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� Former Defence Secretary Radha Krishna Mathur (62) has sworn in as the eight Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) of the Central Information Commission.

� Justice RM Lodha Committee has submitted its report to the

Supreme Court suggesting reforms in the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The committee was appointed by the SC in 2014 to make recommendations to the BCCI in order to prevent frauds and conflict of interest in cricket administration.

� Former Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sarosh Homi Kapadia passed

away in Mumbai, Maharashtra. He was He was 68. � 15-year-old cricketer Pranav Dhanawade created a world record

by scoring 1009 runs (not out) in HT Bhandari Cup, an under-16 inter-school tournament held in Mumbai (Maharashtra).

� The Union Cabinet has approved the Stand Up India Scheme to

promote entrepreneurship among Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribes (SC/ST) and Women entrepreneurs.

� India’s first River Information System (RIS) was launched by

Union Government facilitate safe and accurate inland waterway navigation

� Governor’s Rule in Jammu & Kashmir In case of failure of

constitutional machinery in any other state of India, the President’s Rule is imposed under Article 356 of the Constitution. But in case of J&K, as per Section 92 of state Constitution, the Governor’s Rule can be imposed for a period of six months in the state. Thus, there is little practical difference between the two provisions.

� Governor’s Rule can be imposed only after the consent of the

President of India in case of failure of constitutional machinery. During the Governors rule, State Assembly is either suspended or

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dissolved and the state completely comes under direct Central rule. If the Constitutional machinery in the state is not restored before the expiry of this six month period, the provisions of Article 356 of the Constitution of India are extended to J&K and the President’s rule is imposed in the State.

� Telangana has become the first State in the country to introduce

compulsory gender education at the graduate level. � Scientists at the Central Institute for Research on Buffaloes (CIRB)

in Hisar, Haryana have successfully produced a cloned buffalo offspring named ‘Cirb Gaurav’.

� Stanislas Wawrinka from Switzerland has won the 2016 Chennai

Open title of tennis. This was his third consecutive ATP Chennai Open title for Wawrinka (won in 2014, 2015 and 2016) and overall fourth, first won it in 2011

� Barcelona FC forward Lionel Messi from Argentina has won the

2016 FIFA Ballon d’Or Award. � J7K CM Mufti Mohammad Syed passed away � Pakistani singer Adnan Sami was awarded Indian Citizenship � Dindigul Girl Rupa Devi nominated as International football

referee by FIFA � Tamil Nadu is the only State in the country to feature among the

top destinations to visit in 2016, ranked by The New York Times. Ranked at #24, the rich and cultural history of Tamil Nadu has taken it to the elite list, sharing space among architectural wonders of Barcelona-Spain, ski-snowboard hotspot Pyeongchang in South Korea and serene east coast of Sri Lanka among others.

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� Sahyog-Kaijin India Japan Naval exercise � International Dhoti day January 6th � National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has

successfully launched the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying Jason-3 Ocean-monitoring satellite.

� Sikkim has formally become India’s first fully organic state after it

successfully implemented organic farming practices on around 75,000 hectares of agricultural land.

� Bihar Government has formally approved 35 per cent reservation

for women in government jobs in the state � Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully

launched India’s fifth navigation Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System (IRNSS) 1E satellite. It was launched on board of PSLV-C31 rocket from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SHAR), Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh.

� India has ranked 89th globally in Global Talent Competitiveness

Index (GTCI) 2015-16 list of 106 assessed countries in terms of talent competitiveness of its human capital.

� Sri Lanka has maintained its high ranking in 2015 human

development index (HDI) in the South Asia Region. � The Union cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has

recommended imposition of President’s Rule in Arunachal Pradesh under Article 356 (1) of the Constitution.

� The Election Commission of India (ECI) has celebrated the 6th

National Voters’ Day across the country. Theme for year 2016 is Inclusive and Qualitative Participation.

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� India celebrated 67th Republic day 26th January 2016. French President Francois Hollande was chief guest of Republic Day function. With this he beamce 5th highest dignitary from France to be Chief Guest of Indian Republic Day parade.

� For the first time in the history of Republic Day parade foreign

contingent participated. It was 76-member contingent 35th Infantry Regiment of the French Army led by Lt Col Paul Bury.

� Three persons of Indian-origin (PIO) have been awarded 2016

Medal of the Order of Australia, Australia’s highest civilian honour

1) Chennupati Jagadish 2) Jay Chandra 3) Sajeev Koshy

� 150th birth anniversary of great freedom fighter Lala Lajpat Rai,

also known as Punjab Kesri is being celebrated 28th January 2016. � The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has given

its in principle approval for the Hybrid Annuity Model for implementing the National Highway Projects.

� Ace Indian tennis player Sania Mirza and her Swiss partner

Martina Hingis have won the 2016 Australian Open title of tennis in the women’s doubles category.

� Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry Ajay Kumar Singh has

launched the MITRA application to ensure protection of women, children and the elderly in time of distress. MITRA (Mobile Initiated Tracking and Rescue) application has been developed by Puducherry Police department in association with National Informatics Centre (NIC).

� Book : “Stray Birds” by Rabindranath Tagore - Translated into

Chinese by Beng Dong

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� Pathankot : Airbase in Punjab attacked by Jaish-e-Mohammad � Belgium – Flemish Sword Fencing Tournament � “Amma call Centre” Services: Toll Free No: 1100 � Yashudaro Koida : Oldest man in the world living in Japan � Constituency with largest number of voters in Tamil nadu :

Sholinganallur (Kanchipuram) � Constituency in Tamil Nadu with least number of voters :

Keelvelur (Nagapattinam) � National Award for outstanding Achievement in science and

Technology Communication (2015) Dr. G. Ganesan � Planet – 9 : 9th planet in the solar system. � India-France Agreement : To make Pondicherry, Chandigarh,

Nagpur, “Smart Cities”

Important Days/Weeks

4 January: World Braille Day: 10 January: World Hindi Day: 12 January: National Youth Day: 15 January: Army Day: 24 January: National Girl Child Day: 25 January: National Voter’s Day 26 January: International Customs Day: 26 January: India’s Republic Day: 27 January: International Day of Commemoration in memory of the

victims of the Holocaust: 30 January: Anti-Leprosy Day, Sarvodaya Day

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National Defence Day: March 3 National Security Day: March 4 National Safety Day: March 4 International Women’s Day: March 8 CISF Raising Day: March 9 Central Industrial Security Force Day: March 12 World Consumer Day: March 15 World Disabled Day: March 15 National Vaccination Day: March 16 National Ordinance Factories Day: March 18 World Sparrow Day: March 20 World Forestry Day: March 21 World Water Day: March 22 World Meteorological Day: March 23 World TB Day: March 24 Bangladesh Liberation Day March 26 World Theatre Day: March 27

Appointments Filippo Grandi takes charge as UN High Commissioner for Refugees: Pavel Filip appointed as Moldova’s new Prime Minister:

Tsai Ing-wen elected as first female President of Taiwan:

India and Japan conduct joint Coast Guard exercise Sahyog-Kaijin 2016 in Chennai

Indo-French military exercise Shakti-2016 conducted in Rajasthan

2015 was earth’s warmest year since 1880: NOAA

Endangered Snow Leopard spotted for the first time in North

Sikkim: Prof. M.V. Pylee Award: Dr. Jancy James, (first woman Vice Chancellor of Kerala)

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Amnesty International Human Rights Award 2016 - Henri Tiphagne (India)

2016 DSC Prize for South Asian Literature: Indian author Ms. Anuradha Roy for her novel ‘Sleeping on Jupiter’

Lorenzo Natali Media Prize 2015 - Delhi-based writer Ms. Ankita Anand

Danny Kaye Humanitarian Leadership Award - Mr. David Beckham

Reports & Indexes

Transparency International releases Corruption Perceptions Index 2015 – India 76th Place

Space

Intelsat 29e, the first of Intelsat EpicNG satellites launched into Orbit: Google, RailTel launch free public Wi-Fi service at Mumbai Central

TranServ launches India’s first social mobile wallet Udio

Government signs loan agreement with World Bank for Neeranchal National Watershed Project:

Swedish Cup Grand Prix – Apurvi Chandela (Shooting women 10 metre air rifle)

India Lift T20 Asia Cup For Blind defeating Pakistan at Kochi

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa – New President of Portugal

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Geeta Chopa Award - Eight-year-old Shivampet Ruchitha became the youngest person to receive the national bravery award in 2016.

Arunima Sinha – First female amputee to climb 5 mountains of the world.

Government to set up solar energy panels over 10000 EWS houses in Tamil Nadu: The Union government, on 25 January 2016, approved fitting of roof top solar energy panels over 10000 houses belonging to Economically Weaker Sections in Tamil Nadu. This is first of its kind under Prime Minister’s Awas Jana (PMAY) (Urban). Under this scheme, the Centre will provide an assistance of 150000 rupees per house while the State Government will contribute 60000 rupees and the beneficiary’s contribution will be 43000 rupees. Government launches Sahaj Scheme for online booking of LPG cylinders: The Union Government on 25 January 2016 launched Sahaj Scheme for online booking of LPG cylinders. The facility will enable people to book the cylinder around the clock, which will help delivery of the cylinders even in their absence because the payment is already done. Earlier in January 2016, the Union Government dedicated the year 2016 as the “Year of the Consumers”. Aparna Kumar - became India’s first civil servant to scale Mount Vinson Massif, the highest peak in the Antarcitica.

Filippo Grandi - new High Commissioner for the United Nations Refugee Agency (UN-HCR).

Obituary Maria Teresa de filippis - She is remembered as a first female pioneer in motor racing, a sport mainly dominated by men after she had participated in the five World Championship Grand Prix for the Maserati team in 1958.

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Mrinalini Sarabhai - Legendary dancer she was the founder director of the Darpana Academy of Performing Arts, an institute for imparting training in dance, drama, music and puppetry, in Ahmedabad. She was honoured with the national civilian awards Padma Bhushan in 1992 and the Padma Shri in 1965.

Syed Kirmani conferred with 2015 Col. CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award: EPFO winds National Award on e-Governance 2015-16: The Employees’ Provident Fund Organization, in January 2016, won the National Award on e-Governance 2015-16 for launching the Universal Account Number (UAN). It bagged the national award in the ‘innovative use of technology in e-governance’ category.

Sabhashini Vasanth honoured with Neerja Bhanot Award:

Order of Australia Award - Sajeev Koshy

Ashoka Chakra - posthumously to Lance Naik Mohan Nath Goswami

Allan Border Medal 2016 - David Warner

Prince Mahidol Award 2015 - Professor Morton Mower and Sir Michael Marmot for outstanding achievements in medicine and public health worldwide.

K Veeramani Award for social Justice: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar

Book - The Turbulent Years – 1980-1996: by Pranab Mukherjee:

Nisid Hajari wins 2016 William E. Colby Award for Best Military Book: Nisid Hajari, on 28 January 2016, won the 2016 William E. Colby Award for his book, Midnight’s Furies: The Deadly Legacy of India’s Partition.

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International Kite Festival - Gujarat

19th National e-Governance Conference - Nagpur

Indians make up the largest Diaspora: 16 million Indians are scattered across the world, which partly reflects the country’s demographic size (1, 2 billion) and youth (median age is around 26).

Kerala becomes first State to achieve 100% primary education

Nati flok dance enters Guinness Book of World Records

World’s largest blue star sapphire discovered in Sri Lanka

First flower blooms on international space station: A bright orange zinnia blossomed aboard the International Space Station, marking a fist in space, in January 2016. Zinnias grow easily on Earth and blossom in abundance in summer.

Draft report of VR Easwar committee to simplify income-tax act, 1961 released

Raghuram Rajan wins centre banker of the year Award for 2016

Telangana becomes the first state to implement E-Vahan Bima Scheme

ZIKA VIRUS FACTS

• Origin: First identified in Uganda in 1947. Has caused outbreaks in Africa, Southeast Asia and Pacific islands

• Transmission: By bits of infected Aedes aeypti mosquito • Symptoms: Include fever, rash, joint pain and red eyes. About

one in five infected people fall sick-illness usually mild. lasting for several days to a week

• Treatment: No vaccine or antiviral medicine available. Patients advised to rest and drink plenty of fluids

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• Concerns: Virus may affect unborn baby, resulting in reduced head size, or microcephaly. Children born with condition face learning difficulties or death if brain is very underdeveloped.

♣ The 20th National Youth Festival is inaugurated by Union Road

Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari at Rajyostav Sthal in Naya Raipur, Chhattisgarth to mark the National Youth day.

♣ The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi approves the New Crop Insurance Scheme, ‘Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana' with the theme of ‘One Nation-One Scheme’ to boost the agricultural sector.

♣ The Nai Manzil scheme is launched for the first time in Jammu and Kashmir.

♣ Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar hoists the largest flag of the country atop the tallest pole at Pahari Mandir in Ranchi, Jharkhand.

♣ Indian lawyers and human rights defender Henri Tiphagne is selected for the 8th Human Rights Award by Amnesty International Germany.

Indo-German team finds dinosaur bones in Kutch

PADMA AWARDS

Padma Vibhushan

Yamini Krishnamurthi

Classical dance Delhi

Ranjinikanth cinema Tamil Nadu Girija Devi Classical vocal West Bengal Ramoji Rao Literature

&Education A.P

Dr.V.Shanta Medicine-Oncology T.N Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Spiritualisam Karnataka Jagmohan Public affairs Delhi Dr. Vasudev Science & Karnataka

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Kalkunte Aatre Engineering Avinash Dixit Literature &

Education U.S

Padma Bhushan

Dr. Barjinder Singh Hamadard

Literature & Education

Punjab

Saina Nehwal Sports Badminton Telangana Sania Mirza Sports Tennis Telangana Robert Black will Public affairs U.S Pallonji shapoorji Mistry (NRI/PIO)

Trade & Industry Ireland

Padma Shri

Dr. chandrasekar S. thoguluva

Gastroenterology T.N

Dr. H.R. Nagendra Yoga Karnataka Dr. Mylswamy annadurai

Science &engineering

Tamilnadu

Srinivasan damal kandalai

Social work T.N

Arunachalam Murugantham

Social work T.N

Late saeed Jaffrey cinema U.K Michael poster Art-Archaeology France Salman Amin sal khan

Literature & education

U.S

Hui lan Zhang yoga China Predrag K.Nikic yoga Serbia Dr. Sundar Aditya Menon

Social work UAE

Ajaypal singh banga

Trade & Industry U.S

• PEN award for J.K Rowling

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Bravery award for Chennai floods hero – Anna Medal – Mohammad Yunus

Centre hand-picks 20 smart cities for first phase of plan

The Selected ones: Bhubaneswar, Pune, Jaipur, surat, kochi, Ahmedabad, Jabalpur, Visakhapatnam, solapur, Indore, New Delhi area, Davangere, Kakinada, Belagavi, Udaipur, Guwahati, Chennai, Coimbatore, Ludhiana and Bhopal

Smart city: Chennai to focus on flood-mitigation measures

Chennai Corporation has won SUSTAINIA AWARD 2015 for adoption of a non-motorised transport policy.

Ashok K. Roopanwal - panel to probe Rohith Suicide

Greater Chennai Corporation - ‘Greater Chennai corporation’ comprising 42 additional local bodies in kancheepuram and Tiruvallur districts. AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2016

Men’s Singles - Novak Djokovic (Serbia)

Women’s Singles - Angelique Kerber (Germany)

Men’s Doubles - Jamie Murray (Britain) & Bruno Soares (Brazil)

Women’s Doubles - Sania Mirza (India) & Martina Hingis (Swiss)

Mixed Doubles - Bruno Soares (Brazil) & Elena Vesnina (Russia)

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CURRENT AFFAIRS FEBRUARY - 2016

Astrophysicists of examine meteorite-like object The crater formed on the premises of Bharathidasan Engineering college, Natrampalli, by an object suspected to be a meteorite, on Saturday. (Inset) A stone-like object that was recovered from the site. Lance Naik Hanumanthappa koppad Lance Naik Hanumanthappa koppad, who miraculously survived five days under several feet of snow in the siachen glacier is dead. In a first, IMD to bring out summer forecast For the first time in its history, the India Meteorological Department -best known for its monsoon forecasts will issue a summer forecast for April, May and June. VVPAT While 17 constituencies in Tamilnadu would have the Voter verifiable paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) through which voters can check whether their vote to the intended over 20,000 polling stations.

VVPAT EVMs would be used in Anna Nagar, vellore, Krishnagiri, salem (North), Erode West, Tirupur (North), Coimbatore (North), Dindigal, Tiruchi (west), cuddalore, Thanjavur, Kancheepuram, villupuram, Madurai(east) Thoothukudi, Tirunulveli and Kazyakumari for the polls.

� The idea of using VVPAT was for the first time suggested during an All Party Meeting on 4 October 2010.

� For the first time VVPAT with Electronic Voting Machines was used for the Noksen Assembly seat in Tuensang district of Nagaland in September 2013.

Abbreviations

� The national payments corporation of India (NPCI)

� The unified Payment Interface (UPI)

� BEE - Bureau of Energy Efficiency

Campanign on childhood cancer launched � International childhood cancer day on February 15.

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Northeast’s first ‘smart village’ along Indo-Bhutan border Barsimaluguri, about 11 km from the Indo-Bhutan border, in baksa district has been turned into a model smart village with 100 per cent toilets, solar power and pure drinking water, following an initiative taken by a few individuals under the aegis of Nanda Talukdar Foundation (NTF) LED bulb could connect you to Internet

A Whole New World � Light Fidelity (LI-FI) is a new technology that uses light

waves, instead of radio frequency waves, as a medium to

carry data. An improvised LED bulb functions as a router

How Does LI-FI WORK? � An ordinary off-the-shelf LED bulb connected to a device,

which in turn is connected to the internet

� Internet data flows in via the device into the bulb, and is carried by light waves

� At the other end, light waves carrying internet data fall on a receiver or a dongle which is connected to the computer

Sammakka Sarakka Jatara Tribals from many states converge on Medaram for the sammakka sarakka Jatara every year. Medaram, a sleepy village in the dense forests of Eturunagaram in Warangal district of Telangana, whose population is barely a few hundred was flooded with people for the popular sammakka sarakka Jatara. Ustad Abdul Rashid Khan dead at 107 The oldest Performing musician of the country Ustad Abdul Rashid Khan, a descendant of Tansen, passed away. Trained in the Gwalior gharana of Hindustani classical music, he was adept in Khayal, Dhrupad, Dhamar and Thumri. In 2013, he got the distinction of being the oldest person to receive a Padma award. Quota for women in TN local bodies hiked to 50%

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The Tamil Nadu Assembly on Saturday unanimously passed bills amending municipal and panchayat laws to increase the percentage of reservation for women from 33 to 50.

SWACHH SMARAK SUNDAR BHARAT

� Shore Temple, Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu

� Martand Temple, Kashmir

� Thanjavur-Brihadeshwar Temple, Tamil Nadu

� Group of Temples, Pattadakal, Karnataka

� Jageshwar Temples, Uttarakhand

India’s first auto hub

� Walajabad, near Chennai, will be India’s first auto hub

� The hub will help auto firms move their consignments without any traffic.

� Auto firms believe that this will also help reducing freight cost.

� Tamil Nadu, till date, is the only state to attract seven automobile giants – Ford, Hyundai, Mitsubishi, Daimler, Nissan, Renault and BMW.

� Chennai has an installed capacity to produce over 3,80,000 cars and about 3,50,000 commercial vehicles each year.

� Tamil Nadu is the largest contributor to the automobile sector in India in terms of industrial output and has about 20% of India’s total installed capacity of vehicle production.

� The State aims to manufacture 5 million units by 2020.

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New Trains For unreserved passengers

� Antyodaya Express: long-distance superfast trains on crowded routes with no reservation.

� 2-4 Deen Dayal coaches in long distance trains for unreserved travel with drinking water and mobile phone charging points.

� Humsafar: AC-3 tier coaches with optional meals.

� Tejas: High speed 130 kmph trains with on board entertainment, local cuisine, wi-fi services.

� UDAY (Utkrisht double decker air-conditioned yatri): Overnight double-decker trains on busiest routes.

Children at Telangana school to get ‘Giftmilk’ The programme, ‘Giftmilk’ was launched at Laxmapur in Telangana for the first time in the country, with the aim of ensuring nutritional support to school children.

A new hangout: Chetpet Lake Chief Minister of Tamilnadu inaugurated the eco-park at Chetpet Lake Centre’s nod for Bank Board Bureau

� Former CAG Vinod Rai will chair the bureau for a two-year

term.

� Elephanta Island : UNESCO world heritage site, Elephanta

Island, also called Island of Gharapuri, which was dependent upon diesel-powered generators for electricity until now, will be completely electrified by Independence Day 2016. It is also called the ‘City of Caves’ and is situated in the Sea of Oman close to Bombay. It contains a collection of rock art linked to the cult of Shiva.

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� Sonadia Island: Bangladesh cancelled China’s proposal to develop a deep sea port on the Sonadia Island that lies in the Bay of Bengal.

� Shanghai: The financial hub of China was in news as it saw the hosting o 10th G-20 Summit of Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors.

� Walk of Hope: It is a padayatra for peace & harmony by the Manav Ekta Mission-from Kanyakumari to Kashmir.

� Operation Raahat: The Royal Navy of United Kingdom (UK) presented its desire to officially study India’s humanitarian rescue operation Raahat in Yemen.

� Cobra Gold 2016: India confirmed its participation in the annual amphibious military exercise in 2016. It is the largest Asia-Pacific military exercise and held in Thailand every year.

� Dinesh Sharme: India’s Governor to the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD) was unanimously elected as a Chairperson of the Governing Council of IFAD for a period of two years in its 39th Session held on 17 February and 18 February 2016 in Rome, Italy.

� Rajendra Singh: He was appointed by the Union Government as the Director General (DG) of Indian Coast Guard,

� Christine Lagarde: The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on 19 February 2016 selected Christine Lagarde to serve as IMF Managing Director for a second five-year term starting on 5 July 2016.

