January 2015 Current Affairs Study Material

INTERNATIONAL
Palestinians To Join International Criminal Court
Palestine will join the International Criminal Court on 1 April 2015, announced UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on 6 January .The
Palestinians will be able to sue Israel for war crimes, a move the Israeli administration has consistently opposed for decades.Along with
the ICC application, the UN chief approved other sets of documents, enabling Palestine to join 16 international agreements,
conventions and treaties.
Maithripala Sirisena Elected As Sri Lanka President
Pallewatte Gamaralalage Maithripala Yapa Sirisena (Maithiripala Sirisena) was elected as new President of Srilanka. Mithripala
Sirisena, Health Minister in Rajapaksa government, won the 2015 Presidential Elections of Sri Lanka. The Elections Commissioner
Mahinda Deshapriya announced the results on 9 January 2015. Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa from United Peoples Freedom
Alliance got 47.6 percent and Opposition candidate Maithripala Samisen from United National Party got 51.3 percent of the votes polled
in the Presidential elections held on 8 January 2015.
Alexis Tsipras Elected As New Greece Prime Minister
Alexis Tsipras, leader of the Syriza anti-austerity party, was elected as the new Prime Minister of Greece. In Greece, anti-austerity
Syriza party has won general election.In this election Syriza party has won about half the seats in Parliament.Alexis Tsipras, leader of
the Syriza anti-austerity party, was sworn in as the new Prime Minister of Greece 26 January 2015.
Sergio Mattarella Elected As New President of Italy
Italys parliament has elected constitutional court judge Sergio Mattarella as the countrys President on 31 January.He will Italys 12th
president and succeed Giorgio Napolitano who had resigned earlier in January 2015 citing reason of poor health before his 2020 expiry
term.

INDIA & WORLD

India To Host 2nd International Indian Ocean Expedition
India will be hosting the 2nd International Indian Ocean Expedition (IIOE) in December 2015, almost 50 years after it had hosted its first
edition, during which the participating nations will also study the changes that have taken place in the Indian Ocean since the
1960s.The second IIOE will have at least 20 counties participating in it. It will start in early December 2015 and will continue for next five
years.The IIOE-2 is a developing initiative under UNESCOs Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC), which aims at
providing an exciting platform for knowledge transfer and capacity building, besides raising global awareness about the importance of
the Indian Ocean.
India To Provide USD 60 million Line of Credit To Guyana For Road Projects
India will provide 60 million dollars Line of Credit (LoC) to Guyana for its road infrastructure projects and passenger ferry service. The
decision of granting the LoC was made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the bilateral talks with Guyana President Donald R.
Ramotar on the sidelines of the 13th Pravasi Bhartiya Divas in Gandhinagar, Gujarat on 8 January 2015.
European Union Lifts Ban On Import Of Indian Mangoes
The European Union (EU) on 20 January decided to lift a ban on the import of mangoes from India after India made improvements in
plant health controls and certification systems.The EU had imposed a temporary ban on Indian mangoes that came into effect from 1
May 2014. The ban was to remain effective until December 2015 and was imposed after the authorities had found consignments
infested with fruit flies that they feared could damage European salad crops. On 20 January 2015 a European Commission committee
voted to lift the ban.
India US to Set Up Task Force To Develop Three Smart Cities
India and the US on 27 January decided to set up a task force for jointly developing Allahabad (Uttar Pradesh), Ajmer (Rajasthan) and
Vishakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) as Smart Cities with a mandate of preparing the roadmap within three months. The decision was
taken at a meeting between Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu and visiting Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker, two
days after the two countries signed pacts under which the three cities will be developed as Smart Cities with the help of United States
Trade and Development Agency (USTDA).

NATIONAL
Union Govt Established NITI Aayog To Replace Planning Commission
The Union Government on 1 January established NITI (National Institution for Transforming India) Aayog , as replacement for the
Planning Commission. This comes after extensive consultation across the spectrum of stakeholders, including state governments,
domain experts and relevant institutions. NITI Aayog will seek to provide a critical directional and strategic input into the development
process. NITI Aayog that replaced the 65 year old Planning Commission will be headed by Prime Minister. It will have a governing
council comprising Chief Ministers of all the states and Lt. Governors of Union Territories. Apart from this, the NITI Aayog will also have
a Vice-Chairperson and a Chief Executive Officer (fixed tenure, in the rank of Secretary to the Government of India), who will be
appointed by the Prime Minister.
PM Narendra Modi Releases Coin In Honour Of Jamsetji Tata
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 6 January released a commemorative coin in honour of Jamsetji Tata, popularly known as father of
modern Indian industry, on his 175th birth anniversary in New Delhi.Jamsetji is the first industrialist felicitated by the Indian government
in such a manner.He founded Tata Group, Indias largest business conglomerate. He was born on March 3, 1839 in Navsari, a small
town in south Gujarat.Jamsetji Tata founded the Tata group in 1868.
PM Narendra Modi Launched Sukanya Samridhi Yojana Under BBBP campaign
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 22 January launched a small deposit scheme Sukanya Samridhi Yojana for girl child under the Beti
Bachao Beti Padhao (Save the Daughter, Teach the Daughter) campaign. The scheme was launched at Painpat in Haryana, a state
with one of the poorest sex ratio in the country . The scheme will ensure equitable share to a girl child in resources and savings of a
family in which she is generally discriminated against a male child. Sukanya Samridhi Yojana will enable parents to open bank accounts
of girls who are under 10 years of age.Sukanya Samridhi Account will fetch an interest rate of 9.1 percent and provide income tax
rebate.
Union Government Released Commemorative Postage Stamps On Swachh Bharat Mission
Union Government has released set of three Commemorative Postage Stamps on Swachh Bharat Mission (Clean India Mission). This
set of 3 stamps was released by Union Ministry for Communications & Information Technology and issued by Department of Posts.
These stamps were released to in order to achieve the vision of Clean and Healthy India. Department of Posts has selected the design
for the stamps through a competition among the children on the theme of Swachh Bharat Mission. Swachh Bharat Mission was
launched by the Prime Minister on the 2nd October, 2014 on the occasion of Birth Anniversary of Father of the Nation- Mahatma
Gandhi. This mission seeks to achieve Clean India and aims to provide access to toilets to all households in the country.

STATES
PM Narendra Modi Launched Scheme For LED bulb Distribution In Delhi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 5 January launched a scheme for distribution of LED bulbs under the Domestic Efficient Lighting
Programme in Delhi and a National Programme for LED-based Home and Street Lighting. Under the scheme, consumers in Delhi would
be able to request for LED bulbs under the Domestic Efficient Lighting Programme through a new Website launched by Narendra Modi.
Presidential Rule Imposed In Jammu and Kashmir
Presidents rule was imposed on Jammu and Kashmir on 9 January.President Pranab Mukherjee approved the recommendation of the

Governor of Jammu and Kashmir N N Vohra. Governor N N Vohra had recommended for President Rule in light of deadlock over the
formation of the new government continued in Jammu and Kashmir.
Dima Hasao District Of Assam Got Its First Broad Gauge Railway Track
Dima Hasao District of Assam got its first broad gauge railway track on 12 January. A goods train with 43 wagons reached the main
railway station of the Dima Hasao district using this broad gauge track.The train in its first ever journey covered 98 km from Patharkhula
station to New-Haflong station while crossing 9 tunnels, 15 stations, 15 major bridges and 135 minor bridges.The passenger trains will
also be commissioned on the route from Pathakhula to New-Haflong on the track that is extended up to Silchar after the approval of
Railway Safety Commission.
UN Chief Inaugurates Gujarats Second Canal-Top 10-MW Solar Power Project
United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on 11 January inaugurated Gujarats second canal-top 10-MW solar power
project.It is located on 5.5 km stretch of Vadodara branch of Sardar Sarovar project canal. The plant is constructed by the Sardar
Sarovar Narmada Nigam Limited and is the first of its kind in the country.It is implemented by Hyderabad-based Megha Engineering and
Infrastructure Limited (MEIL).

CONFERENCES
13th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Held In Gandhinagar
The 13th edition of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) was held on 7 9 January 2015 at Gandhinagar, Gujarat.The theme of 2015
PBD was Bharat ko jano and Bharat ko mano.The chief guest of the 13th PBD was Guyana President Donald Ramotar. Prime Minister
Narendra Modi on 8 January inaugurated a state-of-the-art museum Dandi Kutir opposite Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar,
Gujarat.Narendra Modi also released Commemorative Postage Stamps to mark 100 Years of Mahatma Gandhis Return from South
Africa to India. The coins are of denomination of 100 rupees and 10 rupees, while the stamps are of value of 25 rupees and 5 rupees.
The event concluded with giving away Pravasi Bharatiya Samman awards to 15 members of the Indian Diaspora by the Vice-President
Hamid Ansari.PBD conventions are being held every year since 2003 and are celebrated on 9th January every year to mark the
contribution of Overseas Indian community in the development of India.The 13th edition of PBD marked the 100th year of Mahatma
Gandhis return to India from South Africa.

AWARDS & HONOURS

15 NRIs Awarded with Pravasi Bharatiya Samman 2015
Vice-President Mohammad Hamid Ansari presented the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards 2015 to 15 prominent Non-Resident
Indians (NRIs). The awards were presented on the concluding day of 13th Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas at Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The
recipients were Mala Mehta, Australia ; Donald Rabindernauth Ramotar, Guyana ; Dr. Rajaram Sanjaya, Mexico ; Kanwaljit Singh
Bakshi, New Zealand ; Rajmal Parakh, Oman ; Duraikannu Karunakaran, Seychelles ; Essop Goolam Pahad, South Africa ; Shah
Bharatkumar Jayantilal, UAE ; Ashraf Palarakunnummal, UAE ; Mahendra Nanji Mehta, Uganda ; Prof. Nathu Ram Puri ; Lord Raj
Loomba, Britain ; Satyanarayana Nadella, USA ; Dr. Lulla Kamlesh, US ; Dr.Nandini Tandon, USA.
ISRO Mars Orbiter Mission Team Won Space Pioneer Award 2015
The Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) Team of Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) on 12 January won the 2015 Space Pioneer
Award in the Science and Engineering category. The Mars Orbiter Mission team is located in Bangalore and is headed by Mylswamy
Annadurai. This prestigious award is be given by the National Space Society (NSS), an American educational and scientific
organization.
Kamal Kishore Goyanka Selected For Vyas Samman 2014
Well-known Hindi scholar and writer Dr. Kamal Kishore Goenka was on 13 January chosen for Vyas samman 2014. He has been
chosen for this award for his research work Premchand Kee Kahaniyo Kaa Kaalkramanusar Adhyayan. It was published in 2012. This
award is instituted by the K.K. Birla Foundation. It was started in 1991.
Jammu and Kashmir Won National E-Governance Award 2014-15
Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) has been selected for National e-Governance award 2014-15 for its best district level initiative in the
country.J&K state has been selected on 16 January for this award by Department of Administrative Reforms for its e-Panchayat project.
Padma Awards 2015 Announced
The President of India Pranab Mukherjee on 25 January approved the conferment of Padma Awards 2015 to 104 person this year. The
list of the awardees comprises of 9 Padma Vibhushan, 20 Padma Bhushan and 75 Padma Shri. The list also features 17 women as
awardees and includes 17 persons from the category of foreigners, NRIs, PIOs and 4 Posthumous awardees.Padma Awards are one of
the highest civilian Awards of the country, conferred in three categories Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri and
given in various disciplines.
Padma Vibhushan
1. LK Advani- Public Affairs- Gujarat
2. Amitabh Bachchan- Art- Maharashtra
3. Prakash Singh Badal- Public Affairs- Punjab
4. Dr D Veerendra Heggade- Social Work- Karnataka
5. Mohammad Yusuf Khan alias Dilip Kumar- Art- Maharashtra
6. Jagadguru Ramanandacharya Swami Rambhadracharya- Others- Uttar Pradesh
7. Prof Malur Ramaswamy Srinivasan- Science and Engineering- Tamil Nadu
8. Kottayan K. Venugopal- Public Affairs- Delhi
9. Karim Al Hussaini Aga Khan (Foreigner)- Trade and Industry- France/UK
Padma Bhushan :1. Jahnu Barua- Art- Assam
2. Dr Vijay Bhatkar- Science and Engineering- Maharashtra
3. Shri Swapan Dasgupta- Literature and Education- Delhi
4. Swami Satyamitranand Giri- Others- Uttar Pradesh
5. N Gopalaswami- Civil Service- Tamil Nadu
6. Dr Subhash C Kashyap- Public Affairs- Delhi
7. Dr (Pandit) Gokulotsavji Maharaj- Art- Madhya Pradesh
8. Dr Ambrish Mithal- Medicine Delhi
9. Sudha Ragunathan- Art- Tamil Nadu
10. Shri Harish Salve- Public Affairs- Delhi
11. Dr Ashok Seth- Medicine- Delhi
12. Rajat Sharma- Literature and Education- Delhi
13. Satpal- Sports- Delhi
14. Shivakumara Swami- Others- Karnataka
15. Dr Kharag Singh Valdiya- Science and Engineering- Karnataka
16. Prof Manjul Bhargava (NRI/PIO)- Science and Engineering- USA
17. David Frawley (Vamadeva) (Foreigner)- Others- USA
18. Bill Gates (Foreigner)- Social Work- USA
19. Melinda Gates (Foreigner)- Social Work- USA
20. Saichiro Misumi (Foreigner)- Others- Japan
Padma Shri :1. Dr Manjula Anagani- Medicine- Telangana
2. S Arunan- Science and Engineering- Karnataka
3. Kanyakumari Avasarala- Art- Tamil Nadu

