General Affairs
Women Should Become Effective As People's Representatives: PM Modi
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NEW DELHI: Women should empower themselves technologically and become effective as people's representatives as mere changes in the system would not suffice, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today but remained silent on the Women's Reservation Bill for which the President and the Vice President had made a strong pitch yesterday.
Insisting that "mere change in system" would not suffice, he said "some changes in structure keep on happening" and stressed the need for women leaders to empower themselves technologically and make effective interventions.
"You will have to make yourself effective. You will have to present issues with facts and figures. Merely changes in the system will not suffice. Some or the other change keep happening in the structure. In order to establish your leadership, you should have the knowledge of subjects.
"...Try to develop your independent image as a public representative. Make an attempt that you have your own image in your region. Once the image of your working style and your views is established among people, it will last for long. You will see people accepting your ideas once you are thus established," PM Modi said at the National Conference of Women Legislators in New Delhi.
The prime minister said "we must think beyond women's development" and move towards "women-led development."
Inaugurating the conference yesterday, President Pranab Mukherjee pitched for 33 per cent reservation for women in elected bodies saying it was a "sad commentary" that so far the country has not been able to achieve over 12 per cent representation for women in Parliament's total membership.
Vice President Hamid Ansari had also asked parties to voluntarily increase the nomination of women candidates in elections till the legislation is enacted.
However, the prime minister today skipped any mention about the bill but focussed on larger issues of attitudinal change and the need for women promoting women leadership in different spheres.
In his speech, he called upon women leaders to groom female leadership down the rung, overcoming "jealousy" due to competition.
"Politics is a game of competition but when the feeling of jealousy dominates in competition, then you cannot grow. If you start feeling that what will happen to you if more talented women come in your field, or if your attempt is that I am there and will not allow anybody else to progress.
"Rather if you allow others to come up, you will go high. A kind of pyramid-like structure comes up then," the prime minister said.
Observing that only budgets and infrastructure do not strengthen nations, the prime minister said every citizen of India strengthens the nation like a Mother gives strength to a child.
Lauding the ability of women to rise if given an opportunity, he said, "We had had many a Foreign Minister in last so many years but we do not even remember their names. Everybody knows about the outstanding work of Sushma Swaraj.
"All women Speakers in Lok Sabha have done good work. The success of women is better than men when they are given opportunity," he said, citing the role of women in reshaping African nation Rwanda whose Parliament has 65 per cent women.
PM Modi also chose the occasion to flag that his government was the first in which there were so many women ministers.
He also asked whether the two Houses of Parliament could have an e-platform for women members to exchange views.
"Nobody else can empower the nation as much as a mother does to her child," PM Modi said, emphasising the need to take "pride" in this and adding that "inferiority complex" does not help anybody rise.
Giving anecdotes, the Prime Minister hailed virtues of patience and tendency among women to make sacrifices for her husband and children.
Maintaining that women can adapt to new technologies faster than men, he said even illiterate women know how to handle gadgets with new technologies in the kitchen.
Asking women legislators to play an effective role in law-making, he said that women foresee challenges and problems much better than men and hence should suggest changes which they feel are necessary when legislations are enacted.
Seeking their increased contribution in strengthening the nation, PM Modi stressed "there is a need to change this mental state about women empowerment. Empowerment is done for those who are not empowered. What does the empowerment of those who are already powerful mean?
"Who are males to empower women? We do not realise our powers till we do not face challenge," the Prime Minister said adding that "women have much more inherent strength than men which they reflect in meeting the odds in family life and social life".
PM Modi asked the women lawmakers whether they have empowered other women public representatives under them.
"Can you do any such exercise in your Parliamentary or Assembly seat what the Speaker has done here? There should be no politics in it. Members of all parties are here. The Committee set up by the Speaker for this programme has members from all parties," he said.
The prime minister urged women legislators to engage with their constituents by using technology and spoke of his own experience in this regard, saying he has been receiving enriching thoughts and views through the MyGov platform and Narendra Modi App.
The prime minister said multi-tasking, an important element of modern-day management, comes naturally to women in India and urged the women legislators to engage with their constituents using technology.
"In addition to structural component of programmes like this, experiences shared during personal meets, over tea, meals are invaluable," he said.
PM Modi had last week launched a blistering attack on Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi and Congress accusing them of stalling Parliament because of "jealousy" and "inferiority complex". He appeared to take the theme further today suggesting such feeling is a hindrance in the development of women leadership.
Former president Pratibha Patil said women in legislature should fight MONEY and muscle power" which have found a place in the parliamentary process of the biggest democracy in the world.
"When we talk about women participation. There is a talk about the need for a change in mindset. But this will take a long time. From the very beginning, our children must be taught that men and women are equal," she said.
Ms Patil chose the occasion to pitch for "Gender Budgeting" saying the women legislators should see what money is spent on women's welfare.
Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan expressed happiness that while males spoke about the empowerment of women, women legislators discussed their role in empowering the nation.
The conference, which was also attended Speaker of the Bangladesh Parliament, Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, also saw a suggestion to organise a similar conference at the Asia level.
The meet with the theme, 'Role of Women Legislators in Nation Building organised by Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan was attended by women lawmakers from across the country.
The conference also passed a resolution to work for transparent, accountable and inclusive governance and to contribute to the task of building a Resurgent India, strive for social and FINANCIAL inclusion with a view to ensuring equal opportunities to all.
Recognising the vital role of legislators especially women in strengthening the processes of governance towards building a Resurgent India, it emphasised that India has made notable progress in social and economic development.
NEW DELHI: Women should empower themselves technologically and become effective as people's representatives as mere changes in the system would not suffice, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today but remained silent on the Women's Reservation Bill for which the President and the Vice President had made a strong pitch yesterday.Insisting that "mere change in system" would not suffice, he said "some changes in structure keep on happening" and stressed the need for women leaders to empower themselves technologically and make effective interventions.
"You will have to make yourself effective. You will have to present issues with facts and figures. Merely changes in the system will not suffice. Some or the other change keep happening in the structure. In order to establish your leadership, you should have the knowledge of subjects.
"...Try to develop your independent image as a public representative. Make an attempt that you have your own image in your region. Once the image of your working style and your views is established among people, it will last for long. You will see people accepting your ideas once you are thus established," PM Modi said at the National Conference of Women Legislators in New Delhi.
The prime minister said "we must think beyond women's development" and move towards "women-led development."
Inaugurating the conference yesterday, President Pranab Mukherjee pitched for 33 per cent reservation for women in elected bodies saying it was a "sad commentary" that so far the country has not been able to achieve over 12 per cent representation for women in Parliament's total membership.
Vice President Hamid Ansari had also asked parties to voluntarily increase the nomination of women candidates in elections till the legislation is enacted.
However, the prime minister today skipped any mention about the bill but focussed on larger issues of attitudinal change and the need for women promoting women leadership in different spheres.
In his speech, he called upon women leaders to groom female leadership down the rung, overcoming "jealousy" due to competition.
"Politics is a game of competition but when the feeling of jealousy dominates in competition, then you cannot grow. If you start feeling that what will happen to you if more talented women come in your field, or if your attempt is that I am there and will not allow anybody else to progress.
"Rather if you allow others to come up, you will go high. A kind of pyramid-like structure comes up then," the prime minister said.
Observing that only budgets and infrastructure do not strengthen nations, the prime minister said every citizen of India strengthens the nation like a Mother gives strength to a child.
Lauding the ability of women to rise if given an opportunity, he said, "We had had many a Foreign Minister in last so many years but we do not even remember their names. Everybody knows about the outstanding work of Sushma Swaraj.
"All women Speakers in Lok Sabha have done good work. The success of women is better than men when they are given opportunity," he said, citing the role of women in reshaping African nation Rwanda whose Parliament has 65 per cent women.
PM Modi also chose the occasion to flag that his government was the first in which there were so many women ministers.
He also asked whether the two Houses of Parliament could have an e-platform for women members to exchange views.
"Nobody else can empower the nation as much as a mother does to her child," PM Modi said, emphasising the need to take "pride" in this and adding that "inferiority complex" does not help anybody rise.
Giving anecdotes, the Prime Minister hailed virtues of patience and tendency among women to make sacrifices for her husband and children.
Maintaining that women can adapt to new technologies faster than men, he said even illiterate women know how to handle gadgets with new technologies in the kitchen.
Asking women legislators to play an effective role in law-making, he said that women foresee challenges and problems much better than men and hence should suggest changes which they feel are necessary when legislations are enacted.
Seeking their increased contribution in strengthening the nation, PM Modi stressed "there is a need to change this mental state about women empowerment. Empowerment is done for those who are not empowered. What does the empowerment of those who are already powerful mean?
"Who are males to empower women? We do not realise our powers till we do not face challenge," the Prime Minister said adding that "women have much more inherent strength than men which they reflect in meeting the odds in family life and social life".
PM Modi asked the women lawmakers whether they have empowered other women public representatives under them.
"Can you do any such exercise in your Parliamentary or Assembly seat what the Speaker has done here? There should be no politics in it. Members of all parties are here. The Committee set up by the Speaker for this programme has members from all parties," he said.
The prime minister urged women legislators to engage with their constituents by using technology and spoke of his own experience in this regard, saying he has been receiving enriching thoughts and views through the MyGov platform and Narendra Modi App.
The prime minister said multi-tasking, an important element of modern-day management, comes naturally to women in India and urged the women legislators to engage with their constituents using technology.
"In addition to structural component of programmes like this, experiences shared during personal meets, over tea, meals are invaluable," he said.
PM Modi had last week launched a blistering attack on Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi and Congress accusing them of stalling Parliament because of "jealousy" and "inferiority complex". He appeared to take the theme further today suggesting such feeling is a hindrance in the development of women leadership.
Former president Pratibha Patil said women in legislature should fight MONEY and muscle power" which have found a place in the parliamentary process of the biggest democracy in the world.
"When we talk about women participation. There is a talk about the need for a change in mindset. But this will take a long time. From the very beginning, our children must be taught that men and women are equal," she said.
Ms Patil chose the occasion to pitch for "Gender Budgeting" saying the women legislators should see what money is spent on women's welfare.
Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan expressed happiness that while males spoke about the empowerment of women, women legislators discussed their role in empowering the nation.
The conference, which was also attended Speaker of the Bangladesh Parliament, Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, also saw a suggestion to organise a similar conference at the Asia level.
The meet with the theme, 'Role of Women Legislators in Nation Building organised by Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan was attended by women lawmakers from across the country.
The conference also passed a resolution to work for transparent, accountable and inclusive governance and to contribute to the task of building a Resurgent India, strive for social and FINANCIAL inclusion with a view to ensuring equal opportunities to all.
Recognising the vital role of legislators especially women in strengthening the processes of governance towards building a Resurgent India, it emphasised that India has made notable progress in social and economic development.
86 Indian Fishermen Released By Pakistan In Goodwill Gesture
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KARACHI: In a goodwill gesture, Pakistan today released 86 Indian fishermen arrested for allegedly violating its territorial waters.
The 86 fishermen, apprehended almost five months ago, were released from Landhi Jail in Karachi and will be sent to India through Wagah Border tomorrow, Radio Pakistan reported.
According to Jail Superintendent of Landhi Jail, the fishermen have been released as a goodwill gesture.
Fishermen are frequently arrested along with their boats by both India and Pakistan as the maritime border in the Arabian Sea is poorly defined, and many fishing boats lack the technology needed to be certain of their precise location.
Some of them spend years in jail before being repatriated.
In the past the two nations have released each others fishermen as goodwill gestures.
KARACHI: In a goodwill gesture, Pakistan today released 86 Indian fishermen arrested for allegedly violating its territorial waters.The 86 fishermen, apprehended almost five months ago, were released from Landhi Jail in Karachi and will be sent to India through Wagah Border tomorrow, Radio Pakistan reported.
According to Jail Superintendent of Landhi Jail, the fishermen have been released as a goodwill gesture.
Fishermen are frequently arrested along with their boats by both India and Pakistan as the maritime border in the Arabian Sea is poorly defined, and many fishing boats lack the technology needed to be certain of their precise location.
Some of them spend years in jail before being repatriated.
In the past the two nations have released each others fishermen as goodwill gestures.
Will Electrify All Villages Ahead Of 2018 Deadline, Says Piyush Goyal
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MATHURA: Work is on to meet the government's target of electrifying every village in the country a year before the 2018 deadline set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Power Minister Piyush Goyal said in Mathura.
The minister asserted that there is no dearth of power and coal in the country.
"No power plant in the country has to temporarily shut down for dearth of coal which shows that there is no shortage. We can now supply any amount of power to any state on demand," he said.
The minister was addressing a meeting of Bhartiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) last evening.
Referring to the Narenda Modi government's pledge to electrify all villages by 2018, he said, "We have decided to fulfill it at least a year ahead of the deadline."
Mr Goyal said, "So far 38 per cent of the work has been done as 6,114 villages have been electrified."
Batting for increased use of LED, he said, "It is being made available to common man at Rs.74 against its earlier market price of Rs. 450 since transparency has been maintained in bidding etc.
"Our target is to ensure LED in every house of the country by 2019 by pressing sale of 77 crore bulbs. It would also save 2.5 crore units of power," he asserted.
The minister spoke on welfare schemes initiated by Modi government and asked activists of BJYM to make the rural people aware about them.
Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar alleged that various projects, including those related to defence, were held up during UPA regime due to delay in green nod.
"Road construction in the border areas was held up owing to environmental clearance. I have not only given green signal to this scheme but have told services chiefs that now environmental clearance would not be required for defence schemes," Mr Javadekar said.
The minister attacked the Congress, saying a new challenge to maintain healthy tradition of parliamentary system has now come up due to the conduct of opposition party which is "creating hurdles as it sees no scope to come back to power".
"Since Congress looted the country for 60 years, it has to remain in 'exile' at least for 14 years," he said.
Union Minister for Small Enterprise Kalaraj Mishra advised activists not to be deterred by criticism.
"Take a lesson from Prime Minister Modi, who is working hard to overcome poverty and unemployment without bothering about criticism," he added.
"The day is not for off when India would become 'maha shakti (super power). Even the US President has said that Modi is a man of action," he said.
Union HRD Minister Smrati Irani claimed that the facility to defence personnel for getting higher education through Indira Gandhi National Open University was withdrawn by Congress Government.
"Now we have cleared the facility and degrees to 45 Air Force and 3.73 lakh Army personnel were awarded," she said.
She also spoke of providing free NCERT books up to class 12 in Hindi, Engilish and Urdu languages through website.
MATHURA: Work is on to meet the government's target of electrifying every village in the country a year before the 2018 deadline set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Power Minister Piyush Goyal said in Mathura.The minister asserted that there is no dearth of power and coal in the country.
"No power plant in the country has to temporarily shut down for dearth of coal which shows that there is no shortage. We can now supply any amount of power to any state on demand," he said.
The minister was addressing a meeting of Bhartiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) last evening.
Referring to the Narenda Modi government's pledge to electrify all villages by 2018, he said, "We have decided to fulfill it at least a year ahead of the deadline."
Mr Goyal said, "So far 38 per cent of the work has been done as 6,114 villages have been electrified."
Batting for increased use of LED, he said, "It is being made available to common man at Rs.74 against its earlier market price of Rs. 450 since transparency has been maintained in bidding etc.
"Our target is to ensure LED in every house of the country by 2019 by pressing sale of 77 crore bulbs. It would also save 2.5 crore units of power," he asserted.
The minister spoke on welfare schemes initiated by Modi government and asked activists of BJYM to make the rural people aware about them.
Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar alleged that various projects, including those related to defence, were held up during UPA regime due to delay in green nod.
"Road construction in the border areas was held up owing to environmental clearance. I have not only given green signal to this scheme but have told services chiefs that now environmental clearance would not be required for defence schemes," Mr Javadekar said.
The minister attacked the Congress, saying a new challenge to maintain healthy tradition of parliamentary system has now come up due to the conduct of opposition party which is "creating hurdles as it sees no scope to come back to power".
"Since Congress looted the country for 60 years, it has to remain in 'exile' at least for 14 years," he said.
Union Minister for Small Enterprise Kalaraj Mishra advised activists not to be deterred by criticism.
"Take a lesson from Prime Minister Modi, who is working hard to overcome poverty and unemployment without bothering about criticism," he added.
"The day is not for off when India would become 'maha shakti (super power). Even the US President has said that Modi is a man of action," he said.
Union HRD Minister Smrati Irani claimed that the facility to defence personnel for getting higher education through Indira Gandhi National Open University was withdrawn by Congress Government.
"Now we have cleared the facility and degrees to 45 Air Force and 3.73 lakh Army personnel were awarded," she said.
She also spoke of providing free NCERT books up to class 12 in Hindi, Engilish and Urdu languages through website.
Will Spare No Efforts To Rescue Priest Missing In Yemen: Sushma Swaraj
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NEW DELHI: India will spare no efforts to rescue father Tom Uzhunnalil, who has gone missing in Yemen after the ISIS terrorist group attacked a care home run by Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity.
"Yemen is a conflict zone. We do not have Embassy there. But we will spare no efforts to rescue Father Tom Uzhunnalil," External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj tweeted.
The minister noted that though there was Indian Embassy in Yemen, there was a camp office in Djibouti. She also corrected the number of Indians killed in the attack from four to one.
Gunmen stormed the refuge for the elderly on Friday, killing a Yemeni guard before tying up and shooting 15 other employees.
Four foreign nuns, including an Indian, working as nurses were among those killed.
"Yemen is a conflict zone. We do not have Embassy there. But we will spare no efforts to rescue Father Tom Uzhunnalil," External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj tweeted.
The minister noted that though there was Indian Embassy in Yemen, there was a camp office in Djibouti. She also corrected the number of Indians killed in the attack from four to one.
Gunmen stormed the refuge for the elderly on Friday, killing a Yemeni guard before tying up and shooting 15 other employees.
Four foreign nuns, including an Indian, working as nurses were among those killed.
Need To Ensure Access To Justice For All, Says Home Minister Rajnath Singh
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NEW DELHI: There is a need to ensure access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said today.
