CurrentAffairsFebruary2016

Month February2016

Type All

448CurrentAffairswerefoundinMonthFebruary2016forTypeAll

Appointments

1. ActressKajolhasbeenappointedasparttimememberofPrasarBharatiboard.
2. AirvicemarshalRDMathurpromotedtorankofAirmarshalofIndianAirForce.
3. AlbertPahimiPadackeisappointedasnewprimeminsterofChad(CentralAfrica).
4. AlokVermawillbeappointedasnewDelhiPoliceCommissioner.
5. ArunaSethiappointedasheadofIndianCostAccountsService(ICoAS).Sheisfirstladyofficertothispost.
6. AshokChawlaisAppointedAsNewChairmanofTERI(TheEnergyandResourcesInstitute).PreviousDGR.K.Pachauriis
appointedExecutiveViceChairman.
7. AshwiniNangiaappointedasDirectorofCSIRNationalChemicalLaboratory,Pune.
8. AtulKumarJainappointedasChiefofEasternNavalCommandandBimalVermaappointedasChiefofAndamanandNicobar
NavalCommand.
9. ChristineLagardefromFrancehasbeenappointedasManagingDirector(MD)oftheInternationalMonetaryFundforsecond
fiveyearterm.
10. DJPandianisappointedasvicepresidentandchiefinvestmentofficer(CIO)ofBeijingbasedAsianInfrastructureInvestment
Bank.
11. DattaPadsalgikarappointedasCommissionerofMumbaiPolice.
12. DavinderSinghhasbeennamedasViceChairmanofInternationalChamberofCommerceCommission(ICC)onCorporate
ResponsibilityandAnticorruption.
13. DevarajaReddyiselectedasPresidentofInstituteofCharteredAccountantsofIndia(ICAI)for1year.
14. DhirendraHiralalWaghelaappointedasChiefJusticeofBombayHighCourt.
15. DiageocontrolledUnitedSpiritsUSL)appointmedMKSharmaaschairman,afterVijayMallyaresignedfromthepost.
16. DineshMaheshwarisworninaschiefjusticeofMeghalayaHighCourt.
17. DineshSharmaiselectedasChairpersonofInternationalFundforAgricultureDevelopment(IFAD)(ROME).
18. FaustinArchangeTouaderawon2016PresidentialelectionofCentralAfricanRepublic.
19. FormerComptrollerandAuditorGeneral(CAG)VinodRaiisappointedasfirstChairmanofBanksBoardBureau(BBB).
BBBwillconsisteminentprofessionalsfrompublicsectorbanks(PSBs)toreplaceAppointmentsBoardofGovernment.BBB
wasannouncedbyGovernmentinAugust2015aspartof7pointIndradhanushMissiontorevampPSBs.
20. FourIndianAmericanshavebeenselectedtotheprestigiousUSNationalAcademyofEngineering(NAE)AnilK.Jain,Arati
Prabhakar,GaneshThakurandKRSridhar.
21. GeneralJohnNicholsonisappointedascommanderofNATOforcesinAfghanistan.
22. GianniInfantinoofSwitzerlandhasbeenelectedasnewPresidentofFdrationInternationaledeFootballAssociation(FIFA),
globalgoverningbodyoffootball.
23. GovernmentannouncedPrimeMinistersShramAwards2014on54people
ShramRatnaNoAwardee
ShramBhushan9Awardees
ShramVir/ShramVeerangana19Awardees

ShramShree/ShramDevi26Awardees
24. GovernmentappointedJaiKumarGargasManagingDirector(MD)andChiefExecutiveOfficer(CEO)ofCorporationBank.
25. GovernmentappointedWorldBankswaterandsanitationspecialist,ParameshwaranIyerasSecretaryoftheDrinkingWater
andSanitationDepartment.HewilllookmoverSwachhBharatMissionfor2years.
26. GovernmentappointedformerChiefJusticeofIndiaHLDattuasnewChairmanofNationalHumanRightsCommission
(NHRC).
27. GovernmenthasappointedthreeInformationCommissionersinCentralInformationCommissionAmitavaBhattacharya,
BimalJulkaandDivyaPrakashSinha.
28. GurdeepSinghappointedChairmanandManagingDirectorofNTPC.
29. HLSamariyaisappointedasCentralProvidentFundCommissioner(CPFC)forthreemonths.
30. HashimThacielectedaspresidentofKosovo(SoutheasternEurope).
31. IndianOriginPersonVishalMehtaappointedPresidentofnewlyformedInternationalGrownDiamondAssociation(IGDA).
32. IndianlawyerAbhinavBhushanhasbeenappointedasregionaldirectorforSouthAsiainInternationalCourtofArbitration
underInternationalChamberofCommerce(ICC).
33. IndianoriginHarinderSidhuhasbeenappointedasAustralianHighCommissionertoIndia.
34. IndianoriginPersonDavinderSinghhasbeennamedasViceChairmanofInternationalChamberofCommerceCommission
(ICC)onCorporateResponsibilityandAnticorruption.
35. IndianoriginSikhAmarSinghappointedasPoliceCommissionerofMalaysiascapitalKualaLumpur.
36. IndianoriginpersonIsmailMahomedfromSouthAfricahasbeenhonoredbyKnightoftheOrderofArtsandLiteratureby
Franceforhislifelongdevotiontopromotionofarts.
37. JaiShankerMenonhasbeenappointedasHeadofMissionandForceCommanderoftheUnitedNationsDisengagement
ObserverForce(UNDOF).
38. JapaneseCarmakerNissanhasnamedIndiancricketerRohitSharmaastheirnewglobalambassador.
39. JayantMisraisappointedasDirectorGeneral(DG)ofDirectorateofRevenueIntelligence(DRI).
40. JayantMisraisappointedasDirectorGeneralofDirectorateofRevenueIntelligence.
41. JetAirwaysappointedRahulTanejaaschiefpeopleofficer.
42. KDurgaPrasadisappointedasDirectorGeneral(DG)ofCentralReservePoliceForce(CRPF).
43. KNVyasappointedasDirectorofBhabhaAtomicResearchCentre(BARC)forthreeyears.
44. KalikhoPulhasbeenappointedas9thChiefMinisterofArunachalPradesh.
45. MukeshAmbaniandSamPitrodahavebeenelectedtoNationalAcademyofEngineering(USA).
46. NewEnvoysAppointedSujanR.Chinoy(republicofMarshallIslands),KetanShukla(Botswana).
47. OdishaChiefMinisterNaveenPatnaikelectedaspresidentofBijuJanataDal(BJD)for7thconsecutiveterm.
48. R.K.VermaappointedasSecretaryinRailwayBoard.
49. RamayyagariSubhashReddyisappointedasChiefJusticeofGujaratHighCourt.
50. RamendraKumarandGurudasDasguptareelectedasPresidentandGeneralSecretaryrespectivelyoftheAllIndiaTradeUnion
Congress(AITUC).
51. RenanaJhabvalahasbeeninvitedtoserveasapanelistonaUNpanelonwomen'seconomicempowerment.
52. RiMyongSuAppointedNewMilitaryChiefOfNorthKorea.
53. SarojKumarJhaisappointedasSeniorDirectorforFragility,ConflictandViolenceGroupinWorldBank.
54. SriSrinivasanwillbecomefirstIndianAmericanJudgeofUSSupremeCourt.HewillreplaceJusticeAntoninScaliaafterhis
passingaway.
55. SubhroKamalMukherjeeappointedas28thChiefJusticeofHighCourtofKarnataka.
56. TamarHahn(Israel)hasbeenappointedasDirectorofUnitedNationsInformationCentre(UNIC).
57. UKSinhagotoneyearextensionaschiefofIndia'scapitalandcommoditiesmarketregulatorSEBI(SecuritiesandExchange
BoardofIndia).
58. UNDPBangladeshappointedCricketODIandT20CaptainMashrafeBinMortazaasUnitedNationsDevelopment
Programmes(UNDP)nationalgoodwillambassadorforyouth.
59. UdaiKumarappointedasManagingDirector(MD)andChiefExecutiveOfficer(CEO)ofMetropolitanStockExchangeofIndia
(MSEI).
60. VilasA.TonapiisappointedasDirectorofIndianInstituteofMilletsResearch(IIMR).
61. VinayKumarSinghappointedasManagingDirectorofNationalCapitalRegionTransportCorporation(NCRTC).

62. VineetSaranisappointedasChiefJusticeofOrissaHighCourt.
63. WestBengalFinanceMinisterAmitMitraappointedasChairmanofEmpoweredCommitteeofStateFinanceMinistersonGoods
andServicesTax(GST).
64. WrestlingFederationofIndia(WFI)chiefBrijbhushanSharanSinghisappointedaspresidentofSouthAsianWrestling
Federation(SAWF).
65. YogeshTyagiisappointedasViceChancellorofDelhiUniversity(DU).
66. YoichiroUenoappointedasPresidentandChiefExecutiveOfficer(CEO)ofHondaCarsIndia.
67. eCommerceFlipkartappointedNitinSethasitsChiefPeopleOfficer.
Top

Awards

1. 2016UNESCOMedals
Name

Country

Contribution

Isamu
Akasaki

Japan

Createdthebluelight
emittingdiodes,which
resultedinthediscoveryof
whitelightsourcesfor
illumination.

LeiJiang China

Designedandfabricatedthe
bioinspiredsurfaceswith
specificwettability.

Philippe
Pernod

Workedonactive
nanostructuredmagneticand
multiferroicfilms,Micro
MagnetoElectroMechanical
Systemsandtheir
applications,andmultistable
nanostructures.

France

Nicholas USA
Kotov

Workedonbiometricself
organizationofNano
colloids,ultrastrong
nanocomposites,tissue
engineeringwith
nanomaterials,and
nanoscaledrugs.

Gennady Russia
Krasnikov

Forhiseffortstobroadenthe
useofnanotechnologiesin
manufacturingindustries

Igor
Russia
Ashurbeyli

Forhisworkinthefieldof
thedevelopmentofnew
generationmicroelectronic
devices,informationsystems
andtechnologies.

Mikhail
Dubina

Russia

Forhisworkinresearchand
developmentofnewmedical
technologiesbasedontheuse
ofnanostructuresinthe
earlieronlinediagnosticsas
wellasthecreationofnew
nanobiotechnologicaldevices
thatcouldinfluencethe
bioprocessesinthehuman
body.


Forherworkontheapplicationof
nanotechnologiesinaesthetic
Natalya
Mikhaylova

Russia

medicine,inthefieldsof
cosmetology,polysaccharide
development,cancertherapy,
reconstructiveandplasticsurgery.

2. 58thAnnualGrammyAwardsbyRecordingAcademy
Bestalbumoftheyear1989(TaylorSwift)
BestrecordoftheyearUptownFunk(MarkRonsonfeaturingBrunoMars)
BestsongoftheyearThinkingOutLoudEdSheeran&AmyWadge
BestnewartistMeghanTrainor
ChildrensAlbumHome(TimKubart)
BestPopsoloperformanceThinkingOutLoud(EdSheeran)
BestPopDuo/GroupPerformanceUptownFunk(MarkRonsonfeaturingBrunoMars)
BestMusicFilmIndoBritishfilmmakerAsifKapadia(Amy).
3. 6IndianOriginPersonswonPresidentialEarlyCareerAwardsforScientistsandEngineers(PECASE)byUSAGovernment.
WinnersareShwetakPatel,RahulMangharam,SachinPatel,MilindKulkarni,VikramShyamandKiranMusunuru.
4. 66thBerlinInternationalFilmFestival(AmericanactressMerylStreepwasPresidentofJury)
GoldenBearItaliandocumentaryfilmFuocoammare(FireatSea)directedbyGianfrancoRosi
HonoraryGoldenBearMichaelBallhaus
SilverBear(bestdirector)MiaHansenLve(France)forThingstoCome
SilverBear(BestActress)TrineDyrholm(Denmark)forTheCommune
SilverBear(BestActor)MajdMastoura(Tunisia)forHedi
SilverBear(BestScript)TomaszWasilewskiforUnitedStatesofLove
CrystalBear(bestshortfilm)EliniciodeFabrizioforArgentinianfilmFabriziosInitiation
MalayalamfilmOttal(TheTrap)wonbestfeaturelengthandbestshortfilmsinchildrenscategory
5. 69thBritishAcademyofFilmandTelevisionArts(BAFTA)Awards
BestFilmTheRevenant
OutstandingBritishFilmBrooklyn
BestDirectorAlejandroG.Inarritu(TheRevenant)
BestActorLeonardoDiCaprio(TheRevenant)
BestActressBrieLarson(Room)
BestSupportingActorMarkRylance(BridgeofSpies)
BestSupportingActressKateWinslet(SteveJobs)
BestOriginalMusicEnnioMorricone(TheHatefulEight)
BestVisualEffectsStarWars:TheForceAwakens
BestAnimatedFilmInsideOut
BestDocumentaryAmy
6. 88thAcademyAwards(Oscars)
BestPictureSpotlight.
BestActorLeonardoDiCaprio(TheRevenant).
BestActressBrieLarson(Room).
BestSupportingActorMarkRylance(BridgeofSpies).
BestSupportingActressAliciaVikander(TheDanishGirl).
BestDirectorAlejandroG.Irritu(TheRevenant).
BestOriginalSong:WritingsontheWall(Spectre).
BestOriginalScore:TheHatefulEight(EnnioMorricone).
BestForeignLanguageFilm:SonofSaul(Hungary).
BestDocumentaryFeature:BestDocumentaryShortSubject:AGirlintheRiver:ThePriceofForgiveness.
BestAnimatedFeatureFilm:InsideOut.
BestAnimatedShortFilm:BearStory.
Mostawards:MadMax:FuryRoad(6Awards)followedbyTheRevenant(3)andSpotlight(2).