4. Dr Bettina Sharada Baumer- Literature and Education- Jammu and Kashmir

5. Naresh Bedi- Art- Delhi
6. Ashok Bhagat- Social Work- Jharkhand
7. Sanjay Leela Bhansali- Art- Maharashtra
8. Dr Lakshmi Nandan Bora- Literature and Education- Assam
9. Dr Gyan Chaturvedi- Literature and Education- Madhya Pradesh
10. Prof (Dr) Yogesh Kumar Chawla- Medicine- Chandigarh
11. Jayakumari Chikkala- Medicine- Delhi
12. Bibek Debroy- Literature and Education- Delhi
13. Dr Sarungbam Bimola Kumari Devi- Medicine- Manipur
14. Dr Ashok Gulati- Public Affairs- Delhi
15. Dr Randeep Guleria- Medicine- Delhi
16. Dr KP Haridas- Medicine- Kerala
17. Rahul Jain- Art- Delhi
18. Ravindra Jain- Art- Maharashtra
19. Dr Sunil Jogi- Literature and Education- Delhi
20. Prasoon Joshi- Art- Maharashtra
21. Dr Prafulla Kar- Art- Odisha
22. Saba Anjum- Sports- Chhattisgarh
23. Ushakiran Khan- Literature and Education- Bihar
24. Dr Rajesh Kotecha- Medicine- Rajasthan
25. Prof Alka Kriplani- Medicine Delhi
26. Dr Harsh Kumar- Medicine- Delhi
27. Narayana Purushothama Mallaya- Literature & Education- Kerala
28. Lambert Mascarenhas- Literature and Education- Goa
29. Dr Janak Palta McGilligan- Social Work- Madhya Pradesh
30. Veerendra Raj Mehta- Social Work- Delhi
31. Tarak Mehta- Art- Gujarat
32. Neil Herbert Nongkynrih (Art), Meghalaya
33. Chewang Norphel- Others- Jammu and Kashmir
34. TV Mohandas Pai- Trade and Industry- Karnataka
35. Dr Tejas Patel- Medicine- Gujarat
36. Jadav Molai Peyang- Others- Assam
37. Bimla Poddar- Others- Uttar Pradesh
38. Dr N Prabhakar- Science and Engg- Delhi
39. Dr Prahalada- Science and Engg- Maharashtra
40. Dr Narendra Prasad- Medicine- Bihar
41. Ram Bahadur Rai- Literature and Education- Delhi
42. Mithali Raj- Sports- Telangana
43. PV Rajaraman- Civil Service- Tamil Nadu
44. Prof JS Rajput- Literature and Education- Uttar Pradesh
45. Kota Srinivasa Rao- Art- Andhra Pradesh
46. Prof Bimal Roy- Literature and Education- West Bengal
47. Shekhar Sen- Art- Maharashtra
48. Gunvant Shah- Literature and Education- Gujarat
49. Brahmdev Sharma- Literature and Education- Delhi
50. Manu Sharma- Literature and Education- Uttar Pradesh
51. Prof Yog Raj Sharma- Medicine- Delhi
52. Vasant Shastri- Science and Engg- Karnataka
53. SK Shivkumar- Science and Engg- Karnataka
54. PV Sindhu- Sports- Telangana
55. Sardara Singh- Sports- Haryana
56. Arunima Sinha-Sports- Uttar Pradesh
57. Mahesh Raj Soni- Art- Rajasthan
58. Dr Nikhil Tandon- Medicine- Delhi
59. H Thegtse Rinpoche- Social Work- Arunachal Pradesh
60. Dr Hargovind Laxmishanker Trivedi- Medicine- Gujarat
61. Huang Baosheng- Others- China
62. Prof Jacques Blamont- Science and Engg- France
63. Late Syedna Mohammad Burhanuddin- Others- Maharashtra (Posthumous)
64. Jean-Claude Carriere- Literature and Education France
65. Dr Nandrajan Raj Chetty- Literature and Education- France
66. George L Hart- Others- USA
67. Jagat Guru Amrta Suryananda Maha Raja- Others- Portugal
68. Late Meetha Lal Mehta- Social Work- Rajasthan (Posthumous)
69. Tripti Mukherjee- Art- USA
70. Dr Dattatreyudu Nori- Medicine- USA
71. Dr Raghu Rama Pillarisetti (Medicine), USA
72. Dr Saumitra Rawat- Medicine- UK
73. Prof Annette Schmiedchen (Literature and Education), Germany
74. Late Pran Kumar Sharma alias Pran- Art- Delhi (Posthumous)
75. Late R Vasudevan- Civil Service- Tamil Nadu (Posthumous)

SPORTS & GAMES

Andy Murray Won ATP World Tennis Championship
Britains Andy Murray Andy Murray won the ATP World Tennis Championship at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi on 4 January.He won
the title after the Serbias Novak Djokovic withdrew from the final match citing illness.This was the first title of year 2015 for Andy
Murray.
Brisbane Tennis Tournament Winners 2015
Womens Singles :- Maria Sharapova of Russia won the Brisbane International womens singles title on 10 January.She defeated
Serbias Ana Ivanovic in the final.It was her 34th career title.
Mens Singles :- Switzerlands Roger Federar won the Mens singles title. He defeated Milos Raonic of Canada in the final.Its a grand
number for a 17-time Grand Slam champion, making him the only player after Jimmy Connors (1,253) and Ivan Lendl (1,071) to win
1,000 times on the mens professional tour. Its the 83rd career title for this 17-time Grand Slam champion.
South Africas AB de Villiers Scores Fastest One-day International Century
South Africas batsman AB de Villiers hit the fastest century in One-Day International (ODI) cricket. AB de Villiers scored the century in
just 31 balls. He achieved the feat in second ODI match of the 5-match ODI series played on 18 January at the Wanderers in
Johannesburg against West Indies. The previous record was held by New Zealands Corey Anderson who scored a century in 36 balls
against the West Indies on 1 January 2014.On the way to make the world record of fastest century, Villiers went to fifty off 16 balls, one

ball less than Sanath Jayasuriyas 19-year old record of the fastest ODI half-century. Jayasuriya scored the fifty in 17 balls for Sri Lanka
against Pakistan in 1995-96.
Australian Open Tennis Tournament Winners 2015
Womens singles :- Serena Williams of US won the womens singles title of Australian Open 2015 on 31 January 2015 by defeating
Maria Sharapova.This was her sixth Australian Open singles title and 19th singles Grand Slam title. With this she overtook 18-time
Grand Slam winners Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert. She is now just three titles away from Steffi Grafs record of 22 Grand Slam
titles.
Mens Singles :- Novak Djokovic (Serbia) won the Australian Open Mens singles title. He defeated Britains Andy Murray in the final on
1 February.Djokovic had earlier won the Australian Open titles in 2008, 2011, 2012 and 2013. This was his 8th career Grand Slam title.
Murray has now been runner-up four times here, losing twice previously to Djokovic in 2011 and 2013 and to Roger Federer in 2010.

ECONOMY
ICICI Bank Launched Indias Contactless Credit and Debit Cards
ICICI Bank, the countrys largest private sector one, on 7 January launched contactless credit cards and debits cards called Coral
Contactless Credit Card and Expressions Wave Debit Card respectively. These cards will enable customers to make electronic
payments by waving the cards near a merchant terminal instead of dipping or swiping the cards.
Indias Growth To Reach 6.3 percent In 2016
According to the United Nations World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) 2015 report released on 14 January, Indias growth in
terms of GDP is expected to reach 5.9 per cent in 2015 and 6.3 per cent in 2016.
Highlights of Report :India:- Its growth recovery is partly the result of improved market sentiment after the new government took office in the second quarter
of 2014 and had announced plans to reform the bureaucracy, labour laws and public subsidies.
South Asia:- Economic growth in South Asia is set to gradually pick up from an estimated 4.9 percent in 2014 to 5.4 percent in 2015
and 5.7 percent in 2016. India, will account for about 70 percent of regional output in South Asia.
* Average inflation in this region is expected remain moderate at 7.8 percent in 2015 and 7.2 percent in 2016, as commodity prices are
likely remain subdued and domestic demand picks up gradually.
Global Economy:- It is expected to grow at 3.1 percent in 2015 and 3.3 percent in 2016, compared with an estimated growth of 2.6
percent in 2014.
World Economic Situation and Prospects 2015 Report Released
United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) on 19 January 2015 released World Economic
Situation and Prospects (WESP) 2015 report. The report projects that the regional growth will pick up in 2015-16, as average GDP
growth will accelerate from 5.0 percent in 2014 to 5.3 percent in 2015 and 5.7 percent in 2016.The report has highlighted that the South
Asias economic growth is set to reach a four-year high in 2015. The average gross domestic product (GDP) growth of South Asia
accelerated from 3.7 percent in 2013 to 4.9 percent in 2014, and is projected to strengthen further to 5.4 percent in 2015 and 5.7 per
cent in 2016.
Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana scheme sets Guinness Record
Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) scheme was conferred with the Guinness record on 20 January 2015. The PMJDY scheme
created a Guinness World Record for opening the maximum number of bank accounts in the shortest possible time. Altogether, 11.5
crore accounts have been opened under the scheme in less than five months. The scheme was launched on 28 August 2014 with a
target of 7.5 crore till 26 January 2015. The Guinness authorities officially handed a certificate to Union finance minister Arun Jaitley in
Delhi on 20 January 2015. Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana is governments flagship financial inclusion programme that was launched
on 28 August 2014 to help people in opening bank accounts.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Scientists Discovered Two New Earth-like Planets
The Scientists at the Harvard-Smithsonian Centre for Astrophysics have discovered two Earth-like planets Kepler 438b and Kepler
442b. The findings of the discovery were published in The Astrophysical Journal on 5 January.The planets were spotted by Nasas
Kepler space telescope which detects planets as they move across the faces of their stars. Kepler 438b is 475 light years away. It gets
about 40 percent more heat from its red sun than Earth gets from the Sun.Kepler-442b is 1100 light-years away. It is 33 percent bigger
than Earth and orbits its star once every 112 days. has a 60-percent chance of being rocky.
IAF gets First Indigenously Built LCA Tejas
First indigenously-built Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas was handed over to the Indian Air Force (IAF) by Defence Minister Manohar
Parrikar at ceremony held on 17 January at Bengaluru, Karanataka.It received its Initial Operational Clearance-I in January 2011, after
being built by state-owned HAL. It is expected that the aircraft will receive its Final Operational Clearance by December 2015.
India Successfully Test-Fired Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile Agni-V
India on 31 January successfully test-fired its indigenously developed, intercontinental surface-to-surface nuclear capable ballistic
missile ( ICBM) Agni-5, which has a strike range of over 5000 kms and can carry a nuclear warhead of over one tonne, from Wheelers
Island off Odisha coast. This was the third successful flight test of the Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) and the first canister trial.
The first test was conducted on April 19, 2012 and the second test on 15 September, 2013 from the same base.
NASA Launches SMAP Satellite
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has on 2 February launched Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) satellite to
observe soil moisture.It was launched from the Delta 2 rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. SMAP satellite is threeyear mission which will measure the amount of moisture in soil. It will produce high-resolution global maps from space and data
collected from it will help scientists to monitor droughts and improve flood forecasts.

PERSONS IN NEWS
A) APPOINTMENTS
Arvind Panagariya Takes Charge As NITI Aayog Vice Chairman
Noted economist Arvind Panagariya on 13 January took charge as the first vice-chairman of the newly-created NITI Aayog. NITI Aayog
has replaced the 65-year old Planning Commission. He is an Indian-American economist and Professor of Economics at Columbia
University.
A.S. Kiran Kumar Took Over As The New Chairman Of ISRO
Alur Seelin Kiran Kumar (A.S. Kiran Kumar) took over as the new Chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on 14
January 2015.A.S. Kiran Kumar became the 8th Chairman of ISRO.
HS Brahma Takes Charge As Chief Election Commissioner
Hari Shankar Brahma on 16 January assumed charge as the 19th Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) after he was elevated to the post
on 14 January.He succeeded VS Sampath, whose tenure ended on 15 January 2015.

B)RESIGNS
Leela Samson Resigned As Chairperson of CBFC
Leela Samson on 16 January 2015 resigned as Chairperson of Central Board of Film Certification, (CBFC).She was appointed as the
Chairperson of CBFC on 1 April 2011.

C)DEATHS
Veteran Scientist Vasant Gowarikar Died
Space veteran and eminent scientist Vasant Gowarikar was died on 2 January in Pune. He was the chief of Indian Space Research

Organization (ISRO) and also the scientific advisor to the Prime Minister of India in 1991-1993. Gowarikar made valuable contributions
to the fields of space research, weather and population. Gowarikar was involved in space research in early career under Vikram
Sarabhai when his office was in the building of the local St Mary Magdalene Church in Thumba in Kerala. He pioneered solid propelant
development and later served as Director of the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) between 1979 and 1985.Gowarikar was
awarded Padma Shri in 1984 and Padma Bhushan in 2008. He also received the Fie Foundation Award.

D)VISITORS
U.S. President Barack Obama Visited India
U.S. President Barack Obama visited India from 25 January to 27 January 2015.As a part of his visit, he met Prime Minister Narendra
Modi and held wide-ranging discussions on bilateral relations as well as on regional and international issues of mutual interest and
concern. India and U.S signed several pacts during the official visit of the President of U.S to India. Barack Obama , the President of
U.S was the Chief Guest of India on the occasion of the Republic Day parade on 26 January 2015. Obama became the first US
president to be chief guest at Indias Republic Day parade. In the visit, the civil nuclear agreement that would allow nuclear contracts to
be signed between U.S. firms and India.

E)MISCELLANEOUS
Miss Colombia Paulina Vega Crowned Miss Universe 2015
Miss Colombia Paulina Vega was crowned as Miss Universe 2015 at the final of the beauty pageant held in Miami on 25 January 2015.
Vega, a 22-year-old student of business administration from Barranquilla, Colombia was crowned by the 2014 pageant winner
Venezuelan Gabriela Isler.With this, Vega became the second beauty queen from Colombia to win the title. Luz Marina Zuluaga became
the first Colombian to win the crown in 1956.

PLACES IN NEWS
Qantas Named Worlds Safest Airline
Australias national airline Qantas was named as the worlds safest airline by AirlineRatings.com on 6 January. Qantas, which is in its
95th year of operation, was hailed for an extraordinary record of firsts in terms of its safety history and ranked the best of 449 airlines,
including low-cost carriers, assessed by the website.

ABBREVIATIONS
NRDC - National Research and Development Corporation
POTA - Prevention of Terrorism Act
SAFTA South Asian Free Trade Agreement
SAIL - Steel Authority of India Limited
UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
VSSC Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre

BOOKS IN NEWS
Vice President Released The Indian Parliament A Critical Appraisal
The Vice President of India M.Hamid Ansari on 8 January released a book entitled The Indian Parliament A Critical Apprisal. The
book is authored by Prof. Sudha Pai and Avinash Kumar of Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.The book examines the credibility
and legitimacy of the Indian Parliament and has scrutinised various aspects of its functioning.

COMMITTEES
Subramanium Committee Recommended Single Window System For Environment Projects
In the month of January 2015, High-level committee (HLC) headed by former Cabinet Secretary T S R Subramanium submitted its
report to Union Government. In its recommendation, the committee suggested single window clearance mechanism for green nods.The
committee has suggested an umbrella law to help set up new national and state-level regulators that would also take the powers of the
existing pollution control boards. The law Environmental Management Act would do away with the need for separate Acts to regulate
air and water pollution that empower states to give the consent to operate and establish industrial units.

IMPORTANT DAYS AND DATES

National Youth Day Observed Across India on 12 January
National Youth Day was observed across India on 12 January 2015. The day is observed annually to mark the birth anniversary of
social reformer, philosopher and thinker Swami Vivekananda. This is the 152nd birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda and his birth
anniversary is being celebrated as National Youth Day in India since 1985.The Union Government in 1984 had declared that 12
January, the birthday of Swami Vivekananda will be observed as the National Youth Day.Swami Vivekanandas lectures and writings are
a source of inspiration for youth and have motivated numerous youth organisation.His writings derive their inspiration from Indian
spiritual tradition and the broad outlook of his Master Sri Ramakrishna. All his teachings can be found in The Complete Works of Swami
Vivekananda, in nine volumes, published by Advaita Ashrama, Kolkata. Swami Vivekananda was born on 12 January 1863 as Narendra
Nath Datta and regarded as a patriotic saint of India.
National Girl Child Day Observed On 24 January
National Girl Child Day is observed on 24 January 2015 across the nation. 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. This day is being observed every year on 24 January since 2008.

February 2015 Current Affairs Study Material

INTERNATIONAL
Zoe Konstantopoulou Elected As new President Of Greece
Greece Parliament has elected Zoe Konstantopoulou, a member of the left wing party Syriza as its new President on 6 February. She
was elected after receiving a record number of 235 of 300 deputies votes in the Parliament. With this win, she has the record of more
votes a President of parliament received after the restoration of democracy in Greece in 1974. This will be the second time that a
woman is elected as the Greece Parliament President, with the first being Anna Psarouda-Benaki in 2004. However, Konstantopoulou
also set another record, since the 38-year-old politician is the youngest Parliament President that has ever been elected in Greece.
Australias Prime Minister Tony Abbott Survives Confidence Vote
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott on 9 February survived a vote of confidence motion on spilling the top leadership of Liberal Party.
Tony Abbott was elected as the Prime Minister of Australia in September 2013.
Russia Ukraine Signed Ceasefire Agreement
The leaders of Russia, Ukraine, Germany and France signed a Ceasefiredeal on 12 February after marathon talks at Minsk, the capital
of Belarus. Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko hosted these talks which were held in the background of new attacks in eastern
Ukraines Donetsk and Luhansk regions on 12 February. At the end of the talks, both Russia and Ukraine agreed to bring into effect a
ceasefire in the warring zone of eastern Ukraine from 15 February 2015.

