Pdfeb 15 e

FEBRUARY 2015 PRICE € 85.00 I WHERE EXCELLENCE GUIDES THE SUCCESS cw ANNGS AFFAIR SPECIAL Atal Bihari Vajpayee and M.M. Malviya Chosen for Bharat Raina India, US Set Up Joint Working Group for Mars Studies | India Votes Against UNGA Resolution on Nuclear Weapons) A AeA CSCS Cee STA) Uttarakhand Judicial Service SSIES een Exam. ({st Rank) sahed Senin Tere foc pape? kU REUS TUES | « Navodaya Vidyalaya Sami PGT. Eam.14 ved mode” Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti T.G.1, Exam. 14 S0—— * National Defence Academy Exam., 14 t cWoke eee cen- s2ameae institute among IAS aspirants For Preliminary Exam-2015 your preparation posite CSAT Studies Starts from: Bilingual “First test will be For First PTET Ty) re Ee elt) Online Test Series also available | For More Details : drishtiias.com gjeas asteferrest STe2Icicoi 2 8 wrereat wissert awref-2016 ret: 11:30 aot SR et Er re ey Te eee att chon ean See monn ws aa EE BSc OG 8 Booklets) eercnsD) %12000/- od %15000/-CDOT AL ALTA) Own your PD in just one click low buy e-magazine of Pratiyogita Darpan online through our latest Pratiyogita Darpan Mobile App. Wwww-app-pdgroup.in ana Rol>Ca aD ELLY a e in Shoe AS Bare palace CT EC eee oer Le Se Sd ee oe) (On Ech Son Too Te) CSAT General Studies Current aars ‘Model est indian Political System (May & June, 2014) ua a GoveranceditsReatealssues (duly 2014). Gea anced Indan History Ancient Mesieval& Indian Art Culture) (Aug, 2014) oder stor (Along with Ancient MedTeva (Sept, 2014) Subjects Economie & SciaDevelopment (oct, 2014) Model FullTest-1 Intemational Economy Money Banking ForeignTiade (Nov, 2014) FullTest-2 Physics & Chemisty, Science & Technology (Dee, 2014) ; ae Blotogy (Along with Bletweh) an, 2018) . ies Physical Geography +Indan Geography (Feb, 205) Full Test4 Ecology Environments Weld Geography (Mar, 2015) 4 FullTest-s FulTest6 {On Each Section One Test : ae Indian Polial ystem& Governance (Apr, 2015) , FullTost 8 Inala History & At & Culture (May, 2018) eee Indian Economy (long wthnteratonalaspe!) (lune, 2015) Genoral Sloneo &Scinco & Technology eure ag Gogrephy 8 Ecology Environment (duly 2015) FullTost-11 (ul Test) faa rs FullTest-1 TIME : 11.00 AM to 1.00 PM FullTost-2 FullTest-3 fae eee en) FullTest-4 Se Registration ee is 1500/- Rupees only for Dhyeya IAS Students [Ey 2 cetatia ciscussion wil beheld on cach test by experts. [EE] Etiectv strategy in content of stip of min 8p of pe [Everex coin 7 autos rm evap ott ae Bone ret ee at ao wie [ED test series toctty aso avilable through e-mail [Et Prostar tacty aso vata CBee en ny Oe err CeCe Reon) Peper Peat porereres ae SECU Renny cama rere eee eee Paros Pee Pine onary oars eres mee Earn ererey rm eeprom MCS TT oe Mo ae rrincctrererre Becca oer MCC cca cera) ee ee Eee at ERC een cen PUR uIe de eg Een Cree et eee een ee oer emer en an ae ST ae ee Beko co 0 IRSAIAS 2015-16 Distance Programme ‘Complete Study Material tional + Mock Test Case Study / Special Video by S.K. Mishra ee See Series 13 Tests & 50 Firs, of Concept Classes in Paper - I (GS) 18 Tests including § Full Mocks through Video Support ee 1 11 Tests & 50 Hirs. of Concept Classes in Paper - IL Support (CSAT) through Video Support siting through Video ¥ Current Affairs Study Material Sample Notes & Tests Schedule Download from: A An Initiative by: S. K. Mishra, IAS (Retd.) & Manoj K. Jha Off. No. 6, I" Floor, Apsara Arcade, Karo! Bagh, New Delhi-5, (Karol Bagh Metro Gate No. 5) 9873870114 - 99535951145,’PratinogitaDarhanPOF.com Jd 2 : a Visit us at : www.pdgroup.in Contents Regulars Sociological Article 8 To Our Readers 81 Crime Against Women in India 9 Editorial Vividha News and Events 96 Compendium 16, Nation this Month Countries of the World : At a Glance 23 World this Month rane 29 Regional News Annual Report 2013-14 100 Growing Steps of Research, Development and Exten- sion Programmes in Fertilizer and Chemical Sector 31 National and International Updates Career News 47 Employment and Career News Ata Glance 47 Forthcoming Competitive Examinations See ‘: Profile : International Organisation cuneate 102. UN World Tourism O 49 Sports World Oe trea rece 104 Trade and Industry rable Point eee aE 105 Current Questionnaire 55 Science and Technology 57 Economic Scenario Question Papers Personality Development Optional Papers 65 Law of Success 407 Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (PGT) Exam, 2014 : Focus Commerce 67 National Urban Livelihood Mission : Revised Version | 112 Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti ([.G.T) Exam, 2014 : of Swarn Jayanti Shahi Rozgar Yojana English World Panorama Other Papers 71 SAARC Summit ; Another Declaration Without | 418 Uttar Pradesh PCS. (Mains) Exam, 2013 : General pee Studies 73 Climate Change : Consensus Alludes Inspiring Youth : Interviews 76 Jalaj Sharma ‘Topper—Civil Services Exam, 2013 (43rd Rank) 79 Ashutosh Tiwari ‘Topper—Usttarakhand Judicial Service (Ist Rank) Articles Hist I Article 81 Modern Socialism and Marxism 84 European Union and India : Growing Ties 10 Ganga PSC re) Bam 208; pte Test 18 Fooig BS Bk £0 Goma tn Your Pages 151 Eaay Cont International Relation Article 88 A Realistic and Futuristic Assessment of Indo-Pak | 187 Test Your Knowledge Relations after ‘NaMo-Nawau’ Meet 159 Results 90 Signing of Civil Nuclear Deal will Boost Relations | 161 Concentric Quiz Between India and Australia Semi-Annual Current Affairs PD/February/2015/7 = fir Arp AE ry Dray 00! faF, Com Ue eA pyN EY EDITOR, Mahendra Jain REGISTERED OFFICE 2/11-8, Swaceshi Bima Nagar ‘Agra-282.002 ADMINISTRATIVE AND EDITORIAL OFFICE 4, State Bank Colony (Opp. Van Cheina Kendra ‘Agra-Mathura Bye pass, Aqra-282 005 Tel. 12531101, 2590066, 4053333, Fax : (0562) 4031570, 4053330 Website = www.pdroup.in E-mail Ezitoral: pubisher®@pdgroup in Customer Care :care@pdgroup.in BRANCH OFFICES Dethi 14845, Ansasi Road Daryagani, New Delhi-110 002 Tal. (011) 23251864, 23251866 Kolkata 28, Chowdhury Lane ‘Shyam Bazar, Near Met Station Gate No. 4 Kolkata-700 004 “ol. : (039) 25551510 M.: 0743659515 Hyderabad 4-8-1/8, R. R. Complex Near Sundaraian Park ‘Adjacent to Manasa Enclave Gate Bagh Lingampally Hyderabad-00 044 “el. : (040) 56753330 M. 09091487283 Patna Pirmohani Chowk Kadamkuan, Patna-800 003 Tol. : (0812) 2673340 M.:09084137572 ‘Lucknow 93, Blunt Square Kanpur Tax! Stand Lane Mawaiya Lucknow-226 004 Tol. : (0522) 4108080 M.:o97e0181t18 Dear Readers, It is with a sense of great delight that we are presenting to you the February issue of your favourite magazine Pratiyogita Darpan. As usual the present issue of the ‘magazine also contains useful material relevant to competitive ‘examinations. Our editorial board and the team of qualified authors take painstaking efforts to present the study material keeping in view the requirements of our esteemed readers. We are sure that if you read it intelligently and wisely it will go a long way in equipping you with knowledge to face the ‘gruelling battle of the examination and bring you sure success. We always try to understand the demands and requirements of our readers, thelr suggestions and changes in the atten and contents of the competitive examinations. We make all efforts to include them, as far as possible, in further issues of the magazine. It gives us deat, satisfaction to know: that our readers have unanimously endorsed the utility of the magazine, In the present issue a number of core artioles on impor. tant national and international events contributed by reputed authors have been given. Some of the representative articles in the present issue of this magazine are : India, US Set up doint Working Group for Mars Stusies, India's Communication Satellite GBAT-16 Launched Successfully, India, Russia Annual Summit in New Delhi, India Votes Against UNGA Resolution on Nuslear Weapons, UN Climate Summit, (CoP20) Concludes in Lima, Peru, US and Cuba to Revive Diplomatic Relations, US President Obama Signs Defence Budget, Atal Bihari ‘Vajpayee and M.M. Malviya Chosen for Bharat Ratna, Sahitya Akademi Awards 2014, Football Club World Cup 2014. ‘The most important section of the Magazine contains a number of question papers selected from various competitive examinations. These are fully solved with relevant hints and short but clear-cut explanations. All efforts are made to éive their error-free solutions. A careful study of and practice session with these papers will be very useful to face any competitive examination. ‘The columns Compendium, Test Your Knowledge, ‘Memorable Points and Concentric Quiz have been widely appreciated as trusted tools for the benefit of our readers. An intelligent study and memorizing of thelr contents will bbe highly useful in solving questions in any future examina tion. Pratiyogita Darpan gives you the best guidance and reading material. It 1s upto you to make the best use of it for a bright success In any competitive examination, Read Pratiyogita Darpan regularly and intelligently. It ives you the power to master your career and shape your destiny. ) ‘With best wishes for your brilliant success and bright future, Sincerely youre, ‘MAMENDRA JAIN Baitor) ‘All ight msarve, No part of this Magazine may be reproduc, store in a wtieval system or tasmited in any form by any means, lactonic, Mechanics, Photscopying, Keconting or otherwise, without the prior writen permission ofthe publisher While every cnt hoe cen made to ‘ensure accuracy ofthe information published in his edition, nether publisher ner any of teemployexs acct any sponsibility for any eror oF ‘omission Aries that cannot be used are returned to the authors if aeompanied by ae addressed and sufcenty stamped envelope, But no eponlity akon for any los or delay in return the material. Pratiyogta Darpan asumer no report fr watoment a pinions ‘deance by she authors nor for any claims made in He aerssemens pubied in he Magne. PD/February/2015/8Prat on thn GY 7) yogitaDansan POF, ad v Con Try to Be a Lover Love is the elixir of life. It gives sustenance to life. The whole edifice of life stands on the high ground of love. Life shorn of love is no life a all. It is no better than a corpse. Love doesn't connote anything in physical sense. It is a divine quality; those toko love share the attributes of divinity. Love makes for the enlargement of the soul. It makes for the enlargement of the self. Nature knows nothing but love, since without love the whole life will be negated out of our lives. We love self It is alright, But the moment we love others, extension of the self begins. It goes om till the entire creation comes int our embrace of love. All scriptures enjoin upon us to love our neighbours as ourselves. When we love our neighbours, our country, the world and the entire creation of Good, we lose ego and become one with the Divine. Love lends charm and beauty to life. Without love welling up in our hearts we are only insensate beings, good for nothing. So try to be a lover. Love one and all. And it is certain that all and one will love you too. ‘Some people believe in preach- ing to people. But we do not believe so. Who are we to tell someone how tolivehis life. Weare just experiment: ing with a variety of solutions, hoping some of them will work for us. We know one thing—never to be satisfied with anything we do, We believe that the seeker of knowledge should ever remain an inquisitive student. We do not know if we are right. With all that, we cannot help sharing with others whatever is useful—of course in our eyes—we find anywhere so. Herewith we quote what George Cartein said in one of his speeches—"The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider free ways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more but enjoy less. We have bigger houses, but smaller families, more conveniences, but less time; we have more degrees, but less sense, more knowledge but less judgement, more doctors and medicines yet more diseases and less well-being... etc.” If we stretch a little what has been stated above, we can easily say that we live among crowds of people and are attached to none. We may live together for days and months, ut no love is lost between us, We prefer or try to love God, or a friend across the oceans, but find no time to love our neighbour or even our brother. We can watch T. V. for hours together, but we get short of minutes when it comes to wipe off the tears of someone lying on the road. We love seldom and hate too often. We want to establish peace through prepara- tions for war. We do feel elated when our ideal men talk of co-existence as PD/February/2015/9 if co-living has become something out-dated. Have you ever given a moment's thought to what co-living ‘means to a civilised society ? Do you know thal enemies can co-exist by the ceasefire ? Then how are we different in case we simply co-exist under the same roof ? Our young readers must sive ita serious thinking, if a society Could be called civilised in which there is no place for living or its mem bers believe only in co-existence ? Then friendliness, sympathy, com- passion and all that must be banished from the dictionaries. We have learnt how to make a living but do not know how to make a life. In the words of a philosopher we have added years to life, but not life to years. We have been all the way to the Mars, and back but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbour.” There are examples of brothers, who live in the same town, but do not meet for months Ibecause they have no time, while they are easily available, if invited to a trip to overseas. We have become rather too self-centred. That is why we have done larger things, but not better ones, We talk of raising standards of living and ignore the standards of life, the result being that we feel lonely among the crowd and a stranger among our own men. We have seen, you too must have seen, that in social gatherings, we meet as friends and brothers, but part as strangers. Amitabh Bachchan, the celebrated big ‘B’ wrote somewhere— “A lot of my friends and well-wishers have gifted me rings with various stones at different points in time. I wear these as a mark of respect for their feelings.” Shall we try to retrace our steps and realise the value of love and sanetty in life and our relationships ? “Impossibe ts & word only tobe found inthe dictionary of fos.” We talk of international brotherhood, without establishing brothertiness with our neighbour, orfor that matter, without cherishing brotherly love to our real brother. Love is not merely physical gratification. It concerns the ‘well-being of others—at least of your beloved ones. We have cleaned up the outer shell, but polluted the soul. We have conguered outer space, but lost the innerself. As a matter of fact, these are the days of fancier houses but broken homes. We use sleeping pills, because we have broken hearts and over-stuffed minds. We never try to keep in our minds the persons, whom you are trying to push back, who will ‘meet you on your return journey as well. Then you might need their help, as you would be very tied then. But you know this too well that there are some persons, although their percentage may be very little, who do care for the feelings of others. ‘ell the people you love that you love them at every opportunity. That would leave you enough time to relax and feel happy. Spend some time with your loved ones because they are not going to be around forever. Say a kind word to every person who Tooks at you. That is the only treasure which you can give to others. In return, your heart will be full of love, ay nature returns back in double the amount that you give to her. In the words of Robert Bridges (Poet Laureate)— Love can tell and love alone How, in spite of woe and death, Gay is life and sweet is breath.nail i OG English Hindi ‘One Copy = 70 Tor One Year By Ordinary Post & 630/- 635/- By Registered Post 850/- 855/- Two Years By Ordinary Post T1175/- 1180/- By Registered Post 1615/- 1620/- Please send your membership fee by Money Order or Bank Draft only, Cheques will not be accepted. Write your address clearly; also inform the month (from which month to which month) for which you are intending to be our customer. Old customers should invariably write their customer number. Money Order or Bank Draft only in the name of Pratiyogita Darpan’ will be accepted. Order Form J want to become a yearly / two yearly regular customer. Please send my copy PD English{_1/ PD Hindi[_Jof the magazine on the following address : Name... Address, Pin Code I am sending Money Order/Bank Draft for Raw Sender's Name PRATIYOGITA DARPAN 2A1A, Swadeshi Bima Nagar, AGRA-2 Phone : 4053953, 2590968, 2531101 Fax: (0562) 4053390, 4091570 ESSAY COMPETITION Topic: Nationalism and Internationalism Last Date : February 25,2015 Prizes: Ast: %1,200/-; 2nd: €800/-; 3rd: %.600/- DEBATE COMPETITION Topic In To-day’s Multipolar World, Non- alignment has Now Become an Out-| dated Concept Last Date : February 25,2015 Prizes %1,000/- Each (One in favour and One a; Rules and Regulations : ‘© Participation is open to students and competitors only. ‘© Only one complete and consolidated entry on essay or debate competition willbe accepted from one participant. ‘Writings on essaysand debates should be strictly tothe point and in simple, intelligible but forceful language. Essays and Debates should be written in own hand and, should be duly signed by the candidate. Printed and unsigned entries will nat be accepted Irrelevant details are to be avoided at all costs ‘The Essay /Dehate should not eveved a word limit of 1500, The Essay/Debate accompanied by a. passport sized pphotogeaph must be sent by mail or courier. ‘The wection committee will decide best entries and they will be awarded, ‘The winners in Essay Contest will also receive an award cetificae from Prtiyogita Darpan, The prize winningentries ‘will be published in the forthcoming issues of Prativogita Darpan. ‘A cerlfcate should invariably be given under the scripts to theeifeet that “this is my original workand is unpublished elsewhere" MEMORY RETENTION CONTEST . . | win Attractive Prizes: Are you appearing or want to appear in States! Civil Services Exams, SSC Combined Fxamination, Banking Service Exam, Indian Insurance Corporation's Administrative Officers Exam, Forest Service, Sub-Inspector, Hindi Translator, MB.A, ‘PMT, CBSE, B, Ed. Entrance Exam, Railway etc. 1 Yes! then You can win attractive prizes. What you have just to do is to send to us the questions, along with the answers, asked in objective type papers—basedt ‘on your memory. We will include all the entries and will reward the persons whose answers aze found to be most correct. () The first three participants who will send the most correct answers will et % 600, 400 and 250 respectively. i) Less thon 75% correct answers will not deserve any prize tro MEMORY RETENTION CONTEST. Pratiyogita Darpan 2/11 A, Swadeshi Bima Nagas, Agra-2 PD/February/2015/10Every year SSC, Delhi Police, Other Selena months of preparation you oesti Cera oleate nt oe Cer ‘©The only institute where we make Maths and Reasoning very easy with our innovative conceptual tricks and techniques. © Weekly Test Series in examination centre like environment. Computerised evaluation of OMR and rank wise declaration of results. (© Free Online test on Paramount App and Website. Stat All the exams are based on almost similar pattern. With just 5 an take more than 25 exams and get a prestigiou: Police announce thousands Interview session by Ex Bureaucrats headed by SSC Ex Chief Mr. Kannan Raghupathy. Join Paramount forum on Facebook & Our Website and share information with other aspirants, ‘Test Series (For any exam). Updated Study Material in both Hindi and English Mukherjee Nagar :-704, 1st Floor, Above Big Apple, Dr. Mukherjee Nagar, Delhi-110009| oe © Uttam Nagar © Badarpur © Mukherjee Nagar © Dilshad Garden © Varanasi © Rohtak © Meerut © Bahadurgarh wo © Agra © Patna © Munirka © Rohini © Gurgaon © Noida © Panipat © Sonepat © Jaipur 9 Chandigarh Our PublicationExamination-oriented study material catering to the various needs of the examination encompassing the wide spectrum of syllabi (over Code No. 500 € 850.00 T3500 U6 9 B 315.00 Code No. 1588 2111 A, Swadesh Bima Nagar, Agra-282 002. Ph, : 4058333, 2590866, 2591101; Fax : (0862) 4053330 ‘© E-mail: care@upkarin Webelte: www.upkarin «New Delhi 23251844166 © Hyderabad 66753330 « Patna 2673340 « Kolkata 25551510 e Lucknow 410990 Brea GJrrakasn [AN ‘Gi 80901200 Caae S. CHAND'S BEST BOOKS FOR COMPETITIVE EXAMINATIONS ‘Code: 058053, e475). Gt aT 4 ex fa Code: 068054 ¢ 350/- Code: 068065, 2 550/- Objective English Code; 19068138 $850 eu ‘Code: 058082 sare A Division of S. Chand & Co. Pvt. Ltd. (An iS0 9001 : 2008 Company) H.0:7361, Ram Nag_ ar, Qutab Road, New Delhi-110055 Ph: #91-11-23672080-81-82, Mb: 9899107446, 9911310888 Fax: 491-11-23677446; e-mail:in_fo@schandgroup.com Tite ‘OUR NETWORK: AGRA Wis: sis22554, AHMEDABAD Ph. 7275685, 27312388 Ns BHOPAL Po CTS 127472 Nb BEDS ndoe Me 200 00s, Ooe22250. COMBATORE 912272 8, BENGALURU Pr 02025008, ze, Un 19 0, 0ET2E27231CHENNAL. Pr DIG 234 027, ADD JAPUR Ph 044221947; KOLKATA Pr: 053.2257398, 175 Mb 2777705, RAIPUR P4312 Ne CEB 00834 RAN Mb ORSHGG26VSAKHAPATNAM P2012 patna coi2zta0n, 29 NO Nor OsCaMG4.amehedpar Ne Wisyowids i Os5447742, Wrong Ns 7) SLIGUR Pho E1844, Trvpat Mo OTS) Meccuc sie ecuARRAN E IL Phan PO? rs Central Board of Secondary Education, Delhi CENTRAL TEACHER ELIGIBILITY TEST Meluding Sete CTET Upkar's Useful Books Primary Stage Paper-I (For Classes I-V) Patt TEACHER UST TU A EI Gears Code 1737 mS Primary Stage Paper-I (For Classes LV) 395.00, esa Central Teacher; Eligibility Test oper For Cases EV <7 Paper-II (For Classes VI-VII) Mathematies & Science Seereneneene rs CENTRAL TEACHER ELIGIBILITY TEST ELEMENTARY STAGE, Paper-II (For Classes VI-VIIT) Social Studies casaEPnRE Coates ae ara ELIGIBILITY TEST Rene 7420.00 Paper-Il (For Classes VI-VIIL) Mathematics & Science £155.00 Code 1850 Solved Papers © English Edition Code No. 220 185.00 © Hindi Edition Code No. 2275 % 240.00 Grae SSiay ‘© Exmal : care@upkarin Code 1738 365.00 Paper-Il (For Classes VI-VIIL) Social Studies CTET aXe GTM) ELIGIBILITY TEST Social Studies Ps : ¥ na Code 1849 160.00 2111 A, Swadeshi Bima Nagar, Agra-282 002. Ph. : 4053339, 2590966, 2631101; Fax: (0562) 4059330) ‘© Website: werw.upkarin «© New Delhi 23251844166 » Hyderabad 65753330 © Patna 2673340 « Kolkata 25551510 « Lucknow 4109080)Prati “Freon yOg ta DanpanPD Jd India, US Set Up Joint Working Group for Mars Studies India and the US have set up an ISRO-NASA joint working group to explore the possibility of enhancing cooperation for the study of Mars, the government said on. December 3, 2014, Jitendra Singh, MoS for the Department of Space, said that the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the US NASA, respectively the space agencies of India and the USA are working together to realise a Dual- Frequency Synthetic Aperture Radar mission for each observation. India recently launched its Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) while USA’s National Aeronautics and Space Administration sent its own MAVEN probe to the planet. “The two agencies have established an “ISRO- NASA Mars Working Group’ to explore the possibility of ‘enhancing cooperation in Mars exploration,” Singh said in a written response in Lok Sabha. India Test-fires Agni-IV off Odisha Coast India on December 2, 2014 tested indigenously deve- oped 4,000 km range nuclear tipped intermediate ballistic missile, Agni-TV from the Wheeler Island off the Odisha coast. Agni-lV tested, has China within range 4,000-km-Range Missile To Be Inducted In 2 Yrs. THE NUCLEAREDGE een anette [ey ete nee ame cacecenreean . "ae 1 totic {588 Aon oe imum tatctee’ | tomame note Sofeae ‘ee ong ngs “It is a successful launch meeting all mission objectives,” MVKV Prasad, Director of Integrated Test Range (ITR) of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) at Chandipur in Balasore district said Conducted by the Strategic Command Force of the army, it was the first user trial of the surface-to-surface missile following the success of three development trials The trial of the ‘Chinacentrie’ missile was aimed at ‘gauging the performance of its sub-system and checking, the readiness of the armed forces to launch the missile on their own India’s Communication Satellite GSAT-16 Launched Successfully India’s communication satellite GSAT-16, was successfully launched on December 7, 2014 by the Ariane 5 launch vehicle VA22I of Ariane space from Kourou, French Guiana ArianeS —_pre- cisely placed GSAT- 16 into the intended Geosynchronous, Transfer Orbit (GTO) after a flight of 32 minutes and 20-4 seconds duration, ISRO. will put 48 transponders in space, the largest ever s0 far, through The GSA’ 6 (in photo) was launched the launch of GSAT- by French Ariane-5 launch vehicle early on December 7, 2014, 16. GSAT-16 an advanced communication satellite weighing 3181.6 kg at lift off was inducted into the INSAT/ GSAT system, GSAT-16 is configured to carry a total of 48 communication transponders, the largest number of transponders carried out by a communication satelite developed by ISRO s0 far, in normal C band upper extended C ‘band, and Ku band, Feather in Cap © GSAT-16 an advanced communication satellite weighing 318146 gat lift off wos inducted into the INSAT/GSAT syste, © GSAT-I6 is configured to carry 48 transponders, the Target being out by an ISRO communication satelite, © On-rbit operational ite of GSAT-16is 12 years, jut best forthe people who make the best out ofthe way things turn out.” PD/February/2015/15 yp Al, LO pal. comPrat 2 Gt) cal nny yogilatarban “This will definitely boost transponders will be added to the exis pondlers,” ISRO Chairman Dr. K. Radhakrishnan said. ‘The designed on-orbit operational life of GSAT-16 is 12 years. The