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Questions Marks
1
2
3
4
Test of Reasoning
Test of English Language
Test of Numerical Ability
Test of General Awareness
40
40
40
40
40
40
40
40
40
Total
Time
2 Hours
Total
200
200
Note:- i) The above tests except the Test of English Language will be available bilingually, i.e. English and Hindi.
ii) A candidate has to qualify in each part of the Objective test separately. There will be negative marks for wrong
answers in the Objective tests. 1/4th marks will be deducted for each wrong answer. Candidates will have to pass in
each of the objective tests.
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History of RBI
The Reserve Bank of India was founded on 1 April 1935 to respond to economic troubles after the First World
War. RBI was conceptualized as per the guidelines, working style and outlook presented by Dr.B. R. Ambedkar
as written in his book The Problem of the Rupee Its origin and its solution. in front of the Hilton Young
Commission.The bank was set up based on the recommendations of the 1926 Royal Commission on Indian
Currency and Finance, also known as the HiltonYoung Commission.
The original choice for the seal of RBI was The East India Company Double Mohur, with the sketch of the Lion
and Palm Tree. However it was decided to replace the lion with the tiger, the national animal of India. The
Preamble of the RBI describes its basic functions to regulate the issue of bank notes, keep reserves to secure
monetary stability in India, and generally to operate the currency and credit system in the best interests of the
country.The Central Office of the RBI was established in Calcutta (now Kolkata), but was moved to Bombay
(now Mumbai) in 1937. The RBI also acted as Burma's central bank, except during the years of the Japanese
occupation of Burma (194245), until April 1947, even though Burma seceded from the Indian Union in 1937.
After the Partition of India in 1947, the bank served as the central bank for Pakistan until June 1948 when the
State Bank of Pakistan commenced operations. Though set up as a shareholders bank, the RBI has been fully
owned by the Government of India since its nationalization in 1949.
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preventative arrests. It also makes it easier for police to arrest and detain individuals without
charge.
WHO Declares Liberia Free of Ebola
World Health Organization (WHO), a U.N. health agency on 9 May declared Liberia Ebola-free.
Liberia was one of the three West African countries at the center of the largest epidemic of Ebola
till date since the disease was first reported in 1976. The two other countries are Sierra Leone
and Guinea. WHO has hailed Liberias Ebola eradication efforts as an enormous development in
the long crisis and monumental achievement as the virus has killed more than 4,716 people in the
country alone.
NATIONAL
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agriculture and allied sectors of India. It seeks to disseminate real-time inputs to farmers on new
farming techniques, water conservation and organic farming among other information.
STATES
BHEL commissioned 195 MW Thermal Unit of KBUNL In Bihar
State-owned electrical equipment maker Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) on 4 May
commissioned a 195 MW thermal unit of Kanti Bijlee Utpadan Nigam Limited (KBUNL) in
Muzaffarpur, Bihar. This was the first 195 MW unit to be commissioned by BHEL at the 2195
MW Muzaffarpur Thermal Power Station (TPS) Plant of KBUNL.
PM Narendra Modi Inaugurated IISCO Steel Plant at Burnpur
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 10 May inaugurated the upgraded IISCO Steel Plant (ISP) in
Burnpur, West Bengal. The ISP houses the largest blast furnace of India. The ISP was
modernised by the Union Government at a cost of 16000 crore rupees.
UP Govt Launched Samajwadi Water ATM scheme
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on 12 May launched Samajwadi water ATM
scheme at bus stations. It seeks to provide potable water to bus passengers at reasonable price.In
this regard, state government will install water ATMs at most of the bus stations which will
provide potable water at the rate of 1 rupee per litre and cold water at 2 rupees per litre.
Punjab Becomes First State To Issue Soil Health Cards To Farmers
Punjab Agriculture Department on 13 May launched a pan-state programme to monitor the soil
health of every farm in the state by issuing them personalised Soil Health Cards (SHCs). With
this, Punjab became the first state in India to issue Soil Health Cards to farmers.Prime Minister
had formally launched the nationwide Soil Health Card Scheme from Suratgarh, Rajasthan in
Februrary 2015.
