January 2016 Current Affairs

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1st January 2016

India, Pakistan exchange lists of nuclear facilities
India and Pakistan have exchanged the list of
their nuclear installations and facilities under
the Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack
against Nuclear installations. This exchange is
done on 1st of January every year between the
two neighbouring countries that bars them
from attacking each others atomic facilities.
This is the 25th consecutive exchange of such list between the two countries, the
first one having taken place on 1 January 1992.
Union inks Financing Agreement with World Bank to fund education of

minorities
The Union Government has signed a Financing
Agreement of 50 million dollars with the World Bank
for Nai Manzil Scheme- Education and Skills Training
for Minorities. Under this agreement, the credit will
be facilitated by the International Development
Association
(IDA),
World
Banks
concessionary
lending arm. This credit will be in the form of loan

which carries a maturity of 25 years, including a 5year grace period. The loan funds will be used for interventions under this scheme
improve the employability and performance of minority youth in the labour market.
The total project size is 100 million dollars, out of which 50 million dollars will be
available as IDA credit and the remaining balance funding from the Union Budget.
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DAVA project bags 2015 eASIA award for trade facilitation

The Drug Authentication and Verification Application
(DAVA) project of The Department of Commerce has
won the 2015 eASIA Award under Trade Facilitation
category. The award was announced by Asia Pacific
Council for Trade Facilitation (APCTF) and Tehran based
(Iran)
Electronic
Business.
The
eASIA
award
is
administered by AFACT which aims to development and

promotion of trade facilitation, electronic business policies and activities in the Asia
Pacific region.
Indias Petronet LNG ink revised contract with RasGas of Qatar

Indias biggest state owned gas importer Petronet
LNG has signed a revised contract with RasGas of
Qatar to import gas at a significantly lower price
than earlier. Under the new contract, Rasgas will
supply Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) to Petronet at
6-7 dollar per million British thermal units (mmBtu)
from January 1, 2016. It would supply to 7.5
million tonnes of LNG India until the long-term contract ending in April 2028 The
new rate is sharply lower than 12-13 dollar per mmbtu agreed earlier and has been
revised after falling global prices of oil and gas, saving consumers around Rs.4,000
crore.
Talentsprint2015
Indian-origin cancer expert Harpal Singh Kumar knighted

An Indian-origin cancer research expert Harpal Singh
Kumar was honoured with a Knighthood from Queen
Elizabeth II for his influential work on prevention and
treatment of cancer. Mr. Singhs name has appeared in the
2015 New Years Honours list that includes several other
Indian-origin individuals. Harpal Singh Kumar was born in
India in 1965. He had founded Nexan Group, a venture
capital-backed medical devices company in 1997. Later he had joined Cancer
Research Technology Limited (CRTL) as chief executive in 2002 and was promoted
as COO of Cancer Research UK in 2004. He is the chairman of the Board at the
National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) and also chairman of the Cancer
Outcomes Strategy Advisory Group (COSAG) in England. He has won the Mobil
Prize, Metal Box Prize, and Hughes Prize.
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2nd January 2016
Government forms panel to study wage structure of gramin dak sevaks
The Union Government has constituted a committee to
examine the wage structure, service conditions of the
Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS) in the Department of Posts
(DoP). It is one member committee comprising of
Kamlesh Chandra, Retired Member of Postal Services
Board.
The Committee will be assisted
by Senior
Administrative Grade Officer T.Q. Mohammad who will act as Secretary to the GDS
Committee.
Talentsprint2015
Censor Board chief Nihalani on revamp committee

The Union Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
has constituted a committee headed by noted filmmaker Shyam Benegal to look into revamp the film
certification nuances by Central Board of Film
Censors (CBFC). The committee is tasked to
suggest
recommendations
framework and
Cinematograph
provide
holistic
interpretation of provisions of
Act,
1952
and
Cinematograph
(Certification) Rules, 1983.
Vocalist Sanjay Subrahmanyam conferred with 2015 Sangita Kalanidhi

award
Veteran South Indian classical vocalists Sanjay
Subrahmanyam
was
conferred
the
with
on
2015
January
Sangita
2016
Kalanidhi
award. The prestigious award was conferred

upon him by mathematician Manjul Bhargava at
89th annual conference of the Madras Music
Academy in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. With this,
Subrahmanyam became seventh artist to be conferred with this award before
completing 50 years of age including Ariyakudi Iyengar, Musiri Subramania Iyer,
Maharajapuram
Viswanatha
Iyer,
Semmangudi
Srinivasa
Balasubramaniam, ML Vasanthakumari and M Balamuralikrishna.
Talentsprint2015
Iyer,
GN
Veteran CPI leader AB Bardhan passes away

Veteran leader of the Communist Party of India
(CPI), Ardhendu Bhushan Bardhan, passed away in
New Delhi. He was 91.
A widely respected
politician, his influence extended beyond electoral

strength and geographical spread of the CPI, which
he steered through highs and lows during the
challenging era of coalition politics in the last two
decades. He was CPIs general secretary for 16 years from 1996. Born on
September 25, 1925, in Sylhet, now in Bangladesh, he embraced Communism at
the age of 15 after he moved to Nagpur. He joined All India Students Federation
(AISF) at Nagpur University in 1940.
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3rd January 2016
China creates 3 new army units to modernize military
China has created three new military bodies as
part of reforms to modernize its military the
world's largest standing force and improve its
fighting
capacity.
State
television
showed
President Xi Jinping giving military flags to the

leaders
of
the
three
new
units
general
command for the People's Liberation Army, a

missile force and a strategic support force. At the ceremony, which took place
Thursday, Xi and PLA officers and soldiers sang the national anthem. He has
promulgated the idea of a "Chinese dream" involving "the great renewal of the
Chinese nation" and sees a strong military as key to this.
Talentsprint2015
PMs inaugural address at 103rd session of Indian Science Congress

Prime Minister Mr.Narendra Modi set the tone for the
103rd Indian Science Congress which commenced in
Mysuru. India had made giant strides in science and
said that Indias success spans from the core of the
tiny atom to the vast frontier of space and the country
was
once
again
turning
towards
scientists
and
innovators to realize the goals of economic welfare

and development of 1.2 billion people and address
problems plaguing India. India was witness to another revolution in the present
times, one of empowerment and opportunities in India.
Jayalalithaa launches Amma seeds scheme for farmers

Implementing an announcement made in the
Tamil Nadu Assembly in 2014 for
welfare,
Chief
Minister
J.
farmers
Jayalalithaa
has
launched the scheme Amma Seeds which is

aimed
at providing
quality seeds.
She had
proposed the scheme in 2014, saying quality,

certified
Amma
Seeds
would
be
available
through Amma Service Centres across the state. Jayalalithaa, fondly addressed as
Amma by her supporters, had earlier launched Amma Canteens providing
subsidised food and Amma mineral water, among others.
Talentsprint2015
President Mukerjee clears five legislation, gives more teeth to SC/ST Act
A
law
enabling
setting
up
of
commercial
benches in select high courts and another on

arbitration for speedy settlement of high value
business disputes are among five legislations
which have got nod from President Pranab
Mukherjee. Besides, a law for stringent action
against those involved in crimes against persons
belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes has also got the assent from
Mukherjee. Mukherjee gave nod to the Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment)
Act; the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities)
Amendment Act; the Commercial Courts, Commercial Division and Commercial
Appellate Division of High Courts Act; The Atomic Energy (Amendment) Act; and
the Payment of Bonus (Amendment) Act, 2015.
Corp Bank gets NPCI awards

Corporation Bank has bagged three awards at
the National Payments Excellence Awards 2015
event recently. The function was organised by
National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
The
bank
instituted
release
for
that
these
recognition
of
awards
were
exceptional
performance of member banks. Corporation Bank

received the winner award jointly with Indian
Bank for Cheque Truncation System under the mid-sized category. The bank also
received two runner-up awards for National Financial Switch for its performance in
acquirer transactions and Immediate Payment Service (IMPS).
Talentsprint2015
NABARD, NRSC sign MoU for web-based monitoring of watershed projects.

National
Bank
for
Agriculture
and
Rural
Development (Nabard) signed a Memorandum

of Understanding (MoU) with National Remote
Sensing
Center
(NRSC)
for
web-based
monitoring of watershed projects. The webbased monitoring of Indo-German Watershed

Development (IGWDP) projects will happen in three states, Gujarat, Rajasthan and
Telangana. Under the MoU, Hyderabad-based NRSC, will create a separate page for
Nabard on Bhuvan web-portal, develop customised software tool and mobile
application for real time monitoring, online comparison and visualisation with
respect to activities implemented in the projects sanctioned by Nabard.
New-age app and green PIN to push PNB's digital drive

State-owned Punjab National Bank (PNB)
has launched host of digital banking
solutions including green PIN and an
enhancement of its mobile app. The bank
launched
mobile
apps
enabling
the
customer to locate PNB ATM with PNB

ATM Assist. The Android app facilitates the customer to use GPS and reach the
nearest PNB ATM, it also assists customer to instantly lodge operational issues,
reducing the resolution time considerably.
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Talentsprint2015
4th January 2016

World Braille Day is observed on 4th January
Every year World Braille Day is
being
observed
across
the
world on 4 January to mark the

birth
anniversary
of
Louis
Braille, inventor of Braille script

or Braille code. Observance of the day helps people to spread the importance of
Braille language and also help people to produce works in this language to allow
visually impaired people to read the works. To commemorate this day several NGOs
as well as other organizations come together to raise awareness about the apathy
towards blind people and to help them be equal among rest of the people.
Amputee mountaineer Arunima Sinha conquers Mt Aconcagua in Argentina

Indias
star
amputee
mountaineer
Arunima
Sinha has successfully scaled Mount Aconcagua

in Argentina as part of her Mission 7 Summits.
It was her 5th successful summit of the Mission
7 Summits that she had climbed on December
25, 2016 after starting on December 12, 2015.
With this, she created World record by becoming First Female amputee to climb 5
Mountains of the World. These are Mt. Everest (Asia), Mt. Kilimanjaro (Africa), Mt.
Elbrus (Europe), Mt.Kosizko (Australia) and Mt. Aconcagua (Argentina), Mt.
Aconcagua (6,960.8 metres) is the highest mountain outside Asia and is also known
as second Everest. By extension it is the highest point in both Western Hemisphere
and Southern Hemisphere.
Talentsprint2015
India beat Afghanistan 2-1 to lift SAFF Cup title for 7th time
Sunil Chetri scored one of the most important
goals of his career when his 101st-minute strike
snatched an unlikely win for India in the final of
the
SAFF
Suzuki
Cup
football
tournament
against Afghanistan. The Indian skipper cashed

in on some poor defending by the Afghans to
squeeze the ball into net past goalkeeper Azizi
in the 11th minute of extra-time. The Indians then withstood a barrage of attacks
to lift the trophy for the seventh time, and after a gap of four years.
RK Mathur set to be new Chief Information Commissioner

Former
defence
secretary
Radha
Krishna
Mathur has been cleared for the post of Chief

Information Commissioner (CIC). He will be
serving for nearly three years, making him the
second-longest serving CIC. Mathurs selection
as the eighth CIC cleared by the high-level
selection
panel
headed
by
Prime
Minister
Narendra Modi and approved by President Pranab Mukherjee is a departure from

the convention of appointing the most senior Information Commissioner (IC) as the
CIC.
Talentsprint2015
Wipro names Abidali Neemuchwala as new CEO

IT major Wipro, Indias third largest IT services
exporter with revenues of $7 billion, elevated chief
executive officer (CEO) T K Kurien as its new
executive vice-chairman (V-C) while appointing
current
chief
operating
officer
(COO)
Abidali
Neemuchwala CEO and member of the board. Both

changes will be effective February 1, 2016. Kurien
who took over as the CEO in February, 2011, will now hold the executive vicechairman position until March 31, 2017. Neemuchwalas appointment as CEO comes
at a time when Wipro is struggling to hit double digit growth rate and has fallen
behind peers like TCS, Cognizant and Infosys.
E-vahan bima launched in Telangana

E-Vahan Bima scheme, an online vehicle
insurance scheme, has been launched by
Telangana IT & Panchyat Raj Minister K.Rama
Rao. This is the first such initiative anywhere
in India. After launching the website of EVahan Bhima scheme, IT Minister KTR said
the
policy
was
initiated
with
the
joint
collaboration of Transport, Police and IT Departments under the directions of

Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA). He also stated that the
worlds biggest Global Delivery Centre would be established in Hyderabad city by
Fugistu Company with the partnership of Sify Technologies Ltd. Rs. 135crore would
be spent for this venture and nearly 3,000 jobs would be created by the set up of
Global Delivery Centre.
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Talentsprint2015
5th January 2016

RBI imposes Rs 1 crore fine on State Bank of Travancore
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed a
monetary penalty of one crore rupees on State
Bank of Travancore, an SBI associate bank for
violation
of
some
of
its
instructions.
The
monetary penalty was imposed on State Bank

of Travancore for violation of its instructions
including
reporting
of
data
to
Central
Repository of Information on Large Credits

(CRILC). Prior to imposing the penalty, RBI had issued a show cause notice to the
bank for not having complied with the directions issued by the bank on submission
of accurate data to the CRILC. Finally RBI came to the conclusion that the bank had
violated the instructions or guidelines issued from time to time after considering the
banks reply and information submitted and documents furnished.
Lodha panel submits report on BCCI reforms

Former Chief Justice of India, R.M. Lodha, submitted
his report on the various aspects of reforms in the
BCCI to the Supreme Court. The report culminates
the panels exhaustive investigations into how the
game is run in the country and what could be done
to ensure that transparency and accountability is
the rule and not the exception in the administration
of cricket in India.
Talentsprint2015
India-Nepal friendship bus service resumes after gap of 27 years

