monthly current affairs gk capsule- december 2015-www.ibpsguide.com (1)

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Monthly Current Affairs & GK Capsule- December 2015

CONTENTS

Sno Topics Page No

1. Important Banking Current Affairs 02

2. Important Business & Economy NEWS 04

3. National NEWS 08

4. International NEWS 14

5. Important Appointments 18

6. Important Awards and Honors 20

7. Important Sports NEWS 22

8. Important Defence NEWS 24

9. Bill and Amendments 26

10. Important MoU & Agreements 27

11. Important Schemes Launched 28

12. Newly Released Coins and Stamps 29

13. Important Festival and Events 29

14. Important Obituaries 30

15. Science NEWS 31

16. Important Days 31

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Important Banking Current Affairs

RBI holds its policy rate steady at 6.75%:

After frontloading a 50 basis points cut in the policy repo rate in late September, the Reserve Bank of

India chose to keep it steady at 6.75 per cent in its fifth bi-monthly policy review .

RBI relaxed the overseas borrowing rules for domestic companies:

The RBI said companies will now be able to borrow up to $50 million in ECBs with 3-year maturities and

more than $50 million for 5-year maturities. The previous limits had been around $20 million.

Axis Bank has launched the 'display variant' debit card:

First Indian bank to offer Display variant of Debit Cards

Currently launched for NRE customers

Customers can generate the OTP (One Time Password) on the card itself, thereby ensuring hassle free

transactions

The Reserve Bank of India has revised Priority Sector Lending (PSL) norms for Regional Rural Banks

(RRBs):

Various Sectors Total outstanding

Priority Sector Lending 75%

Medium Enterprises, Social Infrastructure and Renewable Energy 15%

Agriculture 18%

small and marginal farmers within Agriculture 8%

Micro Enterprises 7.5%

Weaker Sectors 15%

The new norms will be implemented from January 1, 2016 and will be monitored on a quarterly and

annual basis.

IDFC Bank ties up with TCS for core banking solutions

IDFC Bank has inked a pact with IT services major Tata Consultancy Services to useTCS BaNCS for its

core banking solutions.

Reserve Bank of India has cancelled the certificate of registration of 56 Non-Banking Finance Companies

(NBFCs):

RBI has taken away "the certificate of registration of the 56 non-banking financial companies

(NBFCs) which includes including ABNL, Future Ventures India and Bajaj Finserve.

Yes Bank Limited has announced to mobilize 5 billion US dollars from 2015 to 2020 for climate action:

Announced was made at: COP 21 climate summit in Paris.




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Yes Bank was planned to mobilize the fund through lending, investing and raising capital towards

mitigation, adaptation and resilience.

Asian Development Bank (ADB) released Asian Economic Integration Report 2015:

This report examined current trends in trade, finance, migration, remittances and other economic

activities in the region, with a special chapter on the role of special economic zones (SEZs).

RBI announces timetable reduction in SLR to 25 basis points to 21.25% as on April 2, 2016:

State Bank of India will issue EMV chip and pin based debit cards to its new customers

Aim: to ensure enhanced secure transactions

EMV chip and pin feature protects against skimming and card transaction frauds.

Development Credit Bank (DCB) has announced a cut its base rate by 15 basis points:

Base rate (or the minimum lending rate) to 10.70 per cent from 10.85 per cent.

Life Insurance Corporation of India has launched an immediate annuity plan, Jeevan Akshay IV, for post-

retirement planning:

According to the plan, an individual aged between 30 years and 85 years can make a lump sum

investment of minimum Rs.1 lakh.

World Bank has approved a USD 1.5 billion loan for Clean India Campaign to support the government in its

efforts to ensure all citizens in rural areas

The Federal Reserve System, the central banking system of the USA, increased interest rate by 0.25

percent for the first time since 2006

Axis Bank has partnered with digital security company eMudhra for the eSign service through which

individuals having Aadhaar numbers will be able to digitally sign documents to submit to the bank online.

SBI has planned to raise Rs.12,000cr through Tier-II bonds.

“The Committee of Directors” has authorised the bank to raise up to Rs.12,000 crore by way of “issue of

Basel-III compliant Tier-II bonds, at par, through private placement”, the SBI informed the stock

exchanges.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) created a dedicated helpline (Email) for start-ups in India in order to offer

assistance on Forex matters to them for undertaking cross-border transactions within the ambit of the

regulatory framework.

RBI has given approval for joining of Small Finance banks to join any Payment System:

The central bank, in August and September, announced the names of 21 entities that were granted in-

principle approval for setting up payments banks and SFBs.

RBI released report of Deepak Mohanty Committee on Medium-term Path on Financial Inclusion.




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The committee was constituted on 15 July 2015 by the RBI with the objective of working out a medium-

term (five year) measurable action plan for financial inclusion.

India Post, which was among the eleven applicants to have received approval from RBI for payment banks

in August, will start its service by March 2017, Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad announced.

The Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) cleared four FDI proposals, including that of HDFC

Standard Life Insurance, totaling about Rs.1,810 crore.

RBI extended deadline to exchange pre-2005 notes to 30 June 2016.

The decision to extend the deadline by another six months was notified by the apex bank in a statement

issued in Mumbai.

SIDBI Clears $140M from Fund-of-Funds to Support Venture Capital in India.

• The government’s ‘Startup India, Stand Up India’ programme seems to be gaining some momentum,

with the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) clearing $140 million (Rs 930 crore) from

the $302 million (Rs 2,000 crore) fund-of-funds which

Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) has launched an immediate annuity plan, Jeevan Akshay IV, for

post-retirement planning.

According to the plan, an individual aged between 30 years and 85 years can make a lump sum

investment of minimum Rs.1 lakh.

Government has made PAN as mandatory from January 1 for cash payment made to settle hotels bills or

for buying foreign travel tickets of Rs 50,000 as the government tightened disclosure norms.

The PAN requirement for non-luxury cash transactions will be Rs 2 lakh and on purchase of immovable

property of Rs 10 lakh.

Federal Reserve of US increased interest rate by 0.25% for the first time since 2006:

World Bank has released the Migration and Remittances Factbook 2016.

The report provides a snapshot of latest statistics on immigration, emigration, skilled emigration, and

remittance flows for 214 countries and territories.

Axis Bank partners with digital security company eMudhra for e-signature facility.

Important Business & Economy NEWS

International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved China's Yuan as the Elite Reserve Currency:

Yuan also known as the Chinese Renminbi (RMB) was included in the basket after the executive board

at IMF completed the regular five-yearly review of the basket of currencies that make up the Special

Drawing Right (SDR).

Yuan's entry into the basket takes effect from 1 October 2016.




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Indian Railways has signed 40,000 crore rupees contracts with General Electrics (GE) and Alstom:

Aim: to set up two locomotive plants in Bihar

It is the first major manufacturing investment in Bihar

Electric locomotive factory would be set up at Madhepura city and diesel locomotive at Marhowrah

district of the state.

Tata Sons and Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Ltd (ICBC) has formed a long-term partnership:

ICBC will provide the Tata group with financing products, consulting, international trade finance

business, investment banking, foreign exchange, and other global financial services.

The alliance will be a global one with the geographies covered including India, China, Singapore,

Europe, the USA, and South America.

GAIL and ISRO has join hands to monitor pipeline through special portal:

GAIL (India) Ltd has joined hands with National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), an arm of Indian

Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to launch satellite surveillance geo-portal called 'Bhuvan-GAIL

portal' to monitor its 13,000 km of gas pipeline network with a view to address security concerns.

