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Current Affairs May 2016

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Current Affairs PDF: May 2016

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Contents
INDIAN AFFAIRS .......................................................................................................................................... 3
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS...................................................................................................................... 42
FOREIGN VISITS ......................................................................................................................................... 51
BANKING & FINANCE............................................................................................................................... 54
BUSINESS..................................................................................................................................................... 70
PLACES IN NEWS ....................................................................................................................................... 80
SUMMITS & CONFERENCES ........................................................................................................................ 82
RANKINGS & REPORTS ............................................................................................................................ 88
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS.................................................................................................................... 96
APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNS ................................................................................................................. 111
ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS ................................................................................................................. 128
SCHEMES ......................................................................................................................................................... 130
MoUs............................................................................................................................................................ 136

COMMITTEES.................................................................................................................................................. 146
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY .................................................................................................................... 148

DEFENCE ......................................................................................................................................................... 158


ENVIRONMENT ........................................................................................................................................ 164
SPORTS ....................................................................................................................................................... 166
OBITUARY ................................................................................................................................................. 177
BOOKS & AUTHORS ................................................................................................................................ 183
IMPORTANT DAYS ...................................................................................................................................... 185
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Current Affairs PDF: May 2016

INDIAN AFFAIRS
Govt to rename Mission Indradhanush, adds four new vaccines to immunisation
drive
i. The Union health ministry to revamp its flagship immunisation
programme MissionIndradhanush to include four new vaccines forrotavirus, measles
rubella, inactivated polio vaccine biavalent and Japanese Encephalitis for adults.
Mission Indradhanush:
ii. The mission depicting the seven colours of the rainbow that provides immunisation
coverage against diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, polio, tuberculosis, measles and
hepatitis B.
iii. The centre is targeting to immunise 90% of infants by 2020 under its ambitious
nationwide immunisation drive.
Prime Minister approves retirement age of doctors of Central Health Services to
65 years
i. Central Government has approved the proposal of the Ministry of Health and Family
Welfare for enhancing the retirement age of all doctors of the Central Health Service
to 65 years.
ii. Purpose: To retain the experienced doctors for a longer period & provide quality health
services to citizens, particularly the poor.
iii.The Cabinet will soon approve a Bill to increase the superannuation age of all central
government doctors from 60 to 65 years.
iv. According to the Health Ministry website, there are about 4,000 doctors under the
Central Health Service.
Delhi Government Launches DVAT M SEWA Mobile App
i. Delhi Government has launched DVAT M SEWA mobile app through which city traders
can register themselves with the VAT department of the state government.
ii. DVAT M SEWA mobile app is launched in order to boost the tax collection.
iii. This app will ensure VAT registration within 24 hrs of filing request.
iv. With the help of DVAT M SEWA, VAT inspectors visit at traders business premises will
not be required instead traders will have to upload a picture of their business premises in
the app only.
Indian Railways, PEC sign MoU to set up Kalpana Chawla Chair on geospatial
technology
i. The Union Railways Ministry signed a MoU with Chandigarh-based PEC University of
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Technology to set up Kalpana Chawla Chair on geospatial technology for her
contribution to aerospace engineering.
ii. This would develop in-house solutions to problems that are otherwise often outsourced
to western countries. The railways to provide a corpus of Rs 10 crore to the University for
the Chair.
Kalpana Chawla:
Kalpana Chawla the first woman of Indian origin in space was a student at the PEC
University, earlier known as Punjab Engineering College, during 1978-82.
The chair will advise Indian railways on technology-demanding rail projects where use of
remote sensing data or global positioning system is required.
PM Narendra Modi to flag off trains to Mizoram, Manipur including KamakhyaVaishno Devi Katra weekly train
Prime Minister and Railway Minister flagged off passenger train services
to Mizoram andManipur on the newly-laid broad gauge line and Kamakhya -Vaishno
Devi Katra weekly train which was announced during Railway Budget 2014-15.
Delegates: The Prime Minister and Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu.
Inauguration: Flagged off using remote control from Shillong.
Government cancelled all defence tenders bagged by Finmeccanica
The Union government has decided to cancel all ongoing tenders for defence equipment
won by Italys Finmeccanica.
Reason: Firm is being investigated for bribery in the Agusta Westland VVIP chopper
deal.
Announced by: Defence Minister Manohar Parikkar.
NGT imposes Rs.50 lakh fine on East Coast Railway
i. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has imposed a fine of `50 lakh on East Coast
Railway for operating a illegal railway siding without consent of the Odisha State
Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) at Jakhapura railway station near Kalinganagar in
Odishas Jajpur district.
ii. The Kolkata bench of NGT that was hearing the case asked the railway board to deposit
the fine amount at the Jajpur Collectorate within 2 months as environmental compensation
for five years for operation of the railway siding.
iii. The NGT has asked the Jajpur Collector to make use of 25 lakh for infra
development of Primary Health Centre at Jakhapura and remaining amount will be for
improving environment in and around railway siding the court directed.
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Gujarat CM launches state-wide campaigns against malnutrition
i. Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel launched two state-wide campaigns
againstmalnutrition in Dangs district of the state.
ii. She flagged off two campaigns to provide iron-rich supplementary food children
and women, whether they live in towns or remote forested areas,
iii. The campaigns namely,
Bal Amritam,
Mission Shakti.
iv. She urged the people to take a pledge to work to conveying down the infant and
maternity mortality rates in this tribal-dominated district to the states average.
Sushma Swaraj today inaugurated six language versions of PMO India website.
i. Union External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj inaugurated six language versions of PMO
India website, the languages are Bengali, Marathi, Gujarati, Malayalam, Tamil and
Telugu.
ii. The move will go a long way in deepening Prime Minister Narendra Modis connect with
people to make a great opportunity to further discussion on Governments agenda of
development and good governance.
The six regional language websites can be accessed at the following links:

Bengali: www.pmindia.gov.in/bn

Gujarati: www.pmindia.gov.in/gu

Marathi: www.pmindia.gov.in/mr

Malayalam: www.pmindia.gov.in/ml

Tamil: www.pmindia.gov.in/ta

Telugu: www.pmindia.gov.in/te

First Time in History, Polls Cancelled On 2 Tamil Nadu Assembly Seats


i. The Election Commission of India has decided to call off the elections to the two Tamil
Nadu constituencies such as Thanjavur and Aravakurichi that was postponed ahead of
the May 16 polls in Tamil Nadu. This move is first in Indias electoral history.
ii. The pronouncement comes after ECIs found malpractices through large scale
distribution of money and gifts to electors by the candidates and political parties.
iii. The Commission gone with such the decision later considering reports of observers,
special teams of central observers, report of the special team of observers to the two
constituencies.

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Andhra Pradesh to become First Open Defaction Free State to make 100% free from
Open Defaction by October 2
Andhra Pradesh is preparing to become the first state in the country to cent percent of its urban
regions Open Defecation Free by October 2. This will be benchmarked for launch ofSwachh
Bharat mission by Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Rajiv Gauba, Secretary (Urban Development) at Visakhapatnam assured to instate during


a review of progress of Swachh Bharat Mission in all the 110 municipalities of States

Secretary visited the port city for review of progress of Urban Mission
1. Smart City Mission
2. Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation
3. Swachh Bharat Mission
He had meeting with the collectors of all the 13 districts and Municipal Commissioners of 110
municipalities on their action plans for ensuring open defection free and review the progress.

BSF to put tallest Tiranga at Wagah border by January 2017


The Border Security Force is mulling to set up the tallest national flag near Attari-Wagah Joint
Check Post famously known as the Wagah border. This flag can be seen both from Lahore as well
as Amritsar.

The flag measures 350 feet is part of BSFs extension plans for the visitors gallery at the
site of the iconic Retreat ceremony.

Earlier this year to commemorate NetajiSubhas Chandra Bosesbirth anniversary union


Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar hoisted the largest tricolour of 99 X 66 feet on the
countrys tallest flag post at 293 feet in Ranchi.

Worlds largest telescope may be set up in Ladakh


The world largest to be built called Thirty Metre Telescope (TMT) project may be set up at Hanle
in Ladakh. This is the effect of protests in Hawaii in the US which was proposed site for the
telescope.

The project intended exploring the universethat will strengthen the domestic programme
of the country in this field and lead to several discoveries. India is a 10 per cent
partnerin the TMT project which is a partnership countries includes China, Japan, Canada
and the US.

The project site includes Chile, Hanle in Ladakh and others which are all being
evaluated for technical and logistical suitability

Odisha Skill Development Authority becomes operational


The Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced Odisha Skill Development Authority, Which will
become operational from May 1.

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i.The programme will be headed by IT entrepreneur Subroto Bagchi.
ii.The new iniative will guide, implement, coordinate and oversee all skill development Programmes
also to ensure quality skill training standards and sustained employability of trained youths.
iii.The programme head will be accorded the rank of a Cabinet Minister in the state and draw a
salary of only Re 1 a year for his service.
Subroto Bagchi:

Bagchi was born at Patnagarh in Bolangir and studied in Utkal University.

He started his career working in industries department in the Odisha government and went on
to become a globally renowned IT entrepreneur.

Madhya Pradesh High Court terms reservation in promotions in the State as


unconstitutional
The Madhya Pradesh high court struck down reservations for scheduled castes and tribes in
government job promotions.
i. The court observed that giving priority to reserved categories over general classes in promotions
is not justice.
ii.The order affects above 30,000 employees and officers with possible repercussions in other
states.
iii.The division bench chaired by Chief Justice AM Khan wilkar set aside promotions under the 2002
Madhya Pradesh Public Service Rules that reserve 16% posts for scheduled castes and20% for
scheduled tribes in elevations saying they violated Supreme Court guidelines.

Govt launches MICE initiative for upgradation of tourism sector


Union government has launched an initiative named MICE which is based on meetings,
incentives, conferences and exhibitions for the upgradation of tourism sector in India. The
tourism Minister Makesh Sharma in the Lok Shaba during question hour.
i.Tourism Ministry allocated funds to the States and Union Territories administrations to
develop tourism-related infrastructure.
ii.Earlier Tourism Ministry has launched Swadesh Darshan scheme to develop time-bound tourist
circuits in the country.
Parliament clears mines Bill 2016
i.The Rajya Sabha approved an amendment to the mining law that allows Transfer of captive
mines in cases of mergers and acquisitions.
ii.The amendment has been cleared by Parliament, with this decks cleared bill is likely to
helptransfer of non-auctioned mines to happen smoothly.
iii.Mines minister Narendra Singh Tomar said that the amendment was in the larger interest of
workers and the provision was not intended to benefit any industrial house.

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Bengaluru Tops The Chart Of Online Learning In India: Coursera business standard
Open online education provider Coursera revealed How the World Learns: Spotlight on the
India info graphic highlighting data on online learners in India as the trend of e-learning
becomes more widely adopted in India.
Facts in the Findings:
i. Top Countries:India is the third largest online market with 1.3 million learners Out of
Courseras 18 million registered learners, while the list is topped by the US followed by China.
ii. Top Cities: Bengaluru emerged as the top city in India for online learning with the highest
number of registered learners, followed by Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Hyderabad.
iii. Top Course: Nearly half of learners in India are in technology courses such as computer
science accounts 25% and data science -18 %.

DRDO and Ayush join hands to impart yoga training to Defence Wing Staff
i. Delhi based DRDOs laboratory Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences(DIPAS)
DRDO in collaboration with Department of AYUSH organised a training program on Yoga for
the Defence Wing Staff.
ii. In the training programme 33 participants from Army, Defence Wing Staff, Navy and Air
Headquarters took part.
iii. Earlier the DRDOs lab has imparted training to about 8000 Army and Paramilitarypersonnel
deployed at various locations.

Govt approves United Nations principles of official statistics


Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially approved the adoption of UN Fundamental Principles
of Official Statistics
Purpose : To formulates the data collection process.
Fundamental Features:
i. Professional independence
ii. Impartiality
iii. Accountability
iv. Transparency in methods of collection
v. Compilation
vi. Dissemination of official statistics
vii. Equal to the international standards
Future Development
Devised version of National Policy on Official statistics in an enhanced manner
Consistency of Procedures and institutions related to these principles

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Number of gram panchayats in Odisha to increase by 500 to 600
i. Odisha Cabinet meeting under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik declared a
proposal for amendment to the Gram Panchayat Act as this the ruling partys promise in
2014 elections proclamation that there would be one panchayat for each 1,000 populace.
ii. The move is to encourage making of more than 500 panchayats in Odisha. As per the proposal
the Panchayats in the state will increase by around 500 to 600.
iii. With the cabinet nod the bookings for panchayat will be decided in one term when compared
with two terms before after the amendment to the Gram Panchayats Act.

Projects worth Rs. 2446 Crore approved under Namami Gange Programme
Initiator: Empowered Steering Committee (ESC) of the National Ganga River Basin
Authority (NGRBA).
Purpose:

For Development of Ghats and crematoria in the stretch from Haridwar to


Uttarakhand Border in Uttarakhand, Garhmukteshwar in UP, Buxar, Hajipur and Sonepur
of Bihar, Sahibganj, Rajmahal and Kanhaiya Ghat of Jharkhand and Delhi .

Afforestation along the banks of river Ganga.

Duration : 5 years
Estimated Cost: The total estimated cost of the projects is Rs. 2446 crore
Steps taken: To improve the facilities of Ghats and crematoria for reduction of pollutionload
into river Ganga.
Sponsorship: Namami Gange scheme and Government of India with fullfledged intention.
ESC also evaluated the Detailed Project Report on Forestry Intervention in River Ganga.

Haryana to give financial assistance to MSMEs for patents


Haryana government has launched a scheme to grant financial assistance of up to Rs 25 lakh to
micro,small and medium enterprises (MSME) for registration of patents for products and processes.
Purpose : To promote patent registratoin among enterprises and protect their innovation. The
state government has implemented the Patent Registration Scheme for MSMEs.
Announcement : Industries Minister Captain Abhimanyu

Haryana to enact Act to accord statutory status to Sports Council


Announcement:

Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij stated that the state government would enact

State Sports Council Act.


There would be a sports body at state, district and sub-division level which would
coordinatemaintain all affairs of sports in the state.
Purpose : To accord statutory status to the Council and further promote sports activities in the
state.

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Indias single emergency number 112 to be active from Jan 1
Service: The single emergency number 112 will be functioning throughout India from
January 1, 2017
Purpose: To help people reach immediate services of police, ambulance and fire
department.
Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has approved the provision of a single number for
various emergency services.
It is similiar to 911 all-in one emergency service being used in the US

Railways launch Bharat Darshan Tourist train for pilgrims


i. Union Railways Ministry has launched the Bharat Darshan Tourist train for pilgrims to visit and
bookings are being done by IRCTC and it has firmed up a budget-friendly packages.
ii. The visiting spot includes Shirdi, Tirupati, Jagannath Puri, Gangasagar, Baidyanath Dham and
Jyotirlingams among others.
iii. A person has to pay Rs 830 per day under this package to selected destinations in the east or
south of the country or packages that cover major religious sites.

Uma Bharti launches first trash skimmer for River Yamuna for skimming of solid waste
material
i. Union Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti has launched the first trash skimmer for River
Yamuna for skimming of solid waste material and a sum of 850 crore rupees have been approved
for the third phase of Yamuna action plan
ii. The money will be utilised to clean up the stretch of Yamuna from Wazirabad to Okhla.
Delhis Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra was also present at the launch in New Delhi.
iii. These floating trash skimmers is to be used for cleaning the river of all kinds of floating
materials like plastic bags, bottles, cans, food packets, coconuts among others, dumped into the
river by humans.

55,669 villages to have mobile connectivity by 2019


i. Union Government mulling to provide mobile connectivity in 55,669 villages by 2019 in a
phased manner.
ii. Centre also would commission a project to connect 8,621villages in the north-eastern region
by installing 321 mobile tower sites at an estimated cost of Rs 5,336.18 crore has already been
approved by 2017.
iii. To connect rural India through high-speed broadband it has completed laying of optic fiber
in48,199 gram Panchayats as on 2016.
iv. The government has taken up the BharatNet project to connect all 2.50 lakh
gramPanchayats, which have over 600million people in rural areas.

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Gujarat Government accords minority status to Jain community
i. Gujarat government announced a government resolution (GR) granting minority status to the
Jain community. The decision has nothing to do with reservation.
ii. The grant will benefit the poor among the Jain community as they can avail of various
scholarships, government welfare schemes as per Article 30 of Indian Constitution.
iii. Earlier the state government giving 10 per cent reservation to the economically backward
class among the upper castes in the face of Patel communitys agitation for OBC quota.
Telangana Government to set up Rs 2.21 crore monkey rescue, rehab centre
i. Chandrashekar Rao led Telangana government to set up a monkey rescue and rehabilitation
centre will come up in a large simian population bound Adilabad district of the state.
ii. The rehabilitation centre will be established as a pilot project at Chincholi, Hyderabad. The
department of environment and forests issued orders to this effect.
iii. The centre to come up at a cost of Rs.2.21 crore including Rs.1.56 crore as non-recurring
expenditure and Rs.65 lakh as recurring cost for the first year.
iv. The state capital Hyderabad is estimated to have population of 2,000 monkeys.
Uma Bharti Launches Rural Sanitation Initiatives for Ganga Rejuvenation in Jharkhand
Union Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Uma Bharti
initiated nine projects for rural sanitation projects under Namami Gange Programme for
conservation of river Ganga
Venue: River Gange in Sahibganj, Jharkhand
Focus on three significant intrusions
1. Establishment of safe, individual hygiene practices to ensure open defecation free status
of all 78 villages along the river Ganga
2. Promotion of cost-effective, appropriate local, low cost, easy to manage technologies
using local resources to ensure improved access, sustained use and maintenance of
infrastructure created for effective management of solid and liquid waste.
3. Strengthening of local institutions including panchayats, village level sanitation
committees and self-help groups to effectively manage, enhance and maintain facilities
established for enhanced sanitation in the villages
Aim of the projects

Improve the health and quality of life of around 45,000 households located in these 78
villages of the Ganga River basin in Jharkhandthrough enhanced sanitation practices

Developing the quality of waste water and storm water runoff flowing

78 units will be established in project villages for collection, storage and composting of
degradable solid waste and for setting up small enterprises for non-biodegradable
materials

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5,460 households will be supported for adoption of composting facilities using vermin
composting for productive use of animal and agro-waste

1,860 households will be supported for adoption of biogas plants to facilitate safe disposal
of animal waste

Eight village level crematoriums and 32 bathing Ghats will be constructed along with
40 community toilets

10,000 soak pits will be constructed through community participation to safely contain
and dispose surplus and waste water emerging from households and community managed
hand pumps

Construction of 152,000 meters of open channel drains in project villages to ensure


speedy and safe disposal of domestic waste and storm water runoff and construction and
refurbishment of 92 community ponds to enable bio-treatment and safe disposal of
domestic waste and storm water runoff will also be taken up.

Railways sets up directorate to generate funds via advertisements


i. Union Rail Ministry led by Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu mulling to set up a dedicated wing with
the mandate to focus on non-fare case revenue. Many of the world railway systems generate
10-20 per cent of their revenue from these type of sources.
ii. The Special wing will be headed by a Director-NFR-Finance and all its officers will report to the
chairman of the Rail Board. The board of executives will draw officers from engineering, trafficcommercial and finance departments.

Mahesh Sharma Releases Commemorative Coin on Maharana Pratap


i. Culture and Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma has released a Commemorative coin of Rs. 100/and a Circulation coin of Rs. 10/- in New Delhias a part of 475th Birth Anniversary
celebrations of Maharana Pratap.
ii. The Ministry has been celebrating the birth anniversary during 2015-16 in association with the
Rajasthan.

Gujarat govt to kick-start solar rooftop project for citizens


i. The state government is now all set to launch its grid-connected Rooftop Solar Power
Project with an aim of scaling up the present solar power generation in Gujarat.
ii. Under this initiative residential property owners will be encouraged to install this new system.
The installations will be done through channel partners intended to save time and energy of
consumers in finding right contractor.
iii. The Rooftop Solar project was initiated by Gujarat Energy Development Agency (GEDA),
which is the state nodal agency to promote renewable energy.

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iv. The GEDA agency has set a target of generating 50 megawatt (MW) of electricity by installing
such rooftop solar photovoltic units across Gujarat in the current fiscal of 2016-17.

HAL completes Rs.4.77 cr Kumudvathi rejuvenation project


i. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited has completed Rs 4.77 crore Kumudvathi river rejuvenation
project near Nelamangala in Bengaluru rural district. Totally eight villages were got benefitted
by this CSR movement project.
ii. HAL spent Rs 4.77 crore on this project under Corporate Social Responsibility by joining
handswith International Association for Human Values (IAHV), a sister organisation of the Art
of Living in the past two years.

Chhattisgarh relaxes labour laws


i. The Chhattisgarh government has relaxed the labour law which will help MSME players to avoid
regular inspection from labour department officials.
ii. By this announcement the industry will file a third-party certificate to underline that industrial
and labour norms are implemented in the unit.
iii. Under the relaxed norms routine inspection in the facility will not be conducted by the labour
department inspectors as against inspectors conduct surprise inspections in units even without the
knowledge of their superiors

Kalraj Mishra Inaugurates Khadi Spinning and Weaving Centre in Srinagar


i. The Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Kalraj Mishra inaugurated
the Harmukh Khadi Gram Udyog Sansthan, a spinning and weaving centre and marketing plaza for
khadi goods in Srinagar.
ii. The Minister distributed 25 new model charkhas among local artisans at the function, which
was organised Khadi and Village Industries Board Srinagar.
iii. The Minister also pledged to provide all sorts of assistance to Jammu and Kashmir in the view of
removing regional imbalances and urged the state to come forward and seek maximum help
from the centre.

Gujarat Government announced its Agri Business Policy 2016


The State Government of Gujarat announced officially its Agri Business Policy in order
promotes food processing and agriculture waste management during the festival of 2016 Krishi
Mahotsav
Announced by: Chief Minister Chief Minister Anandiben Patel
Venue: Anand Town, Kheda District
Features of the Policy:

Agro Based food processing will get 25 % subsidy and maximum of Rs. 50 Lakh

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Processing related to Cold Chain, Food e-radiation, packaging houses and Food parks will
get 25% subsidy maximum of Rs. 5 Crore

25% Subsidy and maximum limit of Rs. 2.5 Crore on Primary processing of farm
producers at village level

Provides cheaper loans for entrepreneurs to start up or upgrade food processing units to
Rs. 1.5 Crore at 7.5% interest rate

Harish Rawat led Congress Government wins the Floor Test in Uttarakhand Assembly
i. Former Uttarakhand Chief Minister and Congress leader Harish Rawat won the Assembly floor
test and the Centre has informed the Supreme Court that it will revoke Presidents Rule in the
state.
ii. Harish got the support from 33 of the 61 MLAswho voted. The floor test aka trust vote, was
held to ascertain whether the ousted chief minister still enjoys a majority in the House.

EC to send Meghdoot postcards to 3 lakh voters


i. Election Commission will be sending out Meghdoot postcards to three lakh voters inviting
them to cast their votes in the May 16 Assembly polls in Puducherry.
ii. Joint Chief Electoral Officer Rudra Goud handed the cards to 30 postmen at the Head Post
office of the Union Territory to ensure that voters turn up in overwhelming numbers.
iii. In the drive cards carry a message that visually challenged voters will also have the Braille
voting system also assistance would also be provided to orthopedically and physically
challenged persons to cast their ballots.

Uttar Pradesh State Government approved bicycle highway between Taj and lion safari
State Government has approved the 200 Km Long bicycle highway from Agra to the Lion
Safari in Etawah to promote Eco-Tourism in the surroundings of the Taj Mahal
Inauguration by: Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav
Proposal:

The Highway will not pass along the Agra-Etawah main road but it will surround the
various historical and tourism spots.

Germany and Denmark already implemented the Cycle highway in their country.

numbers for motor vehicles

Ultra modern, childrens hospital in Gomtinagar

BHU completes its 100 years of glorious existence


i. Madan Mohan Malaviya founded Banaras Hindu University to help promote the sustainable
development, growth and eradication of poverty, this outstanding institution of excellence has
completed 100 years of its eventful journey.

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ii. This worldwide reputed temple of learning was established by Mahamana Pandit Madan Mohan
Malviya in 1916.
iii. It has two campuses. Universitys main campus spread over 1,300 acres in Varanasi While the
second campus South campus, spread over 2,700 acres about 60 km from Banaras.
iv. It started functioning from 1st October, 1917 with the Central Hindu College as its first
constituent College.
v. The University is one of the largest residential universities in Asia with over 20,000
students.

NDA framed NITI Aayog to replace 5-year plans with 15 year vision document
NDA Government led by Prime Minister decided to liberate of the Nehruvian five year plans
and replace the plans with 15 year vision credentials.
Focus:

Countrys social goals

Sustainable development agenda

Vision document:

The current 12th Five-Year Plan will be concluded in the current financial year, 2016-17

The first 15-year vision document will start from 2017-18, along with a seven-year
National Development Agenda

Schemes, Programmes and Strategies have been framed to achieve the long-term vision

The mid-term appraisal of the 12th Plan was due after the completion of two-and-a- half
years

For the first Development Agenda, the review would be done in 2019-20, in line with the
termination year of the 14th Finance Commission

The National Development Agenda will deal with issues related to internal security,
defence and external affairs

The Planning Commission of India deal with issues related to defence and internal security

NITI Aayog to undertake outcome -based monitoring of all government programmes and
ministries on a yearly basis

Government approves Rs 1,984-cr Delhi-Meerut Expressway stretch


i. Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has
approved widening of the crucial UP Gate to Dasna stretch of the Delhi-Meerut Expressway to be
made at an estimated cost of Rs 1,984 crore to reduce the traffic congestion in the national capital.
ii. The project will reduce the distance between the national capital and Meerut to 40-45 minutes
from 3 hours at present.

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SC slaps Rs 10 lakh on Spicejet for offloading disabled flyer
i. Countrys Apex Court directed budget airline Spicejet to pay Rs 10 Lakh as damages to a
disabled flyer, who was forcibly offloaded disabled Jeeja Ghosh in 2012.
ii. The apex court the manner in which the female passenger, a cerebral palsy patient, was deboarded depicts total lack of sensitivity.
iii. The top court observed that Jeeja Ghosh was not given appropriate, fair and caring treatment
which she required with due sensitivity and the decision to deboard her was uncalled for.

UIDAI launches special enrolment drive in 4 States/UTs


i. The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has launched an initiative to enroll left over
population for Aadhaar enrolments in four States and Union Territories such as Haryana, Goa,
Chandigarh and Puducherry.
ii. In the unique move from UIDAI enrolment saturation can cross 100% when the migrant
population also enrolls in that particular state. As on May 12, over 101.26 crore Aadhaar
numbers have been generated across the country.

Supreme Court upholds constitutional validity of criminal defamation law


i. The Supreme Court upholds the validity of the criminal defamation law of the 156-year-old
penal laws.
ii. The court gave its verdict on a batch of petitions filed that challenging the constitutional validity
of sections 499 and 500 of the Indian Penal Code providing for criminal defamation.
iii. The petitioners include the ones by Congress Rahul Gandhi, Arvind Kejriwal and BJP
leader Subramanian Swamy.
iv. A bench comprising Justices Dipak Misra and Prafulla C Pant gave eight weeks to petitioners Mr.
Gandhi, Mr. Kejriwal and Mr. Swamy to challenge pending criminal defamation cases in High Courts
or face trial.

Dial-100 emergency service set to be launched in UP on Oct 2


i. Uttar Pradesh government is set to launch the Dial-100 across the state on October 2
the CM Akilesh Yadav would launch the service in Lucknow, Agra, Kanpur, Jhansi and Ghaziabad.
ii. The projects headquarters at Lucknows Shaheed Path is under construction and it has been
decided that 100 women personnel would be posted at the call centre. Two sub-centres would be
established in Agra and Varanasi.
iii. On this project there are 4,800 vehicles would be active in 75 districts of the state, of which
3,200 would be four wheelers and 1,600 two wheelers. All these vehicles would be installed with
GPS also would be painted in black.

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Haryana govt notifies Jat reservation Bill
i. BJP led Haryana government has notified the Haryana Backward Classes (Reservation in
Services and Admission in Educational Institutions) Act, 2016. The bill moved by Chief
MinisterManohar Lal Khattar was passed by voice vote.
ii. Under this act the government is entitled to provide reservation in services and admission in
educational institutions to persons belonging to backward classes in the State.
iii. The Act offers 10 per cent reservation in service for Class III and IV posts and six per cent
reservation in Class I and II posts to the Jat, Jat Sikhs, Ror, Bishnoi, Tyagi, Mulla Jat or Muslim Jat
in Schedule III.
iv. The permitted 10 per cent reservation for admissions to educational institutions to people
belonging to these castes. Jats form the largest caste in Haryana with around 25% population.
India Post goes high-tech, geo-tags post offices on mobile app called BHUVAN
Indian Postal Department enhanced their services to Hi-tech by geo-tagging the post offices and
has started to monitor the timely clearance of the letter boxes through a mobile application.
With the support of the Department of Space, India Post has geo-tagged over 1.5 lakh post offices
on the indigenous Geo-Portal called BHUVAN
An Initiative to make use of Department of Space in different sectors
BHUVAN:

A Hindi word which mean Universe

Mobile Application developed by ISRO

Help people search the nearest post office and know about services and timings

Providing visualisation services and earth observation data to users in public domain

History of BHUVAN:
Established in 2009 with simple display of satellite data and basic GIS functionality, now has more
than 6,000 map services which are being used under various applications.

J P Nadda Lays Foundation Stone For 3 Medical Colleges In Jammu And Kashmir
i. Health and Family Welfare Minister JP Nadda laid the foundation stones of three medical
colleges, to be set up at a cost of around Rs 189 crore each, in Jammu and Kashmir.
ii. These colleges will be built at Rajouri in Jammu,Anantnag in south Kashmir and Baramulla in
the north.
iii. These Medical Colleges will be attached to district hospitals of these three districts. Each medical
college is to have intake capacity of 100 for MBBS course.

Centre approves Odishas proposal to set up Kalinganagar National Investment and


Manufacturing Zone
i. Union government has approved the Odisha Governments proposal to set up Kalinganagar
National Investment and Manufacturing Zone project as part of Ease of Doing Business

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inJajpur district.
ii. The proposed Manufacturing Zone will be a mega industrial zone sprawling of 163 square
kilometer having a world-class township to cater to the needs of the investors.
iii. The project is likely to attract 1 lakh crore rupees investment and generate 1 lakh 50
thousand direct jobs.
iv. Odisha government also committed to providing 247 power, dedicated industrial feeder and
quality physical infrastructure and common facilities for the project.

Rajasthan to be 1st state to issue ads to appoint V-Cs


i. Rajasthan becomes Indias first state to issue newspaper advertisements to select vicechancellors for state universities to at ensure better-qualified candidates apply for the job and
greater transparency in the process.
ii. The move will replace the existing convention riddled with delays and allegations of political
favouritism of direct appointment of V-Cs.
iii. The advertisements seeking applications for vice-chancellor positions in state universities will be
published in two national newspapers also appear on the website of the concerned institute and the
governor, who is the chancellor of the states 15 state universities.
iv. Applicants will also have to mention the number of students who have completed Ph.D and
M.Phil degrees under them.

Section 144 imposed in Chandigarh


i. Section 144 of Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) of 1973 had been deployed in Chandigarh as a
result protesters will not be allowed to enter into the city.
ii. The vicinity around the residences of the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh
Badal in Sector 2 was sealed with barricades.
iii. This protest by the AAP party is against the alleged Rs 12,000-crore missing food grain scam
in Punjab, rampant corruption and failure of the Punjab government to curb the drugs racket.
iv. The protesting party has claimed that over 50,000 supporters will protest against the chief
ministers residence.

Odisha to launch Green Passage Scheme for orphan students


i. The Odisha government has coined a special scheme named Green Passage for orphan
students. This proposed scheme will function under the Higher Education Department.
ii. Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Pattnaik asked all government and private universities to
implement the plan. Of this 16,382 orphans are currently pursing higher studies in 272
institutions in the State.
iii. This scheme eases the onus on the orphan students due to pressure of fees as admission fees,

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examination fees and tuition fees for pursuing higher education. They will also be provided free
hostel facilities and food.

Govt opens Tatkal window for faster patents to startups


i. Union government has opened a Tatkal window to fast-track patent proposals. Start-ups by
new applicants that fills the criteria allowed to use this route for obtaining faster clearances.
ii. This move is to streamline the patent regime also for expeditious clearance of applications by
start-ups or those entities that opt for India as a place for first filing of patent.
iii. By March 2018 the government also plans to significantly cut down the time period for granting
of patents to one-anda-half years from the existing five to seven years.
iv. This makes entities can choose the fast track for obtaining patent by paying additional fees if
they select India as International Search Authority or International Preliminary Examining
Authorities and file their applications in India first.
v. The application fees for individuals and start-ups have been kept at Rs 8,000 while for
companies, it could be as much as Rs 60,000.

Assembly Elections 2016 Results: 5 states


Assam:
i. Bharatiya Janata Party gains the position for the First Time
ii. Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi conceded defeat and appreciated BJP chief ministerial candidate
Sarbananda Sonowal
iii. No of Constituencies won: 87 out of 126
Kerala:
i. Left Parts wins the Election
ii. CPI (M)-led LDF regained power in Kerala by majority and succeed over ruling Congress-headed
UDF
iii. LDF won 91 of the 140 assembly seats
Tamilnadu
i. AIADMK retains the position
ii. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa headed AIADMK to a second five-year term
iii. No of Constituencies won by AIADMK: 134 out of 232
West Bengal:
i. Mamta banerjee retains the position
ii. Mamata Banerjee -led TMC is heading for a continuous victory in the Assembly elections
iii. TMC Won 211 out of 294
Puducherry:
i. Congress and DMK alliance succeed over N.R Congress
ii. Congress alliance made 17 successes out of 30 seats

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President of India inaugurated IOC in Rashtrapati Bhavan


i. The President of India, Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated an Intelligent Operations Centre and
launched a Mobile App Monitor for transformation of Presidents Estate into a smart township at a
function held at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.
ii. This facilities will help the residents of the Estate become more socially responsible, aware and
collaborative.
Intelligent Operations Centre:
The solution designed by IBM which helps collect and make sense of the rich data streaming in
from several sources within the Estate to provide intelligent insights.
Mobile App Monitor:
This application is a collaboration tool of the Intelligent Operation Center. This will help residents
and Energy, Water, Horticulture, Waste and Security supervisors to collaborate in a smarter way for
their observations

Indigenously developed fecal incontinence management system Qora


Programme: Qora
Ministry: Ministry of State for Science & Technology
Launched by: Minister of State for Science & Technology, Shri Y.S.Chowdary
Venue: New Delhi
Main Aims:

To train the next generation of medical technology innovators in India

To develop innovative and affordable medical devices to augment unmet clinical needs of
India

Corresponding Departments:

It is developed under Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science &


Technology supported Bio design Programme by M/s. Consure Medical, New Delhi.

An incidental result from the Program Bio design is a Med-Tech innovation Program of
DBT

Implemented at AIIMS and IIT, Delhi in collaboration with International partners such
as Stanford University, USA, Queensland University of Technology, Australia and Tottori
University and Japan.

About Fecal incontinence (FI):

It is a medical condition marked by inability to control ones bowel movements, causing


stool (feces) to leak unexpectedly from the rectum

It affects nearly 100 million bed ridden patients worldwide

Moreover, about 50% of the psychiatric ward patients have FI due to long-term
neurological diseases

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The Real Inventors:

Nishith Chasmawala and Mr. Amit Sharma have founded M/s. Consure Medical in 2012

This Company has developed novel technology Fecal Incontinence Management SystemQora

Purpose:

To address the clinical and economical implications of fecal incontinence by expanding


indications for use

To reduce skill level required to use a device

To introduce a new level of care for patients outside the ICU

QoraTM technology under DBTs ownership has been granted in key markets, including
US, EU, Canada, Singapore, Australia, and Japan.

The QoraTM technology has the strength to expand globally and benefit more than 100
million fecal incontinent patients each year.

Government to launch a hub & spoke model to set up science cities and science centres
The union government will launch a hub and spoke model to set up science cities and science
centres to support science and technology (S&T) incubators and create an environment
Presented by: YS Chowdary, Minister of State for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences

Presented during Inauguration of ASSOCHAM Summit on India: Entrepreneurial,


Creative & Innovative

India lauded for Red Line Campaign on antibiotics


i. Red Line campaign by India to curb over-the-counter use of antibiotics is finding recognition,
and could be adopted on a world scale.
ii. This campaign by India is to scale down the use of Red line antibiotics without prescription,
create awareness of danger of taking antibiotics
iii. It also emphasizes about 20-30 per cent of antibiotics are used up in the absence of prior
prescription in south and east Europe and up to 100 per cent in parts of Africa, While in India to
map the impact of the Red Line initiative is early.
iv. Indias Red line campaign was launched in February this year is finding recognition, and may
well be take on worldwide.

Health Minister Nadda launches centre to assess environ impact on health


i. Union Health Minister J P Nadda launched the Centre for Environmental Health to judge the
impact of environment-linked health problems like air pollution, climate change, pesticide use
and sanitation.
ii. This is a joint initiative of the Public Health Foundation of India and the Tata Institute of
Social Science.

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iii. Upon this move government will carry out study across a range of environmental health issues,
including chemical exposure, water and hygiene also includes capacity-building, advocacy,
outreach and remedial issues.

Odisha govt to establish 100 more model schools & Odisha govt constructs 10 lakh pucca
houses in two years
i. Odisha government to build 100 model schools in addition to the existing similar number of
schools functioning in in backward areas of the state on a priority basis during 2016-17 fiscal.
ii. These Model Schools with an estimation amount of over 536 crore rupees during 2016-17. The
Odisha Adarsha Vidyalaya Sangathan is assigned the job of establishing Model Schools.

Cabinet clears Ordinance to defer NEET


i. Union Cabinet chaired has decided to set aside the Supreme Courts order on NEET that made a
pan Indian common medical entrance test mandatory.
ii. National Eligibility cum Entrance Test that outlaws the states to go with their own entrance
exams and ordered that only the NEET be the basis for Medical intake.
iii. As per this Ordinance the NEET will be kept aside for one year also this will sent to the President
to pass an executive order
iv. The move comes from the centre amid pressure from state governments, who had opposed
the proposal on grounds of logistical issues along with regional differences.
After liquor, Bihar government bans gutka and pan masala
i. Bihar government has decided to prohibit the distribution, manufacture, storage, distribution,
consumption, transportation, display or the sale of any type of gutka and pan masala for a
period of one year with effect from 21st May 2016 announced by RK Mahajan, commissioner Of
Food Safety,Bihar
ii. The state is empowered under Section 30 (2) (a) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

Himachal Pradesh launches artificial propagation programme of mahseer fish for


conservation
i. Himachal Pradesh government in a bid to prompt the fisheries department asked to make an
artificial propagation programme for its rehabilitation and conservation.
ii. For the emerge of mahseer fishes that state set aside Rs 6 crore at Machhial near
Jogindernagar town in Mandi district to rear the mahseer, also known as the tiger of Indian
rivers, to breed the fish and let out its fingerlings into the wild.
iii. Himachal Pradesh fisheries department observed that the stength of the golden mahseer is
lessening due to various causes, including construction of dams, barrages, pollution, indiscriminate
fishing of brood and juvenile fish, introduction of exotic species and habitat deterioration.

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Govt constitutes IEPF Authority
i. In a bid to strengthen the framework for safeguarding the interest of investors union Government
has formed a six-member Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority.
ii. This move comes under the Companies Act, 2013 that would be for multiple purposesthat
includes to distribute disgorged amount depositors ambit that have suffered losses due to
wrongful acts by other entities.
iii. The constitute team will look after the fund also maintain separate accounts and other records
as prescribed by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG).
6,000 Gujarat villages become open defecation free, says government
i. Gujarat Government announced that totally 6,000 villages in the state becomes open defecation
free under Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.
ii. This announcement comes from the government when the BJP led government is celebrating its
second anniversary in the office.
iii. The state have built more than 12.50 lakh toilets across Gujarat in the last two years. As of
now, 30 talukas in the state now have 100 per cent toilet facility..

Dr Jitendra Singh lays foundation stone of Ujh bridge in J&K


i. Union Minister of State in PMO with IC of North Eastern States and Youth Services and Sports, Dr
Jitendra Singh has laid the foundation stone of bridge at Ujh Bridge in Kathua district of Jammu
and Kashmir.
ii. For the construction off the bridge Rs 44 crore has been earmarked that will
have 1020 metre length to be constructed over river Ujh
iii. The bridge will be completed in two years by Border Roads Organization that would benefit
over three lakh people in this border belt.

Minister of Railways Shri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu inaugurated five new activities
Union Rail Minister Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu inaugurated five new activities in Mumbai.
New Iniatives
New AC Weekly Express train between H. Nizamuddin-Pune
Expansion of VIKALP Scheme of Alternate Train Reservation to Delhi-Howrah, DelhiChennai, Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Secunderabad Circuits,
Hand Held Terminals that makes Sale of Unreserved Tickets in Pilot Basis.
Launching of Ergonomically Redesigned & Optimised Tools for Track Gangs, Keymen &
Patrolmen
Improving Safety at Unmanned Level Crossing in pilot basis.

NGT bans over 10-year-old light, heavy diesel vehicles in six Kerala cities
i. National Green Tribunal has banned light and heavy diesel vehicles, which are passed more
than 10 years old, in six major cities in Kerala.

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ii. The tribunal also directed the state government not to register any diesel vehicle in the capacity
of 2000 CC and more, except public transport and local authority vehicles.
iii. The Bench, comprising NGT chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar and expert memberBikram
Singh Sajwan directed the following cities where the ban will be in force, Thiruvananthapuram,
Kollam, Kochi, Thrissur, Kozhikode and Kannur.
iv. If any violations found on the road, the vehicle bearer shall pay Rs. 5000 as
environmental compensation and this will be collected by traffic police/pollution control board.

Odisha Official Language (Amendment) Ordinance, 2016 promulgated


i. Odisha Governor SC Jamir promulgated Odisha Official Language (Amendment) Ordinance,
2016 for use of Odia language as a tool for communication in official matters.
ii. As per the promulgation the state government to formulate laws to implement the Odisha
Official Language Act 1954.
iii. Council of ministers meeting chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has directed it to the
ministers also emphasized that Rules are in advanced stage of formulation for use of Odia in official
business.
iv. In the side-lines the state government also announced to set up a University of Odia
language and literature to facilitate teaching and research on the same.

Cabinet gives ex-post facto approval to establishment of the National Institute of


Technology, Andhra Pradesh
The Union Cabinet arranged ex-post facto approval for establishment of NIT, Andhra Pradesh which
has been registered as a Society under the Andhra Pradesh Societies Registration Act, 2001 with
effect from 20th August 2015
Bill: National Institutes of Technology, Science Education and Research (Amendment) Bill, 2016
Purpose: Inclusion of the NIT, Andhra Pradesh in its First Schedule
Funded by: Government of India
Managed by: Society registered under the Andhra Pradesh Societies Registration Act, 2001

Govt renames disability dept; divyang replaces viklang


i. The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities named as Divyangjan
Sashaktikaran Vibhag in Hindi, after leaving the word viklangjan from its previous terminology.
ii. This decision comes from the centre after PM Modi emphasized such changes in his so called
radio address Mann Ki Baat last December that physically challenged people have a divine ability
and the term divyang should be used in place of viklang.
iii. Upon this renaming the Viklangjan Sashaktikaran Vibhag will be Divyangjan Sashaktikaran
Vibhag mean Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities that runs under Social
Justice and Empowerment, facilitates empowerment of persons with disabilities.

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iv. Once the president gives assent in Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961
the formal name will be used in regular business.

President signs NEET ordinance


i. President Pranab Mukherjee signed an ordinance to keep states beyond the sphere of a Supreme
court ordered single, all-India medical entrance- test in the academic year.
ii. The decision to set aside the entrance test is cleared by Union Cabinet with a list of explanations
afterwards President Pranab Mukherjee sought an explanation for the reasons behind bringing in
the ordinance and reportedly consulted domestic experts.

UGC approves new norms for deemed universities


i.UGC has approved a set of Regulations in its Commission in a meeting to reduce subjectivity and
government interference and focus more on quality for deemed Universities.
ii.This move enables an institution to become a deemed university if it has undergraduate and 5
post-graduate programmes with research in existence for 3 years also should have a minimum
40 per cent open space of the total built up area.
The Mandatory Building Requirement to become
Amenities
Administrative Building
Academic Building & Library
Lecture theares and
laboratories
The Floor Area Per Student

Deemed University:
Built up Area
1000 square metres
2000 square metres
15,000 square metres
10 square meters

Quality Education Requirements:


National Assessment and Accreditation Council grading is needed for 3 cycles to ensure high
quality each such cycle is of 5 years.
The rules gives other way that the institute should have higher NAAC or (National Board of
Accreditation) NBA at the time of application and previous cycle and is in top 20 institutes of the
National Institute Ranking Framework at the time of application and preceding two years.