� Aruna Sethi: The Principal Adviser (Cost) on 1 February 2016 took over charge as the head of Indian Cost Accounts Service (ICoAS). With this appointment, she became the first woman to occupy the post.

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� Major General Jai Shankar Menon: He was appointed as the

Head of Mission and Force Commander of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF).

� Kamlesh Kumar Pandey: He was appointed as the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities (CCPD) for a period of three years.

� O N V Kurup: Most celebrated contemporary poet and Jnanpith-winner Ottaplakkal Neelakandan Velu Kurup passed away in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. He was a part of the progressive movement in Kerala and wrote some of the most remembered poems and film lyrics.

� He received the Jnanpith Award, India’s highest literary

honour, for the year 2007. He is the fifth Jnanpith laureate from Kerala and the second Malayalam poet to win the prestigious award. He also received the Padma Shri in 1998 and Padma Vibhushan in 2011.

� Balram Jakhar: Former Lok Sabha Speaker passed away on 3

February 2016 in New Delhi. He was 92. He was elected as the Lok Sabha Speaker for two consecutive terms from 1980 to 1989.

� He was elected to the Lok Sabha four times and also served as the Union Agriculture Minister in 1991 in P.V.Narashimha Rao Ministry.

� S S Tarapore: Former Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of

India (RBI) passed away on 2 February 2016 in Mumbai. Tarapore was mostly known for his strong views on issues, ranging from inflation to capital account convertibility.

� Evo Morales: The President of Bolivia was in news because the people of the country on 24 February 2016 rejected an amendment to the Constitution seeking to give fourth term to the President.

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� Amar Singh: He is an Indian-origin Sikh officer who was

appointed as Kuala Lumpur’s commissioner of police. It was the highest police rank achieved by a Sikh in Malaysia. He succeeded Tajuddin Mohamed.

� Mashrafe Bin Mortaza: Appointed as National Goodwill Ambassador. For Youth by the United National Development Programme (UNDP). With this appointment, Mortaza also became the first personality to be appointed as a goodwill ambassador for youth development in Bangladeshi.

18th Mercer Quality of Life survey released Seven Indian cities ranked in the list (Quality of Life)

� Hyderabad - rank 139 � Pune - rank 144 � Bangalore - rank 145 � Chennai - rank 150 � Mumbai - rank 152 � Kolkata - rank 160 � New Delhi - rank 161

Index for Individual Security

� Chennai - Rank 113

� Hyderabad - Rank 121

� Bangaluru - Rank 123

Muziris Heritage Conservation Project inaugurated � President Pranab Mukherjee on 27 February 2016 inaugurated

Kerala Tourism’s Muziris Heritage Project (MHP) at Trissur in Kerala.

� The project is India’s largest heritage conservation project and Kerala Government’s first green Project.

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India’s first Ayurvedic anti-diabetic drug, BGR-34 launched by CSIR � Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) on 3

February 2016 launched the BGR-34, the country’s first anti-diabetic ayurvedic drug for Diabetes. BGR is acronym for blood glucose regulator. The Ayurveda drug BGR-34 was launched at Kozhikode, Kerala by CSIR’s Senior Principal Scientist Dr. AKS Rawat as part of the Global Ayurveda Festival in the city.

Project Sunrise to improve HIV interventions in North-Eastern states launched in Imphal, Manipur

� The project seeks to improve interventions against human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) among people who inject drugs (PWID) in eight north east States.

First machine harvestable chickpea variety NbeG 47 released

� The first machine harvestable chickpea variety, NBeG 47 was released in Andhra Pradesh. It was released by international Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid-Tropics (ICRISAT).

National Framework for Elimination of Malaria 2016-2030 launched

� Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda on 11 February 2016 released the National Framework for Malaria Elimination (NFME) 2016-2030 at New Delhi. The framework outlines India’s Strategy for elimination of the disease by 2030.

Japan launched astronomy satellite ASTRO-H

� Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) on 17 February 2016 successfully launched astronomy satellite ASTRO-H from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture.

ISRO successfully tested high-thrust Cryogenic Engline CE-20

� The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) on 19 February 2016 successfully tested high-thrust cryogenic engine CE-20 at its Propulsion Research Centre in Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu.

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Economic Survey of India 2015-16: Highlights � Energy: 2014-15 witnessed the highest ever increase in generation

capacity of 26.5 GW compared to the average annual addition of around 19 GW over the past five years

� Horticulture: The percentage share of horticulture in agriculture is more than 33per cent. The share of plan outlay for horticulture, which was 3.9 per cent during Ninth Plan, has increased to 4.6 per cent during the Twelfth Plan.

� Milk Production: India ranks first in milk production, accounting for 18.5% of world production achieving an annual output of 146.3 million tonnes during 2014-2015 as compared to 137.69 million tonnes during 2013-2014 recording a growth of 6.26%. Per capita availability of milk in India increased from 176 grams per day in 1990-91 to 322 grams per day by 2014-15.

� Food Security: According to the data of the 66th round of the National Sample Survey (2009-10). the average dietary energy intake per person per day was 2147 Kcal for rural India and 2123 Kcal for urban India. 57% of households had calorie intake below 2160 Kcal/Consumer unit/day.

� India has the second highest number of undernourished people at 194.6 million person (FAO, State of Food Insecurity in the World, 2015) which warrants immediate attention.

� The ‘under five mortality’ has declined from 126 in 1990 to 49 in 2013.

Employment:

� The proportion of economically active population (15-59 years) has increased from 57.5% to 63.3% during 1991 to 2013, as per Sample Registration System (SRS) data for 2013.

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� The employment growth in the organized sector (Public and Private combined) increased by 2% in 2012 over 2011, while it increase by only 1% in 2011 over 2010.

� The annual growth rate of employment for the private sector was 4.5% in 2012 over 2011 whereas the public sector registered a marginal growth of 04% in the same year. According to the Labour Bureau during the period January 2014 to July 2014 has shown that the Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) is 52.5% for all persons.

� The LFPR for rural areas stands at 54.7% which is much greater than that for rural areas i.e. 47.2%.

� The LFPR for women is significantly lower than that for males in both rural and urban areas.

� The Unemployment Rate is 4.7% in rural areas and 5.5% in urban areas. The total unemployment rate reported is 4.9% as per the Labour Bureau Survey.

� National Sample Survey Office (NSSO, 2012-11) reported Unemployment rate of 2.3% for rural areas, 3.8% for urban Areas and 2.7% for India a Whole.

Hydrocarbon Vision 2030 for North-East released

� Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan on 9 February 2016 released the Hydrocarbon Vision 2030 for north-east India in Assam

Union Cabinet approved Trade Facilitation Agreement

� Union Cabinet on 17 February 2016 approved Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) of the World Trade Organization (WTO). It approved the Notification of Commitments. Its ratification and acceptance of the Instrument of Acceptance of Protocol of TFA to the WTO Secretariat.

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� India is the 71st country to give nod of the agreement that seeks of ease customs procedures to boost commerce.

Results of Swach Survekshan 2016 announced

� Out of the 73 cities, while Mysure in Karnataka was adjudged as the cleanest city, Dhanbad in Jharkand was adjudged as the least clean city.

India ratified Convention on Supplementary Compensation of Nuclear Damage

� India on 4 February 2016 submitted its Instrument of Ratification of the Convention of Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage (CSC), 1997 to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) at Vienna, Austria.

IndlGo: The Indian Gravitational Wave Detector Project � IndlGO or Indian Initiative in Gravitational-wave Observations -

international physicists announced detection of gravitational waves for the first time since their prediction by albert Einstein in 1916. The waves were detected using the facilities at the existing three LIGO detectors that are located in Livingston, Louisiana and Hanford, Washington of the USA.

� In lieu of the above development, the Union Cabinet on 17 February 2016 gave in principal approval to the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) India project to study gravitational waves.

What is IndlGo?

� IndlGO is an initiative to set up advanced experimental facilities, with appropriate theoretical and computational support, for a multi-institutional Indian national project in gravitational-wave astronomy. It is also touted as one of the large scale scientific projects undertaken in independent India in collaboration with global partners.

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Indian scientists associated with detection of gravitational waves � Indian scientists have, over 30 years, contributed substantially

to the recent discovery of gravitational waves. Notable among them are C V Vishveshwara, Bala Iyer, Anand Sengupta and Sanjib Mitra.

� C V Vishveshwara and Bala Iyer were among the first in the

world to solve Einstein’s educations to derive a mathematical model to explain how colliding black holes would look and what tell-tale signals they emitted.

� While Anand Sengupta developed methods to ensure that both

the LIGP detectors-separated by 3,000 kilometres – have caught the same gravitational wave, Sanjib Mitra has found ways to tell apart gravitational waves from various exotic stars.

Bharat Biotech unveiled first vaccine candidate Zikavac for Virus

� Bharat Biotech unveiled first vaccine candidate Zikavac for

Zika Virus

Shyama Prasad Mukherjee National Rurban Mission launched

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 21 February 2016 launched Shyama Prasad Mukherjee National Rurban Mission (SPMRM). The mission was launched from Kurubhat village in Dongagah block of Rajnandgaon district in Chhattisgarth.

What is Rurban Mission? Rurban Mission is composed of two words, namely Rural and Urban. It is based on the best practices of earlier PURA (Provision of Urban Amenities in Rural Areas) model of 2003, which was conceived by former and late President APJ Abdul Kalam and implemented under the regime of United Progressive Alliance (UPA).

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Oscar Awards 2016 Prominent Winners

� Best Picture: Spotlight

� Best Actor: Leonardo DiCapiro for the Revenant

� Best Actress: Brie Larson for Room

� Best Director: Alejandro G.Inarritu for The Revenant

� Best Supporting Actress: Alicia Vikander for The Danish Girl

� Best Supporting Actor: Mark Rylance for Bridge of Spies

� Best Foreign Language Film: Son of Saul

� Best Live Action Short Film: Stutterer

� Best Documentary Feature Film: Amy

� Best Animated Short Film: Bear Story

Manoj Kumar

� Dadasaheb phalke Award Winner. He became the 47th recipient of this award. His original name is Harikishan Giri Goswami.

PM Launches “Setu Bharatam” To Ensure Seamless Travel On National Highways

� Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi on March 4, 2016 launched “Setu Bharatam” – an ambitious programme with an investment of Rs. 50,000 crore to build bridges for safe and seamless travel on National Highways. The programme aims at making all National Highways railway level crossing free by 2019. 208 new “road over bridges/road under bridges” are envisaged for construction, while 1500 bridges will be widened, rehabilitated or replaced.

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US Imposes New Sanctions on North Korea

� US President Mr. Barack Obama on February 18, 2016 signed off a new law imposing new sanctions against North Korea, punishing the regime for its nuclear and missile tests as well as for suspected cyber-hacking incident.

First Silk Road Train Arrives In Iran from China

� The first train connecting Iran and China packed with Chinese goods arrived in Tehran on February 15,2016.

Book & Authors

� The Turbulent Years: 1980-1996 - Pranab Mukherjee

� The Indian Constitution and Social Revolution: Right to Property since Independence - V.Krishna Ananth

� Standing Guard: by P. Chidambaram

� Walking The Himalayas: by Levinson Wood

Anniversaries & Days � Odisha Day: April 1

� World Autism Awareness Day: April 2

� International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine

Action: April 4

� National Maritime Day: April 5

� World Health Day: April 7

� World Aviation & Cosmonauts Day: April 12

� World Day of Silence : April 15

� World Haemophilia Day: April 17

� World Heritage Day: April 18

� World Creativity and Innovation Day: April 21

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� National Civil Services Day: April 21

� World Earth Day: April 22

� World Book and Copyright Day: April 23

� World English Language Day: April 23

� World Lab Animals Day: April 24

� National Panchayati Day: April 24

� World Malaria Day: April 25

� World Intellectual Property Day: April 26

� International Worker’s Memorial Day: April 28

� World Day for Safety and Health at Work: April 28

� World Dance Day: April 29

� International Jazz Day: April 30

� World’s 1st fast-acting anti-rabies drug to be launched in India:

World’s first fast-acting anti-rabies drug of the world, which instantly deactivates the rabies virus. The drug, rabies human monoclonal antibody (RMAb), has been developed by Pune-based Serum Institute of India (SII) and US-based Mass Biologics of the University of Massachusetts Medical School.

� Aryabhata Award 2013: Dr.Avinash Chander received the prestigious Astronautical Society of India’s Aryabhata Award 2013.

� Bhimsen Joshi Award: Sarangi maestro Pandit Ram Narayan was selected for the prestigious Bharat Ratna Pandit Bhimsen Joshi Classical Music Award for 2015-16.

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� 6th National Science Film Festival: Nagaland is changing, But…, a film on conservation efforts by villagers, won the Golden Beaver Best Film Award in the institutional category at the 6th National Science Film Festival and Competition in Mumbai.

� Dinanath Mangeshkar Award: Actor Ranveer Singh selected for Pandit Dinanath Mangeshkar Award.

� French Knight of the Order of Arts and Literature: Mr. Ismail Mahomed, an Indian-origin art lover and playwright in South Africa, was conferred Knighthood by the French government for his lifelong devotion to the promotion of arts.

� Remi Award: Kanavu Variyam, a Tamil movie directed by a Chennai-based techie Arun Chidambaram, was selected for the prestigious Remi Award.

SPORTS

1. West Indies Win ICC U19 World Cup The West Indies lifted their maiden ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup title on February 14, 2016. In the final played at Mirpur, West Indies Indies defeated three-time champions India by five wickets.

2. Mumbai won the Ranji Trophy for a record 41st time on February 26, 2016. It was Mumbai’s 45th appearance in the finals in the tournament’s 82 year history.

3. Brendon McCullum Scores Fastest Century In Test Cricket - New Zealand cricket team captain Brendon MuCullum on February 20, 2016 scored fastest Test the century in record 54 balls against Australia on the first day of the 2nd match that was played for Trans-Tasman Trophy in Christchurch, New Zealand.

4. India finished at the top with a record 308 medals-188 Gold, 90 Silver and 30 Bronze, which put to shade its previous best of 214 medals at the 2006 Games in Colombo.

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� Mukesh Ambani Reliance Industries Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) Mr. Mukesh Ambani was on February 8, 2016 elected as a member of the National Academy of Engineering (NAE).

� Gianni Infantino was elected as the president of FIFA by

European governing body UEFA

� Nirmaya Yojana - Odisha government introduced 50 vehicles

equipped with global positioning system to transport medicines

to State-run hospitals in remote areas

� Mumbai city police created 16 no-selfie zones around the city in

response to several deaths of people while taking selfies

� Senate of Italy approved a bill recognising civil unions for same-

sex and heterosexual couples

� The private sector bank which received the prestigious Green

Bond Pioneer Award for being the ‘Pioneers in Emerging

Markets-India’ is – YES Bank

� Goverdhan Mehta - The famous researcher in Chemical Sciences

who was conferred with Federal Republic of Germany’s

prestigious Cross of the Order of Merit

� Mizoram officially launched National Food Security Act (NFSA)

2013 on 24 February 2016

� The Parliament of Pakistan on 23 February 2016 became the

world’s first to run fully on Solar Power

� City ranked best for living in the 18th Mercer annual Quality of

Living survey of 230 cities- Vienna, Austria

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� City ranked worst for living in the 18th Mercer annual Quality of

Living survey of 230 cities – Baghdad, Iraq

� The Union Minister for Science and Technology and Earth

Sciences Dr.Harsh Vardhan released the seismic microzonation

report for these two cities –Delhi and Kolkata

� Odisha Government on 23 February 2016 launched a pilot project

on Computerised Fair Price Shop (FPS) Automation system to

monitor the distribution of essential commodities.

� HL Dattu - Former Chief Justice of India who was selected as the

Chairman of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)

� Sagar Sarhadi - The veteran scriptwriter who will be honoured

with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the International Film

Festival of Prayag

� The Road to Resilience is an initiative of the World Bank, under

which a team undertook a bus trip along the entire Indian

coastline

� To facilitate the public to communicate their complaints about

any unclean area and garbage piles in and around tourist

destinations, the Tourism Ministry on 22 February 2016 launched

– Swachh Paryatan Mobile App

� International Mother Language Day (IMLD) was observed

globally on 21 February 2016 with the theme – Quality education,

language(s) of instruction and learning outcomes

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� The critically endangered scaly anteaters and insectivorous

mammals of the order Pholidota that came in news because 20

February 2016 was observed as – World Pangolin Day

� Tropical Cyclone that lashed Fiji after torrential rain and strong

winds brought is – Winston

� The leader who was sworn in as the ninth Chief Minister of

Arunachal Pradesh is – Kalikho Pul

� The former West Indies cricketer with highest Test batting

average in history who passed away on 17 February 2016 is –

Andy Ganteaume

� This former cricketer’s autobiography ‘Playing It May Way’ in

February 2016 entered the Limca Book of Records for being the

best –selling adult hardback in both fiction and non-fiction

categories – Sachin Tendulkar

� Sikkim Government decided to introduce Contract farming in

the State

� Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on 18 February 2016

announced a free bus pass scheme for Senior citizens

� Odisha government introduced a self-certifying scheme for –

Non-hazardous industries

� The renowned Indologist who was awarded the 2016 Israel Prize

for religious Studies for his research into the Literature and

culture of southern India is David Dean Shulman

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� Apple Inc. will be setting up its first Technology Development

Centre (Outside USA) in Hyderabad.

� Utkarsh Bangla Scheme - A welfare scheme for school-dropouts

that was launched by West Bengal government

� Nagpur Central Prison in Maharashtra undertook a novel pilot

project with the corporation of State Bank of India to provide

ATM cards to all jail inmates for completion of financial

transactions in the jail

� The National Woman Sports started for the first time in Patna,

Bihar

� Asad Rauf (Pakistan Umpire) was banned for 5 years by the

BCCI his involvement in 2013 IPL spot-fixing scandal

� The Indian lawyer who was appointed as the South Asia Regional

Director at International Court of Arbitration is – Abhinav

Bhushan

� Assam State Government unveiled a draft document titled

“Vision -2030: Everything for Everyone –Achieving inclusive and

Sustainable Development”

� The two-day annual international radio fair ‘Outreach

International Radio Fair-2016’ kicked off from 13 February 2016 in

– Bhubaneswar

� This day was observed across schools and preschools

(anganwadis) in India on 10 February 2016 – National

Deworming Day

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� The Noor Ouarzazate Solar Complex, world’s largest solar power

plant, was opened in Morocco

� Imogen Storm battered parts of southern Britain by heavy rain

and winds up to 96 miles per hour (mph)

� Chettinad cotton saree won the India Handloom tag for its

unique designs

� Haryana government will start celebrating the birthday of girl

students across all state-run schools by launching a programme

called – Kanya Janamdin Utsav

� The name of NASA’s new rocket that will be launched in 2018

and carry 13 CubeSats and an unscrewed Orion Spacecraft –

Space Launch System (SLS)

� The first Indo-China joint tactical military exercise Sino-India

2016 was held at –Chusul- Moldo area in Ladakh

� National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER),

Bhubaneswar, Odisha

� An oil refinery of Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) at this place was

inaugurated by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi – Paradip Oil

Refinery

� The country that banned the supermarkets from throwing away

or destroying unsold food is France

� The educational institute in Puducherry which became India’s

first fully Solar-powered educational institute is Sri Aurobindo

International Centre for Education

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� The 9th Indo-Nepal Combined Battalion level Military Training

Exercise Surya Kiran held at Pithoragarh, Uttarkhand

� Brahmaputra Cracker and Polymer Limited (BCPL) – Lepetkata,

Assam

� In Tamil Nadu, Island Express train from Kanyakumari to

Bangalore derailed on 5 February 2016 at – Natrampalli, Vellore

District

� The 12th South Asian Games began on 5 February 2016 in –

Guwahati, Assam

� The Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 5 February 2016 dedicated

India’s highest wax producing unit Numaligarh Refinery

Limited to the nation

� The Union Government decided to set up the National Organic

Farming Research Institute in Sikkim

� As per the NASA’s publication on 4 February 2016, the dwarf

planet on which NASA’s New Horizons mission spotted the

nitrogen ice glaciers – Pluto

� World Cancer Day (WCD) 2016 was observed across the world on

4 February 2016. The day was observed with year’s theme – We

can I can

� The city that hosted the 2-day Counter Terrorism Conference

2016 – Jaipur

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� The India IT Services firm rated as the World’s Most Powerful

Brand in IT Services by Brand Finance is – Tata Consultancy

Services

� The State that extended the Aahar cheap scheme to all the

districts beginning from March 2016 – Odisha

� The Indian film that won the Best First Foreign Award conferred

by the French Syndicate of Cinema Critics for the first time is –

Titli

� The country that approved a draft Citizenship Law to expand

scope for dual citizenship for its citizens on 1 February 2016 –

Bangladesh

� Tamil Nadu Cadre IPS officer who was appointed as the Director

General of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) that guards India’s

frontiers with Nepal and Bhutan on 1 February 2016 is – Archana

Ramasundram

� Dr.Harsh Vardhan on 2 February 2016 inaugurated the

construction work of Borehole Geophysics Research Laboratory

(BGRL) at – Hazarmachi, Karad of Maharashtra

� Country which hosted the 1st ever Asia Cup in T-20 format –

Bangladesh

� The country that granted licence to use gene editing techniques

on human embryos – United Kingdom

� The city that hosted the third Global Ayurveda Festival –

Kozhikode, Kerala

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� The social legislation that completed ten years of implementation

on 2 February 2016 – The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural

Employment Act, 2005

� ‘Cotton Fab 2016’, the handloom exhibition was held till Feb. 7,

2016. Fabrics from the handloom sector of 15 States were

displayed for sale in this.

� MGNREGS (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment

Guarantee Scheme) Day is observed on Feb. 2.

� Under ‘108 Ambulance Emergency Scheme’ Chief Minister

J.Jayalalitha inaugurated the Bike Ambulance Services in Chennai

� The Government of Tamil Nadu has announced that the Women

Reservation in local body Government, has been increased to

50%. The amendment in the relevant law had been passed in the

State Assembly.