A friendship bus service between India and
Nepal was flagged off via Champawat district in
Uttarakhand after a gap of 27 years. The
resumed bus service has been regularised and
will run between Kanchanpur in Nepal close to
the Banbasa border in Champawat district and
Anand Vihar in New Delhi. People travelling in
these buses do not require any special documents to travel. These buses are air
conditioned and provide free wi-fi connectivity to passengers. The India-Nepal
friendship bus service was suspended 27 years back in the wake of the Indo-Nepal
Trade and Transit Treaty. This bus service is mainly used by the people on both
sides of the border as they have family as well as trade relations with each other.
Jharkhand first state to sign MoU with Centre for power scheme UDAY
Mineral-rich but energy-deficit Jharkhand will
become the first state to sign a memorandum of
understanding (MoU) with the Centre, for the
Ujwal Discom Assurance Yojana (UDAY) reforms
for state-owned power distribution companies
(discoms). The MoU is a tripartite agreement is
between
the
state
government,
the
power
distribution companies and the Union ministry of power. With this, the total number
of states that would be joining UDAY will become 15. The other states that are on
board UDAY are Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal
Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, Chhattisgarh and Madhya
Pradesh.
Talentsprint2015
Union Government reserves 33% posts of women constables in CAPFs

The Union Government has reserved 33 per cent
posts of Constables for women in Central Armed
Police
Forces
(CAPFs)
to
enhance
their
representation. The proposal in this regard was

approved by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh
and shall come into effect with immediate effect.
To begin with, 33 per cent of posts of Constables will be reserved for women in
Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).
While, 14-15 per cent posts in the Border Security Force (BSF), Sashastra Seema
Bal (SSB) and Indo Tibetan Border Police Force (ITBP) will be reserved for women.
Former CJI SH Kapadia passes away

Former Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sarosh Homi
Kapadia passed away in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
He was He was 68. His funeral was held as per
Parsi tradition at Tower of Silence at Kemps
Corner, South Mumbai. Kapadia was born on 29
September
1947.
He
had
graduated
from
Government Law College, Mumbai. In 1974, he

was enrolled as an advocate at the Bombay High Court. Later he was elevated to
the Bench as an Additional Judge of the Bombay High Court in 1991 and was
appointed as a Permanent Judge of HC in 1993. He was transferred to the
Uttarakhand High Court in 2003 and for a short stint he had served as Chief Justice.
He was appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court in December 2003. Later he
was appointed as 38th Chief Justice of India (CJI) in May 2010 and retired in
September 2012.
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Talentsprint2015
6th January 2016

Andhra Bank launches IMPS for money transfer
Andhra
Bank
has
launched
Immediate
Payment
Service (IMPS) at all its branches in association with

the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). A
multi-channel,
multi-dimensional
platform,
IMPS
makes payments possible within fraction of seconds

with all the standards and integrity maintained for
security. The IMPS has been enabled across all
branches to provide inter-bank electronic fund transfer service capable of
processing person to account remittances. Noting that there is a rising customer
need for instant fund remittances, the bank counted the IMPS launch among
customer-friendly IT initiatives.
Sri Lanka, Pakistan agree to expand FTA

Sri Lanka and Pakistan have agreed to expand
their bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) by
inclusion
of
services
and
investment.
Statement in this regard was made by Pakistan

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif during his official
visit to Sri Lanka. The expansion of FTA would
help companies of the two nations to form joint
ventures (JV) for exports to other nations. Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharifs
official trip to Sri Lanka comes after eight months of President Sirisenas visit to
Pakistan in April 2015.
Talentsprint2015
Ganga Gram Yojana launched by Union Government

Union
Minister
of
water
resources,
River
development and Ganga Rejuvenation Uma

Bharti launched the Ganga Gram Yojana on
January 5, 2016. The Ganga Gram Yojana was
launched at Village Puth in Hapur district of
Uttar
Pradesh
under
which
1600
villages
situated along the banks of river Ganga will be developed under this scheme. In the
first phase of the Ganga Gram Yojana 200 villages have been selected. In these
villages open drains falling into river Ganga will be diverted and alternative
arrangements for sewage treatment will be made. The villages will have toilets in
every house hold. It is proposed to incur and expenditure of Rs. One crore on every
village. These villages will be developed under the Sichewal model.
Reliance Capital gets nod to acquire Goldman Sachs Indian fund arm
Reliance Capital Asset Management (RCAM)
has
received
Commission
Goldman
of
nod
from
India
Sachss
(CCI)
mutual
Competition
to
acquire
funds
and
exchange-traded funds business in India.

This approval comes after the boards of both
the companies had approved the acquisition transaction. Now RCAM needs to get
final nod of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to complete the
takeover. Under the acquisition deal, RCAM will acquire all 12 onshore mutual fund
schemes of Goldman Sachs Asset Management (GSAM) India with total asset under
management of 7132 crore rupees. US based Goldman Sachs had entered the
Indian mutual fund industry in 2011 with acquisition of Benchmark Mutual Fund for
120 crore rupees.
Talentsprint2015
Union Government abolishes export duty on iron ore pellets

The Union Government has abolished export
duty on iron ore pellets in order to make the
commodity more competitive amid weakening
prices due to subdued demand. In this regard
Central Board of Excise and Custom (CBEC)
has issued a notification mentioning that
export duty on iron ore pellets has been reduced to zero from 5 per cent. This
decision will help improve capacity utilisation of pellet plants and give a necessary
boost to the sector. Earlier in 2014, Union Government had levied a 5 per cent
export duty on iron ore pellets. Iron ore pellets are value-added products of leftover
material or low-grade iron ore and are mainly used in steel-making industry.
Mumbais Pranav Dhanawade hits 1,009 runs in 323 balls

Mumbai teenager Pranav Dhanawade scripted
history by becoming the first cricketer ever to
notch up a four-figure score by smashing an
unbeaten knock of 1,009 in an inter-school
tournament. The 15-year-olds knock included
129 fours and 59 sixes during the match at the
Union Cricket Academy ground in Kalyan. The
effort helped his school declare on 1465/3, which is also a record for the highest
ever team score. Dhanawade grabbed attention when he scored 652 runs, breaking
the 117-year-old record for the most runs scored in an innings held by AEJ Collins,
who smashed an unbeaten 628 in a club match in England in 1899.
Talentsprint2015
Syed Kirmani conferred with 2015 Col CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement

Award
Former Cricketer Syed Kirmani was honoured with the
Col CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award in Mumbai
(Maharashtra) for his contribution to Indian cricket. He
was presented with the award by the President of Board
of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Shashank Manohar
at the BCCIs annual award function held in Mumbai.
Indias Test captain Virat Kohli was awarded with the
Polly Umrigar Trophy for Cricketer of the Year. Mitali Raj
was bestowed with Best Woman Cricketer Award in senior player category for the
season 2014-15.
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7th January 2016
Indian government approves MoU on civil aviation between India and
Singapore
The Union Cabinet has given its ex-post facto
approval
for
signing
Memorandum
of
Understanding (MoU) between India and Singapore

on cooperation in the field of civil aviation. The MoU
was signed in November 2015 between Airports
Authority
of
India
(AAI)
on
behalf
of
Union
Government and Singapore Cooperation Enterprise

(SCE) on behalf of Government of Singapore) during Prime Ministers visit to
Singapore.
Talentsprint2015
Noted Gujarati writer Labshankar Thakar passed away

Noted Gujarati writer and poet Labhshankar
Thakar passed away after prolonged illness in
Ahmedabad. He was 80. He was modernist
author of Gujarati literature with influence of
existentialism challenging traditional literature
styles. Thakar was born on 14 January 1935 in
Sedla village near Surendranagar in Gujarat. He
was popularly known by his penname Punarvasu and Vaidya Punarvasu. Apart from
being Gujarati poet, playwright and story writer he was also an Ayurvedic
Practitioner. Some of his poems are Vahi Jati Pachhal Ramya Ghosha (1965),
Manasni Vaat (1968), Mara Namne Darwaje (1972), Boom Kagalma Kora (1974),
Pravahan (1986), Kalagranthi (1987).
Union Government decides to directly shift from BS-IV to BS-VI Emission

norms in 2020
Union Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has
decided to implement the stricter emission norms
of Bharat Stage (BS) VI from 1st April 2020 in a
bid to curb vehicular pollution. Government will
directly switch over to BS-VI emission norms
from the present BS-IV emission norms and
completely skip BS-V emission norms altogether. Decision in this regard was taken
at an inter-ministerial meeting chaired by Unon Road Transport and Highways
Minister Nitin Gadkari and was attended by Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan,
Heavy
Industries
Javadekar.
Talentsprint2015
Minister
Anant
Geete
and
Environment
Minister
Prakash
J&K Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed dead

Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Mufti
Mohammad Sayeed passed away of multiple
organ failure in New Delhi after nearly a weeklong hospitalisation. He was 79. He died due to
multi-organ failure at 9:10 this morning despite
our best attempts to resuscitate him. Under
treatment at the hospital since December 24,
Mr. Sayeed, was detected with sepsis, decreased blood counts and pneumonia and
his condition took a turn for the worse. He has been on ventilator support since
early this week. Earlier, doctors had maintained that though he was on essential
medication and supportive therapy the leader was hemodynamically stable but
required respiratory support.
Kate Atkinson wins Costa novel award for a God in Ruins

British writer Kate Atkinson on 4 January 2016
won the novel-of-the-year prize at Britain's Costa
Book Awards 2015 for the second time in three
years. She fetched the award for A God in Ruins, a
story of war and its aftermath. With this, Atkinson
became the first author to receive the Costa novel
prize three times: for A God in Ruins in 2016, Life
After Life in 2013 and Behind the Scenes at the Museum in 1995.
Talentsprint2015
Sam Pitroda appointed Technical Advisor to Odisha government

Well-known telecom engineer and inventor Sam
Pitroda has been appointed Technical Advisor to
the Odisha Government. The appointment of Dr.
Pitroda for development of IT sector in Odisha
was
announced
by
the
State
government.
According to a press release issued by Chief

Minister Naveen Patnaiks Office, Dr. Pitroda will
have a key role in Vision 2036 for Odisha. Dr.
Pitroda will help provide the essential technological blueprint to write the IT story of
Odisha.
Apurvi Chandela sets a world record to win gold at Swedish Grand Prix
Indian shooter Apurvi Chandela broke the
world record on way to winning gold in the
women's 10 metre air rifle event at the
Swedish Cup Grand Prix. Chandela shot
211.2 in the event held to surpass the feat of
Chinese Olympic gold medallist Yi Siling, who
held the record with 211.The result marked a
positive start for Chandela, who has already won an Olympic quota place for the Rio
Olympics. The silver and bronze went to Swedish shooters Astrid Steffensen
(207.6) and Stine Nielsen (185.0).
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Talentsprint2015
8th January 2016

Government decides to merge Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs with MEA
Nearly 12 years after it was set up to improve
engagement with
the
Indian
diaspora,
the
government has decided to merge the Ministry

of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA) with the
External Affairs Ministry in sync with its broad
principle of minimum government, maximum
governance. As Minister for External Affairs and
Overseas Indian Affairs, I realised that substantial work of MOIA is done through
our missions abroad. Therefore, I proposed to Prime Minister that MOIA should be
merged with Ministry of External Affairs
India-France military exercise Shakti-2016 begins

India and France have started their eight-day
counter-terrorism
bilateral
military
and
exercise
counter-insurgency
Shakti-2016
in
Rajasthan. In this bilateral exercise, French

contingent comprising 56 personnel of 35th
Infantry Regiment of 7th Armoured Brigade are
participating. Indian side is being represented by the 2nd Battalion of Garhwal
Rifles which is part of the Sapta Shakti Command.
Talentsprint2015
River Information System Launched to Facilitate Safe, Accurate Navigation

Indias first River Information System (RIS) was
launched by Union Government facilitate safe and
accurate inland waterway navigation. It has been
launched in phases and the first phase will cover
145-km stretch of National Waterways 1 (Phase
I- Haldia to Farakka) on the Ganges River. Inland
Waterway Authority of India (IWAI), a statutory
body under
the aegis
of Union Ministry of
Shipping is implementing the RIS in India.
ASW corvette INS Kadmatt to be commissioned at Vizag

'INS
Kadmatt',
the
second
indigenous
stealth anti-submarine warfare corvette,

will be commissioned by Chief of the Naval
Staff
Admiral
Dhowan
at
naval
dockyard. A unique feature of the ship is

the high level of indigenisation incorporated
in the production, accentuating the national objective of 'Make in India'. The ship
has many state-of-the-art equipment which include the rail-less helo traversing
system and foldable hangar door for the integral ASW helicopter which not only
increases the strike capability of the ship
Talentsprint2015
India to grow at 7.8% in 2016: World Bank

India is projected to grow by a robust 7.8 per
cent this year and 7.9 per cent in the next two
years, the World Bank forecast citing strong
investor sentiment and the positive effect on
real incomes of the recent fall in oil prices. In
its latest Global Economic Prospect report
which is released every six months - the World
Bank marginally reduced India's growth rate 0.2 per cent in 2015 and 0.1 per cent
in both 2016 and 2017.
Raghuram Rajan Conferred Central Banker of the Year Award

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Raghuram
Rajan has been felicitated with the Central
Banker of the Year Award (Global and Asia
Pacific) for 2016 by The Banker, the Financial
Times Group's monthly publication. RBI's focus
on taming inflation - India is set to hit its 6 per
cent
target
in
2016
was
key
to
this
performance and reinforced foreign investors' confidence in India's currency and

rupee-denominated assets.
ICICI Bank partners with FINO PayTech for payments bank space
Indias largest private sector lender ICICI Bank
has partnered with FINO PayTech to foray into
the
payments
bank
space.
With
this
partnership, ICICI Bank joins some of the

leading
lenders
of
the
country
that
have
partnered with payments banks. For example,

Talentsprint2015
Kotak Mahindra Bank (KMB) and State Bank of India (SBI) have picked up stake in
payments banks to be floated by Bharti Group and Reliance Industries respectively.
||<><><>||
9th January 2016
Government reappoints Urjit Patel as Deputy Governor of RBI for a second
term
Urjit Patel, Deputy Governor of Reserve Bank of
India (RBI) in-charge of the monetary policy
department, has been re-appointed for a term
of three years. Mr. Patel, 52, who will complete
his three-year term on January 10, could
become the longest serving deputy governor in
recent times if he serves the full three-year
term. Most of recent deputy governors served a
maximum of five years.
24th New Delhi World Book Fair opens

Human
Resource
Minister
Smriti
Irani
inaugurated the 24th edition of the New

Delhi World Book Fair which commenced
here with China as the guest of honour
country and a theme presentation of the
cultural heritage of India. The nine-day
fair, touted as the largest in Asia, is hosting
about 30 countries in which a series of programmes including panel discussions,
dramas, classical and folk dances, workshops, discussions, authors' meets,
conferences, seminars and cultural programmes will be held.
Talentsprint2015
President promulgates Enemy Property (Amendment and Validation)

Ordinance, 2016
President Pranab Mukherjee has promulgated
the
Enemy
Validation)
Property
Ordinance,
(Amendment
2016
to
and
make
amendments to the Enemy Property Act, 1968.