Mostnominationsin88thAcademyAwards:TheRevenant(12),MadMax:FuryRoad(10)andTheMartian(7)
OtherAwards
BestMakeupandHairstyling:LesleyVanderwalt,Elka(MadMax:FuryRoad).
BestCostumeDesign:JennyBeavan(MadMax:FuryRoad).
BestVisualEffects:MarkWilliamsArdington,SaraBennett,PaulNorrisandAndrewWhitehurst(ExMachina).
BestEditing:MargaretSixel(MadMax:FuryRoad).
BestCinematography:EmmanuelLubezki(TheRevenant).
BestProductionDesign:ColinGibsonandLisaThompson(MadMax:FuryRoad).
BestOriginalScreenplay:TomMcCarthy(Spotlight).
BestAdaptedScreenplay:AdamMcKay(TheBigShort).
BestSoundEditing:MarkA.ManginiandDavidWhite(MadMax:FuryRoad).
BestSoundMixing:ChrisJenkins,GreggRudloffandBenOsmo(MadMax:FuryRoad).
7. Nagalandischanging,ButfilmdirectedbyGurmeetSapalhaswonGoldenBeaverBestFilmAwardininstitutionalcategory
andtechnicalexcellenceawardforbestsounddesignat6thNationalScienceFilmFestivalinMumbai.
8. ActorAmitabhBachchanishonouredwithlifetimeachievementatNDTVIndianoftheYear2015awards.
9. AmericanpublishingcompanyTimeannouncedwinnersofinauguralTIMEIndiaawards
BestinclassmanufacturingTataSteel
ManufacturinginnovatoroftheyearHeroMotoCorp
YoungmakeroftheyearYogeshandRajeshAgrawalofAjantaPharmaLimited
10. BollywoodactressVidyaBalanhasbeenawardedwithPrideofKeralaAwardbyWorldMalayaleeCouncilandKairaliTV.
11. ChemicalscientistGoverdhanMehtahasbeenconferredwithGermanysprestigiousCrossoftheOrderofMerit
(Bundesverdienstkreuz)Award.
12. DepartmentofIndustrialPolicy&Promotion(DIPP)andQualcommVenturesannouncedQPrizeMakeinIndiacontestofUS$
350,000(Rs2Crore)inequityinvestmentasprizemoneyforwinningcompany.GoalistocatalyzeIndianentrepreneursandstart
upcommunity.
13. DirectorsGuildofAmerica(DGA)awards
FeaturefilmAlejandroGonzalez(TheRevenant)
DramaseriesDavidNutter(MothersMercy)
ComedyseriesChrisAddison(ElectionNight)
ChildrensawardKennyOrtega(Descendants)
14. EasternCommandHospital,KolkataawardedwithBestServiceHospitalinArmedForcesMedicalServices(AFMS).
15. FashiondesignerManishAroraawardedwithChevalierdelaLegiondHonneur(KnightoftheLegionofHonour),France's
highestcivilianhonour.
16. FormerDRDODirectorGeneral(DG)AvinashChanderisawardedprestigiousAryabhataAwardofAstronauticalSocietyof
India.HewaschiefarchitectofAgniseriesofballisticmissilesandisknownasAgnimanofIndia.
17. HyderabadbasedGVKBiosciencesawardedGlobalCSRExcellence&LeadershipAwardincategoryofBestEnvironment
FriendlyProjectforitsGoGreen,GrowGreenplantationdrive.
18. IndiaconferredhonoraryGeneraloftheIndianArmyranktoNepaleseArmyChiefGeneralRajendraChettri.
19. India'sRobinChaurasiya,whorunsanotforprofitschoolinMumbaiforgirlshasbeennamedintop10shortlistedfor$1
MillionGlobalTeacherPrize2016.
20. India'sYesBankawardedwithinauguralGreenBondPioneerAwardinUnitedKingdomforitseffortsinGreenBondsmarket
includingissuanceofIndia'sfirsteverGreenInfrastructureBonds.
21. InternationalFederationofthePhonographicIndustry(IFPI)namedAdeleasGlobalRecordingArtistof2015acrossallmusic
formats.
22. KanuBehldirectedTitliwonBestFirstForeignFilmAwardinFrenchSyndicateofCinemaCritics2016(FSCC).
23. KarnatakaBankwonIBABankingTechnologyAwardincategoryofBestRiskandFraudManagementInitiativeRunnerUp.
24. Karnataka'sflagshipmobileonegovernanceapplicationwongoldmedalatfourthWorldGovernmentSummitinDubai(UAE)in
mgovernancecategory.
25. Kerala'staxicabservice'SheTaxi',country'sfirst24x7taxinetworkbywomenforwomen,haswonChiefMinister'sAwardfor
InnovationinPublicPolicy2014in'developmentalinterventions'category.
26. Lupin'sCEOVinitaGuptaandMDNileshGuptahavebeenchosenforEYEntrepreneurOfYear2015.

TheywillnowrepresentIndiaatEYWorldEntrepreneurofYearAward(WEOY)inMonteCarloinJune2016.
JuryledbyAdiGodrejselectedthewinners.
F.C.Kohli,formerViceChairmanofTataConsultancyServices(TCS)ishonoredwithLifetimeAchievementAward.
27. MalayalamactressGeetuMohandaswon2016GlobalFilmmakingawardatSundanceFilmFestival2016forscriptofher
upcomingfilmInshaAllah.
28. ManipuridocumentaryfilmPhumShangwonGoldenConchAwardforbestdocumentaryat14thMumbaiInternational
FilmFestival(MIFF)2016.
29. NotedDirectorSanjayLeelaBhansaliandactorRanveerSinghhavebeenchosenfor2016PanditDinanathMangeshkarAward.
30. PopularlyricistSameerAnjaanincudedintoGuinnessBookofWorldRecordsforwritingmostnumberofBollywoodsongs.He
wrote3,524songsfor650Bollywoodmovies.
31. RenownedIndologistProfessorDavidShulmanwonprestigiousIsraelPrizeforReligiousStudiesforhisresearchintoliterature
andcultureofsouthernIndia.
32. RewatiChetrifromIndiawonMissAsia(BestinAsiaContinent)at2016WorldMissUniversitypageantinBeijing(China).
33. SarangimaestroPanditRamNarayanischosenforprestigiousPanditBhimsenJoshiClassicalMusicAwardfor20152016.
34. ScriptwriterSagarSarhaditobehonouredwithLifetimeAchievementAwardat2ndInternationalFilmFestivalofPrayag(IFFP).
35. SounddesignerResulPookuttywonprestigiousAmericanMotionPictureSoundEditors(MPSE)GoldenReelAwardfor
documentaryIndiasDaughter,directedbyLesleeUdwinandbasedonDelhigangrapeincidentofDecember2012.
36. TamilfilmKanavuVariyamwon2016RemiAwardinUnitedStates.IthasbeendirectedandproducedbyArunChidambaram
andKarthikChidambaram.
37. Thailand'sPrincessMahaChakriSirindhornhasbeenconferredwithfirstworldSanskritAward.
38. WarrenRichardson(Australia)WonWorldPressPhotoof2015.
Top

Books

1. BookAKingdomForHisLove,writtenbyVaniMaheshandShinieAntonyhasbeenlaunched.
2. CricketLegendSachinTendulkarsautobiographyPlayingItMyWayenteredLimcaBookofRecordswith1,50,289copies
sold.
3. SecondeditionofLawandSportsinIndiaDevelopment,IssuesandChallengeswrittenbyMukulMudgalandVidushpat
Singhanialaunched.
Top

Committees

1. CommitteeunderAjayShankasubmitteditsreporttoDIPP(DepartmentOfIndustrialPolicy&Promotion)forexamining
PossibilityofReplacingMultiplePriorPermissionswithPreExistingRegulatoryMechanism.
2. DraftNationalWildlifeActionPlan(20172031)preparedbyCommitteeunderJCKalahasbeenreleased.Committeewas
constitutedbyMoEF(MinistryofEnvironmentandForests)toreviewimplementationofNationalWildlifeActionPlan(2002
2016)andtosuggestanewPlanofActionforWildlifeConservation.
3. GovernmentsetupcommitteeheadedbyUnionMinisterM.VenkaiahNaidutolookintodemandofJatsforreservationin
centralgovernmentjobs.
4. MaharashtraEconomicDevelopmentCouncilformedDeepakNaikcommitteetoworktowardsrevivingriverGodavari.
5. MinistryofRoadTransportandHighwaysformedEmpoweredGroupofStateTransportMinisterstosuggestmeasurestoboost
transportsector,improvepublictransportandminimiseroadaccidents.ItwillbeheadedbyYunusKhan,thePWDandTransport
MinisterofRajasthan.
6. SupremeCourtappointedacommitteeunderformerChiefJusticeRMLodhatosellassetsofPearlsAgrotechCorporationLtd
(PACL)andrefund49thousandcrorerupeestoinvestors.
Top

Days

1. 10FebruaryNationalDewormingDay.GovernmentlaunchedNationalDewormingInitiativeonthisoccasion,tobenefitover
27crorechildren.

2. 13FebruaryWorldRadioDay.Themefor2016isRadioinTimesofEmergencyandDisaster.InternationalRadioFair2016
heldatBhubaneswar(Odisha)onthisoccasion.
3. 2FebruaryWorldWetlandDay.Themefor2016isWetlandsforourFutureSustainableLivelihoods.
4. 24FebCentralExciseDay.
5. 4FebruaryWorldCancerDay(WCD).Themefor2016isWecan.Ican.
6. 6FebruaryInternationalDayofZeroTolerancetoFemaleGenitalMutilation.
7. February20WorldDayofSocialJustice.
8. February28NationalScienceDay.Themefor2016isScientificIssuesforDevelopmentoftheNation.Itmarksdiscoveryof
RamanEffectbyIndianphysicistChandrasekharaVenkataRaman(CVRaman)onFebruary28,1928.Thisdiscoverywas
awardedwiththeNobelPrizeinPhysicsin1930.
9. InternationalMotherLanguageDay.Themefor2016isQualityeducation,language(s)ofinstructionandlearningoutcomes.
10. UttarPradeshGovernmentwillcelebrateStateTourismdayannuallyonFebruary14tohighlightitstourismpotential.
Top

Defence

1. 4thIndiaMyanmarCoordinatedPatrol(IMCOR)heldinAndamanSeaalongInternationalMaritimeBoundaryLine(IMBL).
2. AsperreportbyStockholmInternationalPeaceResearchInstitute(SIPRI),Indiaremainsworldslargestarmsimporter,
accountingfor14%ofglobalarmsimportsin20112015.
LargestImportersIndia(14%),China(4.7%),Australia(3.6%),Pakistan(3.3%),Vietnam(2.9%)andSouthKorea(2.6%).
Indiahasspentover120billiondollarsonarmsacquisitionsoverthelast15years.
UnitedStatesislargestexporter,followedbyRussiaandChina.
3. FifthIBSAMAR2016trilateralnavalexercisebetweenBrazil,IndiaandSouthAfricastartedinGoa.
4. Hurun(Shanghaibased)reportonBillionairesacrosstheworld
BeijingisnewBillionaireCapital,withnow100billionaireslivinginBeijing(China).Itleftnewyorkbehindwhichhas95
Billionaires.Moscowthird(66billionaires).
Indianowhastotal111BillionaireswithMukeshAmbani($26Billion)andSubPharma'sDilipSinghvi($18Billion)being
toptwo.CumulativeIndianbillionaireswealthis$308billion.
Globally,99newbillionairesaddedin2016totaketotalbillionairesto2,188.
5. IndiaandChinaheldtheirfirstjointtacticalexercise(SinoIndiaCooperation2016)inJammu&Kashmir.
6. Indiawillparticipatein2016CobraGoldexercise(annualThaiU.Sjointandmultinationalmilitaryexercise).
7. India'sfirstindigenouslybuiltnucleararmedsubmarineINSArihantsuccessfullypassedseveraldeepseatestsandbecame
readyforformalinductionintoIndianNavy.
8. India'sfirstindigenouslydevelopedlightestrevolver(gun)Nidarweighing250gramshasbeensuccessfullylaunched.Ithasbeen
manufacturedbyRifleFactoryIshapore(WestBengal).
9. IndianOilCorporations(IOCs)newrefineryatParadip(Odisha)hasbeenstarted.ItisIOCs11threfineryandhascapacityof15
millionmetrictonnesperannum(MMTPA),Builtatcostof34,555crores.
10. IndoNepalBattalionLevelCombinedExerciseSuryaKiranIXheld.
11. InternationalFleetReview(IFR)2016,internationalNavyexercisehostedbyIndianNavyinauguratedinVisakhapatnam
(AndhraPradesh).ThemeofIFR2016isUnitedthroughOceans.Navalshipsfrom50countriestoparticipateinevent.
12. LAMITYE2016,the7thJointMilitaryTrainingExercisebetweenIndianandSeychellesPeoplesDefenceForcesconductedat
inSeychelles.
13. RajendraSinghisappointedasDirectorGeneral(DG)ofCoastGuard.
14. RoyalNavyofUnitedKingdom(UK)willofficiallystudyIndia'sHugehumanitarianrescueoperationinYemenin2015.
15. SaudiArabialaunchedNorthThunderatKingHaledMilitaryCity(KKMC)with20countriesfromArab,Islamicandfriendly
countries.AimofthismilitaryExerciseistopreservepeaceandstabilityinregionandworld.
16. TataMotors,BharatForgeandUSAbasedGeneralDynamicstiedupfordefensebidunderFutureInfantryCombatVehicle
programme.FICVinvolvesdevelopmentofcompactcombatvehiclesforIndianArmywithcostapprox10billionUSD,knownas
Indiaslargestindigenousdefenseprogram.
17. Wworld'soldestaircraftcarrier,INSViraatwillbeconvertedintoaluxuryhoteltoattracttouristsonceitisdecommissioned
fromIndianNavyserviceinJune2016.
Top