� The disability percentage to qualify for the monthly assistance

scheme for the disabled has been reduced to 40%. This was

announced by the Chief Minister J. Jayalalitha.

� The Centre has announced that Tamil Nadu is the second best

user of Internet. In the First place is Maharashtra.

� India’s World Beauty Queen Priyanka Chopra has been selected

as one of the Compeers of Oscar Awards function Los Angels,

U.S.A.

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� Country’s First Railway University is to be inaugurated in

Vadodara

� An under water Restaurant by the name “The Real Bozaidon” at

Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

� Indian Social of Ahmadabad in Gujarat Ms.Renana Jabwala has

been selected as member of the U.N. Council for Economic

Development of Women.

� The Tithal beach in Gujarath has been developed as the first

inclusive beach.

� Vishakapatnam Port has earned the title of the First National

Solar Power operated port.

� HRD Ministry has ordered that the National Flag be flow on

207 feet poles at all Central Universities of the country. Besides

207 feet high they should weigh 135 kgm.

� Country’s first Gender Park had been inaugurated by the

President Pranab Mukherji at Kozhikode, Kerala.

� 19 year old Tharun Ayyasamy of Avinasi in Tirupur District

hailing from a very poor family won 2 gold medals in the

400 mtrs. Hurdles race and 4 × 400 metres Relay race of the

XII South Asian Games.

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� Kerala’s all-women taxicab service She-Taxi receives the prestigious Chief Minister’s Award for Innovation in Public Policy 2014 in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

� The government gives “in-principle approval” for establishing a state-of-the –art Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) project in the country.

� President Pranab Mukherjee formally declares Kerala as the first digital state of India after launching a digital empowerment campaign in Kozhikode aimed at bridging the digital divide by 2020.

� Power-starved Nepal declares an “energy emergency” to tide over the acute electricity shortage and unveils plans to address the energy crisis within two years by importing 50 per cent of its requirements from India.

� Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu presented the Railway Budget 2016-17 with the theme of ‘Overcoming challenges –Reorganize, Restructure Rejuvenate Indian Railways: ‘Chalo, Milkar Kuch Naya Karen’ in the Lok Sabha.

� National Arogya Fair – 2016: The 4-day National Arogya Fair

concluded successfully on 8 February 2016 at Dehradun in

Uttarkhand. The themes were based on Immune system,

Homeopathy in Women’s disorders, Treatment in Ayurveda,

Yoga se Arogya and Non-Communicable Diseases management

in Siddha System etc.

� 4th World Government Summit: The 3-day long annual World

Government Summit (WGS) concluded on 10 February 2016 in

Dubai, the UAE. The summit was 4th in the series since the

launch of WGS in 2013 by the UAE Government.

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� World Day of Social Justice: The day was observed on 20

February 2016 with the theme A Just Transition –

environmentally sustainable economics and societies.

� National Science Day: The day was observed across India on 28

February 2016 with the theme Scientific Issues for Development

of the Nation. The day is observed annually to mark the

discovery of the Raman Effect (phenomenon of scattering of

photons) by Indian physicist Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Rama

on 28 February 1928.

� Make in India Week: It was observed from 13 February – 18

February 2016 at the MMRDA grounds in Bandra Kurla Complex,

Mumbai.

� World Radio Day: It was observed globally on 13 February 2016

with the theme “Radio in Times of Emergency and Disaster”.

To mark the event, in Odisha, a two-day annual international event Outreach International Radio Fair 2016 was inaugurated in Bhubaneswar.

� Exercise IBSAMAR: The fifth edition of exercise IBSAMAR

between India, Brazil, and South Africa Maritime (IBSAMAR)

Navies kicked off on 19 February 2016 in Goa. This is the first

time that Exercise IBSAMAR is being conducted in Indian waters.

The exercise was initiated in 2006.

� Exercise, Lamitye 2016: The seventh in the series of Indo-

Seychelles Joint Training Exercises, Lamitye-2016 concluded on

29 February 2016 at Victoria, Mahe Island in Seychelles. It was

conducted with an aim to improve interoperability between both

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Armies in jointly fighting Counter Insurgency and Terrorism

from 15 February to 28 February 2016.

� International Fleet Review 2016

International Fleet Review (IFR) 2016 of the Indian Navy concluded on 8 February 2016 along the coast of Visakhapatnam in Andra Pradesh. The 5-day long event was hosted by the Indian Navy with the theme “United through Oceans”. It was attended by the President of India Pranab Mukherjee and the Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

PRADHAN MANTRI FASAL BIMA YOJANA: PMFBY is a path breaking scheme for crop insurance. It aims at boosting the agricultural sector of India and envisages a uniform premium of only 2 percent to be paid by farmers for Kharif crops, and 1.5 percent for Rabi crops. The premium for annual commercial and horticultural crops will be 5 percent. TWITTER LAUNCHES POSITION OF STRENGTH CAMPAIGN TO EMPOWER WOMEN: Micro blogging site Twitter, in February 2016, for first time launched #Positionofstrength campaign in India to empower women to raise voice against any form of discrimination. ISRO TO SET UP SATELLITE CENTRE FOR IN ASEAN COUNTRIES IN VIETNAM: Indian Research Organization (ISRO) is working to establishment of a Satellite for ASEAN Member countries in Vietnam. KOZHIKODE: President Pranab Mukherjee, in February 2016, dedicated India’s first co-operative society in Information Technology (IT) sector UL CyberPark in Kozhlikode, Kerala.

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IGI AIRPORT BAGS THREE INTERNATIONAL AWARDS: Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) on 29 February 2016 received three international awards, including for best airport by size in the Asia Pacific region. The ranking was announced by the ACI –a trade association of the world’s airports founded in 1991-for the 2015 Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Awards. Delhi airport has retained the world’s number one position for the second consecutive years in 25 to 40 Million Passengers Per Annum category. The Two other awards are for best airport by size & region Asia Pacific (25-40 MPPA) and second best airport by region (Asia Pacific). It retaining the title, the IGIA scored 4.96 on a scale of 1 to 5 in the ASQ survey. GOLDEN REEL AWARD: Famous sound designer Resul Pookutty on 27 February 2016 became the First Asian to win at the Motion Picture Sound Editors’ (MPSE) 63rd annual Golden Reel Awards. INDIAN FILM NAMED BEST CHILDREN’S FILM AT BERLN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL: Malayalam film “Ottal” was, in February 2016. Named the Best Children’s Film at the 2016 Berlin International Film Festival in Germany. 2016 BEST M-GOVERNMENT SERVICE AWARD: Karnataka’s Mobile One project on 10 February 2016 won 2016 Best m-Government Service Award at the 4th World Government Summit in Dubai, UAE. The project was selected for the award in the One Stop App category at the international level. BEHAVIOURAL CHANGE COMMUNICATION AWARD: Tiruchirapalli city Tamil Nadu, in February 2016, won best city performer in Behavioral change Communication Award. VIBRANT NORTH EAST EVENT: The Three-day long Vibrant North East event was held in Guwahati, Assam, in February 2016. MARINE MUSEUM INAUGURATED IN DIGHA: The Marine Museum was inaugurated at the Marine Aquarium and Regional

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Centre (MARC) of Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) in Digha, West Bengal, on 3 February 2016. Taxi for women in Kerala

� “SheTaxi” – For Travel of women in Kerala,

Taxi for Transgender in Kerala

� ‘G-Taxi’ service is proposed by Kerala Government for

Transgender Entrepreneurs. Thailand: Princess wins the First World Sanskrit Award:

The Government of India has decided to confer the first World

Sanskrit Award to Princess of Thailand Maha Sakri Syrinthorn. She

shall be first person to be honoured with this award.

Award for 100 days Work Scheme : (MNREGA)

� The Government of India has honoured Government of Tamil

Nadu for having implemented the 100 days job scheme very

successfully.

� Thiruvallur and Pudhukottai districts of Tamilnadu has been

awarded MNREGA Sammelan 2016 Award for the special

contribution made towards the implementation of MNREGA

Scheme

Indian Social Worker Renana Jabwala in U.N. Council :

Indian Social of Ahmadabad in Gujarat Ms.Renana Jabwala has

been selected as member of the U.N. Council for Economic

Development of Women.

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ITI for prisoners in prison:

As First time ever in Tamil Nadu, an ITI has been inaugurated for

inmates of Trichy Central Jail.

This is the second such ITI in India (one already functioning in

Rajasthan) and the first in Tamil Nadu.

Popular Microbial Researcher C V Subramanian dies:

Professor C.V. Subramanian, who had won the top Science

Award of the country and is a well-known researcher in the field of

mushroom died in Thailand due to illness. He is 92 years old. C.V.

Subramanian Tamilian and has worked in several capacities including

the administration of Science Flora. His work related to mushrooms

research is popular the World Over.

Constitutional Head � Rajya Sabha, Chairman: Md. Hamid Ansari

� Rajya Sabha, Deputy Chairman: Mr. PJ Kurien

� Speaker of Lok Sabha: Mrs. Sumitra Mahajan

� Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha: Mr. M. Thambidurai

� Leader of Rajya Sabha : Mr. Arun Jaitley

� Leader of Opposition (Rajya Sabha): Mr. Ghulam Nabi Azad

� CAG: Mr. Shashi Kant Sharma

� Chief Election commissioner: Nazim Zaidi

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Heads of Commissions

� Chairman, Space Commission and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO): Mr. AS Kiran Kumar

� Chairman, 20th Law Commission: Mr. Justice Ajit Prakash Shah

� Chairman, National Commission for Minorities: Mr. Naseem Ahmad

� Chairman, National Consumer Protection Commission: Mr. Justice M B Shah

� Chairman, National Commission on Labour: Mr. Ravindra Verma

� Chairman, National Commission for Scheduled Castes: Mr. PL Punia

� Chairman, National Commission for Tribes: Fr. Ramashwar Oraon

� Chairman, National Commission for Farmers: Dr. M S Swaminathan

� Chairperson, National Commission for Women: Mr. Lalitha Kumaramangalam

� President, National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission: Mr. Justice D P Wadhwa

� Chairman, National Commission on Educational Institutions for Minorities: Mr. M S A Siddiqui

� Chairman, National Commission for Backward Classes: Mr. Justice Makani Narayan Rao

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� Chairman, National Human Rights Commission: H L Dattu

� Chairman, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India: Mr. R S Sharma

� Chairman, National Forest Commission: Mr. B.N. Kirpal

� Chairman, Central Water Commission: Mr. R Jeyasheelan

� Chairman, Seventh Pay Commission: Mr. Justice AK Mathur Heads of Other Organisations

� India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nationa: Mr. Syed Akbaruddin

� India’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to WTO: Smt. Anjali Prasad

� Chairman, UPSC: Mr. Deepak Gupta

� Director-General of Archaelogical Survey of India: Dr. Rakesh Tewari

Heads of Important Offices: WORLD

� Secretary-General, United National Organisation: Ban Ki-moon (South Korea)

� First Deputy Secretary-General, UN: Ms. Asharose Migiro

� President, World Bank (International Bank for Reconstruction and Development): Jim Yong Kim

� Managing Director, International Monetary Fund: Ms. Christine Lagarde

APPOLO STUDY CENTRE No.25, Nandhi Loop Street,

West C.I.T. Nagar, Chennai – 600 035 Near T.Nagar Bus Stand,

Landmark: Nandhi Statue Ph: 24339436, 42867555, 9840226187

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CURRENT AFFAIRS MARCH – 2016

Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy

The Union Cabinet, presided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on 10 March 2016 approved the Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy (HELP).

The decision will enhance domestic oil and gas production, bring substantial investment in the sector and generate sizable employment. The policy also targets the enhancement of transparency and reduction of administrative discretion.

The HELP will replace the New Exploration Licensing Policy (NELP). Interstate river water disputes • Cauvery water dispute between Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala.

• The Krishna water dispute between Maharashtra, Karnataka and

Andhra Pradesh. • The Tungabhadra water dispute between Andhra Pradesh and

Karnataka. • The Aliyar and Bhivani river water dispute between Tamil Nadu and

Kerala.

• The Godavari river water dispute between Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Orissa and Karnataka.

• The Narmada water dispute between Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya

Pradesh and Rajasthan.

• The Mahi river dispute between Gujarat, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.

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• The Ravi and Beas river water dispute between Punjab, Haryana. Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir and Delhi.

• The Satluj-Yamuna Link canal dispute between Punjab, Haryana and

Rajasthan.

• The Yamuna river water dispute between Uttar Pradesh, Haryana. Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Delhi.

• The Karmanasa river water dispute between Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

• The Barak river water dispute between Assam and Manipur. Law relating to Inter-State Water Dispute Interstate River Water Disputes Act. 1956 (IRWD Act): It is an Act of the Parliament India enacted under Article 262 of Constitution of India on the eve of reorganization of states on linguistic basis to resolve the water disputes that would arise in the use, control and distribution of an interstate river or river valley. This Act further was amended subsequently and its most recent amendment took place in the year 2002. Article 262: It provides a role for the Central government in adjudicating conflicts surrounding inter-state rivers that arise among the state/regional governments. Article 263: Provides for establishment of interstate council in public interest to inquire and recommend on the dispute that has arisen between the states of India. Telecom Commission approved 112 as Single Emergency Number for India

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The Telecom Commission approved the number 112 as the single emergency number for India on 28 March 2016. This is similar to 911 of United States and 999 of United Kingdom. With this, Indian citizens in distress can just dial the Single-number 112 for all emergency services such as police, ambulance and the fire department. It will direct the call to concerned departments immediately for help. The Service will also be accessible even through those SIMs and landlines whose outgoing call facility has been stopped or temporarily suspended. All existing emergency numbers such as police (100), fire brigade (101), ambulance (102) and Emergency Disaster Management (108) will be phased out within a year of rolling out 112, depending upon the awareness about this new facility. Asia’s biggest telescope ARIES launched at Devasthal in Uttarakhand Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel launched Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES) which is located at Devasthal near Nainital in Uttarakhand. The telescope is the product of an Indo-Beigian collaborative effort and was assisted by the Russian Academy of Sciences. It will replace Vainu Bappu observatory in Kavalur, Tamil Nadu to be Asia’s largest ground-based optical telescope. Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) • SCO is a permanent intergovernmental international organization

which was established on 15 June 2001 in Shanghai (China) by the Republic of Kazakhstan, the People's Republic of China, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Russian Federation, the Republic of Tajikistan and the Republic of Uzbekistan.

• India, Afghanistan, Iran, Mongolia and Pakistan are observer states. • Belarus, Turkey and Sri Lanka are the dialogue partners of the

organization before the recently joined Nepal and Azerbaijan

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About BIMSTEC • The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic

Cooperation (1997) is an international organisation involving a group of countries in South Asia and South East Asia.

• It comprises of seven countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

• The main objective of BIMSTEC is technological and economical

cooperation among South Asian and South East Asian countries along the coast of the Bay of Bengal.

Myanmar Parliament elected Htin Kyaw as first civilian President • Myanmar's Parliament on 15 March 2016 elected Htin Kyaw as the first

civilian president to lead the country after 53 years of military rule. Army took power in a 1962 coup. He is a close aide and adviser of Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of National League for Democracy (NLD) party.

UNFPA, UNICEF launched Global Programme to Accelerate Action to End Child Marriage • The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the United Nations

Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) on 8 March 2016 jointly launched the Global Programme to Accelerate Action to End Child Marriage.

• It is a multi-country initiative and is part of a global effort to prevent girls from marrying too young.

Sterile Insect Technique (SIT)

• Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) is a form of pest control that uses ionizing radiation to sterilize male insects mass-produced in special rearing facilities.

• Since 1997, SIT has been transferred to numerous countries by the Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture.

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The technique is being transferred to combat pests that affect food and crops, and insects that transmit diseases - including mosquitoes.

UNHCR, UNICEF launched Twenty Blue Dot Hubs across Europe UNHCR. UNICEF on 26 February 2016 launched a Twenty Child and Family Support Hubs, known as Blue Dots. These support centers will acts as a special support centers for children and families along the most frequently used migration routes in Europe. They will also help in protecting the growing numbers of children and others with specific needs arriving in Europe. Prime Minister inaugurated broadband connectivity to NE States via Bangladesh • Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 23 March 2016 inaugurated

broadband connectivity to North Eastern States via Bangladesh to strengthen telecom services in the region.

• Under the project, an international gateway for broadband connectivity

will be set up at Agartala in Tripura. Union Health Ministry launched Longitudinal Ageing Study in India • The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on 22 March 2016

launched the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI). • The Longitudinal Ageing Study is the largest survey of its kind. It will

survey more than 60000 elderly over 25 years plan. The survey will provide scientifically validated data on various issues of the elderly.

• The study will be important as it will investigate various health

structures, and impact of social determinants on health of the elderly. It will also help in framing evidence-based policy.

Bedaquiline Drug • The new anti-TB drug was launched to combat Drug Resistant TB as

part of the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Program (RNTCP).

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• It is a new class of drug is a diarylquinoline that specifically targets

Mycobacterial ATP synthase, an enzyme essential for supply of energy to Mycobacterium tuberculosis and most other mycobacteria.

Health Minister JP Nadda launched project 'Clean Street Food' • Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare JP Nadda on 13 March

2016 launched Project 'Clean Street Food'. The project of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) aims at to raise the safety standards of foods sold on streets across the capital city of New Delhi.

• In the first phase of the project, about 20000 roadside vendors will be trained on aspects of health and hygiene.

Features of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana • Under the scheme, a financial support of 1600 rupees will be provided

for each LPG connection to the BPL households. This will benefit about 1 crore 50 lakh households below the poverty line in 2016-17.

Mahila e-Haat Union Minister for Women and Child Development Maneka Sanjay Gandhi on 7 March 2016 launched Mahila e-Haat portal in New Delhi. The Mahila e-Haat portal, http://mahilaehaat-rmk.gov.in, is an online marketing platform. It will provide access to markets to thousands of women who make products and are spread all over the country. ISRO established GIRI Radar System at Tirupati

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on 21 March 2016 established the Gadanki Ionospheric Radar Interferometer (GIRI) near Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh.

It was set up at the National Atmospheric Research Laboratory (NARL) which is an autonomous research institute of the Department of Space.

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Its primary objective is to carry out unattended observations towards studying the forcing from the sun like variation in solar flux, solar flare and magnetic storm on the ionospheric irregularities. Mint can help fight cancer: CIMAP Researchers Researchers at CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP) Lucknow discovered that mint plant has medicinal values that can cure cancer. As per their research, a compound called L-Menthol derived from Mentha plant, commonly known as mint, can also be used in anti-cancer drugs. NRDC signed Kudos Laboratories for commercialization of antidiabetic drug Ayush-82

The National Research Development Corporation (NRDC) on 16 March 2016 signed a License Agreement with Kudos Laboratory India for commercialization of Ayush-82, an Ayurvedic formulation for prevention and management of diabetes. Malawi, UNICEF tested first UAV flights for early diagnosis of HIV in infants The Government of Malawi and UNICEF on 14 March 2016 successfully tested the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs or drones) to explore cost effective ways of reducing waiting times for HIV testing of infants. Significance of UAVs for Malawi The successful completion of tests and integration of UAVs with HIV services of significance for Malawi due to the following scenario. In 2014, nearly 40000 children in Malawi were born to HIV positive mothers. It is also estimated that around 10000 children deaths occur every year due to the infection.

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In 2014, the Government of Bhutan collaborated with the World Health Organization for deployment of UAVs in the provision of health services in remote and hilly areas of the country. Another drone project, called Redline, plans to deliver medical supplies to remote parts of Rwanda in 2017. Phantom Project In August 2015, the Hyderabad-based Indian Institute of Public Health (IIPH) started experimenting with a UAV, named Phantom, to transport medicines to chronic patients who need a fixed amount of drugs every month. ExoMars 2016 launched jointly by Europe and Russia

Europe and Russia on 14 March 2016 launched an unmanned spacecraft, named ExoMars 2016, to smell Mars' atmosphere for gassy evidence that life once existed on the Red Planet, or may still be. ExoMars 2016, the first of a two-phase Mars exploration, was hoisted from Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on a Russian Proton rocket. ISRO launched Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System-IF The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) on 10 March 2016 launched the country's sixth Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System (IRNSS)-1 F, on board the trusted launch vehicle PSLV C-32. The other four IRNSS satellites which were launched

• IRNSS-1A Mission launched by PSLV C-22 in July 2013

• IRNSS-1 B Mission launched by PSLV C-24 in April 2014 • IRNSS-1 C Mission launched by PSLV C-26 in October 2014 • IRNSS-1 D Mission launched by PSLV C-27 in March 2015

• IRNSS-1 E Mission launched by PSLV C-31 in Jan 2016

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Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve declared as World Heritage Site The Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve (Tamilnadu) of India was on 19 March 2016 included in the UNESCO's World Network of Biosphere Reserves. It is one among the 20 new sites adopted by the council to its Network. Fossils of 250-million-year-old reptile Teyujagua discovered in Brazil • An international team of scientists have discovered 250-million-year-

old new fossil of reptile, named Teyujagua (fierce lizard) from Rio Grande do Sul, southernmost Brazil. It was discovered in a Triassic rock exposure.

New species of burrowing snake discovered in Western Ghats A group of Indian and British researchers discovered a new species of burrowing snake in the Western Ghats. The snake has been named after well known herpetologist from Maharashtra, Neelam Kumar Khaire, as Melanophidium Khairei. AP Government signed MoU with Cisco to launch AP Fiber Net AP Fiber Net project The Government of Andhra Pradesh and Cisco on 17 March 2016 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to design and implement the AP Fiber Net project. Features of AP Fiber Net project • It is aimed at providing broadband connectivity at affordable rates to

all households and institutions in the State.

• It is considered as the first statewide broadband project in India and was launched to realize the vision of Digital Andhra Pradesh.

