Friday, 30 October 2015
GSAT-15.
GSAT-15.
-GSAT-15 is an Indian communication satellite similar to GSAT-10 to augment the capacity of transponders to provided more bandwidth for Direct-to-Home television and VSAT services.
- The satellite will be the 10th one in the series of GSAT satellites.
- It is expected to launch on 10th Nov 2015 from Ariane 5 rocket along with ArabSat 6B satellite.
VSAT.
A very small aperture terminal (VSAT) is a two-way satellite ground station or a stabilized maritime VSAT antenna with a dish antenna that is smaller than 3 meters.
-VSATs are used to transmit narrowband data or broadband data (for the provision of satellite Internet access to remote locations, VoIP or video).
- VSATs are also used for transportable, on-the-move (utilising phased array antennas) or mobile maritime communications.
Arianespace.
-Founded in 1980.
-World’s first commercial satellite launch company.
- Its shareholders include Airbus Safran Launchers, the French space agency CNES, and all European space companies, representing 10 European countries.
-Corporate headquarters in Evry, at the Guiana Space Center (CSG) - launch site for Ariane 5, Soyuz and Vega - and at local offices in Washington DC, Singapore and Tokyo.
- More than half of the commercial satellites in service today were launched by Arianespace.
Guiana Space Centre.
Guiana Space Centre or, more commonly, Centre Spatial Guyanais (CSG) is a French and European spaceport near Kourou in French Guiana.
it fulfills the two major geographical requirements of such a site:
- it is quite close to the equator, so that the spinning earth can impart some extra velocity to the rockets for free when launched eastward, and
- it has uninhabited territory (in this case, open sea) to the east, so that lower stages of rockets and debris from launch failures cannot fall on human habitations.
-The European Space Agency (ESA), the French space agency CNES (National Centre for Space Studies), and the commercial Arianespace company conduct launches from Kourou
Highlights of the Draft National Civil Aviation Policy 2015
-To create an eco-system to enable 30 crore domestic ticketing by 2022 and 50 crore by 2027
-To create a single-window system for all aviation related transactions, queries and complaints.
-The services rendered by DGCA will be fully automated by April 1, 2016.
-DGCA will carry out a comprehensive review of all civil aviation requirements (CAR) once every 5 years starting from FY 2016-17.
-DGCA will be allowed to recruit its personnel directly for posts which are sanctioned as per recruitment rules by exempting them from UPSC for this purpose.
-Ministry of Civil Aviation will target an all-inclusive airfare not exceeding Rs.2,500 per passenger, indexed to inflation for a one-hour flight on regional connectivity scheme
-The government will enter into an 'Open sky' Air Service Agreement on a reciprocal basis with SAARC countries.
-Separate regulations for helicopters by April 1, 2016
-Government would negotiate with global OEMs to set up an aircraft assembly plant in India.
-Ground handling, catering and aircraft fuelling proposed to be included under Essential Services Maintenance Act
-To create a single-window system for all aviation related transactions, queries and complaints.
-The services rendered by DGCA will be fully automated by April 1, 2016.
-DGCA will carry out a comprehensive review of all civil aviation requirements (CAR) once every 5 years starting from FY 2016-17.
-DGCA will be allowed to recruit its personnel directly for posts which are sanctioned as per recruitment rules by exempting them from UPSC for this purpose.
-Ministry of Civil Aviation will target an all-inclusive airfare not exceeding Rs.2,500 per passenger, indexed to inflation for a one-hour flight on regional connectivity scheme
-The government will enter into an 'Open sky' Air Service Agreement on a reciprocal basis with SAARC countries.
-Separate regulations for helicopters by April 1, 2016
-Government would negotiate with global OEMs to set up an aircraft assembly plant in India.
-Ground handling, catering and aircraft fuelling proposed to be included under Essential Services Maintenance Act
Thursday, 29 October 2015
Administration/Part-6/29th October 2015. Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act 1996.
Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 or PESA is a law enacted by the Government of India to cover the "Scheduled areas", which are not covered in the 73rd amendment or Panchayati Raj Act of the Indian Constitution.
- It was enacted on 24 December 1996 to enable Gram Sabhas to self govern their natural resources.
- It is an Act to provide for the extension of the provisions of Part IX of the Constitution relating to the Panchayats and the Scheduled Areas.
