1 December 2012 Current Affairs Visually-challenged Indian-American in key US post Obama administration was appointed a visually-challenged Indian-American Sachin

Dev Pavithran to a key administrative post in an independent US agency devoted for people with disabilities. Mr. Pavithran is the Program Director of the Utah Assistive Technology Program at Utah State Universitys Center for Persons with Disabilities, a position he has held since 2011. So, Sachin Dev Pavithran was appointed as a Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board member by Obama. Katy Perry honored with Billboards Woman of the Year Pop Singer Katy Perry was honored with Billboards Woman of the Year 2012 (The Star of the Women) award in New York. China launched first high speed train in extremely cold areas The worlds first high-speed train in areas with extremely low temperature started operation in China 01 December 2012.This train move with a speed of 350 Kmph in the areas of minus 40 degrees temperature. This is the fastest train world in this areas. Chintan shivir to be held in Jaipur from January 18 The brainstorming session (Chintan Shivir) of Congress will be held in Jaipur between January 18 and 20 to discuss political and economic situations and seek new ideas ahead of the next Lok Sabha elections. Lalith Babu(India), Tiviakov(Netherlands) on top in Commonwealth chess Grandmasters M R Lalith Babu and Sergei Tiviakov scored final round victories to reach the top of the table with 9.5 points in the Apollo Engineering College Commonwealth Chess Championships in Chennai on 01 December 2012.Based on Progressive score Tiviakov was stood in a first place but the Commonwealth Championship goes to Lalith Babu because of Netherlands is not member of commonwealth countries.Tiviakov was awarded a cash purse of Rs 1,50,000 along with the Commonwealth International Open title, while Lalith Babu was crowned the Commonwealth Champion 2012 along with a trophy and a cash award of Rs 1,25,000.In Commonwelth Under-16 Prathyusha, who is studying in Sri Prakah Educational Institutions in Visakhapatnam got the gold medal.In the past she got gold medal in Under-10,12,14. Dr. Dre named highest-paid musician for 2012 Hip-hop singer Dr. Dre was topped Forbes list of 25 highest-paid musicians in 2012.

2 December 2012 Current Affairs Anna Ushenina is World womens chess champion Anna Ushenina of Ukraine 02 December 2012 won the womens World Championship crown, defeating Antoaneta Stefanova of Bulgaria in the first set of tie-break games.The Ukrainian won $60000 for her efforts in the championship and gets to play the next World championship against Yifan Hou of China next year as part of the new cycle in the womens World championship. Cochin airport 1st in India to use solar power for its grid Cochin International Airport is set to become the first airport in the country to use solar power for running its utility grid system.A Kolkata-based solar module manufacturing company, Vikram Solar, would be installing a 100 kWp solar power facility at the airport situated at Nedumbassery in Cochin.

Magnus Carlsen: now the highest player in history Magnus Carlsen has a 2855.7 rating, surpassing Kasparovs peak of 2851. Now hes the highest rated chess player of all time. Menon to visit China to extend ties with new leaders Indias formal contacts with Chinas new leadership would begin when National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon visit China to hold wide ranging talks with Chinese officials over two days from December 3.Menons visit mainly focuses on bilateral issues duri ng which he will also meet his Chinese counterpart on border talks, Dai Bingguo, who is set to retire March 2013. Railways to set up wheel factory at Raebareli Railways with Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL) to setup a wheel factory at Raebareli in the Congress presidents(Sonia Gandhis) constituency.Pawan Kumar Bansal, the Railway Minister will proposed Rs 500 crore for this project in the 2013-14 Railway Budget. Afghanistan Taliban attack US base in Jalalabad Taliban suicide bombers have killed four Afghan soldiers and wounded Nato troops in an attack on a joint US-Afghan airbase in eastern Afghanistan. Scientists created most complex and realistic artificial brain which can pass IQ as well Software engineers as well as neuroscientists at University of Waterloo, Canada claimed that they have developed a closest model of the functioning human brain, known as Spaun which is advanced enough for passing the basic IQ tests. This is the virtual brain which functions on the supercomputer and comprises of a digital eye, which can be used for visual input. It also has the robotic arm which can be used for drawing the response.The engineers as well as neuroscientists claimed that this was the most complex model of the world of human brain. Spaun or Semantic Pointer Architecture Unified Network comprises of 2.5 million simulated neurons which enables this brain to perform multiple tasks. Jadeja creates history hitting 3rd triple ton in FC cricket Ravindra Jadeja became first Indian and only eighth batsman in the first-class cricket history of world to score three triple-centuries in the unbeaten 320 runs against Railways in the Ranji Trophy Group A match on 2 December 2012 in Rajkot.

3 December 2012 Current Affairs South Africa retain No.1 position in Test Cricket South Africa retained their status as the top-ranked team in the International Cricket Councils (ICC) Test Championship table following their 309-run victory over Australia on 03 December 2012 in the third and final Test in Perth, which gave them a 1-0 series win. MoU between Dhanush Academy of Technology and Management ans Skills tech, Australia With this agreement Indian youth can now acquire technical expertise in a variety of sectors.As part of the agreement, semi-skilled persons will undergo a three to six week certificate course in areas like construction, infrastructure, electronics and mining. The jobcentric course will be recognised by Indian universities. Ranjit Sinha is a new CBI director Senior Indian Police Service officer Ranjit Sinha on 03 December 2012 took over as the new Central Bureau of Investigation director .A 1974-batch Bihar cadre officer, Sinha, who is also holding charge as director general Indo-Tibetan Border Police, succeeds A P Singh who retired on November 30. Shah Rukh Khan conferred with Moroccos Medal of Honour Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan had given the prestigious Medal of Honour by the Prince of Morocco(Moulay Rachid ) while attending the 12th Marrakech International Film Festival on 3 December 2012.

Corporate fraud rising in India: KPMG : On 3 December 2012 KPMG released a Indian Fraud Survey 2012, according to this survey Corporate frauds in India have increased in the past two years . The report indicated that computer-related and e-commerce frauds were the major concerns especially in the coming few years.

4 December 2012 Current Affairs India stopped $25 million aid to Maldives over GMR tangle India now stopped the $25 million aid to Maldives due to displeasure of India over the termination of the $500 million GMR project by Maldives. Bangalore best Indian city to live Bangalore ranks better than New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata amongst Indian cities in overall global quality of living index, according to a Mercer 2012 Quality of Living Survey.Bang alores overall quality of living rank went up from 141 in 2011 to 139 in 2012 and is highest amongst other Indian cities. While New Delhi ranks (143), Mumbai (146), Chennai (150), and Kolkata (151) in overall Quality of living. Denmark, Finland, New Zealand at top in corruption ranking; India 94th Denmark, Finland and New Zealand tied for the first place in watchdog Transparency Internationals 2012 index of the least corrupt countries.India is on 94th position in the Corruption Perceptions Index. (Least corrupt nations) 1. Denmark 90 4. Sweden 88 174. Afghanistan 8 1. Finland 90 5. Singapore 87 174. North Korea 8 1. New Zealand 90 94. India 36 (Most corrupt nations) 174. Somalia 8

RBI signs currency swap agreement with Bank of Japan The Reserve Bank of India signed a bilateral swap arrangement (BSA) with the Bank of Japan to swap their local currencies for an amount of $15 billion for a three year period on 4 December 2012.The BSA will effect from 5 December 2012.The arrangement aims at addressing short-term liquidity difficulties and supplementing the existing international financial arrangements, as one of the efforts in strengthening mutual cooperation between Japan and India. International Olympic Committee suspends India The International Olympic Committee (IOC) suspended Indias national Olympic committee on 4 December 2012 because of government interference in its election process.The IOC had repeatedly told the Indian body to adhere to its own constitution and the Olympic Charter and not follow the governments sports code for this weeks elections. The IOC will not recognize the results if the elections are held under government rules.Suspension means the Indian body will stop receiving IOC funding and its officials will be banned from attending Olympic meetings and events. Indias athletes will be barred from competing in Olympic events under the ir national flag, although the IOC could allow them to do so under the Olympic flag.

Voyager 1 Drifts Into Unknown Region of Space NASAs Voyager 1 spacecraft has discovered a new layer of the solar system that scientists hadnt known was there, researcher s announced on 4 December 2012.Voyager 1 and its sister probe Voyager 2 have been traveling through space since 1977, and are close to becoming the first manmade objects to leave the solar system.Voyager 1, in particular, has entered a new region of the heliosphere that scientists are calling a magnetic highway, which allows charged particles from inside the heliosphere to flow outward, and particles from the galaxy outside to come in. India is among top five terror-hit nations The Australian think tank released The Global Terrorism Index (GTI) on 4 December 2012 ,according to this GTI ,India, Pakistan and Afghanistan were among the nations most impacted by terrorism in 2011.In 2011, the Middle East, India, Pakistan and Russia were the areas most impacted by terrorism. Indias GTI rank was 4 out of the 159 countries surveyed. While Iraq stood at number 1, Pakistan at number 2, Afghanistan at number 3 and Yemen was number 5. Air India won Lal Bahadur Shastri tournament Air India beat Bharat Petroleum 3-1 to emerge champion in the 23rd Lal Bahadur Shastri hockey tournament at the Shivaji Stadium New Delhi on 4 December 2012. US drone captured by Iran: US rejects claims On 4 December 2012 Iran claimed that it had aptured a small US drone that penetrated its airspace over Gulf waters, but the American navy in the region denied any of its unmanned spy planes were missing. Worlds oldest woman and tallest woman both pass away Besse Cooper, the woman listed as the worlds oldest person was died on 4 December 2012 in a Georgia nursing home at the age of 116. Meanwhile, a Chinese woman, Yao Defen, was certified as the tallest in the world was also died. NASA to send new rover to Mars in 2020 After Successful working of Curiosity landed in Gale Crater, Mars on 6 August 2012,NASA was announced plans to send a new robotic explorer to the the Red Planet, Mars in 2020. The announcement comes a day after Nasa released the results of the first soil tested by the Curiosity rover, which found traces of compounds like water and oxygen that are necessary for life

