Gyanm general awareness_march_2016_issue

GENERAL AWARENESS – MARCH 2016 1
GENERAL AWARENESS
MARCH 2016
Vol. 4, Issue 09
A PUBLICATION OF GYANM EDUCATION &
TRAINING INSTITUTE PVT. LTD.
SCO 13-14-15, 2ND FLOOR, SEC 34-A, CHANDIGARH
Contents
CURRENT AFFAIRS
NOV 2015 TO JAN 2016
01-39
BULLET NEWS
AUG TO OCT 2015
40-58
LATEST 100 GK MCQs 59-65
SSC CORNER 66-74
6 MONTHS GK BYTES 75-104
FIGURES TO REMEMBER
REPO RATE (29.09.2015) 6.75%
REVERSE REPO RATE 5.75%
MARGINAL STANDING
FACILITY RATE
7.75%
STATUTORY LIQUIDITY RATIO 21.5%
CASH RESERVE RATIO 4.00%
BANK RATE 7.75%
BASE RATE(s)
(of various banks)
9.30 to
9.70%
INDIA’s RANK IN
Overall Growth Prospectus 5th
Global Talent Competitiveness Index 89th
Nuclear Security Index 21st
Ease of Doing Business (Forbes) 97th
Human Development Index 130th
ICT Development Index 131st
Rank in Brand Value 7th
Legatum Prosperity Index 99th
Global Terrorism Index 06th
Financial Secrecy Index 45th
Ease of Doing Business (World Bank) 130th
Number of Startups 03rd
Global Competitiveness Index, WEF 55th
Protection of Minority Investors 08th
Global Innovation Index 81st
Global Competitiveness 44th
In terms of Peace 143rd
Motherhood Index 140th
Environmental Democracy Index 24th
Human Capital Index 100th
Global Resilience Index 119th
NATIONAL NEWS
JANUARY 2016
HOLLANDE PRESIDES OVER REPUBLIC DAY
President of France, Francois Hollande arrived in Chandigarh on Jan 24 for a
three–day visit to India. He was the honourable Chief Guest at the 67thRepublic
Day Parade at New Delhi.
An agreement was signed to provide technical and financial assistance
for developing Puducherry, the erstwhile French protectorate, Chandigarh and
Nagpur as a smart city. Besides, 16 other agreements, including one for
purchase of 36 Rafale advanced fighter aircrafts, were also signed.
He also inaugurated the interim secretariat of the International Solar
Alliance - ISA and laid the foundation stone of its headquarters in Gurgaon,
Haryana.
ISA is a specialized platform for cooperation among 121 solar resource rich
countries lying fully or partially between the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of
Capricorn, for increasing utilisation and promotion of solar energy.
FRENCH FORCES IN REPUBLIC DAY PARADE
For the first time, a military contingent of a foreign country will take part in the
Republic Day Parade on January 26. A contingent of the French army, which is
already in India for a joint military exercise, will take part in the parade along
with Indian armed forces.
INDIA 5TH BEST COUNTRY FOR GROWTH
According to the annual global CEO survey of consultancy giant PwC
(PricewaterhouseCoopers) the top five markets considered as most important
for overall growth prospects are USA, China, Germany, the UK and India. CEOs
in India are showing much more confidence than their global counterparts
when it comes to revenue growth for their companies.
INDIA IMPROVES ITS CORRUPTION STATUS
In the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI)-2015 by the anti-corruption
watchdog Transparency International (TI), India has been ranked at 76th
position in public sector corruption out of 168 countries, improving its slot
from 85 in 2014 and 94 in 2013. The Index is topped by Denmark, followed by
Finland, Sweden and New Zealand.

NATIONAL VOTERS’ DAY
6th National Voters’ Day was celebrated across the
country on Jan 25. The theme for this year was
‘Inclusive and Qualitative Participation’. It was on this
day in 1950 that the Election Commission came into
existence.
FIRST BLIND FRIENDLY TRAIN
The Mysuru-Varanasi Express has become the country’s
first blind friendly Braille-embedded train. It has been
provided with metallic Braille signage indicating berth
numbers, location of alarm chains, toilets, and
emergency windows.
INDIA HAS LARGEST DIASPORA
India’s diaspora population is the largest in the world
with 16 million people from India living outside their
country in 2015, according to a latest survey conducted
by the UN Department of Economic and Social
Affairs. India is followed by Mexico, Russia and China.
US HAS LARGEST NUMBER OF INDIANS
India sends the largest number of engineers and
scientists to the US with about 950,000 immigrant
scientists and engineers coming from the country,
according to a report. The number of scientists and
engineers residing in the US rose from 21.6 million to 29
million from 2003 to 2013.
20th NATIONAL YOUTH FESTIVAL
The 153rd birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda was
observed as National Youth Day across the country.
Main event was the five day 20th National Youth
Festival held in Naya Raipur, the new capital city of
Chhattisgarh. The theme for the festival was "India
Youth for Skill, Development and Harmony". The mascot
for the event was Wild Buffalo, the state animal of
Chhattisgarh and named as 'Sangi', which means
"friend".
‘JALLIKATTU’ – CENTRE ALLOWS, S C BANS
The Union Government has allowed the conduct of the
traditional bull-taming sports, ‘Jallikattu’, in Tamil Nadu.
It is celebrated around Pongal in Tamil Nadu. However,
on Jan 12, Supreme Court stayed the Central
government notification allowing ‘Jallikattu’.
MUMBAI 22ND, DELHI 24TH BEST CITY
According to a study conducted by international real
estate consultancy JLL, India’s financial capital Mumbai
has been ranked 22nd, while the National Capital is
placed at number 24 in the top-30 list of the world’s
most powerful, productive and connected cities. The list
is topped by Tokyo, followed by New York and London.
N E INDIA STRUCK BY EARTHQUAKE
A strong 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck northeast
India on Jan 4. The epicentre of the earthquake was at
Tamenglong, 33 kilometres away from Imphal in
Manipur. Several persons were killed and many a
buildings collapsed in Tamenglong.
GOVT TO SIGN RAPTOR AGREEMENT
The government has approved the signing of the Raptor
MoU which aims at promoting internationally
coordinated actions to conserve and reverse the decline
of birds of prey such as eagles, kites, vultures, hawks
and owls. India will become the 54th country to sign
this agreement.
INDIA TO MAKE BRIDGES IN MYANMAR
The Union Cabinet has approved the construction of 69
bridges on the Tamu-Kyigone-Kalewa (TKK) road
section of the trilateral highway in Myanmar. This will
facilitate all season movement of goods from Imphal to
Mandlay in Myanmar and further entering Thailand.
WORLD BANK LOAN FOR MINORITY YOUTH
World Bank will provide a $ 50 million loan for ‘Nai
Manzil'–Education and Skills Training for
Minorities. Minority youth in BPL category in the age
group of 17-35 years will be the main beneficiaries of
the project.
INDIA RANKS LOWLY 89TH IN TALENT HUNT
The Global Talent Competitiveness Index compiled by
the INSEAD Business School, France to rank the 103
countries on the basis of their ability to attract talent,
has placed India at 89th rank, 11 steps below its rank last
year. The index is topped by the Switzerland, followed
by Singapore.

INDIA RANKS LOW IN NUCLEAR SAFETY
A Nuclear Security Index compiled by the Nuclear
Threat Initiative of USA for 176 countries to assess
global nuclear security conditions, for both – weapon
grade nuclear material and possibility of sabotage, has
placed India low at 21st rank among the 24 countries
having one kg or more of the weapon grade nuclear
material. Australia has been ranked as the safest
country.
‘BHARAT PARV’ HELD IN DELHI
A four day cultural festival 'Bharat Parv' was held at the
Red Fort lawns in Delhi from Jan 26-29 to highlight the
rich cultural and ethnic heritage of India, including
cuisine and handicrafts from across the country.
WORLD BANK LOAN FOR ZOO IN ANDHRA
In a global first, the World Bank has agreed to provide $
20 million assistance to reconstruct the Indira Gandhi
Zoological Park, Visakhapatnam (Andhra) which got
devastated during cyclone Hudhud in October 2014.
INDIA TO SHARE CLIMATE INFORMATION
The World Meteorological Organisation has nominated
India as the Regional Climate Centre to provide
information to other South Asian countries on
temperature and monsoon, including that about El Nino.
 Ministry of Commerce and Industry is organising
“Make in India Week” in Mumbai during February 13-
18, 2016 to hold investors meet for the
manufacturing sector.
 India’s share in IMF has increased to 2.75% from
2.44%, making it the eighth-largest shareholder in
the Fund. Its voting rights now will rise to 2.6% from
2.34%.
 The World Bank will give $ 250 million loan for
Jhelum and Tawi Flood Recovery Project for
reconstruction and recovery support in flood-affected
areas.
 India and Armenia signed an amended Double
Taxation Avoidance Treaty (DTAA) to share
information on banking and financial transactions.
 The largest tricolour (66 x 99 feet) in the country was
hoisted atop the Pahari Mandir in Ranchi, Jharkhand
on the tallest pole – standing 293 foot.
 Union Ministry of Finance released the draft report of
Justice R V Easwar (Retd) Committee to simplify the
provisions of Income-tax Act, 1961.
 The child sex ratio in India now stands at 918 (per
thousand male babies), dipping further from 927 in
2001, and reaching the lowest level since 1961.
 Govt has decided to merge the Ministry of Overseas
Indian Affairs with the Ministry of External Affairs to
avoid duplication of work and to improve efficiency.
 India-Nepal Bus Service between Banbasa border in
Uttarakhand and Kanchanpur in Nepal started on
4th January, after a gap of 27 years.
 The 14th Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas (PBD) was held on
9 January 2016 in New Delhi. It was a limited edition
as now it will be organised once in two years.
 India’s first World Music Festival will be held in
Udaipur on Feb 12-13. Over 100 artistes from over
12 countries will take part in the festival.
 103rd Indian Science Congress held at University
of Mysore, Karnataka. Theme for this year
was "Science & Technology for Indigenous
Development in India".
 International Kite Festival held at Sabarmati River
front in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
 The Jaipur Literature Festival held at Hotel Diggi
Palace, Jaipur (Rajasthan) from January 21 to 25.
 National Conference on e-Governance held in Nagpur,
Maharashtra.
DECEMBER 2015
INDIA 97TH IN ‘DOING BUSINESS’
India has ranked a low 97th out of 144 nations on
Forbes' annual list of the best countries for doing
business in 2015, scoring poorly on issues like trade and
monetary freedom and response to challenges like
corruption and violence. Denmark topped the list. As
per World Bank data, India ranks 130th.

