CURRENT AFFAIRS AUG 2013-JAN 2014 Sr. No. Topics Page Number

1. Reserve Bank of India 1

2. State Bank of India 13

3. Other Banks 14

4. Insurance 18

5. Supreme Court 19

6. Election Commission 21

7. High Courts and Sessions Courts 21

8. Central Government 22

9. States 24

10. Place in the News 31

11. Personalities 35

12. Defence and National Security 40

13. Committees/Commissions 45

14. Schemes/Initiatives 50

15. Summit/Conference 55

16. Agreement/Deal/Sign/Talk 61

17. Meet/Visit 73

18. Bills 78

19. Fund 83

20. Economy 85

21. Companies/Industry 89

22. Stock Market 92

23. Exports/Imports 94

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24. Taxation/Trade 96

25. Production/Agriculture 99

26. Space 100

27. Science and Technology 104

28. Health/Nutrition/Diseases/Drugs 108

29. Energy/Gas/Oil 111

30. Environment 114

31. Education 116

32. Transport/Cars/Scooters 117

33. Films/Film Festival 118

34. Festival 119

35. Media/Telecommunication/IT 119

36. Appointments/Election 122

37. Resignations/Dismissed/Retired/Quit 130

38. Arrests/Jailed/Released 132

39. Deaths 134

40. Awards/Honours 138

41. Sports/Game 152

42. Report 165

43. General – National 169

44. International 174

45. Abbreviation 183

46. Books and Authors 186

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CURRENT AFFAIRS AUG 2013-JAN 2014 RESERVE BANK OF INDIA August–2013 • RBI announced weekly sale of Government Bonds - Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 8 August, 2013 announced that it will sell the government bonds every Monday to check upon the volatility in the foreign exchange market. The government bonds notified for being sold worth 22000 crore rupees. The duration of the auction will be announced one day prior to the date of auction. • RBI steps to ease liquidity, eases SLR – The RBI has relaxed the statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR) to provide more funds to banks for lending. This was in view of losses suffered by banks in their investment portfolio. Revising its earlier limit, asking banks to reduce their hold-to-maturity (HTM) bond holdings gradually to 23% of deposits. RBI has now allowed banks to retain those holdings at 24.5%. To further ease rupee volatility, RBI conducted open market operations (OMOs) of long- dated govt. securities worth 8,000cr rupees. • RBI introduced Forex Swap Window for Oil Companies – RBI on 28 August, 2013 decided to open a forex swap window to meet the entire daily dollar requirements of three public sector oil marketing companies (IOC, HPCL and BPCL). Under this Forex Swap Facility, Reserve Bank will undertake sell/buy of USD-INR forex swaps for fixed tenor with the oil marketing companies through a designated bank. • RBI allowed premature encashment of 8% savings bonds for investors above 60 – The RBI on 30 August, 2013 permitted the premature encashment of 8 percent savings (Taxable) Bonds for individual investors who are 60 years and above in age. The facility would be available after a minimum lock-in period of three years from the date of issue of the bond. In case of joint holders, any one of the holders should fulfill the conditions of eligibility.

• The RBI Released Discussion Paper – The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released the discussion paper on ‘Banking Structure in India – The Way Forward’ on August 27, 2013. Primary Features of the Discussion Paper are as follow: à The paper focuses on certain building blocks for the reorientation of the banking structure with a view to addressing various issues such as enhancing competition, financing higher growth, providing specialised services and furthering financial inclusion. à The paper also emphasised the need to address the concerns arising out of such changes with a view to managing the trade-off for ensuring financial stability. à The paper discussed that the overall thrust of the reorientation is to impart dynamism and flexibility to the evolving banking structure, while ensuring that the structure remains resilient and promotes financial stability. • RBI to scrutinize pending overseas deals – In order to check outflow of foreign exchange, the Reserve Bank imposed restrictions on Overseas Direct Investment (ODI) by Indian companies and has announced to scrutinize all pending applications, including that of Apollo Tyres, in the light of revised norms for outward investments. The RBI’s decision to restrict outward investment by corporates came in the backdrop of rising Current Account Deficit (CAD) and declining value of rupee. The CAD, which is the difference between the inflow and outflow of foreign currency, touched a record high of 4.8% of the GDP in 2012-13 fiscal. What is CAD? CAD or current account deficit is a measure of the difference between a country’s foreign exchange earnings (from export of goods, services like tourism and software and remittances received from (NRIs) and payments (for imported goods, bought services and remittances sent). BANK-PO/CLERK EXAM CA/Aug2013-Jan2014/Page-3

September–2013 • RBI to issue unique identification codes – In a bid to get a better handle on financial transactions such as equity and currency derivatives, the RBI has invited limited bids from about six entities, including depositories, depository participants and custodians, to issue unique identification codes to market participants. One or two of the selected entities are likely to be tasked with the responsibility of implementing a global Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) system that will uniquely identify parties to financial transactions. • RBI eases ECB norms – In order to encourage capital flows, the RBI has eased the External Commercial Borrowing (ECB) norms. On a review, the apex bank has decided to permit eligible borrowers to avail ECB under the approval route from their foreign equity holder company with minimum average maturity of 7 years for general corporate purposes. Till now borrowings in the form of ECB were not permitted to be utilised for general corporate purpose. However, the RBI has put certain conditions for availing the benefits of relaxed norms. The minimum paid-up equity of 25% should be held directly by the lender. Also, repayment of the principal will commerce only after completion of minimum average maturity of seven years and no prepayment will be allowed before maturity. • RBI issued norms for Currency Swap Window – RBI on 8 September, 2013 issued norms for currency swap window at Mumbai. The Reserve Bank also cleared that the facility of currency swap would be made available to scheduled commercial banks (excluding regional rural banks) for fresh Foreign Currency Non-Resident Bank (FCNRB) deposits, which would be mobilized for a minimum tenure of three years. − The Reserve Bank also mentioned that the deposits can be made in any permitted currency, but the swaps would be made available only in dollars. The Swap Window would remain functional and under operations on all working days at Mumbai on daily basis but a particular bank can access the facility of currency swap only once in a week. The Swap Window would remain operation from 10 September to 30 November 2013. • NRI allowed to buy shares under FDI scheme – The Reserve Bank of India on 6 September, 2013 allowed the Non-Resident Investors including NRIs to purchase shares of Indian entities Under FDI Scheme. The investment can be made as per the mentioned conditions. − RBI has allowed the NRIs to make investment under the FDI scheme only on the listed entities, on recognized stock exchanges. RBI has decided to include the non-residents, including the NRIs to acquire the shares of domestic companies listed under FDI scheme, on the stock exchanges through a registered broker, if the investor has already acquired and continues to hold control in accordance with SEBI, Substantial Takeover Code. − RBI has also cleared that the inward remittance using the normal banking channels can be used for payment of the transfer of shares to non-residents consequent to purchase. The debit to the NRE FCNR account of a person with authorized dealer or bank can also be considered for making the payment of the transferred shares. Escrow Accounts (non-interest bearing) maintained in India can also be used to debit the payment. • RBI increased the Repo Rate by 25 Basis Points – The RBI on 20 September 2013 increased the repo rate or the short term lending rate by 25 basis points to 7.5% from 7.25% with immediate effect. − The Governor of RBI, Raghuram Rajan while reviewing the monetary policy for the first time as a Governor, however, brought down the marginal standing facility (MSF) rate by 0.75 per cent to 9.5%. The MSF rate is the one at which the other banks can borrow from the Central Bank. − The cash reserve ratio (CRR) remained unchanged at 4%. The cash reserve ratio (CRR) is the portion of the deposits which the banks need to maintain in cash with the RBI. − The RBI, in the meanwhile, also brought down the minimum daily maintenance of CRR from 99% of the requirement to 95 percent with effect from 21 September 2013.

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• RBI liberalised norms for banks to open branches – Reserve Bank of India on 19 September 2013 announced that banks can open their branches in tier-I centers without taking its permission in each case. According to 2011 census Tier-I center are those with population above 1 lakh. − But banks should open 25 percent of their branches in a financial year in Un-banked tier-V and tier-VI centers as earlier. Total number of branches in tier-I center’s can’t exceed the number of branches opened in tier-II to tier-VI centers during a year. − If the banks are unable to open all tier-1 branches during that year, they can carry it over for next two years. If the banks unable to open requisite branches in tier-II to tier-VI centers for some reason, it should necessary rectify the shortfall in the next financial year. • RBI defines BSBDA guidelines – The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) clarified that its Basic Savings Bank Deposit Account (BSBDA) guidelines are applicable to all scheduled commercial banks in India, including foreign banks having branches in India. Under the BSBDA scheme, any individual, including poor or those from weaker section of the society, can open zero-balance account in any bank. − However, holders of ‘Basic Savings Bank Deposits Account’ will not be eligible for opening any other savings account in that bank. If a customer has any other existing savings account in that bank, he or she will be required to close it within 30 days from the date of opening a BSBDA. The aim of introducing BSBDA is part of the efforts of RBI for furthering financial-inclusion objectives. • Tighter Norms for NBFCs offering Gold Loans – The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has tightened gold loan norms for non-banking finance companies (NBFCs). It has asked NBFCs accepting gold jewellery as collateral to value them at the average of the closing price of 22-carat gold for the preceding 30 days as quoted by The Bombay Bullion Association (BBA). − The RBI said “NBFCs should give in writing to the borrowers, on their letter heads, the purity (in terms of carats) and weight of the gold.” − If the gold is of purity less than 22 carats, “the NBFCs should translate the collateral into 22 carat, and state the exact grams of the collateral and value the gold proportionately. − The loan-to-value (LTV) ratio for loans against jewellery would continue to be at 60 per cent, while broadly accepting the K.U. B. Rao Committee report on gold loan sector. October–2013 • Second Quarter Review of the Monetary Policy – In a move to checkmate rising inflation, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on October 29, 2013 hiked interest rates by 0.25 percentage points for the second time in a little over a month. Consequently, the policy repo rate, or the rate at which banks borrow from the RBI, will go up to 7.75 per cent from 7.50 per cent earlier. “With the more recent upturn of inflation and with inflation expectations remaining elevated... it is important to break the spiral of rising price pressures,” RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan said, announcing the second quarter review of the monetary policy for the current financial year. − Simultaneously, the central bank reduced the Marginal Standing Facility rate, which is the rate at which banks borrow funds overnight from the RBI, from 9 to 8.75 per cent. This, along with the central bank’s decision to increase the short-term 7 and 14-day borrowing limits for banks, is likely to ease liquidity pressure, and also bring down the cost of funds for banks. − The RBI also lowered its expected GDP growth to 5 per cent for this fiscal from 5.5 per cent earlier. • Five Pillars to Strengthen Banking System – Reserve Bank of India Governor Raghuram Rajan unveiled his “five-point plan” to overhaul the RBI’s developmental measures to improve banking system on October 29, 2013. à The First of the “five pillars” of the plan is clarifying and strengthening the monetary policy framework.

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à The Second Pillar is strengthening banking structure through new entry, branch expansion, encouraging new varieties of banks, and moving foreign banks into better regulated organizational forms. à The Third Pillar is broadening and deepening of financial markets and increasing their liquidity and resilience so that they can help absorb the risks entailed in financing India’s growth. à The Fourth Pillar is expanding access to finance to SMEs, the unorganized sector, the poor and remote areas will be another pillar. à The Fifth Pillar is to improve the system’s ability to deal with corporate and financial institution distress by strengthening real and financial restructuring. − Action on the monetary policy framework will follow the submission of the Urjit Patel Committee report. − The strategy to expand financial inclusion will be formed by the Nachiket Mor Committee report. • RBI Panel to Roll-out National Bill Payment System – The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has formed an advisory group on October 24, 2013 to implement a National Bill Payment System based on the GIRO model that will enable households to make retail payments like paying utility bills, school fees, medical bills and remittances electronically using their bank accounts. The nine-member GIRO Advisory Group (GAG), headed by Umesh Bellur, Professor at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, will submit its report by end of December, 2013. • Outstanding Response to Currency Swap Schemes – The Reserve Bank of India on October 24, 2013 has said that it received $ 10.1 billion under two schemes which were announced in September to attract foreign funds. − The RBI in the first week of September, 2013 has introduced the special concessional window for swapping Foreign Currency Non-Resident (Banks) Deposits and Overseas Foreign Currency Borrowings (Foreign Currency Swap). With this, the RBI had come out with the special measures to arrest declining value of rupee, which was triggered by widening CAD, which touched a historic high of 4.8% of GDP in 2012-13. − Soon after taking over as RBI Governor on September 4, Raghuram Rajan announced the opening of a swap window facility to encourage banks to lure NRI funds. − Under the facility, banks are permitted to swap fresh FCNR (B) dollar funds, mobilised for a minimum period of three years, at a fixed rate of 3.5% per annum for the deposit. − RBI also relaxed norms for banks and allowed them to raise the capital abroad to the tune of 100% of their Tier-I (equity) capital. The rupee had plunged to life-time low of 68.85 against the dollar on August 28, but has recovered substantially. It was trading around 61.58 to a dollar. As regards the CAD, it is likely to be better than the initial estimate of 3.7% of GDP or $70 billion in the current fiscal due to slump in gold imports and improvement in merchandise exports. • RBI cuts interest rate on MSF by 50 basis points – The Reserve Bank of India on October 7, 2013 cut the interest rate on Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) by 50 basis points to 9 per cent. MSF is the rate at which banks borrow funds overnight from RBI against approved government securities. Also, banks can now borrow money from RBI for one-week and two-weeks. This new offer of extended period loans is also expected to further ease liquidity in the system. This will also boost the government’s efforts to pump-prime the economy by lending to consumers at a lower rate of interest. These measures come in the wake of a gradual stability in the rupee and point towards a seemingly combined effort by both the central bank and the government to pep up demand in the crucial festive season. − The RBI had raised the MSF rate in mid-July by 2 percentage points to 10.25% to tighten liquidity in an attempt to curb volatility in the rupee-dollar exchange rates. The latest cut is a part of the reversal of that measure.

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− It has partially unwound that move in two tranches – by 0.75 percentage points on September 20, 2013 and by 0.5 percentage funds less costly for banks. − This will dissuade banks from raising lending rates in the ongoing festive season. • Macro-Economic and monetary developments second quarter review – 2013-14: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has said that the wholesale inflation (WPI) is ruling above its comfort level and may remain around the current level during the second half of 2013-14. − “Concerns about inflation emanate not just from high and persistent consumer price inflation but also from rising WPI inflation,” the RBI said in its Macro-Economic and Monetary Developments Second Quarter Review 2013-14, released on October 28, 2013. − India’s gross domestic product (GDP) – the value of all goods and services produced in the country – is set to decelerate to 4.8% in 2013-14, lower than last year’s 5%, a RBI-sponsored survey has found with no immediate recovery signs in the economy hit by a toxic mix of industrial slowdown, weak rupee and rising prices. − India’s agriculture output grew 2.7% during April to June this year, down from 2.9% last year; overall GDP grew at a four-year low of 4.4% in the quarter. November–2013 • Trends and Progress of Banking in India 2012-13 – The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in its “Trends and Progress of Banking in India 2012-13” report issued on November 21, 2013 said it would focus on the monitoring of banks asset quality and help to improve the poor debt recovery process, underlining the central bank’s growing discomfort with rising bad loans. − Bad debts have surged as economic growth has slowed to a decade low, while investments have also stalled. − The focus on asset quality comes as bad debts at banks have nearly doubled since 2009 to 4.2 per cent of total loans at the end of September, central bank data showed, while debt restructuring is also at a record high. − The central bank said the situation required ‘priority attention’. The RBI has advised banks to put in place mechanisms for early detection of signs of distress and to use early warning signals to avoid non-performing loan. It has also advised banks to strengthen information sharing, making it compulsory to receive and share information on borrowers before loans are approved. − The central bank also cited an urgent need to speed up operations at fast-track government courts for lenders that deal with cases involving the recovery of debt called debt recovery tribunals and asset reconstruction companies. − The non-performing assets (NPA) ratio of all major sectors weakened during 2012-13. While the primary driver of the deteriorating asset quality was the domestic economic slowdown, the contribution of other factors like delays in obtaining statutory and other approvals as well as lax credit appraisal/monitoring by banks was also significant. − Further, credit concentration in certain sectors and higher leverage among corporates also increased stress on asset quality. In recent years there has also been a sharp increase in the amount of debt restructured under the corporate debt restructuring mechanism. This has implications for the banks’ already stressed asset quality in the period ahead. − It is anticipated that the position may improve if there is a pick-up in the GDP growth rate coupled with an improvement in project implementation due to the Government’s intent/efforts and improvements in banks’ recovery efforts. − The RBI said that banks need to not only follow the various measures put in place by the RBI and the Government effectively for resolution and recovery of bad loans but also “strengthen their due diligence, credit appraisal and post sanction loan monitoring systems to minimize and mitigate the problems of increasing NPAs”.

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− The central bank also said that there is a need to improve the effectiveness of the recovery system. “Recovery should be focused on efficiency and fairness – preserving the value of underlying assets and jobs where possible, even while redeploying unviable assets to new uses and compensating employees fairly. This should be done while ensuring that contractual priorities are met”. − In this regard, the RBI said that there is urgent need for accelerating the working of Debt Recovery Tribunals and Assets Reconstruction Companies. It is also necessary to collect credit data and examine large common exposures across banks. This will enable the creation of a central repository on large credits, which can be shared with the banks. − This in turn will enable banks to be aware of building leverage and common exposures. This also underscores the need for expediting the setting up of an enhanced resolution structure for financial firms.

• RBI Permitted Foreign Banks’ Subsidiary to Acquire Private Banks - The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) permitted Wholly-Owned Subsidiary (WOS) of foreign banks to acquire domestic private sector banks as well as set-up branches anywhere in the country on November 6, 2013. It also allowed foreign bank subsidiary to list on local stock exchanges. The framework has certain measures to contain their expansion if the share of foreign banks exceeds a critical size. − The RBI will put a stop on further entry of new WOSs of foreign banks or capital infusion, when the capital and reserves of all foreign banks in India exceed 20% of the capital and reserves of the entire banking system. As per the guidelines, the initial minimum paid-up voting equity capital or net worth for a WOS would be Rs.500 crore. However, foreign bank subsidiary will not be allowed to hold more than 74%, the sectoral cap for overall foreign investment, in the private banks they may acquire.

• RBI Extended Refinance Window for MSME - The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has opened a Rs.5000 crore refinance window for a period of one year for the MSME sector on November 19, 2013 in order to ease liquidity. The refinance will be available for direct liquidity support to finance receivables, including export receivable, to MSEs, by SIDBI or for liquidity support to MSEs through selected intermediaries, including banks. − The refinance will be available against receivables, including export receivables, outstanding as on November 14, 2013 onwards. The facility will be available at the prevailing 14-day term repo rate for a period of 90 days. During this 90-day period, the amount can be flexibly drawn and repaid. The utilisation of funds will be governed by the policy approved by the board of SIDBI.

• The Reserve Bank of India directs banks to charge customers for transaction SMS alerts on the basis of usage, instead of imposing a fixed fee.

• RBI directs Banks to lend to women’s Groups at 7 PC – The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on November 19, 2013 directed public sector banks to provide credit to women self-help groups at a rate of 7% per annum so as to get the benefit of interest subvention scheme under the Swarnajayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana Aajeevika (SGSY) scheme. − PSBs will be subvented to the extent of difference between the weighted average interest charged and 7% subject to the maximum limit of 5.5%, for 2013-14. − The SGSY scheme comes under the ministry of rural development that launched the National Rural Livelihood Mission on April 1, 2013 to reduce poverty by building strong institutions for the poor, particularly women. It aims to enable these institutions to access a range of financial services and livelihoods services. − SHGs will get an extra 3% sub-vention on prompt loan repayment.

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• CAD Narrows to 1.2% of GDP – The Current Account Deficit (CAD) of the country has narrowed down sharply to $5.2 billion, or 1.2 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), for the second quarter – July to September – in the current financial year. − This was much lower than 5 per cent of the GDP ($21 billion) recorded in the corresponding period of the last financial year and 4.9 per cent of the GDP in the first quarter of the current fiscal. − “The lower CAD was primarily on account of a decline in the trade deficit as merchandise exports picked up and imports moderated, particularly gold imports,” said the Reserve Bank of India on December 2, 2013. What is CAD? - CAD is a measure of the difference between a country’s foreign exchange earnings and payments. December–2013 • Third Mid-Quarter Review of Monetary Policy 2013-14 – The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on December 18, 2013 kept the indicative policy rates (repo) and cash reserve ratio (CRR) unchanged while announcing the third mid-quarter of its monetary policy. − The RBI kept the repo rate at 7.75 per cent, and kept the CRR, which is the portion of the total deposits the banks have to keep with the central bank as a reserve, at the current level of 4 per cent. Repo rate is the short term rate at which banks borrow funds from the central bank. − Justifying his action of not hiking the rates, the RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan said, “given the wide bands of uncertainty surrounding the short term path of inflation from its high current levels, and given the weak state of the economy, the inadvisability of overly reactive policy action, as well as the long lags with which monetary policy works, there is merit in waiting for more data to reduce uncertainty.” − RBI Governor said that retail inflation measured by the consumer price index (CPI) has risen unrelentingly through the year so far, “pushed up by the unseasonal upturn in vegetable prices, double-digit housing inflation and elevated levels of inflation in the non-food and non-fuel categories.” − Wholesale inflation has also gone up sharply from second quarter onwards, with upside pressures evident across all constituent components. − The pick-up in real GDP growth in the second quarter of the current fiscal was driven largely by robust growth of agricultural activity, supported by an improvement in net exports, said Dr. Rajan, adding, the weakness in industrial activity, however, persisting into the third quarter, still lacklustre lead indicators of services and subdued domestic consumption demand suggest continuing headwinds to growth. à Policy interest rates left unchanged à Inflation high but trajectory uncertain à Falling vegetable prices augur well for containing inflation Strong Headwinds to Growth à Services indicators lacklustre à Domestic consumption demand weak à Expenditure cuts by Government to exert pressure on growth à Revival of stalled investments crucial Policy Stance à Inflation high but merit in waiting for new data à RBI will act if inflation does not fall à Action not ruled out on off-policy dates

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• RBI Outlines Action Plan to Tackle NPAs – The Reserve Bank of India, on December 17, 2013 outlined a corrective action plan to minimise rising non-performing assets (NPAs). The plan would include incentivising early identification of problem cases, timely restructuring of accounts, which are considered to be viable, and taking prompt steps by banks for recovery or sale of unviable accounts. − In a discussion paper on ‘Early recognition of financial distress, prompt steps for resolution and fair recovery for lenders: framework for revitalizing distressed assets in the economy”, the RBI said it would set up a Central Repository of Information on Large Credits (CRILC) to collect, store, and disseminate credit data to lenders. The credit information would also include all types of exposures as defined under RBI Circular on exposure norms, and will include data on lenders’ investments in bonds/debentures issued by the borrower/obligor. − Banks will have to furnish credit information to CRILC on all their borrowers having aggregate fund-based and non-fund based exposure of Rs.5 crore and above. − While all scheduled commercial banks will mandatory contribute their credit information on their borrowers/customers as proposed, the RBI said that systemically important non-banking financial companies (NBFC-SI) would also be asked to furnish such information. − In addition, banks would have to furnish details of all current accounts of their customers with out-standing balance (debit or credit) of Rs.1 crore and above. − The RBI said that before a loan account turns into an NPA, banks should identify incipient stress in the account by creating a new sub-asset category. ‘Special Mention Accounts’ (SMA). Within the SMA category, there should be three sub-categories: SMA-NF non-financial (NF) signals of incipient stress: SMA-1 principal or interest payment overdue between 31-60 days: SMA-2 principal or interest payment overdue between 61-90 days. Banks will be required to report, among others, the SMA status of the borrower to the CRILC. Individual banks will have to closely monitor the accounts reported as SMA-1 or SMA-NF as these are the early warning signs of weaknesses in the account. “They should take up the issue with the borrower with a view to rectifying the deficiencies at the earliest.” − The RBI also said that reporting of an account as SMA-2 by one or more lending banks/NBFC- SIS will trigger the mandatory formation of a joint lenders forum (JLF) and formulation of corrective action plan (CAP). Further, with a view to limiting the number of JLFs to be formed, it is proposed that JLF formation would be made mandatory for distressed corporate borrowers, engaged in any type of activity, with aggregate fund based and non-fund based exposure of Rs.100 crore and above. The RBI said that the lenders in the JLF would sign an inter creditor agreement (ICA) and also require the borrower to sign the debtor creditor agreement (DCA), which would provide the legal basis for any restructuring process. − The decisions agreed upon by a minimum of 75 per cent of creditors by value and 60 per cent of creditors by number in the JLF would be considered as the basis for proceeding with the restructuring or recovery action of the account, and will be binding on the lenders under the terms of the ICA. − The RBI further said that “willful defaulters will normally not be eligible for restructuring.” • RBI Eases Investment Rules – The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), on December 24, 2013 relaxed the overseas investment norms by allowing resident Indians to issue tax-free, non-convertible bonds in rupees to foreigners, and use those funds for lending to infrastructure or keeping in fixed deposits of banks pending utilisation. − Earlier, such rupee funds borrowed from foreigners were not allowed for any investment or foreigners were not allowed for any investment or for re-lending. The central bank said that it had formed a committee under Executive Director Deepak Mohanty to review the current system of data collection and the feasibility of data production within the central bank to reduce the burden on reporting entities. This committee would recommend steps to deliver quality information to data users and reinforce the information system for monetary policymaking. BANK-PO/CLERK EXAM CA/Aug2013-Jan2014/Page-10

• RBI Eases Norms For Gold Dore Imports – The Reserve Bank of India, on December 31, 2013 partly eased restrictions on import of gold dore, by allowing refineries to import 15 per cent of their gross annual requirement in the first two months and the balance as per export performance. − Refineries are allowed to import dore up to 15 per cent of their gross average viable quantity based on their licence entitlement in the first two months for making this available to the exporters on First in First out (FIFO) basis. Subsequent to this, the quantum of gold dore to be imported should be determined lot-wise on the basis of export performances. − In August 2013, the RBI had imposed curbs on gold imports and linked it with exports. Accordingly, 20 per cent, of every lot of gold imported had to be exclusively made available for exports and the balance (80 per cent) for domestic use. − The central bank further said before the next import, not more than 80 per cent should be allowed to be sold domestically. − Under FIFO methodology, the oldest entry, or bottom of the stack, is processed first. • Financial Stability Report December 2013 – The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on December 30, 2013 released the Financial Stability Report (FSR) December 2013. − Non-performing assets (NPAs) of the banking sector need to be tackled on a priority basis to ensure that they do not grow to alarming proportions. The current levels of NPAs do not pose a systemic concern as the CRAR (Capital to Risk Weighted Assets Ratio) of the banking system is above the prescribed levels and many projects are just delayed, not unviable. − The risks to the banking sector had further increased since the publication of the previous FSR in June 2013. All major risk dimensions captured in the Banking Stability Indicator showed increase in vulnerabilities in the banking sector. − Asset quality continues to be a major concern for scheduled commercial banks (SCBs). The gross non-performing assets ratios of SCBs, as well as their restructured standard advances ratio, have increased. Therefore, the total stressed advances ratio rose significantly to 10.2 per cent of total advances at end September 2013 from 9.2 per cent of March 2013. − Five sectors, namely, infrastructure, iron and steel, textiles, aviation and mining, together contribute 24 per cent of total advances of SCBs, and account for around 53 per cent of their total stressed advances. − The RBI said India was better prepared to handle the effects of tapering in the U.S. Federal Reserve’s bond purchase programme starting January 2014, but continuing inflationary pressure was limiting what its monetary policy could do. It had also raised concern on the alarming bad assets in the banking sector. − ”The commencement of the taper should signal a calibrated return to normal liquidity and credit conditions in the global markets and also better pricing of risk. This will mean a re-pricing of certain assets with consequent volatility. − The delay in tapering allowed India to bring about adjustment in the current account deficit (CAD) and build buffers by replenishing its foreign exchange reserves. However, macro- economic adjustment is far from complete, with persistence of high inflation amidst growth slowdown. Fall in domestic savings and high fiscal deficit are other major concerns for India. − The RBI said current account deficit had narrowed to sustainable levels. Foreign exchange reserves were adequate and fiscal consolidation was in progress. The outlook for the economy had improved, with export growth regaining momentum, but growth was still weak. − As per the report, corporate performance continues to be weighed down by boom period expansions and excess capacities, amid shifting asset composition towards financial investments. − House prices and outstanding loans for housing by housing finance companies had grown relatively faster during the last few years.

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− Action to create central repositories for the banking sector, corporate bond market and insurance sector had been initiated. This move was expected to break the information asymmetry in those markets. − The FSR aims to create awareness about the vulnerabilities in the financial system, to inform about the resilience to stress of the financial institutions and to generally serve as a health check on the financial system. • The Reserve Bank of India allows Non-Banking Finance Companies to lend upto 75 per cent of the Loan-To-Value ratio of gold jewellery from 60 per cent, with immediate effect. • Banks Loan Limit Against Jewels - The Reserve Bank has allowed banks to sanction loans of up to Rs.1 lakh against pledge of gold ornaments and jewellery. It has been decided to permit bullet repayment of loans extended against pledge of gold ornaments and jewellery for other than agricultural purposes…,” the RBI said in a notification. Bullet repayment means a lump-sum payment for the entire loan amount paid at the time of maturity. January–2014 • RBI tightens provisioning norms – The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), on January 15, 2014 tightened the norms for capital and provisioning requirements of banks, which have exposure to corporates with unhedged foreign currency exposures. This would be implemented from April 1st, 2014. − While the central bank has decided to introduce incremental provisioning and capital requirements for bank exposures to entities with unhedged foreign currency exposures, it has also suggested a methodology to be followed by banks while calculating incremental provisioning and capital requirements. − The RBI said that the loss to the entity in case of movement in dollar-rupee exchange rate may be calculated using the annualised volatilities. − For this purpose, “largest annual volatility seen in the dollar-rupee rates during the last ten years may be taken as the movement of the dollar-rupee rate in the adverse direction.” − To ascertain the amount of unhedged foreign currency exposure (UFCE), the RBI said that foreign currency exposure (FCE) referred to the gross sum of all items on the balance-sheet that had impact on profit and loss account due to movement in foreign exchange rates. “This may be computed by following the provisions of relevant accounting standard. Items maturing or having cash flows over the period of next five years only may be considered.” − The RBI said that unhedged foreign currency exposures of the entities were an area of concern not only for individual entity but also to the entire financial system. • RBI standardises gold loan norms – The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), on January 20th, 2014, that it had been decided to prescribe a loan-to-value (LTV) ratio of not exceeding 75% for banks’ landing against gold jewellery, including bullet-repayment loans against pledge of gold jewellery. Therefore, henceforth loans sanctioned by banks should not exceed 75% of the value of gold ornaments and jewellery. − Further, it has been decided that gold jewellery accepted as security / collateral will have to be valued at the average of the closing price of 22 carat gold for the preceding 30 days as quoted by the India Bullion and Jewellers Association Ltd. [Formerly known as the Bombay Bullion Association Ltd. (BBA)]. − This would standardise the valuation, and make it more transparent to the borrower. − If the gold is of purity less than 22 carats, the bank should translate the collateral into 22 carat and value the exact grams of the collateral. In other words, jewellery of lower purity of gold shall be valued proportionately. − The central bank reiterated that banks should continue to observe necessary and usual safeguards, and also have a suitable policy for lending against gold jewellery with the approval of their boards of directors.

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• Currency Notes Issued Prior To 2005 will be withdrawn – The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said on January 22nd, 2014 from April 1, 2014, the public would be required to approach banks for exchanging currency notes issued prior to 2005 as these notes would be withdrawn from circulation. Banks will provide exchange facility for these notes until further communication. The RBI clarified that the notes would continue to be legal tender. − The public can easily identify the notes to be withdrawn as the notes issued before 2005 do not have on them the year of printing on the reverse side. − From July 1st, 2014 however, those wanting to exchange more than 10 pieces of Rs.500 and Rs.1000 notes in a bank where they do not have an account will have to provide proof of residence and identity. The move will flush out black money, according to bankers. The currency hoarders would have to liquidate their unaccounted holdings by spending or exchanging them. − Replacing old currency notes with the new series is a regular practice, but in the past these have been executed through banks, and the public were not asked to get these exchanged. − As on March 31, 2013, an estimated 7,351 crore pieces of currency notes were in circulation of Rs.5, Rs.10, Rs.20, Rs.50, Rs.100, Rs.500 and Rs.1,000 denominations. − The value and volume of currency issued before 2005, which are currently in circulation and will now be withdrawn, was not made available by the central bank. • RBI Eases FDI norms – Relaxing the foreign direct investment (FDI) norms, the Reserve Bank of India, on January 9th, 2014 gave foreign investors an option to exit their investments by selling their holdings of equity or debt. − According to the modified norms, FDI contracts can now have optionality clauses, which allow investors to exit, subject to the conditions of minimum lock-in period and without any assured returns. Until now, only equity shares or compulsorily and mandatorily convertible preference shares or debentures could be issued to persons resident outside India under the FDI policy, and these instruments were not allowed to have any optionality clause. − FDI in India declined by about 15 per cent to $12.6 billion (Rs.74,971 crore) in April-October. According to the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, FDI in the same period a year earlier was $14.78 billion. − Food processing industries received $2.14 billion, services $1.36 billion, pharmaceuticals $1.08 billion, automobile $784 million and construction development $699 million. • Third Quarter Review of Monetary Policy – The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on January 28th 2014 increased the indicative policy rate (repo) by 25 basis points to 8 per cent to tame inflation, while announcing the third quarter review of the monetary policy. − The RBI focused more on retail inflation, known as consumer price index (CPI) inflation, rather than its traditional stress on wholesale price index (WPI) inflation. − “The slowdown in the economy is getting increasingly worrisome ... (but) the gravest risk to the value of the rupee is from Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation, which remains elevated, at close to double-digit, despite the anticipated disinflation in vegetable and fruit prices,“ RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan said. − Moreover, inflation, excluding food and fuel, had also been high, especially in services, indicative of wage pressures and other second-round effects. − ”Elevated levels of inflation erode household budgets, and constrict the purchasing power of consumers. This, in turn, discourages investment and weakens growth. High inflation weakens the rupee. Inflation is also a tax that is grossly inequitable, falling hardest on the very poor.” − It was only by bringing down inflation to a low and stable level that monetary policy could contribute to reviving consumption and investment in a sustainable way. − The so-called trade-off between inflation and growth is a false trade-off in the long-run.

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− It was possible to bring inflation under control without a substantial sacrifice of short-term growth, provided “doing what is necessary and are patient.” − The RBI also cut its growth forecast to less than 5% for 2013-14, but placed its bets firmly on a turnaround in the broader economy in the next financial year. ) 8%: Current Repo rate. RBI’s benchmark lending rate has climbed back to what it was in January 2013. Rationale à Curbing mounting inflationary pressures and managing inflation expectations key priorities à Vegetable prices have fallen sharply aided by arrival of seasonal vegetables à But both retail and wholesale non-food and non-fuel inflation remain high ) 0.25%: Percentage points, the increase in reverse repo rate, the rate at which RBI absorbs cash from the banking system to 7%. ) Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) 25%: Rise in percentage points in banks’ emergency borrowing/ or MSF rate to 9%. Rajan’s Roadmap à The RBI will move from the current 45-day cycle of monetary reviews to a 60-day cycle broadly fixing a set calendar from the beginning of the next financial year. The next policy review is scheduled on April 1st, 2014. à The RBI will broadly seek to achieve Urjit Patel Committee’s “glide path” for disinflation that sets an objective of below 8% retail inflation by January 2015 and below 6% consumer price inflation by January 2016 à Future price and macroeconomic data will largely drive the RBI’s next moves on interest rate changes, but by all indications a further hike in interest rates has been more or less ruled out by the RBI in the immediate future. • RBI reviews norms on restructuring of advances by NBFCs – The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), on 23rd January 2014, issued norms for loans restructured by non-banking finance companies (NBFCs), bringing them at par with guidelines applicable to commercial banks. − NBFCs being part of the financial institutions that lend to various sectors, also undertake restructuring of advances, either as part of a consortium or otherwise. Therefore, it has been decided to harmonise the guidelines on restructuring of advances by NBFCs with that of banks. − For NBFCs, mere extension of Date of Commencement of Commercial Operations (DCCO) up to a specified period will not tantamount to restructuring for infrastructure, non-infrastructure and commercial real estate (CRE) projects. • RBI expert panel suggests adoption of new CPI – A Reserve Bank panel on 21st January, 2014 suggested the central bank to adopt the new consumer price index for anchoring the monetary policy. − The Expert Committee to Revise and Strengthen the Monetary Policy Framework, headed by RBI Deputy Governor Urjit R Patel, also set the inflation target at 4 per cent with a band of plus or minus 2 per cent around it. It also suggested that monetary policy decision making should be vested in a monetary policy committee (MPC) that should be headed the Governor. • RBI sets up panel to review governance of bank boards – The Reserve Bank of India on 20th January, 2014 constituted an expert committee, chaired by PJ Nayak, former chairman and CEO of Axis Bank, to review the governance of bank boards in India. − The panel, which is expected to submit its report within three months from the date of its first meeting, will review among other things the central bank’s regulatory guidelines on ownership of banks and representation in the boards. The committee will ascertain if there is conflict of interest in board representation, including among owner representatives and regulators.

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• RBI allows foreign buyers to invest in South Indian Bank – The Reserve Bank on 17th January, 2014 allowed foreign investors to buy shares in South Indian Bank as the foreign shareholding in the bank has gone below the prescribed limit. − Equity shares of South Indian Bank can now be purchased through primary market and stock exchanges. − FIIs, NRIs and PIOs are allowed to invest in the primary and secondary capital markets in India through the portfolio investment scheme (PIS).

• Hong Kong and Macau in RBI’s sensitive list – The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 15th January, 2014 included Hong Kong and Macau in the sensitive list of countries – along with Pakistan and China – that will require its prior approval to set up business or related activities in India. − Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Iran and China are already in the sensitive list which means entities and residents of these countries will need prior RBI permission to establish a branch office or a liaison office or a project office in India. − According to the RBI, in Regulation 4 of the Foreign Exchange Management (Establishment in India of Branch or Office or Other Place of Business) Regulations, 2000, the words, “Iran or China” have been substituted by the words “Iran, China, Hong Kong or Macau”. − This was done under the FEMA Act. Entities from these countries are not allowed to acquire immovable property in India even for a branch office. They are allowed to lease property for a period not exceeding five years.

• RBI allows companies to issue debt to NRIs as bonus – The Reserve Bank on 6th January, 2014 allowed Indian companies to issue non-convertible or redeemable preference shares or debentures to non-resident shareholders from their reserves as bonus. This facility will also encompass the depositories that act as trustees for the ADR/GDR holders. So far, RBI was granting permission for such issuances on a case-to-case basis. • Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued new 5 rupees and 10 rupees coins bearing images of Goddess Vaishno Devi on 16 January 2014. The coins were issued to commemorate the silver jubilee of Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board.

STATE BANK OF INDIA August–2013 • SBI to merge one subsidiary every two years – The SBI said that every two years it will merge one subsidiary each, over the next 10 years. − The Bank also said that due to recent political developments in the state of Andhra Pradesh, the proposed merger of State Bank of Hyderabad could be delayed. − Meanwhile, the country’s largest lender said it is bullish on its growth prospects. − It will even surpass its earlier target, which it thinks may bring some cheer in the market and expects its capital to increase by Rs.16,000 cr with the infusion of profit and government infusion. The Bank is expecting a total capital infusion of Rs.20,000 cr this year.

November–2013 • State Bank of India (SBI) has decided to raise up to Rs.9,576 crore or $1.53 billion through a share sale to institutional investors or a follow-on public offer, the bank said in an exchange filing. The bank also plans to raise another Rs.2,000 crore through a share sale to the government on a preferential basis as part of the capital infusion announced by the Finance Ministry.

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OTHER BANKS August–2013 • World Bank debars Indian Firm – The World Bank has debarred India’s Consulting Engineering Services (CES) for five years on charges of fraud and corruption in a National Highways project in India. The decision follows a World Bank investigation and review of poorly performing road construction contrasts under the bank-financed project, for which CES was the supervision consultant. September–2013 • Bank of Beijing opened China’s first direct bank – The Bank of Beijing on 18 September 2013 launched China’s first direct bank in Beijing, Xi’an and Jinan. It started direct bank services with the cooperation of Netherlands-based ING Group. • Federal Bank launched electronic passbook – Kerala based Federal Bank Limited launched the electronic version of conventional passbook, called FedBook, on 30 August, 2013. FedBook allows the customers to download it easily as well as also install this application on the smart devices such as smartphones. • The bank that overtook State Bank of India (SBI) in terms of market capitalisation to become the country’s second most valuable bank recently – ICICI Bank • The Union Cabinet on September 12, 2013 gave the go-ahead to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to invest $ 4.3 billion in special bonds of the World Bank as it would help in securing additional funding from the multilateral lending agency for infrastructure development projects. • The Grameen Bank, the Nobel Peace Prize winning microcredit organization of Bangladesh, will be brought under the control of country’s central bank to give the authorities more powers over the organization. The decision by the government follows the recommendations of government- sponsored Grameen Bank Commission, which suggested bringing the bank under the regulatory control of either the Bangladesh Bank or the Microcredit Regulatory Authority to better monitor its activities. • Action against farm loan waiver culprits – The Finance ministry is taking action against persons involved in irregularities in farm loan waiver schemes as it has found Rs.230 cr of irregularities in the scheme during scrutiny of bank accounts of beneficiaries conducted by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) separately across the country. Irregularities have been found in over three lakh accounts. A total of 3.37 cr farmers were benefited to the extent of above Rs.52,259 cr under the Debt Waiver and Debt Relief Scheme in 2008. Earlier, the CAG had pointed errors in implementation of the farm debt waiver scheme and subsequently NABARD and RBI were issued directions to examine cases of irregularity. • FIPB raises FDI limits – The Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) cleared proposals to increase foreign institutional investors’ (FII) investment limit in the HCL and Axis bank. The FIPB has approved HCL Technologies’ proposal to hike foreign direct investment (FDI) limit in the company to 74% from 49%. It also approved a proposal of Axis Bank to increase the limit on overseas holdings in the lender to 62% from 49%, subject to the condition that the holding of foreign institutional investors does not exceed 49%. At present, the FII holding in the bank is 40.7% while domestic institutional investors have 8.77%. • Banks to get tough with defaulters – The Finance Ministry has directed state-owned banks to get tough with willful defaulters. Promoters of companies seeking corporate debt restructuring (CDR) are likely to be asked for a list of personal assets and these will be charged to the lending banks to ensure that banks have sufficient collateral to cover their loans in case of defaults. − Gross NPAs or a bad loan in the banking system has touched 5%, causing concerns both for the Reserve Bank of India and the government.

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What is CDR? Corporate debt restructuring (CDR) is a mechanism run by financial institutions, including banks, to ensure timely and transparent restructuring of debts of companies that are viable but facing temporary difficulties. • Mahila Bank to have new IT infra model – Being the country’s first women’s bank is not the only factor that sets Bharatiya Mahila Bank apart from other lenders. The banks has set a new precedent for banking firms by adopting a technology infrastructure model based on per usage payment system which is the first by an Indian Bank. The bank is expected to start operations in eight cities from November. − The government has already approved Rs.1,000 cr seed capital for the bank. − The bank proposes to complete the first six branches at Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Indore and Guwahati by October 15. − Besides managing IT operations, tech partner to bear the costs of hardware and software. − The tech partner to be paid on per-branch-per-month basis. October–2013 • Capital Infusion to Banks – The Finance Ministry, on October 23, 2013 announced that it would infuse Rs.14,000 crore capital in various banks this fiscal, including Rs.2,000 crore in State Bank of India and Rs.1,800 crore each in IDBI Bank and Central Bank of India. − Apart from the capital support from the government, public sector banks have the headroom to raise Rs.10,000 crore from the market through rights issue, qualified institutional placement (QIP) or follow-on public offer (FPO) without diluting the existing government stake. − Infusion of capital by government in PSBs is in addition to their internally generated capital to enable them maintain a comfortable level of Tier-I capital. Towards this end, the government had been infusing need-based capital in PSBs. An amount of Rs.12,517 crore was infused in 13 PSBs during 2012-13. − During the current fiscal, Bank of Baroda will get Rs.550 crore, Canara Bank Rs.500 crore, Allahabad Bank Rs.400 crore, and Dena Bank Rs.700 crore. Besides, Bank of India will get Rs.1,000 crore, Corporation Bank Rs.450 crore, Union Bank of India Rs.500 crore, United Bank of India Rs.700 crore and Oriental Bank of Commerce Rs.150 crore. • Permanent Currency Swap Accords Made – Six major central banks in the world made currency swap arrangements permanent as a prudent liquidity backstop in case of future global financial strains on October 31, 2013. Previously these banks had temporary bilateral currency swap arrangements. Six major central banks are: The Bank of Japan, US federal Reserve, European Central Bank, Bank of England, Central Bank of Canada, Central Bank of Switzerland. ) A currency swap is a foreign-exchange agreements between two institutions/countries to exchange aspects (namely the principal an interest payments) of a loan in one currency for equivalent aspects of an equal in net present value loan in another currency. • End of Banking secrecy in Switzerland – Switzerland, the country most noted for its anonymous numbered bank accounts and tight banking secrecy became the world’s 58th nation on October 15, 2013 to sign the Multilateral Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters. − The agreement prepared by taxation experts from the Paris-based Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), which has led the war against tax havens in recent years was signed by Switzerland’s ambassador to the OECD and the Organisation’s Secretary-General Angel Gurria in Paris. This marks “the end of banking secrecy” in Switzerland the head of tax issues at the OECD. The Convention “prepares the way for the automatic exchange of tax information.” − The Swiss Federal Council gave its approval to the treaty on October 9, 2013.

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November–2013 • Mahila Bank launched – Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on November 19, 2013 inaugurated the first women commercial bank of the country, the Bharatiya Mahila Bank in Mumbai (Nariman Point). − United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi, who was the chief guest, gave away welcome kits to the first five customers of the bank, while Dr. Singh presented sanction letters to the first five loan applicants. • Foreign banks can acquire domestic private banks – The Reserve Bank of India, on November 6, 2013, permitted wholly-owned subsidiary (WOS) of foreign banks to acquire domestic private sector banks as well as set up branches anywhere in the country. It also allowed foreign bank subsidiary to list on local stock exchanges. − However, foreign bank subsidiary will not be allowed to hold more than 74 per cent, the sectoral cap for overall foreign investment, in the private banks they may acquire. − The issue of permitting WOS to enter into merger and acquisition transactions with any private sector bank in India subject to the overall investment limit, of 74 per cent would be considered after a review is made with regard to the extent of penetration of foreign investment in Indian banks and functioning of foreign banks (branch mode and WOS). To provide safeguards against the possibility of the Indian banking system being dominated by foreign banks, it said, the framework has certain measures to contain their expansion if the share of foreign banks exceeds a critical size. − The RBI will put a stop on further entry of new WOSs of foreign banks or capital infusion, when the capital and reserves of all foreign banks in India exceed 20 per cent of the capital and reserves of the entire banking system. − The RBI framework stipulates that the initial minimum paid-up voting equity capital for a WOS would be Rs.500 crore for the new entrants. − Foreign banks, which commenced banking business in India before August, 2010, have the option to continue their banking business through the branch mode. However, they will be incentivised to convert into WOS because of the attractiveness of the near national treatment afforded to WOS. − Priority sector lending requirement would be 40 per cent for WOS, like domestic scheduled commercial banks, with adequate transition period for existing foreign bank branches converting into WOS. − On arm’s length basis, WOS would be permitted to use parental guarantee/credit rating only for the purpose of providing custodial services in India and for their international operations. However, “WOS should not provide counter guarantee to its parent for such support.” − WOSs may, at their option, dilute their stake to 74 per cent or less in accordance with the existing FDI policy. In the event of dilution, they will have to list themselves.

• ICICI Bank, on November 18, 2013 hit the overseas bond market with a benchmark 5.5-year issue at an initial pricing of 3.75 per cent over the U.S. treasury. − This is the second debt raising by the city-based lender this year after it had raised SGD 225 million early January, in a seven-year bond sale programme through its Dubai branch offering a coupon of 3.65 per cent. − The bond sold was denominated in Singapore dollars. − Regulation S bonds or RegSbonds are those offered to non US residents and qualified institutional buyers (under an exception to U.S. securities laws enacted in 1990), and do not enjoy the same legal protection as other issues do.

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December–2013 • Approval To Conversion Of Preference Shares Into Equity In 3 Banks - The government, on January 2, 2014 approved conversion of perpetual non-cumulative preference shares (PNCPS) of three public sector banks into equity, a move that would raise its holding in these lenders. This would apply to three banks: Indian Bank, UCO Bank, Vijaya Bank. − Following the conversion, the government holding in Indian Bank would go up to 82.22 per cent from the existing 80 per cent. In case of UCO Bank, it would be 77.25 per cent from 69.26 per cent, while Vijaya Bank, it would be 71.85 per cent from the existing 55.02 per cent. − The Cabinet gave its approval for conversion in Indian Bank, UCO Bank and Vijaya Bank amounting to Rs.400 crore, Rs.1,823 crore and Rs.1,200 crore, respectively, into equity shares of these banks in favour of the government, subject to approval of shareholders and also the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and other authorities. Conversion of PNCPS, subscribed by the government in these banks, into equity in the first instance and subsequently in other public sector banks where it has invested in PNCPS, PCPS and IDPIs, would enhance the Tier-I capital of the state-owned banks, thereby, making more funds available at their disposal to meet the credit requirement of the productive sectors of economy. January–2014 • Govt. Moves to Roll out Shariah Mutual Fund – The UPA government is considering rolling out a national mutual fund based on Islamic finance principles – a globally fast-growing alternative banking sector – in a move expected to attract investment from Muslim households as well as big investors. The plan is also part of a series of new measures addressed for minorities ahead of the 2014 general elections, being pushed by minority affairs minister K. Rahman Khan. − The larger plan is to use the funds, which will be floated by the State Bank of India, to finance minority welfare schemes by also reinvesting earnings from Wakf, or Islamic endowments of charity, usually in the form of prime real estate. − The fund will also be utilized to finance Haj, the Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca. This would enable the government to stop subsidising the pilgrimage, although it has already begun tapering the subsidy. The Dynamics ) What is Islamic Banking? Alternative finance system that skips charging of interest, prohibited in Islam. ) What will it do? Offer a mutual fund; capital raised to be used for minority welfare. ) How will it happen? Minority affairs ministry will move GoM after feasibility study by the SBI. • NABARD cuts refinance rate by 0.20% - National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) on 10th January, 2014 reduced refinance rate for banks and other lending agencies by 0.20 per cent to promote rural credit and rural infrastructure. The revised rate of interest on refinance for a period of five years for commercial banks, state cooperative banks, regional rural banks and primary urban cooperative banks will be 9.70 per cent, down from 9.90 per cent. • RBI allows NBFCs to lend more against gold jewellery – The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 8th January, 2014 raised the cap on the proportion of loan to the value of gold, which may boost prospects of Muthoot Finance and Manappuram. Finance companies can lead as much as 75% of the value of the gold, up from 60% earlier. • Axis Bank gets nod to raise FDI limit to 62% - The government on 25th December, 2013 approved a proposal to increase foreign holding in Axis Bank to 62 percent from the current 49 percent, which may result in overseas fund inflow of nearly Rs.7,250 crore into the country.

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INSURANCE August–2013 • Reliance General Insurance launched Crop Insurance Schemes – Reliance General Insurance, in the third week of August, 2013 entered into the agriculture area by launching the weather-and yield-based crop insurance schemes in five different states of India. These schemes will focus on the farmers in the five states- Uttarakhand, Haryana, Assam, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. − The company has been empanelled by the Union Government of India in order to implement the Weather-Based Crop Insurance (WBCI) scheme in 21 States of India. The company also received the authorisation from the National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (NAIS) for offering yield- based crop protection to farmers in 50 identified districts of India. • Finance Ministry seeks details from LIC – The Finance Ministry has sought details from the Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) pertaining to its investment in Gitanjali Gems to ascertain if the investment had any ‘malafide intention’. Details have been sought after complaint received on the sharp fall in the stock price of Gitanjali Gems. LIC, the biggest domestic institutional investor in the stock market, held 4.36% stake in Gitanjali Gems during the Jan-Mar quarter, which rose to 4.89% as of June 30. • IRDA allows banks to be insurance brokers – The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) has said that banks can be insurance broker but should obtain prior approval of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) before applying for a licence. In its notification on licensing banks as insurance brokers, the regulator asked the banks to apply under the direct broker category. − The licence, once granted, will be valid for three years. There is no requirement of capital for entities licensed under this particular regulation. To qualify for the licence, each bank will have to have the principal officer. Such banks cannot more than 50% of the premium from one client. − Under the current rules, banks cannot tie up with more than one life, non-life and health insurer each to sell their policies. Insurers have demanded an open architecture for bancassurance, so that companies that do not have a bank partner can tie up with them to distribute their products.

• Detailed norms for CSC-insurers’ tie-up – The Common Service Centres (CSCs) across India will soon be aiding insurance companies in India in selling their products. In a meeting held between officials of Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) and insurance industry, the structure and process of implementation of CSCs model in insurance has been discussed. The IRDA will bring out a notification on the same soon. After taking the views and comments of insurers on this notification, the new model of CSCs is expected to come into operation within the next few months. These CSCs would be similar to brokers, and would be able to sell products of multiple insurance companies.

• IRDA penalty on Bajaj Allianz – The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) imposed a penalty of Rs.3.10 cr on Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance for violation of various norms, including those related to early death claims and group insurance. In its order, the IRDA has asked the company to pay the fine within 15 days. The regulator also warned the company against wrongful claim practices and directed to ensure settlement of claims in fairness as per terms and conditions of the policy contract. • Insurers allowed investing in PEs, debt funds – The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) has allowed insurers to invest in Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) in Category-I and Category-II. Earlier, this was restricted to Category-I. ) Now, insurers would be able to invest in private equity and debt funds. However, under Category II, at least 51% of the funds of such AIF would be invested in infrastructure entities, small and medium enterprise (SME) entities, venture capital undertakings or social venture entities.

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• LIC major buyer in PSU disinvestments – State-owned LIC purchased shares worth about Rs.16,400 cr in government’s disinvestment programme through the Offer for Sale (OFS) route, accounting for 49% of the money raised by the government through stake sale. The OFS or auction route has yielded Rs.33,800 cr to the exchequer through stake sale in 11 companies since March 2012, beginning with oil major ONGC. Country’s largest insurer Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) has bought shares worth Rs.16,396 cr in these companies during the auction. November–2013 • Terms set for Banks’ entry into insurance broking – The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released draft guidelines for entry of banks into insurance broking business on November 29, 2013. − Since insurance broking is a knowledge-intensive activity requiring professional expertise, this will be permitted subject to the certain conditions. − Banks desirous of offering insurance broking services, however, have to get specific prior approval of RBI, Validity period for the approval granted for insurance broking will be three years subject to review thereafter. − According to the draft guidelines, banks should formulate a comprehensive board-approved policy on insurance broking. And, the services offered to customers should be in accordance with this policy. The draft guidelines have laid out certain eligibility criteria for banks. Aspiring banks should have a net worth of not less than Rs.500 crore, and CRAR (capital to risk assets ratio) of not less than 10 per cent. Further, the draft has stipulated that the level of net non- performing assets should not be more than 3 per cent. Also, the bank should have made profits for the last three consecutive years. The RBI has made it clear that the track record of the subsidiaries/JVs, if any, of the bank should be satisfactory. To avoid any conflict of interest, banks undertaking insurance broking business should not enter into agreements for insurance, either departmentally or through subsidiaries/group companies. January–2014 • Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Launched All Women Branch In Pune – Bajaj Allianz General Insurance has launched an all women branch in Pune on 4th January. It is the first insurer to give an opportunity to women with an aim to tap the vast talent pool of women professionals. • Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) of India has introduced its “New Jeevan Nidhi plan” which is a conventional with profits pension plan with a combination of protection and saving features. This plan provides for death cover during the deferment period and offers annuity on survival to the date of vesting. Provided the policy is in full force, on vesting an amount equal to the Basic Sum Assured along with accrued Guaranteed Additions, vested Simple Reversionary bonuses and Final Additional bonus, if any, shall be made available to the Life Assured.

SUPREME COURT August–2013 • SC fiat to CBI on Aircel-Maxis deal – The Supreme Court has asked the CBI to go ahead with its probe in the Aircel-Maxis deal without waiting for necessary sanction against an official “holding high position”, in the 2G spectrum case. November–2013 • Registration of FIR in Cognisable Offence is Must – The Supreme Court made it mandatory for police to register a First Information Report (FIR) on receiving a complaint about a serious offence, freeing criminal investigation from the rampant abuse of discretionary powers by the local thana incharge on November 12, 2013. Importantly, the court ordered the police to enter in its daily diary all information received about cognizable offences prior to registration of FIR. The General Diary/Station Diary/ Daily Diary is the record of all information received in a police station. BANK-PO/CLERK EXAM CA/Aug2013-Jan2014/Page-21

à Registration of FIR is mandatory under Section-154 of the Criminal Procedure Code, if the information discloses commission of a cognizable offence and no preliminary inquiry is permissible in such situations. à The Indian Penal Code (IPC) categories those offences as cognizable which attract a minimum of three years imprisonment as punishment. Things to know about FIR’s & NCRs à An FIR is a First Information Report made for a cognisable offence à An NCR is a Non-cognisable report, a complaint that looks similar to an FIR but is for non- cognisable offences such as pick-pocketing, small fights, public nuisance, causing simple hurt, loss of documents, insist on FIR for loss of IDs such as PAN, birth certificates, passports • Fix Tenure for Bureaucrats – The Supreme Court directed the Centre and the States to insulate the bureaucracy from political interference and to put an end to frequent transfers of civil servants by political bosses on October 31, 2013. − The Supreme Court bench headed by Justice K.S. Radhakrishnan stated to fix tenure of the bureaucrats that would help to promote the professionalism, efficiency and good governance. − The Supreme Court directed the Centre and the States to set up a Civil Services Board (CSB) in 3 months for the management of transfers, postings, inquiries, process of promotion, reward, punishment and disciplinary matters.

− It also aimed that government policies and programmes reach poor people. The court also said that the civil servants should not act on the verbal orders given by the political executives and all the actions taken by the political executives on the basis of written communication. − The Parliament has been also directed by the Supreme Court to enact a law to regulate transfer, posting and disciplinary action on the IAS officers and to immunize them from political interference. • The Supreme Court issues notice to all the States on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition, seeking speedy trial of criminal cases pending in various courts against politicians, bureaucrats and other influential persons. • The Supreme Court refuses to direct the Election Commission to hold fresh polls if the majority of the electorate exercises ‘None of the Above Option’ (NOTA) in the electronic voting machines while casting their votes.

December–2013 • Supreme Court Judgement On Homo Sexuality – India’s Supreme Court on 11 December upheld the constitutional validity of Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code making gay sex an offence punishable with upto life imprisonment. A bench of justices G S Singhvi ans SJ Mukhopadhaya set aside the Delhi High Court’s verdict which had in 2009 decriminalised gay sex among consenting adults in private. • The Supreme Court directs all the States to drastically restrict the number if VIPs using the red beacon in their cars, and give the facility only to heads of the executive, the legislature and the judiciary and those holding constitutional posts. • The Supreme Court holds that once a person is declared as an absconder/proclaimed offender in a criminal case, he/she will not be entitled to the relief of anticipatory bail. • The Supreme Court issues notice to the Centre and all States, asking them to show cause why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against them for violating its order on implementing the High Security Number Plates (HSNP) scheme for motor vehicles.

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January–2014 • Nepal Court Gives Voters Right to Reject Candidates – Nepal’s Supreme Court has given voters the right to cast negative votes during the parliamentary or local elections. The court in the verdict on 5th January also directed the government and the Election Commission to introduce laws to this effect so the voters can reject candidates, weeks after India introduced “None of the above (NOTA)” option. Following the apex court’s decision, Nepal has become the 15th country to ensure negative voting in elections. • Supreme Court Commutes Death Penalty for 15 – Fifteen death-row prisoners, whose mercy petitions were rejected by President Pranab Mukherjee, received commutation to life imprisonment with the Supreme Court on January 21st, 2014 ruling that inordinate delays ranging from seven to 11 years in the disposal of pleas and psychiatric conditions developed during incarceration, are grounds for clemency. • Person can be made Accused even if not Named in FIR – The Supreme Court on January 10, 2014 held that a person can be made accused by the trial court in case evidence crops up during the proceedings even if he has not been named in the FIR or Charge Sheet.

ELECTION COMMISSION (EC) September–2013 • The Election Commission of India (ECI), for the first time in the country, used the Voters Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) system on trial basis in Nagaland. VVPAT is a device attached with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) which leave a verifiable paper trail of votes cast in an election. It allows the voter to check whether his vote has been recorded with the candidate he had wished to vote for in the EVM.

October–2013 • Election Commission says that the candidate securing the highest number of votes would be declared elected even if the number of electors going for the None of the above (NOTA) option surpassed the votes polled by the electoral contestants.

HIGH COURTS AND SESSIONS COURTS August–2013 • India’s first Cyber Forensic Lab inaugurated at Tripura High Court – The first Cyber Forensic Laboratory (CFL) of India was established in Tripura on 11 August, 2013. The lab was established at the Tripura High Court and the purpose of the lab is to facilitate information related to court cases. CFL is a part of e-court programme.

October–2013 • Guwahati HC Declared CBI as ‘Unconstitutional’ – The Gawhati High Court has quashed the Union Home Ministry resolution by which the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was constituted way back in 1963. − The court held that the CBI was neither an organ nor part of the Delhi Special Police Establishment and thus could not be treated as a “police force” constituted under the DSPE Act. − Though the Division Bench had directed the respondents to produce the original records on creation of the CBI, they just submitted a certified copy of the records from the National Archive.

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CENTRAL GOVERNMENT August–2013 • Drinking Water Quality centre to come up – The Union Cabinet gave its approval to the proposal for establishing the International Centre for Drinking Water Quality in Kolkata. The Centre will be registered as a Society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, with the requisite manpower, building and support infrastructure. ) The basic aim of the Centre is to work in the area of identification, mitigation and management with focus on research and development on drinking water quality-related problems in India (both urban and rural) with a focus among other contaminants, also on arsenic and fluoride. ) It will also provide policy advice on request to the Central and State Govt. and also to other countries on demand on water quality issues. September–2013 • Dr. Manmohan Singh, the Prime Minister of India, released a postage stamp in the memory of the freedom fighter and former Member of Parliament, Lala Jagat Narayan. • Cabinet approves TUFS for XII Plan – The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has given its approval for implementation and continuation of the Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (TUFS) during the XII Plan period with a major focus on powerlooms with a total outlay of Rs.11,900 cr.

October–2013 • Relaxed Norms in Special Economic Zones – The government, on October 31, 2013 allowed manufacturing units in special economic zones (SEZs) to subcontract work for up to three years, instead of just one year at present. − The decision was taken following representations received from large manufacturing units, which have stated that the move would help facilitate manufacturing processes and augment exports. • Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Veerappa Moily announced that Aadhaar would no longer be mandatory for availing the subsidy given for nine domestic cylinders under the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme sanctioned by Supreme Court. November–2013 • Jailed Persons can Contest Polls – Taking note of the amendment made to the Representation of the People Act treating persons in lawful custody in a criminal case as a voter, the Supreme Court gave a big relief to political parties by allowing them to contest elections on November 19, 2013. − A Bench of Justices AK Patnaik and SJ Mukhopadhaya dismissed the review petitions filed by the Union government and Ramesh Dalal against a July 10 judgement upholding a 2004 Patna High Court ruling, which held that when a person in custody was disqualified to vote he was disqualified from contesting the elections also. − Section-62 (5) of the RP Act says, “No person shall vote at any election if he/she is confined in a prison, whether under a sentence of imprisonment or transportation or otherwise, or is in the lawful custody of the police: Provided that nothing in this subsection shall apply to a person subjected to preventive detention under any law for the time being in force.” − Subsequent to the July 10 judgment, Parliament amended the RP Act and introduced a provisonal to Section-62 (5) in the RP (Amendment and Validation) Act, 2013, which says “... by reasons of the prohibition to vote under this sub-section, a person whose name has been entered in the electoral roll shall not cease to be an elector.

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December–2013 • Code of Conduct Revised – In a bid to insulate the bureaucracy from political interference, the Union Cabinet on December 12, 2013 revised the Code of Conduct for Ministers (both Union and States) by adding a new provision as per which Ministers cannot force civil servants to take decisions that may be in conflict with their duties and responsibilities. − A new paragraph has been added to Section 2 in the Code of Conduct, which states that the “Ministers shall up hold the political impartiality of the civil services and not ask the civil servants to act in any way which would conflict with the duties and responsibilities of the civil servants.” The revised code will take immediate effect in the case of the Union Council of Ministers. In the case of the States and the Union Territories, the revised code will be forwarded to the Chief Ministers for adoption. • Cabinet approves spectrum base price – The Union Cabinet, on December 9, 2013 approved the reserved prices for spectrum sale as recommended by the Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) on telecom – Rs.1,765 crore per MHz pan-India for 1800 MHz band and Rs.360 crore. Rs.328 crore and Rs.125 crore per MHz in metro service areas of Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata, respectively, for 900 MHz band. − The spectrum prices are 26 per cent lower than the base price in case of 1800 MHz band and 53 per cent less in 900 MHz band than the previous auction prices. The government is hoping to garner over Rs.48,000 crore from the spectrum sale slated for January 2014. • Centre Clears Rs.990-crore Programme for Leather Sector During XII Plan – The government, on January 2, 2014, approved the Indian Leather Development Programme (ILDP), entailing expenditure of about Rs.990 crore, for implementation during the XII Plan (2012-17) for the overall development of the sector. − The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the Central sector scheme, ILDP, for implementation during the XII Plan aiming at overall development of the leather sector. The ILDP was implemented in the XI Plan under 13 sub-schemes and an expenditure of Rs.669.02 crore was incurred during the period. Six sub-schemes are being proposed for continuation from the XI Plan for implementation during the XII Plan with an outlay of Rs.990.36 crore. − The schemes are: integrated development of leather sector, human resource development, support to artisan, leather technology innovation and environmental issues, mega leather cluster and establishment of institutional institutes. • Budgetary Support For Sicks CPSEs - The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), on December 26, 2013 approved non-plan budgetary support of Rs.116.86 crore for the payment of statutory dues such as provident fund, gratuity, pension, employees state insurance and bonus as well as salaries and wages at eleven sick or loss-making Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) under the Department of Heavy Industry. • The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approves the ambitious proposal for installing CCTV cameras and Global Positioning Systems (GPS) in public transport vehicles to ensure women’s safety. • The Union Cabinet approves the National Youth Policy 2014 to replace the National Youth Policy 2003. January–2014 • Government Approves CCTVs, GPS in Public Transport For Women’s Safety – The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved a Rs.1,405-crore project to track and monitor public transport and provide alarm buttons for alerting authorities. The project involves setting up of closed circuit television (CCTVs) and using global positioning system (GPS) to ensure safety and security of women and girls in distress.

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• Cabinet Approved National Youth Policy – 2014 – The union cabinet on 9th January approved the National Youth Policy 2014, which focuses on education, skill development, employment, entrepreneurship and health. The National Youth Policy-2014 (NYP-2014) replaced the NYP-2003 currently in force. According to the 2011 census, the policy will cover the entire country, catering to the needs of all youth in the age-group of 15-29 years, which constitutes 27.5 per cent of the population. • Cabinet nod for rail tariff regulator – The Union Cabinet on 20th January, 2014 cleared a proposal to set up an independent rail tariff regulator to advice railways on fixing fares. The setting up of Rail Tariff Authority is seen as the first step towards depoliticizing rail fares and inducing reforms aimed at pulling the cash-strapped railways out of financial crisis.

STATES August–2013 • JAMMU & KASHMIR - Pashmina Shawls of Jammu and Kashmir got Geographical Indication Mark – The handwoven Pashmina shawls of Kashmir were accredited with the Geographical Indication (GI) mark. The Chief Minister of Kashmir Omar Abdullah on 5 August, 2013 launched the Kashmir Pashmina GI mark, which will now be imprinted on all handwoven Kashmiri Pashmina Shawls, in the form of label.

• JHARKHAND – Chief Minister Hemant Soren on 4 August, 2013 expanded his cabinet by inducting six new ministers. Governor Syed Ahmed administered the oath to all the new ministers at Raj Bhavan in Ranchi. − The newly inducted ministers are Champai Soren, Simon Marandi, Hazi Hussan Ansari, Jaiprakash Bhai Patel (all JMM), Suresh Paswan (RJD) and Geetashree Oraon (Congress). With this expansion, the Chief Minister now has mine ministers in his council. As per the constitutional provision he can have a maximum of 12 ministers including himself.