CONFERENCES
6th National Conference on Nuclear Energy
Nuclear Energy6th National Conference on Nuclear Energy was held in New Delhi on 15 May
2015. The Conference was organised by ASSOCHAM with the theme Nuclear Energy: a Clean
Energy option. The conference discussed the issue related to the status of Nuclear Energy in
India. India is on course to double its nuclear power generation capacity to more than 10,000
mega watts (MW) over the next five years i.e. 2020.Nuclear power plants account for 3.5% of
Indias current electricity generation, and its share in Indias future electricity generation will be
less than 10% even if the installed capacity is tripled.
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ECONOMY
56 Indian Companies Among Forbes Global 2000 List
US magazine Forbes on 6 May released Global 2000 Companies list. According to the list, India
is home to 56 of the worlds 2000 largest and most powerful public companies.The list is topped
by US (579 companies), followed by China (232 companies) and Japan (218 companies).
Reliance Industries, the topmost India company is ranked 142 on the list, down from last years
135th spot.
SBI launches RuPay Platinum Debit Card
Indias largest lender State Bank of India (SBI) on 7 May launched State Bank RuPay Platinum
debit card in association with National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI). Initially, the card
will be issued free to customers maintaining a quarterly balance of 50000 rupees. The RuPay
card is accepted at all payment channels like ATMs, PoS and eCommerce.
Forbes Worlds 10 Biggest Consumer Financial Services Firms
Mortgage lender HDFC has emerged as the only Indian company among the worlds 10 biggest
consumer financial services firms, after giants like American Express, Visa and Mastercard.
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HDFC is ranked 7th on the list, compiled by business magazine Forbes, where American Express
is placed on the top followed by Capital One Financial, Visa, Discover Financial Services and
Orix in the top-five.
Four Indians Among Forbes worlds 100 Most Powerful Women
SBI Chief Arundhati Bhattacharya, ICICI bank head Chanda Kochhar, Biocon founder Kiran
Mazumdar-Shaw and HT Media Chair Shobhana Bhartia were listed in the 12th Forbes100
Most Powerful Women List, which was released on 26 May . Arundhati Bhattacharya ranked
30th on the list, followed by Kochhar on the 35th spot, Mazumdar-Shaw (85) and newcomer on
the list Bhartia is on the 93rd spot.The worlds most powerful woman in the list is German
Chancellor Angela Merkel who fetched the first spot.
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PERSONS IN NEWS
A) APPOINTMENTS
KV Kamath Appointed as First President of NDB of BRICS nations
Eminent banker Kundapur Vaman Kamath was on 11 May 2015 appointed as the first President
of the New Development Bank (NDB) of BRICS nations. He will have of five year term after the
bank becomes operational within one year. He was conferred with Padma Bhushan Award in
2008. The Leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) had meeting in
2014 and reached an agreement to establish the New Development Bank, with its headquarters in
Shanghai. As per the agreement, India got the right to nominate the first president.
Four New Governors Appointed
President of India Pranab Mukherjii on 12 May 2015 appointed four Governors and transferred
two others.
Following are newly appointed Governors :1) Jharkhand Draupadi Murmu
2) Tripura Tathagata Roy
3) Arunachal Pradesh J P Rakkhowa
4) Meghalaya V Shanmuganathan
Transferred Governors :* Syed Ahmed, Governor of Jharkhand was shifted to Manipur. He was appointed in September
2011. His tenure will end in September 2016.
* Lt General (retd.) Nirbhay Sharma, who was serving as Governor of Arunachal Pradesh since
May, 2011, was transferred and appointed as Governor of Mizoram for the remainder of his
term, which ends in 2018. He is the eighth Governor of the state since 2014.
B)RESIGNS
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Panneerselvam Resigned
Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu O Panneerselvam resigned on 22 May 2015. He was appointed as
the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on 29 September 2014 as replacement of former AIADMK
chief J Jayalalithaa, who resigned after being convicted in the 18 year old disproportionate assets
case of over 66 crore rupees. She was awarded a four year prison term by Bangalore Special
Court after it found her guilty of amassing unaccounted wealth.
C)DEATHS
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PLACES IN NEWS
Tunisians Unfurled Worlds Largest Flag
Worlds largest flag was unfurled at an event in Ong Jmel in the southern desert area of Tunisia.
Tunisian national flag of the size of 19 football pitches was unfurled in a bid to set a Guinness
World Record and promote patriotism in the face of Islamist extremism. The flag of 104,544
square metre was made using 80 kilometres of fabric and weighed arounf 12.6 tonnes.
