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VETRII IAS STUDY CIRCLE
CURRENT AFFAIRS
TNPSC
( MARCH - 2015)
Main Office at
Vetrii IAS Study Circle
F Block 37/38, 2nd Avenue main Road, Chinthamani, Anna Nagar(E),
Chennai – 102.
Phone: 044 – 26265326 / 9600124042 / 9500005522
Branch Office at:
Vetrii IAS Study Circle,
No:189/1, Meyanoor Road,
Near ARRS Multiplex,
Opp.Venkateshwara Complex,
Salem – 4
Phone: 0427 – 2330307 / 9442740307
Branch Office at:
Vetrii IAS Study Circle,
243 Cauvery Nagar,
Opp. New Housing Unit,
Thanjavur- 05.
Cell: 7871169099.
www.vetriias.com
ntw;wp TNPSC VETRII IAS
epr;rak; CURRENT AFFAIRS
www.vetriias.com
INDEX
SL.
NO
TITLE PAGE
NO
1. INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS 1
2. NATIONAL AFFAIRS 9
3. SPORTS 22
4. AWARDS & PERSONALITIES 24
5. UNION BUDGET - 2015 29
6. STATE BUDGET - 2015 32
TNPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS
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I. INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
1. World Wildlife Day observed globally
3 March: World Wildlife Day
The World Wildlife Day was observed on 3 March 2015. The 2015 theme of the day is
Wildlife crime is serious, let’s get serious about wildlife crime.
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at its 68th session held on 20 December
2013 decided to proclaim 3 March as World Wildlife Day. The date is the day of the
adoption of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna
and Flora (CITES) in 1973.
2. World’s largest and tallest Indian flag unfurled in Faridabad
World’s largest and tallest Indian national flag was unfurled on 3 March 2015 at Town
Park in Faridabad, Haryana.
3. International Women’s Day 2015 observed with theme Make it Happen
International Women’s Day was observed across the world on 8 March 2015. The theme
for the year 2015 is Make it Happen and it encourages effective action for advancing and
recognizing women.
The theme was declared by United Nations.
1911: At Copenhagen in 1911, International Women's Day (IWD) was honoured for the first
time in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland on 19 March.
1975: United Nations designated 1975 as International Women's Year
In China, Nepal and Madagascar the official holiday is granted for women only.
4. Solar powered plane Solar Impulse-2 took off to round-the-world odyssey
from Abu Dhabi
The solar-powered plane named Solar Impulse-2 took off to round-the-world odyssey from
Abu Dhabi. This will be the first round-the-world flight powered by solar power.
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The aim of this round-the-world voyage is to create awareness about replacing old polluting
technologies with clean and efficient technologies.
About Solar Impulse-2
Solar Impulse is the only airplane of perpetual endurance, able to fly day and night on
solar power, without a drop of fuel.
Solar Impulse-2 is a 2.3 tonne plane with top sped of 87 miles per hour (mph) and can
carry just one passenger and emits precisely zero Carbon Dioxide (CO2).
5. India and Mauritius inked five MoUs to give impetus to bilateral relations
India and Mauritius inked 5 Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) to give new impetus
to bilateral co-operation between the two nations.
This is the first visit to Mauritius by an Indian Prime Minister in over three decades.
The five MoUs which were signed between the two nations include
MoU in the field of Ocean Economy
MoU on Programme for Cultural Cooperation for the year 2015-18
MoU on the Protocol for the importation of fresh mango from India
MoU for the Improvement in Sea and Air Transportation Facilities at Agalega Island of
Mauritius
MoU on Cooperation in the field of Traditional System of Medicine and Homeopathy
6. India and Seychelles signed four agreements to boost security cooperation
India signed four agreements with the Indian Ocean island nation Seychelles to boost
security and maritime partnership.
The four agreements were signed in following categories:
Cooperation in hydrography
Cooperation in renewable energy
Cooperation in Infrastructure development
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Cooperation in Sale of navigation charts and electronic navigational charts Modi also
launched the Coastal Surveillance Radar Project in Seychelles, describing it as another
symbol of the cooperation between the two countries.
7. World Kidney Day 2015 observed with theme Kidney Health for All
World Kidney Day (WKD) was observed globally on 12 March 2015. The theme for the year
2015 is Kidney Health for All.
The day is a global health awareness campaign that focuses on the importance of the kidneys
and reducing the frequency and impact of kidney disease and its associated health problems
worldwide.
World Kidney Day started in 2006.
8. Global CO2 emissions from energy sector stalled for the first time in 40 years
in 2014: IEA
International Energy Agency (IEA) released the data on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
According to it, the global emissions of CO2 from energy sector stalled in the year 2014.
As per the preliminary data released, global emissions of CO2 stood at 32.3 billion tonnes in
2014 which is same as in the year 2013.
9. World Consumer Rights Day 2015 observed with the theme Helping consumers
choose healthy diets
15 March: World Consumer Rights Day
WCRD was first observed on 15 March 1983 and has since become an important occasion for
mobilizing citizen action.
In 2014, WCRD was observed with the theme Fix Our Phone Rights
10. Lee Kuan Yew, the founding father of Singapore died
Lee Kuan Yew, the statesman and founding father of Singapore died. Yew, who in 1959
became the first Prime Minister of Singapore, was widely recognised as the founding father
of modern Singapore and also the Architect of Modern Singapore. He transformed
Singapore from a small port city and a malaria-infested backwater to a wealthy global hub.
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11. World Sparrow Day observed with the theme I Love Sparrows
20 March: World Sparrow Day
On 20 March 2010, the Indian Postal Department released a stamp of the house sparrow on
20 March 2010.
In 2012, Sparrow was declared as the state bird of Delhi by the then Delhi Chief Minister
Sheila Dikshit.
