(Sequence- From 28 Feb to 1 Feb)
1. Highlights of Union Budget 2015-16
Taxation
-No change in the Tax slab on personal income.
-Wealth tax abolished.
- Additional 2% surcharge for the super-rich with income more than Rs. 1 crore.
-For next 4 years, corporate tax has been reduced to 25 percent from present 30 percent.
-Service tax increased to14 per cent.
- Apart from CSR, 100% tax exemption for contribution to Swachch Bharat Abhiyan.
New projects
-5 more AIIMSs in Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh, Bihar and Assam.
- IIT in Karnataka. While, the Indian School of Mines in Dhanbad, Jharkhand will be converted into IIT.
-2 more IIMs in Jammu and Kashmir and Andhra Pradesh.
- Post-Graduation institutes of Horticulture in Amritsar, Punjab.
-University of Disability Studies will be established in Kerala.
-In Arunachal Pradesh, Centre of film production, animation and gaming will come up.
-For Infrastructure sector Rs. 70,000 crores allocated. Projects in rail road and irrigation bonds will be tax free. Infrastructure development through PPP model will be revitalised and government will bear majority of the risk.
-Atal Innovation Mission will be established to draw on expertise of researchers and entrepreneurs to foster scientific innovations. For this mission Rs. 150 crore allocated.
--5 ultra-mega power projects each of 4000MW proposed by Government
Defence
-2,46,726 crore allocated for Defence.
-It is 9.87 per cent greater than last year. Make in India campaign will take into consideration for speedy manufacturing of Defence equipment.
Welfare Schemes and new programmes
-Under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, six crore toilets across the country will be built.
-By 2020, housing for all. MGNREGA will get MGNREGA of Rs. 5,000 crore. It is highest allocation to this scheme.
-To improve quality of life of common man, GST and JAM trinity (Jan Dhan Yojana, Aadhaar and Mobile) will be launched.
- To encourage first generation SC/ST entrepreneurs, MUDRA bank will provide finance. Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) will be further be expanded to 10.3 crore from 1 crore.
-Government will contribute 50% of the premium limited to Rs. 1,000 a year for the Atal Pension Yojana. 9,000 crore unclaimed funds in PPF/EPF will be used for Senior Citizens Fund.
-For all Indian, government will create universal social security system.
-For electric cars production Rs. 75 crore allocated. Renewable energy target for 2022: 60K MW in wind; 10K MW in biomass, 100K MW in solar and 5K MW in small hydro plants.
- Under the new tourism scheme, development of churches and convents in old Goa; Hampi, Elephanta caves, , Jallianwala Bagh, Forests of Rajasthan, Leh palace, Varanasi Qutb Shahi tombs at Hyderabad.
-Visa on Arrival (VoA) facility to be increased for 150 countries from present 43 countries.
- As an alternative to purchasing gold, Sovereign Gold Bond will be launched. In order to facilitate depositors of gold to earn interest and jewellers to obtain loans on their metal accounts new scheme will be launched.
-Forward Markets Commission (FMC) will be merged with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). Under SARFAESI Act 2002, NBFCs registered with the RBI having asset size of Rs 500 crore and above to be considered as financial institution for mid-corporate businesses and fund SME.
-For Rural Infrastructure Development Bank, Rs. 25,000 crore allocated. To support Micro Irrigation Programme, Rs. 5,300 crore allocated.
2. First Assamese dictionary for Science and Technology terms released
3.Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has partnered with e-commerce giant Amazon.in to provide convenient online shopping experience and sell various products.
4. Haryana government has decided to increase the cash reward under the inter-caste marriage scheme from 50,000 to 1 lakh rupees.
5. ndian Navy’s Theatre Level Readiness and Operational Exercise (TROPEX) exercise concluded on 27 February 2015.
11. World’s first 3D-printed jet engine developed in Australia12.
12. Jamaica’s Parliament on 25 February 2015 has passed a law to decriminalise the possession of small amounts of marijuana up to 57 grams for personal use.
14. Union Cabinet on 25 February 2015 gave nod for creation of two additional benches of the Authority for Advance Rulings (AAR- Income Tax)
- Two additional benches of the AAR will be established in New Delhi and Mumbai.
- 14th Finance Commission was constituted in January 2014. Commissions chairman was former RBI governor Y V Reddy and its members were Sushma Nath, M. Govinda Rao, Abhijit Sen, Sudipto Mundle.
-The Bill amends the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950 and the Constitution (Dadra and Nagar Haveli) Scheduled Castes Order, 1962.