communication transponders on board GSAT-16 will ensure continuity of services provided by INSAT/GSAT system and serve as on-orbit spares to meet the requirements or for the augmentation of such, ISRO’s Master Control Facility at Hassan in Karnataka started acquiring the signal from the satellite and the commanding of the satellite was initiated. Initial checks indicated normal health of the satellite. Suicide Bid No Longer a Crime as Govt. to Remove Section 309 Attempt to suicide is no longer a crime. The government on December 10, 2014 said that it will remove section 300 from the Indian Penal Code (IPC) under which anyone attempting to commit suicide is punishable with a jail term of upto one year and a fi Union Minister of State for Home Haribhai Parathic bhai Chaudary said that Law Commission of India, in its 210th report, had recommended that Section 309 (attempt to commit suicide) of IPC needs to be effaced from the statute book. Chaudhary said that since law and order is.a state subject, views of all States and Union Territories ‘were sought on the recommendations of the Law Com- mission. “As many as 18 states and 4 union territory ‘administrations have supported that Section 309 of the IPC may be deleted. Keeping in view the responses from the States/UTs it has been decided to delete Section 309 ‘of IPC from the statute book” he said in written reply toa question. States Opposed to the Deletion ‘Among the states opposed to the deletion, Bihar has said that the section should not be omitted as these days there are suicide bombers who fail in their attempt to blow themselves up and other terrorists who consume cynic pills with the intention to wipe out evidence. Bihar, instead, said that the section should be modified. There should be a separate legislation in case of people who are suffering from such types of disease which makes them attempt to take their life. MP said deleting Section 309 will also dilute Section 306 (abetment of suicide). Sikkim said repeal of the Section may create problems for the state where suicide is being attempted by a public person in pursuance of a professed public cause Journalistic Comments Supporting the Move Journalistic opinion is in favour of the measure to delete Section 309 from the statute book and to remove its punitive character. The Times of India says, “Decriminal ing suicide is an excellent move, government should delete other out-dated laws.” The paper's editorial writes that the government's move to delete the legal statute that criminalises attempted suicide isa welcome step forward, in a heated and seemingly interminable legal debate that has raged at least since 1981. That was when Delhi high UPKAR’S Intelligence Bureau ASSISTANT CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE OFFICER (GENSEEN Recruitment Exam, By:Dr Lal & Jain Code 485 Price : % 260/- This book contains: Previous Years’ Solved Papers WGeneral Know- ledge/General Awareness 4 I mea Distt ty English Language Reasoning WMathe- matical Aptitude Comprehension, Precis Writing, Essays [aesn = 1 Including (eam eit icy | omy RECRUITMENT BOARD SEIN solved (elereRrireye) Vere UPKAR PRAKASHAN, AGRA‘2 {ylcitc . Sueraptar® PD/February/2015/16 © E-mail: ariapkrin Wales wavephaein UPKAR PRAKASHAN, AGRA-2court first condemned Section 309 of the Indian Penal Code as ‘unworthy of society’. A two-judge bench of the ‘Supreme Court in 1994 went so far as to cal it “irrational and cruel and hence void", before a five-judge constitu: tional bench of the apex court subsequently overruled these judgements and reinstated the law in the 1996 C Kaur Vs, State of Punjab case. The government's landmark decision not to treat attempted suicides as erimes is, a sensitive and humane step. The Hindustan Times in its editorial also supports move of the ow, the Union govern has Section 303, whi attempt to a commendable move. The lead on this rather than leave it for the courts to decide upon. It follows, the recommendations of the Law Commission’s 210th report—Humanisation and Decriminalisation of Attempt to Suicide—which had said that the Section needed to be ‘erased because it was inhuman, irrespective of whether it ‘was constitutional or unconstitutional The paper says, “imagine the horror of a person who tries to commit suicide but fails and finds himself facing, a prison sentence for the ‘crime’. There are onl countries that are continuing with the law : Pakis Bangladesh, Malaysia and Singapore have persisted with this regressive law.” The government's decision to repeal the law will now focus on another issue that has bk debated tll now : Euthanasia or assisted suicide. Soli Sorabjee, a top lawyer, welcomed the decision, saying that a swicide attempt is a manifestation of person's condition of mind deserving, of treatment and not punishment. Saudi Arabia Approves Pact to Hire Indian Maids The Saudi Arabi agreement for recruitment of Indian domestic workers overnment has approved an including maids, media reported. The council of ministers, chaired by Crown Prince Salman, d minister of defence on December uty premier and 2014 approved the Arab News repor “The agreement aims to protect the rights of domestic workers as well as their e and regulate the contractual relationship bet id Haj minister and acting informat Bandar Hajar. ployers he two n minister Now on, OBCs will get 27% of Govt. Fuel Pumps The oil ministry has for the first time implemented a 27% quota for OBCs (other backward castes) in allotment, of petrol pumps even as it has decided to auction outlets, (on “premium sites’ and distribute others through lottery to ensure transparency The reservation will impact power equations in rural areas, while the auction will help maximize revenue and attract serious players Results prove over unparallel supremacy and leadership in Philosophy PEC ECA UM Vere ee) me BOC ELD PHILOSOPHY [4 New BATCH BEGINS (Eng. Med.) POW AVA PD/February/2015/17 ‘© Helpful in G.S. (Paper-IV) & Essay Paper © Concise Syllabus @ Logical in Nature © High success ratio }¢ Meticulously designed Complete Study Materials » Manageable in 72 ays | eecept a couple of students al selected students © No need of academic background of the subject _ mely coverage of the entir Test Series} 951) Melfe) ys MAW Evi 18 Jan 1:30 pm Thanks for overwhelming response in the first Batch (Admission closed) We, at PATANJALI, are going to launch Second New Batch from L4th Jan, 2015, Seeing the intense demand of students. Admission for 2nd Batch begins from Sth January NO.1 IN PHILOSOPHY EET with Philosophy Optional (Eng. or Hindi Med) id cre trained by PATANJALT eed Old Rajinder Nagar 9811583851 9555043146nattaVarhan@OF yogiatanban? iT? com The reservation will impact power equations in rural ‘areas, while the auction will help maximize revenue and, attract serious players, ‘The OBC quota will also apply in the allotment of ‘cooking gas dealerships. Over the last 2-3 months, state- run fuel retailers have advertised 35,668 locations for setting up petrol pumps and 7,000 cooking gas dealerships, both under regular and low-cost rural categories. The allotment policy also provides 225% reservation for scheduled castes and scheduled tribes. After the OBC ‘quota, the general category will come down to 49.5%. Reservation for other groups such as sportsmen, former defence personnel and family of martyrs will be accommodated under these three eategories. The ministry has now asked fuel retailers to auction ‘outlets on what it calls ‘A Sites’. These are pumps where the retailers spend a minimum of € 50-60 lakh for setting up all infrastructure and facilities, even purchase or lease the land. The dealer is then chosen to operate the pumps. Scrapping of interview of candidates from the dealer selection process removes one of the major sources of allegations of favouritism and nepotism. The ‘A Sites” have a reserve price of © 30-35 lakh, depending upon the location. Those interested in becoming operators will have to bid above this price as per their understanding of the business prospects of a location, In case of a tie, the selection of the winner will be done through lottery. India, Russia Annual Summit in New Delhi (© Times have changed our friendship has not, tweets Modi. (© Russia to remain India's most important defence partner. India, Russia summit materialised in the second week. of December in New Delhi. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi exhibs- ted a rare camaraderie in this meeting. On December 11, 2014, the first day of the summit, Mr. Modi said that though India’s options have increased today, yet Russia ‘will remain our most important defence partner. Addressing a press conference with the Russian President, the PM said that “It is a great pleasure to welcome President Putin to India. I am honoured to host him in Delhi” Russian President Prime Minister Nacenda Modi and Patin held talks with Russian President Vadiens Putin in PM Narendra Modi to New Delhi on December 11,2014. farther hoost cooperation between the two strategic part: ners in crucial sectors like defence, energy and trade at a time when Russian economy was facing western sanctions. PD/February/20) (Old Partners, New Deals [Russia will build at least 12 more nuclear reactors in cenergy-starved India, The country has supplied two reactors toa plant at Kudankiilam and has been pushing, tosupply more. ‘The two countries signed 20 agreements including, pledges to boost defence cooperation and explore joint nergy projects inthe Atetic. 12 Indian companies will buy diamonds worth $ 241 Dillion in the next three years from Russian diamond mining giant ALROSA. Russia will manufacture light utility helicopter, Kamov 2267, with a partner in India Protocol for consultation between their foreign ministries and another lt was the first annual summit meeting between Putin and Modi. It may be recalled that the two leaders had met on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Brazil in July 2014 and during the G-20 Summit in Australia in November 2014, “Times have changed, our friendship has rot. Now we want to take this relation to the next level, and this visit is a step in that direction,” Modi tweeted. ‘The talks at the highest level have been taking place since 2000 alternately in Moscow and New Delhi. "The bond between the people of Russia and India is very strong. Our nations have stood by each other through thick and thin,” the Prime Minister said in another tweet. India, which is the third largest oil importer after the US and China—has been pushing for greater involvement in major gas and oil exploration projects in Russia and both the leaders are set to discuss the issue. Russia is one of the top oil producers globally and has huge reserves of natural gas. India’s exports, particularly food items, to Russia have gone up since sanctions were imposed against that country by Western nations for its inter- ventions in the erisis in Ukraine. India has been main- taining that it cannot be party to any economic sanctions against Russi 20 Pacts Signed Russia will build atleast 12 nuclear reactors in India by 2035 and agreed to manufacture advanced helicopters as both counities signed 20 pacts in oil, gas, defence, investment and other key sectors to further ramp up their strategic cooperation Make on India Concept “President Putin and I discussed a broad range of new defence projects. We also discussed how to align our defence relations to India’s own priorities, including Make in India. “I am pleased that Russia has offered to fully manufacture in India one of its most advanced helicopters. It includes the possibility of exports from India. It can be used for both military and civilian use. We will follow up on this quickly,” Modi said after around three-and-half-hour long, meeting with Putin. ‘As regards the proposal of Russia building 12 nuclear reactors to help India meet its burgeoning energy needs, Mr. Modi sought to reassure his people about the safety of the reactors, saying they would have the “highest standards...in the world, The two countries also pledged to cooperate in uranium mining producing nuclear fuel and handling nuclear waste, Putin said “Heaven is under our feet, as well as over our heads.”intelectual Impact toyal Brands in th Det aj Tak NER 2016 Best EXCELLENCE IN COACHING MARGDARSHAN AWARD 2013 pape PORE 2014 Ee Pores] INNOVATION & EXCELLENCE INIAS COACHING CATEGORY Innovation & Excellence in Education in Chi Services Coaching ™ Classic IAS ACADE MY. 10% rar) Ped Students nr) CLS eer) SHAPING TALENT mination Join the Best Academy for Civil Servi * Strictly Small batches of only 45 students Complete coverage + focus on topics with high weightage * Personal attention, mentoring and monitoring * Regular Testing of Progress Easy to follow, step by step theory & concepts with notes Interactive, enthusiastic classes prepares to compete * Dedicated Study Material & Practice Tests * Separate Batches for English & Hindi Weekend (CAS year Teta Tei Tai) en ee Pane per xe Be UG - 33 & 34, Ansal Chamber-l, Bhikaji Cama Place, New Delhi-66 Ph : 32323293, 32323294, 9310034050 / 4060 / 4070, 9350034030 PT ARS aCe uN AOLtinogilaDarhay Jd Con = Narendra Modi steers BIP-led NDA = Congress-1ed UPA falls to catch to historic win in General Elections; the voters’ imagination fora thi term in office; Congress slumps to. istric low managing to win BS just 44 seats in Lok Sabha polls, ‘even losing out on Leader of Opposition status NP surges to 2 new high geting past the majority mark in Lok Sabha ‘on ls own; Modi sworn in as PM ata ceremony atended by all SAARC heads, May 26 1 61/5 nt ule a of tra ose een eg og Sy i ABO sing treet dete enn 6 ora én gs gc oe be dei 5 eee etre vere Dte hse ey 3 unt en, inate Br We oes Spe Lot Saba Ane mn eome cay pa pase oe as fon raster Sp 4m Sc 4s es th sn er a ig on 9 24 Fett toes tnt ann ve Sa St ayen08 2 Ch fs oh aa at cre ihe Pe Pa on uh alsa sta, a0 rat Raa att uP Br Wp na on [ ALA. rw cen uci ber tm tats ew herd nate bem cabo soso doiceacneon Sikkim invent tah os preeapes nai Stones 1 Poa Charing sworn nC foe ‘atl eestuten ana ser felces ig folowing drabng or fis ‘ec ih consort ater kag seit iy oa eet Bipcewo fea) mrt niacin WF Sees zi eaot mtn i Siopavesstcenaetimescn oats fo bee cet ot ate Sse ACS TRIM rae Wes re nroes Yor facts Nooo D2 Jhnthand fori won Ui te Heryana ‘WHIP se contin ws ‘EBD rire Asamby ects wth absohte Assenby pals Raghu maj forte este; Maroar a Mra ‘la ot 25 CU, Cet 25 Tastee ovr as te ‘aes snort, Deo ZB 1852 shes gman Rapa arests tom hs ashram te Baral at cayso wee resign Sskdeats adie to seal pone. Nov 18 Assam ‘Ove 70 id in bl atacks_ ty NDFB rita Sent, West Benga ‘mS trl za ad wo ett SO Avid tent hes stess | Senontg eri oon ess ‘Framao| Congress MPS anda state minster among othr in police net ‘isha ‘mriaein Paraiso incator ream kPa 4960 ifn, Fb 14 SS ‘he uth slp tm afer n nase Pos iy 21 Shere Pe eso langana arco Pil aks oe Ahastts st worn OM, Mey 22 cares tes @ ‘8 Gacones he 23 sae of nda zest nba Pot RS ase KGa a ls ‘8 Tatioal alles ByP-Shiv Sena and Congress NOP Am 2° £5 8 Tet CU oer rng eset, June 2 arenes manee fie scr wets Deer ot Ania Pash ‘takes over a5 OM, Oct 31; Shiv Sera joins BJP-ed | STD? chet Chancrababu Naidu swomn i 5 trond wn fs ees $ElLivem state | ro fea nanityorasaxpeyonaenses. | peaches et Set setts on nc toa 6X ceoiouimem soz, | Ngepenigustest ara Caan Pe sor coe SPammesdan ene ce2 |efeaicon nie pcre eminem Deere aoones ‘Asian Games Indias eth wth 1g, 10 ser 2435 brome recs m Mes la a cis od ae 16 es quay for 2015 ympies Bo Sat Dol aca a so Mion Bog Resa ni admin: Sana ana KS cae istry by earings nian ue Chia Opa ware’ a men’ ites w Ward roc tis Y Si Wns er sco sucess Maca em Billard Snooker: Para Auras his ose cou ton 810 12¢uing te year Commonwealth Games: ns as Fh wh 15 a, 20 ser nd 19 one ets 1 ice: Rt Shama ses na OD ear by tig 266 rns git ana MS Ono res om ‘st sso wm Fota avg nan Se Lap ras ase: the spot inthe coumty Da ‘eps aes Suhr Se, an 17 mpl of Donn oa commont etaree Burhan 1 w ushessvara nse Sinan Ps ‘a mez up aun in pt Ain Wes, 2 w ced Th rer al hed Fb 18 mA oat a er Ka Sigh, Ver20 er in acts Rana, a2 on asi Beat opt unde, nm esr aes re seat ara Se 0 1x Pra, ear ec cami ok ‘rasa Cesar. 6m Rerouned yg ut BS Wega ag 20m Erirnhrn pan Chara ag 30 ml aes U sins, ep 19 He Bowed Sun Arapera Nar Wenn rater aw Cha Nov 12 wl Baywood cme a Deen rma, De2 1 Veen Corres el AR Ae ee 2 mie rt od ome Se, sce Aha Ds KBK Infographics PD/February/2015/20‘Te agreements were announced jointly but clearly benefitted India and reflected Russia's need for allies in the face of western sanctions over Moscow's annexation of Crimea and the conflict in eastern Ukraine. Russia’s Priority Foreign Policy “Deepening of cooperation with India is Russia’s foreign policy priority,” said Putin, who is confron- ted with plunging global oil prices and depreciating ruble that threatens to push his country into recession India and the former Soviet Union shared a close relationship during the Cold War, while the United States tilted toward India’s neighbour and rival, Pakistan. India bought billions of dollars worth of military hardware from Moscow during the Soviet era and still buys nearly 70% from Russia Butas India’s economic clout has grown, it has also diversified its defence shopping, with major purchases for military hardware from the United States, Israel and France India is now the world’s biggest arms importer, with an economi boom that has enabled it to moder- corn include everything from fighter air craft to submarines, and Putin is hoping he can snag as many of deals 1s possible for Russian defense companies, Diamond Trade Later on December 11, the two countries announced that 12 Indian companies will buy diamonds worth $2-1billion over the next three years directly from the Russian diamond mining giant ALROSA, cutting out middlemen in the diamond trade. Russia is the world’s top pro- ducer of rough diamonds while India is the world’s biggest hub for cutting and polishing diamonds. India Launches GSLV Mark-III Successfully © ISRO tests its heaviest space launch vehicle © India eyes international market Indian Space Research Organisa tion (ISRO) successfully tested on December 18, 2014 its most powerful satellite launch vehicle that can put heavier payloads into space and it hopes win India a bigger slice of the $ rise its mili tary. New Delhi needs 300 billion space industry. PM Modi Edges Out Obama as a Top Policy Maker [Top chart for development strategies} Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emerged on top of the list for his development strategy in a Harvard study which measures global perception of world leaders like U5 President Barack Obama, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and British PM David Cameron, Modi Topped the chart with 4 87.8% approval for his, policies, piping Obama (who was ranked 20th with 4487), Cameron (eonked 15th with 515%) and Abe (ranked 26th vt 30-4), ‘The report titled “Reflections on a Survey of Global Perceptions of International Leaders and World Powers” by Haward’s Kennedy School of Government has illustrated the popularity of PM Modi domestically and globally. It cites the overwhelming mandate inthe 2014 general elections and the fect that he had expanded his fan base aeross the globe. ‘The report sought views of citizens across 30 nations of the world on 10 influential leaders having a global impact. When it comes to domestic confidence on the leaders on handling domestic and international affairs (in the 10 key countries, such as Russi, UK, China, France, USA, Germany, Japan, Brazil, India and South Africa), Modi emerged second, with @ confidence rating of 932%. Widen thelist to thirty countries and the PM was third, iniy behind German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Chinese President Xi Jinping, ‘The study describes Modi as one of the four leaders who enjoy high levels of confidenee in handling both domestic and intemational affairs with a rating of 93-2. The ather three on this elt’ list are Merkel, Putin and Xi Jinping ‘The popularity of Modi is greater than that of President Xi inping in 18 of the 30 ‘nations where the survey took place. The general trend of this report was that leaders PM Narendra Modi in full-fledged democracies received far lesser numbers as compared to ather nations PD/February/2015/21 ‘The man who has no inner life is Cea) eee erecta: rT g OS oer Foneeeeraty Regular Map Practice Absolute Personal Guidance Review of Previous Years Questions CT ec RR DE xd Se Buus aL Ds uu nelF, Com ISRO also checked the working of an unmanned ‘erew module on the vehicle, which could give the agency the option of manned missions, Once operational, the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) Mark-III will be able to put satel- lites weighing about 4 tonnes into orbit, almost doubling, India’s current capability “The powerful launch vehicle destiny in placing various spacecraft into communication orbits,” said S. Somnath, project director of the new Geo- synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle. will change our ISRO TEST FIRES GSLV MARK IIL Inching towards realising India’s ambition to send Fhumans to space, ISRO on December 18, 2014 successfully tested an unmanned crew madule an board an experimental mission of ts heaviest rocket GSLV Markell EES Exactly 6.4 minutos ‘after Ii-off at 9.30 am from the Second Launch Pad of Satish Dhawan Space Centre, te module separated from the rocket at an alttude of 4126 km and re-entered Ean’ atmosphere, ‘1 dosconded in a baltic mode and eplashed down into the Bay of Bengal, ssome 180 km from indica Point, the southern tip of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. "The incidental objective isto study the re-entry characteristics of the crow madule-caled Crow Module Atmospheric Re-entry Experiment— its aero braking and val- dation ofits end-to-end parachute system, GSLV MlcIII rocket lifts off from Satish Dhawan Space Centze on Sriharikota Island, some 80 kms north of Chena 630 tonnes Weight of the GSLV Mark I. I is powered by liquid and solid fuel engines while the ceyogenic engine i filled with $155 Cr “The cost of the mission, The main purpose is to test the rrocket's atmospheric flight stability with around four Ligue nitrogen. tonne luggage. PD/February/2015/22 Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants to develop India’s 50-year-old space programme and the govern- ‘ment increased funding for space research by 50 per cent to almost$ 1 billion during this financial year. Dr. V. H. Murthy Becomes Ist PIO Surgeon-General of US Dr. Vivek Hallegere Murthy becomes the first PIO (Person of Indian Origin) surgeon-general of the US. Among the most remarkable things about his confirma- tion as America’s top doctor, formally known as the surgeon-general of the US, is his young age. At 37, he will, by a long shot, be the youngest surgeon-general in the office's 144-year history that has seen only 18 incumbents before In fact, he is so young that some lawmakers tasked with confirming him wondered if his 10-year medical experience qualified him for the job in the time of Ebola and other crises, eventhough he is a ‘double graduate’ prodigy from Yale, concurrently earning an MD from the School of Medicine and an MBA from the School of Management in 2003, and is teaching at Harvard Medical School ‘Then there's his ethnicity, He will be the first person of Indian-origin to hold the office and although Indian- Americans constitute the largest pool of doctors in the US after native-born Americans, no one of ‘foreign’ origin had ever made this grade. Vivek Murthy Murthy will also hold the rank of 3-star viee-admiral, commanding a commissioned corps of 6,500 healthcare professionals, because the surgeon-general’s office emerged in 1870 from the military and was originally enviso- sed by law as one of the seven uniformed services of the Us Govt. Approves Ordinance to Ease Land Acquisition Law The government on December 29, 2014 approved an ordinance to amend the Land Acquisition Act to remove barriers in a range of sectors like power, housing and defence to kick start stalled projects. According to the Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, the five area were clearance for land for defence purposes, New Life for Stalled Projects Aims at kick-starting several stalled projects in power, housing. defence sectors ‘Ownership of land will remain with govt. in PPP projects Compensation to be high; norms for rehabiltation and resettlement will be followed. Social impact assessment, consent of 80% land owners to ‘be done away with Curb on buying land under UPA reportedly held up projects worth $300 billion, Continued on Page 30 “Toughness isin the soul and spirit, not n muscles.”Amid Ukraine Crisis, Russia Drops Gas Pipeline to Europe Russia on December 1, 2014 scrapped the South ‘Stream pipeline project to supply gas to southern Europe without crossing Ukraine, citing European Union (EU) objections, and instead named Turkey as its preferred pariner for an alternative pipeline, with a promise of hefty discounts. ‘The EU at logger heads with Russia over Ukraine and keen to reduce its energy dependence on Moscow, had objected to the § 40 billion South Stream pipeline, which was to enter the EU via Bulgaria, on competition grounds The proposed undersea pipeline to ‘Turkey, with an annual capacity of 63 billion cubic metres (bem), more than four times Turkey's annual purchases from Russia, would face no such problems. Russia offered to combine it with a gas hub at the EU’s southeastern edge, the Turkish-Greek border, to supply southern Europe. Vladimir Putin Alexei Miller, the chief executive of Russia's state- controlled ges exporter Gazprom, told reporters. in Ankara, where he Was on a one-day visit with President Vladimir Putin, that South Stream was “closed. This is it.” Putin announced that Russia would grant Turkey 6% discount on its gas imports from Russia for next year, supplying it with 3 bem more than this vear. India Votes Against UNGA Resolution on Nuclear Weapons US, Israel and Pakistan also vote against the provision on ‘weapon-free world, while France, Blain and Bhutan abstai From voting, India, along with the US and Pakistan voted against a provision in a UN resolution calling on to ‘promptly’ accede to NFT (Non-Proliferation Tzeaty) as non-nuclear ‘weapon nation without conditions and to place all its nuclear facilities under IAEA safeguacd. ‘A draft resolution on achieving a nuclear-weapon- free world and accelerating the implementation of nuclear disarmament commitments was adopted in the UN, General Assembly session on December 2, 2014 by a recorded vote of 169 in favour to 7 against with 5 abstentions including by Bhutan and China. Prior to the passage of the draft asa whole, a separate vote was also taken on operative paragraph 9, which stressed the fundamental role of the NPT (Non-Prolifera- PD/February/2015/23 (@ Trealy as nonnuclear-weapon States and put all their nuclear facilities under International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards © In plain language, this clause would have the three countries it targeted to just give up their nuclear weapons and ability to manufacture them. India and the US were joined by Britain, Rasa, Israel and North Korea in voting against the overall resolution. ‘on working towards a nuclear-weapon-free world. New Delhi has been firm in rejecting the NPT, which it considers is discriminatory in trying to preserve the nuclear weapons monopoly of five nations-the US, ‘Russia, China, France and Britain. tion Treaty) in achieving nuclear disarmament and non- proliferation and urged India, Israel and Pakistan to accede to it as non-nuclear-weapon States promptly andl ‘without conditions and to place all their nuclear facilities under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safe- ‘guards, The provision was retained by a recorded vate of O.R.C. India, Israel, Paki ‘Shape your future with BANK | | S.S.C, N.D.A.