New website of Ministry of AYUSH and web portal for IDY launched by Shri Shripad Yesso
Naik
i. AYUSH Minister Shripad Yesso Naik has launched the new website of the Ministry of AYUSH and
web portal for International Day of Yoga (IDY) in New Delhi.
ii. The web portal has been developed by NIC as part of digital India Campaign, using content
management framework approach across all platforms such as Android, IOS and Windows.
International Day of Yoga Portal:
The IDYs new portal has a provision for news to provide all the updated and relevant information
relating to International Day of Yoga this year.

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Encyclopedia of languages of Gujarat published
i. Vadodara based Bhasha Research and Publication Centre released the publication of the Gujarat,
Diu & Daman and Dadra & Nagar Haveli Volume of the Peoples Linguistic Survey of India
Series.
ii. It would be released by the Gujarat Governor O P Kohli and it was edited by Kanjibhai
Patel and published by Orient Blackswan.
iii. The volume consolidates totally 49 languages or dialects spoken in gujarat including the
languages of coastal, tribal and nomadic societies.
iv. The carried out survey findings and documentation are in pipeline to get published as a linguistic
encyclopaedia of 70 volumes.
Indias first ever Passenger Satisfaction Survey at Chhatrapati Shivaji International
Airport
Survey Conducted By:
CBEC engaged a reputed Management School, L. N. Welingkar Institute of Management,
Mumbai (WE School)
Purpose:
To conduct a survey of Passenger Satisfaction levels of customs clearance process at the Airport.
Delegate: Chairman, CBEC, Shri Najib Shah.
Venue and date: Mumbai Customs House, 21st May 2016
Main Focus:
The scope of the Survey was to assess Passenger Satisfaction levels with the Customs
Clearance Process
Focusing on three aspects Information, Behaviour and Process
247 Surveying:

Faculty members and Research Associates of WE School conducted the survey over a
week from 20th to 26th May on 247 basis

The sample size of survey was 731 passengers being the, duly representative of
demographics, nationalities, profession

Survey Findings:
1. Overall Satisfaction level at Mumbai Airport

69% Experiences Satisfaction level is better

15% rated as Good service and about 16% rated as worse.

2. Other key findings of the Survey

Passengers appreciated the improvements in Customs clearance process over the years.

35% of the respondents mentioned that clearance process has drastical improvement.

37% mentioned that there is marginal improvement.

3. Three areas where major improvement is expected by passengers

Access and availability of information

Speed of process and

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Greater transparency of duty assessment process.

4. Manner of Payment

The manner of payment of assessed duty amount at the designated banks counter (SBI)

Lack of alternative facility to pay duty by Debit/Credit card/ Cash Card & Foreign
exchange rate.

Overall survey in Percentages:

27% were Fully Aware of the Indian customs rules and regulations

17% of the passengers were found to be accessing Indian Customs website for
information

43% of passengers preferred medium of mobile phone for seeking information

50% of passengers were aware that the Baggage Declaration Forms had been withdrawn

68% welcoming the Positive Initiatives

Features of the Study:

To address the information awareness gaps on Web promotion &amp

Optimisation, mobile App based information dissemination

Increased use of social media

Verbal and non verbal behavioral cues of the Customs Officer impressed by the
passengers over 77%.

Passenger Satisfaction levels among customs officers:

Managing crucial conversation

Tone of communication

Gender sensitization

Emotional intelligence

About Chatrabathi Sivaji Airport:

It is one of the largest and Busiest Airport in terms of international passenger traffic in
India after Delhi.

According to Airports Council International serving 35th busiest airport in the world by
passenger traffic in 2015.

Awards:

It won the 2015 ASQ Best Airport Award in the 25-40 million passengers per annum
category by Airports Council International.

It has also won the Best Airport in India and Central Asia award at the Skytrax
2016 World Airport Awards.

Cabinet clears Railway projects worth Rs 11,000 crore


i. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave its
approval for Railway projects worth Rs 11,000 crore for improving infrastructure in various
states.
ii. The group of projects include Bina-Katni 3rd line project at an estimated cost of nearly 2,500
crore the other project is Vizianagaram and Titlagarh 3rd line project, will be constructed at an
estimated cost of 2,335 crore.
iii. The other projects are Surendranagar-Rajkot project, Pune-Miraj-Londa railway line and

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Roza -Sitapur Cantt Burhwal Broad Gauge single line.
iv. The completion of these projects will be between three to five years.
Cabinet gives nod to six new IITs; Upgrades Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad to IIT
The Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi granted ex-post facto approval to the
amendment to the Institutes of Technology Act, 1961.
Six new IITs:
S.No
1
2
3
4
5
6
Conversion

Location
Tirupati
Palakkad
Dharwar
Bhilai
Jammu
Goa
Indian School of Mines-

State
Andhra Pradesh
Kerala
Karnataka
Chhattisgarh
Jammu and Kashmir
Goa
Dhanbad to an IIT

The Cabinet also granted ex-post facto approval for establishment of National Institute of
Technology in Andhra Pradesh under the Andhra Pradesh Societies Registration Act, 2001.
This institute is being funded by the Centre.
Ex-post facto approval to the cadre review Indian Postal Service:
The cabinet gave nod for cadre review in Postal service which will enable the Department of Posts
to meet the functional requirements and strengthening the cadre structure both in the
headquarters and in the field on the basis of functional requirement.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari launches Nirbhaya buses with safety measures for women
i. Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari launched 20 Nirbhaya buses of
Rajasthan State Transport Corporation that comes with safety measures of Women commuters.
ii. These bus security measures include Vehicle Tracking System (VTS), CCTV and panic
buttons on every seat. The panic buttons will enable the police to track the exact location of the
bus and provide prompt assistance.
iii. The proposed 20 Mahila Gaurav Express buses in a pilot basis that would run between Delhi
and Rajasthan. The Rajasthan government plans to bring over 2,300 more buses under the
projects scope.
Dial 139 for wait-listed ticket cancellation
i. Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu launched 139 service for RAC and wait-listed tickets to
cancel their tickets, Earlier only confirmed ticket holders could cancel their tickets through 139
service and IRCTC website.
ii. This move will pave the way for the wait-listed and RAC allocated train ticket holders can cancel
their tickets by dialling 139.
iii. Upon this online cancellation by 139 will be allowed only 4 hours before the scheduled
departure of the train in case of confirmed tickets and up to half an hour before the scheduled
departure of the train in case of RAC and wait-listed cases.

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Government waives off loan worth Rs 9079 cr of HFCL
i. Union Cabinet waived off loans worth over Rs 9,079 crore in a bid to restructure the PSU that
owed by Hindustan Fertilizer Corporation Ltd (HFCL).
ii. The Cabinet also approved transfer of 56 acres of ash dyke land of Barauni (Bihar) StatePower Generation Company Ltd to settle dues of HFCL for faster revival of the unit.
iii. This restructured unit will create 400 direct and 1,200 indirect employment opportunities in the
circle.
HRD Minister launches Bharatavani Portal, Indias largest online repository of
dictionaries at Lucknow
i. The Union HRD Minister Smriti Zubin Iani has launched a multilingual knowledge portal named
bharatavani which has over 130 dictionaries, glossaries and terminology books in text and PDF
formats in Lucknow.
ii. Bharatavani portal aims to foster national integration by highlighting on multilingual and
cross-lingual learning tools and technologies.
iii. The Mysuru based Central Institute of Indian Languages is implementing this ambitious
project of MHRD.
iv. The portal has been launched in 22 scheduled languages, which eventually will be extended
to 100 more languages.
Bharatavani Multi-lingual App:
She also launched the Bharatavani Multi-lingual App which will enable users to search for one
language text in another as well as get meanings in different languages.
Presently the App has 35 multilingual Dictionaries and will be expanded to 250 dictionaries.
This App becomes Indias first and largest multilingual dictionary. The Ministrys endeavour is
to make it the worlds biggest online multilingual dictionary source.
NITI Aayog Launches 500 Tinkering Labs for Schools and 100 Incubation Centres
Erstwhile planning commission and NITI Aayog is seeking applications from eligible schools/
organisations and individuals to apply for the three schemes under Atal Innovation Mission they
are.
Atal Tinkering Laboratories
Atal Innovation Mission will establish 500 Atal Tinkering Laboratories in schools. It will provide
one time establishment grant-in-aid of Rs. 10 lakh for establishing and Rs. 10.0 lakh would also
be provided for over a period of 5 years for operational expenses of Laboratories across India.
Atal Incubation Centres:
i. Atal Incubation Centres will provide pre-incubation facilities, common infrastructure and services
such as technology development assistance, networking and mentoring, funding access, training
and development, business support services.
ii. This missions objective is to setup 100 AICs during 2016-17 which will provide a grant-in-aid
of Rs. 10 crore for establishing a new AIC over a period of 5 years.
Scaling-up established incubation centres:

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Upon this AIM will increase the support of Rs. 10 crore over a period of two years to
established incubation centres for expanding their capacity.
GAIL reconfigures Rs 12,000 crore Jagdishpur-Haldia gas pipeline
i. New Delhi based Natural gas transporter GAIL India Ltd has reconfigured theJagdishpurHaldia pipeline, at a cost of Rs 12,000 crore ,which will connect Varanasi to the gas grid, to link
the Dhamra terminal in Odisha.
ii. In the first phase the pipeline from Phulpur-Allahabad will be laid to Dobhi-Gaya in Bihar with
branch lines to Barauni and Patna.
iii. This project will take natural gas to Varanasi for feeding local industries and also for retailing
CNG to automobiles and piped cooking gas for households.
iv. In the Phase-II be laid from Dobhi to Bokaro/Ranchi in Jharkhand and Angul and Dharma in
Odisha at the cost of Rs 5,565 crore while the Phase-III will involve laying 583-km line to Haldia.
Phases
Phase-1
Phase-II
Phase-III

Total Span
755-km
1200-km
583-km

Estimated Cost
Rs 3,200 crore
Rs 5,565 crore
Rs 3,425 crore

FSSAI bans potassium bromate, cancer-causing chemical found in bread.


i. Union government is mulling to ban potassium bromate as a food additive in bread products on
behlf the recommendations from a scientific panel under the Food Safety Standards Authority of
India (FSSAI).
ii.The government action will be taken after a study by the Centre for Science and Environment
(CSE) found nearly 84 per cent of 38 commonly available brands of packaged breads tested
positive for potassium bromate and potassium iodate.
Potassium bromate
It is a powerful oxidizing agent used for flour treatment in bread and other bakery products
because it makes the bread fluffy, soft and also gives it a good finish.
Union Information & Broadcasting Ministry framed Policy guidelines for Online Central
Government advertisements
Information & Broadcasting Ministry decided to frame Policy guidelines and criteria for Central
Government advertisements on websites
Empanelment of suitable agencies

Websites are owned and operated by companies that are incorporated in India

Empanelment by Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity

Websites are owned by foreign companies be empanelled if such companies have branch
office are registered and operating in India for minimum one year

Rate Fixation for advertisements


Websites are empanelled with DAVP having Unique Users per month data
Aim: To ensure that the visibility of Government advertisements online increased by strategically
placing the advertisements on websites having higher Unique Users per month.

Websites run the Government advertisements through a Third Party Ad Server (3-PAS)

The Unique User Data of each empanelled websites will be reviewed in first week of April
every year.

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Unique User per month data of the websites into three categories
Category
Unique Users per month
A
5 million and above
B
2 million to 5 million
C
0.25 million to 2 million
Key features of the Policy and Guidelines

Standard Banners on Cost per Thousand Impressions (CPTI) basis

Minimum Click-Through Rate (CTR) of 0.30

Video ads per five second videos

Fixed Banner on home page with minimum display size of 300 X 250 pixels in a time
frame on six-hour slots

6 am-12 noon, 12 noon to 6 pm, 6 pm to 12 midnight and 12 midnight to 6 am

Fixed Video ads for 24 hour time slots on home page

Role of DAVP:

Nodal Agency for all Central Government Ministries for advertising through empanelled
internet websites

Autonomous Bodies and Public Sector Undertakings directly release advertisement under
the prescribed DAVP rate and empanelled agencies

Centre approves Rs 4241 cr NIMZ in Odisha


i. Union government has approved Odishas proposal to set up an Rs 4,241 crore-National
Investment and Manufacturing Zone at Kalinga Nagar in Odisha.
ii. This NIMZ would be the third Investment and Manufacturing Zone of India involving a massive
area of 163 sq. km.
iii. The first phase of the project will be completed by 2020 with initial investment of Rs 3,816 crore
has estimated that the NIMZ project would create employment opportunities forover 1.5 lakh
people.
iv. This initiative will boost the prospect of Paradip Port, road, air and rail connectivity in the
state.

Govt approves over Rs 5500 Cr investment to improve infrastructure in six states.


i. Union Government has approved an investment of over Rs 5,530 crore for providing basic
infrastructure in over 110 cities across 6 states under AMRUT scheme for the current fiscal also
these states also proposed a total investment of Rs 43,569 crore by 2019-20.
ii. The funds will used for providing household water taps, improving water supply, sewerage
networks/septage management, storm water drains, urban transport and provision of open and
green spaces.
iii. The Head Committee, chaired by Urban Development Secretary Rajiv Gauba, approved a total
investment of Rs 5,534 crore for 111 Atal Mission cities.
S.No
State
Approved Amount
1
Madhya Pradesh
Rs 2,074 crore

Central Assistance
Rs 862.80 crore

No of Cities
34 cities

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2
3
4
5
6

Gujarat
Rajasthan
Odisha
Jharkhand
Meghalaya(Shillong)

Rs 1,401 crore
Rs 1,120 crore
Rs 531 crore
Rs.381 crore
Rs 26.67 crore

Rs 599.18 crore
Rs 536 crore
265 crore
Rs 164 crore
Rs 24 crore

31 cities
29 cities
9 cities
7 cities
1 city

Centre allocated Rs 6000 crore for welfare of people in mining areas


i. Steel and Mines Minister Narendra Singh Tomar has appealed the state governments to
complete the auction process of mines so that additional revenue and employment could be
generated in Jaipur.
ii. The Minister pledged to help the states in auction process also allocated Rs 6000 crorefor the
District Mineral Foundation which will be used for welfare of locals of mining areas.
iii. He also urged upon the states to establish District Mineral Foundation as early as possible. The
sector contributes 2.4 per cent in GDP of India.

Bihar Govt, UNICEF and MDM Join Hand to Curb Malnourishment


i. The Bihar government MDM scheme, UNICEF and the Bihar based Rajendra
Agriculture University entered into an agreement to curb malnourishment
among women and children in the state.
ii. Upon this Agriculture Nutrition Cell would be set up in the Rajendra Agriculture
University in Pusa Bihar.
iii. The nutritional quality assessment of food would help quality of food served
to students in 7,000 schools of Bihar.
Lakshadweep became first Union Territory (UT) to sign 247 Power for All
document
i. The Union territory Lakshadweep became first to ink 247 Power for All document
which aims to provide each household access to electricity by 2019.
ii. Indian representative and the Administration of Lakshadweep signed the document in
presence of Power Ministry Secretary P.K. Pujari.
iii. The document marks out a plan to increase solar capacity of the region from 2.15 MW
to 8.45 MW. At present, 10 inhabited islands of Lakshadweep are being fed by diesel
mostly.
iv. It also envisions mitigation of AT & C losses from current level of 21% to 6.7% till
2019 by increasing the collection efficiency up to 99 %.
v. Under UJALA programme 1 lakh LED bulbs will be circulated through Energy
Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) and Incandescent lamps/CFL bulbs will be replaced with
LED bulbs.

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Retirement Age for Government Doctors Will be 65, Says PM Modi
i. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced raising of retirement of government
doctorsage to 65 years will be increased from the current 62 to 65 at a rally in Uttar
Pradeshs Saharanpur district.
ii. The PM observed that there is a need for more doctors across India but it was not
possible to fill the gap in two years of his government.
iii. The decision will have ambit of all government doctors whether serving under states or
the central dispensation. The cabinet will give its nod in a week time.
High-Speed Spanish Talgo Train initiated the experimental Run In India
Train Route: Between Bareilly and Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh
Train Speed: 115 km/hr
Motive: Innovative Plan of increasing the speed of the trains.
Spanish train Talgo put to the test in India for the first time.
Narayanasamy stakes claim to form government in Puducherry
i. Congress Legislature Partys V. Narayanasamy called on the Lieutenant Governor
Kiran Bedi on and betted claim to proceed to form the government in the Union
Territory.
ii. In the recently concluded assembly elections Congress DMK alliance has 17
members in the 30 member Territorial Assembly. PCC President Namassivayam will
accompany Narayanasamy.
iii. He served as Rajya Sabha MP and was member of Lok Sabha from
Puducherryconstituency from 2009 to 2014.
Women and Child Development Minister, Maneka Sanjay Gandhi released Draft
Trafficking of Persons (Prevention, Protection and Rehabilitation) Bill, 2016
Women and Child Development Minister, Maneka Sanjay Gandhi released
Draft Trafficking of Persons (Prevention, Protection and Rehabilitation) Bill,
2016 - Venue: New Delhi
Delegates: Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Sanjay
Gandhi andSecretary, V. Somasundaran
Objective: To create a strong legal, economic and social environment against
trafficking of persons and related matters.
Points delivered by Minister:
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Bill is Victim oriented and explained the difference between the Trafficker and
Trafficked

Stops the loopholes in laws and brings additional crimes to trafficking

Creation of a fund for rehabilitation of victims of trafficking

To deal the issues with experts and also include members from Civil Society
Organizations

Highlights of the Initiatives:

Khoya-Paya web portal

Pasting of posters in railway coaches

Expansion of Children helpline 1098

Punishments to defaulters: Explained in section 370- 373 of Indian Penal Code,


1860
Aims: To include other offences/ provisions which are not dealt with in any other law for
the purpose of trafficking

Penal provisions for the disclosure of identity of the victim of trafficking and
witness

Use of narcotic drug or psychotropic substance or alcohol for the purpose of


trafficking

Use of chemical substance or hormones for the purpose of misuse

Highlights:

Institutional mechanisms at District, State and Central level

Designated Agency for the investigation of offences

Protection Homes and Special Homes for short term and long term
rehabilitation support

View to increase prosecution and to reduce the trauma faced by the


victims,establishing Special Courts in each district and experienced Special
Prosecutors

Recovery of wages and monetary losses of the victim of trafficking

Necessary to report within 24 hours by a Police Officer, Public servant, any officer or
employee of Protection Home or Special Home having custody of the victim of trafficking to
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the District Anti-Trafficking Committee or in case of child victim to the Child Welfare
Committee
Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 comes into force after 8 year long
efforts
Real Estate Act comes into force with effect from 1st May after 8 year long efforts to make
operational Rules, Setting up regulatory authorities and Appellate tribunals.
Time Frame to Set Up

Operational Rules within 6 months

Authorities and Tribunals within 1 year

Responsible Ministry: Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation


Sections Involved under the Act: 69 notified out of total 92 sections

The Act was initiated during National Conference of Housing Ministers of States and Union
Territories in January 2009.

Features of the Act:

Process of making mandatory operational rules

Creation of Institutional Infrastructure enables to protect the stakeholders

Promotion of smooth environment of trust, confidence, credible transactions and time


bound execution

Lok Sabha passed Compensatory Afforestation Fund bill, 2015


Theme: To create special funds like National Compensatory Afforestation Fund and also a State
Compensatory Afforestation Fund.
Ministry: Environment Ministry
Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar thanked the members for supporting and passing the
bill. Javadekar state that this bill facilitates for unlocking of Rs.41,000 crore which is for the forest
land.
Future initiatives of the Javadekar:

The special importance given to the native species rather than exotic plants.

It encourages compensatory afforestation. By that, ten percent will receive bynational


fund and rest will receive by state fund.

Primary objectives of afforestation:

Compensation for the loss of forest cover

Regeneration of forest ecosystem

Protection of Wildlife

Infrastructure Development

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Lok Sabha passes Bankruptcy Bill
Bill passed: Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code Bill, 2016 The Parliament,New Delhi.
Motto: The Transformational legislation that will help improve Indias ranking in the World Banks
Ease of Doing Business index.
Jayant Sinha, Minister of State for Finance, the Government had in toto accepted the report of
the Joint Committee of Parliament.

Member of Parliament Jayadev Galla concerning that banks have started tightening on
promoters and were insisting on personal guarantees.

Features of the bill:

To lead the friction-free market processes that will help create jobs.

To provide for cross-border insolvency which is not early done in 2015.

The Bill has also strengthened workmen rights as well as creditor rights.

To provide a better deal for workmen in the waterfall.

Lok Sabha passes Finance Bill with amendments


Bill passed: The Lok Sabha approved the Finance Bill 2016.
FY17 Budget proposals, including a monetary policy committee to set interest rates in tune
with an inflation-targeting approach acquired by the Reserve Bank of India.

Finance minister Arun Jaitley secured the Lok sabhas agreement for the Bill retaining
the contentious 1% excise duty on non-silver jewellery, though only jewellers with more
than `12 crore annual turnover will have to pay the duty.

Amendments to the bill: Including for the rollback of a proposal to tax part of Employees
Provident Fund (EPF) withdrawals.

Give assistance to small taxpayers andreduce tax litigation.

A series of measures against black moneyresulted in mainstreaming of `71,000


crore of undisclosed assets.

Features of the Bill:

The Bill gives the central bank a mandate to target inflation

The Bill, which mainly incorporates tax proposals

Parliament approved anti-hijacking bill providing for death penalty


The parliament approved the Anti-Hijacking Bill that award death penalty to the criminals in case of
death of hostages or security personnel
About the Bill:
Initially Life imprisonment or confiscation of Movable and immovable property as punishment to the
Accused

Introduced in the Rajya Sabha by Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju on
December 17, 2014

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Approved by the upper house of the parliament on May 5

Later the minister explained that the definition of hijack has been enlarged and
penalties improved

Amendment to the Anti-Hijacking Act, 1982 :


Death penalty for the hijackers only in the event of death of the hostages
Features of New Law:

Central government award powers of investigation, arrest and prosecution on any officer of
the central government or the National Investigation Agency

Offenders cannot be released on bail or bond unless among other things

In case the investigation is carried out by the National Investigation Agency, the designated
court shall be a court set up under the National Investigation Agency Act, 2008

Parliament passes bill on potable alcohol


i. Parliament has passed the Industries (Development and Regulation) Amendment
Bill, 2015 with Lok Sabha approving some technical amendments.
ii. The bill seeks to transfer from the Centre to states the control over industries
engaged in the production of potable alcohol.
iii. The bill was introduced by Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Lok Sabha.
It was earlier approved by the Rajya Sabha last month and certain changes were adopted
by the Lower House.
iv. The bill envisages central government would continue to be responsible for formulating
policy and regulating foreign collaboration for all products of fermentation industries,
including industrial and potable alcohol.
Rajya Sabha passes the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code Bill 2016
i. The Rajya Sabha has passed the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code 2016 as it is the biggest
economic reform that will make easier to do business.
ii. A majority of the parties in both Houses supported this legislation after all the amendments
proposed by a joint parliamentary committee were accepted by the government.
iii. Once the President gives accents the legislation the new bankruptcy law that will ensure timebound settlement of insolvency and create a database of serial defaulters.
iv.The bill is to promote entrepreneurship, availability of credit as it is comprehensive and
systemic reform, which will give a quantum leap to the functioning of the credit market.
Rajya Sabha passes The Indian Trusts (Amendment) Bill
i. The Rajya Sabha passed The Indian Trusts (Amendment) Bill 2015 which was introduced in the
Lok Sabha by the Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in August 2015.
ii. The Amended Indian Trusts bill removes certain outdated clauses from the Indian Trusts Act.

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iii. The bill outlines the manner in which surplus funds of the trust may be invested for future use
of the trust and regulates the functioning of private trusts and trustees.
iv. With this passing The Rajya Sabha has set a record of passing five bills in just few hours
1. The Finance Bill-2016.
2. The Appropriation No 2 Bill- 2016.
3. The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code-2016.
4. The Rajendra Central Agricultural University Bill- 2015.
5. The Indian Trusts (Amendment) Bill 2015.
Cabinet approves countrys first Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) policy
Union Cabinet has approved the National Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) policy with a view
to promoting creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship.

The move is to integrate global best practices in the Indian context and adapt to the
same.

It aims to create awareness about economic, social and cultural benefits of


IPRs amongall sections of society.

The Finance Minister Arun Jaitley also uttered that by 2017, the window for
trademark registration will be brought down to one month.

Objectives of the Bill:

Intellectual Property Awareness: This is to create public awareness about the


economic, social and cultural benefits of IPRs among all sections of society.

Also to stimulate the generation of IPRs also targeting marginal stakeholders in IP


generation like MSMEs and rural citizens.

Legal and Legislative Framework IPR laws that balances the interests of rights
owners with larger public interest.

Administration and Management& Commercialization: To modernize and


strengthen service-oriented IPR administration and making Commercialization to exploit
the IPR laws.

Enforcement and Adjudication For combating IPR infringements also to


strengthen the enforcement and adjudicatory mechanisms.

Human Capital Development To expand human resources, institutions and capacities


for teaching, training, research and skill building in IPRs.

Women and Child Development Minister framed the New policy for women
Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi drafted the New Policy for Women to
deal the issues against the Women.
Ministry: Women and Child Development
Policy: National Policy for Women 2016

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Presented by:

Maneka Gandhi

Focus: Dealing issues related to housing, single women and cyber crime against of women
The Draft Policy was notified in the Ministry website to get the recommendations and
Suggestions
The Independent situations of the women:
i. Divorced
ii. Widowed
iii. Unmarried
The following situations were taken into the consideration to recognize the importance of single
women which added in the Policy.
Main Focus:

Special significance given to maternal and pre-natal mortality

Issues related to the gender transformative health strategy

Acknowledgement of reproductive rights

Family planning from female sterilisation to male sterilisation

Assisting in changes in the societal attitude towards women

Guiding in behavioural changes involving men and boys

Maneka Gandhi Speech:

National policy on women already framed in 2001 and noting that the policy was come into
effect after 15 years.

The attitude of women towards themselves has changed.

15 years ago, women were pleased to get what they were given. Now we demand and our
demands are more distinct.

Cabinet approves National Capital Goods Policy 2016


Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved National Capital Goods Policy 2016.

First ever policy for Capital Goods sector

Objectives:

Increasing production of capital goods from 2,30,000 crore in 2014-15 to Rs.7,50,000


crore in 2025

Raising direct and indirect employment from the current 8.4 million to 30 million

The policy forecasts increasing exports from the current 27 % to 40 % of production

Increase the share of domestic production in Indias demand from 60 % to 80 %

To facilitate improvement in technology depth across sub-sectors

Increaseskill availability

Ensure mandatory standards

Promote growth and capacity building of MSMEs

Aims:

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Making Vision:

The Policy tend to realising the vision of Building India as the World class hub for Capital
Goods

Play a pivotal role in overall manufacturing as a basement to the vision of Make in


India.

Initiator:
Presented by the Dept. of Heavy Industry to the Prime Minister in the Make in India workshop held
in December, 2014
The aim of the policies:

Game changing strategies for the capital goods sector

Availability of finance, raw material, innovation and technology, productivity

Quality and environment friendly manufacturing practices

Promoting exports and creating domestic demand

Women and Child Development Ministry released Draft Model Rules under Juvenile
Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015
Women and Child Development Ministry Smt Maneka Sanjay Gandhi released Draft Model
Rules under Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 with effect from
15th January 2016
The Draft Model Rules, 2016 that repeal the Model Rules, 2007
Venue: New Delhi
Features:
1. Provisions for children who commit offences in the age group of 16-18 years
2. Inclusion of offences committed against childrensuch as giving intoxicating liquor or
narcotic drug or tobacco products to children, sale and procurement of children for any
purpose, corporal punishment in child care institutions.
3. Mandatory registration of all Child Care Institutions with punishment in case of
non-compliance.
4. Providing statutory status to the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) to
enable it to perform its function more effectively
Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi inaugurated the e-Archive website and the e-Learning portal
of WCD Ministry
Under the Digital India Programme, the Honble Union Minister of Women and Child
Development, Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi launched two websites
1. nipccd-earchive.wcd.nic.in
2. nipccd-elearning.wcd.nic.in
Developed by:Ministry of Women and Child Development and National Institute of Public
Cooperation and Child Development (NIPCCD)

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Features:
Full Fledged Electronic Library
Compiling and integrating publications and resource materials from all departments of the
Ministry with regards to their national policies, plan of actions, programmes, national and state
level achievements, schemes, goals, circulars, books, presentations, periodicals, research
publications, government orders, circulars, compendium of research articles, document pdfs, audio
and video spots.
Series of E-courses
Job Training Course for Child Development Project Officers of ICDS and gradually bring in new
training programmes
e-learning Portal
Provide an opportunity and access to technical concepts, knowledge and communicate to a
much wider audience at a faster pace to develop and increase their skill.
WCD Ministry launched Common Application Software and ICT enabled Real Time
Monitoring System of ICDS
Women and Child Development Minister SmtManeka Sanjay Gandhi Launched Common Application
Software and ICT enabled Real Time Monitoring System of ICDS

Common Application Software (ICDS-CAS)

Information and Communication Technology enabled Real Time Monitoring (ICT-RTM) of


ICDS

Venue: New Delhi


Features:

Monitoring the service delivery of AnganwadiCentres

Help to improve the nutrition levels of children in the country and help meet nutrition
goals

The digitization includes a Rapid Reporting System to collect the online data on
Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme from Anganwadi Centres
(AWCs) by introducing shortenedAnganwadimonthly progress report (AWMPR)

Cabinet gives ex-post facto approval to Amendments in Constitution (Scheduled Tribes)


Order, 1950
i. Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given its approval for introduction
of two Bills in the Parliament for certain amendments in the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes)
Order, 1950.
ii. The move is to modify the list of Scheduled Tribes in respect of five States and identification
of new communities in the Puducherry for the first time.
iii. Once it comes as an Act, these communities included in the list of Scheduled Tribes will be able
to derive benefits meant for ST under the all the existing schemes.

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State / UT
Assam
Chhattisgarh

Jharkhand
Tamil Nadu
Tripura
Puducherry

Included Community in ST
i) Boro, Boro Kachari,
Bodo, Bodo Kachari
ii) Karbi (Mikir)
iii) Bhuinya, Bhuiyan, Bhuyan
iv) Dhanuhar / Dhanuwar
v) Kisan
vi) Saunra, Saonra
vii) Dhangad
viii) Bhogta, Deshwari, Ganjhu, Dautalbandi (Dwalbandi),
Patbandi, Raut, Maajhia, Khairi (Kheri)
ix) Puran
x) Malayali Gounder
xi) Narikoravan,
Kurivikkaran
xii) Darlong
xiii) Irular (including Villi and Vettaikaran)

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
42nd G7 summit held in Japan
President Barack Obama arrived in Hiroshima for historic first visit made by a sitting
US president
i.United States President Barack Obama visited Hiroshima which was the first to be
exploded with an Atom Bomb
ii. Venue and Date:Hiroshima, Japan
iii. Held in 26th and 27th May 2016
iv.42nd G7 summit:
Participated in a ceremony with several atomic bomb survivors
Attended the two day summit of G7 leaders held at the Ise Shima National Park
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) releases Actions on Air Quality Report
Air Pollution range increased by 8% and affect the Air Quality, Report on Air Quality released
by United Nations Environment Programme
Solutions to tackle GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY:

Priority on renewable source

Clean Cooking fuels and Stoves

Fuel sulphur content and public transport

Results of global air quality declines


Threatening to seven million people air pollution kills each year
World Health Organization (WHO) Statement:

Urban air pollution levels increased by 8 per cent between 2008 and 2013

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About 80 per cent of people living in urban areas are exposed to air quality levels
thatexceed WHO limits

Initiatives by UNEP

Renewables accounted for a majority of the new electricity-generating capacity added


around the world at an investment of $286 billion

Review of Air Pollution Control in Beijing: 1998-2013 analyzed measures


implemented since Beijing began launching air pollution control programmes

Launched several programmes, including an initiative to develop a low-cost sensor


track and address pollution hotspots

Focus: Ten basic measures to improve air quality


Highlights of Actions on Air Quality:

About three billion people are using solid fuels and inefficient cook stoves Eg: Seychelles

1/4th of countries have advanced fuels and vehicles standards, which can significantly
reduce small particulate matter pollution Eg: Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and
Rwanda

Electric cars have been on the increase Eg: Norway

Some countries and cities have been able to increase waste recycling, reducing the need
to burn waste Eg: Brazil

National air quality standards Eg: India

Iraq declares state of emergency as protestors storm into Parliament


Iraq government has declared a state of emergency after supporters of Shiite Muslim cleric
Moqtada al-Sadr stormed parliament.

Protesters in the capital has reached the cabinet headquarters inside the Green Zone of
the cabinet building.

A television in Iraq Al-Sadr accused lawmakers of sectarianism in their selection of


ministers and ordered his bloc to withdraw from the parliament session to finish voting
on a new cabinet.

Earlier Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has promised to allocate minority Sunnis and
Kurds a bigger role in government, has under resistance to an effort to replace
politiciansin key roles.

Wipro, partners set up Saudi Arabias first all-women biz park


Bengaluru based IT major Wipro joined with Oil major Saudi Aramco and Princess Nourah
University (PNU), inaugurated Saudi Arabias first all women business and technology park (WBP).
i.The move intended to create 21,000 jobs by 2025 and give women a critical role to play in a
way that serves the objectives of the nation and to build a knowledge economy with societal and
international partnerships.
ii.World largest oil major Saudi Aramco as the strategic advisor and anchor of this initiative.

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iii. The move also facilities and infrastructure at the park set in Riyadh, as well as training and
employing up to 21,000 Saudi women.
Rich tributes to Krishna Menon in U.K. on his 120th birth anniversary
Rich tributes were poured to former defence minister and Indias first high commissioner to the
UK V K Krishna Menon on his 120th Birth Anniversary organised in a function in London.
Vengalil Krishnan Krishna Menon:
i. Menon was elected as a Councillor at the Camden Borough way back in 1934 and continued to be
a Councillor for the next 14 years. Menon died at the age of 78 in 1974.
ii. He became MP of theRajya Sabha in 1953 from Madras. In 1956, he joined the Union Cabinet as
Minister without Portfolio and was made Minister of Defence in 1957, later winning the
North Bombay seat to the Lok Sabha.
South Korea, Japan, China agree to put joint efforts to ensure financial stability
i. Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors from Japan, China, South Korea and the
Association of South East Asian Nations have agreed on the requisite to address downside risks to
global economic improvement.
ii. The trilateral agreement has been inked in Frankfurt, Germany and the meeting was chaired
by Chinese Finance Minister Lou Jiwei.
iii. These countries pledged to closely monitor capital flows and risks stemming from capital
flow volatility as well as carefully calibrate and clearly communicate our macroeconomic and
structural policy actions.
Zimbabwe to print own version of US dollar
i. Zimbabwes central bank is all set to introduce its own version of US dollars Known as bond
notes in order to ease a cash shortage in the country.
ii. The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe will introduce bond notes of $2, $5, $10, and $20, which will
hold the same value as their US dollar counterparts.
iii. The bond notes will be assisted by $200 million provided by the Africa Export Import Bank.
iv. The country announced the US dollar after ditching its own currency in 2009 following
sustained hyperinflation.
Canada Wildfires Rage as State of Emergency Declared
i. A state of emergency has been declared in the Canadian region of Alberta as firefighters
continue to battle raging wildfires. Six reception centers were put on operation to control the
situation.
ii. As the temperatures reaches nearly 90 degrees and low relative humidity fires the condition
exacerbated.

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iii. There are 80,000 residents who had fled Fort McMurray to Anzac after a mandatory
evacuation notice were announced.
Celebrating 155th birth anniversary: Five day Tagore Festival in Egypt
Date and Venue : May 8-12, Egypt
Purpose : The festival will be held to mark the 155th birth anniversary of poet laureate
Rabindranath Tagore.
Function Organiser:

The Indian embassy in Cairo

The Maulana Azad Centre for Indian Culture

Tagore visited Egypt:

Tagore, who received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1913, is known to Egypt.

He visited Egypt as an adolescent in 1878 and later as a famous poet-philosopher


in 1926 when he met King Fouad.

He interacted with scholars in Alexandria and Cairo.

His friendship with Egyptian poet Ahmed Shawqy is eminent and he wrote a
movingtestimonial on his friends death in 1932.

Tagore fondness on Egypt:

Tagore was impressed by the strong literary trends and found great resonance in the
intellectual movement in Egypt.

He also wrote about the relationship between the Nile river and the Egyptian
civilization.

The Egyptian Caricature Society:

The Egyptian Caricature Society has curated an excellent collection of


portraitsfrom across the globe on Tagore.

These will be exhibited during a painting exhibition, which will be inaugurated on May 8.

Festival Celebration:

The Festival will feature the Tagore dance drama Shapmochan (Breaking the Spell)
on May 9 by well-known Indian classical dancer Dona Ganguly.

The movie Ghare Baire by legendary Indian filmmaker Satyajit Ray will be screened
on May 10.

Shreya Guhathakurta, acclaimed Rabindra Sangeet exponent, will present songs


written and composed by Tagore to the Egyptian audience on May 11.

The festival will conclude on May 12 with a seminar on contemporary


literatureTagore, Shawky & Mahfouz

UN launches Multi-Partner Trust Fund for Zika Virus response


United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon initiated the constitution of the UN Zika Response

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Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF) to finance unfunded priorities in the response to the Zika
outbreak.
Aims:

To provide a rapid, flexible and accountable platform to support a coordinated response

Support the Zika Strategic Response Framework, developed by the World Health
Organization (WHO) in consultation with UN agencies, partners and international
epidemiological experts

Donors from the nations will share the contributions and an Advisory Committee will direct funds to
the affected countries where priority activities to be done.
History:

Since January 2015, 61 countries and territories have affected by local transmission of Zika
caused by a virus transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes

Spread and affected the number of children being born with unusually small heads identified
as microcephaly

Several countries have reported an increase in Guillain-Barr syndrome a neurological


disorder that can lead to paralysis and death.

Greece passes pension, tax reform bill


i. Greeces Parliament has approved a bill that would reform the countrys pension and tax
systems. The vote took place during a crippling general strike and protests.
ii. The bill was passed by the 153 lawmakers of the ruling Syriza-Independent government coalition
in voting.
iii. Debt-ridden countrys Labor Minister George introduced the bill he observed that social
security contributions would decline for many self-employed professionals.
iv. The bill, introduced as part of requirements the country must meet under its third international
bailout, is set to increase social security and pension contributions and raise taxes for most
people.
Obama signs into law new restrictions on Syrian antiquities
i. The United States President Barack Obama signed into law new import restrictions on Syrian
cultural artifacts in a move to stop the Islamic States trade in looted antiquities.
ii. The bill passed the House and Senate last month noted that prevent cultural artifacts removed
from Syria from being sold or imported into the U.S.
iii. Islamic State and other militants have made millions of dollars by selling unique artifactson
the black market, reaping profits to fund violence.
Details of Panama Papers released online by Journalists consortium
i. The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists published online detailed data
that covers nearly 40 years, from 1977 through the end of 2015 from the Panama Papers trove on

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more than 200,000 secret offshore companies.
ii. The database built on just a portion of a total cache of 11.5 million documents, leaked from
the Panama law firm Mossack Fonseca reveals more than 360,000 names of individuals and
companies behind the anonymous shell firms.
US India Defence Cooperation Act introduced in Senate
Expected visit: Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit US next month.
Two top American senators :

Mark Warner and John Cornyn

Introduced a legislation passed by Congress.

To elevate the status of the Indo US defence relationship on par with that of Americas
closest allies like NATO and Israel.

The US India Defence Technology and Partnership Act:


i.The legislation has been sent to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for necessary
action.
ii. US governments focus on the US India security relationship while sending a powerful signal
to India that the US is a reliable and dependable defence partner
iii. This bill supports strengthening our bilateral relationship partner in promoting security in
Asia.
iv. India has huge potential as a market for US defence manufacturers, which support
millions of American jobs.
v. The bill puts India equal with Americas closest defence partners, including NATO
member states and Israel
Bangladesh executes Jamaat chief Nizami for war crimes
i. Bangladesh executed Islamist party Chief MotiurRahman Nizami for convicted criminal during
the 1971 war of independence from Pakistan.
ii. The Jamaat leader was hanged at Dhaka Central jail, after the Supreme Court rejected his final
plea against a death sentence imposed by a special tribunal for genocide, rape and arranging
the massacre of top intellectuals during the war.
iii. He became the fourth Jamaat leader and the fifth person hanged after being convicted of war
crimes by one of the two International Crimes Tribunals.
iv. The war crimes tribunal set up by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in 2010 has erupted
violence and drawn criticism from opposition politicians, including leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami.
Kenya to close Worlds biggest refugee camp in Dadaab
i. The Kenyan government will close Dadaab refugee camp for national security which has over
330,000 refugees mostly Somali refugees, and send them back home or on to other countries.
ii. The government citing that fighters used the camp as a base for smuggling weapons.

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iii. Kenyan government earlier announced to close Kakuma which is a refugee camp housing
190,000people, mostly South Sudanese fleeing civil war.
US adopts the bison as its national mammal
i. President Barack Obama has signed to make US bison as its national mammal. However the
bald eagle will continue to enjoy the position of the national animal of the US.
ii. With this approval the bison will a symbol for Americas heritage, stated that the animals
history is integrally linked with the economic and spiritual lives of many Indian tribes through trade
and sacred ceremonies.
iii. Wildlife Conservation Society demanding for the status for a four years and the body is a group
associated with the Bronx Zoo in New York.
Worlds largest cargo plane AN-225 Mriya lands in Hyderabad
i.The worlds largest cargo carrier aircraft Antonov An-225 Mriya landed at the Rajiv Gandhi
International airport in Hyderabad in en route to Australia from Europe.
ii.The landing is first in India as it is making a technical halt at Hyderabad it is arrived from
Turkman bashi in Central Asia and will proceed to Jakarta and is destined for Perth.
Singaporean and Hong Kong terms join Oxford English Dictionary
i. The Oxford English Dictionary(OED) added 19 Singaporean terms and 13 Hong Kong
terms in its latest update.
ii. The update styles itself as the definitive record of the English language, includes about 500 new
words and phrases from around the world.
UN agricultural arm IFAD to grant $150 million to India in next 3 years
i. Rome-based International Fund for Agricultural Development an arm of UN Nations will provide
grants worth $150 million to India in the next three years to aid the farm sector.
ii. The IFADs projects in rural areas have been able to improve the material conditions of the
households and health of women.
iii. The UNs arm has been working with for last three decades, it has provided $17.7 billion in
grants and low-interest loans to projects reaching about 45.9 crore people in rural areas to
reduce poverty in India.
iv. Besides IFAD is working with India to reduce the wastage of perishable produces due to lack of
infrastructure.
Indian short film Beti at Seattle International Film Festival
i. A four minute documentary film Beti which is a non-fiction on girl child education has
been invited for a special screening at the 42nd Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF),
Washington DC. The movie is directed by Shivain Arora.