ABBREVIATIONS
PMSBY Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana
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BOOKS IN NEWS
Vice President Released The Book China Confucius In The Shadows
A Book titled China Confucius in the Shadows was released by the Vice President M. Hamid
Ansari on 1 May 2015. Confucius was considered as the most efficient author in Chinese history.
Book has been written by Poonam Surie. Poonam Surie is an Adjunct Fellow at the Institute of
Chinese Studies, New Delhi.
COMMITTEES
Vijay Kelkar Committee To Revisit PPP infra Model
Union government on 26 May constituted a 10-member committee to review and revitalise
Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode of infrastructure development. The committee will be
chaired by under former finance secretary Vijay Kelkar and submit its report within a period of 3
months from the date of its Constitution. The Kelkar committee will review the PPP policy and
suggest a better risk-sharing mechanism between private developers and the government after
analysing such projects in different.
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globally on 9 April 2015. The SPI, which gives data for 133 countries, is also an alternative to
GDP. After Norway at the top of the rankings, came Sweden, Switzerland and Iceland.
2. India Elected To Four United Nations Agencies
India was elected to four important United Nations (UN) agencies on 8 April. These agencies
are United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF), World Food Program (WFP), Commission on
Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ) and the Governing Council of UN-Habitat.
India was elected to these bodies at the Coordination and Management Meeting (CMM) of
UNECOSOC (the United Nations Economic and Social Council) held at the UN headquarters
in New York, USA.
3. Canada To Supply Uranium To India For 5 Years
Canada on 15 April agreed to supply 3,000 metric tonnes of uranium to energy-hungry India
from this year under a $254 million five-year deal to power Indian atomic reactors, four
decades after bilateral cooperation in this sector was frozen over Indias nuclear programme.
The agreement for uranium supply, which came two years after protracted negotiations
following the 2013 civil nuclear deal between India and Canada, was signed after
comprehensive talks Prime Minister Narendra Modi had with his Canadian counterpart
Stephen Harper. Canada is the third country to supply uranium to India after Russia and
Kazakhstan.
4. India Ranks 5th On Global E-Waste Monitor 2014 List
According to the Global E-Waste Monitor 2014compiled by United Nation(UN)s think tank
United Nations University (UNU), India is the fifth biggest producer of e-waste in the world,
discarding 1.7 million tonnes (Mt) of electronic and electrical equipment in 2014.India came
in fifth, behind the US, China, Japan and Germany.
NATIONAL
1. PM Narendra Modi Launched Indias First National Air Quality Index
The National Air Quality Index (NAQI) was launched for the first time in India by Prime
Minister Narendra Modi on 6 April 2015 primarily for assessing the quality of air in major
urban centres across the country on a real-time basis. This National Air Quality Index will
provide information on the quality of air in 10 major cities in the country on a real-time
basis.The ten cities where the quality of air can be monitored are Delhi, Agra, Kanpur,
Lucknow, Varanasi, Faridabad, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Bangalore and Ahmedabad.
2. Union Government Notified NJAC 2014
The Union Government on 13 April 2015 notified the National Judicial Appointments
Commission (NJAC) Act, 2014 and the Constitution (Ninety-ninth Amendment) Act, 2014.
The NJAC Act and 99th Amendment Act were notified in exercise of the powers conferred by
sub-section (2) of section 1 of the Act. With this new law the collegium system to appoint
members to the higher judiciary has come to an end. Now President will appoint judges in the
Supreme Court (SC) and 24 High Courts (HCs) in consultation with the NJAC.
3. MHA renames Visa On Arrival Scheme To E-Tourist Visa
Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on 14 April decided to rename Tourist Visa on
Arrival-Electronic Travel Authorization (TVoA-ETA) scheme as e-Tourist Visa (eTV)
scheme.
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STATES
1. Gujarat Launched Industrial Tourism To Showcase Development
Gujarat government has on 12 April launched industrial tourism package to promote its
development by showcasing its major industrial installations which have earned global
acclaim for state. It is a first of its kind initiative India, offered by Tourism Corporation of
Gujarat Ltd (TCGL) in collaboration with Ahmedabad based Akshar Travels Pvt Ltd. The
tour package is called as Industrial Tour of Gujarat will cover some of the major industrial
attractions of the state.
