JULY 2016 GA REFRESHER - bsc4success | bsc4success · PDF file · 2016-08-10JULY 2016 GA REFRESHER ... Punjab National Bank and Syndicate Bank have been fined Rs 3 crore each

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JULY 2016 GA REFRESHER RBI

1. RBI asks banks to exchange up to 20 soiled notes for free

The RBI asked banks to exchange up to 20 pieces of soiled currency notes with a maximum value of ₹5,000 over the counter

free of charge.

However, if the number of notes to be exchanged is more than 20, banks can levy service charge.

The facility of exchanging mutilated or imperfect notes is available at designated bank branches and also non-chest branches.

In case notes are presented in bulk (where the number exceeds 20 pieces or ₹5,000 in value per day), banks will accept them,

against receipt, for value to be credited later.

2. RBI sets up Sudarshan Sen-headed Working Group on Fin Tech and Digital Banking

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has set up an inter-regulatory Working Group to study the regulatory issues relating to

Financial Technology (Fintech) and Digital Banking in India.

The inter-regulatory Working Group will be headed by RBI’s Executive Director Sudarshan Sen and consist of 12 members.

It will submit its report within six months from date of its first meeting.

It was constituted based on the recommendation of sub-committee of the Financial Stability and Development Council

(FSDC) in view of the growing significance of Fintech innovations and their interactions with the financial sector as well as

financial sector entities.

3. RBI slaps Rs 27-cr fine on 13 banks in forex case

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed a combined Rs 27-crore penalty on 13 public and private sector banks —

including Canara Bank, IndusInd Bank and RBL Bank — for violating Know Your Customer (KYC) and anti-money

laundering (AML) norms.

It asked eight others — including State Bank of India, ICICI Bank, Axis Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, Federal Bank and

Kotak Mahindra bank — to stake steps to ensure strict compliance of KYC norms and norms under the Foreign Exchange

Management Act (Fema).

The RBI fined Bank of Baroda for Rs 5 crore, Punjab National Bank and Syndicate Bank have been fined Rs 3 crore each.

UCO Bank, HDFC Bank, Allahabad Bank, Canara Bank and IndusInd Bank have all been fined Rs 2 crore each.

ECONOMY 1. Union Cabinet approves recommendations of 7th Pay Commission

Union Cabinet on 29 June 2016 approved the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission.

The salaries and arrears, effective from 1 January 2016, will be made applicable.

The commission recommended 23.55 percent hike in pay and allowances of government employees.

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This implementation of the recommendations will put an additional burden of 1.02 lakh crore rupees on the exchequer

annually or nearly 0.7 percent of GDP.

The minimum pay for government employees is recommended to be set at 18000 rupees per month against Rs. 7000.

The maximum pay is recommended to be Rs. 2,25,000 per month for Apex Scale and Rs. 2,50,000 per month for Cabinet

Secretary and others presently at the same pay level.

The increase in pay will be 16 percent, increase in allowances will be 63 percent and increase in pension will be 24 percent.

The commission headed by Justice AK Mathur submitted its report to the Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on 19

November 2015.

2. Union Govt enhances Financial Powers of Ministries, Departments

The Union Government has decided to enhance financial powers of its Ministries, Departments for appraisal and approval of

Non-Plan Schemes or Projects.

The Committee on Non-Plan Expenditure (CNE) will now appraise proposals involving expenditure of 300 crore rupees and

above. The earlier this limit was of 75 crore rupees.

The concerned Ministry or Standing Finance Committee of the Ministry will now appraise Non-plan Schemes and projects

involving expenditure less than 300 crore rupees.

The Minister-in-charge of the administrative Ministry now can approve Non-Plan schemes costing less than 500 crore rupees.

Earlier this limit was of 150 crore rupees.

Scheme or projects having financial implications of 500 crore rupees and above and upto 1000 crore rupees will be approved

by Union Finance Minister.

The Union Cabinet or Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs will final the competent financial authority for proposal

having financial limits of 1000 crore rupees and above.

3. SBI Launches SBI Digital Village

State Bank of India, the largest Bank in India, has embarked on transforming the villages into cash less eco-system, by

adopting them as SBI DIGITAL VILLAGES.

The project aims at transforming the selected villages into safe, healthy and vibrant digital centres.

The Bank will formally launch this initiative in 21 villages on the occasion of State Bank Day, which have moved on to the

digital platform.

SBI plans to bring 100 villages under this initiative across the country by the end of FY 17.

In addition, the Bank is implementing various corporate social responsibility activities like Swachh Bharat activities, Solar

lighting, digital lessons in schools, etc.

4. RIL, SBI ink Subscription and Shareholders’ Agreement for payments bank JV

Telecom-to-energy conglomerate Reliance Industries (RIL) and India’s largest lender State Bank of India (SBI) have signed

Subscription and Shareholders’ Agreement to set up payments bank.

As per the agreement, RIL will be the promoter with a 70 per cent equity contribution in the payments bank and SBI as joint

venture will have 30 per cent equity contribution.

RIL-SBI combine was among the 11 entities that were in August 2015 were given licence by the Reserve Bank of India

(RBI) to start a payments bank.

So far two of these – Cholamandalam Investment and Finance Co and Sun Pharma, IDFC Bank and telecom operator Telenor

have decided to shelve plans of launching payments bank.

5. SBI secures $625 million from World Bank for solar programm

India’s largest lender State Bank of India (SBI) has signed an agreement worth 4,200 crore rupees ($625 million) with the

World Bank to support its grid connected rooftop solar photovoltaic (GRPV) programme.

Under GRPV programme, at least 400 MW solar capacity will be created across the country.

6. Listed firms get more time to comply with Indian Accounting Standards

The Capital market regulator SEBI has extended the timeline for listed companies to report their financial results to help

them comply with the new accounting standards.

For the June 2016 quarter, SEBI has extended the deadline by one month, allowing companies to report results by September

14.




For Q2FY16, the new deadline for reporting is December 14.

Comparable results for the quarters ending June 30, 2015, and September 30, 2015, should also be published, though the

limited review or audit of the same is not mandatory.

The new Indian Accounting Standards, or Ind-AS, is mandatory for a certain class of companies from April 1 this year.

7. Nirma bags LafargeHolcim cement assets in India for ₹9,400 crore

LafargeHolcim has entered into an agreement with Nirma Limited to sell its 11 million tonne cement capacity in India at an

enterprise value of about $1.4 billion (about ₹9,400 crore).

The deal is subject to approval by the Competition Commission of India.

Lafarge India operates three cement plants and two grinding stations largely catering to the eastern India.

The company also markets aggregates and is one of India's leading ready-mix concrete manufacturers.

Headquartered in Gujarat, diversified conglomerate Nirma has business interest across industrial and consumer products

ranging from soaps, detergents, salt, soda ash, caustic soda, cement, packaging and other household products.

8. Centre sanctions ₹658 cr for 5 projects to decongest Delhi

Union Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu announced that ₹658 crore had been sanctioned from the Urban

Development Fund for five projects to decongest the national capital.

The five projects are construction of flyover and underpass connecting Mahipalpur, Aerocity, Airport and NH-8; and

construction of flyover-cum-road overbridge near Narela for providing direct access from NH-1 to Bawana Industrial

Complex.

A skywalk and foot overbridge near ITO for safety of pedestrians going to offices located in and around ITO will be

constructed apart from building an up-ramp and widening of road near Kashmiri Gate and Nigam Bodh Ghat.

A 1.6-km-long Grade separator at Rani Jhansi Road will also be constructed.

10. IndusInd Bank opens IFSC Banking Unit at GIFT City

IndusInd Bank opened its IFSC Banking Unit (IBU) at the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) to meet the

requirements of offshore banking operations from India.

With opening of the IBU at GIFT-IFSC, IndusInd Bank will now be able to actively offer products such as external

commercial borrowings to its customers.

The IBU will provide the bank access to International financial markets and will allow it to deliver a complete range of

products to its clients with foreign currency funding requirements.

GIFT IFSC has seen a significant jump in business, with total business transactions crossing the US$ 475-million mark,

generated by 5 operational IBUs of YES Bank, Federal Bank, IDBI Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank and ICICI Bank each.

11. Exim Bank inks pact for $45 mn loan to Kenya

Exim Bank has extended a loan of USD 44.95 million to Kenya for a textile factory and development of small and medium

enterprises.

The loan, known as line of credit, has been granted on behalf of the Indian government.

The loan agreements were signed in Nairobi, Kenya on Monday, by Exim Bank CMD Yaduvendra Mathur and Henry K

Rotich, Cabinet Secretary, The National Treasury, Kenya in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Kenyian

President Uhuru Kenyatta.

With this loan agreement, Exim Bank has now placed 207 Lines of Credit, covering 63 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin

America, Europe, Oceania and the CIS, with credit commitments of over USD 14.95 billion.

These credit are used to finance exports from India.

12. IDFC Bank acquires Grama Vidiyal

IDFC Bank announced it had acquired Tamil Nadu-headquartered microfinance institution Grama Vidiyal in an all-cash deal.

The company did not disclose the deal size.

On finalisation of the deal, the MFI will become a wholly owned subsidiary of the bank and act as a dedicated business

correspondent for it.

The acquisition gives IDFC Bank access to Grama Vidiyal’s 12 lakh customers across seven States, besides giving it 319

branches across 65 districts in these States.

The bank has obtained in-principle approval from the Reserve Bank of India for the deal.




13. Government allocates Rs 12,000 crore to skill 1 crore people over 4 years

A Rs 12,000-crore outlay for Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) to impart skills to 1 crore people over the

next four years (2016-20) got Cabinet approval.

PMKVY will impart fresh training to 60 lakh youth and certify 40 lakh people who have acquired skills non-formally under

the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

Financial support to trainees will be given in the form of travel allowance and by taking care of boarding and lodging costs.

Post-placement support will be given directly to the beneficiaries through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

14. BSE introduces 'Paperless SIP' for mutual fund investors

Leading stock exchange BSE is introducing 'Paperless SIP' (systematic investment plans) that would allow mutual fund

investors to make transactions through various modes of payments.

The additional feature on BSE's mutual fund platform -- StAR MF -- would allow MF distributors to register SIPs for their

clients, who can pay SIP amounts through various modes.

The new facility is available only for non-dematerialised transactions and for instalment of amount more than Rs 2 lakh.

15. Black money declarants get more time to pay tax, penalty

The government has decided to revise the time schedule for making payments under the Income Disclosure Scheme.

As per the revised norms, a minimum of 25 per cent of the tax, surcharge and penalty should be paid by November 30, 2016

and a second and third instalments of 25 per cent and 50 per cent by March 31, 2017 and September 30, 2017 respectively.

The window under the Income Declaration Scheme 2016 opened on June 1 and will close on September 30.

Tax and penalty on income declared, as per the original scheme, is to be paid by November.

The Budget for 2016-17 announced a 4-month compliance window, allowing domestic black money holders to declare their

unaccounted wealth, pay a tax and penalty of 45 per cent and escape prosecution and harsher punishment.

16. Ban on cash transactions above Rs 3 lakh: SIT on black money

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) on black money has recommended banning cash transactions of Rs 3 lakh and above

and restricting cash holding with individuals and industry to Rs 15 lakh to curb illegal wealth in the country.

The SIT, headed by Justice MB Shah (retired), submitted its fifth report to the Supreme Court on methods to curb black

money in the economy.

17. India, ADB sign $100 Million Loan pact on Cauvery basin development

India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have signed a 100 million dollars loan agreement for irrigation projects,

drainage system and water management in Vennar sub-basin of Cauvery delta in Tamil Nadu.

The project seeks to improve water management and strengthen embankments of 6 major irrigation water channels in Vennar

system.

Cauvery river basin is a critical source of water for agriculture in Tamil Nadu and neighbouring states.

The project aims to improve existing infrastructure and also provide flood protection and renewed access to irrigation.

The loan funds will support Tamil Nadu’s water resources professionals to manage resources better, and with greater

involvement of the stakeholders they service.

Under it, flood forecasting and warning systems will be also installed.

The loan will be provided from ADB’s ordinary capital resources which has a 25-year term.

The project is expected to be completed by December 2020.

18. Govt allocates Rs 22,915 crore capital to public sector banks for FY17

The government has allocated Rs 22915 crore capital to state run banks, front-loading the capital infusion to ensure banks are

able to step up credit.

The State Bank of India has got the maximum Rs 7,575 crore followed by Indian Overseas Bank that got Rs 3,101 crore of

funds from the government.

The capital infusion exercise for the current year is based on an assessment of need as assessed from the CAGR of credit

growth for the last five years, banks' own projections of credit growth and an objective assessment of the potential for growth

of each Public Sector Bank.




75% of the amount allocated is being released now to provide liquidity support for lending operations as also to enable banks

to raise funds from the market.

The infusion is part of the plan chalked out by the government under its Indradhanush initiative to infuse Rs 70,000 crore in

banks till FY19.

19. Centre releases ₹100 cr for Atal Pension Yojana

The Centre has released nearly ₹100 crore as its share of contribution for members of the Atal Pension Yojana.

Government through the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority has released co-contribution for 2015-16 for

16.96 lakh eligible subscribers amounting to ₹99.57 crore.

The social security scheme aimed at universalising pension coverage provides for a co-contribution from the government for

subscribers who joined before March 31, 2016, for a period of five years.

The government will pay a co-contribution of up to 50 per cent of the subscriber’s contribution up to a maximum of ₹1,000.

20. HDFC becomes first Indian Company to issue masala bonds

The Housing Development Finance Corporation (HDFC) has become the first Indian company to issue rupee-denominated

bonds “masala bonds” on London Stock Exchange (LSE).

The bond will help HDFC, India’s biggest mortgage lender (home finance company) to diversify its borrowing profile and

access global investors.

With this issuance of masala bonds, HDFC is planning to raise 750 million dollars from the overseas market during the

current financial year.

21. CBDT inks 7 Advance Pricing Agreements to cut tax litigation

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has signed seven unilateral Advance Pricing Agreements (APAs) with Indian

taxpayers to reduce tax litigation.

With this, CBDT has so far entered into 77 APAs.

This includes three bilateral APAs and 74 unilateral APAs.

APA usually is signed between a taxpayer and the central tax authority (in case of India it is CBDT) on an appropriating

transfer pricing methodology for determining the value of assets and taxes on intra-group overseas transactions.

It seeks to introduce certainty in tax law by reducing compliance costs and make tax regime investment friendly.

22. IMF trims India’s growth forecast to 7.4%

The International Monetary Fund trimmed India's growth forecast for the current and next financial years by 0.1 percentage

point as it pared global growth by an identical amount.

India is now forecast to expand 7.4% in the two years compared with the earlier forecast of 7.5% for both, retaining its tag as

the world's fastest-growing major economy.

China's forecast has been retained at 6.6% and 6.2% for 2016 and 2017, respectively.

The Indian economy grew 7.6% in FY16.

The global economy is forecast to grow 3.1% in 2016 compared with 3.2% estimated in the April WEO, with Brexit

responsible for the reduction.

23. Rs 2,048 crore sanctioned under 'Swadesh Darshan' scheme

The Tourism Ministry has sanctioned 25 projects worth Rs 2,048 crore for 21 states and Union Territories under 'Swadesh

Darshan' since January last year, when the scheme was launched.

Of the sanctioned amount, about Rs 403 crore has been released to the states and UTs for projects which have been approved.

The states and UTs for which the projects have been sanctioned under the scheme include Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand,

Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Kerala, Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Bihar.

The Tourism Ministry had launched 'Swadesh Darshan' scheme with an objective to develop theme-based tourist circuits in

the country.

24. India makes first contribution to UN Trust Fund

India has contributed US 100,000 dollars to the United Nations’ Trust Fund in support of victims of sexual exploitation and

abuse by peacekeepers.

With this India became the first country to make a contribution to the fund and to start UN fund for sex abuse victims.




With this contribution, India has illustrated its strong commitment to victim-centred approach in addressing sexual

exploitation and abuse by UN civilian and uniformed personnel.

The fund seeks to support services for victims and address gaps in services.

25. ICICI, Axis bank join Swift's global payments initiative

Global payments leader SWIFT said ICICI Bank and Axis Bank have become the first domestic lenders to sign up for its

global payments innovation initiative, which already has over 70 other leading banks globally.

The initiative aims to enhance cross-border payments by leveraging Swift's messaging platform and global reach and in the

first phase, the initiative will focus on business-to-business payments.

The Belgium-based Swift is a global member-owned cooperative and a leading provider of secure financial messaging

services.

26. G-20 Finance Ministers pledge to boost global economy

The Finance Ministers from the Group of 20 (G-20) major economies have pledged to boost the global economy, which is

showing a weak recovery.

This announcement was made at the end of the two-day meeting of G-20 Finance ministers and Central Bank Governors

meeting held in the Chinese city of Chengdu.

G-20 Finance ministers expressed concern about Britain’s plan to leave the European Union and how Brexit will affect the

world’s economy.

They vowed to reject trade protectionism, which became a prominent issue at the meeting.

27. BRICS policy planning dialogue concludes in Patna

The BRICS Policy Planning Dialogue was successfully concluded in Patna, Bihar.

Delegates of BRICS countries – Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa had attended the meeting.

The two day (25-26 July 2016) dialogue provided a common platform to BRICS countries for sharing of best practices in

foreign policy planning and assessment between the BRICS countries.

It forwarded the Policy Planning talks initiated under the Chairmanship of Russia in 2015 in line with 2016 theme of

“Building Responsive, Inclusive and Collective Solutions”.

They also discussed the role of BRICS in international governance, ongoing cooperation at BRICS Forum and reflected on

areas of convergence among BRICS.

28. YES Bank gets SEBI nod for sponsoring mutual fund

The Securities and Exchange Board of India has given an in-principle approval to YES Bank for sponsoring a mutual fund.

The bank will also set up an asset management company (AMC), besides a trustee company.

The AMC and the trustee company would be wholly owned subsidiaries of the bank.

