July 2014 Current Affairs Study Material

INTERNATIONAL
Pakistans
Approves
Protection
of
Pakistan
Bill
2014
Pakistans National Assembly on 2 July passed the Protection of Pakistan Bill (PPB) 2014. Following the
National Assemblys approval, the PPB will now be applicable for a period of two years.
Japan
Eased
Sanctions
Against
North
Korea
The Japanese government has decided to eased several sanctions against North Korea on 3 July.The
decision was taken in response to North Korea reopening the investigation to probe decades-old
kidnappings of Japanese nationals.
U.S
and
E.U
Announced
Tougher
Sanctions
Against
Russia
The United States and the European Union (EU) have significantly strengthened sanctions on Russia
over Ukraine, with Washington for the first time directly targeting Russias banking, military, and energy
sectors.U.S. President Barack Obama announced the new sanctions on 16 July.
Bolivia
Becomes
First
Nation
To
Legalise
Child
Labour
Bolivia has become the first country to legalise child labour after a law was signed by Vice- President
Alvaro Garcia Linera on 17 July 2014.The bill was approved by Bolivian Congress in June 2014.

INDIA & WORLD

India
and
Canada
Signed
Audiovisual
Co-production
Treaty
India and Canada have signed an India-Canada Audiovisual Co-production Treaty that aims to create jobs
in both countries and boost tourism.This audiovisual treaty is the first of its kind for India and was signed
in Delhi.The treaty came into force on 1 July 2014.
India
Becomes
Worlds
Largest
Consumer
of
Antibiotics
According to the Global Trends in Antibiotic Consumption, 2000-2010,study report released on 14 July,
India has emerged as the worlds largest consumer of antibiotics with a 62% increase in popping habits
over the last decade.
India
Slips
10
Positions
On
Global
Innovation
Index

2014
India slipped 10 notches on the Global Innovation Index (GII) 2014. India fell from the 66th position to the
76th on the index. Switzerland topped the GII rankings like 2013 while the UK took the second position.
The annual rankings are jointly published by Cornell University, INSEAD, and the World Intellectual
Property Organisation on 18 July 2014.
India
Ranked
135
In
Human
Development
Index

2014
The United Nations Development Programmes (UNDP) 2014 Human Development Report was released
on 24 July in Tokyo. A UN study ranked India at 135 out of 187 countries in terms of Human Development
Index (HDI). Indias HDI value for 2013 is 0.586 . Between 1980 to 2013, Indias HDI value increased from
0.369 to 0.586 .

NATIONAL
CCEA Approved Inclusion Of Onion and Potato Under Essential Commodities Act, 1955
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on 2 July 2014 approved the inclusion of onion and
potato under the purview of stock holding limits under the Essential Commodities Act 1955. The inclusion
will remain in force for a year.
Number
of
Child
Labourers
In
India
Has
Declined
The Union government on 7 July announced the number of working children in the age group of 5-14 has
declined in the country. The total number of working children in the country has declined from 1.26 crore
as per Census 2001 to 43.53 lakh as per Census 2011.
President
Gave
Assent
To
National
Institute
of
Design
Bill2014
The National Institute of Design Bill, which will permit the institute to award degrees to students, has now
become an Act with President Pranab Mukherjee giving his assent. The President gave his assent to the
National Institute of Design Bill, 2014, on 17 July 2014. The bill was passed by the Rajya Sabha on 7 July
2014, it was vetted by the Lok Sabha on 9 July 2014. The Ahmedabad-based institute, which has a
branch in Gandhinagar and also a satellite centre in Bangalore, will now be an institute of national
importance.
Employment
Rises
34%
To
12.7
crore
In
8
years
To
2013
According to the Sixth Economic Census report released on 30 July, the number of employed persons in
the country grew by 34.35 percent to 12.77 crore in eight years to 2013.

STATES
PM
Narendra
Modi
Inaugurates
240
MW
Uri-II
Hydropower
Project
In
J&K
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 4 July inaugurated the 240 megawatt Uri-II hydropower project in the
mountains of Jammu and Kashmir. The Uri-II project is the second power project on the Jhelum River in
Uri area and is close to the Line of Control (LoC) in Baramullah district of the state.
Assam
Decided
To
Implement
National
Food
Security
Act
Assam Government has decided to implement National Food Security Act from 1 September 2014. The
decision to implement the Act in the state was taken on 14 July at a meeting of senior officials of Food
and Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department convened by Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi in
Guwahati. During the meeting, the state government also decided to bring onions and potatoes in the list
of essential commodities to curb hoarding.
CMSA
Scheme
Launched
In
Meghalaya
For
Widows
and
Pensioners
Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma on 23 July launched a mass enrolment drive under the Chief
Ministers Social Assistance (CMSA) Scheme for widows and persons with disabilities at Patharkhmah in
Ri Bhoi District in Meghalaya. Each beneficiary shall be given a financial assistance of 500 rupees per
month under the scheme.
Tamil
Nadu
Govt
To
Issue
Industrial
Licences
Online
Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa on 23 July announced that the process of issuing licenses to the
new industries will be done online henceforth. The step was taken in order to simplify the process
involved for registration of new industries in the state.