President's Rule imposed in Uttarakhand

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President Rule was imposed in Uttarakhand on 27 March 2016

following the approval of the recommendation of the Union Cabinet by the President Pranab Mukherjee. Mukhyamantri Santwana Harish Yojana launched The Karnataka Government on 8 March 2016 launched Mukhyamantri Santwana Harish Yojana to provide free treatment to road accident victims for the first 48 hours in the nearest government or private hospital. Delhi became first state to launch HPV vaccine as public health programme in schools Delhi on 29 February 2016 became the first state in the country to launch the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine as a public health programme for school children. Gujarat government decided to set up first organic farming university of India Gujarat government on 27 March 2016 decided to set up country's first university focusing on organic farming. Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel made the announcement and called the farmers to switch to organic farming and its ways from conventional method of farming. Country liquor Feni as Heritage Spirit of Goa Goa government on 17 March 2016 classified the country liquor, Feni as Heritage Spirit of Goa. Feni is the form of spirit produced exclusively in the coastal state. Feni is the first liquor product in the country to obtain such status and got its Geographical Indication (Gl) certification in 2000. UNESCO released eAtlas of Gender Inequality in Education

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Institute of Physics (UlS) on 2 March 2016 released the eAtlas of Gender Inequality in Education.

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The eAtlas shows gender gaps from primary to tertiary education and educational pathways of girls and boys in more than 200 countries and territories. Women at Work: Trends 2016 ILO's Women at Work: Trends 2016 is a key contribution to these efforts and seeks to further the central goals of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. The report provides a picture of where women stand today in the world of work and how they have progressed over the past 20 years. WEF released Global Energy Architecture Performance Index Report 2016 Wortd Economic Forum (WEF) on 2 March 2016 released the fourth edition of the Global Energy Architecture Performance Index Report 2016 (EAPI) compiling 126 countries. India has been ranked at 90th position which is topped by Switzerland Akhilesh Ranjan Committee on Taxation of E-Commerce submitted report A Committee on Taxation of e-commerce constituted by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) to examine the business models for e-commerce submitted its report on 21 March 2016. ICICI Bank launched NFC-based mobile payment solution Touch &Pay ICICI Bank on 15 March 2016 announced a new mobile payment solution Touch & Pay. This solution is based on Near Field Communication (NFC) technology and will enable the bank's customers to make secure contactless payments at retail stores using smartphones. India Inc became first in world to formally adopt UN's sustainable goals India Inc. on 12 March 2016 formally adopted the United Nations' (UN) agenda for the world's sustainable development and the 17 goals identified for its implementation in Mumbai.

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The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are the continuum of the 8 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which were under implementation from January 2000 to December 2015. These 17 SDGs are being implemented from January 2016 to December 2030. ICICI Bank launched iWork@Home programme ICICI Bank on 7 March 2016 launched iWork@Home programme for its women employees to prevent them from dropping out of its workforce. Vedanta Limited won first ever auction of an Indian gold mine Vedanta Limited on 27 February 2016 won the nation's first-ever gold mining lease auctioned by the Chhattisgarh Government.

Johan Cruyff: The Netherlands soccer legend died of lung cancer on 24 March 2016 in Barcelona. Spain. He was 68. He was European player of the year three times and, in 1999, was named Europe's Best Player of The 20th Century. In the football world, he is famous for inventing Total Football' tactics in which players constantly interchange roles. He is also associated with the 'Cruyff turn' — a technique he used for passing defenders by faking toward them, then flicking the ball behind his own other leg in the opposite direction and darting after it. Surya Deva: Indian-origin law professor was appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) as an Adviser on human rights and multinationals and businesses. Deva's appointment to the position was approved on 24 March 2016 in Geneva by the UNHRC. Surya Deva is an Associate Professor at the School of Law of City University of Hong Kong.

Justice (retcl) Permod Kohli: He was appointed as the Chairman of Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT). He is a former Chief Justice of Sikkim High Court. He was appointed for a period of five years with effect from the date of assumption of charge of the post, or till attaining the age of 68 year, whichever is earlier. CAT contained in Article 323A of the Constitution was established in 1985.

Justice Balbir Singh Chauhan: Union Government on 10 March 2016 appointed former Supreme Court judge as the chairperson of the 21st Law Commission. The post was vacant since September 2015 when the

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commission was constituted. At present. Justice Chauhan is heading the Cauvery River Water Disputes Tribunal. Ustad Ali Ahmad Hussain Khan: Eminent Shehnai exponent died on 16 March 2016 in Kolkata. He was 77. He was known as one of the best-known players of the instrument after the legendary Bismillah Khan (1916-2006).

P Susheela Mohan: Renowned playback singer P. Susheela Mohan in the last week of March 2016 entered the Guinness Book of Records for singing 17695 songs in 12 Indian languages. She was the first playback singer to receive the first National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer in 1969. She was awarded the Padma Bhushan by the Government of India in January 2008.

Brussels: The capital city of Belgium was in news on 22 March 2016 as the city came under terrorist attack. A series of explosions, claimed by the Islamic State, took place at the Zaventem Airport and Maalbeek metro station killing at least 34 people and injuring more than 200. With this attack, Belgium became the second European capital that came under terrorist attack in a span of less than 5 months.

Rainbow Ruby: It is pre-school animation series which was started by UNESCO in partnership with CJ Welfare Foundation on 12 March 2016. The aim of the series is to support girl's education globally.

My Biosphere, My Future campaign: It was launched by UNESCO to bring awareness on the surrounding Biosphere. It was launched on 14 March 2016 at the 4th World Congress of Biosphere Reserves in Lima, Peru.

RUSA It stands for Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan and was in news on 14 March 2016. It was launched in 2013 with an aim to provide strategic funding to eligible state higher educational institutions. Operation Hillstorm 3: Combat operation of Meghalaya police was in news on 8 March 2016. It was launched by Meghalaya Police on 24 February 2016 in the Garo Hills and West Khasi Hills districts of the state.

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Skoch Lifetime Achievement Award: It was won by the Union urban Development minister M Venkaiah Naidu on 18 March 2016 conferred at 43rd SKOCH summit held in New Delhi. He was selected for the award for his contributions to inclusive growth and towards poverty alleviation in India. Besides, IT minister of Telangana State KT Rama Rao was awarded the Skoch Award in the Startup India category for his initiative in establishing the path breaking tech incubator T-Hub. 2016 Abel Prize: British mathematician Sir Andrew Wiles on 15 March 2016 was named as the winner of the 2016 Abel Prize by the Norwegian Academy of Sciences and Letters in Oslo. Wiles won the award for solving a centuries-old hypothesis, Fermat's Last Theorem. India's first indigenous Sonar Dome flagged off Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on 29 March 2016 flagged off India's first indigenous composites bow mounted Sonar Dome during DefExpo 2016 in Goa. IAF successfully conducted Exercise Iron Fist The Indian Air Force (IAF) on 18 March 2016 successfully conducted Exercise Iron Fist in Pokhran, Rajasthan. The day-night exercise was aimed at demonstrating lAF's combat and fire power and reassure the nation about its commitment and capabilities in safeguarding the national interests. India, Indonesia joint training exercise Garuda Shakti IV The fourth edition of the joint exercise Garuda Shakti between India and Indonesia commenced on 10 March 2016 at Magelang, Indonesia. India, ASEAN Plus multilateral military exercise FORCE 18 concluded Exercise FORCE 18, the largest ground forces multinational field training exercise on Humanitarian Mine Action and Peacekeeping Operations

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concluded on 8 March 2016 in Pune, Maharashtra. It was the largest Ground Forces Exercise ever conducted on Indian soil. 8th BRICS Summit External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on 22 March 2016 announced that India will host the 8th BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) Summit from 15 October to 16 October 2016 in Goa. 4th World Congress of Biosphere Reserves It was inaugurated on 14 March 2016 at Lima in Peru. The event addressed different issues related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Post 2015 Development Agenda. 59th Session of Commission on Narcotic Drugs: It was inaugurated on 14 March 2016 in Austria's capital Vienna. The 9-day long session seeks to promote a comprehensive understanding of the world drug problem and evolve appropriate strategies to deal with it. 60th Session of Commission on the Status of Women: It was inaugurated on 14 March 2016. The 11-day long session will take place at the United Nations headquarters in New York, the USA. Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana — Gramin

Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 23 March 2016 approved the implementation of rural housing scheme of the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana -Gramin (PMAY-G). This will help achieve the goal of Housing for All by 2022. The project comes in the background of acceleration of efforts under Swachh Bharat Mission - Gramin which has a goal to accelerate efforts to achieve universal sanitation coverage, improve cleanliness and eliminate open defecation in rural India by 2019. Alappuzha backwaters to get India’s first solar ferry

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Solar- powered passenger ferry, the first of its kind in the country, is quietly taking shape at Aroor in Alappuzha district. The boat is expected to be commissioned within the next three months. Transgender appointed noon meal organiser A transgender has been appointed school noon meal organiser in the Kilpennathur block of Tiruvannamalai. Jayaprakash alias Jaya(23), hailing from dirunathur village near here has been appointed in the Panchayat Union Primary school in Erppakkam village in Keelpennathur block. In a first, tribal village taps solar power With the installation of micro-grid solar power station, first of its kind in the state, at Moongilpallam village, a remote village on the Tamil Nadu-Kerala border on Kodaikanal hill, a decades-old dream of tribals have ben fulfilled. Google offers early peek at ‘Android N’ Google is previewing the next version of its Android operating system two months ahead of schedule in an effort to get the upgraded software on more mobile devices. The upgraded software, known as “Android N” for now, offers a split-screen feature so users can toggle between apps more easily. Android N also enables users to reply directly to notifications, something already available on the software that Google makes for smart watches running on Android wear. Another change is being made to reduce the battery power drawn by apps when the device’s screen turns off. Devices running on Android “Marshmallow”, a version released last year, shift into a battery-saving mode called “Doze” only when they’re stationary. Kerala, T.N secure top ranks in governance

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Kerala and Tamil Nadu have acquire the first and second rank in the public affairs index (PAI) of governance in states, while Bihar Jharkhand and Odisha lag behind, a latest survey by a think tank Public Affairs centre (PAC), Bengaluru, has revealed. Karnataka secured the third position, while Gujarat stood fifth. During EI Nino years, temperatures between January and May are higher than usual During strong EI Nino years, which include 1988 and 2010 Total Station Theodolite For the first time, the Tamil Nadu state Archaeology Department used a Total Station Theodolite (TST) to survey the excavation site at Pattarai Perumbudhur village

• TST is an electronic instrument used for topographic surveying during various construction activities.

• Archaeologists use it to locate an elevated portion elevated portion to determine the actual excavation site and to also record it

• The Switzerland made TST has a capacity to record around one lakh measurements covering a radius of around 2.5 km

• TST helps generate a map of the surveyed area where excavation will be done

Changi Airport Voted World’s best Singapore’s changi Airport has been voted the world’s best airport for the fourth year in a row at the 2016 world Airport Awards. The survey was conducted by aviation research firm skytrax. A People’s initiative to restore a river’s glory NGOs from four districts in western Tamil Nadu come together to rejuvenate the Noyyal The Noyyal River Restoration Federation, which includes siruthuli in Coimbatore, Jeeva Nadhi Noyyal in Tirupur, Olirum Erodu in Erode and

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Noyyal Kaappom in karur, will launch here on March 26, ‘Noyyalai Nokki’ (Towards Noyyal), a people’s initiative to restore the Noyyal river system, jointly with the government. Social activist Anna Hazare will launch the project at kooduthurai in Alandurai in Coimbatore district. A Gir forest experience in the heart of London Queen Elizabeth II inaugurated an Asiatic lion exhibit at the iconic London Zoo The four Asiatic lions housed at the exhibit are Heidi, Rubi, Indi all females, and Bhanu a male. Soon, robots may deliver pizza Fast food giant Domino’s will test a robot to deliver pizzas in New Zealand which could become the world’s first country to use the machine that keeps food hot and drinks cold in its waterproof body while delivering in a 20-km radius, media reports said on Friday. Madame Tussauds to open Delhi in 2017 Madame Tussauds, the hugely popular waxworks is planning to open a branch in New Delhi to coincide with the 70th year of India’s independence in 2017. Asteroid named after endangered bird, thanks to Chennai teacher Mention of an outer main-belt asteroid now brings to mind an endangered bird. It has been named after Akikiki, a critically endangered Hawaiian honeycreeper bird. The credit for this goes to Prakash vaithyanathan, a science teacher from the city. Mr.Vaithyanathan said he had written to the Internationa Astronomical Union (IAU) suggesting that new planetary bodies and other objects in space could be named after endangered or extinct animals, birds and plants. NHAI to upgrade 693 km of state highways

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The roads that have been chosen include the SH 4: Arcot-villupuram road (114 km) SH 15: Ooty-Kotagiri -Mettuplalayam-sathy Road (161 km) SH:17: Malur -Hosur-Adhiyamankottai Road (103 km) and the 248 long SH 29: Thanjavur -Pattukottai- paramakudi-kayalkudi road that runs through four districts of Thanjavur, Pudukottai, sivagangai and Ramanathapuram. A total of 5,004 km of National Highways run through the state. The total length of state Highways in Tamil Nadu is 11,752 km. India’s Rotavirus vaccine launched: Health ministry launched the country’s first indigenous Rotavirus vaccine to combat diarrheal death. International Conference at Jaipur National University The three-day international conference on Recent Trends in Engineering and Material Science was inaugurated at the main campus of Jaipur National University (JNU) in March 2016). Bihar Liquor Ban Bill Gets State Legislature’s Nod Taking a serious note of hazardous effects of liquor consumption on the health of people, Bihar of people, Bihar Assembly on March 30, 2016 unanimously passed the Bihar Excise (Amendment) Bill 2016 10 enforce the ban on country made liquor from April 1, this year. Haryana Assembly Gives its Nod to the Jat Quota Bill The Haryana Assembly on March 29, 2016 unanimously passed the Haryana Backward Classless (Reservations in Services and Admission in Educational Institutions) Bill, 2016 to ensure reservation 16 Jats and five other communities-Sikhs, Rors, Bishnois, Tyagis and Mulla Jat/Muslim Jat in government jobs and educational institutions. Rajasthan Government Launches RajNET, A NET Connectivity Facility

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In a bid to strengthen the internet connectivity across the state, the Rajasthan Government on March 21, 2016 launched RajNET-a wide area network connecting Jaipur with all 9,894 gram panchayats and 183 municipal areas on the occasion of the first Information Technology (IT) Day of Rajasthan. RajNET initiative is state government’s attempt to connect even remote areas of the state with its capital through IT as a part of good governance. Hanan Al-Hroub, a Palestinain Woman Wins Global Teacher Award Hanan Al-Hroub, a Palestinian teacher from the West Bank was honoured with the $1 million Global Teacher Award at a ceremony in Dubai on March 13,2016. Chameli Devi Jain Award 2015-16 Priyanka Kakodkar and Raksha Kumar were declared the joint winners of the 2015-16 Chameli Devi Jain Award for women journalists on March 15, 2016. World Cultural Festival World Cultural Festival was held from March 11, 2016 to March 13, 2016 at the bank of Yamuna in New Delhi. The mega event was organized by the Art of Living Foundation, whose head is His Holiness Shri Shri Ravishankar. NNRMS: National Natural Resources Management System NNRMS was established in 1983 and was supported by Planning Commission, Government of India. Department of Space (DOS) is the nodal agency for implementing NNRMS in the country and the Secretariat of NNRMS is housed in the ISRO Headquarters, Bangalore. NABI: National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute

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National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute (NABI) is an autonomous institute of the Department of biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, located in the Knowledge City at Mohali, Punjab. The institute aims at catalyzing the transformation of agri-food sector in India. NAFED: National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd. (NAFED) was established on the auspicious day of Gandhi Jayanti on October 2, 1958. NAFED is registered under the Multi State Cooperative Societies Act. NAFED was set up with the object to promote cooperative marketing of Agricultural Produce to benefit the farmers. TRIFED: The Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India The tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Limited (TRIFED) came into existence on 06.08.1987. It started functioning in 1988 under the administrative control of the Ministry of Welfare, Government of India, (presently the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India). The main objective of TRIFED is to serve the interests of its members in more than one State for the social and economic betterment of its members by conducting its affairs in professional, democratic and autonomous manner through self-help and mutual cooperation for undertaking marketing development of the tribal products. Priyadarshini Yojana With a vision to make powerful the women by offering loans to women industrialist, a proposal named as ‘Priyadarshini Yojana’ was started in the year of 1989 in India. In this ‘Priyadarshini Yojana’ women industrialist are comprehensive loan services at liberal conditions and at concessional fee of interest, for financial actions. Dhanalakshmi The Ministry of Women and Child Development launched ‘Dhanlakshmi’ “a Conditional Cash Transfer scheme for Girl Child with Insurance Cover (CCT)” on a pilot basis in March 2008. Under the scheme,

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cash transfers are made to the family of the girl child (preferably the mother) on fulfilling certain specific conditionalities related to birth and registration, immunization, school enrollment and retention immunization, school enrollment and retention upto Class VIII and delay in marriage of the girl child till the age of 18 years. ICC Word T20

• In a pulsating final, West Indies defeated England by four wickets and won the ICC World T20 title at Eden Gardens on April 3, 2016.

• West Indies women’s team won their marden ICC World T20 in the Same ground and on the same day.

SAARC Disaster Management Centre To Be Established in India The 37th Session of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Council of Minister concluded in Pokhara of Nepal on March 17, 2016. Nepalese Prime Minister Mr.Sharma Oli inaugurated the meeting. SARTTAC: South Asia Regional Training and Technical Assistance Center: India and the International Monetary Fund (IMF( on March 12, 2016 signed an agreement to set up a South Asia Regional Training and Technical Assistance Center (SARTTAC) for training official in dealing with macro-economic and financial issues. Justice H.L.Dattu appointed as member of International Coordinating Committee Bureau: Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and former Chief Justice of India Justice Mr.H.L.Dattu on March 22, 2016 was appointed a member of the International Coordinating Committee of National Human Rights Institutions Bureau in Geneva. Kolkata: The place made the headlines when two parts of an under-construction 2.2-km-long Vivekanand Flyover collspsed in a congested market area in Burra Bazaar, north Kolkata on March 31, 2016. Rohit Sharma wins ESPN Cricinfo Award For Best T20 Innings

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Flamboyant opener Rohit Sharma of India won the prestigious ESPN Cricinfo award for the third year in a row with recently-retired Black Caps legend Brendon McCullum of New Zealand winning the newly constituted Captain of the Year award. Kohli-ICC Men’s World T20 Team Captain Virat Kohli of India, the World T20 Man of the Tournament, has been named the captain of the ICC World T20 team. Another Indian, Ashish Nehra, also figures in the squad for his impressive performance during the tournament. Delhi to Agra in 100 Minutes Railway Minister Mr. Suresh Prabhu flagged off India’s fastest train, the Gatimaan Express from Nizamuddin Railway Station in New Delhi on April 5, 2016. The semi-high-speed train, travelling at 160 kmph, operates between Hazarat Nizamuddin Station and Agra Cantonment Station. Features

♣ The train has hotspot entertainment options Bio-toilets, LED lights, Micro-busters for good fragrance, Free WiFi and offline video-on-demand services

♣ Compartments sport paintings depicting place of historical importance in Delhi and Agra

PM Modi Launches Kisan Suvidha Mobile APP: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 19 March 2016 launched Kisan Suvidha mobile application for farmers. It will provide information on subjects such as weather, market prices, seeds fertilizers, pesticides and agriculture machinery. Michelle yeoh: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on 15 March 2016 appointed award-wining action heroine Michelle Yeoh as its Goodwill Ambassador.

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Ray Tomlinson: Raymond Tomlinson, the inventor of E-mail and the man who picked @symbol for addresses, passed away in Washington on 6 March 2016. He was an American computer Scientist who became a cult figure for his invention in 1971 of a program for APRANET, the internet predecessor that allowed people to send person to person messages to other computer users on other servers. Pangsau Pass: Pangsau Pass lies on the crest of the Patkai Hills on the India-Burma (Myanmar) border. The pass offers one of the easiest routes into Burma from the Assam plains. It was in news on 8 March 2016 when a cycling expedition with the theme ‘Cycle to Recycle’ was flagged off by the Indian Army as part Assam Rifles’ 181st raising day celebrations. Golden City Gate Award: Kerala Tourism’s campaign on responsible tourism on 11 March 2016 bagged the prestigious Golden City Gate Award at the world’s leading travel trade show International Tourismus -Borse Berlin (ITB-Berlin) 2016. National Krishi Karman Awards 2014-15: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 19 March 2016 conferred National Krishi Karman Awards for the year 2014-15 in New Delhi. Total Food Grain Production Category I States (production greater than 10 million tonnes): Madhya Pradesh Category II States (Production between 1 and 10 million tonnes): Himachal Pradesh and Odisha Category III States (Production less than 1 million tonnes): Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya Individual Crops: Rice-Haryana, Assam, Wheat – Rajasthan, Pulses – Chhattisgarth, Oil Seeds – West Bengal CV Kunhiraman Literary Prize: Renowned Malayalam writer M Sukumaran, in March 2016, was chosen for the CV KunhiramanLiterary

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Prize. He won the Kerala Sahithya Academy award in 1976 for his book Marichittillathavarude Smarakangal. First International Symposium on 5G: The Indian Institute of Technology Patna (IIT-P) organized the First International Symposium on Fifth Generation (5G) Technology in March 2016. Earth Hour 2016: The tenth edition of the Earth Hour was observed globally on 19 March 2016 from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm local time. While the focus of the global event was 9:30 pm local time. While the focus of the global event was to engage people in critical climate conversations and solutions, the country-specific theme for India was to encourage usage of solar energy by individuals and organizations. Government Launches Vidyut Pravah Mobile App: Union Power, Coal and New and Renewable Energy Minister of State (Independent Charge) Piyush Goyal on 31 March 2016 launched Vidyut PRAVAH-Electricity, Price Availability and Highlights mobile application in New Delhi. Child born to India’s first test tube baby enjoys limelight Harsha Chawda is India’s first test tube baby, a feat that had made IVF specialist Indira Hinduja a household name in the country. Air India operates ‘World’s longest all-women flight’ National carrier Air India flew the “world’s longest” all women operated and supported flight from the national capital to San Francisco. The fight, which travelled a distance of around 14,500 km in close to 17 hours, was operated as part of International Women’s Day celebrations. The non-stop Delhi-san Francisco flight took off on March 6. “This year for the first time, on the world’s longest non-stop flight, entire flight operations from cockpit crew to cabin crew, check-in staff, doctor, customer care staff, ATC [air traffic control] and the entire ground-hand ling…. Were handled by women, “Said Air India in a release. Finally, a bacterium that degrades polluting plastics identified

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Bacterium species capable of breaking down plastic-polythylene terephthalate (PET) has been identified by a team of Japanese researchers. The bacterium uses two enzymes in sequence to break down the highly biodegradation resistant polymer PET. UNESCO updates protected biosphere reserves list Of the hundreds of locations on the list, 16 are sites that stretch across more than one country. Spain is the country with the largest number of registered reserves.

