Tuesday, December 30, 2014

GK POWER CAPSULE -- THE HINDU -- BANKERS ADDA


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GK Power Capsule
This GK Capsule has been prepared by
prepared on the basis of news and events appeared in The Hindu Newspaper in the month of
1. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
term indicative policy rate (repo rate)
unchanged at 8 per cent, as the current
economic environment is not conducive to cut
rates in Fifth Bi-monthly Monetary Policy. RBI
retained its growth projection for 2014
per cent.
a. Bank Rate – 9 % (Unchanged)
b. Cash Reserve Ratio – 4 % (Unchanged)
c. Statutory Liquidity Ratio – 22 % (Unchanged)
d. Repo Rate – 8 % (Unchanged)
e. Reverse Repo Rate – 7 % (Unchanged)
f. Marginal Standing Rate – 9 % (Unchanged)
2. Senior IAS officer S Bhattacharya
as the Chairman and Managing Director of Coal
India Ltd.
3. Senior IPS officer Prakash Mishra was appointed
as the Directorate General of Central Reserve
Police Force.
4. Dineshwar Sharma was appointed as Director of
the Intelligence Bureau. Sharma will succeed
Syed Asif Ibrahim who will re
December 2014.
5. Veteran journalist-turned-diplomat Maleeha
Lodhi was appointed as 16th Pakistan
Ambassador to the United Nations.
6. Indian-American Richard Rahul Verma’s
nomination as the next US Ambassador to India
was confirmed by the US Senate.
7. Physicist Ashton Carter was nominated as the
next defence secretary of US Department of
Defence.
8. Senior IPS officer Anil Kumar Sinha was
appointed as the new CBI Director.
will succeed Ranjit Sinha.
9. Union Home Ministry approved the appointment
of OP Singh as Director General of National
Disaster Response Force.

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GK Power Capsule – December 2014 (The Hindu Review)
This GK Capsule has been prepared by Career Power Institute Delhi (Formerly Known as Bank Power). This has been
prepared on the basis of news and events appeared in The Hindu Newspaper in the month of
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) kept the shortve
policy rate (repo rate)
unchanged at 8 per cent, as the current
economic environment is not conducive to cut
monthly Monetary Policy. RBI
retained its growth projection for 2014-15 at 5.5
4 % (Unchanged)
22 % (Unchanged)
7 % (Unchanged)
9 % (Unchanged)
Senior IAS officer S Bhattacharya was appointed
Director of Coal
Senior IPS officer Prakash Mishra was appointed
as the Directorate General of Central Reserve
Dineshwar Sharma was appointed as Director of
Sharma will succeed
Syed Asif Ibrahim who will retire on 31
diplomat Maleeha
Lodhi was appointed as 16th Pakistan
Ambassador to the United Nations.
American Richard Rahul Verma’s
nomination as the next US Ambassador to India
Physicist Ashton Carter was nominated as the
next defence secretary of US Department of
Senior IPS officer Anil Kumar Sinha was
appointed as the new CBI Director. Anil Sinha
Union Home Ministry approved the appointment
f OP Singh as Director General of National
10. Union Government nominated Rajiv Mehrishi as
a Director on the Central Board of Directors of
Reserve Bank of India. He succeeded Arvind
Mayaram.
11. Former Uttar Pradesh chief secretary Anoop
Mishra was appointed as new Secretary General
of the Lok Sabha. He was appointed by Lok
Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan.
12. United Nations Women announced the
appointment of Indian tennis superstar
Mirza, as its Goodwill Ambassador for South
Asia.

www.careeradda.co.in 1
2014 (The Hindu Review)
(Formerly Known as Bank Power). This has been
prepared on the basis of news and events appeared in The Hindu Newspaper in the month of September 2014.
Union Government nominated Rajiv Mehrishi as
a Director on the Central Board of Directors of
Reserve Bank of India. He succeeded Arvind
Former Uttar Pradesh chief secretary Anoop
Mishra was appointed as new Secretary General
of the Lok Sabha. He was appointed by Lok
Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan.
United Nations Women announced the
appointment of Indian tennis superstar Sania
Mirza, as its Goodwill Ambassador for South
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13. Megastar Amitabh Bachchan was honoured with
the Yash Chopra Memorial Award.
14. Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpee and
freedom fighter Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya
(posthumously) will receive the Bharat Ratna.
15. Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya was a freedom
fighter and educationist who was part of the
Indian National Movement. He was president of
Indian National Congress (INC) for two terms in
1909 and1918. He was one of the founders of
the Hindu Mahasabha. He was also
the Banaras Hindu University in 191
16. Vajpayee is a three time Prime Minister of India
who served the first term in 1996 for just 13
days. During his second term in 1998
served for 13 months. In his final and third term
he completed the full five-year from 1999
Thus, he became the first Prime Minister from
outside the Indian National Congress party to
serve a full five-year term. He was also the
Minister of External Affairs in the cabinet of
Prime Minister Morarji Desai in 1978. As foreign
minister, that year Vajpayee bec
person to deliver a speech to the United Nations
General Assembly in Hindi.
17. Noted Pakistan-born poetess Imtiaz Dharker
was awarded the Queen’s Gold Medal for Poetry
2014 for her latest poetry collection Over the
Moon.
18. Pro-democracy activist of China Xu Youyu won
the Olof Palme Human Rights Prize for the year
2014.
19. Miss South Africa, Rolene Strauss was crowned
Miss World 2014 at the final of the beauty
pageant held in London, UK. Miss Hungary,
Edina Kulcsar, was the runner
United States, Elizabeth Safrit, came third.
India's 21-year-old Jaipur-born Koyal Rana
made it to the top 10 but failed to make it to the
top five.
20. Playback singer Asha Bhosle was awarded the
Lifetime Achievement Award at the 11th Dubai
International Film Festival (DIFF) held in Dubai.
21. Child rights campaigner of India Kailash
Satyarthi and Education activist of Pakistan
Malala Yousafzai received the Nobel Peace Prize
for the year 2014. Both the recipients received