YouTube has partnered with Whistling Woods International (WWI) to set up 'YouTube Space' at Mumbai:

YouTube Space Mumbai is the seventh such facility for the Google-run video sharing portal

Bengaluru became India most attractive investment destination for FDIs:

International corporations with a presence in India are far more optimistic about the country’s prospects

than those who are not yet established in the country, revealed EY’s India Attractiveness Survey 2015.

World Bank Launches $500M Transformative Carbon Asset Facility (TCAF) to Boost Climate Change

Action:

Germany, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland are the first countries to fund what the World Bank aims to

be a $500 million effort to reduce the risks of climate change.

Singapore has replaced Mauritius as the top source of FDI into India during the first half of the current fiscal:

During April-September 2015, India has attracted $6.69 billion (Rs.43,096 crore) FDIfrom

Singapore while from Mauritius, it received $3.66 billion (Rs.23,490 crore), according to data from

the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP).

Markets regulator SEBI has ordered freezing bank and demat accounts of Sunplant Forgings:

SEBI has directed the company and its directors to refund Rs 17.51 crore to the investors which it had

illegally raised along with an interest of 15% per annum.

Tata Communications has concluded the deal to sell the Neotel’s fixed line assets to Vodacom South Africa:

Tata Communications will retain control of licences including spectrum.

FIFA has signed an eight-year partnership deal with Alibaba E-Auto for the Club World Cup:




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Announced by: FIFA marketing director-Thierry Weil

Hetero Drugs became the first Indian company to receive the approval of Drug Controller General of India

(DCGI) to launch Hepatitis C medicines:

Hetero Drugs is a Hyderabad based company which launched the fixed-dose combination

therapy Ledipasvir-Sofosbuvir under the brand name Ledisof in India.

U.S.-based eClinical Works has planned to invest $30 million in India:

Aim: This investment was aimed to focus on developing cloud-based technology infrastructure.

Bharat Forge has signed a long-term agreement with Rolls-Royce for supply of aero engine parts:

Bharat Forge is the flagship company of the Kalyani Group, Chairman and MD- BN Kalyani

Background: Under this agreement it was aimed to supply of critical and high integrityforged and

machined components for a range of aero engines, including the flagship Trent engine.

Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Banglore has bagged a US military contract for research and development

on solar powered micro-grid.

The federal contract worth 52900 US dollars was awarded by the US Pacific Air Forces, Yokota Air Base

in Japan.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced global partnership with OPPO, a leading mobile

telephone device companies for 4 years from 2016 to 2020:

Alibaba Group, e-commerce giant has announced that it was agreed to buy the South China Morning Post

(SCMP), the 112-year old English newspaper of Hong Kong:

Tech Mahindra and Mahindra and Mahindra have formed 60:40 joint venture for the acquisition of Milan-

listed Pininfarina which designs cars for Ferrari, Maserati, Cadillac and Rolls-Royce.

The telecom wing of the Indian Railway, RailTel, had signed an agreement with the subsidiary of Google

India to provide Wi-Fi facilities at 100 stations across the country

India ranks 97th on Forbes’ best countries for business list:

Denmark topped the list and The US has dropped four spots to number 22

Anil Ambani-led Reliance Infrastructure (R-Infra) has acquired an additional 17 per cent stakein Pipavav

Defence and Offshore Engineering Co Ltd (PDOC) for an estimated Rs 850 crore

The National Stock Exchange (NSE) has launched three separate indices on three corporate houses of

India.

Nifty Tata Group Index

Nifty Aditya Birla Group Index

Nifty Mahindra Group Index.




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As per the World Bank, India has become the largest remittances receiving country at 72 billion US

dollars this year followed by China at 64 billion US dollars.

Micromax partnered with TranServ to bolster services.

Digital media company Arre has acquired Apalya Technologies.

UK-based Kholi Ventures commits $100 mn for Zynergy Solar Projects & Services.

Idea became third mobile operator to launch 4G services across 75 towns in India.

List of Fortune 500 Indian companies 2015 is released.

• Indian Oil Corporation tops the chart with an annual revenue of Rs.4,51,911cr followed by Tata Motors

with Rs.2,67,025cr.

• State Bank of India moved to fourth place and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd. is Ranked 5th.

Wipro to buy Viteos Group for $130 mn.

Philippines became first Asian country to approve world's first-ever dengue vaccine.

Zimbabwe has announced to adopt Chinese currency Yuan.

As per the decision, Yuan will be a function of trade between China and Zimbabwe and acceptability

with customers in Zimbabwe.

World Bank has approved a USD 1.5 billion loan for the ambitious clean India campaign to support the

government in its efforts to ensure all citizens in rural areas.

The country’s largest software exporter TCS has been chosen by German aviation major Deutsche

Lufthansa AG to set up a test factory to support its IT transformation initiative in a “multi-million dollar” deal.

Tech Mahindra launched Near Field Communication (NFC) technology -based wallet MoboMoney which

allows radio communication between two NFC enabled devices.

Reliance JioInfocomm Ltd (RJIL) or Reliance Jio launched 4G telecom service.

The service was launched at the Reliance Corporate Park in Navy Mumbai to mark the birth anniversary

of DhirubhaiAmbani, founder of the Reliance Industries Limited (RIL).

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has cleared Prem Watsa run Fairfax Financial Holdings’

proposed acquisition of additional nine per cent stake in ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company for an

estimated Rs. 1,550 crore.

JMC Projects (India) Ltd. has received market regulator, the Securities and Exchange Board of India’s

(SEBI), approval to raise up to Rs.150 crore through a rights issue.

Travel solutions platform SpiceVacations.com is launched by Spice Jet.

The telecom wing of the Indian Railway, RailTel, had signed an agreement with the subsidiary of Google

India to provide Wi-Fi facilities at 100 stations across the country.

India ranks 97th out of 144 Nations on Forbes’ best countries for business list:




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Denmark topped the list and The US has dropped four spots to number 22.

Union Cabinet has approved development of Underground Coal Gasification (UCG)

SUICH launched the first 'Made in India' low-price and stylish power banks.

Reliance Infrastructure (R-Infra) has acquired 17% more in Pipavav Defence and Offshore Engineering Co

Ltd (PDOC) for an estimated Rs 850 crore through an open offer.

The National Stock Exchange (NSE) has launched three separate indices on three corporate houses of

India.

The three separate indices areNifty Tata Group Index, Nifty Aditya Birla Group Index and Nifty Mahindra

Group Index.

National NEWS

Union Government has launched India's first injectible inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) in the country as a

part of the global polio endgame strategy in New Delhi:

Launched by: The Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare-J P Nadda

Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) initially will cover six states including Uttar Pardesh , Madhya

Pardesh , Bihar, Assam, Punjab and Gujarat in the first phase.

Jharkhand government has declared the entire state as drought hit:

The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting in Ranchi due to less rainfall this year and loss of crops.

The state Cabinet also decided to send the report to the Centre and request it to send a team

to Jharkhand for assessment of drought in the state.

Union Cabinet has approved the proposal of setting up of 6 new Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs)

across India:

New IITs will be set up at the following states, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Jammu and

Kashmir, Kerala and Karnataka.

The total cost for running these IITs is Rs 1,411.80 crore and will be incurred between 2015-16 and

2018-19.

Goa Government has launched the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013:

Aim: to benefit more than one third of the state's population

This Act is likely to bring more than one third population of the coastal state into legal entitlements of

existing food security programmes and schemes of the Central Government.

PM Modi has announced Rs.1,000 cr for Tamil Nadu flood relief:

Modi visited Chennai to take stock of the flood situation. After an aerial survey, he met with Tamil

Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa and announcedRs.1,000 crore for Tamil Nadu flood relief.




