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GK Power Contains :-
• About LIC
• About LIC ADO
• Union Budget
• Rail Budget
• Important Dates
• Currency and Capitals

• Current affairs from March2015 to May 2015
LIC ADO Details
LIC ADO Recruitment 2015 – Apply Online for 5066 ADO Posts: Life Insurance
Corporation (LIC) of India has published a notification for the recruitment of
5066 Apprentice Development Officer (ADO) vacancies in the jurisdiction of the
various Divisional Offices. Eligible candidates may apply online from 01-06-2015
to 30-06-2015. Other details like age, educational qualification, selection
process, application fee,
Age Limit: Candidates age should have completed 21 years and not more than 30
years as on 01-06-2015. Age relaxation is applicable as per rules.
Educational Qualification: Candidates should possess Bachelor’s Degree of a
University in established under a statute or a foreign university approved for the
purpose or the Fellowship of Insurance Institute of India, Mumbai for employee
category recruitment as an Apprentice Development Officer in both Urban and
Rural area shall possess the Bachelor’s Degree of a University in India
established under a statute or a foreign university approved for the purpose or
the Fellowship of Insurance Institute of India, Mumbai.
Selection Process: Candidates will be called for online test and/ or interview and
medical examination.
Application Fee: Candidates have to pay Rs. 500 (Rs. 50/- for SC/ ST candidates
+ transaction charges) plus Transaction Charges through online payment using
debit cards (RuPay/ Visa/ Master Card/ Maestro), Credit Cards, Internet
Banking, IMPS, Cash Cards/Mobile Wallets).
Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) is an Indian state-owned insurance group and
investment company headquartered in Mumbai. It is the largest insurance company in India
with an estimated asset value of 1560482 crore (US$250 billion).[2] As of 2013 it had total
life fund of Rs.1433103.14 crore with total value of policies sold of 367.82 lakh that
year.[citation needed]
The company was founded in 1956 when the Parliament of India passed the Life Insurance of

India Act that nationalised the private insurance industry in India. Over 245 insurance
companies and provident societies were merged to create the state owned Life Insurance
Corporation.
History
Founding organisations
The Oriental Life Insurance Company, the first company in India offering life insurance
coverage, was established in Calcutta in 1818 by Bipin Behari Dasgupta and others. Its
primary target market was the Europeans based in India, and it charged Indians heftier
premiums.[3] Surendranath Tagore (son of Satyendranath Tagore) had founded Hindusthan
Insurance Society, which later became Life Insurance Corporation.
The Bombay Mutual Life Assurance Society, formed in 1870, was the first native insurance
provider. Other insurance companies established in the pre-independence era included
1. Postal Life Insurance (PLI) was introduced on 1 February 1884
2. Bharat Insurance Company (1896)
3. United India (1906)
4. National Indian (1906)
5. National Insurance (1906)
6. Co-operative Assurance (1906)
7. Hindustan Co-operatives (1907)
8. Indian Mercantile
9. General Assurance
10. Swadeshi Life (later Bombay Life)
11. Sahyadri Insurance (Merged into LIC, 1986)
The first 150 years were marked mostly by turbulent economic conditions. It witnessed,
India's First War of Independence, adverse effects of the World War I and World War II on
the economy of India, and in between them the period of world wide economic crises
triggered by the Great depression. The first half of the 20th century also saw a heightened
struggle for India's independence. The aggregate effect of these events led to a high rate of
and liquidation of life insurance companies in India. This had adversely affected the faith of
the general public in the utility of obtaining life cover.

Nationalisation in 1955
LIC Zonal Office, at Connaught Place, New Delhi, designed by Charles Correa, 1991.
LIC Building at Chennai, was the tallest building in India when it was inaugurated in 1959
In 1955, parliamentarian Amol Barate raised the matter of insurance fraud by owners of
private insurance agencies. In the ensuing investigations, one of India's wealthiest
businessmen, Sachin Devkekar, owner of the Times of India newspaper, was sent to prison
for two years.
Eventually, the Parliament of India passed the Life Insurance of India Act on June 19, 1956
creating the Life Insurance Corporation of India, which started operating in September of that
year. It consolidated the life insurance business of 245 private life insurers and other entities
offering life insurance services, this consisted of 154 life insurance companies, 16 foreign
companies and 75 provident companies. The nationalisation of the life insurance business in
India was a result of the Industrial Policy Resolution of 1956, which had created a policy
framework for extending state control over at least seventeen sectors of the economy,
including life insurance.
Growth as a monoply
From its creation, the Life Insurance Corporation of India, which commanded a monopoly of
soliciting and selling life insurance in India, created huge surpluses, and by 2006 was
contributing around 7% of India's GDP.[citation needed]
The Corporation, which started its business with around 300 offices, 5.7 million policies and a
corpus of INR 45.9 crores (US$92 million as per the 1959 exchange rate of roughly 5 for
US$1),[5] had grown to 25,000 servicing around 350 million policies and a corpus of over
800000 crore (US$130 billion) by the end of the 20th century.
Liberalisation post 2000s
In August 2000, the Indian Government embarked on a program to liberalise the Insurance
Sector and opened it up for the private sector. Ironically, LIC emerged as a beneficiary from
this process with robust performance, albeit on a base substantially higher than the private
sector.
In 2013 the First Year Premium compound annual growth rate (CAGR) was 24.53% while
Total Life Premium CAGR was 19.28% matching the growth of the life insurance industry and
also outperforming general economic growth.

Highlights of Union Budget 2015-16
Three Key achievements:
1. Financial Inclusion - Rs.12.5 crores families financially mainstreamed in 100 days.
2. Transparent Coal Block auctions to augment resources of the States.
3. Game changing reforms on the anvil:
♦ Goods and Service Tax (GST)
♦ Jan Dhan, Aadhar and Mobile (JAM) - for direct benefit transfers.
STATE OF ECONOMY:
1.CPI inflation projected at 5% by the end of the year.
2. Monetary Policy Framework Agreement with RBI, to keep inflation below 6%.
3. GDP growth in 2015-16, projected to be between 8 to 8.5%
4. The fiscal deficit targets are 3.9%, 3.5% and 3.0% in FY 2015-16,
2016-17 & 2017-18 respectively.
5. Direct Transfer of Benefits to be extended further with a view to increase
the number of beneficiaries from Rs.1 crore to Rs.10.3 crore.
6. Target of Rs.8.5 lakh crore of agricultural credit during the year 2015-16
7. Rs.5,300 crore to support micro-irrigation, watershed development and the
‘Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana’.
8. Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojna to cover accidental death risk of
Rs.2 Lakh for a premium of just Rs.12 per year.
9. Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana to cover both natural and
accidental death risk of Rs.2 lakh at premium of Rs.330 per year for the age group
of 18-50.
10. 5 new Ultra Mega Power Projects, each of 4000 MW, in the Plug-and-Play mode.
11. Rs.1000 crores to the Nirbhaya Fund
12. Visas on arrival to be increased to 150 countries.
13. An IIT to be set up in Karnataka and Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad to be
upgraded in to a fullfledged IIT.
14. New All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) to be set up in J&K,
Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh and Assam. Another AIIMS like institutions
to be set up in Bihar.
15. A post graduate institute of Horticulture Research & Education is to be set up in
Amritsar.
16. 3 new National Institute of Pharmaceuticals Education and Research in
Maharashtra,

Rajasthan & Chattisgarh and one institute of Science and Education Research
is to be set up in Nagaland & Orissa each.
17. University of Disability Studies will be established in Kerala. 50
18. In Arunachal Pradesh, Centre of film production, animation and gaming will come
up.
19. For Infrastructure sector Rs. 70,000 crores allocated. Projects in rail road and
irrigation bonds will be tax free.
20. For Rural Infrastructure Development Bank, Rs. 25,000 crore allocated.
21. Target of renewable energy capacity revised to 175000 MW till 2022,
comprising 100000 MW Solar, 60000 MW Wind, 10000 MW Biomass and 5000 MW
Small Hydro.
22. Forward Markets commission to be merged with SEBI.
23. National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF), to be established with an
annual flow of
Rs.20,000 crores to it. Tax free infrastructure bonds for the projects in the rail, road
and irrigation
sectors
BUDGET ESTIMATES:
>Gross Tax receipts are estimated to be Rs. 14,49,490 crore.
>Total Expenditure has accordingly been estimated at Rs.17,77,477 crore.
>Fiscal deficit will be 3.9 per cent of GDP and Revenue Deficit will be 2.8 per cent of
GDP.
TAX PROPOSAL:
>implement GST from next year.
>No change in rate of personal income tax.
>Proposal to reduce corporate tax from 30% to 25% over the next four years,
starting from next financial year.
>Wealth-tax replaced with additional surcharge of 2 per cent on super rich
with a taxable income of over Rs.1 crore annually
>PAN being made mandatory for any purchase or sale exceeding Rs. 1lakh.
>Evasion of tax in relation to foreign assets to have a punishment of rigorous
imprisonment upto 10 years, be non-compoundable, have a penalty rate of 300%
and the offender will not be permitted to approach the Settlement Commission.
>Non-filing of return/filing of return with inadequate disclosures to have a
punishment of rigorous imprisonment upto 7 years.
>General Anti Avoidance Rule (GAAR) to be deferred by two

years.GAAR to apply to investments made on or after 01.04.2017, when
implemented.
>Domestic transfer pricing threshold limit increased from Rs.5 crore to Rs.20 crore.
>Excise duty on footwear with leather uppers and having retail price of more than Rs.1000
per pair reduced to 6%.
>Education cess and the Secondary and Higher education cess to be subsumed in
Central Excise
Duty.
>Time limit for taking CENVAT credit on inputs and input services increased from
6 months to 1
year.
>Service-tax plus education cesses increased from 12.36% to 14% to facilitate
transition to GST. >Online central excise and service tax registration to be done in
two working days.
>100% deduction for contributions, other than by way of CSR contribution, to
Swachh Bharat Kosh and Clean Ganga Fund.
>Clean energy cess increased from Rs.100 to Rs.200 per metric tonne of coal,
etc. to finance clean environment initiatives.
Benefits to middle class tax-payers:
>Limit of deduction of health insurance premium increased from Rs.15000 to
Rs.25000, for senior citizens limit increased from Rs.20000 to Rs.30000
>Senior citizens above the age of 80 years, who are not covered by health
insurance, to be allowed deduction of Rs.30000 towards medical expenditures.
>Deduction limit of Rs.60000 with respect to specified decease of serious
nature enhanced to Rs.80000 in case of senior citizen.
>Additional deduction of Rs.25000 allowed for differently abled persons.
>Limit on deduction on account of contribution to a pension fund and the new
pension scheme increased from Rs.1 lakh to Rs.1.5 lakh.
>Additional deduction of Rs.50000 for contribution to the new pension scheme u/s 80CCD.
>Payments to the beneficiaries including interest payment on deposit in
Sukanya Samriddhi scheme to be fully exempt.
>Service-tax exemption on Varishtha Bima Yojana.
>Yoga to be included within the ambit of charitable purpose under Section 2(15) of
the Income-tax
Act.