40. IGI Airport ranked best by Airport Council International
41.Croatia’s first female President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic was sworn in on 15 February 2015.
42. China opens largest embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan
43.Chhattisgarh government gets award for renewable power development
44. First Renewable Energy Global Investors Meet and Expo (Re-Invest) 2015 held in New Delhi.
52. India ranks 136 in World Press Freedom Index (WPFI) 2015
- Top 10 countries: Finland (1st), Norway (2nd), Denmark (3rd), Netherlands (4th), Sweden (5th), New Zealand (6th), Austria (7th), Canada (8th), Jamaica (9th), Estonia (10th).
53. An Indian-origin scientist Gurpreet Singh has won prestigious $500,000 National Science Foundation CAREER award.
54. Himachal Pradesh government has launched Crime and Criminal Tracking Network System (CCTNS) Project in the state. This project will enable the State Police to raise the benchmark of professional efficiency besides catching interstate criminals more quickly.
55. Indian Navy had conducted Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster relief (HADR) exercise in Lakshadweep Islands (Kavaratti, Aggatti, Kalpeni and Androth).
65. World’s first humanoid robot staffed hotel set to open in Japan
66. China has launched first cruise liner to sail via its ambitious transcontinental initiative Maritime Silk Road (MSR). The cruise liner sailed off from the Beihai port located in southwest China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region
67. Maritime Silk Road (MSR)- China
-They are awarded to artists and technical professionals for their outstanding achievements in the music industry.
70. Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi has constituted three sub-groups of Chief Ministers within National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog.
71. Union Government’s Sukanya Samridhi Yojna under Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) campaign has begun in Jaunpur district in the state of Uttar Pradesh.
90. Madhya Pradesh has been awarded the 10th national award for excellent work in Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA).
91. World Wetlands Day is being observed on 2 February
-The theme for the world wetland day 2015 is Wetlands for our future.
92. Russia, India and China have called for an early conclusion of negotiations on the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism in the RIC Forum held in Beijing.
Taxation
-No change in the Tax slab on personal income.
-Wealth tax abolished.
- Additional 2% surcharge for the super-rich with income more than Rs. 1 crore.
-For next 4 years, corporate tax has been reduced to 25 percent from present 30 percent.
-Service tax increased to14 per cent.
- Apart from CSR, 100% tax exemption for contribution to Swachch Bharat Abhiyan.
New projects
-5 more AIIMSs in Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh, Bihar and Assam.
- IIT in Karnataka. While, the Indian School of Mines in Dhanbad, Jharkhand will be converted into IIT.
-2 more IIMs in Jammu and Kashmir and Andhra Pradesh.
- Post-Graduation institutes of Horticulture in Amritsar, Punjab.
-University of Disability Studies will be established in Kerala.
-In Arunachal Pradesh, Centre of film production, animation and gaming will come up.
-For Infrastructure sector Rs. 70,000 crores allocated. Projects in rail road and irrigation bonds will be tax free. Infrastructure development through PPP model will be revitalised and government will bear majority of the risk.
-Atal Innovation Mission will be established to draw on expertise of researchers and entrepreneurs to foster scientific innovations. For this mission Rs. 150 crore allocated.
--5 ultra-mega power projects each of 4000MW proposed by Government
Defence
-2,46,726 crore allocated for Defence.
-It is 9.87 per cent greater than last year. Make in India campaign will take into consideration for speedy manufacturing of Defence equipment.
Welfare Schemes and new programmes
-Under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, six crore toilets across the country will be built.
-By 2020, housing for all. MGNREGA will get MGNREGA of Rs. 5,000 crore. It is highest allocation to this scheme.
-To improve quality of life of common man, GST and JAM trinity (Jan Dhan Yojana, Aadhaar and Mobile) will be launched.
- To encourage first generation SC/ST entrepreneurs, MUDRA bank will provide finance. Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) will be further be expanded to 10.3 crore from 1 crore.
-Government will contribute 50% of the premium limited to Rs. 1,000 a year for the Atal Pension Yojana. 9,000 crore unclaimed funds in PPF/EPF will be used for Senior Citizens Fund.
-For all Indian, government will create universal social security system.
-For electric cars production Rs. 75 crore allocated. Renewable energy target for 2022: 60K MW in wind; 10K MW in biomass, 100K MW in solar and 5K MW in small hydro plants.
- Under the new tourism scheme, development of churches and convents in old Goa; Hampi, Elephanta caves, , Jallianwala Bagh, Forests of Rajasthan, Leh palace, Varanasi Qutb Shahi tombs at Hyderabad.
-Visa on Arrival (VoA) facility to be increased for 150 countries from present 43 countries.