Addressing the valedictory function of the international conference on "Rule of Law for supporting the 2030 National Green Tribunal" in New Delhi, Mr Singh said very importantly the global community has noted the need to reduce the violence in all forms and promote rule of law not only at the national level but also at the international level.
The home minister said he is hopeful that all concerned will lend their voice to the issue of environmental justice and rule of law which are necessary for sustainable development.
"As you are aware the United Nations adopted the 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in September last year.
"I think we in our country indeed recognise the importance of these goals in pursuit of a world free from inequities and deprivations," he said.
The home minister said peace and harmony are essential for sustainable development and it is impossible to visualise the world without poverty, hunger, deprivation, gender discrimination, etc. Unless and until an atmosphere is created which allows people to use available resources for their development instead of unproductive activities.
Mr Singh said poverty eradication is the greatest global challenge facing the world today and it is certainly one of the top most priorities for India where one third of its population lives in extreme poverty.
"The government in India has already kick started the process by empowering the poor through several of its social and economic security schemes.
"We want to instill confidence among the poor that their destiny is in their own hands and with a positive mind and strategic thinking the twin challenges of poverty and hunger can be met successfully," he said.
The home minister said the Narendra Modi government's policy is of 'zero tolerance against hunger' and he is confident that by 2030, India would be successfully able to end hunger and ensure safe, nutritious and sufficient food to every Indian throughout the year.
"The SDGs target of doubling the agricultural productivity and incomes of farmers specially the small scale producers by 2030 is challenging. Nevertheless, the Government of India has committed itself to double the income of all the farmers by 2022 much ahead of the time frame set by the SDGs," he said.
Mr Singh said developing and implementing resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, and strengthening capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, and other natural calamities is an area of concern to the world.
The home minister said there is a need to increase INVESTMENTS in irrigation, rural infrastructure, and agricultural research and extension services.
"Our government has already started working on this prescription as we have decided to build roads to all rural settlements in the next three years and also allocated FUNDS to increase the percentage of irrigated land in the country which is currently pegged around 46 per cent," he said.
Mr Singh said as a measure to ensure the proper functioning of food commodity markets and facilitate timely access to MARKET information to the farmers, the central government has decided to establish the United Agricultural Marketing ePlatform which aims to connect 585 agri mandis (wholesale markets) by March 2018.
"This facility will allow farmers to sell their produce at any mandi of their choice and help the farmers in realising a fair and MARKET determined prices for their produce, thereby improving their incomes," he said.
NEW DELHI: There is a need to ensure access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said today.Addressing the valedictory function of the international conference on "Rule of Law for supporting the 2030 National Green Tribunal" in New Delhi, Mr Singh said very importantly the global community has noted the need to reduce the violence in all forms and promote rule of law not only at the national level but also at the international level.
The home minister said he is hopeful that all concerned will lend their voice to the issue of environmental justice and rule of law which are necessary for sustainable development.
"As you are aware the United Nations adopted the 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in September last year.
"I think we in our country indeed recognise the importance of these goals in pursuit of a world free from inequities and deprivations," he said.
The home minister said peace and harmony are essential for sustainable development and it is impossible to visualise the world without poverty, hunger, deprivation, gender discrimination, etc. Unless and until an atmosphere is created which allows people to use available resources for their development instead of unproductive activities.
Mr Singh said poverty eradication is the greatest global challenge facing the world today and it is certainly one of the top most priorities for India where one third of its population lives in extreme poverty.
"The government in India has already kick started the process by empowering the poor through several of its social and economic security schemes.
"We want to instill confidence among the poor that their destiny is in their own hands and with a positive mind and strategic thinking the twin challenges of poverty and hunger can be met successfully," he said.
The home minister said the Narendra Modi government's policy is of 'zero tolerance against hunger' and he is confident that by 2030, India would be successfully able to end hunger and ensure safe, nutritious and sufficient food to every Indian throughout the year.
"The SDGs target of doubling the agricultural productivity and incomes of farmers specially the small scale producers by 2030 is challenging. Nevertheless, the Government of India has committed itself to double the income of all the farmers by 2022 much ahead of the time frame set by the SDGs," he said.
Mr Singh said developing and implementing resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, and strengthening capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, and other natural calamities is an area of concern to the world.
The home minister said there is a need to increase INVESTMENTS in irrigation, rural infrastructure, and agricultural research and extension services.
"Our government has already started working on this prescription as we have decided to build roads to all rural settlements in the next three years and also allocated FUNDS to increase the percentage of irrigated land in the country which is currently pegged around 46 per cent," he said.
Mr Singh said as a measure to ensure the proper functioning of food commodity markets and facilitate timely access to MARKET information to the farmers, the central government has decided to establish the United Agricultural Marketing ePlatform which aims to connect 585 agri mandis (wholesale markets) by March 2018.
"This facility will allow farmers to sell their produce at any mandi of their choice and help the farmers in realising a fair and MARKET determined prices for their produce, thereby improving their incomes," he said.
Business Affairs
Govt to set up panel to look at consolidation for state-run banks
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The government will form a panel to devise a strategy for consolidation in the state-run banking sector, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said on Saturday.
More than two dozen state-run banks dominate banking sector with over two-thirds of assets. They also hold close to 85 per cent of the bad loans in the sector.
Banks have favoured the idea of consolidation, Jaitley told reporters after a two-day annual brainstorming event of senior officials from banks, the central bank and finance ministry.
He also said the government was considering an employee stock option plan for the state-run banks.
The government will form a panel to devise a strategy for consolidation in the state-run banking sector, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said on Saturday.
More than two dozen state-run banks dominate banking sector with over two-thirds of assets. They also hold close to 85 per cent of the bad loans in the sector.
Banks have favoured the idea of consolidation, Jaitley told reporters after a two-day annual brainstorming event of senior officials from banks, the central bank and finance ministry.
He also said the government was considering an employee stock option plan for the state-run banks.
Industries with zero-pollution load need not take green clearance
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More than 30 industries that have zero-pollution load have been exempted from taking environmental clearance even as the government on Saturday released a new four-colour classification scheme for industries based on their pollution potential.
Under the new categorisation system, industries which pollute the most have been put in the red category while the moderately polluting units are classified orange.
Industries that have a significantly low pollution load have been placed in the green category while those that operate without causing any pollution have been categorised as white.
Terming it a landmark decision which gives a fair picture of the industries, Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said the new system of re-categorisation is based on an elaborate scientific exercise.
The existing system was creating problems because it did not reflect the actual pollution caused by the various units.
The Environment Ministry said that 60 industries, including sugar, thermal power plants, paints and others, which have a pollution index score of 60 and above, will be in the red category while 83 industries like coal washeries and automobile servicing which have scores ranging between 41-59 will be in the orange category.
Similarly, industries like aluminium utensil manufacturing and dal and flour mills, which have a pollution index score of between 21 and 40, have been kept in the green category.
A further 36 industries like air coolers and cotton and woollen hosiery, which have a pollution index score of upto 20, have been kept in the white category. The new category of white industries, which are practically non-polluting, will not require Environmental Clearance (EC) and Consent. That will help them get funds from lending institutions.
The re-categorisation exercise was carried out over the last one year. This is a landmark decision to give a fair picture of the industries.
Re-categorisation of industries based on their pollution load is a scientific exercise. The old system of categorisation was creating problems for many industries and was not reflecting the level of pollution caused by these. The new categories will remove this lacuna, Javadekar said.
More than 30 industries that have zero-pollution load have been exempted from taking environmental clearance even as the government on Saturday released a new four-colour classification scheme for industries based on their pollution potential.
Under the new categorisation system, industries which pollute the most have been put in the red category while the moderately polluting units are classified orange.
Industries that have a significantly low pollution load have been placed in the green category while those that operate without causing any pollution have been categorised as white.
Terming it a landmark decision which gives a fair picture of the industries, Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said the new system of re-categorisation is based on an elaborate scientific exercise.
The existing system was creating problems because it did not reflect the actual pollution caused by the various units.
The Environment Ministry said that 60 industries, including sugar, thermal power plants, paints and others, which have a pollution index score of 60 and above, will be in the red category while 83 industries like coal washeries and automobile servicing which have scores ranging between 41-59 will be in the orange category.
Similarly, industries like aluminium utensil manufacturing and dal and flour mills, which have a pollution index score of between 21 and 40, have been kept in the green category.
A further 36 industries like air coolers and cotton and woollen hosiery, which have a pollution index score of upto 20, have been kept in the white category. The new category of white industries, which are practically non-polluting, will not require Environmental Clearance (EC) and Consent. That will help them get funds from lending institutions.
The re-categorisation exercise was carried out over the last one year. This is a landmark decision to give a fair picture of the industries.
Re-categorisation of industries based on their pollution load is a scientific exercise. The old system of categorisation was creating problems for many industries and was not reflecting the level of pollution caused by these. The new categories will remove this lacuna, Javadekar said.
Why oil prices vary at pumps across the globe
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A dramatic drop in oil prices is translating into a mixed bag for motorists across the globe - from hefty savings at the pump in the United States to a rare fuel price hike in Venezuela.
Oil prices have dropped nearly 70 per cent in the past 20 months, driven down by a glut in supply. All countries have access to the same oil prices on international markets, but retail gasoline prices vary wildly, largely because of the taxes and subsidies imposed on them.
That has meant the impact of diving oil prices has been uneven around the world.
In the United States, for example, drivers have enjoyed the fall as average gasoline prices tumbled to $1.64 a gallon ($0.43 a liter) last month from $3.37 a gallon ($0.89 a liter) two years ago. That has spurred a road renaissance of sorts as Americans hit the highways in greater numbers.
"It's great. It used to pain me to fill up my car, but now it's no big deal," said Patsy Gehring, a 59-year old who lives in Philadelphia. She says she notices the low pump prices every time she fills up her 2014 Honda Civic and is considering driving instead of flying on an upcoming trip to Florida.
"I'm probably going to end up driving. I'd prefer to fly, but gas prices are so cheap it just makes sense," she said.
The decline in prices at the pump has been more muted in countries like Indonesia, China and India, which have tried to reduce subsidies and absorb some of the gains from lower oil prices as taxes or levies, Barclays said in a research report.
Overall, retail fuel prices in Asia - which is home to three of the world's four largest energy importers - have fallen only about 35 percent despite the almost 70 percent decline in oil prices since July 2014, Barclays said.
In China, the wholesale gasoline price ceiling - which is set by the country's central planning commission - has fallen 29 percent since February 2014. But in January regulators set a floor on price cuts, saying they would no longer adjust prices down when oil prices are below $40 a barrel. One benchmark oil price, Brent crude, was trading at around $36 a barrel this week.
Meanwhile, the Chinese government has also raised the consumption tax on fuel three times six since the slide in oil prices began. In Beijing, motorists appeared resigned to the limited benefit.
"When you look at oil prices, you can see the price at the pump should be a lot lower," said a 35-year-old man driving a black Audi A6, who gave his surname as Gao.
In Hong Kong - which has the world's most expensive gasoline at $6.69 per gallon ($1.76 per liter) according to www.globalpetrolprices.com - the slow downward march in prices has not impressed car owner Simon Lam. "It's been at this price range for so long and we have no choice but to accept that," he said.
A different story is being played out in two major oil producing countries - Saudi Arabia and Venezuela - where prices at the pump have actually risen due to cuts in subsidies, imposed to compensate for the economic hit from the oil price crash.
Venezuela in February increased pump rates for the first time in nearly 20 years. Its 95 octane gasoline rose more than 6,000 percent from 0.097 bolivars to 6 bolivars per liter. (From 0.36 bolivars to 22.7 bolivars per gallon.) While that is $0.60 at the strongest official exchange rate it is far less at the weakest official rate and just $0.006 on the black market, making it the cheapest fuel in the world at that rate.
The price is so low - especially in the face of raging inflation - that many Venezuelans support raising fuel rates even more.
"Gasoline is too cheap here. A liter of water is still more expensive than a liter of fuel. I have family abroad in Ecuador, and there it's very expensive, here it's nothing! They should have increased it a bit more," said taxi driver Raul Ramirez as he filled up his car at a Caracas gas station recently.
Similarly, Saudi Arabia - with its finances also hit hard by the oil slump - in December raised the price of 95 octane gasoline to 0.90 riyal ($0.24) per liter from 0.60 riyal. (From 2.27 to 3.40 riyal per gallon)
That still keeps Saudi Arabia among the countries with the cheapest gasoline prices in the world, so motorists are not complaining too much.
"It is still cheap, still reasonable - people can afford it," said a 40-year-old as he filled up at a gas station in Khobar near the state oil company's headquarters.
"You don't usually tip the guy at the pump but in Saudi Arabia you do because petrol is so cheap."
A dramatic drop in oil prices is translating into a mixed bag for motorists across the globe - from hefty savings at the pump in the United States to a rare fuel price hike in Venezuela.
Oil prices have dropped nearly 70 per cent in the past 20 months, driven down by a glut in supply. All countries have access to the same oil prices on international markets, but retail gasoline prices vary wildly, largely because of the taxes and subsidies imposed on them.
That has meant the impact of diving oil prices has been uneven around the world.
In the United States, for example, drivers have enjoyed the fall as average gasoline prices tumbled to $1.64 a gallon ($0.43 a liter) last month from $3.37 a gallon ($0.89 a liter) two years ago. That has spurred a road renaissance of sorts as Americans hit the highways in greater numbers.
"It's great. It used to pain me to fill up my car, but now it's no big deal," said Patsy Gehring, a 59-year old who lives in Philadelphia. She says she notices the low pump prices every time she fills up her 2014 Honda Civic and is considering driving instead of flying on an upcoming trip to Florida.
"I'm probably going to end up driving. I'd prefer to fly, but gas prices are so cheap it just makes sense," she said.
The decline in prices at the pump has been more muted in countries like Indonesia, China and India, which have tried to reduce subsidies and absorb some of the gains from lower oil prices as taxes or levies, Barclays said in a research report.
Overall, retail fuel prices in Asia - which is home to three of the world's four largest energy importers - have fallen only about 35 percent despite the almost 70 percent decline in oil prices since July 2014, Barclays said.
In China, the wholesale gasoline price ceiling - which is set by the country's central planning commission - has fallen 29 percent since February 2014. But in January regulators set a floor on price cuts, saying they would no longer adjust prices down when oil prices are below $40 a barrel. One benchmark oil price, Brent crude, was trading at around $36 a barrel this week.
Meanwhile, the Chinese government has also raised the consumption tax on fuel three times six since the slide in oil prices began. In Beijing, motorists appeared resigned to the limited benefit.
"When you look at oil prices, you can see the price at the pump should be a lot lower," said a 35-year-old man driving a black Audi A6, who gave his surname as Gao.
In Hong Kong - which has the world's most expensive gasoline at $6.69 per gallon ($1.76 per liter) according to www.globalpetrolprices.com - the slow downward march in prices has not impressed car owner Simon Lam. "It's been at this price range for so long and we have no choice but to accept that," he said.
A different story is being played out in two major oil producing countries - Saudi Arabia and Venezuela - where prices at the pump have actually risen due to cuts in subsidies, imposed to compensate for the economic hit from the oil price crash.
Venezuela in February increased pump rates for the first time in nearly 20 years. Its 95 octane gasoline rose more than 6,000 percent from 0.097 bolivars to 6 bolivars per liter. (From 0.36 bolivars to 22.7 bolivars per gallon.) While that is $0.60 at the strongest official exchange rate it is far less at the weakest official rate and just $0.006 on the black market, making it the cheapest fuel in the world at that rate.
The price is so low - especially in the face of raging inflation - that many Venezuelans support raising fuel rates even more.
"Gasoline is too cheap here. A liter of water is still more expensive than a liter of fuel. I have family abroad in Ecuador, and there it's very expensive, here it's nothing! They should have increased it a bit more," said taxi driver Raul Ramirez as he filled up his car at a Caracas gas station recently.
Similarly, Saudi Arabia - with its finances also hit hard by the oil slump - in December raised the price of 95 octane gasoline to 0.90 riyal ($0.24) per liter from 0.60 riyal. (From 2.27 to 3.40 riyal per gallon)
That still keeps Saudi Arabia among the countries with the cheapest gasoline prices in the world, so motorists are not complaining too much.
"It is still cheap, still reasonable - people can afford it," said a 40-year-old as he filled up at a gas station in Khobar near the state oil company's headquarters.
"You don't usually tip the guy at the pump but in Saudi Arabia you do because petrol is so cheap."
EPF tax issue to be discussed in trustees' meet
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EPFO trustees' meet later this month is likely to be a stormy affair as trade unions will raise their voice against the Budget proposal of taxing EPF withdrawals.
"We have received the notice for 212th meeting of the Central Board of Trustees (CBT) on March 17. We will definitely raise the issue of taxing EPF withdrawals as proposed in the Budget by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley," All India Trade Union Congress Secretary and EPFO trustee D L Sachdev said.
All trade unions will condemn and oppose the proposal which will directly affect the workers. The issue is not listed on agenda but we will raise it in the meeting, he said.
The government has drawn flak from all corners on the proposal to tax part of EPF withdrawals. However, the government says it is not for all subscribers of such schemes and there would be exemptions.
Sachdev said the issues listed for discussion include organisational restructuring of Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO). Besides, the board will vet proposal for increasing the number of days for borrowing of funds from CBLO (Collateralized Borrowing and Lending Obligation) for participation in primary auctions of government securities and corporate bonds to 30 days from 15.
The trustees will also take stock of the investment in Exchange Traded Fund (ETF). EPFO has started investing in ETF in August last year. The body has planned to invest over Rs 5,000 crore in ETF in the current fiscal.
The CBT will also review CBLO borrowing transactions by the Portfolio Managers from September 19, 2015 to December 31, 2015. Jaitley in his Budget for 2016-17 had proposed that 60 per cent of the withdrawal on contribution to employee PF made after April 1 this year will be subject to tax. This would apply to superannuation funds and recognised provident funds including EPF.
