1. Vice Admiral Cheema takes over as new Commanding-in-chief of Western Naval Command
.
2. Himachal Pradesh assembly launches India’s first E-Vidhan Mobile apps
3. Rare spiders sighted in Western Ghats
- Rare huntsman and jumping spider in the Western Ghats belong to the Sparassidae and Salticidae families.
4. ndhra Pradesh government, National University of Singapore (NUS) and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) have signed MoU to work on Ease of Doing Business in the state. I
-t was signed for cooperation in relation to ‘Masterplan on Ease of Doing Business in Andhra Pradesh (MEDBAP): Vision 2020’.
-The tripartite MoU will be effective from April 1, 2015 and valid for three years i.e. upto March 31, 2018
5. Veteran hockey player Balbir Singh Senior was awarded Major Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award by Hockey India.
6. Eminent freedom fighter and educationist Madan Mohan Malviya was conferred with Bharat Ratna (posthumously), highest civilian award of the country.
7.Two interceptor boats, FPV commissioned into Indian Coast Guard’s Eastern Fleet
-Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV) named Anagh and Two Interceptor Boats named C-430 and C-417 on 29 March 2015 were commissioned into Indian Coast Guard’s Eastern Fleet.
8.As per the latest census, the Great Indian one-horned Rhinoceros population in Assam’s Kaziranga National Park (KNP) – world heritage site has increased to over 2401.
9. World Number one ace shuttler Saina Nehwal on 29 March 2015 won India Open Super Series Badminton Women’s Singles 2015 Title.
-She defeated Thailand’s Ratchanok Intanon in the final match played at Siri Fort Indoor Complex in New Delhi in straight sets 21-16, 21-14.
10. Australia on 29 March 2015 won the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 for the record fifth time.
- In the final match Australia defeated co-hosts of the tournament, New Zealand by 7 wickets played at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Australia.
11. Union Government on 27 Mach 2015 gave its approval to build crore strategic project of next-generation Airborne Warning and Control Systems (AWACS)
-AWACS would be a force multiplier for India. Just imagine the range of a radar up in the air, which can detect enemy aircrafts hundreds of km away, even they are flying very low. And then directing a missile to home on to approaching aircraft accurately.It is a command post in air. This is just one of the capabilities. Theoretically, almost all weapon system can be accurately guided to their target,
12. Ninth edition of Earth Hour was observed on 28 March 2015 across the World. Earth Hour 2015 encouraged people to explore and adopt a cleaner and more sustainable lifestyle by embracing renewable energy solutions.
13. Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) on 28 March 2015 successfully launched fourth navigation satellite Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS)-1D.
15. Ace shuttler Saina Nehwal on 28 March 2015 created history by becoming first Indian woman to be ranked number one in the world in Badminton World Federation (BWF) rankings in Women’s Singles category.
27. Indian contemporary artist Bharti Kher was awarded with France’s highest cultural award Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters (Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres).
- Romania’s Simona Halep has won the Indian Wells Open Tennis Women’s Singles Title. In the final match she defeated Serbia’s Jelena Jankovic by 2-6, 7-5, 6-4 score .
-The theme for this year is ‘Water and Sustainable Development’.
42. India becomes 3rd biggest steel producer overtakes US
-PMKVY Scheme will be implemented by the Union Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship through the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC).
54. Union Ministry of Railways constituted ‘Kaya kulp’ Council, an innovation council for Indian Railways.
-The council was constituted by Union Minister of Railways Suresh Prabhu in order to fulfill the promise made in the Railway Budget Speech.
-The council also seeks to re-engineer business and introduce a spirit of innovation in Indian Railways Eminent industrialist and former chairman of Tata Sons, Ratan Tata will head the KayaKalp council.
55. Nobel Laureate Sir Venkatraman Ramakrishnan has been confirmed as President Elect of the Royal Society.
-His appointment was confirmed by the society’s council met on 19 March 2015 and will assume the charge on 1 December 2015.
Royal Society
-It is a self-governing fellowship society of the world’s most distinguished scientists drawn from all areas of science, medicine and engineering. Established: 1660. Purpose: To support excellence in science, and to encourage its use for the benefit of humanity.
56. EVMs to carry photos of candidates from May 1, 2015: EC
57. India’s indigenously developed Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air missile Astra was successfully tested on 18 March 2015 from a Sukhoi-30 fighter aircraft.
-The test was undertaken at the Integrated Test Range located at Chandipur in Odisha.
-Indigenously developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Single stage solid fuelled and has payload capacity of 15 kg conventional explosives.
- It is air-to-air missile BVR all-weather missile and 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.
58. Three nations from European Union (EU) France, Germany and Italy have agreed to join the China-backed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) after the United Kingdom (UK) decided to join the bank.
65. Union Government has merged Green India Mission (GIM) with the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) Scheme.