CONFERENCES
Sixth
BRICS
Summit

2014
Held
In
Brazil
The 6th BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) summit was held in Fortaleza, Brazil on 15
16 July 2014. The theme of the summit was Inclusive growth: sustainable solutions . At the end of the
summit, the participating countries jointly issued the Fortaleza Declaration. The $100 billion development
bank launched during the summit in Fortaleza is aimed at funding infrastructure projects in developing
nations. The bank will be called the New Development Bank (NDB), a name suggested by Prime Minister
Narendra Modi.

AWARDS & HONOURS

Shah
Rukh
Khan
Received
Knight
Of
The
Legion
Of
Honor
Bollywood Actor Shah Rukh Khan was conferred with top French civilian award Knight of the Legion of
Honor (National Order of the Legion of Honour) on 1 July for his outstanding contribution to cultural
diversity across the world.
Indian Mathematician Named Joint Winner Of 2014 George Polya Prize
Nikhil Srivastava, a young Indian mathematician, on 10 July became the first joint winner of the
prestigious 2014 George Polya Prize for finding a solution to a problem that had eluded mathematicians
for more than half a century.
Environmentalist
Chandi
Prasad Bhatt Received
Gandhi
Peace
Prize
2013
Eminent Gandhian and environmentalist Chandi Prasad Bhatt on 15 July was awarded with the
prestigious Gandhi Peace prize for 2013. He was awarded by the President of India Pranab Mukherjee at
a function in Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi.
2014
Ramon
Magsaysay
Awards
Announced
The prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Awards for year 2014 were announced on 31 July and it included six
winners. Education is a big theme in this years awards, with two individuals who have dedicated their
lives to educating indigenous communities a Filipino and an Indonesian and a Pakistani organization
that builds schools for girls, among the 6 awardees. The 2014 Awardees are:i)
Saur
Marlina
Manurung
(Indonesia)
ii)
Randy
Halasan
(The
Philippines)
iii)
Hu
Shuli
(China)
iv)
Omara
Khan
Masoudi
(Afghanistan)
v)
Wang
Canfa
(China)
vi) The Citizen Foundation (Pakistan)

SPORTS & GAMES

Russian
Federation
Friendship
Order
Awards
To
Anand
and
Gelfand
Chess greats Viswanathan Anand (India) and Boris Gelfand (Israel) have been selected for the Russian
Federations Order of Friendship award, according to a FIDE release on 4 July.

Lewis
Hamilton
Won
British
Grand
Prix
2014
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of British has won the British Grand Prix 2014 title on 6 July.This was
Hamiltons 27th career victory, his fifth of the season.
Germany
Won
2014
FIFA
Football
World
Cup
Germany created history by winning the FIFA World Cup 2014 on 13 July 2014 at the Maracana Stadium
in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Germany defeated Argentina by 1-0. With this win, Germany lifted the trophy for
the fourth time in the history of FIFA world Cup and first since 1990. The following awards were given
at
the
conclusion
of
the
tournament
:* Golden
Ball
Lionel
Messi
of
Argentina
* Golden
Boot
James
Rodriguez
of
Colombia
* Golden
Glove
Manuel
Neuer
of
Germany
* Best
Young
Player
Paul
Pogba
of
France
* FIFA Fair Play Trophy Colombia
Daniel
Ricciardo
Won
2014
Hungarian
F1
Grand
Prix

2014
Red Bulls Daniel Ricciardo of Australia won the Hungarian Formula One (F1) Grand Prix on 27 July.
Fernando Alonso (Spain) claimed the second spot for his Ferrari team while Mercedes Lewis Hamilton
(Great Britain) won the third place.

ECONOMY
Bill
Gates
Is
Wealthiest
Living
US
Entrepreneur
According to the Wealth-x, Microsoft founder Bill Gates is the wealthiest living US entrepreneur, with an
estimated net worth of US$ 80.2 billion.The list of 10 billionaires was released on 2 July dominated by
technopreneurs as six of them made their fortunes from technology or technology-related businesses.
Eight
Indian
Companies
In
Fortune
500
List
Eight Indian companies, led by state-run IOC, have made it to the latest Fortune Global 500 list of worlds
biggest firms which has been topped by US-based retailer Wal-Mart after a gap of two years.
Union
Railway
Budget
2014-15
Union Railway Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda on 8 July 2014 presented his first Railway Budget in
Parliament.This is the first rail budget presented by any Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) minister and it is
also
Sadanand
Gowdas
first
rail
budget.
Highlights
From
Railway
Budget
2014-15
:*
No
new
increase
in
passenger
fares
and
freight
charges.
* Next generation e-Ticketing system, capable of supporting 7200 tickets per minute as against 2000
tickets per minute and allow 1,20,000 simultaneous users at any point in time, will help in the revamp of
railway
reservation
System.
* Railway Ministry will develop 10 major stations in the country to global standards.It will provide Wi-Fi in
A-1
and
A
category
stations
and
in
select
trains.
*
Office-on-wheels:
Internet
and
workstation
facilities
on
select
trains
* Paperless office of Indian railways in 5 years. Digital reservation charts at stations
* Women RPF Constables to escort ladies coaches; 4,000 women constables to be inducted
* 17000 Railway Protection Force (RPF) constables to provide safety to passengers
* Setting up of Railway University for technical and non-technical subjects, tie-up with technical
institutions
* Indian Railways need around Rs 40,000 crore improving rail safety. Rs 1785 crore will be provided for
road under bridges and over bridges.Ultra sonic devices to detect rail fractures and automatic closing of
doors
both
in
mainline
&
suburban
coaches
are
being
considered.

