unique ias academy – tnpsc current affairs may...

Unique IAS Academy – TNPSC Current Affairs May 2016

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Nour El Sherbini becomes youngest World Squash Champion May 1, 2016No

comments Egyptian professional squash player Nour El Sherbini (20) has become

the youngest ever Women‟s squash World champion.

India has extended 1 billion US dollars a Line of Credit (LoC) to Mongolia to

develop institutions, infrastructure and human resources in Mongolia. It was

extended after delegation-level bilateral talks between the Union Minister of State

(MoS) for External Affairs VK Singh and Mongolian Foreign Minister Lundeg

Purevsuren in New Delhi.

South India‟s first underground metro services flagged of in Bengaluru i.e. at East-

West corridor (Purple Line) of Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited

(BMRCL). The underground metro corridor has been named as Namma Metro and

was flagged off Dr BR Ambedkar station by the Union Urban Development

Minister Venkaiah Naidu and Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

Every year 1st May is being observed as International Workers Day to pay tribute

to workers‟ sacrifices in achieving economic and social rights all over the world.

The day is also known as International Labours Day and May Day. On this day,

labour unions throughout the world celebrate and organize seminars, rallies and

parades. 2016 Theme: “Celebrating the International Labour Movement”.

Background The International Labour Day is being celebrated to promote the



requirement of eight-hour work day. In earlier times, the working conditions of the

labourers were very severe and working hours lasted 10 to 16 hour a day even in the

unsafe conditions which resulted in death, injuries of workers.

In 1886, workers in Chicago (US) started demanding that the working period of

eight hours a week and have one day off and also raised their voice for the safety of

the working group. After the workers struggle, eight-hours was declared as the legal

time for the workers in the national convention at Chicago by the American

Federation of Labour in 1886. In 1889, the second meeting of the General

Assembly of the International Worker held in Paris passed a resolution that 1st May

should be celebrated as International Workers „ Day. In India, this day is celebrated

as a national holiday since 1923.

The Union Government has launched National LED programme – Unnat Jyoti by

Affordable LEDs for All (UJALA). It was launched by Union Minister for State

(IC) for Power, Coal and Renewable Energy Piyush Goyal in Bhopal, Madhya

Pradesh. Key facts The UJALA scheme is being implemented by Energy Efficiency

Services Limited (EESL), a joint venture of PSUs under the Union Ministry of

Power. It is LED based Domestic Efficient Lighting Programme (DELP).

Under it, 3 crore LED Bulbs will be distributed in Madhya Pradesh in the next 6

months. Under it, people of Madhya Pradesh will get subsidiesed 9W energy

efficient LED bulbs by paying just 85 rupees per LED bulb. The scheme will help



reduce electricity bills of consumers, contribute to the energy security of India and

also help in environment protection. Background The Scheme was launched as part

of Union Government‟s efforts to spread the message of energy efficiency in the

country. LED bulbs have a very long life, almost 50 times more than ordinary

bulbs, and 8-10 times that of CFLs, and therefore provide both energy and cost

savings in the medium term. It will help in saving of energy around 24 crore units

every year.

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has termed reservation in promotions in the state

as unconstitutional. Ruling in this regard was given by HC division bench chaired

by Chief Justice A M Khanwilkar on the petitions filed several employee

associations and social organisations. Petitioners had challenged the rules of the

state government which provided reservation in promotion for Scheduled Castes

and Schedule Tribes. HC Ruling Stated that the reservation to underprivileged

during appointments is logical but reservations in promotions frustrate talented

people. Giving priority to reserved categories over general classes in promotions is

not justice.

The Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) has inked MoU with

SAARC Development Fund (SDF) for mutual cooperation and collaboration. The

MoU was signed by SIDBI Deputy Managing Director A K Kapur and SDF CEO



Sunil Motiwal. MoU envisages SDF and SIDBI to work together in co-funding of

projects in Indian MSMEs on risk sharing basis in identified sectors.