-The 5 sick PSU that will be closed include HMT and its three units, Hindustan Shipyard.
-Saraswati Samman (सरस्वती सम्मान) Established: 1991 by the K. K. Birla Foundation.
86. Rotavac- India’s first indigenously developed rotavirus vaccine launched by Government
-The vaccine will boost India’s efforts to combat infant mortality due to diarrhoea. This is the third such vaccine available globally against Rotavirus.
-Rotavac vaccine was developed under the joint collaboration between India and the United States in the area of medical research.
90. NASA’s Dawn space probe has completed its orbit around dwarf planet Ceres which is the largest object in the Solar System between Mars and Jupiter.
-Website’s objective is to invite innovative ideas and suggestions from general public and experts related to Indian maritime sector for improvements in the ports, shipping and inland waterways sector.
101.MC Mary Kom to retire from boxing after Rio Olympics Games 2016
102. World’s largest and tallest Indian flag unfurled in Faridabad, Haryana
106. Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL) the corporate entity of Vizag Steel Plant (VSP) on 31 March 2015 launched novel green project that can generate 120 MW power
.
2. Himachal Pradesh assembly launches India’s first E-Vidhan Mobile apps
3. Rare spiders sighted in Western Ghats
- Rare huntsman and jumping spider in the Western Ghats belong to the Sparassidae and Salticidae families.
4. ndhra Pradesh government, National University of Singapore (NUS) and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) have signed MoU to work on Ease of Doing Business in the state. I
-t was signed for cooperation in relation to ‘Masterplan on Ease of Doing Business in Andhra Pradesh (MEDBAP): Vision 2020’.
-The tripartite MoU will be effective from April 1, 2015 and valid for three years i.e. upto March 31, 2018
5. Veteran hockey player Balbir Singh Senior was awarded Major Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award by Hockey India.
6. Eminent freedom fighter and educationist Madan Mohan Malviya was conferred with Bharat Ratna (posthumously), highest civilian award of the country.
7.Two interceptor boats, FPV commissioned into Indian Coast Guard’s Eastern Fleet
-Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV) named Anagh and Two Interceptor Boats named C-430 and C-417 on 29 March 2015 were commissioned into Indian Coast Guard’s Eastern Fleet.
8.As per the latest census, the Great Indian one-horned Rhinoceros population in Assam’s Kaziranga National Park (KNP) – world heritage site has increased to over 2401.
9. World Number one ace shuttler Saina Nehwal on 29 March 2015 won India Open Super Series Badminton Women’s Singles 2015 Title.
-She defeated Thailand’s Ratchanok Intanon in the final match played at Siri Fort Indoor Complex in New Delhi in straight sets 21-16, 21-14.
10. Australia on 29 March 2015 won the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 for the record fifth time.
- In the final match Australia defeated co-hosts of the tournament, New Zealand by 7 wickets played at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Australia.
11. Union Government on 27 Mach 2015 gave its approval to build crore strategic project of next-generation Airborne Warning and Control Systems (AWACS)
-AWACS would be a force multiplier for India. Just imagine the range of a radar up in the air, which can detect enemy aircrafts hundreds of km away, even they are flying very low. And then directing a missile to home on to approaching aircraft accurately.It is a command post in air. This is just one of the capabilities. Theoretically, almost all weapon system can be accurately guided to their target,
12. Ninth edition of Earth Hour was observed on 28 March 2015 across the World. Earth Hour 2015 encouraged people to explore and adopt a cleaner and more sustainable lifestyle by embracing renewable energy solutions.
- It was launched by Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) C-27 into the orbit from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh.
-The satellite is similar to, and follows the IRNSS 1A, 1B and 1C which were launched in April 2013, July 2014 and October 2014respectively.
-IRNSS-1D will be launched into a sub Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (sub GTO).
- It weighs 1,425 kg and carries a navigation payload and CDMA ranging payload in addition with a laser retro-reflector
14. An Indian-American scientist and biology professor Murty Kambhampati is chosen for prestigious US Presidential award.
16. Rajasthan becomes first state to pass bill on eligibility for Panchayat polls
17. ISRO named for Gandhi Peace Prize 2014
18. President Pranab Mukherjee on 27 March 2015 conferred country’s highest civilian award Bharat Ratna on former Prime Minister (PM) Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
19. First goods train from Lumding to Silchar in the northeastern state of Assam was flagged off by the Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu through video conferencing at a function in New Delhi.
20. Delhi Government launches India’s first E-ration card service
21. NASA’s Curiosity rover for first time has found evidence of nitrogen in the form of nitrate in aeolian deposits and in two mudstone deposits on Mars.
-It was detected by using the Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) instrument suite mounted on Curiosity rover by the team of Scientists.