Sri Lanka Parliament Enacts witness Protection Law

Sri Lankan Parliament has passed the Assistance to and Protection of Victims of Crime and Witnesses Bill on 20 February. This bill
aims at protecting the rights of criminal victims and witnesses especially in human rights accountability.

INDIA & WORLD

India and China Jointly Launched Visit India Year In China
India and China on 2 February jointly launched the Visit India Year in China in Beijing. The initiative is aimed at enhancing the flow of
tourists from China to India and to strengthen the people to people bond. China will support the promotion of Indian tourist resources in
its country.
India Ranked 29th On Intellectual Property Index
India has been placed at 29th rank among the 30 countries in the international intellectual property (IP) index released by U.S. Chamber
of Commerces Global Intellectual Property Center (GIPC) on 4 February. US has been placed at the top in the list and Thailand at last
position.
India Ranked 136 In World Press Freedom Index (WPFI) 2015
India was ranked 136 out of 180 nations worldwide in terms of press freedom in 2015, which marks an improvement from its rank of 140
in 2014, even though its absolute score declined from 40.34 to 40.49. In the top of the list were three Scandinavian countries: Finland
on the 1st position followed by Norway and Denmark.
India and Sri Lanka Signed 4 Agreements Including Civil Nuclear Cooperation
Sri Lankas newly-elected President Maithripala Sirisena on 16 February held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New
Delhi.After the talks, India and Sri Lanka signed bilateral agreements on civil nuclear cooperation, cultural cooperation and cooperation
in the field of Agriculture. Besides, an agreement was also signed for Sri Lankas participation in the Nalanda University Project.India
and Sri Lanka also agreed to expand defence and strategic cooperation, including a trilateral format with the Maldives.
US To Provide Work Permits For H-1B Spouses Visa Holders
The United States on 24 February announced that it would allow work permits to spouses of H-1B visa holders from 26 May 2015.
Under existing US laws, spouses of H-1B visa holders are not eligible to work. This announcement is expected to benefit thousands of
talented and professional spouses who have settled in US but are unable to work.

NATIONAL
31 Major Minerals To Be Notified As Minor Minerals
The Union government has on 5 February decided to notify 31 major minerals as minor ones.This is being done to devolve more power
to the states and, consequently, expedite the process of mineral development in the country. State governments are allowed to make
rules to regulate the grant of quarry leases, mining leases or other mineral concessions in respect of minor minerals.
Telecom Subscriber Base Reaches To 97 crore
Telecom regulator Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on 7 February released a report on subscriber base. India telecom
subscriber base reaches all-time high at 970 million at the end of December 2014.The number of telephone subscribers in India
increased from 964.20 million at the end of November 2014 to 970.97 million at the end of December 2014. This surpasses the previous
record of 965.5 million reached in June 2012. Teledensity in the country, which means connection per 100, reached 77.58.
PM Constituted 3 Sub-groups Of Chief Ministers within NITI Aayog
The first meeting of the Governing Council of NITI (National Institution for Transforming India) Aayog was held in New Delhi on 8
February. The meeting was presided by NITI Aayogs Prime Minister Narendra Modi.During the meeting, Prime Minister Narendra Modi
has constituted three sub-groups of Chief Ministers within National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog.
* First sub-group - It will study the 66 centrally-sponsored schemes and recommend which schemes should continue, which should be
transferred to states, and which to discontinue.
* Second sub-group It will focus on skill development and creation of skilled manpower within states.
* Third sub-group It will decide on the institutional mechanisms to be evolved for Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan, so that cleanliness
becomes a part of life in perpetuity.
PM Narendra Modi Launched Soil Health Card scheme
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the centrally sponsored nation-wide Soil Health Card (SHC) scheme on 19 February in
Suratgarh town of Sriganganagar district, Rajasthan. The nationwide scheme will help farmers to scientifically analyse the soil of farms
in the country. The scheme aims at helping farmers in improving productivity by appropriate use of nutrients or fertilisers.

STATES
Maharashtra Govt Planning To Revamp Jeevan Amrut Yojana
Maharashtra Government is planning to revamp the Jeevan Amrut Yojana (blood-on-call) scheme to make it more beneficial to people.
State government is seeking to strengthen the network of blood storage units in rural areas instead of current mechanism of
transporting blood through motorcycles. It is first of its kind scheme in the country, launched in 2014. It aimed at facilitating blood supply
to patients scheduled to undergo surgeries and medical procedures in remote areas.
Adani To Set Up Countrys Largest 10,000 MW solar Plant In Rajasthan
Adani Enterprises Ltd on 9 February signed a pact with the Rajasthan government to develop the countrys largest solar park in the
state with 10,000 MW capacity over the next 10 years at an estimated investment of about Rs 40,000 crore. The company will set up
solar power project of 5000 MW on its own in the next five years. The Adani Group will also develop solar manufacturing units and
power evacuation systems.
Delhi Assembly Elections 2015 Results Declared
The Election Commission of India (ECI) on 10 February declared the results of Delhi Legislative Assembly Elections 2015. Aam Aadmi
Party (AAP) headed by social activist turned politician Arvind Kejriwal with 67 seats has emerged as the largest party in the house of 70
seats. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Won record 67 seats with record vote share of 54.2% percent. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Won 3
seats with vote share of 32.3% percent. 2015 Delhi Legislative Assembly elections were held on 7 February 2015 to elect 70 members
of the Sixth Delhi Legislative Assembly.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Launched CCTNS
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh on 11 February launched the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network System (CCTNS)
project in the state. This 19 crore rupees project will be completely funded by the Union Government. It will help in connecting 177 sites
and 114 police stations in the state besides 13 district headquarters, 26 sub-divisional police officers and three police ranges along with
state crime records bureau.

CONFERENCES
15th Delhi Sustainable Development Summit
The 15th Delhi Sustainable Development Summit was held from 5-7 February 2015 in New Delhi.The theme of the summit was
Sustainable Development Goals and Dealing with Climate Change.The summit was organized by The Energy and Resources Institute
(TERI). The summit witnessed a pool of distinguished speakers from a wide spectrum of backgrounds. Politicians, Diplomats,
Corporates, Government Officials, media, NGOs and activists attended the summit.During the summit, two reports namely, Global
Sustainable Development Report and Energy Security Outlook were also launched.Issues like the need for mitigation in Energy supply
sector, generating finances for projects focusing on Sustainable Development, and educating the youth about sustainable development
were discussed. Stress was laid on collective actions of both public and private sectors in achieving the Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs).

AWARDS & HONOURS

Eminent Marathi Writer Bhalchandra Nemade Selected For Jnanpith Award 2014
Eminent Marathi writer Bhalchandra Nemade on 6 February was chosen for the Jnanpith Award 2014 by the Jnanpith Selection Board.
He is the 4th Marathi writer to receive the honour and is the 50th recipient of Jnanpith award.His novel Kosala (Cocoon) published in
1963 was not only instrumental in changing the dimensions of the Marathi novel, but also the world of Marathi fiction was transformed
with its advent.
57th Annual Grammy Awards
The 57th Annual Grammy Awards were held on 8 February at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. In all, 83 Grammy Awards
were presented at the function.
* Two Indians Ricky Kej and Neela Vaswani took home a Grammy Award each. Neela Vasvani won the trophy in the Best
Childrens Album category for I Am Malala: How One Girl Stood Up For Education And Changed The World (Malala Yousafzai). She
had narrated the audio version of the book. On the other hand Ricky Kejs collaboration in the album Winds Of Samsara won the Best
New Age Album trophy. He had teamed up with South African musician Wouter Kellerman for the album, which symbolises peace and
harmony.
* Beck Hansens album Morning Phase won the Best Album of the Year Award while the song Stay With Me featuring James Napier,
William Phillips & Sam Smith won Best Song of the Year Award and Best Record of the Year Award.
Amartya Sen Won John Maynard Keynes Prize
Economist and Nobel laureate Amartya Sen has won the newly instituted Charleston-EFG John Maynard Keynes Prize 2015 on 10
February.With this, Professor Sen will receive 7500 British pounds to commission a work of art and will give the annual Charleston-EFG
Keynes Lecture at the Charleston Festival in the United Kingdom. This years lecture is scheduled for 23 May 2015 and it will be on The
Economic Consequences of Austerity.
87th Annual Academy Oscar Awards 2015
The 87th Academy Awards ceremony, presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) was held on 23
February at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles.The Academy Awards (commonly referred as Oscars) were presented in
twenty four categories. They are :* Best Actor Eddie Redmayne (The Theory of Everything).
* Best Actress Julianne Moore (Still Alice).
* Best Supporting Actor J. K. Simmons (Whiplash).
* Best Supporting Actress Patricia Arquette (Boyhood).
* Best Director Alejandro G. Irritu for Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance).
* Best Original Screenplay Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance).
* Best Adapted Screenplay The Imitation Game.
* Best Original Song Glory (Selma).
* Best Original Score The Grand Budapest Hotel.
* Best Production Design - The Grand Budapest Hotel.
* Best Editing Whiplash.
* Best Cinematography Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance).
* Best Sound Editing American Sniper.
* Best Sound Mixing Whiplash.
* Best Foreign Language Film Ida (Poland).
* Best Documentary Feature CitizenFour.
* Best Documentary Short Subject Crisis Hotline: Veterans Press 1.
* Best Live Action Short Film The Phone Call.
* Best Visual Effects Interstellar.
* Best Animated Feature Film Big Hero 6.
* Best Animated Short Film Feast.
* Best Makeup and Hairstyling The Grand Budapest Hotel.
* Best Costume Design The Grand Budapest Hotel.
* Most awards Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) and The Grand Budapest Hotel (Both received 4 awards).
* Most nominations in 87th Academy Awards Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) and The Grand Budapest Hotel
(both 9 nominations)

SPORTS & GAMES

35th National Games
The 35th National Games of India concluded on 14 February 2015 at Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala). In all the 35th National Games saw
disbursal of 1334 medals comprising of 405 Gold, 406 Silver and 523 Bronze medals respectively. Services Sports Control Board
emerged overall champion and winner of the Raja Bhalendra Singh Trophy for the third consecutive time. Services have won total 159
medals including 91 Gold Medals. It was followed by hosts Kerala with 54 golds and Haryana with 40 golds. Now the 36th edition of
National Games would be held at Goa in 2017. The 2015 National Games of India, also known as the 35th National Games of India,
were held in Kerala from 31 January 2015 to 14 February 2015.The mascot of the 35th National Games isAmmu, The Great Hornbill,
or the Great Indian Hornbill, the State bird of Kerala.
Anil Kumble and Betty Wilson Inducted into ICC Cricket Hall of Fame
Former India captain Anil Kumble and Australian legend Betty Wilson were inducted into the International Cricket Council Hall of Fame
on 22 February at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australia. Kumble and Wilson became the 77th and 78th inductees into the Hall of
Fame. Kumble is the fourth Indian to be included in the elite group other three includes Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev and Bishan Bedi.
Wilson is the second Australian woman in the Hall of Fame behind Belinda Clark. Wilson was given the honour posthumously. Anil
Kumble had played 132 Tests for India and captured 619 wickets. Wilson played 11 tests between 1947 and 1958 and scored 862 runs
and claimed 68 wickets. Wilson passed away on 22 January 2010, aged 88
Chris Gayle Becomes First Batsman To Hit Double Century In World Cup History
West Indies opener Chris Gayle made his name into history books by becoming the first ever batsman to score a double-century in the
ICC World Cup. He achieved this feat against Zimbabwe in a Pool B clash in Canberra on 24 February 2015. Gayle hit Tendai Chatara
for a boundary in the 46th over of the West Indies innings to reach the double-century mark in 138 balls. Assisted by this doublecentury, West Indies reached mammoth total of 372 for 2 wickets. Gayle surpassed the previous World Cup best of 188 not out by
South Africas Gary Kirsten against the United Arab Emirates at Rawalpindi in 1996.
AB De Villiers Hits Fastest 150 In ODI History
South Africa captain AB de Villiers has hit the fastest 150 in one-day internationals (ODIs). He achieved this feat in 64 balls in World
Cup Pool B match against West Indies held on 27 February at Sydney and also broke the previous record of Australias Shane Watson
by 19 balls. AB De Villiers in the innings scored 162 runs from 66 balls and it comprised of 8 sixes and 17 fours. In this match, South
Africa scored 408 runs which is the second-highest total in World Cup history.

ECONOMY
RBI 6th Bi-monthly Monetary Review 2014-15
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has on 3 February announced sixth Bi-Monthly Monetary Policy Statement 2014-15. In its bi-monthly
monetary policy statement, RBI has not changed its main lending rate i.e.Repo Rate and cash reserve ratio (CRR). But changed

statutory liquidity ratio (SLR) of scheduled commercial banks.The RBI reduced the statutory liquidity ratio (SLR) of scheduled
commercial banks by 50 basis points from 22.0% to 21.5% of their net demand and time liabilities.
ICICI Bank Launches Indias First Digital Bank Pockets
The Industrial Credit and Investment Corporation of India (ICICI) Bank, has on 10 February launched Indias first digital Bank on mobile
phones, Pockets. This service will enable users to instantly send money to any e-mail id, mobile number, friends on Facebook and bank
account.
Railway Budget 2015-16
Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu on 26 February 2015 presented the Railway Budget 2015-16 in the Lok Sabha. In his first Railway
Budget, Prabhu outlined a plan to invest over 8 lakh crore rupees over 5 years. The size of the Plan Budget has gone up by 52 percent
from 65789 crore rupees in 2014-15 to 100011 crore rupees in 2015-16.
2015-16 Railway Budget at a Glance (Rs in crore) :* Gross Traffic Receipts 1,83,578.00
* Total Work Expenditure 1,62,210.00
* Net Railway Revenue 25,076.45
* Total Passenger Earnings 50,175.00
* Good Earnings 1,21,423.00
* Divindend Payable To General Revenues 10,810,74
* Operation Ratio 88.5%
Highlights of the Railway Budget 2015-16 :New Trains :- Announcement of no new trains (This will be done after doing a comprehensive analysis and feasibility studies)
Passenger Fare :- No increase in Passenger fares
Freight :- Freight increase up to 10% on select items: 10% for urea, 2.7% for cement and 6.3% for coal, 0.8% for iron and steel
Railway Operations :- Railways Operating Ratio to improve to 88.5% in 2015-16 compared with targetted 91.8% in 2014-15
Railway Finances :a) Five-year outlay at Rs 8.5 lakh crore
b) Plan expenditure in Railways to he hiked 52% to Rs 1.11 lakh crore for 2015-16
c) 77 projects totalling Rs 96,182 crore on cards to expand capacity
Railway Safety :a) Rs 6,581 cr earmarked on level crossing safety
b) Train protection warning system to prevent fires
c) Collision avoiding system
d) 917 safety work projects to eliminate over 3,000 unmanned crossings in all states
e) Audio visual warning and radio based signals design for unmanned level crossing with technical assistance from IIT-Kanpur on cards
to enhance safety
f) Five years safety plan will be ready by June 2015
g) Surveillance camera on cards for womens safety, financing from Nirbhaya fund
Improving Train Speed :- Speed of 9 railway corridors to be increased from existing 110 and 130 kmph to 160 and 200 kmph
respectively. Average speed of freight trains in empty and loaded conditions will be enhanced to 100 kmph for empty freight trains and
75 kmph for loaded trains.
Network Expansion :- Fast-track sanctioned works on 7000 kms of double/third/fourth lines Commission of 1200 km of network in
2015-16 at an investment of 8686 crore rupees.
Railway Modernisation :a) 6,000 km of route km to be electrified in 2015-16, up from 462 route km in 2014-15
b) 800 km of gauge conversion on cards
Railway Convenience :a) Proposes to move towards paperless ticketing
b) Now, book your tickets 120 days in advance
c) Rs 120 crore provided for lifts and escalators at Railway stations
d) Phone charging facilities will be provided in all trains including general compartments
e) Online booking of wheelchairs for seniors, physically challenged passengers
f) Food can be ordered through IRCTC website while booking tickets
g) Wifi availability at 400 railway stations across the country including B class stations too
h) To introduce Operation 5 minutes to allow unreserved passengers to book tickets in 5 minutes
Railway Cleanliness :a) 17,000 toilets to be replaced and modernized
b) Vacuum-based toilets on cards
c) New toilets in 650 railway stations
d) Railways will set up waste management plants to dispose off waste
e) Will work on Swacch Rail in lines with Swacch Bharat
Bullet Train :- Feasibility study for High Speed Rail between Mumbai-Ahmadabad is in advanced stage.
Station Redevelopment :- Zonal and Divisional offices to be empowered for quicker decision making Development of 10 Satellite
Railway terminals in major cities with twin purpose of decongesting the city and providing service to suburban passengers
Infrastructure :* Track capacity will be increased by 10% to 1.38 lakh km.
* 10 satellite railway terminals will be developed in major cities in 2015-15.
* Connectivity to North-East India will be improved. In J&K rail connectivity will be on focus.
Tourism :* Railways will promote Gandhi circuit in order to mark centenary year of Mahatma Gandhis return from South Africa. Special travel
scheme Kisan Yatra for farmers for farming and marketing technique centres. Under Incredible India, Incredible Rail will be launched.
Union Budget 2015-16
Union Finance Minister, Arun Jaitley on 28 February 2015 presented Union Budget 2015-16 in the Lok Sabha. It was the first full year
Budget of the NDA government under leadership of Prime Minister of Narendra Modi and the second budget of Arun Jaitley as Finance
Minister.
2015-16 Budget Estimates (Rs in Crore )
* Revenue Receipts 1,141.6
* Capital Receipts - 635.9
* Total Receipts 1,777.5
* Non-Plan Expenditure 1,312.2
* Plan Expenditure 465.3
* Total Expenditure 1,777.5
* Revenue Deficit 394.5
* Effective Revenue Deficit 283.9
* Fiscal Deficit 555.6
* Primary Deficit 99.5
Highlights of the Union Budget 2015-16 :Taxation:* No change in the Tax slab on personal income.
* Wealth tax abolished.
* Additional 2% surcharge for the super-rich with income more than Rs. 1 crore.
* For next 4 years, corporate tax has been reduced to 25 percent from present 30 percent.

* Service tax increased to14 per cent.

* Apart from CSR, 100% tax exemption for contribution to Swachch Bharat Abhiyan.
New projects:* New projects 5 more AIIMSs in Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh, Bihar and Assam.
* IIT in Karnataka. While, the Indian School of Mines in Dhanbad, Jharkhand will be converted into IIT.
* 2 more IIMs in Jammu and Kashmir and Andhra Pradesh.
* Post-Graduation institutes of Horticulture in Amritsar, Punjab.
* University of Disability Studies will be established in Kerala.
* In Arunachal Pradesh, Centre of film production, animation and gaming will come up.
* For Infrastructure sector Rs. 70,000 crores allocated.
* Projects in rail road and irrigation bonds will be tax free.
* Infrastructure development through PPP model will be revitalised and government will bear majority of the
risk.
* Atal Innovation Mission will be established to draw on expertise of researchers and entrepreneurs to foster
scientific innovations. For this mission Rs. 150 crore allocated.
* 5 ultra-mega power projects each of 4000MW proposed by Government
Defence:* 2,46,726 crore allocated for Defence. It is 9.87 per cent greater than last year.
* Make in India campaign will take into consideration for speedy manufacturing of Defence equipment.
Welfare Schemes and new Programmes :* Under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, six crore toilets across the country will be built.
* By 2020, housing for all.
* Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Gurantee Act (MGNREGA) will get MGNREGA of Rs. 5,000 crore. It is highest allocation
to this scheme.
* To improve quality of life of common man, GST and JAM trinity (Jan Dhan Yojana, Aadhaar and Mobile) will be launched. To
encourage first generation SC/ST entrepreneurs, MUDRA bank will provide finance.
* Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) will be further be expanded to 10.3 crore from 1 crore.
* Government will contribute 50% of the premium limited to Rs. 1,000 a year for the Atal Pension Yojana.
* 9,000 crore unclaimed funds in PPF/EPF will be used for Senior Citizens Fund.
* For all Indian, government will create universal social security system.
* For electric cars production Rs. 75 crore allocated.
* Renewable energy target for 2022 60K MW in wind; 10K MW in biomass, 100K MW in solar and 5K MW in small hydro plants.
* Under the new tourism scheme, development of churches and convents in old Goa; Hampi, Elephanta caves, , Jallianwala Bagh,
Forests of Rajasthan, Leh palace, Varanasi Qutb Shahi tombs at Hyderabad.
* Visa on Arrival (VoA) facility to be increased for 150 countries from present 43 countries.
* As an alternative to purchasing gold, Sovereign Gold Bond will be launched.
* In order to facilitate depositors of gold to earn interest and jewellers to obtain loans on their metal accounts new scheme will be
launched.
* Forward Markets Commission (FMC) will be merged with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). * Under SARFAESI Act
2002, NBFCs registered with the RBI having asset size of Rs 500 crore and above to be considered as financial institution for midcorporate businesses and fund SME.
* For Rural Infrastructure Development Bank, Rs. 25,000 crore allocated.
* To support Micro Irrigation Programme, Rs. 5,300 crore allocated.
Economic Survey 2014-15
Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley presented the Economic Survey for 2014-15 in the Parliament on 27 February 2015.The Economic
Survey forms the basis for the Union Budget for the fiscal year starting 1 April. This Economic Survey has been prepared by the Finance
Ministrys Chief Economic Adviser Arvind Subramanian.
Following are the important highlights of Economic Survey:Economic Growth :* Economic growth at market prices is expected between 8.1 to 8.5% during 2015-16 (based on the new GDP calculation formula)
* Growth rate in 2014-15 is estimated at 7.5%
* The total stock of stalled projects stands at Rs. 8.8 lakh crore or 7% of GDP and are mostly in private sector
Fiscal Deficit and Current Account Deficit :* Union Govt. will stick to fiscal deficit target of 4.1% of GDP in 2014-15
* Country needs to meet its medium-term fiscal deficit target of 3% of GDP
* Current Account Deficit (CAD) estimated to fall 1% of GDP in 2015-16
Inflation:* Consumer inflation in 2015-16 likely to range between 5 to 5.5%
* Inflation likely to be below RBIs target by 0.5 to 1% point
* Inflation shows declining trend in 2014-15
* Decline in inflation by over 6% points since late 2013
Foodgrain Production:* Foodgrains production for 2014-15 estimated at 257.07 million tonnes
* The production will exceed last 5 years by 8.5 million tonnes
Subsidy :* Food subsidy at Rs. 1,07,823.75 crore during 2014-15 (up to January 2015), an increase of 20% over previous year

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Pakistan Successfully Test Fires Cruise Missile Raad
Pakistan on 2 February conducted a successful flight test of the indigenously developed Air Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM) named
Raad. The Raad Missile, with a range of over 350 km, has been developed exclusively for launch from Aerial Platforms.This missile
system has enabled Pakistan to achieve a greater strategic standoff capability on land and at sea.
Irans Safir Rocket successfully Launches Fajr Satellite into Orbit
Iran has launched its Fajr (Dawn) observation satellite on 2 February, using a Safir-2 rocket, its first launch since 2012 and declared that
it has safely entered orbit. The launch marks the 35th anniversary of the Iranian Revolution and comes one day ahead of the countrys
Space Technology Day.
US Names Russian Nuclear Power Plants For India and Iran Best Projects of 2014
Iranian nuclear power station Bushehr and the Indian Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant topped the Nuclear energy category as the
modern technologies they use produce cleaner and more effective sources of energy. The Russian-backed Iranian nuclear power
station Bushehr and the Kudankulam Indian nuclear power plant projects were named projects of the year 2014 by the US Power
Engineering magazine in the Nuclear energy category on 13 February 2015.
India Successfully Test Fired BrahMos Missile From INS Kolkata
India on 14 February successfully test-fired its 290-km range BrahMos supersonic cruise missile from Indian Navys latest destroyer INS
Kolkata. BrahMos is a missile with a range of 290 kilometers and can carry a conventional warhead of up to 300 kilograms. It has a top
speed of Mach 2.8, which is three times faster than the US subsonic Tomahawk cruise missile. This speed makes BrahMos one of the
fastest cruise missiles in the world. It can be launched from submarines, ships, aircraft and land. INS Kolkata the countrys largest
indigenously built warship was commissioned in Indian Navy on 16 August 2014.
India Successfully Test Fired N-capable Prithvi-II Missile
Prithvi-II surface-to-surface missile was test-fired on 19 February at Chandipur, Odisha. The test-fired was part of a regular training

exercise of Strategic Force Command of Defence (SFC) and monitored by Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO).
Prithvi-II was developed indigenously which is nuclear-capable and has a strike range of 350 km. It is capable of carrying 500 kg to
1000 kg of warheads.

PERSONS IN NEWS
A) APPOINTMENTS
Arvind Kejriwal Sworn In As 8th Delhi Chief Minister
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal sworn in as 8th Chief Minister of Delhi on 14 February at a function in Ramlila Maidan,
Delhi. Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung administered the oath of office and secrecy to Kejriwal. In 2015 Delhi Assembly elections, AAP
staged a historic victory by sweeping 67 of the 70 seats. This will be Arvind Kejriwals second term as Delhi Chief Minister. Earlier in
February 2014, he had resigned after running a 49-day government with the support of Congress.
Nitish Kumar Sworn In As Bihar Chief Minister For 4th time
Senior Janata Dal United leader Nitish Kumar was sworn in as the 24th Chief Minister of Bihar on 22 February. He succeeded Jitan
Ram Manjhi, who resigned from his office on 20 February 2015 before the trust vote wherein he was supposed to prove majority in the
243-member Bihar Legislative Assembly. With this, Nitish Kumar took oath as the states chief minister for the fourth time. In 2000, for
first time he was made CM of Bihar but had resigned within 7 days. In 2005, he was sworn in as the CM of Bihar for second time and in
2010 for third time. In May 2014 he had resigned from the CM post taking the responsibility of his partys (JDU) dismal performance in
the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.

B)RESIGNS
IPCC Chairman RK Pachauri Resigned
Dr Rajendra K Pachauri has stepped down as Chairperson of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) with effect from
24 February. Pachauri is suspected to be involved in a sexual harassment case with a woman employee of The Energy and Resources
Institute (TERI), the environmental-think tank that he heads as its Director General.

C)DEATHS
Indian Sculptor and Artist Mrinalini Mukherjee Died
Acclaimed sculptor Mrinalini Mukherjee was died on 2 February in New Delhi. She was 65. She was the daughter of acclaimed artists
Benode Behari and Leela Mukherjee. She was best known for her sculptures crafted using knotted hemp ropes and cast bronzes.
Mrinalini Mukherjee was the first Indian artist whose work was displayed at the Sydney Biennale in 1986. In 1994, her art sculptures
were displayed in the Museum of Modern Art, Oxford and later she travelled all over United Kingdom.

D)VISITORS
Singapore President Tony Tan Keng Yam Visited India
Singapore President Tony Tan Keng Yam visited India from 8 11 February 2015. During his four day visit, Tony Tan Keng Yam met
Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi.The two leaders held wide-ranging discussions on enhancing bilateral relations, as well as
broadening cooperation in fighting terrorism, among other issues.In their talks, the two leaders deliberated on strengthening of
cooperation on regional and international issues to raise the partnership to a higher level.They agreed on sharing of experiences in
science and technology, space and other areas to enhance productivity and efficiency as well as broadening cooperation in fighting
terrorism.

E)MISCELLANEOUS
Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan Named In LIMCA Book of Records
Indore MP and Loksabha speaker Sumitra Mahajans name was included in the LIMCA book of records in the month of February 2015.
Her name was included for being the only woman of the country to represent the same Lok Sabha constituency on the same party ticket
for eight times in a row. As a leader of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), she represents the Indore constituency of Lok Sabha in Madhya
Pradesh. For the first time she was elected to the Lok Sabha in 1989. Since then she has been re-elected to the Lok Sabha in 1991,
1996, 1998, 1999, 2004, 2009 and finally to the 16th Lok Sabha on 18 May 2014.She was unanimously elected as Speaker of 16th Lok
Sabha on 6 June 2014.

PLACES IN NEWS
Four New Fish Species Discovered In Kerala
Four new fish species named Puntius nelsoni, Puntius nigronotus, Systomus chryseus and Systomus rufus have been discovered in
Kerala. They were discovered by Mathews Plamoottil, a zoology professor at Baby John Memorial Government College in Kollam.

ABBREVIATIONS
1) ICICI Industrial Credit and Investment Corporation of India
2) SWIFT Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication
3) TRAI Telecom Regulatory Authority of India
4) ILO International Labour Organization
5) UNDP United Nations Development Programme
6) OECD Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development

BOOKS IN NEWS
Kiran Bedi Released Comic Book Titled Kiran Bedi Kaise Bani Top Cop
Kiran Bedi on 9 February 2015 released a comic book titled Kiran Bedi Kaise Bani Top Cop at a thanksgiving event organised in her
Vidhan Sabha constituency Krishna Nagar, Delhi. The book is penned down by her sisters, Reeta Peshawaria Menon and Anu
Peshawaria.The 32-page comic book with Hindi text and illustrations narrates the story of the first woman IPS officer of the country.The
comic talks about Bedis childhood life in Amritsar, how she met her husband Brij Bedi while playing tennis and how she became the first
woman IPS officer on 16 July 1972.

COMMITTEES
Usha Thorat Committee For Evaluating Applications Of Small Finance Banks and Payments Banks
The Reserve Bank of India on 3 February 2015 constituted a committee to evaluate applications received for the proposed small
finance banks. The committee was headed by Usha Thorat, former Deputy Governor of RBI. The purpose of the small banks will be to
provide a whole suite of basic banking products such as deposits and supply of credit, but in a limited area of operation. The objective
for these Small Banks is to increase financial inclusion by provision of savings vehicles to under-served and unserved sections of the
population, supply of credit to small farmers, micro and small industries, and other unorganised sector entities through high technologylow cost operations.

IMPORTANT DAYS AND DATES

International Mother Language Day Celebrated On February 21
The International Mother Language Day 2015 was celebrated all over the world on February 21, 2015. The objective of this day is to

promote linguistic and cultural goodwill among diversity. It aims to fosters unity among various nations. As it promotes the preservation
and protection of all languages used by people all over the world.The year 2015 is the 15th anniversary of International Mother
Language Day. International Mother Language Day was proclaimed by the General Conference of the United Nations Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in November 1999. The day, February 21, represents the date in 1952 when students
from Bangladesh demonstrating for recognition of their language, Bangla, as one of the two national languages of the then Pakistan,
were shot and killed by police in Dhaka, the capital of what is now Bangladesh.
World Cancer Day was Observed Across The World
World Cancer Day (WCD) 2015 was observed across the world on 4 February 2015.The tagline for the WCD 2015 was Not beyond Us.
The tagline signified that solutions do exist across the continuum of cancer, and that they are within our reach.The WCD 2015 explored
how we can implement what we already know in the areas of prevention, early detection, treatment and care so as to impact the global
cancer burden for the better.

March 2015 Current Affairs Study Material

INTERNATIONAL
China Approves New Nuclear Reactors In Industry Revival
China is reviving growth of its nuclear power industry with approval of its first new project since Japans 2011 Fukushima disaster. The
Cabinets planning agency on 11 March approved construction of two additional reactors at a power plant in the northeastern province
of Liaoning.China is the worlds biggest energy consumer and nuclear power plays a key role in government plans to curb surging
demand for imported oil and gas.
North Korea and Russia Declared 2015 as Friendship Year
North Korea and Russia will mark 2015 as a year of friendship and step up bilateral exchanges in political, economic and cultural
sectors.The Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea and the Russian Federation decided to make 2015, in which falls the 70th
anniversaries of Koreas liberation and the victory in the great Patriotic War in Russia, as a year of friendship between the two countries.
Japan and France Signed Defence Agreement
Japan and France on 13 March signed a agrrment on military equipment and technology transfers , in a move to drive cooperation and
joint development of defence gear, as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe strengthens security ties with major powers.
Muhammadu Buhari Elected As Nigerian President
Former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari was elected as the president of Nigeria on 31 March, making him the first opposition
candidate to win a presidential vote in the countrys history. This Presidential Election was held on 28 March 2015 all across Nigeria,
which is the most populous country in Africa and is also the largest economy of the continent. Gen. Buharis All Progressives Congress
(APC) defeated President Jonathans Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by over 2 million votes.

INDIA & WORLD

India and Spain Signed Agreement On Defence Ties
India and Spain on 5 March signed an agreement on Mutual Protection of Classified Information to provide the framework for an
enhanced cooperation in the defence sector. The agreement was signed after the meeting between Spanish Defence Minister Pedro
Moremes and his Indian counterpart Manohar Parrikar in New Delhi.
Saudi Arabia Becomes Top Arms Importer
According to the IHS company study report released on 8 March, Saudi Arabia overtook India to become the worlds biggest weapons
importer in 2014, a year when global defence trade rose for the sixth straight year to a record $64.4 billion. The top five importers in
2014 were Saudi Arabia, India, China, UAE and Taiwan.
India and Seychelles Signed Four Agreements
India on 11 March signed four agreements with the Indian Ocean island nation to boost security and maritime partnership. They were
signed in the fields of renewable energy, hydro graphic survey, electronics navigation and infrastructure development at the island of
Seychelles.These agreements and MoUs were signed by Secretary (West) Navtej Sarna from Indian side in the presence of Prime
Minister Narendra Modi and President of Seychelles James Alix Michel.
India and Sri Lanka Signed Four Agreements
India and Sri Lanka on 13 March signed four agreements to cement cooperation between the two neighbours, including a customs pact
to balance trade, a credit line of more than $300 million, a currency swap agreement and visa on arrival for Sri Lankan nationals in
India. The agreements were signed in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Srilankan President Maithripala Sirisena in
Colombo.
New UK scholarship Announced For Indian Finance Professionals
United Kingdom (UK) Chancellor George Osborne has on 13 March launched the first-of-kind scholarships for Indian finance
professionals who want to study in Britain. The Chevening Financial Services Leadership programme was launched by Osborne in
London.

NATIONAL
Govt To Launch Atal Pension Yojna (APY) On 1 June
Atal Pension Yojna (APY), announced in the 2015-16 Budget , will be launched on 1st of June 2015 and will focus on all citizens in the
unorganised sector entitling them to a pension of up to Rs 5,000 per month after 60 years of age. The existing subscribers of
Swavalamban Scheme would be automatically migrated to the APY pension scheme, unless they opt out. The minimum age of joining
APY is 18 years and maximum age is 40 years.
Parliament Passes Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2015
Parliament on 4 March passed the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2015. The bill was passed by Lok Sabha on 2 March and was cleared
by the upper house also called Rajya Sabha on 4 March 2015. The bill seeks an amendment in the Citizenship Act, 1955 and to merge
the Person of Indian Origin (PIO) and Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) schemes.
Lok Sabha Passed Land Acquisition (amendment) Bill, 2015
Lok Sabha on 10 March 2015 passed the Land Acquisition (amendment) Bill, 2015. The bill was passed by voice vote along with
incorporated 9 new amendments moved by Union government. The bill amends the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in
Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (RFCTLARR) Act, 2013.
Parliament Passed Insurance Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2015
Parliament has passed Insurance Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2015.It was first passed in Lok Sabha on 4 March 2015 and later in Rajya
Sabha on 12 March 2015. In both the houses the bill was passed by voice vote. The amendment bill replaces ordinance promulgated in
this regard and aims to bring improvements and revisions in the existing laws relating to insurance business in India.The amendment
bill hikes Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) cap in the insurance sector to 49 percent from present 26 percent.
Parliament Passed Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2015
Parliament has passed Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2015. The bill was first passed in Rajya
Sabha and later in Lok Sabha on 20 March 2015.The Bill was passed in Rajya Sabha after the Union government had accepted the
recommendations of the Select Committee. The amendments in the bill were made in the bill passed by Lok Sabha on 4 March 2015.It
seeks to amend the Mines and Minerals (Regulation and Development) Act, 1957 and replace the ordinance promulgated in January
2015.

STATES

 Aapki Beti Humari Beti Scheme Launched In Haryana

Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar on 8 March launched a scheme for girl child Aapki Beti Humari Beti with an aim to
combat the problem of declining child sex ratio in the state. The scheme will cover first-born girl child of Scheduled Caste (SC) and
Below Poverty Line (BPL) families and all second girl child born on or after 22nd January 2015 of all families in the state.
Maharashtra Government Launched Bhagyashree Scheme
Maharashtra Government has launched Bhagyashree Scheme for girl child from Below Poverty Line (BPL) families, on 8 March.
Bhagyashree Scheme has replaced the state governments previous Sukanya Scheme. Bollywood actress Bhagyashree is the brand
ambassador of the scheme. The Bhagyashree scheme aims at providing one lakh rupee on maturity after the girl completes 18 years of
age.
Assam Govt Launched Momai Tamuli Barbaruah Krishak Bondhu Scheme
Assam government has on 15 March launched the Momai Tamuli Barbaruah Krishak Bondhu Scheme to increase agricultural
production. Under the programme Momai Tamuli Barbaruah Krishak Bondhu Scheme, facilities and assistance will be provided for
double cropping in all the crop areas which have so far been utilised for single cropping only.
Gujarat Legislative Assembly Passes Anti-Terror Bill
The Gujarat Legislative Assembly on 31 March 2015 passed Gujarat Control of Terrorism and Organized Crime (GUJCOC) Bill, 2015. It
is third time this controversial Bill being passed by state assembly. Earlier, passed bill was rejected two times by the then Presidents in
2004 and 2008 for reconsideration.

CONFERENCES
International Conference On Counter Terrorism
Indias first conference on Counter-Terrorism was held from 19 21 March 2015 in Jaipur, Rajasthan. The conference was named as
International Counter-Terrorism Conference 2015 and it was organised by India Foundation in association with the Sardar Patel
University of Police Security and Criminal Justice-Jodhpur. The central theme of the Conference is Integrated Approach to CounterTerrorism. The Conference was inaugurated by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh.The focus of the deliberations was on exploring the
contours of 21st century terrorism and sharing the Counter-Terrorism expertise. Some of the sub-themes on which the conference
focused include 26/11 Mumbai Terror Attack, Talibanisation of Af-Pak region, New Caliphate in West Asia, Maritime Terrorism and
Piracy, Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Terrorism and Cyber and Space terrorism.

AWARDS & HONOURS

Namibian President Hifikepunye Pohamba Won Mo Ibrahim Prize
Hifikepunye Pohamba, outgoing Namibian President, on 2 March won the Mo Ibrahim prize for achievement in African leadership for
year 2014.Pohamba served as Namibian President two terms. For first time he was elected in 2004 and again in 2009. The award is
named after Mo Ibrahim, a British-Sudanese mobile communications entrepreneur and philanthropist, who had made billions of fortune
from investing in Africa.
Veerappa Moily Selected For Saraswati Samman 2014
Former Union minister and senior Congress leader M Veerappa Moily was on 9 March selected for the prestigious Saraswati Samman
for 2014 for his famous Kannada poem Ramayana Mahanveshanam. Divided into five volumes, Ramayana Mahanveshanam was first
published in 2007 in Kannada. Later the poem was translated into English, Hindi, Telugu and Tamil.
Activist Rajendra Singh Won Stockholm Water Prize 2015
Rajendra Singh, an eminent environment activist, has been conferred the prestigious Stockholm Water Prize 2015 for his innovative
water restoration efforts and extraordinary courage to empower communities in Indian villages. He is popularly known as Water Man of
India.
Shashi Kapoor Selected For Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2014
Veteran actor and film producer Shashi Kapoor has been named for the prestigious Dada Saheb Phalke Award 2014. He is the 46th
winner of the honour, conferred by the government for outstanding contribution to the growth and development of Indian Cinema. The
2014 Dadasaheb Phalke award to Shashi Kapoor made him the third member of Kapoor family to receive the award after Prithviraj
Kapoor and Raj Kapoor.
62nd National Film Awards 2014
The 62nd National Film Awards for year 2014 was announced on 24 March 2015. Court directed by Chaitanya Tamhane was selected
as the Best feature film. Mary Kom (Hindi) directed by Omung Kumar was selected as the Best Popular film providing wholesome
entertainment. The 62nd National Film Awards in the various categories are as follows:* Best Actor Vijay for Nanu Avanalla Avalu (Kannada).
* Best Actress Kangana Ranaut for Queen (Hindi).
* Best Direction -Srijit Mukherji, Director of Chotushkone (Bengali).
* Best Hindi Film Queen
* Best Childrens Film - Kaakkaa Muttai (Tamil) and Elizabeth Ekadashi (Marathi).
* Indira Gandhi Award for Best Debut Film of a Director Aditya Vikram Sengupta for Asha Jaoar Majhe (Bengali).
* Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration Chotoder Chobi (Bengali) directed by Kaushik Ganguly.

SPORTS & GAMES

Karnataka Won Ranji Trophy 2015
Karnataka on 12 March won their eighth Ranji Trophy title of cricket. In the title clash played at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai,
Karnataka defeated Tamil Nadu by an innings and 217 runs. Karnataka defeated Tamil Nadu by an innings and 217 runs in the final day
of match played at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai.The man of the match was Karnatakas Karun Nair who had scored 338 runs.
India Open Super Series Badminton 2015 Winners
Womens Singles :- Indias ace shuttler Saina Nehwal on 29 March won India Open Super Series Badminton Womens Singles 2015
Title. She defeated Thailands Ratchanok Intanon in the final match played at Siri Fort Indoor Complex in New Delhi.
Mens Singles :- Indias Srikanth Kidambi has won India Open Super Series Badminton Mens Singles 2015 Title. In the final match he
defeated Denmarks Viktor Axelsen.
Australia Won ICC Cricket World Cup For 5th time
Australia on 29 March 2015 won the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 for the record fifth time. In the final match Australia defeated co-hosts
of the tournament, New Zealand by 7 wickets played at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Australia. Australia fast bowler
Mitchell Starc was named the Player of the Tournament who finished with a figure of 22 wickets in the tournament. He was tied with
New Zealand left-arm seamer Trent Boult for taking highest wickets in the tournament. Australian all-rounder James Faulkner was
adjudged man of the match, while the man of the series award went to Mitchell Starc. He finished the tournament with 22 wickets.
Saina Nehwal Becomes First Indian Woman To Attain World No.1 Ranking
Ace shuttler Saina Nehwal on 28 March created history by becoming first Indian woman to be ranked number one in the world in
Badminton World Federation (BWF) rankings in Womens Singles category. She achieved this rare feat after Spains Carolina Marins
lost her semi-final match to Thailands Ratchanok Intanon in the Indian Open Super Series. Saina has overtaken Chinas Li Xuerui to
become the highest ranked player in the world. Saina Nehwal is the second Indian badminton player to achieve this feat, after
legendary shuttler Prakash Padukone. He had achieved the top rank in 1980 in Mens Single Category.

ECONOMY

RBI reduced Repo Rate By 25 Basis Points To 7.5 percent

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 4 March reduced the repo rate by 25 basis points to 7.5 percent with immediate effect. This is the
second time since January 2015 that RBI reduced the repo rate by 25 basis points. With this, the reverse repo rate under the LAF
stands adjusted to 6.5 percent, and the marginal standing facility (MSF) rate and the Bank rate to 8.5 percent.
Indias Billionaires To Rise 104% By 2024
According to the latest Knight Frank Wealth Report, as of 2014,Wealth creation in India is likely to accelerate significantly with the
number of ultra-wealthy individuals expected to double to 3,371 by 2024. India is home to 1,652 ultra high net worth individuals
(UHNWIs), which is likely to swell to 3,371 by the year 2024, registering a jump of 104 per cent. The number of UHNWIs in India has
increased from 622 in 2004 to 1,652 in 2014, registering a rise of 166 per cent over the past decade (2004-2014). At 0.1 UHNWI per
lakh population, India ranks a distant 84 among 97 countries globally in terms of equitable distribution of wealth.
Indian Railways Signed MoU with LIC For Rs 1.5 lakh crore Investments
Indian Railways on 11 March signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) to raise Rs 1.5
lakh crore for financing the development of its various commercially viable infrastructure projects. Under this MoU, LIC will make
available a Financial Assistance of 150000 crore rupees to the Indian Railways for implementing Railway projects over the next five
years. The Financial Assistance will be available from the Financial Year 2015-16.
India Becomes 3rd Biggest Steel Producer Over Takes US
India has become the third-largest steel producer in the world by overtaking United States (US) in first two months of year 2015. It was
revealed in the Data compiled by World Steel Association (WSA) on 22 March.Indias production in first two months i.e. JanuaryFebruary of 2015 was 14.56 million tonnes (MT). This production growth was the highest during this two month period at 7.6% as
compared to the global average of just 0.6% at 127.6 MT.China tops in steel production and accounts for nearly half of the global steel
production. During this period China has produced 65 MT steel.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

SpaceX Rocket Lifts Off with Worlds First All Electric Satellites
Worlds first electric satellites were successfully lifted off by a Space Exploration (SpaceX) Technologies rocket from Cape Canaveral Air
Force Station, United States on 1 March. The rocket was carrying two all-electric commercial satellites built by Boeing. The satellites are
owned by the French satellite provider Eutelsat and Asia Broadcast Satellite (ABS).
NASAs Dawn Spacecraft Completed Its Orbit Around Dwarf Planet Ceres
NASAs Dawn space probe has on 6 March completed its orbit around dwarf planet Ceres which is the largest object in the Solar
System between Mars and Jupiter. With the completion of orbit, Dawn probe has become first spacecraft to visit dwarf planet. Dawn has
taken 7.5 years to reach the orbit of Ceres.
Solar Impulse 2 Begins Its Journey Around the World
Solar Impulse 2, a solar-powered airplane, started its historic 35,000-km round-the-world journey from Abu Dhabi on 9 March 2015.
Solar Impulse-2 took off from Abu Dhabi on its 5-month long journey in which it will skip from continent to continent, crossing both the
Pacific and Atlantic oceans in the process. Andre Borschberg and Bertrand Piccard are the two pilots of this mission.
Pakistan Successfully Tests Indigenous Drone Burraq and Barq
Pakistan on 13 March successfully tested its first indigenously built all-weather armed drone named Burraq and a laser guided missile
named Barq.By successfully testing of Burraq, Pakistan became the 9th country in the World to develop an unmanned combat aerial
vehicle (UCAV) domestically.
ISRO successfully Launched Fourth Navigation Satellite IRNSS 1D
Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) on 28 March 2015 successfully launched fourth navigation satellite Indian Regional
Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) 1D. Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) C27 injected IRNSS 1D into the designated orbit from
the first launch pad of Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh. This was the 28th consecutive successful flight of
PSLV. IRNSS is a navigation system that will cover India, and also extend 1,500 kms from its boundaries. It will provide accurate
position information to users in India. Basically it will provide two kinds of services, Standard Positioning Services, which is available to
all users, and an encrypted service that is provided only to authorized users.