*
Cleanliness
budget
up
by
40
pc
over
last
year
* Private investment in Rail Infrastructure through Domestic and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)
*
FDI
in
railway
projects,
except
in
operations
*
FDI,
domestic
investments
in
rail
infrastructure
* Per capita contribution to Staff Benefit Fund increased from Rs.500 to Rs.800.
* Loss per passenger per kilometre up from 10% in 2000-01 to 23% in 2012-13
High
Speed
Rail
Network
and
Bullet
Trains:*
Bullet
trains
will
be
introduced
in
the
Mumbai-Ahmedabad
sector.
* Diamond Quadrilateral network of high speed rail linking major metros and growth centres is being
worked
out.
* Increasing train speeds between several cities to 160-200 km/hour. Railways will spend Rs 100 crore for
high speed trains between metros.The government needs Rs 9 lakh crore for funding Diamond
Quadrilateral.
New Trains In Rail Budget:- 5 Jansadharan Trains, 5 Premium Trains, 6 AC express trains, 27 express
trains, 8 passenger trains, 2 MEMU services and 5 DEMU will be introduced this year. Special trains to
meet the holiday and festival rush would continue to operate.
Economic
Survey
of
India
2013-14
Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitely on 9 July presented Economic Survey of India 2013-14 in the Lok
Sabha.
Following
are
the
highlights
of
the
Economic
Survey
Report
2013-14
:* Economy to grow in the range of 5.4 5.9 per cent in 2014-15 overcoming sub-5 percent growth.
* Aided by favourable monsoons, agricultural and allied sector registered a growth of 4.7 per cent in 201314.
* The Indias balance-of-payments position improved dramatically in 2013-14 with current account deficit
at
US
$
32.4
billion
as
against
US$
88.2
billion
in
2012-13.
* Indias foreign exchange reserves increased from US$ 292.0 billion at end March 2013 to US$ 304.2
billion
at
end
march
2014.
* World trade volume which decelerated to 2.8 per cent in 2012 has shown signs of recovery in 2013,
albeit
slow
with
a
3.0
per
cent
growth.
* The sharp fall in imports and moderate export growth in 2013-14 resulted in a sharp fall in India`s trade
deficit
by
27.8
per
cent.
* Record food grains and oilseeds production of 264.4 million tonnes (mt) and 32.4 mt is estimated in
2013-14.
* The latest gross domestic product (GDP) estimates show that industry grew by just 1.0 per cent in 201213 and slowed further in 2013-14, posting a modest increase of 0.4 per cent.
* India ranked 12th in terms of services GDP in 2012 among the worlds top 15 countries in terms of GDP
(at
current
prices).
* In 2013-14, FDI inflows to the services sector (top five sectors including construction) declined sharply
by 37.6 per cent to US$ 6.4 billion compared to an overall growth in FDI inflows at 6.1 per cent resulting in
the share of the top five services in total FDI falling to nearly one-sixth.
* According to HDR 2013, India has slipped down in HDI with its overall global ranking at 136 (out of the
186 countries) as against 134 (out of 187 countries) as per HDR 2012. It is still in the medium human
development category.
Union
Budget
2014-15
Union Finance Minister, Arun Jaitley on 10 July 2014 presented Union Budget 2014-15.
Highlights
of
the
Union
Budget
2014-15:* The tax bracket has been increased to 2.5 lakh rupees from previous 2 lakh rupees, whereas, for senior
citizen it has been raised to 3 lakh rupees from previous 2.5 lakh rupees
* Tax relief for interest on housing loan rose from 1.5 lakh rupees to 2 lakh rupees
*
Deduction
under
80C
increased
from
1
lakh
rupees
to
1.5
lakh
rupees
* 1000 crore rupees proposed for Pradhanmantri Krishi Seechai Yojana to improve irrigation facility
* 14389 crore rupees announced for Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna, PMGSY
*
100
crore
rupees
allotted
for
Beti
bachao-beti
padhao
yojna