The Ordinance was promulgated by President
as per provisions of Article 123 of Constitution
of India that gives him legislative powers in
consultation with Council of Union Ministers. The proposed amendments in the
parent Act seeks to deal with the loopholes in the existing law.
Governors rule imposed in Jammu and Kashmir

Governors rule has been imposed in the state of
Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) for sixth time as the
process of formation new government following
the death of Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad
Sayeed is taking some time. It was imposed after
President
Pranab
recommendations
Mukherjee
forwarded
by
accepted
Union
Ministry on the basis of a recommendation from J&K Governor NN Vohra.
Talentsprint2015
the
Home
Sania, Martina start off 2016 with Brisbane title

Sania Mirza and Martina Hingis carried the
dominance
of
2015
into
the
new
season,
winning their sixth consecutive title by lifting the

WTA Brisbane trophy, in Brisbane. The top
seeds quelled the challenge of German wildcards
Angelique Kerber and Andrea Petkovic 7-5, 6-1
in mere 69 minutes. Sania and Martina, the
world number one team, have now stitched a 26-match winning streak together,
which has brought them six titles in a row at the US Open, Guangzhou, Wuhan,
Beijing, WTA Finals and now.
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10th January 2016
PACL boss Nirmal Singh Bhangoo arrested over alleged $6.8 billion
investment scam
The Central Bureau of Investigation arrested the
founder of PACL Ltd over allegations the property
company cheated investors of $6.8 billion, in what
local
media
is
calling
the
country's
biggest
financial scandal. The arrest of Nirmal Singh

Bhangoo
comes
17
months
after
markets
regulator the Securities and Exchange Board of

India (Sebi) ordered PACL to return money to
millions of investors, saying the company was running an illegal investment
scheme. The scheme promised depositors returns on investments in agricultural
land.
Talentsprint2015
Hindi writer Ravindra Kalia passes away

Noted Hindi writer and journalist Ravindra Kalia
passed away at a private hospital. He was 78. Kalia
had been suffering from liver cirrhosis, according to
family sources. Known for his works like 'Nau Saal
Chotti Patni' and 'Ghalib Chutti Sharab', the former
Bharatiya Jnanpith director was also the editor of
several
literary
magazines,
including
Naya
Gyanodaya.
Stan Wawrinka clinches third consecutive Chennai Open title

Stan Wawrinka dismissed Borna Coric 6-3, 7-5 in an
hour and 26 minutes of clinical tennis. Now, the total
match hours both players have been out on court
here this
week makes
for an interesting
little
anecdote. With his first round bye, the top-seeded

Wawrinka spent just three hours and 16 minutes in
total to earn his final berth. His quickest outing
lasted just 53 minutes. Coric, on the other hand,
made it to the final after four matches nine hours and 16 minutes of gruelling
competitive tennis.
Talentsprint2015
Maria Teresa de Filippis, first female Formula One driver, dies aged 89
Maria Teresa de Filippis, the first woman to compete
in a world championship Formula One grand prix,
has died at the age of 89. The Italian started three
grand prix races in a privately entered Maserati
250F, finishing a best place of 10th at SpaFrancorchamps in 1958. The Naples-born driver had
earlier tried to qualify for that years Monaco Grand
Prix, failing in her efforts along with another debutant, the future F1 supremo
Bernie Ecclestone. Both were too slow to qualify but there was no cut-off in
Belgium, allowing De Filippis to qualify in last place.
||<><><>||
11th January 2016
NASA mission finds 100 new alien planets
NASAs revamped planet-hunting Kepler
spacecraft has discovered more than 100
confirmed
planets
orbiting
other
stars.
Kepler, which recently got crippled by a

mechanical
malfunction,
discovered
the
alien planets during its second-chance K2

mission. The spacecraft finds planets by
the transit method, noting the tiny brightness dips caused when a planet crosses
its host stars face from Keplers perspective. This technique requires extremely
precise pointing, anability Kepler lost in May 2013 when the second of the
observatorys four orientation-maintaining reaction wheels failed. However, the
Kepler team quickly figured out a way to keep the telescope stable, using solar
radiation pressure as a sort of third wheel.
Talentsprint2015
Author Balkrishna Garg awarded H K Devsare Baalsahitya award

Veteran poet Balkrishna Garg was honoured
with
the
second
Harikrishna
Devsare
Baalsahitya Award 2015 for his collection of

poems for children, titled 'BaalGeet'. Sahitya
Akademi President Vishwanath Prasad Tiwari
and National Book Trust Chairman Baldeo
Bhai Sharma conferred the award comprising
a cash prize of Rs 75,000, a shawl and a citation on Garg at a function here. The
jury, which chose Garg for the award, said his "poems while adopting the modern
poetic forms also retain the simplicity and lucidity of traditional style of poetry
written for children."
Sailesh appointed new Registrar General, Census Commissioner

Senior IAS officer Sailesh was appointed as Registrar
General and Census Commissioner. Sailesh, a 1985 batch
IAS officer
of Assam-Meghalaya
cadre, is
presently
Additional Secretary in Home Ministry. He has been

appointed in place of C Chandramouli, who completed his
tenure. The Appointments Committee of Cabinet has
approved the appointment of Sailesh as Registrar General
and Census Commissioner for a period till July 28, 2017.
Talentsprint2015
Milos Raonic wins 2016 WTA Brisbane International Tennis trophy

World No. 14 Milos Raonic from Canada has won
the 2016 WTA Brisbane International Tennis
trophy in the mens single category. In the final
match
played
at
Brisbane
(Australia),
he
defeated Roger Federer (world No. 3) from

Switzerland by 64, 64 score. It is Milos Raonic
overall 8th career title and 1st of the 2016
season. Henri Kontinen (Finland) and John Peers (Australia) have won the 2016
WTA Brisbane International Tennis trophy in the mens double category. In the final
match, they defeated Australian team of James Duckworth and Chris Guccione by
76, 74, 61 score.
Telangana becomes first State to make gender education compulsory at

graduate level
Telangana has become the first State in the country to
introduce compulsory gender education at the graduate
level. In this regard, state government has introduced
bilingual textbook titled Towards a World of Equals on a
pilot basis in engineering colleges. These engineering
colleges
are
affiliated
to
the
Jawaharlal
Nehru
Technological University (JNTU-Hyderabad). Discusses

gender in its composite form without limiting itself to
crime against women without repeating gender stereotypes. Touches upon complex
subjects like male-female relationships and female-centric history. It has been
structured into simple language to suit under-graduates.
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Talentsprint2015
12th January 2016

India-Australia Social Security Agreement Comes Into Operation
A new social security agreement signed between
India
and
Australia
has
come
into
operation
enabling people of both nations to avail retirement

benefits in each other's country, a pact likely to
boost bilateral business linkages. Commonwealth
government wanted to make sure people who live
and work in more than one country are not
disadvantaged. The Agreement signed in November 2014 came into operation on
January 1, 2016. This agreement will give people more freedom to move between
Australia and India, knowing their pension rights will be recognized and protected.
National Youth Day is observed on January 12

In India, January 12 is being observed as
National Youth Day. This day marks birth
anniversary of social reformer, philosopher
and thinker Swami Vivekananda. On this
day,
numbers
of
functions
are
being
organized nationwide to celebrate the birth

anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. This
year it is the 153rd birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda.
Talentsprint2015
Government constitutes Arvind Panagariya committee to fast-track bullet

train project
Union Government has constituted a committee to
fast track the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail
Corridor, meant for connecting two cities with
bullet trains. The committee is tasked to interact
with the Japanese counterpart for taking further
steps in implementation of Mumbai-Ahmedabad
High-Speed Rail Corridor. The committee will be
headed by Arvind Panagariya, vice-chairman of the NITI Aayog. It will also include
Railway Board chairman, foreign secretary and secretary (industrial policy) and
secretary in the department of expenditure as its members.
Lionel Messi wins Ballon d'Or over Cristiano Ronaldo & Neymar
Barcelona forward Lionel Messi has won the Ballon d'Or
award for the world's best player for the fifth time. The
28-year-old Argentine had 41.33% of the vote, with
Real
Madrid
forward
Cristiano
Ronaldo
(27.76%)
second and Barca's Neymar (7.86%) third. Either Messi

or Ronaldo, who became a three-time winner last year,
have
won
the
past
eight
awards.
United
States
midfielder Carli Lloyd, who scored a hat-trick in the World Cup final, won the
women's award. England coach Mark Sampson was beaten to the women's football
coach of the year award by USA boss Jill Ellis, who was born in Portsmouth.
Talentsprint2015
David Bowie dies of cancer aged 69

Music Legend David Bowie passed away on 10
January 2016 in New York, United States following a
battle with liver cancer. He was 69. He was one of
the most influential musicians of 1970s and was
famously known for his creative musicianship to
break pop and rock boundaries. David Bowie was
born as David Robert Jones on 8 January 1947 in London, England. His career
spanned around 51 years and since his first album release in 1967, around 140
million albums were sold. He became international fame in 1972 after the release of
The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars. He has 111 singles
and 51 music videos to this credit in his 5 decades career.
||<><><>||
13th January 2016
President gives assent to The Sugar Cess (Amendment) Bill, 2015
President Pranab Mukherjee has given assent
to the Sugar Cess (Amendment) Bill, 2015 to
raise the ceiling of a cess as an excise duty on
the production of sugar. The bill was first
passed by Lok Sabha after it was declared a
money bill. President gave his assent as per
provisions of Article 111 of Constitution after
the bill was not returned by the Rajya Sabha to the Lok Sabha within 14 days of its
consideration as per constitutional provisions.
Talentsprint2015
EPFO bags National Award on e-Governance

The Employees Provident Fund Organisation
has won the National Award on e-Governance
2015-16 for launching the Universal Account
Number
(UAN).
The
UAN
facility
enables
workers to transfer their provident fund deposits

while switching jobs anywhere in India easily.
The EPFO won the gold award in the innovative
use of technology in e-governance category and the retirement body will get a cash
prize of Rs 2 lakh. It is heartening to know that the e-initiatives of EPFO are getting
recognised by the Union government as well. Our ultimate goal is to deliver services
as smooth as an e-bank.
SC stays Centres notification lifting ban on Jallikattu

The
Supreme
Court
has
stayed
the
Union
Governments notification lifting ban on traditional

bull taming sport Jallikattu during the festival of
Pongal in Tamil Nadu. In this regard the apex
court rejected the plea of Union Ministry of
Environment and Forests (MoEF) and Tamil Nadu
Government. This decision was taken by a SC
bench comprising justices Dipak Misra and N V Ramana on petitions filed by various
bodies including Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) seeking striking down of the
MoEFs notification.
Talentsprint2015
IMD changes language in weather forecasting

The India Meteorological Department (IMD)
has changed the languages and also redefined terms that are not scientifically precise
in weather forecasting. In this regard, IMD has
issued official notification to do away with
outdated language to avoid communication
gap with the civil administration so they can be more realistic in case of upcoming
weather events. IMD has reviewed the terminology and factors determining each of
these terms based on supporting observational data.
RDL
inks
MoU
with
AP
Government
to
set
up
naval
facility
at
Visakhapatnam
Reliance Defence Ltd (RDL) has inked Memorandum
of
Understanding
(MoU)
with
Andhra
Pradesh
Government to set up a world class naval facility in

the state. It was announced by Andhra Pradesh
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu during the CII
Partnership Summit titled Sunrise Andhra Pradesh
Investment Meet in Visakhapatnam. The proposed
naval facility will be established at Rambilli, 70
kilometers south of Visakhapatnam on the East Coast of India with an initial
investment of 5000 crore rupees. It should be noted that RDL is subsidiary of Anil
Ambani led Reliance Infrastructure Ltd. It had acquired the Pipavav shipyard on
West Coast in Gujarat earlier in March 2015.
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Talentsprint2015
14th January 2016

Union Cabinet approves Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana
The Union Cabinet has approved Pradhan
Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, a new crop
insurance scheme to boost farming sector
in the country. It is farmers welfare
scheme that aims to reduce the premium
burden
on
farmers
and
ensure
early
settlement of crop assurance claim for the full insured sum. Farmers will pay
uniform premium of 2 per cent for all Kharif crops and 1.5 percent for all Rabi
crops. In case of annual horticultural and commercial crops, farmers will pay 5 per
cent premium. These premium rates are very low.
India to join the International Energy Agency Ocean Energy Systems

India has decided to become member
country of the International Energy
Agency Ocean Energy Systems
(IEA-OES)
quest
to
for
sources.
boost
tapping
Proposal
for
ocean
for
countrys
energy
signing
the
Implementing Agreement (IA) in this regard was approved by Union Cabinet

meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. By becoming a
member India will have access to advanced Research & Development (R&D) teams
and technologies across the world. India will also become partner in developing test
protocols along with other countries which will in turn help in testing Indian
prototypes as per international requirements and norms.
Talentsprint2015
Union Cabinet approves MoU between India and Maldives for Health
The Union Cabinet has given its approval for the
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between
India and Maldives on cooperation in the field of
Health. The MoU was signed in January, 2014 for
facilitating greater cooperation between both the
nations
and
to
develop
human
resources
in
healthcare. Enhanced cooperation in the field of

health will also foster great friendship and relations between the two South Asian
countries.
Union Government inaugurates Second Liquid Chemical Berth of Mumbai

Port Trust
Union Government has inaugurated Second Liquid
Chemical Berth of Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT) at Pir
Pau, Mumbai. The facility was inaugurated by Union
Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari. The berth is a
modern state- of -art facility built at an expense of
127 crore rupees. It is equipped with Quick Release
Mooring Hooks ( QRMHs) and also with 4 mooring
dolphin.
It
is
designed
to
handle
55000
DWT
(deadweight tonnes) vessels carrying liquid bulk chemicals and POL (Petroleum, Oil,
& Lubricants) products. It has been designed keep in view the safety standards
conforming to the Oil Industry Safety Directorate (OISD) norms.
Talentsprint2015
HRD
Ministry
inaugurates
permanent
campus
of
IISER
in
Thiruvananthapuram
Union Government has inaugurated the first phase
of permanent campus of the Indian Institute of
Science Education & Research (IISER) at Vithura in
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. It was inaugurated by
Union
Human
Resources
Development
(HRD)
Minister Smriti Irani in presence of Kerala Chief