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Gujarat's Dholera airport project gets environmental clearance:

The proposed airport project, which is part of proposed Dholera Special Investment Region (SIR), will

come up in 1,426 hectares of land near Navagam at a cost of Rs 1,712 crores.

Himachal Pradesh became the first State in the country to launch Rotavirus vaccination project:

Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today launched this project from Dharamsala in districtKangra by

administering the Rotavirus drops to the children aged less than five years

Dr. Arvind Subramanian panel recommends standard rate of 17-18%:

A panel under chief economic adviser Arvind Subramanian, constituted by the government to decide

on goods and services tax (GST) rates, has recommended arevenue-neutral rate of 15-15.5%, with

a standard rate of 17-18% which will be levied on most goods and all services.

South Western Railways Zone introduces Biodiesel for trains operating in its zone:

Headquarters of the South Western Railways (SWR) Zone - Hubli, Karnataka.

SWR’s first train Hubballi-Bengaluru Janshatabdi Express powered by 5% biodieselblended with High

Speed Diesel was flagged off from Hubli.

Canada sends first consignment of uranium to India after 41 years:

Canada has sent the first uranium consignment of 250 tonnes to India for its nuclear power reactors,

over two years after the civil nuclear deal signed between the two countries came into force.

Ministry of Railways flagged off first double decker Shatabdi train from Goa to Mumbai:

This is the first fully air-conditioned double-decker train in India.

The train will run thrice a week between Margao and the Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT) in Mumbai.

Tata Trusts and Khan Academy on announced a five-year, not-for-profit partnership to enable free

online education for the Indian market:

The National Research Development Corporation (NRDC) has entered into a memorandum of agreement

with CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad

Ravi Shankar Prasad, Minister of Communications and Information Technology launched “Online Labs”, e-

learning programme.

The educational technology initiative – “Online Labs” – developed by Amrita CREATE (Centre of

Research in Advanced Technologies for Education) in association with CDAC (Centre for Development

of Advanced Computing).

Maharashtra has become country’s first state to allow the MLAs to raise online questions:

Aim: to bringing the paper work to minimum.

State has implemented this as part of Digital MLAs, regard this government has launched a

website: mls.org.in.




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The National Green Tribunal (NGT) bans plastic from Gomukh to Haridwar for Ganga Rejuvenation with

effect from February 1, 2016:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi released “On My terms”, an Autobiography of former Union Minister Sharad

Pawar, on the occasion of 75th birthday of Mr.Pawar at a function held at the Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi:

Varanasi and Jaipur was designated as members of UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network:

Director-General of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Irina

Bokova has announced that the Varanasi City (Uttar Pradesh), has been added in the City of Craft

category of network and Jaipur City (Rajasthan) added in the City of Music category of network.

National Green Tribunal (NGT) has ordered ban on registration of new diesel-run vehicles in Delhi:

India moved up 5 places and got 130th rank in Human Development Index:

Released by- the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

Norway, Australia and Switzerland placed in the first three positions.

Mascot and Logo of 12th South Asian Games 2016 was released:

Mascot- “Tikhor” One horned Rhino

Logo- Eight petals

This event will be jointly held in Guwahati and Shillong from 6 February to 16 February 2016.

Rajasthan state government has submitted the smart city Proposals of Udaipur, Kota and Ajmer to Union

Ministry of Urban Development and became the first State to do it:

Cairn India has launched World’s Largest Oil Refinery Project in Rajasthan using polymer injection

technology:

The Maharashtra government constituted a task force for setting up an International Financial Service

Centre (IFSC) in Mumbai:

This task force will be headed by Union Minister of State for Finance Jayant Sinha.

Supreme Court has banned the registrations of luxury diesel cars of over 2000cc in Delhi till March 31st

A three-judge bench of Chief Justice T.S. Thakur and Justices A.K.Sikri and R. Banumathi took this

decision.

Ministry of Urban Development has so far approved Rs.19,170cr for improving basic urban

infrastructure in 474 cities in 18 States and Union Territories under Atal Mission for Urban Rejuvenation

and Transformation (AMRUT) for 2015-16.

The Maharashtra Government announced Rs.10512 crore rupees relief package for more than 15000

drought-hit villages in 14 districts of the state’s Marathwada and Vidarbha regions.

PM Narendra Modi to inaugurate 'Make in India' week in Mumbai on February 13:




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Union Cabinet Committee meeting chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi gave

approval for the policy framework for development of Underground Coal Gasification (UCG)

West Bengal Government approves proposal for formation of 5 new districts:

Five new districts are:

Kalimpong district

Sundarbans district

Basirhat district

Burdwan (Industrial) district

Jhargram district

Uttar Pradesh government bans use of polythene bags across the State as per the directives of Allahabad

High Court to prohibit its usage.

India’s biggest wildlife rescue center was inaugurated by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in

presence of State Forest Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar at Nagpur:

The Pension fund regulatory body PFRDA has started using PAN instead of Aadhaar for validation of new

customers

Indian Government has planned to set up Kendriya Vidyalayas (KV’s) in all Lok Sabha constituencies

Announced by Human Resources Development Minister Smriti Irani.

Delhi Government Cabinet has approved setting up of a commission of inquiry to probe the alleged

irregularities in Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA)

The one member commission of inquiry will be headed former Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium.

CCEA approved 3000-crore rupees scheme for integrated development and management of fisheries:

CCEA approved investment of 5000 crore rupees into ONGC Videsh:

With this investment, the equity base of OVL will rise to 15000 crore rupees. All the loan ONGC had

given to OVL was at zero interest.

Union Cabinet approved Lucknow Metro Rail Project Phase-1A :

With expenditure of 6928 crore rupees, the project will cover a length of 22.878 km with 22 stations.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar approved Patna Metro Rail project:

The Union Cabinet has approved the reconstruction and completion of Salma Dam Project in Afghanistan at

the Revised Cost Estimates (RCE) of 1775.69 crore rupees.

Andhra Pradesh Government has signed a MoU with Microsoft India on technology initiatives

Start-Up India plan




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‘Start-up India Stand Up India’, a new initiative that Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke about during

his Independence Day speech this year, will be the government’s New Year gift to “young people” who

want to set up new businesses or innovative projects.

Union Govt has announced 4 new IT-based initiatives for citizen-centric health services:

The initiatives include three applications, namely, Kilkari, Mobile Academy and M-Cessation and a

dedicated toll free number 1800-11–6666 which will provide round the clock counselling and treatment

support services for TB patients.

‘Make in India Week’ to start in Mumbai during February 13-18, 2016:

Civil Aviation Ministry gave clearance for four green-field airports:

The Ministry has also given its green signal for development of a greenfield airport in Nellore and

Kurnool districts of Andhra Pradesh under a public-private partnership.

The site clearance, which is the first clearance, was given on 28 December 2015 for the Bhogapuram

airport in Andhra Pradesh and international airport at Dholera, Gujarat.

The Union Ministry of Finance released the report of the Committee on Revisiting and Revitalising Public

Private Partnership (PPP) Model.

The 9-member committee was headed by former Finance Secretary Vijay Kelkar and submitted its

report on 19 November 2015.

Bharat Petroleum commissioned new 6-million tons Crude Distillation unit in Mumbai:

Union Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD) have introduced e-office, an initiative which will

help provide efficient services to the people by digitizing more than 12,000 files.

The LPG subsidy will not be available to LPG consumers if the consumer or his/her spouse has taxable

income of more than ten lakh rupees. This income would be as per the previous financial year computed

under Income Tax Act, 1961.

The Chief Minister of Maharashtra Deevndra Fadnavis inaugurated the new police commissionerate

building with top notch facilities at Crawford market.