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star Amitabh Bachchan was honoured with
the Yash Chopra Memorial Award.
Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpee and
freedom fighter Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya
(posthumously) will receive the Bharat Ratna.
Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya was a freedom
and educationist who was part of the
Indian National Movement. He was president of
Indian National Congress (INC) for two terms in
He was one of the founders of
also founder of
the Banaras Hindu University in 1916.
Vajpayee is a three time Prime Minister of India
who served the first term in 1996 for just 13
days. During his second term in 1998-1999 he
In his final and third term
year from 1999-2004.
became the first Prime Minister from
outside the Indian National Congress party to
He was also the
Minister of External Affairs in the cabinet of
Prime Minister Morarji Desai in 1978. As foreign
minister, that year Vajpayee became the first
person to deliver a speech to the United Nations
born poetess Imtiaz Dharker
was awarded the Queen’s Gold Medal for Poetry
2014 for her latest poetry collection Over the
f China Xu Youyu won
the Olof Palme Human Rights Prize for the year
Miss South Africa, Rolene Strauss was crowned
Miss World 2014 at the final of the beauty
pageant held in London, UK. Miss Hungary,
Edina Kulcsar, was the runner-up and Miss
ates, Elizabeth Safrit, came third.
born Koyal Rana
made it to the top 10 but failed to make it to the
Playback singer Asha Bhosle was awarded the
Lifetime Achievement Award at the 11th Dubai
(DIFF) held in Dubai.
Child rights campaigner of India Kailash
Satyarthi and Education activist of Pakistan
Malala Yousafzai received the Nobel Peace Prize
for the year 2014. Both the recipients received
medals and prize money 1.4 million US dollars
from the Norwegian Nobel Committee at Oslo,
Norway on 10 December 2014.
22. Kailash Satyarthi is a children's rights activist
and founder of Bachpan Bachao Andolan.
23. Child education activist of Pakistan Malala
Yousafzai at the age of 17 became the youngest
ever recipient of the Nobel Prize and also the
first person to win the Nobel Prize from
Pakistan. She is known for her activism for right
to education for women especially in the Swat
Valley.
24. Chairman of Wipro Azim Premji was awarded
Swiss Ambassador's Award in Mum
25. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was
named as the Asian of the Year 2014 by
Singapore’s leading newspaper The Straits
Times.
26. Michael Phelps was crowned Male Athlete of the
Year at the 2014 USA Swimming Golden Goggle
Awards. He was crowned with the
time.
27. Aaranyak, an Assam
Nations Lighthouse Activities award for the year
2014.
28. Hockey Olympian Grihanandan Singh died
29. Veteran Carnatic vocalist Nedanuri
Krishnamurthy died.
30. Belgium's former Queen Fabiola died.
31. Former Chief Minister of Maharashtra and a
veteran Congressman Abdul Rahman Antulay
passed away.
32. Veteran Bollywood actor
producer Deven Verma died.
33. Former Arunachal Pradesh chief minister
Jarbom Gamlin died.
34. Crime novelist Phyllis Dorot
35. Legendary Kathak danseuse Sitara Devi.
36. Koppillil Radhakrishnan, Chairman of ISRO,
featured in the Top 10 List of Journal Nature.
37. The mastermind of the 26/11 Mumbai terror
attacks, Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, was in news
recently after an Anti Te
Pakistan granted bail to him on 18 December
2014.
38. A R Rahman was nominated for Oscar Awards
for the year 2015 in the Music Original Score
Category for three films. He was nominated for
the films Million Dollar Arm, The Hundred
Journey and Indian film Kochadaiiyaan.
39. Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling on 12
December 2014 became longest serving Chief
Minister of India. He completed his 20 years in
the office.

www.careeradda.co.in 2
medals and prize money 1.4 million US dollars
the Norwegian Nobel Committee at Oslo,
Norway on 10 December 2014.
Kailash Satyarthi is a children's rights activist
Bachpan Bachao Andolan.
Child education activist of Pakistan Malala
Yousafzai at the age of 17 became the youngest
pient of the Nobel Prize and also the
first person to win the Nobel Prize from
Pakistan. She is known for her activism for right
to education for women especially in the Swat
Chairman of Wipro Azim Premji was awarded
Swiss Ambassador's Award in Mumbai.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was
named as the Asian of the Year 2014 by
Singapore’s leading newspaper The Straits
Michael Phelps was crowned Male Athlete of the
Year at the 2014 USA Swimming Golden Goggle
Awards. He was crowned with the title for a fifth
Aaranyak, an Assam-based NGO won United
Nations Lighthouse Activities award for the year
Hockey Olympian Grihanandan Singh died.
Veteran Carnatic vocalist Nedanuri
Krishnamurthy died.
Belgium's former Queen Fabiola died.
mer Chief Minister of Maharashtra and a
veteran Congressman Abdul Rahman Antulay
Veteran Bollywood actor-comedian, director and
producer Deven Verma died.
Former Arunachal Pradesh chief minister
Jarbom Gamlin died.
Crime novelist Phyllis Dorothy James died.
Legendary Kathak danseuse Sitara Devi.
Koppillil Radhakrishnan, Chairman of ISRO,
featured in the Top 10 List of Journal Nature.
The mastermind of the 26/11 Mumbai terror
Rehman Lakhvi, was in news
recently after an Anti Terrorism Court (ATC) in
Pakistan granted bail to him on 18 December
A R Rahman was nominated for Oscar Awards
for the year 2015 in the Music Original Score
Category for three films. He was nominated for
the films Million Dollar Arm, The Hundred-Foot
ourney and Indian film Kochadaiiyaan.
Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling on 12
December 2014 became longest serving Chief
Minister of India. He completed his 20 years in
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40. Miss World honoured Aishwarya Rai
Bachan was honoured with a special award at
the Miss World 2014 ceremony in London for
charitable work.
41. Ruhi Singh of India was in news because she
won Miss Universal Peace & Humanity 2014 at
Beirut, Lebanon on 10 December 2014.
42. Richest man of Russia Alisher Usmanov was in
news as he decided to return the Nobel Prize
medal to James D Watson which he bought for
4.8 million US dollars at auction from him.
43. James D Watson was in news because he
auctioned his Nobel Prize medal
US dollars.
44. German Chancellor Angela Merkel was re
elected unopposed as head of Conservative
Christian Democrats party.
45. The main and oldest litigant in the Ram
Janmbhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute, Mohammad
Hashim Ansari was in news recently
decided to withdraw his plea.
46. Ashutosh Maharaj was in news because the
Punjab and Haryana High Court on 1 December
2014 directed the Punjab government to
perform last rites of him within 15 days.
47. World War- II Indian pilot Late Mohinder Singh
Pujji was in news because UK honoured him by
unveiling his eight-foot bronze statue at St
Andrew's Garden in Gravesend, Kent, Great
Britain.
48. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj visited
United Arab Emirates.
49. Chintagufa area of Sukma district in
Chhattisgarh was in news as Maoists killed more
than dozen CRPF personnel in an attack.
50. Bollywood actresses Priyanka Chopra and
Freida Pinto launched a multi
campaign, Girl Rising in New Delhi.
51. Indian Communication Satellite GSAT
launched successfully from the Kourou space
port in French Guiana. It was launched by the
European Ariane-5 launch vehicle VA221 of
Arianespace. The GSAT-16 satellite was built by
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in
Bengaluru. It is the 18th satellite launched by
Arianespace for ISRO.
52. NASA celebrated the 50th anniversary of its first
mission to Mars, Mariner 4 mission on 28
November 2014. Mariner 4 mission launched on

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Miss World honoured Aishwarya Rai
was honoured with a special award at
the Miss World 2014 ceremony in London for
Ruhi Singh of India was in news because she
won Miss Universal Peace & Humanity 2014 at
r 2014.
Richest man of Russia Alisher Usmanov was in
news as he decided to return the Nobel Prize
medal to James D Watson which he bought for
4.8 million US dollars at auction from him.
James D Watson was in news because he
auctioned his Nobel Prize medal for 4.8 million
German Chancellor Angela Merkel was reelected
unopposed as head of Conservative
The main and oldest litigant in the Ram
Babri Masjid dispute, Mohammad
Hashim Ansari was in news recently as he
Ashutosh Maharaj was in news because the
Punjab and Haryana High Court on 1 December
2014 directed the Punjab government to
perform last rites of him within 15 days.
II Indian pilot Late Mohinder Singh
as in news because UK honoured him by
foot bronze statue at St
Andrew's Garden in Gravesend, Kent, Great
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj visited
Chintagufa area of Sukma district in
as in news as Maoists killed more
than dozen CRPF personnel in an attack.
Bollywood actresses Priyanka Chopra and
Freida Pinto launched a multi-level global
campaign, Girl Rising in New Delhi.
Indian Communication Satellite GSAT-16 was
lly from the Kourou space
port in French Guiana. It was launched by the
5 launch vehicle VA221 of
satellite was built by
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in
Bengaluru. It is the 18th satellite launched by
NASA celebrated the 50th anniversary of its first
mission to Mars, Mariner 4 mission on 28
November 2014. Mariner 4 mission launched on
28 November 1964 was the NASA’s first
successful journey to Mars.
53. World Diamond Conference was hel
Delhi on 11 December 2014. Prime Minister
Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin
along with Minister for Mineral Resources of
South Africa Susan Shabangu attended the
inauguration of World Diamond Conference.
54. 15th Indo-Russian Bilateral Annual
held in Delhi. President Vladimir Putin of Russia
visited India to hold the summit on the
invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
During the summit, both the countries signed 20
agreements in the fields such as nuclear energy,
oil and gas, health, investment, mining, media
and wind power. Both the countries agreed on
the construction of at least 12 new nuclear
power units within the next 20 years, including
two new units at the Kudankulam Nuclear
Power Plant. Both also countries agreed to fi
new site to construct a new nuclear plant.
55. 18th South Asian Association of Regional
Cooperation (SAARC) summit was held in
Kathmandu, Nepal.
was Deeper Integration for Peace and
Prosperity. The summit took place after an
interval of three years. The last summit was held
in 2011 in Maldives. The next summit will now
be held in Islamabad in 2016. During the
summit, the leaders signed an agreement on
energy cooperation namely SAARC Framework
Agreement for Energy Cooperation, SAARC
Regional Railway Agreement and SAARC Motor
Vehicle Agreement.
56. The Sushaasan Express was flagged off by the
Union Ministry of Mines and Steel. The
Sushaasan (good governance) Express was
launched from Gwalior, the birth place of former
Prime Minister Atal
57. India set the Guinness Record for largest human
formation of a national flag in the world. To set
the record around 50000 volunteers from
Chennai gathered at YMCA Grounds to form the
human Tricolour with Chakra, the National Flag
of India.
58. Cricket fans paid their tribute to 25
Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes
27 November 2014, after being into induced
coma. He went into induced coma on 25
November 2014 after a bouncer ball of Sean
Abbott hit back of his head during a
Game at Sydney Cricket Ground in Australia.
59. Section 309 Indian Penal Code was in news
recently as Union Home Ministry decided to