Economy

1. EconomicSurvey201516
GDPGrowthGrowthrateofGDPatconstantmarketpriceswillincreaseto7.6%in201516from7.2%in201415.Real
GDPgrowthfor201516isexpectedtobe7%to7.75%.
GDPComponentsServicesSector66.1%.Industryandfagriculturesectoraccountofremaining34%withbagricuture
sectorbeing1113%.
Services9.2%(201516),10.3%(201415),7.8%(201314)
IndiashowedfastestservicesectorgrowthwithaCAGR(CompoundAnnualGrowthRate)of8.6%followedby
Chinaat8.4%.
Industry7.3%(201516),5.9%(201415),7.3%(201314)
Industrialsectorbroadlycomprisingmining,manufacturingandelectricityattained3.1%growthduringApril
December201516ascomparedto2.6%during201415.
Agricuture1.1%(201516),.2%(201415),4.2%(201314)
Over122lakhtoiletsconstructedinruralareassincebeginningofSwachhBharatMission(Gramin)forimprovingsanitation
inruralIndia.
India'sIntendedNationallyDeterminedContribution(INDC)goalsforrenewableenergysectoraimofachieving60GWof
windpowerand100GWsofsolarpowerinstalledby2022.
Industrialsectorperformedwellandgrowthisexpectedtostrengthento7.3%for201516.Withinindustrialsector,
manufacturingtoregisteragrowthof9.55.
JAMTrinityJandhan,Aadhaar,MobilecanhelpinimplementinglargescaleDirectBenefitTransfers(DBTs)toimprove
economiclivesofIndiaspoor.FirstvarietyofJAMPAHALschemeoftransferringLPGsubsidiesviaDBThasreduced
leakagesby24percent.JAMhasthreeComponentsIdentificationorFirstMile(Identificationofbeneficiaries),Transfer
orMiddleMile(Transferoffundtobeneficiaries)andAccessorLastMile(Accessoffundbybeneficiaries)
Agriculture
Indiaranksfirstinmilkproductionwith18.5%ofworldproductionwithmilkproductiongrowthrateof6.26%.
Percentageshareofhorticultureoutputinagricultureisover33%
Shareofplanoutlayforhorticulture,whichwas3.9%during9thPlan,hasincreasedto4.6%during12thPlan.
LabourForce
Proportionofeconomicallyactivepopulation(1559years)increasedfrom57.7to63.3%during1991to2013.
Employmentgrowthinorganizedsectorincreasedby2%in2012over2011
AsperFourthAnnualEmploymentUnemploymentSurveybyLabourBureau,UnemploymentRateis4.7%inrural
areasand5.5%inurbanareaswhiletotalunemploymentratereportedis4.9%.LabourForceParticipationRate
(LFPR)is52.5%.
UnderMahatmaGandhiNationalRuralEmploymentGuaranteeScheme,3.63crorehouseholdsWereprovided
employmentof134.96crorepersondaysduringCurrentYear.
HumanCapital
ExpenditureonSocialServicesincludingEducation,Health,SocialSecurityetcwas7%ofGDPin201415whileitwas
6.5%during201314.Inthis,19.5%wasspentonHealth.
ClimateChange
IndiahassecondhighestnumberofprojectsregisteredunderCDMofUNFCCC,with1593outof7685projects.
NationalAdaptationFundforClimateChange(NAFCC)hasbeenestablishedwithcostof350crorefor201516and
201617
FoodSecurity
Accordingto66thNationalSampleSurvey(200910)averagedietaryenergyintakeperpersonperdaywas2147Kcal
forruraland2123KcalforurbanIndia
Indiahassecondhighestnumberofundernourishedpeople(19.4crore)
TotalFoodgrainsProductionstoodat253.16milliontonnesin201516,higherthan252.02MTin201415
Economy
Over20CrorebankaccountsopenedunderPradhanMantriJanDhanYojan(PMJDY)andworldslargestdirect
benefittransferprogrammeincaseofLPGwith15.1crorepeoplereceiving29000crore.

4RRecognition,Recapitalization,Resolution,andreformrequiredtoresolvetwinbalancesheetchallengeofPublic
SectorBanks(PSBs).
FiscalDeficittargetof3.9%for201516seemsachievable.
Totalexpenditurefor201516wasestimatedatRs.17.77lakhcrorewhichwas5.7%higherthanestimatesof201415.
Directtaxesgrewby10.7%inthefirst9monthsof201516whileindirecttaxeswerealsopleasing.
Aggregatecapitalexpenditureincreasedby0.6%in201516
DuringAprilNovember201516,FDIinflowswere34.8billionUSDascomparedto27.7billionUSDduringApril
November201415.FDIequityinflowsalsoincreasedfrom18.9billionUSDto24.8billionUSDinsameperiod.
Overallexportsdeclinedbyabout18%inthefirstthreequarters
Tradedeficitdeclinedto106.8billionUSDinAprilJanuary201516from119.6billionUSDincorrespondingperiodof
201415.Exportsremained217.7BillionUSD(17.6%decline)andimportsremained324.5billionUSD(15.5%decline).
India'sForexReservesStandat351.5BillionUSD.
BySeptember2015,Indiasexternaldebtwasinsafelimits,withlongtermdebtbeing82.2%.ExternaldebttoGDP
ratioof23.7%anddebtserviceratioof7.5%in201415.
Outofthe23statesandUTs,servicessectoraccountedfor87.5%ofDelhisGSDP,followedbyMaharashtraat63.8%.
ForeignTouruistArrivalsregisteredgrowthof10.2%and9.7%growthinForeignExchangeEarnings(FEE)in2014
15.
Governmentsplantochange77croreconventionalbulbsand3.5croreconventionalstreetlightswithLEDrange
wouldsaveRs45,500crorebyreducing21,500MWelectricitydemand
Numberoftechnologystartupsgrownby40%toover4,200,makingIndia3rdlargestbaseoftechnologystartupsin
theworld,creating80000jobsin2015.
CPI(ConsumerPriceIndexRemained)4.9%in201415whileWPI(WholesalePriceIndex)remained2.8%.
ITBPMsectortouchedshareof9.5%ofGDPandover45%intotalservicesexportin201516.
Power
During201415,electricitygenerationwas1048.4billionunits(BU),registeringgrowthof8.4%.201415hadhighest
everincreaseingenerationcapacityof26.5GWcomparedtoaverageannualadditionofaround19GWoverpast5
years.
3030MWofgridconnectedpowergenerationcapacityfromrenewableenergysourceslikesolarandwindadded
duringAprilDecember2015
Roads
UnderNationalHighwaysDevelopmentProject(NHDP),total26,177kmroadhasbeencompletedason31December
2015.
Civilaviation
Itwitnessedimprovementof20.4%indomestictrafficand7.8%ininternationaltrafficduringAprilNovember
201516.
2. UnionBudget201617FinanceMinisterArunJaitleypresentedUnionBudget201617inLokSabha.Itwassecondfullyear
BudgetofNDAgovernmentandThirdbudgetofArunJaitley.MainPointsare
Expenditures(Total1978060Crores)(9.02%

PlannedExpenditure550010Crores
NonPlannedExpenditure1428050Crores.
Receipts(Total1978060Crores)(9.02%

RevenueReceipts1377022Crores
TaxRevenue1054101CroreRupees
NonTaxRevenue322921CroreRupees
CapitalReceipts601038CroreRupees(RecoveriesofLoans+OtherReceipts+Borrowingsandotherliabilities)
RevenueDeficit354015(2.3%ofGDP),Definition(RevenueExpenditureRevenueReceipts)
FiscalDeficit533904CroreRupees(3.5%ofGDP),Definition(TotalExpenditure(RevenueReceipts+Recoveriesof
Loans+OtherReceipts))
PrimaryDeficit41234CroreRupees(.3%ofGDP),Definition(FiscalDeficitInterestPayments)
CapitalGiventoStates937735Crores(11%
GovernmentEarningandExpenditureStructure

Earning(EveryOneRupeeearnedbygovernment)
21PaiseBorrowings&Otherliabilities
19PaiseCorporationtax
14PaiseIncometax
13PaiseNontaxRevenue
12PaiseUnionExciseDuties
9PaiseCustoms
9PaiseServicetax&othertaxes
3PaiseNondebtCapitalreceipts
Expenditure(EveryOneRupeeSpentbygovernment)
23PaiseStates'shareoftaxes&duties
19PaiseInterestPayments
12PaiseCentralPlan
12PaiseOtherNonPlanExpenditure
10PaiseSubsidies
10PaiseDefence
9PaisePlanAssistancetoState&UT
5PaiseNonPlanAssistancetoState&UTGovts.
CentralAssistanceforStateandUnionTerritoryPlans241900Crores(12%ofTotalExpenditure)
CentrallySponsoredSchemesAllocation226820Crores(11%ofTotalExpenditure)
CoreofCoreSchemes
MahatmaGandhiNationalRuralEmploymentGuaranteeScheme38500Crores
NationalSocialAssistanceProgramme9500Crores
SchemesforSC/ST/OBC/MinoritiesDevelopment8186Crores
CoreSchemes
NationalEducationMission28010Crores
PradhanMantriAwasYojna20075Crores
NationalHealthMission20037Crores
PradhanMantriGramSadakYojna19000Crores
IntegratedChildDevelopmentScheme16119Crores
GreenRevolution12980Crores(Krishonnati+RashtriyaKrishiVikasYojna)Crores
SwachhBharatAbhiyan11300Crores
MiddayMeal9700CroresCrores
UrbanRejuvenationMission(AMRUTandMissionforDevelopmentof100SmartCities)7295Crores
PradhanMantriKrishiSinchaiYojna5717CroresCrores.IrrigationprojectstogetRs86500overnextfive
years.
NationalRuralDrinkingWaterProgramme5000Crores
NationalLivelihoodMission3325Crores
PradhanMantriKaushalVikasYojana1700
RashtriyaSwasthaSurakshaYojna1500Crores
PrimeMinistersEmploymentGenerationProgramme1439
WhiteRevolution1274CroresCrores
BlueRevolution575CroresCrores
StardUpIndia.StandupIndia1100Crores
Subsidies250432Crores
DefenceExpenditure2.58lakhcrore(1.74%ofGDP)
Taxation
NoChangeinIncomeTaxSlabs.
ImposingaCess,calledKrishiKalyanCessof0.5%onalltaxableservices.Neweffectiveservicetaxwillbe15%.
Raisetaxrebateundersection87Afrom2000to5000forindividualswithincomeupto5lakhs.
Increaselimitofdeductionofrentpaidunder80GGfromRs24,000perannumtoRs60,000toproviderelieftothose

wholiveinrentedhouses.
IncreaseturnoverlimitunderPresumptivetaxationschemeto2croresasrelieftoalargenumberofassesseesin
MSMEcategory.
Servicetaxexemptionforconstructionofaffordablehousingupto60sq.mt.understateandcentralhousingschemes.
ExtendpresumptivetaxationschemetoprofessionalswithgrossreceiptuptoRs50lakhwithpresumptionofprofit
beinghalfofgrossreceipt.
100%deductionofprofitsfor3yearsforstartupssetupduringApril2016toMarch2019.
Rateofsecuritytransactiontaxinauctiontobeincreasedfrom0.17%to0.15%.
1%infrastructurecessonsmallLPGcars.
CleanenergycessforcoalatRs400pertonne(from200pertonne).
LimitedtaxcompliancewindowofferedfromJun1Sep30fordeclaringundisclosedincomeat45%including
surchargeandpenalties.Itincludes7.5%KrishiKalyanCess.
CommitmenttoimplementGeneralAntiAvoidanceRules(GAAR)from1.4.2017.
ExemptionofservicetaxonservicesprovidedunderDeenDayalUpadhyayGrameenKaushalyaYojanaandNiramaya
HealthInsuranceSchemelaunchedbyNationalTrustforWelfareofPersonswithAutism,CerebralPalsy,Mental
RetardationandMultipleDisability.
ForinvestorsreceivingdividendoverRs10lakhperannum,anadditinaltaxof10%ofdividendamountinadditionto
applicableDDT(DividendDistributionTax).
Surchargetoberaisedfrom12%to15%onpersonshavingincomeabove1crore.
NewDisputeResolutionSchemetobeintroduced.Nopenaltyinrespectofcaseswithdisputedtaxupto10lakh.Cases
withdisputedtaxover10lakhtobesubjectedto25%ofminimumofimposablepenalty.
Penaltyratestobe50%oftaxincaseofunderreportingofincomeand200%oftaxwherethereismisreportingoffacts.
13cesses,leviedbyvariousMinistriesinwhichrevenuecollectionislessthan`50croreinayeartobeabolished.
WhatWillbeCostlier
CigarettesExcisedutyincreasedby1015%
Brandedretailgarment6%exciseonpricemorethanRs.1,000.
CarsForcarsofover10Lakh,1%taxongasolineengines,2.5%taxondieseland4%taxonhighenginecapacity
andsportsutilityvehicles.
ImitationjewelleryBasiccustomsdutyincreasedfrom10%to15%.
Mobilephonesandaccessoriesexemptionfrombasiccustomsduty,CV(countervailing)dutyandSADisbeing
withdrawn.CVdutyisimposedat12.5%andSADat4%.
WhatwillbeCheaper
RefrigeratorsBasiccustomsdutyonrefrigeratedcontainersbeingreduced10%to5%andexcisedutyreduced
12.5%to6%.
SolarlampsExemptfromexcisedutyfrom12.5%earlier.
Perfumesanddeodorants
AgricultureandFarmers'Welfare
TotalAllocation35984Crores
PradhanMantriKrishiSinchaiYojanatocover28.5lakhhectares
LongTermIrrigationFundtobecreatedinNABARDwithinitialcorpusof20,000crores
Programmeforsustainablemanagementofgroundwaterresourceswithcostof6,000croretobeimplemented
through3multilateralfunding
Toreduceburdenofloanrepaymentonfarmers,15,000croresalottedtowardsinterestsubvention.
PrimeMinisterFasalBimaYojana5,500crore
850croredairyingprojectsPashudhanSanjivani,NakulSwasthyaPatra,EPashudhanHaatandNationalGenomic
Centreforindigenousbreeds
AimtodoubleFarmers'earningsin5years.
Agriculturecredittargetis9LakhCrorefor201617
RuralSector
2.87lakhcroreasAidtoGramPanchayatsandMunicipalitiesasperrecommendationsof14thFinanceCommission
Allocationforruralsector87,765crore