EPFO has a subscribers' base of over five crore and manages a corpus of over Rs 8.5 lakh crore. Its incremental deposits are expected to touch Rs 1.15 lakh crore during the current fiscal.
EPFO trustees' meet later this month is likely to be a stormy affair as trade unions will raise their voice against the Budget proposal of taxing EPF withdrawals.
"We have received the notice for 212th meeting of the Central Board of Trustees (CBT) on March 17. We will definitely raise the issue of taxing EPF withdrawals as proposed in the Budget by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley," All India Trade Union Congress Secretary and EPFO trustee D L Sachdev said.
All trade unions will condemn and oppose the proposal which will directly affect the workers. The issue is not listed on agenda but we will raise it in the meeting, he said.
The government has drawn flak from all corners on the proposal to tax part of EPF withdrawals. However, the government says it is not for all subscribers of such schemes and there would be exemptions.
Sachdev said the issues listed for discussion include organisational restructuring of Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO). Besides, the board will vet proposal for increasing the number of days for borrowing of funds from CBLO (Collateralized Borrowing and Lending Obligation) for participation in primary auctions of government securities and corporate bonds to 30 days from 15.
The trustees will also take stock of the investment in Exchange Traded Fund (ETF). EPFO has started investing in ETF in August last year. The body has planned to invest over Rs 5,000 crore in ETF in the current fiscal.
The CBT will also review CBLO borrowing transactions by the Portfolio Managers from September 19, 2015 to December 31, 2015. Jaitley in his Budget for 2016-17 had proposed that 60 per cent of the withdrawal on contribution to employee PF made after April 1 this year will be subject to tax. This would apply to superannuation funds and recognised provident funds including EPF.
EPFO has a subscribers' base of over five crore and manages a corpus of over Rs 8.5 lakh crore. Its incremental deposits are expected to touch Rs 1.15 lakh crore during the current fiscal.
Tata Motors expects CV sales to grow 25 per cent this fiscal
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Tata Motors is hopeful of closing this financial year with a 25 per cent growth in commercial vehicle sales and continuing the run next year as well on replacement demand to meet new emission norms and a pick-up in the economy.
The company expects to close the hybrid bus order from BMC any day now, having already signed an agreement with the authorities. "Truck sales have overall reached the 2011-12 peak, and we have been leading the market. We hope to close this fiscal year with around 25 per cent spike in overall sales. The first two months of the current quarter have been very good, and March should be better," Tata Motors Executive Director for the commercial vehicle business unit Ravi Pisharody told PTI.
"We hope to continue the sales growth next fiscal year as well, which in percentage terms may be lower than this fiscal, considering the high base. Still, we expect to clock 10- 15 per cent jump in sales as BS-IV norms will kick in from April 2017. I expect the second half of the next fiscal year to be better than H1," he said.
In April-May of 2015-16, Tata Motors stood out on the sales front. While domestic CV sales rose 20 per cent to 30,670 units and exports 42 per cent to 5,636 units in January, the same rose 22 per cent to 14,872 units and 31 per cent to 5,142 units, respectively, in February.
On the order for 25 hybrid buses from BMC, he said, "We have already signed an agreement with BMC and expect the final order for 25 hybrid buses any day now. This is the single-largest order for hybrid in the country till date. Each bus, which will be diesel-cum-electric hybrid, is expected to cost more than Rs 2 crore, including the annual maintenance charges," sources said.
Asked if he expects the domestic unit to report profit in the fourth quarter, he declined to comment, saying the company does not offer guidance on profitability.
Tata Motors is hopeful of closing this financial year with a 25 per cent growth in commercial vehicle sales and continuing the run next year as well on replacement demand to meet new emission norms and a pick-up in the economy.
The company expects to close the hybrid bus order from BMC any day now, having already signed an agreement with the authorities. "Truck sales have overall reached the 2011-12 peak, and we have been leading the market. We hope to close this fiscal year with around 25 per cent spike in overall sales. The first two months of the current quarter have been very good, and March should be better," Tata Motors Executive Director for the commercial vehicle business unit Ravi Pisharody told PTI.
"We hope to continue the sales growth next fiscal year as well, which in percentage terms may be lower than this fiscal, considering the high base. Still, we expect to clock 10- 15 per cent jump in sales as BS-IV norms will kick in from April 2017. I expect the second half of the next fiscal year to be better than H1," he said.
In April-May of 2015-16, Tata Motors stood out on the sales front. While domestic CV sales rose 20 per cent to 30,670 units and exports 42 per cent to 5,636 units in January, the same rose 22 per cent to 14,872 units and 31 per cent to 5,142 units, respectively, in February.
On the order for 25 hybrid buses from BMC, he said, "We have already signed an agreement with BMC and expect the final order for 25 hybrid buses any day now. This is the single-largest order for hybrid in the country till date. Each bus, which will be diesel-cum-electric hybrid, is expected to cost more than Rs 2 crore, including the annual maintenance charges," sources said.
Asked if he expects the domestic unit to report profit in the fourth quarter, he declined to comment, saying the company does not offer guidance on profitability.
General Awareness
Latest Current Affairs - February 2016
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- Chief Executive of Afghanistan, Abdullah Abdullah visited India to Participate in Conference on Counter-terrorism-2016 being held in Jaipur.
- Memorandum of Understanding signed Between NationalINVESTMENT and InfrastructureFUND (NIIF) of India and Rusnano OJSC of Russia to Set-Up High Technology Private Equity Fund for Joint Implementation of Investments into Projects in India.
- Government has set-up Tax Policy Research Unit (Under Revenue Secretary) and Tax Policy Council (Finance Ministry) to bring consistency in Tax Policy as per Tax Administration Reform Commission (TARC) recommendations.
- Currently, Handling of handling of tax policy and related legislation is done by CBDT and CBEC, independently in Tax Research Unit (TRU) and Tax Policy and Legislation (TPL) wings.
- TAX POLICY RESEARCH UNIT (TPRU)
- It will Carry-out studies on various topics of fiscal and tax policies referred to it by CBDT and CBEC and will provide independent analysis on such topics.
- TAX POLICY COUNCIL
- The Tax Policy Council will look at all the research findings coming from Tax Policy Research (TPRU) Unit and suggest broad policy measures for taxation.
- Central Institute of Plastic Engineering & Technology (CIPET) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Karnataka Government to set up Advanced Polymer Design and Development Research Laboratory cum High Learning Centre at Bengaluru.
- Ramayyagari Subhash Reddy is appointed as Chief Justice of Gujarat High Court.
- Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP) and Qualcomm Ventures announced QPrize Make in India contest of US$ 350,000 (Rs 2 Crore) in equity investment as prizeMONEY for winning company. Goal is to catalyze IndianENTREPRENEURS and start up community.
- India signed agreement to acquire status of an Associate Member State of European Molecular Biology Organisation (EMBO) to strengthen scientific interaction and collaborative research with Europe. EMBO is an organization of leading researchers that promotes excellence in life sciences.
- India and Afghanistan signed agreement for visa-free travel for diplomatic passport holders.
- Japan's ShinMaywa will set up manufacturing plant of US-2 amphibious aircraft in India under ‘Make in India’ initiative to cater to international demands.
- K Durga Prasad is appointed as Director General (DG) of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).
- Saroj Kumar Jha is appointed as Senior Director for Fragility, Conflict and Violence Group in World Bank.
- Noted Urdu fiction novelist Intizar Husain passed away.
- Alphabet (parent company of Google) overtook Apple as most valuable company in world with valuation at 548 billion dollars (Apple worth 534 billion). Alphabet reported revenues worth 74.5 billion dollars in 2015 and profit of 23.4 billion dollars.
- Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) launched country's first anti-diabetic ayurvedic drug named BGR-34 for type two Diabetes mellitus. BGR-34 stands for Blood Glucost Regulator and offers effective solution for managing type two Diabetes.
- Kanu Behl directed ‘Titli’ won Best First Foreign Film Award in French Syndicate of Cinema Critics 2016 (FSCC).
- 2 February - World Wetland Day. Theme for 2016 is Wetlands for our Future – Sustainable Livelihoods.
- Jai Shanker Menon has been appointed as Head of Mission and Force Commander of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF).
- D J Pandian is appointed as vice-president and chief investment officer (CIO) of Beijing-based Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.
- General John Nicholson is appointed as commander of NATO forces in Afghanistan.
- Aruna Sethi appointed as head of Indian Cost Accounts Service (ICoAS). She is first lady officer to this post.
- Former Lok Sabha Speaker Balram Jakhar passed away.
- Former RBI Deputy Governor S S Tarapore passes away.
- Maharashtra government announced Bharatratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Special Collective Incentive Scheme for economically backward Dalit entrepreneurs.
- Kerala won 61st National School Athletics championship that concluded in Kozhikode (Kerala). Kerala won the event for 19th consecutive time.
- World Health Organisation (WHO) accorded PQP (Pre-qualification of Medicines Programme) certification to Chennai based GreenSignal Bio Pharma for manufacturing a BCG (Bacillus Calmette–Guérin) vaccine.
- PQP certification helps pharmaceutical companies to participate in the global immunisation programme facilitated through international procurement agencies such as UNICEF.
- Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech announced a breakthrough in developing world’s first Zika vaccine by developing two candidates.
- Sarangi maestro Pandit Ram Narayan is chosen for prestigious Pandit Bhimsen Joshi Classical Music Award for 2015-2016.
- PM Narendra Modi inaugurated Brahmaputra Cracker and Polymer Limited (BCPL) at Lepetkata, Assam. It is first petro-chemical plant in North-East India, built at cost of 10000-crore rupees.
- United States (US) Astronaut Edgar Mitchell passed away. He was sixth person to walk on Moon.
- International Fleet Review (IFR) 2016, international Navy exercise hosted by Indian Navy inaugurated in Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh). Theme of IFR 2016 is “United through Oceans”. Naval ships from 50 countries to participate in event.
- Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare will set up National Organic Farming Research Institute (NOFRI) in Sikkim by upgrading existing Gangtok based Regional Centre of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
- Government launched Project Sunrise for prevention of AIDS specially among people injecting drugs in 8 North-Eastern states.
- India ratified Convention on Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage (CSC), 1997 which sets parameters on a nuclear operator’sFINANCIAL liability. It will boost India’s nuclear commerce with international partners.
- Convention on Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage (CSC) Seeks to establish a uniform global legal regime for compensation to victims in event of a nuclear accident.
- It was adopted on 12 September 1997 and can enter into force after ratification by at least 5 countries with min 400,000 units of installed nuclear capacity.
- Maharashtra Government started Deradicalisation Programme for minority community to counter extremism at local and global level (Islamic State (IS)).
- Intellectual Property Appellate Board ordered Geographical Indications Registry (GIR) to issue ‘Geographical Indication’ tag for basmati rice grown in 7 states - Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, parts of Uttar Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir.
- This tag will help preserve unique identity of India’s aromatic basmati rice in internationalMARKETS.
- PM Narendra Modi inaugurated campus of National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER) in Bhubaneswar (Odisha).
- 12 Pacific Rim countries (Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei Darussalam, Japan, Canada, United States, Mexico, Peru, Chile, Australia and New Zealand) signed Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement in New Zealand. It is one of biggestTRADE deals ever.
- TPP is FreeTRADE Area with 80 crore people and 40% global trade.
- Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement Objectives are Lower trade barriers such as tariffs, common framework for intellectual property, Enforce standards for labour law and environmental law and an investor-state dispute settlement mechanism.
- India and China held their first joint tactical exercise (Sino-India Cooperation 2016) in Jammu & Kashmir.
- Indian Oil Corporation’s (IOC’s) new refinery at Paradip (Odisha) has been started. It is IOC’s 11th refinery and has capacity of 15 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA), Built at cost of 34,555 crores.
- Scientists from National University of Singapore (NUS) successfully converted paper waste into green nontoxic cellulose aerogels for the firs time. Aerogels are among lightest solid materials and are also among finest insulation materials.
- 30th Surajkund International Crafts Mela-2016 started in Faridabad (Haryana) with Telangana chosen as theme state.
- Software Firm Infosys will build world's tallest free-standing clock tower (135 Metres) at its global education centre in Mysuru.
- Kerala government will launch India's First Gender Taxi, operated by transgenders.
- International Swimming Federation announced Japanese city of Fukuoka as host of 2021 World Aquatics Championships and Qatari capital Doha As host of 2023 World Aquatics Championships.
- Japanese company Spread will open world's first robot-run farm of about area 4,400 square metres. All taks except Seed planting will be done by industrial robots.
- 4 February - World Cancer Day (WCD). Theme for 2016 is We can. I can.
- Rewati Chetri from India won Miss Asia (Best in Asia Continent) at 2016 World Miss University pageant in Beijing (China).
- Manipuri documentary film ‘Phum Shang’ won Golden Conch Award for best documentary at 14th Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF) 2016.
- Malayalam actress Geetu Mohandas won 2016 Global Filmmaking award at Sundance Film Festival 2016 for script of her upcoming filmInsha Allah.
- India’s top IT company Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is rated as world’s most powerful brand in Information Technology Services byBrand Finance. TCSEARNED an AA+ rating with score of 78.3 points. Besides , Disney is rated as most powerful brand and Apple as most valuable brand for 2016.
- Actor Amitabh Bachchan is honoured with lifetime achievement at NDTV Indian of the Year 2015 awards.
- Global Go to Think Tank Index Report (GGTTI) 2015 -
- Topped by United States of America (USA) and followed by China, UK, India and Germany.
- Six Indian think tanks figured in top 175 - Centre for Civil Society (CCS), Institute For Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA), Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), Observer Research Foundation (ORF).
- India will participate in 2016 CobraGOLD exercise (annual Thai-U.S joint and multinational military exercise).
- Sri Aurobindo International Centre for Education (SAICE), Puducherry became India’s first fully solar-powered educational institute. It generates 3 times the electricity it consumes through solar power plants.
- Renana Jhabvala has been invited to serve as a panelist on a UN panel on women's economic empowerment.
- India announced to host first-ever Global Maritime Summit in April 2016.
- India conferred honorary General of the Indian Army rank to Nepalese Army Chief General Rajendra Chettri.
- Shane Watson (Australia) became most expensive player in 2016 Indian Premier League(IPL) auction when Royal Challengers Bangalore bought him for Rs 9.5 Crore. Pawan Negi became costliest Indian player at Rs 8.5 Crore.
- North Korea successfully launched a Kwangmyongsong-4 earth observation satellite.
- Muktesh Kumar Pardeshi appointed as India’s Ambassador to Mexico.
- Datta Padsalgikar appointed as Commissioner of Mumbai Police.
- India's Under-19 Cricketer Rishabh Pant made fastest U-19 international half century ( 18 balls) against Nepal.
- As per records, National Pension System now has 1.15 crore subscribers, each with an average INR 95,000 of assets under management.
- Karnataka Government started INVESTKarnataka 2016 to attract Global Investors. Central government announced to spend Rs 1 lakh crore for development of road infrastructure in Karnataka.
- Government appointed Jai Kumar Garg as Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Corporation Bank.
- HL Samariya is appointed as Central ProvidentFUND Commissioner (CPFC) for three months.
- Chinese technology company ZTE has inked a pact with the Andhra Pradesh government to work on smart city projects in the state.
- Haryana and Province of Ontario in Canada signed an MoU for enhancing commercial and cultural ties.
- Anil Ambani's Reliance Entertainment announced joint venture with Neeraj Pandey and Shital Bhatia's Friday Filworks. Akshay Kumar starrer Rustom will be first movie under the banner, Plan C Studios.
- Mobile messaging app WhatsApp crossed one billion user milestone globally.
- State Bank of India tied up with travel relatedFINANCIAL services company Thomas Cook to offer online customers a recurring deposit that helps them save toward an inflation proof holiday.
- Government will infuse about Rs.5,000 crore capital in public sector undertaking (PSU) banks in the current fiscal (Fourth Quarter) to strengthen their balancesheet.
- BSE and International Finance Corporation (IFC) partnered to develop a corporate governance scorecard that seeks to help companies assay their corporate governance performances against national or international-benchmarked practices.
- Reliance Group announced to establish Dhirubhai Ambani Centre for Innovation and Research in Bengaluru. The centre is expected to generate over 1,500 highly skilled jobs and support government’s plan for indigenous development of defence equipment.
- Government appointed World Bank’s water and sanitation specialist, Parameshwaran Iyer as Secretary of the Drinking Water and Sanitation Department. He will lookm over Swachh Bharat Mission for 2 years.
- 6 February - International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation.
- Reliance Infrastructure signed a share purchase agreement with Birla Corporation for selling its cement assets to Birla Corp for Rs.4,800 crore.
- Finance Ministry's Official YouTube Channel launched.
- CapitalMARKETS regulator Sebi has set up a task force to review risk management norms for national-level commodity Exchanges.
- BSE Institute launched a new accelerator for start-ups. It will focus on scalable, technology start-ups and will help recreate in India the successful model of Digital Media Zone (DMZ) - Ryerson's flagship programme in Toronto which has incubated over 150 start-ups since 2010.
- Gurdeep Singh appointed Chairman and Managing Director of NTPC.
- Noted dancer-choreographer Ananda Shankar Jayant addressed India Conference at Harvard (USA).
- Noted Former Cricketer Rahul Dravid has been named in ICC's Anti-Corruption Oversight Group.
- Noted Political Catooninst Sudhir Tailang passes away.
- Corporation Bank signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Universal Sompo General Insurance Company for providing accident death coverage to its savings bank account holders.
- Indian Origin Person Vishal Mehta appointed President of newly- formed International Grown Diamond Association (IGDA).
- Indian Crticketer Virat Kohli ranked as Top T20 International Batsman by ICC by replacing Aaron Finch (Australia).
- Ministry of Urban Development approved projects worth over Rs 12 crore for tourist infrastructure in heritage locations in Amaravati (Andhra Pradesh) and Warangal (Telangana).
- India and Sri Lanka signed memorandum of understanding (MoUs) in health sector and renovation of schools with Sri Lanka.