2. Indian Army Conducts AkramanII Defense Exercise In Rajasthan
Indian Army on 26 April conducted a major exercise Akraman-II in Rajasthan. The exercise
was conducted by the Chetak Corps, a part of South Western Command based in Bhatinda,
Punjab. The exercise aimed to test a new generation of weaponry and platforms which are
employed in the desert region to provide real time battle and situational awareness to its
commanders.
3. Kerala Govt Launched Subodham Project To End Liquor Abuse
State Government of Kerala on 19 April 2015 launched Subodham project, to help people in
the state to overcome addiction to liquor.The project was launched by Chief Minister
Oommen Chandy and Art of Living Foundation founder Sri Sri Ravishankar in Kochi.
4. BHEL commissioned 600 MW thermal Unit In Chhattisgarh
State-owned power equipment-maker Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) on 13 April
commissioned a 600 MW thermal unit at Dhabra in Janjgir Champa District of Chhattisgarh
for the Dainik Bhaskar Power Limited.This is the second unit of 2 600 MW power project,
commissioned by BHEL. The first 600 MW Unit was commissioned in 2014.
CONFERENCES
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defeated World Champions Australia 3-1.India won Bronze Medal (third position) by beating
south Korea by 4-1 in the penalty shoot-out.
4. Djokovic Won Laureus World Sportsman Of The Year 2015 Award
The Laureus World Sports Awards for the year 2015 were given in seven categories on 15
April at Shanghai in China. Ace tennis star Novak Djokovic of Serbia and sprinter Genzebe
Dibaba of Ethiopia were named as the Laureus World Sportsman and Sportswoman of the
2015 respectively.
5. Novak Djokovic Won Monte Carlo Masters Title
Novak Djokovic of Serbia won the Monte-Carlo Masters title of Tennis on 20 April. He
defeated Berdych of Czech Republic in the mens singles final. It was his second Monte-Carlo
Masters title of Tennis. With this win, Djokovic also became the first player to sweep the
opening three ATP World Tour Masters 1000 events of a season. The previous two titles were
won at Indian Wells and Miami.
ECONOMY
1. Union Government Unveiled new FTP
Union Minister of Commerce & Industry on 2 April unveiled Foreign Trade Policy (FTP)
2015-2020. The new trade policy will incorporate government ambitious initiatives such as
Make in India, Digital India mission, Skill India programme, ease of business in order to
boost jobs and take Indias exports to 900 billion dollars by 2020. In the new policy FTP201520, two new schemes Merchandise Exports From India Scheme (MEIS) and Services Exports
From India Scheme (SEIS) were introduced.
2. Prime Minister Narendra Modi Launched MUDRA Bank
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 8 April launched the Micro Units Development and
Refinance Agency Ltd. (MUDRA) Bank in New Delhi.The bank will provide credit of up to
10 lakh rupees to small entrepreneurs and act as a regulator for Micro-Finance Institutions
(MFIs). The Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana will be the main support system for the bank
and will be the part of Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI). MUDRA Bank
has been started with an initial corpus of Rs. 20,000 crore. Apart from this, Rs. 3,000 crore
has been earmarked as credit guarantee corpus.
3. India Ranks 125th In the World For Fixed Broadband Penetration
According to Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) latest report, India ranks 125th
in the world for fixed broadband penetration with only 1.2 per 100 inhabitants and the global
average is 9.4 per 100 inhabitants.This rating puts India behind Sri Lanka and Bhutan. In the
wireless or mobile broadband segment, India is ranked at 113th with a penetration of 3.2 per
100 inhabitants.
4. India Fourth Largest Supplier of Generic Medicines To US
India has emerged as the fourth largest supplier of generic medicines to the United States. It
was announced by Minister of State (MoS) for Chemicals and Fertilizers Hansraj Ahir gave
this information in the Rajya Sabha in reply to a question. Indias generic medicines exports
have touched over US 4 billion dollars in 2013-14 in spite of stringent regulatory measures
imposed by US. Union Government also announced that Indian pharmaceutical companies are
already exporting generic medicines to Africa, West Asia and European countries.
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PERSONS IN NEWS
A) APPOINTMENTS
Nasim Zaidi Takes Over as new CEC
Nasim Zaidi took over as the 20th Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India on 19 April.He is
Indias 20th CEC and succeeded Hari Shankar Brahma, who had retired on April 18, 2015.