29. India signs $1 billion deal with US for procuring four Poseidon-8I aircraft

India inked the $1.1 billion deal with the US defence and aerospace major Boeing for procuring four long-range maritime

surveillance and anti-submarine warfare aircraft, Poseidon-8I.

The deal takes the total value of arms contracts signed with the US to over $15 billion in the last 10 years, even as the two

countries also discussed several new projects to jointly produce weapon systems and platforms.

The four new P-8I aircraft, with the first to be delivered in 50 months, will join the first eight such aircraft inducted by the

Navy from May 2013 to October 2015 under a $2.1 billion deal inked in 2009.

Incidentally, India is P-8I's first international customer and was also Boeing's first military sale to India.

The contract was inked during the on-going visit of the US under secretary for defence on Acquisition Frank Kendall.

30. SBI launches debit card-less instant money transfer facility

State Bank of India launched a payment system at its ATMs which will allow the account holders transfer money using

mobile phone number as identifier.

The system works on instant money transfer (IMT) platform.

The facility will enable a payment of up to Rs 10,000 from any SBI bank account and the recipient of this payment can

withdraw funds instantly from an IMT-enabled ATM without using a debit card.




Additionally, it offers a new form of convenience payment to the emerging younger generation as SBI seeks to address them

through new options.

The IMT is a unique payment system launched by Eempays Payment Systems.

The facility enables a payment to be made to a mobile phone from a bank account without the beneficiary having a bank

account.

31. Sri Lanka Cabinet approves $318 mn Indian credit for railway projects

Sri Lanka’s railway sector is to receive a fillip with the Cabinet approving a $318-million line of credit from the Indian

government for the procurement of rolling stock and upgrading two major railway lines in the country.

With this, the total amount of assistance from India for the development of the sector in Sri Lanka goes up to $ 1,284 million.

As part of the rolling stock, six diesel multiple units with air-conditioned passenger compartments; 160 passenger coaches;

30 oil tank wagons, 10 locomotives and 20 container carrier wagons will be purchased. Totalling around 120 km, the two

lines — Anuradhapura to Omanthai and Anuradhapura to Maho — will witness the rehabilitation of railway tracks and

upgrading of the signalling system.

32. Fourth tranche of gold scheme nets Rs. 919 cr.

The fourth tranche of the Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme received applications for a record Rs.919 crore worth of gold bonds,

taking the total amount received through the scheme to about Rs.2,240 crore across the four tranches of the scheme so far.

Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGB): Record amount of Rs.919 cr equivalent to 2.95 tons gold mobilised in 4th tranche. Scheme

gaining popularity.

The first three tranches of the scheme attracted a total of Rs.1,318 crore corresponding to 4.9 tonnes (4,900 kg) of gold, with

the second tranche holding the previous record of highest subscription amount of Rs.746 crore for 2.95 tonnes of gold.

While the aim of the Sovereign Gold Bond scheme is to “reduce demand, including through imports, for physical gold, and in

the process reduce India’s current account deficit,” the fact of the matter is that the scheme has a long way to go in achieving

this.

33. Centre sanctions nearly Rs 620 crore to UP as drought assistance

Nearly Rs. 620 crores have been sanctioned to Uttar Pradesh by the Centre as assistance for the recent drought situation in the

state.

The Central Government also approved almost Rs. 80 crores for Rajasthan which was affected by hailstorm and Rs. 15 crores

to Manipur which was affected by earthquake.

A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting in the national capital chaired by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh.

The funds were cleared after examining the report of a central team which visited these states.

NEWS (NATIONAL) 1. Union HRD Ministry launches Prashikshak, an online teacher education portal

The Union Human Resource Development (HRD) Ministry has launched ‘Prashikshak’- an online teacher education portal

for District Institutes of Education and Training (DIETs).

The Prashikshak portal was launched by the Union HRD minister Smriti Irani in New Delhi.

The portal has been developed by the Union HRD ministry in collaboration with the Central Square Foundation, a policy

think tank focused on improving quality of school education.

Prashikshak users will comprise pre-service teacher educators, DIET faculty and principals, policy makers at district, state

and national level and the general public.

2. Union Railway Ministry launches Nivaran portal

The Union Railway Ministry has launched Nivaran portal, an online system for redressal of service related grievance of

serving and former Railway employees.

It was launched by Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu at function held in Rail Bhawan, New Delhi.

Nivaran portal is an online system that seeks to facilitate the employees to lodge their grievances and also monitor the

progress.

The system will also provide employees of Indian Railways facility for lodging appeal to the higher authority in case the

decision is not found satisfactory.




3. 1st meeting of BRICS Working Group on Energy Saving and Energy Efficiency begins in Visakhapatnam

The first meeting of the BRICS Working Group on Energy Saving and Energy Efficiency began in Visakhapatnam, Andhra

Pradesh.

The two day conference will be attended by all 5 member BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) countries.

India being BRICS chair for 2016 has organised this event in order to shape and steer the BRICS agenda.

The Union Power Ministry is hosting the meeting of the Working Group.

The meeting will deliberate a work plan on development of cooperation in energy saving and energy efficiency with BRICS.

4. Second BRICS Youth Summit concludes in Guwahati

The second BRICS Youth Summit was held in Guwahati, Assam from 1st July 2016 to 3rd July 2016.

The theme of the summit was “Youth as bridge for intra-BRICS exchanges“.

The summit was inaugurated by Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal in presence of Union Sports Minister Jitendra

Singh.

The summit focused on enhancing people-to-people contacts of BRICS member states viz. Brazil, Russia, India, China and

South Africa.

It also adopted the ‘Guwahati BRICS Youth Summit 2016 Call to Action’ and urged the youth from the five member nations

to come together for working towards this goal.

5. 19 new Ministers of State inducted in Union council of Ministers

Nineteen new Ministers of State (MoS) were inducted in the Union Council of Ministers in a major expansion.

These new ministers were administered oath of office and secrecy by President Pranab Mukherjee at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

This was the second expansion of the NDA government led by PM Narendra Modi.

Of the 19 new ministers, 17 are from the BJP, one each from Apna Dal and RPI.

Besides, induction of these new ministers, Minister of State (MoS) Environment, Forests and Climate Change with

independent charge, Prakash Javdekar was elevated to the Cabinet rank.

As per provisions of Article 75, the total number cannot exceed 82 i.e. 15% of the total number of members of Lok Sabha.

This provision of constitutional cap for total number of Ministers in the Union Council was added by the 91st Constitutional

Amendment Act, 2003.

6. India to host meet of BRICS anti-narcotics heads

India is going to host meet of the heads of anti-narcotics agencies of BRICS nations to discuss issues related to narco-

terrorism and money laundering.

This meet will be held ahead of the eighth annual Summit of BRICS (Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa nations

scheduled in October 2016.

The one-day meeting on July 8, 2016 will be hosted by Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB).

The agenda of the high-level meeting is to take into consideration of illicit drug trafficking including diversion of precursors

and chemicals, usage of new psychoactive substances.

It will also take into consideration maritime drug trafficking, narco terrorism and drug money laundering.

7. SBI Cards Launches ELITE

SBI Cards and Payment Services (SBI Card), the third largest card issuer, launched a premium credit card by the name

ELITE.

Launched on the MasterCard World platform, the SBI Card ELITE has bundled several privileges and benefits for the high

networth individuals--premium category customers.

Enabled with Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, SBI Card ELITE allows customers a contactless payment

experience, adding more speed and suave to their wallets.

The card will come with a joining fee of Rs. 4,999.

All SBI Card ELITE customers will receive welcome gift of Rs. 5,000 in the form of vouchers from popular travel and

lifestyle brands.

8. Centre nod for renaming of Mhow railway station after Ambedkar

The central government has given its nod for renaming Mhow railway station in Indore district of Madhya Pradesh after B R

Ambedkar as the Dalit icon was born there.




The Home Ministry has requested the state government to issue a Gazette notification in this regard, spelling the name

accordingly in Devnagri (Hindi) and Roman (English) script.

Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot had written to Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Railway

Minister Suresh Prabhu last year and in January this year, demanding that the name of Mhow railway station be changed to B

R Ambedkar railway station.

Mhow was renamed as Dr Ambedkar Nagar in 2003.

9. SC-appointed Green Panel recommends high pollution cess of 20-22% on diesel vehicles

The Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) on 5 July 2016 recommended a green cess of 20-22

percent on diesel vehicles.

EPCA is a Supreme court-appointed Green Panel for Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR).

An Environment Compensation Charge (ECC) of 10 percent of the vehicle's cost be imposed on diesel cars with engines up

to 1200cc.

It also recommended high pollution cess of up to 24 percent on the cost of diesel cars above 2000 cc.

The authority’s recommendation of 20 per cent (for less than 1500 cc) and 22 per cent (for over 1500 cc) green cess will

amount to 179766 rupees and 215883 rupees respectively.

10. World’s largest charkha unveiled at Delhi’s IGI airport

The world’s largest Charkha was unveiled at the Terminal 3 of the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) in New Delhi.

It was unveiled by the Union Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Minister Kalraj Mishra to remind India’s timeless

heritage and the values of sustainability and harmony that it stands for.

The Charkha made from high-quality Burma teak wood. It weighs four-tones and is 9 feet wide, 17 feet tall and 30 feet long.

The Charkha is considered as a symbol of Gandhian values.

11. Trai launches app to check real-time internet speed

In a bid to improve the quality of data service for Indian mobile users, telecom regulator Trai has launched an application,

TRAI Myspeed App, to help consumers check real-time internet speed on their handsets and report the same to the regulator.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) will use the data collected from subscribers to fix new quality of service

(QoS) norms for which the process will start in a month or so.

12. SBI launches SBI Mingle, a social media banking platform

India’s largest lender State Bank of India (SBI) recently had launched SBI Mingle, a social media banking platform for

Facebook and Twitter users.

It was launched by SBI Chairman Arundhati Bhattacharya, on the occasion of 61st State Bank Day (observed on 1st July).

The SBI Mingle will allow SBI’s customers to access various banking services via these social platforms.

To avail services from this platform, customers will have to register for it through a simple one time registration process

using either their social account number or their ATM/Debit Card details.

13. Namami Gange projects for cleaning river Ganga launched

Union Government has launched various projects under Namami Gange programme for cleaning of river Ganga and its

tributaries from Haridwar, Uttarakand.

It was launched by Union Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti.

Besides, simultaneous projects were also launched at over 103 locations in seven states for cleaning of river Ganga and its

tributaries from Gangotri to Howrah.

The Namami Gange Programme is an ambitious integrated Ganga Conservation Mission that was launched by Prime

Minister Narendra Modi in May 2015 and aims at cleaning the holy river and ensuring its unfettered flow.

Union government has allocated Rs. 20,000 crore budget for it.

The projects were launched simultaneously in five basin states of the river Ganga viz. Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar,

Jharkhand and West Bengal.

Besides, projects were also launched in Delhi and Haryana through which Ganga’s largest tributary Yamuna passes.

14. Committee to examine desirability and feasibility of new financial year




The Union Finance Ministry has constituted four members committee, headed by Dr. Shankar Acharya, to examine the

feasibility and desirability of having a new financial year.

The committee has been tasked to examine the merits and demerits of various dates for the commencement of the financial

year including the existing date (April to March) by taking into account the various relevant factors.

The committee will be headed by Dr. Shankar Acharya (former Chief Economic Adviser).

Besides it will consist of PV Rajaraman (former Finance Secretary, Tamil Nadu), KM Chandrasekhar (former Cabinet

Secretary) and Dr. Rajiv Kumar (Senior Fellow, Centre for Policy Research) as its members.

The committee will submit its report to the Union Government by 31st December 2016.

15. Union Govt constitutes cyber cell to check online abuse and harassment of women

The Union Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD) has constituted a cyber-cell to check the online abuse and

harassment of women and children on social media platforms.

Announcement in this regard was made by Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi in New Delhi.

The WCD Ministry has advised women and children to send their complaints, if they are being abused or harassed on social

media platforms using the hashtag #IamTrolledHelp.

The cyber-cell was constituted in the wake of reported increase in abuse or harassment of women on social media.

Besides, WCD Ministry will be working with Twitter India to address abusive behaviour, violent threats (direct or indirect),

harassment on social media.

They will also be working together for the empowerment of women and children to deal with abuse, harassment and hateful

conduct on social media.

16. Union Govt launches KVK portal for monitoring of farm centres

The Union Government has launched Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) portal (http://kvk.icar.gov.in).

It was launched by Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Radha Mohan Singh in New Delhi.

The portal aims to provide information and advisory to the farmers and facilitate online monitoring of the KVK activities.

It provides provisions for online monitoring of KVKs.

17. Security forces cannot use excessive force in AFSPA areas: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court of India has ruled that army and paramilitary forces cannot use excessive and retaliatory force during

counter-insurgency operations in disturbed areas declared disturbed under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA),

1958.

The verdict was given by SC bench of Justice Madan B. Lokur and Justice Uday Umesh Lalit on the plea filed by the Extra

Judicial Execution Victim Families Association (EEVFAM).

The use of excessive force or retaliatory force by the armed forces of the Union or Manipur Police is not permissible.

AFSPA was enacted by Parliament on September 11, 1958.

It conferred special powers upon the armed forces in disturbed areas in the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur,

Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Tripura.

The act was introduced in Jammu and Kashmir in 1990.

18. Second unit of Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant gets operational

The second unit of Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP), India’s largest nuclear power plant in Tamil Nadu became

operational.

The 1,000 Megawatt (MW) capacity plant attained criticality after the second unit became operational.

Now the power generation of Unit 2 will be stepped up to full capacity of 1000 MW in phases and will be synchronized with

the grid.

The criticality process of the Unit 2 was undertaken by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCI), a PSU under the

Department of Atomic Energy which manages the plant.

Already, the first unit of the plant is generating 1000 MW power. So far it has generated 10,006 million units of electricity.

19. Union Govt launches Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has launched a nationwide Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight (IDCF)

to check child diarrhoeal deaths.

The IDCF drive was launched by Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare J P Nadda in New Delhi.




It will be observed from 11th to 23rd July, 2016 across the country.

The IDCF drive is a very cost -effective intervention to curb the risk of spread of diarrhoea which scales up during monsoon

season Intensified community awareness campaigns on hygiene and promotion of Oral Rehydration Salt (ORS) and Zinc

therapy will be conducted at state, district and village levels.

The importance of this drive is that to make ORS available in the household when needed at the time of diarrhoea.

ASHAs will visit all households with children below 5 years of age for pre-positioning the ORS.

20. Union Govt notifies AADHAR Act giving UIDAI legal basis

The Union Government has notified the UIDAI (Terms and Conditions of Service of Chairperson and Members) Rules, 2016

to give legal status to Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI).

These rules have been framed as per provisions of Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits

and Services) Act, 2016.

These rules have detail provisions for appointment of its chairperson and members.

The chairperson of UIDAI will be selected on the recommendation of a search-cum-selection committee headed by the

Cabinet Secretary.

Besides, Secretaries of Department of Personnel and Training, Finance and Department of Electronics and Information

Technology (DEITY) and two experts will be its members.

The two experts will be nominated by the Union Communications and IT Minister.

21. Bangladesh, India sign agreement for joint coal fired power plant

Bangladesh and India have signed an agreement for the construction of a 1,320 megawatt (MW) coal fired power plant near

Sundarbans.

The agreement was signed between Bangladesh-India Friendship Power Company (Pvt) Limited (BIFPCL), the joint venture

enterprise and Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL).

BHEL was selected under an open international tender for constructing the super thermal plant at Bangladesh’s southwestern

Rampal near the Sundarbans.

This coal fired power plant is the biggest project under bilateral cooperation between both countries that would mark the

transition from electricity export to generation level.

India’s Exim Bank will provide US 1.49 billion dollars for the project and it is scheduled to start generating power in 2019.

22. Najma Heptullah quits, Naqvi gets a promotion

The reshuffle in the Union Cabinet saw a postscript with Minister for Minority Affairs Najma Heptullah tendering her

resignation, and her deputy, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi being given independent charge of that ministry.

G M Siddheswara, Davangere MP and MoS for heavy industries also tendered his resignation.

Both resignations have been accepted by President Pranab Mukherjee. Minister of state for Urban Development, Babul

Supriyo has been assigned the Ministry of Heavy Industries, after being divested of his former charge.

Ms Heptullah, who had been the deputy chairperson of the Rajya Sabha for many years, had been abroad during the Cabinet

reshuffle last week, and tendered her resignation when she returned.

23. Pokhara-New Delhi direct bus service launched

The first direct bus service between Pokhara (Nepal) and New Delhi (India) was launched to connect South Asia’s two

important cities.

The bus service was flagged off by Nepal Home Minister Shakti Bahadur Basnet and India’s ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Rae

from Pokhara (Nepal’s famous tourist spot).

The bus service was launched as per the Motor Vehicle Agreement (MVA) signed between both countries. The agreement

was signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Nepal visit in 2014.

The new bus service between Pokhara and New Delhi was proposed by the Uttar Pradesh State Road transport Corporation

(UPSRTC) as per decision taken in MVA.

24. Operation ‘Sankat Mochan’ to evacuate Indian citizens from South Sudan

The Union Government has started the operation ‘Sankat Mochan’ to evacuate Indian citizens stranded in South Sudan’s

capital Juba.

Sankat Mochan in Hindi means reliever from troubles.




The operation is being undertaken by Indian Air Force (IAF) and will be headed by Union Minister of State (MoS) for

External Affairs General (Retd.) VK Singh.

Two heavy-lift C-17 military transport aircrafts have been deployed by UIAF in service to make the evacuation.

The flight route for evacuation is Juba-Kampala-Trivandrum-Delhi. Passengers can also de-board at Trivandrum.

25. Lifeline Express: World’s first hospital on a train completes 25 years of service

The Lifeline Express, the world’s first hospital on a train of Indian Railways has completed 25 years of service to the poor

and underprivileged masses of rural India.

To mark the occasion and celebrate the success of the train a function was held in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

The Lifeline Express is also known as the Magic Train of India.

It was launched on 16 July 1991.