Minister Oommen Chandy. The IISER Thiruvananthapuram is dedicated to scientific
research and
science education of international standards.
It had
started
functioning in the state in August 2008 with a transit campus at the College of
Engineering Thiruvananthapuram (CET).
WHO declares end of Ebola outbreak in West Africa

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared
the end of Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa after
all
known
stopped.
chains
WHOs
of
transmission
announcement
have
been
came
with
declaration of end disease in Liberia after no

positive case was reported in last 42 days (two 21day incubation cycles of the virus). Liberia was
worst hit in Western Africa by this deadly outbreak
which has killed around 4809 people. It also had
completely shattered its economy, health and education sectors.
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Talentsprint2015
15th January 2016

Indian Army Day is observed on 15th January
Indian Army Day is being observed every
year on 15 January in India. This year it
will be the 68th Indian Army Day. On this
day in 1949, Lt. General (later Field
Marshal) Kodandera Madappa Cariappa
became the first Indian Commander-inChief
of
the
Indian
Army
(of
the
independent India) by succeeding British Army General Roy Butcher (last British
Commander-in-Chief of India.). This day inspires the troops to continue to enrich
the glorious traditions of the Indian Army with their dedication and sacrifice.
DRDO successfully test-fired anti-tank missile Nag in Rajasthan

The
Defence
Research
and
Development
Organisation (DRDO) in the second week of

January 2016 successfully test-fired Nag antitank missile at the Mahajan Field Firing Range
in Rajasthan. The test was conducted during a
night trial to validate the enhanced 4-km
range capability of Imaging-Infrared seeker,
which guides the missile to the target after its
launch. During the test, the Thermal Target System (TTS) was used as target for
the missile. The TTS simulated a target similar to an operational tank as thermal
mapping from tank to TTS was carried out for generating thermal signature.
Talentsprint2015
Grid-linked solar generation capacity crosses 5,000 MW mark

Indias grid-connected solar power generation
capacity has crossed the 5,000 MW mark, with
Rajasthan on top with 1,264.35 MW capacity
followed by Gujarat. The total grid-connected
solar power generation capacity in the country is
5,129.81
MW.
Rajasthan
has
According
the
to
maximum
the
statement,
grid-connected
capacity, followed by Gujarat (1,024.15 MW) and Madhya Pradesh (678.58 MW).
The other leading states are Tamil Nadu (418.94 MW), Maharashtra (378.7 MW),
Andhra Pradesh (357.34 MW), Telangana (342.39 MW), Punjab (200.32 MW) and
Uttar Pradesh (140 MW). The major states which are lagging behind are West
Bengal (7.21 MW), Uttarakhand (5 MW) and Haryana (12.8 MW).
SBI opens first dedicated banking branch for startups

Indias largest lender, State Bank of India (SBI)
has launched dedicated specialized branch for
start-ups
called
SBI
InCube
in
Bengaluru,
Karnataka. It was announced by BI Chairman

Arundhati Bhattacharya in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
The SBI InCube branch will cater to the specific
financial needs by providing advisory services to
the budding entrepreneurs under one roof It will assist start-ups in cash
management, regulations, taxation, mentoring, foreign exchange and remittances
and other financial services. InCube in its current form will not fund start-ups i.e. it
will not provide loans.
Talentsprint2015
India, Japan conduct joint exercise Sahyog-Kaijin off Chennai coast

Ships and aircraft of the Indian Coast Guard and
the Japan Coast Guard came together to train
for the 15th edition of Sahyog-Kaijin joint
exercise in the Bay of Bengal off the Chennai
coast. This is the second time in three months a
ship
from
the
Japanese
military
forces
is
participating in a military exercise along with India. In October last year, Japan
Maritime Self-Defence Forces ship FS Fuyuzuk participated in exercise Malabar
with ships and aircraft of the Indian and the United States navies.
||<><><>||
16th January 2016
Union Government inks loan agreement with World Bank for Neeranchal
National Watershed Project
Union Government has signed a loan agreement
with World Bank for the Neeranchal National
Watershed
Project
to
improve
watershed
management in rural rain fed areas. The loan

credit will support the watershed activities of the
Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY)
in selected sites in 9 states. These states are Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh,
Telangana,
Jharkhand,
Rajasthan.
Talentsprint2015
Gujarat,
Maharashtra,
Madhya
Pradesh,
Odisha
and
Amended Juvenile Justice Act comes into force

The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of
Children)
Act
2015,
which
provides
for
strengthening of provisions for both children in

need of care and protection and children in
conflict with law, came into force on Friday,
replacing the Juvenile Justice Act 2000. The
Rajya Sabha had on December 22 cleared, the
Bill, which was already passed by the Lok Sabha on May 7. One key provision in the
Act is change in nomenclature from 'juvenile' to 'child' or 'child in conflict with law'
to remove the negative connotation associated with the word 'juvenile'.
Tsai Ing-wen elected Taiwan's first female president

Tsai Ing-wen has been elected Taiwan's first
female
president.
Ms
Tsai,
59,
leads
the
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) that wants

independence from China. In her victory speech,
she vowed to preserve the status quo in relations
with China, adding Beijing must respect Taiwan's
democracy and both sides must ensure there are
no provocations. China sees the island as a breakaway province - which it has
threatened to take back by force if necessary.
Talentsprint2015
PM Narendra Modi launches Start-up India, Stand-up India action plan

Prime
Minister
Narendra
Modi
has
unveiled the Start-up India, Stand-up

India action plan in New Delhi to boost
startup ventures in the country. The
main aim of action plan is to give
impetus to innovation and encourage
the talent among young people and
remove onerous government regulations and red tape. Start-up profits to be taxfree for 3 years and also no labour inspections for 3 years of launch of the venture.
Compliance regime based on self-certification for labour and environmental laws.
Easy exit policy for start-ups with 90 days. Tax exemption to be provided on capital
gains if money is invested in another start up. Government to create Rs. 10,000
crore corpus fund for development and growth of innovation driven enterprises. It
will be Rs. 2500 crore a year for four years.
Sania Mirza, Martina Hingis win 2016 WTA Apia International title of
Tennis
Ace Indian tennis player Sania Mirza and her
Swiss partner Martina Hingis have won the 2016
WTA Apia International title in the womens
doubles category. In the final match played at
Sydney (Australia), the top seeded duo defeated
French
pair
Caroline
Garcia
and
Kristina
Mladenovic by 16, 75, [105] score. It was

their overall 11th title together from 2015 when they had won 9 titles and second
title of season 2016. It was also their 30th match win together in a row.
Talentsprint2015
Marat Safin to become 1st Russian in International Tennis Hall of Fame

Retired star Marat Safin will become the first
Russian to be inducted into the International
Tennis Hall of Fame. The 35-year-old is a former
world number one and claimed 15 ATP mens
singles titles and two Grand Slams over the
course
of
glittering
career.
Safin
was
nominated as a possible Hall of Fame inductee

alongside Belgiums Justine Henin and the Czech Republics Helena Sukova last
October, with the Russians inclusion now confirmed. Becoming a member of the
International Tennis Hall of Fame is deemed the highest honor in the sport, and
Safin is set to take his place alongside some of the games greats.
Anuradha Roy wins DSC Prize for South Asian Literature

Indias Anuradha Roy has won the DSC Prize for
South Asian Literature 2016 for her novel, Sleeping
on Jupiter, which deals with the subject of violence
against women. At the Fairway Galle Literary
Festival in Galle, about 130 km south of Colombo,
Sri Lanka Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe
presented her the prize, which carried a cash
award of $50,000 and a trophy. Other authors and
novels in contention for this years prize were: Akhil Sharma (Family Life); K.R.
Meera (Hangwoman) [translated by J. Devika]; Mirza Waheed (The Book of Gold
Leaves), Neel Mukherjee (The Lives of Others) and Raj Kamal Jha (She Will Build
Him A City). Now in its sixth edition, the DSC Prize received 74 entries this time
with participation from publishers from the South Asian region as well as from
countries such as the U.K., U.S., Canada, Australia and South Africa.
Talentsprint2015
Winners of 61st Britannia Filmfare Awards
The grand Annual 61st Britannia Filmfare Awards

event was organized in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
Bajirao Mastani with 8 awards was the film
wining highest number of awards.
RD Burman Award: Armaan Mallik
Best Actor: Ranveer Singh for 'Bajirao Mastani'
Best Actress: Deepika Padukone for 'Piku'
Best Film: 'Bajirao Mastani'
Best Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali for 'Bajirao Mastani'
Lifetime Achievement: Moushumi Chatterjee
Best Debut Director: Neeraj Ghaywan for 'Massan'
Best Debutant (Male): Sooraj Pancholi for 'Hero'
Best Debutant (Female): Bhumi Pednekar for 'Dum Laga Ke Haisha'
Critics Award for Best Film: Piku
Critics Award for Best Actor (Male): Amitabh Bachchan for 'Piku'
Best Actor Female Critics Choice (Female): Kangana Ranaut for 'Tanu Weds
Manu Returns'
Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Male): Anil Kapoor for 'Dil Dhadakne Do'
Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Female): Priyanka Chopra for 'Bajirao Mastani'
Best Story: V Vijayendra Prasad for 'Bajrangi Bhaijaan'
Best Music: Ankit Tiwari, Meet Bros. Anjjan and Amaal Mallik for 'Roy'
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Best Lyrics: Irshad Kamil - 'Agar tum saath ho' (Tamasha)

Best Playback Singer (Male) - Arijit Singh for 'Sooraj dooba' (Roy)
Best Playback Singer (Female) - Shreya Ghoshal for 'Deewani mastani' (Bajirao
Mastani)
||<><><>||
17th January 2016

China launches new AIIB development bank as power balance shifts
Chinese President
Xi Jinping
launched
new
international development bank seen as a rival to

the U.S.-led World Bank at a lavish ceremony, as
Beijing seeks to change the unwritten rules of
global development finance. Despite opposition
from Washington, U.S. allies including Australia,
Britain, German, Italy, the Philippines and South
Korea have agreed to join the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) in
recognition of China's growing economic clout.
Irani releases literary calender of NCPUL

Union Minister Smriti Irani released the literary
calendar of National Council for Promotion of
Urdu Language (NCPUL) depicting famous Urdu
poets and writers. 'The Literary Calendar 2016' is
adorned with the photographs of the legendary
Urdu poets and writers of the last two hundred
years along with the depiction of their dates of
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birth and demise. This really is a magnum opus of the Council. Such a startling
calendar of the legendary poets and writers of Urdu language should be preserved
by the Urdu departments of all the universities
Jitendra Singh inaugurates Hall of Nuclear Power in New Delhi.

The Union Minister
of State (Independent
Charge) Development of North Eastern Region

(DoNER),
MoS
Grievances,
PMO,
Pensions,
Personnel,
Atomic
Public
Energy
and
Space, Dr Jitendra Singh inaugurated the Hall

of Nuclear Power. This is Northern Indias first
permanent exhibition on nuclear power, built in
the national capital which is going to be opened to the public at National Science
Centre (NSC). While inaugurating the Hall, Dr Jitendra Singh said that is a historic
day not only for the Department of Atomic Energy, but for the whole India, since
the DAE is one of the few departments whose Head quarters are not placed in
national capital.
Andhra Bank to launch gold bond scheme

Andhra Bank has announced the launch of the
Sovereign
Gold
Bond
Scheme
Tranche-II,
sponsored by the Centre, for public subscription

for five days from January 18 to 22 at all its
2,755 branches. Under the Gold Bond Scheme,
eligible
persons
(individuals,
joint
persons,
associations and trusts) can apply for gold bonds

(minimum 2 gm and maximum of 500 gm). The tenor of the bonds is eight years
with provision for premature cancellation after five years. RBI had notified a rate of
interest of 2.75 per cent per annum and a rate of Rs. 2,600 per gm for
subscriptions under SGB Tranche-II. The Gold Bond Scheme enables people to
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invest in gold without physically buying the gold and receive money equivalent to
the market value of gold as determined by the RBI at the time of redemption and
the interest on the invested amount would be paid semi-annually.
||<><><>||
18th January 2016
Iran Complies With Nuclear Deal; Sanctions Are Lifted
The United States and European nations lifted oil
and financial sanctions on Iran released roughly
$100
billion
inspectors
of
its
assets
concluded
that
after
the
international
country
had
followed through on promises to dismantle large

sections of its nuclear program. The moves came
at the end of a day of high drama that played out
in a diplomatic dance across Europe and the Middle East, just hours after Tehran
and Washington swapped long-held prisoners.
SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket successfully launches Jason-3 Ocean-monitoring

satellite
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has successfully launched
the SpaceX
Falcon 9 rocket carrying Jason-3
Ocean-monitoring satellite. It was launched from

Californias Vandenberg Air Force Base and the
satellite has been successfully inserted it in the
desired orbit. Jason-3 is the 4th mission in the joint
US-European
series
of
satellite
missions
measure the height of the ocean surface.
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that
Indias Dinesh Sharma elected to board of directors of AIIB

Indias Dinesh Sharma has been elected to the
board of directors of the China-sponsored Asian
Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). He has
been elected to the 12-member board through a
secret ballot. This is the first board of directors of
AIIB in which 57 nations are founding members
including India. The inaugural meeting of the
board of the governors of the AIIB also held in Beijing after its formal launch. The
meeting approved by-laws, rules and codes of conduct for the bank. It should be
noted that Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley is the designated governor of the
AIIB from India. However he was represented by Mr. Sharma at the meeting.
Presently, Dinesh Sharma is serving as Additional Secretary of Union Ministry of
Finance.
Chinese scientists develop new bio-artificial liver