• MAHARASHTRA disburse salary through Aadhaar linked bank accounts - Maharashtra on 7 August, 2013 became the first state in the country to disburse salary of its staff through their Aadhaar-linked bank accounts. The employees of the state government’s Information Technology (IT) department got their July 2013 salaries through their Aadhaar-linked bank accounts.

• UTTARAKHAND – The World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) agreed to provide USD 400 mn for reconstruction and rehabilitation in the disaster-hit areas in Uttarakhand. • MANIPUR – The state that observed ‘Patriots Day’ on 13 August to pay tribute to the warriors who fought with the British in the war of 1891.

• ANDHRA PRADESH – PACS in two districts of Andhra Pradesh to be linked with NCDEX – The warehouse of Primary Agriculture Co-operative Societies (PACS) in Mahabubnagar and Kurnool districts of Andhra Pradesh were linked with the National Commodity & Derivatives Exchange Limited (NCDEX) spot exchange on 5 August, 2013. − As a part of this initiative eight PACS had received the membership certification, which would help the farmers to sell their goods on exchange platform. − This is the first of its kind initiative in the country and was initiated by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD). ) NCDEX – is a nation-level, technology driven on-line commodity Exchange. NCDEX is a public limited company registered under The Companies Act, 1956 with the Registrar of Companies, Maharashtra in Mumbai on 23 April, 2003.

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• TAMIL NADU - Two projects of BHEL inaugurated in Tamil Nadu – Manmohan Singh, the Prime Minister of India on 2 August, 2013 inaugurated two projects of Bharat Heavy Electricals (BHEL) in Thirumayam at Puthukottai district of Tamil Nadu. The two projects are a High Pressure Boiler Plant Unit-II, a Greenfield Initiative and the Power Plant Piping Unit. The unit is spread over 40 acres of land. Its capacity is 80000 metric tonnes per annum. With the operationalisation of the two units, BHEL has achieved an annual manufacturing capacity of 20000 MW. • UTTAR PRADESH – Setting the stage for a confrontation with the Uttar Pradesh, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) inaugurated its controversial 84-kosi parikrama in Ayodhya amidst a massive crackdown launched by the administration, in which over 500 people were arrested. The state government had banned the Yatra, stating it would not allow setting any new tradition. The court rejected a plea to order the govt. to allow the Yatra saying there is no material showing that the parikrama proposed to be undertaken is a part of religious custom. No such direction can be issued as no right occurs. • HARYANA state decided to recruit 11,000 constables and 1,500 women police personnel. • MIZORAM – The state that is taking effective measures to tackle the Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS). • WEST BENGAL – Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha (GJMM) organises “Ghar Bhitra Janta” (People Inside Homes) agitation in hills of Darjeeling district to press their demand for a separate state of Gorkhaland. This was decided by the newly formed Gorkhaland Joint Action Committee comprising various outfits of hill-based parties. • MADHYA PRADESH will be the 4th state in India to offer cheaper aviation fuel in the country as the CM of the state Shivraj Singh Chouhan has announced to slash value added tax (VAT) on aviation turbine fuel (ATF) from 23 per cent to 5% in the state. • HIMACHAL PRADESH creates a National Record by organizing a Half-Marathon at high altitude Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh on 10 August 2013 created a national record by organizing a 21 kilometer long Half Marathon at the height of 10050 feet at Keylong. A total of 261 sportsmen from Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab and Army participated in the event. September–2013 • Gujarat – Bharat Nirman, a Public Information Campaign launched at Viramgam block of Ahmedabad District in Gujarat on September 23, 2013 to spread the information of Government flagship programmes like MGNREGA, NRHM etc. • Tamil Nadu – The government of Tamil Nadu decided to install the GPS-connected panic button in all the auto rickshaws in Chennai in order to regulate this mode of transport. • Madhya Pradesh government on 10 September, 2013 decided to constitute a State Disaster Emergency Response Force. This force will deal with any calamity in effective manner and provide immediate relief to affected persons. − The Cabinet decided to set-up Multi-purpose Krishi Sewa Kendras in two primary agriculture credit societies in every district to provide farm inputs to farmers, run PDS shops more effectively and forming single-point delivery system for procurement of foodgrains and other services. • Chhattisgarh – National Literacy Award – Chhattisgarh has bagged the National Literacy Award on September 8, 2013. This is for the first time that State has received awards in all the three categories – State, District and Panchayat. In the State category, Chhattisgarh got the award for successful implementation of ‘Sakshar Bharat Mission’ in 23 of 27 districts of the State.

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− The focus of Sakshar Bharat Mission programme is to educate illiterates between 15 and 35 years, especially women. Under the programme, students of Classes –X and XI, are motivated to impart education to illiterate children of tribal dominated areas of the State. ) Least Unemployment in Chhattisgarh – Labour Bureau under Ministry of Labour and Employment released data on annual unemployment rate on September 19, 2013. According to the report, Chhattisgarh has least unemployment rate while Sikkim has the maximum rate of unemployment. On all India level, male unemployment rate is 4% while female unemployment rate is 7.2%. • Asom – New Health Initiatives Launched – Union Health Minister of Health & Family Welfare Ghulam Nabi Azad launched various new health initiatives worth Rs.500 crore under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) in Asom at Guwahati on September 1, 2013. − The health initiatives were launched for the purpose of strengthening healthcare services in Asom. The new health initiatives include Free Generic Drug Service, Rashtriya Ball Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK), National Iron Plus Initiative, Fleet of 359 New Ambulances for National Ambulance Service. • Andhra Pradesh – The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on 20 September 2013 approved the setting up of Information Technology Investment Region (ITIR) near Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh. − The ITIR, spread over 50000 acres, with an investment potential of about 2.19 lakh crore Rupees in Information Technology and Electronic Hardware manufacturing over 25 years. • Maharashtra – Manodhairya Scheme Launched – The Maharashtra government will provide financial assistance to survivors of crimes like rape, acid attack and child sexual abuse, or their dependents. The scheme will come in effect from October 2, 2013. − The State Cabinet approved a scheme, Manodhairya (morale boost), under which rape and child sexual abuse survivors or their dependents will get Rs.2 lakh as compensation, which may be extended to a maximum of Rs.3 lakh in special cases. A committee under the Collector will be set-up in every district to monitor and implement the scheme across the State. • Kerala - The state where the ambitious ‘Zero Landless Project’, aimed to providing land to all landless people in the state by 2015, was launched recently. • Odisha – The state that emerged as the top investment destination in India during 2012-13 as per the latest data released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). • Tripura the most literate state in India – India’s northeastern state of Tripura achieved the first position in literacy with 94.65 per cent, beating Kerala (93.91%). Tripura jumped to first position from the 12th position in the 2001 census and the fourth position in the 2011 census. Over 8,254 voluntary literacy workers (VLW) have worked tremendously with full dedication under 8,152 adult literacy centres to make the leftover (131,634 people) unlettered people literate. ) The national literacy rate, according to the 2011 census, is 74.04 per cent. • Delhi tops per capita income – Delhi has the highest per capita income in the country. Its average per capita income, at more than Rs.2 lakh per year in 2012-13, is the highest in India as shown by the Delhi Human Development Report 2013 released by Vice President Hamid Ansari along with Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit recently. • Punjab government faces grim fiscal scenario with a cash-strapped SAD-BJP coalition delaying payment of salaries to its employees, VAT refunds to industries and clearing its fuel expense bills. The opposition party Congress has demanded imposition of financial emergency in the state. Punjab’s outstanding debt, including reserve funds, went up from Rs.55,982 cr in 2007-08 to Rs.1,02,282 cr (Budget Estimates) in 2013-14.

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• Sikkim – Air Connectivity to Sikkim by 2014: Sikkim will have air connectivity by December, 2014 when the construction of a green-field airport at an altitude of 4,700 feet will be completed. The airport, one of the five high altitude airports in India. October–2013 • TAMIL NADU - Fifth Edition of India international Regatta Competition – The Minister of Shipping G.K. Vasan inaugurated the fifth edition of the Indian International Regatta Competition in Chennai on 30 September 2013. The competition focuses sailing, which teaches the control of the boat depending upon the flow of the wind, the tide and the currents. It is notable that the sailors of the Tamil Nadu Sailing Association also won Gold in the team sailing championships in the “Sail the Gulf” event at Doha, Qatar in February 2013. • GUJARAT – Chief Minister Narendra Modi on 31 October 2013 laid the foundation stone of the Statue of Unity – a 182 metre tall statue (World’s largest statue) of iron man Sardar Vallabhai Patel on his 138th birth anniversary at Sardar Sarovar Dam site in Bharuch district in Gujarat. The Statue of Unity will be double of the height of the Statue of Liberty (93 metres) in the USA. − Sardar Vallabhai Patel National Museum is inaugurated – Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh on 29 October 2013 inaugurated the Sardar Vallabhai Patel National Museum at Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Eight feet tall statue of Sardar Patel along with Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru is the main attraction of this National museum.

• ANDHRA PRADESH – On 3rd October the Union Cabinet approves the blue print to carve India’s 29th States Telangana out of Andhra Pradesh. The development triggers a spate of resignations from the Union Council of Ministers. • HARYANA – First Food Bank Launched – Haryana launched its first food bank in order to give assistance to the different feeding programmes in Gurgaon as well as nearby areas. The food bank received support by global food major Cargill and India Food Banking Network (IFBN), which is initiated by Sam Pitroda, Advisor to Prime Minister on Public Information Infrastructure and Innovations. − Haryana recently adopted the National Food Security Ordinance in order to ensure that people have adequate quantity as well as quality of food at reasonable prices. − The new Gurgaon Food Bank targets sustained daily feeding of approximately 10000 beneficiaries by 2014 in the Gurgaon region. It is estimated that if replicated on a national level, this model will play a crucial role in eliminating the hunger completely from the country by the year 2020. • UTTARAKHAND - World Bank Approved $ 250-million Aid - The World Bank has approved $ 250 million assistance for Uttarakhand, which was hit hard by rains and landslides in June that killed 580 people, to help the State undertake rehabilitation work and strengthen its capacity for disaster management on October 26, 2013. India had sought assistance from multilateral agencies like the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for undertaking rehabilitation work in Uttarakhand. − Earlier, a joint World Bank and ADB team conducted a Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (RDNA) at the request of the Indian government to rebuild the State infrastructure and assets lost in the June disaster. It has estimated the physical damages across a range of sectors and calculated the cost of reconstruction of about $ 661 million. November–2013 • ARUNACHAL PRADESH – President Addresses the State Assembly: Underlining Arunachal Pradesh’s core role as an integral part of the northeast, President Pranab Mukherjee on November 29, 2013 said India’s destiny lay in linking itself more and more with its Asian partners for development. Outlining the “Look East” policy, the President said Arunachal Pradesh was a core stakeholder in making its neighbours partners in the country’s development. BANK-PO/CLERK EXAM CA/Aug2013-Jan2014/Page-29

• HARYANA - Gurgaon Rapid Metro inaugurated – India’s first fully privately funded Rapid Metro Gurgaon announced the start of its commercial operations from Gurgaon in Haryana on November 14, 2013. Rapid Metro Rail Gurgaon Limited is a metro system in the Indian city of Gurgaon, Haryana, linked with the Delhi Metro system’s Yellow Line. The first phase became operational and will cover a distance of 5.1 km. Two more phases are planned. − The Rapid Metro is private public partnership project between IL&FS Rail Limited and HUDA and was built at a cost of Rs.1100 crore. The drivers were trained by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation staff. Five fully automated trains with a frequency of 4 minutes will be running between the six stations (currently five stations) with each train carrying over 800 passengers on each trip. • TRIPURA – Tripura’s new central jail, said to be the most modern and spacious in the northeast, is inaugurated by Chief Minister Manik Sarkar at Bishalgarh, near Agartala. • WEST BENGAL – Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee launches a government-backed savings scheme to keep the common man off ponzi schemes. Safe Savings Scheme Launched The West Bengal government launched a small savings deposit scheme for the marginalized sections of the society to counter ponzi-schemes on November 6, 2013. − Under this scheme, a person can invest between Rs.1000 to Rs.1 lakh individually and up to Rs.5 lakh with family which will be managed by the West Bengal Financial Development Corporation (WBFDC) registered as a deposit-taking Non-Banking Finance Company (NBFC). − The West Bengal Financial Development Corporation would run the scheme through four Nationalised banks – State Bank of India, United Bank of India, UCO Bank and Allahabad bank. Other banks may join later. − The term of deposit would start from one year and would go up to five years. But people would be able to withdraw their money even after three months. The rate of interest would be the same as in banks. Citizens would deposit and withdraw their money through banks only. − A resolution congratulating cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, who recently retired after playing his 200th Test match, is adopted in the West Bengal Assembly. • BIHAR – The Bihar government announces that it would provide electricity free of cost in public areas during ‘Chhath Puja,’ the most important festival in the State. • ANDHRA PRADESH – Cyclone Lehar on 27 November 2013 hit the Andhra Pradesh coast and caused severe damage in the coastal region. The nine coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh are highly affected in the region and coastal area of Odisha also affected. After cyclone Phailin and cyclone Helen, this is the third severe cyclone within a month. Tropical cyclone Helen affected the same area of Andhra Pradesh with heavy rains and winds on 22 November 2013 killing 10 people. • UTTAR PRADESH – The Archaeological Survey of India unearths rare pieces of pottery dating back to the Kushan and Gupta periods at the dilapidated fort of Raja Ram Baksh Singh at Unnao in Uttar Pradesh. • MIZORAM – VVPAT to be Used for the First time With Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) being used on a large-scale for the first time in the country in the Mizoram Assembly elections (November 25), the Elections Commission is leaving no stone unturned to make it easily accessible to voters. The VVPATs are being used in only 10 assembly constituencies of Aizwal district of the total 40 Assembly segments. ) What is VVPAT? It is a machine attached to EVMS which allows voters to verify that their vote has been cast in the way they wished. As soon as the voter casts his vote, the VVPAT will show a small slip in a glass

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covered screen with the symbol and the candidate, he has voted for in a form of a small ballot paper, which after 3 to 4 seconds would automatically fall into an attached closed box. The VVPAT system was first experimented in the Noksen Assembly bypoll recently in Nagaland and Mizoram would be the first state where it would be introduced on a large scale. • ANDAMAN & NICOBAR ISLANDS – Incentives for investments – The Andaman & Nicobar Administration is committed to industrial development without disturbing the fragile ecology of the islands. To give a fillip to industrial growth in the Andamans, the A & N Administration has put in place a number of attractive incentives: à Investment Subsidy is available for Small & Medium Enterprises à 90% Freight Subsidy for transportation of raw materials and finished products à Developed industrial plot on nominal lease rent à Rs.75 lakh Grant covering 33.33% of the cost of Plant and Machinery and Technical Civil Works in the Food Processing Industry à Rs.50 lakh Grant in Aid covering 50% for procurement of new reefer vehicles/pre-cooling à Cold Chain facilities and 50% Grant in Aid to non-horticultural products up to Rs.5 crore per project à Rs.25 lakh Credit linked back ended Subsidy covering 25% for procurement/manufacturing of deep sea fishing vessels

à 15 lakh Credit linked back ended Subsidy covering 25% for establishment of ice plant/cold storage à 50% Subsidy covering Rs.3 lakh for open sea cage culture à Schemes are also available under NFDB and MPEDA for deep sea fishing vessels, ice plants, cold storage, retail & wholesale market, open sea cage culture, etc. • UTTARAKHAND – 14th foundation day of the state celebrated: The 14th Foundation Day of Uttarakhand on November 9, 2013 came with several pleasant announcements including government job to about 40,000 persons. Assembly Speaker Goving Singh Kunjwal performed ‘Bhumi Pujan’ for ‘the Vidhan Sabha complex at Bharirisen in Gairsen. December–2013 • ANDHRA PRADESH – Cabinet approves Telangana: The Union Cabinet on December 5, 2013 approved a Bill for creation of a Telangana State with 10 districts, paving the way for the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh to give birth to the country’s 29th State. − Though the idea of adding two districts of Rayalaseema to the new State was raised by at least two of the Ministers from the coastal districts, Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde apparently made it clear it was never under consideration. Highlights of the Bill: à Telangana will have 10 districts and the rest of Andhra Pradesh will have 13 districts à The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation area will remain the common capital for both States for a period not exceeding 10 years à An expert committee will identify an alternative capital for Telangana within 45 days of gazette notification à A joint public service commission will be in place for the two States à Both States will have special status under Article 371-D of the Constitution for equitable opportunities. à The Governor of Telangana will have a special responsibility for security of life, liberty and property of all those who reside in the common capital area. The Governor may be assisted by two Advisers, to be appointed by the United Government.

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) Pulichantala Project Dedicated to Nation - Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy dedicated to the nation the Pulichantala project (named after Dr.K.L.Rao) across the Krishna in Guntur on December 7, 2013. The inauguration of the project was a dream come true- for farmers of Krishna Delta system as it has been designed to stabilize 13.08 lakh acres of ayacut besides generating 120 MW of power in the hydel unit located in Vajinipalli village in Nalgonda district. ) At least 26 passengers are killed after a fire engulfs an AC coach of Bangalore – Nanded express train in Anantpur district of Andhra Pradesh. • SIKKIM – Air Connectivity to Sikkim by 2014: Sikkim will have air connectivity by December, 2013 when the construction of a green-field airport at an altitude of 4,700 feet will be completed. The airport, one of the five high altitude airports in India, is being constructed on 200 acres of land, around 30 km south of capital Gangtok. The airport, with 180-metre-long airstrip, will facilitate the flights of ATR-72 planes and include hangars for two small ATR aircraft. Presently, the nearest airport to Sikkim is located 124 kilometres away at Bagdogra in West Bengal. • JAMMU & KASHMIR - Jammu & Kashmir – Kashmir Gets a Ropeway - Twenty-five years after the authorities conceived the Kashmir Valley’s first ropeway and created the Jammu and Kashmir Cable Car Corporation (JKCCC) to boost tourism at Gulmarg, the State got its second tourist-carrier on December 23, 2013. Three Ministers of Omar Abdullah’s government – Ghulam Ahmed Mir, Mian Altaf Ahmad and Ali Mohammad Sagar – dedicated the 594-metre mono-cable ropeway to the residents of Srinagar. • MANIPUR – Sankirtana on UNESCO’s Intangible Heritage list – “Sankirtana: Ritual singing, drumming and dancing of Manipur” nominated from India is among the 14 elements inscribed on the Representative List of the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This was announced at the eighth session of the UNESCO, Intergovernmental Committee in Baku, Azerbaijan, held from December 2 to 7, 2013. • DELHI - The Aam Aadmi party (AAP) government announces a 50 per cent subsidy on power consumption up to 400 units on the existing Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) rates in Delhi. January–2014 • ASSAM – Assam Decided to follow ‘Chaibagaan Time’ – After 66 years of following the Indian Standard Time (IST), Assam has on 1st January decided to go back in time to follow ‘Chaibagaan time’, a daylight schedule British tea planters introduced more than 150 years ago. Chaibagaan or bagaan time was set one hour ahead of IST for tea estates, collieries and oil industry of Assam. − Demand for Heritage status for Junbeel Mela – The Assam government has requested UNESCO to declare the historic ‘Junbeel Mela’ a heritage festival and Morigaon district a heritage site. Chief Secretary Jitesh Khosla had written to UNESCO requesting it to accord special status to the Mela. • KERALA – Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Launched Total E-literacy Project implemented by PN Panicker Vigyan Vikas Kendra in Thiruvananthapuram on 4th January. This would act as the corner-stone of the Kerala model of development. The programme was aimed at achieving total e-literacy in the state in 33 months, marching from total literacy to complete literacy. − TCS to Set Up World’s Largest Corporate Learning Centre in Thiruvananthapuram – Prime Minister Manmohan Singh laid the foundation stone for Country’s largest software services firm Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) ‘Global Learning Centre’ in Thiruvananthapuram on 4th January. The company claims that it will be the world’s largest corporate learning and development centre.

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• GUJARAT – National average in fall in Maternal Mortality Rate – According to the Union Health Ministry latest data report released on 6th January, Gujarat has done a little worse than the national average when it comes to achieving decline in the Total Fertility Rate (TFR) and Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR). − CHHATTISGARH – Launched Toll Free Number 1100 For Graft Complaints – Chhattisgarh government has on 7th January launched a toll free helpline number 1100 where people could lodge graft-related complaints against the state government officials. The facility will help to provide better governance to the people. State wins Krishi Karman Award – Chhattisgarh created history in January 2014 by winning Krishi Karman Award for the second time. It has been adjudged the Best Performing State in price production. Chhattisgarh Government’s Initiatives for farmers: Best Management of complete FOOD-SUPPLY-CHAIN: From agriculture production, procurement to distribution Every single grain of paddy was procured. Record procurement of 71 lakh million tonnes in 2013. Hassle free cheque payment of Rs.43,000 crore to farmers for paddy procurement in last 10 years Loan provided to farmers on 1 percent interest Electrification of 3 lakh irrigation pumps 24×7×365 uninterrupted power supply to farmers 7,500 unit electricity free of cost to farmers Innovative Schemes for Drift and Lift Irrigation and Agriculture Extension Services • KARNATAKA – Becomes first state to provide Universal Health Coverage to its population. It achieved the distinction with the launch of Rajiv Arogya Yojana on 9th January 2014. • DELHI – Launched a Helpline to Curb Corruption – Delhi government on 10 January introduced 1031, an easy to remember anti-corruption helpline number replaced the eight-digit number (011- 27357169) launched on 8th January 2014. The service has been set up under the chief minister’s office and the cases will be passed on to the vigilance department. • BIHAR – Bihar town paints itself Green – A Bihar town Bhabua has painted itself green to match its verdant surroundings. The initiative to paint buildings in Bhabua town with green colour was taken during the 2013 Diwali and completed on January 14th, 2014, Kaimur District Magistrate Arvind Kumar Singh, the man behind the idea, said. • HARYANA – Jind and Karnal Included in the National Capital Region (NCR) – The National Capital Region got another expansion in its area as the two districts of Haryana State – Jind and Karnal have been included in the NCR zone of January 20th, 2014. Accepting the requests from the Haryana government, the National Capital Region Planning Board approved the inclusion of adjoining districts of Jind and Karnal in the NCR.

PLACE IN THE NEWS August–2013 • Paradip Port was conferred with the Major Port of the Year award for its excellent performance in the year 2012-13. • India’s Taj Mahal ranked among the top 3 landmarks in the world – TripAdvisor’s 2013 Travellers Choice Attractions Awards ranked India’s Taj Mahal among the top three landmarks in the world. The top two places were taken by Machu Picchu in Peru and Angkor Wat in Cambodia respectively.

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• Khagaria – A speeding express train ran over devotees waiting on tracks to stop it, leaving 35 persons dead and triggering angry protests by locals who attacked the train driver and set afire its coach besides engine of another train at Dhamara Ghat Station in Khagaria district in Bihar. The kanwarias (devotees of Lord Shiva) were on the tracks after lighting from the Samastipur-Saharsa passenger when they were run over by the Saharsa-Patna Rajyarani Express travelling at 80 kmph. The pilgrims were going to nearby Katyayani Sthan temple to offer Jalabhishek to Lord Shiva on the fourth and final Monday of the holy month of Shrawan when the mishap took place. September–2013 • Barmer (Rajasthan) – The UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi laid the foundation stone for HPCL Rajasthan Refinery and Petrochemical Complex at Pachpadra in Barmer district on September 22, 2013. • Kerala government laid the foundation stone of Bio 360, a Life Sciences Park. It was initiated by state owned Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation in the outskirts of Thiruvananthapuram. • Dr. Manmohan Singh launched the Gandhi Heritage Portal in New Delhi. The Gandhi Heritage Portal is set up to preserve, protect and disseminate original writings of Gandhiji. • Muzaffarnagar – The city in Uttar Pradesh was in centre of attention as clashes between members of two communities claimed more than 43 lives and forced thousands to vacate their homes. The army was deployed, which flag-marched in rural areas, and curfew was imposed in the city after the situation refused to come to normal. Several people, including political party members, have been arrested on charges of infuriating riots. − The Uttar Pradesh government has constituted a one-member judicial commission of Justice Vishnu Sahai to probe Muzaffarnagar violence, which has claimed over several lives. • Jal Satyagraha in Madhya Pradesh – The unique demonstration, which was first held in 2012, involves protestors immersing themselves in the backwaters of the River Narmada indefinitely as the residents of villages on the banks of Indira Sagar Dam say raising water levels above 260 metres would submerge their crops and homes. They are demanding a rehabilitation package similar to the one given to evacuees of the Omkareshwar dam in the State. The Madhya Pradesh govt enforced curfew at all venues of the Jal Satyagraha in an attempt to stop the protest. • Supreme Court cleared DFC through national park – The Supreme Court of India, on 30 August, 2013, cleared the Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) Project passing through Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP). With this clearance, the construction of Phase – II of DFC from Vadodara to JNPT has been cleared. October–2013 • Bheramara – India and Bangladesh on 5 October 2013 jointly inaugurated the India-Bangladesh Grid Inter-connection at Bheramara in Bangladesh. The joint venture was launched through video- conferencing from New Delhi. • Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai – The largest Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower of India was inaugurated outside the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai on 18 October 2013. The tallest ATC tower stands at the length of 84 metres or around 30 storey building. The tower was inaugurated by the Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh and Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan. • Kanhoji Angre – Union Tourism Minister K. Chiranjeevi revealed on 28 September 2013 that the Kanhoji Angre lighthouse off the Mumbai coast will be the new tourist attraction. The announcement was made in Mumbai by the Union Tourism Minister K. Chiranjeevi along with Minister of State for Shipping Milind Deora at the Port Trust Headquarters.

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• Ratangarh – Approximately, 60 people were feared killed and over 100 injured in a stampede on 13 October 2013 near a Mata temple at Ratangarh in Madhya Pradesh’s Datia District. The stampede was caused by rumours that the bridge they were crossing was about to collapse. • Saraikela Kharsawan (Jharkhand) – India’s second Indoor Archery stadium is going to set-up in saraikela Kharsawan district, Jharkhand. Currently, there is only one such stadium present in India which is located in Pune. The facilities of possessing indoor Archery stadiums are there with some of the selected nations such as Korea and China. • I am Malala: the Girl Who Stood Up for Education and was Shot by the Taliban - The autography of Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani schoolgirl who was shot by the Taliban for supporting girls’ education released on 8 October 2013 in London. • Nagpur – The first National Institute of Disaster Response (NIDR) will be set up on the outskirts of Kamptee in Nagpur district. The world-class facility would train future battalions of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), central and state forces and units from foreign countries. • Ancient Mummies Discovered from Lima Suburb – The archeologists in Peru discovered two mummies more than 1000 years old in the capital of Peru - Lima. • Centre Cleared Road Project Arunachal Pradesh – The Centre has cleared the 157 km Miao- Vijaynagar road project that will connect the remote Vijaynagar circle in Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh along the India-Myanmar border, 100km of it passing through the Namdapha National Park. Touted to be the longest road project under the Prime Minister’s Gram Sadak Yojana, it will have altogether 25 bridges along its stretch. • China Opens New Highway Near Arunachal Border – China on October 31, 2013 opened a new highway that links what the government has described as Tibet’s “last isolated country” – located near the border with Arunachal Pradesh – with the rest of the country and will now provide all- weather access to the strategically-important region. November–2013 • President Pranab Mukherjee inaugurates the 33rd India International Trade Fair at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi. India Trade Promotion Organisation chairperson and managing director Rita Menon announced that “Women Entrepreneurs” will be the theme of next edition of IITE. • The joint retreat ceremony of the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) starts on Petropole-Benapole, a stretch separating the two countries along West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district and Jessore district of Bangladesh. • The Southern Railway awards a consultancy project to the Indian Institute of Technology-Madras to assess the strength of Pamban Rail Bridge, India’s first cantilever bridge, completing 100 years on February 24, 2013. • To salute poet-philosopher Rabindranath Tagore on the centenary of his getting the Nobel Prize for literature, the Visva-Bharati University organizes an international seminar and an exhibition to climax the yearlong celebrations. • India’s second international standard multiuse Integrated Check Post (ICP) and the first along the Bangladesh border is opened to people at Akhaurah in Tripura. • Kannur – Union Minister for Rural Development Jairam Ramesh on 1 November 2013 declared Kannur in Kerala as the first zero-landless district in the country. Kannur District Authorities provided land to as many as 11118 beneficiaries, including 85 families belonging to the Scheduled Tribes category. The prestigious Zero Landless programme of the United Democratic Front was flagged off by Congress president Sonia Gandhi in October 2013. The Zero Landless programme envisages distribution of three cents of land each to 2,43,928 families identified across the State.

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• Nobel Memorial Wall unveiled at Rajiv Chowk Metro Station – Delhi Metro Rail Corporation and the Embassy of Sweden on 9 November 2013 jointly unveiled a Nobel Memorial Wall at Rajiv Chowk metro station, Delhi. The aim of exhibiting this wall is to spread awareness about all the Nobel Laureates of India, with a focus on Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore. • Sydney – The Regional Pravasi Bhartiya Divas was officially launched on 11 November 2013 in Sydney, Australia by New South Wales, Premier Barry O’Farrell and Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi. The 2013 convention is the first to be held in Australia, marking the contribution the overseas Indian community makes to the development of India. The convention’s objective is to link the vast Indian diaspora and other parts of the Asia-Pacific region with India. The 2013 Convention will be the seventh such conference held outside India. The Regional Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is organized by the High Commission of India and the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs. Participation in the convention is expected from all states and territories of Australia and from neighbouring countries, including Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, Fiji and the Pacific Islands. December–2013 • In the month of December 2013, A 1,400-year-old Buddhist temple, built during the Northern Qi Dynasty, has been discovered in north China’s Shanxi Province. • Jhajjar – The Union Cabinet on December 26, 2013 approved the proposal for setting up of National Cancer Institute at Jhajjar in Haryana. • Plastivision India 2013 - The 9th Plastivision India 2013, the international plastics exhibition, was organised from December 12 to December 16, 2013 in Gurgaon, Mumbai. January–2014 • Prime Minister Inaugurated New Terminal 2 at Mumbai Airport – Prime Minister Manmohan Singh inaugurated Terminal 2 (T2) of the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (CSIA) in Mumbai on 10th January. • North India’s Gorakhpur Railway Station Has World’s Longest Platform – A newly built railway platform in northern Uttar Pradesh state has entered the record books as the longest railway platform in the world. North Eastern Railways (NER) general manager K K Atal on 9th January unveiled the certificate from the Limca Book of Records to Platform No.1 of the Gorakhpur Railway Station. The platform was inaugurated on 6th October 2013 and measures 1,355.40 metres long. • Odisha’s Chilika Lagoon Named Destination Flyways By UNWTO – Chilika lagoon in Odisha was named Destination Flyways by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) on 21st January. The lagoon was named so for its sustainable and resilient destination for migratory birds. Chilika is the only site to be selected from Asia by the UNWTO and was included in a list of eight such sites. The Destination Flyways initiative of UNWTO aims at promotion of sustainable tourism. • Army Starts Raising ‘Strike Corps’ on LAC with China – Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on January 8th, 2014 was briefed on the operational readiness along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China, in the backdrop of the Army kicking off the raising of a new mountain strike corps to get ‘some offensive punch’ against the much larger People’s Liberation Army. • Jamila Bayaz, 50, colonel Jamila Bayaz created history on 14th January, 2014 when she became the first female chief of police of a district in Afghanistan. • Govt to set up National Cancer Institute at Jhajjar – The centre on 26th December, 2013 cleared a proposal for setting up of National Cancer Institute at the Jhajjar campus of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, at a cost of Rs.2035 crore. The cancer institute will be located in Badhsa village in Jhajjar of Haryana, near Delhi and will be completed in a period of 45 months.

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PERSONALITIES August–2013 • Edward Snowden – Russia on 1 August, 2013 granted one year asylum to Edward J. Snowden, the National Security Agency leaker. Snowden, who was staying at the Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport for more than a month, has shifted to an undisclosed location. − Earlier, the United States wanted Russia to hand over Snowden to it for facing the criminal charges that included espionage for disclosure of secret American internet and telephone surveillance programmes in June 2013. • Anil and Tina Ambani – The two Ambanis appeared separately before a Special Court hearing the 2G scam case. Earlier, the court dismissed their plea for providing relief from personal appearance in the 2G case, saying no prejudice would be caused to any accused by their deposition. • Satya Nadella – This Indian born tech tycoon is the frontrunner in the race to grab the chair that current CEO of Microsoft corp. Steve Ballmer, who has announced to vacate within 12 months. The search committee will soon start searching the replacement among internal and external candidates. • Martina Hingis – The legendary woman tennis player has been inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame recently. • Naina Lal Kidwai – The Indian head of HSBC also heads the industry chamber FICCI.

• Actor Milind Soman on August 20 launched a change campaign by Community Against Drunken driving. The campaign is a youth engagement programme to make people sensitive about the dangers of drunken driving. • McGrath’s Wax Statue Unveiled – Australian pace legend Glenn McGrath was on August 1, 2013 immortalised in wax with his lifesize statue becoming the newest addition to Madame Tussauds Museum in Sydney. September–2013 • Siddiqa Parveen – An Indian woman from south Dinajpur in West Bengal, Siddiqa Parveen, was declared the world’s tallest woman measuring 7 ft 8 inches. She received the title from the Guinness World Records. • Nina Davuluri – Indian-origin Nina Davuluri won Miss America title on September 16, 2013. She was initially named the Miss New York 2013. • Diana Nyad, 64, American long-distance swimmer, became the first person to cross Florida Straits from Cuba without any shark cage on September 2, 2013. • Indian American lawyer, Sunil R. Kulkarni, has become the first South Asian American state judge in Northern California with his appointment to Santa Clara County Superior Court on September 6, 2013. • Infosys’ highest paid Indian executive, Ashok Vemuri, has quit the company, leaving in his wake a number of high-level resignations at the software services exporter. Ashok Vemuri was appointed the President and CEO of the iGate Corporation on 11 September, 2013. • Deepak Sandhu took over as first woman Chief Information Commissioner of the country on 5 September, 2013. • Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani teen shot by the Taliban, and US intelligence leaker Edward Snowden were nominated for the European Parliament’s prestigious Sakharov human rights prize on 17 September 2013. • Rahul Dravid – The brand ambassador for the tobacco control programme.

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• Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari was given a ceremonial ‘Guard of Honour’ on his last day in office as he became the first democratically elected Head of State to complete five years term. • Saina Nehwal was awarded as the player of the Indian Badminton League 2013 tournament, because of her undefeated feat in the complete tournament. • Jhumpa Lahiri has been shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize 2013 for her book The Lowland. She has already won Pulitzer Prize for her book ‘The Interpreter of Maladies’. • Amitabh Bachchan - Bollywood actor and UNICEF (United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund) Goodwill Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan joined the UN and its humanitarian Partners to promote ‘The World Needs More’ global campaign on 23 August, 2013. • Rohan Kokane, a 12 year old Indian roller skating enthusiast, made it into the 2014 edition of the Guinness Book of World Records, released on 12 September, 2013. He is one of the youngest new record breakers to make it into the Guinness Book. • Indian Cricketer Virat Kohli has been appointed as first Brand Ambassador for the Border Security Force (BSF) on September 22, 2013. • Sreesanth, Chavan Banned for life – BCCI slapped life ban on former India pacer S. Sreesanth and Ankit Chavan, while handing out a five-year and one-year ban on Amit Singh and Siddarth Trivedi respectively for their involvement in match-fixing on September 13, 2013. The three-membered BCCI disciplinary committee comprised of N. Srinivasan, Arun Jaitley and Niranjan Shah. • Arjuna Award for 2013 will not be Conferred on Renjith Maheshwari – The Committee for selection of awardees for the Arjuna awards 2013, selected Renjith Maheshwari, athlete for conferment of the award in 2013. However, before the award could be given, the Ministry came across news reports that Maheshwari had been found guilty of a dope related offence. Maheshwari was awarded a punishment of a ban for three months. • Malala opens Europe’s largest library – Pakistan teenager Malala Yousefzai inaugurated Europe’s largest public library in her adopted home of Birmingham in central England. Opening the library, she said pens and books are the weapons to defeat terrorism. • The date on which Mother Teresa died and which has been marked by the United Nations as the International Day of Charity – 5th September October–2013 • Ali Zeidan, Prime Minister of Libya, was abducted by gunmen on 10 October 2013. They held him captive for several hours. Ali Zeidan was later rescued. The incident underscored the lawlessness gripping Libya two years after the ouster of autocrat Mohammad Gadhafi. • Ratan Tata, India’s leading industrialist was inducted into National Academy of Enginerring (NAE) in the US for his outstanding contributions to industrial development in India as well as the world. • Indian-American Emily Shah has won Miss New Jersey USA 2014 title following the footsteps of Nina Davuluri who was crowned Miss America recently. • Virat Kohli became fastest century scorer (in 52 balls) of India on 16 October 2013 in One day International (ODI) held at Jaipur. He was the 7th fastest century scorer in ODI in the world. He made the fastest century against Australia in Jaipur on 16 October 2013. • China-based Hurun Report Inc launched the inaugural Hurun India Philanthropy List 2013, with IT tycoon Azim Hashim Premji emerging as the most generous Indian with a donation of Rs.8000 crore in the past year.

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• Sania Mirza – Indian tennis Ace Sania Mirza came into the top 10 of the world women’s doubles by gaining two spots to ninth place in the latest WTA Team Rankings issued on 21 October 2013. Sania Mirza jumped from 11th spot to 9th spot. • Rafael Nadal – Spain’s Rafael Nadal on 14 October 2013 topped the ATP rankings for the first time in more than two years. Serbian Novak Djokovic finished second. • Australian Terry Walsh is named as the chief coach of the Indian Hockey team. • N. Srinivasan was permitted by the Supreme Court to take charge as President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). • Arjun Muralidharan – Multiple-time national champion swimmer Arjun Muralidharan has been handed a two-year ban by National Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel after testing positive for stimulant Methylhexaneamine during the All India Police Aquatics Championships in March. The Panel imposed a sanction of two-year ban on Muralidharan, starting October 25. He has won 15 national titles so far. He has also been the best swimmer in three consecutive Open National Championships from 2004-2007. • Saurav Ghoshal – Saurav Ghosal scripted history at the world squash championships as he became the first Indian to reach the quarterfinals of the mega event by victory over Henrik Mustronnen. He had made history last year by becoming the first Indian ever to make the last 16 of the world championship. • Rohit Sharma – India’s Rohit Sharma smashed a magnificant innings of 209 off 158 balls in their seventh one-day international with Australia, becoming only the third player to score a double- century in ODI cricket as India secured victory by 57 runs to win the series 3-2 on November 2, 2013 at Bangalore’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. • Sachin Tendulkar is voted as the greatest batsman of all-time, ahead of Don Bradman and Brain Lara, in an online poll conducted by the Telegraph, a British Newspaper. November–2013 • Chanda Kochhar – ICICI Bank managing director and chief executive officer Chanda Kochhar has been named as the most powerful businesswoman in India for the third consecutive year by Fortune magazine. Shikha Sharma of Axis Bank and Aruna Jayanthi of Capgemini India have taken the second and third place. • On 22nd November Bharat Ratna awardee Professor Chintamani Nagesa Ramchandra Rao becomes the first Indian to be elected as honorary foreign member of the Chinese Academy of Science. • Cricket icon and Bharat Ratna Awardee Sachin Tendulkar is named the regional brand ambassador by the UNICEF to promote its Total Sanitation Campaign in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal. • Virat Kohli – Indian Cricketer Virat became the fastest batsman to score 5000 runs in one-day internationals when he scored 86 against the West Indies in the first ODI in Kochi on November 21, 2013. • STAR Network, the media and entertainment firm owned by Rupert Murdoch, has roped in MS Dhoni as brand ambassador for its STAR Sports channels. • Megastar Amitabh Bachchan will deliver this year’s Penguin Lecture, which has featured some of the world’s most respected leaders, thinkers and writers. The six previous Penguin Annual Lectures have been delivered by journalist and writer Thomas Friedman in 2007, diplomat and writer Chris Patten in 2008, Nobel Prize-winning economist Amartya Sen in 2009, historian Ramachandra Guha in 2010, Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama in 2001, and former President APJ Abdul Kalam last year.

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• American author Richard Ford’s novel ‘Canada’ wins the Femina Prize for best foreign novel, one of France’s top literary awards. • Pakistani teenager Malala Yousafzai is selected for the GG2 Hammer Award. She is named as Britain’s most influential Asian. • ‘Missile Woman’ of India – Tessy Thomas, a scientist from DRDO, is a rare woman who has played a key role in the marking of its most potent long-range nuclear capable ballistic missile, the Agni-V, is now popularly known as ‘Missile Woman of India’. • Indian Student Kumar Uttam from IIT-Delhi has been chosen in Win Your Future Unlimited and he is among seven students selected worldwide. As a part of it he will get two weeks to study environment in Australia. • Arvind Kejriwal à Born in Hisar, Haryana, on August 16, 1968 à Studied mechanical engineering from IIT Kharagpur à Worked for Tatas from 1989 to 1992 à Joined Indian Revenue Service in 1995 à Rose to become joint commissioner, income tax à Married Sunita, also an IRS officer; have 2 kids à Formed Parivarthan in December 1999 to help citizen with IT, electricity and ration in Delhi à Won Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2006 à Quit revenue service in 2006 à Danated his award money to start NGO, Public Cause Research Foundation à Parivartan unearthed a ration card scam in 2008 à Launched Lokpal movement with Anna Hazare in 2011 à Aam Aadmi Party Launched in 2012 à His book on centralized governance Swaraj published in 2012 à Kejriwal is vegetarian, practice vipasana December–2013 • Devyani Khobragade – The Indian Foreign Service officer, Deputy Consul-General in New York, Devyani Khobragade was arrested on December 12, 2013 and later on released after paying a $250,000 person recognizance bond. She was forced to surrender all travel documents and submit to numerous restrictions on travel, contact with involved parties and employment change declarations. − The U.S. Department of Justice has pressed criminal charges against Ms. Khobragade specifically alleging that she caused “materially false and fraudulent documents” to be presented to authorities in her bid to get an Indian national, Sangeeta Richard, employed as a babysitter and housekeeper at her residence in Manhattan in 2012. − She is also banned from sponsoring any further visas, cannot have any contact with Ms.Richard. − The Government of India on December 18, 2013 transferred Devyani to India’s Permanent Mission in United Nations. • Abdul Basit is new Pakistani Envoy To India – Pakistan has on 19 December appointed career diplomat Abdul Basit as new High Commissioner to India. The government initially zeroed in on Syed Ibne Abbas as the new envoy to New Delhi but changed its decision as officials felt he was too junior for the crucial posting. • Romanian actor Radhu Belgian is declared the world’s oldest active actor at the age of 95 by the Guinness Book of World Records.

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• Tennis champions Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams are named sportsman and sportswoman of the year 2013 by French sports daily L’Equipe. • Indian football captain Sunil Chhetri on 20 December was named the 2013AIFF Player of the Year. The announcement was made by All India Football Federation (AIFF). • Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was adjudged the winner of ‘Polly Umrigar Award’, for being India’s best international cricketer of 2012-13, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced on 26 December. • Bea Rose Santiago from Philippines has been crowned the Miss International 2013 in Tokyo on 17 December. • Aam Aadmi Party’s impressive debut in the Delhi elections has earned party founder Arvind Kejriwal a place on Foreign Policy magazine’s list of 100 global thinkers “for leading a campaign to clean up India’s capital”. • Gopal Kharvi, a 37-year-old fisherman from Kodikanyana village in Udupi district, creates a Guinness World Record by swimming the farthest distance “wearing handcuffs and leg irons.” • The Guardian’s “Person of the year” for 2013 is Edward Snowden, the former National Security Agency (NSA) contractor-turned whistleblower. • Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram, while speaking at the Delhi Economic Conclave 2013on ‘The Agenda for the Next Five Years’, says that the Government will not turn back from the path of fiscal discipline. • The International Cricket Council inducts Australia’s legendary wicketkeeper–batsman Adam Gilchrist into its Hall of Fame during the third Ashes Test in Perth. • Andy Murray, the first British tennis player to win the Wimbledon in 77 years, is crowned BBC Sports Personality of the Year, due to his landmark victory against Novak Djokovic in July 2013. The surprise runner-up was Wales and Lions rugby star Leigh Halfpenny. • Anju Bobby George is upgraded to gold status in the 2005 World Athletics Final in Monte Carlo following the disqualification of Tatyana Kotova of Russia by the International Association of Athletics Federations, following the recent re-testing of the later’s sample collected at the 2005 World Championship in Helsinki. • Zaheer Khan - Indian pacer Zaheer Khan got his 300th Test wicket when he dismissed Jacques Kallis in the first Test at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesbug on December 22, 2013. He is the fourth Indian bowler and 27th overall to reach the mark. • Highest Earner Sports Persons - American golfer Tiger Woods is the highest earner according to the Forbes annual sporting survey of 2013, published in December 2013. 1. Tiger Woods (USA, Golf): Total earnings $ 78 million. 2. Roger Federer (Switzerland, Tennis): Total earnings $ 72 million January–2014 • Corey Anderson Sets World Record For Fastest ODI Century – New Zealand batsman Corey Anderson has made world record by his name by blasted the fastest century in One Day International. History was created at Queenstown Events ground against West Indies on 1st January. • Indian Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni on 19th January became the first Indian wicketkeeper and the fourth overall to effect 300 dismissals in one day internationals when he caught a Ross Taylor nick in the opening ODI against New Zealand in Napier. • Aitzaz Hassan, a Pakistani schoolboy, had sacrificed his life to save hundreds of his classmates by tackling a suicide bomber recently.

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• Aditya Joshi – Madhya Pradesh’s Aditya Joshi on 2nd January, 2014 became the first male junior badminton player from India to be ranked world No.1. • Jacques Kallis on 30th December, 2013 ended his Test career a winner as South Africa beat India by 10 wickets to take the best-of-two series 1-0 in Durban. During his innings, Kallis also became the third highest run scorer in the history of the game after Sachin Tendulkar (15,921) and Ricky Ponting (13,378), finishing with 13,289 runs – ahead of Rahul Dravid (13,288). • Tyler Armstrong – a 9-year-old boy from Southern California on 24 December, 2013 became the youngest person in recorded history to reach the summit of Argentina’s Aconcagua Mountain, which at 22,841 feet (6,962 metres) is the tallest peak in the Western and Southern hemispheres. • Zaheer Khan – On 22nd December, 2013 became the fourth Indian bowler to claim 300 wickets in Test cricket. He has now joined Kapil Dev (434), Anil Kumble (619) and Harbhajan Singh (413) in the elite list. • Mukul Sangma – The Supreme Court (SC) of India on 20 January 2014 directed the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) to verify the authenticity of ST status of Mukul Sangma, the Chief Minister of Meghalaya. • Lewis Clarke, 16 years old became the youngest person to trek to the South Pole on 18th January, 2014.

DEFENCE AND NATIONAL SECURITY August–2013 • Submarine INS Sindhurakshak damaged in a fire incident – A major fire broke out on board INS Sindhurakshak at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai on 14 August, 2013. An explosion on board damaged the submarine. The fire was doused in time and prevented from spreading to other vessels docked in the vicinity. • India launched Aircraft Carrier INS Vikrant – India on 12 August, 2013 launched its first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, joining the elite club of nations with the capability of designing and building a warship of this size and capability. Defence minister A.K.Antony’s wife Elizabeth launched the 37,500-tonne carrier at Kochi shipyard almost four-and-a-half years after its keel was laid by the minister. • India successfully test-fired Prithvi-II Missile – India on 12 August, 2013 successfully test-fired indigenously-developed nuclear-capable surface-to-surface Prithvi-II missile from a military base in Odisha. The ballistic missile with a range of 350 km was fired from launch complex number three of the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur-on-sea Balasore off Odisha coast. Prithvi-II is already inducted into the Indian Armed forces. • Nuclear reactor of INS Arihant activated – In a major step towards completing its nuclear traid, India on 10 August, 2013 activated the atomic reactor on-board the indigenous nuclear submarine INS Arihant paving the way for its operational deployment by the Navy. Nuclear traid is the ability to fire nuclear-tipped missiles from land, air and sea. With this success, India became a member of the exclusive club of countries that have built their own nuclear powered submarines. • India successfully test-fired Pinaka – India on 7 August, 2013 successfully test-fired two rounds of indigenously developed Pinaka rockets from a multi-barrel rocket launcher (MBRL) from a base at Chandipur-on-sea near Balasore, off the Odisha coast. • 5 Indian soldiers killed on LOC – A group of militants from Pakistan with Pakistani soldiers killed five Indian soldiers in an ambush along the disputed border in Kashmir on 6 August, 2013. • The Philippines military has launched an offensive against a Muslim rebel group Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement active in that country. BANK-PO/CLERK EXAM CA/Aug2013-Jan2014/Page-42

• GSAT-7, the first Indian exclusive defence satellite was successfully launched on August 29, 2013 by the European space consortium Arianespace’s Ariane 5 Rocket from the Kourou Spaceport of French Guiana. About GSAT-7 à It is an advanced communication satellite that will help by providing low bit rate voice to high bit rate data communication. à Payload of the GSAT-7 is designed to provide communication capabilities to users in distant oceanic regions. Its solar arrays generate 2900 W of electrical power. September–2013 • India suggested Myanmar to set-up a Joint Border Working Group (JBWG) to address the border issues between the two countries. The decision was taken following the attempt of construction of a defence post near an undermarcated border pillar by Myanmar’s Army. • China and Pakistan held joint air exercise – The China and Pakistan Air Forces on 2 September, 2013 started a joint exercise in China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, a region bordering Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The exercise, code-named Shaheen (Eagle 2) ended on 22 September. • Indian Navy and Royal Omani Navy Conduct Exercise: Naseem Al Bahr”- the 9th edition of biennial naval exercise between Indian Navy and Royal Omani Navy kicked off in Oman in September 2013. • U.S. Air Force Converts F-16 into Drone – The U.S. Air Force has test flown an F-16 fighter jet without a pilot on board for- the first time, in a sign of the military’s increasing reliance on drones. • India’s first defence satellite launched – GSAT-7, the first exclusive defence satellite of India, was successfully launched on 29 August, 2013 by the European space consortium Arianespace’s Ariane 5 Rocket from the Kourou Spaceport of French Guiana. • INS Vikramaditya finishes trials – The INS Vikramaditya has finally completed its extensive sea trials in Russia after a long-running saga of hard-nosed negotiations since the late 1990s, cost escalations, refit delays and mishaps. • C-17 Globemaster III Aircraft inducted in Air Force – Union defence Minister A.K. Antony on 2 September, 2013 formally inducted IAF’s biggest 70-tonne heavy-lift transport aircraft C-17 Globemaster III into service at the Hindon Air Base near Delhi. The C-17, with a capability to carry around 80 tonnes of load and around 150 fully geared troops, will replace the Russian IL-76 as the biggest aircraft in the IAF inventory till now. • Agni-V Test-fired Sucessfully – India successfully test-fired Agni-V from Wheeler Island off the Odisha coast on September 15, 2013. The ballistic missile is capable of delivering a nuclear warhead with high precision within a strike range of 5000 km. • First Hawk MK-132 Advanced Jet Trainer Aircraft Delivered to Indian Navy – Hindustan Aeronautics Limited on 23 September 2013 delivered the first Hawk MK-132 advanced jet trainer aircraft to the Indian Navy in Bangalore. • Arm Acquisition Projects got Nod – The defence Ministry cleared several arms acquisition projects worth almost Rs.15000 crore for the armed forces, which included six more American C-130J “Super Hercules” aircraft, 236 Russian T-90S main-battle tanks and 4400 new light-machine guns (LMGs) on September 13, 2013. − The projects were cleared in a meeting of the Defence Acquisitions Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister A.K. Antony. The C-130J deal is among the four major Indian deals worth around $ billion that the US is all set to clinch within this financial year.

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• Second ADMM Plus Meeting – The second ADMM (ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting) Plus meeting was held in Brunei on August 29, 2013. The Ministers issued a joint Declaration at the end of the meeting in which it has been decided that the ADMM Plus countries will establish practical measures that reduce vulnerability to miscalculation and avoid misunderstanding and undesirable incidents at sea. • The country that launched its first indigenously developed modern military attack helicopter named WZ-10 recently – China • Indian Navy gets Hawk Trainer from HAL – State-run defence behemoth Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) handed over the first naval variant of the advanced jet trainer (AJT) Hawk Mk-132 to the Indian Navy on September 23, 2013. October–2013 • India develops surface-to-surface missile Pragati – India developed a new tactical surface-to- surface missile Pragati which has a range between 60-170km. The missile is on offer to India’s friendly countries. The Pragati missile is based on the Prahaar missile and it has been developed by the DRDO for the Army. It was put on display at a defence exhibition at the Seoul International Aerospace and Defence Exhibition (ADEX 2013). • India successfully test-fires Nuclear Capable Prithvi-II missile- India on 7 October 2013 successfully test-fired it’s indigenously developed nuclear-capable Prithvi-II missile with a strike range of 350 km from Chandipur Integrated test range in Odisha. − For the second consecutive day, Prithvi-II missile was successfully test-fired by personnel of the Strategic Forces Command (SFC) on October 8, 2013 from Launch Complex-III of the Chandipur test range in Odisha. − On October 8, 2013 the single-stage liquid-propelled rocket was test-fired for a range of 325 km by a missile regiment unit of the SFC. The entire exercise was monitored by scientists of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). • INS Sunayna is Commissioned into Indian Navy – The Indian Navy on 15th October 2013 inducted into service its largest off-shore patrol vessel (OPV), INS Sunayna, at the Southern Naval Command. The ship was designed and built by the public sector Goa Shipyard. • On 19th October India – Russia joint military exercise ‘INDRA 2013’ begins at the Mahajan field firing range near the India-Pakistan border in the Thar Desert. • Territorial Army celebrated its 64th Anniversary at the Army parade ground at New Delhi. November–2013 • Hand in Hand Military Exercise: India and China resumed joint military exercises after a gap of five years on November 5, 2013. The 10-day anti-terrorism joint military exercise code named “Hand in Hand” at a designated area close to Chengdu city. • India successfully testfires nuclear weapons capable, surface-to-surface Agni-1 missile for its full range of 700 km from Wheeler Island, off the Odisha coast on 8th November. • INS Vikramaditya, the refurbished Soviet-era air-craft carrier Admiral Gorshkov was inducted into the India Navy at the northern Russian shipyard of Sevmash, at Severodvinsk on November 16, 2013. • Brahmos Supersonic Cruise Missile – Test-fired Successfully - On 18th November the Army successfully test-fires an advanced version of the 290-km BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, which destroys a hardened target in the Pokhran firing range in Rajasthan. • Malabar Exercise – India and the United States conducted a joint naval exercise code named ‘Malabar Exercise’ from November 7 to 11, 2013 in the Bay of Bengal.

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• Dhanush Missile Soars Successfully – The Strategic Forces Command (SFC) of the armed forces on November 23, 2013 test-fired a Dhanush missile from a warship off the eastern coast. − Dhanush is the naval version of surface-to-surface missile Prithvi, which can carry nuclear warheads. Dhanush can cover a distance of 250 km and carry a 500-kg payload. While Prithvi-I has been phased out, Prithvi-II and Dhanush have been inducted into the armed forces. Prithvi-II can also carry nuclear warheads. All these missile are produced by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). • Indian Navy Inducted Advanced Jet Trainer – Indian Navy inducted the fouth generation advanced jet trainer aircraft ‘Hawk 132’ on November 7, 2013 which has led to a jump in the operational versatility. Hawk 132 was inducted into the Navy at a ceremony held at the Naval Air Station INS Dega at Vishakhapatnam. − The aircraft was built by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) with Transfer of Technology from M/s British Aerospace, UK. − Four aircrafts have been delivered to the Navy, marking the beginning of seventeen such fighter trainers to be acquired over the next few years. − Hawk 132’ is a proven aircraft operating with over 24 nations around the world. The Indian Air Force is also operating these aircraft or training of their pilots. • Nasr Missile Test-fired Successfully – Pakistan successfully test-fired Hatf IX (Nasr) missile, a

short range surface to surface missile that has a range of 60 km on November 5, 2013. • Indian Navy Commissioned First Advanced Light Helicopter Squadron – The Indian Navy’s first Advance Light Helicopter (ALH) or Dhruv Squadron was commissioned at Kochi on November 12, 2013. − Dhruv is the first indigenously designed and manufactured helicopter at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and with its multi role capabilities has proven her mettle in all the three services of the Armed Forces, Indian Coast Guard, Border Security Force and in the inventory of foreign countries. − The plaque unveiled squadron’s name ‘Indian Naval Air Squadron (INAS) 322’. The Dhruv helicopters are being operational at INAS-Garuda, the Naval Air Station at Kochi since March, 2002 and being used for missions including rescue operations. It has proven her mettle in many rescue operations during the last nine years. Dhruv is one among the few helicopters in the world, which is capable of night search and rescue operations over the sea. • Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral D.K. Joshi, announces that India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, being built at the Cochin Shipyard Limited and formally launched in August 2013, will be commissioned by 2017. • Boeing delivers second P-81 Aircraft to India – Boeing on 15 November 2012 delivered its second P-81 aircraft to Indian Navy at the INS Rajali Air Base in Arakkonam, Tamil Nadu. This will boost up the long-range maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare capabilities of the Indian Navy. • Sukhoi 30 to be platform for supersonic BrahMos missiles – Sukhoi-30 fighter jet on 21 November 2013 has been selected as the platform to mount the supersonic BrahMos missiles by the Indian Air Force. The first test launch will be carried out by the end of 2014. − The air version of the BrahMos missile is ready by testing; simulations and aircraft modifications will take about a year. − Thus the final flight with the missile will be done only at the end of 2014. This is the only supersonic cruise missile platform in the world with abilities to travel at the supersonic speed and it can also be launched from both the sea and land. − The BrahMos missile was jointly developed by the Indian and Russian Army in early 2000s and has since been inducted by the Army and the Navy. BANK-PO/CLERK EXAM CA/Aug2013-Jan2014/Page-45

December–2013 • India Successfully Test Fired Nuclear Capable ‘Prithvi – 2’ Missile – India on 3 December successfully test fired its surface to surface ballistic missile Prithvi-II from Chandipur in the Balasore district of Odisha. The test which is a part of the user training exercise of the Indian Army and it was conducted from launch complex 3 of the ITR in Chandipur along the Odisha coast as part of a user trial by defence forces. The last user trial of Prithvi-II was successfully carried out from the same base on 7th and 8th October 2013. • India Successfully Test Fires Nuclear Capable Agni-III Missile – India on 23 December successfully test-fired its nuclear-capable Agni-III ballistic missile with a strike range of more than 3,000 km as part of a user trial by the Army from Wheeler Island off Odisha coast. The test fire of the surface-to-surface missile was conducted by Strategic Forces Command (SFC) of the Indian Army with the logistic support from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The Agni-III missile is powered by a two-stage solid propellant system. • MiG-21 FL Leaves Behind Chequered History with IAF – MiG 21 FL, India’s first generation supersonic jet fighters are all set to be decommissioned on 11 December after being in service for 50 years. One of the first variants of the MiG 21 combat aircraft, had dealt severe blows to Pakistan Air Force in the 1971 war. The aircraft will undertake its last ceremonial flight at a phasing out ceremony at the Air Force station in Kalaikunda, West Bengal, in the presence of Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne, Chief of the Air Staff. The aircraft were also fielded in the Kargil war. The versatility of all the MiG-21 variants have immensely shaped the IAF operations philosophy for decades. • India Donates Second ALH to Maldives – India on December 14, 2013 donated a second naval Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), Dhruv, the Maldives in a gesture that was described by Maldivian Minister for Defence Mohamed Nazim as “paving the way for further strengthening of ties between both countries.” − A brand new, Mark-III (the latest) variant of the India-made multi-role helicopter in Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) colours was unveiled at a simple ceremony at Naval Air Base Kochi. • TEJAS GETS IOC – The Defence Minister of India AK Antony on December 20, 2013 handed over the Release to Service Certificate of the indigenously developed Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas to the Chief of Air Staff. Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne at the HAL airport in Bangalore. − The Defence Minister granted the Initial Operational Clearance-II to the LCA MK-1, which has been designed and produced by the Aeronautical Development Agency, along with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. • India – Japan Bilateral Maritime Exercise ‘JIMEX – 13’ Concluded – The Indian Navy and the Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force (MSDF) bilateral maritime exercise named ‘JIMEX – 13’ (Japan India Maritime Exercise) was held in waters off the Indian coast in the Bay of Bengal from 19 – 22 December 2013. The exercise is focused primarily on security in sea lanes and enhancing interoperability in antipiracy operations. It may be recalled that India and Japan agreed upon conduct of bilateral naval exercises during Defence Minister AK Antony’s visit to Japan in November 2011. The first bilateral maritime exercise between India and Japan ‘JIMEX 12’ was conducted off the coast of Tokyo (Japan) in January 2012. • India and United States Signed A Deal For Six C-130J Super Hercules – India has signed a Rs.4,000 crore deal with the US for procuring six more C-130J Super Hercules Special Operations aircraft for the Indian Air Force. The two sides signed the deal on 27 December under which the US Air Force will supply the aircraft to the IAF through the Foreign Military Sales route. The IAF already has a fleet of six similar planes which are deployed at the Hindon air base near here and the force uses it for carrying out special operations including landing on inhospitable air strips in the Ladakh area. The IAF had acquired the first lot of six aircraft at a cost of around Rs.5,500 crore.

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• Pinaka Rockets Successfully Test Fired – India’s indigenously developed Pinaka rockets were successfully test-fired on 19 December from a multi-barrel rocket launcher (MBRL) from a base at Chandipur-on-sea near Balasore, Off the Odisha coast. Pinaka is a multi-barrel rocket launcher (MBRL). January–2014 • India-Japan Coast Guard Joint Exercise Held Off Kochi – India and Japan Coast Guard 13th edition of the bilateral Joint exercise titled “Sahayog-Kaijin 2014” was held approximately at 20 nautical miles off Kochi on 14 January. The Japan Coast Guard Ship Mizuho and its integral helicopter, Indian Coast Guard Ship Samrat, Chetak helicopter, Dornier aircraft, and Coast Guard participated in the exercises. • India Successfully Test Fired Nuclear Capable ‘Prithvi-II missile – India on 7th January successfully test-fired its indigenously developed nuclear capable surface to surface Prithvi-II missile, which is capable of carrying 500 kg to 1,000 kg of warheads and has a strike range of 350 km, from a test range at Chandipur near Balasore (Odisha). • India Successfully Test Fired Agni-IV Missile – India successfully test-fired Agni-IV, a nuclear capable surface-to-surface strategic missile with a range of about 4,000 km, from Wheeler Island off the Odisha Coast on 20 January. It is the fourth missile in the series of Agni missiles. This was the third successful test for Agni-IV, following the test-fires on 15 November 2011 and 19 September

2012. • DRDO Launches High Performance Computing System ‘Dhruva-3’ – Dhruva – 3 was inaugurated by Avinash Chander, DG DRDO and Scientific Adviser to the Defence Minister at Advanced Numerical Research and Analysis Group (ANURAG) in Hyderabad on 25th January. Dhruva-3 an indigenous High Performance Computing System was designed to solve critical Defence Research and Development applications by Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO). • Indian Coast Guard Ship Abhinav was commissioned in Kochi on 15th January, 2014 by the Director General of Coast Guard Vice Admiral Anurag G. Thapiyal.

COMMITTEES/COMMISSIONS August–2013 • Committee to assess status of Scheduled Tribes – Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on 17 August, 2013 set up High Level Committee to assess the status of Scheduled Tribes (STs) to ensure their upliftment, particularly in socio-economic, health and education fields. − Prof. Virginius Xaxa was appointed the chairman of the seven-member committee. The committee will submit its report within nine months. The Committee will prepare a report on the overall socio-economic, health and educational status of the tribal communities of the country. • Union Cabinet approved setting up of Tax Administration Reform Commission – The Union Cabinet on 13 August, 2013 approved the proposal for setting up of the Tax Administration Reform Commission (TARC) to remove ambiguity and establish a stable and non-adversarial tax administration. − The Commission will review the application of tax policies and tax laws in India in the context of global best practices and recommend measures to strengthen the capacity of the tax system in India that would reflect best global practices. The Commission will help in removing ambiguity in application of tax policy and tax laws, thereby establishing a stable tax regime and a non- adversarial tax administration. Chairman: Parthasarathy Shome Full time members: Y.G. Parande and Sunita Kaila Part-time members: M.K.Zutshi, S.S.N. Moorhty, M.R.Diwakar and S.Mahalingam

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September–2013 • The Jammu & Kashmir government appointed a one-man commission of inquiry headed by Justice (retired) R.C. Gandhi. J & K High court to probe the Kishtwar communal clashes. • Committee to revise Monetary Policy Framework – Reserve Bank of India on 12 September, 2013 constituted an expert committee for examining its current Monetary Policy Framework. The committee would be responsible to recommend the measures to revise and strengthen the Monetary Policy Framework, by making it transparent and predictable. − Dr. Urjit Patel, Deputy Governor of Reserve Bank of India, as the Chairman of the committee. • Drop Retrospective Changes to Tax Law – Government appointed panel headed by former SEBI Chairman M. Damodaran has suggested that the finance ministry should do away with restropective amendments to tax laws on September 14, 2013. The practice has faced intense criticism after the Centre used the tool to overturn a Supreme Court ruling in the Rs.13000 crore Vodafone dispute. Retrospective taxation has the undesirable effect of creating major uncertainties in the business environment and constituting a significant disincentive for persons wishing to do business in India. • Nachiket Committee – The Reserve Bank of India has set up a committee on comprehensive financial services for small businesses and low-income households. The committee will be headed by Nachiket Mor, member on the Central Board of Directors, Reserve Bank of India. − The committee has been asked to come out with a set of design principles that will guide the development of institutional frameworks, and regulation for achieving financial inclusion and financial deepening. • Damodaran Committee Recommendations – The RBI had decided to constitute a Committee under the chairmanship of M. Damodaran, former Chairman of SEBI, to look into banking services rendered to retail and small customers, including pensioners and also to look into the system of grievance redressal. Recommendations of the committee à A guaranteed payment up to Rs.5 lakh (raised from Rs.1 lakh) under deposit insurance to an account holder if a bank fails à No liability on customer for losses in ATM and online transactions à Instant blocking of ATM card through SMS for lost/misused cards à Transition to chip-based card with a photograph à Automatic update of senior-citizen status in core banking solution branch à Pensioners to be allowed to submit life certificate in any bank branch. à A common toll-free number for all banks, like 100 for polices. à A third-party Know Your Customer data bank à A detailed break-up of service charges for basic services à Small remittances at reasonable price à Compensation for delayed return or loss of title deeds in the custody of banks à Plain vanilla savings account without a minimum balance requirement à Prepaid instruments worth up to Rs.50,000 for frequent travelers. à A chief customer service officer for grievance redressal in every bank October–2013 • Parikh Committee Report – The Kirit Parikh Committee, in its report submitted to Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Veerappa Moily on October 30, 2013, has recommended a price increase of Rs.5 per litre in diesel, Rs.4 per litre in kerosene, and Rs.250 in LPG cylinder with immediate effect. It has also recommended that the subsidized LPG cylinders be reduced from the present nine to six cylinders per annum to each household. It has pitched for capping the subsidy on diesel at Rs.6 per litre. At the same time, it has called for the elimination of subsidy on diesel within one year, which could save the exchequer Rs.72,000 crore in fuel subsidy. BANK-PO/CLERK EXAM CA/Aug2013-Jan2014/Page-48

• Committee to Study Degradation Caused by Hydroelectric Projects – The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) constituted an expert committee on October 15, 2013 to study whether the environmental degradation caused by hydro-electric projects on Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers led to Uttarakhand floods. The expert committee will be headed by Professor. Ravi Chopra, Director of People’s Science Institute, Dehradun. The committee consists 17 members. The term of reference of the Expert Committee are à The committee will examine the extent to which the projects were responsible for the Uttarakhand floods. à Committee will also examine the impact of the proposed 24 hydro power projects on the biodiversity of the region and look into the degradation caused by functioning as well as on- going hydro-projects. à The committee will also draft a Himalayan Policy for Uttarakhand keeping in mind the unique ecological, social, and cultural characteristics of the State and suggest environment friendly development activities.

November–2013 • SC Sets-up Gender Panel – The Supreme Court set up its Gender Sensitisation and Internal Complaints Committee (GSICC) days after a young law intern accused a former judge of sexual harassment on November 26, 2013.

− Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai will head the committee which will have nine other members, including another judge Justice Madan B Lokur and four lawyers. The formation of the committee was delayed for over a month as the Supreme Court (SC) Bar Association and SC Clerks Association failed to submit their nominations. − The committee in its present form could be attributed to a PIL by a group of women advocates contending that there was no panel in the apex court to deal with sexual harassment complaints as per the Vishakha judgement guidelines. − Subsequently, the Gender Sensitisation and Sexual Harassment of Women at the Supreme Court of India (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Regulations, 2013 were notified and the chief justice constituted the committee. December–2013 • Justice Sodhi Committee On Insider Trading Regulations Submit Report To SEBI – The High Level Committee to Review the SEBI (Prohibition of Insider Trading) Regulations, 1992 constituted under the Chairmanship of Justice N.K. Sodhi, former chief justice of Karnataka and Kerala High Courts and former presiding officer of the Securities Appellate Tribunal, submitted its report to SEBI Chairman, Shri U.K. Sinha, on 7 December. The Committee has made a range of recommendations to the legal framework for prohibition of insider trading in India and has focused on making this area of regulation more predictable, precise and clear by suggesting a combination of principles-based regulations and rules that are backed by principles. • Shah Commission Report On Illegal Mining – Ninety-four of the 192 iron ore mining leases in Odisha do not have the mandatory environmental clearances. And of the 96 that have them, 75 have mined far beyond their permitted levels over the past several years, says the Justice M.B. Shah Commission report. • Bank Accounts To All By 2016 – A committee on comprehensive financial services for small businesses and low-income households, set up by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), has suggested that each low-income household and small business should be provided with convenient access to formally regulate lenders who have the ability to assess and meet their credit needs and offer a full- range of suitable credit products at an affordable price. − The committee, headed by Nachiket Mor, Central Board Member of the RBI, submitted its report on January 7, 2014. The committee has set January 1, 2016, as the deadline for achieving this. BANK-PO/CLERK EXAM CA/Aug2013-Jan2014/Page-49

− Priority sector lending – On priority sector, the committee recommended adjusted priority sector lending target of 50 per cent against the current requirement of 40 per cent with sectoral and regional weightage based on the level of difficulty in lending. It also recommended risks and liquidity transfers through markets. “In view of the fact that banks may choose to focus their priority sector strategies on different customer segments and asset classes, “ the committee recommended the regulator to provide specific guidance on differential provisioning norms at the level of each asset class. • Committee Recommends Amendments To the RBI ACT – A Committee on Financial Benchmarks, headed by Reserve Bank of India Executive Director P. Vijaya Bhaskar, in its report submitted in January 2014, suggested increased role for the apex bank for the oversight of the benchmark setting process. − The committee has recommended a change in the way of determining the money market benchmarks so as to remove any possible scope for manipulation. − The draft report has recommended that the overnight Mumbai inter-bank Bid Rate-Mumbai Inter-bank Offered Rate (Mibid-Mibor) fixing be based on “the volume-based weighted average of traded rates from 9 to 10 in the morning.” − The committee has also recommended basing the government securities yield curve, including for illiquid debt, on the basis of volume-based weighted average rates instead of last traded yields. The committee has also proposed banks to set pricing for state development bonds at a spread based on the last two auctions, instead of calculating those bond yields at a fixed spread of 25 basis points over government debt. − The RBI, according to the committee, “may advice banks and primary dealers to strengthen the governance framework for benchmark submission and to extend necessary support to the administrator for strengthening the benchmark setting process.” − The committee was set up in the aftermath of revelations regarding manipulations of several key global benchmark rates, namely, LIBOR, EURIBOR and TIBOR. It was set up on June 28, 2013 with a mandate to study various issues relating to financial benchmarks in India and to submit the report by December 31, 2013. January–2014 • Nachiket Mor Committee’s Report on Financial Inclusion – The committee constituted by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI’s) on 23rd September 2013 to suggest steps for promoting financial inclusion headed by veteran banker and ex-ICICI Bank executive director Nachiket Mor. The committee on 7th January 2014 suggested setting up of specialized banks to cater to low income households to ensure that all citizens have bank accounts by January 1st, 2016. The committee has recommended that an instruction to open the bank account should be initiated by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIAI) after the issue of an Aadhaar number to an individual over the age of 18. The committee has set January 1st, 2016 as the deadline for targets including access to formal credit as well as investment and risk management products at reasonable charges. Nachiket Mor Committee’s Report’s Highlights à 90% of small businesses have no link with the formal financial sector. à 60% of the population does not have a functional bank account. à Bank credit-GDP ratio is around 70%. à There should be two types of National Banks [(i) One with branches, (ii) One with Agents] besides wholesale consumer banks, wholesale investment banks and payment banks. à Entry capital requirements would be Rs.500 crore for National Banks and Rs.50 crore for the wholesale banks. à CRR should apply on Demand Deposits. à SLR should be phased out for National as well as wholesale banks.

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à Wholesale banks should not accept deposit below Rs.5.00 crore. à Payment banks will provide payments services and deposit products to small business and low income households with a minimum deposit of Rs.50,000 per customer. à Postal bank will work as a payments bank. à Every resident Indian over the age of 18 years should have a Universal Electronic Account by January 1st, 2016. à Every low income household and small business should have ‘con-venient’ access to formally regulated lenders for credit product at an affordable price. à By January 1st, 2014 each district should have a credit-deposit ratio of a minimum of 10%, which should be raised by 10 percentage points every year to reach a minimum of 50% by January 1st, 2020. à In each district, there should be a minimum total deposits plus investments to GDP ratio of a minimum of 15% which should be raised by 12.5 percentage points each year to reach a minimum of 65% by January 1st, 2020. • Nachiket Mor Committee favours Abolition of SLR – The Committee on Comprehensive Financial Services for Small Businesses and Low-Income House holds, headed by Nachiket Mor, former executive director at ICICI Bank has recommended that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) should gradually to away with the statutory liquidity ratio (SLR), the portion of deposits that banks must compulsorily park in government securities. If accepted, this would dramatically free up nearly a quarter of deposits for industrial and consumer loans – and possibly lower interest rates. − The mandated SLR currently stands at 23%, while most banks keep it around 27% as state- backed bonds often end up giving attractive rates at low risk. − The Committee has also recommended the creation of a separate category of banks to serve low- in-come households with a minimum entry capital requirement of Rs.50 crore – a fraction of the currently compulsory Rs.500 crore. Banks should provide facilities for withdrawal, payment and deposit within 15 minutes walking distance anywhere in the country. It said all Indians above 18 to have a “full-service, safe, and secure electronic bank account” by 2016 and the special bank category would aid this objective. − The committee also underlined the need to increase the priority sector lending cap from the current 40% to 50%. The committee has also recommended abolition of interest subsidies and loan waivers. − The committee, while laying down its vision statement for financial inclusion and deepening, has suggested providing a universal bank account to all Indians above the age of 18 years by January 1st, 2016. He said that the account opening process should be totally automatic and free. Highlights à Scrap SLR, leave more cash with the banks to lend à All citizens above 18 need to have bank accounts by 2016 à Set up a separate category of banks to service the low-income households à Banks should not be allowed to price farm loans below base rate à Priority sector lending should be raised to 50 per cent from 40 per cent • IRDA set up panel to study insurance intermediaries’ FDI limits – The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority’s (IRDA) on 10th January, 2014 set up a committee to study the option of allowing 100 per cent foreign direct investment (FDI) in insurance intermediaries, third-party administrators (TPA), surveyors and loss assessors. − Currently the FDI limit for these entities is 26 percent in line with the limit stipulated for insurance companies.

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− Headed by Suresh Mathur, senior joint director of IRDA, the 10-member committee would study whether there is a case for increasing the FDI limit in insurance entities (other than insurance companies) and if yes, to what extent. − The insurance regulator has received references from various stakeholders requesting them to consider the foreign holding in insurance brokers from existing 26% to 100%.

SCHEMES/ INITIATIVES August–2013 • Food Security Scheme launches in four states – State Governments of Delhi, Arunachal Pradesh, Haryana and Uttarakhand on 20 August, 2013 launched Centre-sponsored Food Security Scheme on the occasion of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s 69th birth Anniversary. − The Union government on August 22 announced that it would provide an extra 3.1 million tonnes of food grains to the states under the Food Security Programme at Above Poverty Line (APL) rates. • Skill, placement support under MGNREGA – Giving an impetus to its various skill development programmes targeting youth, the Centre has announced that one young member of each village household that has completed 100 days of work under the rural job scheme will be provided skill and placement support.

− Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh made this announcement the launch of the National Skill Certification and Monetary Reward Scheme in New Delhi recently. Every year roughly about four-and-a-half crore households get employment under MNREGA and young members of roughly eight to nine per cent of families that have crossed 100 days of work will be eligible for government’s new skill development-cum-placement activity. • Bhumi Sena Scheme launched in UP – Bhumi Sena Scheme launched in Uttar Pradesh on 8 August, 2013 by the Chief Minister of the state, Akhilesh Yadav. The scheme would help in increasing cultivation area in the state. The scheme was launched for the 2013-14 fiscal with an aim of recovering about 44,000 hectares of barren, usar and ravenous land for being fit for use by making a cluster approach in 10 selected districts. − Uttar Pradesh Bhumi Sudhar Nigam (UPBSN), a Government Undertaking, is executing the scheme in 17 districts of the state. Under this, banjar land development, rehabilitation of ponds and treatment of water logged area through proper drainage development is being undertaken. • National Skill Certification and Monetary Reward Scheme launched – The Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram on 16 August, 2013 unveiled the National Skill Certification and Monetary Reward Scheme that will be implemented on pan-India basis, in New Delhi. The scheme was proposed by the Union Finance Minister in 2012-13 Union Budget in order to allocate 1000 crore Rupees. The objective of the scheme is to motivate the youth for acquiring vocational skills. The scheme is branded as STAR (Standard Training Assessment and Reward). • Continuation of Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana in 12th Plan – The Cabinet Committee of Economic Affairs on 2 August, 2013 approved the proposal of the Ministry of Power for continuation of the Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY) in the 12th year plan. Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY) was launched in April-05 by merging all ongoing schemes. Under the programme, 90% grant is provided by Govt. of India and 10% as loan by REC to the State Governments. REC is the nodal agency for the programme. The RGGVY aims at: ƒ Electrifying all villages and habitations as per new definition ƒ Providing access to electricity to all rural households ƒ Providing electricity Connection to Below Poverty Line (BPL) families free of charge

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• Additional Storage capacity under GBY – The Centre will create an additional 230 lakh mn tonne storage capacity under the Grameen Bhandaran Yojana (GBY), in the 12 plan. • Ministry to fund training of 50 sportspersons – The Sports Ministry has directed Sports Authority of India (SAI) to identity 50 athletes in various disciplines for customised training under the National Sports Development Fund 50 scheme to improve the country’s Olympic performance. September–2013 • Puducherry – Minister of State V. Narayanasamy inaugurated the Bharat Nirman Public Information Campaign at Karaikkal, Puducherry on September 1, 2013. − The Bharat Nirman Public Information Campaign is the three-day information-cum-interactive sessions and exhibition. This was the 47th Public Information Campaign conducted in Tamil Nadu. The objective of the campaign was to highlight the various developmental and welfare programmes of the Union government of India. • Ahimsa Messenger Programme launched – UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi launched Ahimsa Messenger Programme – an initiative to curb violence against women on 31 August, 2013 at New Delhi. Ahimsa Messenger is the initiative of the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development to address the violence against women in all forms through a mass movement by creating numerous Ahimsa Messengers in various parts of the country. − This programme will be implemented through all Anganwadi Centres, all Panchayati Raj Institutions, Sabla Girls (in the age group of 16-18 years) and Poorna Shakti Kendras (PSK) coordinators under the National Mission for Empowerment of Women (NMEW) will be trained as Ahimsa Messengers. • National AIDS Control Support Project launched – The World Bank assisted National AIDS Control Support Project was launched by the Department of AIDS Control, Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare in New Delhi on 24 August, 2013. − Over 99.5 percent of India’s population is free from HIV now. Accordingly the focus of the programme has been on prevention of spread of HIV, while ensuring access to treatment and care for all HIV infected persons. The cost of the project is 2550 crore rupees. • Proposal for restructuring SJSRY approved – The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved on 3 September 2013 the proposal for restructuring of the centrally sponsored Scheme of Swarna Jayanti Shahari Rozgar Yojana (SJSRY) in the 12th Plan and as the National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM) with an allocation of approximately Rs.6,405 crore. − The Mission of NULM is to reduce poverty and vulnerability of the urban poor households by enabling them to access gainful self-employment and skilled wage employment opportunities, resulting in an appreciable improvement in their livelihoods on a sustainable basis, through building strong grassroots level institutions of the poor. − Funding will be shared between the Centre and the States in the ratio of 75 : 25. For North Eastern and Special Category States (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand), this ratio will be 90 : 10. − The CCEA also gave its approval for the implementation of Rajiv Awas Yojana (RAY) during the mission period 2013-22. Under RAY, support will be offered to States and UTs and Central government agencies for providing housing, including rental and transit housing, development and improvement of basic civic and social infrastructure and operation and maintenance of assets created under the scheme. − The ‘Housing for the Urban Poor Scheme’ has been renamed as the Rajiv Rinn Yojana (RRY).

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• Bharat Rural Livelihood Foundation (BRLF) approved – The Union Government of India on 3 September, 2013 approved the proposal for setting up of the Bharat Rural Livelihood Foundation (BRLF) as an independent charitable society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860. − The role of BRLF is to facilitate and upscale civil society action in partnership with Government for transforming livelihoods and lives of rural households, with an emphasis on women, particularly in the Central Indian Tribal Region. • Government approved three projects under EMC Scheme – The Union Government of India on 30 August, 2013 gave its approval to three projects under the Electronic Manufacturing Clusters (EMC) scheme. The total value of these three projects is 200 crore Rupees. • Two Schemes for Minorities Launched – Union Minister for Minority Affairs launched two new schemes namely Seekho aur Kamao (Learn & Earn) and Jiyo Parsi on September 23, 2013. The Minister launched the pilot project of 500 minority trainees through IL&FS Skill Development Corporation at five locations in the country. These locations are Delhi, Kolkata, Shillong, Barnala and Bengaluru. Key Features of Learn and Earn Scheme ‚ Placement linked training programme for modern trades. ‚ Skills Training Programme for Traditional Trades. ‚ The training programme also includes soft skills training, basic Information and Technology (IT) and English training. ‚ Project implementing agencies to ensure 75% employment and out of that 50% in organized sector. ‚ Mechanism for placement and post placement support. ‚ 100% assistance by Ministry of Minority Affairs of government of India. The Scheme will be implemented for the benefit of the 5 notified minority communities under National Commission for Minorities Act 1992 (Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists and Parsis). Key Features of the Jiyo Parsi Scheme ‚ 100% funded by Ministry of Minority Affairs, government of India. ‚ Medical interventions under Standard Medical protocols in empanelled hospitals/clinics. ‚ Confidentiality of the patients to be given utmost importance. The scheme is meant for only Parsi community. • Technotex-2014 launched in Mumbai – The third edition of Technotex, Technotex-2014: International Exhibition and Conference, organised by FICCI in collaboration with the Ministry of Textiles, Govt of India, was launched in Mumbai. • Edusat programme launched in Bangalore – The minister for Higher Education in Karnataka R.V. Deshpande launched edusat programme in Bangalore with the help of dedicated educational satellite launched by ISRO. It will provide equality and effective satellite launched by ISRO. It will provide quality and effective education to college and Polytechnic students especially in rural areas. • Flagship Schemes for Housing, Skill Training for Urban Poor Cleared – The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved the proposal for two flagship schemes of the Union Ministry of Housing and Poverty Alleviation on September 3, 2013. The schemes are aimed at job- oriented skills training for the urban poor and offering housing to slum dwellers in urban areas. • Approval of Continuation of TUFS – Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) gave its approval for continuing the Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (TUFS) during the 12th Plan period with a major focus on powerlooms in accordance with the Budget announcement for the financial year 2013-14 on August 29, 2013.

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The Major features of the scheme are à To promote indigenous manufacturing of the textile machinery, Interest Reimbursement (IR) on second hand imported shuttleless looms shall be reduced from 5% to 2%. On the other hand, for new shuttleless looms capital subsidy would be raised from 10% to 15%, IR from 5% to 6%, and margin money subsidy from 20% to 30% with an increase in subsidy cap from Rs.1 crore to Rs.1.5 crore. à Capital subsidy for handloom and silk sectors would be increased from 25% to 30%. In addition to this, margin money subsidy cap would be increased from Rs.45 lakh to Rs.75 lakh in respect of MSME and jute sectors. à Sectoral cap of 26% will be applicable only for the spinning segment and sectoral caps for all other segments have been removed to enable balanced growth across the value chain. à A pilot project for Hire-Purchase of new shuttleless looms shall be introduced with a plan outlay of Rs.300 crore within TUFS to enable poor powerloom weavers, having limited capacity to make capital investments, to upgrade their looms through payment of easy installments. • Approval to Three Projects under EMC Scheme – The Union government of India gave its approval to three projects under the Electronic Manufacturing Clusters (EMC) scheme on August30, 2013. The total value of these three projects is Rs.200 crore. The proposals for approval of the government were sent by the Madhya Pradesh State Electronics Corporation (MPSEDC) and the Electronic Industries Association of India (ELCINA). − According to the Electronic Manufacturing Clusters (EMC) scheme, the financial aid will be limited to 50% of the overall cost of the project with the condition of ceiling of Rs.50 crore for every 100 acres of land. October–2013 • Manodhariya Scheme Launched – The Maharashtra government will provide financial assistance to survivors of crimes like rape, acid attack and child sexual abuse or their dependents. The scheme will come in effect from October 2, 2013. − The State Cabinet approved a scheme, Manodhariya (morale boost), under which rape and child sexual abuse survivors or their dependents will get Rs.2 lakh as compensation, which may be extended to a maximum of Rs.3 lakh in special cases. − The government also provided compensation of Rs.50000 to survivors or their dependents for immediate medical expenses, legal aid, counseling and other expenses incurred to fight the case. A committee under the Collector will be set-up in every district to monitor and implement the scheme across the State. • Food Security Scheme Launched – Former Chief Minister of Rajasthan Ashok Gehlot launched the UPA government’s ambitious Food Security Scheme in the State aimed at benefiting around 4.64 crore people on October 3, 2013. Foodgrains would be distributed every month from the 20th till the end of the month through the Public Distribution System (PDS) and will be available at all ration shops. Rajasthan is the first State to implement the scheme after conducting an extensive survey and revising the beneficiary list, adding Haryana, Delhi and Uttarakhand have implemented without any such exercise. − After three months of survey across the State, the government has selected around 90 lakh families (about 4.64 crore people) as beneficiaries under the scheme. About 38.83 lakh beneficiaries of BPL and Antyodaya Anna Yojana would, however, continue to get 35 kg of wheat at Rs.1 per kg every month. November–2013 • Dr. Farooq Abdullah, Minister of New and Renewable Energy inaugurated the India Clean Cookstove Forum 2013 with the vision of enhancing the use of improved cookstove technologies, envisaged under the National Biomass Cookstove Programme (NBCP).

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• Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram inaugurated the IT based Risk Management System (RMS) for the Customs clearance of export goods at New Delhi on November 13, 2013. • President Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated the 33rd India International Trade Fair (IITF) at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi. The theme of IITF 2013 is Inclusive Growth. This year Japan is a partner country and South Africa, the focus country. While Bihar is a partner state, Odisha is the focus state. January–2014 • Government Launched India’s First Comprehensive Adolescent Health Programme – Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Ghulam Nabi Azad on 7 January launched the nation’s first comprehensive adolescent health programme named “Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK)” in New Delhi. The programme will include a sharp focus on adolescents’ sexual health. The RKSK defines an adolescent as a person within 10-19 years of age, in urban and rural areas, includes, poor and affluent, whether they are in school or out of school. • Ghulam Nabi Azad Launches National Urban Health Mission – Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Ghulam Nabi Azad on 20th January launched the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) in Bangalore to provide timely quality health services to the urban poor. The scheme will now be introduced as a sub-mission under the National Health Mission (NHM). The mission will be implemented in 779 cities and towns, each with a population of more than 50,000 and cover over 7.75 crore people. • Prime Minister Launched National Waqf Development Corporation – Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on 29th January inaugurated National Waqf Development Corporation Limited (NAWADCO) that is a new Central Public Sector Enterprise in New Delhi. The establishment of NAWADCO is a follow up of Sachchar Committee recommendation. • Kerala Govt. Decided To Launch ‘Mangalya Lotteries’ Scheme – The Kerala government has decided to launch a weekly lottery to mobilise funds for providing financial support for wedding of girls from poor families. The scheme, “Mangalya lotteries”, was approved by the state cabinet on 1st January. The lottery is linked to the ‘Mangalyanidhi’ scheme proposed in the state budget in 2012, which mooted to mop up funds by imposing a cess on the wedding halls. • Centre approves a programme to address Malnutrition – The Centre has finally approved the rollout of the Multi-sectoral Nutrition Programme to address the problems of maternal and child under-nutrition in the country. − The programme, recommended by the Prime Minister’s National Council on India’s Nutrition Challenges in 2010, will be implemented in 200 high-burden districts in two phases at an estimated cost of Rs.1,213.19 crore. It will be a Centrally Sponsored Scheme under the National Nutrition Mission, with the Centre-State cost sharing ratio 90:10 for all components in the north- eastern States and special category States, and 75:25 for the other States and the Union Territories. − The first phase will begin in 100 districts in 2013-14, and the rest will be covered in the second in 2014-15. The National Mission Steering Group and the Empowered Programme Committee constituted for Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Mission will be the highest administrative and technical bodies for ensuring effective planning, implementation, monitoring and supervision. • “No Lost Generation” initiative to save Syrian Children – The United Nations and its humanitarian partners on 7th January, 2014 launched “No Lost Generation” initiative to save Syrian children. Launched by UNICEF, UNHCR, Save the Children, World Vision and other non- governmental organization (NGO) partners, the initiative calls for Governments, aid agencies the ordinary public to champion the children of Syria.

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• Govt. announces ‘Maulana Azad Taleem-e-Baligan’ scheme – Union Ministry of Human Resource Development on 5th January 2014 announced Maulana Azad Taleem-e-baligan scheme along with two other new initiatives at the annual meeting of the National Monitoring Committee for Minorities Education. Maulana Azad Taleem-e-Baligan scheme aims to achieve higher literacy for the minority Muslim community. The scheme will be launched in 61 Muslim-concentrated Sakshar Bharat districts, the Centre’s adult literacy programme running in eleven states. • CCEA approves Yarn Supply Scheme – The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on 9th January, 2014 approved the continuation of the Mill Gate Price Scheme (MGPS) along with 10 per cent subsidy component with modifications. − The scheme is now renamed as the Yarn Supply Scheme (YSS). The plan outlay for YSS during the 12th Plan will be Rs.443 crore. • National Urban Health Mission Launched – Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Ghulam Nabi Azad on 20th January, 2014 launched the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) in Bengaluru to provide timely quality health services to the urban poor. The mission aims at making urban population free from ill-health by extending basic health care services to 22 crore people in Indian cities. • Nod for water and sanitation project for low-income states – The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on 2nd January, 2014 gave its nod for the implementation of the Rural Water Supply

and Sanitation Project for Low Income States (RWSSP-LIS) of Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh with World Bank assistance over a period of six years (from 2013-14 to 2019-20). The project, commencing this financial year, will be completed in 2019-20.

SUMMIT/ CONFERENCE August–2013 • Neurotrauma Conference – 2013: The 22nd Annual Conference of the Neurotrauma Society of India is to be held in Guwahati, Assam from 23 to 25 August 2013. About twelve International neuroscientists and twenty national faculties would be participating in this event. This is the first conference being organized in the North Eastern states of the country. • BRICS Business Council meeting in SA – Highlighting the increase in Africa’s trade with India, President Jacob Zuma asked BRICS members to use the bloc’s Business Council as a platform to explore new models and approaches towards more equitable development and inclusive growth in the world. Speaking at the inaugural BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) Business Council meeting, he said the strength of the alliance was amplified by the fact that BRICS countries accounted for 43 per cent of the world’s population. Indian participants in the meeting welcomed the agreement between the five nations to forge a closer partnership for development integration and industrialisation to contribute to the development of the African continent. September–2013 • The Union Minister of State for Textiles Panabaka Lakshmi launched the TECHNOTEX-2014 at the International Exhibition and Conference in Mumbai on September 1, 2013. It will be held from March 20-24, 2014. • The two-day 8th Annual Convention of Central Information Commission concluded at New Delhi. The theme of the convention was – Eight Years of RTI: A Retrospective. • 33rd Asian and Pacific Conference of Correctional Administrators (APCCA) – The Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde inaugurated the 33rd Asian and Pacific Conference of Correctional Administrators (APCCA) in New Delhi on 24 September 2013.

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• Exhibition on Indian Embroideries – The Union Minister for Culture Chandresh Kumari Katoch on 2 September 2013 inaugurated an exclusive exhibition on Indian embroideries in New Delhi – named Resurgence. • 11th Asian Pacific Postal Union Congress an inter-governmental organisation of 32 countries of the Asia-Pacific region, took place in New Delhi recently. The Congress meets every fourth year to revise the Acts of the Union and discusses postal issues. • The sixth Global Skills Summit (GSS) was held in New Delhi recently. The Global Skills Summit (GSS) is the two-day Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) annual event which is being organised in collaboration with Ministry of Human Resource Development, Ministry of Labour and Employment and National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC). • G-20 Summit 2013 – The 2013 G-20 Russia summit was the eighth meeting of the G-20 heads of government held at Constantine Palace in Saint Petersburg, Russia, and was hosted by the Russian President, Vladimir Putin on 5-6 September 2013. This meeting was the second time an Australian prime minister could not be in attendance, Kevin Rudd being represented by Foreign Minister Bob Carr, owing to the timing of a federal election on 7 September. Objective – Developing a set of measures aimed at boosting sustainable, inclusive and balanced growth and jobs creation around the world. Priority Areas The 2013 summit focused on following eight areas of priority ‚ Framework for strong, sustainable and balanced growth ‚ Jobs and employment ‚ International financial architecture reform ‚ Strengthening financial regulation ‚ Energy sustainability ‚ Development for all ‚ Enhancing multilateral trade ‚ Fighting corruption Key Challenges The 2013 Summit was dominated by questions regarding the Syrian civil war and international reaction to the Ghouta chemical attacks. The main economic challenges addressed were ‚ Weak growth and high unemployment rate ‚ Financial market fragmentation in Europe ‚ Decisive implementation in Banking Union ‚ Slower growth in emerging market economies ‚ Continued uncertainties about fiscal policy deliberations ‚ High public debt and its sustainability in some countries Recommendations – G20 Leaders Declaration ‚ Use the Los Cabos Accountability Assessment Framework to establish clear processes for who can contribute the accountability process and how. ‚ Implement and effectively enforce international anti-corruption conventions. ‚ To establish the goal transitioning the global economy to renewable energy. ‚ To develop and implement indicators to measure financial capability at national level. ‚ To ensure that efforts to fight hunger and sustainability increase agricultural productivity. ‚ To advance job creation and encourage formal sector employment through better education.

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Previous G-20 Summits Summit Held in Host First November, 2008 Washington DC (USA) Second April, 2009 London (UK) Third September, 2009 Pittsburgh (USA) Fourth June, 2010 Toronto (Canada) Fifth November, 2010 Seoul (South Korea) Sixth November, 2011 Cannes (France) Seventh June, 2012 Los Cabos (Mexico) Eighth September, 2013 St. Petersburg (Russia) ) The next G20 summit will be held in mid-November 2014 in Brisbane. • India – South Korea – Foreign Policy and Security Dialogue – The 3rd India-Republic of Korea (ROK) Foreign Policy and Security Dialogue (FPSD) was held in Seoul on September 2, 2013. Both nations discussed ways to further expand and deepen their Strategic Partnership. They undertook a comprehensive review of bilateral ties, including in the fields of economic collaboration, defence and security cooperation, cultural exchanges and people-to-people contacts. • 6th Global Skills Summit – Union Human Resource Development Minister Dr. M.M. Pallam Raju on 4 September 2013 inaugurated the sixth Global Skills Summit (GSS) at FICCI. It was organised in collaboration with Ministry of Human Resource Development, Ministry of Labour and Employment and National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC). October–2013 • 2nd International Tourism Mart (ITM) – The second International Tourism Mart (ITM) started in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh on 18 October 2013. It was officially inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh on 19 October 2013. ) The International Tourism Mart (ITM) is the second one to be organised in the North Eastern region with the objective of highlighting the tourism potential of the region in the domestic and international markets. The ITM will bring together the tourism business fraternity and entrepreneurs from the eight North Eastern States of India and West Bengal. • 32nd Annual Coast Guard Commanders Conference was inaugurated on 3 October 2013 by the Defence Secretary Radha Krishna Mathur. It is the three day conference which is aimed at assisting the Coast Guard Commanders in introspection of the myriad challenges confronting the service in the Maritime domain. On the occasion, the Director General Indian Coast Guard Vice Admiral A.G. Thapliyal highlighted the progress made by the service across the entire spectrum of activities and also thanked the MoD for all the valuable support and guidance. • 3rd National Level Exhibition and project competitions – The Ministry of Science and Technology on 8 October 2013 launched the three days long event for 3rd National level Exhibition and Project Competitions (NLEPC) under the INSPIRE Awards Scheme in New Delhi. The NLEPC came as a result of Former President of India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalaam’s call to the youngsters in science to do something unique. Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalaam explained that research was a foundation of the success of the great minds. ) The purpose of the INSPIRE programme is to promote research and scientific discovery through ignited minds. The Welcome address was delivered by Dr. T. Ramasami, Secretary Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, who briefed about the INSPIRE activities. • India-Asean Summit-2013 - Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh paid a four-day visit to Brunei and Indonesia on October 9-12, 2013. He took part in the 11th India-Asean Summit and the 8th East Asia Summit in Brunei Darussalam. Dr. Manmohan Singh said, the East Asia Summit is a forum that is ideally placed to help us realize our common goals for advancing security and prosperity in a cooperative framework.

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− Joint Statement on five initiatives for strengthening the India-Indonesia Strategic Partnership: The President of Indonesia, Dr. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono welcomed the Prime Minister of India Dr. Manmohan Singh on an official visit to Indonesia from 10 to 12 October 2013. This is the first bilateral visit to Indonesia by Dr. Manmohan Singh. The two Leaders held extensive talks on bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest on 11 October 2013. • 14th Indo-Russia Summit – Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visited Russia for the 14th India- Russia summit in October, 2013. Historically, India has shared a multi-dimensional and strong partnership with Russia. Its contribution in building India’s national capabilities and being a reliable partner is well documented. India has often referred to tie with Russia as a key pillar of its foreign policy and the two countries share a common vision on a number of regional and international issues. − India and Russia have also agreed to enhance cooperation in space technologies. India is the only country to which Russia has agreed to give access to Glonass military-grade signals, which will enable the Indian military to greatly improve the accuracy of its land, sea, air and space- launched weapon systems. November–2013 • Commonwealth Summit – 2013 The 23rd Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting was held in Colombo, Sir Lanka, from November 15-17, 2013. It was formally inaugurated by Prince Charles. CHOGM 2013 had heads of nearly 30 countries who took part, apart from senior level delegations from other member countries. Indian External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid represented India at the summit. − The Commonwealth Summit came to a close on November 17, 2013 with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa saying he needed time to address post-war challenges, including allegations of human rights violation. ) The Prime Ministers of Canada (Stephan Harper), India (Manmohan Singh) and Mauritius boycotted the summit, citing alleged human rights violations by Sri Lanka against its Tamil minority. ) The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) is a biennial summit meeting of the heads of government from all Commonwealth nations. Every two years, the meeting is held in a different members state, and is chaired by that nation’s respective Prime Minister or President, who becomes the Commonwealth Chairperson-in-Office. The first CHOGM was held in 1971. The Commonwealth of Nations (also called the British Commonwealth) is an intergovernmental organisation of 53 member states that were mostly territories of the former British Empire. • International Heavy Minerals Conference – The 9th International Heavy Minerals Conference (HMC 2013) was held in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh from November 27-29, 2013 with the theme: Overcoming New Challenges. The biennial International conference was ninth in a series of conferences that focus on the heavy minerals industry. This International conference was held for the first time in India by the Mining Engineers Association of India (MEAI) in collaboration with and support from the Government of India, other professional organisations and industry. • The two-day International Conference on Comprehensive Cleft Care (ICCCC) concluded in Guwahati, Asom. The theme of the conference was Think Big; Partnerships Involved in the Delivery of Comprehensive Cleft Care. • National Conference on the Wakf (Amendment) Act – The Union Minister of Minority Affairs, K. Rahman Khan, inaugurated the National Conference on the Wakf (Amendment) Act, 2013 in New Delhi on November 6, 2013. The conference was organized to update and sensitise Chairmen and CEOs of State Wakf Boards across the country. Various amendments were introduced in the Wakf Act in order to strengthen the Wakf Institution and stream line their functioning.

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• Biennial Conference of Asian Society of International Law – Vice-President Hamid Ansari inaugurated Fourth Biennial Conference of Asian Society of International Law on November 14, 2013. The objective of the 4th Biennial Conference of the ASIL is to provide a vibrant platform for meaningful interaction and exchange among scholars and practitioners in the field of international law in order to promote better understanding of international legal issues and to comprehend the emerging trends. − The theme of this Conference: “Asia and International Law in the Twenty-first Century: New Horizons”. • National Conference on Intellectual Disability – The Union Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment Kumari Selja inaugurated the National Conference on Intellectual Disability, jointly organized by the Department of Disability Affairs, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and National Institute for Mentally Handicapped, Secunderabad, on November 7, 2013. This is the first such conference and the Department has planned similar national level conferences of National Institutes to address the issues relating to the sector. à The National Institute for the Mentally Handicapped (NIMH), Secunderabad was established in the year 1984. The primary objective of NIMH is to cater to the needs of Persons with Mental Retardation. à India is a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). • 3rd BRICS International Competition Conference – The Heads of the Competition Authorities of the Federative Republic of Brazil, the Russian Federation, the Republic of India, the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of South Africa signed a Joint Accord namely DELHI ACCORD on November 22, 2013 during the 3rd BRICS International Competition Conference (ICC) at New Delhi. The theme of the 3rd Conference is “Competition Enforcement in BRICS Countries: Issues and Challenges”. The third BRICS International Competition Conference was held at New Delhi during November 20-22, 2013. ) Objective - The objective of the conference is to discuss various issues and challenge’s in competition enforcement in BRICS countries and takes the agenda of cooperation among the BRICS competition authorities forward from the earlier two conferences. • 13th Council of Ministers Meeting of IORA – Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) held its 13th Council of Ministers meeting in Perth, Australia on November 1, 2013. India handed over the chair of the IORA to Australia. India chaired the IORA, since 2011. The Perth reviewed the process made by IORA since 2012 meeting in Gurgaon, India. Perth Declaration ƒ To create common ground for regional economic cooperation. ƒ Reiterating that IORA is the apex pan-regional organisation for the Indian Ocean. ƒ Recalling the six priority areas of cooperation agreed at the eleventh Council of Ministers’ Meeting (COMM) in Bengaluru, namely: Maritime Safety and Security; Trade and Investment Facilitation; Fisheries Management’ Disaster Risk Management; Academic and Science and Technology Cooperation; and Tourism and Cultural Exchanges. ƒ Reaffirming our commitment to the Charter of the United Nations, to the Charter of IORA, and to the applicable principles of international law. ƒ Reaffirming commitment to ‘The Future We Want’, as adopted at the 2012 United Nation as Conference on Sustainable Development, and to the protection, restoration, health, productivity and resilience of the Indian Ocean and its resources. ƒ Recognising that the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and their resources and plays a vital role in maintaining peaceful cooperation and stability across the Indian Ocean. BANK-PO/CLERK EXAM CA/Aug2013-Jan2014/Page-61

The Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), formerly known as the Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation, is an international organisation with 20 member states. It was first established as Indian Ocean Rim Initiative in Mauritius in March, 1995 and formally launched on March 6-7, 1997 by the conclusion of a multilateral treaty known as the Charter of the Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation. à 20 Member States – Australia, Bangladesh, Comoros, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kenya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mozambique, Oman, Seychelles, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, United Arab Emirates and Yemen. à Dialogue Partners – China, Egypt, France, Japan, United Kingdom and the United States of America à Observer Status – The Indian Ocean Tourism Organisation (IOTO) and Indian Ocean Research Group (IORG) December–2013 • Ministerial Summit of World Trade Organisation – The ninth Ministerial of the World Trade Organisation was held in Nusa Dua (Bali) on December 3-6, 2013. − On December 7, 2013, World Trade Organisation (WTO) Ministers in Bali finally adopted the historic five-draft decision declaration and the 10-document full Bali Package that addresses the Doha Development Agenda. − The draft proposes an interim mechanism to safeguard minimum support prices to farmers against WTO caps till a permanent solution is adopted. − Post-Bali, the negotiators in Geneva will focus on the long-stalled issues of the Doha Development Round in a work programme they committed themselves to complete within 12 months. A Range of Gains For Delhi à Food Security Law may push India’s minimum support prices above WTO limits, but interim mechanism provides safeguards till WTO rules are corrected. à Agreement on Trade Facilitation could boost India’s exports. à India spearheads first agreement in the nine Ministerials held after the Doha Round. à India gains global leadership position by getting a crucial poor-rich country imbalance corrected on a multilateral forum. à Support subsidies to poor farmers across all developing countries get safeguards against WTO rules. à With Bali outcomes, Doha Round and therefore WTO remain alive. • 8th Asia Gas Partnership Summit Held In New Delhi – The 8th Asia Gas Partnership Summit (AGPS) was held from 3 to 4 December 2013 at New Delhi, India. The 8th AGPS was organized by GAIL (India) Limited and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FIFFI). The theme of the conference is “Asian Gas Market: Challenges and opportunities in the Changing Paradigm”. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on 3 December inaugurated the summit. January–2014 • 12th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Held in New Delhi from 7 – 9 January 2014. The theme of the event was “Engaging Diaspora-Connecting across Generations”. The convention was inaugurated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on 7th January. Malaysia’s Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Y. B. Datuk Seri Palanivel, was the Chief Guest. On 9th January President Pranab Mukherjee conferred the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards and addressed the closing session of the Convention. The 11th edition of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was held at Kochi, Kerala from 7 – 9 January 2013. The PBD conventions are being held every year since 2003.

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Pravasi Bharatiya Samman 2014 Lisa Maria Singh (Australia) Parthasarathy Chiramel Pillai (USA) Kurian Varghese (Bahrain) Shihabudeen Vava Kunju (Saudi Arabia) Vasudev Chanchlani (Canada) Sasindran Muthuvel (Papua New Guinea) Ramakrishna Mission (Fiji) Shamsheer Vayalil Parambath (United Arab) Satnarainsing Rabin Baldewsingh (Netherlands) Ela Gandhi (South Africa) Bikas Chandra Sanyal (France) Renu Khator (USA) Shailesh Lakhman Vara (United Kingdom) • 44th World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting was held at Davos, Switzerland from 22-25 January 2014 with the theme ‘The Reshaping of the World: Consequences for Society, Politics and Business’. During the meeting, Price water house Coopers’ 17th annual Global CEO Survey report released on 21st January. According to the report, India was ranked fourth in the list of countries/regional CEOs who are confident of revenue growth in the next 12 months time, which was topped by Russia. On 23rd January United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon signed the Zero Hunger Declaration. The declaration calls for leaders to take action against hunger, get others to join, and hold themselves accountable to deliver results. • Seventh Global Insurance Summit: Global Insurance Summit was held at Hyderabad in Andhra Pradesh on 8th January, 2014. The summit was organised by National Council on Insurance of Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM). The focus of the summit was on the need for simplifying the insurance process and to provide financial security for the masses in India. • ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat – Myanmar hosted the first Foreign Ministers’ meet as ASEAN chair in the ancient city of Baganon 17th January, 2014. The Retreat was the first in the series of ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ meetings under Myanmar’s meetings under Myanmar’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2014 which has for its theme “Moving forward in Unity to a Peaceful and Prosperous Community.” During the Retreat, ASEAN Foreign Ministers discussed the priorities of ASEAN for 2014. The issues include ASEAN’s efforts to speed up community building and ASEAN integration and to move forward the realisation of Master Plan for ASEAN Community.

AGREEMENT/DEAL/SIGN/TALK August–2013 • Russia and Japan held bilateral talks on 19 August, 2013 over a peace treaty and territorial disputes between them. During the talk, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov and his visiting Japanese counterpart Shinsuke Sugiyama “discussed a wide range of issues of bilateral ties” in the light of agreements reached by the two countries’ leaders. The two sides exchanged views on organising negotiations on the peace treaty, and agreed to arrange a further round of talks via diplomatic channels. Following an April 2013 meeting in Moscow between President Vladimir Putin and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the two sides pledged to speed up talks on concluding a peace treaty. • Israel, Palestinians peace talks resumed - Israel and the Palestinian Governments resumed their first direct peace talks in Jerusalem on 15 August, 2013. The Palestinian Authority, led by President Mahmoud Abbas, made the release of 104 prisoners a condition for resuming the talks. In response, Israel government released 26 long-term Palestinian prisoners as part of the deal to reopen negotiations. The Key issues in the talks are status of Jerusalem, borders, security arrangements, settlements and possible land swaps, Palestinian refugees, recognition of Israel. • US-China held talks on Human Rights issues – China and the United States held a dialogue on human rights issue in Kunming, capital city of southwest China’s Yunnan Province on 30-31 July, 2013. BANK-PO/CLERK EXAM CA/Aug2013-Jan2014/Page-63

• World Bank and India signed agreement for low income housing finance project – The Government of India and the World Bank on 14 August, 2013 signed a 100 million US dollars credit agreement aimed at helping low-income households to secure loans to purchase, build or upgrade their dwellings. The Low Income Housing Finance Project would be implemented by the National Housing Bank (NHB). • ADB and India signed agreement for $ 300 mn – The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Government of India on 12 August, 2013 signed an agreement for 300 million US dollars in additional as a loan to upgrade 254 kilometers of severely deteriorated highways in northern and southern Bihar. ADB has supported Bihar’s State Highway Development Program through assistance to Bihar State Highways Project-I (420 million US dollars, closed in July, 2012) followed by Project-II (300 million US dollars signed in December, 2010) • Ministry of Rural Development signed MoU with NGO Pradan for development in Naxal hit areas The NGO will serve as a resource and support organisation for the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), with specially focusing on Naxal –affected districts. The scheme will be implemented in some of the Naxal-affected districts of Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand and Odisha in the first phase. − Pradan’s help is needed in these areas since government agencies often find difficulty in implementation of developmental projects because of threats from Naxals. Pradan, is funded by the Ford Foundation and Gates Foundation. • HAL inks MoU with TII – Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Transparency International India (TII), the coalitions against corruption, to promote corruption-free, fair and transparent business practices in the company. The country chapter of the Berlin-based not-for-profit organisation will advise HAL and support it in implementing its integrity pact programme. • ONGC Joins Hands with RIL to Explore East Coast – India’s largest public sector oil and gas exploration firm, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has announced signing of an agreement with private sector major Reliance Industries Ltd. (RIL) to explore the possibility of sharing the latter’s infrastructural facilities on the east coast. “The MoU aims at working out the modalities for sharing of infrastructure, identifying additional requirements as well as firming up the commercial terms,” ONGC and RIL said in joint statement. September–2013 • India and Latvia - The Government of India on 18 September 2013 signed an agreement with Latvia on Double Tax Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income. • India and Japan – The Union Ministry of Science and Technology and Japan’s largest research organization RIKEN signed a MoU on 14 September, 2013 for launching joint research programs in applied science. Joint research programs will be launched in the fields of Biology, Life sciences and Material sciences, Genome related research including systems Biology and Computational science including development of bioinformatics tools, Detection tools for security and other areas of mutual interest. ) India and Japan on 12 September, 2013 agreed to expand co-operation in the films sector, particularly in co-production of animation films. ) India and Japan on 6 September, 2013 decided to expand their bilateral currency swap arrangement from 15 billion US dollars to 50 billion US dollar till December 2015. − A bilateral swap agreement was signed between the Bank of Japan and the RBI for 15 billion US dollar on 4 December, 2012. This arrangement aimed at addressing possible short-term liquidity mismatches and supplementing existing international financial arrangements, as part of the effort to strengthening the mutual co-operation between Japan and India.

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• India and Canada – The Union Cabinet of India on 29 August, 2013 approved the Social Security Agreement between India and Canada. The agreement between India and Canada was signed on 6 November, 2012. • SEBI signed MoU with Argentina – Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) on 16 September, 2013 signed a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Comission Nacional de Valores, (CNV) Argentina. − The MoU seeks to promote mutual assistance and exchange of information with a view to facilitate the development of deeper and broader capital market, enhance greater cross-border activities and attain closer regulatory co-operation between two jurisdictions in a mutually beneficial manner. • Cabinet approved the India-Abu Dhabi Bilateral Air Services Agreement – The Union Cabinet of India on 3 September, 2013 approved the India-Abu Dhabi bilateral air services agreement. Under this agreement the airlines of India and Abu-Dhabi can fly 50000 seats each week, an increase from the present level of 13700. • MoU for revival of Talcher Urea Plant – Fertilizer Corporation of India Ltd. (FCIL) signed an MoU with Coal India Ltd. (CIL), GAIL India Ltd. and Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilizers Ltd. (RCF) for revival of Talcher Urea Plant in Odisha on 5 September, 2013. This is a unique project being setup on Coal Gasification for production of 1.2 MTPA Urea and Ammonium Nitrate.

• Rajasthan – Centre of Excellence and Ethics in Ajmer – An Memorandum of Understandings (MoU) was signed between Corporate Affairs Ministry and three professional institutes – Institute of Company Secretaries of India, Institute of Cost Accountants of India and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India on September 12, 2013 to set-up a Centre of Excellence and Ethics in Ajmer (Rajasthan) in a move to create knowledge hub in the State. • China & Kazakhstan Struck Kashagan Deal – Chinese President Xi Jinping struck a deal with Kazakhstan giving China a stake in its giant Kashagan oil project on September 7, 2013. The $ 5 billion deal further increases China’s rising clout in post-Soviet Central Asia, once Russia’s imperial backyard, and blocks an attempt by global rival India to get a stake in the oilfield, the world’s largest oil discovery in five decades. • India and Chile – Talks on Energy Cooperation – India has offered its support and expertise in setting-up renewable energy projects for Chile, which is almost entirely dependent on imports for its energy needs. − The offer was extended during a meeting between visiting Indian Minister of New and Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah and Chile’s Energy Minister Jorge Bunster on September 13, 2013. − Both the countries have agreed to enhance their cooperation in the renewable energy sector. India is planning to add over 30 GW (gigawatt) of renewable energy to its energy mix in next five years, detailing the success of programmes on wind and solar energies. • Moving Towards Media Cooperation – India and China have agreed to initiate steps to include Media cooperation as part of 2014 celebrations being observed to commemorate ‘Friendly Exchanges’ between the two countries on September 16, 2013. • Currency Swap Arrangement Agreed – India and Japan decided to treble more then their currency swap arrangement from USD 15 billion to 50 billion on September 6, 2013 during a meeting between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Japanese Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso on the sidelines of the summit of the Group of 20 industrialised and emerging economies in Moscow. • TCS bags NCB’s deal – As part of efforts to develop electronic services and ensure quality services to its customers across all channels, the National Commercial Bank (NCB) of Dubai has selected Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) to implement a new core banking software platform for the Bank. BANK-PO/CLERK EXAM CA/Aug2013-Jan2014/Page-65

• India and Laos - $ 66.15 mn Aid to Laos – India agreed to provide $ 66.15 million to Laos for irrigation and hydro power projects, including the extension of transmission lines, for socio- economic development in the South East Asian nation on September 9, 2013 during External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid’s visit to the country to participate in the 7th India-Lao Joint Commission Meeting (JMC) on Bilateral Cooperation. • In the largest deal ever signed by an Indian company, GAIL (India )Ltd, has entered into a $ 60 billion (about Rs.3.80 lakh crore) deal with two US-based companies for bringing in close to six million tonnes of liquefied natural gas or LNG every year over a 20-year period beginning 2016-17. GAIL, the first Asian company to buy liquefied natural gas from the US, is taking advantage of the lowest prices in 13 years to tie up LNG supplies from the US. • India and Liberia – Energy Pacts Signed – India and Liberia decided to enhance cooperation in energy with extending US $ 144 million Line of Credit to the African country to fund a power transmission and distribution project besides signing an MoU on oil and gas on September 11, 2013. The agreements were signed after a meeting between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and visiting Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who was on a five-day visit to India. − Both sides decided to enhance our cooperation in a number of areas, including agricultural research, health, small and medium enterprises, science and technology, education and skill development. • MoU Between NSIC & Mauritius – Delegation led by Jangbahadoorsing Seetaram, Minister of Business, Enterprise and Cooperatives, Mauritius met with K.H. Muniyappa, Minister of State (Independent Charge), Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in New Delhi on September 2, 2013. − During the meeting, India and Mauritius discussed about the finalising of MoU on cooperation in the MSME sector. Discussion on signing of MoU between National Small Industries Corporation and Small & Medium Enterprises Development Authority of Mauritius was also done. • HLL Biotech signed Agreement with Institute of Immunology, Croatia – HLL Biotech Limited entered into a long-term supply and technology transfer agreement with the Institute of Immunology, Zagreb, Croatia. The agreement was made to initiate mass production of measles vaccine in India. Under the agreement, HLL Lifecare Limited will produce 80 million doses of measles vaccine for the Indian market, which will meet a major share of the government requirements. ) HLL Biotech Limited is a subsidiary of central public sector miniratna company, HLL Lifecare Limited. October–2013 • Energy deal between China and Russia – Russia’s state major Rosneft inked an agreement with Sinopec, China’s largest refining state company on October 22, 2013 for the supply of 100 million tonnes of crude over the next 10 years and would be worth $ 85 billion. Earlier this year Rosneft signed a contract with Chinese state oil major, CNPC, to supply China with 365 million tonnes of oil over 25 years. The deals reached during a visit of Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev to China. • AIFF, Football Federation of Australia Signed Agreement – All India Football Federation (AIFF) announced the signing of an agreement under Australian Sports Outreach Programme (ASOP) with Football Federation of Australia (FFA) to support AIFF’s Grassroots Programme on October 30, 2013. − The agreement includes financial, administrative and technical support (from FFA) in the form of capacity building within the State Associations currently involved in the Grassroots Programme, Grassroots Courses and Grassroots Festivals, among many such activities.

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• India-Bangladesh Extradition Treaty Takes Effect – The extradition treaty between Bangladesh and India came into effect on October 23, 2013 with the handing over of the instruments of ratification of the much-awaited pact. The two countries will now be able to exchange convicts or undertrials as and when required. Bangladesh Home Secretary C.Q.K. Mostak Ahmed and Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pankaj Saran signed the documents. − The ceremony was attended by Bangladesh Home Minister Muhiuddin Khan Alamgir, who signed the treaty with his Indian counterpart Sushil Kumar Shinde on January 28, 2013. The Bangladesh Cabinet had endorsed it on October 7, 2013 while the Indian Cabinet did earlier. − The treaty will allow exchange of convicts sentenced for more than a year in prison but will not be applicable to political prisoners and asylum seekers. Both sides have the option to cancel the treaty in six-month notice. • USA-Afghanistan on Security Deal – The US and Afghanistan have resolved disagreements on a bilateral security deal after lengthy talks in Kabul, although difference remain on October 13, 2013. President Haamid Karzai stated that they were still divided over immunity for US soldiers who stay in Afghanistan after next year’s NATO withdrawal. The talks were overshadowed by a US operation to capture a senior Pakistani Taliban Commander. Latif Mahsud was reportedly seized in Eastern Afghanistan after talks with Afghan intelligence officers over a mooted prisoner-swap deal and his capture is said to have angered President Karzai. In the partial bilateral security deal due to take effect next year, Karzai appeared to ‘have secured a US agreement not to carry out attacks on Afghan soil without first consulting the Afghan authorities. The deal will help determine how many US troops will remain in Afghanistan after the main foreign combat-forces pull out at the end of 2014. • Credit Agreement with IFAD for JTLEP Signed – An agreement for credit of US $ 51 million (equivalent) from IFAD for the Jharkhand Tribal Empowerment Livelihood Project (JTLEP) was signed on October 4, 2013. JTELP would continue till September, 2021. The objective of the project is to enable rural households to take-up sustainable livelihood opportunities. The project shall benefit small rural producers, women, scheduled caste households and youth in the hill districts of Jharkhand. The goal of the project is to reduce poverty in the hill districts of the State of Jharkhand. • India Signed Pact with World Bank for Uttar Pradesh Water Sector Restructuring Project – India has signed an agreement with World Bank for credit of 360 million US dollars for the second phase of Uttar Pradesh Water Sector Restructuring Project on October 25, 2013. The objective of the project is to support the State on capacity building of Water Users Association, rehabilitation and modernization of irrigation, development of basin river planning strategies and flood management systems. It also aims at strengthening the institutional and policy framework for integrated water resources management and increase farm and water productivity by supporting farmers in targeted irrigation areas. The closing date for the project is October 31, 2020. The project has six main components à Strengthening of State Level Water Institutions and Inter Sector Coordination. à Modernisation and Rehabilitation of Irrigation and Drainage Systems. à Consolidation and Enhancement of Irrigation Institution Reforms. à Enhancing Agriculture Productivity and On-Farm Water Management. à Feasibility studies and Preparation Activities for the Next Phase. à Project Coordination and Monitoring. • India-Indonesia: India and Indonesia strengthened bilateral cooperation by signing six pacts in diverse areas ranging from health and disaster management to combating illicit trafficking of drugs on October 11, 2013. The Memorandums of Understandings (MoUs) were signed during the first bilateral visit of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Indonesia. − The MoU has been inked to promote and develop cooperation in the field of health and medicine.

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− This would cover areas of maternal and child health, nursing, traditional medicine, communicate and non-communicate disease, health technology information research and development, Active pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) and IT-based medical equipment. • India-Brazil: The 6th India-Brazil Joint Commission Meeting was held in Brasilia on October 14-15, 2013. The main issues discussed in the meeting were the entire gamut of India-Brazil Strategic Partnership including Political, Economic and Commercial, Agriculture, Science and Technology, Defence, Cultural, Hydrocarbon etc. − They also signed an Agreement on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons, which will enhance prospects of a closer cooperation between Brazil and India in legal assistance matters. − They also renewed the Agreement on Cooperation between their respective diplomatic academies, the Foreign Service Institute and Institute Rio Branco, signed in 2007. à India and Brazil share close cooperation and coordination in the multilateral arena in IBSA, BRICS, G-4, BASIC, G-20 or other organisations. à Brazil is the most important trading partner of India in the entire Latin America. • India-Hungary: MoU for Promotion of Traditional Systems of Medicine – An agreement for the transfer of “know-how” in the field of Biological and Chemical Warfare was among six MoUs signed between Hungary and India as part of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s visit to India on October 17, 2013.

• India-Austria: MoU on Technology Cooperation – A Memorandum of Understandings (MoU) on technology cooperation in the shipping and port infrastructure was signed between India and Austria on October 30, 2013. Austria derives its importance by virtue of its active role in international organisations. • India-Finland: Pact to Produce Ethanol – India signed an agreement with Finland to produce indigenous ethanol to promote use of clean technologies and cut down the Oil Import Bill on October 15, 2013. Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) and finish clean, technology firm ‘Chempolis’ will set-up a pilot project to produce ethanol bio-chemicals and bio-coal from biomass residual matters. It is for conversion of cellulose into ethanol. The ONGC have developed a technology by which all cellulose based waste products can be converted into ethanol. • India-ASEAN: Agreements to Revive Nalanda University – India signed agreements with seven countries, who pledged their commitment to the ambitious Nalanda University Project being built near the ruins of the ancient academic institution on October 10, 2013 on the sidelines of East Asia Summit. − The Memorandums of Understandings (MoUs) were signed with Australia, Cambodia, Singapore, Brunei, New Zealand, Lao PDR and Myanmar. These agreements are key to India’s plans to establish Nalanda University in Bihar as an institution of international repute. • India-Cuba: Cooperation in Broadcasting – India and Cuba signed a Memorandum of Understandings (MoU) for cooperation in broadcasting between Prasar Bharati and Cuban Radio and Television Institute (ICRT) on October 30, 2013 during the official visit of India’s Vice-President Hamid Ansari to Cuba. − Under the agreement, both countries will explore co-production opportunities on matters of mutual interest. The pact would facilitate exchange programmes in fields of cultural entertainment, education, science, sports and news. It also opens up avenues for co-production of broadcast content for creative ventures including films and coverage of events. • India-Ukraine: Fifth Session of the Inter-Governmental Commission – India and Ukraine explored ways to expand cooperation in diverse sectors such as trade, nuclear energy, coal mining, pharmaceuticals, healthcare and science and technology on November 15, 2013.

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November–2013 • India and Kuwait hold talks in the areas of investment, trade and security and of joint ventures in the energy sector to take their relationship beyond the present buyer-seller partnership. As many as five pacts are signed in the presence of the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and his Kuwait counterpart Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah in New Delhi. Agreement/MoU à Agreement between the government of India and of Kuwait on the transfer of sentenced persons. à MoU between the Foreign Service Institute (FSI), Ministry of External Affairs of the Republic of India and the Saud N. Al-Sabah Kuwait Diplomatic Institute (KDI), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, of the State of Kuwait for cooperation in mutual beneficial area of activities. à MoU on cooperation in the field of sports & youth affairs between the government of India and Kuwait. à Executive programme for cultural and information exchanges between the government of India and Kuwait for the year 2013-16. à Educational exchange programme between the government of India and Kuwait on cooperation in education and learning for the years 2013-16. • Russia-Japan upgrades defence ties – Russia and Japan in November 2013 have moved to dramatically upgrade bilateral ties, holding their first joint Defence and Foreign Ministers’ meeting and agreeing to expand their defence and security cooperations. − Russia and Japan have agreed to conduct the first ever anti-terrorism and anti-piracy exercises between the Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force and the Russian Navy. Till now the two navies have jointly trained only for search and rescue operations. − The two countries have also agreed to step up their cooperation in multilateral security forums in the Asia-Pacific region. • Iran Signs Landmark Nuclear Deal with West – Iran has struck a historic agreement with the United States and five other world powers, accepting strict constraints on its nuclear programme for the first time in a decade in exchange for partial relief from sanctions. The deal, signed at 4.30 a.m. on November 24, 2013 in Geneva marks arguably the most significant foreign policy achievement of Barack Obama’s presidency, amounting to the most significant agreement between Washington and Tehran since the 1979 Iranian revolution. In return, Iran undertakes to restrict its nuclear activities. Over the next six months it has agreed to: ƒ stop enriching uranium above 5 per cent, reactor grade, and dilute its stock of 20 per cent- enriched uranium or convert it to oxide, which makes it harder to enrich further. The medium- enriched uranium, in its hexafluoride gas form, is relatively easy to-turn into weapons-grade material, so it is a major proliferation concern. ƒ not to increase its stockpile of low-enrichment uranium ƒ freeze its enrichment capacity by not installing any more centrifuges, leaving more than half of its existing 16,000 centrifuges inoperable ƒ not to fuel or to commission the heavy-water reactor it is building in Arak or build a reprocessing plant that could produce plutonium from the spent fuel ƒ accept more intrusive nuclear inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency, including daily visits to some facilities ƒ In return, there will be no new nuclear-related sanctions for six month if Iran sticks by the accord ƒ Iran will also receive relief worth about $ 7 billion on oil, gold, auto exports and educational cash reserves • CCI Clears Jet – Etihad Deal – the country’s trade regulator Competition Commission of India (CCI) on November 12, 2013 approved the long pending Jet-Etihad deal, thereby paving the way for Abu Dhabi-based Etihad to acquire a 24% stake in a Naresh Goyal-led Jet Airways.

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− In a deal announced in April 2013, Etihad had proposed to pick up 24% stake in Jet Airways for $325 million (Rs.2,070 crore). This is the first-ever foreign direct investment (FDI) in an Indian carrier by an overseas airline. − The Jet-Etihad deal has been stuck for months for want of various regulatory approvals. The clearance by the CCI was among the last regulatory approvals for this transaction. • IIMC, QUT-Australia Signed International Cooperation Agreement – Brisbane, Australia have signed an International Cooperation Agreement to collaborate in academic programmes and in frontier areas of research in Media and Communication. − The agreement was signed, IIMC I&B Ministry and Queensland University of Technology on November 3, 2013. The agreement envisages bringing ICT in academic programmes in a significant way. Both the institutes have agreed for the development of joint venture projects and also for opening avenues for developing a collaborative doctoral programme to benefit students and faculty. The bilateral cooperation agreement also envisages organisation of joint academic and scientific activities, such as courses, conferences, seminars, symposia or lectures, exchange of staff and students and exchange of materials and publications of common interest. • MTNL Signed MoU with US Firm to Impact Security Training in India - Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) and Los Alamos Technical Associates, Inc. (LATA) of the USA have signed an MoU for launching the state of the art training programs on Cyber Security, Risk And Crisis Management, Public Safety and Disaster Management, Homeland Security/Critical Infrastructure Protection, Security Operations Management, Industrial Security, Fire & Safety Management etc on November 12, 2013. − This will bring to India the best US practices followed in security, which has been developed over a period of time. India’s security needs are evolving rapidly and this partnership can help develop professional programs in cyber and physical security to meet the country’s growing demands. MTNL is going to start these trainings through its state of the art training centres at New Delhi and Mumbai. A dedicated resource will be allocated for this project and impact training so that it is more relevant for Indian Conditions. − First batch of training is likely to start from March, 2014. MTNL will be developing a one or two day series of awareness programs for the top management of companies and the government departments. • India–Australia: India and Australia signed two agreements in New Delhi during the visit of Foreign Minister of Australia, Julie Bishop to India on November 18, 2013. She was on four-day visit to India from November 15-18, 2013. Documents signed between the two sides − Amendments on MoU between the Central Board of Excise & Customs of India and the Australian Customs Service on Customs Cooperation on Mutual Administrative Assistance. − Statement of Intent between the government of Australia and Nalanda University to progress a three year arrangement towards a chair of Ecology and Environment Studies at the University. − Both sides also discussed cooperation in counter-terrorism and cyber security. ) Moving towards Civil Nuclear Agreement – India moved a step closer to sourcing uranium from Australia, the world’s biggest exporter of the radioactive mineral, with the Foreign Ministers of both countries agreeing to hold the third round of talks on a bilateral civil nuclear agreement towards the end of November, 2013. − External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid and his Australian counterpart Julie Bishop reaffirmed the commitment of both countries to finalise a Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement (CNCA) to enable the sale of Australian uranium to India during a multilateral conference in Perth.

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• Treaty for Transfer of Sentenced Prisoners – India and Vietnam signed an agreement that would pave way for transfer of sentenced prisoners languishing in jails in the two countries on November 1, 2013. As part of social rehabilitation of prisoners, the treaty will help Indian prisoners imprisoned in Vietnam or vice-versa to be near their families for serving remaining part of their sentence. • Passport Agreements with 3 countries – Indians with diplomatic passports will now find traveling to Poland, Slovenia and Lithuania easier as government approved visas waiver agreements with these countries on November 7, 2013. • A new climate change agreement at Warsaw – Negotiators gathered at the Polish capital, Warsaw, sealed a new climate change agreement, avoiding a crash late on November 23, 2013. But this required the countries to lock themselves to a compromised agreement with a low level of ambition to fight climate change. • Tamil Nadu & Puducherry Financing and Project Agreements for World Bank Assistance The Union government of India, the government of Tamil Nadu and the government of Puducherry signed the Financing and Project Agreements for World Bank Assistance (IDA Assistance) of 236 million US dollars with the World Bank on November 11, 2013. The agreements were signed for Tamil Nadu-Puducherry Coastal Disaster Risk Reduction Project (CDRRP). − The objective of the Project is to increase the resilience of coastal communities in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, to a range of hydro-meteorological and geophysical hazards along with improving project implementation entities capacity to respond promptly and effectively to an eligible crisis or emergency. The Project will have five components, which are ƒ Vulnerability Reduction ƒ Sustainable Fisheries ƒ Capacity building in Disaster Risk Management ƒ Implementation Support; and ƒ Contingency Emergency Response. • India – Vietnam: Trade Agreements Signed – India and Vietnam inked eight agreements, including one for oil and gas exploration in the seas off Vietnam that includes the South China Sea as visiting Vietnamese leader Nguyen Phu Trong and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh held talks in New Delhi on November 20, 2013. − Vietnam offers India seven oil blocks – Vietnam has offered India seven oil blocks in South China Sea, including three on an exclusive basis, and joint prospecting in some Central Asian countries with which both Hanoi and New Delhi have good political ties. Following talks between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and visiting Vietnam Communist Party general secretary Nguyen Phu Trong in New Delhi on November 20, 2013 the two sides signed eight pacts of which the ones on energy cooperation and protection of information in defence will intensify the already close ties in these two sectors. − Air Services Agreement Boosting connectivity, both sides inked an air services agreement that would see direct flights between the two countries and also promote an international aviation system based on competition. − High-Tech Crime Lab Both sides also inked an agreement for setting up a high-tech crime lab in Hanoi. − Coal Project Vietnam’s industry and trade ministry also inked a MoU with Tata Power Limited. For development of the Long Phu 2 coal-fired power plant project in Soc Trang, Vietnam. − Building IT Training Centre A Vietnam-India English and IT Training Centre at the National Defence Academy of Vietnam in Hanio will also be set-up.

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December–2013 • Afghanistan and Iran Agreed On Comprehensive Cooperation Agreement – The presidents of Afghanistan and Iran have agreed on a long-term cooperation pact, a move which experts believe could further strain Hamid Karzai’s ties with the United States. Karzai made the deal with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in Tehran on 8 December. The leaders of the Central Asian nations Iran and Afghanistan signed a pact for long-term political, security, economic and cultural cooperation, regional peace and security. • Israel, Jordan, Palestinians Signed Water Sharing Agreement – Israel, Jordan and the Palestinians signed a historic water-sharing initiative at the World Bank in Washington on 9 December that could protect the Dead Sea from rising demand for water in the region. The agreement was signed by Israeli Energy Minister Silvan Shalom, Shaddad Attili, head of the Palestinian water authority, and Hazim el-Naser, head of the Jordanian water ministry. • China, Bolivia Agreed To Promote Friendly Relations – China and Bolivia on 19 December agreed to further promote their friendly and reciprocal relationship in talks between the two presidents. China President Xi Jinping and Bolivian President Juan Evo Morales Ayma agreed in their talks at the Great Hall of the People that the two countries should keep up high-level engagements; strengthen communication between governments, legislatures and political parties; share experience on state governing; and continue to support each other on major issues involving each other’s core interests. The two presidents witnessed the signing of several cooperation deals including governmental technology and economic cooperation. • India and UAE signed Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement – India and United Arab Emirates (UAE) have signed a Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (BIPPA) on 12 December to boost investment flows between the two countries. The BIPPA was signed in New Delhi by Obaid Humaid Al Tayer, Minister of State for Financial Affairs from the UAE side and Namo Narain Meena, Minister of State for Finance from the Indian side. • India and Afghanistan Agreed To Enhance Defence Ties – Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai have agreed to deepen defence and security cooperation to increase the operational capabilities and mobility of the Afghanistan National Security and Defence Forces (ANSDF). During the bilateral talks in New Delhi on 13 December, the two leaders also agreed to expand opportunities for higher military education in India for Afghan officers. • India and Arab League Signed MoU on Cooperation – India and the 22-nation Arab League on 17 December held wide-ranging discussions on key bilateral, regional and international issues, including situation in Syria and the West Asia peace process. In their talks, External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid and Secretary General of League of Arab States Nabil Elaraby agreed to enhance cooperation in trade, investment and other areas. A memorandum of cooperation between the two countries was also signed by the two leaders that is aimed at imparting fresh momentum to engagement between the two sides at the senior official and ministerial levels. • China and Pakistan signed a joint sales and marketing agreement - Key collaboration: China is collaborating with Pakistan on a number of projects including Gwadar Port, Chashma Power Project, Karakoram Highway, Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and more recently the Karachi Civil Nuclear Power Plant. • India Signs Labour Pact with Saudi Arabia – India signed a labour cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia on January 02, 2014 that will cover about a quarter of the 28 lakh Indian expatriates working there and could be the stepping stone for a more comprehensive pact covering all Indian workers in the Gulf Kingdom.

