CurrentAffairsFebruary2015

Month February2015

Type All

249CurrentAffairswerefoundinMonthFebruary2015forTypeAll

1. 02FebWorldWetlandsDay.
2. 10FebNationalDewormingDay.140MillionDewormingtabletsdistributedtoschoolchildrenacrossnationtocombatwormsthatmake
numerouschildrensickeveryyear.
3. 10thAeroIndiashowinauguratedbyPrimeMinisterNarendraModiinBengaluru(Karnataka).
AeroIndiashowcomprisesofaircrafts,aviationproducts,aerotechnologyandairshowsandisorganizedeverytwoyearsbyDefence
ExhibitionOrganisationarmofMinistryofDefenceandDefenceResearchandDevelopmentOrganisation(DRDO).
4. 12YearOldSaloniDalalfromKarnatakabecameyoungestmedalwinnerin35thNationalGamesinKerala.ShewonaBronzemedalinthe200
meterbreaststrokeswimmingevent.
5. 13FebWorldRadioDay.
6. 13thmeetofForeignMinistersofIndia,RussiaandChinawasheldinBeijing(China).ParticipantswereSushmaSwaraj(India),WangYi
(China)andSergeyLavrov(Russia).
7. 18thNationalConferenceoneGovernanceheldinGandhinagar(Gujarat).NationalAwardsforeGovernancein1Categorieswerealso
announcedonthisoccasion.
8. 2FebMGNREGADay.MahatmaGandhiNationalRuralEmploymentGuaranteeActwasstartedon2February2006with200Districts.
9. 20FebStatehoodDayofArunachalPradesh.ItwasgivenstatehoodonFeb20,1987.
10. 21FebInternationalMotherLanguageDay.
11. 21FebisMotherLanguageDay.2015ThemeisInclusiveEducationthroughandwithLanguageLanguageMatter.
12. 24FebCentralExciseDay.
13. 28FebEighthInternationalRareDiseaseDay.(HeldannuallyonlastdayofFebruary).
14. 28FebNationalScienceDay.Prof.CVRamanwashonoredbyNobelAwardfordiscoveryofRamaneffectonFeb28,1930.
15. 35thNationalGamesmascotAmmu,TheGreatHornbill(StatebirdofKerala)hasbeenincludedinLimcaBookofRecordsforitsplay,
featuringthebirdinleadroleinKalikkunnaPlay.
16. 3rdTortoiseFestivalorganisedatHajongLakeinAssamtocreateawarenessamongpeopleontheendangeredtortoisespeciesbyEnvironment
andForestDepartmentofDimaHasao(ASSAM).
17. 4FebWorldCancerDay.
18. 45thMeetofWorldEconomicForumhelinDavos(Switzerland).FinanceMinisterArunJaitleyparticipatedonIndia'sBehalf.
19. 57thAnnualGrammyAwards
ThesearerecordingindustrysmostprestigiousawardpresentedannuallybyNationalAcademyofRecordingArtsandSciences(NARAS)
oftheUnitedStates.
83GrammyAwardswerepresentedthisyear.
MainGrammyAwardswnners2015

Category

Album

Artist

Bestalbum

MorningPhase

BeckHansen

Bestrecord StayWithMe

SamSmith

Bestsong

StayWithMe

JamesNapier,
WilliamPhillips
&SamSmith

Bestnew
artist

SamSmith

Childrens
Album

IAmMalala:HowOneGirlStood
UpForEducationAndChanged
TheWorld(MalalaYousafzai)

Neela
Vaswani
(India)

BestPop
Happy(Live)
solo
performance

Pharrell
Williams

BestPop
SaySomething
Duo/Group
Performance

AGreatBig
WorldWith
Christina
Aguilera

BestRock
Lazaretto
Performance

JackWhite

BestMetal
TheLastInLine
Performance

TenaciousD

BestRock
Album

Beck

MorningPhase

BestR&B
DrunkinLove
Performance

Beyonce
featuringJayZ

BestRap
I
Performance

KendrickLamar

20. 5thIndiaMyanmarJointTradeCommitteemeetingheldinNayPyiTawinMyanmar.IndiasMinisterofStateforCommerce&Industry
(IndependentCharge)NirmalaSitharamanmetMyanmarsMinisterofCommerceUWinMyint.
21. 60thFilmfareAwardsannounced
BestActor(male):ShahidKapoorforfilmHaiderdirectedbyVishalBhardwaj
BestActor(female):KanganaRanautforfilmQueendirectedbyVikasBahl
BestFilm:QueendirectedbyVikasBahl
BestDirector:VikasBahlforfilmQueen
FilmfareLifetimeAchievementAward:KaminiKaushal
22. 68thBritishAcademyFilmsAwards(BAFTA)(London)
23. 77thannualconventionofpresidingofficers,speakersandsecretariesoflegislativeassembliesandcouncilsheldinLucknow(UttarPradesh).
24. 2Years8Monthsand28NightshasbeenwrittenbySalmanRushdie.
25. BrigadeofTheGuardsandtheSikhRegimentwerecollectivelyawardedBestMarchingContingentsTrophyforRepublicDayParade2015.
26. CricketWorldcup:TheIndianChallengehasbeenwrittenbyAashishRe.
27. EditorUnplugged:Media,Magnates,NetasandMehasbeenwrittenbyVinodMehta.
28. FragileFrontiers:TheSecretHistoryofMumbaiTerrorAttackshasbeenwrittenbySKRath.
29. SpiritofKumbhhasbeenwrittenbySantoshkmishra(chiefofchattisgarhTourismboard).
30. VedicAstrology:AJourneyThroughHistory,PrinciplesAndMathematicahasbeenwrittenbyGSrinivasan.
31. UnionBudget20152016FinanceMinisterArunJaitleypresentedUnionBudget201516inLokSabha.ItwasfirstfullyearBudgetofthe
NDAgovernmentandsecondbudgetofArunJaitley.MainPointsare
Expenditures(Total1777477Crores)
PlannedExpenditure465277Crores
NonPlannedExpenditure1312200Crores.
RevenueReceipts(Total1671223Crores)
TaxRevenue1449490CroreRupees
NonTaxRevenue221733CroreRupees
EstimatesofvariousDeficits
FiscalDefict(RajkoshiyaGhata)tobe3.9%ofGDP
FurtherEstimations3.5%ofGDPin201617and3%oofGDPin201718
RevenueDeficittobe2.8%ofGDP
Taxation
AbolitionofwealthtaxandAdditional2%surchargeforthesuperrichwithincomeofoverRs.1crore.
Corporatetaxtocomedownfrom30%to25%overthenext3yearperiod.
Nochangeinindividualincometaxratesandslabs,overalldeductionbenefitstoindividualtaxpayershikedtoRs4.44lakhayear.
2%SwachhBharatcessonServiceTaxand100%deductiononinvestmentinSwachhBharatKosh.
Excisedutyisupto12.5%andandservicetaxIncreasedto14%(From12.36%).
PensionfundexemptionincreasefromRs.1,00,000toRs.1,5,0000
MediclaimpolicylimitincreasedfromRs.15,000toRs.25,000(Rs.30,000forSeniorCitizen)
GoodsandServicesTaxtobeimplementedbyApril2016.
Agriculture
Rs.25,000croreforRuralInfrastructureDevelopmentBank.
Rs.5,300croretosupportMicroIrrigationProgramme.
Farmerscredittargetof8.5lakhcrore.
Infrastructure
Rs.70,000crorestoInfrastructuresector.

