GK DIGEST for LIC AAO 2016 Exam
www.gradestack.com/blogs
1 | P a g e www.gradestack.com/blogs
GK DIGEST for LIC AAO 2016 Exam
Dear readers,
This GK Digest is a complete docket of important news and events that occurred in last 5 months (September – February 2016). The GK Digest is important and relevant for all competitive exams like - LIC AAO 2016 Exam, Railway Recruitment 2016 Exam, SSC CGL 2016, Insurance and UPSC Exams.
Banking, Economics & Financial News
RBI in the News
1. RBI Keeps interest rate unchanged - On 2nd February 2016, the Reserve Bank of India in its 6th bi – monthly policy review, key policy interest rates were kept unchanged on the basis of an assessment of the current and evolving macroeconomic situation in the country. Current Policy & Reserve Rates: 1.Repo Rate 6.75% (unchanged) 2.Reverse Repo 5.75% (unchanged) 3.CRR(Cash Reserve ratio) 4.00% (unchanged) 4.SLR (Statutory Liquidity Ratio) 21.50% (unchanged) 5.MSF (Marginal Standing Facility) 7.75% (changed) 6.Bank Rate 7.75% (changed)
Basis points - ‘one’ Basis Point is a unit equivalent to 0.01% i.e. 1/100th of a percent.
2. Raghuram Rajan conferred with the Central Banker of the Year Award 2016 - The Reserve Bank of India Governor, Dr. Raghuram Rajan conferred with the Central Banker of the Year Award (Global and Asia Pacific) for 2016 by The Banker, a monthly publication of the Financial Times Group focussing on banking. 3. Urjit Patel reappointed as RBI deputy governor for 3 years - The Government of India re-appointed Dr. Urjit R. Patel as the Deputy Governorof the Reserve Bank of India, for a further period of three years. He is the fourth deputy governor, the other three being HR Khan, R Gandhi and SS Mundra. 4. Reserve Bank of India increased its shareholding in National Housing Bank by contributing Rs 1,000 crore towards the paid capital, thereby increasing its shareholding in theNHB from Rs 450 crore to Rs 1,450 crore. 5. RBI seeks additional ₹26k cr for PSU banks - The RBI has sought an additional ₹26,000 crore from the government by 2018 for capital infusion into Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) banks for implementing Basel-III norms in the banks. The government has already pledged ₹70,000 crore for the purpose by the end of FY19. 6. RBI Governor Dr Raghuram Rajan elected as Vice-Chairman on BIS Board - With this, he became the first Indian to be elected to this position in the Bank for International Settlements (BIS). Note: At present, Jens Weidmann is the Chairman of the Board of Directors. He is also the head of Bundesbank, the German banking regulator. 7. RBI imposes Rs 1 crore fines on State Bank of Travancore - Reserve Bank has imposed a penalty of Rs. 1 crore on an SBI associate bank, State Bank of Travancore, for violation of some of its instructions. 8. Deepak Singhal appointed Executive Director of Reserve Bank of India - The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) appointed Deepak Singhal as the Executive Director (ED). He replaced K K Vohra who will now look after the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC).
2 | P a g e www.gradestack.com/blogs
9. RBI proposed marginal cost of funds methodology to calculate Base Rate – The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) proposed a new methodology to calculate Base Rate (Base Rate). It is based on marginal cost of funds methodology. The new methodology is aimed at bringing uniformity among BRs of banks so that they will be more sensitive to any changes in policy rates of the RBI like Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR), Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR), etc. Under the proposed methodology, the components of Base Rate will include cost of funds, negative carry on CRR/SLR, un-allocable overhead costs and average return on net worth. It will be effective from 1 April 2016. Base Rate • It is defined as the minimum interest rate of a bank below which it is not viable to lend. • It was introduced on 1 July 2010 by the RBI. • It replaced the benchmark prime lending rate (BPLR), the interest rate which commercial banks charged their most credit worthy customer. 10. Banks are free to fix interest rates on gold deposit scheme: Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has allowed banks to fix their own interest rates on gold deposits under the Gold Monetisation Scheme. Key points – (i) As per the RBI guidelines, Banks are free to set interest rate such as principal and interest on the deposit denominated in gold. (ii) Designated banks will accept gold deposits under the – Short Term Bank Deposit (1-3 years), Medium (5-7 years) and Long term (12-15 years) Government Deposit Schemes. (iii) Short term bank deposits will be applicable cash reserve ratio (CRR) and statutory liquidity ratio (SLR). (iv) There is no bar for maximum gold deposit but the minimum deposit at one time should be raw gold equivalent to 30 grams of 995 fineness standard. (v) The raw gold should be in the form of coins, bars, jewellery excluding stones and other metals Individual banks will determine the provision for premature withdrawal subject to a minimum lock-in period and along with the penalty.
11. RBI declared Priority Sector Lending norms for Regional Rural Banks
Key points of the norms: (i) Priority Sector Lending (PSL) target was increased to 75 percent of total outstanding from the existing 60 percent. (ii) The revised target will be effective from 1 January 2016. (iii) Medium enterprises, social infrastructure and renewable energy were included under PSL category. (iv) Agri-Loans: Loans to individual farmers, for the purpose of PSL, was increased to 50 lakh rupees from the present 10 lakh rupees against pledge/ hypothecation of agricultural produce (including warehouse receipts) for a period not exceeding 12 months. (v) Aggregate limit loan was doubled to 2 crore rupees per borrower in the case of loans, among others, to corporate farmers, farmers’ producers organisations/ companies of individual farmers, farmers partnership firms/ co-operatives engaged in agriculture and allied activities. (vi) Housing Loans: The RBI has lowered the quantum of loans that will qualify as PSL. Against the earlier limit of 25 lakh rupees, loans to individuals up to 20 lakh rupees only are considered as PSL as per revised guidelines.
Note: As on March 2015, there were 56 RRBs operating in the country with a network of 20059 branches. They cover 644 notified districts in 26 states and the Union Territory of Puducherry.
12. RBI formed Financial Inclusion Fund with 2000 crore rupees corpus: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) formed a single Financial Inclusion Fund (FIF) with a corpus of 2000 crore rupees. The fund was formed by merging the Financial Inclusion Fund (FIF) and Financial Inclusion Technology Fund (FITF). This fund will support the developmental and promotional activities covered under the financial inclusion initiatives.
3 | P a g e www.gradestack.com/blogs
13. RBI to Issue Rs. 500, Rs. 1000 Bank Notes with Enhanced Features - The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will issue Rs. 500 and Rs. 1,000 bank notes with additional features to aid the visually impaired in identification. To help visually impaired person in easy identification of bank notes, RBI decided to add two more features in Rs. 500 and Rs. 1000 bank notes.
14. RBI to issue Rs 5 coin on golden jubilee of 1965 Indo-Pak war - The Reserve Bank of India will shortly put into circulation Rs 5 coins to commemorate golden jubilee of Indo-Pak War 1965. "The coins will be legal tender as provided in The Coinage Act 2011.
15. RBI granted 'in-principle' approval to set up Small Finance Banks & Payment Banks –
Small Finance Banks – The purpose of the small banks will be to provide a whole suite of basic banking products such as deposits and supply of credit, but in a limited area of operation. The aim of small banks is to increase financial inclusion in the country. The small bank shall be registered as a public limited company under the Companies Act, 2013. Committee on Small Banks - Usha Thorat RBI granted 'in-principle' approval to the 10 applicants to set up Small Finance Banks.
Names of selected applicants Au Financiers (India) Ltd., Jaipur Janalakshmi Financial Services Private Limited, Capital Local Area Bank Ltd., Jalandhar Bengaluru Disha Microfin Private Ltd., Ahmedabad RGVN (North East) Microfinance Limited, Equitas Holdings P Limited, Chennai Guwahati ESAF Microfinance and Investments Private Ltd., Suryoday Micro Finance Private Ltd., Navi Mumbai Chennai Ujjivan Financial Services Private Ltd., Bengaluru Utkarsh Micro Finance Private Ltd., Varanasi
The “in-principle” approval granted will be valid for 18 months to enable the applicants to comply with the requirements under the Guidelines and fulfill other conditions as may be stipulated by the RBI. Eligibility - Resident individuals with 10 years of experience in banking and finance, companies and Societies will be eligible as promoters to set up small banks.
Key points Capital requirement - The minimum paid-up capital requirement for small banks is Rs. 100 crore. As per the guidelines, the promoters' initial minimum contribution will be at least 40 % of the minimum capital, to be locked in for a period of 5 years. Small banks will offer both deposits as well as loan products. They cannot set up subsidiaries to undertake non-banking financial services activities. The maximum loan size and investment limit exposure to single/group borrowers/issuers would be restricted to 15 per cent of total capital funds. Loans and advances of up to Rs 25 lakhs, primarily to micro enterprises, should constitute at least 50 per cent of the loan portfolio. For the first three years, 25 per cent of branches should be in unbanked rural areas. The foreign shareholding in the bank would be as per the extant FDI policy. For the initial three years, prior approval will be required for branch expansion.
Payment Banks – The main objective of payment banks is to increase financial inclusion in the country via a primary focus on domestic payments services by providing small savings accounts. Payments banks will be used only for transaction and deposits purposes. Unlike small banks, payments banks cannot lend money. Committee on Payment Banks - Dr. Nachiket Mor RBI granted 'in-principle' approval to 11 Payment Banks applicants.
4 | P a g e www.gradestack.com/blogs
List of 11 Payment Banks applicants -
1. Aditya Birla Nuvo Limited 7. Reliance Industries Limited - Joint ventured with SBI 2. Airtel M Commerce Services Limited 8. Sun Pharma - Dilip Shanghvi, Managing Director of 3. Cholamandalam Distribution Services Limited Sun Pharmaceuticals. 4. Department of Posts 9. Paytm – Founder of Vijay Shekhar Sharma 5. Fino PayTech Limited 10. Tech Mahindra Limited 6. National Securities Depository Limited – Director G. 11. Vodafone m-pesa Limited V. Nageswara Rao
Key Points: Capital requirement - The minimum paid-up capital requirement for payments banks is Rs. 100 crore. The Reserve Bank grants a license for commencement of banking business under Section 22(1) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949. RBI's “in-principle” nod will be valid for a period of 18 months, during which time the applicants have to comply with the requirements under the Guidelines and fulfill the other conditions as may be stipulated by the Reserve bank. As per the guidelines, the promoters' initial minimum contribution will be at least 40 % of the minimum capital, to be locked in for a period of 5 years. The payments bank will need to invest 75 percent of its funds in government securities. Payments banks can open small savings accounts and accept deposits of up to Rs.1 lakh per individual customer and provide remittance services. Hence, the balance at the close of business on any day should not exceed Rs.1 lakh per customer. Payments banks can issue debit cards but they are not eligible to provide credit card facilities. Payments Banks are allowed to set up their own ATMs (automated teller machines). Payments banks will have to invest in government securities with a maturity of up to 1 year.
Difference between Small & Payment Banks –
(i) Small banks can accept all types of deposits like a commercial bank ( savings, current, fixed deposits, recurring deposits etc) on the other hand
Payment banks can take deposits only on current & savings account. These cannot offer credit cards, NRI account, & time deposits( FD & RD).
(ii) Small banks cannot give depositors money as loan to others ( big industries) , but for small area of operation. Payment banks cannot give loans but can invest in G securities ( as most of the depositors are poor people. so, banks cannot take a risk).
(iii) For small banks - - - NBFC's , any individual with 10 years of experience in banking can apply for licenses. For payment banks - - - Indian post, telecom companies can apply for licenses.
(iv) Target for small banks are MSME's, business man. For Payment banks, poor people.
16. RBI extends deadline to exchange pre-2005 notes to June 30, 2016 - Reserve Bank extended the deadline for exchanging pre-2005 currency notes of various denominations, including Rs 500 and Rs 1,000, by another six months to June 30, 2016 from earlier date December 31, 2015.
5 | P a g e www.gradestack.com/blogs
Government approves conversion of MUDRA into bank – Government of India recently converted MUDRA Ltd into MUDRA Bank. MUDRA Bank thus created is a wholly-owned subsidiary of SIDBI, which will be known as MUDRA (SIDBI) Bank. Along with this, a Credit Guarantee Fund for MUDRA Units (CGFMU) will also be set up. In the Budget of 2015-16, Credit Guarantee Fund has been allocated with funds worth Rs 3000 Crore. As per budget 2015-16, MUDRA Bank is to be set up with refinance corpus of Rs 20,000 Crore.
Functions / Roles of Mudra Ltd – The major role of MUDRA Ltd would be in refinancing and developing Micro Enterprises. It will provide funds to Non-corporate small business sector. It will also partner with State/Regional level financial intermediaries to provide finance to small/micro business enterprises. MUDRA Bank will not be the regulator of the micro finance institutions. (As RBI as a regulator for the MFIs registered as the non-banking finance companies)
MUDRA loans are available in three categories – For small business Loans up to Rs. 50000/– is available under the ‘Shishu’ category Loans beyond Rs. 50,000 and up to 5 lakh under the ‘Kishor’ category Loans beyond Rs. 5 lakh and up to Rs. 10 lakh under the ’Tarun’ category Note: Maximum Loan Mudra Bank can grant is Rs. 10 lakh.
Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank launched by Chinese President Chinese President Xi Jinping officially launched Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) in Beijing. The opening ceremony of AIIB is attended by representatives of 57 member countries. Key Facts - With authorised capital of $100 billion and subscribed capital of $50 billion, Beijing-based AIIB will invest in sectors including energy, transportation, urban construction, and logistics as well as education and healthcare. The bank was formally established in Beijing on December 25, 2015. The headquarter of AIIB is located in Beijing, China. Chairman - Chinese Finance Minister, Lou Jiwei, First President of AIIB- China’s former Finance Minister, Jin Liqun In all 57 countries have joined as founding members, while the US and Japan have stayed out. Largest shareholders of AIIB – China – 30.34%, India - , 8.52%, Russia - 6.66% Their voting shares of – China - 26.06%, India -7.5 %, Russia - 5.92 %. Based on the shareholding, India is expected to get the Vice-President’s post. The AIIB will work together with multilateral development banks, including the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank, to facilitate Asian infrastructure construction and sustainable development. India elected to new AIIB Bank’s First Board - Dinesh Sharma, Additional Secretary of Ministry of Finance elected to the 12-member board. Union Finance Minister of India Arun Jaitley is the designated governor of the AIIB from the country.
6 | P a g e www.gradestack.com/blogs
SBI Bank in News –
1. SBI launches FlexiPay Home Loan Scheme for SBI is second Indian bank after Indian Overseas Professionals - State Bank of India introduced a new Bank to have branch in South Korea. SBI already had a home loan scheme ‘SBI FlexiPay Home Loan’ for young representative office in Seoul. working professionals/executives. 3. SBI Launches First Dedicated Branch For Startups Under the scheme, borrowers will get higher loan InCube - The State Bank of India, has launched first amount compared to their loan eligibility under exclusive startup bank branch – SBI InCube in normal home loan schemes and they will also have Bangalore. It is a specialised branch to understand the option of step-up monthly repayments. and address banking needs of startups. 2. SBI opens first branch in South Korea - India’s 4. SBI Card launches SimplyCLICK credit card for online largest lender State Bank of India (SBI) today said it shopping - in association with seven partners including has opened its first branch in Seoul, South Korea. Amazon India, BookMyShow and Cleartrip.
ICICI Bank in News –
1. ICICI Bank opens its first branch in South Africa - Housing loan will be provided at the ICICI Bank Base ICICI Bank inaugurated its first full service branch at Rate (known as I-Base) which is currently at 9.70%. Sandton in Johannesburg becoming the first Indian 4. ICICI Bank launched its first branch in China: private sector bank to open a branch in the African India's largest private sector bank, ICICI bank has continent. launched its first branch in Shanghai, China, which was 2. ICICI Bank has launched ‘Smart Vault’ first of its kind inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. fully automated digital locker facility in India. 3. ICICI Bank has launched ‘ICICI Bank Saral-Rural Housing Loan’ Scheme for weaker sections of society.