Scheduled Areas” means the Scheduled Areas as referred to in Clause (1) of Article 244 of the Constitution. The Act extended the provisions of Panchayats to the tribal areas of ten states that have Fifth Schedule Areas
Features of PESA
• PESA or Panchayat (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act 1996 has extended the powers of tribal self rule to panchayats
• This is in line with the 73rd AA which seeks to extend self governance to local bodies
• PESA was enacted on 24th December 1996 for enabling Tribal Self Rule
• Act extends provisions of Panchayats to tribal areas of 9 states namely Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, HP, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, MP, Orissa and Rajasthan; these are states listed under the Fifth Schedule
• Modalities are worked out to grant tribal rights in the country through the following features in the Act:
- Panchayat legislation should be in concordance with customary law, socio-religious practices and traditional community resource management practices
- Hamlet/habitation or group of these should manage their affairs in line with local customs and traditions; they shall have an independent Gram Sabha
- Each Gram Sabha will work to preserve the traditions and customs of people, their cultural identity, community resources and dispute resolution
- Gram Sabhas also have the following roles and responsibilities:
- Approval of developmental work in villages
- Identification of beneficiaries
- Issuance of certificates for fund utilisation
- Powers for controlling institutes and functionaries in social sectors, local plans
• Gram Sabhas or Panchayats at relevant level should be empowered to
- Manage minor water bodies
- Engage in mandatory consultations for land acquisition
- Resettlement and rehab as well as prospecting licenses/mining leases for minor minerals
- Prevent land alienation and restore alienated land
- Regulation and restriction on sale and consumption of liquor
- Management of village markets
- Control of money lending to tribals
- Ownership of minor forest produce
Facts and Stats
• Provisions of panchayats have been extended to Schedule V areas
• Gram Sabhas are constituted in the state as per PESA rules of that state
• 4 states have framed rules for PESA implementation
• These are AP, HP, Rajasthan and Maharashtra
- It was enacted on 24 December 1996 to enable Gram Sabhas to self govern their natural resources.
- It is an Act to provide for the extension of the provisions of Part IX of the Constitution relating to the Panchayats and the Scheduled Areas.
Scheduled Areas” means the Scheduled Areas as referred to in Clause (1) of Article 244 of the Constitution. The Act extended the provisions of Panchayats to the tribal areas of ten states that have Fifth Schedule Areas
Features of PESA
• PESA or Panchayat (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act 1996 has extended the powers of tribal self rule to panchayats
• This is in line with the 73rd AA which seeks to extend self governance to local bodies
• PESA was enacted on 24th December 1996 for enabling Tribal Self Rule
• Act extends provisions of Panchayats to tribal areas of 9 states namely Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, HP, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, MP, Orissa and Rajasthan; these are states listed under the Fifth Schedule
• Modalities are worked out to grant tribal rights in the country through the following features in the Act:
- Panchayat legislation should be in concordance with customary law, socio-religious practices and traditional community resource management practices
- Hamlet/habitation or group of these should manage their affairs in line with local customs and traditions; they shall have an independent Gram Sabha
- Each Gram Sabha will work to preserve the traditions and customs of people, their cultural identity, community resources and dispute resolution
- Gram Sabhas also have the following roles and responsibilities:
- Approval of developmental work in villages
- Identification of beneficiaries
- Issuance of certificates for fund utilisation
- Powers for controlling institutes and functionaries in social sectors, local plans
• Gram Sabhas or Panchayats at relevant level should be empowered to
- Manage minor water bodies
- Engage in mandatory consultations for land acquisition
- Resettlement and rehab as well as prospecting licenses/mining leases for minor minerals
- Prevent land alienation and restore alienated land
- Regulation and restriction on sale and consumption of liquor
- Management of village markets
- Control of money lending to tribals
- Ownership of minor forest produce
Facts and Stats
• Provisions of panchayats have been extended to Schedule V areas
• Gram Sabhas are constituted in the state as per PESA rules of that state
• 4 states have framed rules for PESA implementation
• These are AP, HP, Rajasthan and Maharashtra
Wednesday, 28 October 2015
Administration/Part-5/28th October 2015. Eleventh Schedule.
Administration/Part-5/28th October 2015.
Eleventh Schedule
There are 29 functional items placed within the purview of panchayats:
1. Public distribution system.
2. Social welfare, including welfare of the handicapped, and
mentally retarded.
3. Family welfare.
4. Market and fairs
5. Libraries
6. Technical training and vocational education
7. Poverty elevation program
8. Rural electrification, including distribuation of electricity.
9. Fuel and fodder
10. Rural housing
11. Small scale industries, including food producing industries.
12. Social forestry and farm forestry.
13. Animal husbandry, dairying, and poultry.
14. Land improvement, implementation of land reforms, land consolidation and soil conservation.
15. Maintenances of community assets
16. Welfare of the weaker sections, and in particular, of the
scheduled castes and the scheduled tribes.
17. Women and child development.
18. Health and sanitation including hospitals, primary health
centers and dispensaries.
19. Cultural activities
20. Adult and non formal education
21. Education including primary and secondary schools
22. Non convention energy sources.
23. Roads, culverts, bridges, ferries, waterways, and other
ways of communication
24. Drinking water
25. Khadi, village and cottage industries
26. Minor forests products
27. Fisheries
28. Minor irrigation , water management, and watershed
development.
29. Agriculture including agricultural extension.
COURTS INTERFERENCES
-Under the article 329, courts have no jurisdiction to find the validity of law, relating to the allotment of seats, delimitation of constituencies, etc.
-Court can't question those matters related to election in panchayats.
Administartion/Part-4/28th October 2015. 73rd Amendment Act of 1992.
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73rd Amendment Act of 1992
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-73rd Amendment Act of 1992 This Act correspondences to Part IX of constitution of India.
-It is entitled as ‘The Panchayats’ and
consists provisions of ArticTes~ 243 to 243 − Q.
-The Act has also added
the Eleventh Schedule to the Constitution of India. It contains 29 functional
items of the Panchayats and deals with Article 243 − g.
-The Act has given a practical shape to
Article 4 Q of the Constitution. The Act gives a Constitutional status to the
Panchayati Raj institutions.