The Lifeline Express has the distinction of being the first ever hospital-on-rails in the world.

It is equipped with state-of-the-art medical facilities and equipment to cater to the needs of the rural patients.

The train is a flagship social initiative of Impact India Foundation (IIF) in partnership with the Indian Railways and the

Union Health Ministry.

It was started with an aim to provide on-the-spot diagnostic, medical and advanced surgical treatment for preventive and

curative interventions for disabled adults and children using the Indian Railway Network.

So far, the train covered 173 projects in 18 state and also covered 2 lakh kilometres distance and has medically served more

than 10,00,000 poor in rural India.

26. India certified Yaws, Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus free by WHO

The World Health Organization (WHO) has certified India as Yaws, Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus free country.

In this regard, WHO presented certificates to Union Health and Family Welfare Minister J P Nadda in New Delhi.

India was declared Neonatal and Maternal Tetanus free country in August 2015.

Besides, it was also declared yaws-free in May 2016.

India was declared yaws-free after a team of WHO experts had found interruption of bacterial disease transmission in the

country.

India is the first country under the WHO neglected tropical diseases (NTD) roadmap, 2012 to eliminate Yaws.

Yaws is a chronic bacterial infection that affects the skin, cartilages and bones. It is caused by the spirochete bacterium

Treponema pallidum pertenue. It spreads by direct contact with the fluid from a lesion of an infected person.

27. Union Govt launches Transforming India website

The Union Government has launched Transforming India Website (www.transformingindia.mygov.in), a repository for

sharing the impact of various governance initiatives with citizens in real-time.

It was launched by the Union Minister of Electronics and Information Technology and Law & Justice Ravi Shankar Prasad in

New Delhi.

The website provides community based platform facilitates for two-way communication between the government and

citizens.

It is also a social platform on which users can share their opinions about various initiatives of the government.

28. Union Commerce Ministry launches e-marketplace portal for goods procurement

The Union Commerce Ministry has launched an e-marketplace portal for online purchase of goods and services by various

central government ministries and departments.

It was launched by the Union Minister of State (MoS) Commerce and Industry Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi.

The e-marketplace portal has been developed by the Directorate General of Supplies and Disposals (DGS&D).

29. Indian Railways to install TRI-NETRA to reduce train accidents

The Indian Railways has initiated process to launch the Terrain Imaging for Diesel Drivers- Infrared Enhanced Optical and

Radar Assisted (Tri-NETRA) system to avoid train accidents.

The system will be installed on locomotives for enhancing the vision of Locomotive Pilots in inclement weather.

The device uses infrared and radar technology to collect signals up to a distance of 2-3 km and displays the information

(composite video image) on a screen fitted inside the locomotive.




The Tri-Netra will alert the drivers of any physical obstruction on railway tracks ahead and thus give ample time for the

driver to apply the brakes to prevent train accidents.

It is made of high sensitivity infra-red video camera, high-resolution optical video camera and a radar-based terrain mapping

system.

These three components shall act as three eyes (Tri-Netra) of the Locomotive Pilot.

30. Max Life launches new cancer cover plan

Max Life Insurance, a private life insurer, has announced the launch of a new product — ‘Max Life Cancer Insurance Plan’.

This is a protection plan that is designed to provide financial assistance across all stages of cancer.

In addition, the plan provides guaranteed income benefit of up to 50 per cent of sum assured.

31. Parliament passes Regional Centre for Biotechnology Bill, 2016

The Parliament has passed the Regional Centre for Biotechnology Bill, 2016 to provide statutory status to the existing

Regional Centre for Biotechnology in Faridabad, Haryana.

The Bill seeks to provide legislative backing to the Regional Centre and also confers upon it the status of an institution of

national importance.

It will have Board of Governors, Programme Advisory Committee, Executive Committee and Finance Committee etc. as

authorities responsible for its administration and functioning.

32. Railway Ministry launches project to install Solar Panels in all Railway Buildings

The Union Railway Ministry has launched a project to install Solar Panels in all Railway Buildings in order to reduce

expenditure on electricity.

As part of the project, Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu laid the foundation stone of one Megawatt (MW) solar power

plant at Amritsar Railway station in Punjab.

The power plant at Amritsar Railway station will be set up with a cost of 8 crore Rupees.

It will annually produce 14 lakh units of power.

It will save 1.40 crore Rupees for railway.

33. Rajya Sabha passes Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2012

The Rajya Sabha unanimously passed Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2012.

The Bill seeks to amend the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986 to widen the scope of the law against child

labour and stricter punishments for violations.

Prohibition of employment of children below 14 years in all occupations or processes except where child helps his family.

Addition of a new category of persons called “adolescent”. They are person between 14 and 18 years of age.

Prohibition of employment of adolescents in hazardous occupations as specified (mines, hazardous processes and

inflammable substance).

Punishment for employing any child increased i.e. imprisonment between 6 months and two years (from earlier 3 months-one

year) or a fine of 20,000 to 50,000 Rupees (from earlier 10,000 to 20,000 Rupees) or both.

Proposes penalty for employing an adolescent in a hazardous occupation i.e. imprisonment between 6 months and 2 years or

a fine of 20,000 to 50,000 Rupees or both.

34. Govt forms committee to prepare draft Ganga Act

Centre has constituted a committee to prepare Draft Bill on Ganga to deal with all the issues related to the River.

Water Resources and Ganga Rejuvenation Ministry in a release said, retired Justice Girdhar Malviya will be the Chairman of

the committee.

The committee will submit its report within three months.

The legislation will have provisions to ensure cleanliness and uninterrupted flow of Ganga.

The panel has been asked to prepare a Draft Act on Ganga ensuring wholesomeness of the river.

35. India ranks 110th on Sustainable Development index

India has ranked a low 110 out of 149 nations assessed on where they stand with regard to achieving the Sustainable

Development Goals, according to a new index which is topped by Sweden and shows all countries face major challenges in

achieving these ambitious goals.




The Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) and the Bertelsmann Stiftung launched a new Sustainable

Development Goal Index and Dashboard to provide a report card for tracking Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)

progress and ensuring accountability.

The index collected available data for 149 countries to assess where each country stands in 2016 with regard to achieving the

SDGs.

It ranks countries based on their performance across the 17 global goals, a set of ambitious objectives across the three

dimensions of sustainable development - economic development, social inclusion and environmental sustainability,

underpinned by good governance.

Sweden tops the chart and is followed by Denmark and Norway on the top three performing countries.

36. Union Cabinet approves establishment of new AIIMS at Gorakhpur

The Union Cabinet has given its approval for establishment of new All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) at

Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh.

It will be established under Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) which aims at correcting imbalances in the

availability of affordable healthcare facilities in different parts of country and also augmenting facilities for quality medical

education in under-served states.

The AIIMS, Gorakhpur will have a hospital with capacity of 750 beds which will include Emergency/Trauma Beds, AYUSH

Beds, Super Speciality beds and Private Beds and ICU Speciality.

In addition, it will have an Administration Block, Auditorium, AYUSH Block, Night Shelter, residential facilities and

Hostels.

The cost of project for establishment of the AIIMS Gorakhpur will be 1011 crore rupees.

37. IRCTC joins hands with SBI to promote rail ticketing

Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has joined hands with the State Bank of India to chalk out a

detailed plan for promotion of rail ticketing activities, including internet ticketing and unreserved ticketing system.

IRCTC, a PSU of Railways which handles catering, tourism and Internet ticketing activities, and the SBI have signed an

MoU which will also undertake development of Unreserved Ticketing System and such other services which can be jointly.

In addition, both will offer services jointly, subject to financial viability.

The MoU was signed by IRCTC CMD A K Manocha and Arundhati Bhattacharya, CMD, SBI on July 18.

38. Union Cabinet approves incorporation of Sagarmala Development Company

The Union Cabinet has approved the incorporation of Sagarmala Development Company (SDC) to give a push to port-led

economic development under ambitious Sagarmala project.

SDC will be incorporated under the Companies Act, 2013, with an initial authorized share capital of 1,000 crore rupees and a

subscribed share capital of 90 Crore rupees.

SDC will be under the administrative control of the Union Ministry of Shipping.

It will provide equity support to the project Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) and funding support to the residual projects

under the Sagarmala Programme.

39. ECI launches National Electoral Roll Purification 2016

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has launched National Electoral Roll Purification (NERP) 2016 across the country.

The 2016 motto of the ECI is “No voter to be left behind”.

The NERP 2016 programme aims to improve health of electoral rolls (ERs) and optimize the polling station (PS) location

and area.

The twin objectives of NERP 2016: Improving Health of ERs by-inclusion of all eligible citizens in mission mode and

Standardization of Sections, PS boundaries & Location and improved Polling Station Map.

40. Nasscom ranks TCS top employer in IT industry

Global software major Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is the top employer in the Indian IT industry, followed by Infosys,

Cognizant and Wipro, the industry's representative body Nasscom said.




According to the National Association of Software and Services Companies' (Nasscom) annual rankings of top IT-BPM

(business process management) employers in the country for 2016, TCS heads the Indian IT industry, with 362,079

employees.

Women account for 33.8 per cent of the IT bellwether.

41. Union Government to redraw Red Corridor

The Union Government is planning to redraw Red Corridor by reducing the number of Maoist (LWE: Left wing extremism)

affected districts by about a fifth.

In this regard, approximately 20 of the 106 districts which have been described as being Maoist-affected and are part of the

Red Corridor may be removed from the list.

Once these districts are taken off the list of Red Corridor, the financial aid made available to these districts annually for

various developmental works will dry up.

The Red Corridor is a region in the eastern part of India that experiences considerable Naxalite–Maoist insurgency.

There are 106 districts spanning across 10 States in the Red Corridor.’

Of these, 44 districts are worst-affected.

These 10 states are Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Telangana, Odisha, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh,

Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.

42. India makes first contribution to UN Trust Fund

India has contributed US 100,000 dollars to the United Nations’ Trust Fund in support of victims of sexual exploitation and

abuse by peacekeepers.

With this India became the first country to make a contribution to the fund and to start UN fund for sex abuse victims.

With this contribution, India has illustrated its strong commitment to victim-centred approach in addressing sexual

exploitation and abuse by UN civilian and uniformed personnel.

The fund seeks to support services for victims and address gaps in services.

43. Parliament passes Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2016

Parliament has passed the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2016.

The bill was first passed in Rajya Sabha and later in Lok Sabha during Monsoon session of Parliament.

It seeks to amend the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986 to widen the scope of the law against child labour

and stricter punishments for violations.

The Bill calls for complete ban employment of children below 14 in all occupations and enterprises, except those run by his

or her own family.

It defines children between 14 to 18 years as adolescents and bars their employment in any hazardous occupations.

It makes child labour a cognizable offence attracting a jail term of up to two years and penalty upto fifty thousand rupees.

The Bill has a provision of creating Rehabilitation Fund has also been made for the rehabilitation of children.

44. Union Govt issues notification for implementation of 7th Pay Commission

The Union Government has issued notification for the implementation of 7th Pay Commission.

It was issued as per the Cabinet approval in June 2016.

With this issuance, 4.8 million central government employees and 5.2 million pensioners will get the increased payout from

their August 2016 salaries.

Besides, Union Government has given CBSE chief Rajesh Kumar Chaturvedi an additional charge of Chief of the

implementation cell of the Seventh Central Pay Commission.

The 7th Pay Commission hike will result in increase in salaries of central government employees in the range of 7 thousand

rupees to 18 thousand rupees per month.

A fitment factor of 2.57 will also apply for pay revision of all employees and the rate of annual increment has been retained

at 3%.

There will be two dates for grant of increment i.e. on January 1 and July 1 every year – instead of the existing July 1 only.

Employees will be entitled to only one annual increment on either of these two dates depending on the date of appointment,

promotion or grant of financial upgradation.

The 7th Pay Commission headed by Justice AK Mathur had recommended 14.27 per cent hike in basic pay at junior levels in

November 2015.




45. Union Govt forms 'Disha' for timely implementation of Central Schemes

Union Govt announced the formation of District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee (DDCMC) that will

be known as ‘Disha’.

First meeting of Disha will be held on 13 August 2016.

Disha was created for effective development and coordination of Central Government's programme, whether it is for

infrastructure development or Social and human resource development.

It will monitor the implementation of 28 schemes and programmes of Ministry of Rural Development and other Ministries to

promote synergy and convergence for greater impact.

46. OKI installs more than 600 recycling ATMs for State Bank of India

Japanese payments company OKI has installed 600 automatic teller machines with cash recycling abilities for State Bank of

India, the country's largest lender.

The company which is headquartered in Japan and operates out of Mumbai in India manufactures ATMs which work with

recyclable cash and has both cash acceptance mechanism along with cash dispensing in their teller machines.

Indian banks which mostly deploy standalone ATMs have very recently taken to the new technology of machines with both

depositing as well as dispensing abilities.

Having started with SBI in 2015, however OKI has already managed to install around 600 machines across the country.

47. IMD to use supercomputer to forecast monsoon based on dynamical model

The Union Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) has announced that India Meteorological Department (IMD) will use

supercomputer to forecast India’s annual summer monsoon.

The forecast made by a supercomputer will be based on a dynamical monsoon model and will be operational from year 2017.

This model will be used along with the present traditional ensemble model.

The dynamical monsoon model works by simulating the weather on powerful computers (supercomputers) and extrapolating

it over particular timeframes.

This modern forecasting model is being tested at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune.

The dynamical monsoon model is also called the Coupled Forecast System version 2. So far it has achieved only 60%

accuracy in forecasting the monsoon.

48. Parliament passes Compensatory and Afforestation Fund Bill, 2016

The Rajya Sabha unanimously passed the Compensatory and Afforestation Fund (CAF) Bill, 2016 that allows States to

access nearly 42000 crore rupees and channel into afforestation projects.

The Bill establishes the Funds for compensatory afforestation and forest conservation. However, there are several factors

which affect compensatory afforestation and forest conservation.

It establishes the National Compensatory Afforestation Fund under the Public Account of India, and a State Compensatory

Afforestation Fund under the Public Account of each state.

The National Fund will receive 10 percent of these funds, and the State Funds will receive the remaining 90 percent.

These Funds will be primarily spent on afforestation to compensate for loss of forest cover, regeneration of forest ecosystem,

wildlife protection and infrastructure development.

49. PM Narendra Modi flags off Run for Rio

Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the ‘Run for Rio’, an event to encourage the Indian contingent at the 2016 Rio

Olympics beginning on August 5, 2016.

The 5km run was flagged off from Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium to the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi.

In this event thousands of school children and youths had participated to express the nation’s support to the 119 Indian

athletes who have qualified for the Rio Olympics.

The event was organised by Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports.

Prime Minister also released the Olympic Brochure.

In his address Prime Minister urged the youth to work hard for 2020 Olympics and also mentioned that India’s focus should

be on sending more than 200-member contingent to Tokyo.

The 2016 Rio Olympics is the summer Olympics scheduled to take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from 5 to 21 August 2016.

It is officially known as the Games of the XXXI Olympiad.




For the first the time Brazil is hosting summer Olympics games. Besides, for first time the summer Olympics will be held in

South America.

50. Union Govt constitutes DISHA for timely implementation of Central Schemes

The Union Govt has constituted the District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee (DDCMC) for effective

development and coordination of Central Government’s programme.

It will be known as DISHA and first meeting will be held on August 13, 2016.

It will monitor the implementation of 28 schemes and programmes of Union Ministry of Rural Development and other

Ministries to promote synergy and convergence for greater impact.

The main purpose of the DISHA is to coordinate with Central and State and local Panchayat Governments.

It has been created for effective coordination and development of Central Government’s programme for infrastructure

development or Social and human resource development.

The Chairperson of the committee will be the senior most Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) elected from the district,

nominated by the Union Ministry of Rural Development.

51. Railway Ministry launches maiden Agartala to Delhi broad gauge train service

The Union Railway Ministry has flagged off the maiden broad gage train service dubbed as ‘Tripura Sundari Express’ from

Agartala (Tripura) to Delhi.

It was flagged off by Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu.

With this, the landlocked north eastern state of Tripura entered the broad gauge railway map of the country.

The ‘Tripura Sundari Express’ will run weekly between Anand Vihar (Delhi) and Agartala (Tripura).

The train service will cover distance of 2461 kms in 46 hours and 50 minutes.

It will have commercial stoppages at 16 stations.

Besides, the Railway Minister also laid the foundation stone of the Agartala-Akhaura International Rail link Project (India–

Bangladesh Board Gauge Rail link Project) along with Bangladesh Railway Minister Mazibul Hoque.

NEWS (STATES) 1. Kerala Government bans e-cigarettes

Kerala Government has banned ‘electronic cigarette’ alias ‘e-cigarette’ as its use can cause various health issues, including

cancer and heart ailments.

In this regard, an order was issued that banned the production, sale and advertisement of e-cigarettes in the state.

With this, Kerala becomes fourth state in India to ban e-cigarette.

Punjab was the first state to ban e-cigarettes in November 2014 under the provisions of Cigarettes and Other Tobacco

Products Act (COTPA), 2003.

It was followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka.

2. India’s first Commercial Court and Commercial Disputes Resolution Centre inaugurated in Chattisgarh

India’s first Commercial Court and Commercial Disputes Resolution Centre was inaugurated at Raipur, capital of

Chhattisgarh.

It was inaugurated by State Chief Minister Dr. Raman Singh along with Supreme Court judge Madan B. Lokur.

The first Commercial Court and Commercial Disputes Resolution Centre complex has ultra-modern facilities like e-Court, e-

Library, e-Filing, Video-conferencing and e-Summons.

It will help in improving the judicial system and the investors and business world.

3. Punjab Government launches Rapid Rural Police Response System

Punjab Government has launched Rapid Rural Police Response System (RRPRS) to ensure prompt and effective police

response in 12,000 villages across the state.

The system was launched Punjab Deputy Chief Minister and Sukhbir Singh Badal.

Besides, he also flagged off 400 new motorcycles and 220 new Bolero jeeps under the new system.