INDIA RANKS 130TH IN HDI
As per the Human Development Index (HDI) compiled
by the UNDP, India ranked a lowly 130th in the list of
188 nations. It is up by five ranks from last year's 135,
thanks to higher life expectancy and gross national
income. Stagnancy in education, women's
empowerment and poverty continue to drag India
down. Norway topped the ranking.
HDI is a summary measure to assess long-term progress
in three basic dimensions of human development -a long
and healthy life, access to knowledge and a decent
standard of living.
MODI VISITS RUSSIA AND AFGHANISTAN
Prime Minister Modi visited Russia on Dec 23-24 to
attend the 16th India-Russia annual summit. President
Vladimir Putin gifted him an 18th century sword from
Bengal and a page from Mahatma Gandhi's diary
containing his handwritten notes.
Russia and India signed 16 pacts. The agreements include
joint manufacture of Kamov 226 multipurpose helicopters
and construction of 12 atomic plants in India.
PM Modi visited Afghanistan on Dec 25 to meet
President Ashraf Ghani. He inaugurated the Parliament
building which has been constructed by India. He made
a surprise brief halt in Pakistan also to meet his
counterpart Nawaz Sharif.
MARGINAL IMPROVEMENT IN FOREST COVER
According to the India State of Forest Report (ISFR)
2015, the total forest and tree cover is 79.42 million
hectare, which is 24.16 percent of the total geographical
area, up from 24.01 per cent in 2013. Of this, the forest
cover is 7,01,673 sq km covering 21.34 per cent area.
The total forest cover of the country has increased by 3,
775 Square kilometre and the tree cover has gone up by
1,306 Square kilometre. The maximum increase in forest
cover has been observed in Tamil Nadu, followed by
Kerala and Jammu & Kashmir.
ACID VICTIMS TO BE UNDER DISABLED QUOTA
The Supreme Court has directed all the State and UT
Governments to consider acid-attack victims under the
disabled quota to enable them to get reservations in
government jobs as well as education benefits.
WORLD BANK LOAN FOR SANITATION
The World Bank has approved a USD 1.5 billion loan for
the ambitious clean India campaign to support the
government in its efforts to ensure all citizens in rural
areas have access to improved sanitation and end the
practice of open defecation by 2019.
INDIANS HIGHLY IGNORANT - SURVEY
A survey conducted by a London-based market research
firm found people in Mexico and India were most
inaccurate in perceptions on issues such as obesity, non-
religious population, immigration, female employment,
rural living and Internet access. Survey in 33 countries
for ‘Index of Ignorance’ placed Mexico as most ignorant,
followed by India.
 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe made a 3 day
visit to India. He attended Ganga Aarti at
Dasaswamedh Ghat, Varanasi.
 Panos Kammenos, Greek Defence Minister arrived in
India on a three day visit. The two countries decided
to enhance bilateral defence ties.
 National Veda Convention and Vedic Conference
held in Kozhikode, Kerala.
 The Lok Sabha passed the Bureau of Indian
Standards Bill, 2015 to establish the Bureau of Indian
Standards (BIS) as a National Standards Body.
 India and South Korea have inked a new MoU on
suspension of collection of taxes during pendency of
mutual agreement procedure.
 The ICT (information, communication & technology)
Development Index places India a lowly 131st among
167 countries. South Korea tops the index.
NOVEMBER 2015
‘CONSTITUTION DAY’ ON NOV 26
The ‘Constitution Day’ of India was observed on 26th
November to spread awareness of Indian Constitution
and its architect Dr. B R Ambedkar, Chairman of the
Drafting Committee of Constituent Assembly. On this
day in 1949, Constitution of India was adopted which
came into force on January 26, 1950 marking the
beginning of a new era in the history of free India.
MODI VISITS UK
Prime Minister Mr. Modi visited England on November
12 for a three day trip. He became the first serving
Prime Minister of India to address the UK's Parliament.
India signed a civil nuclear pact with United Kingdom
during his visit. The two countries announced deals
worth 9-billion pound in the field of defence and cyber
security and railways. Britain announced 2017 as the
UK-India Year of Culture to mark the 70th Anniversary
of Indian Independence.

NUCLEAR DEAL FINALIZED WITH AUSTRALIA
India and Australia have announced the completion of
procedures for bringing the two-nation nuclear deal into
force. The announcement was made at the bilateral
meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi with
his Australian counterpart Malcolm Turnbull in the G-20
Summit at Antalya in Turkey.
CHINESE VICE PRESIDENT VISITS INDIA
Li Yuanchao, the Vice-President of China visited India to
review cooperation on better river water management
and cultural exchanges. The two countries signed a
MoU on smooth sharing of hydrological data related to
the common Himalayan Rivers.
INDIA STANDS 7TH IN TERMS OF BRAND VALUE
As per the annual report on world's most valuable
nation brands compiled by Brand Finance, India has
moved up one position to become the world's seventh
most valued nation brand with an increase of 32 per
cent in its brand value to 2.1 billion dollars.
The US remains on the top with a valuation of 19.7 billion
dollars, followed by China and Germany at the second and
the third positions.
MODI IS 9TH MOST POWERFUL IN WORLD
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been ranked as the
world's ninth most powerful person by Forbes magazine
in a 2015 list which is topped by Russian President
Vladimir Putin. German Chancellor Angela Merkel is at
the second spot followed by US President Barack Obama
(3rd) and Pope Francis (4th) and Chinese President Xi
Jinping (5th).
INTERNET BOOM IN INDIA
According to a report by Internet and Mobile
Association of India (IAMAI) and IMRB International,
the number of internet users in India is expected to
touch 402 million by December 2015, a 49 per cent
jump over last year, making India home to the second
largest online user base after China.
INDIA 99TH IN TERMS OF PROSPERITY
India has been ranked 99th in Legatum Prosperity Index
2015 out of 142 countries. The report is based on the
results of eight sub-indices - economy, entrepreneurship
and opportunity, governance, education, health, safety
and security, personal freedom, social capital.
SALARY BONANZA FOR GOVT EMPLOYEES
7th Central Pay Commission headed by Justice AK
Mathur submitted its report to the Finance Minister
Arun Jaitley on Nov 19. It recommended 23.55 percent
hike in pay and allowances of government employees.
The pay will go up by 16 percent, allowances by 63
percent and pension by 24 percent. It has suggested a
minimum basic pay of 18 thousand and maximum of Rs
2.5 lakh per month. The pay revision will come into
effect from January 2016.
INDIA FARES POORLY IN GENDER EQUALITY
The Global Gender Gap Report 2015 released by the
World Economic Forum (WEF) ranked 145 economies
according to how well they are leveraging their female
workforce. Iceland topped the list, followed by Norway
and Finland. India ranked low at 108th rank while
Pakistan was second last.
INDIA 6TH WORST HIT BY TERRORISM
As per the Global Terrorism Index 2015, India ranks 6th
in list of 162 nations most impacted by terrorism in
2014. Islamic State and Boko Haram are now jointly
responsible for more than half of all global fatalities
from terrorist attacks. The other top five countries
worst hit by terrorism are Iraq, Afghanistan, Nigeria,
Pakistan and Syria.
INDIA INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE FESTIVAL
First India International Science Festival, a joint event of
Ministry of Science and Technology and Ministry of
Earth Sciences, is being organized at Indian Institute of
Technology (IIT) Delhi from Dec 4 to 8. The festival
aims to provide a platform to young scientists from all
over the country to share and spread their scientific
ideas, achievements and inventions.
 46th International Film Festival of India, IFFI
began in Panaji, Goa with the screening of ‘The Man
Who Knew the Infinity’, a biopic based on the life of
mathematical wizard Srinivas Ramanujan, was the
opening film.
 PM Modi visited Singapore for two days, Nov 23-24
and signed 10 agreements on mutual co-operation.

 Prime Minister Mr. Modi visted Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia to attend Asean-India meet, Asean summit
and the East Asian Summit.
 Hamid Ansari, Vice President visited Indonesia on
Nov 2. Agreements in the field of cultural exchange
and renewable energy were signed with Indonesia.
 Francois Hollande, President of France will be the
chief guest at the 2016 Republic Day celebrations.
 Bhutan's PM Tshering Tobgay visited India to
preside over the 'India Ideas Conclave' in Goa.
 The Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, ranked
99th in a list of top 100 institutions by the ‘Times
Higher Education Rankings for Engg. & Technology’.
 A report by global consultancy firm KPMG says that
India has emerged as the top country when it comes
to corporate responsibility reporting.
 India re-elected on the United Nations Commission on
International Trade Law for a period of six years.
 Seven Indian celebrities including Asha Bhosle, Sania
Mirza and veteran actress Kamini Kaushal have
made it to BBC's list of 100 most aspirational women.
 Telephone subscriber base in India reached 102.26
crore at the end of September while fixed line base
continued to fall, as per data compiled by TRAI.
 As per the global Financial Secrecy Index released by
Tax Justice Network of UK, India ranked 45th among
92 countries in terms of financial transparency.
 11th National Tribal Crafts Mela ‘Aadishilp’ held
in New Delhi.
 First international film festival for the persons
with disabilities (IFFPD) will be held in Delhi from 1
to 3 December 2015.
 Second World Congress on Disaster Management
was held in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, from 19
to 22 November.
 Global Cancer Summit held at the Indian Institute of
Science, Bengaluru from Nov 18 to 20.
 The 17th Asia Pacific Youth Forum meet was held
in Kozhikode, Kerala to share ideas for the
empowerment of youth to protect the Earth.
 9th Regional Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas (RPBD) was
held at Los Angeles, California, USA on the 14th and
15th November 2015.
 According to a global survey of 26 countries, India is
the fourth most vacation-deprived nation with 65%
saying they feel very or somewhat vacation-deprived.
 Militant outfit National Socialist Council of Nagaland
(Khaplang), declared as a terrorist organization
under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
 The National Milk Day was observed on 26
November to mark 94th birth anniversary of the
Father of the White Revolution - Dr Verghese Kurien.
 The British Government has selected Pune and
Amravati from Maharashtra and Indore from
Madhya Pradesh for developing them as 'Smart City'.
NEWS FROM STATES
JANUARY 2016
SIKKIM BECOMES FULLY ‘ORGANIC’
Sikkim has become India's first fully organic state by
converting around 75,000 hectares of agricultural land
into sustainable cultivation. Organic cultivation is free
of chemical pesticides and chemical fertilisers as it tries
to strike a harmonious balance with a complex series of
ecosystems.
KULLU NATI DANCE CREATES WORLD RECORD
In Himachal Pradesh, the Nati folk dance of Kullu district
has made a world record by entering the Guinness Book
of World Records as the folk dance by largest number–
9,892 women. The dance was arranged last year on
26th October during International Dussehra festival.
GANGA GRAM YOJANA TO START FROM U P
Govt has launched Ganga Gram Yojana from Village Puth
in Hapur district of Uttar Pradesh (UP). Under the
scheme, 1600 villages of UP situated along the banks of
river Ganga will be developed to minimize/stop
pollution of the river from these villages.
‘FREE’ WI-FI AT MUMBAI RLY STATION
Mumbai Central has become the first ever railway
station in India to have free high-speed Internet facility
for thousands of its passengers. Railwayplans to extend
this facility to 400 stations in near future. The service
has been rolled out by Indian Railway’s telecom arm,
RailTel in collaboration with Google.
ARUNACHAL UNDER PRESIDENT RULE
President Pranab Mukherjee gave assent under Article
356 (1) of the Constitution to the Union Cabinet’s
recommendation for President’s rule in Arunachal
Pradesh, accepting the ground that there was a
“constitutional breakdown” in the state as six months
had lapsed between two sessions of the state Assembly.
 For the first time, a study by the World Wide Fund-
India has captured on camera evidence of the highly
endangered species Snow Leopard inhabiting the
high mountains of northern Sikkim.