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PLACES IN NEWS
Thane Named As National Earth Hour Capital 2015 By WWF
Thane in Mumbai, Maharashtra was named as the National Earth Hour Capital 2015 on 9 April 2015.
Thane city won the bid among the three finalists Thane, Pune and Rajkot in the Earth Hour City
Challenge (EHCC) 2015 conducted by World Wide Fund. Seoul city, the capital and largest
metropolis of South Korea, on 9 April 2015 was awarded the title of Global Earth hour Capital 2015
after it won the Earth Hour City Challenge (EHCC) of World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
ABBREVIATIONS
BOOKS IN NEWS
Historical Documents Testify The Sovereignty of Senkaku Authored By Tadayoshi Murata
The book entitled Historical Documents Testify the Sovereignty of Senkakuauthored by
Tadayoshi Murata, an honorary professor at Japans Yokohama National University. The book
describes how the Japanese government illegally occupied the Chinese Diaoyu Islands step by step in
the 1890s. Japan has recently intensified its propaganda to claim several uninhabited islands disputed
with its neighbor in the East China Sea, but a Japanese historian refuted the claim and questioned
Tokyos reliability since it has manipulated evidence to mislead the rest of the world on the territorial
issue.
COMMITTEES
Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry Constituted Ajay Shankar committee To Simplify
Clearances
The Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry on 8 April formed an expert committee under the
chairmanship of Ajay Shankar to suggest simplified compliance for establishing new industries. He is
a former Secretary to the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP). The Expert
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Committee has been constituted for examining the possibility of replacing multiple prior permissions
with pre-existing regulatory mechanism and to prepare draft legislation for this purpose.
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liberation and the victory in the great Patriotic War in Russia, as a year of friendship between the
two countries.
Japan and France Signed Defence Agreement
Japan and France on 13 March signed a agrrment on military equipment and technology transfers
, in a move to drive cooperation and joint development of defence gear, as Prime Minister Shinzo
Abe strengthens security ties with major powers.
Muhammadu Buhari Elected As Nigerian President
Former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari was elected as the president of Nigeria on 31 March,
making him the first opposition candidate to win a presidential vote in the countrys history. This
Presidential Election was held on 28 March 2015 all across Nigeria, which is the most populous
country in Africa and is also the largest economy of the continent. Gen. Buharis All
Progressives Congress (APC) defeated President Jonathans Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by
over 2 million votes.
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NATIONAL
Govt To Launch Atal Pension Yojna (APY) On 1 June
Atal Pension Yojna (APY), announced in the 2015-16 Budget , will be launched on 1st of June
2015 and will focus on all citizens in the unorganised sector entitling them to a pension of up to
Rs 5,000 per month after 60 years of age. The existing subscribers of Swavalamban Scheme
would be automatically migrated to the APY pension scheme, unless they opt out. The minimum
age of joining APY is 18 years and maximum age is 40 years.
Parliament Passes Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2015
Parliament on 4 March passed the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2015. The bill was passed by
Lok Sabha on 2 March and was cleared by the upper house also called Rajya Sabha on 4 March
2015. The bill seeks an amendment in the Citizenship Act, 1955 and to merge the Person of
Indian Origin (PIO) and Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) schemes.
Lok Sabha Passed Land Acquisition (amendment) Bill, 2015
Lok Sabha on 10 March 2015 passed the Land Acquisition (amendment) Bill, 2015. The bill was
passed by voice vote along with incorporated 9 new amendments moved by Union government.
The bill amends the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition,
Rehabilitation and Resettlement (RFCTLARR) Act, 2013.
Parliament Passed Insurance Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2015
Parliament has passed Insurance Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2015.It was first passed in Lok Sabha
on 4 March 2015 and later in Rajya Sabha on 12 March 2015. In both the houses the bill was
passed by voice vote. The amendment bill replaces ordinance promulgated in this regard and
aims to bring improvements and revisions in the existing laws relating to insurance business in
India.The amendment bill hikes Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) cap in the insurance sector to
49 percent from present 26 percent.