Chinese scientists have developed a new bio-artificial
liver that can help patients to survive from liver failure
long enough for an organ transplant. It has been
developed by team of researchers from the Shanghai
Institute for Biological Sciences and doctors from Nanjing
Drum Tower Hospital. The bio-artificial liver is based on
human liver cells and has been designed to be attached
outside a patients body. This liver device is based on
cells taken from human fat, skin or other tissues and is
reprogrammed into liver cells. It can help to prolong lives of patients with liver
failure by recovering patients liver functions till suitable donor livers for a
transplant is found.
Talentsprint2015
Madhya Pradesh selected for Krishi Karman Award for year 2014-15
Madhya Pradesh has been conferred the Union
Governments prestigious Krishi Karman Award
in maximum food grains production category
for year 2014-15 for the 4th consecutive year.
MP has been shortlisted for the award in the
Integrated Agri Production category for the
year 2014-15. It has produced record 328 lakh
tonnes in the mentioned period compared to 280 lakh tonnes 2013-14 periods.
Earlier the state had won this award in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014. The state will
get an amount of five crore rupees along with Krishi Karman award.
Renowned Kannada filmmaker and lyricist Geethapriya passes away

Well-known filmmaker and lyricist Geethapriya,
84, died in Bengaluru after a battle with throat
cancer. Geethapriya was born Lakshman Rao
Mohite on June 15, 1932, and Marathi was his
mother tongue. He started to work in the
Kannada film industry in the mid-1960 and
pretty soon took to direction. He has directed
over 40 films and written about 250 songs. He
was christened 'Geethapriya' meaning 'lover of songs' as a result of his work as a
song-writer. Geethapriya directed many top stars in the Kannada film industry like
Rajkumar and worked in the film industry for over five decades. Some of his best
works include Yaava Janmada Maithri (1972), Beluvalada Madilalli (1975), Besuge
(1976), Hombisilu (1978), Putani Agent 123 (1979), Preethisi Nodu (1981) and
Mouna Geethe (1985). He directed his last film Shravana Sambhrama in 2003.
||<><><>||
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19th January 2016

Sikkim becomes Indias first fully organic state
Sikkim has formally become Indias first fully
organic
state
after
it
successfully
implemented organic farming practices on

around 75,000 hectares of agricultural land.
Formal declaration in this regard was made
by
Prime
Minister
Narendra
Modi
after
inaugurating the Sikkim Organic Festival

2016 in Gangtok, Sikkim. PM also handed the Organic Certificate to Sikkim Chief
Minister Pawan Chamling. The Sikkim Organic Festival 2016 has been organised on
the sidelines of the National Conference on Sustainable Agriculture and Farmers
Welfare. On this occasion, PM also launched three new orchid species developed in
Sikkim which is also known as the Land of Flowers viz. Cymbidium Sardar (named
after Sardar Patel), Cymbidium Deen Dayal (named after Deen Dayal Upaddhyay)
and Cymbidium Namo (named after Narendra Modi).
BSE launches algo trading test facility

Leading stock exchange BSE today launched
an algorithm trading test facility for investors
on its equity and derivatives platform. The
new
service is free of cost for
participants.
Algorithmic
trading
market
or
algo
trading refers to orders on bourses that are

generated using high-frequency, automated execution logic. The new service for
algorithm trading test environment has been launched in partnership with
Symphony BSE -0.70 % Fintech Solutions Pvt Ltd. This service will enable all
market participants to test their trading algorithms in equity, equity derivative and
currency derivative segments free of cost
Talentsprint2015
Easwar panel on Income tax for raising threshold for TDS deduction
A high level panel on simplification of income
tax laws recommended raising the threshold
limits for deduction of tax at source (TDS) as
also slashing the rate of withholding tax. The
Justice (rtd) R V Easwar Committee in a 78page draft, nearly 65 per cent of the personal
income-tax collection in India was through tax
deducted at source (TDS) and TDS provisions need to be made more tax friendly
and not as 'tedious' as they have remained over the years.
Journalist Aroon Tikekar passes away

Senior
journalist
and
scholar
Aroon
Tikekar,
who
authored over 20 books, passed away due to breathingrelated complications. He was 72. Tikekar, who worked
as a college teacher for some years, had also been a
Language
and
Literature
Expert
and
Acquisitions
Specialist at the US Library of Congress Office, New

Delhi. He was the reference chief of the Times of India
and a senior assistant editor for Maharashtra Times. He
was the Editor of Loksatta, Marathi newspaper of the Indian Express Group
Newspaper, for over a decade (1992-2002). Tikekar was also a former Group Editor
of Lokmat and Editor Director of Sakal group of newspapers.
Talentsprint2015
Gunter Butschek is Tata Motors chief

Gunter
Butschek
has
been
appointed
Chief
Executive Officer & Managing Director of Tata

Motors, ending a long search for a suitable
candidate for the post. The countrys largest auto
maker across segments has been leaderless
since the death of its former chief Karl Slym in
Bangkok
in
January
2014.Butschek,
who
is
expected to join the company by February 15,

joins Tata Motors after his last assignment at Airbus Group where he served as CEO
and Member of the Group Executive Committee. He will lead all operations of Tata
Motors in India and in international markets, including South Korea, Thailand,
Indonesia and South Africa.
||<><><>||
20th January 2016
ISRO successfully launches IRNSS-1E satellite
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has
successfully
launched
Indias
fifth
navigation
Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System

(IRNSS) 1E satellite. It was launched on board of
PSLV-C31 rocket from Satish Dhawan Space
Centre (SHAR), Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh.
The IRNSS-1E weighs 1425 kilogram and has the
mission life of 12 years. It equipped with two types of payloads viz. navigation
payload and ranging devices. The navigation payload will be operating in L5-band
and S-band along with and highly accurate Rubidium atomic clock. It will be mainly
used to transmit navigation service signals to the users.
Talentsprint2015
India ranks 89th in Global Talent Competitiveness Index 2015-16

India has ranked 89th globally in Global Talent
Competitiveness Index (GTCI) 2015-16 list of
106
assessed
countries
in
terms
of
talent
competitiveness of its human capital. This GTCI

list was compiled by INSEAD business school in
partnership with Adecco and Human Capital
Leadership Institute of Singapore (HCLI).
This index measures a nations
competitiveness based on the quality of talent it can produce, attract and retain.
Bihar Government approves 35 per cent job reservation for women

Bihar Government has formally approved 35
per cent reservation for women in government
jobs in the state. Decision in this regard was
taken by state cabinet meeting chaired by
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in Patna. This 35
per
cent
reservation
for
women
will
be
applicable to in all government jobs including

reserved and unreserved category. Presently state is already providing 35 percent
reservation for women in recruitment as police constables and sub-inspectors.
There is also 50 percent reservation for women as primary school teachers and in
the Panchayati Raj system.
Talentsprint2015
World Economic Forum meeting starts in Davos, Switzerland

The World Economic Forum is about to start,
with politicians and business leaders descending
on the resort of Davos in the Swiss Alps. The
meeting looks set to be exceptionally busy, as
fears of the return of a global recession abound
after the worst start to a new year ever for
many stock markets around the world. Besides
the market turmoil, those present will probably discuss big themes such as how to
tackle unemployment, the rise of geopolitical tensions, the challenges that
increased automation and artificial intelligence pose to the workforce, the
commodities price crash and climate change.
CCEA approves six-laning of NH-2 in Bihar and Jharkhand

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs
(CCEA) has approved development of the six
laning of National Highway-2 from AurangabadBarwaAdda section in Bihar and Jharkhand.
Decision in this regard was taken in the CCEA
meeting chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra
Modi
in
New
Delhi.
The
six
laning
work
approximately length of 222 kms will be under the National Highways Development
Project (NHDP) Phase-V. It will be undertaken on Design, Build, Finance, Operate
and Transfer (BOT/DBFOT) basis with an estimated cost of Rs.4918.48 crore.
Projects main object is to expedite the improvement of infrastructure in Jharkhand
and Bihar and also in reduce the time and cost of travel for traffic.
||<><><>||
Talentsprint2015
21st January 2016

Union Cabinet approves amendments of Power Tariff Policy to promote
clean energy
The Centre unveiled a new power tariff policy
which
allows
100
percent
expansion
by
existing power plants, passing on levies to

consumers
and
purchase
of
100
percent
electricity produced from waste. The Union

cabinet has approved the proposal of the
Ministry of Power for amendments in the tariff
policy. A holistic view of the power sector has
been taken and comprehensive amendments have been made in the Tariff policy
2006. Our aim is to achieve the objectives of Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana
(UDAY) with the focus on 4 Es: Electricity for all, Efficiency to ensure affordable
tariffs, Environment for a sustainable future, Ease of doing business to attract
investments and ensure financial viability.
Cabinet approves MoU between ISRO and Kuwaits ISR for outer space
cooperation
The
Union
Cabinet
Memorandum
of
has
apprised
Understanding
of
the
(MoU)
between Indian Space Research Organization

(ISRO)
and
Research
Kuwait
(KISR)
on
Institute
of
cooperation
Scientific
in
the
exploration of outer space and use of outer

space technology for peaceful purposes. This
MoU will enable cooperation between both countries for pursuing potential interest
in both cooperative and commercial areas. It will include KISR to use data from
Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) satellites for initiating a few research and application
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projects. Building and launching of remote sensing and communication satellites of

Kuwait on commercial terms and Training purpose.
CCEA approves 5000 MW of Grid-connected Solar PV Power Projects

Cabinet
committee
on
economic
affairs
(CCEA) has approved setting up over 5,000

Mega Watt of Grid-Connected Solar Photo
Voltaic Power Projects on build, own and
operate (BOOT) basis. Decision in this regard
was taken by Union Cabinet meeting chaired
by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. These projects will be Set up in four
trenches of each 1,250 MW capacity during four succeeding financial years from
2015-16 to 2018-19. Implemented by Solar Power Developers with Viability Gap
Funding under Jawahar Lal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM). Cost is five
thousand fifty crore rupees over five years and the total investments expected
under the JNNSM scheme is about 30,000 crore rupees.
Cabinet approves MoU between India and UK in the field of Public

Administration and Governance Reforms
The
Union
Cabinet
Memorandum
of
has
approved
Understanding
(MoU)
between India and United Kingdom for

Cooperation
in
the
field
Public
Administration and Governance Reforms.

This
MoU
was
signed
between
both
countries in November, 2015 during Prime

Minister Narendras official visit to UK. Under this MoU the co-operation will be in
areas like sharing good governance practices in public administration, reducing
bureaucracy in service delivery and user led service design. It will also be in areas
like Government Process Re-engineering, Public Grievance Redress Mechanism,
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Building and developing staff capability, Local Government Reforms. Cooperation in

Reforms towards strengthening of social security, Collaboration in strategies for
promotion of ethics in Government will be also part of it.
Union Government, World Bank signed Financing Agreement for Bihar Kosi
Basin Development Project
The Union Government and World Bank on 20
January 2016 signed the Financing Agreement
for World Bank (IDA) assistance of 250 million
US dollars for Bihar Kosi Basin Development
Project. The Financing Agreement was signed by
Raj
Kumar,
Joint
Secretary,
Department
of
Economic Affairs, Union Government and Onno Ruhl, Country Director in India,
World Bank. It is a loan for an implementation period of 5 years. Bihar Government
will be the implementing agency.
Union Cabinet approves Policy on Promotion of City Compost

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister
Narendra Modi has given its approval to Policy on
Promotion of City Compost. This policy will help in
circulating compost produced from city waste for
the purpose of farming and agriculture. For
increasing production and consumption of City
Compost,
provision
for
Market
development
assistance of Rs. 1500 per tonne of city compost has been added. Farmers will be
benefitted from lower MRP of city compost as result of Market development
assistance. To ensure that environment friendly quality city compost, eco-Mark
standard has been made mandatory. Fertilizer companies will co-market City
Compost along with chemical fertilizers. For promoting the use of compost, these
companies will adopt villages.
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||<><><>||
22nd January 2016
4th India Africa Hydrocarbons Conference begins in New Delhi
The
fourth
edition
Hydrocarbons
of
India
Conference
Africa
(IAHC)
has
begun on January 21, 2016 in New Delhi.

The two day conference aims at enhancing
greater cooperation between India and
African
continent
in
the
field
of
Hydrocarbons. It also seeks to explore

opportunities, bridge boundaries and boost bilateral trade between India and Africa.
22 African nations have participated of which 9 are represented by their Ministers.
These 9 countries are Morocco, Algeria, Liberia, Mauritius, South Sudan, Sudan,
Tunisia, Equatorial Guinea and Senegal. Provide a global forum and common
platform to African Countries to share their vision and chart out the road map for
extended energy cooperation. Bring together African leaders in and also CEOs from
India and abroad to exchange expert insights and develop strategies for enhancing
energy cooperation.
Atulesh Jindal appointed as new chairman of CBDT

Senior Indian Revenue Service (IRS)
Officer
Atulesh
Jindal
has
been
appointed chairman of Central Board of

Direct Taxes (CBDT). His appointment
was
cleared
by
Appointments
Committee of Cabinet (ACC) chaired by

Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Atulesh Jindal will succeed Arun Kumar Jain who has
completed his term. He will have tenure of six-months till he retires in July 2016.
Talentsprint2015
He is a 1978 batch IRS officer and currently working as member (revenue) in the
CBDT.
IBM, NRSC team up to monitor mining activities

In a significant development, the Indian Bureau
of
Mines
has
understanding
signed
with
the
memorandum
National
of
Remote
Sensing Centre of the Department of Space for

monitoring mining activity through satellite
technology. As part of the MoU, the IBM would
set up an exclusive remote sensing cell under
the technical guidance of NRSC at its offices in Nagpur and Hyderabad. The cell will
in turn utilise Bhuvan based services for monitoring mining activities as also for
development of mobile app for field data collection to verify ground realities with
respect of approved proposals.
19th National Conference on e-Governance begins in Nagpur

The nineteenth edition of National Conference
on e-Governance has begun on 21 January
2016
in
Nagpur,
Maharashtra.
It
was
inaugurated by the Union Minister for Road

Transport & Highways Nitin Gadkari and the
Minister
of
State
for
Personnel,
Public
Grievances & Pensions Dr. Jitendra Singh. This

edition of conference has been organised by
Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) in in
association with the Government of Maharashtra.
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AP Government launches Giriputrika Kalyana Pathakam Scheme for tribal

people
Andhra
Pradesh
Giriputrika
Government
Kalyana
Pathakam
has
launched
Scheme
to
support the tribal women in their quest for

livelihood. It was launched by Minister for Social
Welfare Ravela Kishore Babu. The scheme seeks
to reduce rampant infant mortality and child
marriages among tribal people. The scheme is
designed
to
provide
onetime
financial
assistance of 50,000 rupees to each tribal woman who gets married. The amount
will be directly disbursed to the bank accounts of the beneficiary through District
Tribal Welfare Office. To avail the benefits of this scheme, each beneficiary would
have to fulfill some mandatory conditions.
Jehan Daruvala wins 2016 Lady Wigram Trophy motor race