22. Akhil Sharma’s novel Family Life wins The Folio Prize 2015
Folio Prize Established- 2014 Sponsored by the London-based The Folio Society. Awarded to an author from any country for his English-language book of fiction published in the UK. First recipient of the prize was American writer George Saunders for his short stories collection Tenth of December.
18. President Pranab Mukherjee on 27 March 2015 conferred country’s highest civilian award Bharat Ratna on former Prime Minister (PM) Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
19. First goods train from Lumding to Silchar in the northeastern state of Assam was flagged off by the Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu through video conferencing at a function in New Delhi.
20. Delhi Government launches India’s first E-ration card service
21. NASA’s Curiosity rover for first time has found evidence of nitrogen in the form of nitrate in aeolian deposits and in two mudstone deposits on Mars.
-It was detected by using the Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) instrument suite mounted on Curiosity rover by the team of Scientists.
22. Akhil Sharma’s novel Family Life wins The Folio Prize 2015
Folio Prize Established- 2014 Sponsored by the London-based The Folio Society. Awarded to an author from any country for his English-language book of fiction published in the UK. First recipient of the prize was American writer George Saunders for his short stories collection Tenth of December.
23. Union Ministry of Railways has constituted a Committee to review the existing Public Private Partnership (PPP) Cell in the Railway Board with former IAS officer Ajay Shankar as its head.
The Committee will recommend measures needed to make the PPP Cell more customer friendly, effective and result oriented.
24. India’s first Polar Remotely Operated Vehicle (PROVe) was successfully operationalised for research in North Antarctica by National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT).
24. India’s first Polar Remotely Operated Vehicle (PROVe) was successfully operationalised for research in North Antarctica by National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT).
-PROVe was operationalised, after it had undergone series of trials in Antarctica in the past two months since its deployment by the NIOT researchers.
- It has been deployed in Priyadarshini Lake located on the Schirmacher Oasis which is a major source of water for Maitri, India’s second base in the Antarctica.
- Indigenously built by NIOT under the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences.
25. Two-year-old girl Cherukuli D0lly Shivani from Vijaywada, Andhra Pradesh has created new record in Archery and has entered her name into the India Book of Records. She became the youngest Indian to score 200 points over five and seven-metre distances
26. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 25 March 2015 launched Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation (PRAGATI) platform
- Indigenously built by NIOT under the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences.
25. Two-year-old girl Cherukuli D0lly Shivani from Vijaywada, Andhra Pradesh has created new record in Archery and has entered her name into the India Book of Records. She became the youngest Indian to score 200 points over five and seven-metre distances
26. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 25 March 2015 launched Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation (PRAGATI) platform
- PRAGATI is a multi-purpose and multi-modal platform aimed at addressing grievances of common man. It also aims at simultaneously monitoring and reviewing important Union government programmes and projects as well as projects flagged by State Governments.
-It is an innovative project in e-governance and good governance and accountability with real-time presence and information exchange among the key stakeholders.
-Designed in-house by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) team with the help of National Informatics Center (NIC).
27. Indian contemporary artist Bharti Kher was awarded with France’s highest cultural award Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters (Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres).
-She was bestowed the prestigious honour for her contribution to contemporary art landscape by French ambassador to India Francois Richier in New Delhi.
Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters.
It is French governments highest cultural award and in French also known as Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres. The award is bestowed on persons who have distinguished themselves by their creativity in the field of art, culture and literature or for their contribution to the influence of arts in France and throughout the world.
It is French governments highest cultural award and in French also known as Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres. The award is bestowed on persons who have distinguished themselves by their creativity in the field of art, culture and literature or for their contribution to the influence of arts in France and throughout the world.
28. Bangladesh wins Women in Parliaments Award
29.The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) signed a US $400 million currency swap agreement with the Central Bank The currency swap agreement will allow central banks of both nations to make withdrawals of US Dollar or Euro in multiple tranches up to a maximum of USD 400 million or its equivalent.
29.The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) signed a US $400 million currency swap agreement with the Central Bank The currency swap agreement will allow central banks of both nations to make withdrawals of US Dollar or Euro in multiple tranches up to a maximum of USD 400 million or its equivalent.
-The agreement will be valid for a period of three years and further economic co-operation between the two countries. It will also bring in more financial stability in the region.
30. Noted Hindi poet Gopaldas Neeraj on 24 March 2015 was awarded with first National Kavi Pradeep Samman
31. Union Government launched a new digital platform ‘Twitter Samvad’ in association with social networking giant Twitter.
-The digital platform was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on 24 March 2015 during his meeting with Twitter Chief Executive Dick Costolo.
-As of now, 16 government offices are participating in Twitter Samvad. It includes Prime Minister’s Office, Ministry of Railways, Bengaluru Police and the Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Gujarat.