Central Government to provide Rs 5,000-crore subsidy for rooftop solar power:

Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) commissioned Prayagraj power project unit in Allahabad Uttar

Pradesh:

Union Government has approved financial aid of Rs. 6,794 crore for three states—Maharashtra,

Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh affected by drought in year 2015 due to deficit rainfall.

Haryana Government has decided to fix a minimum educational qualification for aspirant of contesting urban

local bodies (ULB) elections in the state on the lines of Panchayat polls.




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Central Government has approved the Coastal road project in Mumbai from Nariman Point to Kandivali for

Rs 12,000 crore

Andhra Pradesh Government decided to hike wages of Anganwadi workers from 4200 rupees to 7000

rupees:

Union Railways Minister, Suresh Prabhu, dedicated a 26-Mega Watt windmill plant in Jaisalmer towards

power procurement for the railways.

North India’s first cable-stayed bridge named AtalSetu was inaugurated on Dunera-Basohli-Bhadharwah

road in Basohali town in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir.

It was inaugurated by Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar

Bihar Government banned 15-year-old diesel vehicles in Patna in the view of increasing pollution:

Central Government has approved Rs.19,170 Cr for 474 cities under AMRUT to improve urban

infrastructure:

The Ministry of Urban Development has so far approved city level Action Plans for improving basic

urban infrastructure in 474 cities in 18 States and Union Territories with an investment of Rs.19,170 cr

under Atal Mission for Urban Rejuvenation and Transformation (AMRUT) for 2015-16.

IRCTC partners Paytm for food payments through e-Catering:

To enable railway passengers to order food, IRCTC sends an email to passengers one day in advance

about food order, which can also be placed during ticket reservations.

Union Cabinet gives nod to MoU with BRICS countries for energy conservation:

Green Peace India released report on National Air Quality Index of 17 cities:

As per the report, Delhi was listed as the most polluted city in the world, while 13 Indian cities were

figured in the list of 20 most polluted cities on the planet.

Meghalaya Govt has signed a peace pact with UALA

The Central Government has proposed to set up a Multi-purpose Capacity Building Institute in Sikkim.

The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship has already agreed to set up a driving

school and impart training to tourist guides and taxi drivers.

Assam set to implement the Food Security Act from Dec 24:

Union Minister lays foundation stone for AIIMS in Andhra Pradesh:

By- JP Nadda, Union Minister for Health

The estimated cost for the project for the 960-bed institute is 1,618 crore rupees.

The Kerala government will set up the state’s first Petcoke (petroleum coke)-based power plant using the

fuel produced from BPCL-Kochi Refinery’s Integrated Refinery Expansion Project (IREP). This can be used

to produce around 500-600 MW of power.




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International NEWS

India and France has launched International Solar Alliance (ISA) at the Conference of Parties (CoP21)

Climate Conference in Paris, France:

Main aim of this alliance is to bring solar rich 121 tropical countries located between the Tropic of

Cancer and Capricorn together to tap solar energy.

Participants:

PM Narendra Modi

French President Francois Hollande

UN General Secretary Ban Ki-moon

India was Re-elected as the member of International Maritime Body Council:

India has been re-elected for two years to the council of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) at

its 29th session of the IMO Assembly held in London.

IMO has 171 member states and 3 associate members.

German Cabinet has approved a mandate offering 1,200 military soldiers to supportthe international

coalition fighting against Islamic State in Syria:

Aim: to support France and the international alliance in its fight against the IS militant group.

This decision was taken by cabinet after an appeal was made by French President Francois Hollande

Brazil’s economy fell deeper into recession:

Its economy fell deeper into recession between July and September, shrinking 1.7% from the previous

quarter, the government announced.

It's Brazil's third consecutive quarter of contraction, making it the country's longestrecession since the

1930s.

Paris pact on water and climate change adaptation announced with India on board:

Aim: to make water systems - the very foundation of sustainable human development - more resilient to

climate impact.

The announcement was part of the "Water Resilience Focus" event under the Lima toParis Action

Agenda (LPAA) on climate change.

China's first manned electric aircraft RX1E is ready for production:

RX1E is a two seater plane powered by rechargeable lithium batteries, designed byShenyang

Aerospace University and Liaoning General Aviation Academy in northeastern Liaoning province.

Australia has passed New Anti-Terrorism law to strip citizenship:

Australia’s Federal Parliament has passed Australian Citizenship Amendment (Allegiance to Australia)

Bill, 2015 to strip citizenship of convicted persons on terrorism charges.




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Greek parliament has passed 2016 austerity budget:

The government forecasts zero economic growth this year and a contraction of 0.7% in 2016. Earlier, it

had predicted declines of 2.3% and 1.3% respectively.

According to the recently released India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2015, India’s forest and tree cover

has been increased by 5081 Square kilometer:

The report released by the Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar in New Delhi.

Australia’s Federal Parliament has passed Australian Citizenship Amendment (Allegiance to Australia) Bill,

2015 to strip citizenship of convicted persons on terrorism charges.

National Security Advisor (NSA) level talks between India and Pakistan were held in Bangkok, Thailand:

Participants: India’s NSA Ajit Doval and his Pakistan counterpart, Nasir Janjua. Foreign secretaries S.

Jaishankar (India) and Aziz Ahmad Chaudhary (Pakistan).

Chinese capital Beijing issued it’s first-ever “red alert” on air pollution:

Red alert is the highest possible state of caution. Government warned that Beijing would be shrouded in

heavy smog from 8th December to 10th December.

Opposition Party Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD) won majority seats in the Venezuelan parliamentary

election:

Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD) secured 110 seats in the 167-seats legislature and United Socialist

Party of Venezueala (PSUV) secured 55 seats so far.

ONGC has joined Zero Routine Flaring by 2030 Initiative of the World Bank:

ONGC has become the first oil company from India to join the global initiative that is aimed at curbing

routine gas flaring at oil production sites around the world by 2030.

Myanmar inaugurated a new stock exchange and planned to start trading in March:

Name of the New Stock Exchange: The Yangon Stock Exchange

New Zealand formally joined as the member of Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB):

New Zealand was the ninth country to formally become a founding member.

5th “Heart of Asia” conference has begun at, Islamabad Pakistan:

Jointly Inaugurated by: Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani.

Theme of the meeting: ‘Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process: Enhanced cooperation for countering security

threats and promoting connectivity in the Heart of Asia region.

Time magazine has named German Chancellor Angela Merkel as Person of the Year 2015:

She was the 4th Women to achieve this pride since 1927 and the first women to feature in 29 years.

World’s first dengue fever vaccine Dengvaxia was cleared by Mexico for public use.




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Luxembourg became the 10th country to ratify the Articles of Agreement (AoA) of Asian Infrastructure

Investment Bank (AIIB):

This will lay the legal framework for the China-initiated Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).

British Columbia has become the first foreign government to invest onshore in India as it plans to tap the

‘masala bond’:

“Masala bonds” are basically rupee-denominated bonds issued in offshore capital markets.

India placed 4th position in black money outflows, as per the report by Global Financial Integrity’s (GFI’s):

Top three countries are:

1. China tops the list with $139 billion average outflow of black money per annum

2. Russia (104 billion dollars per annum)

3. Mexico (52.8 billion dollars per annum)

V K Singh to represent India at Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) meeting in China:

V K Singh- Minister of State for External Affairs General

13-year-old Indian-origin boy Venkata Satya Sri Rohan Chikkam, known as Rohan joins high IQ Mensa club

in UK:

Myanmar has launched its first UNSECO Biosphere Reserve Inle Lake in Shan state.