| | C.D.S. C.P.F, | |AFCAT abstaining. India, Israel and the US also voted against the pream- bular paragraph 24, which emphasised, the importance of a successful 2015 NPT Review Conference. The provision va wane! y= || FoRcE| [NAVY tions trom Frence, || ALL GOVT, JOBS i Keshav Verma ~ ALL INDIA TOPPER) Indian Air Force ORC ACADEMY C0 371-373, 4th Floor, Sector 34-A, Chandigarh. ‘SCF 2, Top Floor, Ph-11, Mohali 7814011022, 7814311022 wwworcacademy.in ‘The Assembly also retained operative paragraph 1, which urged all States to work together to over- come obstacles within the international disarmament mach- inery and diately implementCOM ot a, Dae itaDarnanPOF the three specific recommendations from the 2010 Review Conference Action Plan, by a recorded vote of 167 in favour to3 against and 4 abstentions including India, ‘The Assembly also took up the draft resolution, “Towards a nuclear weapon-free world : accelerating the implementation of disarmament commitments’ and adopted by a recorded vote of 169 in favour with India along with Israel, the UK, the US voting against the resolution. NASA Launches Orion, a Prelude to Deep Space Travel A dense bloom of ire and smoke shrouded the launch pad in Cape Canaveral Florida, as the Unmanned Orion Capsule rose into clear skies on the Delta IV heavy rocket on December 5, 2014. The launch went smoothly, and. camera mounted on the rocket beamed back stunning pictures of the Earth as Orion blasted into sky. ‘The mission will test how Orion fares in the extreme conditions of space travel. NASA has desig: ned the capsule to take up to six astronauts into deep space, NASA will also test an emer-gency abort function developed ‘ to save astronauts in the event of a mal- functioning launch, NASA has planned a second unmanned flight for 2018, and a manned mission to travel round the moon for the 2020s, Eventually the agency hopes to send astronauts fon an Orion mission through deep space to an asteroid, and Mars in the 2030s, The Della IV heavy rocket with the during Orion spacecratt lifts off in Cape Canaveral, Florida US. Australia Tightens Immigration Laws Australia's conservative government on December 5, 2014 further tightened immigration laws by introducing controversial temporary. visas for refugees that do not allow them to settle permanently in the country. The amen- ‘dments to the Migration Act narrowly passed the lower house after a. stormy debate in the upper house. The ‘temporary protection visas’ grant refugees protection for three years but do not Ton AbbOW give them the right to settle in Australia for good. They could also be returned to their home ‘country after a reassessment at the end of that period. However it also pledged to increase the overall refugee intake by 7,500 and free hundreds of children held in detention, at “This is a win for Australia,” Prime Minister Tony Abbott said PD/February/2015/24 ives ReENoleaert il Courtsey The Times of India, we are giving as follows the successes and failures of Mars missions undertaken so far Which was the first succesful mission to Mars ? November 28, 2014 was the 50th anniversary of NASA's Mariner-4 mission to the red planet. This was the first successful mission to another planet ax the flyby managed to send back 21 images showing lunas-type impact craters. It was the seventh attempt for flyby encounters t© Mars. The Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle's debut unmanned test flight, Jknown as Exploration Flight Test 1 (EFT-1) was launched aboard a Delta IV Heavy rocket on December 5, 2014 on a flight lasting 4 hours and 24 minutes, landing at its target in the Pacific Ocean, So far how many missions have been sent to Mars? According to NASA, there have been 43 attempts se far to probe the red planet. Of these missions (flyby, arbiters and Tanders), 20 were successful chile 23 failed to achieve their desired targets. The 1971 Soviet Mars 3 Orbiter/Lander was space science’s next big achievement after Mariner, Orbiter, fon the other hand, operated for 8 months. in 1975, Ameria’s Viking 1 and 2 Orbiter provided detailed colour panoramic ‘views ofthe planet. The 1956 pathiinder sent by the Americans succeeded in landing a six-wheel over on the planet, The 2011 Curiosity Rover was another big achievement, In 2014, India ‘managed to send the world’s cheapest interplanetary orbiter to Mars. Since when ig Mars known to humans ? Mars is one of the planets known since antiquity. It was known to ancient Babylonian, Egyptian, Indian, Greek and Roman astronomers. Named after the Roman god of wat, its ‘the fourth planet ofthe solar system in terms of distance from, the sun. Do scientists firmly believe that the planet doesn’t have life? ‘The 1975 Viking mission conducted many chemical tests in search of life, but the results were negative, Whether the planet has life or had life inthe past isa debatable issue. By the 1990s, biologists found that microbial life has the flexibility of surviving in extreme conditions hostile for hurnans. Many scientists have also speculated that ife might have ‘theived billions of years ago in an underground thermal spring, cor other liquid water environment, US House Approves Budget Bill, Averts Govt. Shutdown ICongress passes $ 11 trillion bill two hours before midnight dead line} Facing intense pressure to avoid a government shutdown, the US House of Representatives on December 11, 2014 narrowly passed a $11 trillion federal spending bill, sending it to the Senate after it was ushered through barely two hours before a midnightdeadline. December 11's 219-206 vote followed a bruising day of arm twisting by the White House after dozens of Democrats revolted over pro-wall street and campaign finance riders in the bill, dramatically splitting with President Barack Obama over the legislation that funds most federal operations through September. “isnt our position but our disposition which makes us happy.”Tal for Climate Action A compromise draft on national ‘Deal at Lima saves climate talks Deal struck after Tong talks India’s concerns met Hope alive for global pact in Paris next year E com RELIEF FOR OBAMA in 219-208 voto, 67 Repubicars reject, spencng bil, ayely because 1 stp Obama's execvive mmgralion order she ce round scl rennet Seouadtosorlcn ne germane Saator ne wang am rosea mate * fan agreements not ‘achieved, 2 government Shutdown wil ose ‘many fedora run oper ‘ats, and hat work {or tedera employ. fs uoss they are Congress pases all ofthe | considered essen- sponding bs regarding he | tal federal budget = WHAT'S IN THE DEAL? . "= Congressional negotiators reached agreement on a deal to fund most of te government though Septomber 2016, 1 The Major exception is department of hameland secu, which wl ‘only be nded trough February 27,80 new Repubdioan Congress can potest Obama's immigration executive acon ‘The deal includes concessions to Republic can poicy pores, ‘neluding @provsion banning funding for DCs planned marjuana legaleaton Though the outcome was not | UN Climate Summit ang expected ney i taco | Iks (COP 20) Conclude managed to keep red lines for all in Lima, Peru countries—developed and developing. The agreement—Lima Call for Climate Action—paves the way for all nations to submit their ‘nationally, determined!’ pledge for emission cuts and adaptation measures by October next year—not by June 2015 as was expected after last year's Warsaw | talks, Though it does not give an ambitious roadmap for climate finance, it The deal was dubbed as Lima Call o US See oe! SUKRITI VERMA NEETI SINGH MADHVI MISHRA NEHA CHAUHAN pledges to cut global carbon emissions saved the UN climate talks from a collapse and Kept hope alive for a global deal in Paris next year to combat climate change After a marathon 13-day Confer- (COP), negotiators on December 14, 2014 adopted the dealt that addressed India's concerns and set the roadmap for a new binding deal ence of Parti India’s Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar reads the proposed compromise document at COP20 in Lima on Dec. 1, 2014 night, addresses conceris of developing countries by keeping the ‘adaptation’ clause intact and not diluting basic principles—CBDRs—of the UNFCCC and its Kyoto Protocol. The conten- tious issues will, however, come up again during the Paris talks ahead of the final agreement. Environment ‘Minister Prakash Javadekar said after the delegates approved a blueprint for talks leading up to a deal in 2015 that is to come into effect after 2020, All of India’s concerns have been addressed. We have achieved targets and we got what we wanted.” Nations concluded that by elaborating the elements of the new agreement, scheduled to be stamped | J oe em ee WG eS 09313684458 while also all countries can Submit contributions | to the new pact during the first | quarter of next year. : PD/February/2015/25 “Tt is a mistake to try to look too far ahead. The chain of destiny can only be grasped one lnk ata time.”PratinogitaDax pa Con ‘These Intended Nationally Determined Contribu- tions (INDCs) will form the foundation for climate action, post-2050 when the new pact is set to come into effect. During the two-week 20th Conference of Parties, countries also made significant progress in elevating, adaplation onto the same level as action to cut and curb ‘emissions; the talks though at times got heated up as developed and developing countries bickered over who should bear responsibility for reducing carbon emissions, About 19 nations participated in the conference and agreed on the building blocks of a new style global deal due in 2015 to combat climate change amid warnings that far tougher action will be needed to limit increases in ¢global temperatures, ‘The deal—dubbed the Lima Call for Climate Action—paves the way for what is envisioned as the historic agreement in environment history. UK to have 1st Military Base in Middle East Since 1971 Britain will have its first permanent military base in the Middle East since it withdrew from the country in wa UK Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond has signed @ landmark deal under which UK will spend £15 million to set up the base in the Mina Salman Port in Bahrain. The |@ paxistan 1 Over 40 poop inclung 132 chen led in a reste Taliban ick on @ RUSSIA oa alin crf ol pes coue wih gmatoral anon srcins aon may insert nian ads to Rou ras @ sour AFRICA ft Rion Oscar Petr suited Ot murder charge. sentences tote year {erm or cipal hace ngetiend Rama Stans shoting. 18US and NATO combat locally end 13 year ar toppling te aban regime, Ox &: vert nbirency Conneaut yar © austmaua | Syoney cal siege ended wih king of 1 Sy Hasina or nas PM for a tie ‘Spel fosouing an eect are by dehy ‘cases and an oppsion byeot, fan 12 O beLcuM Sey bam omy ates pT eats eutanasa or terminal ure, Fe 13 @ecyet 1 Death sentences oo 700 ohoers {tMonanmes ors me resent ard ‘Stare baad Musi Broperoed EvroPE ‘§ Euros Space Ageny and a paestah ona eed aa the ftartiv he eer of pac wot, Noe 12 ‘© GERMANY 1 Dette Nerina wt aaa FFA Word Cup tld raz, J 3. © howe Kona fy Reresmceny tt tg 1 inusanas ct pose out one set hegre ‘8 Narend Mod bears PM ster ‘earheading BP ed NDA toa store ol victory, ay 28; Congres-ied UPA routed m Gener! ston PD/February/2015/26 1 Singapore ound Asi figit wth 16 onboard esd irate tar taking of om Surabaya, Ds 28 @inag ‘2 hata ro 11S emerged osama ferrite casi ra wares Intern rag and caryy out asians of apes restges |B ISRAELPALESTINE CONFLICT 1 Rotator irae campaign pint oka atacks from Gazal oe 2100 Palestras and out Oras ad 7 weeks igtg, Avg oral itn group -Shabaab cai (uta cares of bul lig nthe cout |B mataysia ‘8 Npsterious cisappearance of Nalgysia Aries Kala Lumpur nlf tight ith 238 ara Mar 12116 people ied nan Agerian pane crash J 24 Seton ac Prt ie er pol wn, Oe 17 @nera i Ssh dees Pye Partanent, e 10 @ NIGERIA 1 ovzy ater mitar group oto Haran kas beh ton asco. fon 14 18g Juan Caos ablated in fro his on, ih ascended the throne as Kg Felipe Vt, June 19 Marry overtrew be carat goverment {f Nvathavong Seensorgeien fling polical unrest, May 22 BU ene comes orton me a iy 19 Ducnane Porn nso Pe Sage cman pans Be z Sling 238 peopl, cl 17 |@ unireo Kincoom crn ied as reg cutee he resumption of normal eons wih Cuba ater ‘more than aan, Ose 17 i Tension escaed with Worth Korea bola epidemec eyed 8 amar chaluege ater ‘Slera Leone ana, "Sole eases reported trom’oaklaDarbant ‘ap yogitaDarha come ‘base will host ships including destroy ers and aircraft carriers with Hammond saying that it is just one example ‘of our growing partnership with Gulf partners to tackle shared strategic and regional threats. Reinforcing Stability UK said it was an ‘expansion of the Royal Navy's footprint’ and would ‘ceinforce stability’ in the Gulf. Hammond signed the defence arrangement with Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Khalifa, Babrain’s foreign minister. Under the arrangement, the UK is planning to bolster the existing facilities at the port, providing the Royal Navy with a forward operating base and a place to plan, store equipment for naval operations. Hammond said, “This will guarantee the presence of the Royal Navy in Bahrain well into the future. The expansion of Britain's footprint builds upon ous 30 years track record of Gulf patrols.” US President Obama Signs Defence Budget; $ 1 Billion to Pakistan US President Barack Obama has signed a massive annual defence policy bill which grants § 1 billion to Pakistan for the expenses made by its army in support of the US military operations in war-torn Afghanistan. The National Defence Authoriza tion Act (NDAA) for the fiscal year 2015, signed by Obama on December 19, 2014 sets overall defence spending of $ 578 billion which has provision for release of Coalition Support Fund (CSF) amounting $ 1 billion to Pakistan. CSF is not a military aid but a reimbursement to Pakistan for the expenses made by its army in support of the US military operations in Afghanistan. ANEROOD JUGNAUTH ‘Mauritius names him nev prime minister, ‘The President named veteran politician Jugnauth as PM, after the 84-year ‘old won a landslide victory taking nearly ‘three-quarters of sents in Parliament. Jugnauth, a former President and PM, ivas handed his letter of appointment at meeting at State House on December 11, 2014 a statement from the office of President Kailash Purryag said. Jugnauth’s centre-right Alliance Lepep swept up 47 out of 62 seats in the Parliament, after voters on December 10, 2014 rejected the ruling party's bid to hoost presidential powers Debate over constitutional reforms made on December 410, 2014 poll one of the most crucial since the Islands gained independence from Britain in 1968, Barack Obama PD/February/2015/27 US and Cuba to Revive Diplomatic Relationship @ After a period of over 50 years the US and Cuba re- ‘establish their diplomat tes © Prisoners swap stirs thaw © World hails announcement of restoring US-Cuba ties World leaders welcomed the ground-breaking news that the United States and Cuba. were moving, to restore diplomatic relations and bury one of the last vestiges of the Cold War after more than 50 years of hostilities. Secret negotiations lasting more than 18 months hosted by Canada and backed by the Vatican led President Barack Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro to speak directly over phone for 45 minutes on December 16, 2014 Fidel Castro and his guerrilla army defeat the US: ‘backed Cuban regime of Fulgencio Batista Cuba nationalises US businesses without compensation: US snaps diplomatic relations and Impose a trade embargo Five Cubans are jailed in Miami for spying, Raul Castro becomes Cuban President. Cuba accuses US citizen Alan Gross of spying, detains him Rene Gonzalez, one of the five Cubans jailed, released by the US Dec. 2013 US President Barack Obama and Raul Castro shake hands at Nelson Mandela's funeral the first Such public pesture since 1959 Feb. 2014 Another jailed Cuban, Fernando Gonzalez, is freed after completing his sentence Dec. 2014 Alan Grons i released by Cuba “We will end an outdated approach that for decades has failed to advance our interests and instead we will begin to normalize relations between the two countries,” ‘Obama said in a nationally televised statement, adding that the deal will begin a new chapter among the nations of the Americas and move beyond a “rigid policy that’s rooted in events that took place before most of us were bom.” The immediate consequence of the move isthe freeing of an American contractor who has been in a Cuban prison for over five years in exchange for the US sending back three alleged Cuban spies. The US will also ease restrictions on remittances, travel and banking relations, leading to establishment of embassies and consulates in each other's country. An assistant secretary of state will travel to Havana in January to kick start the process. Obama said, “Ido not expect the changes to bring about a change in Cuban society over- | HOCIOLO; night” On his part, [Fy Bibhash Shi Castro said the je BED, decision by Obama (Classroom Coaching ~ |Sociology ‘Test Series(Mains)-2015 (OnlineOMine- Model Answers) Qnline Sociology Classes ‘Socio, Postal Course (Interactive) For deigll = must visit lwww.sociologyias.com. “deserves the respect and recognition of our people.” However, he added, "this does not mean that the most impor. tant issue has been resolved.”.PratigagilaVankaw Con Ukraine Votes to Renounce Non-Aligned Status ‘The Ukrainian Parliament on December 23, 2014 renoun- | | cod Ukraine's ‘non-aligned’ status with the aim of eventually | joining NATO, angering Russa, which views NATO's enst-| fard expansion as a threat to its security. Any accession to the stra mitatyalllince (a Wily 10 take eats but a NATO | pokesman in Brussels said; “our door is open and Ukraine | All become a member of NATO if itso requests and fulfils the | standards and adheres to the necessary principles.” | obstacles to internet access limits placed on internet content and, News in a Nutshell 2014" report, which surveyed 65 countries and listed the index on Violations of internet user, Haiti's Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe resigns Haiti's Prime Minister, Laurent Lamothe, succumbed to domestic and international pressure on December 2014 and. announced he would resign ina televised address in the middle ‘of night. “I am leaving the post of prime minister this evening with a feeling of accomplishment,” he sai. Scotland Yard headquarters sold for £370 m Britain's iconic headquarters ofthe Scotland Yard has been Sold of 10 an Abu Dhabi based financial group for £370 million ‘The building is home to many unique artefacts and policing memorabilia dating back to the formation of the Meteopelitan IS group has training camps in eastern Libya ‘The Islamic State group, which overran large areas of Iraq and Syria, has set up training camps in eastern Libya and the “American military is closely monitoring, a top US general said on December 3, 2014. Western countries have been increasingly. worried that Libya’s political turmoil could provide fertile ground for Islamic extremists, but General David Rodriguez ‘ruled out military action om the nascent” camps in the immediate Police im 1529 none of whieh are currently on public display Russia Resumes Gas Supplies to Ukraine Energy-starved Ukraine said on December 9, 2014 that it hhad received the first Russian natural gas shipments since a politically charged price dispute saw Moscow cut off supplies tots Westward-leoning neighbour in June. ‘The announcement means that the wartorn nation of 45 future million people should have enough power to heat homes ‘theough the winter “Imports from Russia began two days earlier than. planned,” Likroine’s gas transport company Ukrtransgaz sai. (upkar's Indian Navy ARTIFICER APPRENTICE RECRUITMENT TEST Vasquez wins Presidential poll in Uruguay 1 will be the Left-wing Broad Front’s third consecutive goverment and also the largest margin of victory Ina eun-off, Mean- while, outgoing President Jose MUjk@) r,hee Vazques “won whose management had the approval sj secon! sou of the ‘f 65 per cent ofthe citizens according presidential election in toa poll ssid he would nove have the Uroyuay in December task of being the coordinator within and will be taking office the ruling coalition, (9m March 1, 2015 Japan's ‘Asteroid Miner’ Lifts Off By: Dr. Lal & Jain Gurr) Code No. 438 rree-tiss- | gf Indian Navy Main |-~~" ARTIFICER Features © General Knowledge ECRUITMENT TEST General Science space explorer Hayabusa 2, lifts off from a launching pad at Tanegashima Space Centre in Kagoshima, Japan, December 3, 2014. The Hayabusa 2 is on a 6-year journey to blow a crater in a remote asteroid and bring back rock samples to gather clues to the origin of Earth 7 HINDI EDITION Pak among top 10 worst countries for web freedom | Code 1977 % 135/- Pakistanis among the 10 worst countries along with Iran and China onthe index of internet freedom, according toa global survey released on December 5, 2014 its Freedom on the Internet alee up UPKAR PRAKASHAN, AGRA-2 Wehte www aan PD/February/2015/28 — “Unhapeine: 1s best defined as the difference between our talents and our expectations.”Prat wyogitaDanban POF. com ad v BJP-led Coalition Forms Government in Jharkhand, Raghubar Das Sworn-in as Chief Minister ‘The Bharatiya Janata Party emerged victorious in the Tharkhand Assembly polls as the results were declared on December 23, 2014 for 81 seats of Jharkhand Assembly. ‘The BJP won 37 seats and easily crossed the magical mark of 41 as its pre-poll alliance partner the All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU) registered victory on five seats, It_was the strong Lo = Modi-wave effect in Jharkhand Governor Syed Ahmed the Jharkhand polls (Wearing White Cap) administers the that BIP*s vote share oath of office to Raghubar Das as CM went up from the of Jharkhand on December 25, 2014 in last time’s 24 per Sh cent to 31 per cent with 19 more Assembly seats in its kitty than the previous election. Former Chief Minister Hemant Soren led Jharkhand Mukti Morcha countered the anti-incumbency effect by winning 19 seats this time, ‘one more than the previous assembly elections in 2008 but that was not enough. Hemant Soren himself lost Dumka seats, one of the strong bastions of JMM but won Barhet seat. The Congress political nightmare continued as it was reduced to six seats from 14 last time. Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Prajatantrik) claimed victory on eight seats while its chief and former CM Babulal Marandi lost both the outgoing Chief Minister Hemant Soren, too, were sworn in as cabinet ministers in the presence of Governor Syed Ahmed Chandra Prakash Choudhary is the lone representative of AJSU in the State Cabinet. JAMMU & KASHMIR Jammu & Kashmir Faces Hung Assembly Verdict with PDP as a Single Largest Party in the State Despite a historic voter tumout in the five-phase assembly elections of Jammu & Kashmir, the State Assembly result came out with a hung assembly verdict on December 23, 2014. The People's Democratic Party (PDP) emerged as the single largest party. winning 28 seats. No party came close to winning 4 seats that would give it a majority in the 87-member assembly. The BJP finished a close second with 25 seats, while the National Conference was reduced to 15 seats from 28 seats last time. The Congress claimed victory on 12 seats. In the J&eK assembly elections, BJP performed beyond expectations, becoming the largest party in the state as far as vote share is concerned. BJP got 23% votes with 14 more seats this time than the seats in 2008 elections. PDP secured 22-7 per cent votes. Outgoing Chief Minister Omar Abdullah won from Beerwah but lost Sonawar seat. As no party was in the position of forming the government, J&K had not seen its new Chief Minister yet since the declaration of the poll results tll the lines were written Jammu & Kashmir seats he contested Party aoa_| 2008 | Vote Share ae Senor Blader ge 5 rr 23% in arkhand | Cngress 2 7 18a me Eee Reyne De win UE 2 a | 27% oP a7 | 18 | won Jamshedpur | Ne B 23 | 208% G 6 | | Gsoseattor ne tty | Shen fi rie se AJSU Party 5 | 5 | cntnimously elected | NOTA option cared remaining ane percent vote share Pa ay | ag. | tnanimousty elected P gone per ByP's legislature party Othe | 26 | header. MAHARASHTRA Raghubar Das was swom inas the 10th Chief Minister of Jharkhand by Governor Dr. Syed Ahmed on December 28, 2014 at Birsa Munda Football Stadium in Ranchi Mr. Das held the portfolios of Finance, Labour, Building Construction and Urban Development. He is the first non tribal Chief Minister of Jharkhand since its formation as a separate state in 2000, Along with Das, Khunti legislator Neel Kanth Singh Munda, Ranchi’ five-time legislator and former assembly Speaker C.P. Singh, Ramgarh legislator CP. Choudhary and Dumka legislator Louis Marandi who defeated PD/February/2015/29 Maratha Reservation Legislature Nod Maharashtra Legislative Assembly gave its nod to the Maratha Reservation Bill on December 23, 2014 paving, the way for 16 per cent reservation to Marathas in admission to educational institutions and government jobs in the state. The Congress and NCP led opposition protested the government's attempt to drop a similar bill on Muslim, reservation. Gets Maharashtra “People soem not to see that their opinion of the world is also a confession of character.”jlaDarnanPDF.com ‘The previous Congress NCP government had brought an ordinance in June 2014 providing 16 per cent reservation to Marathas and 5 per cent reservation to the Muslim, Community for admission in educational institutes and government jobs in Maharashtra, The Bombay high court, how-ever, passed an interim order stay-ing the reservation for Marathas and job reservation for Muslims, while allowing five per cent reservation for Muslims in educa-tional institutions. The Supreme Court refused to interfere with the High Court New Life for Stalled Projects Aims at kick-starting several stalled projects in power, housing, defence sector ‘Ownership of land will remain with govt. in PPP projects ‘Compensation to be high; norms for rehabilitation and sesettlement wil be followed Social impact assessment, consent of 807% land owners to dpe done away with Curb on buying land under UPA reportedly held up order projets worth $300 bilion. ‘The Maha-rashtra Legislative Council also passed the Maratha Reservation Bill a day after its clearance from ‘Restrictions on buying land, under a law championed the State Assembly, The Bill will come into effect after the by the previous Congress-led UPA government, are Governor's approval. Maha-rashtra CM Devendra among barriers holding up projects worth almost § 300 Fadnavis said that his govern-ment would take decision billion, Several states had asked Prime Minister Narendra on the Must reereatin fier consulting with the State Modi to overhaul the law enacted earlier, They will also {vocate General and other legal experts. The ordinance paulo Seerael Ue law enact earlen, THY wil exempt from holding a social impact study involving 2a Mtns vatin lap on Desert 24, 2004 public hearinge—procedures that industry executives tay ODISHA ov * Kalinga Ratna Award Conferred on Pratibha Ray International Day of Yoga Renowned writer and Inanpith award winner a1 pa Narenda Modis initiative with the support of 177 Pratibha Ray was honoured with the prestigious Kalinga countries the United Nations, on Dovember 12,2014 declared Ratna award by Sarala Sahitya Sansad at a glittering June21 as Intemational Day of Yoga. ceremony at Sarla Bhawan in Cuttack on December 15, i BurKar’s Foiset ty MADHYA PRADESH Santanu Acharya was also awarded the Sarala Samman, carrying a cash prize of € 50000 and a copper plaque in At A Glance the same ceremony. Sarala Sahitya Sansad celebrated its (With Latest Facts & Data) News in a Nutshell 23rd annual function on December 15 and presented the awards to numerous writers for their literary contributions. a Continued from Page 22 Govt. Approves Ordinance to Ease Land Acquis L by The government on December 29, 2014 approved an Dr... Khanna ordinance to amend the Land Acquisition Act to remove barriers in a range of sectors like power, housing and dofence to kick start stalled projects. According to the Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, the five area were clearance for land for defence purposes, rural infrastructure, affordable housing and housing projects for poor, industrial corridors and infrastructure 6r social infrastructure projects, including those in public- private projects in which ownership of land will remain with the government. Jaitley said while the compensation will zemain high as per the Act and rehabilitation and resettlement will be followed, the procedure for acquiring land for these projects will be easier by omitting steps like social impact assessment, impact on food security and consent of 80 per cent land owners, among other features of the Act PD/February/2015/30 UPKAR PRAKASHAN, AGRA-2 ‘People are not disturbed by things, but by the view they take of them.”EXTREMELY USEFUL FOR Union & State Civil Services, UGC/NET, Defence, Bank PO &. Other Competitive Exams. Code No. 870 = 290.00 er ‘Analytlcally Covering National, International, Political, Cultural, Economic, ‘Sports, Science and Technology Events ‘&much more. Code No. 801 270.00 Series-22 Series-23 Series-24 Head Office : Agra : PD Year Book is a great reference to complement regular newspaper reading ‘and can help in covering up the gaps in proparation. As Year Book can hol Quickly summarizing the various events thet happened inthe previous year. ‘Moreover the writings of experts in the Year ‘Book helps in claying opinions on various major Issues which are relevant for| reparation. Civil Services Exem., 2013 (43rd Rank) PD Year Book contents and quick ‘comprehensive languages commendable, Civil Services Exam, 2012 (3rd Rank) PD Year Book is wall planned in tarms of ‘contentantiming indeed very useful UP PCS Exam. 2012 (tst Rank) Indian Economy Concise issue Economy: At a Glance Geography (India & World) dian History Indian Polity & Governance General Science Vol. 1 General Science Vol. 2 Current Events Round-up Indian National Movement & Constitutional Development Indian History—Ancient India ian History-Medieval Indi indian History-Modern Indi New Reasoning Test Political Science Public Administration Commerce bye URES SC re Cel elle ee eae oC Hyderabad : 66753330, Patna : 2673340, Lucknow : 4109080, New Delhi : 23251844ACRONYMS (CPI—Coreuption Perception Index ‘GST—Goods and Services Tax GTO—Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit INDCs—Intended Nationally Determined Contribu- tions NGT—National Green Tribunal PET—People for Ethical Treatment of Animals PHEI—Public Health Foundation of India ‘TI—Transparency International India APPOINTMENTS Anil Kumar Sinha Takes Over as New CBI Chief Anil Kumar Sinha, a 1979 batch IPS Officer, on December 3, 2014 took over the reins of CBI following the retirement of Ranjit Sinha on December 2 ‘58-year old Sinha is the third consecutive chief of the agency from Bihar following Ranjit Sinha and A. P. Singh. A post-graduate in psychology, Sinha’s name was agreed upon during a meeting of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Justice of India H. L. Datta and leader of Congress Mallikarjuna Kharge which is the first such meeting to select CBI Chief after the Lokpal Act came into being. ‘Sinha has served in several important positions including, in anti-corruption and vigilance wing in Bihar before joining as Additional Secretary in the Central Vigilance Commission. He joined CBI in May 2013 where he super vised Saradha chit scam probe among other major cases. He was awarded a Police Medal for Meritorious Serviee in 2000 and the President's Police Medal for distinguished service in 2006. Anil Kumar Sinha Indian-American Made US Science Envoy ‘A top Indian-American scientist from Stanford University has been appointed as one of the Science Envoy of the US. Arun Majumdar along with three others, Peter Hotez, Jane Lubchenco and Geri Richmond would, serve as US Envoys beginning January next year, the State Department said. Dineshwar Sharma Appointed IB Chief The govemment appointed Dineshwar Sharma, 1979 batch Kerala cadre IPS officer as director in the country’s PD/February/2015/32 internal intelligence agency IB (Intelligence Bureau). He was special director in the spy agency handlling political analysis desk. Mr. Sharma succeeds Syed Asif Ibrahim, who has been working with the agency for the past 23, years. Ashton Carter, New US Defence Secretary ‘The India—US defence relationship may now get personal aitention with strong India-backer Ashton Carter on December 5, 2014 being nominated by President Barack Obama for the key post of Defence Secretary. A close Obama confidant, Carter, 60, has served in his administration, in particular at the Pentagon, in various capacities—the last being that of the Deputy Secretary of Defence from October 2011 to December 2013. During, that period he was also the Pentagon's point person on India, launching the path-breaking Defence Trade and Tech- nology Initiative (DTTD. It is for the first time in inde pendent India that India-US defence relationship would attract personal interest from a sitting Defence Secretary’ Carter could replace Chuck Hage! who announced his resignation last month, Carter served as deputy defence secretary under Leon Panetta from October 2011 to December 2013. Carter, has gained a reputation as an expert on hi- tech weapons and military budgets, portraying himself as a reformer intent on making the vast Pentagon bureau- cracy more efficient Officials privately said Hagel was forced out after losing the confidence of the White House, as the United States wages an ait war against Islamic State jihadists in Iraq and Syria, Richard Rahul Verma Confirmed as US Ambassador to India Richard Rahul Verma was on December 10, 2014 tunanimously confirmed as the next US ambassador to India by the Senate, making him the first ever Indian American to hold the post RICH’S PROFILE Verma studied law at American University in Washington DC. He worked on Capitol Hill as foreign policy aide t0 ‘Senate majority leader Harry Reid. Verma then worked with Secretary of State Clinton as. assistant secretary of sate for legislative affairs Rich Verma, as he is popularly called, was confirmed by a voice vote by the Senate being a former congressional aide. “Swallow a toad inthe morning and you wil encounter nothing more disgusting the rest of the day.”corn Vivek Srivastava The man who caught Bhatkar is to guard Modi, Gandhis. Senior IPS officer Vivek Srivastava was on December 10, 2014 appointed as Inspector General in the elite Special Protection Group (SPG) which guards Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other VVIPs including the ‘Gandhi family PERSONS IN THE NEWS KIM YO-JONG kel to vist South Korea in March, 1 "Noth Korea has offered to send leader Kin Om Prakash invited to United |” Gurjar, 22, Kingdom on Novem- | has been ber 18 along w ith | honoured Satyarthi to attend a | by the conference. Here | Netherlands-based Gurjar held a detailed | Kids Rights Foundation discussion with Malala via telecos ferencing to form a common platform in the sub-continent for >This list includes Nobe peace winner Malala Yousufzal. > Gurjar also received International Child Peace ‘Award in 2006 which was aiven to Melaa in 2013. “Malala was very keen to hear about the problems being faced by girls in India, She told me that most of the problems girls are facing are common in both countries and can be acidressed together,” said Gurjar who accompanied Satyarthi to Japan, Nether- lands and UK. Next year, both are attending a conference in Now York. Liu Tienan : Top Chinese Official Jailed > Tyoungsters were recently invited to UK on Nov 18 o attend a conference, ‘Liu Tienan (C), former deputy head of China's top planning agency, was jailed for Hife on December 10, 2014 over a bribery scandal that exposed graft at the highest levels of China’s government. FIDEL CASTRO ‘Wine Chinese version of Nobe! Peace prizo Casto hasbeen sworded Chin's Confucius Pace Prize, wih a paper cose toning Carman Party hang the former Cian leadas cnkibutons io ward pace, Fast se eh 20 eines cng Sut oan PreiartPak Gav, UN Setar Germ Ban ern, {ns Stang Cocparaton Oranaaion, venta mua 7 ba icage scr ected he aaron Con baa 1G semen a dao Saar asap Nl Peace Pre 0. Seer ening ier n 20 erg ener lets, Casto, ha apt es ie wring Rok arate or ‘fies ich now lay anger rR “Acloudy day is no match for a sunny disposition."yogitaDarpanPOF.com DEATHS. Deven Verma Veteran actor and director Deven Verma, who graced Bollywood for four decades with endearing roles in classic domestic comedies, died in Pune on December 2, 2014, He was 77. Mr. Verma graduated in Pol and Sociology from the Nowrosjee Wadia College for Arts and Science in Pune in 1957. Starting his career in theatre, he | found his metter in comedy in the best films of Hrishikesh Mukherjee, Gulzar ‘and Basu Chatterje. While Mr. Verma’s first comic rote came in Gumraah in 1963, the decade saw him in some of Bollywood's finest ‘dramatic films like H. Mukherjee’ Anupama (1966) and. Gulzar's Khamosti (1970). He was superb playing Meena Kumari’s cantan- erous, yet warm-hearted theatre artist-husband in Mere Apne. But it took the better part of the 1970s for Deven Verma’s comedy to crystallise, as he came into his own in the 1975 film Chori Mera Kaan. Arguably his best performance was in Gulzar’s Angoor in which both he and actor Sanjeev Kumar played dual roles. The film won Verma his third Filmfare award. A. R. Antulay (1929-2014) Former Maharashtra Chief Minister and Veteran Congress politician A. R. Antulay passed away on Decem-ber 2, 2014 following prolonged illness. Antulay was the state's CM from June 1980 to January 1982 and was minority affairs minister in the Man- mohan Singh led UPA-I government. V. R. Krishna Ayer (1914-2014) The legendary jurist V. R. Krishna Ayer, who took up the cause of the poor and the underprivileged in his capacities as a Minister in Kerala, a Supreme Court judge, and post-retirement, a human rights activist, is no more. He breathed his last on December 4, 2014 in Kochi. He was 9, Deven Verma AR Antulay Justice Ayer is known for a jurisprudence that stood out for its emphasis ‘on reforming the criminal justice system, for landmark judgements, and for the ‘environmental struggles Hiis contribution as a jurist who revolutionised Indian jurisprudence by striking out new directions in the quest VER. Kilahoa Ie" foe jute wil never be surpanmedl He persuaded his colleagues in the apex court to fashion a new jurisprudence and encouraged the liberalisation of access to justice by jettisoning the old locus standi rule. ‘The disadvantaged, the underprivileged and the Indian PD/February/2015/34 public owe him a debt of unsivalled gratitude for making justice more human and the apex court more humane Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, “Fine lawyer, ‘eminent jurist, incredible philosopher and above all a phenomenal human being. I bow to justice Krishna Ayer.” Joe Cocker : Greatest Soul Voice of Britain “Legendary singer Joe Crocker, whose intense, gritty voice ‘won him sede acclaim that spanned both rock snd bloc, died ton December 21, 2014 in New York. He was 70. lr Cocker, who started off playing to small audiences in pubs in his native England, won fame when he jolted the 1969) Woodstock festival twit his higher powered version of the Beatles With 3 Little Help from My Friends—one of rock’s most ‘sucess covers “He was without doubt the Cockers End of am 3 greatest rock soul voice eve to come cut of Britain” his agent, Borie Marshall said i a statement nnouncing his death on December 21. Paul MeCartney mourned Cocker as a “lovely guy who Ibraught so much to the world” The former Beatle said that he found Cockers version of “With a Little Help From My Friends" tobe mind-blowing” ‘Cocker had remained prolific releasing his 22nd shudio alburn in 2012. He moved to Colorado ashe sobsred up ater + notoriously hard-partying youth, when his love for alcohol drugs brought fens that he would be Eh latest rockstar ta die young Keith Martin, World’s Fattest Man Passes Away A 4445 kg British man, believed to be the fattest in the world, has died in London from pneumonia following a lengthy battle with his weight. Keith Martin's, 44, death happened just eight months after he had undergone @ successful gastric sleeve surgery which removed three quarters of his stomach, The Telegraph reported on December 6, 2014 Martin’s weight was 70 stone (444521 Kg) at his heaviest. If he had lived he would have lost hundreds of pounds and regained his ability to walk and live a normal life, according to head surgeon Kesava Mannur, Khalil Ullah, Bangladesh Actor Passes Away Veteran actor Khalil Ullah Khan died in Dhaka on December 7, 2014 due to poor health. He was 80. The ‘Sonar Kajol’ actor had been suffering from lung, liver and Kidney ailments for some years and was hospitalised several times after falling critically il. Ralph Baer, Pioneer of Video Game ‘Simon’ A video game pioneer who created both the precur- sor to ‘Pong’ and the electronic memory game ‘Simon’ has died, Ralf Baer, 92, also was leader of the team that developed the Magnavox Odyssey the first home video game console. John Freeman, Former UK Envoy to India Journalist, diplomat and politician John Freeman, who was posted as the British High Commissioner to India in 1965, died in London on December 21, 2014. He was 9. “Thave found that if you love lif, life wil love you backFreeman is widely known for his interview series, Face to Face’, on the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBO with celebrities, During his varied career, Freeman edited the New Statesman, elected as the Labour MP for Watford from 1945-53 and went on to hold top diplomatic postings in New Delhi (1965-68) and Washington. He also saw action, while serving with the military during World War I. RESIGNATION CHO HYUN-AH Korean Ai Lines executive resigns Korean Air Lines Co executive qut as head of r-fight service aftr causing @ plane being pushed back from a gate to ‘totum in order to expel a fight attendant] 2 The chairman daughter, alo eee eee Senegal isbeersainaeld ee Socp cata “Th incident aboard an Arbus AS8O jumbo jet hat hod ‘been pushed back from its gate bound for Incheon, near ‘Seou, provoked outrage in South Korea AWARDS/HONOURS Atal Bihari Vajpayee and M. M. Malviya Chosen for Bharat Ratna Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and freedom fighter and educationist Madan Mohan Malviya have been selected for Bharat Ratna award, India’s highest civilian honour. The announcement of the Bharat Ratna winners was made by the government on Decem- ber 24, a day ahead of Vajpayee’s 90th birthday and Malviya’s 153rd birth anniversary on December 25. me Minis the names and President Pranab Mukherjee put a con- firmation seal on his recommendations for country’s top honour. With this decision, the number of Bharat Ratna awardees has gone upto 45, Sachin Tendulkar, the legen= dary cricketer and renowned scientist C. N. R. Rao were conferred the Bharat Ratna earlier in 2014 Veteran politician and great diplomat Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the first BJP Prime Minister who remained in office between 1998 and 200, He is immensely honoured and accepted not only in his party BJP but also across the entire political spectrum of India. He earned huge accolade for his bold peace initiatives with Pakistan during his tenure as Prime Minister of the country farendra Modi recommended both Allahabad-born Malviya was the President of the Indian National Congress for two terms. He was also associated with Hindu Mahasabha, a right-wing organisa- To CHENNAI BOOK FAIR From 9th Jan. to 21st Jan., 2015 ‘AL YMCA College of Physical Education, Nandanam, Chennai INTERNATIONAL KOLKATA BOOK FAIR From 28th Jan. to 8th Feb., 2015 Hall No.2 (Stall No.17) At Milan Mela Ground, Near Science City, Kolkata (W.B.) CARE BOOKS India's Largest Selling Competition Books ‘aa ee pr) as PD/February/2015/35/3 UPKAR’S HARYANA IVIL JUDGE 1 PBS SH UUWVRT TEV By : Dr. Lal & Misra Code No. 329 Price :%390/- © Constitution of India @ Indian Penal Code @ Code of Civil Procedure @ Code of Criminal Procedure @ Indian Evidence Act @ Indian Contract Act @ Hindu Law @ Muslim Law @ The Specific Relief Act @ The Indian Partner- ship Act @ The Limitation Act @ The Ragis- tration Act @ Sale of Goods Act @ The Punjab Courts Act @ National-International jt Contains UPKAR PRAKASHAN, AGRA-282 002 (© E-mal : care @upkarin ebsites wwo.upkarinPratiy Jd jlaDarnanPDF.com tion. Apart from being a great freedom fighter, he was also a great educationist who founded the Banaras Hindu University. Atal Bihari Vajpayee : Some Facts Born on Christmas Day in 1924 in Gwalior © Dic his Masters in Political Science © His firstentry into Parliament was in 1962 © Political Secretary to Bharatiya Jana Sangh founder Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjce © Parliamentarian for 47 years © Pushed for full-scale diplomatic ties with Pak. © Launched Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan to improve quality of education. © Pushed India’s growth to record levels with economic reforms ° In 1998, Vajpayee launched a widely acclaimed diplomatic initiative by starting a bus service between New Delhi and Lahore in Pakistan. Its inaugural run in February 1999 took Vajpayee to Lahore. It was suspended after the 2001 terror attack on Indian Parliament © Called ‘Bhishma Pitamah of Indian polities’ by suc~ cessor Manmohan Singh Madan Mohan Malviya : Some Facts @ Born in an educated Hindu family at Prayag (Allahabad) in 1861. Malviya started his career as a teacher in Allahabad District School but continued to pursue his education, @ An educationist who founded the Banaras Hindu University and became one of the torchbearers of the freedom struggle acting as a bridge between the Moderates and the Extremists. © Known for his espousal of Hindu nationalism being, one of initial leaders of the far-right Hindu Mahasabha Malviya was a social reformer and a successful parliamentarian. © Went on to serve Congress for almost 50 years. He served as Congress President for two times-in 1909 (Lahore), in 1918 (Dethi). © In 1930, when Mahatma Gandhi launched the Salt Satyagraha and the Civil Disobedience Movement, he participated in it and courted arrest. © Established Banaras Hindu University in collabora- tion with Annie Besant in 1915. Sahitya Akademi Awards 2014 ‘The prestigious Sahitya Akademi Awards for the year 2014 were announced on December 19, 2014 for 22 poets and writers of different languages of India. Poetry writers dominated the Sahitya Akademi Awards with nine awards so far including renowned Manipuri poet Naorem Bidyasagar whose name was announced later for his book of poetry ‘Khung-Gang Amasung Refugee’ Apart from this, five novels, three books of essays, three of short stories and one of literary criticism and an autobiography have also won the awards that recognise premier works in 22 Indian languages. The Sahitya Akademi Awards for 2014 were recommended by a distinguished jury representing 22 Indian languages headed by Vishwanath Prasad Tiwari, President of Sahitya Akademi. This year, the Sahitya Akademi Awards are given to books which were first published between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2012. Award for Sanskrit language will be declared later. List of Sahitya Akademi Award Winners 2014 Award winner Language Book, Genre 1. Adilfussawvalla Trglish [Trying toSay Goodbye Poetry 2. Utpal Kumar Bast Bengali | Piya Mana Bhabe Poetry 3, Urkhaw Gyera Brahma Bodo | Udangnifrai Gidinfirmarei (Return from Freedom) | Poetry 4. Shad Ramzan Kashmiri | Kore Kaksid Pushrith Gome Poetry 5. Gopalksushna Rath dia Bipula Diganta Poetry 6. Gope Kamal Sindhi | sija Agyaan Buku. Poetry 7. Munawwar Rana Urdu | Shahdaba Poetry 8. Joswinder Punjabi | Agarbatsi Poetry 9, Naorem Bidyasagar Singh Manipusi | Khung-gang Amasung Refugee (Village and Refugee)| Poetry 10. G.H.Nayak Kannada |Uttaraardha Essays 11, (Late) Madhavi Sardesai Konkani [Martha Essays 12, (Late) Ashvin Mehta Gujarati | Chhabi Bhitarani Essays 13. Poomani Tamil | Angnandi Novel ._ Shailender Singh Dogri | Hashiye Par Novel 415, Ramesh Chandra Shah Hindi | Vinayak. Novel 16, Asha Mishra Maithili | Uchat Novel 17. Subhash Chandran Malayalam |Manushyane: Oru Asmulkhamn Novel 18, Arupa Patangia Kalita ‘Assamese | Mariam Astin Athaba Hira Barua Short Stories 19. Nanda Hankhim Nepali [Satta Grahan Short Stories 20, Rampal Singh Rajpurahit RRojasthoni_|Sundor Nain Sudha Short Stories 21, Jayant Vishnu Naralikar Marathi | Chaar Nagarantale Maaze Viswa “Auiobiogsaphy 22, Jamadar Kiskus Santhali Mala Mudam Play 23,_Rachapalem Chandrashekara Reddy | Telugu [Mana Navalalu Mana Kathanikaly Literary criticism PD/February/2015/36 “Bapeot nothing. Live frugally on surprise Ap é 2D) ral tf or fo. COM)The award in the form of a casket containing an engraved copper-plaque, a shawl and a cheque of © 1,00,000 will be presented to the authors during the Festival of Letters—the annual function of the Akademi 6on March 9, 2015 in New Delhi. Prof. James Maynard Gets SASTRA Rama- nujan Award 2014 Professor James Maynard of Oxford University was