- 24th National Homoeopathic Congress ‘Homeo-Vision 2016’ inaugurated in Nagpur (Maharashtra).
- Swachh Survekshan-2016 report by Urban Development Ministry -
- Top 10 Cleanliest Cities - Mysuru (1st), Chandigarh, Tiruchirapalli, New Delhi, Visakhapatnam, Surat, Rajkot, Gangtok, Pimpri Chindwad and Greater Mumbai
- Bottom 10 cities - Kalyan Dombivili, Varanasi, Jamshedpur, Ghaziabad, Raipur, Meerut, Patna, Itanagar, Asansol and Dhanbad (Ranked 73).
- ICICI Academy and RSETIs (Rural Self Employment Training Institutes) will train over 45,000 candidates in 2017. The academy has already trained over 25000 youths since its inception in 2013.
- Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brijbhushan Sharan Singh is appointed as president of South Asian Wrestling Federation (SAWF).
- Noted Hindi and Urdu Poet Muqtida Hasan Nida Fazli passed away.
- Indian Coast Guard will induct 38 more aircraft and helicopters by 2020, to take total strength of 62 airplanes / helicopters.
- Ashok Chawla is Appointed As New Chairman of TERI (The Energy and Resources Institute). Previous DG R.K. Pachauri is appointed Executive Vice Chairman.
- Nepal's former prime minister Sushil Koirala passed away.
- Government announced that Loans worth over Rs 1 lakh crore have been sanctioned toSMALL ENTREPRENEURS under Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana,in line with Government's vision of turing youth to be job creators and not job seekers.
- New Zealand Cricketer Brendon Mccullum retired from One day Internationals.
- R. K. Verma appointed as Secretary in Railway Board.
- Government announced Prime Minister’s Shram Awards 2014 on 54 people -
- Shram Ratna - No Awardee
- Shram Bhushan - 9 Awardees
- Shram Vir/Shram Veerangana - 19 Awardees
- Shram Shree/Shram Devi - 26 Awardees
- 4-day National Arogya Fair held at Dehradun (Uttarakhand), organized by Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa & Homoeopathy (AYUSH).
- Sultan Al Mansoori, Economy Minister of UAE visited India.
- Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare Minister Radha Mohan Singh announced establishment of National Organic Farming Research Institute (NOFRI) at Gangtok (Sikkim). Note that Sikkim has recently been declared as the first organic state in India.
- Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Visited India. India And UAE Signed 9 Agreements To Boost Bilateral Cooperation.
- Governmemt launched National Framework for Malaria Elimination (NFME) that outlines strategy for elimination of Malaria by 2030.
- National Research Development Corporation (NRDC) signed an agreement with Indian Institute of Chemical Biology to promoteENTREPRENEURSHIP.
- Government launched First Mega Food Parks in states of Madhya Pradesh (Khargone District) and Jharkhand (Getalsud (Ranchi)).
- Government will organize a mega Make in India Week event in Mumbai from February 13-18, 2016.
- Textile Ministry has bestowed Indian Handloom Brand tag on Chettinad cotton saris for its unique designs and identity.
- Ministry of Petroleum and Natural gas released Hydrocarbon Vision 2030 for north-east India.
- Index of Internet Readiness of Indian States (IIRIS) by Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) -
- Top 5 states - Maharashtra (1st), Karnataka, Gujarat, Telengana and Tamil Nadu.
- Among smaller states - Delhi is topmost in terms of Internet readiness index followed by Puducherry and Goa.
- Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has barred telecom service providers (TSPs) from offering or charging discriminatory tariffs for data services on the basis of content accessed by a consumer. In this regard, TRAI issued Prohibition of Discriminatory Tariffs for Data Services Regulations 2016.
- These Regulations ensure that consumers get non-discriminatory and unhindered access to internet and Data tariffs will be non-discriminatory on basis of the content (website visited).
- Note thatFACEBOOK had started a Free Basics Campaign that promoted Differential Pricing of Internet access based on Data / website accessed. TRAI has now ruled out against this andFACEBOOK has taken back its campaign against India's Net Independence and Neutrality.
- Biologists discovered a new species of hydroid polyps emitting green fluorescence in Red Sea (lying between Africa and Asia).
- Four Indian-Americans have been selected to the prestigious US National Academy of Engineering (NAE) - Anil K. Jain, Arati Prabhakar, Ganesh Thakur and K R Sridhar.
- Noted film director Aurobindo Mukherjee passed away.
- Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) released National Air Quality Indices (AQI) for 24 cities. Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) and Muzzafarpur (Bihar) were on top with an AQI value of 409 points each and were coded as severe in terms of air pollution. Delhi ranked 6th.
- Gujarat state government will set up India's first aviation park near Bagodara village in Ahmedabad district to strengthen the aviation sector.
- United States unveiled a cyber-security national action plan to boost security awareness amid of growing risks from new technologies. Under this action plan, President Obama in his budget request asked for 19 billion US dollars for cyber-security efforts.
- Government sanctioned 580 crore rupees for Agartala-Akhaura railway link Project to connect Kolkata (West Bengal) with Tripura via Bangladesh. It is a 15 km long strategic railway route that would connect Indian and Bangladesh Railways.
- UAE's Abu Dhabi National Oil (ADNOC) Company will storeCRUDE OIL in India’s maiden Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPRs) storage. It will be first deal in which India has partner with other country for storing crude oil in SPR storage for emergency purpose.
- Strategic Petroleum Reserves - India is building underground SPR storages at Visakhapatnam (1.33 million tonnes capacity), Mangalore (1.5 million tonnes) and Padur (2.5 million tonnes) to store about 5.33 million tonnes of crude oil.
- Indian-origin Harinder Sidhu has been appointed as Australian High Commissioner to India.
- Indian-origin Person Davinder Singh has been named as Vice-Chairman of International Chamber of Commerce Commission (ICC) on Corporate Responsibility and Anti-corruption.
- Ministry of Railways launched 3 IT (Information Technology) enabled apps.
- Hand Held Terminals for TTEs (Northern Railway)
- Paperless unreserved ticketing mobile application
- E-booking of disposable linen on trains
- Noted Russian football Player Anatoly Ilyin passed away.
- Karnataka's flagship mobile-one governance application wonGOLD medal at fourth World Government Summit in Dubai (UAE) in m-governance category.
- North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and European Union (EU) signed an agreement to improve Cooperation in Cyber Defence to counter modern forms of hybrid warfare.
- First phase of world’s largest concentrated solar power (CSP) plant launched in Morocco as part of Noor Ouarzazate Solar Complex to produce energy for over a million Moroccan households by 2018. Project will be implemented in 3 phases involving Noor I (160MW), Noor II (200MW) and Noor III (150MW).
- Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) banned Pakistani umpire Asad Rauf for five years in IPL after being found for guilty corrupt practices.
- Study claimed that extracts derived from neem tree can treat pancreatic cancer without harming normal cells.
- Tamar Hahn (Israel) has been appointed as Director of United Nations Information Centre (UNIC).
- Intellectual Property Index (IPI) by United States Chamber of Commerce (USCC)
- India ranked 37th among 38 countries. Venezuela ranked lowest (38th).
- Top 10 - US, UK, Germany, France, Sweden, Singapore, Switzerland, Australia, Japan and South Korea.
- India's IT Firm Wipro has acquired US based healthcare technology firm HealthPlan Services for USD 460 million.
- Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has declared Wild Pig (sus scrofa) as vermin (अपराधी) in Uttarakhand for an year.
- Canada, United States (US) and Mexico signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Climate Change and Energy Collaboration to tap into energy cooperation among three countries.
- West Indies won their first ever ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup by defeating India. Event was hosted by Bangladesh.
- Noted Malayalam poet and lyricist O N V Kurup passed away.
- Vilas A. Tonapi is appointed as Director of Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR).
- Scientist have discovered Gravitational Waves (GW) hypothesised by Albert Einstein in 1916. These waves were detected by scientists at LIGO(Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory) facilities in USA. These are produced by collision of two black holes located 1.3 billion light years away from earth.
- Nagaland is changing, But… film directed by Gurmeet Sapal has won Golden Beaver Best Film Award in institutional category and technical excellence award for best sound design at 6th National Science Film Festival in Mumbai.
- India's Ambassador to Tajikistan Biraja Prasad passed away.
- Bollywood actress Vidya Balan has been awarded with Pride of Kerala Award by World Malayalee Council and Kairali TV.
- 69th British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards -
- Best Film - The Revenant
- Outstanding British Film - Brooklyn
- Best Director - Alejandro G. Inarritu (The Revenant)
- Best Actor - Leonardo DiCaprio (The Revenant)
- Best Actress - Brie Larson (Room)
- Best Supporting Actor - Mark Rylance (Bridge of Spies)
- Best Supporting Actress - Kate Winslet (Steve Jobs)
- Best Original Music - Ennio Morricone (The Hateful Eight)
- Best Visual Effects - Star Wars :The Force Awakens
- Best Animated Film - Inside Out
- Best Documentary - Amy
- 10 February - National Deworming Day. Government launched National Deworming Initiative on this occasion, to benefit over 27 crore children.
- Government approved Memorandum of Understanding with Singapore for Cooperation in Urban Planning and Governance.
- Government approved nomination of Chief Executive Officer of NITI Aayog (Presently Amitabh kant) as part-time member of Telecom Commission in place of Secretary of erstwhile Planning Commission.
- Government approved proposal for commitments underTRADE Facilitation Agreement (TFA) of World Trade Organization (WTO). This agreement is part of WTO's Bali ministerial package 2013 containing provisions for expediting movement, release and clearance of goods including goods in transit.
- Government approved LIGO (Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory in India) science proposal for research on gravitational waves. LIGO-India project will establish a gravitational wave observatory in India in collaboration with LIGO Laboratory (USA). The Project is called IndIGO (Indian Initiative in Gravitational-wave Observations).
- Government approved Agreement for co-operation in Traditional Medicine between Ministry of AYUSH and World Health Organization.
- Government launched GeologicalSURVEY of India's (GSI) 'Operation Khanij Khoj' to speed up mineral exploration activity across India.
- From 01-04-2016 onwards, Government announced to reset Interest rates of small savings such as Kisan Vikas Patra, National Savings Certificate and post office recurring deposit schemes every quarter to align it withMARKET rates. It is expected to being Interest rates on these popular schemes.
- Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited commissioned a 101 MW (Mega Watt) gas-based Combined Cycle Power Plant (CCPP) at Monarchak in Tripura.
- Devaraja Reddy is elected as President of Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) for 1 year.
- Sindh became first Pakistani province to adopt landmark Hindu Marriage Bill, 2015 in order to allow minority Hindu community to register their marriages.
- 58th Annual Grammy Awards by Recording Academy -
- Best album of the year - 1989 (Taylor Swift)
- Best record of the year - Uptown Funk (Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars)
- Best song of the year - Thinking Out Loud Ed Sheeran & Amy Wadge
- Best new artist – Meghan Trainor
- Children’s Album - Home (Tim Kubart)
- Best Pop solo performance - Thinking Out Loud (Ed Sheeran)
- Best Pop Duo/Group Performance - Uptown Funk (Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars)
- Best Music Film - Indo-British filmmaker Asif Kapadia (Amy).
- Government unveiled National Capital Goods Policy 2016 to upgrade capital goods sector and Make in India initiative. Key Features ar -
- Increase exports of capital goods from the current 27% to 40 % of production.
- Increase share of domestic capital goods production in terms of demand from 60% to 80% in order to make India a net exporter of capital goods.
- Enhance Indian made capital goods export through a ‘Heavy Industry Export &MARKET Development Assistance Scheme (HIEMDA)
- Former United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali passed away.
- Commemoration 200th Birth Anniversary of Tatya Tope, one of notable generals in India's First War of Independence (1857-58) observed in New Delhi.
- India's first indigenously developed lightest revolver (gun) Nidar weighing 250 grams has been successfully launched. It has been manufactured by Rifle Factory Ishapore (West Bengal).
- First long distance cargo train between Iran and China arrived in Iranian capital city Tehran, covering 9,500-kilometres.
- India and Sweden inked Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Technical Cooperation in Rail Sector.
- Finance Ministry launched Non-Tax Receipt Portal (NTRP) to electronically collect non-tax receipts as part of Digital India campaign. It has been develped by Office of Controller General of Accounts and will reduce manual work involved in non-tax revenues.
- Noted music director Rajamani passed away.
- Swachh Sarvekshan 2016 -
- Cleanliest Cities of India -
- Mysore (Karnataka) (Most Clean)
- Chandigarh
- Tiruchirapalli (Tamil Nadu) (Also ranked as best performer city in Behavioral change Communication)
- New Delhi
- Visakhapatnam
- Surat
- Rajkot
- Gangtok
- Pimpri Chinchwad
- Greater Mumbai
- Dirtiest Cities in India -
- Dhanbad (Jharkhand) (Dirtiest)
- Asansol
- Itanagar
- Patna
- Meerut
- Raipur
- Ghaziabad
- Jamshedpur
- Varanasi
- Kalyan Dombivili
- NRDC has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with IACS for commercialisation of technologies and intellectual properties (IP) developed at IACS (Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science).
- St. Petersburg Ladies Trophy -
- Singles - Roberta Vinci (Italy) won by defeating Belinda Bencic (Switzerland).
- Doubles - Indo-Swiss pair Sania Mirza and Martina Hingis won by defeating Russian-Czech team of Vera Dushevina and Barbora Krejcikova
- Jharkhand became first state to auction two of its limestone blocks through an electronic platform after passage of MMDR Act by Parliament.
- Virender Sehwag's Gemini Arabians defeated Brian Lara’s Leo Lions to win inaugural Masters Champions League Cricket title.
- Jaipur International Airport became first one to develop a colour-coded map as part of Indian government easing rules for granting construction permits around airports and monuments by developing colour-coded maps, to give fillip to urban growth.
- Rajasthan government launched an initiative called School on Wheels in Jaipur to educate tribal and nomadic children in association with NGO Taabar Society.
- Chhattisgarh government launched Udyam Aakansha Scheme for promoting micro, small and medium enterprises in the stat.
- According to recent data, India is biggest milk producer in world with 146.31 million tonnes produced in 2014-15. India is followed by USA, China, Pakistan and Brazil.
- Thailand's Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn has been conferred with first world Sanskrit Award.
- Maharashtra government will set up India's first international arbitration centre in Mumbai (Mumbai Centre for International Arbitration (MCIA)).
- Actress Kajol has been appointed as part-time member of Prasar Bharati board.
- Delhi Police partnered with ISRO for effective use of space technology-based tools (Crime Mapping, Analytics and Predictive System (CMAPS)) for ensuring internal security using a predictive policing and live crime mapping mechanism.
- India's first disable friendly beach will come up at Tithal beach in Valsad (Gujarat).
- Book A Kingdom For His Love, written by Vani Mahesh and Shinie Antony has been launched.
- UNESCO world heritage site Elephanta Island (City of Caves, Maharashtra) will be completely electrified by Independence Day 2016.
- Davinder Singh has been named as Vice-Chairman of International Chamber of Commerce Commission (ICC) on Corporate Responsibility and Anti- corruption.
- Vedanta Group's owner Anil Agarwal has announced that his firm Twinstar Display Technologies will set up India's first LCD manufacturing facility (Panel FAB) in Maharashtra withINVESTMENT of $10 billion.
- Indian lawyer Abhinav Bhushan has been appointed as regional director for South Asia in International Court of Arbitration under International Chamber of Commerce (ICC).
- Uttar Pradesh Land Revenue Act 2015 came into effect. It replaced 39 old land revenue acts and will enable Dalits to sell their land to non-Dalits without approval of administration.
- Tamil Nandu Government announced Amma Kudineer Thittam scheme for supplying drinking water to those who cannot afford to buy purified drinking water.
- Air vice marshal RD Mathur promoted to rank of Air marshal of Indian Air Force.
- Saudi Arabia launched North Thunder at King Haled Military City (KKMC) with 20 countries from Arab, Islamic and friendly countries. Aim of this military Exercise is to preserve peace and stability in region and world.
- Wworld's oldest aircraft carrier, INS Viraat will be converted into a luxury hotel to attract tourists once it is decommissioned from Indian Navy service in June 2016.
- England will host Women's Cricket World Cup 2017 while final will be played at Lord's.
- 13 February - World Radio Day. Theme for 2016 is Radio in Times of Emergency and Disaster. International Radio Fair 2016 held at Bhubaneswar (Odisha) on this occasion.
- 6th National Science Film Festival & Competition (NSFF) held at Nehru Science Center in Mumbai, jointly organised by Nehru Science Centre and Vigyan Prasar.
- Siachen Avalanche Survivor Lance Naik Hanamanthappa Passed Away.
- Draft National Wildlife Action Plan (2017-2031) prepared by Committee under JC Kala has been released. Committee was constituted by MoEF (Ministry of Environment and Forests) to review implementation of National Wildlife Action Plan (2002-2016) and to suggest a new Plan of Action for Wildlife Conservation.
- Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has directed banks to accelerate provisioning requirement from April 1 2016 for existingSTOCK of restructured stressed loans.
- Banks have to increase provisioning by 2.5 % every quarter starting April 1, 2016 so that by 2017.
- Banks have provided only 5 % for restructured loans on accounts identified by RBI. However, banks are not allowed to classify these accounts as non-performing assets.
- RBI has given four quarter to banks starting April 1, 2016 to make full provisioning for identified accounts.
- Noted Composr and Pulitzer Winner, Leslie Bassett Passed Away.
- India's Anirban Lahiri won Hilton Asian Tour Golfer of the Year award.
- Lupin's CEO Vinita Gupta and MD Nilesh Gupta have been chosen for EYENTREPRENEUR Of Year 2015.
- They will now represent India at EY WorldENTREPRENEUR of Year Award (WEOY) in Monte Carlo in June 2016.
- Jury led by Adi Godrej selected the winners.
- F. C. Kohli, former Vice-Chairman of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is honored with Lifetime Achievement Award.
- IT Firm Oracle's CEO Safra Catz visited India. Oracle will set up its campus in Bengaluru. It will be Oracle's second largest campus after USA.