32. Three Immediate Support Vessels Commissioned in Indian Navy
33. Renowned Indian Ecologist Madhav Gadgil has won the prestigious Tyler Prize 2015 for Environmental Achievement. He will share this prize with noted American marine ecologist and environmental scientist Jane Lubchenco.
-As of now, 16 government offices are participating in Twitter Samvad. It includes Prime Minister’s Office, Ministry of Railways, Bengaluru Police and the Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Gujarat.
32. Three Immediate Support Vessels Commissioned in Indian Navy
-These ISVs were built under the joint collaboration project between Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), Indian Navy and the ship builders. They were designed and built by Abu Dhabi Ship Builders (ADSB) and Spain’s Rodman 78
- Both of them were chosen for this year’s prize for their pioneering work, leadership and engagement in the development of conservation and sustainability policies in the United States, India and internationally.
- It recognizes and honours persons for their exceptional dedication for environmental science, environmental health, and energy.
34. Indian Railways has launched RuPay pre-paid debit card service for the railway passengers.
-The service was launched by Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) in collaboration with the Union Bank of India (UBI) and the National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI).
35. The Supreme Court (SC) on 24 March 2015 struck down the Section 66A of the Information and Technology Act 2000 calling it unconstitutional and untenable.
-SC in its ruling held that Section 66A interferes with freedom of speech and expression envisaged under Article 19 of Constitution of India and also hit the root of two cardinal pillars of democracy liberty and freedom of expression.
-Section 66A of IT Act 2000 It gives power to government authorities to issue directions to block public access of any information through any computer resource.
-It also allows authorities to arrest a person for posting allegedly offensive content on websites and imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years and with fine.
36. 23 March observed as World Meteorological Day
-Theme for this year is Climate Knowledge for Climate Action.
37. Veteran actor Shashi Kapoor named for Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2014 (ASKED IN AFCAT 2015)
Dadasaheb Phalke Award India’s highest award in cinema. Established in 1969 to commemorate the birth centenary year of father of Indian cinema Dadasaheb Phalke.
-Theme for this year is Climate Knowledge for Climate Action.
37. Veteran actor Shashi Kapoor named for Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2014 (ASKED IN AFCAT 2015)
Dadasaheb Phalke Award India’s highest award in cinema. Established in 1969 to commemorate the birth centenary year of father of Indian cinema Dadasaheb Phalke.
38. First Prime Minister (PM) of Singapore Lee Kuan Yew passed away on 23 March 2015. He was 91. Mr. Lee is described as the ‘founding father’ and ‘architect’ of modern Singapore.
He is also considered as pioneer for transforming the island country from a small port city into a wealthy global hub after its independence from United Kingdom and separation from Malaysia.
39. Winners of 2015 Indian Wells Open Tennis Titles (BNP Paribas Open)
- Serbia’s Novak Djokovic has won the Indian Wells Open Tennis Men’s Singles Title. In the final match he defeated Switzerland’s Roger Federer by 6-3 6-7 (5-7) 6-2 score .
-Sania Mirza (India) and Martina Hingis (Switzerland) pair have won Indian Wells Open Tennis Women’s Doubles Title. In the final match they defeated Russian pair Ekaterina Makarova and Elena Vesnina by 6-3, 6-4 score.
-Vasek Pospisil (Canada) and Jack Sock (US) pair have won the won Indian Wells Open Tennis Men’s Doubles Title. In the final match they defeated Italian pair Simone Bolelli and Fabio Fognini 6–4, 6–7 (3), 10–7 score.
-Vasek Pospisil (Canada) and Jack Sock (US) pair have won the won Indian Wells Open Tennis Men’s Doubles Title. In the final match they defeated Italian pair Simone Bolelli and Fabio Fognini 6–4, 6–7 (3), 10–7 score.
40. Kirti Chakra- It is the second highest peace time gallantry award i.e. awarded for valour, courageous action or self-sacrifice away from the field of battle. Shaurya Chakra- It is the third highest peacetime gallantry award i.e. awarded for valour, courageous action or self-sacrifice while not engaged in direct action with the enemy.
41. World Water Day observed on March 22
42. India becomes 3rd biggest steel producer overtakes US
-China tops in steel production and accounts for nearly half of the global steel production. During this period China has produced 65 MT steel. Japan is the second-largest steel producer and has reported a total production of 17.4 MT.
43. Union Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change (MoEFCC) has given coastal regulatory zone (CRZ) nod to the 6,000-MW Mithivirdi Nuclear Power Plant of Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) in Bhavnagar district of Gujarat.
43. Union Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change (MoEFCC) has given coastal regulatory zone (CRZ) nod to the 6,000-MW Mithivirdi Nuclear Power Plant of Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) in Bhavnagar district of Gujarat.
44. Rajendra Singh wins prestigious 2015 Stockholm Water Prize.
- He was awarded with Ramon Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership in 2001.