-The State Governments
are under the Constitutional obligation to adopt the new Panchayati Raj System
in accordance with the provisions of the Act.
-Neither the formation
of the Panchayats nor the holding of elections at regular intervals depends on
the will of the State Government.
-The provisions of the
Act can be grouped into two categories compulsory and voluntary.
The compulsory
provisions of the Act are to be included in the State Laws creating the The
voluntary provisions, on the other hand, may be included at the discretion of
the States.
-It transfers the representative democracy
into the participatory democracy.
-The Act provides for a
three-tier system of the Panchayati Raj in the States, that is, Panchayats at
the village, the intermediate and the district level.
-The Act defines all the
terms in the following manner: Panchayat means an institution (by whatever name
called) of local self-Government for rural areas.
-Village means, a
village specified by the Governor through a public notification to be a village
for this purpose, and includes a group of villages so specified Intermediate
level between the village and the district specified by the Governor through a
public notification for this purpose.
-The Act brings about
uniformity in the structure of the Panchayati Raj throughout the country. A
State having population not exceeding 20 lakh may not constitute Panchayats at
the intermediate level.
-The Act provides for a Gram Sabha as the
foundation of the Panchayati Rai System.
-It is a body consisting
of persons registered in the electoral rolls of the village comprised within
the area of the Panchayat at the village level.
-It is a Village
Assembly consisting of all the registered voters in the area of a Panchayat.
-It shall exercise such
powers and perform such functions at the village level as the State Legislature
determines.
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Duration of Panchayats
-The Act provided for a five-year term of
office to the Panchayat at every level.
-However, it can be
dissolved before the completion of its term.
-Fresh election to
constitute a Panchayat shall be completed: Before the expiry of its term; or in
case of dissolution, before the expiry of a period of six months from the date
of its dissolution.
- A person shall be
disqualified for being chosen as or for being a member of the Panchayat if he
is so disqualified: Under any law for the time being in force for the purposes
of elections to the Legislature of the State concerned, or under any law made
by the State Legislature.
-No person shall be
disqualified on the grounds that he is less than 25 years of age if he had
attained the age of 21 years.
- All questions of
disqualifications shall be referred to State Legislature determined.
-The Act provided for
the reservation of seats for the Scheduled Castes and the Schedules Tribes in
every Panchayat (at all the levels) in proportion of their population in the
Panchayat area.
-The State Legislature
shall provide for the reservation of offices of the chairpersons in the
Panchayat at the village or any other level for the SCs and the S Is.
- The Act provides for
the reservation of not less than one-third of the total number of seats for
women (including the number of seats reserved for women belonging to the SCs
and the STs)
- Not less than
one-third of the total number of offices of the Chairpersons in the Panchayats
at each level shall be reserved for women.
-The Act authorizes the
Legislature of a State to make any provision for reservation of seats in any
Panchayat or offices of the chairperson in the Panchayat at any level in favor
of the Backward Classes.
- All members of the
Panchayats at the Village, the Intermediate and the District levels shall be elected
directly by the people.
-The chairperson of the
Panchayats at the Intermediate and District levels shall be elected indirectly
by and from amongst the elected members thereof.
-The chairperson of a
Panchayat at the Village level shall be elected in such a manner as the State
Legislature determines.
-The State Legislature
may endow the Panchayats, with such powers and authority as may be necessary to
enable them to function as institutions of self-government.
-Such a scheme may
contain provisions for the devolution of powers and responsibilities upon
Panchayats at the appropriate level with respect to preparation of plans for
economic development and social justice; the implementation of schemes for the
economic development and social justice as may be entrusted to them, including
those in relation to the 29 matters listed in the Eleventh Schedule.
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State Election
Commission
-The superintendence,
direction and control of the preparation of electoral rolls and the conduct of
all elections to the Panchayats shall be vested in the State Election
Commission.
-It consists of a State
Election Commissioner who is to be appointed by the Governor. His conditions of
service and tenure of office shall be determined by the Governor.
- He shall not be
removed from the office except in the manner and on the grounds prescribed for
the removal of a Judge of the State High Court.
-His conditions of
service shall not be varied to his disadvantage after his appointment.
Tuesday, 27 October 2015
Administration/Part-3/27th October 2015.
Administration/Part-3/27th October 2015
Panchayati Raj.
-Under the Indian Constitution Article 40 of the Directive Principles provides for '' organization of village Panchayats''.
-Fifth entry of the State List of Seventh Schedule to the constitution of India deals with the Local Government.
Important Committees.
➡Balwant Rai Mehta Committee.
Government of India appointed this committee in January 1957 to examine the working of the Community Development Programme (1952) and the National Extension Service (1953) and to suggest measures for their better working. This committee was headed by Balwant Rai G Mehta. It submitted its report in November 1957. It recommended the establishment of the scheme of 'democratic decentralisation'.
-Some other recommendations of this committee were:
1. Establishment of a three-tier Panchayati Raj system: –
a. Gram Panchayat at the village level.
b. Panchayat Samiti at the block level and
c. Zila Parishad at the district level
2. Village Panchayat be constituted with directly elected representatives, Panchayat Samiti and Zila Parishad be constituted with indirectly elected members.