- USTRADE and Development Agency signed MoU with Andhra Pradesh on funding for drawing up master plan for Visakhapatnam Smart City and consortium of US companies - AECOM, KPMG and IBM.
- Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) launched a mobile application 'DIAL Cargo' for cargo operations to reduce paperwork and track movement of shipments on real time basis.
- Government will distribute 14 crore Soil Health card by March 2017. Steps taken to achieve the target -
- Foundation stone of Agriculture Technology Application Research Institute laid in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim. New institute will work as the nodal agency of all Krishi Vigyan Kendras for three states.
- Albert Pahimi Padacke is appointed as new prime minster of Chad (Central Africa).
- American publishing company Time announced winners of inaugural TIME India awards -
- Best in class manufacturing - Tata Steel
- Manufacturing innovator of the year - Hero MotoCorp
- Young maker of the year - Yogesh and Rajesh Agrawal of Ajanta Pharma Limited
- UK Sinha got one year extension as chief of India's capital and commoditiesMARKET regulator SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India).
- Mahamagam festival held in Kumbakonam (Tamil Nadu) with devotees taking holy dip in Mahamagam tank. This Festival comes once in 12 years is often termed equivalent to grand religious event Kumbha in Allahabad.
- Apple will make 1st technology centre in India at Hyderabad at a cost of $25 million.
- Yogesh Tyagi is appointed as Vice Chancellor of Delhi University (DU).
- Sri Srinivasan will become first Indian-American Judge of U S Supreme Court. He will replace Justice Antonin Scalia after his passing away.
- Uttar Pradesh Government will celebrate State Tourism day annually on February 14 to highlight its tourism potential.
- LAMITYE 2016, the 7th Joint Military Training Exercise between Indian and Seychelles People’s Defence Forces conducted at in Seychelles.
- Banaras Hindu University (BHU) founded by Freedom fighter Pt Madan Mohan Malviya turned 100 years.
- Indo-Nepal Battalion Level Combined Exercise Surya Kiran IX held.
- India's Vice President Hamid Ansari Visit Thailand and Brunei.
- US Based GFI (GlobalFINANCIAL Integrity)'s BlackMONEY Report - Illicit Financial Flows from Developing Countries: 2004-2013
- At $51 billion per annum, India ranks 4th in black money outflow.
- China is at top with $139 billion average outflow, followed by Russia ($104 billion) and Mexico ($52.8 billion).
- China also had largest illicit outflows of any country in 2013, amounting $258.64 billion in just one year.
- 12th South Asian Games 2016 -
- Host cities - Guwahati (Assam) and Shillong (Meghalaya)
- Motto is Play for Peace, Progress and Prosperity
- Nations participating - 8, Athletes participating - 2,672
- Mascot - Tikhor (baby Rhino)
- India ended up as overall champions with record 308 medals GOLD - 188, Silver - 90 and Bronze - 30). Followed by Sri Lanka (186) and Pakistan (106 Medals)
- India also completed winning 1000 gold medals in South Asian Games.
- Nepal will host the 13th South Asian Games (SAG) in 2018.
- Noted British television and radio personality Terry Wogan passed away.
- International Swimming Federation (FINA) announced that Japanese city of Fukuoka will host 2021 World Aquatics Championships and Qatar's capital Doha will host 2023 event.
- India's NationalINVESTMENT and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with RUSNANO OJSC of Russia to set-up Russia-India High Technology Private Equity Fund.
- World Bank approved 35 million US dollars Loan for improving access to selected public services for state of Madhya Pradesh.
- Government inaugurated construction of Borehole Geophysics Research Laboratory (BGRL) at Hazarmachi, Karad (Maharashtra). BGRL's Purpose is to address challenges of seismological problems (natural calamities) of societal relevance in Koyna Region through drilling investigation.
- Supreme Court appointed a committee under former Chief Justice RM Lodha to sell assets of Pearls Agrotech Corporation Ltd (PACL) and refund 49 thousand crore rupees to investors.
- Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved Rajasthan Electronics and Instruments Limited (Jaipur) to delink from its parent company Instrumentation Limited and turn into an independent Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) under Department of Heavy Industry.
- European Commission (EC) and USA signed a new framework for transatlantic data flows, known as EU-US Privacy Shield and will enable government agencies to transfer data relied on byFACEBOOK and Google across the Atlantic.
- Odisha Government extended Aahar cheap meal scheme to 29 districts in State through 58 centres to provide subsidized food to urban poor.
- Kerala's taxi cab service 'She-Taxi', country's first 24x7 taxi network by women for women, has won Chief Minister's Award for Innovation in Public Policy 2014 in 'developmental interventions' category.
- Tea Board of India issued Version 5.0 of Plant Protection Code (PPC) by expanding list of pesticides and chemicals to 37 from previous 35. 2 new additions in list are Emamectin Benzoate 5 SG and Flubendiamide 20 WG.
- European Union approved 3.3 billion EurosFUNDING to Turkey for coping with issue of approx 3 Million Syrian migrants.
- Odisha government lifted 3 year long ban on visit of foreign tourists to certain tribal areas.
- United Nations Postal Administration launched six commemorative stamps to promote UN Free & Equal, a global United Nations campaign for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) equality.
- First machin harvestable chickpea variety, NBeG 47 released in Andhra Pradesh by International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid-Tropics (ICRISAT). New variety will be harvested in just 75 minutes while normal process of harvesting 2.25 tons of chickpea takes 3 days.
- Zimbabwe declared state of disaster in rural parts of country hit by a drought. It will allow international donors to raiseMONEY quickly to provide food aid to the nation.
- Directors Guild of America (DGA) awards -
- Feature film - Alejandro Gonzalez (The Revenant)
- Drama series - David Nutter (Mother’s Mercy)
- Comedy series - Chris Addison (Election Night)
- Children’s award - Kenny Ortega (Descendants)
- Storm Imogen battered parts of southern Britain with heavy rain and winds up to 96 miles per hour.
- France become first country to ban supermarkets from throwing away or destroying unsold food, forcing them instead to donate it to charities and food banks.
- Ministry of Tourism launched 24×7 Toll Free Multi-Lingual Tourist Info Line for international tourists in 12 international languages - English, Hindi, French, Arabic, Italian, German, Korean, Japanese, Portuguese, Chinese, Russian and Spanish.
- Mukesh Ambani and Sam Pitroda have been elected to National Academy of Engineering (USA).
- Dhirendra Hiralal Waghela appointed as Chief Justice of Bombay High Court.
- Royal Navy of United Kingdom (UK) will officially study India's Huge humanitarian rescue operation in Yemen in 2015.
- NASA announced that first launch of its new rocket, Space Launch System (SLS) with 13 CubeSats and an uncrewed Orion Spacecraft will be in 2018.
- United Nations launched report One Humanity: Shared Responsibility, calling for a global campaign to prevent erosion of humanitarian law and protect civilians in conflict. First-ever World Humanitarian Summit will be held 23 May -24 May 2016 with theme One Humanity: Shared Responsibility.
- Quinton de Kock (South Africa) became fastest to make 10 One Day International (ODI) centuries. He overtook virat kohli who took 80 innings to achieve this.
- Bangladesh cancelled China’s proposal to develop a deep sea port on Sonadia island that lies in Bay of Bengal. The island is seen as potential deepwater port that could serve thelandlocked parts of India, Myanmar and China.
- Sikkim government announced to construct a Mini Sikkim in South Sikkim district, which will be a centre for showcasing state's diverse culture.
- National Assembly, Lower House of Parliament of France passed proposal to strip people convicted of terrorist offences of their French nationality.
- Marine Museum inaugurated at Marine Aquarium and Regional Centre (MARC) of ZoologicalSURVEY of India (ZSI) in Digha(West Bengal), during 1 day Seminar on Coastal Zone Management and Marine Biodiversity at East Medinipur district of West Bengal.
- YES Bank announced to tie-up with Smartbox Ecommerce Solutions for solving challenges related to last mile delivery for e-commerce firms. Yes bank will help power payment solutions for Smartbox network of Automated Parcel Delivery Terminals.
- Cash on delivery (COD) model accounts for over 50 % of e-commerceMARKET which will reach of 100 billion USD by 2020.
- UNESCO report Colour? What Colour? has been presented with measures to fight on racism and discrimination in football sport.
- International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) named Adele as Global Recording Artist of 2015 across all music formats.
- Assam Government unveiled a draft document, 'Vision Assam-2030: Everything for Everyone-Achieving inclusive and Sustainable Development', aimed at ensuring sustainable development of state. With this, Assam became first state to have a vision document on sustainable development goals.
- Two sportspersons from Odisha, Sprinter Jauna Murmu and archer Ranjit Nayak were included in Target Olympic Podium (TOP) Scheme of Government for 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games.
- ICC Cricket for Good, United Nations Children's EmergencyFUND (UNICEF) and BCCI launched clinics during ICC WT20 Host City Tour, aiming to build a social movement for sanitation across India.
- 2016 UNESCO Medals -
Name
Country
Contribution
Isamu Akasaki
Japan
Created the blue light-emitting diodes, which resulted in the discovery of white light sources for illumination.
Lei Jiang
China
Designed and fabricated the bio-inspired surfaces with specific wettability.
Philippe Pernod
France
Worked on active nanostructured magnetic and multiferroic films, Micro-Magneto-Electro-Mechanical Systems and their applications, and multistable nanostructures.
Nicholas Kotov
USA
Worked on biometric self-organization of Nano colloids, ultra-strong nanocomposites, tissue engineering with nanomaterials, and nanoscale drugs.
Gennady Krasnikov
Russia
For his efforts to broaden the use of nanotechnologies in manufacturing industries
Igor Ashurbeyli
Russia
For his work in the field of the development of new generation microelectronic devices, information systems and technologies.
Mikhail Dubina
Russia
For his work in research and development of new medical technologies based on the use of nanostructures in the earlier on-line diagnostics as well as the creation of new nano biotechnological devices that could influence the bioprocesses in the human body.
Natalya Mikhaylova Russia For her work on the application of nanotechnologies in aesthetic medicine, in the fields of cosmetology, polysaccharide development, cancer therapy, reconstructive and plastic surgery.
- West Bengal government launched Utkarsh Bangla Scheme, a welfare scheme for school-dropouts.
- Indian Railways won 36th National Chess team Championship in Odishaby defeating Life Insurance Corporation (LIC).
- South Korean state of Chungcheongbuk and Haryana signed a sister-statehood relationship for development.
- Odisha government introduced a self-certifying scheme for non-hazardous industries to ease process of doing business by shortening inspection process in non-hazardous industries.
- E-commerce FirmAMAZON launched Tatkal, an initiative that enables small and medium businesses (SMBs) to go online and sell products on Amazon. It offers all selling related activities to be completed in about 60 minutes.
- Jharkhand government and Adani Group signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) forINVESTMENT of 15000 crore rupees in state to set up a 1600 MW capacity thermal power plant.
- Tata Motors, Bharat Forge and USA-based General Dynamics tied up for defense bid under Future Infantry Combat Vehicle programme. FICV involves development of compact combat vehicles for Indian Army with cost approx 10 billion USD, known as India’s largest indigenous defense program.
- Renowned Indologist Professor David Shulman won prestigious Israel Prize for Religious Studies for his research into literature and culture of southern India.
- United Nations and Colombia launched a new multi-partner trustFUND to respond to stabilization and peacebuilding needs.
- Tamil Nadu government announced free bus pass scheme for senior citizens.
- Fashion designer Manish Arora awarded with Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur (Knight of the Legion of Honour), France's highest civilian honour.
- Paani Foundation (started by Actor Aamir Khan)tied up with Maharashtra government to work for solving water crisis in state.
- 4th India-Myanmar Coordinated Patrol (IMCOR) held in Andaman Sea along International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).
- Sergo Karapetyan, Armenian Agriculture Minister visited India and signed MoU on Agriculture Cooperation with India.
- Eastern Command Hospital , Kolkata awarded with Best Service Hospital in Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS).
- West Bengal Finance Minister Amit Mitra appointed as Chairman of Empowered Committee of State Finance Ministers on Goods and Services Tax (GST).
- Prasar Bharati signed MoU with Brazil's Empressa de Brazil Communicacao (EBC) for several broadcast related activities.
- Google's Hi-Speed Inrernet Project Loon began its operations in Sri Lanka after first helium-filled balloon landed in Gampola town.
- Noted singer Ustad Abdul Rashid Khan passed away.
- Make in India event concluded in Mumbai(Maharashtra)
- Week-long event securedINVESTMENT commitments of over 15 lakh crores. Maharashtra alone accounted for 8 lakh crore rupees investment.
- 102 countries represented in expo with over 8 lakh visitors.
- 17 Indian states and 3 countries - Germany, Sweden and Poland had pavilions in Make in India Centre.
- Government approved amending section 9 of Representation of People Act, 1950 and section 11 of Delimitation Act, 2002 by introducing Election Laws (Amendment) Bill 2016.
- It will give voting rights to people who became Indian citizens after exchange of enclaves between India and Bangladesh. Election Commission will be able to carry out limited delimitation of Constituencies in Cooch Behar District of West Bengal.
- Noted Malayalam writer Akbar Kakkattil passed away.
- Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways launched Website for Maritime India Summit 2016www.maritimeinvest.in. Maritime India Summit is scheduled to be held in Mumbai in April 2016.
- Japan launched ASTRO-H space observation satellite to probe mysterious black holes.
- State Bank of India (SBI) launched Japan Desk single window for inbound JapaneseINVESTMENTS IN INDIA and vice-versa. It is first initiative that seeks to facilitate Japanese corporates looking to invest in India with banking and advisory services.
- Government cuts interest rates on short-term small saving schemes below five years of maturity by 0.25 % including post office deposits and Kisan Vikas Patras to align interest rates on small savings withMARKET rates and help economy move to lower overall interest rate regime. Interest rate on Employees’ Provident Fund also hiked to 8.8% from 8.75% .
- Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Prakash Javadekar launched Environment Information System (ENVIS) (envis.nic.in) portal and mobile application. ENVIS works on improving digital literacy in environment sector and deliver services digitally.
- Scientists' team in US led by Indian-origin Ashutosh Tiwari discovered Tin Monoxide (SnO) conductor to replace silicon. SnO is a new 2D semiconducting material for electronics that opens door for speedier computers and smartphones that consume less power.
- mRUPEE (Subsidiary of Tata Teleservices) tied up with Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) to provide additional payment gateway for users.
- South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) will set up India's largest coal washery with capacity of 25 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) in Korba district of Chhattisgarh.
- Dominic Thiem (Australia) won Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) Argentina Open 2016 by defeating Nicolas Almagro (Spain).
- Nepal's Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli visited India. Signed 7 Agreements with India -
- Post-earthquake reconstruction assistance - about utilization of USD 250 million Grant by India for nepal for for Post-earthquake reconstruction of Nepal.
- MOU for Strengthening of road infrastructure in Nepal, Performing arts:, Exchange on Transit Routes and Rail Transport etc.
- India's Robin Chaurasiya, who runs a not-for-profit school in Mumbai for girls has been named in top 10 shortlisted for $1 Million Global Teacher Prize 2016.
- Warren Richardson (Australia) Won World Press Photo of 2015.
- Rio Haryanto will become Indonesia's first Formula One driver as will participate in Australian Grand Prix on 20 March 2016.
- TAL Manufacturing Solutions(Tata Group company) will launch first ever India-made robot named Brabo, development at cost of Rs 10 crores.
- Alok Verma will be appointed as new Delhi Police Commissioner.
- Punjab government will sign MoU with British Pig Association (BPA) to promote piggery in the State.
- Karnataka Bank won IBA Banking Technology Award’ in category of Best Risk and Fraud Management Initiative - Runner Up.
- YES Bank partnered with UltraCash Technologies to launch payments processing through sound waves. UltraCash utilises a patent-pending technology through which payment data is securely transferred using unique ultra-high frequency sound waves.
- Jayant Misra is appointed as Director General of Directorate of Revenue Intelligence.
- e-CommerceFLIPKART appointed Nitin Seth as its Chief People Officer.
- Popular lyricist Sameer Anjaan incuded into Guinness Book of World Records for writing most number of Bollywood songs. He wrote 3,524 songs for 650 Bollywood movies.
- Uber signed MoU with Maharashtra government’s Skill Development &ENTREPRENEURSHIP Department (SDED) to help create 75,000ENTREPRENEURSHIP opportunities across state over 5 years.
- World Bank announced $150 million aid to combat Zika Virus in Latin America and the Caribbean.
- Nepal Government constituted a committee under Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Kamal Thapa to study demarcation of federal states on the constitution.
- United States (US) approved new law imposing sanctions against North Korea titled North Korea Sanctions and Policy Enhancement Act of 2016, aimed at punishing North Korea for its provocative recent nuclear test and rocket launch.
- Former West Indies cricketer Andy Ganteaume passed away.
- Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) commissioned a 270 MW generation unit at Goindwal Sahib Thermal Power Project of private producer GVK Power & Infra in Punjab.
- February 20 - World Day of Social Justice.
- Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan Government have set up Special Purpose Vehicles (SPV) for implementation of Smart City Plans for five cities – Jabalpur, Indore and Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh and Jaipur and Udaipur in Rajasthan.
- Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) launched Swachh Himachal – Padhai bhi, Safai bhi campaign.
- Second Vibrant North East event concluded in Guwahati (Assam). It was jointly organized by Centre for Agriculture and Rural Development (CARD) and ASSOCHAM.
- Christine Lagarde from France has been appointed as Managing Director (MD) of the International MonetaryFUND for second five-year term.
- New Zealand's Cricketer Brendon McCullum scored fastest ever Test century off 54 balls, playing against Australia in his last international test match.
- Noted Italian writer and philosopher Umberto Eco passed away.
- Noted USA writer Harper Lee passed away, famous for her novel ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ released in 1960.
- United States InternationalTRADE Commission (USITC) imposed anti-dumping investigations into certain category of tyres imported from India and Sri Lanka.
