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. 

- 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 

-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 

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 

-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.

- It should be noted that Yamuna Expressway is the longest Greenfield expressway in the country.

 21. India economic growth to surpass China’s in 2015-16: UN report 

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. 

-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

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.

- 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 

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 

 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. 

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.

 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 

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.

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. 

-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. 

-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. 

-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    

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

63. Recently released book Indian Bumblebees has revealed that India is home to 48 of the 250 known species of bumblebees. 

-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

 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.

67. Floyd Mayweather Jr defeats Manny Pacquiao to win World Welterweight title of Boxing.

-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 

71.CNR Rao conferred with Japan’s highest civilian award 

 -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