4. Haryana to develop new Industrial Township




The Haryana government announced that it would develop a new industrial township, spread over 1,500 acres in Sohna and

Manesar areas of Gurgaon, at a cost of $5 billion.

An MoU regarding this was signed between the Haryana government and China Fortune Land Development (CFLD)

company in the presence of Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar in New Delhi.

Under the agreement, HSIIDC and CFLD Company would execute the project as a joint venture (JV).

5. World famous Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath begins

The annual rath yatra of Lord Jagannath began in different parts of the country.

In Odisha, the world famous Rath Yatra in the coastal city of Puri began this morning at 12th century Jagannath temple.

Rath Yatra marks the annual journey of Lord Jagannath, his brother Lord Balbhadra and sister Subhadra to the Gundicha

temple.

The celebration ends nine days later with Bahuda Yatra or return journey to their temple which will take place on the 14th of

this month.

Since the deities will appear for public, the day is very special and attract devotees to the pilgrim city.

Servitors will bring the idol of the Lords out of the temple in a ceremonial procession and place in the chariots parked outside

the temple.

The second oldest Rath Yatra in the country is held at Mahesh in Serampore, West Bengal.

6. Rajasthan becomes first state to introduce minimum wages for part time workers

Rajasthan has become the first state in the country to introduce minimum wages for part time workers.

Labour Department has issued a notification in this regard.

According to notification, it is now mandatory to pay 50 per cent of the prescribed a day minimum wage to a person who

works for less than four hours in a day.

With this notification, part time workers now come under the Minimum Wages Act 1948.

In another decision government has increased minimum wages in all categories of scheduled employments by Rs 104 per

month.

7. BRICS drug control meeting begins in New Delhi

The second anti-drug working group meeting of heads of anti-narcotics agencies of BRICS countries began in New Delhi to

discuss issues related to narco-terrorism and money laundering.

The one day meeting was inaugurated by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh.

It has been organised by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) of India.

The meeting will see participation of delegates from the BRICS (Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa) member countries.

The anti-drug working group meeting of heads of anti-narcotics agencies has been organised by India in accordance with the

‘eThekwani Declaration’ adopted during the BRICS summit in March 2013 at Durban, South Africa.

Under the ‘eThekwani Declaration’ BRICS countries had decided to explore economic issues and various new areas of

cooperation among the member States including drug-related issues.

8. Kerala Govt imposes 14.5 per cent fat tax on Junk Food

Kerala Government has proposed a “Fat Tax” on fast food items like burgers, pizzas, donuts and pasta etc. served in branded

restaurants in a bid to discourage the junk food culture.

The first-of its-kind move in the country was announced in the maiden budget of the CPI(M)-led LDF Government in Kerala

presented by Finance Minister Dr. T.M. Thomas Issac.

The revised state budget for 2016-17 expects the Fat tax will add an additional Rs.10 crore to the state coffers.

The fat tax’s major concern is with issues related to public health more than revenue generation.

Fat tax is proposed tax on foods or drinks judged to be unhealthy and whose consumption is believed to be linked to rising

obesity levels.

It is similar to the sin tax imposed on items such as alcohol or tobacco to discourage their consumption.

Kerala isn’t the first state to impose so-called Fat tax.

In January 2016, Bihar government decided to impose a 13.5% value-added tax (VAT) on items such as salted peanuts,

samosas, sweets and a few branded snacks.

9. India’s first Centre of Excellence on Internet of Things launched in Bengaluru




India’s first Centre of Excellence on Internet of Things (CoE– IoT) was launched in Bengaluru, Karnataka by the National

Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM).

The centre was launched at NASSCOM’s Startup Warehouse in Bengaluru to encourage start-ups to come up with tech

solutions centred on Internet of Things (IoT).

The CoE– IoT has been jointly set up NASSCOM, Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DEITY) and

Education and Research Network (ERNET).

It has been created as a catalyst for developing the IoT SME/Startup ecosystem of the country to scale for industrial and

societal needs.

10. Telangana launches tree plantation drive

Contributing to the Telangana government drive to plant 25 saplings in one day, the CII, real estate associations, the State-

owned Singareni Collieries Company Ltd, government departments and educational institutions have pitched in to make it a

success.

The ‘Harita Haram’ programme is aimed at building a greener and healthier State.

While the CII-Godrej GBC (Green Building Centre) aspires to set up a first private Botanical Garden focusing on native

species of Telangana, the members of the CII have planted 6.5 lakh saplings.

By the end of 2017, CII-Godrej GBC proposes to have about 1,000 native species where the centre would serve as a resource

centre to learn and appreciate the rich biodiversity of the State.

CREDAI, the Confederation of Real Estate Developers’ Associations of India, planted 1,00,000 saplings at Hyderabad

Central University campus and pledged to maintain them for 3 years.

11. Karnataka trade body inks pact with Sanya City

The Karnataka Region Economic and Trade Organisation (KRETO) and the Sanya People Municipal Government, China,

signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to foster trade between Sanya City and Karnataka.

The agreement allows for large and medium delegations from Sanya to visit Karnataka and vice-versa.

This agreement also allows for Sanya city to be certified as an approved destination for delegation visits from Karnataka.

The delegations visiting Karnataka from China, in turn, will be exposed to the traditional values of yoga, apart from

encouraging tourism and bilateral trade.

12. SC orders restoration of congress government in Arunachal Pradesh

The Supreme Court has ordered the restoration of former Chief Minister Nabam Tuki’s Congress government in Arunachal

Pradesh.

Verdict in this regard was given by a five-judge constitution bench headed by Justice JS Kehar on a bunch of petitions.

These petitions were dealing with discretionary powers of Governor Jyoti Prasad Rajkhowa to summon or advance the

assembly session.

SC Verdict Governor’s decision advancing session of the state assembly by a month is violative of the Constitution and is

liable to be quashed.

The SC judgment means the present Arunachal Pradesh government headed by Chief Minister Kalikho Pul would have to

step down and make way for then Congress government headed by Nabam Tuki.

It also for the first time in this history, Supreme Court has put back a state government that had been dismissed by the Centre

under the President’s rule (under Article 356).

13. Kerala launches ‘world’s first’ digital student incubator

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has launched SV.CO, purportedly world’s first digital student incubator, as a digital

makeover of the Startup Village in Kochi.

SV.CO will constitute the second phase of development of Startup Village and is designed to help thousands of college-goers

make an early start in entrepreneurship, according to a spokesman.

Startup Village is India’s first PPP model technology incubator and has supported more than 500 start-ups and helped create

3,000 jobs during its first phase 2012-15.

It will provide them a completely digital incubation framework, ranging from application for admission to teaching,

mentoring and graduation.

14. Madhya Pradesh becomes first state to have Happiness Department




Madhya Pradesh became the first state in India to have ‘Happiness Department’ that will work as knowledge resource centre

on the subject of happiness on the lines of Bhutan.

Decision to set up Happiness Department was taken by the state cabinet meeting presided by chief minister Shivraj Singh

Chouhan.

The Happiness Department will will work under a working committee headed by a chairman.

The committee will evaluate the state’s gross happiness.

The department will prepare guidelines for coordination between different departments like women and child development,

health, and sports for propagating happiness in the state.

Bhutan is the first country in the world to come up with the concept of Gross National Happiness (GNH).

15. Nalanda Mahavihara enters UNESCO’s World Heritage Site list

The ruins of ancient Nalanda Mahavihara (also known as old Nalanda University) of Bihar has been included in the Tentative

List of UNESCO’s World Heritage Site.

Nalanda Mahavihara ruins comprise the archaeological remains of monastic-cum-scholastic from the 5th century BC to the

13th century AD.

It is located near Patna, state capital of Bihar.

Nalanda Mahavihara was founded by Kumargupta I of the Gupta dynasty in 5th century CE. It was the earliest planned

university of the Indian subcontinent.

It was patronized by various rulers including King Harshavardhana of Kannauj (7th century CE) and the Pala rulers (8th to

12th century CE) as well as various scholars.

16. BHEL commissions 250 MW power plant in Gujarat

State-run BHEL has commissioned another 250 MW unit based on eco-friendly Circulating Fluidised Bed Combustion

(CFBC) technology, using low quality coal (lignite) as the primary fuel.

The unit has been commissioned at Bhavnagar Energy Company (BECL) 2x250 MW thermal power project, located at Padva

village in Bhavnagar district, Gujarat, the company said in a statement.

The project is equipped with CFBC technology that enables use of low quality lignite as fuel. The second unit of this project

is also at an advanced stage of completion.

17. 'Ramayana month' begins in Kerala

The annual 'Ramayana Month' began in Kerala on July 16 with temples and Hindu houses across the state resonating with the

chanting of the epic Ramayana.

'Karkkidakam', the last month in the Malayalam almanac, is observed as the auspicious Ramayana month in the state.

It has been a decade-old tradition that devotees, especially elders, recite "Adhyatma Ramayana" authored by medieval

devotional poet Thunchath Ramanujan Ezhuthachan, in the next one month to mark the period.

Spiritual classes and discourses on Ramayana by experts would be conducted in various temples, including at the famed Sree

Krishna Temple in Guruvayur till the end of the 'karkkidakam' month.

The ritualistic 'Anayoottu', a feeding ceremony of elephants, at Sree Vadakkunnathan Temple in Thrissur also used to fall on

the first day of 'karkkidakam'.

A number of elephants were fed with jaggery, ghee, rice, coconut, sugarcane, medicinal herbs and so on at the grand old

temple today as part of the feast.

18. India’s first e-court opened at Hyderabad High Court

India’s first e-court (paperless court) was opened at High Court of Judicature at Hyderabad which is the common high court

for the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

It was inaugurated by Supreme Court judge Justice Madan B. Lokur who heads the e-Committee of the Supreme Court.

The purpose of e-court is to ensure speedy justice for the litigants.

The e-Courts will ensure easy and better access to justice for public.

It will also provide solution for large number of pending cases in the country.

Besides, SC judge also announced that India’s first Integrated Criminal Justice System (ICJS) will be also launched in High

Court of Judicature at Hyderabad.

The system will integrate the courts, police stations, prosecution, forensic science laboratories and jails.




19. Kerala Tourism's marketing campaigns fetch it PATA awards

Kerala Tourism secured two Gold Awards at the prestigious Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) awards in recognition

of its trendsetting marketing initiatives.

The two gold medals for 'Marketing Media' are in the categories of 'Travel Advertisement Broadcast Media' and 'E-

Newsletter', which were clinched by the successful 'Visit Kerala' television commercial campaign and the popular Kerala

Tourism E-Newsletter respectively.

This year's awards attracted 212 entries from 71 organisations and individuals worldwide.

The awards will be presented at the PATA Gold Awards Luncheon and Presentation on September 9 in Jakarta.

20. CCEA approves Ghatampur Thermal Power Project in Uttar Pradesh

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has given its approval for installation of Ghatampur Thermal Power

Project (GTPS) in Ghatampur, Uttar Pradesh.

The GTPC project has capacity of 1980 MW (3 X 660 MW) and would be installed through a Joint Venture (JV) Company

named Neyveli Uttar Pradesh Power Limited (NUPPL).

NUPPL is formed jointly by Neyveli Lignite Corporation Limited (NLC) and Uttar Pradesh Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam

Limited (UPRVUNL).

The project will be implemented at an estimated cost of 17,237.8 crore rupees including Interest During Construction

component of 3,202.42 crore rupees.

21. Karnataka opens dedicated start-up cell

The Government of Karnataka has set-up a dedicated start-up cell for speeding up the implementation of the initiatives under

its start-up policy.

The cell provides a springboard to facilitate sanctions of incentives and concessions under the Start-up Policy 2015-2020, for

start-ups registered with it.

A portal, www.startup.karnataka.gov.in, was launched to enable and educate start-ups on the State government’s policies and

provide access to various benefits under the policy.

All technology-based start-ups that fall under the criteria listed by the State government can register with the portal.

This is the first time in India that a state government has come up with a dedicated Start-up Cell guided by the Start-up

Policy, which envisages the growth of 20,000 new start-ups, including 6,000 product start-ups, by 2020 in Karnataka.

22. Oldest elephant in Kerala set to enter Guinness

At 86, Dakshayani shows no signs of ageing and looks absolutely fit as she gets all set to enter the Guinness World Records

as the oldest living elephant.

The Travancore Devasom Board (TDB) - the owner of the elephant - has already written to the Guinness authorities staking

claim to Dakshayani being the oldest living elephant in the world.

23. Union Govt approves Rs 1,601 crore for Himayat programme in J&K

The Union Government has approved nearly 1,600 crore rupees for Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) under skill development

initiative ‘Himayat’ programme.

Under it, youths from both rural and urban areas of J&K would be imparted with training in various job-intensive vocational

courses over the next three years.

Youths enrolled for this scheme will be given training for six-months, nine-months and one year job-oriented courses.

They will be trained in and outside the state.

A provision has been also kept for foreign placements as well.

Himayat is a placement linked skill development initiative for training and placement of 1 lakh youths from J&K in next 5

years.

‘Himayat’ is an Urdu word which means support.

24. Vodafone M-Pesa ties up with Punjab power utility

Vodafone M-Pesa, a mobile money transfer platform, has tied up with Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) to

enable consumers pay their electricity bills instantly.

Vodafone M-Pesa offers customers a cashless, secure platform for electricity bill payments with the largest network of agents

(or CashIn Points) to enable digitisation of money for cash holding population.




This facility is aimed at driving financial inclusion further along with providing the state electricity utility subscribers in

Punjab the benefit and comfort of making payments instantly.

25. T V S N Prasad Committee to explore possible alternatives to pellet guns in Kashmir

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has setup a seven-member expert committee for exploring the other possible

alternatives to pellet guns as non-lethal weapons.

The Committee will be headed by T V S N Prasad, Joint Secretary in the MHA.

It will submit its report within two months.

Pellet guns have been categorised as non-lethal weapon. In this gun, pellets are loaded with lead balls and once fired disperse

into huge numbers.

They may not kill the person they hit, but penetrates skin tissue and cause serious injuries.

Other members of the committee: Atul Karwal (IG, CRPF), Rajeev Krishna, (IG Operations, BSF), Tushar Tripathy (DDG,

Small Arms, Ordnance factory Board) and Naresh Bhatnagar (Professor at IIT, Delhi).

26. Odisha approves three projects of Rs 874 crore investment

The Odisha government accorded in-principle approval to three projects entailing a total investment of Rs 874 crore.

The nod came at the State Level Single Window Clearance Authority (SLSWCA) meeting held under the chairmanship of

Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi.

The government approved the expansion project of Coca-Cola Beverages Pvt. Ltd., whereby the firm plans to expand its non-

alcoholic plant at Khurdha industrial estate at a cost of Rs 500 crore.

The SLSWCA also approved a project of P&A Bottlers Ltd. to set up 2.50 lakh hectolitre capacity brewery at Balarampur in

Dhenkal district with an investment of Rs 102 crore.

27. Abdul Kalam’s statue unveiled in Rameswaram

A life-size statue of former president Dr APJ Abdul Kalam was unveiled at Peikarumbu in Rameswaram on the occasion of

his first death anniversary.

Inaugurating the bronze statue, Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said, “Dr. Kalam will live forever in our minds and hearts.

His thoughts continue to be with us all the time. It is difficult still to believe that Dr. Kalam passed away and that this great

man left all of us for his heavenly abode,”.

Naidu and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar also laid the foundation stone for a national memorial for the ‘Missile man’ of

India in Rameswaram.

Kalam passed away on July 27 last year after he suffered a massive cardiac arrest while delivering a lecture at IIM- Shillong

in Meghalaya.

Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen "A. P. J." Abdul Kalam was the 11th President of India from 2002 to 2007.

28. Kamal Haasan, Subhash Ghai to inaugurate cine expo in Chennai

Actor Kamal Haasan and noted film director-producer Subash Ghai will inaugurate the Big Cine Expo 2016 to be held in

Chennai on August 23 and 24.

The expo will showcase the latest in film industry technologies.

The biggest names in the cine business such as PVR, INOX, Mayajaal, Abhirami, Aries Plex are participating in the show.

29. CM Chandrababu Naidu launches 'Mission Harita Andhra Pradesh'

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu launched 'Mission Harita Andhra Pradesh', with the theme 'green cover for a happy

living', by planting saplings at Sunkollu village under Nuzividu mandal in Krishna district.

Interestingly, Harita Andhra Pradesh was a pet project of late chief minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy but Chandrababu has

now made it a 'mission' with a new slogan Vanam-Manam (forest and we).

The objective of the mission is to increase the green cover in the state to 50 per cent by the year 2029.

Andhra currently has 23 per cent green cover (forest area) and another 3 per cent non-forest, besides 13 lakh hectares of

degraded forest.

Women self-help groups would be entrusted with the task of dibbling for growth of seedlings and they would be given 100

days of work every year for this under the MGNREGA.

The state government would also establish a tree bank and come out with a white paper and an action plan for

implementation of the Mission Harita AP.




30. Haryana Govt launches Pashudhan Bima Yojana

Haryana Government has launched Pashudhan Bima Yojana, an insurance cover scheme for cattle breeders in the state.

It was launched by Haryana Animal Husbandry and Dairying Minister, O. P. Dhankar in Jhajjar.

Pashudhan Bima Yojana will provide insurance cover to cattle breeders in the state at different premium rates for different

animals.

Insurance cover will be provided at a premium of Rs 100 for cows, buffaloes, bulls, camels and at Rs 25 for sheep, goat and

pig for a period of three years.

Under it, the insurance companies would give compensation in case of death of animal (cattle).

The scheme is free of cost for cattle breeders from the scheduled castes.

The state Animal Husbandry and Dairying Department has set a target to cover one lakh cattle under Pashudhan Bima

Yojana.

31. New Chief Justice of Patna High Court sworn in

Justice Iqbal Ahmed Ansari was sworn in as the Chief Justice of Patna High Court by Bihar Governor Ramnath Kovind at a

function herein Raj Bhawan.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, his Deputy Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, Leader of Opposition in Legislative Council Sushil Kumar

Modi, Speaker Vijay Kumar Choudhary, Council Chairman Awadhesh Narain Singh and others were present at the occasion.