Other Banking & Financial News -
5. India gets more voting rights in IMF reforms - Udio Wallet integrates a social, community-driven International Monetary Fund’s (IMF’s) long- aspect with anytime, anywhere accessibility to digital pending 2010 Quota and Governance Reforms P2P (peer-to-peer) transactions via its secure and have finally become effective and came into effect seamless payment structure, creating a ubiquitous on 27 January 2016. ecosystem for both consumers and brands. India’s voting rights increased by - 0.3% from 9. India to be fastest growing economy at 7.3% in the current 2.3% to 2.6%. 2016: United Nations. China’s voting rights increased by - 2.2% from 10. Tech Mahindra launches contactless wallet current 3.8% to 6 %. ‘MoboMoney’ - Tech Mahindra has announced the China will have the 3rd largest IMF quota and launch of ‘MoboMoney’, a first of its kind ‘Tap N Pay’ voting share after the US and Japan. contactless digital payment solution for the Indian 6. Govt revises down 2014/15 GDP growth to 7.2% masses. y/y - Government revised down its annual economic MoboMoney is a prepaid wallet issued in the form of a growth for the fiscal year that ended in March 2015 to NFC (Near Field Communication) contactless tag that 7.2 percent from 7.3 percent reported earlier. could be used to ‘Tap N Pay’ for goods and services. 7. HDFC Bank to sell loans to non-customers through 11. YES Bank commits $5 bn for climate action in India ATMs. - YES Bank, India’s fifth-largest private sector bank, has 8. TranServ launches India’s first social mobile wallet announced mobilisation of $5 billion towards its Udio - TranServ, a leading digital payments company, commitment to climate finance in India. has launched India’s 1st Social Mobile Wallet, Udio. 12. Banks need $140 billion to comply with Basel III norms by FY19: Fitch 7 | P a g e www.gradestack.com/blogs
Indian Banks will need about $140 billion to ensure current share in international trade and national full compliance with the Basel III norms by 2018-19, foreign exchange reserves. Fitch Ratings said. Why IMF Include Yuan in SDR Basket? 13. SBT launches new initiative for faster release of (i) China is the world’s second largest economy and its wages under MGNREGS - State Bank of Travancore share in global trade is rising. (SBT) has launched an electronic fund management (ii) The inclusion of the Renminbi will enhance the system for direct and faster release of wages under the attractiveness of the SDR by diversifying the basket Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment and making it more representative. Guarantee Scheme. (iii) Due to various steps taken by the Chinese officials This scheme has been introduced in the country like relaxing controls on foreign institutional investors for the first time and Kerala has been chosen for buying Chinese securities, easing restrictions on the pilot project. interest rates and the exchange rate, allowing capital to System (NeFMS) will enable direct and immediate flow freely into and out of the just-launched Shanghai credit of wages into the accounts of the 21 lakh Free Trade Zone and efforts to develop China’s money beneficiaries (90% women) of MNREGS in all and bond market. districts of Kerala. Out of the above, about 50% of (iv) China now has five offshore Yuan trading centres the beneficiaries maintain accounts with SBT. viz., Hong Kong, London, Singapore, Taiwan and 14. BankBazaar.com launches ‘One Loan Two Homes’ Sydney. program - BankBazaar.com, an online financial (v) In 2013, the Yuan overtook the euro as the world’s marketplace, has launched a new ‘One Loan Two second-most used currency in traditional trade Homes’ program to help the flood-affected citizens of finance. Chennai. (vi) Recently, HSBC estimated that the amount of 15. ADB to fund $840-m corridor between Vizag, bonds denominated in Yuan sold outside China has Chennai - The Asian Development Bank will extend a doubled each year since 2008. $625 million loan to the proposed $840 million 17. Singapore replaced Mauritius as top source of FDI Visakhapatnam-Chennai Industrial Corridor. into India 16. China’s Yuan included in IMF’s SDR Basket – Singapore replaced Mauritius as top source of Foreign The International Monetary Fund (IMF) decided to Direct Investment (FDI) into India during April- include the Chinese Yuan in the basket of its elite September of 2015-16 financial year. reserve currencies which is used to calculate the value Note: As per the data, between 15 April and 15 of the special drawing rights (SDRs). September 2015, India received 43096 crore rupees as Note: The Yuan, also known as the Renminbi, will FDI from Singapore. In the same period FDI from join the US dollar, euro, Japanese yen and British Mauritius was 23490 crore rupees. pound next year from October 2016. 18. Arvind Subramanian-led panel recommended About Special Drawing Rights (SDR) standard rate for GST at 17-18 % - SDRs are supplementary foreign exchange reserve The Chief Economic Advisor Arvind Subramanian led assets defined and maintained by the International panel submitted its report on Possible Tax rates under Monetary Fund (IMF). Their value is based on a basket Goods and Services Tax (GST) to Finance Minister Arun of key international currencies reviewed by the IMF Jaitley. every five years. The commission recommended standard rate for GST Note: at 17 to 18 percent, the rate at which most products (i) SDR basket help countries defend against exchange would likely be taxed. rate fluctuations. After inclusion of the Yuan, the SDR 19. ONGC joined World Bank’s Zero Routine Flaring by will consist of five currencies viz., US dollar (41.73 2030 Initiative percent weightage), euro (30.93), pound sterling The Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited joined (8.09), Japanese yen (8.33) and Chinese Yuan (10.92 Zero Routine Flaring by 2030 Initiative of the World percent). Bank on the sidelines of Conference of Parties-21 (ii) The weightage assigned to each currency in the (COP-21) of UNFCCC in Paris. SDR basket are adjusted to take into account their Note: With this joining, ONGC has become the first oil company from India to join the global initiative 8 | P a g e www.gradestack.com/blogs
that is aimed at curbing routine gas flaring at oil the selection of its member will start in the next six production sites around the world by 2030. months. 20. Farhan Akhtar appointed new brand ambassador of (ii) It will replace existing system Appointments Board IndusInd Bank. in which appointments for top level jobs at PSBs are 21. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has been chosen as made by an appointments committee led by the 'Finance Minister of the Year, Asia' by London-based Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor. publication Emerging Markets. (iii) Composition: The BBB will be a body of ’eminent’ 22. EPFO raises maximum insurance cover to Rs 6 lakh professionals and shall consist of only one government - Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) official. It will be six members body with at least 3 substantially increased the maximum amount assured former bankers, 2 professionals and secretary, under its Employees' Deposit Linked Insurance department of financial services representing Scheme (EDLI) to Rs 6 lakh from the existing Rs 3.6 government. lakh. (iv)The board will give recommendations for 23. Cabinet allows 100 per cent FDI under automatic appointment of full-time Directors as well as non- route for white label ATMs operations, a move that is Executive Chairman of PSBs. aimed at promoting financial inclusion. 28. Axis Bank has launched the first Contactless Debit, 24. Axis Bank launched “LIME app”, a mobile phone Credit and Multi-Currency Forex Card in association application offering wallet, shopping, payments and with VISA payWave in the country. banking facilities. 29. Meghalaya achieves 100% financial inclusion 25. Gujarat tops in ease of doing business in India: under Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojna. Gujarat has been placed to top position in World 30. New Bank Note Paper Line unit inaugurated by Bank’s first ever ranking of States on the ease of doing Finance Minister Arun Jaitely in Hoshangabad, business in India. Madhya Pradesh. Top 5 States: Gujarat (71.14%), Andhra Pradesh 31. World Bank has approved an additional loan of 650 (70.12%), Jharkhand (63.09%), Chhattisgarh (62.45%) million dollars for India’s Eastern Dedicated Freight and Madhya Pradesh (62.00%). Corridor (DFC) Project. DFC Project aims at the faster delivery of goods between the northern and eastern 26. ADB (Asian Development Bank) lowered India’s parts of the country. Growth Forecast for 2016 from 7.8% to 7.4% 32. Axis Bank launched Ping Pay service for instant 27. Union Government has decided to set up a Bank money transfer: With the help of this service, Axis Board Bureau (BBB) to monitor key performance bank customer can transfer or ask for cash, through indicators of two dozen public sector banks (PSBs) various social media channels like Whatsapp, It was announced by Union Finance Minister Arun Facebook, Twitter, Email list and phone contact list. Jailtley as part of a seven-pronged revamp plan for The transaction limit is at Rs50,000 per day. PSBs dubbed as Indradhanush (rainbow) plan. Key points – (i) Bank Board Bureau (BBB) will start the functioning from next financial year i.e. from 1st April 2016 and
India’s GDP growth rate projected by different organisations for FY16
1. Reserve Bank of India (RBI) – 7.4% 4. IMF – 7.3% 2. United Nation – 7.5% 5. ADB (Asian Development Bank) – 7.4% 3. World Bank – 7.8% 6. Central Statistics Organisation (CSO) – 7.6%
9 | P a g e www.gradestack.com/blogs
CURRENT AFFAIRS
New Appointments/ National
New Delhi Police Chief – Alok Kumar Verma New Telecom Secretary – J. S. Deepak. He replaces New Chairman of Chairman of The Energy and Rakesh Garg. Resources Institute (TERI) - Ashok Chawla. He New CEO of NITI Aayog - Amitabh Kant. He replaces replaces B V Sreekantan. Sindhushree Khullar. New Secretary of Department of Industrial Policy and New CMD of BHEL - Atul Sobti Promotion (DIPP) - Ramesh Abhishek New DG of Police of Uttar Pradesh - Javed Ahmed New Executive Vice-Chairman of The Energy and New CEO of Wipro - Abid Ali Neemuchwala. Resources Institute (TERI) - Rajendra K Pachauri New ambassador of Incredible India campaign - New Chief Justice of Bombay High Court - Justice Amitabh Bachchan Dhirendra Hiralal Waghela New Chairman of Competition Commission of India - New DG of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) - Archana Devender Kumar Sikri Ramasundaram New DG of National Centre for Good Governance - Note: She became the first woman to head a Dr Gyanendra D Bandgaiyan paramilitary force. Sam Pitroda appointed Technical Advisor to Odisha New DG of CRPF - K. Durga Prasad. government New DG of BSF - K.K. Sharma. New CEO of Flipkart - Binny Bansal New Census Commissioner of India – Sailesh. He New Tata SIA Airlines Chairman - Bhaskar Bhat. He replaces C Chandramauli. replaced Prasad Menon Achyuta Samanta elected as General President of New MD & CEO of Tata Motors Ltd - Guenter 105th Indian Science Congress Butschek New Chairman of Internet and Mobile Association of New MD of Corporation Bank - J K Garg India (IAMAI) – Kunal Shah. New Chief Minister of Bihar - Nitish Kumar. New Chairman of Central Board of Direct Taxes Senior JDU leader Nitish Kumar was sworn-in as Chief (CBDT) - Atulesh Jindal. He replaces A K Jain. Minister of Bihar for the fifth time. New Mumbai Police Commissioner - Datta New Chief Information Commissioner - R K Mathur. He succeeds Vijai Sharma. Padsalgikar. He succeeds Ahmed Javed, who was New Chief Justice of India - Justice Tirath Singh (TS) appointed as Ambassador to Saudi Arabia. Thakur sworn in as 43rd Chief Justice of India. He New Chief Commissioner for Persons with succeeded incumbent Justice H L Dattu. Disabilities - Kamlesh Kumar Pandey. New President of FICCI - Harshavardhan Neotia. He New Chairman & Managing Director (CMD) of succeeds Jyotsna Suri. National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) Limited. - Gurdeep Singh
New Lokayukta Appointed New Lokayukta of Uttar Pradesh – Sanjay Mishra. New Lokayukta of Delhi - Justice Reva Khetrapa
Ambassador (Envoy)
New Australia’s Envoy to India - Harinder Sidhu New Indian Ambassador to Mexico - Muktesh Kumar Pardeshi. New Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia – Ahmed Javed (Mumbai Police Commissioner) New Indian ambassador to Pakistan - Gautam Bambawale. He replaced TCA Raghavan. New Indian ambassador to United Kingdom - Navtej Sarna. He succeeded Ranjan Mathai. New Indian ambassador to China - Vijay Gokhale. He replaces Ashok Kantha.
10 | P a g e www.gradestack.com/blogs
Governor of States of India -
1. Jammu & Kashmir – N.N. Vohra (Narinder Nath 6. Uttar Pradesh – Ram Naik Vohra) 7. Himachal Pradesh - Acharya Dev Vrat. 2. Arunachal Pradesh - J P Rajkhowa 8. Arunachal Pradesh - J P Rakkhowa 3. Manipur - V Shanmuganthan gets additional charge of 9. Meghalaya - V Shanmuganthan Manipur. Present Governor of Manipur Syed Ahmed 10. Mizoram - Nirbhay Sharma passed away. 11. Jharkhand - Draupadi Murmu. 4. Tripura - Keshari Nath Tripathi. She is the first woman Governor of Jharkhand 5. Bihar – Ram Nath Kovind.
Appointments/ International
Prime Minister
New PM of Burkina Faso's - Paul Kaba Thieba New PM of Egypt - Sherif Ismail. New PM of Georgia - Giorgi Kvirikashvili New Pm of Australia - Malcolm Turnbull. New PM of Canada - Justin Trudeau (second youngest prime minister to serve Canada) New PM of Nepal – KP Sharma. New PM of Greece - Alexis Tsipras
President 1st female President of Taiwan - Tsai Ing-wen She is the first women president of Nepal. New President of Portugal - Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa New President of Tanzania - John Pombe Magufuli New President of Argentina - Mauricio Macri Blanco First Female Vice – President of Tanzania - Samia He succeeded Cristina Elisabet Fernandez de Kirchner Suluhu New President of Nepal - Bidhya Devi Bhandari
Others Appointment
New Vice – President of Asian Infrastructure He succeeded Conservative Defence Minister Jason Investment Bank (AIIB) - DJ Pandian Kenney. Saroj Kumar Jha appointed as Senior Director in New Goodwill Ambassador for the UN children’s World Bank. agency, UNICEF - Novak Djokovic. New Director of the United Nations Information New CEO of Google - Sundar Pichai. Centre (UNIC) - Tamar Hahn New India’s permanent representative in the UN - New Chairman of General Motors - Mary Barra. She Syed Akbaruddin. He replaces Asoke Mukerji.
succeeds Tim Solso.
Indian-born Harjit Sajjan sworn-in as Defence Minister of Canada
11 | P a g e www.gradestack.com/blogs
International Meets & Summits
Summits held/to be held in India
2. 14th Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas (PBD) held in New 1. 103rd Indian Science Congress held in Mysuru, Delhi. Karnataka – 3. 10th World Hindi Conference held in – Bhopal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Madhya Pradesh. 103rd edition of the Indian Science Congress (ISC) Theme of the Conference is “Hindi Jagat: Vistar avm in Mysuru, Karnataka. sambhavnai”. The theme of this edition of the Congress is “Science and Technology for Indigenous Development in India.”
International
1. World Economic Forum 2016 meeting held in 4. Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit Davos, Switzerland. 2015 held in – Ufa, Russia The official theme of the 2016 meeting is Note: “Mastering the Fourth Industrial Revolution”. India and Pakistan to become full member of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) by 2. 15th G -20 Summit 2015– Antalya, Turkey 2016. Women G20 Summit 2015 – Istanbul, Turkey Shanghai Cooperation Organisation – Head office The focus of the W20 is to enhance the role of – Beijing, China women in business. Member’s countries - China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Gulden Turktan was appointed as the first Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. president of the group. She is one of the founders and President of the 5. 41st G7 Summit 2015 - Elmau, Germany. Theme of Women Entrepreneurs' Association in Turkey the summit - Think Ahead. Act Together. (KAGIDER), and is currently a member of its Note: Executive Board. G 7 nations include - Canada, France, Germany, Italy, 16th G -20 Summit 2016 - China Japan, U.K., US, and the European Commission (EC). 17th G -20 Summit 2017 - Germany EC is a permanently welcome participant in all G20 Members: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, meetings and decision-making since 1981. Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Future Summits to be held in – Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the United Kingdom, The 42nd G7 Summit 2016 – Japan the United States of America and European Union. The 43rd G7 Summit 2017 – Italy The 44th G7 Summit 2018 – Canada 3. 7th BRICS Summit 2015 – Ufa, Russia. Theme of the summit - BRICS Partnership – a 6. 19th SAARC Summit 2016 - Islamabad, Pakistan. Powerful Factor of Global Development. Note: 18th SAARC Summit held in Kathmandu, Nepal 8th BRICS summit 2016 - New Delhi, India in 2014. . Note: BRICS nations include - Brazil, Russia, 7. 4thNuclear security summit 2016 – United States. India, China and South Africa.
12 | P a g e www.gradestack.com/blogs
India ranking in various sectors –
1. India largest recipient of World Bank loans over 70 scoring poorly on metrics like trade and monetary years freedom and tackling challenges like corruption and According to the Bank’s lending report, India is the violence. largest recipient of loans from the World Bank, Note: amounting to $102.1 billion, between 1945 and Denmark topped the list of the 144 nations on the 2015 (as on July 21, 2015). Best Countries of Business in 2015 list by Forbes. India is followed by Brazil ($58.8 billion), China The US ranked 22nd continuing a six-year descent ($55.6 billion), Mexico ($54 billion) and Indonesia since 2009 when it had ranked second overall. ($50.5 billion). The United Kingdom ranked at no. 10, Japan at No 2. India ranks first in business optimism: Report 23. India ranks first in business optimism, according Germany ranked 18th and China ranked 94. to Grant Thornton International Business Report, 6. India ranked 130 out of 189 in ease of doing a quarterly global survey of 2,580 business business: World Bank leaders across 36 nations. The 2016 report titled, Measuring Regulatory India was followed by Ireland (88%) and the Quality and Efficiency says that more than 60 Philippines (84%). percent of World’s Economies improved their 3. India home to 2.36 lakh millionaires: report business rules in 2015. According to the Asia Pacific 2016 Wealth Report, Note: The report ranked Singapore as first on by New World Wealth, India was ranked among ease of doing business while Eritrea has been the top five Asia-Pacific countries in terms of the ranked last at 189th position. number of high net worth individuals (HNWIs). Top 5 countries - Singapore (1), New Zealand (2); Denmark (3); Republic of Korea (4); Hong India is home to the fourth largest population Kong SAR, China (5); of millionaires in the Asia-Pacific region, with 7. India is World’s largest remittance recipient: 2.36 lakh such high net worth individuals, while World Bank Japan topped the list with 12.60 lakh people. World Bank announced that India is the World’s China ranked second with 654,000 HNWIs and largest remittance recipient. It was revealed in Australia was at the third place had 290,000. the Migration and Development Brief that 4. India among top 5 most promising markets conveyed recent trends in remittance flows and globally – migration across the world. According to the annual Global CEO survey of As per the report, remittances to India are consultancy giant PwC, India has emerged as one projected to increase by 2.5 percent in 2015, well of the five most promising markets for businesses above the 0.6 percent increase in 2014. globally as it offers one of the best opportunities 8. India becomes world’s 7th most valued nation for both domestic as well as global companies. brand: Report The top five markets considered as most important for overall growth prospects by the India was placed at 7th position in world’s most respondents are USA, China, Germany, the UK valuable nation brands report among the 100 and India. assessed nations. It was revealed in recently 5. India ranks 97th on Forbes’ best countries for released annual report compiled by Brand business list – Finance. • India ranked 97th out of 144 nations, on Forbes’ Top 7 countries: United States, China, Germany, annual list of the best countries for business in 2015, United Kingdom, Japan, France and India.