Parliament Passed Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill,
2015
Parliament has passed Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill,
2015. The bill was first passed in Rajya Sabha and later in Lok Sabha on 20 March 2015.The Bill
was passed in Rajya Sabha after the Union government had accepted the recommendations of the
Select Committee. The amendments in the bill were made in the bill passed by Lok Sabha on 4
March 2015.It seeks to amend the Mines and Minerals (Regulation and Development) Act, 1957
and replace the ordinance promulgated in January 2015.
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STATES
Aapki Beti Humari Beti Scheme Launched In Haryana
Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar on 8 March launched a scheme for girl child
Aapki Beti Humari Beti with an aim to combat the problem of declining child sex ratio in the
state. The scheme will cover first-born girl child of Scheduled Caste (SC) and Below Poverty
Line (BPL) families and all second girl child born on or after 22nd January 2015 of all families
in the state.
Maharashtra Government Launched Bhagyashree Scheme
Maharashtra Government has launched Bhagyashree Scheme for girl child from Below Poverty
Line (BPL) families, on 8 March. Bhagyashree Scheme has replaced the state governments
previous Sukanya Scheme. Bollywood actress Bhagyashree is the brand ambassador of the
scheme. The Bhagyashree scheme aims at providing one lakh rupee on maturity after the girl
completes 18 years of age.
Assam Govt Launched Momai Tamuli Barbaruah Krishak Bondhu Scheme
Assam government has on 15 March launched the Momai Tamuli Barbaruah Krishak Bondhu
Scheme to increase agricultural production. Under the programme Momai Tamuli Barbaruah
Krishak Bondhu Scheme, facilities and assistance will be provided for double cropping in all the
crop areas which have so far been utilised for single cropping only.
Gujarat Legislative Assembly Passes Anti-Terror Bill
The Gujarat Legislative Assembly on 31 March 2015 passed Gujarat Control of Terrorism and
Organized Crime (GUJCOC) Bill, 2015. It is third time this controversial Bill being passed by
state assembly. Earlier, passed bill was rejected two times by the then Presidents in 2004 and
2008 for reconsideration.
CONFERENCES
International Conference On Counter Terrorism
Indias first conference on Counter-Terrorism was held from 19 21 March 2015 in Jaipur,
Rajasthan. The conference was named as International Counter-Terrorism Conference 2015 and
it was organised by India Foundation in association with the Sardar Patel University of Police
Security and Criminal Justice-Jodhpur. The central theme of the Conference is Integrated
Approach to Counter-Terrorism. The Conference was inaugurated by Union Home Minister
Rajnath Singh.The focus of the deliberations was on exploring the contours of 21st century
terrorism and sharing the Counter-Terrorism expertise. Some of the sub-themes on which the
conference focused include 26/11 Mumbai Terror Attack, Talibanisation of Af-Pak region, New
Caliphate in West Asia, Maritime Terrorism and Piracy, Chemical, Biological, Radiological and
Nuclear (CBRN) Terrorism and Cyber and Space terrorism.
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ECONOMY
RBI reduced Repo Rate By 25 Basis Points To 7.5 percent
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 4 March reduced the repo rate by 25 basis points to 7.5
percent with immediate effect. This is the second time since January 2015 that RBI reduced the
repo rate by 25 basis points. With this, the reverse repo rate under the LAF stands adjusted to 6.5
percent, and the marginal standing facility (MSF) rate and the Bank rate to 8.5 percent.
Indias Billionaires To Rise 104% By 2024
According to the latest Knight Frank Wealth Report, as of 2014,Wealth creation in India is likely
to accelerate significantly with the number of ultra-wealthy individuals expected to double to
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3,371 by 2024. India is home to 1,652 ultra high net worth individuals (UHNWIs), which is
likely to swell to 3,371 by the year 2024, registering a jump of 104 per cent. The number of
UHNWIs in India has increased from 622 in 2004 to 1,652 in 2014, registering a rise of 166 per
cent over the past decade (2004-2014). At 0.1 UHNWI per lakh population, India ranks a distant
84 among 97 countries globally in terms of equitable distribution of wealth.
Indian Railways Signed MoU with LIC For Rs 1.5 lakh crore Investments
Indian Railways on 11 March signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Life
Insurance Corporation (LIC) to raise Rs 1.5 lakh crore for financing the development of its
various commercially viable infrastructure projects. Under this MoU, LIC will make available a
Financial Assistance of 150000 crore rupees to the Indian Railways for implementing Railway
projects over the next five years. The Financial Assistance will be available from the Financial
Year 2015-16.