- As an alternative to purchasing gold, Sovereign Gold Bond will be launched. In order to facilitate depositors of gold to earn interest and jewellers to obtain loans on their metal accounts new scheme will be launched.
-Forward Markets Commission (FMC) will be merged with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). Under SARFAESI Act 2002, NBFCs registered with the RBI having asset size of Rs 500 crore and above to be considered as financial institution for mid-corporate businesses and fund SME.
-For Rural Infrastructure Development Bank, Rs. 25,000 crore allocated. To support Micro Irrigation Programme, Rs. 5,300 crore allocated.
2. First Assamese dictionary for Science and Technology terms released
3.Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has partnered with e-commerce giant Amazon.in to provide convenient online shopping experience and sell various products.
4. Haryana government has decided to increase the cash reward under the inter-caste marriage scheme from 50,000 to 1 lakh rupees.
5. ndian Navy’s Theatre Level Readiness and Operational Exercise (TROPEX) exercise concluded on 27 February 2015.
-TROPEX-2015 was a month long exercise aimed at validating the Indian Navy’s Concept of Operations and the area of operations spanned the Arabian Sea and Northern Indian Ocean.
-In TROPEX-2015, around 50 ships and submarines, along with 70 aircrafts from the three Naval Commands participated. It also saw the participation of units from the India Air Force and the Indian Coast Guard.
6. Every year February 28 is celebrated as the National Science Day i.e. Rashtriya Vigyan Diwas (राष्ट्रीय विज्ञान दिवस). In 2015, the theme of the day is “Science for Nation Building”.
7. AB De Villiers hits fastest 150 in ODI history.He scored in 64 balls.
8. Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and Gujarat Forest Department on 26 February 2015 have inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for conservation of Asiatic lion and its habitat.
9. The Supreme Court on 27 February 2015 held that a person can be accorded Scheduled Caste (SC) status even on re-conversion to Hinduism.
10. Railway budget.Railway Fares
9. The Supreme Court on 27 February 2015 held that a person can be accorded Scheduled Caste (SC) status even on re-conversion to Hinduism.
10. Railway budget.Railway Fares
-No new hike in passenger fares While, the Freight fares have been raised incase of urea by 10%, iron and steel by 0.8%, kerosene and cooking gas by 0.8%, coal by 6.3% and cement by 2.7%.
Railway Finances
-Plan Budget is gone up by 52 percent Rs. 100011 crore for financial year 2015-16 compared to Rs. 65789 crore in FY 2014-15.
-For next five year envisaged investment for railways is Rs. 8.5 lakh crore rupees.
-Funds for railways will be raised from pension, institutional and multilateral agencies. In order to improve passenger amenities, MPs requested to use part of their MPLAD funds.
-Railways to set up an infrastructure fund and holding company to raise long-term debt.
Passengers Amenities
-120 days in advance ticket booking facility for passengers instead of earlier 60 days. Railways is aiming to move towards paperless ticketing.
-Operation 5 minutes– Passengers can buy railway tickets within five minutes unde.
-SMS updates to inform passengers about any change in schedule of trains.
-Open wi-fi facility at 400 railway stations. Mobile charging units will be installed.
-For women safety CCTVs to be installed in selected trains and suburban trains.
-Food ordering facility food while booking tickets through IRCTC website.
-Water-vending machines to be set up at stations.
- 138 will be a nationwide 24×7 helpline number for railway-related queries.
-While, 182 will be a toll-free number for security-related issues.
-On-board entertainment in Shatabdi Express.
Infrastructure
-Track capacity will be increased by 10% to 1.38 lakh km.
-Speed of passenger trains on 9 corridors will increased to 160-200 km/h from 110-130 km/h.
-Wagon-making scheme will be reviewed in order ease private investment By inviting open bids, station redevelopment policy will be revamped.
-10 satellite railway terminals will be developed in major cities in 2015-15. PPP cell of Indian Railways will be revamped. Feasibility report of high-speed train between Mumbai and Ahmedabad expected by mid-2015.
-C-onnectivity to North-East India will be improved. In J&K rail connectivity will be on focus. Tourism Railways will promote Gandhi circuit in order to mark centenary year of Mahatma Gandhi’s return from South Africa. Special travel scheme Kisan Yatra for farmers for farming and marketing technique centres.
-Under Incredible India, Incredible Rail will be launched.
11. World’s first 3D-printed jet engine developed in Australia12.
-In 2014, Uruguay was the first country in the world to approve the growth, sale and distribution of marijuana.