5 December 2012 Current Affairs Indian wrestlers win nine gold medals in Copa Brasil tournament The Indian wrestling contingent finished with a haul of nine gold and four bronze medals in the recent Copa Brasil-2012 tournament held in Rio from November 29 to December 2.In the freestyle event, gold medals were won by Sandeep Tomar in 55kg category, Rajneesh (60kg), Manoj Kumar (66kg), Deepak (74kg), Somveer (84kg), Parvesh Kumar (96kg) and Hitesh (120kg).Ravinder Singh (60kg) and Manoj Kumar (84kg) also won gold in the Greco-Roman category. Manoj (55kg), Deepak (66kg), Bhim Singh (96kg) and Dharmendra Dalal (120kg) won bronze medal in the Greco Roman. Typhoon Bopha Death Toll Rises To 325; Thousands Homeless In Philippines Bopha, the strongest typhoon hit the Philippines on 2012, had left at least 325 dead and 379 others missing.The typhoon with central winds of 115 kph and gusts of up to 145 kph was moved to west-northwest of the central Philippines on 6 December 2012. Infosys BPO Won the Gold Award for Marketing Excellence at the ITSMA Awards 2012

Infosys BPO Ltd. had won the Gold Award for Marketing Excellence in the category of Marketing with Social and Interactive Media at the Information Technology Services Marketing Association (ITSMA) Awards 2012. Infosys BPO received the award during the ITSMA 2012 Annual Conference: Marketings New Value Proposition, held at the Charles Hotel in Cambridge, MA, USA on 5 December 2012. Global conference on allergic diseases at Hyderabad Nearly 1,500 delegates from around the world will gather at Hyderabad from 6 December 2012 to 9 December 2012 to discuss rise of allergic diseases as a global public health problem and exchange information on their prevention and treatment. SC(Supreme Court) rejects Sangmas petition against Pranab Mukherjee The Supreme Court on 5 December 2012 was rejected former Lok Sabha speaker Purno Agitok Sangmas petition against president Pranab Mukherjee. Sangma had filed a petition against Pranab Mukherjee alleging that the latter held office of profit while filing his nomination for Presidential election. Chautala elected IOA president, Bhanot secretary general Abhay Singh Chautala was on 5 December 2012 unanimously elected president of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) while Lalit Bhanot became the new secretary general. Vijay Kumar got a Scond place in ISSF rankings London Olympics silver medallist Vijay Kumar got the 2nd rank in the men`s 25-metre rapid fire pistol category in the latest list issued by the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF).Vijay has 2,665 points compared to top-ranked Pupo Leuris`s 3,364 . Leuris won the gold in London. Kobe Bryant becomes youngest in NBA history to score 30,000 points Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant become the youngest player to score 30,000 NBA (basketball) career points during the first half of game against the New Orleans Hornets on 5 December 2012.

6 December 2012 Current Affairs Obama is worlds most powerful person; Sonia, Manmohan in top 20 On 6 December 2012 Forbes Magazine released the most powerful persons list in the world. In that list AICC President Sonia Gandhi got the 12th place and Prime Minister of India Man Mohan Singh got the 20th place.As usually this year also American President Barack Obama got 1st place. German chancellor Angela Merkel got the 2nd place. The list also includes Russian President Vladimir Putin at number three, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates (4), Richest Person in India Mukesh Ambani (37). World most sexiest Asian woman:Priyanka Chopra Eastern Eye weekly magazine coducted a servey for world most sexiest Asian woman .According to this servey Priyanka Chsopra is the most sexist Asian woman in the world and Kareena Kapoor, Katrina Kaif stood in 2nd and 3rd places respactively. Heart protection with Smart Phone Jems Haythers ,scholer in university of Sydney developed a one smart phone application to easily observe the heart beat of a patient round the clock.In general doctors fix the electrodes on the chest of a patient and they observe thre heart beat of the patient But using this smart phone application doctors fix a small sensors to the patients fingure and correlating it the smart phone. DRDO scientist gets top award Brajnish Sitara scientist from Research Centre Imarat(RCI), a premier laboratory of DRDOs missile complex was conferred with INAE(Indian National Academy of Engineering)Young Engineer Award for 2012 at the academys annual conventionheld at Roorkee o n 6 December 2012.This award was given to Brajnish Sitara for his innovative applications of Engineering and contributions towards navigation sciences and aerospace engineering.

GAAR Committee Chairman Parthasarathy Shome appointed adviser to Finance Minister of India The government of India appointed tax expert Parthasarthi Shome as adviser to Finance Minister P Chidambaram with minister of state rank, sending a strong signal that tax reforms may top its economic agenda in the remainder of the UPA governments sec ond term.

7 December 2012 Current Affairs Ajit Pawar sworn-in as Maharashtra deputy CM, once again Ajith Pawar had resigned on 25 October 2012 after media reports alleged he had arbitrarily awarded irrigation contracts worth over Rs20,000 crore when he was states irrigation minister during 1999 -2009.Ajith Pawar sworn-in as Maharashtra deputy chief minister on 7 December 2012 after getting the clean chit from the government on corruption in irrigation projects. TANA conference at Dallas The 19th TANA Convention will be held at Dallas Convention Center from May 24th 26th, 2013.This was unanimously decided by Telugu committee of Dallas and Board members of TANA. Powerful earthquake in Japan The powerful earthquake had occurred in Japan on 7 December 2012.The magnitude of this earthquake was recorded as 7.3. This earthquake had occurred in 240 km beyond the Miyagi coast in the Pacific Oceanin a depth of 10m. But there were no deaths or serious damage. Hot spots for worlds more powerful earthquakes revealed The locations of where the worlds largest earthquakes are most likely to take place had pinpointed with greater accuracy tha n ever before, by researchers from the University of Sydney.The coasts of Sout hern Chile and Peru, Indonesias Sumatra Island, and several regions along the eastern Eurasian coastline, are some of the regions prone to great earthquakes.The 87 percent of the 15 largest (8.6 magnitude or higher) and half of the 50 largest (8.4 magnitude or higher) earthquakes of the past century are associated with areas of intersection between oceanic fracture zones and subduction zones. Microsoft launches 14 innovation centres in India Microsoft Corporation (India) Pvt. Ltd had launched 14 Microsoft Innovation Centres (MICs) in India. It has signed agreements with leading academic institutions across four States.As part of the global programme, which currently has 75 MICs, Microsoft aims to launch a 100 such centres in India in the next two years. The first 14 innovation centres proposed to be set up are in Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Rajahmundry, Khammam, Bapatla,Guntur and Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh, Raipur in Chhattisgarh, Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh, Tiruchirappalli, Vellore, Coimbatore, Madurai and Salem in Tamil Nadu.

8 December 2012 Current Affairs UN Climate Conference Extends Kyoto Protocol Nearly 200 countries that took part in United Nations climate talks in Doha had agreed to extend the Kyoto Protocol through 2020. The 1997 agreement, which requires industrialized nations to cut greenhouse gas emissions, had been set to expire on 31 December 2012. New gel may prevent and protect against HIV transmission

Researchers led by Dereuddre-Bosquet from the European Combined Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Microbicides (CHAARM) Consortium describe the gels key ingredient, which are small peptides engineered to present a decoy to bind up the virus and prevent it from entering and infecting the body cells.Because this is a gel it can be topically applied and could represent a powerful preventative agent against sexual transmission of HIV.Bosquet and colleagues engineered peptides named miniCD4s because they mimic the CD4 receptor used by HIV to gain entry into immune cells of the body. Palestinian Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal visits Gaza Palestinian militant organization Hamas Politburo chief Khaled Meshaal visited the Gaza after 37 years. Meshaal in-exile came from Egypt to Gaza on 7 December 2012 to participate in the Hamas companys 25 th anniversary.This is the first time he is coming to Gaza as well as the forefront of the territory of Palestine since 1975. Apollo Hospitals launched tele-medical service in Myanmar To effectively use information technology for healthcare, Indias Apollo Group of Hospitals had launched its tele -medicine service in Myanmars former capital Yangon.With this facility, people of Myanmar can consult Indian doctors and access quality treatment and medical technology without coming to India. Amitabh Bachchan attends Italys River to River Film Festival Amitabh Bachchan had attended Italys River to River Film Festival in Florence.The event honoured Bachchan by screening cinem a projects including Sholay, Deewar and Black.The festival runs in Florence from December 7 to 13, before transferring to Rome between December 14 and 16.