Indian Formula Car driver and Sahara Force India
Academy racer, Jehan Daruvala has won the 2016
Lady Wigram Trophy in New Zealand. It was Daruvalas
maiden victory in Formula car race since he had
switched from karting in 2015. Earlier he had won
Rookie of the Year title at the Renault 2.0 NEC series
championships held in the Netherlands in August 2015
||<><><>||
Talentsprint2015
23rd January 2016

Indias largest and tallest tricolour hoisted at Ranchi
Indias largest tricolour was hoisted atop the tallest
pole at Pahari Mandir in Ranchi, by Defence Minister
Manohar Parrikar. This flag will remain hoisted for
24 hours and shall be illuminated with the help of
twenty sodium vapour lights at night. It is worlds
largest and the highest hoisted Indian flag.
Dimensions of flag: It measures 66 feet in height
and 99 feet in width in the proper ratio 2:3. It was hoisted on pole with height of
293 feet. It weighs 80 kg.
TranServ launches Indias first social mobile wallet Udio

Indias digital payment startup company
TranServ has launched countrys first Social
Mobile Wallet named Udio. The digital wallet
seeks to address the gap between real and
virtual modes of payment as it has more
social experience. It integrates a social,
community-driven
aspect
with
anytime,
anywhere accessibility to digital P2P (peer-to-peer) transactions. These transactions

take place via seamless and secure payment structure that creates a ubiquitous
ecosystem for both consumers and brands. It is relatively easy to use and is a more
casual approach for making cashless payments similar to mobile banking. It enables
users to do squaring of dues, sharing dinner bills or a cab ride and also to pay
electricity and gas bills and make DTH & mobile recharges.
Talentsprint2015
India submits first Biennial Update Report to UNFCCC

India has submitted its first Biennial Update Report
(BUR) to the United Nations Framework Convention
on Climate Change (UNFCCC) towards fulfillment of
the reporting obligation. The BUR has been submitted
as per the provisions of the UNFCCC Convention
which is
obligatory on countries to periodically
provide national information. BUR has been prepared by the Union Ministry of
Environment, Forest and Climate Change (UNFCC) under its NATCOM project
funded by Global Environment Facility (GEF). Contains national inventory of Green
House Gases (GHG) for 2010 and has been prepared in accordance with the
guidelines of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
India to be fastest growing economy in 2016

As per recently released United Nations (UN)
World Economic Situation and Prospects 2016
Report, India will be the fastest growing big
economy in the world in 2016. The report has
projected Indias growth rate by 7.3 % in the year
2016 and 7.5 % in 2017 slightly up from an earlier
estimated 7.2 % rate in 2015. The highest growth
rate in India has been attributed to improvement in the macroeconomic
environment with the help of sharp decline in the prices of oil, food and metals.
Even the investor and consumer confidence has risen even after Indian government
facing difficulties in implementing its wide-ranging economic reform agenda.
Talentsprint2015
Government inks MoU to implement Action Plan for skill development in

Telecom
The Union Ministry of Skill Development and
Entrepreneurship
has
signed
MoU
with
Department of Telecommunication (DoT) for

Skill Development in Telecom Sector. The
MoU has signed to implement National Action
Plan
for
Skill
Development
in
Telecom
Sector. Both signatories will make concerted

joint efforts towards skill development by facilitating mobilization of financial
support for various activities. The financial mobilization will be under the National
Ecosystem for Development of Telecom. National Institute for Policy Research
Innovation and Training (NTIPRT) will be also developed for training and skill
upgradation in Telecom. The Ministry also has launched the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal
Vikas Yojna (PMKVY) Rupay ATM Cum Debit card of Bank of India (BoI).
||<><><>||
24th January 2016
National Girl Child Day is observed on 24th January
National
girl
child
day
is
celebrated every year on 24th of

January as a national observance
day
for
the
girl
child.
This
celebration was started to offer

more
supports
and
new
opportunities to the girls in the country. It is celebrated to increase the awareness

among people about all the inequalities faced by the girl child in the society.
Inequality about girl child is a vast problem which includes many areas like
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inequality in education, nutrition, legal rights, medical care, protection, honour,

child marriage and so many.
Banks to get 2.5 per cent commission under gold monetization scheme
Government will pay banks a 2.5 percent
commission for mobilizing gold under the gold
monetization scheme and depositors will be
permitted
premature
withdrawal
of
the
deposited metal. Under the modified rules,

government will pay the participating banks
fees for their services gold purity testing
charges,
refining,
and
storage
and
transportation charges, among others on medium and long term gold deposits.
Effectively, the banks would be getting a 2.5 percent commission for the scheme
which will include the charges payable to the collection and purity testing
Centers/Refiners
25 children get bravery awards from PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented the
National Bravery Awards to 25 children. He
congratulated
the
children
along
with
their
parents for their bravery to help fellow human

beings in distress. He added that presence of
mind, quick thinking, selfless determination and
sensitivity for fellow human beings in distress
were the most important elements of the acts of bravery of these children. For the
award winners, this act of bravery should not become an end in itself. Life must
continue to evolve and the children should continue to develop their careers and
continue to serve society to the best of their abilities.
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Sourav Kothari pockets National Billiards title

Reigning
national
champion
Sourav
Kothari
pocketed his maiden Asian Billiards Championship

title after getting past compatriot Alok Kumar 6-3 in
the finals. Sourav, 29, started off well to gain a 3-0
lead. Alok was lucky to win the fourth game but
Sourav had no interest in giving any loose strings as
he returned with two more breaks win to widen the
gap to 5-1. Alok though tried to put some pressure on Sourav by winning two more
games, but Sourav sealed victory with a 99-point break.
||<><><>||
25th January 2016
EC celebrates 6th National Voters Day across India

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has
celebrated the 6th National Voters Day across
the country. Theme for year 2016 is Inclusive
and Qualitative Participation. Observances to
mark this day, ECI have organized National
level function in New Delhi in which President
Pranab Mukherjee was the Chief Guest. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Nasim
Zaidi also released the book titled Belief in the Ballot and presented the first copy to
the President. President also gave away Awards for Best Electoral Practices to Chief
Electoral Officers, District Electoral Officers and other Officers involved in election
management. Civil society organizations and Media houses were also given awards
for best campaign in Voters Education and Awareness.
Talentsprint2015
First Ministerial Meeting of Arab-India Cooperation Forum held Manama
The first Ministerial Meeting of Arab-India

Cooperation Forum was held Manama, capital
city of Bahrain. The meeting was inaugurated
by Bahrains
Foreign Minister
Khalid
bin
Ahmed Al Khalifa and was attended by

representatives of 22 Arab League nations.
Indian
side
was
represented
by
Union
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and also Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar.
The forum seeks to provide platform for Indias bid to reach out to West Asian
nations (22 Arab League nations) to further strengthen the economic, trade and
financial cooperation.
PV Sindhu wins 2016 Malaysia Masters Grand Prix Gold Badminton title
Ace Indian Shuttler Pusarla Venkata Sindhu (World
No.12) has won the 2016 Malaysia Masters Grand
Prix Gold Badminton title. In the final match
played at Penang she defeated Scotlands Kirsty
Gilmour (World No.20) by 21-15, 21-9 score. This
was Sindhus second title in Malaysia Masters
Grand Prix which an earlier she had won in 2013.
It was overall fifth career Grand prix gold title and first title of the season 2016.
Sindhus other four titles are Malaysia Masters (2013) and hat-trick Macau Open
won in 2013, 2014 and 2015.
Talentsprint2015
ONGC gets environmental clearance for project in Krishna-Godavari basin

State owned Oil and Natural Gas Corporation
Limited (ONGC) has received environmental
clearance for a project in the Krishna-Godavari
(KG) basin in Andhra Pradesh. Under this
clearance, ONGC project has been allowed to
drill 45 development wells and other related
infrastructure
will
cost
over
53,000
crore
rupees at offshore KG-DWN-98/2 block. ONGC also has been asked to obtain
Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearance, approval from Directorate General of
Shipping (DGS) for commencement of drilling. It also has been asked to comply
with all recommendations and conditions specified by Andhra Pradesh Coastal Zone
Management Authority.
Tabla maestro Pandit Shankar Ghosh passes away

Eminent tabla player Pandit Shankar Ghosh passed
away in Kolkata, West Bengal following a prolonged
illness. He was 80. He was amongst the most wellknown tabla players in the country and followed the
Farukhabad gharana of Hindustani classical music. He
had started learning training taleem in 1953 under
the guidance of legendary Pandit Gyan Prakash
Ghosh. Ustad Feroz Khan, Pandit Sudarshan Adhikari and Pandit Anath Nath Bose
were his other teachers. He had taught tabla to a large number of students not only
in India but also in Europe. He was the mentor of Bickram Ghosh. He had
performed with vocalists such as Pandit Omkarnath Thakur, Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali
Khan, Girija Devi, Pandit Vinayakrao Patwardhan and Akhtari Bai.
Talentsprint2015
Maharashtras
first
Solar
Power
operated
Mini-Water
Supply
Plant
commissioned
The first Solar Power operated Mini-Water Supply
Plant
of
Maharashtra
was
commissioned
in
Hingna village of Mouda Taluka in Nagpur district.

It will facilitate villagers to get pure water supply
for a very low cost which can easily be borne by
the Gram Panchayat. The unit has been installed
in the village on experimental basis by private company Rite Water Solutions under
the supervision of the Zilla Parishad authorities. The system delivers 10,000 Litres
of purified water every day and runs completely on solar power for which 1800
Watt panels. It purifies the water by removing nitrate content in order to prevent
the ill effects on the health of villagers.
||<><><>||
26th January 2016

India celebrates 67th Republic Day
India celebrated 67th Republic day 26th
January
2016
by
displaying
its
cultural
diversity, economic progress and military

might were on display at Rajpath, New Delhi.
In the national Capital, President Pranab
Mukherjee unfurled the national flag and
took salute of the parade at Rajpath. French President Francois Hollande was chief
guest of Republic Day function. With this he became 5th highest dignitary from
France to be Chief Guest of Indian Republic Day parade. The Parade was led by
Lieutenant General Rajan Ravindran. In the parade, women empowerment was
seen as women contingent of CRPF participated in the parade.
Talentsprint2015
India, France ink 14 pacts for cooperation various fields

India
and
France
Understanding
signed
(MoU)
Memorandum
relating
to
of
Inter
Governmental Agreement (IGA) for purchase of 36

Rafale planes which basically talks about the
intention to buy the planes from the French
Government without specifying when and for how
much. In all, 14 agreements were signed covering
civil
nuclear
energy,
education,
renewable
energy,
space
and
Information
Technology between the two countries during French President Francois Hollandes
ongoing visit to India.
Govt launches online payment facility for LPG cylinders

Petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan launched
the online payment facility for consumers at the
time of booking their LPG refill cylinder. This will
avoid leaving cash with their family members or
attendants while taking delivery of the cylinder.
The
payment
facility
can
be
availed
at
www.mylpg.in which can be accessed in 13 Indian languages. Earlier, only online

booking facility was available for customers of oil marketing companies (OMCs)
namely Indian Oil, Hindustan Petroleum and Bharat Petroleum and consumers were
required to pay cash to vendor on delivery of cylinders.
Talentsprint2015
President Mukherjee approves 11 gallantry awards

President Pranab Mukherjee has approved
the award of one Ashok Chakra, two Kirti
Chakras and eight Shaurya Chakras to the
Indian Army personnel on the occasion of
Republic Day 2016.
The list of awardees:

Ashok Chakra
Lance Naik Mohan Nath Goswami (Posthumous), 9 PARA (Special Force)
Kirti Chakra
Subedar Mahendra Singh, Sena Medal, 9 PARA (Special Force)
Sepoy Jagdish Chand (Posthumous), 546 DSC Platoon
Shaurya Chakra
Colonel Santosh Yashwant Mahadik (Posthumous), Sena Medal, 41 Rashtriya Rifle
(PARA)
Major Praphul Kumar Bhardwaj, 12 PARA (Special Force)
Major Anurag Kumar, 9 PARA (Special Force)
Major Sandip Yadav, 55 Rashtriya Rifle (Armed)
Lieutenant Harjinder Singh, 3 KUMAON
Naik Satish Kumar (Posthumous), 21 Rashtriya Rifle (Guards)
Naik Kheem Singh Mehra, 21 KUMAON
Sepoy Dharma Ram (Posthumous), 1 Rashtriya Rifle (MAHAR)
Talentsprint2015
List of Padma awardees 2016

Former
Comptroller
General
of
India
Rajinikanth,
and
Vinod
spiritual
Auditor
Rai,
guru
Sri
actor
Sri
Ravishankar and tennis player Sania

Mirza are on the list of 112 Padma
awardees.
The awards will be given across three categories: the Padma Vibhushan, Padma
Bhushan and Padma Shri. These awards are given on Republic Day, for the over six
decades now, to people who the government recognizes have excelled in their
fields.
Below is the full list:
Padma Vibhushan
1. Ms. Yamini Krishnamurthi
Art- Classical dance
Delhi
2. Shri Rajinikanth
Art-Cinema
3. Smt. Girija Devi
Art-Classical Vocal
4. Shri Ramoji Rao
Literature & Education-Journalism
5. Dr. Viswanathan Shanta

6. Shri Shri Ravi Shankar
7. Shri Jagmohan
Tamil Nadu
West Bengal
Medicine- Oncology
Others-Spiritualism
Public Affairs
8. Dr.Vasudev Kalkunte Aatre

9. Shri Avinash Dixit (Foreigner)
Andhra Pradesh
Tamil Nadu
Karnataka
Delhi
Science & Engineering
Karnataka
Literature & Education
10.Late Shri Dhiru Bhai Ambani (Posthumous)
USA
Trade & Industry
Padma Bhushan
11.Shri Anupam Kher
Art-Cinema
12.Shri Udit Narayan Jha

Talentsprint2015
Maharashtra
Art-Playback Singing
Maharashtra
Maharashtra
13.Shri Ram V. Sutar
Art-Sculpture
14.Shri Heisnam Kanhailal