45. Martin Guptill hits highest score of 237 in Cricket World Cup.
46. Union Cabinet approves Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana
-PMKVY Scheme will be implemented by the Union Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship through the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC).
-It will provide skills training to youth, including class 10 and 12 drop outs and aims to cover about 24 lakh people.
-The target for skilling under the scheme will be associated with Union Government’s flagship programmes such as Make in India, Digital India, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and National Solar Mission.
-The skill training will involve soft skills, good work ethics, personal grooming, behavioural change for cleanliness etc.
47. Union Cabinet approves 33% reservation for women in police forces of UTs, Delhi
Applicable in each category of SC, ST, OBC and others in direct recruitment in non-gazetted posts from constables to sub-inspector
47. Union Cabinet approves 33% reservation for women in police forces of UTs, Delhi
Applicable in each category of SC, ST, OBC and others in direct recruitment in non-gazetted posts from constables to sub-inspector
48.Parliament passed Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Bill, 2015. It was first passed in Lok Sabha on 4 March 2015 and later in Rajya Sabha on 20 March 2015
49. Parliament passes Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2015
-Addition of new schedule- The bill adds a new 4th schedule in the parent Act to include mining of bauxite, iron ore, limestone and manganese ore as notified minerals.
-Lease period- Bill has changed it for 50 years, as against present 30 years for all minerals other than coal, lignite and atomic minerals. While, there is no provision for renewal of mining concessions, unlike the parent Act.
50. Mahendra Singh Dhoni becomes first Indian Captain to register 100 ODI wins
51. Former Lok Sabha Meira Kumar’s book entitled “Indian Parliamentary Diplomacy – Speaker’s Perspective” was released on 19 March 2015
52. Sohail Aman appointed as new Pakistan Air Force chief
53. Union Government on 19 March 2015 launched Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) AcE Fund to accelerate growth of entrepreneurs in Biotechnology
54. Union Ministry of Railways constituted ‘Kaya kulp’ Council, an innovation council for Indian Railways.
-The council was constituted by Union Minister of Railways Suresh Prabhu in order to fulfill the promise made in the Railway Budget Speech.
-The council also seeks to re-engineer business and introduce a spirit of innovation in Indian Railways Eminent industrialist and former chairman of Tata Sons, Ratan Tata will head the KayaKalp council.
55. Nobel Laureate Sir Venkatraman Ramakrishnan has been confirmed as President Elect of the Royal Society.
-His appointment was confirmed by the society’s council met on 19 March 2015 and will assume the charge on 1 December 2015.
Royal Society
-It is a self-governing fellowship society of the world’s most distinguished scientists drawn from all areas of science, medicine and engineering. Established: 1660. Purpose: To support excellence in science, and to encourage its use for the benefit of humanity.
56. EVMs to carry photos of candidates from May 1, 2015: EC
57. India’s indigenously developed Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air missile Astra was successfully tested on 18 March 2015 from a Sukhoi-30 fighter aircraft.
-The test was undertaken at the Integrated Test Range located at Chandipur in Odisha.
-Indigenously developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Single stage solid fuelled and has payload capacity of 15 kg conventional explosives.
- It is air-to-air missile BVR all-weather missile and 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.
58. Three nations from European Union (EU) France, Germany and Italy have agreed to join the China-backed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) after the United Kingdom (UK) decided to join the bank.
If these western nations join the bank, the total number of the bank’s member states including India will go up to 30.
-It should be noted that UK was the first Western country to join the bank and also first nation to disregard the reservations expressed by the United States (US) which had raised concerns over banks transparency.
59. Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)
-AIIB is an international financial institution proposed by China which seeks to provide support to infrastructure projects in Asia.
-It is expected to be operational by the end 2015 and its headquarters will be located at Beijing.
-The bank is also considered as China’s move to balance the power with the WB, IMF and ADB which are being controlled/dominated by the US, EU and Japan respectively.
-The authorised capital of AIIB is US $100 bn and the initial subscribed capital is expected to be around US $50 bn. The paid-in ratio will be 20%.
- India along with other 20 member nations were founding member of AIIB and had signed agreement in this regard in October 2014
60. Ashu Suyash has been appointed as Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Credit Rating Information Services of India Limited (CRISIL).
61. Indian researcher Minoti Apate named as woman of the year 2015 in New South Wales
61. Indian researcher Minoti Apate named as woman of the year 2015 in New South Wales
62. India’s ace shuttler Kidambi Srikanth on 15 March 2015 won badminton’s prestigious $120,000 Swiss Open Grand Prix Gold title in Men’s singles category.
63. Researchers have found Endophytic alga belonging to Ulvella leptochaete species thriving in the Indian Ocean.
63. Researchers have found Endophytic alga belonging to Ulvella leptochaete species thriving in the Indian Ocean.
-This species of alga is originally inhabitant to the seas around the British Isles and the East China Sea.