3. Panchayat Samiti should be the executive body, Zila Parishad should be the advisory, coordinating and supervisory body,
4. There should be a genuine transfer of power, adequate resources should be transferred. The recommendation was accepted by the National Development council in January 1958.
-Rajasthan was the first state to establish Panchayati Raj in Nagaur district on October 2, 1959. Then Andhra Pradesh adopted the system in 1959 itself. By mid 1960s most of the states created Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRI). But there were differences from one state to another with regard to the number of tiers, relative position of Samiti and Parishad, their tenure, composition, functions and finances.
For example:-
--Rajasthan – 3 tier system
--West Bengal - 4 tier system
--Rajasthan & Andhra Pradesh - Panchayat Samiti was powerful
--Maharashtra & Gujarat - Zila Parishad was powerful
➡Ashok Mehta Committee.
Janata Government appointed a committee on Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRI) in December 1977 under the chairmanship of Ashok Mehta. It submitted its report in August 1978 regarding strengthening of the declining Panchayati Raj system in India.
Some of its major recommendations were:-
1. Three-tier PRI system should be replaced by the two-tier
system, Zila Parishad at the district level, Mandal Panchayat consisting of a group of villages with a total population of 15,000 to 20,000
2. District should be the first point for decentralization below state level with Official participation of political parties at all levels of panchayat elections.
3. PRI to have compulsory powers of taxation to mobilize their own finances.
4. Regular social audit of PRI by a district level agency and by a committee of legislators.
5. The state government not to supersede PRI. In case of supersession, elections should be held within 6 months from the date of supersession.
6. The Chief Electoral Officer of a state in consultations with the Chief Election Commissioner to organize and conduct the PRI elections.
7. A minister of panchayati raj should be appointed in the state council of ministers.
8. Seats for SCs and STs should be reserved on the basis of their populations.
➡G V K Rao Committee.
This committee was on Administrative Arrangement for Rural Development and Poverty Alleviation Programmes appointed by the Planning Commission in 1985 under the chairmanship of G.V.K. Rao. The committee came to conclusion bureaucratization of development administration as against the democratization weakened PRIs. Committee made the following recommendations:-
1. Zila Parishad (at district level) should be pivotal in the scheme of democratic decentralization.
2. Elections to the PRIs should be held regularly.
➡L M Singhvi Committee.
Rajiv Gandhi government in 1986 appointed a committee on 'Revitalization of Panchayati Raj Institions for Democracy and Development'. The committee was headed by L M Singhvi.
It made the following recommendations.
1. PRIs should be constitutionally recognized, For this purpose a new chapter should be added in the Constitution of India;
2. Constitutional provisions to ensure regular, free and fair elections to PRIs.
3. Villages should be reorganized to make Gram Panchayats more viable. It emphasized the importance of the Gram Sabha. The Village Panchayats should have more financial resources.
4.Nyaya Panchayats should be established for a cluster of villages.
5.The Judicial tribunals should be established in each State to eradicate controversies about election to the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRI).
➡Constitutionalization.
-The Narsimha Rao Government introduced the Constitutional Amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha in September 1991.
-It was passed by the Lok Sabha on December 22, 1992 and by the Rajya Sabha on December 23. Later, it was approved by the 17 State Assemblies and received the assent of the President of India on April 20, 1993.
Administration/Part-2/27th October 2015
Administration /Part-2/27th October 2015.
The Panchayat raj.
-It's a South Asian political system found mainly in the nations of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal.
-It is the oldest system of local government in the Indian subcontinent .
-The word raj means "rule" and panchayat means "assembly" (ayat ) of five (panch ).
-Traditionally panchayats consisted of wise and respected elders chosen and accepted by the local community.
-The leader of the panchayat was often called the mukhiya or sarpanch, an elected or generally acknowledged position.
-In India, the Panchayati Raj now functions as a system of governance in which gram panchayats are the basic unit of local administration .
-The system has three levels: gram panchayat (village level), mandal parishad or block samiti or panchayat samiti (block level) and zila Parishad (district level).
- It was formalized in 1992 by the 73rd amendment to the Indian Constitution.
Various Committees on Panchayati Raj :
1. Balwant Rai Mehta : Estd 1957
2. V.T.Krishnammachari : 1960
3. Takhatmal Jain Study Group: 1966
4. Ashok Mehta Committee : 1977
5. G.V.K Rao committee :1985
6. Dr.L.M.Singhvi Committee:1986
Administration/Part-1/27th October 2015. LOCAL GOVERNMENT.
Administration/Part-1/27th October 2015.
LOCAL ADMINISTRATION.
I'm going to cover following Topics under the Local Administration :-
-Panchayati Raj .
-73rd Amendment Act 1992.
-Extension Act of 1996 (PESA)
-Urban Local Governments.
-74th Amendment Act of 1992.
-Questionnaire (Previous Year Asked questions)
Monday, 19 October 2015
Cds-cum-ssc Vocab
CDS-cum-Ssc Vocab.
Vigilant. Watchful
Obstreperous. Noisy and difficult to control.
Meddle. Interfere.
Incensed. Very angry, enraged
Contrite. Feeling very well sorry remorseful.
Furtive. Secret, stealthy.
Clamouring. To demand by shouting loud.
Tacit. Unspoken
Penchant. Inclination or special liking
Up braided. To criticise, reproach.
Jaded. Tired, bored.