9 December 2012 Current Affairs Poland to host UN Climate Conference in 2013 Poland will host the next round of UN climate talks in 2013.The decision to hold the 19th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) in Warsaw, capital of Poland, in 2013 was adopted by negotiators from over 190 countries in the capital of Qatar, Doha, at the 18th session of the COP. Sir Patrick Moore, astronomer and broadcaster, passes away British astronomer and broadcaster Sir Patrick Moore on 9 December 2012 in Selsey, West Sussex.Sir Patrick presented the BBC programme The Sky At Night for over 50 years, making him the longest-running host of the same television show ever. Rajan and Sajan Mishra to get National Tansen Samman Noted vocalist duo of Rajan and Sajan Mishra will be awarded prestigious National Tansen Samman for year 2011-12 for their contribution to Hindustani classical music.The award, carrying a cash prize of Rs 2 lakh and a citation, will be conferred upon the exponents of Benaras Gharana (school of classical music) at a function to be held Gwalior on 14 December 2012. Contact lens that can receive your text messages Scientists had developed a new technology that allows electronic messages sent from mobile phones to be directly projected on to contact lens placed in the recipients eyes.The technology, developed by Belgian researchers, allows information such as text messages from a mobile phone to the contact lenses. Rich Gulf Families Own Wealth Worth USD 1.2 Trillion According to the KFH-Research report said one million wealthy families in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries own investment assets worth about USD 1.2 trillion.The report about wealth and funds management said that the worlds population of high net worth individuals (HNWIs) grew by a marginal 0.8 per cent year on year to 11 million in 2011. This pace was sluggish compared to growth rates of 17.1 per cent in 2009 and 8.3 per cent in 2010.

10 December 2012 Current Affairs India, Ukraine sign five pacts to boost ties India and Ukraine on 10 December 2012 signed on five agreements in New Delhi to enhance cooperation including in areas of defence, Nuclear, Science and Technology and also to remove barriers in trade and commerce. The agreements were signed during the visit of Ukraine President Victor Yanukovich. Ex-Bangladesh President passes away Former Bangladeshi President and Bangladesh Nationalist Party(BNP) leader Iajuddin Ahmed passed away 10 December 2012. Iajuddin Ahmed was the 13th president of Bangladeshserving from Sept. 6, 2002 until Feb. 12, 2009. Lionel Messi breaks Gerd Mullers record for most goals in a calendar year Barcelonas soccer player Lionel Messi has set the record for most goals in a calendar year by scoring his 86th goal of 2012.The earlier record was made by German soccer player Gerd Mueller who had scored 85 goals in 1972 which included 72 goals for his club Bayern Munich and 13 for his country West Germany.Messi broke the Gerd Mueller record with two goals in a 2-1 win over Real Betis on 9 December 2012. Zardari announces grant for girls education worldwide Pakistans President Asif Ali Zardari on 10 December 2012 announced a $10 -million donation for a global war chest to educate all girls by 2015 set up in the name of Malala Yousafzai, who was shot by the Taliban for campaigning for girls education. BEL, Israels IAI ink MoU on naval missiles Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) for cooperation on future Long Range Surface to Air Missile (LRSAM) ship-defence systems on 5 December 2012. Russia delivers three upgraded MiG-29 fighter jets to India Russia on 10 December 2012 delivered the first three upgraded MiG-29UPG fighter jets to India under a USD 900 million contract to modernise the ageing fleet of MiG-29 aircraft with the IAF. India Economy Would Dominate the Economy of the World by 2030 US intelligence counsel was released report on 10 December 2012 declared that India would straddle international commerce and will also dominate the economy of the whole world by 2030. Bihar received the Silver Icon Web Ratna Award 2012 for its public grievance redressal website Bihar received the Silver Icon Web Ratna Award 2012 for its public grievance redressal website on 10 December 2012.The award was presented to S. Siddharth, Bihars secretary of urban development and public grievances in New Delhi by Kapil Sibbal, Union Minister of Communications and Information Technology UN, Pakistan Launch Malala Fund for Girls Education Pakistan joined forces with the United Nations on 10 December 2012 to launch a fund aimed at boosting girls education throughout the world.The fund is named for Malala Yousafzai, the 15-year-old Pakistani girl who was shot and wounded by the Pakistani Taliban in October for speaking out against the militant group and in favor of the right of girls to attend school.

11 December 2012 Current Affairs

India in 3rd place in ICCs T20 rankings India were placed at number three position while Suresh Raina was the only batsman in the top-10 in the latest ICC Twenty20 rankings released in Dubai on 11 December 2012.India have 120 points to top ranked Sri Lankas 127 and second placed West Indies 122. NIIT in pact with Ireland institute for digital marketing course NIIT tied-up with Irelands Digital Marketing Institute (DMI)on 11 December 2012 .The aim of NIIT was to train 25,000 students over the next three years in the digital marketing course. Vijay Kumar appointed Senior Security Adviser in Home Ministry The Union government had appointed the former Director-General of the Central Reserve Police Force, K. Vijay Kumar, as Senior Security Adviser in the Home Ministry where he will advise on security and development in the Naxal-affected States. Former Ranji cricketer B B Nimbalkar dead Former Ranji cricketer B B Nimbalkar was passes away on 11 December 2012. BB Nimbalkar, who made an unbeaten 443 runs for Maharashtra against Kathiawar in a Ranji Trophy match in 1948-49. Yet this is the Indias highest scorer in first-class cricket. In Overall it was the fourth-best score on the international first-class cricket. Aishwarya, Prathima clinch gold medal in the Canara Bank National tenpin bowling championship Karnatakas Aishwarya and Prathima clinch gold medal in the Canara Bank National tenpin bowling championship in the womens doubles division in Bangalore at the Blu-O on 11 December 2012. This is Prathimas fifth consecutive womens doubles gold in national championships. Stephen Hawking, CERN Scientists Win Awards From Yuri Milner Foundation A Russian billionaires foundation was awarded two special prizes of $3 million each to British cosmologist Stephen Hawking f or his work on black holes and to seven scientists at the worlds biggest atom -smasher for their roles in the discovery of a new subatomic particle believed to be the long-sought Higgs boson.Yuri Milners Fundamental Physics Prize Foundation announced the awards on 11 December 2012.Hawking is honored for his discovery of Hawking radiation from black holes and his deep contributions to quantum gravity and quantum aspects of the early universe. Bharat Ratna Pandit Ravi Shankar passes away Bharat Ratna Pandit Ravi Shankar, whose mastery over the sitar helped rejuvenate the classical instrumental tradition in India and popularise Indian music in the West through concerts and collaborations with well known artists, died in San Diego, U.S., on 11 December 2012. Indians Largest ethnic Minority Group in UK On 11 December According to the 2011 Britain population census record Indians are the largest ethnic minority group in the UK.With 1.5 percent of the Hindu religion became a third-largest religion in the nations .In England and Wales in the immigrant population has reached 3 million to 7.5 million in the past decade . In London 2001 White britisars 4.3 million are restricted to 3.7 percent in 2011 .Islam will also be identified as the fastest-growing faith, with more than two million Muslims, it added.The Christian population in the country is also a drop in the statistics.. The Muslim community population in the countrys fastest growing increased by 3 percent to 4.8 . Seven Milky Way Planets that could Harbour Life Discovered New York Scientists have been discovered Seven planets in the Milky Way outside our solar system that could potentially harbour life and researchers from an ambitious project to catalogue all habitable worlds claim.Simplistically, bigger gas giants orbiting variable stars are less likely to host life than smaller, rocky planets near stable stars. Tata Group Developed new Artillery Gun

On 11 December In a step towards developing the indigenous private sector defence industry, the Tata group has created a new Artillery Gun .The Tata group have requested the Army to provide its ranges and ammunition to us for engineering firing of the howitzer.One prototype of the howitzer has been produced by the company so far and around 50-55 per cent of its content is indigenous.The 155mm 52 calibre gun developed by the Tata group is likely to have a strike range of 52 kms, which would probably be the longest in the Indian inventory. Cell Phone Connections to exceed the World Population by 2014 The International Telecommunications Communication Union (ITU) to be designed and released Information Society 2012 Observe report on 11 December ..According to the report number of cell phone connections exceeding the worlds population by 2014.. Now 6 billion (hundreds of millions) cell phone connections they will reach 730 Millions by 2014 .Then the worlds population is 700 crore.Already in Russia 1.8 times cell phone accounts more than 25 million people .

12 December 2012 Current Affairs India Successfully test fired Agni-I Ballistic Missile India on 12 December 2012 successfully test-fired its indigenously developed nuclear capable Agni-I ballistic missile with a strike range of 700 km from a test range off Odisha coast. Weighing 12 tonnes, the 15-metre-long Agni-I, which is capable of carrying payloads up to 1000 kg and destroy the targets at a distance of 700 km. Singapore parliament speaker resigns over extramarital affair Singapores parliament speaker Michael Palmer announced his resignation on 12 December 2012 over an extramarital affair with a staff member of the Peoples Association, a statutory body leading efforts to reach out to members of the public. Third World Cup kabaddi to be held at Vijaywada Vijaywada will host the third World Cup of kabaddi, schedule from March 27 to 31 in 2013.In this event 20 countries will be participated. First CM of Uttarakhand Nityanand Swami passes away The first Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Nityanand Swami died at Dehra Dun on 12 December 2012.He worked as a first Chief Minister of Uttarakhand after dividing it from Uttar Pradesh in 2000. P.C. Ghose sworn in Chief Justice Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose was sworn in Chief Justice of the AP High Court by Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan on 12 December 2012. He started his practice in 1976 at the High Court of Calcutta and was elevated as judge of the court in 1997. He led the State Legal services authorities of West Bengal and Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Chief Justice Ghose was the Chairman of Institutional Ethics Committee of National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases, Kolkata. UN Security Council condemns North Korea rocket launch The UN Security Council had condemned North Korea for launching a rocket on 12 December 2012 in defiance of a UN ban. The US and its allies view the launch as a disguised test of ballistic missile technology. North Korea says its aim was to launch a satellite. North Korea was banned by the UN from ballistic missile tests after nuclear tests in 2006 and 2009 India, USA open solar research center India and the United States have opened SERIIUS or the Solar Energy Research Institute in Mumbai to encourage collaboration between academia and industry of both countries. Indias Department of Science and Technology and the US Department of Energy have each committed US$25 million over a period of five years to operate SERIIUS while 30 Indian and U.S. companies will contribute another US$25 million.