12. International Day of Forests observed with the theme Forests and Climate
Change
21 March: International Day of Forests
The theme highlights forest-based solutions to address climate change mitigation and
adaptation, and more broadly forests and sustainable development.
21 March was established as the International Day of Forests by the United
Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on 28 November 2012. International Day of Forests
was observed for the first time on 21 March 2013.
About Forests and their status
One third of the Earth’s land mass (about 31 percent of global land area) is covered by
forests, which performs vital function around the world and is a home for more than 80
percent of the terrestrial species of animals, plants and insects.
13. World Water Day 2015 observed with the theme Water and Sustainable
Development
In 1993, the United Nations General Assembly designated 22 March as the first World
Water Day.
14. World Meteorological Day 2015 observed with the theme Climate Knowledge
for Climate Action
• 23 March: World Meteorological Day
WMO became the UN's specialized agency for meteorology, operational hydrology and
related geophysical sciences in 1951. It originated from the International Meteorological
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Organization (IMO), which was founded in 1873. At present, WMO is represented by 189
member states and territories.
The theme for World Meteorological Day 2014 was Weather and Climate: Engaging Youth.
15. World Tuberculosis Day 2015 observed globally
24 March: World Tuberculosis Day.
The theme for the year 2015 is continuation of the 2014 theme Reach the 3 Million. The
main sub-theme and message for the year 2015 is Reach, Treat, and Cure Everyone.
The WTD is annually celebrated on 24 March to commemorate the day on which Dr.
Robert Koch discovered the cause of tuberculosis, the TB bacillus in 1882. The day aims to
build public awareness about the global epidemic of tuberculosis (TB) and efforts to
eliminate the disease.
16. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Sri Lanka
Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi visited Sri Lanka. This was the first bilateral visit by
an Indian Prime Minister to Sri Lanka since 1987.
He also became the first Indian Prime Minister to make journey to Jaffna and Talaimannar
region of Sri Lanka.
17. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Seychelles
Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi visited. With this, Modi became the first Prime
Minister of India to visit Seychelles in 34 long years.
During this visit, India and Seychelles signed four agreements to boost security cooperation.
These include agreements on
Cooperation in hydrography
Cooperation in renewable energy
Cooperation in Infrastructure development
Cooperation in Sale of navigation charts and electronic navigational charts
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18. Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction held in Sendai, Japan
The Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (WCDRR) was held in
Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan from 14 March to 18 March 2015.
India to host seventh Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk
Reduction in 2016
Also, this will be the first AMCDRR to be hosted by India in the post-2015 framework for
Disaster Risk Reduction, though India had hosted the Second AMCDRR in 2007.
The conference in 2016 will be held in collaboration with the United Nations Office for
Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR).
Previous Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction
First AMCDRR held in China in 2005
Second AMCDRR held in India in 2007
Third AMCDRR held in Malaysia in 2008
Fourth AMCDRR held in Republic of Korea in 2010
Fifth Asia Ministerial conference held in Indonesia in 2012
19. ISRO won Gandhi Peace Prize 2014
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) won Gandhi Peace Prize 2014.
The Indian space agency successfully launched Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) and at a very
cost effective price of 450 crore rupees. The launch makes India the first Asian country to
enter the Martian sphere of influence.
ISRO became the fourth space agency after National Aeronautics and Space Administration
(NASA) of the US, Russian Federal Space Agency (RFSA) and European Space Agency to
have undertaken a mssion to Mars.
About the Award
The Gandhi Peace Prize for social, economic and political transformation through non-
violence was instituted in the year 1995 on the occasion of the 125th birth anniversary of
Mahatma Gandhi.
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Previous recipients of the award includes
Julius K Nyerere, former Tanzanian President (he was the first recipient of the award in 1995)
Nelson Mandela, former South African President
20. Earth Hour 2015 observed globally from 8.30 pm to 9.30 pm local time
Earth Hour 2015 was observed globally on 28 March 2015 from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm local
time. The tagline for the global campaign was Change Climate Change. This was the ninth
edition of the Earth Hour that started in 2007.
Earth Hour 2015 was observed across 172 nations and territories and around 1400+ iconic
landmarks of the world switched off the lights.
Earth Hour is organised by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) since 2007 when it was
first observed in Sydney, Australia.
21. WJP released Open Government Index 2015 Report
World Justice Project (WJP) released the Open Government Index 2015.
Out of the 102 countries assessed in the 2015 Index, Sweden topped the list in terms of
openness in the government. It is followed by New Zealand and Norway at second and third
place respectively. Cambodia, Iran, Myanmar, Uzbekistan and Zimbabwe are positioned last
in the Index.
The Index used four dimensions namely Publicised laws and government data, right to
information, complaint mechanisms and civic participation to assess openness in
government functioning.
India’s position in the Index
India has been placed at the 37th position in the 2015 Index.
22. China-backed AIIB to be joined by France, Germany, Italy
AIIB: Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
China-backed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) reported that France, Germany
and Italy have agreed to join the AIIB after the United Kingdom (UK) decided to join the
bank.
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UK was the first Western nation to join the bank disregarding reservations expressed by the
United States (US) which raised concerns over its transparency.
India along with 20 other countries on 23 October 2014 signed an agreement to become the
founding member of the China-backed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).
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II. NATIONAL AFFAIRS
1. Lok Sabha passed Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2015
The Lok Sabha passed the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2015 . The Bill seeks to amend
the Citizenship Act, 1955 which regulates the acquisition and determination of citizenship
and details registration of Overseas Citizens of India and their rights.
Provisions of the Bill
It allows the Union Government to relax the requirement of 12 months stay or service if
special circumstances exist in cases related to citizenship by registration and
naturalization. Relaxation up to 30 days may be permitted by the government.