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− The Agreement on Labour Co-operation for Domestic Service Workers Recruitment, inked by Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi and Saudi Arabian Labour Minister Adel bin Mohammed Fakeih, will be monitored by a committee of senior officials. • Cabinet Nod For FTA With ASEAN - The Cabinet on December 19, 2013 approved a free trade agreement (FTA) in trade and services with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The proposal was approved after a discussion between Finance Minister P. Chidambaram and Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma. − The Agreement on Trade in Services and Agreement is to be signed under the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation (CECA) between India and the ASEAN. The CECA between India and ASEAN was signed in 2003. The Cabinet approved the Agreement on Trade Goods under the CECA with the ASEAN in July 2009. The agreement the Cabinet approved on December 19, 2013 is aimed at boosting the movement of Indian professionals in the 10-nation ASEAN. Member countries include countries like Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. • India, Nepal to Check Illegal Border Trade – India and Nepal on December 22, 2013 agreed to address each other’s concerns on commerce and transit, including reduction of tariff barriers and checking illegal trade along the porous border between the two countries. The decisions were made during the two-day Inter-Governmental Committee meeting that concluded in Kathmandu. The respective delegations were led by the Commerce Secretaries. − The Indian side agreed to provide 10,000 cows in response to a demand from Nepal to meet the country’s increasing demand for milk and dairy products. The two sides agreed on a 14-point agenda to enhance trade, promote cooperation and address concerns of the private sector of both sides. Nepal agreed to adjust the 5 per cent agriculture reforms charge it has been charging on Indian exports, India agreed to resolve difficulties related to export of Nepali books and newspapers. The two sides agreed to make institutional arrangements to facilitate third country import and export to build infrastructure in newly identified customs points. January–2014 • South Sudan Government and Rebels Signed Ceasefire Agreement – South Sudan’s Government and Rebels have signed a ceasefire agreement. The agreement was signed in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa by representatives of South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir and rebel delegates loyal to ousted vice president Riek Machar on 23 January. As per the deal, the government has agreed to release 11 officials close to Machar, who were detained after the fighting broke in the country. • India and Saudi Arabia Signed Labour Cooperation Agreement – India and Saudi Arabia have signed an agreement on labour cooperation for domestic service workers recruitment. The agreement was signed in New Delhi on 2nd January by Ministry for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi and Minister for Labour of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Adel Bin Mohammed Fakeih. The agreement signing was necessitated in the view of Indians, who are facing work related problems in Saudi Arabia. The agreement, which only allows recruitment of domestic helpers, will regulate recruitment costs and impose penalties on violators. • India and Maldives Signed 3 MoUs – India and the Maldives on 2nd January agreed to amicably resolve all differences, including over cancellation of Indian company GMR’s contract to run Male International Airport. Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen held talks in New Delhi with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the two sides signed three Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs). Two agreements are related to health and human resource development and one on the diplomatic front. • India and Canada Signed LOI for Co-operation in Iron and Steel Sector – India and Canada have signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) for co-operation in Iron and Steel Sector. The letters were signed on 13 January in New Delhi by Beni Prasad Verma, the Union Minister of Steel and Minister of Natural Resources, Government of Canada, Joe Oliver.

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• India and South Korea Signed Nine Agreements – India and South Korea have signed 9 agreements in different areas to boost bilateral ties between the two countries. The agreements were signed on 16th January after delegation level talks between Manmohan Singh, the Prime Minister of India and Park Geun-hye, the President of South Korea in New Delhi. • India and Japan Signed 8 Agreements – India and Japan have agreed to boost defence ties and signed eight agreements with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, pledging another tranche of infrastructure loans worth 200 billion yen, during his talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi on 25th January 2014. • Japan and India on January 10th, 2014 expanded an arrangement for swapping their local currencies against the US dollar, raising the size to as much as $50 billion (about Rs.3.11 lakh crore) from the original $15 billion (about Rs.93,225 crore). The expanded swap arrangement, signed by Bank of Japan (BOJ) governor Haruhiko Kuroda and his Indian counterpart Reserve Bank of India governor Raghuram Rajan, will be effective until December 2015. − The swap arrangement aims to counter any short-term liquidity problems the two countries may face in future. • India, Pakistan to establish reciprocal NDMA – Following a 16-month hiatus, India-Pakistan relations on January 18, 2014 showed signs of thawing with the two sides agreeing to find ways of establishing reciprocal Non-Discriminatory Market Access (NDMA) by February-end. This includes issuing bank licenses to allow banks to function in each other’s country. − The Commerce Ministers of both the countries said they had agreed to open the Wagah-Attari border for trade at all times of the year. They also agreed to allow containers, which were until now unloaded at the check-post and re-loaded on the other side, to be moved right up to Amritsar and Lahore. − Bilateral trade between the two countries is slightly more than $3 billion a year. Both sides expressed hope that trade would go up many times when NDMA is established on a reciprocal basis. For this, India needs to open up to Pakistan 614 items. Pakistan, on the other hand, needs to open up to India two lists comprising 936 and 1209 items. • India, UAE to co-operate in renewable energy – India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on 18th January, 2014 signed an agreement to enhance co-operation in renewable energy, especially in the areas of solar and wind power. India’s minister of new and renewable energy Farooq Abdullah and Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, minister of state and the UAE’s special envoy for energy and climate change signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for co-operation in these areas in Abu Dhabi. • India , World Bank sign agreement for rural connectivity in Rajasthan – The Union government and the World Bank on 2nd January, 2014 signed a $160 million credit for the ‘Road Sector Modernization Project’ of Rajasthan to support the state government to improve rural connectivity, enhance road safety and strengthen the road sector management capacity of the state. • NRLM pact with Digital Green – National Rural Livelihoods Mission on 28th January, 2014 signed and MoU with Digital Green, a Microsoft Research Project. − Digital Green aims to exchange livelihood practices among rural communities using locally produced videos and mediated dissemination. Its innovative ICT-based approach focuses on low-cost and effective, peer-to-peer learning processes which seek to empower poor households for increasing productivity and incomes sustainably. • IIFCL signs MoU with Exim Bank of Korea – State-owned India Infrastructure Finance Company Ltd on 17th January, 2014 signed an agreement with the Export-Import Bank of Korea (K-EXIM) for infrastructure finance. The MOU scope covers cooperation in project and investment financing related to infrastructure as well as other finance areas of mutual interest, IIFCL said in a statement.

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MEET/VISIT August–2013 • Foreign Minister of Republic of Chad visits India – Moussa Faki Mahamat, Minister for Foreign Affairs and African Integration of Republic of Chad, paid an official visit to India on 12-13 August, 2013. During his visit he met Salman Khurshid, External Affairs Minister of India. The visit was aimed at increasing bilateral cooperation between the India and Chad. • Visit of US Vice President to India – United States 47th Vice President Joe Biden paid his maiden visit to India on 22-25 July, 2013 to make Indo-US ties the most important strategic partnership of the 21st century. During the visit, Biden met top leaders including his counter-part Hamid Ansari, President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the Leader of Opposition Sushma Swaraj to discuss on bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest. − In his first day in Delhi, he paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at the Gandhi Smriti museum and later, on July 24, in the financial hub, Mumbai, he met the business leaders at a round table and deliver a policy speech at the Bombay Stock Exchange and interest with students. • Tshering Tobgay – Bhutan’s new Prime Minister embarked on his maiden visit to India, during which he discussed issues like rupee crunch and funds for the Himalayan nation’s 11th Five-year plan with Indian leadership. He came to India at the invitation of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. • Manmohan Singh – He will visit US to meet President Barack Obama on September 27. It is a part of the attempt to chart a course, seeking enhanced bilateral ties and defence cooperation between the two countries. • Hamid Ansari – The vice president of India visited Tehran recently to attend the oath-taking ceremony of the seventh Iranian president Hassan Rouhani, who was a surprise winner in the recent elections. • Nuri al-Maliki – The Iraqi Prime Minister came to India on a three-day visit recently in a first bilateral visit by a head of government in 38 years. He held comprehensive talks with his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh. India and Iraq inked a key pact on energy cooperation among other agreements. • Karim Khalili – Afghanistan’s second vice-president and a prominent Shia Hazara leader visited India recently on the invitation of Vice-President Hamid Ansari. India has conveyed to Afghanistan that Delhi finds it difficult to supply weapons to Kabul since it is bound by conditions set by suppliers. September–2013 • India held its first post-Fukushima talks on civil nuclear accord with Japan. The meeting took place after three years, was officially the fourth round of talks. • Gaurav Shamsher JB Rana – The Nepalese Army Chief undertook a week-long visit to India from 29 September to strengthen military-to-military ties, including supply of hardware to Nepal Army. • 2nd ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (Plus) was held in Brunei on 29 August, 2013 India’s Minister of State for Defence Jitendra Singh represented the country at the meeting. − The Ministers issued a joint Declaration at the end of the meeting. According to which, ADMM Plus countries will establish practical measures that reduce vulnerability to miscalculation and avoid misunderstanding and undesirable incidents at sea. − Among other decisions, taken at the meeting, was the establishment of an additional (sixth) Expert Working Group on Humanitarian Mine Action which will be co-chaired by India with Vietnam.

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− ADMM Plus was established in 2010. It was built with the objective of developing synergy and cooperative frameworks to enable nations to address the complex security challenges. This forum is convened every two years. ) India’s stance at the meet − India stated that terrorism represents a major threat to the peace, stability and security of the entire region. India urged that the global regime against terrorism needs to be strengthened through the early adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) at the UN. India stressed on to combine efforts to ensure that terrorist sanctuaries, safe havens and the networks for financing to terrorist groups are dismantled. − Speaking on Afghanistan, India supported that the reconciliation process must be Afghan- led, Afghan-owned and Afghan – controlled, within the framework of the Afghan constitution and internationally accepted redlines. − India supported calls for stopping of violence and commencement of an inclusive national dialogue to resolve the conflict through peaceful political means in Syria. India expressed deep concern about the nuclear test conducted by North Korea in February 2013. India also stressed on the need to discuss maritime security in this region. • Expanding Economic Cooperation with Pakistan – During Afghan President Hamid Karzai’s visit to Pakistan, the two countries agreed to deepen the bilateral relationship, with a particular focus on expanded trade, economic cooperation, and trans-regional projects for connectivity on August 26, 2013. − Afghanistan and Pakistan agreed to construct a dam over Kunar River in Afghanistan which will supply electricity to both the countries. • Bhutan’s PM visited India – The Prime Minister of Bhutan, Lyonchhen Tshering Tobgay was on a official visit to India from August 30 to September 4, 2013. It was the first overseas visit by Prime Minister Tobgay after being elected Prime Minister, following the second democratic elections in Bhutan in July, 2013. − During the visit, India announced 5000 crore aid for Bhutan’s development work. Continued cooperation in developing hydroelectric projects in Bhutan was also agreed upon. India reiterated its commitment to install an additional 10000 MW of generating capacity. The two sides expressed satisfaction at the progress in the three ongoing projects. • Foreign Minister of Tuvalu Visited India – Taukelina Finikaso, the Foreign Minister of Tuvalu was on an official visit to India from August 21 to 25, 2013. This was the first visit of Finidaso to India after taking charge as the Minister for Foreign Affairs. During his visit, Finikaso discussed issues of mutual interest related to bilateral, regional and international importance with Preneet Kaur, Minister of State for External Affairs of India. He also inaugurated the newly constituted Honorary Consulate of Tuvalu, which will provide both the countries, an opportunity to expand the bilateral relations of mutual benefits. • First Meeting of India-Germany High Technology Partnership Group – The first meeting of India- Germany High Technology Partnership Group was held in Berlin on 10 September 2013. The meeting was chaired by foreign secretary Sujatha Singh and State Secretary in German Foreign Office Herald Barun. October–2013 • Aga Khan, a Swiss Born Philanthropist and Muslim Spiritual Leader visited India from 17 to 29 September 2013. During the visit in New Delhi, Aga Khan met President of India Pranab Mukherjee, Vice-President of India Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister of India Manmohan Singh. − During the visit, Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad, which is the new non-profit school on 100 acre campus, was inaugurated on 20 September 2013 by the CM of Andhra Pradesh N. Kiran Kumar Reddy in the presence of Aga Khan.

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• 2nd Meeting of the India Philippines Joint Commission – The 2nd Meeting of the Philippines-India Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation was held on 21st October 2013, in Manila. The meeting was co-chaired by Albert F. Del Rosario, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines and Salman Khurshid, Minister of External Affairs of the Republic of India. India and Philippines held comprehensive discussions on political, defence, security, economic and cultural cooperation, and reviewed the progress of the Joint Working Groups on Trade and Investment, Tourism, Agriculture, Health and Medicine, Joint Committee on Renewable Energy and of the Joint Defence Cooperation Committee. ) The Ministers agreed that the next meetings of the Policy Consultations and Strategic Dialogue will be held in Manila, in 2014. • Manmohan’s Visit to Russia – The Prime Minister of India Dr. Manmohan Singh paid a five day visit to Russia and China in October 2013 and took part in the 14th annual summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Bilateral agreements/MoUs for 2013 Indo-Russian Annual Summit ƒ Agreement to allow Indians convicted Russia to serve out their sentences in Russia, and vice versa ƒ Technology transfer and cooperation including IT, nano-technology ƒ Cooperation in biotechnology ƒ Exchange of best practices in smart grids, energy audits ƒ Technical cooperation in the field of standardization • South-South Cooperation for Child Rights in Asia – The Second High Level Meeting (HLM) on South-South Cooperation for Child Rights in Asia and the Pacific concluded on October 25, 2013 in New Delhi. The meeting has brought together delegates from 33 countries of the region to discuss and share the progress, experience, problems and challenges in the survival, protection, development and participation of nearly 1.2 billion children in the region. − The New Delhi Declaration on South-South Cooperation for Child Rights in Asia and Pacific has been adopted. • Manmohan’s Visit to China – Dr. Manmohan Singh reached in Beijing on October 22, 2013. Border Pact ƒ Defence pact aims to improve communication between two armies ƒ Premier Li Keqiang says it’ll help to maintain border “peace, tranquility and stability” ƒ Both sides not to use military capability to attack each other ƒ Agree not to tail each other’s patrols at LAC. Meeting sites for border personnel along LAC ƒ Talks of better coordination between the two militaries ƒ Cooperation on basis of laws of both nations, bilateral agreements. Both will share info on military exercises, aircraft, demolition operations ƒ Jointly combat smuggling of arms, wildlife items, contraband ƒ Assist each other in locating personnel, livestock, means of transport, aerial vehicles that may have crossed or in the process of crossing LAC What will be done ƒ Flag meetings along LAC ƒ Meetings between Army commanders and other officers ƒ Meetings of India-China annual defence dialogue River deal ƒ Both countries will strengthen cooperation on the trans-border rivers ƒ China to provide Brahmaputra flood data from May to Oct instead of June to October ƒ Beijing assured its dams are run of the river projects not designed to hold water

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Other Agreements ƒ Deal on establishment of Nalanda University at Rajgir, Bihar. China a participating country in this project ƒ Deal to strengthen cultural ties ƒ On road transport and highways ƒ Agreement to establish sister city ties between Delhi and Beijing, Bangalore and Chengdu, Kolkata and Kunming

November–2013 • ASIA-EUROPE MEETING – The Foreign Ministers of 30 nations met in Gurgaon Delhi NCR on November 11-12, 2013. − With consensus emerging on bringing about a change in the working methods of ASEM (Asia- Europe Meeting), India sought result-oriented initiatives by agreeing to work with like-minded ASEM members in areas with potential for tangible cooperation. Speaking at the biggest international gathering of the year with over 30 Foreign Ministers attending, External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid said on November 11, 2013 that the aim should be to take ASEM “into homes and offices of people across Asia and Europe and allow us to bring in members of civil society, business, media and Parliaments as our partners in strengthening it as a bridge between the two continents.” • First Ever Joint India-Russia Air Force Exercise to be held in 2014 – India and Russia agreed to expand the range of their strategic partnership in a significant manner at the 13th Meeting of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-MTC) in Moscow on November 18, 2013. It was decided that the two countries will hold joint Air Force level exercise for the first time besides a joint Navy Exercise in the Peter the Great Bay in the Sea of Japan, both in 2014. • British Prime Minister David Cameron, on a visit to Kolkata, says that the United Nations Security Council should be modernized and India made a permanent member. • The 7th India-Republic of Korea Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) was held in New Delhi on 8 November 2013. The two nations conducted a comprehensive review of bilateral relations, which have been upgraded to a Strategic Partnership and have acquired range and depth over the past few years. The JCM discussed bilateral issues including in the political, security, trade, investment, consular, scientific and cultural spheres. Regional and international issues of mutual interest were also discussed. 8th India – ROK Joint Commission Meeting will be held in Seoul. December–2013 • India-Pakistan DGMO Level Meeting – The Directors-General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan on December 24, 2013 “reiterated” the resolve and commitment” of both sides to continue efforts for ensuring ceasefire, peace and tranquility on the Line of Control (LoC).” − At the meeting, the first between the DGMOs in 14 years, the two sides resolved to work towards improved communications between the two by reenergizing “existing mechanisms,” including their hotline contact. The talks between the two military officials, held at Wagah in Pakistan, came at the end of a year of extraordinary tensions along the LoC threatening the 10-year-old ceasefire. • Maldives’s President’s Visit to India – Maldives President Abdula Yameen Abdul Gayoom reached New Delhi on January 01, 2014 on a state visit. India on January 2, 2014 offered Maldives an enhanced security grid, more defence equipment as well as subsidised petroleum in return for greater investment opportunities to its companies which have had a rough time in the island nation of late.

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January–2014 • India – Japan Defence Ministerial Meeting Held in New Delhi – India – Japan Defence Ministerial Meeting was held in New Delhi on 6th January. At the meeting, the two ministers extensively exchanged ideas regarding regional and global security challenges, as well as bilateral defence cooperation and exchanges between India and Japan. They also decided to strengthen India-Japan defence consultation and cooperation, including those related to maritime security to further consolidate and strengthen the Strategic and Global Partnership between Japan and India. • India, China, Russia Hold Trilateral Meeting On Afghanistan – Senior officials from India, China and Russia on 16th January held a trilateral meeting in Beijing to coordinate their views on the situation in Afghanistan, amid heightened regional diplomacy in the lead-up to the withdrawal of NATO forces. The three countries exchanged views on the situation in the country and agreed that security in Afghanistan is important to the country and the region. The three countries held similar consultations on the issue last year when they met in Moscow for trilateral talks. • Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen Visited India - Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen visited India from 1-4 January 2014. During his visit, President Yameen and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh held bilateral talks in New Delhi. Manmohan Singh announced, after his comprehensive talks with Yameen on key issues including defence, security and economic cooperation that a standby credit facility of $ 25 million was being extended to Maldives for imports from India. • Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck Visited India – Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck Visited India from 6-10 January 2014. During his visit, Bhutan King held extensive talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi. The two leaders exchanged views on bilateral relations and on regional and international issues of mutual interest. The prime minister and other Indian leaders reiterated their full commitment and support to Bhutan’s socio- economic development and to further development of Bhutan’s hydropower resources. This is King Wangchuck’s second visit in 12 months. He was also the chief guest at India’s Republic Day celebrations in January 2013. • South Korean President Park Geun-hye Visited India – South Korean President Park Geun-hye, the country’s first women President, visited India from 15-18 January 2014. During the four day visit, Park Geun-hye held delegation level talks with Prime Minister Singh during which both sides discussed bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest to the two countries. After the talks, both nations signed nine agreements aimed at imparting forward momentum to their bilateral ties that have seen intensification over the past four years. • Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe Visited India – Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan visited India from 25-27 January 2014. During his three day visit, Shinzo Abe was the Chief Guest at the 65th Republic Day Celebrations in New Delhi on 26 January. In India there is a tradition to invite a foreign dignitary every year to witness the Republic Day parade. In the visit, he also met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and attended the Annual Summit between India and Japan. Abe announced 200 billion yen in new loans for extension of the Delhi Metro project and two other projects. He also announced step-up loans for symbolic projects of bilateral cooperation, including the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor and for a high-speed rail project. • Centre clears 5 National Highway projects – A high-level panel of the Union government has cleared five national highway road projects worth Rs.7,595 crore. − The Public Private Partnership Appraisal Committee (PPPAC) at its 62nd meeting cleared the projects that will be executed under the PPP mode. Since its inception in 2006, the PPPAC has cleared 272 Central projects worth Rs.2.96 lakh crore.

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• Japanese defence minister visits India – Defence Minister of Japan, Itsunori Onodera, paid a visit to India from 5-8 January, 2014 as a follow up to the India-Japan Defence Ministerial Meeting held in November 2011. The two Ministers held a meeting on 6th January, 2014. − Onodera held talks with his Indian counterpart, AK Antony. They decided to strengthen India- Japan defence consultation and co-operation, including those related to maritime security, to further consolidate and strengthen the Strategic and Global Partnership between Japan and India.

BILLS August–2013 • The Rajya Sabha on 13, August, 2013 passed Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill 2012, under which marriages solemnized in India irrespective of the religion of the persons getting married will have to be compulsorily registered. − The Bill is set to protect the women from unnecessary harassment in matrimonial and maintenance cases. It also seeks to provide evidentiary value in the matters of custody of children, right of children born from the wedlock of the two persons whose marriage is registered and the age of the parties to the marriage. • The Companies Bill 2012 was passed in Rajya Sabha on 8th August, 2013. The bill was already

passed by the Lok Sabha on 18 December, 2012. The legislation will replace the 57-year old Companies Act, 1956 after getting the final consent from President Pranab Mukherjee. − The new law would require companies that meet certain set of criteria, to spend at least two percent of their average profits in the last three years towards Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities. − The amended legislation also limits the number of companies where an auditor can serve upto 20 besides bringing more clarity on criminal liability of auditors. • Wildlife Protection Amendment Bill 2013 – The Environment and Forests Ministry introduced in the Rajya Sabha major amendments to the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 that seek heavier penalties to check wildlife-related crimes and aim to make Indian laws consistent with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild flora and fauna (CITES). Highlights of the New Bill à The Bill aims to ban the use of animal traps except under certain conditions. à It provides to engage gram sabhas and gram panchayats in management of protected areas and to grant hunting rights to hunter-gatherer Scheduled Tribes of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. à Hunting in national parks and sanctuaries or the alteration of their boundaries to be punishable with 5 to 7 years in jail and fine of Rs.5 to Rs.25 lakh as compared with the previous 3 to 7 years in jail and Rs.10,000 fine. à Seven years in prison and Rs.30 lakh fine for repeat offenders compared with the previous 3 to 7 years of imprisonment and Rs.25,000 fine now.

• Draft of National Sports Development Bill 2013 – The government has formulated a draft of the National Sports Development Bill, 2013 to bring all the National Sports Federations and the BCCI under the RTI Act and is seeking views of general public and all the stake-holders. The Bill is aimed at discouraging sports fraud, including match-fixing, in relation to national and international sporting events. • Rajya Sabha Passes the Representation of the People (Amendment and Validation) Bill, 2013 – The Rajya Sabha on August 27 unanimously passed the Representation of the People (Amendment and Validation) Bill, 2013 to amend the Representation of the people (RP) Act, 1951. The bill will

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turn over the order of Supreme Court to ban the people in custody or jail from contesting the elections. The amendment, after being approved by the Lok Sabha, will maintain rights of people in jail to contest polls. • Lok Sabha passes Land Acquisition Bill – The Lok Sabha on August 29 passed the land acquisition and rehabilitation bill that aims to provide fair compensation to those whose land is taken, brings transparency to the process and details measures for rehabilitation of those displaced. The bill proposes compensation that is up to four times the market value in rural areas and two times the market value in urban areas. September–2013 • The President of India, Pranab Mukherjee gave his assent to the Companies Bill-2013. With this, it will now become the law and replace the Companies Act-1956. • The Rajya Sabha passed the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill-2013. • Pension Bill Approved – Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) Bill, 2011 was cleared by the Rajya Sabha on September 6, 2013. The Bill that allows 26% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the pension sector has been cleared by both the Houses of Parliament and now needs only the Presidents assent. − The New Pension System (NPS) of PFRDA aims to promote saving while you earn, specially for retirement. The NPS has been made mandatory for all the central government employees (except the armed forces) who entered service from January, 2004. It had been launched for all citizens, including unorganised sector workers, on a voluntary basis, from May, 2009. • Street Vendors Bill, 2012 - The Lok Sabha passed the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Bill, 2012 in order to protect the rights of the Street vendors in the urban areas. • SEBI (Amendment) Bill, 2013 received President’s assent – The bill amending the SEBI Act to widen the pool of eligible candidates for the post of presiding officer at the Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT) received the assent of President Pranab Mukherjee on 13 September, 2013. The bill was passed by the Rajya Sabha on 5 September and by the Lok Sabha on 27 August, 2013. • President signed Food Security Bill – The National Food Security Bill, 2013 received the assent of the President Pranab Mukherjee on 10 September, 2013. The Lok Sabha passed the bill on 26 August, 2013 and the Rajya Sabha on 2 September. − At Rs.1,30,000 crore government support, the food security programme will be the largest in the world. It will require 62 million tonne of foodgrains. • President signed NHAI (Amendment) Bill – The President Pranab Mukherjee on 10 September, 2013 gave assent to the National Highways Authority of India (Amendment) Bill, 2013. The bill was passed by the Rajya Sabha on 13 August, 2013 and by the Lok Sabha on 2 September. • The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Second Amendment) Bill, 2013 passed by Rajya Sabha on 6 September, 2013. The bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on 24 August, 2013. − The Bill amended the Schedule of the 1950 order to include certain groups as Scheduled Tribes. The Marati community is being re-included in the list of Scheduled Tribes in Kerala. Scheduled Tribes status is being granted to the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups namely Abhjh Maria and Hill Korwa in the list of Scheduled Tribes in Chhattisgarh. • Representation of the People (Amendment and Validation) Bill, 2013 – Lok Sabha on 6 September, 2013 passed the Representation of the People (Amendment and Validation) Bill, 2013. Rajya Sabha already passed the bill on 27 August, 2013. The aim of the bill is to add a provisonal to sub-section (2) of section 62 of the RP Act.

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• Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University Bill, 2013 was passed by the Lok Sabha on 6 September, 2013. The purpose of the bill is to establish the first-ever national aviation university in India, called Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University. The University would train the cabin crew, pilots as well as aircraft engineers. • Parliament (Prevention of Disqualification) Amendment Bill, 2013 – The Lok Sabha on 6 September, 2013 passed the Parliament (Prevention of Disqualification) Amendment Bill, 2013 for keeping the chairpersons of National Commissions for the SC and ST out of purview of office of profit. The bill has already been passed by the Rajya Sabha. − The bill seeks to include National Commissions for the SC and ST in list of those offices which have no affect by the office of profit clause. • Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Bill, 2012 – The Lok Sabha, on 6 September, 2013, passed the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Bill, 2012. − The bill seeks to prohibit employment of individuals as the manual scavengers, while at the same time providing for the rehabilitation of people involved in this kind of work. • Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority Bill, 2011 – The Rajya Sabha passed the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA), Bill, 2011 on 6 September, 2013. The bill aims for creation of a regulator for the sector and allows at least 26 percent FDI. The bill was passed in the Lok Sabha on 4 September, 2013. • Rajya Sabha Passed the Marriage Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2010 by voice vote on August 26, 2013. It seeks to amend the Hindu Marriage Act 1955 and the Special Marriages Act, 1954 which provides for irretrievable breakdown on marriage as a ground for divorce as well as grants women the right to a share in the property of their husbands. • Death Penalty Abolished – Poland’s President Bronislaw Komorowski has signed a Bill on the ratification of regulations abolishing death penalty in all circumstances on August 29, 2013. • Lok Sabha passes Bill on Waqf properties – The amendment Bill to address the loopholes in the management of Waqf properties was passed in the Lok Sabha. The Waqf Amendment Bill, 2010 seeks to check encroachment of Waqf properties and make them commercially viable by extending their lease period to a maximum of 30 years. The bill had been referred to a select committee in August 2012 after it was taken up in the Rajya Sabha in the wake of objections raised by some Muslim bodies, including the All India Muslim Personal Law Board. October–2013 • Mukul Mudgal Panel Proposed – Cinematograph Bill – In a report submitted to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, on October 9, 2013, an empowered committee, headed by Justice Mukul Mudgal, retired Chief Justice of the High Court of Punjab and Haryana, has proposed a model Cinematograph Bill to replace the Cinematograph Act, 1952. Major Recommendations ƒ The committee had made recommendations on issues such as advisory panels; guidelines for certification and issues such as portrayal of women, obscenity and communal disharmony; classification of films; treatment of piracy and jurisdiction of the appellate tribunal. ƒ The committee also suggested that if anyone has a complaint against a movie, instead of moving to the court immediately, they should go to the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT). Its mandate can be enlarged. ƒ It had recommended making the classification of films ‘more explicit.’ ƒ The committee also felt that there had to be some legal check on States banning films. While, they can’t be barred, such decisions cannot be arbitrary and must be vetted.

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November–2013 • The government have approved amendments to the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, which will expand its scope and providing for harsher punishment. • The West Bengal Assembly passes the ‘Bankura University Bill, 2013,’ paving the way for setting up a new State University with jurisdiction over colleges in Bankura district. December–2013 • The Lok Sabha passes the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill 2013, paving the way for establishment of an ombudsman to fight corruption in public offices and ensure accountability on the part of public officials, including the Prime Minister, but with some safeguards. • Saudi Arabia Passed Anti-Terror Law – Saudi Arabia’s Cabinet has approved a new anti-terrorism draft law on 16 December that criminalizes acts that disturb public order, defame the reputation of the state or threaten the kingdom’s unity, raising concerns by activists it could be used to quash political dissent. • Mexico’s President Signed Energy Reform Law – Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto on 20 December signed into law a sweeping reform that will allow private companies to drill for oil and gas, and end a seven-decade-long monopoly held by the state oil company. Mexico President called the energy bill a fundamental, historic reform needed for Mexico to speed up the lagging pace of its economic growth. • Iranian Parliament Votes On Capital Transfer Bill – The Iranian parliament on 24 December has approved a bill that authorizes investigating moving the country’s capital city to a location outside Tehran. • Cabinet Approved The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill, 2011 – The Union Cabinet on 12 December approved the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill, 2011. The Bill is a comprehensive measure that covers a whole spectrum of problems from physical disabilities to mental illness and multiple disabilities. It will replace the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunity Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act of 1995. The Bill has been prepared on the basis of recommendations made by Sudha Kaul Committee. • Law Against Sexual Harassment at Work Place Comes into Effect – The Ministry of Women and Child Development has notified the Sexual Harassment at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (Act) and the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Rules, 2013 (Rules). As per the notification, the Act has come into force with effect from 9 December 2013. Earlier the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) bill received Presidential assent on 22 April 2013. • Cabinet Approved The Prevention of Communal and Targeted Violence (Access to Justice and Reparations) Bill, 2013 – The Union Cabinet on 16 December approved the Prevention of Communal and Targeted Violence (Access to Justice and Reparations) Bill, 2013. The bill aimed to prevent and tackle the communal violence in the country and punish the perpetrators of the violence. The Bill has been named as The Prevention of Communal and Targeted Violence (Access to Justice and Reparations) Bill, 2013. • Union Cabinet Approves New Code Of Conduct For Ministers – The Union Cabinet has on 13 December approved the revision of the Code of Conduct for Ministers in the Government of India as well as the State Governments. It is now proposed to include a new para in the Code of Conduct which will read as follows:- Section 2 – After taking office, and so long as he/she remains in office, the Minister shall:- (f) uphold the political impartiality of the civil services and not ask the civil servants to act in any way which would conflict with the duties and responsibilities of the civil servants.

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• Cabinet Approves National Skills Qualifications Framework – The Cabinet Committee on Skill Development on 19 December approved the National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF), a quality assurance framework which organizes qualifications according to a series of levels of knowledge, skills and aptitude. The framework would be anchored and operationalised by the National Skill Development Agency (NSDA). • Karnataka Assembly Passed Essential Services Maintenance (ESMA) Bill 2013 – The Karnataka state assembly on 4 December passed the Karnataka Essential Services Maintenance (ESMA) Bill 2013. According to the new bill, striking work will be a non-bailable offence and police can arrest a striking employee without warrant. • Constitutional Status For JAC - The Union Cabinet on December 26, 2013 gave its nod for conferring constitutional status on the proposed Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) for appointment and transfer of judges to the higher judiciary. − The government earlier accepted the report of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Law and Justice, which recommended that the structure and functions of the JAC to replace the present collegium system be governed by a constitutional provision. − The JAC Bill seeks to set up a six-member body under the chairmanship of the Chief Justice of India for recommending names to the President of individuals with outstanding legal acumen and impeccable integrity and credibility for judgeship in the Supreme Court and the High Courts. It would also recommend transfer of judges of one High Court to another. − The Constitution (120th Amendment) Bill, 2013, provides for the setting up of a Judicial Appointments Commission by inserting Article 124 (A) in the Constitution and amending Articles 124 (2), 217 (1) and 222 (1). Amendments – The committee, while suggesting amendments to the Bill, said there should be three eminent persons in the commission, instead of two as provided for in the present Bill, and at least one out of them should be an SC/ST/OBC/woman/ minority, preferably by rotation. Considering the responsibility of the JAC to select 800-odd judges to 24 High Courts, and also the fact that constitutional and other functionaries are involved at the State-level in the process of appointment, it suggested State-level commissions also. On Sound Footing à The Judicial Appointments Commission, once created, will replace the collegium system of appointments to High Courts and the Supreme Court. à Article 124 (2) of the Constitution will be amended to suggest that the President shall appoint judges on the “recommendation” of the JAC. à The Constitution (120th Amendment) Bill, 2013, introduced by the UPA government in Parliament, suggests the JAC’s composition will be determined by an ordinary law. à This law – the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill, 2013 suggests the JAC will consist of three Supreme Court judges, the Union Law Minister, the Law Secretary as its Convener, and two “eminent persons” appointed by a body comprising the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition and the Chief Justice of India. à As per the Cabinet’s decision, however, the composition as well as functions of the JAC will be incorporated in the Constitution. à This will ensure the JAC’s terms can be modified only through a constitutional amendment requiring a two-thirds majority in Parliament, as opposed to an ordinary law which requires a simple majority. • West Bengal – New Anti-Ponzi Scheme Bill Passed - The West Bengal Assembly on December 12, 2013 passed a fresh anti-ponzi scheme Bill, incorporating provisions like attachment of property in case of default in payment of deposit and transfer of property.

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− The West Bengal Protection of Interest of Depositors in Financial Establishments Bill, 2013 was passed withdrawing a similar one cleared by the state government on April 30, 2013, which the Centre had retuned after raising certain objections. − The fresh Bill was moved in the House by the state Finance Minister Amit Mitra incorporating four provisions as suggested by the Union Finance Ministry, which would give the government more teeth to tackle the menace of chit funds. − What is most important about the Bill is that it has given the power to the state government to attach properties of not only a chit fund but also a person who has defaulted on repayment of a loan he or she has taken from the company. It will cover lakhs of agents who had duped people of lakhs of rupees and have fled. January–2014 • President Pranab Mukherjee Approved Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill 2013 – Pranab Mukherjee, the President of India on 1st January 2014 gave his assent to the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill, 2013. After the signing by the President, the Bill has taken a shape of an Act following certain procedures. With this accent, the Bill has turned to be an Act. The Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on 18 December 2013. Earlier, the amended Bill was passed by the Rajya Sabha on 17 December 2013. • Assembly rejects Telangana Bill – Amidst chaotic scenes, a resolution tabled by Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy, rejecting the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill, 2013, was adopted by voice vote in the Assembly on January 30th, 2014. • New Lokayukta Bill Passed – Uttarakhand became the first State to adopt the provisions of the Lokpal Act with the Vidhan Sabha on January 21, 2014 passing the Uttarakhand Lokayukta Bill- 2014. There was stiff opposition from the Bharatiya Janata Party that walked out when the Bill was put to vote.

FUND August–2013 • Special National Investment Fund (SNIF) approved by CCEA – The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on 2 August, 2013 approved creation of the Special National Investment Fund (SNIF) for the specific objective of meeting the minimum public shareholding of 10 percent requirement in the following six Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs): ƒ Andrew Yule & Company Ltd. ƒ Fertilizers & Chemicals (Travancore) Ltd. ƒ Hindustan Photo Films Manufacturing Co. Ltd. ƒ HMT Ltd. ƒ ITI Ltd. ƒ Scooters India Ltd. • Union Cabinet to continue Interest Subvention of 3 Percent on Crop Loans to Farmers – The Union Cabinet of India on 2 August, 2013 decided to continue the interest subvention of three per cent on crop loans to farmers. The scheme will be available on crop loans taken from scheduled commercial banks and also those in the private sector. The other major decisions taken by the cabinet are as following: ƒ The Cabinet also approved a Centrally-sponsored scheme for marketing of non-nationalized, non-monopolized minor forest produce, fixing Minimum Support Price for marketing of 12 minor forest products. ƒ The Cabinet also decided in the meeting to designate vigilance officers posted in different ministries and departments to receive complaints from whistleblowers on allegations of corruption or misuse of office. An amendment to the relevant resolution of Public Interest Disclosure and Protection of Informers law was approved by the Cabinet on 1 August, 2013.

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ƒ The decision was taken to reduce the workload on the Central Vigilance Commission. The proposed amendment will enable speedy disposal of the complaints and make the public servants more responsible and accountable in combating and eradicating corruption. ƒ In yet another decision, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs gave its nod to a proposal for infrastructure development at various establishments in the Border Security Force. This is estimated to cost 3664 crore rupees to the Government. • The government has decided to provide 7% short-term crop loans to farmers. • Finance Ministry proposes NPS for EPFO’s subscribers – The Finance Ministry has proposed to offer the New Pension System (NPS) to the retirement fund body EPFO’s subscribers who are covered under Employees’ Pension Scheme-1995 (EPS-95). The Ministry has said the NPS scheme provides better returns than EPS-95 run by the Employee’s Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) at present and argued that NPS, which is a self-sustaining pension system, could be a good substitute for EPS and would be beneficial for subscribers as they would get decent returns and adequate pension wealth. The trade unions opposing the proposal argue that EPS-95 provides pension to widow, children and dependents in case of death of the subscriber and he/she can withdraw his/her contribution towards pension while withdrawing his/her EPF money. There is a lock-in period of 15 years in NPS. September–2013

• India’s GDP dropped to 4.4% - The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of India decelerated even more to 4.4%, the slowest rate of expansion in 4 years, i.e., since 2008 economic meltdown. The GDP growth stood at 4.4% in the first quarter (April-June) of the fiscal year 2013-14. The reason for this drop is poor performance of the manufacturing as well as mining sector. − In the first quarter of 2012-13, the economic growth resulted out of GDP expansion of 5.4%. In the fourth quarter (January-March) of 2012-13, the GDP growth again fell down to 4.8%. − In the first quarter of 2013-14 fiscal year, the actual performance of the economy came out to be much lower than anticipated. A total of seven out of eight sectors displayed contraction in growth or the lower rate of expansion. • IMF grants USD 6.7-bn loan to Pakistan – The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved a 6.7-bn dollar loan to Pakistan for the latter to resolve its economic crisis. Pakistan has been asked to introduce reforms to increase growth, bring down the budget deficit and improve the rate of tax collection to receive the funds. The loan amount will be paid out over a period of three years, beginning with the release of 540 mn dollars. November–2013 • Liquidity supports to MSME – The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), on November 18, 2013 decided to provide liquidity support to micro and small enterprises (MSEs) to the tune of Rs.5,000 crore, through the Small Industrial Development Bank of India (SIDBI), and to include incremental credit to medium enterprises to qualify as priority sector lending. − The refinance will be available for direct liquidity support to finance receivables, including export receivable, to MSEs by SIDBI or for liquidity support to MSEs through selected intermediaries, that is, banks, non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) and State finance Corporations (SFCs). The refinance will, be available against receivables, including export receivables, outstanding as on November 14 onwards. The RBI also said, that the facility would be available at the prevailing 14-day term repo rate for 90 days. During this 90-day period, the amount could be flexibly drawn and repaid. − At the end of the 90-day period, the drawal could also be rolled over. The refinance facility will be available for one year up to November 13, 2014. − The utilization of funds will be governed by the policy approved by the board of SIDBI.

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− This facility will be available up to March 31, 2014, and will be within the overall target of 40 per cent. − The liquidity support comes in the wake of slowdown in the economy, which has resulted in liquidity tightness in a large number of MSEs in the manufacturing and services sector due to delayed settlement of receivables from large corporate, public sector and government IT departments. • International funding agencies, the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank, assure financial assistance of $313 million to the Odisha government for restoration and rehabilitation activities in cyclone Phailin-hit areas. December–2013 • Rs.6600 Crore Interest Free Loans for Sugar Mills – The centre on December 19, 2013 announced to give Rs.6600 crore interest free loans for sugar mills. − In a major initiative to end the face-off between the sugar industry and farmers, an informal Group of Ministers (GoM) headed by Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar on December 6, 2013 recommended a financial package to millers, which includes an interest-free loan of Rs.7,500 crore to pay off arrears. The loan can be repaid in five years with a moratorium of two years. − The arrears stood at Rs.5,064 crore in 2012-13. − After a two-hour meeting with invited Chief Ministers of major sugar-growing States, the GoM agreed on interest subvention of 12 per cent on the Rs.7,500-crore loan. Of this, 5 per cent will be borne by the Centre and 7 per cent will come from the Sugar Development Fund under the Ministry of Food. Each mill can avail itself of a loan under this arrangement equivalent to the average excise duty paid by it. • The Cabinet Committee on Uttarakhand (CCU) approves a package of Rs. 7.346 crore for the flood ravaged Uttarakhand. • Rs.117 Crore Non-Plan Budgetary Support For Eleven Sick CPSEs - The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on December 26, 2013 approved non–plan budgetary support of Rs.116.86 crore for the payment of statutory dues such as provident fund, gratuity, pension, employees state insurance and bonus as well as salaries and wages at eleven sick or loss-making central public sector enterprises (CPSEs) under the Department of Heavy Industry. January–2014 • The National Innovation Council (NInC) and the Ministry of MSME, on January 27, 2014 announced the creation of India Inclusive Innovation Fund (IIIF), a fund that seeks to help small entrepreneurs and innovators turn their ideas into reality.

ECONOMY August–2013 • Dilution of safeguards for FDI in multibrand retail – The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved dilution of certain safeguards, including relaxing the 30% sourcing norm and dropping the mandatory 50% condition for backend infrastructure investment, which were approved by Parliament while allowing 49% foreign direct investment (FDI) in multibrand retail announced last year. The move to dilute these conditions met with strong resistance from the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) but they were overlooked by the CCEA while approving the new norms seeking to attract much-needed FDI investments by global retail chains in multibrand retail trade (MBRT). − The Cabinet also approved increasing the number of cities to be covered under the MBRT policy by amending the clause of permitting cities or States with less than 10 lakh population also to open front end stores with the permission of the States or Union Territories.

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September–2013 • SEBI relaxed KYC norms for foreign investors – Securities and Exchange Board of India on 12 September, 2013 issued the new guidelines to make Know Your Client requirements (KYC) easy for foreign investors. SEBI classified foreign investors into 3 categories depending on their risk profile like category I, category II and category III. Category I includes: à Government and Government related foreign investors such as Foreign Central Banks, Governmental Agencies, Sovereign Wealth Funds, International, Multilateral Organizations and Agencies. Category II includes: à Regulated broad based funds such as Mutual Funds, Investments Trusts, Insurance/ Reinsurance Companies à Appropriately regulated entities such as Banks, Asset Management Companies, Investment Managers/ Advisors, Portfolio Managers à Broad based funds whose investment manager is appropriately regulated à University Funds and Pension Funds à University related Endowments already registered with SEBI as FII/Sub Account Category III includes: à All other eligible foreign investors investing in India under PIS route not eligible under Category I and II such as Endowments, Charitable Societies/Trust, Foundations, Corporate Bodies, Trusts, Individuals, Family Offices. • Economic Outlook 2013-14 – The Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, on 13 September, 2013 released the Economic Outlook 2013-14 in New Delhi. The economic growth forecast of India for the current fiscal 2013-14 was lowered to 5.3 percent from 6.4 percent projected earlier. October–2013 • The annual economic publication of Asian Development Bank (ADB) titled Asian Development Outlook released on 2 October 2013 lowered the India economic growth forecast for 2013-14 to 4.7 percent. It is significantly lower than the earlier projection 6 percent in April 2013. Asian Development Outlook also forecasted the 2014-15 growth at 5.7 percent. Asian Development Bank also noted that India’s inflation for 2013-14 would be at 6.5 percent, below the 7.2 percent forecast in April 2013. • Global Remittances – According to the World Bank forecastes released on October 2, 2013, remittances to developing countries should swell 6.3 per cent in 2013 to $ 414 billion, flowing from workers abroad to their home countries and helping to offset volatile capital outflows. − India and China are the two top destinations for flows, making up a third of the total amount. For India, $ 71 billion in remittances is nearly triple what it received from foreign direct investment last year. − Remittances have grown steadily for the past three decades as migration increased, with only a slight dip during the financial crisis. Including transfers to high-income countries, remittances should be $550 billion this year. − Transfers are growing to all major regions this year, though growth in remittances to Latin America and the Caribbean has slowed, largely because of Mexico. ƒ 21.9 million: Number of Indians living abroad as in May 2012 ƒ 71 billion: Amount of remittances that India received in 2013 ƒ $22.8 billion: India’s Foreign Direct Investment inflows in 2012

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Countries with Estimated Remittances in 2013 India - $71 billion China - $60 billion Philippines - $ 26 billion Mexico - $22 billion Nigeria - $21 billion Egypt - $20 billion Bangladesh - $15 billion Pakistan - $15 billion Vietnam - $11 billion • Low Trade deficit in September 2013 – According to the data released on October 9, 2013 India’s trade deficit – the difference between imports and exports of goods and commodities fell to a two- and-a-half-year low of $6.76 billion in September 2013. − Lower imports of gold mainly, but also crude oil and other goods, and a healthy 11.15 per cent growth in exports helped pare the deficit to well below August’s figure of $10.9 billion. − The is good news for the current account deficit – the difference between imports of goods, services and all transfers of money, and exports of goods, services and transfers – which bloated to $88.2 billion or 4.8 per cent of GDP (gross domestic product) in 2012-13, raising fears of a balance of payments crisis. • WB cuts India’s growth estimate to 4.7 per cent – The World Bank on October 16, 2013 lowered its forecast for India’s economic growth in the current fiscal year to 4.7 per cent from 6.1 per cent it had projected in April. − India’s GDP growth slowed to 5 per cent in the year ended March 2013 from an average of 8 per cent over the past decade. According to the World Bank, activity is expected to pick up strongly in the last six months of the fiscal year. This will take place as financial markets stabilize, exporters take advantage of improvements in external competitiveness following the depreciation in rupee, the manufacturing sector’s recovery continues, and delayed investment projects begin to come on stream. November–2013 • Direct Tax Collections up 13% - Gross collections from direct taxes, that include personal income tax, corporate taxes and wealth tax, rose by 13.18 per cent to Rs.3.69 lakh crore in the April- November period of this fiscal, government data showed on December 5, 2013. • GDP grows at 4.8 PC in Q2 – India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew at the rate of 4.8 per cent during July-September 2013, according to official data released on November 29, 2013. The rate of growth of the GDP in April-June 2013 was 4.4 per cent, a four-year low. December–2013 • External Debts Drops – According to the official data released on December 31, 2013 the cover provided to India’s total external debt stock by foreign exchange reserves dropped from 73 per cent at end-March to 69.3 per cent at end-September. The total external debt stock stood at $ 400.3 billion at end-September, or $ 9 million less than that at end-March. The prudent external debt management policy of the Government of India has helped in containing rise in external debt and maintaining a comfortable external debt position. EXTERNAL DEBT At the end of Total debt (in $ billion) Variation (%) Corresponding quarter Previous quarter March 2012 360.72 13.5 4.5 June 2012 363.86 9.9 0.9 September 2012 381.37 11.8 4.8 December 2012 394.10 14.2 3.3 March 2013 400.26 11.0 1.6 June 2013 400.62 10.1 0.1 September 2013 400.25 5.0 -0.1

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• India, Japan Raise Currency Swap Limit - India and Japan, on December 18, 2013 tripled the limit for the currency swap arrangement to $50 billion. The Government of India approved the enhancement of the bilateral currency swap arrangement between the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Bank of Japan from $15 billion to $50 billion. This measure will further strengthen the bilateral financial cooperation between Japan and India. • The country’s largest power producer, NTPC Ltd, which has announced its bond issue to raise up to Rs.1,750 crore opened on December 3, 2013. Coming after a gap of 20 years, NTPC’s bond issue offers a tax-free return of between 8.66% and 8.91% to retail investors on investment of up to Rs.10 lakh and with a tenure of 10,15 or 20 years. January–2014 • Delhi Becomes Fist State to withdraw FDI in Multibrand Retail – Delhi government on 13th January withdrew the Foreign Domestic Investment (FDI) in Multibrand Retail. With this, Delhi became first state to take this step. This action is a reversal of previous Government’s stand in FDI that was made in July 2012 and allowed multi-brand retail trade. Delhi is one of the major recipients of FDI. • India’s Growth Projected To Rise To 7.1 Percent By 2016-17 – According to the World Bank’s Global Economic Prospects (GEP) report released on 16 January, India’s growth is projected to rise over 6% in fiscal 2014-15, increasing to 7.1% by fiscal 2016-17 with the world economy expected to

strengthen this year. Global GDP growth may firm up to 3.2% in 2014 from 2.4% in 2013. • Indian economy projected to grow at 5.35% in 2014 – According to the UN World Economic Situation and Prospects 2014 (WESP) report released on 24th January, India’s economy is projected to grow at a slower-than-expected rate of 5.3 per cent in 2014. Full-year growth decelerated to 4.8 per cent in 2013 from 5.1 per cent in the calendar year 2012. • FDI flows into India grew 17% in 2013 to $28 billion despite unexpected capital outflows in the middle of the year, according to a United Nations report. It also said foreign direct investment across the world rose to levels not seen since the start of the global economic crisis in 2008. • Government lowers GDP growth to 4.5 pc for 2012-13 – The Government on January 31, 2014 said the economy might have expanded by 4.5 per cent in 2012-13, compared with the earlier estimate of 5%, on account of subdued performance in agriculture, mining and manufacturing. GDP Growth rate 2012-13 : 4.5% 2011-12 : 6.7% 2010-11 : 8.9% 2009-10 : 8.6% 2008-09 : 6.7% 2007-08 : 9.3% 2006-07 : 9.6%

• Centre clears Rs.990-cr programme for leather sector during XII Plan - The government, on 2nd January, 2014 approved the Indian Leather Development Programme (ILDP), entailing expenditure of about Rs.990 crore, for implementation during the XII Plan (2012-17) for the overall development of the sector. Six sub-schemes are being proposed for continuation from the XI Plan for implementation during the XII Plan with an outlay of Rs.990.36 crore. The schemes are: integrated development of leather sector, human resource development, support to artisan, leather technology innovation and environmental issues, mega leather cluster and establishment of institutional institutes. BANK-PO/CLERK EXAM CA/Aug2013-Jan2014/Page-90

COMPANIES/ INDUSTRY August–2013 • Idea Cellular is Aditya Birla Group’s most valuable company overtaking its flagship commodity business. The market cap of the telecom business overtook Ultra Tech BSE, India’s largest cement company. Idea’s shareholder valuation increased to 52916 crore rupees while Ultra Tech’s was calculated at 50820 crore rupees as on 25 July 2013. The gap between Idea and Ultra Tech has been estimated at 7856 crore rupees. • HP shuts photo sharing service in India – Newlett-Packard’s digital photo-sharing and printing service, Snapfish, is discontinuing business in India. The PC maker had made a big splash during its initial entry into the Indian retail photo printing market in 2007. • JSPL bags 5 exploration licences in Africa – Navin Jindal-led Jindal Steel and Power Ltd (JSPL) has bagged five exploration licences for iron-ore mining in African countries. This has come at a time when iron-ore mining is banned in India and the company wants a security on resource side. The mining industries in Karnataka, Goa and Odisha, the three major iron-ore-producing states in the country, have been impacted by the ban. India, which had been the third-largest iron-ore exporter in the world, is set to lose its tag and become a net importer of the material this financial year for the first time in recent times. • Special VRS packages for 12 major ports – Concerned over declining profit margins of 12 major ports, the government has taken a number of steps, including special VRS drives, to reduce surplus manpower. Profit of major ports declined by about 30% to Rs.1,220.61 cr in 2012-13 over the previous fiscal. The government has initiated a number of steps to reduce the losses which include special voluntary retirement schemes, construction of new berths and terminals, modernising berths with state-of-the-art loading/unloading equipment and initiatives by ports to attract more cargo and increase throughput. Of the 12 major ports – Kolkata, Paradip, Visakhapatnam, Ennore, Chennai, VO Chidambaranar, Cochin, New Mangalore, Mormugao, Mumbai, Jawaharlal Nehru and Kandla – four ports had reported losses in the last fiscal. • Vedanta mining in Niyamgiri hills rejected – In a blow to the Odisha government plan for bauxite mining for Vedanta on the Niyamgiri hills, all the 12 gram sabhas in Rayagada district have rejected the proposal. These are of the view that mining would severely affect their socio-cultural and religious rights over Niyamgiri area. Earlier, the state government held gram sabhas in 12 villages of Niyamgiri according to the April 18 order of the Supreme Court which gave residents in Rayagada and Kalahandi districts the right to decide whether they supported bauxite mining on Niyamgiri hills, Gram Sabhas are largely participated by Dangaria, Jharania and Kutia Kandha tribes. Meanwhile, the Union Environment Ministry has decided that the claim of even one village council for cultural or religious rights over the hills provides the legal mandate to the Central government to reject the proposal under the Supreme Court orders. • Tata Steel was adjudged the Best Performing Steel Plant – Tata Steel on August 22 was adjudged the Best Performing Integrated Steel Plant in the country for the year 2011-12 based on the recommendations made by a Panel of Judges that selected companies for the Prime Minister’s Trophy awards for the year 2011-12.

September–2013 • ‘Yahoo’ has adopted a new logo for the first time since internet company founded 18 years ago. The new logo shows both with purple letters and in white with purple background spelling out word Yahoo! • The industry to which the government, under the Modified Special Incentive Package Scheme (M- SIPS), provides incentives – Electronics

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• India’s largest cement maker, UltraTech Cement, on September 11, 2013 acquired the Gujarat cement unit of Jaypee Cement Corporation, the third largest in the business, for Rs.3,800 crore. The acquisition will take UltraTech’s capacity up to nearly 59 million tonnes per annum (mtpa). • The company that has announced to recall 16,021 units of its hatchback and sedan in the biggest vehicle recall since the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) introduced a voluntary recall policy – Ford India • Verizon bought Vodafone Stake in Verizon Wireless – Verizon Communications agreed to pay $ 130 billion for the 45% stake in Verizon Wireless owned by British cellphone carrier ‘Vodafone’, making it the third largest corporate deal ever on September 2, 2013. • HPCL refinery at Barmer approved – The Union Cabinet on 20 September 2013 approved the proposal of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), a Public Sector Undertaking to set up a 9 MMTPA greenfield Refinery cum Petrochemical Complex in Barmer District in Rajasthan. This Refinery cum Petrochemical Complex will be set up as a Joint Venture (JV) with Government of Rajasthan under the name HPCL-Rajasthan Refinery Limited (HRRL). • Government cleared infra projects worth 1.83 lakh crore – The Cabinet Committee on Investment (CCI) on 26 August, 2013 cleared 36 projects worth 1.83 lakh crore rupees in power and other infrastructure sectors which were stalled on account of regulatory hurdles. The projects were cleared to boost Investment and accelerate growth in the country. The projects are across five key infrastructure sectors of power, roads, ports, cement and petroleum. − The big projects that have been cleared by the CCI include Reliance Power’s 4000 MW Ultra Mega Power Project (UMPP) at Sasan in Madhya Pradesh, L & T’s Metro Rail project, Hindalco Industries’ project and Essar Power’s Jharkhand project. − GMR Kishangarg Express way, JAS Infra and Power, Utkal Alumina, Athena Chhattisgarh Power and Essar Power’s Tori-I power plant were the other projects which were reviewed. • Tata group signed MoU with Singapore Airlines – Tata group on 19 September 2013 announced that it entered into an agreement with the Singapore Airlines for initiating the full-service carrier in India. For this purpose, Tata Group and Singapore Airlines signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the new airline. The new airline will be New Delhi based and will be operating under the full-service model. • Tata Group tops Rs.6 lakh-cr market valuation – The Tata Group has became the first Indian business house to cross the Rs.6-lakh-cr mark (at Rs.6.06 lakh cr) in market valuation. At this level, the valuation is more than double its nearest competitor Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL), which has gained 5.6 per cent this year to touch a market capitalisation of Rs.2.86 lakh cr. • Microsoft to buy Nokia’s mobile phone unit and services – Microsoft Corporation and Nokia Corporation on 3 September, 2013 announced that Microsoft will purchase substantially all of Nokia’s Devices & Services business, license Nokia’s patents, and license and use Nokia’s mapping services. • Microsoft will pay 3.79 billion Euros to purchase substantially all of Nokia’s Devices & Services business, and 1.65 billion Euros to license Nokia’s patents, for a total transaction price of 5.44 billion Euros in cash. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2014. October–2013 • SEBI brings in flexibility to M&A Deals – The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) on October 3, 2013 sought to provide more flexibility to companies entering into mergers and acquisitions (M&A) deals, allowing them to include preferential clauses. − These clauses include “right of first refusal, tag-along and drag-along” in their share purchase agreements. A notification on this was issued by SEBI for use of such clauses in share purchase agreements by bringing changes to the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act (SCRA).

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− Thus, the right of refusal gives one of the parties in an M&A deal the first option to buy-out its partner if the latter wishes to exit from the agreement at a later stage. Tag-along and drag-along clauses allow one of the partners to join the other party in cases like further acquisition or sellout deals. − These changes are likely to help boost the interest of foreign investors, who tend to prefer such clauses in their deals. However, the amendments would be effective prospectively and not to the deals already having taken place. • Transparent Companies in India – Indian firms have performed the best among emerging market economies in terms of transparency in corporate reporting and the top three positions have been bagged by Tata Group companies according to a report by anti-corruption watchdog Transparency International released in October 2013. The top three slots of the index were bagged by Indian firms with three of Tata Groups’ firms ranked I the top two. Tata Communications with a score of 7.1 topped the list, while Tata Global Beverages and Tata Steel with a score of (6.6) shared the second position, followed by Bharti Airtel with a score of (6.4). • FIPB Nod for Tata-Singapore Airlines – Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) cleared the proposal of Tata Sons and Singapore International Airlines, for a 51 : 49 joint venture, to set up an airline in India on October 15, 2013. The two partners can now begin the process of setting up an office in New Delhi and hiring employees while also beginning the process of applying to the Ministry of Civil Aviation and regular DGCA for various clearances. November–2013 Arcelormittal, Nippon to buy Thyssenkrupp unit – ArcelorMittal, the world’s largest steel maker, and Japan’s Nippon Steel and Sumitomo Metal Corporation will jointly acquire ThyssenKrupp AG’s U.S. steel mill for $1.55 billion. December–2013 • Wipro on December 2, 2013 announced the acquisition of US-based BPO firm Opus Capital Market Consultants for $75 million (about Rs.467 crore) as the software services major seeks to strengthen its mortgage business in North America. − The acquisition would aid Wipro in managing risks and identifying profitable growth opportunities as it creates an end-to-end offerings for all mortgage players in the existing loan portfolio. − Set up in 2005, Illinois-based Opus offers mortgage due diligence and risk management services and employs over 490 employees. • Torrent Buys Elder – Ahmedabad- based Torrent Pharmaceuticals, on December 13, 2013 agreed to buy Mumbai-based Elder Pharmaceuticals’ branded domestic formulations business in India and Nepal for Rs.2,004 crore. • FIPB Approval For Vodafone, TESCO Proposals – United Kingdom-based Tesco Plc became the first global retailer to get approval from the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) to enter the domestic multi-brand retail sector. − The FIPB also, on December 30, 2013 cleared Vodafone’s Rs.10,141-crore plan to buy out minority shareholders in its Indian arm. Tesco’s plans to initially invest $ 110 million in the multi-brand retail foray, including for the acquisition of 50 per cent stake in Tata group firm Trent Hypermarket Ltd. − As regards to Vodafone, the FIPB has given the go ahead to the British telecom major to buy out minority shareholders like Ajay Piramal and Analjit Singh in its Indian arm at an estimated cost Rs.10.141 crore.

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• CIL Gets Approval For CBM Gas Exploration - The Union Cabinet, on December 19, 2013 gave its approval to allow Coal India Ltd. (CIL) to carry out exploration of coal bed methane (CBM) gas in its existing mines, a move that will unlock nearly 100 million tonnes of medium grade coking coal and about one trillion cubic feet (tcf) of gas. Current rules prohibit mining firms from extracting CBM during mining as the policy does not allow for simultaneous extraction of CBM and coal. CBM exploration and production is allowed only in pure coal-seam gas bearing blocks, which are auctioned. Since 2001, 33 CBM blocks have been awarded in four auction rounds. Besides, two CBM blocks to Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) and one to Great Eastern Energy Co Ltd were awarded on a nomination basis. India has CBM reserves of about 4.6 trillion Cubic metres. January–2014 • USFDA Bans Ranbaxy’s Fourth Plant – India’s largest drug maker Ranbaxy faced fresh regulatory trouble due to manufacturing violations at its fourth domestic facility, which may threaten new drug launches and jeopardize lucrative revenues from the United States, the world’s biggest pharma market. The United States Food and Drug Administration on January 24th, 2014 banned Ranbaxy’s facility at Toansa (Punjab) from making and selling pharmaceutical ingredients in the United States. • POSCO Gets Green Clearance for Steel Plant in Odisha – South Korean industrial giant POSCO has won environmental clearance to build Rs.52,000 crore steel plant in Odisha, ending eight years of wait for a project that would involve the largest-ever foreign direct investment in India. • FIPB Clears Tesco, Vodafone Investment Proposals – UK-based Tesco Plc became the first global retailer to get approval to enter country’s multi-brand retail sector from the Foreign Investment Promotion Board that also on 30 December, 2013 cleared Vodafone’s Rs.10,141 crore plan to buy out minority shareholders in its India arm. − Tesco Plc’s plans to initially invest USD 110 million in the multi-brand retail foray, including for the acquisition of 50 per cent stake in Tata group firm Trent Hypermarket Ltd. The FIPB has also approved foreign investment proposals of Johnson & Johnson. STOCK MARKET August–2013 • Disinvestment of 10 percent in Indian Oil Corporation – The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on 1 August, 2013 approved the proposal for the sale of 10 percent Government stake in Indian Oil Corporation (IOC). The proposal is expected to collect 3840 crore rupees to the exchequer at the current market price. At present the Government holds 78.92 percent stake in IOC. IOC has a market capitalisation of 54519 crore rupees. The stake sale would happen through the offer for sale route (OFS). • BSE’s App to keep track on real time – The Bombay Stock Exchange Ltd launched a mobile application that allows investors to keep a track on markets on a real-time basis. Investors will be able to download free application on Android smart phone, Windows 8 desktop and Windows 8 mobile. This application also allows investors to keep track of the stock price movement at any given time of the day along with information on the top gainers, losers and turnover. • BSE halves circuit limit for MCX shares – The Bombay Stock Exchange decided to halve the circuit limit for the shares of Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX), capping its maximum movement in a day at 10 per cent. The change became effective from 5th August. The exchanges generally lower the circuit filter of a stock are part of their surveillance mechanism to avoid excessive volatility in the share price. • SEBI allows MFs to trade on debt platforms – The market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has allowed mutual funds to trade directly on debt platforms of recognised stock exchanges in a recent notification. It has further laid out certain conditions related to the custodian and sponsor of these mutual funds. BANK-PO/CLERK EXAM CA/Aug2013-Jan2014/Page-94

• Five State PSUs pick up stake in NLC – The part-equity sale in Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC) took place recently, which generated considerable heat following protests by trade unions. Five public sector companies of Tamil Nadu purchased the stake. The institutional placement programme (IPP) involving the sale of a little over 5.97 cr shares of the Centre in the Navaratna public sector undertaking was oversubscribed within an hour of the opening of trade. The five PSUs from Tamil Nadu – TIDCO, SIPCOT, TIIC, Powerfin and TUFIDCO – picked up the stake for sale. The disinvestment was necessitated for complying with the 10% minimum public shareholding norm in PSUs. Besides NLC, the Centre went for part-stake sale in STC and ITDC. Together, the sale garnered Rs.395 cr for the exchequer with the NLC deal, by its sheer size, fetching as much as Rs.360 cr. September–2013 • Seven bankers selected for CIL stake sale – Goldman Sachs, Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank and SBI Capital Markets are among seven merchant bankers selected to manage the govt’s disinvestment of 5% stake in Coal India (CIL). Kotak Mahindra Capital, JM Financial and Merrill Lynch are the other bankers chosen. As many as 18 merchant bankers had made presentations to the Disinvestment Department. • OVL to buy stake in Mozambique block – The ONGC Videsh (OVL), the foreign arm of state-run ONGC, announced signing of a definitive agreement with US firm Anadarko to buy 10 per cent of its stake in a gasfield offshore Mozambique for $ 2.64 bn in cash. • Dissolution of Bangalore stock exchange – As was widely expected, the shareholders of the Bangalore Stock Exchange (BSE) unanimously approved the “voluntary dissolution” of the 50- year-old regional exchange recently. The Annual General Meeting Authorised the management to apply to the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) seeking its approval for the exit. The authorisation was a mandatory requirement, which would pave the way for the exchange’s eventual exit. Further, if the company is unable to find a viable business activity to pursue, its assets would be distributed to shareholders. October–2013 • Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Videsh Ltd. (OVL), on October 14, 2013 announced that it had bought an additional 12 per cent stake in a Brazilian oilfield for $529 million. − OVL, which had a 15 per cent stake in block BC-10 along with Royal Dutch Shell, exercised a pre- emption right to block China’s Sinochem group from buying a 35 per cent interest in the oilfield from Petrobras of Brazil. While the Indian firm will pick up a 12.08 per cent stake, Shell will acquire the remaining 23 per cent.

December–2013 • SEBI Makes IPO Norms Simpler - The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) on December 24, 2013 announced a slew of measures to make fund-raising simpler, and to bring to book those indulging in illegal money-pooling schemes and other fraudulent activities. Simpler IPO Norms à No mandatory grading for initial public offerings (IPOs) by credit rating agencies. à Prospectus to remain valid for multiple debt offers in one year. à Non-banking financial companies, housing finance companies and infrastructure debt funds allowed to file shelf prospectus. à Shelf prospectus enables companies to issue corporate bonds utilising the same documents more than once, thereby cutting costs and saving time à Companies with a minimum listing of three years, networth of Rs.500 crore and a track record of continuous profit for three years also allowed to file such prospectus.

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Objectives à The move is part of SEBI’s effort to boost the dormant primary market by Rs.72,000 crore à SEBI-approved proposals yet to hit the market. à The move also seeks to reduce the reliance on rating agencies, which have recently come under scanner globally for their role in financial markets. Other Decisions à More powers for SEBI to conduct search and seizure operations and crackdown on defaulters and manipulators. à Similar tax treatment for foreign portfolio investors (FIPs), that is currently available for foreign institutional investors (FIIs). • OVL, OIL Pay $ 2.5 B to Videocon – ONGC Videsh Limited (OVL) and oil India Ltd. (OIL) on January 07, 2014 paid $ 2.475 billion to Videocon Group for acquiring 10 per cent stake in a giant gas field off Mozambique. January–2014 • NSE top Ranked Globally For Equity Trades for 2nd Year in 2013 – The National Stock Exchange (NSE) on 19th January retained its position as the world’s largest bourse in terms of number of equity trades for the second consecutive year in 2013. NSE recorded almost 145 crore equity trades on its platform last year, a gain of 3% from 2012, making it the biggest among 51 global peers, according to data with the World Federation of Exchanges (WFE). • The Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM), headed by Finance Minister P. Chidambaram, on January 16th, 2014, approved the sale of 10% government stake in Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) to Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) and Oil India Limited (OIL), which is likely to garner Rs.4,800 – 5000 crore to the exchequer. • The MCX Stock Exchange (MCX-SX), on January 20th, 2014, started live trading in cash-settled Interest Rate Futures (IRF) in its Currency Derivatives Segment, which witnessed a turnover of Rs.928.39 crore. • IRDA to allow insurers to invest in equity ETFs – The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) on 9th January, 2014 decided to allow insurers to invest in Equity Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) and came out with draft guidelines for such investments. − The equity ETFs would be restricted to registered schemes of Mutual Funds (MFs) and overall expense ratio should be below 0.40 per cent of daily net assets. − The draft guidelines were issued in view of the representations from the industry to allow insurance companies to invest in equity ETFs. Equity ETFs are funds whose unit price is derived from basket of underlying equity shares. The basket of securities differs depending upon the nature of ETF. − The comments of all stakeholders should be sent to the regulator within 30 days. • SEBI bars cash transactions for collective investment schemes – The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) on 8 January, 2014 made compulsory for all investments into collective investment scheme (CIS) funds to be made through banking channels, and not in cash, to thwart any money laundering activities through such schemes.

EXPORTS/IMPORTS August–2013 • CCEA approved export of additional 2 million tonnes of Wheat – The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on 8 August, 2013 approved the export of additional 2 million tonnes wheat from its godowns. The additional wheat would be traded through public sector trading firms. The additional export is allowed as there is a huge stock of 40 million tonnes of wheat.