Development of suitable financial products for SME financing for MSMEs of other

Saarc states, the Finance Ministry said in a statement. Technology transfer and

making available software to MFIs regarding loan tracking systems in other

SAARC states. Capacity development of SDF, SIDBI and SME funding institutions

in SAARC countries. SIDBI: It is an independent financial institution aimed to aid

the growth and development of micro, small and medium-scale enterprises

(MSMEs).

The Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 came into force on 1 May

2016. In this regard, Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation

(HUPA) had notified 69 of the total 92 sections of the Act to bring it into force from

1 May 2016. Key provisions of Acts Sets up in motion the process of making

necessary operational rules and creation of institutional infrastructure for protecting

the interests of consumers.

Promotes the growth of real estate sector in an environment of trust, confidence,

credible transactions and efficient and time bound execution of projects. Real Estate

Regulatory Authority will be formulated within one year as per the mandate of Act.

Regulatory Authorities will have to dispose of complaints in 60 days and Appellate

Tribunals will be required to adjudicate cases in 60 days.



Maharashtra Government has launched Adi Praman, a web-based application for

state‟s tribal population to get the caste validity certificates online. It was launched

along with portal named [email protected] by Maharashtra

Governor C Vidyasagar Rao. The application is first of its kind for any state in

India. Key features of Adi Praman The tribal people from the state can obtain caste

validity certificates online using this application.

The validity certificate will be bar-coded with a unique identification number and

enable authorities to directly verify the status of validity certificate using the unique

barcode number. The web portal will show the real-time status of the applications

through email and text messages. The applicants will also be informed on the status

of their application through SMS alert and Email. The app will make the entire

process of securing caste validity certificate easy, fast and transparent and would

effectively curb the menace of bogus certificates. It will also help the state

government to achieve the goal of inclusion as envisioned under the Digital India

programme

Indian women‟s team has won silver medal in the recurve team final of Archery

World Cup held at the Yuanshen Stadium in Shanghai, China. Women‟s team

comprised of Deepika Kumari, Bombayla Devi Laishram and Laxmirani Majhi. In

the final match they lost to Chinese Taipei team by 2-6 score. While men‟s trio



team and mixed pair won their respective bronze playoffs in the first stage of

Archery World Cup. Indian men‟s recurve team comprised of Atanu Das, Jayanta

Talukdar and Mangal Singh Champia. They defeated British team by 6-0 to bag the

bronze medal.

The ADMM-Plus (ASEAN Defence Ministers‟ Meeting Plus) Exercise on Maritime

Security and Counter Terrorism (Ex MS & CT) has started at Brunei on May 1,

2016. The nine day exercise (till May 9, 2016) seeks to strengthen the strong

bilateral ties and extensive maritime interactions between India and ASEAN

countries.

Parliament has passed Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation)

Amendment Bill, 2016. The Bill amends the Mines and Minerals (Development and

Regulation) Act, 1957. The amendment Bill was first passed in the Lok Sabha in

March 2016 and later in the Rajya Sabha in May 2016. Key facts Transfer of

mining leases: The Bill provides for transfer of mining leases, which have been

granted through procedures other than auction and where minerals are used for

captive purpose.

This provision will allow for merger and acquisition of companies with captive

mining leases. Leased area: The also bill adds the definition of leased area as the

area within which mining operations can be undertaken. This will also include the

non-mineralised area required and approved for the activities defined under Mines



Act 1952. Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957: It

regulates the mining sector in India. It also specifies the requirement for obtaining

and granting leases for mining operations.

The Union Government launched Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) for

providing free of cost LPG (cooking gas) connections to women from BPL

Households. It was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Maldepur

Morh, Ballia in Uttar Pradesh. The tagline for the scheme is Swachh Indhan, Behtar

Jeevan. Key facts Under PMUY, each of the beneficiaries will receive monetary

support of about 1,600 rupees to get a connection of cooking gas. It includes

administrative cost, pressure regulator booklet and safety hose

The scheme seeks to empower women and protect their health by shifting them

from traditional cooking based on unclean cooking fuels or on fossil fuels to clean

cooking gas. It is being implemented by Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural

Gas. It is for the first time this ministry is implementing a welfare scheme. The

identification of eligible BPL families will be made in consultation with the State

Governments and the Union Territories. It will be implemented over three years‟

time frame namely in the FY 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19.

