramilitary and  Guinea-Bissau: 3 (Gold 2, Silver 1 and auxiliary forces category. Bronze 0) ii. In the Services category, (Sikh LI)  Cape Verde: 12 (Gold 1, Silver 6 and Bronze has been adjudged the best marching contingent in the 5) Republic Day Parade 2014.  Sao Tome And Principe: 1 (Gold 0, Silver 1 iii. Out of the 18 tableaux, including five from union and Bronze 0) ministries and departments, the West Bengal tableaux,  Timor-Leste: 1 (Gold 0, Silver 0 and Bronze which depicted the famous Purulia , has 1) bagged the top award. iv. ―Tamil Nadu‘s tableaux on Pongal festival was 157. Anand Kumar, the founder of Super30 got adjudged the second best, while the third position has Ramanujan Mathematics award [30-Jan] gone to the Assam tableaux based on the contribution i. Anand Kumar, a mathematician and founder of of legendary folk singer, composer and writer Bhupen Super30 classes was conferred with the 2014 Hazarika to Assam‘s folk culture,‖ the release said. Ramanujan Mathematics Award in on 27 v. In the competitive category of performances by January 2014. school children, the dance presented by Navy Children ii.The award was given to him at the Eighth National School, New Delhi has been adjudged the best while a Mathematics Convention organised in Rajkot. consolation prize was awarded to Govt iii. As award, he was presented a cash award of 20000 Kanya Vidyalaya, Hastsal, New Delhi, for their beautiful rupees by the Pitamber Patel, an Atomic scientist and portrayal of traditional folk dance of Chhattisgarh. JJ Rawal, a scientist. About Ramanujan Mathematics Award Business and Economy • Ramanujan Mathematics Award is an annual award 160. India‟s largest software services company that is given to a person who has at least three papers Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) announced to published in international journals and is involved in set up the world‟s largest corporate learning and teaching mathematics. development centre in Thiruvananthapuram, • Ramanujan Prize was first awarded in 2005 to Kerala. The corporate learning centre will have a total Marcelo Viana from Brazil capacity to train 50,000 professionals every year. [4- • Other Indian to be awarded with the prize is Jan] Ramdorai Sujatha, India in 2006 161. State-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC) will invest over USD 9 billion in bringing to production

Exclusively prepared for R.A.C.E Students 19 NO. 38, Burkit road, T. Nagar, Chennai-17 Ph: 044-64563030 Mobile: 9043303030, www.theRace.in R.A.C.E Rapid Academy of Competitive Exams [Unit of Seeman Education] an array of oil and gas discoveries in its prolific in the long run, said Economic Affairs Secretary Arvind Godavari basin block off the east coast by 2017-18. Mayaram today. [9-Jan] [5-Jan] 167. The premier Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) has 162. Delhi Government today warned private power been ranked first in the country in economics research, distribution companies that their licenses may be according to a study by Stanford University. [10-Jan] cancelled if they do not cooperate with the Comptroller and Auditor General which is scrutinizing their 168. Infosys Ltd raised its sales growth outlook for the finances. [6-Jan] year after posting a higher-than-expected 21.35 per cent rise in consolidated net profit for Q3 (October- 163. Google makes presentation to EC for December quarter) as improving US and European controversial tie-up economies revived demand for outsourcing services. i. Internet giant Google made a formal presentation to [10-Jan] the Election Commission on Tuesday, proposing a tie- up with it for voter facilitation services ahead of Lok 169. India's exports in December registered a 3.49 Sabha elections, a move questioned by several percent increase to USD 26.35 billion. [10-Jan] quarters citing security concerns. ii. The Election Commission has said it has ―not‖ 170. India's trade deficit narrows to USD 10.14 billion signed any agreement with the US-based internet in December from USD 17.59 billion a year earlier. company so far on voter facilitation initiatives ahead of [10-Jan] polls. iii. In its presentation before the EC, in which Chief 171. India's gold and silver imports at USD 1.77 billion Election Commissioner V S Sampath, Election in December vs USD 5.6 billion a year earlier. [10- Commissioners H S Brahma and S N A Zaidi and other Jan] top officials were present, Google proposed providing its search engines free of cost to Indian voters during 172. Environment Minister Veerappa Moily stated that the 2014 general elections. Posco's (a South Korean steel giant) steel plant in iv. Google also proposed free online voter registration Odisha has been cleared. [10-Jan] besides making available vital details of Voter EPIC card numbers and polling station location. 173. China‟s annual trade surplus jumped by v. Congress and BJP besides some cyberspace experts nearly 13% in 2013 compared to previous year have voiced concers over the proposed tie-up of to USD 260 billion as export growth continued to Election Commission with Google for voter facilitation outpace import growth. Exports were increased by services, saying stakeholders should have been 7.9% to USD 2.21 trillion and imports jumped by 7.3% consulted before a decision. [8-Jan] to USD 1.95 trillion in 2013. With this, total trade value of USD 4.16 trillion overtook total trade volume 164. The union cabinet Thursday approved refunding of USA for the first time. [10-Jan] Rs.11,258.48 crore to MTNL and BSNL which the two state-run telecom firms had paid for fourth generation 174. China bagged a healthy USD 117.59 billion in (4G) spectrum in the 2010 auction. [9-Jan] Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in 2013, after registering negative growth in previous year 165. CCEA okays raising import duty on refined edible 2012. FDI in China increased 5.25% year on year in oil to 10 per cent from 7.5 per cent : Food Minister 2013 compared to 3.7% drop in 2012. In December Thomas. [9-Jan] 2013 alone, FDI inflow rose 3.3% from a year earlier to USD 12.08 billion. FDI in the service sector rose 166. Inflation will moderate in the coming months but 14.15% in 2013 to reach USD 61.45 billion while FDI the country would need to bridge the demand- supply in the manufacturing sector dropped 6.78% to USD gap of essential food items to keep prices under check 45.56 billion. [16-Jan]

Exclusively prepared for R.A.C.E Students 20 NO. 38, Burkit road, T. Nagar, Chennai-17 Ph: 044-64563030 Mobile: 9043303030, www.theRace.in R.A.C.E Rapid Academy of Competitive Exams [Unit of Seeman Education]

Administration (USFDA) by Brian Otis and Babak 175. The Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) Parviz. [19-Jan] headed by Finance Minister, P. Chidambaram on Thursday approved the sale of IOC‘s 10 per cent 183. China‟s economy grows 7.7% in 2013 government stake to state-run Oil and Natural Gas : China‘s economic growth decelerated in the final Corporation (ONGC) and Oil India Limited (OIL) which quarter of 2013 and appears set to slow further, likely to garner Rs. 4800 to 5000 crore. [16-Jan] adding to pressure on its leaders to shore up an expansion as they try to implement sweeping reforms. 176. Henrique de Castro, the chief operating The world‘s second-largest economy grew by 7.7 officer of Yahoo, will leave the company on percent over a year earlier, down from previous Thursday, Yahoo announced yesterday in a quarter‘s 7.8 percent, data showed Monday. Growth report to the US Securities and Exchange for the full year was 7.7 percent, tying 2012 for the Commission. He was responsible for managing weakest annual performance since 1999. [20-Jan] Yahoo‘s sales, operations, media and business development worldwide. Mayer recruited him in 2012 184. Telecom regulator TRAI has appointed shortly after she left Google to take the helm at Yahoo. Sudhir Gupta as its new secretary, ahead of it No reason was given for his the abrupt departure of de releasing the final guidelines of spectrum trading Castro. [16-Jan] and auction of CDMA radiowaves. He is a principal adviser with TRAI now and has been elevated to the 177. IIFCL signed an agreement with the K-EXIM for post of Secretary. infrastructure finance and covers cooperation and In the past 10 years at TRAI, Gupta has played a key investment financing related to infrastructure. [18- role in almost all the key regulations, Jan] recommendations and directions. This include mobile number portability regulation, rules to curb pesky calls, 178. IICA and FICCI signed MoU to Raise Awareness quality of service standards. He has been responsible on Corporate Regulation and Governance and for for formulating recommendations related to spectrum promoting the Corporate Affairs Agenda. [18-Jan] auctions, 3G and later BWA spectrum auctions. These two had helped government garner over Rs 1 lakh 179. The NTPC board on Friday approved an crore. [20-Jan] investment of Rs 12,532 crore for setting up a 1,600- mw thermal power project at Darlipali n Odisha, 185. India‟s economic growth is expected to be subject to environmental clearance. [18-Jan] 4.6% this financial year and the growth may improve to 5.4% in the next financial year 2014- 180. Wipro‘s third-quarter earnings show was in line 15, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said with expectations and the company‘s guidance for the today. Also IMF said that the growth rate in 2015—16, fourth quarter has been better than expectations. [18- at factor prices (excluding taxes), is likely to be 6.4%. Jan] [21-Jan]

181. Air India is doling out free air tickets to its 24,000 186. Global Internet giant Google acquired employees, even as it expects to incur a loss of Rs Bengaluru based Impermium for USD 9 million. 3,900 crore this financial year and has a debt burden Bengaluru based Impermium is a three year old of Rs 35,000 crore. [19-Jan] startup which focused on building security products for websites. Impermium has 300000 182. Google X Lab unveiled a smart contact lens that clients, including Tumblr, Pinterest, CNN, ESPN, can help diabetics to measure their glucose level in Typepad and Washington Post. The acquisition will help tears. The smart contact lens has been developed in Google improve its abuse monitoring efforts and make collaboration with the US Food and Drug internet a safer place. [21-Jan]

Exclusively prepared for R.A.C.E Students 21 NO. 38, Burkit road, T. Nagar, Chennai-17 Ph: 044-64563030 Mobile: 9043303030, www.theRace.in R.A.C.E Rapid Academy of Competitive Exams [Unit of Seeman Education]

187. Social networking site Facebook has bought computers for tasks normally requiring human Bangalore based Little Eye Labs as its first take over in intelligence, like speech recognition or language India. [22-Jan] translation. DeepMind says the company, based in , specializes in algorithms and machine 188. Sensex makes new record at 21,374 : The Indian learning.Google, like other tech giants such as stock market made another record high today, but Facebook, are anxious to develop systems that work investors and experts seem to be not at all enthused like the human brain. [27-Jan] about the same. The Sensex closed the day up 35.99 points higher at 21,373.66, its fresh lifetime closing 191. The UK economy grew by 1.9% in 2013, the high. The broader NSE index closed up 0.11%, up 6.7 highest growth rate since 2007, as per the Office points, at 6,345.65, just short of its record high of for National Statistics (ONS). But GDP growth for 6,363.90 hit on December 9, 2013. [23-Jan] the fourth quarter of 2013 slipped to 0.7% compared to 0.8% growth in the third quarter. [28-Jan] 189. China‟s Lenovo – the world‟s biggest PC maker – has agreed to acquire IBM‟s low-end 192. Google purchased DeepMind Technologies of server business for USD 2.3 billion. About USD 2 UK [28-Jan] billion will be paid in cash with the rest in Lenovo i. Google purchased the British start-up DeepMind stock. Whlie IBM is selling its x86 ―low-end‖ server Technologies – an artificial intelligence company – on business, which includes the System x, BladeCenter 27 January 2014. and Flex System products, it is retaining its powerful ii. The American tech giant Google confirmed the deal mainframe and storage business. Lenovo bought IBM‘s in its London office. This deal represents Google‘s PC business in 2005. [24-Jan] biggest ever single acquisition in Europe. iii. The acquisition of DeepMind would prove to be 190. Economic growth in India projected at helpful for Google in further developing its most recent 5.35% in 2014, says UN report Hummingbird search update. i. India‘s economy is projected to grow at a slower- iv. The Hummingbird search update was created to than-expected rate of 5.3 per cent this year, according make Google more human and searches which can to a United Nations report which said the country‘s now understand context like a human brain. slowdown may have bottomed out. About DeepMind Technologies: ii. The UN World Economic Situation and Prospects i. The artificial intelligence company DeepMind 2014 (WESP) report said a mild recovery in investment Technologies was founded by Demis Hassabis, as well as stronger export growth will help in the neuroscientist and computer genius together with gradual GDP pick-up. Shane Legg and Mustafa Suleyman in London. iii. Full-year growth decelerated to 4.8 per cent in ii. Artificial intelligence uses computers for tasks 2013 from 5.1 per cent in the calendar year 2012. normally requiring human intelligence, like speech iv. The report further said that global economic growth recognition or language translation. is expected to increase over the next two years with continuing signs of improvement. 193. The US economy grew by 3.2% in the final v. The global economy is projected to grow at a pace quarter of 2013 compared to same quarter last of 3 per cent in 2014 and 3.3 per cent in 2015, year. US economy is also expected to grow at the compared to an estimated growth of 2.1 per cent in strongest pace since the end of US recession in 2013. [24-Jan] 2009. Due to this optimism and improvement of job market scenario, the Fed announced that it would cut 191. Google buys artificial intelligence startup in monthly bond purchases by USD 10 billion. [30-Jan] UK : Google says that it has purchased the British startup DeepMind, an artificial intelligence company 194. TRAI released Working Guidelines for founded by a 37-year old former chess prodigy and Spectrum Trading [30-Jan] computer game designer.Artificial intelligence uses