* Minimum pension of 1000 rupees to meet the expenditure to all subscribers of EPFO scheme
*
50000
crore
rupees
for
SC/ST
schemes
*
FDI
cap
in
Defence
sector
has
been
raised
to
49
percent
* The finance minister in the budget announced steps for sustained growth of 7-8 percent within the next
three-four
years
*
PSU
247944
crore
capex
to
create
industrial
cycle
*
Shyama
Prassad
Mukherjee
Rozgar
mission
to
be
launched
*
Excise
duty
on
footwear
reduced
from
12
percent
to
6
percent
*
Excise
duty
concessions
to
continue
till
31
December
2014
*
No
change
in
surcharge
*
No
change
in
Direct
Tax
rates
*
War
Memorial
will
be
set
up
at
Princess
Park,
New
Delhi
* Composite cap on FDI in insurance proposed to be raised to 49 percent from 26 percent
* 15 Model Rural Health Research centers for rural health issues.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

NASA
Launched
Orbiting
Carbon
Observatory-2
Satellite
U.S. space agency NASA on 2 July launched Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 (OCO-2),a satellite
designed to track carbon dioxide (CO2) which is responsible for global warming. The satellite was
launched aboard Delta 2 rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.OCO-2 is the first of its kind
mission of NASA dedicated to study the atmospheric carbon dioxide over several seasons.
Indias First Indigenous Anti-Submarine Warship INS Kamrota Handed Over To Indian Navy
Indias first indigenous anti-submarine warship (ASW) Indian Naval Ship (INS) Kamorta was handed over
to Indian Navy on 12 July. INS Kamrota is the first in its class of four ASW corvettes being built by GRSE
under Project-28 for the Navy.
Indias
Indigenously
Built
Research
Ship

Sindhu
Sadhna

Launched
Indias first ever indigenously built research ship Sindhu Sadhna was launched and dedicated to the
nation on 13 July. Minister of State in the Prime Ministers Office Jitendra Singh dedicated Sindhu
Sadhana to the nation at Marmugao Harbour of Goa.
Worlds
Largest
Aquatic
Insect
Discovered
In
China
In the month of July 2014 the worlds largest flying aquatic insect has been discovered in China.This was
found in the the mountains of Chengdu in Chinas Sichuan province.It boasts a wingspan of 8.3
inches.That breaks the previous record held by a species of South American helicopter damselfly, with a
wingspan of 7.5 inches.

PERSONS IN NEWS
A) APPOINTMENTS
Sujit Choudhry Became The First Indian-American Dean of Top US Law School
Sujit Choudhry, an international constitutional law expert, has become the first Indian- American Dean of
the Berkeley School of Law of the University of California , one of the major law schools in the US.

Om
Prakash
Kohli
Sworn
In
As
Gujarat
Governor
Om Prakash Kohli took oath of office as Governor of Gujarat on 16 July.His oath of the office and secrecy
was administered by Chief Justice of Gujarat High Court Bhaskar Bhattacharya.
Padmanabha
Balakrishna
Acharya
Sworn
In
As
Nagaland
Governor
Padmanabha Balakrishna Acharya was sworn in as the 19th governor of Nagaland on 19 July. Acharya
has been given the additional charge of Tripura also.
Ram
Naik
Sworn-In
As
UP
Governor
Senior BJP leader and former Union Minister Ram Naik was sworn-in as the 27th Governor of Uttar
Pradesh on 22 July. Ram Naik was sworn in at the Raj Bhavan by Allahabad High Court Chief Justice
D.Y. Chandrachud.

B)RESIGNS
Goa
Governor
B
V
Wanchoo
Resigned
Goa Governor BV Wanchoo resigned from his post on 4 July. He was questioned by the Central Bureau
of Investigation (CBI) as a witness in connection with alleged irregularities in the purchase of 12
helicopters meant for VVIP use from AgustaWestland, an Anglo-Italian defence manufacturer.

C)DEATHS
Veteran
Actress
Zohra
Sehgal
Died
Veteran actor Zohra Sehgal, who acted in Bollywood classics and Doctor Who adventures, died on 10
July in New Delhi.She was called as the grand old lady of Bollywood. In 2010, Zohra was awarded with
the Padma Vibhshan. She was also a recipient of other two of Indias four civilian awards Padma Shri
(1998), Padma Bhushan (2002).

D)VISITORS
Indian
Prime
Minister
Narendra
Modi
Visited
Brazil
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Visited Brazil to attend the 6th BRICS Summit in Fortaleza, Brazil
from 15 16 July 2014. During the visit , Prime Minister Narendra modi met with other leaders of BRICS
nation. In the visit, India and Brazil decided to expand trade and investment flows while deepening
collaboration in the fields of renewable energy, defence and cyber security as they signed three pacts
including one on cooperation in the environment sector.

E)MISCELLANEOUS
Mahatma
Gandhis
Bust
Unveiled
In
South
Korean
City
The first ever bust of Mahatma Gandhi, the apostle of non-violence, has been inaugurated in the South
Korean metropolis of Busan on 21 July.

PLACES IN NEWS
Pakistan
Declares
Dilip
Kumars
Ancestral
Home
as
National
Heritage
Pakistan on 11 July declares the ancestral home of veteran Bollywood actor Dilip Kumar as National
Heritage. The house, located in Peshawars Qisa Khawani Bazaar area, will be converted into a museum.