It provides additional grounds for registering an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card such
as Minor children whose parent(s) are Indian citizens, spouse of an Indian citizen or OCI/
PIO cardholder subjected to certain conditions, great-grandchild of a person who is a
citizen of another country, but meets one of several conditions of Citizenship Act, 1955.
2. Baldev Sharma appointed as chairman of National Book Trust
Union Ministry of Human Resource Development appointed Baldev Sharma as chairman
of National Book Trust (NBT).
He replaced A. Sethumadhavan
3. Union Railways Ministry launched Customer Complaint Web Portal and
Mobile Application
The Union Railways Minister launched a Customer Complaint Web Portal and Mobile
Application.
This Customer Complaint-cum-Suggestion portal and mobile App can be freely
downloaded and will be useful to track the status of the complaints registered on this
portal with the help of mobile App.
The passengers who want to complain or make any suggestions may download the mobile
App from the URL www.coms.indianrailways.gov.in. The passengers can also file their
complaints and suggestions on the same web page.
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4. Union Government and RBI signed an agreement on Monetary Policy
Framework
Bank of India (RBI) signed an agreement on Monetary Policy Framework. The agreement
empowers the RBI to go for inflation targeting that is common in developed countries and
it also empowers RBI to monitor its monetary policy framework.
As per the agreement, RBI will aim to bring down the inflation below six percent by
January 2016 and inflation target for 2016-2017 and subsequent years will be 4 percent +/-
2 percentage points.
5. Rani Mukerji awarded by National Institute of Gender Justice for representing
the cause of women
Bollywood actress Rani Mukerji was awarded with the National Award for the Best
Representation of the Cause of Safety, Security and Protection of Women and Girl Child by
National Institute of Gender Justice (NIGJ).
Rani is the first ever film personality to be felicitated with this prestigious award. She was
awarded for creating awareness about child trafficking in New Delhi.
The past awardees include Anna Hazare, Pratibha Patil, Pandit Jasraj and Mahashweta
Devi.
6. Lok Sabha passed Insurance Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2015
Lok Sabha passed the Insurance Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2015. The Bill will replace the
Insurance Laws (Amendment) Ordinance, 2014.
The Ordinance amends the Insurance Act, 1938 (the Act), the General Insurance Business
(Nationalisation) Act, 1972 and the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority
(IRDA) Act, 1999.
Provisions of the Bill
It seeks to remove archaic provisions and incorporate modern day practices emerging
in a changing dynamic environment, which includes private participation.
It hikes Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) cap in the insurance sector to 49 percent
from present 26 percent.
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It calls for establishment of Life Insurance Council and the General Insurance
Council. They will act as self-regulating bodies for the insurance sector.
7. Prime Minister inaugurated two units of Shree Singaji Thermal Power Project
in Khandwa, MP
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated two units of 600 Mega Watt (MW) each of
Shree Singaji Thermal Power Project at Dongliya village in Khandwa district of Madhya
Pradesh.
The first phase of Shree Singaji Thermal Power Project with 1200 MW capacity has been
developed by Madhya Pradesh Power Generation Company Limited (MPPGCL) at an
expense of 7820 crore rupees
8. UST Global launched Women’s Safety App iSafe for Thiruvananthapuram City
Police
UST Global has launched women safety App iSafe. It is a mobile-based app for women’s
safety. The app was launched ahead of the International Women’s Day on 8 March.
Through the app, women will be able to send instant alerts to the police control room by
using the panic button or just by the long press of volume rocker (down) key of their
mobile phones. The police control room receives the alert along with information of the
location.
9. Aapki Beti Humari Beti scheme launched in Haryana
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar launched a scheme for girl child - Aapki Beti
Humari Beti. The scheme was launched with an aim to combat the problem of declining
child sex ratio in the state.
Key Characteristics of the Scheme
Under the scheme, the first girl child born on or after 22 January 2015 in Schedule
Caste (SC) and Below Poverty Line (BPL) families will be eligible to receive 21000
rupees.
The second girl child born on or after 22 January 2015 of all families will also receive
the same amount.
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Families where twin girls or multiple girls are born will also get 21000 rupees per girl
child.
The Scheme will be implemented in both rural and urban areas of the state covering
first-born girl child of SC and BPL families all second girl child born on or after 22
January 2015 of all families.
10. First Kisan Call Centre of North-East opened in Agartala, Tripura
First Kisan Call Centre (KCC) of North-East was opened in Agartala, Tripura. KCC was
financed by the Tripura government. It will be run by a private enterprise with experts of
agriculture, horticulture, fisheries and animal husbandry.
The Kisan Call Centre will give immediate solution and real time advisory to farmers if they
need expert consultation regarding seed procurement, agro-metric, fertilizer, soil health,
pesticides usage and marketing of the produces.
11. Maharashtra government started helpline for distressed adolescents
The State Government of Maharashtra started a helpline 18002332688 to address the
social, physical and psychological issues faced by adolescents.
This helpline has been set up under the aegis of National Adolescent Health Programme
(Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram) which was launched on 7 January 2014 as a part
of the National Health Mission.
12. Karnataka clinched eighth Ranji title of cricket
Defending champions Karnataka won their eighth Ranji Trophy title of cricket. In the title
clash played at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai, Karnataka defeated Tamil Nadu by an
innings and 217 runs.
13. Union Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers launched Pharma Jan Samadhan
scheme
The Union Minister of Chemicals & Fertilizers Ananth launched the Pharma Jan
Samadhan scheme. It is a web enabled system for redressal of consumers’ grievances
relating to pricing and availability of medicines.