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ii. The short film promotes girl child by narrating the real life story of three girls from a government
school and their dream for the future
iii. The short is the only film from India to be featured amongst 421 films representing 85
countries and will be screened on May 30, which is Seattle Memorial Day at the Film Festival.
Worlds first robot lawyer hired by US firm Baker Hostetler
The worlds first artificial intelligence lawyer installed by Law Firm Baker Hostetler in the
United State and named as ROSS
Purpose: To assist its various teams in legal research and Development
The Robot was named as ROSS which is originally built by Watson, IBMs cognitive computer
US-based law firm: Baker Hostetler
Capabilities of the ROSS:

Involvement in the computing

Natural language processing

Keynotes on ROSS:

ROSS can able to clarify the research question asked by the Lawyers

It has the capability to go through the law, gathers evidence, provides inferences and
returns highly relevant and evidence based answers

Monitors the law to notify users of new court decisions

Continually learns from the lawyers who use it to bring back better results each time

Italian Parliament approves same-sex civil unions


i. The Italian senate has passed legislation legalizing same-sex civil unions, with 372 voting in
favour, 51 against and 99 abstaining.
ii. Up To date, more than 20 countries have legalised gay marriage. The law also makes this
right available to unmarried heterosexual couples.
iii. With this, it has become the last country in Western Europe to do so.However, the bill has yet to
be assented by the Italian President.
UNICEF and EU Launch #Emergency Lessons Campaign on Education in Crisis Zones
The United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) and the European Union launched the
#Emergency Lessons campaign on education in countries like Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy,
Slovenia, Slovakia and the United Kingdom.
The social media-driven public awareness campaign aimed at reaching 20 million
Europeans and emphasising the vital role of education for children.
Emergency Lessons campaign:
i. This campaign targets people 25 year old and younger peoples, for the next seven months,
the stories of the children affected by emergencies.
ii.The campaign celebrates the other benefits of going to school like the friends made, the teachers

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who support children through trauma, and the stability found in the routine of attending classes.
iiii. Over one in four of the worlds school-aged children 462 million now lives in 35
countriesaffected by crises.
US House approves move to bolster defence ties with India
i. The US House of Representatives gave nod to a bilateral legislative move to strengthen
defence ties with India.
ii. The bill is passed by the Senate also it will kept before US President Barack Obama to be
signed into law.
iii. The bill seeks US to improve Indias military capabilities in the combined military planning, and
promote co-production also co-development opportunities.
National Defence Authorisation Act (NDAA)-2017:
The bilateral NDDA Act that take along with NATO allies in terms of sale of defence equipment
and technology transfer also seeks to promote greater defence trade and encourage additional
military cooperation between the sides.
First metro line to the sea opens in Los Angeles
i. The 6.6-mile Expo Line extension from Los Angeles to Santa Monica marks the return of
commuter train service to the sea for the first time since 1950s
ii. This 1.5 billion line to be one of the metro systems most popular, far exceeding the expected
passenger count of 30,000 per day.
iii. It will save the time of the people who are spending too much time in their cars.
iv. According to the data company Inrix, Los Angeles has the worst traffic in the country, with
drivers wasting an average 81 hours idling in their cars in 2015.
India, Thailand, Myanmar to be connected with a 1400-km road
i. In a bid to give fillip to trade and cultural exchanges between the three countries India,
Thailand and Myanmar are working on a 1,400-kilometre highway which will link India with
Southeast Asia by land for the first time in decades.
ii. There are 73 bridges totally in Myanmar, built more than seven decades ago were being
repaired with funding from India for highway safe movement.
India bans nationals from travelling to strife-torn Libya
i. Indian External Affairs Ministry has banned Indian nationals from travelling to Libya in view of
prevailing security situation in the country, irrespective of the purpose of the visit.
ii. This decision has been notified to all immigration authorities by the Ministry of External affairs
led by Sushma Swaraj.
iii. This move comes after reports of a Libyan former minister being killed in clashes between unity
government forces and fighters of the ISIS group in Sirte.

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Worlds first 3D-printed office building opens in Dubai
i. Dubai has opened the worlds first functioning 3D-printed office building in a bid to
enhance Gulfs main tourism and business development.
ii. The unique building area sprawls about 2,700-square-foot which is a single-story building was
built in just 17 days using a gigantic, 20-foot tall 3D printer and a special mix of concrete, fiber
reinforced plastic and glass fiber reinforced gypsum.
iii. The building was completed for a mere $140,000 in construction and labor costs or about half
the money of a comparable structure made with conventional methods.

FOREIGN VISITS
President Pranab Mukherjee visited China from May 24 27
Indian President Pranab Mukherjee visited China from May 24 to 27 to hold negotiation
with Top Chinese leadership and announced first trip to China by an Indian Head of state in
Six Years
i. Arrived in Beijing on May 25 and attended the reception hosted by the Chinese Peoples
Friendship Association for Foreign Countries (CPAFFC).
ii. India, China agree to advance ongoing boundary negotiations
Purpose:
Emphasise the relationship forward by expanding areas of Convergence and
Managing areas of difference
To expand Indias Civilian nuclear programme
Xiao Qian, Director-General of Asian region in Chinas ministry of foreign affairs,
agreed to strengthen cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy
Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena Visits India to attend Simhastha Mahakumbh
i. Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena will be on a two day itinerary to India. Sirisena will
address the valedictory session at the Vaicharick Mahakumbh which is being held as part of the
Simhastha Mahakumbh in Ujjain.
ii. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also to address the three day long dialogue in Ujjain on the same
day.
iii. He is also scheduled to visit Sanchi where he will tour the World famous Sanchi Stupa and
attend a function by the Mahabodhi Society of Sri Lanka.
iv. In his line of travel he will also unveil a statute of Angarika Dharmapala during the function.

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar Visits Oman


i. The Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar set to visit to the Sultanate of Oman from 20 to
22 May 2016 at the invitation of Oman Defense Affairs Minister Bader Bin Saud Bin Harib Al

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Busaidi.
ii. During his itinerary he visited the Military Technology College and the Sultans Armed
Forces Museum in Muscat.
iii. Parrikar also attended a reception at Sultan Qaboos Port to mark the goodwill visit to Oman
of INS Delhi, INS Deepak and INS Tarkash.
MoUs Signed:
S.No
MoU Area
1
Defence Cooperation
2

Marine Crime Prevention


at Sea
Maritime Issues

3
4

Flight Safety information


Exchange

Between India side and its counterpart


Indian Defence Ministry and the Ministry of Defense of
Sultanate of Oman.
Royal Oman Police (Coast Guard) and the Indian Coast
Guard
Government of the Sultanate of Oman and the Government
of India
Sultanate of Oman represented by Royal Air Force of Oman
and the Indian Air Force.

Prime Minister Modi Visit to Iran Overview


Prime Minister first visit to Iran for the following deals and Pacts
1. Enhancing connectivity
2. Trade
3. Investment
4. Energy Partnership with Persian Gulf Nation
Events:

PM had discussion with Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Iran
President Hassan Rouhani

Trilateral agreement on Chabahar trade to be signed by Mr. Modi, President Ashraf


Ghani and President Rouhani

Inaugurating an international conferenceon Retrospect and Prospect of India-Iran


relations

India and Iran sign 12 bilateral agreements including Chabahar port development
India-Iran Cultural Exchange Programme:

The objective is to extend the CEP for the period 2016-2019 covering the areas of culture
and art; radio, TV, mass media and cinema; and relevant general and financial terms.

MoU between the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India and the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs (MoFA) of Iran on Policy Dialogue between Governments and Interaction between
Think Tanks
The MoU seeks to create a Joint Secretary/Director General policy dialogue as well as encouraging
new institutional mechanisms between think tanks on both sides. There is also a provision for a
conference on contemporary issues of regional and global significance.
MoU between Foreign Service Institute, MEA and the School of International Relations,
Irans MoFA

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This MoU is intended to enhance cooperation between the two parties for training of
diplomats and exchange of eminent speakers.

Implementation Protocol between Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of


S&T and Irans Ministry of Science, Research and Technology on Cooperation in the Fields
of Science and Technology

The IP fleshes out the specific cooperation between the two sides pursuant to the 2003
MoU and covers areas like exchange of experiences, seminars, conferences etc.

MoU between Indian Council for Cultural Relations and Islamic Culture and Relations
Organizations of the IR Iran

The MoU provides for institutional mechanisms for cooperation between ICCR and ICRO
and lays down the modalities for the cooperation.

Bilateral contract on Chabahar Port for port development and operations between IPGPL
India Ports Global Private Limited] and Arya Banader of Iran

The contract envisages development and operation for 10 years of two terminals and 5
berths with cargo handling [multipurpose and general] capacities.

MoU between EXIM Bank and Irans Ports and Maritime Organization [PMO] oncurrent
specific terms for the Chabahar Port project

This MoU is intended for the purpose of credit of USD 150 million for Chabahar port.

Confirmation Statement between EXIM Bank and Central Bank of Iran


This confirms the availability of credit up to INR 3000 crore for the import of steel rails and
implementation of Chabahar port.
MoU between ECGC [Export Credit Guarantee Corporation] Limited of India and the
Export Guarantee Fund of Iran (EGFI)

The MoU seeks to establish a framework of cooperation between ECGC and EGFI in
supporting and encouraging foreign trade and foreign investment between India and Iran
and, where appropriate, the supply of goods and services from their respective countries
as part of a project to a third country.

MoU between National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO) and the Iranian Mines and
Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organization (IMIDRO)

The objective is for the two parties to jointly explore the possibility of manufacturing
aluminium metal by setting up of a smelter on joint venture basis in Iran and/or entering
into tolling arrangements with smelters in Iran or any other form of business collaboration
including sale of alumina etc.

MoU between IRCON and Construction, Development of Transport and Infrastructure


Company (CDTIC) of Iran

MoU will enable IRCON to provide requisite services for the construction of ChabaharZahedan railway line which forms part of transit and transportation corridor in trilateral

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agreement between India, Iran and Afghanistan. Services to be provided by IRCON
include all superstructure work and financing the project (around USD 1.6 billion).
MoU for cooperation between the National Archives of India and the National Library and
Archives Organisation of the Islamic Republic of Iran
The aim to for facilitation of exchange of information and knowledge in the field of archival matters
through exchange of manuals, guidelines, rules, publications and other special literature on archival
topics.
India, Iran, Afghanistan ink historic trilateral transit pact
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Indian Prime Minister
Narendra Modi inked a three-way transit agreement on Irans southern port of Chabahar.
Venue: Iran Capital Tehran
Delegates: India Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Iran President Hassan Rouhani and the Afghan
President Ashraf Ghani
Features of Trilateral Agreement:

Hassles Free Transports of Goods between India and Pakistan through the Chabahar
Port

To have connectivity to accelerate Economic Growth

Reducing the Cargo rate

To expand cooperation between the three countries in several areas including IT and
Education

PMs Iran visit: AIR launches website, app in Persian language


The Persian service of All India Radio has launched a multimedia website and mobile app
MOBILE APP:

Initiated a WhatsApp-based listeners response forum

Listeners from Iran can directly interact.

ALL INDIA RADIO SERVICE:

External Services Division of AIR has been broadcasting in Persian language since 1941

Persian language broadcast is for duration 1 hour 45 minutes in two transmissions in the
morning and in the evening.

BANKING & FINANCE


ICICI Bank signs MoU with BRICS Grouping-promoted New Development Bank
Situated in : Mumbai
Headquarters : Shanghai
Private sector : Lender ICICI Bank BSE at 1.54 %
Established: New Development Bank (NDB)

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The first financial institution in the country to tie up with the BRICS Grouping.
Purpose:

partnership in bond issuances

cofinancing

treasury management

human resources

NDBs first president : ICICI Bank experienced person KV Kamath


Agreement: To create a platform for sharing knowledge and deepening network connectivity
between NDB and ICICI Bank after signing the MoU along with ICICI Bank chief Chanda Kochhar.
Inclusions:

Partnering with local development banks in member countries.

This MoU will help it leverage the deep market access and insight of ICICI Bank in the
countrys financial markets.

Mutual Cooperation:

The NDB began operations with an initial capital of USD 100 billion last year as a
multilateral development bank.

Promoted by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

Announcements:
The First set of loans involving financial assistance of USD 811 million.

HDFC among worlds top 10 Consumers Financial Services Firms


Mortgage lender HDFC Ltd has been ranked 7th among the worlds ten biggest and most
powerful companies in the consumer financial services sector.
Topped by Global major American Express
HDFC ranked at 7th position and only Indian Company in Top Ten in the Category.
56 Indian firms feature in Forbes Global 2000
56 Indian Companies listed in Forbes Global 2000 ranking and Indian Companies
have enhanced their ranking compared to last year showing faster Economic Growth in
India
i. Reliance Industries Limited ranked 1st in India Firm Category Mukesh Ambani led
Reliance Industries Limited ranked 121st Position which was improved from 142nd Rank in
2015 on the Global List
ii. State Bank of India ranked 149 globally and 2nd position in India
iii. Oil and Natural Gas Corporation ranked 220 globally and 3rd Position national
iv. India Largest Private banking Companies ICICI Bank held 266 rank and HDFC held
275 globally and clinched Fourth and Fifth among Indian Companies respectively.
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Tech Mahindra buys UK fintech firm in deal valued at more than 112 million
pounds
i. Tech Mahindra is all set to buy financial technology firm and UK-based Target Group to
boost its platform business process-as-a-service offering in the banking sector
ii. The deal valued at more than over $163 million (112 million pounds). Target Groups
proprietary platform automates complex and critical processing, servicing and
administration of loans, investments and insurance.
Islamic Development Bank to open its first branch at Ahmedabad
i. Jeddah-based Islamic Development Bank is all set to open its India operations at Ahmedabad
in Gujarat that will be its first branch in India.
ii. The Saudi lenders objective is to foster the economic development and social progress of
member countries as well as the Muslim community.
iii. This move is part of MoU signed between Indias EXIM Bank and IDB during Prime Minister
Narendra Modi visit to United Arab Emirates in April this year. As part of the MoU a 100 million
dollar line-of-credit was to be given to facilitate exports to IDBs member countries.
iv. As per Social iniatives IDB will provide 350 fully-equipped medical vans mobile clinics) to
India, 30 of which will be received by Gujarat in the maiden phase.
Islamic Development Bank
Founded: 1975
Headquarters: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
The bank has 56 Islamic countries as its members.
EPFO doubles insurance for subscribers to Rs 6 lakh
i. Union government has imposed the decision of retirement fund body EPFO to closely double the
maximum sum assured under its insurance scheme to Rs 6 lakh from Rs 3.6 lakh for its 4 crore
subscribers.
ii. Central Board of Trustees which is Employee Provident Fund Organisations apex decision
making body had decided to increase benefits under the Employees Deposit Linked
Insurance scheme to Rs 6 lakh.
Employees Provident Fund Organisation:
Founded: 1952
Headquarters: New Delhi.
Union Bank of India launches e-SBTR to facilitate stamp duty and registration on
property purchases
i. Mumbai based Union Bank of India launched eSBTR which is Electronic Secured Bank
Treasury Receipt a facility for a single window payment facility of both stamp duty and
registration fee for home purchase in Maharashtra.
ii. The eSBTR allows payment without any ceiling and is available on 24x7x365 through internet
banking.

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iii. The system improves ease of process and convenience for citizens by providing single window
payment facility of both stamp duty and registration fee.
iv. The new facility will come at all its 500 branches of the bank in Maharashtra as well through
internet banking.
Union Bank of India
Founded: 1919
Headquarters: Mumbai
CEO: Arun Tiwari
Slogan: Good people to bank with.
Coverfox announces tie up with Oriental Insurance Company
i. Online insurance platform Coverfox portal has tied up with the Oriental Insurance
Company to facilitate the PSUs comprehensive motor insurance product for both four and two
wheelers in online mode.
ii.The online portal Coverfox becomes the first to offer such scheme. Purchase of policies online
has increased from 2% to 200% in just two years in the country.

EPFO to launch system for discouraging premature withdrawals


Employers Provident Fund Organisation has launched One Employee One EPF Account system
on labours day (May1) to put off early PF withdrawals and to give fillip to state governments to join
its pension system.

The decision comes after the Central government rollback to tighten PF withdrawal
norms restricting subscribers to withdraw employers share of PF contributions (3.67 per
cent of basic wages) before the age of 58 years.

All running contracts and future contracts by municipalities be scrutinized to join all
eligible employees and to secure compliance under this iniative.

In the function labour minister launched a software named EPFO-E-samkisha has been
launched for centralized processing that will transfer and consolidate accounts with ease

Paytm ties up with Wipro for payments bank


Mobile payments major Paytm has joined hands with Bengaluru based IT major Wipro Ltd to
create the requisite technology infrastructure for its payment bank Which is said to start its
operations soon.
i.This tie up is to implement the core banking solution for Paytm and also programme managing
the integration of other key systems like the anti-money laundering solution and the regulatory
reporting solution.
ii.The IT major Wipro will service to Paytm in interface its existing systems with the core banking
solution.

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NSE to launch new exchange for MSMEs
i.Mumbai based National Stock Exchange to launch a trading platform for small and medium
enterprises (SMEs). This is the first dedicated exchange for micro SMEs.
ii.The exchange where MSME bills against large companies can be accepted electronically and
auctioned so that these small enterprises are paid promptly.
iii.The new platform is a joint initiative of NSE and Small Industries Development Bank of
India (SIDBI).

The International Monetary Fund has continued growth forecast for India this year at 7.5
per cent
The International Monetary Fund is forecasted constant growth for India at 7.5%

The growth was driven Private consumption, Weak Exports and Sluggish credit growth
weight on the Indian Economy.

Statement by International Monetary Fund:

Continued growth forecast for India in 2016 mounted at 7.5 % by private


consumption the in latest economical view for Asia and the Pacific even mediocre in
exports and slack credit growth will have a weigh on Indian economy

Beneficial accounts of lower oil prices in India makes shifted economy in the world

GDP increase upto 7.5 per cent this year

Enhancement of Indian GDP growth reaching 7.3 per cent in 2015 and it is forecasted to
7.5 percent within 2017.

Kotak Bank opens international unit in Gujarats GIFT City


i. Mumbai based Kotak Mahindra Bank has opened IFSC Banking unit at Gujarat International
Finance Tec-City (GIFT) City.
ii. Earlier IBUs of YES Bank, Federal Bank and ICICI Bank have put their operational at the GIFT
city. With this Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd became the fourth bank to open its IFSC Banking Unit
(IBU).

Wilful defaulters owe Rs 66,000 cr to govt banks


i. Minister of state for finance Jayant Sinha informed in Rajya Shaba that sickening banking
sector has increased the number of wilful defaulters of PSBs from 5,554 to 7,686 in three years
ii. Despite the fact that the amount involved more than doubled in the period to Rs 66,190
crore from Rs 27,749 crore.
iii. The top 50 defaulters of PSUs had an exposure of Rs 1.21 lakh crore as on December last
year.

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MCB Capital Markets introduces India Sovereign Bond ETF
Initiator : MCB Capital Markets introduces Worlds first Exchange Traded Fund focused on
Indias sovereign bonds.
Purpose : To provide global investors access to the Indian government securities.
MCB India Sovereign Bond ETF, a global adaptation scheme, will invest in sovereign bonds with a
typical maturity between 8 and 13 years.

The initial offer period of the fund will close on May 27 . The ETF will start trading on stock
exchange of Mauritius on June 6.

Effective feature:

Investment into the Indian sovereign bond market makes easier

Investors with regular short-term returns

The payment of half yearly dividends in US dollars

Capital investment : 50 per cent of investments in India go through Mauritius.


Advantages:

To stabilise the mutual relationship between India and Mauritius.

It is easy access to the Indian sovereign debt market

It is one of the largest and most attractive bond markets in the world

Sponsorship and promotions : MCB Capital Markets, investment banking arm of Mauritius MCB
Group.

Cabinet approves currency swap deal with UAE


i. Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) between Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and Central Bank of United Arab
Emirates (UAE) on co-operation concerning currency swap agreement. The MoU inked in
February, this year.
ii. The MoU will further strengthen the close economic relationship and cooperation between the
sides.
iii. Under this approval India and the UAE will be a step closer to bilateral currency swap on
mutually agreed terms and conditions.
iv. The agreement is to be expected to facilitate invoicing of bilateral business in local
currencies.

NASSCOM, Facebook ink MoU to engage with Indias entrepreneurs


i. Indian IT Trade body NASSCOM has signed a MoU with Facebook to build a product design
initiative to help young entrepreneurs into becoming problem solvers and solution builders.
ii. This initiative is likely to propel innovative thinking and approaches to build solutions in key
sectors where technology can play a transformational role.
iii. The MoU is aimed to help develop this ecosystem and bring in the design thinking. The idea is to

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ensure that at least 500 plus product start-ups get enabled tools programs, more than 5,000
design thinking professionals.

IREDA may be converted into a Green Bank


i. State owned Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) may be converted into
a Green Bank to enable it to access funding from overseas banks.
ii. The conversion will be done without undergoing any altercation in its basic structure to enable it
access funding from overseas banks that are currently not supporting the solar and wind funding.
iii. The proposal is being well supported by the Union Power Ministry as this conversion would
pave the way to avail of certain benefits.
iv. A green bank could offer lower interest charges than traditional banks and tap into international
capital to finance solar and wind projects to help Indian power sector.
v. The country needs as much as USD 264 billion in funding to reach its target of producing160
GWs of power from solar and wind energy by 2022.

Federal Bank ties up with US based Payments Company for faster international
remittances
i. Kochi based Federal Bank joined with Transfast Remittance LLC for facilitating online inward
remittance to India in Rupees for their NRI customers based in USA.
ii. Both the sides has entered into arrangementwith this tie-up, the US-based NRI customers can
transfer money instantly to their NRI account in India from their US bank account even by
usingDebit card/ Credit card.
iii. Customers can also send money even by creating an account on transfast platform or by
downloading Transfast App.

ECB set to decide fate of 500-euro banknote


i. The Central Bank of Europe is mulling to decide the fate of the 500-euro banknote, as these
denominations associated with money laundering, the black market and terrorist financing. It is
the largest denomination banknote in the single currency by the bank.
ii. The violet-coloured 500-euro bills account for just three per cent of the total number of
banknotes in circulation, but 28 per cent of the total value. iii. The council is likely to vote to
stop issuing them, as such notes are the preferred payment mechanism of those pursuing illicit
activities, for moving large sums of money around without the authorities knowing.
iv.It plans to stop issuing the 500-euro bill around the end of 2018.

Asian Development Bank raise granting India to USD 3 billion


Initiator: Asian Development Bank (ADB)

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Purpose: To enhance its lending to India to USD 3 billion this year to support robust
growth in the country.
Discussion of ADB President Takehiko Nakao :

About increase lending to India

More requirements of infrastructure funding to India.

Contributions from emerging Asian economies:


It is increased to 11.7 per cent, compared with 6.9 per cent during the ADF 11 period.
Innovative features:

Doubling of the minimum allocation for small countries

Strengthened support for disaster risk management

Regional health security

Future Goals

The bank is committed to double financing for this to USD 6 billion by 2020 from the
current level of USD 3 billion

Strategy 2030 will help define approach to the Sustainable Development Goals and
COP21.

IDBI Bank first state-run bank to open branch at IFSC


i. Mumbai based IDBI Bank has decided to open an international banking unit (IBU)at the
International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) in Gandhinagar.
ii. This is the first state-run bank to open for IBU centre. Yes Bank, Federal Bank and ICICI Bank
have been operating branches in GIFT city.
iii. Over USD 250 million worth of business transactions were conducted at GIFT City in the past
six months.

YES Bank gets SEBI nod to provide custodian services


i. Mumbai based Securities market regulator SEBI has gave in-principle approval to YES Bank
for it to act as custodian of securities.
ii. The licence-holder of CoS allows the entity to offer custodial services to financial market
participants, including FIIs and foreign portfolio investors (FPIs).
iii. Yes Bank aims to establish this business within 12 months of approval. The bank had earlier
received the RBIs approval to enter the CoS business.
iv. The Private sector lender plans to invest in developing operations, technology and human
capital capabilities before it seeks registration with SEBI as a custodian.

Saraswat Bank donates Rs 1 cr relief for drought in Maharashtra


i. Indias largest urban co-operative bank Saraswat has donated of Rs one crore towards relief work
drought conditions in various parts of Maharashtra.

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ii. The banks Vice Chairman Gautam E Thakur handed over a cheque of Rs 50 lakh to
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis Of the 1 crore handed over another cheque of Rs 50 lakh to
NAAM Foundation.

Banks in Telangana to provide Rs 6000 cr loans to poor under Mudra Yojana


i. The banks in Telangana state will provide 6000 crore rupees loans to the poor under Mudra
Yojana this year to benefit about 8 lakh people for their small business.
ii. Union Labour Minister Bandaru dattatreya informed this in the held a review meeting with
bankers in Hyderabad.
iii. After the review meeting that Agriculture loans to a tune of 40 thousand crore rupees will be
disbursed during the current year.

South Indian Bank announces tie up with National Australian Bank


i. Thrissur-based South Indian Bank has tied-up with National Australia Bank (NAB) for online
inward remittance from Australia at competitive rates.
ii. The remittance fee is as low as AUD 7 and the arrangement enables faster, hassle-free
remittance through internet at the best exchange rates as the exchange rate is decided by the
Bank.

RBI releases draft norms for universal bank licences on tap


Initiator: The Reserve Bank of India
Released Guidelines:
Tap licensing of universal banks in the private sector.

Allowing individuals with 10 years of experience in banking and finance to apply


for a licence successful track record for at least 10 years are eligible to apply for a
licence.

The initial minimum paid-up voting equity capital required is Rs.500 crore, and
thereafter the bank should maintain a minimum net worth of Rs.500 crore at all times.

Applications will be screened by the RBI to assess the eligibility of applicants with regard
to the criteria laid down in the guidelines.

RBI may apply additional criteria to determine the suitability of applications, in addition
to the fit and proper criteria.

The non-financial business of the group does not account for 40% or more in terms of total
assets in terms of gross income.
Reserve Bank of India Announcemets:
Minimum capital requirement:

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1. The promoters and the promoter group shall hold a minimum of 40% of the paid-up
voting equity capital of the bank which shall be locked in for a period of five
yearsfrom the date of commencement of business of the bank.
2. The promoter groups shareholding shall be brought down to 15% within a period of
12 years from the date of commencement of business of the bank.
Standing External Advisory Committee (SEAC) :
1. The applications will be referred to a Standing External Advisory Committee (SEAC)
to be set up by the RBI.
2. The SEAC will comprise eminent persons with experience in banking, financial sector and
other relevant areas and will have a tenure of three years.
3. The SEAC will set up its own procedures for screening applications and will meet as
and when required.
4. The committee will reserve the right to call for more information as well as have
discussions with any applicants and seek clarification on any issue as may be required by
it.
5. The committee will then submit its recommendations to the central bank for consideration
6. The validity of the in-principle approval issued by RBI will be 18 months from the
date of granting in-principle approval and would thereafter lapse automatically.

RBI to issue Rs 1000 banknotes with inset letter R


i. Mumbai based Reserve Bank of India is mulling to issue banknotes of 1000 rupees
denominations with inset letter R in both the number panels.
ii. The banknotes will also have on the obverse side that all the other security features, including
ascending size of numerals, bleed lines and enlarged identification mark,
iii. These banknotes will bear signature of RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan. It will also have the
year of printing 2016 printed on the reverse side.

ICICI launches countrys 1st contactless credit card for SMEs


i. India largest private sector bank ICICI in association with Jet Airways launched the countrys
first contactless credit cards for small and mid-sized enterprises and their employees.
ii. The card Debuted Jet Airways ICICI Bank Business Advantage Card the co-branded credit
card will help customers to save on their business expenses.
iii. The Mumbai based lender is the first bank globally to offer a dual advantage reward
programme on the expenses and repayments of the credit card.

RBI issues norms for prior approval of branch offices by foreign entities in India
i. The Indias Central Bank- Reserve Bank of India has directed that entities from Pakistan, China,
Bangladesh and four other regions including Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Iran and Hong Kong or Macau

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will require its prior approval to establish branch office or project office in India.
ii. RBIs Permission is required for opening a Project/ Branch Office in Jammu and Kashmir,
North East region and Andaman and Nicobar Islands as well.
The Bankers banks approval would also be required if the applicant is a Non-Government
Organization (NGO), a Non-Profit Organization, or a Body/ Agency/ Department of a foreign
government.

SEBI to tighten KYC, transfer norms for Participatory Notes (P-Notes)


i. Mumbai based Securities and Exchange Board of India is likely to tighten the norms for
participatory notes (P-Notes) to curb round-tripping and restrict money laundering to follow
recommendations made by Special Investigation Team on black money.
ii. The changes include requirement of increased disclosures on transfer and prior consent of issuer
on transfer, bringing P-Notes under know-your-customer and anti-money laundering
norms and reporting suspicious transactions to the financial intelligence unit.
iii. Under these rules KYC review will be done on the basis of risk classification assigned to
subscriber. The Market regulator will have to take remedial action in case of any breaches.

Income Declaration Scheme 2016 for domestic black money to commence from June 01
Finance Ministry announced that the Income Declaration Scheme 2016 will remain functioning
till September 30 for filing of Declarations and Payments towards Taxes, Surcharge and Penalty
The following payments must be made latest by November 30.

Declarations can be filed online or with the Principal Commissioners of Income-tax

Assets specified in the declaration will be exempted from Wealth tax

Non-payment of total taxes, surcharge and penalty in time or declaration by


misrepresentation or suppression of facts shall render the declaration void

The Income Declaration Scheme 2016

No scrutiny and enquiry under the Income-tax Act or the Wealth tax Act shall be
undertaken

Immunity from prosecution under the Income-tax Act and Wealth Tax Act is also provided
along with immunity from the Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Act, 1988.

Announced by Finance Minister ArunJaitley during the Budget session

Aim: To fish out black money from the domestic economy

RBI authorises 29 agency banks to accept payments of I-T dues


i. Reserve Bank of India has appealed to income tax assessees to remit their income tax dues
sufficiently in advance of the due date to avoid last minute rush.
ii. This iniative will obviate the inconvenience involved in standing in long queues at the Reserve
Bank offices.

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iii. In a bid to cope with the pressure of issuing receipts RBI has taken such a move which is
although additional counters to the maximum extent possible are provided for the purpose.
iv. Totally 29 agency banks are authorised to accept payments of Income Tax dues Which includes
State run lenders as well as Private players,
They are
1.
Allahabad Bank
2.
Andhra Bank

16.
17.

Syndicate Bank
UCO Bank

3.

Bank of Baroda

18.

Union Bank of India

4.
5.

Bank of India
Bank of Maharashtra

19.
20.

United Bank of India


Vijaya Bank

6.

Canara Bank

21.

State Bank of India

7.
8.

Central Bank of India


Corporation Bank

22.
23.

State Bank of Bikaner & Jaipur


State Bank of Hyderabad

9.

Dena Bank

24.

State Bank of Travancore

10.
11.

IDBI Bank
Indian Bank

25.
26.

State Bank of Mysore


State Bank of Patiala

12.

Indian Overseas Bank

27.

HDFC Bank Ltd.

13.

Oriental Bank of Commerce

28.

Axis Bank Ltd.

14.
15.

Punjab & Sindh Bank


Punjab National Bank

29.

ICICI Bank Ltd.

IDFC Bank launches #IDFC Twitter Resume campaign on Twitter to find prospective
employees, attract millennials
i. Mumbai based IDFC Bank has launched Twitter campaign dubbed

#IDFCTwitterResume which

will help in applying for a new job as simple as sending out a tweet.
ii. The newest private bank has just rolled out the first-of-its-kind campaign, where you can sell
yourself in 140 characters and land a job in the bargain.
iii. The soft launch intends to post job vacancies that there are about 12-14 profiles on offer at
junior to mid-levels, largely across sales, service and operations.
iv. The bank intends to make around 500-700 closures through this medium even as it looks to
nearly double its current workforce to 4500-odd by the end of this fiscal.

DBS Bank to set up new technology hub in Hyderabad


i. Singapore-based DBS Bank has decided to set up its biggest technology hub outside its
headquarters in Hyderabad. The company also plans to hire about 1,500 people over the next
two years.
ii. This decision from the Singapore major is to focus on technology and in order to grow it, the
lender has launched a mobile-only bank recently.
iii. This tech hub comes at a time when the lender is awaiting clearance from the RBI India to
convert into a wholly-owned subsidiary in the country.

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Appointment:
The lender has appointed Mohit Kapoor as the head of its Technology Development Centre
in Hyderabad.

RBS to close retail banking operations in India


i. Royal Bank of Scotland is to shut its banking operations in India having given up on efforts to find
a buyer as the planned to reduce its international operations to 13 countries from the current
38.
ii. The Bank planned to shut its 10 retail branches, as it exits the country as part of a plan to
reduce its global footprint. It has less than 400 employees in India.

Five associate banks to merge with SBI


i. Countrys largest lender State Bank of India has planned to merge its five associate banks and
also to merge Bharatiya Mahila Bank. All six are state-owned.
ii. A merger would create a banking behemoth with a balance sheet size of Rs.37 trillion that is
also set to acquire their businesses including assets and liabilities.
iii. The five associate banks have a collective advances base of Rs.3.78 trillion and a deposit
base of Rs.5.03 trillion.
iv. While the BMB was created in 2013 by the UPA government, particularly to cater to womens
lending needs based in Delhi.
The Banks to be merged with the SBI are,
1.State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur,
2.State Bank of Hyderabad,
3.State Bank of Mysore,
4.State Bank of Patiala,
5.State Bank of Travancore,
6.Bharatiya Mahila Bank Limited.

Nepal SBI Bank launches payment gateway


i. SBIs subsidiary Nepal SBI Bank has launched payment gateway to facilitate online trade and
non-trade transactions between the Himalayan nation and India.
ii. Under this payment gateway customer of Nepal SBI Bank can utilise various features of mobile
banking and other value added services.
iii. The Payment Gateway was inaugurated by SBI Managing Director B Sriram, and Indian
Ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Rae
iv. The lender also handed over a cheque for Rs 5.21 crore to Nepal Prime Minister K P Oli for PM
Natural Disaster Relief Fund.

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PNB reports Q4 loss of Rs 5,370 crore, biggest in Indian banking history
i. New Delhi based Punjab National Bank has reported a net loss of Rs 5,370 crore in the March
quarter, the biggest ever quarterly loss in Indias bank history. As the bank has had reported a
net profit of Rs 307 crore in the last year quarter.
ii. PNBs gross nonperforming assets (NPAs) poured to 12.9% in the fourth quarter, as against
8.47% in the December quarter.
iii. In terms of absolute figures the gross NPAs for the quarter stood at Rs 55,818 crore, as
against Rs 34,338 crore in the same quarter.

Honda partners with IndusInd Bank for two wheeler financing


i. Countrys second-largest two wheeler maker Honda Motors Scooter India (HMSI) has
partnered with Mumbai based IndusInd Bank to cater retail finance to buyers. The company aims
to sell over 5 million units in the current fiscal.
ii. The Lender will provide Finance Assistance to the eligible players also customers of Honda buy a
Honda two wheeler at an attractive rate of interest but also can earn benefits of up to Rs 7,500.
iii. Buyers can avail loan of up to 90% of the product value to be repaid in up to 36 months.
Other benefits include waiver of processing fee and a quick loan approval within an hour.

Nomura exits mutual fund JV with LIC


i. Tokyo based Nomura financial Services Company has wholly withdrawn its mutual fund joint
venture with LIC of India. In the aftermath LIC Nomura Mutual Fund has now been renamedLIC
Mutual Fund.
ii. Upon this LIC holds a 45 per cent stake and LIC Housing Finance a 20 per cent stake in the
venture, however Japanese firm, Nomura owns 35 per cent shares.
iii. LIC Nomura Mutual Fund has managed assets of almost Rs. 13.156 crore as of March this
year.

SEBI tightens P-Note norms to check money laundering


i. Mumbai based Securities and Exchange Board of India has tightened the norms for
Participatory Notes in order to check misuse of these instruments in round-tripping and money
laundering.
ii. This new directives for Offshore Derivative Instruments issuers need to come under the
KYC ambit of Indian norms and the subscribers early nod from the ODI issuer in the event of
transfer of the instruments to another offshore investor.
iii. The Market Watchdog Board also cleared the proposal of mandatory dividend distribution
policy for the top 500 listed firms also ODI issuers need to prior signal to the Financial
Intelligence in case of any suspicious transaction.

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United States based World Bank announced Pandemic Insurance plan to mobilize funds
The Pandemic Emergency Financing Facility will generate global and national responses to disease
outbreaks that threaten large population after the 2014 Ebola Disaster in West Africa
Pandemic Insurance Plan:

Announced by: The World Bank

To organize funds quickly against virulent disease outbreaks

Combination of disaster insurance and bonds

Reaction of World Bank to Ebola


World Bank head is a medical Doctor and expert on Health and disease put the bankresponse
to Ebola

The Bank took months to pay millions of dollars or deploying health personnel,
supplies and relief to Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia

Kim, the head announced the creation of the PEF at the gathering of G7 finance ministers in
Sendai, Japan with a $50 million contribution

Insurance Coverage:

Outbreaks of several classes of infectious diseases

Orthomyxoviruses: Influenza pandemic viruses A, B and C

Coronaviruses: SARS and MERS

Filoviruses: Ebola and Marburg and other zoonotic diseases

Zika virus not included, the deadly mosquito borne virus

Mostly spreads in America, whereas the bank is setting up separate emergency Cash
Window and other outbreaks not covered

Under the programme the 77 least developed countries will be covered by the
insurance

HSBC to halve branches in India as customers go digital


i. London based Hong Kong & Shanghai Banking Corporation Holdings will shut halve the number of
branch in India to 26 from the present 50 and keeping focus on retail banking over digital
channels,
ii. The Branch Shut will lead to over 300 employees being affected also less than one per cent
of its total workforce of over 33,000 people.
iii. The branches that are being closed service less than 10% of its Indian customers, also to be
noted that the bank has been present in India since 1853.

India signs loan agreement with World Bank for IBRD loan of US$ 100 million for
Karnataka Urban Water Supply Modernization project
i. The Loan and Project Agreements for World Bank (IBRD) assistance of US$ 100 million for the
Karnataka Urban Water Supply Modernization project were signed between Government of

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India/Government of Karnataka and the World Bank here today.
ii. The Project is aimed to provide city-wide access to a continuous piped water supply in the
eligible cities in Karnataka and also to reinforce the service delivery arrangements across the city.
iii. Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Development & Finance Corporation is the fulfilling agency for
the project. It will hold four key components such as (i) Capital Investment Program (ii)
Institution Building (iii) Technical Assistance for Sector Development and (iv) Project
Management.
iv. The project set to be executed over a period of 6 years, to begin with the twin cities of
Hubballi-Dharwad, with provision for other eligible cities to join the project later.

India Post payments bank to be operational from March 2017


i. Union IT & Communications Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad informed that India Posts payments
bank will start functioning from March 2017.
ii. The minister stated that the proposal to start the Payments will be kept before the cabinet and
postal payments bank will become operational from next march.
iii. The ministry will invest about Rs.800 crore ,Rs.400 crore by the department and the
remaining amount will be equity part which is aimed for financial inclusion.
iv. The payment bank approval from the Reserve Bank is valid for 18 months and all the entities
are required to submit a detailed business plan after they get final nod.

Govt revises norms of Performance in Credit Rating Scheme


i. Union Government has approved the revision in guidelines of the Performance in Credit Rating
Scheme to increase its credibility and effectiveness for both borrowers and banks.
ii. Performance and Credit Rating Scheme is implemented by Ministry of MSME through National
Small Industries Corporation.
iii. Meanwhile under this Scheme only rating agencies registered by SEBI and empanelled as
External Credit Assessment Institution (ECAI) by RBI would be eligible to work out rating of
MSEs.
iv. The revised guidelines makes the fee to be paid to the rating agencies shall be based on the
turnover of the micro and small enterprises which has been categorized into three pillars.
Turnover
Fee reimbursed by the MSME
Ceiling Amount
Up to Rs 50 lakh
75 percent of the fee charged by
Rs 15,000
the rating agency
Between Rs 50 lakh and 2 crore,
75 percent of the fee charged by
Rs 30,000
the rating agency
Above Rs 2 crore
75 percent of the fee charged by
Rs 40,000
the rating agency

World Bank group launches Pandemic Emergency Finance Facility


i. The World Bank Group has launched the much anticipated Pandemic Emergency Finance Facility

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to quickly mobilize funds to tackle global disease outbreaks and create a new insurance market for
pandemic risk.
ii. This facility is expected to bring the much needed coordination and speed for future global
disease outbreak response efforts.
iii. The intend of the Financing Facility, revealed at a G7 finance ministers meeting in Japan, is
to make funds instantly available for controlling the spread of particular infectious diseases,
thereby saving lives and money over the longer-term.

Cabinet gives ex-post facto approval to the Yes Banks proposal for increase in the FDI
limit
i. Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs headed by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has granted
ex-post facto approval to the proposal of Yes Bank for scale up in the foreign investment limit to
74% from the present foreign equity limit of 41.87%.
ii. This increase in the limit comes without any sub-limits, for investment by way of issue of nonequity shares and/or other permissible instruments to eligible non-resident investors.
iii. This approval comes of instruments that includes Qualified Institutions Placement (QIP) of
equity shares and/or issue of ADRs/GDRs and/or QFIs/FPIs under the Portfolio Investment Scheme
(PIS) by acquisition of permissible securities on stock exchange.

Bank of India to now settle tea e-auctions


i. Kolkata based Tea Board has designated Bank of India as the new settlement bank for PanIndia
E-auction from sale number 25. After IndusInd Bank lost the status and Rs 8,000 crore
business in the process.
ii. The biggest lender in the country SBI which handles eauction of tea for the KOLKATA auction
centre, will also lose the status of a settlement bank.
iii. The Mumbai based lender will start working as a settlement bank for all the six auction centresKolkata, Guwahati, Siliguri, Cochin, Coonoor and Coimbatore.

BUSINESS
Indian economy to grow 7.7% in FY17: FICCI Survey
FICCIs Economic Outlook survey said growth in 2016-17 is expected to be supported
by improvement in agricultural due to good monsoon and industrial sectors.
Forecast by Reserve Bank of India:
Forecasted 7.6 growth for the current fiscal due to favourable monsoon.
The agriculture sector is expected to witness growth of 2.8% in 2016-17, with a range
of 1.6% to 3.5%

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Industrial growth is expected to grow by 7.1% in 2016-17 and services sector growth
is estimated at 9.6%.
Indian Economy May See 7.8% Growth In FY17: Credit Suisse report
Credit Suisse report stated that Indian economy is expected a growth of 7.8 per
cent in the current fiscal year due to improvement in agriculture and private
consumption.
Swiss Financial Major: First Six months of 2016-17, growth will be increasing at current
levels, the improvement is take place in the second half of year.
Growth Forecast: Credit Suisse expected that growth to improve to 7.8% in current
fiscal from 7.5%
World Steel Association reported that India among top 10 steel importers in 2015
According to the data released by the Global Industry body World Steel Association, India
become the worlds third largest steel producer, was among the top 10
importers of the alloy in 2015.
India imported more than China in 2015 while India exported 6 mt of steel in
2015which was fraction of China Exported during the year at 111.6 mt
Steel demand will increase by 5.4 per cent in 2016 and 2017 reaching 88.3 mt in 2017.
Aditya Birla Fashion enters into binding MoU with Forever 21
i. Aditya Birla Groups Fashion and Retail Ltd (ABFRL) has entered into a binding
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with California-based fashion retailer Forever 21 to acquire
its India business from its Diana Retails which is the current franchise.
ii. The deal comes with an unspecified amount that includes the online and offline rights of Forever
21 for the Indian market and its store network in the India.
iii. The American Fashion retailing major Forever 21 has a network of more than 700
stores across the world.
India ranks on 5th Place in forge goods trade, China on Top in the list
India ranks fifth position in the exports of Fake goods globally, while china is No.1 in the list
with a huge 63 % share in the estimated half-a-trillion dollar worldwide imports of forged and
pirated goods.
Fake Good Trade Ranking
1
2
3
4
5

Nation
China
Turkey
Singapore
Thailand
India

% of Fake goods
63.2
3.3
1.9
1.6
1.2

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Listed by: OECD (Organisation Economic Cooperation and Development) and the European Unions
Intellectual Property Office
Ranking of Countries affected by global Trade in fake foods
1.US, 2.Italy, 3.France, 4.Switzerland and 5.Japan
Value of imported fake goods worldwide at USD 461 billion in 2013, compared with total imports in
world trade of USD 17.9 trillion

5% of goods imported into the European Union are fakes

Half a million customs seizures around the world over 2011-13

Fake products handbags, perfumes, machine parts, chemicals and footwear

Indias GDP likely to expand by 7.7% in FY17: NCAER


i. New Delhi based non-profit Economics think tank NCAER projected Indias economic growth rate
to grow marginally to 7.7 percent in 2016-17.
ii. Sub-par monsoon have resulted on the output in the last two years of the agriculture sector that
has witnessed meagre growth on account of drought in the past.
iii. The average rate of growth in the agricultural and allied sectors GDP for 2014-15 and 2015-16
has been a low 0.5 percent.
iv. Earlier the Confederation of Indian Industry of India predicted that it is likely to register a GDP
growth of around 8 percent in current fiscal.
v. IMD has predicted monsoon for this fiscal at 106 per cent of the Long Period Average with a
model error of 5 %.

Airtel, GBI announce partnership for West Asia


Indias biggest Telecom Giant Bharti Airtel Business and GBI have entered into a strategic
partnership to increase Airtels direct reach to many new countries in the Middle East.

The partnership is in line with the long-term strategy of Airtel Business expected to
increase the potential for the Middle East market

New Delhi based Bharti Airtel ranks among the top three mobile service providers
globally in terms of subscribers.

While GBI owns and operates a multilayer carrier neutral network offering services to
West Asian countries.

Zone Startups to launch accelerator for women entrepreneurs


i.Mumbai based Zone Startups to launch empower to support women entrepreneurs who are
building technology ventures. Zone Startups India is supported by Department of Science and
Technology.
ii.This is the six-week Programme and will be a first-of-its-kind. It is an international footprint of
the Ryerson University and the BSE Institute of BSE

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Apollo Hospitals signs MoU with Osler Health for research in chronic disease
Chennai based Apollo Hospitals has signed a MoU with William Osler Health System aims to
positively impact the health and wellness of the patients they serve.
i.Under this iniative scientists at the two organisations will begin by identifying areas of
cooperation, collaboration and innovation, particularly around the range of diseases like
diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and cancer.
ii.As Part of this move both sides will initiate a pilot project to enhance the continuity of care for
patients with complex needs travelling between India and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) in
Canada for extended periods of time.