32. Gujarat names J N Singh as new Chief Secretary

The Gujarat government appointed Dr Jagdip Narayan Singh, a Gujarat-cadre IAS of 1983 batch as Chief Secretary of the

State.

He replaces 1981-batch IAS Ganga Ram Aloria on his retirement from the service.

33. Justice Dilip Babasaheb Bhosale sworn in as Chief Justice of Allahabad HC

Justice Dilip Babasaheb Bhosale was sworn in as the new Chief Justice of Allahabad High Court.

He succeeds Justice D.Y. Chandrachud who was appointed judge of Supreme Court.

He was administered oath of office was administered by Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik in Allahabad as per Article 219

of Constitution.

34. Centre to hold Make In India Conference in Odisha in December

The Central government proposes to organise a 'Make in India' conference in Bhubaneswar in December

The conference would be organised by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), Ministry of Commerce

and Industry, to attract investment to Odisha as well as the country.

The Odisha government has requested the ministry to hold the conference in the first week of December.

The tourism department of Odisha government organises the five-day twin mega events of Konark Festival and International

Sand Art Festival from December 1 every year.

The Konark Festival is held at the open air auditorium with famous Sun Temple in the backdrop.

Many renowned artistes of Odissi, Manipuri, Satriya, Kuchipudi, Bharatnatyam and Kathak perform at the festival.

NEWS (WORLD) 1. World Bank, ISA sign agreement for India’s solar-energy program

The World Bank (WB) Group has signed an agreement with the International Solar Alliance (ISA) to provide more than 1

billion dollars to support India’s solar initiatives.

The agreement was signed in the presence of World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim, Union Finance Minister Arun

Jaitley and Union Power Minister Piyush Goyal in New Delhi.

World Bank will support projects such as solar rooftop technology, infrastructure for solar parks, introducing innovative solar

and hybrid technologies to market and transmission lines for solar-rich state.

It will provide 625 million dollars to India’s grid-connected rooftop solar programme that will finance the installation of at

least 400MW of solar photovoltaic installations.

This programme will provide clean, renewable energy and reduce greenhouse gas (GHGs) emissions by displacing thermal

generation.




World Bank will also collaborate with the 121-member International Solar Alliance (ISA) to mobilise 1 trillion dollars in

investments by 2030 to promote solar energy worldwide.

2. IUCN declares Bornean orangutan critically endangered

Bornean orangutan, a primate species has been declared critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of

Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN).

The declaration was based on the assessment for the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species was carried out earlier.

IUCN assessment has found that population of Bornean orangutans has dropped by nearly two-third since the early 1970s.

It has projected that their population will further decline to 47,000 animals by 2025 representing population loss of 86%.

3. India sets up apparel training centre in Kaduna, Nigeria

India has set up an apparel training centre in Kaduna, Nigeria to support textiles industry of the West African country.

This is a first of its kind centre in Nigeria which has been set up by India in partnership with their government.

The training centre was established under the Cotton Technical Assistance Programme for Africa which is being

implemented by the Department of Commerce.

It aims to support and catalyze the initiative of Nigeria in realising the objectives to rebuild the cotton and textile value chain.

4. NATO Summit concludes in Warsaw

The 2-day long NATO Summit concluded on 9 July 2016 in Warsaw, Poland.

It was the 27th summit biannual summit of NATO since its inception in 1949.

The summit was attended by Heads of State and Heads of Government of NATO members including the USA President

Barack Obama, Polish president Andrzej Duda and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

Besides, the summit also saw the presence of Heads of Government of non-member States and organizations of NATO

including Afghanistan.

At the end of the summit, the leaders agreed to deploy more troops along its eastern borders in Poland and Estonia. Besides,

the leaders also supported Georgia’s membership aspirations.

The NATO stands for North Atlantic Treaty Organization. It is also called the North Atlantic Alliance.

The groupe has 28 member countries including major countries of North America and Europe.

5. China has no historic rights over South China Sea: Hague Tribunal

The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in Hague, the Netherlands has rejected China’s claims to economic rights across

large swathes of South China Sea.

Ruling in this regard was given by a five-member tribunal appointed by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in Hague in a

case brought by the Philippines.

The ruling came from an arbitration tribunal under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) which

both China and Philippines have signed.

6. Peru declares Zika emergency across northern half of the country

Peru has declared Zika outbreak as a health emergency across the northern half of the country after 102 people were infected

with the virus.

The 90-day health emergency was declared to prevent the spread of the disease.

So far 34 cases of disease (principally transmitted by mosquitos) were detected in pregnant women.

A major Zika outbreak in Peru’s neighbouring country Brazil has caused nearly 1,600 birth of babies with the birth defect

due to microcephaly i.e. abnormally small heads and brains.

7. 11th ASEM summit begins in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

The eleventh edition of Asia-Europe Meeting Summit (ASEM11) or ASEM2016 began in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of

Mongolia.

The theme of the Summit is ‘Partnership for the Future through Connectivity‘.

World leaders including from the leaders of 51 member countries and the representatives of European Union and Asian are

attending the two day summit.

Indian delegation is led by Vice President Mohmmad Hamid Ansari.

India’s agenda for the summit is to push the efforts to boost inter-continental connectivity.




ASEM2016 is being held in the new world environment following Britain’s exit from the European Union and a global

economic slowdown.

It is also first major multilateral diplomatic gathering after recent ruling by UN-backed international tribunal which has

struck down China’s claims in strategic South China Sea.

ASEM2016 will also take into consideration the issue of terrorism during deliberations after recent terror strike in

Bangladesh and some European countries.

The declaration has reaffirmed ASEM’s commitment for greater partnership through informal political dialogue and

initiatives in economic and socio-cultural fields. It also has expressed its commitment for united fight against terrorism and

violent extremism.

8. UNESCO announces 9 new World Heritage Sites

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the UN cultural agency added nine new

sites on its World Heritage List.

Decision in this regard was taken at the 40th session of The World Heritage Committee meeting in Istanbul, Turkey.

With these inclusions, the recorded sites on the World Heritage now stand at 981 which include both cultural and natural

wonders.

9 new World Heritage Sites are:

1. Old city of Ani (Turkey): It is Turkish province of Kars.

2. Zuojiang Huashan rock art cultural landscape (China).

3. Qanat (Iran)

4. Nalanda Mahavihara (India): It is an archaeological site having remains of a monastic and scholastic institution

dating from the 3rd century BC to the 13th century AD.

5. Artificial islets of Nan Madol (Micronesia): They are 99 artificial islets made of basalt and coral boulders. They are

home to ruins ranging from temple to tombs dating between 1200 and 1500 AD.

6. Stecci Sites: Located in Bosnia, central and western Montenegro, southern Croatia and western Serbia.They are

medieval tombstones and graveyards carved from limestone, they feature decorative motives and inscriptions.

7. Ancient Philippi (Spain): It is Greek archaeological site founded in 356 BC by the Macedonian King Philip II. It is

located in the present-day region of eastern Macedonia and Thrace.

8. Antequera Dolmens (Spain): It is comprises of three megalithic monuments as well as two natural mountainous

formations.

9. Gorham’s Cave Complex (Britain): They are natural sea caves in the British overseas territory of Gibraltar.

9. UNESCO lists Khangchendzonga National Park and Chandigarh’ Capitol Complex in World Heritage Sites

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), has added Sikkim’s Khangchendzonga

National Park (KNP) and Chandigarh’ Capitol Complex in its list of World Heritage Sites.

Decision in this regard was taken by the 40th session of the World Heritage Committee (WHC) of UNESCO held in Istanbul

in Turkey.

Khangchendzonga National Park (KNP) was added in the ’mixed’ heritage site category of the list i.e. it exhibits qualities of

both natural and cultural significance.

With this, it becomes the first ‘mixed’ heritage site from India to make it to the list.

Chandigarh’s famed Capitol Complex designed by Swiss-French architecture Le Corbusier was added in the list in the

Transnational category.

The site was added in the list as part of the UNESCO’s recognition of Le Corbusier’s architectural works in different parts of

the world.

The Capitol Complex includes the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Punjab and Haryana Secretariat and Punjab and Haryana

Assembly.

The 40th session of the World Heritage Committee (WHC) of UNESCO, three sites from India were inducted in Word

Heritage List.

Earlier Bihar’s Nalanda University was added in the list.

With this, India becomes first country to get three sites inscribed in the Word Heritage List at a single session of the

committee meeting.

With these additions, India now has 35 world heritage sites, including 27 cultural heritage sites, 7 natural sites and 1 mixed

site.




10. Canada to conduct world’s first Zika vaccine test on humans

Researchers from Laval University based in Quebec City, Canada are going to conduct the world’s first Zika vaccine test on

humans.

They are first international researchers team in the world to complete all of the steps in the regulatory process for the test.

The development of the Zika vaccine has been authorized by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Health

Canada.

Until now, vaccines have been tested on mice. According to World Health Organization (WHO), more than a dozen

pharmaceutical companies, including France’s Sanofi and India’s Bharat Biotech, are working on developing a Zika vaccine.

11. Turkey declares three-month state of emergency after a failed military coup

Turkey has declared three-month state of emergency after a failed military coup to overthrow the democratically elected

government.

Announcement in this regard was taken by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan after a meeting with Cabinet ministers

and top security advisers in Ankara.

Three-month state of emergency was declared as measure to counter threats to Turkish democracy.

The emergency allows officials to set curfews, issue search and arrests warrants and restrict gatherings.

The 2016 military coup in Turkey was attempted against the ruling Justice and Development Party Government led by

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

However it failed to overthrow ruling democratically elected government and ended one day later.

The coup was carried out by a faction within the Turkish Armed Forces under a council calling itself the Peace at Home

Council.

The forces loyal to President Erdogan toppled the coup and took control of military factions that tried to overthrow Turkey’s

democratically government and military leadership with military rule.

12. Facebook's solar-powered internet plane takes flight

Facebook has announced the first successful test flight of a high-altitude solar plane to bring internet access to remote parts of

the world.

The Aquila drone has the wingspan of an airliner but weighs less than a car.

When cruising it consumes just 5,000 watts – the same as three hairdryers or a powerful microwave.

The first flight took place on 28 June in Arizona.

Aquila was developed in Bridgwater, Somerset, and the drone, designed to fly non-stop for three months, will use lasers to

beam down internet access to remote areas without online capacity.

13. Solar Impulse completes historic round-the-world trip

The first round-the-world solar powered flight has been completed, after the Solar Impulse aircraft touched down in Abu

Dhabi.

Bertrand Piccard piloted the plane for a final time, steering it safely from the Egyptian capital Cairo to the UAE.

He has been taking turns at the controls with Swiss compatriot Andre Borschberg, with the mission aiming to promote

renewable energy.

It brings to an end a voyage that began in Abu Dhabi on 9 March last year.

The 17-stage journey covered some 42,000km, taking in four continents, three seas and two oceans.

The longest leg, an 8,924km (5,545-mile) flight from Nagoya in Japan to Hawaii, US, lasted nearly 118 hours and saw Mr

Borschberg break the absolute world record for longest (time duration) uninterrupted solo flight.

It was just one of 19 official aviation records set during the global adventure.

Mr Piccard and Mr Borschberg have been working on the Solar Impulse project for more than a decade.

14. International Organisation for Migration becomes part of UN

The United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution approving an agreement to make the International

Organization for Migration (IOM) part of the UN system as a related organization.

IOM, which assisted an estimated 20 million migrants in 2015, is an intergovernmental organization with more than 9,500

staff and 450 offices worldwide.

Founded in the wake of the World War II to resettle refugees from Europe, the organization celebrates its 65th anniversary in

December of this year.




The agreement outlines a closer relationship between the 65-year-old IOM and the UN to strengthen cooperation and enhance

their ability to fulfil their respective mandates in the interest of migrants and Member States.

IOM has its headquarters at Geneva, Switzerland.

15. LeEco buys US-based VIZIO for $2 bn

Chinese handset maker LeEco said it has acquired US-based consumer electronics firm VIZIO for $2 billion.

As part of the definitive agreement, LeEco will acquire all of the VIZIO hardware and software operations, technology and

intellectual property and the transaction is expected to close during the fourth quarter of 2016.

The VIZIO hardware and software businesses will be owned and operated as a wholly-owned subsidiary of LeEco, while

VIZIO’s data business — Inscape — will spin out and operate as a separate, privately owned company.

The acquisition will offer LeEco a steady install base of users and a brand that is both popular and successfully distributed

throughout major North American retail channels.

16. Permanent Court of Arbitration rules against Antrix Coroporation in Devas case

The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) tribunal in The Hague, Netherlands has ruled against Antrix Corporation in the

case with Devas Corporation over sharing of spectrum on satellites.

A PCA tribunal has found that the Union Government’s actions in annulling a contract between Devas and Antrix

Corporation Ltd.

It also found that it has denied Devas commercial use of S-band spectrum constituted an expropriation (state actions in

modifying the property rights of an individual in the exercise of its sovereignty.

Following the ruling, India may have to give 1 billion compensation to Devas.

PCA is an intergovernmental organization established in 1899. It is located at The Hague in the Netherlands.

17. WHO declares Brazil measles free

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has officially declared Brazil free of measles, after no case of the disease was

registered in the year 2015.

The eradication of measles in Brazil is the conclusion of work spanning several years.

The WHO had worked along with the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) to eradicate the disease.

Measles is a highly contagious airborne disease transmitted orally, through mucus or saliva.

It mainly affects children and can be spread rapidly through the air due to sneezing or a cough.

Thus it is highly infectious airborne disease.

Science, Defence and Technology 1. MR-SAM developed by India, Israel successfully test-fired

The medium range surface-to-air missile missile (MR-SAM) developed jointly by India and Israel was successfully test-fired.

During the test, the missile was launched from a mobile launcher in the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur, Odisha.

After getting signal from the radars, the missile successfully intercepted a moving aerial target supported by unmanned air

vehicle (UAV) ‘Banshee’.

The MR-SAM has been developed jointly by Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), a laboratory of the

DRDO in collaboration with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).

The missile consists of Multi-Functional Surveillance and Threat Alert Radar (MF-STAR) system for detection, tracking and

guidance.

The MR-SAM has strike ranges from 50 to 70 km.

Once inducted into Indian Armed forces, it will provide the users capability to neutralise any aerial threats.

2. Antarctic ozone hole is starting to heal: Scientists

Scientists for the first time have found clear evidence that the thinning in the ozone layer above Antarctica is starting to heal.

Ozone layer in the atmosphere’s stratospheric layer comprises of Ozone (O3), an allotrope of oxygen.

It plays an important role in blocking harmful ultraviolet radiation (UV) from the Sun.

The absence or thinning of Ozone layer increases the chances of skin cancer, cataract damage in human beings and even

causes harm to animals and plants.




In the research, scientists have found that ozone hole was around 4 million square kilometres in September 2015, smaller

than it was in the year 2000.

It was based on detailed measurements of the amount of ozone in the stratosphere between 2000 and 2015.

The healing of ozone layer was due to the long term phasing out (banning) of ozone-destroying chemicals (ODCs) such as

chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in Montreal Protocol 1987.

3. ZSI to record climate change impact on animals in five Himalayan states

The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) has launched long-term monitoring studies project to document the effect of climate

change on animal biodiversity in five Himalayan states.

These five Himalayan states are Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh.

Under the project, ZSI will monitor indicators in species like butterflies, bees, fish and other insects to find how their

distribution has been affected by climate change.

The project has been funded by the Union Ministry for Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).

The duration of the project is for three years.

4. India’s first integrated Defence Communication Network launched

India’s first integrated Defence Communication Network (DCN) was launched by Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar

in South Block, Delhi.

The network will enable India Army, Air force, Navy and the Special Forces Command to share situational awareness for a

faster decision-making process.

DCN is the largest single satellite network in the Indian Defence Forces, spread across the country. It is a strategic, highly

secure and scalable system.

It has has a pan-India reach from Ladakh to the North East to island territories.

The tri-communication network makes voice data and video data accessible to the three services over a secured network.

5. Indigenously built LCA Tejas inducted in IAF

The first squadron of home-grown Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas has been inducted into Indian Air Force (IAF) at the

Aircraft System Testing Establishment in Bengaluru on 1 July 2016.

The squadron has been named ‘Flying Daggers’ 45.

State-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) handed over the first two Tejas aircraft to the Air Force.

IAF plans to induct over 80 aircraft with better specifications known as Tejas 1A.

The upgraded version of Tejas, with Active Electrically Scanned Array Radar, Unified Electronic Warfare Suite, mid-air

refuelling capacity and advanced BVRs, will cost between Rs. 275 crore and Rs. 300 crore.

The aircraft was named ‘Tejas’ (meaning radiance in Sanskrit) by Atal Bihari Vajpayee as Prime Minister.

The aircraft will be operated for nearly two years by the squadron at Bengaluru before it is moved to its designated location at

Sulur near Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu.

Air Force has said the idea is to have a total of six aircraft this financial year and about eight in the next.

6. Indian Navy launches water jet craft in Kolkata

The Indian Navy launched the last of the series of the Water Jet Fast Attack Craft (WJFAC) ship at a ceremony in Kolkata.

The WJFAC vessel was launched in the waters by wife of chief of logistics, Vice-Admiral Jayant Korde, at Raja Bagan

dockyard, a facility meant to build small ships.

The fighter craft is capable of attack missions and is also used against smuggling and poaching activities.

The ship is named Tarasa, after an island in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago.

All the necessary equipment and systems will be installed in the ship after being put to sea for trials before being inducted in

the navy later in the year.

The 49-meter long vessel weighs 315 tons and is designed to reach a maximum speed of 35 knots.

7. RIMPAC 2016: World’s largest international maritime exercise kicks off

World’s largest international maritime exercise named RIMPAC (Rim of the Pacific) 2016 began in Pacific Ocean at Hawaii,

United States.

RIMPAC 2016 will see participation of navies from 26 countries.