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The system was created by National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA). The
ministry also released Compendium of Ceiling Prices of Essential Medicines 2015 prepared
by NPPA.
Pharma Jan Samadhan scheme
The Pharma Jan Samadhan scheme will put in place a speedy and effective complaint
redressal system with respect to availability and pricing of medicines.
It will serve as a robust e-governance tool for protection of consumers’ interests
through effective implementation of the Drugs (Price Control) Order, 2013.
It will provide consumers with an on-line facility to redress their complaints relating
to over-pricing of medicines, non-availability or shortage of medicines, sale of new
medicines without prior price approval of NPPA, and refusal of supply for sale of any
medicine without good and sufficient reason.
Once the complaint is redressed, NPPA will initiate action on the complaint within 48
hrs of its receipt.
14. Ashu Suyash appointed as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of
CRISIL
Credit Rating Information Services of India Limited (CRISIL) appoint Ashu Suyash as the
Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company.
Her appointment was confirmed by the Board of Directors of the Company.
She will succeed Roopa Kudva and will take charge from June 2015.
15. Supreme Court quashed the Union Government’s decision to include Jats in
the Central OBC list
The Supreme Court of India (SC) quashed the Union Government’s decision to include
Jats in the Central Other Backward Classes (OBC) list.
The SC declared the Union government’s decision as null and void because of the following
reasons:
The National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) in its report had rejected the
Union government’s request for recommending inclusion of Jat community in the
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central list of backward classes because they do not form socio-economic backward
class. However, the Union Government overlooked the commission’s
recommendation and issued a notification on 4 March 2015 including Jats in the
Central OBC list.
As per the Mandal Commission’s recommendation though Caste is a prominent factor
it cannot be the sole factor of determining the backwardness of a class.
Inclusion of politically organised castes like the Jats in OBC list is not good for other
backward classes.
16. HDFC Bank launched mobile app Chillr to instantly transfer money to any
person in India
HDFC Bank launched a mobile application Chillr that allows customers to instantly
transfer money to any person in India. Chillr is a first-of-its kind application that is linked
directly to customers’ bank accounts and is exclusively for customers of HDFC Bank.
17. Air-to-Air missile Astra successfully test fired from ITR Chandipur in Odisha
Indigenously developed Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air missile, Astra, was
successfully test fired at the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur in Odisha . It was
test-fired aboard a Sukhoi-30 fighter aircraft.
The present test was a part of the series of tests planned to test the missile’s subsystems
like propulsion, navigation and guidance and the smooth separation of the missile from the
aircraft, etc.
18. Union Ministry of Environment to launch National Air Quality Index
The National Air Quality Index is a simple, composite, and easy to understand measure of
air quality.
The index will measure the eight major pollutants that impact health - particulate matter
(PM 10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, ozone, carbon monoxide, ammonia
and lead - and disseminate information on associated health risks through a colour-coded
easy to identify format.
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19. Amitabh Bachchan roped in as Brand Ambassador for Campaign against
Hepatitis B
Bachchan was roped in as the brand ambassador for India’s fight against Hepatitis B after
his successful stint as UNICEF’s goodwill brand ambassador of pulse polio campaign in
India.
The campaign against Hepatitis B will be launched in April 2015. The campaign is a part of
the Union Government’s ambitious child immunization programme named Mission
Indradhanush, against seven vaccine-preventable diseases.
Besides Hepatitis B, Mission Indradhanush will include diphtheria, whooping cough,
tetanus, polio, tuberculosis and measles. The government aims to achieve the target by
2020.
20. Union Cabinet approved 33% women reservation in police forces of all Union
Territories
The Union Cabinet approved 33 percent reservation for women in police forces of all Union
territories (UTs) including Delhi police, through direct recruitment in non-gazetted posts
like constables to sub-inspectors.
The reservation will also cover reserved categories like SCs, STs and OBCs. The reservation
would apply to all existing vacancies in police forces of the UTs and any vacancy arising
later.
21. Union Cabinet approved Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) to
impart skill training to youth
The Union Cabinet approved the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) with an
outlay of 1500 crore rupees. The programme aims to impart skill training to youth with
focus on first time entrants to the labour market and class 10 and class 12 drop outs.
The scheme will cover 24 lakh persons and skill training would be based on the National
Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF) and industry led standards.
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22. National Action Plan for Skill Training of Persons with Disabilities launched
in New Delhi
National Action Plan for Skill Training of Persons with Disabilities was launched in New
Delhi.
The National Action Plan is a partnership between the Ministry of Skill Development and
Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disability
for skilling 2.5 million Persons with Disability (PwD) over seven years between 2015 and
2022.
23. Supreme Court declared Section 66A of Information Technology Act, 2000 as
unconstitutional
The Supreme Court (SC) of India declared Section 66A of the Information Technology
(IT) Act, 2000 as unconstitutional and struck it down. The section empowers law
enforcement agencies to arrest those who post objectionable content online and provides
for a three-year jail term.
It declared Section 66A as unconstitutional because
It violates the citizens fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression
provided in the Article 19 (1)(a), not saved by Article 19(2), of the Constitution of
India.
The vagueness of language used in the Section 66A (like the words grossly offensive
and of menacing character) is prone to misuse by enforcement authorities.
It cannot withstand the clear and present danger test and the tendency to create
public disorder test as given in Article 19(2) of the Indian Constitution. Article 19(2)
provides for enactment of law by the state to provide reasonable restrictions on the
provisions contained in Article 19(1)(a).
24. Union Ministry of Health and Welfare launched Media Campaign for Mission
Indradhanush
The campaign was launched for creating awareness regarding the importance to fully
immunize every child against all vaccine preventable diseases in the country.