INS Kalvari, Indian Navy‟s first indigenous Scorpene-class stealth submarine, has

recently launched for the first sea trial in the Mumbai naval dockyard. It is a diesel-

electric attack submarine which is built under the strategic Project 75 by Mazagon



Dock Limited (MDL) in collaboration with French naval defence and energy

company DCNS

Leicester City FC was crowned champions of the of English Premier League title

for 2015-16 season without playing as nearest challenger Tottenham Hotspur FC.

They were crowned after its nearest challenger Tottenham Hotspur FC had 2-2

draw with Chelsea FC. The draw placed Tottenham at second position and was not

able to surpass Leicester City FC‟s seven point lead at the top of the table. This is

the first time in the Leicester City FC‟s 132-year history it became the champion of

the England.

Andhra Pradesh Government has launched Chandranna Bima Yojana, an insurance

scheme for the working class people. The scheme was launched by Chief Minister

N Chandrababu Naidu on the occasion of May Day in Vijayawada. About

Chandranna Bima Yojana

Any insured worker who meets an accidental death and permanent disability will be

paid 5 lakh rupees. Any insured worker who suffers partial disability will be paid 3

lakh rupees. Under it, about 1.5 crore workers of the state will be covered.

World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) is being observed on 3 May every year across

the world to raise awareness of the importance of freedom of the press. This day



also seeks to remind governments their duty to respect and uphold right to freedom

of expression enshrined under Article 19 of 1948 Universal Declaration of Human

Rights. 2016 Theme: “Access to Information and Fundamental Freedoms – This Is

Your Right!”

Public Sector Power equipment manufacturer Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited

(BHEL) has commissioned 600 MW coal-based thermal power plant in Madhya

Pradesh. The unit was commissioned at the 1×600 MW Jhabua Thermal Power

Project (TPP) located in Seoni district in Madhya Pradesh.

The Union Railways Ministry has launched an application namely Project

Management and Information System (PMIS) for proper monitoring of all the

Railway projects throughout the country. The application was launched by Union

Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu at Rail Bhawan in New Delhi.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has selected Mexican diplomat Patricia

Espinosa as the executive secretary of the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework

Convention on Climate Change).

About UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) The

UNFCCC is an international environmental treaty negotiated at the Earth Summit in



Rio de Janeiro in 1992 and entered into force in 1994. It has near universal

membership as it has 196 countries and European Union (EU) as its members.

It is the parent treaty of the 1997 Kyoto Protocol which was ratified by 192 of the

UNFCCC Parties. The ultimate objective of both treaties is to stabilize greenhouse

gas (GHGs) concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that will prevent dangerous

human interference with the climate system.

President Pranab Mukherjee has conferred 63rd National Film Awards for the year

2015 in various categories at the function held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.

Legendry actor Manoj Kumar was conferred 2015 Dada Saheb Phalke Award,

highest official recognition (award) in Indian cinema.

The Union Cabinet has given its approval to the renewed Agreement for Scientific

and Technological Cooperation with European Union (EU) for another period of 5

years. Decision in this regard was taken by Union Cabinet Meeting chaired by

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. The agreement will be retrospectively

effective from 17 May 2015 until 2020. Key facts

The Union Cabinet has given its ex-post facto approval for the Memorandum of



Understanding (MoU) between Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and Central Bank of

United Arab Emirates (UAE) on co-operation concerning currency swap agreement.

Indian author Parashar Kulkarni has won the regional Commonwealth Short Story

Prize for 2016 for the Asia region. He was bestowed with this award for his

politically grounded, funny fiction story „Cow and Company‟ about four men in

search of a cow.

Vice Admiral Sunil Lanba (58) has been appointed as next Chief of the Naval Staff.

He will be 23rd chief of Indian Navy and 21st as an Indian.