 The 14th edition of Mumbai International Festival for
Documentary, Short and Animation Films was held in
Mumbai from Jan 28 to Feb 03.
 The Ardh Kumbh mela formally started at
Haridwar on Jan 12. The first Snan of the Kumbh will
take place on Makar Sankranti, Jan 14.
 Kerala has become the first Indian state to achieve
100 per cent primary education (up to class iv) by
implementing the programme ‘Athulyam’.
 World Bank to provide $ 250 million loan for the
Bihar’s Kosi Basin Development Project.
 Bihar government has decided to give 35%
reservation for women in all state government jobs.
 Bihar govt has announced that no one can contest the
panchayat elections scheduled in 2016 in the state,
without having a toilet at their home.
 Telangana has become the first state in the country
to officially accept electronic motor insurance
policies by the name ‘e-Vahan Bima’.
DECEMBER 2015
PER CAPITA INCOME HIGHEST IN DELHI
According to Delhi Government's Delhi Statistical Hand
Book, the state recorded the highest per capita income
among all the states in the country at Rs. 2,40,849
during financial year 2014-15. The Gross State Domestic
Product (GSDP) of Delhi, at current prices, in 2014-15
stood at Rs 4.51 lakh crore, up by 15.35 per cent over
the previous year.
DELHI IS MOST POLLUTED CITY IN WORLD
Green Peace India released a report on National Air
Quality Index (NAQI) for 17 countries, covering top 20
most polluted cities. As per the report, Delhi was the
most polluted city in the world, while 13 Indian cities
figured in the 20 most polluted cities in the world.
NO TO DIESEL VEHICLES IN DELHI
The National Green Tribunal has directed that no new or
old diesel vehicle be registered in Delhi till Jan. 6, with a
view to curb pollution in capital. It also directed all the
govt departments to not to purchase any new diesel
vehicle and make plans to phase out the existing ones.
 The Konark Festival, the five-day festival of classical
dances of India, was held in Konark, Odisha, in the
back drop of the famous Sun Temple.
 The International Sand Art Festival 2015 was held in
Konark, Odisha.
 For the first time, two Indian cities, Varanasi and
Jaipur, have been selected in the Creative City
Network of the UNESCO in the categories - City of
Music and City of Crafts and Folk Art, respectively.
 The Maharashtra legislature becomes the first
legislature to launch an online mechanism for its
members to send questions and move different
motions in the House.
 The Odisha state launched Anwesha scheme to
provide free education to scheduled caste and
scheduled tribe students in the state.
 The Bihar government has banned 15-year-old diesel
vehicles from its capital's roads to control pollution.
 India’s fourth and North India’s first cable-stayed
bridge was inaugurated at Basohali in Kathua
district of Jammu and Kashmir, over river Ravi.
 West Bengal has approved formation of five new
districts in the state, bringing the total districts to 25.
 Mumbai’s iconic boulevard Marine Drive, also called
the Queen’s Necklace completed 100 years on Dec 16.
 Maharashtra has started the country's biggest
Wildlife Rescue Centre at Gorewada near Nagpur to
take care of sick, injured and rescued animals.
 Losar, the biggest Tibetan Buddhist Festival began on
12 December 2015 in Ladakh, J&K. The festival marks
the beginning of New Year for Buddhists.
 Uttar Pradesh has launched International festival on
Birds in National Chambal Sanctuary to promote
state as an international bird-watching destination.
 Hornbill Festival held in Kohima, Nagaland from
Dec 1 to 10 to highlight state’s rich cultural heritage.
 Himachal Pradesh has become the first state to
launch Rotavirus vaccination for controlling the child
mortality rate (under 5 years of age) due to diarrhea.

NOVEMBER 2015
TAMIL NADU LASHED BY HEAVY RAINS
In Tamil Nadu, heavy rains by north east monsoon
claimed over 102 lives. The rains threw normal life out
of gear in almost all parts of the state with coastal and
northern districts bearing the brunt.
INDIA’s 1ST BLIND FRIENDLY RLY. STATION
Mysuru Railway Station in Karnataka has become the
first blind-friendly Railway Station in India. Train
schedules and over 400 metal signages have been
installed in Braille for the benefit of visually
handicapped persons.
S. AUSTRALIA TIES UP WITH RAJASTHAN
South Australia state has signed a historic 'sister-state
agreement' with Rajasthan to pave new ways to boost
export and investment opportunities between the two
states based on a two-way exchange of research and
technical capabilities.
CHHATH OBSERVED IN BIHAR-U P
Chhath festival was
celebrated in different parts
of the country on Nov 17-18
with great religious fervour
and gaiety. Large number of
devotees offered prayers to
the rising sun at the banks
of rivers and other water
bodies. It is one of the most
popular festivals of Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh.
MIGRATORY GUESTS ARRIVE IN CHILKA
Migratory birds mostly from Northern Eurasia, the
Caspian region, Siberia, Kazakh and remote areas of
Russia and Southeast Asia have started arriving in
Chilka Lake, Odisha.
 Annual Hundred Drums Wangala Festival held near
Tura, Meghalaya. It is the thanksgiving post-harvest
festival of the Garo tribes of North East India.
 APJ Abdul Kalam Amrut Yojna launched in
Maharashtra to provide at least one cooked meal for
pregnant and lactating women in the tribal areas.
 The Thiruvananthapuram International Airport has
been adjudged the best-maintained international
airport in the country
 Northeast’s first exclusive hospital for elephants has
been established at the Kaziranga National Park,
Assam.
 Norway reopened its Consulate General office in
Mumbai after four decades of closure in 1973.
 Karnataka launched the ‘Tourist Mitra’, a 175-
member friendly force, to reinforce smooth and
secure experiences for tourists.
GOVERNMENT
INITIATIVES
JANUARY 2016
“START-UP INDIA, STAND-UP INDIA”
Govt. has started a 19 point Start-up Action Plan with a
Rs. 10,000 crore fund for funding of Start-ups.
The new ventures will be exempted from paying income
tax on their profit and visit of inspectors for the first
three years.
They will enjoy 80 per cent exemption in patent fee. An
Atal Innovation Mission will be launched to give a boost
to innovation.
NEW CROP INSURANCE FOR FARMERS
Government has launched the “Pradhan Mantri Fasal
Bima Yojana", under which the premium will be paid by
Central and state govt and the farmers will have to pay
only a token premium of 2 per cent for kharif, 1.5 per
cent for rabi and 5 per cent for commercial crops.
33% WOMEN IN PARA FORCES
Govt has approved 33% reservation for women in
Central Armed Police Forces such as CRPF and CISF at
constable–level positions and 14-15% reservation at the
constable level in border guarding forces such as BSF,
SSB and ITBP.
HYBRID ANNUITY MODEL FOR HIGHWAYS
The government has approved the hybrid annuity
model as one of the modes for implementing highway
development projects. Under this model, 40% of the
project cost is provided by the government during
construction and the balance 60% as annuity
(installments) payments later on during the agreed
concession period.
E-TENDERS MUST FOR OVER 2 LAKH DEALS
With a view to bring transparency in government
purchases, it has been decided that all central ministries
and public sector units will have to float e-tenders for
procuring goods and services exceeding Rs 2 lakh. At
present the limit is Rs 5 lakh.

61 MORE DISTRICTS UNDER ‘BETI BACHAO’
The Government has decided to extend the Beti Bachao
Beti Padhao scheme to 61 more districts this year to
improve skewed child sex ratio. The programme was
launched in January 2015 in 100 districts with poor sex
ratio across the country.
SOCIAL SECURITY PACT WITH AUSTRALIA
A new social security agreement signed between India
and Australia has come into operation enabling people
of both nations to avail retirement benefits in each
other's country, a pact likely to boost bilateral business
linkages.
GAVI TO PROMOTE VACCINATION IN INDIA
To improve the quality and
coverage of vaccination in
India, Union Health
Ministry has decided to use
the expertise of Global
Vaccine Alliance (GAVI), a
global NGO working for
promotion of vaccination in
poor countries.
 Operation Green Hunt refers to an all-out offensive
by India’s paramilitary forces against the Naxalites in
the Naxal affected five states.
 River Information System - the first of its kind in
India launched to facilitate safe and accurate
navigation on National Waterway-1 (Ganga River).
 Union Govt in coordination with the Jammu and
Kashmir Govt has launched an initiative ‘Wattan ko
Jano’ to familiarize the local youth with the
development of the country in other states.
 Sahaj Scheme launched for online booking of LPG
cylinders through the unified web portal
www.mylpg.in, available in 13 languages.
 Government has decided to institute a new award
category under the National Film Awards titled The
Most Film–Friendly State/UT.
 The Union Ministry of Shipping has started Project
Green Ports to make Major Ports across India
cleaner and greener.
 Eight states have agreed to implement direct benefit
of transfer of subsidy in kerosene in 26 districts w.e.f.
April 1, 2016.
 Finance Ministry to organise the India Investment
Summit from Feb. 4 in New Delhi to attract global
investors to promote Indian infrastructure sector.
 The government has constituted a committee headed
by noted film-maker Shyam Benegal to look into
revamp of Censor Board.
 A new luxury super fast express train 'Mahamana
Express' named after Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya
has been started between Varanasi to Delhi.

DECEMBER 2015
APPS LAUNCHED TO PROMOTE HEALTHCARE
Govt has launched 4 new Information Technology-based
initiatives to provide citizen-centric health services.
They include three applications:
 Kilkari:An audio-based mobile service that delivers
weekly audio messages to families about pregnancy,
child birth and child care.
 Mobile Academy: For providing training services
to 9 million ASHA workers.
 M-Cessation: Counselling helpline to help tobacco
users to quit tobacco.
 Toll free number 1800-11–6666 to provide round
the clock counselling and treatment support
services to TB patients
NO LPG SUBSIDY FOR THE RICH
Government has announced that taxpayers with an
annual income of more than Rs 10 lakh will not get
subsidised LPG cylinders from January, 2016. Over 20
lakh persons have reported annual income of over Rs.
10 lakh. At present, all households are entitled to 12
cylinders of 14.2-kg each at subsidised rate of Rs 419.26,
while the market price of each cylinder is Rs 608.
MOBILE APPS LAUNCHED FOR FARMERS
Govt. has launched two mobile apps for farmers. The
app - Crop Insurance - will help farmers find out
complete details about insurance cover available in their
area. The other app called Agri Market Mobile can be
used by farmers to get the market prices of crops in the
mandi within 50 km radius of the device.
6 NEW IITs & 5 NEW IISEs TO BE SET UP
The Union Cabinet has approved setting up of six new
Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) at an overall cost
of over Rs 1,400 crore in Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh,
Goa, Jammu, Kerala and Karnataka. Approval was also
given for setting up of five Indian Institutes of Science
Education and Research at Kolkata, Pune, Mohali,
Bhopal and Thiruvananthapuram.
‘AIM’ AND ‘SETU’ FOR ENTERPRENEURS
Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship is
developing an entrepreneurship development scheme
wherein entrepreneurship activities in innovative and
cutting edge technology areas will be aligned with
initiatives such as Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) and
Self Employment Talent Utilisation (SETU).
INJECTABLE POLIO VACCINE LAUNCHED
The government has launched an injectable polio
vaccine – Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) – which will be
administered in addition to oral polio drops in the
routine immunization programme. IPV injection will be
given to children aged below one year along with the
third dose of the oral polio vaccine (OPV), free of cost to
double the immunity.
LOK SABHA NOD FOR 101 WATERWAYS
Lok Sabha passed a bill to develop 101 new
waterways across the country aimed at providing a
cheaper mode of transport and reducing traffic burden
on roads. At present, there are only five National
Waterways.
NEW GUIDELINES ON FRAUDS
Government has now made it mandatory for the
auditors to report any suspected corporate fraud
amounting to Rs 1 crore or more to the Corporate
Affairs Ministry with a view to effectively curb the
misdoings in corporate sector.
NEW DESIGNATION FOR GOVT CLERKS
Govt has decided to rename the posts of UDC (Upper
Division Clerk) and LDC (Lower Division Clerk) under
Central Secretariat Clerical Service (CSCS) as Senior
Secretariat Assistant and Junior Secretariat Assistant,
respectively.
NEW DATE FOR BS V-VI STANDARDS
The government has advanced the date for
implementation of the Bharat Stage (BS) V and VI norms
for emission standards for four-wheelers by 3 years to
April 1, 2019 and April 1, 2021, respectively.
The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of
Children) Bill, which provides for lowering the age for
trial of juvenile from 18 years to 16 years, has been
passed by Rajya Sabha. The bill was passed by Lok
Sabha earlier.
 Govt has asked the states and UTs to start Operation
Smile-II from 1 to 31 January 2016 to rehabilitate /
rescue the missing children.
 Global Initiative of Academic Networks Scheme
launched to boost the quality of higher education
through international collaboration.
 Central Board of Secondary Education has rolled out
its latest mobile application E-CBSE for providing e-
learning material for students and teachers.
 With a view to provide relief to 3.7 lakh jute mill
workers, the govt has approved mandatory use of jute
packaging material for foodgrains and sugar.
 Union govt. proposes to launch a $1-billion equity
fund, with seed capital from public sector units, to
support renewable energy companies.