13. Union Cabinet on 25 February 2015 gave its approval for establishing the New Development Bank (NDB) and the BRICS Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA).
13. Union Cabinet on 25 February 2015 gave its approval for establishing the New Development Bank (NDB) and the BRICS Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA).
14. Union Cabinet on 25 February 2015 gave nod for creation of two additional benches of the Authority for Advance Rulings (AAR- Income Tax)
- Two additional benches of the AAR will be established in New Delhi and Mumbai.
15. Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on 25 February 2015 has amended regulation to allow Pan-India Mobile Number Portability (MNP). In this regard, TRAI has issued 6th amendment to the Telecommunication Mobile Number Portability Regulation, 2009. It will come into effect from 3rd May 2015.
16. Union Government has announced as many as 27 Indian satellites are currently operational.
- Among the 27 operational satellites, 11 are communication satellites, 12 are earth observation satellites, 3 are navigational satellites and 1 is Mars orbiter mission.
17. Ravi Chaudhary, an Indian American has been appointed as Executive director for Regions and Center Operations at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), a key federal aviation post of United States (US).
18. United Kingdom has become the first country to legalise the creation of three-parent IVF designer babies using Mitochondrial Donation Technique
17. Ravi Chaudhary, an Indian American has been appointed as Executive director for Regions and Center Operations at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), a key federal aviation post of United States (US).
18. United Kingdom has become the first country to legalise the creation of three-parent IVF designer babies using Mitochondrial Donation Technique
19. Union government has accepted recommendations of the 14th Finance Commission (FC) as per its agenda of cooperative federalism.
-The accepted recommendations are for the five-year period 2015-16 to 2019-20.
-Government has accepted FC’s recommendation to increase the devolution of tax receipts from the Centre to the states to 42 percent. Previously, 13th FC had pegged the states’ share at 32 per cent.
20. Rajya Sabha has passed the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Orders Amendment Bill, 2015. It was unanimously passed by a voice vote.
-The Bill amends the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950 and the Constitution (Dadra and Nagar Haveli) Scheduled Castes Order, 1962.
-The Bill adds the following communities to the list of Scheduled Castes:
-Haryana: Kabirpanthi, Julaha.
-Karnataka: Bhovi, od, odde, Vaddar, Waddar.
-Odisha: Dhoba, Dhobi, Dom, Dombo, Duria Dom, Katia, Kela, Nalua Kela, Khadala and Turi.
-Dadra and Nagar Haveli: Chamar.
- Article 341- It empowers the President to specify castes which will be deemed as Scheduled Castes through a notification. It also empowers Parliament to include or exclude castes from the list of Scheduled Castes in the notification
21. Chris Gayle becomes first batsman to hit double century in World Cup history
22. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has removed the interconnection usage charges (IUC). Earlier, IUC of 20 paise was charged for calls made from landline to landline or landline to mobile.
- Article 341- It empowers the President to specify castes which will be deemed as Scheduled Castes through a notification. It also empowers Parliament to include or exclude castes from the list of Scheduled Castes in the notification
21. Chris Gayle becomes first batsman to hit double century in World Cup history
22. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has removed the interconnection usage charges (IUC). Earlier, IUC of 20 paise was charged for calls made from landline to landline or landline to mobile.
-TRAI also has reduced network IUC on calls made from mobile phones by about 30 percent to 14 paise per call from 20 paise earlier.
23. National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued whip on vintage cars and directed that no such car will be permitted on the roads of Delhi
24. Adya Sharma, cultural icon and pioneer of mobile theatre in Assam passed away.
25. Oscar Awards: 87th Academy Awards
-Best Picture- Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance).
-Best Actor- Eddie Redmayne (The Theory of Everything).
-Best Actress- Julianne Moore (Still Alice)
26. 3rd Tortoise Festival was organised on the banks of Hajong Lake in Dima Hasao district of Assam by Dima Hasao Environment and Forest Department
27. Nitish Kumar has sworn in as the Chief Minister (CM) of Bihar for the 4th time.
28. World Bank’s released report Building Resilience for Sustainable Development of the Sundarbans, environmental damage in the climate change-hit islands of Sundarbans is costing India Rs. 1,290 crore each year.
29. Purnendu Dasgupta, an Indian-American has won 2015 American Chemical Society (ACSs) Division of Analytical Chemistry J. Calvin Giddings Award.
30. Union Government has launched Consular Grievances Monitoring portal named MADAD (Help)– Because You Are Us.
- MADAD an e-portal will help Indian citizens living abroad to file consular grievances online on the services offered by the Indian Missions and Posts abroad.