- Kalikho Pul has been appointed as 9th Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh.
- Faustin Archange Touadera won 2016 Presidential election of Central African Republic.
- Medaram Jatara tribal festival celebrated in Warangal district of Telangana.
- Noted Malayalam novelist and short story writer Akbar Kakkattil passed away.
- Indian Pharmaceutical giant Cipla acquired 2 US generic drug companies - InvaGen Pharmaceuticals and Exelan Pharmaceuticals.
- Minister of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Uma Bharti inaugurated Jal Manthan -2 with theme Integrated Approach for Sustainable Water Management.
- World Bank decided to lend support to Rajasthan government on energy reforms.
- Aditya Birla Nuvo tied up with Idea Cellular for creation of Aditya Birla Idea Payments Bank Ltd.
- As per norms by RBI, payments bank can accept deposits up to Rs 1 lakh from customers, issue ATM and debit cards, offer payments and remittance services, and act as a distributor of simpleFINANCIAL products such as mutual funds units and insurance products. Payments banks can not give loans.
- Cricket Legend Sachin Tendulkar’s autobiography - Playing It My Way entered Limca Book of Records with 1,50,289 copies sold.
- Sikkim Govt will introduce Contract farming in State alongwith One Village One Crop Scheme where one identified potential crop will be cultivated in each village.
- Barack Obama became first U.S. president to visit Cuba in over 80 years.
- 6 Indian Origin Persons won Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) by USA Government. Winners are - Shwetak Patel, Rahul Mangharam, Sachin Patel, Milind Kulkarni, Vikram Shyam and Kiran Musunuru.
- Indian Air Force Chief Marshal Arup Raha Visited Bangladesh.
- Election Commission of India hosted 4th Executive Board meeting of the Association of World Election Bodies (A-WEB) in New Delhi.
- Bihar signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) under Scheme UDAY – “Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana” adn became 6th state for joining the Scheme.
- Government launched Swachh Parayatan Mobile App and shall be monitored by Project Monitoring Unit of Swachh Bharat Mission in Ministry of Tourism.
- Fiji got hit by heacy cyclone Winston.
- Punjab Warriors won fourth edition of Coal India Hockey India League by defeating Kalinga Lancers.
- Jayant Misra is appointed as Director General (DG) of Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI).
- Noted Odia singer Bhubaneshwari Mishra passed away.
- Vinay Kumar Singh appointed as Managing Director of National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC).
- February 21 - International Mother Language Day. Theme for 2016 is Quality education, language(s) of instruction and learning outcomes.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched National Rurban Mission (NRM) from Rajnandgaon district of Chhattisgarh. Mission is also dubbed as Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Rurban mission (SPMRM) and aims to spur development in rural areas by developing cluster of 300 Smart Villages over 3 years. Coastal and plain areas must have population of 25000 - 50000 and Hilly, desert or tribal areas must have 5000 - 15000.
- West Bengal government planning to get Geographical Indication (GI) tag for four traditional sweet delicacies of the state - Moa, Sarpuria, Mihidana and Sitabhog.
- 66th Berlin International Film Festival (American actress Meryl Streep was President of Jury)
- Golden Bear - Italian documentary film Fuocoammare (Fire at Sea) directed by Gianfranco Rosi
- Honorary Golden Bear - Michael Ballhaus
- Silver Bear (best director) - Mia Hansen-Løve (France) for Things to Come
- Silver Bear (Best Actress) - Trine Dyrholm (Denmark) for The Commune
- Silver Bear (Best Actor) - Majd Mastoura (Tunisia) for Hedi
- Silver Bear (Best Script) - Tomasz Wasilewski for United States of Love
- Crystal Bear (best short film) - El inicio de Fabrizio for Argentinian film Fabrizio’s Initiation
- Malayalam film Ottal (The Trap) won best feature-length and best short films in children’s category
- India1's Kumaravel Prem Kumar won silver in long jump in Asian Indoor Athletics Championships in Doha (Qatar).
- KN Vyas appointed as Director of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) for three years.
- Vineet Saran is appointed as Chief Justice of Orissa High Court.
- Udai Kumar appointed as Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MetropolitanSTOCK Exchange of India (MSEI).
- Tamil film Kanavu Variyam won 2016 Remi Award in United States. It has been directed and produced by Arun Chidambaram and Karthik Chidambaram.
- India will host Asia Ministerial Conference on Tiger Conservation to save tigers. It will be third such conference on tiger conservation to be hosted by India.
- World's first anti-rabies drug Rabies Human Monoclonal Antibody (RMAb) will be launched in India by Pune-based Serum Institute of India (SII).
- Indian-origin person Ismail Mahomed from South Africa has been honored by Knight of the Order of Arts and Literature by France for his lifelong devotion to promotion of arts.
- Pakistan's Parliament building in Islamabad became first in world to completely run on solar power.
- 42nd Khajuraho Dance Festival began at Khajuraho in Chhatrapur District in Madhya Pradesh.
- Fifth IBSAMAR 2016 trilateral naval exercise between Brazil, India and South Africa started in Goa.
- India's first indigenously built nuclear armed submarine INS Arihant successfully passed several deep sea tests and became ready for formal induction into Indian Navy.
- Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Dubai Exports to boostTRADE and explore business opportunities.
- Indian-origin Sikh Amar Singh appointed as Police Commissioner of Malaysia’s capital Kuala Lumpur.
- Ukraine's Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk Football Club became first European team to win Sait Nagjee International Club Football Tournament by defeating Brazilian FC Atletico Paranaense. It was held in Kerala.
- Haryana became first state to complete aquifer mapping for its groundwater resources by May 2016. Aquifer is an underground layer of water-bearing rock from which groundwater can be extracted.
- As per report by Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), India remains world’s largest arms importer, accounting for 14% of global arms imports in 2011-2015.
- Largest Importers - India (14%), China (4.7%), Australia (3.6%), Pakistan (3.3%), Vietnam (2.9%) and South Korea (2.6%).
- India has spent over 120 billion dollars on arms acquisitions over the last 15 years.
- United States is largest exporter, followed by Russia and China.
- Government approved 150 million dollars credit for Development of strategically important Chabahar Port in Iran. Credit will be operationalized through EXIM Bank.
- Government approved establishment of Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) and Self Employment and Talent Utilisation (SETU) in NITI Aayog. It seeks to give boost to innovation ecosystem and catalyse entrepreneurial spirit in country.
- Subhro Kamal Mukherjee appointed as 28th Chief Justice of High Court of Karnataka.
- To Boost Production, Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs hiked Minimum Support Price (MSP) of raw jute from 2,700 to 3,200 rupees per quintal for 2016-17.
- Reserve Bank of India extendedCURRENCY swap arrangement to South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) nations till November 2017. All 7 SAARC members - Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Maldives, Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka can avail facility in which RBI offers swap amount of US 2 billion USD.
- India's Yes Bank awarded with inaugural Green Bond Pioneer Award in United Kingdom for its efforts in Green BondsMARKETincluding issuance of India's first ever Green Infrastructure Bonds.
- Government approved Agreement with Maldives for avoidance of double taxation of income from international air transport.
- Government appointed former Chief Justice of India H L Dattu as new Chairman of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
- Yoichiro Ueno appointed as President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Honda Cars India.
- Hyderabad-based GVK Biosciences awarded Global CSR Excellence & Leadership Award in category of Best Environment Friendly Project for its Go Green, Grow Green plantation drive.
- Second edition of Law and Sports in India-Development, Issues and Challenges written by Mukul Mudgal and Vidushpat Singhania launched.
- Odisha Government launched Pucca Ghar Yojana for construction workers. Houses will be built for 50,000 construction workers with cost of Rs. 500 crore.
- Government set up committee headed by Union Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu to look into demand of Jats for reservation in centralGOVERNMENT JOBS.
- China and Indonesia won Badminton Asia Team Championships in women and men’s categories respectively in Hyderabad.
- Rajendra Singh is appointed as Director General (DG) of Coast Guard.
- Hurun (Shanghai-based) report on Billionaires across the world -
- Beijing is new Billionaire Capital, with now 100 billionaires living in Beijing (China). It left new york behind which has 95 Billionaires. Moscow third (66 billionaires).
- India now has total 111 Billionaires with Mukesh Ambani ($26 Billion) and Sub Pharma's Dilip Singhvi ($18 Billion) being top two. Cumulative Indian billionaires’ wealth is $308 billion.
- Globally, 99 new billionaires added in 2016 to take total billionaires to 2,188.
- Dinesh Maheshwari sworn-in as chief justice of Meghalaya High Court.
- PublicINVESTMENT Board (PIB) cleared 800 crore porpsal for a payments bank to be started by India Post.
- New Envoys Appointed - Sujan R. Chinoy (republic of Marshall Islands), Ketan Shukla (Botswana).
- Ministry of Road Transport and Highways formed Empowered Group of State Transport Ministers to suggest measures to boost transport sector, improve public transport and minimise road accidents. It will be headed by Yunus Khan, the PWD and Transport Minister of Rajasthan.
- Government sold 5 % stake in largest power producer NTPC to raise Rs 5,030 crore Government's Holding will now come down to 69.96 % (74.96 % currently).
- 24 Feb - Central Excise Day.
- Scientists discovered 5 new Jupiter-like planets similar to our solar system’s biggest planet. Named - WASP-119 b, WASP-124 b, WASP-126 b, WASP-129 b and WASP-133 b.
- Armenia's Agriculture Minister Sergo Karapetyan visited India.
- Printing and IT solutions firm Ricoh (Japan) won order of Rs 344 crore from Kerala State Electronics Development Corporation to supply computer hardware to 2,000 government schools in Odisha.
- Ri Myong Su Appointed New Military Chief Of North Korea.
- ONGC approvedINVESTMENT of 5,050 crore in Tripura for producing 5.1 mmscmd gas from states fields, as part of Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas' Hydrocarbon Vision 2030.
- Katni (Madhya Pradesh) will have India’s longest railway bridge of 14 km in length (3.5 folds larger than Vembanad rail Bridge connecting Edappally and Vallarpadam). This Project under west central railways will take 5 years for completion with cost 600 crores.
- Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully tested high-thrust cryogenic engine CE-20 of GSLV Mark 3 (LVM3) rocket, paving way for first developmental flight of GSLV Mark 3 in December 2016.
- UNDP Bangladesh appointed Cricket ODI and T20 Captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza as United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) national goodwill ambassador for youth.
- Jet Airways appointed Rahul Taneja as chief people officer.
- 18th Mercer Quality of Life study report -
- Austria’s capital Vienna is best place in world to live, followed by Zurich, Auckland, Munich and Vancouver. Baghdad (Iraq) is worst.
- India - Hyderabad topped with 139th position, followed by Pune (144), Bangalore (145).
- FACEBOOKlaunched Telecom Infra Project,to develop new technologies to build and deploy telecom infrastructure. The Project is working on providing currently unserved rural communities with wireless network efforts.
- Mastercard will launch new technologies to allow customers to authenticate their online purchases using selfies or fingerprints.
- Government will set up wi-fi facilities at 25,000 spots by March 2016, up from 300 spots across India currently.
- State Bank of India launched e-Smart SME, a working capital loan offering for sellers on ecommerce platforms. With this, sellers can apply for loan online on e-commerce platform and get instant sanctioning.
- President Pranab Mukherjee dedicated India's first Information Technology (IT) co-operative society in UL CyberPark in Kozhikode, Kerala. He also inaugurated India's first Gender Park at Kozhikode.
- Former Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) Vinod Rai is appointed as first Chairman of Banks Board Bureau (BBB).
- BBB will consist eminent professionals from public sector banks (PSBs) to replace Appointments Board of Government. BBB was announced by Government in August 2015 as part of 7 point Indradhanush Mission to revamp PSBs.
- Noted pre-independence cricketer Bindiganavile Krishnaswamy Garudachar passed away at age of 99.
- Gianni Infantino of Switzerland has been elected as new President of Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), global governing body of football.
- 13th World Spice Congress (WSC) began in Ahmedabad, Gujarat with theme Target 2020: Clean, Safe and Sustainable Supply Chain.
- Committee under Ajay Shanka submitted its report to DIPP (Department Of Industrial Policy & Promotion) for examining Possibility of Replacing Multiple Prior Permissions with Pre-Existing Regulatory Mechanism.
- Former DRDO Director-General (DG) Avinash Chander is awarded prestigious Aryabhata Award of Astronautical Society of India. He was chief architect of Agni series of ballistic missiles and is known as Agni man of India.
- Government has appointed three Information Commissioners in Central Information Commission - Amitava Bhattacharya, Bimal Julka and Divya Prakash Sinha.
- Government extended e-Tourist Visa Scheme to 37 more countries, to take total count of countries under scheme at 150.
- Chemical scientist Goverdhan Mehta has been conferred with Germany’s prestigious Cross of the Order of Merit (Bundesverdienstkreuz) Award.
- Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will launch country’s first solar mission called Aditya-L1.
- Aditya-L1 satellite will be placed in an orbit about 15 lakh kilometres from earth in a halo orbit around L1 Lagranian point. It will be launched by PSLV XL.
- Primary objective will be to study solar corona and chromosphere in different wavebands, dynamic nature of sun’s outer most layers, and collect data about Coronal Mass Ejections (CME).
- India lost solar case against United States at WorldTRADE Organisation (WTO) for breaching of international trade rules. WTO ruled that India’s domestic content requirement for National Solar Mission (NSM) discriminated against imported solar technology.
- About case - USA dragged India to WTO in 2013 alleging that domestic content requirement on solar power developers discriminated against American and other imported solar technology USA's solar equipments manufactured are looking India's NSM (National Solar Mission) as a big business potential. NSM has set ambitious target of generating 20,000 Mega Watts solar power by 2022.
- India's Ministry of Science and Technology signed MoU with a United Kingdom (UK) for joint India-UK collaboration programme in crop science.
- Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is working to establishment a Satellite Tracking & Data Reception Station and Data Processing Facility for ASEAN Member countries in Vietnam.
- Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu presented Railway Budget 2016-17. It was second railway budget for Suresh Prabhu and third rail budget of PM Narendra Modi. Highlights are -
- Capital plan for Budget is Rs 1.21 lakh crore.
- Operating ratio kept at 92% FY17 as against 90% in FY16.
- Target is to generate revenues of Rs.1,84,820 cr, 10.1% higher than current year.
- Theme of Budget - ‘Chalo, Milkar Kuch Naya Karen’. Three pillars strategy - Nav Arjan, Nav Manak andNav Sanrachna.
- Railway Plans to generate 9 crore man-days employment by 2017-18 and 14 crore man-days by 2018-19.
- Railway Targets To commission 2800 km of new tracks in 2016-17.
- No new hike in passenger fares and Freight fares.
- New Initiatives For unreserved passenger
- Antyodaya Express - superfast unreserved service.
- Deen Dayalu unreserved coaches with more facilities.
- For Reserved Passengers -
- Humsafar Train - Air-conditioned service with an optional service for meals.
- Tejas Train - It will operate at speeds of 130 kmph and above with onboard services such as local cuisine, entertainment, WiFi, etc.
- UDAY (Utkrisht Double-Decker Air-conditioned Yatri) Express - Double-decker express on busiest routes with Potential to increase carrying capacity by almost 40%.
- SMART (Specially Modified Aesthetic Refreshing Travel) Coaches - coaches with more modern facilities.
- Cleanliness - SMS service ‘Clean my Coach’, ranking of A1 and A railway stations based on passenger feedback.
- Awareness - Waste segregation, recycling centres, 30,000 bio-toilets etc.
- Women Quota - 33 % sub-quota for women will be provided under all reserved categories.
- Rail Mitra Sewa - Strengthening existing services for enabling passengers to book battery operated cars, porter services, etc. Expanding Sarathi Seva in Konkan Railway to help disabled and old passengers.
- Ticketing - Capacity of e-ticketing system has been enhanced from 2000 tickets per min to 7,200 per min. Introducing 1,780 ticket-vending machines.
- High Speed Rail - Mumbai to Ahmedabad will be undertaken with assistance of Japan.
- Developing Rail side logistics parks and warehousing in PPP mode, TRANSLOC (Transport Logistics Company of India) will develop 10 goods sheds in 2016-17.
- India’s first rail auto hub will be inaugurated in Chennai. Rail University will come at Vadodara, Gujarat.
- Process Improvements - Finalization of EPC projects standard document to implement at least 20 projects in 2016-17. In future, endeavouring all works valuing above Rs. 300 crore through EPC contracts.
- Rail Development Authority - It will be established as statutory body to enable fair pricing of railway services and promote competition, protect customer interests and determine efficiency standards.
- Tourism - Railways will partner with States for operating tourist circuit trains, promotion of tourism through UNESCO world heritage Railways and Railway museums.
- Railway budget allocation for Himachal Pradesh increased from 255 crore in 2015-16 to 310 crore in 2016-17.
- Setting up a R&D organization -‘SRESTHA (Special Railway Establishment for Strategic Technology & Holistic Advancement) for driving long term research. It will be independent from Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) that tackles day to day issues.
- A Special Unit for Transportation Research and Analytics (SUTRA) would be set up for carrying out detailed analytics leading to optimizedINVESTMENT decisions and operations.
- An Innovation Committee would be set up Under Ratan Tata for seeking solutions to Indian Railway’s most critical problems through an Innovation Challenge.
- LIC toINVEST Rs. 1.5 lakh crore over 5 years.
- All unmanned level crossing to be eliminated by 2020.
- President Pranab Mukherjee has formally declared Kerala as the country’s first digital state, on occasion of launching a digital empowerment campaign (Kanivu).
- Noted pre-independence cricketer Bindiganavile Krishnaswamy Garudachar passed away at age of 99.
- Noted Director Sanjay Leela Bhansali and actor Ranveer Singh have been chosen for 2016 Pandit Dinanath Mangeshkar Award.
- Eastern coast of India will get its Sixth doppler radar in Gopalpur in Odisha to boost weather forecasting system.