India Becomes 3rd Biggest Steel Producer Over Takes US
India has become the third-largest steel producer in the world by overtaking United States (US)
in first two months of year 2015. It was revealed in the Data compiled by World Steel
Association (WSA) on 22 March.Indias production in first two months i.e. January- February of
2015 was 14.56 million tonnes (MT). This production growth was the highest during this two
month period at 7.6% as compared to the global average of just 0.6% at 127.6 MT.China tops in
steel production and accounts for nearly half of the global steel production. During this period
China has produced 65 MT steel.
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PERSONS IN NEWS
A) APPOINTMENTS
Jagmohan Dalmiya Elected as BCCI president
agmohan Dalmiya was unanimously elected as the President of the Board of Control for Cricket
in India (BCCI) at Annual General meeting held in Chennai on 2 March.Dalmiya had served
BCCI as its President between 2001 and 2004. He also served as the President of International
Cricket Council (ICC) between 1997 and 2000.
Venkatraman Ramakrishnan Named as President of Britains Royal Society
Nobel laureate Sir Venkatraman Ramakrishnan on 18 March was named as the President of
Britains prestigious Royal Society, a communion of the many of the worlds most distinguished
scientists. Ramakrishnan, who will take up the post on the 1 December 2015, will succeed
geneticist Sir Paul Nurse, also a Nobel Laureate.
B)RESIGNS
Union Minister Dadarao Danve Resigns
Union Minister Minister of State (MoS) for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution
Raosaheb Dadarao Danve on 5 March resigned from the office. Raosaheb Danve resigned from
the Union Council of Ministers following the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJPs) one-man, one-post
principle after he was appointed President of Maharashtra in January 2015. He took over as
Maharashtra BJP president after Devendra Fadnavis became the Chief Minister state who had led
the party to power in October 2014 Assembly elections.
C)DEATHS
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PLACES IN NEWS
Worlds Largest and Tallest Indian Flag Unfurled In Faridabad
Worlds largest and tallest Indian national flag was unfurled on 3 March 2015 at Town Park in
Faridabad, Haryana.It was unfurled by Bhartiya Janta Party President Amit Shah.The flag has
dimension of 96 feet by 64 feet and weighs 48 kilograms. Flag was hoisted at the height of 250
feet (75 meters). Thus, making it the worlds largest and the highest hoisted Indian flag in the
world.
ABBREVIATIONS
NABARD - National Bank for Agricultural and Rural Development
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BOOKS IN NEWS
The Modi Effect Authored by Lance Price
Book titled The Modi Effect: Inside Narendra Modis Campaign to Transform India written
by Lance Price, former media advisor to the then British Prime Minister Tony Blair.The book
was published in the month of March 2015 in India by Hachette. The book is based on the
authors interviews with the prime minister, his Cabinet colleagues like Piyush Goyal, Prakash
Javadekar and Smriti Irani and his team of advisers and analysts.
COMMITTEES
Ajay Shankar Committee Constituted To Review The Existing PPP Cell In Railway Board
The Ministry of Railways appointed Ajay Shankar committee on 25 March to review the
performance of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) cell functioning under the Railway
Board.Ajay Shankar is a former Secretary, Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion
(DIPP) under Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
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make a difference for the members of the global population who suffer from water related issues.
Its a day to prepare for how we manage water in the future.
2. Monetary Policy Framework Agreement with RBI, to keep inflation below 6%.
3. GDP growth in 2015-16, projected to be between 8 to 8.5%
4. The fiscal deficit targets are 3.9%, 3.5% and 3.0% in FY 2015-16,
2016-17 & 2017-18 respectively.
5. Direct Transfer of Benefits to be extended further with a view to increase
the number of beneficiaries from Rs.1 crore to Rs.10.3 crore.
6. Target of Rs.8.5 lakh crore of agricultural credit during the year 2015-16
7. Rs.5,300 crore to support micro-irrigation, watershed development and the
Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana.
8. Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojna to cover accidental death risk of
Rs.2 Lakh for a premium of just Rs.12 per year.
9. Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana to cover both natural and
accidental death risk of Rs.2 lakh at premium of Rs.330 per year for the age group
of 18-50.