Intrigue. Curious, secret plan
Refurbished. Decorate, clean room, renovate
Ramifications. Complications and unexpected results.
Aplomb. To do something in confidence and successfully,poise
Insipid. Tasteless flavour less, dull.
Famished. very hungry
Gimcrack. Shoddy, badly made of little value
Forthrightness. To be Frank
Mendacity. Lie.
Insidiously. Spreading gradually without being noticed, secretly.
Chauffer. A driver
Indict. formally accused of charge or Crime
Prodigal. Recklessly wasteful.
Perspicuous. Crystal clear.
Resuscitation. Act of reviving person or returning them to consciousness.
Deluge. Overwhelming,large amount in number.
Soporific. Sleep inducing.
Sporadic. Irregular, intermittent
Allegiance. Loyalty.
Salutary. Beneficial to health
Indigent. Poor, pity.
Abate. Reduce.
Implacable. Unable to be appeased, placate.
Insolent. Rude, impertinent
Collusion. Secret agreement.
Camouflage. To Disguise.
Vindictive. Revengeful
Indefatigable. Tireless, energetic.
Yearn. Strong desire.
ill favoured. Unattractive, ugly
Gaol. Jailhouse.
Loathing. Abhorrence, hatred
Notion. Thought
Vivacious. energetic
Bequeath. To give leave something
Errand. Take, a job given
Nonchalant. Casual, blithe
Ingenious. clever
Ingenuous. Candid.
Painstaking. Through and rigorous extreme and care
Vehemently. Forcefully, fierce, react violently
Affectation. Artificial behavior to impress.
Palpable. Easily noticed by mind or senses
Stifle. Suffocate, Smother
Portend. Foreshadow something bad going to happen in future
Rancour. Deep and buttress bitter anger ill will
Subdue. Suppress defeat.
Friday, 16 October 2015
CDS-cum-PCS Booster "Current Affairs MAY 2015"
1. World No-Tobacco Day : 31 May
2. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley inaugurates New Bank Note Paper Line unit in Hoshangabad, Madhya Pradesh
3. Maharashtra Government launched Swachhata Saptapadi scheme on the lines of Union Government’s flagship Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.
4. Indian-origin teacher Gurnimrat Nimmy Sidhu receives Oxford University teacher award
5. Eminent scientist Dr. Selvin Christopher appointed as the Director General (DG) of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) along with the rank of a secretary.
6. India tops in World Hunger List with 194 Million People: UN Report
7. Himachal Pradesh government sets up satellite tracking system to check forest fire
8. National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) and Data Security Council of India (DSCI) have launched NASSCOM Cyber Security Task Force.
14. China sets up largest gold sector fund for nations along ancient Silk Road
China has set up a gold sector fund involving 65 countries along the ancient Silk Road.
18. India ranked 24th out of 70 countries in the first Environmental Democracy Index (EDI)
20. Yamuna Expressway becomes India’s first road runway after IAF Mirage 2000 jet successfully lands
-The first of its kind initiative in India’s aviation history took place on Yamuna Expressway near Mathura with active support from Uttar Pradesh government, Yamuna Expressway Authority.
31. Canada plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30 % by 2030
32. Union Government launches USTAAD Scheme for Traditional Artisans in Varanasi
-Union Government formally launched Upgrading the Skills and Training in Traditional Arts/Crafts for Development (USTAAD) Scheme.
43. Veteran actor Shashi Kapoor conferred with Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2014
51. Nadia district in West Bengal won the 2015 United Nations Public Service Award in the category of improving delivery of public services for the initiative ‘Sabar Shouchagar’
63. Recently released book Indian Bumblebees has revealed that India is home to 48 of the 250 known species of bumblebees.
67. Floyd Mayweather Jr defeats Manny Pacquiao to win World Welterweight title of Boxing.
71.CNR Rao conferred with Japan’s highest civilian award
2. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley inaugurates New Bank Note Paper Line unit in Hoshangabad, Madhya Pradesh
3. Maharashtra Government launched Swachhata Saptapadi scheme on the lines of Union Government’s flagship Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.
4. Indian-origin teacher Gurnimrat Nimmy Sidhu receives Oxford University teacher award
5. Eminent scientist Dr. Selvin Christopher appointed as the Director General (DG) of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) along with the rank of a secretary.
6. India tops in World Hunger List with 194 Million People: UN Report
7. Himachal Pradesh government sets up satellite tracking system to check forest fire
8. National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) and Data Security Council of India (DSCI) have launched NASSCOM Cyber Security Task Force.
- The aim of task force is to build India as a global hub for providing cyber security solutions, developing cyber security Research & Development (R&D) plan and develop a skilled workforce of cyber security experts.
9. Union Government constitutes Committee headed by Vijay Kelkar to revisit PPP infra model
10. DD Kisan, India’s first television channel dedicated to farmers launched by PM Narendra Modi
11. Lt General (Retd) Nirbhay Sharma sworn-in as Governor of Mizoram
12. Gujarat Government initiates Sloth Habitat Project
9. Union Government constitutes Committee headed by Vijay Kelkar to revisit PPP infra model
10. DD Kisan, India’s first television channel dedicated to farmers launched by PM Narendra Modi
11. Lt General (Retd) Nirbhay Sharma sworn-in as Governor of Mizoram
12. Gujarat Government initiates Sloth Habitat Project
-Gujarat Government initiated Sloth Habitat Project in Jessore wildlife sanctuary to provide better habitat to sloth bears.