15.Shri Vinod Rai
Uttar Pradesh
Art-Theatre
Civil Service
Kerala
16.Dr. Yarlagadda Lakshmi Prasad
17.Prof. N. S. Ramanuja Tatacharya

18.Dr. Barjinder Singh Hamdard
19.Prof. D. Nageshwar Reddy
Manipur
Medicine-Gastroenterology
Other-Spiritualism
21.Shri Hafeez Contractor
Others-Architecture
22.Shri Ravindra Chandra Bhargava

24.Ms. Saina Nehwal
25.Ms. Sania Mirza
Sports-Tennis
Trade & Industry
27.Late
Dayanand
Telangana
Maharashtra
Public Affairs
Sports-Badminton
Punjab
Maharashtra
Uttar Pradesh
26.Ms. Indu Jain

Swami
Maharashtra
Literature & Education - Journalism
20.Swami Tejomayananda
23.Dr.Venkata Rama Rao Alla
Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh
Telangana
Telangana
Delhi
Sarawasati
(Posthumous)
Others-Spiritualism
Uttarakhand
28.Shri Robert Blackwill (Foreigner)
Public Affairs
29.Shri Pallonji Shapoorji Mistry (NRI/PIO)
USA
Trade & Industry
Ireland
Padma Shri
30.Smt. Prathibha Prahlad
Art- Classical Dance
31.Shri Bhikhudan Gadhvi
Art- Folk Music
Delhi
Gujarat
32.Shri Sribhas Chandra Supakar
Art- Textile Designing
33.Shri Ajay Devgn
Maharashtra
Art-Cinema
34.Ms. Priyanka Chopra

35.Pt. Tulsidas Borkar
36.Dr. Soma Ghosh
Art-Cinema
Art-Classical Vocal
38.Shri S.S. Rajamouli
Goa
Uttar Pradesh
Art-Film Direction and Production
39.Shri Madhur Bhandarkar

40.Prof. M. Venkatesh Kumar
Talentsprint2015
Maharashtra
Art-Classical Music
37.Shri Nila Madhab Panda
Uttar Pradesh
Karnataka

Art-Folk Artist
Karnataka
Delhi
Maharashtra
41.Ms. Gulabi Sapera
Art-Folk Dance
42.Smt. Mamta Chandrakar

43.Ms. Malini Awasthi
Art-Folk Music
Art-Folk Music
44.Shri Jai Prakash Lekhiwal

45.Shri K. Laxma Goud
Art-Miniature Painting
Art-Painting
47.Shri Naresh Chander Lal

49.Shri Prahlad Chandra Tasa
Telangana
Art-Photography
Assam
Gujarat
54.Shri Kameshwaram Brahma
Assam
Delhi
55.Prof. Pushpesh Pant
Andaman & Nicobar
52.Dr.Santeshivara Bhyrappa
Madhya Pradesh
51.Shri Dahyabhai Shastri
Delhi
Art-Theatre & Cinema
48.Shri Dhirendra Nath Bezbaruah
53.Shri Haldar Nag
Chhattisgarh
Uttar Pradesh
46.Shri Bhalchandra Dattatray Mondhe
50.Dr.Ravindra Nagar
Rajasthan
Karnataka
Odisha
Literature & Education -Journalism
56.Shri Jawaharlal Kaul
Assam
Delhi
Jammu &
Kashmir
57.Shri Ashok Malik
Literature &Education
58.Dr.Mannam Gopi Chand

59.Prof. Ravi Kant
Medicine-Cardio Thoracic Surgery
Medicine-Surgery
60.Prof. Ram Harsh Singh

61.Prof. Shiv Narain Kureel
62.Dr.Sabya Sachi Sarkar
Delhi
Telangana
Uttar Pradesh
Medicine- Ayurveda
Uttar Pradesh
Medicine- Paediatric Surgery

Medicine -Radiology
63.Dr. Alla Gopala Krishna Gokhale
Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh
Medicine-Cardiac Surgery
Andhra
Pradesh
64.Prof. T.K. Lahiri
Medicine-Cardio Thoracic Surgery
65.Dr. Praveen Chandra
Medicine-Cardiology
66.Prof. (Dr) Daljeet Singh Gambhir
Uttar Pradesh
Delhi
Medicine-Cardiology
67.Dr.Chandrasekar Shesadri Thoguluva
Uttar Pradesh
Medicine-Gastroenterology
Nadu
68.Dr. (Mrs.) Anil Kumari Malhotra
69.Prof. M.V. Padma Srivastava
Talentsprint2015
Medicine-Homeopathy
Medicine-Neurology
Delhi
Delhi
Tamil
70.Dr. Sudhir V. Shah

71.Dr. M. M. Joshi
Medicine-Neurology
Gujarat
Medicine-Ophthalmology
72.Prof. (Dr) John Ebnezar
Medicine-Orthopaedic Surgery
73.Dr. Nayudamma Yarlagadda

74.Shri Simon Oraon
Other-Culinary
76.Shri Piyush Pandey
Karnataka
Medicine-Paediatric Surgery
Other -Environment Conservation
75.Shri Imitiaz Qureshi
Andhra Pradesh
Jharkhand
Delhi
Others-Advertising & Communication
77.Shri Subhash Palekar
Others-Farming
78.Shri Ravinder Kumar Sinha

79.Dr. H.R. Nagendra
80.Shri M. C. Mehta
Karnataka
82.Shri Ujjwal Nikam

84.Dr. Satish Kumar
Delhi
Public Affairs
Public Affairs
83.Shri Tokheho Sema
Bihar
Karnataka
Public Affairs
81.Shri M. N. Krishna Mani
Maharashtra
Others-Wildlife Conservation
Others-Yoga
Maharashtra
Delhi
Maharashtra
Public Affairs
Nagaland
Delhi
85.Dr.Mylswamy Annadurai
Karnataka
86.Prof. Dipankar Chatterji
Karnataka
87.Prof.(Dr.)
Ganapati
Dadasaheb
Yadav
Science
&
Engineering
Maharashtra
88.Smt. (Prof.) Veena Tandon
89.Shri Onkar Nath Srivastava
Science and Engineering
90.Ms. Sunita Krishnan
Social Work
91.Shri Ajoy Kumar Dutta

92.Shri M. Pandit Dasa
Uttar Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh
Social Work
Social Work
93.Shri P. P. Gopinathan Nair
Meghalaya
Assam
Karnataka
Social Work
Kerala
94.Smt. Madeleine Herman de Blic
Social Work
Puducherry
95.Shri Srinivasan Damal Kandalai
Social work
Tamil Nadu
96.Shri Sudhakar Olwe

97.Dr. T.V. Narayana
Social Work
Social Work
98.Shri Arunachalam Murugantham

99.Ms. Deepika Kumari
100. Shri Sushil Doshi
Talentsprint2015
Maharashtra
Telangana
Social Work
Sports-Archery
Tamil Nadu
Jharkhand
Sports-commentary
Madhya Pradesh
101. Shri Mahesh Sharma
Trade & Industry
102. Shri Saurabh Srivastava

103. Sh Dilip Sanghvi
Trade & Industry
Trade & Industry
104. Dr. Keki Hormusji Gharda
Delhi
Delhi
Maharashtra
Trade & Industry
105. Late Shri Prakash Chand Surana
Maharashtra
(Posthumous)
Art
-Classical Music
Rajasthan
106. Late Shri Saeed Jaffrey (NRI/PIO/Posthumous)
107. Shri Michael Postel (Foreigner)
Art-Archaeology
108. Shri Salman Amin Sal Khan (NRI/PIO)

109. Smt. Hui Lan Zhang (Foreigner)
Art-Cinema
Serbia
Social Work
112. Shri Ajaypal Singh Banga (NRI/PIO)
USA
China
Others-Yoga
111. Dr.Sundar Aditya Menon (NRI/PIO)
France
Others-Yoga
110. Shri Predrag K. Nikic (Foreigner)
UK
UAE
Trade & Industry
USA
Malayalam actress Kalpana passes away in Hyderabad

Malayalam
film
actress
Kalpana
Ranjani,
known as Kalpana, died in Hyderabad on

Monday (January 25) morning due to heart
attack. She was 51. Kalpana, who had acted
in 300-odd films in South Indian languages,
had won the Best Supporting Actress award
for her performance in a Malayalam film in
2012. Sister of film actresses Urvashi and Kalaranjini, Kalpana was known as a
comic actress in the industry. She had made her debut in the film industry as a
child artiste in 1983. Since then, she grew along with the South Indian film industry
to become a leading actress. Among her other Malayalam hits are Ennum
Eppuzhum, Karnavar, Dolfins, Bangalore Days and Spirit.
Kakki Sattai,
Idhaya Thiruda, Sathi Leelavathi and Chinna Veedu are among her Tamil
films.
||<><><>||
Talentsprint2015
27th January 2016

India and Russia sign agreement on scientific research
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime
Minister Narendra Modi was apprised about
signing of an agreement between India and
Russia in May 2015. The Agreement provides
for competitive research grants to Indian and
Russian researchers for joint implementation
of research projects in areas of Basic and
Exploratory Sciences. The Agreement is valid for a period of six years and could be
extended through mutual consent between Department of Science & Technology
(DST) and Russian Science Federation (RSF).
India ranks 76 in 2015 Corruption Perception Index

The Berlin-based
corruption watchdog
Transparency International (TI) has put

India at rank 76 out of 168 countries in
its latest Corruption Perception Index.
The countrys 2015 corruption perception
score remains the same as last years
38/100 showing lack of improvement.
India shares its rank along with six other countries: Brazil, Burkina Faso, Thailand,
Tunisia and Zambia. China fared worse than India and Brazil at rank 83 with a
score of 37. TI has also noted that Pakistan is the only country among the SAARC
countries, to have improved its score this year, though its rank remains poor at
117.
Talentsprint2015
Australias highest civilian award for 3 PIOs

Three
Indian-origin
persons
have
been
awarded Australias highest civilian honour for

their contribution in the fields of physics,
engineering and medicine.
Chennupati Jagadish, an eminent professor at
Australian
National
University
(ANU)
in
Canberra, Jay Chandra, an eye doctor in New

South Wales, and Sajeev Koshy, a dentist in Melbourne, received the Order of
Australia medal for the year 2016 announced on the Australia Day. Mr. Jagadish
was conferred with the award for his eminent service to physics and engineering,
particularly in the field of nanotechnology, to education as a leading academic,
researcher, author and mentor, and through executive roles with national and
international scientific advisory institutions.
Shri Thaawarchand Gehlot launches National Job Portal for persons with
disabilities
Social
Justice
and
Empowerment,
Shri
Thaawarchand Gehlot launched an exclusive job

portal for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs). The
PwDs can avail the different facilities such as self
employment loan, education loan, skill training,
link to scholarships and information about jobs in
a single window platform through this National
Job Portal. Ministers of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Shri Krishan Pal
Gurjar and Shri Vijay Sampla were also graced the occasion.
Talentsprint2015
Abe Vigoda, Sunken-Eyed Character Actor, Dead at 94

Character actor Abe Vigoda, whose leathery,
sad-eyed face made him ideal for playing the
over-the-hill detective Phil Fish in the 1970s TV
series "Barney Miller" and the doomed Mafia
soldier in "The Godfather," died at age 94.
Vigoda
worked
in relative
obscurity as
supporting actor in the New York theater and in

television until Francis Ford Coppola cast him in the 1972 Oscar-winning "The
Godfather."
||<><><>||
28th January 2016
India and Armenia sign Protocol amending the Double Taxation Avoidance
Convention
India and Armenia has signed a Protocol
to amend the existing Double Taxation
Avoidance Convention (DTAC) to curb
instances of tax evasion. The Protocol
amends
the
Article
on
Exchange
of
Information for tax in the bilateral DTAC

signed between India and Armenia and
has been in existence since September 2004. It has been amended to bring it in
line with the updated provisions in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and
Development (OECD) Model.
Talentsprint2015
Rajasthan signs MoU to join UDAY scheme

Rajasthan has become the third state to sign a
memorandum of understanding for joining the
central
governments
state
electricity
distribution utility revival scheme. The MoU was

signed
between
the
central
government,
Rajasthan government and the three electricity

distribution utilities in Rajasthan Jaipur Vidyut
Vitran Nigam Ltd, Jodhpur Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd and Ajmer Vidyut Vitran Nigam
Ltd. Under the Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana (UDAY) scheme, the Rajasthan
government will take over Rs. 60,500 crore of the debt on the books of the
electricity distribution utilities. The remaining Rs. 20,000 crore will be issued as
state guaranteed DISCOM bonds at coupon rates of around 3 per cent lower than
the average existing interest rate.
India successfully test fires Akash missiles

India test fired its indigenously-developed
surface-to-air Akash missile as part of a
user trial from the Integrated Test Range
(ITR) at Chandipur. Three rounds of test
were carried out by IAF personnel aiming
at para-barrel targets. The missiles, with
a strike range of 25 km and capability to
carry warhead of 60 kg, were test fired from 11 AM to 2 PM from the launch
complex-3 of the ITR. Akash, which aimed at a para-barrel target during the trial, is
a medium range surface-to-air anti-aircraft defence system developed by the
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) as part of the Integrated
Guided Missile Development Programme.
Talentsprint2015
CERT-In signs cyber security pacts with 3 nations

CERT-In is the nodal agency responsible for
dealing with cyber security threats. The
Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) will
promote closer cooperation for exchange of
knowledge
and
experience
in
detection,
resolution and prevention of security-related

incidents
between
India
and
the
three
countries. The Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, apprised of the
three MoUs which were signed last November and December. An agreement
between CERT-In and CyberSecurity, Malaysia, was signed on November 23, 2015,
in Kuala Lumpur during Mr.Modi's visit to Malaysia, while the MoU with Singapore
Computer Emergency Response Team (SingCERT), Cyber Security Agency (CSA) of
the Republic of Singapore was signed on November 24, 2015 during the Prime
Ministers visit to Singapore.
India overtakes Thailand as Worlds largest Rice exporter

India has overtaken Thailand as the worlds
largest rice exporter in the year 2015 by
shipping (exporting) 10.23 million tonnes of
rice. It was announced by the Bangkok
based
Thai
Chairman
Rice
Charoen
Exporters
Association
Laodhammatas.
The
south-east Asian country ranked second on

the list of the worlds largest rice exporting countries. It has exported 9.8 million
tonnes of rice to the world market in year 2015 compared to 10.9 million tonnes in
year 2014.
||<><><>||
Talentsprint2015
29th January 2016