Bitcoin creator confirms identity


i.Australian entrepreneur Craig Wright has publicly identified himself as Bitcoin creator Satoshi
Nakamoto. He has decided to make his identity known to stop the spread of misinformation about
the virtual currency.
ii.Craig Wright is the man previously known by the Satoshi Nakamoto. The computer scientist,
inventor and academic launched the currency date back in 2009 with the help of others.

Uber ties up with Alipay globally


i. American Online cab aggregator Uber and chinas e-commerce giant Alibaba Group has
announced a global partnership for payment platform Alipay,
ii. The tieup aims to bring better experiences for our users globally.
iii. This partnership facilitates Chinese travellers to enable rides through this solution in more
than 400 cities.

BHEL wins Rs 1,600 crore order form NTPC & SAIL JV


i. New Delhi based Engineering Company BHEL has bagged order worth of Rs 1,600-crore from a
joint venture company of NTPC and SAIL to set up a coal-based thermal power project in
Odisha.
ii. The proposed Thermal power plant of 1250 MW which is coal-based unit will be set up at
Rourkela Power Project on engineering, procurement & construction (EPC) basis.

Mphasis partners ToneTag for digital banking solutions


i. Bangalore based IT major Mphasis and Tone Tag a sound-based proximity communication
company entered into a strategic partnership to provide a range of digital banking solutions for the
banking and retail industries.
ii. Both the majors aim to enrich the retail experience in the offline establishments of both
banking as well as commerce industries.

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iii. Mphasis will collaborate to build solutions and be an integration partner for ToneTags
technology globally to facilitate contact-less proximity communication, location based
services and customer engagement services.

Capgemini launches digital literacy centre in Navi Mumbai


i. Capgemini jointly with Nasscom has launched their digital literacy centre at the Helen Keller
Institute of Deaf and Deaf & blind dedicated to training individuals in Digital Literacy in Panvel
and surrounding areas of Navi Mumbai.
ii. The initiative is intended at tie together the digital divide and creating a digitally literate and
empowered generation. The centre will be training over 1200 persons with disabilities.
iii. This is the ninth such centre launched as part of the National Digital Literacy Mission move
that will enable training infrastructure and trainers at the centre with the help of the institute and
the project implementation partner.

BHEL commissions 500 MW thermal power unit in Jharkhand


i. Public Sector undertaking, Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd has commissioned 500 MW
thermalpower unit at Bokaro Thermal Power-AStation of Damodar Valley
Corporation (DVC) in Jharkhand.
ii. With this the power major has added another coal-based power plant to the grid by successfully
commissioning thermal unit on engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) basis.

BHEL commissions 800 MW supercritical thermal unit in Karnataka


i. State-run power major Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd has commissioned the first 800 MW
supercritical thermal unit in Raichur, Karnataka and the second unit also in the advanced
stage of construction and is likely to be commissioned shortly.
ii. The unit has been commissioned at the 2800 MW Yeramarus Thermal Power Station (TPS)
located in Raichur district of Karnataka.
iii. The thermal unit has been developed by Raichur Power Corporation Ltd (RPCL) which is a joint
work of Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL) and BHEL.

BHEL commissions 600 MW thermal power plant in MP


i.Power major Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) announced the commissioning of a 600
MW coal-based thermal power plant in Madhya Pradesh.
ii.The Avantha groups Jhabua Power Ltd developed unit has been commissioned at the 1600
MW Thermal Power Project (TPP) located in Seoni district of Madhya Pradesh.
iii.This is the second project of APIL earlier the power major BHEL commissioned the 1600
MW in Chhattisgarh.

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iv.The New Delhi based BHEL will look into the contract envisaged design, engineering,
manufacture, supply, erection and commissioning of steam turbine, generator and boiler, along
with associated auxiliaries and electricals, besides controls and Instrumentation and electrostatic
precipitators.
Reliance Power to setup plant in Bangladesh
i. Reliance power is all set to setup a 3,000 MW LNG-based power plant in Bangladesh as its
Government of has granted in-principle approval for the first phase of Reliance Powers project
in the country.
ii. The first Phase of 750MW gas-based power plant established at Meghnaghat near Dhaka, along
with a floating storage of 2 million tonnes and regasification unit (FSRU) at Moheshkhali Island
in Bangladesh.
iii. This is set be the largest foreign direct investment in Bangladesh with a potential investment of
over USD 1.3 billion in the power sector. Total investment power plant together with LNG terminal
would be closely USD 3 billion.

BHEL Commissions 250 Mw Thermal Unit In Maharashtra


i. State-owned Bharat Heavy Electricals has successfully commissioned 250 MW thermal unit
in Maharashtra. This is the eighth coal-based unit commissioned by BHEL at Parli Power Station, in
Maharashtra.
ii. The unit has been commissioned at Parli Thermal Power Station located at Beed district in the
Marathwada region of Maharashtra.
iii. The project is owned by Maharashtra State Power Generation Company.BHEL has commissioned
16,000 MW of power generation capacity in Maharashtra, its highest in any single state.
iv. In the Performance manner the 200-270 MW rating class sets supplied by BHEL form
thebackbone of the Indian power sector and have been performing much above the national as well
as international Standards.

Union government approves proposal of Infosys to set up IT SEZ


i. Union government has approved the proposal of Infosys to set up an IT/ITeS special
economic zone in Bengaluru. The board has also approved application of Unitech Realty Projec
ii. The SEZ to come up in an area spread over 4 hectares. In this regard decision has been taken
by the Union inter-ministerial Board of Approval (BoA), headed by Commerce Secretary Rita
Teatia.
iii. The Board decided to extend the time limit to nearly around 20 developers to complete their
projects..

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Flipkart launches its map services, ties up with MapUnity
i. Bengaluru based Flipkart all set to launch its Maps service with Social Technology Lab by Dr.
Ashwin Mahesh MapUnity.
ii. MapUnity has started TechNagara social network for Smart Cities mission and a few other
prominent ones whch can be used for transport, energy, security, tourism for each city, 126 cities
in all.
iii. Flipkart Maps, a product possibly driven by Delhi-based digital mapping MapMyIndia by
Flipkart in an Rs 1600 crore deal in 2015, had certainly tied up with MapUnity.

Snapdeal ties up with UrbanClap to offer personal services on its Android app
i. New Delhi based E-commerce major Snapdeal in collaboration with UrbanClap inventory in its
Android mobile application to launch a personal services category to help consumers book
services ranging from beauty services at home to wedding photographers.
ii. The tie-ups will also help Snapdeal increase the number of transactions on the platform since
personal service is a high frequency category. These are service-oriented iniative that wont take
up any extra cost to the major.
iii.Experts saying that e-commerce players are experimenting ways to monetize traffic through
fewer cost-intensive models.

Union Government starts UBIN drive for budding entrepreneurs


i. Union Government has started the process for issuance of Unique Business Identification
Number (UBIN) to facilitate potential entrepreneurs set up their business without any delays.
ii. The drive has been launched by the Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP)
under the aegis of Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
iii. The move by DIPP is seen as a major step towards boosting ease of doing business and the
start-up India initiative also in line with the minimum government and maximum
governance movement of the government.

Government fixes ceiling price of 54 drug formulations


i. The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority fixed the ceiling price of 54 drug
formulations used for treatment of cancer and other diseases it also fixed the retail price of 11
drugs.
ii. The regulator has fixed/revised ceiling prices of Schedule-I under Drugs Price Control
Amendment Order, 2016 and Retail Price of 11 formulations under-2013 Amendment.

Nalco signs MoU with BARC for research and development


i. Bhubaneswar based National Aluminium Company has signed an MoU with Bhabha Atomic
Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai, for research and development cooperation in the fields of mutual

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interest.
ii. The pact was signed by BK Satpathy, Executive Director of NALCO and Jagtap, Director of
BARC.
iii. It will be NALCOs first R&D project with BARC for R&D projects like Extraction of Gallium
from Bayer liquor, Extraction of rare earth elements from Red Mud and Development of Reference
Standards would be taken up.

FPL ties up with Nokero to launch off grid solar products


i. Chennai-based FPL has partnered with America based Nokero Solar Equipment maker to launch
off-grid solar products and soon plans to manufacture in India.
ii. FPL currently makes engineering platsics while Nokero makes solar lights, phone chargers
and is a specialist in solar energy-related products.

SC strikes down TRAIs penalty on call drops


i. The Supreme Court struck down the TRAI regulation making it mandatory for telecom
companies to compensate subscribers for call drops levied by the Telecom Regulator.
ii. The court direction comes in the aftermath of clutch of petitions by Cellular Operators
Association of India, Unified Telecom Service Providers of India and 21 telecom operators.
iii. The petition is challenging sector regulator TRAIs notification asking them to pay compensation
to consumers Rs 1 for each call drop, subject to a maximum of three disrupted calls per day.

Indian e-commerce sector triples in five years: ASSOCHAM Report


ASSOCHAM Reported that Indian e-commerce sector growth triples in five years
The Indian E Commerce sector tripled or grew by 209% past 5 years. From $4.4 billion in 2010 to
$13.6 billion in 2014
Growth and Development in E-Commerce sector:
According to an Associated Chambers of Commerce & Industry of India
Countrys E-commerce market is expected to reach $38 billion (Rs 252,700 crore) in 2016.
According to Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Deloitte , a consultancy
The online retail sector in India is expected achieve $1 trillion (Rs 660,000 crore) market by
2020.
The Goods and Services Tax is expected to boost the growth of e-commerce by simplifying taxation
and logistics
Internet penetration across the country is rising with as many as 354 million users reported as of
September 2015

Tata Trusts inks pact with the/Nudge Foundation


i. Tata Trusts and Bangalore-based non-profit Nudge Foundation entered into a strategic

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partnership to help alleviate poverty through product innovation and capacity building.
ii. Under this tie-up Tata Trusts will help in much needed product innovation in the poverty
alleviation efforts, and support capacity building of the team to scale the results.
iii. The portfolio of the Trusts focuses on the inclusive growth of marginalised populations in
both rural and urban areas. Besides development of skills and building the capacity of Community
Based Organisations is an important focus area.
iv. This comes after the success of the recently concluded pilot iniative of both sides called
Mphasis Gurukul in Bangalore.

NTPC partners with Coal India Limited to foray into fertilizer sector
i. Power major NTPC signed a joint venture agreement with state-owned miner Coal India to
revive plants of the Fertilizer Corporation of India Limited (FCIL).
ii. The agreement was signed by NTPCs general manager Arun Kumar Gupta and Coal Indias
general manager T. Bandopadhyay.
iii. Under this joint venture company will take up the resumption of FCIL plants at Sindri in Bihar
and Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh by setting up an ammonia urea plant at each location.
iv. This move would initially be integrated with 50:50 equity participation from both,but also holds
provision of inducting strategic partners at a later date depending upon business requirement.

Ola signs MoU with govt. to benefit Safai Karamcharis


i. Cab aggregator Ola has signed a MoU with National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development
Corporation (NSKFDC) to focus on building a sustainable framework by supporting
entrepreneurship, skill development training and self-defence courses for Safai Karamcharis and
Scavengers.
ii. This partnership has the potential to generate synergies that will result in a better future for
driver entrepreneurs by creating sustainable careers and livelihoods for them.
iii. This initiative is in line with Olas mission to up-skill drivers and create an ecosystem that is
conducive for them to grow as entrepreneurs belonging to the families of Safai Karamcharis.

HP State Electricity Board, SECI form JV for solar projects


i. Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board and Solar Energy Corporation of India signed a pact to
form a 50:50 Joint Venture for implementation of solar power projects in the state.
ii. The total estimated cost of the project is pegged at Rs 30.72 crore. Solar Energy Corporation
of India Ltd (SECI) runs under the aegis of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
iii. Upon this pact a pilot 2.5 MW Solar Wind Hybrid Power Project would be set up at Rangrik
in Lahaul and Spiti district and would be completed by October, 2017.
Apple announces opening of its map development centre in Hyderabad
i. Tech giant Apple has opened a new development center in Hyderabad which will focus on

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development of Maps for iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch.
ii. This move from the company will make an investment of $25 million and accelerate Maps
development and create up to 4,000 jobs. The new facility will provide LEED-certified home for
the expanding Maps team.
iii. In a string of iniatives Apple is expected to open three retail stores will in Delhi, Bengaluru
and Mumbai in next 18 months.

Microsoft sells Nokia branding rights to HMD Global, Foxconn


i. Washington based technology major Microsofts Finland mobile makers Nokia mobile device
business, has decided to sell branding rights to Finnish firm HMD Global and contract manufacturer
Foxconn.
ii. Upon these agreements will make HMD the sole global licensee for all types of Nokia-branded
mobile phones and tablets for the next 10 years.
iii. The deal size is about $350 million also Microsoft transaction is expected to close in H2 of 2016.
iv. Nokia Technologies will receive royalty payments from HMD for sales of Nokia-branded mobile
products, covering both the brand and the intellectual property rights.

Apollo Health & Lifestyle to raise $135 million from IFC


i. Chennai-based Apollo Hospitals arm Apollo Health and Lifestyle is planning to raise $135
million from World Bank arm International Finance Corporation (IFC).This includes equity
investment of around $68 million.
ii. IFC includes around $34 million for its own account and around $34 million for IFCs Asset
Management Company.
iii. This funding expansion is used to open approximately 1,100 new centers and to cover the
losses that will continue to accrue until the centers reach maturity.
iv. The project is located in several cities throughout south and east India.

Mahindra inks brand licence agreement with Pininfarina


i. Mumbai based Mahindra & Mahindra has signed a brand licence agreement with
Italian car designer Pininfarina for using trademarks after closing the deal to acquire
76.06 per cent stake in the company.
ii. The Vehicle major had announced to acquire Turin-based Pininfarina for an overall
outgo of over 50 million Euros after months of negotiations last year. The acquisition
was passed out through a special purpose vehicle.

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PLACES IN NEWS
PM Narendra Modi to launch Solar Powered Boats at Assi Ghat in Varanasi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched solar powered boats and distributing 1,000 erickshaws to people in Varanasi
Venue: Varanasi DLW Ground 1000 E rickshaws
Assi Ghat on River Ganga Solar Powered boards
The PM flags off a fleet of 11 e-boats following by interaction with boatmen at the Assi ghat.

Worlds largest telescope may be set up in Ladakh


The world largest to be built called Thirty Metre Telescope (TMT) project may be set up at Hanle
in Ladakh. This is the effect of protests in Hawaii in the US which was proposed site for the
telescope.

This project in terms of finance and its scientific valueare also looking at alternate
sites both in the northern and southern hemisphere

The project site includes Chile, Hanle in Ladakh and others which are all being
evaluated for technical and logistical suitability

Kaleshwaram Irrigation Project launched in Telangana and Spices Park to be setup in


Nizamabad
Telagana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao performed the Bhoomi Puja for the Kaleshwaram
Project
Venue: Kaleshwaram pump house located at Mahadevpur mandal in Karimnagar
Aim: Connecting the Godavari River through a series of barrages, reservoirs and enhanced
irrigation schemes.
CM stated that new formed Telangana state will get water from both Krishna and Godavari rivers as
per allocations done

The State proposes about 160 tmc of water using lift irrigation facilities by utilizing water
from Pranahitha and Godavari at Medigadda in Karimnagar.

Chief Minister expressed his dreams towards the projects and laid the foundation stone
for the project.

He insisted to complete the project within two years.

Districts would be benefitted from the project: Hyderabad, Yellampalli, Mid-Manair and Medak

Telangana to set up Spices Park in Nizamabad


The Spices park will be set up in Padigal in Nizamabad district with investment of Rs. 31
Crore

Servicing to farmers in Nizamabad, Karimnagar, Adilabad and Warangal

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Total Areas covered: 40 Acres
Guest: Pocharam Srinivas Reddy, Minister of Agriculture and cooperation of State
Focus: On Turmeric Farmers, Eliminate Middlement and provide the farmers with affordable prices
for the commodity

Gangavati to get Asias first Rice Technology Park


i. Karnataka government has decided establish the Asias first Rice Technology Park at
Gangavati in Koppal district and a Maize Technology Park at Ranebennur in Haveri district.
ii. These parks to come with public-private participation model as a one-stop solution to all
problems of rice and maize growers. iii. Also it would help farmers to end their dependence on
mills in neighbouring States for processing paddy.

Manamadurai-Rameswaram rail track to become first green corridor

To make rail tracks discharge free zones

Indian Railway will convert into green corridor and zero toilet discharge section.

Train route: Nearly 114 km route between Rameswaram and Manmadurai in Tamil Nadu by
the end of this month.

3-day international Vichaar Mahakumbh begins in Ujjain, MP


i. RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat inaugurated the three 3-day Vichaar Mahakum international
conference, during Simhastha Kumbh is underway in Ujjain, MP.
ii. This move is to discover the solutions to various national and global problems from the
perspective of traditional values of life.
iii. Over 3,500 guests including heads of religious faiths and saints are expected to attend the
conference. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the valedictory session of the conference.
iv. The Conference will hold dialogues on various aspects of human welfare like Values, Religion,
Spirituality, Environment, Science and Womens Empowerment.

Indias first solar train set for trial run in Jodhpur


i. Indian Railways is all set to conduct trials of its first solar panel-powered train which will have
its lights &fans run on solar energy in Jodhpur.
ii. However the train will have Prime Mover as a conventional diesel-run engine, the solar energy
will be used for internal electricity gadgets.
iii. A train using solar power can reduce diesel consumption by up to 90,000 litres per year and
also bring down carbon dioxide emissions by over 200 tonnes.

Worlds largest Single Rooftop Solar Power Plant inaugurated in Amritsar


Investment: Rs 82 Crore (2012) to Rs. 10,000 Crore

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Employment Potential: 12,500
Worlds largest single rooftop stretch of 42 acre solar power plant of 11.5 Mw capacity was
installed in India
Inauguration by: New & Renewable Energy Resources Minister of Punjab Bikram Singh Majithia
Project at: Beas in Punjab
Second biggest Installed Project:
Mandalay Bay Resort Convention Centre, Las Vegas in the United States is next biggest solar
photovoltic power station

Trial run of Delhi Metros new driver-less train begins


i. The countrys first driverless-metro train was tested on track in the capital, equipped to run
on Unattended Train Operations mode.
ii. The train was flagged off by Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu and Delhi Chief
Minister Arvind Kejriwal at new Mukundpur depot.
iii. The trial run started at the Mukundpur depot and ended at Majalis Park station on the Majlis
Park-Shiv Vihar corridor.
iv. The train brought from South Korea, It has wi-fi, USB ports, charging points, LED and LCD
screens and backrest near the wheel-chair area.

E-municpal council building to come up in Bundi, Rajasthan


i. Rajasthans Bundi is all set get an e-municipal council to provide files at a click, and detailed
digital mapping with a database of its demographical and geographical information.
ii. The council would come up in Bundi in next six to eight months, also the municipal data fileswill
soon be digitised and can be accessed from anywhere on phones and computers.
iii. The council office would make its revenue by selling accurate data and documents to the
other government and non-government departments.
iv. The proposed office comes with solar panels and biometric entry and exit, that allows anyone
would be able to view data on screen with a click through an e-processor.

SUMMITS & CONFERENCES


Global conference on women empowerment held in New Delhi
i. A six-day long global conference envisioned on economic empowerment of women to foster
leadership and entrepreneurship was held in New Delhi.
ii. Women across many countries and all walks of life will meet to discuss social empowerment,
leadership, economic, business and social issues such as innovation, start-ups, leadership,
entrepreneurship, business and globalisation, diplomacy, sustainable development, peace and

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spirituality, social empowerment, environment and art.
iii. The Women Economic Forum is being hosted by All Ladies League with a theme
of Women:Uplifting and Uniting the World.
Landmark meeting of SAARC Countries on protection of Children held in Delhi
Initiative: The eight nations composing the South Asia Initiative to End Violence Against
Children (SAIEVAC) are assembled.
Eight Nations : Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka
Venue and Date: New Delhi, 9th-11th May, 2016.
Purpose : To set strategies and agree on commitments to ensure the protection and security of
the children of the region.
Meeting hosted by: Ministry of Women & Child Development, Government of India.
Meeting chaired by: Maneka Sanjay Gandhi,The Minister of Women and Child Development.
Ministerial meeting addressed by : Secretary General of SAARC, Mr. Arjun Bahadur Thapa
Steps taken:
1. Focusing on critical issues of child protection and violence in the region.
2. Delegates from the governments and civil society organizations from eight states will
assess progress and developments of the past decade of regional effort.
3. Identify priorities for SAIEVAC for the nextfive years.
4. To provide the high-level regional leadership to set the course for SAIEVACs next
period of regional action.

India, US hold first Maritime Security Dialogue and made defence cooperation with one
another
In order to promote the partnership in the Maritime Field, India and US made the
successful first round of discussion under the Maritime Security Dialogue
First round of Discussion: Discover the scope of maritime cooperation under the framework of
this maritime dialogue at the bilateral and multilateral level to be brought up
Venue: New Delhi
Issues Discussed:

Asia-Pacific Maritime Challenges

Naval Cooperation

Multilateral Engagement

Delegates: Officials of Defence and External Affairs Ministries and US Counterparts


Represents India:
1. Joint secretary in charge of Planning and International Cooperation (PIC) in the Ministry of
Defence Shambhu Kumaran
2. Ministry of External Affairs Joint secretary MunuMahawar
Represents America:

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1. Assistant secretary of Defence for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs David Shear
2. Deputy assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asian Affairs ManpreetAnand
3. Vice-Admiral Joseph Aucoin
Initiatives Agreed:
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and U.S. counterpart Ashton Carter acceded the major
initiatives while on visit to India as part of the maritime security objectives under the India-US
Joint Strategic Vision for the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean Region.

Agreed to launch a bilateral Maritime Security Dialogue

White shipping technical arrangement to improve data sharing on commercial


shipping traffic

Navy-to-Navy discussions on submarine safety and anti-submarine warfare

National Conference on Gaushalas Inaugurated


i. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Department of Animal Husbandry,
Dairying & Fisheries organized a day-long national conference on Gaushalas -cowsheds.
ii. Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Prakash Javadekar underlined that villages
were traditionally planned in such a manner that there were facilities for human beings and fodder
for animals.
iii. The Ministry is mulling for draft of a policy is being prepared, which will include a provision to
provide protein-rich fodder free of cost to the people living in villages adjoining the jungles.

49th Annual Meeting of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) started at Frankfurt
(Germany)
Meeting: 49th
Venue: Messe Frankfurt, Germany
The 49th Annual General Meeting of ADB is being held from May 2-5 at Frankfurt, Germany.
The Asian Development Outlook 2016 predicts the growth rates to 5.7% each in 2016 and
2017, from 5.9% projected last year.
Participants on theme Asian Economic Outlook 2016

ADB President Takehiko Nakao

Indonesia Finance Minister Bambang PS Brodjonegoro

Pakistan Finance Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar

Regional Head for Greater China and ASEAN

Commerzbank AG, Agnes Vargas

Indian Finance Minister Arun Jaitley

Participation from India:

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley representing India along with Economic Affairs Secretary
Shaktikanta Das and departure to Germany on 3rd May 2016.

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FinMin Focus: Performance of the Indian economy and highlight micro and macroeconomic
indicators of the economy

FinMin Agenda: Co-operation with ADB in development

International Buddhist conference begins in Nepal to remember the Buddha Birthday


Anniversary
A two-day International Buddhist conference to remember the 2,560th birth anniversary of
Lord Buddha began
Inauguration by Nepal Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli
Focus: Buddhism as a means to avoid extremism in all forms
Delegates: About 1200 from 28 countries
Venue: Nepal
Days: May 19-20
Theme: Lumbini, Nepal: the birth place of Lord Buddha and the fountain of Buddhism and world
peace
Main Objective:

To highlight Lumbini as birth place of Lord Buddha and the foundation of Buddhism

Buddhist scholars and monks will be presenting working papers on various topics such as,
Good governance and Buddhism, Buddhism its beginning and continuity, and Three
fold body of Buddha.

Buddha Jayanthi Celebration:


Venue: Lumbini
Chief Guest: President Bidya Devi Bhandari

President will announce the winner of Lord Buddha Peace Prize worth USD 50,000.

Delegates from Bhutan, Thailand, Korea, Sri Lanka and Malaysia

The conference will come up with a declaration based on presentations from national and
international Buddhist scholars

Beijing-New Delhi Yoga Conference opens in China


i. Chinese yoga practitioners gathered in large numbers over 1,000 for a group performance in
Kunming in China to open the China-India Yoga Conference. The conference in underway.
ii. The five day conference to be held between May 18 and 22 will feature activities including
courses from Indian yoga masters and yoga introductions for communities.
iii. The Yoga gathering was organised by the Foreign Affairs and Overseas Chinese affairs
offices and the China-India Yoga College in Kunming.

First world conference on tourism for development held in Beijing to step up


International Cooperation

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First World Conference on Tourism for development to promote the tourism in lifting people out of
Poverty and Building peace
Venue: Beijing, China
Inauguration By: Taleb Rifai, Secretary General of the UN World Tourism Organization
Participants: about 1000
Held from 18 to 21 May 2016
Theme: Tourism for Peace and Development
Organized by: UNWTO and the Government of China
Sessions:
i. Sustainable Development Group Integrated approach to tourism development
ii. Tourism for Poverty Reduction Governments, the international community, the private
sector and academia can collaborate to enhance tourisms contribution to poverty reduction
iii. Tourism for peace- focused on the links between tourism and the building blocks of peace

2016 Women Economic Forum (WEF) hosted by India and organized by All Ladies League
The ALL Ladies League (ALL) organised the Women Economic Forum (WEF) from May 16-21,
2016 in New Delhi, India
Theme: Women: Uplifting and Uniting the World
Participants: 1500 women from 75 countries
Sessions: 408 sessions on 28 themes like business, technology, entrepreneurship, industry,
health, travel, spirituality, peace, diplomacy, security, conflict resolution, personal leadership,
innovation, research
Goal: Energize womens entrepreneurship and leadership
Objectives:
1. Improve womens economic progression
2. Leadership skills
3. Active change agents in all spheres of self and society
Women Economic Forum (WEF) 2016

Setting up movement of Womens leadership quality

Powerful, Positive and Purposeful energy of multidimensional thought Leadership and


Friendship

Movement of women engages with men as well

Approximately30% of the total speakers to be men and in participants around


10%

Vision led by women to bring more inclusion, inspiration and innovation to not just
women but to ALL through the sacred path of engaged womens leadership in ALL spheres
of life.

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G7 finance summit held in Japan
i. The G7 finance summit begins at Sendai in Japan to give fillip for balancing the growth of the
global economy amid the slowing down of the Chinese economy and those of other emerging
countries.
ii. This is the first such meeting where macroeconomic challenges urged and seek ways to inspire
growth and check instability in markets by pooling together macroeconomic agendas.
iii. The worlds seven most developed countries will be represented by finance ministers and
governors of the central banks.
iv. G7 representatives and their European Union counterparts met informally in the forum
titled Future of the Global Economy.

World Humanitarian Summit held at Istanbul


UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon inaugurated the first world humanitarian summit
Purpose: World leaders to be committed to improving the humanitarian responses to crises
Venue: Istanbul
Features of the Summit:

World leaders to align themselves with the five core responsibilities

Preventing and ending conflicts

Respecting the rules of war

Five Core Responsibilities


The United Nations Secretary-General has called for humanitypeoples safety, dignity andthe right
to thriveto be placed at the heart of global decision-makin

Prevent and End Conflict

Respect Rules of War

Leave no one behind

Working differently to end need

Invest in Humanity

New fund Education Cannot Wait launched at UN World Humanitarian Summit


The United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) announced the launch of a new fundEducation Cannot
Wait fund at the World Humanitarian Summit (WHS)
Venue: Istanbul, Turkey
Purpose: To better coordinate support for and drive investment in education for children and youth
affected by humanitarian emergencies and protracted crises
Aims:
About 13.6 million children and youth living in crisis situations such as conflict, natural disasters
and disease outbreaks, with quality education over the next five years.
Funding Target: $3.85 billion over five years

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Current Affairs PDF: May 2016

RANKINGS & REPORTS


India ranks ninth in crony-capitalism index
India is ranked at ninth position in crony-capitalism with crony sector wealth accounting
for 3.4 per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP).
As per the latest crony-capitalism index, the noncrony sector wealth amounts to

8.3 per cent of the GDP.


Forbes published : List of the worlds billionaires and their worth.

Germany is the cleanest with least number of crony capitalists.

Russia fares worst in the index, wealth from the countrys crony sectors amounts
to 18 per cent of its GDP.
Russia tops the list followed by Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore.

Recent Study:
Being tumbled energy and commodity prices politically connected tycoons has been felt

the squeeze in recent years.


Among the 22 economies in the index, crony wealth has fallen by USD 116

billion since 2014.


Golden age for crony capitalists:

The past 20 years, tycoons active in industries where chumminess with government.

Their combined fortunes have dropped 16 per cent since 2014.

The worth of billionaires in crony industries increased by 385 per cent between
2004 and 2014 to USD 2 trillion.

India tops global slavery index with 18.35 mn people enslaved


India witnessed of having the highest number of people in the world ensnared in slavery
with 18.35 million according to the Global Slavery Index report, which estimated that
around 46 million enslaved globally
Causes: Forced labour, Prostitution and Beggings.
Index: 2016 Global Slavery Index
Released by: Australia-based Human rights group Walk Free Foundation.
India becomes 5th largest producer of e-waste in world: ASSOCHAM-KPMG study
India has become the Fifth largest producer of e-waste in the world, wastages roughly 18.5
Lakh metric tonnes of electronic waste and telecom equipment accounting for 12%.
Study taken by: ASSOCHAM and KPMG
Sources:

India emerged as the Second largest mobile market with 1.03 billion subscribers

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About 100 crore mobile phones in circulation, nearly 25 per cent end up in e-waste
annually

Suggestions:

E-waste collection are implemented in a phased manner

To reduce the various audits being conducted by various authorities

India third in attractiveness index of renewable energy: EY Report


India ranks at third position after the United States and China in the category of Renewable
Energy Country Attractiveness Index reported by EY.
India achieved the position due to strong focus of the Government stress on Renewable Energy
with the implementation of Renewable energy projects
Rank 1: United State, Rank 2: China and Rank 3: India

Ranked on the basis of Size and Scale of renewable activity

Emerging markets represent half of the countries in the 40 strong index including four
African markets featuring in the Top 30

Before 10 years China and India were the major attractive markets for renewable energy
investment. Chile, Brazil and Mexico also enhanced and topped in the list.

The report demonstrated that low solar bids are not a phenomenon that is restricted to
India, but other countries such Mexico, Dubai have also been reported low solar bids.

In India, wind continues to be at a pricing premium to solar in rest of the world.

But both these technologies challenging towards grid parity which not lead traditional
utility business models

RGI releases Census 2011 data on Households by religion, Sex of head of household and
household size
Registrar General and Census Commissioner released the Census Data 2011 on Households by
religion, sex of head of household and household size depicts the percentage of households
to total households in main six religious communities.
Table reveals the Total No. of household & % of Total Households
Religious Communities
Total no. of households
Percentage to Total
households
(in million)
1
2
3
Total Households
248.8
100.0
Hindu
202.4
81.3
Muslim
31.2
12.5
Christian
6.3
2.5
Sikh
4.1
1.7
Buddhist
1.9
0.7
Jain
0.9
0.4
The Data not to be tallied to cent percent whereas Region not stated and Others are not
added

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The Highest & Lowest % of female headed
1. 17.4% in Christian Community
2. 15.9% in Buddhist Community
The Lowest % of Female headed 11.5% in Jain Community
Graph depicts the Average Household Size in 2011.
Green Depicts Men Headed and Pink depicts the Women Headed
Sex wise variation is highest among Hindu community

Male headed Household size 4.9

Female headed Household size 3.8

Sex wise Variation is lowest among Sikh community

Male headed Household size 5.1

Female headed House Hold size 4.6

World Wildlife Fund released report titled Protecting People through Nature
Report named Protecting People through Nature was released by World Wildlife Fund as
main title and Natural World Heritage sites as Drivers of sustainable Development as Sub
title
Released by: World Wildlife Fund
Report

In 96 countries, around 229 natural and mixed World heritage sites including
Western Ghats facing Threats

These sites are affected due to their distinctive values, migration the livelihoods and well
being of human

Report with respect to India

Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area, Kaziranga National Park, Keoladeo
National Park, Manas Wildlife Sanctuary, Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks,
Sundarbans National Park and Western Ghats

Indian sites, namely Manas Wildlife Sanctuary, Sundarbans National Park, and the serial
sites of Western Ghats are threatened by harmful activities such as mining.

Western Ghats gives supports to endangered Asian elephants and vulnerable Indian
bison, faces the extractive threats

Extractive Threats: oil & gas concessions and mines & mining concessions

Sundarbans National Park and Manas Wildlife Sanctuary are facing non-extractive
threats.

The non extractive threats include dams, water use (unsustainable water use), Wood
harvesting, Aquaculture (overfishing), Roads & Railways, Shipping lanes and Service lines

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75 million children in desperate need of education support: UNICEF
i. UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Orlando Bloom visit to conflict-hit eastern Ukraine which came
as new findings show that nearly a quarter of the worlds school-aged children 462 million now
live with affected by crisis.
ii. The UNICEF observed that only 2% of global humanitarian appeals are on average dedicated

India has secured ninth position in the 2016 Foreign Direct Investment Confidence Index
Vikas Kaushal Speech:
He said that being grown belief among global business leaders that India is finally embarking on a
growth path that will see it unlock its full potential.

He also noted the government has kick started reforms and has undertaken various
measures to boost domestic demand, employment and macroeconomic stability
in the country.

He clarified that the global economic environment continued uncertainity in


India and it is likely to fastens the growth rate.

The Index of a London:

The Index of a London-based consulting firm progresses political, economic, and


regulatory changes which likely affect FDI.

The Index is constructed using primary data from a proprietary survey administered to senior
executives of the worlds leading corporations.

Economic Survey:
In this years survey, 32 per cent of the respondents suggested that more optimistic about
Indias economic overview over the next three years.
Rank Postions of Various Countries:

The US and China hold top two positions in FDI Confidence Index

Canada ranked at third position.

Germany secured fourth position.

The UK, Japan, Australia and France secured the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth
position

Singapore secured the tenth position.

Mumbais international airport four times more assemblages than other airports
Airport : The Chhatrapati Shivaji International airport
Situated in : Mumbai
More crowd of passengers per acre than any other major airport throughout the world.

According to Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL), about 34,000 passengers


rushing for space in an acre at the international airport.

Comparisons:

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Indias busiest airport- Delhis Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport caters to
8,980 passengers per acre.

Bangalore International Airport is 4,528 passengers per acre.

Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad, is 2,197 passengers per acre.

The passengers per acre of Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok, is 5,238.

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Texas, is 3,566 passengers per acre.

Promotion:
Mumbai airport now promoted as a catchment area for traffic from 28 Indian cities.
Observance:

According to MIALs data, transit traffic is estimated to touch 4.4 million this year from
1.8 million in 2011.

Numbers growing in Mumbai by 5.1 million between 2014 and 2015,the succeeding 12month passengers per acre at the city airport saw a swift rise.

T2,The airports newest integrated terminal, opened in 2014, the passenger-to-area ratio
was 21,743 for an acre. This rise to 34,148 in a year.

To End AIDS Epidemic By 2030 needed more funding and leadership : UN


U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki Moon submitted report on May 09, 2016.
United Nations Head Ban Ki-moon statement:

To Fight against AIDS threatened by lack of money and leadership.

Global progress fighting AIDS could be lost because prevention programs are suffering
from a lack of leadership, accountability and funding.

Being tackled the epidemic has been inspiring, with a 42 % decline in AIDS-related
deaths since a peak in 2004.

U.N. News Centre:

New U.N. report shows that urgent action is needed to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030.

It could be lost urges all partners to concentrate their efforts to increase front-load
investments.

Two out of top 5 worlds most polluted cities in India, Delhi ranks 11th
WHO reported that India is home to four of the five cities in the world with worst air pollution.
2 most polluted cities out of top 5:

Gwalior 2nd

Allahabad 3rd

Other Two Indian Cities:

Patna 6th

Raipur 7th

The dirtiest air was recorded at Zabol in Iran

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WHO experts reported that India faces a huge challenge, many countries are so bad that they
have no monitoring system and cannot be included in its ranking.
Delhi ranks 11th

Measured by the amount of particulate matter (PM) under 2.5 micrograms found in every
cubic metre of air, with an annual average PM 2.5 measurement of 122.

Due to toxic air by limiting the use of private cars on the road for short periods

United Nations released World Cities Report 2016 Urbanisation and Development:
Emerging Futures report
UN reported that India is planned to add 300 million new urban residents by 2050 and it is
required to build Climate Friendly cities to deal the challenge of accommodating the needs of the
Population growth

The first World Cities Report 2016 Urbanisation and Development: Emerging
Futures

In India

Contribution of urban areas more than 60 per cent of the GDP and an extra 300 million
new urban residents are projected by 2050

Urged the Government of India to build 100 new cities with low infrastructure, denser
and low energy to avoid the addition of Greenhouse gases

Expanding urban populations in Mega cities in South Asian Countries


1. Bangladesh Dhaka
2. India Mumbai and Delhi
3. Pakistan Karachi and Lahore
Steps taken by India:

Decided to build 100 smart cities in response to the countrys growing population and
pressure on urban infrastructure

Information and Communication Technology towards sustainable development,


participatory governance models, the right infrastructure and technical platforms

Report Stated that:


China, India and Brazil have become major sites for business investment, presenting global
companies with unprecedented opportunities for research and development

In India, between 2000 and 2005, urban employment grew at a rate of 3.22 % and rural
employment grew by 1.97 %

Taj Mahal in top 5 tourist attractions in the world and Second position in Asia: Survey
Most Iconic wonders of the world, The Taj Mahal has been surveyed as top five tourist spots in
the world and Second in Asia.

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Surveyed by: Travel Planning and Booking site TRIP advisor
Awards: TripAdvisors Travellers Choice Landmarks Awards
No: 1 Machu Picchu in Peru
No: 2 Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi
The Destinations were estimated using the rules that reviewed the Quantity and Quality of reviews
and ratings gathered over a 12-month

Trip Advisor India Country Manager Nikhil Ganju expressed that India has a rich Cultural
History and Architectural landmarks that built and recognized on the world stage.

World Health Statistics 2016: Monitoring Health for the Sustainable Development Goals
World Health Statistics for the year 2016 have been reported by World Health Organization
about Life Expectancy since 2000.
Trends in Life Expectancy:

Increased by 5 years between 2000 and 2015 and increasing from 1960

Reverse trend happened during 1990s in Africa due to AIDS and Easter Europe because
of Collapse of Soviet Union.

The increase was in the African Region where life expectancy increased by 9.4 years to 60
years due to improvements in child survival, malaria control and expanded
access to antiretrovirals for treatment of HIV

Global life expectancy for children born in 2015 was 71.4 years (73.8 years for females
and 69.1 years for males)
1. Highest Life Expectancy 86.6 years Women in Japan
2. Highest Life Expectancy 81.3 years Men in Switzerland
3. Lowest Life Expectancy 50.8 years Women in Sierra Leone
4. Lowest Life Expectancy 49.3 years Men in Sierra Leone
Healthy life expectancy 63.1 years globally (64.6 years for females and 61.5 years for
males)
Focus: Disease-specific health targets for 2015
Statement of Report:

Inequalities in access to health services within countries

National average for a set of reproductive, maternal and child health services

Country where equal access to services for Reproductive, Maternal, New Born and Child
Health
Swaziland, Costa Rica, Maldives, Thailand, Uzbekistan, Jordan and Mongolia
World Health Statistics 2016

303000 women die due to complications of pregnancy and childbirth

2 million people are newly infected with HIV, and there are 9.6 million new TB cases
and 214 million malaria cases

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25 million people die from road traffic injuries

3 million people die due to air pollution caused by cooking fuels

40 million Indians at risk from rising sea levels: UNEP


According to the UN environment report over 40 million people in India will be put at risk from
rising sea levels by 2050.

The Report points out Mumbai and Kolkata having the maximum exposure to coastal
flooding in future due to rapid urbanisation and economic growth.

Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, and the Philippines,are expected to have storm
surge with a combined total of over 58 million people at risk by 2050.

The report also emphasized that global urban populations are projected to scale up by 5
billion by 2050, with nearly 90 per cent ofthe increase in Asia and Africa.

Countries in Asia will face Risk:


Seven of the 10 most vulnerable countries
S.No
Country
1
India
2
Bangladesh
3
China
4
Philippines

worldwide are in the Asia Pacific region.


Estimated People Under Risk
40 million
25 million
20 million
15 million

Exposure to Coastal Flooding:


It warned that by 2070 the following cities projected to have coastal flooding in 2070 due to their
fixed location.
S.No
1
2
3
4
5
6

City
Mumbai and Kolkata
Guangzhou and Shanghai
Dhaka
Yangon
Bangkok
Ho Chi Minh City and HaiPhong

Country
India
China
Bangladesh
Myanmar
Thailand
Vietnam

IIM-A, IIM-B climb positions on Financial Terms Executive Education rankings


Institutes: Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIMA) and Bangalore (IIMB)
Achievements: They improved their positions on the Financial Times global rankings for Executive
Education programs in custom and Open categories for 2016.
Ranking Status:
i) Open Category

IIM-B shifted the rank from 53rd to 57th in the year 2016

IIM-A debuted at 67th rank

ii)Custom category

IIM-B top ranked among Indian B Schools

iii) Custom executive education category

For executive education at 47th rank from 57th rank in 2015

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IIMA was ranked at 74th position from 83rd rank in 2015

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS


A.R Rahman conferred with Japans Fukuoka prize 2016
i. Legendary Oscar winning musiccomposer A.R. Rahman was named the recipient of
the Fukuoka Prize-2016 of Japan for his outstanding contribution towards creating,
preserving and showcasing South Asian traditional fusion music.
ii. The Musician has been invited to the Fukuoka to give a public lecture on From the
Heart: The World of A.R Rahmans Music.
Fukuoka Prize:
The Prize is an award established by Fukuoka, Japan and the Yokatopia Foundation, to
honour the outstanding work of individuals or organisations in preserving or creating
Asian culture.
Pope Francis Awards Medals to Richard Gere, George Clooney, Salma Hayek
i. Pope Francis awarded medals to American Hollywood actors Richard Gere and George
Clooney and actress Salma Hayek at an event held at the Vatican
ii. This award is to promote the work of a foundation inspired by the pontiff, Scholas
Occurrentes foundation.
iii. These actors had agreed to be ambassadors for one of the foundations arts projects
for the foundation named schools that meet in Spanish, links technology with the arts,
aiming at social integration and a cultural of peace.
Virat Kohli named T20 Player of the year, Ashwin best bowler at Ceat Award
event
The CEAT Cricket Awards 2015-16 was presented with the cream of Indian cricket in
attendance in Mumbai.

The Award winners:


International Cricketer of the Year
International Batsman of the Year
International Bowler of the Year
Test Cricketer of the Year
ODI Cricketer of the Year
T20 Player of the Year
Indian Cricketer of the Year

Joe Root
Joe Root
R Ashwin
Kane Williamson
Martin Guptill
Virat Kohli
Rohit Sharma
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Domestic Cricketer of the Year
Young Player of the Year
Special Award
Lifetime Achievement Award

Shreyas Iyer
Rishabh Pant
Ajinkya Rahane.
Dilip Vengsarkar.