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• Interest subsidy hiked to push up exports – Faced with sagging exports and rising trade deficit, the government raised the rate of interest subsidy for exporters to 3%, and promised to clear pending claims expeditiously, entailing an additional burden of Rs.2,000 cr to the exchequer. At present, the interest subvention for exporters, which is a kind of interest subsidy, is at 2 per cent and the benefit is available to sectors such as micro-small and medium enterprises, handlooms, handcraft, carpets, toys, sports goods, processed products, besides certain engineering and textiles items. The government is also considering raising the Plan allocation for Market Access Initiative, Market Development Assistance and Central Assistance to States for Developing Export Infrastructure and other Allied Activities scheme. • STPI crosses Rs.2000cr export mark – Software Technology Park of India (STPI), Mohali has crossed Rs.2000cr of software export mark, which is a milestone for tier-II city. Technology Park is also creating employment opportunity for 30,000 professionals. STPI Mohali has emerged as the second best tier-II city. September–2013 • India used Iranian Port to Import Afghani Dried Fruits – India had received its first batch of commodities from Afghanistan through the Chahbahar port in Iran on September 17, 2013. With this, Afghanistan has for the first time directly sent products to India. The Iranian port is an alternative to the Karachi port in Pakistan where export activities are constantly interrupted by political restrictions and high storage cost. ) Chahbahar port is a seaport in Chahbahar in south-eastern Iran. It is located between Indian Ocean and Omen Sea. The port was partially funded by India. • Russia Lifted the Ban on Non-Basmati Rice – Russia lifted the ban on import of non-basmati rice from India on September 10, 2013. Russia also lifted the ban on the oilseeds apart from non-basmati rice. Russia had imposed ban on these commodities in December, 2012 because of the presence of khapra beetles pest in rice and aflatoxin contamination of peanuts. Thereafter, from June 23 to 30, 2013, Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (FSVPS) delegation from Russia inspected the processing units in India, which eventually led to a lift on the ban and resumption of the trade on these commodities between India and Russia. October–2013 • Paradip Port, GAIL Inked Pact for Gas Terminal - Paradip Port Trust inked an initial pact with public sector pipeline operator GAIL (India) for setting up a liquified natural gas terminal at Paradip at a joint investment of Rs.3108 crore on October 26, 2013. The shipping ministry aims to create a port capacity of around 3200 million tonnes by attracting investments to the tune of Rs.287000 crore to handle the expected traffic of about 2500 million tonnes by 2020. The government aims to bring out Indian ports on par with the best international ports in terms of performance and capacity. ) Paradip Port in the coastal district of Jagatsinghpur in Odisha, about 100 km from state capital Bhubaneswar, is one of the major ports of India serving the eastern and central parts of the country. December–2013 • Export Growth at 3.49% in December 2013 – Export growth eased to a six month low of 3.49 per cent in December mainly due to a fall in the shipment of petroleum goods. It was announced on January 10, 2014. − Exports stood at $ 26.3 billion in December 2013 compared with $ 25.4 billion in the same month of 2012. − Petroleum exports, which contribute significantly to the country’s trade basket, declined 16 percent in December 2013.

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− However, a 15.25 per cent decline in imports to $ 36.4 billion, particularly in gold and silver shipments, helped narrow the trade deficit to $ 10.1 billion in December. In November, 2013 the trade gap was $ 9.21 billion. − Inward shipments of gold and silver dipped 68.8 per cent to $ 1.77 billion from $ 5.6 billion in December 2013, although they were higher than $ 1.05 billion in November. − Oil imports grew 1.1 per cent to $ 13.89 billion during the month. During April-December, exports aggregated $ 230.3 billion and imports $ 340.3 billion, while the trade deficit was about $ 110 billion. − Gold and silver imports in the April-December period declined 30.3 per cent to $ 27.3 billion from $ 39.2 billion a year earlier. − Oil imports in the nine-month period grew 2.6 per cent to $ 124.95 billion, while non-oil imports dipped 11.1 per cent to $ 215.42 billion. − Export sectors that registered positive growth in December include engineering (15 per cent), readymade garments (17.39 per cent), chemicals (8.75 per cent), cotton yarn and fabrics (1.42 percent), rice (9.72 per cent) and plastics 21 per cent). January–2014 • India overtakes Japan as world’s No 3 crude importer – India has overtaken Japan as the world’s third-biggest crude oil importer in 2013, data showed on 30th January, 2014. India imported 3.86

million barrels-per-day of crude oil last year, tanker arrival data compiled by Reuters from trade sources showed. India’s imports were nearly 6 percent higher than Japan’s customs-cleared imports of 3,648,372 bpd (211,716,710 kilolitres).

TAXATION/TRADE August–2013 • Custom duty on gold, silver raised - The Central Government on 13 August, 2013 raised customs duty on gold, silver and platinum to 10 percent in a bid to curb the surging imports and burgeoning Current Account Deficit. The duty on gold and platinum was raised from 8 percent to 10 percent and the levy on silver was raised from 6 percent to 10 percent. This step would also collect an additional 4830 crore rupees to the exchequer. This is the third time that the government has raised the duty on gold in 2013. • Direct Tax collections during April-June 2013-14 has shown an increase of 11.52 per cent at Rs.1,23,993 crore as against Rs.1,11,183 crore in the same period last year. While gross collection of corporate taxes has shown an increase of 7.82 per cent (Rs.76,115 crore as against Rs.70,594 crore last year), personal income tax is up 18.53 per cent (Rs.46,903 crore as against Rs.39,569 crore last year). Net direct tax collection was up 6.44 per cent and stands at Rs.89,705 crore against Rs.84,274 crore in the same period in the last fiscal. • Cabinet approves setting up of TARC – The Union Cabinet has approved the proposal for setting up of the Tax Administration Reform Commission. The commission will review the application of tax policies and tax laws in India in the context of global best practices and recommend measures to strengthen the capacity of the tax system in India that would reflect best global practices. Important highlights of the Commission: à It will help in removing ambiguity in application of tax policy and tax laws, thereby establishing a stable tax regime and a non-adversarial tax administration. à It will facilitate an efficient tax administrative system that would enhance the tax base as well as tax-payer base. à It will consist of a chairman, two full-time members and four part-time members, of which at least two part-time members will be from the private sector. à The term of the Commission will be 18 months.

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• Duty-free import of flat TVs banned - The government banned duty-free import of high-end flat screen plasma television, which will now attract a levy of 36.05 per cent. The Revenue Department issued a notification that amended rules to “disallow import of flat panel (LCD/LED/Plasma) television as part of free baggage allowance” with effect from August 26. • New norms to determine tariffs at major ports – The long wait to permit competitive market forces to have a larger role in determining tariffs at major ports in India ended recently, with the government announcing new guidelines for the same. − The new guidelines for determining Tariff for Projects at Major Ports (TAMP) comes into force with immediate effect, and will apply prospectively, for all new projects cleared now onwards. TAMP is only required for major ports, while non-major ports can charge market-based tariffs. While TAMP was established in 1997, major ports today account for 58 per cent of the country’s traffic while non-major ports account for the rest. Besides providing for tariffs to be indexed to inflation, the new guidelines set out performance standards for port projects to improve accountability and ensure improved quality of service. September–2013 • Net direct tax collections increased by 12.5% - Net direct tax collections for the current financial year (2013-14), up to 17th September, 2013 increased 2,38,325 crore Rupees from 2,11,641 crore Rupees compared to 2012-13, up to 17th September 2012, showing a growth of 12.5%. This data was released on 18 September 2013 by Department of Revenue of Finance Ministry. − Corporate tax collections were increased to 1,46,610 crore Rupees from 1,35,791 crore Rupees compared to 2012-13, which is a growth of 7.97 percent. − Income tax collections were increased to 89,006 crore Rupees from 65,752 crore Rupees compared to 2012-13, which is growth of 21.08 percent. − The collections of securities transaction tax (STT) and wealth tax stood at 2,210 crore Rupees and 309 crore Rupees. • Government hiked import duty on gold and silver – The Union Government of India on 17 September, 2013 hiked the import duty on gold from 10 percent to 15 percent. The hike is aimed at protecting the domestic industry. The import duty on Silver was also increased from 10 percent to 15 percent. − The government hiked the import duty on gold for the third time in 2013 as a part of the measures to contain the widening current account deficit. − India is the largest importer of gold in the world, which is mainly utilised to meet demand from the jewellery industry. • No service tax for school buses, hostels – The Finance Ministry clarified that ‘auxiliary educational services’ such as hostels, canteen and school buses will not attract 12% service tax. October–2013 • The government, on October 1, 2013 raised the import tariff value of gold to $436 from $432 per 10 grams, while reducing it to $702 on imported silver from $736 a kg. - The tariff value is the base price at which the customs duty is determined to prevent under- invoicing. Besides bullion, the government has raised the import tariff value of brass scrap to $3,860 and crude palm oil to $883 from $3,717 per tonne and $827 a tonne, respectively. - However, the import tariff value of poppy seed has been reduced to $2,556 from $2,717 a tonne, while the tariff value for RBD palmolein was cut to $862 from $883 a tonne. The tariff value of areca nut has been kept unchanged at $1,870 a tonne.

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November–2013 • TRAI Finalises Tariff for Mobile Banking Services – The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), on November 27, 2013 released the tariff structure and guidelines for mobile banking services, a step that would help rural customers who do not have access to banks and financial services. The TRAI has prescribed a ceiling tariff for an outgoing unstructured supplementary service data (USSD)-based mobile banking service at Rs.1.50 per USSD session. December–2013 • European Union granted ‘GSP-Plus’ status to Pakistan – The European Union (EU) has on 12 December granted GSP-Plus status to Pakistan, a move that is expected to boost the textile and other industries as it gives exporters duty-free access to 27 European countries. Under this deal 75 Pakistani products would have duty-free access to European markets. The standard GSP scheme, which offers generous tariff reductions to developing countries. Practically, this means partial or entire removal of tariffs on two thirds of all product categories. • Green Signal For ‘Millionaire’s Tax’ in France – France’s Constitutional Council gave the green light on December 29, 2013 to a ‘millionaire’s tax’, to be levied on companies that pay salaries of more than 1 million ($1.38 million) a year. − The measure, introduced in line with a pledge by President Francois Hollande to make the rich do more to pull France out of crisis, has infuriated business leaders and soccer clubs, which at one point threatened to go on strike. January–2014 • The Central Government on January 16, 2014 raised the import tariff value of gold and silver to $407 per 10 gram and $663 a kg respectively. Import tariff value is the base price at which customs duty is determined to prevent under-invoicing. The tariff value of imported gold earlier stood at $392 per 10 gram and on silver at $638 a kg. • Direct and Indirect Tax Revenue Collection in Three Quarters of 2013-14 – During the first three quarters of current financial year 2013-14, country’s tax revenue collection both from direct and indirect taxes registered the growth over the revenue collection in the same period of the year 2012- 13. − Though direct revenue collection during the first nine months of current financial year 2013-14 registers 12.5% growth but the revenue department is likely to miss its tax target for the current financial year as direct tax collections, net of refunds, in April-December 2013 reached Rs.4.15 lakh crore, compared with Rs.3.7 lakh crore in the nine-month period of last year. Taking a note of economic downturn in the economy, the tax department will now face a tough task of collecting Rs.2.5 lakh crore in the next three months to meet the Budget Estimate of Rs.6.7 lakh crore that represented a growth of 19 per cent over last year’s mop-up. − As per the official statistics, the gross direct tax collections (before paying income tax refunds) during April-December of 2013-14 were up 12.3 per cent at Rs.4.8 lakh crore, against Rs.4.3 lakh crore in the same period of 2012-13. Gross collections of corporate taxes have shown an increase of 9.35 per cent and stood at Rs.3.1 lakh crore, against Rs.2.8 lakh crore during the same period last year. Gross collection of personal income tax was up by 18.5 per cent and stood at Rs.1.7 lakh crore, against Rs.1.4 lakh crore during the same period in the last year. Collection of securities transaction tax stood at Rs.3,427 crore, showing a growth of 4.04 per cent. Wealth tax collection posted a growth of 11.92 per cent and stood at Rs.742 crore, against Rs.663 crore during the same period in last year. − Indirect tax collections grew 6.2 per cent in the April-December period of 2013-14. As per the official sources of Ministry of Finance, the total collection of indirect taxes – excise, customs and service tax – stood at about Rs.3,55,003 crore during the first nine months of 2013-14 as against Rs.3,34,309 crore in the year-ago period.

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− Excise collection dropped 4.5 per cent during the period to Rs.1,18,405 crore, against Rs.1,24,016 crore in the same period in the last fiscal year, reflecting slump in manufacturing activity. Customs collection was higher by 6.7 per cent to Rs.1,26,285 crore during the period against Rs.1,18,393 crore in the same period of last fiscal year. − Service tax collection, which has become a new focus area for revenue officials, grew by 20 per cent to Rs.1,10,313 crore in April-December 2013 against Rs.91,900 crore in the same period last fiscal. − The Government has set indirect tax collection target of Rs.5.65 lakh crore for 2013-14 compared to Rs.4.73 lakh crore achieved in the last fiscal.

PRODUCTION/ AGRICULTURE August–2013 • Foodgrains output decline - Foodgrains output this year (2012-13) has declined by 3.64 milion tonnes over the previous year. Drought in parts of some States last year adversely impacted rice, wheat and coarse cereals harvest. Pulses production on the other hand, has shown a remarkable improvement at 18.45 million tonnes as against 17.09 million tonnes, the previous year. September–2013 • Preventing Wastage Better – According to Associated Chamber of Commerce (ASSOCHAM), India produced around 77 million tonnes fruits and 150 million tonnes vegetables in 2011-12, out of a total horticultural production of 257.28 million tonnes. − The annual post harvest loss of these highly perishable commodities is estimated to be Rs.2 lakh crore due to lack of food processing units and modern cold storage facilities. The government admits horticultural needs and has taken some steps over the last few years like National Vegetable Initiative. − National Vegetable Initiative introduced in 2011-12, the horticulture department last year selected Ludhiana to start group farming for vegetables. The scheme includes setting up poly houses for better preservation of vegetables. The scheme with its subsidies and various facilities has a budget of Rs.300 crore; Punjab has so far spent Rs.12 crore of its share. • India’s position in coffee production in 2012, according to the data released by the International Coffee Organisation (ICO) – Seventh October–2013 • Implementation of NCIP during 12th Plan – In order to serve farmers in a better way, a Central Sector Scheme of National Crop Insurance Programme (NCIP)/ Rashtriya Fasal Bima Karyakram (RFBK) has been formulated by merging MNAIS, WBCIS and CPIS. Objectives The objectives of MNAIS are as under à To provide insurance coverage and financial support to the farmers in the event of prevented sowing & failure of any of the notified crop as a result of natural calamities, pests & diseases. à To encourage the farmers to adopt progressive farming practices’ high value in–outs and better technology in Agriculture. à To stabilize farm incomes particularly in disaster years are Salient Features of the scheme. • New hybrid Varieties of Coffee to be Launched – Jawaid Akhtar, the Chairman of the Coffee Board declared on November 14, 2013 about the plan of the board to introduce three or four new hybrid varieties of coffee during the 55th Annual Conference of the Karnataka Planters Association. The board is also trying to expand the land under coffee in the traditional coffee growing states by 20000 hectares. The expansion is also being planned in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.

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− Government supports the efforts of the coffee growers by increasing mechanization. During the 12th Plan period, the government has also preparing the scheme for the implementation of the coffee growers referring the increase in the demand of the coffee. November–2013 • New Garlic Variety for North Indian Areas – The National Horticultural Research and Development Foundation (NHRDF) in Nasik, Maharasthra has developed a new garlic variety named Yamuna Safed-5 suitable for growing in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Bihar, Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. • Cultivation of BT Brinjal Approved in Bangladesh – Bangladesh has approved the commercial cultivation of transgenic BT Brinjal, becoming the first country in South Asia to cultivate the genetically modified food crop on October 31, 2013. This has triggered concerns among environmentalists India, who have urged the government to take all steps to safeguard food and seed supply, apart from biodiversity. With this step, Bangladesh became the 29th country in the world to grow GM crop. In South Asia, India, Pakistan and Myanmar grow GM crop cotton. With the NCB nod, Bangladesh becomes the first in the region to grow a GM food crop. January–2014 • Govt. issues guidelines for National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm – Agriculture ministry on 31st January, 2014 issued guidelines and strategy to increase oilseeds production in the country. Focus of the strategy is to increase production of traditional oilseeds and bring more area under oil- palm cultivation through mission mode farm projects. − The scheme will be implemented in mission mode through active involvement of all the stakeholders. The Centre and States will bear costs in the ratio of 75 : 25.

SPACE August–2013 • NASA to launch next Mars mission called MAVEN – NASA is all set to launch its next mission to Mars in November 2013 and the spacecraft has already arrived at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. A US Air Force C-17 cargo plane delivered the Lockheed Martin Corp. built Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) spacecraft from the Buckley Air Force Base in Aurora, Colorado on 2 August, 2013. − The mission will be dedicated for surveying the upper atmosphere of Mars in an effort to understand the role that the loss of atmospheric gas of space played in changing the climate of Mars. • Curiosity Rover celebrated its first anniversary on Mars – NASA’s Curiosity rover celebrated its first anniversary on Mars on 6 August, 2013. Curiosity rover had landed on Mars one year ago on this date. It has already achieved its mission aim by discovering that Mars could have supported life. • World’s First Talking Robot Kirobo sent into Space – World’s first talking robot Kirobo was successfully sent into space on 4 August, 2013 by Japanese Scientists. The robot was sent by H2B rocket from the island of Tanegashima. The rocket carried food, water and other supplies. Kirobo will serve as a companion for Japanese astronauts. • One Lakh Sign up for One-Trip to Mars – More than 1,00,000 people have applied for a one-way trip to Mars, as part of an ambitious multi-billion dollar project that aims to colonize the Red planet starting in 2022. While it remains questionable how humans would be able to survive on Mars, it has not stopped a whopping number of people for signing up for The Mars One Project. “There is also a very large number of people still working on their profile, so either they have decided not to

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pay the application fee, or they are still making their video or they’re filling out the questionnaire or their resume,” said Ban Lansdorp, Mars One CEO and co-founder. − The application process specifies anyone 18 or older may apply, but the fee depends on nationality. In US, it is $ 38. The company said the fee is based on the GDP per capita of each nation. • Astronomers Discover Lowest-Mass Exoplanet around Sun-like Star – The international team of astronomers, in August, captured the image of a huge planet around the bright Sun-like star-GJ 504b. The image of the exoplanet was captured by making use of the infrared data from the Subaru Telescope in Hawaii. September–2013 • No signs of Life on Mars – NASA’s Curiosity rover, a car-sized robot that landed on Mars in 2012, has found no traces of methane on Mars. The gas is considered to be one of the signs of potential life. Since landing in Gale Crater in August, 2012, the car size probe has analysed Mars’ air and scanned it with a tiny laser in search of the greenhouse gas. • NASA’s Voyager 1 spacecraft on 12 September 2013 officially became the first human-made object to venture into interstellar space. • Indian Scientists Detect Endogenous Water on the Moon – In a latest development in the field of science, Indian scientists from the Space Applications Centre (SAC) of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in Ahmedabad have found evidence of water of volcanic origin. • The country that launched its low-cost rocket name Epsilon recently - Japan • Evidence of Water on Lunar Surface – NASA-funded lunar research conducted by NASA Lunar Science Institute (NLSI) unveiled about the evidence of water which was locked in the mineral grains on the surface of the Moon from unknown source that was present beneath the surface of the Moon on August 27, 2013. • NASA Launched Robotic Explorer to Moon – NASA’s unmanned rocket blasted-off from the US with a robotic explorer that will study the lunar atmosphere and dust on September 7, 2013. − The Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE) is taking a round about path to the Moon, making three huge laps around Earth before getting close enough to pop into lunar orbit. • A Twin Star to Earth’s Own Sun Found – Astronomers found a twin star to Earth’s own Sun which is much older. The rare star is the oldest known solar twin and can tell what Earth star will looks like in 4 billion years. The star, called HIP 102152, appears to be as similar to the Sun in its basic characteristics as any other known star. The Sun is only 4.6 billion years old, HIP 102152 is 8.2 billion years old. October–2013 • NASA discovers first known tilted planetary system – NASA’s Kepler space telescope on 18 October 2013 discovered a distant planetary system in the Space. The newly discovered planetary system features two inner planets orbiting at a severe tilt to their host star called Kepler-56. It is first known tilted star system. • Scientists Discover Kepler 78B – Scientists, in October 2013, announced to have discovered a new planet called Kepler 78b which has a similar mass and density to that of Earth. It orbits a star 400 light years away. Kepler 78b is composed mostly of rock and iron, very similar to our own planet. It is extremely close to its host star which is a hundredth of the distance between the Earth and the Sun.

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• Scientists Discover Planets with the Shortest Ever Orbit – Brian Jackson of the Carnegie Institution for Science’s Department of Terrestrial Magnetism, with the help of data achieved from NASA’s Kepler mission, announced in October 2013 that a team of scientists have discovered six new planets with superfast orbits. • Seven Planet Systems Are Discovered – Astronomers, in October 2013, announced to have identified one of the richest planetary systems. The astronomers discovered the seventh planet around the dwarf star KIC 11442793. The discovery was done by two different teams of researchers from the University of Oxford and team of astronomers from several European countries. November–2013 • On 5th November India’s prestigious interplanetary mission to Mars (Mars Orbiter Mission) gets off to a flying start when the Indian Space Research Organisation’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C25) roars of the first launch pad of the spaceport at Sriharikota. Mangal Yatra à November 5 – PSLV C – 2 lifted-off with Mangalyann. After 44 minutes spacecraft entered orbit around Earth. à November 5 to 30 – Craft revolved around Earth in highly elliptical orbit, building up velocity. Rockets will fire 6 times to raise orbit 6, 7, 8, 9, 11 and 16. à December 1 – Motors were fired to pull craft out of Earth’s orbit, push it on voyage to Mars. à Next 300 Days – Motors will be off as craft floats towards Mars. à September, 2014 – Motor will fire again for manoeuvres to place Orbiter in Martian orbit. Orbiter will go around Mars for roughly 6 months, with 5 on-board instruments collecting data. • Olympic – Torch in Spacewalk – The Olympic torch – unlit – was taken for a space-walk on November 9, 2013 in a showcasing of Russia’s hosting of the Sochi Winter Olympic Game 2014 in three months time. − Oleg Kotov ventured outside the International Space Station with the torch in his gloved hand. It was tethered to his spacesuit to ensure it did not spin away in orbit 420 km above the Earth. − The flashy moment was captured by fellow cosmonaut Sergei Ryazansky. − It was the very first time the Olympic symbol entered open space – a no-expense-spared triumph for Russia as it showed off its prowess in science and sport. • RH 200 Launched – Rohini (RH) 200 took to the sky at 6.25 p.m. on November 21, 2013 from the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERILS) to mark the golden jubilee of the first, successful launch of a sounding rocket from Indian soil, the beginning of India’s big leap forward in space exploration. • ‘3552 Don Quixote’, A comet – A large near-Earth object that was believed to be an asteroid has now been classified as a comet called ‘3552 Don Quixote’, the body is the third largest near-Earth object-mostly rocky bodies, or asteroids, that orbit the Sun in the vicinity of Earth. • NASA releases the first-ever natural-colour portrait of Saturn, in which the planet, its seven moons and rings, and Earth, Venus and Mars, all are visible. • ATV-4 Accomplishes its mission – ATV-4, heaviest-ever cargo-carrier of Europe to the International Space Station burned up in the Earth’s Atmosphere in the controlled manoeuvre after a five month mission on 2 November 2013. When the cargo was burnt, it carried about six tonnes of garbage and waste produced on the board of the ISS. The Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) was burnt over the uninhabited zone of the southern Pacific Ocean. The ATV-4 set the record for the heaviest Ariane 5 launch and its mission started on 5 June 2013 from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana.

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• Scientists discover a black hole in ophiuchus star constellation – Scientists, in November 2013, announced to have discovered a black hole in a collection of stars in the constellation Ophiuchus, which is about 22000 light years from Earth. The globular cluster in which black hole was spotted is known as M62. December–2013 • Mars Orbiter Successfully Placed in Mars Transfer Trajectory – India’s Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) successfully placed in Mars transfer trajectory on 1 December by ISRO scientists. India has now become the first Asian country and fourth nation in the world to leap into the interplanetary space. Less than half the around 50 spacecrafts sent by other countries towards Mars have been able to complete it. Now, the Mars spacecraft will travel 780 million kilometers (485 million miles) over 300 days (ten months) to reach an orbit around Mars planet in September 2014. • China launches Moon Rover – China launched its first moon rover mission on December 1, 2013. The Change-3 rocket carrying the “Jade Rabbit” or Yu Tu rover blasted off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in the southwest of the country. − The 140-kg “Jade Rabbit” rover separated from the much larger landing vehicle early on December 15, 2013, around seven hours after the unmanned Change’e-3 space probe touched down on a fairly flat, Earth-facing part of the moon. • SPACEX Launches first Commercial TV satellite – An unmanned Falcon 9 rocket developed by Space Exploration Technologies, or Space X, blasted off on December 3, 2013 to put the company’s first commercial satellite into orbit, staking a potentially game-changing claim in a global industry worth nearly $190 billion a year. • Iran Sent Second Monkey into Space for Second Time – Iran has on 14 December successfully launched its second monkey named ‘Fargam’ into the space and back, the country’s latest step toward sending humans into orbit. The monkey was flown on Iran’s liquid-fueled ‘Pajohesh’ (research) rocket for a 15-minute mission that took him approximately 72 miles into space. The first rocket carrying a monkey named Pishgam (Pioneer) in the space was launched by Iran on 28 January 2013. • Europe Launched ‘Gaia’ Satellite To Map Milky Way – The European Space Agency (ESA) launched its star-surveying satellite Gaia into space on 19 December. Gaia lifted on a Soyuz rocket from Europe’s Spacesport from the Kourou in French Guiana. • The first Trajectory Correction Manoeuvre (TCM) of Spacecraft of India’s maiden interplanetary mission to Mars was carried out successfully. • India’s Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-D5), powered by an indigenous cryogenic engine, effortlessly puts the 1,982-kg GSAT-14 communication satellite into a perfect orbit after lifting off from Sriharikota. • GSLV-D5 Puts GSAT-14 INTO ORBIT – One of India’s most ambitious dreams became a reality on January 5, 2014 when its Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-D5), powered by an indigenous cryogenic engine, effortlessly put the 1,982-kg GSAT-14 communication satellite into a perfect orbit after 17 minutes of flight. January–2014 • GSLV-D5 Rocket Carrying Communication Satellite GSAT-14 Successfully Launched – Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on 5th January successfully launched its heavy-duty rocket Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Development 5 (GSLV-D5) having indigenous cryogenic engine that placed a 1,982 kg GSAT-14 communication satellite into the orbit. The 49.13 metre tall rocket GSLV-D5 lifted off from Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. The launch vehicle successfully injected the GSAT-14 communication satellite into the intended orbit.

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- With the successful launch of GSLV-D5 flight India has now become the sixth nation to possess the cryogenic engine technology, and has joined the elite club of the United States, Russia, France, Japan and China. − ISRO Chairman K. Radhakrishnan declared the mission a success. He said, “This shows the maturity of the team. We dedicate the proud moment for the country.” • NASA discovered New Potentially Hazardous Asteroid 2013 YP139 – NASA discovered a new potentially hazardous asteroid named “2013 YP139” on 15th January. It was first discovered by NASA’s Near-Earth Object Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (NEOWISE). The 2013 YP139 is about 43 million kilometers from Earth. • Astronomers Discovered Two New Exoplanets – In the month of January 2014 A team of Astronomers from Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA), have discovered two new extrasolar planets circling a dim, red dwarf star about 200 light-years away from our planet. One of the planets, dubbed KOI-314c, weighs the same as Earth, but around 60 percent larger in diameter. The second planet, named KOI-314b, is about the same size as KOI-314c but significantly denser, weighing about 4 times as much as Earth. The team discovered the planet using data from NASA’s Kepler spacecraft. • Saturn’s iconic rings were formed about 4.4 billion years ago said the researchers at the University of Colorado. This was announced at the annual meeting of the American Geophysical Union on 3rd

January, 2014.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY August–2013 • Olinguito, a New Mammal Species discovered – Scientists of Smithsonian Institution of US have announced a rare discovery of a new species of mammal called the Olinguito on 15 August, 2013. The Olinguito is a carnivore – that group of mammals that includes cats, dogs and bears and their relatives. • Cryogenic rocket engine technology – The technology that India has developed on its own for the launch of GSLV-D5 rocket carrying communication satellite GSAT-14.

September–2013 • Asom scripted history in healthcare services by introducing the country’s first Tele-radiology service with Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad on September 1, 2013. − The Tele-radiology service will facilitate sending of images of CT scan and X-Rays done at regional diagnostic centres to any super specialty hospitals across the country to get them assessed by radiologists of those hospitals. In first phase, these services will be rolled out in 11 districts of the State. • World’s First 4K Recording Smartphone – Acer launched a new smartphone with a 6-inch screen called the Liquid S2, which is the world’s first 4K recording smartphone which is four times the resolution of current full HD. 4K video will be shot using the phone’s 13 megapixel rear camera and the power of a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor which is clocked at a stunning 2.2 GHz. • Thinnest Ever Glass Sheet – An accidental discovery has led to the creation of the world’s thinnest sheet of glass – at just one molecule thick. The ‘pane’ of glass is so impossibly thin that its individual silicon and oxygen atoms are clearly visible using a microscope. − The glass was identified by chance in the lab of David Muller, professor of Applied and Engineering Physics at Cornell University. Professor Muller had been making grapheme, a two- dimensional sheet of carbon atoms, in a chicken wire crystal formation.

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• World’s Fastest Spinning Man-made Object – A team of researchers from University of St. Andrews have created the world’s fastest spinning man-made object. They were able to levitate and spin a microscopic sphere at the speed of up to 600 million revolutions per minute. This spin speed is half a million times faster than a domestic washing machine and more than a thousand times faster than a dental drill. • Meet 115, the Newest Element on the Periodic Table – Scientists have confirmed the discovery of a new super-heavy element (with atomic number 115) and it may soon join the Periodic Table. An international team of researchers conducted an experiment at the GSI Research Facility in Germany to confirm earlier measurements by research groups in Russia. − The new super-heavy element is yet to be named. A committee comprising members of the International Unions of Pure and Applied Physics and Chemistry will review the findings to decide whether further experiments are needed before the element is acknowledged. • Smallest Hand-held Microscope – Australian scientists have developed the smallest hand-held microscope that fits inside a needle and can even pinpoint those cancer cells that are often missed during operations while removing breast cancer tumours. • World’s First DUV Laser Device – The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) has launched a deep ultraviolet (DUV) solid-state laser device, making the country first-ever in the world to possess such technology. The device marks the world’s first-ever output of 1064-nanometre’s 6 harmonic frequency multiplication, shortening, the diodepumped solid-state laser (DPL)’s wavelength to 177.3 nm. • A Sperm Bank to Recreate Animals – Japanese scientists have launched a Sperm Bank for endangered animals that uses freeze-drying technology, they hope that one day they could help humans to recreate animal populations on other planets. The team at Kyoto University’s Institute of Laboratory Animals Graduate School of Medicine successfully preserved sperm taken from two endangered primates and a type of giraffe. • Artificial Brain Created – Scientists from the Institute of Molecular Biotechnology in Vienna developed the pea-sized brains created from skin that could lead to cures for disorders such as schizophrenia and autism. • IIT-M’s first satellite to predict earthquakes – The electrical model of the 15-kg satellite IITMSAT name Akshay, the first satellite of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras, is almost ready and will help study radiation belts on the Earth and predict earthquakes. It is the largest among all the satellites developed by the IITs till now. • Railways for fuel-saving device in diesel locos – Indian Railways has decided to install a new fuel- saving device called Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) in Diesel Locomotives. It will result in saving more than 20 lakh rupees per locomotive annually. The device has been presently installed in twelve existing diesel locomotives. • First Surgery in India using Google Glass – Another milestone in the history of Google Glass was made when Dr. G.S. Rajkumar from Chennai used the device to record a surgery he was performing on September 18, 2013. It was done for the first time in India. He streamed the surgery via a Google Hang-Out. What was recorded through his Google Glass lens during the surgery could be seen while sitting thousands of miles away. ) Google Glass is a wearable computer with an optical head-mounted display (OHMD) that is being developed by Google in the Project Glass research and development project, with a mission of producing, a mass-market ubiquitous computer. It displays information in a smartphone-like hands-free format, that can communicate with the Internet via natural language voice commands.

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October–2013 • Astronomers Discover the Most Distant Galaxy in the Universe – A team of astronomers, in October 2013, announced to have discovered the most distant galaxy in the universe which is estimated to be 30 billion light years away from the Earth. The discovery gives us clues about our Universe Milky Way as well as helping scientists shed light on the period that immediately followed the Big Bang. • Australian Researchers Discover Gold in the Eucalyptus Trees – Researchers from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Perth, in October 2013, announced to have found tiny particles of gold in the eucalyptus trees. They explained that the trees were on the top of gold deposits which were rooted deep in the ground. In order to search for the moisture, these trees suck more of gold. The Geochemist at CSIRO, Melvyn Lintern explained that seeing the gold particles in leaves was surprising. This gold was found in resource-rich Kalgoorlie region of Western Australia, which, in late 1800s was a primary site of the major gold rush. • Indian Railways Install New Technique to Detect Faults in Coaches, Wagons & Locos – Indian Railways on 4 October 2013 adopted first ever unique modern technology for maintenance of its passenger coaches, wagons and locomotives in its continuous endeavour to enhance safety in Railway operations. The new maintenance technique which uses acoustic method of diagnostics is known as Acoustic Bearing Detectors (ABD) & Wheel Impact Load Detectors (WILD).

• Li-Fi Technology is developed in China – Scientists from Fudan University, Shanghai, have successfully developed Li-Fi Technology- a new cheaper way of getting connected to internet by using signals sent through light bulbs instead of radio frequencies as in ‘Wi-Fi’. According to the School of Information Science and Technology at Fudan University, researchers modulated Internet signals to a 1 watt LED lamp. Under the light, four computers were able to access the Internet. − The LED-based alternative to Wi-Fi, dubbed Li-Fi, or Light Fidelity, refers to a type of visible light communication technology that delivers a networked, mobile, high-speed communication solution in a similar manner to Wi-Fi. • Scientists develop the world’s first Bionic Man – Scientists, in October 2013, announced to have developed the world’s first robot human (Bionic man) made entirely of prosthetic parts. The bionic man can walk, talk and has a beating heart. Bionic man was assembled from prosthetic body parts and artificial organs donated by laboratories around the world. November–2013 • World’s Largest Floating Vessel – South Korean shipbuilder Samsung Heavy Industries has floated a tanker-shaped vessel tagged as the world’s largest “floating facility” with a length greater than the height of the Empire State Building. The floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) platform named “Prelude” – was set in the water at its southern shipyard in Geoje on November 30. • New Device to Convert Signs into Speech – US software giant Microsoft ahs developed a new cost- effective sign language translator that converts signs into spoken and written language – and vice versa on November 4, 2013. − In collaboration with researchers in China, Microsoft created the Kinect Sign Language Translator, a prototype system that understands the gestures of sign language and converts them to spoken and written language – and vice versa. The translator uses a computer and a Kinect camera that recognizes signing gestures, then gives a spoken and written translation of languages for people who can hear. • IAF Flags in white water Rafting Expedition – Air Marshal HB Rajaram on 13 November 2013 flagged in IAF (Indian Air Force) Aqua Scullers on the successful completion of their white water rafting expedition on the Ganges from Gangotri (at an altitude of 3049 mtrs) to Ganga Sagar in West Bengal. The River Ganges is known to be one of the most challenging rivers in the world for White Water rafting. BANK-PO/CLERK EXAM CA/Aug2013-Jan2014/Page-108

• World’s first green Helicopter Tested – Germany’s aviation company e-Volo on 17 November 2013 successfully tested the first helicopter which is noiseless and emission-free named- Volocopter. The Volocopter is an environmentally friendly and emission-free private helicopter. Volocopter has been developed by the German company e-volo. • Biocon gets DCGI approval for breast cancer drug-biosimilar trastuzumab – Indian Biotech Company Biocon on 26 November 2013 announced that it had received market authorization from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) for its Breast cancer Drug-biosimilar Trastuzumab. December–2013 • Human DNA from 4,00,000 years ago Discovered In Spain – In the month of December 2013 Scientists have discovered a fossilized leg bone from an early 4,00,000 – year – old human in the ‘Pit of Bones’ site in spain and the bone’s DNA opens a new mystery into our human ancestors. DNA tends to breaks down over time, but the leg bone has been well preserved in the Spanish ‘bit of bones’ because of the constant temperature. • Indian Coast Guard Patrol Vessel ‘Rajdhwaj’ Commissioned – Indian Coast Guard Ship Rajdhwaj, a 50 metre-long inshore patrol vessel (IPV), was commissioned on 11 December in Chennai by Shipping Minister G.K. Vasan. The IPV is equipped with the most advanced and sophisticated navigational and communication sensors and equipment. The ship can be propelled sensors and equipment. The ship can be propelled to a maximum speed of 31.5 knots. At economical speed of 14 knots, it has an endurance of 1,500 nautical miles. The ship is the eighth in the series of IPVs designed and built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders Engineers, Kolkata. • First Human Artificial Heart Implanted In France – The first human artificial heart implantation performed in Georges Pompidou Hospital, Paris on 18 December was successful. The artificial heart designed by the French biomedical heart designed by the French biomedical firm Carmat and developed by the Dutch based European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS). The artificial heart give patients up to five years of extra life, which replaces the real heart. The previous heart assistance devices are created mainly for temporary use. The artificial heart weighs as little as less than a kilogram (900 grams), almost three times heavier than an average healthy human heart. January–2014 • PARAM Supercomputer Among The Most Power Efficient Systems In World – India’s supercomputer PARAM Yuva II, developed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), has been ranked first in India, ninth in the Asia Pacific Region and 44th in the world among the most power efficient computer systems as per the Green 500 List announced on 1 January at the Supercomputing Conference (SC 2013) in Denver, Colorado, in the US. • Nirbheek Is India’s First Revolver Designed for Women – “Nirbheek,” India’s first gun for women, was launched on 6th January. The revolver, manufactured by the Indian Factory, means “fearless” and is named after “Nirbhaya,” the victim of India’s most published gang rape case. Nirbheek is also the smallest revolver make in India. • World’s Fastest Organic Transistor Developed – In the month of January 2014 Scientists claim to have developed the world’s fastest thin-film organic transistor that could operate more than five times after than previous examples of this technology. Researchers from the University of Nebraska- Lincoln (UNL) and Stan-ford University explained that this experimental technology has the potential to achieve the performance needed for high-resolution television screens and similar electronic devices. • JILA atomic Clock Sets New World Records – In the month of January 2014 in a laboratory at JILA- a joint institute of CU-Boulder and the National Institute of Standards and Technology-researchers have developed a new strontium atomic clock that has set world records for both precision and

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stability. It “ticks” 430 trillion times per second. The JILA strontium lattice clock is about 50 percent more precise than the record holder of the past few years, NIST’s quantum logic clock. • World’s largest solar power plant in Rajasthan – As many as six state-owned companies including BHEL and Power Grid Corporation on 29th January, 2014 signed an initial agreement for setting up world’s largest 4,000 MW ultra mega solar power project in Rajasthan. • Minister of Mines, Dinsha Patel launched the Advanced Light Helicopter named Garuda Vasudha of Geological Survey of India from the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL), Bangalore on 23rd January, 2014. • World’s first 3D-printer Objet500 Connex3 was launched on 28th January 2014. The printer was manufactured by the USA based company Stratasys, the owner of the MarkBot range of printers. • Technology to turn plastic into fuel - National Institute of Technology, Odisha, developed a commercially viable technology for efficiently rendering common polymer, low-density polyethylene (LDPE) into a liquid fuel. This discovery may lead to re-using discarded plastic bags and other products to address growing demands for fuel globally. • India Bans Cosmetic Companies from Testing on Animals – India’s Union Government, on 27th January, 2014, banned cosmetic companies from testing on animals. The notification prohibiting testing of cosmetics on animals was issued by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

• Scientists at Jilin University of China create water-jet printer – A team of scientists created Water- Jet printer on 28th January, 2014. The printer was created by the team of scientists at Jilin University of China. These new water-jet printer use water instead of ink. The used paper fades back to white within a day, which enables it to be reused. A dye compound called oxazolidine was used, which yielded a clear, blue print in less than a second after water was applied. Water-jet technology allows each page to be reprinted dozens of times. This is money and tree saving option in a digital world that still relies heavily on hard copy.

HEALTH/NUTRITION/DISEASES/DRUGS August–2013 • MERS, A new respiratory virus found in Saudi Arabia – A new respiratory virus related to SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) recently killed 39 people in Saudi Arabia. Scientists have named this respiratory virus as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). The new virus is related to the respiratory virus SARS that killed more than 800 people across the world in 2003. • National Teeka Express Launched – The National Teeka Express was launched by Ghulam Nabi Azad, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare. It aims at protecting children from life- threatening childhood diseases. So far under Routine Immunisation Programme, ANMs collects vaccines from storage point (cold chain point) and transport them to the sites during which there was risk of breach in cold-chain maintenance and possible loss of potency of vaccine. Improper storage could also lead to adverse events following immunisation. To avert this, the Govt of India has launched this innovative and ambitious initiative of Teeka Express. Designated vehicles under the brand name of ‘National Teeka Express’ will help not only in distribution of the vaccines and complementary logistics from last cold-chain point to immunisation session sites but also ensure holding of sessions at the mobile vaccination centre now. • CCMB discovers gene mutations – In a path breaking research, the scientists of the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) have discovered the gene mutations leading to chronic pancreatitis disease among Indians. Pancreas is a small organ in human body responsible to produce enzymes including insulin to digest food.

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• Peace Ark - The Chinese navy hospital ship, Peace Ark, reached Chittagong, Bangladesh on August 19. The ship was on a week-long goodwill visit to Bangladesh to provide free medical services to its people and conduct academic exchanges with the country’s military hospitals. September–2013 • ‘Biocon’ Joined Hands with ‘CytoSorbents’ – Biotechnology major ‘Biocon’ inked a pact with ‘CytoSorbents Corporation’, under which the Bangalore-based firm will have the exclusive commercialization rights for CytoSorb, a novel therapy for the treatment of sepsis, in India and some emerging markets. • New Typhoid Vaccine ‘Typbar TCV’ Launched – Bharat Biotech International Limited launched the typhoid vaccine called ‘Typbar TCV’, which is capable of providing higher officacy and longer immunity against typhoid on August 26, 2013. • National AIDS Control Support Project Launched – The World Bank assisted National AIDS Control Support Project (NACSP) was launched by the Department of AIDS Control, Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare in New Delhi on August 25, 2013. Over 99.5% of India’s population is free from HIV now. • Meeting on Maternal Health – Meeting of the Consultative Committee of Parliament attached to the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare on Maternal Health was held in New Delhi on August 29, 2013. The meeting was presided over by the Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare, Ghulam Nabi Azad. The objective of the meeting was discussion of the issues on maternal health. October–2013 • Vaccine for the Deadly Birdflu Virus Strain Developed – Chinese researchers have developed a vaccine for a deadly strain of the birdflu virus on October 26, 2013. It is first influenza vaccine for the deadly H7N9 bird flu virus developed by China. Vaccine passed tests on ferrets and has been approved for human distribution. The world’s first human case of the deadly strain was reported by China in March and has so far killed 45 of the 130 people who were infected, representing a fatality rate of 33.1%. − The new strain is “one of the most lethal” of its kind and transmits from birds to humans more easily than an earlier strain that has killed hundreds around the world since 2003, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). The vaccine was jointly developed by the School of Medicine of the Zhejiang University, Hong Kong University, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for food and Drug Control, and the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. • Brazil’s First Measles and Rubella Vaccine Made for Export – Brazil has announced plans to produce a low-cost measles and rubella vaccine for export to developing countries. By 2017, 30 million doses a year are to be supplied mainly to African but also to Asian and Latin American nations. The Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Brazil’s top medical research facility, has received a $1m (620000) grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The vaccine is expected to be the most affordable on the market and will be the first made for export by Brazil, Currently, only India produces such vaccines. − The country already exports vaccines for 75 nations, but the measles and rubella vaccine will be the first produced exclusively for export. • Dr. Reddy’s Launch Anti-blood Clot Drug – Country’s largest drug maker Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories is set to take its complex generic drug Foundaparinux sodium injection to Canada and two other emerging markets. Foundparinux is used for treatment and prevention of deep vein thrombosis and is sold under the brand name Arixtra by GlaxoSmithKline. Dr. Reddy’s will manufacture the drug under licence using a patented process developed by Alchemia.

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• India Declared itself Free from Bird Flu – India has declared itself free from Notifiable Avian Influenza (H5N1), commonly called bird flu, and notified the same to World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) on November 12, 2013. • India launches its first indigenous vaccine – JEN-VAC to protect children from Japanese encephalitis. November–2013 • The Union Health and Family Welfare Minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad released the 7th edition of Indian Pharmacopoeia 2014, a book of Drug Standards at the Nirman Bhawan, New Delhi. • Lung transplant - On November 24, 2013 Surgeons at Chennai’s Global Health City Hospital performed India’s First Successful Lung transplant. After this great achievement ‘Human Organ Transplant’ is now in news. The transplantation of an organ from one body to another is known as the organ transplantation. The person who gives the organ is called the donor, while the one who receives is called the recipient. Organ transplant is done to replace the recipient’s damaged organ with the working organ of the donor, so that the recipient could function normally. • India Declared itself Free from Birdflu – India has declared itself free from Notifiable Avian Influenza (H5N1), commonly called birdflu, and notified the same to World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) on November 12, 2013. India notified outbreak of Avian Influenza (H5N1) at Poultry Production Unit, College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Anjora, Drug and Government Poultry Farm, Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh on August 5, 2013. − According to a Ministry of Agriculture release, the control measures adopted in the outbreak were stamping out of entire poultry population including destruction of eggs, feed, litters and other infected materials in the radius of 1 km around the outbreak location, restriction on movement of poultry, disinfection and cleaning up of infected premises and subsequently issuing of the Post Operation Surveillance Plan (POSP). The POSP was issued on August 12, 2013. • On 26th November, the Supreme Court issues notice to the Centre and all States on a public interest writ petition for protection of people suffering from renal diseases and kidney failure. December–2013 • Uruguay Becomes World’s First Country To Legalize Marijuana Trade – Uruguay has become the first country in the world to make it legal to grow, sell and consume marijuana. In this regard Uruguay senators gave the approval for government sponsored bill on 10 December. According to the new law-Registered Uruguayans over the age of 18 will be allowed to buy up to 40 grams of the drug a month. • The Indian High Commission in Pakistan issues an advisory that all adults and children traveling to India from Pakistan after January 30, 2014 are required to obtain Oral Polio Vaccination (OPV) at least six weeks prior to their departure to India. January–2014 • India Completed Three Polio Free Years – India has on 13th January finally been declared free of polio after years of efforts to get rid of the crippling disease. The declaration was made after it was ensured that no new case of polio was reported in the past three years. The last case was reported on 13th January 2011. In 2009, India’s 741 polio infections accounted for nearly half the world’s total. • Peshawar World’s ‘Largest Reservoir’ of Polio Virus – The World Health Organisation (WHO) on 17th January declared Pakistan’s troubled northwestern city of Peshawar as the world’s largest reservoir of endemic polio and called for urgent action to boost vaccination.

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ENERGY/GAS/OIL August–2013 • IEA warned that oil supplies from OPEC may decline – The International Energy Agency (IEA) on 9 August, 2013 in its monthly oil market report issued a warning that oil supplies from the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) may decline because of the conditions prevalent in Libya and Iraq. • The power-generating capacity of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar mission seeks 20,000 MW to develop by the end of 13th Five Year Plan. • Crude storage cavern at Mangalore – The underground caverns to store crude oil as a strategic reserve, being built by Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Ltd (ISPRL) at Mangalore and Padur (Udupi), will be ready by June 2014. ISPRL is a special purpose vehicle (SPV), wholly-owned by the Oil Industry Development Board (OIDB), constructing three caverns at Mangalore, Padur and Vizag for storage of oil for emergencies and disruption of supplies due to war or uncontrolled prices. • NMDC signs MoU with IL&FS – The state-owned National Mineral Development Corporation Power Ltd. signed an MoU with the IL&FS Energy Development Ltd to set up a 500-MW power plant at Gonda in Uttar Pradesh. The project is to be completed within three years at an estimated cost of Rs.3,000 cr. Power Minister Jyotiradhitya Scindia said, the project is to be executed on a 74 to 26 per cent partnership between NMDC and ILFS. The power plant will consist of two units of 250 MW each. • World’s largest solar park in Rajasthan – The New and Renewable Energy Minister Farooq Abdullah laid the foundation stone of the World’s biggest solar park at Bhadla in Jodhpur district of Rajasthan recently. The solar park will be established in 10 thousand hectare land and will have a capacity of power plants of 1000-MW capacity. ADB will provide a Rs.3,000 cr loan for transmission lines of this solar park. • India’s 250-MW power supply to Bangladesh – Bangladesh has started receiving uninterrupted 250-MW power supply from India from September. The Bangladeshi Government has already given sovereign guarantee for the power purchase for 25 years to Vidyut Vyapar Nigam, a unit of NTPC. An electrical grid interconnection will facilitate the cross-border power transfer between Behrampore in West Bengal and Bheramara in Bangladesh. In 2010, Delhi and Dhaka signed a joint MoU for intergrid connectivity during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to India. September–2013 • World’s largest Solar Power Project approved – The Union Government of India on 20 September 2013 finalised setting up of the Ultra-Mega Green Solar Power Project in Rajasthan in the SSL (Sambhar Salts Limited; which is a subsidiary of Hindustan Salts Limited – a Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Department of Heavy Industry, Ministry of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises) area close to Sambhar Lake, about 75 kms from Jaipur. The overall capacity of this project would be 4000 MW, thereby making it the largest solar power project of the world. • Mithi Virdi nuclear power plant is to come up in – Gujarat • World’s costliest Kashagan oilfield starts – Touted as the world’s most expensive oil field, the Kashagan oilfield started production of crude oil recently. The investors in the mammoth Caspian Sea project sighed in relief but they have little change of earning back their billions any time soon. A consortium including Exxon Mobil, Royal Dutch Shell, Total and ENI have spent an estimated $ 50 bn. • National Institute of Solar Energy approved – The Union Cabinet of India on 3 September, 2013 approved the proposal for setting up of an autonomous National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE). The NISE will act as an apex national center for research and development and related activities in

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the area of solar energy technologies in India. It will also assist the Government to look forward towards the development aspects of the sector. October–2013 • First Unit of Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant is Synchronised - The first Unit of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP) was on 22 October 2013 synchronised with the southern regional electricity grid. Earlier, the nuclear reactor achieved criticality on 13 July 2013. The power generation in the nuclear reactor will be increased in stages to attain full capacity of 1000 MW by end of 2014. • Joint Power Transmission Plant Inaugurated – The Prime Ministers of Bangladesh and India have inaugurated a joint power transmission plant through which Bangladesh will receive up to 500 MW of electricity, on October 5, 2013, at Bheramara in Bangladesh. A grid interconnection between Bheramara in Bangladesh and Baharampur in India was completed at the end of August, 2013. The transmission line in High Voltage Direct Current, HVDC, in Bheramara will provide a safe and reliable inter-connection between the power grids of the two countries. − Both the Prime Ministers also jointly laid the foundation stone for 1320 MW Maitri Thermal Power Project, being developed by Bangladesh-India friendship power-company which is a joint venture of India’s NTPC and Bangladesh Power Development Board.

• Nuclear Plant in United Kingdom – The first nuclear power station in the United Kingdom in the last 20 years, the Hinkley Point C nuclear power station, is to be built in Somerset, in southwest England. − After the March 2011 Fukushima, this is one of the first major nuclear power plants to be built in Western Europe. November–2013 • On 16th November President Pranab Mukherjee inaugurates a Waste Immobilisation Plant (WIP), a crucial component of the closed fuel cycle technology embraced by India for nuclear power generation, is inaugurated at the Kalpakkam facility of the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) in Kalpakkam. • Pakistan Launched Largest Nuclear Power Project – Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif launched the construction of the country’s biggest atomic power plant and vowed to pursue further projects to make nuclear the largest energy source on November 26, 2013. − The 2200-megawatt plant is to be built with Chinese technical assistance on the Arabian Sea coast at Paradise Beach, 40 kilometres (25 miles) west of Karachi. • First unit of Thermal plant inaugurated – The Chief Minister of Punjab Parkash Singh Badal on November 25, 2013 dedicated to the people, the first unit of State’s largest power generation facility, the Talwandi Sabo Plant Limited, which on completion would generate 1980 MW of electricity to be provided to 20 lakh households. The inauguration of the plant set up by the Vedanta group, is being projected as a major step towards making Punjab power surplus. December–2013 • ICA gives go ahead to Kishenganga project – The Hague-based International Court of Arbitration has allowed India to go ahead with construction of the 330-MW Kishenganga hydro-electric project in North Kashmir which was in dispute with Pakistan. − In its final order delivered on December 20, 2013 the court upheld India’s right under the bilateral Indus Waters Treaty to divert waters from the Kishenganga for power generation in Jammu and Kashmir. • Dabhol-Bangalore Natural Gas Pipeline Dedicated to Nation – Prime Minister of India Dr. Manmohan Singh dedicated GAIL’s 1000 km Dabhol-Bangalore natural gas pipeline to the Nation

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on December 3, 2013 during the inauguration of the 8th Asia Gas Partnership Summit (AGPS) Bangalore. − The Dabhol-Bangaluru pipeline connects South India to the national gas grid for the first time. Pipeline has been constructed at an investment of Rs.4500 crore with a design capacity of 16 MMSCMD of natural gas which can produce 3000 MW of clean energy. − The pipeline starts at Dabhol in Maharashtra and passes through Belgaum, Dharwad, Gadag, Bellary, Devanagere, Chitradurga, Tumkur, Ramanagaram, Bengaluru Rural and Bengaluru Urban districts. • Russia Begins Pumping in the Arctic – Russia has announced the start of offshore oil production in the Arctic, upstaging its Western rivals in the rush for the region’s energy riches. − Russia’s natural gas monopoly Gazprom on December 20, 2013 began pumping oil at its first Arctic offshore platform at the Prirazlomnoye field in the Pechora Sea. Gazprom became the first company in the world to launch commercial production oil from under the Arctic waters. • New Norms For Mega Power Projects – The Government on January 2, 2014 moved to ease conditions that could make it easier for large power projects under an ambitious programme to create electricity generation capacity in the nation, which have been mired in problems related to fuel linkages or state-level approvals. − The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) relaxed norms for 25 Ultra Mega Power

Projects (UMPP) by increasing the time period for them to submit mega project certificates to tax officials. The certificates must show how far they have come in procuring coal and buying or importing the necessary equipment. Changed Norms à Duty-free equipment imports for thermal power projects of 1,000 MW, and above, capacity and hydro power projects of 500 MW and above. à The developer must tie up Atleast 65% of the installed capacity through competitive biding. à The remaining 35% of the installed capacity should be through the regulated tariff according to the host state’s policy. à The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has also approved construction of a 220-kv transmission system from Alusteng in Srinagar to Leh. • Global Solar Power Capacity To Reach 43000 MW - The solar power capacity addition is projected to be around 43,000 MW worldwide in 2014 with China likely to lead the pack with a planned capacity of around 10,000 MW, according to a report by global consulting firm Mercom Capital Group. India is expected to add about 1,800 MW of solar energy capacity in 2014. January–2014 • Government Notified New National Gas Pricing Formula – The Government of India on 10 January notified the new natural gas pricing formula, which will be in effect from 1st April 2014. As per the newly issued notified, the rate of all domestically produced fuel will be almost doubled to 8.2 to 8.4 dollar per unit. • PM Dedicates Petronet LNG Terminal at Puthuvype near Kochi – Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on 4th January dedicates to the nation the Rs.4,200 crore Petronet Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) import Terminal at Puthuvype near Kochi. The Petronet LNG Limited at Puthuvype is the first-of- its kind in South India. • Anu Vidyut Pariyojana Launched In Haryana – Prime Minister Manmohan Singh laid the foundation of 2,800 Megawatt nuclear power plant in Fatehabad district of Haryana on 13th January. The project named as Anu Vidyut Pariyojana, will have four units of 700 MWes each and it will be built at a cost 23502 crore rupees. The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) will build these reactors. This is the first time Haryana will have a nuclear project.

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• CNG and Piped Gas Prices Cut – After increasing the quota of subsidized LPG cylinders from nine to 12 per household, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry on February 3rd, 2014 slashed CNG prices by Rs.15 per kg (30 per cent) and piped natural gas (PNG), or cooking gas, by Rs.5 (20 per cent) cubic metre across the country. − Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Veerappa Moily said allocation of domestic gas to CNG and PNG suppliers in cities such as Delhi and Ahmedabad, which until now were partially dependent on expensive imported LNG, would now be fully met through domestic gas. The other major cities to benefit will be Noida, Ghaziabad, Surat, Indore, Hyderabad, Agra, Lucknow, Mathura, Barauch, Vadodara, Kanpur, Faridabad, Gurgaon and Meerut. − Gas entities in all cities of the country will get natural gas at a uniform price. Rates of CNG and piped gas will, however, vary from city to city depending on transportation charges and local sales tax or VAT. à Big boost to City Gas Distribution Projects across India à Share of domestic gas raised to 100% of PNG and CNG requirement à Present price of CNG: Rs.50.10 à Present price of PNG: Rs.29.50 • LPG Cap hiked to 12; No cash transfers – Acceding to Rahul Gandhi’s demand to raise the annual cap on subsidised LPG cylinders, the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs on January 30, 2014 raised the quota from 9 to 12. It also decided to put on hold the Direct Benefit Transfer for LPG consumer (DBTL) under which consumers receive subsidy in cash. − Every household will get one cylinder each in February and March in addition to the quota of nine. From April, they will be entitled to 12 cylinders, one a month at subsidised rates. • Uttarakhand project gets Eco-clearance: A 300-MW hydro power project in Uttarakhand received clearance from the Minister of Environment and Forests on February 3, 2014. The Lakhwar project is located in the Upper Yamuna River Basin in Dehradun district. − According to the Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited, the project will annually produce 612.93 million units of electricity. Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Delhi, and Himachal Pradesh will get drinking water and water for irrigation from the project. • Tawang hydel unit gets green signal – A year after the Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) gave its nod to the strategic Tawang II hydroelectric project in Arunachal Pradesh, the Ministry of Environment and Forests has cleared it.

ENVIRONMENT August–2013 • NGT banned sand mining across India – The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on 5 August, 2013 banned mining or removal of sand from river beds across the country without licence and Environmental clearance from the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests. The NGT bench headed by Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar passed the orders on the plea filed by the National Green Tribunal Bar Association on sand mining in major rivers Ganga, Yamuna, Chambal, Gomti and Ravathi. − The tribunal stated that majority of people removing minerals from the river bed had no licence to extract sand. The miners are required to obtain licence from the competent authorities depending upon the area of mining.

September–2013 • First Marine Eco-Sensitive Zone - The Environment Ministry has declared the first marine eco- sensitive zone around Marine National Park in Gulf on Kutch, Gujarat, thereby prohibiting any industrial activity in the area. BANK-PO/CLERK EXAM CA/Aug2013-Jan2014/Page-116

• Earth’s Largest Volcano Found – Scientists have discovered the single largest volcano in the world, a dead colossus deep beneath the Pacific waves. The 310000 sq km (119000 sq mi) Tamu Massif is comparable in size to Mars’ vast Olympus Mons volcano – the largest in the solar system. • Mundra projects fined Rs.200 cr – The Environment and Forests Ministry has slapped a Rs.200 cr penalty on Gautam Adani’s Mundra multi-purpose projects for violating green laws. The money will go to an Environment Restoration Fund to mitigate the damage done to the area around the project sites. The order was issued after the Ministry accepted the report of the committee set up under Sunita Narain, director general of the Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment. • India has banned hunting sharks for their fins in a move to protect endangered species. Unfortunately this endangered species in hunted indiscriminately for their fins only and are thrown back into water to die slowly on the ocean floor from starvation or inability to move. The practice has exploded worldwide due to demand from China, where shark fin soup is considered a delicacy. October–2013 • Scientists Discover Huge Floating Ice Shelf in Antarctica – Researchers from the University of Exeter, Newcastle University, the University of Bristol, the University of Edinburgh, the British Antarctic Survey and the University of York announced in October 2013 to have discovered Giant 250-metre high channels, beneath a floating ice shelf in Antarctica. • No Mining within 1 km of National Parks, Sanctuaries – Environment Ministry has decided in an order that could take the state one step closer to re-start iron-ore excavation in a regulated fashion by not permitting mining within one kilometer of national parks and sanctuaries in Goa in the future. The Ministry passed the order to this effect on October 24, 2013 resolving one of the several issues that requiring a solution to restart regulated mining in the coastal state. − It ordered that areas ranging up to one kilometer beyond the boundaries of the national parks and sanctuaries in the state would be declared as Ecologically Sensitive Zone (ESZ) under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 where mining activities would be banned. • New Grass Developed to Curb Greenhouse Gas Emissions – A new king of grass has been developed with the joint efforts of scientists from Japan and Colombia to curb greenhouse gas emissions caused by chemical fertilizers. − Scientists from Janpan’s International Research Centre for Agricultural Sciences and the Colombian International Centre for Tropical Agriculture found a species of grass that originated in Africa and grows in Latin America called Brachiaria. This grass releases substances from its roots that curb activities of microorganisms and sharply cuts the amount of nitrous oxide emitted. Researchers have already started to plant the grass in South America. • The Sunderban Tiger Reserve announces to introduce the Batagur basa, a rare species of riverine turtle, declared cirtically endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (2014), into the wild in 2014. November–2013 • At least 11000 people have been evacuated as a severe cyclone Helen slammed into the north- eastern coast of Andhra Pradesh, packing strong winds and torrential rain and killing at least two people. • The National Green Tribunal issues a notice to the Ministry of Environment and Forest and Ministry of Water Resources regarding immersions of idols in rivers and water bodies of the country. December–2013 • UN Report On Climate Change – The report of the Working Group II of the U.N. Intergovernmental panel on climate change (IPCC) was leaked online. The final draft has been sent to all governments for review and comment before the report is finalised.

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Impacts of Climate Change – The UN scientific panel on existing and future risks to Asia from climate change Extracts from the final draft of Working Group II report of the IPCC ƒ 50% Indo-Gangetic Plains could see a decrease in agro yields of about 50% in the most favourable and high yielding wheat area due to heat stress. ƒ More frequent and intense heat-waves in Asia will increase mortality and morbidity in vulnerable groups. ƒ Increase in heavy rain and temperature will increase the risk of diarrhea diseases, dengue fever and malaria. ƒ In India changes are project in more than a third of the forest area by 2100, mostly from deciduous to evergreen forest. ƒ Current temperatures are already approaching critical levels during the susceptible stages of the rice plant in North India in October, South India in April and August and East India in March- June. ƒ Doubling of carbon dioxide leads to a 51% decrease in the most favourable and high yielding agri area due to heat stress. About 200 million people would experience adverse impacts. ƒ In India, the estimated countrywide agricultural loss in 2030 of over $ 7 billion will severely affect the income of 10% of the population. This could be reduced by 80% if cost effective climate adaptation is done. ƒ People living in low-lying coastal zones and flood plains are most at risk from climate impacts in Asia.

EDUCATION September–2013 • Eklavya model residential schools for Tribal students – Union Government on 16 September, 2013 sanctioned a total of 158 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs) for Tribal students out of grants under Article 275(1) of the Constitution of India in 23 states. − Highest number of 22 schools has been sanctioned for Gujarat followed by Madhya Pradesh (20) and Rajasthan (17). Chhattisgarh and Odisha have been sanctioned 16 schools each. − The objective of EMRS is to provide quality middle and high level education to Scheduled Tribe (ST) students in remote areas. • SC upholds UGC policy – The Supreme Court has upheld the University Grant Commission’s policy for fixing eligibility criteria for candidates to qualify the National Eligibility Test (NET), saying it is not arbitrary and illegal. The court was hearing the UGC’s plea challenging the Bombay High Court’s order setting aside the eligibility criteria fixed by the UGC for the NET Jun 2012 exam for Junior Research Fellowship and Lecturership. November–2013 • Government Nod to New 3-year BSc Community Health Programme –The government overruled a Parliament Committee recommendation for scrapping a course in community health as Union Cabinet have given its nod to the Health Ministry to start a new three-year BSc community health programme on November 13, 2013 that would create a new cadre of health professionals to improve the rural medicare infrastructure in the country. • Oceans acidifying at unprecedented rate – A report released in November 2013 claimed that the world’s oceans are becoming more acidic at an unprecedented rate. The oceans of the world are becoming hot, sour and breathless due to the impact of the greenhouse gases. The scientists from the International Biosphere Geosphere Programme said that the human emissions of Carbon Dioxide are the matter to be blamed. The human activities add 24 million tonnes of Carbon Dioxide to the World’s ocean every day.

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January–2014 • Education in Rural India – As per the ninth Annual Status of Education Report (ASER), released on January 15th, 2014, 29% of enrolments in the 6 to 14 age-group are in private schools. This is a 10% increase in seven years from 18.7 percent in 2006 to 29% in 2013.

TRANSPORT/CARS/SCOOTERS August–2013 • ISRO, Tata Motors trail run fuel-cell bus – In a significant step for automobile research and development (R&D) in the country, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and automobile major Tata Motors have developed a hydrogen-powered bus. The bus is currently in trial stages as the company looks to reach a viable market proposition. The Tata Starbus Fuel Cell is a compressed natural gas (CNG) type of bus using hydrogen bottles as fuel. These are stored on top of the bus. This environment-friendly bus is ideal for stop and go applications and is built on rear- module low-entry platform, equipped with a ramp facility, pneumatic door operations, and climate control features. The fuel cell technology makes this bus completely clean and silent on-road. The vehicle has been developed following several years of research as Tata Motors had entered into a memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in 2006 with ISRO to design and develop such a product. • Colour Coded Strips for Autos in Delhi to Aid Passengers – State Government of Delhi on August 21, 2013 decided to introduce 11 different coloured strips for the three-wheelers based on the zones. Introduction of coloured strips will solve the major problem of refusal by auto drivers at night as they will not be able to refuse to take passengers to the area or zone they belong to. September–2013 • Direct flights of Air India to Australia after 22 years – Air India launched its direct flights to Sydney and Melbourne on 29 August, 2013, after a wide gap of 22 years. The flight had more than 60 domestic transfer passengers as well as over 40 international transit passengers, out of which 20 were from London. • Air Asia India got Ministry Nod – Singapore airlines, AirAsia India has got the all-important No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the aviation ministry to start airline operations in India on September 20, 2013. The NOC paves the way for a December – January launch of the proposed low- cost passenger airline, which is a joint venture between Malaysian budget carrier AirAsia, Tata Group and Arun Bhatia’s Telestra Tradeplace Private Limited. • India-Abu Dhabi Bilateral Air Services Agreement Approved – The Union Cabinet of India approved the India-Abu Dhabi bilateral air services agreement on September 3, 2013. Under this agreement, the airlines of India and Abu-Dhabi can fly 50000 seats each week, an increase from the present level of 13700. − Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways would continue to have two directors on the board of Jet Airways even if it has decided to dilute its stake in the Indian carrier up to 15 per cent. This has been provided for in the revised shareholders’ agreement (SHA) filed by the airlines with the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB). • Lanka Prez launched IRCON-rebuilt rail link – Train services between Sri Lankan capital Colombo and former LTTE stronghold of Kilinochchi with the President Mahinda Rajapaksa launched the service reconstructed by the Indian Railways subsidiary company, IRCON, with full financial assistance of Indian govt. − Sri Lanka’s Northern Line from Vavuniya to Kankasanthurai in the north was completely destroyed by the Tamil Tigers during the three-decade-long war. The entire rail network has been rebuilt from scratch by the Indian Railways. Locomotives and passenger wagons have also been imported from India. The rail link is crucial for the rapid economic development of the war- torn region. BANK-PO/CLERK EXAM CA/Aug2013-Jan2014/Page-119

October–2013 • Turkey Opened First Intercontinental Undersea Railway – Turkey formally opened a rail link under the Bosphorous Sea, the first underwater railway linking two continents on October 29, 2013. The project, which links the Asian and European sides of Istanbul, cost €3 billion to complete. − Bosphorus strait connects the Black sea to Sea of Marmara and divides Istanbul between Asia and Europe. The inauguration also coincided with the 90th anniversary of the founding of Modern Turkey. − Japan Bank for international Cooperation was the main financier contributing 735 million euros ($1 billion) to the project. • US Secured Romanian Airbase for Afghan Pullout – The United States agreed a deal with Romania allowing use of an airbase the Black Sea as a transit point for American troops departing Afghanistan on December 18, 2013. The agreement allows the US to shift its flight operations to Romania’s Mihail Kogalniceanu airbase from an airport in Kyrgyzstan, which charged steep rental fees and-had filled out a lease beyond July, 2014. − United States also agreed to transfer technology that will allow Romania, to buy 12 used F-16 fighter jets from Portugal. The two sides discussed progress on setting-up a site for US anti- missile interceptors as part of a NATO ballistic missile defense system.