NOVEMBER 2015
UDAY SCHEME TO HELPOUT DISCOMS
The government launched Ujjwal Discom Assurance
Yojna (UDAY) to improve the ability of power
distribution companies (DISCOMs) to procure power at
a much lower capital cost. The scheme allows DISCOMs
to convert their debt into state bonds and to launch
measures to improve efficiency at power plants.
10 SCHEMES FOR THE BENEFIT OF DISABLED
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment launched
10 schemes for the benefit of disabled persons. The
schemes are:
 DISHA: Early Intervention and School Readiness
Scheme
 VIKAAS: Day Care Scheme
 SAMARTH: Respite Care Scheme
 GHARAUNDA: Group Home for Adults Scheme
 NIRAMAYA: Health Insurance Scheme
 SAHYOGI: Caregiver training scheme
 GYAN PRABHA: Educational support Scheme
 PRERNA: Marketing Assistance Scheme
 SAMBHAV: Aids and Assisted Devices Scheme
 BADHTE KADAM: Awareness and Community
Interaction Scheme
FUND FOR TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT
Government has launched the Technology Acquisition
and Development Fund (TADF) under the National
Manufacturing Policy, 2011 to facilitate acquisition of
clean, green and energy efficient technologies. It will
also catalyse the manufacturing growth in Micro, Small
& Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector with an aim to
contribute to ‘Make in India’ initiative. The scheme will
be implemented through Global Innovation and
Technology Alliance (GITA), a joint venture company.
GOVT TO IMPLEMENT CCTNS AND ICJS
With a view to revamp criminal justice system in the
country, the govt has approved implementation of two
systems - Crime and Criminals Tracking Network and
Systems (CCTNS) and Integrated Criminal Justice
System (ICJS) Project. The two systems aim at bringing
online all the police stations of the country and
integrating them with online judicial system to ensure
speedy settlement of offences and disputes.
ACCESSIBLE INDIA CAMPAIGN
The government has launched Accessible India
campaign under which 27 international airports and 75
railway stations in India will be surveyed to identify the
areas that need to be improved to make them disabled-
friendly.
ACTION PLANS APPROVED FOR 81 CITIES
Govt has approved State Annual Action Plans (SAAP) of
81 mission cities in 5 states-Tamil Nadu, Madhya
Pradesh, Jharkhand, Odisha and Mizoram under Atal
Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation
(AMRUT) for 2015-16. Earlier, SAAPs were approved
for 89 cities in Gujarat, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh
in October 2015.
SCHEME FOR INTERNATIONAL TOURISTS
The Union Ministry of Tourism launched the National
Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual
Augmentation Drive (PRASAD) and Swadesh Darshan
schemes to achieve 1% share of international tourist
arrivals by 2016-17 from the present 0.68 %.
USE OF PLASTIC WASTE ‘MUST’ IN ROADS
The government has made it mandatory for road
developers to use waste plastic along with bituminous
mixes for road construction to overcome the growing
problem of disposal of plastic waste in India's urban
centres. The rule will applyfor constructing bitumen
roads within 50 km of periphery of any city that has a
population of over five lakh.
‘AMRIT’ OUTLET AT AIIMS, NEW DELHI
Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has
launched the Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants
for Treatment (AMRIT) pharmacy outlet at the All India
Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi.
FIPB POWERS HIKED TO Rs 5,000 CRORE
To expedite FDI clearance process, the government has
enhanced the monetary limit to approve foreign
investment proposals of the Foreign Investment
Promotion Board – FIPB to Rs 5,000 crore, from Rs.
3,000 crore at present.

3 NEW EDUCATIONAL WEB PORTALS
Govt has launched three web portals / apps - e-
Pathshala for educational resources, Saaransh for
educational improvements and National Programme on
School Standards and Evaluation Framework (Shala
Siddhi) for online evaluations.
 The deadline for completion of Pradhan Mantri Gram
Sadak Yojana for rural connectivity through all-
weather roads, reduced from 2022 to 2019.
 Agriculture Ministry to launch ‘Blue Revolution:
Integrated Development and Management of
Fisheries’ for growth and development of fisheries.
 Govt has allowed German language to be taught as
additional foreign language in Kendriya Vidyalayas
as per the National Education Policy, 1986.
 From November 12, a railway ticket could be booked
online up to 30 minutes prior to the departure of a
train as Railways has modified their booking system.
 Govt to continue 90% central funding for the core
Centrally Sponsored Schemes in the 8 northeastern
states, while 10% will be borne by the states.
ECONOMIC INDICATORS
JANUARY 2016
INDIA TO GROW BY 7.8% - WORLD BANK
The Global Economic Prospect by the World Bank has
projected a robust 7.8 per cent growth for the Indian
economy in the current year based on strong investor
sentiment in India and the positive effect of the recent
fall in oil prices.
CORE SECTOR SHRINKS BY 1.3%
The index of eight core industries contracted by 1.3 per
cent in November as against 8.5 per cent growth in the
same month last year due to low growth witnessed in
the production of crude oil, natural gas and steel.
IND. PRODUCTION SHRINKS BY 3.2%
Dashing hopes of recovery,
industrial production as
measured by the Index of
Industrial Production (IIP),
contracted by 3.2% in
November — the lowest
level in over four years —
due to poor performance of
manufacturing sector and a sharp decline in capital
goods output.
 India’s exports fell for the 13th consecutive month in
December to $22.29 billion. Imports declined to
$33.96 billion, leaving a trade deficit of $11.67 billion.
 UNCTAD says that Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)
inflows into India nearly doubled to $ 59 billion in
2015 as against 36 per cent rise at the world level.
DECEMBER 2015
GDP GROWTH MOVES UP TO 7.4%
Data released by the Central Statistics Office
(CSO) shows that country’s economic growth increased
to 7.4 percent in the July-September quarter against 7
per cent achieved in the April-June quarter this year.
Though we overtook China as the fastest growing major
economy, yet, the growth rate is lower than the 8.3
achieved in the same quarter last year.
GDP GROWTH RATE LOWERED TO 7-7.5%
India lowered its GDP growth projection for the current
year to between 7 - 7.5 per cent against the earlier
forecast of 8.1 - 8.5 per cent. Lowering of rate was
necessitated due to slowing of GDP growth rate in the
first half of the year (from April to September) to 7.2 %
from 7.5 % in the corresponding period last year.
RBI RETAINS GROWTH RATE AT 7.4%
Considering areas of robust growth in manufacturing
such as capital goods and passenger cars and counter
effect of weak rural and external demand on overall
growth, RBI retained its projection of GDP growth rate
at 7.4 per cent for the current fiscal.
INDIA TO GROW BY 7.9% - GOLDMAN SACHS
Global financial analysts Goldman Sachs have said that
India’s GDP is expected to grow by 7.9 per cent next
fiscal driven by rising domestic demand and higher
capital spending by the government, even though the
global economy will remain anaemic.
INDIA TO GROW BY 7.4% - S&P
Standard & Poor's Ratings Services in its 'India Credit
Spotlight' newsletter has noted that India's economy
will grow at 7.4 per cent in the current fiscal, which will
further improve to over 8 per cent in 2016-17 as
significant reforms are required with Indian corporates
and banks currently facing a weak operating
environment.
INDIA TO GROW BY 7.3% - UN REPORT
The United Nations World Economic Situation and
Prospects (WESP) 2016 report says that India would
record a 7.3% growth in 2016 and 7.5% in 2017. It will
continue to be the fastest growing economy in the world
in 2016 and 2017 amid volatile global financial
conditions that will see diminished trade flows and
stagnant investment, the report said.
FITCH KEEPS INDIA AT ‘BBB’ GRADE
International ratings agency Fitch Ratings has
announced that India’s investment rating would remain
at ‘BBB-’ -- the lowest investment grade -- with a stable
outlook, saying that strong medium-term growth
outlook and favourable external finances will balance
out weak structural features, including its business
environment.

NOVEMBER 2015
 Moody's Investors Service has said that the Indian
economy would grow at 7.5 per cent in the current
fiscal and improve marginally in the following year.
 Organisation for Economic Cooperation and
Development has said that the Indian economy is
expected to grow by 7.2 per cent this fiscal.
ECONOMY & INDUSTRY
JANUARY 2016
2.36 LAKH MILLIONAIRES IN INDIA
India is home to the fourth largest population of
millionaires in the Asia Pacific region, with 2.36 lakh
such high net worth individuals, while Japan topped the
list with 12.60 lakh people, according to the Asia Pacific
2016 Wealth Report.
HNWIs (millionaires) were defined as those individuals
with net assets of USD 1 million or more.
HALDIA TO GET WATERWAYS HUB
The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) is
planning to set up a modern Indian Waterways Hub at
Haldia, West Bengal to attract more investment in the
state. The Haldia Dock Complex (HDC) is the main
gateway for import and export of cargo destined or
originating from Eastern, North Eastern and Northern
parts of the country as well as landlocked countries like
Nepal and Bhutan.
GOVT SAYS ‘GOODBYE’ TO HMT WATCHES
Govt has decided to close down three loss-making
subsidiaries of HMT Ltd, (Hindustan Machines Ltd)
namely HMT Watches Ltd, HMT Chinar Watches Ltd,
and HMT Bearings Ltd.
BS VI NORMS FROM APRIL 1, 2020
With a view to minimize the air pollution from vehicles,
Govt has decided to implement strict emission norms of
Bharat Stage (BS) VI from April 1, 2020, by skipping BS-
V altogether.
Bharat Stage (BS) emission norms, introduced in 2000,
are standards that have been set up the Centre to
regulate the output of air pollutants from internal
combustion engine equipment, including motor vehicle.
WORLD BANK LOAN FOR ‘NEERANCHAL’
World Bank has agreed to provide Rs 1071 crore
funding for the Neeranchal National Watershed Project
which will benefit all the states in India by supporting
their various irrigation projects.
 India has overtaken Thailand as the world's largest
rice exporter in 2015, shipping 10.23 million tonnes
as against 9.8 million tonnes by Thailand.
 The Asian Development Bank to extend a $625
million loan for the proposed $840 million
Visakhapatnam-Chennai Industrial Corridor.
DECEMBER 2015
INDIA TO MAKE SHIPS FOR LNG
Cochin Shipyard has become the first shipyard in India
to get the nod to build LNG (liquefied natural gas)
transporting ships, making India fourth such country in
world, after South Korea, Japan and China. The most
critical part of an LNG ship is its cryogenic containment
and handling system as the LNG has to be carried at a
temperature of -163 degrees. LNG occupies 1/600th
space of gaseous form.
MORE TRANSACTIONS UNDER PAN
The government has made it mandatory to quote PAN
(permanent account number) for all transactions in
excess of Rs.2 lakh to curb black money. This includes
all payments made through cash, cheques or debit or
credit cards. The new rule, effective from January 1, will
cover purchases of all goods or services, such as say
gold jewellery or furniture.
JAPAN TO SUPPORT BULLET TRAIN
During recent visit of Japan’s Prime Minister, India and
Japan signed a number of pacts in key areas of defence
and nuclear energy as well as building of first bullet
train network between Mumbai- Ahmadabad at a cost of
about Rs 98,000 crore.
IMPROVEMENT IN ‘EASE OF DOING BUSINESS’
The Ministry of Corporate Affairs has informed that as a
result of many steps taken to improve the ‘ease of doing
business’ in the country, the average number of days
taken for incorporation of a company has come down
significantly to 4.51 days in November 2015 from 9.57
days in December 2014.