- It was launched by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj at the MEA headquarters in New Delhi.
31. International Mother Language Day observed across the world on 21 February.
-2015 Theme: “Inclusion in and through education: Language counts”.
-The year 2015 is the 15th anniversary of International Mother Language Day.
32. Eminent scientist Tapan Misra has been appointed the Chief of ISRO’s Space Applications Centre (SAC), Ahmedabad Gujarat.
- He will succeed A S Kiran Kumar, who was appointed as the Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) in January 2015.
33. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched nationwide Soil Health Card (SHC) scheme in Suratgarh town of Sriganganagar district, Rajasthan. During launch PM gave slogan- Swasth Dharaa. Khet Haraa (Healthy Earth, Green Farm).
34. Union Government launched a single window government-to-business (G2B) portal- e-Biz (www.ebiz.gov.in) for 11 Central government services to bring transparency and ease of doing business in the country.
35. Former India Captain and ace spinner Anil Kumble has been chosen to be inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame. He will be 77th inductee into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame.
36. India successfully test-fired its nuclear capable Prithvi-II surface-to-surface missile from a test range at Chandipur in Odisha.
- Payload capacity: 500-1,000 kg. Range: 350 km
-Test- It was conducted by the Strategic Force Command (SFC) and monitored by the scientists of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
37. Bihar government announces 35% reservation for women in non-gazetted government jobs
38. Bharti Airtel partners with UNICEF to provide education content in Africa.
39. The first National Tribal Festival ‘Vanaj’ concluded on 18 February 2015 in New Delhi.
40. IGI Airport ranked best by Airport Council International
41.Croatia’s first female President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic was sworn in on 15 February 2015.
42. China opens largest embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan
43.Chhattisgarh government gets award for renewable power development
44. First Renewable Energy Global Investors Meet and Expo (Re-Invest) 2015 held in New Delhi.
-Aim of the meet is to evolve innovative financial models for funding and to ensure the partnership of states and the Centre in harnessing renewable energy.
- Germany is the partner country for Re-Invest 2015 and over 2500 delegates including exhibitors from 45 countries are participating in the three day event
45. Two women scientists chosen as joint recipients of Dr.Y. Nayudamma Memorial Award 2014.
-The award is being conferred on them jointly for their significant contributions in the fields of missile technology and remote sensing.
Recipients are
-Tessy Thomas- Director, Advanced Systems Laboratory of DRDO and Project Director (Mission) Agni V.
-Geeta Varadan- Director Advanced Data Processing Research Institute of ISRO.
-This is the first time in history of this award that two eminent women scientists are being awarded concurrently.
-Dr.Y. Nayudamma Memorial Award . It is conferred annually on persons who have made important contributions to the development of science and technology in the country.
46. The third National Lok Adalat was organised on 14 February 2015 throughout India involving the Supreme Court, high courts, districts courts and taluka-level courts, except in Assam and Uttar Pradesh.
-Third Lok Adalat was organised by the National Legal Service Authority (NALSA) to disburse cases related bank recovery, cheques bounce cases
47. Kerala-based business conglomerate Muthoot Group has launched the Friends for Life project in partnership with World Wide Fund (WWF) for Nature-India.
-This project aims at effective management of human-elephant conflict (HEC) to protect the habitats of Asian elephants in six states as 4 priority landscapes and 1 priority site earmarked by WWF-India.
48. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a Permanent Judicial Museum at Bombay High Court located on the ground floor of the heritage building of court
- Museum displays some historic and important documents such as the barrister certificates of Mahatma Gandhi, Dr B R Ambedkar, Mohammed Ali Jinnah, judgment copies of sedition cases against Lokmanya Tilak.
49. India successfully test-fired its 290-km range BrahMos supersonic cruise missile from the Navy’s indigenously built destroyer INS Kolkata.
49. India successfully test-fired its 290-km range BrahMos supersonic cruise missile from the Navy’s indigenously built destroyer INS Kolkata.
- BrahMos has already been inducted into the Indian Army and Navy. While, the Air Force version is in final stage of trial.
-BrahMos supersonic cruise missile designed and developed by BrahMos Aerospace, a joint venture of India and Russia. Missile’s name has been derived from the names of two rivers, India’s Brahmaputra River and Russia’s Moskva River.
50. India signed a loan grant agreement worth US $8 million with World Bank for Sustainable Livelihoods and Adaption to Climate change (SLACC) Project.
- SLACC Project aims at improving the adaptive capacity of the rural poor particularly women farmers engaged in farm-based livelihoods to cope with climate change and scale up the demonstrated best practices.