- 2016 Dubai ATP Tennis title -
- Men's Sunlges - Stan Wawrinka (Switzerland) won by defeating Marcos Baghdatis (Cyprus)
- Women’s Singles - Sara Errani (Italy) won by defeating Barbora Strýcová (Czech Republic)
- Men’s Doubles - Italian pair of Simone Bolelli and Andreas Seppi
- Women’s Doubles - Chuang Chia-jung (Chinese Taipei) and Darija Jurak (Croatia)
- Micro blogging site Twitter launched #Positionofstrength campaign in India to empower women to raise voices against any form of discrimination.
- Government released Seismic Microzonation reports for Delhi and Kolkata, highlighting vulnerability of specific areas in these megacities and minimizing effects of earthquakes.
- President Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated Kerala Tourism’s Muziris Heritage Project (MHP) at Trissur to reinstate historical and cultural significance of Muziris.
- Dinesh Sharma is elected as Chairperson of InternationalFUND for Agriculture Development (IFAD) (ROME).
- 88th Academy Awards (Oscars) -
- Best Picture - Spotlight.
- Best Actor -Leonardo DiCaprio (The Revenant).
- Best Actress - Brie Larson (Room).
- Best Supporting Actor - Mark Rylance (Bridge of Spies).
- Best Supporting Actress - Alicia Vikander (The Danish Girl).
- Best Director - Alejandro G. Iñárritu (The Revenant).
- Best Original Song: Writing’s on the Wall (Spectre).
- Best Original Score: The Hateful Eight (Ennio Morricone).
- Best Foreign Language Film: Son of Saul (Hungary).
- Best Documentary Feature: Best Documentary Short Subject: A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness.
- Best Animated Feature Film: Inside Out.
- Best Animated Short Film: Bear Story.
- Most awards: Mad Max: Fury Road (6 Awards) followed by The Revenant (3) and Spotlight (2).
- Most nominations in 88th Academy Awards: The Revenant (12), Mad Max: Fury Road (10) and The Martian (7)
- Other Awards -
- Best Makeup and Hairstyling: Lesley Vanderwalt, Elka (Mad Max: Fury Road).
- Best Costume Design: Jenny Beavan (Mad Max: Fury Road).
- Best Visual Effects: Mark Williams Ardington, Sara Bennett, Paul Norris and Andrew Whitehurst (Ex Machina).
- Best Editing: Margaret Sixel (Mad Max: Fury Road).
- Best Cinematography: Emmanuel Lubezki (The Revenant).
- Best Production Design: Colin Gibson and Lisa Thompson (Mad Max: Fury Road).
- Best Original Screenplay: Tom McCarthy (Spotlight).
- Best Adapted Screenplay: Adam McKay (The Big Short).
- Best Sound Editing: Mark A. Mangini and David White (Mad Max: Fury Road).
- Best Sound Mixing: Chris Jenkins, Gregg Rudloff and Ben Osmo (Mad Max: Fury Road).
- Sound designer Resul Pookutty won prestigious American Motion Picture Sound Editors’ (MPSE) Golden Reel Award for documentary India’s Daughter, directed by Leslee Udwin and based on Delhi gangrape incident of December 2012.
- Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) named Long distance runner Lalita Babar as Sports Person of Year in Sports Awards 2015 during Turf 2015-16. She has recently qualified for Rio Olympics in 3000m steeplechase event.
- Kerala's Kasaragod became state's second district to be declared as Zero Landless District, after Kannur.
- Scriptwriter Sagar Sarhadi to be honoured with Lifetime Achievement Award at 2nd International Film Festival of Prayag (IFFP).
- Maharashtra Economic Development Council formed Deepak Naik committee to work towards reviving river Godavari.
- Bengaluru based Ather Energy launched India's first electric scooter S340, that covers distance of 60 Km in one single charge and have Lithium Ion battery pack IP67.
- New Zealand's Kathleen Cross and Clarie Polosak of Australia became first women umpires to be included in ICC Women's World Twenty20 cricket to be held in 2016.
- Odisha government introduced 50 vehicles equipped with Global Positioning System (GPS) to transport medicines to hospitals in remote areas, under Niramaya Yojana.
- NDDB foundation for Nutrition (NFN) launched its novel Gift Milk initiative to provide nutritional support for school children in Ranga Reddy District of Telangana.
- Retirement fund body EPFO (Employees Provident Fund Organisation) tightened norms on withdrawal of provident fund andINVESTMENT in Varishtha Pension Bima Yojana for its five crore subscribers -
- As per new norms, subscribers will not be able to claim withdrawal of their providentFUND after attaining age of 54 years. Earlier, EPFO allowed claiming 90 % accumulations in PF account at age of 54 years. Now EPFO made it mandatory to wait till age of 57 for claiming PF for transferring it to the Insurance Corporation of India forINVESTMENT in Varishtha Pension Bima Yojana.
- Now, Now subscribers can directly file their claims like PF withdrawals without attestation of present or previous employers.
- Ashwini Nangia appointed as Director of CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, Pune.
- Japanese Carmaker Nissan has named Indian cricketer Rohit Sharma as their new global ambassador.
- SEBI approved IDBI Bank to raise Rs 3,771 crore through issue of shares to qualified institutional playersa (QIP). It will reduce government's Holding in IDBI Bank by 36.6 % from currently 80.16 %.
- Taxi aggregator Ola signed agreement with Uttar Pradesh government to create over 50,000ENTREPRENEURSHIP opportunities across state.
- OYO Rooms tied up with Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) to offer convenient booking platform to travellers. OYO Rooms will power IRCTC hotel-booking page, offering their inventory and standardised amenities to passengers, consisting approx 45,000 rooms in over 170 cities.
- Diageo-controlled United Spirits USL) appointmed MK Sharma as chairman, after Vijay Mallya resigned from the post.
- EconomicSURVEY 2015 - 16
- GDP Growth - Growth rate of GDP at constantMARKET prices will increase to 7.6% in 2015-16 from 7.2% in 2014-15. Real GDP growth for 2015-16 is expected to be 7% to 7.75%.
- GDP Components - Services Sector - 66.1%. Industry andf agriculture sector account of remaining 34% withb agricuture sector being 11 - 13 %.
- Services - 9.2 % (2015-16), 10.3 % (2014-15), 7.8 % (2013-14)
- India showed fastest service sector growth with a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of 8.6% followed by China at 8.4%.
- Industry - 7.3 % (2015-16), 5.9 % (2014-15), 7.3 % (2013-14)
- Industrial sector broadly comprising mining, manufacturing and electricity attained 3.1 % growth during April-December 2015-16 as compared to 2.6 % during 2014- 15.
- Agricuture - 1.1 % (2015-16), -.2 % (2014-15), 4.2 % (2013-14)
- Over 122 lakh toilets constructed in rural areas since beginning of Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) for improving sanitation in rural India.
- India's Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) goals for renewable energy sector aim of achieving 60 GW of wind power and 100 GWs of solar power installed by 2022.
- Industrial sector performed well and growth is expected to strengthen to 7.3 % for 2015-16. Within industrial sector, manufacturing to register a growth of 9.5 5.
- JAM Trinity - Jan dhan, Aadhaar, Mobile can help in implementing large-scale Direct Benefit Transfers (DBTs) to improve economic lives of India’s poor. First variety of JAM- PAHAL scheme of transferring LPG subsidies via DBT has reduced leakages by 24 per cent. JAM has three Components - Identification or First-Mile (Identification of beneficiaries), Transfer or Middle-Mile (Transfer of fund to beneficiaries) and Access or Last-Mile (Access of fund by beneficiaries)
- Agriculture -
- India ranks first in milk production with 18.5 % of world production with milk production growth rate of 6.26 %.
- Percentage share of horticulture output in agriculture is over 33 %
- Share of plan outlay for horticulture, which was 3.9 % during 9th Plan, has increased to 4.6 % during 12th Plan.
- Labour Force -
- Proportion of economically active population (15- 59 years) increased from 57.7 to 63.3 % during 1991 to 2013.
- Employment growth in organized sector increased by 2% in 2012 over 2011
- As per Fourth Annual EmploymentUnemployment SURVEY by Labour Bureau, Unemployment Rate is 4.7 % in rural areas and 5.5% in urban areas while total unemployment rate reported is 4.9%. Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) is 52.5 %.
- Under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, 3.63 crore households Were provided employment of 134.96 crore person days during Current Year.
- Human Capital -
- Expenditure on Social Services including Education, Health, Social Security etc was 7 % of GDP in 2014-15 while it was 6.5% during 2013-14. In this, 19.5 % was spent on Health.
- Climate Change -
- India has second highest number of projects registered under CDM of UNFCCC, with 1593 out of 7685 projects.
- National Adaptation FUND for Climate Change (NAFCC) has been established with cost of 350 crore for 2015-16 and 2016-17
- Food Security -
- According to 66th National Sample SURVEY (2009-10) - average dietary energy intake per person per day was 2147 Kcal for rural and 2123 Kcal for urban India
- India has second highest number of undernourished people (19.4 crore)
- Total Foodgrains Production stood at 253.16 million tonnes in 2015-16, higher than 252.02 MT in 2014-15
- Economy -
- Over 20 Crore bank accounts opened under Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojan (PMJDY) and world’s largest direct benefit transfer programme in case of LPG with 15.1 crore people receiving 29000 crore.
- 4 R - Recognition, Recapitalization, Resolution, and reform required to resolve twin balance sheet challenge of Public Sector Banks (PSBs).
- Fiscal Deficit target of 3.9% for 2015-16 seems achievable.
- Total expenditure for 2015-16 was estimated at Rs.17.77 lakh crore which was 5.7 % higher than estimates of 2014-15.
- Direct taxes grew by 10.7% in the first 9 months of 2015-16 while indirect taxes were also pleasing.
- Aggregate capital expenditure increased by 0.6% in 2015-16
- During April-November 2015-16, FDI inflows were 34.8 billion USD as compared to 27.7 billion USD during April-November 2014-15. FDI equity inflows also increased from 18.9 billion USD to 24.8 billion USD in same period.
- Overall exports declined by about 18% in the first three quarters
- TRADE deficit declined to 106.8 billion USD in April-January 2015-16 from 119.6 billion USD in corresponding period of 2014-15. Exports remained 217.7 Billion USD (17.6% decline) and imports remained 324.5 billion USD (15.5% decline).
- India's FOREX Reserves Stand at 351.5 Billion USD.
- By September 2015, India’s external debt was in safe limits, with long term debt being 82.2%. External debt to GDP ratio of 23.7% and debt service ratio of 7.5% in 2014-15.
- Out of the 23 states and UTs, services sector accounted for 87.5 % of Delhi’s GSDP, followed by Maharashtra at 63.8 %.
- Foreign Touruist Arrivals registered growth of 10.2 % and 9.7 % growth in Foreign Exchange EARNINGS (FEE) in 2014-15.
- Government’s plan to change 77 crore conventional bulbs and 3.5 crore conventional street lights with LED range would save Rs 45,500 crore by reducing 21,500 MW electricity demand
- Number of technology start ups grown by 40 % to over 4,200, making India 3rd largest base of technology start-ups in the world, creating 80000 jobs in 2015.
- CPI (Consumer Price Index Remained) 4.9 % in 2014-15 while WPI (Wholesale Price Index) remained -2.8%.
- IT-BPM sector touched share of 9.5% of GDP and over 45% in total services export in 2015-16.
- Power -
- During 2014-15, electricity generation was 1048.4 billion units (BU), registering growth of 8.4 %. 2014-15 had highest ever increase in generation capacity of 26.5 GW compared to average annual addition of around 19 GW over past 5 years.
- 3030 MW of grid-connected power generation capacity from renewable energy sources like solar and wind added during April – December 2015
- Roads -
- Under National Highways Development Project (NHDP), total 26, 177 km road has been completed as on 31 December 2015.
- Civil aviation -
- It witnessed improvement of 20.4 % in domestic traffic and 7.8 % in international traffic during April - November 2015-16.
- Atul Kumar Jain appointed as Chief of Eastern Naval Command and Bimal Verma appointed as Chief of Andaman and Nicobar Naval Command.
- February 28 - National Science Day. Theme for 2016 is Scientific Issues for Development of the Nation. It marks discovery of Raman Effect by Indian physicist Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman (CV Raman) on February 28, 1928. This discovery was awarded with the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930.
- Ronnie O'Sullivan (UK) won Welsh Open snooker title by beating Neil Robertson (Australia).
- Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation apprpved construction of 82000 houses for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) in urban areas of 163 cities of West Bengal, Telangana, Bihar, Mizoram, Rajashtan, Jharkhand and Uttarakhand.
- Rio Open 2016 -
- Men's Singles - Pablo Cuevas (Uruguay)
- Women's Singles - Francesca Schiavone (Italy)
- Men's Doubles - Colombia 's Juan Sebastián Cabal and Robert Farah
- Women's Doubles - Verónica Cepede Royg (Paraguay) and MarÃa Irigoyen (Argentina)
- Road to Resilience initiative of World Bank, under which a team undertook a bus trip along entire Indian coastline, covering 10000 kilometers. It provided chance to implement support for 6 coastal disaster management and climate resilience projects covering all 10 coastal states, supported by Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR).
- Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cancelled certificate of registration of 26 non-banking FINANCIAL companies (NBFCs) as per Section 45-IA (6) of Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934.
- Assam Government approved setting up Guwahati Metro Rail Corporation Limited (GMRCL).
- 203 kilometres Metro corridor will be completed in three phases. Phase I will cover a length 61.4 kilometres and 54 stations in first phase.
- Trains will have carrying capacity of 975 passengers. Estimated projected cost is 18020 crores.
- National Food Security Act 2013 launched in Mizoram. State decided to allocate 3 kilogram of rice in addition to 5 kilogram covered by Food Security Act. Total 644882 people will be covered by Food Security Act.
- West Bengal Government constituted two task forces for development of Adivasis and Gorkhas living in state. One task force will work for tribals of Terai-Dooars and other for Gorkhas in Darjeeling Hills region.
- Australia won Trans-Tasman Cricket Trophy against New Zealand and became World Number 1 in ICC Test ranking.
- Forbes released its inaugural 30 Under 30 Asia List, including 56 Indians -
- Some noted Indians inlcluded are - Sania Mirza, Virat Kohli, Saina Nehwal, Shraddha Kapoor (Actress), Arunima Sinha (Mountaineer), Ritesh Agarwal (Co-founder OYO Rooms).
- Punjab government imposed a ban on sale of army uniforms across the state.
- Hashim Thaci elected as president of Kosovo (Southeastern Europe).
- Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik elected as president of Biju Janata Dal (BJD) for 7th consecutive term.
- Famous Tamil Comedy actor Kumarimuthu passed away.
- Union Budget 2016-17 - Finance Minister Arun Jaitley presented Union Budget 2016-17 in Lok Sabha. It was second full year Budget of NDA government and Third budget of Arun Jaitley. Main Points are -
- Expenditures (Total 1978060 Crores) (9.02 %
)
- Planned Expenditure - 550010 Crores
- Non-Planned Expenditure - 1428050 Crores.
- Receipts (Total 1978060 Crores) (9.02 % )
- Revenue Receipts - 1377022 Crores
- Tax Revenue - 1054101 Crore Rupees
- Non Tax Revenue - 322921 Crore Rupees
- Capital Receipts - 601038 Crore Rupees (Recoveries of Loans + Other Receipts + Borrowings and other liabilities)
- Revenue Deficit - 354015 (2.3 % of GDP), Definition - (Revenue Expenditure - Revenue Receipts)
- Fiscal Deficit - 533904 Crore Rupees (3.5% of GDP), Definition - (Total Expenditure - (Revenue Receipts + Recoveries of Loans + Other Receipts))
- Primary Deficit - 41234 Crore Rupees (.3 % of GDP), Definition - (Fiscal Deficit - Interest Payments)
- Capital Given to States - 937735 Crores (11% )
- Government EARNING and Expenditure Structure -
- EARNING(Every One Rupee EARNED by government) -
- 21 Paise - Borrowings & Other liabilities
- 19 Paise - Corporation-tax
- 14 Paise - Income-tax
- 13 Paise - Non-tax Revenue
- 12 Paise - Union Excise Duties
- 9 Paise - Customs
- 9 Paise - Service tax & other taxes
- 3 Paise - Non-debt Capital receipts
- Expenditure (Every One Rupee Spent by government) -
- 23 Paise - States' share of taxes & duties
- 19 Paise - Interest Payments
- 12 Paise - Central Plan
- 12 Paise - Other Non-Plan Expenditure
- 10 Paise - Subsidies
- 10 Paise - Defence
- 9 Paise - Plan Assistance to State & UT
- 5 Paise -Non-Plan Assistance to State & UT Govts.
- Central Assistance for State and Union Territory Plans - 241900 Crores (12 % of Total Expenditure)
- Centrally Sponsored Schemes Allocation - 226820 Crores (11 % of Total Expenditure)
- Core of Core Schemes -
- Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme - 38500 Crores
- National Social Assistance Programme - 9500 Crores
- Schemes for SC / ST / OBC / Minorities Development - 8186 Crores
- Core Schemes -
- National Education Mission - 28010 Crores
- Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna - 20075 Crores
- National Health Mission - 20037 Crores
- Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna - 19000 Crores
- Integrated Child Development Scheme - 16119 Crores
- Green Revolution - 12980 Crores (Krishonnati + Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna) Crores
- Swachh Bharat Abhiyan - 11300 Crores
- Mid-day Meal - 9700 Crores Crores
- Urban Rejuvenation Mission (AMRUT and Mission for Development of 100 Smart Cities) - 7295 Crores
- Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojna - 5717 Crores Crores. Irrigation projects to get Rs 86500 over next five years.
- National Rural Drinking Water Programme - 5000 Crores
- National Livelihood Mission - 3325 Crores
- Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana - 1700
- Rashtriya Swastha Suraksha Yojna - 1500 Crores
- Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme - 1439
- White Revolution - 1274 Crores Crores
- Blue Revolution - 575 Crores Crores
- Stard Up India. Stand up India - 1100 Crores
- Subsidies - 250432 Crores
- Defence Expenditure - 2.58 lakh crore (1.74 % of GDP)
- Taxation -
- No Change in Income Tax Slabs.