- It belongs to a type known as endophytic which means that they are microscopic in size and generally found living inside macroscopic seaweeds.
64. NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope has spotted massive saltwater ocean under the icy crust of Jupiter’s largest moon Ganymede.
-Ganymede Ganymede is the largest moon in our solar system. It is also the only moon with its own magnetic field.
64. NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope has spotted massive saltwater ocean under the icy crust of Jupiter’s largest moon Ganymede.
-Ganymede Ganymede is the largest moon in our solar system. It is also the only moon with its own magnetic field.
-By merging GIM with MGNREGA Scheme government seeks to increase 10 million hectares of forest cover.
66.Pioneer of Israeli cinema Lia van Leer passes away
67. Powerful cyclone Pam on 14 March 2015 slammed the south Pacific archipelago of Vanuatu. The cyclone Pam is category five tropical storm and has brought destructive 270 kilometre-per-hour winds
78. Union Government has announced that 5 sick public sector undertakings (PSUs) will be closed
67. Powerful cyclone Pam on 14 March 2015 slammed the south Pacific archipelago of Vanuatu. The cyclone Pam is category five tropical storm and has brought destructive 270 kilometre-per-hour winds
68. A historic bronze statue of Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi was unveiled at the Parliament Square in London.
-It was unveiled jointly by British Prime Minister David Cameron and Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.
- M K Gandhi is the first Indian and the only person who had never held a public office to be honoured with a statue at the Parliament Square.
69. Union Government appoints MC Mary Kom as Brand Ambassador for the North East
70. Pakistan successfully tested its first indigenously built all-weather armed drone named Burraq and a laser guided missile named Barq.
-By successfully testing of Burraq, Pakistan became the 9th country in the World to develop an unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) domestically.
71. Top 10 Universities in World Reputation Rankings 2015 are
Harvard University (US).
-University of Cambridge (UK).
-University of Oxford (UK).
-Massachusetts Institute of Technology (US).
-Stanford University (US).
-University of California, Berkeley (US).
-Princeton University (US).
-Yale University (US).
-California Institute of Technology (US).
-Columbia University (US).
72. 3rd Indian Panorama Film Festival celeberated in Shillong.
73. Parliament passes Insurance Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2015
- The amendment bill hikes Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) cap in the insurance sector to 49 percent from present 26 percent.
-It also adds provision for the establishment of Life Insurance Council and the General Insurance Council. These councils will act as self-regulating bodies for the insurance sector.
74. Union Government launches Pharma Jan Samadhan scheme for redressal of grievances on drugs pricing
-Pharma Jan Samadhan scheme The scheme is a web-enabled system created by National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA).
-It seeks to serve as a robust E-governance tool for protection of interests of consumers through effective implementation of the price of drugs.
-The scheme will provide consumers with an online facility to redress their complaints related to over-pricing of medicines, non-availability of medicines and refusal of supply for sale of any medicine without good and sufficient reason.
75. India’s literacy rate rose to 72.98 % in 2011 compared to 64.84 per cent in 2001 : Union Government
-It was unveiled jointly by British Prime Minister David Cameron and Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.
- M K Gandhi is the first Indian and the only person who had never held a public office to be honoured with a statue at the Parliament Square.
69. Union Government appoints MC Mary Kom as Brand Ambassador for the North East
70. Pakistan successfully tested its first indigenously built all-weather armed drone named Burraq and a laser guided missile named Barq.
-By successfully testing of Burraq, Pakistan became the 9th country in the World to develop an unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) domestically.
71. Top 10 Universities in World Reputation Rankings 2015 are
Harvard University (US).
-University of Cambridge (UK).
-University of Oxford (UK).
-Massachusetts Institute of Technology (US).
-Stanford University (US).
-University of California, Berkeley (US).
-Princeton University (US).
-Yale University (US).
-California Institute of Technology (US).
-Columbia University (US).
72. 3rd Indian Panorama Film Festival celeberated in Shillong.
73. Parliament passes Insurance Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2015
- The amendment bill hikes Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) cap in the insurance sector to 49 percent from present 26 percent.
-It also adds provision for the establishment of Life Insurance Council and the General Insurance Council. These councils will act as self-regulating bodies for the insurance sector.
74. Union Government launches Pharma Jan Samadhan scheme for redressal of grievances on drugs pricing
-Pharma Jan Samadhan scheme The scheme is a web-enabled system created by National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA).
-It seeks to serve as a robust E-governance tool for protection of interests of consumers through effective implementation of the price of drugs.
-The scheme will provide consumers with an online facility to redress their complaints related to over-pricing of medicines, non-availability of medicines and refusal of supply for sale of any medicine without good and sufficient reason.