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The week-long drive will start on World Health Day on 7 April 2015 and will be repeated on
the 7th day of each of the following four months. It will cover all children less than two
years of age and pregnant women.
About Mission Indradhanush
Mission Indradhanush depicting seven colours of the rainbow, aims to cover all those
children by 2020 who are either unvaccinated or are partially vaccinated against seven
vaccine preventable diseases which include diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, polio,
tuberculosis, measles and hepatitis B.
25. Indian Railways launched RuPay pre-paid debit cards
Indian Railways launched its own RuPay pre-paid card. The card will enable passengers to
book their Rail tickets and do shopping using RuPay pre-paid debit cards. Card can be
availed from either the Union Bank or the IRCTC.
The RuPay pre-paid card was launched by Indian Railway Catering and Tourism
Corporation (IRCTC), the Railways' tourism and catering arm, in collaboration with the
Union Bank of India.
RuPay is India's own card payment gateway network and provides an alternative system
for banks to provide debit card service.
26. Twitter Samvad launched for direct communication between Government and
Citizens
Union Government launched new platform named Twitter Samwad that facilitates direct
communication between leaders, government agencies and citizens. This platform was
launched in association with social networking service Twitter. The service is aimed to
boost the nation's e-governance plans.
27. Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched PRAGATI platform for redressal of
grievances
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched Pro-Active Governance and Timely
Implementation (PRAGATI) platform. PRAGATI is a multi-purpose and multi-modal
platform aimed at addressing grievances of common man.
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PRAGATI aims at simultaneously monitoring and reviewing Union Government
programmes and projects as well as projects flagged by State Governments.
Features of PRAGATI
It is a three-tier system (PMO, Union Government Secretaries, and Chief Secretaries
of the States).
Prime Minister will hold a monthly programme where he will interact with the
Government of India Secretaries, and Chief Secretaries through Video-conferencing
enabled by data and geo-informatics visuals.
PRAGATI is a robust system that will help in for bringing e-transparency and
e-accountability with real-time presence and exchange among the key stakeholders.
28. KM Mani appointed as chairman of the Empowered Committee of State FM’S
on GST
Kerala Finance Minister KM Mani was appointed as the Chairman of the Empowered
Committee of State Finance Ministers on Goods and Services Tax (GST) by the Union
Finance Ministry.
About Empowered Committee of State Finance Ministers
The Empowered Committee of State Finance Ministers was originally set up on 17 July
2000 by the Union Government. In 2004, it was registered under Societies Registration
Act, 1860.
The members of the Empowered Committee are all the Ministers in charge of
Finance/Taxation of all State Governments and Union Territories with legislatures,
Additional Secretary (Revenue), Government of India and Member Secretary, Empowered
Committee.
29. Delhi HC became the first court in India to set up commercial courts for speedy
disposal of cases
Delhi High Court (HC) became the first court in India to set up dedicated commercial
courts within it to ensure speedy disposal of cases.
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Chief Justice of Delhi HC G Rohini designated four benches to act as commercial courts.
Out of this, two single judge benches with original jurisdiction will deal with the suits
involving commercial disputes relating to intellectual property rights, arbitration,
insurance, banking, taxation, company cases etc.
The other two benches with appellate jurisdiction will hear appeals against the commercial
disputes cases.
30. ISRO successfully launched IRNSS 1-D Navigational Satellite
The Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System (IRNSS) 1-D satellite was launched
successfully by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) from the Satish Dhawan
Space Centre (SHAR), Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh. The satellite will provide
navigation, tracking and mapping services.
The satellite was placed in geosynchronous orbit by the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle
(PSLV)-C27. This is the twenty eighth consecutively successful mission of the PSLV.
About IRNSS
IRNSS is an independent regional navigation satellite system designed to provide position
information in the Indian region and 1500 km around the Indian mainland. IRNSS would
provide two types of services, namely, Standard Positioning Services (SPS) - provided to all
users and Restricted Services (RS)- provided to authorised users only.
By using the IRNSS as a platform the Government of India is planning to launch its own
Global Navigational Satellite Services, GINS (Global Indian Navigation Satellite) system,
similar to Global Positioning System (GPS) of the the US.
31. Himachal Pradesh Government launched India’s first e-Vidhan Mobile app
The app could be accessed by all the members 45 minutes before the question hours on
android and tablets having information about the day business.
With this launch, Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha became the first state assembly in the
country to launch e-Vidhan Mobile app. This e-Vidhan system will help the state to save
about 8 crore rupees per annum that is spent on the paper.
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32. Union Cabinet gave its approval for the Approach and Key Components of e-
Kranti
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave its approval for the
Approach and Key Components of e-Kranti: National e-Governance Plan (NeGP) 2.0.
e-Kranti is an important pillar of the Digital India programme and the programme has
been envisaged by the Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeitY).
33. Union Ministry of Home Affairs proposed initiatives for women security under
Nirbhaya Fund
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) proposed three policy initiatives to enhance
security of women in the country under the Nirbhaya Fund.
The initiatives are: Central Victim Compensation Fund (CVCF), Investigative Units on
Crime Against Women (IUCAW) and an initiative to prevent and monitor obscene online
content.
About Nirbhaya Fund
The Nirbhaya Fund was set up by the Union Government in 2013 with 1000 crore rupees
corpus for empowerment, safety and security of women and girl children. The Fund is
administered by the DEA under the Union Ministry of Finance. Union departments and
ministries are eligible to forward proposals intended for women safety to the DEA to avail
funds under the scheme.
34. Union Ministry of Finance approved 1500 crore rupees for AP Capital
construction
Union Ministry of Finance allocated 1500 crore rupees to Andhra Pradesh (AP) for the
construction of necessary infrastructure in the new capital.