DistressedBlockstobetakednupunderDeenDayalAntyodayaMission
100%villageelectrificationby1stMay,2018.
NewschemeRashtriyaGramSwarajAbhiyanproposedwithallocationof655crore.
SocialSectorandHealthCare
Allocationforsocialsectorincludingeducationandhealthcare1,51,581crore.
2,000croreforprovidingLPGconnectionstoBPLfamilies.
NewhealthprotectionschemewillprovidehealthcoveruptoOnelakhperfamily.Forseniorcitizensanadditional
packageupto30,000willbeprovided.
3,000StoresunderPrimeMinistersJanAushadhiYojanawillbeopenedduring201617.
StandUpIndiaSchemetofacilitateatleast2projectsperbankbranch,tobenefitmin2.5lakhentrepreneurs.
Allocationof100croreeachforcelebratingBirthCentenaryofPanditDeenDayalUpadhyayand350thBirth
AnniversaryofGuruGobindSingh
Education,SkillsandJobCreation
62newNavodayaVidyalayaswillbeopened
HigherEducationFinancingAgencytobesetupwithinitialcapitalbaseof1000Crores
Governmentwillpay8.33%forofallnewemployeesenrollinginEPFOforfirst3yearsofemployment.Budget
provisionof1000croreforthisscheme.
1500MultiSkillTrainingInstitutestobesetup
1804Croresallotedforskilldevelopment.
HigherEducationFinancingAgency(HEFA)willbecreatedtoempowerHigherEducationalInstitutionssothatthey
becomeworldclass.Itwillbesetupaninitialcapitalbaseof1000crorerupees.
DigitalLiteracyMissionSchemetobelaunchedtospreaddigitalliteracyinruralIndia.Itisinadditiontoexisting
NationalDigitalLiteracyMissionandDigitalSakshartaAbhiyan(DISHA)andwillcover6crorehouseholdsbytheend
of201819.
TransportandInfrastructure
TotalinvestmentinroadsectorincludingPMGSYis97,000croreduring201617.Totaloutlayforinfrastructureis
2,21,246crore.
100%FDIthroughFIPBrouteinmarketingoffoodproductsmanufacturedinIndia.
Govtplanstorevive160airportseachtocostRs50100cr.
FinancialReforms
AmendmentsinSARFAESIAct2002(SecuritisationandReconstructionofFinancialAssetsandEnforcementof
SecurityInterest)toenablesponsorofanARC(AssetReconstructionCompany)toholdupto100%stakeinARCand
permitnoninstitutionalinvestorstoinvestinSecuritizationReceipts.
Allocationof25,000croreforrecapitalisationofPublicSectorBanks.
TargetofamountsanctionedunderPradhanMantriMudraYojanaincreasedto1,80,000crore.
GeneralInsuranceCompaniesownedbyGovernmenttobelistedinstockexchanges.
Imposetaxattimeofwithdrawalon60%ofcontributionsmadeafterApril1,2016,toEPFandotherschemes.At
present,socialsecurityschemesofEPFOaretaxfree.WithdrawalfromNPScorpusofupto40%atthetimeof
retirementhasbeenmadetaxexempt.
RaiseexemptionlimitfromRs1to1.5lakhforannualcontributioninsuperannuationfundandnonlevyontaxesupon
deathofanemployeeunderNPS.
100%deductionforprofitsofahousingprojectforflatsupto30sq.metresinfourmetrocitiesand60sq.metresin
othercities,approvedduringJune2016toMarch2019.
FirsttimehomebuyerswillgetadeductionofanadditionalinterestofRs50,000perannumforloanuptoRs35lakh,
during201617,providedthehousevaluedoesnotexceedRs50lakh.
EaseofDoingBusiness
BillforTargetedDeliveryofFinancialandOtherSubsidies,BenefitsandServicesbyusingtheAadharframeworktobe
introduced,itwillprovideAadhaaralegaltagforLargerRole.
PriceStabilisationFundwithof900crorestohelpmaintainstablepricesofPulses.
EkBharatShreshthaBharatprogrammetolinkStatesandDistrictsinanannualprogrammethatconnectspeople
throughexchangesinlanguage,trade,culture,travelandtourism.

3. AdityaBirlaNuvotiedupwithIdeaCellularforcreationofAdityaBirlaIdeaPaymentsBankLtd.
AspernormsbyRBI,paymentsbankcanacceptdepositsuptoRs1lakhfromcustomers,issueATManddebitcards,offer
paymentsandremittanceservices,andactasadistributorofsimplefinancialproductssuchasmutualfundsunitsand
insuranceproducts.Paymentsbankscannotgiveloans.
4. Asperrecords,NationalPensionSystemnowhas1.15croresubscribers,eachwithanaverageINR95,000ofassetsunder
management.
5. BSEInstitutelaunchedanewacceleratorforstartups?.Itwillfocusonscalable,technologystartupsandwillhelprecreatein
IndiathesuccessfulmodelofDigitalMediaZone(DMZ)Ryerson'sflagshipprogrammeinTorontowhichhasincubatedover150
startupssince2010.
6. BSEandInternationalFinanceCorporation(IFC)partneredtodevelopacorporategovernancescorecardthatseekstohelp
companiesassaytheircorporategovernanceperformancesagainstnationalorinternationalbenchmarkedpractices.
7. BharatHeavyElectricalsLtd(BHEL)commissioneda270MWgenerationunitatGoindwalSahibThermalPowerProjectof
privateproducerGVKPower&InfrainPunjab.
8. CabinetCommitteeonEconomicAffairs(CCEA)approvedRajasthanElectronicsandInstrumentsLimited(Jaipur)todelink
fromitsparentcompanyInstrumentationLimitedandturnintoanindependentCentralPublicSectorEnterprise(CPSE)under
DepartmentofHeavyIndustry.
9. CapitalmarketsregulatorSebihassetupataskforcetoreviewriskmanagementnormsfornationallevelcommodityExchanges.
10. CorporationBanksignedmemorandumofunderstanding(MoU)withUniversalSompoGeneralInsuranceCompanyfor
providingaccidentdeathcoveragetoitssavingsbankaccountholders.
11. EcommerceFirmAmazonlaunchedTatkal,aninitiativethatenablessmallandmediumbusinesses(SMBs)togoonlineandsell
productsonAmazon.Itoffersallsellingrelatedactivitiestobecompletedinabout60minutes.
12. FinanceMinistrylaunchedNonTaxReceiptPortal(NTRP)toelectronicallycollectnontaxreceiptsaspartofDigitalIndia
campaign.IthasbeendevelpedbyOfficeofControllerGeneralofAccountsandwillreducemanualworkinvolvedinnontax
revenues.
13. From01042016onwards,GovernmentannouncedtoresetInterestratesofsmallsavingssuchasKisanVikasPatra,National
SavingsCertificateandpostofficerecurringdepositschemeseveryquartertoalignitwithmarketrates.Itisexpectedtobeing
Interestratesonthesepopularschemes.
14. GovernmentannouncedthatLoansworthoverRs1lakhcrorehavebeensanctionedtosmallentrepreneursunderPradhan
MantriMUDRAYojana,inlinewithGovernment'svisionofturingyouthtobejobcreatorsandnotjobseekers.
15. Governmentcutsinterestratesonshorttermsmallsavingschemesbelowfiveyearsofmaturityby0.25%includingpostoffice
depositsandKisanVikasPatrastoaligninterestratesonsmallsavingswithmarketratesandhelpeconomymovetoloweroverall
interestrateregime.InterestrateonEmployeesProvidentFundalsohikedto8.8%from8.75%.
16. GovernmenthassetupTaxPolicyResearchUnit(UnderRevenueSecretary)andTaxPolicyCouncil(FinanceMinistry)tobring
consistencyinTaxPolicyasperTaxAdministrationReformCommission(TARC)recommendations.
Currently,HandlingofhandlingoftaxpolicyandrelatedlegislationisdonebyCBDTandCBEC,independentlyinTax
ResearchUnit(TRU)andTaxPolicyandLegislation(TPL)wings.
TAXPOLICYRESEARCHUNIT(TPRU)
ItwillCarryoutstudiesonvarioustopicsoffiscalandtaxpoliciesreferredtoitbyCBDTandCBECandwillprovide
independentanalysisonsuchtopics.
TAXPOLICYCOUNCIL
TheTaxPolicyCouncilwilllookatalltheresearchfindingscomingfromTaxPolicyResearch(TPRU)Unitandsuggest
broadpolicymeasuresfortaxation.
17. Governmentsold5%stakeinlargestpowerproducerNTPCtoraiseRs5,030croreGovernment'sHoldingwillnowcomedown
to69.96%(74.96%currently).
18. Governmentwilldistribute14croreSoilHealthcardbyMarch2017.Stepstakentoachievethetarget
FoundationstoneofAgricultureTechnologyApplicationResearchInstitutelaidinAssam,ArunachalPradeshandSikkim.
NewinstitutewillworkasthenodalagencyofallKrishiVigyanKendrasforthreestates.
19. GovernmentwillinfuseaboutRs.5,000crorecapitalinpublicsectorundertaking(PSU)banksinthecurrentfiscal(Fourth
Quarter)tostrengthentheirbalancesheet.
20. JharkhandgovernmentandAdaniGroupsignedaMemorandumofUnderstanding(MoU)forinvestmentof15000crorerupees
instatetosetupa1600MWcapacitythermalpowerplant.

21. KarnatakaGovernmentstartedInvestKarnataka2016toattractGlobalInvestors.CentralgovernmentannouncedtospendRs1
lakhcrorefordevelopmentofroadinfrastructureinKarnataka.
22. MakeinIndiaeventconcludedinMumbai(Maharashtra)
Weeklongeventsecuredinvestmentcommitmentsofover15lakhcrores.Maharashtraaloneaccountedfor8lakhcrore
rupeesinvestment.
102countriesrepresentedinexpowithover8lakhvisitors.
17Indianstatesand3countriesGermany,SwedenandPolandhadpavilionsinMakeinIndiaCentre.
23. ONGCapprovedinvestmentof5,050croreinTripuraforproducing5.1mmscmdgasfromstatesfields,aspartofMinistryof
PetroleumandNaturalGas'HydrocarbonVision2030.
24. OYORoomstiedupwithIndianRailwayCateringandTourismCorporation(IRCTC)toofferconvenientbookingplatformto
travellers.OYORoomswillpowerIRCTChotelbookingpage,offeringtheirinventoryandstandardisedamenitiestopassengers,
consistingapprox45,000roomsinover170cities.
25. PercapitaincomeofIndiaatcurrentpricesfor201516isRs.93,231,ascompatedtoRs86,879in201415.
26. PublicInvestmentBoard(PIB)cleared800croreporpsalforapaymentsbanktobestartedbyIndiaPost.
27. RailwayMinisterSureshPrabhupresentedRailwayBudget201617.ItwassecondrailwaybudgetforSureshPrabhuandthird
railbudgetofPMNarendraModi.Highlightsare
CapitalplanforBudgetisRs1.21lakhcrore.
Operatingratiokeptat92%FY17asagainst90%inFY16.
TargetistogeneraterevenuesofRs.1,84,820cr,10.1%higherthancurrentyear.
ThemeofBudgetChalo,MilkarKuchNayaKaren.ThreepillarsstrategyNavArjan,NavManakandNavSanrachna.
RailwayPlanstogenerate9croremandaysemploymentby201718and14croremandaysby201819.
RailwayTargetsTocommission2800kmofnewtracksin201617.
NonewhikeinpassengerfaresandFreightfares.
NewInitiativesForunreservedpassenger
AntyodayaExpresssuperfastunreservedservice.
DeenDayaluunreservedcoacheswithmorefacilities.
ForReservedPassengers
HumsafarTrainAirconditionedservicewithanoptionalserviceformeals.
TejasTrainItwilloperateatspeedsof130kmphandabovewithonboardservicessuchaslocalcuisine,
entertainment,WiFi,etc.
UDAY(UtkrishtDoubleDeckerAirconditionedYatri)ExpressDoubledeckerexpressonbusiestrouteswith
Potentialtoincreasecarryingcapacitybyalmost40%.
SMART(SpeciallyModifiedAestheticRefreshingTravel)Coachescoacheswithmoremodernfacilities.
CleanlinessSMSserviceCleanmyCoach,rankingofA1andArailwaystationsbasedonpassengerfeedback.
AwarenessWastesegregation,recyclingcentres,30,000biotoiletsetc.
WomenQuota33%subquotaforwomenwillbeprovidedunderallreservedcategories.
RailMitraSewaStrengtheningexistingservicesforenablingpassengerstobookbatteryoperatedcars,porterservices,etc.
ExpandingSarathiSevainKonkanRailwaytohelpdisabledandoldpassengers.
TicketingCapacityofeticketingsystemhasbeenenhancedfrom2000ticketsperminto7,200permin.Introducing1,780
ticketvendingmachines.
HighSpeedRailMumbaitoAhmedabadwillbeundertakenwithassistanceofJapan.
DevelopingRailsidelogisticsparksandwarehousinginPPPmode,TRANSLOC(TransportLogisticsCompanyofIndia)will
develop10goodsshedsin201617.
IndiasfirstrailautohubwillbeinauguratedinChennai.RailUniversitywillcomeatVadodara,Gujarat.
ProcessImprovementsFinalizationofEPCprojectsstandarddocumenttoimplementatleast20projectsin201617.In
future,endeavouringallworksvaluingaboveRs.300crorethroughEPCcontracts.
RailDevelopmentAuthorityItwillbeestablishedasstatutorybodytoenablefairpricingofrailwayservicesandpromote
competition,protectcustomerinterestsanddetermineefficiencystandards.
TourismRailwayswillpartnerwithStatesforoperatingtouristcircuittrains,promotionoftourismthroughUNESCOworld
heritageRailwaysandRailwaymuseums.
RailwaybudgetallocationforHimachalPradeshincreasedfrom255crorein201516to310crorein201617.