13 | P a g e www.gradestack.com/blogs
India’s rank in different indexes
1. Consumer Confidence Index 2016 – 1st Note: Switzerland, Singapore and the US are at the top India maintains top spot in Consumer Confidence of the Global Competitiveness Index, which profiles Index. India was followed by the Philippines, Indonesia 140 economies. and Thailand. 7. Investor Protection Index – 8th 2. US Chamber Intellectual Property index – 8. Environmental Democracy Index 2015 – 24 India is placed at a poor second last position at Note: The index is topped by Lithuania at the first 37/38 in the US Chamber of Commerce’s latest IP position, Latvia at the second and Russia at the third index. position. Venezuela finished last and United States ranked 9. World Press freedom Index 2015 – 136 first in the annual index. Note: Finland on the first position followed by Norway 3. 2015 Corruption Perceptions Index – 76th. and Denmark. (Denmark is the world’s least corrupt country). 10. FM Global Resilience Index 2015 – 119 (Norway 4. Global Talent Competitiveness Index – 89th topped the index.) (Switzerland topped the list) 11. World Hunger List 2015 - India tops in World Hunger 5. World Human Development Index 2015– 130 (Norway List. tops the list) 12. World Happiness index 2015 – 117 6. Global Competitiveness Index 2015 – 55 Note: Switzerland topped the index and followed by Iceland, Denmark, Norway and Canada. Syria ranked last (158), making it the least happy country in the world.
Important Committees
1. Kamlesh Chandra Committee - to examine the wage 8. Arvind Subramanian Committee - on Possible Tax structure, service conditions of the Gramin Dak Sevaks rates under Goods and Services Tax (GST) (GDS) in the Department of Posts (DoP). 9. MB Shah Committee - on Black Money 2. Adam Lewis Panel - to safeguard integrity in 10. RV Easwar Committee - to simplify the provisions of International tennis. the Income Tax Act, 1961. 3. Shyam Benegal Committee - to look into revamp the 11. T Haque committee - NITI Aayog constituted T Haque film certification nuances by Central Board of Film Expert Group on Land Leasing Censors (CBFC). 12. R Gandhi committee - recommended conversion of Urban Cooperative Banks (UCBs) with business size of 4. RM Lodha Committee - on the IPL betting scandal. 20,000 crore rupees or more into regular banks. 5. Dr T K Viswanathan Committee - on Bankruptacy 13. Deepak Mohanty committee – to frame action plan on Law Reforms financial inclusion. 6. A P Shah committee - to look into the dispute 14. A P Shah committee – A high level committee on the between Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited controversial issue of payment of Minimum Alternate (ONGC) and Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) on Tax (MAT) by foreign institutional investors. Krishna Godavari (KG) gas fields. 15. Vijay Kelkar committee: on Revisiting and Revitalizing the Public Private Partnership (PPP) 7. L Narasimha Reddy Committee - to look into the Model of Infrastructure Development. implementation of One Rank One Pension (OROP) 16. AK Bhargava committee: to look into the issues of scheme for the ex-servicemen. "Net neutrality".
14 | P a g e www.gradestack.com/blogs
National News
1. Mysuru India’s cleanest city among 73 cities – Among the smaller states, Delhi has emerged Msuru has emerged as the cleanest city for the as the topmost state in terms of Internet second year in a row while Chandigarh, readiness index, followed by Puducherry and Tiruchirapalli , the New Delhi Municipal Goa. Council and Visakhapatnam make up the top five. Among the Union Territories, Chandigarh is The other in the dirty list included Dhanbad, ranked at the top in terms of Internet readiness Asansol, Patna, Meerut, Raipur, Ghaziabad, index. Jamshedpur, Kalyan Dombivilli and Itanagar. 6. India records highest Milk production worldwide - Top 5 cleanest cities in India India has retained its position as the world’s highest 1. Mysuru 2. Chandigarh milk producing country. 3. Tiruchirapalli 4. New Delhi Municipal Council 7. National Deworming Day observed on 10th 5. Visakhapatnam February. 2. India sets target to eliminate malaria by 2030 - 8. IRCTC awarded national innovation award - India has set a target to eliminate malaria disease IRCTC’s new version of the Next Generation e- by 2030 and will allocate infrastructure and Ticketing System (NGET) was awarded gold national financial resources towards this task. award for e-governance 2015-16 in the category of Launching the National Framework for Malaria “Innovative Use of ICT by Central Government PSUs”. Elimination (NFME) 2016-2030, which outlines 9. National Arogya Fair-2016 held at Dehradun in India’s strategy for elimination of the disease by Uttarakhand. 2030. 10. Govt approves over Rs 4,087 crore aid to seven 3. Vizag to be first major port to run on solar energy – drought-hit states – Government approved central Vizag port in Andhra Pradesh is set to run its assistance of over Rs 4,087 crore to seven states entire operations on solar power from next affected by drought. month thus it will be the first to run operations on The committee approved over Rs 1177 crore for solar energy. Rajasthan, 17,73 crore for Tamil Nadu, Rs 280 VPT, which has recently commissioned 2MW crore for Andhra Pradesh, 337 crore for solar power plants with in investment of ₹60 Jharkhand, 332 crore for Assam, 170 crore for crore, will be adding another 8 MW capacity in Himachal Pradesh and Rs 16 crore for Nagaland. about a month from now. 11. Abu Dhabi Crown Prince arrives in India - Crown 4. Gujarat to have India’s first disabled-friendly Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander beach – of UAE armed forces Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayad Al Gujarat has launched its latest project on making Nahayan arrived India. beaches more inclusive for the disabled. The 12. India’s first aviation park to open in Gujarat – Tithal beach in Valsad district is all set to become India is set to open its first ever aviation park in the first disabled-friendly beach in India. Gujarat which will include an airstrip, training The Tithal Beach is the most popular tourist spot school, helipad and space for setting up small in Gujarat with an average of thousand visitors on manufacturing units among others. a weekly basis. People with disability were 13. IIT – M tie up with Nokia for rural net connectivity - missing out on the experience, as it is an arduous The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M), has task to negotiate a wheelchair on sand. tied up with Nokia for three years to create technology 5. Maharashtra tops Internet readiness index: report solutions which, in turn, will help enhance broadband Maharashtra has emerged as the top ranking connectivity in rural India. state in terms of the overall Internet readiness 14. National Organic Farming Research Institute to be index, followed by Karnataka, Gujarat, set up in Sikkim – Telengana and Tamil Nadu, according to a The Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers report released by the Internet and Mobile Welfare decided to set up the National Organic Association of India (IAMAI). Farming Research Institute in Sikkim. 15 | P a g e www.gradestack.com/blogs
The setting up of the institute is of primary tonnes in the year 2015 as compared to importance for Sikkim as it was declared as the Thailand’s 9.8 million tons. first organic farming State in the country in Vietnam was ranked third largest rice exporter January 2016 by the Prime Minister Narendra with 6.4 million tonnes. Modi. In terms of imports, China remains the number 15. India’s first fully solar-powered educational one importer of rice. institute opened in Puducherry. 20. Govt. releases list of 20 smart cities – 16. CSIR launched India’s first ayurvedic anti-diabetic The Union government announced the names of drug – BGR-34 the first 20 urban areas that will be developed as The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research smart cities. (CSIR) launched the country’s first anti-diabetic Budget of Rs 50,802 crores has been proposed in ayurvedic drug for type two Diabetes mellitus. selected smart cities and towns during the five- The drug was launched by Senior Principal year period. Scientist, CSIR-NBRI, Dr A K S Rawat in at a There are five capital cities among the 20 smart function in Kozhikode, Kerala. cities chosen which are as follows – The drug BGR-34 is developed jointly by National 1. Bhubaneswar 2. Pune 3. Jaipur Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) and Central 4. Surat 5. Kochi 6. Ahmedabad Institute for Medicinal and Aromatic Plants 7. Jabalpur 8. Vishakapatnam 9. Sholapur (CIMAP), the Lucknow-based research units of 10. Davangere 11. Indore CSIR. 12. New Delhi (New Delhi municipal council area) 17. India Develops World’s First Zika Vaccine 13. Coimbatore 14. Kakinada Bharat Biotech, Hyderabad based vaccines and 15. Belagavi 16. Udaipur bio-therapeutic manufacturer, claimed to have 17. Guwahati 18. Chennai achieved a breakthrough in developing a vaccine 19. Ludhiana 20. Bhopal to fight the dreaded mosquito-borne Zika virus, 21. India Celebrates 67th Republic Day - which causes serious birth defects in children. India celebrates its 67th Republic Day with Note: Zika virus is spread by mosquitoes of the President Francois Hollande as the chief guest Aedes genus, which can breed in a pool of water It was the fifth time a French president has been as small as a bottle cap and usually bite during the chief guest, the biggest honour India can bestow on day. The mosquito-transmitted infection is a foreign leader. related to Dengue, Yellow Fever and West Nile Army dogs march after 26 years in R-day. virus. First time an All-women stunt contingent - For the 18. TCS becomes world’s most powerful IT Services first time, all women CRPF contingent performed brand – at Republic Day parade. They showed their Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), India’s top IT motorcycle stunts. services and consulting company said that it has French army first foreign contingent been rated as the world’s most powerful brand in participate at R – day - Soldiers of French Army’s IT Services by Brand Finance, the world’s leading 35th Infantry Regiment, which was Led by Lt Col brand valuation firm. Paul created history by marching down the TCS emerged as the IT services industry’s most Rajpath during the Republic Day parade, becoming powerful brand with a score of 78.3 points – the first foreign military contingent to take part in earning it an AA+ rating. the celebrations. Across all industries, Disney was rated as the 22. India’s first blind friendly train flagged off from most powerful brand and Apple as the most Mysuru to Varanasi. valuable brand for 2016. Note: 19. India becomes world’s largest exporter of Rice - The Mysuru-Varanasi Express will be the first in India has overtaken Thailand as the world’s largest the country where all reserved coaches have rice exporter in 2015, shipping 10.23 million embedded Braille signage.
16 | P a g e www.gradestack.com/blogs
Mysore Railway station is the first blind friendly According to travel website TripAdvisor, Umaid station. Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur is the world’s best hotel 23. Prime Minister Narendra Modi becomes the second of 2016. most followed Indian on Twitter. His following of Top 5 hotels for 2016 according to TripAdvisor 17.4 million stands close to Amitabh Bachan, who has members: 18.9 million followers. Shah Rukh Khan takes the third Umaid Bhawan Palace Jodhpur – Jodhpur, India spot with his 17,351,100 followers. Shinta Mani Resort – Siem Reap, Cambodia 24. Google Launches First Public Wifi Service in India Bellevue Syrene – Sorrento, Italy Google, in partnership with Indian Railways, Hanoi La Siesta Hotel & Spa – Hanoi, Vietnam launched its first free high-speed public WiFi Achtis Hotel – Afitos, Greece service in the country at the Mumbai Central 34. Kerala becomes 1st state to achieve 100% primary Railway Station. education - This has been achieved through the The service will be made available next in primary education equivalency drive of the state Allahabad, Patna, Jaipur, and Ranchi. literacy mission — Athulyam. 25. Andhra Pradesh tops in implementing MGNREGA 35. PayPal ties-up with Shopmatic for cross-border for 2014-15 - Andhra Pradesh has topped in the transactions - Digital payments firm PayPal has tied up country in implementing the Mahatma Gandhi National with ecommerce platform solutions provider Rural Employment Guarantee Act for the 2014-2015 in Shopmatic to enable its merchants to expand their category of transparency and accountability. sales globally. This is PayPal’s first tie-up with an 26. India’s largest and tallest tricolour hoisted at Ranchi, Indian partner. Jharkhand. 36. Central Institute for Research on Buffaloes (CIRB) in 27. In Maharashtra, the first Solar Power operated Mini- Hisar becomes India’s second centre to produce a Water Supply Plant in the state has been cloned buffalo ‘Cirb Gaurav’. commissioned in Hingna village of Mouda Taluka in 37. Telangana become the first State in the country to Nagpur district. introduce compulsory gender education at the 28. 11th World Hindi Day observed on 10 January graduate level. 29. Coca Cola to launch dairy drinks in India - Coca-Cola Note: In this regard, state government has introduced beverage giant announced that it will launch milk – bilingual textbook titled ‘Towards a World of Equals’ based beverages under the brand name “Vio”. on a pilot basis in engineering colleges. These 30. The Government signed an 80million US dollar loan engineering colleges are affiliated to the Jawaharlal agreement with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Nehru Technological University (JNTU-Hyderabad). to continue improving infrastructure in Agartala and 38. Sikkim becomes India’s first organic state. Sikkim Aizwal. has become India’s first fully organic state by 31. IRCTC announces new rule for online ticket implementing organic practices on around 75,000 booking - Railway Ministry announced a new rule for hectares of agricultural land. booking of online tickets through the IRCTC website, 39. Govt. of India signs loan agreement with WB for further reducing the maximum number of ticket watershed project bookings allowed by an individual user to 6 from the The government signed a loan agreement with the current 10 in a month. World Bank for the Rs 2,142 Crore Neeranchal 32. Govt bans zero duty import of capital goods for National Watershed Project, which is expected to power plants - The government today banned duty- increase the productivity of agriculture in the free import of capital goods for power generation and country. transmission projects under the EPCG Scheme. The project to be implemented by the Ministry of The Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG) scheme Rural Development over a six-year period from allows import of capital goods for pre-production, 2016 to 2021 will support the Pradhan Mantri production and post-production at zero Custom duty. Krishi Sinchayi Yojana in hydrology and water management, agricultural production systems, 33. Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur is the world’s capacity building and monitoring and evaluation. best hotel –
17 | P a g e www.gradestack.com/blogs
The loan credit will support the watershed ‘super cities’ These four were the destination of activities of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee over 50 per cent of all foreign capital invested in Yojana (PMKSY) in selected sites in 9 states. These the Global Top 30 cities. states are Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, 46. Arunima Sinha, the amputee mountaineer who set a Telangana, Jharkhand, Gujarat, Maharashtra, record by climbing the Mount Everest, has added Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Rajasthan. another feather in her cap by conquering Mount 40. MP state govt. inks MoU with IFC for World’s Aconcagua in Argentina. largest Solar Plant 47. Friendship bus service between India-Nepal The Madhya Pradesh government has inked a pact resumes - A friendship bus service between India and with International Finance Corporation (IFC), Nepal was flagged off via Champawat district in member of the World Bank Group, to set up the Uttarakhand after a gap of 27 years. world’s largest solar energy plant with a capacity 48. Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs to merge with of 750 MW. MEA – The Rewa Ultra-Mega Solar Power Project will be Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the long- set up in Gurh tehsil of Rewa district over an area awaited merger of the Ministry of Overseas Indian of 1,500 hectares at an estimated cost of Rs 4,500 Affairs (MOIA) with the Ministry of External Affairs crore. (MEA). 41. BHEL commissioned the second 660 MW 49. Ministry of Railways flagged off first double decker supercritical unit of Lalitpur Super Thermal Power Goa-Mumbai train Project (STPP) in Uttar Pradesh. Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu flagged off the first Note: Last month, BHEL has successfully Goa to Mumbai double-decker Shatabdi train through commissioned the first unit of 3×660 MW Prayagraj video conference from Panaji, Goa. Super Thermal Power Project (STPP) at Bara in The fully air-conditioned double-decker train is the Allahabad district of Uttar Pradesh. first-of-its-kind in India. 42. World Bank to fund a zoo in Andhra Pradesh - 50. First India International Science Festival began at In Andhra Pradesh for the first time World Bank IIT-Delhi will be funding a zoo. 51. Union Government approved setting up of 6 new Hudhud-ravaged Indira Gandhi Zoological Park in IITs Visakhapatnam will be funded seven million The Union Cabinet approved setting up of six new dollars for restoration and development as a Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) in Andhra world-class international ecological park by the Pradesh, Chhatisgarh, Goa, Jammu, Kerala and World Bank. Karnataka. 43. Somnath Temple to invest in Gold Monetisation 52. Union Finance Ministry launched E-Sahyog Pilot Scheme - Somnath Temple Trust is all set to become Project to facilitate Taxpayers first temple from Gujarat to deposit its idle gold in the The Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley launched the Gold Monetization Scheme. e-Sahyog pilot project of the Income-Tax Department 44. India’s first radio taxi service for the Lesbian Gay to facilitate taxpayers by reducing their need to Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) community, Wings physically appear before tax authorities. Rainbow, was flagged off in Mumbai. 53. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has laid the 45. Mumbai, Delhi figure in world’s top-30 ‘super foundation stone of fourth terminal of country’s cities’ – largest container port – Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust Two Indian cities — Delhi and Mumbai — have (JNPT) in Mumbai. made it to a top-30 list of the world’s most 54. The World Bank approved a 1.5 billion US dollar powerful, productive and connected cities. loan for the ambitious Clean India Campaign (Swachh India’s financial capital Mumbai has been ranked Bharat Mission). 22nd while the national capital Delhi is placed at The loan was granted to support the government in its 24th. efforts to ensure all citizens in rural areas have access The list is topped by Tokyo, which along with to improved sanitation and end the practice of open New York, London and Paris, make the top four defecation by 2019.