CHANGI TO GUIDE A’BAD & JAIPUR AIRPORTS
Government has signed an agreement with Singapore
for using the services and expertise of the Singapore
airport developer Changi for taking up operations and
management of the Ahmadabad and Jaipur airports.
ONGC JOINS ‘ZERO ROUTINE FLARING’
The Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd has become the
first oil company from India to join the global initiative
‘Zero Routine Flaring by 2030’ by World Bank to curb
routine gas flaring at oil production sites around the
world by 2030.
SEBI ISSUES GUIDELINES FOR ‘GREEN BONDS’
The SEBI has released concept paper for issuance of
Green Bonds. A green bond is like any other bond where
a debt instrument is issued by an entity for raising funds
from investors but the funds are 'ear-marked' for use
towards financing ‘green’ projects only.
INDIA TOPS IN INWARD REMITTANCES
World Bank has said that India is the largest recipient of
inward remittances receiving over 72 billion US dollars
in 2014, followed by China at 64 billion US dollars. Of
this, largest amount came from USA, $56 billion.
INDIA GOT MOST FDI FROM SINGAPORE
Singapore has replaced Mauritius as the top source of
foreign direct investment into India during the first half
of the current fiscal. During April to September period,
India attracted $6.69 billion FDI from Singapore while
from Mauritius, it received $3.66 billion only.
WORK BEGINS ON TAPI GAS PIPELINE
Leaders of four Asian countries met in Mary,
Turkmenistan to join hands for the beginning of
construction of 1800 kms long Turkmenistan-
Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project
which will provide energy-hungry India gas for its
power plants.
The pipeline will carry 90 million standard cubic metres a
day of natural gas from Turkmenistan of which India and
Pakistan will get 42 per cent each, while Afghanistan will
get the remaining 16 per cent.
PHARMA-OIL BARTER WITH VENEZUELA
The government is considering a 'medicines for oil'
barter system with Venezuela where Indian pharma
exporters are facing problems to repatriate their sales
proceeds due to restrictions imposed in that country.
Venezuela is the third largest country in terms of oil
imports into India.
RELIANCE LAUNCHES 4G SERVICES
Reliance Jio launched 4G telecom service providing data
services with a speed up to 1 gigabyte per second. It
offers a unique combination of telecom, high speed data,
digital commerce, media and payment services.
‘PROJECT LEAP’ FROM BHARTI AIRTEL
Country’s largest telecom services provider, Bharti
Airtel will invest Rs.60,000 crore over the next three-
years in ‘Project Leap’ to upgrade its networks to
provide quality services to meet increasing competition.
GOOGLE STARTS YOU TUBE SPACES IN INDIA
Google’s YouTube has collaborated with Whistling
Woods International, a production house owned by
Subhash Ghai, to open its first video production studio
called YouTube Spaces in the country.
 India received its first uranium consignment for its
nuclear power reactors from Canada, after a gap of
over four decades.
 The first Goa to Mumbai double-decker Shatabdi
train was flagged off from Panjim, Goa on Dec 6.
NOVEMBER 2015
MSP OF RABI CROPS HIKED
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has
approved a hike of Rs. 75 a quintal to Rs. 1575 per
quintal in the Minimum Support Price of wheat, the
main rabi crop for season 2015-16. A bonus of Rs 75
per quintal, over and above MSP, for the two dals has
also been approved.
Rs./Qtl
CROP MSP CROP MSP
Wheat 1525 Rapeseed / Mustard 3350
Barley 1225 Masoor 3325
Safflower 3300 Grams 3425

E-COMMERCE PORTAL FOR SMALL UNITS
The Confederation of All India Traders has launched an
e-commerce portal, ‘e-lala’ to promote interests of 5.77
crore small businesses in the context of rapid expansion
of e-commerce. It will enable physical stores to have
their own online stores to generate more business.
TRIM GENDER GAP TO BOOST GDP - IMF
As per a recent IMF study, India's GDP can expand by 27
per cent if the number of women workers increases to
the same level as that of men. The gender gap is around
50 per cent in India, compared with an average gap of
12 per cent in OECD countries.
0.5% SWACHH BHARAT CESS IMPOSED
Government has announced the levy of a Swachh Bharat
cess of 0.5% on all services liable for service tax (14%)
from November 15. This means a tax of 50 paisa on
every Rs 100 worth of taxable services like mobile bills,
eating out, saloon services etc.
 With Cotton production estimated at around 400
lakh bales, India is expected to emerge as the largest
cotton producer in the world in 2015-16.
 35th India International Trade Fair,IITF was held at
Pragati Maidan in New Delhi. The theme of the fair
this year is Make in India
 CCEA has approved 10% stake sale in Coal India Ltd
to mop up around Rs 20,000 crore. Govt has targeted
Rs 69,500 crore disinvestment in this fiscal.
 France has committed to invest over 2 billion Euros
for Smart City projects in India with special focus on
Chandigarh, Nagpur and Puducherry.
 India and Brazil have signed a MoU to cooperate for
raising productivity of cattle and buffaloes
 World Bank granted $75 million loan to the Andhra
Pradesh for its Rural Inclusive Growth project aimed
at enhancing agricultural incomes of small farmers.
 Asian Development Bank to give $ 273 loan for
improving rural roads in Assam, Chhattisgarh,
Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal.
BANKING & FINANCE
JANUARY 2016
NEW 100 AND 500 RUPEE NOTES
Continuing its efforts to deter counterfeiting activities,
the Reserve Bank of India, RBI, will soon introduce new
banknotes of 500 rupees and 100 rupees denominations
with enhanced security features. These notes will have
ascending size of numerals in the number panels, bleed
lines and enlarged identification mark.
MASTER DIRECTIONS FROM RBI
Reserve Bank has started the process of issuing 'Master
Directions' on various regulatory issues in its bid to
simplify the communication process. To begin with, 17
such Master Directions were issued covering foreign
exchange transactions.
ALL BIG VILLAGES TO HAVE BANK BRANCHES
Reserve Bank has asked banks to ensure that every
village with a population over 5,000 should have a bank
branch by March 2017 and asked the State Level
Bankers' Committees (SLBCs) to identify such villages in
their state.
BANKS TO SELL ‘INDIA GOLD COINS’
Reserve Bank has permitted banks to sell India Gold
Coins (IGC) with Ashok Chakra minted by Metals and
Minerals Trading Corporation of India (MMTC) through
their branches. Coins are available in denominations of
5 and 10 grams while a 20 gram bar is also being
manufactured by MMTC.
INCENTIVE FOR GOLD MONETISATION SCHEME
RBI has advised that the government will pay 2.5%
commission to banks for attracting more gold in the
Gold Monetisation Scheme, as it has received very poor
response from banks and customers. Only a few
kilograms gold could be mobilized by the banks from
the massive 2,000 tons of gold stashed in Indian
households.
Under the current scheme, citizens are encouraged to
deposit jewellery, bars or coins with banks so it can be
refined to meet fresh demand and cut the need for
imports. The consumer would earn interest and, at the
end of the deposit term, get the gold back in the form of
bars.

LOANS FOR WOMEN SHGs
The RBI has asked banks to provide loans of up to Rs 3
lakh at 7 per cent interest rate to Women Self-Help
Group (SHG) under the National Rural Livelihoods
Mission (NRLM) Aajeevika scheme during 2015-16.
RBI IMPOSES FINE ON SBT
RBI imposed monetary penalty of one crore rupees on
State Bank of Travancore for violation of its instructions
including non–reporting of data to Central Repository of
Information on Large Credits (CRILC).
GOVT CHEQUES TO BE PAID THROUGH CTS
RBI has decided to dispense with the requirement of
physically forwarding paid central government cheques
to the departments for clearance. From Feb 1, 2016,
cheques will be paid through Cheque Truncation System
(CTS) facilitating the presentation and payment of
cheques without their physical movement.
DECKS CLEARED FOR MUDRA BANK
The Union Cabinet has approved conversion of MUDRA
Ltd, an NBFC, into MUDRA Bank. It was also decided to
set up a Credit Guarantee Fund for MUDRA Units
(CGFMU) for guaranteeing loans - sanctioned under the
Pradhan Mantri Micro Units Development Refinance
Agency (MUDRA) Yojana.
 RBI has hiked its shareholding in National Housing
Bank by contributing Rs 1,000 crore towards the paid
capital, bringing the total capital to Rs 1450 crore.
 RBI has granted operational freedom to banks to
offer all their products and services through the ATM
channels provided technology permits the same.
 RBI has asked banks not to issue such 1000 rupee
notes which, by mistake, were printed without
security thread.
 State Bank of India has become the first public
sector bank to launch wealth management service
‘SBI Exclusif’ to cater to fast-growing affluent
segment of the country.
 The country's largest private sector lender ICICI Bank
became the first private bank to achieve the
milestone of Rs 1 lakh crore in housing loan.
DECEMBER 2015
RBI TO CUT SLR TO 20.50%
The RBI has decided to lower the banks’ investment in
government securities, also known as statutory liquidity
ratio (SLR), to 20.5% by January 2017 from 21.5% at
present. As per the new time table, SLR would be
reduced to by 25 basis points to 21.25% as on April 2,
2016; 21% by July 9, 2016, 20.75% by October 1, 2016
to 20.75% and the last round of reduction would be
January 1, 2017 to 20.50 per cent.
BANKS TO HAVE UNIFORM BASE RATE
RBI has said that from April 1 next year, all banks will
have to follow a new and uniform methodology to
calculate base rate as per the marginal cost of funds. All
new loans and renewals will now be priced with
reference to the Marginal Cost of Funds based Lending
Rate (MCLR) which will be the internal benchmark for
such purposes.
Banks will have to publish MCLR of five maturities
every month - overnight rates, one month, three
months, six months and one year.
Like base rate, banks will not be allowed to lend below
MCLR, except for few categories, like loans against
deposits, loans to bank’s own employees.
BANKS CAN’T DENY INFO ON BORROWERS-SC
The Supreme Court has ruled that the RBI and
commercial banks cannot hide routine information, such
as the names of top defaulters, the losses suffered by
banks and details of action taken against erring banks,
sought by the public under the Right to Information Act.
Till now, banks denied such information on the ground
that it was information held in a fiduciary capacity and
could not be revealed to the public at large.
PRIORITY LENDING NORMS HIKED FOR RRBs
RBI has hiked Priority Sector Lending (PSL) norms for
Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) from 60 per cent at
present to 75 per cent of their total lending with effect
from 1 January 2016. As on March 2015, there were 56
RRBs operating in the country with a network of 20059
branches.
SBI FIRST TO ISSUE EMV CARDS
State Bank of India has become first major bank in India
to issue EMV chip and pin based debit cards to its new
customers to ensure enhanced secure transactions.
EMV stands for Euro–Maestro–Visa.