SettingupaR&DorganizationSRESTHA(SpecialRailwayEstablishmentforStrategicTechnology&Holistic
Advancement)fordrivinglongtermresearch.ItwillbeindependentfromResearchDesignandStandardsOrganisation
(RDSO)thattacklesdaytodayissues.
ASpecialUnitforTransportationResearchandAnalytics(SUTRA)wouldbesetupforcarryingoutdetailedanalytics
leadingtooptimizedinvestmentdecisionsandoperations.
AnInnovationCommitteewouldbesetupUnderRatanTataforseekingsolutionstoIndianRailwaysmostcriticalproblems
throughanInnovationChallenge.
LICtoinvestRs.1.5lakhcroreover5years.
Allunmannedlevelcrossingtobeeliminatedby2020.
28. RelianceGroupannouncedtoestablishDhirubhaiAmbaniCentreforInnovationandResearchinBengaluru.Thecentreis
expectedtogenerateover1,500highlyskilledjobsandsupportgovernmentsplanforindigenousdevelopmentofdefence
equipment.
29. RelianceInfrastructuresignedasharepurchaseagreementwithBirlaCorporationforsellingitscementassetstoBirlaCorpfor
Rs.4,800crore.
30. ReserveBankofIndia(RBI)cancelledcertificateofregistrationof26nonbankingfinancialcompanies(NBFCs)asperSection
45IA(6)ofReserveBankofIndiaAct,1934.
31. ReserveBankofIndia(RBI)hasdirectedbankstoaccelerateprovisioningrequirementfromApril12016forexistingstockof
restructuredstressedloans.
Bankshavetoincreaseprovisioningby2.5%everyquarterstartingApril1,2016sothatby2017.
Bankshaveprovidedonly5%forrestructuredloansonaccountsidentifiedbyRBI.However,banksarenotallowedto
classifytheseaccountsasnonperformingassets.
RBIhasgivenfourquartertobanksstartingApril1,2016tomakefullprovisioningforidentifiedaccounts.
32. RetirementfundbodyEPFO(EmployeesProvidentFundOrganisation)tightenednormsonwithdrawalofprovidentfundand
investmentinVarishthaPensionBimaYojanaforitsfivecroresubscribers
Aspernewnorms,subscriberswillnotbeabletoclaimwithdrawaloftheirprovidentfundafterattainingageof54years.
Earlier,EPFOallowedclaiming90%accumulationsinPFaccountatageof54years.NowEPFOmadeitmandatorytowait
tillageof57forclaimingPFfortransferringittotheInsuranceCorporationofIndiaforinvestmentinVarishthaPension
BimaYojana.
Now,NowsubscriberscandirectlyfiletheirclaimslikePFwithdrawalswithoutattestationofpresentorpreviousemployers.
33. SEBIapprovedIDBIBanktoraiseRs3,771crorethroughissueofsharestoqualifiedinstitutionalplayersa(QIP).Itwillreduce
government'sHoldinginIDBIBankby36.6%fromcurrently80.16%.
34. StateBankofIndia(SBI)launchedJapanDesksinglewindowforinboundJapaneseinvestmentsinIndiaandviceversa.Itis
firstinitiativethatseekstofacilitateJapanesecorporateslookingtoinvestinIndiawithbankingandadvisoryservices.
35. StateBankofIndialaunchedeSmartSME,aworkingcapitalloanofferingforsellersonecommerceplatforms.Withthis,sellers
canapplyforloanonlineonecommerceplatformandgetinstantsanctioning.
36. StateBankofIndiatiedupwithtravelrelatedfinancialservicescompanyThomasCooktoofferonlinecustomersarecurring
depositthathelpsthemsavetowardaninflationproofholiday.
37. TaxiaggregatorOlasignedagreementwithUttarPradeshgovernmenttocreateover50,000entrepreneurshipopportunities
acrossstate.
38. ToBoostProduction,CabinetCommitteeonEconomicAffairshikedMinimumSupportPrice(MSP)ofrawjutefrom2,700to
3,200rupeesperquintalfor201617.
39. WorldBankapproved35millionUSdollarsLoanforimprovingaccesstoselectedpublicservicesforstateofMadhyaPradesh.
40. YESBankannouncedtotieupwithSmartboxEcommerceSolutionsforsolvingchallengesrelatedtolastmiledeliveryfore
commercefirms.YesbankwillhelppowerpaymentsolutionsforSmartboxnetworkofAutomatedParcelDeliveryTerminals.
Cashondelivery(COD)modelaccountsforover50%ofecommercemarketwhichwillreachof100billionUSDby2020.
41. YESBankpartneredwithUltraCashTechnologiestolaunchpaymentsprocessingthroughsoundwaves.UltraCashutilisesa
patentpendingtechnologythroughwhichpaymentdataissecurelytransferredusinguniqueultrahighfrequencysoundwaves.
42. mRUPEE(SubsidiaryofTataTeleservices)tiedupwithIndianRailwayCateringandTourismCorporation(IRCTC)toprovide
additionalpaymentgatewayforusers.
Top

International

1. IndiasignedagreementtoacquirestatusofanAssociateMemberStateofEuropeanMolecularBiologyOrganisation(EMBO)to
strengthenscientificinteractionandcollaborativeresearchwithEurope.EMBOisanorganizationofleadingresearchersthat
promotesexcellenceinlifesciences.
2. 12PacificRimcountries(Singapore,Malaysia,Vietnam,BruneiDarussalam,Japan,Canada,UnitedStates,Mexico,Peru,
Chile,AustraliaandNewZealand)signedTransPacificPartnership(TPP)agreementinNewZealand.Itisoneofbiggesttrade
dealsever.
TPPisFreeTradeAreawith80crorepeopleand40%globaltrade.
TransPacificPartnership(TPP)AgreementObjectivesareLowertradebarrierssuchastariffs,commonframeworkfor
intellectualproperty,Enforcestandardsforlabourlawandenvironmentallawandaninvestorstatedisputesettlement
mechanism.
3. 18thMercerQualityofLifestudyreport
AustriascapitalViennaisbestplaceinworldtolive,followedbyZurich,Auckland,MunichandVancouver.Baghdad(Iraq)
isworst.
IndiaHyderabadtoppedwith139thposition,followedbyPune(144),Bangalore(145).
4. Accordingtorecentdata,Indiaisbiggestmilkproducerinworldwith146.31milliontonnesproducedin201415.Indiais
followedbyUSA,China,PakistanandBrazil.
5. Alphabet(parentcompanyofGoogle)overtookAppleasmostvaluablecompanyinworldwithvaluationat548billiondollars
(Appleworth534billion).Alphabetreportedrevenuesworth74.5billiondollarsin2015andprofitof23.4billiondollars.
6. BangladeshcancelledChinasproposaltodevelopadeepseaportonSonadiaislandthatliesinBayofBengal.Theislandis
seenaspotentialdeepwaterportthatcouldservethelandlockedpartsofIndia,MyanmarandChina.
7. BarackObamabecamefirstU.S.presidenttovisitCubainover80years.
8. Canada,UnitedStates(US)andMexicosignedaMemorandumofUnderstanding(MoU)onClimateChangeandEnergy
Collaborationtotapintoenergycooperationamongthreecountries.
9. ConfederationofIndianIndustry(CII)signedMemorandumofUnderstanding(MoU)withDubaiExportstoboosttradeand
explorebusinessopportunities.
10. EuropeanCommission(EC)andUSAsignedanewframeworkfortransatlanticdataflows,knownasEUUSPrivacyShieldand
willenablegovernmentagenciestotransferdatareliedonbyFacebookandGoogleacrosstheAtlantic.
11. EuropeanUnionapproved3.3billionEurosfundingtoTurkeyforcopingwithissueofapprox3MillionSyrianmigrants.
12. FacebooklaunchedTelecomInfraProject,todevelopnewtechnologiestobuildanddeploytelecominfrastructure.TheProjectis
workingonprovidingcurrentlyunservedruralcommunitieswithwirelessnetworkefforts.
13. FijigothitbyheacycycloneWinston.
14. FirstlongdistancecargotrainbetweenIranandChinaarrivedinIraniancapitalcityTehran,covering9,500kilometres.
15. Firstphaseofworldslargestconcentratedsolarpower(CSP)plantlaunchedinMoroccoaspartofNoorOuarzazateSolar
ComplextoproduceenergyforoveramillionMoroccanhouseholdsby2018.Projectwillbeimplementedin3phasesinvolving
NoorI(160MW),NoorII(200MW)andNoorIII(150MW).
16. Forbesreleaseditsinaugural30Under30AsiaList,including56Indians
SomenotedIndiansinlcludedareSaniaMirza,ViratKohli,SainaNehwal,ShraddhaKapoor(Actress),ArunimaSinha
(Mountaineer),RiteshAgarwal(CofounderOYORooms).
17. Francebecomefirstcountrytobansupermarketsfromthrowingawayordestroyingunsoldfood,forcingtheminsteadtodonate
ittocharitiesandfoodbanks.
18. GlobalGotoThinkTankIndexReport(GGTTI)2015
ToppedbyUnitedStatesofAmerica(USA)andfollowedbyChina,UK,IndiaandGermany.
SixIndianthinktanksfiguredintop175CentreforCivilSociety(CCS),InstituteForDefenceStudiesandAnalyses(IDSA),
IndianCouncilforResearchonInternationalEconomicRelations,TheEnergyandResourcesInstitute(TERI),Observer
ResearchFoundation(ORF).
19. Google'sHiSpeedInrernetProjectLoonbeganitsoperationsinSriLankaafterfirstheliumfilledballoonlandedinGampola
town.
20. Governmentapproved150milliondollarscreditforDevelopmentofstrategicallyimportantChabaharPortinIran.Creditwillbe
operationalizedthroughEXIMBank.
21. GovernmentapprovedAgreementforcooperationinTraditionalMedicinebetweenMinistryofAYUSHandWorldHealth

Organization.
22. GovernmentapprovedAgreementwithMaldivesforavoidanceofdoubletaxationofincomefrominternationalairtransport.
23. GovernmentapprovedMemorandumofUnderstandingwithSingaporeforCooperationinUrbanPlanningandGovernance.
24. GovernmentapprovedproposalforcommitmentsunderTradeFacilitationAgreement(TFA)ofWorldTradeOrganization
(WTO).ThisagreementispartofWTO'sBaliministerialpackage2013containingprovisionsforexpeditingmovement,release
andclearanceofgoodsincludinggoodsintransit.
25. GovernmentextendedeTouristVisaSchemeto37morecountries,totaketotalcountofcountriesunderschemeat150.
26. HyderabadbasedBharatBiotechannouncedabreakthroughindevelopingworldsfirstZikavaccinebydevelopingtwo
candidates.
27. ICICIAcademyandRSETIs(RuralSelfEmploymentTrainingInstitutes)willtrainover45,000candidatesin2017.Theacademy
hasalreadytrainedover25000youthssinceitsinceptionin2013.
28. IndiaandAfghanistansignedagreementforvisafreetravelfordiplomaticpassportholders.
29. IndiaandSriLankasignedmemorandumofunderstanding(MoUs)inhealthsectorandrenovationofschoolswithSriLanka.
30. IndiaandSwedeninkedMemorandumofUnderstanding(MoU)onTechnicalCooperationinRailSector.
31. IndialostsolarcaseagainstUnitedStatesatWorldTradeOrganisation(WTO)forbreachingofinternationaltraderules.WTO
ruledthatIndiasdomesticcontentrequirementforNationalSolarMission(NSM)discriminatedagainstimportedsolar
technology.
AboutcaseUSAdraggedIndiatoWTOin2013allegingthatdomesticcontentrequirementonsolarpowerdevelopers
discriminatedagainstAmericanandotherimportedsolartechnologyUSA'ssolarequipmentsmanufacturedarelooking
India'sNSM(NationalSolarMission)asabigbusinesspotential.NSMhassetambitioustargetofgenerating20,000Mega
Wattssolarpowerby2022.
32. IndiaratifiedConventiononSupplementaryCompensationforNuclearDamage(CSC),1997whichsetsparametersonanuclear
operatorsfinancialliability.ItwillboostIndiasnuclearcommercewithinternationalpartners.
ConventiononSupplementaryCompensationforNuclearDamage(CSC)Seekstoestablishauniformgloballegalregimefor
compensationtovictimsineventofanuclearaccident.
Itwasadoptedon12September1997andcanenterintoforceafterratificationbyatleast5countrieswithmin400,000
unitsofinstallednuclearcapacity.
33. IndiawillhostAsiaMinisterialConferenceonTigerConservationtosavetigers.Itwillbethirdsuchconferenceontiger
conservationtobehostedbyIndia.
34. India'sITFirmWiprohasacquiredUSbasedhealthcaretechnologyfirmHealthPlanServicesforUSD460million.
35. India'sMinistryofScienceandTechnologysignedMoUwithaUnitedKingdom(UK)forjointIndiaUKcollaboration
programmeincropscience.
36. India'sNationalInvestmentandInfrastructureFund(NIIF)signedMemorandumofUnderstanding(MoU)withRUSNANO
OJSCofRussiatosetupRussiaIndiaHighTechnologyPrivateEquityFund.
37. IndianPharmaceuticalgiantCiplaacquired2USgenericdrugcompaniesInvaGenPharmaceuticalsandExelan
Pharmaceuticals.
38. IndianSpaceResearchOrganization(ISRO)isworkingtoestablishmentaSatelliteTracking&DataReceptionStationandData
ProcessingFacilityforASEANMembercountriesinVietnam.
39. IndiastopITcompanyTataConsultancyServices(TCS)isratedasworldsmostpowerfulbrandinInformationTechnology
ServicesbyBrandFinance.TCSearnedanAA+ratingwithscoreof78.3points.Besides,Disneyisratedasmostpowerfulbrand
andAppleasmostvaluablebrandfor2016.
40. IntellectualPropertyIndex(IPI)byUnitedStatesChamberofCommerce(USCC)
Indiaranked37thamong38countries.Venezuelarankedlowest(38th).
Top10US,UK,Germany,France,Sweden,Singapore,Switzerland,Australia,JapanandSouthKorea.
41. Japan'sShinMaywawillsetupmanufacturingplantofUS2amphibiousaircraftinIndiaunderMakeinIndiainitiativeto
catertointernationaldemands.
42. Mastercardwilllaunchnewtechnologiestoallowcustomerstoauthenticatetheironlinepurchasesusingselfiesorfingerprints.
43. MemorandumofUnderstandingsignedBetweenNationalInvestmentandInfrastructureFund(NIIF)ofIndiaandRusnano
OJSCofRussiatoSetUpHighTechnologyPrivateEquityFundforJointImplementationofInvestmentsintoProjectsinIndia.
44. MinistryofTourismlaunched247TollFreeMultiLingualTouristInfoLineforinternationaltouristsin12international
languagesEnglish,Hindi,French,Arabic,Italian,German,Korean,Japanese,Portuguese,Chinese,RussianandSpanish.