honoured with the SASTRA Ramanujan Award 2014 on, December 21, 2014 in Kumbakonam for his commendable contribution to the field of prime number theory, espe- cally his work on the small gaps problem. Professor Maynard is credited with solving the famous problem of Paul Erdos on large gaps between primes. Professor Mangalam Srinivasan of Harvard University presented the award which carries a citation and cash award worth, $ 10,000 to Prof. Maynard. Prof. Maynard delivered the Ramanujan birth anniversary commemorative lecture on December 22, 2014, Djokovic and Serena Get ITF Honours for 2014 Serbia's Novak Djokavie and Serena Williams of America have been named 2014 World Champions by the International Tennis Federation (ITF). The annual award, takes in performances on the regular Tour and Grand Slams. Wimbledon Champion Djokovic takes the ITF men's prize for fourth time having won seven titles this, season. He concluded the season with top ranking for the third time in four years. US Open Champion Serena Williams received the ITF women's honour for fifth time in her career. She extended her grand slam singles tally to 18 with her ttle triumph in the 2014 US Open. Americans Bob and Mike Bryan were named ITF men’s doubles champions while Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci of Italy won the women’s honour. Thailand's Phataraporn Wang Wins Miss Intercontinental Crown 2014 ‘Thailand's Miss Phataraporn Wang emerged the \winner of Miss Intercontinental-2014 crown on December 4, 2014 in Magdeburg (Germany). The 20-year-old Thai beauty studies at Rangsit University’s Tourism and Services College. Wang, beat 71 contestants around the world to win the coveted beauty crown. It was 43rd year of the beauty pageant. Miss Jeslie Mergal of Cuba was adjudged the first runner-up while the second runner-up was Kris Tiffany, from the Philippines. ‘Miss Phataraporn Wang received a US $ 15,000 prize money and an § 18,000 one-year contract. She will also be VIP guest at the Top Model of World Contest due next year in January in China. PM Modi Named Asian of the Year Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on December 5, 2014 named ‘Asian of the Year’ for being development focussed leader by editors of Singapore daily “The Straits, sy Onine Exam. Date [JupKars Jan,, 2015 First Week GENERAL INSURANCE COMPANIES ASSISTANTS RECRUITMENT EXAM. National Insurance Company Ltd. Oriental Insurance Company Ltd. The New India Assurance Company Ltd. United India Insurance Company Ltd. PE Dr Lal Jain _ Code No. 1799 _ $265 Lao Code Ne | Buin Cero | 1 General Avwareness ‘ASSISTANT: | 92° Current Affairs ‘RECRUITMENT EXAM, | | © General Science 5 \ > Reasoning sane vue Numerieal Ability 2 | co-Numerieal Abii Sa, | © English Language Se || | © Computer Knowledge | | HINDI EDITION | Code 2247 275/- J PKAR PRAKASHAN AGRA © tall care@upkarin: UPKAR PRAKASHAN, AGRA-2 sees nkar in Glurkar's Foise "8 OBJECTIVE COMMERCE FOR ALL COMPETITIVE EXAM! [ie RS RO) ei By Vivek K. Gupta & Manoj Kaushik Revised by Dr. OP. Sharma ae OBJECTIVE = COMMERCE Code No. 985 Pete oe Price : @ 199/- UPKAR PRAKASHAN, AGRA-2 PD/February/2015/37conn “Despite being relatively new to the job, he has already made a mark on Asia, reaching out to neighbours and receiving national leaders including Xi Jinping of China and Tony Abbott of Australia,” said the Singapore Press Holdings Limited, publisher of the daily, adding that the editors’ choice was based on several factors. In 2013, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe were jointly declared the Asians of the year by the Straits Times daily Fidel Castro Honoured with Confucius Peace Prize, 2014 Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz, the former Prime “Minister of Cuba was honoured with the Confucius Peace Prize, the Chinese version of the Nobel Peace Prize on December 11, 2014 for his ‘important contributions’ to world peace. A Cuban exchange student received the award an Castro's behalf at a ceremony in China. Itis also worthmentioning that Pakistan's Malala Yousafzai and India’s Kailash Satyarthi received their Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo a day before on December 10. The Cuban revo- lutionary icon was chosen by nine judges out of a group of 16 member jury. Castro beat 20 nominees, including South Korean President Park Geun-Hye, UN Secretary ‘General Ban Ki-Moon to win the honour. @ The Confucius Peace Prize was established in 2010. It isnamed after an ancient Chinese sage. @ Former Taiwanese Prime Minister Lien Chan and Russian President Vladimir Putin are the previous recipients of this coveted award which was established as an alternative to the Nobel Peace Prize. Lewis Hamilton Becomes the BBC Sports Personality of 2014 ‘Two-time Formula one Champion Lewis Hamilton was crowned the BBC Sports Personality of 2014 beating Rory Mellroy and Jo Pavey in the race at a ceremony at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow on Decom ber 14, 2014. Hami- Ikon is the fifth FI driver and the first since 1996 to be named the BBC Sports Personality alter securing 338 per cent of the vote. Levis Hamilton (middle) poses with Renowned golfer BEC Sports Personality trophy on Mellroy who. won December 14, 2014 in Glasgow. Rory British Open and Mellroy igh) and Jo Pavey faished US PCA atles and at the second and third place played a key role in ‘Psctvely Europe's Ryder Cup victory finished at second place with 199 votes in his support. Third place went to British athlete Jo Pavey, who became the oldest-ever European Athletics Champion by winning the 10,000 m title in Zurich at the age of about 41, Former Scotland and Liverpool footballer Kenny Dalglish and former England rugby union player Jonny Wilkinson presented the coveted BBC Sports Personality of the Year (2014) trophy to Hamilton. PD/February/2015/38 Damon Hill (1994, 1996) was the last formula one driver who was named BBC Sports Personality. Hamilton who has been the Fl Champion in 2008 with McLaren, is, the fourth British F1 driver to win the Fl title on more than one occasion, following Jim Clark, Graham Hill and Sir Jackie Slewart. Hamilton won the F1 Championship 2014 with Mercedes by winning 11 GPs in 2014. South Africa's Rolene Strauss Crowned Miss World 2014 Miss South Africa Rolene Strauss has won the prestigious Miss World 2014 Crown, beating 124 contestants across the globe at a glittering ceremony held at Excel London Exhibition and Convention Centre, London on December 14, 2014, Miss World 2013, Megan Young of the Philippines crowned Miss Strauss with the Miss World 2014 title. Miss Hun- gary Edina Kulesar was adjudged the second runner-up. Miss. United States Elizabeth Safrit finished at third place in this beauty pageant. This year’s Miss World contest was hosted by — Miss World 2013 Megan Young, Welsh actor ‘Tim Vincent and Mr, World Canada 2013 and Miss World 2014 web presenter Frankie Cena, Koyal Rana represented India in the contest. She shared Miss World 2014 Beauty with a Purpose ttle with Miss Kenya, Miss Brazil, Miss Indonesia and Miss Guyana, Miss World 1994 Aishwarya Rai was also given a special honour during the finale. She made a special appearance at the beauty pageant with her husband and. Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan and other family members, It was the 6ath edition of Miss World Beauty Contest Sunil Chhetri and Bala Devi are AIFF Best Players (Male and Female) of the Year India’s football team captain Sunil Chhetri was named the AIFF 2014 Player of the Year for the second year in a row. Chhetri was chosen for the AIFF honour on the basis of votes from coaches of I-League Clubs. By winning the third AIFF Player of the year honour in four years and fourth overall, Chhetsi, who led Bengaluru FC to their maiden I-League title in the first year of their participation, overtook I. M. Vijayan’s achievement of being a three-time AIFF Player of the Year award. winner. Chhetri had been named AIFF Player of the Year in 2007, 2011 and 2013 prior to this year’s award. The award carries a cash prize of €2 lakh and a trophy. ‘Miss World 2014 Rolene Strauss “those who wish to sing, always find a song."Manipus striker Bala Devi was named AIFF Woman footballer of the Year. Defender Sandesh Jhinghan was named the ‘Emerging Footballer of the Yea. G. 8. Reddy Gets Honorary Fellowship of CSI G. Satheesh Reddy, Director of Research Centre Imarat (RCD whieh is a significant missle-making Com- plex of DRDO, was given the Honorary Fellowship of the Computer Society of India (CSI) during its annual convention and golden jubilee celebrations in Hyderabad in December 2014 Ds. Reddy got the honour for his commendable contribution to the growth of computers, information technology and his leadership in designing and developing a wide range of on-board mission computers and naviga- tion computers. Prof. Yash Pal and Prof. M.G. K. Menon have been previous recipients ofthis fellowship. Mellroy Named European Golfer of the Year Rory Mellroy has been named the European Tour's Golfer of the Year for the second time in three seasons, capping an outstanding 2014 forthe world number one. ‘The 25-year-old Northern Irishman claimed the British Open title in July and the USPGA Championship crown in August 2014 the third and fourth majors of his carecr...before winning throe points as Europe retainod the Ryder Cup in September 2014 CONSTITUTION/LAW/JUSTICE Supreme Court Sets up Social Justice Bench Alter its ‘green bench’ effectively monitored protec tion of environment and forests for two decades, the Supreme Court on December 3, 2014 took a historic step by setting up an exclusive bench to deal with complaints against implementation of government welfare schemes and to ensure that the needy get the promised fruits, Chief Justice of India H. L. Dattu decided to set up a ‘social justice bench’ comprising Justices Madan B. Lokur and U. V. Lalit, which from December 2 will exclusively deal with issues that have been coming up before the Court-night shelter for the homeless, rampant corruption in distribution of foodgrains to the poor through public distribution system and mid-day meal in government schools. Public interest litigations highlighting, deficiencies and corruption in implementation of social welfare schemes had been dealt with by different benches result ing ina divergent approach towards the problem. The need for a special bench to ensure social justice to citizens, which is a solemn promise in the Constitution's Preamble, had been felt for some time by the judges. The Supreme Court listed a few issues that it intends to entertain through Public Interest Litigations UPKAR'S AirForce Common ADMISSION TEST By : Dr. Lal & Gupta Code No, 1841 Price : % 235/- Main Features => Previous Years’ Solved Papers = General Awareness > Current ftairs General Science sm English Language > Numerical Ability = Reasoning and Military Aptitude Test, UPKAR PRAKASHAN, AGRA-2 $ jinn cm euncin ite: pein BUrKans AirForce Common Apuission Test PD/February/20) 0 Ourkar's Question Bank on ELECTRONICS & COMMUNICATION ENGINEERING (Useful for Various Competitive Exams.) i ON Code No. 1688 ieee a UPKAR PRAKASHAN, AGRA - 2 E-mail :core@upkarin Websites wwrwupkar.in nts eet CO HIMELNINE |Pratipogila DanpanPOF.com These incl jertelsmann Foundation forld Bar CORRUPTION/GRAFT —_ and World Seonomc Forum, They help in messuring India Improves on Graft Index It now stands at 85 among 175 countries] India has shown some improvement in addressing corruption this year, ranking 85th among 175 countries as against 94th last year; graft watchdog Transparency International India (FI) said Denmark retained its position as the least corrupt ‘country in 2014 with a score of 92, while North Korea and Somalia shared the last place, scoring just 8, it said In India’s neighbourhood, China moved to 100th place, down {rom 80th last year; while Pakistan and Nepal were at 126th position. Bangladesh was 145th and Bhutan 0th in the ranking. Sri Lanka was ranked 85th with India, Afghanistan was at a bleak 172. According to the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) report by TI, “the CPI score for India increased by 2 points in 2014 from its 2013 score, helping India’s rank move up to 85 in 2014 from 94 in 2013”. India’s score stood at 38 as compared to 36 last year. The improvement in CPI for India was driven primarily by two data sources from the World Economie Forum and World Justice Project's (WIP) Index. “A score increase on WEF suggested businesses in India were viewing the environment favourably with regards to their perception of corruption and bribery in the country.” ‘The WIP score also went up reflecting the perceptions of public sector corruption coming down slightly in India, the report said. ‘The report noted that in terms of the new government, the CPI possibly captured the anti-corruption mandate on which the new govemment was elected and the possibility of some new reforms in this area “However, the data used for CPI mostly was collee- ted prior to the change of government and therefore this will not reflect directly into any of the CPI sources” it said. To calculate India’s position this year 9 out of 12 independent data sources specialising in governance and business climate analysis were also used. ‘GP SGORES 5 COLMTRES OWA SCALE FROM ZERO (GAL CORRUPT T 100 (ERY CLEA BSED ON HOM LA LEUES GS connuer me Pusu secToRs ARE PEROEVED TOBE PD/February/2015/40 perceptions of corruption in public sector and the cross country comparability LEXICON DEVELOPMENTS 1,000 New Words in Oxford University ‘The Oxford Dictionary has added 1,000 new words and phrases to its online version including ‘al desko’ ‘Toleat’, ‘Duck face’ andl ‘Obamacare, in its largest ever quarterly update, The online dictionary has added a raft of words including, teenspeak, gaming terminology and business lingo. The entries by editors at Oxford Diction- aries reflect the influence of popular culture and include abbreviations such as loleat (a picture of a cat with a humorous caption) and IDC (( don't care). While ‘Obama- care’ is an informal term for a federal law intended to improve access to health insurance for US citizens, ‘al desko’ means working at one’s desk in an office. ‘Duck face’ is an exaggerated pouting expression in which the lips are thrust outwards, typically made by a person posing for a photograph, LEXICON WONDERS ‘Shirtfront’ Named Australia’s Word of the Year Shirtiront a word that rose to prominence after Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott threatened to ‘shirtfront’ Russian President Vladimir Putin, has been named Australia’s 2014 word of the year. The word was also used by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in jest in his speech at the Australian Parliament last month. The Australian National Dictionary Centre chose shietfront after the word gained prominence when Abbott threatened to shirtfront Putin in October ahead of the G20 Summit in Brisbane, "Shirtfront was little known outside of its sporting context, as a type of hip and shoulder ‘bump of an opponent in Australian Rules football, and in Rugby where it refers to grabbing an opponent's jersey,” Australian National Dietiona Dr. Amanda Laugesen said DEFENCE Navy to Buy 16 US Helicopters for $ 1 Billion ‘The Indian Navy has finally selected the US Sikorsky 5-708 Seahawk for its shipboard multi-role helicopter (MRF) requirement. Sixteen helicopters will initially be bought for $ 1 billion. Sikorsky’s tender was opened on December 4 on. Navy Day, soon after Navy Chief Admiral Robin Dhowan said’ that the government was fasttracking various programmes for he modernization of the armed forces, and that some naval projects would be cleared ‘very soon ‘The navy is also buying 16 more Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) helicopters from state-run HAL, he disclosed. “You must start with a positive attitude or you will surely end without one » At Mp PA fo COM 2Dconn Arunachal Pradesh Keen on Building Road Along Indo-China Border Border Defence is getting present government's top priority in view of Chinese frequent incursions into Indian territory. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and Arunachal Pradesh goverment have responded with alacrity to Centre's plan to construct roads along the Indo- China border for the movement of defence forces as well as Arunachales living along the boundary. ‘While Union Minister of State for home Kiren Rijiju has announced a challenging 2000-km-long road along the ‘MeMahon Line from Mago-Thingbu in Tawang district to Vijaynagar in Changlang district, whose survey and investigation would begin this year, the BRO has expedi ted the work for the 221 km Daporijo-Taksing road in Upper Subansiri district BRO’s ‘Project Arunank’ chief engineer Brig HK Pokhariyal called on Home Minister Tanga Byaling in Itanagar in November to apprise him of the progress following resentment by a local leader about the pace of work Aittributing the delay in rebuilding the 9-5 km road from Yarbe to Kayte Nala that was washed away in a natural calamity, forcing the BRO to develop another alignment along river Subansiri, the official said that cutting the 80 to 90 degree vertical rock formation to build. a road was a great challenge and time consuming, HEALTH 4 States in South Make up 50% of HIV Cases Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu account for 50% of the country’s 77 lakh cases of reported as of May 2014. Around 1-7 lakh patients hail from Andhra and Telangana alone ‘According to figures from the Union Health Ministry, Kamataka has a litle over one lakh HIV patients, and ‘Tamil Nadu 80, 685 of the total 77 lakh as in May 2014 Maharashtra follows Andhra Pradesh with 1-43 lakh patients. Karnataka has just over one lakh people with HIV, according to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. These are the only states with more than one lakh people with HIV. Andlira, Telangana, Maharashtra and Karnataka are the only states with HIV infected population exceeding one lakh. Health experts said the rising numbers in the south were due to increasingly efficient screening over the past few years. Besides, while cumulative numbers are high, the number of fresh cases reported every year has plunged since 2010 “The southern states have taken AIDS awareness and prevention very seriously in the last five years. Te state governments along with non-governmental organizations [3 UrKaR's INDIAN NNY SENIOR SECONDARY RECRUITS SAILORS Recruitment Test By: Dr.Lal & Jain Code No.496— 160/- Main Features ‘SEMIN SECONDARY RECRUTS SAILORS Recruitment Test 7 «=» General Knowledge "© Science «= General English = Mathematics HINDI EDITION Code 221% 160/- have ensured compulsory screening up to the village Exam. 10 May, (upKar's bac" i COMMON LAW ADMISSION TEST (CLAT) Undergraduate Programme By : Dr Lal & Mista Corde No. 1665 Price +8 280/- > Previous Years’ Solved Papers © General Knowledge/ Current Affairs © English © Blementary Mathematics © Legal Aptitude © Logical Reasoning UPKAR PRAKASHAN, AGRA-2 mail: care@upkarin © Website : ww.upkarin PD/February/2015/41 False @uphirin Webnite karin UPKAR PRAKASHAN, AGRA-2corn level, which has resulted in better documentation and recording of HIV cases,” said Vijay Raman, Deputy Director of Voluntary Health Services, a non-profit hospital in Tamil Nadu. SRD LARGEST HIV + POPULATION IN INDIA ‘The UN estimates that India currently has the third largest ‘population of people living with HIV inthe world. 32m 20,88,638 32miHv Total HIV positive Total HIV Bostve hlron people across positive people 97085 the word the world Iningia 4 (HIV positve 9 oie ih in India 41,16.459 | Number of new infections in India 41,47,728 | Number of AIDS-related deaths in India 21,000+ | Number of children, Infected through parent to chi transmission every year 7,26,824 | Total number of HIV positive patients on tstline (inital) anti-retroviral therapy However, despite a threefold increase in investment since 2005, malaria programmes are still underfunded — $ 27 billion (22 billion euros) in 2013 against a § 51 billion international target. And as a result, major gaps ‘Access to insecticide-treated bed nets has improved significantly, but 278 million people at risk in sub-Saharan Africa sil live in households without one. Some 44% of people at risk from malaria in Sub- Saharan Africa used mosquito nets in 2013, compared to just 2% in 2004. And an expected 214 million nets will be delivered there by the end of 2014 “We can win the fight against malaria. We have the right tools and our defences are working,” said WHO Director-General Margaret Chan, “But we still need to get those tools to a lat more people if we are to make these gains sustainable.” Heart Diseases Beat Communicable Diseases to Emerge Biggest Killer Heart disease has emerged as the world’s top cause of death, replacing lower respiratory (lung) infections, diarrhoeal diseases and preterm birth which were the top three causes of death in the 1990s, reports the Global Burden of Disease Study 2013 in the Lancet. World’s Top Causes of Death Heart disease is the number ane cause of death in the ‘world, showed a review of 240 causes of death across 188 countries between 1990 and 2013. Malaria Deaths Halved Since 2000 : WHO Report The number of people dying from Malaria has almost halved since 2000, although progress in West Africa risks being reversed by the Ebola outbreak, World Health ‘Organisations (WHO) said on December 9, 2014. WHO MALARIA REPORT ‘2ofthe 97 malarial counties repaid no cases of ‘oso lst yoo, including Azerbaijan an Sri Lanka, which recorded her st ver 2e0 rest INSUB-SAHARAN AFRICA ‘Top Killers in 2013, ‘Top Killers in 1990 1. Heart disease 1. Lower respiratory (ung) infections 2. Lower respiratory (lung) | 2. Diarthoeal diseases ‘infections 3. Cerebrovascular disease | 3. Preterm birth (Gtoke) 4. Diarthooal diseases 4. Heart disease 5. Road injuries 5. Cerebrovascular disease (toke) 6 HIV/AIDS 6. Neonatal encephalopathy 7. Preteem birth 7. Tuberculosis 8 Malaria 8. Malaria 9. Neonatal encephalopathy | 9. Congenital anomalies 10, Congenital anomalies | 10, Road injuries ‘allmalavia deaths | 497,000 Aican eiren under QD Yossie anc, {te 08 of ho ded rom ho Bag arn noavene | Semen SAE 192000 __| 45 mitton of tre region's 35 tion people atak | milion pregnant women 27Birrintencsgune | reorevoerenaie es st home. eater ‘The UN ageney also warned of continuing gaps in access to mosquito nets and anti-malaria treatment, as well as worrying signs of resistance to insecticides and drugs. “These are truly unprecedented results and phenomenal news in terms of good health” said Petro Alonso, Director of the WHO's global malaria programme. Alonso attributed the progress in large part to increasing financial and political commitment, as well as improvements in diagnosing and therefore treating cases, PD/February/2015/42 ‘This largest ever global health surveillance tracked 240 causes of death across 188 countries between 1990 and 2013. The data was sourced from registration of death, cancer registries, sibling history, police record, verbal autopsy, surveillance and survey, census, hospital and burial records Over this interval, the number of deaths caused by heart disease increased from 47.5 million to 549 million, with India accounting for 19% of such fatalities in 2013, "The disease and death trends are more or less the same for India, where non-communicable diseases are Killing more people than infections such as tuberculosis and pneumonia,” says Prof. A. A. Mahdi, head of the department of biochemistry, King George's Medical “So our human life but dles down to its root, and stl puts forth its green blade to eternity.”University, Lucknow. He was among the team that validated data from India Globally, both men and women were living longer in 2013, with global life expectancy for both sexes increasing, from 653 years in 1990, to 71°5 years in 2013, In 2013, women were living 66 years more than they were in 1990 and men by 58 years. “India has had remarkable progress in reducing both child and adult deaths over the past 23 years. Average yearly rates of decline were 1.3% per year for adults and 3.7% for children, which pushed up life expectancy for India from around 59 years for women and 58 for men in 1090 to 69 years and 685 years respectively in 2013," said Dr. Jeemon Panniyammakal, Centre for Chronic Disease ‘Control, Public Health Foundation of India (PHFD, “The bad news for India is that non-communicable diseases are rising and affecting people at a younger age than in most other parts of the world. In western societies, heart disease typically occurs after 70 years, but in India, more than half the heart attacks occur before the age of 70," Dr. Dorairaj Prabhakaran, director, centre for chronic conditions and injuries, PHFI. EDUCATION 37% of Faculty Posts Lying Vacant in 16 IITs, Finds Study [Similar Story in NITs, IITs, says HIRD report] Here is some unpalatable truth for a nation dreaming to set up a string of new-age technology institutes; over 37% of faculty posts in the existing 16 Indian Institutes of ‘Technology (IITs) are lying vacant. YAWNING GAP AT TOP INSTITUTES ree |eeoeen |e ea iy faeatty | Vacant | WY Bombay 9728 sor [ae [tet Delhi 7307 7 | mi | it Guwahati — | 5108 aot |e | tact Kharagpur | 19686 | 169 | 450 | Bet Madras 8719 son | ae | asst Roorkee 8035 soo | 360 | 7st UT Kanpur | 6489 4s | ome | 6-1 BHU 5.008 sy | gs | att Bhubaneswar | 925 170 nm | 9: Gandhinagar | 937 0 o | ant Hyderabad | 1675 166 a2 | is Indore 780 90 2} 1 Joahpue 736 0 w|i Total® ears | oss | 2036 | 16:1 Source MHIRD | Tncludes data for ITs Mandi, Patna and Ropa According to data compiled by human resource development in September 2014 on IIT-Gandhinagar had ‘99% of the sanctioned faculty members working. The 16 IITs have 4,308 faculty members against the sanctioned 6,944. IIT Kharagpur, long considered an ace, reports 46% shortage. The overall student faculty ratio stands at 161. PD/February/2015/43 As part of its election promise, BJP had planned to establish IITs, IIITs and NITs across the country. In November, the NDA government announced setting up of ITs in Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Chhattisgarh and Jammu. But, before moving ahead with the plan, the government needs to tackle the faculty shortage imme= diately. Going by the faculty matrix in the existing IITs, the Centre will need 100 faculty members per 1,000 students in the new institutes. Assuming each of the five new institutes gets about 200 students, then the government has to hire 100 faculty members. On November 21, a group of acaclemicians led by Prof. CNR Rao met at the TISC, Bengaluru to discuss the science education roadmap. At the meeting, many experts pointed out that the inability of premier institutes to attract quality teachers was impeding the efforts to enhance quality of education. Hyderabad University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Rama- krishna Ramaswamy had said : “We're failing to replace teachers who are retiring oF resigning even in places like the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, IITs or some other top institutes.” Echoing the view, Rao had said : “The problem has to be viewed holistically. needs immediate attention.” The situation in IITs is equally bad with a student faculty ratio of 29:1. IITs in Allahabad, Gwalior, Jabalpur and Kancheepuram have a sanctioned strength of 282 but have only 166 faculty members—a shortage of nearly 42%. ‘The 30 NITs across the country, too, are facing a shortage of 25%. {A Book for Complete Battery of Psychological Tests Burxar's PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING BOOK (For Men & Women Commission Both) By : J. B. Mall Code No. 1800 Price : = 140/- Hindi Edition Code No, 2248 _ Price : % 150/- It includes all the SSB entries like NCC entry, specialized entry ete. “Keep a green tree In your heart and pechaps a singing bird wil omejlaDarnanPDF.com CHILDREN’S MATTERS 2014 A Devastating Year for Millions of Children : UNICEF ‘The United Nations International Children Emer gency Fund (UNICEF) declared the year 2014 a devastating year for children on December 8, 2014 with as many as 15 million caught in conflicts in Central African Republic, Iraq, South Sudan, Syria, Ukraine and the Palestinian territories. UNICEF exeeu- tive director Anthony Lake said that the high number of crises meant many of them were quickly forgotten or failed to capture global head- lines, such as. in Afghanistan. Demo- crake "Repub a Conon. “BIER pia ar aes dice ‘Sudan and Yemen. stecksis Alspen, Siete Globally, UNICEF said some 230 million children ‘were living in countries and regions affected by armed, conflict “Children have been killed while studying in the classroom and while sleeping, in their beds; they have been orphaned, kidnapped, tortured, recruited, raped and. even sold as slaves,” Lake said in a statement. Significant threats also emerged to childzen’s health and wellbeing like the deadly outbreak of Ebola in the West African countries Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, which has left thousands orphaned and some 5 million out of school ENVIRONMENT/CLIMATE CHANGE 2014 Set to be World’s Hottest Year, Says UN With temperature data showing 2014 currently tied for the hottest year on record, the UN weather agency rejected claims that global warming has paused. ‘The World Meteorological Organization said the global average temperature in January-Octozber was 057 Celsius (1-03 Fahrenheit) above average, the same as in record hot year 2010. ‘The ocean temperature set a new record in the nine- ‘month period, while land temperatures were the fourth or fifth highest since record-keeping began in the 19th century, the WMO said ina report released at UN climate talks in Lima and at its headquarters in Geneva “The provisional information for 2014 means that 14 of the 15 warmest years on record have all occurred in the 2st century,” WMO Secretary-General Michel Jarraud said in a statement. “There is no standstill in global warming,” PD/February/2015/44 DISASTER MANAGEMEN' Chennai, Bengaluru Among the World’s 100 Most ‘Resilient Cities’ Chennai and Bengaluru are among the 32 cities, around the world that have been added to the 100 Resilient Cities (100 RC) network. According to the network, Chennai was chosen 35, officials have begun developing coordinate disaster response plans. In addition, the city is making efforts to build on that experience, learning from past events and continuing to provide best practice solutions to other regions, "This is similar to how it responded in the aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, when it developed an early warning system,” it said. In the case of Bengaluru, the city officals have warmed that a worsening, of the water supply situation could lead! to evacuations or even abandonment of parts of the city. Bengaluru has already launched both regular desilt- ing projects and public awareness campaigns. The announcement of the incorporation of the 32 new cities was made on December 2 at the Rockefeller Foundation’s Urhans Resilience Summit in Singapore. Other prominent cities to join the network inclucle Amman, Athens, Accra, Barcelona, Chicago, Lisbon, London, Paris, Singapore, Sydney and Wellington, "Bach city was asked to present a clear and com- pelling description of their major resilience challenges, how they are approaching and planning for resilience to decrease vulnerabilities, and how they plan to partner with us,” 100 RC said in a statement. 100 RC pioneered by the Rockfeller Foundation, is dedicated to helping cities around the world become more resilient to the physical, social and economic challenge that are a growing part of the 2ist Century. 100 RC supports the adoption and incorporation of a view of resilience that includes not just the shocks earthquakes, fires, floods etc. but also the stresses that weaken the fabric of a city on a day-to-day basis. SPACE NASA’s Curiosity Rover Finds Huge Lake Bed on Mars Led by a team of scientists of Indian origin, NASA's Curiosity rover has found new evicience of water on Mars, indicating that the planet most like earth in the solar system was suitable for microbial life. Pictures and other data collected by NASA’s rover Curiosity show that rivers once flowed into a lake or lakes at the bottom of Gale Crate, an enormous dimple carved out by an incoming space rock. NASA said its interpretation of Curiosity’s finds in Gale Crater suggests ancient Mars maintained a climate that could have produced long-lasting lakes at many locations on the Red Planet. The American space agency said Mars's Mount Shasp was built by sediments deposited in a large lake bed over tens of millions of years. “Mothing is interesting if you're not interested."Con “If our hypothesis for Mount Sharp holds up, it ‘challenges the notion that warm and wet conditions were transient, local, or only underground on Mars,” said Indian-American Ashwin Vasavada, Curiosity deputy project scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in, Pasadena. ADVENTURE Dutch Adventurer Reaches South Pole on Tractor Dutch actress and adventurer Manon “Tractor Gir Ossevoort arrived at the South Pole on December 9, 2014 after chugging along on a tractor from Europe through ‘Africa and across the frozen wastes of Antarctica. “It is, quite emotional, I am very happy,” Ossevoort said by phone shortly after arriving at the pole and a decade long dream. The ebullient new mother of a 10-month-old baby said that the 16 day, 2500 km (1,300 mile) trip across the largest single mass of ice on ‘arth from Russia’s Novo base to the Pole had been tough. TOUR AND TRAVEL India Tops Overseas Market for Hotel Guests in Abu Dhabi Ida has emerged as Abu Dhabi's top oversas source market for hotel guests with nearly 3,00,000 Indians checking in this year, according to a study. Some 2,838,812 Indians checked in this year, 233% increase over last year, according to figures released by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA). UK and Germany took second and third position with 22% Britons and 11% Germans respectively, checking in at hotels, the study said. The city’s year-to-date hotel revenues rose 14% to almost § 1:325 billion. SURVEY/STUDY/RESEARCH Ability of HIV to Cause AIDS is Slowing : Study ‘The rapid evolution of HIV which has allowed the virus to develop resistance to patients’ immunity, is atthe same time slowing the virus's ability to cause AIDS, according to a new research. ‘The study also suggested that people infected by HIV are likely to progress to AIDS more slowly because of ‘widespread access to antiretroviral therapy (ART), ‘The study was led by researchers at the University of Oxford, along with scientists from South Africa, Canada, ‘Tokyo, Harvard University and Microsoft Research. The research was carried out in Botswana and South Africa, tivo countries that have been worst affected by the HIV epidemic. ‘The first part of the study looked at whether the interaction between the body's natural immune response and HIV leads to the virus becoming less virulent. Central to this investigation are proteins in ous blood called the human leukocyte antigens (HLA), which enable the immune system to differentiate between the human bodiy’s proteins and the proteins of pathogens. PD/February/2015/45 WOMEN EMPOWERMENT Britain Gets First Female Bishop Britain on December 17, 2014 got its first female bishop in the 500 year history of Church of England, exactly a month after historic changes were made to the law to end centuries of male domination in the church. Reverend Libby Lane, 48, will become the new Bishop of Stockport, a post in the north of England that has been vacant since May. PLACES IN THE NEWS Peshawar (Pakistan) Pakistan witnessed one of the deadliest and most gruesome terror attacks on December 16, 2014 when some terrorists in Paramilitary Frontier Corps uniform entered an Army Public School on Warsak Road, Peshawar and opened fire on innocent students and teachers and others, killing about 141 people including 132 children. The terrorists who were on a mission to punish the Pak army for its anti-terrorist operations, continued their killing spree until the Pakistani forces gunned down them. The grisly terror attack on army school in Peshawar is the reminiscent of the 2004 Besian School siege by Chechen rebels in Russia India sent its condolence to Pakistan with a ‘sense of deep outrage’ over the killing of innocent children and people. Xinjiang (China) Wearing Islamic veils in public was banned in Xinjiang (China) by the regional government on December 11, 2014 in a bid to curb Islamic extremism in the region. Beijing blames Islamist separatists for several deadly bomb attacks that have killed several people over the past few years. Many experts believe that outlawing Islamic veils in public may fan further more extremist feelings in minority uighurs muslim of Xinjiang BOOKS AND AUTHORS 1. India-US Partnership—Asian Challenges and Beyond —Edited by P. P. Shuikla, Wisdom Tree New Delhi 2. Thirsty Cities—How Indian Cities Can Meet their Water Needs —By M. Dinesh Kumar, Oxford University Press, New Delhi 3. Wandering in Many Worlds —An autobiography by the illustrious former Suprome Court Judge V-R. Krishna Ayer 4. Ecosystem Management : Towards Merging Theory and Practice —By Dhrubjyoti Ghosh, Nimby Books 5. Wild Fire : The Splendours of India’s Animal Kingdom —Written and Edited by Valmik Thapar 6. The Spirit of Indian Painting ; Close Encounters with 101 Great Works 1100-1900 —B. N. Goswamy “Bxoellenoe is nota ski. 1 is an attitude,”Res UPKAR'S Extremely Useful Books (For Railway & Other Engineering (Diploma) Competitive Examinations) A HANDBOOK ON..... gure A HANDBOOK o} COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY. | ‘eeuane ame? ‘www.ebooks.upkar.in Examination- CONST riteisa catering to EM lalis MC Cmte examination Code No. 1870 = 135/- CodeNo.1858 —_% 235/- es AHANDBOOK ON Code No. 1863 %145/- Code No. 1863 135/- 2111 A, Swadesh Bima Nagar, Agra-282 002. Ph : 4053393, 2530966, 2531101; Fax : (0562) 4053330 Cee coetesteral a Vitis eonine Brrakasiay ew Dei 22514466 rad S75 «Pn TSO «Rola S110 Lucknow 18000Union Public Service Commission Invites application for National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (I), 2015. Last Date for Submission of Online Applications—January 23, 2015. Age Limit : Sex and Marital Status—Only unmarried male candidates born not earlier than July 2, online 1996 and not later than July 1, 1999 are eligible to apply Educational Qualifications— ( For Army Wing of National Defence Academy : 12th class pass of the 10 + 2 pattern of School Educa- tion or equivalent examination conducted by a State Education Board or a University (i) For Air Force and Naval ‘Wings of National Defence Academy and for the 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme at the Indian Naval Academy: 12th class pass of the 10+2 pattern of School Education or equivalent with Physics andl Mathematics conducted by a State Education Board or a University Selection Procedure—Selection will be made on the basis of candidate's performance in the Written Examination, Psychological Aptitude Tost, Intelligence Test and Interviow. Successful candidates in the written part will be invited for Psychological Aptitude Test and further examina tion. FORTHCOMING COMPETITIVE EXAMINATIONS, 2015 ‘The New India Assurance Co, Ltd. Assistants Exam, (an. 17, 18 & 24) UPSC Special Class Railway Apprentices’ Exam., 2015 (an. 18) Uttar Pradesh Rajasva Nirikshak Exam.,2014 Jan. 25) Madhya Pradesh Utkrasta District Level Vidyalaya and Block Level Modal School Selection ‘Test, 2015 (an, 28) Associate Bank of SBI Clerical Cadre Exam, (Tan.-Feb,) Uttar Pradesh Trained Graduate Teacher Exam, (Jan. 25, Feb. 1 & 8) United India Insurance Co, Lid. Administrative Oifficer (Mains) Exam. Gan} Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya Entrance Exam. (Class VD) (Feb. 7) Military Engineer Services Peon, Chowkidar, Safaiwala, Meter Reader, Caneman, Mate (SSK) etc. Exam. (Feb. 14) IBPS Bank Specialist Officers Exam. (Feb. 14 & 15) Uttar Pradesh Lecturer Selection Exam, (Feb. 15 & 22) Combined Defence Services Exam. (1),2015 (Feb, 15) Uttarakhand Judicial Service Civil Judge (Junior Division) Prefiminary Exam, 2014 (Feb, 15) Staff Nurse Recruitment Exam, in Central Govern- ‘ment Hospitals, New Delhi (Feb, 15) Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) 2015-16 (Feb, 19-22) Central Teacher Eligibility Test, Feb. 2015 (Feb. 22) (Online Closing Date : 8 Jan., 2015) Ai Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) 2015 (Flying, Technical & Ground Duty Branches) (Feb. 22) ‘Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd, Junior Accounts Officers Exam, (Feb, 22) Uttar Pradesh Vidyagyan Schoo! Pre. Exam,, 2015, (For Class VD) (Feb. 22) “The Rajasthaa/Central/State(Cooperative Bank Banking Assistants, Managers/Computer Programmers Exam, (Feb Mare) Madhya Pradesh Police Department Sub-Inspector, Subedar, Platoon Commander Recruitment Exam., 2014 (March 1) (Online Closing Date : Jan. 14, 2015) PD/February/2015/47 CRPF Constable (Technical Tradesman) Recruitment Exam. (Maret 1) Indian Navy Sailors (Senior Secondary Recruits) Recruitment Test (March-April) Himachal Pradesh PS.C. State Eligibility ‘Test, 2014 (March-April) ‘Madhya Pradesh PS.C. State Services Main Exam,, 2013 (March 23~April 15) National Insurance Co, Lad. Administrative Officer Scale | Exam, (Online Closing Date : 24 Jan., 2015) Indian Air Force Airmen [Group ‘X’ (Technical)! Group *Y’ (Non-Technical) Recruitment Test. (April-May) National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (1) 2015 (Online Closing Date : 23 Jan., 2015) ‘Madhya Pradesh PS.C. State Services Preliminary (April) (April 19) Exam, 2014 (May 9) (Online Closing Date : 8 Feb., 2015) NCERT National Talent Search Exam. (For Class X) Stagetl (May 10) Chhattisgarh PS.C. State Services Preliminary Exam,,2014 (May 10) (Online Closing Date : 8 Feb,, 2015) ‘Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) 2015 (Online Closing Date : 31 March, 2015) Netarhat Residential School Entrance School Entrance Exam. (For Class VI) (May 29-30, 2015) (Closing Date : 12 Feb., 2015) Madhya Pradesh PS.C. State Engineering Services (Pre) Exam., 2014 (Online Closing Date : 11 Feb., 2015) ‘Madhya Pradesh PS.C. State Forest Services Exam.,2014 (Online Closing Date (May 10) lune 14) (Aug. 2.& 3)| 3 Feb., 2015)aattaVarhar wogiatlangDe required to apply online by using the website: ‘www.upsconline:nic.in Chhattisgarh Public Service Commi mn Invites online applications for State Service Examination, 2014 Last Date for Submission of Online Applications—February 8, it (As on January 1, candidate must have attained a minimum age of 21 years and must not have attained the maximum age of 30 years as on January 1, 2014. Essential Educational Qualifica- tions—A candidate must hold a degree in any stream from a recog- nised university or an educational institutions. Selection Procedure—Chhattis: garh Public Service Commission’s State Service Examination 2014 will be divided into three phases—Prel minary Examination, Main Exam nation and Interview-cum-Personality ‘Test. Pretiminary Examination will comprise two papers carrying two hundred marks each. Both the papers will be of objective type multiple choice. General Studies will be the first paper and Aptitude Test will be the second paper. The Preliminary Examination will serve only screening purpose. Successful candidates will be invited for Main Examination, Selection will be made on the basis of candidates! performance in the Main Examination and Interview. How to Apply—Candidates are required to apply online by using the website www. psc.cggov.in Madhya Pradesh Public Service Commi i Invites online applications for State Service Examination, 2014 Last Date for Submission of Online App! 2018. Age Limit (As on January 1, 2015)—Minimum age to apply in the State Service Examination is 18 years and maximum age is 35 years. The tions—February 8, PD/February/2015/48 Con minimum and maximum age limits may vary as per particular jobs Essential Educational Quali- ications—Candidate should be a graduate from a recognized university or an educational institut. Selection Procedure—Madhya Pradesh Public Service Commission’s State Service Examination 2014 will be divided into three phases—Preli- minary Examination, Main Exam nation and Interview-cum-Personality Test. Preliminary Examination will comprise two papers carrying two hundred marks each. Both the papers will be of objective type multiple choice. General Studies will be the first paper and General Intelligence will be the second paper. The Preli- minary Examination will serve only screening purpose. Successful candidates will be invited for Main Examination. Selection will be made fon the basis of candidates’ performance in the Main Examination and Interview. How to Apply—Candidates are required to apply online by using the website www.mponline gov.in, wwwamppsc.nic.in ‘weww.mppsc.com. General Insuran Corporation of India Invites online applications for recruit ment scale I officers Last Date for Submission of Online Applications—January 24, 2m18. ‘Age Limit (As on December 31, 2014—Minimum age limit is 21 years land maximum age limit is 30 years as fon December 31, 2014, Relaxation in the upper age limit will be given as per the set norms Essential Educational Qualifica- tions—Candidate must be a geaduate from a recognized university or an educational institute. The stream of graduation may vary for particular jobs ie, candidates applying for scale 1 officer in Chemical Engineering must be a BE/B.Tech in chemical Selection Procedure—Selection will be made on the basis of candi date’s performance in the Written Examination, Group Discussion and Interview. The total marks for written and ‘Test, Group Discussion and Interview will be 200. For more details log on to www.gicofindia.in Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission Invites applications for Uttar Pradesh University (Centralised) Service Asst. Registrar Exam, 2014, Last Date for Receipt of Exami- nation Fees—January 28, 2015, Last Date for Receipt of Appli- cations—February 3, 2015. ‘Age Limit—Candidates_ must have attained the age of 30 years and must not have crossed the age of 45 years on July 1, 2014. Relaxation in the upper age limit will be given as per the set norms, Essential Educational Qualifica- tions—{(A) Candidates must possess the degree of Graduation from any recognized University or equivalent qualification by the last date for receipt of application form, Good knowledge of Hindi is essential. (8) Candidates must possess the working experience of minimum 07 years in any Govt. office or office of University with which the knowledge of Hindi and English drafting and Accounts Rules are essential Selection Procedure—Selection will be made on the basis of candidate's performance in the examination and interview. For more details log on to http:/ /uppscurp.nic.in i By : Major (Retd.) P. N. Joshi Code No. 141% 99/- |Upkar Prakashan, AGRA-2 Ph: 250566 405333 Fa: (050) 4053300 “We must be wiling to get rid of the life we've planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us.”Prativog ita Darpan PG PY Jd CRICKET Sachin Tendulkar Named ICC World Cup 2015 Ambassador India’s legendary batsman and world cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar was named the ICC Cricket World ‘Cup 2015 Ambassador on December 22 for the second successive time, Tendlulkar was also the World Cup Ambassador in 2011. In his role as the ICC Cricket World Cup Ambassador, ‘Tendulkar will promote and support a variety of ICC initiatives to enhance the profile of the tournament which will be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand from February 14 to March 29, 2015. Sachin Tendulkar, the all-time Jeading run-scorerin the cricket world ‘cup was part of the world cup winning team of India in 2011. Morgan Replaces Cook As England ODI Captain ‘The England and Wales Cricket Board (WCB)has named Eoin Morgan as the new captain of the English ODI team on December 20, 2014 dropping Alastair Cook from the post due to his bad form. Cook will continue to be the Test captain of England team, Morgan will lead the English team in the ICC World Cup 2015 in Australia and New Zealand. But, he will begin his job as ODI captain with a tri-series in Australia, Australia and India will bbe the other two teams of that tri- East Zone Claims Deodhar Trophy, 2014-15 East Zone ended their decade- Jong drought of winning the Deodhar Trophy with a 24-run victory over defending champions West Zone in the final at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on December 3, 2014. Win- ring the toss, East Zone decided to PD/February/2015/49 bat first. East Zone set a 270 runs target before West Zone to lift their 13th Deodhar title and fourth in a row. East Zone recovered a terrible start with the help of brilliant batting performances. by skipper Manoj Tiwary (75), Biplab Samantray (60) and Virat Singh (54). East Zone bowling atiack led by Ashok Dinda (4 for 33) restricted West Zone on just 245 runs and clinched the Deodhar ttle forthe first time sinew 2003-2004, It was the fifth Deodhar Trophy title tory for East Zone. Yousuf Pathan was the captain of West Zone. Sangakkara Joins 13,000 ODI Runs Club Sri Lanka’s legendary batsman Kumar Sangakkara on December 3, 2014 crossed the 13,000 ODI runs ‘mark in the third ODI match agai England at Hambantota (Sri Lanka) when he reached his 13 runs indivi- dual score, becoming only the fourth batsman in cricket to surpass. the 13,000 runs mark in One Day Inter- nationals. Sangakkara achieved this milestone in his 386th match. He lies ‘behind three retired batsmen in the NEP cere kere India's mot sucessful ericket captain in all formats Mahendra Singh Dhoni bade goodbye to Test cricket on December 30,2014 after the third test between India and ‘Australia of Gavaskar-Rorder Trophy ended in a draw at “Melbourne. The Booed of Cricket Conte of India (BCC officially announced Dhon'’s retizement decision, effective immediatly. DDhon's decision came as a surprise since there ls one more Test remaining inthe Series which India has lst to Australia, Dhoni scored 24 runs the second innings of Melboure Test which was the last Test innings of Dhoni and helped India to play a draw. 4 Dhoni will continue #9 lead India in Twenty-20 and One Day Internationa formats of cricket. He made a Test debut against S Lanka in Chennai on December 2, 2005 and scored 30 uns. He captained India in 60 Tests, most asa captain of India and emerged the most uocesfl et captain of India with 27 wins, Dhoni asa captain led India to no, 1 Test ranking for 18 months starting December 2009 with a 2-1 series win over Sei Lanka, Dhoni’s Test Captaincy in Numbers © Fok the record of most wins as a captain in Tests for Inia (27) © Has scored 3,454 runs as Test captain, most by any Indian skipper. Sunt Gavaskar second with 3,09 runs. (© Dhoni has made the highest score in an innings by an Indian captain 224 Vs ‘Australian Chennat 2013, Hias most sies by an Indian captain 51 in all. as the most consecutive wins by an Indian captain, winning six Tests between February and November 2013. (© Has played most matches by a player as keeper-cum-captain, featuring in 60 ames © Under Dhoni’s captaincy Indian team bocame the fist team to whitewash the M.S. Dhoni Australia (4-0) in Test Series after 20 years MS Dhoni Captaincy Record (Test) Home ‘Away Total Matches | Won | Matches | Won | Matches | Won 30 2 30 6 o 2 Tost | Drawn Tost Drawn Tost Drawn 3 6 45 ° 18 15 Win 7000 | Win’a 2000 |Win’ 45.00 “He started to sing as he tackled the thing. That couldn’ be done, and he did it.” comanitatarhan oy yogitaDarha @ all-time list led by India’s Sachin Tendulkar who scored 18,426 ODI runs from 463 matches. Tendulkar reached the 13,000 ODI runs mark in just 321 innings. Ricky Ponting, the former Australian skipper is at second place in all-time ODI runs list with 13,704 runs to his credit from 375 ODIs. Sangakkara's compatriot Sanath Jayasuriya is at third place as he scored 13430 runs in 445 ODIs. Sangakkara made his debut in international cricket in 2000. He scored 63 runs in the third ODI match of the series ageinst England. ICC Bans Hafeez from Bowling for Illegal Bowling Action Pakistan's cricket another massive blow when his all- rounder Mohammad Hafeez. became the second Pakistani bowler this year after Saeed Ajmal to be suspended by the ICC from bowling in any international cricket match for his illegal bowling action. The 34-year-old Hafeez’s bowling action was found illegal at the Loughborough testing centre, one of ICC's latest accredited laboratories, after being reported for an illegal bowling action during the first test between Pakistan and New Zealand in Abu Dhabi in November. His deliveries were found breaching the 15 degrees level of tolerance per- mitted under the ICC bowling regulations. The ICC barred Hafeez from bowling in any ericket match at inter national level on December 7, 2014 with immediate effect. The ban can be removed in future by the international cricket governing body after he proves successfully that he has modified his bowling action as per the ICC rules. ‘The analysis of his action was performed on November 24 by the ICC's accredited team of Human Movement Specialists using the National Cricket Performance Centre, Loughborough suffered It is a second major embarrass- ment for Pakistan cricket given that one of its most celebrated spinners ‘Saeed Ajmal is also under suspension for a similar reason and working to modify his action, PD/February/2015/50 Onn FOOTBALL e Real Madrid Wins Football Club World Cup 2014 Real Madrid clinched the Foot- ball Club World Cup 2014, beating San Lorenzo of Argentina 2-0 on December 20, 2014 in the final in Marrakech, Morocco. It is the fourth title triumph of the Spanish Club in 2014 after the champions League, Copa del Rey and European Super Cup title victories. Sergio Ramos and Gareth Bale scored goals for the champion side in the final to clinch the Club World Cup for the first time, New Zealand's Auckland City secured third place in the Football Club World Cup after beating Cruz Azul 42 in a penalty shootout to become the first Oceania football team to clinch a medal in this club level tournament Juan Mercier was the captain of San Lorenzo while Iker Casillas led Real Madrid to the title triumph as the Captain, Atletico de Kolkata Clinches Indian Super League (ISL) 2014 Atletico de Kolkata clinched the inaugural Indian Super League (ISL) crown with a 1-0 victory over Kerala Blasters at the D. Y. Patil Stadium, in Mumbai on December 20, 2014. Kolkata’s Mohammad Rafique scored the lone goal of the final. He was later adjudged the Hero of the match, “Atletico de Kolkata finished third in the league table, while Kerala Blasters were fourth, but both advanced through a four team post-season playoff after upsetting the top two teams in the semi-finals. © Kolkata got € 8 crore winner's purse, while Kerala Blasters received € 4 crore as runner-up of the ISL 2014. Thierry Henry Takes Retire- ment from Football France's great footballer Thierry Henry who is the recorel goal scorer for Arsenal, took retirement from football on December 16, 2014 after a glittering 20-year football career. He represented France in 123 Inter- national matches with 51 goals to his crodit, He helped France win the 1998 FIFA World Cup and Euro Cup in 2000. He claimed several championships during his association with football clubs like Arsenal, Monaco, New York Red Bulls and Barcelona He started his journey in Football world on August 31, 1994 at the age of 17 for Monaco. Germany Clinches Champ- ions Trophy-2014 ‘Olympic Champion Germany defeated Pakistan 2-0 in the final on December 14, 2014 at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar to lift its 10th Champions Trophy crown and first since 2007. Pakistan faced the fury of Indian spectators who backed Germany in the wake of offensive behaviour of Pakistani players in the semifinal against India a day before. India lost the semi-final to Pakistan. German hockey team celebrates its Champions ‘Trophy title triumph in Bhubaneswar on December 14,2014, Christopher Wesley and Florian Fuchs scored for the champion side. India lost its battle for third place in the tournament to Australia ‘Australia’s Eddie Ockenden and Matt Ghodes smashed goal for their side. Lalit Upadhyay put the ball in the Australian goal post for India. It was the second successive fourth position of India in the champions trophy. Moritz Furste was the skipper of the champion teas “Why not learn to enjoy the Little things-there are so many of them.”CHESS Sethuraman National Premier Championship Clinches Chess Chennai Grandmaster. P. Sethuraman clinched his maiden National Premier Chess Champion- ship on December 18, 2014 in Kottayam. Second-seed Sethuraman emerged a clear winner with 85 points in the 13-round national ches event, He played a draw with Deepan Chakravarthy in the 13th and final round to take his points to 85, half a point ahead of GM Deep Sengupta, ‘whotied with P. Karthikeyan on eight points. Deep Sengupta was declared the runner-up with a better tiebreak Yu Yangyi Wins Masters Chess Title Yu Yangyi of China clinched the Qatar Masters International Chess tournament, beating former world champion Viadimir Kramnik of Russia in the ninth and final round on December 5, 2014 in Doha. Yangyi received $ 25,000 winner's cheque. ‘Top seed Anish Giri of Holland tied with Kramnik for second spot on seven points after a victory over Viadimir Akopian of Armenia in the final round. Anish was declared the runner-up with his better tie break score and Kramnik had to sett for the third place. India’s B. Adhiban finished with six points. Anand _ Clinches Classic Chess Title Five-time World Chess Cham- pion Viswanathan Anand of India clinched his maiden London Classic Chess title after beating British Grandmaster Michael Adams in the fifth and final round in London on December 14, 2014, Anand finished the sixpplayer round-robin tourna ‘ment with seven points with one win and four draws. A win carries three points while a draw fetched just one in this tournament. Russian Grand~ aster Vladimir Kramnik and Anish Giri of the Netherlands also earned seven points each but Anand was Qatar London PD/February/2015/51/4 Con declared the winner of the London Classic on the superior tie-break score. Hikaru Nakamura of USA and Ialy's Fabiana Caruana were the other participants ofthe chess tournament Ki ; GOLF Arjun Atwal Claims Dubai Open India's Arjun Atwal ended a four-year title drought by winning the inaugural Dubai Open Golf title at the Els Golf Club on December 21, 2014 in Dubai. Atwal beat South Korean teenager Wang Jeung-hun by one stroke to lift the Dubai Open crown. Atvwal’s last ttle triumph was the 2010 Wyndham Championships. Atwal, one of the four overnight leaders at the final tournament of the Asian Tour season, finished the final round with a sixcunder par 66. He won the title with a winning total of A6é-under par 273, Winning this title in Dubai, Atwal has joined fellow Indian Jyoti Randhawa as the most successful Indian on the Asian Tour with eight titles. Jordan Spieth Claims World Challenge Golf Title Jordan Spieth registered a 10 shot victory with a sixcunder 66 on the final round that took him to a tournament record 26-under 262 to lift the Hero World Challenge Golf crown at Isleworth Golf and Country Jordan Spieth displays his Hero World Challenge Trophy on December 9, 2013 Club in Orlando on December 7, 2014. Spieth got richer by USD 1 million ‘with this title triumph which placed hhim once again into top-10 golf players. Winning this title at the age 5f 21, Spieth bettered Tiger Woods record of the youngest winner of the World Challenge Golf championship which Woods won in 2001 at 25, Henzik Stenson finished second with I6-under 272. Patrick Reed (68) and Koogan Bradley (70) ted for thre at 1S-under. Gwladys Nocera Claims Hero Women’s Indian Open Golf Title Freenchwoman Gwladys Nocera clinched the 300,000 Hero Women’s India Open Golf Title at the Delhi Golf Club in New Delhi on December 6, 2014, registering five stroke win over her nearest rivals in the com: petition, Nocera shot a one-under 72 On the final day for a three-day total of 11 under 208 on the par 73 course She was presented a glitering trophy and the winner's cheque worth $ 45,000 to claim the 8th edition of ‘women’s Indian Open. England's Hannah Burke, Korea’s Hyeon Seo Kang and Fabienne In- Albon_ of Switzerland shared the second spot in the Championship with a score of Gunder 213 each. Vaishavi Sinha was the best placed Indian at the fifth position in the Championship. She finished with a 5- under 214, six strokes behind the champion. Chikkarangappa Open 2014 Kangalore's Chikkarangappa successfully defended his ile at the © 1 crore CG Open 2014 with a final round of our-uncler-66 atthe Bombay Presidency Golf Club, in Mumbai on December 6, 2014. Chikkarangappa, who totalled 17- under-263 at the penultimate event of the 2014 PGTI Super Series, also emerged leader in the Rolex Rankings and the Super Series post his win. Om. Prakash Chouhan shattered the course record with 2 sensational 10-under-60 in the final round to bag the runner-up position at 16-under-264. ‘Thawom Wins King’s Cup Thailand's golfer Thaworn Wiratchant clinched. the coveted King’s Cup Golf title on November 30, 2014 at Khon Kaen (Thailand) after closing with a five- uunder-par 67. Wins CG Veteran “Positive anything is better than negative thinking”With his second victory on the region’s premier Tour this. season, ‘Thaworn also completed his royal collection having won the Queen's ‘Cup twice in 2012 and 2014 when it was staged as an Asian Tour event India’s Anirban Lahiri, who led from the opening day, had to settle for a share of second place with Australia's Andrew Dodlt P. V. Sindhu Retains Macau Grand Prix Gold Title 2014 India's P. V. Sindhu retained the § 120,000 Macau Grand Prix Gold ‘Trophy, beating Kim Hyo Min of Korea in the women’s singles final on November 30, 2014 at the Tap Seac Multisport Pavilion in Macau. The bronze-medallist at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, Sindhu prevailed over Kim 21-12, 21-17 in the final to lift the ttle. Sindhu had won the Macau Open in 2013, beating Canada's Li Michelle in the final. SPORTS GAMES AND BRIEFING Kosovo Granted Full Mem- bership of IOC Kosovo was granted the full membership of the International ‘Olympic Committee on December 9, 2014. The IOC said it had started reviewing the Kosovo file five years ago, a year after it declared its independence from Serbia in 2008, After winning the full membership of IOC, Kosovo will participate in the 2016 Olympic Games at Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. The IOC's decision about Kosovo came on the second and final day of the IOC general meeting in Monaco where Lima (Peru) was chosen to host the 130th IOC session in 2017, when members will choose the host of the 2024 Summer Olympics. The number of IOC member countries has reached 208 after the inclusion of Kosovo. Nanjappa Crowned Cham- pion of Champions Commonwealth Games silver medallist Prakash Nanjappa was adjudged the Champion of Cham- PD/February/2015/52 Con at the 58th National Shooting Championships on December. 18 2014. The Kamataka shooter received a cash prize of T 50,000 from the National Rifles Association of India (NRAD. Maharashtra’s Shital Shivaji Thorat became the new national champion in the 10-metre women’s pistol category with a total of 199. Punjab’s Harveen Sarao won the silver medal with a total of 1973, while Prerma Gupta of Uttarakhand settled for the bronze, shooting total of 1739. India Emerges Champion of Kabaddi World Cup (men and women) 2014 India continued its dominance in the Kabaddi World Cup as its men team clinched the 2014 Kabaddi World Cup beating ‘its arch rival Pakistan 45-42 in the final at the Guru Gobind Singh Stadium in Bathinda fon December 20, 2014. Pakistan leveled allegations of favouritism in the final. Indian men’s team clinched the Kabaddi World Cup for the fifth time ina row. India also claimed the Kabaddi World Cup 2014 women's title, thrashing New Zealand 36-27 in the final. Indian women lifted the Kabaddi World Cup crown for the fourth consecutive time. In men section, Iran secured third place and won a prize money of €51 lakh while in women section, Pakistan got € 25 lakh as prize money for being at third place in the women Kabaddi World Cup. The winner of men section, India, won itself a prize money of € 2 crore and first runners up, Pakistan, © 1 crore, while the winner of women section, India won itselfa prize money of €1 crore and first runners up, New Zealand won 51 lakh. In this event, 11 teams in men section and eight teams in the women section had participated. The 11 teams in men section included India, Pakistan, Argentina, United States of America, England, Canada, Australia Iran, Denmark, Spain and Sweden whereas in Women. section eight teams including that of Azerbaijan, Pakistan, Mexico, New Zealand, United States of America, England, Denmark and India competed. Sarita Devi Gets One Year Career Saving Ban from AIBA. The International Boxing Fede- ration (AIBA) on December 17, 2014 imposed a one-year ban on Indian female boxerand Asian Games bronze medallist Sarita Devi for showing unsportsman-like behaviour by refusing to accept her 2014 Asian Games bronze medal in Incheon over a decision during a bout against her Sarita Devi has been banned from all level of boxing activities retrospecti- vely from October 1, 2014 to October 1, 2015 along with a fine of 1000 Swiss Francs. But despite the ban, her hopes to take part in the 2016 Olympics in Rio (Brazil) are stil alive as the two main qualifying events will take place after the end of her ban duration The world boxing body also handed down two-year bans, ending October 1, 2016 to the 29-year-old boxer's husband Thoiba Singh and coach BI Fernandez and barred her coach Lenin Meitei for one year ending October 1, 2015. Fernandez was also fined Swiss franes 2,000 and Meitei Swiss francs 1,000, India has appealed to AIBA to reconsider its decision. The AIBA, however, relieved Indian boxing chief coach GS Sandhu from all charges of misdemeanour, ‘At the 17th Asiad in Incheon, the 2o-year-old boxer had taken the boxing federation head on with a strong protest. She had clearly dominated her semifinal against Park Ji- na but shockingly, the judge declared the South Korean as the winner. © In September, 2014 AIBA had provisionally suspended Sarita Devi for an indefinite period for refusing to accept her bronze medal at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon © India lobbied hard for Sarita, who apologised for her beha- @ Her ban forced her to miss the Women’s World Boxing Cham- pionship, held in South Korea in November 2014. © On December 10, Sarita received her medal from the Indian Olympic Association (1A) Secretary General Rajeev Mehta. @ The one-year ban means Sarita can compete in the 2016 Rio Olympics as the women’s Olym- pic qualifiers will start only by the end of 2015, Continued on Page 154 “Be enthustastic, Remember the placebo effect-30% of medicine is showbiz."jlaDarnanPDF.com National © Whois the New President of FICCI? + Jyotsna Suri = Bharat Hotels Chairperson Jyotsna Suri was elected the President of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) on December 20, 2014 at the Chamber's 87th annual general meeting in New Delhi. Suri is the only Indian on the international executive committee of the World Travel and Tourism ‘Council. Suri has succeeded Siddharth Birla, Chairman of Xpro India Ltd. and Digjam Ltd. as the President of FICCI. Ambuja Neotia group chairman Harshavardhan Neotia was elected Senior Vice-President, Zydus Cadila Chairman Pankaj R. Patel became the Vice-President of FICC, © Who has been appointed as the New CMD of Coal India Limited ? ~+ Sutirtha Bhattacharya > The Appointments Committee of Cabinet (ACC) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 18, 2014 cleared the name of Sutirtha Bhattacharya for appointment as the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Coal India Limited (CIL). Prior to this appointment, Sutirtha, a 1985 batch AS officer of Andhra Pradesh cadre was serving as the head of Singareni Collieries Company Limited, the biggest coal company of India after CIL. © ISRO successfully launched India’s latest and heaviest rocket named “+ GSLV Mark-III @ The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched India's heaviest rocket GSLV Mark-HIl ‘weighing 630 tonnes on December 18, 2014 from Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh. The GSLV Mark-HIl launch carried crew module Atmospheric Re-entry Experiment (CARE) with an objective to check the atmospheric stability and study the re-entry characteristics of the crew module. With the module gently landing in the Andaman sea about 1,600 km from the launch site, the GSLV Mark-II mission concluded successfully giving a big push to India’s manned mission in space, © Who is the new chief of Intelligence Bureau (IB)? ~ Dineshwar Sharma = Dineshwar Sharma, a 1979-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of Kerala Cadre has been appointed as the new chief of the Intelligence Bureau (IB). The Appointments Committee of Cabinet (ACC) chaired by PM Narendra Modi on December 13 cleared Mr. Dineshwar's name for the top post of Indian intelligence agency for a two-year term, starting on January 1, 2015. He succeeds Syed Asif Ibrahim on this post. Prior to his, elevation, Mr. Dineshwar was the special director in the IB handling political analysis desk. @ June21 has been declared as “+ UN International Day of Yoga The United Nations General Assembly adopted an India-led resolution on December 11, 2014, declaring June 21 as International Day of Yoga. India’s ambassador to the UN Asoke Mukerji introduced the resolution to declare June 21 as the ‘Intemational Yoga Day’ along with the backing of 177 nations as co-sponsors of the resolution. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed the idea in his first UNGA address in September 2014. In suggesting June 21 as ‘Intemational Day of Yoga’, PM Modi had saic that the date is the longest day in the Northern Hemisphere and had special significance in many parts of the world © Whoclinched the London classic chess title 2 + Viswanathan Anand = Five-time world chess champion Viswanathan Anand of India clinched his maiden London classic chess ttle after beating British Grandmaster Michael Adams in the fifth and final round in London on December 14, 2014, Anand finished the six-player round-robin tournament with seven points with one win and four draws Russian GM Viadimir Kramnik and Anish Giri ofthe Netherlands also gained seven points, but Anand lifted the trophy for superior tie-broak score. A win carries throe points while a draw fotches just one in this tourna. mont. © Who emerged the winner of 29th Pune International Full Marathon (Men's Category) ? + Amos Meindi = Amos Meindi of Kenya emerged triumphant of the 2%th Pune International Full Marathon in men’s eategory ‘on Decomber 7, 2014 in Pune. He took 2 hours, 18 minutes and 36 seconds to complete 41-175 distance of the race. Regassa Bezida of Ethiopia finished as runner-up in the race. Nancy Wambua of Kenya won the half marathon in women’s category in 71 minutes and 55 seconds. ‘World Peace’ was the theme of the Pune International Full Marathon, 2014 PD/February/2015/53 “We can destroy ourselves by cynicism and disillusion, just as eectvely a by bombs"jlaDarnanPDF.com International @ Pakistan became an associate member of + CERN ® Pakistan on December 19, 2014 joined CERN, the world’s famous particle physics laboratory, as an associate member. CERN Director-General Rolf Heuer and the Chairman of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission ‘Ansar Parvez signed the pact in Islamabad. Pakistan, as an associate member of CERN, will partiipate in the meetings of CERN Council and will be part of decisions of CERN. Pakistani industry can bid for CERN contracts after its entry into CERN as the associate member. Pakistan can also acquire olel and used equip ments from CERN. Its scientists can serve in CERN and get training there © Shinzo Abe has been re-elected as the Prime Minister of ~+ Japan & Japan's Parliament on December 24, 2014 confirmed Shinzo Abe for another term as Prime Minister of Japan after his poll victory in December 14 election. Abe got the support of 328 law makers in the lower house of Japanese Parliament. Abe, the popular face of the Liberal Democratic Party, retained his previous cabinet except defence ministry. He appointed former military officer Gen. Nakatani as the new defence minister of Japan. Nakatani replaced Akinori Eto as defence minister. Japanese backed Abe goverment efforts and plans to revive Japan’s sluggish economy and brought back Abe's Liberal Democratic Party to power in the elections. © Sir Anerood Jugnauth has been named the new Prime Minister of > Mauritius © Sir Anerood Jugnauth has been named as the new Prime Minister of Mauritius after landslide victory of his centre-right Alliance Lepep in Mauritius’ Parliament. Jagnauth’s alliance claimed victory on 47 seats in a 62- seat Parliament in the poll held on December 10, 2014. The coalition of the outgoing ruling Labour Party and the former opposition Mauritian Militant Movement (MMM) could secure just 13 seats. Mauritius’ President Kailash Purryag named Jugnauth as the PM of the country on December 14 soon after the declaration of the poll results. Mr. Jagnauth has served the nation as PM previously between 1982 and 1995 and again between 2000 and 2003 © What are the names of mascots of 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games ? ~+ Vinicius and Tom © ‘Vinicius’ and ‘Tom’ have been unveiled as the mascots of the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games respectively. Vinicius, a yellow feline animal similar to Cat and Tom, a blue and green figure with leaves on its head were declared the mascots on December 14, 2014 after they were chosen by a public vote. The names ‘of mascots are in honour of Brazilian musicians and partners vinicius de Moraes and Tom Jobim, Vinicius, the 2016 olympic mascot represents the agility of cats, sway of monkey and grace of birds. The Paralympic mascot represents the plants of Brazilian forests. © Who became the first female bishop of England ? + Reverend Libby Lane = ‘The Church of England on December 17, 2014 appointed Reverend Libby Lane as the new Bishop of stockport in northem England, making her the first woman bishop in the 500 years history of the Church of England. The Church of England recently passed a law to appoint women as a bishops, ending centuries old male domination in the Church. Reverend Libby is the mother of two children, Women have served as priest in the Church since 1994, but itis the first time that a woman has been elevated to the post of Bishop. © Whois the new Surgeon-General of America? ~+ Vivek Hallegere Murthy @ Indian-American physician Vivek Hallegere Murthy was confirmed as the 19th Surgeon-General of America by the US Senate on December 15, 2014.51 US Senators approved Murthy’s name as 43 senators were against his name. 37-year-old Murthy is the youngest and first person of Indian-origin to hold this post. President Obama had nominated him to the top post related with public health department in November 2013. Murthy is currently a Professor at the Harvard Medical School © Who is Time's Person of the Year for 2014? + Bbola Fighters, © Time's Magazine's Managing Editor Nancy Gibbs officially announced on December 11, 2014 the Ebola Fighters as Time’s Person of 2014, saluting the commendable efforts of medical practitioners and aides to contain the threat of Ebola virus. Russian President Vladimir Putin, singer Taylor swift, Apple CEO Tim Cook, NEL Commissioner Roger Goodell were also in a close race for this year’s Time honour, but Ebola Fighters emerged as the first choice of editors of the magazine due to the larger effects of Ebola on the World © Which team clinched the Champions Trophy-2014? > Germany 2 Olympic Champion Germany defeated Pakistan 2-0 in the final on December 14, 2014 at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar to lift its 10th Champions Trophy crown and first since 2007. Christopher Wesley and Florian Fuchs scored goals for the champion side in the final. Moritz Furste was the skipper of German team ‘Australia secured third position and the bronze medal as wel, beating India 2-1 for a third place match in the ‘championship. India finished at fourth position for a second time ina row. PD/February/2015/54 “The impossible ean always be broken down into possibilities.”Ability of HIV to Cause AIDS is Slowing Down ‘The rapid evolution of HIV, which has allowed the virus to develop resistance to patient’s immunity, is at the same time slowing the virus's ability to case AIDS, The research also suggests that people infected by HIV are likely to progress to AIDS more slowly because of widespread access to antiretroviral therapy (ART). ‘The research was led by the researchers at the University