76. Kumar Sangakkara creates record by scoring four consecutive ODI centuries
77. Attorney General is a public authority and comes under RTI: Delhi High Court
77. Attorney General is a public authority and comes under RTI: Delhi High Court
78. Union Government has announced that 5 sick public sector undertakings (PSUs) will be closed
-The 5 sick PSU that will be closed include HMT and its three units, Hindustan Shipyard.
-Government also announced that while closing these PSUs, their employees will be provided with very good VRS package.
79. Lok Sabha passes Amendment Land bill along with 9 new amendments.
79. Lok Sabha passes Amendment Land bill along with 9 new amendments.
Key provisions of Amendment Bill The Bill creates five special categories of land use.
They are
1. Rural infrastructure,
2. Affordable housing,
3. Defence,
4. Industrial corridors,
5. Infrastructure projects including Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects where the Union government owns the land.
Removes the Consent Clause (CC) of 80 per cent of land owners for private projects and that of 70 per cent of land owners for PPP projects in case of acquiring land for above five categories from parent Act. Removes of Social Impact Assessment (SIA) clause for 5 categories from parent Act which is done to identify those affected and from the restrictions on the acquisition of irrigated multi-cropped land.
The provisions for compensation, rehabilitation, and resettlement under 13 central Acts are in consonance with the LARR Act.
9 new incorporated amendments are
Social infrastructure removed from an exempted category.
Land cannot be acquired industrial corridor above 1 km on both sides railway line or Highways.
Government must ensure that land acquired is bare minimum required for the project before issuing acquiring notification.
Survey must be conducted by appropriate government incase of wasteland including arid land and maintain a record.
Land acquired for private hospitals, educational institutions will be not considered for public purpose.
At least 1 member of affected family of a farm labourer will be compulsory employed.
Hearings will be carried out by Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation Authority in district where acquisition takes place.
Court can take cognizance of offence under CrPC
80. World’s first solar powered aircraft on global journey- Solar Impulse 2 successfully landed in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
Solar Impulse 2 aircraft It is a Swiss long-range solar-powered aircraft project and claimed to be first aircraft to fly day and night without consuming conventional fuel.
Solar Impulse 2 aircraft It is a Swiss long-range solar-powered aircraft project and claimed to be first aircraft to fly day and night without consuming conventional fuel.
- Solely propelled by the solar energy and emits zero Carbon Dioxide (CO2). Structure: Single-seater aircraft made of carbon fibre. It has a 72 metre wingspan and weighs 2,300 kilo grams.
- Solar cells: 17,248 solar cells inbuilt into its wings.
-These cells supply renewable energy to propel the electric motors of aircraft. These solar cells also recharge 4 lithium polymer batteries mounted on aircraft which allows it fly at night.
- Solar impulse started its 35000 km long journey from Abu Dhabi (UAE).
-Its first halt was in Muscat (Oman). Flight route and Stops- It will stop in Ahmedabad and Varanasi in India, Mandalay (Myanmar), Chongqing & Nanjing (China). Then it will cross Pacific Ocean via Hawaii and fly across the US and take 3 stops at Phoenix, the Midwest and New York City.
-Then it will cross Atlantic Ocean and stop in Southern Europe or North Africa and end its journey at Abu Dhabi.
81. North-East India’s first Kisan Call Centre opens in Agartala, Tripura
82. On 10 March 2015, 46th Raising Day of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) was observed
83. Mr. Veerappa Moily selected for Saraswati Samman 2014
-Saraswati Samman (सरस्वती सम्मान) Established: 1991 by the K. K. Birla Foundation.
- Award carries: cash price of Rs 10 lakh, a citation and a plaque. It is annual award, awarded to persons for their outstanding prose or poetry literary works in any Indian language listed in Schedule VIII of the Constitution of India.
-Eminent Hindi author Harivansh Rai Bachchan was the first recipient of this award for his autobiography in four volumes
84. Pakistan successfully test-fires nuclear capable Shaheen-III ballistic missile
Shaheen-III is going to replace Pakistan’s less advanced liquid-fueled mid-range nuclear capable Ghauri-III ballistic missile.
84. Pakistan successfully test-fires nuclear capable Shaheen-III ballistic missile
Shaheen-III is going to replace Pakistan’s less advanced liquid-fueled mid-range nuclear capable Ghauri-III ballistic missile.
85. Kerala Tourism won silver prize in the prestigious Golden Gate Award at the Internationale Tourismus-Börse Berlin (ITB-Berlin) – 2015
-The vaccine will boost India’s efforts to combat infant mortality due to diarrhoea. This is the third such vaccine available globally against Rotavirus.
-Rotavac vaccine was developed under the joint collaboration between India and the United States in the area of medical research.