45. MobilemessagingappWhatsAppcrossedonebillionusermilestoneglobally.
46. NationalAssembly,LowerHouseofParliamentofFrancepassedproposaltostrippeopleconvictedofterroristoffencesoftheir
Frenchnationality.
47. NepalGovernmentconstitutedacommitteeunderDeputyPrimeMinisterandForeignMinisterKamalThapatostudy
demarcationoffederalstatesontheconstitution.
48. NorthAtlanticTreatyOrganization(NATO)andEuropeanUnion(EU)signedanagreementtoimproveCooperationinCyber
Defencetocountermodernformsofhybridwarfare.
49. NorthKoreasuccessfullylaunchedaKwangmyongsong4earthobservationsatellite.
50. Pakistan'sParliamentbuildinginIslamabadbecamefirstinworldtocompletelyrunonsolarpower.
51. PrasarBharatisignedMoUwithBrazil'sEmpressadeBrazilCommunicacao(EBC)forseveralbroadcastrelatedactivities.
52. PunjabgovernmentwillsignMoUwithBritishPigAssociation(BPA)topromotepiggeryintheState.
53. ReserveBankofIndiaextendedcurrencyswaparrangementtoSouthAsianAssociationforRegionalCooperation(SAARC)
nationstillNovember2017.All7SAARCmembersBangladesh,Afghanistan,Maldives,Bhutan,Nepal,PakistanandSriLanka
canavailfacilityinwhichRBIoffersswapamountofUS2billionUSD.
54. SindhbecamefirstPakistaniprovincetoadoptlandmarkHinduMarriageBill,2015inordertoallowminorityHinducommunity
toregistertheirmarriages.
55. SouthKoreanstateofChungcheongbukandHaryanasignedasisterstatehoodrelationshipfordevelopment.
56. StormImogenbatteredpartsofsouthernBritainwithheavyrainandwindsupto96milesperhour.
57. UAE'sAbuDhabiNationalOil(ADNOC)CompanywillstorecrudeoilinIndiasmaidenStrategicPetroleumReserves(SPRs)
storage.ItwillbefirstdealinwhichIndiahaspartnerwithothercountryforstoringcrudeoilinSPRstorageforemergency
purpose.
StrategicPetroleumReservesIndiaisbuildingundergroundSPRstoragesatVisakhapatnam(1.33milliontonnescapacity),
Mangalore(1.5milliontonnes)andPadur(2.5milliontonnes)tostoreabout5.33milliontonnesofcrudeoil.
58. USBasedGFI(GlobalFinancialIntegrity)'sBlackMoneyReportIllicitFinancialFlowsfromDevelopingCountries:20042013
At$51billionperannum,Indiaranks4thinblackmoneyoutflow.
Chinaisattopwith$139billionaverageoutflow,followedbyRussia($104billion)andMexico($52.8billion).
Chinaalsohadlargestillicitoutflowsofanycountryin2013,amounting$258.64billioninjustoneyear.
59. UnitedNationsPostalAdministrationlaunchedsixcommemorativestampstopromoteUNFree&Equal,aglobalUnited
Nationscampaignforlesbian,gay,bisexualandtransgender(LGBT)equality.
60. UnitedNationsandColombialaunchedanewmultipartnertrustfundtorespondtostabilizationandpeacebuildingneeds.
61. UnitedNationslaunchedreportOneHumanity:SharedResponsibility,callingforaglobalcampaigntopreventerosionof
humanitarianlawandprotectciviliansinconflict.FirsteverWorldHumanitarianSummitwillbeheld23May24May2016with
themeOneHumanity:SharedResponsibility.
62. UnitedStates(US)approvednewlawimposingsanctionsagainstNorthKoreatitledNorthKoreaSanctionsandPolicy
EnhancementActof2016,aimedatpunishingNorthKoreaforitsprovocativerecentnucleartestandrocketlaunch.
63. UnitedStatesInternationalTradeCommission(USITC)imposedantidumpinginvestigationsintocertaincategoryoftyres
importedfromIndiaandSriLanka.
64. UnitedStatesunveiledacybersecuritynationalactionplantoboostsecurityawarenessamidofgrowingrisksfromnew
technologies.Underthisactionplan,PresidentObamainhisbudgetrequestaskedfor19billionUSdollarsforcybersecurity
efforts.
65. WorldBankannounced$150millionaidtocombatZikaVirusinLatinAmericaandtheCaribbean.
66. WorldHealthOrganisation(WHO)accordedPQP(PrequalificationofMedicinesProgramme)certificationtoChennaibased
GreenSignalBioPharmaformanufacturingaBCG(BacillusCalmetteGurin)vaccine.
PQPcertificationhelpspharmaceuticalcompaniestoparticipateintheglobalimmunisationprogrammefacilitatedthrough
internationalprocurementagenciessuchasUNICEF.
67. Zimbabwedeclaredstateofdisasterinruralpartsofcountryhitbyadrought.Itwillallowinternationaldonorstoraisemoney
quicklytoprovidefoodaidtothenation.
Top

Meetings

1. 13thWorldSpiceCongress(WSC)beganinAhmedabad,GujaratwiththemeTarget2020:Clean,SafeandSustainableSupply

Chain.
2. ElectionCommissionofIndiahosted4thExecutiveBoardmeetingoftheAssociationofWorldElectionBodies(AWEB)inNew
Delhi.
3. IndiaannouncedtohostfirsteverGlobalMaritimeSummitinApril2016.
Top

National

1. Governmentwillsetupwififacilitiesat25,000spotsbyMarch2016,upfrom300spotsacrossIndiacurrently.
2. 24thNationalHomoeopathicCongressHomeoVision2016inauguratedinNagpur(Maharashtra).
3. 30thSurajkundInternationalCraftsMela2016startedinFaridabad(Haryana)withTelanganachosenasthemestate.
4. 4dayNationalArogyaFairheldatDehradun(Uttarakhand),organizedbyMinistryofAyurveda,Yoga&Naturopathy,Unani,
Siddha,SowaRigpa&Homoeopathy(AYUSH).
5. 42ndKhajurahoDanceFestivalbeganatKhajurahoinChhatrapurDistrictinMadhyaPradesh.
6. 6thNationalScienceFilmFestival&Competition(NSFF)heldatNehruScienceCenterinMumbai,jointlyorganisedbyNehru
ScienceCentreandVigyanPrasar.
7. RoadtoResilienceinitiativeofWorldBank,underwhichateamundertookabustripalongentireIndiancoastline,covering
10000kilometers.Itprovidedchancetoimplementsupportfor6coastaldisastermanagementandclimateresilienceprojects
coveringall10coastalstates,supportedbyGlobalFacilityforDisasterReductionandRecovery(GFDRR).
8. SwachhSurvekshan2016reportbyUrbanDevelopmentMinistry
Top10CleanliestCitiesMysuru(1st),Chandigarh,Tiruchirapalli,NewDelhi,Visakhapatnam,Surat,Rajkot,Gangtok,
PimpriChindwadandGreaterMumbai
Bottom10citiesKalyanDombivili,Varanasi,Jamshedpur,Ghaziabad,Raipur,Meerut,Patna,Itanagar,Asansoland
Dhanbad(Ranked73).
9. Agriculture&FarmersWelfareMinisterRadhaMohanSinghannouncedestablishmentofNationalOrganicFarmingResearch
Institute(NOFRI)atGangtok(Sikkim).NotethatSikkimhasrecentlybeendeclaredasthefirstorganicstateinIndia.
10. AnilAmbani'sRelianceEntertainmentannouncedjointventurewithNeerajPandeyandShitalBhatia'sFridayFilworks.Akshay
KumarstarrerRustomwillbefirstmovieunderthebanner,PlanCStudios.
11. Applewillmake1sttechnologycentreinIndiaatHyderabadatacostof$25million.
12. AssamGovernmentapprovedsettingupGuwahatiMetroRailCorporationLimited(GMRCL).
203kilometresMetrocorridorwillbecompletedinthreephases.PhaseIwillcoveralength61.4kilometresand54stations
infirstphase.
Trainswillhavecarryingcapacityof975passengers.Estimatedprojectedcostis18020crores.
13. AssamGovernmentunveiledadraftdocument,'VisionAssam2030:EverythingforEveryoneAchievinginclusiveand
SustainableDevelopment',aimedatensuringsustainabledevelopmentofstate.Withthis,Assambecamefirststatetohavea
visiondocumentonsustainabledevelopmentgoals.
14. BanarasHinduUniversity(BHU)foundedbyFreedomfighterPtMadanMohanMalviyaturned100years.
15. BharatHeavyElectricalsLimitedcommissioneda101MW(MegaWatt)gasbasedCombinedCyclePowerPlant(CCPP)at
MonarchakinTripura.
16. BiharsignedMemorandumofUnderstanding(MOU)underSchemeUDAYUjwalDISCOMAssuranceYojanaadn
became6thstateforjoiningtheScheme.
17. CentralInstituteofPlasticEngineering&Technology(CIPET)signedaMemorandumofUnderstanding(MoU)withKarnataka
GovernmenttosetupAdvancedPolymerDesignandDevelopmentResearchLaboratorycumHighLearningCentreatBengaluru.
18. CentralPollutionControlBoard(CPCB)releasedNationalAirQualityIndices(AQI)for24cities.Varanasi(UttarPradesh)and
Muzzafarpur(Bihar)wereontopwithanAQIvalueof409pointseachandwerecodedassevereintermsofairpollution.Delhi
ranked6th.
19. ChhattisgarhgovernmentlaunchedUdyamAakanshaSchemeforpromotingmicro,smallandmediumenterprisesinthestat.
20. ChinesetechnologycompanyZTEhasinkedapactwiththeAndhraPradeshgovernmenttoworkonsmartcityprojectsinthe
state.
21. CouncilforScientificandIndustrialResearch(CSIR)launchedcountry'sfirstantidiabeticayurvedicdrugnamedBGR34for
typetwoDiabetesmellitus.BGR34standsforBloodGlucostRegulatorandofferseffectivesolutionformanagingtypetwo
Diabetes.

22. DelhiInternationalAirportLtd(DIAL)launchedamobileapplication'DIALCargo'forcargooperationstoreducepaperworkand
trackmovementofshipmentsonrealtimebasis.
23. DelhiPolicepartneredwithISROforeffectiveuseofspacetechnologybasedtools(CrimeMapping,AnalyticsandPredictive
System(CMAPS))forensuringinternalsecurityusingapredictivepolicingandlivecrimemappingmechanism.
24. EasterncoastofIndiawillgetitsSixthdopplerradarinGopalpurinOdishatoboostweatherforecastingsystem.
25. FinanceMinistry'sOfficialYouTubeChannellaunched.
26. GovernmemtlaunchedNationalFrameworkforMalariaElimination(NFME)thatoutlinesstrategyforeliminationofMalariaby
2030.
27. GovernmentinauguratedconstructionofBoreholeGeophysicsResearchLaboratory(BGRL)atHazarmachi,Karad
(Maharashtra).BGRL'sPurposeistoaddresschallengesofseismologicalproblems(naturalcalamities)ofsocietalrelevancein
KoynaRegionthroughdrillinginvestigation.
28. Governmentapprovedamendingsection9ofRepresentationofPeopleAct,1950andsection11ofDelimitationAct,2002by
introducingElectionLaws(Amendment)Bill2016.
ItwillgivevotingrightstopeoplewhobecameIndiancitizensafterexchangeofenclavesbetweenIndiaandBangladesh.
ElectionCommissionwillbeabletocarryoutlimiteddelimitationofConstituenciesinCoochBeharDistrictofWestBengal.
29. GovernmentapprovedestablishmentofAtalInnovationMission(AIM)andSelfEmploymentandTalentUtilisation(SETU)in
NITIAayog.Itseekstogiveboosttoinnovationecosystemandcatalyseentrepreneurialspiritincountry.
30. GovernmentapprovednominationofChiefExecutiveOfficerofNITIAayog(PresentlyAmitabhkant)asparttimememberof
TelecomCommissioninplaceofSecretaryoferstwhilePlanningCommission.
31. GovernmentlaunchedSwachhParayatanMobileAppandshallbemonitoredbyProjectMonitoringUnitofSwachhBharat
MissioninMinistryofTourism.
32. GovernmentlaunchedFirstMegaFoodParksinstatesofMadhyaPradesh(KhargoneDistrict)andJharkhand
(Getalsud(Ranchi)).
33. GovernmentlaunchedGeologicalSurveyofIndia's(GSI)'OperationKhanijKhoj'tospeedupmineralexplorationactivityacross
India.
34. GovernmentlaunchedProjectSunriseforpreventionofAIDSspeciallyamongpeopleinjectingdrugsin8NorthEasternstates.
35. GovernmentreleasedSeismicMicrozonationreportsforDelhiandKolkata,highlightingvulnerabilityofspecificareasinthese
megacitiesandminimizingeffectsofearthquakes.
36. Governmentsanctioned580crorerupeesforAgartalaAkhaurarailwaylinkProjecttoconnectKolkata(WestBengal)with
TripuraviaBangladesh.Itisa15kmlongstrategicrailwayroutethatwouldconnectIndianandBangladeshRailways.
37. GovernmentunveiledNationalCapitalGoodsPolicy2016toupgradecapitalgoodssectorandMakeinIndiainitiative.Key
Featuresar
Increaseexportsofcapitalgoodsfromthecurrent27%to40%ofproduction.
Increaseshareofdomesticcapitalgoodsproductionintermsofdemandfrom60%to80%inordertomakeIndiaanet
exporterofcapitalgoods.
EnhanceIndianmadecapitalgoodsexportthroughaHeavyIndustryExport&MarketDevelopmentAssistanceScheme
(HIEMDA)
38. GovernmentwillorganizeamegaMakeinIndiaWeekeventinMumbaifromFebruary1318,2016.
39. GujaratstategovernmentwillsetupIndia'sfirstaviationparknearBagodaravillageinAhmedabaddistricttostrengthenthe
aviationsector.
40. HaryanaandProvinceofOntarioinCanadasignedanMoUforenhancingcommercialandculturalties.
41. HimachalPradeshCricketAssociation(HPCA)launchedSwachhHimachalPadhaibhi,Safaibhicampaign.
42. IndexofInternetReadinessofIndianStates(IIRIS)byInternetandMobileAssociationofIndia(IAMAI)
Top5statesMaharashtra(1st),Karnataka,Gujarat,TelenganaandTamilNadu.
AmongsmallerstatesDelhiistopmostintermsofInternetreadinessindexfollowedbyPuducherryandGoa.
43. India'sfirstdisablefriendlybeachwillcomeupatTithalbeachinValsad(Gujarat).
44. IntellectualPropertyAppellateBoardorderedGeographicalIndicationsRegistry(GIR)toissueGeographicalIndicationtag
forbasmatiricegrownin7statesPunjab,Haryana,HimachalPradesh,Uttarakhand,partsofUttarPradeshandJammu&
Kashmir.
ThistagwillhelppreserveuniqueidentityofIndiasaromaticbasmatiriceininternationalmarkets.
45. JaipurInternationalAirportbecamefirstonetodevelopacolourcodedmapaspartofIndiangovernmenteasingrulesfor