18 | P a g e www.gradestack.com/blogs
55. Hetero became first Indian company to receive 56. Asia’s biggest telescope Multi-Application Solar DGCI’s approval for hepatitis C drug Telescope (MAST) inaugurated at the Udaipur Solar Hyderabad-based Hetero Drugs announced that it Observatory in Rajasthan. received the approval of Drug Controller General of 57. Union Cabinet gives nod to 3 new AIIMS - India (DCGI) to launch fixed-dose combination therapy 3 AIIMS will be established at Nagpur (Maharashtra), Ledipasvir-Sofosbuvir. The product will be available Manglagiri (Andhra Pradesh) and Kalyani in West under the brand name Ledisof in India. Bengal. With this approval, Hetero became the first company in the country to get approval from DGCI to launch hepatitis C medicines.
International News -
5. India becomes Associate Member of EMBO 1. Sindh becomes first Pakistan province to adopt India officially became the Associate Member Hindu Marriage Bill State of European Molecular Biology Organisation Pakistan’s Sindh Assembly passed the Hindu (EMBO). Marriage Bill making the province the first in the India is second country outside the European country to allow the minority community to region to be an Associate Member State of EMBO. register their marriages, amid calls from a leading First one being Singapore which had signed such Hindu group to remove a controversial clause in agreement with European Molecular Biology the landmark bill. Conference (EMBC) in 2015. The bill fixes the minimum age of marriage at 18. Note: 2. World’s largest concentrated solar plant opened EMBO is a professional organization of life in Morocco - scientists in Europe, which was founded in The Noor Ouarzazate Solar Complex, world’s 1964 and its head office located at Heidelberg, largest solar power plant opened in the Souss- Germany. Massa-Drâa area in Morocco. It promotes research in life science and The plant holds the capacity to produce enough enables international exchange of scientific energy to power over one million homes by 2018 information between scientists. and reduce carbon emissions by an estimated 6. World Cancer Day observed on 4th February 2016. 760000 tons per year. The day was observed with year’s theme – We can. I 3. France became first country in the world to ban can. supermarket food waste 7. WHO declares Zika virus outbreak as The French Senate unanimously passed a law to International Emergency ban large food stores from throwing away food The World Health Organisation (WHO) has that is approaching its expiration date. declared an international public health The National Assembly, France’s other emergency over the explosive spread of the legislative chamber, had unanimously voted on mosquito-borne Zika virus. the same measures in December 2015. WHO has predicted that around four million 4. India become the second largest smartphone people may be infected with Zika virus in the market - Americas (South and North America). India has surpassed the US to become the Zika virus is a mosquito-borne virus transmitted largest smartphone market in the world after by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. China, by number of units sold, as the availability It is close cousin of other other vector-borne of 4G handsets fueled demand, a new report has diseases like Dengue, Chikungunya and Yellow revealed. Fever transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes .
19 | P a g e www.gradestack.com/blogs
The virus was first identified in 1947 in Uganda analysis unveiled at the World Economic Forum in and its name has been derived from Zika Forest. Davos. 8. Vietnam inaugurated the world’s longest three- The first-ever Best Countries report awarded rope cable car system in Lao Cai province. With a Germany the top spot “in part because of its total length of 6,292.5 metres, the system was strong economy, world influence and its focus on key global issues, such as the migrant crisis and recognized by the Guinness World Records as the eurozone unity. world’s longest three-rope cable car route, and also The top 5 countries in the world the world’s biggest height gap between its departure Germany and arrival stations of 1,410 metres. Canada 9. Vietnam lifted ban on import of Indian groundnut. United Kingdom 10. Priyanka Chopra to present at the Oscars - United States Bolywood actress Priyanka Chopra is all set to Sweden present at the upcoming 88th Academy Awards. Australia Priyanka becomes the sole representative of India at Best place to start a career China this year’s Oscar ceremony. The country’s official Germany entry in the best foreign film category for the Oscars U.S. 2016, ‘Court’ could not make it to the final five. Best place to start a business 11. Alphabet becomes The Most Valuable Public Thailand Company in the World – Malaysia Google’s parent company Alphabet surpassed Philippines Apple to become the most valuable U.S. traded Best place to invest in company in the world. India Singapore Alphabet became the most valuable publicly- Vietnam traded company in the world — coming in at a 15. Denmark named world’s best country for women - market cap $558 billion after jumping about 8% Denmark is the best country in the world for women after the company reported its fourth-quarter to live in, according to a survey conducted by earnings, and passing Apple, which sits at a American media company US News and World market cap of $535 billion. Report. 12. Denmark is the world’s least corrupt country. List of Top 5 countries - Denmark, Sweden, Canada, the Netherlands and Australia Denmark has emerged as the least corrupt country in 16. PM Modi Second most popular world leader on FB the world for a fourth consecutive year, according to - Prime Minister Narendra Modi has become the the non-governmental organisation Transparency second most popular leader on the social networking International. website Facebook. PM Narendra Modi has over 31 Finland and Sweden ranked second and third million fans on his personal Narendra Modi page. respectively on the 2015 Corruption Note: US President Barack Obama is the most Perceptions Index, while North Korea and popular leader in the world. The US President has over 46 million likes on his Facebook page. Somalia were named the most corrupt out of 196 17. World’s largest blue star sapphire discovered in Sri nations. Lanka. India rank at 76th spot on the list. 18. China’s country code domain “.cn” becomes world’s 13. Bill Gates is the richest person on earth - According largest - China’s country code domain ‘.cn’ has to new Wealth-X data on the world’s 50 richest people become the world’s most commonly used in the – Bill Gates is the richest person in the world with a internet with 16.36 million users, surpassing net worth of $87.4 billion. Germany’s ‘.de’ domain. The 5 Richest People in the World 19. Nepal elected as UNICEF’s executive board term 1. Bill Gates 2. Amancio Ortega 3. Warren member for 2016-2018 - Nepal has been elected to Buffett 4. Jeff Bezos 5. David Koch the UNICEF Executive Board, representing the group 14. Germany the ‘best country in the world’. Germany of Asia-Pacific countries for the term 2016-2018. Nepal’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative is the best country in the world, according to new to the UN Durga Prasad Bhattarai, has also been unanimously elected as Vice-President to the Bureau 20 | P a g e www.gradestack.com/blogs
of the Executive Board, according to Nepal’s (v) Bharat Petroleum Permanent Mission to the UN in New York. 20. 2016 to be China – India Tourism Year: China - The 26. PM Narendra Modi inaugurates new building of China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) has Afghanistan Parliament in Kabul announced 2016 as the ‘China – India Tourism Year’ Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the in India. new building of Afghanistan Parliament in the capital city Kabul built by India. 21. Indra Nooyi becomes Yale’s biggest alumni donor It was inaugurated during Narendra Modi’s first - Indra Nooyi, the Indian-born PepsiCo Chairperson & official visit to Afghanistan after becoming Prime CEO, has become the Yale School of Management’s Minister. biggest alumni donor with a ‘landmark gift’ to endow He also named one block of Parliament as Atal the deanship at her alma mater. Block after former Prime Minister Atal Bihari 22. UN launched 2016 International Year of Pulses Vajpayee. Under the slogan ‘nutritious seeds for a sustainable Prime Minister also handed over 4 Mi-25 attack future,’ the United Nations, led by its Food and helicopters to Afghanistan Air Force symbolising Agriculture Organization (FAO), launched the 2016 a shift in India’s position on supplying ‘offensive’ International Year of Pulses. equipment. The aim is to raise awareness about the protein 27. India to build Naval Base on Seychelles Island power and health benefits of all kinds of dried beans Seychelles government allowed India to build its first and peas, boost their production and trade, and Naval Base on the Assumption Island in the Indian encourage new and smarter uses throughout the food Ocean region (IOR) as a joint project between both chain. countries. 23. Philippines became first Asian country to approve Note: India’s first Naval Base project has acquired world’s first-ever dengue vaccine significance following China acquiring its first African Philippines became the first Asian country to approve naval base in Djibouti (near Horn of Africa) in the sale of the world’s first-ever dengue vaccine, November 2014. Dengvaxia. 28. TIME Magazine named German Chancellor Merkel The Philippines’ Food and Drug Administration as 2015 ‘Person of the Year’ approved the dengue vaccine for the prevention of German Chancellor Angela Merkel was named as disease caused by all four dengue types in individuals 2015 Person of the Year by Time Magazine. The from 9 to 45 years old living in endemic areas. magazine cited her role in Europe’s crisis over Note: migration and Greek debt. (i) Earlier Dengvaxia, manufactured by French 29. World Trade Organisation (WTO) approved pharmaceutical giant Sanofi, secured its first Afghanistan’s membership terms to join as 164th regulatory approval in Mexico. member (ii) Sanofi is a French multinational pharmaceutical 30. 1st December: World AIDS Day company headquartered in Paris, France. The theme for year 2015 is ‘Getting to zero, End 24. Zimbabwe adopt Chinese Yuan as legal currency AIDS by 2030‘. after debt cancellation 31. Google officially becomes Alphabet Inc. Zimbabwe has announced that it will adopt the Internet Search engine giant Google has officially has Chinese currency as legal tender. The announcement converted into new parent company Alphabet Inc. came after China cancelled $40-million (U.S.) in 32. Mexico Government approves world’s 1st Dengue Zimbabwean debt earlier this week. fever vaccine named Dengvaxia 25. List of Fortune 500 Indian companies 2015 Note: Dengvaxia has been manufactured by French announced pharmaceutical manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur. Indian Oil Corporation has retained its position 33. Myanmar launched its first UNESCO Biosphere on the top spot for the sixth consecutive year Reserve Inle Lake which is followed by Reliance Industries in the list 34. Myanmar inaugurated Yangon Stock Exchange of Fortune 500 Indian companies 2015. 35. Myanmar inaugurated a new stock exchange, named IOC tops the chart with an annual revenue of Rs Yangon Stock Exchange (YSX), with plans for six 4,51,911 crore, while Mukesh Ambani-led RIL’s companies to start trading in March 2016. full-year revenue is Rs 3,82,565 crore. 36. UNESCO designated Varanasi and Jaipur as members of Creative Cities Network List of Top 5 Indian companies – Varanasi and Jaipur made it to the network in the (i) IOC (ii) Reliance Industries Ltd. categories, City of Music and City of Crafts and Folk (iii) Tata Motors (iv) SBI Art respectively.
21 | P a g e www.gradestack.com/blogs
37. 10 November: World Science Day for Peace and 44. Cow becomes national animal of Nepal Development Theme 2015 - Social Protection and Agriculture’. The theme for 2015 is Science for a Sustainable 45. 11 October: International Day of Girl Child Future. 2015 theme: ‘The Power of the Adolescent Girl: 38. Forbes list of World's Most Powerful People 2015 Vision for 2030’. released 46. World Egg Day - 9 October 2015 1. Russian President Vladimir Putin 47. September 21: International Day of Peace 2. German Chancellor Angela Merkel The theme for the year 2015 is Partnerships for 3. US President Barack Obama Peace- Dignity for All. 9. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi 48. India to be world’s most populous country by 2022: UN: According to the report, India will surpass 39. Punjabi became third most common language, after China to become the most populous nation in the English and French in Parliament of Canada world by 2022. 40. Nepal signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with China in order to ease fuel crisis in the country 49. World’s first malaria vaccination approved: The by importing all kinds of fuel. shot, called RTS,S or Mosquirix, would be the first 41. Luxembourg became the 10th country to ratify licensed human vaccine against a parasitic disease Articles of Agreement (AoA) of Asian Infrastructure and could help prevent millions of cases of malaria in Investment Bank countries that use it. The vaccine was developed by 42. PM Narendra Modi is world's 13th most influential British drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) in person: Bloomberg partnership with the PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative. Note: The list of 50 most influential people is topped 50. Bangladesh became first country to receive funds by Federal Reserve chairperson Janet Yellen, from UN for Solar Home Systems. followed by Chinese President Xi Jinping on the second position with Apple CEO Tim Cook occupying the third slot. 43. Germany offers India 2 billion euros for solar energy projects and clean energy corridor. News around the States
Andhra Pradesh As per the detailed master plan for the upcoming capital Amaravati, the transparent road tunnel will 1. AP Govt. launched Giriputrika Kalyana Pathakam connect the administrative capital with Scheme for tribal people - The Andhra Pradesh Vijayawada. Government launched Giriputrika Kalyana Pathakam 4. Four new Greenfield Airports to come up in Andhra Scheme to support the tribal women in their quest for Pradesh & Gujarat - The Centre has given its clearance for four greenfield livelihood. It is designed to provide a onetime financial airports — three in Andhra Pradesh and an assistance of 50000 rupees to each tribal woman who international airport at Dholera in Gujarat. gets married. Three of the total four greenfield airports will be 2. AP Govt. signed MoU with Microsoft India on set up in Andhra Pradesh. Bhogapuram, a town technology initiatives around 40 kilometre from Andhra Pradesh’s Government of Andhra Pradesh signed a capital Visakhapatnam, will host one such airport. Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Two other airports will come up in Kurnool and Microsoft India on a range of technology initiatives. Nellore districts in Andhra Pradesh. The purpose of the MoU is to improve use of 5. Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd, BHEL has information and communication technologies, commissioned a 520-MW coal-based thermal power drive digital inclusion and provide IT-based unit in Andhra Pradesh. decentralised citizen services. 6. Andhra Pradesh became the first state of India to 3. Country’s first underwater tunnel to be come up in join the Union Government’s Ujwal Discom Andhra Pradesh Assurance Yojana (UDAY). India’s first underwater tunnel to be come up in The scheme aims at reviving debt-stressed power Andhra Pradesh. distribution companies. The proposed riverfront capital city of Andhra Other states to join UDAY scheme are Jharkhand Pradesh is all set to get an underwater tunnel in (second state) and Rajasthan (third state). river Krishna. 22 | P a g e www.gradestack.com/blogs
7. Andhra Pradesh launches e-Pragati scheme to bring all Jharkhand – government services under one roof. 1. Jharkhand first state to sign up for UDAY reforms. Arunachal Pradesh 2. Jharkhand Government inaugurated land bank web 1. President rule imposed in Arunachal Pradesh. portal. Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das inaugurated the state’s land bank web portal, Assam – jharbhoom.nic.in, that will help investors know land- 1. PM inaugurates petrochemical plant in Dibrugarh – related information. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated the Kerala – Brahmaputra Cracker and Polymer Limited (BCPL) 1. Perumanna Grama Panchayat in Kozhikode district at Lepetkata, Assam. of Kerala has become the first Panchayat in the State, It is the first ever petro-chemical plant located in to declare its own water policy. the entire North-Eastern region of Indian. It has 2. Kerala Govt declares state as "Digital State" - Kerala been built at cost of 10000-crore rupees and shall Government has declared state totally digital, thus be producing raw material for manufacturing becoming first state in the country to achieve it. plastic 3. Kerala Government inaugurated a 12 MW solar power project at Cochin International Airport. Bihar – Note: With this project, Cochin airport became the 1. Bihar Cabinet approved 35 % reservation for first airport in India to run on solar power. This women in govt. jobs - The Bihar Cabinet formally project is estimated to generate approximately 50000 approved 35 percent reservation for women in all units of electricity daily. Through this project, the government jobs in the state. The 35 percent airport will technically become grid power neutral.
reservation for women will be applicable to in all Madhya Pradesh – government jobs including reserved and unreserved 1. 1st Mega Food Park (MFP) of Madhya Pradesh category. inaugurated at Panwa village in Kasarwad tehsil of 2. Toilets made mandatory to contest Panchayat polls in Khargone district. Bihar. 2. Madhya Pradesh Government declared 33 percent quota for women in government jobs Himachal Pradesh – 3. Madhya Pradesh Government launches M-Shiksha- Mitra mobile app for teachers 1. The Nati folk dance of Kullu district of Himachal 4. Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) Pradesh listed in the Guinness Book of World Records commissioned a 500 MW coal-based power plant unit as the largest folk dance in the world. at Vindhyachal Super Thermal Power Station (STPS) in 2. Himachal Pradesh has become the first state in the Vindhyanagar, Singrauli district of Madhya Pradesh. country to start Rotavirus vaccination project under 5. Shree Singaji Thermal Power Plant (600 MW) launched the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP). in Khandwa district of Madhya Pradesh.