ABBREVIATIONS
BRICS Brazil, Russia, India, China And South Africa
NASA National Aeronautics and Space Administration
AIIMS All India Institute of Medical Sciences
CRAC Cyber Regulation Advisory Council
FIPB Foreign Investment Promotion Board
NABARD National Bank for Agricultural and Rural Development

BOOKS IN NEWS
Coffee-Table Book On President Titled First Citizen : Pranab Mukherjee In Rashtrapati Bhavan
Released
A coffee-table book titled First Citizen: Pranab Mukherjee in Rashtrapati Bhavan was released on 2
July at a function in Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi. The books first copy was received by Pranab
Mukherjee, the President of India. The book has been published by The Week Magazine.

COMMITTEES
Rangarajan
Committee
Submits
Report
On
Poverty
To
Planning
Commission
C Rangarajan, former chief of the Prime Ministers Economic Advisory Council (PMEAC), has submitted a
report on Tendulkar Committee methodology for estimating poverty to Planning Minister Rao Inderjit
Singh on 1 July. According to an expert panel headed by C Rangarajan those spending over Rs 32 a day
in rural areas and Rs 47 in towns and cities should not be considered poor. The panels recommendation,
however results in an increase in the below poverty line population, which is estimated at 363 million in
2011-12, compared to the 270 million estimate based on the Tendulkar formula. This means 29.5% of the
India population lives below the poverty line as defined by the panel against 21.9% according to
Tendulkar.

IMPORTANT DAYS AND DATES

World
Population
Day
Observed
Across
The
World
World Population Day was observed across the world on 11 July 2014. The theme of World Population
Day 2014 was Investing in Young People.World Population Day is observed to bring awareness to people

about importance of small families and living healthy lives. The day is celebrated with several programs
that are initiated to educate people about family planning methods.
International
Tiger
Day
Observed
Across
The
World
The World on 29 July 2014 observed the International Tiger Day. The day is celebrated as an awareness
day. The goal of the Tiger Day is to promote protection and expansion of the wild tiger habitats and also to
gain support awareness for tiger conservation.

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June 2014 Current Affairs Study Material

INTERNATIONAL
US
President
Proposed
1
billion
dollar
Plan
For
Eastern
Europe
The US President Barack Obama on 3 June proposed a 1 billion US dollar (about 730 million Euros) US
security plan for Eastern Europe to finance extra US troop and military deployments to new allies in
Eastern Europe.
Reuven
Rivlin
Is
Elected
Israels
10th
President
Reuven (Ruby) Rivlin, Knesset member of Likud Party, was on 10 June 2014 elected as 10th president of
Israel. Reuven Rivlin has defeated a long-time MP Meir Sheetrit by 63 to 53 in a secret run-off ballot. He
will succeed Shimon Peres. Rivlin will sworn-in on 24 July 2014.
Russia
Cuts
Off
Gas
Supplies
To
Ukraine
Russia on 16 June cut off all gas supplies to Ukraine over the due payment. Energy Minister of Ukraine
Yuri Prodan confirmed that the Gas supplies to Ukraine have been reduced to zero.After a while, both
Gazprom and Naftogaz filed lawsuits against each other at the International Council Commercial
Arbitration (ICCA) in Stockholm.
Sri
Lanka
and
Seychelles
Signed
Six
Agreements
Sri Lanka and Seychelles on 28 June signed six Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with a view of
further integrating and deepening the existing relationship between the two countries.The six agreements
were signed between Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa and President of Seychelles, James
Michael in the capital, Victoria.

INDIA & WORLD

EU
lifts
Drug
Export
Ban
From
Ranbaxys
Toansa
Plant
The European health regulator, on 5 June, lifted the suspension imposed on export of drugs produced at
the Ranbaxys Toansa plant to the EU, stating medicines produced at the site posed no risk to public
health despite having a number of manufacturing deficiencies. The European Medicines Agency (EMA)
announced that assessment of reported non-compliance with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) at
Ranbaxy Laboratories at Toansa, India has been finalised by the European regulatory authorities.
India
Becomes
Permanent
Signatory
To
Washington
Accord
India has on 13 June become a permanent Signatory to Washington Accord (WA), which will enable
global recognition of Indian degrees in engineering and technical education. With India becoming the
permanent signatory, India joined a select group of 17 countries who are permanent signatories of the
Washington Accord (WA).
India
and
Russia
Bilateral
Talks
In the first high-level interaction between India and Russia after Narendra Modi Government took over at
the Centre, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry O
Rogozin on 18 June discussed crucial bilateral issues, including matters related to trade and energy

security. Besides issues related to economic cooperation and energy security, the deal for the third and
fourth reactors of Koodankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP) also figured in the talks.
India
Relaxes
Visa
Norms
For
Bangladeshi
Nationals
India has relaxed visa rules for a category of Bangladeshi nationals planning to cross into its borders.This
was decided in a meeting between Indias external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj and her Bangladeshi
counterpart Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali in Dhaka on 26 June 2014.