grantingconstructionpermitsaroundairportsandmonumentsbydevelopingcolourcodedmaps,togivefilliptourbangrowth.
46. JharkhandbecamefirststatetoauctiontwoofitslimestoneblocksthroughanelectronicplatformafterpassageofMMDRActby
Parliament.
47. Katni(MadhyaPradesh)willhaveIndiaslongestrailwaybridgeof14kminlength(3.5foldslargerthanVembanadrailBridge
connectingEdappallyandVallarpadam).ThisProjectunderwestcentralrailwayswilltake5yearsforcompletionwithcost600
crores.
48. KeralagovernmentwilllaunchIndia'sFirstGenderTaxi,operatedbytransgenders.
49. Kerala'sKasaragodbecamestate'sseconddistricttobedeclaredasZeroLandlessDistrict,afterKannur.
50. MadhyaPradeshandRajasthanGovernmenthavesetupSpecialPurposeVehicles(SPV)forimplementationofSmartCityPlans
forfivecitiesJabalpur,IndoreandBhopalinMadhyaPradeshandJaipurandUdaipurinRajasthan.
51. MahamagamfestivalheldinKumbakonam(TamilNadu)withdevoteestakingholydipinMahamagamtank.ThisFestivalcomes
oncein12yearsisoftentermedequivalenttograndreligiouseventKumbhainAllahabad.
52. MaharashtraGovernmentstartedDeradicalisationProgrammeforminoritycommunitytocounterextremismatlocalandglobal
level(IslamicState(IS)).
53. MaharashtragovernmentannouncedBharatratnaDr.BabasahebAmbedkarSpecialCollectiveIncentiveSchemefor
economicallybackwardDalitentrepreneurs.
54. MaharashtragovernmentwillsetupIndia'sfirstinternationalarbitrationcentreinMumbai(MumbaiCentreforInternational
Arbitration(MCIA)).
55. MarineMuseuminauguratedatMarineAquariumandRegionalCentre(MARC)ofZoologicalSurveyofIndia(ZSI)in
Digha(WestBengal),during1daySeminaronCoastalZoneManagementandMarineBiodiversityatEastMedinipurdistrictof
WestBengal.
56. MedaramJataratribalfestivalcelebratedinWarangaldistrictofTelangana.
57. MicrobloggingsiteTwitterlaunched#PositionofstrengthcampaigninIndiatoempowerwomentoraisevoicesagainstanyform
ofdiscrimination.
58. MinisterofEnvironment,ForestandClimateChangePrakashJavadekarlaunchedEnvironmentInformationSystem(ENVIS)
(envis.nic.in)portalandmobileapplication.ENVISworksonimprovingdigitalliteracyinenvironmentsectoranddeliverservices
digitally.
59. MinisterofWaterResources,RiverDevelopmentandGangaRejuvenationUmaBhartiinauguratedJalManthan2withtheme
IntegratedApproachforSustainableWaterManagement.
60. MinistryofAgricultureandFarmersWelfarewillsetupNationalOrganicFarmingResearchInstitute(NOFRI)inSikkimby
upgradingexistingGangtokbasedRegionalCentreofIndianCouncilofAgriculturalResearch(ICAR).
61. MinistryofEnvironment,ForestandClimateChangehasdeclaredWildPig(susscrofa)asvermin(??????)inUttarakhandforan
year.
62. MinistryofHousingandUrbanPovertyAlleviationapprpvedconstructionof82000housesforEconomicallyWeakerSections
(EWS)inurbanareasof163citiesofWestBengal,Telangana,Bihar,Mizoram,Rajashtan,JharkhandandUttarakhand.
63. MinistryofPetroleumandNaturalgasreleasedHydrocarbonVision2030fornortheastIndia.
64. MinistryofRailwayslaunched3IT(InformationTechnology)enabledapps.
HandHeldTerminalsforTTEs(NorthernRailway)
Paperlessunreservedticketingmobileapplication
Ebookingofdisposablelinenontrains
65. MinistryofUrbanDevelopmentapprovedprojectsworthoverRs12crorefortouristinfrastructureinheritagelocationsin
Amaravati(AndhraPradesh)andWarangal(Telangana).
66. NDDBfoundationforNutrition(NFN)launcheditsnovelGiftMilkinitiativetoprovidenutritionalsupportforschoolchildrenin
RangaReddyDistrictofTelangana.
67. NRDChassignedaMemorandumofAgreement(MoA)withIACSforcommercialisationoftechnologiesandintellectual
properties(IP)developedatIACS(IndianAssociationfortheCultivationofScience).
68. NationalFoodSecurityAct2013launchedinMizoram.Statedecidedtoallocate3kilogramofriceinadditionto5kilogram
coveredbyFoodSecurityAct.Total644882peoplewillbecoveredbyFoodSecurityAct.
69. NationalResearchDevelopmentCorporation(NRDC)signedanagreementwithIndianInstituteofChemicalBiologytopromote
entrepreneurship.
70. NitinGadkari,MinisterofShipping,RoadTransportandHighwayslaunchedWebsiteforMaritimeIndiaSummit2016

www.maritimeinvest.in.MaritimeIndiaSummitisscheduledtobeheldinMumbaiinApril2016.
71. OdishaGovernmentextendedAaharcheapmealschemeto29districtsinStatethrough58centrestoprovidesubsidizedfoodto
urbanpoor.
72. OdishaGovernmentlaunchedPuccaGharYojanaforconstructionworkers.Houseswillbebuiltfor50,000construction
workerswithcostofRs.500crore.
73. Odishagovernmentintroduced50vehiclesequippedwithGlobalPositioningSystem(GPS)totransportmedicinestohospitalsin
remoteareas,underNiramayaYojana.
74. Odishagovernmentintroducedaselfcertifyingschemefornonhazardousindustriestoeaseprocessofdoingbusinessby
shorteninginspectionprocessinnonhazardousindustries.
75. Odishagovernmentlifted3yearlongbanonvisitofforeigntouriststocertaintribalareas.
76. PMNarendraModiinauguratedcampusofNationalInstituteofScienceEducationandResearch(NISER)inBhubaneswar
(Odisha).
77. PaaniFoundation(startedbyActorAamirKhan)tiedupwithMaharashtragovernmenttoworkforsolvingwatercrisisinstate.
78. PresidentPranabMukherjeededicatedIndia'sfirstInformationTechnology(IT)cooperativesocietyinULCyberParkin
Kozhikode,Kerala.HealsoinauguratedIndia'sfirstGenderParkatKozhikode.
79. PresidentPranabMukherjeehasformallydeclaredKeralaasthecountrysfirstdigitalstate,onoccasionoflaunchingadigital
empowermentcampaign(Kanivu).
80. PresidentPranabMukherjeeinauguratedKeralaTourismsMuzirisHeritageProject(MHP)atTrissurtoreinstatehistorical
andculturalsignificanceofMuziris.
81. PrimeMinisterNarendraModilaunchedNationalRurbanMission(NRM)fromRajnandgaondistrictofChhattisgarh.Missionis
alsodubbedasShyamaPrasadMukherjeeRurbanmission(SPMRM)andaimstospurdevelopmentinruralareasbydeveloping
clusterof300SmartVillagesover3years.Coastalandplainareasmusthavepopulationof2500050000andHilly,desertor
tribalareasmusthave500015000.
82. PrintingandITsolutionsfirmRicoh(Japan)wonorderofRs344crorefromKeralaStateElectronicsDevelopmentCorporation
tosupplycomputerhardwareto2,000governmentschoolsinOdisha.
83. Punjabgovernmentimposedabanonsaleofarmyuniformsacrossthestate.
84. RajasthangovernmentlaunchedaninitiativecalledSchoolonWheelsinJaipurtoeducatetribalandnomadicchildrenin
associationwithNGOTaabarSociety.
85. Scientists'teaminUSledbyIndianoriginAshutoshTiwaridiscoveredTinMonoxide(SnO)conductortoreplacesilicon.SnOisa
new2Dsemiconductingmaterialforelectronicsthatopensdoorforspeediercomputersandsmartphonesthatconsumeless
power.
86. SecondVibrantNorthEasteventconcludedinGuwahati(Assam).ItwasjointlyorganizedbyCentreforAgricultureandRural
Development(CARD)andASSOCHAM.
87. SikkimGovtwillintroduceContractfarminginStatealongwithOneVillageOneCropSchemewhereoneidentifiedpotential
cropwillbecultivatedineachvillage.
88. SikkimgovernmentannouncedtoconstructaMiniSikkiminSouthSikkimdistrict,whichwillbeacentreforshowcasingstate's
diverseculture.
89. SoftwareFirmInfosyswillbuildworld'stallestfreestandingclocktower(135Metres)atitsglobaleducationcentreinMysuru.
90. SouthEasternCoalfieldsLimited(SECL)willsetupIndia'slargestcoalwasherywithcapacityof25milliontonnesperannum
(MTPA)inKorbadistrictofChhattisgarh.
91. SriAurobindoInternationalCentreforEducation(SAICE),PuducherrybecameIndiasfirstfullysolarpowerededucational
institute.Itgenerates3timestheelectricityitconsumesthroughsolarpowerplants.
92. SwachhSarvekshan2016
CleanliestCitiesofIndia
Mysore(Karnataka)(MostClean)
Chandigarh
Tiruchirapalli(TamilNadu)(AlsorankedasbestperformercityinBehavioralchangeCommunication)
NewDelhi
Visakhapatnam
Surat
Rajkot

Gangtok
PimpriChinchwad
GreaterMumbai
DirtiestCitiesinIndia
Dhanbad(Jharkhand)(Dirtiest)
Asansol
Itanagar
Patna
Meerut
Raipur
Ghaziabad
Jamshedpur
Varanasi
KalyanDombivili
93. TamilNadugovernmentannouncedfreebuspassschemeforseniorcitizens.
94. TamilNanduGovernmentannouncedAmmaKudineerThittamschemeforsupplyingdrinkingwatertothosewhocannotafford
tobuypurifieddrinkingwater.
95. TeaBoardofIndiaissuedVersion5.0ofPlantProtectionCode(PPC)byexpandinglistofpesticidesandchemicalsto37from
previous35.2newadditionsinlistareEmamectinBenzoate5SGandFlubendiamide20WG.
96. TelecomRegulatoryAuthorityofIndia(TRAI)hasbarredtelecomserviceproviders(TSPs)fromofferingorcharging
discriminatorytariffsfordataservicesonthebasisofcontentaccessedbyaconsumer.Inthisregard,TRAIissuedProhibitionof
DiscriminatoryTariffsforDataServicesRegulations2016.
TheseRegulationsensurethatconsumersgetnondiscriminatoryandunhinderedaccesstointernetandDatatariffswillbe
nondiscriminatoryonbasisofthecontent(websitevisited).
NotethatFacebookhadstartedaFreeBasicsCampaignthatpromotedDifferentialPricingofInternetaccessbasedonData
/websiteaccessed.TRAIhasnowruledoutagainstthisandFacebookhastakenbackitscampaignagainstIndia'sNet
IndependenceandNeutrality.
97. TextileMinistryhasbestowedIndianHandloomBrandtagonChettinadcottonsarisforitsuniquedesignsandidentity.
98. UNESCOworldheritagesiteElephantaIsland(CityofCaves,Maharashtra)willbecompletelyelectrifiedbyIndependenceDay
2016.
99. USTradeandDevelopmentAgencysignedMoUwithAndhraPradeshonfundingfordrawingupmasterplanforVisakhapatnam
SmartCityandconsortiumofUScompaniesAECOM,KPMGandIBM.
100. UbersignedMoUwithMaharashtragovernmentsSkillDevelopment&EntrepreneurshipDepartment(SDED)tohelpcreate
75,000entrepreneurshipopportunitiesacrossstateover5years.
101. UttarPradeshLandRevenueAct2015cameintoeffect.Itreplaced39oldlandrevenueactsandwillenableDalitstoselltheir
landtononDalitswithoutapprovalofadministration.
102. VedantaGroup'sownerAnilAgarwalhasannouncedthathisfirmTwinstarDisplayTechnologieswillsetupIndia'sfirstLCD
manufacturingfacility(PanelFAB)inMaharashtrawithinvestmentof$10billion.
103. WestBengalGovernmentconstitutedtwotaskforcesfordevelopmentofAdivasisandGorkhaslivinginstate.Onetaskforcewill
workfortribalsofTeraiDooarsandotherforGorkhasinDarjeelingHillsregion.
104. WestBengalgovernmentlaunchedUtkarshBanglaScheme,awelfareschemeforschooldropouts.
105. WestBengalgovernmentplanningtogetGeographicalIndication(GI)tagforfourtraditionalsweetdelicaciesofthestateMoa,
Sarpuria,MihidanaandSitabhog.
106. WorldBankdecidedtolendsupporttoRajasthangovernmentonenergyreforms.
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Persons