U.K’s isle of Man, located in the lrish sea, is a biologically diverse marine environment. It is among 20 sites added to UNESCO’s network of protected biosphere reserves. ‘Film News’ Anandan passes away at 89 ‘Film News’ Anandan (P.G.Anandakrishnan), often referred to as a ‘living encyclopaedia on Tamil Movie passed away He worked as a PR person for over 3,000 films. “If was thanks to M.G.Ramachandran that I entered that field. Beginning with Nadodi Mannan, I took care of the public relations of all his films till the very end,” he was quoted as saying in an interview to The Hindu. 63rd National Film Awards: The Film ‘Visaranai’ has own 3 awards:

o Best Tamil Film o Best Editing :Kishore o Best Supporting actor: Samuthirakkani o Dr. Ilayaraja has awarded with “Best Background Socre” for the

film: “Tharai Thappattai”

National Film Awards Committee Head of the award committee: Ramesh sipoy

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Best Actor : Amitabh Bachan [piku] Best Female Actor : Kangana Ranaut [Tanu weds Manu returns] Best Feature Film : Bahubali Best Popular Film : Bajrange Baijjan Best film on social issues : Nirnayagam Computerised FIR system (CIPRUS)

o Complainants get printouts of FIR instead of written of written

copies o As the FIR is stored digitally, there is no risk of the ink fading

out or damage to documents o Complainants can log in to the common Integrated Police

Record Updated System (CIPRUS) with a password provided to them and check the status of the complaint

New Air Port :

New Air Port at Kannore, Kerala was on Monday declared dedicated

to the Nation by the State Ministers under the stewardship of Chief

Minister Ooman Chandy.

Avvaiyar Award for the Founder of SCARF :

Founder of SCARF, working for the rehabilitation of mentally

retarded people, Dr. Saradha Menon is honoured with this Year’s Avvaiyar

Award.

Acknowledgement slip for having voted : Introduced in Telangana Local

Body Elections :

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Practice of issuing acknowledgement slip for having voted with EVM

is being introduced for the first time at the Kammam Municipal Elections in

Telangana.

Tamil Nadu Objects Receiving (G.I.) Geographical Index :

Tanjore plate, Tanjore doll, Arani silk, Madurai sunkadi sarees. (GI is

awarded to materials made from specific place/region. These GI materials

cannot be prepared in other places).

• Union Government in March 2016 notified Aadhar Act 2016. The Lok Sabha on 11 March 2016 passed the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Bill, 2016. Rajya Sabha passed the bill on March 16, 2016. President gave the assent on March 25, 2016

• 10 March: Observed as World Kidney Day. • 3 March: Observed as World Wildlife Day.

• 1 March: Observed as Zero Discrimination Day. • The 4th Nuclear Security Summit held on 31 March 2016 in Washington

DC • Haryana launched the Project Salamati to provide injectable

contraceptive free of cost • Brussels hosted the 13th India-EU Summit on 30 March 2016 • The Pattiseema Lift Irrigation Project connects these two major rivers in

Southern India - Godavari & Krishana • India's biggest ever land, naval and homeland security exhibition -

Defence Expo 2016 held on 28 March 2016 in Goa

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• Haryana government launched a new scheme. 'Adapting homes for the differently-abled' on 26 March 2016

• The Global Trends in Renewable Energy Investment 2016 released by

the United Nations Environment Programme • 21 March every year is observed as World Poetry Day by UNESCO

• Gurmeet Singh became first Indian athlete to win a gold medal in the

Asian 20 Kilometer (km) Race Walk Championships on 20 March 2016

• The theme of the World Sparrow Day 2016 that was observed on 20 March 2016-Rise for the SPARROW-Experience the power of one

• The city in which Cisco announced to set up an Internet of Everything

(loE) Innovation Centre will be set up to foster regional innovation - Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh

• The youngest person to climb the Mt. Kangchenjunga base camp in

Sikkim is - Suryassangyini Chaudhary

• The film that bagged prizes for best actress and best director at the 10th Asian film awards - 'The Assassin"

• The United Nations Social Development Network (UNSDN) released

World Happiness Report (WHR) 2016 in Rome ahead of the UN World Happiness Day observed on - 20 March 2016. India's rank in 2016 World Happiness Report released in March 2016 – 118

• In UK, the world's first fully electric double decker bus was launched

by - London's transport authority

• The state that presented the first e-Budget of India on 10 March 2016 - Andhra Pradesh

• The place where 17th International Congress on Infectious Disease was

held –Hyderabad

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• World Wildlife Day was observed on 3 March 2016 across the world with theme -The future of wildlife is in our hands

• Former New Zealand captain who died of cancer on 3 March 2016 in

Auckland at the age of 53 is - Martin Crowe • In a first of its kind initiative, Kerala government launched an air

ambulance to be used exclusively for - Speed in organ transplant

• The city where the world's most expensive train station opened on 3 March 2016 is - New York

• Among highest rainfall countries of the India is – Second. 1580

mm per annum. Tamil Nadu : 921 mm per annum

• Highest water storage capacity in the world is – America. 6150

m3 per capita.

• Water storage capacity in India = 262 m3 per capita.

• The telephone number service introduced by Indian Railways for

cancellation of reservation is – 139.

• Chairman of ICHR – Indian Council for Historical Research is Y.

Sudarsan Rao.

• In the cooling section of the first reactor of the Kakrapar nuclear

power reactor in Surat District of Gujarat State, Coolant leak was

detected. Hence it was shut down safely.

• The Trust “Helping Hands” has launched a special radio channel

for fishermen of Ramnad District by the name “Voice of the

Ocean”. This channel shall broad cast on

� Central and State schemes for fishermen,

Education/employment opportunities of children of

fishermen, employment and training for women in

fishermen families hygienic handling of fish technical

assistance for fish export, awareness about rare marine,

species in the Bay of Mannar and Palk junction.

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� Eco-friendly fishing techniques.

• UNESCO notified forests in Tamil Nadu.

Forest Year

The Nilgiris 2000

Gulf of Mannar 2001

Agasthiar Hills (Tirunelveli District) 2016

• Mr. So.Mu. Muthu of Omalur, Salem District, who was responsible

for ‘Thirukkural’ Japanese language editor died on 29 March 1996.

With the help of Muthu, Souso Musunga completed translating

Thirukkural into Japanese language. To honour So.Mu. Muthu’s

efforts in this regard Japan released a special stamp with his

picture.

• It is proposed to set up a sub-marine Biological Park at

Mamallapuram at a cost of Rs.257.59 crores. This is meant for

tourists to witness animals including fishes in their natural habitat

just as in many other foreign countries. Fishes from Andaman and

Nicobar Island areas shall be brought to this park, as decided at

higher levels of the Government.

• For the first time in Tamil Nadu a transgender Ms. Jaya of

Tiruvannamalai District was appointed as organiser of a noon meal

centre.

• Government of India honours, every year those writers who

popularise Science through print media, with Science and

Technology Awards. For the award of 2015 Dr. K. Ganesan has

been selected.

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• 4 New Revenue Divisions and 16 Revenue Taluks inaugurated.

- New Revenue Divisions are Chennai Egmore, Melur

in Madurai District, Coimbatore North and Sathur.

- New Taluks are Kilpennathur, Melmalayanur,

Kandaachipuram, Choolagiri, Karimangalam,

Nallampalli, Kadaiyampatti, Pallavaram, Nemili,

Pernampet, Maanur, Cheranmadevi, Kumarapalayam,

Thalauadi, Kodumudi, Modakkurichi.

• Hariyana State Government Secretariat has earned the distinction

of being India’s First State Secretariat Building with Seismic Alarm.

• USTAAD Scheme (USTAAD) upgrading skills and training in

Traditional Arts/Crafts Scheme had been inaugurated by Minister

of Minorities, Government of India Ms. Najma Hepthullah at

Varanasi. The objective of the scheme is to safeguard the traditional

Arts/Crafts of people belonging to minority communities and to

ensure the skill up-gradation in those Arts and Crafts.

• NHSRS – National High Speed Rail Corporation has been formed

to set up high speed bullet train traffic between Mumbai and

Ahmedabad.

• The U.G.C. has decided to set up Chairs in Central Universities for

Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam and Oriya (languages declared as

classical languages)

� Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Government of India has

declared that language with specific qualifications shall be

included in the list of classical languages.

� Accordingly in 2004 Tamil was declared as classical languages.

Later Kannada, Telugu in the year 2008, Malayalam in 2013,

Oriya in 2014 had been added to the list of classical languages.

In the States where these languages are spoken research

institute are set up for development of these languages.

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• In Manipur Ms. Irom Sharmila Shanu, resumed her hunger strike.

She had been demanding the withdrawal of Armed Forces Special

Powers Act (AFSPA) for the past 15 years.

• World Health Organisation (WHO) has fixed the deadline to

eradicate ‘Kala Azar’ as end of 2017. In India the Action Plan for

eradication of Kala Azar had been drawn during 2014 by the name

‘National Roadmap for Kala – Azar Elimination 2014’.

• The Second Tamilian to win an Oscar : For the year 2016 two

Indians were selected for Oscars for their best use of technology in

films. They are Rahul Thakkar and Kattalango Leon. Leon belongs

to a family hailing from the Southern District of Tamil Nadu,

Tuticorin. It is worth mentioning that Leon studied in a

Government School at Coimbatore.

• Weaver Babu of Kanchipuram has been awarded the best weaver

award of Government of Tamil Nadu. He was selected for this

award for weaving the “Jarigai Jangal” variety of silk sarees.

• Astro telecast firm has entered the Guinness book of World

Records for having telecast the “Thai Poosam” festival events

continuously for 55 hours 7 minutes.

• Veteran Communist Leader N. Sankaraiah has been awarded

honesty in political and public life for the year 2016.

• Mr. Israel Crystal received the certificate for being World’s

oldest male from the Guinness World Records Organisation.

112 years old crystal was born in Poland in the year 1903.

OTHERS

• INDIAN AGRICULTUR RESEARCH INSTITUTE : 1936 @ DELHI • ICAR (Indian Council of Agriculture Research) : 1929

• Centre for Marine Living Resource and Ecology (CMLRE) – Kochi

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• Tamil Nadu state chief Electoral officer : Rajesh Lokhani

• National Association for communication(IT) Industry : NASSCOM

• NIA: National Investigation Agency

• Karnataka state has introduced Good Samaritan Act: i) Good Samaritan guidelines insulating citizens who help

accident victims. ii) The act is expected to make the polies is well as hospital

authorities to follow.

• AIIB : Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank

• NDB : New Development Bank

• PRAGATI: Proactive Governance and Timely Implementation. Government has decided to integrate all land records in to “Adhar” to monitor successful implementation of the Government new crop insurance schemes.

• RAW : Research and Analysis Wing

• IB : Intelligence Bureau

• 3 super thermal Powerplant of India 1. Barch Thermal power Plant 2. Katni Thermal power plant 3. Baruni Thermal power plant

• Governor of J & K : N.N.Vora

• NSS (Nuclear Security Summits) I - 2010 - Washington DC II - 2012 - Seoul III- 2014 - The Hague IV - 2016 - Washington DC

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• Tamil Nadu’s Athelet Hepziba has won the gold medal at street child games in Ria.

• The person from Tamil Nadu has got killed in Brussels’s terror attack:

Mr. Ragavendra Ganesan

• The first direct container MV Harbour-I Vessel between India and Bangaladesh carrying cotton is flagged off from Krishnapatnam of Andhra Pradesh to Chittagong.

• Kachhabali village in Bhim tehsil of Rajsamand District becomes the first in Rajasthan to vote to close down its only liquor shop.

• ICICI Bank announces a new mobile payment solution Touch & Pay based on Near Field Communication (NFC) technology that will enable the bank’s customers to make secure contactless payments at retail stores using smart phones.

• Power Minister Piyush Goyal unveils the ‘Garv’ app that provides real-time information on nationwide and state-wise prices, demand, and supply of electricity.

Books and Authors Incarnations: India in 50 lives - By Sunil Khilnani, Penguin Frients in Wild Places: Birds, Beasts and Other Companions - By Ruskin Bond, Speaking Tiger In Other Words - By Jhumpa Lahiri, Bloombsbury Gandhi: An Illustrated Biography Anniversaries & Days • World Labour Day: May 1

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• International Press Freedom Day: May 3

• World Asthma Day: May 3

• International Energy Day: May 3

• International Firefighters’ Day: May 4

• World Athletics Day: May 5

• World Red Cross Day: May 8

• World Thalassaemia Day: May 9

• National Technology Day: May 11

• World Tele-Communication and Information Society Day: May 17

• World AIDS Vaccination Day: May 17

• World Hypertension Day: May 17

• National Anti-Terrorism Day: May 21

• Commonwealth Day: May 24

• International Day of Peacekeepers: May 29

• World Anti-Tobacco Day: May 31

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CURRENT AFFAIRS APRIL – 2016

World’s costliest smartphone is round the corner Fancy a device dubbed “Rolls Royce of smartphones” that will set you back by nearly $ 10, 000 (over Rs. 66 lakh). The “most advanced mobile device with the highest privacy settings” is not being built in the U.S or China but in a quite corner in Israel. Called ‘Solarin’, the high-end smartphone is set to be rolled out by May-end by Sirin Labs, a Tel Aviv-based start-up that recently raised $72 million to make what it bills as the “Rolls Royce of smartphones”, technology website venturebeat.com reported. Salman Khan Bollywood actor Mr. Salman Khan is named the Goodwill Ambassador of the Indian contingent for the upcoming Olympics to be held in August 2016 in Rio de Janeiro.

Pooram Festival Kerala cultural capital keeps Pooram splendour intact. Prime attraction in Thrissur was LED umbrellas used for ‘kudamattom’. Thrissur Pooram, the renowned festival of sound and light, painted the city in vibrant hues .

IPP (India Pride Project) : IPP is an initiative by two NRIs who seek to bring back the lost artefacts to India. The IPP is managed by an army of volunteers around the world, which identifies stolen art, traces its route and attempts to restore it back to its rightful place. IPP uses Twitter to spread the message. Operation Sulaimani : An initiative to eradicate poverty by feeding needy in Kozhikode hotels. Panama Papers :

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The Panama Papers are a set of 11.5 million leaked documents detail that financial and attorney client information for more than 214,000 offshore companies associated with the Panamanian law firm and corporate service provider Mossack Fonseca. After more than a year of analysis, the first news stories based on the documents were published on April 3, 2016. Sawen (South Asia Wildlife Enforcement Network) : The Union Cabinet chaired by PM Narendra Modi, on 13 April 2016, approved India to become a formal member in the South Asia Wildlife Enforcement Network (SAWEN). SAWEN is a Regional network comprising of eight countries in South Asia : Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Days

2 April - World Autism Awareness Day. 4 April - International Day of Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action. 6 April - International Day of Sport for Development and Peace. 7 April - World Health Day. 8 April - International Roma Day. 10 April - World Homoeopathy Day. 12 April - International Day of Human Space Flight. 17 April - World Haemophilia Day. 18 April - International Day for Monuments and Sites. 22 April - International Mother Earth Day. 23 April - World Book and Copyright Day. 24 April – 30 April - World Immunization Week 2016. 25 April - World Malaria Day. 26 April - World Intellectual Property Day. 28 April - World Day for Safety and Health at Work. 29 April - Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare. 30 April - International Jazz Day. Government approves country’s first Metrino Pod Taxi Project for Gurgaon The Union Government on 8 April 2016 approved country’s first Metrino Pod Project that will span a 13 km stretch from the Gurgaon-Delhi border to Badshapur Mod on Sohna Road. The project called the Metrino is

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a PRT system in which pods will be suspended from an overhead rail. Every pod can take up to five passengers. Modi launches Gram Uday Se Bharat Uday Abhiyan PM Narendra Modi on 14 April 2016 launched ‘Gram Uday Se Bharat Uday Abhiyan’ at Mhow, Madhya Pradesh. The Abhiyan (campaign) was launched on the 125th birth anniversary of Babasaheb Ambedkar at his birth place to strengthen Panchayati Raj in villages and ensure social harmony in villages. PM Modi launches National Agriculture Market Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 14 April 2016 launched the pilot of e-NAM, the e-trading platform for the National Agriculture Market, for the farmers. It was launched on 125th birth anniversary of Baba Saheb Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar. Sachin Tendulkar : Union Government in April 2016 signed Sachin Tendulkar to endorse the I Support Skill India campaign. The step was taken in an attempt to reach out to the youth and build awareness on the importance of skill development. Puttingal Temple :

Puttingal Temple is a Hindu Temple in the coastal town of Paravur in Kerala. It was in the news on 10 April 2016 when at least 110 people were charred to death in a fire accident there.

Kachhabali :

Kachhabali Village in Bhim Tehsil of Rajsamand District recently became the first in Rajasthan to liquor free village. The village achieved this feat after villagers voted to close down its lone liquor shop to stop alcohol sale in village in the referendum by 67.11%. 2016 Nelson Mandela Award :

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Tabassum Adnan, a women’s rights activist from Swat Valley of Pakistan, on 28 April 2016 won the prestigious Mandela – Graca Machel Innovation Award 2016 in Bogota, Colombia. Global Indian of the year 2016 Award : Bollywood Actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan on 12 April 2016 won the Global Indian of the Year 2016 award at third season of NRI of the Year award function held in Mumbai. Besides Aishwarya, Indian Tennis Player Sania Mirza was also honoured at the NRI of the year Award 2016. The NRI of the year Award recognizes outstanding achievements of the Indian Diaspora globally. Hridaynath Mangeshkar Award 2016 : Maharashtra Governor C Vidyasagar Rao on 12 April 2016 conferred the Hridaynath Award on Chess Wizard Viswanathan Anand in Mumbai.

Saraswati Samman 2015 :

Author and Poet Padma Sachdev on 12 April 2016 was selected for the prestigious Saraswati Samman for 2015 for her autobiography titled Chitt-Chete, written in Dogri language.

UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize 2016 :

Investigative Journalist Khadija Ismayilova of Azerbaijan was on 8 April 2016 chosen for the UNESCO or Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize 2016.

Founders Award for Mother Teresa : Mother Teresa was on 8 April 2016, posthumously conferred with the UK’s Prestigious Founders Award in London. Heart of Asia Conference :

The Heart of Asia (HoA) conference was held in New Delhi in April 2016. The conference was attended by officials of a number of countries including Pakistan Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhary. Earlier, Pakistan hosted the fifth Heart of Asia Ministerial Conference in Islamabad on 9 December 2015. The Heart of Asia Conference is a part of Istanbul Process that was established on 2 November 2011 to provide a platform to

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discuss regional issues, particularly encouraging security, political and economic co-operation among Afghanistan and its neighbours.

International Conference on Zero :

The International Conference on Zero was held at UNESCO head quarters in Paris, France in April 2016. Maritime India Summit 2016 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 14 April 2016 inaugurated the Maritime India Summit 2016 (MIS 2016) in Mumbai. North East Asian Business Summit :

The first ever three day North East ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Business Summit was held at the City Convention Centre in Imp bal, Manipur in April 2016.

China develops World’s first Graphene Electronic Paper :

China, in April 2016, announced to have developed the world’s first grapheme electronic paper. Graphene is the World’s strongest and lightest known material, a single layer of grapheme is only 0.355 nano meters thick, and it can conduct heat and electricity.

India Develops Eco-Friendly Nano Technology for Water Purification : Scientists team from the Institute of Advance Study in Science and Technology (IASST), Guwahati in Assam recently developed an eco-friendly nano technology for water softening applications. The green technology is the first of its kind with potential to act as a biodegradable and green material for water softening applications. India Launches Solar Jyoti : The Union Government on 5 April 2016 launched the low cost micro solar device, Surya Jyoti that help rural and urban population to have a reliable access to electricity. World’s First Public Dengue Vaccination Programme Launched in Philippines :

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The World’s first public dengue vaccination programme was, in April 2016, launched in the Philippines with a French drug Dengvaxia (World’s 1st dengue fever vaccine) to combat mosquito borne disease. Mexico was first country in the world to approve first ever Dengvaxia Dengue fever vaccine for the public use and Philippines was the first country in Asia to allow it. However with the launch of first public dengue vaccination programme, Philippines became first country to introduce, adopt and implement the first ever dengue vaccine through the public health system and under public school settings. ISRO Scientists make World’s Lightest Material ‘Silica Aerogel’ : Scientists at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram, in April 2016, announced to have indigenously manufactured the world’s lightest synthetic material called ‘silica aerogel’ or ‘blue air’ or ‘frozen smoke’. Silica Aerogel is the lightest synthetic material ever made by man. It can be used : Dipa Karamkar becomes First Indian Woman Gymnast to qualify for Olympics:

Indian artistic gymnast Dipa Karmakar on 17 April 2016 created

history by becoming the first Indian woman gymnast to qualify for Olympics. Kane Williamson named Wisden Almanack’s Cricketer of the Year : New Zealand’s Kane Williamson on 13 April 2016 was named the Wisden’s Leading Cricketer in the World for the year 2015. Rare Primate Sighted in Arunachal Pradesh : A group of wild life photographers and biologists in India have reported sighting of a new species of primate, the White Cheeked Macaque, in Arunachal Pradesh. Madhya Pradesh gets World’s First White Tiger Safari at Mukundpur :

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Union Minister for Environment and Forests Prakash Javadekar on April 3, 2016 launched a White Tiger Safari at Mukundpur in Satna District of Madhya Pradesh, situated adjacent to Mukundpur which is spread over 75 hectares. The White Tiger Safari, first of its kind, is spread over an area of 25 hectares and has cost 50 crore rupees. The Mukundpur White Tiger Safari hosts three White Tigers, comprising one male named Raghu and two females named Radha and Vindhya.