India gets more voting rights in IMF reforms
Indias voting rights increase to 2.6 per cent
from the current 2.3 per cent, and Chinas, to six
per cent from 3.8, as per the new division.
Russia and Brazil are the other two countries
that gain from the reforms. More than six per
cent of the quota shares will shift to emerging
and developing countries from the U.S. and
European countries. The combined quotas or the capital countries contribute
doubles to about $659 billion from about $329 billion. The significant resource
enhancement will fortify the IMFs ability to respond to crises more effectively.
These reforms will reinforce the credibility, effectiveness, and legitimacy of the IMF.
Govt. announces list of first 20 smart cities under 'Smart Cities Mission'
The list of 20 smart cities out of the 98
shortlisted for the 'Smart Cities Mission' was
released. These 20 cities will be the first to
receive funds, thus kick starting the process of
developing them into 'smart cities'. The next two
years will see the inclusion of 40 and 38 cities,
respectively. A 'smart city' is an urban region
that is highly advanced in terms of overall infrastructure, sustainable real estate,
communications and market viability. It is a city where information technology is
the principal infrastructure and the basis for providing essential services to
residents. There are many technological platforms involved, including but not
limited to automated sensor networks and data centres.
Talentsprint2015
Gurdeep Singh appointed as CMD of NTPC

Gurdeep Singh, managing director of
Gujarat
State
Electricity
Corporation
Limited (GSEC), has been appointed as

chairman
central
and
PSU
Corporation
managing
National
(NTPC).
director
Thermal
Mr.
of
Power
Singh
was
instrumental in GSEC's turnaround, the

power generation entity of the Gujarat government. According to sources, there
were more than 100 candidates in the fray for the top job in NTPC. PM Modi himself
picked up Gurdeep Singh because he wants to put the power sector on track as part
of his ambitious plan to electrify all villages
Twitter appoints AmEx executive Leslie Berland as new CMO

Micro blogging site Twitter has appointed Leslie
Berland as its Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) of the
company.
Prior
to this
appointment,
she
was
working at American Express (AmEx) as executive

vice-president of global advertising, marketing and
digital partnerships. She had joined AmEx in 2005
and had overseen its advertising, sponsorships,
media, content and brand identity. She also helped to create AmExs first social
media strategies. Leslie Berland was placed at 6th position in Fast Companys 100
Most Creative People in Business issue and also was included in Advertising Ages
Creativity 50 list.
Talentsprint2015
Navneet Kaur, Santosh Kadale won gold in Senior National Rowing

Championship
Punjabs Navneet Kaur won two gold medals
in
the
34th
Championship
Senior
at
National
Hussainsagar
Rowing
Lake,
Hyderabad. It was her maiden gold at the

countrys highest level in the senior category.
Kaur took 8:26.83 seconds to take the first
place in the 2000mts Open Single Scull.
Later, Navneet and Harpreet Kaur won the womens doubles sculls timing 7:42.94
seconds. In the men single scull, Nasiks Santosh Kadale won his maiden national
gold. Host Telangana men team had to be contended with a silver in the Open
Mens Coxless while K Tejeshwar Reddy bagged a bronze medal for Andhra Pradesh
in single scull.
Justice Sanjay Mishra appointed as Lokayukta of Uttar Pradesh

Justice
Sanjay
Mishra
has
been
appointed
as
Lokayukta of Uttar Pradesh after his appointment

was approved by the Supreme Court. In this regard,
the apex court recalled its earlier order of appointing
Justice Virendra Singh as Lokayukta of UP after
objections were raised against Singhs appointment.
Earlier in December 2015, SC in its ruling had passed
order appointing Justice Virendra Singh as Lokayukta of Uttar Pradesh using its
extraordinary powers under Article 142 of the Constitution. Courts order came after
repeated failure of the state government to comply with the courts directives in the
appointment of Lokayukta.
Talentsprint2015
Sania Mirza, Martina Hingis win 2016 Australian Open title of Tennis
Ace Indian tennis player Sania Mirza and her
Swiss partner Martina Hingis have won the
2016 Australian Open title of tennis in the
womens doubles category. In the final match
played
at
Melbourne
(Australia),
the
top
seeded duo defeated seventh seeded Czech

pair of Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka
by 7-6 (1), 6-3 score. It was overall there 12th
title together after they had teamed from 2015. It was also their 36th match win
together in a row. It is their and their maiden Australian Open title. Their 11 WTA
doubles titles are: Indian Wells, Miami, Charleston, Wimbledon, US Open,
Guangzhou, Wuhan, Beijing and the WTA Finals in 2015 and followed by Brisbane
(2016) and Sydney (2016).
||<><><>||
30th January 2016
Naresh Bedi awarded V Shantaram Life Time Acheivement Award at MIFF
Veteran wildlife filmmaker Naresh Bedi
was honoured with the V. Shantaram
Lifetime Achievement Award as the 14th
edition
Festival
of
for
Animation
the
Mumbai
Documentary,
Films
(MIFF
International
Short
and
2016)
got
underway. The festival was inaugurated by

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union Minister of State for
Information & Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore in the presence of veteran film
maker Shyam Benegal, MIFF brand ambassador Jackie Shroff, Indian Documentary
Producers Association (IDPA) President Mike Pandey and Festival Director Mukesh
Sharma.
Talentsprint2015
Australian Open 2016: Angelique Kerber stuns Serena Williams to win title
Angelique Kerber from Germany has won the
2016 Australian Open Title of Tennis in the
womens singles category. It was her maiden
Grand Slam Tennis title. In the final match
played at Melbourne, Australia she defeated
defending champion Serena Williams (World
No. 1) in three sets 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 score. With
this win, Kerber became the first German women tennis player to win a major
Grand Slam Tennis title since Steffi Graf in 1999.
Dr. Kamlesh Kumar Pandey appointed as Chief Commissioner for Persons

with Disabilities
Union Government has appointed Dr. Kamlesh Kumar
Pandey as the Chief Commissioner for Persons with
Disabilities (CCPD) for a period of three years. Prior to
this appointment, Dr. Pandey was associated with NGO
Saksham working in the field of disability. He is a
Science Graduate from University of Allahabad and
Medical Graduate from Agra University in 1990. He was
also associated NGO with Sewa Bharti and there he
had worked in rehabilitation of slum dwellers. He was
also associated with NGO Akhil Bhartiya Dristihin Kalyan Sangh which is working for
visually challenged persons.
Talentsprint2015
Former Army Chief General K V Krishna Rao passes away

Former Jammu and Kashmir governor and retired chief of
Army staff, General K V Krishna Rao, passed away. He was
93. General Rao was commissioned in the Army in August
1942 and served in Burma, North West Frontier and
Baluchistan during the Second World War. He was part of
Lord Mountbattens Punjab Boundary Force during Partition,
which saved lives in both East and West Punjab during
extensive rioting. He saw action as a Company Commander with 3 Mahar, the
infantry battalion he later commanded, in the Jammu and Kashmir operations of
1948.
Nisid Hajari wins 2016 Colby Award for Best Military Book
Nisid Hajari has won the 2016 William E. Colby
Award for his book, Midnights Furies: The Deadly
Legacy of Indias Partition. Now in its 17th year,
the Colby prize is awarded annually by Norwich
University to a first-time author in recognition of a
work of fiction or non-fiction that has made a
major contribution to the understanding of military history, intelligence operations
or international affairs. Hajari spent 10 years as a top editor at Newsweek
International and Newsweek magazine in New York, during which the magazine
won over 50 awards for its international coverage.
Talentsprint2015
Prince Mahidol Award for 2015 announced

The Prince Mahidol Award Foundation has named an
American professor as the winner of the Prince Mahidol
Award 2015 in the field of medicine and a British
researcher as the winner in the field of public health.
Morton M. Mower
The award winner in medicine is Professor Morton M.
Mower from the United States. He co-invented the
Automatic Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator, a device that helps monitor the
heart rate and rhythm and deliver electrical current when abnormality is detected.
The device is implanted in the bodies of up to 200,000 people each year due to its
proven effectiveness in saving the lives of patients suffering from cardiac
arrhythmia.
Sir Michael Gideon Marmot
Meanwhile, Sir Michael Gideon Marmot from the United Kingdom won the award in
public health for his evidence-based evaluation on the Social Determinants of
Health, the concept of which has been adopted by the British government and the
World Health Organization to eliminate health inequities and ensure better wellbeing for people.
||<><><>||
Talentsprint2015
31st January 2016
Kidambi Srikanth wins Syed Modi Grand Prix Gold title

Top seed Kidambi Srikanth made a rollicking
start to the new season as he clinched the Syed
Modi Grand Prix Gold with a convincing win over
China's Huang Yuxiang in the men's singles
final. World No. 9 Srikanth, who had reached
the summit clash in the last edition as well,
prevailed over 73rd ranked Huang 21-13, 1421, 21-14 to lay his hands on the crown and take home a cheque of $9000. It was
his fifth title having won the 2013 Thailand Grand Prix Gold, 2014 China Super
Series premier and Swiss Open Grand Prix Gold and India Super Series last year.
Tamil Nadu to set up 800MW supercritical coal-based power plant

Tamil Nadu government has set the ball rolling for
establishing the state's first 800MW supercritical
coal-based
power
plant,
with
chief
minister
Jayalalithaa laying the foundation stone for the Rs

6,000 crore project. Public sector unit BHEL has
been awarded contract for the Rs 6,376 crore
project which will come up at Athipattu in
Tiruvallur district over 250 acres of land. Jayalalithaa laid the foundation stone for
the project. This is the first time in Tamil Nadu that a 800MW unit is being
established under the supercritical technology. The project will be completed in
August 2019 and 19.2 million units of power a day will be generated
Talentsprint2015
Nasa to Test First Integrated-Photonics Modem

A Nasa team is working to build a new
communications modem that will employ a
revolutionary
technology
to
transform
everything from telecommunications, medical

imaging, advanced manufacturing to national
defence.
The
space
agency's
first-ever
"integrated-photonics" modem will be tested

aboard the International Space Station beginning in 2020 as part of Nasa's multiyear Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD)
Djokovic thrashes Murray to claim sixth Australian Open title

Top-ranked Djokovic maintained his perfect streak
in six Australian Open finals with a 6-1, 7-5, 7-6
(7-3) victory, equaling Roy Emersons record for
Australian titles. Murray continued his unwanted
streak, too, slumping to 0-5 in championship
deciders Down Under. The 28-year-old Murray had
his share of distractions in Australia. His wife, Kim,
is due to have their first child in February and stayed in Britain. Kims father, Nigel
Sears, traveled to Australia as coach for Ana Ivanovic, and had to be rushed to
hospital by ambulance while Murray was on court in his third-round match. Nigel
Sears spent a night in a nearby hospital last weekend but was well enough to
return home, which meant Murray could stay in Australia and try to refocus on
winning the title.
Talentsprint2015
Malayalam actor Kollam G K Pillai passes away

Veteran cinema-television actor G Krishna Pillai has
died. He was 82. A theatre-turned cinema-television
actor, Pillai is known for his character and comedy
roles in dramas, movies and TV serials. Popularly
known as Kollam G K Pillai, he began his acting
career through theatre. He had been active in theatre
since 1960s and enacted a handful of memorable roles in noted dramas of that time
including Neetipeedham, Kunjali Maraykkar and Ezharaponnana.
Talentsprint2015

January 2016 Current Affairs

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January 2016 Current Affairs

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www.talentsprint.

1st January 2016

Union inks Financing Agreement with World Bank to fund education of

lending arm. This credit will be in the form of loan

DAVA project bags 2015 eASIA award for trade facilitation

administered by AFACT which aims to development and

Indias Petronet LNG ink revised contract with RasGas of Qatar

Indian-origin cancer expert Harpal Singh Kumar knighted

The Committee will be assisted

Censor Board chief Nihalani on revamp committee

(Certification) Rules, 1983.

Vocalist Sanjay Subrahmanyam conferred with 2015 Sangita Kalanidhi

award. The prestigious award was conferred

Balasubramaniam, ML Vasanthakumari and M Balamuralikrishna.

Veteran CPI leader AB Bardhan passes away

politician, his influence extended beyond electoral

President Xi Jinping giving military flags to the

command for the People's Liberation Army, a

PMs inaugural address at 103rd session of Indian Science Congress

innovators to realize the goals of economic welfare

Jayalalithaa launches Amma seeds scheme for farmers

launched the scheme Amma Seeds which is

proposed the scheme in 2014, saying quality,

benches in select high courts and another on

Corp Bank gets NPCI awards

performance of member banks. Corporation Bank

NABARD, NRSC sign MoU for web-based monitoring of watershed projects.

Development (Nabard) signed a Memorandum

monitoring of watershed projects. The webbased monitoring of Indo-German Watershed

New-age app and green PIN to push PNB's digital drive

customer to locate PNB ATM with PNB

4th January 2016

world on 4 January to mark the

Braille, inventor of Braille script

Amputee mountaineer Arunima Sinha conquers Mt Aconcagua in Argentina

Sinha has successfully scaled Mount Aconcagua

against Afghanistan. The Indian skipper cashed

RK Mathur set to be new Chief Information Commissioner

Mathur has been cleared for the post of Chief

Narendra Modi and approved by President Pranab Mukherjee is a departure from

Wipro names Abidali Neemuchwala as new CEO

Neemuchwala CEO and member of the board. Both

E-vahan bima launched in Telangana

collaboration of Transport, Police and IT Departments under the directions of

5th January 2016

monetary penalty was imposed on State Bank

Repository of Information on Large Credits

Lodha panel submits report on BCCI reforms

India-Nepal friendship bus service resumes after gap of 27 years

Union Government reserves 33% posts of women constables in CAPFs

representation. The proposal in this regard was

Former CJI SH Kapadia passes away

Government Law College, Mumbai. In 1974, he

6th January 2016

Service (IMPS) at all its branches in association with

makes payments possible within fraction of seconds

Sri Lanka, Pakistan agree to expand FTA

Statement in this regard was made by Pakistan

Ganga Gram Yojana launched by Union Government

development and Ganga Rejuvenation Uma

exchange-traded funds business in India.

Union Government abolishes export duty on iron ore pellets

Mumbais Pranav Dhanawade hits 1,009 runs in 323 balls

Syed Kirmani conferred with 2015 Col CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement