21 Editorial 22 India : At a Glance 33 Indian Economy : A Few Facts : At a Glance 40 The Indian Polity : A Birds Eyeview 44 Geography : At a Glance

56 56 56 56 57 57 58 58 59 59 59 59 60 60 60 61 61 62 62 62 62 62 63 63 63

National Events 2012-13

Political Updates
51 51 Congress Wins the State Assembly Elections 2012 : Virbhadra Singh takes Oath as Chief Minister. BJP Wins in Gujarat Assembly Elections 2012 : Narendra Modi takes Oath as Chief Minister for the Fourth Time. Presidents Address to the Nation on the Eve of 64th Republic Day. PM Carries out Cabinet Reshuffle. Telangana to be the 29th State. 79 crore Eligible to Vote in 2014 LS Elections. Presidents Address to the Nation on the Eve of 67th Independence Day. Hemant Soren Sworn in as Jharkhand Chief Minister.

52 52 52 53 53 54

Bill/Law/Constitution/Justice/ Commission
54 54 54 54 55 55 55 56 Union Cabinet Clears Spectrum Fee on Telecom Firms. Kasab Hanged, Buried in Yerwada Jail. On 26-11-2008, India went to sleep with Horrific Images of the Terrorist Attack on Mumbai. Parliament Approves FDI in Retail. Cabinet Committee Clears New Urea Investment Policy. Parliament Nod to Amend Money Laundering Bill. Cabinet gives Nod to NIB to Clear Mega Projects. Lok Sabha Approves Changes in Debt Recovery Bill.

Religion cannot be Thrust upon a Child, says High Court. Cabinet Approves ` 12,517 crore Capital Infusion in 10 PSU Banks. The Electronic Services Delivery Bill. Justice Verma Submits Reports on Rape Law. Anti-Rape Ordinance is Promulgated by the President. Parliament Attack Plotter, Afzal Guru Hanged. Parliament Passes Sexual Harassment Bill. Debate on Juvenile Justice Act Continues. Cabinet Okays Draft Citizens Charter Bill. New Harsher Anti-Rape Law comes into Force. Cabinet Nod for National Skill Development Agency. Cabinet Nod for Urban Health Mission with PPPs. Cabinet Nod for Loans at Low Interest for Women Self Helf Groups. Creamy Layer : Cabinet Raises Income Limit. Draft Bill a Water. Premarital Sex Makes a Couple Husband and Wife : Madras High Court. Union Cabinet Nod for Legislation for Womens Share in Ex-hubby Inheritance. Pension, Gratuity not Bounties : Supreme Court. Parliament Passes Pension Fund Bill. Reject Papers if Criminal Post not Revealed : Says SC. Cant Reveal Personal Information under RTI : High Court. Passport does not Prove that One is Indian Citizen : Bombay High Court. Centre Finalises Policy for Affordable Housing. Fodder Scam : Former Bihar CM Gets 5 years in Prison, Stands Disqualified as MP. No Eye-for-Eye to Criminal Justice, Says SC.

Defence/Space/Satellite
64 Russia Built Multirole Stealth Frigate INS Tarkash Commissioned into Navy. 64 Interceptor Missile Tested Successfully.

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64 64 65 65 65 66 66 66 67 67 67 67 68 68 68 69 69 69 70 70 70 71 71 72 72 72

Ex-Servicemen Status for Retired Paramilitary Personnel. India Successfully Test-fires Agni-I Ballistic Missile. Astra-Missile Test-fired Successfully. India Test-fires K-15 Missile Successfully. India France Conclude $ 6 billion Missile Deal. Defence Ministry Clears New Crops on China Border. Army Gets Its First Indigenous Chopper. New Interceptor Boat Joins Coast Guard. 101st Indian Space Mission take off. Cruise Missile Nirbhay Launched Successfully but Fails to Hit Target. India Test-fires New Submarine BrahMos Missile. Nuclear-Capable Agni-II Missile Test-fired Successfully. India, US to Cooperate on Moon, Mars Missions. ISRO Gears up for Entry of Pvt. Sector. Navy Gets First Fighter Squadron in 30 years. New Warship Fires BrahMos Successfully. Sukhoi to Guard Indian Ocean. Upgraded Pinaka Rockets Test-fired in Pokhran. INS Vikrant Launched. Prithvi-II Training Launch Successful. Nag Evaluation Trials Conducted Successfully in Pokhran. Indias Submarine INS Sindhurakshak Sinks, 18 Men on Board killed. India Successfully Test-fires Agni-V. Indo-Russian Joint Military Exercise INDRA 2013 kicked off in Rajasthan. India Test-fires N-capable Prithvi-II. Prithvi-II Test-fired for Second Time.

75 Malayalam gets classical States. 75 Tamil Nadu Implements Coastal Disaster Risk Reduction Project. 75 Cabinet Nod for two New Major Ports in West Bengal and Andra Pradesh. 75 Union Cabinet Approves Establishment of Permanent Benches of the Karnataka High Court. 75 Rajasthan Launches of Scheme for Energy Conservation. 75 Prime Minister of India Flagged Off BanihalQazigund Rail Link in J&K. 76 Andhra Pradesh Assembly Passes the Bill to Rest are Gender Balance. 76 Haryana Government Rolls out New Communication Infra Policy. 76 Punjab Launches Helfline for Vulnerable Group. 76 Constructions Near Rivers Banned in Uttarakhand. 77 Gujarat Assembly Clears Lokayukta Bill. 77 Hyderabad-Karnataka Development Board Gets President Nod.

Other Vital Issues

77 77 78 78 78 78 79 79 79 79 79 79 80 80 80 81 81 81 82 U.K. Halts Further Aid to India. Canada Close to Resuming N-supplies. Two Indians in Forbes Tap 15 Educationists. 10th Hindustan Times Leadership Summit in New Delhi Kicked off. Ex-Prime Minister Indra Kumar Gujral Passes Away. Pak Panel against MFN Tag for India. India Okaya Project Worth $ 100 million in Afghanistan. Manipal Varsity Signs MoUs with Two Chinese Universities. 43rd IFFI 2012 Held in Panaji. Presidents House Turns People-friendly. UAE Cabinet Approves Extradition Treaty with India. Railways Tops in Graft Complaints CVC Report. Indira Gandhi Centre for Sustainable Development at Oxford University Approved. Mumbai Tops List of Worlds Dirtiest Cities : Survey. Hinduism Third Largest Religion : Study. 100th Indian Science Congress Held at Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata. Panel Suggests Sweeping Changes in Medical Norms for Government Job. Government Tightens Tax Recovery Norms. Diaspora must Help Build Knowledge Society : President Pranab at 11th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas at Kochi. Proud to be a Bihari, says Mauritius Prez. India, China Agree to Hold Joint Military Exercises.

Regional Affairs
72 72 73 73 73 74 74 74 74 74 74 Chhattisgarh Inks MoU Worth over ` 122 lakh crore. President Pranab Mukherjee Inaugurates 4th World Telugu Conference. Madhya Pradesh Government set up a Senior Citizen Commission. Partnership Summit held in Agra. Environment Ministry gives Approval for Tawang Hydel Project. Meghalaya Lokayukta (Amendment) Bill 2013 Passed. First Public Health University in India to be Set up in Odisha. Ahmedabad First City in South Asia to Launch Heat Action Plan. Assam Right to Public Service Act 2012 Implemented. Malkhamb Declared as the State Sport. More Oil is Discovered in Barmer Region of Rajasthan.

82 82

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83 83 83 83 84 84 85 85 85 85 86 86 87 87 87 88 88 88 89 89 90 90 90 90 91 91 91 91 92 92 93 93 94 94 94 94 95 96 96 96 97

Centre to Conduct Study on RTI Act. 14% Surge in School Enrolments : Survey. Jarawa Tribe Habitat of Andamans. Government Constitutes Powers Advisory Panel. Election Commission Bars 2,171 Candidates. CAGs Report on Farm Loan Waiver Scheme Tabled in Parliament. Massive Revamp of Ministry of Defence (MoD) New Purchase Procedure on Anvil. The NCTC to function under IB. Welspun Energy Commissions Asias Largest Solar Power Project. Navy Red Flags Chinese Submarines in Indian Ocean. India-Africa Ties Getting Stronger with Youth Participation. Indo-Swiss Body to Work for Recognition for Ayurveda. DRDO Fires on towards MIRV Capability. India Lags behind China in Research Publications : Nature Survey. India to Develop Iranian Port. Kudankulam Nuclear Plant Cleared, with Caveats. Govt. Forms GoM on CBI Autonomy. Cabinet Approves Crucial Proposals. Govt. to Establish Bureau of Water Use Efficiency. India, Australia Raise the Pitch on Maritime Cooperation. India, Approves $ 160 million to Boost Power Projects in Nepal. The Move to Save the Great Indian Bustard. Autonomous Agency Set up to Coordinate Skill Development Efforts. India China to Expand Collaboration in Films. Environment Ministry Clears GM Trials. India Sets up System to Tap Phone Calls, E-mails. Centre Streamlines Welfare Schemes for States Ease. India Losing 135 hectare Forest Cover Daily : RTI. India Unveils Cyber Security Policy. Union Govt. Approves First All-Women University in U.P. Government India Inc Seal Pact for 2500 Schools. To Boost Growth, Govt. Relaxes Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Norms. Kudankulam Nuclear Plant Attains Criticality. Graft in India Twice the Global Average : Survey. Infertility Cure Part of Family Planning Now. FDI Rules Eased for Multi-brand Retail. PM Sets up Committee to Assess Status of Tribals. India to Play Key Role in Building Worlds Largest Telescope. India-Myanmar Agreement on Language Lessons. Cultivable Land Continues to Shrink. Govt. Unveils Norms for Foreign Institutes Eyeing Indian Campuses.

97 Upper Primary School Enrolment Rises 48%. 98 ECs 10-pt Plan to Curb Use of Black Money in Polls. 98 India Slips to 60th Rank on Competitiveness Globally. 98 India, Japan Push to Seal N-Energy Deal. 99 National Integration Council Meeting in New Delhi. 99 40% of Worlds Child Brides are in India : Survey. 99 Ghaziabad Most Polluted Industrial Cluster in India. 100 India Home to 1250 Super-Rich Women : A Report. 100 India Begins Power Export to Bangladesh. 101 India Rejects Resolution Against Child Marriage. 101 India Home to a Quarter of the Worlds Hungry. 102 Indias 100 Heritage Monuments Find Place in Googles Imagery. 102 India Home to Half of Worlds Slave Population of 298 million.

International Events 2012-13

International Political Updates
103 Obama Gets Four More Years. 103 Xi Jinping to Head Both Party and Military in China. 104 UN Recognizes State of Palestine as an Observer State. 105 Ernest Koroma Back in Power in Sierra Leone. 105 US Extends Waivers for India, China and others to Iran Oil Sanctions. 105 Impeachment of Sri Lankas Chief Justice : Parliamentary Panel Finds Her Guilty. 105 Mahama Re-elected Ghanian President. 106 The US Orders Deployment of US Anti-Missile Units in Turkey. 106 Opposition Party Wins Parliamentary Elections in Japan. 106 Queen Elizabeth II Attends Cabinet Meeting. 107 U.N. Authorizes African Force for Mali. 107 North Korea Successfully Launches a Long-Range Rocket. 108 Zuma Re-elected ANC Leader. 108 Sri Lankan President Sacks Chief Justice Bandaranayake. 108 Egyptian Court Orders Retrial for Ex-President Hosni Mubarak. 109 US to Speed up Transition Process in Afghanistan. 109 Turkey Assumes Role to Broker Af-Taliban Peace. 109 Philippines takes China to UN over Sea Row. 110 Barack Obama Inaugurates His Second Term. 111 Mo Yan, Jackie Chan in Chinese Parliament. 111 The Then Iranian President Ahmadinijads Historic Visit to Egypt. 111 Installation of the New Pope, Papacy Leaves Europe after 1,300 years.

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112 Uhuru Kenyatta Elected as Kenyan President. 112 Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez Passes Away. 112 Chinas Xi Appointed President, Completes Rise to the Top. 113 China Finalise New Cabinet, Brings an End to Transition Government. 113 Pakistan Government Completes Term, Creates History. 113 Kurien Elected Chairman of Asian Forum of Parliamentarians. 113 India Gets Observer Status in Arctic Council. 114 A Thin Victory for Maduro in Venezuelan Presidential Election. 114 Nawaz Sharifs Party Wins Majority in Pak House. 114 Rouhani Elected New President of Iran. 115 Nawaz Sharif Sworn in Prime Minister of Pakistan for Third Term. 116 Putin Shifts to Non-Party Movement for New Political Base. 116 Adli Mansour Sworn in as Interim Egyptian President. 116 Bhutan Votes in Second National Polls. 117 Japan PM Abe Wins Upper House Elections. 117 Luxembourg PM Resigns over Spy Scandal. 117 Ibrahim B. Keita Wins Mali Election. 118 Mugabe Wins Polls, Oppositions Mulls Protest. 118 Michel Djotodia New President of Central African Republic. 118 Mamnoon Hussain Sworn in as New Pakistan President. 118 Gambia Withdraws from Commonwealth. 118 Conservative Leader Tony Abbott, the New Prime Minister of Australia.

123 Journalists Conference Hammers Out Solutions to Indo-Pak Conflict. 124 India-Russia Bilateral Summit. 124 Conference at Doha (Qatar) on Climate Change and Emission Issues. 125 World Agreed to Rollout of Kyoto Protocol-II. 125 5th BRICS Summit 2013 : The Creation of the Development Bank Discussed. 126 G-7 Finance Ministers Meet in Aylesbury, England. 126 The Summit Meeting between the US and Chinese Presidents. 127 39th G-8 Summit. 128 G-20 Summit at St. Petersburg, Russia. 128 4th OIC World Biz-2013 Conference in Kuala Lumpur. 129 11th ASEAN Summit in Brunei and India.

Guests in India
130 Myanmarese Opposition Leader Aung San Suu Kyis Visit to India. 131 The Then Egyptian President Morsis Visit to India. 131 British PMs Visit to India. 131 Chinese Premier Li Keqiangs Visit to India. 132 US Vice-President Bidens Visit to India.

Indian Leaders in Abroad

133 President Mukherjees Mauritius Visit. 133 Prime Minister Manmohan Singhs Visit to Germany. 133 Prime Minister Manmohan Singhs US Visit. 134 Indian PMs Visit to Japan and Thailand. 135 Prime Ministers Visit to Russia and China.

Deals/Agreements/Pacts
119 119 119 120 120 120 121 121 121 122 122 India Inks Protocol with U.K. to Amend Tax Pact. Japan Sign Pact to Import Rare Earths from India. India Inks Pact with Ukraine on N. Safety. Controversial UN Telecom Treaty Signed by 89 ITU Members. 90 Nations Sign Net Treaty Amid Split. Deal Signed for Bringing Peace and Stability to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. India and Liechtenstein Sign the Tax Information Exchange Agreement (TIEA). Historic Serbia-Kosovo Accord Brokered by European Union. Govt. Signs IBSA Resolution to Empower Women. India-Bangladesh Extradition Treaty takes Effects. India, Myanmar to Ink Border Pact.

Vital International Affairs

136 Pakistan Launches Education Plan for Children with Focus on Girls. 137 With Balgaria Joining, South Stream Gas Pipeline Clears Last Hurdle. 137 Southeast Asian Leaders Sign Human Rights Declarations. 138 ASEAN Members Want India to be a Strategic Partner. 139 Pakistan Tests N-Capable Hatf-V Missile. 139 Japan, China in Air Duel over Islands. 139 Malaysia is World Champion in Corruption. 140 India Opts out of WTO talks in Three Sectors. 141 China Claims Disputed Islands as its own on Map. 141 China Firm on Absolute Media Control. 142 Obama Confirms Afghan Troops Pull out, Warns N. Korea, Iran. 142 North Korea Conducts Nuke Test. 143 South Korea Shows Nuke Might after Norths Test.

Summits/Conferences/Meets
122 India, ASEAN Finalise FTA in Services and Investments.

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144 British House of Commons Approves Gay Marriage. 144 Kabul Orders American Forces out of Two Afghan Provinces. 144 Pakistan Parliament Passes Controversial Bill on Snooping. 145 Sanctions on Iran. 145 Meteor Hits Russia Town, 750 Injured. 145 NASA Spacecraft Finds a Monster Comet. 145 NASA Curiosity Collects Historic Sample on Mars. 146 UN Imposes Tough Curbs on North Korea. 146 China Hikes Defence Budget by 107%. 147 China Becomes One of the Largest Arms Exporters in the World-Pakistan Buys 55% of Chinas Arms Exports. 147 Falkland Island Vote for British Rule. 147 Iran, Pakistan Leaders Inaugurate Gas Pipeline Project. 148 China offers Tours to Disputed Islands. 148 Pakistan Test-fires N-Capable Hatf-IV Missile. 148 US Hikes Pak Aid by 40% in 2014 Budget. 148 ASEAN Effort to Manage Chinese Intransigence. 149 Australian PM Gillard Introduces Disability Tax Bill. 149 UN General Assembly Approves Syria Resolution. 149 Sanctions on North Korea Working : UN Report. 150 India-Backed Rail Link Commissioned in Sri Lanka. 150 North Korea Launches Fourth Missile. 150 Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in Pakistan. 151 China Successfully Launches Fifth Manned Space Mission. 151 US Exempts India, 8 Others from Iran Oil Sanctions. 152 N. Korea Finally Reopens Military Hotline with the South. 153 EU, US Launch Free-trade Talks. 153 Afghans takeover Security from NATO. 153 Kyrgyz Lawmakers Vote to Shut US Airbase. 153 Remains of Maya City Found in Mexican Jungle. 154 US withdrawing, India Steps up Afghanistan Army Training. 154 India Becomes Part of RCEP. 155 Ireland Votes to Allow Abortion in Certain Cases. 155 NASA Spacecraft Discovers Plutos Largest Moon Charon. 155 Peace Efforts in the Middle East Get Going. 156 Venezuela Ends Bill to Restore Full Ties with US. 156 In a First, US Navy Drone Lands on Air-craft Carrier. 156 Caribbean Nations Drive to Woo Indian Immigrants with Attractive Cash-for-Citizenship Offers. 157 Israel Approves 1,200 Settlement Homes.

158 Kirobo, the Talking Robot Blasts into Space on Historic Mission. 158 US Builds up Surveillance on Ally Paks Nukes. 158 NASA Reveals Asteroid Mission Plan in Images. 159 BRICS to Set up $ 100 bn FX Fund. 159 Sri Lankan Train Chugs into Tamil Tiger Rebels Territory After 23 years. 159 Japan Switches off Its Nuclear Power. 160 North Korea Restarts Nuclear Reactor. 161 US, Russia Agree to Secure Syrias Chemical Weapons. 162 Tamil Party Secures Huge Victory in Sri Lanka Polls. 162 Worlds Highest Civilian Airport Operating in China. 162 North Korea has Started N-Reactor. 162 Britain, Iran Move to Resume Diplomatic Ties. 163 Saudi Arabia Turns Down UNSC Seat Over Double Standards. 163 Iran, Western Powers Talks in Geneva Over the Nuclear Issue. 163 China Defends Plans to Build N-Reactors in Pakistan. 164 UK Allows China Role in N-Power.

Latest General Knowledge

Places in the News
165 National 169 International

Persons in the News

171 National 173 International

Appointments/Election
178 National 184 International

Obituary
189 National 194 International

Resignation/Dismissal/Removal
198 National 198 International

Awards and Honours

199 National 215 International 227 Committee / Commission / Panel / Report / Survey/Study 238 Environment / Wildlife Conservation / Climate Change 240 MoU / Pact / Tie-UPS / Contracts 241 Archeology/Heritage

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243 Festival / Rally / Celebration / Carnival / Programme. 244 Science and Technology. 252 Defence/Space. 255 Books and Authors. 256 Abbreviations/Acronyms. 257 Important Days/Weeks/Years.

275 275 275 275 277 277

Literacy Rate in India (1951-2011). Rural and Urban Population (%)1901-2011. Major Results of Indian Census. Provisional Data of 15th Census 2011 : At a Glance. Marginal Decline in Countrys Total Fertility Rate. The World will have More Indians than Chinese by 2028. 277 India Registers Decline in Infant Mortality Rate.

Economic Vision
Salient Features of Indian Economy
259 Important Infrastructural Components in India.

Poverty & Inequality

277 New Poverty Line Definition brings Poor Proportion down to 219% in 2011-12. 278 Inequality in India. 278 Urban Indians Spend 84% More than Villagers : NSSO. 279 Parliamentary Panel Favours for giving 5 kg Cheaper Grains to 2/3 Population. 279 Foodgrain per Capita Availability in India Declines.

Latest Fiscal Facts

260 GAAR Deferred for Two Years. 260 Black Money Accounts for 10% of GDP : Study Report. 260 OMCs Allowed to Fix Diesel Price. 261 Rajan Report on State Development. 261 Fitch Revises India Outlook to Stable from Negative. 262 PMEACs Economic Outlook 2013-14. 262 IMF cuts Indias FY 2014 Growth Estimate to 375%. 262 Govt. Set-up Two Panels on CST Compensation and GST Design. 263 Finance Ministers 10-points Action Plan to Strengthen the Economy. 263 Tax Administration Reform Commission 2013 to Review Tax Laws, Implementation.

Indian Agriculture
279 Agriculture Ministry Releases Fourth Advanced Esimate of Foodgrain for 2012-13. 280 Rabi MSPs 2012-13 Raised. 280 Pulses MSP Raised but below CACPs Recommendation. 280 Kharif Foodgrains Output 2013-14 Estimated at 12932 mt. 281 Wheat Support Price Raised for 2013-14. 281 Uttarakhand to Introduce Contract Farming. 281 New National Agricultural Policy. 281 Green Revolution in India. 282 Call for Evergreen Revolution. 282 Agricultural Holdings. 282 National Dairy Plan Phase-I Launched. 282 Sugarcane FRP Raised for 2013-14. 282 Indias state of Forests.

Finance Commission
264 264 265 266 Thirteenth Finance Commission Report. 14th Finance Commission. Railway Budget 2013-14. Union Budget 2013-14.

National Income Latest Facts

267 Indias GDP Growth Rate Slows Down to 44% in Q1 of 2013-14. 268 ADB, B of A-ML Cut Indias Growth Projections for 2013-14. 269 GDP Growth Slumps to 5%, A Decades Law During 2012-13.

Indian Industry
283 Industrial Policy Since Independence. 283 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Act, 2006. 284 Industrial Policy 1991 : An Overview. 284 National Manufacturing Policy. 284 Parliament Passes Companies Bill. 285 BHEL and GAIL Granted Maharatna Status. 285 Eight Indian Companies in Fortune 500 List. 285 Competition (Amendment) Act Bill Tabled in Parliament. 285 IIP Growth in 2012-13 Dips to 20-Year Low. 286 ONGC Retains Countrys Most Valued Company Status. 286 National Electronics Policy 2012. 286 Report on De-control of Sugar Industry Submitted.

Indian Planning
270 270 271 272 History of Planning in India. Planning Commission of India. National Development CouncilNDC. Vision of Twelfth Five Year Plan.

Population Statistics
274 Census 2011 Revised Figures. 275 Indias Population Vs. World.

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Development Poverty Alleviation and Employment Generation Programmes in India

287 Rural Unemployment and Poverty Elimination Programme. 288 Swarnajayanti Gram Swarojgar Yojana (SGSY). 288 National Rural Livelihood MissionAajeevika. 288 Bharat Nirman Yojana Launched. 289 Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS). 289 ROSHNI : Skill Development Scheme for Tribal Youth. 289 Free LPG Connections to BPL Rural Households. 290 Various Development and Employment Programmes in IndiaAt a Glance. 293 EPFOs Plan to Fix Minimum Pension for Members at ` 1000 per Month. 293 ` 6234 crore Relief Package to Weavers.

Money & Banking

293 294 294 294 294 295 296 296 296 296 297 297 297 297 298 298 298 298 298 298 298 299 RBIs Q2 Monetary Policy Review. RBIs Annual Report 2012-13. 26 Applicants for New Bank Licenses. Highlights of RBIs First Quarter Review of Monetary Policy 2013-14. Parliament Approves Banking Amendment Bill, 2012. Salient Features of Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2012. RBI Fines 22 Banks for Violating KYC Norms. SIDBI (Amendment) Bill 2012 Tabled in Parliament. BASEL-III Became Effective w.e.f. January 2013. Report of Financial Sector Legislative Reforms Commission. Over ` 2,400 crore Unclaimed Balance Across Countrys Banks. RBI Eased Restrictions on Foreign Exchange Earnings and Forward Contracts. RBI takes Steps to Tighten Liquidity. EXIM Bank Capital Raising Bill Passed in Parliament. ` 3 Coins to Commemorate Aviation. Inflation Indexed Bonds : No Special Tax Sops for Investors. Cheque, Draft Valid for 3 Months Now. SBI Begins Operations in Qatar. Bill Introduced in Parliament to Amend RRB Act 1976. Parliamentary Standing Committee Recommends Entry of Banks and FIs in Commodity Exchanges. India and Japan Sign Currency Swap Arrangements. Lok Sabha Passes Bill to Increase Paid-up Capital of LIC.

299 Cabinet Allows ` 632 crore Capital Infusion in RRBs. 299 Fitch Upgrades Outlook of 10 Indian FIs to Stable. 299 Base Year of Wholesale Price Index Changed to 2004-05. 300 Money Stock Measures in India. 300 Capital Market. 300 Two New Share Price Indices for Mumbai Share Market. 301 BSE Launches Shariah Index. 301 Universal Commodity Exchange Becomes Indias 6th Commodity Exchange. 301 Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). 301 Approved Stock Exchanges in India. 302 SEBI Allows Mobile Trading. 302 Actuaries Bill Passed in LoK Sabha. 302 Securities Contracts (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2005 302 Newly Constituted Share Market MCX-SX becomes Operational. 302 FMC Stops Non-Agri Trade on Saturdays. 302 Rajeev Gandhi Equity Saving Scheme Launched.

Foreign Trade
303 Foreign Trade Policy 2009-14. 304 Annual Supplementary Foreign Trade Policy 2013-14. 304 Trade Deficit in Q1 of 2013-14 at $ 502 billion. 304 G-20 Summit Resolves to Promote Sustainable Growth. 305 US Economy Remains the Biggest Destination for Indias Exports. 305 Interest Subsidy Increased to Boost Exports. 305 Highlights of Balance of Payment (BoP) during January-March (Q4) of 2012-13. 306 Incentive Packages to Support Export Growth : Highlights. 306 India Enlarges Currency-Swap Deal with Japan. 306 SEZ Norms Liberalised. 306 Custom Duty on Gold, Platinum and Silver Raised to 10%. 307 Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). 307 Import Duty on Gold Jewellery Raised to 15%. 307 RBI Relaxes FEMA Norms for Individuals.

Foreign Direct Investment

307 Government Notifies 100% FDI in Single-brand Retail. 307 DIPP Released 6th Issue of Consolidated FDI Policy. 307 Govt. Allows 49% FDI in Insurance and Pension Sectors. 308 Mayaram Panel Recommends 9 Sectors for 49% FDI.

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308 FDI Norms Further Released. 308 India Allows FDI from Pakistan. 308 Govt. Liberalises FDI Limits in 12 Sectors, Including Telecom.

Transport
320 Railway Fares Hiked upto 25% After a Decade. 321 Vivek Express Now Longest Distance Covering Train. 321 Fourth Rail Coach Manufacturing Factory to be set up in Kerala. 321 Paradeep Port Celebrates Gloden Jubilee. 321 Bio-toilets in all Trains in 6 years. 321 Gopalpur set to be an All-weather Port. 322 51 Low-Cost Small Airports to come up. 322 International Airport Status to Five More Domestic Airports.

External Debt & Foreign Assistance

309 Indias External Debt at $ 390 billion at end-March 2013. 309 World Banks Approval for $100 million Loan to NHB. 309 India Signs $ 252 million Loan with ADB.

Important International Report

310 Human Development Report 2013. 311 Gender Equality in India Among Worst in World : UN. 312 UNCTADs Trade and Development Report 2013. 312 Asian Development Outlook 2013. 312 World Development Report 2013. 313 Indian Improves Tourism Competitiveness Rank : WEF Report. 313 India 105th Rank in Global Gender Gap Report 2012. 313 India Registers Second Highest Growth in HNI Population in 2012. 314 Global Competitiveness Index 2012-13. 314 India Declines to 40th Rank in Financial Development Index 2012. 315 Global FDI Recovery Derails : UNCTAD. 315 Indian Economy on Upward MomentumOECD. 315 India holds 65th rank in Global Hunger Index 2012. 316 Third Billion Index. 316 UNCTADs World Investment Report 2012. 316 Global Risks 2012 Report. 317 UN Project 96 billion World Population by 2050. 317 India ranked at 115 on Women Empowerment Scale : Survey. 317 India Ranked 111th in Economic Freedom List. 318 India Stands Second in Innovation Efficiency Index. 318 India Ranks Seventh in Global Service Trade.

Communication
322 Tele-density in the Country Stands at 7334 in endDecember 2012. 323 New Telecom Policy 2012 Provides Nationwide Free Roaming.

Miscellaneous Important Facts

323 324 325 326 326 327 327 328 328 328 328 329 329 National Food Security Scheme 2013. Unemployment Rate Down in 2010-11. Lok Sabha Passed Land Acquisition Bill. Eight Indians among Top 100 CEO in the World. South Sudan Becomes IMFs 188th Member. Parliament Passes Pension BillSome Key Facts. Indias Super Rich Collectively Own $ 925 billion : Wealth X Report. Worlds 100 Richest Register Net Worth Rise $ 241 billion in 2012. Rangachary-led Panel to Review Taxation of IT Sector. Saradha Group Scam. 2/3rd of Farm Suicides take Place in 4 CottonGrowing States. Nobel Prize Winners in Economics. Finance Ministers 12-Point Plan to Revive Life Insurance Sector.

Sports Panorama 2012-13

330 332 333 335 337 340 342 351 355 359 Chess Billiards and Snooker Hockey Badminton Football Grand Prix Tennis Golf Sports Miscellaneous Cricket

Energy
318 Latest Power Generation Scenario in India. 318 Power Generation Capacity Indias Stands Fifth in World. 319 4000 MW Solar Power Projects by 5 PSU. 319 Iraq Becomes Second Biggest Crude Supplier to India. 319 MoU Signed between NTPC and Ministry of Power for 2013-14. 320 Tata Power Commissions 21 MW Rajasthan Wind Project. 320 Rangarajan Panel to Link Domestic Gas Price to Global Average. 320 Govt. Policy to Boost Wind Power in the Country. 320 Gandhi Power Plant Commissioned.

Memorable Points
371 National 379 International

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