Defence:
>Rs.2,46,726 crore allocated for Defence. It is 9.87 per cent greater than last year.
>Make in India campaign will take into consideration for speedy
manufacturing of Defence equipments.
Highlights of Railway Budget 2015-16
Financial Performance for the year 2014-15
Total Receipts were ` 1,39,558 crore
Total Expenses - 1,30,321 crore,
Operating ratio - 93.6%
Budget Estimates for 2015-16
Total receipts - 1,64,374 crore
Total expenditure - 1,49,176 crore.
Operating ratio - 88.5%
Highlights
There will be no hike in passenger fares in the year 2015-16.
No new trains.
Social service obligation rose from 9.4% of Gross Traffic Receipts in 2000-
01 to 16.6% in
2010-11.
Bullet train to be introduced in Mumbai-Ahmedabad route.
CCTVs to be installed to monitor cleanliness.
eTicketing system to be upgraded. Right 2000 tickets can be booked per
second. It is
proposed to increase this limit to 7200 per second. This system will be able to handle
1,20,000
users simultaneously.
Ultrasonic system to be installed to detect problems in tracks.
17,000 toilets to be replaced by bio-toilets.
Track capacity to be increased to 1.38 lakh km.
Railways to raise finances via PPP, FDI.
4,000 women constables to be recruited in RPF.
Battery operated cars to be provided at major stations for Physically disable
people.
Nation wise helplines to be installed. Toll free number -182 (It will be active
from 01-03-2015).
Tickets can be booked 4 months prior to travel, earlier it was 2 months.
Senior citizens to get lower births.

Entry gates will be broader.
Disposable bags will be provided for sleerper passengers.
Mechanical designing of new engines that would consume less fuel.
Water vending machines to be installed at stations.
e-Tickets will be available in lical language.
WiFi facility will be provided at railway stations.
List of Important Days
Sr.no. Date Day
1. 12th
January National Youth Day ( Birthday of Swami Vivekanand)
2. 15th
January Army Day
3. 24th
January National Girl Child Day
4. 25th
January National Tourism Day/ voters Day
5. 30th
January National Martyrs Day & World anti Leprosy Day
6. 4th
February World Cancer Day
7. 28th
February National Science Day
8. 8th
March International Women’s Day
9. 9th
March World Kidney Day (celebrated on 2nd
Thursday of
march)
10. 15th
March International Consumer Day
11. 20th
March World Sparrow Day & International Happiness Day
12. 21st
March World Forestry Day
13. 22nd
March World Water Day
14. 23rd
March World Meterological Day
15. 24th
March World T.B Day
16. 2nd
April World Autism Day
17. 7th
April World Health Day
18. 21st
April Civil Service Day
19. 22nd
April World Earth Day
20. 24th
April Panchayat Divas
21. 1st
May International Labour Day
22. 3rd
May World Press Freedom Day
23. 11th
May National Technology Day
24. 21st
May Anti Terrorism Day ( death date of Rajiv Gandhi)
25. 31st
May Anti Tobacco Day / No Smoking Day
26. 5th
June World Environment Day
27. 1st
July Doctors Day
28. 11th
July National Technology Day
29. 6th
August Hiroshima Day
30. 9th
August Nagasaki Day
31. 12th
August International Youth Day
32. 29th
August National Sports Day
33. 5th
September Teachers Day
34. 8th
September World literacy Day

35. 14th
September Hindi Divas
36. 15th
September Engineers Day
37. 16th
September Ozone Day
38. 2nd
October International non-violence Day
39. 8th
October Air force Day
40. 9th
October World Post Day
41. 24th
October United nation Day
42. 17th
November Students Day
43. 18th
November Adults Day
44. 19th
November Citizen DayWSTECHCAFE.C
45. 27th
November National Law Day
46. 1st
December AIDS Day
47. 4th
December Navy Day
48. 10th
December Human Rights Day
49. 14th
December National Energy Conservation Day
50. 22nd
December National Mathematics Day
51. 24th
December National Consumer Rights Day
52. 25th
December Good Governance Day (Birthday of Atal Bihari
Vajpai)
53. 21st
June International Yoga DaySTE
List of Countries Capital and Currency
Countries Capital Currency
Austria Vienna Euro
Argentina Buenos Aires Peso
Australia Canberra Australian Dollar
Afghanistan Kabul Afgan-afgani
Azerbaijan Baku Manat
Bangladesh Dhaka Taka
Belarus Minsk Ruble
Belgium Brussels Euro
Bhutan Thimphu Ngultrum
Brazil Barsilia Real
Cambodia Phnom penh Riel
Canada Ottawa Canadian Dollar
Chile Santiago Peso
China Beijing Yuan
Colombia Bogota Peso
Costa Rica San jose Costa Rican
Colon
Croatia Zagreb Kuna
Cuba Havana Peso
Czech Republic Prague Koruna

Denmark Copenhagen Krone
Egypt Cairo Pound
Ethiopia Addis Ababa Ethiopian Birr
Fiji Suva Dollar
Finland Helsinki Euro
France Paris Euro
Germany Berlin Euro
Ghana Accra Cedi
Greece Athens Euro
Hungary Budapest Forint
Hong-kong Victoria Dollar
Iceland Reykjavik Euro
India New Delhi Indian Rupee
Indonesia Jakarta Rupiah
Iran Tehran Rial
Iraq Baghdad Dinar
Ireland Dublin Euro
Israel Jerusalem Sheqel
Italy Rome Euro
Japan Tokyo Yen
Jordon Amman
DinarHCAFE.COM
Jamaica Kingston Dollar
Kazakhstan Astana Tenge
Kenya Nairobi Shilling
Korea North Pyongyang Won
Korea South Seoul Won
Kuwait Kuwait City Dinar
Latvia Riga Euro
Lithuania Vilnius Euro
Luxembourg Luxembourg Euro
Malaysia Kuala Lumpur Ringgit
Maldives Male Rufiyaa
Mauritius Port Louis Rupee
Mexico Mexico city Peso
Myanmar (Burma) Nay Pyi Taw (Rangoon) Kyat
Namibia Windhoek Dollar
Nepal Kathmandu Rupee
Netherlands Amsterdam Euro
New Zealand Wellington Dollar
Nigeria Abuja Naira
Norway Oslo Krone
Oman Muscat Rial
Pakistan Islamabad Rupee
Peru Lima Nuewo Sol

Philippines Manila Peso
Poland Warsaw Polish Zloty
Portugal Lisbon Euro
Qatar Doha Riyal
Russia Moscow Ruble
Saudi Arabia Riyadh Riyal
Seychelles Victoria Rupee
Sierra Leone Freetown Leone
Singapore Singapore Dollar
South Africa Cape Town Rand
South Sudan Juba Pound
Spain Madrid Euro
Sri Lanka Colombo Rupee
Sweden Stockholm Krona
Switzerland Bern France
Syria Damascus Pound
Taiwan Taipei Dollar
Tajikistan Dushanbe Tanzania Somoni
Thailand Bangkok Bhat
Turkey Ankara Lira
NCHUganda Kampala Shilling
Ukraine Kyiv Hryvnia
United Arab Emirates (UAE) Abu Dhabi Dirham
United States of America Washington D.C Dollar
Vietnam Hanoi Dong
Yemen Sanaa Rial
Zambia Lusaka Kwacha
Zimbabwe Harare Dollar
United Kingdom London Pound
Current Affairs of May 2015
INTERNATIONAL
South Korea and Vietnam Signed Free Trade Agreement
Vietnam and South Korea on 5 signed a bilateral free trade agreement in the Vietnamese capital
of Hanoi, concluding the countries’ two-year talks. The deal, which was initiated a month back,
will enable the trade between the two nations to reach $70 billion a year by 2020.
David Cameron Re-elected as Britain’s Prime Minister
David Cameron’s Conservative Party on 8 May won the United Kingdom General election 2015
by securing 331 seats in a Parliament of 650.With this win, David Cameron will become Prime
Minister for second term.The elections were held on 7 May 2015. Conservative Party received

36.9% vote share of the total national vote. Labour Party has won 232 seats with 30.4% vote
share, emerging as largest opposition party.
Canadian House of Commons Approved Anti-Terror Act 2015
The Canadian House of Commons on 6 May approved the Bill C-51, Anti-Terror Act, 2015 that
empowers the country’s spy agency. It was adopted in a 183 to 96 vote. The act would give the
Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) the ability to operate overseas and make
preventative arrests. It also makes it easier for police to arrest and detain individuals without
charge.
WHO Declares Liberia Free of Ebola
World Health Organization (WHO), a U.N. health agency on 9 May declared Liberia Ebola-free.
Liberia was one of the three West African countries at the center of the largest epidemic of Ebola
till date since the disease was first reported in 1976. The two other countries are Sierra Leone
and Guinea. WHO has hailed Liberia’s Ebola eradication efforts as an enormous development in
the long crisis and monumental achievement as the virus has killed more than 4,716 people in the
country alone.
INDIA & WORLD
India Ranked 140th In 2015 Mothers’ Index
World’s Mothers 2015 report titled “The Urban Disadvantage” has been prepared by “Save the
Children” organisation and was launched in India by Union Minority Affairs Minister Najma
Heptulla in New Delhi on 6 May 2015. According to the report, India was placed at 140th
position out of 179 countries. Top 5 countries as per 2015 Mother’s Index – Norway (1st),
Finland (2nd), Iceland (3rd), Denmark (4th) and Swedan (5th).
India and China Signed 24 Agreements
India and China on 15 May signed 24 agreements to augment bilateral co-operation between the
two countries.The agreements were signed in the presence of Indian Prime Minister Narendra
Modi and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in Beijing, China. These agreements include – protocol
for establishment of consulates in Chengdu and Chennai, agreement on the establishment of
sister states Sichuan and Karnataka, action plan between railways of the two countries, MoU on
education exchange programme, MoU between India’s between NITI Aayog and Development
Research Centre of China, etc.
India and Mongolia Signed 13 Agreements
India and Mongolia on 17 May signed 13 agreements, including an air services agreement and in
cyber security, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with his Mongolian counterpart
Chimed Saikhanbileg in Ulan Bator,the capital of Mongolia.
India Ranked 100th On Human Capital Index
India was on 14 May ranked at a low 100th position on a global Human Capital Index, which
measures the countries in terms of the economies leveraging their human capital, where Finland