AtalInnovationMissiontobeestablishedtodrawonexpertiseofentrepreneurs,andresearcherstofosterscientificinnovations
allocationofRs.150crore.
Settingupof5ultramegapowerprojects,eachof4000MW.
NationalInvestmentandInfrastructureFund(NIIF)willbemadewithannualflowofRs.20,000crorestohelpinfrastructure
financecompaniesleverageextraequityfromthefundsanduseittoerectinfrastructure.
SelfEmploymentandTalentUtilisation(SETU),aTechnoFinancial,IncubationandFacilitationProgrammewillbecreatedto
supportallaspectsofstartupbusinessesparticularlyintechnologydrivenareas.AnamountofRs.1000croreisbeingsetupinitially
inNITI(NationalInstituteofTransformingIndia)AayogforSETU.
Education
NewAIIMSinJammuandKashmir,Punjab,TamilNadu,HimachalPradesh,BiharandAssam.
NewIITinKarnatakaIndianSchoolofMinesinDhanbadtobeupgradedtoIIT.
UniversityofDisabilityStudiestobeformedinKerala.
Centreoffilmproduction,animationandgamingtocomeupinArunachalPradesh.
NewIIMsinJammuKashmirandAndhraPradesh.
DefenceExpenditure2,46,726Crores(9.87% )
WelfareSchemes
DBT(DirectBenefitTransfer)willbefurtherbeexpandedfrom1croreto10.3crore.
FortheAtalPensionYojna,govt.willcontribute50%ofthepremiumlimitedtoRs.1000ayear.
Rs.5,000croreadditionalallocationforMGNREGAthisyeartakingtheallotementto34699Croresalltimehigh.
MicroUnitsDevelopmentRefinanceAgency(MUDRA)BankwillbemadewithfundsRs.20,000croreandcreditguaranteefundof
3,000croretorefinanceMicroFinanceInstitutionsthroughPradhanMantriMudraYojana.
VisaonArrivalFacilityfor150Countries.
1000crorerupeesmoreallocatedtoNirbhayafund
Toenableminorityyouth,anewschemenamedNayiManzilwillbestarted
Transportallowanceincreasedto1600rupeespermonth
PradhanMantraSurakshaBimaYojanatocoveraccidentaldeathriskofRs.2lakhforjustRs.12peryear.
PradhanMantriJeevanJyotiBimaYojanatocoverbothnaturalandaccidentaldeathrisk
UnclaimeddepositsofaboutRs.9,000croresinthePPFandEPFfundswillbeusedtorevitalizeSeniorCitizenWelfarefunds.
DeenDayalUpadhyayGrameenKaushalYojanawillbelaunchedtoenhancetheemployabilityofRuralYouthwithcapitalof1500
Crores.
NationalSkillsMissionwillbelaunchedwithcapitalofRs.1,500croresapartforDeenDayalUpadhyayGraminKaushalYojana.
AfullyITbasedStudentFinancialAidAuthoritywillbesetuptomanageScholarshipsandEducationalLoanSchemes,throughthe
PradhanMantriVidyaLakshmiKaryakram.
ScheduledCastesDevelopmentSubSchemestoget30851CroresandScheduledTribestoget19980Crores,womenwelfareschemes
get79258Crores.
Rural
Rs.15,000croreforLongTermRuralCreditFund
Rs.45,000croreforShortTermCooperativeRuralCreditRefinanceFund
Rs.15,000croreforShortTermRRBRefinanceFund
RenewableEnergy
Rs.75croreforelectriccarsproduction.
Total175KMWRenewableenergytargetfor2022:100KMWinsolar60KMWinwind10KMWinbiomassand5KMWin
smallhydro.
Gold
Newschemefordepositorsofgoldtoearninterestandjewellerstoobtainloansontheirmetalaccounts.
AnIndiangoldcoinwithAshokChakraonitsfacewillbemadetoreducethedemandforforeigncoinsandrecyclethegold
availableinthecountry.
Financial
ForwardMarketsCommissiontobemergedwiththeSecuritiesandExchangeBoardofIndia.
NBFCswithassetsizeabove500crorestobeconsideredasfinancialinstitutionunderSarfaesiAct,2002,enablingthemtofund
SMEandmidcorporatebusinesses.
ImplementationofGAAR(GeneralAntiAvoidanceRule)hasbeendeferredby2Years.
PeoplewillhavetoquotetheirPANforallpurchasesabove1lakhrupees
GDPgrowthseenbetween8%and8.5%thisyear
DisinvestmenttargetsetatRs41,000crorefor201516.
ToughLawtoblackmoneytobeintroducedincludingimprisonmentupto10yearsand300%penaltyontaxforconcealingincome
andassets.
Totaltransfertothestateswillbe62%
Electrificationofremaining20000villagesby2020
Subsidies227000Crores( of10.2%from201415).
FoodSubsidyIncreasedto122000Crores.
FertilizerSubsidy72968Crores
PetroleumSubsidy60270Crores
Others
Year2022willbetheAmrutMahotsav,the75thyear,ofIndiasindependence.Housingforallandemploymentforatleastone
personineveryfamilyistoenvisionedtoachievedby2022.

SchemesandExpenditure
RuralDevelopment79526Crores(

of10%)

MahatamaGandhiNationalRuralEmploymentGuaranteeAct(MNREGA)34699Crores(
HealthSector33152Crores
EducationSector68968Crores(IncludingMidDayMeal)
HousingandUrbanDevelopment22407Crores
WomenandChildWelfare10351Crores
WaterResourcesandNamamiGange4173Crores

of2.1%)

32. EconomicSurvey20142015Highlights
FinanceMinisterofIndia(ArunJaitleyCurrently)presentstheEconomicSurveyintheparliamenteveryyear,justbeforetheUnion
Budget.Itistheministrysviewontheannualeconomicdevelopmentofthecountry.
HighlightsonEconomicSurvey201415are
PreparedbyChiefEconomicAdviserArvindSubramanianandhisteaminFinanceMinistry.
Toimproveinvestmentclimateandreducebacklogofstalledprojects,athreeprongedstrategyissuggested
Revivalofpublicinvestmentinshortterm,toactasanengineofgrowthininfrastructuresector.
Creativesolutionsneededtostrengtheninstitutionsrelatingtobankruptcytoensurtethatexitoptionsareavailable.
RestructuringthePPP(PublicPrivatePartnership)modelisrequiredtomakeitmoreviable.
Inflation
Inflationdeclinedbyover6%sincelate2013andlikelytoremain55.5in201516.
FiscalDeficit
Governmentwillsticktofiscaldeficittargetof4.1%ofGDPin201415
Countryneedstomeetitsmediumtermfiscaldeficittargetof3%ofGDPandexpectedtoattainthesameovernext3years
period.
Currentaccountdeficit
Currentaccountdeficitwilldeclinefroma6.7%ofGDPinQuarter3of201213to1.0%in201516.
GDPGrowth
GDPGrowthRatetostay7.4%in20142015andExpectedGDPGrowthrateforIndiain201516liesbetween8.18.5%as
expectationsarehighduetolargescaleeconomicreforms.
Afterhugephaseofdeceleration,GDPhasbeengrowingat7.2%onaveragesince201314,basedonthenewgrowthestimates
oftheCentralStatisticsOffice.
Foodgrainsproduction
Foodgrainsproductionfor201415isestimatedat257.07milliontonnes,itexceedsaveragefoodgrainproductionoflastfive
yearsby8.5milliontones.
SubsidiesandtheJAMNumberTrinitySolution
FoodSubsidyBillstandsat107823.75crorerupeesduring201415,increaseof20%overpreviousyear
TheJAMNumberTrinityJanDhanYojana,Aadhaar,MobilecanenabletheStatetotransferfinancialresourcestothepoor
inaprogressivemannerwithoutleakagesandminimaldistorting.
OtherFacts
RationalInvestorRatingsIndex(RIRI)thatcombinesindicatorsofmacrostabilitywithgrowthillustratesthatIndiaranks
amongstthemostattractiveinvestmentdestinations.
Growthwillreceiveboostfromcumulativeimpactofreforms,loweroilprices,likelymonetarypolicyeasingduetolower
inflationandnormalmonsoonexpectedin201516.Inthelongrun,privateinvestmentswillbetheengineofgrowth.
ComplementMakeinIndiainitiativewithSkillIndiainitiativetoenablelargernumberofpeopletobenefitfromstructural
transformationthatsuchsectorswillfacilitate.
NationalMarketforAgriculturalCommoditiesshouldbecreatedinplaceofthousandsofagriculturalmarkets
TheModelAPMCAct,2003shouldbeamendedalongthelinesoftheKarnatakaModelthathassuccessfullyintroducedan
integratedsinglelicensingsystem.
FiscalFramework
ExpenditurecontrolcombinedwithrecoveringgrowthandGSTwillensurethatmediumtermtargetsarecomfortably
met.
Intheshortrun,needforacceleratedfiscalconsolidationwillbeconditionedbyrecommendationsoftheFourteenth
FinanceCommission(FFC).
33. OscarAwards2015(87thAcademyAwards,CeremonyheldinLosAngles(USA)))
PresentedbytheAcademyofMotionPictureArtsandSciences(AMPAS)in24categories.
Notableawards
BestPicture:Birdman
BestDirector:AlejandroGonzalezInarrituforBirdman
BestActor:EddieRedmayneforTheTheoryofEverything