NATIONAL
Narendra
Modi
Scrapped
Four
Standing
Committees
of
Cabinet
Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India on 10 June decided to discontinue four Standing Committees
of the Cabinet. The discontinued standing committees included Cabinet Committee on Management of
Natural Calamities, Cabinet Committee on Prices, Cabinet Committee on World Trade Organisation
Matters and Cabinet Committee on Unique Identification Authority of India related issues.
Pradhan
Mantri
Gram
Sinchai
Yojana
To
Be
Launched
To boost agricultural yield, the Union Agriculture Ministry is going to launch Pradhan Mantri Gram Sinchai
Yojana in the country. The statement was announced by Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh
on 14 June . The motive of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sinchai Yojana will be to take irrigation water to each
and every agricultural field in the country.
Union
Government
Reconstituted
Six
Cabinet
Committees
Union Government on 19 June reconstituted six important Cabinet Committees of these four will be
headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and remaining two by Home Minister Rajnath Singh. The six
Cabinet Committees include Security, Political Affairs, Parliamentary Affairs, Economic Affairs,
Accommodation and Appointments.
India
To
Be

Land
Degradation
Neutral

By
2030
Government of India on 17 June announced an ambitious programme to combat the challenge and make
the country Land Degradation Neutral by 2030.Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar explained that
the objective of the land degradation neutrality is to maintain or improve the condition of land resources
through the sustainable management of soil, water and biodiversity.

STATES
Telangana
Becomes
Indias
29th
State
Telangana became the 29th State of India with Hyderabad as its capital on 2 June 2014. With this
formation, ten districts of the then Andhra Pradesh will now become a part of the Telangana.
Retirement
Age
of
J&K
Govt.
Employees
Raised
To
60
The Jammu & Kashmir government on 3 June enhanced the retirement age of government employees
from 58 to 60 years.The cabinet also raised the upper age limit for youths to obtain government jobs from
37 to 40 years.

Tamilnadu
Chief
Minister
Launched
Amma
Salt
Jayalalithaa, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on 11 June launched Amma Salt, a product of Tamil Nadu
Salt Corporation limited (TNSC) under the State Industries Department.
Gujarat
CM
Announces
33
Percent
Quota
For
Women
In
Police
Force
Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel on 24 June announced 33 percent reservation for women in the
police force. With this announcement, the women of the state can enjoy 33 percent reservation in new
recruitment in the police force.

CONFERENCES
G77
plus
China
Summit
Held
In
Bolivia
The Group of 77 (G77) plus China summit was held in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, on 15 June 2014. More than
100 delegations of the G77 block attended the summit, presided over by Bolivian President Evo Morales.
The summit concluded with the adoption of a declaration calling for a new world order that is equitable,
stable and peaceful. With the theme of New World Order for Living Well, the two-day summit also marks
the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the G77, which has grown into a coalition of 133 UN
developing member states.The G77, the largest intergovernmental organization of developing countries,
is aimed at promoting collective economic interests and gaining leverage within the international
community.

AWARDS & HONOURS

RGIA
gets
ACI
award
The Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA), operated and managed by GMR Group, has become the
first Indian airport to be awarded the ACI Director Generals Roll of Excellence accolade. The award
recognises the airports ranking among the worlds top three airports for five consecutive years in the ACI
Airport Service Quality (ASQ) survey.
IGI
Named
Worlds
Second
Best
Airport
For
Service
Quality
Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) of Delhi was ranked as second best airport in the world in service
quality among airports that handle 25 to 40 million passengers per annum (MPPA). For this achievement,
IGI received Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Award by Airport Council International (ACI) in South Korea.
IGI received the ASQ award for third time in row. Apart from this, IGI was placed at sixth position among
the best airport in the world against fourth in 2013.
Indian-Origin
Physicist
Tejinder
Virdee
Awarded
Honorary
Knighthood
Indian-origin physicist Tejinder Virdee has been awarded with an honorary knighthood by Queen
Elizabeth II on 14 June. He was awarded for his work on the Higgs Boson theory. Professor Virdee is one
of the creators of the Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) Experiment. The CMS experiment is a part of the
Large Hadron Collider at CERN in Geneva.
Noted Hindi Poet Kedar Nath Singh Selected For Jnanpith Award 2013
Noted Hindi poet Kedarnath Singh on 20 June 2014 was chosen for the prestigious Jnanpith award for
2013. He is the 10th Hindi writer to receive the honour and joins the likes of Sumitra Nandan Pant,
Ramdhari Singh Dinkar among others. He will be the recipient of 49th Jnanpith award.