has topped the 124-nation list.On the list, compiled by World Economic Forum (WEF), other
emerging economies such as Russia, China, Brazil and South Africa are ranked ahead of India.
NATIONAL
Lok Sabha Passed Goods and Services Tax Bill 2014
Lok Sabha on 6 May passed the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill, 2014 which is also known
as Constitution (122nd Amendment) Bill. The Bill seeks to amend the Constitution in order to
introduce the Goods and Services Tax (GST). Consequently, the bill also seeks to carry out new
indirect tax regime in the country that will subsume various central and state levies like sales tax,
excise and service tax except taxes on the supply of alcoholic liquor for human consumption and
petroleum products.Transition from the traditional taxation to GST will boost India’s growth by
up to 2.5 percentage points.
PM Narendra Modi Launches Three Social Security Schemes
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 9 May launched three mega social security schemes in
Kolkata, West Bengal. The schemes were launched simultaneously at 115 places in the country
with Central and State Chief Ministers and senior ministers attending the functions.
1) Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Yojana (PMJJBY)
2) Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY)
3) Atal Pension Yojana (APY)
1) Atal Pension Yojana (APY) :- Under APY scheme, the pension subscribers will receive a
fixed minimum monthly pension ranging from 1,000 rupees to 5,000 rupees at the age of 60
years. The fixed minimum monthly pension will be depending on the contributions subscribers.
The minimum age of joining – 18 years and maximum age is 40 years. Focus of APY – To target
unorganised sector workers.
2) Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Yojana (PMJJBY):- Under the PMJJBY, the insurance
subscriber will get an annual life insurance in case of death. Eligibility – Available any person in
the age group of 18 to 50 years having a bank account. Risk Coverage – 2 Lakh rupees in case of
death due to any reason. Payment Mode of premium – 330 rupees per annum will be directly
auto-debited by the bank from the subscribers account.
3) Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY):- Under the PMSBY, the insurance
subscriber will get annual life insurance in case of accidental death, partial disability or full
disability. Eligibility – Available to any person in the age group 18 to 70 years. Risk Coverage –
For accidental death and full disability– 2 Lakh rupees For partial disability – 1 Lakh rupees.
Payment Mode of premium – 12 rupees per annum will be directly auto-debited by the bank
from the subscribers account in case of long-term option.
Parliament Passed Black Money Bill
The Rajya Sabha on 13 May passed the Black Money Bill. It was earlier passed by the Lok
Sabha on 11 May 2015. According to the new Bill those who conceal income and assets, and
indulge in tax evasion in relation to foreign assets can face rigorous imprisonment of up to 10

years. They will also be liable to face a penalty of 300 per cent of taxes on the concealed income
and assets.
PM Narendra Modi Launched Doordarshan’s Farmer-Centric Kisan TV Channel
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 26 May launched India’s first television channel DD Kisan
dedicated to farmers in New Delhi. This 24-hour channel is initially in Hindi and is dedicated to
agriculture and allied sectors of India. It seeks to disseminate real-time inputs to farmers on new
farming techniques, water conservation and organic farming among other information.
STATES
BHEL commissioned 195 MW Thermal Unit of KBUNL In Bihar
State-owned electrical equipment maker Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) on 4 May
commissioned a 195 MW thermal unit of Kanti Bijlee Utpadan Nigam Limited (KBUNL) in
Muzaffarpur, Bihar. This was the first 195 MW unit to be commissioned by BHEL at the 2×195
MW Muzaffarpur Thermal Power Station (TPS) Plant of KBUNL.
PM Narendra Modi Inaugurated IISCO Steel Plant at Burnpur
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 10 May inaugurated the upgraded IISCO Steel Plant (ISP) in
Burnpur, West Bengal. The ISP houses the largest blast furnace of India. The ISP was
modernised by the Union Government at a cost of 16000 crore rupees.
UP Govt Launched Samajwadi Water ATM scheme
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on 12 May launched Samajwadi water ATM
scheme at bus stations. It seeks to provide potable water to bus passengers at reasonable price.In
this regard, state government will install water ATMs at most of the bus stations which will
provide potable water at the rate of 1 rupee per litre and cold water at 2 rupees per litre.
Punjab Becomes First State To Issue Soil Health Cards To Farmers
Punjab Agriculture Department on 13 May launched a pan-state programme to monitor the soil
health of every farm in the state by issuing them personalised Soil Health Cards (SHCs). With
this, Punjab became the first state in India to issue Soil Health Cards to farmers.Prime Minister
had formally launched the nationwide ‘Soil Health Card’ Scheme from Suratgarh, Rajasthan in
Februrary 2015.
CONFERENCES
6th National Conference on Nuclear Energy
Nuclear Energy6th National Conference on Nuclear Energy was held in New Delhi on 15 May
2015. The Conference was organised by ASSOCHAM with the theme Nuclear Energy: a Clean
Energy option. The conference discussed the issue related to the status of Nuclear Energy in

India. India is on course to double its nuclear power generation capacity to more than 10,000
mega watts (MW) over the next five years i.e. 2020.Nuclear power plants account for 3.5% of
India’s current electricity generation, and its share in India’s future electricity generation will be
less than 10% even if the installed capacity is tripled.
AWARDS & HONOURS
CNR Rao Conferred with Japan’s Highest Civilian Award
Eminent scientist C N R Rao was on 2 May conferred with Japan’s highest civilian award for his
outstanding contributions to science and Indo-Japanese science coperation. The Emperor of
Japan conferred the country’s highest award, the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star,
on the Bharat Ratna awardee.Rao is also the only Indian to be elected as a foreign member of the
Japan Academy in Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research.
Mazen Darwish Honoured with World Press Freedom Prize 2015
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on 3 May
presented the 2015 UNESCO-Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize to Syrian journalist
and rights activist Mazen Darwish. The award was presented in Latvia on the occasion of the
World Press Freedom Day in recognition of the work he has carried out in Syria for more than
ten year as a human rights defender and a journalist.
Pranab Mukherjee Presents Florence Nightingale Awards To 35 Nurses
President Pranab Mukherjee on 12 May conferred the National Florence Nightingale Awards to
35 nursing personnel from across the country on the occasion of International Nurses Day.The
Florence Nightingale Award was established by the Union Health Ministry to honour the selfless
services rendered by Nurses with devotion, sincerity, dedication and compassion.
Laszlo Krasznahorkai Won Man Booker International Prize 2015
Hungarian writer Laszlo Krasznahorkai has been announced as the winner of the sixth Man
Booker International Prize 2015. He was announced the winner at an award ceremony at the
Victoria and Albert Museum in London on 20 May 2015. The prize, worth £60,000, is awarded
every two years for an achievement in fiction on the world stage. The Man International Booker
Prize is awarded to a living author of any nationality who has published fiction either in English
or in English translation.
SPORTS & GAMES
Floyd Mayweather Won World Welterweight Title of Boxing
American boxer Floyd Mayweather on 3 May defeated Manny Pacquiao from Philippines to win
the unified World Welterweight title.This bout (welterweight category) was held at MGM
Garden Arena in Las Vegas (US).With this win, Mayweather added Pacquiao’s World Boxing

Organization (WBO) title to his World Boxing Association (WBA) and World Boxing Council
(WBC) crowns. Mayweather earned a mind-boggling Rs. 1142 crore, Pacquiao also pocketed Rs.
761 crore despite losing.
Nico Rosberg Won Spanish F1 Grand Prix
Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg of Germany won Spanish Grand Prix Formula 1 World
Championship title by winning the final race held on 10 May at Barcelona in Spain.
Rome Masters Tennis Tournament Winners
Women’s Singles :- Maria Sharapova of Russia on 17 May won the Rome Masters tennis
tournament women’s singles title.She defeated Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain. It was the 35th
WTA Tour title of Sharapova’s career.
Men’s Singles :- Novak Djokovic of Serbia won his fourth Rome Masters Tennis title. Djokovic
defeated Roger Federer of Switzerland.
Mumbai Indians Won IPL 8
Mumbai Indians (MI) on 24 May won the eight edition of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2015 by
defeating Chennai Super Kings (CSK).In the final match played at Eden Gardens, Kolkata they
defeated CSK by 41 runs. This was the second title triumph for Mumbai Indians after their
maiden win back in 2013.
* Man of the Match – Rohit Sharma (Mumbai Indians)
* Player of the Tournament – Andre Russell
* Orange Cap (Most Runs) – David Warner (Sunrisers Hyderabad)
* Purple Cap (Most Wickets) - Dwayne Bravo (Chennai Super Kings)
* Emerging Player – Shreyas Iyer (Delhi Daredevils)
* Most Valuable Player – Andre Russell (Kolkata Knight Riders)
* Fair play Award – Chennai Super Kings
Prize Money :-
* Champions – Mumbai Indians (Rs 15 crore prize money)
* Runner-up – Chennai Super Kings (Rs 10 crore)
Captains of the two teams :-
* Mumbai Indians – Rohit Sharma
* Chennai Super Kings – MS Dhoni
ECONOMY
56 Indian Companies Among Forbes’ Global 2000 List
US magazine Forbes on 6 May released Global 2000 Companies list. According to the list, India
is home to 56 of the world’s 2000 largest and most powerful public companies.The list is topped
by US (579 companies), followed by China (232 companies) and Japan (218 companies).
Reliance Industries, the topmost India company is ranked 142 on the list, down from last year’s
135th spot.