The AP Reorganisation Act, 2014 mandates Hyderabad as a common capital for Telangana
and Andhra Pradesh for a period of ten years.
The new capital of AP is proposed to be constructed in the Vijayawada-Guntur-Tenali-
Mangalagiri (VGMT) area on the banks of Krishna river and is named as Amaravathi.
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35. Fourteenth Multi-Parametric Geophysical Observatory (MPGO) inaugurated in
Port Blair
MPGO: Multi-Parametric Geophysical Observatory (MPGO)
The term MPGO was in news as the Union Minister of Science and Technology and Earth
Sciences Dr. Harsh Vardhan inaugurated Port Blair Magnetic Observatory (PBMO) at
Shoal Bay No. 8 in Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The observatory is a part of the network of 14 MPGOs which has been set up by the Indian
Institute of Geomagnetism (IIG) under Union Ministry of Science and Technology and
Earth Sciences.
The purpose of the observatories is to monitor seismic and co-seismic signals by using
multi techniques.
36. India: The largest importer of arms
India was the largest importer of major arms in 2010–14, accounting for 15 percent of the
global total. Between 2005–2009 and 2010–14 imports increased by 140 percent.
In 2010–14 India’s imports were three times larger than those of its regional rivals China
and Pakistan.
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SPORTS
1. Australia created the record for highest ever score of 417 in Cricket World Cup
Australian cricket team created the World Cup record for highest-ever score of 417 for 6 in
a match against Afghanistan in Perth. It defeated Afghanistan by 275 runs which was the
biggest winning margin in the tournament’s history.
The previous record of highest runs in a World Cup match was held by India and it was 413
run at a loss of 5 wickets. The record was created on 19 March 2007 against Bermuda
played at Queen's Park Oval and India won the match by 257 runs.
2. Kumar Sangakkara created history by scoring four successive centuries in a
Cricket World Cup
Sri Lanka’s batsman Kumar Sangakkara on 11 March 2015 entered the record books by
scoring four consecutive centuries in a Cricket World Cup. He achieved the feat when he
scored 124 runs against Scotland in the Pool A match of the 2015 Cricket World Cup in
Hobart, New Zealand.
With this, he became the first cricketer to achieve this feat in the One Day Internationals
(ODI) history.
With five World Cup centuries, Sangakarra is second only to the record of six centuries
held by Sachin Tendulkar.
3. Martin Guptill scored the highest-ever score of 237 in Cricket World Cup
history
Martin Guptill, the batsman of New Zealand cricket team, scored the highest-ever score of
237 not out in Cricket World Cup history.
World Cup history. Chris Gayle had scored 215 off 147-balls against Zimbabwe on 24
February 2015.
Overall, Guptill is the fifth batsmen in the world to score a double century in One Day
Internationals (ODIs) history The other four batsmen include three Indians namely Sachin
Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag and Rohit Sharma (two double centuries) and Chris Gayle.
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4. Australia defeated New Zealand to win ICC Cricket World Cup 2015
This was the Fifth Cricket World Cup for Australian cricket team. Its previous wins came in
the years 1987, 1999, 2003, and 2007. With this win, Australia also became the second
host country to win the title. India in 2011 had become the first host country to win the
title.
Sachin Tendulkar was named as the 2015 Cricket World Cup Ambassador by the ICC for
the second time, after 2011 Cricket World Cup where he was the ambassador.
5. Saina, Srikant won India Open Super Series Badminton Women's & Men's
Singles titles
Indian shuttlers, Saina Nehwal and Kidambi Srikanth on 29 March 2015 won the women’s
and men's singles titles of the 275000 dollar India Open Super Series badminton
tournament.
Earlier Saina Nehwal became the first woman badminton player from India to be ranked
number one in the world. She is the second Indian player to achieve this feat, after Prakash
Padukone.
6. Balbir Singh Senior conferred with Major Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement
Award of Hockey India
Hockey India conferred Major Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award on legendary
Balbir Singh Senior.
Balbir Singh Senior was a member of three Olympic gold medal winning Indian team, viz.,
London Olympics (1948), Helsinki Olympics (1952) and Melbourne Olympics (1956). He
was the Vice Captain of the Indian Hockey team during Helsinki Olympics and Captain
during Melbourne Olympics.
7. United Arab Emirates won the bid to host AFC Asian Cup 2019
United Arab Emirates (UAE) on 9 March 2015 won the bid to host Asian Football
Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup 2019. The AFC Asian Cup 2019 will be the 17th edition of
the games.
It will be the second time that the UAE will host the Asian Cup. Earlier, UAE had held the
AFC Asian Cup in 1996.
AFC Asian Cup is an international football tournament organised by the Asian Football
Confederation (AFC).
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IV. AWARDS & PERSONALITIES
1. President presented Stree Shakti Puraskars and Nari Shakti Puruskars for the
year 2014
The Stree Shakti puraskars are conferred on six women in the area of women’s endeavor
and exceptional contribution each year. The award carries a cash prize of 3 lakh rupees and
a citation.
Winners of the Stree Shakti Puruskar 2014
Award Winner Cause
Rani Lakshmibai Award Seema Prakash, Madhya
Pradesh
For working for the cause of
vulnerable and marginalised
Communities of Madhya Pradesh
Since 2000 particularly for the
Korku tribe of the state.
Rani Rudramma Devi Award Astha Sansthan (NGO),
Rajasthan
For protecting women’s rights,
gender mainstreaming, issues
relating to violence against women
tribal rights, food security,
transparency and right to work and
others.
Mata Jijabai Award Chandraprabha Bokey,
Maharashtra
She is a social worker and is
working in rural areas since 1960.
Her field of work includes
empowerment and rehabilitation of
destitute, divorced, disabled women
and rehabilitation of orphan
children.