of Oxford alongwith scientists from South Africa, Canada, Tokyo, Harvard University and Microsoft Research. The research was carried An electron microscope image shows a out in Bodswana and #9 cell infected with HIV South Africa, two countries that have been worst affected by the HIV epidemic. ‘The first part of the study looked at whether the interaction between the body's natural immune response and HIV leads to the virus becoming less virulent. Central to this investigation are proteins in our blood called the Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA), which enable the immune system to differentiate between the human body's proteins and the proteins of pathogens. NASA Mission to Study Magnetic Fields in the Universe ‘The US space agency plans to launch an ambitious Magnetospheric Multi-Scale (MMS) mission in March to deploy four identical spacecrafts from a single rocket to study magnetic reconnection in the universe. NASA has released a demo video of the launch where a single rocket will carry all four MMS spacecraft, stacked on top of each other, to their destination from Cape Canaveral, Florida. Fresh insights offered by the MMS mission could aid in the creation of clean energy solutions such as fusion ‘energy reactors Parallel Worlds Exist and Influence Each Other Ina radical new theory, scientists have proposed that parallel universes do exist and they interact with one another. Professor Howard Wiseman and Dr. Michael Hall from Griffith University's Centre for Quantum Dynamics in Australia and Dr. Dirk-Andre Deckert from the University of California, have proposed that parallel universes exist, and rather than evolving independently, PD/February/2015/55 nearby worlds influence one another by a subtle force of repulsion ‘The researchers said that such an interaction could explain everything that is bizarre about quantum mech- nics. “The idea of parallel universes in quantum mech- anies has been around since 1957," said Wiseman. “In the well-known ‘Many-Worlds Interpretation’;” each universe branches into a bunch of new universes every time a quantum measurement is made. All possibilities are therefore realised—in some universes the dinosaur-killing asteroid missed Earth, China Creates Highly Accurate LASER to Shoot Down Drones China has developed a highly accurate homemade LASER Defence Weapon System capable of shooting down small-scale drones flying at low altitude. Characterized by its speed, precision and low noise, the system is designed to destroy unmanned, small-scale drones flying within an altitude of 500 metres and at a speed below 50 m/s. Also at the same time itis expected to play a key role in ensuring security during major events in urban areas and address unlicensed mapping activities, ‘The weapon is able to shoot down small aircraft within a two km radius and can do so in five seconds after locating its target. “Intercepting such drones is usually the work of snipers and helicopters, but their success rate is not as high and mistakes with accuracy can result in unwanted damage,” Yi Jinsong, a manager with China Jiuyuan Hi- ‘Tech Equipment Corp said. A Bullet that can Change Direction The US Department of Defence is testing a bullet that could change direction in mid air. The Extreme Accuracy ‘asked Ordnance (EXACTO), currently being tested by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), is a 50 calibre round that ean change direction as it lies towards its target. The details of how it will work are completely secret, Popular Science reported. It is designed specifically for use by snipers, for whom slight improvements such as these could make the difference between life or death An Invisible Shield Around Earth In a pioneering feat, the researchers from Massa- chuseits Institute of Technology (MIT) and University of Colorado in Boulder have discovered an invisible shield some 11,000 kms above Earth that works against the harmful radiation belt. High above Earth’s atmosphere, electrons whiz past at close to the speed of light. Such ultra-relativistc electrons can streak around the planet in a mere five minutes—bombarding anything in their path. “For my part I believe inthe forglveness of sin and the redemption of ignorance."Milky Way Black Hole Producing My- sterious Particles Giant black hole at the centre of the Milky Way is producing the mysterious high-energy neutrinos. Neutrinos are tiny particles that carry no charge and interact very weakly with electrons and protons, Unlike light or charged particles, neutrinos can emer ge from deep within their cosmic sources and travel across the universe without being absorbed by intervening matter or, in the case of charged particles, deflected by magnetic fields. ‘The Earth is constantly bombarded with neutrinos from the sun. However, neutrinos from beyond the solar system can be millions or billions of times more energetic. Scientists have long been searching far the origin af ultra-high energy and very high-energy neutrinos Supertube Train to Travel Faster than Bullet Train Black hole atthe centre of Galaxy ‘The first start-up known as Hyperloop Transpor- tation Technologies is planning to develop a supertube that would take passengers from Los Angeles to San Francisco in 35 minutes at a speed of 760 miles per hour. Currently, this trip takes up to 12 hours by train and more than 6 hours by car. Hyperloop, the tube transport dream of SpaceX founder and Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk, could be ready for passengers in as few as 10 years, Inside the tubes, hyperloop pods are mounted on thin skis made out of inconel, an alloy that can withstand high pressure and heat. Air is pumped into the skis via small holes to make an air cushion with each pod having air inlets at the front. An electric turbo compressor would compress air from the nose and route it to the skis and the capsule, Magnets on the skis and an electromagnetic pulse ‘would provide the pod its initial thrust. ‘The capsules carying six to eight people would depart every 30 seconds Future Air Quality and Ozone Levels Could Put Plants and People at Risk Future ozone levels could by high enough to cause serious damage to plants and crops, even if emissions of greenhouse gases are reduced. Without sufficient reduc tions in emissions, ozone levels could also pose a risk to human health, By combining projections of climate change, emis- ns reductions and changes in land use across the US, a research team estimates that by 2050, cumulative exposure PD/February/2015/56 to ozone during the summer will be high enough to damage vegetation Although the research findings focus on the impact in the US, they raise wider concems for global air quality, according to lead researcher Dr. Maria Val Martin, from the University of Sheffield’s Faculty of Engineering. “Our findings show that the emissions reductions we're expecting to achieve won't guarantve air quality on their own, as they will be offset by changes in climate and land use and by an increase in wildfires,” Martin said. Scientists Create New Type of Ice For the first time the scientists have crated a new superlow density form of ice. The advance will help remove pipe-blocking clathrates from natural gas and thereby improve the energy efficiency of extraction. Water molecules can sometimes form crystal structures called a clathrate hydrate by surrounding impurities, such as methane oF carbon dioxide, with frozen ‘cages’. Scientists realised that if they could extract these molecules they could create a new type of ice difficult to achieve because the ice structure is fragile without these extra molecules. Researchers at the University of Gottingen in Germany have now done just this by using a vacuum pump at low temperatures Oldest Water on Earth Discovered Scientists have discovered the oldest water yet found on Earth, dating back to at least 15 billion years, in a Canadian mine. The discovery, made under the Timmins mine in Ontario, is important for understanding life on Earth and Mars, researchers said. ‘The water was dis covered from crystalline rock nearly one and a half miles beneath the Earth’s surface Virus that Makes Humans ‘Stupid’ Found Scientists have found a virus that could be makin humans ‘stupid’ by altering genes linked to brain fune- tion This was, however, ‘The virus, Chlorovirus ATCV-1, was previously found only in green algae—simple plants that live mostly in water, but researchers have now detected it in humans, where itseems to alter genes governing cognitive function. Researchers at the University of Nebraska and John Hopkins Medical School were conducting a separate study but found the DNA of ATCV-I virus in human throat They conducted a test of 92 healthy individuals and found the virus in 40 people. Individuals who were infected with the virus performed 100% slower in visual processing tests. The study found no link between reduced brain function and factors such as variances in sex, income, ‘education level, race and smoking cigarette. Scientists also injected the virus in the digestive tracts, of lab mice. They found that when these mice were put in a maze, they took 10% more time finding their way out when compared to normal mice. “Very often a change of self is needed move than a change of scene”Prat on thn GY 7) yogitaDansan POF, ad v Con Gold Import Widens India’s CAD to 2-1% of GDP in Q2 Economic - Scenar tion to foreign exchange reserves was $ 69 billion in the second quarter as against a drawdown of § 104 billion in Q2 of 201314. ‘A sharp rise in gold imports and a fall in export growth pushed India’s curzent Account Deficit (CAD) to 10:1 billion (21 per cent of gross domestic product) in the financial year’s second quarter, ending, Sep- tember 2014, compared to $52 billion (12 per cent of GDP) for the same quarter of 2013.According to RBI, the increase in CAD was primarily on account of a higher trade deficit, contributed by both a deceleration in export growth and a rise in imports ‘the trade deficit expanded to $ 386 billion in July-September from § 333 billion inthe same period of FYIA CURRENT ACCOUNT DEFICIT (Quarter ended (gues braces in Siler) (of GDP) 230 (1.24) Dec 31,10 Sep30,"14 anced onan Bens According, to Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data, the current account deficit was $78 billion (L7 per cent of GDP) in the first quarter ended June 2014. However, despite the rise, the CAD remains within RBI's comfort zone of 25 per cent of GDP. The CAD for the year's first half, April-September 2014, was $ 17 billion (1-9 per cent of GDP) as against $269 billion (341 per cent of GDP) for AprilSeptember 2013, ‘The balance of payments (BoP) was in positive territory. The accre- PD/February/2015/57 RBI's Fifth Bi-Monthly Monetary Policy ‘Statement, 2014-15 RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan presented the fifth bi-monthly mone- lary statement 2014-15 on December 2, 2015, Taking note of current eco- homie seenario in the country, RBL kept all key rates unchanged. The salient decisions taken by RBLare: = Kept the policy repo rate under the Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF) unchanged at 80 per cent; Consequently, the reverse repo rate under the LAF will remain unchanged at 7-0 per cent, and the ‘Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) rate and the Bank Rate at 9.0 per cent. = Kept the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) of scheduled banks unchanged at 4-0 per cent of Net Demand and Time Liabilities (NDTL) = Continued to provide liquidity ‘under overnight repos at 025 per cent of bank-wise NDT at the LAR repo rate and liquidity under 7-day and 14-day term repos of up to 0-75 per cent of NDIL of the banking system through auctions; and = Continued with daily one-day term repos and reverse repos to smooth liquidity. RBI in its policy review under- lined some salient trends of Indian ‘economy which ineludes— = Domestic activity weakened in Q2 of 2014-15, and activity is likely to be muted in Q3 also because of a moderate Kuarif harvest. = The rabi erop is unlikely to compensate for the decline in klerif production earlier in the year and consequently, agricultural growth in 2014-15 is likely to be muted. = The growth of industrial production stumped to 1-1 per cent in Q2 with negative momentum in September, unable to sustain the improvement recorded in the preceding quarter. The persisting contraction in the production of both capital goods and consumer goods in Q2 reflected weak aggregate domestic demand. Various constituents of the services sector are emitting mixed signals but the service sector PMI (Purchasing Managers Index) of the month October 2014 registers the deceleration in new business = Merchandise exports declined in (October, mainly reflecting sluggish external demand conditions, but also the softening of international prices resulting in lower realisations. For the period Aprile October as a whole, however, export growth remained positive although the deceleration since July requires vigilance. With import growth remaining modest fon account of the dectine in POL, imports due to falling crude prices, the trade deficit narrowed from its level a year ago, ‘= The fiscal outlook seems bright- ‘ened because of the fall in crude prices, but weak tax revenue growth and the slow pace of disinvestment creates some Uncertainty about the likely achi- ‘evement of fiscal targets. = Retail inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPD, hhas decelerated sharply since the fourth bi-monthly statement of September but it is due to tran- sitory factors such as favourable bbase effects, “you calla thing bad you do itl, if you calla thing good you do much."@?, jlaDarhan PO | SBI Launches Home-grown Index to Track Economic Trends State Bank of India has launched a tool of monthly economic index that will primarily track manufacturing activity to offer a forward looking ‘economic trends. The SBI Composite Index rivals the existing data point from British lender HSBC ‘The SBI index has been deve- Jopedl on the basis ofthe bank's internal loan portfolio, which mirrors the credit demand in the country, and other data sets available in public domain. According to SBI Chairperson Arundhati Bhattacharya, while announcing the product, the index will analyse data from manufacturing and services industries to determine expansion or contraction in the economy. The bank has created two indices—the SBI Monthly Com- posite Index and the SBI Yearly Composite Index. Both fulfil comple- mentary purposes such as month-on- month sentiment movement and year-on-year growth forecast, respectively. The index would also take into account other indicators of economic activities such as consumer spending, mining, interest rates, inflation and exchange rates on a monthly basis. ‘The indices would be released every month post-RBI's credit growth numbers, she said, adding the data collection would not be outsourced as was the case with the HSBC data. [_ GST Bill Tabled in Parliament Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has introduced the constitutional amendment Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill in the Lok Sabha. This Bill is ‘expected to cut transaction costs for business and boost India’s economy. All goods and services, with the ‘exception of alcohol, will come uncer GST, according to the provisions of the 122nd constitutional amendment Bill. As per the declaration of the Finance Ministry, all efforts have boon made to ensure that states do not suffer any loss of revenue when PD/February/2015/58 Con GST is implemented. It will be the biggest tax reform since independence ‘The Bill proposes to include petroleum under GST but has left the decision of when to start levying GST fon such products on the GST council—a body to be formed at a tater date. The council will have one-third representation from the centre and two-thirds from the states and its decisions will need to be approved by a three-fourth majority. GST will replace central taxes like excise duty and service tax and state levies such as sales, value- added, entertainment and purchase taxes. All entry taxes like octroi will also be subsumed under GST. The Bill tries to balance the concerns of states on loss of revenue and autonomy and the need for a tax structure that will remove barriers across states and ensure seamless flow of goods and services across the country. the centre has made a provision in the Bill promising to compensate states for five years for losses arising from GST’s implementation. While states will be compensated for 100% of their losses in the first three years, it will be 75% in the fourth year and 50% in the filth year. In addition, states will be allowed to levy an additional 1% non-vatable tax on inter-state supply of goods for the initial two years. This tax will be levied and retained by producing states in addition to the integrated GST, or IGST, that will be levied. IGST, or the sum of central GST and state GST, will be levied on inter-state movement of goods and will be collected by the centre and later distributed to states. This is expected to allay concems of producing states that will suffer revenue losses from inclusion of petroleum in GST. In addition, there will be a provision of ‘a narrow tax band over and above the floor rates of CGST and SGST to give some autonomy to the centre and the states. Ordinance on Coal and Cabinet Approves Insurance In another move ahead on erucial reforms, the Union Cabinet on December 24, 2014 approved the ordnance route for coal and insurance reforms, Due to continuous distur- bance of opposition in the parliament, the government took up ordinances to raise the overseas investment limit in insurance and facilitate coal mine auctions Government approved promu- Igation of an Ordinance to hike Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) cap in the insurance sector to 49 per cent from 26 per cent, The Insurance Bill, which has been pending since 2008 in the Rajya Sabha, seeks to increase the composite foreign investment limit in insurance companies to 49 per cent from current level of 26 per cent The 49 per cent cap would include both FDI and foreign portfolio invest- ments.The proposed hike in foreign investment limit to 49 per cent in the insurance sector has potential to attract up to US $ 7-8 billion (about © 50,000 crore) from overseas investors, giving a major boost to the segment Cabinet approved re-promulga- tion of an Ordinance to facilitate e- auction of coal blocks for private companies for captive use and allot mines directly to state and central PSUs. The Coal Mines (Special Pro- visions) Bill that was moved to replace an ordinance issued earlier was passed by the Lok Sabha in the winter session but it could not be taken up in the Rajya Sabha. The govemment promulgated the Coal Mines Gpecial Provisions) Ordinance, 2014, in October to facilitate coal block auctions after the Supreme Court cancelled 204 coal blocks in Septem- ber WPI-based Inflation Fell to Zero in November, Lowest | in Over 5 Years Declining prices of vegetables and fuel items pulled down the inflation to zero level in November 2014 which is the lowest in about five and half years. The Wholesale Price Index (WPD based inflation was at 1177 per cent in October and 7-52 percent in November 2013. As per data released by the government, the WPI inflation rema~ ined flat mainly on account of falling prices of vegetables, especially onion, eatble oil, petrol and diesel “The Kingtom of Heaven is nota place, but a state of mind.”Prat 2 Gt) cal nny yogilatarban In view of the moderation in WPI inflation, whieh has been on declining trajectory for six months, the industry has stepped up its demand for a rate cut. The Reserve Bank has maintained a status quo in interest rate since January 2014. The RBI factors in retail inflation while formulating its ‘monetary policy. Food inflation, decline since May, fell to nearly three year low of 0:63 per cent. Inflation in fuel and power segment fell 41 per cent, the lowest level since 2009, This is probably the first time when WPL inflation has hit the exact zero level ‘The last time WPL was lower than this vwas (03 per cent in July 2008. [As per the data, prices of protein rich items of egg, meat and fish rose 4.36 per cent during November, while inflation in potato stood at 34-10 per cent. Inflation in manufactured products, like sugar, eclible oils, bever- ages and cement, fell to 2:04 per cent in November as against 243 per cont in the previous month. Retail inflation data for November showed a record fall to 4:38 per cent, which is on Highlights “ WPr-based inflaton hita ze level, in November. “WPT bosed inflation was ¢ 177 per ‘ent in October. twas 752 per cent in November 2m. “Food inflation fell to nearly three year low of 063 per cent. “Food Inflation is on decline since Ma | Trade Deficit Widens to 18-Months High in November 2014 India's merchandise export rebounded 7:3% to US $ 2596 billion in November 2014 over a year ago against 5% fallin the previous month. Meanwhile, merchandise imports surged at three-year high pace of 268% to US § 42-822 billion in Nov- ember 2014. Thus, the trade deficit spurt to 18-months high of US § 16:86 billion in November 2014 from US $ 957 billion in November 2013 and US$ 1358 billion in October 2014 The surge in merchandise imports was supported by a nearly PD/February/2015/59 Con seven-fold jump in gold import to US § 561 billion, while silver imports also galloped 144% to US $ 0-64 billion in November 2014 over a year ago. Oil imports share in total imports eased to 37-months low of 27-4% in Novem- ber 2014. India's basket of crude oil slipped 27.8% to US § 77.58 per barrel in November 2014 over November 2013. Exports rose in November 2014 ‘over November 2013, mainly driven by a 306% jump in exports of engineering goods to US $ 663 billion. Merchandise exports in rupee terms increased 5.7% to © 160188 crore, while snapping decline of last three sequential months, while imports shot up 249% to € 264227 crore in Novem- ber 2014 over November 2013. The trade deficit moved up to € 104040 crore in November 2014 compared swith © 59947 crore in November 2013. India’s merchandise export ince eased 57% t0 US $ 21576 billion, while merchandise imports rose 46% to US$ 31637 billion in April-November 2014 over a year ago. Non-oil imports increased 81% to US $ 209815 billion. India’s merchandise trade deficit iner- eased to US $ 100-62 billion in Apri November 2014 fromUS$9689billion in April-November 2013. Trade de. ficit as a percentage of GDP was lower at 48% in April-November 2014 compared to 5% in April-November 2013. |_ India Skills Report 2015 The India Skills Report 2015 report jointly prepared by CII, People Strong and Wheebox was released against the backdrop of the 6th Cll Global Summit on Skill Develop- ment organized by Cll on November 10, 2014 at Mumbai, Wheebox in colla- oration with India Partner "Con- federation of Indian Industry”, Know- ledge Partner “People Strong” and ‘World's largest professional network ‘LinkedIn’ realised this to bring out the India Skills Report which isa con- scious, one-of-a-kind effort to provide an insight into the hiring trends of the market while understanding the needs of the job seeker and organ isations. India sits on an opportune moment in history, with a demographic dividend of 65% of her human resource pool under the age of 35 with about 12 million indi uals expected to join the workforce every year. With the demographic dividend, comes the responsibility of equipping the youth with employable training and in tum, employment The study while considering. the enormity of the impact that the skill- job gap is going to have on the socio- economic environment of the country, tries to bring in a more realistic holistic view of the skill and talent landscape in India. ‘The report in its second edition aims to create standard reporting gui- delines on the potential skill supply- demand gap which an provide insights into the hiring trends of the market while understanding the needs of the job seeker and organizations. It has reached out to about 3,00,000 students across 29 states and 7 union territories from the supply side and corporate players from 10 diverse industry sectors on. the demand side. India Skills Report successfully brings Government, Industry, Sector Skill Council, Associations and Academia on one platform and bringing in a thinking tool that can be used by different stakeholders to come with a solution for the skills issues of the country. LahiriCommittee | Constituted for Interaction eee ety Go Tne Lee ‘The government has set up a committee under the chairmanship of former chief economic advisor Ashok Lahirito regularly interact with industry and ascertain areas where clarity on tax laws is required. As per the official statement of the Ministry of Finance, the committee will give recommendations to the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) and Central Board of Excise & Customs (CBEC) for issuance of appropriate clarifications by way of circulars and instructions on tax issues. The committee will have former Settlement Commission member Sidhartha Pradhan, and former Director Gen- eral (Audit) Customs and Central Excise Gautam Ray, as members, The committee will be assisted by two nodal officers not below joint secretary commissioner rank—one each “the veal ‘itis wel! is something I say from the ground, having fallen.”

Pdfeb 15 e

Hochgeladen von

Dokumentinformationen

Originaltitel

Copyright

Verfügbare Formate

Dieses Dokument teilen

Dokument teilen oder einbetten

Freigabeoptionen

Stufen Sie dieses Dokument als nützlich ein?

Sind diese Inhalte unangemessen?

Copyright:

Verfügbare Formate

Pdfeb 15 e

Hochgeladen von

Copyright:

Verfügbare Formate

Das könnte Ihnen auch gefallen