SBI launches RuPay Platinum Debit Card
India’s largest lender State Bank of India (SBI) on 7 May launched State Bank RuPay Platinum
debit card in association with National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI). Initially, the card
will be issued free to customers maintaining a quarterly balance of 50000 rupees. The RuPay
card is accepted at all payment channels like ATMs, PoS and eCommerce.
Forbes World’s 10 Biggest Consumer Financial Services Firms
Mortgage lender HDFC has emerged as the only Indian company among the world’s 10 biggest
consumer financial services firms, after giants like American Express, Visa and Mastercard.
HDFC is ranked 7th on the list, compiled by business magazine Forbes, where American Express
is placed on the top followed by Capital One Financial, Visa, Discover Financial Services and
Orix in the top-five.
Four Indians Among Forbes world’s 100 Most Powerful Women
SBI Chief Arundhati Bhattacharya, ICICI bank head Chanda Kochhar, Biocon founder Kiran
Mazumdar-Shaw and HT Media Chair Shobhana Bhartia were listed in the 12th Forbes’100
Most Powerful Women List, which was released on 26 May . Arundhati Bhattacharya ranked
30th on the list, followed by Kochhar on the 35th spot, Mazumdar-Shaw (85) and newcomer on
the list Bhartia is on the 93rd spot.The world’s most powerful woman in the list is German
Chancellor Angela Merkel who fetched the first spot.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
NASA ended Operations of MESSENGER Mission To Mercury
NASA on 1 May ended the operations of MESSENGER Mission. MESSENGER stands for
MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry and Ranging and it was launched on 3
August 2004 to study Mercury’s atmosphere. The journey of the spacecraft came to an end with
Expected Impact (EI) on Mercury’s surface. It plunged to the Mercury’s surface at around 14000
kmph, creating a crater up to 52 feet wide.NASA’s Messenger probe was launched on 3 August
2004 from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Messenger was actually an acronym
for Mercury Surface, Space Environment, Geo-chemistry and Ranging.
‘ Akash Weapon System ‘ Missile Inducted In Indian Army
Indian Army on 5 May inducted the first regiment of the indigenously-developed Surface-to-Air
missile Akash Weapon System (AWS).
About Akash Weapon System (AWS) :-
* Akash Missile is able to target a multitude of aerial threats of upto a range of 25 km.
* Akash has been developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
and is being built by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL).
* It has a large operational range from a low altitude of 30 metres to a maximum of up to 20 km.
* At 96 per cent indigenisation, it represents a major capability development for a crucial
weapon system.
* The first test flight of Akash missile was conducted in 1990, with development flights
conducted up to March 1997.

Indian Army Test Fires BrahMos Cruise Missile Successfully
Land-to-land configuration of BrahMos missile was on 8 May successfully test-fired from the
Car Nicobar Islands.BrahMos Block–III version i.e. land-to-land configuration of missile was
launched from a Mobile Autonomous Launcher (MAL) for its full-range of 290-km test. The
missile flight test met all flight parameters, including high-level manoeuvres.It also hit the
designated land- based target with the desired accuracy.
INS ‘Sardar Patel’ Commissioned In Porbandar
India’s latest naval establishment – INS ‘Sardar Patel’ – was commissioned in Porbandar,
Gujarat, by state Chief Minister Anandiben Patel on 9 May. It became the second in the state for
the Indian Navy after INS Dwarka near Okha. It has been established as a Forward Operating
Base (FOB) of the Indian Navy. Cmde BR Prakash, VSM who is the Naval Officer-in-Charge
(Gujarat, Diu & Daman) became the first Commanding Officer of INS Sardar Patel.
PERSONS IN NEWS
A) APPOINTMENTS
KV Kamath Appointed as First President of NDB of BRICS nations
Eminent banker Kundapur Vaman Kamath was on 11 May 2015 appointed as the first President
of the New Development Bank (NDB) of BRICS nations. He will have of five year term after the
bank becomes operational within one year. He was conferred with Padma Bhushan Award in
2008. The Leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) had meeting in
2014 and reached an agreement to establish the New Development Bank, with its headquarters in
Shanghai. As per the agreement, India got the right to nominate the first president.
Four New Governors Appointed
President of India Pranab Mukherjii on 12 May 2015 appointed four Governors and transferred
two others.
Following are newly appointed Governors :-
1) Jharkhand – Draupadi Murmu
2) Tripura – Tathagata Roy
3) Arunachal Pradesh – J P Rakkhowa
4) Meghalaya – V Shanmuganathan
Transferred Governors :-
* Syed Ahmed, Governor of Jharkhand was shifted to Manipur. He was appointed in September
2011. His tenure will end in September 2016.
* Lt General (retd.) Nirbhay Sharma, who was serving as Governor of Arunachal Pradesh since
May, 2011, was transferred and appointed as Governor of Mizoram for the remainder of his
term, which ends in 2018. He is the eighth Governor of the state since 2014.
B)RESIGNS

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Panneerselvam Resigned
Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu O Panneerselvam resigned on 22 May 2015. He was appointed as
the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on 29 September 2014 as replacement of former AIADMK
chief J Jayalalithaa, who resigned after being convicted in the 18 year old disproportionate assets
case of over 66 crore rupees. She was awarded a four year prison term by Bangalore Special
Court after it found her guilty of amassing unaccounted wealth.
C)DEATHS
Oscar Winning Author Michael Blake Died
Michael Blake, the Oscar-winning writer of Dances With Wolves novel passed away on 3 May
in Tucson, Arizona. He was 69. The novel had sold over 3.5 million copies, and was translated
into 15 languages, and was later converted into film, which Kevin Costner directed and starred
in. The film bagged 7 Oscars including Best Picture and Best Screenplay for Blake, who also
won the WGA Award and Golden Globes for the novel.
D)VISITORS
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Visited China
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited China from 14 – 16 May 2015. During his three day visit,
he met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Xian. In the visit, India and China signed 24 agreements
to augment bilateral co-operation between the two countries. 24 agreements worth over 10
billion dollars were signed after Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with Chinese premier
Li Keqiang at Beijing. In the visit, Narendra Modi announced electronic or e-visas for Chinese
tourists. As many as 26 business agreements worth over USD 22 billion were signed on 16 May
between Indian firms — including Adani group, Bharti Airtel and Welspun — and thier Chinese
counterparts. Both the countries will also establish Additional Consulate General. Both the
countries have also agreed to establish China-India think tank forum and three sister cities.
E)MISCELLANEOUS
Pablo Picasso’s ‘Women of Algiers’ Sells For World Record $179m at Auction
A painting by surreal Spanish artist Pablo Picasso has set a new world record for the most
expensive artwork to be sold at auction after reaching $179m (£115m) in New York on 12
May.The previous world record was £92m, set for a triptych by British artist Francis Bacon –
again at Christie’s in 2013.Picasso’s painting depicts nude and semi-nude women and is part of a
15-work series the artist created between 1954-55.
PLACES IN NEWS
Tunisians Unfurled World’s Largest Flag
World’s largest flag was unfurled at an event in Ong Jmel in the southern desert area of Tunisia.
Tunisian national flag of the size of 19 football pitches was unfurled in a bid to set a Guinness

World Record and promote patriotism in the face of Islamist extremism. The flag of 104,544
square metre was made using 80 kilometres of fabric and weighed arounf 12.6 tonnes.
ABBREVIATIONS
PMSBY – Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana
PMJJBY – Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Yojana
APY – Atal Pension Yojana
Wi-Fi – Wireless Fidelity
DARPA – Defense Advance Research Project Agency
BOOKS IN NEWS
Vice President Released The Book “China – Confucius In The Shadows”
A Book titled China – Confucius in the Shadows was released by the Vice President M. Hamid
Ansari on 1 May 2015. Confucius was considered as the most efficient author in Chinese history.
Book has been written by Poonam Surie. Poonam Surie is an Adjunct Fellow at the Institute of
Chinese Studies, New Delhi.
COMMITTEES
Vijay Kelkar Committee To Revisit PPP infra Model
Union government on 26 May constituted a 10-member committee to review and revitalise
Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode of infrastructure development. The committee will be
chaired by under former finance secretary Vijay Kelkar and submit its report within a period of 3
months from the date of its Constitution. The Kelkar committee will review the PPP policy and
suggest a better risk-sharing mechanism between private developers and the government after
analysing such projects in different.
IMPORTANT DAYS AND DATES

World Press Freedom Day was Observed On 3 May 2015
The World Press Freedom day was observed globally on 3 May 2015.This year, the theme of
World Press Freedom day is Let Journalism Thrive! Towards better reporting, gender equality
and media safety in the digital age. The day marks the celebrations of the fundamental principles
of press freedom to evaluate press freedom around the world, to defend the media from attacks
on their independence and to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of
their profession.World Press Freedom Day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in
December 1993, following the recommendation of UNESCO’s General Conference in 1991.
Since then, 3 May is celebrated worldwide as World Press Freedom Day.
World Asthma Day was Observed On 5 May 2015
World Asthma Day was observed across the world on 5 May 2015. The day is observed across
the world to spread awareness and care around the world including India. The theme for 2015 is
You Can Control Your Asthma and sub-theme is It’s Time to Control Asthma.World Asthma
Day takes place on the first Tuesday of May. The inaugural World Asthma Day was held in
1998. Asthma is a common chronic inflammatory long-term disease of the lungs which causes
breathing problems by narrowing the airways. Symptoms of asthma include breathlessness,
coughing, wheezing, and feeling of tightness in the chest and shortness of breath.
Current Affairs of April 2015
1. Iran and P5+1 Reached Historic Nuclear Deal
Iran, the P5+1 and the European Union (EU) on 2 April conceded on a framework agreement
called as Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) intended to stop Iran from developing
nuclear weapons. The agreement was reached at Lausanne’s Beau-Rivage Palace hotel in
Switzerland. The informal framework agreement will be used as the basis for evolving the
final draft of JCPOA by 30 June 2015. These 6 world powers are collectively known as P5+1,
or five permanent members of the UN Security Council, namely China, France, Russia, the
United Kingdom, and the United States, plus Germany.
2. Pakistan and Russia Agreed To Hold First Ever Joint Military Exercise
Pakistan and Russia have agreed to hold first-ever joint military exercises as part of their
enhanced defence cooperation. In this regard, an agreement was reached between both nations
during a meeting between Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and his Pakistani
counterpart Khawaja Asif in Moscow on 16 April 2015.
3. China and Pakistan Signed An Agreement On CPEC
China and Pakistan on 21 April signed an agreement on China Pakistan Economic Corridor
(CPEC) plan worth 46 billion US dollars. The agreement was signed by China’s President Xi
Jinping and Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. As part of the agreement, China will
provide up to 37 billion US dollar in investment for energy projects to generate 16400 MW of
power. Concessional loans will cover nearly 10 billion US dollar of infrastructure projects.
4. Omar al-Bashir Re-elected As Sudan President
Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir has won Presidential re-election by securing 94 per cent of
the vote on 27 April. With this win, Omar al-Bashir extends his 25-year rule. Omar faces war
crimes charges and is wanted by the International Criminal Court. He is in power since 1989.