Kannagi Award Dr. P Bhanumati, Kerala For founding Association for
Mentally Handicapped Adults
(AHMA) working for welfare of the
poor destitute mentally challenged
adults since 1996.
Rani Gaidinliu Zeliang Award Sister Mariola,
Rajasthan
For working with the inmates at
Ajmer Jail, Rajasthan since 1997
and has been lobbying for Prisons
Without Walls.
Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Award Anyay Rahit Zindagi
(NGO), Goa
The organisation works towards
combating trafficking of persons
subjected to commercial sexual
exploitation since 1997.
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The Nari Shakti Puraskars have been conferred for the first time in 2015
Winners of the Nari Shakti Puruskars for the year 2014 includes Rashmi Anand from
Delhi, Nandita Krishna from Tamil Nadu, Dr. Laxmi Gautam from Uttar Pradesh, Latika
Thukral from Haryana, Dr. Sailakshmi Balijepally from Tamil Nadu, Neha Kirpal from
Delhi, P Kausalya from Tamil Nadu and Dr. Swaraj Vidwan from Uttarakhand.
2. Madhav Gadgil and Dr. Jane Lubchenco won Tyler Prize for Environmental
Achievement 2015
Indian ecologist Madhav Gadgil and US Scientist Dr. Jane Lubchenco were on 23 March
2015 named for the Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement 2015.
Madhav Gadgil became the second Indian to receive the award after MS Swaminathan in
1991. He received the award to help dramatically improve crop yields in India.Ecologist
Madhav Gadgil was the Chairman of the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP).
The Tyler prize was instituted in 1973. It is awarded by the International Tyler Prize
Executive Committee with the administrative support of the University of Southern
California.
3. 62nd National Film Awards announced
The list of winners
Best Actress: Kangana Ranaut for Queen
Best Supporting Actress: Baljinder Kaur for Pagdi The Honour (Haryanavi)
Best Supporting Actor: Bobby Simhaa for Jigarthanda (Tamil)
Best Actor: Vijay for Nanu Avanalla Avalu (Kannada)
Best Female Playback Singer: Uttara Unnikrishanan for song
Azhagu in Saivam (Tamil)
Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment: Mary Kom
Indira Gandhi Award for Best Debut Film of A Director: Asha Jaoar Majhe
(Bengali)
4. Nobel Laureate John Nash won Abel Prize 2015 for work on partial differential
equations
Nobel Laureate John F Nash Jr. won the Abel Prize 2015 for his work on partial differential
equations.
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The Abel Prize is an international prize presented annually by the King of Norway to one or
more outstanding mathematicians.
The award was established in 2001 by the Government of Norway and complements the
Holberg Prize in the humanities.
The Abel Prize has often been described as the mathematician's Nobel Prize, competing in
that respect with the much older Fields Medal.In 2014, it was won by Yakov G Sinai.
The first Abel Prize was won by Jean-Pierre Serre, Professor at Collège de France, Paris in
2003.
5. President presented Bharat Ratna award to Atal Bihari Vajpayee
President of India Pranab Mukherjii presented Bharat Ratna award to Former Prime
Minister of India Atal Bihari Vajpayee at his home. Bharat Ratna is India's highest civilian
honour.
He is the seventh prime minister to receive the award after Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira
Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, Morarji Desai, Lal Bahadur Shastri and Gulzarilal Nanda.
The award giving ceremony is usually held at Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi, but an
exception was made keeping in mind the poor health of the Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
His other awards are:
Padma Vibhushan in 1992
Lokmanya Tilak Award in 1994 by Government of India
Best Parliamentarian Award in 1994.
Bharat Ratna Pandit Govind Vallabh Pant Award in 1994
6. Madan Mohan Malaviya posthumously awarded Bharat Ratna
Freedom fighter and educationist, Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya was conferred the
highest civilian award of the country Bharat Ratna (posthumous). His family members
received the award from President Prabab Mukherjee
The award was given to Pt Madan Mohan Malaviya or Mahamana Malaviya’s family for his
outstanding work in the field of education and the country's freedom struggle.
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Pandit Malaviya was born on 25 December 1861 in Allahabad. He was the founder of
Banaras Hindu University (BHU) and Hindu Mahasabha.
Besides, President also presented Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri
awards.
List of Awardees
Award Recipient
Padma Vibhushan Lal Krishna Advani
(Senior BJP leader)
Sardar Parkash Singh Badal
(Akali Dal leader and Punjab Chief Minister)
Jagadguru Rambhadra Acharya
Padma Bhusan Dr. Swapan Dasgupata
David Frawley
Bill Gates
Melinda Gates
Needamangalam Gopalaswami
Saichiro Misumi
Sudha Rangunathan
Harish Narendra Salve
Shri Satpal
Dr. Ashok Seth
Padma Shri Sanjay Leela Bhansali (film maker)
Dr Randeep Guleria (physician)
Prasoon Joshi (writer)
Pran Kumar Sharma (Posthumous)
(creator of popular cartoon character Chacha
Chaudhary)
PV Sindhu (shuttler)
Sardar Singh (Hockey star)
Arunima Sinha (amputee Everest climber)
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Prof Alka Kripalni
Manjula Anagani
Kanyakumari Avasarala
Prof. Huang Baosheng
Naresh Bedi
Jean-Claude Carriere
Gyan Chaturvedi
Jaya Kumari Chikkala
Prof. Ashok Gulati
Dr. Randeep Guleria
George L Hart
Rahul Jain
Prafulla Kar
Ushakiran Khan
Harsh Kumar
N Purushothama Mallaya
Dr. Janak Palta McGilligan
Tarak Janubhai Mehta
Chewang Norphel
Dr. Tejas Madhusudan Patel
Dr. Raghu Rama Pillarisetti
Bimla Poddar
Dr. N Prabhakar
Dr. Prahalada
Dr. Saumitra Rawat
Dr. Annette Schmiedchen
Brahmdev Sharma ‘Bhaiji’
Prof. (DR.) Nikhil Tandon
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UNION BUDGET 2015
TAXATION
• Abolition of Wealth Tax.