Exclusively prepared for R.A.C.E Students 22 NO. 38, Burkit road, T. Nagar, Chennai-17 Ph: 044-64563030 Mobile: 9043303030, www.theRace.in R.A.C.E Rapid Academy of Competitive Exams [Unit of Seeman Education] i. Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) Nigam) 16%, REIL (Rajasthan Electronics & released working guidelines for trade of spectrum on Instruments Ltd) 3%. 28 January 2014. The guidelines need to be approved iii. The project will be the largest single location solar by the government before it can be implemented. plant spread across 19000 acres at Sambhar in Main Working Guidelines are: Rajasthan. The project will be developed in two phases • Only outright transfers of airwaves have been in 7 to 8 years. permitted from the seller to the buyer. iv. In the first phase of the project 1000 MW will be • While no permission will be required from the made operational within three years and the remaining government for trading of spectrum, the regulator has 3000 MW will be covered in the next subsequent mandated that both the seller and the buyer will have phases. to inform the licensor six weeks before the trade takes v. The First phase will require an investment of 7500 place. crore rupees. The department of heavy industry will • Only that spectrum will be allowed to put up for trade set up a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for the for which the companies have paid a market investment. determined price, and trade of spectrum will be on a Note: The plant life is estimated to be 25 years and is pan-licensed service area basis. expected to supply 6400 million units of energy per • While the transaction will be between two parties– year. The plant will help to reduce CO2 emissions by buyer and seller the regulator has provided that the over 4 million tonnes per year. seller has the flexibility to choose the prospective buyer of its spectrum through mechanism such as 198. Lenovo Group agreed to acquire Google Inc‟s tender or auction. Motorola handset division for USD 2.91 billion in order to expand its business into a heavily 195. Bharti Airtel promotes Gopal Vittal as MD & competitive U.S. handset market dominated by CEO of its India and South Asia operations. He, Apple Inc. It is Lenovo‘s second major deal on U.S. soil currently the joint MD and CEO (India) of Bharti Airtel, after acquiring IBM‘s low-end server business for USD will join as such in April 2014. [30-Jan] 2.3 billion announced last week. [30-Jan]

196. Rail coach factory to be set up at Kolar [30- 199. Google acquired Motorola Mobility for USD Jan] 12.5 billion in 2012 and sold the same division i. The Ministry of Railways and the Government of for USD 2.91 billion only after nearly 2 years. This Karnataka will sign a memorandum of understanding is definitely the worst acquisition ever done by the (MoU) for the setting up of a rail coach factory internet giant. Google will keep majority of Motorola‘s at Kolar in Karnataka. mobile patents after this deal. Google Chief Executive ii. The new rail coach factory, on its inception, will Officer Larry Page said that Google would be best serve to meet the increasing demand for passenger served by focusing on smartphone software rather coaches and will also foster the economic development than devices. [30-Jan] of the State. 200. India and Fiji sign double taxation 197. Six PSUs signed MoU to set up World‟s avoidance agreement [31-Jan] largest Solar Power Project [30-Jan] i. India and Fiji have signed a Double Taxation i. Six Public Sector Units (PSUs) have signed a Avoidance Agreement, DTAA for the avoidance of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 29 January double taxation and for the prevention of fiscal evasion 2014 to set up the World‘s largest 4000 MW ultra solar with respect to taxes on income. power project in Rajasthan. ii. The Agreement was signed in Delhi yesterday by ii. The joint venture company will develop the project the Finance Minister P. Chidambaram and Fiji‘s Minister with equity participation of – BHEL (26%), SECI (Solar of Justice, Public Enterprises, and Industry and Energy Corporation of India) 23%, SSL (Sambhar Salt TradeAiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum. Ltd) 16%, Power Grid 16%, SJVNL (Satluj Jal Vidyut

Exclusively prepared for R.A.C.E Students 23 NO. 38, Burkit road, T. Nagar, Chennai-17 Ph: 044-64563030 Mobile: 9043303030, www.theRace.in R.A.C.E Rapid Academy of Competitive Exams [Unit of Seeman Education] iii. Speaking on the occasion, the Finance Minister Mr strike range of 350 km, from a test range at Chandipur Chidambaram said that the Agreement will provide tax near Balasore (Odisha). [7-Jan] stability to the residents of India and Fiji and facilitate mutual economic cooperation. The move will also 207. Jammu and Kashmir government is promoting stimulate the flow of investment, technology and vertical housing colonies in Srinagar in an effort to stop services between both countries. the trend of conversion of agricultural land for residential and commercial purposes. [7-Jan] Science and Technology 201. Two months after the successful launch of 208. GSAT orbit raised again: Ground controllers of Mangalyaan, the Indian Space Research Organisation the Indian Space Research Organisation raised the (Isro) is all set to make its first major launch of 2014 elliptical orbit of the GSAT-14 again on Tuesday to on Sunday-- the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch make it more circular. They sent out commands from Vehicle(GSLV-D5)carrying India's latest communication the Master Control Facility at Hassan, Karnataka, to satellite GSAT 14. [3-Jan] the satellite‘s propulsion system or Liquid Apogee Motor (LAM). The LAM engine crackled for 44 minutes, 202. India's rocket GSLV-D5, raising the orbit to a perigee of 32,160 km and an with indigenous cryogenic technology, successfully apogee of 35,745 km. The inclination achieved was 0.6 puts heavy communication satellite GSAT-14 into the degree. When it was first fired on Monday, the LAM orbit. India, with this successful mission, joins the elite helped the 1,982-kg satellite realise an orbit of 8,966 club of the U.S., Russia, France, Japan and China who km (perigee) by 35,744 km (apogee). [8-Jan] can put satellites weighing over two tonnes in orbit. India was denied the cryogenic technology for over 20 209. 'Gramvani' - a radio-over-phone platform in rural years by Russia under pressure from the US. [5-Jan] hinterland of Bihar and Jharkhand aims to set a perfect example of technology leading to social change, more 203. Paving the way for satellite-based flight specifically eliminate the social evil of child marriage. navigation over the vast airspace of India, its [9-Jan] neighbours and surrounding high seas, the first phase 20. Canadian health officials have confirmed the first of the ambitious navigation system GAGAN has been known fatal case of the H5N1 avian influenza strain in certified by aviation regulator DGCA. [5-Jan] North America. [9-Jan]

204. American vessel the Polar Star, the US Coast 210. The International Space Station will operate for Guard's only active heavy polar icebreaker, is heading an additional four years, or until 2024, the NASA to the Antarctic to rescue over 120 crewmembers announced. [9-Jan] aboard Russian and Chinese ships trapped in heavy sea ice. [5-Jan] 211. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday laid the cornerstone for India‘s first Hadron therapy centre 205. Foot and mouth disease has claimed lives of over for cancer patients at the Tata Memorial Centre in 4,700 cattle in Kerala after its outbreak a few months Mumbai. The facility, funded by the department of ago, State Agriculture Minister K P Mohanan told the atomic energy, is expected to cost Rs425 crore and be state Assembly today. [6-Jan] completed in less than four years. [10-Jan] State-run BHEL has completed building a transmission sub-station in Karnataka, a link that connects the 212. India is gearing up to launch Chandrayaan-II by southern and national electricity grids. [6-Jan] 2016-17, Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) chairman Dr K Radhakrishnan said today. [10-Jan] 206. India today successfully test-fired its indigenously developed Prithvi-II missile, which is capable of 213. An Indian-origin scientist has found how a carrying 500 kg to 1,000 kg of warheads and has a malaria strain, common in India and Southeast Asia, attacks human red blood cells. [10-Jan]

Exclusively prepared for R.A.C.E Students 24 NO. 38, Burkit road, T. Nagar, Chennai-17 Ph: 044-64563030 Mobile: 9043303030, www.theRace.in R.A.C.E Rapid Academy of Competitive Exams [Unit of Seeman Education]

about 4,000 km, from a test range off the Odisha 214. Scientists have identified 14 new genes coast. potentially implicated in Alzheimer‘s disease. [11-Jan] ―The test firing was a total success. The missile travelled its full range,‖ M V K V Prasad, the director of 215. Google X Lab unveiled a smart contact lens that Integrated Test Range, said.It was test launched from can help diabetics to measure their glucose level in the launch complex-4 of the ITR at Wheeler Island, at tears on 17 January 2014. [18-Jan] about 10:52 AM.The missile is undergoing developmental trials by the DRDO.This is the third 216. US Scientists genetically engineered Tulasi or development trial of Agni-IV missile by the DRDO. basil to enhance its pharmaceutical value. [18-Jan] [20-Jan]

217. Changing solar energy not into electricity but 223. A 'live' demonstration to cultivate as many as 307 hydrogen fuel and storing it for later can allow devices varieties of 54 crops including cereal, fibre, fodder, to run after the sun goes down, U.S. [18-Jan] oilseeds, vegetables, pulses, medicinal and aromatic plants, will be a major attraction at the five-day 218. The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) National Agriculture Expo, beginning from February 9. will launch three satellites belonging to the Indian [20-Jan] Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) constellation this year. [18-Jan] 224. India test-fired Nuclear capable Prithvi-II missile from Chandipur near Balasore. [22-Jan] 219. India‗s first climate change theatre opened at Pushpa Gujral Science City in Kapurthala, Punjab. It‘s 225. Indian GSLV-D5 with indigenous cryogenic engine objective is to provide information on climate changes successfully placed GSAT-14 communication satellites and global warming to school and college students and on orbit from Srihsrikota. [22-Jan] sensitize the audience about the currently debated subject of Climate Change and Global Warming. [19- 226. Scientists in the UK have created the fastest ever Jan] real-world internet connection, using commercial- grade fibre optic lines to clock up speeds of 1.4 220. For the first time, a team of scientists have terabits per second. It‘s believed to be the fastest successfully collected sperm from an Australian speed test of its kind, and would allow users to monitor lizard in a bid to save the population decline of hypothetically download 44 high-definition films in a the goannas. [19-Jan] single second. — 23 January 2014

221. Google develops contact lens glucose 227. Scientists detect water on dwarf monitor : Google unveiled a contact lens that planet: Astronomers have for the first time detected monitors glucose levels in tears, a potential reprieve water vapour on a dwarf planet located in GKthe main for millions of diabetics who have to jab their fingers to asteroid belt, between the orbits of Mars and draw their own blood as many as 10 times a day. He Jupiter.This is the first time water vapour has been contact lenses were developed during the past 18 unequivocally detected on Ceres or any other object in months in the clandestine Google X lab that also came the asteroid belt and provides proof that Ceres has an up with a driverless car, Google‘s Web-surfing icy surface and an atmosphere,‖ said Michael Kuppers eyeglasses and Project Loon, a network of large of ESA in Spain, lead author of a paper published in balloons designed to beam the Internet to unwired the journal Nature.Ceres is roughly 950 kilometres in places. [20-Jan] diameter. When it was first was spotted in 1801, astronomers thought it was a planet orbiting between 222. India successfully test-fires Agni-IV missile Mars and Jupiter. Later, other cosmic bodies with : India on Monday successfully test-fired its nuclear- similar orbits were found, marking the discovery of our capable strategic missile Agni-IV, with a strike range of solar system‘s main belt of asteroids. [23-Jan]

Exclusively prepared for R.A.C.E Students 25 NO. 38, Burkit road, T. Nagar, Chennai-17 Ph: 044-64563030 Mobile: 9043303030, www.theRace.in R.A.C.E Rapid Academy of Competitive Exams [Unit of Seeman Education]