-The project aims at restoring the ecology of sloth bears in the sanctuary by planting fruit trees and removing unwanted plant species that have intruded in the habitat.
13. Mumbai Indians defeat Chennai Super Kings to win IPL 2015 for second time
14. China sets up largest gold sector fund for nations along ancient Silk Road
China has set up a gold sector fund involving 65 countries along the ancient Silk Road.
-It has been set up in China’s northwest Xi’an city during ongoing forum on investment and trade. The fund will be led by Shanghai Gold Exchange (SGE) and is expected to raise 16.1 billion dollars in three phases.
- It should be noted that it is the largest fund set up by China in the gold sector. Around 60 countries which fall along the routes of 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road (MSR) and Silk Road Economic Belt have invested in the fund.
15. Bilateral naval exercise SIMBEX-15 between India and Singapore commenced on 23 May 2015 in Singapore. It is 3 days exercise which will conclude on May 26, 2015
16. Ireland becomes first country to constitutionally legalise same-sex marriage
15. Bilateral naval exercise SIMBEX-15 between India and Singapore commenced on 23 May 2015 in Singapore. It is 3 days exercise which will conclude on May 26, 2015
16. Ireland becomes first country to constitutionally legalise same-sex marriage
17. Jayalalithaa sworn-in as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for fifth time
18. India ranked 24th out of 70 countries in the first Environmental Democracy Index (EDI)
19. Union Cabinet approved continuation of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) programme for another fifteen operational flights of PSLV-C36 to PSLV-C50.
- All the fifteen operational flights under this programme will be completed during the period 2017-2020.
PSLV
-The operationalisation of this programme has made India self-reliant in the launching capability of satellites for the purpose of earth observation, disaster management, space sciences and navigation.
-PSLV also has emerged as a versatile launch vehicle to carry out Geo-synchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO), Sun-Synchronous Polor Orbit (SSPO) and low inclination Low Earth Orbit (LEO) missions.
20. Yamuna Expressway becomes India’s first road runway after IAF Mirage 2000 jet successfully lands
- It should be noted that Yamuna Expressway is the longest Greenfield expressway in the country.
-Indigenously developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and one of the smallest weapon systems developed by it.
28. Tech giant Apple acquired Global Position System (GPS) firm Coherent Navigation to improve its mapping capabilities
21. India economic growth to surpass China’s in 2015-16: UN report
22. Maharashtra government to allow women to work in night shifts
22. Maharashtra government to allow women to work in night shifts
23. Astra missile successfully test-fired from Sukhoi-30 MKI in Odisha
-Indigenously developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and one of the smallest weapon systems developed by it.
-Single stage solid fuelled and has payload capacity of 15 kg conventional explosives.
-It is air-to-air beyond-visual-range (BVR) all-weather missile that can be launched from different altitudes.
-Capable of engaging and destroying highly maneuverable supersonic aerial targets and destroy enemy aircraft at supersonic speed of 1.2 Mach to 1.4 Mach.
-It should be noted that it is radar homing missile
24. Meghalaya achieves 100% financial inclusion under Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojna
25. INS Kavaratti, Indian Navy’s latest anti-submarine warfare class stealth corvette was launched on 19 May 2015 in Kolkata.
25. INS Kavaratti, Indian Navy’s latest anti-submarine warfare class stealth corvette was launched on 19 May 2015 in Kolkata.
-Kavaratti is the last of the four anti-submarine warfare class stealth corvettes being built for India under Project 28.
-Project-28: Under this project four anti-submarine warfare class stealth corvettes were to build. Kavaratti is the last of four.
-Others are INS Kamrota, Kadmatt and Kiltan. INS Kamrota was delivered and commissioned in the Indian navy in 2014.
- INS Kadmatt and Kitan are expected to be delivered between 2015 and 2017.
26. Hungarian writer Laszlo Krasznahorkai wins Man Booker International Prize 2015
27. Maria Elena South, driest place on earth discovered in Atacama Desert, Chile
26. Hungarian writer Laszlo Krasznahorkai wins Man Booker International Prize 2015
27. Maria Elena South, driest place on earth discovered in Atacama Desert, Chile
28. Tech giant Apple acquired Global Position System (GPS) firm Coherent Navigation to improve its mapping capabilities
29. India assumed the presidency of the 68th World Health Assembly (WHA) held in Geneva after a gap of 19 years
30. Novak Djokovic wins 4th Rome Masters title of Tennis
31. Canada plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30 % by 2030
32. Union Government launches USTAAD Scheme for Traditional Artisans in Varanasi
-Union Government formally launched Upgrading the Skills and Training in Traditional Arts/Crafts for Development (USTAAD) Scheme.
-It was launched by Union Minister of Minority Affairs Dr. Najma Heptullah in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh in order to improve degrading conditions of world famous Banaras Saree weavers who belong to minority communities
33. World’s first fully warm-blooded fish named Opah or moonfish was discovered recently.
- It was discovered by scientists at the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Opah or moonfish has ability to circulate heated blood throughout its body which makes it first fish known to be fully warm-blood.
34. Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the flagship Namami Gange Program.
The program integrates the efforts to clean and protect the River Ganga in a comprehensive manner by involving differed States and grassroots level institutions.
35. Punjab becomes first state to issue Soil Health Cards to farmers
36. Union Cabinet gives nod to Benami Transactions (Prohibition) (Amendment) Bill, 2015
-The Bill seeks to amend the Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Act, 1988 by adding additional provisions that provides for stringent measures against violators in order to curb and check the generation of black money in the country.
36. Union Cabinet gives nod to Benami Transactions (Prohibition) (Amendment) Bill, 2015
-The Bill seeks to amend the Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Act, 1988 by adding additional provisions that provides for stringent measures against violators in order to curb and check the generation of black money in the country.
- It also adds provisions for attachment and confiscation of benami properties and imposes fine with imprisonment.
- The Bill also has provision for prosecution and aims to act as a major avenue for blocking benami property, which leads to generation and holding of black money especially in real estate.
37. Union Government Constitutes Justice AP Shah Committee to look into the issue of MAT on FIIs
38. Asiatic lion population in Gir sanctuary increases to 523: Census report 2015
37. Union Government Constitutes Justice AP Shah Committee to look into the issue of MAT on FIIs
38. Asiatic lion population in Gir sanctuary increases to 523: Census report 2015
39. PM Narendra Modi inaugurates IISCO’s plant at Burnpur
- IISCO Steel Plant is a fully-owned subsidiary of Steel Authority of India (SAIL) and has the largest blast furnace in the country.
40. KV Kamath named as first President of New Development Bank of BRICS nations
New Development Bank (NDB)
- BRICS group of nations comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa in 2014 had inked a pact to set up NDB and emergency reserve fund.
-This agreement was signed during the 6th BRICS Summit being held in Fortaleza, Brazil.
-To begin with, the bank will start operating with $50 billion in initial capital with the five BRICS contributing $10 billion each.
41. May 11: National Technology Day
National Technology Day is being commemorated to celebrate the anniversary of first of the five tests of Operation Shakti (Pokhran-II) nuclear test which was held on 11 May 1998 in Pokhran, Rajasthan
42. KV Thomas renominated as Chairman of Public Accounts Committee
42. KV Thomas renominated as Chairman of Public Accounts Committee
43. Veteran actor Shashi Kapoor conferred with Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2014
-Dadasaheb Phalke Award India’s highest award in cinema.
44. Haryana Government includes Deaflympics in its sports policy
45. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 9 May 2015 launched three mega social security schemes in Kolkata, West Bengal.
45. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 9 May 2015 launched three mega social security schemes in Kolkata, West Bengal.
Three schemes intend to widen the process of financial inclusion in the country include
-Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Yojana (PMJJBY).
- Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY).
- Atal Pension Yojana (APY).
46. BrahMos land-attack cruise missile successfully test-fired from Car Nicobar Islands
Land-to-land configuration of BrahMos missile was successfully test-fired from the Car Nicobar Islands.
Land-to-land configuration of BrahMos missile was successfully test-fired from the Car Nicobar Islands.
BrahMos Block–III version i.e. land-to-land configuration of missile was launched from a Mobile Autonomous Launcher (MAL) for its full-range of 290-km test.
The missile flight test met all flight parameters, including high-level manoeuvres. It also hit the designated land- based target with the desired accuracy.
This launch was the 47th test-firing of the missile and follows an unsuccessful test which was conducted on April 9, 2015 when the missile had failed to hit the target.
47. Indian Navy has commissioned INS Sardar Patel naval base in Porbandar, Gujarat in the presence of Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel and Admiral RK Dowan.
-INS Sardar Patel naval base It is a Forward Operating Base (FOB), located at a crucial strategic position as far as Navy is concerned because this coastal area is close to our western neighbours in Northern Arabian Sea, including along the International Maritime Boundary Line with Pakistan.
48. Arvind Saxena, becomes first RAW officer to be appointed as member of UPSC
49. North Korea successfully conducts underwater test-fire of submarine-launched ballistic missile
-INS Sardar Patel naval base It is a Forward Operating Base (FOB), located at a crucial strategic position as far as Navy is concerned because this coastal area is close to our western neighbours in Northern Arabian Sea, including along the International Maritime Boundary Line with Pakistan.
48. Arvind Saxena, becomes first RAW officer to be appointed as member of UPSC
49. North Korea successfully conducts underwater test-fire of submarine-launched ballistic missile
50. India’s largest lender State Bank of India (SBI) has launched a RuPay Platinum debit card in association with National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI)
51. Nadia district in West Bengal won the 2015 United Nations Public Service Award in the category of improving delivery of public services for the initiative ‘Sabar Shouchagar’
52. Achal Kumar Jyoti appointed as Election Commissioner
53. On 7th May 2015, the parliament of India has passed the 119th constitutional amendment bill 2013, which now after the assent of the President will enter in to the statue book [as Constitution 100th Amendment Act 2015].
-The Constitution (119th Amendment) Bill passed by the Parliament of India on 7th May 2015.While India will gain 510 acres of land, ten thousand acres of land will notionally go to Bangladesh. However, these are remote enclaves which India cannot access. This legislation will redraw India’s boundary with Bangladesh by exchanging enclaves in Assam, West Bengal, Tripura and Meghalaya.