The Inle Lake was designated as UNESCO Biosphere reserve in Paris in June 2015

Salima bint Hazab al-Otaibi had become the first woman elected in Saudi local council:

Conference of the Parties 21 (COP 21) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate

Change (UNFCCC) was adopted the Paris Agreement on Climate Change:

Aim: primary objective of the protocol is to limit the global average temperature to wellbelow 2 °C above

pre-industrial levels

TAPI (Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India) Gas Pipeline project started in Turkmenistan:

This work was initiated by the Vice President of India Hamid Ansari along with Prime Minister of

Pakistan Nawaz Sharif, President of Afghanistan Ashraf Ghani and President of

Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimohamedov.

Typhoon Melor hits Philippines:

The typhoon is known locally as Typhoon Nona. The Philippines experiences approximately 20

typhoons annually.

Japan has relaxed the requirements for multiple-entry visas to Indians:

Under the new visa system, the maximum period of stay will be extended to 30 days from the current 15,

with visas valid for five years, up from three years,




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G-4 countries -Brazil, Germany, India and Japan have issued a Joint Statement on United Nations

Security Council Reforms (UNSC)

Saudi Arabia launches Islamic Military Coalition to fight on terrorism

The University of South Florida (USF) has announced a postgraduate fellowship in the name of former

president Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam

Afghanistan has become the 164th WTO member and the 36th least developed country (LDC) to join the

global trade body after 11 years of negotiations.

Spain’s ruling People’s Party (PP) led by led Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has won the 2015 General

Elections.

European Union has extended economic sanctions against Russia for 6 months.

UN Security Council has extended sanctions against Taliban for 18 months in Afghanistan.

Nepal Cabinet decided to amend Constitution to address Madhesis' demands.

Philippines became first Asian country to approve world's first-ever dengue vaccine.

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) on 23 December 2015 released the 2015

OPEC World Oil Outlook (WOO).

• As per the report, oil and gas, combined, are expected to supply around 53 percent of the global energy

demand by 2040.

UN adopted resolution to observe 5th November as World Tsunami Awareness Day:

India is all set to launch “India Business Card” for the business community in all seven SAARC countries.

Key feature: The India Business Card will have a special logo and will be only given to businessmen of

high repute. It is being done with an aim of ease of business and gels with the ‘Make in India’ policy of

the government.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated the parliament building in Kabul, which was built by India.

U.S. places Indian Lion in endangered species list.

China’s Parliament adopts the country’s first law against domestic violence and Counter Terrorism.

China officially abandons its One Child Policy by passing la.

The new law allows couples to have two children from January 1, 2015 and marks the ending its over

three decades old One Child Policy.

18th India-Iran Joint Commission Meeting held in New Delhi.

The session was co-chaired by External Affairs Minister of India (EAM) SushmaSwaraj and Ali

Tayebnia, Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance of Iran.

Guinea declared free of Ebola virus that killed over 2,500 by authorities and the U.N. World Health

Organisation.




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Giorgi Kvirikashvili elected as the 12th Prime Minister of Georgia.

Japan and South Korea reached Agreement on Issue of Comfort Women.

Union Cabinet approved construction of 69 bridges on trilateral highway in Myanmar.

The bridges will be constructed at a cost of 371.58 crore rupees.

The United States has lifted the ban on oil exports after 40 years.

United Nations launched 2016 International Year of Pulses.

UN Security Council has adopted resolution on Syria peace plan.

As per the World Bank, India has become the largest remittances receiving country at 72 billion US dollars

this year followed by China at 64 billion US dollars.

The US emerged as the largest remittance source country with an estimated 56 billion US dollars in

outward flows in 2014.

2nd World Internet Conference concludes in Wuzen, China.

The conference was held with theme An Interconnected World Shared and Governed by All—Building a

Cyberspace Community of Shared Destiny.

PM Narendra Modi to inaugurate 'Make in India' week on February 13.

Prime Minister NarendraModi will inaugurate the Make in India Week in Mumbai on February 13, a

mega event in which the government expects participation of over a 1,000 companies and delegates

from over 60 countries.

Important Appointments

National Appointments in December 2015

43rd Chief Justice of India TS Thakur

New Speaker of the Bihar assembly Vijay Kumar Chaudhary

New President and MD of the General Motors India Kaher Kazem

New Chairman of World Travel & Tourism Council,

India Initiative (WTTCII) Kapil Chopra (President of Oberoi Group)

MD & CEO of Metropolitan Stock Exchange Udai Kumar

New MD of ABB India Sanjeev Sharma

New Chairman of new Steel Authority of India (SAIL) Prakash Kumar Singh

India's next Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ahmad Javed (Mumbai Police Commissioner)

Head of the committee on One Rank One Pension

(OROP) Justice Narasimha Reddy




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New Chairman of Central Board of Direct Taxes

(CBDT) Arun Kumar Jain (Senior revenue service officer)

New Secretary of Union Ministry of Earth Science M Nair Rajeevan (Scientist)

New Lokayukta of New Delhi Justice Reva Khetrapal

CEO of Tata Starbucks Sumi Ghosh

Appointed as the head of the Committee to look into

dispute between ONGC and Reliance Industries AP Shah

Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) R K Mathur

Vice-Chancellor of Allahabad University Rattan Lal Hangloo

New Lokayukta of New Delhi Virendra Singh

Appointed as the head of one-member commission to

inquiry on DDCA Scam Gopal Subramanium

New CEO of FSSAI Pawan Kumar Agarwal

New India’s High Commissioner to Pakistan Gautam H Bambawale

New Brand Ambassador for Amway India Nutrilite Faran Akthar

New CEO of Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone

(APSEZ) Karan Adani

Got additional Charge as CEO of NITI Aayog Amitabh Kant

IT Advisor to Andhra Pradesh J A Chowdary

New Director General of National Centre for Good

Governance Dr. Gyanendra D Bandgaiyan

New MD and CEO of Lakshmi Vilas Bank Parthasarathi Mukherjee

International Appointments in December 2015

New President of Burkina Faso Roch Marc Christian Kabore

New President of the Royal Society Sir Venkatraman Ramakrishnan

New Chairperson of the prestigious Radiological

Society of North America (RSNA) Board of Directors Dr Vijay M Rao (Indian-American)

New President of Argentina Mauricio Macri

New Finance Minister of South Africa Pravin Gordhan (Indian-Origin Politician)

New Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Apple Inc Jeff Williams

12th Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Kvirikashvili

Important Resignations

Cramer Ball has resigned his position as CEO of Jet Airways




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Important Awards and Honors

Important Awards and Honors in December 2015

Lifetime achievement award at Asian Business

Leadership Forum 2015 Hinduja Brothers

Golden Peacock Award for Best Film at IFFI 2015 Embrace of the Serpent (Directed by Ciro Guerra)

E-India Award Delhi Development Authority (DDA)

ITC Sangeet Samman Award L Subramaniam (Renowned violinist)

Indian National Bar Association's (INBA) General

Counsel of the year 2015

Pulin Kumar (Group Senior Legal and Compliance

Director of Adidas India)

'Forbes Top 100 Middle East - Global Meets Local

2015' Award Tech Mahindra

2015 Uttar Pradesh Ratna Award Frank Islam (Indian-American Entrepreneur)

Life membership of the Marylebone Cricket Club

(MCC) Mahela Jayawardene (former Sri Lanka Captain)

2016 Queen's Young Leaders award India’s Kartik Sawhney and Neha Swain

Lifetime achievement award at the Dubai

International Film Festival (DIFF) Naseeruddin Shah (Veteran Bollywood actor)

2015 Mailer Prize for Lifetime Achievement Salman Rushdie

(India-born author)

2015 Aegis Graham Bell Award for innovation in

Internet of Things (IoT) Wipro

Padma Vibhushan Award Dilip Kumar (Legendary Bollywood actor)

2015 South East Asian Write Award for Singapore Jamaludeen Mohamed Sali (Indian-origin Tamil writer)

Lifetime Achievement Award by the West Bengal

Government

Bappi Lahiri and Kumar Sanu (Veteran music

composer)

2016 Genesis Prize Violinist Itzhak (Israeli-American)

International Artist Grand Prize Competition-2016 K.S.Kamesh (His painting 'Amalgamation' was

selected for this prize)

Kendra Sahitya Akademi award 2015 Bibhuti Patnaik (Noted Columnist and Novelist)

Sahitya Akademi awards announces for the year

2015

Poetry: Brajendra Kumar Brahma (Bodo), Dhian Singh

(Dogri), Ramdarash Mishra

(Hindi), K.V. Tirumalesh (Kannada), Kshetri Rajan

(Manipuri) and Ram Shankar




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Awasthi (Sanskrit).

Short stories: Kula Saikia (Assamese), Man Mohan

Jha (Maithili), Gupta Pradhan

(Nepali), Bibhuti Pattanaik (Odia), Maya Rahi (Sindhi)

and Volga (Telugu).

Novels: Cyrus Mistry (English), Jaswinder Singh

(Punjabi) and MadhuAcharya

Ashawadi’ (Rajasthani).

Essays: Rasik Shah (Gujrati) and A. Madhavan

(Tamil).

Plays: UdayBhembre (Konkani), RabilalTudu (Santali).

Books on criticism: Bashir Bhadarwahi (Kashmiri) and

Shamim Tariq (Urdu). Memoirs:

ArunKhopkar (Marathi).

Miss Universe 2015 Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach (Philippines)

Miss World 2015 Mireia Lalaguna Royo (Spain)

US National Medal of Science 2015 Rakesh K Jain (Indian American)

Indian American doctor named as Ohio’s first Poet

Laureate Amit Majmudar

Nominated for CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement

Award Syed Kirmani former Indian Wicket-Keeper

Winner of the prestigious award in the UK for

creating an innovative electronic smart key system. Nandagopal Lakshminarayanan

Topped in list of 2015 Fortune 500Companies in

India Indian Oil Corp

Export Quality Excellence Award CRI Pumps (11th time in row)

Selected for 51st Jnanpith Award Raghuveer Chaudhary (Noted Gujarati Writer)

Recorded in LIMCA book of records Sudarsan Pattnaik (Sand artist, for creating a 45 feet

high sand Santa Claus at Puri beach)




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Important Sports NEWS

Important Sports News in December 2015

1. Australia has won the men’s Hockey World League 2014-15 Finals by defeating Belgium which was held

at Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel Stadium, Raipur

2.

Pune and Rajkot become the new interim franchises in the Indian Premier League (IPL) through the

reverse bidding process. They will replace the suspended teams of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and

Rajasthan Royals (RR) for a period of two years.

3.

India’s star golfer Anirban Lahiri (28) has won the coveted Order of Merit crown of Asian Tour for year

2015. He became only the fourth Indian golfer to win this after Jeev Milkha Singh (2006, 2008), Arjun

Atwal (2003) and Jyoti Randhawa (2002).

4.

Magnus Carlsen has won the London Classic Chess Championship by defeating Alexander Grischuk

(Russia) in the finals. Viswanathan Anand played out a draw with Anish Giri of the Netherlands to finish

ninth in the London Classic.

5.

Kento Momota (Japan) defeated Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen in the finals to win the Men’s Single Title

and Nozomi Okuhara (Japan) defeated China’s Wang Yihan in the finals to win the Women’s Single Title

in the BWF World Superseries held at Dubai.

6. Apurvi Chandela wins Air Rifle Gold in the 59th National shooting championship

7. McIlroy bagged the European Tour Golfer of the Year award after a panel consisting of members of the

golfing media unanimously voted for him as the 2015 winner.

8. Vijay Kumar has won the centre fire pistol gold in the 59th National shooting championship which was

held at Dr Karni Singh Range in Tughlakabad, New Delhi

9. Indian female cyclist, Deborah Herold to be ranked fourth in the World Elite Women Ranking for

the 500m time trial event.

10. Indian Test captain Virat Kholi has become a co-owner of Pro Wrestling League

franchise Bangalore Yodhas, captained by the world championships bronze medalistNarsingh Yadav

11.

Chen Long (China) and Carolina Marin (Spain) has won the 2015 BWF Player of the Year Awards under

Male and Female category respectively.

List of winners are given below:

Player of the Year Award (Male)- Chen Long (China)- World’s No.1

Player of the Year Award (Female)- Carolina Marin (Spain)- 2015 all England & World Champion

Most Promising Player of the Year Award- Zheng Si Wei - World Junior Champion in Mixed Doubles and

Men’s Doubles

Female Para-Badminton Player of the Year- Helle Sofie Sagoy (Norway)




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Male Para-Badminton Player of the Year- Lee Sam Seop (Korea)

12. Thakur Anoop Singh earned the title of 'Mr World' by winning a gold medal in the 7th WBPF World

Bodybuilding and Physique Championships held at Bangkok, Thailand.

13. Robert Lewandowski (Poland) has been awarded an incredible four Guinness World Records after

scoring five-goal haul in just nine minutes against Wolfsburg.

14. India's Abhay Singh won the boys Under-19 title, beating second seed Alwin Chai of Malaysia 11-8 11-3

11-8 in the final of the Old Chang Kee Singapore Squash Open.

15. Andy Murray won 2015 BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award

16. New Zealand cricket captain Brendon McCullum announced retirement

17. Indian boxer Vijender Singh has Vijender Singh becomes first Indian to score Pro-Boxing hat-trick by

thrashing Bulgaria's Samet Hyuseinov in Manchester.

18. Chennaiyin FC has won the second edition of Indian Super League (ISL) Football tournament where the

final played at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa.

19. FC Barcelona the professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain has won the 2015

FIFA Club World Cup for a record third time.

20. Dan Carter (Rugby) has been named 2015 BBC Overseas Sports Personality of the Year

21. Chirs Gayle becomes the first cricketer to hit 600 Sixes in T20 formats

22.

World badminton rankings released Srikanth drops a place to be ninth, P V Sindhu remained static in

women’s singles, staying at No. 12 and ParupalliKashyap also slipped a spot to be at 15th, while H.S.

Prannoy maintained his 20th spot.

23. Rory McIlroy has won the European Tour Golfer of the Year award 2015

24. Apurvi Chandela has won the air rifle gold in the 59th National shooting championship. Geetakshi Dixit

clinched the silver, one point behind Apurvi.

25. Australian captain Steve Smith has been named Cricketer of the Year for 2015

26. FIFA’s Independent Ethics Committee banned Sepp Blatter, Michel Platini from football for 8 years

27.

International Tennis Federation announced winners of 2015 World Champions:

Men’s World Champion- Novak Djokovic (Serbia)

Women’s World Champion- Serena Williams (the USA)

Men’s Doubles World Champions- Jean-JulienRojer (Netherlands) &HoriaTecau (Romania)

Women’s Doubles World Champions- Martina Hingis (Switzerland) &SaniaMirza (India)

ITF Junior World Champions- DalmaGalfi (Hungary) & Taylor Fritz (the USA)

ITF Wheelchair World Champions- JiskeGriffioen (Netherlands) & Shingo Kunieda (Japan)

28. ICC provisionally suspended Sri Lanka's Kusal Perera for four-years

29. Shiva Keshavan has won silver medal in the 18th edition of the Asian Luge Championship held in




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Nagano, Japan.

30. Gujarat has won the maiden Vijay Hazare Trophy 2015

31.

Globe Soccer Awards 2015 were presented in Dubai:

Award Winner

Best Player of the Year Lionel Messi

Best President of the Year Josep Maria Bartomeu

Best Club of the Year F.C. Barcelona

Best Media Attraction in Football F.C. Barcelona

Best Coach of the Year Marc Wilmots

Best Agent of the Year Jorge Mendes

Best Referee of the Year RavshanIrmatov

Best Academy of the Year Benfica

32.

Rakhi Haldar lifted 94 kilograms in the snatch and 119 kilograms in clean and jerk to come up with a total

lift of 213 kilograms in Women's 69 kilograms to grab the gold medal in the Senior National Weightlifting

Championships held in Patiala, Punjab.

Lalchhanhimi bagged the silver with a total lift of 210 kilograms, while RajwantKaur finished with a

bronze with an overall effort of 201 kilograms.

33. Indian Test captain Virat Kohli was named ‘Cricketer of the Year’, while Mithali Raj was picked for the top

women’s award in the BCCI annual honours to be given away in Mumbai.

34. India off-spinner RavichandranAshwin has ended 2015 as the No. 1 Test bowler in the ICC rankings

35. World champion Magnus Carlsen of Norway won the Qatar Masters Open chess tournament

Important Defence NEWS

Important Defence News in December 2015

1. The 8th edition of India-Russia joint naval exercise-INDRA NAVY-15 has begun in Visakhapatnam,

Andhra Pradesh.

2. Pakistan has successfully test-fired nuclear-capable Shaheen-III ballistic missile. It is a Surface-to-

surface medium range nuclear capable ballistic missile with range up to 2,750 km.

3. Combined Commanders Conference, an annual tri-services event chaired by Prime Minister Narendra

Modi was held on board INS Vikramaditya about 50 kms off Kochi coast. This is the first time when the

conference was held outside New Delhi.




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4. Pakistan has successfully tested the nuclear-capable Shaheen-IA ballistic surface to surface missile with

a range of 900 km.

5. Union Defence Minister has launched website for interface with industry and transparency

6. SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket was successfully launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida carrying 11 satellites

to low-Earth orbit and was also successfully landed after 10 minutes to the Earth.

7. India’s first indigenously designed & built warship INS Godavari decommissioned

8. Reliance Defence Limited and Almaz Antey, Russia’s leading developer and manufacturer of air defence

missile systems, have decided to work jointly on the entire range of air defence missile and radar

systems required for the Indian defence forces.

9. Navy’s The Long Range Surface to Air Missile (LR-SAM) was successfully test fired. It has range of 80

kms. LR-SAM also known as Barak NG (next generation) is being co-developed by Defence Research

and Development Organisation (DRDO) from India and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) of Israel.

10. Russia’s Rostech State Corporation has signed one billion US dollar deal with Hindustan Aeronautics

Limited (HAL) to manufacture 200 Kamov 226T light helicopters.

11. China has successfully launched its most sophisticated observation satellite Gaofen-4, as part of the

country’s high-definition (HD) earth observation Gaofen project.

12. Indigenously developed Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air missile, Astra, was on 25 December 2015

successfully test fired.The test was conducted by the Indian Air Force off the coast of Odisha near the

Integrated Test Range (ITR), Balasore.

13. Combined Commanders Conference, an annual tri-services event chaired by Prime Minister

NarendraModi was held on board INS Vikramaditya about 50 kms off Kochi coast.

14. Pakistan successfully test-fired a nuclear-capable ballistic missile Shaheen-1A.

15. India’s second lunar probe Chandrayaan II will land on moon in 2017 and the country’s first solar mission

Aditya L1 is likely to be launched in 2019.

16. Six satellites were launched using Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C29) from the first launch pad of

Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.

17. China launches satellite to search for signals of dark matter, an invisible material that makes up most of

the Universe’s Mass

18. Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has cleared the purchase of Russian advance S-400 Trium Air

Defence Missile Systems at an estimated cost of 40,000 crore rupees.




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Bills and Amendments

Maharashtra government's amended Factories Act, 1948, allowing women to work in factories in night shifts

has received the Presidential approval:

President Pranab Mukherjee gave his assent to the landmark Factories (Maharashtra amendment) Bill,

2015, paving the way for women to work in factories in night shift.

Lok Sabha has passed The Bureau of Indian Standards Bill, 2015 to establish BIS as the National

Standards Body of India:

The Bill has replaced the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 1986. It has also established BISas a national

standard body for development of standardization and assessment and quality assurance of goods,

articles, services, processes and systems.

Delhi Assembly has passed Delhi Jan Lokpal Bill, 2015:

Purpose: to establish statutory anti-corruption ombudsman.

Provides powers to Lokpal to act against any government functionary including those of the Centre and

in the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi through its own investigation wing.

Atomic Energy (Amendment) Bill, 2015 introduced in Lok Sabha:

Aim: to overcome difficulties encountered in the setting up of new nuclear projects and enhancement of

nuclear power generation.

This Bill seeks to amend the Atomic Energy Act, 1962.

Cabinet has approved the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Bill, 2015:

Aim: set up State level real estate regulators and mandate developers to register their projects and

regularly disclose milestones to home and commercial property buyers and will boost domestic and

foreign investment in the sector.

The Lok Sabha passed the Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Bill

The bill seeks to amend Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996

The Lok Sabha on 14 December 2015 passed the landmark Atomic Energy (Amendment) Bill, 2015:

The bill seeks to overcome difficulties encountered in the setting up of new nuclear projects and

enhancement of nuclear power generation.

The Lok Sabha passed the Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Bill seeks to amend Arbitration and

Conciliation Act, 1996.

Lok Sabha passed The National Waterways Bill, 2015.

The Bill identifies additional 101 waterways as National Waterways.

The Bill repeals the five Acts that declare the existing national waterways. These five national waterways

are now covered under the Bill.




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Lok Sabha passed the Payment of Bonous (Amendment) Bill, 2015 which seeks to amend the Payment of

Bonus Act, 1965.

Aim- to allow doubling of wage ceiling for calculating bonus of factory workers and establishments with

20 or more workers.

Parliamenthas passed Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Amendment Bill, 2015 for trying

juveniles as adults.

The bill has provision that allows trying of juveniles between the ages of 16 and 18 years as adults for

heinous offences.

Rajya Sabha passed The SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Bill, 2015.

Important MoU & Agreements

Union Cabinet approved to sign a MoU between India and Iran on visa facilitation for Diplomatic,

Official/Service and Ordinary passport holders:

The resident Diplomatic Missions in the host country would, within 20 working days, issue a gratis visa

valid for 90 days for the holders of valid Diplomatic/Official/Service passports, assigned on long-term

missions to the Diplomatic Missions or the Consulates General.

Union Cabinet has approved Double Taxation Avoidance Convention (DTAC) agreement with Japan:

Aim: To avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on

income.

Under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi Union Cabinet has approvedsigning and

ratification of Protocol between India and Japan for amending the Double Taxation Avoidance

Convention (DTAC) signed between the two countries in 1989.

National Textile Corporation (NTC) has signed a MoU with Transparency International India (TII) for

adopting Integrity Pact (IP):

By this NTC became the 51st Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) and 49th Central PSU to sign a MoU

with TII.

Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and the Department of Heavy Industry (DHI)

have signed a MoU to Develop Skills in manufacturing sector:

Aim: to create centres of excellence for different manufacturing skills and a multi-location national

institute of manufacturing technologies for training education and research by utilizing/upgrading the

existing training facilities of Central PSUs.

India and United Kingdom has launched a joint initiative 2016: UK-INDIA Year of Education and Research in

New Delhi.




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launched by: visiting Secretary of State, Business Innovation and Skill of the UK Sajid Javid along with

Human Resource Development (HRD) minister Smriti Irani.

Afghanistan cricket board (ACB) has signed the MoU with BCCI and Greater Noida Industrial Development

Authority, to utilize the facilities of the Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik sports complex:

India’s Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia and Ambassador of Japan Kenji Hiramatsu signed an

agreement to amend the convention for double taxation avoidance and prevention of evasion of income tax:

India and South Korea have inked a new MoU on suspension of collection of taxes during pendency of

mutual agreement procedure:

India and Japan has signed MoU on peaceful use of nuclear energy:

Aim: to take the civil nuclear deal forward

India and Japan has signed protocol to amend double taxation avoidance pact:

Aim of this protocol: Provides for internationally accepted standards for effective exchange of

information on tax matters including bank information and information without domestic tax interest.

The Union Government has signed MoU to establish three Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIITs)

at Ranchi, Nagpur and Pune, operated on a Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) mode:

The agreement was signed between Department of Higher Education (DoHE) and private agencies

including Vinay Sheel Oberoi, Secretary, Department of Higher Education from the Union Government

side and Tata Consultancy Services, Tata Motors.

India and Russia have inked 16 cooperation agreements.

These agreements were signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two days official visit to Russia.

The agreements were signed in the nuclear energy, hydrocarbons, and solar energy, railways and visas

sectors.

Union Cabinet approved Raptor MoU for conservation of migratory birds of prey.

The MoU, also called as Raptor MOU, will help India gain knowledge in effectively managing the

habitats of the raptors.

With the signing of the MoU, India will become the 54th signatory to the MoU.

Union Cabinet approved MoU between India & Jordan for promoting cooperation in IT & Electronics.

Its objective is to develop and strengthen industrial, technological and commercial cooperation between

the two countries in Information Technology and Electronics (IT&E) sector.

Important Scheme Launched

Union Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) has launched Global Initiative of Academic

Networks (GIAN) Scheme to boost the quality of higher education in India:




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Aim: To at improving the quality of higher education in the country through international collaboration

Launched by: Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani, at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur campus.

Andhra Pradesh government has conveyed its in-principle decision to the Ministry of Power of joining UDAY

(Ujwal Discom Assurance Yojana) scheme:

Discom would become sustainable to supply adequate and reliable power enabling 24x7 power supply.

The scheme provides that States would take over 75% debt of Discoms, as on September 30, 2015 in

two years.

Union Government has launched Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan (Accessible India Campaign):

Aim: to enable persons with disabilities to gain universal access, equal opportunity for development,

independent living and participation in an inclusive society in all aspects of life.

Launched by: Union Minister of Finance Arun Jaitley and Union Minister of Social Justice &

Empowerment Thaawarchand Gehlot.

Union Government has requested the states and Union Territories (UT) to start Operation Smile-II from 1

January 2016:

Operation Smile-II is a campaign to rescue/rehabilitate the missing children.

The operation will end on 31 January 2016.

Odisha Government launched Anwesha scheme to provide free education to SC/ST students

Newly Released Coins and Stamps

Government of India has released postage stamp to mark centenary year of Zoological Survey of India

(ZSI):

Aim: to promote the survey, exploration, research and documentation on various aspects of animal

taxonomy in the Indian subcontinent. It also seeks advancement of knowledge on animal taxonomy.

Released by: Union Communication and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad at New Delhi

Union Government has released 2 commemorative coins on Dr B R Ambedkar as part of the 125th birth

anniversary year celebrations of the architecture of Indian Constitution:

The coins are of 10 rupee and 125 rupee denomination and were issued on the 60th Mahaparinirvan

Divas of Babasaheb Ambedkar.

Important Festivals and Events

The first India International Science Festival (IISF) was held at IIT-Delhi:

This is a five day festivals which explore ways to translate academic research into industrial

applications, and also supports flagship programs like Make in India, Digital India, Start-ups, Smart

Villages, Smart Cities, etc. initiated by the Govt. of India.




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Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has inaugurated first ever International Bird watching festival in

Agra:

This is three day festival started on 4th December 2015 which was inaugurated at the National Chambal

Sanctuary (NCS) in Agra.

Biggest Tibetan Buddhist Festival “Losar” has began in Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir:

Background: The festival marks the beginning of New Year for Buddhists.

Important Obituaries

Important Obituaries in December 2015

1. Sharad Anantrao, renowned agro-economist and veteran leader of farmers Joshi passed away in Pune,

Maharashtra. He was 81

2. MAM Ramaswamy, veteran industrialist and former parliamentarian passed away in Chennai, Tamil

Nadu. He was 84. He was the last King of Chettinad and co-founder and past chairman of the Rs. 10,000

crore Chettinad Group of companies

3. Eldar Ryazanov, Russian film-maker has passed away at his age of 88 at Moscow, Russia.

4. Ustad Sabri, Sarangi Maestro was passed away at his age of 88, he is the winner of Padma Shree

(1992) and Padma Bhushan awards (2006).

5. Veteran Communist leader Noorul Huda passes away, he was a member of the Central Committee (CC)

of the CPI (M) for nearly three decades.

6. Chatla Sriramulu, Theatre artiste has passed away at secunderabad. He was awarded ‘Best Actor’ twice

by Andhra Nataka Kala Parishad and was also a recipient of Central Government’s Sangeet Natak

Akademi Award in 1982.

7. British Novelist Peter Dickinson has passed away

8. Famous German conductor Kurt Masur passed away

9. Senior Telugu actor and dialogue writer Chilukoti Kashi Viswanath passed away

10. Veteran Hindi film actor Sadhana Shivdasani died due to cancer, in Mumbai.

11. Renowned American Science-fiction writer George Clayton Johnson passes away

12. Oscar-winning cinematographer Haskell Wexler passed away

13. Iconic Marathi poet and Padma Bhushan recipient Mangesh Keshav Padgaonkar passed away in

Mumbai after a brief illness. He was 86.

14. Ex-Chief of Indian Army General Om Prakash Malhotra passed away

15. Veteran singer Subir Sen passed away

16. Founding member of metal band Motorhead, Ian Fraser Lemmy Kilmister, passed away

17. Former Newcastle United goalkeeper Pavel Srnicek died




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Science NEWS

Australian Sea Snake species Aipysurus foliosquama and Aipysurus apraefrontalis rediscovered.

New Species of Eel, Gymnothorax mishrai discovered along West Bengal coast.

Biocon launched generic version of hepatitis-C drug Harvoni in India.

The generic version of the drug named Harvoni will be sold under the brand name CIMIVIR-L.

ZSI Scientists discovered a new eel species named Bengal moray EEL along the coast of Digha in

PurbaMedinipur district of West Bengal.

Important Days

2nd December- The International Day for the Abolition of Slavery

3rd December- International Day of Persons with Disabilities

Theme 2015: Inclusion matters: Access and Empowerment for people of all abilities

4th December- 44th Navy Day

5th December- International Volunteer Day

Theme 2015: The world is changing. Are you? Volunteer

7th December- Armed Forces Flag Day

9th December- International Anti-Corruption Day

Theme 2015: Break the corruption chain

10th December- Human Rights Day

Theme 2015: ‘Our Rights. Our Freedoms. Always’

11th December- International Mountain Day

14th December- National Energy Conservation Day

16th December- Vijay Diwas

18th December- International Migrants Day, National Minority Rights Day

19th December- Goa’s Libration Day

20th December- International Human Solidarity Day

~~ All the Best ~~




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