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28 November 1964 was the NASA’s first
successful journey to Mars.
World Diamond Conference was held in New
Delhi on 11 December 2014. Prime Minister
Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin
along with Minister for Mineral Resources of
South Africa Susan Shabangu attended the
inauguration of World Diamond Conference.
Russian Bilateral Annual Summit was
held in Delhi. President Vladimir Putin of Russia
visited India to hold the summit on the
invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
During the summit, both the countries signed 20
agreements in the fields such as nuclear energy,
health, investment, mining, media
and wind power. Both the countries agreed on
the construction of at least 12 new nuclear
power units within the next 20 years, including
two new units at the Kudankulam Nuclear
Power Plant. Both also countries agreed to find a
new site to construct a new nuclear plant.
18th South Asian Association of Regional
Cooperation (SAARC) summit was held in
Kathmandu, Nepal. The theme of the summit
was Deeper Integration for Peace and
Prosperity. The summit took place after an
val of three years. The last summit was held
in 2011 in Maldives. The next summit will now
be held in Islamabad in 2016. During the
summit, the leaders signed an agreement on
energy cooperation namely SAARC Framework
Agreement for Energy Cooperation, SAARC
Regional Railway Agreement and SAARC Motor
Vehicle Agreement.
The Sushaasan Express was flagged off by the
Union Ministry of Mines and Steel. The
Sushaasan (good governance) Express was
launched from Gwalior, the birth place of former
Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
India set the Guinness Record for largest human
formation of a national flag in the world. To set
the record around 50000 volunteers from
Chennai gathered at YMCA Grounds to form the
human Tricolour with Chakra, the National Flag
ricket fans paid their tribute to 25-year-old
Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes who died on
27 November 2014, after being into induced
coma. He went into induced coma on 25
November 2014 after a bouncer ball of Sean
Abbott hit back of his head during a Sheffield
Game at Sydney Cricket Ground in Australia.
Section 309 Indian Penal Code was in news
recently as Union Home Ministry decided to
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remove this Section, thus decriminalizing
attempt to suicide.
60. The National Heritage City Development and
Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY) was in news
recently as Union Urban Development Minister
M Venkaiah Naidu announced the plans to
launch the scheme. HRIDAY is a scheme for
conserving and preserving the heritage
characters of 12 cities. These are: Amritsar,
Varanasi, Gaya, Puri, Ajmer, Mathura, Dwarka,
Badami, Velankanni, Kanchipuram, Warangal
(Telangana) and Amaravati (Andhra Pradesh).
61. GSLV Mark-III-X was in news recently because
Indian Space Research Organisation launched it
successfully from Satish Dhawan Space Centre at
Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. GSLV Mark-III-X is
the heaviest rocket (630 tonnes) of India, which
was launched on an experimental mission along
with human Crew module Atmospheric Reentry
Experiment (CARE). In the experimental
mission, the crew module separated itself from
the rocket at an altitude of 126 km for re-entry
into the earth's atmosphere. Crew module, in the
process of re-entry into earth’s atmosphere, was
controlled by 3 parachutes which helped it to
splash safely into the Bay of Bengal off Andaman
and Nicobar Islands.
62. Druzhba-Dosti is a term used for vision
statement of India and Russia over the next
decade released during the 15th Indo – Russia
Annual Summit held in New Delhi on 11
December 2014. The joint statement was
released by during the visit of Russian President
Vladimir V Putin to India at the invitation of the
Prime Minister of India Narendra Mod to hold
the annual summit.
63. The book titled Why I Assassinated Gandhi
written by Nathuram Godse and Gopal Godse
was in news.
64. Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a book
tittled Born Again on the Mountain by Arunima
Sinha. She is the first Indian amputee and first
female amputee to climb Mount Everest.
65. Union Government released Calendar for the
year 2015 with the theme Clean India Green
India.
66. Book titled Prince of Gujarat: The Extraordinary
Story of Prince Gopaldas Desai (1887-1951)
authored by Rajmohan Gandhi was released.
67. Rajdeep Sardesai penned the book titled 2014:
The Election That Changed India. The book was
released.
68. Book titled Letters for a Nation written by
Jawaharlal Nehru & Madhav Khosla was
published by Allen Lane an imprint of Penguin
Books.
69. Book titled Next China-India War - World's First
Water War – 2029 authored by former Army
chief General Sundarajan Padmanabhan was
released.
70. Biography titled My Name is Abu Salem written
by S Hussain Zaidi was released.
71. The Committee headed by former Supreme
Court Judge Justice (retired) G.P. Mathur will
look into Anti-Sikh riots of 1984.
72. The Union Finance Ministry constituted a High
Level Committee headed by former Chief
Economic Advisor (CEA) Ashok Lahiri, to
interact with trade and industry on tax-related
issues on a regular basis.
73. Union Government observed 25 December 2014
as Good Governance Day. The day was observed
to celebrate the 90th birth anniversary of Atal
Bihari Vajpayee.
74. Indian dairy sector majors decided to celebrate
26 November as National Milk Day to mark the
93rd birth anniversary of Father of White
Revolution, Dr. Verghese Kurien.
75. The advanced version of Mark-II Pinaka Rocket
was successfully test fired at Chandipur, about
15-km from Balasore in Odisha. It was test-fired
using a multi-barrel launcher. Rocket has a
range of more than 60-km.
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76. Nuclear capable missile Agni-IV was test fired
from Integrated Test Range in Wheeler Island,
Odisha. Agni-IV is a surface-to-surface missile
with 4000 km range.
77. Russia and four other ex-Soviet nations, viz.,
Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan
finalised the creation of Eurasian Economic
Union.
78. Ukrainian Parliament, Rada, overwhelmingly
adopted a bill that enables the country to join
North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO).
79. BJP leader, Raghubar Das was elected as party
leader by BJP Party of Jharkhand on 26
December 2014. He will became the first nontribal
Chief Minister of Jharkhand. BJP- AJSU (All
Jharkhand Students Indian Union) alliance
secured 42 seats out of 81 seats where BJP alone
secured 37 seats.
80. In Jammu and Kashmir election Peoples
Democratic Party of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed
with 28 seats emerged as the largest party in the
house of 87 seats. BJP with 25 seats stood at the
second position.
81. President Pranab Mukherjee signed ordinances
on Insurance Bill and e-auction of coal mines.
Ordinance hiked FDI limit in Insurance sector to
49 per cent from 26 per cent.
82. The government kickstarted the auction process
for cancelled coal mines with the launch of a
portal for electronic bidding for 24 coal blocks in
the first tranche.
83. The direct benefit transfer on LPG under which
cash subsidy is paid to consumers so that they
can buy cooking gas at market price, was rolled
out in 54 districts from November 15 and will be
extended all over the country from January 1.
From January 1, LPG consumers across the
country will have to buy cooking gas at market
rates. They will get the difference between
current subsidised rate and market price for 12
cylinders in a year in cash that will be
transferred to their bank acounts. PAHAL or
Pratyaksh Hanstantarit Labh has been rolled out.
84. In a bid to make cooking gas (LPG) easily
available to consumers, 5-kg mini LPG cylinders
will now be available at select petrol pumps and
neighbourhood grocery stores besides regular
gas agencies in almost all major cities. Now the
subsidised cooking gas will also be available in
5-kg cylinders. Those entitled to subsidised gas
can buy 34 bottles of 5-kg each at Rs 155 per
cylinder in Delhi.
85. The Centre will soon bring 103 rivers under
national waterways to give boost to the inland
water transportation, which is largely underutilised.