PERSONS IN NEWS
A) APPOINTMENTS
Jagmohan Dalmiya Elected as BCCI president
agmohan Dalmiya was unanimously elected as the President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) at Annual General
meeting held in Chennai on 2 March.Dalmiya had served BCCI as its President between 2001 and 2004. He also served as the
President of International Cricket Council (ICC) between 1997 and 2000.
Venkatraman Ramakrishnan Named as President of Britains Royal Society
Nobel laureate Sir Venkatraman Ramakrishnan on 18 March was named as the President of Britains prestigious Royal Society, a
communion of the many of the worlds most distinguished scientists. Ramakrishnan, who will take up the post on the 1 December 2015,
will succeed geneticist Sir Paul Nurse, also a Nobel Laureate.

B)RESIGNS
Union Minister Dadarao Danve Resigns
Union Minister Minister of State (MoS) for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Raosaheb Dadarao Danve on 5 March
resigned from the office. Raosaheb Danve resigned from the Union Council of Ministers following the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJPs)
one-man, one-post principle after he was appointed President of Maharashtra in January 2015. He took over as Maharashtra BJP
president after Devendra Fadnavis became the Chief Minister state who had led the party to power in October 2014 Assembly
elections.

C)DEATHS
Senior Journalist Vinod Mehta Died
Senior journalist and former editor of Outlook, Vinod Mehta died on 8 March in New Delhi. He was 73. Mehta, who had founded the
Outlook Magazine and served as its Editor-in-Chief, last held the post of editorial Chairman of the publication. Vinod Mehta was born on
May 31, 1942 in Rawalpindi, West-Punjab region of undivided India (now in Pakistan). He wrote the best-selling autobiography
Lucknow Boy in 2011. He has authored a biography of Meena Kumari (movie actress and poet) and Sanjay Gandhi- The Sanjay Story
(2012).

D)VISITORS
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Visited Sri Lanka
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Sri Lanka on 13 14 March 2015. The visit follows President Maithripala Sirisenas first overseas
visit to India in February 2015. During his two day visit Narendra Modi met Srilankan President Maithripala Sirisena in Colombo.In the
visit, India and Sri Lanka signed four agreements. Narendra Modi also announced e-visa on arrival services for Sri Lankans, a $ 318
million Line of Credit to upgrade Sri Lankas railways, and a promise to build Trincomalee as a petroleum hub, while seeking movement
on the 500 MW Sampur power project, that has been delayed for years due to environmental concerns.

E)MISCELLANEOUS
PM Narendra Modi Among 30 Most Influential People On Internet
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been named among the 30 most influential people on the internet by Time magazine in a list which
also features US President Barack Obama. The list, which analysed social-media followings, site traffic and overall ability to drive news,
also includes British author of the Harry Potter series J K Rowling and singers Taylor Swift and Beyonce. The list was released on 6
March 2015.

PLACES IN NEWS
Worlds Largest and Tallest Indian Flag Unfurled In Faridabad
Worlds largest and tallest Indian national flag was unfurled on 3 March 2015 at Town Park in Faridabad, Haryana.It was unfurled by
Bhartiya Janta Party President Amit Shah.The flag has dimension of 96 feet by 64 feet and weighs 48 kilograms. Flag was hoisted at
the height of 250 feet (75 meters). Thus, making it the worlds largest and the highest hoisted Indian flag in the world.

ABBREVIATIONS
NABARD - National Bank for Agricultural and Rural Development
BCCI Board of Control for Cricket in India
EPFO Employees Provident Fund Organization
UNICEF United Nations Childrens Fund
NSE National Stock Exchange

BOOKS IN NEWS
The Modi Effect Authored by Lance Price
Book titled The Modi Effect: Inside Narendra Modis Campaign to Transform India written by Lance Price, former media advisor to the
then British Prime Minister Tony Blair.The book was published in the month of March 2015 in India by Hachette. The book is based on
the authors interviews with the prime minister, his Cabinet colleagues like Piyush Goyal, Prakash Javadekar and Smriti Irani and his
team of advisers and analysts.

COMMITTEES
Ajay Shankar Committee Constituted To Review The Existing PPP Cell In Railway Board
The Ministry of Railways appointed Ajay Shankar committee on 25 March to review the performance of the Public Private Partnership
(PPP) cell functioning under the Railway Board.Ajay Shankar is a former Secretary, Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion
(DIPP) under Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

IMPORTANT DAYS AND DATES

World Tuberculosis Day was Observed On 24 March
World Tuberculosis Day 2015 was globally observed on 24 March 2015. The theme for the year 2015 is continuation of the 2014 theme
Reach the 3 Million. The main sub-theme and message for the year 2015 is Reach, Treat, Cure Everyone. The World Tuberculosis Day
is annually celebrated on 24 March to commemorate the day on which Dr. Robert Koch discovered the cause of tuberculosis, the TB
bacillus in 1882. The day aims to build public awareness about the global epidemic of tuberculosis (TB) and efforts to eliminate the
disease.
World Water Day 2015
World Water Day 2015 was globally observed on 22 March 2015 with the theme Water and Sustainable Development. The theme for
the WWD 2015 talks about how water links to all areas we need to consider creating the future we want. World Water Day is celebrated
every year to make a difference for the members of the global population who suffer from water related issues. Its a day to prepare for
how we manage water in the future.

April 2015 Current Affairs Study Material

INTERNATIONAL
Iran and P5+1 Reached Historic Nuclear Deal
Iran, the P5+1 and the European Union (EU) on 2 April conceded on a framework agreement called as Joint Comprehensive Plan of
Action (JCPOA) intended to stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons. The agreement was reached at Lausannes Beau-Rivage
Palace hotel in Switzerland. The informal framework agreement will be used as the basis for evolving the final draft of JCPOA by 30
June 2015. These 6 world powers are collectively known as P5+1, or five permanent members of the UN Security Council, namely
China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, plus Germany.
Pakistan and Russia Agreed To Hold First Ever Joint Military Exercise
Pakistan and Russia have agreed to hold first-ever joint military exercises as part of their enhanced defence cooperation. In this regard,
an agreement was reached between both nations during a meeting between Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and his Pakistani
counterpart Khawaja Asif in Moscow on 16 April 2015.
China and Pakistan Signed An Agreement On CPEC
China and Pakistan on 21 April signed an agreement on China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) plan worth 46 billion US dollars.
The agreement was signed by Chinas President Xi Jinping and Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. As part of the agreement, China
will provide up to 37 billion US dollar in investment for energy projects to generate 16400 MW of power. Concessional loans will cover
nearly 10 billion US dollar of infrastructure projects.
Omar al-Bashir Re-elected As Sudan President
Sudans President Omar al-Bashir has won Presidential re-election by securing 94 per cent of the vote on 27 April. With this win, Omar
al-Bashir extends his 25-year rule. Omar faces war crimes charges and is wanted by the International Criminal Court. He is in power
since 1989. In this election Omars National Congress Party (NCP) also won 323 of 426 parliamentary seats.

INDIA & WORLD

India Ranked 101 In Social Progress Index
India was placed at 101st place in the Social Progress Index (SPI) ratings that were released globally on 9 April 2015. The SPI, which
gives data for 133 countries, is also an alternative to GDP. After Norway at the top of the rankings, came Sweden, Switzerland and
Iceland.
India Elected To Four United Nations Agencies
India was elected to four important United Nations (UN) agencies on 8 April. These agencies are United Nations Childrens Fund
(UNICEF), World Food Program (WFP), Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ) and the Governing Council of
UN-Habitat. India was elected to these bodies at the Coordination and Management Meeting (CMM) of UNECOSOC (the United
Nations Economic and Social Council) held at the UN headquarters in New York, USA.
Canada To Supply Uranium To India For 5 Years
Canada on 15 April agreed to supply 3,000 metric tonnes of uranium to energy-hungry India from this year under a $254 million fiveyear deal to power Indian atomic reactors, four decades after bilateral cooperation in this sector was frozen over Indias nuclear
programme. The agreement for uranium supply, which came two years after protracted negotiations following the 2013 civil nuclear deal
between India and Canada, was signed after comprehensive talks Prime Minister Narendra Modi had with his Canadian counterpart
Stephen Harper. Canada is the third country to supply uranium to India after Russia and Kazakhstan.
India Ranks 5th On Global E-Waste Monitor 2014 List
According to the Global E-Waste Monitor 2014compiled by United Nation(UN)s think tank United Nations University (UNU), India is the

fifth biggest producer of e-waste in the world, discarding 1.7 million tonnes (Mt) of electronic and electrical equipment in 2014.India
came in fifth, behind the US, China, Japan and Germany.

NATIONAL
PM Narendra Modi Launched Indias First National Air Quality Index
The National Air Quality Index (NAQI) was launched for the first time in India by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 6 April 2015 primarily
for assessing the quality of air in major urban centres across the country on a real-time basis. This National Air Quality Index will provide
information on the quality of air in 10 major cities in the country on a real-time basis.The ten cities where the quality of air can be
monitored are Delhi, Agra, Kanpur, Lucknow, Varanasi, Faridabad, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Bangalore and Ahmedabad.
Union Government Notified NJAC 2014
The Union Government on 13 April 2015 notified the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) Act, 2014 and the Constitution
(Ninety-ninth Amendment) Act, 2014. The NJAC Act and 99th Amendment Act were notified in exercise of the powers conferred by subsection (2) of section 1 of the Act. With this new law the collegium system to appoint members to the higher judiciary has come to an
end. Now President will appoint judges in the Supreme Court (SC) and 24 High Courts (HCs) in consultation with the NJAC.
MHA renames Visa On Arrival Scheme To E-Tourist Visa
Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on 14 April decided to rename Tourist Visa on Arrival-Electronic Travel Authorization (TVoA-ETA)
scheme as e-Tourist Visa (eTV) scheme.
Rajya Sabha Passed Transgenders Rights Bill
The Rajya Sabha on 24 April passed a bill that seeks equal rights for the transgenders.The Rights of Transgender Persons Bill 2014
was introduced by DMK MP Tiruchi Siva. It was the first private members bill to be passed by the Upper House in 45 years. The last
time the Lok Sabha passed a private members bill was in 1970. In the Rajya Sabha a private members bill was passed in 1969.
Railways Launches Mobile App for Paperless Ticketing of Unreserved Category
The Railway Ministry has launched utsonmobile, a mobile application for paperless unreserved tickets. The application service was
launched by Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu on 22 April in New Delhi. This application will allow its passenger to buy a ticket on
the move and to board the train with the ticket secured on his mobile phone in digital format, without any need for printing the ticket.
Initially, it has been launched as a pilot project and cover 15 stations in Southern Railway. Later on it will be extended to entire country
in phases.

STATES
Gujarat Launched Industrial Tourism To Showcase Development
Gujarat government has on 12 April launched industrial tourism package to promote its development by showcasing its major industrial
installations which have earned global acclaim for state. It is a first of its kind initiative India, offered by Tourism Corporation of Gujarat
Ltd (TCGL) in collaboration with Ahmedabad based Akshar Travels Pvt Ltd. The tour package is called as Industrial Tour of Gujarat will
cover some of the major industrial attractions of the state.
Indian Army Conducts AkramanII Defense Exercise In Rajasthan
Indian Army on 26 April conducted a major exercise Akraman-II in Rajasthan. The exercise was conducted by the Chetak Corps, a part
of South Western Command based in Bhatinda, Punjab. The exercise aimed to test a new generation of weaponry and platforms which
are employed in the desert region to provide real time battle and situational awareness to its commanders.
Kerala Govt Launched Subodham Project To End Liquor Abuse
State Government of Kerala on 19 April 2015 launched Subodham project, to help people in the state to overcome addiction to
liquor.The project was launched by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and Art of Living Foundation founder Sri Sri Ravishankar in Kochi.
BHEL commissioned 600 MW thermal Unit In Chhattisgarh
State-owned power equipment-maker Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) on 13 April commissioned a 600 MW thermal unit at
Dhabra in Janjgir Champa District of Chhattisgarh for the Dainik Bhaskar Power Limited.This is the second unit of 2 600 MW power
project, commissioned by BHEL. The first 600 MW Unit was commissioned in 2014.

CONFERENCES
5th SAARC Health Ministers Meeting Held In New Delhi
The 5th meeting of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Health Ministers was held on 8 April 2015 in New Delhi.
The meet ended with the adoption of Delhi Declaration on Public Health Challenges.The declaration focuses on issues common to
member nations of South Asia Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).

AWARDS & HONOURS

Subadhra Devi Named For 2015 International Achievement Award
Dr Subadhra Devi Rai, an Indian-origin Singaporean nurse, on 2 April 2015 was named for the 2015 International Achievement Award
by the Florence Nightingale International Foundation (FNIF) of the International Council of Nurses.
Adonis Won 2015 Kumaran Asan World Prize For Poetry
Paris- based Syrian-Lebanese Arab poet Adonis has been chosen for 2015 Kumaran Asan World Prize for poetry, instituted by the
Kumaran Asan Memorial Association to honour poets of international stature and introduce them to Indian readers. Adonis was born as
Ali Ahmad Said Esber in Western Syria in 1930. Since 1985, he had settled in Paris, France.
Susanta Lahiri Awarded Hevesy Medal Award 2015
Professor Susanta Lahiri was awarded prestigious the Hevesy Medal Award 2015. The award was presented to him for his outstanding
contributions in heavy ion induced radioisotope production, converter targets, tracer packet technique and green chemistry.
Satya Nadella Honoured with the White House Champion of ChangeAward
Microsofts Indian-origin CEO Satya Nadella was honoured with the White House Champions of Change on 16 April. He is one of the 12
local Champions of Change who were honoured for their exemplary leadership. Champions of Change honour is given to those who
support working families and help make change in their companies or communities.

SPORTS & GAMES

Mariya Muzychuk Won Womens World Chess Championship
World Women Chess Championship 2015 was won by Mariya Muzychuk of Ukraine. She defeated Russian Natalija Pogonina by 2.5 to
1.5 points in the four-game final.Indian Grandmaster Dronavalli Harika on 6 April 2015 won Bronze medal along with Swedish
Grandmaster Pia Cramling in the World Womens chess championships held at Sochi, Russia.
Sri Lankas Kumar Sangakkara Named Wisden Cricketer of the Year for 2014
Sri Lanka great Kumar Sangakkara has been honoured with the Cricketer of the Year in the 2015 edition of the prestigious Wisden
Cricketers Almanack on 8 April. He has become only the second cricketer after Indias Virender Sehwag to be bestowed with the award
twice.
New Zealand Won Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Tournament 2015
New Zealand won the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup mens Hockey Tournament title on 12 April.In the final clash played at the Sultan Azlan
Shah Stadium in Ipoh, Malaysia, New Zealand defeated World Champions Australia 3-1.India won Bronze Medal (third position) by
beating south Korea by 4-1 in the penalty shoot-out.

Djokovic Won Laureus World Sportsman Of The Year 2015 Award

The Laureus World Sports Awards for the year 2015 were given in seven categories on 15 April at Shanghai in China. Ace tennis star
Novak Djokovic of Serbia and sprinter Genzebe Dibaba of Ethiopia were named as the Laureus World Sportsman and Sportswoman of
the 2015 respectively.
Novak Djokovic Won Monte Carlo Masters Title
Novak Djokovic of Serbia won the Monte-Carlo Masters title of Tennis on 20 April. He defeated Berdych of Czech Republic in the mens
singles final. It was his second Monte-Carlo Masters title of Tennis. With this win, Djokovic also became the first player to sweep the
opening three ATP World Tour Masters 1000 events of a season. The previous two titles were won at Indian Wells and Miami.