50. India signed a loan grant agreement worth US $8 million with World Bank for Sustainable Livelihoods and Adaption to Climate change (SLACC) Project.
- SLACC Project aims at improving the adaptive capacity of the rural poor particularly women farmers engaged in farm-based livelihoods to cope with climate change and scale up the demonstrated best practices.
51. Arvind Kejriwal was sworn-in as 8th Chief Minister of Delhi.
52. India ranks 136 in World Press Freedom Index (WPFI) 2015
- Top 10 countries: Finland (1st), Norway (2nd), Denmark (3rd), Netherlands (4th), Sweden (5th), New Zealand (6th), Austria (7th), Canada (8th), Jamaica (9th), Estonia (10th).
53. An Indian-origin scientist Gurpreet Singh has won prestigious $500,000 National Science Foundation CAREER award.
54. Himachal Pradesh government has launched Crime and Criminal Tracking Network System (CCTNS) Project in the state. This project will enable the State Police to raise the benchmark of professional efficiency besides catching interstate criminals more quickly.
55. Indian Navy had conducted Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster relief (HADR) exercise in Lakshadweep Islands (Kavaratti, Aggatti, Kalpeni and Androth).
-HADR was Indian Navy’s large scale exercise to test its readiness for handling a tsunami like disasters in order to provide immediate succour and relief to the affected people.
56. Apple Inc. becomes first company worth over $700 bn in global corporate history
57. Four new fish species named Puntius nelsoni, Puntius nigronotus, Systomus chryseus and Systomus rufus have been discovered in Kerala.
- All the four new species have received a Zoo bank register number from the International Commission of Zoological Nomenclature (the worldwide scientific authority for naming new animals). The new species of the genus Systomus was discovered after one-and-a-half century.
58. 35th National Games mascot Ammu- the Great Hornbill, has made into the Limca Book of Records. It made into the record books owing to a play Kalikkunna Kuttikalkkayi Bharatham Kathirikkunnu (India Awaits Children Who Play) in which Ammu is featured as lead role.
59. First National Deworming Day observed on 10 February.
- Aim: To protect more than 24 crore children in India between the age of 1 to 19 years from intestinal worms. It also aims target intestinal parasitic worms among the children to achieve status of being Worm-free.
-It is one of the largest programmes in the world undertaken to deworm children.
60. The Industrial Credit and Investment Corporation of India (ICICI) Bank, has launched India’s first digital Bank on mobile phones, Pockets.
60. The Industrial Credit and Investment Corporation of India (ICICI) Bank, has launched India’s first digital Bank on mobile phones, Pockets.
-This service will enable users to instantly send money to any e-mail id, mobile number, friends on Facebook and bank account.
61. India’s Reliance Communications Limited (RCOM) has partnered with social networking giant Facebook to offer free internet access.
- Both companies have launched Internet.org, a Facebook-led initiative to bring internet to everyone in the world
62. The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given its approval to increase the Authorised Share Capital of the National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC). As per this decision, NMDFC’s Authorised Share Capital has doubled from Rs. 1500 crore to Rs. 3000 crore.
63. Eminent Indian economist and Nobel laureate Amartya Sen has been awarded the inaugural Charleston-EFG John Maynard Keynes Prize 2015.
64. First World Ocean Science Congress (WOSC) concluded in Kochi, Kerala. The four-day-long event had started in Kochi on 5 February 2015.
- Themes of WOSC-2015: Protect Oceans for Posterity and Blue Economy
62. The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given its approval to increase the Authorised Share Capital of the National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC). As per this decision, NMDFC’s Authorised Share Capital has doubled from Rs. 1500 crore to Rs. 3000 crore.
63. Eminent Indian economist and Nobel laureate Amartya Sen has been awarded the inaugural Charleston-EFG John Maynard Keynes Prize 2015.
64. First World Ocean Science Congress (WOSC) concluded in Kochi, Kerala. The four-day-long event had started in Kochi on 5 February 2015.
- Themes of WOSC-2015: Protect Oceans for Posterity and Blue Economy
65. World’s first humanoid robot staffed hotel set to open in Japan
66. China has launched first cruise liner to sail via its ambitious transcontinental initiative Maritime Silk Road (MSR). The cruise liner sailed off from the Beihai port located in southwest China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region
67. Maritime Silk Road (MSR)- China
- The 21st century MSR project is an initiative by China to resurrect the ancient maritime Silk Road.
-It is perceived to be an attempt by China to ameliorate relations with South and Southeast Asia- in this case the focus is on maritime trade security.