Modis mother given Nari Jagran Samman 2016 award


i. Prime Minister Narendra Modis mother Heeraben was presented with the Nari Jagran
Samman 2016 award by the Nari Jagran magazine in Varanasi.
ii. Nari Jagran magazines editor Meena Chaubey and another member Ashok Chaurasia
presented the award to Mr. Somabhai who is the elder brother of Modi received the
award on behalf of his mother as she has difficulty in travelling.
President Pranab Mukherjee Presents Malti Gyan Peeth Puraskars
i. The President Pranab Mukherjee presented the Malti Gyan Peeth Puraskars for the
year 2016 at a function held at Rashtrapati Bhavan New Delhi.
Malti Gyan Peeth Puraskars:
It was instituted by Mohinder Singh Syngle Education & Research Society in honour of its
founder Malti Mohinder Singh Syngle, eminent educationist.
The award presented annually since 2013 to Government school teachers from Punjab
Governments High & Higher Secondary Schools receive this award for their contributions
in the field of education.
This award carries one lakh cash prize, certificate of excellence, a robe of honour and a
medal.
Indian author Aditi Krishna kumar won Scholastic Asian Book Award
i. Indian Author Aditi Krishna kumar won the Scholastic Asian Book Award for her
32,000 word manuscript embedded in love of Indian history
ii. Presented by: Low Yen Ling, Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Education and
Ministry of Trade and Industry
iii. Venue: Asian Festival of Childrens Content, in Singapore
iv. Prize Money: 10,000 Singapore Dollar
v. Manuscript: Codex: The Lost Treasure of the Indus
Telangana survey enters Limca Book
i. Telangana governments the house-to-house survey carried out in August 2014 in a
single day with a marathon function of gathering entire information of people enters into
the history of Limca Book of Record.
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ii. The survey involved 4 lakh government employees who covered over 1.09
crorehouseholds in a single day, between 7am and 8pm.
iii. The survey was carried out to ascertain the social and economic status of citizens to
identify the real beneficiaries of the government welfare schemes.
Indian-American Scientist Arnab De Wins Springer Theses Award
i. An Indian-American scientist Arnab Dehas awarded with the prestigious Springer
Theses Award for his outstanding research in which he developed transgenic mice to study
a critical tumour-suppressor called A20.
ii. Arnab has also developed peptide-based prodrugs as therapeutics for diabetes, had
received the Young Investigator Award at the American Peptide Symposium.
iii. For this thesis prize is awarded by Springer he was nominated by New Yorks Columbia
University also the winners also get a cash prize of 500 euros.
iv. Globally top-ranked research institutes select their best thesis annually for publication
in the book series: Springer Theses: Recognising Outstanding PhD research.
Indian-American Rishi Nair wins 28th annual National Geographic Bee
Competition
Venue: National Geographic headquarters Washington, United States
Edition: 28th Annual National Geographic Bee
He received a $ 50,000 college scholarship and a lifetime membership in the National
Geographic Society.
About Rishi Nair: 12 year old Indian born American student & Sixth grade student from
Florida.
Sunil Bharti Mittal receives this years Harvard Alumni award
i. Telecom Tycoons Bharti Enterprises founder and Chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal has
awarded with Harvard Business School Alumni Achievement Award for this year.
ii. Mittal has served on the Harvard Business Scholl Board as a Deans Advisor since
2010.
Harvard Business School Alumni Achievement Award
iii. The award presented annually since 1968.
iv. It is the highest honour the Harvard Business School confers on its alumni who have
contributed significantly to their companies and communities.
Arunachal tiger reserve bags biodiversity award
i. Pakke Tiger Reserve of Arunachal Pradesh has awarded with the India
BiodiversityAward 2016 at a ceremony held in Mumbai.
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ii. The Horn bill Nest Adoption Programme of the Pakke Tiger Reserve was awarded the
prize under the one of its four categories titled-conservation of threatened species.
iii. This is a joint initiative of the Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ministry
National Biodiversity Authority and United Nations Development programme to recognize
the contribution of a range of stakeholders on the way to the conservation of
biodiversity.
Horn bill Nest Adoption Programme:
iv. The Programme is for the conservation of four hornbill species that are found in the
adjoining areas and urban citizens in the vicinity contributed as money to protect hornbill
nests around Pakke Tiger of Pakke Tiger Reserve
Indian artist, Anjali Chandrashekar wins award at UN poster contest on N-disarmament
22 year old Indian Artist Anjali Chandrashekar won award at UN poster contest on NDisarmament and appreciated by UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon.
The competition was structured to remember the anniversary of the first UN General Assembly
resolution adopted in 1946 establishing a Commission to deal with problems related to the
discovery of atomic energy.
Title of the Competition: Cutting Barriers through Peace
Winners:
First Prize: Ivan Ciro Palomino Huamani
38-year-old artist from Peru for his Spinning Peace
Features a nuclear weapon being unraveled into string which is then used to fly kites and balloons
and to jump rope
Second Prize: Michelle Li
15-year-old, named her poster as Peace in our Hands
Features a shadow puppet of a peace dove above a broken nuclear weapon
Third Prize: Anjali Chandrashekar
New York-based designer
Won for poster of a peace dove slicing through a nuclear weapon
Honourable mentions:
Nine honorable mentions were chosen from among more than 4,100 entries representing 123
countries including Break free by the Chennai girl shows doves flying out of a bird cage at the top
of a nuclear weapon
Award presented by: UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.
The youngest artist in the competition was 10 years old.

ISRO ex-chairman UR Rao becomes first Indian in International Astronautical


Federations Hall of Fame

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i. Former ISRO scientist and Professor Udupi Ramachandra Rao will be honoured with the 2016
IAF Hall of Fame Award by the International Astronautical Federations for his immense
contribution to the progress of astronautics.
ii. This honour consists of a permanent gallery of these personalities, including a citation,
biographical information and a picture, in a special part of the IAF web presence.

Kerala bags LPMIs Best Family Destination 2016 award


i. Kerala has been awarded the best family destination in the country in the Lonely Planet
Magazine India Travel Awards 2016.
ii. The state Tourism Director U V Jose received the award at a function in Mumbai in an annual
awards showcase the best travel experiences available to Indians and anoint the best service
providers the magazine observed.
iii. Kerala had earlier bagged the Ulysses Prize of the United Nations World Tourism
Organisation for its contribution as a global leader to sustainable tourism.
Uday Kotak sole Indian financier in Forbes most powerful list
Chief of Kotak Mahindra Bank : Uday Kotak

Assets worth about 7.1 billion dollars

His name added in the Forbes list of 40 of the most powerful people in the financial
world as an Indian.

He uses to control the flow of trillions of dollars around the global economy.

Kotak is ranked 33rd in the Forbes list of Money Masters: The Most Powerful People in
the Financial World

Blackstone Groups CEO Stephen Schwarzman in topped ranking assets worth about
10.2 billion.

His oversees assets worth of 344 billion dollars.

Forbes Announcements:

PMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon on the third rank

Berkshire Hathaway head Warren Buffet fourth rank

Goldman Sachs Chairman Lloyd Blankfein in the ninth rank

Soros Fund Management chief George Soros in the tenth rank

Indian-American Journalist and her colleagues receives Edgar A Poe Award


An Indian-American journalist Neela Banerjee was awarded by US President Barack Obama and
the First Lady Michelle and her colleagues were awarded with a prestigious award during the
annual White House Correspondents carnival.
Awardees: Neela Banerjee and Three of her colleagues John Cushman Jr, David Hasemyer
and Lisa Song from Inside Climate New
Award Name: Edgar A Poe award

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Presented By: White House Correspondents Association (WHCA)
Purpose: Journalistic work of national or regional significance.
i. The award was share by Terrence McCoy who is working in Washington Post- He
reported the issue of Lead poisoning among Poor black children in Baltimore
ii. Contributions by Neela Banerjee and her Collegues:Collected documents, Interviews and
public records to reveal the climate change
iii. Misha Euceph, a Pakistani radio journalist from Rawalpindi

Selected for WHCA annual scholarship. She was also felicitated by the US President and
the First Lady.

Recipient of USD 5,000 to help finance post-graduate degree

Indian Institute Science Professor Sriram Ramaswamy became Royal Society Fellow
Three eminent Indian Born scientists listed in the fifty scientists elected as Fellows of the Royal
Society, a premier scientific academy of the U.K and the Commonwealth.
1. Physicist Sriram Ramaswamy, Director of TIFR Centre for Interdisciplinary Sciences,
Hyderabad
2. Biochemist Ramanujan Hegde, MRC Laboratory of Microbiology, U.K.
3. Applied mathematician Lakshminarayanan Mahadevan, Harvard University

President Pranab Mukherjee presented the 63rd National Film Awards


Venue: Vigyan Bhavan, New delhi
Date: 03 of May, 2016
The well known celebrities Bachchan and Kangana Ranautreceived National award from
the Honourable President Pranab Mukherjee.
Category
Non-Feature Film
Feature Film
Best Script Writing
Category
Best Feature Film
Best Director
Best Actor
Best Actress
Best Supporting Actor
Best Supporting Actress
Best Hindi Film
Indira Gandhi Award for Best Debut
Film Of A Director
Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome
Entertainment
Best Choreography
Best Female Playback Singer

No. of awards
21
51
3

Winner list
Film/Technician
Baahubali The Beginning
Sanjay Leela Bhansali for Bajirao Mastani
Amitabh Bachchan for Piku
Kangana Ranaut for Tanu Weds Manu Returns
Samuthirakani for Visaaranai
Tanvi Azmi, Bajirao Mastani
Dum Laga Ke Haisha
Neeraj Ghaywan, Masaan
Bajrangi Bhaijaan
Remo DSouza, Deewani Mastani song in Bajirao
Mastani
Monali Thakur, Moh Moh Ke Dhage

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Best Cinematography
Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature
Film on National Integration
Best Screenplay Writer (Original)
Best Screenplay Dialogues
Best Malayalam Film
Best Film on Social Issue
Best Music Direction
Best Music Direction- Background
Score
Best Film on Environment
Conservation/Preservation
Best Tamil Film
Best Telugu Film
Best Childrens Film

Sudeep Chaterjee, Bajirao Mastani


Nanak Shah Fakir
Juhi Chaturvedi (Piku) and Himanshu Sharma (Tanu
Weds Manu Returns)
Juhi Chaturvedi (Piku) and Himanshu Sharma (Tanu
Weds Manu Returns)
Pathemari
Niranayakam
M Jayachandran for Song Kaathirunnu Kaathirunnu for
the Ennu Ninte Moideen
Ilaiyaraaja, Thaarai Thappattai
Valiya Chirakulla Pakshikal
Visaaranai
Kanche
Duronto

President of India attended Golden Jubilee celebrations of federation of Indian export


organizations and present Niryat Shree and Niryat Bandhu awards
The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee honored the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of the
Federation of Indian Export Organizations (FIEO) and presented the Niryat Shree and Niryat
Bandhu Awards
Venue: Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi
About Niryat Shree and Niryat Bandhu
Established in the year 1995 96
Aim: To motivate exporters by the FIEO has around 22000 members representing predominantly
the MSME sector
Total Awards: 52 awards
1. Niryat Shree Awards 46
2. Niryat Bandhu Awards 6
These members contribute to over 65 % of countrys exports
Niryat Bandhu Awards presented to Export promotion Councils and Banks for their
support to the exporting community
In the category of Niryat Shree Awards:

Gold Trophy was awarded to MIOT Hospitals Limited Highest foreign Exchange earner in
the country

Reliance Industries awarded with Gold Trophy Highest Foreign exchange

PC Jewellers Silver Trophy in the Gems and Jewellery Category

In the Category of Niryat Bandhu Awards:


Awardees

Canara Bank Gold

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Bank of India Silver

Punjab National Bank Bronze

Guinness record for Maharashtra Man With Gold Shirt


i. Maharashtras hailed eminent businessman-politician Pankaj Parakh called The Man With The
Golden Shirt has secured a place in the Guinness World Records (GWR).
ii. The GWR certificate issued mentions Parakh, as the man with the most expensive gold shirt in
the world which costs a staggering Rs. 98, 35,099 as on August 1, 2014.
The golden Shirt:
The shirt with 10 kg, is currently valued at over Rs.1.30crore designed by Bafna Jewellers,
in Nashik and meticulously executed by Shanti Jewellers at Parel in Mumbai.

Andhra Pradesh agriculture project wins international information prize

Motive : To collect specific climate data from farms and give farmers personalised information
through SMS.
Awarded Prize : Won the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) 2016 prize in the eAgriculture category.
Developer of the Project : The Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC) in
Hyderabad.
Venue : A pilot run in Anantpur district.
International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Secretary-General Houlin Zhao announced the prize
in Geneva.
Recognition of WSIS Prizes:

In the effort to improve global connectivity, from governments and global information
communication technological companies to grassroots NGOs leading innovative ICToriented projects at the lower level.

A total of 18 prizes were awarded in categories ranging from international cooperation to


information ethics.

Purpose:

This data is used to create advisories and alerts on irrigation schedules and pests and
plant disease. Based on them state agriculture officers send out personalised crop advisories
in Telugu to farmers by SMS.

The Andhra Pradesh government, the Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture
(CRIDA), the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) station and the Acharya N G
Ranga Agricultural University in Anantapur partnered in the project.

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Thirty seven Indian researchers shared among Special Breakthrough Prize for LIGO
From various institutions : Raman Research Institute (RRI) and the International Centre for
Theoretical Sciences (ICTS)
Situated in : Bengaluru
Awarded Purpose : For the detection of Gravitational waves
Areas : This award given for the everlasting performance in basic science and mathematics
The Foundation said that the $3 million award will be equally distributed by LIGO founders Ronald
WP Drever, Kip S Thorne and Rainer Weiss along with 1012 contibutors.
Other centres from Indian researchers contributed towards this project:

TIFR-Mumbai, IUCAA, Pune, IISER Kolkata, IISER Trivandrum, IIT Gandhinagar

The ICTS team, led by P Ajith, consists of Abhirup Ghosh, Archisman Ghosh, Arunava
Mukherjee, Chandrakant Mishra, Nathan Johnson-McDaniel and Bala Iyer.

Indian professor wins Commonwealth short story regional prize


i.India Author Prashar Kulkarni has won the Commonwealth Short Story Prize 2016, for the
Asia region for his politically grounded fiction Cow and Company.
ii. The funny fiction is about four men in search of a cow was adjudged the best piece of
unpublished short fiction in English from Asia and will receive 2500 pounds prize.
iii. The author is set to compete for the 5000 pounds grand prize to be announced at the
CalabashInternational Literary Festival in Jamaica later this year.

Singer Angelique Kidjo wins human rights award


Born in : Cotonou, Benin.
Famous by : Diverse musical influences and creative music videos.
Benins Grammy Award winner Angelique Kidjo
Along with: Three African youth activist
Three Activist Names:

Yen a marre

Le Balai Citoyen

Lucha

Received: 2016 human rights award


Purpose:

Standing up to injustice by Amnesty International.

Shown the exceptional courage.

Corporation Bank gets Excellence Award on Empowering MSMEs 2016


i. Mangalore based Corporation Bank has been awarded with Excellence Award on Empowering
MSMEs 2016. Bank MD and CEO Jai Kumar Garg received the award from Kalraj Mishra, Union

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Minister for MSMEs, in New Delhi.
ii. The award is instituted by the Federation of Industry, Trade and Services [FITS].

Swiss government honours Yash Chopra with statue


i. Bollywood director Yash Chopra has been honoured with a special statue by the government
The Director who shot most of his romantic dramas in the lush mountains of Switzerland.
ii. The 250 kilos bronze statue of the late filmmaker was inaugurated by his wife Pamela and
daughter-in-law Rani Mukerjee.
iii. The directors statue is installed at the heart of Interlaken, inside the Kursaal area, near the
Congress Centre which is a prime, popular spot with tourists.

SMS-based Vehicle Monitoring Service of Nagaland bags National award


i. The SMS-based Vehicle Monitoring System of Nagaland police has bagged the National
Award for Smart Policing instituted by Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
(FICCI).
ii.The SMS-based Vehicle Monitoring System was launched last year and has led to in substantial
reduction in theft of four-wheelers. While more than 100 vehicles have been recovered so far
using the application.
iii.The system an easy platform for policemen and citizens to report vehicle theft and alert the
various field formations of police by sending a SMS.

BAFTA TV Awards announced for the year 2016


The British Academy Television Awards have been announced for the year 2016 by British
Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA)
LIST OF WINNERS
Sl
Award
1
Entertainment Programme
2
Drama Series
3
Single Documentary
4
Mini-series
5
Current Affairs
6
Factual
7
News Coverage
8
Live Event
9
Female Performance in a
Comedy Programme
10
Sport
11
International
12
Male Performance in a
Comedy Programme
13
Single Drama
14
Supporting Actor
15
Reality & Constructed
Factual

Presented to
Strictly Come Dancing
Wolf Hall
My Son the Jihadi
This Is England 90
Outbreak: The Truth About Ebola
The Murder Detectives
Channel 4 News: Paris Massacre
Big Blue Live
Michaela Coel
The Ashes
Transparent
Peter Kay
Dont Take My Baby
Tom Courtenay
First Dates

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16

Comedy and Comedy


Entertainment Programme
Specialist Factual
Soap & Continuing Drama
Features
Scripted Comedy
Entertainment Performance
Leading Actress
Leading Actor
BAFTA TV Fellowship
Recipients

17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24

Have I Got News for You


Britains Forgotten Slave Owners
EastEnders
The Great British Bake Off
Peter Kays Car Share
Leigh Francis
Suranne Jones
Mark Rylance
Ray Galton & Alan Simpson

The Special Award in Honour of Alan Clarke

Presented to Lenny Henry

Britains best-loved comedians and writers, in recognition of his outstanding creative


contribution to television during a career for 40 years

MP Tourism wins Best Indian Destination for Wildlife award


i. Madhya Pradesh Tourism has received the Best Indian Destination for Wildlife award by the
Lonely Planet Group. It is to be noted that Madhya Pradesh has 25 wild life sanctuaries including
nine National Parks.
ii. The award was handed over to MPT Special Duty Officer Vinod Kumar Amar by actress Amy
Jackson.

Gorakhpur scientist bags SGD 3mn grant from Singapores NRF


i. An Indian scientist from Gorakhpur has been awarded a grant of SGD 3 million by National
Research Foundation to research in congenital and adult cardiovascular diseases.
ii. Manvendra K Singh, among the seven young scientists from across the world to be endowed
with the Singapore NRF fellowship to carry out cutting-edge research this year in the field of
congenital and adult cardiovascular diseases.
iii. Singh is working as an assistant professor in the cardiovascular and metabolic disorders
programme at Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore.

Indian American Revathi Balakrishnan named as 2016 Texas Elementary Teacher of the
Year
Indian Born American woman Elementary teacher Revathi Balakrishnan honoured by US
President Barack Obama for her contribution work in the Education.
Award: Texas Elementary Teacher of the Year
Venue: White House

She Hails from Chennai, India

Worked as Systems analyst with Liberty Mutual, managing databases and Programming
for 12 years

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Teacher at Patsy Sommer Elementary school and taking math classes in third through
fifth grade

Represent Texas in the National Teacher of the Year competition

Other awardees:

2016 Texas Secondary Teacher of the year: Martha Saucedo

Taught Family consumer science at Brady High School in Brady ISD for seven years

2015 Texas Teacher of the year Named National Teacher of the year: Shanna Peeples

Priyanka Chopra bags a slot in 10 Millennial Leaders Around the Globe list
i. Miss World pageant Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra been recently named in the list of 10
Millennial Leaders around the Globe. She has got another spike to add in her career
ii. According to a 2015 study Ninety-one percent of millennials are leaders. These 10 millennial
leaders have accomplished just that, making their mark on countries around the world.
iii. Other celebrities who have made the list include Malala Yousafzai, Kim Jong Un, Mark
Zuckerberg, Prince William, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Rafael Nadal, Sonita Alizadeh
and Mhairi Black.
iv. Quantico, Baywatch, Time magazines most Influential list and made the US News 10 Millennial
Leaders Around the World.

US mission in India wins annual greening diplomacy award


i. The American mission in India has won the prominent Greening Diplomacy Initiative
Award of the US State Department for its innovative approach to greening throughout the country.
ii. The Green Diplomacy Award was chosen by employee vote went for include Mission India for an
innovative whole-of-country approach to greening. Upon this Consulate General Kolkata, even
reduced water use by 45 per cent through waste water recycling.
iii. On each Earth Day, GDI Awards presented to recognise innovative leadership within the
Department of State in energy and environmental diplomacy.

Four Indian Peacekeepers, civilian to be honored posthumously


Venue and Date: United Nations and May 15
Four Indian peace keepers and a civilian, who sacrificed their lives while serving in the UN
peacekeeping operations in the year 2015 to be honored posthumously

They will be honored along with other 124 personnel

Four Indian peacekeepers honored with Dag Hammarskjold Medal

FOUR INDIAN PEACEKEEPERS


1. Head Constable Shubhkaran Yadav
2. Rifleman Manish Malik
3. Havildar Amal Deka

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4. Rakesh Kumar
CIVILIAN
1. Gagan Punjabi

IIT-Kgp student bags European Materials Research Society Award


i. IIT-Kharagpurs PhD student Nandini Bhandaru bagged the European Materials Research
Societys Young Scientist Award for her contribution to materials science.
ii. She has won the award at E-MRSs 2016 Spring Meeting in Lille, France based on her
outstanding contribution to materials science and nanotechnology, particularly nano-patterning of
soft films and surfaces.
iii. She proposes in her innovation that possibility of fabricating nano-scale patterned surfaces,
which may act as the mother board for many of the devices.

International prestigious Award for Novelist named Man Booker International Prize
announced the Winner
South Korean Novelist Han Kang has been awarded the Man Booker International Prize for
his Novel The Vegetarian deals with a womans rejection of Human Brutality and giving up of
eating meat.

Han Kang succeeds over Nobel Laureate Orhanpamuk and Best Seller Elena Ferrante and
shared the award with her Translator Deborah Smith

Initial Version: Korean


Translated into: English
Published: Portobello Books
Jurist: Noted Critic and Editor Boyd Tonkin

Indian Based American scientist to receive National Medal of Science award from US
President Barack Obama
A 65 year old India American Scientist Rakesh K Jain has been honored with US
Prestigious National Medal of Science from the US President Obama for his contribution
towards Engineering field
Venue: White House, US
Date: 19th May 2016
About Rakesh K Jain

Professorof Tumourbiology at Massachusetts General Hospital in the Harvard Medical


School

Alma Mater: B-Tech Degree from IITKanpur, Chemical Engineering

Other Winners: 2015


Sl
Category

Winners

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1
2

Behavioral and social science


Biological Sciences

3
4

Chemistry
Mathematical, Statistical, and
Computer Sciences
Physical Sciences

Albert Bandura
Stanley Falkow, Rakesh K. Jain, Mary-Claire
King, Simon Levin
A. Paul Alivisatos, Geraldine Richmond
Michael Artin
Shirley Ann Jackson

Indian-American Teen Syamantak Payra Wins Intel Young Scientist Award


i. Indian-American boy Syamantak Payra has won the prestigious Intel Foundation Young
Scientist Award for developing a low-cost electronically-aidedknee brace that enables a person
with a weakened leg to walk.
ii. The award was given by Intel Corporation and the Society for Science and the Public (SSP) at
the 2016 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in Arizona that featured more than
1,700 young scientists selected from 419 affiliate fairs held in 77 countries.
iii. A 15-year-old teen Payra is from Texas has begged USD 50,000 award along with 17-yearold Kathy Liu.

JK Rowling receives highest French civilian honour


i. Eminent Harry Potter Series Author JK Rowling has been honored with the
highest French civilian honour French Legion of Honour.
ii. J K Rowling or Robert Galbraith is a British novelist, screenwriter and film producer. She was
given honorary title by the President of France Mr. Nicolas Sarkozy at a ceremony in Paris.

Indian born-American Technologist awarded for excellent teaching in US


An Indian born American biotechnologist Rupa Iyer has honored with University of Houstons
highest teaching award for her continuous and significant contributions to education in United
States.
Award: Distinguished Leadership in Teaching Excellence Award
Highest award given in teaching
About Rupa Iyer

Associate Dean, Research and Graduate Studies at the University of Houstons College
of Technology

Having ten or more years of teaching experience

Made sustained and significant contributions to education

Indian-American, Pakistani-American honoured by American President Barack Obama


US President Barack Obama has honored an Indian American scientist named Rakesh K
Jain and a Pakistani American doctor named Humayun with the nations top honors on the field
of science, technology and innovation respectively

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Mumbai based Mukesh Ambani honored with Othmer Gold Medal for Entrepreneurial
Leadership
United Based Chemical Heritage Foundation honored the Reliance Industries Limited (RIL)
Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh Ambani with prestigious Othmer Gold Medal for his
entrepreneurial leadership
Purpose:

Expansion of Indias petroleum refining industry

Generation of the Jamnagar Refinery in Gujarat the largest grassroots petroleum


refinery in the world

Major initiatives in oil and gas exploration

Awarded during the occasion of the Heritage Day of the Chemical Heritage Foundation (CHF)
Presented by:
1. Carsten Reinhardt, President & CEO of CHF
2. Raj Gupta, Chairman of Delphi Automotive (formerly Chairman, President & CEO of Rohm
and Hass)
Venue: Philadelphia, United States of America.
After the award Ceremony, Ambani had dinner with Tom Ridge, Pennsylvania Governor and Former
Secretary of Security.

President of India to present National Florence Nightingale Awards


i. President Pranab Mukherjee gave away the National Florence Nightingale Awards to nursing
personnel at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.President presents National Florence Nightingale
Awards to 35 nursing personnel on May 12 International Nurse Day.
ii. The Awards are given by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to mark a recognition for the
meritorious services rendered by the nurses and nursing professionals in the country.
National Florence Nightingale Award:
This Award carries a cash award of fifty thousand rupees, a certificate, a citation and a medal.

Lhakpa becomes first woman to climb Everest seventh time


i. Lhakpa Sherpa,US-based Nepali climbed Mount Everest for the seventh time , breaking her
own record for the most summits of the worlds highest mountain by any woman.
ii. She works in a 7-Eleven shop in Connecticut in the US
iii. Two Sherpa climbers share between them the record of 21 ascents of Everest, the most
number of climbs by men.

Sikkim CM Chamling honoured with Nepals literary award


Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling was honoured withYug Kavi Siddhicharan Award

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The award is given by the Nepal Prime Minister K P Sharma.

Purpose:

His contributions towards promoting Nepali literature in India

105th birth anniversary of the late poet Shrestha

An event is organised by Siddhicharan Shrestha Academy

Awards and Cash prize:


The award carries a certificate of appreciation and a sum of NRs 100,000.

Ken Loachs film I, Daniel Blake wins Palme dOr at Cannes Film Festival
i. British director Ken Loach has won his second Palme DOr at the 69th Cannes film festival for
best picture at the festival after his earlier award for the Wind That Shakes the Barley.
ii. The movie I, Daniel Blake, that stars stand-up joker Dave Johns in the title role, was penned
by long-time Loach collaborator Paul Laverty.
iii. He is one of the nine directors to have won the top prize at Cannes twice. Earlier Loach had
won in 2006 with The Wind That Shakes the Barley.
The Winners List
Award
Palme dOr
Grand Prix
Jury Prize
Best Actress
Best Actor
Best Director
Best Screenplay
Camera dOr
Queer Palm
(Feature)
Queer Palm (Short)

Winner
Ken Loach for
Xavier Dolan
Andrea Arnold
Jaclyn Jose
Shahab Hosseini
Olivier Assayas
Asghar Farhadi
Houda Benyamina
Sbastien Lifshitz
Anna CazenaveCambet.

Work
I, Daniel Blake
Its Only The End of the World.
American Honey
Ma Rosa
The Salesman
Personal Shopper & Cristian Mungiu,
Graduation.
The Salesman
Divines
Les Vies de Thrse.
Gabber Lover.

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNS


Former Delhi Police commissioner B S Bassi appointed UPSC member
i. Former Delhi Police Commissioner BS Bassi has been appointed the
member of UnionPublic Service Commission which is a Constitutional post, with a five
year tenure.
ii. Union Public Service Commission has a maximum strength of 10 members besides a
chairperson with this appointment the Commission is in its full strength.
BS Bassi
iii. Bassi is a 1977 batch IPS officer Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram and Union
Territories (AGMUT) cadre who had served the police force for almost 40 years.
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iv. Before his stint as the Delhi Police Commissioner, he also served as Inspector General
of Police of Chandigarh, Director General of Police of Goa.
Madhavan becomes goodwill ambassador for LEPRA India
i. Bollywood Actor R Madhavan appointed as the goodwill ambassador for the
the LEPRAIndia organisation that fights against diseases.
ii. Telangana based non-government organisation LEPRA India is working in the fields
of leprosy, tuberculosis, malaria, HIV or AIDS and community health.
Ashok Leyland re-appoints Vinod K Dasari as Managing Director for five years
i. Hinduja Groups Ashok Leyland has approved the re-appointment of Vinod K
Dasari asManaging Director of the company for 5 years with the effective from April 1
this year.
ii. The second largest manufacturer of commercial vehicles maker came to this decision as
the Board of Directors has approved the re-appointment of Dasari as Managing Director
for a term of five years.
iii. The re-appointment will be valid after the approval of shareholders at the
forthcoming annual general meeting.
Vice Admiral AR Karve takes charge of Southern Naval Command
i. Vice-Admiral AR Karve assumed charge as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief
ofthe Kochi based Southern Naval Commandfrom Vice Admiral Girish Luthra.
ii. He is currently the Chief of Personnel at Integrated Head Quarters, Ministry of
Defence (Navy), Delhi.
Earlier he was awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2013 for his distinguished service.
A V S Ramesh Chandra appointed as the next Ambassador of India to Romania
i. 1989 batch IFS officer Dr. A V S Ramesh Chandra has been appointed as the
Ambassador of India to Romania.
ii. He is Presently High Commissioner of India to Uganda.
Sadhguru to lead yoga session at UN on 2nd Intl Yoga Day
i. Isha Foundation founder Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudevto lead a yoga session at the UN on
the occasion of the second International Yoga Day to be commemorated next month.
ii. The International Yoga Day this year will be commemorated on June 21 with the theme
of Yoga for the Sustainable Development Goals.
iii. The first Yoga Day was commemorated at the UN with aplomb last year, with External
Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj leading the celebrations.
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iv. UN Secretary General Ban ki moon and his wife had joined hundreds of students and
yoga practitioners to carry out asanas and mediate during the event.
Guinea Bissau President names Baciro Dja as Prime Minister
i. The West African Country-Guinea Bissaus President Jose Mario Vaz named Baciro
Dja as prime minister
ii. This appointment made political jnrest in the country as sparking protests from political
opponents who said the appointment wasunconstitutional.
iii. Baciro Dja succeeds Carlos Correia, who was sacked earlier this month in a move that
threatened to deepen political turmoil in the country.
iv. Earlier he had been named prime minister once in 2015, but was forced to resign
after his appointment was declared unconstitutional.
Guinea Bissau
Capital: Bissau
Currency: West African CFA franc
President: Jos Mrio Vaz
Sanjay Bangar appointed as Indias head coach for Zimbabwe tour
The Board of Control for Cricket in India has named Sanjay Bangar as Indias head
coach for the teams tour to Zimbabwe and Abhay Sharma has been appointed as the
fielding coach for the side.
i. The former India all-rounder will be Head coach for the tour to Zimbabwe, which
comprising 3 One-Day International matches and 3 T20 International matches to be
played in Harare.
ii. In a string of appointments Zonal Secretary of the Andhra Cricket Association Koka
Ramesh, as the Administrative Manager of the team for the tour.
Indian-origin Murali Pillai elected to Singapore Parliament
i. An Indian-origin from Singapores ruling Peoples Action Party was elected member
of the parliament after he secured Murali Pillai garnered 61.21 per cent of the vote in the byelection held at suburban Bukit Batok constituency.
ii. Murali Pillais counterpart Singapore Democratic Partys Chee Soon Juan got 38.79% of votes.
iii. The Elections Department released a total of 24,192 votes were cast, including 622 rejected
votes, which resulted 94.03 per cent of the 25,727 registered electors.

Abhinav Bindra becomes Rio olympics goodwill ambassador


The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) had Appointed 2008 Olympic Gold medallist shooter Abhinav
Bindra the second goodwill ambassador for Indias Rio contingent to be held this year.

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This appointment comes from IOA after the uproar over Salman Khans appointment as
the good will ambassador for the Rio Olympics.

The Olympian Shooter is the second personhave been appointed by IOA.

Earlier KKR Skipper GautamGambhir had batted for Bindras inclusion as an Ambassador.
The captain emphasized Indias first post-independence gold medal as the reason.

Rohit Sharma Signs as Brand Ambassador for Hublot Watches


Rohit Sharma became the Brand Ambassador of world famous Swiss luxury watch maker
Hublot. The Mumbai batsman is the second cricketer who have been assigned for the role.
(i)

Earlier renowned cricketer after former Australian captain Michael Clarke have been

associated with the brand.


(ii) He will be seen promoting the Hublots signature Classic Fusion Aerofusion
Chronograph edition in the upcoming days.

Indian American Sikh woman elected to key Republican Position


An Indian based American Sikh woman Harmeet Kaur Dhillon from California has been selected
to a major position in the Republican Party at the National Level.
About Harmeet Kaur Dhillon:

Hails from Chandigarh

Her parents are Parminder Kaur Dhillon and Tejpal Singh Dhillon

Nationally recognized trial Lawyer

Elected as the newest national Committee of the Republican National Committee

Earlier she was served as the Vice Chairman of the California Republican

She was the first woman elected to this position of vice chairman of the California Republican
Party.

Sameer Chadha appointed partner and CEO of KPMGs offshore arm in India
i.KPMGs offshore India appointed Sameer Chadha as partner and CEO. Chadha joins KPMG
Global Services (KGS) from Barclays Shared Services.In the course of his eight year tenure at
ii.Barclays Shared Services the company expanded from 700 to approximately 10,000 employees.

Sachin Tendulkar to be Indias goodwill ambassador at Rio Olympics


i.The Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar has accepted Indias Olympic Associations invitation to
become the Goodwill Ambassador for the 2016 Rio Olympics.
ii. Ever since IOA named Salman Khan as ambassador comments up roared in social media, the
Olympic body were forced into naming other ambassadors after a furor over naming a non-sporting
ambassador.
iii.The goodwill ambassadors would play as iconic sports persons and celebrities will spread the

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idea of Olympic movement in every nook and corner of the country.
iv.Earlier the IOA named Beijing Games gold medalist shooter Abhinav Bindra as another
Goodwill Ambassador.

Kishore Biyani appointed as MD of Bharti Retail


i.Future Group appointed Kishore Biyani as the managing director of Bharti Retail group as part
of the reconstitution of the board following their merger pact that was announced last year.
ii.Biyani is additionally a director at Future Group and also been appointed as Joint Managing
Director of Bharti Retail.
iii.Future Retail Ltd will be renamed as Future Enterprises will own and manage the back end retail
infrastructure for operating the retail network as well as the investments in its string of companies.

Former TCS CFO Mahalingam is non-executive chairman of City Union Bank


i. Kumbakonam based City Union Bank has appointed S. Mahalingam as a non-executive
chairman of the Bank. He is former chief financial officer (CFO) and executive director of Tata
Consultancy Services (TCS).
ii. Prior to his new appointment he is currently an Independent Director on the board of the bank.
He is a well-known name in the field of IT (information technology).
iii. This decision has been taken by the bank in the board meeting with its officials, the bank has
already sought the approval of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for his appointment.
iv. The new appointee will succeed S. Balasubramanian, who is vacating the office of part-time
Non-Executive Chairman of the bank at the close to his retirement.

Mexican diplomat Patricia Espinosa selected as executive secretary of UNFCCC


i. Mexicos ambassador to Germany Patricia Espinosa Cantellano of Mexico has been appointed
as Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
ii. United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has shared his intention in this appointment with
the Conference of Parties through its Bureau.
iii. She will succeed the incumbent Christiana Figueres when her term ends in July 2016. Prior to
this selection she was serving as Mexicos ambassador to Germany.

Radha Binod Barman took over as part-time Chairperson of NSC


i. The Statistics Ministry appointed Radha Binod Barman as part-time Chairperson of the National
Statistical Commission.
ii. In the advisory body S Mahendra Dev, Rahul Mukherjee, Rajiv Mehta and Manoj Pandaare
the other part-time Members in the Commission.
iii. The advisory body on all statistical matters, set up to enhance public trust in official
statistics.

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Fleming to become next MCC President
i. Former England all-rounder Matthew Fleming has been appointed as the next Marylebone
Cricket Club president. He was nominated by the current president Roger Knight at the AGM at
Lords.
ii. Prior to his new appointment he is the current Chairman of Cricket and will take charge on
October 1, 2016.
iii. Fleming is currently Chairman of Cricket, having been elected for the post in October 2013, and
will be the youngest MCC president for 36 years, since Peter May served in 1980.

Sunil Lanba to take over as next Indian Navy chief


i. Defence Ministry appointed Sunil Lanba as the new Chief of Naval Staff and will assume
charge on May 31. The appointment was decided by the government.
ii. He is currently the Flag Officer commanding-in- Chief Western Naval Command. He is will
succeed Robin K. Dhowan as the Chief of Naval Staff when the latter retires in May this year.
iii. He is an alumnus of National Defence Academyand was commissioned in the Executive
Branch of the Indian Navy in 1978.

Kumar Rajesh Chandra appointed Chief of Bureau of Civil Aviation Security


i. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Senior IPS
Officer Kumar Rajesh Chandra as chief of Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS).
ii. Bihar cadre 1985 batch IPS officer Chandra is currently working as Additional Director
General (Modernization), Bihar Police.

Collegium Recommends Four Judges For SC & SC Collegium recommended transfer of


Uttarakhand Chief Justice to Andhra Pradesh
i. The collegium headed by Chief Justice of India T S Thakur has recommended the elevation of
three High Court Chief Justices and a senior lawyer to the apex court.
ii. The Supreme Courts current
strength of judges is 25, beside the
sanctioned strength of 31.With the
elevation the strength will go upto

Chief Justices
A M Khanwilkar
D Y Chandrachud
Ashok Bhushan
L Nageswara Rao

Serving Court
Madhya Pradesh High Court
Allahabad High Court
Kerala High Court
Former Additional Solicitor General

29.

For good governance, Finance Ministry fires 72 tax officers, retires 33 more
i. Arun Jaitly led Union Finance Ministry has dismissed 72 officials and pre-maturely retired
33 others on basis of non-performance and discipline in the past two years in the ground of
enforcing principle of good governance in the revenue department.
ii. The strict action has been taken by the ministry is against erring officials to fix their

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accountability and ensure proper functioning of the system.
iii. The officers of Indian Revenue Services including seven Group A officers have been
prematurely retired for non-performance. This is the first time such action has been taken by
the ministry.

Sudhir Yadav appointed as new Tihar DG


i. The government has appointed IPS Officer Sudhir Yadav as new Director General (DG)
of Tihar.
ii. Prior to his new appointment he served as Special Commissioner of the Delhi police.
iii. He had served as DGP of Andaman and Nicobar Islands in 2013. He is an IPS officer of 1985
batch.
iv. Earlier JK Sharma has been named as new DG of Tihar last month but the order was nullified
as the government had not sought prior approval of Lt Governor Najeeb Jung before the
appointment.

Sadiq Khan becomes first Muslim mayor of London


i. Labour party candidate Sadiq Khan has been elected the new Mayor of London after beating
Tory Zac Goldsmith by 1,310,143 votes to 994,614.
ii. The 45-year-old son of a Pakistani bus drivers victory brings any politician in UK history -ends
eight years of Conservative control of City Hall. iii. He becomes Londons third mayor after Ken
Livingstone and Boris Johnson.

Enda Kenny re-elected as Prime Minister of Ireland


i. Enda Kenny has been re-elected as prime minister of Ireland after 10 weeks of impasse that
followed an inconclusive general election. He is preceded by Brian Cowen.
ii. Kennys centre-right party lost 26 seats received 59 votes, with 49
against, in the 158-member parliament by far the fewest votes ever received for a winning
premier in Ireland.
iii. He is set be the first Fine Gael PM to win re-election in Irish history, by his triumph is soiled by
a minority administration that is sustained up by independent MPs and by Fianna Fil.

Somnath Ghosh appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Republic of Tajikistan
i. The 1997 batch Indian Foreign Service officer Somnath Ghosh presently Ambassador of India to
Mongolia, has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Republic of Tajikistan.
ii. He is likely to take up his assignment shortly. Earlier he has served in Russia, Tajikistan,
Belgium (European Union Headquarters) and Bangladesh.

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Mickey Arthur appointed as Pakistan cricket teams head coach
i. Pakistan Cricket Board informed that former South African cricketer Mickey Arthur has been
appointed as country cricket teams head coach.
ii. In this regard a panel was appointed comprising Wasim Akram, Ramiz Raja, and Faisal
Mirza to make recommendations to the board.The committee finalised Arthurs name.
iii. The South African has earlier coached South Africa from 2005 to 2010, and Australia from 2011
to 2013 succeeds Waqar Younis who kept his papers due to poor show in the WT20 campaign.
iv. Arthur has also coached domestic sides including Jamaica Tallawahs, Dhaka Dynamites
and Karachi Kings during the inaugural Pakistan Super League in 2016.

Apple elevates Sanjay Kaul as new India head


i. California-based technology giant Apple has reportedly promoted Sanjay Kaul as the
country manager for Apple India operations.
ii. Kauls appointment comes at a time when Apple is attempting to open its own-brand stores in
India also comes months after Apples long-time India head Maneesh Dhir quit from the company.
iii. He has been associated with Apple since 2011 and has been taking care of the Apples iPhone
business.
iv. Before joining Apple his stint was with BlackBerry in the capacity of Director Channelsales
for India for over two years.

ICICI Prudential appoints Sankaran Naren as executive director


i. ICICI Prudential Asset Management Company has appointed Sankaran Naren as a Director on the
Board of ICICI Prudential Asset Management Company, with effect from April 2016.
ii. Prior to the new appointment currently his role as the CIO who oversees the investment
functions across the mutual fund and international advisory business.

Mrugank Paranjape takes charge as MCX MD & CEO


i. Mumbai based Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX. finally has named Mrugank Paranjape as
the new Managing Director and CEO.
ii. The Exchange has been headless for the past two years. P K Singhal was handling the affairs of
the exchange as joint MD.
iii. With this appointment of MD, Singhal has been re-designated as the President and Whole
Time Director with effect from April this year.
iv. Earlier Mrugank worked with Deutsche Bank for 14 years. Later, he headed DB Center of the
bank. Paranjape has joined as MD and CEO of the MCX with the term of 3 years..

Shashank Manohar Resigns as BCCI President


i. Nagpur-based lawyer Shashank Manohar has resigned as president of the Board of Control

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for Cricket in India (BCCI). and chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC).
ii. Manohar has left the office as he believes recommendations made by RM Lodha panel are
impossible to implement.
Senior advocate Atma Ram Nadkarni appointed Additional Solicitor General
i. Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has appointed Bombay High Courts senior
advocate Atma Ram Nadkarni as Additional Solicitor General for a period of three years.
ii. Earlier he had served as Advocate General also called highest law officer of the Goa.

Rodrigo Duterte wins 2016 Philippines Presidential Election


i. The PDP-Laban partys Rodrigo Duterte has Won Presidential Election in the Philippines with an
unbeatable lead in unofficial tallies in the countrys presidential runoff.
ii. The general election in the democracy saw a record engagement with an estimated 80% turnout
of the 54 million registered voters.
iii. He is among the longest-serving mayors in the Philippines and has been mayor of Davao City
working out more than 22 years.
iv. Rodrigo is set to take as the 16th President-elect of the Republic of the Philippines.

Michel Platini to resign as UEFA President


i. UEFA president Michel Platini will resign from European footballs governing body after failing to
overturn his ban at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
ii.A Court of Arbitration for Sport panel also reduced the ban from six years to four years.
iii. The court also ruled that Platini was guilty of conflict of interest for taking a $2 million
payment from FIFA approved by Sepp Blatter in 2011.

Shashank Manohar elected unopposed as ICCs chairman


Former Board of Control for Cricket in India president Shashank Manohar has been elected
unanimously as the first Independent chairman of the International Cricket Council.
Tenure: Two Year

He quits the BCCI President and made him eligible to contest for the ICC chairman Post.

Mr Manohar contests as sole nominee for the position and the Board unanimously
selected as ICC chairman. Independent Audit Committee Chairman, Mr. Adnan Zaidi
declared the election.

New Chief Justices in Tripura, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan


i. Union Law Ministry transferred Tinlianthang Vaiphei, Deepak Kumar Gupta and Justice Navin
Sinha to Tripura, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan high courts respectively.
ii. It also announced that Justice Ved Prakash Vaish of the Delhi High Court has been transferred

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to Meghalaya, while Justice Satish Kumar Agnihotri of the Madras High Court has been shifted to
Sikkim.
Judge Name
Tinlianthang Vaiphei
Deepak Kumar Gupta
Justice Navin Sinha
Ved Prakash Vaish
Satish Kumar Agnihotri

Appointed Court
Tripura High Court
Chhattisgarh High Court
Rajasthan High Court
Meghalaya High Court
Sikkim High Court

Transferred from
Guwahati High Court
Tripura High Court
Chhattisgarh High Court
Delhi High Court
Madras High Court

Rahman joins Olympic Goodwill Ambassadors list


Oscar winning music Director A R Rahman will also to be the Goodwill Ambassador of the
Indian Olympic contingent joining the earlier
appointed ambassadors list.
A.R. Rahman:
The Tamilnadu hailed Composer received two

Ambassador Candidate
Sachin Tendulkar
Abhinav Bindra
Salman Khan.
A.R. Rahman

Background
Former Cricketer
Ace shooter
Bollywood Actor
Music Composer

Academy Awards, two Grammy Awards, a BAFTA Award, a Golden Globe, four National Film
Awards, fifteen Filmfare Awards and thirteen Filmfare Awards South.
Anil Kumble re-elected as ICC Cricket Committee Chairman for three years
Former Indian Bowler Anil Kumble re-elected as ICC Cricket Committee Chairman for a second
term and Former Indian Batsman Rahul Dravil newly appointed as Member.
Tenure: Three Years.
Newly Elected Members:
Rahul Dravid Former Indian Captain
Replacing Former Sri Lanka Captain Kumar Sangakkara
Mahela Jayawardene Former Sri Lanka Skipper
Replacing Former Australia Captain Mark Taylor

Axis Bank appoints Sanjiv Misra as Non-Executive Chairman


i. Mumbai based Private sector lender Axis Bank has appointed retired bureaucrat Sanjiv Misra as
independent director and non-executive chairman for a period of five years.
ii. The chairman is being appointment by the bank and not nominated by SUUTI for the first time.
The SUUTI entity has more than 11 % stake in the Bank.
iii. In a string of appointments the bank elevated Rajesh Dahiya and Rajiv Anand as executive
directors.
iv. Prior to his new stint Misra was earlier the SUUTI nominee on the board as Non-Executive
Chairman for three years till 11th May 2016.