ECONOMY
Union Government Unveiled new FTP
Union Minister of Commerce & Industry on 2 April unveiled Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2015-2020. The new trade policy will incorporate
government ambitious initiatives such as Make in India, Digital India mission, Skill India programme, ease of business in order to boost
jobs and take Indias exports to 900 billion dollars by 2020. In the new policy FTP2015-20, two new schemes Merchandise Exports
From India Scheme (MEIS) and Services Exports From India Scheme (SEIS) were introduced.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Launched MUDRA Bank
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 8 April launched the Micro Units Development and Refinance Agency Ltd. (MUDRA) Bank in New
Delhi.The bank will provide credit of up to 10 lakh rupees to small entrepreneurs and act as a regulator for Micro-Finance Institutions
(MFIs). The Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana will be the main support system for the bank and will be the part of Small Industries
Development Bank of India (SIDBI). MUDRA Bank has been started with an initial corpus of Rs. 20,000 crore. Apart from this, Rs. 3,000
crore has been earmarked as credit guarantee corpus.
India Ranks 125th In the World For Fixed Broadband Penetration
According to Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) latest report, India ranks 125th in the world for fixed broadband penetration
with only 1.2 per 100 inhabitants and the global average is 9.4 per 100 inhabitants.This rating puts India behind Sri Lanka and Bhutan.
In the wireless or mobile broadband segment, India is ranked at 113th with a penetration of 3.2 per 100 inhabitants.
India Fourth Largest Supplier of Generic Medicines To US
India has emerged as the fourth largest supplier of generic medicines to the United States. It was announced by Minister of State (MoS)
for Chemicals and Fertilizers Hansraj Ahir gave this information in the Rajya Sabha in reply to a question. Indias generic medicines
exports have touched over US 4 billion dollars in 2013-14 in spite of stringent regulatory measures imposed by US. Union Government
also announced that Indian pharmaceutical companies are already exporting generic medicines to Africa, West Asia and European
countries.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Nuclear-Capable Dhanush Missile Successfully Test Fired
India on 9 April successfully test-fired its nuclear-capable Dhanush ballistic missile with a strike range of 350 km from a naval ship off
the Odisha coast. The surface-to-surface Dhanush, a naval variant of Indias indigenously-developed Prithvi missile, was test fired from
a ship in the Bay of Bengal off Odisha coast by the Strategic Force Command (SFC) of the defence force. Dhanush missile is capable
of carrying conventional as well as nuclear payload of 500 to 1000 kilogram and can hit both land and sea-based targets within 350 km
range.
Nuclear Capable Agni-III Ballistic Missile Test Fired Successfully
The Surface-to-Surface Agni III ballistic missile was successfully test-fired on 16 April from the Wheelar Isalnd off the Odisha coast in
the Bay of Bengal.Although the missile has a strike range of more than 3000 km, in the present test-fire, it was tested for a lesser range.
The Agni-III missile is powered by a two-stage solid propellant system.
Worlds First Self-Powered Camera Developed
Columbia University scientists have created the worlds first self-powered camera. The camera can indefinitely produce an image in
each second of any well-lit indoor area. K. Nayar, a computer scientist of Indian origin, headed the research. He designed a pixel that
apart from measuring incident light also converts it into electric power.
Navys Stealth Destroyer INS Visakhapatnam Launched
Indian Navys new stealth destroyer named INS Visakhapatnam was launched on 20 April at the Mazgaon Docks Ltd (MDL) in Mumbai,
Maharashtra.It was designed indigenously. It is a Kolkata class warship.It is also the first of P15-B stealth destroyers.The ship weighs
3000 tonnes and is 163 metres long.It is designed to achieve speed of more than 30 knots at displacement of around 7300 tonnes.INS
Vishakapatnam will also be fitted with supersonic surface to surface missile system.
NASA develops First 3-D Printed Copper Rocket Engine Part
NASA engineers have developed the first full-scale three dimensional (3-D) printed copper rocket engine part. The part developed was
a combustion chamber liner that operates at extreme temperatures and pressures using additive manufacturing technique.

PERSONS IN NEWS
A) APPOINTMENTS
Nasim Zaidi Takes Over as new CEC
Nasim Zaidi took over as the 20th Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India on 19 April.He is Indias 20th CEC and succeeded Hari
Shankar Brahma, who had retired on April 18, 2015.
Loretta Lynch Sworn In As U.S. Attorney General
Loretta Lynch on 27 April 2015 was sworn-in as the United States 83rd Attorney General, the first African-American woman to serve as
the nations top law enforcement official. She succeeded former attorney general Eric Holder, who left the position on 24 April 2015 after
serving as Attorney General for six years.

B)RESIGNS
ICC president Mustafa Kamal Resigned
International Cricket Council (ICC) President A.H.M. Mustafa Kamal resigned from his post on 1 April.Mustafa Kamal is a Bangladeshi
politician and cricket official. Apart from being the President of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), he was also functioning as the
President of ICC since 2014. He resigned from this post as he was apparently hurt at not being given the opportunity to hand out the
World Cup trophy to champions Australia.

C)DEATHS
Nobel Laureate German Novelist Gunter Grass Died
German Nobel laureate novelist Guenter Grass was died on 13 April in Luebeck, Germany. He was 87. He was a novelist, poet,
playwright, illustrator, graphic artist, sculptor and recipient of the 1999 Nobel Prize in Literature. His writings mainly focused on the Nazi
era, the horrors of the war and the destruction and guilt that remained after defeat of Germany.

D)VISITORS
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Visited France
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited France from 9-11 April 2015. During the visit, Narendra Modi met with French President Francois
Hollande and had talks with business leaders of select French companies in defence and infrastructure sectors. India and France
signed 17 agreements in various fields.These included deals on Rafale fighter jets, Jaitapur nuclear reactor, renewable sources of
energy, railways, smart city and several others. Among other agreements signed between India and France , an important agreement
was struck on both the countries proceeding forward on the stalled nuclear project in Jaitapur in Maharashtra.Narendra Modi visited the

CNES (National Centre for Space Studies) and the Airbus A 380 Assembly Line Facility in Toulouse, France. He gifted a painting titled
Tree of Life, reflecting traditional societal respect for nature in India to the French President Francois Hollande.

E)MISCELLANEOUS
Minor Planet Named as 4538 Vishyanand
Michael Rudenko, a committee member of the Minor Planet Center on 1 April officially named a minor planet as 4538 Vishyanand, to
honour Indias first chess grandmaster, Vishwanathan Anand.The main-belt minor planet was discovered between the orbits of Mars
and Jupiter by Kenzo Suzuki in Toyota, Aichi Prefecture, Japan, on 10 October 1988. Since its discovery, the planet remained unnamed.

PLACES IN NEWS
Thane Named As National Earth Hour Capital 2015 By WWF
Thane in Mumbai, Maharashtra was named as the National Earth Hour Capital 2015 on 9 April 2015. Thane city won the bid among the
three finalists Thane, Pune and Rajkot in the Earth Hour City Challenge (EHCC) 2015 conducted by World Wide Fund. Seoul city, the
capital and largest metropolis of South Korea, on 9 April 2015 was awarded the title of Global Earth hour Capital 2015 after it won the
Earth Hour City Challenge (EHCC) of World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

ABBREVIATIONS
IFCI Industrial Finance Corporation of India
IFSC International Financial Services Centre
UN ECOSOC - United Nations Economic and Social Council
IRENA - International Renewable Energy Agency
SDRF State Disaster Response Fund

BOOKS IN NEWS
Historical Documents Testify The Sovereignty of Senkaku Authored By Tadayoshi Murata
The book entitled Historical Documents Testify the Sovereignty of Senkakuauthored by Tadayoshi Murata, an honorary professor at
Japans Yokohama National University. The book describes how the Japanese government illegally occupied the Chinese Diaoyu
Islands step by step in the 1890s. Japan has recently intensified its propaganda to claim several uninhabited islands disputed with its
neighbor in the East China Sea, but a Japanese historian refuted the claim and questioned Tokyos reliability since it has manipulated
evidence to mislead the rest of the world on the territorial issue.

COMMITTEES
Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry Constituted Ajay Shankar committee To Simplify Clearances
The Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry on 8 April formed an expert committee under the chairmanship of Ajay Shankar to
suggest simplified compliance for establishing new industries. He is a former Secretary to the Department of Industrial Policy and
Promotion (DIPP). The Expert Committee has been constituted for examining the possibility of replacing multiple prior permissions with
pre-existing regulatory mechanism and to prepare draft legislation for this purpose.

IMPORTANT DAYS AND DATES

World Malaria Day Observed Across The World
World Malaria Day (WMD) was observed on 25 April 2015 across the world. The day was observed to highlight the need for continued
investment and sustained political commitment for malaria prevention and control.The day is observed to recognise the global efforts to
control malaria. It is an occasion to highlight the need for continued investment and sustained political commitment for malaria control
and elimination.World Malaria Day was instituted by World Health Organization (WHO) Member States during the 2007 World Health
Assembly.On the occasion of the 2015 World Malaria Day (WMD), WHO called on the global health community to urgently address
significant gaps in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of malaria.
World Book and Copyright Day was Celebrated On 23 April 2015
United Nations (UN) observed World Book and Copyright Day across the world on 23 April 2015. The day is an opportunity to recognise
the power of books to change our lives for the better and to support books and those who produce them. For the year 2015, UNESCO
designated Incheon, South Korea as the World Book Capital 2015 in recognition of its programme to promote reading among people
and underprivileged sections of the population. World Book Day was celebrated for the first time on 23 April 1995. The day is also
known as International Day of the Book or World Book Days and is organised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO) to promote reading, publishing and copyright. In 1995, UNESCO decided that the World Book and Copyright
Day would be celebrated on 23 April, as the date is also the anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare and Inca Garcilaso de la
Vega, as well as that of the birth or death of several other prominent authors.

May 2015 Current Affairs Study Material

INTERNATIONAL
South Korea and Vietnam Signed Free Trade Agreement
Vietnam and South Korea on 5 signed a bilateral free trade agreement in the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi, concluding the countries
two-year talks. The deal, which was initiated a month back, will enable the trade between the two nations to reach $70 billion a year by
2020.
David Cameron Re-elected as Britains Prime Minister
David Camerons Conservative Party on 8 May won the United Kingdom General election 2015 by securing 331 seats in a Parliament of
650.With this win, David Cameron will become Prime Minister for second term.The elections were held on 7 May 2015. Conservative
Party received 36.9% vote share of the total national vote. Labour Party has won 232 seats with 30.4% vote share, emerging as
largest opposition party.
Canadian House of Commons Approved Anti-Terror Act 2015
The Canadian House of Commons on 6 May approved the Bill C-51, Anti-Terror Act, 2015 that empowers the countrys spy agency. It
was adopted in a 183 to 96 vote. The act would give the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) the ability to operate overseas
and make preventative arrests. It also makes it easier for police to arrest and detain individuals without charge.
WHO Declares Liberia Free of Ebola
World Health Organization (WHO), a U.N. health agency on 9 May declared Liberia Ebola-free. Liberia was one of the three West
African countries at the center of the largest epidemic of Ebola till date since the disease was first reported in 1976. The two other
countries are Sierra Leone and Guinea. WHO has hailed Liberias Ebola eradication efforts as an enormous development in the long
crisis and monumental achievement as the virus has killed more than 4,716 people in the country alone.

INDIA & WORLD

India Ranked 140th In 2015 Mothers Index
Worlds Mothers 2015 report titled The Urban Disadvantage has been prepared by Save the Children organisation and was launched
in India by Union Minority Affairs Minister Najma Heptulla in New Delhi on 6 May 2015. According to the report, India was placed at
140th position out of 179 countries. Top 5 countries as per 2015 Mothers Index Norway (1st), Finland (2nd), Iceland (3rd), Denmark
(4th) and Swedan (5th).
India and China Signed 24 Agreements
India and China on 15 May signed 24 agreements to augment bilateral co-operation between the two countries.The agreements were
signed in the presence of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in Beijing, China. These agreements
include protocol for establishment of consulates in Chengdu and Chennai, agreement on the establishment of sister states Sichuan
and Karnataka, action plan between railways of the two countries, MoU on education exchange programme, MoU between Indias
between NITI Aayog and Development Research Centre of China, etc.
India and Mongolia Signed 13 Agreements
India and Mongolia on 17 May signed 13 agreements, including an air services agreement and in cyber security, as Prime Minister
Narendra Modi held talks with his Mongolian counterpart Chimed Saikhanbileg in Ulan Bator,the capital of Mongolia.
India Ranked 100th On Human Capital Index
India was on 14 May ranked at a low 100th position on a global Human Capital Index, which measures the countries in terms of the
economies leveraging their human capital, where Finland has topped the 124-nation list.On the list, compiled by World Economic Forum
(WEF), other emerging economies such as Russia, China, Brazil and South Africa are ranked ahead of India.

NATIONAL
Lok Sabha Passed Goods and Services Tax Bill 2014
Lok Sabha on 6 May passed the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill, 2014 which is also known as Constitution (122nd Amendment) Bill.
The Bill seeks to amend the Constitution in order to introduce the Goods and Services Tax (GST). Consequently, the bill also seeks to
carry out new indirect tax regime in the country that will subsume various central and state levies like sales tax, excise and service tax
except taxes on the supply of alcoholic liquor for human consumption and petroleum products.Transition from the traditional taxation to
GST will boost Indias growth by up to 2.5 percentage points.
PM Narendra Modi Launches Three Social Security Schemes
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 9 May launched three mega social security schemes in Kolkata, West Bengal. The schemes were
launched simultaneously at 115 places in the country with Central and State Chief Ministers and senior ministers attending the
functions.
1) Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Yojana (PMJJBY)
2) Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY)
3) Atal Pension Yojana (APY)
1) Atal Pension Yojana (APY) :- Under APY scheme, the pension subscribers will receive a fixed minimum monthly pension ranging
from 1,000 rupees to 5,000 rupees at the age of 60 years. The fixed minimum monthly pension will be depending on the contributions
subscribers. The minimum age of joining 18 years and maximum age is 40 years. Focus of APY To target unorganised sector
workers.
2) Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Yojana (PMJJBY):- Under the PMJJBY, the insurance subscriber will get an annual life insurance in
case of death. Eligibility Available any person in the age group of 18 to 50 years having a bank account. Risk Coverage 2 Lakh
rupees in case of death due to any reason. Payment Mode of premium 330 rupees per annum will be directly auto-debited by the
bank from the subscribers account.
3) Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY):- Under the PMSBY, the insurance subscriber will get annual life insurance in
case of accidental death, partial disability or full disability. Eligibility Available to any person in the age group 18 to 70 years. Risk
Coverage For accidental death and full disability 2 Lakh rupees For partial disability 1 Lakh rupees. Payment Mode of premium
12 rupees per annum will be directly auto-debited by the bank from the subscribers account in case of long-term option.
Parliament Passed Black Money Bill
The Rajya Sabha on 13 May passed the Black Money Bill. It was earlier passed by the Lok Sabha on 11 May 2015. According to the
new Bill those who conceal income and assets, and indulge in tax evasion in relation to foreign assets can face rigorous imprisonment
of up to 10 years. They will also be liable to face a penalty of 300 per cent of taxes on the concealed income and assets.
PM Narendra Modi Launched Doordarshans Farmer-Centric Kisan TV Channel
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 26 May launched Indias first television channel DD Kisan dedicated to farmers in New Delhi. This 24hour channel is initially in Hindi and is dedicated to agriculture and allied sectors of India. It seeks to disseminate real-time inputs to
farmers on new farming techniques, water conservation and organic farming among other information.