1. Armenia'sAgricultureMinisterSergoKarapetyanvisitedIndia.
2. ChiefExecutiveofAfghanistan,AbdullahAbdullahvisitedIndiatoParticipateinConferenceonCounterterrorism2016being
heldinJaipur.
3. Commemoration200thBirthAnniversaryofTatyaTope,oneofnotablegeneralsinIndia'sFirstWarofIndependence(185758)

observedinNewDelhi.
4. FamousTamilComedyactorKumarimuthupassedaway.
5. FormerLokSabhaSpeakerBalramJakharpassedaway.
6. FormerRBIDeputyGovernorSSTaraporepassesaway.
7. FormerUnitedNations(UN)SecretaryGeneralBoutrosBoutrosGhalipassedaway.
8. FormerWestIndiescricketerAndyGanteaumepassedaway.
9. ITFirmOracle'sCEOSafraCatzvisitedIndia.OraclewillsetupitscampusinBengaluru.ItwillbeOracle'ssecondlargest
campusafterUSA.
10. India'sAmbassadortoTajikistanBirajaPrasadpassedaway.
11. India'sVicePresidentHamidAnsariVisitThailandandBrunei.
12. IndianAirForceChiefMarshalArupRahaVisitedBangladesh.
13. IndianCoastGuardwillinduct38moreaircraftandhelicoptersby2020,totaketotalstrengthof62airplanes/helicopters.
14. Nepal'sPrimeMinisterK.P.SharmaOlivisitedIndia.Signed7AgreementswithIndia
PostearthquakereconstructionassistanceaboututilizationofUSD250millionGrantbyIndiafornepalforforPost
earthquakereconstructionofNepal.
MOUforStrengtheningofroadinfrastructureinNepal,Performingarts:,ExchangeonTransitRoutesandRailTransport
etc.
15. Nepal'sformerprimeministerSushilKoiralapassedaway.
16. NotedBritishtelevisionandradiopersonalityTerryWoganpassedaway.
17. NotedComposrandPulitzerWinner,LeslieBassettPassedAway.
18. NotedHindiandUrduPoetMuqtidaHasanNidaFazlipassedaway.
19. NotedItalianwriterandphilosopherUmbertoEcopassedaway.
20. NotedMalayalamnovelistandshortstorywriterAkbarKakkattilpassedaway.
21. NotedMalayalampoetandlyricistONVKuruppassedaway.
22. NotedMalayalamwriterAkbarKakkattilpassedaway.
23. NotedOdiasingerBhubaneshwariMishrapassedaway.
24. NotedPoliticalCatooninstSudhirTailangpassesaway.
25. NotedRussianfootballPlayerAnatolyIlyinpassedaway.
26. NotedUSAwriterHarperLeepassedaway,famousforhernovelToKillaMockingbirdreleasedin1960.
27. NotedUrdufictionnovelistIntizarHusainpassedaway.
28. NoteddancerchoreographerAnandaShankarJayantaddressedIndiaConferenceatHarvard(USA).
29. NotedfilmdirectorAurobindoMukherjeepassedaway.
30. NotedmusicdirectorRajamanipassedaway.
31. NotedpreindependencecricketerBindiganavileKrishnaswamyGarudacharpassedawayatageof99.
32. NotedpreindependencecricketerBindiganavileKrishnaswamyGarudacharpassedawayatageof99.
33. NotedsingerUstadAbdulRashidKhanpassedaway.
34. SergoKarapetyan,ArmenianAgricultureMinistervisitedIndiaandsignedMoUonAgricultureCooperationwithIndia.
35. SheikhMohammedbinZayedAlNahyan,CrownPrinceofAbuDhabiVisitedIndia.IndiaAndUAESigned9AgreementsTo
BoostBilateralCooperation.
36. SiachenAvalancheSurvivorLanceNaikHanamanthappaPassedAway.
37. SultanAlMansoori,EconomyMinisterofUAEvisitedIndia.
38. UnitedStates(US)AstronautEdgarMitchellpassedaway.HewassixthpersontowalkonMoon.
Top

Science

1. BengalurubasedAtherEnergylaunchedIndia'sfirstelectricscooterS340,thatcoversdistanceof60Kminonesinglecharge
andhaveLithiumIonbatterypackIP67.
2. BiologistsdiscoveredanewspeciesofhydroidpolypsemittinggreenfluorescenceinRedSea(lyingbetweenAfricaandAsia).
3. Firstmachinharvestablechickpeavariety,NBeG47releasedinAndhraPradeshbyInternationalCropsResearchInstituteforthe
SemiAridTropics(ICRISAT).Newvarietywillbeharvestedinjust75minuteswhilenormalprocessofharvesting2.25tonsof
chickpeatakes3days.

4. GovernmentapprovedLIGO(LaserInterferometerGravitationalwaveObservatoryinIndia)scienceproposalforresearchon
gravitationalwaves.LIGOIndiaprojectwillestablishagravitationalwaveobservatoryinIndiaincollaborationwithLIGO
Laboratory(USA).TheProjectiscalledIndIGO(IndianInitiativeinGravitationalwaveObservations).
5. HaryanabecamefirststatetocompleteaquifermappingforitsgroundwaterresourcesbyMay2016.Aquiferisanunderground
layerofwaterbearingrockfromwhichgroundwatercanbeextracted.
6. IndianSpaceResearchOrganisation(ISRO)successfullytestedhighthrustcryogenicengineCE20ofGSLVMark3(LVM3)
rocket,pavingwayforfirstdevelopmentalflightofGSLVMark3inDecember2016.
7. IndianSpaceResearchOrganisation(ISRO)willlaunchcountrysfirstsolarmissioncalledAdityaL1.
AdityaL1satellitewillbeplacedinanorbitabout15lakhkilometresfromearthinahaloorbitaroundL1Lagranianpoint.It
willbelaunchedbyPSLVXL.
Primaryobjectivewillbetostudysolarcoronaandchromosphereindifferentwavebands,dynamicnatureofsunsouter
mostlayers,andcollectdataaboutCoronalMassEjections(CME).
8. JapanlaunchedASTROHspaceobservationsatellitetoprobemysteriousblackholes.
9. JapanesecompanySpreadwillopenworld'sfirstrobotrunfarmofaboutarea4,400squaremetres.AlltaksexceptSeed
plantingwillbedonebyindustrialrobots.
10. NASAannouncedthatfirstlaunchofitsnewrocket,SpaceLaunchSystem(SLS)with13CubeSatsandanuncrewedOrion
Spacecraftwillbein2018.
11. ScientisthavediscoveredGravitationalWaves(GW)hypothesisedbyAlbertEinsteinin1916.Thesewavesweredetectedby
scientistsatLIGO(LaserInterferometerGravitationalwaveObservatory)facilitiesinUSA.Theseareproducedbycollisionoftwo
blackholeslocated1.3billionlightyearsawayfromearth.
12. Scientistsdiscovered5newJupiterlikeplanetssimilartooursolarsystemsbiggestplanet.NamedWASP119b,WASP124b,
WASP126b,WASP129bandWASP133b.
13. ScientistsfromNationalUniversityofSingapore(NUS)successfullyconvertedpaperwasteintogreennontoxiccelluloseaerogels
forthefirstime.Aerogelsareamonglightestsolidmaterialsandarealsoamongfinestinsulationmaterials.
14. Studyclaimedthatextractsderivedfromneemtreecantreatpancreaticcancerwithoutharmingnormalcells.
15. TALManufacturingSolutions(TataGroupcompany)willlaunchfirsteverIndiamaderobotnamedBrabo,developmentatcost
ofRs10crores.
16. World'sfirstantirabiesdrugRabiesHumanMonoclonalAntibody(RMAb)willbelaunchedinIndiabyPunebasedSerum
InstituteofIndia(SII).
Top

Sports

1. 12thSouthAsianGames2016
HostcitiesGuwahati(Assam)andShillong(Meghalaya)
MottoisPlayforPeace,ProgressandProsperity
Nationsparticipating8,Athletesparticipating2,672
MascotTikhor(babyRhino)
Indiaendedupasoverallchampionswithrecord308medals(Gold188,Silver90andBronze30).FollowedbySri
Lanka(186)andPakistan(106Medals)
Indiaalsocompletedwinning1000goldmedalsinSouthAsianGames.
Nepalwillhostthe13thSouthAsianGames(SAG)in2018.
2. 2016DubaiATPTennistitle
Men'sSunlgesStanWawrinka(Switzerland)wonbydefeatingMarcosBaghdatis(Cyprus)
WomensSinglesSaraErrani(Italy)wonbydefeatingBarboraStrcov(CzechRepublic)
MensDoublesItalianpairofSimoneBolelliandAndreasSeppi
WomensDoublesChuangChiajung(ChineseTaipei)andDarijaJurak(Croatia)
3. AustraliawonTransTasmanCricketTrophyagainstNewZealandandbecameWorldNumber1inICCTestranking.
4. BoardofControlforCricketinIndia(BCCI)bannedPakistaniumpireAsadRaufforfiveyearsinIPLafterbeingfoundforguilty
corruptpractices.
5. ChinaandIndonesiawonBadmintonAsiaTeamChampionshipsinwomenandmenscategoriesrespectivelyinHyderabad.
6. DominicThiem(Australia)wonAssociationofTennisProfessionals(ATP)ArgentinaOpen2016bydefeatingNicolasAlmagro

(Spain).
7. EnglandwillhostWomen'sCricketWorldCup2017whilefinalwillbeplayedatLord's.
8. FederationofIndianChambersofCommerceandIndustry(FICCI)namedLongdistancerunnerLalitaBabarasSportsPersonof
YearinSportsAwards2015duringTurf201516.ShehasrecentlyqualifiedforRioOlympicsin3000msteeplechaseevent.
9. ICCCricketforGood,UnitedNationsChildren'sEmergencyFund(UNICEF)andBCCIlaunchedclinicsduringICCWT20Host
CityTour,aimingtobuildasocialmovementforsanitationacrossIndia.
10. India'sAnirbanLahiriwonHiltonAsianTourGolferoftheYearaward.
11. India'sUnder19CricketerRishabhPantmadefastestU19internationalhalfcentury(18balls)againstNepal.
12. India1'sKumaravelPremKumarwonsilverinlongjumpinAsianIndoorAthleticsChampionshipsinDoha(Qatar).
13. IndianCrticketerViratKohlirankedasTopT20InternationalBatsmanbyICCbyreplacingAaronFinch(Australia).
14. IndianRailwayswon36thNationalChessteamChampionshipinOdishabydefeatingLifeInsuranceCorporation(LIC).
15. InternationalSwimmingFederationannouncedJapanesecityofFukuokaashostof2021WorldAquaticsChampionshipsand
QataricapitalDohaAshostof2023WorldAquaticsChampionships.
16. InternationalSwimmingFederation(FINA)announcedthatJapanesecityofFukuokawillhost2021WorldAquatics
ChampionshipsandQatar'scapitalDohawillhost2023event.
17. Keralawon61stNationalSchoolAthleticschampionshipthatconcludedinKozhikode(Kerala).Keralawontheeventfor19th
consecutivetime.
18. MukteshKumarPardeshiappointedasIndiasAmbassadortoMexico.
19. NewZealandCricketerBrendonMccullumretiredfromOnedayInternationals.
20. NewZealand'sCricketerBrendonMcCullumscoredfastesteverTestcenturyoff54balls,playingagainstAustraliainhislast
internationaltestmatch.
21. NewZealand'sKathleenCrossandClariePolosakofAustraliabecamefirstwomenumpirestobeincludedinICCWomen's
WorldTwenty20crickettobeheldin2016.
22. NotedFormerCricketerRahulDravidhasbeennamedinICC'sAntiCorruptionOversightGroup.
23. PunjabWarriorswonfourtheditionofCoalIndiaHockeyIndiaLeaguebydefeatingKalingaLancers.
24. QuintondeKock(SouthAfrica)becamefastesttomake10OneDayInternational(ODI)centuries.Heovertookviratkohliwho
took80inningstoachievethis.
25. RioHaryantowillbecomeIndonesia'sfirstFormulaOnedriveraswillparticipateinAustralianGrandPrixon20March2016.
26. RioOpen2016
Men'sSinglesPabloCuevas(Uruguay)
Women'sSinglesFrancescaSchiavone(Italy)
Men'sDoublesColombia'sJuanSebastinCabalandRobertFarah
Women'sDoublesVernicaCepedeRoyg(Paraguay)andMaraIrigoyen(Argentina)
27. RonnieO'Sullivan(UK)wonWelshOpensnookertitlebybeatingNeilRobertson(Australia).
28. ShaneWatson(Australia)becamemostexpensiveplayerin2016IndianPremierLeague(IPL)auctionwhenRoyalChallengers
BangaloreboughthimforRs9.5Crore.PawanNegibecamecostliestIndianplayeratRs8.5Crore.
29. St.PetersburgLadiesTrophy
SinglesRobertaVinci(Italy)wonbydefeatingBelindaBencic(Switzerland).
DoublesIndoSwisspairSaniaMirzaandMartinaHingiswonbydefeatingRussianCzechteamofVeraDushevinaand
BarboraKrejcikova
30. TwosportspersonsfromOdisha,SprinterJaunaMurmuandarcherRanjitNayakwereincludedinTargetOlympicPodium
(TOP)SchemeofGovernmentfor2016and2020OlympicGames.
31. UNESCOreportColour?WhatColour?hasbeenpresentedwithmeasurestofightonracismanddiscriminationinfootballsport.
32. Ukraine'sDniproDnipropetrovskFootballClubbecamefirstEuropeanteamtowinSaitNagjeeInternationalClubFootball
TournamentbydefeatingBrazilianFCAtleticoParanaense.ItwasheldinKerala.
33. VirenderSehwag'sGeminiArabiansdefeatedBrianLarasLeoLionstowininauguralMastersChampionsLeagueCrickettitle.
34. WestIndieswontheirfirsteverICCU19CricketWorldCupbydefeatingIndia.EventwashostedbyBangladesh.
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