January–2014 • Airbus A-380 to touch down in India – The Civil Aviation Ministry on January 27th, 2014 gave the go ahead for the world’s largest passenger airline Airbus A-380s to fly into India. The state-of-the- art A-380s will be allowed to land at four airports – Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bangalore – which are equipped to operate the planes. For several years, Singapore Airlines, Emirates and Lufthansa have been pressing the government to allow them to fly the super jumbos into the country. • First trial run of rail engine in Arunachal Pradesh – Arunachal Pradesh on 14th January, 2014 witnessed the first trial run of a rail engine as it rolled into the state into the state capital from Harmutty in Assam’s North Lakhimpur district. The railway line project, started in October 2008, was scheduled to be completed in November 2012. • Cabinet approves Phase 2 of Namma Metro – The union cabinet on 30 January, 2014 gave its approval to the second phase of Bangalore Metro Rail Project to improve public transport in the city. − Of the total cost, the central government will provide Rs.5,281 crore and Karnataka government’s share will be Rs.8,983 crore. − The project will be executed by Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd- the existing Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) of central and state governments having 50 : 50 equity from each. • Govt clears quadricycle as a new vehicle – The road transport and highways ministry on 23rd December, 2013 cleared “quadricycle” as a new category of vehicle. Battery-powered or electric four-wheelers will be brought under this category.

FILMS/FILM FESTIVAL September–2013 • Gyan Correa’s Gujarati movie The Good Road was on 21 September 2013 nominated as India’s official entry to 2014 Oscars in the Best Foreign Film category. • Anjana Padmanabhan from Bangalore became the first winner of the Sony TV’s singing reality show Indian Idol Junior on 1 September 2013.

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November–2013 • New Centenary Award to Honour Contribution to Indian Cinema – The Ministry for Information & Broadcasting announced the institution of a special award in the series of initiatives undertaken to commemorate the 100 years of Indian Cinema on November 7, 2013. The 44th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) opens in Panaji, Goa. Veteran actor Waheeda Rehman receives the first Centenary Award for Indian Film Personality from Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar. − For the first time two International film personalities, Susan Sarandon and acclaimed Iranian Filmmaker Majid Majidi shared the stage at the opening ceremony. The festival would highlight for the first time Cinema from the North Eastern states of India. − The Best Film Award – carrying a cash prize of Rs.40 lakh and the Golden Peacock – went to East Timor’s first feature film A Guerra da Beatriz (Beatriz’s War). • Kolkata International Film Festival: Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan inaugurated the 19th Kolkata International Film Festival along with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Shah Rukh Khan, Jaya Bachchan and Mithun Chakrabarty in Kolkata on November 10, 2013. − Five prominent actresses Moushumi Chatterjee, Sushmita Sen, Rani Mukherjee, Bipasha Basu, Koel Mallick – who are either from the State (West Bengal) or have links with it, were awarded the Panchakanya Saman (Honour to Five Daughters).

th • Golden Elephant Award in International Children’s Film Festival - The 18 International Children’s Film Festival concluded on 20 November 2013 in Hyderabad. A Dutch Film named Kauwboy, directed by Boudewijn Koole won the Golden Elephant Award for best film in the ‘International Live Action’ category. December–2013 • Tamilnadu – Chennai International Film Festival – The Eleventh Edition of the Chennai International Film Festival got off to a glittering start at a star-studded event in the city on December 12, 2013. It witnessed the coming together of iconic Tamil actor film-maker Kamal Haasan and Hindi film star and path-breaking television anchor, Aamir Khan. A total of 163 films from 58 countries were screened at the Festival which ended on December 19, 2013. • The two days fourth edition of Asia’s first and only poetry film festival, the Sadho Poetry Film Festival opens in New Delhi.

FESTIVAL October–2013 • Indian cultural festival in Cuba was formally inaugurated by the Vice-President of India Hamid Ansari in Havana with the Sangeet Natak Academi’s Dance Festival called Nrtiyarupa. November–2013 • Ganga Mahotsav Celebrated – Ganga Mahotsav, one of the most eagerly awaited festivals of India, is celebrated from “Prabodhini Ekadasi” to “Kartik Poornima” of Indian lunar Calendar every year. Venue for the Mahotsav is Sant Ravidas Ghat, situated at the bank of holy river Ganga in Varanasi.

MEDIA/TELECOMMUNICATION/IT August–2013 • www.data.gov.in – The website through which general public can now access over 3,500 government data banks. • RTI filing available online now – The filing of RTI applications for all Central Government ministries and departments has gone online with the launch of the website www.rtionline.gov.in. At present, this facility is available only for 40 ministries, departments and commissions. BANK-PO/CLERK EXAM CA/Aug2013-Jan2014/Page-121

) Now, the government will extend this facility to all Central Institutions which are covered under the Right to Information Act, 2005. The prescribed fees can be paid through Internet banking of SBI and its associate banks as well as credit card, debit card of Visa or Master card through the payment gateway of SBI linked to this site. September–2013 • The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) consumer protection directorate has ordered to immediately stop all kinds of chat packages including voice calls and SMSs. • Union Minister for Labour & Employment, Sis Ram launched a new software named Updation of Annual Accounts for EPF members in New Delhi. • ‘Beebone’ computer virus lurks in India – A new and deadly variant of computer virus called ‘Beebone’ has been detected in Indian cyberspace, and Internet security sleuths have warned users to safeguard their systems against its attack, which leads to unauthorised entry of malware. • Finacle 11E – India’s software company, Infosys launched ‘Finacle 11E’ an advanced universal banking solution that simplifies banking operations on September 18, 2013. − It is designed to help the banks of all sizes to rapidly modernize their operations, in a phased manner while minimising risk. At the same time it enhances the efficiency of a bank’s operations and increases the customer satisfaction level across all channels. It also facilitates the launch of new products and services faster. • Measures to reform Telecom Market – The European Commission (EC), executive body of the European Union (EU), on September 11, 2013, adopted a plan for telecom market reform called Connected Continent which among other measures would include reduction in consumer charges. The EC paved the way for its most ambitious plan in 26 years, aiming to make Europe a global digital leader again, Connected Continent legislative package will reduce consumer charges, simplify red tape faced by companies, and bring a range of new rights for both users and service providers. • Airtel trial of low-cost 3G services – Bharti Airtel has announced that it along with SoftBank Mobile has successfully conducted field trial of technology that provides cost-efficient 3G phone services using a communications satellite as a transmission line. Using the technology, cell sizes can be expanded, which enables service coverage expansion for each base station. • Bharat Nirman Web Portal Launched – The Minister for Information & Broadcasting, Manish Tewari launched the online portal for the Bharat Nirman Campaign on September 9, 2013. The online portal provides an interactive digital platform for the creative campaign on various schemes and programmes of the Bharat Nirman Campaign. − Bharat Nirman Campaign seeks to highlight government’s major achievements in the run-up to the 2014 general elections. Minister also launched All India Radio’s initiative, Air News Free SMS Service. The service provides AIR news headlines free of cost to its subscribers on mobile telephones. • TRAI Released Consultation Paper – Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released a Consultation Paper on ‘USSD-based Mobile Banking Service for Financial Inclusion’ on September 23, 2013. Significantly large regions and populations are still unbanked/ under-banked in the country. As per the Census 2011, only 54.4% of rural households had access to banking services. ) From the standpoint of equity, it is essential that financial services are provided at an affordable cost to those who are presently excluded from the formal financial system. ) The fact that a large number of mobile subscribers in rural areas do not have access to banking facilities presents an opportunity for leveraging the mobile telephone to achieve the goal of financial inclusion.

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) Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) appears to be one of the most promising modes for mobile banking for financial inclusion. In order to identify and address the various issues related to USSD-based mobile banking for financial inclusion, the Authority has issued the Consultation Paper. • Penalty for Service Providers – With a view to providing a stronger deterrent to telecom service providers violating cell tower radiation limits, a panel formed by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has recommended doubling the penalty for such service providers to Rs.10 lakh per site. − The recommendation to double the penalty from Rs.5 lakh per site per operator for non- compliant cases to EMF radiation limit takes into consideration the instructions of Communication and IT Minister Kapil Sibal. − The committee added that recommendations have been made in view of the health of general public being involved and to have a stronger deterrent against any laxity on part of the telecom service providers. − It has been suggested that the penalty to be slashed to Rs.5000 for a 15-day delay; Rs. 20,000 for delays beyond 15 to 30 days; and Rs.50000 if such delays exceed 30 days. October–2013 • Rel Jio gets Pan-India unified telecom licence – Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd (RJIL) – the telecom arm of Reliance Industries, said on October 25, 2013 that it has received a unified telecom licence that will enable it to offer voice telephony and high-speed data services across the country. − The Unified Licence for all 22 service areas across India will make the company the first telecom operator in the country to get a pan-India Unified Licence. − The Unified Licence would allow RJIL to offer all telecom services including voice telephony under a single licence. • Oscar Fernandes, Minister of Road Transport & Highways, launched India’s first integrated National Transport Portal www.busindia.com through which users can seamlessly plan their bus travel including stop overs, changing routes, multi-trips and round-trips. • Mumbai (Maharashtra) – As per the data released by the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), Mumbai emerged as the city with highest internet penetration in India on November 7, 2013. • Facebook ends the “invisibility feature” that allowed users to hide from the billion-plus members of the social network. November–2013 • BCCI launches ‘Thank You Sachin’ campaign on twitter: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on 6 November 2013 launched Thank You Sachin campaign on social networking site Twitter. This Campaign allowed fans worldwide to connect and say thank you to Sachin Tendulkar on his retirement. The campaign offered fans across India and the world a rare opportunity of Sachin Tendulkar. The Board of Control for Cricket in India launched this campaign in collaboration with Twitter and Digigraph. January–2014 • Dexter, a private information stealing virus, was detected by Computer Emergency Response Team – India (CERT-In) in online banking transaction space on 19th January, 2014. The virus is particularly more threatening for the users of credit card while making payments at the shopping counters.

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APPOINTMENTS/ ELECTION August–2013 • Ajay Kakkar – Indian peer Ajay Kakkar has been made the chairman of the influential House of Lords Appointments Commission, an advisory body which selects new independent members of UK’s House of Lords on July 23, 2013. • Arvind Sharma, the Chairman and CEO of Leo Burnett, India subcontinent was re-elected as the President of Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI), at the general body meeting held in Mumbai on July 23, 2013. • Jammu & Kashmir Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather has been elected as the new Chairman of the Empowered Committee of State Finance Ministers on Goods and Services Tax (GST) on July 22, 2013. • Rana Kapoor, Managing Director and CEO of Yes Bank, took over as the President of the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham) at the end of the Industry body’s 92nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Delhi on July 20, 2013. • Crown Prince Philippe sworn-in as the new Belgian King after the emotional abdication of his father Albert II on July 21, 2013. • Rajeev Rishi took over as the Chairman and Managing Director of Central Bank of India on 1 August 2013. • Former Delhi police Chief, K.K. Paul took over as the new Governor of Meghalaya on July 8, 2013. • The National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM), the apex industry body that represents the IT industry in India, is going to have former telecom secretary R. Chandrashekhar as its President. The industry body on July 5, 2013 announced that Chandrashekhar will succeed the incumbent Som Mittal when the latter’s term ends on January 3, 2014. • Sunil Soni has been appointed as Director General of Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) on July 2, 2013. ) Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is a body under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution which basically looks after the formulation of standards for all segments of industry and business. It also certifies products, which is popularly known by ISI mark. It is also into certification of imported products and hallmarking of jewellery. • Raghuram Govind Rajan – The erstwhile Chief Economic Adviser was appointed as Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for three years. He took over from D. Subbarao. He also served as the Chief Economist of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). • Arundhati Bhattacharya – The govt has appointed her as Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the largest public sector bank of the country State Bank of India (SBI). • Ashwani Kumar – He has been appointed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as his Special Envoy to visit Japan in the rank of a Cabinet Minister. He has been given the duty to maintain the momentum of high-level exchanges with Japan and to prepare for the upcoming visit of the Emperor, the Empress and the Prime Minister of Japan to India. • Appointment of new Chief Justices – The Supreme Court collegium has recommended that the acting Chief Justice of the Madras High Court Rajesh Kumar Agrawal be made its Chief Justice. The senior most judge of the High Court, Justice R. Banumathi, has been recommended to be appointed as the Chief Justice of the Jharkhand High Court. Justice N.V. Ramana, acting Chief Justice of Andhra Pradesh High Court, will be the new Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court.

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• Hassan Rouhani swears in as the new President of Iran – Hassan Rouhani on August 4 took oath as the new President of Iran in the ceremony held at the Iranian Parliament in Tehran. Rouhani is the 7th President of Iran after the Islamic Revolution of 1979. • Nishi Vasudeva – On August 22 became the first woman to be selected as the head of the Navratna public sector unit (PSU), Hindustan Petroleum Corp Ltd. (HPCL). She became the head of the state- owned oil company HPCL. At present, she is the Director, Marketing, HPCL. September–2013 • Justice Vangala Eswaraiah – Government of India appointed Justice Vangla Eswaraiah, former Acting Chief Justice of Andhra Pradesh High Court as the Chairperson of the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) on September 23, 2013. He was succeeded by Justice M.N. Rao. • Darmar Murugesan – Former Chief Justice of Delhi High Court, Darmar Murugesan, who has been appointed as member of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) for a five-year term, assumed office on September 21, 2013. • Tony Abbott – On September 18, 2013, Tony Abbott was sworn-in as Australia’s 28th Prime Minister, and he immediately ordered the scrapping of the nation’s carbon tax and the halting of asylum-seeker boats. • Nitin Nohria – Tata Sons, the holding company of the salt-to-software Tata Group, has appointed

the dean of Harvard Business School, as non-executive director, expanding its board to six members. • Poonam Khetrapal Singh – India regained the position of Regional Director of World Health Organisation’s South-East Asia Region (WHO-SEAR) after a gap of 44 years with its nominee Poonam Khetrapal Singh, a former IAS officer, being elected by member countries on September 12, 2013. • Hun Sen – The ruling party of Prime Minister Hun Sen won the elections in Combodia, according to the results showed by Election Commission of Combodia. Hun Sen was re-elected to power after winning the Parliamentary Elections held on July 28, 2013. The Prime Minister Hun Sen (61) has ruled the country for 28 years. With this win, his rule has extended for a period of another five years in the country. • Nuthalapati Venkata Ramana – Judge of the Andhra Pradesh High Court, was appointed as the new Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court on August 30, 2013. • The National Spot Exchange Limited (NSEL) appointed Saji Cherian as the new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the company on September 16, 2013. • Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has appointed Rakesh Sood, India’s former Ambassador to Nepal, Afghanistan and France and the country’s first Ambassador in charge of Disarmament in Geneva, as his new Special Envoy for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation. • The Public Enterprises Selection Board recommended Dinesh K. Sarraf as the next head of the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) on August 30, 2013. He will succeed Sudhir Vasudeva, who will retire in February, 2014. • Joe King has been appointed as Head of Audi India, replacing Michael Perschke. • Mushtaq Ahmad – The chairman and CEO of the Jammu & Kashmir Bank has been reappointed for a three-year period after the Reserve Bank of India cleared the proposal. • Roberto Carvalho de Azevedo – He has been appointed as the next Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), replacing Pascal Lamy. • ‘Twitter’ announced the appointment of Vijaya Gadde as its new General Counsel.

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• Mid-fielder Ritu Rani has been appointed as captain of Indian women hockey team for 8th Asia Cup hockey tournament in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia). • Justice Prafulla Chandra Pant of Uttarakhand High Court was appointed the new Chief Justice of the Meghalaya High Court on 19 September, 2013. • Saji Cherian on 16 September, 2013 was appointed the new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Spot Exchange Limited (NSEL). • P. Sudhakar took over as the Chairman & Managing Director of the Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL) on 16 September 2013. • Thomas Bach of Germany was elected the ninth President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on 10 September, 2013. He replaced Jacques Rogge of Belgium, who headed the IOC from 2001 to 10 September, 2013. Bach is the first Olympic champion to head IOC as its President. • Justice K.N. Basha, a retired judge of the Madras High Court, took charge as the Chairman of the Intellectual Property Appellate Board (IPAB) on 28 August, 2013. The Intellectual Property Appellate Board has its headquarters at Chennai and holds sitting benches at Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Ahmedabad. • Ramya (Divya Sbandanas) – The actress-turned politician took oath in Lok Sabha as a Congress party MP. She won the recently held by-elections on her electoral debut. • Anand Amritraj Appointed Davis Cup Captain – The AITA appointed former Davis Cupper Anand Amritraj as the new non-playing captain of the Davis Cup team on September 21, 2013. October–2013 • Arundhati Bhattacharya on 7 October 2013 took over as the Chairperson of the State Bank of India (SBI). She is the first woman to take charge as the Chairperson of SBI, the largest bank of India. • Arunendra Kumar on 16 October 2013 was appointed as Chairman of Railway Board (Ministry of Railways) and ex officio Principal Secretary to Government of India. • Arup Raha – The Government of India on 29 October 2013 decided to appoint Air Marshal Arup Raha as the next Chief of the Air Staff. He will take the charge after the retirement of present Chief of the Air Staff NAK Browne on 31 December 2013. • Bharati Suresh Joshi on 31 October 2013 was appointed as British Deputy High Commissioner in Chennai. He will succeed Mike Nithavrianakis. • G.B. Pradhan – Union Government of India appointed on 17 October 2013 Gireesh B. Pradhan, former Secretary of Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, as the Chairperson of the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC). • Justice Laxmikanta Mahapatra was on 21 October 2013 sworn in as Chief Justice of the Manipur High Court at Raj Bhava in Imphal, Manipur. He was appointed by the President of India, Pranab Mukherjee. • Ethiopia’s parliament on 7 October 2013 elected Mulatu Teshome as the country’s new president for a six-year term. Mulatu Teshome will replace Girma Wolde Giorgis. • Rajendra Kashyap was appointed as the Financial Commissioner (Railways) and ex-officio Secretary to the Government of India on 21 October 2013. • P.S. Raghavan was appointed as the next Ambassador of India to Russia on 28 October 2013. • S. Varadarajan, on 1 October 2013 took over charge as chairman and managing director (CMD) of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL).

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• Sigrid Kaag – United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on 16 October 2013 appointed Sigrid Kaag as head of the joint mission of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and the United Nations. The main objective of the OPCWUN Mission is to eradicate chemical weapons in Syria. • Syed Ibne Abbas, Government of Pakistan decided on 9 October 2013 to appoint Pakistani Veteran diplomat Syed Igne Abbas as the new Pakistani envoy to India. • Tarun Chatarjee – The Uttar Pradesh Government on 25 October 2013 appointed retired Justice Tarun Chaterjee as the new chairman of the state Human Rights Commission. • Wilfried Martens, nine-times Prime Minister of Belgium and who led the European Union’s Christian Democrat group, died on 9 October 2013 at Lokeren, in East Flanders. • Kanwar Deep – The Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) on 21 October 2013 unanimously elected Kanwar Deep Singh as the president of the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) for a four-year term. • Former Sri Lankan Supreme Court Judge CV Wigneswaran, who won a resounding victory in the recent provincial council elections, is sworn in the first Chief Minister of Sri Lanka’s Northern Province in Colombo. • Indian-American Subra Suresh has been elected as a member of the prestigious Institute of Medicine (IoM), becoming the only current university President to be elected to all three national academies. • Rini Ramaswamy elected as member of prestigious US National Council on the Arts for the tenure of five years. • Bhaskaran Returns as Coach – Olympic gold medalist V. Bhaskaran will return as coach of the Indian men’s hockey team and will work under recently appointed chief coach Terry Walsh. • Union Ministry Sharad Pawar is elected president of the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) unopposed in Mumbai. November–2013 • Abdulla Yaameen, half brother of the former Maldivian strongman ruler, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, was sworn in as the President of Maldives on November 17, 2013. He defeated Mohamed Nasheed in the presidential election. • Raheel Sharif – Lieutenant General Raheel Sharif was on November 27, 2013 named as Chief of the Army Staff by the Pakistani Presidential Mamoon Hussain. Sharif took over as the Chief of the Army Staff on November 29, 2013. • Nisha Desai Biswal – was sworn in on November 21, 2013 as the first Indian-American to head the United States State Department’s Bureau of South and Central Asia. • On 22nd the former Chief Justice of Delhi High Court, Justice Ajit Prakash Shah takes over as Chairman of the 20th Law Commission of India. • Tajikistan – Presidential elections were held in Tajikistan on November 6, 2013. Incumbent President Emomalii Rakhmon was re-elected with a reported 86.9% of the vote on a turnout of 86.6%. • Sunita Sharma was appointed as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Director of the LIC Housing Finance on November 6, 2013. She is the first women MD and CEO of the company since its inception in 1989. She succeeded VK Sharma. • President Pranab Mukherjee appoints the senior most judge of the Madras High Court, Justice R. Banumathi, as Chief Justice of the Jharkhand High Court.

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• Nitin Desai, an economist and former diplomat, who served as U.N. Undersecretary General, is appointed as the convener of the Working Group on Internet Governance and first chairman of the Multi-stakeholder Advisory Group (MAG), which organizes the U.N. Internet Governance Forum. • The Supreme Court collegium of Judges, headed by Chief Justice P. Sathasivam, clears the names of two senior advocates – Arun Palli and H.S. Sidhu – for appointment as Judges of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. • Railway Minister Mallikarjun Kharge appoints the former Railway Board chairman, Vivek Sahai, as his adviser. • Gargi Ghosh – Barack Obama, the President of US on 21 November 2013 appointed an Indian- American Gargi Ghosh to a key administration post as the member of the Presidents Global Development Council. • Justice Ajay Manikrao Khanwilkar was sworn in as the 22nd Chief Justice of Madhya Pradesh by Governor Ram Naresh Yadav at Raj Bhavan, Bhopal on 24 November. • Five central Information commissioners appointed to CIC – Five new Information Commissioners were appointed to the Central Information Commission (CIC) on 22 November 2013. Chief Information Commissioner Deepak Sandhu administered the oath of office to them in New Delhi. The new commissioners are Yash ovardhan Azad, Sharat Sabharwal, Manjula parasher, M A Khan Yusuf and Madabhushanam Sridhar Acharyulu. With this the total number of Information Commissioners including the Chief Information Commissioner has gone up to 10. • G.K. Pillai, the former Union Home Secretary on 1 November 2013 was appointed as the Chairman of the MCX-SX. Thomas Mathew T, the former acting chairman of the Life Insurance Corporation has also been appointed as the Vice President of the bourse. The appointments were cleared by the board of directors on 24 October 2013 and have been also cleared by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). In October 2013, SEBI had also renewed the license of the exchange after extensively exam the same. • Kushal Das – The All India Football Federation (AIFF) on 20 November 2013 reappointed Kushal Das as AIFF General Secretary for a second term of another three years. • Parvinder Sohi Behuria, a Senior IRS officer was appointed as the Secretary General of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on 8 November 2013. • Ratan Watal, a senior IAS officer was appointed as the Secretary of Department of Expenditure in the Union Ministry of Finance on 11 November 2013. • Satyananda Mishra – Multi Commodity Exchange of India Ltd. On 27 November 2013 appointed Satyananda Mishra as the chairman of MCX’s board. • Sachin Tendulkar on 28 November 2013 appointed as UNICEF’s first brand ambassador for South Asia. • Usha Ananthasubramanian – The Union Government on 12 November 2013 appointed Usha Ananthasubramanian as the chairperson and managing director of public sector Bharatiya Mahila Bank (BMB), the first women’s bank. • Abraham appointed International Referee – Indian Weightlifting Federation Joint Secretary Abraham K. Techi has been appointed as an international referee on November 4, 2013. • Subhas Goswami – The government appointed Subhas Goswami as the new Chief of the paramilitary Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), which guards the crucial Indian border with China, on October 30, 2013.

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• Gurbax Singh Sandhu was on 20 November 2013 reappointed as the national coach of the men’s Indian boxing team till the 2016 Olympic in Rio de Janeiro. December–2013 • Arup Raha – Air Marshal Arup Raha, 59, an ace fighter pilot, is the next Indian Air Force Chief, succeeding Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne, who is retired on December 31, 2013. Mr. Raha will have three year tenure as Chief of the Air Staff. • Assembly Elections – 2013 The Assembly elections were held in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Delhi and Mizoram in November, December, 2013. The results of four states except Mizoram were announced on December 8, 2013. o Chhattisgarh – The BJP registered a thumping victory by winning 49 of the 90 seats during the 2013 assembly elections. Raman Singh retained his Rajnandgaon Assembly constituency by defeating Congress’ candidate Alka Mudliyar. Raman Singh is the fourth Chief Minister of the state. o Madhya Pradesh – Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan led BJP to an emphatic win in the Assembly Elections. Shivraj is the 18th and current Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh. o Rajasthan – Vasundhara Raje led BJP to a glorious win in the Rajasthan Assembly elections. She nd is the first woman chief minister of Rajasthan state in 2003. She is the 22 chief minister of the state. o Delhi - Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal is sworn in as the Delhi Chief Minister along with his six Cabinet colleagues by the Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung at the historic Ramlila Maidan, New Delhi. He has sworn in as the youngest Chief Minister of Delhi. He is of 45 years in age. Council of Ministers: Arvind Kejriwal: Home, Finance, Vigilance, Services, Planning and Power Manish Sisodia: Education, PWD, Urban Development, Local Bodies, Revenue and Land & Building Somnath Bharati: Administrative Reforms, Tourism, Law, Art and Culture Satyendra Jain: Health, industries, Gurudwara Elections Rakhi Birla: Women & Child Development, Social Welfare, Languages Saurabh Bhardwaj: Food and Supply, Transport, Environment, Elections, General Administration Girish Soni: Labour, Development, Employment, Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Department. o Mizoram – Lal Thanhawla of Congress party won a seat in the Mizoram State Assembly from both Serchhip and Hrangturzo. He is the 8th Chief Minister of Mizoram. • Lieutenant General Aniruddha Chakravarty, VSM, takes over as the Director General of National Cadet Corps (NCC). • Sushma Singh Sworn In As New CIC - President Pranab Mukherjee on 19 December administered the oath of office to former IAS Officer Sushma Singh as Chief Information Commissioner at Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi. Sushma Singh, who is the fifth Chief Information Commissioner of CIC, is the second woman to be appointed to the post after Deepak Sandhu, whose term ended on 18 December. She had joined the CIC as Information Commissioner on 23 September 2009. • Vinod Kumar Duggal Appointed as Governor of Manipur – Former home secretary V.K. Duggal was appointed as the Governor of Manipur on 23 December. He will replace the present Governor of the state, Ashwani Kumar, who was given an additional charge of Manipur, while being a Governor of Nagaland. On 31 December Duggal was sworn in as the new Governor of Manipur.

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• Thailand’s PM Yingluck Shinawatra Dissolves Parliament – Thailand’s Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on 9 December formally dissolved the country’s parliament and called for new elections. The new elections are scheduled to take place on 2 February 2014. • Socialist Michelle Bachelet has been elected as Chile’s president on 15 December for a second time by a wide margin. • Somalia’s parliament on 21 December approved as the new Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed, a political newcomer and economist who faces tough challenges in the war-torn nation. • Nepal Maoists Agreed To Join Newly Elected Assembly – The party of Nepal’s former communist rebels on 24 December agreed to join the recently elected Constituent Assembly (CA), ending months of political turmoil to pave the way for a new government and drafting of a fresh Constitution. • Justice D.P. Buch, a retired judge of the Gujarat High Court, was administered the oath of Lokayukta by Governor Kamla Beniwal at Raj Bhavan in the presence of Chief Minister Narendra Modi on 11 December. • Harsh Kumar Bhanwala has been appointed as the Chairman of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) on 15 December. Bhanwala succeeds Prakash Bakshi, who retired as NABARD chairman in September 2013.

• Gen Bikram Singh Is The New Chairman of COSC – Indian Army Chief Gen Bikram Singh has been appointed as the new Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC) on 18 December. He Succeeds IAF Chief NAK Browne. Bikram singh on 30 December took over as the new chairman, chiefs of staff committee. • Indian-American Nandita Berry Appointed as Texas Secretary of State – Indian-born Houston attorney Nandita Berry has been appointed Texas’ new secretary of state on 19 December. She succeeds John Steen. Berry’s appointment effective on 7 January 2014. Berry is the first Indian- American to hold the prestigious post of the chief elections officer for Texas. • Aam Aadmi Party candidate MS Dhir was on January 3, 2014 elected the Speaker of the Delhi Assembly. • J. N. Chaudhary was appointed as new head of NSG (National Security Guard) on 26 December 2013. • Krishna Iyer: Krishna Iyer was appointed President and CEO of Wal-Mart India. It was announced by the US retail giant Wal-Mart on 13 December 2013. • P. H. Parekh: Senior advocate P. H. Parekh has been appointed as the President of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) for 2013-2014. • S. B. Nayar was appointed as chairman and managing director (CMD) of India Infrastructure Finance Co. Ltd (IIFCL). IIFCL is a state-owned firm that funds infrastructure projects. • Shivakumar was appointed as the Chairman and CEO of PepsiCo India, The post was lying vacant since Manu Anand quit the US food and beverage maker PepsiCo India in June 2013 to join food company Cadbury Kraft. • Siddharth Birla, Chairman of Xpro India Limited took the charge as the President of Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) on 21 December 2013. • V. Kannan assumes charge as Chairman and Managing Director of Vijaya Bank. • S.K. Sharma takes charge as Chairman and Managing Director of Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL). He joined BEL in 1978.

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• Arvind Ranjan: Arvind Ranjan, a 1977-batch IPS officer of Kerala Cadre, assumed charge as 24th Director – General of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) at the force’s headquarters in Lodhi Road in New Delhi on December 26, 2013. January–2014 • Laimdota Straujuma Becomes Latvia’s First Female Prime Minister – Latvia’s parliament approved on 22 January Laimdota Straujuma to become the first female prime minister of the Baltic state. • SK Sharma on 1st January assumed charge as the Chairman & Managing Director of defence PSU Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) in Bangalore. BEL is a public sector undertaking under the defence ministry and is a Navratna. Sharma took charge as CMD after Anil Kumar retired on 31 December 2013. • R Chandrashekhar on 5th January took over as the President of Information Technology trade body NASSCOM (National Association of Software and Services Companies). • Sheikh Hasina was on 12th January sworn in as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh for the third time. • Senior police officer Aruna Bahuguna has been appointed as the new chief of the Hyderabad based National Police Academy (NPA) on 20 January. With this appointment, Bahuguna, a 1979-batch IPS officer, will be the first woman Director of the 65-year-old institution also known as the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVPNPA). • New Chief Minister: Union Water Resources Minister Harish Rawat was sworn in as the eighth Chief Minister of Uttrakhand at Raj Bhavan in Dehradun on February 1, 2014. • Obama Re-nominates Indian-American for Federal Judgeship - US President Barack Obama has re-nominated three Indian-Americans for federal judgeship. Obama sent the re-nomination proposals to the Senate on January 6th, 2014 along with the names of 64 others for federal judgeship. The Indian-Americans include Vince Girdhari Chhabria, for the northern district of California; Manish S. Shah, for the US district judge for the northern district of Illinois, Indira Talwani for US district judge for the district of Massachusetts. • US Senate Confirms Yellen as Fed Chief – The US Senate on January 2014 confirmed Janet Yellen as the next Chief of the Federal Reserve, the country’s central bank with outsized influence on the world economy. • Arun Gupta – The government on 28th January, 2014 appointed Arun Kumar Gupta the new Chairman and Managing Director of Shipping Corporation of India (SCI). • Catherine Samba-Panza – Bangui mayor Catherine Samba-Panza, 59, was on 23rd January, 2014 sworn in as interim president of the Central African Republic (CAR). She is the first woman to hold the post. • Hery - Madagascar on 17th January, 2014 declared Hery Rajaonarimampianina, a Canadian- educated former finance minister backed by strongman Andry Rajoelina, as the country’s new president. • Prabhat Kumar – joint secretary in the aviation ministry, assumed additional charge as Director- General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on 30 December, 2013. • Ashraf Jehan – For the first time in its history, 56-year-old female judge Ashraf Jehan was on 30 December, 2013 sworn in at Pakistan’s national sharia court, which hears cases under the Islamic legislation. • M.Veerappa Moily, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister, on 24 December, 2013 took an additional charge of the Environment and Forests Ministry after the exit of Jayanthi Natarajan

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• VK Duggal – Former Home Secretary Vinod Kumar Duggal was on 24th December, 2013 appointed the Governor of Manipur • Subrahmanyam Jaishankar – who till recently was India’s Ambassador to China, took over as the new Indian Ambassador to the US on 24th December, 2013. • Puneet Kumar – joined on 29th November, 2013 as secretary general of Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC), the country’s apex body for apparel exporters. • Usha Sangwan – Usha Sangwan on 1 November, 2013 became the first woman managing director at the Life Insurance Corporation of India in its near six decades of existence. • Ajoy Misra – Ajoy Misra was appointed as the CEO and Managing Director of Tata Global Beverages Limited (TGBL) on 29th January, 2014. • B.G. Srinivas and U.B. Pravin Rao were appointed as presidents of the Infosys Ltd Company on 3rd January, 2014. Srinivas will focus on global markets while Pravin Rao will focus on global delivery and service innovation. • Morten Sorby – Uninor appointed Morten Karlsen Sorby as the new chief executive officer (CEO) on 8th January, 2014.

RESIGNATIONS/ DISMISSED/ RETIRED/ QUIT August–2013 • Marion Bartoli announced her retirement – French Lawn Tennis Player and Wimbledon 2013 (Women’s Singles) winner Marion Bartoli announced her retirement on 14 August, 2013. • Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo – Jammu & Kashmir Minister of state for Home Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo on August 12 resigned from the post under pressure from the opposition over the issue of Kishtwar riots. • Deco – The Brazil-born former Portuguese midfielder Deco announced his retirement from international football on August 26 at the age of 35. September–2013 • Yogendra Yadav – The Union Government on 18 September 2013 removed social scientist Yogendra Yadav from the membership of the University Grants Commission (UGC) for joining the Aam Admi Party. • The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on 25 September 2013 imposed a life ban on former IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi from participating in any of its activities. October–2013 • Shreekant Javalgekar, resigned as the Managing Director and CEO of Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) on 19 October 2013. • Sachin Tendulkar announces retirement from test cricket – Legendary batsman Sachin Tendulkar on 10 October 2013 announced his decision to retire from Test cricket after playing his landmark 200th Test match against the West Indies in November 2013. Previously, Sachin announced retirement from one day cricket on 23 December 2012 and from Twenty 20 cricket format on 26 May 2013. In 198 Test matches, Sachin scored over Fifteen Thousand Eight hundred runs at an average of 53.86. He slammed 51 Test centuries and an unbeaten 248 against Bangladesh in Dhaka in 2004 was his best ever. He made 49 hundreds in the one-day format, including a double hundred which is the first in this form of cricket and 96 half centuries. In 2012, Sachin Tendulkar became the first player to score 100 international centuries.

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• Ajit Agarkar – Former India pacer Ajit Agarkar announced his retirement from all forms of cricket on October 16, 2013, bringing down curtains on a 16-year first class career during which he played in 26 Tests and 191 ODIs besides leading Mumbai to their 40th Ranji Trophy title last season. He scored 571 runs in Tests between 1998 and 2006 and 1269 in ODIs from 1998 to 2007, which included the fastest 50 in 21 balls against Zimbabwe. He was a member of the Indian squad in the 1999 and 2007 World Cups held in England and West Indies respectively. November–2013 • The United States sprinter Darvis Patton, twice a 4 × 100 metre relay World champion, announces his retirement from the track after a 13-year career at the top level. • Mark Schwarzer Retired from International Football – Australia goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer announced his retirement from international football after a 20-year career that included two World Cups on November 5, 2013. He was Australia’s most-capped player with 109 appearances since his debut in 1993. • The World Bank bans Progressive Constructions Ltd (PCL), founded by Union Textiles Minister and Congress leader K. Sambasiva Rao, for at least eleven years for engaging in “fraudulent practices”. • Paras Ajmera, Director of Multi-Commodity Exchange (MCX) resigned from the board on 12 November 2013.

• Akhilesh Gupta – UGC Secretary Akhilesh Gupta has resigned from his post in the wake of reports of difference with Chairman Ved Prakash on November 14, 2013. • Jignesh Shah, the Financial Technologies group founder who is struggling to save his empire from the NSEL scam fallout, has stepped down from the board of the country’s largest commodity exchange, MCX on October 31, 2013. • Shoma Chaudhury, managing editor of Tehelka, on 27 November 2013 announced her resignation from the Tehelka, an investigation magazine. • Yogesh Malik, CEO of Uninor which is backed by Norway-based telecom giant ‘Telenor’ has resigned. In the interim, Sigve Brekke, took the position. • Yogesh Agarwal – The Chairman of Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFR- DA), Yogesh Agarwal resigned from the post of Chairman on 13 November 2013. December–2013 • Sudan’s Vice President Ali Osman Taha Resigned – Sudan’s Vice-President Ali Osman Taha, a key figure behind the Islamist-backed coup 24 years ago, has resigned to pave the way for a new government. His resignation was announced by the Sudanese President, Omar al-Bashir in Khartoum on 7 December. He resigned and vacated his office at the presidency ahead of his cabinet reshuffle. Taha has been the first Vice President of Sudan, the second highest political party. • Environment Minister Jayanthi Natarajan Resigned – Jayanthi Natarajan resigned as the Minister of state for environment and forest from the Council of Ministers (COM) on 21 December. Marpadi Veerappa Moily, the petroleum and natural gas Minister on 24 December took an additional charge of the Environment and Forests Ministry after the exit of Jayanthi Natarajan. • Chandra Kant Birla: Chandra Kant Birla, Chairman of Hindustan Motors Limited resigned from the board on 29 December 2013. He also stepped down free the post of director of Hindustan Motors (HM). • G. S. Singhvi: The senior most judge of Supreme Court of India, Justice GS Singhvi on 11 December 2013 retired. • Tunisia’s Islamist Prime Minister Ali Larayedh resigns as part of a plan to end months of political deadlock, amid a fresh eruption of social unrest. BANK-PO/CLERK EXAM CA/Aug2013-Jan2014/Page-133

• Central African Republic President Michel Djotodia resigns under intense pressure over his failure to stem the sectarian unrest which was ripping his country apart. January–2014 • The former Supreme Court Judge, Justice A K Ganguly has resigned as the Chairman of the West Bengal Human Rights Commission (WBHRC) on 6th January. • Tunisia’s Islamist Prime Minister Ali Larayedh has resigned from his office on 9th January. • Vijay Bahuguna, the Chief Minister of Uttrakhand submitted his resignation to the Governor of the state on 31st January. • Political Crisis in Central African Republic: President Resigns after Deadly Unrest – Central African Republic President Michel Djotodia has resigned over his failure to stem the sectarian unrest ripping his country apart, a regional grouping announced on January 10th, 2014. • Anand Sinha, the Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India retired on 20th January, 2014. • Garry Kenneth Toomey – Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Jet Airways was resigned on 16th January, 2014. • Mykola Azarov – Ukraine’s Prime Minister Mykola Azarov resigned on 28th January, 2014 in order to facilitate peaceful settlement of the political crisis.

ARRESTS/ JAILED/ RELEASED August–2013 • Abdul Karim (Tunda) – The Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operative was arrested on the Indo-Nepal border. The “most wanted” fugitive was in touch with the members of almost all anti-India forces and has confessed that his network in India helped push men and material ranging from explosives to fake Indian currency notes across the border and then further channelised them to different parts of the country. • Rajesh Agarwal and Manish Tuli – Both the owners of Micromax Informatics, maker of one of the best-selling mobiles in India, were arrested by the CBI sleuths after being caught red-handed while allegedly giving Rs.30 lakh bribe to the engineers of North Delhi Municipal Corporation for clearance to a banquet home construction. • David Miranda – His detention and interrogation under the Terrorism Act at the Heathrow airport made news recently. He is the partner of Glenn Greenwald, The Guardian columnist who has written a series of reports on the US and UK mass surveillance programmes based on documents provided by whistleblower Edward Snowden. The Guardian, in protest to the arrest, published a front-page story of how the 28-year old Brazilian was detained by UK authorities for hours. • Pervez Musharraf – The former Pakistani military ruler has been indicted by an anti-terrorism court in Pakistan in the former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto’s assassination case. He is also charged with two other serious allegations. • V. Arul Kumar – The former regional head of the Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO), Chennai, was convicted and sentenced by a special court to one year’s rigorous imprisonment in a corruption case registered by the Central Bureau of Intelligence (CBI) a decade ago. • A 23 year old photojournalist, an intern with an English magazine, was gangraped allegedly by five men when she and her male colleague went to the deserted Shakti Mills compound in Lower Parel area of Mumbai for taking photographs in connection with a story on city chawls. All the five accused have been arrested.

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• IM founder Yasin Bhatkal gets arrested – In a major breakthrough for security agencies in India, Yasin Bhatkal, a key conspirator in several bomb blasts and co-founder of the banned Indian Mujahideen (IM), and another IM operative Asadullah Akhtar alias Haddi, were arrested from the India-Nepal border in Bihar’s Raxaul town on August 29. Yasin, originally named Mohammad Ahmed Zarar Siddibappa, is on India’s list of 12 most-wanted terror suspects. • A US military court on August 21 sentenced an American soldier Bradley Manning to 35 years of imprisonment for leaking of hundreds of thousands of classifies documents to whisteblower website WikiLeaks. September–2013 • Abdul Quader Mollah – The Bangladesh Supreme Court handed down death penalty to fundamentalist Jamaat-e-Islami stalwart for 1971 war crimes, revising a special tribunal verdict which had sentenced him to Life imprisonment. • Delhi Rape Victim ‘Nirbhaya’ gets Justice – Death penalty was awarded to the four convicts in the December 16, 2012 gang rape and murder case by a fast track court Delhi on September 13, 2013. “The convicts, Akshay Kumar Singh alias Thakur, Mukesh, Vinay Sharma and Pawan Gupta alias Kaalu are sentenced to death for offence punishable under Section 302 (of the) Indian Penal Code. Accordingly, the convicts be hanged by neck till they are dead,” Additional Sessions Judge Yogesh Khanna said while pronouncing the verdict. October–2013 • Congress Member of Parliament and former Union Minister Rasheed Masood, is sentenced to four years in jail by a special CBI court in Delhi in a corruption case, there by becoming the first convicted lawmakers to lose his seat after a recent Supreme Court judgement removed immunity for convicted lawmakers. • On 3, October a special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court in Ranchi sentences Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad Yadav to five-year rigorous imprisonment in a corruption case. • A Bangladesh war crimes tribunal awards death penalty to Salauddin Quader Chowdhury, a top ranking opposition leader, for murder and genocide during the country’s liberation war in 1971. • The CBI files an FIR naming Aditya Birla Group chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla and former Coal Secretary P.C. Parekh for having allegedly entered into a criminal conspiracy to facilitate the partial allocation of an Odisha coal block to the group’s subsidiary Hindalco Industries in 2005. November–2013 • A Central Bureau of Investigation special court awards life imprisonment to dentist couple Nupur and Rajesh Talwar for the murder of their daughter Arushi Talwar and their domestic worker Hemraj at their flat in Sector 25 in Noida in 2008. • Kanchi Sankaracharya Sri Jayendra Saraswati is acquitted in the Sankararaman murder case. • On 30 November, Tehelka editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal is arrested in Panaji on charges of sexually assaulting a young colleague. • Judgement in Bangladesh Rifles Mutiny Case – Delivering verdict in the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) mutiny case, a special court in Dhaka on November 5, 2013 awarded death sentence to 152 persons and life imprisonment to 161 others for their involvement in the February 2009 carnage at Pilkhana, headquarters of the paramilitary Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). − More than four and half years after the incident – which left 74 persons, including 57 army officers dead – the court handed another 262 people rigorous imprisonment ranging from three to 10 years. This includes BDR jawans.

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December–2013 • The former Chief Minister of Bihar and Rashtriya Janata Dal President, Lalu Prasad is released from Birsa Munda jail in Ranchi, two days after the Supreme Court granted him bail in the Chaibasa treasury case.

DEATHS August–2013 • Raghunath Panigrahi, 79, the eminent classical singer and music director passed away in Bhubaneswar after a prolonged illness. • V. Dakshinamurthy, 94, the music director, who composed music for hundreds of film songs in Malayalam and other southern languages over the last seven decades, died recently. • Zafar Futehally, 93, one of India’s best known naturalists and ornithologists passed away recently. • Narendra Dabholkar – The renowned anti-superstition activist was shot dead recently in Pune. He was the founder of Maharashtra Andhashradha Nirmulan Samitee and advocated law against superstition and black magic, in Maharashtra. • Rosalia Mera, 69, the co-founder of global fashion brand Zara and the richest woman in Spain, Rosalia Mera died in Coruna, Northern Spain on August 15, 2013. September–2013 • Ray Dolby – American engineer and the Pioneer of noise reduction in audio recordings, Ray Dolbay died on 12 September, 2013. He founded Dolby Laboratories in 1965. • Ranjit Singh – Freedom fighter Ranjit Singh, 97, died on 20 September 2013. He was close associate of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. • Sanchez-Blazquez – The world’s oldest man, Sanchez-Blazquez, a 112-year-old self-taught musician, coal miner and gin rummy aficionado from western New York, has died on September 13, 2013. • Romesh Bhandari – Former Governor of Uttar Pradesh and ex-Foreign Secretary Romesh Bhandari died in New Delhi on September 7, 2013. He had served as the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi apart from serving as the Governor of Tripura and Goa. • Raghunath Panigrahi – The Indian classical singer and music director, Pandit Raghunath Panigrahi passed away on August 25, 2013 in Bhubaneshwar. • Jaywant Lele – Former BCCI Secretary Jaywant Lele Passed away on 19 September 2013. • Salustiano Sanchez-Blazquez, the Guinness World Records stated that former musician and coal miner certified as the world’s oldest man died at the age of 112 on 13 September 2013. • Rochus Misch, the former bodyguard of the Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler died on 6 Sep ‘13 in Germany. • Sushmita Banerjee an Indian women writer was shot dead recently in Afghanistan. • M.K. Narayanan – The centenarian and a World War II veteran died recently at the age of 102 years. He had successfully translated the Bhagavad Gita into Malayalam and English, which he calls his “lifetime work for prosperity”. October–2013 • Abraham Nemeth, 94, the creator of the Nemeth Code, a form of Braille, passed away on 2 October 2013 at his home in Southfield, Mich.

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• Dr. Ravuri Bharadwaja, 86, Eminent Telugu writer and Gyanpeeth Award recipient, passed away in Hyderabad on 18 October 2013. • G.P. Deshpande, noted Marathi playwright and political thinker Govind P Deshpande died on 16 October 2013 due to age-related ailments. • K. Raghavan, 99, noted Malayalam music composer, died at Thalassery in Kannur district of Kerala on 19 October 2013. • Lou Reed, the poet of rock ‘n’ roll, passed away on 27 October 2013 at Southampton, New York, United States. • Madhuri Chattopadhyay, 73, renowned musician died on 19 October 2013. • Manna Dey, 94, the legendary singer died on 23 October 2013 in Bangalore hospital. • Mohan Dharia, 88, the former Union Minister died on 14 October 2013 in New Delhi. He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 2005. • R.N. Mahadevan, the former director of news at All India Radio and the Registrar of Newspaper died on 25 October 2013. • Rajendra Yadav, 84, the noted Hindi writer passed away on 28 October 2013 at Mayur Vihar, Delhi because of prolonged illness. • Sarojini Varadappan, 92, the renowned social worker, died on 17 October 2013 in Chennai following a brief illness. • Srihari, well-known Telugu film actor, died on 9 October 2013 at a private hospital in Mumbai. • TD Rangaramanujan, the former Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) president died on 14 October 2013. • Tom Clancy, the writer known for thrillers, especially The Hunt for Red October and Patriot Games, died in Baltimore, US on 1 October 2013. • Vijay Soni, a noted painter and theatre personality died on 27 October 2013 in New Delhi. • Radha Burnier, 90, international president of the Theosophical Society passed away on October 31, 2013 in Chennai. November–2013 • Vijay Dan Detha – Renowned Rajasthan short-story writer and novelist Vijay Dan Detha passed away on November 10, 2013 at the age of 87 in his village Borunda, near Jodhpur. • Thousand Feared dead in Typhoon hit Philippines – One of the most powerful typhoons in history is believed to have killed 12000 people in the Philippines that hit the nation on November 8, 2013. − A day after Super Typhoon Haiyan whipped across the central Philippines with maximum sustained winds of around 315 kmph, a picture emerged of entire communities having been flattened. • Noted food writer and celebrity chef Tarla Dalal passes away at the age of 77. • Doris Lessing, the Nobel Prize-winning, free-thinking, world traveling and often-polarising author of The Golden Notebook and dozens of other novels, passes away at the age of 94. • Former BJP member of the Rajya Sabha and writer Dinanath Mishra passed away. He started his career as a journalist and served as Editor of RSS mouthpiece ‘Panchajanya’ from 1971 to 1974. • Former Lok Sabha MP and Revenue Secretary Nitish Sengupta passes away in New Delhi.

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• Legendary Pakistani folk singer Reshma, who mesmerized music lovers with soulful rendition of songs like Lambi Judai and Dama Dam Mast Kalandar in her trademark rustic voice, dies in Lahore. • Frederick Sanger, a British biochemist who is the only person to win Nobel Prize two times for Chemistry died on 19 November 2013. • Ishwar Das Rohani, the speaker of the Madhya Pradesh Assembly died on 5 November 2013 due to cardiac arrest at Jabalpur. • Omprakash Valmiki – Noted Dalit writer Omprakash Valmiki, 63, passed away on 17 November 2013 at Dehradun, Uttarakhand. • Inderjit Singh Gill – India’s senior women’s hockey team coach Inderjit Singh Gill passed away in a fatal road accident near Sangrur in Punjab on November 20, 2013. • KP Saxena – Noted Hindi humourist writer and Padma Shri awardee KP Sexana passed away in Lucknow on October 31, 2013. • Hari Krishna Devsare – Prominent Hindi writer Hari Krishna Devsare, known for his prolific work in the field of children’s literature, died on November 14, 2013. • Paul Walker – US actor Paul Walker died in a car accident in Southern California on 30 November 2013.

December–2013 • Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, the towering figure of Africa’s struggle for freedom and a hero to millions around the world, passed away on December 6, 2013 at the age of 95. ) First Black President – On April 27, 1994, South Africa held its first democratic elections. At 77, Mandela was appointed as South Africa’s first black president on May 10, 1994, with de Klerk as his first deputy. In 1994, he published his autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom. ) Mandela has received more than two hundred and fifty awards over four decades. He was the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993. In 1990 he was conferred with the Bharat Ratna. He was the recipient of Mahatma Gandhi peace award in 2001. • Surjit Singh, 58, noted scholar and Director, Institute of Development Studies (IDS), Surjit Singh passed away in Jaipur on December 4, 2013 at the age of 58. • Farooq Sheikh, 65, best known for his performance in films such as Shatranj Ke Khiladi, Chashme Buddoor and Umrao Jaan, died of heart attack in Dubai on December 27, 2013. • Union Labour and Employment Minister Sis Ram Ola passes away at the age of 86 in Gurgaon, Haryana. Sis Ram Ola was a member of the 15th Lok Sabha of India. • The head of the royal family of erstwhile Trivancore, Kerala, Uthradom Tirunal Marthanda Varma, passes away at the age of 91. • Mikahil Kalashnikov, the Russian gun designer of the fabled AK-47 automatic rifle, passes away at the age of 94. • Senior leader of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) Kali Ghosh passes away at the age of 83. • TC Narendran, internationally known insect taxonomist and recipient of the EK Janaki Ammal National Award of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, passes away at the age of 69 in Kozhikode. • Prince of Mysore Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wodeyar Died – Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wodeyar, the eighth and the last King of the Mysore Royal Family, died on 10 December in Bangalore. Maharaja Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wodeyar Bahadur, also named Srikanta Wadiyar,

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was the prince of Mysore Kingdom and the present head of the Wadiyar dynasty that ruled the Kingdom of Mysore between 1399 and 1950. • Guru Sunderlal Satyanarayan Gangani, a Kathak guru and Sangeet Natak Akademi awardee, passes away at the age of 84 on 17 December, 2013. • Michiaki Takahashi, who developed a vaccine for the chicken pox virus died ar the age of 85 due to hear failure on 23 December 2013 in Osaka, Japan. • Swami Nityanand Maharaj, founder – secretary of Ramkrishna Vivekananda Mission in Barrackpore in North 24 Paraganas district in West Bengal, passes away at the age of 82. • Alan Turing – Alan Turing, the mathematics genius who committed suicide in 1954 after undergoing chemical castration for being gay when homosexual activity was a criminal offence in Britain, received the royal pardon posthumously on December 24, 2013. • Eusebio da Silva Ferreira – Known as the ‘Black Panther’ or simply ‘The King’, football legend Eusebio, who reigned over Portuguese football in the 1960s, bringing glory to both his club Benfica and his country, passed away on January 5, 2014 at the age of 71. January–2014 • Portuguese football legend Eusebio da Silva Ferreira (nick named the Black Panther) has died on 5th January. He was Africa’s first international football star. • Renowned Marathi poet, writer and Human rights activist Namdeo Laxman Dhasal died on 15th January in Mumbai. • Lengendary Bengali actress Suchitra Sen died in Kolkata on 17th January. Sen was awarded the Banga Bibhushan, West Bengal government’s highest award, in 2012. • Israel’s former PM Sharon Passes Away – Ariel Sharon, 85, the hard-changing Israeli general and Prime Minister who was admired and hated for his battlefield exploits and ambitions to reshape the Middle East, died on January 11th, 2014, eight years after a stroke left him in a coma from which he never awoke. • Hiroo Onoda, 91, Japan’s Last World War II Soldier Passes Away – A Japanese solder who hid in the Philippine jungle for three decades, refusing to believe World War II was over until his former commander returned and ordered hint to surrender, died in Tokyo on January 17th, 2014. • Akkineni Nageswara Rao or ANR, the legendary Telugu actor died on January 22nd, 2014. • Saul Zaentz dies – The film producer, who won the three best picture Oscars, passes away at 92 on January 4, 2014. • Sudhir Mahto – Former deputy chief minister of Jharkhand Sudhir Mahto died on 22 January, 2014. • Christopher Chataway – Christopher Chataway, 82, a former 5,000-meter world record-holder who helped Roger Bannister break the four-minute mile, died on 19th January, 2014. • Illa Pathak – Social activist Ila Pathak illness in Ahmedabad on 9th January 2014. • Karl Slym, the managing director of Tata Motors died on 26th January, 2014 after falling from a hotel building in Bangkok. He was in Bangkok to attend a board meeting of the Tata Motors Thailand Limited. • Uday Kiran, a Telugu film actor allegedly committed suicide at his house on 6th January, 2014. He got the Filmfare award as Best Actor. With this award, he became the youngest winner of the Filmfare award as best actor after Kamal Hasan.

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AWARDS/ HONOURS August–2013 • Sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan was chosen for the 21st Rajiv Gandhi National Sadhbhavna Award for his contribution towards promotion of communal harmony and peace. • Childrens Peace Prize for Malala – Pakistani teenager Malala Yousufzai, an outspoken proponent of girls’ education who survived to Taliban assassination attempt in 2012, has been chosen for a top Dutch Children’s honour for the activism. She will be presented with the International children’s Peace Prize on September 6 in The Hague. • Brigalia Bam, the former chairperson of South Africa’s election body, was honoured with the prestigious Mahatma Gandhi International Award for Peace and Reconciliation for the year 2013 at a ceremony of Durban City Hall on August 26, 2013. Bam is decorated with the award for her dedication to peace and human rights. She is credited to ensuring free and fair elections since the advent of democracy in 1994 in South Africa. • Ministry of Steel – The first Central Ministry to be awarded ISO 9001:2008, Quality Management System certification by the Bureau of Indian Standards. • US President Barack Obama would confer the Presidential Medal of Freedom 2013 on former US President Bill Clinton and talk show queen, Oprah Winfrey.

• Rs.5 lakh award for Jodie Underhill – Tourism Minister K. Chiranjeevi announced Rs.5 lakh award for British activist Jodie Underhill in recognition of her yeoman service towards Uttarakhand flood tragedy relief. Underhill has been collecting garbage strewn near food stalls at Doon Helidrome in Dehradun, where pilgrims rescued from the natural calamity in various parts of the state are temporarily rehabilitated and provided food and shelter. The Union Tourism Minister Chiranjeevi announced the award for the British activist in his personal capacity. • Gujar Mal Modi Innovative Science and Technology Award – Eminent Scientist Vinod Prakash Sharma was presented Gujar Mal Modi Innovative Science and Technology Award for the year 2013 on August 9 for his outstanding contribution in the field of basic and applied research of Malaria and Vector Biology. • Delhi state government on August 11 conferred Lifetime Achievement Award-2013 to two veteran artists, Abdul Rashid Khan and Anjolie Ela Menon. They were given awards for their contribution in the field of music and visual arts. September–2013 • National Communal HarmonyAwards – President Pranab Mukherjee on 20 September 2013 presented the National Communal Harmony Award for the year 2011 and 2012. − Odisha’s MD Janab Haji Abdul Bari and Mizoram’s Khamliana were jointly awarded for the year 2011. The Foundation for Amity and National Solidarity, Delhi was awarded for the year 2012. • Sree Narayan Award – Vice-President Hamid Ansari gave away the “First Sree Narayan Guru Global Secular & Peace Award 2013” to Dr. Shashi Tharoor, Minister of State for HRD, in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala on September 10, 2013. • Aga Khan Award – The five projects, worth a total of $ 1 million, selected for the 2013 Aga Khan Award for Architecture were announced at the Castle of Sao Jorge on September 6, 2013. − The five projects selected for the award were – The Salam Centre for Cardiac Surgery in Khartoum, Sudan, the Revitalization of Birzeit Historic Centre in Birzeit (Palestine), the Rabat- Sale Urban Infrastructure Project in Morocco, the Rehabilitation of Tabriz Bazaar in Tabriz, Iran and the Islamic Cemetery in Altach, Austria.

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• Moortidevi Award – Haraprasad Das was conferred with the Moortidevi Award for 2012 for ‘Vamsha’, a poetic recreation of the Mahabharata in contemporary idiom, which has been hailed as a post-modern masterpiece on September 2, 2013. • Humanitarian Achievement Award – Former South African President Nelson Mandela was on 22 September 2013 presented with a humanitarian achievement award for his contribution to South- South cooperation and sustainable development. • Clinton Global Citizens Awards – India environmentalist Bunker Roy and Pakistan’s teenage education activist Malala Yousafzai were on 23 September 2013 declared as winners of the Clinton Global Citizens Awards for the year 2013. • Megan Young, 23, Miss Philippines was on September 28, 2013 crowned 63rd Miss World pageant held in Bali, Indonesia. Though Miss India World Navneet Kaur Dhillon bagged the title of Miss Multimedia. • Obabiyi Aishah Ajibola, 21, Miss Nigeria, won the Miss Muslimah World contest organised by the World Muslimah Foundation in Jakarta, Indonesia on 18 September 2013. • House of Commons Award – Indian freedom fighter Jawaharlal Darda was posthumously conferred a Lifetime Achievement Award at UK’ House of Commons on 12 September 2013. • Norway Bollywood Film Festival – Tigmanshu Dhulia won the best director award for Paan Singh Tomar movie at Loreskog cinema center in Oslo on 17 September 2013. • National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) was awarded Indira Gandhi Official Language Award for propagation of Rajbhasha (Official Language) in the company by the Union Government of India on Hindi Divas on 14 September 2013. • Malala receives Amnesty International Award – The London-based rights group Amnesty International announced on September 17 that the Pakistani education activist and Nobel Peace Prize nominee Malala Yousafzai will share the 2013 ‘Ambassador of Conscience Award,’ its highest honour, with American singer and human rights activist Harry Belafonte. • International Children’s Peace Prize 2013 – Malala Yousufzai was given the award on September, 2013. She received the award from 2011 Noble Peace Prize winner Tawakkol Karman. • Sacro GRA Wins Venice Golden Lion – Unheralded documentary, Sacro GRA, filmed about life on the ring road circling Italy’s capital and directed by Gianfranco Rosi, won the Venice Film Festival’s prestigious Golden Lion award. • Sohan Roy, director of DAM 999, was awarded 69th Rajiv Gandhi Shiromani Award for his outstanding contribution to the industry by Tripura Governor Devanand Konwar in New Delhi recently. • Mahathir Award for Global Peace – The first Mahathir Award for Global Peace has been awarded to former South African President Nelson Mandela on August 27, 2013. Current South African President Jacob Zuma accepted the award on behalf of Mandela. • White House Fellowship – Kapil Parakh (Indian origin), a cardiologist at Johns Hopkins has been selected for the prestigious White House Fellowship for the year 2013-14 along with 11 others. − Kapil Parakh is a co-founder of Health for America, a non-profit organisation that mobilizes youth to improve the health of communities through innovation while shaping the next generation of leaders. • Actor Aamir Khan has been selected for a US award for his television show ‘Satyamev Jayate’ along with American Director Kathryn Bigelow and the International centre on non-violent conflict.

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• Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Raman Singh was awarded Agriculture Programme Leadership Award for implementing best agricultural policies on September 19, 2013. • Shubhashish Bhutiani’s short film Kush, the lone Indian entry at the Venice Film Festival, has won the ‘Orizzonti Award for Best Short Film’ on September 8, 2013. Orizzonti section of the Venice Film Festival showcases new trends in world cinema. • Ranbir Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra won Best Actor and Actress ‘SAFTA award’ on September 8, 2013. • Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has been conferred the ‘ICAI National Award for Excellence in Cost Management 2012’ on August 29, 2013. • Hashim Amla received top four honours in the Cricket South Africa’s annual awards including ‘Cricketer of the Year’ award. • Punjab’s e-district project has been chosen for ‘Skoch Order of Merit Medal’ for adopting bets practices in the field of governance, finance and inclusive growth. • Indian origin scientist, Virbhadran Ramanathan won UN’s Champion of the Earth Award for explaining how black carbon affects climate change. • All India Anti terrorist Front (AIATF) honoured actor John Abraham with the ‘Pride of the Nation Award’, for his attempt to raise the sensitive issue of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination through his role as a RAW agent in Madras Café film. • Former President APJ Kalam gave away the Bharat Bhushan award to cartoonist R.K. Narayanan. • Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development 2012 – Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was conferred with the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development 2012 by President Pranab Mukherjee on 12 September, 2013. − Ela Ramesh Bhatt, a renowned Women social worker, was the winner of the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development Award 2011 and in the year 2010 it was given to Lula de Silva, former President of Brazil. • Tagore Award for Cultural Harmony, 2013 – President Pranab Mukherjee conferred Tagore Award for Cultural Harmony, 2013 on Maestro Zubin Mehta in New Delhi on 6 September, 2013. The award carries an amount of One Crore Rupees, a citation in a scroll, a plaque and an exquisite traditional handicraft/ handloom item. Zubin Mehta is an Indian Parsi conductor of western classical music. • National Sports Awards 2013 - President Pranab Mukherjee conferred the Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy at a function organised at Rashtrapati Bhawan on 31 August, 2013. Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar, 2013 Category Winner Community Sports Identification and Dr. U.K. Mishra, Founder and President, Nurturing of Budding Young Talent National Sports Academy, Allabhabad Financial Support for Sports Excellence Services Sports Control Board Establishment and Management of Sports Pullela Gopichand Academy of Badminton, Academies of Excellence Hyderabad Employment of Sportspersons and sports Petroleum Sports Promotion Board welfare measures

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Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy Year Winner 2010-11 Guru Nanak Dev Vishwavidyalay, Amritsar 2011-12 Punjabi Vishwavidyalay, Patiala 2012-13 Punjabi Vishwavidyalay, Patiala

• Life time Achievement Award – British Indian billionaire brothers Srichand and Gopichand Hinduja won a Lifetime Achievement Award for their contributions to UK’s Asian community. Awardees in the other categories: à British Indian actress Seeta Indrani for achievement in media, arts and culture à Prof Naina Patel for her contributions to community service à Nandita Parshad, director of the power and energy utilities team at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). • Kavitha Shukla – Indian American Kavita Shukla has won INDEX design award for her innovative design, Fresh Paper. It helps keep food fresh for a longer period. The award carries 5,00,000 Euros. • UNESCO help for Darjeeling Railway – The iconic Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR), popularly known as Toy Train, which covers 88-km stretch, is in the UNESCO’s world heritage list. The train service which runs between New Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling.

October–2013 • India’s Srishti Rana was crowned Miss Asia Pacific World 2013 by the 2012 winner Himangini Singh Yadu at a glitering ceremony on October 30, 2013. This is India’s second win in a row at the Miss Asia Pacific World pageant. Srishti’s peacock-inspired gown also won her the Best National costume award. ) Yesteryear actress Zeenat Aman was the first Indian to win the title of Miss Asia Pacific back in 1970. Tara Anne Fonseca – 1973, Namrata Shirodkar – 1st runner-up – 1993, Dia Mirza – 2000. • EPCES export awards to EOUS and SEZS – The Minister of State for Commerce and Industry D. Purandeswari on 30 September 2013 presented the Export Promotion Council for EOUs and SEZs (EPCES) Export Awards to EOUs and SEZs for Outstanding Export Performance. • Anjali Gopalan on 25 October 2013 was awarded with French highest civilian award Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur. She was awarded for her work on transgenders and HIV positive patients. • Rani Rampat – Women’s Hockey team striker Rani Rampal won the TiE Aspire Young Achiever’s award on October 2, 2013. Rani was the vice-captain of the Junior National team in the recent seventh FIH Junior Women’s World Cup, played a crucial role in India’s bronze medal winning feat in Germany and was also declared the best player of the tournament. • Ravi Shankar Narsimhan, a senior Indian Journalist, on 29 September 2013 was presented with Friendship award by China-the highest honor given to foreigners. Narsimhan is the executive editor in the overseas edition of the Beijing based China Daily. • Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani teen shot by the Taliban for championing girls’ education won the European Union’s (EU) Sakharov human rights prize 2013 on 10 October 2013. • Genesis Prize – The Government of Israel on 21 October 2013 selected New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg as the first ever recipient of the 1 million Dollar Genesis Prize – an award popularly dubbed the Jewish Nobel Prize.