228. Mines Minister Dinsha Patel has dedicated 240. Viscera test must in death due to poisoning: to the nation advanced light helicopter ”Garuda SC Vasudha” of Geological Survey of India (GSI), i. A bench of Justices Ranjana P Desai and J equipped with modern sensors for exploring Chelameswar ruled that in all the cases where hidden mineral resources. The helicopter was poisoning is suspected, immediately after the post- launched from the Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) mortem, the viscera should be sent to the forensic Complex, Bangalore…The Garuda Vasudha a ‗Dhruv‘ science laboratories (FSL). category helicopter has been indigenously built by HAL ii. The prosecuting agencies should ensure that the and the HGSS comprising four aerogeophysical viscera is, in fact, sent to the FSL for examination and sensors. [23-Jan] the FSL should ensure that the viscera is examined immediately and report is sent to the investigating 229. Garuda Vasudha Advanced Light Helicopter agencies/courts post haste. of Geological Survey of India launched iii. The court took serious note of a number of cases i. Minister of Mines, Dinsha Patel launched the relating to death by poisoning which resulted in Advanced Light Helicopter named Garuda Vasudha of acquittal mainly because police failed to seek a viscera Geological Survey of India from the Hindustan examination from forensic science laboratories (FSL). Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), Bangalore on 23 January 2014. About Viscera test ii. The Garuda Vasudha a Dhruv category built by HAL i. In the Viscera test the internal organs of the body, dedicated to the nation. specifically those within the chest (as the heart or iii. The Ministry also laid the foundation stone of a lungs) or abdomen (as the liver, pancreas or Centre of Excellence Laboratory building of GSI at intestines) are tested thoroughly. Bangalore, worth of 42 crore. ii. The Forensic Science Laboratories provide scientific iv. Garuda Vasudha is used for extensive surveys by assistance in crime investigationby way of examination the GSI for locating hidden mineral health. of blood, semen, stains thereof and other. [24-Jan] v. Remote Sensing and Aerial Survey Wing of Geological Survey of India will be using both the aerial 241. Silicon valley of India gets WiFi hotspots and heliborne survey together to locate mineral [27-Jan] resources which will fulfill the rising demands. [23- ‗Namma WiFi‖ initiative was launched in Bangalore Jan] covering initially 6 hotspots. WiFi, is a technology that allows an electronic device to 230. India and France jointly building 3rd exchange data or connect to the internet wirelessly satellite using radio waves based on the IEEE 802.11 i. India and France are working on building the third standards. Indo-French satellite designed for climate change People will be able to utilise the network upto 50 Mb of studies, a senior French official said on Thursday. data download or for upto three hours with 512 kb ii. The new satellite being built jointly by Indian Space bandwidth. Research Organisation and National Centre for Space People will be provided with one Time Password once Studies (CNES) of France would be a state-of-the-art they get themselves registered for the service. satellite for earth observation for climate change, The facility was initiated by the state IT department Weiss said. and the ICT (information and communications iii. The final shape to the proposed project is technologies) group. scheduled to be given by next March when Indian and French scientists will hold a ―big‖ meeting in France, Banking Awareness Weiss said. 242. Market regulator SEBI has approved the iv. India is the one of the most important countries of appointment of Saurabh Sarkar as the new MD cooperation for France. Both countries have plenty of and CEO of MCX-SX. He now heads the United things to do together,‖ he added. [24-Jan] Stock Exchange (USE), is likely to take charge in

Exclusively prepared for R.A.C.E Students 26 NO. 38, Burkit road, T. Nagar, Chennai-17 Ph: 044-64563030 Mobile: 9043303030, www.theRace.in R.A.C.E Rapid Academy of Competitive Exams [Unit of Seeman Education]

February. The appointment of Sarkar comes at a new ATM-cum-Debit card in association with VISA that crucial time for MCX-SX, which is seeing a churn in the can be used for e—commerce across five lakh top management, with the promoter Jigneesh Shah merchant outlets. [3-Jan] and Joseph Massey stepping down from the board after the Rs 5,600-crore NSEL payment crisis. [1-Jan] 246. The Reserve Bank of India is likely to soon issue 243. Canara Bank launches skill development guidelines to allow banks to act as insurance brokers programme for J&K youth [2-Jan] with a view to boost business and arrest the decline in i. Canara Bank, as part of its corporate social insurance penetration. [5-Jan] responsibility (CSR), has launched ‗Udaan‘ in Jammu and Kashmir in co-ordination with NSDC (National Skill Development Corporation) and the Government of 247. Market regulator Sebi on Monday cautioned Jammu & Kashmir (J&K). investors and the general public against entities ii. R.K. Dubey, Chairman & Managing Director, Canara making false promises of exorbitant returns through Bank, said that the aim of the project is development schemes being run without regulatory approvals. [6- of skills and employability of youth in Jammu & Jan] Kashmir. iii. Unemployed residents of Jammu and Kashmir, who 248. Banks may have just two years to achieve the have done graduation or above, are being covered ambitious target of providing a universal electronic under this scheme. bank account to every Indian resident above the age of iv. There were 300 candidates who have been short- 18. This recommendation, among several others, was listed for skill development training in co-ordination made by the central bank-appointed Nachiket Mor with NSDC and the Government of Jammu & Kashmir,‖ Committee on Comprehensive Financial Services for Dubey said. Small Businesses and Low-Income Households. [7- v. Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister of Jammu and Jan] Kashmir, inaugurated the ‗Skill Development Programme‘ at General Zorawar Singh Auditorium, 249. RBI panel on financial inclusion recommends University of Jammu. raising priority sector lending cap for banks to 50% from the current 40%.[7-Jan] 244. Devendra Kumar Pathak appointed as Special DG, BSF [2-Jan] 250. In order to safeguard the interest of the i. Devendra Kumar Pathak has been appointed as the investors, Sebi has put in place a new framework to Special DG, Border Security Force (BSF) on 30 strengthen the supervisory and monitoring role of December 2013. At the time of his appointment in depositories and their participants for issuance and BSF, he was serving as the Special DG, Central processing of Delivery Instruction Slips. [7-Jan] Reserve Police Force (CRPF). ii. His appointment as the Special DG, BSF started with 251. RBI panel moots bank accounts for all by immediate effect and will continue till the date of 2016 superannuation in March 2016 or until any further A committee appointed by the Reserve Bank of India orders. (RBI) on Tuesday recommended a Universal Electronic iii. Pathak is an (Indian Police Service) IPS of 1989- Bank Account (UEBA) for every Indian resident above batch of Assam-Meghalaya cadres. He has been 18 years of age by January 1, 2016. The account serving Central Reserve Police Force since 11 would provide citizens with access to credit and November 2011. investment options. [8-Jan]

252. Global investment bank and largest US bank 245. Targeting young individuals, public sector Indian by assets, JPMorgan Chase will pay a USD 1.7- Overseas Bank on Friday launched ‗Connect Card‘, a billion fine for failing to report suspicious

Exclusively prepared for R.A.C.E Students 27 NO. 38, Burkit road, T. Nagar, Chennai-17 Ph: 044-64563030 Mobile: 9043303030, www.theRace.in R.A.C.E Rapid Academy of Competitive Exams [Unit of Seeman Education] activities by Bernard Madoff, a jailed investor 255. RBI panel suggests banks for low-income whose financial scheme eventually cost his households clients billions of dollars. i. The RBI-appointed committee on financial inclusion Under the terms of the deal, the US bank will pay the has recommended that the central bank should set up fine to victims of Madoff‘s fraud and admit to its specialised banks called Payments Bank to provide conduct, according to a statement by federal payment services and deposit products to small prosecutors. In addition, the bank separately agreed to businesses and low-income households. pay USD 543 million to deal with private claims. [8- ii. The committee, headed by Nachiket Mor, Jan] said that since the new bank will be dealing with poor customers, such a bank must be allowed to accept a 253. Mahila Bank signs MoUs with ICAI to maximum deposit of not more than Rs 50,000. finance CA students iii. Such a bank will earn from the payment services it i. Bharatiya Mahila Bank (BMB), the first all-women offers, such as money transfers and online payments, bank, today signed an agreement with Institute of as well as by deploying the deposits in secure Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) for financing government securities (G-secs). students pursuing chartered accountancy. iv. In order to protect the money of the poor ii. It has also signed another MoU with ICAI for customer, such a bank will not be allowed to lend in financing members of ICAI, practicing chartered the market. accountants for setting up offices, BMB said in a v. The bank will have to set aside a slice (the same as statement. any other bank) of its total deposit with the RBI in the iii. Girl students pursuing CA will be offered a 1 per form of cash reserve ratio. [8-Jan] cent concession in the rate of interest, it said. iv. To encourage more women professionals to take up 256. The Central Vigilance Commission has practice, a concession of 1 per cent in the rate of recommended penalty against 97 officials of interest is being offered on loans to set up practice, it nationalized banks for alleged corruption. Of these said. [8-Jan] officials, a highest of 27 are working in Dena Bank, 13 in Bank of Baroda, 11 in Central Bank of India, ten in 254. World Bank to provide $500 m loan for rural State Bank of India, eight in Punjab National Bank, water supply seven in Andhra Bank, five in Industrial Development i. World Bank will provide $500 million loan for water Bank of India and four each in Allahabad Bank and supply and sanitation projects in the rural areas of Bank of Maharashtra. [10-Jan] Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh. ii. The project will be implemented over a six-year 257. Housing finance firm HDFC plans to raise $300 period. million through external commercial borrowing (ECB) iii. It will support the design and implementation of a to fund its expansion. [10-Jan] dedicated RWSS program for low income states under the ongoing National Rural Drinking Water Program in 258. NABARD has reduced refinance rate for banks and the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation other lending agencies by 0.20 percent to promote (MoDWS), it said. rural credit and rural infrastructure. [10-Jan] iv. The phase 1 of the project will cover 33 districts in Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh. 259. Bank of Japan, RBI conclude deal for raising v. The project will be financed by a credit from the BSA to USD 50 bn International Development Association (IDA), the i. The Bank of Japan (BOJ) and RBI concluded an World Bank‘s concessionary lending arm which agreement that expands the maximum amount of the provides interest-free loans with 25 years to maturity bilateral swap arrangement (BSA) between the two and a grace period of five years. [8-Jan] countries to USD 50 billion. ii. The agreement was signed by BOJ Governor Haruhiko Kuroda and RBI Governor Raghuram

Exclusively prepared for R.A.C.E Students 28 NO. 38, Burkit road, T. Nagar, Chennai-17 Ph: 044-64563030 Mobile: 9043303030, www.theRace.in R.A.C.E Rapid Academy of Competitive Exams [Unit of Seeman Education]

Rajan on Friday and has become effective as of 10th i. LIC has re-launched its ―Jeevan Anand‖ plan, a January 2014, the Reserve Bank of India said in a participating non-linked plan which offers an attractive statement. combination of protection and savings. iii. ―With this agreement, the current BSA, effective for ii. This product provides financial protection against 3 years from 2012 to 2015, is expanded from the death throughout the lifetime of the policyholder with a original size of USD 15 billion,‖ it added. special feature wherein it offers cover for whole life iv. The BSA aims at addressing possible short-term even after payment of maturity amount. liquidity difficulties and supplementing the existing iii. The policy can be taken from age 18 years to 50 international financial arrangements, as one of the years with age of policyholder on policy maturity age efforts in strengthening mutual cooperation between not exceeding 75 years. Japan and India. iv. The policyholder can choose policy term from v. ―This expansion of the BSA will contribute to the minimum 15 years to maximum of 35 years. The stability of global financial markets including emerging minimum sum assured is Rs 1 lakh and in multiples of economies,‖ the RBI said. Rs 5,000. vi. The BSA shall be effective until 3rd December v. The policy matures at the end of the chosen policy 2015. [10-Jan] term and the surviving policyholder will get Basic Sum Assured along with Vested Simple Reversionary Bonus 260. The European Central Bank (ECB) has kept and Final Additional Bonus. its benchmark interest rate at a record low of vi. The sum assured on death during the term of the 0.25% as it wants to keep interest rate at record policy will be higher of 125 per cent of Basic Sum low for an extended period of time to boost Assured or 10 times of annualized premium. economic and industrial growth. Also euro zone inflation dropped to lower than 1% level which gave 263. Give a missed call to know your bank more room to ECB to continue with record low interest balance rate. [10-Jan] i. It is quite common for some to give a missed call to their friends so that the other person calls him/her 261. NABARD reduces refinance rate for banks back. [10-Jan] ii. What if your bank allows such a facility? Not for i. National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development transaction. It is only for enquiring about the balance (NABARD) has reduced refinance rate for banks and in your account. other lending agencies by 0.20 per cent to iii. Syndicate Bank has introduced such a facility promote rural credit and rural infrastructure. for its customers. ii. The revised rate of interest on refinance for a period iv. After giving a missed call to a dedicated number, of five years for commercial, state cooperative, the customer will get his/her balance amount in the regional rural and primary urban cooperative banks will account as an SMS, he said. The customer will not be be 9.70 per cent, down from 9.90 per cent. charged for the facility. iii. NABARD said in a statement, the new rates are v. Considering this, the bank came up with the idea of effective from 7th of this month. It further said, banks introducing the missed-call service, he said adding that drawing refinance of 500 crore rupees and more in a the customers will have to follow the procedures single drawl will be allowed further reduction of 0.10 related to SMS banking. [10-Jan] per cent, making the effective rate 9.60 per cent. iv. NABARD said, these measures are expected to give 264. India's current account deficit (CAD) this fiscal a boost to banks for extending investment credit and will be contained to around $50 billion as announced creation of much-needed warehousing infrastructure by Finance Minister P.Chidambaram. [15-Jan] for agricultural commodities in the country. 265. World Bank projects India‟s growth at over 262. LIC launches new Jeevan Anand plan [10- 6% in 2014-15 : The World Bank has projected Jan] India‘s economy will grow over 6 per cent in 2014-15