86. Wholesale price inflation hit zero in November,
its slowest level since July 2009, as fuel inflation
dropped to a five-year low and the rate of price
rise in food items fell drastically due to
favourable bases and declining global
commodity prices.
87. India will remain the world’s fourth largest steel
maker this year even as its production growth
outpaced the global average in the first 11
months, World Steel Association data showed.
88. Asian Development Bank has granted a
whopping Rs 6,000 crore soft loan for
strengthening and building road network in
Madhya Pradesh.
89. Finance minister Arun Jaitley introduced the
Constitution (122nd Amendment) Bill, 2014, in
the Lok Sabha to facilitate the introduction of
proposed Goods and Services Tax (GST) that
would replace most of the central and state
levies from April 2016 and create a single
national market. Though under its ambit, the
petroleum products would not be subject to the
levy of GST till the GST Council decides. In the
interim, both the Centre and states would
continue to impose their respective tax on
petroleum products. Taxes including excise duty,
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services tax, VAT, CST, entertainment tax,
purchase tax, and luxury tax among others will
be subsumed in the new indirect tax. For its
passage, the Bill needs two-thirds majority in
both the Houses and ratification by 50 per cent
states’ legislatures. The Bill proposes to give
states a five-year compensation timeline for
revenue losses: 100% for the first three years,
75% for the fourth year and 50% for fifth year.
Central and state GST will be decided b
Council.
90. India has not fared well in Forbes’ list of
the ‘Best Countries for Business’ this year,
ranking 93rd out of 146 nations, behind
countries like Mexico, Kazakhstan and Sri Lanka.
Denmark topped Forbes’ 9th annual ranking of
the Best Countries for Business, followed by
Hong Kong, New Zealand, Ireland and Sweden.
91. India’s GDP is expected to rise to 5.5 per cent in
the current fiscal from 4.7 per cent last year,
says the Finance Ministry’s Midreview.

92. The Defence Acquisition Cou
proposals worth Rs 4,444 crore, including the
purchase of four helicopters for survey vessels
at Rs 2,324 crore.
93. An international think-tank has ranked it third
globally with an estimated USD 94.76 billion
(nearly Rs 6 lakh crore) illicit wea
2012. China is on the top with USD 249.57
billion, followed by Russia with USD 122.86
billion in terms of the quantum of black money
moving out of a country for 2012.
94. Government made it clear that Aadhaar number
was not mandatory for transf
amount of LPG cylinder and the option of
providing a bank account is also available under
the Direct Benefit Transfer of LPG.
95. The Lima climate talk held in Peru. Next will
held in Paris in 2015.
96. India’s economic growth is expected to improve
to 6.3 per cent in 2016 with the country leading
economic recovery in South Asia, according to a
United Nations report.
97. India’s current account deficit widened to $10.1
billion or 2.1% of gross domestic product in the
second quarter of the current fiscal f
billion or 1.2% of GDP in the year-
98. The country’s balance of payments (BoP)
remained surplus for the fourth consecutive
year at 6.9 billion dollar for the second quarter,
narrower than 11.2 billion dollar surplus in the
first quarter, the Reserve Bank of India said
99. Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a
brainstorming session with all chief ministers of

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services tax, VAT, CST, entertainment tax,
purchase tax, and luxury tax among others will
be subsumed in the new indirect tax. For its
thirds majority in
ratification by 50 per cent
states’ legislatures. The Bill proposes to give
year compensation timeline for
revenue losses: 100% for the first three years,
75% for the fourth year and 50% for fifth year.
Central and state GST will be decided by the GST
India has not fared well in Forbes’ list of
‘Best Countries for Business’ this year,
ranking 93rd out of 146 nations, behind
countries like Mexico, Kazakhstan and Sri Lanka.
Denmark topped Forbes’ 9th annual ranking of
tries for Business, followed by
Hong Kong, New Zealand, Ireland and Sweden.
India’s GDP is expected to rise to 5.5 per cent in
the current fiscal from 4.7 per cent last year,
-Year economic
The Defence Acquisition Council approved
proposals worth Rs 4,444 crore, including the
purchase of four helicopters for survey vessels
tank has ranked it third
globally with an estimated USD 94.76 billion
(nearly Rs 6 lakh crore) illicit wealth outflows in
2012. China is on the top with USD 249.57
billion, followed by Russia with USD 122.86
billion in terms of the quantum of black money
moving out of a country for 2012.
Government made it clear that Aadhaar number
was not mandatory for transfer of subsidy
amount of LPG cylinder and the option of
providing a bank account is also available under
the Direct Benefit Transfer of LPG.
talk held in Peru. Next will
India’s economic growth is expected to improve
to 6.3 per cent in 2016 with the country leading
economic recovery in South Asia, according to a
India’s current account deficit widened to $10.1
billion or 2.1% of gross domestic product in the
second quarter of the current fiscal from $5.2
-ago-period.
The country’s balance of payments (BoP)
remained surplus for the fourth consecutive
year at 6.9 billion dollar for the second quarter,
narrower than 11.2 billion dollar surplus in the
he Reserve Bank of India said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a
with all chief ministers of
states on replacing Soviet
with a ‘Team India’ concept that would give
federal states a greater role.
100.Reiterating the promise of 24×7 electricity to all
by 2019, Power Minister Piyush Goyal said use
of information technology will help in achieving
the target.
101.The government has also approved Rs 43,033
crore rural electrification scheme, Deendayal
Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yo
replace the existing Rajiv Gandhi Grameen
Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY).
102.A government-constituted task force to review
the operations of India Post has suggested
creation of a Postal Bank of India (PBI), which
would work independently w
department with banking professionals. The
task force headed by former cabinet secretary
TSR Subramanian has also suggested setting up
of three subsidiaries as a part of a holding
company under the postal department for
extending services
commerce and insurance.
103.Tax Administration and Reform Commission
headed by Parthasarathi Shome Committee
proposed levying of banking transaction tax on
withdrawal of cash beyond a specified limit in a
day to check black money.
in June 2005, but was withdrawn in April 2009.
BCTT was levied in respect of cash withdrawals
in a day exceeding Rs 50,000 in the case of an
individual and Rs 1 lakh in the case of other
persons.
104.Indian economy grew at 5.3 per cent in
September quarter. The Gross Domestic Growth
in the second quarter was better than 5.2 per
cent of the same period last fiscal but was slower
than 5.7 per cent rate achieved in April
quarter of current fiscal.
105.Reserve Bank of India
loans up to Rs 10 lakh to individuals against
long-term infrastructure bonds issued by them,
thus easing loan norms for low
106.Punjab National Bank
on number of free ATMs transactions for its
saving account customers.
107.As oil ministers of the Organization of the
Petroleum Exporting Countries
to press for a one million barrels a day

www.careeradda.co.in 6
on replacing Soviet-style central planning
with a ‘Team India’ concept that would give
federal states a greater role.
e promise of 24×7 electricity to all
by 2019, Power Minister Piyush Goyal said use
of information technology will help in achieving
The government has also approved Rs 43,033-
crore rural electrification scheme, Deendayal
Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana. The scheme will
replace the existing Rajiv Gandhi Grameen
Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY).
constituted task force to review
the operations of India Post has suggested
creation of a Postal Bank of India (PBI), which
would work independently within the postal
department with banking professionals. The
task force headed by former cabinet secretary
TSR Subramanian has also suggested setting up
of three subsidiaries as a part of a holding
company under the postal department for
extending services in the fields of banking, ecommerce
and insurance.
Tax Administration and Reform Commission
headed by Parthasarathi Shome Committee
proposed levying of banking transaction tax on
withdrawal of cash beyond a specified limit in a
day to check black money. BCTT was introduced
in June 2005, but was withdrawn in April 2009.
BCTT was levied in respect of cash withdrawals
in a day exceeding Rs 50,000 in the case of an
individual and Rs 1 lakh in the case of other
Indian economy grew at 5.3 per cent in JulySeptember
quarter. The Gross Domestic Growth
in the second quarter was better than 5.2 per
cent of the same period last fiscal but was slower
than 5.7 per cent rate achieved in April-June
quarter of current fiscal.
Reserve Bank of India allowed banks to extend
loans up to Rs 10 lakh to individuals against
term infrastructure bonds issued by them,
thus easing loan norms for low-cost housing.
Punjab National Bank said it will not put a cap
on number of free ATMs transactions for its
ustomers.
As oil ministers of the Organization of the
Petroleum Exporting Countries meet in Vienna
to press for a one million barrels a day
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production cut to support falling Brent crude oil
prices.
108.To ease visa processing and help increase tourist
inflow, the Union government rolled out the
much-awaited electronic visa system for visitors
from 43 countries.
109.Of the 7.64 crore bank accounts opened under
the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana so far, 5.74
crore have no deposits. A total of Rs. 6,015 crore
is held in the remaining 1.9 crore accounts. Thus,
the average deposit in each of these is Rs.
3165.78. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has
raised the target for opening of PMJDY bank
accounts by the next Republic Day to 10 crore.
110.The European Parliament voted overw
for the break-up of Google.
111.The Reserve Bank of India issued final guidelines
for small finance banks and payments banks,
paving the way for mobile firms and
supermarket chains, among others, to enter the
banking arena to cater to individuals and small
businesses. The minimum paidthese
banks will be Rs.100 crore each. The
foreign shareholding will be in line with the
foreign direct investment (FDI) policy for
private sector banks. Applications will be
accepted till the close of business as on January
16, 2015.
112.Individuals/professionals with
experience in banking and finance and
companies and societies will be eligible to set up
small finance banks. Existing non
finance companies (NBFCs), micro finance
institutions (MFIs), and local area banks (LABs)
can also opt for conversion into small finance
banks. The small finance banks will primarily
undertake basic banking activities of acceptance
of deposits and lending to un
underserved sections. However, RBI said, “There
will not be any restriction in the area of
operations of small finance banks.” The small
finance banks will be subject to all prudential
norms and regulations of RBI as applicable to
existing commercial banks, including
requirement of maintenance of Cash Reserve
Ratio (CRR) and Statutory Liquidity Ratio
The small finance banks will be required to
extend 75 per cent of its adjusted net bank credit

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production cut to support falling Brent crude oil
To ease visa processing and help increase tourist
the Union government rolled out the
awaited electronic visa system for visitors
Of the 7.64 crore bank accounts opened under
the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana so far, 5.74
crore have no deposits. A total of Rs. 6,015 crore
in the remaining 1.9 crore accounts. Thus,
the average deposit in each of these is Rs.
3165.78. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has
raised the target for opening of PMJDY bank
accounts by the next Republic Day to 10 crore.
The European Parliament voted overwhelmingly
issued final guidelines
for small finance banks and payments banks,
paving the way for mobile firms and
supermarket chains, among others, to enter the
banking arena to cater to individuals and small
-up capital for
ill be Rs.100 crore each. The
foreign shareholding will be in line with the
foreign direct investment (FDI) policy for
private sector banks. Applications will be
accepted till the close of business as on January
Individuals/professionals with 10 years of
experience in banking and finance and
companies and societies will be eligible to set up
small finance banks. Existing non-banking
finance companies (NBFCs), micro finance
institutions (MFIs), and local area banks (LABs)
sion into small finance
banks. The small finance banks will primarily
undertake basic banking activities of acceptance
of deposits and lending to un-served and
underserved sections. However, RBI said, “There
will not be any restriction in the area of
tions of small finance banks.” The small
finance banks will be subject to all prudential
norms and regulations of RBI as applicable to
existing commercial banks, including
requirement of maintenance of Cash Reserve
Ratio (CRR) and Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR).
The small finance banks will be required to
extend 75 per cent of its adjusted net bank credit
(ANBC) to the sectors eligible for classification
as priority sector lending (PSL) by the RBI.
113.The RBI said that the objectives of setting up of
payments banks will be to further financial
inclusion by providing small savings accounts
and payments/remittance services to migrant
labour workforce, low income households, small
businesses, other unorganised sector entities
and other users. Existing non
payment instrument (PPI) issuers and other
entities such as individuals / professionals, non
banking finance companies (NBFCs), corporate
business correspondents(BCs), mobile
telephone companies, super
companies, real sector cooperati
sector entities can apply to set up payments
banks. A promoter/promoter group can have a
joint venture with an existing scheduled
commercial bank to set up a payments banks. On
acceptance of demand deposits, the RBI said that
payments bank w
holding a maximum balance of Rs. 100,000 per
individual customer. Payments banks, however,
cannot issue credit cards. It also stated that
apart from amounts maintained as Cash Reserve
Ratio (CRR), it will be required to inve
minimum 75 per cent of its “demand deposit
balances” in Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR).
114.Namibia became the first African country in
Africa to go to presidential and legislative polls
using EVMs made in India.
115.Market capitalisation of all listed compani
Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), Asia first stock
exchange, reached historic milestone of Rs. 100
lakh crore-mark on
time.
116.The Reserve Bank of Indi
final guidelines for the Bharat Bill Payment
System, which will help consumers pay multiple
bills like electricity, telephone and school fees at
a single point of transaction. The RBI
payment retail gateway and the issuer of the
Rupay debit Cards, the National Payment
Corporation of India (NPCI) ha
as the nodal body. The apex banks has set a
Rs.100-crore net worth and domestic
registration as qualifying conditions for those
seeking to be authorised collection agents.
117.China and Pakistan have kicked off their multi
billion dollar ‘Econ
passes through Pakistan
(PoK) by laying the foundation of a fenced four
lane motorway, setting in motion a mammoth
project connecting the two countries.