BestActress:JulianneMooreforStillAlice
BestSupportingActor:JKSimmonsforWhiplash
BestSupportingActress:PatriciaArquetteforBoyhood
BestAnimatedMovie:BigHeroSix6
BestOriginalSong:JohnStephensandLonnieLynnforGlory
BestOriginalScore:AlexandreDesplatforTheGrandBudapestHotel
34. AerospacefirmSpaceXsuccessfullylaunchedaDeepSpaceClimateObservatory(DSCOVR)satellitethroughtheFalcon9rocketfromtheCape
CanaveralAirForceStation,Floridaonitsthirdattempt.
ThesatellitewillbeusedbyUnitedStatesNationalOceanicandAtmosphericAdministration(NOAA)formonitoringSunactivities.
Itwillcollectinformationonsolarstormsandwillmonitorchangesinsolarwindandwillprovidewarningstotheforecastersonhazardous
outburstsfromearthtohelpthempredictchangesthataffectsatellites,powergridsandcommunicationsystems.
35. AgricultureDepartmentissuedsecondestimatesforfoodgrainsproductionin201415.
36. AjayShuklahasbeenappointedasnewMember(Traffic)inRailwayBoard.
37. AllIndiaFootballFederations(AIFF)PlayeroftheYearAwards2014
MenSunilChhetri
WomenBalaDevi
38. AmitavaRoyisappointedasasajudgeinSupremeCourt.Priortothis,heservedastheChiefJusticeofOdishaHighCourt.
WithThis,strengthofjudgesinSupremeCourthasbecome29withmaximumsanctionedstrengthof31judges.
39. AnancientidolofLordVishnudatingbackaboutto7thcenturyADwasfoundinavillageinTarnTarandistrictofPunjab.
40. AndhraPradeshGovernmentsignedMemorandumofUnderstanding(MoU)withITFirmWiproforbuildingandimplementingtheAPState
EnterpriseArchitecture(APSEA).
41. ArvindKumarJainhasbeenappointedasDirectorGeneral(DG)ofPoliceofUttarPradesh(UP).
42. AsperdatabyControllerGeneral(CGA)ofAccounts,India'sfiscaldeficitcrossedbudgetestimateofRs5.31lakhcrorebyDecemberend.
Targetistokeepitunder4.1%ofGDPin201415.
43. AshokKAgarwalhasbeenappointedasGeneralManagerofSouthernRailway.
44. AshtonCarterhasbeenappointedasDefenceSecretarybyUSSenate.
45. AustralianOpen2015
MaleNovakDjokovic(Serbia)defeatedAndyMurray(England).ItwasfifthAustralianOpentitleforNovakDjokovic.
FemaleSerenaWilliams(USA)DefeatedMariaSharapova(Russia).Thiswas19thGrandSlamandsixthAustralianOpenwinforSerena
Williams.
Men'sDoublesSimoneBolelliandFabioFogninifromItaly.
Women'sDoublesBethanieMattekSands(UnitedStates)andLucieSafarova(CzechRepublic)
MixedDoublesMartinaHingis(Switzerland)andLeanderPaes(India).
46. BalasubramaniamVenkataramaniwillbenewManagingDirector(MD)andChiefExecutiveOfficer(CEO)ofMultiCommodityExchangeof
India(MCX).
47. BangladeshSeniorSecretaryintheMinistryofHomeAffairs,MozammelHaqueKhanVisitedIndiaandsignedagreementsforsteppingup
PatrollingacrossIndiaBangladeshBorders.
48. BhanuPratapSharmahasbeenappointedasSecretaryintheMinistryofHealthandFamilyWelfare.
49. BhopalbasedIndianInstituteofsoilscience(SponseredbyIndianCouncilofAgriculturalResearch)createdMridaparikshakaMINILAB
thatcandeterminesoilhealth.
50. BiharGovernmentanouncedtoallot35%reservationforwomeninNonGazettedjobs
51. BiharGovernmentdecidedtoprovidefreeeducationtotheScheduledCastes(SC),ScheduledTribes(ST)andgirlstudentstillPostGraduation
(PG)levelintheState.
52. BihargovernmentapprovedinclusionofDusadh(DhariandDhadi)casteintheMahadalitcategory.TherearenomoreanyDalitsinBiharas
allDalitsarenowcategorisedasMahadalitsintheState.
53. BollywoodactorAshrafulHaquepassedaway.
54. BookFloraofGunturCityAndhraPradeshiswrittenbyPRMohanaRao.
55. BookKiranBediKaiseBaniTopCopiswrittenbyhersisters,ReetaPeshawariaMenonandAnuPeshawaria
56. Britain'sHouseofCommonsadoptedBilltoamendtheHumanFertilisationandEmbryologyAct(HFEA)toallowcreationofbabieswithDNA
fromthreepeople.
57. CabinetCommitteeonEconomicAffairsapprovedfourhighwayProjectsinUttarPradesh,OdishaandChhattisgarh.
58. CabinetCommitteeonEconomicAffairsapprovedmandatorypackagingof90%offoodgrainsproducedinIndiaaswellas20percentof
sugarinjutebagsforthe201415cropseasontothejutesector.
AlmostallthefoodgrainsprocuredbyFoodCorporationofIndiaispackagedinjutebags.
WestBengalproduces80%ofIndiastotalannualjuteproductionof1112millionbales(onebaleis180kg).
59. CentreforScienceandEnvironmentreleasedreportHeatonPowerandclaimedthatIndiancoalbasedthermalpowerplantsareamongmost
inefficientinworld.ReportwasreleasedbyMSSwaminathan,fatherofIndiasGreenRevolution.