Haryana – Odisha – 1. Now free education to SC/ST students under 1. 30th Surajkund International Crafts Mela started at “Anwesha” - The state government of Odisha has Faridabad. This year Telangana will be the Theme launched a scheme named “Anwesha” which aims to State, which is showcasing its unique culture and rich provide free education to scheduled caste and heritage and the two focus countries are China and scheduled tribe students from remote areas in urban Japan. area public schools. 2. Haryana bagged Skoch Order-of-Merit national As per the scheme, 5 thousand children would be award for implementation of six e-Governance and IT enrolled in class-I every year. At present around 3.5 initiatives in the state. lakh SC and ST students are availing the residential facility in the state. Jammu & Kashmir – 2. Tata Steel has commissioned the first phase of its integrated steel plant at Kalinganagar steel plant in Governor’s Rule imposed in Jammu and Jajpur district of Odisha Kashmir - Narinder Nath Vohra is the current
governor of the Indian state of Jammu and
Kashmir.
23 | P a g e www.gradestack.com/blogs
Rajasthan – With the launch of this scheme, Telangana became 1. Rajasthan has become the first state in the country the first state in the country to legally accept motor to submit State Annual Action Plan under Atal Mission vehicle insurance policy in digital form. for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT). Uttar Pradesh – 1. Union Government launched Ganga Gram at Village Tamil Nadu – Puth in Hapur district of Uttar Pradesh (UP). Under the scheme, 1600 villages of UP situated along the 1. Tamil Nadu’s first Global Investors Summit (TNGIM banks of river Ganga will be developed. 2015) held in Chennai. 2. 2. World Bank offers $400 million loan to the Tamil Nadu 3. BHEL commissions Prayagraj power project unit in government for its Sustainable Urban Development Uttar Pradesh Project. State-run Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has commissioned a 660 MW unit of Prayagraj Telangana Super Thermal Power Project at Bara town in Allahabad district of Uttar Pradesh. 1. Kakatiya thermal plant commissioned in This is the first supercritical thermal unit to be Telangana - commissioned in the state to achieve capacity The 600-MW Kakatiya thermal power plant addition on attaining full load. commissioned at Bhoopalapally in Warangal It is Greenfield thermal power project is owned district of the State. by Prayagraj Power Generation Company Limited This is the first major power plant to be (PPGCL), a subsidiary company of Jaiprakash commissioned after the formation of the new State Power Ventures Limited. of Telangana in June 2014. 4. UP launches helpline number for journalists with number 1880. 2. e-Vahan Bima Scheme launched by Telangana State Govt. Government of Telangana launched e-Vahan Bima Scheme to issue motor insurance policy in digital form in the state.
Important Agreements/ MoU Signed/ Deals: India & Abroad
Railways: Joint Venture Shareholding Agreement 1. India seeks investment from UAE in energy sector between Indian Railways and Alstom for UAE’s Adnoc to store crude oil in India production of 800 electric locomotives in Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) has Madhepura plant in Bihar. agreed to store crude oil in India’s maiden Education: MoU between IIT Mumbai and Thales strategic storage and give two-thirds of the oil to it Systemes Aeroportes for Industry Sponsored Ph.D for free. (Doctorate) Fellowship. India is building underground storages in Airbus Group & Mahindra to manufacture Visakhapatnam and Mangalore and Padur in helicopters - As part of ‘Make in India’ initiative, Karnataka to store about 5.33 million tonnes of an agreement was signed between Airbus Group crude oil to guard against global price shocks and and Mahindra to manufacture helicopters. supply disruptions. To develop 3 smart cities of India this includes - 2. India & France ink 14 pacts - Chandigarh, Nagpur and Puducherry. India and France have singed 14 pacts for enhancing the bilateral cooperation various 3. India and Armenia signed Protocol amending the fields including defence, space, railways, India-Armenia Double Taxation Avoidance Convention education etc. in New Delhi. Some important signed Agreements are 4. Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT- Defence: MoU on purchase of 36 Rafale Aircrafts. In) has signed cyber security agreement with its Space: Implementation Arrangement between ISRO and CNES on hosting Argos-4 Payload counterparts in Malaysia, Singapore and Japan. onboard Oceansat-3 satellite of India. 5. India to provide 300 MW to Nepal in 18 months - India agreed to supply 300 MW of electricity to energy- 24 | P a g e www.gradestack.com/blogs
starved Nepal in the next one-and- a-half year as the two sides decided to expedite construction of cross- border transmission lines and boost bilateral 9. India and Japan inked three agreements for cooperation including in power trade. cooperation in Railway Sector 6. India exported six metro train coaches to Australia Note: - According to the Union Ministry of Shipping, India has (i) India and Japan signed a Memorandum of exported six metro coaches to Australia from Mumbai Understanding (MoU) on cooperation and assistance in port. The shipment was made as part of a deal with the Mumbai – Ahmedabad High Speed Rail Project Australian government to export 450 made-in-India (Bullet Train project). coaches in two and a half year period. (ii) Both the countries also entered into two 7. India and Afghanistan have signed an agreement for comprehensive technological cooperation agreements visa-free travel for diplomatic passport holders of for modernization and upgradation of Indian Railways. the two countries. 10. India, France launched International Solar Alliance. It 8. India and the National Aeronautics and Space will function from the National Institute of Solar Administration (NASA) entered into a partnership to Energy in India, Gurgaon. explore the environment of Ladakh under NASA’s
Spaceward Bound programme. Under the partnership, a team of scientists from NASA,
the Mars society Australia and the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, Lucknow will undertake an expedition to Ladakh in August 2016.
Obituaries / Person Died
National
1. Aurobindo Mukherjee - Veteran film director 16. J.F.R. Jacob - Lieutenant General JFR Jacob (retired), 2. Nida Fazli - Noted Urdu Poet and well known who negotiated the surrender of Pakistani troops in Bollywood lyricist Dhaka following the 1971 war, passed away. 3. Sudhir Tailang - Noted Political cartoonist 17. V Rama Rao - Former Sikkim Governor 4. S S Tarapore - Former deputy governor of the Reserve 18. Manpreet Akhtar - Punjab folk Singer Bank of India (RBI) and a noted economist She sang famous song “Tujhe Yaad Na Meri Aye” in 5. Intizar Hussain - Veteran Urdu writer, novelist, Bollywood movie “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai”. columnist and poet 19. Geethapriya - Kannada filmmaker & lyricist 6. Balram Jhakar Yadav - Former Lok Sabha speaker 20. Aroon Tikekar - Senior journalist and scholar 7. O N V Kurup - Malayalam’s renowned poet & 21. Mrinalini Sarabhai - Noted dancer, choreographer Jnanpith-winner 22. Pt. Shankar Ghosh - Eminent Tabla player 8. Sadhna - Veteran Bollywood actress. 23. Kalpana Ranjani - Noted Malayalam film actress 9. Subir Sen - Viteran singer. 24. Ranbir Chopra - Former India basketball captain 10. Rajesh Vivek - Lagan Actor passed away 25. Mahip Singh - Writer, Journalist 11. Anil Ganguly – Filmmaker 26. Sankaran Nair - RAW former Chief 12. AB Bardhan - Veteran CPI leader 27. RK Trivedi - Former Gujarat Governor 13. Sarosh Homi Kapadia - Former Chief Justice of India 28. Ashok Singhal - Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader 14. Mufti Mohammad Sayeed - J & K Chief Minister 29. Saeed Jaffrey - Veteran Bollywood actor 15. Ravindra Kalia - Noted Hindi writer and journalist 30. Ravindra Jain - Renowned music director and lyricist
25 | P a g e www.gradestack.com/blogs
International
1. Sushil Koirala - Former Prime Minister 4. Maria Teresa de Filippis - First female Formula One 2. Edgar Mitchell - US astronaut Edgar Mitchell, who was driver the sixth man to walk on the Moon, has died aged 85. 5. David Bowie - British singer-songwriter 3. Marvin Minsky - Pioneer in Artificial Intelligence 6. Alan Rickman - Harry Porter actor passed away
New Books & Authors
12. Two Years Eight Months and Twenty Eight Nights: 1. Book titled ‘Jawaharlal Nehru and The Indian Polity in Salman Rushdie Perspective’- by Prof (Dr) P J Alexander 13. The Courage to Act - A Memoir of a Crisis and Its 2. The Z Factor,” a book written by Subhash Chandra Aftermath authored by Ben S. Bernanke - The book is the autobiography of the promoter of 14. Dreaming Big: My Journey to Connect India: auto Essel/ Zee Group Subhash Chandra. biography of Sam Pitroda written with the help of 3. Book titled “MARU BHARAT SARU BHARAT “(My India David Chanoff, an American author. Noble India) written by Jain Acharya 15. Two Years Eight Months and Twenty Eight Nights Ratnasundersuriswarji Maharaj. authored by the British Indian novelist Salman Rushdie 4. Book titled Nathuram Godse – The Story of an Assassin 16. To the Brink and Back: India's 1991 Story written by - authored by Anup Ashok Sardesai former Union Environment & Forest Minister 5. Former President APJ Abdul Kalam’s book (Independent Charge) Jairam Ramesh. “Transendence” launched in Johannesburg, South 17. Making India Awesome written by – Chetan Bhagat Africa 18. Green Signals: Ecology, Growth, Democracy in India 6. The Bose Brothers and Indian Independence – An written by Jairam Ramesh Insider’s Account authored by - Madhuri Bose (the 19. Uniki written by – CH Vidyasagar Rao, Governor of grand-niece of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose) Maharashtra. 7. Life On My Terms: From the Grassroots to the 20. The China Model written by – Daniel A Bell. Corridors of Power: an autobiography of Sharad 21. Recasting India written by – Hindol Sengupta. Pawar 22. Sourav Ganguly: Cricket, Captaincy and Controversy 8. What Happened to Netaji? authored by former written by Saptarshi Sarkar. journalist Anuj Dhar 23. Flood of fire written by Amitav Ghosh. 9. Rebooting India: Realizing a Billion Aspirations: 24. “India Central Asia Relations”: The Economic authored by Nandan Nilekani and Viral Shah Dimension authored by Amiya Chandra. 10. Interlinking of Indian Rivers authored by Radha 25. “Kashmir: The Vajpayee Years” – authored by AS Dulat and Aditya Sinha. Kant Bharati 26. “37 Bridges and Other Stories” – authored by noted 11. Dreaming Big: My Journey to Connect India: Sam Pakistani author Aamer Hussein. Pitroda
26 | P a g e www.gradestack.com/blogs
Awards & Honours
National
1. Sahitya Academy Puraskar - Noted Odia writer 10. Neerja Bhanot Award - Bengaluru-based activist Shakuntala Baliarsingh has been nominated for this Subhashini Vasanth conferred with the award. year’s Kendriya Sahitya Academy Puraskar. The award 11. 51st Jnanpith Award for 2015 - has been awared to Shakuntala for her illustrious piece Noted Gujarati writer Raghuvir Chaudhary has of translation literature ‘Kaberi Bhali Jhiyatiye’. been chosen for the Jnanpith award for 2015. 2. Kerala Award - Bollywood actress Vidya Balan has 12. Sangita Kalanidhi 2015 Award Sangita Kalanidhi 2015 Award conferred on South been awarded with the ‘Pride of Kerala’ Award by the Indian classical vocalists Sanjay Subrahmanyam. World Malayalee Council and Kairali TV. 13. EPFO bags National Award on e-Governance - The 3. Golden Beaver Award - Nagaland is changing, Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation has won the But...a film on conservation efforts by villagers won National Award on e-Governance 2015-16 for the Golden Beaver Best Film Award in the institutional launching the Universal Account Number (UAN). category at the 6th National Science Film Festival and 14. The Hindu Prize, 2015 - Easterine Kire, a poet, Competition in Mumbai. novelist and children’s writer from Nagaland won Gurmeet Sapal is the director of the film. 4. Infosys Prize 2015 - The Infosys Science Foundation The Hindu Prize, 2015. (ISF) announced the winners of the Infosys Prize 2015 She won the award for her novel ‘When the River across six categories: Engineering and Computer Sleeps’, a book about a lone hunter seeking a heart Science, Humanities, Life Sciences, Mathematical stone in a faraway sleeping river and fighting all odds Sciences, Physical Sciences and Social Sciences. to get it. The winners are – 15. 2016 DSC Prize - Indian author Anuradha Roy won (i) Engineering and Computer Science - Prof. Umesh the prestigious DSC Prize for South Asian Literature Waghmare for her novel ‘Sleeping on Jupiter’ at the Galle (ii) Humanities – Prof. Jonardon Ganeri Literary Festival in Sri Lanka. (iii) Life Sciences – Dr. Amit Sharma 16. 61st Filmfare Awards announced - (iv) Mathematical Sciences – Prof. Mahan Mj List of the Awards (v) Physical Sciences – Prof. G Ravindra Best Actor: Ranveer Singh for Bajirao Mastani (vi) Social Sciences – Dr. Srinath Raghavan Best Actress: Deepika Padukone for Piku Best Film: Bajirao Mastani 5. Bhimsen Joshi Award - Sarangi maestro Pandit Ram Best Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali for Bajirao Narayan was selected for the prestigious Bharat Ratna Mastani Pandit Bhimsen Joshi Classical Music Award for 2015- Lifetime Achievement: Moushumi Chatterjee 2016. Best Debut Director: Neeraj Ghaywan for Massan 6. Golden Conch Award at MIFF – Manipuri documentary film ‘Phum Shang’ won the Best Debutant (Male): Sooraj Pancholi for Hero coveted Golden Conch Award for the best Best Debutant (Female): Bhumi Pednekar for Dum documentary at the 14th Mumbai International Laga Ke Haisha Film Festival (MIFF). Best Story: V Vijayendra Prasad for Bajrangi Directed by Hao Bam Pabankumar Bhaijaan 7. Yash Chopra Memorial award conferred on 17. Azim Premji the ‘most generous Indian’ in Hurun Bollywood actress Rekha. 8. K Veeramani award - Bihar Chief Minister Nitish India Philanthropy List 2015 - Wipro Chairman Azim Kumar has been selected for K Veeramani award for Premji has emerged as the ‘most generous Indian’ in social justice by the Periyar International. the Hurun India Philanthropy List 2015, a ranking of 9. V Shantaram Award - Veteran wildlife filmmaker the most generous individuals from India. Naresh Bedi honoured with the V Shantaram Lifetime Achievement Award.
27 | P a g e www.gradestack.com/blogs
18. 2015 Harikrishna Devsare Baalsahitya Award - Note: Dilip Kumar Autobiography: The Substance Veteran Hindi poet Balkrishna Garg conferred with and the Shadow written by author and former the 2015 Harikrishna Devsare Baalsahitya Award in journalist Udaya Tara Nayar. New Delhi. 21. 2015 Uttar Pradesh Ratna Award - Indian-American 19. Colombian film Embrace of The Serpent adjudged entrepreneur and philanthropist Frank Islam best film of 46th IFFI 22. 2015 Aditya Vikram Birla Kala Shikhar Award - Colombian film ‘Embrace of The Serpent’ has been Santoor maestro Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma awarded adjudged as the best film of the 46th International with Aditya Vikram Birla Kala Shikhar Award for life Film Festival of India (IFFI) Directed Ciro Guerra of time achievement by Maharashtra government. 23. Miss Diva 2015 - Urvashi Rautela. Embrace of The Serpent was bestowed with the Golden 24. 2015 Hridaynath Mangeskar Award – Music Peacock award and the cash prize of 40 lakh rupees. composer AR Rehman. 20. Legendary actor Dilip Kumar conferred with Padma 25. Kolkata Port adjudged as the best 'Major Port of Vibhushan Award. 2014-15'. 26. Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna 2015 – Sania Mirza (Tennis)
Padma Awards -
Padma Awards, one of the highest civilian Awards of the country, are conferred in three categories, namely, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri. The awards are announced on the occasion of Republic Day every year.
The list comprises of 10 Padma Vibhushan, 19 Padma Bhushan and 83 Padma Shri Awardees
List of Padma Vibhushan awardees
Ms. Yamini Krishnamurthi Art- Classical dance Delhi Shri Shri Ravi Shankar Others-Spiritualism Shri Rajinikanth Art-Cinema Tamil Nadu Karnataka Smt. Girija Devi Art-Classical Vocal West Bengal Shri Jagmohan Public Affairs Delhi Shri Ramoji Rao Literature & Education-Journalism Dr.Vasudev Kalkunte Aatre Science & Engineering Andhra Pradesh Karnataka Dr. Viswanathan Shanta Medicine- Oncology Tamil Shri Avinash Dixit (Foreigner) Literature & Education Nadu USA Late Shri Dhiru Bhai Ambani (Posthumous) Trade & Industry Maharashtra
List of Padma Bhushan awardees-
Noted actor Anupam Kher Industrialist Pallonji Shapoorji Mistry, Singer Udit Narayan, Maruti Suzuki chairman R C Bhargava Former CAG Vinod Rai, Eminent architect Hafeez Contractor Chairperson of media group Bennett, Coleman & Co. Swami Tejomayananda and former US Ambassador to Indu Jain, India Robert Blackwill are among the 19 eminent Spiritual leaders late Swami Dayanand Saraswati, people chosen for Padma Bhushan.