This year it is the 25th edition of biennial exercise in the series that began in 1971.




RIMPAC 2016 Theme: “Capable, Adaptive, Partners”.

In RIMPAC 2016, three new nations are participating for the first time.

They are Denmark, Germany and Italy.

India is being represented by Indian Naval ship (INS) Satpura, an indigenously built guided missile stealth frigate.

RIMPAC is held biennially during June and July of even-numbered years from Honolulu, Hawaii.

It is hosted and administered by the United States Navy’s Pacific Fleet (headquartered at Pearl Harbor) in conjunction with

the Marine Corps, the Coast Guard, and Hawaii National Guard forces under the control of the Governor of Hawaii.

8. High-speed OPV INS Tarasa launched by Indian Navy

Indian Navy has launched INS Tarasa, the fourth and last ship in the series of the Water Jet Fast Attack Craft (WJFAC).

It is being built by Kolkata (West Bengal) based Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd (GRSE), for the Indian Navy.

The WJFACs are ideally suited and used for interception of fast-moving surface craft.

INS Tarasa like the previously launched ships of WJFACs series has been named after the picturesque island in the Andaman

and Nicobar archipelago in Bay of Bengal.

INS Tarasa will perform anti-smuggling, fishery protection and search and rescue operations.

9. NASA extends New Horizons mission

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has given its approval to extend New Horizons mission to

investigate a mysterious object deep in the Kuiper Belt.

In the extended mission New Horizons space probe will investigate a mysterious object known as 2014 MU69 located deep

in the Kuiper Belt.

2014 MU69 is an ancient object considered one of the early building blocks of the solar system.

It lies about 1.5 billion kilometres beyond Pluto and is roughly 45 kilometres in diameter.

10. Researchers build super-sensitive e-nose

Researchers from the University of Leuven (KU Leuven) in Belgium have built a super-sensitive electronic nose comprising

of chemical sensors metal-organic frameworks (MOFs).

The super-sensitive e-nose has ability to detect pesticides and nerve gas in very low concentrations by analyzing their

chemical makeup.

MOFs are like microscopic sponges.

They can absorb quite a lot of gas into their minuscule pores.

This MOF is the most sensitive gas sensor to date to detect very low concentrations/traces of dangerous substances.

11. NASA’s Juno spacecraft successfully begins orbit of Jupiter

NASA’s Juno spacecraft has successfully entered into the orbit of Jupiter on 4th July 2016 and started orbiting solar system’s

most massive planet.

The spacecraft was launched by NASA as part of its New Frontiers program in 2011 to study Jupiter’s composition, gravity

field, magnetic field, and polar magnetosphere.

The unmanned spacecraft has been named after the Roman goddess Juno, the wife of Jupiter who is considered as the god of

the sky in ancient Greco-Roman mythology.

Juno is the first mission designed by NASA to see beneath Jupiter’s clouds.

12. JNPT becomes first Indian port to implement logistics data tagging of containers

The Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPT) at Nhava Sheva in Raigad District of Maharashtra has become the first port in India to

implement logistics data bank tagging system of containers.

The first of its kind system has been launched as part of ‘Ease of Doing Business’ initiatives implemented at JNPT Port.

It focuses on document, time and cost reduction for the benefit of trade.

Under this system, a RFID (Radio Frequency Identification Tag) tag will be attached to each container.

It will help to track containers through RIFD readers installed at different locations.

13. China inducts largest homegrown Y-20 military transport plane

China inducted its largest indigenously-built transport aircraft named as Y-20, marking a crucial step in its Air Force history

for improving its strategic power projection capability.




It is also considered as a breakthrough for Chinese defence sector especially in military aviation technology which will allow

the world’s largest force to transport cargo and troops over long distances in diverse weather conditions.

The indigenously designed and developed Y-20 officially joined the PLA Air Force in Chengdu.

It has a maximum take-off weight of 200 tonnes.

The plane is comparable to the Russian-made IL-76 and US made C-17.

14. Astronomers discover HD 131399Ab, planet with three suns

A team of international astronomers for the first time have sighted a Jovian planet orbiting a triple star system.

The planet has been named as HD 131399Ab.

The strange planet was sighted by team of astronomers led by University of Arizona using the SPHERE instrument on

European Southern Observatory’s (ESO) Very Large Telescope in Chile.

Usually binary solar systems (having two stars or suns) are relatively common in the universe, but solar systems involving

three stars or more are very rare.

Planet HD 131399Ab is located about 340 light years from Earth in the constellation Centaurus.

It is believed to be relatively young, about 16 million years old.

This makes it one of the youngest planets discovered outside our solar system to date.

HD 131399Ab has mass four times that of the gas giant Jupiter, our solar system’s largest planet.

It orbits the brightest of the three stars on a very long and wide path.

15. Myntra acquires tech start-up ‘Cubeit’

Online fashion retailer Myntra has acqui-hired Cubeit, a Bengaluru-based tech start-up focused on content aggregation on

mobile.

Cubeit, led by co-founders Sarthak Jain, Nithinkumar Gadiparthi and Prathamesh Juvatkar, was founded in 2014.

The company focuses on building mobile applications which allow users to aggregate content from anywhere, organise, view

and share the same from a given location.

It developed an interactive mobile application that provided the user access to multiple apps depending on the need, through a

smart interface and allowing the same to be shared with individuals or groups.

As part of the acquisition, the team at Cubeit has been inducted into Myntra to expand Myntra’s technology team.

16. Google introduces Android Skilling Program for India

Google has introduced an Android Skilling Program for India.

Announcing this in a blog post, Peter Lubbers, Senior Program Manager, Google Developer Training, said Google will train

two million developers in India over the next three years.

And in support of the Skill India initiative of the Indian government, Google said it hoped to "provide easy and affordable

access to a world-class skilling and educational program for Indian developers".

India will have four million software developers by 2018 (according to the Evans Report 2015), becoming the largest

population of developers in the world.

17. INS Karna commissioned by Navy chief

The Navy’s dedicated base for its Special Operation Forces – MARCOS – INS Karna was commissioned here by the Chief of

Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba.

The establishment of the first base for Indian Navy’s elite force with capability to operate in all three dimensions of warfare –

air, land and sea – in the home port of the Navy on the Eastern Seaboard marks another milestone in Indian Navy bonding

with the city of Visakhapatnam.

18. Mahindra Aerostructures bags supply contract from Airbus

Mahindra Aerostructures, a subsidiary of Mahindra & Mahindra have bagged a Tier 1 supplier contract to supply airframe

parts for Airbus’s AS565 MBe Panther helicopter.

With this, Mahindra Aerostructures becomes the first Indian company to receive a direct manufacturing contract from Airbus

(European aviation major) as a Tier 1 supplier.

The helicopter parts will be produced at Mahindra’s facility in Bengaluru, Karnataka.

They will be shipped directly to the Airbus Helicopter production line in Marignane, France.




19. India Successfully Tests New Advanced Artillery Gun System

India’s Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) successfully conducted proof firing tests of a new towed

gun currently being developed for the Indian Army.

With the successfully test-firing of the gun, the so-called Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) achieved a

“technological breakthrough”.

The proof firing of Armament system for 155 mm x 52 caliber Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) during the

technical trials conducted recently at Proof & Experimental Establishment (PXE), Balasore.

The ATAGS is being developed to supplement the indigenously designed and manufactured 155 millimeter/45 caliber

artillery gun, Dhanush, an improved version of the FH-77B 155 mm/39 caliber towed howitzer manufactured by the Swedish

defense contractor Bofors (now BAE Systems) and of which India acquired 414 between 1987 and 1991.

20. Tata Advanced Systems signs deal with Bell Helicopter

Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) and US-based Bell Helicopter have signed a deal to jointly develop the helicopter

market in India.

The agreement seeks to support of India’s aviation and defence modernization initiatives with an emphasis on ‘Make in

India’.

Both companies will jointly develop the helicopter market in India, including potential production and assembly, training,

maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO).

21. Tata Advanced Systems signs deal with Bell Helicopter

Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) and US-based Bell Helicopter have signed a deal to jointly develop the helicopter

market in India.

The agreement seeks to support of India’s aviation and defence modernization initiatives with an emphasis on ‘Make in

India’.

Both companies will jointly develop the helicopter market in India, including potential production and assembly, training,

maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO).

22. Terrapin acquires Yatra for $218 mn

Indian travel agency Yatra Online, Inc has entered into a merger agreement with Terrapin 3 Acquisition Corp (TRTL), a

Nasdaq-listed special purpose acquisition firm.

The transaction values Yatra at an enterprise value of $218 million (Rs 1,458 crore).

Yatra said that it intends to be listed on the U.S. stock exchange Nasdaq under the symbol ‘YTRA’.

It would be able to do this via a reverse merger, a way for private companies to go public, typically through a cost-efficient

and expedient process.

In a typical reverse merger, an active private company takes control and merges with a dormant public firm or a shell

company.

TRTL, a shell company, is focused on effecting a merger, acquisition, or similar business combination. The combined

company will continue to be led by Yatra's management team under the leadership of chief executive and co-founder Dhruv

Shringi.

23. Indian Navy warships visit Malaysia to boost geostrategic relations

Indian Navy's ships Sahyadri, Shakti and Kirch under the Command of Rear Admiral S V Bhokare arrived at Port Kelang,

Malaysia as part of deployment of the Eastern Fleet to the South China Sea and Western Pacific.

The four-day visit is demonstration of India's 'Act East' policy and Indian Navy's increasing footprint and operational reach.

The visiting Indian Navy ships are also likely to conduct exercises with the Royal Malaysian Navy, aimed at enhancing

interoperability in communication as well as search and rescue procedures, post departure from Port Kelang.

24. Opera browser acquired by Chinese consortium for $600 million

A Chinese consortium has bought the Opera internet browser for $600 million (543 million euros), its Norwegian developer

said, after a public share offer for the company failed.

The consortium led by Golden Brick Silk Road will purchase the mobile and desktop versions of the internet browser, plus

performance and privacy apps and a stake in a Chinese joint venture, but not the television, media and games units.




Golden Brick Silk Road fund is a Chinese consortium which i includes Beijing Kunlun Tech which is specialised in mobile

games and cybersecurity specialist Qihoo 360.

25. SpaceX successfully launches Dragon Cargo capsule using Falcon 9 rocket

SpaceX successfully launched its Dragon Cargo capsule filled with supplies for astronauts aboard the International Space

Station (ISS).

The Dragon Cargo capsule was launched using SpaceX’s workhorse Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida.

After successful take off, the Falcon 9 rocket separated from cargo after sending in into orbit.

Then the first stage of the rocket successfully landed back on the solid ground in Cape Canaveral at the NASA facility.

The Dragon capsule will reach the ISS on 20 July 2016.

It is a SpaceX’s free-flying spacecraft.

26. Scientists working toward storing digital information in DNA

Scientists are working towards storing digital data in the base sequence of DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid).

Thus they are seeking to make the genetic material capable to store data for long time in durable format as an archive data for

the future.

The information in the DNA is stored in strings i.e. in the form four-letter DNA code.

It is basically sequences of four building blocks (nuclear strands) abbreviated as A (Adenine), C (Cytosine), T (Thymine) and

G (Guanine) found in DNA molecule.

MoUs & Reports 1. FSSAI inks MoU with ASCI

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has inked a MoU with Advertising Standard Council of India

(ASCI) to check misleading advertisements in the food and beverages sector.

This partnership between FSSAI and ASCI will put in place a mechanism to monitor misleading advertisements.

It will also lead to streamlining advertisements effectively through structured guidelines and appropriate action.

As part of the MoU, ASCI will comprehensively monitor these advertisements across various media.

FSSAI has given a suo motu monitoring mandate to ASCI to process complaints against misleading advertisements of food

and beverages.

2. Union Cabinet Approves import of pulses through long-term contract with Mozambique

The Union Cabinet has approved a long-term contract with Mozambique for import of pulses by signing a Memorandum of

Understanding (MoU).

The MoU aims to promote the production of Tur (Pigeon Peas) and other pulses in Mozambique by encouraging progressive

increase in the trading of these pulses.

It aims at doubling the trade from 1 lakh tonnes in 2016-17 to 2 lakh tonnes by 2020-21.

3. Approves setting up a Major port at Enayam near Colachel in Tamil Nadu

The Union Cabinet has given its in-principle approval for setting up a Major port at Enayam near Colachel in Tamil Nadu.

On completion, the port will become country’s 13th major port.

The Enayam Major Port project seeks to make India a trans-shipment hub for the global East-West maritime trade route.

For development of this port, a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) will be formed with initial equity investment from the three

Major Ports in Tamil Nadu. They are V.O.Chidambaranar Port Trust, Kamarajar Port Limited and Chennai Port Trust.

4. Approves Interest Subvention Scheme for farmers for year 2016-17

The Union Cabinet has approved the Interest Subvention Scheme for farmers for the year 2016-17.

For this purpose Union Government has earmarked a sum of 18,276 Crore Rupees.

The scheme will help farmers getting short term crop loan payable within one year up to 3 lakhs Rupees at only 4% per

annum.

Interest subvention for providing short term crop loan to farmers has been provided to Public Sector, Private Sector,

Cooperative, Regional Rural banks and NABARD.

5. Approves the High Courts (Alteration of Names) Bill, 2016




The Union Cabinet has given its approval to The High Courts (Alteration of Names) Bill, 2016 to change names of the High

Courts based on the nomenclature cities they are located.

The Bill facilitates changing of the names of ‘Madras High Court as Chennai High Court’ and ‘Bombay High Court as

Mumbai High Court’ respectively.

6. Approves MoU between India and Tanzania

The Union Cabinet has approved signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Tanzania in the

field of Traditional Systems of Medicine and Homeopathy.

The MoU will facilitate structured frame work for the cooperation between both countries for the promotion of Indian

Traditional Systems of Medicine and Homeopathy in Tanzania.

7. Approves MoU between India and Mauritius

The Union Cabinet has approved signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Mauritius in the

field of Rural Development and Poverty Alleviation.

The MoU will encourage cooperation between both countries in the field of rural development and capacity building on the

basis of equality and mutual benefit.

8. Approves MoU between India and Mozambique

The Union Cabinet has given its approval for signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and

Mozambique on Drug demand reduction and related matters.

The MoU also envisages prevention of illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursor chemicals.

9. Approves National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme

The Union Cabinet has approved a National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) for providing apprenticeship training

to over 50 lakh youngsters in order to create more jobs.

The Scheme has an outlay of 10,000 crore rupees and a target of training 50 lakh apprentices by 2019-20.

It will be implemented by Director General of Training (DGT) under the aegis of Union Ministry of Skill Development and

Entrepreneurship (MSDE).

Union Government for the first time will provide financial incentives to the employers to engage apprentices.

Union Government will directly share 25% of the total stipend payable to an apprentice with employers.

10. India ranks 91st in 2016 Networked Readiness Index

India was placed at 91st position in the recently released 2016 Networked Readiness Index (NRI) by the Geneva-based

World Economic Forum (WEF).

The index was released as the part of the WEF’s Global Information Technology Report.

It measures countries’ success in creating the necessary conditions for a transition to a digitised economy and society.

The list was topped by Singapore followed by Finland (2nd), Sweden (3rd), Norway (4th) & United States (5th).

11. India, South Africa sign MoUs in four areas of co-operation

India and South Africa have signed Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) and agreements in four areas of bilateral co-

operation.

These MoUs were signed in presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South African President Jacob Juma in Pretoria,

South Africa.

PM Narendra Modi Modi had arrived in South Africa from Mozambique on the second leg of his four-nation tour of Africa.

MoU on Tourism.

MoU on Grass root innovation (Science and Technology)

MoU on Information and Communication technology (ICT).

Both countries also signed Programme of Cooperation in Arts and Culture.

12. DRDO inks MoA with IITs for Centre for Propulsion Technology

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has signed Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with IIT-

Bombay and Madras to establish a bi-nodal ‘Centre of Propulsion Technology’ (CoPT) at the two institutions.




The initiative is aims to achieve synergy between DRDO and IITs for channelising the research efforts for developing

products and related critical aerospace technologies.

The Centre will evolve mechanisms to facilitate execution of programmes related to propulsion technology.

It will engage both IITs as primary research nodes.

It will also undertake advanced collaborative research in the areas of critical defence technologies.

It will facilitate and undertake multidisciplinary directed research in the focused areas of futuristic aero engines, hypersonic

propulsion for long duration flight.

13. Bihar signs MoU with Bangkok

As part of programmes to implement the Roadmap for Disaster Risk Reduction in Bihar (2015-30), the state government

signed an MoU with Bangkok-based Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC).

The MoU will help reduce disaster risk management in the state.

Bihar often faces disasters like flood, drought and earthquake.

As per provisions of the MoU, the ADPC will provide technical assistance to the state government to implement the

Roadmap for Disaster Risk Reduction in Bihar (2015-30).

One of the targets of the roadmap is cutting down the loss of human lives in natural disasters by 75 per cent within 2030 in

comparison to the current data.

14. India, Kenya ink seven agreements to deepen and expand cooperation

India and Kenya have signed seven agreements to deepen and expand cooperation in a wide range of areas.

These agreements were signed in the presence of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Kenyan President Uhuru

Kenyatta in Nairobi.

PM Narendra Modi visited Kenya on the fourth and last leg of his four-nation tour of Africa viz. Mozambique, South Africa,

Tanzania and Kenya.

MoU on Defence Cooperation.

MoU in the field of space Technology partnership.

Revised Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA).

Bilateral agreement on exemption of Visa for holders of Diplomatic passports.

MoU on Cooperation in the field of National Housing Policy Development and Management.

MoU on Cooperation in the field of expertise sharing, standardisation and mutual trade between Bureau of Indian Standards

(BIS) and Bureau of Kenya Standards (BKS).

Line of Credit (LoC) Agreement for US $29.95 million to Kenyan Government for upgradation of Rift Valley Textiles

Factory (RIVATEX East Africa Limited) in Kenya.