10. 5 new Ultra Mega Power Projects, each of 4000 MW, in the Plug-and-Play mode.
11. Rs.1000 crores to the Nirbhaya Fund
12. Visas on arrival to be increased to 150 countries.
13. An IIT to be set up in Karnataka and Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad to be
upgraded in to a fullfledged IIT.
14. New All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) to be set up in J&K,
Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh and Assam. Another AIIMS like institutions
to be set up in Bihar.
15. A post graduate institute of Horticulture Research & Education is to be set up in
Amritsar.
16. 3 new National Institute of Pharmaceuticals Education and Research in
Maharashtra,
Rajasthan & Chattisgarh and one institute of Science and Education Research
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implemented.
>Domestic transfer pricing threshold limit increased from Rs.5 crore to Rs.20 crore.
>Excise duty on footwear with leather uppers and having retail price of more than Rs.1000
per pair reduced to 6%.
>Education cess and the Secondary and Higher education cess to be subsumed in
Central
Excise
Duty.
>Time limit for taking CENVAT credit on inputs and input services increased from
6
months
to
1
year.
>Service-tax plus education cesses increased from 12.36% to 14% to facilitate
transition to GST. >Online central excise and service tax registration to be done in
two working days.
>100% deduction for contributions, other than by way of CSR contribution, to
Swachh Bharat Kosh and Clean Ganga Fund.
>Clean energy cess increased from Rs.100 to Rs.200 per metric tonne of coal,
etc. to finance clean environment initiatives.
Benefits to middle class tax-payers:
>Limit of deduction of health insurance premium increased from Rs.15000 to
Rs.25000, for senior citizens limit increased from Rs.20000 to Rs.30000
>Senior citizens above the age of 80 years, who are not covered by health
insurance, to be allowed deduction of Rs.30000 towards medical expenditures.
>Deduction limit of Rs.60000 with respect to specified decease of serious
nature enhanced to Rs.80000 in case of senior citizen.
>Additional deduction of Rs.25000 allowed for differently abled persons.
>Limit on deduction on account of contribution to a pension fund and the new
pension scheme increased from Rs.1 lakh to Rs.1.5 lakh.
>Additional deduction of Rs.50000 for contribution to the new pension scheme u/s 80CCD.
>Payments to the beneficiaries including interest payment on deposit in
Sukanya Samriddhi scheme to be fully exempt.
>Service-tax exemption on Varishtha Bima Yojana.
>Yoga to be included within the ambit of charitable purpose under Section 2(15) of
the
Income-tax
Act.
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Page 33
Defence:
>Rs.2,46,726 crore allocated for Defence. It is 9.87 per cent greater than last year.
>Make in India campaign will take into consideration for speedy
manufacturing of Defence equipments.
No new trains.
Social service obligation rose from 9.4% of Gross Traffic Receipts in 200001 to 16.6% in
2010-11.
Nation wise helplines to be installed. Toll free number -182 (It will be active
from 01-03-2015).
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Date
12th January
15th January
24th January
25th January
30th January
4th February
28th February
8th March
9th March
Day
National Youth Day ( Birthday of Swami Vivekanand)
Army Day
National Girl Child Day
National Tourism Day/ voters Day
National Martyrs Day & World anti Leprosy Day
World Cancer Day
National Science Day
International Womens Day
World Kidney Day (celebrated on 2nd Thursday of
15th March
20th March
21st March
22nd March
23rd March
24th March
2nd April
7th April
21st April
22nd April
24th April
1st May
3rd May
11th May
21st May
31st May
5th June
1st July
11th July
6th August
9th August
12th August
29th August
5th September
8th September
14th September
15th September
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37.
38.
39.
40.
41.
42.
43.
44.
45.
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.
51.
52.
Vajpai)
53.
16th September
2nd October
8th October
9th October
24th October
17th November
18th November
19th November
27th November
1st December
4th December
10th December
14th December
22nd December
24th December
25th December
Ozone Day
International non-violence Day
Air force Day
World Post Day
United nation Day
Students Day
Adults Day
Citizen Day
National Law Day
AIDS Day
Navy Day
Human Rights Day
National Energy Conservation Day
National Mathematics Day
National Consumer Rights Day
Good Governance Day (Birthday of Atal Bihari
21st June
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