The White Tiger is a pigmentation variant of Bengal Tiger which can be seen in the forests of Assam, Bengal, Bihar etc. Tiger Population up 22% in 6 years :

After decades of constant decline, the world has for the first time seen an increase in the global tiger population. The number of tigers in the wild has increased from 3,200 in 2010 to 3,890 in April this year – an increase of nearly 22% - with India continuing to be home to the highest number of big cats.

The latest figures of global tiger population were released on April 11, 2016 on the eve of the Third Asia Ministerial Conference on tiger conservation. The three day mega event was inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi in New Delhi on April 12, 2016. Sushila Karki became the first female Chief Justice of Nepal Sushila Karki became the first female Chief Justice (acting) of Nepal’s Supreme Court on April 13, 2016, replacing Kalyan Shrestha on the top judicial post of Nepal. Lobsang Sangey was re-elected as the PM of Tibet Lobsang Sangey was re-elected as the Prime Minister of the Tibetan government in-exile on April 27, 2016 for the second term in a row. ‘2016 World Press Freedom Index’ Finland retained its top spot for the sixth consecutive year in the World Press Freedom Index for 2016, released by Reporters without

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Borders on April 20, 2016. The Netherlands and Norway secured the second and third places respectively. World Women’s Squash Championship Nour El Sherbini from Egypt on April 30, 2016 defeated top-seed Laura Massaro 6-11, 4-11, 11-3, 11-5, 11-8 in the final to clinch the World Women’s Squash Championship in Kuala Lumpur. India’s Maharaja’s Express among Top Rated Trains Globally : According to a New World Wealth survey, India’s Maharaja’s Express has been ranked fourth on the list as per preferences of the super rich, while Eastern and Oriental Express (Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand) was rated the best globally. Other top rated trains globally include, Blue Train (South Africa), Pride of Africa (Rovos Rail), and the Orient Express (Europe and Turkey). The survey, conducted by the wealth intelligence company, New World Wealth, ranks the trains and hotels on the basis of votes by the multi-millionaires.

Latest India’s First

India’s First Defence Industrial Park

The Indian Government on February 1, 2016 has approved setting up of India’s first Defence Industrial Park at Ottaappalam in Palakkad District of Kerala.

First Government owned Woman Milk Bank

Rajasthan Government on March 31, 2015 opened women milk bank Jeevan Dhara in Jaipur.

India’s First International Financial Services Centre (IFSC)

India’s first International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) became operational on April 11, 2015 at the Gujarat. With the launch of the country’s first IFSC banking unit (IBU) set up by YES Bank.

World’s First Solar Powered Airport

The Southern Indian City of Kochi is now the proud home of the world’s first solar powered airport.

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First Indian State to start Olive Refinery

Rajasthan became the first State of India to start Olive refinery.

India’s First State Run Global Artist Village

India’s first state run global artist village was thrown open for art buffs at Sreenkandapuram in Northern district of Kannur on September 29, 2015.

India’s First Health Court Karnataka became the first State in the country to launch a Health Adalat.

India’s First Wi-Fi Enabled Railway Station

Bangalore City railway station has become the first one in the country to have Wi-Fi facility for providing high speed internet to passenger.

India’s First Solar Water Project : Nagaland on June 13, 2014 got an innovative water solution technology project solar powered water treatment units (Solar water treatment plants) in three villages of the State Capital.

North East’s First Kissan Call Centre

First Kissan Call Centre (KCC) of North East was opened on March 9, 2015 in Agartala, Tripura.

First National Handloom Day The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi launched the first National Handloom Day on August 7, 2015 at a national level function in Chennai.

India’s largest flag with tallest flagpole

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on January 23, 2016 hoisted the largest flag of the country atop the tallest pole at Pahari Mandir in Ranchi, Jharkhand.

India’s First e-Vidhan Mobile app Virbhadra Singh, the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh on March 30, 2015 launched part one of e-Vidhan Mobile app.

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India’s First Nuclear Armed Submarine

India’s first indigenous nuclear powered submarine INS Arihant is all set to be inducted in the armed forces. After fitting out and extensive sea trials, on February 23, 2016, she was confirmed as ready for operations.

India’s First Indigenous Anti-Submarine Warship

India’s first indigenous anti-submarine warship (ASW) Indian Naval Ship (INS) Kamoria was handed over to the Indian Navy by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata on July 12, 2014.

India’s First Solar Ferry A 75 seater solar powered passenger ferry the first of its kind in the country is quietly taking shape at Aroor in Alappuzha District, Kerala.

India’s First Electric Smart Scooter Ather S340 is the India’s ever electric smart scooter

India’s first 24 hour television channel dedicated to Farmers

DD Kissan is an Indian agriculture 24 hour television channel, which is owned by Doordarshan and was launched on May 26, 2015.

Vehicle Tracking System Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) has become the first State transport corporation to have a vehicle tracking system for intercity buses, which has led to a reduction in accidents and deaths as drivers are wary of crossing the speed limits.

Navigational satellite IRNSS 1G launched

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Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) on 28 April 2016 launched India’s seventh navigation satellite of the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS 1G) into a Sub-Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (Sub-GTO) on-board PSLV-C33. IRNSS-1G IRNSS-1G is the seventh navigation satellite of the seven satellites constituting the IRNSS space segment. Its predecessors, IRNSS-1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E and 1F were launched by PSLV-C22, PSLV-C24, PSLV-C26, PSLV-C27, PSLV-C31 and PSLV-C32 in July 2013, April 2014, October 2014, March 2015, January 2016 and March 2016 respectively. NAVIC The Prime Minister Narendra Modi who congratulated ISRO for the launch termed the system as NAVIC (Navigate with Indian Constellation). This launch also made into the selected nations that have their own GPS (Global Positioning System) or navigation system. The other select countries in the league includes

• US Air Force owns Global Positioning System (GPS) • Russia owns GLONASS

• China owns BeiDou, which is expanding into a global system. It is also operated by its military.

• Europe - GALILEO is a civil global system

175 nations signed historic Paris climate agreement 175 nations of the world on 22 April 2016 signed the historic Paris Agreement on Climate Change at the UN headquarters in New York, US. From India, Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar signed the historic Paris climate agreement. When was Paris Agreement adopted?

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Conference of the Parties 21 (COP 21) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) on 12 December 2015 adopted the Paris Agreement on Climate Change which was attended by 192 parties. Objectives: The primary objective of the protocol is to limit the global average temperature to well below 2 °C above pre-industrial levels. Pulitzer Prize The Pulitzer Prize is an award for achievements in newspaper and online journalism, literature, and musical composition in the United States. It was established in 1917 by provisions in the will of Joseph Pulitzer who had made his fortune as a newspaper publisher, and is administered by Columbia University in New York City. G7 Foreign Ministers’ meet adopt Hiroshima Declaration The two-day G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held from 10 April to 11 April 2016 ended in Hiroshima. Global security, the refugee crisis and political instability were focal points of the meet.

The meeting ended with adoption of Hiroshima Declaration, a joint communique, and two other statements on nonproliferation and maritime security.

The adoption of four statements reflected global concerns including terrorism; maritime security in the South China Sea, North Korea’s escalating provocations, and the G-7 members’ commitment to work toward a world without nuclear weapons.

Japan successfully tested its first stealth fighter X-2 jet

Japan on 22 April 2016 successfully tested the first stealth fighter jet. With this, the country joins a select group of world military powers wielding the radar-dodging technology. The domestically developed single-pilot prototype X-2 jet took off from Nagoya airport in central Japan on its maiden test fight. It safely landed at Gifu air base, north of Nagoya airport, after a 25-minute fight with no particular problems.

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BRICS Development Bank approved first set of loans for renewable energy The New Development Bank (NDB), formerly referred to as the BRICS Development Bank, on 16 April 2016 approved its first set of loans valued at 811 million US dollars. The loan will be used by four BRICS countries namely Brazil, India, China and South Africa to create 2370 MW of renewable energy capacity. Sahapedia, India’s first online interactive portal, launched Sahapedia: The Union Government on 23 April 2016 launched Sahapedia.org, India’s first online interactive portal on the cultural heritage of the country. The online portal aims at educating the people of India about its various traditions, visual arts, performing arts, literature and languages. The portal is accessible to all and is a strong initiative towards the digitisation and research on the traditional art forms of India and their importance in the modern era. Rajiv Gandhi Khel Abhiyaan merged with Khelo India The Union Government in the third week of April 2016 has merged Rajiv Gandhi Khel Abhiyan (RGKA), launched by the UPA government, with the Khelo India programme for development of sports. Two other sport projects, Urban Sports Infrastructure Scheme (USIS) and National Sports Talent Search Scheme (NSTSS), launched by the Congress-led UPA regime have also been absorbed under Khelo India. Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) Network A personal rapid transit (PRT) network is made up of small automated vehicles running at close intervals on a guide way with docking stations for passengers to get on and get off. While a pod can accommodate up to five people, there is also an option to hire an entire pod that will take a passenger straight to the destination, skipping the scheduled stops. The average speed of the pods is 60kmph.

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Europe became world’s first region to end malaria: WHO The World Health Organization (WHO) on 20 April 2016 announced that the European Region became the first in the world to have achieved interruption of indigenous malaria transmission. The number of indigenous malaria cases in the region dropped from 90712 in 1995 to zero cases in 2015. SpaceX successfully landed its rocket on a floating drone ship for the first time American aerospace company SpaceX on 9 April 2016 achieved the historic feat of successfully launching and landing Falcon 9 rocket. The rocket landed on a drone ship at sea after being launched into space. Gujarat government announced 10 percent reservation for EBCs in general category Gujarat government on 28 April 2016 announced 10 percent reservation for economically backward classes (EBCs) in general category. PoochhO Carpool app to help people during odd-even scheme launched Delhi government on 12 April 2016 launched PoochhO Carpool app to help people explore carpooling options during the 15-day exercise during the odd-even car-rationing scheme. Haryana government decided to rename Gurgaon as Gurugram and Mewat as Nuh Haryana Government on 12 April 2016 decided to rename Gurgaon as Gurugram and Mewat as Nuh. Foundation stone laid for first Horticulture University in Haryana

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Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister, Radha Mohan Singh, on 6 April 2016 laid the foundation stone of Haryana State University of Horticultural Sciences at Karnal, Haryana. Odisha Government launched Adarsh Vidyalaya project The Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on 5 April 2016 launched Odisha Adarsh Vidyalaya (OAV) project at Sasan Ambagaon village in his home constituency Hinjli in Ganjam district. The project seeks to provide modern schools on the lines of Kendriya Vidyalayas in the underdeveloped rural areas of the State. Bhubaneswar Smart City Limited, India’s first SPV on smart city, started India’s first special purpose vehicle (SPV) on smart city - Bhubaneswar Smart City Limited - commenced operations on 1 April 2016. The SPV was set up as per the Smart City Mission Guidelines to enable faster execution of projects by delegating to them powers of various concerned departments and agencies. Incidentally, Bhubaneswar also topped the 1st batch of 20 smart cities list that was released by the Union Ministry of Urban Development on 28 January 2016. India’s first Aadhaar enabled ATM launched by DCB Bank DCB Bank on 3 April 2016 launched an Aadhaar-based Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) usage facility wherein a customer can transact using his biometric details instead of the PIN. The step is first of its kind in India.

India to host 2018 Commonwealth Judo Championships

The Judo Federation of India (JFI) on 25 April 2016 announced that India has been allotted the Commonwealth Judo Championships 2018. This will be the first time that Commonwealth Judo Championships will be held in India. The Championships will be held in Jaipur. However, the dates are yet to be finalized.

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Muisne

A province of Esmeraldas Ecuador in South America continent was the epicenter of the earthquake of magnitude 7.8 on Richter scale that struck at a depth of 19.2 km. The powerful quake that rocked the country has claimed lives of at least 413 people and around 2000 were injured. The quake was the largest quake in Ecuador since the 1979 Tumaco earthquake and the worst since the 1949 Ambato earthquake. National Museum of Natural History: Delhi-based National Museum was in news as it caught fire destroying many of the museum’s exhibits. The cause of fire is still unknown though the fire spread because of museum specimens and the wood work holding them. It was established in 1972 as part of the celebration of the 25th year of India’s independence. It was opened in 1978. Indo-Mongolia Joint Military Exercise, Nomadic Elephant – 2016, commenced The 11th Indo-Mongolia joint training Exercise, titled ‘Nomadic Elephant - 2016’ commenced on 25 April 2016 in Mongolia. The exercise aims at promoting military associations between India and Mongolia will culminate on 8 May 2016. For the first time the Nomadic Elephant exercise was held in 2004. INS Karmuk Corvette participated in Indo-Thai Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT) Indian Missile Corvette, INS Karmuk along with a Dornier Maritime Patrol Aircraft participated in the 22nd Indo-Thai Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT) on 25 April 2016 in the Andaman Sea. India’s indigenously built Missile Corvette is based at the Andaman and Nicobar Command. Indian Air Force to participate in Red Flag exercise Indian Air Force (IAF) will participate in Red Flag air exercise along with US, NATO and allied forces that are scheduled to be conducted from 28 April to 13 May 2016 in Alaska.

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This is the second time that India is participating in such an exercise after 2008. The Red Flag exercises, held periodically at the Nellis Air Force Base since 1975, is advanced aerial combat training exercise. Red Flag – Alaska is a successor to the previous COPE THUNDER exercise series in the Western Pacific and Alaska. National Summit on Family Planning 2016 concluded in New Delhi The National Summit on Family Planning concluded on 5 April 2016 in New Delhi. The summit was held for two days with the theme New Choices, New Horizons. 24 April-30 April : Observed as the World Immunization Week. Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s statue to be installed in France A statue of Maharaja Ranjit Singh will be installed in France’s Saint-Tropez town on 17 September 2016. The town is the birth place of Maharaja’s Army General Jean-Francois Allard. It was a moment of pride for India on April 28, 2016 when the wax statue of the extremely popular Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi arrived at the Madame Tussauds at Baket Street, London from Delhi.

Railway Ministry Launches e-Enabled Application, PMIS To Monitor Railway Projects Union Railway Minister, Mr. Suresh Prabhu on May 3, 2016 launched e-enabled application, Project Management & Information System (PMIS) at Rail Bhawan in New Delhi. The application will be use for proper throughout the country.

India And Germany Sign Agreement On Namami Gange Programme An implementation agreement for Ganga rejuvenation under the Namami Gange Programme was signed in New Delhi on April 13, 2016 between the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development Ganga Rejuvenation and the German International Cooperation (GIZ) of Germany.

First Time In 38 Years, Cruise From A US Port Leaves For Cuba

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Passengers set sail on May 1, 2016 from Mimai on a historic cruise to Cuba, the first in decades to depart from a US seaport for the communist island nation. Carnival Corp’s 704-passenger Adonia left port, bound for Havana. President nominates six eminent members to Rajya Sabha President Mr. Pranab Mukherjee an April 23, 2016 nominated six eminent members to Rajya Sabha as per the provisions of Article 80 of the Constituti9on. These nominated members are - legendary boxer and Olympic Bronze medallist Ms. Mary Kom; renowned economist Mr. Swapan Dasgupta; Malayalam actor Suresh Gopi, Writer Jadav, Mr. Subramanian Swamy; and cricketer-turned-politican Mr. Navjot Singh Sidhu. Justice (Retd.) Permod Kohil takes over as Chairman of CAT: Justice (Retd.) Permod Kohil took over as the chairman of the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT). Indian Army conducts ‘Shatrujeet’ battle exercise in Rajasthan: Indian Army conducted major battle exercise named ‘Shatrujeet’ in Rajasthan. Aimed at sharpening the army’s deep-strike capabilities in enemy territory, the exercise saw the participation of over 30,000 soldiers. Panagarh airbase renamed after former IAF chief Arijan Singh: Panagarth Air Force Base of West Bengal was renamed as Air Force Station Arjan Singh on April 16, 2016. Solar-Powered plane completes journey across Pacific Ocean: A solar-powered airplane on a mission to fly around the world landed in California on April 23, 2016, completing a risky, three-ay flight across a great expanse of the Pacific Ocean. Pilot Bertrand Piccard landed the Solar Impulse 2 following a 62-hour, nonstop solo flight from Hawaii without fuel. Books and Authors Endurance: My year in Space and Our Journey to Mars to be written by Scott Kelly.

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The Kiss of Life: How a Superhero and My son defeated Cancer, by Emraan Hashmi. The Making of India: The untold story of British Enterprises, by Kartar Lalvani.

• Cartosat-2C is India’s high-resolution, earth observation satellite weighting around 700 kilograms.

• Shaktiman, the police horse whose left hind leg was shattered when it was allegedly attacked during a BJP rally here last month, died.

• Shikara (boat) Festival at the Dal Lake in Srinagar.

• In Telangana, m-Wallet reveals your e-Challans Drivers across Telangana will be able to see on their smartphones, whether they have fallen afoul of road rules. All they have to do is get the Telangana Transport Department’s ‘m-Wallet’ app. The initiative will remove the uncertainty for a vehicle driver, if he has jumped the red light or violated the law on other simple counts.

• The Republic of Nauru, a tiny South Pacific island nation in Pacific Ocean becomes 189th member of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.

• 175 nations, including India sign the historic Paris Climate Agreement

at United Nations Headquarters in New York, marking a significant step to combat global warming.

• In a first of its kind for any state in India, Maharashtra Governor C Vidyasagar Rao launches Adi Praman, a web based application for enabling Maharashtra’s tribal population to get the caste validity certificate online.

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• Actor Kamal Hasan received Henry Long Louis Award from France for his contribution in cinema

• Col. Nijamuddin – Oldest Man in the world, he was the car driver of Netaji

• First Bullet train to be run from Mumbai to Ahmedabad under the sea near Thane Creek

• Laghu Udyog Samachar is seasonal journal published by MSME Department

• First Kerosene free city – Chandigarh

• Khongjam Day – Manipur

• Indira Awas Yojana Scheme for home to poor people is being renamed as Gramin Awas Yojana by the Central Government

• First women speaker of Vietnam – Nguyen Thi Kin Ngan

• Ninth president of Vietnam – Tran Dai Quang

• Miss India 2016 – Priyadarsini Chatterji (Assom)

• Japan’s ‘The Order of Rising Sun Gold and Silver Star Award’ – N.K. Singh

• Saudi Arabia’s King Abdulaziz Sash Award – Narendra Modi

• Tamilnadu first in food production

• Anusya Sri – First Transgender from Tamilnadu who competed in election from Madurai South constituency for Hindu People’s Party

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CURRENT AFFAIRS MAY – 2016

The Man Booker Prize

• The Man Booker Prize was established in 1969.

• The Man Booker Prize is the leading literary award in the English speaking world.

• The winner receives 50000 pound as well as the 2500 pound awarded to each of the shortlisted authors.

• Both the winner and the shortlisted authors are guaranteed a worldwide readership plus an increase in book sales.

• It has brought recognition, reward and readership to outstanding fiction for over four decades.

Enda Kenny re-elected as Prime Minister of Ireland Taoiseach Enda Kenny was re-elected as Prime Minister of Ireland on 6 May 2016. Modi, Maithripala Sirisena released ‘Simhastha Declaration’ in Ujjain The Prime Minister along with Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on 14 May 2016 released ‘Simhastha Declaration’ at Ninora village in Ujjain. Both leaders addressed the concluding session of the 3 day International Vichar Mahakumbh for the month-long Simhastha Mela. Sri Lankan President Sirisena was on a two day visit to India from 13 May to 15 May 2016. 51 sacred points have been included in this declaration for betterment of mankind and these elixir points will start new discourse for India and the world. Railway Ministry launched e-enabled application, PMIS to monitor Railway projects

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Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu on 3 May 2016 launched e-enabled application, Project Management & Information System (PMIS) at Rail Bhawan in New Delhi. The application will used for proper monitoring of all the Railway projects throughout the country. Islamic Development Bank announced to open its first branch in India at Ahmedabad Islamic Development Bank (IDB) in May 2016 announced to open its first branch in India at Ahmedabad, Gujarat. IDB is headquartered at Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Islamic Development Bank

• The Islamic Development Bank is an international financial institution was established in 1975.

• It was established in pursuance of the Declaration of Intent issued by the Conference of Finance Ministers of Muslim Countries held in Jeddah in December 1973.

• IDB’s main objective is to foster the economic development and social progress of member countries as well as the Muslim community in accordance with principles of Shariah (Islamic law).

• The bank has 56 Islamic countries as its members. Scientists discover a new property of Light based on Angular Momentum The discovery was made while passing light through crystals. During this process scientists spotted this unexpected new property of light, which is based on the concept called ‘angular momentum’. DMRC conducts trial run of India’s first ever Driverless Metro train

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on 18 May 2016 conducted the trial run of India’s first ever Metro train equipped to run in the driverless mode.