YES BANK GETS BRITISH AWARD
Yes Bank, India's fifth largest private sector bank has
bagged the prestigious 'Bank of the Year' award
conferred by Britain’s 'The Banker' magazine. The
awards are widely regarded as the Oscars for the
banking Industry.
HSBC QUITS PRIVATE BANKING IN INDIA
Global banking major Britain’s HSBC (Hong Kong,
Shanghai Banking Corporation) announced shutting
down of its private banking business in India that offers
wealth management services, from first quarter of 2016.
They may continue their retail banking operations.
Tech Mahindra has launched ‘MoboMoney’, India’s
first ‘Tap N Pay’ contactless digital payment solution in
the form of a prepaid wallet based on NFC (Near Field
Communication) technology.
Axis Bank has partnered with e-Mudhra to introduce
‘eSign’ – an online electronic signature service which
facilitates an Aadhaar holder to digitally sign a
document at the click of a button.
 Announcing the 5th Bi-Monthly Monetary Policy
review on Dec 2, RBI Governor did not change any of
the key policy rates.
 RBI has granted in principle approval to the National
Payments Corporation of India to function as the
Central Unit for Bharat Bill Payment System.
 Banks opened a whopping 19.52 crore accounts
under the Prime Minister's Jan Dhan Yojana till the
first week of December, 2015.
 RBI has extended the deadline for exchanging pre-
2005 currency notes by another six months to June
30, 2016. It was to expire on Dec 31, 2015.
 RBI has asked banks to make changes in ATM
switches by March 31, 2016 to help customers
register for mobile banking services from the ATM
itself.
 Govt released two commemorative coins of Rs.125
and Rs.10 as part of the 125th birth anniversary year
celebrations of Babasaheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar.
 ICICI Bank has tied up with railway’s e-ticketing
platform IRCTC to sell rail tickets through its
website.
NOVEMBER 2015
3% INTEREST SUBVENTION ON EXPORT LOANS
With a view to boost exports, the government has
approved three per cent interest subvention scheme to
allow exporters to avail loans from banks at a lower
rate. The scheme will be applicable from April 1, 2015
for next five years.
RUPAY CARD USAGE CONDITION RELAXED
Government has extended RuPay card usage condition
of at least one transaction in 45 days to 90 days for filing
a claim under in-built accident insurance cover under
Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana with effect from
November 25, 2015.
RBI RESTRICTS SHARE HOLDING IN BANKS
RBI has made it mandatory for individuals and
companies to take its prior approval before acquiring
shares or voting rights in a private bank for increasing
the aggregate holding to 5 percent or more. The decision
has been taken to ensure that only the genuine persons
enter the banking sector.
SBI LAUNCHES ‘NEEV’ FUND
State Bank of India launched the country's first low-
income state infrastructure equity partnership (or the
Neev fund) in London. The fund aims at providing
equity partnerships for small infrastructure
development in sectors like water and sanitation, clean
energy and urban infrastructure.
INDIAN CORPORATES’ ‘MASALA BONDS’
Some of the top rated companies like housing finance
major HDFC, state-owned NTPC and India Railways
Finance Corporation (IRFC) are firming up plans to raise
fund by issuing rupee-denominated ‘masala bonds’ in
foreign capital markets.
Masala bonds are Indian rupee denominated bonds issued
in overseas capital markets by Indian corporates.
SOVEREIGN GOLD BONDS ISSUE OPENED
Recently introduced Sovereign gold bonds were opened
for public subscription from November 5-30. Bonds will
earn interest at rate of 2.75 per cent. Investors will have
a choice to buy bonds worth 2 grams of gold, up to a
maximum of 500 grams.
COOP BANKS ALLOWED NET BANKING
RBI has allowed state and district central co-operative
banks to offer internet banking to its customers subject
to certain conditions. Only those cooperative banks that
have implemented Core Banking Solution and migrated
to Internet Protocol Version 6 will be allowed to offer
‘view only’ internet banking.
View only facility means the customers can only use
online services such as balance enquiry, balance viewing,
account statement download and request for supply of
cheque books.

TRADE RECEIVABLES DISCOUNTING SYSTEM
RBI has granted an "in-principle" approval to three
companies to set up and operate a new Trade
Receivables Discounting System (TReDS). This will
allow small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to post
their receivables on the system and get them financed,
bringing in much needed transparency to the trade
receivable system.
HDFC BANK FIRST TO USE MUSICAL LOGO
HDFC Bank has become the first Indian bank to launch
Sonic branding (Musical Logo) to be used across
multiple touch points like ATMs, phone banking, mobile
banking and the bank's website. It will help the bank to
create distinct brand imagery and recall among various
stakeholders
INDIA's BANKING ‘STABLE’ - MOODY's
Moody's Investors Service has upgraded its outlook for
India's banking system to 'stable' from 'negative' on
expectation that a gradual improvement in the
operating environment for lenders will lead to slow
down in bad loans in future
BARTER TO END ON MYANMAR BORDER
Indo-Myanmar border is perhaps one of the few places
on the earth where barter trade still exists. However,
with the improvement in banking presence in the
border, the RBI has now decided to officially stop the
barter system - trading of goods without exchange of
money, from December 1.
 The RBI has allowed foreign investors to buy default
non-convertible debentures and bonds provided their
maturity is for three years or more.
 RBI has decided that a foreign bank in India can
deploy a maximum of four expatriates for each
branch and not more than six for their Head Office
functions.
DEFENCE, SCIENCE
& TECHNOLOGY
JANUARY 2016
‘RUDRA’ SHOWS UP AT R. DAY PARADE
Indigenously designed and built advanced light
helicopter (ALH) — “Rudra” made its debut at the
Republic Day parade. This multirole attack helicopter is
produced by the Defence Ministry’s unit Hindustan
Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for Indian Army.
BARAK MISSILE TESTED BY INS KOLKATA
Indian Navy warship INS Kolkata successfully test-fired
long-range surface-to-air missile (LRSAM) Barak NG
against a remotely piloted flying target over the Arabian
Sea. Developed in collaboration with Israel, it has a
range of over 80 kms.
THE 68TH ARMY DAY was observed on 15 January, all
over India. On this day in 1949, Lt.–Gen. (later Field
Marshal) K M Cariappa became the first Indian
Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army.
‘SAHAYOG-KAIJIN 2016’: The 15th edition of bilateral
exercise by the Indian Coast Guard and its Japanese
counterpart began off the coast of Chennai, Tamil Nadu
in the Bay of Bengal.
 The DRDO successfully test-fired Nag anti-tank
missile at the Mahajan Field Firing Range in
Rajasthan. It is a third generation fire-and-forget
anti-tank missile and can be fired during night as
well.
 India will host a joint military exercise at Pune in
March, 2016. Ten member countries of the ASEAN
and its eight dialogue partners will take part in the
exercise.
 INS Kadmatt, the second indigenous stealth Anti-
Submarine Warfare (ASW) Corvette, was inducted in
Indian Navy in Visakhapatnam.
 India and France began their eight-day counter-
terrorism and counter-insurgency joint
exercise ‘Shakti-2016’ in Rajasthan.
 India has supplied three Mi-25 gunship helicopters to
Afghan Air Force.

NEW THRUSH BIRD FOUND IN NE INDIA
Scientists have found a new variant of Thrush bird
named as the Himalayan Forest Thrush in the
northeastern India and parts of Tibet, Nepal and China.
The scientific name of the bird is Zoothera Salimalii after
the name of the great Indian ornithologist Salim Ali.
5TH SATELLITE OF IRNSS LAUNCHED
The ISRO successfully launched the 5th satellite IRNSS 1-
E of the Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System
(IRNSS) on January 20. It is a set up of total seven
satellites which will provide navigation, tracking and
mapping services to the Indian sub continent.
NEW BREED OF TREE FROG DISCOVERED
A class of frogs that grows in tree holes who as tadpoles
feed on eggs laid by their mother, has been discovered
in the north-east region. It has been named as
Frankixalus Jerdonii.
FIRST 3D PRINTED LIVER
A Bengaluru-based technology startup has developed
India’s first artificial liver tissue with the help of 3-D
printing technology. This is a major step forward in the
on-demand manufacturing of 3D printed human organs.
NETFLIX STARTS SERVICES IN INDIA
Global streaming pioneer Netflix (of USA) has launched
its service in India, allowing viewers to access unlimited
TV and cinema content online at prices starting Rs 500 a
month. It has over 70 million members in over 190
countries watching over 125 million hours of content.
FALCON 9 ROCKET FAILS AGAIN TO LAND BACK
The NASA successfully launched Falcon 9 rocket made
by SpaceX Company, from California to place ocean
monitoring satellite Jason-3 in orbit. However, the
rocket that was supposed to land back on a floating
platform failed in its attempt and ended up in a blast
due to crash landing.
MOST ENERGETIC LIGHT EVER DETECTED
Scientists have discovered the most energetic light ever
detected in the universe from the centre of a supernova
known as ‘Crab pulsar’ which is situated 6,500 light
years away from Earth. It is surrounded by a region of
intense magnetic field 10 thousand billion times
stronger than that of the Sun.
CHEMISTRY GETS FOUR NEW ELEMENTS
The periodic table of elements in Chemistry now has its
seventh row completed with the introduction of four
new chemical elements - 113, 115, 117 and 118,
discovered by scientists in Japan, Russia and US. The
new additions were formally verified by the
International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry
(IUPAC) on December 30, 2015. New elements can be
named after a mythological concept, a mineral, a place
or country, a property or a scientist.
The first true iteration of the table was done by Russian
chemist Dmitri Mendeleev in 1869.
LARGEST SOLAR SYSTEM FOUND
Astronomers have discovered the largest known solar
system, consisting of a large planet that takes nearly a
million years to orbit its star. The gas giant is one trillion
kilometres away, making its orbit 140 times wider than
Pluto's path around our Sun.
HUMAN LIKE ROBOT CREATED
Scientists in Singapore have developed a human-like
social robot named ‘Nadine’, with soft skin and flowing
brunette hair, which is capable of autonomously
expressing emotions and gestures like shaking hands
and conversing.
 China successfully launched Gaofen-4 Earth
Observation Satellite toward a geostationary orbit
from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in Sichuan,
China.
DECEMBER 2015
DEF. SERVICES MEET ON INS VIKRAMADITYA
An annual Defence Services event called Unified
Commanders Conference, chaired by Prime Minister
Narendra Modi was held on board Navy’s aircraft
carrier - INS Vikramaditya, about 50 kms off Kochi coast.
This is for the first time when the conference was held
outside New Delhi.
NEW ‘ISLAMIC MILITARY ALLIANCE’ FORMED
34 Islamic nations have agreed to form a new “Islamic
military alliance” led by Saudi Arabia to fight terrorism
with a joint operations center based in Riyadh, capital of
Saudi Arabia. Alliance includes a number of African
countries but does not include Iran, Iraq and Syria.