Sadiq Khan of the British Labour party has been elected the new Mayor of London

by comfortably outrunning of his nearest rival.

Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) has launched Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS)

Shaurya at Panaji. It was launched by the Governor of Goa, Mridula Sinha, in the

presence of GSl and ICG officials. Key facts ICGS Shaurya is fifth of a series of six

Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) designed in-house and built by GSL.



Pakistan has won the third edition of the Asian Kabaddi Championship 2016 (Circle

Style) by defeating India. In the final match held at Pakistan Ordinance Factory

Sports Complex in Wah Cantonment, Pakistan (defending champion) defeated India

by 50-31 points

US based private space transport service company, SpaceX has successfully

launched Japanese JCSAT-14 communication satellite into the space. The satellite

was place into its intended preliminary geostationary transfer orbit by SpaceX

Falcon 9 rocket which was launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in

Florida, US.

Two Indian women wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik have qualified for

2016 Rio Olympics scheduled to be held in August 2016.

Indian Railways has launched the Bharat Darshan Tourist train for pilgrims to visit

Shirdi, Tirupati, Jagannath Puri, Gangasagar, Baidyanath Dham and Jyotirlingams

among others.

The Gujarat Government has accorded minority status to the Jain community in the

state. In this regard state government has issued a government resolution (GR)



giving minority status to the Jain community.

Karnataka Government has decided to go ahead with the establishment of Asia‟s

first Rice Technology Park at Gangavati in Koppal district. Apart from it state

government has decided to set upa Maize Technology Park at Ranebennur in Haveri

district. Key facts Both parks will be established on the public-private participation

model as a one-stop solution to all problems of rice and maize growers.

The Union Government has released a commemorative coin of Rs 100 and a

circulation coin of Rs 10 as a part of 475th Birth Anniversary celebrations of

Maharana Pratap.

The single emergency number „112‟ will be operational throughout India from

January 1, 2017 to help people reach immediate services of police, ambulance and

fire department. In this regard, Union Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad

approved the provision of a single number for various emergency services. Key

facts

Indian Army had conducted major military training exercise „2016 Chakravyuh-II‟

in Suratgarh, Rajasthan. Purpose of the exercise: Validate battle readiness and

operational effectiveness of the Pivot Formation and Rapid Division of Indian



Army along with all its affiliated components. Key facts The Chakravyuh-II

exercise involved rapid mobilisation and execution of battle plans in conjunction

with the Indian Air Force (IAF).

World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) is being observed across the world on the

second weekend in May. This year, WMBD is being observed on 10th May. The

day seeks to raise awareness and highlight the need for the protection of migratory

birds and their habitats. 2016 Theme: “Stop the Illegal Killing, Taking and Trade of

Migratory Birds”.

National Technology Day is being observed across India on May 11 to glorify the

importance of science in day-to-day life and motivate students to adopt science as a

career option. 2016 Theme: „Technology enablers of Startup India‟. Several events

are organized in various engineering colleges and technical institutes to mark the

occasion

Shashank Manohar elected unopposed as ICC’s first independent Chairman

Veteran cricket administrator Shashank Manohar (58) was elected unopposed as

ICC‟s (International Cricket Council) first independent Chairman.

He was the sole nominee for the position and the ICC Board has now unanimously

supported his



appointment. He will have tenure of two years.

About International Cricket Council (ICC)

ICC the international governing body of cricket.

Headquarters: Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Established: 1909 as Imperial Cricket Conference by representatives from England,

Australia and South Africa. It took up its current name in 1989.

Union Cabinet gives nod to India, Mauritius agreement on cooperation in

Cooperatives

The Union Cabinet has given its approval for signing of an Inter-Governmental

Agreement between India and Mauritius on cooperation in cooperatives and related

fields.

The Agreement provides for promoting cooperation between both countries through

short and medium term programmes within the framework of the joint activities.

It will be valid for duration of five years after which it can be automatically

extended for another five years.

India, China and four others courtiers sign pact on tax info sharing

India and other 5 countries viz. Canada, Iceland, Israel, New Zealand and China

have signed OECD‟s (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development)

Multilateral Competent Authority Agreement in Beijing (China).



The multilateral agreement aims at boosting automatic exchange of information on

tax issues and developing new tools to tackle the tax evasion.

Kenya to close Dadaab, world’s biggest refugee camp

The Kenyan Government has decided to close Dadaab refugee camp which is often

referred to as the world‟s largest refugee camp over the issue national security.

The camp is home to 330000 refugees mostly from Somalia who have fled from the

civil war in their country.

Union Cabinet approves country’s first National Intellectual Property Rights Policy

The Union Government has approved National Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)

Policy, 2016 to promote the IP regime and to encourage innovation, creativity and

entrepreneurship in India.

The first of its king policy in the country seeks to strengthen legislative and legal

framework of IPRs, their commercialization and reinforce enforcement and

adjudicatory mechanisms for IPR infringements.

The Policy lays down seven objectives

IPR Awareness: Outreach and Promotion- It seeks to create public awareness

about the social, economic and cultural benefits of IPRs among all sections of

society.

Generation of IPRs: It seeks to stimulate the generation of IPRs.



Legal and Legislative Framework: It call for a strong and effective IPR laws,

which will have balance the larger public interest and interests of rights owners.

Administration and Management: It seeks to strengthen and modernize service-

oriented IPR administration.

Commercialization of IPRs: Provide appropriate value for IPRs through

commercialization.

Enforcement and Adjudication: Seeks to strengthen the adjudicatory and

enforcement mechanisms for combating IPR infringements.

Human Capital Development: Seeks to expand and strengthen human resources,

capacities and institutions for teaching, research, training and skill building in IPRs.

Other highlights of the Policy

Recognises abundance of innovative and creative energies in the country and

prioritizes the need to tap and channelise these energies towards a better and

brighter future for all.

Exploit and create synergies between all forms of intellectual property (IP),

concerned agencies and statutes in the country.

Sets in place an institutional mechanism for monitoring, implementation and review

of IP regime.

Aims to incorporate and adapt global best practices to the Indian scenario.



Makes the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), under the Union

Commerce Ministry nodal agency for regulating IP rights in the country.

Seeks to weave in the strengths of the Government, R&D organizations, educational

institutions, corporate entities including start-ups, MSMEs and other stakeholders in

the creation of an innovation-conducive environment.

Facilitates a transparent, stable and service-oriented IPR administration in the

country.

Recognizes that India has well-established TRIPS-compliant administrative,

legislative and judicial framework to safeguard IPRs.

Meets international obligations while utilizing the flexibilities provided in the

international regime to address its developmental concerns.

Reiterates India‟s commitment to the Doha Declaration on Trade-Related Aspects

of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) agreement and Public Health

PM Narendra Modi, Sri Lankan President release Simhastha Declaration

The Prime Minister along with Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena have

released „Simhastha Declaration‟ at Ninora village in Ujjain.

Both leaders addressed the concluding session of the three day International Vichar

Mahakumbh held on side-lines of the month-long Simhastha mela.

Key highlights of Declaration



Simhastha Declaration has 51 sacred points for betterment of mankind that will start

new discourse not only in India but around the world.

It is also a prescription on how a duty-centred system that had been the origin of

Indian philosophy of life is relevant in today‟s India.

Saints and seers, subject experts and scholars from the country and abroad also

discussed on various issues in the sessions of „Vichar Mahakumbh‟.

Sessions on sustainable development, sanitation and climate change, peace, values

of life, agriculture and cottage industry were also organized

Indigenous Advanced Air Defence interceptor missile, Ashwin successfully test fired

Indigenously developed Advanced Air Defence (AAD) interceptor missile, Ashwin

was successfully test fired.

The test was the twelfth test of interceptor missiles fired from a warship in the Bay

of Bengal. Of the 11 tests held earlier, 9 were successful.

Test: The interceptor missile was test fired from the complex of Abdul Kalam

Island (formerly known as Wheeler Island) in Balasore district off Odisha coast.

It hit the target which another ballistic missile i.e. a modified version of Prithvi

weapon system. The missile also validated various parameters of the interceptor in

flight mode

South Korean author Han Kang wins 2016 Man Booker International Prize



South Korean author, Han Kang, has won the 2016 Man Booker International Prize

for her novel

‘The Vegetarian’.

With this Han becomes the first South Korean to win this prestigious literary prize.

The writer and her British translator Deborah Smith will share the 72,000 dollars

prize money.

Han‟s novel „The Vegetarian‟ tells a story of a wife (Yeong-hye lead character)

who decides to become a vegetarian. The decision provokes cruelty from her

husband, and from her father, and obsession from her sister‟s husband, as the

woman, she dreams obsessively about becoming a tree.

The novel was picked unanimously by the panel of five judges chaired by Boyd

Tonkin. It was chosen amongst six other novels.

About Man Booker International Prize

Man Booker International Prize is an international literary award.

The award given to a living author of any nationality for a body of work published

in English or generally available in English translation.

The Man Booker International Prize is sponsored by Man Group plc, which also

sponsors the

Man Booker Prize for Fiction

Delhi Metro conducts trial run of country’s first driverless train



The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) conducted the trial run of the country‟s

first ever Metro train equipped to run in the driverless mode.

The train was ceremonially flagged off by Union Minister for Urban Development

M. Venkaiah Naidu and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

The driverless trains will run on the over 58 km-long Majlish Park-Shiv Vihar (Line

7) and the over 38 km-long Janakpuri (West)- Botanical Garden (Line 8) corridors

of the Phase-III.

Union Government Constitute NK Singh Committee to review FRBM Act

The Union Government has constituted a five member committee to

comprehensively review and give recommendations on the Fiscal Responsibility

and Budget Management (FRBM) roadmap for the future.

Nuclear Capable Prithvi-II missile test fired from Odisha

Indigenously developed nuclear capable Prithvi-II surface-to-surface missile was

successfully testfired from a test range at Chandipur in Odisha.

Missile test: It was carried out by Strategic Force Command (SFC) from a mobile

launcher at launch complex-3 from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur in

Odisha.

SBI seeks to take over 5 associate PSBs, Bhartiya Mahila Bank



The country‟s largest lender, State Bank of India (SBI) has decided to merge its five

associate public sector banks (PSBs) and the Bharatiya Mahila Bank (BMB) with

itself.

In this regard, SBI has informed the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) that it is

seeking in-principle approval for acquisition from the Union Government.

5 subsidiary banks are: (i) State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur, (ii) State Bank of

Hyderabad, (iii) State

Bank of Mysore, (iv) State Bank of Patiala and (v) State Bank of Travancore.

Besides, the boards of the subsidiary banks and the SBI also met individually in

Mumbai to begin merger talks to acquire the businesses including assets and

liabilities.

Key facts

The merged entity will increase SBI‟s market share from 17 per cent to 22.5-23 per

cent the country with total business of over Rs. 35 lakh crore.

It will have one-fourth of the deposit and loan market in the country and SBI‟s staff

strength will increase by 35-49 per cent.

The merged entity will also increase branch network by 6,000. At present, SBI

alone has more than 15,000 branches in the country.

Kerala Assembly Election 2016 Results



The coalition of Left Democratic Front (LDF) has won the 2016 Kerala Assembly

Election by the absolute majority by winning 91 seats (44.94% votes) of the total

140 seats.

Among the LDF, Communist Party of India (Marxist) by winning 58 seats has

emerged single largest party. Other LDF allies have won

Assam Assembly Election 2016 Results

Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) and its alliance partners have won an absolute majority

in 2016 Assam state assembly election by winning 87 seats (16.46% votes) in the

126 member House.

BJP alone has won 60 seats (29.5% votes) on its own, thus making history by

winning an Assam assembly election for the first time.

West Bengal Assembly Election 2016 Results

Ruling All India Trinamool Congress Party (TMC) under the leadership of Chief

Minister Mamata Banerjee has emerged victorious in the 2016 West Bengal

Assembly Election.

TMC has won 211 seats i.e. two-third seats of total 295 seats. Coalition of Indian

National Congress (INC) and Left combine has won 76 seats emerging as largest

opposition front.

West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC Supremo Mamta Banerjee has won from

Bhabanipur Assembly Constituency.



First World Conference on Tourism for Development held in Beijing

The first World Conference on Tourism for Development (WCTD) was held in

Beijing, China from May 18 to 21, 2016.

It was held under the theme „Tourism for Peace and Development‟ to advance the

contribution of tourism to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

Tsai Ing-wen sworn-in as first women President of Taiwan

Tsai Ing-wen (59) has sworn-in as the first female and 14th President of Taiwan on

20 May 2016 in front of national flag.

Cyclonic storm ROANU hits eastern coast of India

Cyclonic Storm Roanu, an active tropical cyclone in the Bay of Bengal has hit the

eastern coast of India. It is the first tropical cyclone of the annual cyclone season.

Roanu originated from a deep depression (low pressure) area that formed south of

Sri Lanka and later gradually drifted north and intensified into a cyclonic storm

Himachal Pradesh Government launches PEHAL, a vision document of the Shimla

District

Himachal Pradesh Government has launched „PEHAL‟, a vision document of the

Shimla District administration for raising education standards.

It was launched by Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh in Shimla. PEHAL is an attempt

to integrate the various stakeholders in the development story of the district.

Key facts



The aim of the PEHAL programme is to identify certain thrust areas which have a

direct bearing on the lives of the people at grassroots.

The five areas identified under PEHAL are Forest Rights, Primary Education,

Campaign against drugs, Health and Sanitation and skill development and Women

Empowerment.

The initiative also aims at building a resource base of semi-skilled and skilled

women.

Under Pehal, empowering the people with requisite skills under the livelihood

mission will include basic masonry, electrical work, home appliances reparing and

plumber courses.

Ratan P Watal appointed as principal adviser for social sector in NITI Aayog

Former Finance Secretary Ratan P Watal has been appointed as Principle Adviser

for social sector in NITI Aayog. He has been appointed to the post for three years.

May 21: Anti-Terrorism Day

Every year May 21 is being observed as Anti-Terrorism Day throughout India to

spread awareness among the people about the danger of terrorism and violence and

its effect on the people, society and the country as a whole.

Anurag Thakur unanimously elected BCCI President



Anurag Thakur (41) was unanimously elected as President of BCCI (Board of

Control for Cricket in India) by the board‟s special general meeting (SGM) held in

Mumbai.

He is 34th BCCI President and shall have tenure till September 2017. He succeeds

Shashank Manohar who stepped down to take get elected as ICC‟s first independent

chairman

About Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)

BCCI is the national governing body for cricket in India and is considered as

world‟s richest cricket board. It was established as BCCI in 1928 by replacing

Calcutta Cricket Club.

It is a private club consortium, registered as a society under the Tamil Nadu

Societies Registration Act, 1975.

President appoints Kiran Bedi as Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry

President Pranab Mukherjee has appointed BJP leader and former IPS officer Kiran

Bedi as the

Lieutenant Governor (LG) of Puducherry as per Article 239 of the Constitution.

The a post LG was vacant for the past two years after the Union Government had

sacked Virendra Kataria from the post in July 2014.

May 22: International Day for Biological Diversity



Every year May 22 is being observed as International Biodiversity Day (IDB)

across the world to promote conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.

Objective: (i) To step-up understanding and awareness about biodiversity issues.

(ii) To make people aware about the importance of biodiversity on the one hand and

its unprecedented loss on the other.

2016 Theme: “Mainstreaming Biodiversity; Sustaining People and their

Livelihoods”.

India, Oman sign 4 bilateral agreements on defence cooperation

India and Oman have signed four Memorandums of Understanding

(MoUs)/agreements on defence cooperation.

India, Iran sign 12 bilateral agreements in various areas

India and Iran signed 12 Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) and Agreements

in various areas including building and operating the Chabahar port by India.

The other agreements include cooperation in science and technology, culture,

library sciences, and cooperation between the EXIM banks of both the countries.

J Jayalalithaa sworn-in as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister for sixth time

Ms. J Jayalalithaa has sworn in as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for record sixth

time after winning 2016 state assembly election with absolute majority.

State Governor Dr.K. Rosaiah administered the oath of office and secrecy to her at

oath taking ceremony held at the Centenary Auditorium, Madras University.



Besides, Governor also administered oath of office and secrecy to the 28 ministers

of her government.

This is J Jayalalithaa‟s second consecutive term as chief minister and sixth overall.

She is the second female Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu after Janaki Ramachandran

India’s first reusable space shuttle RLV-TD launched

The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has successfully test launched the

first indigenous Reusable Launch Vehicle-Technology Demonstrator (RLV-TD).

Launch Details: It was launched from the First Launch Pad at Satish Dhawan

Space Centre, Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh.

Mohun Bagan wins 2016 Indian Federation Cup football tournament

Mohun Bagan FC has won the 2016 Indian Federation Cup football tournament title

for the 14th time. They have won the tournament after a gap of 8 years and last was

won in 2008.

In the final match played at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati

(Assam), they defeated Aizawl FC by 5-0 goals

Indigenously built INS Tarmugli commissioned in Indian Navy

The Indian Navy has commissioned indigenously built highly maneuverable Fast

Attack Craft INS

Tarmugli at the commissioning ceremony held in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.



INS Tarmugli will be based in Visakhapatnam under the Naval Officer-in-Charge

(Andhra Pradesh).

It would be deployed for coastal patrol and surveillance operations along the East

Coast of India

Union HRD Ministry to launch ASMITA, student tracking system

The Union Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) has decided to

launch ASMITA, a student tracking system programme.

ASMITA is acronym for All School Monitoring Individual Tracing Analysis and

shall be launched under

Shala Asmita Yojana (SAY).

Key facts

SAY aims to track the educational journey of school students from Class I to Class

XII across the 15 lakhs private and government schools in the country.

ASMITA will be an online database which will carry information of student

attendance and enrolment, learning outcomes, mid-day meal service and

infrastructural facilities among others.

Students will be tracked through their Aadhaar numbers and incase those not having

unique number will be provided with it.

Union Cabinet approves India, Maldives MoU for cooperation in field of tourism



The Union Cabinet has given its approval to the Memorandum of Understanding

(MoU) signed between the Union Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Tourism of

Government of Maldives.

Pinarayi Vijayan sworn-in as Kerala Chief Minister

Veteran CPI (M) leader Pinarayi Vijayan was sworn-in as 12th Chief Minister of

Kerala after the left Democratic Front (LDF) had won 2016 state assembly election.

State Governor P Sathasivam administered his oath of office and secrecy to him

along with other 18 ministers of his government in Thiruvananthapuram

Islamic Development Bank to open its first branch in India at Ahmedabad

Saudi Arabia‟s Islamic Development Bank (IDB) has decided to open its first

branch in India at

Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

Union HRD Ministry launches Bharatavani Portal

The Union Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) has launched the

multilingual knowledge portal www.bharatvani.in

It was launched by Union HRD Minister Smriti Zubin Irani at Lucknow, Uttar

Pradesh as part of Union Government‟s Digital India Mission.

The first knowledge portal of its kind in India will help the government to showcase

the Indian culture and heritage to the world.

Pakke Tiger Reserve in Arunachal Pradesh wins 2016 India Biodiversity Award



Pakke Tiger Reserve in East Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh has won the

„India Biodiversity Award 2016‟.

The tiger reserve was selected in the conservation of threatened species category

for its

Hornbill Nest Adoption Programme

Sunrisers Hyderabad win 2016 Indian Premier League title

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) has won the ninth edition of the Indian Premier League

(IPL). It is their maiden IPL title

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