Exclusively prepared for R.A.C.E Students 29 NO. 38, Burkit road, T. Nagar, Chennai-17 Ph: 044-64563030 Mobile: 9043303030, www.theRace.in R.A.C.E Rapid Academy of Competitive Exams [Unit of Seeman Education] and 7.1 per cent by 2016-17 as global demand RBI, the current assessment suggests that the strain recovers and domestic investment increases. In China, on market liquidity is likely to endure in view of the growth is estimated to stay flat in 2014 at 7.7 per fiscal targets set for the year as well as projections for cent, slowing to 7.5 per cent for the next two years, aggregate credit growth, warranting the need to reflecting deleveraging and less reliance on policy- provide liquidity of a more permanent nature. induced investment. [16-Jan] iii. The RBI said it will be conducting OMO by purchasing four G-Secs — that is, government security 266. RBI included Hong Kong and Macau in the (GS) maturing in 2017 (July) and carrying coupon rate sensitive list of 8.07 per cent; 7.28 per cent GS 2019; 7.16 per cent i. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) included Hong Kong GS 2023; and 8.28 per cent GS 2027 — aggregating and Macau in the sensitive list of countries along with Rs 10,000 crore. [18-Jan] Pakistan and China on 15 January 2014. ii. Macau and Hong Kong are two Special 269. BoM launches savings bank deposit scheme Administrative Regions controlled by China. i. Bank of Maharashtra has launched a savings bank iii. This means that establishments from Hong Kong deposit scheme — Mahabank Royal Savings Account and Macau will require prior approval of RBI for setting exclusively for high net worth Individuals having a up business or related activities in India. The activities minimum monthly average balance (MAB) of Rs 1 lakh include establishment of liaison, branch, project offices in their account. or any other place of business. ii. The slew of benefits offered to the accountholder iv. Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Iran under the product includes assistance of a relationship and China are already included in the sensitive list. manager, free accident death insurance cover (Rs 50 [17-Jan] lakh personal air accident death insurance and Rs 10 lakh personal accidental death insurance), higher 267. BMB ties up with SBI Cards [17-Jan] transaction limit on ATM-cum-debit card on merchant i. Bharatiya Mahila Bank (BMB) and SBI Cards have point of sale terminals, and free national electronic joined hands for roll-out of credit cards to customers of funds transfer/real time gross system transactions India‘s first women-focused commercial bank. through Internet banking, the bank said in a ii. This will be the first instance of a public sector bank statement. promoting a white-label credit card issued by SBI iii. Other benefits to the account holders include 50 Cards. per cent concession in the processing fees of all retail iii. Under this arrangement, SBI Cards will issue and loans, 100 free personalised cheque leaves per annum, process the credit cards as white-label cards, allowing 50 per cent concession on annual maintenance charge BMB to brand the cards as their own without having to of BoM SBI co-branded Gold Credit Card, and free invest in infrastructure. demat account facility for the first year. [18-Jan] iv. A white-label card does not carry the brand of the issuer (SBI Cards) on its face. It will only in this case 270. Kerala-headquartered Federal Bank plans to carry the brand of BMB. recruit about 3,000 employees and add 300 branches v. The agreement was signed by Usha in the next three years. [18-Jan] Ananthasubramanian, Chairman and Managing Director, BMB, and Pallav Mohapatra, CEO, SBI Cards, 271. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) constituted here on Thursday. an expert committee to review governance of boards of banks yesterday. P. J. Nayak, former 268. RBI to buy G-Secs on Jan 22 Chairman and CEO of Axis Bank, will head the i. The Reserve Bank has decided to conduct Open committee. The expert panel is expected to submit its Market Operations (OMO) by purchasing four report within a period three months from the date of government securities for an aggregate amount of Rs its first meeting. [21-Jan] 10,000 crore on January 22. ii. The OMO is being conducted as, according to the

Exclusively prepared for R.A.C.E Students 30 NO. 38, Burkit road, T. Nagar, Chennai-17 Ph: 044-64563030 Mobile: 9043303030, www.theRace.in R.A.C.E Rapid Academy of Competitive Exams [Unit of Seeman Education]

272. The Reserve Bank of India has advised that management. OMOs should not be used for managing after 31st March this year it will completely yields on government on government securities. [22- withdraw from circulation all banknotes issued Jan] prior to 2005. From April 1, 2014, the public will be required to approach banks for exchanging these notes 276. Finance Minister P.Chidamaram announced that and banks will provide exchange facility for these notes India‘s current account defict this fiscal is around $50 until further communication. The Reserve Bank further billion. [22-Jan] stated in an advisory that public can easily identify the notes to be withdrawn as the notes issued before 2005 277. RBI‟s „bold‟ report may hit govt block: A do not have on them the year of printing on the central bank panel‘s report on a new monetary policy reverse side. [22-Jan] regime has been termed as bold but is unlikely to get the backing of the finance ministry, experts and 273. An expert committee, headed by Deputy officials say. Governor of the Reserve Bank of India Urjit R. The panel headed by Urijit Patel, deputy governor of Patel, appointed to examine the current the Reserve Bank of India, in its report released on monetary policy framework of the Reserve Bank Tuesday said the target should be to bring CPI inflation of India (RBI) has suggested that the apex bank down to 8% in 12 months and to 6% over 24 months should adopt the new CPI (consumer price before adopting a 4% target.The panel said since India index) as the measure of the nominal anchor for is exposed to external shocks, the 4% target should policy communication. The nominal anchor or the have a band of 2% around it. [23-Jan] target for inflation should be set at 4% with a band of +/- 2 per cent around it. [22-Jan] 278. RBI recent move to withdraw all currency notes: RBI advisory to withdraw all currency notes, 274. The nominal anchor should be defined in including Rs 500 and Rs 1000, issued before 2005.The terms of headline CPI inflation, which closely Reserve Bank of India decided to withdraw all currency reflects the cost of living and influences inflation notes issued prior to 2005, including Rs 500 and Rs expectations relative to other available metrics. 1,000 denominations, after March 31 in a move Also this target should be set in the frame of a two- apparently aimed at curbing black money and fake year horizon that is consistent with the need to currencies.‖After March 31, 2014, it (RBI) will balance the output costs of disinflation against the completely withdraw from circulation all bank notes speed of entrenchment of credibility in policy issued prior to 2005. From April 1, 2014, the public will commitment, as per the report. [22-Jan] be required to approach banks for exchanging these notes,‖ the RBI said in a statement. [23-Jan] 275. As per the suggestions, the government also needs to bring down the fiscal deficit as a ratio of 279. New RBI guidelines for loan restructuring GDP to 3% by 2016-17 which should be norms by NBFCs consistent with the Fiscal Responsibility and i. In order to minimise the risk of defaults, RBI has Budget Management (Amendment) Rules 2013. It issued revised guidelines for loan restructuring norms has suggested two schemes namely Market by non-banking financial companies, NBFCs. Stabilisation Scheme (MSS) and Cash Management ii. In a notification issued from Mumbai yesterday, RBI Bills (CMBs) may be phased out and the government said that rules for restructuring loans by NBFCs will be debt and cash management should be taken over by the same as those of banks. the Debt Management Office of the government. All iii. The key provisions include that the relaxation or fixed income financial products should be treated on extension of commencement of projects will not par with the bank deposits for the purposes of taxation amount to restructuring for infrastructure, non- and TDS. The committee has suggested detachment of infrastructure and corporate real estate projects. Open Market Operations (OMOs) from the fiscal iv. RBI, further, said that a special classification operations and instead linked solely to the liquidity benefit will be provided to corporatedebt

Exclusively prepared for R.A.C.E Students 31 NO. 38, Burkit road, T. Nagar, Chennai-17 Ph: 044-64563030 Mobile: 9043303030, www.theRace.in R.A.C.E Rapid Academy of Competitive Exams [Unit of Seeman Education] restructuring cases, including small and medium B K Divakara along with Raj Kumar Goyal and Animesh enterprises. The benefit will, however, be withdrawn Chauhan. Prior this appointment, he was a General with effect from April 1 next year. [24-Jan] Manager with Corporation Bank at its Head Office in Mangalore. [24-Jan] 280. SBI launches Youtube channel; Twitter handle next 283. Notes printed before 2005 will remain legal, i. Nation‘s largest lender State Bank of India on Friday says RBI strengthened its social media presence with the launch i. India's central bank, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) of its channel on popular video sharing website has clarified that the currency notes that were printed Youtube and said it will also be launching its handle on before 2005 will continue to be legal tender. the micro-blogging site Twitter soon. i. The central bank said that the move to withdraw ii. The YouTube channel is another platform that will banknotes printed prior to 2005 is aimed at pulling off enable us to connect with our customers. SBI will these bank notes from the market. [28-Jan] continue to spread its footprint on social media through the launch of platforms like Twitter, shortly,‖ 284. RBI raises policy rate by 0.25 pc to anchor Chairperson Arundhati Bhattacharya said in a retail inflation statement. i. Reserve Bank Governor Raghuram Rajan on Tuesday iii. SBI, which controls around a fourth of the deposits again surprised the markets and raised the key policy in the system, is one of the oldest financial institutions rate by 0.25 per cent to 8 per cent in a bid to curb in the country with an over 200 years of history. inflation, a move that may translate into higher EMIs iv. It has over 15,000 branches and over 43,000 and push up the cost of borrowing for corporates. ATMs. The bank statement said the Youtube channel ii. "An increase in the policy (repo) rate by 25 basis will help it connect with the young and technologically points is needed to set the economy securely on the savvy customers. [24-Jan] recommended disinflationary path," Rajan said while unveiling the Third Quarter Review of Monetary Policy. 281. Favour free ATM services: Finance Services iii. Consequently, the reverse repo rate under the Secretary Takru liquidity adjustment facility will be revised to 7 per i. Financial services secretary Rajiv Takru has said that cent and the marginal standing facility rate and bank he favours free ATM services as they exist now. rate to 9 per cent. ii. Speaking to reporters in Mumbai on Thursday, Mr. iv. However, the RBI kept the cash reserve ratio Takru said that if these services are made expensive unchanged at 4 per cent as liquidity seems to be then customers may end up at bank counters and comfortable. warned that a teller service is far more expensive than v. The Governor said economic growth would be below ATM service. 5 per cent in the current financial year and could iii. He however clarified that no bank has approached accelerate in 2014-15 to a mean projection of 5.5 per the government seeking approval to raise ATM fees cent. and said that a final decision in this regard will be vi. The RBI's baseline projections for retail inflation taken by RBI. indicate that over the ensuing 12-month horizon, and iii. Admitting that ATM services should be sustainable, with the current policy stance, there are upside risks to Mr. Takru said banks should look at ways to encourage the central forecast of 8 per cent. customers to increase their ATM usage so as to make them profitable. Mr. Takru also called for a re-look at RBI Current Policy & Reserve Rates orders of some state governments asking banks to Repo Rate – 8 % have round-the-clock security at ATMs. [24-Jan] Reverse Repo– 7 % CRR – 4% 282. B K Divakara has taken charge as Executive SLR – 23% Director of Central Bank of India. Following his MSF– 9% appointment, Central Bank of India now has three EDs, Bank Rate – 9%

Exclusively prepared for R.A.C.E Students 32 NO. 38, Burkit road, T. Nagar, Chennai-17 Ph: 044-64563030 Mobile: 9043303030, www.theRace.in R.A.C.E Rapid Academy of Competitive Exams [Unit of Seeman Education]

iv. The product would benefit banks, brokerage 285. Growth likely to slip below 5% in 2013-14: houses, insurance companies and primary dealers, RBI among others. i. The Reserve Bank on Tuesday said the growth is v. The market regulator had said IRF are being expected to fall below 5 per cent in 2013-14 in introduced on a pilot basis and the product features absence of pick-up in manufacturing sector, but likely would be reviewed based on the experience gained. to recover to 5.5 per cent in the next financial year. vi. An IRF is generally a contract between a buyer and ii. The economic growth, it said, could be ―somewhat a seller agreeing to the future delivery of any interest- lower than the central estimate of 5 per cent‖. bearing asset such as government bonds. iii. In the first half of 2013-14, the GDP growth was at vii. Earlier last month, the market regulator had 4.6 per cent. permitted the stock exchanges to introduce cash- iv. For fiscal 2014-15, there is a case for gradual settled IRFs on 10-year government bonds, which has recovery to the 5-6 per cent band, the RBI said, giving been a long pending demand of capital market a central estimate of 5.5 per cent growth. participants. [28-Jan] v. The central bank further said if the nearly 130 projects worth over Rs 4 lakh crore cleared by the 289. RBI doubles sub-limit for FIs in govt Cabinet Committee on Investments translate into securities investments, global growth improves and inflation i. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has doubled the softens, the country‘s GDP growth could come in at sub-limit for foreign investment in government ―the higher reaches‖ of the forecast range of 5-6 per securities, to USD 10 billionby long-term investors. cent. ii. RBI's move is aimed to attract more foreign funds. vi. For the fourth quarter, the headline CPI inflation is Investors like sovereign wealth funds (SWFs), expected to range between 7.5 and 8.5 per cent with multilateral agencies, insurance funds, pension funds an upside risk, it added. [28-Jan] and foreign central banks are considered as long term investors. 286. As per RBI announcement, India‟s current iii. In a notification issued from Mumbai on Wednesday account deficit (CAD) has shown improvement. the RBI said the decision taken in consultation with the India‟s trade deficit during April-December 2013 government will be applicable with immediate effect. was 25% lower than last year. Consequent to the iv. However, the total limit of USD 30 billion available lower trade deficit, CAD has declined from 4.9% of for foreign investments in government securities has gross domestic product (GDP) in the first quarter of not been tinkered with. the current fiscal to 1.2% of GDP in Q2 of 2013-14. v. The RBI has made it clear that the operational ―The full-year CAD is likely to be below 2.5 per cent of guidelines in this regard will be issued by SEBI. [30- GDP,‘‘ the RBI said in the Macro-Economic and Jan] Monetary Developments released by the RBI in the Note: third quarter review 2013-14 today. [28-Jan] i. Earlier, the sub-limit for long term investors registered with SEBI was USD 5 billion. 288. BSE to launch IRF trading from 20th Jan ii. Foreign institutional investors(FIIs) - qualified i. Leading stock exchange BSE has said live trading in foreign investors (QFIs) and long-term investors - new interest rate futures (IRF), in long tenure 10-year registered with market watchdog SEBI are allowed to government bonds, will begin on its platform on 20th purchase government securities and non-convertible January. debentures (NCDs) or bonds issued by Indian ii. The exchange has already received the approval of companies within the limit of USD 30 billion. market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) for launching IRFs. 290. Disapprove of ATM charges: iii. Besides, NSE will begin live trading in the IRF on i. RBI Deputy Governor K C Chakrabarty has said that 21st January, while MCX-SX said it will also go live this he disapproves the demand made by banks to charge month without giving an exact date. their customers for using ATM services.

Exclusively prepared for R.A.C.E Students 33 NO. 38, Burkit road, T. Nagar, Chennai-17 Ph: 044-64563030 Mobile: 9043303030, www.theRace.in R.A.C.E Rapid Academy of Competitive Exams [Unit of Seeman Education]

Speaking to reporters in Mumbai, Mr. Chakrabarty said it is a little bit ridiculous that bank will charge Sports customers for using an ATM. 292. India have retained the Under-19 Asia Cup ii. He said that instead banks must compare the Cricket title after defeating arch rival Pakistan by charges of serving a customer at a branch as against 40 runs in the final match at Sharjah today. While at the ATM. batting first Indian team set to score 315 runs for a iii. He further informed that RBI does not decide on win, Pakistan managed to score only 274 for nine in 50 service charges, and it was up to the banks to decide overs. Indian skipper VH Zol andn star batsman Sanju their charges. Samson made centuries for the winning team. [2-Jan] iv. After a near-fatal attack on a Corporation Bank employee at an ATM in Bangalore last November, 293. Ashes: Australia thrash England by 281 runs to many states have made it mandatory to have round- win series 5-0 [5-Jan] the-clock security at ATMs, pushing up banks‘ costs. Banks‘ umbrella body IBA has requested RBI to cap 294. Ministry of Youth Affairs and the number of free transactions to five per month Sports announces new criteria for giving Arjuna across any ATM network. [31-Jan] Awards to sportspersons from 2014 onwards. [6- Jan] 291. RBI issues guidelines for early detection of bad loans 295. Courtesy his quarter-final appearance at the i. RBI has released guidelines that will help banks in Chennai Open, Yuki Bhambri jumped 23 places to early recognition of bad loans and prompt steps for career-best rank of 172, while lost recovery or sale of unviable accounts. three places to be 93 in the latest ATP chart, released ii. In the document called Framework for Revitalizing on Monday. [6-Jan] Distressed Assets in the Economy, RBI has asked banks to form a committee called Joint Lenders forum 296. Stanislas Wawrinka wins Chennai Open to formulate a plan for early resolution of stress in an 2014. [6-Jan] account. iii. The committee should also consider an option to 297. The 61st Kohima Village Sports Association meet, transfer the promoters‘ holdings to a security trustee one of the biggest sporting events in the northeast or an escrow arrangement till turnaround of company. begins at Kohima (Nagaland) today. [7-Jan] iv. In the new guidelines, which will be effective from April 1, the RBI has said that restructuring of a bad 298. 75th National table tennis championship begins loan should be done in such a manner that today in Patna. [7-Jan] shareholders, including promoters, bear the first loss and not the lenders. The guidelines ask banks to make 299. Hockey India on Tuesday announced future loans more expensive for borrowers who don‘t complimentary tickets to hockey Olympians and cooperate in resolving existing bad loans. international players for the forthcoming Hockey World v. It also offers a liberal regulatory treatment for sale League Final from January 10-18, in New Delhi. [7- of distressed asset and allows lenders to spread loss Jan] on sale of such assets over two years provided loss is fully disclosed. 300. Hockey World League trophy unveiled vi. RBI has said that the refinancing institution can fix i. The two-year-long journey of the new Hockey World a repayment period by taking into account the life League culminates with the eight-team World League cycle of the project and cash flows from the project. Final which gets underway at the Major Dhyan Chand vii. According to RBI, the amount of recast loans National Stadium in Delhi on Friday. touched an all-time high of 4 trillion rupees or 10.2 per ii. The trophy to be awarded to the Hockey World cent of the overall advances as of September 2013. League winner was unveiled in the presence of all the [31-Jan] captains of the participating teams.

Exclusively prepared for R.A.C.E Students 34 NO. 38, Burkit road, T. Nagar, Chennai-17 Ph: 044-64563030 Mobile: 9043303030, www.theRace.in R.A.C.E Rapid Academy of Competitive Exams [Unit of Seeman Education] iii. The tournament is the first hockey event of 2014, a Sports Management Company which also manages year that will also feature the and international cricketers. Champions Trophy. Note: i. India captain MS Dhoni is the chief brand iv. The Hockey World League is composed of four ambassador of the league and the official rounds and is played over two years. The schedule announcement is expected in Dubai this week. alternately coincides with the build-up to the World ii. 7PL, it is learnt, has the blessings of the Cup and Olympics, providing more than half of the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Board of entry tickets for both. [8-Jan] Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) However, it will not be an ICC recognized tournament, sources said. 301. Cricket: Ranji QFs began in Jan 8 i. The quarterfinal matches of the Ranji Trophy Cricket 304. The inaugural Hockey World League Final tournament will be played today. tournament begins today at the Major Dhyan ii. Defending champions Mumbai will face Maharashtra Chand National Stadium in New Delhi. The world‘s at Mumbai, Bengal will take on Railways at Kolkata, top seven teams including India are participating in the Karnataka will meet Uttar Pradesh at Bangalore, and tournament. India was defeated by England today Punjab will play Jammu and Kashmir at Vadodara. while playing the first match. [10-Jan] iii. The semi-finals will take place on the 18th of this month. The finals will be held on 2nd of next month. 305. With an aim to avoid controversies during the naming of athletes for , the 302. 2022 World Cup won‟t be in June or July: government on Friday issued guidelines, incorporating Valcke a number of conditions to make the selection process i. FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke said that the transparent and time-bound. [10-Jan] 2022 World Cup in Qatar will not be held in June or July because of the Gulf country‘s summer heat. 306. World number one Rafael Nadal will play rising ii. Valcke told France-Inter radio that he expects the Australian star Bernard Tomic in the opening round of tournament to be held ―between November 15 and the Australian Open in Melbourne. [10-Jan] January 15 at the latest.‖ iii. Valcke is leading FIFA‘s consultation to suggest 307. Rohan Bopanna and his Pakistani partner Aisam- which months to play after president Sepp Blatter Ul-Haq Qureshi entered the final of the men's doubles rejected the traditional June-July World Cup period event of Sydney International tennis. [10-Jan] because of the heat. [8-Jan] 308. Players and Coaches accused of doping 303. Dhoni, Raina launched 7 Premier League in barred from getting Arjuna and Dronacharya Dubai [9-Jan] Awards i. Indian Skipper MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina will i. The on 10 January 2014 set launch the 7 Premier League in Dubai tomorrow. the new guidelines for National Sports Awards under ii. The 7 Premier League or the 7 PL will feature teams which players and coaches accused of doping will not from Seven Countries India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, South be considered for Arjuna and Dornacharya Awards. Africa, England and Australia. ii. These guidelines were issued by the Sports Minister iii. The league will be played between seven teams, Jitendra Singh for awarding , each representing the seven UAE emirates. Arjuna, Dronacharya and Dhyanchand Awards. iv. The tournament will be kicked off in March this iii. These guidelines were issued after the nomination year. The venues will be both outdoors as well as of the controversial athlete Ranjit Maheshwari for indoor in Dubai. in 2013. v. The quarterfinals, semifinals and the final will be iv. The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) is the played outdoors. The league will be collaboration national organization responsible for promoting, between a leading corporate from the Gulf and a coordinating, and monitoring the doping control programme in sports in all its forms in the country.

Exclusively prepared for R.A.C.E Students 35 NO. 38, Burkit road, T. Nagar, Chennai-17 Ph: 044-64563030 Mobile: 9043303030, www.theRace.in R.A.C.E Rapid Academy of Competitive Exams [Unit of Seeman Education]

NADA works towards a vision of dope free sport in takes place here on January 25 during the Syed Modi India. It came into being in India in 2009. These Anti International Grand Prix Gold Tournament. [16-Jan] Doping Rules of NADA came into force from 01 January 2010. [11-Jan] 315. to be conferred As Doctor of Letters by Bengal varsity: Former India captain 309. John Isner wins Auckland title in Open Sourav Ganguly would be conferred with an honorary buildup [11-Jan] Doctor of Letters (D.Litt) degree by the prestigious i. John Isner fired 23 aces in a match which had no Bengal Engineering and Science University (BESU), service breaks to beat Lu Yen-hsun of Taiwan 7-6 (4), Shibpur, for his great contribution to Indian cricket. 7-6 (7) in the final of the ATP‘s Heineken Open in [16-Jan] Auckland, his last tune up for next week‘s Australian Open. 316. American professional golfer Jimmy Walker ii. No. 14-ranked Isner captured his eighth career won the Sony Open golf tournament held in singles title and won the title in New Zealand for the Hawaii this week. This was his second PGA Tour second time after his victory in 2010. title. His first PGA Tour title came in October 2013 iii. The third-seeded Isner, playing with an right ankle when he won the Frys.com Open, the first tournament injury he picked up at the the previous of the new wraparound season. Walker closed with 7- week, took a crucial minibreak to open the first set under 63 for a one shot victory over his compatriot tiebreaker. Chris Kirk who was placed second. As a result, he won 1.08 million dollars in prize money. [16-Jan] 310. The Haryana pair of Jubin Kumar and Sourav Chakraborty snatched the men's doubles title from 317. Ex-world cycling champ Ballan banned 2 Rajasthan's Bhargava and Sudhanshu Grover 3- years [17-Jan] 2 in the 75th Senior National Table Tennis i. Former world champion cyclist Alessandro Ballan was Championships today. [11-Jan] banned for two years on Friday for blood doping. ii. The Italian Olympic Committee‘s anti-doping court 311. The women's double crown went to Railways' announced the decision after Ballan was indicted on Anindita Chakraborty and Pallabi Kundu, who beat doping charges by a general court in Mantova for Airports Authority of India's Nikhat Banu and Krittwika alleged team-wide drug use by the Lampre team. Sinha Roy 3-1. [11-Jan] iii. Ballan won the road race at the 2008 worlds in Varese. 312. New Zealand thrashes India 3-1 in Hockey World iv. Ballan is banned to Jan. 16, 2016, and the League. [11-Jan] suspension thus could end the 34-year-old rider‘s career. 313. became the first Indian track and field athlete to win a gold medal in a major world 318. Lusofonia Games 2014 is going to be held in Goa event after IAAF upgraded her second place finish at from 18 January to 29 January 2014. [18-Jan] the 2005 Monaco World Athletics Final to the top spot, following a dope violation by Russian competitor 320. The four-member women fencing team from India Tatyana Kotova. [14-Jan] was barred from competing in the Qatar in Doha on 17 January 2014. [18-Jan] 314. Akhilesh Das Gupta is set to be re-elected President of the Badminton Association of India 321. Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar will be President as he remained the only candidate for conferred with the highest civilian award, Bharat Ratna the coveted post at the end of the filing of the on February 4th. Sachin will be the youngest to win nominations, held in Lucknow on Tuesday. this award and will be handed over in a small General secretary Vijai Sinha would also be re-elected ceremony by the President of India, Pranab Mukherjee. unopposed when the BAI‘S annual general meeting [18-Jan]

Exclusively prepared for R.A.C.E Students 36 NO. 38, Burkit road, T. Nagar, Chennai-17 Ph: 044-64563030 Mobile: 9043303030, www.theRace.in R.A.C.E Rapid Academy of Competitive Exams [Unit of Seeman Education]

betterthan and of 322. India to skip Azlan Shah Cup for World Cup Germany. preparation iv. The Austrian team of and i. The Indian hockey team will not participate in the was third, 0.332 seconds back of the winners. [18- 23rd Sultan Azlan Shah Cup to be held in Jan] Ipoh, Malaysia, March 13-23 as they will be preparing for the World Cup in Europe. 325. The Netherlands crowned champion of inaugural ii. The World Cup will be held at the Hague, Hockey World League. [19-Jan] Netherlands, from May 31 to June 15 in relatively cooler conditions than tropical Malaysia. 326. A 16-year-old boy Lewis Clarke, from Bristol has iii. India are five-time champions of the Azlan Shah become the youngest person to trek to the South Pole Cup, winning it in 1985, 1991, 1995, 2009 and 2010. completing the 1,129km journey in 48 days. [19-Jan] iv. So far four teams —— Australia, South Korea, Canada and France —— have confirmed their entry 327. Lalita Babar completed a hat-trick of wins among along with hosts Malaysia. [18-Jan] the Indian women and set a new course record, while Pune-based Army Sports Institute's Karan Singh was 323.India loses 1-2 to Belgium, finishes 6th in the best finisher among the Indian men in the 11th World League Final Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon at Delhi today. i. Hosts India blew away a goal lead and conceded two [19-Jan] late goals to go down 1-2 against Belgium to finish sixth in the Hero Hockey World League Final on a chilly 328. Experienced Sri Lankan batsman Mahela evening at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium Jayawardene joined the 11,000 Test runs club during New Delhi on Saturday. the fourth day of the third and final Test against ii. It was a hard-fought match between the two sides Pakistan in Sharjah on Sunday. [19-Jan] as both India and Belgium matched each other stick by stick and were in no mood to give an inch to the other 329. The third Lusofonia Games started in Goa. The in the fifth-sixth place classification game. Games will hold from 18 January to 29 January 2014. iii. The sixth place finish here is certain to give a major It is for the first time the Lusifonia Games are being boost to India‘s world rankings. held in India. These games are organized by ACOLOP iv. India are presently lying 10th in the world rankings (Association of the Portuguese Speaking Olympic but the performance here is certain to help India jump Committees). [19-Jan] three places to the seventh position in the International Hockey Federation (FIH) rankings. 330. Dhoni becomes first Indian keeper to cross v. However, Belgium, who are currently ranked fifth in 300 dismissals : Indian captain Mahendra Singh the world, are likely to slip to the sixth place when FIH Dhoni today became the first Indian wicketkeeper and rankings will be released after the conclusion of this the fourth overall to effect 300 dismissals in One Day tournament. [18-Jan] Internationals when he caught a Ross Taylor nick in the opening ODI against New Zealand.Dhoni had 299 324. Germans clinch World Cup doubles title dismissals (220 caught and 79 stumpings). [20-Jan] i. Germany‘s and clinched the overall luge World Cup doubles championship 331. Sharapova out in another early upset in Saturday, posting their sixth win in eight races on the Australia: Third-seeded Maria Sharapova has been circuit this season. eliminated in the fourth round of the Australian Open, ii. It‘s the third time in the last four seasons that losing 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 to Dominika Cibulkova in the Wendl and Arlt won the overall title, ensuring they‘ll second major upset in 24 hours on Rod Laver head to the Sochi Olympics as favorites for gold. Arena.Top-ranked Serena Williams was knocked out in iii. Wendl and Arlt finished two runs at Altenberg in 1 the fourth round on Sunday in a three-set loss to 14th- minute, 23.789 seconds, finishing 0.219 seconds seeded Ana Ivanovic. [20-Jan]

Exclusively prepared for R.A.C.E Students 37 NO. 38, Burkit road, T. Nagar, Chennai-17 Ph: 044-64563030 Mobile: 9043303030, www.theRace.in R.A.C.E Rapid Academy of Competitive Exams [Unit of Seeman Education]

343. Aditya Joshi became the first male junior 332. Tendulkar to mentor next generation badminton player from India to be ranked top in the cricketers: Indian cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar will world. [22-Jan] mentor 11 emerging players, including Parveez Rasool and Unmukt Chand, as part of an initiative by sports 344. Shane Warne has been appointed as spin coach apparel giant adidas.Adidas, which has already signed for Australia‘s World Twenty20 campaign in up , Rohit Sharma and Suresh Raina added Bangladesh in March. Cricket Australia announced on some more names to its roster. [20-Jan] Thursday that Warne would support head coach Darren Lehmann as a consultant, providing specialist coaching 333. Former cricketer Kapil Dev was honoured with to the squad‘s spinners. — 24 January 2014. [23-Jan] Life time achievement award by BCCI at its seventh annual awards ceremony. [22-Jan] 345. Eugenie Bouchard has become first Canadian in history to reach the semi-finals of a Grand Slam after 334. Cristiano Ronaldo wins the FIFA Ballon‘d Or award winning a thrilling three-set marathon 5-7, 7-5, 6-2 for the year 2013 after 4 years. [22-Jan] over former World No. 1 Ana Ivanovic.— 22 January 2014. [23-Jan] 335. Anju Bobby George Became the first Indian athlete to win Gold Medal at 2005 Monaco World 346. launched IPTL in Athletics Final, after her place was upgraded from Melbourne: Tennis player Mahesh Bhupathi launched second position. [22-Jan] the International Premier Tennis League (IPTL) in Melbourne, Australia on 21 January 2014. He also 336. Virat kohli became the fastest batsman in the announced the name of the teams during the launch of world to reach 18 ODI tons in 119 innings. [22-Jan] IPTL. Mahesh Bhupati linked arms with German tennis legend Boris Becker, and American Justin Gimelstob, a 337. Kenya‘s Evan Ruto and Ethiopia‘s Dinknesh former pro and member of the ATP board to launch the Mekash won the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon IPL styles IPTL.The IPTL is expected to start in Asia for men and women respectively. [22-Jan] from 1 December 2014 to 20 December 2014 for which the auction of players will be held in UAE on 2 March 338. Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni became the 2014. Each team is expected to field 10 players. [23- first Indian and fourth overall to effect 300 dismissals Jan] in One Day International. [22-Jan] 347. Sania-Tecau sail into Australian Open 339. New Zealand cricketer Corey Anderson scored the semis: India‘s and her Romanian partner fastest century in ODI history from 36 balls breaking Horia Tecau stormed into the semifinals of the mixed Shahid Afridi‘s record. [22-Jan] doubles event at the Australian Open with straight sets victory over Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi and Julia Georges 340. Indian Cricket team won the Under-19 Asia Cup on Thursday. Sixth seed Sania and Tecau hardly broke by defeating Pakistan by 40 runs. [22-Jan] a sweat to prevail over the unseeded Aisam-Julia combination 6-3, 6-4 in their quarterfinal clash that 341. Spanish tennis start Rafael Nadal won the Qatar lasted just 63 minutes. [23-Jan] Open in Doha by defeating Gael Monfils of France. [22-Jan] 348. Indian-origin academician Rakesh Khurana has been appointed dean of the prestigious 342. Australia won the Ashes series by white-washing Harvard College and will take over his new role England 5-0. [22-Jan] in July. Mr Khurana is the Marvin Bower Professor of Leadership Development at Harvard Business School (HBS), professor of sociology in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) and co-master of Cabot House at

Exclusively prepared for R.A.C.E Students 38 NO. 38, Burkit road, T. Nagar, Chennai-17 Ph: 044-64563030 Mobile: 9043303030, www.theRace.in R.A.C.E Rapid Academy of Competitive Exams [Unit of Seeman Education]

Harvard. Mr Khurana succeeds Evelynn Hammonds, iv. Real Madrid and Barcelona are two of the most professor of African and African American Studies, who consistently successful teams in Europe, fielding top stepped down last June after completing her five-year players such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi term. He will assume the role on July 1. [23-Jan] respectively. [23-Jan]

349. Sehwag, Gambhir not in World T20 352. Sania Mirza and her Romanian partner Horia probables list: , statemate Virender Tecau advanced into the mixed-doubles finals in Sehwag and Pathan brothers Yusuf and Irfan are the the Australian Open tournament today after notable omissions in India‘s 30-member list of defeating defending champion Aussie pair of Jarmila probables for the upcoming World T20 in March and Gajdosova and Matthew Ebden 2-6, 6-3 (10-2). They April this year. Gambhir, who is India‘s highest scorer will now meet French Kristina Mladenovic and her in T20 Internationals with 932 runs from 37 games at Canadian partner Daniel Nestor in the finals tomorrow. a strike rate of 119.02, played a big role in India‘s [24-Jan] World T20 title win back in 2007 but has of late dropped off the selection radar. Sehwag, meanwhile, 353. Australian Open: Errani-Vinci retain looked totally off-colour in domestic cricket this season women‟s doubles title and his exclusion was, to an extent, expected. [23- i. Top seeds Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci of Jan] produced a great escape on Friday as they beat Russia‘s Ekaterina Makarova and Elena Vesnina 6-4 3- 350. India‟s Olympic bronze medallist shuttler 6 7-5 to retain the Australian Open women‘s doubles dropped a place to be at 9th title. position, while P V Sindhu retained her 11th spot ii. The Russian third seeds led 5-2 in the decider in the latest Badminton World Federation (BWF) before Errani and Vinci roared back to clinch their ranking published today. Saina, who had endured a fourth grand slam title and retain their world number tough season last year where she could not win a one ranking. [24-Jan] single title, was overtaken by Juliane Schenk of Germany. At the same time, top male shuttler 354. Rafael Nadal beats Roger Federer to set up Parupalli Kashyap jumped two places to be at No. 18, final with Stanislas Wawrinka [24-Jan] while Mumbai‘s Ajay moved up a place to be i. World No 1 Rafael Nadal proves too strong for his at 21st position. [23-Jan] great rival Roger Federer, finishing a comfortable 7-6 (7/4), 6-3, 6-3 winner 351. Real Madrid retain title of world‟s richest ii. This was Nadal‘s 23rd victory in the series, and also soccer club his heaviest over Federer in any grand slam other than i. Spain‟s Real Madrid retained the title of the Roland Garros. world‘s richest soccer club in the past year thanks to iii. Nadal will now play final with with Stanislas sponsorship and TV deals robust enough to endure a Wawrinka season without a major trophy, a study showed on Thursday. 355. FIFA have named a track by Pitbull and ii. Real‘s revenue of 519 million euros ($704 million) Jennifer Lopez as the official anthem for the put the club ahead of domestic rivals Barcelona in 2014 World Cup in Brazil. We Are One (Ole Ola), fiscal 2012/2013, with European champions Bayern which also features Brazilian singer Claudia Leitte, will Munich edging into third ahead of Manchester United, be performed at the opening ceremony at the Arena de in the annual Football Money League compiled by Sao Paulo on the 12th of June. [24-Jan] accountants Deloitte. iii. Revenue for the top 20 teams rose by 8 percent to 356. Australia Open: Li Na becomes first Chinese 5.4 billion euros, Deloitte said, underlining the appeal woman to clinch title [25-Jan] of soccer to broadcasters and sponsors targeting mass i. Li Na made it third time lucky in the Australian Open consumer markets. final, beating Dominika Cibulkova7—6 (3), 6—0 on

Exclusively prepared for R.A.C.E Students 39 NO. 38, Burkit road, T. Nagar, Chennai-17 Ph: 044-64563030 Mobile: 9043303030, www.theRace.in R.A.C.E Rapid Academy of Competitive Exams [Unit of Seeman Education]

Saturday to become the oldest woman to clinch the title in the Open era. 359. Saina stays superior to Sindhu : At present, ii. Li, who turns 32 next month, lost Australian Open Saina Nehwal and P.V. Sindhu are separated by just finals to Kim Clijsters in 2011 and Victoria Azarenka two places in the current world rankinglist. But put last year. In between, she won the 2011 French Open them on a badminton court and even a struggling to become the first Chinese woman to win a major. Saina, ranked ninth, looks much better than a fast- iii. In both her previous Australian Open appearances, improving Sindhu.Saina reinforced the point before a Li won the first set but went down in three. Against packed house here by stopping the teenager 21-14, Azarenka last year, she stumbled and twisted her 21-17 to regain the $120,000 India Grand ankle, and needed a medical timeout after hitting her Prix badminton title. The triumph also ended Saina‘s head on the court. title-drought that followed since she claimed the iv. She had no such trouble against No. 20-seeded Denmark Open in October 2012. [27-Jan] Cibulkova, going on a roll to win the last eight games. 360. MS Dhoni became first captain to play in 357. Shane Warne to mentor Australia‟s spinners four tied ODIs : MS Dhoni on 25 January 2014 for World T20 Tournament [25-Jan] became the first captain to be involved in four tied One i. Australia has appointed Shane Warne as a specialist Day International matches. Indian cricket team captain spin consultant on 23 January 2014 to support Darren achieved this feat in Auckland, while playing third ODI Lehmann ahead of Australian campaign in World match against New Zealand. [28-Jan] Twenty20 to be played in Bangladesh. His role in the team will be to train the spinners of the squad. 361. Saina Nehwal clinches the women's Singles ii. Warne will join the squad of the team for the three- title by comprehensively beating PV Sindhu in the match series against South Africa at the conclusion of straight sets 21-14, 21-17 at Syed Modi India Grand the Test tour in March 2014. Australia has to play Prix Gold Badminton Championship held in Lucknow. three T20 games against South Africa on 9, 12 and 14 Chinese Xue Song wins the Men‘s title by overpowering March 2014. India's Srikanth K 16-21, 21-19, 21-13 in the final. iii. George Bailey is the captain of the Australian [28-Jan] Twenty20 cricket team and at present the team is ranked at eighth position in the list of International 362. Kiwi Kathy Cross is first woman in ICC Cricket Council. umpire's panel [30-Jan] iv. The coach of the Australian cricket team Lehmann i. New Zealand's Kathy Cross today became the first considers that the role of Warne in the game will be a woman to be inducted in an ICC umpires' panel when crucial turning point for the team. she was named as an Associate and Affiliate International official following the annual review and 358. Li Na trounces Cibulkova in straight sets to selection process. win first Australian Open: ii. The 56-year-old Cross was born in Taumarunui, Seven months after giving retirement serious thought, King Country, and is now eligible for appointments to Li Na made it third time lucky in an Australian Open ICC World Cricket League Divisions 3 to 6. final with a 7—6 (3), 6—0 win over Dominika iii. Cross has previously officiated in the Women's Cibulkova to become the oldest women‘s champion World Cup in Australia in 2009 and in India in 2013. here in the Open era.Li, who turns 32 next month, lost Cross said she was thrilled with her induction into the finals to Kim Clijsters in 2011 and to Victoria Azarenka panel. last year. In between, she won the 2011 French Open in one of the many firsts she‘s established for Chinese tennis.Widely popular at Melbourne Park for her funny 363. Cricket: New Zealand wins final ODI vs. post-match interviews and wise cracks about her India [31-Jan] husband and his snoring, Li didn‘t disappoint the Rod i. A listless Indian cricket team slumped to its worst Laver Crowd in her first victory speech. [26-Jan] ODI series defeat in New Zealand, going down 0-4,

Exclusively prepared for R.A.C.E Students 40 NO. 38, Burkit road, T. Nagar, Chennai-17 Ph: 044-64563030 Mobile: 9043303030, www.theRace.in R.A.C.E Rapid Academy of Competitive Exams [Unit of Seeman Education] after the Black Caps hammered them by 87 runs in the iv. The report mentioned that the former captain, who inconsequential fifth and final one-dayer in Wellington has 11,236 runs in 142 matches, equalled teammate on Friday. Kumar Sangakkara ‗s Sri Lankan record of 33 Test ii. New Zealand‘s Ross Taylor made his second-straight centuries, and his and Vithanage‘s heroics gave Sri century of 102 runs and Kane Williamson made 88 Lanka a gigantic 498-run first-innings lead over the runs, scoring his fifth-consecutive half century. hosts. iii. From Indian side, Varun Aaron who took 2 wickets giving 60 runs, was the most successful bowler while Days to remember Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammad Shami took one wicket each. 4-Jan iv. With this, the hosts have bagged the 5-match ODI “World Braille Day” is celebrated today (4th series. They had won the first two games, tied the January) across the world to observe the third and also won the fourth to claim the series and Birthday of Louis Braille. Louis Braille, born in 1809, also dethrone the Men in Blue from the Number One was the inventor of braille, a system of reading and spot in the ODI rankings. writing used by people who are blind or visually impaired. Braille became blind after an accident at the 364. Dhoni is 4th fastest batsman to score 8000 age of three. He created a language based on the runs in ODIs [31-Jan] patterns of raised dots on paper, which could be felt i. Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni today became and one can read anything that is unable to see. He the fourth fastest batsman to complete 8,000 runs in did this to have an access to works of literature. one-day cricket during the fifth and final ODI against New Zealand in Wellington. 5-Jan ii. The 32-year-old reached the milestone in the 26th 1. 10th parliament elections held in Bangladesh today. over of the match. It is a commendable achievement 2. 121st birth anniversary of Indian spirtual guru by the wicketkeeper-batsman who comes in lower Paramahansa Yogananda observed today. down the order. 3. Today is the 73rd birth anniversary of Tiger, iii. The three men ahead of him in the list are Pataudi. An Indian cricketer and former captain of the illustrious compatriots Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Indian cricket team. Ganguly and the West Indian legend Brian Lara, all of whom batted in the top three. Dhoni has taken 214 7-Jan innings to touch t he landmark. 1. Guru Purab, birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh, tenth Guru of the Sikhs, being celebrated today. 364. Jayawardene becomes sixth-highest scorer in Test cricket [31-Jan] 2. 12th edition of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas began in i. Veteran Sri Lankan batsman Mahela Jayawardene NewDelhi today; Malaysian Environment Minister G has become the sixth-highest run-scorer in the history Palanivel is the chief guest. of Test cricket with his unbeaten double-century on the third day of the first Test against Bangladesh in Dhaka. 9-Jan ii. Jayawardene‘s 203 and Kithuruwan Vithanage‘s 1. The birth anniversary of Har Gobind Khorana maiden century (103) helped Sri Lanka declare their (Indian American biochemist and Nobel prize 1968 first innings at 6-730 on the third day, which was the winner in Physiology / Medicine) was observed today. highest score by any team against Bangladesh. iii. Jayawardene has gone ahead of Allan Border 2. President Pranab Mukherjee is on a five-day visit to (11,174 runs) and West Indies star Shivnarine West Bengal and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Chanderpaul (11,219) to move behind record-holder from Today. Sachin Tendulkar, Australia‘s Ricky Ponting, Jacques Kallis, and Brian Lara on the all-time list. 11-Jan

Exclusively prepared for R.A.C.E Students 41 NO. 38, Burkit road, T. Nagar, Chennai-17 Ph: 044-64563030 Mobile: 9043303030, www.theRace.in R.A.C.E Rapid Academy of Competitive Exams [Unit of Seeman Education]

1. Nation remembered former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri on his death anniversary today. 23-Jan: Nation celebrates 117th birth anniversary of Netaji 2. Mountaineer and explorer Sir i. Nation celebrates the 117th birth anniversary of remembered on his 6th death anniversary. Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose today. ii. On the occasion the main programme was held in 15-Jan: celebrates 66th Army Day. Darjeeling, West Bengal where Chief Minister Ms Mamta Banerjee and other distinguished persons paid 16-Jan: rich tributes to Netaji. 1. 113th death anniversary of Indian scholar, social iii. Ms Banerjee recalled Netaji‘s contribution to the reformer and author Justice Mahadev Govind Ranade freedom movement of the country. She said that the observed today. deals of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose are still relevant in the present day to keep the country united. 2. 76th death anniversary of the popular Bengali iv. Various programmes are being organized in Odisha novelist and story-teller Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay to mark the birth anniversary of Netaji Subash observed today. Chandra Bose. On the occasion, his birth place at Cuttack has witnessed a beeline of visitors since the 17-Jan: 4th death anniversary of former Chief Minister morning. of West Bengal JyotiBasu observed today. 24-Jan: National Girl Child Day is celebrated 18-Jan: Union Ministry for Road Transport and today (24th January) across India to ensure that Highways celebrated 25th Road Safety Week every girl is respected, valued and treated equally in society. This day is observed every year to 19-Jan: raise awareness and consciousness towards the girl 1. The first round of Pulse polio programme for child. children in the target age-group of zero to five years ii. The aim is to ensure that every girl is respected, was be held in various parts of the country today. valued and treated equally in society. iii. On this day, the Women and Child 2. Today is the death anniversary of Hindu Rajput ruler Development Ministry takes up a multi-pronged MaharanaPratap. approach for addressing as well as working towards diminishing the child sex ratio in India. 21-Jan iv. Earlier on 22 January 2014, the India Post launched 1. Three northeastern states - Tripura, Manipur and a special savings scheme for the girl child between 10 Meghalaya - celebrated their 42nd statehood day on and 20 in age of India. Tuesday. v. The scheme has asked the parents of girls to open a Savings Bank account. It says that the parents can 2. 64th death anniversary of George Orwell, Indian- open English journalist and author was observed today. • Recurring Deposit (RD) • Monthly Income Scheme (MIS) 3. 71st death anniversary of Sindhi revolutionary and • Fixed Deposits freedom fighter Hemu Kalani was observed today. • And can also buy National Savings Certificate (NSC)

4. 1st death anniversary of Bengali-Indian politician 25-Jan: The Election Commission of India Kamal Basu is being observed today. celebrated the 4th National voters Day today (25 January) across the nation to commemorate the 5. The 5th India International Coffee Festival, the foundation day of the Election Commission of flagship event of the coffee sector, to be held in India and also to enhance the participation of the Bangalore from January 21st to 25th. voters, especially the youth, in the democratic

Exclusively prepared for R.A.C.E Students 42 NO. 38, Burkit road, T. Nagar, Chennai-17 Ph: 044-64563030 Mobile: 9043303030, www.theRace.in R.A.C.E Rapid Academy of Competitive Exams [Unit of Seeman Education] process. The theme for the 4th National voters Day is American artists by bringing militancy and verve to ―Ethical Voting‖. National Voters Day is started from 25 works about race in America, died on at at New Jersey. January 2011. Functions were held at more than 6.5 lakh locations across the country covering nearly all 11-Jan: 8.5 lakh Polling Stations. 1. IIa Pathak social activist died at 80 i. Social activist IIa Pathak passed away due to 26-Jan: India celebrates 65th Republic Day. Japan prolonged illness in Ahmedabad on 9 January 2014. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attend as the Chief Guest of She was the founder of Ahmedabad Women‘s Action Republic Day. Group (AWAG). ii. IIa Pathak was the president of India Chapter of Passed away Women‘s International League for Peace and Freedom 1-Jan: Former West Bengal minister and CPI (M) (WILPF) and served as professor in H K Arts College. leader Sailen Sarkar aged 73 died after a brief illness. iii. She was the vice-President of Peoples Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) and she played a key role in 2-Jan: Freedom fighter, veteran Journalist and Padm movement for justice to the victims of 2002 riots of Shree awardee Ishrat Ali Siddiqui died in Lucknow Gujarat. today. He was 95. Ex editor of national daily ‗Qaumi Awaz‘, Siddiqui was admitted to a hospital after 2. Former Bihar minister and RJD MP Sitaram Singh he suffered a fracture on 24th December. His burial dies after a prolonged illness; He was 65. will take place in Lucknow this afternoon. 3. Former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon (85) died 6-Jan: today at a hospital near Tel Aviv. 1. Telugu actor Uday Kiran (33) has allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself at his home in 15-Jan: Famous poet and founder of Dalit Panthers Hyderabad. Party Namdeo Dhasaldied at the age of 64.

2. India's former shooting coach 'Tibor Gonczol' died 16-Jan aged 80. His illustrious list of disciples includes 1. Richard Shepherd, best known for producing 1961 Samresh Jung, , Anjali Bhagwat and Suma Audrey Hepburn starrer 'Breakfast At Tiffany's', has Shirur among many. passed away at the age of 86.

10-Jan: 2. Social anthropologist Gerald D Berreman (83), 1. Former MLA and noted freedom fighter recognised for socially-responsible anthropology and Narayan Sahu passed away at his residence in work on social inequality in India dies. village Angaragaon, near Khallikote in Ganjam district yesterday night. He was 90. He was a 3. Noted Indian-American economist Adhip Chaudhuri noted socialist leader was elected to the state dies at the age of 62 from lung cancer complications. assembly twice in 1957 and 1967 as an Independent and Sanjukta Socialist Party (SSP) candidate from 17-Jan Khallikote assembly constituency respectively. He was 1. Legendary actress of yesteryears (82) an active freedom fighter and was jailed several times died in a Kolkata hospital. while participating in the freedom struggle. He was one i. Legendary Bengali actor Suchitra Sen who was of the prominent figures in the Goa liberation struggle. undergoing treatment at a private health facility in the He was honoured by the Goa government for his city died in Kolkata on Friday morning. contribution towards the Goa freedom movement. ii. She was 82 and is survived by daughter Moon Moon Sen and grand daughters Raima and Riya Sen. 2. Amiri Baraka (79), a controversial playwright, poet and activist who set a new path for fellow African-

Exclusively prepared for R.A.C.E Students 43 NO. 38, Burkit road, T. Nagar, Chennai-17 Ph: 044-64563030 Mobile: 9043303030, www.theRace.in R.A.C.E Rapid Academy of Competitive Exams [Unit of Seeman Education] iii. She suffered a massive heart attack on Friday celluloid performance, died at the age of 82 after morning and died at 8.25 a.m., doctors attending her suffering a heart attack. said. iv. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee who was in regular 3. Sunanda Pushkar, the wife of the Union Minister touch with doctors visited the hospital after hearing Sashi Tharoor on 17 January 2014 was found dead in a about her death. luxury Leela Palace hotel room in Delhi. Her body was v. Sen acted in over 50 movies between 1952 and found by Tharoor after his return from the AICC meet. 1978 of which six were in Hindi. She went into recluse after her last film was released. Over the past three 19-Jan decades she withdrew herself from public life and did 1. Dr. Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin spiritual head not meet people except her family members. of the Dawoodi Bohra community died of cardiac arrest vi. Prominent cinema personalities expressed grief in Mumbai. He was 102. He was the 52nd Dai al- over her death. Renowned actor and director Aparna Mutlaq or spiritual head of theDawoodi Sen described her as a ―legendary actress‖ and said, Bohras community for more than 50 years. with her death an era has come to end in Bengali cinema. 2. One of the pioneer photographers of India, who had taken pictures of Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru 2. Jose Sulaiman (82), the longtime head of the World and Sardar Patel during the pre-independence, post- Boxing Council who introduced rules to protect boxers, independence and post-liberalisation eras, Pranlal Patel died today. (105) died.

3. Sunanda Pushkar, wife of Union Minister Shashi 3. Christopher Chataway, a former 5,000-meter world Tharoor, was found dead at a five star hotel room in record-holder has died at the age of 82. New Delhi today. 21-Jan: Sunanda Pushkar, the wife of minister Shashi 4. The spiritual leader of the Dawoodi Bohra Tharoor, died of poisoning, says a report of the SDM community Dr Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin probing her death. passed away in Mumbai today. i. The leader was the eldest son of Syedna Taher 22-Jan Saifuddin, 51st Dai ul Mutlaq. He succeeded his father 1. Famous Telegu actor , upon his death in 1965. or ANR as he is popularly known, passed away ii. Last year, thousands of Dawoodi Bohras from across early Wednesday morning. One of the best actors the world flocked to the city to celebrate Syedna that the country has seen, he leaves behind a rich Mohammed Burhanuddin‘s 102nd birthday. legacy during his 70-year-career. That the Telugu film iii. Last year, thousands of Dawoodi Bohras from industry was born only a decade before he started his across the world flocked to the city to celebrate career showed how synonymous his name was with Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin‘s 102nd birthday. the industry.

18-Jan 2. Ariel Sharon, Former minister of Israeli, passed 1. The spiritual leader of the Dawoodi Bohra away at the age of 85. community Dr Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin passed away here today. He died this morning at his 3. Suchitra Sen one of the known faces of Entairment residence in South Mumbai, a spokesperson for the Industry died at the age of 82. community said. 23-Jan: Sudhir Mahato (58), the former Deputy Chief 2. Suchitra Sen, the symbol of the golden age of Minister of Jharkhand died on 22 January 2014 Bengali cinema who captured public‘s imagination for following a heart attack at Ghatsila in Singhbhum three decades through her ethereal beauty and intense district.

Exclusively prepared for R.A.C.E Students 44 NO. 38, Burkit road, T. Nagar, Chennai-17 Ph: 044-64563030 Mobile: 9043303030, www.theRace.in R.A.C.E Rapid Academy of Competitive Exams [Unit of Seeman Education] ii. He is a leader of the JMM (Jharkhand Mukti Morcha). deadline to comply with the Government of India laws Now he is survived by his wife and four daughters. and Delhi Government regulations till 20 January iii. He won the assembly elections for the first time in 2014. [4-Jan] 1990 from Ichchagarh and retained it in 2005, the year he became the Deputy Chief Minister. In 2009, he last 4. Titanic II all set to sail [17-Jan] the seat in the polls. i. Australian millionaire Clive Palmer, who is building a Sudhir Mahato replica of Titanic II, is trying hard to convince up to • He has been a member of Legislative Assembly of 1000 cruise ship passengers to board the ship. Bihar Assembly and Jharkhand Assembly from 1995 ii. According to reports, not only the design but the and 2005 facility of Titanic-II is exactly similar to that of old • In 2005 he served as the Deputy Chief Minister Titanic. Jharkhand and also as Industry Minister Jharkhand iii. Third class passenger section has also been made • He was the President cum Chairman of Jharkhand but Palmer is unsure that whether he would get any Cricket Academy – passenger for third class cabins for the ship‘s maiden commercial voyage from Southampton to New York in 26-Jan: Tata Motors Managing Director Karl Slym died 2017. after falling from a high floor of a five-star hotel in iv. But the businessman is going ahead and using his Bangkok. marketing strategies to get over hundreds of passengers for third class cabin. v. Clive Palmer had announced in 2012 that he is Misc would build Titanic 2 in 2012. 1. International Theatre Festival from Jan 27 vi. It is well known that Titanic cruise sunk in 100 i. Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi would be years ago in Atlantic which claimed 1,517 lives. Lack of conducting the sixth edition of the International life boats in the ship was reason behind such a large Theatre Festival of Kerala (ITFOK) from January 27 to number of deaths. February 3, 2014 at Thrissur. vii. As per reports, Titanic II will be equipped with air ii. The theme of the sixth ITFOK is based on gender, conditioning, helipad, hospitals, swimming pools, transition and spectatorship which have contemporary Turkish baths, smoking rooms, Millionaire suite, resonance, a Sangeetha Nataka Akademi release in Chart room, Gym, Casino, cinema, shopping area Thiruvananthapuram said. and Titanic Master Captain’s quarters but there will iii. Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi had made an be no television and internet connectivity. The ship is inspiring move by kick-starting a theatre festival of being built by CSC Jingling Shipyard. international magnitude in 2008. Since its inception, the event has been a much awaited cultural festival of 5. The 3rd Khundongbam Brojendro Theatre Festival- Kerala. 2014 organised by Khundongbam Brojendro Cultural iv. The current edition would showcase international Trust and Department of Arts and Culture kicked off at plays from nine countries. Around 22 ground-breaking Maharaj Chandrakirti Auditorium, Palace Compound plays from national and international theatre . The festival is being held under the theme companies have been invited for the event. [2-Jan] "Theatre for Peace and Friendship".[19-Jan] 2. Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh on 4 January 2014 launched the total E-literacy project 6. Ansari launches book „Resurgent India: implemented by PN Panicker Vigyan Vikas Kendra in Glimpses of Rajiv Gandhi Vision of India‟(Re- Thiruvanathpuram. This would act as the corner-stone issue) of the Kerala model of development. [4-Jan] i. ‗Resurgent India: Glimpses of Rajiv Gandhi‘s Vision of India‘ was launched by Vice President Hamid Ansari 3. India on 4 January 2013 asked the US Embassy not in Delhi. to screen any movies at the American Center without ii. Speaking about the book, ‗Resurgent India‘s author obtaining a licence. The Embassy has been given a and former Lok Sabha Secretary General P.D.T

Exclusively prepared for R.A.C.E Students 45 NO. 38, Burkit road, T. Nagar, Chennai-17 Ph: 044-64563030 Mobile: 9043303030, www.theRace.in R.A.C.E Rapid Academy of Competitive Exams [Unit of Seeman Education]

Acharya said on Wednesday: ―Rajiv Gandhi is perhaps one of the most misunderstood prime ministers in Abbreviation Indian history.  National Spot Exchange Ltd (NSEL) iii. It is important to understand the heart and mind of  Maharashtra Protection of Interest of one of the nation‘s most influential leaders to Depositors (MPID) understand his ambitious policies in their entirety.‖  Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment iv. The main theme of ‗Resurgent India‘ is an objective Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) evaluation of Rajiv Gandhi‘s contributions to the  Nirmal Bharat Abhiyaan (NBA) nation. [23-Jan]  National Wind Energy Mission (NWEM)  Indian Council for Child Welfare (ICCW) 7. Samsung is most trusted brand in India: Study  Af-Pak Strategic Partnership Office (APSPO) [31-Jan] National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) i. South Korean consumer electronics major Samsung  Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) is India‘s most trusted brand followed by Sony of  Integrated Skill Development Scheme (ISDS). Japan and the homegrown salt-to-steel multinational  ACOLOP (Association of the Portuguese Tata, says a study report released on Thursday. Speaking Olympic Committees ii. The ‗Brand Trust Report 2014′ says: ―Samsung has  World Economic Forum (WEF) grown steadily in trust ranks over the last four years –  United Nations World Tourism Organization fifth in 2011, fourth in 2012, second in 2013 and has (UNWTO) reached India‘s most trusted rank this year.  Indian Energy Exchange (IEX) iii. Samsung‘s strategy of focusing on the core  National Dairy Development Board (NDDB intangibles of its brand is evident from its climb to  Geological Survey of India (GSI), leadership in BTR 2014,‖ said N. Chandramouli, chief  'India Inclusive Innovation Fund' (IIIF). executive officer, TRA (formerly known as Trust  National Innovation Council (NInC) Research Advisory).  Ministry of Micro, Small Note: Hewlett Packard emerged as the most trusted and Medium Enterprises (MSME) brand in technology, Hero in automobiles and LIC in  International Intellectual Property (IP) Index financial services and insurance sector.  CPI (consumer price index) The list of top ten brands:  Cash Management Bills (CMBs) 1. Samsung  Open Market Operations (OMOs) 2. Sony 3. Tata 4. LG 5. Nokia 6. Hewlett Packard 7. Hero 8. Honda 9. Reliance 10. M&M

Exclusively prepared for R.A.C.E Students 46 NO. 38, Burkit road, T. Nagar, Chennai-17 Ph: 044-64563030 Mobile: 9043303030, www.theRace.in