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RBI
1. RBI keeps key rates unchanged
RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan on 02 Feb 2016 kept the key policy rate unchanged, but said the monetary policy
will remain accommodative if fiscal side helps.
In Financial Year (FY) 2016 growth will be at 7.4% with downward bias and FY17 growth at 7.6 % despite
headwinds.
2.RBI to inject Rs. 10,000 cr to ease liquidity crunch: The Reserve Bank of India will infuse Rs 10,000 crore to ease a
liquidity crunch in the money markets by buying government securities, and hold a repo auction for Rs 25,000 crore on 11
Dec 2015.Open Market Operations are market operations conducted by RBI by sale or purchase of government securities
in order to adjust the liquidity conditions in the market.
3. RBI revises Priority Sector Lending norms for Regional Rural Banks
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced revised Priority Sector Lending (PSL) norms for Regional Rural
Banks (RRBs).
As per the new norms released, rural banks will have to advance 18 percent of total outstanding towards
agricultural activities. A target of 7.5 percent of total outstanding will be diverted towards micro enterprises and
another 15 percent for weaker sections. The new norms will be implemented from January 1, 2016 and will be
monitored on a quarterly and annual basis.
Important features
Medium enterprises, social infrastructure and renewable energy were included under PSL category.
Agri-Loans: Loans to individual farmers, for the purpose of PSL, was increased to 50 lakh rupees from the
present 10 lakh rupees against pledge/ hypothecation of agricultural produce (including warehouse receipts) for a
period not exceeding 12 months.
Aggregate limit loan was doubled to 2 crore rupees per borrower in the case of loans, among others, to corporate
farmers, farmers producers organisations/ companies of individual farmers, farmers partnership firms/ cooperatives engaged in agriculture and allied activities.
Housing Loans: The RBI has lowered the quantum of loans that will qualify as PSL. Against the earlier limit of
25 lakh rupees, loans to individuals up to 20 lakh rupees only are considered as PSL as per revised guidelines.
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4. RBI liable to disclose information about banks under RTI Act: Supreme Court: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
is liable to disclose information about the banks and financial institutions for their action against the loan defaulters
including industrialists under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005.
5. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued fresh norms on how banks ought to calculate their lending rates a move
which is aimed at lowering borrowing costs at a time when lenders are reluctant to do so.The new method Marginal
Cost of funds based Lending Rate (MCLR) will replace the present base rate system.
MCLR, as the name suggests, mandates banks to calculate the lending rate taking into account the marginal cost
of funds.
In the base rate system, it was left to the individual banks as to what cost it used, which typically was the average
cost of funds.
This new framework will come into effect from April 1, 2016.
6. Reserve Bank of India to prune NBFCs for effective regulation: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is working
towards harmonising regulations for non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) to reduce the number of categories in the
sector.
7. Small finance banks can join payment system: RBI
21 Entities that have been granted in-principle approval by it for setting up payments banks and SFBs can apply to
the RBI for membership of any centralised/ decentralised payment systems, including Bharat Bill Payment
System, after receiving the licence for commencement of business under the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.
The in-principle approval is valid for 18 months during which time the applicants have to comply with all
requirements stipulated by the RBI before grant of final licence for commencement of banking business.
8. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 22 December 2015 created a dedicated helpline (Email) for start-ups in India in
order to offer assistance on Forex matters to them for undertaking cross-border transactions within the ambit of the
regulatory framework.This will enable the personnel attending the helpline to offer timely and effective information.
9. Central bank calls for review of PSU banks dividend policy
The dividend policy of public sector banks, which pay hefty dividend to the shareholders irrespective of the
quality of the balance sheet, must be reviewed, according to Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
Christened as Indradhanush, the government separated the post of chairman and managing directors, proposed
formation of bank board bureau for top level appointments and announced Rs.70,000 crore capital infusion in
public sector bank over four years.
10. Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has extended the deadline for exchanging pre-2005 currency notes of various
denominations by another six months to June 30, 2016. From January 1, 2016 such facility for exchanging pre-2005
currency notes will only be available at identified bank branches and Issue Offices of the RBI.
11. In order to encourage innovators in India in the area of Payment and Settlement System, the Reserve Bank of India has
announced Payment System Innovation Awards.
The contest would be organised by the Institute for Development and Research in Banking Technology (IDRBT),
a wholly owned subsidiary of the Reserve Bank.
12. RBI asks banks to open more branches in rural areas
Indias central bank on Jan 1 has asked the lenders to open more brick and mortar branches in villages with no
banking facilities and with a population of more than 5,000.
The banking regulator has asked banks to submit a roadmap on how many branches they will be opening by 31
March 2017. Banks have to submit the roadmap by end of January 2016.
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13. RBI imposes Rs 1 crore fines on State Bank of Travancore

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed a monetary penalty of one crore rupees on State Bank of
Travancore, an SBI associate bank for violation of some of its instructions.
The monetary penalty was imposed on State Bank of Travancore for violation of its instructions including
reporting of data to Central Repository of Information on Large Credits (CRILC).
14.RBI relaxes IFSC banking unit norms
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 07 Jan 2016 has relaxed norms for the units of banks operating from
International Financial Services Centres (IFSC).
It has allowed IFSC Banking Units (IBUs) to open foreign currency current accounts of units operating in IFSCs
and of non-resident institutional investors to facilitate their investment transactions.
The RBI has clarified that the IBUs cannot raise liabilities from retail customers including high net worth
individuals (HNIs).
15.The Reserve Bank of India Governor Raghuram Rajan on 7 January 2016 was felicitated with the Central Banker of
the Year Award (Global and Asia Pacific) for 2016.The award was given by the Financial Times Group's monthly
publication The Banker.
16. RBI Dy Governor Patel gets second term
Urjit Patel, Deputy Governor of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in-charge of the monetary policy department, has
been re-appointed for a term of three years.
RBI has four Deputy Governors, two are from outside, a commercial banker and an economist while two others
are promoted from within its ranks. The other three Deputy Governors of RBI are: H.R. Khan, S.S. Mundra and
R. Gandhi.
17. RBI raises shareholding in NHB
Reserve Bank of India has increased its shareholding in National Housing Bank by contributing Rs 1,000 crore
towards the paid capital.
The RBI has contributed Rs 1,000 crore towards the paid up capital of the National Housing Bank on January 12,
2016, thereby increasing its shareholding in the NHB from Rs 450 crore to Rs 1,450 crore.
The government has set an ambitious target of 'Housing for All' by 2022.
18. RBI cancels registration of 4 NBFCs
The Reserve Bank of India on 08 Feb 2016 said that it has cancelled the certificate of registration of four nonbanking financial companies (NBFCs) in exercise of the powers under the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934.
The 4 NBFCs are Goyal Commercial Pvt Ltd and First Debt Management Co. of India Ltd belonging to Kolkata,
while Nostalgia Finvest Private Limited and Narad Realtors Private Limited belong to Mumbai.
19. RBI releases report on Introduction of Interest Rate Options
20. RBI signs pact with UAE's central bank
The RBI on 12 Feb 2016 signed a pact with the Central Bank of the UAE to enter into a Currency Swap
Agreement, which is aimed at strengthening economic ties with the Gulf nation.
The MoU was signed between RBI chief Raghuram Rajan and UAEs Central Bank Governor Mubarak Rashed
Al Mansoori.
India is UAEs top trading partner while the latter is Indias third largest trading partner after the U.S. and China.
21.Apex court asks RBI to give list of defaulters of overRs. 500 cr loan
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The Supreme Court on 16 Feb 2016 directed the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to provide a list of companies
which are defaulters of bank loans of over Rs. 500 crore while expressing serious concern over the rise in bad
loans.
ECONOMY
1. World Bank approves $1.5b to support clean India campaign: The World Bank has approved a $1.5 billion loan for
the ambitious clean India campaign to support the government in its efforts to ensure all citizens in rural areas have access
to improved sanitation and end the practice of open defecation by 2019.The loan will be used for Swachh Bharat Mission
(SBM) Support Operation Project.
2. SBIs new debit cards to have EMV chip, pin security: Countrys largest lender State Bank of India will issue EMV
chip and pin based debit cards to its new customers to ensure enhanced secure transactions.EMV chip and pin feature
protects against skimming and card transaction frauds.
3. IDFC Bank ties up with TCS for core banking solutions: IDFC Bank has inked a pact with IT services major Tata
Consultancy Services to use TCS BaNCS for its core banking solutions.
4. Dr Arvind Subramanian Committee suggests GST rate of 17-18 per cent: Chief Economic Advisor Dr Arvind
Subramanian led Committee has recommended standard rate for Goods and Services Tax (GST) at 17 to 18 per cent.
5. IMF names yuan global reserve currency: The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund decided to
include the Chinese currency, the renminbi (yuan), into its basket of currencies that make up the IMFs Special Drawing
Right (SDR).
6. The Federal Reserve System, the central banking system of the USA, on 16 December 2015 increased interest rate by
0.25 percent.A decision in this regard was approved by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System chaired by
Janet L Yellen.
7. Transactions above Rs. 2 lakh need PAN: The government has made it mandatory to quote PAN (permanent account
number) for all transactions in excess of Rs.2 lakh, regardless of the mode of payment, to curb black money.The new rule,
effective from January 1, will cover purchases of all goods or services, such as say gold, jewellery or furniture.This
includes all payments made through cash, cheques or debit or credit cards.In the case of immovable property, where
quoting PAN is currently required for transactions of Rs.5 lakh, the government has decided to raise the monetary limits
to Rs.10 lakh.It raised the monetary limit to Rs.50,000 from Rs.25,000 in the case of hotel or restaurant bills paid at any
one time, and for bills on account of overseas travel.Opening of a no-frills bank account, such as a Jan Dhan account, will
not require PAN.
8. LIC launches post-retirement plan Jeevan Akshay IV: Life Insurance Corporation of India has launched an
immediate annuity plan, Jeevan Akshay IV, for post-retirement planning.According to the plan, an individual aged
between 30 years and 85 years can make a lump sum investment of minimum Rs.1 lakh.The plan offers various annuity
options such as fixed regular income post-retirement, annuity payable for 5/10/15/20 years and annuity for life for self and
spouse.
9. Foodpanda to tie-up with IRCTC
10. Indias third largest IT services company, Wipro has agreed to acquire German IT consulting and software services
firm Cellent AG from Landesbank Baden-Wuerttemberg for 73.5 million (about Rs.514 cr), as the Bengaluru based IT
services company looks to speed up growth in continental Europe.
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11. DuPont and Dow Chemical Company announced to merge to form DowDuPont
The merged company will be named DowDuPont and it will have a combined market capitalization of
approximately 130 billion dollars at announcement.
12. IT major Infosys has invested USD 3 million in U.S.-based wearable device startup firm WHOOP to pick up a
minority shareholding in the company.
13. Tech Mahindra and Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd, part of the Mahindra Group, have agreed to buy Italian car designer
Pininfarina S.p.A. in an all-cash deal.Tech Mahindra and Mahindra and Mahindra have formed an 60:40 joint venture for
the acquisition of Milan-listed Pininfarina.
14. Mumbai-based start-up accelerator VentureNursery has partnered with Paris&Co, the economic development and
innovation agency of the French capital city, to help its graduating companies explore the French market.
15. Blackstone, a global investment and private equity major, has made an investment of around $170 milion (Rs.1,132
crore) in Thiruvanthapuram-based travel and transporation technology provider IBS Software.
16. Anil Ambani-led Reliance Infrastructure (R-Infra) has acquired an additional 17 per cent stake in Pipavav Defence
and Offshore Engineering Co Ltd (PDOC) for an estimated Rs 850 cr through an open offer, taking its total holding to
nearly 35 per cent and acquiring sole management control of the company.
17. Fokker Technologies, a division of GKN Aerospace and Aequs of India signed a LTA (long term agreement) for the
supply of machined components for Boeings Chinook helicopter.
18. PFRDA switches to PAN for online enrolment under NPS: Pension fund regulatory body PFRDA has started using
PAN instead of Aadhaar for validation of new customers who can now be registered online under the National Pension
System (NPS) scheme.
PFRDA Chairman, Mr. Hemant Contractor said the apex court has allowed usage of Aadhaar for the pension
scheme under the National Social Assistance Programme (Old Age Pensions, Widow Pensions, Disability
Pensions), apart from MGNREGS, PMJDY and EPFO.
19. BSE-listed companies spend $1 billion on CSR: Nearly 1,200 companies listed on the BSE together spent one
billion dollars or Rs.6,400 crore towards corporate social responsibility activities in 2014-15, with majority of funds
utilised for education, skills, health and sanitation sector.
Under the new Companies Act, a certain class of profitable companies must spend every year at least 2 per cent of
their average net profit over the preceding three years on CSR.
20. SBI to raise Rs.12,000 cr through Tier-II bonds
State Bank of India (SBI), the countrys largest lender, will raise up to Rs.12,000 crore by issuing bonds that are
Basel-III complaint.
SBIs capital adequacy ratio, as on end September, was 12.17 per cent as compared to regulatory mandate of nine
per cent.
21. Micromax partners with TranServ to bolster services
After hardware, the countrys second largest handset maker Micromax now aims to expand its software services
business across areas like payments, e-commerce and healthcare.
22. Kholi Ventures commits $100 mn for Zynergy Solar
Zynergy Solar Projects & Services, promoted by first generation serial entrepreneur, Rohit Rabindernath, has
secured an investment commitment of $100 million from UK-based Kohli Ventures over the next three years to
support its expansion plans that include setting up of new Rs.400 crore solar manufacturing plant.
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23. Wipro to buy Viteos Group for $130 mn

Indias third largest IT exporter,Wipro, said it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the U.S.-based Viteos
Group, a business process provider, for a purchase consideration of $130 million.
24. SIDBI Clears $140M from Fund-of-Funds to Support VCs in India
The government's 'Startup India, Stand Up India' programme seems to be gaining some momentum, with the
Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) clearing $140 million (Rs 930 crore) from the $302 million
(Rs 2,000 crore) fund-of-funds which launched in August to support venture capital funds.
SIDBI's India Aspiration Fund (IAF) would invest in venture capital funds for meeting the equity requirement of
MSME start-ups.
25. Alibaba agrees to invest $1.25 bn inChinese online food delivery service
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. has agreed to invest $1.25 billion in Chinese online food delivery service Ele.me.
The report, citing unidentified sources, said Alibaba would obtain a 27.7 per cent stake in Ele.me, becoming its
biggest shareholder. Alibaba and Ele.me both declined to comment.
26. The Board of Directors of Tube Investments of India (TI) has approved the sale of 14 per cent stake in
Cholamandalam MS General Insurance Company to its joint venture partner, Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Company, for a
consideration of Rs.882.67 crore. Tube Investments decided to divest 4.18 crore equity shares of Rs.10 each in favour of
its joint venture partner for Rs.211 per share aggregating Rs.882.67 crore.
27. Tech Mahindra launches contactless wallet MoboMoney
IT major Tech Mahindra has launched first of its kind Tap N Pay contactless digital payment wallet
MoboMoney for the Indian masses.
MoboMoney has been billed as Indias first commercial NFC ecosystem rollout that would allow consumers to
convert cash into e-cash for making payments.
28. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) on 29 Dec 2015 has cleared Prem Watsa run Fairfax Financial Holdings
proposed acquisition of additional nine per cent stake in ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company for an estimated Rs.
1,550 crore.
29. The Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) cleared four FDI proposals, including that of HDFC Standard Life
Insurance, totaling about Rs.1,810 crore.
30. JMC Projects (India) Ltd. has received market regulator, the Securities and Exchange Board of Indias (SEBI),
approval to raise up to Rs.150 crore through a rights issue.
31. Reliance Capital buys 6.8% stake in Saregama
Financial services company, Reliance Capital, has purchased 11.88 lakh equity shares constituting 6.83 per cent
of the equity share capital of Saregama India Ltd. on December 28, according to a regulatory filing.
32. Tatra set to partner with Reliance Defence for making military trucks
In the first major defence joint venture 51:49 after the big-bang changes in the FDI policy, Czech major Tatra is
set to partner with Reliance Defence to manufacture military trucks for Indian as well as global requirements.
33. The Union government and the World Bank signed a $50-million credit agreement for Nai Manzil project aimed at
helping young people from minority communities complete their education and improve their employment opportunities.
The Nai Manzil Scheme is designed as an integrated education and training programme that provides youth from
minority communities skills needed for different tasks in a rapidly changing world.
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34. Cabinet approves conversion of MUDRA into bank

The Cabinet on 06 Jan 2016 approved conversion of MUDRA Ltd, an NBFC, into MUDRA Bank and also setting
up of a Credit Guarantee Fund for loans disbursed under the Pradhan Mantri Micro Units Development Refinance
Agency (MUDRA) Yojana.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi cleared creation of a Credit Guarantee Fund for MUDRA loans and to convert
MUDRA Ltd into MUDRA Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) Bank as a wholly-owned
subsidiary of SIDBI.
35. SEBI lowers MF exposure limits
The capital markets regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has lowered the exposure cap for
such investments by mutual funds.
The sector-specific exposure limit has also been reduced from the current 30 per cent of the NAV to 25 per cent.
36. China allows RBI to enter Forex market
China has allowed a second batch of foreign institutions to enter Chinas interbank foreign exchange market, the
countrys central bank said on 12 Jan 2016.
Six central banks and international financial institutions, including Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Monetary
Authority of Singapore and Bank of International Settlements, are now allowed to trade spot products, forwards,
swaps, currency swaps and options in Chinas domestic foreign exchange market.
37. Andhra Bank launches IMPS for money transfer
Andhra Bank has launched Immediate Payment Service (IMPS) at all its branches in association with the National
Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) to provide inter-bank electronic fund transfer service capable of
processing person to account remittances on 05 Jan 2016.
Under the IMPS, a real time instant fund transfer system for inter-bank remittances, the maximum cap of
transaction will be Rs.2 lakh charging Rs.5 per transaction.
38. SEBI releases Narayan Murthy-panel report
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) on 20 January 2016 released the first report of the Alternative
Investment Policy Advisory Committee (AIPAC) for comments from the stakeholders.
The 21-member committee was constituted by the SEBI in March 2015, under the chairmanship of N R Narayan
Murthy, to suggest measures for development of the alternative investment funds (AIFs) and startup eco-system
in the country.
39. India elected to Board of Directors of China-backed AIIB
India, one of the founding members of the AIIB, has been elected to the board of directors of the China-sponsored
Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank on 17 Jan 2016, which is expected to begin loan approvals before the end of
this year.
It should be noted that Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley is the designated governor of the AIIB from India.
40. NITI Aayog unites with IDFC
The National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog united with the IDFC Bank Ltd to conduct an
enterprise survey of manufacturing firms on 17 January 2016.
41. Govt inks loan agreement with World Bank
Union Government has signed a loan agreement with World Bank for the Neeranchal National Watershed Project
to improve watershed management in rural rain fed areas.
World Bank will provide loan of US$ 178.50 million with a maturity of 25 years, including a 5 year grace period.
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The project is implemented by the Union Ministry of Rural Development over a six-year period (2016-21) to
achieve objectives PMKSY.
42. Xi officially launches AIIB

China-backed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), in which India and 56 countries have joined as
founding members, was formally opened on 16 Jan 2016 by Chinese President Xi Jinping.
In all 57 countries have joined as founding members, while the US and Japan have stayed out.
The bank was formally established in Beijing on December 25, 2015.
Chinese Finance Minister, Lou Jiwei, was elected as the first Chairman of the AIIB council.
Chinas former Finance Minister, Jin Liqun, was elected the first AIIB president.
With authorised capital of $100 billion and subscribed capital of $50 billion, Beijing-based AIIB will invest in
sectors including energy, transportation, urban construction, and logistics as well as education and healthcare.
43. Standalone health insurance company, Apollo Munich on 28 Jan 2016 announced its partnership with Axis Bank for
offering bank customers customised insurance policies.Besides, Apollo Munich Health Insurance has distribution
partnership with Canara Bank, Indian Overseas Bank and Citi.
44. India gets more voting rights in IMF reforms
In long-pending reforms that came into effect on Wednesday, emerging and developing economies gained more
influence in the governance architecture of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
45.Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) of Union Government has given its final approval to Kerala
Governments approval to set up Indias first Defence Industrial Park at Ottappalam. Proposal in this regard was
forwarded by Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (Kinfra), a Kerala government owned Public
Sector Company.Union government also has agreed to bring the park under the Modified Industrial Infrastructure
Upgradation Scheme (MIIUS).
46. SBI launches FlexiPay Home loan
State Bank of India introduced a new home loan scheme SBI FlexiPay Home Loan for young working
professionals/executives.
Under the scheme, borrowers will get higher loan amount compared to their loan eligibility under normal home
loan schemes and they will also have the option of step-up monthly repayments.
47. World pledges $10B for Syrians
World leaders pledged more than $10 billion to help fund schools, shelter and jobs for refugees from Syria's civil
war at "Supporting Syria and the Region Conference 2016", which was held on 4 February 2016 in London.
48. Mahindra AMC gets Sebi nod
Mahindra Asset Management Company has received markets regulator Sebi's approval for setting up of mutual
fund business.
Mahindra AMC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services (MMFS).
49. B2B meet for SMEs begins in Kochi
The three-day Kerala Business-to-Business Meet 2016 has inaugurated at the CIAL Trade Fair & Exhibition
Centre in Nedumbassery.
50.Commodity markets regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has decided to review the existing risk
management systems, delivery mechanisms and procedures for supervising warehouses by commodity exchanges.
51. Modi calls for 10% cut in oil imports by 2022
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated Indian Oil Corporations (IOCs) new state of the art refinery at Paradip
in Odisha to the nation.
He stressed on cutting crude oil imports by 10% by 2022, the year marking 75 years of India's independence.
Set up at an investment of 34, 555 crore, the refinery is the 11th for IndianOil and adds 15 miilion metric tonnes
per annum (MMTPA) to take total capacity to 80.7 MMTPA.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the permanent campus of National Institute of Science Education and
Research (NISER) in Jatani near Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
52. India to grow at 5-year high of 7.6 per cent in 2015-16