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Odisha to launch Green Passage Scheme for orphan students The Odisha Government on 17 May 2016 decided to launch Green Passage Scheme for orphan students. The scheme will ensure that the orphan students get free of cost higher education in the state. Himachal Pradesh launched PEHAL programme for Shimla district Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh on 22 May 2016 launched the PEHAL programme for the district of Shimla. The objective of the programme is to identify certain thrust areas that have a direct bearing on the lives of the people in the district. Under the PEHAL, 5 focus areas were identified by the district administration for development. They are –

1. Primary Education

2. Forest Rights 3. Health and Sanitation

4. Campaign against drugs and skill development

5. Women Empowerment

Lt Gen DB Shekatkar Committee on defence spending constituted The Union Government on 20 May 2016 constituted a committee of experts on defence spending. The 11-member committee will be headed by Lt Gen DB Shekatkar (retd) and include top military officers and civilian experts. NK Singh committee formed to review and give recommendations on FRBM roadmap

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The Union Government on 17 May 2016 constituted a five member committee to comprehensively review and give recommendations on the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) roadmap for the future. Prakash Singh panel submits report on Jat quota agitation Prakash Singh committee on Jat quota agitation on 13 May 2016 submitted its report to Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar. H R Nagendra Committee on Yoga Education in Universities submitted its recommendations The Union Government on 5 May 2016 announced that the H.R. Nagendra Committee on Yoga Education in Universities has recommended seven programmes for implementation in universities. Supreme Court appointed RM Lodha-panel to reform Medical Council of India

The Supreme Court of India on 2 May 2016 appointed a three-member panel headed by former Chief Justice of India (CJI) RM Lodha to oversee the functions of the Medical Council of India. It is the regulator of medical profession and education in India. Pulgaon Ammunition Depot: It is located 110 km from Nagpur and it is the largest ammunition centre in India. It was in news as a massive fire broke out at the depot on 31 May 2016. This has led to an extraordinary number of deaths and injuries to army personnel. Coochbehar district: It is a district of West Bengal. It came into news as 51 enclavedwellers of this district voted for first time since Independence. These enclaves formally became part of Indian Union with the execution of Land Border Agreement, 1974 between the two countries at midnight of 31 July 2015.

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ROANU: It’s the name of a cyclonic storm that struck the coast of Eastern India and Bangladesh in May 2016 leaving a trail of destruction in terms of both life and property. A Call to Mercy: Hearts to Love, Hands to Serve: The book was authored by Mother Teresa. The book is a collection of previously unreleased writings by Mother Teresa. The book was compiled by the Rev. Brian Kolodiejchuk, who has led the case for Mother Teresa’s sainthood. United Nations World Humanitarian Summit concluded The United Nations World Humanitarian Summit concluded on 24 May 2016 in Istanbul, Turkey. Indian short film ‘Beti’ to be screened at Seattle International Film Festival Beti is a four minute documentary film on girl child education from India. It was invited for special screening at the 42nd Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF), Washington DC. India’s first integrated web portal to promote Net Zero Energy Buildings launched Union Power Ministry and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) launched India’s first integrated web portal on 27 May 2016. The portal (www.nzeb.in) was designed to promote and mainstream Net Zero Energy Buildings (NZEB) in India. The portal, first-of-its kind in India, will help to achieve near-zero energy status through the use of efficient lighting and equipment, integration of renewable energy technologies, and best practice design strategies.

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World’s oldest ground-edge stone axe found in Australia Australian archaeologists on 11 May 2016 announced that they have discovered a piece of the world’s oldest axe. The axe was discovered in the remote Kimberley region of Western Australia. The axe fragment is about the size of a thumbnail and dates back to a Stone Age period of 45000 to 49000 years ago. Asia’s first Rice Technology Park to be established in Gangavati The Karnataka Government in the first week of May 2016 decided to establish Asia’s first-ever Rice Technology Park at Gangavati, the Rice Bowl of Karnataka. Besides, a Maize Technology Park will also be established at Ranebennur in Haveri district. Others

• He became the first Indian to play top-tier European football league match - Gurpreet Singh Sandhu

• He was named as the Ceat International Cricketer of the Year and also International Batsman of the Year 2016- Joe Root

• The Nepali soldier won the world’s highest marathon on Mount Everest is - Bed Bahadur Sunuwar

• The country that declared the launch of first quantum communication through a satellite in the world – China

• This State Government launched the Smart Villages programme to improve public facilities in rural areas – Gujarat

• India’s first ever Passenger Satisfaction Survey was conducted at -the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport

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• As per the World Health Statistics 2016, the life expectancy for children born in India in 2015 – 68.3 years

• In this city Apple Inc. will be setting up an iOS App Design and Development Accelerator – Bengaluru

• A new ground-based missile defense system was launched by the USA in this European country – Romania

• The city declared as the world’s most polluted in terms of air quality is - Zabol

• The Union Government has declared a day as National Dengue Day -May 16

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CAPEEX: Cloud Aerosol Interaction and Precipitation Enhancement Experiment: CAIPEEX, a technique to understand the rain formation in clouds and the impact of Randomized Could Seeding, was in news in May 2016 when Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) was reported to be putting its effort in understanding the rain formation in clouds through this research program. MEDICINES WITH THE RED LINE: Medicines with the Red Line is a Public awareness campaign launched by the Union Government to curb irrational use of antibiotics. India led the way so far with its idea of a ‘Red Line Campaign’ for antibiotics packaging. The campaign is named so as it is mandated that all prescription only drugs should be marked with a vertical red line on the pack. RAIL WIRE: It is an initiative of the RailTel to make ICT available for common man. The term was in the news in May 2016 when Google launched free public Wi-Fi service at 5 railway stations as part of it. RailWire is an initiative of the RailTel Corporation of India Limited (RailTel) which is a Union Government’s enterprise. The main motto of the RailTel is to make available information and communications technology (ICT) to Common Man and Internet, Education and Health Services to Masses which included masses in remote areas. SOCIAL FRIDGE SCHEME: It is the name of a scheme started during Europe’s economic crisis to feed the needy ones. The term was in the recent news in May 2016 when Argentina adopted it to feed the needy ones who are facing the hardship due to increase in job cuts and inflation in the country. It is called so because people leave food in outdoor “social fridges” for those who need it. The fridges typically stand on the sidewalk outside restaurants.

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3MAY: World Press Freedom Day: 10 MAY: World Migratory Bird Day: MAY 11: National Technology Day: National Technology Day was celebrated across India on 11 May 2016 with the theme of ‘Technology enablers of Startup India. MAY 17: World Telecommunication and Information social Society Day: 17 MAY: World Hypertension Day: 22 MAY: International Day for Biological Diversity: 29 MAY: International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers: INITITIVES/PROGRAMMES/POLICIES World Bank Launches Pandemic Emergency Finance Facility: The World Bank, in May 2016, Launched Pandemic Emergency Finance Facility (FEP) to help countries and health agencies fight deadly disease outbreaks. FEB is a financing mechanism designed to quickly mobilize funds to tackle globals disease outbreaks and create a new insurance market for pandemic risk. It was unveiled at the G-7 Finance Ministers Summit held in Ise-Shima, Japan.

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Cabinet Gives Nod For Incorporation of Six New IITs: The Union Cabinet, on 25 May 2016, its 1961 for incorporation of 6 new IITs. This amendment will declare these 6 IITs as the institutions of national importance Six new IITs will come up at: Tirupati (Andhra Pradesh), Palakkad (Kerala). Dharwar (Karnataka), Bhilai (Chhattisgarh), Goa, Jammu (Jammu and Kashmir). Government Launchess Safety Feature Rich Nirbhaya Buses in Rajasthan: Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on 25 May 2016 launched 20 Nirbhaya buses of Rajasthan State Transport Corporation (RSTC). These buses are fitted with multiple safety measures to better protect women passengers. Lakshdweep Becomes First Ut to Sign 24x7 Power for All Document: Lakshadweeo on 27 May, 2016 signed 24x7 Power for All Document, becoming the first Union Territory (UT) to sign the document which aims to provide each household access to electricity through 24x7 Power supply by 2019. Power to All is a joint initiative of union Government with respective State Governments for preparation of State specific documents for providing 24x7 power supply to all households /homes, industrial & commercial consumers and adequate supply of power to Agricultural consumers as per state policy. Union HRD Minister Launches Bharatavani Portal: The Union Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Smriti Zubin Irani on 25 May 2016 launched the multilingual knowledge portal www.bharatvani.in at Lucknow. With its launch, Bharatavani became the largest online repository of dictionaries in India. The portal has been launched in 22 scheduled languages, which eventually will be extended to 100 more languages. It will help the government to showcase the Indian culture and heritage to the world.

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Kiran Bedi: President Pranab Mukherjee, in May 2016, appointed BIP leader and former IPS officer Kiran Bedi as the Lieutenant Governor (LG) of Puducherry as per Article 239 of the Constitution. Anuragthakur: Anurag Thakur was, in May 2016, unanimously elected as President of BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) by the board’s special general meeting (SGM) held in Mumbai. Shashank Manohar: Veteran cricket administrator Shashank Manohar was, in May 2016, elected unopposed as ICC’s (International Cricket Council) first independent Chairman. Craig Wright: Australian entrepreneur and computer scientist Craig Wright, in May 2016, publicly identified him self as creator of virtual currency Bitcoin. He claimed that he is the real person behind the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto, the creator of Bitcoin which was launched in 2009. Satoshi Nakamoto’s Online case system work in 2009 was the key for creation of the online case system, but he remained anonymous and his work has since stopped. Bitcoin is a virtual currency that is unregulated by any central bank or government, but still works for purchasing goods and services from retailers willing to willing to accept it. DADAAB: The Kenyan Government, in May 2016, decided to close Dadaab refugee camp which is often referred to as the world’s largest refugee camp over the issue national security. 2016 Scholastic Asian Book Award: Aditi Krishnakumar, an Indian woman author in Singapore, in May 2016, won the ‘Scholastic Asian Book Award’ for her 32000 – word manuscript “Codex: Best Indian Destination for Wildlife Award:

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Madhya Pradesh Tourism (MPT), on 9 May 2016, received the Best Indian Destination for Wildlife Award from the Lonely Planet Group. Commonwealth Short Story Prize: Indian Parashar Kulkarni, in May 2016, won the Commonwealth short Story Prize for 2016, for the Asia region for his politically grounded unpublished short fiction ‘Cow and Company’. Fukuoka Prize 2016: Renowned Indian music composer AR Rahman was on 30 May 2016 awarded with the Japan’s Fukuoka prize 2016 for his outstanding contribution towards creating, preserving and showcasing South Asian traditional fusion music. Highest us Teaching Award for Indian American Teacher: Indian-American biotechnologist Rupa Iyer was, on 19 May 2016, awarded with the University of Houston’s Distinguished Leadership in Teaching Excellence Award, the highest teaching award of United States, IAF Hall of Fame Award: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) announced on 14 May 2016 that noted space scientist Udupi Ramachandra Rao (U.R. Rao) will be honoured with the International Astronautical Federation Hall of Fame Award for 2016. Man Booker International Prize: South Korean author, Han Kang, on 16 May 2016 won the 2016 Man Booker International Prize for her novel “The vegetarian’. Millennium Technology Prize: Technology Academy Finland (TAF) on 24 May 2016 declared American innovator Frances Arnold as winner of the 2016 Millenium Technology Prize. She has become the first women to win the prize. WSIS 2016 Prize:

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The agriculture project Harita-Priya of Andhra Pradesh on 3 May 2016 won the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) 2016 prize in e-Agriculture category. BOOKS & AUTHORS The Unseen Indira Gandhi: by Dr KP Mathur: My Favourite Nature Stories: by Ruskin Bond The Drowned Detective: by Neil Jordan: India VS. Pakistan: Why Can’t we just be Friends?: Husain Haqqani: REPORTS/SURVEYS India Emerges As 5th Largest Producer op E-Waste in World: As per the ASSOCHAM –KPMG joint study that was published on 25 May 2016, India has emerged as the fifth largest producer of e-waste in the world. World Health Statistics 2016: Monitoring Health for the SDGs: The World Health Organization on 19 May 2016 released the World Health Statistics 2016: Monitoring Health for the SDGs. As per the statistics, life expectancy increased by 5 years since 2000, but major inequalities persist within and among countries. Global life expectancy for children born in 2015 was 71.4 years (73.8 years for females and 69.1 years for males), while in India it was 68.3 (66.9 for average lifespan of 86.8 years, women in Japan can expect to live the longest. Switzerland enjoys the longest average survival for men, at 81.3 years. People in Sierra Leone have the world’s lowest life-expectancy for both sexes: 50.8 years for women and 49.3 years for men. World’s Largest Single Rooftop Solar Power Plant Inaugrated in Amritsar:

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World’s largest single rooftop solar power plant with capacity of 11.5 Mega Watt (MW) was inaugurated at Dera Baba Jaimal Singh at Beas, in Amritsar, Punjab, in 18 May 2016. UP Government Approves Bicycle Highway Between Taj and Lion Safari: The Uttar Pradesh government on 11 May 2016 gave its nod to develop nearly 200-km long bicycle highway from Agra to the lion safari in Etawah. Australian Researchers Buld World’s First Scanning Helium Microscope: Australian researchers from the University of Newcastle, in May 2016, announced to have built the world’s first scanning helium microscope (SHeM). SHeM will enable scientists to study human, animal and plant samples, as well as pharmaceutical drugs and computer chips in their true state. It is expected to provide new insights into structures at a microscopic level. It will be useful in major industries such as solar energy. Defence, explosives and information technology. SHeM possesses very high source brightness and the short De Broglie Wavelength of the helium ions. Cancers-Causing Chemical Founds in Bread Samples From Delhi: A new study conducted by Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) on 24 May 2016 claimed presence of possible cancer-causing chemical-po-tassium bromated (KbrO3) and potassium iodate (KIO3)- in bread sold in Delhi. India Successfully Test Fires Ashwin: India, on 15 May 2016, successfully test fired the indigenously developed Advanced Air Defence Interceptor missile, Ashwin, from Abdul Kalam Island (formerly known as Wheeler Island) off Odisha coast. India’s First Reusable Space Shuttle Launched: Indian Space Organisation (ISRO), on 23 May 2016, successfully launched its maiden indigenous winged Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) from Sri-Vehicle – Technology Demonstrator (RLV-TD) is considered as a first step towards realizing a TWO To Orbit (TSTO) fully reusable vehicle. It can put satellites into orbit around earth and then re-enter atmosphere. It is very similar to the US space shuttle. RLV has been built at the Vikram Sarabhai

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Space Centre in Thiruvanathapuram by a team of 600 scientists over five years. Scientists Develop World’s Smallest Engine: A group of researchers from University of Combridge, in May 2016, built the world’s smallest working engine—ANTs, or Actuating Nano-Transducers Scientists Genetically Engineer World’s First Zika Virus Infectious CDNA Clone: A multidisciplinary research team from the University of Tecxas Medical Branch (UTMB), on 13 May 2016, announced to have genetically engineered world’s first clone of the Zika virus strain. World’s First Robot Lawyer Hired by US Law Firm: US-based law from Baker Hostetler in May 2016 hired the word’s first robot lawyer ROSS to assist the company and its various teams in legal research. The law firm will licence artificial lawyer ROSS for use in its Bank-ruptcy, Restructuring and Creditors’ Rights team. ROSS has been built by ROSS Intelligence and is built upon IBM cognitive computer Watson. With the subbort of Watson’s, lawyers can ask ROSS their research question. The ROSS reads through the law, gather evidence, draws inferences and returns highly relevant, evidence-based answers. Cook Becomes Youngest Cricketer to Score 10000 Test Runs: England cricket captain Alastair Cook on 30 May 2016 became youngest Cricketer to score 10000 test runs. French Open 2016 Title Winner Men’s Singles Novak Djokovic (Serbia) Women’s Singles

Garbine Muguruza (Spain)

Mixed Doubles Leander Paes (India) and Martina Hingis (Switzerland)

Others Sports 2016 Asia Kabaddi Championship Cup:

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Defending Champion Pakistan on 6 May 2016 defeated India by 19 points to win the Asian Kabaddi Championship 2016 (Circle Style) that was held at Wah Cantonment in Pakistan. World’s Largest Blue Diamond Fetiches $57.5 Million The World’s largest blue diamond, known as “The Openheimer Blue”, was sold to a private collector at Christie’s in Geneva. Government e-Marketplace The Finance Ministry on May 6, 2016 gave its green light to creation of ‘Government e-Marketpalce for online purchase of commonly used goods and services by various central government ministries and departments. Touch Screen: The touch screen is a computer display that responds to human touch. A user gives command by touching the pictures, icons or words on the screen with his fingers instead of typing commands or using the mouse to select them. Sonowal Takes Oath As Chief Minister: The former Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports (Minister of State: Independent Charge) Sarbanand Sonowal was sworn in is the 14th Chief Minister of Assam. Pinarayi Takes Charge As Kerala Chief Minister: The Left Democratic Front (LDF) Government led by CPI(M) Polit Bureau member Pinarayi Vijayan assumed office as Kerala Chief Minister. World’s Longest and Deepest Rail Tunnel Opens In Switzerland The world’s longest and deepest rail tunnel was officially opened in Switzerland on June 1, 2016, after almost two decades of construction work. The 57 –km twin-bore Gotthard Base Tunnel will provide a high-speed rail link under the Swiss Alps between northern and southern Europe. Barack Obama-First US President to Visit Hiroshima Bomb Site

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Us President Mr. Barack Obama on May 27, 2016 became the first sitting US President to visit Hiroshima memorial, the site of the world’s first atomic bomb attack, bringing global attention both to survivors and to his unfulfilled vision of a world without nuclear weapons. US Navy Tests World’s Largest Unmanned Surface Vessel The US Navy on May 2, 2016 tested the world’s largest unmanned surface vessel named Sea Hunter in San Diego. Kenya to Close Dadaab, World’s Biggest Refugee Camp The Kenyan Government on May 11, 2016 announced that it would close Dadaab refugee camp. The camp, which is home to 3,30,000 Somali refugees, is often referred to as the world’s largest camp. 27th India-Indonesia Corpat concludes in Belawan The 27th edition of India-Indonesian CORPAT (Coordinated Patrol) was conducted from April 29 to May 19, 2016 in Belawan, Indonesia. New gene linked to Multiple-Sclerosis discovered Researchers have discovered a gene involved in deregulation of certain immune cells in the neurological disease Multiple Sclerosis. The new study showed that the gene known as ANKRD55 produces three different transcripts of the messenger RNA, and that the genetic variant associated with MS greatly increases the production of these transcripts. Brown Bears Sighted for the first time in Kargil after 1999 War The J&K Wildlife Department in 2016 spotted a group of eight Himalayan brown bears in Kargil’s Drass Sector. These brown bears were last seen in the zone, which is their natural habitat, before the 1999 Kargil War. The eight bears comprised three adult females and five growth-up cubs and were seen in Drass area of Ladakh with mountain ranges of 16,000 to 21,000 feet. They are listed among the vulnerable animals list of the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. China bug Chan’s Megastick declared world’s longest insect The Insect Museum of West China on May 5, 2016 announced that a stick insect measuring 62.4 centimeters has broken the record for length among the world’s 8,07,625 known insects.

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India Biodiversity Award 2016 Pakke Tiger Reserve in East Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh has won the ‘India Biodiversity Award 2016’. Yugkavi Siddhicharan Prize Sikkim Chief Minister Mr. Pawan Chamling was on May 22, 2016 conferred the Yugkavi Siddhicharan Prize by Nepal Prime Minister Mr.K.P. Sharma Oli. Harappa-like site surfaces in Tamil Nadu A massive scale of an ancient urban centre that lies buried at Pallisanthai Thidal in Sivaganga district of Tamil Nadu is emerging. The second phase of the work undertaken by excavation branch VI, Bangalore, of the Archaeological Survey of India suggests that the settlement at Keeladi village could be as large as the ones in Harappa and Mohen-jo-Daro. The excavations reveal a well-built urban centre with many amenities. Dial 112 for any Emergency throughout India from January 1, 2017 112, the single emergency number that will help people to reach immediate services of police, ambulance and fire department will be operational throughout India from January 1, 2017. UK’s First Baby Born Using Next-Generation DNA Sequencng Method The United Kingdom’s first baby named Biagio Russo was born in Oxford using Next-generation DNA Sequencing (NGS) method. 20 Guinness world records in 26 years Har Parkash Rishi, who claims to have set more that 20 records, now calls himself Guinnes Rishi. Ohio zoo puts down gorilla to save boy who fell into moat The Cincinnati Zoo in Ohio CRITICALLY ENDANGERED: Harambe, the 17-year-old gorilla that was killed at the Cincinnati Zoo. The Hindu registers 20% growth in circulation The Hindu has registered a 20 per cent growth in circulation over a six month period in 2015, retaining its position as the second-largest circulated

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English daily, according to figures released by the Audit Bureasu of Circulation (ABC) on Monday. In the same period, the figures for the third-largest circulated Hindustan Times stood at 1, 166,382, and 1,301,139. The Times of India went up from 3,049,920 to 3,057,678 in the same period. New drug synthesized to fight skin cancer Scientist in France have synthesized a new drug, known as HA15, that they say can treat melanoma, a highly aggressive form of skin cancer. Which active tropical cyclone in the Bay of Bengal hit the eastern coast of India in May 2016, becoming the first tropical cyclone of the annual cylone Season? -Roanu

• 15TH International Tamil Internet conference going to be held in

Gandhi Gram Rural University (Dindigul) in September, 2016

• Pro-Term speaker of 15th Tamilnadu Legislative Assembly – S.

Semmalai

• First discharge-free rail from Manamadurai to Rameswaram -

Stepping up efforts to make rail tracks discharge free zones, Indian

Railway will convert the nearly 114 km route between Rameswaram

and Manamadurai in Tamil Nadu into a green corridor and zero toilet

discharge section. A zero toilet discharge section envisages all trains

passing on that particular route would have bio-toilets which

eliminate open discharge of waste on the tracks. There are about 14

stations between Rameswaram and Manamadurai and about 16

passenger trains use the track in a day.

• In a first, Kerala Governor has cast his vote during Kerala Assembly

election. This is the first time that Kerala Governor has cast his vote.