Inefficientresourcesuseandtechnologicalbackwardnessleadstohighlevelsofpollution.
Plantsareoperatingat6070%capacity,ifcapacityutilisationisimproved,additionalpowerrequirementcanbewithoutmakingnew
plants.
DelhibasedNTPCsBadarpurplantoneofthemostpollutinginthecountry.
55%oftheunitswereviolatingairpollutionstandardswhicharealreadyextremelylax.
60. ChhattisgarhhasbeenawardedforbeingoneofthebestperformingstatesinRenewableEnergySectorinIndia.
61. ChiefMinisterofBiharJitanRamManjhiresigned.
62. ChrishanthadeSilvahasbeenappointedas21stchiefofSriLankaArmy.
63. ClassicalvocalistPrabhaAtrehasbeenhonoredbyBhimsenJoshiLifetimeAchievementAward2014.
64. DKPandeyhasbeenappointedasDirectorGeneralofPolice(DGP)ofJharkhand
65. DelhiAssemblyElections2015Results
AamAadmiParty(AAP)wonbywinning67seatsoutof70seats.3SeatswonbyBharatiyaJanataParty(BJP).
ArvindKejriwalwillbeseventhChiefMinisterofDelhi.
66. DosmochefestivalcelebratedinLadakhregionofJammuandKashmir.
67. Dr.AmbedkarNationalMeritAwardsweregivento84StudentsbelongingtoScheduledCastesandScheduledTribes.
68. DunyaMaumoon,ForeignMinisterofMaldivesVisitedIndia.
69. EcuadoropentennistournamenthasbeenwonbyVictorestrellaburgosfromCzechrepublicafterbeatingFelicianolopezfromspain.
70. EdgarLunguhasbeenappointedasPresidentofafricancountryZambia.
71. EighthIndiaNepalCombinedMilitaryExerciseSuryaKiranVIIIstartedinSaljhandi(Nepal).
72. ElectionCommissionofIndiawilllaunchElectoralRollAuthenticationMission(ERAM)fromMarch1toauthenticateandpurifyelectoral
rollsbyusingdatabaseofUniqueIdentificationAuthorityofIndia(UIDAI)tolinkAadhaarnumberofvoters.
73. Employees'ProvidentFundOrganisation(EPFO)hassetuponlinehelpdeskfortracinginoperativeaccountsandseekfinalsettlement.There
areabout8.15croreinoperativeEPFOaccountswith27000crorerupeesinthem.
74. FamousCartoonistandpoliticalactivistRajinderPuripassedaway
75. FamousIndustrialist,ChairmanofJKGroupGaurHariSinghaniaPassedAway.
76. FamousUrdupoetKalimAhmedAjizpasswsaway.
77. FederalBureauofInvestigationofUSAannouncedarewardof3millionUSDforinformationonEvgeniyMikhailovichBogachev,oneofthe
worldsmostprolificcybercriminalfromRussia.
78. FertilizerProducerKrishakBharatiCooperativeappointedChandrapalsinghyadavasitschairman.
79. FirstRenewableEnergyGlobalInvestorsMeet&Expo,calledREInvest2015heldinNewDelhitoattractlargescaleinvestmentsforthe
renewableenergysectorinIndia.
80. FirstWorldOceanScienceCongress(WOSC)heldinKochi(Kerala)withthemeProtectOceansforPosterityandBlueEconomyand
aimistofindsustainablemeanstoutilizetheresourcescarefullywithoutcausinganydamagetotheoceansanditsmarinelife.
81. ForbesreleasedAsias50PowerBusinesswomen2015listwithsixIndianwomenfeaturedinit
ArundhatiBhattacharya,CMD,StateBankofIndia
ChandaKochchar,CEO,ICICIBank,
AkhilaSrinivasan,MD/NonExecutiveDirector,ShriramLifeInsurance/ShriramCapital
KiranMazumdarShaw,Founder,ChairmanandMD,Biocon
ShikhaSharma,CEOandMD,AxisBank
UshaSangwan,MD,LifeInsuranceCorp.ofIndia
82. FormerIndiancricketerSauravGangulyhasbeengivenHonoraryLifeMembershiptoengland'sMaryleboneCricketClub.
83. FormerNewZealandcricketerMartinDavidCroweinductedintoICCCricketHallofFame.
84. FournewfishspeciesdiscoveredinKeralawithnamesPuntiusnelsoni,Puntiusnigronotus,SystomuschryseusandandSystomusrufus.
85. Francesigneda5.9billionUSDdealwithEgyptforsupplying24RafalefighterplanestoEgypt.
86. GermanEnvironmentMinisterBarbaraHendricksvisitedIndiaforIndoGermanEnvironmentForumandPledgedtocooperatewithIndiain
cleaningofGangariverandfinancialassistanceof3Millioneuros.
87. GermanscientistscombinedsunlightfromaSolarVacuumTowerTelescopeinCanaryIslandswithlightofLaserFrequencyComb(LFC)to
makepossiblesearchingEarthlikeplanetswitheaseandprecision.
88. GlobalIntellectualPropertyCenterReleasedthirdannualInternationalIPIndexfor30CountriesandrankedIndiaat29thplacewith
ThailandatbottomandUSAattop.
89. Governmentapproved2486CroreRupeesfordevelopmentofDholera(Gujarat)asIndia'sfirstsmartcity.
90. GovernmentapprovedProject17Aworth8billionUSDforbuilding7advancedwarshipswithstealthandotheradvancedfeaturesforavoiding
detection.ThesefrigatesbebuiltatgovernmentshipyardsinMumbaiandKolkata.
AimistoboostMakeinIndiacampaignforbuildingdomesticdefenceindustrialbaseandreducedependenciesonexpensiveforeign
suppliers.
91. Governmentapprovedadevelopmentpackageof850crorerupeesforAndhraPradeshfordevelopmentofbackwardareasofRayalaseema
andNorthCoastalregionoftheState

92. GovernmentapprovedenhancingauthorisedcapitalofNMDFC(NationalMinoritiesDevelopment&FinanceCorporation)to3000crore
rupeesfrom1500crorerupees
93. Governmentapprovedprovidingoverdraftfacilityofdrawinguptors.5000fromaccountsopenedunderPMJDY(PradhanMantriJanDhayn
Yojana).Theamountistobepaidin3yearswithmaximum2%applicableinterest.
94. Governmentapprovedsettingupof15000MegaWatt(MW)GridconnectedSolarPhotoVoltaic(SPV)PowerprojectsunderNationalSolar
Mission(NSM)duetohighhopesinSolarPowerinrecentyears.ItwillbeimplementedthroughNationalThermalPowerCorporation(NTPC)
andNTPCVidyutVyaparNigamLimited(VVNL)inthreetranches.
95. Governmentapprovedthe4000crorerenukadamprojectinHimachalPradesh.Itwillprovide275milliongallonsofwatertoDelhieveryday
andwillproduce40MWPowerforHimchalPradesh.
96. GovernmentconstitutedacommitteeunderformerUnionHomeSecretaryAnilBaijaltosuggestaframeworktoassessCorporateSocial
Responsibility(CSR)activitiesundertakenbycompanies.
97. GovernmentcreatedthreememberSpecialInvestigationTeam(SIT)headedbyPramodAsthanaforreinvestigationof1984antiSikhriot
cases.
98. Governmentimposedantidumpingdutyonimportsofgraphiteelectrodesforfiveyearstoprotectdomesticindustryfrombelowcost
shipmentsofgraphiteelectrodesusedinsteelmelting.
99. GovernmentlaunchednationwideSoilHealthCard(SHC)schemeinRajasthan.
TheSoilHealthCardunderthisschemewillbeissuedto14croreholdingsandwillcarrycropwiserecommendationsoffertilizersrequired
forfarmsofdifferentsoiltypes.Itwillhelpfarmersinidentifyinghealthofthesoilthereforeimprovingproductivitythroughproperuseof
fertilizersandwater.
100. GovernmentlaunchedonlinegrievancesmonitoringsystemcalledMADADwithtaglineBecauseYouAreUsforredressingconsulargrievances
tohelpIndianslivingabroadtofilegrievancesonlineaboutservicesbyIndianMissionsandEmbassy.
101. GovernmentrevisedNationalSportsAwardsSchemesRajivGandhiKhelRatnaAward,ArjunaAward,DhyanChandAwardand
DronacharyaAwardsbasedonrecommendationsmadebyKapildevledpanelthatdecidedonArjunaawards2014.SelectionCommitteefor
ArjunaAwardwillnowbeheadedbytheRetiredJudgeofSupremeCourt/HighCourt.
102. GovernmentupdatedthebaseyearforcalcutaionofGDPGrowthRatefrom200405to201112.Asperthenewstats,GDPGrowthratesand
projectionsareupdated
GDPGrowthrateinFY201314isupdatedto6.9%(from4.7%earlier).
GDPGrowthrateinFY201213isupdatedto5.1%(from4.5%earlier).
GDPGrowthrateinFY201415isexpectedtobe7.4%andwillriseto88.5%inFY201516.
103. Governmentwillgive6990crorerupeestoninePublicSectorBankstoenhancetheircapitalandmeetrequirements.Thisisthefirstinstallment
ofcapitalinfusionof11200crorerupeesalottedintheUnionBudget201415.SBIgotmost(2970Crores),BOBSecond(1260Crores)andPNB
Third(870Crores).
104. Government'sschemePEHALhasbeennamedasworld'slargestCashsubsidytransferschemeunderwhichthecookinggassubsidygets
transferreddirectlytothebankaccountsof10croreLPGUsers.Notethatmorethan12crorebankaccountswereopenedinJanDhanYojana
makingaworldrecordofitskind.
105. GujaratForestDepartmenttiedupwithZoologicalSocietyofLondonforconservationofAsiaticlionanditshabitat.
106. GujaratStateHandloomandHandicraftDevelopmentCorporation(GSHHDC)willlaunchitsownecommerceportalundertheGarviGurjari
brandtoreachtoabiggercustomerbaseandboostsalesinoverseasmarkets.
GSHHDC,aGujaratgovernmentundertakingwhichownsGarviGurjaristoresacrossthecountry,hassignedanMoUwithglobale
commercegianteBay.
107. HCBishthasbeenappointedasDirectorGeneralofIndianCoastGuard.
108. HDFCBankLaunchedMobileAppChillarApptoenableeasytransfersofupto25000/Monthandmax5000atatimethroughMobileApp.
109. HanumanthuPurushothamappointedasasChairmanandManagingDirector(CMD)ofNationalResearchDevelopmentCorporation
(NRDC).
110. HaryanaGovernmentLaunchedOnlineRegistrationOfLandDeals.
111. HaryanagovernmentraisedcashrewardunderintercastemarriageschemefromRs50,000toRs1lakhtopromoteintercastemarriagesand
removecastediscriminationinthestate.
112. HennnaHotelinNagasaki(Japan)willbefirstcompletelyRobotstaffedHotelintheWorld.
113. HimachalPradeshbecameIndia'sfirststatetopresenta'paperless'budget.
HimachalPradeshalreadyhascountry'sfirstgreenassembly,alldocumentsrelatedtobudgetwouldbeonlineandonly10budgetcopies
wouldbeprintedforrecord.
114. HimachalPradeshgovernmentlaunchedCrimeandCriminalTrackingNetworkSystem(CCTNS)projectinthestateforconnecting
policestationsandotherrelatedbodieswithstatecrimerecordsbureau.
115. HindinovelistMithileshwarwontheShrilalShuklaSahityaIFFCOLiteraryAward2014.
116. ICICIBanklaunchedIndiasfirstdigitalBankonmobilephonenamedPockets.ThisdigitalewalletcanbedownloadedfromGooglePlaystore.
ItusesavirtualVISAcardthatenablestransactingonanywebsiteormobileapplicationinIndia.

117. ICICIBankpatneredwithglobalpaymentsolutionscompanyUAEExchangetoofferaninstantbanktransferservicenamedFLASHremit.
UsingFLASHremit,customersofthebankintheUnitedArabEmirates(UAE)maysendmoneyinstantlytoanyICICIBankaccountin
Indiainrupeesinasecuremanner.
118. ICICIBankstartedFundstransferThroughSocialnetworkTwitterwitheaseandspeed.
119. Indiasignedagreementof8millionUSDloanwithWorldBankforfundingofitsSustainableLivelihoodsandAdaptationtoClimateChange
(SLACC)Project.
120. IndiasuccessfullytestfiredBrahMossupersoniccruisemissilefromINSKolkataofftheGoacoast.
BrahMoshasrangeof300kilometersandmaycarrywarheadupto300KGwithtopspeedabout3000KM/Hour.
121. IndiasuccessfullytestednuclearcapablesurfacetosurfacePrithviIImissilefromChandipur(Odisha)withRange350km
122. IndiatestfiredcanisterbasedmissileAgniVwithstrikerangeofover5000kilometers.
123. India'sDeepikaPallikalwonthewinnipegwinterclubwomensquashchampionship2015inCanada.
124. India'sFirstPostalBankATMOpenedinVaranasi(UttarPradesh).
125. India'sIndiraGandhiInternationalAirport(Delhi)hasbeennamedasbestamongworldsmostperformingairportsin2540million
passengersperannumcategorybytheAirportCouncilInternational(ACI).MumbaiAirportisalsointopfivelist.
DelhiAirportwonannualServiceQuality(ASQ)awardinGenevabasedACIsASQpassenger'ssatisfactionsurvey
126. India'sMuthootGroupsignedcooperationagreementwithWorldWideFund(WWF)forNatureIndiaforitsProjectFriendsforLife.
127. IndiamadeDhruvchoppersrestrictedfromflyinginEcuadorafteronecrashing.
128. IndianArmyandStateBankofIndia(SBI)signedaMemorandumofUnderstanding(MoU)forDefenceSalaryPackage.
129. IndianCricketerViratKohlibecamefirstIndiantoscoreacenturyagainstPakistanintheCricketWorldCup.
130. IndianEconomistAmartyaSenhasbeengiventheCharlestonEFGJohnMaynardKeynesPrize2015.
131. IndianFormerCricketerAnilKumbleandFormerAustralianwomencricketerBettyWilsonwillbeinductedinICC(InternationalCricket
Council)Halloffame.
132. IndianNavyconcludeditsTheatreLevelReadinessandOperationalExercise(TROPEX)2015aimedatvalidatingIndianNavysConceptof
OperationsandtheareaofoperationsspannedacrosstheArabianSeaandNorthernIndianOcean.
133. IndianNavyconductedlargeHumanitarianAssistanceandDisasterRelief(HADR)exerciseintheLakshadweepIslands.
134. IndianRailwaysconcludeditsfirstbilateralpowerprocurementagreementbetweenDamodarValleyCorporation(DVC)andNorthCentral
Railway.
Undertheagreement,Railwayswillbuy50MWofpowerfromDVCatAuraiyaGridSubstationfacilitatedbyRailwaysEnergy
ManagementCompanyLimited,aJointVenture(JV)ofIndianrailwayandRITES,aPSUofMinistryofRailways.
IndianRailwaysisthelargestconsumerofelectricitywithconsumptionof18BillionUnitsperyear.
135. IndiandrugmakerLupintiedupwithPoland'sCelonPharmatojointlydevelopagenericversionofGlaxoSmithKlinesAdvairDiskus,adrug
usedtotreatasthma.
136. IndianforeignMinisterSushmaSwarajvisitedOman.
137. IndiangolferAnirbanLahiriwonIndianOpengolfinDelhiGolfClub.
138. IndiangolferAnirbanLahiriwonMalaysianOpenbydefeatingAustriasBerndWiesberger.
139. IndiansculptorandartistMrinaliniMukherjeepassedaway.
140. IndiantelecomProviderBhartiAirtelpartneredwithUnitedNationsChildrensFund(UNICEF)forprovidinghealth,educationandyouth
focusedcontenttoitscustomersin17Africancountries.
141. IndianwriterHindolSenguptasbookRecastingIndia:HowEntrepreneurshipisRevolutionizingtheWorld'sLargestDemocracy,hasbeen
shortlistedforU.S.prestigiousHayekPrize2015.
142. IndianAmericanAjaypalSinghBangahasbeenappointedasMemberofAdvisoryCommitteeforTradePolicyandNegotiations(ACTPN),a
keyadministrationpositionintheUnitedStates(US).
143. IndianAmericanPurnenduDasguptahasbeenawardedwithJ.CalvinGiddingsAward2015forExcellenceinEducationbytheAmerican
ChemicalSociety(ACS).
144. IndianAmericanRashadHussainhasbeenappointedasSpecialEnvoyandCoordinatorforStrategicCounterterrorismCommunicationin
theUnitedStates(US).
145. IndianAmericanRaviChaudharyhasbeenappointedasExecutiveDirectorforRegionsandCentreOperationsatFederalAviation
Administration(FAA)intheUnitedStatesofAmerica.
146. IndianoriginscientistGurpreetSinghhasbeengiventhepresentedwiththeprestigiousNationalScienceFoundationCareerawardwithcash
prizemoneyof500000USDforhisresearchonScalableliquidexfoliationprocessingofultrathintwodimensionalmetaldichalcogenides
nanosheetsforenergystoragedevices.
147. IndianoriginscientistSrikanthJagabathulahasbeenhonoredbyCareerDevelopmentAward(CAREER)byNationalScienceFoundationof
theUnitedStatesfordevelopingdatadrivenmodellingandlearningtechniquestoimprovetheaccuracyofoperationaldecisionmaking.
148. IraniannuclearpowerplantBushehrandIndia'sKudankulamnuclearpowerplantprojectsarenamedasprojectsoftheyear2014byUS
PowerEngineeringmagazineintheNuclearenergycategory.
149. JamaicaGovernmentallowedtodecriminalisepossessionofsmallamountofmarijuanaforpersonaluse.
150. JamaicansprinterUsainBoltannouncedthathewillretirefromathleticsafterthe2017WorldChampionshipsinLondon.

151. JanatalDal(United)leaderNItishKumarsworninasChiefMinisterofBiharforfourthtimeafterJeetanmanjhiresigned.Heis34thCMOf
Bihar.
152. JapansuccessfullylaunchedInformationGatheringSatellite(IGS)reconnaissancesatellitebyH2Arocket.Itismeanttosupportconstellation
offourIGSsatellites,comprisingtwoopticalandtworadarsatellites.
153. JaspalSinghKandharihasbeenappointedaspresidentofGymnasticsFederationofIndia.
154. JavedUsmaniSwornInAsNewChiefInformationCommissionerofUttarPradesh
155. JharkhandGovernmentwillprovidelaptopstoallgirlsstudentinclass912ingovernmentKasturbaGandhiBalikaVidyalaya(KGBV).
156. JournalistVinodMehtahasbeenconferredwithUttarPradesh'shighestcivilianawardYashBharti.
YashBhartiSammanisconferredbytheUttarPradeshGovernmentforexcellenceinliterature,finearts,folkandclassicalmusicand
sports.
157. KSRadhakrishnanCommitteeonRoadSafetysubmitteditsreporttosupremecourtandrecommendedbanofsaleofalcoholonNationaland
Statehighwaystominimizeroadaccidentsalongwithotherrecommendations.
158. Karnatakabecamefirstincountrytoprovideuniversalhealthcoveragewithlaunchoftwoschemes,theRajivArogyaBhagyaforAPL
householdsandtheJyothiSanjeeviniforgovernmentemployees.
159. Kenya'sCabinetSecretaryofForeignAffairsAminaMohamedvisitedIndiatoAttendSeventhIndiaKenyaBilateralMeeting
160. Khadi&VillageIndustriesCommission(KVIC)signedaMemorandumofUnderstanding(MoU)withtheMonitoringCellforRuralSelf
EmploymentTrainingInstitutes(RSETIs)forenhancingbusinessandprojectskillsofbeneficiariesunderPrimeMinistersEmployment
GenerationProgramme(PMEGP)whichisbeingimplementedbyKVIC.
161. KotakMahindraBankstartedsocialbankaccountswithJIFISavertechnologythatenablesfundstransferstocontactsonsocialnetworkssuch
asfacebook.
162. KrishiKarmanAwards201314GivenbyPMNarendraModi
Individualcrops
RiceChhattisgarh
WheatMadhyaPradesh
PulsesAssamandTamilNadu
CoarseCerealsWestBengal
OilSeedsGujarat
TotalFoodGrainsProduction
CategoryI(foodgrainsproduction>10milliontonnes)Punjab
CategoryII(foodgrainsproduction110milliontonens)Odisha
CategoryIII(foodgrainsproduction<1milliontonnes)Meghalaya
Eachawardwinningstatereceivedatrophy,acitationandacashawardof2crorerupees
163. KshatrapatiShivajiisappointedasnewCMD(ChairmanandManagingDirector)ofSIDBI.
164. LCGoyalhasbeenappointedasUnionHomeSecretaryofIndia.
165. LeadersfromGermany,France,RussiaandUkrainemetinMinsk(Belarus)tosignanagreementtoendtheNinemonthlongviolentconflictin
easternukraine.TheagreementisnamedasMINSKII.
166. LokSabhaSpeakerSumitraMahajanwasincludedintheLIMCAbookofrecordsforbeingfirstIndianwomantorepresentthesameLok
Sabhaconstituencyonthesamepartyticketforeighttimesinarow.
167. MOGarghasbeenappointedasDirectorGeneralofCouncilofScientific&IndustrialResearch(CSIR).
168. MRavindranisappointedasChairmanofIndraprasthaGasLimitedthatlooksafterdistributionofNaturalgasmainlyacrossNCR(National
Capitalregion).
169. MadhusudhanPrasadisappointedasSecretaryintheUnionMinistryofUrbanDevelopment(MoUD).
170. MadhyaPradeshwon10thNationalAwardforexcellentworkinMahatmaGandhiNationalRuralEmploymentGuaranteeAct,2005
(MGNREGA)duringMGNREGAsummitinNewDelhi.
171. MadrasHighCourtondirectedTamilNadugovernmenttobanbeautycontestsincollegesandeducationalinstitutions.
172. MaharashtragovernmentsignedanMoUwithMajorengineeringandconstructioncompanyL&T,forsettingupclosedcircuittelevision
(CCTV)basedsurveillanceinMumbaitoguaranteesafetytocitizens.
173. ManipurGovernmentassuredsettingupamemorialforfreedomfighterHaipeiRaniGaidinliuinCapitalImphal.
174. MarathiWriterBhalchandraNemadehasbeengiventhentheJnanpith(Gyanpeeth)Award2014forhisnovelKosala.
175. MicromaxtookoverSamsungandbecameIndiasbiggestandworld'sthirdlargestsmartphonevendorintheworld.Accordingtothereport,in
OctoberDecember2014(Quarter4),Micromaxhandled22%marketshareinsmartphonesshipmentsinIndiacomparedto20%marketshare
ofSamsung.
176. MinistryofRailwaysconstitutedaneightmemberCommitteeunderMohd.Jamshedtoidentifyfactorsandissuesaffectinggrowthoftraffic
(Freight&Passenger)andsuggestaplanofactionforTrafficOptimization.
177. MumbaiUniversitysignedamemorandumofunderstanding(MoU)withIndianRailwaystosetupaRailInnovationandTechnologyCentre
totrainstudentsforattainingexpertiseinRailwayEngineering.

178. MyanmarVicePresidentSaiMaukKhamvisitedIndia.
179. MysuruserstwhileroyalfamilyadoptedYaduveerGopalRajUrsasheirtoWadiyardynasty.
180. NASAsuccessfullylauncheditsfirstEarthsatelliteSoilMoistureActivePassive(SMAP)tocollectglobalobservationsofthevitalsoilmoisture.
181. NageshKukunoor'sFilmDhanakwontwoawardsat65thBerlinInternationalFilmFestival.
182. NanditaChatterjeeisappointedasnewSecretaryinMinistryofHousing&UrbanPovertyAlleviation.
183. NaokoIshii,CEOandChairpersonofGEF(GlobalEnvironmentFacility)VisitedIndia.
184. NationalDalitMovementforJustice(NDMJ)launchedwebbasedtoolnamedAtrocityTrackingandMonitoring(ATM)Systemtomonitor
atrocitiesagainstDalitsandAdivasis&todeliverspeedyjustice.
185. NationalTribalFestivalVanaj2015inauguratedbyUnionMinisterofTribalAffairsJualOramattheIndiraGandhiNationalCenterforArts
(IGNCA)inNewDelhi.
186. NotedFilmProducerDaggubatiRamanaidupassedaway.HewasarecepientofDadaSahebPhalkeawardandPadmabhushanaward.
187. NotedJournalistDiptoshMajumdarpassedaway.
188. NovelistChitraMudgalhasbeenhonoredbyNiralaSmritiSamman2015.
189. OdiafilmmakerNiradMahapatrapassedaway.
190. OdishaGovernmenthasappointedJusticeMadanMohanDasasChairmanofcommitteeforInquiringofmulticrorechitfundscamin
Odisha.
191. OnlineshoppingportalSnapdeal.comacquiredluxuryfashionsiteExclusively.comforundisclosedamount.Withthis,Snapdealaimsto
strengthenitsfashionbusinessandreach2billionUSdollarsingrossvalueinfashioncategoryin2015.
192. PakistansuccessfullytestfiredAirLaunchedCruiseMissile(ALCM)RaadwithStrikerange350KM.
193. ParleProductslaunchednationwideLitterFreeCampaignforurgingconsumersforputtnggarbageatproperplaces.
194. PatrolingVesselICGS(IndianCoastGuardShip)AmoghisinductedintotheIndianCoastGuard.
195. PresidentPranabMukherjeepresentedVisitorsAwardsforCentralUniversitiesinthecategoriesofBestUniversity,InnovationandResearch
for2015
BestUniversity:UniversityofHyderabad.
InnovationAward:Prof.VijayK.ChaudharyandDr.AmitaGuptaofUniversityofDelhifortheirinventionofTBConfirm,arapid
diagnostictestforTuberculosis.
ResearchAward:CosmologyandAstrophysicsResearchGroup,CentreforTheoreticalPhysics,JamiaMilliaIslamiaforpathbreaking
researchcarriedoutinthefieldofAstrophysicsandCosmology.
196. RBIAllowedGoldloanNonBankingFinancialCompanyMuthootFinancetoactasbusinesscorrespondentforYesBank.Itisthefirsttimea
bankhasappointedanyNBFCastheirBusinessCorrespondent.
197. RBImadeUSIRS(UnitedStatesInternalRevenueService)RegistrationunderFTCA(ForeignAccountTaxComplianceAct)optionalforRRBs
(RegionalRuralBanks)withassetsunder$175USD.
198. RBIremovedbanonimportinggoldcoinsandmedallionsbybanksandallowedimportofgoldonconsignmentbasis.
199. RailwayMinisterSureshPrabhupresentedtheRailwayBudget201516intheLokSabha
InhisfirstRailwayBudget,SureshPrabhuoutlinedaplantoinvestover8lakhcrorerupeesover5years.
ThesizeofthePlanBudgethasgoneupby52%from65789crorerupeesin201415to100011crorerupeesin201516.
Freightrateforcement,coal,othershikedbyupto10%
Railticketscannowbebooked120daysinadvance.
Speedonninerailwaycorridorstogoupto200kmperhour.
WiFiin400stations,mobilephonechargingfacilitiesinalltraincompartments.
Allindia24/7helpline138fromMarch2015andTollfreeNo.182forsecurity.
Nohikeinpassengerfares
Nonewtrainsannounced
'Operation5mins',whereinpassengerstravelllingunreservedcanpurchaseaticketin5minutes.
FourRailwayResearchCentrestostartinfouruniversities.
TransportLogisticsCorporationofIndia(TRANSLOC),tobesetupfordevelopingcommonuserfacilitiestoprovideendtoendlogistics
solutionatselectRailwayterminalsthroughPublicPrivatePartnerships.
Operatingratiotoimproveto88.5%in201516
Theoperatingratio,akeymeasureofefficiency,wasat91.8percentin201415aftertouchingahighof93.6percentintheprevious
financialyear.Thelowertheoperatingratio,thebetteristheprofitabilityofanentity.
Fasttracksanctionedworkson7,000kmsofdouble/third/fourthlines
Commissioning1200kmin201516ataninvestmentofRs.8,686crore,84%higherYOY.
Commissioning800kmofgaugeconversiontargetedincurrentfiscal.
77projectscovering9,400kmofdoubling/tripling/quadruplingworksalongwithelectrification,coveringalmostallStates,atacostofRs.
96,182crore,whichisover2700%higherintermsofamountsanctioned
TrafficfacilityworkisatopprioritywithanoutlayofRs.2374crore.

Preliminaryengineeringcumtrafficsurvey(PETS)forfourotherDFCsinprogress.
AccelerationofpaceofRailwayelectrification:6,608routekilometerssanctionedfor201516,anincreaseof1330%overthepreviousyear.
200. RajasthanGovernmentsignedaMemorandumofUnderstanding(MoU)withAdaniEnterprisesLtd(AEL)forsettingupIndiaslargestsolar
parkwith10000MWcapacity.
201. RajyaSabhapassedConstitution(ScheduledCastes)OrdersAmendmentBill,2014tomodifylistofScheduledCastesinthreestatesHaryana,
Karnataka,OdishaandoneDadraandNagarHaveliUnionTerritory.
ItamendstheConstitution(ScheduledCastes)Order,1950andtheConstitution(DadraandNagarHaveli)ScheduledCastesOrder,1962.
ItaddsfollowingcommunitiestolistofScheduledCastes
Haryana:KabirpanthiJulaha
Karnataka:Od,Odde,Vaddar,Waddar,Voddar,Woddar,Bovi(NonBesta),Kalluvaddar,andMannuvaddar
Odisha:Rajak,Rajaka,AdhuriaDom,AdhuriaDomb,Khatia,SapuaKela,NaluaKela,SabakhiaKela,MatiaKela,GaudiaKela,
Khadal,KhodalandBetra
DadraandNagarHaveli:Rohit
202. RamNiwasGoelelectedasSpeakerofDelhiLegislativeAssembly
203. RanaBhagwandas,ThefirstHinduChiefJusticeofPakistan,Died.
204. RanchiRayswonHeroHockeyIndiaLeague2015(HHIL)bydefeatingPunjabWarriors.
205. RatanTatahasbeenhonouredwithanhonoraryDoctorateofAutomotiveEngineeringbytheClemsonUniversityattheSouthCarolina
AutomotiveSummitinUSAforhiscontributionstotheglobalautomotiveindustry.
206. RelianceCommunicationstiedupwithsocialnetworkingsiteFacebooktoofferfreeinternetaccesstopeopleinIndiathroughFacebook's
initiative,Internet.org.
Internet.orgwillprovideaccesstopopularwebsitesandserviceswithzerodatachargetomakeiteasierforpeopletoaccesstheInternet.
207. ResearchersinMonashUniversityofAustraliacreatedworld'sfirst3Dprintedjetengine.
208. ReserveBankofIndiachangedexternalcommercialborrowings(ECB)normsunderwhichauthorisedmoneychangingbankshavebeen
allowedtocreateachargeonsecurities.
ADCategoryIbanksmaynowallowcreationofchargeonassets,financialsecuritiesinfavourofoverseaslendertosecuretheECBtobe
raised.
209. ReserveBankofIndiaincreasedannualoverseasinvestmentlimitbyIndiansto$250,000perpersonduetoforeignexchangereservestouching
recordlevels.
210. RussiasignedanagreementwithCyprustogiveRussiannavyshipsaccesstoCyprusportsinMediterraneanSeamostlytobeusedforanti
terrorismandantipiracyefforts.
211. SAFARAir,IndiasfirstMobileAppforcheckingairqualityinRealTime,hasbeenlaunchedatIndianInstituteofTropicalMeteorologyin
Pune(Maharashtra).
SAFARstandsforSystemofAirQualityWeatherForecastingandResearch.
212. ScientistsTessyThomasandGeetaVaradanhavebeenselectedforDr.Y.NayudammaMemorialAward2014.
213. SergioMattarellaisappointedasPresidentofItaly.
214. SingaporegovernmentappointedGopinathPillaiasitsspecialenvoytoAndhraPradeshtospeedupconstructionofnewcapitalinthestate.
215. SomdevDevvarmanwonDelhiOpentitleoftennis.
216. SriLanka'sNewPresidentMaithripalaSirisenaVisitedIndiaandSigned4AgreementsinCivilNuclearCooperation.
217. SupremeCourtdirectedCBI(CentralBureauofInvestigation)toinvestigateroleofReserveBankofIndia(RBI)andSecuritiesandExchange
BoardofIndia(SEBI)inthemulticrorechitfundscam.
218. SupremeCourtsoughtresponsesfromUnionMinistryofHumanResourcesDevelopmentandCentralBoardofSecondaryExamination
(CBSE)onapleaformakingmakeMoralSciencecompulsorysubjectincurriculamofClassesIXII.
219. SupremecourtorderedOnlineadvertisementcompanieslikeGoogle,Yahootonottoacceptpublicationofsexdeterminationcontentovertheir
networks.
220. TakahiroHachigohasbeenappointedasChiefExecutiveOfficerofJapaneseautomakerHondaMotorCorp.
221. TapanMisrahasbeenappointedasChiefofISROsSpaceApplicationsCentre(SAC).
222. TaxreceiptsimprovedinAprilJanuaryperiodofFinancialyear201415(Total1006537Crores)
Tax

TotalReceipts

%ofTotalReceipts

DirectTaxes578715Crores
CorporateTax

364665

36.2%

IncomeTax

207613

20.6%

IndirectTaxes427822Crores
ExciseDuty

140284

14.0%

CustomsDuty

155248

15.4%

ServiceTax

132290

13.2%

223. TelanganaGovernmentannouncedorganizingGodavariPushkaraluEventonlinesofKumbhMela.
224. TelecomregulatorTelecomRegulatoryAuthorityofIndia(TRAI)statedthatTelecomsubscriberbaseinIndiareachedalltimehighof970

millionbyDecember2014.Mainhighlightsofthereport
Numberoftelephonesubscribersinincreasedto970.97million.
Broadbandsubscribersbaseincreasedby4.28%onmonthlybasisto85.7million.
TeledensityinIndiaincreasedto77.58(Connectionsper100persons)
225. TelugunovelistKesavaReddypassedaway.
226. TenthJointExerciseofIndiaMongoliaarmiesbeganinGwalior,MadhyaPradesh.
227. The20thmeetofTAPI(TransAfghanistanPipelineorTurkmenistanAfghanistanPakistanIndiaPipeline)GasPipelineProjectheldin
Pakistan.DharmendraPradhan,(MinisterofstateforPetroleumandNaturalGas)attendedonIndia'sBehalf.
228. TheHurunReportIncreleasedtheHurunGlobalRichList2015sponsoredbyChinesehomebuilderStarRiverProperty.
2089billionairesfrom68countrieswerelistedintherankinglist.
Around649billionairessawtheirwealthincreaseandtherewere341newfacesinthelist.
BillGates(85USD)toppedtheListfollowedbyMexicanCarlosSlim(83USD)onsecondpositionandWarrenBuffettonthirdPosition.
InIndia,MukeshAmbaniisrichestIndianatRank41followedbyDilipShanghvi(53),PallonjiMistry&family(60).
BillGatesremainstheworld'swealthiestindividualincreasinghiswealthto85billionUSdollarswhileMexicanCarlosSlimissecondinthe
listwithwealthof83billionUSdollars.
FacebookFounderMarkZuckerbergisyoungestmemberoftheTop10richlist.Hiswealthincreasedby42%,movinghimuptonumber7.
NewYorkhashighestnumberofbillionaires(91)andRussia'scapitalcityMoscowissecondwith73billionaires.
USAandChinahave537and430billionairesrespectively.
InChina,solarenergytycoonLiHejunreplacedecommercegiantAlibaba'sCEOJackMaastherichestchinesewith26billionUSD
Worth.
Richestfamilyinworld:TheWaltonfamily,ownerofWalMart,withthewealthof138BillionUSdollarsistherichestfamilyintheworld
byfar.
229. ThreeIndiansRitikaSingh,ShradhaPrasadandTaranjeetSinghBhatiahavebeenshortlistedforonewaytriptoMarsunderMarsOne
missionin2024.
230. ThreesubgroupsofChiefMinistersconstitutedwithintheNITIAayog
FirstSubgroupStudy66centrallysponsoredschemesandrecommendwhichschemesshouldcontinue,whichtodiscontinue,and
whicharetobetransferredtostates.
SecondSubgroupLookaftercreationofskilledmanpowerandskilldevelopmentwithinstates.
ThirdSubgroupTakingdecisionsaboutinstitutionalmechanismstobeevolvedforSwachhBharatAbhiyaantomakecleanlinessa
partoflife.
231. TintuLukawongoldin800min35thNationalGamesinKerala.
232. TonyTanKengYam,PresidentofSingaporeVisitedIndia.
233. TropicalcyclonesMarciaandLamhitAustralia.ItisfirsttimethattwocycloneshavehitAustraliaatonetime
234. TwoformerscientistsofISRO,B.AnantharamanK.S.Vishwanathanpresentedthebook"Atmatirtham",whichdescribesAdiSankara'slifeand
teachingswrittenbyNochurVenkataramantoPrimeMinisterNarendraModi.
235. UNHumanRightsCouncilappointedformerUSjudgeMaryMcGowanDavisasheadofUNinquiryintothe50dayGazaconflictBetween
IsraelHamasin2014.
236. USAcloseditsEmbassyinYemenduetotheongoingpoliticalinstabilityanduncertainsecuritysituationsinYemen.
237. USA'sKristenStewartwonBestSupportingActressAwardatFrance'sCesarAwardsforherroleinCloudsofSilsMaria.
ShebecamefirstAmericanactresstowinatrophyatFrance'sCesarAwards.
238. UnitedArabEmiratescloseditsEmbassyinYemenduetotheongoingpoliticalinstabilityandsecuritysituations.
239. UnitedNationsSpecialEnvoyforCitiesandClimateChangeandformermayorofNewYorkCityMichaelBloombergvisitedIndia.Ministryof
UrbanDevelopmentpartneredwithBloombergPhilanthropiesforSmartCitiesInitiativeofGovernment.
240. UnitedNatonsappointedBulgaria'sNickolayMladenovasSpecialCoordinatorforPeaceProcessinMiddleEastandPalestineLiberation
OrganizationandPalestinianAuthority.
241. UttarPradeshChiefMinisterAkhileshYadavpresentedState'sBudget201516of302687crorerupees.
Stategovernmenthasfocusedonagriculture,education,power,health,roadsandinfrastructuredevelopmentforwhich51516Crore
rupeeshavebeenallotted.
Budgetsizeof201516is10%morethanbudgetof20142015.
growthrateofupisexpectedtobe5%,morethannationalgrowthof4.7%.Fiscaldeficitistargetedtobekeptunder2.965oftheState
GDPanddebtistargetedataround27.5%ofStateGDP.
242. UttarakhandGovernmentlaunchedHimalayaDarshanCampaigntoboosttourisminthestateofUttarakhand.
243. VijayKumarwonGoldin25metrecentrefirepistoleventinmenscategoryinshootingcompetitionsof35thNationalGamesinKerala.
244. WestBengalGovernmentlaunchedaMicroBusinessCreditCardtogiveboosttoMSMEsectorinthestate.ThrougThisfacility,entrepreneurs
inthestatewillbeabletoavailcashcreditupto5lakhrupeesfortheirbusinessactivities.
245. WestBengalscapitalcityKolkatahasbecomeIndiasfirstfullyWiFienabledmetrocity.

246. WestIndiesCricketerChrisGaylebecamefirsttomakedoublecenturyinanyCricketWorldCup.HescoreditagainstZimbabwein2015World
cup.
247. WorldHealthOrganisationapprovedReEBOVAntigenrapidtestkitdevelopedbyCorgenixintheUnitedStatesforEboladiseasethatcan
giveresultin15minutes.
248. WorldPressFreedomIndex(WPFI)2015releasedbyReportsWithoutBorders(RWB)
Indiawasplacedat136thpositionoutof180nations,Itimprovedfrom140thranklastyear.
FinlandisatthetopintermsoffreedomforpresswithNorwayandDenmarkfollowing.
Eritreaistheworstintermsoffreedomforpressasperthereport,NorthKoreaissecondworst.
249. ZakirA.Naik,presidentofIslamicResearchFoundationofIndia,wonthe2015KingFaisalInternationalPrize(KFIP)forServicetoIslam.