List of some Padma Shri Award awardees Senior lawyer Ujjwal Nikam, Gujarati folk musician Bhikhudan Gadhvi, Actors Ajay Devgn Goa’s musician Tulsidas Borkar and scientist Onkar Actress Priyanka Chopra Nath Srivastava were among those who were named Actor the late Saeed Jaffrey, for Padma Shri awards. CEO of MasterCard Ajaypal Singh Banga, Bharatanatyam dancer Prathibha Prahlad,
28 | P a g e www.gradestack.com/blogs
Padma awards for sports
Sania Mirza and ace shuttler Saina Nehwal - Padma Bhushan, while archer Deepika Kumari was chosen for the Padma Shri .
International
1. Best First Foreign Film award – For physics – Chennupati Jagadish [eminent ‘Titli” has bagged the Best First Foreign Film Award professor at Australian National University conferred by the French Syndicate of Cinema Critics (ANU)] 2016 (FSCC). Kanu Behl is the director of the film For engineering – Jay Chandra, an eye doctor in New South Wales. “Titli”. For medicine - Sajeev Koshy, a dentist in Melbourne. 69th BAFTA Awards 2016 announced - This year 4. Amnesty International Human Rights Award 2016 saw the 69th British Academy Films Awards (BAFTAs) Indian lawyer and human rights defender Henri being announced on 14 February 2016, which was held Tiphagne selected for the 8th Human Rights at the Royal Opera House in London. The awards were Award by Amnesty International Germany. announced to honour the best British and international 5. 2015 Prince Mahidol Award - Morton Mower (US), contributions to film in 2015. Sir Michael Marmot (UK) have won the prestigious 2015 Prince Mahidol Award for their outstanding Mad Max: Fury Road won four awards for its return achievements in the international healthcare to the big screen: Costume Design, Production Design, sector. Make Up & Hair and Editing. 6. 2015 eASIA Award - DAVA or Drug Authentication and Verification Application Project won the 2015 List of Awards – eASIA Award under Trade Facilitation categoy. 7. An Indian-origin cancer research expert Harpal Best Film – The Revenant Singh Kumar received a Knighthood from Queen Best Outstanding British Film – Brooklyn Elizabeth II for his influential work on prevention Best Leading Actor – Leonardo DiCaprio for The and treatment of cancer. Revenant 8. Miss Universe 2015 Award – Best Leading Actress – Brie Larson for Room Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach of Philippines won the Miss Best Director – Alejandro G. Iñárritu for The Universe 2015 title. Revenant The final of 64th edition of Miss Universe held in Outstanding debut by a British writer, director or Las Vegas, the USA. producer – Naji Abu Nowar (Writer/Director) & 9. Miss World 2015 Award - Rupert Lloyd (Producer) Mireia Lalaguna Royo of Spain won the Miss Best Animated Film – Inside Out World 2015. Best British Short Animation – Edmond The final of Miss World 2015 was held at the Best British Short Film – Operator Beauty of Crown Theater in Sanya, China. Best Documentary – Amy She is the first Miss World from Spain. EE Rising Star (voted for by the public) – John Boyega 2. Rahul Thakkar wins Oscar for groundbreaking 10. 2015 National Medal of Science of the United design – States – Rahul Thakkar, a computer engineering graduate Indian American professor Dr. Rakesh K. Jain from Mumbai University, has won an Oscar for selected for 2015 National Medal of Science of the technical achievement. He will be sharing the United States. award with his mentor Richard Chuang. Rakesh K. Jain is currently working as professor 3. Australia’s highest civilian honour - Three Indian- at Harvard Medical School and also is the director origin persons have been awarded Australia's highest of tumour biology laboratory at Massachusetts civilian honour for their contribution in the fields of General Hospital. physics, engineering and medicine.
29 | P a g e www.gradestack.com/blogs
11. Costa novel award - Best Director: Alejandro Inarritu for “The Kate Atkinson has won the Costa novel award for Revenant.” the second time, for her novel for A God in Ruins. Best Foreign Language: “Son of Saul.” 12. Priyanka Chopra wins People’s Choice Award for Best Animated Film: “Inside Out.” ‘Quantico’ Bollywood star Priyanka Chopra has bagged the 13. 2015 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought – favourite actor in new TV series honour at the Saudi blogger Raif Badawi awarded Sakharov Prize 2016 People’s Choice Awards for her for Freedom of Thought for the year 2015. performance of an FBI recruit on American show Note: Badawi, author of the website Free Saudi Quantico. Priyanka becomes the first Indian actor to Liberals, was convicted of insulting Islam in 2012 register a win at the People’s Choice Awards and was sentenced to 10 years in jail and 1000 lashes. 16. United Nations Champions of the Earth Award List of Golden Globe Awards 2016 winners - The 73rd 2015 - Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Golden Globe Awards honored the best in film and conferred with the award. American television of 2015. 17. 2015 Humanitarian of the Year Award - Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi The Winners List for MOTION PICTURES Note: In 2014, this award was conferred on UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon. Best Picture, Drama: “The Revenant.” 18. 2015 Man Booker Prize for Fiction - Marlon James Best Picture, Musical or Comedy: “The Martian.” Note: He won the 2015 Man Booker Prize for Fiction Best Actor, Drama: Leonardo DiCaprio, for “The for his novel A Brief History of Seven Killings. With Revenant.” this, James became the first Jamaican author to win the Best Actress, Drama: Brie Larson for “Room.” prize in its 47-years of history.
Schemes/ Policy launched by State/ Union Govt. of India
1. Highlights of Start up India – Stand up India Scheme Startup India Standup India was first mentioned by PM Narendra Modi on August 15, 2015 while addressing the nation on Independence Day. However the scheme was formally launched on January 16, 2016 in New Delhi by PM Modi. The scheme aims to push for Entrepreneurship in the country by providing enabling environment for the entrepreneurs.
The features of the Action Plan are as follows:
Funds of Fund worth Rs 10,000 Crore will be created, for development and growth of innovative enterprises. Credit Guarantee Fund – Rs 500 Crore per year over next 4 years. Profits of Start-up units will be tax-free for 3 years. No labour Inspection for 3 years instead self-certification based regime to be followed. Quicker and subsidized (i.e. 80%) patent clearance mechanism to be evolved. New mobile App to register Start-ups & apply for Online Clearances will be operational from April 1, 2016. Provision of easier exits (within 90 days) for failed ventures under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Bill, 2015. 500 sector specific incubators, including 5 new Bio clusters will be established across the country. Under this, 35 new incubators, 7 new research parks, 31 innovation centers will be set up at the National institutes under the public private partnership mode. Under Atal Innovation Mission, seeds fund and Pre- incubation training will be given. Capital gains tax to be exempted for venture capital investments. The exemption,however, will be applicable only when only when the proceeds are invested in another startup.
30 | P a g e www.gradestack.com/blogs
An innovation programme will be launched in 5 lakh schools across the country to nurture innovation among 10 lakh children. To protect intellectual Property Rights, a new scheme will be developed.
Impact of this policy in the long run: This policy will encourage entrepreneurship. It will create new employment opportunities for the unemployed. It will also promote entrepreneurship among SC/ST and Women Entrepreneurs. It is expected to benefit at least 2.5 lakh borrowers. It will restrict the role of state and facilitate ease of doing business.
Current Statistics for startups: With 4200 startups registered in India, India ranks 3rd globally. Indian startups draw $18 billion during 2010-15 including $9 billion in 2015 alone. 9 Indian startups have been valued at more than a billion dollars. Increase in number of incubators: 80 in 2014, 110 in 2015; 50% outside Delhi, Bengaluru, and Mumbai.
2. Stand Up India Scheme - The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, approved the “Stand Up India Scheme” to promote entrepreneurship among SC/ST and Women entrepreneurs. It provides for Refinance window through Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) with an initial amount of Rs. 10,000 crore.
The details of the scheme are as follows: Focus is on hand holding support for both SC/ST and Women borrowers. The overall intent of the approval is to leverage the institutional credit structure to reach out to these under-served sectors of the population by facilitating bank loans repayable up to 7 years and between Rs. 10 lakh to Rs. 100 lakh for greenfield enterprises in the non farm sector set up by such SC, ST and Women borrowers. iii. The loan under the scheme would be appropriately secured and backed by a credit guarantee through a credit guarantee scheme for which Department of Financial Services would be the settler and National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company Ltd. (NCGTC) would be the operating agency. iv. Margin money of the composite loan would be up to 25%. Convergence with state schemes is expected to reduce the actual requirement of margin money for a number of borrowers. • Over a period of time, it is proposed that a credit history of the borrower be built up through Credit Bureaus.
3. Pradhan Mantri Fasal Beema Yojna (New Insurance Crop Scheme) – The Cabinet approved Pradhan Mantri Fasal Beema Yojna, a crop insurance scheme aimed to ensure farmers’ welfare. The new crop insurance scheme has been proposed to replace the existing National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (NAIS) and Modified National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (MNAIS). There will be a uniform premium of 2% to be paid by farmers for all kharif crops and 1.5 % for all Rabi crops. The premium for all horticulture crops will be 5%. At present, premiums charged in crop insurance schemes go up to 25% of the sum insured. The budget for Crop Insurance will be substantially increased from 2823 crore rupees in 2015-16 to 7750 crore rupees in 2018-19.
4. PM launches 3 gold schemes and national gold coin Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched three gold related schemes- (i) Gold Monetisation Scheme (GMS), (ii) Gold Sovereign Bond Scheme and the (iii) Gold Coin and Bullion Scheme
India has surpassed China as the world's largest gold consumer, buying 562 tonnes of yellow metal so far this year, against China's 548 tonnes
31 | P a g e www.gradestack.com/blogs
Scheme highlights:
Gold Monetisation Scheme (GMS), 2015 - The GMS will replace the existing Gold Deposit Scheme, 1999. However, the deposits outstanding under the Gold Deposit Scheme will be allowed to run till maturity unless the depositors prematurely withdraw them.
Few things to know about the scheme –
Who can make deposit under the scheme – Resident Indians (individuals, HUF, trusts, including mutual funds/exchange traded funds registered under Sebi norms) can make deposits under the scheme. Minimum Limit - The minimum deposit at any one time will be raw gold (bars, coins, jewellery excluding stones and other metals) equivalent to 30 grams of the precious metal of 995 fineness.
Maximum limit - There is no maximum limit for deposit under the scheme and the metal will be accepted at the Collection and Purity Testing Centres (CPTC) certified by the Bureau of Indian Standards.
Interest Rate - Gold Monetisation Scheme can earn up to 2.50 per cent interest rate on their idle gold. Note: Interest rate on Medium and Long Term Government Deposit (MLTGD) are 2.25 per cent and 2.20 per cent, respectively.
Tenor - The tenor of medium term would be between 5-7 years while long term would for 12-15 years tenure.
Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme – Few things to know about the scheme
Instead of buying gold in physical form investors can park their money in bonds which are backed by gold. The bonds will be available both in demat and paper form. Sovereign Gold Bond has more or equal advantage against the physical gold. The bond will be issued by RBI on behalf of the Government of India. Maximum Limit - The bond would be restricted for sale to resident Indian entities and the maximum allowable limit is 500 grams per person per year. Rate per gram - The RBI has fixed the public issue price of sovereign gold bonds at Rs 2,684 per gram. Denominations - These bonds will be issued in denominations of 5, 10, 50 and 100 grams of gold or other denominations. Know-your-customer (KYC) norms will be the same as that for purchase of physical gold. KYC documents such as Voter ID, Aadhaar Card/PAN or TAN /Passport will be required.
Gold coins and Bullion Scheme - The coins will be available in denominations of 5 and 10 grams. A 20 gram bar or bullion will also be available. About 15,000 coins of 5 gm, 20,000 coins of 10 gm and 3,750 gold bullions will be made available through MMTC outlets.
5. President launches IMPRINT India initiative of IITs and IISC President Pranab Mukherjee launched Impacting Research Innovation and Technology (IMPRINT) India to boost research in the country. The initiative is joint venture of Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and Indian Institute of Science (IISC). Key facts IMPRINT India initiative seeks to develop a roadmap for research in order to solve major engineering and technology challenges in 10 identified technology domains. These 10 domains are: Health Care, Computer Science and ICT, Advance Materials, Water Resources and River systems, Sustainable Urban Design, Defence, Nano-technology Hardware, Environmental Science and Climate Change and Energy Security.
6. Union Cabinet launched UDAY for financial turnaround and revival of DISCOMS (i) The Union Cabinet gave its nod to Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojna (UDAY), a new scheme proposed by the Ministry of Power.
32 | P a g e www.gradestack.com/blogs
(ii) The scheme aims at alleviating the financial crunch faced by Power Distribution companies (DISCOMs) that has impaired their ability to buy electricity. (iii) The scheme targets the revival of DISCOMs. It will also ensure a sustainable permanent solution to the problem.
How UDAY will revive the DISCOMS? UDAY will empower DISCOMs with the opportunity to break even in the next 2-3 years through four initiatives: Improving operational efficiencies of DISCOMs. Reduction of cost of power. Reduction in interest cost of DISCOMs. Enforcing financial discipline on DISCOMs through alignment with state finances.
Key features of UDAY States will take over 75 percent of DISCOM debt as on 30 September 2015 over two years. Union Government will not include the debt taken over by the states n the calculation of fiscal deficit of respective states in the financial years 2015-16 and 2016-17. States will issue non-SLR including SDL bonds in the market or directly to the respective financial institutions holding the DISCOM debt to the appropriate extent. States will take over the future losses of DISCOMs in a graded manner. States accepting UDAY and performing as per operational milestones will be given additional/priority funding through schemes of Ministry of Power and Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. States not meeting operational milestones will be liable to forfeit their claim on IPDS and DDUGJY grants.
7. Green Indian Mission (GIM) Plans Approved for 4 States - National Mission for a Green India (GIM) falling under the Environment Ministry has approved annual plans for Kerala, Mizoram, Manipur and Jhakhand. Note: GIM, which is one of the eight Missions outlined under National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), acknowledges the influence forests have on environmental amelioration through climate change mitigation, food security, water security, biodiversity conservation and livelihood security of forest-dependent communities.
8. “SEHAT” scheme - The Union government launched a telemedicine initiative 'Sehat' in collaboration with Apollo Hospitals to provide healthcare facilities in rural areas. The initiative was launched by Union Communication and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad at a function in New Delhi.
9. PAHAL scheme enters into Guinness Book of world records – Key Points – Union Government’s ambitious Pratyaksha Hastaantarit Laabh (PAHAL) scheme has been acknowledged as the world’s largest cash transfer program (households) by the Guinness Book of World Records. The scheme was formally launched as Direct Benefit Transfer Scheme for LPG subsidy in 2013 in 291 districts under the aegis of Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. It was modified and christened as PaHal in November 2014 and was launched in 54 districts. Later it was extended nationwide on 1 January 2015. Under the scheme, subsidized liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders are sold at market rates and consumers are entitled to receive LPG subsidy directly into their bank accounts.
10. ‘Housing For All’: Centre identifies 305 cities, towns - Key points – The housing ministry has identified 305 cities and towns across 9 states to start building houses for the poor in urban areas. The government has set the target to provide houses to two crore families belonging to the economically weaker section (EWS) in urban areas by 2022.
11. Union Government releases Rs 2,000 crore for Employees’ Pension Scheme Key points – Union Government has released 2,000 crore rupees to Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS), 1995 as its contribution for the year 2015-16.
33 | P a g e www.gradestack.com/blogs
This contribution is in addition to the 250 crore rupees contributed by the government as grant-in-aid in the EPS in order to provide minimum pension of 1,000 rupees to pensioners under the scheme.
12. e-Pragati’ to pave way for Digital Andhra Pradesh - Key points – Andhra Pradesh State government is now rechristening the AP State Enterprise Architecture (APSEA) as ‘e-Pragati’. APSEA is a comprehensive architecture to leverage the latest advances in e-governance tools. e-Pragati extends to 33 secretariat departments and over 300 government agencies in AP. It seeks to provide a bouquet of 745 services in the government to customer (G2C), government to business (G2B), government to enterprise (G2E) and government to government (G2G) areas.
13. Union Government has launched the Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana (PMKKKY) for the welfare of people affected by mining related operations.
14. Union Cabinet approves Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission to drive economic, social and infrastructure development in rural areas. Note: In this regard, Union Government has earmarked an outlay of Rs. 5142.08 crores rupees for the mission to develop 300 clusters over next three years across the country.