LoC Agreement for US $15 million (first tranche of $30 million) to Kenya’s IDB Capital Limited for development of small

and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Kenya.

Besides, PM Narendra Modi also announced that India will fully finance a cancer hospital in Kenya.

India will also donate medicines for AIDS patients in Kenya.

India would provide concessional credit of 60 million dollars for power transmission project to Kenya.

15. SBI inks MoU with IIT Bombay to promote startups in financial sector

The State Bank of India (SBI) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Society for Innovation and

Entrepreneurship (SINE) at IIT Bombay to promote innovation by start-ups in the financial sector.

The SINE is IIT Bombay’s technology business incubator to promote innovation by startups in the financial sector.

Under this agreement SBI and both the institutes will identify fintech (financial technology) start-ups that have products or

applications to cater to the financial sector.

SBI will interact with the entrepreneurial and research community of SINE to understand latest innovations and conduct

knowledge sessions for mutual benefit to arrive.

16. Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi has approved Projects.

Approves the Revised Cost Estimate of Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric Project in Bhutan

The Union Cabinet has given its approval for Revised Cost Estimate (RCE) of 7290.62 crore rupees for the ongoing 1020

MW Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric Project (HEP) in Bhutan.

The Hydroelectric project seeks to provide surplus power to India and thus augment power availability in the country.




17. CCEA approves disinvestment of 15% in NBCC

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved the disinvestment of 15% paid up equity of National

Buildings Construction Corporation Limited (NBCC).

The disinvestment of 15% will done out of Union Government’s 90% shareholding.

The disinvestment would result in estimated receipts of approximately 1,706 crore rupees to the Government.

18. Approves revival of defunct Fertilizer Units in Gorakhpur, Sindri and Barauni

The Union Cabinet has approved the revival of three fertilizers defunct Fertilizer Units in Gorakhpur, Sindri and Barauni.

The three fertilizers units are: (i) Barauni (Bihar) unit of Hindustan Fertilizers Corporation Limited (HFCL), (ii) Urea unit of

Fertilizer Corporation India Limited (FCIL) at Sindri (Jharkhand) and (iii) Urea unit of FCIL at Gorakhpur (Uttar Pradesh).

19. Approves facilities extended to persons residing in India on Long Term Visa

The Union Cabinet has extended numerous facilities to persons from minority communities of Afghanistan, Pakistan and

Bangladesh namely Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, Sikhs, Parsis and Christians staying in India on Long Term Visa (LTV).

The move is aims at easing out the difficulties being faced by minority communities.

20. UP Govt, Netherlands ink MoU

The Uttar Pradesh government has signed a MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) with the Netherlands to set up a skill

development center to help farmers.

The MoU would ensure that farmers would get information in food processing and modern techniques for better produce of

sugarcane, potato, dairy development and flowers.

It aims to improve the cultivation skills of farmers.

As per the MoU, Netherlands will help Uttar Pradesh Government in solid waste management, urban development and

infrastructure and water management.

The MoU will be effective for 3 years and would also help in land reclamation of 1,500 acres in the Ganga basin in Kanpur

and development of cultural heritage.

21. UP Govt, Netherlands ink MoU

The Uttar Pradesh government has signed a MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) with the Netherlands to set up a skill

development center to help farmers.

The MoU would ensure that farmers would get information in food processing and modern techniques for better produce of

sugarcane, potato, dairy development and flowers.

It aims to improve the cultivation skills of farmers.

As per the MoU, Netherlands will help Uttar Pradesh Government in solid waste management, urban development and

infrastructure and water management.

The MoU will be effective for 3 years and would also help in land reclamation of 1,500 acres in the Ganga basin in Kanpur

and development of cultural heritage.

22. Herbalife associates with IOA as nutrition partner

Herbalife International India, a global premier nutrition company, has entered into a two-year exclusive partnership with

Indian Olympic Association to be the official nutrition sponsor of the Indian Olympic contingent to Rio De Janeiro.

Beginning with the Rio Olympics, Herbalife is mulling a long-term partnership with Indian Olympic Association in an effort

to identify sports federations for development of sports and its athletes.

Another significant area where the partnership will play a crucial role is nutrition, a key element in a sportsperson's life,

involving nutrition education and knowledge forums for athletes of various federations.

23. Glaciers melting at 5 to 20 metre rate annually: Government

Majority of glaciers in India including Gangotri are retreating (melting) at varying rates ranging from 5 to 20 metre per year

due to global warming.

It was announced by Minister of State (independent charge) of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in Lok Sabha.




The revelations were based on the studies carried out by ISRO, Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIGH) Dehradun

and other institutions. Gangotri, one of the largest glaciers (30 km long) of Uttarkahand followed by Satopanth glacier (14

km) are retreating but not at an alarming rate.

24. NITI Aayog, Intel India ink SoI

The NITI (National Institution for Transforming India) Aayog has signed Statement of Intent (SoI) with tech giant Intel India

to set up Atal Tinkering laboratories (ATL) under the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM).

The aim of Atal Tinkering laboratories is to cultivate adaptive learning and innovation skills among young minds in the

country.

Initially 10 laboratories will be established as part of total 500 laboratories.

Intel India, subsidiary of US technology company Intel will invest $15 million for building and managing these 500 ATLs.

These labs will foster young minds in adaptive learning, physical computing and developing a design mindset among

students.

25. Union Cabinet Approves amendment in Benami Transactions (Prohibition) amendment Bill, 2015

The Union Cabinet has given its approval for introducing amendments to the Benami Transactions (Prohibition)

(Amendment) Bill, 2015.

These amendments seek to strengthen Benami Transaction (Prohibition) Act, 1988 in terms of legal and administrative

procedure.

The main purpose of these amendments is to overcome the practical difficulties that may arise in the implementation of the

stringent provisions of the Bill after it becomes an Act.

26. Union Cabinet approves Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2016

The Union Cabinet has approved The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2016 to protect transgenders from

discrimination.

The Bill will benefit a large number of transgender persons, mitigate the stigma, discrimination and abuse against them and

also bring them into the mainstream of society.

It will lead to greater inclusiveness and will make the transgender persons productive members of the society.

27. Approves construction of new dry dock within Cochin Shipyard Limited

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has given its approval for construction of a new dry dock within the

existing premises of Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL).

The new dry dock will be set up at an estimated cost of 1799 crore rupees with an objective to augment the shipbuilding and

repair capacity of the country.

28. Approves MoU between India and Switzerland

The Union Cabinet has given its ex-post-facto approval for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between India

and Switzerland for cooperation in skill development.

The MoU was signed in June 2016 during the visit of a delegation led by the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge)

for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship to Switzerland.

29. Approves Air Services Agreement between India and Mozambique

The Union Cabinet has approved signing of the Air Services Agreement between India and Mozambique.

Presently there is no Air Services Agreement between both countries.

In order to promote the air connectivity between them, the two sides had initiated the process of consultation in 2011 to

finalize the text of Air Services Agreement.

30.Approves MoU between India and Tunisia

The Union Cabinet has apprised of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between India and Tunisia for

strengthening bilateral cooperation in the field of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Digital Economy.

The MoU was signed between both countries in June 2016 during official state visit of Vice President Mohammad Hamid

Ansari to Tunisia.




31. India, Japan ink Social Security Agreement

India and Japan have signed a Social Security Agreement (SSA) and will come into force on 1 October 2016.

The SSA will benefit Indian and Japanese professionals and skilled workers working in each other’s country and will also

boost bilateral business linkages.

The SSA will help avoid double social security contributions i.e. Indian worker on a short-term contract in Japan will be

exempt from making a social security contribution there vice versa.

This exemption will be provided to Indian worker, only if he is covered under the social security system of India and

continues to pay his contribution during period of overseas contract.

32. 7 Indian companies on 2016 Fortune 500 list

Seven Indian companies have made it to the latest Fortune 500 list of the world’s biggest corporations in terms of revenue.

Fortune 500 list is an annual ranking of the world’s wealthiest companies, compiled and published by the American business

magazine Fortune and published globally by Time Inc.

In it companies are ranked by total revenues for their respective fiscal year which has ended on or before March 31, 2015.

Revenue figures of companies mainly include their consolidated subsidiaries, reported revenues from the discontinued

operations and excluding excise taxes.

7 Indian companies are: Indian Oil Corporation (161st), Reliance Industries (215th), Tata Motors (226th), State Bank of India

(232nd), Bharat Petroleum (358th), Hindustan Petroleum (367th) and Rajesh Exports (423rd).

Global top 10 companies: Walmart (1st), State Grid (2nd), China National Petroleum (3rd), Sinopec Group (4th), Royal

Dutch Shell (5th), Exxon Mobil (6th), Volkswagen (7th), Toyota Motor (8th), Apple (9th) and BP (10th).

The world’s 500 largest companies generated collectively generated 27.6 trillion dollars in revenues and 1.5 trillion dollars in

profits in 2015.

33. Flipkart’s Myntra acquires Jabong for $70 million

Flipkart Ltd has acquired Jabong through its unit Myntra in a cut-price deal that values the online fashion store at $70

million, moving to preserve its position as India’s No.1 e-commerce marketplace in the face of an onslaught by Amazon

India.

Flipkart, which beat other Jabong suitors such as Snapdeal, will pay cash for the acquisition, according to a statement by

Global Fashion Group (GFG), which owns Jabong.

For Flipkart-Myntra, the acquisition of Jabong will boost sales at a time when Flipkart is struggling to revive growth, and

struggling to protect its leadership in a market where Amazon has made rapid strides.

34. Verizon acquires Yahoo for $4.8 billion in all-cash deal

Yahoo, one of the biggest Internet services companies of yesteryears, has been acquired by US telecom major Verizon for

$4.83 billion in an all-cash deal.

While the acquisition is being seen by many analysts as the end of the road for the Internet pioneer, users and fans are hoping

for a magical revival of its glorious past.

Created by Stanford graduates Jerry Yang and David Filo, Yahoo was originally a directory of websites.

Then it quickly got into search, email, shopping and news before losing its way to the likes of Google and Facebook.

35. Union Cabinet approvals

Cabinet increases limit for foreign investment in Stock Exchanges from 5% to 15%

The Union Cabinet has given its approval for raising foreign shareholding limit from current 5% to 15% in Indian Stock

Exchanges.

The decision brings the investment limit of foreign entities at par with that of domestic institutions.

This enhanced limit is for a stock exchange, depository, banking company, insurance company and commodity derivative

exchange.

Approves key changes to GST Constitutional Amendment Bill

The Union Cabinet has approved amendments to the GST (goods & services tax) constitutional amendment Bill in order to

incorporate suggestions made by states.

This decision follows a crucial meeting of the Empowered Committee of State Finance Ministers on GST with Union

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.

Cabinet has approved Removal of 1% additional tax on inter-state sales as proposed in the Constitutional Bill.




Removal of 1% additional manufacturing levy tax by manufacturing States from the Bill.

Inclusion of five years compensation clause for state governments for any loss that they may incur.

Approves Bilateral Investment Treaty between India and Cambodia

The Union Cabinet has approved Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) between India and Cambodia to boost trade and business.

The Treaty seeks to promote and protect investments in either country with the objective of increasing bilateral investment

flows.

Approves setting up of new AIIMS in Bhatinda

The Union Cabinet has approved the establishment of a new AIIMS at Bhatind, Punjab under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya

Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY).

The medical institution will have a hospital with capacity of 750 beds which will include Emergency Beds, Private Beds,

ICU Speciality & Super Speciality beds and AYUSH beds.

The new AIIMS at Bhatinda will provide super specialty health care to the population while creating a large pool of doctors

and other health workers in this region.

So far under the PMSSY, AIIMS have been established in Bhubaneshwar, Raipur, Jodhpur, Bhopal, Rishikesh, and Patna

while work of AIIMS Rae Bareli is in progress.

Besides, 3 new AIIMS in Nagpur (Maharashtra), Mangalagiri in Guntur (Andhra Pradesh) and Kalyani (West Bengal) were

also have been sanctioned in 2015.

Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) is a Central Sector Scheme announced in August 2003.

36. India’s CSIR ranked world’s 12th best Government Institute

The Council of Scientific Industrial Research (CSIR) was ranked world’s 12th best government institution out of 746

institutions.

These institutes were ranked by a prestigious Scimago Institutions Rankings Report based on various parameters including

the research performance, innovation and social impact.

This is for the first time CSIR has improved its position among government institutes after it was ranked 14th spot for three

consecutive years.

CSIR is the only Indian government institute to have found a place among the top 100 global institutions.

Top 5 institutions: National Center for Scientific Research (France), Chinese Academy of Sciences (China), Helmholtz

Association of German Research Centres (Germany), Max Planck Society (Germany) and Spanish National Research

Council (Spain).

37. India, Bangladesh agree on anti-terror cooperation

India and Bangladesh have agreed to enhance cooperation on anti-terror efforts with Dhaka saying that New Delhi will be

"side-by-side" with it in fighting terrorists.

Both leaders concurred on the need to immediately operationalise the Agreement on Combating Terrorism and Organised

Crime and Illicit Drug Trafficking between the two countries.

During the Home Minister-level bilateral talks between India and Bangladesh in New Delhi, the ministers also agreed on the

need to sign a Repatriation Treaty to simplify and expedite the process of repatriation of each other's nationals.

38. OKI installs more than 600 recycling ATMs for State Bank of India

Japanese payments company OKI has installed 600 automatic teller machines with cash recycling abilities for State Bank of

India, the country's largest lender.

The company which is headquartered in Japan and operates out of Mumbai in India manufactures ATMs which work with

recyclable cash and has both cash acceptance mechanism along with cash dispensing in their teller machines.

Indian banks which mostly deploy standalone ATMs have very recently taken to the new technology of machines with both

depositing as well as dispensing abilities.

Having started with SBI in 2015, however OKI has already managed to install around 600 machines across the country.

39. India, US discover major Natural Gas Reserve in Indian Ocean

As per the report published by US Geological Survey on 19 July 2016, Joint expedition titled Indian National Gas Hydrate

Program Expedition 02 by India and the United States (US) have resulted in the discovery of large, highly enriched

accumulations of natural gas hydrate (an icy form of the fuel) in Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean.




The international team of scientists was led by the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited of India in cooperation with the

US Geological Survey (USGS), the Japanese Drilling Company, and the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and

Technology.

This is the first discovery of its kind in the Indian Ocean that has the potential to be producible.

40. Strategic Forces Command exempted from ambit of RTI

The Strategic Forces Command (SFC) which forms part of the National Command Authority (NCA) has been added to the

Second Schedule of the Right to Information Act (RTI), 2005.

In this regard, Union Government has issued a notification mentioning SFC has been brought under sub-section (2) of

Section 24 of the RTI.

The Section 24 of the RTI exempts security and intelligence establishments from its purview.

Section 24 and Second Schedule of RTI Section 24 of the RTI Act 2005 says that this law is not applicable to the intelligence

and security organisations specified in the Second Schedule.

However, the only exception these organisations have is for information on allegations of corruption and human rights

violations.

41. A10 Networks acquires cloud firm Appcito

US-based A10 Networks, an application networking and security company, announced the acquisition of Appcito -- a

provider of Software-As-A-Service (SaaS)-based, multi-cloud Application Delivery Controllers (ADC) solutions.

The acquisition positions A10 Networks as a comprehensive secure application services leader and will help customers

become more secure as they bridge traditional and cloud application environments.

42. First BRICS Employment Working Group meeting held in Hyderabad

The first-ever meeting of BRICS Employment Working Group (BEWG) was held in Hyderabad, Telangana from July 27 to

28, 2016.

The agenda of the two day meeting was to shape the agenda for labour and employment track in BRICS countries.

BRICS member countries were able to reach a consensus on employment generation, social security agreement and

networking of labour institutes.

The meeting set the agenda to promote decent work and promote job creation between BRICS countries.

The BEWG meeting is a prelude to the BRICS Labour and Employment Ministerial Meeting scheduled on September 27-28,

2016 under the Indian Presidency at Agra, Uttar Pradesh.

The need to set up employment working group was first recognised at the first BRICS Labour and Employment Ministers

meeting held at Ufa, Russia in 2015.

43. Indian-American girl becomes youngest delegate at DNC

An 18-year-old Indian-American girl has become the youngest delegate at the Democratic National Convention here which

has nominated Hillary Clinton as the party's presidential candidate.

Sruthi Palaniappan from Cedar Rapids and a student of the Harvard University is a big supporter of Clinton, the first woman

to be nominated as a presidential candidate by a major political party.

She has been the centre of attraction among the media here and the delegates along with a 102-year-old delegate from

Arizona, Jerry Emmett, who is the oldest delegate at the convention.

In addition to being the youngest delegate, Sruthi made history when she was given an opportunity to represent Iowa during

roll call votes.

Appointments

Appointee

Director of ISRO Inertial Systems Unit MV Dhekane

Deputy Managing Director of IBN7 Kishore Ajwani

Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly K.B. Koliwad

Executive Director of RBI Sudarshan Sen

New RBI Deputy Governor N.S. Vishwanathan




Associate Member of ICC Saudi Arabia

New CEO of IDFC AMC Vishal Kapoor

Konkan Railway CMD Sanjay Gupta

Acting Governor of Arunachal Pradesh Tathagata Roy

BPCL CMD D Rajkumar

CMD of OIL Utpal Bora

CMD of Jute Corp of India K V R Murthy

Dean of University of North Texas College of

Information in the U.S.