• Additional 2% surcharge for the super rich with income of over Rs. 1 crore.
• Rate of corporate tax to be reduced to 25% over next four years.
• No change in tax slabs.
• Total exemption of up to Rs. 4, 44,200 can be achieved.
• 100% exemption for contribution to Swachch Bharat, apart from CSR.
• Service tax increased to14 per cent.
AGRICULTURE
• Rs. 25,000 crore for Rural Infrastructure Development Bank.
• Rs. 5,300 crore to support Micro Irrigation Programme.
• Farmers credit - target of 8.5 lakh crore.
INFRASTRUCTURE
• Rs. 70,000 crores to Infrastructure sector.
• Tax-free bonds for projects in rail road and irrigation
• PPP model for infrastructure development to be revitalised and govt. to bear majority of
the risk.
• Atal Innovation Mission to be established to draw on expertise of entrepreneurs, and
researchers to foster scientific innovations; allocation of Rs. 150 crore.
• Govt. proposes to set up 5 ultra mega power projects, each of 4000MW.
EDUCATION
• AIIMS in Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh, Bihar and
Assam.
• IIT in Karnataka; Indian School of Mines in Dhanbad to be upgraded to IIT.
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• PG institute of Horticulture in Amritsar.
• Kerala to have University of Disability Studies
• Centre of film production, animation and gaming to come up in Arunachal Pradesh.
• IIM for Jammu and Kashmir and Andhra Pradesh.
DEFENCE
• Allocation of Rs. 2, 46,726 crore; an increase of 9.87 per cent over last year.
• Focus on Make in India for quick manufacturing of Defence equipment.
WELFARE SCHEMES
• GST and JAM trinity (Jan Dhan Yojana, Aadhaar and Mobile) to improve quality of life
and to pass benefits to common man.
• Six crore toilets across the country under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.
• MUDRA bank will refinance micro finance orgs. To encourage first generation SC/ST
entrepreneurs.
• Housing for all by 2020.
• Upgradation 80,000 secondary schools.
• DBT will be further be expanded from 1 crore to 10.3 crore.
• For the Atal Pension Yojana, govt. will contribute 50% of the premium limited to
Rs. 1,000 a year.
• New scheme for physical aids and assisted living devices for people aged over 80.
• Govt. to use Rs. 9,000 crore unclaimed funds in PPF/EPF for Senior Citizens Fund.
• Rs. 5,000 crore additional allocations for MGNREGA.
• Govt. to create universal social security system for all Indians.
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RENEWABLE ENERGY
• Rs. 75 crore for electric cars production.
• Renewable energy target for 2022: 100K MW in solar; 60K MW in wind; 10K MW in
biomass and 5K MW in small hydro
TOURISM
• Develpoment schemes for churches and convents in old Goa; Hampi, Elephanta caves,
Forests of Rajasthan, Leh palace, Varanasi, Jallianwala Bagh, Qutb Shahi tombs at
Hyderabad to be under the new toursim scheme.
• Visa on Arrival for 150 countries.
GOLD
• Sovereign Gold Bond, as an alternative to purchasing metal gold.
• New scheme for depositors of gold to earn interest and jewellers to obtain loans on their
metal accounts.
• To develop an Indian gold voin, which will carry the Ashok Chakra on its face, to reduce
the demand for foreign coins and recycle the gold available in the country.
FINANCIAL SECTOR
• Forward Markets Commission to be merged with the Securities and Exchange Board of
India
• NBFCs registered with the RBI and having asset size of Rs 500 crore and above to be
considered as ‘financial institution’ under Sarfaesi Act, 2002, enabling them to fund SME
and mid-corporate businesses
• Permanent Establishment norms to be modified to that mere presence of offshore fund
managers in the country do not lead to “adverse tax consequences.”
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STATE BUDGET - 2015
Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam on Wednesday spared the common man by levying no
new taxes in the state budget for 2015-16 while announcing various concessions on the value
added tax(VAT). The government has decided against imposing additional taxes despite the
severe financial burden and the slow growth in the state's tax revenues.
• He exempted fishing accessories like ropes, floats, twine, fishing lamps, swivels and
mosquito nets from VAT while reducing rates on cardamoms, LED lamps, air
compressors, cell phones and pump sets.
• Electricity tax on power generating plants using biomass would be withdrawn the
government has estimated the revenue deficit for 2015-16 at Rs.4,616.02 crore with
revenue receipts projected at Rs.142,681.33 crore and the revenue expenditure put at
Rs.147,297.35 crore.
• With capital expenditure projected at Rs.27,213.17 crore, the fiscal deficit is estimated at
Rs.31,829.19 crore.
• The major revenue streams for the state are commercial taxes (Rs.72,068.40 crore), state
excise (Rs.7,296.66 crore), and motor vehicles tax (Rs.4,882.53 crore).
• The tax revenue is expected to log a modest growth of around 12 percent over last fiscal.
• The share of central taxes is projected at Rs.21,149.89 crore while grants-in-aid from the
central government will be Rs.16,376.79 crore.
• The state's net borrowings would be raised to Rs.30,446.68 crore against the permissible
levels of Rs.32,990 crore.
• The total outstanding debt for the state by the end of the fiscal is estimated at Rs.211,483
crore.
• Rs.59,185 crore has been allocated towards subsidies and freebies.