-The project will prioritize construction ports and infrastructure, industrial parks in strategically significant countries in Southeast Asia, the Mideast, Africa, Europe and the Indian Ocean region, which includes Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. China has already begun building of port projects in Gwadar (Pakistan), Hambantota (Sri Lanka) and Chittagong (Bangladesh) respectively.
-China has announced a USD 40 billion Silk Road fund which became operational in February 2015 for attracting small countries in the projects.
68. Distinguished journalist Vinod Mehta has been conferred Yash Bharti Samman by Uttar Pradesh Government. Yash Bharti Samman is Uttar Pradesh’s highest civilian award.
69. Indian’s in 57th Annual Grammy Awards
-Two Indians have won Grammy Awards.
1) Ricky Kej- His collaborated album Winds of Samsara won the Best New Age Album Trophy.
2) Neela Vaswani- She won award in Children’s Album category for her album I Am Malala: How One Girl Stood Up For Education And Changed The World (Malala Yousafzai).
-Grammy Awards (originally were called Gramophone Awards) are the recording industry’s most prestigious award presented annually by National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS) of the United States.
-They are awarded to artists and technical professionals for their outstanding achievements in the music industry.
70. Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi has constituted three sub-groups of Chief Ministers within National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog.
It was announced by PM while he was chairing the first meeting of the Governing Council of NITI Aayog in New Delhi.
-First sub-group- It will study the 66 centrally-sponsored schemes and recommend which schemes should continue, which should be transferred to states, and which to discontinue.
-Second sub-group- It will focus on skill development and creation of skilled manpower within states.
-Third sub-group- It will decide on the institutional mechanisms to be evolved for Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan, so that cleanliness becomes a part of life in perpetuity.
-The first account under the scheme was opened in the name of a three-year old girl Vedika Tiwari in this district by her parents.
-Sukanya Samridhi Yojna under Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) campaign It was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 22 January 2015 in Haryana to enhance the strength and honour of the girl children across the country.
72. Union Government has notified that India’s Civil Liability Nuclear Damage (CLND) Act, 2010 or CLND rules will not be amended. In this regard, a detailed paper titled ‘Frequently Asked Questions and Answers on Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act 2010 and related issues‘ was released by Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
72. Union Government has notified that India’s Civil Liability Nuclear Damage (CLND) Act, 2010 or CLND rules will not be amended. In this regard, a detailed paper titled ‘Frequently Asked Questions and Answers on Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act 2010 and related issues‘ was released by Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
73. Indian golfer Anirban Lahiri has won the Malaysian Open 2015. With this win Anirban Lahir secured his breakthrough European Tour title.
78. Eminent Marathi writer Bhalchandra Nemade selected for Jnanpith Award 2014
79. Kolkata becomes India’s first Wi-Fi-enabled metro city
86. Dr. Zakir A. Naik wins 2015 King Faisal International Prize .
74. Indian Coast Guard has inducted a high-speed patrolling ship Amogh into its fleet.
-Amogh will be stationed off Paradip coast in Odisha.
-It can travel at maximum speed of 63 km per hour The ship has facilities like firing gun, rubber boats including one motor-run, GPS system and upgraded radar system.
75. The Naval Prototype 2 (NP2) of indigenously developed light combat aircraft (LCA) Tejas undertook its successful maiden flight in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
-This successful maiden flight is considered as significant milestone in the India’s indigenous carrier borne aircraft development programme.
-NP2 in its successful flight test showcased its arrested landing and ski-jump take off.
76. A symposium, Towards Zero Poaching in Asia concluded in Kathmandu, Nepal on 6th February 2015. Symposium: Towards Zero Poaching in Asia This five-day anti-poaching symposium started on 2 February 2015, was hosted by the Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation of Nepal.
-It was co-hosted by World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Global Tiger Forum (GTF), National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC) and South Asia Wildlife Enforcement Network (SAWEN)
77. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has signed a Rs. 1,090-crore contract for supplying 14 Dornier-228 (Do-228) aircraft’s to the Indian Air Force (IAF).
The contract also includes supplying six reserve engines, a flight simulator and associated equipment to IAF. These 14 aircraft’s will be manufactured by the HAL’s Transport Aircraft Division at Kanpur.
-Jnanpith award is one of the prestigious literary awards in India.
-The name of award is taken from Sanskrit words Jnana and Pitha (knowledge-seat).
- It was instituted in 1961 and presented by Bharatiya Jnanpith, a trust founded by the Sahu Shanti Prasad Jain family.
80. Recently, two beneficial algal species Ulva paschima Bast and Cladophora goensis Bast were discovered off the west coast of India.