Dr. Kinshuk

CEO of NATGRID A K Patnaik

Committee to tackle shortage of Pulses Arvind Subramanian

Prime Minister of United Kingdom Theresa May

Chairman of CBSE Rajesh Kumar Chaturvedi

Chairman of AAI Guruprasad Mohapatra

10th Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh Pema Khandu

Chief Economist of World Bank Paul Romer

Australia’s PM Malcolm Turnbull

Coca-Cola VP-Finance Sarvita Sethi

MD of 2019 World Cup Steve Elworthy

UIDAI CEO Ajay Bhushan Pandey

Director General of National Museum Budha Rashmi Mani

Chief Brexit Negotiator Michel Barnier

New Health Secretary CK Mishra

Intex Brand Ambassador Madhuri Dixit

CBDT Chairperson Rani Nair

First Woman Governor of Tokyo Yuriko Koike

Awards

2016 Caine Prize South African writer

Lidudumalingani

World Cookbook Award Nimi Sunilkumar Book-“4 o’clock

Temptations of Kerala”

First woman to bag IMO Award Radhika Menon

Distinguished Service Award Srinivasan K. Swamy

51st Jnanpith Award Dr. Raghuveer Chaudhari

First woman Chief Justice of Nepal Sushila Karki

Best banking CEO in Asia Aditya Puri

world's best airline in 2016 Skytrax awards Emirates

UNESCO Artist for Peace Kudsi Erguner

First Indian to win Mr. World title Rohit Khandelwal

BBC World News Komla Dumor Award Didi Akinyelure

Bharat Gaurav award Milkha Singh

All India Coordinated Rice Improvement Project

Award 2015

West Bengal

Mohun Bagan Ratna Syed Nayeemuddin

AAAI Lifetime Achievement Award Adman Srinivasan Swamy

President Pranab Mukherjee presents BC Roy National Awards for 2008, 2009 & 2010

President Pranab Mukherjee presented the Dr BC Roy national awards for 2008, 2009 and 2010 at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

These awards were presented on the occasion of National Doctors’ Day observed on July 1 to pay honour and tribute to

India’s most famous physician Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy.

The awardees are 2010: Nikhil C. Munshi, O.P. Kalra, Tejinder Singh, Subash Gupta, Amrinder Jit Kanwar, Rajendra Prasad

and Glory Alexander. 2009:H. Sancheti, Renu Saxena, Atul Kumar, A.K. Kriplani, Kanan A. Yelikar, H.S. Bhanushali, G.V.




Rao, Moti Lal Singh, C.N. Purandare and C.V. Hari Narayan. 2008: Rajeshwar Dayal, Mammen Chandy, Neelam Mohan,

Rohit V. Bhatt, Mohan Kameswaran, Harsha Jauhari, Gopal H. Badlani and Yash Gulati.

Sports 1. Argentina women’s team wins 2016 Champions Trophy title of Hockey

Argentina women’s team has won the 2016 Champions Trophy title of Hockey by defeating Netherlands.

In the final match played at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre in London, UK, Argentina women’s team defeated

Netherlands by 2-1 goals.

With this victory, Argentina women’s team has won the Champions Trophy title of Hockey for record seventh time.

Earlier they had won it in 2001, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2014.

2. Sameer emerges fastest athlete of 56th National Inter-state Athletics

Sameer Mon, the veteran sprinter of India, on 30 June 2016 won gold in 100 meter dash in 10.60 seconds at the 56th National

Inter-state Senior Athletics Championships in Hyderabad.

With this, Sameer, representing Manipur, also became the fastest athlete in the country.

32-year-old Sameer was a member of the bronze winning Indian 4x100m relay quartet in Delhi Commonwealth Games.

3. Union Sports Ministry grants recognition to Paralympic Committee of India

The Union Sports Ministry has granted recognition to Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) after the International

Paralympic Committee (IPC) announced temporary lifting of suspension on it.

This recognition gives a huge confidence boost to the several para-athletes who have qualified for 2016 Rio Paralympics.

The IPC had suspended PCI in April 2015 due to internal conflicts between different groups and persons, which were

undermining the development of Paralympic Movement in India.

Due to suspension, Indian para-athletes were not allowed to participate in any IPC-sanctioned competition, including 2016

Rio Paralympic Games.

4. Amul to officially sponsor Indian contingent at Rio Olympics 2016

India’s largest food products marketing organization Amul has become the official sponsor of Indian contingent to the 2016

Rio Olympics.

In this regard, Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), which sells its product under the brand Amul has

inked an agreement with Indian Olympic Association (IOA).

5. Lewis Hamilton wins 2016 Austrian Grand Prix of F1

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton from Great Britain has won the 2016 Austrian Grand Prix title of Formula One.

It was his third title of the 2016 season after Monaco Grand Prix (May 2016) and Canadian Grand Prix (June 2016).

Austrian Grand Prix was the ninth race of the 2016 season and was held at the Red Bull Ring, Spielberg, Austria.

6. B Sai Praneeth wins 2016 Canada Open Grand Prix Badminton title

Ace Indian shuttler B Sai Praneeth (World no 33) has won the 2016 Canada Open Grand Prix Badminton title in the men’s

singles category.

In the final match played at Calgary Praneeth defeated Lee Hyun II of South Korea by 21-12, 21-10 score.

Men’s doubles title: Indian pair Manu Attri and B Sumeeth Reddy also won the 2016 Canada Open Grand Prix Badminton

title in the men’s doubles category.

In the final match, they defeated Canadian pair of Adrian Liu and Toby Ng by 21-8 21-14 score.

Reddy and Attri pair is the first Indian men’s doubles pair to qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympics.

7. Para-swimmer Niranjan Mukundan wins eight medals in IWAS World Games

Bengaluru para swimmer Niranjan Mukundan has won eight medals, including three golds, at the recently-concluded IWAS

(International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports) U-23 World Games in Prague, Czech Republic.

Niranjan's efforts saw him win gold medals in 200m freestyle, 50m butterfly and 50m breaststroke, silver in 100m fly and

50m freestyle, as also bronze in 100m freestyle, 100m breaststroke and 100m backstroke events, said a release from

GoSports Foundation, which is supporting Niranjan through the Para Champions Programme.




8. Gurpreet Singh Sandhu becomes first Indian footballer to play in Europa League

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu became the first Indian football player to play in UEFA Europa League.

He achieved this feat after was named in Norwegian club Stabaek FC’s squad for qualifying match against Connah’s Quay

Nomads FC in Europa League.

9. Portugal wins 2016 UEFA European football championship

Portugal has won the 2016 UEFA European football championship (Euro Cup 2016) by defeating host France.

It was Portugal’s first UEFA European Championship title.

In the final match, played at Stade de France (Paris, France) Portugal defeated France by 1-0 goal score.

The only goal for the Portugal team was scored by Éder at 109 minute in the 11 minutes of extra time.

With this victory, Portugal has earned the right to compete at the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup hosted by Russia.

Golden Boot: Antoine Griezmann (France) – 6 goals, 2 assists.

Silver Boot: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) – 3 goals, 3 assists.

Bronze Boot: Olivier Giroud (France) – 3 goals, 2 assists.

Young Player of the Tournament: Renato Sanches (Portugal) – aged 18.

10. Lewis Hamilton wins 2016 British Grand Prix of F1

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton from Great Britain has won the 2016 British Grand Prix title of Formula One.

It his overall fourth British Grand Prix title after winning it in 2008, 2014 and 2015.

It was also his fourth title of the 2016 season after Monaco Grand Prix (May 2016), Canadian Grand Prix (June 2016) and

Austrian Grand Prix (July 2016).

British Grand Prix was the tenth race of the 2016 season and was held at the Silverstone Circuit near the village of

Silverstone in Northamptonshire in England.

11. Winners of 2016 Wimbledon Championships of Tennis

The 2016 Wimbledon Championships was a tennis tournament held from 27 June to 10 July 2016.

It was the 130th edition of the championships and the 49th edition in the Open Era.

The tournament had taken place at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, London, United Kingdom.

Men’s Singles Title: Britain’s Andy Murray won the 2016 Wimbledon title in men’s singles category.

It was his second Wimbledon title after he had won it for first time in 2013.

In final match he defeated Canada’s Milos Raonic by 6–4, 7–6(7–3), 7–6(7–2) score.

Women’s Singles Title: Serena Williams of United States has won 2016 Wimbledon title in women’s singles category.

In the final match played she defeated Germany’s Angelique Kerber by 7–5, 6–3 score.

It is Williams’ seventh Women’s Singles Wimbledon title (2002, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2015) and overall 22nd Grand

Slam title.

Men’s Doubles Title: French pair of Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut won the 2016 Wimbledon title in the men’s

doubles category by defeating French pair Julien Benneteau and Édouard Roger-Vasselin.

Women’s Doubles Title: US pair of Serena Williams and Venus Williams won the 2016 Wimbledon title in the women’s

doubles category by defeating Tímea Babos (Hungary) and Yaroslava Shvedova (Kazakhstan) pair.

Mixed Doubles Title: Henri Kontinen (Finland) and Heather Watson (United Kingdom) pair won the 2016 Wimbledon title

in the mixed doubles category. They defeated Robert Farah (Colombia) and Anna-Lena Grönefeld (Germany) pair by 7–6(7–

5), 6–4 score.

12. Harika Dronavalli wins Fide Women’s Grand Prix trophy in China

India's Grand Master Harika Dronavalli won the Fide Women’s Grand Prix trophy in Chendu, China.

This was the first Grand Prix Chess title for the Grand Master from Guntur.

Harika defeated Russia’s Olga Girya to win the title.

Harika finished on 7 points in the round robin tournament featuring the world’s top 12 players to be crowned the champion.

13. Misbah-ul-Haq becomes oldest captain to score Test hundred

0 Number of captains who scored a century at an older age than Misbah-ul-Haq's 42 years, 47 days in the history of Tests.




The previous oldest captain to make a Test century was Bob Simpsonat 41 years, 359 days against India in Adelaide in 1977-

78.

This is Misbah's fifth-century afterturning 40, all have come as captain; no captain scored more than three centuries after 40.

8 Centuries for Misbah as captain in Tests, which is the most by a Pakistan captain.

14. Saurav Ghosal, Dipika Pallikal Karthik clinch national titles

Dipika Pallikal Karthik dethroned defending champion Joshna Chinappa to regain the women’s title in the 73rd Senior

National Squash Championship in Mumbai.

The men’s crown was captured by title holder and top seed Saurav Ghosal, who created history by winning it for the 11th

time, defeating fourth seed Harinderpal Singh Sandhu in five hard-fought games at the Otters Club.

Ghosal beat Sandhu 11-7 7-11 3-11 11-8 14-12 after an 88-minute battle to go past RK Narpat Singh’s feat of 10 titles, won

from 1946 to 1955.

It was also his second successive five-game match after having got past third seed Vikram Malhotra in the semi finals.

15. Feliciano Lopez wins Swiss Open Gstaad

Spanish tennis player Feliciano Lopez won the Swiss Open Gstaad after beating the Dutch Robin Haase in the final 6-4, 7-5

in 77 minutes.

Lopez finally managed to win the tournament after he lost it a decade ago, while this is the Spaniard's first title on clay and

his fifth overall.

16. Wrestler Narsingh Yadav fails Dope Test: NADA

Top Indian wrestler Narsingh Yadav failed a dope test after he was tested positive for a banned substance steroid.

With this, his participation in 2016 Rio Olympics has been jeopardised and if found guilty by the disciplinary panel, he may

face a four-year suspension.

The out-of-competition doping test was conducted by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA).

He was tested positive for a substance methandienone, a banned anabolic steroid.

He had qualified for the Rio Olympics in the 74kg freestyle category.

Metandienone (C20H28O2) is an orally active anabolic steroid that binds and activates the androgen receptor.

It increases protein synthesis, muscle strength and glycogenolysis over a short space of time.

It is popular among bodybuilders.

17. Bezwada Wilson, TM Krishna win Ramon Magsaysay Award 2016

Two Indians, social activist Bezwada Wilson and musician TM Krishna, have won the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award

2016.

They are among the total six awardees selected for the 2016 Ramon Magsaysay Award, often regarded as Asia’s Nobel Prize.

The 6 awardees are

1. Bezwada Wilson (India), the National Convener of the Safai Karmachari Andolan (SKA)

2. Thodur Madabusi Krishna (India): He has been recognized for ensuring social inclusiveness in culture. He is a

Carnatic music vocalist.

3. Conchita Carpio Morales (Philippines)

4. Dompet Dhuafa (Indonesia)

5. Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (Japan): The organisation has been recognized for building a world of

genuine solidarity.

6. Vientiane Rescue (Laos): The organisation has been recognized for volunteering to save lives at risk.

They will be bestowed with this award at the awarding ceremony scheduled to be held at the Cultural Center of the

Philippines in Pasay City on August 31, 2015 i.e. on the birth anniversary of former Filipino President Ramon Magsaysay.

Ramon Magsaysay Award is Asia’s highest honour and is often regarded as the region’s equivalent of the Nobel Prize.

18. Rio bound shot putter Inderjeet Singh fails dope test

India’s Rio Olympics bound shot putter Inderjeet Singh has been tested positive for a banned substance.

In the out-of-competition test conducted by National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA), Inderjeet’s ‘A’ sample was tested

positive for a banned steroid.

The NADA has asked Inderjeet Singh if he wants to test his ‘B’ sample and if so, to do this within seven days.




If his ‘B’ sample also tests positive, he will have to miss 2016 Rio Olympics Games in August 2016.

Besides, he may be banned for four years under the new WADA Code.

19. Lohmann, Morris, Muralidaran and Rolton to be inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has selected Muttiah Muralidaran, Karen Rolton, Arthur Morris and George

Lohmann to be inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame.

These four iconic cricketers were voted by the ICC Cricket Hall of Famers as well as members of the media.

They will be presented with commemorative caps to honour their contribution to the game of cricket in order to mark their

induction.

With this, Muralitharan becomes the first Sri Lankan cricket player to be inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame.

20. Germany's Bastian Schweinsteiger announces international retirement

Germany captain Bastian Schweinsteiger has announced his retirement from international football.

The 31-year-old Manchester United midfielder and Bayern Munich star was part of the squad that won the 2014 World Cup

in Brazil.

He retires as Germany's fourth most-capped player of all time on 120 - behind Lothar Matthaus (150), Miroslav Klose (137)

and Lukas Podolski (129).

Schweinsteiger made his international debut in 2004 and holds the German record for European Championship appearances,

having played 18 times at the tournament.

21. Lewis Hamilton wins 2016 German Grand Prix of F1

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton from Great Britain has won the 2016 German Grand Prix title of Formula One.

It was his fourth consecutive win in the 2016 season and overall fifth title of the 2016 season.

It was also his third win of German Grand Prix of F1 after winning it in 2008 and 2011.

Earlier in 2016 season, he had won Monaco (May 2016), Canadian (June 2016), Austrian (July 2016), British (July 2016) and

Hungarian (July 2016) Grand Prixes.

German Grand Prix was the twelfth race of the 2016 season and was held at the Hockenheimring motor-racing circuit in

Baden-Württemberg, Germany.

22. Luke Aikins becomes 1st person to jump from 25,000 feet without a parachute

Skydiver Luke Aikins from United States created history by becoming the first person in the world to jump from 25,000 feet

(mid-tropospheric altitude) without a parachute and landing safely in a net.

He achieved this feat after successfully falling safely into the 100x100ft net in Simi Valley, southern California after the two-

minute fall from aeroplane without a parachute or wing suit.

With this he also set a personal and world record for the highest jump without a parachute or wing suit.

Aikins’ this record was culmination of a 26-year sky diving career and also has completed more 18,000 jumps.

23. Patna Pirates wins 4th season of Pro Kabaddi League

The Patna Pirates have won the fourth edition of STAR Sports-ProKabaddi League by defeating Jaipur Pink Panthers.

With this win Patna Pirates has become first team to defend its title which they won in the third season in March 2016.

In the final match played at Gachibowli Stadium, Hyderabad (Telangana) the defending champion defeated Jaipur Pink

Panthers by 37-29 score.

The Puneri Paltan was placed at the third place in this edition after they defeated Telugu Titans by 40-35 score.

Women’s Section: Storm Queens have won inaugural edition of the Women’s Challenge of Pro Kabaddi League.

In the final match they defeated Fire Birds by 24-23 score.

24. Weightlifting federation bans Russian team from Rio Olympics

The International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) became the second sports body to ban the entire Russian team from

participating in the upcoming Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Russia’s track & field team had been excluded earlier.

Weightlifting is a sport historically associated with doping offenses, and Russia’s athletes have been some of the most

heavily implicated in the recently-published McLaren Report sponsored by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), which

allegedly exposed state-sponsored cheating.




8 athletes were nominated by the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) to compete in the Rio Olympic Games weightlifting

events. Ms. Tatiana Kashirina’s and Ms. Anastasiia Romanova’s nominations were withdrawn by the ROC due to prior anti-

doping rule violations.

Important Days July

01 Jul: National Doctors’ Day; Chartered Accountants’ Day; Canada Day 02 Jul: World UFO Day 04 Jul: Independence Day (US) 06 Jul: (First Sat in Jul) International Day of Cooperatives 11 Jul: World Population Day 12 Jul: World Malala Day 14 Jul: Bastille Day (France) 15 Jul: World Youth Skills Day 18 Jul: Nelson Mandela International Day 26 Jul: Kargil Vijay Diwas 28 Jul: World Hepatitis Day 29 Jul: Global Tiger Day 30 Jul: International Day of Friendship; World Day against Trafficking in Persons 4 July (first Saturday in July): International Day of Cooperatives

Obituary Eminent Marathi literary scholar R C Dhere

French ex-PM Michel Rocard

CPI leader Romesh Chandra

Iranian director Abbas Kiarostami

Noted Music director Om Prakash Sonik

Legendary football coach Amal Dutta

Pakistani philanthropist Abdul Sattar Edhi

World historian William H McNeill

Hockey Olympian Joe Antic

Legendary playback singer Mubarak Begum

Hockey legend Mohammad Shahid

Former French cyclist Dominique Arnaud

Former diplomat Arundhati Ghose

Noted sorghum NGP Rao

Eminent litterateur Mahasweta Devi

Veteran tabla maestro Pandit Lacchu Maharaj

MD and CEO, Rajshri Media Rajjat A Barjatya

ALL THE BEST!



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JULY 2016 GA REFRESHER - bsc4success | bsc4success · PDF file · 2016-08-10JULY 2016 GA REFRESHER ... Punjab National Bank and Syndicate Bank have been fined Rs 3 crore each