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• Guru Debaprasad award – Renowned Bharatnatyam exponent Geeta Chandran on 29 October 2013 was honoured with the prestigious Guru Debaprasad Award for outstanding contribution in the field of dance. • First Founders’ award for Helping AIDS Victims - Hilary Clinton was awarded the first founders’ award from the Elton John AIDS Foundation in New York on 15 October 2013 for her work to help HIV/AIDS victims. • Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration for the year 2012 – Eminent agricultural scientist M.S. Swaminathan on 31 October 2013 was presented the Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration for the year 2012. • IPI-India award for Excellence in Journalism 2013 – Karan Thapar, television journalist was chosen for the International Press Institute (IPI) – India award for excellence in journalism 2013 on 8 October 2013 for his interviews on the Devil’s Advocate programme on CNN IBN. • Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor on 29 October 2013 was honoured in the House of Commons, London for her contribution to the global entertainment industry. • Kallidil Kalidasan – Kerala youth-entrepreneur Kallidil Kalidasan’s mobile application – Sentinel – a women’s security application, was the Runners-up in the prestigious World Summit Youth Award (WSYA), in Power2Women category among the best youth digital projects addressing the UN Millennium Development Goals. • Honorary Canadian Citizenship – The government of Canada on 16 October 2013 announced honorary Canadian citizenship for Pakistani teenage activist Malala Yousafzai. The government recognized Malala’s contribution in risking her life promoting education for young women. • Man Booker Prize 2013 – Eleanor Catton, 28, New Zealand author won the Man Booker prize 2013 for her second novel entitled “The Luminaries”, published by Granta, on 15 October 2013. • Mark Twain Prize for American Humour – The US comedian Carol Burnett on 20 October 2013 was honoured with the Mark Twain Prize for American Humour. • National Yash Chopra Memorial award – Legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar was presented the first national Yash Chopra Memorial Award at a star studded function in Mumbai on 19 October 2013 by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The award is a tribute to the legendary filmmaker Yash Chopra on the eve of his first death anniversary. • Presidential Awards for Classical Tamil – President of India, Pranab Mukherjee conferred on 9 October 2013 the Presidential Awards for Classical Tamil 2009-10 and 2010-11 to scholars who have made outstanding contribution to the development of Classical Tamil language and literature. The Tolkappiyar Award for lifetime achievement in Classical Tamil was awarded to Dr. Iravatham Mahadevan for 2009-10 and Prof. Tamizhannal Periakaruppan for 2010-11. The Kural Pitam Award was awarded to Dr. Jaroslav Vacek for 2009-10 and Dr. John Ralston Marr for 2010-11. Dr. Iravatham Mahadevan received Tolkappiyar Award for his immense contribution in the area of Epigraphy. President also conferred Young Scholar Awards to Dr. T. Suresh, Dr. S. Kalpana, Dr. R. Chandrasekaran, Dr. Vaani Arivaalan and Dr. C. Muthamizhselvan for showing excellence in Tamil studies. • Shah Rukh Khan, the Bollywood actor, on 23 October 2013 was appointed as the goodwill ambassador for South Korea. He was appointed as the public diplomat as well as an ambassador of India’s soft power. • Soul of India Award – Tennis player –turned film producer Ashok Amritraj on 29 October 2013 was presented with the ‘Soul of India Award’ for his outstanding achievements in the film industry. • UN Award for Open Curriculum web platform – Varun Arora, a young innovator from India on 10 October 2013 was selected for United Nations 10 Young Innovators Competition 2013. Varun BANK-PO/CLERK EXAM CA/Aug2013-Jan2014/Page-144

Arora awarded for his creation Open Curriculum, an online platform for local educational material for standard, primary and secondary schooling. • Wildlife Photographer of the year 2013 – Photographer Greg du Toit was named Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2013 by the panel of international judges. The awards ceremony held at Natural History Museum in London. • Dr. Manmohan Singh is conferred Honorary Doctorate – Moscow State Institute of International Relations, the diplomatic school of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia conferred an Honorary Doctorate to Manmohan Singh, the Prime Minister of India on 21 October 2013. • Nobel Prizes – 2013 ) Peace – The United Nations-backed Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) on 11 October 2013 won the Nobel Peace Prize for the year 2013 for its extensive efforts to eliminate chemical weapons. ) Literature – Alice Munro won the Nobel Prize on 10 October 2013 for literature. She was the first Canadian woman to win the Nobel Prize. ) Physics - Peter Higgs of Britain and Francois Englert of Belgium jointly awarded Nobel Prize for Physics 2013 on 8 October 2013. Peter Higgs received the prestigious prize for his contribution of the theoretical discovery of a mechanism that contributes to our understanding of the origin of mass of subatomic particles, and which recently was confirmed through the discovery of the predicted fundamental particle, by the ATLAS and CMS experiments at CERN’s Large Hardron Collider. ) Chemistry – Martin Karplus of University of Strasbourg, France and Harvard University, Cambridge; Michael Levitt of Stanford University School of Medicine and Arieh Warshel of University of Southern California ) Medicine or Physiology – The Karolinska Institute in Sweden on October 7, 2013 received Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine. The United States based three scientists – James E Rothman, Randy W Schekman and Thomas C Sudhof – will share eight million Swedish Krona (£ 772,000) in prize money for working out how biological cells organize and transport the many molecules they need to function. ) Economics – American economists Eugene F Fama, Robert J Shiller and Lars Peter Hansen won the Nobel Prize for Economics on October 14, 2013 for developing methods to study trends in stock, bond and housing markets. • IRCON International Limited was selected as the top infrastructure company under the category construction infrastructure development at the Dun and Bradstreet Infra Awards 2013. • Bollywood actress and former Miss Universe Sushmita Sen has been bestowed with the prestigious Mother Teresa Memorial International Award for Social Justice on October 28, 2013. Currently in its sixth edition, the award constituted by ‘Harmony Foundation’ highlights various efforts taken up by individuals and NGO’s to promote peace and social justice. • The President of India, Pranab Mukherjee presented the First National Award for Senior Citizens, Vayoshreshtha Samman 2013 on the occasion of International Day of Older Persons. November–2013 • Angelina Jolie on November 16, 2013 received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award at the 5th Annual Governors Awards in Los Angeles. • Angela Markel – The Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust on November 19, 2013 announced that German Chancellor Angela Merkel will be honoured with the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development for 2013 for her exemplary leadership in Europe and the world during the financial crisis and her stewardship of German economic growth.

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• Lord Swaraj Paul – Leading NRI industrialist and educationist, Lord Swaraj Paul was presented with the ‘International Indian of the Decade’ award for his outstanding achievements in the fields of industry, education and philanthropy on November 15, 2013. • Writers James McBride and George Packer won National Book Awards, among the most prestigious literary prizes in US publishing for “The Good Lord Bird” and “The Unwinding” respectively. • Rita Ora – British Singer-songwriter was named Musician of the Year as a part of American Women of the Year Awards, held in London in November 2013. • Lionel Messi Awarded Third Golden Shoe – Lionel Messi, the Barcelonan forward foot baler, on 20 November 2013, won the Golden Shoe award. • Miss Universe 2013 – Gabriela Isler, a 25 – year old television presenter and accomplished flamenco dancer from Venezuela was crowned Miss Universe 2013 at a grand finale in Moscow on November 9, 2013 after beating 85 contestants across the globe. • Mushirul Hasan – Professor Mushirul Hasan, the former Jamia Millia Islamia Vice-Chancellor was conferred the Jawaharlal Nehru Fellowship by the Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund on the occasion of the 124 birth anniversary of the former Prime Minister on November 14, 2013. “Roads to Freedom – Prison, Prisoners and the Raj,” is the title of Professor Hasan’s fellowship project.

• Delhi Metro’s former managing director E. Sreedharan is conferred the prestigious ‘Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star’ award by Japan on 6th November. • Sachin Tendulkar, one of cricket’s greatest heroes and eminent scientist CNR Rao were on November 16, 2013 named for the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award. Both Sachin, 40, and Prof. Rao, 79, are also recipients of the Padma Vibhushan – second highest civilian honour. − On a day when the ‘Master Blaster’ bade an emotional adieu to his record-breaking career lasting 24 years, the Prime Minister’s Office announced the Bharat Ratna for him. Sachin is the first sports-person chosen for the honour. − Professor CNR Rao is an internationally renowned chemist who has championed basic science research in India. • IAAF Athletes of the year: Jamaican sprinters Usain Bolt and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce were crowned male and female World Athletes of the Year for 2013 by the sport’s governing IAAF at a ceremony in Monaco on November 16, 2013. • Bangalore-based NGO Janaagraha is awarded the Google Global Impact Award. • Japan confers “The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star” on Dr.Sreedharan, former Managing Director of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation. • Dr. Santosh G. Honavar, eye cancer specialist, is presented ‘Jerry A Shields International Award’ at a global symposium held at Guangzhou, China. • G. Satheesh Reddy, Director of the Research Centre Imarat, a key laboratory of the DRDO, has been conferred with the prestigious Indian Science Congress Association – Homi J. Bhabha Memorial Award for the year 2013-14 on November 11, 2013 for his contributions leading to the development of science and technology in the country. • Marth Dodray, a woman health worker from rural Bihar has bagged a global UN award for her commitment and dedication ineradicating polio in India on November 8, 2013. She has been working as an Auxiliary Nurse and Midwife (ANM) from Darbhanga district of Bihar. • Seven scientists and social scientists bag the Infosys Prize for 2013, in recognition of their “outstanding contributions to research” in fields ranging from theoretical linguistics and archaeology to algebraic geometry and nano-scale electronics. BANK-PO/CLERK EXAM CA/Aug2013-Jan2014/Page-146

• Indian director Shubhashish Bhutiani’s short film “Kush” is selected by the Academy in the shortlist of 10 live-action shorts that will advance in the Oscar race. • Ace basketball player Geethu Anna Jose is selected for the 25th Jimmy George Foundation award for the best sportsperson of Kerala. • Kenichi Ito, a Japanese man broke his own Guinness World Record for the 100 meter dash on 14 November 2013. He runs on his arms and legs broke. Ito of 30 years finished the dash in 16.87 seconds by savings about 30 seconds of his 2012 run of 17.47 seconds. • Shiraz Naval Minwalla, Professor of Physics in TIFR, Mumbai selected for the 2014 New Horizons in Physics Prize on November 5, 2013 for his pioneering contributions to the study of string theory and quantum field theory; and in particular his work on the connection between the equations of fluid dynamics and Albert Einstein’s equations of general relativity”. • Asian trader Editor’s Award – Priti Patel, an Indian Origin British MP on 22 November 2013 has been honoured with the prestigious Asian Trader Editor’s Award. She was awarded for her tireless campaigning to support small shops and convenience stores. • Dayawati Modi Award – Anjolie Ela Menon, a contemporary artist was awarded with Dayawati Modi Award for Art and Culture and Education by Dayawati Foundation on 19 November 2013. • Engineering Excellence Award 2013 was conferred on the Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India Limited (SPMCIL), a Public Sector Unit under the Ministry of Finance, and Government of India on 19 November 2013. The award was given by Engineering Watch at SCOPE Convention Centre in Delhi. • Indira Gandhi NSS Best University Award 2012-13 – President of India Pranab Mukherjee on 19 November 2013 presented Indira Gandhi National Service Scheme Best University Award 2012-13 to Mangalore University of Karnataka. • IAAC Honours Salman Rushdie, Mira Nair and Majula Bansal – Salman Rushdie, Mira Nair and Majula Bansal, the prominent Indian Americans on 21 November 2013 were honoured by Indo- American Arts Council (IAAC) at the Angel Orensanz Foundation of Contemporary Art. • GG2 Leadership Awards – Malala Yosafzai, Kainat Riaz and Shazia Ramzan on 27 November 2013 were chosen for the GG2 Hammer Award, for their bravery at the GG2 (Garavi Gujarat 2) Leadership Awards 2013 a London. • International Indian of the Decade Award – Lord Swraj Paul, a leading NRI industrialist and educationist was presented with the International Indian of the Decade award on 15 November 2013, Swraj Paul was presented the award for his outstanding achievements in the fields of industry, education and philanthropy. • Kareena Kapoor Honoured in the house of Commons – Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor on 29 October 2013 was honoured in the House of Commons, London for her contribution to the global entertainment industry. • Sakharov Human Rights Prize 2013 – Malala Yosafzai, Pakistani teenage activist on 20 November 2013 received the EU’s Sakharov human rights prize for her brave crusade for the right of the children to education. December–2013 • Time magazine named Pope Francis its Person of the Year for 2013 on December 11, 2013, hailing the head of the Catholic Church as a new voice of global conscience since taking office in March 2013. • Filmmaker Shivendra Singh Dungarpur is selected for the 2013 Bimal Roy Memorial Emerging Talent Award for his widely appreciated documentary Celluloid Man. BANK-PO/CLERK EXAM CA/Aug2013-Jan2014/Page-147

• The Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Kumari Selja presents the Helen Keller Award to Ashish Jha, Nita Panchal, Kajal Dhawan, Bhavanishankar R. Ankit Rajiv Jindal and Kivadasannavar. • Chief Justice of India P. Sathasivam presents the Sangita Kalanidhi MS Subbulakshmi Award to Sudha Raghunathan at the inauguration of the 87th Annual Conference and Concerts of The Music Academy in Chennai. • Union Minister of State for Human Resource Development Shashi Tharoor is named the ”Person of the Year” by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India. • Sahitya Akademi Awards 2013: Bollywood lyricist Javed Akhtar, Bengali poet Subodh Sarkar and Sanskrit poet Radhadant Thakur were selected for Sahitya Akademi Awards 2013 on December 18, 2013. • CK Nayudu Award: Former India captain Kapil Dev received the Col. C.K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award for 2013 on January 11, 2014. • Malala Received 2013 UN Human Rights prize – Pakistan teenage activist Malala Yousafzai has been conferred the 2013 UN Human Rights Prize. • General Bikram Singh Awarded The US’s ‘Legion of Merit’ – In the month of December 2013 Gen Bikram Singh has joined the ranks of legendary figures of the Indian Army including Field Marshal KM Kariappa as he has been awarded the sixth highest American military honour ‘Legion of Merit’. • GHIAL Awarded British Safety Council’s ‘Sword of Honour’ – Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA), operated by GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd (GHIAL), has been awarded the ‘Sword of Honour’ for safety management. The ‘Sword of Honour’ is considered to be the Oscar of the Safety World. • Eminent Indian missile scientist A Sivathanu Pillai has received the highest Russian award ‘Order of Friendship’ on 16 December by President Vladimir Putin for his contribution towards strengthening the ties between the two countries through the successful BrahMos supersonic cruise missile programme. • The KK Birla Foundation announces that the 23rd Bihari Puraskar, 2013 will be awarded to Chandra Prakash Deval for his Rajasthani poetry collection – Hirna! Maun Saadh Van Charna. • The International Cricket Council (ICC) on 9 December announced that Former Pakistan captain Waqar Younis and ex-Australia wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist will be inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame. • President Pranab Mukherjee presents India’s 25 greatest global Indian living legends awards at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. The awardees include Dr. Amartya Sen, Amitabh Bachchan, Vikram Seth, Sachin Tendulkar and others. • 15th Chief Justice of India P. Sathasivam presents the Sangita Kalanidhi MS Subbulakshmi Award to Sudha Raghunathan at the inauguration of the 87th Annual Conference and Concerts of The Music Academy in Chennai. • The Asiatic Society, Bihar honours eminent historian Bipan Chandra with ‘Itihas Ratna’ award for enriching the technique of secular and scientific writing of history. • The annual International Cricket Council (ICC) awards were announced in Dubai on 13 December. ¾ The list of winners is:- ICC Cricketer of the Year (Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy) – Michael Clarke (Australia) ICC Test Cricketer of the Year – Michael Clarke (Australia) ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year – Suzie Bates (New Zealand)

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ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year – Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) ICC Emerging Cricketer of the Year – Cheteshwar Pujara (India) ICC Associate and Affiliate Cricketer of the Year – Kevin O’Brien (Ireland) ICC Twenty 20 International Performance of the Year – Umar Gul (Pakistan) ICC T 20 I Women’s Cricketer of the Year – Sarah Taylor (England) ICC Spirit of Cricket Award – Mahela Jayawardena (Sri Lanka) ICC Umpire of the Year (Winning the David Shepherd Trophy) – Richard Kettleborough LG People’s Choice Award – MS Dhoni • Miss Earth 2013 - Venezuela’s Alyz Henrich was on 7 December crowned Miss Earth 2013 at the Versailles Palace, Philippines. • Indian sitar legend Ravi Shankar, who was awarded two Grammy honours earlier in 2013 received a posthumous nomination in the 56th Annual Grammy Awards for his album ‘The Living Room Sessions Part-2’. • Mahatma Gandhi’s granddaughter Ela Gandhi, Australian senator of Indian origin Lisa Maria Singh and the Ramakrishna Mission in Fiji are among the 13 recipients of the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award 2014. • Kerala – based writer Anees Salim wins The Hindu Prize for Best Fiction 2013 for his second nove, Vanity Bagh. • American Hustle wins big at the 71st annual Golden Globes in Los Angeles while historical drama film “12 years a Slave” takes the coveted best drama Prize. Australian Cate Blanchett wins best Actress (Drama) award for Blue Jasmine. Awards at a Glance • Best director for motion picture - Alfonso Cuaron (Gravity) • Best Animated Film – Frozen • Best original score – Alex Ebert (All is Lost) • Best song from a motion picture – Ordinary Love, U2 (Mandela – Long Walk to Freedom) • Best foreign language film – The Great Beauty • Best TV drama – Breaking Bad • Best Actor in a TV drama – Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad) • Best Film (Drama) – 12 Years a Slave • Best Actor (Male) Drama – Mathew McConaughey, Dallas Buyers Club • Best Actor (Female) Drama – Cate Blanchette – Blue Jasmine • Best Film (Musical/ Comedy) – American Hustle • Best Actor (Male) Musical/Comedy – Leonardo DiCaprio (The Wolf of Wall Street) • Best Actor (Female) Musical/Comedy – Amy Adams (American Hustle) • Best Actor (Male) In A Mini Series – Michael Douglas (Behind the Candlebra) January–2014 • Gujarati Poet Chinu Modi has been conferred the Sahitya Akademi Award for the year 2013 for his poetry book “Khara Zaran”, an official statement announced by the Sahitya Akademi on 4th January. • Bahrain-based Indian John Iype was selected for the prestigious “Bharat Gaurav” (Pride of India) award in recognition of his contribution to the community. John Iype has been chosen by the India International Friendship Society for the award. He received the award in New Delhi on 9th January.

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• President Pranab Mukherjee Conferred Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards – President Pranab Mukherjee conferred the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards on 9th January during the 12th edition of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD). Peace activist Ela Gandhi, who is a grand-daughter of Mahatma Gandhi, was among the 13 non-resident Indians (NRIs), persons of Indian origin (PIOs) and organisations honoured with the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards. Ela Gandhi was given the award for public service and for enhancing India’s image and for promoting ties between India and South Africa. • Pakistani Aitizaz Hasan Honoured with “Medal of Bravery” – Pakistani government has on 10 January decided to honour its brave son, Aitizaz Hasan a grade 9 student, with “Medal of Bravery” (Sitara-e-Shujaat) for saving hundreds of lives while tackling the suicide bomber. On 11 January Hasan was honoured with the Sitara-e-Shujaat, the country’s highest award for bravery. The International Human Rights Commission (IHRC) on 12 January had bestowed a global bravery award on Hasan. • President Pranab Mukherjee Presented Sunil Gangopadhyay Award 2012 & 2013 – President Pranab Mukherjee on 11 January presented the Sunil Gangopadhyay Memorial Award to two eminent Bengali poets, namely Nirendranath Chakraborty for 2012 and Sankha Ghosh for 2013 for excellence in Bengali literature. • Indian-American Won Top US Teaching Award – India-born Meera Chandrasekhar, professor of physics and astronomy and Curator’s Teaching Professor of Physics at the University of Missouri, has on 18th January won Baylor University’s “2014 Robert Foster Cherry Award” for Great Teaching. • Mohinder Singh, Radhakrishnan Selected for Communal Harmony Awards – National Communal Harmony Award for Mohinder Singh for his work done in restoring peace after the 1984 anti-Sikh riots and noted academician N Radhakrishnan for his promotion of Gandhian values were announced on 25 January. Singh, along with Gandhian Radhakrishnan of Kerala, have been selected for the coveted award in the individual category while the Centre for Study of Society and Secularism, Mumbai has been selected in the organisation category. • 2014 Padma Awards Announced – The Government of India on 25th January announced the recipients of the prestigious Padma Awards for the year 2014. ) Padma Vibhushan: Dr. Raghunath A. Mashelkar (Science and Engineering, Maharashtra) Shri B.K.S. Iyengar (Others-Yoga, Maharashtra) ) Padma Bhushan: Kamala Haasan (Art-Cinema, Tamil Nadu) T.H. Vinayakram (Art-Ghatam Artist, Tamil Nadu) Gulam Mohammed Sheikh (Art-Painting, Gujarat) Begum Parveen Sultana (Art-Classical Singing, Maharashtra) Justice Dalveer Bhandari (Public Affairs, Delhi) Prof. Padmanabhan Balaram (Science and Engineering, Karnataka) Prof Jyeshtharaj Joshi (Science and Engineering, Maharashtra) Dr. Madappa Mahadevappa (Science & Engineering, Karnataka) Dr. Thirumalachari Ramasami (Science & Engineering, Delhi) Dr. Vinod Prakash Sharma (Science & Engineering, Delhi) Dr. Radhakrishna Koppillil (Science & Engineering, Karnataka) Dr. Mrityunjay Athreya (Literature and Education, Delhi) Anita Desai (Literature and Education, Delhi) Dr. Dhirubhai Thaker (Literature and Education, Gujarat) BANK-PO/CLERK EXAM CA/Aug2013-Jan2014/Page-150

Vairamuthu Ramasamy Thevar (Literature and Education, Tamil Nadu) Ruskin Bond (Literature and Education, Uttarakhand) Pullela Gopichand (Sports-Badminton, Andhra Pradesh) Leander Paes (Sports-Tennis, Maharashtra) Vijayendra Nath Kaul (Civil Service, Delhi) Late Justice Jagdish Sharan Verma (Public Affairs, Uttar Pradesh) Late Dr. Anumolu Ramakrishna (Science and Engineering, Andhra Pradesh) Prof Anisuzzaman (Literature and Education, Bangladesh) Prof Lloyd I Rudolph (Literature and Education, USA) Prof Susanne H Rudolph (Literature and Education, USA) Dr. (Smt) Neelam Kler (Medicine-Neonatology, Delhi) ) Padma Shri: Sudarshan Patnaik (Sand artist) Paresh Rawal (Actor) Vidya Balan (Actress) Santosh Sivan (Filmmaker) Yuvraj Singh (Cricketer) Late NA Dabholkar (Anti-superstition Campaigner) Vishnunarayanan Namboothiri (Poet) Subhadra Nair (Gynecologist) Madhavan Chandradathan (Scientist) Kalamandalam Sathyabhama (Danseuse)

Eluvathingal Devassy Jemmis (Professor) Paulose Jacob (Doctor) Deepika Pallikal (Squash player) • Ela Gandhi, the granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi was honoured with Amadelkufa in South Africa on 26th January. She was honoured for her lifetime contribution to the freedom struggle of South Africa. • National Bravery Awards – The Prime Ministry Dr. Manmohan Singh on January 24th, 2014 conferred the National Bravery Awards 2013 to 25 children from across the country. Bharat Award – Mahika Gupta of Delhi Geetha Chopra Award – Malieka Singh Tak of Rajasthan Sanjay Chopra Award – Shubham Santosh Chaudhari of Maharashtra • Gallantry Awards Ashok Chakra – K. Prasad Babu, a Greyhounds Inspector who laid down his life combating Maoists in the Andhra Pradesh Chhattisgarh border region in April 2013 was awarded the highest peace time gallantry award, Ashok Chakra, on the occasion of Republic Day. Kirti Chakra à Naib Subedar Bhupal Singh Chhantel Magar, 5/5th Battalion The Gorkha Rifles (Frontier Force) à Wing Commander Darryl Castelino, Flying (Pilot) (Posthumous) à Shri Bhrigu Nandan Choudhary Constable, Cobra Batallion (Posthumous) Shaurya Chakra Lieutenant Colonel Bikram Jit Singh Major Mandeep Singh Ghumman Major Gaurav Thakur Gaptain Sandeep Bhartiya Captain Mahabir Singh Gunner Lallawmzuala, Rifleman Ran Bahadur Gurung Wing Commander Aditya Prakash Singh Wing Commander Nikhil Naidu Flight Lieutenant Krishnamoorthy Praveen • 56th Annual Grammy Awards for 2014 Announced – The Recording Academy announced the 56th Annual Grammy Awards at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California on 26 January. The winners are:

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Album of the year: “Random Access Memories” – Daft Punk Record of the year: “Get Lucky” – Daft Punk & Pharrell Williams Song of the year: “Royals” – Joel Little & Ella Yelich O’Connor, Songwriters (Lorde) • Obama Signs $1.1 trillion Government Spending Bill – US President Barack Obama has signed a $1.1 trillion spending that puts conditions on continuation of American aid to Pakistan. That is a big bill”, Obama said as he signed the bill on January 17th, 2014 that funds the federal government through the end of September. • Thailand Govt. Declares State of Emergency – The Thailand government on January 21st, 2014 declared a state of emergency in Bangkok and surrounding areas to cope with protests that have stirred up violent attacks. • Madhya Pradesh Gets ‘State of the Year’ Award – Madhya Pradesh has been honoured with the State of the year award for achieving the ‘fastest’ growth among all states of India. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan received the coveted honour which was instituted by CNBC 18, on January 13th, 2014 in Bhopal. On the award ceremony, Mr. Chouhan said that it was a big challenge to develop Madhya Pradesh as the most developed state in the country due to its earlier BIMARU states. • FIFA Awards 2013 – Ending Argentina’s great footballer Lionel Messi’s four year domination on Ballon d’Or award, Cristiano Ronaldo, the star forward for Portugal and his club Real Madrid claimed the prestigious FIFA Ballon d’Or award. After being voted the world’s best football player for 2013, Ronaldo received his second FIFA Ballon d’Or on January 13th, 2014 in Zurich. • 20th Annual Life OK Screen Awards – The Kamla Pasand 20th Annual Life OK Screen Awards were presented to various actors and film personalities in different categories on January 14th, 2014 at a glittering award ceremony at the MMRDA Grounds in Mumbai. ) The list of the major award winners of Life OK Screen awards Best film – Bhaag Milkha Bhaag Best Director – Shoojit Sircar (Madras Café) Best Actor (Male) – Farhan Akhtar (Bhaag Milkha Bhaag) Best Actor (Female) – Deepika Padukone (Goliyon ki Raasleela-Ram-Leela, Chennai Express) Ramnath Goenka Memorial Award – Madras Café Best Music – Pritam Chakraborty (Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani) Best Special Effects – Red Chillies (Krrish 3) Lifetime Achievement – Amitabh Bachchan Popular Choice (Male) – Shah Rukh Khan Popular Choice (Female) – Deepika Padukone • Mammen Mathew Honoured with Journalism Award – A prestigious journalism award, instituted by a trust founded by Lokamanya Tilak, was conferred on Mammen Mathew, Chief Editor and Managing Director of Malayala Manorama. • 71st Golden Globe Awards were distributed to several films and actors in different categories on January 12th, 2013 in Los Angeles (USA). Category Winner Best Drama Film 12 Years a Slave Best Actor (Drama Film) Mathhew McConaughey (Dallas Buyers Club) Best Actress (Drama Film) Cate Blanchett (Blue Jasmine) Best Actor (Comedy or Musical Film) Leonardo Di Caprio (The Worf of Wall Street)

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• BCCI Awards 2012-13: 7th annual awards were conferred on various Indian cricketers for their fabulous performance in cricket between 1st October, 2012 and September 30th, 2013 on January 11th, 2014 in Mumbai. The list of the BCCI award winners as follows— C.K. Nayudu Trophy for Lifetime Achievement – Kapil Dev Polly Umrigar Award for Best International Cricket 2012-13 – R. Ashwin Best Woman Cricketer – M.D. Thirushkamini Best India player in 2013-14 Test Series Vs. West Indies – Rohit Sharma • 59th Idea Filmfare Awards 2013 ceremony was organized at Yashraj Studio in Andheri, Mumbai on 24th January, 2014. Ranbir Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra were the host of the glittering award ceremony. Best Film Bhaag Milkha Bhaag Best Actor Farhan Akhtar Best Actress Deepika Padukone Best Director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra Lifetime Achievement Award Tanuja The RD Burman Award Sidharth Mahadevan • Miss South India 2014 – Abhishikta Shetty of Karnataka on 19th January, 2014 was crowned Miss South India 2014. • DSC prize for South Asian literature 2014 – Mumbai-based author-journalist Cyrus Mistry won the prestigious DSC prize for South Asian literature for 2014 on 18th January, 2014 for his book ‘Chronicle of a Corpse Bearer’. Mistry is the second Indian to win the award. The award was won last year by Jeet Thayil for his debut novel ‘Narcopolis’. • Thiruvalluvar Day Awards 2014 – Taiwanese poet Yu Si was on 15th January, 2014 presented the Thiruvalluvar award by the Tamil Nadu government on the occasion of ‘Thiruvalluvar Day’. Yu Si has translated Thirukural in Mandarin. • Athletes of the Year Award 2013 – Basketball star LeBron James and Tennis Champion Serena Williams was chosen the Associated Press’s 2013 male and female athletes of the year, on 26 and 25 December, 2013 respectively. It was the third time for Williams to win the award, following 2002 and 2009. • P.K. Goyal, Director of Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) was awarded the Best CFO Award on 12 January, 2014. • Cyrus Mistry won the DSC prize 2014 for South Asian literature for his book Chronicles of a Corpse Bearer on 18th January, 2014. • The Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Kumari Selja on 7th January, 2014 gave away the Dr. Ambedkar National Merit Awards to meritorious students belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. • Centre for Study of Society and Secularism (CSSS), Mumbai on 25th January, 2014 was selected for the National Communal Harmony Awards 2013 in the organisation category. • Anand Kumar, a mathematician and founder of Super 30 classes was conferred with the 2014 Ramanujan Mathematics Award in Rajkot on 27 January 2014. • Deepika Padukone and Farhan Akhtar won the Best Actress and Best Actor awards respectively on 15th January, 2014 at the 20th Screen Awards.

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SPORTS/ GAME August–2013 • TENNIS – Rogers Cup Tennis Tournament 2013 on 11 August, 2013 in Montreal, Canada. Men’s Singles - Rafael Nadal (Spain) defeated Milos Raonic (Canada). He was also won Rogers cup in 2005 and 2008. Women’s Singles - Serena Williams (US) defeated Sorana Cirstea (Roman) • BADMINTON – World Badminton Championships 2013 Women’s Singles - Ratchanok Intanon – Gold Medal – Thailand - Li Xuerui – Silver Medal – China - Bae Yeon Ju – Bronze Medal – Korea - Pusarla Venkata Sindhu (P.V. Sindhu) – Bronze Medal – India Women’s Doubles - Wang Xiaoli & Yu Yang – Gold Medal – China - Eom Hye Won & Jang Ye-Na-Silver Medal – Korea Men’s Singles - Lin Dan – Gold Medal – China - Lee Chong Wei – Silver Medal – Malaysia Men’s Doubles - Mohammad Ahsan & Hendra Setiawan – Gold Medal – Indonesia - Mathias Boe & Carsten Mogensen – Silver Medal – Denmark Mixed Doubles - Tontowi Ahmad & Liliyana Natsir – Gold Medal – Indonesia - Ma Jin & Xu Chen – Silver Medal – China ) Inaugural Indian Badminton League (IBL) started off – The first season of the Indian Badminton League (IBL) started on 14 August, 2013 at New Delhi. The IBL is the franchise league which is proposed by Badminton Association of India (BAI). The Schedule of the IBL is 14 August, 2013 to 31 August, 2013. Deepika Padukone and Amir Khan are the brand ambassadors of the IBL. The six teams at the inaugural IBL: 1. Krrish Delhi Smashers 4. Pune Pistons 2. Banga Beats (Bangalore) 5. Awadhe Warriors (Lucknow) 3. Hyderabad Hotshots 6. Mumbai Masters Six icon players from India include Jwala Gutta (Krrish Delhi Smashers), Ashwini Ponnappa (Pune Pistons), Lee Chong Wei (Mumbai Masters), P Kashyap (Banga Beats), Saina Nehwal (Hyderabad Hotshots), and PV Sindhu (Awadhe Warriors).  Hyderabad Hotshots led by Saina Nehwal emerged as the Champions of the inaugural Indian Badminton League when they thrashed Awadhe Warriors 3-1 in the final at the National Sports Club of India in Mumbai on August 31, 2013. • ATHLETICS – Para-athlete Devendra Jhajharia has created history by becoming the first differently-abled Indian to win a gold at the IPC Athletics World Championships as he bagged the yellow metal in javelin throw in the sixth edition of the event in Lyon, France. • HOCKEY – Junior Women Hockey World Cup 2013 – Indian Junior Women Hockey team won its first ever Bronze medal in ERGO Hockey Junior World Cup at Monchengladbac, Germany on 4 August, 2013. India beat England by 3-2 in a penalty shoot-out. The Netherlands won the final against Argentina 4-2 in the shoot-out and clinched the trophy for a record third time. • CHESS – Politiken Chess Cup 2013 – Grandmaster Parimarjan Negi, the chess player from India won the Denmark’s Politiken Cup on 5 July, 2013 at Copenhagen, Denmark. • GOLF – US PGA Golf Championship 2013 – American Jason Dufner won his first golf major, taking out the US PGA Championship on 11 August, 2013 by two shots, two years after being beaten for the title in a playoff. ) Tiger Woods clinched the WGC Bridestone Golf Title on August 4, 2013 in emphatic style by registering a seven short victory. BANK-PO/CLERK EXAM CA/Aug2013-Jan2014/Page-154

• ARCHERY – Paralympian swimmer Sharath Gayakwad has finished seventh in the 100m breaststroke finals at the IPC World Swimming Championships in Montreal, Canada. At the event, World Record holder Ukranian Andriy Kalyna won the gold medal, Austrian Andreas Onea won silver and Krzysztof Paterka from Poland settled for the bronze. • BASKETBALL – FIBA Asian Men’s Basketball Championship – Iran routed the Philippines 85-71 to bag gold at the 27th FIBA Asian men’s basketball championship on 11 August, 2013. • SQUASH – Teen sensation Kush Kumar has given India its first gold medal of the second Asian Youth Games in Nanjing, China. He bagged the coveted yellow metal in squash to cap off an impressive undefeated run in the quadrennial event. • WORLD GAMES 2013 took place in Cali, Colombia from 25 July, 2013 to 4 August, 2013. India’s Performance at the World Games 2013 – Aditya Mehta, the Professional Snooker Player of India won the maiden Gold Medal in 2013 World Games in Snooker discipline. India also won one silver medal in the invitational sports category. Invitational sports included Softball, Canoe marathon, Duathlon, Road speed skating and Wushu. Medal Table Rank Nation Gold Silver Bronze Total 1. Italy 18 13 18 49

2. Russia 17 23 13 53 3. France 16 11 13 40 4. Germany 15 7 8 30 5. China 14 6 2 22

• World Athletics Championships 2013 – The 14th World Championship in Athletics were held in Moscow, Russia from 10-18 August, 2013. Russia won the most gold medals to top the table for the first time since 2001. The United States won the most overall medals. Winners Event Men’s Women’s 100 metres - Usain Bolt, Jamaica Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Jamaica 200 metres - Usain Bolt, Jamaica Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Jamaica 400 metres - LaShawn Merritt, United States Christine Ohuruogu, Great Britain 800 metres - Mohammed Aman, Ethiopia Eunice Jepkoech Sum, Kenya 1500 metres - Asbel Kiprop, Kenya Abeba Aregawi, Sweden 5000 metres - Mo Farah, Great Britain Meseret Defar, Ethiopia 10,000 metres - Mo Farah, Great Britain Tirunesh Dibaba, Ethiopia Marathon - Stephen Kiprotich, Uganda Edna Kiplagat, Kenya 110 metres hurdles - David Oliver, United States Brianna Rollins, United States 400 metres hurdles - Jehue Gordon, Trinidad and Tobago Zuzana Hejnova, Czech Republic 3000 metres steeplechase - Ezekiel Kemboi, Kenya Milcah Chemos Cheywa, Kenya 20 kilometres walk - Aleksandr Ivanov, Russia Elena Lashmanova, Russia 50 kilometres walk - Robert Heffernan, Ireland 4 ×100 metres relay - Jamaica Jamaica 4 ×400 metres relay - United Sates Russia High jump - Bohdan Bondarenko, Ukraine Svetlana Shkolina, Russia BANK-PO/CLERK EXAM CA/Aug2013-Jan2014/Page-155

Pole vault - Raphael Holzdeppe, Germany Yelena Isinbayeva, Russia Long jump - Aleksandr Menkov, Russia Brittney Reese, United States Triple jump - Teddy Tamgho, France Caterine Ibarguen, Colombia Shot put - David Storl, Germany Valerie Adams, New Zealand Discus throw - Robert Harting, Germany Sandra Perkovic, Croatia Javelin throw - Vitezslav Vesely, Czech Republic Christina Obergfoll, Germany Hammer throw - Pawel Fajdek, Poland Tatyana Lysenko, Russia Decathlon - Ashton Eaton, United States Hanna Melnychenko, Ukraine • WRESTLING – World Junior Wrestling Championships – Satywart Kadian of India won a bronze medal in the 96-kg freestyle at the World Junior Wrestling Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria on 17 August, 2013. Satywart Kadian has also won a bronze medal at the 2010 Youth Olympic Games. • National Sports Awards – 2013 ) Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award – Trap shooter Ronjan Sodhi, the first Indian to win two back- to-back World Cup gold medals, has been named for the prestigious award. ) Arjuna Awardees: Virat Kohli - Cricket Chekrovolu Swuro - Archery Renjith Maheshwary - Athletics Abhijeet Gupta - Chess

Kavita Chahal - Boxing Rupesh Shah - Snooker Gaganjeet Bhullar - Golf Saba Anjum - Hockey Rajkumari Rathore - Shooting Joshna Chinappa - Squash Mouma Das - Table Tennis Neha Rathi - Wrestling Dharmendra Dalal - Wrestling Amit Kumar Saroha - Parasports P.V. Sindhu - Badminton (was not present at the ceremony to receive her Aurjuna Award. ) Dronacharya Award: Poornima Mahato - Archery; Anil Mann - Athletics (Life contribution in coaching) Mahavir Singh - Boxing; Raj Singh - Wrestling (Life contribution in coaching) Narinder Singh Saini - Hockey ; K.P. Thomas - Athletics ) Dhyan Chand Awards: Mary D’souza Sequeira - Athletics; Sayed Ali - Hockey Anil Mann - Wrestling; Girraj Singh - Para Sports (Athletics) • GRAND PRIX – Belgian Grand Prix – F1 world champion Sebastian Vettel stamped his authority on a processional Belgian Grand Prix on August 25 to chalk up his fifth win in 11 races of this season and stretch his overall lead to 46 points. September–2013 • CRICKET- India retained their top position in the ICC one day international team rankings list, while Virat Kohli remained the highest-ranked Indian batsman at the fourth spot in the latest list issued. ) Ashes 2013 Test Series – England cricket team won Ashes Test Series-2013 by 3-0 against Australia after the fifth Test ended in a draw on 25 August, 2013. ) The cricketing country which has announced to host India in 2014 for five Test Matches for the first time in 50 years - England ) The player who set a new world record for the highest individual T20 international score with a stunning 156 against England recently – Aaron Finch

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• Tokyo will host 2020 Summer Olympic Games – Tokyo on 7 September, 2013 won the right to host the 2020 Summer Olympic Games. Japan won the right to host Olympic Games for the second time. It had previously hosted the Games in 1964. • TENNIS ) US Open 2013 Men’s Singles winner - Rafael Nadal (Spanish) Women’s Singles winner - Serena Williams (US) Men’s Doubles winners - Leander Paes (India) and Radek Stepanek (Czech Republic) defeated Alexander Peya and Bruno Soares Women’s Doubles winners - Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka (Czech Republic) Mixed Doubles winners - Andrea Hlavackova and Max Mirnyi ) Korea Open 2013 Women’s Singles - Agnieska Radwanska (Poland) defeated A. pavlyuchenkova (Russia). Women’s Doubles - Chan Chin-wei (Taiwan)/ Xu Yifan (China) defeated R. Kops- Jones/A. Spears (USA). • HOCKEY – Asia Cup Hockey – 2013 – South Korea defeated India 4-3 in the final of the Asia Cup Hockey at Ipoh, Malaysia on 1 September, 2013. • CYCLING – Dutch cyclist breaks world record – A 23 year old Dutch cyclist, Sebastiaan Bowier, has pedaled his way to a world record, hitting a speed of more than 133.78 kmph in US. He is become the Planet’s fastest cyclist. • TABLE TENNIS – Chinese paddler Liu Shiwen on 23 September 2013 won women’s table tennis World Cup after defeating teammate Wu Yang in four sets. The tournament was held in Kobe, Japan. • FOOT BALL – Durand Cup Football 2013 – Kolkata’s Mohammedan Sporting club won the 126th Durand Foot ball tournament as it defeated ONGC 2-1 in the final at the Ambedkar Stadium in New Delhi on 19 September 2013. They have lifted the cup after 73 years having won it back in 1940. ) SAFF Football Championship 2013 – Afghanistan won the South Asian Football Federations (SAFF) Championship 2013 on 11 September, 2013, defeating India, the defending champions by 2-0. This is maiden international trophy lifted by Afghanistan in Football. ) The football team that has shelled out a whopping USD 132 mn, highest till date in football, to secure footballer Gareth Bale with it – Real Madrid ) In El Salvador, the Football Federation has imposed a lifetime ban on 14 members of the country’s national team for match fixing. Another 3 players were banned for six to 18 months. Only one of the 22 players involved was cleared. The players were accused of receiving bribes in matches against Mexico in 2011 and a 4-2 loss against Paraguay in February 2013. • The International Olympic Committee (IOC) on 8 September, 2013 announced that wrestling will be the part of Olympics in the 2020 and 2024 Games. It was dropped by the IOC executive board in February 2013. − Wrestling easily defeated bids from baseball/ softball and squash to regain its Olympic status. Wrestling got the majority of 49 votes in a secret ballot among 95 member of the International committee. − Rugby sevens (made up of seven players, instead of the usual 15) and golf will be added in 2016 Olympic Games (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil).

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• WRESTLING – World Wrestling Championship 2013 – Indian wrestler Bajrang Kumar has bagged a bronze medal in the 60 kilogram freestyle category at the World Wrestling Championships in Budapest, Hungary on 17 September, 2013. − Earlier, Amit Kumar had won a Silver medal in the 55 Kg freestyle category, after losing to Iranian Hassan Farman Rahimi. • ARCHERY – Deepika Kumari went down fighting to Korea’s Yun Ok Hee in the final of the Archery World Cup in Paris thereby settling for silver on September 22, 2013. The final leg was contested on August 19-25 in Wroclaw, Poland, and the finals in Paris on September 21-22, 2013. Indian women’s Recurve team defeated the South Korean team to win gold medal in the World Cup Archery Stage – 4, at Wroclaw, Poland on August 25, 2013. • CHESS – Barcelona Sants Open – Former world under – 16 champion B. Adhiban won the Barcelona Sants Open chess tournament after defeating Vladimir Burmakin, which concluded at Barcelona on September 2, 2013. • ATHLETICS – 53rd Open National Championships – Railways retained the overall championship at the conclusion of the 53rd Open National Athletics Championships at the Birsa Munda Stadium on September 10, 2013. ) Diamond League – Usain Bolt won the 100m race at the Diamond League in Brussels on September 6, 2013. • F1 RACE – Belgian Grand Prix – The race was won by Sebastian Vettel in a Red Bull-Renault extending his lead for 2013 to 46 points. Second was Fernando Alonso in a Ferrari, and third was Lewis Hamilton in a Mercedes. ) Singapore Grand Prix – held on September 22, 2013 at the Marina Bay Street Circuit in Marina Bay, Singapore. 1st - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull), 2nd – Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) and 3rd – Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus). ) Italian Grand Prix – Sebastian Vettel drove to a polished victory for Red Bull in Italian Grand Prix on September 8, 2013. • GOLF – Omega European Masters – Thomas Bjorn of Denmark emerged victorious defeating Craig Lee on September 8, 2013. ) Henrik Stenson shot a five-under-par final round to win the Deutsche Bank Championship in Boston in September 2013. • BOXING – The International Boxing Association (IBA) as set Dec 4 as the new deadline for the Indian Boxing Federation (IBF) to hold its elections. October–2013 • India Sports 2014 – Union Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) on Commerce and Industry (FICCI) on 23 October 2013 launched ‘India Sports 2014’ to promote sports among youth in the country. ‘India sports 2014’ was launched during the 5th Global Sports Summit at New Delhi on 23 October 2013. It would be organized at the National Stadium and Federation House, FICCI, New Delhi. • ARCHERY – India wins Gold in 18th Asian Archery Competition - India’s men’s compound Archery team on 31 October 2013 won a gold medal in the 18th Asian Archery competition held at Chinese Taipei. Abhishek Verma, Ratan Singh, Sandeep Kumar forming the compound team defeated the Korean trio of Lihong Min, Yong Hee Choi and Jongho Kim 233-231 to win the gold. • BILLIARDS – Ding Junhui wins Indian Open Snooker Title 2013 – Ding Junhui of China won the 2013 Indian Open Snooker title with a 5-0 victory over Aditya Mehta of India in New Delhi on 18 October 2013.

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− IBSF World 6-Red Snooker Championship – Indian women pair of Vidya Pillai and Arantxa Sanchis won the gold for team title in the 2013 IBSF World 6-red Snooker Championship after defeating Hong Kong in the final at Carlow, Ireland on 6 October 2013. • CRICKET – North and South Zone are Declared Joint Winners of Duleep Trophy – North Zone and South Zone were declared joint winners of the Duleep Trophy 2013- 14 after the fifth day’s play of the final match was called off due to bad weather in Kochi on 21 October 2013. − Mumbai Indians Clinch Champions League Twenty-20 – Mumbai Indians clinched the Champions League Twenty-20 title by defeating Rajasthan Royals by 33 runs in New Delhi on 6 October 2013. − Afghanistan Qualifies for World Cup 2015 – Afghanistan Cricket team on 4 October 2013 qualified for its maiden ICC World Cup after defeating Kenya by seven wickets at World Cricket League Championship in Sharjah. With this win Afghanistan also became the 20th team to gain entry into the tournament overall. • F1 - Indian Grand Prix 2013 – Sebastian Vettel, the Red Bull driver on 27 October 2013 won the Formula One Indian Grand Prix 2013 at Buddha International Circuit. This is the third continuous victory of Vettel in the Indian Grand Prix. This is the tenth victory of the season of Vettel and thirty sixth victory of his career. Consecutive Wins – Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull): 9 wins (2013) : Belgian, Italian, Singapore, Korean, Japanese, Indian, Abu Dabhi, United States, Brazil − Australian Grand Prix 2013 – Jorge Lorenzo won the Australian Grand Prix on 20 October 2013 at the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix in Phillip Island. − Arjun Maini became the youngest Indian to test Formula-3 cars, which reach speeds of up to 240 km/hr, in Italy with noted racing outfit Eurointernational recently. • HOCKEY – 48th Bombay Gold Cup – Indian Oil Corporation on 27 October 2013 defeated Air India 5-3 to win the 48th Bombay Gold Cup hockey tournament at the MHA stadium, Mumbai. • TABLE TENNIS – 2013 ITTF PTT Asian Table Tennis Championships – Indian Table tennis player Bhavina Hashmukhbhai Patel won silver medal at 2013 ITTF Para table tennis Asian regional championships in Beijing on 21 October 2013. With this victory Bhavina Hashmukhbhai Patel became the first Indian to win a silver medal at the ITTF Para table tennis Asian regional championships. • TENNIS - Shanghai Masters 2013 – Novak Djokovic on 15 October 2013 defeated Juan Del Potro. − WTA Championships – Serena Williams retained her WTA Championships title with a win over China’s Lina on October 27, 2013 in Istanbul. It was the world number one’s 78th win and 11th title of 2013. − Kremlin Tennis Cup – Simona Halep of Romania defeated Samantha Stosur of Australia 7-6 (1), 6-2 to win the Kremlin Cup on 20 October 2013 at Moscow, Russia. − Japan Open Tennis Championship 2013 – Top seeded Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentine defeated third seeded Milos Roanic of Canada in Tokyo on 6 October 2013. − China Open 2013 – Sania Mirza and Cara Black won the China Open tennis championship trophy on 5 October 2013. − Swiss Indoors – Argentinian Juan Del Potro defeated Roger Federer to win Swiss Open Indoor tennis tournament for the second time on October 27, 2013. − ITF Doubles Title 2013 – The Indian tennis pair Sanam Singh and Vijayant Malik on 12 October 2013 won the doubles title in the 15000 US dollars ITF Men’s Futures Tennis Tournament at the Jake Hess Tennis Stadium in Houston, USA.

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− Japan Open 2013 – India’s lawn tennis player Rohan Bopanna with French partner Edouard Roger – Vasselin won the Rakuten Japan Open tennis championship on 6 October 2013 in Tokyo. − National Tennis Championship – Mohit Mayur of Chennai outplayed Arjun Kadhe 6-3, 6-1 in the men’s final of the Fenesta National tennis championship at the DLTA Complex in New Delhi on October 19, 2013. − In the women’s final Prerna Bhambri successfully defended her title beating Shweta Rana 7-5, 6- 2. − Third-seeded Hardeep Singh Sandhu from Ludhiana clinched the junior boys’ title beating Tamil Nadu’s Mukund Sasikumar 7-6(3), 6-4. − In the junior Girls’ final, second-seeded Sai Samhitha failed to capitalize on a 5-4 lead in the first set, but played increasingly well to defeat top seed Simran Kaur Sethi 5-7, 6-3, 6-2, in a match that lasted two hours and 40 minutes. • CYCLING – Indian Cyclist Deborah on 7 October 2013 won a gold medal in the women’s junior individual sprint at Asian Cycling Confederation (ACC) Track Asia Cup in Thailand. • SHOOTING – Indian shooters bagged 37 medals at 6th Air Gun Shooting Championship which concluded in Tehran, Iran on 26 October 2013. This includes nine golds. They also won 12 silver and 16 bronze medals. ) 6th Air Gun Shooting Championship – Indian shooters pocketed 37 medals at 6th Air Gun Shooting Championship which concluded in Tehran, Iran on October 26, 2013. This includes nine golds. They also won 12 silver and 16 bronze medals. Eight of the gold medals were clinched in the junior and youth categories. Kapil Kumar (10m Air Pistol Jr. Men), Samarjit Singh (10 m Air Pistol Youth (Men), Malaika Goel (10M Air Pistol Youth Women) and Sanjee Rajput (50m Rifle Prone Men) won individual Gold Medals. ) World Cup Gold medalist Sanjeev Rajput wins the gold in men’s 50-metre free rifle prone event, as he beats Li Jiahong of China by 1.4 points in the Asian Air Gun shooting championship in Tehran, Iran. • RUGBY – Pakistan on 5th October 2013 defeated India in the final of Under-19 Asian Rugby Championship 2013 in Lahore. Pakistan won the final match with the margin of 13-11 points. • SQUASH – India’s ace Squash player Dipika Pallikal on 20 October 2013 won the Macau Open title at Macau, China. • WRESTLING – 9th Roustam E-International Indian Style wrestling title – Indian Wrestler Satyavrat on 12 October 2013 won the title at Vivekanand Sports Stadium, Katra after he defeated wrestler Mykhalio Datsemko of Ukrain in the final bout. • Stricter Punishments for Athletes – The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has approved stricter punishments for athletes found guilty of doping, doubling bans to four years on November 15, 2013. The new code, which comes into effect from January 1, 2015, means offenders will miss at least one Olympic Games. WADA also confirmed that Britian’s Sir Craig Reedie, will become its new President from January 1, 2014. The former chairman of the British Olympic Association will succeed John Fahey, who has been WADA President for the last six years. WADA New Code-Key Changes à Bans for drug cheats will go up from two to four years. à Introduces more flexibility in the punishment of athletes who are found to have mistakenly taken banned substances or who cooperate with doping investigations. à Stronger powers for anti-doping authorities to punish coaches and trainers who help athletes dope. à More emphasis on investigations away from drug tests to catch cheats. BANK-PO/CLERK EXAM CA/Aug2013-Jan2014/Page-160

à Allows WADA ability to tell sports for which illegal substances they should be testing. • JUDO – Kalpana Devi on 5 October 2013 won bronze medal at the Judo tournament in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. It was India’s first IJF Grand Prix medal. November–2013 • CRICKET – The seven match One Day International series between India and Australia was held in India from October 13 to November 2, 2013. India won the series 3-2. − India-West Indies ODI Series: India won the one day series against West Indies by 2-1 on November 27, 2013. This was the 6th ODI title win in a row for India after it defeated West Indies by 5 wickets in the third and final match of the series at Kanpur. After India lost a series in December 2012 against Pakistan, it had played six more series and had consecutively won all the series. − India – West Indies Test Series – India won the test series against West Indies by the margin of 2- 0 at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on November 16, 2013. The second and the last match of the series was the last and final international game of Sachin Tendulkar. − South Africa–Pakistan ODI Series – South Africa defeated Pakistan 4-1 in the One-Day International series in UAE on 11 November 2013. In the final match at Sharjah, the South Africa defeated Pakistan by 117 runs to win the series. − India moves to second position in ICC test ranking – In the latest ICC test ranking, India moved to the second position, following the 2-0 victory over West Indies on 16 November 2013. South Africa stood at the top position with 131 points, which is followed by India with 119 ratings point. • SWIMMING – The 67th National swimming championship was held in Thiruvananthapuram from November 20 to 24, 2013. Sajan Prakash of Railways broke Saurabh Sangvekar’s old mark in the men’s 400m freestyle event. • CHESS – World Championship – The Norwegian prodigy Magnus Carlsen dethroned defending champion Viswanathan Anand 6.5-3.5 to win their best of 12 world chess title clash on November 22, 2013 in Chennai. − Mary Ann Gomes wins the International Woman Grandmaster Open Chess tournament in Chennai. • FIDE World Chess Championship – Magnus Carlsen from Norway defeated Viswananthan Anand to became the new world chess champion on November 22, 2013. − The world champion-ship is a 12-game tournament held over 20 days, and the first player to reach 6.5 points wins the series. For Anand, this was the first time he had failed to win a single game in a world championship since 2007. − This year’s championship was held in Chennai, India and began on November 9, 2013. The victory was worth 8.4 crore Rupees for Magnus Carlsen. − Anand settled for 5.6 crore Rupees. The match was sponsored by the Tamil Nadu state and organized by FIDE and AICF. − The Magnus Carlsen’s victory was also the end of Anand’s six-year reign as the World Champion. Magnus Carlsen, who became the youngest world No.1 at 19, also holds the record of being the strongest rated player in chess history with a published rating of 2872, on 1 February 2013. ) 14 years old V.R. Arvind Chidambaram won Chennai Grandmaster International Open Chess Tournament. He has already won Under-14 World Youth Chess Championship.

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• GOLF – Indian Open Golf Tournament: Mohammad Siddikur of Bangladesh carded a three-over 75, yet man aged a total of 274 to pip Anirban Lahiri and SSP Chowraisa of India, by one stroke to win the Hero Indian Open golf tournament on November 10, 2013 at the Delhi Golf Club, New Delhi. − Indian Open Golf: Thidapa Suwannapura shot a four-under 68 in the final round on November 30, 2013 to win the seventh Women’s Indian Open in style at the Delhi Golf Club, her tally of eight-under 208 seeing her beat Frenchwoman Valentine Derrey by three shots. − WGC-HSBC Championship – Dustin Johnson won the HSBC Champions tournament in Shanghai on November 3, 2013 claiming the biggest win of his career. − DP World Tour – Henrik Stenson won the $8 million season-ending championship, thus becoming the first player to win both the FedEx Cup and the Tour Championship on the PGA Tour, and the Race to Dubai and the DP World Tour Championship on the European Tour on November 17, 2013. − PGA Championships – Adam Scott, the Masters champion and world number 2, secured his first Australian PGA Championships on November 10, 2013. − 2013 Golf World Cup – Jason Day, Australian Golfer won the Golf world cup at The Royal Melbourne Golf Club in Melbourne on 24 November 2013. • HOCKEY – 3rd women’s Asian Champions Trophy 2013: The Indian women’s hockey team had to be content with a silver medal in the third Asian Champions Trophy after losing to host Japan by a solitary goal in the summit clash at Kakamigahara, Japan on November 9, 2013. − 3rd Men’s Asian Champions Trophy 2013 – Indian men’s hockey team finished fifth at the 3rd Asian Champions Trophy at Kakamigahara, Japan on 10 November 2013. − India to Host Men’s Hockey World Cup in 2018: India was selected by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) on 7 November 2013 to host the Men’s World Cup of Hockey in 2018. The finals will be played from 1 to 16 December 2018. Also, England will host the Women’s World Cup of hockey from 7-21 July, 2018. India hosted the world cup in 2010 at New Delhi. The 2014 edition of Hockey World Cup would be played in The Hague, Netherlands. • F1 – MOTOR RACING ) Brazilian Grand Prix – Red Bull’s quadruple world champion Sebastian Vettel won the season- ending Brazilian Grand Prix on November 24, 2013 to chalk up a record ninth victory in a row and 13th of the year. ) Abu Dhabi formula one Grand Prix 2013 – Formula 1 racing driver, Sebastian Vettel on 3 November 2013 won the Abu Dhabi Formula 1 Grand Prix at the Yas Marina circuit, Abu Dhabi. ) US Grand Prix – Red Bull’s quadruple World Champion Sebastian Vettel wins the US Grand Prix in Austin to become the first Formula One driver to take eight consecutive victories in a single season. ) Mark Webber – Australian Mark Webber of team Red Bull has retired from Formula One after producing a fine display during Brazilian Grand Prix to finish in second place and set the fastest lap of the race on November 24, 2013. Webber was also a long-term director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, the Formula One drivers’ union. • RALLY – Team MRF’s Gaurav Gill creates history by becoming the first Indian to win the FIA Asia- Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) title on day one of the Rally of China. • TENNIS – The Czech Republic retained the Davis Cup tennis title after Radek Stepanek beat Serbian youngster Dusan Lajovic in the decisive fifth rubber to seal a 3-2 final victory on November 17, 2013 in Belgrade. − FED Cup: Sara Errani romped to a 6-1, 6-1 win over Alisa Kleybanova to spur host Italy to its third Fed Cup title in five years with a 4-0 win over Russia on November 3, 2013 in Cagliari.

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− BNP Paribas Masters tennis tournament 2013: Novak Kjokovic of Serbia on 3 November 2013 won the BNP Paribas Masters Tennis tournament at Paris, France. − Davis Cup: The Czech Republic on 17 November 2013 defended the Davis Cup title 2013 after Redek Stepanek defeated the Serbian Dusan Lajovic 6-3, 6-1, 6-1 in the fifth rubber of the final by BNP Paribas Final in Belgrade. − Barclays ATP World Tour Title: Novak Djokovic on 11 November 2013 retained the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals title after defeating the number one, Rafael Nadal. • SHOOTING – Heena Sidhu – Heena Sidhu became a part of the history by becoming the third Indian pistol shooter to win Gold at the ISSF World Cup Final in the Women’s 10-m Air Pistol event on November 10, 2013 in Munich. She defeated World Champion Zorana Arunovic of Serbia. ) All India G.V. Mavalankar Shooting Championship – Host West Bengal topped the medals tally of the 23rd All India G.V. Mavalankar Shooting Championship which concluded at the Chandmari Range on November 16, 2013. It is for the first time that Bengal has topped the medal table of national level shooting championship. ) 6th Air Gun Shooting Championship – Indian shooters pocketed 37 medals at 6th Air Gun Shooting Championship which concluded in Tehran, Iran on October 26, 2013. This includes nine golds. They also won 12 silver and 16 bronze medals. Eight of the gold medals were clinched in the junior and youth categories. Kapil Kumar (10m Air Pistol Jr. Men), Samarjit Singh (10m Air Pistol Youth Men), Malaika Goel (10m Air Pistol Youth Women) and Sanjeev-Rajput (50m Rifle Prone Men) won individual Gold Medals. • ATHLETICS - SAFF Junior Athletics Championship – India emerged as overall champion in 2nd SAFF Junior Athletics Championships on November 12, 2013. Indians won 52 medals including 20 golds. Second position was grabbed by Sri Lanka winning 34 medals. Third and Fourth position was secured by Bangladesh and Pakistan respectively. • WEIGHT LIFTING – Deepak Lathore- Indian weightlifter, Deepak Lathore won Gold and two Silver medals in the Boys’ 50 Kg category of the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships on November 25, 2013 at Penang, Malaysia. Lathore took the Gold in Snatch with a lift of 83 kg. In Clean and Jerk, he lifted 102 kg to claim the Silver. With a total lift of 185 kg, he won another Silver in the event. ) Ali Jawad wins gold at the Asian Open Champion Ships: British Paralympic power lifter Ali Jawad on 5 November 2013 won gold at the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Asian Open Championships with a world-record lift. − Power lifting is open to all athletes with a physical disability and is classified by weight alone. Powerlifters competing at the Paralympics have disabilities including paralysis, cerebral palsy and lower limb amputation. Both male and female competitors take part in 10 weight classes. • BASKET BALL – The Indian women’s team finishes fifth in Level I, its best performance in history, as it defeats Malaysia 74-59 in the relegation play-off match in the 25th FIBA Asia women’s basketball championship in Bangkok. December–2013 • MARATHAN – Delhi Half Marathan: Atsedu Tsegay of Ethiopia conquered a competitive men’s elite athlete field and also set a new course record to win the Airtel Delhi half marathon on December 15, 2013. The Results: Men Women 1. Atsedu Tsegay of Ethiopia 1. Florence Kiplagat of Kenya 2. Geoffrey Kipsand of Kenya 2. Gladys Cherono of Kenya 3. Wilson Kiprop of Kenya 3. Lucky Kabuu of Kenya 15. G. Lakshmanan of India 15. Preeja Sreedharan of India

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) Uganda’s Ismail Ssenyange wins his second full marathon in as many years by clocking a time of two hours 32 minutes and 21 seconds at the Wipro Chennai Marathon. ) Cochin Half Marathon: Bernard Kipyego of Kenya grabbed the men’s gold in the first Muthoot Finance Cochin International Half Marathon at the Maharaja’s Stadium in Kochi on December 29, 2013.

• BADMINTON – MACAU OPEN GRAND PRIX: P.V. Sindhu continued to take giant strides towards asserting herself as a rising star in Indian badminton by lifting the Macau Open Grand Prix Gold title with a thumping win over Canada’s Michelle Li in the summit clash in Macau on December 1, 2013. ) BWF World Superseries Badminton Tournament Winners – 2013 Men’s Singles: Malaysia’s Lee Chong Wei won the Badminton World Federation (BWF) World Superseries Men’s Singles title after defeated Indonesia’s Tommy Sugiarto in the final at Kuala Lumpur Malaysia on 15 December. Women’s Singles: Li Xuerui of China won the title. She Defeated Chinese Taipei’s Tai Tzu Ying. ) National Badminton Championship: Petroleum completed the routine of extending its lease on the National team badminton titles, for the 15th year in succession, after dismissing Air India in just over two hours in the ATS 69th National team badminton championship in New Delhi on December 19, 2013. Men’s Doubles: Pranav Chopra and Akshay Dewalkar beat Manu Attri and Sumeeth Reddy. Women’s Doubles: Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa beat Pradnya Gadre and N Sikki Reddy. Mixed Doubles: Arun Vishnu and Aparna Balan beat K Tarun and Ashwini Ponnappa. • HOCKEY – Junior Men World Cup: Propelled by Niklas Wellen’s hat-trick, the five time champion Germany asserted its class and decimated an unheralded France 5-2 in the summit clash in the junior hockey World Cup at the National Stadium in New Delhi on December 15, 2013. Final Standing: 1. Germany, 2. France, 3. The Netherlands, 4. Malaysia, 5. Australia, 6. Belgium, 7. New Zealand, 8. Korea, 9. Pakistan, 10. India, 11. Argentina, 12. South Africa, 13. Spain, 14. England, 15. Egypt, 16. Canada. Player of the final: Kiklas Wellen (Germany) Player of the tournament: Christopher Rhur (Germany) Top scorer: Christopher Rhur Best goalkeeper: Edgar Raynaud (France) • KABADDI – World Cup Kabaddi (Men’s): India beat Pakistan 48-39 to emerge champion in the fourth World Cup Kabaddi in Ludhiana on December 14, 2013. Defending champion India retained the title for the fourth consecutives term defeating Pakistan by a margin of nine points. − World Cup Kabaddi (Women’s): India on 12 December won the women’s Kabaddi World Cup championship for the third time in a row, defeating New Zealand. • GOLF – Ganganjeet Bhullar of India bags his fifth career title on the Asian Tour as he completes a start-to-finish win at the Indonesia Open golf in Jakarta. It is his first title of 2013 and the second in Indonesia. • ATHLETIC – Gayathri Sivakumar, the 12-year old from Kochi, soars to a new meet record in the girls’ under-14 high jump event at the 29th junior National athletics championship in Bangalore. PU Chitra, another Kerala athlete, rewrites the meet record in the girls’ under-20 1500-metre event. − The 17-year old West Bengal girl Swapna Barman sails over the bar at 1.71 metres to better Kavya Muthanna’s eight year old National mark of 1.70 metres at the 29th junior National athletics championship in Bangalore.

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− Four National records and four meet records are established at the 29th junior national athletics championships in Bangalore. Mahashri Baloda of Delhi sets new National mark in the girls’ under-14 shot put event. − The 17-year old Athira Surendran of Kerala annexes the girls’ U-18 triple jump gold with a National record in the 29th junior National athletics championship in Bangalore. • SHOOTING – 57th National Shooting Championship: Olympic silver medalist Vijay Kumar defends the 25-metre rapid fire pistol title in the 57th National shooting championship at the Dr. Karni Singh Range, Tughlakabad. Best Shooters: Men: Vijay Kumar Women: Raj Chaudhary Men: Women: 50m free pistol: Prakash Nanjappa 10m air pistol: Malaika Goel 25m rapid fire pistol: Vijay Kumar Skeet: Rashmee Rathore Skeet: Man Singh 50m rifle prone: Raj Chaudhary Air Pistol: Dharmendra Singh 25m sports pistol: Anita Devi Free rifle prone: Rakesh Manpat Rifle 3-position: Elizabeth Susan Kosy Trap: Anirudh Singh Trap: Shagun Chowdhary Standard pistol: Samaresh Jung Air rifle: Mampi Das Free rifle 3-position: Sanjeev Rajput Double trap: Shreysi Singh Double trap: Ronjan Sodhi Air rifle: Abhinav Bindra Centre fire pistol: Pemba Tamang − In the Junior Trap shooting, Olympic Silver-medalist Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore’s teenaged son Manavaditya clinched double golds. − Ishan Goel of Uttar Pradesh won Gold in 50m Rifle Prone Junior event with 614.8 score, Navdeep Singh Rathore (614.1) of Madhya Pradesh clinched Silver and UP Shooter Daniyal Raza Zaidi (611.7) claimed Bronze. • CHESS – GM Samvel Ter Sahakyan of Armenia wins the SERI International Grandmasters chess championship in Kolkata. • TENNIS – Andy Murray, the first British tennis Player to win the Wimbledon in 77 years, is crowned BBC Sports Personality of the Year, due to his landmark victory against Novak Djokovic in July 2013. The surprise runner-up was Wales and Lions rugby star Leigh Halfpenny. ) The International Tennis Federation (ITF) announced on 18 December that Serena Williams and Novak Djokovic have been named the 2013 ITF World Champions. ) World No. 1 Serena Williams of the USA wins the season-opening WTA Brisbane International tennis tournament beating Victoria Azarenka. ) World No. 1 Rafael Nadal of Spain defeats Gael Monfils of France to win the Qatar Open tennis title. It is Nadal’s 61st career title. • ARCHERY – Deepika Kumari of Jharkhand wins two gold medals in the woman’s recurve 70 metre and 60 metre with new National records on the opening day of the 34th senior National archery championship in Jamshedpur. • TABLE TENNIS - ONGC defeats Oil India 3-a to win the women’s team title in the all-India public sector table tennis tournament in Thiruvananthapuram. • WEIGHT LIFTING – Junior National Weightlifting Championships – The 50th men’s and 26th women’s Junior National Weightlifting Championships were organised from December 26 to 29, 2013 in Guwahati. Two national records were set on December 26, 2013.

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− S. Mirabai Chanu of Manipur set a record in women’s 48 kg class snatch clearing 75 kg, which bettered her own record of 74 kg. − The second record fell to Punjab’s Harshdeep Kaur in 53 kg snatch. She lifted 79 kg, one kg better than M. Santoshi of Andhra Pradesh’s record. January–2014 • CRICKET - India Won under-19 Asia Cup Title by defeating Pakistan by 40 runs in a high-scoring final at Sharjah cricket Stadium in Abu Dabi on 4th January. ) Corey Anderson Hits the Fastest ODI Century – New Zealand’s all-rounder Corey Anderson scripted history by cracking the fastest century in One Day International Cricket on January 1st, 2014 against West Indies in Queenstown. • TENNIS ) Qatar ExxonMobil Open - Rafael Nadal of Spain won the Qatar ExxonMobil Open title on 4 January. He defeated France’s Gael Monfils in the Men’s Singles final at Doha. It was his 61st ATP title. ) Australian Open Tennis Tournament Winners – 2014 Women’s Singles: Li Na of China defeated Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia Men’s Singles: Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland defeated Rafael Nadal of Spain Women’s doubles: Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci Men’s doubles: Lukasz Kudot (Poland) and Robert lindstedt (Sweden) Mixed doubles: Daniel Nestor (Canada) and Kristina Mladenovic (France) ) Brisbane International Tennis Tournament Winners – 2014 Women’s Singles: Serena Williams of US defeated Victoria Azarenka of Belarus Men’s Singles: Lleyton Hewitt of Australia defeated Roger Federer of Switzerland ) Hopman Cup – The Results (Final) France bt Poland (2-1) Men’s Singles: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (France) bt Grzegorz Panfil (Poland) Women’s Singles: Agnieszka Radwanska (Poland) bt Alize Cornet (France) Mixed Doubles: Cornet and Tsonga bt Radwanska and Panfil ) Chennai Open 2014 Top seed Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland clinched the men’s singles title of Chennai Open by sailing past France’s Edouard Roger-Vasselin. It is the fifth ATP world tour title of Wawrinka. • TABLE TENNIS – 75th Senior National Table Tennis Championship – Sanil Shetty and Ankita Das won their maiden men’s and women’s singles championship at the 75th Senior National Table Tennis Championships held on 12th January, 2014. • ATHLETICS - Anju Bobby George Declared World Athletics Gold Medalist For 2005 – Indian Long jumper Anju Bobby George on 13 January 2014 became the first Indian track and field athlete to win a gold medal in a major world event after international governing body International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) upgraded her second place finish at the 2005 Monaco World Athletics Championships final to the top spot. • HOCKEY - Netherlands Won Hockey World League 2014 – The Netherlands on 18 January won the first ever Hockey World League final after defeating New Zealand by 7-2 in New Delhi. Belgium retained his fifth place, while India secured sixth place. • BADMINTON – Saina Nehwal won the Syed Modi International India Grand Prix Badminton title 2014 on 26 January. She defeated PV Sindhu in the women’s singles final at Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh.