STATES
BHEL commissioned 195 MW Thermal Unit of KBUNL In Bihar
State-owned electrical equipment maker Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) on 4 May commissioned a 195 MW thermal unit of
Kanti Bijlee Utpadan Nigam Limited (KBUNL) in Muzaffarpur, Bihar. This was the first 195 MW unit to be commissioned by BHEL at the
2195 MW Muzaffarpur Thermal Power Station (TPS) Plant of KBUNL.
PM Narendra Modi Inaugurated IISCO Steel Plant at Burnpur
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 10 May inaugurated the upgraded IISCO Steel Plant (ISP) in Burnpur, West Bengal. The ISP houses
the largest blast furnace of India. The ISP was modernised by the Union Government at a cost of 16000 crore rupees.
UP Govt Launched Samajwadi Water ATM scheme
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on 12 May launched Samajwadi water ATM scheme at bus stations. It seeks to provide
potable water to bus passengers at reasonable price.In this regard, state government will install water ATMs at most of the bus stations
which will provide potable water at the rate of 1 rupee per litre and cold water at 2 rupees per litre.
Punjab Becomes First State To Issue Soil Health Cards To Farmers
Punjab Agriculture Department on 13 May launched a pan-state programme to monitor the soil health of every farm in the state by
issuing them personalised Soil Health Cards (SHCs). With this, Punjab became the first state in India to issue Soil Health Cards to
farmers.Prime Minister had formally launched the nationwide Soil Health Card Scheme from Suratgarh, Rajasthan in Februrary 2015.

CONFERENCES
6th National Conference on Nuclear Energy
Nuclear Energy6th National Conference on Nuclear Energy was held in New Delhi on 15 May 2015. The Conference was organised by
ASSOCHAM with the theme Nuclear Energy: a Clean Energy option. The conference discussed the issue related to the status of
Nuclear Energy in India. India is on course to double its nuclear power generation capacity to more than 10,000 mega watts (MW) over
the next five years i.e. 2020.Nuclear power plants account for 3.5% of Indias current electricity generation, and its share in Indias future
electricity generation will be less than 10% even if the installed capacity is tripled.

AWARDS & HONOURS

CNR Rao Conferred with Japans Highest Civilian Award
Eminent scientist C N R Rao was on 2 May conferred with Japans highest civilian award for his outstanding contributions to science

and Indo-Japanese science coperation. The Emperor of Japan conferred the countrys highest award, the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold
and Silver Star, on the Bharat Ratna awardee.Rao is also the only Indian to be elected as a foreign member of the Japan Academy in
Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research.
Mazen Darwish Honoured with World Press Freedom Prize 2015
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on 3 May presented the 2015 UNESCO-Guillermo
Cano World Press Freedom Prize to Syrian journalist and rights activist Mazen Darwish. The award was presented in Latvia on the
occasion of the World Press Freedom Day in recognition of the work he has carried out in Syria for more than ten year as a human
rights defender and a journalist.
Pranab Mukherjee Presents Florence Nightingale Awards To 35 Nurses
President Pranab Mukherjee on 12 May conferred the National Florence Nightingale Awards to 35 nursing personnel from across the
country on the occasion of International Nurses Day.The Florence Nightingale Award was established by the Union Health Ministry to
honour the selfless services rendered by Nurses with devotion, sincerity, dedication and compassion.
Laszlo Krasznahorkai Won Man Booker International Prize 2015
Hungarian writer Laszlo Krasznahorkai has been announced as the winner of the sixth Man Booker International Prize 2015. He was
announced the winner at an award ceremony at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London on 20 May 2015. The prize, worth 60,000,
is awarded every two years for an achievement in fiction on the world stage. The Man International Booker Prize is awarded to a living
author of any nationality who has published fiction either in English or in English translation.

SPORTS & GAMES

Floyd Mayweather Won World Welterweight Title of Boxing
American boxer Floyd Mayweather on 3 May defeated Manny Pacquiao from Philippines to win the unified World Welterweight title.This
bout (welterweight category) was held at MGM Garden Arena in Las Vegas (US).With this win, Mayweather added Pacquiaos World
Boxing Organization (WBO) title to his World Boxing Association (WBA) and World Boxing Council (WBC) crowns. Mayweather earned
a mind-boggling Rs. 1142 crore, Pacquiao also pocketed Rs. 761 crore despite losing.
Nico Rosberg Won Spanish F1 Grand Prix
Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg of Germany won Spanish Grand Prix Formula 1 World Championship title by winning the final race held
on 10 May at Barcelona in Spain.
Rome Masters Tennis Tournament Winners
Womens Singles :- Maria Sharapova of Russia on 17 May won the Rome Masters tennis tournament womens singles title.She
defeated Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain. It was the 35th WTA Tour title of Sharapovas career.
Mens Singles :- Novak Djokovic of Serbia won his fourth Rome Masters Tennis title. Djokovic defeated Roger Federer of Switzerland.
Mumbai Indians Won IPL 8
Mumbai Indians (MI) on 24 May won the eight edition of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2015 by defeating Chennai Super Kings (CSK).In
the final match played at Eden Gardens, Kolkata they defeated CSK by 41 runs. This was the second title triumph for Mumbai Indians
after their maiden win back in 2013.
* Man of the Match Rohit Sharma (Mumbai Indians)
* Player of the Tournament Andre Russell
* Orange Cap (Most Runs) David Warner (Sunrisers Hyderabad)
* Purple Cap (Most Wickets) - Dwayne Bravo (Chennai Super Kings)
* Emerging Player Shreyas Iyer (Delhi Daredevils)
* Most Valuable Player Andre Russell (Kolkata Knight Riders)
* Fair play Award Chennai Super Kings
Prize Money :* Champions Mumbai Indians (Rs 15 crore prize money)
* Runner-up Chennai Super Kings (Rs 10 crore)
Captains of the two teams :* Mumbai Indians Rohit Sharma
* Chennai Super Kings MS Dhoni

ECONOMY
56 Indian Companies Among Forbes Global 2000 List
US magazine Forbes on 6 May released Global 2000 Companies list. According to the list, India is home to 56 of the worlds 2000
largest and most powerful public companies.The list is topped by US (579 companies), followed by China (232 companies) and Japan
(218 companies). Reliance Industries, the topmost India company is ranked 142 on the list, down from last years 135th spot.
SBI launches RuPay Platinum Debit Card
Indias largest lender State Bank of India (SBI) on 7 May launched State Bank RuPay Platinum debit card in association with National
Payment Corporation of India (NPCI). Initially, the card will be issued free to customers maintaining a quarterly balance of 50000
rupees. The RuPay card is accepted at all payment channels like ATMs, PoS and eCommerce.
Forbes Worlds 10 Biggest Consumer Financial Services Firms
Mortgage lender HDFC has emerged as the only Indian company among the worlds 10 biggest consumer financial services firms, after
giants like American Express, Visa and Mastercard. HDFC is ranked 7th on the list, compiled by business magazine Forbes, where
American Express is placed on the top followed by Capital One Financial, Visa, Discover Financial Services and Orix in the top-five.
Four Indians Among Forbes worlds 100 Most Powerful Women
SBI Chief Arundhati Bhattacharya, ICICI bank head Chanda Kochhar, Biocon founder Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw and HT Media Chair
Shobhana Bhartia were listed in the 12th Forbes100 Most Powerful Women List, which was released on 26 May . Arundhati
Bhattacharya ranked 30th on the list, followed by Kochhar on the 35th spot, Mazumdar-Shaw (85) and newcomer on the list Bhartia is
on the 93rd spot.The worlds most powerful woman in the list is German Chancellor Angela Merkel who fetched the first spot.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

NASA ended Operations of MESSENGER Mission To Mercury
NASA on 1 May ended the operations of MESSENGER Mission. MESSENGER stands for MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment,
GEochemistry and Ranging and it was launched on 3 August 2004 to study Mercurys atmosphere. The journey of the spacecraft came
to an end with Expected Impact (EI) on Mercurys surface. It plunged to the Mercurys surface at around 14000 kmph, creating a crater
up to 52 feet wide.NASAs Messenger probe was launched on 3 August 2004 from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.
Messenger was actually an acronym for Mercury Surface, Space Environment, Geo-chemistry and Ranging.
Akash Weapon System Missile Inducted In Indian Army
Indian Army on 5 May inducted the first regiment of the indigenously-developed Surface-to-Air missile Akash Weapon System (AWS).
About Akash Weapon System (AWS) :* Akash Missile is able to target a multitude of aerial threats of upto a range of 25 km.
* Akash has been developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and is being built by Bharat Dynamics
Limited (BDL).
* It has a large operational range from a low altitude of 30 metres to a maximum of up to 20 km.
* At 96 per cent indigenisation, it represents a major capability development for a crucial weapon system.
* The first test flight of Akash missile was conducted in 1990, with development flights conducted up to March 1997.

Indian Army Test Fires BrahMos Cruise Missile Successfully

Land-to-land configuration of BrahMos missile was on 8 May successfully test-fired from the Car Nicobar Islands.BrahMos BlockIII
version i.e. land-to-land configuration of missile was launched from a Mobile Autonomous Launcher (MAL) for its full-range of 290-km
test. The missile flight test met all flight parameters, including high-level manoeuvres.It also hit the designated land- based target with
the desired accuracy.
INS Sardar Patel Commissioned In Porbandar
Indias latest naval establishment INS Sardar Patel was commissioned in Porbandar, Gujarat, by state Chief Minister Anandiben
Patel on 9 May. It became the second in the state for the Indian Navy after INS Dwarka near Okha. It has been established as a
Forward Operating Base (FOB) of the Indian Navy. Cmde BR Prakash, VSM who is the Naval Officer-in-Charge (Gujarat, Diu & Daman)
became the first Commanding Officer of INS Sardar Patel.

PERSONS IN NEWS
A) APPOINTMENTS
KV Kamath Appointed as First President of NDB of BRICS nations
Eminent banker Kundapur Vaman Kamath was on 11 May 2015 appointed as the first President of the New Development Bank (NDB)
of BRICS nations. He will have of five year term after the bank becomes operational within one year. He was conferred with Padma
Bhushan Award in 2008. The Leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) had meeting in 2014 and reached an
agreement to establish the New Development Bank, with its headquarters in Shanghai. As per the agreement, India got the right to
nominate the first president.
Four New Governors Appointed
President of India Pranab Mukherjii on 12 May 2015 appointed four Governors and transferred two others.
Following are newly appointed Governors :1) Jharkhand Draupadi Murmu
2) Tripura Tathagata Roy
3) Arunachal Pradesh J P Rakkhowa
4) Meghalaya V Shanmuganathan
Transferred Governors :* Syed Ahmed, Governor of Jharkhand was shifted to Manipur. He was appointed in September 2011. His tenure will end in September
2016.
* Lt General (retd.) Nirbhay Sharma, who was serving as Governor of Arunachal Pradesh since May, 2011, was transferred and
appointed as Governor of Mizoram for the remainder of his term, which ends in 2018. He is the eighth Governor of the state since 2014.

B)RESIGNS
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Panneerselvam Resigned
Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu O Panneerselvam resigned on 22 May 2015. He was appointed as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on 29
September 2014 as replacement of former AIADMK chief J Jayalalithaa, who resigned after being convicted in the 18 year old
disproportionate assets case of over 66 crore rupees. She was awarded a four year prison term by Bangalore Special Court after it
found her guilty of amassing unaccounted wealth.

C)DEATHS
Oscar Winning Author Michael Blake Died
Michael Blake, the Oscar-winning writer of Dances With Wolves novel passed away on 3 May in Tucson, Arizona. He was 69. The novel
had sold over 3.5 million copies, and was translated into 15 languages, and was later converted into film, which Kevin Costner directed
and starred in. The film bagged 7 Oscars including Best Picture and Best Screenplay for Blake, who also won the WGA Award and
Golden Globes for the novel.

D)VISITORS
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Visited China
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited China from 14 16 May 2015. During his three day visit, he met Chinese President Xi Jinping in
Xian. In the visit, India and China signed 24 agreements to augment bilateral co-operation between the two countries. 24 agreements
worth over 10 billion dollars were signed after Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with Chinese premier Li Keqiang at Beijing. In
the visit, Narendra Modi announced electronic or e-visas for Chinese tourists. As many as 26 business agreements worth over USD 22
billion were signed on 16 May between Indian firms including Adani group, Bharti Airtel and Welspun and thier Chinese
counterparts. Both the countries will also establish Additional Consulate General. Both the countries have also agreed to establish
China-India think tank forum and three sister cities.

E)MISCELLANEOUS
Pablo Picassos Women of Algiers Sells For World Record $179m at Auction
A painting by surreal Spanish artist Pablo Picasso has set a new world record for the most expensive artwork to be sold at auction after
reaching $179m (115m) in New York on 12 May.The previous world record was 92m, set for a triptych by British artist Francis Bacon
again at Christies in 2013.Picassos painting depicts nude and semi-nude women and is part of a 15-work series the artist created
between 1954-55.

PLACES IN NEWS
Tunisians Unfurled Worlds Largest Flag
Worlds largest flag was unfurled at an event in Ong Jmel in the southern desert area of Tunisia. Tunisian national flag of the size of 19
football pitches was unfurled in a bid to set a Guinness World Record and promote patriotism in the face of Islamist extremism. The flag
of 104,544 square metre was made using 80 kilometres of fabric and weighed arounf 12.6 tonnes.

ABBREVIATIONS
PMSBY Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana
PMJJBY Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Yojana
APY Atal Pension Yojana
Wi-Fi Wireless Fidelity
DARPA Defense Advance Research Project Agency

BOOKS IN NEWS
Vice President Released The Book China Confucius In The Shadows
A Book titled China Confucius in the Shadows was released by the Vice President M. Hamid Ansari on 1 May 2015. Confucius was
considered as the most efficient author in Chinese history. Book has been written by Poonam Surie. Poonam Surie is an Adjunct Fellow
at the Institute of Chinese Studies, New Delhi.

COMMITTEES

Vijay Kelkar Committee To Revisit PPP infra Model

Union government on 26 May constituted a 10-member committee to review and revitalise Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode of
infrastructure development. The committee will be chaired by under former finance secretary Vijay Kelkar and submit its report within a
period of 3 months from the date of its Constitution. The Kelkar committee will review the PPP policy and suggest a better risk-sharing
mechanism between private developers and the government after analysing such projects in different.

IMPORTANT DAYS AND DATES

World Press Freedom Day was Observed On 3 May 2015
The World Press Freedom day was observed globally on 3 May 2015.This year, the theme of World Press Freedom day is Let
Journalism Thrive! Towards better reporting, gender equality and media safety in the digital age. The day marks the celebrations of the
fundamental principles of press freedom to evaluate press freedom around the world, to defend the media from attacks on their
independence and to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession.World Press Freedom Day was
proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in December 1993, following the recommendation of UNESCOs General Conference in 1991.
Since then, 3 May is celebrated worldwide as World Press Freedom Day.
World Asthma Day was Observed On 5 May 2015
World Asthma Day was observed across the world on 5 May 2015. The day is observed across the world to spread awareness and care
around the world including India. The theme for 2015 is You Can Control Your Asthma and sub-theme is Its Time to Control
Asthma.World Asthma Day takes place on the first Tuesday of May. The inaugural World Asthma Day was held in 1998. Asthma is a
common chronic inflammatory long-term disease of the lungs which causes breathing problems by narrowing the airways. Symptoms of
asthma include breathlessness, coughing, wheezing, and feeling of tightness in the chest and shortness of breath.