www.careeradda.co.in 7
(ANBC) to the sectors eligible for classification
as priority sector lending (PSL) by the RBI.
The RBI said that the objectives of setting up of
banks will be to further financial
inclusion by providing small savings accounts
and payments/remittance services to migrant
labour workforce, low income households, small
businesses, other unorganised sector entities
and other users. Existing non-bank pre-paid
payment instrument (PPI) issuers and other
entities such as individuals / professionals, nonbanking
finance companies (NBFCs), corporate
business correspondents(BCs), mobile
telephone companies, super-market chains,
companies, real sector cooperatives and public
sector entities can apply to set up payments
banks. A promoter/promoter group can have a
joint venture with an existing scheduled
commercial bank to set up a payments banks. On
acceptance of demand deposits, the RBI said that
payments bank would initially be restricted to
holding a maximum balance of Rs. 100,000 per
individual customer. Payments banks, however,
cannot issue credit cards. It also stated that
apart from amounts maintained as Cash Reserve
Ratio (CRR), it will be required to invest
minimum 75 per cent of its “demand deposit
balances” in Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR).
became the first African country in
Africa to go to presidential and legislative polls
using EVMs made in India.
Market capitalisation of all listed companies on
Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), Asia first stock
exchange, reached historic milestone of Rs. 100
mark on 28 November for the first
The Reserve Bank of India came out with the
final guidelines for the Bharat Bill Payment
which will help consumers pay multiple
bills like electricity, telephone and school fees at
a single point of transaction. The RBI-promoted
payment retail gateway and the issuer of the
Rupay debit Cards, the National Payment
Corporation of India (NPCI) has been appointed
as the nodal body. The apex banks has set a
crore net worth and domestic
registration as qualifying conditions for those
seeking to be authorised collection agents.
China and Pakistan have kicked off their multibillion
dollar ‘Economic Corridor’ project that
passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir
(PoK) by laying the foundation of a fenced fourlane
motorway, setting in motion a mammoth
project connecting the two countries.
www.bankersadda.com |
118.In order to improve performance of public
sector banks, the government
suggestions from the general public on various
parameters, including bad assets that have hit a
record low in terms of volumes.
119.Indian and France agreed
differences and fast-track ongoing negotiations
for the purchase of 126 Rafale fighter jets from
France.
120.India, backed by the United States, opposed a
U.N. General Assembly (UNGA) resolution calling
on New Delhi to voluntarily abandon its nuclear
weapons. The resolution, which also targeted
Israel and Pakistan, was, however,
overwhelmingly.
121.To help attract foreign funds in construction of
townships, hospitals and hotels, the government
relaxed the FDI policy for this sector by easing
exit norms and reducing built
capital needs. India allows 100 per cent FDI
the sector through the automatic route. The new
policy has done away with the three
period for repatriation of investment. Under the
new policy, the minimum floor area requirement
has been reduced to 20,000 square metres from
50,000 square metres earlier. It also brought
down the minimum capital requirement to $5
million from $10 million.
122.Relaxing norms for Pre-paid Payment
Instruments (PPIs), the Reserve Bank of India
doubled the card limit to Rs.1 lakh.
123.India is only “partly free” with a rank of 30 out of
65 countries in Internet freedom but as of May
this year.
124.Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu
first phase of the capital city in Guntur district
would be completed by 2019.
125.Government told the Supreme Court
students of Kendriya Vidyalayas can learn
Sanskrit this academic year without having to
take exams and study German as an optional
subject.
126.ICICI Bank has informed the stock exchanges
that the bank decided to sell its shareholding in
ICICI Bank Eurasia Limited Liability Com
(IBEL), a non-material wholly-owned banking
subsidiary in Russia.
127.Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh and
Rashtriya Janata Dal president Lalu Prasad took
a firm step to strengthen their relationship by
announcing a matrimonial alliance between the
two families. Mr. Prasad’s youngest daughter Raj
Laxmi is set to marry Mr. Mulayam Singh’s grand
nephew and Mainpuri MP Tej Pratap Yadav.

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In order to improve performance of public
overnment sought
suggestions from the general public on various
parameters, including bad assets that have hit a
Indian and France agreed to overcome
track ongoing negotiations
Rafale fighter jets from
India, backed by the United States, opposed a
U.N. General Assembly (UNGA) resolution calling
on New Delhi to voluntarily abandon its nuclear
weapons. The resolution, which also targeted
Israel and Pakistan, was, however, passed
To help attract foreign funds in construction of
s and hotels, the government
relaxed the FDI policy for this sector by easing
exit norms and reducing built-up area and
capital needs. India allows 100 per cent FDI in
the sector through the automatic route. The new
policy has done away with the three-year lock-in
period for repatriation of investment. Under the
new policy, the minimum floor area requirement
has been reduced to 20,000 square metres from
metres earlier. It also brought
down the minimum capital requirement to $5
paid Payment
Reserve Bank of India
doubled the card limit to Rs.1 lakh.
ank of 30 out of
65 countries in Internet freedom but as of May
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said the
first phase of the capital city in Guntur district
nment told the Supreme Court that
ya Vidyalayas can learn
Sanskrit this academic year without having to
take exams and study German as an optional
ICICI Bank has informed the stock exchanges
that the bank decided to sell its shareholding in
ICICI Bank Eurasia Limited Liability Company
owned banking
Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh and
Rashtriya Janata Dal president Lalu Prasad took
a firm step to strengthen their relationship by
announcing a matrimonial alliance between the
families. Mr. Prasad’s youngest daughter Raj
Laxmi is set to marry Mr. Mulayam Singh’s grand
nephew and Mainpuri MP Tej Pratap Yadav.
128.A Boeing aircraft has completed the world’s first
flight using ‘green diesel’, a sustainable biofuel
made from vegetable
animal fats.
129.The Lok Sabha
Amending (Second) Bill, 2014, to remove 90
redundant Amendment Acts from the statute
book.
130.The U.S. and NATO closed their
command in Afghanistan
after invading the country in the wake of the
September 11 terror attacks to target al
and Osama bin Laden.
officials say the U.S. troop total will shrink to
5,500, and to near zero by the end of 2016.
131.Union Home Minister Rajnath S
Rajya Sabha that the Centre had asked all States
and Union Territories to stop operations of Web
based taxi services such as Uber till they got
themselves registered with the authorities
concerned
132.The World Trade Organization (WTO) has r
against the U.S. imposing high duty on imports of
certain Indian steel products, an order hailed by
India as a ‘significant victory’ that will help
domestic manufacturers and exporters.
133.A technical survey to restore a 496
historic road link be
via Shillong and Sylhet, snapped during
Partition, began.
134.A proposal to give Rs.5 lakh each to the kin of
the 1984 anti-Sikh riot victims, triggered after
the assassination of former Prime Minister
Indira Gandhi, was approved by
135.A goods train from China completed the world’s
longest rail journey when it reached M
final destination. The train was flagged off from
China’s international commodity hub of Yiwu on
November 18.
136.UN General Assembly
resolution declaring June 21 as ‘International
Day of Yoga’.
137.Google has said that it will shut down Google
News in Spain because of a new law that will
force it to pay news outlets whose content it
publishes, partially or in whole.
138.The Securities an
(SEBI) said it had passed orders against 51
entities and its directors carrying on

www.careeradda.co.in 8
A Boeing aircraft has completed the world’s first
flight using ‘green diesel’, a sustainable biofuel
made from vegetable oils, waste cooking oil and
The Lok Sabha cleared The Repealing and
Amending (Second) Bill, 2014, to remove 90
redundant Amendment Acts from the statute
The U.S. and NATO closed their combat
command in Afghanistan, more than 13 years
er invading the country in the wake of the
September 11 terror attacks to target al-Qaeda
and Osama bin Laden. However, American
officials say the U.S. troop total will shrink to
5,500, and to near zero by the end of 2016.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said in the
that the Centre had asked all States
and Union Territories to stop operations of Webbased
taxi services such as Uber till they got
themselves registered with the authorities
The World Trade Organization (WTO) has ruled
against the U.S. imposing high duty on imports of
certain Indian steel products, an order hailed by
India as a ‘significant victory’ that will help
domestic manufacturers and exporters.
A technical survey to restore a 496-km-long
historic road link between Guwahati and Dhaka
via Shillong and Sylhet, snapped during
A proposal to give Rs.5 lakh each to the kin of
Sikh riot victims, triggered after
the assassination of former Prime Minister
Indira Gandhi, was approved by the government.
A goods train from China completed the world’s
longest rail journey when it reached Madrid, its
. The train was flagged off from
China’s international commodity hub of Yiwu on
UN General Assembly adopted an India-led
resolution declaring June 21 as ‘International
Google has said that it will shut down Google
News in Spain because of a new law that will
force it to pay news outlets whose content it
publishes, partially or in whole.
The Securities and Exchange Board of India
said it had passed orders against 51
entities and its directors carrying on
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unregistered collective investment schemes
(CIS), since January 1, 2011.
139.Reserve Bank Governor Raghuram Rajan
cautioned the government on Prime Minister
Narendra Modi’s ‘Make in India’ mantra,
suggesting that India would have to look for
regional and domestic demand for growth — to
make in India primarily for India. He suggested
Make for India.
140.The Maharashtra government declared Dahi
Handi (forming of human pyramids and
breaking the earthen pot on the occasion of
Krishna Janmashtami) an “adventure sport.”
141.Nineteen long years after it was first screened,
Hindi romantic-drama Dilwale Dulhania Le
Jayenge , on 12 December, the film completed its
1,000th week at the iconic Maratha Mandir
cinema hall in south Mumbai.
142.China has tested a hypersonic strike vehicle Wu-
14, signalling that Beijing is working on a new
ultra high speed weapon system that can breach
the existing missile shield of the United States.
143.Russia responded angrily to news that U.S.
senators had passed a bill calling for fresh
sanctions against Moscow and the supply of
lethal military aid to Ukraine.
144.Mauritius President named veteran politician Sir
Anerood Jugnauth as Prime Minister, after the
84-year-old won a landslide taking nearly threequarters
of the seats in Parliament.
145.The Centre has decided to provide financial
assistance to parents of transgender children to
enable them to bring them up without
discrimination and stigma. The financial
assistance scheme, fully sponsored by the
Centre, provides for Rs. 1,000 per transgender
child a month as monetary help to parents until
it reaches 18 years.
146.Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe won
comfortable re-election in a snap poll he had
billed as a referendum on his economic policies.
147.The U.S. Congress passed a $1.1-trillion spending
bill for fiscal year 2015 amid intense partisan
wrangling.
148.Haiti Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe
announced his resignation, following repeated
calls for him to step down amid anti-government
protests and a political crisis in the
impoverished Caribbean nation.
149.The Supreme Court allowed Anil Kumar Sinha,
the new CBI Director, to take charge of the
investigation and prosecution in the 2G
Spectrum scam cases.
150.The dreaded IS terror group has been banned in
India, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh
disclosed.
151.Indian woman boxer L. Sarita Devi was handed a
one-year ban by the International Boxing
Association (AIBA) for refusing to accept her
bronze medal at the Asian Games.
152.The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed a
monetary penalty on ICICI Bank (Rs.50 lakh) and
Bank of Baroda (Rs.25 lakh) for violation of its
instructions on Know Your Customer (KYC) and
anti-money laundering (AML) norms. It also
cautioned State Bank of India, Axis Bank and
State Bank of Patiala for these violations.
153.Goa Talkies is organising the first edition of the
Goa Short Film Carnival from February 20 to 22,
2015.
154.India will receive € 625 million from Germany to
support green energy infrastructure, according
to a financial cooperation agreement signed
between the two countries.
155.The United Nations said it has sent a team of
international experts to Bangladesh to help
clean up the world’s largest mangrove forest,
more than a week after it was hit by a huge oil
spill.
156.The Insurance Regulatory and Development
Authority (IRDA) has slapped a penalty of Rs.31
lakh on Canara HSBC Oriental Bank of
Commerce Life Insurance Company and Rs.5
lakh on Anand Rathi Insurance Brokers for
violating regulatory norms.
157.A 1000-kg “glide bomb,” designed and
developed by the Defence Research and
Development Organisation (DRDO), was
successfully tested. An Indian Air Force fighter,
which took off from the Kalaikunda air base,
near Kharagpur, West Bengal, dropped one over
the Bay of Bengal, off the Odisha coast. The
bomb, guided by its on-board navigation system,
glided for about 100 km before reaching the
targeted area with precision.
158.Following a bird flu scare, 100 geese and a few
other birds were culled in the Sukhna lake in
Chandigarh.
159.President Pranab Mukherjee handed over the
recordings of transmissions made by All India
Radio and Doordarshan during the Liberation
War of 1971 to Bangladeshi President Abdul
Hamid. Receiving the Bangladeshi President at
the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
160.At least 32 militants were killed by the Pakistan
Army in the restive northwest region bordering
Afghanistan, taking the number of terrorists
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killed to 89 after the Peshawar school massacre
that left 148 people dead.
161.The Modi government has promised Housing for
all by 2022, relaunching the programme Rajiv
Awas Yojana under the Sardar Patel National
Mission for Urban Housing.
162.The 13th edition of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas
will be held in Ahmadabad, Gujarat from January
7 to 9. Gujarat has been chosen as the partner
State as 2015 happens to be the 100th year of
Mahatma Gandhi’s return to India from South
Africa. On January 7, the youth segment of PBD
will be inaugurated with the theme Bharat ko
jano andBharat ko mano.
163.Ford Credit India has been granted licence by
the Reserve Bank of India to operate as a nonbanking
financial company in India. Ford Credit
India is a subsidiary of Ford Motor Credit
Company.
164.The Maharashtra Assembly passed the Maratha
reservation Bill. The previous Congress-NCP
government issued ordinances to provide 16 per
cent reservation to Marathas.
165.The deadline for exchanging pre-2005 currency
notes of various denominations, including
Rs.500 and Rs.1,000, has been extended by
another six months till June 30, 2015.
166.The Union government has approved an
amendment to the Andhra Pradesh
Reorganisation Act to increase the number of
seats in Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council
from 50 to 58.
167.Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate
the 102nd Indian Science Congress in Mumbai
here on January 3, it was officially announced.
ALL THE BEST

Daily GK Update - 29th December 2014

Daily GK Update - 29th December 2014

1. Congress marks 130th Foundation Day

i. The Congress celebrated its 130th Foundation Day on Sunday as the party marked the occasion in a low-key manner.
ii. Party president Sonia Gandhi unfurled the party flag at its 24, Akbar Road headquarters in the presence of many senior leaders.
iii. Established in 1885, the Congress has seen its political fortunes slide this year. After facing a rout in the Lok Sabha elections, the party has lost a string of assembly elections.


2. US marks end of war in Afghanistan
i. The longest war in American history has come to a “responsible conclusion” with the withdrawal US and NATO combat forces from Afghanistan.
ii. NATO’s war in Afghanistan, fought for 13 years, came to a formal end on Sunday with a flag-lowering ceremony in Kabul that marked the transition of the fighting from US-led combat troops to the country’s own security forces.
iii. In the 13 years since US forces landed in Kabul post 9/11 to throw out Taliban out of power, some 2,200 US troops lost their lives in the war against terror in Afghanistan.
iv. From January 1, the US-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) combat mission, will be replaced by a NATO “training and support” mission.

3. Tata Coffee names Sanjiv Sarin as CEO designate
i. The board of directors of Tata Coffee Ltd. has informed Bombay Stock Exchange that it has approved the appointment of Sanjiv Sarin as the ‘CEO designate’.
ii. Tata Coffee said Mr. Sanjiv Sarin will assume charge as Managing Director and CEO of Tata Coffee Ltd. after the retirement of Hameed Huq, the current MD and CEO.
iii. Hameed Huq will retireretired on March 31, 2015 and has been with Tata Coffee for over 15 years and held the position of Managing Director since 2010.

4. AirAsia QZ8501: Indonesia plane 'at bottom of sea'

i. The missing AirAsia Indonesia flight QZ8501 is likely to be at the bottom of the sea, the head of Indonesia's search-and-rescue agency has said.

ii. The search is continuing for the aircraft, a day after it disappeared with 162 people on board, but no trace has been found so far.
iii. Based on the co-ordinates given to us and evaluation that the estimated crash position is in the sea, the hypothesis is the plane is at the bottom of the sea.

5. L&T Hydrocarbon bags Rs 894 cr offshore contract from ONGC
i. Larsen & Toubro (L&T) today said it has bagged an offshore contract worth Rs 894 crore from Oil & Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) for additional development of the Vasai East project.
ii. The Rs 2,500 crore project will result in incremental oil production of 1.83 million metric tonne (MMT) and incremental gas production of 1.971 billion cubic metres (BCM) by 2030.
iii.  L&T Hydrocarbon Engineering (LTHE) has bagged the contract from ONGC to improve recovery factor of Vasai East field where production started in 2008, and it is scheduled to be completed by April 2016.

6. PM chairs high-level meeting on 'Smart City' initiative
i. The Prime Minister Narendra Modi has on Monday chaired a high-level meeting with Government officials on the Smart City initiative.
ii. The Prime Minister has asked the Ministry of Urban Development to convene a workshop of all central and state Urban Development Authorities at the earliest.
iii. He said one of the aims of the smart city initiative should be to improve the quality of urban governance, thereby lending greater strength to the overall governance processes of the country.

7. Black money: Over 1,000 entities under Sebi scanner
i. At least 1,000 individuals and companies have come under the Securities and Exchange Board of India's (Sebi) scanner for allegedly using stock markets to evade taxes and launder money through companies mostly existing on paper.
ii. A large number of over 1,000 entities currently under scanner - which include individuals and 'shell' companies created by them - are actually related to those already facing action by Sebi or other regulators including in some major scams that have come to the fore in the recent past.



Read more: http://www.bankersadda.com/2014/12/daily-gk-update-29th-december-2014.html#ixzz3NOvTSMgV

Monday, December 29, 2014

Daily GK Update - 28th December 2014

Daily GK Update - 28th December 2014

1. Jet carrying 162 lost over stormy Indonesian waters
i. AirAsia Flight QZ8501 with 155 passengers on board -- including one British, one Malaysian, one Singaporean, three Koreans, -- and seven crew members lost contact with air traffic control at 0724 local time Indonesia.

ii. The plane took off Sunday morning from Surabaya, Indonesia's second-largest city, and was about halfway to its destination, Singapore, when it vanished from radar.
iii. Aircraft and ships that spent several hours searching Indonesian waters turned up no sign of an AirAsia plane that disappeared with 162 people on board.
iv. Aircraft searching for AirAsia Flight 8501 called off the effort for the night and will resume at Monday.
v. It is the third major aviation incident involving Malaysia this year. In March, Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 disappeared with 239 people, and in July, a jet from the same airline was shot down over Ukraine, killing all 298 people aboard.

2. Sebi to set up panel to push MF sales via internet, mobiles 
i. To re-energise the mutual fund industry, regulator Sebi plans to set up an expert panel to suggest measures for increasing distribution of MF products through digital modes such as internet and mobiles. 
ii. The panel, a sub-committee of Sebi's Advisory Committee on Mutual Funds, will look into various options and steps required to boost the penetration of mutual fund products through use of digital channels for their sale 
iii. The sub-committee, to be headed by M N Gopinath, will submit a report to the Sebi Advisory Committee. 

3. Save paper: Officials asked to write notes on both sides 
i. With an aim of saving precious paper pulp, Labour Department of the Delhi government has asked all its officials, including all deputy commissioners, to write notes on both sides of paper and type in single space. 
ii. The department has issued a circular directing officials to take such steps to minimise the impact on environment as trees are the major source of paper pulp production. 

4. France hopeful of $6-billion Maitri missile project. 
i. With the Indo-French $6 billion surface-to-air missile systems project in doldrums, France is hoping that new government's push for "Make in India" will lead to inking of the long delayed deal. 

ii. Titled Maitri, the project for joint development and production between India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and France's MBDA, was initiated in 2007.
iii. An MoU to co-develop the surface-to-air missile (SRSAM) was signed during French President Francois Hollande's visit to India in February last year. 
iv. the range of SRSAM will be of 40 km, Akash's range is only 25 km. 

5. MGNREGA to get a boost with new fund pattern
i. In a bid to optimise the quantum and outcome of public spending in rural India.
ii. the Narendra Modi government is planning an innovative synergy between the flagship rural employment guarantee scheme under MGNREGA and other rural development programmes.
iii. synergising funds allocated to programmes like the Indira Awas Yojna, micro-irrigation projects and the Swachchh Bharat Abhiyan with that of the rural employment scheme.



Read more: http://www.bankersadda.com/2014/12/daily-gk-update-28th-december-2014.html#ixzz3NIGvgrAU

ECONOMIC TIMES NEWS LETTER 29,12,2014


THE ECONOMIC TIMES
Mon, Dec 29, 2014 | 04:55 PM IST

Daily Newsletter

Five reasons why India will continue to attract strong FII flows 
Investors will look at India as a more predictable & safe country to invest in due to the nature of growth in India v...
Object spotted not from AirAsia's missing jet: Indonesia
AirAsia said the captain had more than 20,000 flying hours, of which 6,100 were with AirAsia on the Airbus 320. The f...
2008 Mumbai attacks: Lakhvi's detention orders suspended
Lakhvi challenged his detention under MPO in the Islamabad High Court after the government rejected his plea for rele...
Airtel backtracks; puts VoIP packs on hold
Last week, Airtel said that customers will have to pay more for services like Skype or Viber that use VoIP to make ca...
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9 lessons to make your career touch new heights in 20159 lessons to make your career touch new heights in 2015
The year 2014 saw business sentiments pick up. With increased confidence in the economy, firms started hiring again. ...
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Pan-India lawyers set up cell to fight for aggrieved Hindus » 
Make the most of investment opportunities in 2015 » 
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Top seven stocks Rakesh Jhunjhunwala is betting on
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella urges Ravi Shankar Prasad to allow White-fi technology to provide Internet in villages
Series of reforms coming soon including changes in Land Acquisition Law through ordinance
Argumentative & too emotional - are Indians tough to work with?
With reforms, India can run a wonderful marathon...
Uday Kotak ,Executive Vice-Chairman & MD,Kotak Mahindra Bank

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Markets can deliver 15-20% return in 2015; 9 stocks in focus
Sectors like FMCG, pharma & IT, which have consistently shown good earnings growth, will continue to still command so...
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Steps for integrating DIN with e-biz portal complete: MCA
The Ministry -- which is implementing the Companies Act -- has taken steps to make compliance and reporting more easy...
PM Modi looks to push urban infra; stresses on smart cities in tune with 21st century
Modi asked officials to visualize "urban-dependent" population, in addition to "urban" population, while planning for...
Market Watch
29 Dec | 04:55PM
SENSEX
27395.73153.95
NIFTY
8246.3045.60
USD/INR
60.16-0.18
GOLD (Rs/10g.)
27005.00-68.00
MARKET NEWS
Gold slips nearly 20% since March; may come under pressure in 2015
It was a lamentable year for commodities, especially for gold & crude. After a strong start, both these commodities c...
Sensex ends day 153 points up; metals, auto, pharma gain