15. Union Government launches 2nd phase of Mission Indradhanush Key points – Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched the second phase of Mission Indradhanush to achieve full immunization of children below two years. In the second phase, the week-long programme will be implemented in 352 districts of the country. Mission Indradhanush depicts 7 colours of the rainbow which aims to cover all those children by 2020 who are either unvaccinated or are partially vaccinated against 7 vaccine preventable diseases. These 7 diseases are Diphtheria, Whooping cough, Tetanus, Polio, Tuberculosis, Measles and Hepatitis B. WHO (World Health Organisation), UNICEF, Rotary International and others are donor partners for Mission Indradhanush. Note: The mission was launched in December 2014 on the occasion of National Good Governance Day. The first phase drive was started in April 2015 in 201 districts covering 45 lakh children and immunising 20 lakh children.
16. PM Narendra Modi launches IPDS in Varanasi to ensure 24×7 power supply to every house Key points – Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched National Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS) in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh to provide 24×7 power supply to every house. To start the scheme in Varanasi, PM laid foundation stone of two power substations and Union Government will provide 572 crore rupees to implement it. Apart from launching IPDS, PM also laid the foundation stone of seven other developmental projects in Varanasi. He also formally inaugurated the biggest Trauma centre of the country in Banaras Hindu University.
17. Union Government launches SAHAJ scheme for online release of new LPG connections Union Government has launched SAHAJ scheme for online release of new LPG connections for the consumers as parts of its consumer friendly initiative. It was launched by Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan at a function held in New Delhi.
18. Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) - Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Housing for All by 2022 scheme, also known as the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) in New Delhi. The ‘Housing for All’ scheme will replace all previous government housing schemes such as the Rajiv Awas Yojana.
Two other schemes were also launched as complementary to the affordable housing scheme, a scheme for development of Smart Cities across the country and the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) that allows for urban renewal and upgradation of infrastructure in the major urban tracts of the country.
I. Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) – Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched AMRUT mission aimed at transforming 500 cities and towns into efficient urban living spaces, with special focus on a
34 | P a g e www.gradestack.com/blogs
healthy and green environment for children. The Cabinet approved Rs 50,000 crore for this mission which is to be spent over the next five years. Note: Rajasthan has become the first state in the country to submit State Annual Action Plan under Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT).
II. Smart Cities Mission - Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched Smart Cities Mission, focus on developing 100 select Smart cities by focusing on optimising efficiencies in urban services and infrastructure management, with proactive use of technology and people participation. The Cabinet approved of Rs 48,000 crore outlay to be spent on the project over the next five years.
19. Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana - Union Government launched Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DUGJY) in Patna, Bihar. The flagship scheme was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi with an aim to provide 24×7 uninterrupted electricity supply to each rural household across the country by 2022. Key points – (i) This scheme replaces Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY), which was launched by previous UPA government led by then PM Manmohan Singh. (ii) The scheme is one of the flagship programmes of the Power Ministry. (iii) It also seeks to strengthen Micro grid and off grid distribution network of rural electrification.
20. HRIDAY - Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana – Union Ministry of Urban Development launched the National Heritage Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY) for 12 cities in the country from Amritsar, Punjab. The scheme was launched by Union Minister of Finance, Corporate Affairs and Information & Broadcasting Arun Jaitley. Key points - (i) The scheme seeks to preserve and rejuvenate the rich cultural heritage of the country in the 12 selected cities in the country. (ii) With a duration of 27 months (completing in March 2017) and a total outlay of INR 500 Crores, the Scheme is set to be implemented in 12 identified Cities namely, Ajmer, Amaravati,(Andhra Pradesh), Amritsar, Badami, Dwarka, Gaya, Kanchipuram, Mathura, Puri, Varanasi, Velankanni and Warangal.
21. Skill India’ campaign 2015 - Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched Skill India campaign at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi on first ever World Youth Skills Day on 15th July 2015. Key points – (i) The campaign aims to converge and monitor skill development schemes across the country as well as provide subsidized loans to students for vocational training. (ii) A ‘Skill Loan’ has been launched, where loans from 5,000 to 1.5 lakh rupees will be available to over 34 lakh youth, over the next five years.
22. Mobile app “Disha” launched in Bihar - Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad launched a new mobile app named Disha to promote digital literacy in Bihar.
23. Grama Jyothi scheme launched in Telangana - Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao launched a flagship programme Grama Jyothi across the state.
24. RISHTA project launched in Himachal Pradesh - Himachal Pradesh Government launched the Rajiv Gandhi Illuminating Scheme for Hill Town Advancement (RISHTA) project, an efficient smart LED based street lighting project. With this, Himachal Pradesh became the first state in North India to do so. Key points – (i) The scheme is also known as Centralized Control and Monitoring System (CCMS) Smart Street Lighting Scheme for Urban Local bodies which implements LED based street lighting project.
25. Namami Gange Program - Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the flagship Namami Gange Program. It has a budgetary outlay of 20000 crore rupees for 2015-20. It will be implemented National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) with the help of State Program Management Groups (SPMGs).
26. Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) - Agriculture Irrigation Scheme. Key points: 35 | P a g e www.gradestack.com/blogs
Scheme aims at providing irrigation facilities to every village in the country by converging ongoing irrigation schemes implemented by various ministries. Budgetary allocation: 1,000 crore rupees for fiscal year 2015-16. Funding Pattern: Centre- States will be 75: 25 per cent. In case of north-eastern region and hilly states it will be 90:10.
27. Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana: It is a small deposit scheme for the girl child. Key points of the scheme – In one family, a maximum of two accounts can be opened for two girl children. The account can be transferred anywhere in India from one Post office/Bank to another. Age Limit: The upper age limit of the girl child for opening this account is 10 years. The govt. has given a relaxation of one year in the upper age limit for those opening accounts till December 1, 2015. Documents required - 1. Birth Certificate of the girl child. 2. Address proof. 3. Identity proof. Minimum & Maximum deposit: The minimum deposit under the scheme is Rs. 1000/-. The maximum deposit is Rs. 1.5 lakhs. There is no limit on the number of investments one can make in an account either in a month or in a year. Interest rate: The government will announce the interest rate of the scheme every year. However, the government of India has increased the rate of interest from 9.1% (2014-15) to 9.2% (2015-16) for this financial year. Maturity period: The maturity period of the scheme is 21 years from the date of account opening, though deposits need to be made only for the first 14 years. The minimum lock-in in period under the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana is 11 years.
28. Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY): The scheme aims to impart skill training to youth with focus on first time entrants to the labour market and class 10 and class 12 drop outs. The scheme will be implemented by the Union Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship through the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC). I t will cover 24 lakh persons and skill training would be based on the National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF) and industry led standards
29. Bhagyashree scheme: It is girl child scheme was launched in Maharashtra. Bollywood actress Bhagyashree is the brand ambassador of the scheme. Key points of the scheme: The state government will deposit an amount of 21200 rupees in bank for a girl child born in a Below the Poverty Line (BPL) family. The scheme aims at providing one 1 lakh rupees on maturity after the girl completes 18 years of age. The scheme would be linked to the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme of Union Government.
30. Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyan (RAA): Former President of India Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam launched the Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyan (RAA) in New Delhi. The abhiyan aims to inculcate a spirit of inquiry, creativity and love for Science and Mathematics in school children. Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyan is a concept developed by the Ministry of Human Resource Development. RAA is an effort to take forward the Prime Minister Narednra Modi’s vision of Digital India, ‘Make in India’ and ‘Teach in India’.
31. Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY): It is a low premium insurance scheme which will link with the Pradhan Mantri Jhan Dhan Yojna.
Key points of the scheme: Eligibility: Minimum 18 years and maximum 50 years and have bank account are eligible for the scheme. If the account is opened before attaining the age of 50 years, the life cover would remain intact up to the age of 55 years, if premium is paid regularly. Premium - Rs.330 per year i.e. less than Rs.1 per day. Risk coverage - Rs.2 Lakh in case of death for any reason. The premium paid will be tax-free under section 80C and also the proceeds amount will get tax-exemption u/s 10(10D).
32. Atal Pension Yojana (APY): It is a scheme mainly for workers in unorganised sector. The scheme will be administered by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) and replace the previous government's Swavalamban Yojana NPS Lite. Key points of the scheme: 36 | P a g e www.gradestack.com/blogs
The subscribers who will joined the scheme would receive the fixed pension of Rs. 1000 per month, Rs. 2000 per month, Rs. 3000 per month, Rs. 4000 per month, Rs. 5000 per month, at the age of 60 years, depending on their contributions. Age limit: minimum 18 years and maximum age is 40 years. A subscriber can contribute for minimum period of 20 years or more and pension payment will start at the age of 60 years. The government of India has decided to co-contribute 50% of the subscriber's contribution or Rs. 1000 per annum, whichever is lower, to each eligible subscriber account, for a period of 5 years, i.e., from 2015-16 to 2019-20, who join the NPS before 31st December, 2015 and who are not income tax payers.
33. Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY): It is an insurance scheme which covers death or disablement of the policyholder caused due to accident or accidental injuries. Key points of the scheme: Age limit: Minimum 18 yrs and maximum 70 years. The scheme will be a one year cover, renewable from year to year and would be administered through the Public Sector General Insurance Companies in collaboration with Banks. Risk coverage: Rs. 2 Lakh and for partial disability cover of Rs. 1 Lakh. Premium: Rs.12 per annum. The premium will be directly auto-debited by the bank from the subscribers' account.
34. Kisan Vikas Patra – Saving scheme relaunched by government of India. Key points – (i) Money will be doubles in 8 years 4 months (100 months). Thus the applicable interest rate is 8.7% (ii) KVP will be available in denominations of Rs.1,000, Rs. 5,000, Rs. 10,000, and Rs. 50,000. (iii) There will be no upper ceiling on investment. (iv) Minimum lock-in period is 2 years and 6 months. (v) KVP can be encashed in eight equal monthly installments after the lock-in period. (vi) No KYC norms would be applicable at the time of purchase of KVP, PAN details will not be required.
35. Public Provident Fund (PPF) – Saving scheme. Key points – (i) An individual can open account with Rs. 100/- but has to deposit minimum of Rs. 500/- in a financial year and maximum Rs.1.5 lakh. (ii) Maturity period is 15 years but the same can be extended within one year of maturity for further 5 years and so on. (iii) Interest rates - 8.70% per annum (compounded yearly). (iv) Account can be opened by cash/cheque and In case of cheque, the date of realization of cheque in Govt. account shall be date of opening of account.
Sports News
Cricket News
ICC World Cup Cricket Venues:
ODI Test T20 1. England – 2019 1. England - 2017 1. India -2016 2. India – 2023 2. India – 2021 2. Australia – 2020
37 | P a g e www.gradestack.com/blogs
Cricket news-
1. ICC U19 Cricket World Cup - West Indies defeated ICC Spirit of Cricket Award – Brendon McCullum India to lift their maiden ICC Under-19 Cricket World (New Zealand captain) Cup title. The final played at Mirpur, Bangladesh. ICC T20I Performance of the Year – Faf du Plessis 2. De Kock of South Africa became fastest cricketer to (South Africa) make 10 ODI centuries - Quinton de Kock, the ICC Umpire of the Year (David Shepherd Trophy) – wicketkeeper-batsman of South Africa, the fastest Richard Kettleborough cricketer to make 10 One Day International (ODI) centuries. He took mere 55 innings to reach as many 13. Syed Kirmani selected for C.K. Nayudu Lifetime centuries. Achievement Award 3. Rahul Dravid has been named in ICC’s newly 14. Justin Langer to coach Australian ODI team in 2016. He appointed Anti-Corruption Oversight Group as part of replaces Darren Lehmann. the recommendation from its Integrity Working Party 15. Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy - Uttar Pradesh defeat of the parent body. Baroda in the final to win its Syed maiden Mushtaq Ali 4. BCCI bans Pakistani umpire Asad Rauf for 5 years - T20 Trophy. Pakistani umpire Asad Rauf banned for five years by 16. Gujarat won maiden Vijay Hazare title - Gujarat beat the BCCI after its disciplinary committee found him Delhi by 139 runs to win their maiden Vijay Hazare guilty of corrupt practices and bringing the game into Cricket Trophy. disrepute. 17. V S Laxman’s masterly innings of 281 against 5. Virat Kohli becomes No.1 T20 batsman. Australia at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata has been 6. India reaches to No.1 spot in ICCC T20 ranking. rated as the greatest Test performance of the last 50 7. Allan Border Medal 2016 - David Warner wins the years. award. 18. Pranav Dhanawade hits world record 1009 runs at 8. Blind T20 Asia Cup - India defeat Pakistan in first school level tournament. Blind T20 Asia Cup. Pranav Dhanawade a 15-year-old cricketer of Smt 9. Virat Kohli becomes fastest to score 24 tons in KC Gandhi School, Kalyan team from Mumbai, ODIs - Indian batsman Virat Kohli became the fastest smashed an unbeaten 1009 not out off 327 to register 24 hundreds in one-day cricket, surpassing deliveries to notch up the highest individual score the twin milestones in just his 161st innings. in minor cricket, breaking a 117-year-old record. 10. Virat kohli fastest to reach 7,000 runs in ODIs - 19. Virat Kohli wins Polly Umrigar Award 2015 – 16 Virat Kohli has become the fastest man to score 7000 20. South African Graham Xavier Ford was named as the runs in One-Day International cricket. chief coach of the Sri Lankan Cricket team. Fastest to reach 7000 ODI runs 21. Colin Munro hits 2nd-fastest 50 in T-20 - New Virat Kohli (India) – 161 innings Zealand’s Colin Munro has blasted second-fastest fifty AB de Villiers (South Africa) – 166 innings just 14 balls in T-20 Internationals against Sri Lanka. Sourav Ganguly (India) – 174 innings 22. ICC announces MoneyGram as Event Partner - The Brian Lara (West Indies) – 183 innings ICC and MoneyGram International, a leading global Desmond Haynes (West Indies) – 187 innings provider of money transfer services, today announced 11. BCCI imposed a life ban on Haryana off-spinner Ajit an eight-year deal which confirms MoneyGram as an Chandila for his involvement in the 2013 IPL spot- event partner for ICC events from 2016-2023. fixing scandal. 23. MRF becomes global partner for ICC - MRF Ltd 12. Steve Smith wins ICC Cricketer of the Year Award becomes a global partner for International Cricket 2015 – Council (ICC) by signing a four-deal with the council He was also adjudged the ICC Test Cricketer of the that includes this year’s ICC World Twenty 20 in India, Year. next year’s ICC Champions Trophy and ICC Cricket Other awards – World Cup in 2019. ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year – AB de Villiers 24. West Indies batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul (South Africa’s ODI captain) announced his retirement from international cricket ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year – Meg almost 22 years after making his debut. Lanning (Australia women’s captain) 25. Pakistan Cricketer Imran Farhat retired from ICC Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year award – International Cricket. Stafanie Taylor (West Indies women’s captain) 26. Chris Gayle Equals Yuvraj Singh’s Fastest T20 Fifty ICC Emerging Cricketer of the Year award – Josh Record - Chris Gayle hit a 12-ball 50 for Melbourne Hazlewood (Australia fast bowler) Renegades against Adelaide Strikers in a Big Bash League semifinal to equal Yuvraj Singh’s record, set at 38 | P a g e www.gradestack.com/blogs
the 2007 World Twenty20. Gayle’s innings included Rajkot IPL team, announced its official name as seven sixes and two fours. ‘Gujarat Lions’. The team also announced Suresh Raina 27. Rajkot franchise IPL team name as ‘Gujarat Lions’ - as its captain. Intex Technologies, which owns the newly formed
Football News
FIFA (Football) World Cup Venue FIFA U – 17 World Cup Venues 1. Russia – 2018 1. Chile - 2015 2. Qatar - 2022 2. India – 2017
FIFA 2015 World Rankings announced - India rank at 163rd spot in the latest FIFA rankings -
Top 5 teams in the latest FIFA rankings • Belgium (1) • Argentina (2) • Spain (3) • Germany (4) • Chile (5)
This is the fifth trophy of Barcelona in year 2015. 1. Lionel Messi wins World’s best Football player 6. Suspended FIFA President Sepp Blatter and European Award for 5th time. Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo football chief Michel Platini have been banned from was second, while Messi’s Barcelona team- all football-related activities for eight years. mateNeymar was third. 7. India beat Afghanistan to lift SAFF Cup title for 7th 2. Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho Gaucho time. inaugurated the Nagjee International Club Football 8. World football’s governing body, FIFA, has dismissed Tournament, which is being revived after a gap of 21 Secretary General Jerome Valcke. He was years, at a function in Kozhikode. provisionally suspended from football for his alleged 3. Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan bestowed involvement in a scheme to profit from the sale of honorary life membership of the city’s famed soccer World Cup tickets. outfit Mohammedan Sporting which is celebrating its 9. Nigeria defeated Mali 2-0 to won 2015 FIFA U-17 125th anniversary this year. World Cup 4. Chennaiyin FC clinch ISL Champions 2015 title Note: India will host the bi-annual championship in Chennaiyin FC defeated FC Goa by 3-2 in the final 2017 to clinch the 2nd Indian Super League Football 10. Real Madrid Cristiano Ronaldo wins a record 4th tournament 2015 title. Golden Boot Mendoza, who finished as the tournament’s 11. (SAFF) under-16 title - Bangladesh Under-16 team highest scorer with 13 goals, bagged the ‘Golden won their first-ever South Asian Football Federation boot’ as well as the ‘Hero of the League’ award. (SAFF) under-16 title. In the title clash the hosts 5. Barcelona lifted FIFA Club World Cup 2015 defeated defending champions India 4-2 in penalties. Barcelona defeated River Plate by 3-0 in the final 12. 2015 Women’s Fifa World Cup - USA defeated Japan and clinched the Fifa Club World Cup for a third to win Women's FIFA World Cup for the third time. time.