81. LC Goyal taken charge as the Union Home Secretary.
82. Former US judge Mary McGowan Davis was appointed as the new head of United Nations Human Rights Council’s (UNHRC’s) Independent Commission of Inquiry on the 2014 Gaza Conflict.
83. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Global Intellectual Property Center (GIPC) has released its third annual international intellectual property (IP) index list. In this list India is placed at 29th rank among the 30 countries. While, US has been placed at the top in the list and Thailand at last position.
84. Bihar Government to provide free education till PG to SC/ST and girl students
85. Maharashtra Government is planning to revamp the Jeevan Amrut Yojana (blood-on-call) scheme to make it more beneficial to people.
State government is seeking to strengthen the network of blood storage units in rural areas instead of current mechanism of transporting blood through motorcycles.
-King Faisal International Prize (KFIP) KFIP is an annual award presented to dedicated men and women whose contributions make a positive difference and sponsored by King Faisal Foundation.
-It is awarded in five categories: Service to Islam; Islamic studies; Arabic Language and Literature; Science; Medicine.
88. Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in its monetary policy review has enhanced the limit for foreign exchange (FOREX) remittances under Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) to $250,000 (Rs. 1.5 crore) per person per year. This limit was doubled compared to earlier limit of $125,000 per person per year.
-It is awarded in five categories: Service to Islam; Islamic studies; Arabic Language and Literature; Science; Medicine.
87. Members of Parliament (MPs) in United Kingdom (UK) have voted to legalise law for creation of three-parent IVF designer babies using Mitochondrial Donation Technique.
88. Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in its monetary policy review has enhanced the limit for foreign exchange (FOREX) remittances under Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) to $250,000 (Rs. 1.5 crore) per person per year. This limit was doubled compared to earlier limit of $125,000 per person per year.
-Under the LRS, Indians can open, maintain and hold foreign currency accounts with banks outside India for carrying out transactions, without permission from the RBI.
89. Dr.Nandita Chatterjee has taken charge as the new Secretary in the Ministry of Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation (HUPA).
91. World Wetlands Day is being observed on 2 February
-The theme for the world wetland day 2015 is Wetlands for our future.
92. Russia, India and China have called for an early conclusion of negotiations on the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism in the RIC Forum held in Beijing.
- In this regard, a joint communiqué was issued by 3 nations in the 13th trilateral meeting of foreign ministers, under this forum.
93. Pakistan conducted successful flight test of the indigenously developed Air Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM) Ra’ad.
94. Malaysia’s female professional squash player Nicol David has set a new record by topping the world squash rankings for 106th month.
-She is first Asian to achieve this milestone and has overtaken previous 105th month record set by four time world champion Susan Devoy from New Zealand which was set in February 1993. For first time she had topped Women’s Squash Association (WSA) list in January 2006.
95. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has launched Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) satellite to observe soil moisture.
-It was launched from the Delta 2 rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) satellite
-SMAP satellite is three-year mission which will measure the amount of moisture in soil.
96. India’s 1st solar fenced elephant sanctuary will come up near Bengaluru, Karnataka.
-It was announced by an international animal rights and conservation group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). In this regard, PETA and the Bannerghatta Biological Park, Karnataka have joined hands.
97. Father of Birth Control Pill Carl Djerassi passes away
- He was famously known as the father of the birth control pills for his contribution to the development of oral contraceptive birth pills.
- He was famously known as the father of the birth control pills for his contribution to the development of oral contraceptive birth pills.
98. Leander Paes and his Swiss teammate Martina Hingis have won 2015 Australian Open mixed doubles title. In the final they defeated Canadian-French team of Daniel Nestor and Kristina Mladenovic, in straight sets, 6-4 and 6-3. This is their first Grand Slam of the season. With this win Leander Paes clinched his 15th Grand Slam title.
99. 29th Surajkund International Crafts Mela held in Faridabad district of Haryana.
99. 29th Surajkund International Crafts Mela held in Faridabad district of Haryana.
-The theme state this year is Chhattisgarh.
-Lebanon is the Partner Nation of this year’s Mela.
-In this Mela, Haryana will present its tribal heritage and culture especially from forests of Bastar which is still well-preserved. While, the artistes from Chhattisgarh will showcase various folk dances namely Panthi, Rawat Nacha Pandwani, Chaitra, Kaksar, Saila and Soowa.
- Lebanon as partner nation of the Mela will unveil its ancient heritage of creating crafts in style.
100. Sri Lanka’s President Maithripala Sirisena has appointed Kanagasabapathy J Sripavan as Chief Justice
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