• Narikuravar, Kuruvikarar and Malayali Gounder are the caste added

to Scheduled Tribes by Indian Government recently

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• Election Commission of India cancelled assembly elections for two

constituencies namely Aravakkuruchi and Tanjore. This is the first

time in the history of Indian elections to cancelled elections.

• The Committee headed by T.S.R. Subramanyam on National

Education Policy submitted its report to Central Government Recently

• Sadiq Aman Khan (Son of a Pakistani Bus Driver) elected as Mayor of

London. He is the first Muslim to be elected as Mayor of London

• USA became the first country to enact a law to regulate Methane

(greenhouse gas)

• Prime Minister Modi dedicated Indigenously developed polarimetric

Doppler weather radar located at Cherrapunjee, to nation on May 27,

2016

• Sania Mirza’s Autobiography – Ace Against Odds

• A.R. Rahman announced as Goodwill ambassador for 31st Rio

Olympics

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CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE – 2016

Nita Ambani: She was nominated as a candidate to be a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). MR-SAM missile: The India-Israel co-developed medium range surface-to-air missile (MRSAM) was successfully test-fired from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur off the Odisha coast. The missile was co-developed by the Defence Research Development Laboratory (DRDL) of DRDO in partnership with the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). Varunastra: The indigenously developed heavyweight torpedo was inducted in to the Indian Navy. With this India joined a select group of eight countries having the capability to design and develop heavyweight torpedoes. The torpedo was designed and developed by Naval Science and Technological Laboratory of the DRDO for the Indian Navy. The Unseen Indira Gandhi: The book was written by Dr Krishna Prasad Mathur. The book provides some interesting peeps into the responses of Mrs Gandhi’s to challenges both personal and political. BLOCKCHAIN: A Block chain is a distributed database that maintains a continuously growing list of data records hardened against tampering and revision. The

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term was in the news on 24 June 2016 when the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced that it will soon set up a committee to study the use of Blockchain Technology. The technology will be used to reduce the use of paper currency. MTCR: Missile Technology Control Regime: It is an informal and voluntary partnership between 35 countries to prevent the proliferation of missile and unmanned aerial vehicle technology capable of carrying above 500 kg payload for more than 300 km. It was established in April 1987 by the G7 countries: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Great Britain and the United States of America. ODISHA BECOMES FIRST INDIAN STATE TO GIVE PENSION AND FOOD BENEFITS TO TRANSGENDERS: Odisha, in June 2016, became the first Indian State to give transgender people social welfare benefits, such as a pension, housing and food grains. INDIA POST OPENS ‘MY STAMP’ SCHEME FOR INDIVIDUALS AND CORPORATE: India Post, in June 2016, opened up the ongoing scheme of customized printing of ‘My Stamp’ for individuals and corporate also. DESERT EAGLE-II : Exercise Desert Eagle II, the second in the series of bilateral exercises between Indian Air Force (IAF) and United Arab Emirates Air Force (UAE AF), concluded on 3 June 2016. It was a ten day air combat exercise in which the IAF and the UAE Air Force undertook air exercises from Al-Dhafra Air Base, Abu Dhabi, starting from 22 May 2016. HUMAN CAPITAL REPORT 2016 – India Ranks 105

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The World Economic Forum (WEF) on 28 June released the Human Capital Report 2016. Finland (1), Norway (2), Switzerland (3), Japan (4), Sweden (5), New Zealand (6), Denmark (7), the Netherlands (8), Canada (9) and Belgium (10). Mauritania comes at the bottom with 130th countries surveyed in the Index. In 2015, India’s position was 100th among the 124 countries surveyed in the Index. INDIA RANKED 141ST IN 2016 GLOBAL PEACE INDEX: The Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), on 10 June 2016, released the 2016 Global Peace Index (GPI). RAILWAY MINISTER DEDICATES CHAMPARAN SATYAGRAH EXPRESS AT MOTIHARI: Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu, on 10 June 2016, flagged off the weekly Champaran Satyagrah Express at Motihari, Bihar. The Express train has been introduced to mark 100 years of the historic Champaran Satyagraha (movement) that was launched by Mahatma Gandhi in 1917, BIO-INK DEVELOPED FOR 3D PRINTING WITH STEM CELLS: A group of Scientists at the University of Bristol, in June 2016, announced to have developed a new stem cell-containing bio-ink that allows 3D printing of complex living tissues. UNDERWATER ROBOTS TO BE USED TO STUDY INDIAN MONSOON: A team of scientists from Britain’s University of East Anglia (UEA) and India, on 14 June 2016, announced their decision to release underwater robots into the Bay of Bengal for providing more accurate data on Indian Monsoon. ASSAM RESEARCHERS DEVELOP NEW RICE VARIETIES SUBMERGED AREAS:

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Researchers at Assam Agricultural University, in June 2016, developed two rice varieties, namely Ranjith Sub-1 and Bahadur Sub-1. There rice varieties were developed to get better yields under sub-merged conditions in state mainly Barak Valley. RIO 2016 UNIVEILS OFFICIAL SLOGAN FOR OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC GAMES: The Rio 2016 organizing committee on 14 June 2016 revealed the official slogan, “A New World”, for the first Olympic and Paralympic Games in South America. KbrO3 The Union Government bans the use of Potassium bromated (KbrO3) as a food additive on recommendation of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). Angela Merkel German Chancellor Angela Merkel tops the Forbes list of World’s 100 Most Powerful Women of 2016 for the sixth consecutive year, followed by U.S. Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton at the second place. LinkedIn Microsoft Corporation and LinkedIn Corporation enter into a definitive agreement as per which Microsoft will acquire LinkedIn for 196 dollars per share in an all cash transaction valued at 26.2 billion dollars, inclusive of LinkedIn’s net cash. Electric Road

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Sweden inaugurates E16, a test stretch of an electric road, becoming one of the first countries in the World to conduct tests with electric power for heavy transports on public roads. Britain votes to exit European Union People of Britain in a historic referendum on 24 June 2016 voted in favour of leaving European Union (EU). The referendum ‘to leave’ or ‘to be a member’ of EU saw 51.9% votes in favour compared to 48.1% in against. Muhammad Ali, the All-time Greatest of Boxing, dies at 74 All-time boxing icon Muhammad Ali died on 3 June 2016 in the Phoenix, Arizona, after a 32-year battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was 74.

• He also wrote several best-selling books about his career, including The Greatest: My Own Story and The Soul of a Butterfly.

• Ali remains the only three-time lineal world heavyweight champion; he won the title in 1964, 1974, and 1978.

• He was nicknamed The Greatest and was involved in several historic boxing matches.

Gudni Johannesson wins Iceland’s presidential election

Gudni Johannesson on 26 June 2016 won Iceland’s presidential election. Panama Canal The Panama Canal is a man-made 48-mile waterway in Panama. It connects the Atlantic Ocean with the Pacific Ocean. The canal cuts across the Isthmus of Panama. Arktika, the most powerful nuclear icebreaker launched by Russia

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Russia on 16 June 2016 launched the new Project 22220 nuclear icebreaker dubbed ‘Arktika’. It was launched from the Baltic Shipyard in St. Petersburg – the second largest city of Russia. Project 22220 is the world’s largest and most powerful vessel of its kind and it has been built at the Baltic Shipyard of the United Shipbuilding Corporation of Russia. NATO launches biggest ever Joint Military Exercise Anaconda-16 in Poland The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) members and partners on 6 June 2016 launched Anaconda-16 Exercise, the biggest ever joint military exercise in Poland. Switzerland voters reject unconditional basic income proposal in referendum Switzerland voters on 5 June 2016 rejected an unconditional basic income (UBI) proposal in referendum. As per the proposal, all Swiss citizens and foreigners who have been residents in Switzerland for at least 5 years are provided with the UBI irrespective of their income status. India joins Hague Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation India on 1 June 2016 joined the Hague Code of Conduct (HCoC) against Ballistic Missile Proliferation as its 138th subscribing state. India joined it by notifying HCoC Central Contact, Vienna, through diplomatic channels. PM Modi outlines RAPID, a five-point charter for tax administrators at the Rajasva Gyan Sangam

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 16 June 2016 outlined RAPID, a five-point charter for tax administrators to reform and to expand the net base of the direct tax. He announced it during the inauguration of Rajasva Gyan Sangam in New Delhi. The Prime Minister outlined the RAPID as R - Revenue, A - Accountability, P - Probity, I – Information D - Digitization. Microsoft & AICTE signed agreement to build app for HRD ministry’s SWAYAM platform Microsoft was on 17 June 2016 selected as the technical partner to build a mobile Application (app) for Union Human Resources Development Ministry’s SWAYAM (Study Webs of Active- Learning for Young Aspiring Minds) platform. The platform will launch 2000 Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) for over three crore students in 2016. Union Government launches Vidyanjali Mobile App for volunteer work at government schools The Union Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) on 16 June 2016 launched the Vidyanjali Mobile App that can be used by anyone to register for volunteer work at government schools. Union Government launched Surya Mitra Mobile App Union Power Minister Piyush Goyal launched Surya Mitra mobile App at National Workshop on Rooftop Solar Power in New Delhi on 7 June 2016.

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The App will be very useful in the field of Renewable energy to serve customers at their doorsteps with quality installation, repair, and Observations and Measurements (O&M) services. Union Cabinet approves setting up of India Post Payments Bank The Union Cabinet on 1 June 2016 approved setting up of the India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) as a Public Limited Company under the Department of Posts, with 100% Government of India (GOI) equity. India Post Payments Bank (IPPB)

• It will allow all citizens of India, especially the 40% of the country’s population that is outside the ambit of formal banking in the country will benefit from this project.

Researcher develops non-invasive method to kill cancer cells in two hours Matthew Gdovin, an associate professor in the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) Department of Biology, developed a newly patented method to kill cancer cells. Gdovin’s research was published on 27 June 2016 in The Journal of Clinical Oncology. Scientists developed KiloCore, world’s first 1000-processor computer chip The scientists in June 2016 unveiled a microchip, named KiloCore, containing 1000 independent programmable processors. The chip has been designed by a team at the University of California, Davis, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. China’s Sunway TaihuLight declared world’s fastest supercomputer Chinese supercomputer Sunway TaihuLight with 93 petaflop/second speed was on 20 June 2016 declared as the world’s fastest supercomputer.

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It was revealed in the TOP500 list of supercomputers released at the International Supercomputing Conference (ISC) in Frankfurt, Germany. It displaced the Tianhe-2, an Intel-based Chinese supercomputer that has claimed the top spot on the previous six TOP500 lists. Hubble Space Telescope

• It is a space project of international cooperation between NASA and the European Space Agency. It was launched in 1990 that orbits Earth.

• Its gaze has helped determine the age of the universe and the existence of dark energy.

World’s first 3D-printed aircraft THOR unveiled Airbus on 1 June 2016 displayed the world’s first 3D-printed aircraft THOR at the International Aerospace Exhibition in Schoenefe. The drone THOR is short for Test of High-tech Objectives in Reality and it resembles a large, white model airplane. Darjeeling Zoo to receive snow leopard from London’s Dudley Zoological Gardens The Padma Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park in Darjeeling will soon receive a snow leopard from Dudley Zoological Gardens in London. Asia’s first Gyps Vulture Reintroduction Programme launched The Haryana Government on 3 June 2016 launched Asia’s First Gyps Vulture Reintroduction Programme at Jatayu Conservation Breeding Centre, Pinjore. Odisha Government launches Kalinga Siksha Sathi Yojana

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Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on 27 June 2016 launched a new scheme Kalinga Siksha Sathi Yojana (KSSY) with an aim to provide education loan at 1 percent interest to students for pursuing higher studies. World Bank approves $63 million for Tejaswini Project in Jharkhand The World Bank Board on 21 June 2016 approved the 63 million US dollar project, Tejaswini: Socioeconomic Empowerment of Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Jharkhand. Tejaswini is the first World Bank project in India that is solely focused on the welfare of adolescent girls and young women. The project will support adolescent girls and young women between the ages of 14 and 24 to complete their secondary level education. It will also help them to acquire relevant skills for the job market. Mori village in Andhra Pradesh chosen for development as smart village Mori village in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh will be developed as a smart village of global standards. Towards this endeavor, the partners in the project on 19 June 2016 announced that prototype will be ready by mid-December 2016. ADB approved $500 million loan to build India’s longest river bridge across Ganga near Patna The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on 24 June 2016 approved 500 million US dollars loan to build a road bridge across the river Ganga near Patna in Bihar. Himachal Pradesh becomes first state to launch green-concept based State Data Centre Himachal Pradesh on 5 June 2016 became the first Indian state to have a State Data Centre (SDC). The centre was launched by Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh in Shimla.

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(SAARC) for 2016-17. The site is located in Bogra in Bangladesh. It dates back to 3rd century BC and was the ancient capital of Pundravardhana. Pundra were a group of people not speaking languages of the Indo-European family. Virginia Raggi She was elected as Rome’s first female mayor. Raggi, who will turn 38 in July 2016, is also the youngest mayor in Rome’s history. Exercise Malabar 2016: The joint naval exercise was conducted by the navies of India, the USA and Japan near the South China Sea. SCO Summit 2016 concludes in Tashkent, Uzbekistan The 2016 Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit concluded on 24 June 2016 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan launched The Union Government launched the Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) in June 2016. The scheme aims at boosting the health care facilities for the pregnant women, especially the poor. It also seeks to protect pregnant ladies from infectious diseases. Defence Communication Network (DCN) India’s first integrated Defence Communication Network (DCN) was launched by Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar in South Block, Delhi The network will enable India Army, Air force, Navy and the Special Forces Command to share situational awareness for a faster decision-making process. ENAYAM PORT

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The Union Cabinet has given its in-principle approval for setting up a Major port at Enayam near Colachel in Tamil Nadu. On completion the port will become country’s 13th major port. First Island District The Assam Government has granted district status to Majuli, a 400 square kilometres island in the Brahmaputra River. With this it becomes India’s first island district. Gujarat Institute of Desert Ecology (GUIDE) The GUIDE is located at Bhuj. For over 15 years it has been studying the plant, bird and marine life in the Rann of Kutch. GUIDE’s research activities are linked in the study of understanding and addressing environmental, ecological and social problems. Norway Norway has become the first country in the world to prohibit deforestation. In this regard, Norwegian Parliament had pledged to make government’s public procurement policy deforestation-free. Sikkim Sikkim became the first state in India to have an open government data portal linked ‘sikkim.data.gov.in’. Gangetic River Dolphin Assam’s Guwahati became the first city in the country to have its own city animal after Kamrup metropolitan district administration declared Gangetic River dolphin as its official mascot. Gangetic River Dolphin locally in Guwahati is known as ‘Sihu’ and it is on the verge of extinction. Manohar Aich

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India’s first Mr Universe and celebrated body-builder Manohar Aich passed away in Kolkata, West Bengal age-related ailments. He was 104. Manohar Aich had won the Mr. Universe title in 1952 and was nicknamed ‘Pocket Hercules’ due to his 4-feet, 11-inch frame. He was also nicknamed “Bahubali”. Shangri-La Dialogue Asia’s largest annual security forum Shangri-La Dialogue was inaugurated in Singapore to talk about security issues in the Asia-Pacific region. Bharatavani The Union Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) has launched the multilingual knowledge portal www.bharatvani.in Bharatavani is the largest online repository of dictionaries in India consisting more than 130 dictionaries, glossaries and terminology books. It will ensure universalization of education and also towards creation of a knowledge society in the digital age. HeForShe : UN Women Solidarity Movement for Gender Equality organises HeForShe campaign to bring together one half of humanity in support of the other half of humanity, for the benefit of all. It calls on the world’s male leaders, fathers, sons, husbands and brothers to stand up and support equality for women in all areas of life. China Launches First Dark-sky Reserve in Tibet to Limit Light Pollution: China has launched its first dark-sky reserve in ‘Ngari Prefecture, Tibet. The purpose of the dark-sky reserve is to limit light pollution and preserve sites for making astronomical observations. The reserve covers an area of 2,500 square kilometres. National order of the Republic of Ivory Coast:

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Hon’ble President Mr. Pranab Mukherjee was on June 15, 2016 presented with National order of the Republic of Ivory Coast, the highest civilian award of the west African country. 2016 Pen Pinter Prize : Canadian poet, novelist, literary critic essayist, and environmental activist Ms. Margaret Atwood was chosen for the prestigious 2016 Pen Pinter Prize on June 15, 2016. Netherlands gets first nationwide ‘Internet of Things’: Dutch telecoms group KPN said on June 30, 2016 that the Netherlands had become the first country in the world to implement a nationwide long-range (LoRa) network for the so-called Internet of Things. Scientists Announce Human Genome Project-Write: A team of 25 scientists on June 2, 2016 published their proposal to synthesise entire human genome from scratch under the project called the Human Genome Project-Write (HGP-Write) in science magazine. The aim of the project is to reduce the cost of engineering DNA segments in the laboratory. Salma Dam Mr. Modi and Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani inaugurated a $ 290 million hydro-electric dam built with Indian aid in this Afghan City. The dam is called as Salma Dam or Afghanistan – India Friendship Dam. AFGHAN’S TOP CIVILIAN HONOUR FOR MODI : Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on June 4, 2016 conferred with Amir Amanullah Khan Award, Afghanistan’s highest civilian honour. He was bestowed the honour by Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani after the launch of the landmark Afghan-India friendship dam. PM VISION OF INDO-US TIES CHRISTENED ‘MODI DOCTRINE’ :

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Describing the June 2016 US visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ‘historic’, the Obama administration christened his vision of Indo-US ties as ‘Modi Doctrine’. The vision which I have come to call “The Modi Doctrine laid out a foreign policy that overcomes the hesitations of history and embraces the convergence between our two countries and our shared interests”, Biswal said at a discussion on ‘Security and Strategic Outcomes from the Modi Visit’ organised jointly by American and Indian think-tanks. PSLV-C-34 Setting a record in its space programme, India successfully launched 20 satellites on June 22, 2016, including its earth observation Carosat-2 Series, in a single mission on board ISRO’s workhorse PSLV-C 34 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota. HISTORIC FACTS:

• India becomes the third country after America and Russia in launching several satellites in one go. NASA in 2013 launched 29 satellites in a single mission and Russia in 2014 launched 33 satellites in one launch.

• India’s earth observation satellite, Cartosat-2 Series is similar to the earlier Cartosat-2, 2A and 28.

HONG KONG BECOMES THE WORLD’S COSTLIEST CITY : Honk Kong has overtaken Angola’s capital to become the costliest city in the World for expats, Mercer’s annual survey said on June 22, 2016. RBI DEPUTY GOVERNOR

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N.S. Vishwanathan has been appointed as the new Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India. INDIA CLIMBS THREE RANKS UP IN GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS: India’s global competitiveness rank - 41. India was ranked 44th in 2015. The current ranking is lower than the 35th position it secured in 2012. KRISHI KALYAN CESS ON SERVICES FROM JUNE 1, 2016 : Krishi Kalyan Cess (KKC) is applicable on all taxable services @ 0.5 per cent. It will apply to all taxable services, and CENVAT (Central Value Added Tax) credit will be available to service providers on the cess paid on input services. However, the input credit on the Krishi Kalyan Cess can only be used for discharge of the KKC liability.

NATIONAL URBAN LIVELIHOOD MISSION RENAMED AS DEEN DAYAL ANTYODAYA YOJANA – NULM : Government has extended the National Urban Livelihood Mission (NULM) to all the 4,041 statutory urban local bodies in the country. NULM is now renamed as ‘Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana – NULM’ and in Hindi as ‘Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana – Rashtriya Shahari Aajeevika Mission’. This mission seeks to enhance the employment opportunities and incomes of the urban poor through skill development and training, setting up of individual and group micro enterprises, formation of Self Help Groups, building shelters for homeless, supporting street vendors in creating infrastructure, innovative support to rag pickers, differently able etc., Avvaiyar Award 2016

• Sarada Menon selected for Avvaiyar Award by Tamilnadu Government. She was the first Indian woman psychiatrist

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One liners

• International Olympic Day 2016 was celebrated on this day – 23 June

• The UK Prime Minister who announced resignation hours after the Brexit vote that called for leaving the European Union – David Cameron

• The Olympian and iconic long jumper from India who resigned as President of the Kerala Sports Council - Anju Bobby George

• Online search engine giant Google launched a new keyboard app for Apple iOS users in India called - ‘Gboard’

• Theme of International Yoga Day 2016 - Connect the Youth

• The first Indian Cricketer to score century (100 Runs) in his debut ODI Match on 11 June 2016- KL Rahul

• The island of Gujarat that was in news recently for getting power for the first time after 70 years of Independence - Shiyal Bet

• The sportsperson chosen as India’s flagbearer at Rio Olympics is - Abhinav Bindra

• The teenager from Tamil Nadu who became first Indian to clinch the Mumbai Mayor’s International Open Chess Tournament - NR Visakh

• The Country in which India organised 1st Yoga Championship in June 2016- Egypt

• He won his first French Open Men’s singles title - Novak Djokovic

• The World Milk Day that is observed annually on 1 June was first celebrated by UN Food and Agriculture Organization in – 2001

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• The person was appointed as the Finance Secretary - Ashok Lavasa, an IAS officer of 1980 batch of Haryana cadre

• Asia’s largest technology trade show COMPUTEX was started on 31 May 2016 in- Taipei

• The six regional languages in which the official website of Prime Minister’s Office will be available are - Gujarati, Marathi, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu and Bengali

• Mumbai emerges as costliest in india in mercer’s cost of living survey 2016

Days 1 JUNE : World Milk Day 5 JUNE : World Environment Day 8 JUNE : World Oceans Day 12 JUNE : World Day Against Child Labour 14 JUNE : World Blood Donors Day 15 JUNE : World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 17 JUNE : World Day to Combat Desertification : World Day to Combat Desertification (WDCD) 20 JUNE : World Refugee Day 21 JUNE : International Day of Yoga 23 JUNE : United Nations Public Service Day 23 JUNE : International Olympic Day 26 JUNE : International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking