THURSDAY, 27 AUGUST 2015

Daily GK Update - 27th August 2015

1. ISRO successfully launches GSLV-D6 carrying GSAT-6 satellite
i. The Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-D6) has successfully blasted off from the
Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in Sriharikota, near
Chennai.
ii. This is the third time the indigenously developed Cryogenic Upper Stage (CUS) is being carried
onboard during a GSLV flight.

iii. It may be noted the second mission of GSLV during the last five years after two such rockets failed
in 2010. One of the GSLV rockets flew with Indian cryogenic engine and the other one with a Russian
engine.
iv. GSAT-6 will join the group of India's other operational geostationary satellites and it will provide
communication through five spot beams in S-band and a national beam in C-band for strategic users.
v. The S-Band Unfurlable Antenna of six metre diameter is one of the advanced features of GSAT-6
satellite.
vi. This is the largest satellite antenna realised by ISRO and it is utilised for five spot beams over the
Indian main land
vii. Spot beams exploit the frequency reuse scheme to increase frequency spectrum utilisation
efficiency.
2. Novak Djokovic new UNICEF goodwill ambassador
i. Reigning world tennis champion Novak Djokovic became a new goodwill ambassador for the UN
Fund for Children, joining a roster of athletes and celebrities to hold the post.

ii. The 28-year-old Serbian, who grew up during the Balkans war,
has already worked to help vulnerable children through his role as UNICEF Serbia ambassador.
iii. Djokovic, who was born in Belgrade in 1987 shortly before the Balkans war broke out, spent much
of his childhood in Serbia.
iv. Djokovic, who was born in Belgrade in 1987 shortly before the Balkans war broke out, spent much
of his childhood in Serbia. He has said on past occasions that tennis was a blessing.
3. Airtel acquires Augere to strengthen 4G footprint
i. Bharti Airtel on Wednesday said it has agreed to acquire Augere Wireless Broadband India (Augere)
in a deal that will allow it to take its 4G operations to nine circles.

ii. Augere holds 20 MHz of broadband wireless access (BWA) spectrum in the telecom circles of
Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
iii. The company did not disclose the deal size but sources said it could be in the range of Rs. 130150 crore. Augere had won the spectrum in 2010 for Rs. 122 crore. The acquisition would enhance
the companys strength in 4G, which it had launched recently.
iv. The government had sold 4G spectrum in the 2300 MHz band which at that time looked lucrative
due to a lower reserve price compared to the 3G spectrum.
4. Union Cabinet cleared 4 months extension for 7th Pay Commission
i. Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 26 August 2015 gave 4 months
extension (up to 31 December 2015) to the 7th Central Pay Commission. Justice Ashok Kumar
Mathur is the Chairman of the Commission.

ii. The extension was approved after the commission sought

extension of 4 months due to volume of work and intensive stake-holders consultations. The
Commission constituted by the Central Government in February 2014 was mandated to submit its
recommendations by 27 August 2015.
iii. The Sixth Pay Commission headed by Justice BN Srikrishna was implemented with effect from 1
January 2006, the fifth from 1 January 1996 and the fourth from 1 January 1986.
iv. In another decision it also approved amendments in the Central List of Other Backward
Classes (OBCs) in respect of Gujarat and Uttarakhand. It has been done as per the advices
received from the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC).
5. Govt releases smart cities list: 13 cities from UP, 12 from Tamil Nadu, 3 from Bihar included
i. The Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA government on Thursday unveiled the list of 98 cities that will
be part of its ambitious Smart Cities project. Union Minister of Urban Development Venkaiah Naidu
released the list of 98 cities, including 13 cities from Uttar Pradesh and 12 from Tamil Nadu.

ii. Other cities include 10 from Maharashtra, 7 from Madhya

Pradesh ,3 each from Bihar & Andhra Pradesh.
iii. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had launched the criteria and guidelines for 100 Smart Cities to be
selected through city challenge competition in June 25.
iv. Barring Jammu and Kashmir, all states have finalised the names of proposed Smart Cities through
competition.
v. Central government proposes to give financial support to Mission to the extent of Rs 48,000 crores
over 5 years.
6. Kazakhstan To Host First Nuclear Fuel Bank

i. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Kazakhstan

have signed an agreement to create the world's first internationally-controlled bank of low-enriched
uranium in the ex-Soviet nation to ensure fuel supplies for power stations and prevent nuclear
proliferation.
ii. The agreement on establishing the bank was signed by Yukiya Amano, director general of the UN
nuclear watchdog, and Kazakh Foreign Minister Erlan Idrissov on August 27 in the Kazakh capital,
Astana.
iii. The storage facility, set to become fully operational in 2017, is intended to provide IAEA member
states with a steady and predictable supply of fuel even if other routes are disrupted.
iv. Backers also argue it will dissuade countries from building enrichment facilities that might be
misused to purify uranium to weapons-grade levels - an issue that bedeviled relations between Iran
and the West for more than a decade.
7. Dilip Vengsarkar elected president of cricket statisticians body

i. Former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar has been elected

unopposed as the president of the Association of Indian Statisticians and scorers of India at its AGM.
ii. Vengsarkar is also the vice president of the Mumbai Cricket Association.
iii. Elected members: President - Dilip Vengsarkar; Vice-presidents - Dara Pochkhanawalla and
Ganesh Iyer; Secretary - Theo Braganza (Mumbai); Joint secretary - Deepak Joshi (Mumbai);
Treasurer - Ajit Datar (Mumbai); Managing committee members - Prakash Dahatonde, Harish Thakkar
(both Mumbai), Kanti Sutar, Tushar Trivedi (both from Gujarat Dilip Singh Upring (from Vidarbha); Coopted members - Hari Makhija and Ajay Kavitkar (both from Maharashtra)
8. Vikas Gowda enters discus final at World Athletics Championships
i. Two-time Asian Championships gold medallist Vikas Gowda expectedly reached the discus throw
final with a best attempt of 63.86 metres in the qualifiers at the World Athletics Championships on
Thursday.
ii. Taking part in Group A of the qualifiers, Gowda threw 63.84m in his second attempt, 0.02m short of
the first, while his third opportunity was disqualified.
iii. Seven discus throwers qualified for the final from Group A while five from Group B out of a total of
31 participants.
iv. Gowda's personal best throw of 66.28m is also the Indian national record which he achieved in
2012 at Norman, United States.
v. Gowda was the only Indian in action on Thursday at the world meet.

http://www.bankersadda.com/2015/08/daily-gk-update-27th-august-2015.html#ixzz3k1jTW3G8v

Union Cabinet cleared 4 months

extension for 7th Pay
Commission
27-AUG-2015

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Who: Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi

What: Cleared 4 months extension for 7th Pay Commission
When: 26 August 2015
Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 26 August 2015 gave 4 months
extension (up to 31 December 2015) to the 7th Central Pay Commission. Justice Ashok
Kumar
Mathur
is
the
Chairman
of
the
Commission.
The extension was approved after the commission sought extension of 4 months due to
volume of work and intensive stake-holders consultations. The Commission constituted by
the Central Government in February 2014 was mandated to submit its recommendations by
27 August 2015.
Seventh Pay Commission is scheduled to come into effect from 1 January 2016.

The Sixth Pay Commission headed by Justice BN Srikrishna was implemented with effect
from 1 January 2006, the fifth from 1 January 1996 and the fourth from 1 January 1986.
Besides, the Cabinet also gave its approval for the agreement on legal and judicial
cooperation in civil and commercial matters with Afghanistan and Oman.
In another decision it also approved amendments in the Central List of Other Backward
Classes (OBCs) in respect of Gujarat and Uttarakhand. It has been done as per the advices
received from the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC). Sipai and Patni or
Turk Jamat communities in Gujarat and Kahars and Tanwar Singhariyas in Uttarakhand will
be added in the list.

Kolkata Port adjudged as the

best 'Major Port of 2014-15'
27-AUG-2015

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Who: Kolkata Port

What: Adjudged as the best 'Major Port of 2014-15'
When: 21 August 2015
Kolkata Port was on 21 August 2015 adjudged as the Major Port of the Year amongst 12
major ports in the country for the year 2014-15. It was honoured in recognition of its
impressive growth rate in volumes, optimizing capacity utilization, growth in output per berth
and
customer
satisfaction.
It has been declared in the Gateway Award 2015 programme held at Mumbai.
Kolkata Dock System and Haldia Dock System under Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT) together
handled 16.834 million tonnes (MT) of traffic during April to June 2015, which stands
against 13.698 MT handled during the corresponding period 2014.
KPT has achieved traffic growth of 23 percent, while all other major ports of the country

have together recorded a growth of 5.8 percent. The port handles two private train operators
apart from CONCOR.
The major commodities handled by KoPT during this period includes container, vegetable oil,
limestone, coking coal, petroleum coke, iron & steel, POL, LPG, other liquid cargo and
finished fertilizer. In an effort to attain customer satisfaction, KoPT has inducted state-of-theart modern equipments, introduced various customized packages and other user-friendly,
cost-effective measures.

Union Cabinet approved Mutual

Legal Assistance Treaty in Civil
and Commercial matters with
Oman
27-AUG-2015

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Who: Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) in Civil and Commercial matters with Oman
What: Approved by the Union Cabinet
When: 26 August 2015
Why: To facilitate service of judicial orders and other legal and judicial processes
The Union Cabinet on 26 August 2015 gave its approval for signing and ratification of the
Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) in Civil and Commercial matters with Oman.
This agreement was under negotiation since 2003 and shall come into force on the 30th day
after the exchange of the Instrument of Ratification.
Areas covered under Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT)
Service of judicial orders, summons and other legal and judicial documents or processes.
Taking of evidence through request.
Execution of judgments, settlements and arbitral awards.
Request for reciprocal legal assistance relating to civil and commercial matters submitted
before or after its entry into force.
Service of summons and other judicial documents shall not be refused on the ground that

the request does not show sufficient grounds supporting merits of the case, unless the
requested State, considers that compliance with the request would infringe its sovereignty,
security or public policy.
The provisions of the agreement are in conformity with the provisions of the Code of Civil
Procedure (CPC) and the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996. No amendment in these
enactments would be required. Further, the CPC does not discriminate between citizens of
India and alien friends.

Dilip Vengsarkar elected as

president of ACSSI, India's
premier cricket Statisticians
association
27-AUG-2015

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Who: Dilip Vengsarkar

What: Appointed as the presidnet of ACSSI
When: Third week of August 2015
Former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar in the third week of August 2015 elected as the
president of the Association of Indian Statisticians and scorers of India (ACSSI).
At present, Vengsarkar is the vice president of the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA).
He was elected unopposed during the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of ACSSI.
Also, Dara Pochkhanawalla and Ganesh Iyer were elected as the two vice presidents of the
organisation.
The ACSSI was formed in 1987 to do serious research on Indian cricket, both past and
present and provide one-stop accurate information about Indian domestic, test and limited
overs international cricket statistics.

Union Cabinet approved

Amendments to the Arbitration
and Conciliation Bill, 2015
27-AUG-2015

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Who: Amendments to the Arbitration and Conciliation Bill, 2015

What: Approved by the Union Cabinet
When: 26 August 2015
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 26 August 2015 gave its
nod for amendments to the Arbitration and Conciliation Bill, 2015. The amendments are
based on the Law Commissions recommendations of 246th reports and suggestions received
from
stakeholders.
The Union Government has decided to amend the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 by
introducing the Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Bill, 2015 in the Parliament.
These amendments will help India to become a hub of International Commercial Arbitration.
Features of the amendments are
(i) In order to ensure neutrality of arbitrators, it is proposed to amend Section 12 to the
effect that when a person is approached in connection with possible appointment of arbitrator,
he shall disclose in writing about existence of any relationship or interest of any kind, which
is likely to give rise to justifiable doubts. Further, if a person is having specified relationship,
he shall be ineligible to be appointed as an arbitrator.
(ii) Insertion of a new provision that the Arbitral Tribunal shall make its award within a
period of 12 months. Parties may extend such period up to six months. Thereafter, it can only
be extended by the Court, on sufficient cause. The Court while extending the period may also
order reduction of fees of arbitrator(s) not exceeding five percent for each month of delay, if
the court finds that the proceedings have been delayed for reasons attributable to the arbitral
tribunal. If the award is made within a period of six months, arbitrator may get additional fees
if the parties may agree.

(iii) It is proposed to insert a provision for fast track procedure for conducting arbitration.
Parties to the dispute may agree that their dispute be resolved through fast track procedure.
Award in such cases shall be given in six months period.
(iv) Amendment of Section 34 relating to grounds for challenge of an arbitral award, to
restrict the term 'Public Policy of India" (as a ground for challenging the award) by
explaining that only where making of award was induced or affected by fraud or corruption,
or it is in contravention with the fundamental policy of Indian Law or is in conflict with the
most basic notions of morality or justice, the award shall be treated as against the Public
Policy of India.
(v) A new provision to provide that application to challenge the award is to be disposed of
by the Court within one year.
(vi) Amendment to Section 36 to the effect that mere filing of an application for
challenging the award would not automatically stay execution of the award. Award can only
be stayed where the Court passed any specific order on an application filed by the party.
(vii) A new sub-section in Section 11 to be added to the effect that an application for
appointment of an Arbitrator shall be disposed of by the High Court or Supreme Court as
expeditiously as possible and an endeavour should be made to dispose of the matter within 60
days.
(viii) A new Section 31A is to be added for providing comprehensive provisions for costs
regime. It is applicable both to arbitrators as well as related litigation in Court. It will avoid
frivolous and meritless litigation/arbitration.
(ix) Section 17 is to be amended for empowering the Arbitral tribunal to grant all kinds of
interim measures which the Court is empowered to grant, under Section 9 and such order
shall be 'enforceable in the same manner as if it is an order of Court.
Apart from these, amendments in Sections 2(1)(e) , 2(1)(f)(iii), 7(4)(b), 8(1) and (2), 9, 11,
14(1), 23, 24, 25, 28(3), 31(7)(b), 34 (2A) 37, 48, 56 and in Section 57 are also proposed for
making the arbitration process more effective.
Background
The Union Government has under its consideration proposals for making Arbitration a
preferred mode for settlement of commercial disputes by making it more user-friendly and
cost effective. This will lead to expeditious disposal of cases.
The Law Commission of India in its 246th Report has recommended various amendments in
the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996. The Law Commission also submitted a
Supplementary to Report No. 246 on Amendments to the Arbitration Act, 1996 on Public
Policy- Developments post Report 246", wherein the Law Commission taking into account
subsequent decisions of the Supreme Court has recommended reformulation of amendment in
Section 34(2)(b) of the Act.

Three Indians named Fellows of

American Society for Metals for
2015
27-AUG-2015

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Who: Fellows of American Society for Metals

What: Announced
When: Fourth week of August 2015
Why: For their contributions in the field of materials science and engineering
Three Indians were named as Fellows of American Society for Metals (ASM) in the fourth
week of August 2015. These three Indians along with three other Indian-origin persons
featured among the list of 29 fellows who were named as Fellows of ASM for 2015.
While, the Indian Fellows were Pradeep Goyal, Vivekanand Kain, and Gankidi Madhusudhan
Reddy, the Indian-origin achievers were Pranesh Aswath, Suveen Mathaudhu and
Muthukumarasamy Sadayappan.
All the 29 persons were honoured for their contributions in the field of materials science and
engineering. The fellows will be presented with their awards in October 2015 during the
Materials Science and Technology event at Columbus in Ohio State of the USA.
About Fellows
Pradeep Goyal: He is the CMD for Pradeep Metals Ltd. in Mumbai. He was chosen for his
establishment of the internationally-known Industrial Microwave Research Centre and for his
contributions towards environmental and energy improvements in ore and petrochemical
processing industries using new technologies.
Vivekanand Kain: He a professor and scientist at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre,
Mumbai. He was selected for significant contributions focused on understanding and

controlling corrosion in nuclear power plants, especially the corrosion of stainless steel and
nickel and zirconium based alloys.
Gankidi Madhusudhan Reddy: He is a scientist at the Defence Metallurgical Research Lab
in Hyderabad. He was picked up for his outstanding contributions in welding science and
technology with special emphasis on the development of solutions enabling the fabrication of
critical components used in defence and aerospace applications.
Pranesh Aswath: He is a professor and associate dean at the University of Texas in
Arlington, the USA. He was selected for his significant contributions to the science of
tribology through establishing fundamental relationships between lubricant additive
chemistry, tribofilm formation and friction and wear.
Suveen Mathaudhu: He is an assistant professor at UC Riverside and he was selected for his
scientific leadership, management, and advocacy of the US Army materials research efforts,
and in particular for the development and support of new advanced lightweight metals and
bulk nano-structured materials.
Muthukumarasamy Sadayappan: He is a research scientist at Canmet Materials in Canada.
He was selected as a Fellow for his significant contributions to the field of non-ferrous
foundry metallurgy and solidification processing.
About American Society for Metals (ASM)
It is a technical community of experts associated with materials science and engineering.
The fellowship of the ASM was created in 1969 to provide recognition to for their
distinguished contributions to materials science and engineering, and to develop a broadbased forum of technical and professional leaders to serve as advisers to the society.

Rajendra Singh conferred with

2015 Stockholm Water Prize
27-AUG-2015

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Who: Rajendra Singh

Where: Stockholm, Sweden
What: Was conferred with 2015 Stockholm Water Prize
When: 26 August 2015
Why: For his contributions towards water security in rural India
The Waterman of India Rajendra Singh on 26 August 2015 was conferred with the 2015
Stockholm Water Prize.
King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, Patron of the Stockholm Water Prize presented the prize at
a Royal Award Ceremony during World Water Week in Swedish Capital Stockholm.
Singh was named for the prestigious award for his innovative water restoration efforts,
improving water security in rural India, and for showing extraordinary courage and
determination in his quest to improve the living conditions for those most in need.
Contributions of Rajendra Singh
Singh has invested several decades of his life to defeat drought and empowering communities
of Rajasthan through his organisation Tarun Bharat Sangh (India Youth Association).
He addressed the problem of waters in villages of Rajasthan through building Johads or
traditional earthen dams. These Johads, by now about 8600 in number, helped 1000 villages
of the state in revival of water.
His efforts also helped in increasing the forest cover in the state, which helped the return of
antelope and leopard in the state.
About Stockholm Water Prize
The Stockholm Water Prize is a global award founded in 1991 and presented annually by the
Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) to an individual, organisation or institution
for outstanding water-related achievements. The Stockholm Water Prize Laureate receives
150000 US Dollars and a specially designed sculpture. King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden is
patron of the prize.
About Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI)
Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) is a policy institute that generates knowledge
and informs decision-makers towards water wise policy and sustainable development. SIWI
organizes the World Water Week in Stockholm the leading annual global meeting place on
water and development issues and hosts the Stockholm Water Prize, the Stockholm Junior
Water Prize and the Stockholm Industry Water Award.

Union Cabinet approved

amendments in the Central List
of Other Backward Classes
27-AUG-2015

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Who: Union Cabinet

What: Approved amendments in Central List of Other Backward Classes
When: 26 August 2015
The Union Cabinet on 26 August 2015 approved the amendments in the Central List of Other
Backward Classes (OBCs) in respect of two States Gujarat and Uttarakhand for making
suitable amendments in the Central List of OBCs.
The amendments were approved following the advices received from the National
Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC). The following castes/communities have been
included in the Central List of OBCs in the two States of Gujarat and Uttarakhand:Sl. No

Gujarat

Uttarakhand

Sipai

Kahar

Patni Jamat or Turk Jamat (all Muslims)

Tanwar Singhariya

The amendments will enable the persons belonging to these castes/ communities to avail the
benefits of reservation in Government services and posts as well as in Central Educational
Institutions as per the existing policy.
They will also become eligible for benefit under various welfare schemes, scholarships being
administered by the Union Government, which are at present available to persons belonging
to the OBCs.

About National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC)

The NCBC was set up in pursuance to the Supreme Court judgement in the Indra Sawhney
case as per the NCBC Act 1993.
The Commission examines requests for inclusion of any class of citizens as a backward
class in the lists and hear complaints of over-inclusion or under-inclusion of any backward
class in such lists.
It tenders advice to the Union Government as it deems appropriate; and the advice of the
Commission is ordinarily bound upon the Union Government.
The NCBC has been tendering advice to the Central Government from time to time. A total
of 35 notifications have been issued so far and till date, a total of 2404 entries have been
notified in the Central list of OBCs for 24 States and 6 Union Territories.

Serbia, Kosovo agreed to

implement 2013 Brussels
Agreement
27-AUG-2015

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Who: 2013 Brussels Agreement

What: Will be implemented by Serbia and Kosovo
When: Agreed on 26 August 2015
Why: To ease tensions between both the countries
Kosovo and Serbia on 26 August 2015 agreed to implement the 2013 Brussels Agreement
paving the way for normalizing the relations between both the countries.
The First agreement of principles governing the normalisation of relations or more
famously known as the Brussels Agreement was reached between both the countries under
the mediation of the European Union on 19 April 2013 in Brussels, Belgium.
Key Features of Brussels Agreement

 Autonomy to Northern Areas: Serbs in northern Kosovo will enjoy greater rights. Kosovo
has a majority Albanian population, but under the agreement ten areas with large Serb
populations will be able to manage issues such as the local economy and education. Further,
Serb Municipalities would have an assembly, president and a flag.
Kosovo will have a separate international dialing code. It will put an end to the
inconvenience for Kosovo's mobile phone users of using Monaco or Slovenia international
codes. However, Serbian-majority areas in the north will still be able to use Serbian calling
codes.
The two sides also agreed on how to share the symbolic Mitrovica Bridge (on Ibar River)
that separates Albanian and Serb communities in the north.
Background
Before becoming an independent nation in 2008, Kosovo was a province in the southern part
of Serbia.
While Kosovo as a whole is inhabitated by Albanian Muslim population, the northern parts
have majority Serbian population. The varying demographic profile within Kosovo often led
to tensions between both the countries especially along the border areas.
The decision to implement the Brussels Agreement will pave the way for diffusing troubled
relations between both countries that are underway since the formation of Kosovo.

GSLV-D6 successfully launched

GSAT-6 communication satellite
27-AUG-2015

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Who: GSLV-D6
Where: Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR (SDSC SHAR), Sriharikota
What: Successfully launched
When: To induct GSAT-6 satellite

Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV)-D6 was

successfully launched on 27 August 2015. It was launched from the Second Launch Pad at
the Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR (SDSC SHAR), Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh.
GSLV-D6 inducted 2117 kg GSAT-6, an advanced communication satellite into a
Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). The satellite is intended to provide S-band
communication services in the country.
Key Features of GSLV-D6
It is the ninth flight of GSLV. It is also the fifth developmental flight of GSLV.
This is the third time the indigenously developed Cryogenic Upper Stage (CUS) is being
carried on-board during a GSLV flight. The flight is significant since it intends to continue
the testing of CUS.
It is configured with all its three stages including the CUS similar to the ones successfully
flown during the previous GSLV-D5 mission in January 2014. GSLV-D5 successfully placed
GSAT-14 satellite carried on-board in the intended GTO very accurately.
Importance of Cryogenic Upper Stage (CUS)
A Cryogenic rocket stage is more efficient and provides more thrust for every kilogram of
propellant it burns compared to solid and earth-storable liquid propellant rocket stages.
The cryogenic stage is technically a very complex system compared to solid or earth-storable
liquid propellant stages due to its use of propellants at extremely low temperatures and the
associated thermal and structural challenges.
Oxygen liquifies at -183 deg C and Hydrogen at -253 deg C. The propellants, at these low
temperatures, are to be pumped using turbo pumps running at around 40,000 rpm.
About GSAT System

 The GSAT or Geosynchronous satellite is a constellation of communication satellites

developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) with an objective to make
India self-reliant in broadcasting services.
Satellites are called GSAT because they function in a geosynchronous orbit around the
Earth.
It is designed to inject 2 ton class of communication satellites into GTO.
The first satellite in the series GSAT-1 was launched in April 2001.
Till date, 12 satellites were launched and only six among them are operational.

Tennis Player Novak Djokovic

appointed as Goodwill
Ambassador of UNICEF
27-AUG-2015

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Who: Tennis Player Novak Djokovic

What: Appointed as Goodwill Ambassador of UNICEF
When: 26 August 2015
Novak Djokovic, the worlds top ranked tennis player, was on 26 August 2015 appointed as
the Goodwill Ambassador of the United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF), after having
served as the UNICEFs Serbia Ambassador.
He also signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the World Bank and the Novak
Djokovic Foundation to promote early childhood development. The Fund and the Foundation
have established a close cooperation on bringing early childhood services to every child and
family in Serbia.
Novak Djokovic has been lending his support to children's welfare since he teamed up with
UNICEF in 2011. He has been working for improving the lives of children, especially those
who are amongst the most marginalized, with a particular focus on the importance of early

childhood education.
With this, Djokovic has joined other accomplished and dedicated UNICEF Goodwill
Ambassadors including Danny Kaye, Audrey Hepburn, David Beckham, Harry Belafonte,
Orlando Bloom, Katy Perry, Sir Roger Moore, Shakira, Maxim Vengerov, Serena Williams
and others.
Djokovic is one of the most dominant players to ever set foot on a tennis court. To date,
Djokovic has won a total of 54 career titles, including 9 Grand Slams and he was a Medallist
at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.
Novak Djokovic's contributions to UNICEF
He has also supported the improvement of quality of preschool programmes in Serbia. His
foundation, Novak Djokovic Foundation, also funded UNICEF Serbias innovative family
outreach service aimed at connecting with families living in urban areas, which has now been
integrated into the Serbian child protection system.
During the floods in the Balkans in 2014, Novak made donations to UNICEF to help with the
emergency aid efforts.
He also supported the Schools for Asia initiative in Bangladesh, China and the Philippines
alongwith the help of apparel giant UNIQLO.

US designated Aziz Haqqani as

global terrorist
27-AUG-2015

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Who: Abdul Aziz Haqqani, the new leader of the Haqqani network
What: US designated him as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist
When: Last week of August 2015

The United States (US) in last week of August 2015 designated Abdul Aziz Haqqani, the new
leader of the Haqqani network, as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist. He was declared
as a global terrorist for being involved in planning and carrying out attacks against Afghan
government targets.
Following the designation of a Specially Designated Global Terrorist, Aziz Haqqani comes
under the ambit of US sanctions. The sanctions, prohibits any US national from maintaining
any relationship with him. It also allows seizure of all his assets, if any, in the US.
In August 2014, the US had announced a reward of up to 5 million US dollars for information
leading to the location of Aziz.
Popularly known as Aziz Haqqani, he assumed the leadership role of the Haqqani network
after the death of his brother Badruddin Haqqani. The Haqqani Network has planned and
carried out a number of significant kidnappings and attacks against US interests in
Afghanistan, as well as Afghan government and civilian targets.

Union Cabinet approved signing

of agreement between India and
Afghanistan
27-AUG-2015

Top Picks : August 2015 Current Affairs, National | India, 2015 Current Affairs
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Who: Signing of agreement between India and Afghanistan

What: Approved by Union Cabinet
When: 26 August 2015
The Union Cabinet on 26 August 2015 approved signing of the agreement between India and
Afghanistan on legal and judicial cooperation in civil and commercial matters for the service
of summons, judicial documents, commissions, execution of judgements and arbitral awards.
Highlights of the Agreement
Service of judicial orders, summons and other legal and judicial documents or processes.

 Taking of evidence through request.

Execution of judgments, settlements and arbitral awards.
The agreement also applies to any request for reciprocal legal assistance relating to civil and
commercial matters submitted before or after its entry into force.
It states that service of summons and other judicial documents shall not be refused on the
ground that the request does not show sufficient grounds supporting merits of the case.
The agreement also deals with taking of evidence by Diplomatic and Consular
representatives from nationals of the country they represent, without compulsion, in order to
help in completion of judicial proceedings commenced in the courts of the country they
represent.
The agreement will come into force on the 30th day after the exchange of instrument of
Ratification. It shall remain in force until terminated by either party by giving six months
notice. The provisions of the agreement are in conformity with the provisions of the Code of
Civil Procedure, 1908 and the Arbitration and Cancellation Act, 1996.
This agreement will be beneficial for the citizens of both countries. It will also fulfill the
desire of both countries to strengthen the bonds of friendship and fruitful cooperation in the
judicial and legal spheres, which is the spirit, essence and language of the preamble of the
agreement.

Wealth-X released the list of Top

20 Wealthiest People Under 35
27-AUG-2015

Top Picks : Corporate, August 2015 Current Affairs, Business | Industry News , 2015
Current Affairs
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Who: List of Top 20 Wealthiest People Under 35

What: Released by Wealth-X
When: 19 August 2015

Global wealth intelligence and prospecting company Wealth-X on 19 August 2015

released the report on Top 20 Wealthiest People Under 35.
As per the report, Facebook co-founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg is the wealthiest
individual under the age of 35, with a personal fortune of 41.6 billion US dollars.
Zuckerberg is followed by Facebook co-founder Dustin Moskovitz, who claimed the second
place on the list with an estimated net worth of 9.3 billion US dollars and with Huiyan Yang
on the third spot with an estimated net worth of 5.9 billion US dollars.
Highlights of the Report
Eleven of the worlds top 20 wealthiest individuals under the age of 35 are from the United
States, while three are from China (including Hong Kong) and another three are from
Switzerland.
The youngest individual on the list is Snapchat chief executive Evan Spiegel, who at the age
of 25 has already amassed a personal fortune of 1.9 billion US dollars.
The top 20 list features six women. Huiyan Yang, the 34-year-old vice chairman of Chinese
real estate developer Country Garden Holdings, is the richest woman on the list.
However, no Indian is featured on the list.
List of Top 10 Wealthiest People Under 35
Rank Individual

Company

Net Worth

Mark Zuckerberg

Facebook Inc

41.6 billion US dollars

Dustin Moskovitz

Asana

9.3 billion US dollars

Huiyan Yang

Country Garden Holdings

5.9 billion US dollars

Eduardo Saverin

99

5.3 billion US dollars

Scott Daniel Duncan

Enterprise Products Partners

5.0 billion US dollars

Elizabeth A Holmes

Theranos

4.5 billion US dollars

Nathan Blecharczyk

AIRBNB

3 billion US dollars

Brian Chesky

AIRBNB

3 billion US dollars

Joe Gebbia

AIRBNB

3 billion US dollars

10

Thomas Persson

Hennes & Mauritz

2.7 billion US dollars

About Wealth-X
Headquartered in Singapore, Wealth-X is the authoritative source of intelligence on the ultra
wealthy people with the largest collection of research on ultra high net worth (UHNW)
individuals.
The Wealth-X Professional solution is the standard for banking, luxury marketing and notfor-profit professionals working with the ultra prosperous people.
Wealth-X has 13 offices across five continents.