Barack Obama Appoints Indian-American Manjit Singh to Key Administration Post


i. US President Barack Obama has appointed an Indo-American engineer Manjit Singh, as the

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member of Presidents Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships.
ii. Singh founded Agilious a software technology consulting firm in 2013 he also the President of the
firm.
iii. He is also co-founder of the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund, a national Sikh
American media, policy and education organization.

Gianni Infantino names Fatma Samoura as FIFAs first female secretary general
Senegal Based Fatma Samoura has been elected as FIFAs first Female Secretary General as
she has no experience in Soccer administration.
Announced By: FIFA President Gianni Infantino
Approved by: FIFA Council
About Fatma Samoura:

Brought up from Senegal aged 52 who has replaced Frenchman Jerome Valcke

Started her United Nations career with the World Food Programme in Rome in 1995 and
has served as a representative or director in six African countries

United Nations Development Programme Resident Representative in Nigeria

Appointed as secretary general of FIFA

SEBI approves appointment of Ashok Chawla as NSE chairman


i. Mumbai based Indias biggest exchange, NSE, had nominated Ashok Chawla as its new
chairman after obtaining a clearance from the market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of
India.
ii. He is set fill the shoes of previous holder S.B. Mathur.
iii. Chawla retired as CCI chairman in January after being at the helm for nearly five years. iv. He
has also served as finance secretary and civil aviation secretary.
v. Earlier this year he was appointed as chairman of The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) and
as Additional Director by Yes Bank in March.

Hindupur Pradeep Rao appointed as Deputy CAG


i. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of senior audit
service officer Hindupur Pradeep Rao as Deputy Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) with
effect from July 1, 2016.
ii. Pradeep is a 1981 batch officer of Indian Audit and Account Service, is presently working as
Additional CAG. Comptroller and Auditor General is countrys top auditing body.
iii. In another appointment the cabinet committee has also appointed A K Mittal as Member
(Engineering) in Railway Board here.

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Michel Temer takes over as interim Brazil president
i. Brazils interim president Michel Temer set to remain in office till 2019. He took over the
presidency from Brazils first female President Dilma Rousseff, who was suspended from
office for 180 days over an impeachment.
ii. He will run Brazil amidst some of its most turbulent and eventful times as country is facing its
worst recession and in August it will host the Olympic Games for the first time in its history.

Claire Furlong is new ICC General Manager: Strategic Communications


i. Cricket governing body ICC appointed Claire Furlong as new General Manager to steer its
strategic communications, she will assume his duty on July 17.
ii. Furlong is presently working at Hannover Sport Company as a head of sport with clients
including England and Wales Cricket Board, NFL and Asian Football Confederation.
iii. Earlier she ran her own consultancy for a number of years with a range of clients that included
team England for whom she led the media operation at Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Justice Mukul Mudgal appointed as deputy chairman of FIFA governance committee
i. Ex-Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana Mukul Mudgal has been appointed as the deputy
chairman of world governing body FIFAs Governance Committee.
ii. The FIFAs governance committee which will be headed by Portuguese Luis Miguel Maduro,
who is a former European Court of Justice Advocate General.
iii. The Judge earlier in 2013 headed the IPL 2013 spot-fixing probe and recently he was also
included in by the Asian Football Federation in a similar roles.
iv. Mudgal who is also roped in overseeing the conduct of international cricket matches and IPL
games at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium in New Delhi.

ASI core committee chairman G C Mitra resigns from his post


i. Delhi based Archaeological Survey of India technical core committee chairman GC Mitra
resigned from his post.
ii. Mitra is put on preservation work of Jagamohan, the chamber facing the sanctum sanctorum of
Sri Jagannath Temple in Puri Odisha.
iii. He might have taken the decision after ASI rejected the estimation of 2.5 crore rupees towards
purchase of stainless steel to be used in the repair plan of Jagamohana at Srimandir prepared by
the core committee.

Lady Singham Manzil Saini becomes first woman SSP of Lucknow


i. Uttar Pradesh government has appointed Manzil Saini as the new Senior Superintendent of
Police (SSP) of state capital Lucknow. Saini will fill the shoes of Rajesh Pandey who has been
attached to the DGP office.
ii. With this UP thus making her the first-ever woman district police chief in the state capital.

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iii. The police officer was earlier posted in Badayun, Muzaffarnagar and Mathura.Since started her
career as the police force, the 2005 batch IPS officer has hit headlines. Shes popularly known
as Lady Singham.
Shell India Announces Nitin Prasad as New Head
i. Shell India appointed Nitin Prasad as the new chairman, he will take charge from October
ii. Prior to his new appointment Prasad is currently the cluster general manager for lubricants sales
and marketing for India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
iii. He will fill the shoes of the incumbent Yasmine Hilton who retires in September this year.
Hilton, who has been the chairman of Shell Companies in India and vice present for IT project
excellence at the parent Royal Dutch Shell, after a career spanning 37 years with Shell.

Barco Appoints Rajiv Bhalla as MD for India


i. Belgium based visualization technology leader Barco has announced the appointment of Rajiv
Bhalla as managing director for India.
ii. Rajiv has more than 22 years of experience in senior leadership in technology organizations
such as Thomson Consumer Electronics, Microsoft, NEC and Intel & has a deep understanding of
the B2B and B2C aspects of the business.

A V S Ramesh Chandra appointed as the next Ambassador of India to Romania


i. IFS officer A V S Ramesh Chandra Presently High Commissioner of India to Uganda, has
been appointed as the Ambassador of India to Romania.
ii. He Joined Indian Foreign Service in August 1989. He did Masters Degree in Veterinary Science
majoring in Dairy Technology from Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University (APAU) in Hyderabad.

Turkey names new PM as Recep Tayyip Erdogan tightens grip


i. Turkeys Justice and Development Party has appointed Binali Yildirim as the new Prime
Minister by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, as he seeks to tighten his grip on power.
ii. The ruling Justice and Development Party also appointed Transport, Maritime Affairs and
Communications Minister Binali Yildirim as its chairman, implication making that he will
automatically become the Prime Minister.

Tsai Ing-wen sworn in as new president of Taiwan


i. Democratic Progressive Party leader Tsai Ing-wen has been sworn in as the new presidentof
Taiwan.
ii. Tsai also becoming its first female leader of the country also fills the shoes of President Ma
Ying-jeou, who served two four-year terms since May 2008.
iii. She was set to serve for four-year term as the President after an inaugural ceremony at the
Presidential Office in the island nation.

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Rakesh Kumar Mishra is CCMB Director


i. Council for Scientific and Industrial Research appointed Genetics Expert Rakesh Kumar
Mishra as the new Director of the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB).
ii. Rakesh did research in various areas which includes investigating evolutionarily conserved
features of genome organization, chromatin structure and epigenetic regulation of genes during
embryonic development stages.
iii. He had joined in the Hyderabad based institute in 2001 as a senior scientist after periods at the
IISc, Bangalore, the University of Bordeaux, France, Saint Louise University, USA and the
University of Geneva, Switzerland.

Indian Origin Philip Abraham elected Deputy Mayor of Loughton in U.K.


i. Philip Abraham a journalist from Kerala has been unanimously elected the Deputy Mayor of
Loughton town in the UK for following year.
ii. Councillor Carol Davis presented the Deputy Mayors Badge to Philip Abraham. The Deputy
Mayor normally goes on to become the Mayor for the following year. iii. He is from
Kerala, earlier in 2012 won the election to theLoughton Town Council. Loughton is a vibrant
town.

United Nations Secretary appoints Mary Robinson, Macharia Kamau as special envoys for
El Nino, climate
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has nominated special envoys for El Nino and Climate
1. Former Irish President Mary Robinson
2. Kenyan diplomat Macharia Kamau
El Nino Weather occurrence every two to seven years results in change of rainfall patters and
causes drought and flooding

Ex-finance Secretary, Ratan P Watal, appointed as Niti Aayogs Principal Adviser


i. Former Finance Secretary, Ratan P Watal has been appointed as Principle Adviser for social
sector in Niti Aayog .
ii. He has been appointed to the post for three years by the Department of Personnel and Training.
iii. Ratan P Watal, a retired IAS officer of Andhra Pradesh cadre, had been Finance Secretary from
August 2015 to April 2016.

Cairn India MD and CEO Mayank Ashar resigns


i. The petroleum exploration arm of London-listed Vedanta Resources Cairn Indias managing
director (MD) and chief executive officer (CEO) Mayank Ashar has resigned from his post.

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ii. He will be replaced by the companys Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Sudhir Mathur as the interim
CEO.

Anurag Thakur becomes youngest BCCI president gets elected unopposed after Shashank
Manohar
Anurag Thakur was unanimously elected as the youngest BCCI President and taking charge as
the Most profile position in Indian Cricket Administration
Previous President: Shashank Manohar
Current President: Anurag Thakur
Replacement in respect of President was chosen bySenior BCCI Vice president KC
Khanna headed theSpecial General Meeting
Selection of Current President

Anurag served as the Secretary of the Board, resigned and got approval from Six
East Zone Units

Unanimously selected as the 34th President of the Cricket Board

Six east units Cricket Association of Bengal, Assam CA, Tripura CA, NCC and Jharkhand
SCA had signed his nomination papers

Former IPS officer Kiran Bedi appointed as Lt Governor of Puducherry


i. The BJP government has named former IPS officer and BJP leader Kiran Bedi as the lieutenantgovernor of Puducherry for nearly two years.
ii. The countrys first woman to serve as IPS was put under the additional charge of Lt Governor of
Andaman and Nicobar Island.
iii. Chandrawathi was the first woman Lt Governor while Bedi will be the fourth Lt Governor in
womens category.

Government promotes 4 general managers as directors at general insurers


i. Union Government has promoted four general managers of state-owned general insurers as
whole-time directors, including at GIC Re and Hoda at United India Insurance, K K Rao at Oriental
Insurance, P Venkatramaiah of National Insurance Company and Segar Sampath Kumar at New
India Assurance.
ii. Centre also created one more post of whole-time director at the countrys sole reinsurer GIC
Re and all the five state-owned non-life insurers will be having two whole-time directors each.
State Owned Insurance Companies:
1.Agriculture Insurance Company of India
2.National Insurance Company
3.New India Assurance

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4.The Oriental Insurance Company
5.United India Insurance Company

Sudhakar Rao steps down as USLs Independent Director


i. Non-Executive Independent Director of United Spirits Sudhakar Rao has resigned from the post
with effect from today due to unavoidable circumstance.
ii.He is a former Chief Secretary of Karnataka, was appointed as an Additional Director of the USL
in 2013. Later he was promoted to the post of Director in the company.

Lt General Saini new commandant of Indian Military Academy


i. Lieutenant General S K Saini assumed the office of commandant of the prestigious Indian
Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun.
ii. Prior to his new appointment Saini was earlier a senior directing staff in National Defence College
in New Delhi.
iii. He is an alumni of National Defence Academy and IMA. In 1981, he was commissioned to the
seventh battalion of the Jat regiment.

Renowned Scientist S K Sharma Appointed NPCILs CMD


i. Well Known scientist S K Sharma was appointed as Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of
Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited, responsible for design, construction, commissioning
and operation of nuclear power reactors.
ii. He will fill the shoes of incumbent K.C. Purohit.
iii. He is presently working as Distinguished Scientist and Director (Operations) in NPCIL. Sharma
has been appointed to the new post for a period of five years.

FIFAs acting Secretary General Markus Kattner sacked


i. Football governing bodys Deputy Secretary General Markus Kattner has been dismissed from
his position with the immediate effect after a probe found violations in his fiduciary
responsibilities in employment contract.
ii. German hailed Markus took over as acting general secretary after Jerome Valcke was sacked due
to irregularities in his administration in the illegal sale of tickets for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in
Brazil.
iii. He joined Fifa in 2003 as director of finance, being promoted as deputy secretary general in
2007. However no other current directors of FIFA are said to be involved.

F45 India appoints ex-cricketer Brett Lee as brand ambassador


i. Australia based Functional training system F45 announced the appointment of former Australian
cricketer Brett Lee as brand ambassador for Indian operations.

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ii. F45 also making its entry into the launching its first fitness studio in Hyderabad also planning to
open as many as 300 outlets under the franchise model also mulling to expand its studios over the
span of next 5 years.
iii. F45 is expanded as Functional 45, now has over 400 franchises sold in under three years.

Mamata Banerjee sworn-in as the Chief Minister of West Bengal for a second
term.
Trinamool Congress Mamata Banerjee sworn in as the chief minister of West Bengal
for the second consecutive time along with 42-member ministry.
Mamata Banerjee was administered oath of office and secrecy by state Governor Keshri
Nath Tripathi.
Second time consecutive won in 2016 election by Mamata Banerjee lead the Trinamool
Congress with 211 out 294 seats which is two thirds majority mark.
AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa sworn-in as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister on the row of
Continuous Second Time.
AIADMK general secretary Jayalalithaa was sworn in as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister for a record
of Sixth Time by Governor K. Rosaiah with Twenty Eight ministers

ADMK won 134 seats out of 232 seats

Venue: Madras Universitys Centenary Hall, Chennai

Assembly Election: 15th

Sarbananda Sonowal to be sworn in as Assam CM and becomes first BJP Government in


Assam
BJP government formed the Legislative Assembly and Sarbananda Sonowal took charge as
the Chief Minister of the state along with 11 ministers.
Assembly Constituencies: 126
Ruling Party: BharatiyaJanata Party
Opposition Party: Indian National Congress
Chief Minister: Sarbananda Sonowal
Governor: Padmanabha Balakrishna Acharya
BJP Government has won 60 seats out 126 seats

Left Democractic Front Party Pinarayi Vijayan sworn-in as Kerala CM


The Cabinet of the Left Democratic Front Government comprises of 19 members including Chief
Minister.
Venue: Thiruvananthapuram
Left Democratic Front won 91 seats out of 140 seats

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Governor P. Sathasivam administered the oath of office and secrecy to Chief Minister
PinarayiVijayan and 18 members.

ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS


Cabinet approves takeover of Hindustan Steel Works Construction Ltd by NBCC
i. The Union Cabinet, headed by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given its approval
for financial restructuring of Hindustan Steel Works Construction Limited
ii. The Cabinet gave its nod for takeover by National Buildings Construction
Corporation Limited (NBCC), a PSU which runs under the aegis of Urban Development
Ministry.
iii. Under the proposal fee worth Rs.1502.2 crore will be converted into equity and equity
capital. The paid up equity capital of the company will become 1619.3 crore. The existing
paid up equity capital of the HSCL is Rs.117.1 crore.
iv. After settling the losses paid up capital of HSCL will become Rs. 34.3 crore. NBCC will
infuse funds of Rs. 35.7 crore with that capital of HSCL will become Rs.70 crore.
Google acquires business technology start-up Synergys
i.Sundar Pichai led search giant Google has acquired a Toronto-based business
technology start-up Synergyse to scale training offerings for Google Apps to its customers and
customers users. However Google did not disclose the monetarist matters of the deal.
ii.The Tech Start-up founded by an Indian-origin entrepreneur Varun Malhotra in 2013 with an
aim to teach users how to use Google Apps.
iii.The Google Apps ranges from Gmail, Calendar, Drive and Docs, was made to offer cloudbased productivity and communications around the world.

CarDekho acquires virtual reality startup Volob Technologies


i. Jaipur-based Girnar Software groups CarDekho has acquired virtual reality company Volob
Technologies in an all-cash deal. The deal size was undisclosed.
ii. Girnar Software Pvt. Ltd is owner of online portals CarDekho.com, Gaadi.com and
Zigwheels.com. The company is currently valued at $380 million, recently raised funds from
Google Capital and Hillhouse
iii. This year in April the company bagged SaaS startup Connecto and roadside assistance startup
help On Wheels Pvt. Ltd in a cash-and-stock deal.

Snapdeal acquires Targeting Mantra


i. Alibaba backed E-commerce giant Snapdeal has acquired Targeting Mantra to enhance
personalization of shopping experience of customers.

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ii. Snapdeals deal amount was not disclosed. Targeting Mantra has offices in Palo Alto and
Gurgaon
iii. Targeting Mantra specialises in the field management of customer life cycle through
personalization, targeting and big data analytics.

Knowlarity acquires customer engagement platform Smartwards


i. India-based cloud telephony company Knowlarity has announced it has acquired Delhi-based
customer engagement platform Smartwards to provide enterprise software solutions to small &
medium businesses.
ii. The move will help in businesses manage their customer loyalty programmes in-store and outof-store, through an app.

Quikr acquires beauty services provider Salosa


i. Mumbai-basedonline classifieds portal Quikr India has acquired on-demand beauty service
provider Salosa, owned by Beawel Tech Pvt.
ii. However the deal size is undisclosed in a move that will help to strengthen the home services
segment.
iii. The beauty services market is close to $5 billion in India and growing, which is evident from
the increasing number of requests we see from Tier I and Tier II cities on our platform.
iv. Quikr had earlier dedicated an investment of 250 crore to strengthen its home services
vertical. The company has 250,000 service providers who offer more than 80 services for
consumers and has about 100,000 daily customers.

Pfizer to buy Anacor Pharma in $5.2 bn deal


i. New York based global Pharmaceutical Corporation Pfizer Inc will buy California based Anacor
Pharmaceuticals in a deal valued at $5.2 billion, net of cash, to increase access to Anacors
experimental gel for treating eczema.
ii. Present companys inflammation and immunology medicines collection includes Enbrel and
Xeljanz, which target auto-immune diseases.
iii. The acquisition will facilitate the American major to access a non-steroidal topical gel,
crisaborole, which is presently under review by the US Food and Drug Administration for the
treatment of mild to moderate eczema.

Bayer offers to acquire Monsanto for $ 62 billion


i. German pharmaceutical and chemical giant Bayer AG has offered to buy U.S.
seeds companyMonsanto for $62 billion in all cash deal.
ii. The Leverkusen-based company has acquired the shares of common stock of Monsanto Company
for USD 122 per share or cumulative value of USD 62 billion.

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iii. Upon this both the sides would benefit from Monsantos leadership in seeds and traits and
Bayers broad crop protection product line across a wide-ranging indications and crops.

Mahindra incorporates Trringo as wholly-owned subsidiary


i. Mumbai-based utility vehicle major Mahindra & Mahindra has incorporated its agricultural
equipment rental services arm Trringo.com as a wholly-owned subsidiary.Its operations will be
initially will be in India.
ii. The Vehicles major has incorporated with an initial subscription of 50,000 shares of Rs 10 each
aggregating Rs 5 lakh as a wholly-owned subsidiary of it.
iii. Upon this move Trringo will utilise a proprietary digital platform as a platform to process orders
and pass them on to the nearest franchisee through location-based mapping.

SCHEMES
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister launched Chandranna Bima Yojana
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu inaugurated an insurance scheme
Chandranna Bima Yojana for the working class people on May Day
Venue: Vijayawada
Investment: Rs. 132 Crore for the implementation
Delegates: Union Minister for State for Science and technology Y S Chowdary, State Ministers K
Achhannaidu, D Umamaheshwara Rao and P Raghunadha Reddy and MP K Srinivas Nani
Features of the Scheme:

5 Crore workers would be covered under the scheme

5 Lakh would be paid if the Insurer worker met with an accidental fatal

5 Lakh for Permanent disability and Rs. 3 Lakh for Partial disability

Prime Minister Launches Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana at Ballia on May 1st 2016
Prime Minister launches Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana at Ballia to provide 5 crore Cooking
gas connections to beneficiaries in three years
Aim: To provide cooking gas connections to 5 crore below-poverty-line beneficiaries over the next
three years.
Venue: Ballia, Uttar Pradesh
Prime Minister Speech

Union Governments primary prime focus on welfare of the poor

He mentioned the Shram Suvidha Portal, and the Labour Identity Number given to all
employers

He recalled that Ballia is the land of the revolutionary Mangal Pandey, and added that
development of Eastern Uttar Pradesh has suffered for decades and being strengthened

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi to launch Rs. 8000 Crore Scheme for Free LPG connections
to poor
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched Rs. 8,000 crore scheme to provide 5 crore free LPG
connections to Below Poverty Line (BPL) using the money saved from 1.13 crore cooking gas users
pledge on Give it Up compaign.
Give-it-Up
Seeks to voluntarily surrender cooking gas subsidies for one year was launched in January, 2015.
States and their Give It Up users
1. Maharashtra 16.44 lakh
2. Uttar Pradesh 13 lakh
3. Delhi 7.26 lakh
4. Gujarat 4.2 lakh
5. Odisha 1.3 lakh
Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu half of the people given
up LPG subsidies

Swachh Bharat Mission funds released in Punjab to achieve clean India Mission
Union Government released the funds under various sections of Swachh Bharat Mission to
enhance the quality of Sanitation of Urban areas of Punjab state

Funds Sanctioned: 16 Crore 79 Lakh Rupees

No. of Municipal Corporation City: 9 except Ludhiana Corporation

*Ludhiana funded under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission


The funded amounts are the first Installment of the Solid Waste Management

Union Government has allocated 221 Crore Rupees to achieve the mission till October,
2019

Punjab Government has framed a technical committee to finalise the requirements of


local bodies.

The funds will be allocated to the other Municipal Council and Nagar Panchayats on
subsequent Phases.

The Funds will also enhance the ongoing cluster lever projects for Municipal Solid Waste
Management of Urban Local Bodies of Punjab on Public Private Partnership for 25 years

Under the Solid Waste Management program, the project has been divided into eight
clusters
1. Bathinda

5. Amritsar

2. Ferozpur

6.

6.Patiala

3. Ludhiana

7.

7.GMADA Greater Mohali Area

4. Jalandhar

Development Authority

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8.Pathankot
Out of the eight clusters, 3 clusters are in implementation stage while 5 cluster are in development
stage

Centre to relax PMGSY norms in Arunachal


i. Union government has agreed to relax the norms in Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana to
boost rural road connectivity for landlocked hilly Arunachal Pradesh state.
ii. The Union minister for Rural Development Minister Birender Singh gave his nod for relaxation
on population norm for faster road connectivity.
iii. The state demanded long span bridges up to 200 metres on the rivers of Siang, Subansiri,
Kameng, Lohit and Dibang.
iv. The Union Minister agreed to consider the same for which a technical team from the Ministry
would visit the areas to assess the requirements and suggest appropriate technology.
v. Centre has agreed to enhance the allocation under PMGSY during RE (Revised Estimate) stage at
the request of the CM Kalikho Pul from Rs 468 crore to 1100 crore during the current year in
view of the enhanced target of constructing roads 1000 kms in the state.

Govt releases Rs 9,367 cr under MGNREGA to drought-hit states


i. Union government has released 9,367 crore to drought-hit States under MGNREGA in 2016-17,
the Parliament was informed by the Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh.
ii. Centre also relaxed norms under the Scheme to make available additional employment of 50
days per household over and above the 100 days in areas affected by natural calamities during
2015-16.

Sulabh group to set up hybrid toilet complexes in 9 Odisha cities


i. The Odisha government signed a MoU with Sulabh International Social Service Organisation
(SISSO) for construction and maintenance of hybrid toilet complexes in its nine cities.
ii. The hybrid toilet complexes having 5,957 seats will come up in urban centres such as
Bhubaneswar, and other cities which covered under Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban
Transformation (AMRUT) yojna.

Uma Bharti Launches Rural Sanitation Initiatives for Ganga Rejuvenation in Jharkhand
Union Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Uma Bharti
initiated nine projects for rural sanitation projects under Namami Gange Programme for
conservation of river Ganga
Venue: River Gange in Sahibganj, Jharkhand
Focus on three significant intrusions

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4. Establishment of safe, individual hygiene practices to ensure open defecation free status
of all 78 villages along the river Ganga
5. Promotion of cost-effective, appropriate local, low cost, easy to manage technologies
using local resources to ensure improved access, sustained use and maintenance of
infrastructure created for effective management of solid and liquid waste.
6. Strengthening

of

local

institutions

including

panchayats,

village

level

sanitation

committees and self-help groups to effectively manage, enhance and maintain facilities
established for enhanced sanitation in the villages

Odisha Government launches DBT scheme for farmers


i. Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik launched the Direct Benefit Transfer scheme for farmers
and pledged digging of at least one lakh bore wells to improve irrigation facilities.
ii. On behalf this move famers will get themselves registered online to purchase seeds and get
the subsidy amount in their bank accounts directly of the state.
iii. The first beneficiary of the DBT scheme was Ramesh Rout of Laxminarayanpur area. The
seeds subsidy amount was deposited in Routs bank account.

Tollywood superstar Mahesh Babu adopts AP village


i. Telugu film actor Mahesh Babu has adopted a village inAndhra Pradeshs Guntur district
village Burripalem under the Smart Village-Smart Ward programme. The actor also launched
several development works worth about Rs 2.14 crore.
ii. The financial grant of Rs 2.14 crore used for the construction of an Anganwadi building, a
community hall, additional classrooms in the local school, laying of water pipelines, development of
roads and drains in the village.

Amit Shah inaugurates 2nd phase of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana in Gujarat
i. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national president Amit Shah will inaugurate the second phase of
Pradhan mantri Ujjwala Yojana at Dahod district of Gujarat.
ii. In the second phase of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, the free LPG connection will be
given to BPL families in tribal district of Dahod.
iii. This scheme was launched the scheme in Uttar Pradesh on May 1. It aims to provide free LPG
connections to about five crore families living below poverty line across the country.
iv. The ambitious Rs 8,000 crore iniative will be funded using the money saved from 1.13 crore
cooking gas users voluntarily giving up their subsidies through PMs Give It Up initiative.

15 days Swachh Office drive launched across the country


i. Urban Development Minister M.Venkaiah Naidu launched a 15-day special Swachh Office
Drive for ensuring cleanliness at all Government offices across the country as an intensive

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thematic campaign under Swachh Bharat Mission.
ii. The Minister also planted a Neem sapling at Nirman Bhawan and inspected the building for
about an hour for an on the spot assessment of sanitation.
iii. The Ministrys suggestion include ensuring water supply at 45 litres per head per day, one
toilet for every 25 persons, urinals to be provided based on employee strength, removal of stains
every week, checking electrical fittings twice a week, acid cleaning and scrubbing of toilets daily,
schedule of inspections etc.

Military tourism initiative Veer Yatra launched in Pune


i. Maharashtra Ex-servicemens Corporation has launched the Veer Yatra, an initiative by the
Military body that aims to spice up a vacation with on-locale narratives of real-life dare-devilry
and heroism.
ii. This Yatra is for civilians provides a peek into the lives of the countrys defence forces, also
focusing on areas of historic importance. It also targets to provide employment to 1,000 exservicemen and war widows over the next year.
iii. This yatra includes a range of specially designed holiday packages that could take tourists to
military training academies, battlefields, and high-altitude pickets, mountain passes such as Nathu
La and Zoji La or border posts along the Line of Control.

HP Chief Minister launched initiative to empower women for Raising Education Standards
Venue: Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
Launched By: Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh
Programme: PEHAl
Theme: Raising Education Standards
Main Focus:

Qualitative change in Primary Education(Prerna)

Educating people about Forest Rights

Awareness on Health, Sanitation

Launching Anti-Drug Campaigns

Generating jobs and empowering women

Virbhadra Singh Statement:

Being improved the learning levels in primary schools

The programme would help identify gaps and make teachers responsible

He rejoiced for the identification of 100 primary schools across Shimla for implementing the
scheme called PRERNA.

He awaked about the health and hygienic in all aspects of every school children

Completed Programme:

Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaign

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J P Nadda launches Kayakalp Fortnight to be observed across the country in Central
Government hospitals
i. Union Health Minister, J P Nadda launches Kayakalp Fortnight at AIIMS, New Delhi in order to
set protocols for hygiene and sanitation at government health facilities.
ii. Kayakalp Fortnightwill be observed throughout the country in various central government
hospitals from 20th May to 3rd June, 2016.

Objectives of Kayakalp:
standards and protocols have been put in place for upkeep of services within and outside the
buildings.
support services such as laundry and food are provided at various locations.
waste management and infection control measures are taken.
Committees and sub-committees are formed to periodically review and monitor the progress.
Gujarat CM launches Smart Village program
i. Gujarat government has launched Smart Village program, it was launched by Chief Minister
Anandiben Patel on her two year completion in office in Gandhinagar in Gujarat.
ii. The state government will select 300 villages for Smart Village program that will get 80 lakh to
2 crore rupees cash assistance to improve public facilities in the villages.
iii. She will felicitate villages that have 100 percent completion of toilet. The chief minister also
attendedAccessible India Campaign.
Union Government announced 13 cities as Smart Cities
Urban Development Ministry announced 13 cities as Smart Cities where highly advanced in terms
of overall infrastructure, sustainable real estate, communications and market viability
Ministry: Urban Development, Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation
Name of the Cities
Lucknow, Warangal , Panaji, Dharamsala, Chandigarh, Raipur, New Town Kolkata, Bhagalpur, Port
Blair, Imphal, Ranchi, Agartala and Faridabad
Venkaiah Naidu conferred that seven more capital cities will be entered to the smart city
competition.The above 13 cities are announced as Smart Cities.

They are Patna, Shimla, Naya Raipur, Itanagar, Amaravati, Bengaluru and
Thiruvananthapuram.

Twenty-three cities, with the highest ranking from as many States and Union
Terrritories, which failed to get representation in the first round of competition.

The Fast Track Competition from which these 13 were selected.

23 cities competed for the Fast Track Competition:

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Warangal (Telangana); Lucknow, New Town Kolkata, Panaji, Pasighat (Arunachal Pradesh),
Dharmashala (Himachal Pradesh), Faridabad (Haryana), Raipur (Chattisgarh), Bhagalpur (Bihar),
Shillong (Meghalaya), Namchi (Sikkim), Port Blair (Andaman & Nicobar Islands), Diu (Daman &
Diu), Oulgaret (Puducherry), Silvassa (Dadra & Nagar Haveli), Imphal (Manipur), Ranchi
(Jharkhand), Agartala (Tripura), Kohima (Nagaland), Aizawl (Mizoram), Kavaratti (Lakshadweep),
Dehradun (Uttarakhand) and Chandigarh.
Smart City

A Smart City is an urban region that is highly advanced in terms of overall infrastructure,
sustainable real estate, communications and market viability.

It is a city where information technology is the principal infrastructure and the basis for
providing essential services to residents.

HRD Ministry plans to launch the worlds largest student-tracking programme, Shala
ASMITA Yojana(SAY)
i. Union HRD Ministry is set to launch Shala Asmita Yojana which is a programme that would
probably be the worlds largest student tracking system for both private and government
schools.
ii. The proposed Scheme aims to track the educational journey of close to 25 crore school
students from Class I to Class XII across 15 lakh schools in India.

MoUs
India, Aus sign MoU to enhance R&D capabilities in biotech
i. Science and Technology Ministry signed a MoU with Horticulture Innovation
Australiato stimulate and enhance the strategic research and innovation capabilities of
the Indian biotech industry Council- BIRAC which is a PSU.
ii. The MoU also for launching a joint funding call to undertake horticultural research in
order to develop and deploy modern tools of plant biotechnology to improve crop
productivity.
iii. The MoU aims to create a supportive innovation ecosystem for researchers to
undertake high-level research and promote horticulture techniques.
iv. The funding commitment from Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance
Councils and Horticulture Innovation is up to 6 million Australian dollars over a period
of three years.

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MoU signed for setting up of IIT in Jammu
Jammu and Kashmir government has signed a MoU with Delhi IIT to establish Indian Institute of
Technology in the Jammu & Kashmir. Regular classes will commence from the current session in
the temporary campus
(i)

The MoU has been signed by Higher Education Secretary Hemant Kumar Sharma and

Director, IIT Delhi Prof. V Ramgopal Rao.


(ii) The state government is committed for setting up IIT Jammu with highest standards in a par
with other IITs in the country

Joint issue between Department of Posts and UN Postal Administration on UN Women


HeForShe postage stamp
i. A Memorandum of Understanding was inked between Department of Posts and United Nations
Postal Administration (UNPA) in February this year for HeForShe stamp, as Union Cabinet
apprised the joint issue of UN Women HeForShe postage stamp.
ii. Upon this move the stamps were printed in the form of sheetlet of 20 se-tenants and
Miniature Sheet of two stamps.

Memorandum of Cooperation to be signed between Ministry of Women & Child


Development and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, approved Memorandum of Co-operation (MoC)
between Ministry of Women & Child Development (MWCD) and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
(BMGF).

In accordance with the cooperation in Information and Communication


Technology enabled Real Time Monitoring (ICT-RTM) of Integrated Child Development
Services (ICDS). It also deals with other technical matter.

Future goals of MoC :

Implementation of ICT-RTM of ICDS which will enable the authorities for timely
intervention for ensuring proper service delivery.

It is deals with

shared national communication campaign

communications strategy and guidelines

customizing communications

developing plans for large scale dissemination

MoU signed between Ministry of Railways and Forest Department of Haryana & Punjab
for plantation of trees alongside Railway Track on Railway Land Boundary
In order to save the environment, Haryana & Punjab Forest Department inked MoU
with Ministry of Railways to plant the trees alongside Railway Track on Railway Land Boundary.

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Signed between Pankaj Saxena, Chief Engineer /P&D, Northern Railway on


behalf of Minister of Railways and Dr. (Mrs.) Amrinder Kaur, Principal Chief
Conservator of Forest (PCCF) on behalf of Minister of State (IC) for Environment,
Forest and Climate Change

Venue: Rail Bhawan, New Delhi


Features of Plantation programme:

Will stop soil erosion which is the main cause of rail accidents

Plantation programme will be further developed and all railway colonies will also be
done with plantation

Trees are to be planted as per ecosystem of that area

Initiatives by Railways:

Start to harvest rain water in big and small buildings

Lots of volunteers also in this programme for a grand success

Railways will work as a Territorial Army to implement this programme and RPF personnel
will also be used for plantation programme

Cabinet nod for agreement with EU on S & T cooperation and apprised of MoU between
India, Qatar
i. Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the bilateral agreement
signed between India and Qatar.
ii. The MoU signed in March, last year and ratifications made thereafter. The agreement between
the two countries seeks active engagement and cooperation in field of IT and Telecom sector.
Cabinet nod for agreement with EU on S & T cooperation:
Union government has given nod for renewal of agreement between the research institutions of
European Union member-countries and India for scientific and technological cooperation with
European Union (EU) for another 5 years.

National Research Development Corporation (NRDC) inks Agreements for


Commercialization of New Technologies and Promotion of Start Ups
i. The National Research Development Corporation (NRDC), under Science Ministry has entered into
Licence Agreements with Nabagram Resham Shilpa Unnayan Cooperative Society Ltd of West
Bengal and Dariapur Rural Development Society of West Bengal for the commercialization of
Ghar Sodhon.
ii. This agreement called Ghar Sodhon is to form a room disinfectant for silkworm rearing houses
and appliances. It has been developed at the Central Silk Research & Training Institute under
the Ministry of Textiles.
iii. These string of agreements of NRDC aids the Make in India and Start-up India Missions of
the Government of India.
iv. The Technology Business Incubator Centre for Incubation and Business has entered

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into a MoA with NRDC to support the activities of the Incubation Centre and their successful
operation for socio-economic benefits.

Indo-Japan Collaboration in the Field of Science & Technology and sign MOU for
Cooperation in Sports
i. India and Japan are in close collaboration on several focus areas Science & Technology.
ii. From Indian Side Union Minister for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences Dr. Harsh Vardhan
held a meeting with the Japanese Minister for Education, Culture, Sports, and Science &
Technology Hirodie Hase in New Delhi.
Cooperation in Sports:
India and Japan agreed to exchange sportspersons, coaches, experts and administrators to
improve the standard of the game in both nations.
The decisions were taken during a meeting between Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and a
12-member delegation from Japan led by Hase Hiroshi, Minister of Education, Culture, Sports,
Science and Technology.
In 2020 Tokyo will host the Summer Olympics and Paralympic Games, while India will host
the Under-17 World Cup in next year.

Infosys Foundation signs pact with IISER


i. Bengaluru based IT majors arm Infosys Foundation has signed a pact with Indian Institute of
Science Education and Research (IISER., Pune) to pursue high quality education for economically
weaker section students.
ii. The MoU aims to provide high quality science education and research through scholarships,
fellowships and travel awards also creating equal opportunities for students from poorer
background and advancing the quality of research done at Indian institutions.
iii. The foundation set aside a corpus fund of Rs 5 crore named as The Infosys Foundation
Endowment Fund that will continue in perpetuity to benefit a minimum of 50 students annually
as part of the MoU.

Ayush to ink pact with WHO to spread significance of Ayurveda


i. The Ayush ministry will sign a pact with the World Health Organization (WHO) to spread the
importance of Ayurveda and Ayush across the world. This agreement will take place in the US in
the presence of Prime Minister Modi.
ii. The preparations for the second World Yoga Day is on the track. Ayurveda needed to promote
and spread the ancient practise of medicine the ministry says.
iii. On behalf of this India and the US will sign an agreement in the next two months to carry out
a research on cancer.

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Investments through Mauritius to be taxed from April 2017
India will start imposing capital gains tax on investments routed through Mauritius from
April next under a revised tax treaty

To curb tax evasion and round-tripping of funds

Mauritius and Singapore are among the top-most sources of foreign direct investments
into India

The signing of the protocol with Mauritius follows decade-long negotiations.

Amended treaty with Mauritius:

From two years beginning April 1, 2017, capital gains tax will be imposed at 50 per
cent of the prevailing domestic rate. Full rate will apply from April 1, 2019.

The concessional rate would apply to a Mauritius resident company that can prove that
it has a total expenditure of at least 27 lakh in the African island nation.

The amendment to the 1983:

Double Taxation Avoidance Convention (DTAC) with Mauritius.

Signed at : Port Louis, Mauritius

DTAC did not provide for taxing capital gains in either of the two nations.

The three-decade-old taxation treaty


Existence : April 1, 1983.
Purpose: It is misused by many Indian and multinational companies to avoid paying tax or to
route illicit funds.

Government inks MoU with NDTV Ethnic Retail Ltd. to popularize India Handloom
products
i. The Textile Ministry has signed a pact with NDTV Ethnic Retail Ltd for popularizing India
Handloom textiles as a fashionable product for youth at Udyog Bhawan New Delhi
ii. The MoU valid for three-years. Government will support the project with incubation and
production support.
iii. The joint iniative is to endorse and launch a NDTVs Project Indianroots Fashion
Accelerator, that seeks support of fresh talent and to support new and innovative ventures in
fashion industry.
iv.This move by the government is to connect fashion designers with Handloom sector in an
organized manner.

Cabinet approves pact between SEBI and FSRA Abu Dhabi


i. Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved signing of a pact between
markets regulator SEBI and Financial Services Regulatory Authority, Abu Dhabi for mutual
co-operation and technical assistance.
ii. The Market regulators move will promote further development of economic links and

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cooperation between the two signatories and will help create conditions for development of
securities markets in the two countries.
iii. It would also back towards strengthening the information sharing framework between the two
regulators.

India and Slovenia have signed Protocol amending the India-Slovenia Double Taxation
Avoidance Convention.
i. India and Central European country Slovenia have signed a protocol to amend an
existing double taxation avoidance treaty.
ii. This agreement will widen the scope of the existing framework of exchange of tax related
information.
iii. The protocol was signed by Indian ambassador to Slovenia Sarvajit Chakravarti, and
Slovenian Finance Minister Dusan Mramor on behalf of Slovenia.
iv. The framework is likely to help curb tax evasion and tax avoidance between the two countries
and also enable mutual assistance in collection of taxes.
Telangana govt signs MoU with Eclat Health Solns
i. Telangana government has signed a MoU with US-based healthcare tech firm Eclat Health
Solutions, which will invest USD 15 million in the state to provide 1,000 jobs, it was signed by
IT Minister K T Rama Rao On behalf the state.
ii. The State touring US has also signed another agreement with Genesis Pharmaceuticals Chairman
Monif Matouk, and Safye Holdings CEO Afi Hasan.
iii. The team comprising State Principal Secretary, Industries, Commerce and Power Arvind Kumar,
IT department Secretary Jayesh Ranjan and the IT minister.

India, China, four others sign pact on tax info sharing


Six Nations singed pact on tax information sharing in order deal with issues related to taxes.
Six Nations:
Canada, Iceland, India, Israel, New Zealand and the Peoples Republic of China
Aim:

Automatic exchange of information on tax issues bilaterally and automatically exchange


Country-by-Country Reports with each other

Develop new tools a complete understanding of how Multi National Enterprises structure
their operations, while also ensuring that the confidentiality of such information is
safeguarded

Standards for tackling tax base erosion and evasion

Other countries already took part in the pact are:

Australia, France, Germany, Japan, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Italy and the UK

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Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) issued final tax policy
recommendations branching from its Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) project

Government approves deal between India, Mauritius on cooperation in cooperatives


i.The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved for signing of an
Inter-Governmental Agreement between India and Mauritius on cooperation in cooperatives and
related fields.
ii. The Treaty will be for a period of five years after which it will be automatically extended for
another five years.
iii.The Agreement is to promote cooperation through short and medium term programmes within
the framework of the joint activities declared in it.

India and WHO sign a landmark agreement for Global promotion of Traditional Systems
of Medicine
India and WHO signed Project Collaboration Agreement for Cooperation on promoting the
quality, safety and effectiveness of service provision in traditional and complementary medicine
Delegates:
Signed by
Secretary, Ministry of AYUSH Ajit M Sharan
Assistant Director General, Health Systems and Innovations WHO Dr. Marie Kieny
Witnessed authorities:
Minister of State (Independent Charge) of AYUSH Mr. Shripad Yesso Naik
Director-General, World Health Organization, Dr. Margaret Chan
Venue: Geneva
Date: 13.05.2016
Focus: Co-operation on promoting the quality, safety and effectiveness of service provision in
traditional and complementary medicine between WHO and AYUSH, India for the year 2016-2020
Aims:

Support WHO in the development and implementation of the WHO Traditional and
Complementary Medicine Strategy: 2014-2023

Contribute to the global promotion of traditional Indian Systems of Medicine

Features of Project Collaboration Agreement for the period 2016-2020:

Training in Yoga

Practice in Ayurveda, Unani and Panchakarma

Contribute significantly in ensuring the quality, safety and effectiveness of traditional


medicine

Speeches by Ministry of AYUSH:

Long history and rich heritage of traditional medicine in India

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Priority attached by the Government of India for the promotion of traditional medicine
both in India and abroad

Highlighted the initiatives taken to integrate AYUSH in Indias National health


programmes and for achieving Universal Health Coverage

Practiced with a view to provide integrated and holistic healthcare services

India, Bangladesh power ties with 21st-century nuclear deal


India inked a 21st century nuclear agreement with Bangladesh to engage the bilateral
neighbourhood relationship between two nations.
The core of the Agreement
i.Energy ii. Connectivity iii.Security

Signed between Minister of External Affairs and Bangladesh Department of Science and
Technology

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated a
100MW power transmission line from Palatana to Bangladesh

India is working to upgrade the power transmission line to 500MW

Oil minister Dharmendra Pradhan visited the Dhaka and assured to send diesel to
Bangladesh from West Bengal.

India efforts to support Bangladesh:

India requirestransporting LPG and LNG to the northeastern states through


Bangladesh.

Four Indian based companies BHEL, Reliance, Shapoorji-Pallonji and Adani have bid
to set up power plants in Bangladesh.

The Indian nuclear deal will equip and train Bangladesh to import their first nuclear power
plant from Russia.

Comfort Factor Both land and maritime boundaries are now clearly demarcated

Australian university to provide medical technology to India


i. State of Victorias Swinburne University in Australian declared two agreements with India in
the area of medical technology to figure out major health challenges in India.
ii. Under this announcement Neuroscience leaders from Swinburne signed one agreement with one
of Indias largest Medanta hospitals to improve the diagnosis of epilepsy across the country.
iii. In the pair of agreements by the other one with the prestigious All India Institute of Medical
Sciences to develop an advanced smart helmet to reduce the incidence of head injuries for
motorcyclists.