53. On 7th May 2015, the parliament of India has passed the 119th constitutional amendment bill 2013, which now after the assent of the President will enter in to the statue book [as Constitution 100th Amendment Act 2015].
-The Constitution (119th Amendment) Bill passed by the Parliament of India on 7th May 2015.While India will gain 510 acres of land, ten thousand acres of land will notionally go to Bangladesh. However, these are remote enclaves which India cannot access. This legislation will redraw India’s boundary with Bangladesh by exchanging enclaves in Assam, West Bengal, Tripura and Meghalaya.
54. The Union Cabinet has approved amendments in the Whistle Blowers Protection Act, 2011 to keep issues of national security out of its purview.
- Whistle Blowers Protection Act, 2011 It establishes a mechanism to investigate alleged cases and register complaints on any allegations of corruption or wilful misuse of power against a public servant.
- Whistle Blowers Protection Act, 2011 It establishes a mechanism to investigate alleged cases and register complaints on any allegations of corruption or wilful misuse of power against a public servant.
-The Act also provides safeguards against victimisation of the person who makes the complaint and gives statutory protection to whistle blowers in the country.
55. In recently released 2015 Mother’s Index in the State of the World’s Mothers (SOWM) report titled The Urban Disadvantage, India was placed at 140th position out of 179 countries.
56. Huge Lava Lake was spotted on Jupiter’s Moon Io by an extremely powerful telescope on Earth named Large Binocular telescope Interferometer (LBTI).
57. NASA successfully tested a 10-Engine Electric Plane named Greased Lightning-10 (GL-10) that that can take off and land like a helicopter and fly efficiently like an aircraft.
57. NASA successfully tested a 10-Engine Electric Plane named Greased Lightning-10 (GL-10) that that can take off and land like a helicopter and fly efficiently like an aircraft.
-During several test flights, remotely piloted GL-10 prototype successfully transitioned from hover to wing-borne flight.
- GL-10 is remotely piloted plane similar as Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). It is designed and developed in such a way that it can take off like a helicopter and fly like an airplane.
58. Lok Sabha has passed the Goods and Services Tax Bill, 2014 which is also known as Constitution (122nd Amendment) Bill.
58. Lok Sabha has passed the Goods and Services Tax Bill, 2014 which is also known as Constitution (122nd Amendment) Bill.
-The Bill seeks to amend the Constitution in order to introduce the goods and services tax (GST).
-Consequently, the bill also seeks to carry out new indirect tax regime in the country that will subsume various central and state levies like sales tax, excise and service tax except taxes on the supply of alcoholic liquor for human consumption and petroleum products.
59. Indian Army inducted the first regiment of the indigenously-developed surface-to-air Akash missile system.
-Each regiment of Akash missile in the Indian Army consists of six launchers with each launcher having three missiles.
- Indian Army had placed orders for two regiments worth about 19,000 crore rupees. The first regiment will be ready by July 2015 and the second one by the end of 2016.
60. Rajasthan Government has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with National Health Mission (NHM), UNICEF and Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) to tackle the severe problem malnourishment in the state.
-This MoU will help to implement the state government programme which was announced during the state budget. In this budget the state government had announced that special attention will be given to the children falling out of medical reach in state.
61. Government makes PAN mandatory for central excise registration
61. Government makes PAN mandatory for central excise registration
62. World’s largest flag was unfurled at an event in Ong Jmel in the southern desert area of Tunisia.
Tunisian national flag of the size of 19 football pitches was unfurled in a bid to set a Guinness World Record and promote patriotism in the face of Islamist extremism
-The book is written by entomologist M.S. Saini and co-authors Rifat H. Raina and Harpeet Singh Ghator.
- These 48 known species of bumblebees native to India and are the only pollinators of vegetation in high-altitude regions.
64. Syrian journalist Mazen Darwish honoured with UNESCO-Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize 2015
- The theme of 2015 year is: Let Journalism Thrive! Towards better reporting, gender equality and media safety in the digital age.
64. Syrian journalist Mazen Darwish honoured with UNESCO-Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize 2015
65. Nepal earthquake damages world’s oldest Buddhist shrine Swayambhunath Stupa
66. May 03: World Press Freedom day
- The theme of 2015 year is: Let Journalism Thrive! Towards better reporting, gender equality and media safety in the digital age.
-American boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. has won the unified World Welterweight title of World Boxing Council, World Boxing Organisation and World Boxing Association. T
-o win this title he defeated Manny Pacquiao from Philippines on a unanimous decision with Judges Scores of 118-110, 116-112 and 116-112 in 12 rounds of intense boxing.
68. Rajasthan Forest department has allotted more than twelve crore rupees for a bird conservation programme, Project Great Indian Bustard (GIB).
-For this project Japan Bank is going to provide financial support of three crore rupees.
69. Indira Gandhi International Airport adjudged world’s best airport
70. 14th edition of Indo-French naval exercise VARUNA concludeD
70. 14th edition of Indo-French naval exercise VARUNA concludeD
-Eminent scientist and Bharat Ratna awardee Chintamani Nagesa Ramachandra Rao was conferred with Japan’s highest civilian award the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star.
72. Surender Singh takes charge as DG of Central Industrial Security Force
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