SPORTS & GAMES

Kolkata
Knight
Riders
Won
IPL
2014
Title
The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on 1 June 2014 won the seventh edition of Indian Premier League (IPL)
2014 by defeating Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) by three wickets in the final played at Chinnaswamy Stadium,
Bangalore. This is the second title triumph for KKR after their maiden win back in 2012. Chennai Super
Kings Mohit Sharma won the Purple Cap while KXIPs Akshar Patel took the Emerging Player honour.
French
Open
Tennis
Tournament
Winners

2014
Womens Singles :- Maria Sharapova of Russia won womens singles title of French Open 2014. She
defeated Romanias Simona Halep in the final at Roland Garros, Paris on 7 June 2014. This was
Sharapovas second French Open singles title and fifth grand slam singles title.
Mens Singles :- Spains Rafael Nadal won the mens singles title of 2014 French Open on 8 June 2014
by defeating Serbias Novak Djokovic in the final. This was Nadals 9th singles title win at the French
Open .
Daniel
Ricciardo
Won
The
Canadian
Formula
One
Grand
Prix
Red Bull Racing driver Daniel Ricciardo of Australia won the Canadian Grand Prix on 8 June in Montreal.
This was the first GP win for Daniel Ricciardo of Australia and Mercedes was beaten for the first time in
this season.
Netherlands
Won
Womens
Hockey
World
Cup

2014
Netherlands won the 2014 edition of Womens Hockey World Cup after defeating Australia 2-0 in the final
at the Kyocera Stadium in The Hague (Netherlands) on 14 June. This is Netherlands seventh title.
Pankaj
Advani
Won
IBSF
6-Red
World
Snooker
Championship
Indian player Pankaj Advani created history by becoming the first player in the world to win world titles in
the long and shorter formats of both billiards and snooker by pocketing the IBSF World 6-Red snooker
Championship on 29 June in Sharm el-Sheikh, Eygpt. Advani defeated Polands Kacper Flilpiak in the
final to win his first 6-Red World title and ninth overall.

ECONOMY
RBI
Announced
Second
Bi-Monthly
Monetary
Policy
Statement
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced second Bi-Monthly Monetary Policy Statement on 3 June.
RBI in its second bi-monthly monetary policy statement has kept the policy rates unchanged. RBI
Governor Raghuram G Rajan announced that the apex bank has kept the policy repo rate under the
liquidity adjustment facility (LAF) unchanged at 8.0 per cent. The cash reserve ratio (CRR) of scheduled
banks unchanged at 4.0 percent of net demand and time liabilities (NDTL). The reverse repo rate under
the LAF remained unchanged at 7.0 percent and the marginal standing facility (MSF) rate and the Bank
Rate at 9.0 percent.
India
Ranks
15th
with
175,000
Millionaire
Households
The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) latest report titled 14th Annual Study of the Global WealthManagement Industry was released on 10 June 2014. According to the report , India had 1.75 lakh
millionaire households in 2013 which ranks it as the 15th in the world in terms of countries with highest
number of millionaire households.

World Bank Lowered Growth Forecast For Developing World To 4.8 percent
The World Bank on 11 June released Global Economic Prospects (GEP) report and revised down the
economic growth forecast for developing world in 2014 to 4.8 percent from 5.3 percent estimated in
January 2014. It also highlighted that the growth in 2015 and 2016 at 5.4 and 5.5 percent, respectively.
India
Became
Home
To
1.56
lakh
Millionaires
In
2013
According to the World Wealth Report 2014, released by Capgemini and RBC Wealth Management on 20
June, India became home to 1.56 lakh millionaires with 3,000 more joining the elite club in 2013, making
the country 16th most populous in terms of population of super-rich people worldwide.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Astronomers
Discovered
New
Planet
Mega-Earth
US Astronomers from Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CFA) have discovered a new type of
rocky planet beyond the solar system that weighs more than 17 times as much as Earth while being just
over twice the size. The so-called mega-Earth circles a very old star called Kepler-10, which is located
about 560 light-years away from Earth in the constellation Draco.
Two
New
Planets
Orbiting
Ancient
Star
Discovered
Scientists have discovered two new planets orbiting an ancient star near our Sun and one of them may
have liquid water on its surface, a key ingredient to support life. Researchers explained one of the
planets, called Kapteyn b, is orbiting the star at the right distance to allow liquid water to exist on its
surface.The second planet, Kapteyn c is a more massive super-Earth in comparison. Kapteyns Star is
the 25th nearest star to the Sun only 13 light years away from Earth.
PM
Narendra
Modi
Dedicates
INS
Vikramaditya
To
The
Nation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 14 June dedicated Indias largest warship aircraft carrie INS
Vikramaditya to the nation. During his visit to warship INS Vikramadtya off Goa coast in Arabian Sea, the
Prime Minister was given a ceremonial guard of honour by the Navy and was briefed about the warship.
ISRO Successfully Launches PSLV-C23 Rocket carrying Five Foreign Satellites
ISRO(Indian Space Research Organisation)s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV)-C23 was launched
on 30 June 2014 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh. The PSLV C23
carried five satellites belonging to four countries namely France, Germany, Canada and Singapore.All
these five satellites were launched under commercial arrangements that ANTRIX (ISROs commercial
arm) has entered with the respective foreign agencies.

PERSONS IN NEWS
A) APPOINTMENTS
Sumitra
Mahajan
Elected
As
Speaker
Of
16th
Lok
Sabha
Veteran BJP leader Sumitra Mahajan was 6 June unanimously elected Speaker of the 16th Lok Sabha,
becoming the second woman to occupy the prestigious position after her predecessor Meira Kumar.

Ranjit
Kumar
Takes
Charge
As
Solicitor
General
of
India
Senior Supreme Court advocate Ranjit Kumar took charge as Solicitor-General of India on 9 June. He
replaced senior advocate Mohan Parasaran, who had tendered his resignation in May 2014 after the
formation of a new government at the Centre.
Mukul
Rohatgi
Is
New
Attorney
General
of
India
Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi on 19 June took charge as the new Attorney General (AG) of India and
will have a tenure of three years. Rohatgi had also served as an Additional Solicitor General during
previous NDA regime.

B)RESIGNS
Uttar
Pradesh
Governor
BL
Joshi
Resigned
Uttar Pradesh Governor BL Joshi was resigned from his post on 17 June. Joshi who was serving the
state as its Governor for second term sent his resignation to Pranab Mukherjee, the President of India.BL
Joshi a retired Indian Police Service (IPS) officer was serving Uttar Pradesh as governor since 2009.

C)DEATHS
Union
Rural
Development
Minister
Gopitnath
Munde
Died
Union Rural Development Minister, Gopinath Munde died in a road accident in Delhi. Munde was sworn-in
as the Cabinet Minister for Panchayati Raj, Drinking Water and Sanitation and Rural Development on 26
May 2014.

D)VISITORS
China
Foreign
Minister
Wang
Yi
Visited
India
China Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited India from 8 9 June 2014. During his two day visit, he met Union
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in New Delhi and discussed a wide range of issues related to
trade, economy, border and people to people exchanges. In the visit Wang also met President Pranab
Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 9 June 2014. This was the first contact between the two
governments after the Indian general election and after the Narendra Modi-led National Democratic
Alliance government assumed office.

E)MISCELLANEOUS
Dhoni
Only Indian In Forbes List Of
Worlds 100 Highest Paid Athletes
Indian cricket team captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni is the lone Indian sportsman to figure on Forbes list of
worlds 100 highest paid athletes. The list is being been topped by American boxer Floyd Mayweather and
includes golfer Tiger Woods and tennis stars Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Dhoni is ranked 22nd on
the list with total earnings of USD 30 million and endorsements worth USD 26 million.His salary and
winnings total USD four million as of June 2014.

PLACES IN NEWS
Mumbai
Is
Noisiest
City
In
The
World
Mumbai is hostage to air and water pollution at dangerous levels, and is probably the noisiest city in the
world, ahead of Delhi and Kolkata. Maharashtras economic survey, released a day before World
Environment Day (On June 5 2014), paints a grim picture for the rest of the state as well.

ABBREVIATIONS
FIFA Federation International de Football Association
RGIA Rajiv Gandhi International Airport
UNEP United Nations Environment Programme
KNPP Kundankulam Nuclear Power Plant
TRAI Telecom Regulatory Authority of India

BOOKS IN NEWS
Prime Minister Modi Launches Book Titled Getting India Back on Track An Action Agenda For
Reform
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 8 June released a book titled Getting India Back on Track An Action
Agenda For Reform edited by Bibek Debroy, Ashley J. Tellis & Reece Trevor .

COMMITTEES
Saumitra
Chaudhuri
Committee
Suggest
Cess
Levy
On
Petrol
and
Diesel
A Government panel headed by former Planning Commission member Saumitra Chaudhuri has
suggested levying cess amounting to 75 paise a litre on petrol and diesel in order to cover the cost of
upgrading refineries across the country to produce higher grade of auto fuel for the future in other words
achieve Bharat Stage (BS) V level norms by the year 2020 which comes to around Rs 80,000 crore.
The Chaudhuri panel had recently submitted its report titled Auto Fuel Vision and Policy 2025 to the
MoPNG.

IMPORTANT DAYS AND DATES

World
Blood
Donor
Day
Observed
On
14
June
2014
World Blood Donor Day was observed across the world on 14 June 2014. Theme for the years World
Blood Day campaign is Safe blood for saving mothers.The goal of the campaign is to increase awareness
about why timely access to safe blood and blood related products is essential for all countries as part of a
comprehensive approach to prevent maternal deaths. According to World Health Organization, every year
around 800 women dies due to pregnancy or childbirth-related complications. The major cause for
mortality, morbidity and long-term disability is severe bleeding during delivery and after childbirth.

World
Day
Against
Child
Labour
Observed
On
12
June
2014
World Day Against Child Labour was observed across the world on 12 June 2014. For the year 2014 the
theme is Extend social protection: combat child labour.Each year on 12 June, this Day brings together
governments, employers and workers organizations, civil society, as well as millions of people from
around the world to highlight the plight of child labourers and what can be done to help them.

Read more: Current Affairs June 2014 Study Material |

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