ISRO Signs MoU with 37 countries for exploration and use of outer space
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) which runs under the Space Department has signed

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MoU/ Cooperative agreements for exploration and use of outer space with 37 countries in recent
times.
The MoUs included in various field viz.
i. Joint development of advanced scientific instruments to observe earth and universe,
ii. Joint realization of satellite missions,
iii. Jointly carrying out calibration and validation experiments,
iv. Conducting airborne campaign with advanced instruments,
v. Deep space navigation and communication support for space science missions,
vi. Development of advanced technologies for building and launching of spacecrafts for earth
observation and space science exploration,
vii. Fields to explore newer research activities.
The countries with which India signed the MoU are:
Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Egypt, France,
Germany, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Mauritius, Mexico,
Mongolia, Myanmar, Norway, Peru, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Spain,
Sweden, Syria, Thailand, The Netherlands, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, United
States of America and Venezuela.

Indo-US Brain Trust formed to deepen scientific collaboration


i. India and the US have formed a Brain Trust intended at deepening and strengthening
cooperation between the brightest in the scientific community of the worlds two largest
democracies.
ii. The Indo-US Brain Trust intends to assemble some of the finest minds to support a deepening of
US-India collaboration in science, research, academia, entrepreneurship and innovation.
iii. This partnership for R&D and scientific collaboration is essential to take this relationship to the
next level also to create a platform.

Cabinet gives ex-post facto approval to the MOU between India & Japan for power
development
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi signed agreements on MOU between India and Japan
Purpose: To address issues and barriers in promoting sustainable, stable and low-carbon thermal
power development
Features of the MOU:

Cooperation towards Energy Efficient Renovation & Modernization

New power development

To support Renovation and Modernization (R&M) materialization

Knowledge and technology exchange activities to support Clean Coal Technology (CCT)

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Implementation of thermal power plants such as Ultra Super Critical (USC) and other
environmental technologies

Overall power development for India as well as to facilitate relevant policy implementation

The proposal includes undertaking of activities:


1. Updation on the current and future policies from R&M and Life Extension(LE) to new
power development
2. Identification of barriers addressed by the Central Electricity Authority(CEA) and
Japan Coal Energy Centre (JCOAL)
3. Implementation of full-fledged diagnosis and effective measures including Residual Life
Assessment (RLA) and Conditional Assessment (CA)
4. The number of target power station(s)/unit(s) will be decided through mutual consultation
by CEA and JCOAL
5. Consideration of justifiability and feasibility of individual cases of power development
based on thermal power generation technologies
6. Consideration of possibilities for acquisition of carbon credits with
bilateral/multilateral offset schemes
7. Implementation of an annual workshop in India and CCT Transfer Programme in
Japan for bilateral knowledge and technology exchanges
8. Hold an annual joint meeting attended by representatives of the Parties to discuss
issues that have arisen in the course of implementation of the Project
9. Any relevant party/stakeholder may also attend the meeting as special invitees as agreed
on by the Parties
Union Government accorded ex-post facto approval to India-Maldives MoU on tourism
Cabinet gives ex-post facto approval to the Memorandum of Understanding between India and
Maldives for strengthening cooperation in the field of tourism
Feature:Strengthening cooperation in the field of tourism
Objectives:
1. To expand bilateral cooperation in the tourism sector
2. To exchange information and data related to tourism
3. To encourage cooperation between tourism stakeholders, including hotels and tour
operators
4. To establish exchange programme for cooperation in Human Resources Development
5. To invest in the Tourism and Hospitality sectors
6. To exchange visits of Tour Operators/Media/Opinion Makers for promotion of two-way
tourism
7. To exchange experiences in the areas of promotion, marketing, destination development
and management
8. To participate in travel fairs/exhibitions in each others country and

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9. To promote safe honourable and sustainable tourism

MoU between Indian Space Research Organisation and the United Arab Emirates Space
Agency
i. Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi apprised a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) signed between Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and
the United Arab Emirates Space Agency (UAESA) in New Delhi on February this year.
ii. The MoU is intended for cooperation in the exploration and user of outer space for peaceful
purposes.
iii. The joint agreement will help in setting up a Joint Working Group with members from ISRO and
UAESA that will strengthen the work out the plan of action including the time-frame and the means
of execution of this MoU.

COMMITTEES
Committee for Evolution of a National Education Policy submits report to Ministry
of HRD
i. In a bid to give evolution to the Education system Union government-appointed
committee directed by Ex-Cabinet Secretary T S R Subramanian has submitted its report
of a New Education Policy.
ii. The report containing its recommendations to the Ministry of HRD which had undertaken
a consultation process for framing a New Education Policy and this process included
online, grassroots and national-level thematic deliberations on 33 themes.
iii. The committee has carried out a large body of outcome documents, recommendations
and suggestions received and also had several meetings with various stakeholders.
iv. The process covers nearly all gram panchayats, blocks, urban local bodies and districts
of all 36 states and UTs was undertaken between May to October last year.
v. This Thematic consultations were carried out by the ministry and also by institutions
likeUGC, AICTE, NCTE, NCERT and several universities and autonomous institutions.

SC appointed RM Lodha-panel to reform Medical Council of India


i.Supreme Court appointed a three-member panel headed by RM Lodha to oversee how the
regulator ofmedical profession and education in India function
ii.The five-judge constitution bench headed byJustice AR Dave ordered to reform the Medical
Council of India.
iii.MCIspolicydecisions will require approval of the oversight committee. The committee
empowered to issue appropriate remedial directions to the Medical Council.

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iv.In the committee has the panel has former CAG VinodRai and Dr SK Sareen.Initially the panel
will function for a year.

Govt sets up panel to draft national policy on marine fishery


i. Union government has set up a new panel to prepare a draft national policy on marine fishery
after ascertaining the current status of exploitation of the resources. Minister of State for
Agriculture Sanjeev Kumar Balyan informed in Lok Sabh.
ii. A committee was constituted on July 28, 2015, under the chairmanship of S Ayyapan, former
director general of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
iii. The Ayyapan committee was set up after the recommendations of the Meena Kumari Committee
on deep-sea fishing was not being implemented by the government as the committees report was
received on August 5, 2014.

NK Singh to head panel on review of FRBM roadmap


Union Finance Ministry has set up a new committee to review the governments fiscal
roadmap and review the working of the related Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act
that was enacted in 2003
i. The proposed panel will make its assessment and provide its views on the expected impact of the
expected impact of its recommendations on the general government deficit and other FRBM
parameters, adding that.
ii. The committee will submit its report by October 31 this year also FRBM Act has been under
implementation for more than a decade in 2003.
The Committee Members:
Panel Members
Designation
NK Singh.
MP and Ex Revenue and Expenditure
Secretary.
Arvind Subramanian
Chief Economic Advisor
Sumit Bose.
Ex-Finance Secretary
Urjit Patel.
Reserve Bank Deputy Governor
Rathin Roy.
NIPFP Director

Appointed as
Head
Members
Members
Members
Member

Government sets up panel to relook defence expenditure


i. Union government has appointed the 11-member committee led by Lt Gen D B
Shekatkar(retd) to relook defence expenditure
ii. Aim : To ensure Indias combat capabilities and potential are enhanced, with a better teeth-totail combat ratio, within budgetary constraints.
Committee Work:
Shekatkar committee will recommend measures to enhance the combat capabilities of the
over13-lakh strong armed forces and Re-balance the overall defence expenditure in view of
the escalating salary and pension bills.

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Approval of Committee on Yoga Education in Universities
Committe Constituted: 15th January, 2016
Purpose: Yoga education in universities
Chairpersonship: Prof H.R. Nagendra, Chancellor, Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana
Venue: Samsthana, Bengaluru
The Terms of Reference (ToRs) of the committee:

Identification of courses and programmes in yogic art and science.

To determine the eligibility qualifications for students for joining yoga education
programme at different levels.

To prescribe recommendations for qualifications for faculty of yoga etc.

Report Submitted: 19th April, 2016.


Purpose: It has recommended seven programmes for implementation in universities.
Courses Offered:
(i) Certificate Course in Yoga (CCY) of 6 to 12 months duration
(ii) Bachelors of Science (Yoga)-BSc.(Yoga) of 3 to 6 years
(iii) Post Graduate Diploma in Yoga (PGDY) of 1 to 2 years
(iv) Post Graduate Diploma in Yoga Therapy(PGDYT) of 1 to 2 years
(v) Masters of Science (MSc.)- Yoga of 2 years to 4 years
(vi) Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)-Yoga of 3 to 5 years
(vii) Doctor of Philosophy (Integrated)- Yoga of 4 to 6 years

Centre sets up panel to frame policy for taxi operators


i. Union government has set up a three-member committee to frame a policy framework for taxi
aggregators and other transport operators.
ii. Road Transport ministry panel will be headed by Sanjay Mitra, Secretary, Ministry of Road
Transport & Highways and have the Joint Secretary of the dept and the Delhi Transport
Commissioner as its members.
iii. Transport operators and Taxi players had met Road Transport and Highways MinisterNitin
Gadkari imparting him of the situation that has occurred following the Supreme Courts order
banning diesel taxis in the NCR.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY


Snapdeal opens data sciences centre in California
i. Online Commerce major Snapdeal has established a data sciences centre in San Carlos,
California to get top global talent and build high-value solutions.
ii. The Data Sciences Center will focus on big-data and advanced-analytics to define
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consumer-centric growth strategy to Snapdeals consumer-centric initiatives.
iii. The centre with experienced data experts from leading global brands like Groupon,
Google, Yahoo and Amazon and is headed by Nitin Sharma, Senior Vice President.
NASA successfully deploys space stations inflatable room
i. US space agency NASA has successfully deployed the first trial inflatable room attached
to the International Space Station to take up less room on a spacecraft, but provide
greater volume for astronauts.
ii. The Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM) was built by Las Vegas-based
Bigelow Aerospace under a $17 million contract.
iii. The module weighs whooping 1,400 kg and 1.5 metres in length to reach 1.7
metres beyond its packed configuration and an internaldiameter of 3.2 metres
also Internal air tanks provided the final pressurization to complete the job.
Portal launched to promote Net Zero Energy Buildings
i. Indian Power Ministry and the United States Agency for International Development
(USAID) launched Indias first integrated web portal designed to promote and
mainstreamNet Zero Energy Buildings (NZEB) in India.
ii. The portal (www.nzeb.in) was launched by Secretary of Union Ministry of Power
Pradeep Kumar Pujari and Ambassador Mr Jonathan Addleton, USAID Mission Director to
India.

iii.This portal make available range of information about Net Zero Energy

Buildings those that make as much energy as they consume as well as how to attain
near-zero energy status through the use of efficient lighting and equipment, integration of
renewable energy technologies, and best practice design strategies.
iv. This portal is first of its kind, which will deliver a wealth of information for
policymakers, developers, architects, engineers, sustainability consultants, and academia
to leapfrog towards energy efficiency standards and practices.
Worlds smallest engine developed
i. Scientists have developed a microscopic engine which is set be the smallest in the world,
which capable of driving nanobots, and medical robots that could travel through the body.
ii.The tiny engine is just a few billionths of a metre in size, which is powered by light and may help
develop nano-machines that can navigate in water, sense the environment around them, or even
enter living cells to fight disease.
iii.The Ant is driven by physical rather than chemical reactions. It contains gold nanoparticles of
about 0.06 microns in diameter in water with a gel-like polymer called pNIPAM.
Engines Inventors:

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Petrol and Diesel Engines were invented by German Mechanical engineer Rudolf Dieseland
German Engineer Nicholas otto.

Worlds smallest thermometer created from DNA


i.Scientists have developed Smallest Thermometer in the world using DNA structures that can
fold and unfold at specifically defined temperature functions.
ii.The worlds tiniest thermometer that is 20,000 times smaller than a human hair will
significantly help in understanding of natural and human designed nanotechnologies by enabling to
measure temperature at the nanoscale.
iii.These nanoscale thermometers open many exciting avenues in the developing field of
nanotechnology, and help to better understand molecular biology.

Free internet for visiting devotees at Golden Temple


i.Punjabs Golden Temple will now have free Wi-Fi internet access for the devotees visiting
within the temple complex and its peripheral area. The free wi-fi facility will be provided
by Videocon.
ii.Keeping religious ethics in view, this facility will not be available inside the sanctum sanctorum of
the temple and the marbled area around the water pond.
iii.The service would be available in all nearby routes around the periphery of Golden Temple,
besides all the guest-houses run by SGPC in the temple.

Union Railways Ministry launches E-enabled PMIS app for proper monitoring of projects
i. Union Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu has launched an application called Project
Management and Information System (PMIS) used for proper monitoring of all the Railway
projects across the country in Rail Bhawan ,New Delhi.
ii. It will be a web-enabled IT- application will contain all the information about the ongoing
projects which will help in reducing the completion time.
iii. The app is launched keeping the view in projects that currently Indian Railways have over
600 major projects of network expansion and modernization costing nearby 4.5 lakh crores

Union Commerce Ministry launched EXIM Analytics Dashboard for export, import data
i. Commerce & Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman launched a dashboard on EXIM Analytics to
provide easy access to the public on export and import trends of the country. This iniative of the
Ministry is also in tune with the principle of Government at the doorstep.
ii. This is a portal developed by the Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and
Statistics, at the request of the Commerce Ministry.
iii. The Countrys merchandise exports fell for the 16th successive month in March this year
owing to depressed global demand, recording a decline of 5.5 percent during the month,

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compared to 5.6 percent in February.
iv. The iniative on export import will enable small and new start-up businessmen to foray into
global trade based on reliable government information.

Shri Piyush Goyal to Launched Portal for Contract Labour Payment Management System
i. Power Minister Piyush Goyal launched a portal of Coal India Limited (CIL) called Contract Labour
Payment Management System in New Delhi. This portal will be made fully functional within 45 to
60 days.
ii. The move is to Felicitate Employees of his Ministries, PSUs & Statutory Bodies for their Path
Breaking Work towards Lighting Up India.
iii. It will reduce corruption and exploitation of labour issues by the contractors and help providing
proper & timely wages to contractual workers.
iv. The wages will be calculated and credited directly in bank account of the all contractual
labourers through this portal.

Three Earth-like planets discovered orbiting dwarf star


i. Researchers have discovered three potentially habitable, Earth-like planets orbiting an
ultracool dwarf star that is nearly 40 light-years away in another star system.
ii. The dwarf star which is scientifically ultra-cool is known as TRAPPIST-1. Its at the end of the
range for what classifies as a star as half the temperature and a tenth the mass of the sun.
iii. TRAPPIST-1 is a red roughly larger than Jupiter and too dim to be seen with the naked eye or
even amateur telescopes from Earth. It is located in the constellation of Aquarius (The Water
Carrier).

SpaceX rocket launches satellite, then lands on ship at sea


i. A driverless SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched from Florida to put a communications satellite
into orbit, then made a swift return landing on an ocean platform. It was the second successful
landing after similar attempts were made in last month.
ii. Entrepreneur Elon Musks Space Exploration Technologies which aims to offer cut-rate launch
services by re-using its rockets.
iii. The rocket was traveling twice as fast as the one that landed last month so it could deliver a
hefty television broadcast satellite into an orbit more than 20,000 miles (32,200 km) beyond
that of the International Space Station, which is about 250 miles (400 km) above Ear

34 satellites are operational in India: Government


i. Union Government has announced that currently 34 Indian satellites are operational in the
space.
ii. Which 13 are for communication, 12 for the purpose of earth observation and seven for

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navigation purpose, Rajya Sabha was informed by minister of state of the department of
space Jitendra Singh.
Type of Satellites Satellites Names
13 Communication INSAT-3A, INSAT-3C, INSAT-4A,
Satellites
INSAT-4B, INSAT-4CR, GSAT-6,
GSAT-7, GSAT-8, GSAT-10, GSAT-12,
GSAT-14, GSAT-15 and GSAT-16
12 Earth
Resourcesat-2, RISAT-1, RISAT-2,
Observation
Cartosat-1, Cartosat-2, Cartosat-2A,
Satellites
Cartosat-2B, Oceansat-2, SARAL,
Kalpana-1, Megha-Tropiques and
INSAT-3D
7 Navigational
IRNSS-1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F and
Satellites
1G.
2Space science
Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) and
Satellites
Astrosat.

Applications
Direct-To-Home Television (DTH),
Digital Satellite News Gathering,
Telecommunication, VSAT services
for banking,
Tele-education and business
communicationetc,,,

Environment Minister launches Web-Based Application on Integrated Waste Management


System
i. Union Government has launched a web-based application on Integrated Waste Management
System (IWMS) for better management of waste also to provide an opportunity to all the
industries dealing in hazardous waste to apply online.
ii. Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar launched the application that can track the
movement of hazardous waste and will also help in ensuring its proper management.
iii. There are 43000 industries dealing in hazardous waste, of which about 30000 industries
have been mapped through this application.
iv. The web-based application intends to enhance transparency in the working of the Ministry
and other Centre/State level regulatory bodies.

ISRO sets up nozzle testing labs


i. The Nozzle Testing laboratories (NTL) that were inaugurated by ISRO Chairman Kiran
Kumar at Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre in Thiruvananthapuram.
ii. This is the first of its kind also intended towards carrying out advanced R&D in the area of rocket
nozzle to cater to a wide range of studies related to nozzles such as contour optimisation for large
AR (Area Ratio) nozzles, flow separation, techniques for flow separation control, nozzle wall heat
transfer.

Worlds first holographic flexible smartphone developed


Scientists claim to have developed the worlds first holographic flexible smartphone called
the HoloFlex that lets users interact with 3D videos and images without any headgear or glasses
HoloFlex Display:
i. This can be used for holographic gaming. Allows users to bend the side of the display to pull the

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elastic rubber band.
ii. It features with a 19201080 HD Flexible Organic Light Emitting Diode (FOLED) touch screen
display.
iii. Images are rendered into 12-pixel wide circular blocks rendering the full view of the 3D object
from a particular viewpoint.

NASAs Kepler telescope finds largest trove of exoplanets


i. Kepler space telescope helped NASAs discovery that results with 1284 new planets outside
our solar system, more than doubling the number of known exoplanets.
ii. This Findings makes hope that somewhere out there, around a star much like ours, we can
eventually discover another Earth.
iii. Unmanned Kepler space works by observing a dimming in the light of star, known as a transit
observatory was launched back in 2009, has been scanning 150,000 stars for signs of orbiting
bodies.

Mukesh Ambani-owned Reliance Jio Infocomm launches digital wallet


i. Mumbai based Reliance Jio has launched digital wallet service called JioMoney for common
people. With this users can do mobile and DTH recharges, send/receive money, make bill
payments, pay insurance and other premiums et al. JioMoney is powered by 4G small cell
technology.
ii. This JioMoney is like already existing digital payment platforms such as PayTm, FreeCharge that
will allow people to make cashless transactions at various outlets including both online shopping
platforms and offline stores.
iii. Reliance has partnered with over 50000 merchants to enable transactions through JioMoney
on their respective platforms.

Scientists develop second skin to reduce wrinkles, eye bags


i. Scientists developed an invisible elastic film called second skin that can be applied to the skin
to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and eye bags and even reshape your face.
ii. The wearable film developed at Massachusetts Institute of Technology America that has
shown promise in a series of small trials.
iii. This can be used to treat eczema, psoriasis and other skin conditions by covering dry itchy
patches with a film that moistens and soothes.
iv. The researchers made a large collection siloxanes their basic form is one atom of oxygen
linked to two atoms of silicon chemicals which form polymers.

Indian Air Force (IAF) launches Electronic Maintenance Management System (e-MMS)
Project

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i. Indian Air Force has launched Electronic Maintenance Management System (e-MMS)Project,
an automated military maintenance system which will ease the system by keeping paper works and
heavy logbooks away.
ii The automated military maintenance systems inaugurated by the Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief
Marshal Arup Raha at the Air Force Station in Pune.
iii. The e-MMS system is one of the largest Maintenance Repair Overhaul (MRO) IT implementation
in the world. The project has been designed and developed by the Bengaluru based IT
major Wipro.
iv. This system has a central console that seeks to seamlessly connect squadrons, wings,
commands, and Air Headquarters after its implementation.
v. With this new system IAF work environment will become more efficient and also help to monitor
the operational availability of all fleets and systems in real time at various categorized levels

Shri Nitin Gadkari Launched INFRACON, ePACE and up-Scaled INAM PRO
Purpose:
All Stakeholders to Use International Best Practises in Road Building and Demanding stakeholders
to make use of innovations and successful best practices from round the world in engineering and
construction of roads.
Programmes launched:
1. ePACE
2. INFRACON
3. Updated version of INAMPRO
Ministry: Road Transport & Highways
Developed by: NHIDCL (National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd)
ePACE
Acronym of E Projects Appraisal & Continuing Enhancements and it is an online Integrated
Management Information System

Ensuring their effective and real time tracking and getting information on real time status
and fund utilization

The portal can be freely accessed and getting information about any particular state

It has been provided with GIS interface to enable easy geo-tracking of the projects

INFRACON National Portal for Infrastructure Consultancy Firms and Key Personnel
Connection between consultancy firms working in the road engineering and construction sector and
domain experts

The portal hosts the credentials of consultancy firms and key personnel and has
linkages to Aadhar and Digi-locker for data validation and purity

Agencies within the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, like the NHIDCL can
receivetechnical proposals through INFRACON

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Reduction of Paper work during bid

INAM PRO
Web-based application (www.inampro.nic.in) for Infrastructure and Material Providers

Web based market place that provides the material providers and the prospective buyers
on a common platform.

Launched in March 2015 to facilitate contractors and cement buyers engaged in executing
central/state funded roads and highways and bridge construction projects

World-First Scanning Helium Microscope Built In Australia


i. Australian researchers have built the worlds first Scanning Helium Microscope to examine
materials without disturbing them.
ii. The new microscope will pave the way to study human, animal and plant samples, as well as
computer chips and pharmaceutical drugs, without damaging or changing them
iii. University of Newcastle in collaboration with scientists from Englands University of
Cambridge developed the microscope with helium to examine structures without damaging or
changing them.
iv. The new findings has implications for major industries like solar energy, defence and
information technology.

China launches Yaogan-30 remote sensing satellite to carry out land surveys
i. China has successfully blasted off a Yaogan-30 remote-sensing satellite into orbit to carry out
land surveys and assist with disaster relief efforts from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in
northwestern Chinas Gobi desert.
ii. The sensing missile used to conduct land surveys, estimate crop yields, collect information for
disaster relief efforts and carry out space experiments.
iii. It was launched into a sun-synchronous orbit of 429 by 437 miles with inclination at 98.23
degrees. It was the 227th flight of the Long March rocket series.

NASA launches near-space monitoring balloon from New Zealand


i. NASA has successfully launched a 532,000 cubic metres sized super pressure balloon from
New Zealands South Island Wanaka Airport to conduct near-space scientific investigations.
The aim is for it remain airborne for more than 100 days.
ii. After all the previous attempts were failed the fifth attempt to get the massive balloon airborne
make success.

IT dept launches e-portal to fast track taxpayers grievances


i. The Income Tax department has launched electronic grievance redressal portal called enivaran to clear taxpayers grievances and ensure early resolution of their complaints in fast track

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route.
ii. The system is called e-nivaran means electronic solution which integrates all online and physical
complaints gathered by the department at this platform which will be monitored by the
AssessingOfficer.
iii. Recently an exclusive also separate window for grievance redressal has been launched in the
Income Tax Business Application electronic platform for the regular operations.

Google launches group-sharing app Spaces on iOS, Android


i. Google launches Group-Sharing App Spaces to let out users easily share content and
commentary, group-messaging style, on any topics they wish.
ii. With this it is simple to find and share articles, videos and images without leaving the app,
since Google Search, YouTube, and Chrome come built on.
iii. With new Spaces App someone shares something new to a space, the conversational view lets
you see what the group is talking about without missing a beat on Android, iOS, desktop, and
mobile web for all Gmail accounts.

Scientists develop worlds first Zika virus clone


i. US scientists from the University of Texas at Galveston have cloned the Zika virus that could
fast track a vaccine against the deadly disease.
ii. The cloned virus first in the world of its kind that may aid the development of vaccine and
therapies against the infection linked to serious birth defects.
iii. Zika virus disease is caused by a virus transmitted primarily by Aedes mosquitoes. The virus
is a member of the virus family Flaviviridae and the genus Flavivirus.

New form of light discovered, proving Plancks constant can change


i. Researchers from Trinity College Dublin have discovered a new form of light that go against
predicted qualities of light it could totally change the way we realize the electromagnetic
spectrum.
ii. Basically one of the measurable properties of light is called angular momentum that measures
how quickly a beam of light rotates.
iii. Earlier, findings says that the angular momentum could only be a multiple of a number called
Plancks constant. However new findings details a new form of light with an angular momentum of
just half Plancks constant.

Indigenous technology demonstrator of reusable launch vehicle tested successfully


Name of the Rocket: RLV-TD
Launching Staion: Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh
Necessity: Capable of launching satellites into orbit around earth and reentering the

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atmosphere
Departed Time and Date: 7 a.m., 23rd of May 2016.
Capabilities:

It re-entered to earths atmosphere at a hypersonic speed of more than 5 Mach.

It touched down the Bay of Bengal between Chennai and the Andaman archipelago.

10-minute mission:
It is also known as hypersonic flight experiment.
M.C. Dathan Statement:

He negotiated that the mission was successful and it was healthy in nature

He is the former director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre at Thiruvananthapuram

About RLV:

It is an Indias own space shuttle

It brings a way to achieve low cost, reliable and on-demand space access

It is the series of technology demonstration missions

It is the first step towards realising a Two Stage To Orbit (TSTO) fully re-usable
vehicle

Configuration in similar purpose:

It behaves as a flying testbed to evaluate various technologies

Air-breathing propulsion systems in hypersonic flight, autonomous landing and powered cruise
flight

New method can generate electricity from seawater


Photo-Catalytic Method:
i. Japan based Osaka University Scientists have used sunlight to powerfully convert seawater
into hydrogen peroxide that may be used in fuel cells to generate electricity.
ii. This method of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production produces a high enough efficiency that
can be used in a fuel cell.
iii. Once sunlight illuminates the photocatalyst, it absorbs photons and uses the energy to initiate
chemical reactions seawater oxidation and the reduction of O2 in a way that mainly produces
H2O2.
iv. Researchers observed that the negatively charged chlorine particles present in seawater is
responsible for increasing the photo-catalytic activity and producing the higher concentration.

Scientists detect faintest galaxy ever


i. A team of Scientists has discovered and definite about the faintest early-universe galaxy ever
furthest galaxy that is 13 billion light years far from Earth.
ii. Los Angeles based California University scientists made the discovery that could be a step
toward unravelling one of the biggest mysteries in space science, which is a finding that can help

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explain how the cosmic dark ages ended.
iii. Space scientists believe that the existence of the faint object would outhouse light on the
reionization time, when stars were first seen. The telescopes at the Keck Observatory were
instrumental in the findings.

DEFENCE
Admiral Sunil Lanba takes charge as 21st Navy chief
i. Vice Admiral Sunil Lanba assumed charge as the new chief of the Naval Staff as
thecurrent CNS Admiral R.K.Dhowan retired after four decade of service.
ii. Lanba will have a full three-year-term in office till May 31, 2019 also he is a qualified
specialist in navigation and direction course.
iii. He was commissioned in 1978 into the Executive Branch of Indian Navy his Sea
Command includes commanding the minesweeper INS Kakinada, frigate INS Himgiri and
executive officer of INS Viraat, the aircraft carrier.
Vice Admiral Girish Luthra Takes Over Western Naval Command
i. Vice Admiral Girish Luthra assumed office of Mumbai based Western Naval
Command as Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief from Vice Admiral Sunil Lanba at a
ceremonial parade held at INS Shikra.
ii. Indian Navys Vice Admiral Sunil Lanba will take over as the Chief of Naval Staff.
iii. He complimented the personnel of the command who, notwithstanding the makes of
the service, have worked with synergy and solidarity in make sure that ships, submarines
and aricrafts are sustained in a high state of combat promptness at all times.
Manohar Parrikar inaugurates second submarine assembly workshop in Mazgaon
i. Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar inaugurated a submarine assembly workshop
(Mazagon Dock Limited) in Mazagaon, Mumbai. It was built at a cost of 153 crore
rupees.
ii. Presently MDL is constructing six Scorpene class of submarines for the Indian Navy,
with around 35% of indigenization.
iii. The Workshop is a pre-engineered building structure to handle construction of multiple
submarines simultaneously. It is built to assemble five submarines in the workshop at
the same time.
iv. The workshop has features like rain water harvesting, sewage treatment plan, grey
water treatment plant, oily water separator plant for treatment of sewage, grey water and
oily water in turn, with zero discharge into the municipal drains.
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BrahMos supersonic cruise missile test-fired
i. Indian Air Force successfully tested BrahMos land-attack supersonic cruise
missile system at Pokaran.
ii. It is an advanced version of worlds fastest anti-ship cruise missile developed jointly
by India and Russia.
iii. The missile targets like radars, communication systems near the borders so that their
planes are not targeted by the enemy that can be launched from submarines, ships,
aircraft or land.
iv. The name comes by forming the names of two rivers, the Brahmaputra of India and
the Moskva of Russia.
IAF Participation in Ex Desert Eagle II at UAE
i. Indian Air Force and United Arab Emirates (UAE) went into a bilateral exercise of Second
Edition named Eagle-II which is underway at Al-Dhafra Air Base in UAE from 24 May 16
to 03 Jun 16.
ii. Indian Air Forces Su-30 MkI and Mirage 2000-9, F-16 of UAE Air Force are taking part
in the air combat exercise under multiple simulated scenarios.
iii. These exercises will provide exposure towards mission planning and execution in a
simulated high threat combat environment besides building up crew confidence and
bonhomie with both the sides.
Indian Coast Guard Ship ARUSH Commissioned
i. Indigenously made Fast Patrol Vessel ICGS Arush built by the Cochin Shipyard forthe Indian
Coast Guard was commissioned into Coast Guard at Kochi by the Coast Guard
CommanderAdditional Director General SPS Basra.
ii. The move will strengthen the side as well as to face the emerging security challenges in the
maritime domain.
iii. The ship Arush holds the meaning first ray of sun, and will be based at Porbandar under the
administrative and operational control of North West Coast Guard Region.
iv. The 50 meter vehicle displaces 421 tonnes and can go at a maximum speed of 33 knots with an
endurance of 1500 nautical miles.

US activates $800m missile shield base in Romania


i. The United States has activated a land-based $800 million missile defence station in
Romania, which sees as vital to defend itself and Europe from alleged rogue states.
ii. The remote Deveselu air base is declared operational the ballistic missile defense site, which is
capable of shooting down rockets from countries such as Iran that could one day reach major
European cities.

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iii. The defensive umbrella upon completion will stretch from Greenland to the Azores. The full
shield also includes ships and radars across Europe.
iv. The site will be handed over to NATO in July, with command and control run from a US air base
in Germany.

Indian Army conducts Chakravyuh-II training exercise in Rajasthan


i. Indian Army is conducting a major military training exercise Chakravyuh-II to validate battle
readiness and operational effectiveness of the Pivot Formation and Rapid Division, in Suratgarh
Rajasthan.
ii. This is Armys follow up mission with the Air Force to its recently-concluded month-long
Exercise Shatrujeet by the Strike Corps (Strike One)

Ranveer Jamwal Led Army Team Summits Mount Everest


i. A team of six Indian Army mountaineers successfully climbed the summit of Mount Everest led
by seasoned climber Lt. Col. Ranveer Jamwal. This records as the third Everest expedition for
him.
ii. Five members of the team will be participating in the Tenzing Hillary Everest Marathon,
considered one of the toughest trail marathons in the world.
iii. Besides another team headed by Major Nooruddin Ahmed is attempting to summit in the
fourth highest peak in the world Mount Lhotse.

ADMM plus Exercise on Maritime Security and Counter Terrorism at Brunei and Singapore
In a bid to Indias Act East Policy and Indian Navys regular endeavour to enhance maritime
security in the Indo-Pacific regions .

The Naval Ship (INS) Airavat of India arrived at Brunei and will take part in the ADMM
Plus (ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting Plus) Exercise on Maritime Security and Counter
Terrorism from 01 to 09 May 16.

ADMM plus Ex MS & CT is a multinational exercise of ADMM Plus countries group. This
edition will commence at Brunei and conclude at Singapore.

During the course of the exercise the Indian Navy would engage with participating navies
from various ASEAN and other countries through professional interactions in harbour
and complex operations at sea.

Malaysia, Indonesia and Philippines to conduct joint water patrols to curb kidnappings
i. Three Southeast Asian nations namely Indonesia, Malaysia and Philippines is set to conduct
coordinated maritime patrols to face the rising kidnappings and security challenges in the
waters bordering the three countries.
ii. These countries pledged to set up crisis centers within their countries as well as a hotline

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between them to ensure speedy communication during maritime emergencies.
iii. The maritime borders extends along the Sulu and Celebes seas, over which 55 million tons of
goods and over 18 million people pass every year.

US and IAF conclude Exercise Red Flag in Alaska


i. An Indian Air Force (IAF) team successfully concluded their four-week Red Flag aerial combat
exercises at Alaska in the U.S.
ii. This Joint trial is to showcase the IAFs capability in undertaking integrated air ops but also to
absorb operational lessons from the exercise engagements.
iii. This Exercise is a successor to the Cope Thunder exercise series also the main phase of the
exercise had commenced on last month with a mix of combat and support elements from the IAF,
US Air Force and US Navy.
iv. As part of the Exercise India flew 10 aircraft which comprising four Su-30MKIs, four Jaguars and
two IL-78 aerial refuelling tankers. A team of over 170 personnel took part in the exercises held
from April 28 to May 13.

Indias Kalvari stealth submarine starts sea trials


Indian Navys first indigenous Scorpene-class stealth submarine Kalvari has been sailed out of
Mumbai Harbour for sea trials with this feet Indias defence preparedness is set to get a shot in the
arm.

The submarine will go through a set of sea trials in the next few months that includes
surface trials, diving trials, weapon trials, Noise trials, then she would be commissioned
into the Indian Navy as INS Kalvari.

The submarine is the first of the Navys Scorpene class stealth submarines being
fabricated under the Project 75. The submarines built by Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL)
and France based DCNS.

US Navy tested worlds largest unmanned surface vessel Sea Hunter


i. The US Navy tested worlds largest unmanned Surface Sea Hunter, As it pave the way for the
first step toward sending unmanned cargo vessels between countries
ii. With this Pentagon witnessed the surface vessel, a self-driving 132-foot ship could travel up
to 10,000 nautical miles on its own to hunt for stealthy submarines and underwater mines.
iii. The countrys research arm, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency developed
the ship in collaboration with Virginia-based Leidos.

Offshore patrol vessel ICGS Shaurya launched


i. Goa Shipyard Limited has launched indigenously designed Indian Coast Guard ship Shaurya at
Vasco, It will be commissioned into service in early 2017

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ii. It is the fifth in a series of six off-shore patrol vessels that the Coast Guard had tasked the
Vasco defence public sector undertaking to build.
iii. Shaurya is capable of travelling at a speed of 23 knots and has a range of 6,000 nautical
miles. It will be built-in with state-of-the-art machinery and incorporated bridge system.
iv. The ship is capable of search and rescue operations, pollution control and external firefighting
and will be deployed for ocean surveillance and for monitoring sea lanes of communication.

Indian Navy launches underwater vigil system in Visakhapatnam &


decommissions fighter planes Sea Harriers
i. Indian Navy has launched Harbour Defence Systems at the Naval Dockyard in
Visakhapatnam.
1.Integrated Underwater Harbour Defence,
2.Surveillance System (IUHDSS), 3.Mine Warfare Data Centre (MWDC).
These state-of-the-art systems would enhance the Navys surveillance capability and response to
security threats.
ii. Navys Vice Admiral Bisht, AVSM Flag Officer commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command
inaugurated the two systems.
Surveillance System:
This IUHDSS is a multi-sensor system capable of detecting, identifying, tracking and generating
warnings for all types of surface and underwater threats to Visakhapatnam harbour.
Mine Warfare Data Centre:
The MWDC will compare, analyse and classify data collected by the Navys Mine Hunting Ships from
various ports along the East coast.
Sea Harrier
The Iconic Sea Harriers will be decommissioned from the Indian Navy after 30 years of
glorious service for the countrys various mission. The Harriers have been replaced by a squadronof
Russian MiG 29k jets.

India test fires home-grown Advanced Air Defence interceptor missile


i. Indigenously built Advanced Air Defence (AAD) interceptor missile successfully test fired from the
launch complex of Abdul Kalam Island in Odisha.
ii. The advanced version of low altitude supersonic ballistic interceptor missile dubbed as Ashwin
was fired. This was 12th test of the interceptor missile.
iii. The home grown missile developed by DRDO which is a single-stage missile powered by solid
propellants. It is 7.5 metres tall and weighs around 1.2 tonnes. It had a diameter of less than 0.5
metre.

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India successfully test fires its indigenously developed Prithvi-II missile
i. India has successfully blasted off its indigenously developed nuclear capable Prithvi-II missile
as part of a user trial by the army from a launch complex-3 of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at
Chandipur in Odisha.
ii. The Missile have a strike range of 350 km also capable of carrying 500 kg to 1,000 kg of
warheads and is thrusted by liquid propulsion twin engines also nine-metre-tall. It uses
advanced inertial guidance system with manoeuvring trajectory to hit its target.
iii. DRDO developed Prithvi is Indias first indigenously-built ballistic missile. It is one of the five
missiles under the countrys Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme.

Israel successfully tests missile defence system at sea: Army


i. Israel has successfully tested a maritime missile interception system that can shoot down shortrange missiles. The missile also called Iron Dome of the Sea.
ii. The missile similar to those fired from Gaza which can shoot down short-range rockets also
successfully destroyed several missiles.
iii. The test fire took place two weeks ago exhibits the countrys ability to protect Israels strategic
assets at sea against short-range strategic rockets.

Hypersonic superjet technology successfully tested in Australia


i. Australian military jointly with United States Military research team successfully blasted off a
hypersonic technology in the Australia.
ii. Researchers were tested a series of 10 trials of the hypersonic technology at the worlds
largest land testing range located at Woomera in Australia and at Norways Andoya Rocket
Range.
iii. Scramjet powered rocket booster was successfully sent to an altitude of 278
km at Machnumber over 7.5 which has speed ranges over seven times the speed of sound
Scramjet Engine:
This engine relies on high vehicle speed to forcefully compress the incoming air before
combustion and a airflow in a scramjet is supersonic throughout the entire engine.

INS Tarmugli Joins the Indian Navy


i. The Indian Navy commissioned indigenously built Fast Attack Craft INS Tarmugli for
deployment of coastal patrol and surveillance operations along the East Coast of India. This is the
first Follow-on Water Jet Fast Attack Craft.
ii. It was commissioned by the Vice Admiral HCS Bisht AVSM, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief,
Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam. It was named after a pretty island in the Andaman
Islands group.

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iii. Tarmugli is conceived, designed and built indigenously that measures 48 meters in length, can
achieve speeds in excess of 30 knots also weighing 320-tonne.

ENVIRONMENT
Amazon surprises with new reef system
Scientists from University of Georgia in the U.S. and the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro
have discovered a new reef system at the mouth of the Amazon River
i.The study observed that a massive coral reef that stretches for some 600 miles.
ii.The reef system extents over 3,600-square miles along the ocean floor, stretching from French
Guiana to Brazils Maranhao
iii.As large rivers getting vacant into the worlds oceans in areas known as plumes they create
gaps in the reef distribution along the tropical shelves that makes finding a reef in the Amazon
plume. Scientists carried out an expedition to study the Amazon River plume looked for evidence of
a reef system along the continental shelf.

Rare sighting of Amur Falcon sets birdwatchers hearts aflutter


i. A rare and colourful bird Amur Falcon was spotted at the Umred Karhandla
WildlifeSanctuary near the Pench Tiger Reserve near Nagpur, The bird has one of the longest
and most fascinating migratory paths in the avian kingdom.
ii. The rare bird is from the North-eastern State of Nagaland, before pass through a staggering
22,000 km from there to South Africa then onto Mongolia and back to Nagaland.
iii. It breeds in south-eastern Siberia and North-eastern China somewhere the Amur River
distributes the Russian Far East and China.

China Bug Declared Worlds Longest


i. A stick insect bug over half a metre long discovered in southern China has
been declared the worlds longest insect.
ii. Earlier the record-holder was a Malaysian 56.7-centimetre-long stick insect spotted in 2008
and now on display in Londons Natural History Museum.
iii. The insect measuring 62.4 centimetres found two years ago in the southern province of
Guangxi has broken the record for length amongst the worlds 807,625 known insects. China:

NASA unveils first global topographic model of Mercury


i. The first global digital elevation model of Mercury has been released by the NASAs
Messenger Mission that provide the detail topography across the entire innermost planet.
ii. The mission used for scientists to fully characterise Mercurys geologic history in it more than
100,000 images were put to create the new model.

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iii. This messenger findings discloses many interesting topographic features, including the highest
and lowest points on the planet.
iv. The highest elevation on Mercury is at 4.48 km above Mercurys average elevation and the
lowest elevation, at 5.38 km below Mercurys average is found on the floor of Rachmaninoff basin
on the planet.

NASA detects atomic oxygen in Martian atmosphere


NASAs Stratospheric Observatory for Infra-red Astronomy detects atomic oxygen in Martian
atmosphere for the first time since the last observation 40 years ago.
i. These findings were conceivable due to SOFIAs airborne location that flys around 37,00045,000 feet in Earths atmosphere.
ii. These atoms in the Mars were found in the upper layers of the Martian atmosphere known as the
mesosphere.
iii. The infrared Astronomy jet called SOFIA is a Boeing 747SP jet adapted to carry a 100-inch
diameter telescope. It is a joint mission of NASA and the German Aerospace Centre.

Fossils of first plant-eating marine reptile found


i. Worlds first plant-eating marine reptile named Atopodentatus found which is unique
strangely toothed and had a bizarre hammerhead-shaped body.
ii. The reptile that lived 242 million years ago in what is found in southern China, The fossil,
discovered in 2014, has a poorly preserved head, but it seemed to have a flamingo-like beak.
iii. Scientists observed that beak is actually part of a hammerhead-shaped jaw apparatus, which it
used to feed on plants on the ocean.

Rare sighting: Brown bears return to Kargil


i. J&K Wildlife Department has spotted eight Himalayan brown bears in Kargils Drass Sector,
where the 1999 war had bring about destruction with their habitats.
ii. The sighting of eight brown bears, as well as three adult females and five grown-up cubs, is a
rare figure. iii.It is first ever sighting of a group of bears. No such sighting has ever been reported
from J&K, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, where these animals are distributed.
iv. During trekking these animals were spotted. These sightings are only reported during the
night, that too of a solitary bear or with a cub.
v. Himalayan brown bear is also known as the Himalayan red bear and Isabelline bear. In the
IUCN list of vulnerablecategory animals the bear is included.

New species of horned dinosaurs discovered in US


i. Scientists have discovered a new species of 77-million-year-old horned dinosaurs in the
United States that have distinctive facial horns and spiked neck shields.

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ii. Skull elements of this Fossils of this group have been found in North America, particularly from
the northern portion of the Cretaceous landmass Laramidia.
iii. The new species of centrosaurine, a member of the large-bodied ceratopsians (horned
dinosaurs), is named Machairoceratops cronusi that estimated to have been 6-8 metres long and
weigh over 2 tonnes.
iv. The Ohio University and the Natural History Museum of Utah researchers unearthed the
characteristic horncores and other skull elements in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National
Monument in Utah.

Cyclonic storm ROANU hits eastern coast of India & India sends ships with relief
material to cyclone-hit Lanka
i. An active cyclonic Storm Roanu in the Bay of Bengal has hit the eastern coast of India.
ii. It is the first tropical cyclone of the annual cyclone season.
iii. Due to the tropical cyclone Roanu, 43 people have been killed and 133 were missing following
massive landslides and floods in the Kegalle region of Sri Lanka.
iv. India sends two ships Naval Off Shore Patrol (NOPV) INS Sunayna and one survey vessel INS
Sutlej with 30-40 tonnes of relief material, which includes inflatable rafts, fresh water, medical
supplies, clothing and other provisions necessary for disaster relief operations to cyclone-hit Sri
Lanka.
v.Codenamed Cyclone Roanu has battered the coast of southern Bangladesh that kills 23 people in
floods and rain-triggered landslides.