 INS Godavari, the country's first indigenously
designed and built warship was decommissioned at
Mumbai on Dec 24 after 32 years of service.
 The 8th edition of INDRA NAVY-15, a joint naval
exercise between Indian and Russian navies, started
off the coast of Visakhapatnam in the Bay of Bengal.
 Israeli military has successfully tested from a ship an
advanced surface-to-air supersonic missile – Barak 8,
co-developed with India. It has a range of 100 kms.
 Govt has approved the purchase of S-400 Triumf air
defence missile systems from Russia.
 Cochin Shipyard Ltd launched the Fast Patrol Vessel
‘ICGS Atulya’ for induction in Indian Coast Guard.
 Indian Coast Guard has commissioned interceptor
boat ‘ICGS C-422’ to further enhance its vigil along
Pondicherry and South Tamil Nadu coast.
 India test-fired the indigenously built nuclear-
capable Agni-I missile having a hitting range of 700
km, from a test range off the Odisha coast.
 Pakistan successfully test-fired nuclear capable
ballistic missile Shaheen 1A with a range of 900
kilometres & Shaheen-III which can carry nuclear
warheads up to 2,750 kms
PSLV – C29 LAUNCHED SUCCESSFULLY
The ISRO successfully demonstrated its ability to launch
multiple payloads in vastly different altitudes using a
single flight of the rocket when it launched PSLV-C29
rocket carrying six satellites of Singapore. They included
main satellite TeLEOS-1 and five mini satellites that
were placed at an altitude of 550 kms.
FALCON 9 LANDS ON
EARTH
US space company SpaceX
created history on Dec 21
when its powerful Falcon 9
rocket landed back on earth
within 10 minutes of its launch
from the Cape Canaveral in
Florida, after placing 11
satellites in orbit. This means
that now it is possible to make
rockets as reusable as
airplanes, leading to huge
savings in costs of sending satellites in space.
ATLAS V CARRIES SUPPLIES TO ISS
The Atlas V rocket of NASA, carrying much needed US
supplies blasted off from Cape Canaveral Air Force
Station, USA, toward the International Space Station.
The Cygnus capsule carried by the rocket contained
more than 3,500kg of food, clothing, computer gear,
spacewalk equipment and other supplies.
 Scientists of the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) have
discovered a new species of eel named Bengal moray
eel along the Digha coast in West Bengal.
 China launched its first space telescope- the Dark
Matter Particle Explorer (DAMPE) Satellite to study
the mysterious dark matter.
 China has approved commercial production of its first
domestically developed electricity-powered aircraft
known as RX 1E.

NOVEMBER 2015
LRSAM SUCCESSFULLY TESTED BY DRDO
The Long Range Surface to Air Missile (LRSAM), jointly
developed by the Israel Aerospace Industry and Defence
Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), was
successfully flight tested from the Israel Naval Platform
for the first time on Nov 26.
‘DHANUSH’ TESTED
SUCCESSFULLY
The nuclear-capable ballistic missile
Dhanush was successfully test fired
from warship INS Subhadra, off the
Puri coast of Odisha in the Bay of
Bengal. It is the naval variant of the
Prithvi – II missile, having a strike
range of 350 kilometres.
ARMY TESTS ‘BRAHMOS’ SUCCESSFULLY
Indian Army successfully test-fired the land attack
variant of the 290-km range BrahMos supersonic cruise
missile at the Pokhran test range in Rajasthan.
BrahMos, a joint effort between India and Russia, is the
fastest and only supersonic cruise missile in the world
capable of flying at 2.8 times the speed of sound and can
be launched from land, sea and air.
 Agni-IV, the nuclear-capable ballistic missile, tested
for a range of 4,000 kms from Abdul Kalam Island
(formerly Wheeler Island), off the Odisha coast.
 India test-fired its indigenously developed nuclear
capable Prithvi-II missile, which has a strike range of
350 kms from the test range off the Odisha coast.
 The DRDO test-fired an Advanced Air Defence (AAD)
interceptor missile from Abdul Kalam Island in
Odisha’s Balasore district.
 DRDO has developed Advanced Torpedo Defence
System “Maareech” and “Vaarunaastra” for use by
the Indian Navy
 INS Kadmatt, the second of the four indigenously
built stealth Anti-Submarine Warfare corvette, was
formally handed over to the Navy on Nov 26.
 INS Vishwakarma, a premier training establishment
of the Indian Navy for the shipwrights commissioned
in Vishakhapatnam.
 ICGS Arinjay, a Fast Patrol Vessel was commissioned
in Indian Navy at Kochi. ICGS – Indian Coast Guard
Ship
 ‘Indra-2015’, the seventh edition India-Russia Joint
Military Exercise held in Bikaner district of
Rajasthan.
 China has displayed its strongest combat and
reconnaissance drone CH – 5 that can fly with a
weight of 3,000 kg and carry 900 kg of equipment
and weapons.
GSAT-15 TO AUGMENT COMMUNICATIONS
India’s latest communication satellite GSAT-15 was
successfully launched by the European Ariane rocket
from Kourou in French Guiana. It will augment
telecommunication, Direct-to-Home and radio
navigation services. The satellite will be navigated and
controlled by the ISRO’s Master Control Facility at
Hassan in Karnataka.
GOOGLE TO LAUNCH ‘PROJECT LOON’ IN INDIA
Google is working with the Indian government on a pilot
project for providing Internet connectivity by using
large balloons. Under its ‘Project Loon’, Google is using
big balloons floating at a height of 20 kilometres above
earth surface for transmission of Internet services.
EARLY WARNING SATELLITE BY RUSSIA
Russia has launched its first early warning system
satellite named EKS or Integrated Space System. Its
official name is Kosmos 2510 (Tundra 11L). It is
designed to restore Moscow's capability to identify and
track worldwide missile launches from space.
WORLD’s FASTEST SUPERCOMPUTER
China’s Tianhe-2 supercomputer has emerged as the
world’s most powerful supercomputer system for the
sixth consecutive time, performing calculations with
processing speed of 33.86 petaflops per second. Second
on list is Titan of the USA, performing @ 17.59 Pflop/s.
FIRST EVER ‘POROUS’ LIQUID DISCOVERED
In a breakthrough, scientists in U
K have developed the world's first
'porous' liquid that can
potentially be used to capture and
dissolve unusually large amounts
of harmful carbon gas emissions
to prevent its absorption in the
Earth's atmosphere.
 Facebook has partnered with Bharat Sanchar Nigam
Ltd. (BSNL) to create 100 Wi-Fi hotspots in rural
areas of western and southern India.
 A new species of the Dracula ant, likely to be of
Stigmatomma group of predaceous ants, was
discovered by scientists in the Western Ghats of
Kerala.
 China's first lunar rover, Yutu, set a record for the
longest stay on the Moon by completing almost two
years stay, landing on moon on Dec 14, 2013.
 Japan conducted its first commercial satellite launch
on August 24, with an H-IIA rocket carrying a
Canadian communications spacecraft, Telstar 12V,
into orbit.
 China launched a civil communication satellite
ChinaSat-2C from the Xichang space center in
Sichuan province.

INTERNATIONAL
JANUARY 2016
EASTERN USA BURIED UNDER 3 FEET SNOW
A monster blizzard named ‘Snowzilla’ paralysed the
entire US East Coast on Jan 24 with hurricane-force
winds and record snow, killing over 25 persons and
hitting some 85 million others, prompting up to 10
states to declare a state of emergency.
The storm left as much as three feet of snow, paralysing
transport links in New York and Washington DC. Several
other parts of world in South Korea, Eastern China and
Hon Kong also reeled under record breaking severe cold.
FIRST ‘BEST COUNTRY REPORT’ RELEASED
A joint team of U.S. News & World Report, BAV
Consulting and Wharton School of Business has
compiled a ‘Best Country Report’ to rank countries
on 75 factors such as sustainability, adventure, cultural
influence, entrepreneurship and economic influence.
A survey of more than 16,200 business leaders,
highfliers and other members of the public was carried
out in 60 countries to select the best country in various
categories.
Germany was ranked as the best country, followed
closely by Canada, U K, USA and Sweden. India was
placed at the 22nd place.
Some other winners are:
Most modern country – Sweden
Best Country to Raise Kids – Sweden
Best Nation for Green Living - Sweden
Best Country for Women - Denmark
Most powerful country - USA
No. 1 upcoming economy - India
No. 1 nation to visit - Brazil
ZIKA ATTACK IN SOUTH AMERICAN COUNTRIES
Countries like Brazil, Colombia and El Salvador are
facing the threat of the Zika virus spread by mosquito
bite. It is highly infectious and may also cause death. It is
particularly harmful for pregnant ladies as it affects the
foetus growth adversely.
The Zika virus is transmitted by Aedes species mosquitoes,
which also spread dengue and chikungunya viruses. But
in pregnant women, the virus can spread to the foetus and
cause microcephaly, a condition involving brain
shrinkage that severely limits a child's intellectual and
physical development or death.
HYDROGEN BOMB TESTED BY N KOREA
North Korea conducted a powerful Hydrogen bomb test
in a defiant and surprising move as there is a UN ban on
testing and development of nuclear weapons. The test
has drawn grave criticism from all major countries of
the world, terming it as a ‘serious threat to the
international peace and security’.
A Hydrogen bomb is much smaller and easy to make than
an Atom bomb but is far more destructive.
CRUDE PRICES FALL TO 12 YEARS LOW
Global crude oil prices plunged to 12 year low at $ 29.93
a barrel, plagued by abundant oversupply and the
ongoing row between key producers Iran and Saudi
Arabia dimming prospects for production cuts. Also,
falling prices have prompted some producers to
maximize output to prevent income falling too rapidly
and to keep market share.
EURO 2 BILLION TO SAVE FRENCH ECONOMY
French President has announced what he called "a state
of economic and social emergency" involving a Euro 2
billion plan to revive job creation and catch up with the
world’s economy. The plan includes training half a
million jobless workers, greater use of apprenticeships,
and 2,000 Euro aid for small businesses that hire young
workers.
CHINA DEVALUES YUAN AGAIN
China weakened the value of its Yuan currency by 0.51
percent to 6.5646 against the US dollar on January 7,
its lowest value since 2011. It triggered a selloff in
global markets, bringing alive the fears of competitive
devaluation among emerging economies.

CHINA’s GROWTH SLIPS TO 25 YEARS LOW
The data released by China's the National Bureau of
Statistics shows that China's economy grew 6.9 per cent
in 2015, the slowest pace in last 25 years. GDP in 2015
reached about $10.3 trillion.
THE WORLD'S LARGEST BLUE STAR SAPPHIRE
The stone that weighs 1404.49 carats was discovered in
a mine in Sri Lanka. Named as ‘The Star of Adams, its
estimated cost is $100 million but could fetch much
more when auctioned.
WORLD DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2016: Digital
Dividends, a report by the World Bank explores the
impact of the internet, mobile phones, and related
technologies on economic development across the
world.
THE WORLD TOURISM BAROMETER released by the U
N World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) states that the
international tourist arrivals grew by 4.4 per cent in
2015 to reach a total of 1184 million in 2015.
THE NUMBER OF INTERNATIONAL MIGRANTS —
persons living in a country other than where they were
born — reached 244 million in 2015 for the world as a
whole, a 41 per cent increase compared to 2000.
World Economic Forum’s prestigious annual meeting
held at Davos, Switzerland, from January 20 to 23.
 The World Health Organization has declared Liberia
free of Ebola virus. Now there is no other country
officially reporting Ebola cases.
 Asia's largest underground railway station, covering
a total area of 147,000 square metres, opened in
Futian in Shenzhen city in south China.
 Toyota continues to be the world’s biggest automaker
selling 10.15 million vehicles in 2015, closely followed
by Volkswagen and General Motors.
 World Economic Forum’s prestigious annual
meeting held at Davos, Switzerland, from January 20
to 23.
 Star Wars: The Force Awakens became the world's
fastest film to make one billion dollars at the global
box office.
DECEMBER 2015
THE 10th WTO MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE
The 10th WTO (World Trade Organisation) Ministerial
Conference was held in Nairobi, Kenya from Dec 15 to
19. The meet adopted the Nairobi Package containing
six issues aimed at benefitting organization’s poorest
members. India was represented by the Union
Commerce & Industry Minister, Ms. Nirmala
Sitharaman.
Director-General: Roberto Azevêdo ,
HQ: Geneva, Switzerland
ASIAN INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT BANK
China-backed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
(AIIB) in which India holds 8.52 % share, along with
other 56 countries, was formally established in Beijing
on Dec 25. With an authorised capital of $100 billion
and subscribed capital of $50 billion, the bank will
invest in sectors like energy, transportation, urban
construction, education and healthcare.
ZIMBABWE TO ADOPT YUAN AS ITS CURRENCY
Zimbabwe plans to adopt the Chinese Yuan as its
currency with a view to cancel the debt worth 40 million
dollars from China. Zimbabwe dumped its own currency
in 2009 due to deep recession. China has become the
largest investor in Zimbabwe, which has been shunned
by the West over its human rights record
US LIFTS OIL EXPORT BAN
United States has lifted a 40-year ban on oil exports,
marking a historic shift for the booming US oil industry.
The ban was first imposed in 1975 as the United States
was reeling from the 1973-1974 Arab oil embargo.
UNSC RESOLVES AGAINST ISIS
The UN Security Council (UNSC) has adopted a
resolution to increase sanctions against the Islamic State
in Syria and Iraq (ISIS) group and other terrorist groups.
The resolution seeks to cut off revenue flows including
ransom payments to these groups, by all means.
WOMEN ALLOWED VOTING IN SAUDI ARABIA
In Saudi Arabia, at least 20 women won municipal
council seats (roughly 1%) in the historic local elections
in which females were allowed to cast votes and run for
office for the first time in the country's history.