Indian economy will grow at a 5-year high of 7.6 per cent in the fiscal ending March, overtaking a slowing China,
on the back of improvement in manufacturing and farm sectors.
53. Bandhan Bank launches VISA debit cards
Kolkata-based Bandhan Bank on 09 Feb 2016 launched VISA debit cards and announced availability of services
for NRIs. NRIs will henceforth be able to open accounts with selected branches of the bank.
54.The Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley inaugurated the Non-Tax Receipt Portal (NTRP), developed by the Office of
Controller General of Accounts (CGA) on 15 Feb 2016.The annual collection of Non Tax Receipts is over Rs. 2 lakh
crores.
55.Vjay Mallya-led United Breweries Holdings Ltd on 16 Feb 2016 said it has been declared a Willful Defaulter by
Punjab National Bank (PNB).
56.State Bank of India (SBI) on 16 Feb 2016 launched 'Japan Desk', a first-of-its-kind initiative to facilitate Japanese
corporates looking to invest here with banking and advisory services.
NEWS (NATIONAL)
1. Union Government launches GIAN Scheme to boost higher education: Union Ministry of Human Resource
Development (HRD) has launched Global Initiative of Academic Networks (GIAN) Scheme to boost the quality of higher
education in India.It was launched by Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)
campus.
These courses will be webcasted live for students across the country through web portal www.gian.iitkgp.ac.in
designed by IIT Kharagpur.
2. Modi announces Rs.1,000 cr for Tamil Nadu flood relief
Chennai reels under heavy floods following record-breaking rainfall and overflowing lakes. Thousands were left
homeless or stranded in their homes without food or electricity.
3. Justice T.S.Thakur sworn in as 43rd CJI: Justice Tirath Singh Thakur was sworn in as 43rd Chief Justice of India by
President Pranab Mukherjee at an elegant function in Rashtrapati Bhavan.
4. The Union Cabinet has approved proposal of setting up of 6 new Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) across the
country.The 6 new IITs would be set up in Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Jammu and Kashmir, Kerala and
Karnataka.
5. Union Cabinet approves MOUs and agreement
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, approved many Memorandum of
Understanding (MoUs) and agreements.
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6. MoU between India and Germany for Solar Energy and Capital Goods Sector
The Union Cabinet has approved Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) between Indian and
7. DTAC agreement with Japan
Union Cabinet has approved signing and ratification of a protocol between India and Japan for amending the
Double Taxation Avoidance Convention (DTAC).
8. MoU between India and Israel in the field of water resources
The Union Cabinet has given its approval for signing MoU between India and Israel in the field of water
resources management and development cooperation.
9. MoU between India and Iran on visa facilitation
The Union Cabinet has approved the signing of the agreement between India and Iran on visa facilitation for
Diplomatic, Official/Service and Ordinary passport holders.
10. Introduction of Regional Centre for Biotechnology Bill, 2015 in the Parliament
The Union Cabinet has given its approval for introduction of a Bill for establishment of a Regional Centre for
Biotechnology in Faridabad.
11. Lok Sabha passes bill to establish BIS as National Standards Body of India: The Lok Sabha has passed a bill that
provides for establishing Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) as the National Standards Body of India.The bill was passed
by voice vote.
12. India International Science Festival (IISF) 2015 held at IIT, Delhi: The First India International Science Festival
(IISF) organized at IIT Delhi from 4th to 8th December 2015.
13. Union Government releases postage stamp to mark centenary year of ZSI: Union Government has released a
commemorative postage stamp to mark the Centenary year of Zoological Survey of India (ZSI).The postage stamp was
released by Union Communication and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad in the presence of Union Environment Minister
Prakash Javadekar in New Delhi.
14. Indo-Russia bilateral naval exercise Indra Navy-15 begins in Visakhapatanam: Indo-Russia bilateral maritime
exercise Indra Navy 2015 commenced in Vishakhapatanam. The exercise epitomises the strategic relationship between the
two nations.
The 8th edition of Indra Navy will be conducted in the Bay of Bengal till 12 December 2015.
15. The Union Cabinet has given its ex-post facto approval for signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on
cooperation between India and United Kingdom in the energy sector.
16. 2016: UK-INDIA Year of Education, Research and Innovation launched: India and United Kingdom launched a
joint initiative 2016: UK-INDIA Year of Education and Research in New Delhi.
It was launched by visiting Secretary of State, Business Innovation and Skill of the UK Sajid Javid along with
Human Resource Development (HRD) minister Smriti Irani.
In 2016, it will allow UK academicians to come to India under Global Initiative of Academic Networks (GIAN)
programme.
17. The Supreme Court has upheld the Haryana Panchayati Raj (Amendment) Act, 2015 which mandates that only those
having minimum educational qualifications will be eligible to contest panchayat elections in the State.
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18. India and South Korea have inked a new memorandum of understanding (MoU) on suspension of collection of taxes
during pendency of mutual agreement procedure.
19. On My Terms: From the Grassroots to the Corridors of Power, an autobiography of Sharad Pawar was released by
Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
20. Varanasi and Jaipur make it to Unesco's Creative City Network
Varanasi City (Uttar Pradesh) and Rajasthan's capital Jaipur have made it to the network in the categories City
of Craft and City of Music.
21. Indian cyclist Deborah Herold became the first Indian female cyclist to be ranked fourth in the World Elite Women
Ranking for the 500m time trial event. The ranking was issued by cycling world body International Cycling Union (UCI).
Deborah is a tribal girl from Andaman and Nicobar Islands who survived the 2004 Tsunami that devastated the islands.
22. Construction work on the TAPI (Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India) Gas Pipeline project started in
Turkmenistan.
The work started after the button to begin the welding process of the project was pressed. The button was pressed
by Vice President of India Hamid Ansari along with Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif, President of
Afghanistan Ashraf Ghani and President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimohamedov.
It will become operational by 2018.
23. India and Japan inked three agreements for cooperation in Railway Sector
India and Japan signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation and assistance in the Mumbai
Ahmedabad High Speed Rail Project (Bullet Train project).
Japan offered an assistance of over 79000 crore rupees for the project.
The loan is for a period of 50 years with a moratorium of 15 years, at an interest rate of 0.1 percent.
24. Dilip Kumar, Indian cinemas one of the greatest actors, was conferred with the Padma Vibhushan, the second-highest
civilian honour. The 93-year-old actor received the award from Home Minister Rajnath Singh at his residence in Mumbai.
25. Operation Smile-II to start from 1st January, 2016
The Government of India has requested the States/UTs to start Operation Smile-II from 1st January, 2016 to
31st January, 2016 to be rolled out throughout the country as a follow up of the earlier campaign.
Operation Smile-II is a campaign to rescue/rehabilitate the missing children.
26. Justice Narasimha Reddy to head committee on OROP: The Union Government appointed Justice L Narasimha
Reddy, retired Chief Justice of Patna High Court, to head the Judicial Committee which will look into the implementation
of One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme for the ex-servicemen.
27. India has been placed at 130th position in the 2015 Human Development Index (HDI) among the 188 countries.
28. SC invokes Constitutional powers to appoint Justice Virendra Singh as UP Lokayukta: The Supreme Court
exercised its Constitutional authority and appointed former High Court judge, Justice Virendra Singh, as Lokayukta of
Uttar Pradesh after the State government failed to comply with its directives.
29. SC bans registration of diesel SUVs in Delhi till March: In a strong step to release the stranglehold of air pollution
on the national capital, the Supreme Court issued a blanket ban on the registration of diesel run passenger cars with engine
capacity of over 2000cc in Delhi and the National Capital Region till March next year.
The apex court further doubled the environment compensation cess for two and four axle vehicles from Rs. 700 to
Rs. 1400 and from Rs. 1300 to Rs. 2600, respectively.
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The court further banned trucks registered prior to 2005 from entry to Delhi.
30. Combined Commanders Conference, an annual tri-services event chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was held
on board INS Vikramaditya about 50 kms off Kochi coast.
31. India ranks 97th on Forbes best countries for business list: Denmark topped the list of the 144 nations on the Best
Countries of Business in 2015 list by Forbes.
32. Justice Reva Khetrapal took oath as Delhi's Lokayukta: Former Delhi High Court judge Reva Khetrapal took oath
as Delhi's new Lokayukta.
33. French President Hollande to be Chief Guest at Republic Day
President of France Francois Hollande will be the Chief Guest at 67th Indias Republic Day (26 January 2016)
celebrations.
34. Union Cabinet gives nod to MOU
The Union Cabinet, presided by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, gave its ex-post facto approval to a
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between India and BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, China and
South Africa) for strengthening energy efficiency cooperation.
35. IRCTC partners Paytm for food payments: Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has tied up
with Paytm to offer an additional payment gateway for food ordered through its e-catering facility.
36. India lowers GDP growth projection: India lowered its GDP growth projection for the current year to 7-7.5 per cent
against 8.1-8.5 per cent forecast earlier and said that while the macro economy is stable, the real economy needs policy
attention.
37. AP Shah Committee appointed to look into ONGC, RIL dispute
Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas appointed a single-member committee to look into the dispute
between Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) and Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) on Krishna
Godavari (KG) gas fields.
The committee will be headed by the Chairman of the 20th Law Commission of India Justice (retd) Ajit Prakash
Shah.
38. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has formally inaugurated the All-India conference of Directors General of Police
(AICDGPs) at Dhordo in white Rann of Kutch region near Bhuj, Gujarat.
39. Indias biggest Wildlife Rescue Centre named as Gorewada Zoo and Wildlife Rescue Centre has been commissioned
at Gorewada near Nagpur, Maharashtra.Gorewada Zoo and Wildlife Rescue Centre is managed by the Forest
Development Corporation of Maharashtra (FDCM).
40. MPs move notice to impeach Gujarat HC judge: Almost 58 Members of Parliament from the Rajya Sabha have
moved a notice to impeach a judge in the Gujarat High Court, J.D. Pardiwala for his remarks against reservations while
making observations in the Hardik Patel case.
41. Navy Day was observed on 4 December 2015.The Navy day is celebrated every year to commemorate the success
of Operation Trident of Indian Navy on Karachi Harbour during the 1971 Indo-Pak war.
42. DAC gives nod to purchase of Russian S-400 Air Defence Missile Systems
Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has cleared the purchase of Russian advance S-400 Trium Air Defence
Missile Systems at an estimated cost of 40,000 crore rupees.
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India would buy 5 units of the S-400 Trium air defence missile systems that are capable of destroying incoming
hostile missiles, aircraft and even drones within a range of up to 400 km.
43. Rajya Sabha unanimously passes SC/ST Bill: The Rajya Sabha unanimously passed the SC and ST (Prevention of
Atrocities) Amendment Bill along with two Bills on supplementary demands for 2015-16, within minutes without any
debate.
44. Modi inaugurates electric bus service for MPs
Terming the negative impact of environment pollution as a challenge, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said there is
a need to harness solar energy.
Referring to the recent CoP21 summit in Paris, Mr. Modi highlighted two significant initiatives Mission
Innovation launched jointly by the U.S., France and India. The headquarters of this alliance will be in Delhi.
45. Vatican to confer sainthood on Mother Teresa: Mother Teresa, a Roman Catholic religious sister and missionary
will be given Sainthood i.e. will be made a saint of the Roman Catholic Church in September 2016.In this regard, Pope
Francis has approved a decree recognising a second miracle attributed to Mother Teresas intercession with God.
Earlier in 2003, Mother Teresa was beatified by then late Pope John Paul. Beatification requires one miracle and
is the last step before sainthood.
46. Tata Motors made it to the Top 50 in the annual Industrial R&D Investment Scoreboard for 2015.Prepared by the
European Commission, the annual Industrial R&D Investment Scoreboard for 2015 was topped by the German automaker
Volkswagen.
47. India joins select club nations to build LNG ships
Cochin Shipyard has received certification to build LNG-transporting ships for any client world-wide, making it
the first shipyard in India to get the nod, joining the league of South Korea, Japan and China.
The CEO of GTT, Philippe Berterottiere, awarded the license to K. Subramaniam, CMD, Cochin Shipyard.
48. Union Defence Ministry launches website for interface with industry and transparency
Union Ministry of Defence has launched a new Make in India website www.makeinindiadefence.com to make
defence acquisition process simpler and to provide an interface with industry.
The website was launched by Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar in New Delhi.
49. Parliament passes Juvenile Justice Bill
Parliament on 22 December 2015 has passed Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Amendment Bill,
2015 for trying juveniles as adults.
The bill has provision that allows trying of juveniles between the ages of 16 and 18 years as adults for heinous
offences.
50. 1,671 projects got security clearance in 2015
As part of its ease-of-doing business policy, the Union government has lifted restrictions and given security
clearance for 1,671 projects, almost double the number (815) in 2014.
51. Cabinet approval for Rs.5,000 crore ONGC Videsh investment
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved an investment of Rs. 5,000 crore by Oil and Natural Gas
Corporation (ONGC) into its overseas arm, ONGC Videsh on 23 Dec 2015.
The investment is in the form of ONGC converting into equity an existing loan to its overseas unit.The approved
investment will strengthen the capital base of ONGC Videsh.
52. Union Cabinet approves Lucknow Metro Rail Project Phase-1A
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Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 22 December 2015 approved the Lucknow Metro
Rail Project Phase-1 A. To be developed at an expenditure of 6928 crore rupees, the project will cover a length of
22.878 km with 22 stations.
The metro train will ply between Chowdhary Charan Singh Airport and Munshi Pulia.
53. Union HRD Ministry launches the 6th All India Survey on Higher Education
The Union Minister of Human Resource Development Zubin Irani on 21 December 2015 launched the 6th All
India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) in New Delhi.
54. IOC, RIL grab top 2 slots in Fortune 500 India list
State-run Indian Oil Corporation has maintained its numero uno position in the list of Fortune 500 Indian
companies 2015, followed by Reliance Industries in terms of revenue for the sixth consecutive year.
IOC tops the chart with an annual revenue of Rs. 4,51,911 crore, while Mukesh Ambani-led RILs full-year
revenue is Rs. 3,82,565 crore.
55. Union Government launches two Mobile Apps for Farmers
For the benefit of farmers, Union Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Minister Radha Mohan Singh on 23 December
2015 launched two mobile apps namely Crop Insurance and AgriMarket Mobile.
The apps were launched to celebrate the birth anniversary of former Prime Ministers Atal Bihari Vajpayee and
Choudhary Charan Singh. Their birthday will be celebrated by organising Kishan Jai Vigyan Week.
56. Parliament clears backdated bonus hike
Prime Minister Narendra Modi signed off on a retrospective bonanza for employees through a last-minute
direction to change the effective date for a hike in statutory bonus payments to April 1, 2014, making millions of
employees eligible for bonus arrears for two years.
Under the new law, the salary ceiling for employees to be eligible for bonus payments has been raised from Rs
10,000 per month to Rs 21,000 per month, while the salary used to calculate the bonus amount has been raised
from Rs 3,500 per month to Rs 7,000 per month.
57. Direct-selling FMCG firm Amway India on 25 Dec 2015 announced Bollywood actor Farhan Akhtar as its brand
ambassador to promote Nutrilite range of the products.
Amway India CEO Anshu Budhraja said studies in India indicate that nine out of 10 Indians consume less than
adequate protein daily.
Nutrilite is a leading brand of vitamins and dietary supplements.
58. India, Russia ink 16 pacts to expand cooperation in various sectors
The agreements were signed in the nuclear energy, hydrocarbons, solar energy, railways and visas sectors.
Some of the signed agreements are:
Agreement on Cooperation in the field of Helicopter Engineering
Programme of action agreed between Localization of Manufacturing in India & Russian-Designed Nuclear
Reactor Units
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on technical cooperation in railway sector MoU for construction of solar
energy plants in India: It was signed between Solar Energy Corporation of India and Russian Energy Agency
regarding.
MoU for Cooperation for geologic survey, exploration and production of hydrocarbons onshore and on the
continental shelf of the Russian Federation.
59. North Indias first cable bridge named Atal Setu inaugurated in J & K
North Indias first cable-stayed bridge named Atal Setu was inaugurated on Dunera-Basohli-Bhadharwah road in
Basohali town in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir.
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It was inaugurated by Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar along with Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh
and Army Chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag.
It is a joint venture (JV) of Indian Railway Construction Company Limited (IRCON) and SP Singla Construction
group.
60. Prime Minister Narendra on 25 Dec 2015 inaugurated the parliament building in Kabul, which was built by India.
61. India's largest integrated power company, Tata Power has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the
Ministry of Development of Russian Far East to explore and develop investment opportunities in the energy sector on 25
Dec 2015.The MoU was signed in Moscow by Ashok Sethi, COO and Executive Director, Tata Power, and Alexander
Galushka, Minister for Development of Russian Far East.
62. Union Government brings 376 drugs under the NLEM
The Union Government has added 106 drugs including that of HIV/AIDS, Cancer and Hepatitis C to the National
List of Essential Medicines (NLEM).
In this regard, Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfares core committee has revised the NLEM. The
committee was headed by V.M. Katoch, former secretary of Department of Health Research.
The revision includes addition of 106 essential medicines and deletion of 70 medicines. With this total number of
essential medicines in the list have gone up to 376 from earlier 348 medicines.
63. Union Govt announces 4 new IT-based initiatives for citizen-centric health services
Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare J P Nadda on 25 December 2015 announced 4 new Information
Technology-based initiatives to provide citizen-centric health services.These are
Kilkari is an audio-based mobile service that delivers weekly audio messages to families about pregnancy, child
birth and child care.
Mobile Academy is a mobile-based application aimed at providing training services to 9 million ASHAs.
M-Cessation will be an IT-enabled tool to help tobacco users to quit tobacco. Built on a helpline concept, it will
register beneficiaries on the basis of a missed call.
64. Start-up India Stand Up India, a new initiative that Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke about during his
Independence Day speech this year, will be the governments New Year gift to young people who want to set up new
businesses or innovative projects.
65. Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd (RJIL) or Reliance Jio on 27 December 2015 launched 4G telecom service.The service
was launched at the Reliance Corporate Park in Navy Mumbai to mark the birth anniversary of Dhirubhai Ambani,
founder of the Reliance Industries Limited (RIL).
66. The 18th Session of the India-Iran Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) was held on 28 December 2015 in New Delhi.
67.The former Solicitor-General, Gopal Subramanium, has formally accepted the Delhi governments offer to head the
Commission of Inquiry to probe the alleged scam in the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA).
68. Ministry of Women and Child Development launches e-office
Union Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD) have introduced e-office, an initiative which will help
provide efficient services to the people by digitizing more than 12,000 files.
It was formally launched by WCD Minister Maneka Sanjay Gandhi in New Delhi on the lines with the spirit of
Good Governance initiative of Union Government.
69. India Post payment bank to be operational by March 2017
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India Post, which was among the eleven applicants to have received approval from RBI for payment banks in August, will
start its service by March 2017.
70.Union Government on 28 Dec 2015 has announced to link LPG subsidy to income of consumers in order to ensure that
the subsidy benefits go to the targeted group.Henceforth, the LPG subsidy will not be available to LPG consumers if the
consumer or his/her spouse has taxable income of more than ten lakh rupees.
71. 'Make in India Week to start from Feb 13
Taking a cue from the biennial investor congregation - Vibrant Gujarat Summit - held every alternate year in
Gujarat the Central Government is organising Make in India Week in Mumbai during February 13-18, 2016.
72. Centre to provide Rs 5,000-crore subsidy for rooftop solar power
In a bid to increase the use of clean energy, the Centre decided to scale up by nearly 10-fold the financial
assistance for grid connected rooftop and small solar power plants programme to Rs 5,000 crore.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the scaling
up of budget from Rs 600 crore to Rs 5,000 crore for implementation of Grid Connected Rooftops systems over a
period of five years upto 2019-20 under National Solar Mission (NSM).
73. Union Cabinet gives nod for India-Australia Civil Nuclear Cooperation deal
The Indo-Australian civil nuclear cooperation agreement, which came into force last month, on 30 Dec
2015 received the stamp of approval of the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
74. Prabhu dedicates 26 MW windmill plant to power rail engines
In an another green initiative Union Railways Minister, Suresh Prabhu, dedicated a 26-Mega Watt windmill
plant in Jaisalmer towards power procurement for the railways.
75. Cabinet clears amended textile scheme
Textile industry sources heaved a sigh of relief minutes after hearing the news about the Cabinet Committees nod
to the introduction of Amended Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (ATUFS).
ATUFS has been introduced in the place of the existing Revised Restructured Technology Upgradation Funds
Scheme (RR-TUFS) for technology upgradation of the textile industry.
76. Cabinet nod for Railways, States JV
The Union Cabinet on 30 Dec 2015 gave approval to form joint venture companies with state governments to
mobilise resources for various rail infrastructure projects in a bid to give push to the infrastructure sector.
It also cleared the setting up of a multi-modal park in Visakhapatnam.
In the railways joint venture, the Union Cabinet decided to limit the initial paid up capital of Ministry of Railways
to Rs.50 crore for each state.
77. Online virtual science lab launches
Students opted for the Science stream at the high school level, but have no access to physical labs now have the
option to perform experiments in a virtual science-lab.
Ravi Shankar Prasad, Minister of Communications and Information Technology launched Online Labs, elearning programme on 29 Dec 2015.
The educational technology initiative - Online Labs - developed by Amrita CREATE (Centre of Research in
Advanced Technologies for Education) in association with CDAC (Centre for Development of Advanced
Computing).
78. Centre clears Coastal road project in Mumbai for Rs 12,000 crore
In a boost for Mumbai, the Centre has cleared the final notification for building the Coastal road in Mumbai.
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79. Congress on 28 Dec 2015 marked its 131st Foundation Day with its president Sonia Gandhi hoisting the party flag at
the AICC headquarters here.
80. 1. Kamlesh Chandra Committee to study wage structure of Gramin Dak Sevaks
The Union Government has constituted a committee to examine the wage structure, service conditions of the
Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS) in the Department of Posts (DoP).
81.The Union Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has constituted a committee headed by noted film-maker Shyam
Benegal to look into revamp the film certification nuances by Censor Board of Film Censors (CBFC).
82. Pakistani singer Adnan Sami has been granted Indian citizenship with effect from January 1 following his request to
the Centre to legalise his status in the country on humanitarian grounds.Mr Sami will be given citizenship under Section 6
(I) of the Indian Citizenship Act, 1955 under the category citizenship by naturalisation.
83. PNB launches host of digital banking solutions
State-owned Punjab National Bank on 02 Jan 2016 has launched host of digital banking solutions including green
PIN and enhancement of its mobile app.
The bank launched mobile apps enabling the customer to locate PNB ATM with PNB ATM Assist.
The bank has installed cash acceptor cum ATM at their Sansad Marg branch where customers can deposit cash up
to Rs. 2 lakh per transaction and can avail the ATM feature.
84. SEBI puts in place new form for ASBA
With a checklist regime kicking in for initial public offerings (IPOs), capital markets regulator the Securities and
Exchange Board of India (SEBI), has put in place a new form for ASBA (Application Supported by Blocked
Amount) facility.
ASBA facility has become mandatory for all categories of investors applying for a public issue for making
payment from 01 Jan 2016.
85. Mahindra & Mahindra inaugurated a bio-CNG facility to create carbon neutral ecosystem at Mahindra World City
(MWC).Spread over 1,000 square metres, the facility will convert eight tonnes of food and kitchen waste generated daily
at MWC, into 1,000mW of raw biogas.
86. PM Modi inaugurates Indian Science Congress in Mysuru
The 103rd edition of the Indian Science Congress got underway in Mysuru on 03 Jan 2016 with Prime Minister
Narendra Modi calling on Indian scientists to keep the economy, environment, energy, empathy and equity at the
heart of their endeavors in the interest of impactful science.
87.The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) on 1 January 2016 signed the Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) with National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) for web-based monitoring of Indo-German
Watershed Development projects.
88.The Central Government will roll out a LPG-like direct benefit transfer (DBT) scheme for kerosene from April 1.
89. PM releases "The Z Factor"
The Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 20 January 2016 released a book titled The Z Factor: My Journey as the
Wrong Man at the Right Time in New Delhi written by Subhash Chandra.
The book is the autobiography of the promoter of Essel/ Zee Group Subhash Chandra.
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90. Govt. releases Rs. 274 cr. for developing Tier II, III cities in TN
The Government had released Rs. 274.48 crore for developing 32 Tier II and III cities in Tamil Nadu under Atal
Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT).
91.The Union Cabinet has apprised of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Indian Space Research
Organization (ISRO) and Kuwait Institute of Scientific Research (KISR) on cooperation in the exploration of outer space
and use of outer space technology for peaceful purposes.
92. LIC offers longer cover under Jeevan Labh
LIC is offering a New Year gift to the public in the form of a limited-premium, non-linked and with-profit
endowment assurance plan Jeevan Labh from 04 Jan 2016.
The highlight of the plan is that premium is payable for a limited period while risk is covered for the whole policy
term.
The plan is available from ages 8 to 59 years with a choice of policy term of 16, 21 and 25 years and premiumpaying terms of 10,15 and 16 years respectively.
Minimum basic sum assured is 2 lakh with maximum basic sum assured having no limit.
93. India to implement BS-VI norms from April 2020
In a bid to curb vehicular pollution, the government on 06 Jan 2016 decided to implement stricter emission norms
of Bharat Stage (BS) VI from April 1, 2020, by skipping BS-V altogether.
94. Union Government reserves 33% posts of women constables in CAPFs
The Union Government has reserved 33 per cent posts of Constables for women in Central Armed Police Forces
(CAPFs) to enhance their representation.
95.Capital Asset Management (RCAM) has received nod from Competition Commission of India (CCI) to acquire
Goldman Sachss mutual funds and exchange-traded funds business in India.
96. Union Govt launches Ganga Gram Yojana in Uttar Pradesh
The Union Minister of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Uma Bharti on 5 January
2016 launched Ganga Gram Yojana at Village Puth in Hapur district of Uttar Pradesh (UP).
These villages will be developed under the Sichewal model. Sichewal is situated in Punjab, where cooperation of
the villagers has been solicited for the water management and waste disposal.
97.Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk has announced Indian cricket star Sachin Tendulkar as brand
ambassador for the disease awareness campaign 'Changing Diabetes' initiated by it in India.
98.The Union Cabinet on 06 Jan 2016 approved the closure of the iconic HMT Watches and offered a voluntary
retirement scheme (VRS) to its employees as per the 2007 pay scales.
99.The Union Cabinet on 06 Jan 2016 approved the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with Singapore for
operating and maintaining the terminal building of airports at Jaipur and Ahmedabad.
100. Union Cabinet approves Stand Up India Scheme for women and SC/ST
The Union Cabinet has approved the Stand Up India Scheme to promote entrepreneurship among Scheduled
Caste/Scheduled Tribes (SC/ST) and Women entrepreneurs.
It will refinance window through Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) with an initial amount
10,000 crore rupees.
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101. Overseas Indian Affairs Ministry merges with MEA

In order to avoid duplication of work and to improve efficiency, the government on 07 Jan 2016 merged the
Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA) with the Ministry of External Affairs.
102.Watan Ko Jano initiative for J&K youths
Wattan Ko Jano, an initiative being carried out by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs in coordination with the
Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Government on 6 January 2016.
103.Engineering and construction major Larsen & Toubro bagged orders worth Rs 49,666 crore this fiscal, Rs 5,421 crore
in the first week of January alone, implying that economic recovery is visible.
104.BJP leader Shatrughan Sinhas biography, "Anything But Khamosh" written by very famous journalist author
Bharathi S Pradhan released on 07 Jan 2016.
105. Premji most generous Indian
Wipro Ltd chairman Azim Hashim Premji, unsurprisingly, was ranked the most generous Indian of the year for
the third time in a row on the Hurun India Philanthropy List 2015 released on 08 Jan 2016.
Premji donated Rs.27,514 crore for education through the eponymous Azim Premji Foundation.
106.Tata Steel has been declared as the winner of Prime Ministers Trophy for being the Best Performing Integrated Steel
Plant in the country for the performance year 2013 2014.
107.Country's largest oil marketing company Indian Oil on 11 Jan 2016 announced its partnership with logistics start-up
firm Fortigo, aimed at providing technology based solutions to small truck owners.
108. Indian-origin girl tops Mensa test in UK
An 11-year-old Indian-origin girl in the UK has achieved the top possible score of 162 on an IQ test of Mensa,
becoming one of the youngest brainiest students in the country.
Mumbai-born Kashmea Wahi achieved the top score of 162 out of 162, putting her in the league of scientists
Albert Einstein and Steven Hawking and in the top 1 per cent of the countries brightest.
109. 11th World Hindi Day observes on 10 January
The 11th World Hindi Day was celebrated on 10 January 2016.
The day was first observed on 10 January 2006.
110.Union Government has formally launched website for maiden Maritime India Summit 2016 scheduled to be held in
April 2016.It was launched by Union Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari on the sidelines of the Make in India Week in
Mumbai.
111.The government on 11 Jan 2016 unveiled a concerted action plan to reduce road accidents by half, by mandating
safety air bags in all passenger vehicles, spending Rs. 11,000 crore to fix fatal road spots and cracking down on bogus
driving licences.
112. Cabinet approves new crop insurance scheme
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 13 Jan 2016 approved a crop insurance scheme
that would replace the existing ones to ensure that farmers pay fewer premiums and get early claims for the full
sum insured.
The new crop insurance scheme, to be implemented from the kharif season this year, will replace the existing two
schemes National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (NAIS) and Modified NAIS which have some inherent
drawbacks.
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113. India inks Loan Agreement with World Bank

Union Government has signed 250 million dollars Financing Agreement with World Bank for Bihar Kosi Basin
Development Project on 21 Jan 2016.
The loan has been sanctioned by the World Banks concessionary lending arm International Development
Association (IDA).
The loan has implementation period of 5 years and Bihar Government is the implementing agency.
114. Girls First resilience program notably improves wellbeing of adolescent girls
CorStone India Foundation on 20 Jan 2016 presented the outcomes of a Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) of its
flagship Girls First resilience program, which aimed to cultivate resilience among marginalized adolescent girls
in India.
Conducted in 2013-14, the Girls First RCT involved 3500 girls and 74 facilitators across 76 schools in rural
Bihar, demonstrating significant positive impact on mental and physical health, education, social skills and
relationships.
115.The Union Cabinet has approved Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and United Kingdom for
Cooperation in the field Public Administration and Governance Reforms.
116. 5000 MW of Grid-connected Solar PV Power Projects
The Union Cabinet approved Rs. 5,050 crore of viability gap funding for 5,000 MW of grid-connected solar
projects.
117.The Union Cabinet has given its approval to Policy on Promotion of City Compost.
This policy will help in circulating compost produced from city waste for the purpose of farming and agriculture.
118.The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister has approved the proposal of the Union Ministry of Power for
amendments in the Power Tariff Policy 2006.
The comprehensive amendments bring required changes for holistic view of the power sector and also to achieve
the objectives of Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana (UDAY) with the focus on 4 Es.
These 4 Es are: Electricity for all, Environment for a sustainable future, Efficiency to ensure affordable tariffs,
Ensure financial viability and Ease of doing business to attract investments.
By March 2022, 8% of electricity consumption shall be from solar energy in order to promote renewable energy
and energy security.
119.Weighing in the environmental perspective for sustained growth, the Ministry of Shipping on 19 Jan 2016 has started
Project Green Ports which will help in making the Major Ports across India cleaner and greener.Project Green Ports
will have two verticals - one is Green Ports Initiatives related to environmental issues and second is Swachh Bharat
Abhiyaan.
120. Indian Oil Corporations latest refinery in Paradip, Odisha, the first in over a decade for the nations largest fuel
major, started production of petrol from the Rs. 34,555-crore facility on 18 Jan 2016.
121. PM Narendra Modi launches Start-up India, Stand-up India action plan
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has unveiled the Start-up India, Stand-up India action plan in New Delhi to boost
startup ventures in the country.
A separate fund will be created with 10000 crore rupees corpus for development and growth of innovation driven
enterprises. It will be 2500 crore rupees a year for four years.
Start-up profits to be tax-free for 3 years and also no labour inspections for 3 years of launch of the venture.
Easy exit policy for start-ups with 90 days under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Bill, 2015.
Mobile apps, portal for register start-ups in a day from 1st April 2016.
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122. The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015
The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 came into force 15 January 2016.
In this regard, Union Ministry of Woman and Child Development has issued orders for enforceable of
Act.Permits trying of juveniles between the ages of 16 and 18 years as adults for heinous offences. Establishment
of Child Welfare Committees (CWC) along with Juvenile Justice Boards (JJB) in each district.
123.IndusInd Bank has tied up with online payment solution firm, PayU India.
This will help provide customers the full suite of consumer banking products online as well as payment
innovations.
124.Country's largest lender State Bank of India (SBI) said it has opened its first branch in South Korea.
125. 15 January: Indian Army Day
Indian Army Day is being observed every year on 15 January in India.
This year it will be the 68th Indian Army Day.
126. Cabinet approves Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 13 January 2016 approved the New Crop
Insurance Scheme,Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana to boost the agricultural sector. The theme of the Scheme
is One Nation One Scheme.
The new crop insurance scheme, to be implemented from the kharif season this year, will replace the existing two
schemes National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (NAIS) and Modified NAIS which have some inherent
drawbacks.
Farmers will pay a uniform premium of only 2 percent for all Kharif crops and 1.5% for all Rabi crops.
127. Govt inaugurates Second Liquid Chemical Berth
Union Government has inaugurated Second Liquid Chemical Berth of Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT) at Pir Pau,
Mumbai.
The berth is a modern state- of -art facility built at an expense of 127 crore rupees.
It is equipped with Quick Release Mooring Hooks (QRMHs) and also with 4 mooring dolphin.
It is designed to handle 55000 DWT (deadweight tonnes) vessels carrying liquid bulk chemicals and POL
(Petroleum, Oil, & Lubricants) products.
128.The Union Cabinet has given its approval for the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Maldives
on cooperation in the field of Health.
130. SBI enters into wealth management space
State Bank of India, the country's largest bank on 14 Jan 2016 became the first public sector lender to launch
wealth management service, a space dominated by private and foreign players, to cater to fast-growing affluent
segment of the country.
The wealth management offering SBI Exclusif and the start-up branch SBI InCube were rolled out in
Bengaluru.
SBI Exclusif will offer many firsts in wealth banking like the first e-Wealth Center that can deliver quality
relationship management services remotely for extended hours.
Through the SBI InCube, the bank will be helping, guiding and counselling the new entrepreneurs in starting a
new company or business enterprise, which so far was not available in the banking industry.
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131. ICICI Bank unveils two new home loan initiatives

ICICI Bank on 14 Jan 2016 has launched two new initiatives -- a fully online home loan approval in 8 working
hours, and a mobile app for part disbursement of home loans for under construction projects -- to commemorate
the milestone of crossing Rs. 1 lakh crore in mortgage loans.
Under Express Home Loans, the bank will give online approval for home loans within eight working hours.
This service is available for all salaried customers as well as non-ICICI Bank customers.
132.Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan on 12 January 2016 was bestowed honorary life membership of Kolkatas soccer
outfit Mohammedan Sporting.
133.State owed telecom service provider Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has launched the high speed 4G (Fourth
Generation) telecom services at Chandigarh in Punjab circlehigh speed data upto 100 Mbps. With this launch, BSNL
became fifth telecom service provider in India to launch 4G service after Airtel (1st), Aircel (2nd), Vodafone (3rd) and
Reliance Jio (4th).
134. Panagariya committee to fast-track bullet train project
Union Government has constituted a committee to fast track the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor,
meant for connecting two cities with bullet trains.
It will be 500km long and will be connecting both trains at the cost of the project will be 98,000 crore rupees.
Japan will invest 78,000 crore rupees making it largest foreign investment in railway sector of India.
135. 20th National Youth Festival inaugurates
The 20th National Youth Festival was on 12 January 2016 inaugurated by Union Road Transport and Highways
Minister Nitin Gadkari at Rajyostav Sthal in Naya Raipur, Chhattisgarh to mark the National Youth Day.
The five day long annual festival is celebrated by the Union Government in partnership with a state government
on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda.
For the 20th National Youth Festival, Chhattisgarh was chosen as the partner state with the theme India Youth for
Skill, Development and Harmony.
136. Indias largest and tallest tricolour hoisted at Ranchi
Indias largest tricolour was hoisted atop the tallest pole at Pahari Mandir in Ranchi, by Defence Minister
Manohar Parrikar.
This flag will remain hoisted for 24 hours and shall be illuminated with the help of twenty sodium vapour lights at
night. It is worlds largest and the highest hoisted Indian flag.
The flag is 66 feet in height and 99 feet in width in the proper ratio 2:3. It was hoisted on pole with height of 293
feet. It weighs 80 kg.
137.The Union cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has recommended imposition of Presidents Rule in
Arunachal Pradesh under Article 356 (1) of the Constitution.Union Government took this decision after state assembly
failed to comply with the provisions of Article 174 (sessions of the state legislature, prorogation and dissolution) of the
Constitution.
138. State-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) has got environmental clearance for drilling 45
development wells and other related infrastructure involving a cost of over Rs. 53,000 crore in the Krishna-Godavari basin
in Andhra Pradesh.
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139. The Election Commission of India has celebrated the 6th National Voters Day throughout the State with the theme
Inclusive and Qualitative Electoral Participation on January 25.Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Nasim Zaidi also
released the book titled Belief in the Ballot and presented the first copy to the President.
140. India celebrates 67th Republic Day
India celebrated 67th Republic day on 26th January 2016 by displaying its cultural diversity, economic progress
and military prowess were on display at Rajpath, New Delhi.
In the national Capital, President Pranab Mukherjee unfurled the national flag and took salute of the parade at
Rajpath.
French President Francois Hollande was chief guest of Republic Day function.
With this he became the 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.
141. Govt approves hybrid annuity model for highway projects
The government on 27 Jan 2016 approved hybrid annuity model for building roads to fast-track highway projects,
revive the Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) mode and attract more investments in the sector.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given its
approval for the Hybrid Annuity Model as one of the modes of delivery for implementing the Highway Projects.
Under this model, the government will provide 40 per cent of the project cost to the developer to start work while
the remaining investment has to be made by the developer.
142. India and ADB Sign $80 Million Loan Agreement
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of India on 28 Jan 2016 signed an $80million loan
agreement to continue improving infrastructure in two North Eastern State Capital cities.
The loan is the third tranche of a $200 million financing facility under the North Eastern Region Capital cities
Development Investment Program and will be used for investments in water supply, solid waste management and
sanitation in Agartala and Aizwal.
143. Government announces list of first 20 smart cities under 'Smart Cities Mission'
The list of 20 smart cities out of the 98 shortlisted for the 'Smart Cities Mission' was released on 28 Jan 2016.
These 20 cities will be the first to receive funds, thus kickstarting the process of developing them into 'smart
cities'.
The next two years will see the inclusion of 40 and 38 cities, respectively.
The investment of Rs 50,802 crore has been proposed in selected smart cities and towns during the five-year
period.
144.UP cadre IPS Officer Aparna Kumar has become the country's first civil servant to scale Mount Vinson Massif, the
highest peak in the Antarctica. She achieved the feat on January 17.
145. Volume II of memoirs of President Pranab Mukherjee releases
The second volume of memoirs of President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee titled "The Turbulent Years 19801996 was released on January 28, 2016 at a function held in Rashtrapati Bhavan.
The book was released by Vice President of India, Mohd. Hamid Ansari before an invited audience.
The first volume of Presidents memoir titled "The Dramatic Decade- the Indira Gandhi Years" was released on
11 December 2014.
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146.Union Law Ministrys Legislative Department has constituted an expert committee to review the Specific Relief Act,
1963.It will have chairman and 5 members and submit its report within three months i.e. till April 2016.
147. Counter Terrorism Conference starts in Jaipur: President Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated the Counter-Terrorism
Conference-2016 on 03 Feb 2016 at Jaipur, and said that terrorism is undoubtedly the single gravest threat that humanity
is facing today.
148.The government has set up two new committees -Tax Policy Research Unit and Tax Policy Council in order to
bring coherence and streamline the direct and indirect tax policy and administration.The Tax Policy Council will be led by
the Finance Minister and will suggest broad policy measures for taxation based on inputs from the Tax Policy Research
Unit (TPRU).
149. MGNREGA completes 10 years of implementation
The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), 2005 completes ten years of
implementation.
On this occasion, Union Ministry of Rural Development had organised MGNREGA SAMMELAN in New Delhi
to highlight achievements MGNREGA.
Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley was Chief Guest in the Sammelan.
Union Ministry of Rural Development is nodal agency for the implementation of the scheme.
150. Centre issues guidelines in wake of Zika virus
The Union Government has issued detailed guidelines to tackle the outbreak of Zika Virus Disease in the wake of
reported cases in Americas.
It has designated the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) as the nodal agency for investigation in case of
an outbreak.
Zika is an emerging viral disease transmitted through the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito, which is also known
to transmit infections like dengue and chikungunya.
151.India and Brunei have signed three Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at capital Bandar Seri Begawan to
cooperate in the fields of defence, health and youth affairs & sports in presence of Vice President
152. CSIR launches Indias first ayurvedic anti-diabetic drug
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has launched the countrys first anti-diabetic ayurvedic
drug named BGR-34 for type two Diabetes mellitus.
BGR-34 stands for Blood Glucost Regulator and offers effective, safe, patient-friendly solution for managing type
two Diabetes.
The drug BGR-34 is developed jointly by National Botanical ResearchInstitute (NBRI) and Central Institute for
Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP), the Lucknow-based research units of CSIR.
153. India becomes associate member of EMBO
India officially became the Associate Member State of European Molecular Biology Organisation (EMBO).
EMBO is a professional organization of life scientists in Europe with his its headquarter at Heidelberg, Germany.
154.India has ratified Convention on Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage (CSC), 1997 which sets
parameters on a nuclear operators financial liability.
In this regard, India has submitted the Instrument of Ratification of the CSC to the International Atomic Energy
Agency (IAEA) and shall come into force after 90 days i.e May 2016.
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155.President Pranab Mukherjee reviewed the Naval fleet off Visakhapatnam coast on 06 Feb 2016 morning as part of the
International Fleet Review (IFR) being conducted.
The President conducted the fleet review aboard INS Sumitra, the Presidential yacht.
Also on the yacht were Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and three other
service chiefs.
156.India and Sri Lanka on 05 Feb 2016 have signed two memoranda of understanding (MoUs)- one in the health sector
and another on renovation of schools.
157. Centre launches 24x7 toll free Tourist Infoline in 12 International Languages
158.The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India on 08 Feb 2016 issued the 'Prohibition of Discriminatory Tariffs for Data
Services Regulations, 2016' that bars service providers from offerring or charging discriminatory tariffs for data services
on the basis of content.TRAI will also levy a penalty of Rs. 50,000 a day for discriminatory tariffs charged by service
providers.
159. 'Project Sunrise' launches
Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare J P Nadda has launched Project Sunrise for the prevention of AIDS
specially among people injecting drugs in the 8 North-Eastern states.
The AIDS prevention special project aims to diagnose 90 per cent of such drug addicts with HIV and put them
under treatment by 2020.
160.Corporation Bank entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Universal Sompo General Insurance
Co., Ltd., for providing personal accident death coverage to its savings bank account holders under Corp Signature, Corp
Super and Corp Saral category.The Bank provides free personal accident death cover of Rs. 10 lakh to its Corp Signature
and Rs. 5 lakh to its Corp Super account holders.
161. CPCB releases National Air Quality Indices for 24 cities
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has released National Air Quality Indices (AQI) for 24 cities across
India in the month of January 2016.
In the list Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) and Muzzafarpur (Bihar) were on the top with an AQI value of 409 points
each and were coded as severe in terms of air pollution in January 2016.
162.India's aviation regulator the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and United States Technical
Development Agency (USTDA) have signed the Grant Agreement for India Aviation Safety Technical Assistance Phase
II in New Delhi.
163.Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare, J P Nadda on 11 Feb 2016 launched the National Framework for
Malaria Elimination (NFME) 2016-2030, which outlines Indias strategy for elimination of the disease by 2030.
164.The National Research Development Corporation (NRDC) has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU)
with Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (IICB), Kolkata to promote entrepreneurship.
164. Union Government has sanctioned about 580 crore rupees for Agartala-Akhaura railway link Project to connect
Kolkata (West Bengal) with Tripura via Bangladesh.
165. India, UAE ink 9 bilateral agreements
India and United Arab Emirates (UAE) have signed 9 bilateral agreements covering cooperation in the various
sectors.
These agreements were signed during the second day of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of
Abu Dhabi official visit to India.
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MoU on Technical Cooperation in Cyber Space and Combating Cyber Crime.

MoU for Participation institutional investors in Infrastructure Investments.
General Framework Agreement on Renewable Energy Cooperation.
MoU in the Exploration and use of Outer Space for Peaceful Purposes.
MoU on Bilateral Currency Swap Arrangement. MoU on Trade.
MoU for bilateral cooperation in Insurance sector.
Executive Programme for Cultural Cooperation (EPCC).
166. Make in India Week: 3 MoUs worth Rs 21000 crore signed

Three Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) envisaging total investment of 21,000 crore rupees were signed
on the first day of the Make in India Week in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
These MoUs were signed in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maharashtra Chief Minister
Devendra Fadnavis.
TwinStar Display Technologies subsidiary of Sterlite Group Company has inked MoU with Maharashtra
Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) to set up an LCD manufacturing unit in technical collaboration with
Autron of Taiwan with an investment of 20,000 crore rupees.
Raymond Industries and MIDC have inked MoU as part of Farm to Fabric initiative.
167. BHU celebrates Diamond Jubilee
Banaras Hindu University (BHU) founded by Freedom fighter Pt Madan Mohan Malviya has turned 100 years on
13th February 2016.
168.President Pranab Mukherjee on Saturday felicitated six winners of Infosys Science Foundation Prizes 2015 for their
outstanding contribution in their fields.
The winners are Umesh Waghmare in engineering and computer science category, Jonardon Ganeri for
humanities, Amit Sharma in life sciences, Mahan Maharaj in mathematical sciences, G. Ravindra Kumar in
physical sciences and Srinath Raghavan in social sciences.
169. Indian-origin student's charity honoured in US
An Indian-origin eighth-grade student has been honoured in the US city of Hartford for his efforts to help
underprivileged students in the US and around the world through his charity organisation.
Ishaan Patel, founder & CEO of Planting Pencils, was recently honoured by the Milan Cultural Organisation
during the Republic Day celebration in the legislative office building in downtown Hartford.
170.The government on 15 Feb 2016 unveiled a National Capital Goods Policy to give an impetus to the capital goods
sector and a leg up to the Make in India initiative.
The policy envisages increasing exports from the current 27 per cent to 40 per cent of production while increasing
share of domestic production in India's demand from 60 per cent to 80 per cent, thus making India a net exporter
of capital goods.
171.Union Ministry of Railways and Ministry of Enterprise and Innovation of Sweden have inked a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) on Technical Cooperation in Rail Sector.
172.State-run Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has commissioned a 101 MW (Mega Watt) gas-based Combined
Cycle Power Plant (CCPP) at Monarchak (near Agartala) in Tripura.
173.For the first time, India has participated in the Cobra Gold 2016 multilateral exercise hosted by Indonesia after 12
member Indian Army delegation joined it.In this edition of multilateral exercise, India has accorded as an observer plus
status keeping in view its increasing regional operability.Cobra Gold 2016 is 35th edition of multilateral
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exerciseconducted from (9 to 19 Feb) in which 35 countries have participated and its main theme is humanitarian
assistance and disaster relief.
174.The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given its in principle approval to the LIGOIndia mega science proposal for research on gravitational waves.
The proposal, known as LIGO-India project (Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory in India) is
piloted by Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Science and Technology (DST).
175.The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on 17 Feb 2016 approved construction of six railway lines and a
railway bridge to cater to both increased passenger and freight needs at an estimated cost of 10,700 crore.
176.National Research Development Corporation (NRDC) has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with Indian
Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS) for commercialisation of technologies and intellectual properties (IP)
developed at IACS.
177. Numero Uno becomes official clothing supplier for WC T20
Indias leading denim brand Numero Uno will be the official clothing supplier of next months ICC World
Twenty20.
The company will also be official clothing supplier manufacturer and retailer of ICC-branded apparel and
merchandise till December 2020. The ICC World Twenty20 will be held from March 8 from April 3.
178. Indian Railways wins National Chess Team Championship
Indian Railways has won The National Chess team Championship for the first time.
The 36th Championship was held at Bhubaneswar from 8th to 14th February, 2016.
To win the championship the team defeated Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) team in the final.
179.The Union Cabinet has approved the Proposal for Notification of Commitments under the Trade Facilitation
Agreement (TFA) of WTO, ratification and acceptance of the Instrument of Acceptance of Protocol of TFA to the WTO
Secretariat.
180. The Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Prakash Javadekar has launched Environment
Information System (ENVIS) portal and mobile application.ENVIS Portal (http://envis.nic.in) runs parallel with the
objectives of Digital India which works on improving the digital literacy in the environment sector and deliver services
digitally.
NEWS (STATES)
1.Agra to host first ever international bird fete
In a bid to promote Uttar Pradesh as an international bird-watching destination, the State Forest department, in
collaboration with FICCI, will hold a three-day international festival on birds at the National Chambal Sanctuary
(NCS) in Agra.
2. Himachal Pradesh became first state to launch Rotavirus vaccination project
Himachal Pradesh became the first state of India to launch Rotavirus vaccination project.
The vaccine will help in controlling the child mortality rate (under five years of age) due to diarrhoea.
3. Andhra Pradesh became the first state of India to join the Union Governments Ujwal Discom Assurance Yojana
(UDAY).The scheme aims at reviving debt-stressed power distribution companies.
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4. Myanmar launched its first UNSECO Biosphere Reserve Inle Lake in Shan state.The Inle Lake was designated as
UNESCO Biosphere reserve in Paris in June 2015.
5. The Maharashtra Government announced 10512 crore rupees relief package for more than 15000 drought-hit villages in
14 districts of the states Marathwada and Vidarbha regions.
6. The Five new districts are Kalimpong district, Sundarbans district, Basirhat district, Burdwan (Industrial) district &
Jhargram district.These new districts will take six months to one years time to come into existence after State
administration gets formal permission from court and create the basic infrastructure.
7. Delhi Government on 21 December 2015 appointed a one-member commission of inquiry on Delhi and District Cricket
Association (DDCA) scam.The commission will be headed by former Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium. It will probe
the alleged financial irregularities by the administrators of the DDCA.
8. Odisha Govt launches Anwesha scheme to provide free education to SC/ST students
The Odisha Government on 21 December 2015 launched Anwesha scheme to provide free education to scheduled
caste and scheduled tribe students.
Under the scheme, 5000 SC and ST children will annually be enrolled into Standard I in leading private schools in
urban areas of the state.
9. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on 22 December 2015 approved much anticipated Patna Metro Rail project's
proposal.
10. Seeking to check school dropouts, improve agricultural productivity and providing better civic services, Andhra
Pradesh Government on 28 Dec 2015 signed an MoU with Microsoft.
11. On December 28, the Chief Minister of Maharashtra Deevndra Fadnavis inaugurated the new police commissionerate
building with top notch facilities at Crawford market.
12. Economist Gyanendra D. Bandgaiyan was on 30 Dec 2015 appointed Director-General of National Centre for Good
Governance (NCGG), a think tank on good governance reforms.
13. Government of Telangana on 2 January 2016 launched e-Vahan Bima Scheme to issue motor insurance policy in
digital form.With the launch of this scheme, Telangana became the first state in the country to legally accept insurance
policy in digital form.
14.Alstom, the French transportation equipment maker, rolled out the first set of railway coaches for the Kochi Metro
project from its facility at Sri City in Andhra Pradesh.
15. Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa has launched the scheme Amma Seeds which is aimed at providing quality seeds, the
state government said on 02 Jan 2016.She had proposed the scheme in 2014, saying quality, certified Amma Seeds
would be available through Amma Service Centres across the state.
16.Jharkhand, a mineral-rich but energy-deficit state has become first state in country to sign Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) on Ujwal Discom Assurance Yojana (UDAY) scheme with Union Government.
17. Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) on 5 January 2015 commissioned the 600 MW Kakatiya Thermal Power Plant
Stage-II at Bhoopalapally in Warangal district of Telangana.
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18.Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das on 04 Jan 2016 inaugurated the state's land bank web portal, jharbhoom.nic.in
that would help investors know land-related information.
19.The Centre on 08 Jan 2016 allowed the conduct of jallikattu in Tamil Nadu by altering a 2011 Ministry of Environment
notification by exempting the sport from performances for which the bulls should not be used.
20.The Union Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD) on 7 January 2016 approved the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation
and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) for Punjab and Uttarakhand for the year 2015-16.Punjab Government will invest
720 crore rupees in improving basic urban infrastructure in 16 cities.
21. Laman Diva is Make in India Week logo
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on 08 Jan 2016 unveiled Laman Diva as the logo of the first
Make in India Week scheduled to be held in Mumbai between February 13 and 18, which will be inaugurated by
Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
"Laman Diva" is a lamp designed using cogs and wheels.
22.Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel on 10 January 2016 inaugurated the 28th edition of International Kite Festival
at Sabarmati River front in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
23.The 14th Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas (PBD) was held on 9 January 2016 in New Delhi.The event was inaugurated by the
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and attended by Priti Patel, MoS for Employment, United Kingdom.
24. National Youth Day observes on 12 Jan
National Youth Day is celebrated in India on 12 January on the 153rd birthday of Swami Vivekananda.
In 1984 the Government of India declared the day as the National Youth Day and since 1985 the event is
celebrated in India every year.
25. Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL), the corporate entity of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, on 11 January 2016 signed
a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Andhra Pradesh government.The MoU envisages investment of around
38500 crore rupees to take up various projects at Visakhapatnam.
26.The Nati folk dance of Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh in second week of January 2016 was listed in the Guinness
Book of World Records as the largest folk dance in the world.
27. Telangana becomes first State to make gender education compulsory
In this regard, state government has introduced bilingual textbook titled Towards a World of Equals on a pilot
basis in engineering colleges.
These engineering colleges are affiliated to the Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU-Hyderabad).
28. Nai Manzil Scheme launches in Jammu and Kashmir
The Nai Manzil scheme was on 20 January 2016 launched for the first time in Jammu and Kashmir.
Nai Manzil Scheme is an integrated Education and Livelihood Initiative for the Minority Communities. It was
announced by the Union Budget 2015-16.
29. The nineteenth edition of National Conference on e-Governance has begun on 21 January 2016 in Nagpur,
Maharashtra.
30. Jodhpur's Umaid Bhawan Palace names the world's best hotel of 2016
Umaid Bhawan Palace was called Chittar Palace during its construction due to use of stones drawn from the
Chittar hill where it is located. It has 347 rooms.
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31. Six-laning of NH-2 in Bihar and Jharkhand

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved development of the six laning of AurangabadBihar/Jharkhand Border- BarwaAdda section on National Highway-2 in Bihar and Jharkhand.
The estimated cost of the project is 4918.48 crore rupees including cost of land acquisition, resettlement and
rehabilitation and other pre-construction activities.
The total length of the road will be approximately 222 km.
32. Maharashtra Government has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Tata Trust for a skill training
programme for the youth in the state.This programme has been undertaken under the state governments ambitious Kushal
Maharashtra, Rojgaryukt Maharashtra initiative.
33.Union Government on 19 January 2016 sanctioned 33000 crore rupees for the development of infrastructure projects in
Tamil Nadu.Union Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari announced the sanctioned amount
and at his discretion, he announced additional 17000 crore rupees.With this, the total amount sanctioned was raised to
50000 crore rupees.
34. Bihar Govt approves 35 per cent job reservation for women
State cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in Patna approved 35 per cent reservation for women,
which will be applicable in all government jobs including reserved and unreserved category.
There is also 50 percent reservation for women as primary school teachers and in the Panchayati Raj system.
35. Sikkim becomes the first fully organic state of India
Sikkim has formally become Indias first fully organic state of India on 18 Jan 2016 after it successfully
implemented organic farming practices on around 75,000 hectares of agricultural land.
The declaration was made by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi while inaugurating the Sikkim Organic Festival
2016 in Gangtok, Sikkim.
36. Amma Call Centre launches
In an attempt to make governance more accessible to the public, Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on 19 Jan 2016
has launched Amma Call Centre, which would function round the clock to receive calls from citizens.
The call centre, which would receive calls made through the toll-free number 1100, would be manned by 138
persons in the initial phase to receive at least 15,000 calls per day.
37. Amritsar in Guinness Book of World Records
An offbeat message against drugs delivered through a dance performance by 8,726 students from 40 schools has
earned Amritsar a place in Guinness Book of World Records on January 14.
The performance of students attired in the same dress held at Khalsa College, on October 3, 2015 for an antidrugs awareness campaign has added another feather to the cap of the holy city.
38.Madhya Pradesh (MP) Government on 14 January 2016 signed four MOUs with Singapore to collaborate in urban
planning, skill development, clean energy and food processing.The MoU on setting up 1000 megawatt wind energy plant
in western part of the state.
39.Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) on 11 January 2016 announced that it commissioned the first unit of the 2x520
MW Vizag thermal power project in Andhra Pradesh. While the project, which is located in Visakhapatnam, is owned by
the Hinduja National Power Company Limited (HNPCL), it is being executed by BHEL on engineering, procurement and
construction (EPC) basis.
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40.Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on 12 Jan 2016 announced that they would hold Davos-type interface with
stakeholders regularly to extend the benefits of development to the common man after signing pacts worth Rs. 4.78 lakh
crore with investors from India and the Middle East, the United States, China and other countries.Agreements for setting
up a Rs.5,000 crore naval facility at Rambilli by Anil Ambanis ADA Group and for a Rs.38,000-crore expansion project
by RINL were also signed.
42.The 46th Statehood Day of Himachal Pradesh was celebrated with great gaiety on 25 Jan 2016.On 18 December 1970
the State of Himachal Pradesh Act was passed by Parliament and the new state came into being on 25 January 1971.Thus
Himachal emerged as the eighteenth state of the Indian Union.
43.The Rajasthan Government and its power distribution companies or discoms signed a pact with the Centre on 27 Jan
2016 under the Ujwal Discom Assurance Yojana (UDAY) aimed at relieving the debt burden of the most indebted
discoms in the country.
44. The Human Resource Development Ministry on 28 Jan 2016 appointed Ashok K. Roopanwal, a former judge of the
Allahabad High Court, as the one-man commission of inquiry into the circumstances that led to the January 17 suicide of
Hyderabad University research scholar Rohit Vemula.
45. Puducherry Lt Governor AK Singh launches MITRA app
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).
It is smartphone (Android) based application that helps women to end emergency SOS (alert) messages when they
are in danger or distress.
46.The Himachal Pradesh Government decided to spend 15 crore rupees on Swachh Bharat Mission in tribal district of
Kinnaur.
47. The 30th edition of Surajkund International Crafts Mela has begun at Faridabad in Haryana after it was formally
inaugurated by Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar.Telangana is the Theme State of this edition of Mela and the
two focus countries are China and Japan.
48.Maharashtra announces Babasaheb Ambedkar Special Group Incentives Scheme
Maharashtra government has announced Bharatratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Special Collective Incentive
Scheme for the economically backward Dalit entrepreneurs.
20% plots for small and medium scale industries will be reserved for the Dalits within Maharashtra Industrial
Development Corporation (MIDC).
49.Haryana and the Province of Ontario in Canada signed an MoU aimed at enhancing commercial and cultural ties.
50.Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 5 February 2016 dedicated the Brahmaputra Cracker and Polymer Limited (BCPL)
at Lepetkata, Assam to the nation.Modi inaugurates Rs. 10,000-crore petrochemical plant that will make raw material for
manufacturing plastic and a wax making unit using indigenous technology in Numaligarh Refinery Limited to the nation..
51.Kerala's all-women taxi cab service 'She-Taxi', touted as the country's first 24x7 taxi network by women for women,
has bagged the prestigious Chief Minister's Award for Innovation in Public Policy 2014.
52. 12th South Asian Games begins in Guwahati
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The theme song of 12th South Asian Games is "Ei Prithibi Ek Krirangan" which literally translates to "The world
is a playground" was written by Dr. Bhupen Hazarika, a notable personality of India.
The slogan of games is Play for Peace, Progress and Prosperity.
Tikhor, a one-horned rhino that represents endangered fauna of Assam found in Kaziranga National Park is
the Official mascot of the event.
53. Centre approves Heritage development projects in AP, Telangana

Ministry of Urban Development on 05 Feb 2016 has approved projects worth over Rs.12 cr for improving tourist
infrastructure in heritage places of Amaravati in Andhra Pradesh and Warangal in Telangana.
Amaravati and Warangal are among the 12 cities included in HRIDAY for improving the social, cultural and
economic ecosystems with the objective of conserving the rich cultural heritage and enabling better facilities for
tourists and pilgrims.
54.The 4-day National Arogya Fair began at Dehradun in Uttarakhand on 05 Feb 2016.The Fair has been organized by the
Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa & Homoeopathy (AYUSH) in collaboration
with the State government of Uttarakhand and the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII).
55. GI tag for Basmati rice of 7 states approved
The Intellectual Property Appellate Board (IPAB) has ordered Chennai based Geographical Indications Registry
(GIR) to issue Geographical Indication tag for Basmati rice.
This GI tag will be issued to basmati rice variety grown in 7 states in the Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP) on the
foothills of the Himalayas.
56.Maharashtra has emerged as the top ranking state in terms of the overall Internet readiness index, followed by
Karnataka, Gujarat, Telengana and Tamil Nadu, according to a report released on 08 Feb 2016.The report, Index of
Internet Readiness of Indian States was published by the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) and Indicus
Analytics.
57.The Union textile Ministry has bestowed the Indian Handloom Brand tag on "Chettinad cotton saris" for its unique
designs and identity.The Ministry also has offered a logo to use the brand for marketing the product. Chettinad cotton
saree is also known as kandaangi.It is the traditional sari of the Chettinad region in Sivaganga district of Tamil Nadu.
58.The Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan released the
Hydrocarbon Vision 2030 for north-east India on February 9, 2016 in Guwahati, Assam.The Hydrocarbon Vision 2030
outlines steps to leverage the hydrocarbon sector for social and economic development of the north-east region.
59. National Organic Farming Research Institute (NOFRI) at Gangtok, Sikkim
60.A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for Formation of Joint Venture Companies for Development of Railway
Infrastructure in the State of Telangana was signed between Ministry of Railways and State Government of
Telangana on 11.02.2016.The MoU envisages formation of a Joint Venture companies having 51% stakes of the
respective State Government and 49% stakes of Ministry of Railways.
61.Union minister for science & technology & earth sciences Dr. Harsh Vardhan inaugurated a Translational Research
Unit of Excellence (TRUE) at the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research - Indian Institute of Chemical Biology
(CSIR-IICB) Kolkata.
62.Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on 11 Feb 2016 unveiled a draft document, 'Vision Assam 2030' for ensuring
inclusive and sustainable development in the state.
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63.The Marine Museum at the Marine Aquarium and Regional Centre (MARC) of Zoological Survey of India (ZSI),
Digha was thrown open to the public. The MARC, ZSI, Digha also celebrating its 25th years of service to the nation on
faunal inventory and research.
64.The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER), Dr. Jitendra
Singh inaugurated the festival Destination North-East-2016 in New Delhi on 12 Feb 2016.The festival is being
organised by the Ministry of Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER) and Ministry of Culture.
65.Karnataka MobileOne, the flagship application launched by the State government in 2014, bagged the Gold award at
the World Governance Summit in Dubai.
66. PM Narendra Modi inaugurates 'Make In India' Week in Mumbai
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 13 Feb 2016 inaugurated the Make in India Week at NSCI, Worli, a flagship
event designed to impart greater momentum to the initiative to boost the manufacturing sector in the country.
He also inaugurated the Make in India Centre at MMRDA Grounds, Bandra Kurla Complex.
67. Jayalalithaa announces 'Amma Kudineer Thittam'
Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on 13 Feb 2016 announced 'Amma Kudineer Thittam' - a new scheme for supplying
drinking water to those who cannot afford to buy purified drinking water from private players.
68. Madhya Pradesh gets first Mega Food Park
In order to give an impetus to the growth of the Food Processing Sector in Madhya Pradesh, the first Mega Food
Park in the state promoted by M/s Indus mega Food Part Pvt. Ltd was inaugurated on 12 Feb 2016 by Harsimrat
Kaur Badal, Union Minister of Food Processing Industries at Village Panwa, Tehsil Kasarwad, District Khargone.
69. Film on conservation efforts by Nagaland villagers wins award
Nagaland is changing, But film has won the Golden Beaver Best Film Award in the institutional category at
the 6th National Science Film Festival held in Mumbai.
It also has received the technical excellence award for best sound design at the festival.
The film is based on conservation efforts by villagers and has been directed by Gurmeet Sapal.
70. Mysuru declared cleanest city in Swachh Sarvekshan 2016
The rankings of the Swachh Survekshan Survey 2016 were conducted by Quality Council of India (QCI) as part
of Swachh Bharat Mission.
71. Jharkhand gets first mega food park:
In order to give an impetus to the growth of the food processing sector in Jharkhand, the first mega food park in
the state promoted by Jharkhand Mega Food Park Pvt. Ltd. was inaugurated by Food processing minister
Harsimrat Kaur Badal at village Getalsud, district Ranchi.
The mega food park has been set up with the project cost of Rs 114.73 crore in an area of 51.50 acres.
72.US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) inked an agreement with the Andhra Pradesh Government to develop
infrastructure, communications and data systems in Visakhapatnam, in line with its goal to become a Smart City.
73.A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between IIPE and Andhra University to start the IIPE
sessions during the academic year 2016-17.
74.West Bengal government has launched the Utkarsh Bangla Scheme with an aim of providing vocational training to
school dropouts.
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NEWS (WORLD)
1. COP 21 Conferences
Paris hosts the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change conference.
According to scientific assessments, in 2014, India was the third largest emitter of atmosphere-warming
greenhouse gases (7 per cent), with China (25 per cent) and the U.S. (15 per cent) occupying the first and second
positions.
International Solar Alliance
India and France launched the International Solar Alliance in Paris. The alliance was launched jointly by PM
Narendra Modi and French President Francois Hollande during the United Nations climate change conference
(COP21).
2. The German Cabinet has approved a mandate offering military assistance to fight against the Islamic State (IS) militant
group in Syria.The mandate aims at supporting France and the international alliance in its fight against the IS militant
group. Now it requires Parliamentary approval to come into force.
3. China hosted the first Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa (BRICS) media summit in Beijing for creating an
alternative media platform for the 5 emerging economies.
Chinas Xinhua news agency is the initiator of the project which adds one more dimension to the BRICS format.
It was organised in collaboration with The Hindu group of publications, Russia Today International News
Agency, the Brazil Communication Company and South Africas Independent Media.
4. Air Indias first non-stop flight from New Delhi to San Francisco has landed amid rousing welcome, becoming the first
Indian airline to provide a direct air connection to the West Coast in the United States.The city Mayors office declared 02
Dec 2015 as Air India Day, a symbolic gesture to celebrate the arrival of the first direct flight from India here.Air India
has started three flights per week on Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
5. Paris Pact on Water and Climate Change Adaptation: A broad coalition of nations, river basin organizations,
business and civil society announced the creation of the international Paris Pact on Water and Climate Change
Adaptation.
6. Canada has successfully sent the first consignment of 250 tonnes of uranium to India as part of bilateral civil nuclear
cooperation between both countries.It was shipped by Canadas Cameco Inc, as part of contract with Department of
Atomic Energy (DAE) that was signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modis offical visit to Canada in April 2015.
7. German Chancellor Angela Merkel was named as 2015 Person of the Year by Time Magazine.
8. Bengaluru based Indian Institute of Science (IISc) has bagged a United States military contract for research and
development (R&D) on solar powered micro-grid.The federal contract worth US 52,900 dollars was awarded to IISc by
the US Pacific Air Forces (PAF), Yokota Air Base in Japan.
9. Mexico Government has approved worlds first-ever Dengue fever vaccine branded as Dengvaxia for the public
use.Dengvaxia has been manufactured by French pharmaceutical manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur.
10. Merriam-Webster has picked a small but powerful suffix as word of the year- ism. The top isms to earn high traffic
spikes and big bumps in lookups on the dictionary companys website in 2015 over the year before are socialism, fascism,
racism, feminism, communism, capitalism and terrorism.
11. New Zealanders chose a new flag design but the question now is whether enough people will rally behind it to oust the
current flag.
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12. The two-day meeting of the heads of governments of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) has held in
Zhengzhou city in China.
13. The World Trade Organisation (WTO) formally approved Afghanistans membership at its 10th ministerial
conference in the Kenyan capital Nairobi.Liberia has become the 163rd WTO member and the 35th least developing
country (LDC) to join the trading regime. Afghanistan has become the 164th WTO member and the 9th least developed
country (LDC) to join the global trade body after 11 years of negotiations.
14. UN Security Council has unanimously adopted a resolution to cut off all sources of funding to ISIS and Al-Qaeda with
finance ministers from the member nations vowing to increase sanctions against the terror groups.
15. The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has unanimously adopted a resolution No. 2254 outlining a peace
process in Syria.The resolution endorses formal talks on a political transition between the President Bashar al-Assad led
Syrian government and opposition in early January 2016.
16. The three-day long 2nd World Internet Conference was concluded at Wuzen in China. Wuzen is located in Zhejiang
Province in eastern China.The conference was held with theme An Interconnected World Shared and Governed by All
Building a Cyberspace Community of Shared Destiny.
17. US Senate ratifies IMF reforms as part of a Budget Bill
The United States (US) Senate has ratified reforms in the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to boost the
representation of emerging economies as part of a budget bill.
Proposed reforms in the Bill put four emerging markets Brazil, China, India and Russia among the IMFs top 10
shareholders and give emerging markets more influence at the global lender.
Gives emerging markets more voting power and double the Funds resources. Chinas vote at the IMF would
increase to 6 per cent from 3.8 per cent.
IMFs Board will entirely consist of elected Executive Directors. It will end the current category of appointment
of Executive Directors by five largest quotas holders. Quotas of all 188 members will increase as the Funds quota
resources rise to about 477 billion special drawing rights (SDR) from 238.5 billion.
18. The United States (US) has lifted a 40 year ban on oil exports marking a historic shift for the booming US oil
industry.This decision was taken as part of a 1.1 trillion dollars spending bill to fund US government until 2016 received
assent of President Barack Obama.
19. U.S. places Indian Lion in endangered species list
20. Search engine giant Yahoo on 21 December 2015 named Cow as the Personality of the Year 2015.
21. Greeces parliament on 23 Dec 2015 has approved legislation legalising civil partnerships for gay couples, two years
after the country was condemned by a European Court for discrimination.
22. Zimbabwe announces to adopt Chinese currency Yuan
Zimbabwe's Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa on 21 December 2015 announced that the country has planned
to adopt the Chinese Yuan as legal tender.
It will be done in return for debt cancellation worth 40 million dollars in the second week of December 2015.
23. Putin gifts Mahatmas notes, Indian sword to Modi
A page from Mahatma Gandhis diary containing his handwritten notes and an 18th century sword from Bengal
has been presented to Prime Minister Narendra Modi by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
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24. Drug major, Lupin, has received final approval from the U.S. health regulator to market Potassium Chloride extended
release capsules, used to treat potassium deficiency in the body, in the American market.
25. Philippines becomes first Asian country to approve sale of dengue vaccine Dengvaxia
26. UN adopts resolution to observe 5 November as World Tsunami Awareness Day
The United Nations General Assembly on 22 December 2015 adopted a resolution to observe 5 November every
year as World Tsunami Awareness Day.
27. Seychelles government allows India to build Naval Base on its Assumption Island
Seychelles government has allowed India to build its first Naval Base on the Assumption Island in the Indian
Ocean region (IOR) as a joint project between both countries.
28. Welcome to Twitter, my sister', Statue of Liberty greets Eiffel Tower
The Taj Mahal and Statue of Liberty warmly greeted the Eiffel Tower as the 126-year-old monument joined the
micro-blogging site Twitter this week.
29. China adopts tough anti-terror law
China on 27 Dec 2015 adopted its first counter-terrorism law that grants overarching powers to security agencies
amid criticism from the U.S. over privacy and freedom of speech.
30. China officially abandons its One Child Policy by passing law
China has officially abandoned its One Child Policy amid deepening demographic crisis of shrinking workforce
and aging population in the worlds second largest economy.
31. Guinea was declared free of Ebola on 29 Dec 2015 after more than 2,500 people died from the virus in the West
African nation, leaving Liberia as the only country still awaiting a countdown for the end of the epidemic.
32. Russia inks $1 billion deal with HAL
Russias Rostech State Corporation has signed one billion US dollar deal with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
(HAL) to manufacture 200 Kamov 226T light helicopters.
These helicopters will be manufactured under make in India initiative and shall replace the ageing fleet of
Cheetah and Chetak helicopters.
33. Iranian banks to open in India
The meeting led by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Iranian Finance Minister Ali Tayebnia India
decided to allow the Pasargan Bank and Parsian Bank of Iran to set up branches in New Delhi and Mumbai.
34. India-Nepal friendship bus service resumes after gap of 27 years
A friendship bus service between India and Nepal was flagged off via Champawat district in Uttarakhand after a
gap of 27 years.
The resumed bus service has been regularised and will run between Kanchanpur in Nepal close to the Banbasa
border in Champawat district and Anand Vihar in New Delhi. People travelling in these buses do not require any
special documents to travel.
35.Tiger Global Management emerged as the biggest investor in Indian businesses in 2015 on 3rd Jan 2016.The New
York-based investment company, doing so through venture capital funds in Indian e-commerce start-ups, put in as much
as $2.58 billion (Rs 17,100 crore) across 34 deals in 2015.
36. Sri Lanka, Pakistan agree to expand FTA
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Sri Lanka and Pakistan have agreed to expand their bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) by inclusion of services
and investment.
37.Nepal has been elected to the UNICEF Executive Board, representing the group of Asia-Pacific countries for the term
2016-2018.Nepal's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN Durga Prasad Bhattarai, has also been
unanimously elected as Vice-President to the Bureau of the Executive Board on 9 Jan 2016.
38. Economist Paul Kaba Thieba was named as the Prime Minister of Burkina Faso by the President Roch Marc Christian
Kabore.
39.The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASAs) revamped planet-hunting Kepler spacecraft has
discovered more than 100 planets orbiting other stars.
40. Sri Lanka tops in 2015 HDI in South Asia Region
Sri Lanka has maintained its high ranking in 2015 human development index (HDI) in the South Asia Region.
41. Japan on 22 January 2016 lifted sanctions on Iran, falling in line with major world powers. The announcement was
made by Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga.
42. Google, Railtel launches free public Wi-Fi service
Google India and Indian Railways telecom arm RailTel has launched free Rail Wire Public Wi-Fi service for
railway passengers at the Mumbai Central Station.
This service was launched by Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu. With this, Mumbai Central has become the
first railway station in India to have free high-speed Wi-Fi Internet facility.
43. 2016 NTI Nuclear Security Index releases
Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI), a US-based think-tank, released the 2016 Nuclear Security Index with the theme
Building a Framework for Assurance, Accountability, and Action.
The Index assessed global nuclear security conditions in 176 countries in two areas - the potential theft of
weapons-usable nuclear materials andthe potential sabotage of nuclear facilities.
Among the 24 states with one kilogram or more of weapons-usable nuclear materials in the world, while Australia
was adjudged as the safest, India was among the least safe with the 21st rank.
Australia (1), Switzerland (2), Canada (3), Poland (4) were in the top four safest, While Pakistan (22), Iran (23)
and North Korea (24) were the most unsafe.
44.The fourth edition of India Africa Hydrocarbons Conference (IAHC) has begun on January 21, 2016 in New Delhi.
45.The annual World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting has started on 20 Jan 2016 in Swiss resort of Davos, Switzerland
with participation of political leaders and business from around the world.
46.The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) on 18 January 2016 released the World Tourism Barometer, which
reviewed trends in tourism at the regional and global level for 2015 and enumerated prospects for 2016.
47.French President Francois Hollande has declared a state of economic emergency to redefine Frances economic and
social model.
48. Zinnia becomes first flower grown in space
The first flower 'Zinnia' has finally bloomed in outer space.
The flower was grown as part of an experiment astronauts are conducting on how plants grow in microgravity.
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49.United States (US) has removed a wide range of nuclear sanctions against Iran after it has meet its commitments to roll
back its nuclear programme.
50. China launches first online database on monks authenticity
For the first time, China on 18 Jan 2016 has launched an online system to check the authenticity of top Tibetan
Buddhist monks, amid growing incidents of fraud involving religious leaders.
51. Sahayog Kaijin 2016 Indo-Japan exercise begins
The 15th edition of bilateral exercise by the Indian Coast Guard and its Japanese counterpart titled SahayogKaijin 2016 has begun off the coast of Chennai, Tamil Nadu in the Bay of Bengal from 15 Jan 2016.
52. WHO declares Liberia Ebola free
The World Health Organisation (WHO) announced on 14 Jan 2016 that the Ebola epidemic that has ravaged West
Africa for two years was over after Liberia, the last affected country, received the all-clear.
WHO stressed though that the job is not over, warning more flare-ups are expected.
One of the most feared diseases in the world, Ebola killed more than 11,000 people across West Africa after it
surfaced in southern Guinea in December 2013.
53.Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa on 24 January 2016 won the Presidential election of Portugal.Sousa, popularly known as
Professor Marcelo and aged 67 is the one-time leader of the center-right Social democrats. He will succeed President
Anibal Cavaco Silva.
54. Denmark is least corrupt
An anti-corruption watchdog, the Transparency International (TI) has released Transparency Internationals
Corruption Perceptions Index.
Denmark remained at the top of Transparency Internationals Corruption Perceptions Index, a closely watched
global barometer, for the second consecutive year as the country perceived as least corrupt.
India stands at 76th position in the index with its CPI score at 38.
55. India, France ink 14 pacts for cooperation various fields
India and France have singed 14 pacts for enhancing the bilateral cooperation in various fields including defence,
space, railways, education etc.
These agreements were signed between the two countries after extensive talks between Prime Minister Narendra
Modi and French President Francois Hollande.
Both have focussed on inter-governmental issues. The two countries have signed a MoU on purchase of 36 Rafale
fighter jets.
56. India and Armenia sign Protocol amending DTAC
India and Armenia has signed a Protocol to amend the existing Double Taxation Avoidance Convention (DTAC)
to curb instances of tax evasion.
The Protocol amends the Article on Exchange of Information for tax in the bilateral DTAC signed between India
and Armenia and has been in existence since September 2004.
It has been amended to bring it in line with the updated provisions in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation
and Development (OECD) Model.
57. India becomes Worlds largest Rice exporter
India has overtaken Thailand as the worlds largest rice exporter in the year 2015 by shipping (exporting) 10.23
million tonnes of rice.
It was announced by the Bangkok based Thai Rice Exporters Association Chairman Charoen Laodhammatas.
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58.India and Afghanistan have signed an agreement for visa-free travel for diplomatic passport holders of the two
countries.
59.Vietnam on 1 February 2016 formally lifted the ban on import of Indian Groundnut. With the decision, India will be
able to resume export after nine months.
60.All 12 Pacific Rim countries have signed Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement in Auckland, New Zealand
making it one of the biggest trade deals in history.These 12 countries are: Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei
Darussalam, Japan, Canada, United States, Mexico, Peru, Chile, Australia and New Zealand.
61. Sri Lanka celebrates I-Day
Marked by symbolism of high degree, the 68th Independence Day of Sri Lanka was on 04 Feb 2016 celebrated
with an uncommon element - the rendering of the Tamil version of the national anthem at the government's main
event of the day.
62. WHO certifies vaccine maker GreenSignal Bio
Geneva-based World Health Organisation (WHO) has accorded PQP (Pre-qualification of Medicines Programme)
certification to the city-based GreenSignal Bio Pharma Pvt. Ltd., a BCG vaccine-making firm.
GreenSignal is the second Indian company to get PQP certification from WHO.
63.The tiny South Pacific island-nation of Tonga has declared an outbreak of the Zika virus after five cases of the
mosquito-borne illness are confirmed and another 265 are suspected of having it.
64.The 14 day Indo-Nepal Combined Military Exercise Surya Kiran IX at general area, Pithoragarh commenced on 08
February 2016 and will culminate on 21 February 2016.
65. Adele officially named the bestselling artist of 2015
Adele has been officially named as the best-selling artiste worldwide in 2015, after smashing chart records to
smithereens by releasing her third album 25.
The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) announced that the 27-year-old British singer
was the highest selling musical act based on worldwide sales of music recordings in the whole of 2015, despite
not releasing 25 until November.
66. Obama launches Cyber Security 'National action plan'
United States President Barack Obama has unveiled a cyber-security national action plan to boost security
awareness amid of growing risks from new technologies.
Under this action plan, President Obama in his budget request has asked for 19 billion US dollars for cybersecurity efforts.
67. Worlds largest solar plant opens in Morocco
Morocco has switched on what will be the world's largest concentrated solar power plant.
The Noor Ouarzazate Solar Complex, worlds largest solar power plant, was opened on 9 February 2016 in the
Souss-Massa-Dra area in Morocco, 10 km from Ouarzazate town.
68. Hindu Marriage Bill approved in Pakistan
A National Assembly committee of Pakistan on 8 February 2016 unanimously passed Hindu Marriage Bill
2015. The National Assemblys Standing Committee on Law and Justice cleared the final draft of the bill, where
five Hindu lawmakers were specially invited.
The committee adopted the bill unanimously after making two amendments to fix the minimum age of the
marrying male and female at 18 and making the law applicable to the whole of Pakistan.
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69.India has ranked 37th out of 38 countries for its intellectual property rights environment in the annual IP index released
by the United States Chamber of Commerce (USCC).
70. NATO, EU sign agreement on Cyber Defence Cooperation
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and European Union (EU) have signed an agreement to improve
Cooperation in Cyber Defence to counter modern forms of hybrid warfare.
In this regard a technical agreement was signed at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium between both
organisations which have 22 member countries in common.
It was signed between NATO Computer Incident Response Capability (NCIRC) and the Computer Emergency
Response Team European Union (CERT-EU).
71. Four Indian-Americans selected to U.S. National Academy of Engineering
Four Indian-Americans have been selected to the prestigious U.S. National Academy of Engineering (NAE) to be
part of its new list of 80 members for their valuable contributions to the society.
Anil K. Jain, Dr. Arati Prabhakar, Ganesh Thakur and Dr. K.R. Sridhar were formally made part of the NAE
during a ceremony at its annual meeting.
72.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.
71. Indo-Seychelles joint military exercise begins
The Seventh Joint Military Training Exercise between the Indian Army and the Seychelles Peoples Defence
Forces (SPDF) - LAMITYE 2016, began at Seychelles Defence Academy (SDA), Victoria, Seychelles from 15
February to 28 February 2016.
72.Scientist for the first time have discovered Gravitational Waves (GW) that were hypothesised by Albert Einstein in
1916.
73. UK daily "Independent" to go online-only
One of Britain's leading daily newspapers, "The Independent", announced it will end its print edition and switch
to digital only mode from next month amid falling readership.
74. India and Singapore sign MoU
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 17 Feb 2016 gave its ex-post facto approval
for signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Singapore Cooperation Enterprise
(SCE), an Agency of Government of Singapore on cooperation in the field of Urban Planning and Governance.
75. Japan launches ASTRO-H satellite to study black holes
Japan has successfully launched ASTRO-H space observation satellite to probe mysterious black holes.
The satellite was launched by H2A rocket after it had successfully lifted off at the Tanegashima Space Centre.
ASTRO-H satellite has been developed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) in cooperation with
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and others.
SCIENCE, DEFENCE and TECHNOLOGY

1.China creates three new Army units to modernize military
China has created three new military bodies as part of reforms to modernize its military and improve its fighting
capacity.
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2. India, Pakistan exchange lists of nuclear facilities

India and Pakistan have exchanged the list of their nuclear installations and facilities under the Agreement on the
Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear installations.
3. Periodic table gets four new elements
The periodic table has been given four new elements, changing one of science's most fundamental pieces of
knowledge.
Elements 113, 115, 117 and 118 will now be added to the table's seventh row and make it complete, after they
were verified by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry on 30 December. But they are yet to
receive their final names or symbols.
4. Indian Army tests Pinaka II multi-barrel rocket launcher system
The Indian Army has successfully completed user-assisted trials of Pinaka II, a multi-barrel rocket launcher
(MBRL) system, at Pokhran field firing range in Rajasthan, India.
Carried out over three days, the trials were carried out by the Indian Defence Research and Development
Organisation's (DRDO) Pune-based Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) laboratory.
5.The mobile wallet and e-commerce platform Paytm on 04 Jan 2016 announced the acquisition of Delhi-based startup
Shifu, a consumer behaviour prediction platform, for $8 million.Shifu analyses the smartphone usage patterns of users and
makes personalised and relevant recommendations to them.
6.North Korea announced on 06 Jan 2016 that it had successfully carried out its first hydrogen bomb test, a development
that, if confirmed, would mark a stunning step forward in its nuclear development.
7.California based BioQ Pharma Inc. has signed a distribution, supply and development agreement with pharmaceutical
major Cipla Ltd for registration and commercialization of its Ropivacaine infusion pharmaceutical in India.BioQ Pharma
is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of single-use, large volume
and ready-to-use infusible pharmaceuticals.
8. Uber launches start-up mentorship programme uberEXCHANGE
Taxi-hailing app Uber on 06 Jan 2016 announced a new start-up mentorship programme in the country in
partnership with Invest India called uberEXCHANGE.
The programme will address issues that entrepreneurs face, like fund-raising, product design, engineering and
how to scale up a business.
9. Boost for Indian Navy's firepower: INS Kadmatt commissioned
Adding to Indian Navy's firepower, INS Kadmatt, the second ship of Project 28 (P28) class anti-submarine
warfare (ASW) corvettes, was commissioned on 07 Jan 2016.
With the changing power dynamics in the Indian Ocean Region, INS Kadmatt will augment the mobility, reach
and flexibility of Indian Navy.
INS Kadmatt has been indigenously designed by Indian Navy's in-house organisation, Directorate of Naval
Design and constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited, Kolkata.
10. ICICI Bank to partner FINO PayTech
ICICI Bank will partner FINO PayTech to foray into the payments bank space.
For example, State Bank of India and Kotak Mahindra Bank has picked up stake in the payments banks that will
be floated by Reliance Industries and the Bharti Group, respectively.
The ICICI Group, with about 16 per cent stake in FINO Paytech, a business correspondent, is the largest domestic
shareholder.
FINO Paytech has received in principle licence from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to start a payment bank.
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RBI regulations allow universal banks to invest up 30 per cent in payments bank.
11.India and France on 8 January 2016 started their eight-day counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency joint exercise
Shakti-2016 in Rajasthan.This is the third edition in the series of bilateral exercises under this banner and is being held in
Mahajan Field Firing Ranges in Rajasthan's Bikaner.
12.Dubai-based retail and hospitality conglomerate Landmark Group, has introduced its e-commerce initiative
LandmarkShops.in in India.With this new initiative, customers can browse and shop over 10,000 products across
women, men and kids apparel, footwear, accessories and beauty products through the e-commerce site.
13.Online classifieds portal Quikr on 07 Jan 2016 announced the merger of real estate listing company
CommonFloor.com, making the combined entity the biggest in the space.
Sumit Jain is the co-founder and CEO, CommonFloor.com.
Pranay Chulet, CEO and founder, Quikr, has publicly stated that the company is two years away from being
profitable and if not for the marketing spends, Quikr would have already been profitable.
14.South Korea's Parliament on 8 January 2016 adopted a resolution, denouncing the Democratic People's Republic of
Korea (DPRK)'s fourth nuclear test, urging the DPRK to dismantle its nuclear programme.
15.Chinas country code domain .cn has become the worlds most commonly used in the internet with 16.36 million
users, surpassing Germanys .de domain.cn is managed through a branch of the Ministry of Industry and Information.
16.Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully test fired the new Penetration-Cum Blast
(PCB) and Thermobaric (TB) Ammunition tank at Chandipur, Odisha.This was specially designed for Arjun Main Battle
Tank (MBT).
17. DAC approves major changes in DPP
The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) chaired by Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has approved
major changes in the new Defence Procurement Procedure (DDP) 2016.
These changes were made in DPP 2016 to streamline defence acquisitions and give a big impetus to
indigenisation of Defence sector through the Make in India initiative.
18. CIRB Hisar becomes second institute to clone buffalo
Scientists at the Central Institute for Research on Buffaloes (CIRB) in Hisar, Haryana have successfully produced
a cloned buffalo offspring named Cirb Gaurav.
CIRB scientists have achieved this feat under the project entitled- Cloning for conservation and multiplication of
superior buffalo germplasm.
With this achievement, CIRB becomes the Indias second and worlds third institute to produce cloned buffalo.
Karnal (Haryana) based National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) was the Indias first institute to produce a
cloned calf.
19.Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) has signed a MoU with the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) on 21 Jan 2016 to
monitor the mining activities in the country through satellite technology.
20. PSLV-C31 launches IRNSS-1E
PSLV-C31 successfully launched IRNSS-1E, the fifth satellite of the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite
System, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), SHAR, Sriharikota on 20 Jan 2016 morning.
PSLV-C31 for the eleventh time used XL version of PSLV.
www.bsc4success.com
21. Remote cardiac monitor wins Google tech contest

Cardiac Design Labs, a startup that has come up with an innovation to help cardiac patients in rural India access
critical care through a wearable device, came out triumphant at a live contest hosted by tech firm Google at the
Startup India event.
The Bengaluru-based firm combines communications and heart monitoring technology and is designed for use in
rugged rural conditions.
22. The NASA's SpaceX has launched an international ocean research mission on 17 Jan 2016 via its Falcon 9 rocket, the
final F9 to fly in the v1.1 configuration, from Californias Vandenberg Air Force Base in the USA.The rocket carried the
ocean monitoring satellite Jason-3 on board.
23. Chinese scientists have developed a new bio-artificial liver that can help patients to survive from liver failure long
enough for an organ transplant.The bio-artificial liver is based on human liver cells and has been designed to be attached
outside a patients body.
24. NASAs solar-powered Jupiter probe sets new distance record
NASAs Juno mission to Jupiter broke the record to become humanitys most distant solar-powered emissary,
when the spacecraft reached about 793 million kilometres from the Sun.
The previous record-holder was the European Space Agencys Rosetta spacecraft, whose orbit peaked out at the
792-million-kilometre mark in October 2012, during its approach to comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko.
25. Nag anti-tank missile successful test fired
The indigenously-built third generation anti-tank missile Nag was successfully test fired at Mahajan Field Firing
Range in Rajasthan.
During the test, the missile successfully hit the target 4 km away during a night trial validating enhanced
capability of Imaging-Infrared seeker (IIS).
It mainly guides the missile to the target.
Indigenously developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) under the Integrated
Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP).
It is fire-and-forget anti-tank missile.
HeliNa is a helicopter-launched version of Nag missile.
Operational range: 500m to 4km (Land version), 7-10km (Air-launched).
It has been incorporated with HEAT (High explosive anti-tank) warhead also the top-attack all-weather fire-andforget system capable of destroying modern tanks with armoured protection by nullifying their ERA (explosive
reactive armour).
26. Lenovo unveils first smartphone under Google's Tango
Lenovo Group Ltd. has unveiled a new smartphone that can see and maps out its surroundings with help from the
US-based companys 3D technology named Project Tango.
Googles Project Tango is a technology platform that uses advanced computer vision, depth sensing, and motion
tracking to create on-screen 3D experiences, allowing users to explore their physical environment via their device.
27.The first Ministerial Meeting of Arab-India Cooperation Forum was held in Manama, capital city of Bahrain.
28. TranServ, a leading digital payments company, has launched India's 1st Social Mobile Wallet, Udio.
29. Ariane 5 launches Intelsat 29e on first Arianespace flight of 2016
Intelsat, the commercial satellite giant, on 27 January 2016 announced that Inteslat 29e, the first of the Intelsat
EpicNG high throughput satellites, was successfully launched.
The satellites were launched from French Guiana aboard an Ariane 5 vehicle.
www.bsc4success.com
The high throughput platform should provide customers with superior connections at a lower cost.
30. CERT-In inks cyber security agreements with 3 nations

Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) has signed cyber security agreement with its
counterparts in Malaysia, Singapore and Japan.
In this regard, the Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has apprised the Memorandum of
Understandings (MoUs) signed between CERT-In and 3 nations.
CERT-In (headquarter- New Delhi) is nodal department under the aegis of Union Ministry of Communications
and Information Technology that deals with cyber security threats like hacking and phishing in India.
31.United States (US) based software services exporter Cognizant Technology Solutions (CTS) has acquired cloud-based
computing firm KBACE Technologies.This acquisition will help Cognizant to strength and expands its digital capabilities
from its critical business applications to cloud-based IT infrastructures.
32. Akash missile successfully test fires
Indigenously-built surface-to-air Akash missile was successfully test fired from complex-3 of the Integrated Test
Range (ITR) at Chandipuri in Odisha.
It was as part of a user trial mission in which 3 rounds of test were carried out by Indian Air Force (IAF) aiming
at para-barrel targets.
Akash (in English it means sky) is a mid-range surface-to-air missile (SAM).
Indigenously developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) under the Integrated
Guided-Missile Development Programme (IGMDP).
The missile has supersonic speeds ranging from Mach 2.8 to 3.5.
It has capability to carry warhead of 60 kg.
It can engage aerial targets up to a range of approximately 25 kms.
33. Japan unveils first stealth fighter jet
Japan on 28 January 2016 unveiled countrys first stealth fighter aircraft X-2.
The domestically-built fighter aircraft seeks to augment defence capabilities of the country that is surrounded by
China and Russia that already have radar-evading aircraft technology.
X-2 is expected to undergo its first test-flight in February 2016.
The X-2, developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, measures 14.2 metres (47 feet) long and 9.1 metres wide and
was built as a successor to the F-2 fighter jets developed jointly with the United States.
Presently, only the United States, Russia and China have been internationally recognised as having successfully
developed and flown manned stealth jets.
34.India launches I-LTEO programme to monitor 8 different biomes
India launched the Indian Long Term Ecological Observatories (I-LTEO) programme to scientifically monitor
eight different biomes (natural landscapes) across the country. The initiative was launched on the sidelines of the
Conference of Parties-21 (COP-21) of UNFCCC in Paris.
The programme aims to identify and monitor targeted socio-ecological challenges and help build capacity within
India. The studies under the programme will indicate the need for imminent adaptation measures.
Under this programme, students and young scientists will also be trained through sustained long-term support for
research in the area of climate change.
35. A United Launch Alliance Atlas V (401 configuration) rocket carrying the OA-4 Cygnus cargo spacecraft with much
needed supplies blasted off towards the International Space Station (ISS).The rocket lifted off from Space Launch
Complex 41, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station after three days of delay due to poor weather.
www.bsc4success.com
36. Pakistan successfully test-fired a nuclear-capable ballistic missile with a range of 900 kilometres, days after testing a
similar missile capable of hitting targets as far as 2,750 kilometres away, bringing many Indian cities under its range.The
Shaheen-1A ballistic missile was fired from an undisclosed location with impact in the Arabian Sea.It is capable of
delivering different types of warheads to a range of 900 kilometres. Shaheen-1A with its sophisticated and advanced
guidance system made it a highly accurate missile system.
37. China successfully launched the countrys first space telescope in search for signals of dark matter, an invisible
material that makes up most of the universes mass.The Dark Matter Particle Explorer (DAMPE) Satellite, which has been
given the moniker Wukong after the Monkey King from the Chinese classical fiction Journey to the West, was launched
on a Long March 2-D rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre.It will enter a sun-synchronous orbit at a height of
500 km to observe the direction, energy and electric charge of high-energy particles in space. The satellite is designed to
undertake a three-year space mission, but scientists hope it could last five.
38. ISRO successfully launches 6 Singapore Satellites
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully placed six commercial satellites from Singapore in
their dedicated orbits.
These satellites were launched using Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C29) from the first launch pad of
Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
This successful launch coincides with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between
India and Singapore in year 2015.
39. SpaceX successfully launches and lands Falcon 9 rocket
American aerospace company SpaceX on 21 December 2015 achieved the historic feat of successfully launching
and landing Falcon 9 rocket.
The Falcon 9 rocket was successfully launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida carrying 11 satellites to low-Earth
orbit and was also successfully landed after 10 minutes to the Earth.
It is the first time in the history of rocketry that a rocket has returned back after delivering a spacecraft to its orbit,
so that it could potentially fly again.
This exercise of using reusable rockets will help in reducing the cost of access to space making explorations a
more realistic goal.
40. Reliance Defence Limited and AlmazAntey, Russias leading developer and manufacturer of air defence missile
systems, have decided to work jointly on the entire range of air defence missile and radar systems required for the Indian
defence forces.AlmazAntey developed the S-400 Triumf air defence system that India plans to buy for Rs. 40,000 crore.
41. Indias first indigenously designed warship INS Godavari has been decommissioned after 32 years of service. It was
decommissioned at Naval Dockyard in Mumbai (Maharashtra) after it completed its full life cycle, meeting all
responsibilities and duties assigned in 3 decades of service.INS Godavari was the first of the three in her Class of guidedmissile frigates and was commissioned into Indian Navy on 10 December 1983.
42. Anti-jamming capability of Astra missile successfully tested
Scientist from Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) recently has successfully tested crucial
anti-jamming capability of the Astra missile.
During the trials missiles ECCM (electronic counter-counter measure) features to overcome any jamming was
successfully evaluated.
Astra missile is indigenously developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and is one
of the smallest weapon systems developed by it.
It is radar homing missile fuelled by single stage solid fuel and has payload capacity of 15 kg conventional
explosives.
www.bsc4success.com
43. Navys long range air defence missile completes maiden launch
In a step towards augmenting the anti-aircraft capabilities of the countrys naval assets at sea, the Long Range
Surface to Air Missile (LR-SAM) project which can intercept incoming targets at a range of 80 km has
successfully completed its maiden test flight from a Naval warship.
LR-SAM also known as Barak NG (next generation) is being co-developed by Defence Research and
Development Organisation (DRDO) from India and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) of Israel.
The missile will be manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited.
44. China successfully launches earth observation satellite Gaofen-4
China has successfully launched its most sophisticated observation satellite Gaofen-4, as part of the countrys
high-definition (HD) earth observation Gaofen project.
It was launched aboard a Long March-3B carrier rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in the
southwestern province of Sichuan.
45. LRSAM Barak 8 Missile successfully tested from INS Kolkata
India and Israel jointly developed Long Range Surface to Air Missile (LRSAM) Barak 8 was successfully test
fired from INS Kolkata.
The firing trial of the LR SAM has been jointly carried out by the Indian Navy, Defence Research and
Development Organisation (DRDO) and Israel Aerospace Industries.
46.Technology giant Microsoft is all set to buy software keyboard and SDK application maker SwiftKey.SwiftKey is a
free keyword application that powers more than 300 million Android and iOS devices.
With this acquisition, Microsoft intends to integrate SwiftKey technology with their Word Flow technology for
Windows.
Swiftkey was founded by SwiftKey Jon Reynolds and Ben Medlock.
47. TCS becomes world's most powerful IT Services brand
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has announced that it has been rated as the Worlds Most Powerful Brand in IT
Services by Brand Finance, the worlds leading brand valuation firm.
TCS emerged as the IT services industry's most powerful brand with a score of 78.3 points earning it an AA+
rating.
Brand Finance is the worlds leading brand valuation and strategy consultancy.
48. India, China hold first joint tactical drill on border
For the first time, border troops of India and China have held their first joint tactical exercise with named SinoIndia Cooperation 2016 in Chushul-Moldo in Jammu and Kashmir.
This is part of the ongoing initiatives taken by India and China to ensure greater interaction between troops
stationed along the Line of Actual Control, and thereby ensure peace and tranquillity along the border.
The exercise focused on actions to be coordinated to tackle jointly aspects of humanitarian aid and disaster relief.
49. Paper waste turned into green cellulose Aerogel
For the first time, scientists from National University of Singapore (NUS) have successfully converted paper
waste into green nontoxic cellulose Aerogels.
Aerogels are among the lightest solid materials in the world and are also one of the finest insulation materials
available.
Green Aerogels are ultra-light, non-toxic, extremely strong, flexible and water repellent.
It is obtained by converting paper waste into biodegradable Aerogels which is a simple, cost-effective and fast
method.
50. YES Bank's tie up with Smartbox
www.bsc4success.com
Private sector bank YES Bank has tied up with Smartbox Ecommerce Solutions for solving challenges related to
last mile delivery for e-commerce players and making life easy for online shoppers.
It will help power the payment solutions for Smartbox network of Automated Parcel Delivery Terminals.
51. Prithvi II missile successfully test-fired from Chandipur

Indigenously developed Prithvi-II missile was successfully test fired from the Chandipur, off Odisha coast. It was
conducted by the Strategic Force Command (SFC) and was monitored by the scientists from Defence Research
and Development Organisation (DRDO).
Prithvi-II missile is the first missile to be developed by DRDO under Indias prestigious IGMDP (Integrated
Guided Missile Development Program).
It is surface-to-surface medium range ballistic missile with a strike range of 350 km.
It is capable of carrying 500 kg to 1000 kg of warheads.
52. Indias first lightest gun Nidar launched
Indias first indigenously developed lightest revolver (gun) Nidar weighing merely 250 grams was successfully
launched.
It has been designed and manufactured by the state-run Rifle Factory Ishapore located in West Bengal giving
boost to the Make in India initiative in small manufacturing sector.
Nidar is much lighter than Nirbheek (500 grams) revolver which was exclusively designed for women.
It is .22 caliber gun (revolver) with a 40-mm barrel and is only 140mm in length.
53. Cargo App to track movement of shipments
Airport operator Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) has launched a new mobile application, 'DIAL
CARGO' for cargo operations.
It will help in electronic clearance of cargo through the customs department.
'DIAL CARGO' provides authorised access to operators, customs department, custom house agents, airlines and
freight forwarders, among others and would enable greater visibility for cargo operations and tangible cost and
resource benefits.
54. Amazon launches Tatkal initiative
E-commerce giant Amazon on 17 Feb 2016 announced the launch of Amazon Tatkal, an initiative that enables
small and medium businesses (SMBs) to go online and sell products on Amazon.
It will enable thousands of interested sellers to start selling on Amazon in real time and experience the benefits of
launching an online business.
55. Google Translate introduces 13 new languages
Saying 'hello' online in Sindhi just got easier as Google Translate will now speak Sindhi.
Now, Sindhi speakers can type or handwrite a phrase on their phone or computer and it will be instantly translated
into English, or vice versa.
Along with Sindhi, Google has introduced 12 other new languages Amharic, Corsican, Frisian, Kyrgyz,
Hawaiian, Kurdish (Kurmanji), Luxembourgish, Samoan, Scots Gaelic, Shona, Pashto and Xhosa.
56. Tata Motors & Bharat Forge tie up for $11-bn defence bid
Tata Motors, Bharat Forge and General Dynamics have forged an alliance to bid for the $11 billion (Rs 78,000
crore) project of making combat infantry vehicles for the Indian Army under the Future Infantry Combat Vehicle
(FICV) Programme.
General Dynamics, a US-based aerospace and defence company, successfully designed and developed Ground
Combat Infantry Fighting Vehicle for the US Army.
The company was chosen for India's FICV programme by Tata Motors and Bharat Forge for its experience in
developing such a complex vehicle.
www.bsc4success.com
REPORTS
1. Forbes list of the World's Most Powerful People 2015
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been ranked as the worlds ninth most powerful person by Forbes magazine in
a 2015 list which is topped by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Mr. Modi was placed 14th in the 2014 Forbes list of worlds powerful people.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel is at the second spot followed by US President Barack Obama (third) and
Pope Francis (fourth) and Chinese President Xi Jinping (fifth).
2. IOC, RIL grab top 2 slots in Fortune 500 India list
State-run Indian Oil Corporation has maintained its numero uno position in the list of Fortune 500 Indian
companies 2015, followed by Reliance Industries in terms of revenue for the sixth consecutive year.
IOC tops the chart with an annual revenue of Rs. 4,51,911 crore, while Mukesh Ambani-led RILs full-year
revenue is Rs. 3,82,565 crore.
Tata Motors with a revenue of Rs. 2,67,025 crore jumped to third slot from last years fifth place by replacing
Bharat Petroleum (BPCL).
State Bank of India (SBI) moved to fourth position with an annual revenue of Rs. 2,57,289 crore, from sixth rank
in 2014.
Bharat Petroleum (BPCL) is ranked fifth with an annual revenue of Rs. 2,40,367 crore. It had grabbed the third
spot in last years ranking.
3. CAD may be less than $25 bn: Barclays
According to financial services major Barclays, Indias current account deficit (CAD) remains in check and is
expected to be lesser than $25 billion this fiscal.
India is a large beneficiary of lower crude oil prices, and FDI inflows remain on a relatively strong footing and
help to offset the portfolio outflows seen in recent months, according to the report.
Indias CAD narrowed to 1.6 per cent of GDP at $8.2 billion in the second quarter ended September.
It is, however, higher than 1.2 per cent for the April-June quarter of this fiscal.
The deficit for the first half of this fiscal stood at $14.3 billion.
4. RBI releases report of Deepak Mohanty Committee
The Reserve Bank of India on 28 December 2015 released the Report of the Committee on Medium-term Path on
Financial Inclusion.
The committee was constituted on 15 July 2015 by the RBI with the objective of working out a medium-term
(five years) measurable action plan for financial inclusion. The 14-member committee was headed by RBI
Executive Director Deepak Mohanty.
Banks have to make special efforts to step up account opening for females, and the Government may consider a
deposit scheme for the girl child Sukanya Shiksha - as a welfare measure. Account lined Aadhaar and the credit
information should be shared with companies to enhance the stability of the credit system and improve access.
5. WB projects 7.8% growth for India in year 2016
The Global Economic Prospect report published by the World Bank (WB) has projected a robust 7.8 per cent
growth for the Indian economy in the year 2016.
World Bank also predicted that India will be the fastest growing economy in the world in the next three years and
would outpace China.
World Bank says India will grow at a 7.9 per cent growth in the next two years 2017 and 2018.
Among BRICS Nations, China will grow at 6.7 per cent in the year 2016 and 6.5 per cent each in next two years
2017 and 2018.
www.bsc4success.com
6. Import cover increases to 9.8 months

The countrys foreign exchange reserves, which were $350.4 billion as on September 2015, were able to support
imports for 9.8 months, up from 8.9 months as on end March, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said on 11 Jan
2016 in its Half Yearly Report on Management of Foreign Exchange Reserves.
Import cover is an important indicator of the stability of the currency.
7. Retail inflation inches up to 5.61%
Rising for the fifth straight month, retail inflation or CPI quickened to 5.61 per cent in December, mainly on
costlier vegetables and cereals.
Food inflation too rose to 6.40 per cent during the month.
Retail inflation measured by the consumer price index (CPI) was at 5.41 per cent in November 2015 and 4.28 per
cent in December 2014.
8. IMF cuts global growth forecast
The International Monetary Fund cut its global growth forecasts for the third time in less than a year on 19 Jan
2016, citing a sharp slowdown in China trade and weak commodity prices that are hammering Brazil and other
emerging markets.
The IMF forecast that the world economy would grow at 3.4 per cent in 2016 and 3.6 per cent in 2017, both years
down 0.2 percentage point from the previous estimates made last October.
The IMF projected 7.3 per cent GDP growth for India in 2015-16. IMF retains India's growth forecast for the next
two years and expects Indian economy to grow 7.5% in FY17 and FY18, the fastest among major economies.
China's growth is forecast to slow to 6.3% in 2016 and 6.0% in 2017.
The RBIs forecast for growth this year is 7.4 per cent.
9. India to be fastest growing economy in 2016: UN Report
As per recently released United Nations (UN) World Economic Situation and Prospects 2016 Report, India will
be the fastest growing big economy in the world in 2016.
The report has projected Indias growth rate by 7.3 % in the year 2016 and 7.5 % in 2017 slightly up from an
earlier estimated 7.2 % rate in 2015.
In the South Asia region, Indias economy will account for over 70 % of regions GDP.
10. Bank of India allots shares worth Rs 264 crore to LIC
State-run Bank of India has alloted 2 crore shares to LIC valued at Rs 264.12 crore.
The bank has allotted 2 crore equity shares to Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) on preferential basis at
the price of Rs 132.06 per share.
11. World Bank releases World Development Report
The World Bank on 14 January 2016 has released World Development Report 2016: Digital Dividends in
Washington DC, the USA.
The report explored the impact of the internet, mobile phones, and related technologies on economic development
across the world including India.
The report suggested that Digital development strategies need to be broader than ICT (information and
communication technology) strategies.
World Bank appreciated the Aadhaar scheme as it saved 1 billion US dollars by bringing down corruption.
12. India slips to 89th on Global Talent Competitiveness Index
India ranked 89th globally in Global Talent Competitiveness Index (GTCI) 2015 list of 109 countries in terms of
talent competitiveness of its human capital.
www.bsc4success.com
INSEAD, one of the world's leading and largest graduate business schools, on 19 January 2016 launched the
Global Talent Competitiveness Index 2015-16 - Talent Attraction and International Mobility in Davos,
Switzerland on the sidelines of the 46th annual summit of the World Economic Forum (WEF).
Among the 109 countries surveyed, Switzerland (1) topped the list followed by Singapore (2), Luxembourg (3),
the USA (4) and Denmark (5).
Compared to its 78th rank in the 2014-15 report, India slipped 11 places to rank 89th in the GTCI 2015-16.
It also ranks at last among BRICS members.
13. Govt lowers GDP growth rate to 7.2%

Government has marginally revised downward the economic growth for 2014-15 to 7.2 per cent from the earlier
estimate of 7.3 per cent after factoring in latest data on agriculture and industrial production.
GDP growth rate for 2013-14 has also revised downwards to 6.6 per
14. SC appointed Lodha Committee to sell PACL's assets
Supreme Court on 2 February 2016 appointed a committee under former Chief Justice RM Lodha to sell assets of
Pearls Agrotech Corporation Ltd (PACL) and refund 49,000 crore rupees to the investors.
The investors invested in the firms collective investment scheme (CIS) that was deemed illegal by the Securities
and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).
15. India third most disaster prone in 2015: UN report
India has been ranked third among the top five most disaster-hit countries in 2015.
After China and the US, which have been hit by 26 and 22 disasters respectively last year, India is the most
affected country having suffered 19 disasters in 2015, according to a study released by the United Nations Office
for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR).
16. Canada, US, Mexico ink MoU to Cooperate on Climate Change
Canada, United States (US) and Mexico have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Climate
Change and Energy Collaboration to tap into energy cooperation among three countries.
The MoU was signed at the North American Energy Ministers Meeting held in Winnipeg, Canada and hosted by
Canadas Minister of Natural Resources Jim Carr.
17. Moodys pegs Indias GDP growth at 7.5% in 2016, 2017
US agency Moody's Investors Service on 18 Feb 2016 forecast for India a "stable GDP growth at around 7.5
percent in 2016 and 2017", saying the country is relatively less exposed to external headwinds, like the Chinese
slowdown, and will benefit from lower commodity prices.
In its report Global Macro Outlook 2016-17 Global growth faces rising risks at time of policy constraint,
Moodys said growth will fail to pick up steam over the next two years as the slowdown in China, lower
commodity prices and tighter financing in some countries weigh on the economy.
BOOKS & AUTHORS
The 51 Day War: Ruin and Resistance in Gaza Max Blumenthal

Shell-Shocked: On the Ground under Israel's Gaza Assault Mohammed Omer
Muslim Cosmopolitanism in the Age of Empire Seema Alavi
Artefacts of History: Archaeology, Historiography and Indian Pasts Sudeshna Guha
The Hollow Colossus Charles Andrews
Bread Beauty Revolution Khwaja Ahmad Abbas
Rungli Rungliot Rumer Godden
www.bsc4success.com
Rebooting India: Realising A Billion Aspirations Nandan Nilekani & Viral Shah
Summer Requiem Vikram Seth
A Career of Evil Robert Galbraith
Neither A Hawk, Nor A Dove: An Insiders Account Of Pakistans Foreign Policy Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri
The Turn of The Tortoise: The Challenge and Promise of Indias Future TN Ninan
The Island of Lost Girls Manjula Padmanabhan
Two Years, Eight Months and Twentyeight Nights: A Novel Salman Rushdie
Gita Press and the Making of Hindu India Akshaya Mukul
The Outsider: My Life in Intrigue Frederick Forsyth
The Audacious Ascetic: What the Bin Laden Tapes Reveal About Al-Qaida Flagg Miller
To the Brink and Back: Indias 1991 Story Jairam Ramesh
India Reloaded: Inside India's Resurgent Consumer Market Dheeraj Sinha
On My Terms: Grassroots to the Corridors of Power Sharad Pawar
Red Maize Danesh Rana
Nation at Play: A History of Sport in India Ronojoy Sen
The Water Spirit and Other Stories Imran Hussein
India-Myanmar Relations: Changing Contours Rajiv Bhatia
Until the Lions: Echoes from the Mahabharata Karthika Nair
Why India is not a Great Power (Yet) Bharat Karnad
No Direction Rome Kaushik Basu
An Upstart in Government: Journeys of Change and Learning Arun Maira
Million Dollar Women Julia Pimsleur
Maru Bharat Saru Bharat (My India Noble India) Acharya Ratnasundersuriswarji Maharaj
Family Life Akhil Sharma
Hangwoman KR Meera (translated by J Devika)
The Book of Gold Leaves Mirza Waheed
The Lives of Others Neel Mukherjee
She Will Build Him A City Raj Kamal Jha
Odysseus Abroad Amit Chaudhuri
Flood of Fire Amitav Ghosh
Sleeping on Jupiter Anuradha Roy
Seahorse Janice Pariat
The Patna Manual of Style Siddharth Chowdhury
When the River Sleeps Easterine Kire
The Phoenix Moment: Challenges Confronting the Indian Left Praful Bidwai
Eat Dust: Mining and Greed in Goa Hartman De Souza
The Marvels Brian Selznick
Career of Evil Robert Galbraith
This Unquiet Land: Stories from Indias Fault Lines Barkha Dutt
The Last Raja of West Pakistan Priyajit Debsarkar
Red River Blue Hills Ankush Saikia
Swimmer among the Stars Kanishk Tharoor
The New Xenobhobia Tabish Khair
Sikhs: The Untold Agony of 1984 Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay
Kalkatta Kunal Basu
Ancestral Affairs Keki Daruwala
The Girl on the Train Paula Hawkins
Legal Confidential: Adventures of an Indian Lawuyer Ranjeev C Dubey
For King and Another Country Shrabani Basu
One Point Two Billion Mahesh Rao
www.bsc4success.com
The Private Life of Ms Sharma Ratika Kapur
APPOINTMENTS
NITI Aayog CEO
Road Transport and Highways
Secretary
CEO of Adani Ports and SEZ
Georgia PM
CBDT chief
Bihar Speaker
President of Burkina Faso

Corporate President of Taxi
aggregator, Ola
MD of General Motors India
President of Argentina
Ambassador to Saudi Arabia
Tata Starbucks CEO
MD & CEO of Lakshmi Vilas Bank
FSSAI CEO
Chief Information Commissioner
(CIC)
Tournament Director of 2016 HIL
India's High Commissioner to
Pakistan
First woman COO at Big 4 in India
Indian High Commissioner to United
Kingdom
Executive Director on the board of
the International Monetary Fund
(IMF).
CMD OF BHEL
Central Mine Planning & Design
Institute Ltd (CMPDI)
CEO of Wipro
Chief Information Commissioner
(CIC)
www.bsc4success.com
Appointee
Amitabh Kant
Sanjay Mitra
Karan Adani
Giorgi Kvirikashvili
Arun Kumar Jain

Vijay Kumar Chaudhary
Remarks
The new government was approved

by Georgias Parliament by 86 votes
to 28 against it.
Senior Janata Dal (United) leader
and five-time MLAVijay Kumar
Chaudhary was unanimously elected
new Speaker of the State Assembly.
Roch Marc Christian

Kabore
Joy Bandekar
Kaher Kazem
Mauricio Macri
Ahmad Javed
Sumi Ghosh
P Mukherjee
Pawan Kumar Agarwal
He succeeds Yudhvir Singh Malik.
R.K. Mathur
Bjorn Isberg
Gautam H Bambawale
Satyavati Berera
Navtej Singh Sarna
He succeeds TCA Raghavan.
Subir Gokarn
Former RBI Deputy Governor
Atul Sobti
Shekhar Saran
Abid Ali Neemuchwala
R K Mathur
He is sworn in as the 8th CIC by

the President of India.
Chairman of General Motors Board

of Directors
Chief of (UNHRC)
General President of 105th ISCA
Chairman of Internet and Mobile
Association of India
Chairman of Film and Television
Institute of India (FTII)
Odisha Governments Technical
Advisor
Vedanta Ltd New Chief Executive
Officer (CEO) of Diversified Metals
(India).
Competition Commission of India
(CCI)
Indias new ambassador to Israel
New COO of Wipro
Non-Executive Director of Airtel
Registrar General and Census
Commissioner of India
Flipkart New CEO
Vice President of Micromax
Airbus Group VP
Moldova Prime Minister
ED of Greenpeace India
New Commanding-in-chief of WNC
Chairman of CBDT
Brand Ambassadors of Incredible
India
ED of ICICI Bank
CEO and MD of Tata Motors
Chief Marketing Officer of Ola
Taiwan's first female president
Chairman of Assocham Karnataka
Regional Council
CMD of GIC Re
CMO of Twitter Inc
UP Lokayukta
Telecom Secretary
CMD of NTPC
MSME Secretary
VP of Micromax
Chief Commissioner for Persons
with Disabilities (CCPD)
Mumbai Police Commissioner
Indias envoys to Mexico, Vietnam
1st woman DG of Sashastra Seema
Bal
MD and CEO of Corporation Bank
www.bsc4success.com
Mary Barra
Filippo grandi
Achyuta Samanta
Kunal Shah
He is the founder of Free Charge
Gajendra Chauhan
Sam Pitroda
Samir Cairae
D.K. Sikri
Pavan kapoor
Bhanumurthy BM
Rakesh Bharti Mittal
Sailesh
Binny Bansal
Vikas Thapar
Ashish Saraf
Pavel Filip
Ravi Chellam
Vice Admiral Sunil Lanba
Atulesh Jindal
Amitabh Bachchan
,Priyanka Chopra
Vishakha Mulye
Guenter Butschek
Raghuvesh Sarup
Tsai Ing-wen
R Shivakumar
Alice Vaidyan
Leslie Berland
Justice Sanjay Mishra
J.S Deepak
Gurdeep Singh
K K Jalan
Vika Thapar
Dr. Kamlesh Kumar
Datta Padsalgikar
Pardeshi, Harish
Archana Ramasundram
Jai Kumar Garg
DG of CRPF
K Durga Prasad
Director (Marketing), Coal India Ltd
S N Prasad
Head of Mission and Force

Commander of the United Nations
Disengagement
Observer
Force
(UNDOF)
Senior Director for the Fragility,
Conflict and Violence Group in the
World Bank.
AIIB Vice-President
Major General Jai Shanker

Menon
NATO Commander in Afghanistan

Head of Indian Cost Accounts
Service (ICoAS).
New Secretary of the Drinking Water
and Sanitation Department
New president of South Asian
Wrestling Federation
President of International Grown
Diamond Association (IGDA).
Executive Vice-Chairman of The
Energy and Resources Institute
(TERI)
New Secretary, Railway Board
Saroj Kumar Jha
D J Pandian
John Nicholson
Aruna Sethi
Parameshwaran Iyer
Brijbhushan Sharan Singh
Vishal Mehta
Rajendra Kumar Pachauri
R K Verma
Chief Justice of Bombay High Court
Justice Waghela
New Australian High Commissioner
Harinder Sidhu
Director of the United Nations

Information Centre (UNIC)
Vice-Chairman of International
Chamber
of
Commerce
Commission (ICC)
Director of Indian Institute of
Millets Research (IIMR)
New ICAI president
Tamar Hahn
New Prime Minister of the Central

African country Chad.
Sebi Chairman
Davinder Singh
Dr. Vilas A. Tonapi

M. Devaraja Reddy
Albert Pahimi Padacke
UK Sinha
AWARDS
AWARD
Sangita Kalanidhi award 2015
eASIA award 2015
Executive Chairman of Wipro
www.bsc4success.com
AWARDEE
REMARKS
Sanjay Subramanyam
The awards was bestowed by

Mathematicians Manjula Bhargav
Drug Authentication and

Verification Application (DAVA)
T K Kurien
2015 Costa Novel Prize

US best seller Novel
Central Banker of the Year
Award(Global and Asia Pacific)
Business Standard Banker of the Year
for 2014-15
Hilton Asian Tour Golfer
2015 Harikrishna Devsare Baalsahitya
Award
Oscar for Technical Achievement
Syed Mustaq Ali Trophy
2016 DSC Prize
The Hindu Prize 2015
Lorenzo Natali Media Prize
Neerja Bhanot Award
UNICEF Humanitarian Award
National Awards on e-Governace
K Veeramani Social Justice Award
Yash Chopra Memorial Award
Order of Australia.
PEN/Allen Foundation Literary Service
Award
ODI Player of the Year
Allan Border Medal
2016 William E. Colby Award
e-India Award
INBA award
Mailer Prize
Lifetime achievement award at the 12th
DIFF
Graham Bell Award
Kate Atkinson
Go Set a Watchman
Raghuram Rajan
Shikha Sharma
Miguel Tabuena
Balkrishna Garg
Rahul Thakkar
Uttar Pradesh
Anuradha Roy
Easterine Kire
Ankit Anand
Subhashini Vasanth
David Beckham
EPFO
Nitish Kumar
Rekha
Sajeev Koshy
J.K Rowling
Glen Maxwell
David Warner
Nisid Hajari
Delhi Development Authority
(DDA)
Pulin Kumar
Salman Rushdie
Naseeruddin Shah
Wipro
Order of Merit crown of Asian Tour
Anirban Lahiri
European Tour Golfer of the Year award
Rory McIlroy
BBC Sports Personality of the Year award
Andy Murray
www.bsc4success.com
She received the prize for the book

A God in Ruins
The book is authored by Harper
Lees
The award was given by the
Financial Times Group's monthly
publication The Banker.
She won DSC Prize for her novel

Sleeping on Jupiter.
She is a Novelist from Nagaland.
The apps that won the DDA the award

are: Vacant land photo uploading
system
Indian National Bar Association's
(INBA) Award
12th edition of Dubai International Film
Festival (DIFF).
It had won the 2015 Aegis Graham Bell
Award for developing a solution for the
Internet of Things (IoT).
Col. C.K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement

award
BCCI Cricketer of the Year
Jnanpith award
Best Social Bank award

2015 MRF Challenge Formula 2000
Bhimsen Joshi Award
2016 Global Filmmaking Award
Directors Guild of America
EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2015 award
Syed Kirmani
Virat Kohli
Raghuveer Chaudhary
Jnanpith Award is one of the prestigious

literary awards in country and its name
has been taken from Sanskrit words
Jnana and Pitha which means
knowledge-seat.
Corporation Bank
Pietro Fittipaldi
Pandit Ram Narayan
Geetu Mohandass' 'Insha'
Allah'
Alejandro Gonzalez
Vinita Gupta, Chief
Executive Officer and Nilesh
Gupta, Managing Director,
Lupin Limited
FC Kohli,
Lifetime Achievement Award for his

contribution towards the Indian software
industry and nation-building
Ashok Chawla
New chairman of TERI
Ramesh Abhishek
Secretary to the Department of Industrial
Policy and Promotion (DIPP)
Vilas Tonapi
Director of IIMR
Vidya Balan
Pride of Kerala
Tata Steel
TIME India Award
Knight of the Legion of Honour
2016 Grammy Award
Israel Prize
Lee Kyuan Yew fellowship award
Manish Arora
Asif Kapadia
David Shulman
Shiv Raj Singh Chauhan
Padma Awards 2016

President Pranab Mukherjee has announced the names of recipients of year 2016 Padma awards.
To View the list of Padma Awardees: CLICK HERE
National Bravery Awards
National Bravery Award-winning boys and girls on 26 Jan 2016 drew applause from the audience at the Republic Day
parade here for saving human lives in dangerous situations. As 23 out of the 25 award winners were driven in a jeep at the
parade, the spectators clapped and cheered them for their courageous
The coveted Bharat Award, the highest of the National Bravery Awards, has been posthumously awarded to
Gaurav Kawduji Sahastrabuddhe from Maharashtra who sacrificed his life during an attempt to save four of
his friends.
The prestigious Geeta Chopra Award has been conferred on 8 year old Km. Shivampet Ruchitha of Telangana
who displayed exemplary valour in saving two precious lives when a train hit her school bus.
The Sanjay Chopra Award has been given to 16 year old Master Arjun Singh of Uttarakhand who displayed
outstanding bravery in fighting a tiger to save his mother.
To View the list of National Bravery Awards -2015: CLICK HERE
www.bsc4success.com
Gallantry awards 2016

President Pranab Mukherjee has conferred the countrys highest peacetime gallantry award Ashok Chakra to
Lance Naik Mohan Nath Goswami posthumously.
On the eve of 67th Republic Day celebrations President has approved 365 Gallantry awards and other Defence
decorations to Armed Forces personnel and others.
It includes one Ashoka Chakra, 2 Kirti Chakras and 8 Shaurya Chakras.
Awardees
Ashok Chakra: - Lance Naik Mohan Nath Goswami (Posthumous), 9 PARA (Special Force)
Kirti Chakra: - Subedar Mahendra Singh, Sena Medal, 9 PARA (Special Force)
Sepoy Jagdish Chand (Posthumous), 546 DSC Platoon
Shaurya Chakra: - Colonel Santosh Yashwant Mahadik (Posthumous), Sena Medal, 41 Rashtriya Rifle (PARA)
Major Praphul Kumar Bhardwaj, 12 PARA (Special Force)
Major Anurag Kumar, 9 PARA (Special Force)
Major Sandip Yadav, 55 Rashtriya Rifle (Armed)
Lieutenant Harjinder Singh, 3 KUMAON
Naik Satish Kumar (Posthumous), 21 Rashtriya Rifle (Guards)
Naik Kheem Singh Mehra, 21 KUMAON
Sepoy Dharma Ram (Posthumous), 1 Rashtriya Rifle (MAHAR)
Kirti Chakra is the second highest peace time gallantry award i.e. awarded for valour, courageous action or selfsacrifice away from the field of battle.
Shaurya Chakra is third highest peace time gallantry award generally awarded for counterinsurgency operations
and actions against the enemy during peace-time.
President presents APJ Abdul Kalam Ignite Awards to students
President PranabMukharjee presented Dr APJ Abdul Kalam IGNITE awards 2015 at the Indian Institute of
Management - Ahmedabad (IIM-A).
The awards were given out to young children who had come up with innovative products or ideas for ease of daily
lives.
The awards function, which was also attended by Governor of Gujarat OP Kohli and Gujarat chief minister
Anandiben Patel was organised by National Innovation Foundation (NIF) and IIM-A.
Dr APJ Abdul Kalam IGNITE Award is a national competition of original technological ideas and innovations by
children up to class 12 or those out of school up to the age of 17 years.
Indias Kartik Sawhney and Neha Swain won 2016 Queen's Young Leaders Award
Two Indians, Kartik Sawhney and Neha Swain, have won the 2016 Queen's Young Leaders award in the United
Kingdom which will be presented by the British monarch in Buckingham Palace in June 2016.
Sawhney and Swain have won the prestigious award for their exceptional work in transforming the lives of others
and making a lasting difference in their communities.
Kartik Sawhney, a born blind, He founded Project STEMAccess, which offers hands-on science workshops in
India, as well as virtual training sessions.
Neha Swain is a youth facilitator and co-founder of NGO Rubaroo.
The Queens Young Leader Award recognises and celebrates exceptional people aged 18-29 from across the
Commonwealth.
Sahitya Akademi awards announces for the year 2015
Sahitya Akademi has announced the names of 23 poets and authors who will be conferred the prestigious 2015
Sahitya Akademi Award.
This award has recognised premier works in 23 Indian languages that includes 6 books of short stories, 6 of
poetry, 4 novels, 2 books each of essays, criticism and plays and 1 memoir.
www.bsc4success.com
The awards were recommended by distinguished jury members representing 23 Indian languages and approved by
the Executive Board of the Akademi, under its President Vishwanath Prasad Tiwari.
The award in Bengali is to be announced at a later date.
Poetry: Brajendra Kumar Brahma (Bodo), Dhian Singh (Dogri), Ramdarash Mishra (Hindi), K.V. Tirumalesh (Kannada),
Kshetri Rajan (Manipuri) and Ram Shankar Awasthi (Sanskrit).
Short stories: Kula Saikia (Assamese), Man Mohan Jha (Maithili), Gupta Pradhan (Nepali), Bibhuti Pattanaik (Odia),
Maya Rahi (Sindhi) and Volga (Telugu).
Novels: Cyrus Mistry (English), Jaswinder Singh (Punjabi) and Madhu Acharya Ashawadi (Rajasthani).
Essays: Rasik Shah (Gujrati) and A. Madhavan (Tamil).
Plays: Uday Bhembre (Konkani), Rabilal Tudu (Santali).
Books on criticism: Bashir Bhadarwahi (Kashmiri) and Shamim Tariq (Urdu).
Memoirs: Arun Khopkar (Marathi).
Mireia Lalaguna Royo & Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach crowned Miss World & Miss Universe 2015 respectively
Miss Philippines Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach was crowned Miss Universe 2015 at the final of 64th edition of Miss Universe
held in Las Vegas, the USA.Urvashi Rautela who represented India in the contest couldnt make it to top 15 semi-finals
round.
Miss Spain Mireia Lalaguna Royo was crowned Miss World 2015 at the Beauty of Crown Theater in Sanya, China.
Rolene Strauss of South Africa crowned Mireia Lalaguna as her successor at the end of the event.
It is the first time Spain has won the title of Miss World.
Indian American professor wins top honour for research on tumours
U.S. President Barack Obama will present the National Medal of Science to Rakesh K. Jain, an Indian American
professor at Harvard Medical School and director of the tumour biology laboratory at Massachusetts General
Hospital.
A White House announcement on 22 Dec 2015 described the medals as our nations highest honours for
achievement and leadership in advancing the fields of science and technology.
Indian-American doctor is Ohios first Poet Laureate
A 36-year-old Indian-American doctor has been named the first Poet Laureate by the U.S. State of Ohio for
showcasing a variety of styles in his poetry.Amit Majmudar, a diagnostic nuclear radiologist, was named to the
two-year honorary position by Governor John Kasich who created the honour.
The Force Awakens crosses $1 billion at box office
After breaking multiple box office records, Star Wars: The Force Awakens has now become the fastest movie
ever to cross $1 billion.In just 12 days, the JJ Abrams-directed movie garnered around $ 1.09 billion at global box
office.
The film defeated previous record holder Jurassic World, which set the record earlier this year by reaching $ 1
billion in 13 days, reported Ace Showbiz.
Sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik's Santa Claus sculpture features in Limca Book of Records
Well-known sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaiks Santa Claus sculpture on 29 December 2015 found a place in Limca
Book of World Records.
Pattnaik claimed that he had created a 45 feet high sand Santa Claus at Puri beach on 24 December 2015, which
was recognised as the largest sand Santa Claus as of today by the Limca Book of World Records.
69th BAFTA Awards 2016
The 69th British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) held at the Royal Opera House in London.
This year the BAFTA awards were conferred for the outstanding performances in films and documentaries
screened at British Cinemas in 2015.
www.bsc4success.com
Best Film: The Revenant.

Outstanding British Film: Brooklyn.
Best Director: Alejandro G. Irritu (The Revenant).
Best Actor: Leonardo DiCaprio (The Revenant).
Best Actress: Brie Larson (Room).
58th annual Grammy Awards

The 58th Annual Grammy Awards were awarded in Los Angeles.
Taylor Swift kicked off the Grammy Awards with a performance of her latest hit single, Out of the Woods, from
her album 1989 which also won the album of the year Grammy.
Record of the year- Uptown Funk, Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars.
Album of the year- 1989, Taylor Swift.
Best new artist- Meghan Trainor.
Song of the year (songwriters award)- Thinking Out Loud, Ed Sheeran and Amy Wadge.
Best pop solo performance- Thinking Out Loud, Ed Sheeran.
Best rock performance- Dont Wanna Fight, Alabama Shakes.
Best rock song- Alabama Shakes Dont Wanna Fight.
Best rock album- Drones, Muse.
Best rap album- To Pimp a Butterfly, Kendrick Lamar.
Best country album- Traveller, Chris Stapleton.
Best metal performance- Cirice, Ghost.
Best R&B song- DAngelo and The Vanguards Really Love.
SPORTS
1. India on 3 January 2016 won of the South Asian Football Federation Cup (SAFF) championships.In the title clash
played at Trivandrum International Stadium of Kerala, India defeated defending champions Afghanistan 2-1.
2.Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) on 3 January 2015 won the 26th Lal Bahadur Shastri Hockey tournament.
To win the title, the ONGC defeated Indian Railways 3-0 on penalties in the final match held at the Shivaji
Stadium in New Delhi.The Player of the tournament was awarded to Simrandeep Singh (Railways).
3.Australia on 5 January 2016 withdrew from the Under-19 World Cup Tournament in Bangladesh. It pulled-out citing
security reasons.The tournament is scheduled to happen from 22 January to 14 February 2016.
ICC announced that Australia will be replaced by Ireland team the runners-up in the qualifying tournament in
Kuala Lumpur in October 2015.
4.Indian ace shooter Apurvi Chandela has set a new world record in the womens 10 metre air rifle event with a shooting
score of 211.2at the 2015 Swedish Cup Grand Prix.Chandela has already qualified for the 2016 Rio Olympics.
5.The ICC and MoneyGram International, a leading global provider of money transfer services, on 11 Jan
2016 announced an eight-year deal which confirms MoneyGram as an event partner for ICC events from 2016-2023.
6. Sania Mirza, Martina Hingis win 2016 WTA Brisbane Title
Ace Indian tennis player Sania Mirza and her Swiss partner Martina Hingis have won the 2016 WTA Brisbane
International Tennis trophy in the womens doubles category.
www.bsc4success.com
In the final match played at Brisbane (Australia), the top seeded duo defeated German pair of Angelique Kerber
and Andrea Petkovic.
It was sixth title in a row of Indo-Swiss pair after the US Open, Guangzhou, Wuhan, Beijing and WTA Finals in
the womens doubles category.
Womens Singles: Victoria Azarenka (Belarus) has won the 2016 WTA Brisbane International tennis trophy in the
Womens Singles Category. In the final match she defeated Angelique Kerber of Germany.
Mens Singles: World No. 14 Milos Raonic from Canada has won the 2016 WTA Brisbane International Tennis trophy in
the mens single category.In the final match played at Brisbane (Australia), he defeated Roger Federer
(World No. 3) from Switzerland.
Henri Kontinen (Finland) and John Peers (Australia) have won the 2016 WTA Brisbane International Tennis
trophy in the mens double category.In the final match, they defeated Australian team of James Duckworth and
Chris Guccione.
7. Wawrinka wins 2016 Chennai Open title
World No. 4 Stanislas Wawrinka from Switzerland on 10 Jan 2016 has won the 2016 Chennai Open title of
tennis.
In the summit clash at Nungambakkam tennis stadium in Chennai, he defeated the Aljaz Bedene from Slovenia by
6-3, 6-4 score.
The Chennai Open is currently part of the ATP World Tour 250 series of the Association of Tennis Professionals
(ATP) World Tour.
8. Lionel Messi wins Ballon d'Or award 2015
Barcelona forward Lionel Messi on 11 January 2016 has won the Ballon d'Or trophy for the worlds best football
player for the fifth time overall.
In the 2014-15 seasons, Messi had played 61 games in which he scored 52 goals, and gave 26 assists.
Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo was second with 27.76 percent votes, while his Barcelona team-mate Neymar
stood at the third position with 7.86 percent votes.
The FIFA Ballon d'Or award is an annual association football award given by FIFA to the male player who has
performed the best in the previous calendar year.
2015 winners
FIFA Ballon d'Or: Lionel Messi
FIFA Women's World Player of the Year: Carli Lloyd
FIFA Puskas Award: Wendell Lira
FIFA World Coach of the Year (Men's): Luis Enrique
FIFA World Coach of the Year (Women's): Jill Ellis
FIFA FIFPro World XI: Neuer, Silva, Marcelo, Ramos, Alves, Iniesta, Modric, Pogba, Messi, Neymar,
Ronaldo
FIFA Fair Play Award: All football organisations supporting refugees
9.After more than two decades and 164 Test matches, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, one of West Indies' finest batsmen, has
retired.Chanderpaul finishes as the second-highest West Indian Test run-maker, 86 runs short of Brian Lara: Lara got
11,953 (11,912 for West Indies and the rest for the ICC World XI), while Chanderpaul scored 11,867 (all for West
Indies).
www.bsc4success.com
10.Russias Ivan Popov suffered a surprise last-round loss but was not to be denied the 14th Delhi International Open
chess title.
11. BCCI imposes life ban on Ashok Chandila
Haryana offspinner AshokChandila was slapped with a life ban for his involvement in the 2013 IPL spot-fixing
scandal, while Mumbai batsman Hiken Shah was handed a five-year suspension for making a corrupt approach to
a fellow player as the BCCI disciplinary committee sealed their fate after a meeting in Mumbai on 18 Jan 2016.
12.Services and Railways won the men's and women's titles respectively at the 66th Senior National Basketball
Championship on 16 Jan 2016.
13.Delhi Acers on 17 January 2016 emerged victorious over Mumbai Rockets by 4-3 in the summit clash to clinch the
Premier Badminton League (PBL) title.Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar is the brand ambassador of the league.
14. Apia International Sydney 2016
Sania-Martina duo win Sydney International
Womens Doubles Title:
Ace Indian tennis player Sania Mirza and her Swiss partner Martina Hingis have won the 2016 WTA Apia
International title in the womens doubles category.
In the final match played at Sydney (Australia), the top seeded duo defeated French pair Caroline Garcia and
Kristina Mladenovic by 16, 75, [105] score.
Womens Single Title:Svetlana Kuznetsova (Russia) has won by defeating Mnica Puig of Puerto Rico.
Men's Singles Title:Viktor Troicki of Serbia has won by defeating Grigor Dimitrov of.
Mens Doubles Title:J. Murray (GBR) and his partner B. Soares (BRA) have won by defeating the pair R. Bopanna
(IND) and F. Mergea (ROU).
15.The former Barcelona and AC Milan player Ronaldinho was announced as the Brand Ambassador of the Nagjee
International Club Football Tournament.
16. Sindhu wins Malaysia Masters title
Ace Indian Shuttler Pusarla Venkata Sindhu (World No.12) has won the 2016 Malaysia Masters Grand Prix Gold
Badminton title.
In the final match played at Penang she defeated Scotlands Kirsty Gilmour (World No.20) by 21-15, 21-9 score.
This was Sindhus second title in Malaysia Masters Grand Prix which and earlier she had won in 2013.
17. Malaysia Masters Grand Prix
Mens singles Title: Lee Chong Wei (Malaysia).
Mens doubles Title: Markus Fernaldi Gideon and Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo (Indonesia).
Womens doubles Title: Misaki Matsutomo and Ayaka Takahashi (Japan).
Mixed doubles Title: Zheng Siwei and Li Yinhui (China).
www.bsc4success.com
18.India on 24 January 2016 won the first T20 Asia cup cricket for Blind. In the final clash played at Jawaharlal Nehru
stadium of Kochi, India defeated Pakistan by 44 runs.
19.Japans Izumo Takuto and Zhu Chengzhu of Hong Kong emerged the boys and girls champions in the 11Even Sports
2015 ITTF World Junior Circuit Finals at the Abhay Prashal here on 24 Jan 2016.Each winner took home 3800 US dollars
while the runners-up received 2100 US dollars each.
20. 14-year old Ishika Shah on 26 January 2016 won the 12th Sub-Junior National Snooker championship title in Indore,
Madhya Pradesh by defeating Anushi Sethby 50-2, 50-33 in the final match.
21. FIH announces winners of the Hockey Stars Awards 2015
The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has announced the winners of its Hockey Stars awards for 2015,
which sees Netherlands pair Lidewij Welten and Robert Van der Horst pick up the women and men Player of the
Year awards respectively.
Netherlands made it a hatrick of award wins as Joyce Sombroek picked up the womens Goalkeeper of the Year
for the second year in a row, while Irelands David Harte won the mens Goalkeeper of the Year.
The Rising Star of the Year awards went to Great Britains Lily Owsley and Germanys Chrisopher Rhr, the
latter picking up this award for the second time in his career.
22. Sania, Martina duo win Aussie Open
In a perfect climax to their stupendous run, Sania Mirza and Martina Hingis were crowned the Australian Open
womens doubles champions after they tamed the spirited Czech duo of Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka
in straight sets for their 36th win in a row.
It was their third consecutive Grand Slam title for Sania and Martina, having won the Wimbledon and US Open in
the 2015 season.
23. Navneet Kaur of Punjab clinched the honours in the womens single sculls in the 34th senior national rowing
championship at Hussain Sagar Lake, Hyderabad on 28 Jan 2016.
Later, Navneet and Harpreet Kaur won the womens doubles sculls timing 7:42.94 seconds.
In the men single scull, Nasiks Santosh Kadale won his maiden national gold.
24.Angelique Kerber became the first German to win a Grand Slam title since her childhood idol Steffi Graf in 1999 when
she upset world number one Serena Williams 6-4 3-6 6-4 to clinch the Australian Open on 30 Jan 2016.
25.Australia wins Hockey World League Final by defeating Belgium
Australia has won the 2014-15 Mens Hockey World League Final by defeating Belgium.
India was placed at third place in this league after defeating world number two and defending champions
Netherlands by 3-2 goals in the penalty shoot-out.
26. Indian-American entrepreneur Frank Islam to be conferred with Uttar Pradesh Ratna Award
Frank Islam, an Indian-American entrepreneur and philanthropist, will be conferred with Uttar Pradesh Ratna
Award on 4 January 2016 at the inaugural UP Pravasi Diwas in Agra.
The Uttar Pradesh Government will be honouring Islam to recognise his achievements and outstanding
contributions in a foreign country.
27. Maharashtra wins Wheelchair Basketball Championship
Maharashtra defeated Punjab to win the 2015 National Wheelchair Basketball Championship.
The competition opened on the eve of the International Day of People with Disabilities.
Wheelchair Basketball Federation of India (WBFI), founded in 2014, is a registered national body.
www.bsc4success.com
28. 2016 South Asian Games' logo & mascot unveils

The mega event will be jointly held in Guwahati and Shillong from 6 February to 16 February 2016.
29. Rajasthan's Apurvi Chandela won a Gold medal in the 10-metre Air Rifle event on the final day of the 59th National
Shooting Championship in Delhi.In the Final, Chandela and her compatriot Geetakshi Dixit got the better of Anjum
Moudgil of Haryana who had led throughout.While Geetakshi claimed the silver, Anjum had to settle for a Bronze.
30.Army man Chain Singh won the Gold in the 50-metre Rifle 3 Positions event at the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting
Range.Chain pipped Olympic medalist Gagan Narang who settled for Silver.Swapnil Kusale of the Railways won Bronze.
31. FC Barcelona wins 2015 FIFA Club World Cup for 3rd time
FC Barcelona won the 2015 FIFA Club World Cup. To win the title, Barcelona defeated Argentinas River Plate
by 3-0.The final match was held at the International Stadium in Yokohama, Japan.
32. Chennaiyin FC crowns 2015 ISL champion
Chennaiyin FC was crowned as the champions of the 2nd Indian Super League (ISL) Football tournament.
Mendoza, who finished as the tournament's highest scorer with 13 goals, bagged the 'Golden boot' as well as the
'Hero of the League' award.
33. New Zealand cricket captain Brendon McCullum on 22 December 2015 announced retirement from all forms of
international cricket.He will retire after the two home test series against Australia, which will begin in February 2016.At
present, the batsman and wicket-keeper, is New Zealands captain in all three forms of the international game viz., tests,
ODIs and twenty20.
34. International Tennis Federation announces winners of 2015 World Champions
International Tennis Federation (ITF) on 22 December 2015 announced winners of 2015 World Champions.
The awards were conferred on the basis of players performance in the 2015 season.
They will receive their awards at the 2016 ITF World Champions Dinner on 31 May 2016, in Paris, during
Roland Garros.
List of ITF 2015 World Champions
Award
Winner
Novak Djokovic (Serbia)
Mens World Champion
Serena Williams (the USA)
Womens World Champion
Jean-Julien Rojer (Netherlands) & Horia Tecau
Mens Doubles World Champions
(Romania)
Martina Hingis (Switzerland) & Sania Mirza (India)
Womens Doubles World Champions
ITF Junior World Champions
Dalma Galfi (Hungary) & Taylor Fritz (the USA)
ITF Wheelchair World Champions
Jiske Griffioen (Netherlands) & Shingo Kunieda

(Japan)
35. Steve Smith named Test cricketer of year, de Villiers in ODI

The International Cricket Council (ICC) on 23 December 2015 announced the winners for the 2015 ICC Awards
in Dubai, the UAE.
The awards were based on performance of individuals and teams, both men and women, between 18 September
2014 and 13 September 2015.
The ICC said that Steve Smith was the seventh player to be awarded both Test and cricketer of the year. The Sir
Garfield Sobers Trophy for ICC Cricketer of the Year and Test Cricketer of the Year were conferred on
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Australian captain Steve Smith while South Africas A.B. de Villiers has been awarded the best ODI player for
2015.
List of ICC Awards 2015 Winners
Award
Winner
Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for ICC Cricketer of the Steven Smith (Australia)
Year
Steven Smith (Australia)
ICC Test Cricketer of the Year
AB de Villiers (South Africa)
ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year
Meg Lanning (Australia)
ICC Womens ODI Cricketer of the Year
Josh Hazlewood (Australia)
ICC Emerging Cricketer of the Year
ICC Associate and Affiliate Cricketer of the Year
Khurram Khan (UAE)
ICC Twenty20 International Performance of the Year
Faf du Plessis (South Africa)
ICC Womens T20I Cricketer of the Year
Stafanie Taylor (West Indies)
David Shepherd Trophy for ICC Umpire of the Year
Richard Kettleborough
ICC Spirit of Cricket Award
Brendon
Zealand)
McCullum
(New
36. Chennai techie lifts Indian Crossword League trophy

Ramki Krishnan of Chennai emerged the winner of the Indian Crossword League (IXL) 2015 and lifted the
National Crossword Champion Trophy on 25 Dec 2015.
The event marked the 100 years of the first published crossword whose creator was Arthur Wynne and which
appeared in the Christmas-eve edition of New York World.
The IXL 2015 was launched by West Bengal Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi in Kolkata on September 27. The
preliminary rounds came to an end on December 6.
37. Shiva Keshavan wins silver medal at Asian Luge Championship
Seasoned Indian luger Shiva Keshavan has won a silver medal at the 2015 Asian Luge Championship held in
Nagano, Japan.
In this edition of championship, the first place was claimed by Japans Hidenari Kanayama and the third by South
Koreas Dong Hyeon Kim.
It is the fastest and most dangerous sports on ice and is part of Winter Olympic program since 1964.
38. Gujarat executed a first-rate demolition job to undermine a supposedly much-superior Delhi side, winning by 139
runs, to claim its maiden Vijay Hazare Trophy title here at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.
39. Globe Soccer Awards 2015 awarded
The Globe Soccer on 27 December 2015 presented the sixth edition of Globe Soccer Awards 2015 to the winners
at a ceremony held in Dubai, UAE.
Awarded for excellences in the field of football, Globe Soccer Awards are the first and only awards for the Best
Club Director and the Best Agent of the Year.
Globe Soccer was created and built by BC Bendoni Consulting to facilitate intercontinental dialogue among the
main players in the football world, with opportunities to meet and discuss for the games institutions, clubs,
leagues and transfer market operators.
Winners of Globe Soccer Awards 2015
Award
Winner
Best Player of the Year
Lionel Messi
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Best President of the Year

Best Club of the Year
Best Media Attraction in Football
Best Coach of the Year
Best Agent of the Year
Best Referee of the Year
Best Academy of the Year
Josep Maria Bartomeu

F.C. Barcelona
F.C. Barcelona
Marc Wilmots
Jorge Mendes
Ravshan Irmatov
Benfica
40. Magnus Carlsen wins Qatar Masters

World champion Magnus Carlsen of Norway won the Qatar Masters Open chess tournament, billed as the
strongest Open in history on 29 Dec 2015.
There were four womens World champions as well Hou Yifan, Alexandra Kosteniuk, Antaoneta Stefanov and
Anna Ushenina.
41. Ashwin is ICC's No. 1 Test bowler
Star India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has ended 2015 as the No. 1 Test bowler in the ICC rankings issued
on 31 Dec 2015 on the back of his strong showing against South Africa in the recent home series.
Ashwin, who took 62 wickets in nine Tests this year including 31 scalps in the four matches against South Africa,
became the first India bowler since Bishen Bedi in 1973 to achieve the milestone of finishing the year on top.
In fact, Bedi, an ICC Hall of Famer, is the only India bowler to ever top the Test bowling table, while Bhagwath
Chandrasekhar, Kapil Dev and Anil Kumble peaked at number-two during their careers.
42. Kohli named BCCI Cricketer of the Year
Continuing his meteoric rise, Indian Test captain Virat Kohli was on 31 Dec 2015 named Cricketer of the Year,
while Mithali Raj was picked for the top womens award in the BCCI annual honours to be given away on
January 5 in Mumbai.
Under Kohli, the Indian team ended a 22-year wait for a series win on Sri Lankan soil before battering world No.1
South Africa to give them their first overseas loss in nine years.
Mithali, on the other hand, became the first Indian woman and second overall to complete 5,000 runs in ODI
format this year.
Mithali will be presented with the M.A. Chidambaram Trophy for the best womens cricketer.
Former wicketkeeper Syed Kirmani will be presented the Col. C.K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award.
43. Pietro Fittipaldi wins 2015 MRF Challenge Formula 2000
Brazilian racing driver Pietro Fittipaldi has won the 2015 MRF Challenge Formula 2000 by winning two of the
four races.
44. Ace Indian shuttler Kidambi Srikanth won the 2016 Syed Modi International Grand prix Gold Championship Title of
Badminton in Mens singles category.
Womens single Title: Sayaka Sato (Japan) won the 2016 Syed Modi International Grand prix Gold
Championship Title.
Mens Doubles Title: Malaysian pair of Goh V Shem and Tan Wee Kiong won the 2016 Syed Modi International
Grand prix Gold Championship Title.
Womens Doubles Title: South Korean pair of Jung Kyung-eun and Shin Seung-chan won the 2016 Syed Modi
International Grand prix Gold Championship Title.
Mixed Doubles Title: Indonesian pair Praveen Jordan and Deby Susanto won the 2016 Syed Modi International
Grand prix Gold Championship Title in mixed doubles category.
45. Djokovic wins sixth Australian Open
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World Number One tennis player Novak Djokovic from Serbia has won the 2016 Australian Open Title in the
mens singles category.
In the final match played at Melbourne, Australia he defeated Andy Murray of Britain in 7 straight sets by 6-1, 75, 7-6 score.
With this win, Djokovic retained the title and also equalled the record of Roy Emersons record of six Australian
Open Singles titles. He had earlier won this title in 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2015.
46. Aditya Mehta wins 83rd Senior National Snooker Championship

Aditya Mehta on 31 January 2016 won the 83rd Senior National Snooker Championship in Indore, Madhya
Pradesh.
He defeated Manan Chandra in the final that was held as part of the National Billiards & Snooker Championship
2016.
In another event, Vidya Pillai won the National Snooker Championship in the womens category by defeating
Amee Kamani 4-2.
For 38-year-old Vidya, it was her ninth national title.
The womens billiards title was won by 19-year old Keerath Bhandaal by defeating Arantxa Sanchis of
Maharashtra 3-1.
Keerath is a student of Economics at the Jesus and Mary College in Delhi.
47. Kerala wins 61st National School Athletics championship
Kerala won the 61st National School Athletics championship.
The national School Athletics championship was held at Olympian Rahman Stadium in Kozhikode, Kerala from
29 January 2016 to 2 February 2016.
Tamil Nadu stood at second position with 116 points winning 11 gold, 8 silver and 13 bronze medals.
Maharashtra with 101 points gained the third position.
48. Dravid in ICC's Anti-Corruption Oversight Group
The International Cricket Council (ICC) Board on 3 February 2016 constituted Anti-Corruption Unit Oversight
Group.
The oversight group will include the Chairman of the Executive Committee (under whose area of responsibility
this function rests) and will also include former India captain Rahul Dravid, legal expert Louis Weston and
independent anti-corruption advisor John Abbott, who was the Chairman of the Integrity Working Party.
The Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Unit, Sir Ronnie Flanagan, and ICC Chief Executive, David Richardson,
will also be ex-officio members of the group.
49. T. Vijyalaxmi grabs the first gold of 12th SAG
India opened their medal account with cyclist T. Vijyalaxmi grabbing the first gold of the 12th South Asian
Games in womens 30km individual time trial final on the first day of competitions in Guwahati on 06 Feb 2016.
In the mens 40km individual time trial final, Arvind Panwar clocked 52 minutes and 28.800 seconds to win the
gold.
50. West Indies wins ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup 2016
West Indies for the first time has won the ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup by defeating three time champions India
by five wickets played at Mirpur (Bangladesh).
Man of the match: Keacy Carty (West Indies)
Player of the tournament: Mehidy Hasan Miraz (Bangladesh)
51. Dominic Thiem wins ATP Argentina Open
World No. 19 Dominic Thiem on 14 February 2016 defeated Spaniard Nicolas Almagro 7-6 (2), 3-6, 7-6 (4) to
win the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) Buenos Aires tournament.
With the win, Theim claimed his fourth ATP singles title.
www.bsc4success.com
52. 2016 South Asian Games concludes

12th South Asian Games (SAG) 2016 concluded on 16 February 2016 at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium,
Sarusajai of Guwahati, Assam.
The game that saw 228 events in 23 sports disciplines was held from 5 February to 16 February 2016.
Union Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Sarbananda Sonowal declared the Games closed at a colourful
closing ceremony.
The event saw participation of about 2600 athletes from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan,
Nepal, Bhutan and Maldives.
It was co-hosted by Guwahati, Assam and Meghalaya capital, Shillong.
13th South Asian Games will be held in Kathmandu, Nepal in 2019.
IMPORTANT DAYS
December
1 December:- World AIDS Day

2 December:- National Pollution Control Day
3 December:- National Conservation Day
4 December:- Naval Day
5 December:- World Soil Day
9 December:- International Anti-Corruption Day
10 December:- Human Rights Day
14 December:- National Energy Conservation Day
24 December:- National Consumers Rights Day
January
1 January: Army Medical Corps Establishment Day
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8 January: African National Congress Foundation Day

9 January: Pravasi Bharatiya Divas
10 January: World Laughter Day, World Hindi Day
12 January: National Youth Day (Birth Day of Swami Vivekanand)
15 January: Army Day
18 January: National Immunization Day (Polio Day)
23 January: Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose's birth anniversary
24 January: National Girl Child Day
25 January: International Customs Duty Day, National Tourism Day, National Voters Day
26 January: Republic Day
27 January: International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust
30 January: (Martyr's day) Mahatma Gandhi's Martyrdom Day, National Cleanliness Day
February
01 Feb:Indian Coast Guard Day

02 Feb: World Wetlands Day
04 Feb: World Cancer Day; National Day of Sri Lanka
05 Feb: Kashmir Day or Kashmir Solidarity Day (in Pakistan)
06 Feb: The International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation
08 Feb: Chinese New Year 2016
10 Feb: National Deworming Day
11 Feb: The World Day of the Sick (Roman Catholic Church)
12 Feb: Darwin Day (birth anniversary of Charles Darwin)
13 Feb: World Radio Day; Sarojini Naidus birth anniversary
18-27 Feb: Taj Mahotsav
OBITUARY
Ustad Sabri Khan
MAM Ramaswamy
Noorul Huda
Sharad Joshi
Chatla Sriramulu
Peter Dickinson
Kurt Masur
T.S. Papola
Chilukoti Kashi Viswanath
Sadhana
George Clayton Johnson
Justice V S Malimath
Haskell Wexler
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Sarangi maestro
Veteran
industrialist
and
parliamentarian
Veteran Communist leader
former
Renowned economist, agriculturist

Noted writer and theatre artiste
British Novelist
world's greatest conductors
Noted economist
Senior Telugu actor and dialogue writer
Veteran Hindi film actor
American science-fiction writer
Former CJ of Karnataka & Kerala HC
American cinematographer
Mangesh Keshav Padgaonkar

General Om Prakash Malhotra
Iconic Marathi poet and Padma Bhushan

recipient
Punjab Governor and ex-Chief of Army
Subir Sen
A B VArdhan
Sarosh Homi Kapadia
Mufti Mohammad Sayeed
Labshankar Thakar
Ravindra Kalia
David Bowie
Maria Teresa de Filippis
Veteran singer
Veteran Communist party of India
Former Chief Justice of India (CJI)
J&K Chief Minister
Noted Gujarati writer and poet
Noted Hindi writer and journalist
The 69-year-old British Singer
First female Formula One driver
Mrinalini Sarabhai
Aroon Tikekar
Geethapriya
Glen Frey
Yasutaro Koide
Ventrapragada Rama Rao
Alan Rickman
Jacob-Farj-Rafael JFR
Brian Bedford
Monte Irvin
Pandit Shankar
Marvin Minsky
T.N Gopakumar
Nayani Krishnakumari
Former Army Chief General
British television and radio personality
Former RBI Deputy Governor
Veteran Urdu writer
Former Lok Sabha speaker
United States (US) Astronaut
Famous political cartoonist
Renowned Urdu Poet and well known
Bollywood lyricist
Former Prime Minister of Nepal and
Nepali Congress (NC) President
Uttar Pradesh Panchayati Raj
Minister
Siachen avalanche survivor
Veteran film director
Pulitzer winning composer
Indias Ambassador to Tajikistan
Noted Malayalam poet and lyricist
Popular music director and composer
Former United Nations (UN)
Secretary-General
Noted Danseuse
Senior Journalist
Kannada filmmaker
Eagles co-founder
worlds oldest man
Former Sikkim Governor
Veteran British character actor
Retired Lieutenant General
Acclaimed stage actor
Former Negro Leagues Player
Eminent tabla player
Pioneer of artificial intelligence
Senior journalist
Noted Telugu litterateur
Kotikalapudi Venkata Krishna Rao
Terry Wogan
S S Tarapore
Intizar Husain
Balram Jakhar
Edgar Mitchell
Sudhir Tailang
Nida Fazli
www.bsc4success.com
Sushil Koirala
Kailash Yadav
Lance Naik Hanamanthappa
Aurobindo Mukherjee
Leslie Bassett
Biraja Prasad
O N V Kurup
Rajamani
Boutros Boutros-Ghali
ALL THE BEST
www.bsc4success.com

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13. RBI imposes Rs 1 crore fines on State Bank of Travancore

23. Wipro to buy Viteos Group for $130 mn

34. Cabinet approves conversion of MUDRA into bank

42. Xi officially launches AIIB

52. India to grow at 5-year high of 7.6 per cent in 2015-16

101. Overseas Indian Affairs Ministry merges with MEA

113. India inks Loan Agreement with World Bank

131. ICICI Bank unveils two new home loan initiatives

MoU on Technical Cooperation in Cyber Space and Combating Cyber Crime.

166. Make in India Week: 3 MoUs worth Rs 21000 crore signed

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SCIENCE, DEFENCE and TECHNOLOGY

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13. Govt lowers GDP growth rate to 7.2%

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The new government was approved

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He succeeds Yudhvir Singh Malik.

He succeeds TCA Raghavan.

Former RBI Deputy Governor

He is sworn in as the 8th CIC by

Chairman of General Motors Board

He is the founder of Free Charge

Director (Marketing), Coal India Ltd

Head of Mission and Force

Major General Jai Shanker

NATO Commander in Afghanistan

Saroj Kumar Jha

Chief Justice of Bombay High Court

New Australian High Commissioner

Director of the United Nations

New Prime Minister of the Central

Dr. Vilas A. Tonapi

The awards was bestowed by

Drug Authentication and

2015 Costa Novel Prize

Order of Merit crown of Asian Tour

European Tour Golfer of the Year award

BBC Sports Personality of the Year award

She received the prize for the book

She won DSC Prize for her novel

The apps that won the DDA the award

Col. C.K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement

Best Social Bank award

Jnanpith Award is one of the prestigious

Lifetime Achievement Award for his

Padma Awards 2016

Gallantry awards 2016

Best Film: The Revenant.

58th annual Grammy Awards

28. 2016 South Asian Games' logo & mascot unveils

Dalma Galfi (Hungary) & Taylor Fritz (the USA)

ITF Wheelchair World Champions