SPORTS
Discus thrower Seema Punia qualifies for Rio Olympics
i. Haryana hailed discus thrower Seema Punia has qualified for the Rio Olympic Games
with a 62.62 m feet at the Pat Youngs Throwers Classic 2016 at Salinas in the California,
United States.
ii. With this she is the 19th Indian track and field athlete to have qualified for Rio
Olympics.
iii. The Haryana-based athlete had also won a silver in the 2014 Glasgow CWG
Commonwealth Games with an effort of 61.61m.
iv. she won the silver medal at the Commonwealth Games and a gold at the Asian Games
in 2014.
Real Madrid FC wins 2016 UEFA Champions League
i. Real Madrid FC won the 2016 UEFA Champions League for the 11th time by defeating
Atletico Madrid FC by 5-3 goals in penaltycorner.
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ii. Eight penalties, Cristiano Ronaldo put the ball on the spot and lashed the fifth out of
fivefor Real Madrid to claim their title in the final.
iii. Earlier the team had won UEFA Champions League in 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959,
1960, 1966, 1998, 2000, 2002 and 2014.
UEFA
Headquarters: Switzerland
Membership: 55 full members
Sunrisers Beat RCB By 8 Runs To Win IPL Trophy
i. Sunrisers Hyderabad beat Royal Challengers Bangalore by eight runs to win their
maiden Vivo-Indian Premier League title in the title clash held at Chinnaswamy
Stadium in Bangalore.
ii. Soon after winning the toss the Sunrises skipper David Warner elected to bat and
accumulated 208 by losing 7 wickets and in the second half of the match RCB has lost by 8
runs.
iii. The Australian All-rounder Ben Cutting was adjudged as the Player of the match for
his all-round display in the high octane game taking 2/35 in the limited four overs.

Some Prizes in the IPL Season-9


IPL Winner Award Team Name: Sunrisers Hyderabad Prize Money: 15 Crore + Trophy
IPL Runner Up Team Name: Royal Challengers Bangalore Prize Money: 10 Crore
Orange Cap Award -Most Runs Scored : Virat Kohli (RCB) Prize Money: 10 Lakh + Trophy
Purple Cap Award (Most Wickets): Bhuvneshwar Kumar (SRH) Prize Money: 10 Lakh + Trophy
Most Valuable Player: Virat Kohli (RCB) Prize Money: 10 Lakh + Trophy
Emerging Player of the Season: Mustafizur Rahman (SRH) Prize Money: 10 Lakh + Trophy
Hamilton wins Monaco Grand Prix
i. UK man Lewis Hamilton took a superb victory in a Monaco Grand Prix to re-ignite his
title campaign as he has his first win of the season
ii. Hamiltons first win this year cut his deficit to Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg, who
finished seventh, to 24 points.
iii. The British man benefited from a slow pit stop for Ricciardo but also from his own call
to delay a tyre change on a drying track until he could go straight to slick tyres.
Alastair Cook Becomes Youngest Cricketer To Score 10000 Test Runs
i. England Test captain Alastair Cook, who became the first English batsman to score
10,000 runs in test matches in the ongoing test series against Sri Lanka in his 128th
Test.
ii. In the meantime he went past Michael Athertons mark of most runs as Test skipper for
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England
iii. Cook also became the first English batsman and the 12th player from any country to
reach the landmark and he also became the youngest at 31 years and 158 days to
achieve the feat.
iv. Sachin Tendulkar was 31 years and 326 days old when he reached the landmark in
2005.
Gurpreet Singh Sandhu becomes first Indian to play in top flight European
League game
i. Indian national team goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu achieved a historic feat by
becoming the first Indian to feature in a top-tier league match in Europe, by turning out
for Norwegian side Stabaek FC.
ii. The former East Bengal hailed Sandhu, who signed for Stabaek FC in 2014. He had
already represented India at the U-19 and U-23 levels in the last few years has displaced
Subrata Paul as Indias number one.
iii. Sandhu was put in the 2011 Asia Cup squad, made his debut for the Indian national
team against Turkmenistan in 2013.
Para athlete Saroha wins gold in record breaking performance
i. Haryana hailed para athlete Amit Kumar Saroha won the gold medal in mens club
throw at the recently concluded 2016 French Open Athletics Championship in Paris.
ii. His feet of 26.58m broke the Asian record which he had himself recorded last year. He
has already qualified for the 2016 Rio Paralympics.
iii. Amit is one of 15 Indian para athletes currently being supported by the GoSports
Foundation through the Para Champions Programme. He was awarded with Arjuna
Award by the Union government.
Indian team win one silver, two bronze in Archery World Cup
Indian womens Archery team sealed silver after losing to Chinese Taipei seed in the title clash in
the Archery World Cup at the Yuanshen Stadium in Shanghai, China.

Womens team comprising Deepika Kumari, Bombayla Devi Laishram and LaxmiraniMajhi
lost to the lower-ranked Chinese Taipei in the recurve team final.

Third seeded Indian mens recurve team of Atanu Das, JayantaTalukdar and Mangal
Singh Champia hammered ninth seed British team to bag the bronze

The mixed pair of Deepika and Atanufrom India getting fancied Koreans in shoot-off to
end with another bronze.

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Vijender Singh records 5th consecutive victory in Professional Boxing
Pro turned Indian Boxer Vijender Singh notched up his fifth consecutive knockout win by
battering Matiouzeroyer of French in London.

Vijender was declared winner little over a minute into the fifth round of the six-round
super middleweight contest which was incidentally his longest bout so far.

Indian Shooters Bag 3 gold, 1 Bronze at ISSF Junior World Cup


Indian Shooters made a historical victory by bagging three Gold medals and a Bronze on the
inaugural day of the ISSF Junior World Cup
Medals
1. A Gold in the mens 25m standard pistol Rituraj Singh (569 points), Shivam Shukla
(550 points) and Arjun Das (542 points) played in the event
2. A Gold in team events of Womens 50m Rifle Gaayathri Nithyanadam (618.4
points),Sonika (616.9 points) and Ayushi Podder (611.3 points) played in the event
3. A Gold in Mens 25m Standard Pistol by Rituraj Singh
4. Gaayathri Nithyanadam bagged a bronze in the womens 50m rifle prone competition.
Rankings in Team event of the mens 25m Standard Pistol Competition
1. India Gold
2. France Silver
3. Australia Bronze
Rankings in Team event of the Womens 50m rifle prone competition
1. India Gold
2. France Silver
3. Poland Bronze
About ISSF

3rd ISSF Junior World Cup in Rifle Pistol- Shotgun

Venue: Shooting range in Suhl, Germany

Held between April 29th and May 6th 2016

Nico Rosberg wins F1 Russian GP


Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg of Germany controlled the Russian Grand Prix to take top
position in his fourth consecutive victory in a row this season.
i.The British man started 10th after an engine issues in qualifying but after repairs he drove an
exceptional race to limit the damage to his title hopes.
ii.In the contest Hamilton now lag behind by 43 points in second, with Raikkonen a further 14
points adrift in third spot.

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Leicester wins its first Premier League title
i.English football club Leicester city FC secured its first Premier League title short of playing after
second-place Tottenham drew 2-2 at Chelsea..
ii.With this the first time in their 132-year history, Leicester could be the first club since
Nottingham Forest in 1977-78 to win the league title for the first time, having only once before in
1928-29 finished as runners-up.

Australia lead India as South Africa slip to 6th in ICC Test rankings
i.Australia placed at the top of the MRF Tyres ICC Test Team Rankings following the annual
update with the results from 2012-13 and outcomes
from the 2014-15 series weightage given at 50%.
ii.In the official rankings India now leads third-placed
Pakistan by just one point. The yearly Test update has
resulted in South Africa dropping from third position to sixth
spot.
iii.In the rankings India is been put up at second place.

Rank
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

Team
Australia
India
Pakistan
England
New Zealand
South Africa
Sri Lanka
West Indies
Bangladesh

Mark Selby won World Snooker Championship


i. Englands world number one Mark Selby beat Chinas Ding Junhui by 18-14 to win World
Championship title. With this he clinches Championship for the second time.
ii. But Selby dug deep to seal a brilliant double for the city of Leicester, whose football team
became Premier League champion searlier.

Seven Indian shuttlers qualify for Rio Olympic


i. Seven Indian shuttlers, including Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu who have qualified for the Rio
Olympics.
ii. India is one of only eight countries in the world to book two entries in a category womens
singles, with PV Sindhu (ranked No. 10) joining Saina Nehwal (ranked No. 8).
iii. The list of players who made in the list
Category
Womens Singles
Womens Doubles
Mens Singles
Mens Doubles

is
Players
Saina Nehwal & PV Sindhu
Jwala Gutta & Ashwini Ponnappa
Kidambi srikanth
Manu Attri and Sumeeth Reddy

BWF rankings: Srikanth slips to World No. 12, Jwala-Ashwini rises to 14th
i. Mens singles shuttler K Srikanth slipped a place to be ranked World No. 12 in the latest BWF
rankings which is topped by Chinas Chen Long.
ii. Commonwealth Games champion duo of Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponappa, who qualified for

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their second Olympics, rose one rung to be World No. 14 in womens doubles.
iii. Manu Attri and B Sumeeth Reddy who became the first Indian mens doubles pair quailed for
Rio Olympics, slipped a spot to be positioned at the 20th spot.
iv. In womens singles, Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu were stationary at 8 and No. 10
respectively.
Players
K Srikanth
HS Prannoy
Ajay Jayaram
Manu Attri and
B Sumeeth Reddy
Saina Nehwal
PV Sindhu
Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponappa

Category
Mens Singles

Mens Doubles
Womens Singles
Womens Doubles

Rank
12
25
21
20
8
10
14

India finish fourth in junior shooting World Cup


i. Indian shooters won bronze medal in the womens 25m Pistol event on the ISSF Junior
World Cup held in Suhl, Germany.
ii. The womens team of Sanjana Sehrawat, Chinki Yadav and Gauri Sheoran shot a total of 1695 to
walk away with the bronze medal in the contest.
iii. Russia won the gold medal with a total of 1708 points while Germany had to settle for the
silver medal with a total of 1698 points.
iv. Italy top the medals tally while the Russian Federation is at number two spot, However
Indias in the medals tally placed at number three with a total of 10 medals which include three
gold, four silver and three bronze medals.

Pakistan wins 2016 Asia Kabaddi Championship Cup


i. Pakistan clinched 2016 Asia Kabaddi Championship Cup by defeating India 50-31
towin their second successive Asian title. In the tournament both the sides remained unbeaten in
their league matches of the tournament.
ii. The Pakistan Kabaddi Federation (PKF) in collaboration with POF Sports Control Board under the
banner of the Asian Kabaddi Federation organised the championship at Wah Cantonment
in Pakistan.
iii. Seven sides including India, Iran, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Pakistan
took part in the international contest

Rohit Sharma unveils Indias first sports expo


i. Mumbai hailed cricketer Rohit Sharma Unveiled Pune International Sports expo
Agricultural Ground in Presence of Indian shooter Gagan Narang. The Expo will be open for
public till May 8.
ii. This iniative is to showcase various products and modern technologies for fitness and sports by
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Indian as well as multinational brands.
iii. This is set to be the first sports expo being held in the India which is organised by Punebased Steps Sports Entertainment Private Limited.
iv. The batsman also urged the Rio-bound athletes to Go for the Gold. In the Inaugural function
of the Expo the bat was presented to Narang by Rohit.

Women wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik qualify for Rio Olympics
i. Indian Wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik secured berth for Rio Olympics in their
respective 48 kg and 58 weight divisions at the second World Olympic Qualifying tournament in
Istanbul.
ii. India has now secured six Olympic berths in wrestling after these recent qualifiers make
disappear the previous highest tally of five at the Olympics in 2012 in London.
iii. Vinesh and Sakshis makes the first time that two female wrestlers from India have qualified for
the Olympic Games to be held later this year.

Novak Djokovic wins 2016 Mutua Madrid Open in Mens Singles title
Serbian Novak Djokovic clinches 2016 Mutua Madrid Open Trophy against Andy Murray in
Final in the category of Mens singles held at Spain
Mutua Madrid Open 2016
Introduction: Tennis tournament played on outdoor clay courts
Venue: Park Manzanares in Madrid, Spain
Edition: 15th on the ATP World Tour and 8th on the WTA Tour
List of Champions in all the Category: 2016
Champions
Category
Serbia Novak Djokovic
Mens Singles
Netherlands Jean-Julien Rojer / Mens Doubles
Romania Horia Tecu
Romania Simona Halep
Womens Singles
France Caroline Garcia /
Womens Doubles
France Kristina Mladenovic

Wins Against
UK Andy Murray
India Rohan Bopanna
/Romania Florin Mergea
Slovakia Dominika Cibulkov
Swiss Martina Hingis / India
Sania Mirza

Indian boxers fetch 4 medals from Asian Youth Cship


Indian boxers finished third in the overall standings with three silver and a bronze medal in the7th
Asian Youth Championships
Champions
Ankush Dahiya
Ashish Kulhirya
Reyal Puri
Manjeet Singh

tournament held in Pavlodar, Kazakhstan.


Category
Medal
60 Kg
Silver
64kg
Silver
81kg
Silver
+91kg
Bronze

The Medal Winners:


In the tournament Indias performance helped India finish behind Kazakhstan (6 gold, 1 silver and

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3 bronze) and Uzbekistan (3 gold, 3 silver and 3 bronze). The tournament featured more than 150
boxers from 23 countries.
Wrestlers Ravinder Khatri, Babita Kumari bag Rio Olympic berths
i. Indian Wrestlers Ravinder Khatri and Babita Kumari have booked berth for the upcoming Rio
Olympics after their rivals failed a dope test,
taking the total number of quota places from
India to eight.
ii. This is the first time two women wrestlers
from India have qualified for the Olympics.
iii. In fact, this is the first time that India will be
represented in all three formats mens

Athlete
Ravinder Khatri
Hardeep Singh
Babita Kumari
Vinesh Phogat
Sakshi Malik
Sandeep Tomar
Yogeshwar Dutt
Narsingh Yadav

Event
85 kg
98 kg
53 kg
48 kg
58 Kg
57 kg
65 kg
74 kg

Category
Mens Greco-Roman
Mens Greco-Roman
Womens freestyle
Womens freestyle
Womens freestyle
Mens freestyle
Mens freestyle
Mens freestyle

freestyle, female wrestling and Greco-Roman at the Olympics.

England womens captain Edwards retires


i. England womens Cricket captain Charlotte Edwards announced retirement from international
cricket to end a glittering cricket career with immediate effect.
ii. She is 36-year-old led her country to wonder in the Ashes, also winning a world-record 309 caps
and scoring over 10,000 runs across the formats.
iii. The long serving Skipper led England on 220 occasions, with the highlights of her captaincy
including three Ashes triumphs against Australia (2008, 2013 and 2014. and a World Cup/World
Twenty20 double in 2009.
iv. Edwards named the International Cricket Councils Womens Player of the Year in 2008and
in 2014 was selected as a Wisden Cricketer of the Year.

Stephen Curry named NBAs Most Valuable Player for second straight year
i. Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry was named the NBAs Most Valuable Player for
the second straight year he is set be the 11th person to win consecutive MVP awards.
ii. With this feet he is becoming the first unanimous Winner in the awards 61-year history after
a record-breaking contribution to his side.

Vijender Singh beats Andrzej Soldra to win sixth pro fight


i. Pro turned Haryana hailed Boxing star Vijender Singhs charging winning strip remained intact
as he carved out a sixth consecutive knockout victory by battering Polands Andrzej Soldra.
ii. The result makes him unbeaten in Pro Boxing and has won all his bouts by a knockout.
iii. Vijenders next fight sees the Indian travelling back home for a WBO sanctioned title fight in
New Delhi.

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Rwanda captain Eric Dusingizimana bats for 51 hours straight creates new Guinness
record
i. Rwandas Cricket captain Eric Dusingizimana has set a new Guinness world record by batting
out a longest individual net session of straight 51 hours beating the record set last year by Indias
Virag Mane, who had batted a straight 50 hours.
ii. He started batting and completed his marathon effort came during a charity session in aid of the
Rwandan Cricket Stadium Foundation and the proceeds will be utilized to raise money to build an
international stadium in Rwanda.
iii. The batsmans stint began on May 11th and ended on May 13th,
iv. Earlier the RCSF had set the many world record feats which includes in 2014, the charity broke
the mark for the highest-ever cricket match, played at an altitude of 5730m on Mount
Kilimanjaro.

Andy Murray clinges Rome title with victory over Novak Djokovic
Venue: Manchester United Stadium, UK
Date: 15 May 2016
Winners List
Category
Mens singles final
Womens Signles final
Mens doubles finals
Womens doubles finals

Winner
United KingdomAndy Murray
United StatesSerena Williams
United States Bob BryanUnited
States Mike Bryan
Switzerland Martina Hingis
India Sania Mirza

Runner
Serbia Novak Djokovic
United StatesMadison Keys
Canada Vasek PospisilUnited
States Jack Sock
Russia Ekaterina
MakarovaRussia Elena Vesnina

India women settle for silver after losing to Malaysia in Asian Squash Team
Championship
i. Indian womens squash team ended with a silver medal its Asian Team Championship
campaign as they lost to Malaysia by 0-2 margin in the summit clash in Taipei.
ii. Earlier the team has won bronze-medal finish in the earlier edition of the championship. Sachika
lost in straight games 7-11 6-11 10-12 to Sivasangari Subramaniam in the first match.
iv. Indias top seed Joshna Chinappa provided a tought fight to Delia Arnold, who finally
prevailed with 9-11, 13-11, 11-8, 11-9 victory.
v. She had lost to Delia Arnold in the earlier meeting of the two teams. There was promise of
changed scenario after Joshna powered her way for the first game.

Max Verstappen becomes youngest Formula 1 winner


i. Red Bull driver Max Verstappen became Formula Ones youngest race winner aged 18 by
winning the Spanish Grand Prix Verstappens teammate, Daniel Ricciardo, finished fourth.

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ii. The Belgian-Dutch racing driver Max took advantage of the early crash involving the favourites
and held on for the victory only a few days after moving up from feeder team Toro Rosso in a
controversial driver switch with Daniil Kvyat.
iii. Ferraris Kimi Raikkonen was second and teammate Sebastian Vettel third.

Heena shoots silver, Bindra bronze


i. Former Olympic gold medallist Shooter Abhinav Bindra clinched the silver by 0.1 point in the
Category
Indian Represent
Place
mens air rifle in the International
Men: 10m air rifle
Abhinav Bindra
3 (Bronze)
Shooting Competition of Hannover in
Women: 10m air rifle
Apurvi Chandela
11
10m
air
pistol
Heena
Sidhu
2-(Silver)
Germany.
ii. Bindra have secured 5 in taking the bronze behind Nicolas Schallenberger of Germany while
Jan Lochbihler of Switzerland won the gold.
iii. In the Womens 10 m air rifle category she finished 11 th while in the 10 m Air pistol event
Heena Sindhu clinched Silver against Sandra Hornung of germeny who clinched gold in the
contest.
Women Archers Deepika, Bombayla, Laxmirani named for 2016 Rio Olympics
WomensCategory:
i. Indian womens archery team that qualified for the Rio Olympics comprising Deepika Kumari,
Bombayla Devi and Laxmirani Majhi was named for the Rio Olympics
ii. The womens trio will compete in the individual events as well as team event at the Rio
Games to be held in August. They were selected after a series of selection trials in the last three
months.

England cricketer Joe Root bags top three England cricket awards and awarded ODI
Cricketer of the Year
Eminent England Cricket Batsman Joe Root has been honored with Englands Test and One Day
International Cricketer of the year

Awarded during England Cricket Board Annual Awards

Other Awardees:

Somersets Anya Shrubsole England womens cricketer of the year award for the
maiden time

Charlotte Edwards, who recently announced her retirement from international cricket
after 20 years, won the womens player of the year

Sevilla won the Europa League for the third consecutive time
i. Spains oldest football club Sevilla defeated Liverpool by 3-1 in the Europa League final at
the St. Jakob-Park in Basel.

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ii. The win means to Sevilla qualify for the Champions League group stages yet again.
Meanwhile, Liverpool will not be in Europe next season after finishing eighth in the Premier League
this season.
iii. The most successful club in the competition and the current champions are Sevilla with five
titles after defeating Liverpool in the final, also makes third in consecutive year to the Spanish
club.

Womens 4x100m relay team breaks national record at IAAF Meet


i. The Indian womens relay team in 4x100m category broke the 18-year-old National record to
finish in 4th position at the IAAF World Challenge in Beijing China.
ii. The 4x100m women relay team comprising Dutee Chand, Srabani Nanda, HM Jyoti and
Merlin Joseph clocked 44.03s to finish the race in the fourth spot.
iii. This new record was set up by breaking the 18-year-old record of 44.43s created by the
quartet of Saraswati Dey, Rachita Mistry, EB Shyla and PT Usha in 1998 in Japan.
iv. The host nation China has grabbed the first and third positions with China A and China
Bteam on the first and third position respectively while Japan finished second.

China beats South Korea to win Uber Cup 2016 badminton final
i. China beat South Korea 3-1 on Saturday to win theUber Cup badminton final.
ii. Tang Yuanting and Chen Qingchen beat Chang Ye-na and Lee So-hee 21-14, 21-16 in doubles to
give the hosts an insurmountable 3-1 lead
iii. Indian womens team settled for a bronze medal after suffering a 0-3 defeat at the hands of
defending champions China in the semifinals of the Uber Cup badminton championship, at Kunshan
in China.
Mary Kom, Sarita Devi fail to qualify for Rio
Fivetime world champion M C Mary Kom and Asian Games bronzemedallist L Sarita Devi
failed to qualify for the Olympics after they went down in their respective second round bouts of
the AIBA Womens World Boxing Championships

Mohun Bagan beats Aizawl FC 5-0 to lift 14th Fed Cup title
i. Mohun Bagan clinched Hero Federation Cup by defeating Aizawl Football Club by a record5-0
margin and regain the title after eight years, at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in Ghuwati.
ii. The record margin victory comes as two goals was Mizoram striker Jeje Lalpekhlua while Haitian
Sony Norde, Dhanachandra Singh and Bikramjit Singh scored one each.
iii. Mizoram striker Jeje Lalpekhlua became the most prolific Indian striker, as he completed a
tally of 20 goals in the season. He scored eight goals, including a hat-trick in the contest

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Ashwin retains No. 2 spot in Test bowlers ranking
Indian Off Spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has retained his second spot in the lastest ICC Player
Rankings for Test Bowlers issued, while no Indian features in the top 10 batsmen list.
Rank Bowler
Batsman
All Rounders
1
Stuart Broad
Steve Smith
R Ashwin
2
R. Ashwin
Joe Root
Shakib Al Hasan
3
James Anderson
Kane Williamson
Stuart Broad
4
Yasir Shah
Hashim Amla
Ben Stokes
5
Dayle Steyn
Younus Khan
Vernon Philander
Pankaj Advani creates history by winning Asian 6-Red Snooker title
i. Prominent cueist Pankaj Advani made history by clinching the Asian 6-Red Snooker title in
Abu Dhabi.
ii. Pankaj has become the first in the world to hold both world and continental titles at the same
time in 6-red snooker as he had earlier won the IBSF World 6 Red Championship.
iii. In the high octane game he defeated top seeded Malaysian Keen Hoh Moh by 7-5 in a match
that see-sawed from start to finish.

Denmark wins first Thomas Cup badminton tournament


i. Denmark has bagged the 2016 Thomas Cup badminton tournament. In the final match
played at Kunshan, China, the Danish team defeated Indonesia 3-2.
ii. In the fifth and final set, Danish Hans-Kristian Vittinghus defeated Indonesian Ihsan Maulana
Mustofa in two straight games 21-16 and 21-7.
iii. Denmark team has won the trophy after a 67-year jinx also makes first ever win in the
international tournament.
iv. Thomas Cup is hosted every three years, was the BWFs first major international
tournament. The Thomas Cup known as Mens World Team Championships is an international
badminton competition. It was first conducted in 1948-49.
Womens World Team Championships (Uber Trophy):
Meanwhile Uber Cup was won by China. In the title clash, China defeated South Korea 3-1. This
was Chinas 14th Uber title. Indian womens team won bronze title at the Championship.

OBITUARY
Actor Suresh Chatwal passes away in Mumbai
i. Eminent film and television actor Suresh Chatwal has passed away after prolonged
illness in Mumbai.
ii. The actor was known for his popular show FIR on Television who also played many roles
in films and he was last seen on the big screen inNakshatra in 2010.

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iii. He started his acting career in the year 1969 with Rakhi Rakhi and was seen in films
like Karan Arjun, Koyla and Munna Bhai MBBS.
Noted Kannada writer D Javare Gowda passes away
i. Prominent Kannada writer, poet, D Javare Gowda, popularly known as De Ja
Go haspassed away after he suffered from heart failure at Mysuru. He was 101.
ii. Gowda served as the Vice-Chancellor of Mysore University from 1969 to 1975. He was
also awarded with the Pampa Prishathi in 1998 and the Guru Award in 2003.
iii. The Karnataka government had honoured him with the Karnataka Ratna and the
Nadoja title in recognition of his contribution to literature.
BJP leader and former MP Rudra Madhab Ray passes away
i. Former Lok Sabha MP and senior BJP leader Rudra Madhab Ray passed away after
prolonged illness in Bhubaneswar. He was 79.
ii. Ray was a member of the Indian Parliament, and represented Kandhamal Lok Sabha
Constituency for BJD ticket in 2009. He was suspended from Biju Janata Dal in
2014. Later Shri. Ray had joined the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Veteran Communist leader KC Mathew died
i. Veteran communist leader KC Mathew laid to rest at a private hospital
in Ernakulamdue to age related illness. He was 92.
ii. He is the prime accused in the attack on the Edappally police station back in 1950
that made in a witch-hunt of the communists by the police.
iii. Mathew graduated from UC College in Aluva and was drawn to the communist ideals
right from the college days and he was also a Freedom fighter.
Noted Marathi literary critic R G Jadhav passes away
i. Eminent Marathi literary critic R G Jadhav has died following prolonged illness at his
residence in Gujarat. He was 83.
ii. He was born Vadodara in Gujarat, he served as a professor of Marathi literature in
various colleges, including one in Amravati, Elphinstone College in Mumbai.
iii. He also headed over Marathi Sahitya Sammelan held in 2004 and worked as chief
editor of Marathi Vishwakosha between 2000 and 2002.
iv. He also wrote more than 45 books, including Anandacha Doh and Nilee Pahat and Bapu
which is a collection of 91 reflective poems on Mahatma Gandhi.
Former Jan Sangh president Balraj Madhok passes away

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Former Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS) President Balraj Madhok died at age 96, after being ill for
above a month.

Balraj became a full-time member of the RSS in 1942 and politically active in Jammu and
Kashmir.

Former J&K Congress minister passes away


i.Senior Congress leader Romesh Sharma passed away after a prolonged illness. He was 65. He
was also Former Jammu and Kashmir Minister.
ii.He is Minister from Nowshera Constituency Sharma who was also an Ayurvedic doctor, joined
politics before 2000 and won the Assembly elections in 2002.
iii.He was a Minister of State Commerce and Industries in late Chief Minister Mufti Sayeeds regime
and later as MoS PHE and Irrigation & Flood Control in Ghulam Nabi Azad led government till
2008.

Nihal Bitla, who became face of progeria campaign in India, dies at 15


i. Mumbai teen, who became face of Indias awareness campaign against the countrys first
reported case of progeria in India, dies at 15.
ii. He is not only fought progeria but also helped other children affected by the disease live a
normal life. Nihal, who aged just 15, had a body that felt like it was beyond 60 years

Australian TV producer Reg Grundy dies


i. Eminent television producer and businessman Reg Grundy, who has died at the age of 92
in in his Bermuda home. He is known as the father of Australian television.
ii. The Reg Grundy Organisation established in 1959, produced many of Australias most-popular
television shows.
iii. His production unit also created many of Australias other biggest TV shows, including The
Young Doctors and Prisoner, called Prisoner -Cell Block H in the UK and many other places.
iv. Reg Grundy also served in the Australian Army during World War II as a Sergeant
stationed in Sydney in the 1 Motor Division Signals.

Pakistans Human right activist Khurram Zaki shot dead in Karachi


i. Human Rights Activist Khurram Zaki, has been shot dead in Karachi, Pakisthan. He is known
for his strong stance against hatred and violence targeted at Shia Muslims. He was 40.
ii. The Hakimullah Mehsud faction of the Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack
iii. Zaki was working as an editor for Let us Build Pakistan website that condemns sectarianism
and is seen as promoting democratic and progressive values.

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Former MLA Rajeshwara Rao passes away
i. Former Sircilla MLA Chennamaneni Rajeswara Rao has passed away. The 93-year-old Rao is
the brother of Maharashtra Governor Vidyasagar Rao.
ii. He is a freedom fighter also won as MLA for half dozen times and actively took part in
Telangana armed struggle.
iii. Rao worked for the Communist Party of India for four decades since his student days and was
elected as its MLA four times from Vemulawada.

US actor William Schallert passes away


i. Former SAG president William Schallert, best known as TV dad Martin Lane on The Patty Duke
Show has died at the age of 93 at his home in Los Angeles.
ii. Schallert was born in Los Angeles in 1922 and began acting while a student at the University of
Southern California in Los Angeles and, in 1946.
iii. His role as patriarch Martin Lane on the popular 1960s show was among his most memorable,
He began his career with film roles in the 1940s and worked fairly consistently through 2014.
iv. Hee also served as President of the Screen Actors Guild from 1979 to 1981.

Renowned West Indies cricket commentator Tony Cozier passes away


i. Legendary West Indian Cricket Commentator and journalist Tony Cozier died at the age of 75
following a long illness.
ii. He voiced many series of West Indies in his five decade career from 1962 of the most
respected cricket writer, broadcaster and historian to have come out of the region.
iii. Cricketer and Associations mourning his death and paid glowing tributes to the legendary
voice of the game.
iv. Tony worked in radio and television, wrote books, and was published in newspapers, magazines
and Columns on the internet.
v. MCC awarded Cozier life membership for his services to the game in 2011.

Congress Rajya Sabha MP Praveen Rashtrapal passes away


i. Gujarat Congress leader and Rajya Sabha member Praveen Rashtrapal died after suffering a
massive heart attack. He is 76. On behalf his demise the Rajya Sabha proceedings were
adjourned for the day
ii. He was a member of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on 2G scam in the previous Lok
Sabha. However he was an Assistant Commissioner of Income Tax before he took politics career.
Praveen Rashtrapal:
He was an elected to the 13th Lok Sabha from 1999 to 2004. He was a member from the Upper
House from April 2006 to April 2012.

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Nirankari mission Baba Hardev Singh passes away
i. Nirankari spiritual leader Baba Hardev Singh was killed in a road accident in Montreal,Canada.
When he was travelling from New York to Montreal. He was 62.
ii. Singh and his younger son-in-law Avneet Setya were sitting on rear seat were thrown out of the
car by the impact of the huge accident.

Worlds oldest person dies in New York City, aged 116


i. Reportedly the worlds oldest living person Susannah Mushatt Jones has died in New York City.
She is aged 116 and had been ill for the past 10 days.
ii. Jones was born in 1899 in, Alabama. After graduating high school in 1922, she worked in the
family business picking crops.
iii. Jones became the record holder for the Guinness World Records title of oldest living female last
year. She was given the record on her 116th birthday.

Former Test cricketer Deepak Shodhan passes away


i. Gujarat-born Former Test cricketer Deepak Shodhan has passed away at the age of 87.He
was Indias oldest living Test cricketer in Ahmedabad.
ii. The left-handed batsman made his international debut againstPakistan in 1952
in which he scored 110 in the first innings.
iii. He also became the first Indian cricketer to score a hundred in the first innings of his debut
Test.
iv. He scored 1802 runs, with 4 hundreds and 7 fifties in 43 first class games, besides taking 73
wickets at an average of 34.05.

Andre Brahic, discoverer of Neptunes rings, passes away at 73


i. French astrophysicist Andre Brahic, He is known forthe rings of Neptune, has died of
cancer in Paris, at the age of 73.
ii. He launched a programme which led to the discovery, with US astronomer William Hubbard, of
the rings around the gaseous planet Neptune in 1984.
iii. He became a specialist in exploring our solar system with the help of the NASA Voyager
and later US-Europe Cassini unmanned missions in 1980s.

Canadian CBS News Reporter Morley Safer passes away


i. Canadian Long-time CBS News correspondent Morley Safer has died at 84 in Manhattan, He was
best known for his long tenure on the news magazine 60 Minutes also longest serving reporter
on the same.
ii. Safer was well-known for claiming there is no such thing as the common man and if there were,
there would be no need for journalists

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iii. He penned about his experience in Vietnam in a book named Flashbacks: On Returning to
Vietnam also filed more than 900 reports.
iv. He had been honoured with numerous awards for his work, including 12 Emmys, three
Overseas Press Club Awards, and three Peabody Awards.

Veteran Gujarati folk singer Diwaliben Bhil passes away


i. Legendary Gujarati folk singer Diwaliben Bhil, has passed away due to age-related ailments in
Junagadh. She was 80.
ii. Besides folk songs and garba songs, Diwaliben had also lent her voice to several film songs.
iii. She is a self-taught artiste also went on to sing many more songs for All India Radio and
Doordarshan, perform at hundreds of stage shows and abroad and record songs for films.
iv. The Government had honoured her with the Padma Shri in 1991

Beastie Boys original member John Berry dead at 52


i. Beastie Boys founding member John Berry has died aged 52 due to frontal lobe dementia in in
Massachusetts US.
ii. He is an American rap rock band Beastie Boys founding member as well as Guitarist of the
original punk band the hip-hop outfit.
iii .The Beastie Boys from New York City, formed in 1980 were one of the longest-lived hip hop acts
worldwide.

Emmy award winning actor Alan Young dies aged 96


Emmy award-winning English-born actor Alan Young, who rode to enduring TV fame alongside a
talking horse on the popular 1960s sitcom Mister Ed and co-starred in the classic sci-fi film The
Time Machine, has died at age 96.

Worlds Oldest Olympic champion Sandor Tarics, Berlin veteran, dies at 102
i. The worlds oldest Olympic champion, Sandor Tarics, has died at the age of 102 in San Francisco.
ii. He was the team member of the Hungarian waterpolo team that gave triumph to its side in
the Berlin Olympics in 1936, pushing Germany into second place.
iii. Sabdor in the United States in 1949 and earned recognition for his new home country as a
designer of earthquake-proof building technologies.
iv. He also gave attendance to the 2012 London Olympics as the oldest living champion.

Veteran CPI(M) leader K Anirudhan passes away


i. Former Communist party leader and Member of Parliament K Anirudhan has died due to old age
related ailments, He was 92 at his residence inThiruvananthapuram.
ii. Anirudhan, also an active trade union leader, and in 1967 Lok Sabha elections he represented

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from Attingal constituency
iii. He was also part of the CPMs state committee earlier was elected to the Kerala Legislative
Assembly three times.

Afghan Taliban sources confirm death of leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour


i. According to the Afghan reliable sourcesTaliban supremo Mullah Akhtar Mansour was killed
in a US drone airstrike attack in a remote area of south-westPakistan, near the Afghan border.
ii. He assumed the leadership in July last year filling the shoes of Taliban founder and spiritual head
Mullah Mohammad Omar.
iii. The UN reports claiming that he had an active role in drug trafficking.
iv. Taliban is an Islamic fundamentalist political movement in Afghanistan currently waging war
within that country

Pink Panther and James Bond actor Burt Kwouk dies aged 85
i. The British actor Burt Kwouk has died aged 85. He was best known for his role as Catoin
the Pink Panther films.
ii.The British actor starred in BBC sitcom Last of the Summer Wine from 2002 to 2010 and he was
awarded an Order of the British Empire in the 2011.
iii.The UK born actor had lived with his Chinese parents in Shanghai also starred in three Bond
movies, Goldfinger, You Only Live Twice and the 1967 spoof Casino Royale.

Newly elected AIADMK MLA S.M. Seenivel passes away


i. Newly elected MLA from Tiruparankundram constituency belonging to All India Anna Dravida
Munnetra Kazhagam S.M. Seenivel has passed away in Madurai.
ii. Seenivel has suffered a stroke that day and remained hospitalized since then as his condition
gradually worsened.
iii. He also had already served as an MLA of same constituency when AIADMK was in
powerbetween 2001-06.
iv. The AIADMK formed its second consecutive government first time since 1984 by winning 134
seats in the recently held public elections.

BOOKS & AUTHORS


Book Gujarat Files: Anatomy of a Cover Up authored by Rana Ayyub
i. Book titled Gujarat Files: Anatomy of a Cover Up authored by Rana Ayyub was
launched in New Delhi.
ii. The book is an account of an eight-month long undercover investigation by journalist
Rana Ayyub, who is a filmmaker from the American Film Institute Conservatory to
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investigate the Gujarat riots.
iii. Ayyub was in Gujarat in 2010, when she was working for Tehelka magazine.
iv. The book also describes the story of fake encounters and the murder of state Home
Minister Haren Pandya.
v. She in her book quoted IPS officer Rajan Priyadarshi as connected Modi and Shah to
the communal violence.
Book on Param Vir Chakra winners launched
Indian High Commissioner to the K.NavtejSarna launched a book celebrating the lives of 21
Param Vir Chakra winners written by a well-known Indian social activist.

Param Vir Diary by Manju Lodha covers a total of 21 instances of bravery recounted by
the friends and families of Param Vir Chakra awardees.

Param Vir Chakra is the highest gallantry honour bestowed by government to those
serving in the Indian armed forces.It is such a sporadic honour that only 21 people have
ever been awarded one. Two-thirds of them posthumously.

Lodha chairs the Lodha Foundation, it wants proceeds from the book to go to the
foundation that will be passed on to the Indian Army.

No Time to Pause book by Pavithra Ramesh


Pavithra Ramesh released her debut novel named No Time to Pause, which is the story about a
girl who, for want of privacy and independence goes to college in a different city.

The book chronicles the life of a typical college student who chooses to reside miles away
from her family to get value education.

Biography of Shashi Kapoor released


i. The biography titled Shashi Kapoor the Householder, the Star, has been authored by film
journalist Aseem Chhabra of veteran actor Shashi Kapoor.
ii. The unveiling the chapters of his personal and professional life of the legendary actor who has
appeared in a large number of Hindi language films as well as in English-language films.
iii. Kapoor, who was felicitated with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award
in 2015. Also in 2011, he was honoured with the Padma Bhushan.

India vs Pakistan: Why Cant we just be Friends by Husain Haqqani


i. Former Pakistani ambassador to the US,Husain Haqqanito author a book titled India vs
Pakistan: Why Cant We Just Be Friends is set be published soon.
ii. The book reveals that US intelligence agencies had evidence about Pakistan spy agency ISIs
involvement in the November 26, 2008 Mumbai terror attacks in which 166 people were killed
and over 300 injured.

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iii. Husain Haqqani has exposed Pakistans role in the deadly terror attacks. He also has
mentioned about the ISIs role in the 26/11 attacks. The author said that retired Pakistan Army
officers were behind the Mumbai attacks.

President of India receives first copies of books Tagores Vision of the Contemporary
World and Tagore and Russia
i. Indias President Pranab Mukherjee will receive the first copies of books Tagores Vision of the
Contemporary World and Tagore and Russia at a function at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New
Delhi.
ii. Both books are being published by Delhi based Indian Council for Cultural Relations(ICCR)
also contains papers presented at international conferences organized by ICCR in New Delhi and
Moscow in 2011 as part of the 150th Birth Anniversary Celebrations of Gurudev Rabindra Nath
Tagore.

Two new books released by Ruskin Bond


i. Sahitya Academy Award Winning author Ruskin Bond has released two new books both themed
on nature.
ii. The books namely
1.My Favourite Nature Stories.
2.The World outside My Window.
iii. This is his first of its kind also these books talks about his various encounters with the natural
world.

Making it Big, the inspiring story of Binod Chaudhary


i. Nepali Author Binod Chaudharys story offers lessons on turning dreams into reality, and is a
good inspiration for all upcoming entrepreneurs.
ii. He created Wai Wai, a Nepalese brand of instant noodles. Chaudhary was listed by Forbes as he
ranked 1,342 and was declared the first billionaire of Nepal.

IMPORTANT DAYS
Mar 1 2016
Remember Day: International Workers Day
Purpose : To pay tribute to workers sacrifices in achieving economic and social rights all over the
world.
Theme: Celebrating the international labour movement.
Mar 3 2016

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Remember Day: World Press Freedom Day
Purpose : To mark the international community that freedom of the press and freedom of
expression are fundamental human rights.
Organization:UN, UNESCO
Theme: Access to Information and Fundamental Freedoms This Is Your Right.
Remember Day: World Asthma Day (First Tuesday in May)
Purpose : To improve asthma awareness and care around the world
Organization: WHO
Theme: 'Reduce The Burden Of Asthma'
Mar 5 2016
Remember Day: International Midwives Day
Purpose : To commemorate and increase the awareness about the contribution of the midwives
towards the patients all over the world.
Organization: UNFPA
Theme: Women and Newborns: The Heart of Midwifery
Mar 8 2016(second Sunday in May)
Remember Day: Mothers Day
Purpose : To show their appreciation towards mothers and mother figures worldwide.
Mar 8 2016
Remember Day: World Red Cross day
Purpose : Anniversary of the birth of Henry Dunant (born 8 May 1828), the founder
of International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
Organization:ICRC
Theme: "Together for Humanity".
Mar 10 2016
Remember Day: World Migratory Bird Day
Purpose : To highlight the need to protect migratory birds and their habitats
Organization: UN
Theme: Stop the illegal killing, taking and trade of migratory
Mar 11 2016
Remember Day: National Technology Day
Purpose : The anniversary of first of the five tests of Operation Shakti (Pokhran-II) nuclear test
which was held on 11 May 1998 in Pokhran, Rajasthan.

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Organization: GOI
Theme: Technology enablers of Startup India
Mar 12 2016
Remember Day: International Nurses Day
Purpose : The anniversary of Florence Nightingale's birth
Organization: ICN
Theme: Nurses: A Force for Change: Improving Health Systems' Resilience[
Mar 15 2016
Remember Day: International Day of Families
Purpose : An opportunity to promote awareness of issues relating to families and to increase
knowledge of the social, economic and demographic processes affecting families
Organization: UN
Theme: Families, healthy lives and sustainable future.
Mar 16 2016
Remember Day: National Dengue Day
Purpose : To mark the toll the deadly disease has been taking in terms of lives and to reaffirm
nationwide efforts to tackle the scourge by using both education and medical intervention.
Organization: GOI
Mar 17 2016
Remember Day: World Telecommunication and Information Society Day
Purpose : To mark the anniversary of the signature of the first International Telegraph Convention
in 1865
Organization: UN
Theme: Information and Communication Technology(ICT) entrepreneurship for social impact
Remember Day: The International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia
Purpose : To raise awareness of Laws affecting Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and transgender violations
and generate interest in the rights
Organization: WHO
Remember Day: World Hypertension Day
Purpose : To increase the awareness of hypertension
Organization: WHO
Theme: Know your Numbers for the year

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Mar 18 2016
Remember Day: World AIDS Vaccine Day
Purpose : To promoting the continued urgent need for a vaccine to prevent HIV infection and
AIDS.
Organization: WHO
Remember Day: International Museum Day
Purpose : To provides the opportunity for museum professionals to meet the public and alert them
as to the challenges that museums face.
Organization: ICOM, UN
Theme: Museums and Cultural Landscapes
Mar 20 2016
Remember Day: World Metrology Day
Purpose : To promote the importance of measurement.
Organization: BIPM and OIML
Theme: Measurements in a Dynamic World.
Mar 21 2016
Remember Day: International Buddha Poornima Diwas 2016/UN Day of Vesak
Purpose : To commemorate the Buddha Birthday on the auspicious full moon day of the Monday.
Organization: UN
Remember Day: World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development
Purpose : To provides us with an opportunity to deepen our understanding of the values of cultural
diversity
Organization: UNESCO
Mar 21 2016
Remember Day: Anti-Terrorism Day
Purpose : 25th Death Anniversary of former Prime Minister of India Rajiv Gandhi
Organization: GOI
Theme:
Mar 22 2016
Remember Day: International Day for Biological Diversity
Purpose : For the promotion of biodiversity issues.
Organization: UN

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Theme: Mainstreaming Biodiversity; Sustaining People and their Livelihoods.
Mar 23 2016
Remember Day: International day to end obstetric fistula
Purpose : To promotes action towards treating and preventing obstetric fistula, a condition that
affects many girls and women in developing countries.
Organization: UN, UNFPA
Theme: End fistula within a generation.
Remember Day: World Turtle Day
Purpose : To bring attention to, and increase knowledge of and respect for, turtles and tortoises,
and encourage human action to help them survive and thrive
Organization:
Mar 25 2016
Remember Day: International Missing Children's Day
Purpose : To encourage everyone to think about children who remain missing and to spread a
message of hope.
Organization: ICMEC and NCMEC
Mar 29 2016
Remember Day: International Day of UN Peacekeepers
Purpose : To pay tribute to all the men and women who have served and continue to serve
in United Nations peacekeeping operations for their high level of professionalism, dedication, and
courage and to honor the memory of those who have lost their lives in the cause of peace
Organization: UN
Theme: Honouring Our Heroes

Mar 31 2016
Remember Day: World No Tobacco Day
Purpose : To draw attention to the widespread prevalence of tobacco use and to negative health
effects.
Organization: WHO
Theme: Get ready for plain packaging

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Current Affairs PDF: May 2016

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