- It was developed under the public-private partnership (PPP) model that involved Union Ministry of Science and Technology, institutions of the US Government and NGOs in India supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
87. Union Government released ‘Digital Gender Atlas for Advancing Girls Education’ a web-based tool for advancing girls education.- The web based tool has been developed with the support of United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to identify low performing geographical pockets for girls on specific gender related education indicators.
88. Haryana Government launches Aapki Beti Humari Beti scheme
89. Carolina Marin Martin of Spain has won the prestigious Women’s Singles Title in the All England Open Badminton Championships 2015.
88. Haryana Government launches Aapki Beti Humari Beti scheme
89. Carolina Marin Martin of Spain has won the prestigious Women’s Singles Title in the All England Open Badminton Championships 2015.
- In the final match she defeated India’s Saina Nehwal by score of 14-21, 21-16, 21-7. With this victory, Carolina Marin became the first Spanish player to win this prestigious title.
- With the completion of orbit, Dawn probe has become first spacecraft to visit dwarf planet.
91. Prime Minister inaugurates two 600 MW Thermal Power Units in Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh
96. Anil Ambani-led Reliance Infrastructure has acquired Pipavav Defence and Offshore Engineering in an all-cash deal.
91. Prime Minister inaugurates two 600 MW Thermal Power Units in Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh
92. International Women Day- 8th March.
93. The European Union (EU) has formally adopted climate change targets for December 2015 UNFCCC Paris Conference. Adopted climate change target includes a 40 per cent cut in emissions by 2030.
-These targets were agreed by leaders of the 28 EU member-states at a summit in October 2014 but now have been officially forwarded to the United Nations.
-EU announcement comes prior to the deadline of March 31, 2015 as it is binding on countries to announce their commitment to cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
- EU countries when taken together form the world’s biggest economy and accounts for nine per cent of global emissions of greenhouse gases. EU has agreed to cut the greenhouse gas emissions by at least 40 per cent compared to 1990 levels.
94. National Payments Corporation (NPCI) successfully linked 15 crore Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) accounts with the Aadhaar numbers.
95. Kathmandu-Varanasi-Kathmandu bus service flagged off
96. Anil Ambani-led Reliance Infrastructure has acquired Pipavav Defence and Offshore Engineering in an all-cash deal.
- The acquisition will be done by Reliance Infrastructure, along with its wholly owned subsidiary Reliance Defence Systems Pvt Ltd. As part of deal
97. Union Government launches website Shipping Samvad
-Website’s objective is to invite innovative ideas and suggestions from general public and experts related to Indian maritime sector for improvements in the ports, shipping and inland waterways sector.
-The ideas and suggestions submitted by public and experts will be further examined for implementation by Ministry of Shipping.
98. Three South Asian women selected for International Women of Courage Award 2015
1) Captain Niloofar Rahmani from Afghanistan Air Force.
1) Captain Niloofar Rahmani from Afghanistan Air Force.
2)Nadia Sharmeen– Journalist and women’s rights activist from Bangladesh.
3)Tabassum Adnan– founder of Khwendo Jirga from Pakistan.
99. Parliament passes Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2015
key provisions.
-The Bill mergers of Person of Indian Origin (PIO) and Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) schemes.
key provisions.
-The Bill mergers of Person of Indian Origin (PIO) and Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) schemes.
-It also adds that the Union government may notify that Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) cardholders shall be considered to be Overseas Citizen of India card holder.
- It also provides 30-day break to person who applies for Indian citizenship if they have to leave India for some time.
-It gives power to Union government to cancel the OCI card obtained by the spouse of an Indian citizen if the marriage is dissolved by a court or the spouse enters into another marriage even while the first marriage has not been dissolved.
100. Government appoints Baldev Sharma as chairman of National Book Trust
-NBT is an Indian publishing house. It is as an autonomous body established in 1957 under Union Ministry of HRD (then Union Ministry of Education).
101.MC Mary Kom to retire from boxing after Rio Olympics Games 2016
102. World’s largest and tallest Indian flag unfurled in Faridabad, Haryana
103. Election Commission of India (ECI) has launched National Electoral Roll Purification and Authentication Programme (NERPAP). Objective: To bring out a totally error-free and authenticated electoral roll throughout the country.
104. World’s first electric satellites successfully lifted off by SpaceX rocket
-World’s first electric satellites were successfully lifted off by a Space Exploration (SpaceX) Technologies rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, United States. T
-he rocket was carrying two all-electric commercial satellites built by Boeing. The satellites are owned by the French satellite provider Eutelsat and Asia Broadcast Satellite (ABS).
105. Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) on 28 February 2015 gave approval for afresh Mine Counter Measure Vessel (MCMV) project worth over Rs 32,000 crore.
-MCMV project will built specialized vessels for the Indian Navy as per Make in India policy at Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) in collaboration with a foreign manufacturer.
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