Vinod Rai re-elected as Chair of UN auditors panel Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India Vinod Rai was re-elected Chair of the (UN) Panel for the year 2013, while the CAG of the United Kingdom, Amyas Morse, was re-elected the vice-chair of the Panel Maruti Suzuki Ertiga awarded Family Car Of The Year 2012 Maruti Suzuki Ertiga has been conferred with coveted Family Car of the Year 2012 award by countrys leading automobile publication, BBC TopGear India. With its 3-row seating configuration in a compact overall design, the Ertiga has been chosen for the title for creating an altogether new compact MPV segment in the automobile industry. Former Chief Justice P N Bhagwati My Tryst with Justice Book Released On 12 December President Pranab Mukherjee released a book My Tryst with Justice which was written by Former Chief Justice P N Bhagwati .The book would be a prized possession for every Indian who wants to make a difference to the world and who aspires for a world more just, he added.

13 December 2012 Current Affairs Grammy Lifetime Achievement award for Ravi Shankar Sitar maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar will be honoured with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award posthumously.He becomes the first Indian to get the prestigious award, which will be presented on February 10 at the 55th Grammy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles.The decision to honour Ravi Shankar, a three-time Grammy winner, was made before his death. Scientists discover mini Nile river on Saturns moon Titan Nasa scientists had spotted the longest extraterrestrial river system ever on Saturns moon Titan and it appears to be a miniature version of Earths Nile river. Nationwide mobile number portability by Feb 2013 Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal announced on 13 December 2012 that the nationwide mobile number portability (MNP) is expected to be rolled out by February 2013, which will allow users to retain their numbers even if they move from one state to another. India clinches World Cup India won the first T20 world cup for the Blind .In the final on 13 December 2012 India defeated the Pakistan by 29-runs. 68% turnout in phase-I Gujarat polls A record 68 per cent voting was registered in the first phase of polling in the first phase of the Gujarat Assembly elections on 13 December 2012. The polling percentage is the highest in the elections held so far in Gujarat. The highest polling recorded earlier was 63.70 per cent in 1967. Staff Selection Commission to notify over one lakh jobs In a massive recruitment drive, the Staff Selection Commission will notify more than one lakh jobs in 2013-2014 and expects to complete the process of recruitment by September 2013.The recruitment process will cover the departments of Income-Tax, Central Excise, Food Corporation of India, AIR and Doordarshan apart from notifying jobs for Central Paramilitary establishments. The notification for vacancies will shortly be issued. Usha Thorat Committee for NBFCs Indias majority of Non-Banking Finance companies (NBFCs) may be freed from the regulatory clutches provided Reserve Bank of India (RBI) implements one of the recommendations made by Usha Thorat Committee. which suggested maintaining a minimum asset size of more than Rs 50 crore along with a net owned fund of Rs 2 crore; for registering any new NBFC.The committee had submitted

its recommendations to RBI. The working group was constituted to review the existing regulatory and supervisory framework of NBFCs with special focus on the risks in the sector.Currently, those recommendations are under RBIs consideration. Chandrashekhar Committee to Frame Rules for Foreign Investors On 13 December The market regulator Sebi has appointed a committee under ex-Cabinet secretary K M Chandrashekhar to frame a single set of guidelines for all types of foreign investors.The committee will suggest ways to simplify the investment process for all overseas entities like foreign institutional investors, foreign venture capital investors (FVCIs), qualified financial ,institutional investors (QFIs) among others, and also to strengthen surveillance over them.

14 December 2012 Current Affairs Barcode co-inventor Norman Joseph Woodland died Norman Joseph Woodland, who co-created the barcode, was died on 9 December 2012 in New Jersey at the age of 91. Twin NASA spacecraft prepare to crash into moon Twin lunar-orbiting NASA spacecraft that have allowed scientists to learn more about the internal structure and composition of the moon are being prepared for their controlled descent and impact on a mountain near the moons north pole at about 2:28 p.m. P ST (5:28 p.m. EST) Monday, Dec. 17. Mumbai among worlds dirtiest cities: TripAdvisor survey Indias commercial capital, Mumbai, was named among the worlds dirtiest cities, ranking last in the cleanest streets cat egory, a global survey of 40 key tourist cities has found.According to TripAdvisors Cities Survey, Toky o grabbed the first place while Mumbai ranked last in the list of cleanest streets. Similarly in the category of ease of getting around, Mumbai ranked at the la st position while Zurich stood at first place. IOC retains top slot in Fortune 500 India list Government owned Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) is ranked as the largest company in terms of revenue, the Fortune 500 list of Indian companies for 2012 . In this list Indian Oil Corporation got the first place with a full-year revenue of Rs 4,202 billion, Reliance Industries Limited got the second place with a full-year revenue of Rs 3,675 billion and Bharat Petroleum Corporation got the third place with a full -year revenue of Rs 2,148 billion World Conference on International Telecommunications (WCIT-12) The First ever World Conference on International Telecommunications (WCIT) from 3 -14 December held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.The conference reviewed the current International Telecommunication Regulations (ITRs).The 193 member states of the ambassadors are attended this conference.While 89 states have signed the UN International Telecommunications agreement and another 55 countries have refused the deal.The new agreement will come into effect in January 2015.The new agreement will give countries a right to access international telecommunications services and the ability to block spam, which delegations declining to sign the amended text argued would pave the way for government censorship and control over the internet.

15 December 2012 Current Affairs India won the World Cup Kabaddi Tournament 2012 India won the 3rd World Cup Kabaddi Tournament for the third consecutive time in the Mens category and second consecutive time in the Womens category on15 December 2012. Indian men defeated the Pakistan and India Women defeated the Malaysia in the finals held at the Guru Nanak Dev Stadium in Ludhiana.

Sonia Gandhi launches Delhi Annshri Yojna UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi was launched a major food security programme of Delhi Government Delhi Annshri Yojna on 15 December 2012.under which a monthly cash subsidy of Rs. 600 will be transferred directly into Aadhaar-linked bank accounts of the senior-most female members of two lakh poor families. Jeev honoured with Asia Pacific Lifetime Achievement Award Indian golfer Jeev Milkha Singh (in pic) won the Asia Pacific Lifetime Achievement award along with Jack Nicklaus and Colin Montgomerie on 15 December 2012. Naina Lal Kidwai becomes first woman President of FICCI Country Head of HSBC India, Naina Lal Kidwai, took over as President of FICCI on 15 December 2012. She become the first woman to head the leading industry body. The Cyclone struck Samoa The Cyclone struck Samoa on 13 December 2012 leaving at least 2 dead and 3,000 homeless. Foreign exchange reserves rise by $484.2 million to $295 billion Indias foreign exchange reserves increased by $484.2 million to reach $294.99 billion in the week ended December 7 on the back of increase in the core currency assets, the Reserve Bank said on 15 December 2012. Humpy won the bronze medal in World mind-games World No. 2 Koneru Humpy won bronze medal in the World mind-games.The four players tied with five points each at the end of seven rounds. In the tie-break, Lahano won the gold, Yifan silver and Humpy the bronze. India, Sri Lanka, Maldives to ink trilateral cooperation on maritime issues India, Sri Lanka and Maldives will soon sign a trilateral agreement on maritime cooperation to pool resources and share data in the region for better control over the territorial waters, and detect suspicious movements. India-Malaysia bilateral trade seen rising to $15 billion by 2015 India-Malaysia bilateral trade is expected to touch $15 billion by 2015, according to Mr Shah Nizam Ahmed, Consul (Trade), Consulate General of Malaysia.Malaysia wants to develop direct trade with India and other Asian co untries. Currently, India is Malaysias largest trading partner among countries of the South, excluding ASEAN nations and China, he told a meeting organised by the Federation of Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Hyderabad on 12 December 2012. Rita Singh elected Federation of Indian Associations president Rita Singh, an Indian American businesswoman from Bihar with close connections to Bollywood, was elected the first woman president of Chicago-based Federation of Indian Associations (FIA). Indians now Live Longer but in Poor Health in Old Age According to the the prestigious British medical journal, The Lancet report the life expectancy (LE) at birth of an averag e Indian male has gone up by 15 years between 1970 and 2010, while that of an Indian woman by 18 years.An average Indian man can expect to live for as long as 63 years, while an Indian woman can live 4.5 years longer than her male counterpart.An Indian male can claim to be in good health till he reaches the age of 54.6 years, and is expected to spend the last nine years of his life suffering from various ailments.An average Chinese male is living 10 years longer than an Indian male, while a Chinese woman is living 11.5 years longer than her Indian counterpart. An average American lives nearly 13 years longer than an Indian.

16 December 2012 Current Affairs China claims all titles at junior World TT Championship China completed a clean sweep of titles at the Volkswagen 2012 World Junior Table Tennis Championships after winning the girls and boys trophies in Hyderabad on16 December 2012. HIL(Hockey India League) auctions: Sardar commands best price The Indian skipper Sardar Singh commanded the best price of $78,000 from the Delhi franchisee as the players came under the hammer in the Hockey India League auction in New Delhi on 15 December 2012. Israels Foreign Minister Lieberman Formally Submits Resignation Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman formally submitted his resignation on 16 December 2012 due to a pending indictment against him for fraud and breach of trust.Under Israeli law, the resignation takes effect in 48 hours, after which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will become the countrys acting foreign minister. Japans new Prime Minister Shinzo Abe The former Prime Minister and the Leader of LDP Shinzo Abe elected as a Prime Minister with a clear victory over the Prime Minister and leader of the Democratic Party of Japan(DPJ) Yoshihiko Noda in the general elections of Japan on 16 December 2012. Pak Minister Rehman Malik Visited India Pakistans Interior Minister Rehman Malik visited India from 14th to 16th December .During the visit he met Prime Minister Ma nmohan Singh and both nations signed on new visa agreement. Federer & Nicola named Swiss Athletes of the Year 2012 Tennis star Roger Federer was named Swiss male athlete of the year at the 2012 Credit Suisse Sports Awards on 16 December in Zurich.Federer received the honour for the fifth time. Earlier in 2012, Federer had grabbed the 17th Grand Slam title at Wimbledon Championships, London.The female Athlete of the year was Nicola Spirig, the Olympic triathlon champion of Switzerland. Indian Journalists Association honoured Sir Charles Wheeler On 16 December Indian Journalists Association has conferredits Lifetime Achievement Award for 2012 posthumously to former BBC correspondent Sir Charles Wheeler.IJA, established in 1947 and one of the worlds most durable and successful foreign correspondents bodies, institutedan annual lifetime achievement award three years ago. Japan Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda Resigned On 16 December Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda resigned from his post to take responsibility for his Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) defeat in Lower House Election .He was formally appointed by the Emperor on 2 September 2011.

17 December 2012 Current Affairs India and England retain their spots in ICC Test Rankings

Despite losing to England 1-2 in the home Test series, India retained their number five position as per the latest ICC Test Championship rankings issued on 17 December 2012.India, however, dropped a ratings point to 105, and are now four-points behind Pakistan who are placed at the fourth position.England, on the other hand, consolidated their number two slot by adding a point after drawing the final Test at Nagpur, thereby winning a Test series in India after a long gap of 28 years.England now stand just five points behind leaders South Africa who are at 123 points.Australia are positioned at number three in the rankings. Sharad Pawar Agriculture Minister releases book For the Grains written by KV Thomas Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar 17 December 2012 released a book titled For the Grains at a function in New Delhi. The book written by Food Minister K V Thomas is a compilation of 37 speeches delivered by him in recent years. 8,462 posts vacant in All India Radio in different categories There are nearly 8,500 vacancies in different categories in All India Radio (AIR), the Rajya Sabha was on 17 December 2012.Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari said of the 8,462 vacancies, 1,314 are Group A posts while there are 1,596 Group B posts, 3,618 Group C and 1,934 group D posts. IHF Trophy handball: India clinches titles India clinched both the mens and womens titles defeating Pakistan and Bangladesh respectively in the IHF( International Handball Federation)Trophy handball tournament in Kathmandu. India Developed Indigenous Japanese Encephalitis (JE) Vaccine First vaccine of the world was developed against Japanese Encephalitis (JE) using the Indian strain of virus. National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune offered the strain of JE virus to Bharat Biotech. This JE virus was gathered from Kolar in Karnataka. Bharat Biotech had submitted results from final human trials to Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) so that it could have marketing clearance. The vaccine is an injectable one and offers protection rate of more than 90 percent. It can be used for age group of 1-15 years. Rajya Sabha Passed SC/ST Quota Bill A Constitution 117th amendment bill providing for quota for SCs and STs in government job promotions was on December 17 passed by Rajya Sabha with an overwhelming vote of 206 in the 245-member House.Ten votes were polled against the proposed legislation.The Bill provides for amendments to Article 16(4) of the Constitution that will allow states to reserve seats in promotion for SCs and STs without collecting data to show the backwardness of class and inadequacy of that class in public appointments. Guinness Worlds Oldest Person Dina Manfredini Died Dina Manfredini (115 Years) the worlds oldest person and a resident of Iowa, has died on 17 December in Johnston .Guinness W orld Records identified Manfredini as the worlds oldest person on December 5, a day after the death of 116-year-old Besse Cooper of Georgia. England won Test series in India after 28 years On 17 December The last test match between India and England of the Tournament England Tour to India ended up as a draw and with this India lost the four-test match cricket series against England .With this win England succeeded in ending a 28 year long wait of winning a test series on Indian Soil. Before this the English side under the captaincy of David Gower won the test series in India 198485.

18 December 2012 Current Affairs Indias black money loss in 10 years: $123 bn

According to the report of Illicit Financial Flows from Developing Countries: 20012010, released by Global Financial Integrity (GFI) India lost $123 billion in black money during 2001-2010.However Indias loss is far less than that of China, which according to the report suffered a loss of $ 2.74 trillion during the same period (2001 to 2010), followed by Mexico ($476 billion), Malaysia ($285 billion), Saudi Arabia ($201 billion), Russia ($152 billion), the Philippines ($138 billion) and Nigeria ($129 billion).India is the eight largest victim of black money loses. Subhash Joshi new BSF chief, Ajay Chadha to head ITBP Subhash Joshi was appointed as the new chief of Border Security Force (BSF) on 18 December 2012 .A 1976 batch IPS officer from Uttrakhand cadre, Joshi is due to retire in February 2014. He has also served in CRPF as Special Director General of Police.Chadha, Special Secretary (Internal Security), was appointed as Director General of ITBP(Indo-Tibetan Border Police). Tilakam Gopal, former India volleyball captain, passes away Tilakam Gopal, former India captain and one of the finest spikers ever to represent the country, passed away in Hyderabad on 18 December 2012.One of the highlights of Mr. Gopals achievements was being member of the silver medal winning Indian squad in the 1962 Jakarta Asian Games and even led India in the five-Test series against the visiting Russians in 1966 which later on helped him to continue be captain in the Bangkok ASIAD in 1966 where India stood fourth. Zuma re-elected ANC leader South Africas ruling African National Congress on 18 December 2012 re -elected President Jacob Zuma as the party chief with a thumping majority, effectively paving the way for him to retain the presidency until 2017 if the ANC wins general elections in 2013.70year-old Mr. Zuma received the support of over 75 per cent of the total voting delegates at the ANC National Conference held in Bloemfontein. 71.30 percentage of votes polled in Gujarath A record 70.75 per cent of the eligible voters cast their ballots in the first of the two phase elections 13 December 2012 and in the second phase 70 percent of votes polled on 18 December 2012. The highest polling recorded in the previous Assembly elections was 63.70 per cent in 1967.Now this is the highest polling record in the Gujarathi elections. Saina Nehwal signed as brand ambassador by Sahara Sahara Group on 18 December 2012 named badminton star Saina Nehwal as its brand ambassador.As part of the association, Saina will don Sahara logo while playing in tournaments worldwide. NASAs Twin Probes Crashed Successfully onto Lunar Mountain Ebb and Flow, the gravity mapping satellites of NASA ended the successful mission to Moon by crashing on the rim of crater. Lunar surface on which Ebb and Flow crashed will be given a name after Sally Ride, the first woman of America in the space who died earlier in 2012. World Malaria Report 2012 According to the WHO World Malaria Report 2012 India, the country most affected by malaria in the South East Asian Region, is projected to see a decrease of 50-75 per cent in malaria case incidence by 2015.In South East Asia Region, Bhutan, Korea, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand have registered decreases of 75 per cent or more in the incidence of microscopically confirmed malaria incidence rates between 2000 and 2011.India has been taking measures like providing insecticide-treated mosquito nets (ITNs) and long-lasting insecticidal nets in affected areas. Jiroemon Kimura named Worlds Oldest Person On 18 December Jiroemon Kimura (115 years) has been named the worlds oldest person after the death of his predecessor , an American woman named Dina Manfredini who died on 17 December after receiving the title of oldest person of the world.Jiroemon Kimura was born on 19 April 1897 and is just 15 days younger than the deceased Dina Manfredini. Arunachal CM Selected for IAEWP Award

On 18 December Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Tuki has been selected by the International Association of Educators for World Peace (IAEWP) for a Lifetime Achievement Award.IAEWP is a non-governmental organization affiliated to the United Nations and engaged in the promotion of world peace.Besides the individual award he would also receive the Green State of the Year Award on behalf of the Arunachal Pradesh Government for maintaining greenery in the state. Jiroemon Kimura named Oldest Person in the World On 18 December Jiroemon Kimura, a 115-year-old from Japan has been named the new oldest person in the world by Guinness World Records.Kimura was born on April 19, 1897 .Kimuras new status comes after the death of Iowa resident Dina Manfredini, who liv ed to the ripe old age of 115 and was only 15 days older than Kimura.

19 December 2012 Current Affairs Park elected South Korean President Park Guen-hye, the daughter of former military dictator Park Chung-hee, beat her opponent on 19 December 2012 in the South Korean presidential elections.In February, Ms. Park will be sworn in as the countrys first woman President. Ms. Park, 60, the forme r head of the ruling Conservative Saenuri Party, had secured the necessary votes and defeated Moon Jae-in, 59, of the Democratic United Party. Top honour for 7-year-old South African Indian rhino campaigner A seven-year-old Indian-origin girl Afeefah Patel won a prestigious a wildlife conservation award in South Africa for writing a letter to President Jacob Zuma asking for his assistance in saving endangered rhinos.Afeefah Patel, who has just finished Grade One, became the youngest winner ever of SANParkss Corporate Contribution to Conservation Award: Individual category at the 8th annual Ku du Awards. Rocket with 3 astronauts takes off for ISS A Soyuz spacecraft carrying three astronauts took off atop a towering Russian rocket on 19 December 2012, headed for the International Space Station.It launched from Russias manned-space facility in the frigid steppes of Kazakhstan . It separated from its final rocket stage and went into orbit about 15 minutes later.American Tom Marshburn, Russian Roman Romanenko and Canadian Chris Hadfield will travel for two days in the capsule, before docking with the space station where three other astronauts are already on board. Barack Obama is Times Person of the Year President Barack Obama had been named Time magazines Person of the Year fo r 2012 on 19 December 2012.Obama also received the honour in 2008, when he was President-elect.

India Lags Several Nations in Per Capita Income India is lagging behind several countries in per capita income due to different levels of development and various other factors, the central government was informed on 19 December .Indias per capita GDP on Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) basis was $3,403 in 2010 and is estimated at $3,662.69 in 2011 and $3,851.31 in 2012.

20 December 2012 Current Affairs Hockey legend Leslie Claudius passes away Legendary hockey player and one of Indias greatest Olympians Leslie Claudius, passed away in Kolkata on 20 December 2012.Claudius had three Olympic gold medals London 1948, Helsinki 1952 and Melbourne 1956. At Rome in 1960.India won the silver medal in the Asian Games in 1978 in Bangkok, when he was the team manager.He got the Padma Shree award in 1971. Prithvi-II flight-tested successfully The Strategic Forces Command (SFC) successfully flight-tested nuclear weapons-capable Prithvi-II missile from Chandipur, off the Odisha coast on 20 December 2012 .The surface-to-surface ballistic missile, was fired from a road mobile launcher and tested for its full range of 350 km.The single-stage, liquid propelled missile can carry a payload of 500 kg. Miss Universe 2012 Winner is USA Olivia Culpo Miss USA Olivia Culpo is crowned Miss Universe 2012 on 19 December 2012,beating out 88 other contestants during a televised competition at the Planet Hollywood casino on the Las Vegas Strip.Miss Philippines, Janine Tugonon, came in second, while Miss Venezuela, Irene Sofia Esser Quintero, placed third.Slipa Singh, Who participated in this event from India got the 16th place. Narendra Modi Re-elected as Gujarat Chief Minister The BJP registered its fifth consecutive victory in Gujarat on 20 December 2012.This is the third victory under Modi leadership.BJP won the 115 seats , which are two less than the 2007 elections, Congress won the 61, Nationalist Congress Party won two seats and Janata Dal-U one seat.This is the fourth consecutive time for Modi to become the CM. Sahitya Akademi awards 2012 announced Booker-nominated Jeet Thayil and Bengali novelist Subrata Mukhopadhyaya are among 24 authors selected for this years Sahitya Akademi Awards, which was dominated by poets.Peddabhotla Subbaramaiah(Telugu) got the award for their book of short stries. Congress got the victory in Himachal Pradesh elections The Congress returned to power in Himachal Pradesh after five years, defeating the Bharatiya Janata Party in the Himachal Pradesh State Assembly elections conduced on 4 November 2012.The Congress secured 36 seats and the BJP 26 seats, while independents and others bagged six seats. VVS Lakshman appointed as the Brand Ambassador of Innovolt The International Test Cricketer VVS Lakshman appointed as the Brand Ambassador for KVN Power solutions who manufacturing the inverters and UPS. Tom Moody named coach of Sunrisers IPL team Moody, who has previously coached Sri Lankan international team and Kings XI Punjab IPL team, will take over as the coach for the next season of IPL. The Sun Risers will unveil their logo in Hyderabad on 20 December 2012. Sunrisers will also have recently retired Indian batsman VVS Laxman and former India captain Kris Srikkanth as mentors.

Mohan Kandas book released A book by former Chief Secretary Mohan Kanda titled A Century of Credit Cooperatives in India -An Anthology was released on 20 December 2012 by Chief Minister . Pak National Assembly Cleared Anti-terror Bill On 20 December Pakistans National Assembly passed a bill that will give intelligence and security agencies sweeping powers to conduct surveillance and collect data from SMSs and emails.The National Assembly or lower house of parliament approved the Fair Trial Bill 2012 after incorporating amendments proposed by the main opposition PML-N and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, which is part of the ruling coalition led by the Pakistan Peoples Party. U.S. House of Representatives Passed Defense Authorization Bill 2013 On 20 December US (United States) Ho use of Representatives passed the Defence Authorization Act of 2013 .The bill authorizing 633.3 billion dollar in defense spending for 2013, easing limits on satellite exports and providing more Marines for embassy security. Hinduism Third Largest Religion of World According to the Pew research survey report Hinduism is the third largest religion of the world after Christianity , Isla m and 97 per cent of all Hindus live in the worlds three Hindu-majority countries (India, Mauritius and Nepal), and nearly nine-in-ten Christians (87 per cent) are found in the worlds 157 Christian majority countries.Although Muslims are a minority in India (14 per cent of the total population), India nonetheless has one of the largest Muslim populations in the world.In the total world population 2.2 billion Christians (32 per cent of the worlds population), 1.6 billion Muslims (23 per cent) around the world as of 2010. Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Bill Passed by Rajya Sabha On 20 December Parliament passed a bill that makes economic offences, including circulation of high quality counterfeit currency, a terrorist act.The Rajya Sabha passed Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Bill, 2012 by voice vote while several parties. The bill was already passed by Lok Sabha. P.Chidambaram received Best Administrator Award On 20 December Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram received Best Administrator in India award instituted by K. Karunakara n Foundation.The award was presented to him by Vice President of India, M. Hamid Ansari.The award is being offered in the memory of renowned Congress leader as well as the former Kerala Chief minister K Karunakaran.First Karunakaran Foundation Award was given to Pranab Mukherjee. Syed Rahim Nabi named AIFF Player of the Year 2012 Syed Rahim Nabi has been named the AIFF (All India Football Federation) Player of the Year, 2012 . The announcement was m ade by AIFF President Mr. Praful Patel during the Annual General Meeting conduced at Football House, the All India Football Federation Headquarters in New Delhi on 20 December . ASEAN India Commemorative Summit held in New Delhi India is hosted the ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit held from December 20-21 in New Delhi to mark the 20th anniversary of the ASEAN India dialogue partnership and the 10th anniversary of ASEAN-India Summit-level partnership.The theme of the summit is ASEAN-India Partnership for Peace and Shared Prosperity .The summit discussed on cooperation in economics, trade, investment and science-technology, strengthening connectivity, assisting ASEAN in its community building, and Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) cooperation.ASEAN and India have signed the awaited Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on comprehensive economic cooperation as foundations for the establishment of an ASEAN-India Trade and Investment Area.Indias Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh declared that after implementation of FTA in the goods, the trade between the two sides increased by 41 percent in the year 2011-2012.

21 December 2012 Current Affairs Obama nominates John Kerry to be secretary of state The senior senator John Kerry was nominated as Americas Foreign Minister by President Barack Obama on 21 December 2012.The John Kerry , who is the senior Senator from Massachusetts,now he became the chairman of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Astra missile successfully test-fired India on 21 December 2012 test launched its indigenously developed beyond visual range (BVR) air-to-air interceptor missile Astra at the interim test range(ITR) at Chandipur in Odisha.Astra which has the capability to intercept and destroy enemy aircraft at a supersonic speed can be fitted into any fighter aircraft. Considered as one of the best of its kind in the world, the 3.8 metre long missile which weighs about 160 kg can carry explosive loaded conventional warheads up to 15 kg. Archaeologist C. Govindarajanar honoured President Pranab Mukherjee on 21 December 2012 conferred the Presidential Awards for Classical Tamil at a function in Rashtrapati Bhavan.92-year-old Prof. C. Govindarajanar was conferred Tolkappiyar Award for outstanding contribution in the field of Tamil studies. S&P pegs Indias GDP growth at 6.5% in 2013 Global rating agency Standard and Poors (S&P) has said it expects India to grow by 6.5 per cent during 2013, amidst the poss ibility of global economic recovery continuing during the year 2013. Asian Champions Trophy Hockey India defeated the Japan in Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament on 21 December 2012. Zee editor moves defamation case against Naveen Jindal Zee News Editor Sudhir Chaudhary on21 December slapped a defamation complaint against Congress MP Naveen Jindal and 16 officials of his firm Jindal Steel and Power Ltd (JSPL) for allegedly making deliberately false statements against him with the intention to tarnish his image.

22 December 2012 Current Affairs Top U.S. innovation award for Indian-American A renowned Indian-American inventor at IBM, Rangaswamy Srinivasan, was nominated by U.S. President Barack Obama for the prestigious National Medal of Technology and Innovation.In 1981, Mr. Srinivasan discovered that an ultraviolet excimer laser could etch living tissues in a precise manner with no thermal damage to the surrounding area. He named the phenomenon Ablative Photo Decomposition (APD). He got this award for the discovery of APD. Virbhadra Singh to take oath as Chief Minister on December 25 Former Union Minister Virbhadra Singh, who led the Congress to victory in the Himachal Pradesh elections, will be sworn in as Chief Minister for the sixth time in a function at historic Ridge ground,Shimla on 25 December 2012. Governor Urmilla Singh has invited the 78-year-old Congress leader to form government and take oath on December 25. Singh was Chief Minister between 1983 and 85; 1985 and 1990; 1993 and 1998 and 2003 and 2007.

Manavjit, Chain Singh win gold, Bindra gets silver at National Shooting Championship Olympian Manavjit Singh Sandhu clinched the men trap event gold medal in National Shooting Championship on 22 December 2012 at New Delhi.Sandhu won the gold with a score of 117 + 22 while the silver was won by Birendeep Sodhi of Air India, who shot 116 + 23. The bronze went to Zoravar Singh Sandhu of Air India for scoring 118 + 20. Sunil Sharma got the additional charges as secretary of Infrastructure and investment (I&I) civil supplies commissioner Sunil Sharma got the additional charges as secretary of Infrastructure and investment (I&I) on 22 December 2012. President Napolitano Dissolved Italian Parliament On 22 December Italian President Giorgio Napolitano dissolved parliament following the resignation of Prime Minister Mario Monti. The Parliamentary elections are scheduled to be held on 24-25 February 2013.Italian government under the leadership of Mario Monti brought forward a series of austerity reforms backed by EU and business leaders Higgs Boson Tops Journal Sciences 2012 List The discovery of the Higgs Boson, an invisible particle that explains the mystery of mass, leads a list of the top 10 scientific advances of 2012 released by the US journal Science on 22 December . The other major advances, according to Science, are:- Scientists in Germany used a new technique to sequence the complete genome of an enigmatic group of humans called the Denisovans, based on a tiny sample teased from a finger bone some 80,000 years old found in a cave in Siberia. - Japanese scientists created viable egg cells using embryonic stem cells from adult mice. The breakthrough raises the possibility that women who are unable to produce eggs naturally could have them created in a test tube from their own cells and then implanted in their body. - NASA engineers landed the 3.3 ton Mars Curiosity rover on the Red Planet by using an innovative landing system that dangled the vehicle, with its wheels out, at the end of three cables. - Use of an X-ray laser, which shines one billion times brighter than traditional synchroton sources, allowed scientists to determine the structure of a protein involved in the transmission of African sleeping sickness. Smita Singh Appointed as member of Global Development Council On 22 December The Obama administration has appointed Indian-American Smita Singh as member of the presidents Global Development Council.Singh was the Special Advisor for Global Affairs and the founding Director of the Global Development Program at the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, where she worked from 2001 to 2010.She was the first Program Officer for Higher Education Innovative Projects at the Commission on National and Community Service, now known as the Corporation for National and Community

23 December 2012 Current Affairs Sachin Tendulkar retires from ODIs Sachin Tendulkar was retired from ODI cricket. Tendulkar finishes an illustrious career in the 50-over format, having played 463 ODIs, scored 18,426 runs and made 49 centuries, each of them a world record. His last ODI was against Pakistan in Dhaka during the Asia Cup, where he made a half-century in Indias victory. First Grand Prix title for Kashyap Kashyap Parupalli defeated Thailands Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk in a tight three game match to take his first Grand Prix title at the Shaheed Dr. KL Garg , Syed Modi India Grand Prix Gold 2012.

India register third win in Asian Champions Trophy, crush Oman India register third win in Asian Championship Hockey Trophy against Oman with 11-0 score at Doha on 24 December 2012.India, who defeated China 4-0 and Japan 3-1 in their opening two games. Tata Indias best-known global brand Days ahead of Ratan Tatas retirement, an Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham) survey said the $100-billion Tata Group was perceived to be Indias best -known global brand within and outside the country. Ratan Tata occupies the well-deserved iconic status. He has taken the group from largely an Indian family-owned business house into a professionally managed global conglomerat Moscow Authorities Announced Demolishing Only Hindu Temple by January 2013 The only Hindu temple in Russia, ISKCON was scheduled to be demolished by Moscow authorities by 15 January 2013. The ISKCON monks announced that the Hindu temple was facing closure by Russian government, a year after the country had sought ban of Bhagvad Gita. Union Government of India Constituted a Commission to suggest measures for Safety of Women The Union Government of India on 23 December 2012 constituted a three-member Commission to be headed by the Former Chief Justice of India J.S. Verma for reviewing the laws in existence and the lapses of the police to suggest measures for ensuring safety of women in Delhi as well as across the nation. It would also look into the matter of the gang rape incident. Former Solicitor General of India Gopal Subramaniam and Justice Lalitha Seth are the two other members of the constituted inquiry commission.

24 December 2012 Current Affairs India and Russia ink defence deals worth $3 billion India and Russia on 24 December 2012 inked defence deals worth $3 billion. The agreement was signed as part of Russian President Vladimir Putins official visit to India. According to this pact Russia will sell India 71 military helicopter s for $1.3 billion and technological kits to assemble 42 Sukhoi jet fighters for $1.6 billion. NASA to turn asteroid into space station NASA scientists are planning to capture a 500,000 kg asteroid, relocate it and transform it into a space station for astronauts to refuel at on their way to Mars.The estimated cost for this project is $260 crores. Aman wins gold for India in Azerbaijan boxing tourney Junior national champion Aman Indora (56kg) clinched Indias only gold as the country finished third in the A Agalarov Cup youth boxing tournament in Baku, Azerbaijan.A. Silambarasan (52kg) and Kailash Gill (75kg) also made the final but had to settle for silver medals. 8 Indians among worlds best performing CEOs Eight Indian CEOs have made it to the list of 100 best performing global chief executives, compiled by Harvard Business Review (HBR). Deveshwar was first among the Indian CEOs featured in this list, and cornered the seventh place overall.Former chairman and MD, ONGC Subir Raha (Rank 13).Chairman and CEO, Reliance Industries,Mukesh Ambani (Rank 28).Chairman and Managing Director, Larsen & Toubro,A M Naik (Rank 32).Former CMD, Bharat Heavy Electricals,A K Puri (Rank 38).Chairman, Bharti Airtel,Sunil Bharti Mittal (Rank 65).CEO, Jindal Steel & Power,Naveen Jindal (Rank 87).Former Chairman, SAIL,V S Jain (Rank 89).Former Apple CEO ,Steve Jobs (Rank 1).CEO, Amazon.com CEO,Jeff Bezos (Rank 2).

Russian President Putin Visited India Russian President Vladimir Putin visited India on 24 December .During the visit he met Manmohan Singh in Newdelhi and signed a series of pacts on defense cooperation and reached consensus to develop economic and trade relations.Putin last visited India as prime minister in 2010. Apurvi Chandela won Air Rifle Gold On 24 December Apurvi Chandela of Rajasthan won Womens Air Rifle Gold in the Sahara 56th National Shooting Championship.Former champion and National record holder, Pournima clinched the bronze 0.2 points ahead of World championship finalist Avneet Sidhu.

25 December 2012 Current Affairs America Launched Reusable Rockets US California based SpaceXs industry successfully launched Grasshopper reusable rockets.The rocket took a giant leap for commercial space flight and when it rose 131 feet and landed safely back on Earth. Grasshopper rocket rose to a height of 131 feet around ten storeys and hovered before landing safely on its launch pad using closed loop thrust vector and throttle control. Virbhadra Singh sworn in as Himachal Pradeshs Chief Minister On 25 December Former Union Minister Virbhadra Singh was sworn-in as Himachal Pradeshs chief minister for a record sixth term in Shimla .He was Chief Minister five times between 1983 and 1985; 1985 and 1990; 1993 and 1998 and 2003 and 2007.

26 December 2012 Current Affairs China launches worlds longest high-speed rail China launched service on the worlds longest high-speed railway on 26 December 2012 with trains scheduled to run 2,298 kilometres between Beijing and Guangzhou in about eight hours.Travelling at an average speed of about 300 km per hour, the service would cut the journey time from more than 20 hours by conventional trains. Shinzo Abe Elected Japans New Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the conservative leader of Japan was elected as the prime minister of the country by lower house of the Parliament called the House of Representatives, on 26 December 2012. Shinzo Abe took oath to rebuild Japanese economy as well as mend the coalition with US.The lawmakers in Japan voted in favour of Abe by 328 votes. Opponent Banri Kaieda, the newly chosen leader of DPJ received merely 57 votes. Narendra Modi sworn in Gujarat CM for 4th time Narendra Modi, who led the BJP to an emphatic victory in the assembly elections, was sworn in as Gujarat chief minister for the fourth consecutive time on 26 December 2012.He was administered the oath of office and secrecy by governor Kamla Beniwal at an impressive ceremony at Sardar Patel Stadium.Modi was sworn in along with seven ministers of Cabinet rank and nine ministers of state. Mohamed Morsi signs Egypts new constitution into law Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi signed into law a new constitution shaped by his Islamist allies, a bitterly contested document which would help end political turmoil and allow him to focus on fixing the economy. Justice Usha Mehra to probe Delhi gang-rape case

The government was formed a committee of enquiry under justice Usha Mehra to reconstruct the events leading to the 16 December Delhi gang-rape, identify lapses by police and other agencies and fix responsibility for the crime..The decision was taken 26 December 2012 at a meeting of the cabinet committee on political affairs, finance minister P. Chidambaram 12th plan GDP growth target lowered to 8% The government has decided to slash its annual economic growth target for the next five years to eight per cent from 8.2 per cent earlier. AP IT Industry touches INR 50,000 crore IT Industry in Andhra Pradesh (AP) has achieved a turnover of INR 53,246 crore. The turnover comprises 76% from exports (INR 40,646 crore) and 24% (INR 12,600 crore) from the domestic market. The growth rate of the industry in AP 16% is at par with the national average. Another important milestone for the IT industry in AP has been crossed in 2012. Direct employment crossed 300,000 for the first time; the industry today provides employment to 13.3 lakh people, of which direct and indirect employment is 3,18,624 and 10,12,769 respectively. Shinzo Abe sworn in as Japans Prime Minister On 26 December Shinzo Abe, the conservative leader of Japan sworn in as Japans new Prime Minister .This is his second term a s Prime Minister six years after he ruled as Prime Minister for a short stint of one year.Abe was also prime minister in 2006-07 . Pakistan Recognised the Republic of Kosovo On 26 December Pakistan Government officially recognised Kosovo as an independent state, almost five years after it declared independence from Serbia on 17 February 2008. Pakistan is the 98th country among the 193 U.N-member states to recognise Kosovo .Kosovo is a small south east European state lies between Albania, Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro.

27 December 2012 Current Affairs Oriya Novelist Pratibha Ray Wins 2011 Jnanpith Award Leading Oriya novelist and academician Pratibha Ray, who has over 40 novels, travelogues and short stories to her credit, was named for the prestigious Jnanpith Award for the year 2011 on 27 December 2012.At a meeting chaired by writer and Jnanpith award winner Sitakant Mahapatra, it was decided that Ray, 69, will be the winner of the 2011 Janapith Award.The award carries a cash prize of Rs. 7 lakh, a citation and a public felicitation. Pranab inaugurates 4th World Telugu conference President of India Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated the fourth World Telugu Conference in Tirupati on 27 December 2012. The theme of the World Telugu Conference is to promote Telugu language.The three-day event(i.e December 27th-29th)) will have several programmes to showcase the Telugu language. Around 3500 artists and 200 delegates will attend the Conference. Michael Clarke breaks Ricky Pontings Test run record Australia captain Michael Clarke became his countrys highest run scorer in a calendar year after making 106 on day two of th e second Test against Sri Lanka in Melbourne.Clarkes tally of 1,595 from 11 Tests beats Ricky Pontings 1,544 from 15 Tests in 2005.

28 December 2012 Current Affairs Beijing 14th safest city in China, Lhasa tops the list A survey conducted by China Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) which is a government owned body, revealed that the capital of China, Beijing is less safer than other cities of the country. The safest place is the capital of Tibet, Lhasa, followed by Shanghai. Tejaswini, Mahaveer win gold medals in national shooting championship Rajasthans Mahaveer Singh and Tejaswini Sawant of Maharashtra were among the shooters to have won the gold medals on the 10t h day of the 56th National Shooting Championship in New Delhi on 28 December 2012.In the standard pistol category, Singh shot 569 to bag the top prize ahead of Pemba Tamang (567) of Army and Samaresh Jung (563) of CISF at the Karni Singh Shooting Ranges.In the 3-position womens event, Sawant shot 581 + 98.2 for the top prize while Raj Chaudhary of A rmy stood second with a score of 579 + 98.5. The bronze went to Lajja Gujarats Gauswami who totalled 578 + 96.6. Protein behind aggressive breast-cancer found Australian researchers claim to have found a key factor responsible for making breast cancers more aggressive and resistant to treatment.Chris Ormandy, researcher of Sydney`s Garvan Institute said that the protein, known as ELF5, makes breast cancer tumours more aggressive and resistant to treatment Defence Secretary to visit China next month Defence Secretary Shashi Kant Sharma will visit China next month to discuss plans for a larger joint military exercise.Mr. Sharma would head a tri-service delegation on January 14-15 as part of the 5th Annual Defence Dialogue. He would also look at a proposal for joint maritime search and rescue exercises between the navies and strengthening the collaboration in anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden. Cyclone Freda strikes Solomon Islands Tropical Cyclone Freda strucked the Solomon Islands, bringing heavy rains and winds of up to 130 kilometres per hour. Witnesses say roofs have been ripped off houses and trees have been flattened, while rising rivers caused flooding in some areas. There are no reports of deaths or injuries. 30% reservation for rural candidates in Assam Govt. jobs Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on 26 December 2012 announced that 30 per cent state government jobs will be reserved for candidates belonging to rural areas from 2013 end,why because In order to achieve inclusive growth and facilita te decentralisation, we are planning to bring to effect 30 per cent reservation in government jobs in all sectors to candidates from villages of Assa m.

29 December 2012 Current Affairs Former England Cricket team captain Tony Greig died Tony Greig, the South Africa-born cricketer who became England cricket team captain and later continued to make his mark on the game as a revered commentator in Australia, died on 29 December 2012.He played 58 tests for England and scored 3,599 runs at an average of 40.43 and took 141 wickets at 32.20. Kohli reaches fifth spot in ICC T20 rankings India`s batsman Virat Kohli has jumped five places to a career-best fifth position in the latest ICC Twenty20 International Player Rankings table released on 29 December 2012.Kohli scored a total of 95 runs against England and Pakistan in the four matches, thereby achieving his career-best ratings of 731.Yuvraj Singh has also moved up, jumping six places to 13th, following his 124 runs against England and Pakistan. He also climbed up a place in the bowlers` rankings list to 35th.The combined batting and bowling efforts has helped Yuvraj, who was also named Player of the Series against England, achieve career-best 337 ratings points in the allrounders` table, where he is placed third.Meanwhile, the batting table continues to be headed by Shane Watson, followed by Brendon McCullum in second place and Chris Gayle in third

Michael Hussey to retire after Sydney Test vs Sri Lanka Australian veteran Mike Hussey announced on 29 December 2012 he will retire from Test cricket after the third and final match against Sri Lanka in Sydney on 3rd January 2013.Hussey has scored 19 hundreds in 78 Tests and averages 51.52. Ramanujans Cryptic Death Bed Theory proved by American Scientist Mathematicians from a US university have finally solved a cryptic puzzle renowned Indian mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan claimed came to him in his dreams while he was on his deathbed.While on his death-bed in 1920, Ramanujan wrote a letter to his mentor, British mathematician GH Hardy, outlining several new mathematical functions never before heard of, along with a hunch about how they worked.Now, researchers say they have proved Ramanujan was right, and that the formula could explain the behaviour of black holes.

30 December 2012 Current Affairs Vijay and Heena clinch gold in shooting national London Olympics silver medallist Vijay Kumar 30 december 2012 clinched the gold medal in the mens rapid fire pistol event at the 56th National Shooting Championship in New Delhi.While Vijay shot 572 and 25 in the finals to win the top prize in his event, Punjabs Heena Sidhu bagged the gold in the womens air pistol competition after she shot 383 + 99.5 in the qualifie rs and finals respectively.Harpreet Singh (569 + 21) of Navy clinched the silver in the mens rapid fire pistol event ahead of Armys Pemba Tamang who shot 572 and 18.In Heenas event, Annu Raj Singh won the silver with scores of 383 + 96.8 while the bronz e went to Priyanka Susvirkar of Railways who shot 378 + 100.8.In the 3-position mens event, Surendra Singh Rathod of Army won the gold with scores of 1158 + 97.9.The silver went to Sanjeev Rajput who scored 1154 + 97.6 while the bronze was won by Chain Singh of Army for shooting 1150 + 100.4. Indian economy to grow at 6.8% in 2013: D&B According to global research firm Dun & Bradstreet (D&B),Indian GDP for the year 2013 is 6.8%. Anti-rape draft bill proposes 30 years jail Congress in a draft bill for a tougher law to check crimes against women has proposed imprisonment of up to 30 years which could also include chemical castration in rare cases.The final draft of the Congress bill, which is to be submitted to Justice JS Verma-led committee set up by the Centre in the wake of the horrific gang rape of the 23-year-old girl, who died on 29 December 2012. Japan Launching Ambitious Asteroid-Sampling Mission in 2014 The new Japanese asteroid mission, called Hayabusa2, is scheduled for launch in 2014 and aimed at the asteroid 1999 JU3, a large space rock about 3,018 feet (920 meters) in length. It is due to arrive at the asteroid in mid-2018, loiter at the space rock and carry out a slew of challenging firsts before departing the scene at the end of 2019.If all goes well, the Hayabusa2 spacecraft will return to Earth with samples of asteroid 1999 JU3 at the end of 2020. The probes name is Japanese for Falcon2.

31 December 2012 Current Affairs Dr Muthunayagam, V K Saraswat win Aryabhatta Awards Dr A E Muthunayagam, former Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) of Indian Space Research Organisation and Union Department of Ocean Development Secretary was selected for prestigious Aryabhatta Award for the year 2010. Chief Scientific Advisor to the Defence Minister Dr Vijay Kumar Saraswat was chosen for the award for the year 2011.ASI awards for Rocket and Related Technologies was awarded to G Satheesh Reddy, Research Centre Imarat, DRDO (2010) and P Kunhikrishnan, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) (2011), The awards under Spacecraft and Related Technologies was bagged by P Chakraborty, Laboratory for Electro-Optics Systems(LEOS), ISRO (2010) and Yateendra Mehta, ISRO Satellite Centre (ISAC), ISRO (2011). Dr Y V N Krishnamurthy, National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), ISRO and Prof N M Ashok, Physical Research Laboratory, ISRO have bagged the awards under the category of Space Sciences and Applications for the years 2010 and 2011 respectively.

Scientist Venkatesh Mannar honoured with Order of Canada Award Venkatesh Mannar a Channai-born Scientist of Indian Origin and President, Micronutrient Initiative, Canada was awarded with Canadas Highest Civilian Award the Order of Canada in the last week of December 2012. He was honoured with the award for his forty years long contribution working towards reduction of debilitating micronutrient deficiencies among the worlds most vulnerable. McGrath inducted into Hall of Fame The ICC announced on 30 December 2012 that McGrath, who took more Test wickets (563) than any other fast bowler and holds the record for most wickets in World Cups (71), will be inducted as the 68th male player in the International Cricket Councils Hall of Fame on January 4 at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Jobs up by 7.8%, wages by 18.1% in FY11(2010-2011) According to government survey the number of jobs in industries increased by 7.8 per cent while wages rose by 18.1 per cent in real terms in 2010-11.Total persons engaged in different industries were 1.27 crore in 2010-11 compared to 1.17 crore in 2009-10.

PREPARED BY MAYUR RAJ KAPURIYA