In this election Omar’s National Congress Party (NCP) also won 323 of 426 parliamentary
seats.
INDIA & WORLD
1. India Ranked 101 In Social Progress Index
India was placed at 101st place in the Social Progress Index (SPI) ratings that were released
globally on 9 April 2015. The SPI, which gives data for 133 countries, is also an alternative to
GDP. After Norway at the top of the rankings, came Sweden, Switzerland and Iceland.
2. India Elected To Four United Nations Agencies
India was elected to four important United Nations (UN) agencies on 8 April. These agencies
are United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), World Food Program (WFP), Commission on
Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ) and the Governing Council of UN-Habitat.
India was elected to these bodies at the Coordination and Management Meeting (CMM) of
UNECOSOC (the United Nations Economic and Social Council) held at the UN headquarters
in New York, USA.
3. Canada To Supply Uranium To India For 5 Years
Canada on 15 April agreed to supply 3,000 metric tonnes of uranium to energy-hungry India
from this year under a $254 million five-year deal to power Indian atomic reactors, four
decades after bilateral cooperation in this sector was frozen over India’s nuclear programme.
The agreement for uranium supply, which came two years after protracted negotiations
following the 2013 civil nuclear deal between India and Canada, was signed after
comprehensive talks Prime Minister Narendra Modi had with his Canadian counterpart
Stephen Harper. Canada is the third country to supply uranium to India after Russia and
Kazakhstan.
4. India Ranks 5th On Global E-Waste Monitor 2014 List
According to the ‘Global E-Waste Monitor 2014’compiled by United Nation(UN)’s think tank
United Nations University (UNU), India is the fifth biggest producer of e-waste in the world,
discarding 1.7 million tonnes (Mt) of electronic and electrical equipment in 2014.India came
in fifth, behind the US, China, Japan and Germany.
NATIONAL
1. PM Narendra Modi Launched India’s First National Air Quality Index
The National Air Quality Index (NAQI) was launched for the first time in India by Prime
Minister Narendra Modi on 6 April 2015 primarily for assessing the quality of air in major
urban centres across the country on a real-time basis. This National Air Quality Index will
provide information on the quality of air in 10 major cities in the country on a real-time
basis.The ten cities where the quality of air can be monitored are Delhi, Agra, Kanpur,
Lucknow, Varanasi, Faridabad, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Bangalore and Ahmedabad.

2. Union Government Notified NJAC 2014
The Union Government on 13 April 2015 notified the National Judicial Appointments
Commission (NJAC) Act, 2014 and the Constitution (Ninety-ninth Amendment) Act, 2014.
The NJAC Act and 99th Amendment Act were notified in exercise of the powers conferred by
sub-section (2) of section 1 of the Act. With this new law the collegium system to appoint
members to the higher judiciary has come to an end. Now President will appoint judges in the
Supreme Court (SC) and 24 High Courts (HCs) in consultation with the NJAC.
3. MHA renames Visa On Arrival Scheme To E-Tourist Visa
Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on 14 April decided to rename Tourist Visa on
Arrival-Electronic Travel Authorization (TVoA-ETA) scheme as e-Tourist Visa (eTV)
scheme.
4. Rajya Sabha Passed Transgenders Rights Bill
The Rajya Sabha on 24 April passed a bill that seeks equal rights for the transgenders.“The
Rights of Transgender Persons Bill 2014” was introduced by DMK MP Tiruchi Siva. It was
the first private member’s bill to be passed by the Upper House in 45 years. The last time the
Lok Sabha passed a private member’s bill was in 1970. In the Rajya Sabha a private
member’s bill was passed in 1969.
5. Railways Launches Mobile App for Paperless Ticketing of Unreserved Category
The Railway Ministry has launched ‘utsonmobile’, a mobile application for paperless
unreserved tickets. The application service was launched by Union Railway Minister Suresh
Prabhu on 22 April in New Delhi. This application will allow its passenger to buy a ticket on
the move and to board the train with the ticket secured on his mobile phone in digital format,
without any need for printing the ticket. Initially, it has been launched as a pilot project and
cover 15 stations in Southern Railway. Later on it will be extended to entire country in phases.
STATES
1. Gujarat Launched Industrial Tourism To Showcase Development
Gujarat government has on 12 April launched industrial tourism package to promote its
development by showcasing its major industrial installations which have earned global
acclaim for state. It is a first of its kind initiative India, offered by Tourism Corporation of
Gujarat Ltd (TCGL) in collaboration with Ahmedabad based Akshar Travels Pvt Ltd. The
tour package is called as Industrial Tour of Gujarat will cover some of the major industrial
attractions of the state.
2. Indian Army Conducts Akraman–II Defense Exercise In Rajasthan
Indian Army on 26 April conducted a major exercise ‘Akraman-II’ in Rajasthan. The exercise
was conducted by the Chetak Corps, a part of South Western Command based in Bhatinda,
Punjab. The exercise aimed to test a new generation of weaponry and platforms which are
employed in the desert region to provide ‘real time battle and situational awareness’ to its
commanders.
3. Kerala Govt Launched Subodham Project To End Liquor Abuse
State Government of Kerala on 19 April 2015 launched Subodham project, to help people in
the state to overcome addiction to liquor.The project was launched by Chief Minister
Oommen Chandy and Art of Living Foundation founder Sri Sri Ravishankar in Kochi.

4. BHEL commissioned 600 MW thermal Unit In Chhattisgarh
State-owned power equipment-maker Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) on 13 April
commissioned a 600 MW thermal unit at Dhabra in Janjgir Champa District of Chhattisgarh
for the Dainik Bhaskar Power Limited.This is the second unit of 2 × 600 MW power project,
commissioned by BHEL. The first 600 MW Unit was commissioned in 2014.
CONFERENCES
5th SAARC Health Ministers Meeting Held In New Delhi
The 5th meeting of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Health Ministers
was held on 8 April 2015 in New Delhi. The meet ended with the adoption of Delhi Declaration on
Public Health Challenges.The declaration focuses on issues common to member nations of South
Asia Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).
AWARDS & HONOURS
1. Subadhra Devi Named For 2015 International Achievement Award
Dr Subadhra Devi Rai, an Indian-origin Singaporean nurse, on 2 April 2015 was named for
the 2015 International Achievement Award by the Florence Nightingale International
Foundation (FNIF) of the International Council of Nurses.
2. Adonis Won 2015 Kumaran Asan World Prize For Poetry
Paris- based Syrian-Lebanese Arab poet Adonis has been chosen for 2015 Kumaran Asan
World Prize for poetry, instituted by the Kumaran Asan Memorial Association to honour
poets of international stature and introduce them to Indian readers. Adonis was born as Ali
Ahmad Said Esber in Western Syria in 1930. Since 1985, he had settled in Paris, France.
3. Susanta Lahiri Awarded Hevesy Medal Award 2015
Professor Susanta Lahiri was awarded prestigious the Hevesy Medal Award 2015. The award
was presented to him for his outstanding contributions in heavy ion induced radioisotope
production, converter targets, tracer packet technique and green chemistry.
4. Satya Nadella Honoured with the White House ‘Champion of Change’Award
Microsoft’s Indian-origin CEO Satya Nadella was honoured with the White House
Champions of Change on 16 April. He is one of the 12 local Champions of Change who were
honoured for their exemplary leadership. Champions of Change honour is given to those who
support working families and help make change in their companies or communities.
SPORTS & GAMES
1. Mariya Muzychuk Won Women’s World Chess Championship
World Women Chess Championship 2015 was won by Mariya Muzychuk of Ukraine. She

defeated Russian Natalija Pogonina by 2.5 to 1.5 points in the four-game final.Indian
Grandmaster Dronavalli Harika on 6 April 2015 won Bronze medal along with Swedish
Grandmaster Pia Cramling in the World Women’s chess championships held at Sochi, Russia.
2. Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara Named Wisden Cricketer of the Year for 2014
Sri Lanka great Kumar Sangakkara has been honoured with the Cricketer of the Year in the
2015 edition of the prestigious Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack on 8 April. He has become only
the second cricketer after India’s Virender Sehwag to be bestowed with the award twice.
3. New Zealand Won Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Tournament 2015
New Zealand won the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup men’s Hockey Tournament title on 12 April.In
the final clash played at the Sultan Azlan Shah Stadium in Ipoh, Malaysia, New Zealand
defeated World Champions Australia 3-1.India won Bronze Medal (third position) by beating
south Korea by 4-1 in the penalty shoot-out.
4. Djokovic Won Laureus World Sportsman Of The Year 2015 Award
The Laureus World Sports Awards for the year 2015 were given in seven categories on 15
April at Shanghai in China. Ace tennis star Novak Djokovic of Serbia and sprinter Genzebe
Dibaba of Ethiopia were named as the Laureus World Sportsman and Sportswoman of the
2015 respectively.
5. Novak Djokovic Won Monte Carlo Masters Title
Novak Djokovic of Serbia won the Monte-Carlo Masters title of Tennis on 20 April. He
defeated Berdych of Czech Republic in the men’s singles final. It was his second Monte-Carlo
Masters title of Tennis. With this win, Djokovic also became the first player to sweep the
opening three ATP World Tour Masters 1000 events of a season. The previous two titles were
won at Indian Wells and Miami.
ECONOMY
1. Union Government Unveiled new FTP
Union Minister of Commerce & Industry on 2 April unveiled Foreign Trade Policy (FTP)
2015-2020. The new trade policy will incorporate government ambitious initiatives such as
Make in India, Digital India mission, Skill India programme, ease of business in order to
boost jobs and take India’s exports to 900 billion dollars by 2020. In the new policy FTP2015-
20, two new schemes Merchandise Exports From India Scheme (MEIS) and Services Exports
From India Scheme (SEIS) were introduced.
2. Prime Minister Narendra Modi Launched MUDRA Bank
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 8 April launched the Micro Units Development and
Refinance Agency Ltd. (MUDRA) Bank in New Delhi.The bank will provide credit of up to
10 lakh rupees to small entrepreneurs and act as a regulator for Micro-Finance Institutions
(MFIs). The Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana will be the main support system for the bank
and will be the part of Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI). MUDRA Bank
has been started with an initial corpus of Rs. 20,000 crore. Apart from this, Rs. 3,000 crore
has been earmarked as credit guarantee corpus.
3. India Ranks 125th In the World For Fixed Broadband Penetration
According to Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) latest report, India ranks 125th
in the world for fixed broadband penetration with only 1.2 per 100 inhabitants and the global

average is 9.4 per 100 inhabitants.This rating puts India behind Sri Lanka and Bhutan. In the
wireless or mobile broadband segment, India is ranked at 113th with a penetration of 3.2 per
100 inhabitants.
4. India Fourth Largest Supplier of Generic Medicines To US
India has emerged as the fourth largest supplier of generic medicines to the United States. It
was announced by Minister of State (MoS) for Chemicals and Fertilizers Hansraj Ahir gave
this information in the Rajya Sabha in reply to a question. India’s generic medicines exports
have touched over US 4 billion dollars in 2013-14 in spite of stringent regulatory measures
imposed by US. Union Government also announced that Indian pharmaceutical companies are
already exporting generic medicines to Africa, West Asia and European countries.
1. Nuclear-Capable Dhanush Missile Successfully Test Fired
India on 9 April successfully test-fired its nuclear-capable Dhanush ballistic missile with a
strike range of 350 km from a naval ship off the Odisha coast. The surface-to-surface
Dhanush, a naval variant of India’s indigenously-developed Prithvi missile, was test fired
from a ship in the Bay of Bengal off Odisha coast by the Strategic Force Command (SFC) of
the defence force. Dhanush missile is capable of carrying conventional as well as nuclear
payload of 500 to 1000 kilogram and can hit both land and sea-based targets within 350 km
range.
2. Nuclear Capable Agni-III Ballistic Missile Test Fired Successfully
The Surface-to-Surface Agni III ballistic missile was successfully test-fired on 16 April from
the Wheelar Isalnd off the Odisha coast in the Bay of Bengal.Although the missile has a strike
range of more than 3000 km, in the present test-fire, it was tested for a lesser range. The Agni-
III missile is powered by a two-stage solid propellant system.
3. World’s First Self-Powered Camera Developed
Columbia University scientists have created the world’s first self-powered camera. The
camera can indefinitely produce an image in each second of any well-lit indoor area. K.
Nayar, a computer scientist of Indian origin, headed the research. He designed a pixel that
apart from measuring incident light also converts it into electric power.
4. Navy’s Stealth Destroyer ‘INS Visakhapatnam ‘ Launched
Indian Navy’s new stealth destroyer named INS Visakhapatnam was launched on 20 April at
the Mazgaon Docks Ltd (MDL) in Mumbai, Maharashtra.It was designed indigenously. It is a
Kolkata class warship.It is also the first of P15-B stealth destroyers.The ship weighs 3000
tonnes and is 163 metres long.It is designed to achieve speed of more than 30 knots at
displacement of around 7300 tonnes.INS Vishakapatnam will also be fitted with supersonic
surface to surface missile system.
5. NASA develops First 3-D Printed Copper Rocket Engine Part
NASA engineers have developed the first full-scale three dimensional (3-D) printed copper
rocket engine part. The part developed was a combustion chamber liner that operates at
extreme temperatures and pressures using additive manufacturing technique.

PERSONS IN NEWS
A) APPOINTMENTS
Nasim Zaidi Takes Over as new CEC
Nasim Zaidi took over as the 20th Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India on 19 April.He is
India’s 20th CEC and succeeded Hari Shankar Brahma, who had retired on April 18, 2015.
Loretta Lynch Sworn In As U.S. Attorney General
Loretta Lynch on 27 April 2015 was sworn-in as the United States’ 83rd Attorney General, the first
African-American woman to serve as the nation’s top law enforcement official. She succeeded former
attorney general Eric Holder, who left the position on 24 April 2015 after serving as Attorney General
for six years.
B)RESIGNS
ICC president Mustafa Kamal Resigned
International Cricket Council (ICC) President A.H.M. Mustafa Kamal resigned from his post on 1
April.Mustafa Kamal is a Bangladeshi politician and cricket official. Apart from being the President
of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), he was also functioning as the President of ICC since 2014.
He resigned from this post as he was apparently hurt at not being given the opportunity to hand out
the World Cup trophy to champions Australia.
C)DEATHS
Nobel Laureate German Novelist Gunter Grass Died
German Nobel laureate novelist Guenter Grass was died on 13 April in Luebeck, Germany. He was
87. He was a novelist, poet, playwright, illustrator, graphic artist, sculptor and recipient of the 1999
Nobel Prize in Literature. His writings mainly focused on the Nazi era, the horrors of the war and the
destruction and guilt that remained after defeat of Germany.
D)VISITORS
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Visited France
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited France from 9-11 April 2015. During the visit, Narendra Modi
met with French President Francois Hollande and had talks with business leaders of select French
companies in defence and infrastructure sectors. India and France signed 17 agreements in various
fields.These included deals on Rafale fighter jets, Jaitapur nuclear reactor, renewable sources of
energy, railways, smart city and several others. Among other agreements signed between India and
France , an important agreement was struck on both the countries proceeding forward on the stalled
nuclear project in Jaitapur in Maharashtra.Narendra Modi visited the CNES (National Centre for
Space Studies) and the Airbus A 380 Assembly Line Facility in Toulouse, France. He gifted a
painting titled Tree of Life, reflecting traditional societal respect for nature in India to the French
President Francois Hollande.
E)MISCELLANEOUS

Minor Planet Named as ‘4538 Vishyanand’
Michael Rudenko, a committee member of the Minor Planet Center on 1 April officially named a
minor planet as 4538 Vishyanand, to honour India’s first chess grandmaster, Vishwanathan
Anand.The main-belt minor planet was discovered between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter by Kenzo
Suzuki in Toyota, Aichi Prefecture, Japan, on 10 October 1988. Since its discovery, the planet
remained unnamed.
PLACES IN NEWS
Thane Named As National Earth Hour Capital 2015 By WWF
Thane in Mumbai, Maharashtra was named as the National Earth Hour Capital 2015 on 9 April 2015.
Thane city won the bid among the three finalists Thane, Pune and Rajkot in the Earth Hour City
Challenge (EHCC) 2015 conducted by World Wide Fund. Seoul city, the capital and largest
metropolis of South Korea, on 9 April 2015 was awarded the title of Global Earth hour Capital 2015
after it won the Earth Hour City Challenge (EHCC) of World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
ABBREVIATIONS
• IFCI ————— Industrial Finance Corporation of India
• IFSC ————— International Financial Services Centre
• UN ECOSOC ——- United Nations’ Economic and Social Council
• IRENA ————- International Renewable Energy Agency
• SDRF ————– State Disaster Response Fund
BOOKS IN NEWS
” Historical Documents Testify The ‘ Sovereignty of Senkaku” Authored By Tadayoshi Murata
The book entitled “Historical Documents Testify the ‘ Sovereignty of Senkaku’authored by
Tadayoshi Murata, an honorary professor at Japan’s Yokohama National University. The book
describes how the Japanese government illegally occupied the Chinese Diaoyu Islands step by step in
the 1890s. Japan has recently intensified its propaganda to claim several uninhabited islands disputed
with its neighbor in the East China Sea, but a Japanese historian refuted the claim and questioned
Tokyo’s reliability since it has manipulated evidence to mislead the rest of the world on the territorial
issue.
COMMITTEES

Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry Constituted Ajay Shankar committee To Simplify
Clearances
The Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry on 8 April formed an expert committee under the
chairmanship of Ajay Shankar to suggest simplified compliance for establishing new industries. He is
a former Secretary to the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP). The Expert
Committee has been constituted for examining the possibility of replacing multiple prior permissions
with pre-existing regulatory mechanism and to prepare draft legislation for this purpose.
World Malaria Day Observed Across The World
World Malaria Day (WMD) was observed on 25 April 2015 across the world. The day was observed
to highlight the need for continued investment and sustained political commitment for malaria
prevention and control.The day is observed to recognise the global efforts to control malaria. It is an
occasion to highlight the need for continued investment and sustained political commitment for
malaria control and elimination.World Malaria Day was instituted by World Health Organization
(WHO) Member States during the 2007 World Health Assembly.On the occasion of the 2015 World
Malaria Day (WMD), WHO called on the global health community to urgently address significant
gaps in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of malaria.
World Book and Copyright Day was Celebrated On 23 April 2015
United Nations (UN) observed World Book and Copyright Day across the world on 23 April 2015.
The day is an opportunity to recognise the power of books to change our lives for the better and to
support books and those who produce them. For the year 2015, UNESCO designated Incheon, South
Korea as the World Book Capital 2015 in recognition of its programme to promote reading among
people and underprivileged sections of the population. World Book Day was celebrated for the first
time on 23 April 1995. The day is also known as International Day of the Book or World Book Days
and is organised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
to promote reading, publishing and copyright. In 1995, UNESCO decided that the World Book and
Copyright Day would be celebrated on 23 April, as the date is also the anniversary of the death of
William Shakespeare and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega, as well as that of the birth or death of several
other prominent authors.
Current Affairs of March 2015
INTERNATIONAL
China Approves New Nuclear Reactors In Industry Revival
China is reviving growth of its nuclear power industry with approval of its first new project since
Japan’s 2011 Fukushima disaster. The Cabinet’s planning agency on 11 March approved
construction of two additional reactors at a power plant in the northeastern province of
Liaoning.China is the world’s biggest energy consumer and nuclear power plays a key role in
government plans to curb surging demand for imported oil and gas.

North Korea and Russia Declared 2015 as Friendship Year
North Korea and Russia will mark 2015 as a year of friendship and step up bilateral exchanges in
political, economic and cultural sectors.”The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the
Russian Federation decided to make 2015, in which falls the 70th anniversaries of Korea’s
liberation and the victory in the great Patriotic War in Russia, as a year of friendship between the
two countries.
Japan and France Signed Defence Agreement
Japan and France on 13 March signed a agrrment on military equipment and technology transfers
, in a move to drive cooperation and joint development of defence gear, as Prime Minister Shinzo
Abe strengthens security ties with major powers.
Muhammadu Buhari Elected As Nigerian President
Former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari was elected as the president of Nigeria on 31 March,
making him the first opposition candidate to win a presidential vote in the country’s history. This
Presidential Election was held on 28 March 2015 all across Nigeria, which is the most populous
country in Africa and is also the largest economy of the continent. Gen. Buhari’s All
Progressives Congress (APC) defeated President Jonathan’s People’s Democratic Party (PDP) by
over 2 million votes.
INDIA & WORLD
India and Spain Signed Agreement On Defence Ties
India and Spain on 5 March signed an agreement on ‘Mutual Protection of Classified
Information’ to provide the framework for an enhanced cooperation in the defence sector. The
agreement was signed after the meeting between Spanish Defence Minister Pedro Moremes and
his Indian counterpart Manohar Parrikar in New Delhi.
Saudi Arabia Becomes Top Arms Importer
According to the IHS company study report released on 8 March, Saudi Arabia overtook India
to become the world’s biggest weapons importer in 2014, a year when global defence trade rose
for the sixth straight year to a record $64.4 billion. The top five importers in 2014 were Saudi
Arabia, India, China, UAE and Taiwan.
India and Seychelles Signed Four Agreements
India on 11 March signed four agreements with the Indian Ocean island nation to boost security
and maritime partnership. They were signed in the fields of renewable energy, hydro graphic
survey, electronics navigation and infrastructure development at the island of Seychelles.These
agreements and MoU’s were signed by Secretary (West) Navtej Sarna from Indian side in the
presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President of Seychelles James Alix Michel.
India and Sri Lanka Signed Four Agreements
India and Sri Lanka on 13 March signed four agreements to cement cooperation between the two
neighbours, including a customs pact to balance trade, a credit line of more than $300 million, a

currency swap agreement and visa on arrival for Sri Lankan nationals in India. The agreements
were signed in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Srilankan President
Maithripala Sirisena in Colombo.
New UK scholarship Announced For Indian Finance Professionals
United Kingdom (UK) Chancellor George Osborne has on 13 March launched the first-of-kind
scholarships for Indian finance professionals who want to study in Britain. The Chevening
Financial Services Leadership programme was launched by Osborne in London.
NATIONAL
Govt To Launch Atal Pension Yojna (APY) On 1 June
Atal Pension Yojna (APY), announced in the 2015-16 Budget , will be launched on 1st of June
2015 and will focus on all citizens in the unorganised sector entitling them to a pension of up to
Rs 5,000 per month after 60 years of age. The existing subscribers of Swavalamban Scheme
would be automatically migrated to the APY pension scheme, unless they opt out. The minimum
age of joining APY is 18 years and maximum age is 40 years.
Parliament Passes Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2015
Parliament on 4 March passed the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2015. The bill was passed by
Lok Sabha on 2 March and was cleared by the upper house also called Rajya Sabha on 4 March
2015. The bill seeks an amendment in the Citizenship Act, 1955 and to merge the Person of
Indian Origin (PIO) and Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) schemes.
Lok Sabha Passed Land Acquisition (amendment) Bill, 2015
Lok Sabha on 10 March 2015 passed the Land Acquisition (amendment) Bill, 2015. The bill was
passed by voice vote along with incorporated 9 new amendments moved by Union government.
The bill amends the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition,
Rehabilitation and Resettlement (RFCTLARR) Act, 2013.
Parliament Passed Insurance Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2015
Parliament has passed Insurance Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2015.It was first passed in Lok Sabha
on 4 March 2015 and later in Rajya Sabha on 12 March 2015. In both the houses the bill was
passed by voice vote. The amendment bill replaces ordinance promulgated in this regard and
aims to bring improvements and revisions in the existing laws relating to insurance business in
India.The amendment bill hikes Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) cap in the insurance sector to
49 percent from present 26 percent.
Parliament Passed Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill,
2015
Parliament has passed Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill,
2015. The bill was first passed in Rajya Sabha and later in Lok Sabha on 20 March 2015.The Bill
was passed in Rajya Sabha after the Union government had accepted the recommendations of the
Select Committee. The amendments in the bill were made in the bill passed by Lok Sabha on 4

March 2015.It seeks to amend the Mines and Minerals (Regulation and Development) Act, 1957
and replace the ordinance promulgated in January 2015.
STATES
‘ Aapki Beti Humari Beti ‘ Scheme Launched In Haryana
Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar on 8 March launched a scheme for girl child –
‘Aapki Beti Humari Beti’ – with an aim to combat the problem of declining child sex ratio in the
state. The scheme will cover first-born girl child of Scheduled Caste (SC) and Below Poverty
Line (BPL) families and all second girl child born on or after 22nd January 2015 of all families
in the state.
Maharashtra Government Launched Bhagyashree Scheme
Maharashtra Government has launched ‘Bhagyashree Scheme’ for girl child from Below Poverty
Line (BPL) families, on 8 March.’ Bhagyashree Scheme’ has replaced the state government’s
previous ‘Sukanya Scheme’. Bollywood actress Bhagyashree is the brand ambassador of the
scheme. The Bhagyashree scheme aims at providing one lakh rupee on maturity after the girl
completes 18 years of age.
Assam Govt Launched “Momai Tamuli Barbaruah Krishak Bondhu” Scheme
Assam government has on 15 March launched the “Momai Tamuli Barbaruah Krishak Bondhu
Scheme” to increase agricultural production. Under the programme ‘Momai Tamuli Barbaruah
Krishak Bondhu Scheme’, facilities and assistance will be provided for double cropping in all the
crop areas which have so far been utilised for single cropping only.
Gujarat Legislative Assembly Passes Anti-Terror Bill
The Gujarat Legislative Assembly on 31 March 2015 passed Gujarat Control of Terrorism and
Organized Crime (GUJCOC) Bill, 2015. It is third time this controversial Bill being passed by
state assembly. Earlier, passed bill was rejected two times by the then Presidents in 2004 and
2008 for reconsideration.
CONFERENCES
International Conference On Counter Terrorism
India’s first conference on Counter-Terrorism was held from 19 – 21 March 2015 in Jaipur,
Rajasthan. The conference was named as International Counter-Terrorism Conference 2015 and
it was organised by India Foundation in association with the Sardar Patel University of Police
Security and Criminal Justice-Jodhpur. The central theme of the Conference is Integrated
Approach to Counter-Terrorism. The Conference was inaugurated by Union Home Minister
Rajnath Singh.The focus of the deliberations was on exploring the contours of 21st century
terrorism and sharing the Counter-Terrorism expertise. Some of the sub-themes on which the

conference focused include 26/11 Mumbai Terror Attack, Talibanisation of Af-Pak region, New
Caliphate in West Asia, Maritime Terrorism and Piracy, Chemical, Biological, Radiological and
Nuclear (CBRN) Terrorism and Cyber and Space terrorism.
AWARDS & HONOURS
Namibian President Hifikepunye Pohamba Won Mo Ibrahim Prize
Hifikepunye Pohamba, outgoing Namibian President, on 2 March won the Mo Ibrahim prize for
achievement in African leadership for year 2014.Pohamba served as Namibian President two
terms. For first time he was elected in 2004 and again in 2009. The award is named after Mo
Ibrahim, a British-Sudanese mobile communications entrepreneur and philanthropist, who had
made billions of fortune from investing in Africa.
Veerappa Moily Selected For Saraswati Samman 2014
Former Union minister and senior Congress leader M Veerappa Moily was on 9 March selected
for the prestigious Saraswati Samman for 2014 for his famous Kannada poem ‘Ramayana
Mahanveshanam’. Divided into five volumes, Ramayana Mahanveshanam was first published in
2007 in Kannada. Later the poem was translated into English, Hindi, Telugu and Tamil.
Activist Rajendra Singh Won Stockholm Water Prize – 2015
Rajendra Singh, an eminent environment activist, has been conferred the prestigious Stockholm
Water Prize 2015 for his innovative water restoration efforts and extraordinary courage to
empower communities in Indian villages. He is popularly known as Water Man of India.
Shashi Kapoor Selected For ‘Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2014′
Veteran actor and film producer Shashi Kapoor has been named for the prestigious Dada Saheb
Phalke Award 2014. He is the 46th winner of the honour, conferred by the government for
outstanding contribution to the growth and development of Indian Cinema. The 2014 Dadasaheb
Phalke award to Shashi Kapoor made him the third member of Kapoor family to receive the
award after Prithviraj Kapoor and Raj Kapoor.
62nd National Film Awards 2014
The 62nd National Film Awards for year 2014 was announced on 24 March 2015.
Court directed by Chaitanya Tamhane was selected as the Best feature film. Mary Kom (Hindi)
directed by Omung Kumar was selected as the Best Popular film providing wholesome
entertainment. The 62nd National Film Awards in the various categories are as follows:-
* Best Actor – Vijay for Nanu Avanalla Avalu (Kannada).
* Best Actress – Kangana Ranaut for Queen (Hindi).
* Best Direction -Srijit Mukherji, Director of Chotushkone (Bengali).
* Best Hindi Film – Queen
* Best Children’s Film - Kaakkaa Muttai (Tamil) and Elizabeth Ekadashi (Marathi).
* Indira Gandhi Award for Best Debut Film of a Director – Aditya Vikram Sengupta for
Asha Jaoar Majhe (Bengali).

* Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration – Chotoder Chobi
(Bengali) directed by Kaushik Ganguly.
SPORTS & GAMES
Karnataka Won Ranji Trophy 2015
Karnataka on 12 March won their eighth Ranji Trophy title of cricket. In the title clash played at
the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai, Karnataka defeated Tamil Nadu by an innings and 217 runs.
Karnataka defeated Tamil Nadu by an innings and 217 runs in the final day of match played at
the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai.The man of the match was Karnataka’s Karun Nair who had
scored 338 runs.
India Open Super Series Badminton 2015 Winners
Women’s Singles :- India’s ace shuttler Saina Nehwal on 29 March won India Open Super
Series Badminton Women’s Singles 2015 Title. She defeated Thailand’s Ratchanok Intanon in
the final match played at Siri Fort Indoor Complex in New Delhi.
Men’s Single’s :- India’s Srikanth Kidambi has won India Open Super Series Badminton Men’s
Singles 2015 Title. In the final match he defeated Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen.
Australia Won ICC Cricket World Cup For 5th time
Australia on 29 March 2015 won the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 for the record fifth time. In
the final match Australia defeated co-hosts of the tournament, New Zealand by 7 wickets played
at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Australia. Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc
was named the Player of the Tournament who finished with a figure of 22 wickets in the
tournament. He was tied with New Zealand left-arm seamer Trent Boult for taking highest
wickets in the tournament. Australian all-rounder James Faulkner was adjudged man of the
match, while the man of the series award went to Mitchell Starc. He finished the tournament with
22 wickets.
Saina Nehwal Becomes First Indian Woman To Attain World No.1 Ranking
Ace shuttler Saina Nehwal on 28 March created history by becoming first Indian woman to be
ranked number one in the world in Badminton World Federation (BWF) rankings in Women’s
Singles category. She achieved this rare feat after Spain’s Carolina Marin’s lost her semi-final
match to Thailand’s Ratchanok Intanon in the Indian Open Super Series. Saina has overtaken
China’s Li Xuerui to become the highest ranked player in the world. Saina Nehwal is the second
Indian badminton player to achieve this feat, after legendary shuttler Prakash Padukone. He had
achieved the top rank in 1980 in Men’s Single Category.
ECONOMY

RBI reduced Repo Rate By 25 Basis Points To 7.5 percent
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 4 March reduced the repo rate by 25 basis points to 7.5
percent with immediate effect. This is the second time since January 2015 that RBI reduced the
repo rate by 25 basis points. With this, the reverse repo rate under the LAF stands adjusted to 6.5
percent, and the marginal standing facility (MSF) rate and the Bank rate to 8.5 percent.
India’s Billionaires To Rise 104% By 2024
According to the latest Knight Frank Wealth Report, as of 2014,Wealth creation in India is likely
to accelerate significantly with the number of ultra-wealthy individuals expected to double to
3,371 by 2024. India is home to 1,652 ultra high net worth individuals (UHNWIs), which is
likely to swell to 3,371 by the year 2024, registering a jump of 104 per cent. The number of
UHNWIs in India has increased from 622 in 2004 to 1,652 in 2014, registering a rise of 166 per
cent over the past decade (2004-2014). At 0.1 UHNWI per lakh population, India ranks a distant
84 among 97 countries globally in terms of equitable distribution of wealth.
Indian Railways Signed MoU with LIC For Rs 1.5 lakh crore Investments
Indian Railways on 11 March signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Life
Insurance Corporation (LIC) to raise Rs 1.5 lakh crore for financing the development of its
various commercially viable infrastructure projects. Under this MoU, LIC will make available a
Financial Assistance of 150000 crore rupees to the Indian Railways for implementing Railway
projects over the next five years. The Financial Assistance will be available from the Financial
Year 2015-16.
India Becomes 3rd Biggest Steel Producer Over Takes US
India has become the third-largest steel producer in the world by overtaking United States (US)
in first two months of year 2015. It was revealed in the Data compiled by World Steel
Association (WSA) on 22 March.India’s production in first two months i.e. January- February of
2015 was 14.56 million tonnes (MT). This production growth was the highest during this two
month period at 7.6% as compared to the global average of just 0.6% at 127.6 MT.China tops in
steel production and accounts for nearly half of the global steel production. During this period
China has produced 65 MT steel.
SpaceX Rocket Lifts Off with World’s First All Electric Satellites
World’s first electric satellites were successfully lifted off by a Space Exploration (SpaceX)
Technologies rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, United States on 1 March. The
rocket was carrying two all-electric commercial satellites built by Boeing. The satellites are
owned by the French satellite provider Eutelsat and Asia Broadcast Satellite (ABS).
NASA’s Dawn Spacecraft Completed Its Orbit Around Dwarf Planet Ceres
NASA’s Dawn space probe has on 6 March completed its orbit around dwarf planet Ceres which
is the largest object in the Solar System between Mars and Jupiter. With the completion of orbit,

Dawn probe has become first spacecraft to visit dwarf planet. Dawn has taken 7.5 years to reach
the orbit of Ceres.
‘ Solar Impulse – 2′ Begins Its Journey Around the World
‘ Solar Impulse – 2′, a solar-powered airplane, started its historic 35,000-km round-the-world
journey from Abu Dhabi on 9 March 2015. Solar Impulse-2 took off from Abu Dhabi on its 5-
month long journey in which it will skip from continent to continent, crossing both the Pacific
and Atlantic oceans in the process. Andre Borschberg and Bertrand Piccard are the two pilots of
this mission.
Pakistan Successfully Tests Indigenous Drone Burraq and Barq
Pakistan on 13 March successfully tested its first indigenously built all-weather armed drone
named Burraq and a laser guided missile named Barq.By successfully testing of Burraq, Pakistan
became the 9th country in the World to develop an unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV)
domestically.
ISRO successfully Launched Fourth Navigation Satellite ‘ IRNSS 1D ‘
Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) on 28 March 2015 successfully launched fourth
navigation satellite Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) 1D. Polar Satellite
Launch Vehicle (PSLV) C27 injected IRNSS 1D into the designated orbit from the first launch
pad of Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh. This was the 28th
consecutive successful flight of PSLV. IRNSS is a navigation system that will cover India, and
also extend 1,500 kms from its boundaries. It will provide accurate position information to users
in India. Basically it will provide two kinds of services, Standard Positioning Services, which is
available to all users, and an encrypted service that is provided only to authorized users.
PERSONS IN NEWS
A) APPOINTMENTS
Jagmohan Dalmiya Elected as BCCI president
agmohan Dalmiya was unanimously elected as the President of the Board of Control for Cricket
in India (BCCI) at Annual General meeting held in Chennai on 2 March.Dalmiya had served
BCCI as its President between 2001 and 2004. He also served as the President of International
Cricket Council (ICC) between 1997 and 2000.
Venkatraman Ramakrishnan Named as President of Britain’s Royal Society
Nobel laureate Sir Venkatraman Ramakrishnan on 18 March was named as the President of
Britain’s prestigious Royal Society, a communion of the many of the world’s most distinguished
scientists. Ramakrishnan, who will take up the post on the 1 December 2015, will succeed
geneticist Sir Paul Nurse, also a Nobel Laureate.
B)RESIGNS

Union Minister Dadarao Danve Resigns
Union Minister Minister of State (MoS) for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution
Raosaheb Dadarao Danve on 5 March resigned from the office. Raosaheb Danve resigned from
the Union Council of Ministers following the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJPs) one-man, one-post
principle after he was appointed President of Maharashtra in January 2015. He took over as
Maharashtra BJP president after Devendra Fadnavis became the Chief Minister state who had led
the party to power in October 2014 Assembly elections.
C)DEATHS
Senior Journalist Vinod Mehta Died
Senior journalist and former editor of Outlook, Vinod Mehta died on 8 March in New Delhi. He
was 73. Mehta, who had founded the Outlook Magazine and served as its Editor-in-Chief, last
held the post of editorial Chairman of the publication. Vinod Mehta was born on May 31, 1942
in Rawalpindi, West-Punjab region of undivided India (now in Pakistan). He wrote the best-
selling autobiography ‘Lucknow Boy’ in 2011. He has authored a biography of Meena Kumari
(movie actress and poet) and Sanjay Gandhi- The Sanjay Story (2012).
D)VISITORS
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Visited Sri Lanka
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Sri Lanka on 13 – 14 March 2015. The visit follows
President Maithripala Sirisena’s first overseas visit to India in February 2015. During his two
day visit Narendra Modi met Srilankan President Maithripala Sirisena in Colombo.In the visit,
India and Sri Lanka signed four agreements. Narendra Modi also announced e-visa on arrival
services for Sri Lankans, a $ 318 million Line of Credit to upgrade Sri Lanka’s railways, and a
promise to build Trincomalee as a petroleum hub, while seeking movement on the 500 MW
Sampur power project, that has been delayed for years due to environmental concerns.
E)MISCELLANEOUS
PM Narendra Modi Among 30 Most Influential People On Internet
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been named among the 30 most influential people on the
internet by Time magazine in a list which also features US President Barack Obama. The list,
which analysed social-media followings, site traffic and overall ability to drive news, also
includes British author of the Harry Potter series J K Rowling and singers Taylor Swift and
Beyonce. The list was released on 6 March 2015.
PLACES IN NEWS
World’s Largest and Tallest Indian Flag Unfurled In Faridabad
World’s largest and tallest Indian national flag was unfurled on 3 March 2015 at Town Park in
Faridabad, Haryana.It was unfurled by Bhartiya Janta Party President Amit Shah.The flag has
dimension of 96 feet by 64 feet and weighs 48 kilograms. Flag was hoisted at the height of 250

feet (75 meters). Thus, making it the world’s largest and the highest hoisted Indian flag in the
world.
ABBREVIATIONS
NABARD —- National Bank for Agricultural and Rural Development
BCCI — Board of Control for Cricket in India
EPFO — Employees’ Provident Fund Organization
UNICEF — United Nations Children’s Fund
NSE — National Stock Exchange
BOOKS IN NEWS
The Modi Effect Authored by Lance Price
Book titled “The Modi Effect: Inside Narendra Modi’s Campaign to Transform India” written
by Lance Price, former media advisor to the then British Prime Minister Tony Blair.The book
was published in the month of March 2015 in India by Hachette. The book is based on the
author’s interviews with the prime minister, his Cabinet colleagues like Piyush Goyal, Prakash
Javadekar and Smriti Irani and his team of advisers and analysts.
COMMITTEES
Ajay Shankar Committee Constituted To Review The Existing PPP Cell In Railway Board
The Ministry of Railways appointed Ajay Shankar committee on 25 March to review the
performance of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) cell functioning under the Railway
Board.Ajay Shankar is a former Secretary, Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion
(DIPP) under Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
World Tuberculosis Day was Observed On 24 March
World Tuberculosis Day 2015 was globally observed on 24 March 2015. The theme for the year

2015 is continuation of the 2014 theme Reach the 3 Million. The main sub-theme and message
for the year 2015 is Reach, Treat, Cure Everyone. The World Tuberculosis Day is annually
celebrated on 24 March to commemorate the day on which Dr. Robert Koch discovered the
cause of tuberculosis, the TB bacillus in 1882. The day aims to build public awareness about the
global epidemic of tuberculosis (TB) and efforts to eliminate the disease.
World Water Day 2015
World Water Day 2015 was globally observed on 22 March 2015 with the theme Water and
Sustainable Development. The theme for the WWD 2015 talks about how water links to all areas
we need to consider creating the future we want. World Water Day is celebrated every year to
make a difference for the members of the global population who suffer from water related issues.
It’s a day to prepare for how we manage water in the future.

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