Hockey News –
Hockey World Cup venue Venue Year 1. India (Men’s) 2018 2. England (Women’s) 2018
39 | P a g e www.gradestack.com/blogs
1. 26th Lal Bahadur Shastri Hockey tournament - Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) defeated Indian Railways by 3-0to won the 26th Lal Bahadur Shastri Hockey tournament. 2. Bjorn Isberg appointed Tournament Director of 2016 Hockey India League. 3. Sultan of Johor Cup 2015 - Great Britain defeated Indian junior men's hockey team and captured Sultan of Johor Cup (SOJC). 4. Punjab National Bank won Beighton Cup of Hockey, defeated Indian Oil Corporation in the final. 5. Senior India hockey player Gurbaj Singh suspended for 9 months for indulging in groupism and creating disharmony within the team. 6. Hockey India appointed Roelant Oltmans as coach of Men’s national team
Tennis News
Australian Open Title - 2016 Category Winner Runner up Men’s single Novak Djokovic Andy Murray Women’s single Angelique Kerber (Germany) Serena Williams Women's double Sania Mirza & Martina Hingis Andrea Hlavackova & Lucie Hradecka
Note: Novak Djokovic wins sixth Australian Open title 2016. He also draws level with tennis greats Bjorn Borg and Rod Laver on 11 Grand Slam titles. Angelique Kerber is the first German to win a major singles title since Steffi Graf at the 1999 French Open. This is the third consecutive Grand Slam title for Sania and Martina, having won the Wimbledon and US Open in the 2015 season. Sania and Martina have now extended their unbeaten run to 36 matches, winning eight titles in a row.
ITF announced winners of 2015 World Champions - International Tennis Federation (ITF) announced the winners of 2015 World Champions
List of Awards – Men’s World Champion – Novak Djokovic (Serbia) Women’s World Champion – Serena Williams (the USA) Men’s Doubles World Champions – Jean-Julien Rojer (Netherlands) & Horia Tecau (Romania) Women’s Doubles World Champions – Women’s Doubles World Champions ITF Junior World Champions – Dalma Galfi (Hungary) & Taylor Fritz (the USA) ITF Wheelchair World Champions – Jiske Griffioen (Netherlands) & Shingo Kunieda (Japan)
1. 2016 St. Petersburg Ladies Trophy - Sania Mirza and 4. Qatar Open Title 2016 - Novak Djokovic defeated her Swiss partner Martina Hingis won the 2016 St. Rafael Nadal in the final. Petersburg Ladies Trophy in St. Petersburg, Russia. 5. Brisbane International Title 2016 women’s single- They defeated Russian-Czech team of Vera Dushevina Victoria Azarenka defeated Angelique Kerber in the and Barbora Krejcikova by 6-3 6-1 in the women’s final. doubles final. 6. Brisbane International title 2016 women’s double - 2. Roger Federer is first man to win 300 Slam Sania Mirza and Martina Hingis beat Angelique Kerber matches - Swiss legend Roger Federer becomes first and Andrea Petkovic of Germany. male tennis player to win 300 Grand Slam matches. He 7. Brisbane International title 2016 men’s single - achieved this feat by defeating Grigor Dimitrov of Milos Raonic of Canada beat Roger Federer of Bulgaria by 6-4 3-6 6-1 6-4 in the third round of Switzerland in the final. Australian Open. 8. Sydney International Title 2016 - Sania Mirza and 3. Sania Mirza & Martina Hingis maintains top spot in Martina Hingis defeat Caroline Garcia and Kristina WTA double ranking Mladenovic in the final.
40 | P a g e www.gradestack.com/blogs
9. Marat Safin of Russia inducted Into International 12. Andy Murray named 2015 BBC Sports Personality of Tennis Hall of Fame. With this, he become first the Year Award. Russian national to be inducted in the International 13. Singapore Slammers wins IPTL Title 2015 Tennis Hall of Fame. The Singapore Slammers won the Indian Premier 10. Chennai Open title - Stanislaus Wawrinka beat Tennis League (IPTL) – 2015 title by defeating Borna Coric by teenager 6-3, 7-5 in the final to win Micromax Indian Aces in the final. third consecutive Chennai Open title. This is the fourth 14. Yan Dhanda has become the first player of Indian Chennai Open title for the Swiss player and the third heritage to sign a professional contract with English consecutive win, who first won it in 2011. football powerhouse Liverpool. 11. Hopman Cup 2016 - Australia beat Ukraine to win 15. 2015 Davis Cup tennis title - Great Britain defeated Hopman Cup for 1st Time in 17 Years. Belgium to win
Commonwealth Games (CWG)
1. CWG - 2022 – Durban, South Africa. 2. CWG - 2018 – Gold Coast, Australia.
Olympics Games Venue
Summer Olympics Games Winter Olympics Games (i) Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – 2016 (i) Pyeongchang, South Korea – 2018 (ii) Tokyo, Japan – 2020 (ii) Beijing, China – 2022
1. 2024 Summer Olympics - International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced name of five cities namely Los Angeles, Hamburg, Paris, Rome and Budapest as candidates to host the 2024 Summer Olympics.
Asian Games Venue – The 2018 Asian Games to be held in – Jakarta, Indonesia 2022 Asian Games to be held in - Hangzhou City of China. Note: Asian Games were held every 4 years. In 2014 Asain Games was held in Incheon, South Korea.
Badminton News
1. Ace Indian shuttler K. Srikanth clinched the Men’s Singles title of the Syed Modi International Grand Prix Gold Badminton Championships. 2. PV Sindhu wins Malaysia Masters Grand Prix Gold Badminton title. 3. Siril Verma tops junior badminton rankings India’s Siril Verma occupy the number one spot in junior men’s singles category in the Badminton World Federation (BWF) rankings. 4. Delhi Crowned Premier Badminton League Champion - Delhi Acers beat Mumbai Rockets in the final.
Formula 1 winner
1. 2015-16 MRF Challenge Formula 2000 - Pietro 4. Brazilian Grand Prix 2015 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes Fittipaldi (Brazilian racing driver) driver) 2. Lady Wigram Trophy - Jehan Daruvala (Sahara Force 5. United States Grand Prix title 2015 - Lewis Hamilton India Academy racer) (Mercedes driver) Note: The Lady Wigram Trophy is a New Zealand Mexican Grand Prix 2015 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes motorsport race trophy. driver) 3. Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2015 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes driver)
41 | P a g e www.gradestack.com/blogs
Other Sports News
1. South Asian Games: India finishes on top with 308 5. Aditya Mehta defeated Manan Chandra 6-3 in the final medals to won the 83rd Senior National Snooker The 2016 South Asian Games, officially the XII Championship held in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. South Asian Games, is a major multi-sport event 6. Apurvi Chandela bags tournament’s best shooter which took place from 5 February to 16 February award 2016 in Guwahati and Shillong, India. Apurvi Chandela won the second gold medal and Total 8 countries participate – Afghanistan, emerged as the ‘Shooter of the Tournament’ in the Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Swedish Cup Grand Prix. Pakistan & Sri Lanka 7. Miguel Tabuena of Philippines has been voted as the India finishes on top with 308 medals including Hilton Asian Tour Golfer of Month for December 2015. 188 gold, 90 silvers, 30 bronze medals. 8. 12th South Asian Games to be held in Guwahati & Sri Lanka, placed second in the table featuring Shillong. eight SAARC countries, came nowhere close to 9. Denmark’s sportsperson of 2015 - Rene Holten India in the medals tally list. The Lankans bagged a Poulsen total of 186 medals (25 golds, 63 silvers and 98 10. Vijender Singh becomes first Indian to score Pro- bronze medals). Boxing hat-trick Indian boxer Vijender Singh defeated Samet Ranking Gold Silver Bronze Total Hyuseinov of Bulgaria at Pro – Boxing tournament 1. India 188 90 30 308 held in Manchester. 2. Sri 25 63 98 186 11. Abhay Singh lifted U-19 Singapore Squash Open Lanka Abhay Singh has lifted Under-19 Singapore Squash 3. 12 37 57 106 Open 2015 title. Pakistan He defeated Alwin Chai of Malaysia by 11-8, 11-3,
11-8 in the final played at Singapore. 2. Kerala wins 61st National School Athletics 12. Bajrang Punia in Men’s 65kg and Ritu Phogat in championship women’s 48kg Freestyle categories won gold medals Kerala has won the 61st National School Athletics on the first day of the Senior National Wrestling championship which was held in Kozhikode. Championship in New Delhi. 13. Indian cyclist Deborah Herold became World No. 4 This is for the 19th consecutive time Kerala Cyclist becomes the champions in the event. Tamil Nadu 14. Indian Golfer Anirban Lahiri wins Order of Merit came second. crown of Asian Tour Kerala, the host of the championship got 306 15. Rory McIlroy bagged European Tour Golfer of the points winning 39 gold, 29 silver and 17 bronze Year award medals. Tamil Nadu, who came second, got 116 16. Australia defeated Belgium to win Hockey World points winning 11 gold, 8 silver and 13 bronze League 2015 Final 17. India’s Thakur Anoop Singh won gold medal in medals. World Bodybuilding and Physique Championships Maharahtra with 101 points gained the third 18. Robert Lewandowski awarded with four Guinness position. Kerala won 10 meet records out of 20 World Record certificates for scoring five goals in records which were reported in the meet. nine minutes 3. Hilton Asian Tour Golfer of the Year award - India’s 19. New Zealand defeated Australia to won Rugby Anirban Lahiri has been voted as the Hilton Asian Tour World Cup for record third time Golfer of Year by fans in an online poll. 20. 2015 FIDE World Chess Cup - Russia’s Sergey
4. Fukuoka to host 2021 World Aquatics Karjakin defeated Peter Svidler by 6-4 in the final to Championships - The International Swimming won the title. Federation (FINA) announced that the Japanese city of Fukuoka will host the 2021 World Aquatics Championships. And the Qatar capital Doha will host the 2023 event. 42 | P a g e www.gradestack.com/blogs
Joint Militiary Exercise
1. LAMITYE 2016 – India & Seychelles joint military 11. AUSINDEX-15 – India – Australia (Bilateral Maritime exercise Ex.) 2. Surya Kiran IX - India-Nepal Military Exercise 12. Indradhanush – India – UK (Bilateral Air Ex.) 3. ‘Shakti-2016′ - Indo-French military exercise 13. Varuna Exercise 2015 - India - France Naval Exercise. 4. “Sahayog – Kaijin 2016” - India & Japan joint Coast Guard Exercise 14. Surya Kiran VIII – Indo- Nepal joint military exercise. 5. Joint Naval Exercise SLINEX 2015 - India & Sri Lanka 15. HADR Exercise - Indian Navy conducted a large scale 6. Indra - Indo-Russia bilateral naval exercise Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) 7. Malabar Exercise 2015 – India, US & Japan. exercise in the Lakshadweep Islands (Karavati, Aggatti, 8. Mitra Shakti 2015 – India – Sri Lanka Kalpeni and Androth). 9. Hand in Hand – India & China 16. Shaheen (Eagle)-4 - China and its strategic partner 10. EKUVERIN 2015 – India – Maldives Pakistan have launched a joint air exercise called Shaheen (Eagle)-4 in China.
Science | Defence | News
1. North Korea’s National Aerospace Development 8. India to build satellite tracking station in Vietnam - Administration (NADA) launched the India will set up a satellite tracking and imaging centre Kwangmyongsong-4 satellite. in southern Vietnam that will give Hanoi access to 2. Japan unveiled its first stealth fighter aircraft X-2. pictures from Indian earth observation satellites that Japan becomes the fourth nation to test fly its own cover the region, including China and the South China stealth jet after US, Russia & China. Sea. 3. India’s first Defence Industrial Park gets nod by 9. Akash missile successfully test fired - Indigenously- DIPP - Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion built surface-to-air Akash missile successfully test fired (DIPP) of Union Government have given its final from complex-3 of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at approval to Kerala Government’s approval to set up Chandipuri in Odisha. Akash missile is a mid-range India’s first Defence Industrial Park at Ottappalam. surface-to-air missile (SAM). 4. Anti-submarine warfare (ASW) corvette INS 10. American aerospace company SpaceX successfully Kadmatt commissioned in the Indian Navy at naval launched Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida. dockyard in Visakhapatnam. 11. Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar inaugurated the 5. LRSAM successfully test-fired from INS Kolkata - first cable-stayed bridge of north India in Kathua Long Range Surface-to-Air Missile (LRSAM), the missile district at Jammu & Kashmir, which will provide close co-developed by India and Israel, successfully test- connectivity between the three states of Jammu and fired on the Western Sea Board. Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Punjab. 6. ISRO launches 5th navigation satellite IRNSS-1E - Note: The Basohli bridge is fourth of its kind in India. RNSS-1E is the fifth navigation satellite in the IRNSS The other three cable-stayed bridges are, Hooghly space system, comprising seven satellites, which would Bridge at Kolkata, Naini Bridge in Allahabad and Rajiv Gandhi Sea Link in Mumbai. be on par with US-based GPS once the full complement 12. Reliance Defence signs pact with Russian arms firm of spacecraft is launched. Almaz-Antey - Reliance Defence had signed a $6 7. ISRO & Kuwait Institute ink cooperation in space billion deal with Russia’s Almaz-Antey, whose air exploration – defence system is likely to be bought by the Indian The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) defence forces. and Kuwait Institute of Scientific Research (KISR) 13. India’s first indigenously designed warship INS signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Godavari decommissioned after 32 years of service. cooperation in the exploration and use of outer 14. China launches Gaofen-4 observation satellite - space for peaceful purposes. China successfully launched its most sophisticated 43 | P a g e www.gradestack.com/blogs
observation satellite, Gaofen-4, as part of the country’s launched from the first launch pad of Satish Dhawan high-definition earth observation project. Space Centre at Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh by Polar 15. ISRO successfully launches 6 Singapore Satellites Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C30). PSLV-C30 is the onboard PSLV-C29 - Indian Space Research tenth flight of PSLV in its 'XL' Configuration. Organisation (ISRO) has successfully placed six 19. India’s first Harbour Defence System commercial satellites from Singapore in their commissioned in Kochi, Kerala. Designed by Israel dedicated orbits. These satellites were launched using Aerospace Industries (IAI). Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C29) from the 20. India has gifted its former Indian Coast Guard (ICG) first launch pad of Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Ship Varaha to Sri Lanka. Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. 21. DRDO inaugurated world’s highest Research 16. Indigenously developed Communication satellite Centre in Ladakh - The Defence Research and GSAT-15 successfully launched from French Guiana Development Organisation (DRDO) inaugurated an 17. Japan successfully launches its first commercial Extreme Altitude Research Centre at Chang La, Ladakh satellite - TELSTAR 12V in Jammu and Kashmir at 17600 feet above mean sea 18. India’s 1st dedicated satellite for astronomy level. It is the world’s highest terrestrial research and research ASTROSAT launched. The satellite was development centre.
Cabinet Ministers and their Constituencies
1. Narendra modi- Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) 15. Ashok gajapathi raju - Vizianagaram (Andhra Pradesh ) 2. Rajnath singh- Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) 16. Anant geete- Raigad (maharashtra) 3. Ramvilas paswan- Hajipur (Bihar) 17. Harsimrat kaur- Bathinda(Punjab) 4. Arun jaitley- Gujarat (Rajya sabha). Lost from Amritsar 18. Suresh prabhu- Rajapur(Maharashtra) constituency in 2014 elections 19. Jagat prakash nadda- Bilaspur(Himachal pradesh) 5. Venkaiah naidu- Karnataka (Rajya sabha) 20. Smriti irani- Gujarat (Rajya sabha) 6. Nitin gadkari- Nagpur (Maharashtra) 21. Jual oram- Sundargarh (Odisha) 7. Sushma swaraj- Vidisha (Madhya Pradesh) 22. Radha Mohan singh-Purvi champaran(Bihar) 8. Dr.Harsh vardhan- Chandani chowk (Delhi) 23. Thawar chand gehlot- Madhya Pradesh (Rajya sabha) 9. Dr. Najma heptullah- Madhya pradesh(Rajya sabha) 24. Manohar parrikar- Panaji(Goa) 10. Kalraj mishra- Deoria(Uttar Pradesh) 25. Sadananda gowda-Bangalore north (Karnataka) 11. Narendra singh tomar- Gwalior (madhya pradesh) 26. Ch. Birender singh- Uchana kalan (Haryana) 12. Maneka gandhi- Pilibhit (Uttar Pradesh) 27. Uma bharti- Jhansi (Uttar Pradesh) 13. Ananth kumar- Bangalore south(Karnataka) 14. Ravi Shankar prasad-Bihar(Rajya sabha)
Best wishes for your exams!
44 | P a g e www.gradestack.com/blogs
45 | P a g e