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• FOOTBALL – Churchill Brothers Wins Federation Cup Football Title as it thrashed the higher- ranked sporting club de Goa in the summit clash to lift the coveted football title at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi on January 25th, 2014. • CHESS – Parsvnath International Chess Tournament 2014 – Grandmaster and Commonwealth champion Abhijeet Gupta on 16th January, 2014 won the 12th Parsvnath Delhi International Grandmasters Chess Tournament. • GOLF – Sony Open Golf Tournament 2014 – US player Jimmy Walker won the Sony Open Golf Tournament held in Hawaii on 12th January, 2014.

REPORT August–2013 • Forbes list of highest-paid athletes – The captain of the Indian Cricket Team, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, 31, was ranked at the 16th position in the recent Forbes list of highest-paid athletes. At the first position was golfer Tiger Woods. He was followed by the tennis player Roger Federer. In the list of highest-paid female athletes, Russian tennis player Maria Sharapova topped the list. − Forbes magazine released its list of top earning celebrities on August 27. Pop star Madonna topped Forbes’ highest earning celebrities list for the year 2013 as her MDNA tour boosted her estimated earning to $125 million between June 2012 and June 2013. September–2013 • According to Foreign Policy magazine’s report, Karachi is the most dangerous megacity in the world, regarding to maximum cases of murders in the city. • The country that ranked on top in the second World Happiness Report published by the UN General Assembly recently – Denmark • Significant progress in bringing down under-5 Mortality – India has made a steady progress in reducing the mortality rate of children below 5 years. It declined from 2.5 million in 2001 to 1.5 million in 2012 – a fall of 3.7 per cent annually – but female child mortality continued to exceed male mortality. • India Rural Development Report 2012-13 released by Jairam Ramesh on September 26, 2013 also shows that while rural poverty has reduced significantly from over 40% to just 26%, there is large variation in poverty reduction between regions, districts and social classes with persistent pockets of deprivation. • Raghuram Panel’s recommendations – A panel headed by Raghuram Rajan has recommended a new index of backwardness to determine which States need special assistance. Least and most developed States according to the Raghuram Rajan Panel Least developed Most developed (In Ascending Order) 1. Odisha (most backward) 6. Arunachal Pradesh 1. Haryana 2. Bihar 7. Assam 2. Uttarakhand 3. Madhya Pradesh 8. Meghalaya 3. Maharashtra 4. Chhattisgarh 9. Uttar Pradesh 4. Punjab 5. Jharkhand 10. Rajasthan 5. Tamil Nadu 6. Kerala 7. Goa (most developed) • Savings by Indian households – According to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data, released in September 2013, the gross financial saving of India household rose 15 per cent to Rs.11 lakh crore in 2012-13 from Rs.9.6 lakh crore in the previous financial year.

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October–2013 • Four Indians listed in fortune top 50 women business leaders – 2013: ICICI Bank CEO Chanda Kochhar has been ranked 4th, followed by National Stock Exchange chief Chitra Ramkrishna at 17th, Axis Bank’s Shikha Sharma at 32nd and HSBC’s Naina Lal Kidwai at 42nd place among the Indians on the international list of most powerful women in business. • Global Gender Gap Report 2013 – In the Global Gender Gap Report 2013, which was published on 25 October 2013 by World Economic Forum- India, was ranked 101 out of 136 countries on Gender Gap Index. The Global Gender Gap Report 2013 revealed that world’s gender gaps narrowed slightly in 2013 on the back of “definite if not universal improvements” in economic equality and political participation between the sexes. The worst performing countries are Yemen (136), Pakistan (135) and Chad (134). • Global Slavery Index 2013 – The inaugural Global Slavery Index published on 17 October 2013 revealed that around 30 million people across the world were living in the modern-day slavery. • Global Tuberculosis Report 2013 released by World Health Organization reveled that, Tuberculosis (TB) disease killed 1.3 million people worldwide in 2012, while India alone accounted for 26 percent of total TB cases globally. The Global Tuberculosis Report 2013 released on 23 October 2013 at London. • List of Best Business Destinations in India – Bangalore topped the list of best business destinations in India as per the study done by Global Initiative for Restructuring Environment and Management on 21 October 2013. It was ranked on the basis of socio-economic and infrastructure factors. Chennai is at the second position, followed by Mumbai and Pune. • 15.7 million undernourished in developed countries – About 842 million people, or roughly one in eight, suffered from chronic hunger in 2011-13, down from 868 million people reported for the 2010- 12 period, according to the new State of Food Insecurity in the World, 2013, report released on October 1, 2013 by United Nations food agencies. − Interestingly, the agencies observed that while a vast majority of hungry people lived in developing regions, 15.7 million lived in developed countries. − The report, published every year by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the International Fund for Agriculture Development and the World Food Programme, defined chronic hunger as “not getting enough food to lead active and healthy life.” • Global Growth Forecast by IMF – The International Monetary Fund, on October 8, 2013 cut its global economic growth forecasts, and warned that the United States would harm the world economy if it failed to raise its borrowing limit. − The international lending agency in its World Economic Outlook said the global economy would grow 2.9 per cent this year and 3.6 per cent in 2014. Both are 0.2 percentage point lower than the group’s July 2013 forecasts. The main reason for the down-grade was slower growth in China, India, Brazil and other developing countries. − But the IMF also lowered its outlook for U.S. economic growth this year to 1.6 per cent and next year to 2.6 per cent. Those are 0.1 percentage point and 0.2 percentage point lower than in July, respectively. • Indian slips in ’Ease of Doing Business’ list: world Bank: India has slipped three positions to 134th spot in the latest ‘ease of doing business’ list, which is topped by Singapore, according to the World Bank report released on October 29, 2013. − India has been ranked lower at 179 in terms of ease of starting a business in the 2014 list at a time when its government is making efforts to improve the country’s business climate. Last year, based on this criteria India was placed at 177th spot. − In India it takes 12 procedures, 26 days and costs 43.3%.

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• Global Hunger Index Report – Global Hunger Index (GHI) report released on October 14, 2013, the number of hungry people in the world was estimated at 842 million 2011-13 even as world cereal production was estimated at a near record level of 2489 million metric tonnes a few days ago. About a quarter from 65 to 63 in the Global Hunger Index, making a marginal improvement since 2012. November–2013 • OECD projects modest GDP growth for India – Indian economy is expected to improve marginally in the current financial year with its GDP at market price projected to expand by 3.4 per cent from 3.3 per cent in the previous fiscal, think tank Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) said on November 19, 2013. − The country’s economic activity is expected to recover gradually as “rupee depreciation supports exports, infrastructure projects cleared by the Cabinet Committee on Investment come on stream and political uncertainty declines after the general election due in the spring 2014”. − The OECD, a grouping of mostly developed nations, has pegged India’s GDP growth at market price to be 5.1 per cent in 2014-15 and further rise to 5.7 per cent in 2015-16. • According to official data released in New Delhi, the rate of growth of wholesale food inflation was 18.19 per cent in October. • According to official data released in New Delhi, India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew at the rate of 4.8 per cent during July-September 2013. December–2013 • India Ranked 94th On ‘Global Corruption Perception Index 2013’ – India was ranked 94th among 177 nations in the ‘Global Corruption Perception Index 2013’ released by the Transparency International on 3 December. India ranks among the highly corrupt nations and its rank remains unchanged as compared to 2012. • UNICEF’s New Birth Registration Report – The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) released on 11 December new birth registration report on its own 67th birthday underscoring the importance of counting every child. The new report titled ‘Every Child’s Birth Right: Inequities and Trends in Birth Registration’, collects statistical analysis spanning 161 countries and presents the latest available country data and estimates on birth registration. Highlights of the Report:- ∗ A UNICEF report finds globally the births of nearly 230 million children under five have never been recorded, with Asia being the home to more than half of these children (59%). Another 37% live in sub-Saharan Africa and the remaining 4% are from other regions. ∗ In 2012 alone, 57 million infants, four out of every ten babies delivered worldwide that year, were not registered with civil authorities. ∗ Among the 10 countries with the largest numbers of unregistered children, India has 71 million, the most, followed by Nigeria at 17 million. Nearly one in three unregistered children live in India. • Indian Oil Corporation Tops Fortune India 50 List – The business magazine Fortune’s Indian edition released its annual list of Fortune 500 Indian companies for 2013, on 10 December. According to the list, State-run Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) has emerged as the country’s biggest company in terms of annual revenue of Rs.4,75,867 crore, followed by Mukesh Ambani-led private sector giant Reliance Industries (annual revenue of Rs.4,09,883 crore) at the second place. Both IOC and RIL have retained their top-two ranks from the previous (2012) year. • India 5th Largest Exporter Of Black Money – The Global Financial Integrity (GFI), a Washington- based research and advocacy organisation released on 11 December a new survey report titled ‘ Illicit Financial Flows from Developing Countries: 2002-2011’. According to the report, India was

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ranked fifth largest exporter of illicit money between 2002-2011, with a total of USD 343.04 billion sent abroad, and in 2011 itself the country was placed third when USD 84.93 billion was exported. • 7 lakh Indians Died of Cancer Every Year – According to the latest World Cancer Report from the World Health Organisation (WHO) released on 14 December, nearly seven lakh Indians die of cancer every year, while over 10 lakh are newly diagnosed with some form of the disease. • Educational Development Index 2012-13 – Three Union Territories and three Northeastern states are in the top 10 of the All-India Educational Development Index 2012-13 released on December 5, 2013 by the Human Resource Development Ministry and the National University of Educational Planning & Administration (NUEPA), led by Lakshadweep for a second year in a row, the EDI ranking shows Puducherry on the second spot and Tamil Nadu at third. Sikkim, Manipur and Mizoram, the three Northeastern states, clinched 4th, 9th and 10th place respectively. Bihar, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Goa, and Assam continue to slide down and are at the bottom with Jharkhand hitting the lowest spot at 35. • The India Labour and Employment Report 2014 – Over half of India’s working population in 2011- 12 was under the $ 2-per-day poverty line, new research has found, raising serious questions over the quality of work most Indians find. In fact, the incidence of poverty is higher among the employed than the unemployed. − Researched and prepared by the Delhi-based Institute for Human Development (IHD), the India Labour and Employment Report 2014 was released by the Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh on December 15, 2013. The report analyses decades, of data up to the 2011-12 round of the National Sample Survey and presents original research. − A quarter of the workforce is under the official Tendulkar poverty line of Rs.27.20 a day in rural areas and Rs.33.33 a day in urban areas, according to the IHD report. If a slightly more generous poverty line of $ 2 per day (at Purchasing Power Parity) is used, the proportion jumps to 58.5 per cent. While the incidence of poverty is declining among both the unemployed and the employed, the numbers show that “low earning from employment, rather than unemployment, is the main source of poverty,” the report says. Among workers, the incidence of poverty is the highest among casual workers. • Slum Households in Urban Areas Decreasing – The latest National Sample Survey Organization (NSSO) report shows that the number of slum households in urban areas is coming down. The survey, conducted between July and December 2012, projected total slum dwellings at 88 lakh, compared to 1.3 crore households in 2011. − The survey findings showed that across the country, 70.8% of households cited better accommodation as the main reason for which they moved out of slum/squatter settlement whereas 11.7% identified proximity to the place of work as the main reason. The report says that 93.5% of slums have power supply and 71% have access to drinking water. Similarly there has been improvement in drainage, sewerage, garbage disposal, primary education and medical facilities ranging between 15% and 45%, compared to what the situation was like five years ago. • Maternal Mortality Ratio comes Down – With the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) – number of women who die of pregnancy-related causes per 1,00,000 live births – coming down to 178, India is inching forward to meet its global commitment to reduce the ratio to 109 by year 2015. The latest MMR figures for 2010-2012, released by the Registrar-General of India suggest that the MMR had come down to 178 from 212, an annual decline of 5.7 per cent. • India to Be Third Largest Economy by 2028 – India’s GDP will overtake that of Japan in 2028 and become the world’s third largest economy, according an end-of-the-year report on GDP in the 30 largest economies in the world by the economic consultancy Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR).

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• Times’ Most Admired Persons – Microsoft founder Bill Gates has been named as the most admired person on the planet with cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar fifth on a list of 30 people compiled after a poll in 13 countries, including India in January 2014. January–2014 • India Ranked 23rd In Nuclear Materials Security Index – 2014 – According to the U.S. based think- tank Nuclear Treat Initiative’s “Nuclear Materials Security Index – 2014” released on 8th January, India has been ranked 23rd out of 25 countries with weapons-usable nuclear Materials. • India Ranked 155th In Environmental Performance Index 2014 – India has been ranked 155th in the Environmental Performance Index (EPI) 2014, which was released on 25 January. The 2014 Environmental Performance Index (EPI) has ranked a total of 178 countries. • Pakistan and India Ranked 97th In Global Food Index 2014 – According to the ‘Global Food Index 2014’ released on 17 January, Pakistan ranked 97th in a list of 125 countries with regard to availability, quality and affordability of food and dietary health. • India has the largest illiterate population of 28.7 crore – UNESCO released its annual education report on 29th January. The study, named “Education for All Global Monitoring Report 2013-14, looked at the state of learning among the youth – children between the ages of 15 and 24 – in some 37 countries. According to the report, India has by far the largest population of illiterate adults at 287 million (28.7 crore), amounting to 37 per cent of the global total. • Sachin 5th Most Admired Person In The World – Microsoft founder Bill Gates has been named as the most admired person on the planet with cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar fifth on a list of 30 people compiled after a poll in 13 countries, including India. The World’s most admired people poll’ was conducted by YouGov for The Times by surveying almost 14,000 people. • India’s illiterate population largest in the world – The latest Education For All Global Monitoring Report (GMR) – released worldwide by the UNESCO on January 28th, 2014 – acknowledges the headway made by India in improving access to education but the country’s population of illiterate adults has been identified as the drag factor. − India currently has the largest population of illiterate adults in the world with 287 million. This is 37 percent of the global total. While India’s literacy rate rose from 48 per cent in 1991 to 63 per cent in 2006, “population growth cancelled the gains so there was no change in the number of illiterate adults,” the report stated.

GENERAL – NATIONAL August–2013 • 1 to 7 August – World Breastfeeding Week (WBW). • GI tag for Nagpur Orange, Dharmavaram Saris – The juicy Nagpur orange, the famous tribal Warli atrt, Dharmavaram saris and Kerala’s Kaipad rice have been cleared for inclusion in Geographical Indications (GI) registry in the country. These products were approved at a consultative expert meeting organised by Controller General of Patents at Hyderabad. • PM Dr. Manmohan Singh addressed to the nation on 67th Independence Day on August 15. In his speech Dr. Singh expressed government’s sorrow and grief for Uttarakhand tragedy and loss of INS Sindhurakshak submarine. On the other hand, he mentioned achievements of his UPA government. He did mention about UPA’s ambitious programme, food security bill, which has been recently passed by Lok Sabha. • The Union government on August 19 decided to include Hysterectomies as a new component in the fourth round of the National Family Health Survey beginning in January, 2014.

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September–2013 • India Granted ‘Authorising Nation’ Status Under CCRA – India has been recognised as ‘Authorising Nation’ under the international Common Criteria Recognition Arrangement (CCRA) to test and certify electronics and IT products with respect to cyber security on September 19, 2013. − Thus, India has become the 17th nation to earn such recognition. This international arrangement has 26 member countries: USA, UK, Germany, South Korea, France, Japan, Canada, Australia, Turkey, Malaysia etc. ) Meaning of the Status for India – So far India was having the status of ‘Consuming Nation’ with respect to certification of electronics and IT products. The status of ‘Authorising Nation’ will enable India to test IT and electronics products and issue certificates which will be acceptable internationally. − The recognition would also enable investment in setting up infrastructure and labs in public and private sectors in India for testing electronics and IT products. − Standardisation Testing and Quality Certification (STQC) Directorate of the Department of Electronics and Information Technology has been operating Common Criteria (CC) certification scheme in India for the last five to six years. Under it, STQC undertakes certification of electronics and IT products after evaluation of the products at its lab in Kolkata. • Safe Harbour Rules Introduced – The government introduced new tax rules on September 18, 2013 aimed at reducing litigation with multinational firms over cross-border transactions the government considers tax avoidance schemes. The new ‘safe harbour’ rules aim to clarify transfer pricing, over which disputes have surged under a government drive for revenue to narrow a yawning fiscal deficit and stave off a threatened ratings downgrade. Rules prescribed are as follows à Rules will be applicable for 5 years provides comfort that continuity will be maintained. à Well defined timelines for tax department to provide further cushion. à Special dispensation for knowledge process outsourcing seen as another positive. For KPOs, the safe harbour operating margin has been cut from 30% to 25%. à Distinction between IT, ITES seen as a dampener as it leaves scope for disputes. Only IT and ITeS companies with transaction size of up to Rs.100 crore would be covered by the rules. • Finance Ministry to Oversee Forward Markets Commission – The commodity forward trading regulator Forward Markets Commission (FMC) will now be under the administrative control of the Finance Ministry. With this, all financial sector regulators (SEBI, Reserve Bank of India, Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) and Pension Fund Regulatory Development Authority besides FMC have been brought under one umbrella. • The contribution of India in the proposed $ 100-bn foreign currency reserve pool by the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) nations - $ 18 bn • Militant Attack in Jammu Kills 12 – Twelve persons, including a Lieutenant Colonel, died in two militant attacks on police and Army formations in Kathua and Samba districts of Jammu and Kashmir on September 26, 2013. • Return of the YOGINI – The Union Minister for Culture, Chandresh Kumari Katoch and the Minister of External Affairs, Salman Khurshid inaugurated the exhibition Return of the Yogini in New Delhi on 19 September 2013. − Yogini Virshanana sculpture was taken to France illegally and acquired by the late art collector, Robert Schrimpf. Thereafter, Martine Schrimpf, informed the Embassy of India in Paris of her desire to donate the object. Chandresh Kumari Katoch directed the National Museum, New Delhi to bring back the sculpture. Thereafter, the Yogini returned safely to India in the month of August, 2013.

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October–2013 • From Organic Forms to light Art: Selection from the Contemporary Hungarian Art: The Secretary, Union Ministry of Culture Ravindra Singh and Minister of Human Resources, Government of Hungary Zoltan Balog on 17 October 2013 inaugurated an exhibition entitled From Organic Forms to Light Art: Selection from the Contemporary Hungarian Art at National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), New Delhi. − The exhibition consisted of several sections, but there are two main parts of it: one is the organic art and the other is light art, based on the connection between science, techniques and art. • 64th Raising Anniversary of Territorial Army Celebrated in New Delhi – Prime Minister’s Territorial Army Day Parade was organised to commemorate the 64th raising anniversary of Territorial Army at the Army Parade Ground at New Delhi on 9 October 2013. Minister of State for Defence Jitendra Singh was the chief guest. • India Post Releases Postage Stamp on the Golden Jubilee of Bhakra Dam – India Post on 22 October 2013 released a commemorative postage stamp on the Golden Jubilee of Bhakra Dam. A two-inch stamp marking the 50th anniversary of Bhakra Dam was released in Nangal by Union Minister of water resources Harish Rawat. • The Vice President of India Mr. Hamid Ansari, releases a commemorative postage stamp in the memory of Baba Jumdev at a function in Gondia, Maharashtra on 30 September 2013. Baba Jumdev was a prominent spiritual leader and revered social activist. • RV Samudra Ratnakar is Dedicated to the Nation – Union Minister for Mines Dinsha J. Patel dedicated state of art Geo-scientific research vessel RV Samudra Ratnakar to the nation at Kandla Port of Gujarat on 12 October 2013. RV Samudra Ratnakar is specially designed to carry out sea bed- mapping, mineral exploration in the deep waters along with geo-scientific oceanographic researches. • Sanskrit in Official Use – In the Republic of India, Sanskrit is included in the 14 original languages of the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution. The State of Uttarakhand in India has ruled Sanskrit as its second official language. November–2013 • First Dual Cab Diesel Electric Freight Locomotive Flagged-off – The Minister of Railways Mallikarjun Kharge flagged off the first ever Dual Cab 4500 HP Freight Diesel locomotive, ‘Vijay’ from Diesel Locomotive Works (DLW), Varanasi, a production unit of Indian Railways, on November 6, 2013. ‘Vijay’ the dual cab freight WDG4D is a trailblazer. It is the first dual cab diesel electric freight locomotive to be built by Indian Railways. − The locomotive has been designed on a 21.7 m platform to accommodate two cabs and this is about 2 m longer than the single cab version. Vijay has been provided with air conditioned cabs. The loco also has TFT screen based integrated driver display. • Jitin Prasada, the Union Minister of State for Human Resources Development released a music album to commemorate 150th birth celebrations of Swami Vivekananda. The released album contains original poem of Swami Vivekananda among others. • The Vice-President of India, M. Haamid Ansari released a book entitled Momentous Times on the 175 years of the Times of India. • The Minister of Railways Mallikarjun Kharge released a Ruby Jubilee-40th Year Edition of the book titled Indian Railway Track-Design, Construction and Maintenance. The book is authored by a renowned Civil Engineer MM Agarwal. • India’s Second Integrated Check Post Inaugurated – India’s second international-standard multi- purpose Integrated Check Post (ICP) and the first along the Bangladesh border opened on

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November 17, 2013 to people at Akhaura, near Agartala. It was built at a cost of Rs.74 crore. The first international standard ICP was inaugurated in Attari in Punjab along the Pakistan border by then Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram (now Union Finance Minister) in April, 2012. • Mahatma Gandhi’s Charkha is sold for £110000 at UK auction - Charkha of Mahatma Gandhi that he used in the Yerwada Jail during the Quit India Movement, is sold at an auctioned in the U.K. on 5 November 2013. The charkha of Mahatma Gandhi is about eight decades old. • Sikh human rights groups launch a global signature campaign on the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, in support of the “1984 Genocide” petition pending before the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). • India rejects the Peace Clause for agriculture subsidies that the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Director-General Roberto Azevedo has proposed for Bali. • Oxford Dictionaries announce “Selfie” to be the 2013 word of the year. • Commemorative Coins on Birth Anniversary of Abul Kalam Azad – Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram released a Commemorative Coin of 20 Rupees a circulation coin of 5 Rupees to mark the culmination of the 125th Birth Anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad at New Delhi on 11 November 2013. December–2013 • The Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications & IT, on 2 December launched an Express Parcel service and Business Parcel Services for speedy delivery of parcels across the country. • President Pranab Mukherjee on 4 December released a postal stamp and First Day cover on INS Vikramaditya, the second aircraft carrier that was commissioned in the Navy on 16 November 2013. • The BJP organized runs Race for Unity in Kolkata, Patna, Delhi, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Jammu and Jharkhand as part of its nationwide programme to drum up support for Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi’s Statue of Unity project on the 63rd death anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. • India was chosen as the host country for ‘Under -17 FIFA World Cup in 2017’ by the FIFA executive committee in its meeting at Salvador de Bahia in Brazil. • India terminates the Rs. 3,726crore, scam ridden VVIP chopper deal with Agusta Westland International Limited (AWIL) on the grounds of breach of pre-contract integrity pact (PCIP). • Approval To Sell Boeing Aircraft To Etihad - The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), on December 26, 2013 approved the proposal by the Civil Aviation Ministry to allow Air India (AI) to go ahead with the sale of its five long haul Boeing 777 aircraft to Etihad Airways. • US Returns Stolen Indian Idols – The United States handover to India of idols worth more than $ 1.5 million stolen from temples in Rajasthan and Bihar. January–2014 • India and Pakistan Exchanged Nuclear Facilities List – India and Pakistan on 1 January exchanged the list of their nuclear installations under a bilateral agreement that bars them from attacking each other’s atomic facilities. The exchange, occurring in New Delhi and Islamabad, has been held on every New Year’s Day since 1992. This is the 23rd consecutive exchange of such lists between the two countries. • India Cancelled Rs.3,600 crore Chopper Deal with Agusta Westland – India on 1 January cancelled its Rs.3,600 crore VVIP helicopter deal with Anglo Italian firm Agusta Westland for supply of 12 VVIP choppers to the Air Force in view of charges that kickbacks to the tune of Rs.360 crore were paid in it. The decision to scrap the 2010 deal was taken nearly a year after reports surfaced that two top officials of the company had allegedly paid bribes to bag the contract. Former IAF chief S.P.

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Tyagi is one of the accused in the case, which is being probed by CBI. The deal was for supply of 12 helicopters for VVIPs and out of these Agusta Westland has already delivered three. • Government Grants CBI greater Financial Autonomy – The Central Government on 14th January relaxed its control over the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and granted the CBI director a rank equal to a Secretary. • Government Granted Minority Status To Jain Community – The Jain Community was on 20th January granted minority status by the central government which will enable them to avail benefits in government schemes and programmes. The Jains became the sixth community to have minority status after Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists and Parsis. The community already has minority status in states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan but the new decision extends this across the country. • New Land Policy Guidelines for Ports – The Central Government, on January 16th, 2014 unveiled new policy guidelines for 12 major ports, a move that would allow the ports to leverage their land resources for commercial benefit. − The new guidelines will provide the necessary regulatory framework for land allotment by major ports across India. These guidelines had been drawn to help ports carry out leasing and licensing of port land in a transparent manner. − Discretionary powers have been reduced and tender-cum-auction had been prescribed as the most preferred method of allotment. − The guidelines are expected to give a fillip to major ports and help them attract more business and make optimum use of their land resources. − The 12 major ports in India – Kandla, Mumbai, JNPT, Marmugao, New Managlore, Cochin, Chennai, Ennore, V O Chidambarnar, Visakhapatnam, Paradip and Kolkata (including Haldia) – handle about 61 per cent of cargo traffic. • Relics Found at Chandrawati Bear Testimony to a Prosperous City – Archaeologists and researchers have unearthed antique sculptures dating back to the tenth century including few idols of Gods and Goddesses, red warepots, brick tiles etc. at the digging site at Chandrawati village near Abu Road in Sirohi. − A standing idol of Lord Brahma, Chamunda Mata and Bhairav Dev have been unearthed which reaffirms the belief that lost city had a cluster of 999 temples in it. − The debris of the ancient city is believed to be spread in a circumference of about 32 kilometers including the areas of Amirgarh, Maval, Siyava, Santpur, Moongthala and Paldi. This is the first excavation after 20 years by the State Government. − The excavation is done by the Archaeological Department of Rajasthan Vidyapeeth University in association with State Department of Archaeology, Jaipur. • Parmar Dynasty’s 1000-year-old Ruins Discovered in Udaipur (Rajasthan) – Ruins of ancient fort estimated to have been built more than 1000 years ago has been discovered at Chandravati near Abu Road. The historically significant remnants were discovered on Monday during a session of excavation was being conducted jointly by the State Department of Archaeology and Museums and the JRN Vidyapeeth University. • India gets a national grid – India on 31st December, 2013 finally connected the southern region with rest of the country for unhindered electricity flow, achieving the goal of ‘One Nation – One Grid – One Frequency’ after a long wait. The southern grid connectivity was achieved through commissioning of Raichur-Solapur 765kV single circuit transmission line by Power Grid Corporation of India Limited.

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• India Post to install 3000 ATMs, 1.35 lakh micro-ATMs – India Post has drawn a massive plan to install as many as 3,000 ATMs and 1.35 lakh micro-ATMs at the ubiquitous post offices across the country for savings account holders by September 2015. • The 151st birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda was celebrated on 12th January, 2014. Birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda is now celebrated as National Youth Day every year. • 65th Republic Day – India celebrated the 65th Republic Day with gaiety. The 65th Republic Day parade at Rajpath New Delhi on January 26, 2014 put the pride of India’s military on display, with defence and paramilitary forces personnel marching along with their best machines cheered on by an exuberant audience. − Ahead of the parade, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Defence Minister A.K. Antony and the chiefs of the Army, the Navy and the Air Force laid wreaths at Amar Jawan Jyoti, paying respect to the brave-hearts who laid down their lives for the nation. − This year’s chief guest, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. − A highlight of this year’s parade was the display of India’s first indigenously-developed Light Combat Aircraft, Tejas. It is a fourth generation, supersonic, multirole combat aircraft designed and developed by the Defence Research Development Organisation. − Main battle tank Arjun MK-II, the first indigenously designed and developed tank, also referred to as ‘Desert Ferrari’ for its excellent mobility, was also on display.

INTERNATIONAL August–2013 • Yemen introduces its new weekend – In line with the rest of the world, Yemen on 15 August, 2013 changed its weekend to Friday-Saturday, thus joining last the long list of Middle Eastern countries which decided to adapt their working week to their foreign partners. Saturday and Sunday were workdays in Yemen, whereas Thursday and Friday were weekend days while these were workdays for most other countries. • Emergency declared in Egypt – Egypt on 14 August, 2013 declared a state of emergency after many people were killed in a bloodbath when security forces, stormed two camps occupied by supporters of ousted President Mohammed Morsi in Cairo. The protesters were camping outside the eastern Rabaa al-Adawiya mosque and at Nahda Square. The emergency will be in place for one month. The state of emergency enables the army to take all necessary measures to impose and retrieve security. • Czech cabinet loses confidence vote – The Czech cabinet, led by Prime Minsiter Jiri Rusnok, failed to win a vote of confidence in parliament on 7 August, 2013. Rusnok resigned after two days. There were 93 votes in favour of and 100 votes against the new cabinet appointed by President Milos Zeman in July 2013. • Japan unveiled its biggest warship – Japan on 6 August, 2013 unveiled its biggest warship ‘Izumo’ since World War II. Izomo is a flat top destroyer and it bears a strong resemblance to a conventional aircraft carrier. The ship has a flight deck that is nearly 250 metres (820 feet) long, is designed to carry up to 14 helicopters. • Amazon founder bought the Washington Post – Jeffrey P Bezos, the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Amazon, agreed to buy the newspaper assets of the Washington Post Company for 250 million US dollar on 5 August, 2013. • Benin President dismisses entire government – Benin President Boni Yayi sacked his entire government on 9 August, 2013. The cabinet had been in place since Yayi was re-elected for a second five-year term as president in 2011. It was not clear when the new government will be named.

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) Benin, a West African cotton producer situated to the west of Nigeria, has enjoyed two decades of political stability since multi-party democracy was restored. Yayi won the last election with an outright majority in the first round. Yayi has said he wants to amend parts of the constitution to introduce bodies like an independent election commission and a court to oversee state audits. But he has pledged not to make any amendment that allows him to stand for a third term. Critics suspect his camp has not ruled out this idea. • Tunisia constituent assembly suspended – Tunisia’s constituent assembly on 6 August, 2013 was suspended until the Islamist-led government and secular opposition begin talks to resolve a political crisis. There have been daily protests calling for the body to be dissolved since one of its members was assassinated. Mohamed Brahmi was shot on 25 July, almost six months after fellow leftist politician Chokri Belaid was killed. − More than 70 members of the National Constituent Assembly (ANC) withdrew their protest at the killings and organised a sit-in outside its headquarters in the capital, Tunis. The political unrest is the worst seen in Tunisia since President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali was overthrown by a popular uprising in January 2011. • Philippines, Vietnam agree to co-operate on maritime dispute with China – Foreign ministers from the Philippines and Vietnam on 1 August, 2013 agreed to work together on a framework for resolving maritime territorial disputes in the South China Sea. Both countries have clashed with China over competing territorial claims. • US Government sued Bank of America – The US Government on 7 August, 2013 sued the Bank of America for the alleged fraud during the time of financial crisis. The Bank of America has been alleged for the investor fraud over the sale of 850 million US dollar worth of residential mortage- backed securities. • Turkey completed trail run of world’s deepest rail tunnel - Turkey on 6 August, 2013 successfully completed a trail run of a rail tunnel under the Bosphorus Striat connecting Istanbul’s European and Asian sides. • Robert Mugabe’s party won Zimbabwe Presidential Election – Zimbabwe Electoral Commission on 3 August, 2013 declared Zanu-PF party has won the Presidential Election. Robert Mugabe has been re-elected as Zimbabwe’s President for the straight eighth term. • The New York Times Company announced that it has agreed to sell The Boston Globe newspaper for USD 70 mn cash to the principal owner of the Boston Red Sox baseball team. • Gibraltar row between UK and Spain – The UK government said on 12 August, 2013 that it was considering legal action against Spain over the imposition of additional border checks in Gibraltar. − Gibraltar, less than six square kilometers (2.2 sq miles), is a limestone outcrop at the mouth of the Mediterranean. Standing nearly 430m (1,400 ft) high at its peak, it is a British Overseas Territory, through Spain, which it borders, also claims sovereignty. The people who live there are British citizens but they run their own affairs under a chief minister. Although Gibraltar is small, it is strategically important, standing at the month of the Mediterranean only 20 km (12 miles) from the north coast of Africa. It has a UK military base, including a port and airstrip. • UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon on August 22 called for a through and prompt investigation into the allegations of the chemical weapons use in Syria. • The Vedda community of Sri Lanka was felicitated by its President Mahinda Rajapaksa on the occasion of the World Indigenous Peoples Day. • Neanderthal Bone Tools Similar to Modern Instruments – Archaeologists have unearthed the oldest specialised bone tools ever found in Europe, at sites where Neanderthals lived 40,000 years ago.

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September–2013 • India registered a strong protest with Iran for having detained an Indian ship (M.T. Desh Shanti) on August 13 in international waters and forcibly took it to Bandar Abbas port. • Egypt formed panel to amend the constitution – Egyptian President Adly Mansour on 1 September, 2013 approved a 50 member panel to amend the suspended 2012 Constitution. à Soldiers will no longer Swear Loyalty to President – Interim Egyptian President, Adly Mansour, appointed by the military coup, issued a presidential decree to amend the army officers’ oath of allegiance. Presidential decree number 562 removed the phrase in which army officers pledge loyalty to the President in the oath. • US-Russia Reached an Agreement on Syria Weapons – Russia and the United States, in their third day of talks in Switzerland have reached a groundbreaking deal on a framework to eliminate Syria’s chemical weapons on September 14, 2013. ) Key features of the Deal à Syria must submit a comprehensive list of its chemical weapons stockpile within one week. à International inspectors must be on the ground no later then November. à All production and mixing and filling equipment must be destroyed by November; and all chemical weapons material must be eliminated by mid-2014. • Norwegian Elections – Norwegian centre-right leader Erna Solberg is set to form a new government after Labour Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg admitted election defeat on September 10, 2013. Solberg will become Norway’s 2nd female Prime Minister. She is nicknamed ‘Iron Erna’. • Sri Lanka – TNA emerged Victorious in Northern Province – The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) swept to victory in the historic Northern Provincial Council elections in Sri Lanka securing a two- third majority on September 22, 2013. − President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s ruling United People’s Freedom Alliance, however, put up a face saving performance in the Tamil dominated province winning 36 seats in the 58-member Central Province and 34 seats in the 52-member North Western Province. − Interestingly, two Sinhalese and three Muslims have been elected for the Northern Council in this election. Election Commission declared that 68% of the 7 lakh strong electorate in the Northern Province had turned out to vote. • The Arabian country that recently adopted a law criminalising domestic violence targeting women, children and domestic workers – Saudi Arabia

• Militant attack in Nairobi – In an attack seemingly patterned on the 26/11 attack in Mumbai, terrorists threw grenades and opened fire from AK-47s at an upscale mall in Kenya’s capital on September 21, 2013 taking hostages and killing at least 61 in a strike targeting non-muslims.

• Peshawar Church Blasts Kill 78 – Tragedy struck the All Saints Church in Kohati Gate, Peshawar on September 22, 2013 when two suicide bombers dressed in police uniforms blew themselves up while people were coming out after the Sunday Mass, killing 78 – 34 of them women – and injuring over 100.

• Quake Kills Hundreds in Pakistan – More than 350 people were killed and about 80 injured when a 7.7 magnitude earthquake hit South-Western Pakistan on September 24, 2013.

• Internet restrictions in Vietnam – A controversial law banning Vietnamese citizens, who are online users, from discussing current affairs has come into effect. The decree, known as Decree 72, says blogs and social websites should not be sued to share news articles, but only personal information.

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October–2013 • The World’s first Bitcoin ATM machine which can exchange digital currency – Bitcoins – for any official currency has launched in Vancouver, Canada on 29 October 2013. The ATM machine, named Robocoin, installed at Waves Coffee Shop at Howe and Smithe, allows users to buy or sell the digital currency known as bitcoins. • Syria Disarmament Plan Approved – The UN Security Council formally approved a first joint mission with the Nobel Peace Prize winning global chemical arms watchdog to destroy Syria’s weapons on October 12, 2013. − The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and the UN have a team of 60 experts and support staff in Syria destroying Syria’s production facilities while the country’s civil war rages on. The 15-member Security Council sent a letter to Ban Ki-moon backing his plan to fully eradication of Syria’s banned chemical arms. − The mission will have bases in Damascus and Cyprus, where most inspectors will stay unless they are no site visits. A chemical weapons attack in Damascus on August 21, 2013, which left hundred dead triggered an international crisis that led to threats of a US military strike against Syrian government targets. • Decades-old Ban on Islamic Head Scarf Lifted – Turkey lifted a ban on women wearing the Islamic head scarf in state institutions on October 8, 2013, ending a decades-old restriction as part of a package of reforms meant to bolster democracy. − However, the ban remains in place for judges, prosecutors, police and military personnel. The ban, whose roots date back almost 90 years to the early days of the Turkish Republic, has kept many women from joining the public work force, but secularists see its abolition evidence of file government pushing an Islamic agenda. • President Barack Obama, on October 17, 2013, signed a Bill that ends the 16-day partial government shutdown and raises the Debt Ceiling. Congress passed the Bill that would prevent the country from crashing into the debt ceiling. Following this, federal workers returned to their work. The debt cushion now extends through February 7, with current spending levels being authorized through January 15. • Georgia – Presidential Elections 2013 – Presidential elections were held in Georgia on October 27, 2013, the sixth presidential elections since the country’s restoration of independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. The last elections in January, 2008 resulted in the re-election of Mikheil Saakashvili for his second and final presidential term. • Ethiopia – The Ethiopian government has temporarily banned its citizens from traveling abroad for employment on October 24, 2013. The government has suspended the licenses of foreign employment agencies as part of the new restrictions. Reasons ƒ Tens of thousands of Ethiopians travel overseas each year in search of work. ƒ Rights groups say a majority who leave the country are females seeking domestic work in the Middle East. ƒ Some end up being subjected to emotional and physical abuse as well as poor working conditions. ƒ Other Ethiopian migrants have died at sea, traveling on unsafe smuggling boats destined for Yemen or Italy. ) Ethiopia is a country located in the Horn of Africa. Ethiopia is the most populous landlocked country in the world and the second-most populated nation on the African continent. Ethiopia is one of the founding member of the UN, the Non-Aligned Movement, G-77 and the Organisation of African Unity, with Addis Ababa serving as the headquarters of the African Union, the Pan African Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the UNECA, the African Standby Force. BANK-PO/CLERK EXAM CA/Aug2013-Jan2014/Page-179

• Saudi Arabia rejects Security Council seat – Saudi Arabia has rejected a rotating seat at the Security Council, as a mark of protest against the perceived inaction by the world body against Syria. − On October 17, 2013 the kingdom had for the first time been elected by the General Assembly to become a non-permanent member. • Israel allows Indian jews to immigrate – The state is set for 899 Indian Jews from Manipur and Mizoram, all members of the “lost” Bnei Menashe tribe, to immigrate to Israel, with Tel Aviv giving the nod for their migration. − The Cabinet decided to allow the immigration of the community in multiple groups with the first batch expected by the end of the year. November–2013 • World’s Most Expensive Book: The first book printed in what is today the United States sold for $14 million at auction in New York on November 26, 2013 becoming the world’s most expensive printed book. The translation of Biblical psalms “The Bay Psalm Book” was printed by Puritan settlers in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1640 and sold in just minutes. • A Bangladeshi court sentenced to death 152 soldiers in one of the world’s biggest ever mass criminal trials for their role in a 2009 mutiny and massacre of 74 people, including top army officers. • US & Israel Lost UNESCO Voting Rights – The United States and Israel last their UNESCO voting rights today after suspending funding to the organisation for its recognition of Palestine on November 8, 2013. Both countries stopped paying their contributions to the global cultural agency after Palestine was made a UNESCO member in 2011, provoking a major financial crisis at the agency and putting hundreds of jobs in jeopardy. UNESCO Rules Under UNESCO rules, the US and Israel had to pay their dues or automatically lose voting rights, US contributions represented 22% of the agency’s overall budget. With the US and Israel withdrawing their contributions UNESCO’s budget fell from USD 653 million to USD 507 million. The reduced budget means some 300 people at UNESCO are in danger of losing their jobs. In 2012, the UN agency employed 1200 people at its headquarters in Paris and 900 around the world. UNESCO’s Director-General Irina Bokova, who was re-elected in October, raised USD 75 million in a bid to deal with the agency’s financial crisis. − Paris-based UNESCO is charged with designating World Heritage sites, promoting education and supporting press freedom, as well as countering extremism. • Special Powers to President – Venezuela’s National Assembly has given final approval to special powers for President Nicolas Maduro on November 19, 2013. Under the measures, Maduro will be able to govern without consulting Congress for 12 months. • Iran Unveiled New ‘Biggest’ Drone – Iran unveiled a new aircraft stating that it is the biggest drone yet to be developed in the Islamic Republic, capable of staying aloft for up to 30 hours on November 18, 2013. Reconnaissance and combat drone Fotros has a range of 2000 (1250 miles). That would cover much of the Middle East including Israel. Earlier Shahed-129 (Witness-129) drone is reported to have a similar range, but can only stay aloft 24 hours. • UK Scraped Visa Bond Scheme – In a major relief from travelers from Asia and Africa, the UK has scrapped its controversial 3000-pound “security bond” for some “high-risk” foreign visitors, including those from India on November 4, 2013. The move came ahead of Prime Minister David Cameron’s 14. Cameron’s visit before heading to Sri Lanka to attend Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) on November 15-16, held talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on key bilateral and regional issues. India, which was one of the countries targeted with the bond, had expressed its concern to the UK government both at the ministerial and official levels.

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• The first book written In What is Today the United States of America fetched $14.2 million in New York, becoming the world’s most expensive printed book sold at auction. • An enormous diamond known as “The Pink Star” is sold for $83.425 million at an auction in Geneva. • Agatha Christi’s ‘The Murder of Roger Ackroyd’ is best crime novel – Agatha Christi’s 1926 novel ‘The Murder of Roger Ackroyd’ has been named as the best crime novel ever written, by a poll held to mark the 60th anniversary of the Crime Writers’ Association (CWA). • Egypt – Egypt President’s Nod for Protests Law – Egypt’s interim President Adly Mansour approved a controversial law on November 24, 2013 regulating demonstrations, which rights groups have slammed as “repressive”. The President enacted the law on the regulation of the right to hold public meetings, processions and peaceful demonstrations in public places. − Changes had been made to an earlier draft bill that was strongly criticized by rights groups. It allows [protest] organizers to inform the authorities three days before the event, rather than the earlier seven days. • China – Air Defence Zone Over Disputed East China Sea – China stated that it had set-up air defence zone covering the international airspace over parts of the disputed East China Sea on November 23, 2013 requiring all non-commercial aircraft to notify its authorities of their flight plans to avoid triggering a response from air defence forces. Japan lodged “a serious protest” in response to the move, describing it as “an extremely dangerous” step that could result in “unpredictable events”. • Bulgaria – Students Protest in Sofia (Capital) – Bulgarian students have called for the resignation of the government and an end to political corruption. Dozens of students under the same ‘Early Rising Student’ blocked all the entrances to the main building of St. Kliment Ohridski University on October 27, 2013 in the capital, Sofia. The students issued a declaration, in which they demanded that Prime Minister Plamen Oresharski resign, new elections be held. The demonstrators also urged an end to what they say is impunity for top official and “intolerance on the part of the body politic towards the widespread criminal lawlessness at the highest levels of state government.” − However, he urged the protesters to unblock the entrances to allow the 14000 students to attend classes. The portesters began occupying parts of the university on October 23, when students interrupted a lecture of Dimitar Tokushev, chair of Bulgaria’s Constitutional Court and professor at the university. • Afghan- US Bilateral Security Agreement – The Loya Jirga, Afghanistan’s Grand Assembly of tribal elders and elite persons on November 24, 2013 gave its consent on the issue of signing the Afghan-US Bilateral Security Agreement that would pave the way for the continuation of some US troops in the country after 2014. • One of the most unpopular immigration proposals of the British Government, which envisaged subjecting visitors from six “high-risk” Commonwealth countries to pay a surety of £3000 for a visa to the U.K., is withdrawn. December–2013 • Prince Harry becomes the first British royal to reach the South Pole after a three-week charity trek with insured military veterans from Britain, the United States, Canada and Australia. • Angela Merkel is sworn in as the Chancellor of Germany for a third term at the helm of Europe’s top economy, ending nearly three months of post-election limbo while she bartered with rivals to forge a grand coalition. • The International Monetary Fund approves the 12th and last review of Ireland’s progress under its three year rescue program, allowing a final $890 million in support of its financial rebuilding.

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• Jordan Elected To UN Security Council as a Non-Permanent Member – The 193 – member UN General Assembly elected Jordan to the UN Security Council as a non-permanent member on 6 December to replace Saudi Arabia. The election took place in the UN General Assembly. With 179 members of the 193 – member General Assembly voting by secret ballot, Jordan received 178 votes while Saudi Arabia got one vote. Saudi Arabia was elected in October 2013 to the Security Council as a non permanent member but it has rejected its seat in protest at the UN council’s failure to end the war in Syria and act on other Middle East issues. Jordan will now join with Luthiana, Chile, Nigeria and Chad as new members of the council, replacing Azerbaijan, Guatemala, Pakistan, Morocco and Togo. − The five permanent members with veto powers are the US, UK, China, France and Russia. Non- permanent members Argentina, Australia, Luxembourg, the Republic of Korea and Rwanda will remain on the Council until the end of 2014. • China Formally Eases One Child Policy – China has formally approved the easing of its decades- long one-child policy and the abolition of a controversial labour camp system. Both were among a sweeping raft of reforms announced in November 2013 after a meeting of the ruling Communist party that mapped out policy for the next decade. Under the new policy, couples will be allowed to have two children if one of the parents is an only child. The resolution, formally approved by China’s largely rubber-stamp parliament on 28 December, will allow local legislatures to decide when to implement the policies.

• ICA Allow India To Construct Kishenganga Project – The International court of Arbitration (ICA) at Hague (Netherlands) has allowed India to build Kishanganga Dam in the occupied Kashmir, however, the neighbouring country has been ordered to provide half of the dam’s water to Pakistan. Pakistan has received the verdict of ICA over Kishanganga Hydroelectric project case. • US Airways and American Airlines Merger Creates World’s Largest Airline – US Airways and American Airlines officially completed their merger on 9 December, creating the largest airline in the world and sealing the deal on the last of the airline megamergers that have consolidated the industry into just a few hands. Now four airlines control nearly 85% of U.S. air travel. • Nepal Impasse comes to an end – Nepal’s political parties, whose differences on the way ahead had led to a deadlock, reached a four-point agreement on December 24, 2013 paving the way for the dissenters to join the Constituent Assembly (CA). − The parties have agreed to constitute a parliamentary committee to “investigate and submit suggestions on the questions raised about the CA election.” − The parties also agreed to prepare the draft of the new constitution as per the spirit of the 12- point agreement, the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and the Interim Constitution within six months and promulgate it in a year. − There was also accord on forming a Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), and a Commission on Enforced Disappearances. Both of these commissions have been long overdue. • Satellite Images Show Progress On Pak N-Reactor – Recent satellite Imagery appears to have “clearly” revealed that Pakistan has completed the external construction of its fourth reactor building at the Khushab nuclear site, 200 km south of Islamabad, a think-tank in Washington has reported. − However images from November 1, 2013 clearly show that in addition to the near-completion of the fourth reactor’s external structure, the reactor stack and four of the six auxiliary buildings also present in reactors two and three “appear complete”. Further, ISIS noted, two support buildings located immediately to the west of the reactor building were still under construction but the initial section of the cooling tower row is also visible and “appears about 30 per cent complete”.

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• Egypt Declares Muslim Brotherhood A Terrorist Group – Egypt’s military-installed government declared the Muslim Brotherhood of ousted president Mohamed Morsy a “terrorist” group on December 25, 2013 banning all its activities. − Deputy Prime Minister Hossam Eissa made the announcement. The government would not allow it to even stage “protests”. − The decision is likely to accelerate a crackdown on the movement that has killed more than 1,000 people, mostly Islamists, in street clashes and imprisoned thousands since Mr. Morsy’s overthrow by the military in July, 2013. • Pakistan Rolls out Indigenous Fighter Plane – The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) on December 18, 2013 rolled out its indigenously built 50th JF-17 Thunder aircraft which has a top speed of Mach 1.6 and is dubbed as the backbone of the country’s air defence. • OVL Shuts Down South Sudan Oilfields - Following escalation of violence in South Sudan, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Videsh Limited (OVL) shut down its oilfields on December 22, 2013 and has evacuated its dozed-odd employees to India as a precautionary measure. • China Destroys Confiscated Ivory – In an unprecedented move, China on January 6, 2014 publicly destroyed 6.1 tonnes of confiscated ivory to shed its image as the world’s biggest market for smuggled elephant tusks and discourage illegal trade and poaching. The public event was held in Dongguan city of the booming Guangdong Province in southern China, considered a key area where illegal trade of ivory is widely reported. • Indonesia Bans Exports Of Unprocessed Ore – With Just months to go for general elections, Indonesia’s outgoing President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has taken one of his tenure’s most significant economic policy decisions, by banning exports of unprocessed mineral ore. The impact of this decision will roil global industries from aluminium to steel manufacturing. • Iran’s Nuclear Deal Takes Effect – The landmark agreement the Islamic republic of Iran clinched with world powers on its nuclear programme took effect from January 20, 2014. Iran and the European Union agreed on January 10, 2014 on how to implement the deal on containing the nuclear programme. January–2014 • China Tested New Hypersonic Missile Vehicle – China has successfully tested its first hypersonic missile delivery vehicle designed to travel several times the speed of sound. The test makes China the second country after the United Sates to conduct experimental flights with hypersonic vehicles, a technology that could allow armies to rapidly strike distant targets anywhere on the globe. The new hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV), dubbed the WU-14 was allegedly spotted flying at record- breaking speeds during a flight test over China on 9th January. • Latvia becomes 18th Eurozone Member on 1st January. Eurozone consists of 18 members of EU who has accepted a Euro as the common currency. Latvia was given final clearance to join Eurozone on 9 July 2013 by finance ministers of the 28-nation European Union. Latvia became the fourth former communist country in the currency area after Slovakia, Slovenia and neighbouring Estonia. • Bolivian President Evo Morales Assumes G77 Chairmanship – Bolivian president Evo Morales has assumed the Chairmanship of the Group of 77 nations. Bolivia was chosen head of the G-77, which actually groups 133developing nations, by consensus, and Morales was at the United Nations on 8th January to take over the chairmanship from outgoing Fiji. • Egypt Approved The New Constitution In Referendum – Egypt approved the new Constitution in a referendum held by the Egypt’s electoral commission on 18th January 2014. A constitutional referendum was held in Egypt on 14 and 15 January 2014, with Egyptians abroad voting between 8 and 12 January.

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• Tunisia Approved New Constitution – Tunisia’s national assembly approved the country’s new constitution on 26 January in one of the last steps to establishing full democracy three years after the uprising that toppled autocrat Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali. • India and Pakistan Decided To Allow Greater Trade Through Wagah Border – India and Pakistan agreed to allow decided to open the Wagah-Attari border for trade 24X7. Indian Commerce Minister Anand Sharma and his Pakistani counterpart Khurram Dastgir Khan in their meeting held at New Delhi on 18th January. • Israel successfully tested its upgraded Arrow ballistic missile interceptor for the second time on January 3rd, 2014; pushing forward work on a US backed defence against threats seen from Iran, Syria and Lebanon’s Hezbollah guerrillas. • Iran Nuclear Deal takes Effect – Consequent on the talks held between Iran and the 6 world powers (US, Russia, China, France, UK and Germany) for a pretty longtime Iran agreed, on January 12th, 2014 to limit uranium enrichment and to open its nuclear programme to daily inspection by international experts starting January 2014 setting the clock running on a six-month deadline for a final nuclear agreement, officials said. • US Deploys Military Advisors in Somalia – The United States has sent a handful of military advisors to Somalia in recent months to help bolster the African force there, officials said on January 9th, 2014. The deployment marks the first stationing of US troops in the troubled country since 1993, when two Black hawk helicopters were shot down and 18 American were killed in a disastrous operation. • Dubai Sets New World Record in Fireworks Display – Dubai has set a new world record for the largest fireworks display by firing 479,651 shells in just six minutes on the New Year’s Eve, breaking an earlier Guinness World Record achieved by Kuwait in 2012. • The United Arab Emirates – Military service has been made compulsory for all adult males in the United Arab Emirates but it has been kept optional for women in the gulf nation UAE’s Prime Minister revealed the decision on his official Twitter handle on January 19, 2014. • Kochi – Prime Minister Manmohan Singh dedicated the Rs.4,500 crore Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminal to the nation at Kochi on January 3. Though the Kochi LNG terminal became functional four months ago, it was officially launched by P.M. Dr. Singh at a function at Puthuvype in Kochi. − The Kochi LNG project has been developed by Petronet LNG limited with a capacity of 5 MMTPA (million metric tonne per annum) after the hard work of eight years. Union Petroleum Minister Veerappa Moily and Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy were also present at the launching ceremony. • Rupees now accepted and used in Zimbabwe – The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) announced on 29th January, 2014 that it was adding the Indian Rupee to the basket of currencies to be circulated in the country. The decision has been taken keeping in view the growing trade and investment ties between the two countries. India-Zimbabwe trade was $177 million, with balance of trade heavily in favour of India. • New Government sworn in Tunisia – A government of independents, tasked with steering Tunisia to fresh elections, took the oath on 29 January, 2014, replacing an Islamist-led administration under a hard-won deal to end months of political turmoil. The swearing-in of Prime Minister Mehdi Jomaa’s government comes three days after the national assembly finally adopted a new constitution three years after the Arab Spring revolution. • India, UK to work together on skill development – India and UK signed a pact on 16th January, 2014 to work together on identifying gaps in the areas of skill development and employment services and addressing these.

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− The MoU is aimed at enhancing the collaboration between the two countries within the framework of UK India Education and Research Initiative (UKIERI). The MoU will focus on collaboration and building partnership through sharing of technical expertise, building linkages and identification of gaps in the areas of skill development and employment services.

ABBREVIATION August–2013 AIDB - All India Development Bank AIF - Alternative Investment Fund APEC - Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation BCCC - Broadcasting Content Compliants Council CDR - Corporate Debt Restructuring DTAB - Drugs Technical Advisory Board FCTC - Framework Convention on Tobacco Control FMC - Forward Markets Commission ICMR - Indian Council of Medical Research IDRBT - Institute for Development and Research in Banking Technology MIDF - Manufacturing Industry Development Fund NABL - National Accreditation Board for Laboratories NAFTA - North American Free Trade Agreement NMFP - National Mission on Food Processing NSDC - National Skill Development Council ODI - Overseas Direct Investment OECD - Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development RITES - Rail India Technical and Economic Services SERB - Science and Engineering Research Board SIP - Systematic Investment Plan STP - Systematic Transfer Plan TDSAT - Telecom Dispute Settlement and Appellate Tribunal UNFCC - United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change USSD - Unstructured Supplementary Service Data WDRA - Warehousing Development Regulatory Authority ATV - Advanced Technology Vessel CFTC - Commodity Futures Trading Commissioner ESMA - European Securities and Markets Authority FMC - Future Market Commission FSDC - Financial Stability and Development Council GSP - Generalised System of Preferences INTACH - Indian National Trust for Art & Cultural Heritage NFHS - National Family Health Survey NCRTC - National Capital Region Transport Corporation NCPCR - National Commission for Protection of Child Rights RCEP - Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership VVPAT - Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail

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September–2013 ADP - Approved Development Plan AES - Acute Encephalitis Syndrome AHRC - Asian Human Rights Commission AIFF - All India Football Federation CAST - Centre for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies CRS - Currency Reserve Fund CUTS - The Consumer Unity and Trust Society ITC - International Trade Commission JAC - The Judicial Appointments Commission JAXA - Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency LOS - Local Operational Squad MNLF - Moro National Liberation Front NIC - National Integration Council

ODS - Ozone Depletion Substances OECD - Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development OPCW - Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons SBIRI - Small Business Innovation Research Initiative STC - State Reorganisation Commission TAADC - Tribal Area Autonomous District Council ZANU-PF - Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front AERB - Atomic Energy Regulatory Board BIFR - Board for Industrial and Financial Reconstruction CTBT - Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty CWC - Chemical Weapons Convention DAC - Development Assistance Committee EOW - Economic Offence Wing FIEO - Federation of Indian Export Organisations FMCT - Fissile Materials Cutoff Treaty IOSCO - International Organisation of Securities Commissions IUCD - Intra-Uterine Contraceptive Device NDRI - National Dairy Research Institute NSFDC - National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation NSIC - National Small Industries Corporation ODA - Official Development Assistance RDSO - Research Development Standard Organisation

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REC - Rural Electrification Corporation STAR - Standard Training Assessment and Reward TERI - The Energy and Resources Institute TUFS - Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme October–2013 ADWDRS - The Agricultural Debt Waiver and Debt Relief Scheme ARPU - Average Revenue Per User BDCA - Border Defence Cooperation Agreement CAER - Centre for Assessment Evaluation and Research CAMPA - The Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority CAPS - The Centre for Air Power Studies CCAMLR - The Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources CDSCO - Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation CEOP - The Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre

CSDS - The Centre for the Study of Developing Societies November–2013 TUFS - Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme DRDL - Defence Research and Development Laboratory EBITDA - Earnings before interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortisation EMDA - Electromotive Drug Administration FSSAI - Food Safety and Standards Authority of India GTLD - Generic Top Level Domains ICANN - The Internet Corporation for Assigned Numbers and Names. MEDLARS - Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System NOAA - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NPPA - The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority NSDC - National Skills Development Corporation NSPCC - The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children December–2013 NTRO - The National Technical Research Organisation RISHTA - The Research and Intervention for Sexual Heath – Theory to Action SAAN - South Asian Autism Network SARAL - Satellite with ARgos and ALtika SEVA - Sperm and Egg Voluntary Access SFIO - The Serious Fraud Investigation Office SOINN - Self-Organising Incremental Neural Network

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SRSAM - Short Range Surface to Air Missile SVEEP - The Systematic Voter Education and Elector Participation TRACES - TDS Reconciliation, Analysis and Correction Enabling System VCES - The Voluntary Compliance and Encouragement Scheme VVPAT - The Voter-Verified Paper Audit Trail WSTF - The Water Survival Training Facility FHLMC - Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation JAXA - The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency NNRTI - Non-Nucleoside reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor USPSTF - The United States Preventive Services Task Force VCES - The Voluntary Compliance and Encouragement Scheme January–2014 GPS – Global Positioning System TCS – Tata Consultancy Services

GSLV – Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle FSLRC – Financial Sector Legislative Reforms Commission NBFC – Non Banking Finance Companies AMFI – Association of Mutual Fund in India GAAR – General Anti Avoidance Rule NCTC – National Counter-Terrorism Centre AIRCSC – All India Rural Credit Survey Committee ACB – Anti Corruption Bureau CAZRI – Central Arid Zone Research Institute ECCAS – Economic Community of Central African States NCAER – National Council of Applied Economic Research NGT – National Green Tribunal

BOOKS AND AUTHORS September–2013 " History as a Site of Struggle – by K.N. Pannikar " India and Malaysia Interwined Strands – by Veena Sikri " The Lowland – by Jhumpa Lahiri (Indian-American author, Short listed for the Man Booker Prize this year) " The Bone season – by Samantha Shannon " My Journey: Transforming Dreams into Actions – by APJ Abdul Kalam " Art of Thinking Clearly – by Rolf Dobelli " Bollywood Baddies: Villains, Vamps, and Henchmen in Hindi Cinema – by Tapan K. Ghosh

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" Kubera: God of Many Hues – by Madhurika K. Maheshwari " Cities Are Good for You: The Genius of the Metropolis – by Leo Hollis " The Liberty Amendments – by Mark R. Levin " Foreign – by Sonora Jha " A Cool, Dark Place – by Supriya Dravid " In Custody – by Nitya Ramakrishnan " The First Muslim: The Story of Muhammad – by Lesley Hazleton " The Ocean at the End of the Lane – by Neil Gaiman " The Mirror of Beauty – by Shamsur Rahman Faruqi " Manoj and Babli: A Hate Story – by Chander Suta Dogra " We Need New Names – by NoViolet Bulawayo " A Tale for the Time Being – by Ruth Ozeki " The Testament of Mary – by Colm Toibin " Harvest – by Jim Crase " The Luminaries – by Eleanor Catton " Gandhi before India – by Ram Achandra Guha " India and Malaysia: Intertwined Strands – by former Diplomat Veena Sikri " Ahmev Radha, Ahmev Krishnah – by Gulab Kothari " How Not to Make Money – by Raj Kundra October–2013 " 1283 – by Pele, Brazilian football legend " I am Malala – by Malala Yousafzai " Haunted by Fire: Essays on Caste, Class, Exploitation and Emancipation – by Mythily Sivaraman " Luminaries – by Eleanor Catton " The Third Curve: The End of Growth as We Know it – by Mansoor Khan " The Nellie Massacre of 1983 – by Makiko Kimura " The Shadow of the Crescent Moon – by Fatima Bhutto " Interventions: A Life in War and Peace – by Kofi Annan and Nader Mousavizadeh " Courage and Conviction – by General V.K. Singh and Kunal Verma " The Illicit Happiness of Other People – Manu Joseph " Roll of Honour – by Amandeep Sandhu " Naushadnama: The Life and Music of Naushad – Raju Bharatan " Maddaddam – by Margaret Atwood " Trans Atlantic – Colum McCann " Powerplay: The Game is on – by Parinda Joshi " Tenth of December – by George Saunders " 2012 Nights – by Vipul Rikhi " House of Cards – Sudha Murty " Flora – Gail Godwin BANK-PO/CLERK EXAM CA/Aug2013-Jan2014/Page-189

" Helium – by Jaspreet Singh " Soldier and Spice – Aditi Mathur Kumar " Battles Half Won: India’s Improbable Democracy – by Ashutosh Varshney " Meena Kumari: The Classic Biography – by Vinod Mehta " Master Laster: What They Don’t Tell you About Sachin Tenduldar – by Sumit Chakraberty " Chronicle of a Corpse Bearer – Cyrus Mistry " The Book of Destruction – Anand " Goat Days – by Benyamin " Tiger Fire – by Valmik Thapar " The Good, the Bad and the Ridiculous – by Khushwant Singh with Huma Quraishi " Killing Jesus – by Bill O’Reilly, Martin Dugard " Birth of Cinema – by N. Gopal Krishna November–2013 " Scandal Point – by Fahad Samar " The Namesake – by Conor Fitzgeraid " Tiger Warrior: Fateh Singh Rathore – by Soonoo Taraporewala " The Sanjay Story – by Vinod Mehta " India-Pakistan War 1971: Military Triumph and Political Failure – Major General Kuldip Singh Bajwa " My Decade in the Premier League – Wayne Rooney and Matt Allen " The Victoria Cross – A Love Story – Ashali Varma " Insatiable – Meg Cabot " The Fabulous Feminist – Suniti Nakjoshi " Nobody Can Love You More – by Mayank Austen Soofi " Our Moon Has Blood Clots – Rahul Pandita " Stay Hungry Stay Foolish – by Rashmi Bansal " The Secret – by Rhonda Byrne " Headley and I – by S Hussain Zaidi and Rahul Bhatt " Modi to Moditva: An Uncensored Truth – by Nirendra Dev " The Honest Life – Jessica Alba " Astray – by Emma Donoghue " Blood Red Sari – by Ashok Banker " For How Long This Silence – Lt. Gen. (Retired) Shahid Aziz " Walking with Lions – by K. Natwar Singh " Calcutta: Two Years in the City – by Amit Chaudhuri " Sounding Off – by Resul Pookutty and Baiju Natarajan " Winter Evenings – Navtej Sarna " The Price of Politics – by Bob Woodward " Thinner than Skin – by Uzma Aslam Khan " The Last War – by Sandipan Deb " Gray Wolves and White Doves – by John D Balian " Those Pricey Thakur Girls – by Anuja Chauhan " The Sergeant’s Son – Ashim Choudhury BANK-PO/CLERK EXAM CA/Aug2013-Jan2014/Page-190

" Tenth of December Stories – by George Saunders " Gone Girl – by Gillian Flynn " Suspect – by Robert Crais " My Beloved World – by Sonia Sotomayor " The Future – by Al Gore " Killing Kennedy – Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard " Going Clear – by Lawrence Wright " The Test of My Life – by Yuvraj Singh " The Secret Gardener – by Kalpana Swaminathan " Narendra Modi: The Man, The Times – by Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay " The Namo Story: A Political Life – by Kingshuk Nag " Rajnikanth: The Definitive Biography – by Naman Ramachandran " As Dear As Salt – by Reyna Sequeira " Birth of Cinema – by N Gopal Krishna " DareBone’s Big Break – by Gleeson Rebello, MD, and Jamie Harisiades " Gandhi: My life is a message – by Jason Quinn " India’s Nuclear Energy Programme: Future Plans, Prospects and Concerns " Indian Railway Track-Design, Construction and Maintenance – M.M. Agarwal " Momentous Times – by Times of India Group " Savage Harvest – Stories of Partition – by Mohinder Singh Sarna " The Lowland – by Jhumpa Lahiri " The Mad Tibetan: Stories from Then and Now – by Deepti Naval " Tick-tock, we’re 30 – by Milan Vohra December–2013 " Life After Life – by Kate Atkinson " Lean In – by Sheryl Sandberg and Nell Scovell " Gulp – by Mary Roach " The Inferno – by Dan Brown " The Blue-Necked God – by Indira Goswami " The Outsider – by Jimmi Connors " The Childhood of Jesus – by JM Coetzee " The Lonely Monarch – by Sunil Gangopadhyay " Oleander Girl – by Chitra Banerjee " India’s Tryst with Destiny – by Jagdish Bhagwati and Arvind Panagariya " Seeing Like a Feminist – by Nivedita Menon " The Lowland – by Jhumpa Lahiri " Whiskey Beach – by Nora Roberts " My Beloved World – by Soniya Sotomayor " Making Peace with the Earth – by Vandana Shiva " Cobalt Blue – by Sachin Tendulkar " The Sense of an Ending – by Julian Barnes " The Casual Vacancy – by JK Rowling

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" The Wicked Years – by Gregory Maquire " An Uncertain Glory: India and Its Contradictions – by Jean Dreze and Amartya Sen " My Chaplin – by Mrinal Sen " The Moonballer – by Nirupama Vaidyanathan " I Lost My Love in Baghdad – by Michael Hastings " Degree Coffee by the Yard – by Nirmala Lakshman " Half a Rupee Stories – by Gulzar " My Name is Parvana – by Deborah Ellis " Advantage Hollywood – by Ashok Amritraj " Unbreakable – by MC Mary Kom (boxer) " Undisputed Truth – by Mike Tyson " Helium – by Jaspreet Singh " Gaysia – by Benjamin Law " Unbreakable: An Autobiography – by MC Mary Kom and Dina Serto " My Autobiography – by Alex Ferguson " Courage and Conviction – by General VK Singh and Kunal Verma " The English Girl – by Daniel Silva " Mapping the Edge – by Sarah Dunant " The Silent Wife – by ASA Harrison " The Golden Egg – by Donna Leon " Longbourn – by Jo Baker " Just One Evil Act – by Elizabeth George " India at Turning Point: The Road to Good Governance – by T.S.R. Subramanian " India’s Rise as a Space Power – by U.R. Rao January–2014 " Resurgent India – Glimpses of Rajiv Gandhi’s Vision of India – by PDT Aachary " Lamplight: Paranormal Stories from the Hinterlands – by Kankana Basu Pan Macmillon " The Hundred Names of Darkness – by Nilanjana Roy Aleph " Consequences – by Nigel Fernandes " I’ve Got Your Number – by Sophie Kinsells " Little Women and Me – by Lauren Baratz Logstead " How to Make Enemies and Offend People – by G. Sampath " As Dear As Salt – by Reyna Sequeira " How to Get Filthy Rich in Rising Asia – by Mohsin Hamid " Tick-tock, We’re 30 – by Milan Vohra " The Litigators – by John Grashim " Half a Rupee Stories – by Gulzar " The Mad Tibetan: Stories from Then and Now – by Deepti Naval - - - × - - -

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