PARIS CLIMATE SUMMIT
200 NATIONS SIGN ‘PARIS AGREEMENT’
Nearly 200 nations adopted the first global pact to fight
climate change on Dec 12 at COP 21 meet by UNFCCC at
Le Bourget, France, calling on the world to collectively
cut and then eliminate greenhouse gas pollution but
imposing no sanctions on countries that don't.
COP - Conference of the Parties
UNFCCC - United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change
 The nations agreed on following issues: A long-
term goal of keeping the increase in global average
temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial
levels;
 Aim to limit the increase to 1.5°C, since this would
significantly reduce risks and the impacts of climate
change.
 To undertake rapid reductions in emission levels in
accordance with the best available scientific methods.
 Developed countries to continue their existing
collective goal to mobilise USD 100 billion per year
until 2025 when a new collective goal will be set.
NEW CLIMATE INITIATIVE BY UNO
The United Nations has launched a new initiative titled
Anticipate, Absorb, Reshape to build climate resilience
in the world’s most vulnerable countries. It will
strengthen the ability of countries to anticipate hazards,
absorb shocks, and reshape development to reduce
climate risks.
INDIA COMMITS LOWER EMISSIONS
Outlining India's initiatives and stand on climate issues
at Paris climate meet, Prime Minister Modi said that
India will reduce its emissions intensity by 33 percent of
its GDP by 2030, on the basis of 2005 levels and 40
percent of country’s installed power capacity would be
by non fossil fuels by 2022.
INTERNATIONAL SOLAR ALLIANCE LAUNCHED
At the Climate Summit in Paris, Prime Minister Modi
initiated the idea of the international solar alliance to
harness solar power as a major step to mitigate carbon
gas emissions. This also aims at achieving the objective
of keeping global warming below 2 degree Celsius
between now and 2100. India has already submitted its
Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDC)
in which India has committed to generate 100 giga watt
solar power by 2022.
PARIS PACT ON WATER AND CLIMATE CHANGE
A wide geographic coalition of national and cross-
border river basin organisations, governments, funding
agencies, local governments, companies and civil society
have adopted the Paris Pact on Water and Climate
Change Adaptation in Paris. It encompasses individual
commitments to implement adaptation plans,
strengthening water monitoring and measurement
systems in river basins and promoting financial
sustainability and new investment in water systems
management.
'MISSION INNOVATION' FOR CLEAN ENERGY
World leaders from 20 countries, including India and
global investors lead by Bill Gates, launched Mission
Innovation at the COP21 in Paris for accelerating clean
energy revolution across the world and to promote the
use of renewable energy resources.
SOME CLIMATE CHANGE RELATED NEWS
SOUTH AMERICA REELS UNDER EL NINO
The El Nino weather phenomenon in South Atlantic
Ocean caused very heavy downpour in countries like
Paraguay, Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil, leading to
massive flooding their major rivers, forcing lakhs of
persons to flee from their homes.
 In the Chinese Capital, Beijing, the government has
issued its first red alert on pollution, the highest level
in the system, ordering schools to close for four days
due to hazardous air quality.
 Thousands of people were forced to flee their homes
in northern England hit by “unprecedented” flooding.
Army was called in to support local authorities.
 A string of powerful tornado storms wreaked havoc
across southern United States, killing scores of
persons and causing extensive damage to houses and
vehicles.
----

BRAZIL SLIPS INTO DEEP RECESSION
Brazil's economy shrank by 1.7% in the third quarter of
the year compared with the second quarter, deepening
the country's worst recession in 25 years. Compared
with a year ago, the economy is 4.5% smaller. The drop
in economic activity was largely due to a drop in
investment, which fell by 15% compared with a year
ago, leading to massive unemployment.
US FED HIKES RATES AFTER A DECADE
The Federal Reserve of USA hiked interest rates by 25
basis points to 0.50 on Dec 16, for the first time since
2006, reflecting its confidence in the stable growth of
U.S. economy. The Fed strongly believes that the US
economy had largely overcome the wounds of the 2007-
2009 financial crisis. It also raised its projection for its
economic growth next year slightly, from 2.3 percent to
2.4 percent.
Rates in the US have been at near-zero since 2008. Shortly
after the Fed's announcement, major banks began
announcing that they were raising their prime lending
rate from 3.25 percent to 3.50 percent.
FACEBOOK CEO DONATES 99% SHARES
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg while announcing the
birth of his first child pledged to give away 99 per cent
of his company shares, currently worth a whopping $45
billion, to make the world a “better place” for daughter
Maxima and other children.
YUAN APPROVED AS SDR CURRENCY
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has decided to
include the Chinese currency, the Yuan, in its Special
Drawing Rights (SDR) basket effective from October 1,
2016, besides the US dollar, the euro, the Japanese
yen and the British pound.
WORLD TSUNAMI AWARENESS DAY – NOV 5
The United Nations General Assembly adopted a
resolution to observe November 5 every year as World
Tsunami Awareness Day for raising awareness about
the dangers of tsunami and the importance of early
warning systems for minimising damage.
 The World AIDS Day was observed on 1 December
2015 across the world with the theme “Getting to
zero, End AIDS by 2030”.
 Mexico has approved the use of the first-ever vaccine
against dengue fever - Dengvaxia, manufactured by
French pharma major Sanofi Pasteur.
 The Philippines became the first Asian country to
approve the sale of the world's first-ever dengue
vaccine, Dengvaxia.
 Gambia, a tiny West African country has decided to
become an Islamic republic because Islam is the
religion of the majority of its citizens.
 The first media summit of countries belonging to the
Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa (BRICS)
grouping held at Beijing on Dec 1.
 Food and Agriculture Organization of UNO launched
International Year of Pulses on 10 November with the
theme ‘nutritious seeds for a sustainable future’.
 2nd World Internet Conference was held at Wuzen in
Eastern China from Dec 16 to 18.
 New Zealanders chose a new flag design featuring
silver fern and red stars on a black and blue
background. The new design will be confirmed by
vote in March.
NOVEMBER 2015
ISIS MILITANTS ATTACK PARIS
In one of the worst gruesome terrorist attacks, over 129
people were killed and more than 300 were wounded in
multiple ISIS terrorists’ shootings in Paris and
explosions outside the national stadium - Stade de
France. Nations around the world have joined hands to
fight back ISIS.
NEPAL REELS UNDER MADHESI AGITATION
Several persons, including policemen have been killed in
Terai region of Nepal due to ongoing Madhesi agitation.
The violence comes as the landlocked country, heavily
dependent on India for supplies of essential goods,
continues to reel under acute shortage of fuels,
medicines and other items for over two months now,
due to roads blocked by Madhesis.
Madhesis, the Indian-origin inhabitants of the Terai
region, have been protesting against division of their
ancestral homeland in the new Constitution. They are also
demanding proportionate representation in government
mechanism, allocation of Parliament seats on the basis of
population and re-demarcation of the federal provinces.

G-20 SUMMIT HELD IN ANTALAYA
A two day summit of Heads of G-20 nations was held in
Antalaya, Turkey to dwell on inclusive economic growth
and climate change. A special resolution was also passed
to condemn the gruesome terrorist attack in Paris and
make united efforts to eliminate terrorism across the
globe. PM Modi represented India at the meet.
APEC SUMMIT HELD IN MANILA
Leaders of economies which account for nearly half of
the world's trade and about 57 per cent of global gross
domestic product met in Manila for the Asia-Pacific
Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. This year, the
theme of the summit is Building Inclusive Economies,
Building a Better World.
ASEAN DECLARES FORMATION OF AEC
Leaders of the ASEAN group of nations have declared
the establishment of an EU-style regional economic bloc,
ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), a single market
with a free flow of goods, capital and skilled labour in
the region. It will integrate Southeast Asia's diverse
economies, a region with 620 million people and a
combined gross domestic product of $2.6 trillion.
MYANMAR VOTES TO END MILITARY RULE
Free General elections were held in Myanmar after a gap
of almost 25 years. Voters came out in very heavy
numbers to exercise their right. The pro-democracy
party National League for Democracy, led by its
charismatic leader Aung San Suu Kyi is expected to form
the government
WORLD’s SECOND BIGGEST DIAMOND FOUND
The world's second-largest gem quality diamond has
been discovered in Botswana in southern Africa. The
1,111 carat gem is only second in size to the 3,106
carat Cullinan diamond, which was unearthed in South
Africa in 1905.
AN EMOJI IS 2015 WORD OF THE YEAR
For the first time, Oxford Dictionary has chosen an emoji
pictograph, commonly referred to as an emoticon, as its
2015 Word of the Year after it made history due to its
popularity on social media and instant messaging. This
was the most commonly used emoji in 2015.
ISIS MILITANTS DOWN RUSSIAN PLANE
Russia suspended all its flights to Egypt after one of its
aircraft suffered mid-air bomb blast soon after take-off
from Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, killing all 224 people on
board.
The International Day for Tolerance observed
globally on 16 November with an aim to educate people
about the need for tolerance in society and help them
understand the negative effects of intolerance.
WIDESPREAD DOPING IN RUSSIA
A report from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)
outlined systematic doping in Russian athletics. As a
result, Russia was provisi-onally suspended from all
international track and field events by International
Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).
 27th ASEAN summit (Association of Southeast Asian
Nations) was held in Kuala Lumpur on November 21.
 The 10th East Asia Summit was held in Kuala
Lumpur, Malaysia on Nov 22, under the theme Our
People, Our Community, Our Vision.
 UNESCO rejected Kosovo's bid for membership as it
failed to receive the support of two-thirds of the
UNESCO’s member nations.
 Islamist militants laid siege to the Radisson Blue
Hotel in Bamako, capital of Mali killing at least 27
persons from different nations.
 The World Health Organisation on 16 November
2015 launched the World Antibiotic Awareness Week
with the theme Antibiotics: handle with care.
 Operation Inherent Resolve is the name of US
military operation against the Islamic State of Iraq
and Syria (ISIS) in Iraq and Syria.
 The World Meteorological Organisation has said that
global average temperatures this year are likely to be
the warmest on record.
 Young supporters of Hong Kong's democracy
movement, known as 'Umbrella Soldiers', won few
seats in the elections dominated by pro-Beijing forces.
 Sierra Leone has been declared Ebola-free by the
WHO, prompting nationwide celebrations tinged with
sadness over the loss of 4,000 victims to the disease.
 Global pharma major Pfizer and Botox maker
Allergan have entered into a $ 160 billion merger
agreement, the biggest ever deal in pharma sector.
 China’s e-commerce giant Alibaba created a new
record in online sales netting $14.33 billion on the
annual Singles Day on Nov 13.

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