- Imposing a Cess, called Krishi Kalyan Cess of 0.5% on all taxable services. New effective service tax will be 15%.
- Raise tax rebate under section 87A from 2000 to 5000 for individuals with income upto 5 lakhs.
- Increase limit of deduction of rent paid under 80 GG from Rs 24,000 per annum to Rs 60,000 to provide relief to those who live in rented houses.
- Increase turnover limit under Presumptive taxation scheme to 2 crores as relief to a large number of assessees in MSME category.
- Service tax exemption for construction of affordable housing up to 60 sq. mt. under state and central housing schemes.
- Extend presumptive taxation scheme to professionals with gross receipt up to Rs 50 lakh with presumption of profit being half of gross receipt.
- 100% deduction of profits for 3 years for startups setup during April 2016 to March 2019.
- Rate of security transaction tax in auction to be increased from 0.17% to 0.15%.
- 1% infrastructure cess on small LPG cars.
- Clean energy cess for coal at Rs 400 per tonne (from 200 per tonne).
- Limited tax compliance window offered from Jun 1 - Sep 30 for declaring undisclosed income at 45% including surcharge and penalties. It includes 7.5 % Krishi Kalyan Cess.
- Commitment to implement General Anti Avoidance Rules (GAAR) from 1.4.2017.
- Exemption of service tax on services provided under Deen Dayal Upadhyay Grameen Kaushalya Yojana and Niramaya Health Insurance Scheme launched by National Trust for Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disability.
- For investors receiving dividend over Rs 10 lakh per annum, an additinal tax of 10% of dividend amount in addition to applicable DDT (Dividend Distribution Tax).
- Surcharge to be raised from 12% to 15% on persons having income above 1 crore.
- New Dispute Resolution Scheme to be introduced. No penalty in respect of cases with disputed tax up to 10 lakh. Cases with disputed tax over 10 lakh to be subjected to 25% of minimum of imposable penalty.
- Penalty rates to be 50% of tax in case of underreporting of income and 200% of tax where there is misreporting of facts.
- 13 cesses, levied by various Ministries in which revenue collection is less than ` 50 crore in a year to be abolished.
- What Will be Costlier -
- Cigarettes - Excise duty increased by 10-15%
- Branded retail garment - 6% excise on price more than Rs.1,000.
- Cars - For cars of over 10 Lakh, 1% tax on gasoline engines, 2.5% tax on diesel and 4% tax on high engine-capacity and sports utility vehicles.
- Imitation jewellery - Basic customs duty increased from 10% to 15%.
- Mobile phones and accessories - exemption from basic customs duty, CV (countervailing) duty and SAD is being withdrawn. CV duty is imposed at 12.5% and SAD at 4%.
- What will be Cheaper
- Refrigerators - Basic customs duty on refrigerated containers being reduced 10% to 5% and excise duty reduced 12.5% to 6%.
- Solar lamps - Exempt from excise duty from 12.5% earlier.
- Perfumes and deodorants
- Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare -
- Total Allocation - 35984 Crores
- Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana to cover 28.5 lakh hectares
- Long Term Irrigation FUND to be created in NABARD with initial corpus of 20,000 crores
- Programme for sustainable management of ground water resources with cost of 6,000 crore to be implemented through 3 multilateralFUNDING
- To reduce burden of loan repayment on farmers, 15,000 crores alotted towards interest subvention.
- Prime Minister Fasal Bima Yojana - 5,500 crore
- 850 crore dairying projects - Pashudhan Sanjivani, Nakul Swasthya Patra, ‘E-Pashudhan Haat and National Genomic Centre for indigenous breeds
- Aim to double Farmers'EARNINGS in 5 years.
- Agriculture credit target is 9 Lakh Crore for 2016-17
- Rural Sector
- 2.87 lakh crore as Aid to Gram Panchayats and Municipalities as per recommendations of 14th Finance Commission
- Allocation for rural sector - 87,765 crore
- Distressed Blocks to be takedn up under Deen Dayal Antyodaya Mission
- 100% village electrification by 1st May, 2018.
- New scheme Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan proposed with allocation of 655 crore.
- Social Sector and Health Care -
- Allocation for social sector including education and health care – 1,51,581 crore.
- 2,000 crore for providing LPG connections to BPL families.
- New health protection scheme will provide health cover up to One lakh per family. For senior citizens an additional package up to 30,000 will be provided.
- 3,000 Stores under Prime Minister’s Jan Aushadhi Yojana will be opened during 2016-17.
- Stand Up India Scheme to facilitate at least 2 projects per bank branch, to benefit min 2.5 lakh ENTREPRENEURS.
- Allocation of 100 crore each for celebrating Birth Centenary of Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay and 350th Birth Anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh
- Education, Skills and Job Creation
- 62 new Navodaya Vidyalayas will be opened
- Higher Education Financing Agency to be set-up with initial capital base of 1000 Crores
- Government will pay 8.33% for of all new employees enrolling in EPFO for first 3 years of employment. Budget provision of 1000 crore for this scheme.
- 1500 Multi Skill Training Institutes to be set-up
- 1804 Crores alloted for skill development.
- Higher Education Financing Agency (HEFA) will be created to empower Higher Educational Institutions so that they become world class. It will be set up an initial capital base of 1000 crore rupees.
- Digital Literacy Mission Scheme to be launched to spread digital literacy in rural India. It is in addition to existing National Digital Literacy Mission and Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (DISHA) and will cover 6 crore households by the end of 2018-19.
- Transport and Infrastructure -
- Total INVESTMENT in road sector including PMGSY is 97,000 crore during 2016-17. Total outlay for infrastructure is 2,21,246 crore.
- 100% FDI through FIPB route in MARKETING of food products manufactured in India.
- Govt plans to revive 160 airports; each to cost Rs 50-100 cr.
- FINANCIALReforms
- Amendments in SARFAESI Act 2002 (Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest ) to enable sponsor of an ARC (Asset Reconstruction Company) to hold up to 100% stake in ARC and permit non institutional investors to INVEST in Securitization Receipts.
- Allocation of 25,000 crore for recapitalisation of Public Sector Banks.
- Target of amount sanctioned under Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana increased to 1,80,000 crore.
- General Insurance Companies owned by Government to be listed in STOCK exchanges.
- Impose tax at time of withdrawal on 60% of contributions made after April 1, 2016, to EPF and other schemes. At present, social security schemes of EPFO are tax free. Withdrawal from NPS corpus of up to 40% at the time of retirement has been made tax exempt.
- Raise exemption limit from Rs 1 to 1.5 lakh for annual contribution in superannuation FUND and non-levy on taxes upon death of an employee under NPS.
- 100% deduction for profits of a housing project for flats upto 30 sq. metres in four metro cities and 60 sq. metres in other cities, approved during June 2016 to March 2019.
- First-time home buyers will get a deduction of an additional interest of Rs 50,000 per annum for loan upto Rs 35 lakh, during 2016-17, provided the house value does not exceed Rs 50 lakh.
- Ease of Doing Business
- Bill for Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services by using the Aadhar framework to be introduced, it will provide Aadhaar a legal tag for Larger Role.
- Price Stabilisation FUND with of 900 crores to help maintain stable prices of Pulses.
- Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat programme to link States and Districts in an annual programme that connects people through exchanges in language,TRADE, culture, travel and tourism.
- Per capita income of India at current prices for 2015-16 is Rs.93,231, as compated to Rs 86,879 in 2014-15.
- Ramendra Kumar and Gurudas Dasgupta re-elected as President and General Secretary respectively of the All India TRADE Union Congress (AITUC).
- Chief Executive of Afghanistan, Abdullah Abdullah visited India to Participate in Conference on Counter-terrorism-2016 being held in Jaipur.
- Memorandum of Understanding signed Between NationalINVESTMENT and InfrastructureFUND (NIIF) of India and Rusnano OJSC of Russia to Set-Up High Technology Private Equity Fund for Joint Implementation of Investments into Projects in India.
- Government has set-up Tax Policy Research Unit (Under Revenue Secretary) and Tax Policy Council (Finance Ministry) to bring consistency in Tax Policy as per Tax Administration Reform Commission (TARC) recommendations.
- Currently, Handling of handling of tax policy and related legislation is done by CBDT and CBEC, independently in Tax Research Unit (TRU) and Tax Policy and Legislation (TPL) wings.
- TAX POLICY RESEARCH UNIT (TPRU)
- It will Carry-out studies on various topics of fiscal and tax policies referred to it by CBDT and CBEC and will provide independent analysis on such topics.
- TAX POLICY COUNCIL
- The Tax Policy Council will look at all the research findings coming from Tax Policy Research (TPRU) Unit and suggest broad policy measures for taxation.
- Central Institute of Plastic Engineering & Technology (CIPET) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Karnataka Government to set up Advanced Polymer Design and Development Research Laboratory cum High Learning Centre at Bengaluru.
- Ramayyagari Subhash Reddy is appointed as Chief Justice of Gujarat High Court.
- Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP) and Qualcomm Ventures announced QPrize Make in India contest of US$ 350,000 (Rs 2 Crore) in equity investment as prizeMONEY for winning company. Goal is to catalyze IndianENTREPRENEURS and start up community.
- India signed agreement to acquire status of an Associate Member State of European Molecular Biology Organisation (EMBO) to strengthen scientific interaction and collaborative research with Europe. EMBO is an organization of leading researchers that promotes excellence in life sciences.
- India and Afghanistan signed agreement for visa-free travel for diplomatic passport holders.
- Japan's ShinMaywa will set up manufacturing plant of US-2 amphibious aircraft in India under ‘Make in India’ initiative to cater to international demands.
- K Durga Prasad is appointed as Director General (DG) of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).
- Saroj Kumar Jha is appointed as Senior Director for Fragility, Conflict and Violence Group in World Bank.
- Noted Urdu fiction novelist Intizar Husain passed away.
- Alphabet (parent company of Google) overtook Apple as most valuable company in world with valuation at 548 billion dollars (Apple worth 534 billion). Alphabet reported revenues worth 74.5 billion dollars in 2015 and profit of 23.4 billion dollars.
- Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) launched country's first anti-diabetic ayurvedic drug named BGR-34 for type two Diabetes mellitus. BGR-34 stands for Blood Glucost Regulator and offers effective solution for managing type two Diabetes.
- Kanu Behl directed ‘Titli’ won Best First Foreign Film Award in French Syndicate of Cinema Critics 2016 (FSCC).
- 2 February - World Wetland Day. Theme for 2016 is Wetlands for our Future – Sustainable Livelihoods.
- Jai Shanker Menon has been appointed as Head of Mission and Force Commander of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF).
- D J Pandian is appointed as vice-president and chief investment officer (CIO) of Beijing-based Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.
- General John Nicholson is appointed as commander of NATO forces in Afghanistan.
- Aruna Sethi appointed as head of Indian Cost Accounts Service (ICoAS). She is first lady officer to this post.
- Former Lok Sabha Speaker Balram Jakhar passed away.
- Former RBI Deputy Governor S S Tarapore passes away.
- Maharashtra government announced Bharatratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Special Collective Incentive Scheme for economically backward Dalit entrepreneurs.
- Kerala won 61st National School Athletics championship that concluded in Kozhikode (Kerala). Kerala won the event for 19th consecutive time.
- World Health Organisation (WHO) accorded PQP (Pre-qualification of Medicines Programme) certification to Chennai based GreenSignal Bio Pharma for manufacturing a BCG (Bacillus Calmette–Guérin) vaccine.
- PQP certification helps pharmaceutical companies to participate in the global immunisation programme facilitated through international procurement agencies such as UNICEF.
- Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech announced a breakthrough in developing world’s first Zika vaccine by developing two candidates.
- Sarangi maestro Pandit Ram Narayan is chosen for prestigious Pandit Bhimsen Joshi Classical Music Award for 2015-2016.
- PM Narendra Modi inaugurated Brahmaputra Cracker and Polymer Limited (BCPL) at Lepetkata, Assam. It is first petro-chemical plant in North-East India, built at cost of 10000-crore rupees.
- United States (US) Astronaut Edgar Mitchell passed away. He was sixth person to walk on Moon.
- International Fleet Review (IFR) 2016, international Navy exercise hosted by Indian Navy inaugurated in Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh). Theme of IFR 2016 is “United through Oceans”. Naval ships from 50 countries to participate in event.
- Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare will set up National Organic Farming Research Institute (NOFRI) in Sikkim by upgrading existing Gangtok based Regional Centre of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
- Government launched Project Sunrise for prevention of AIDS specially among people injecting drugs in 8 North-Eastern states.
- India ratified Convention on Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage (CSC), 1997 which sets parameters on a nuclear operator’sFINANCIAL liability. It will boost India’s nuclear commerce with international partners.
- Convention on Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage (CSC) Seeks to establish a uniform global legal regime for compensation to victims in event of a nuclear accident.
- It was adopted on 12 September 1997 and can enter into force after ratification by at least 5 countries with min 400,000 units of installed nuclear capacity.
- Maharashtra Government started Deradicalisation Programme for minority community to counter extremism at local and global level (Islamic State (IS)).
- Intellectual Property Appellate Board ordered Geographical Indications Registry (GIR) to issue ‘Geographical Indication’ tag for basmati rice grown in 7 states - Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, parts of Uttar Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir.
- This tag will help preserve unique identity of India’s aromatic basmati rice in internationalMARKETS.
- PM Narendra Modi inaugurated campus of National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER) in Bhubaneswar (Odisha).
- 12 Pacific Rim countries (Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei Darussalam, Japan, Canada, United States, Mexico, Peru, Chile, Australia and New Zealand) signed Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement in New Zealand. It is one of biggestTRADE deals ever.
- TPP is FreeTRADE Area with 80 crore people and 40% global trade.
- Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement Objectives are Lower trade barriers such as tariffs, common framework for intellectual property, Enforce standards for labour law and environmental law and an investor-state dispute settlement mechanism.
- India and China held their first joint tactical exercise (Sino-India Cooperation 2016) in Jammu & Kashmir.
- Indian Oil Corporation’s (IOC’s) new refinery at Paradip (Odisha) has been started. It is IOC’s 11th refinery and has capacity of 15 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA), Built at cost of 34,555 crores.
- Scientists from National University of Singapore (NUS) successfully converted paper waste into green nontoxic cellulose aerogels for the firs time. Aerogels are among lightest solid materials and are also among finest insulation materials.
- 30th Surajkund International Crafts Mela-2016 started in Faridabad (Haryana) with Telangana chosen as theme state.
- Software Firm Infosys will build world's tallest free-standing clock tower (135 Metres) at its global education centre in Mysuru.
- Kerala government will launch India's First Gender Taxi, operated by transgenders.
- International Swimming Federation announced Japanese city of Fukuoka as host of 2021 World Aquatics Championships and Qatari capital Doha As host of 2023 World Aquatics Championships.
- Japanese company Spread will open world's first robot-run farm of about area 4,400 square metres. All taks except Seed planting will be done by industrial robots.
- 4 February - World Cancer Day (WCD). Theme for 2016 is We can. I can.
- Rewati Chetri from India won Miss Asia (Best in Asia Continent) at 2016 World Miss University pageant in Beijing (China).
- Manipuri documentary film ‘Phum Shang’ won Golden Conch Award for best documentary at 14th Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF) 2016.
- Malayalam actress Geetu Mohandas won 2016 Global Filmmaking award at Sundance Film Festival 2016 for script of her upcoming filmInsha Allah.
- India’s top IT company Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is rated as world’s most powerful brand in Information Technology Services byBrand Finance. TCSEARNED an AA+ rating with score of 78.3 points. Besides , Disney is rated as most powerful brand and Apple as most valuable brand for 2016.
- Actor Amitabh Bachchan is honoured with lifetime achievement at NDTV Indian of the Year 2015 awards.
- Global Go to Think Tank Index Report (GGTTI) 2015 -
- Topped by United States of America (USA) and followed by China, UK, India and Germany.
- Six Indian think tanks figured in top 175 - Centre for Civil Society (CCS), Institute For Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA), Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), Observer Research Foundation (ORF).
- India will participate in 2016 CobraGOLD exercise (annual Thai-U.S joint and multinational military exercise).
- Sri Aurobindo International Centre for Education (SAICE), Puducherry became India’s first fully solar-powered educational institute. It generates 3 times the electricity it consumes through solar power plants.
- Renana Jhabvala has been invited to serve as a panelist on a UN panel on women's economic empowerment.
- India announced to host first-ever Global Maritime Summit in April 2016.
- India conferred honorary General of the Indian Army rank to Nepalese Army Chief General Rajendra Chettri.
- Shane Watson (Australia) became most expensive player in 2016 Indian Premier League(IPL) auction when Royal Challengers Bangalore bought him for Rs 9.5 Crore. Pawan Negi became costliest Indian player at Rs 8.5 Crore.
- North Korea successfully launched a Kwangmyongsong-4 earth observation satellite.
- Muktesh Kumar Pardeshi appointed as India’s Ambassador to Mexico.
- Datta Padsalgikar appointed as Commissioner of Mumbai Police.
- India's Under-19 Cricketer Rishabh Pant made fastest U-19 international half century ( 18 balls) against Nepal.
- As per records, National Pension System now has 1.15 crore subscribers, each with an average INR 95,000 of assets under management.
- Karnataka Government started INVESTKarnataka 2016 to attract Global Investors. Central government announced to spend Rs 1 lakh crore for development of road infrastructure in Karnataka.
- Government appointed Jai Kumar Garg as Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Corporation Bank.
- HL Samariya is appointed as Central ProvidentFUND Commissioner (CPFC) for three months.
- Chinese technology company ZTE has inked a pact with the Andhra Pradesh government to work on smart city projects in the state.
- Haryana and Province of Ontario in Canada signed an MoU for enhancing commercial and cultural ties.
- Anil Ambani's Reliance Entertainment announced joint venture with Neeraj Pandey and Shital Bhatia's Friday Filworks. Akshay Kumar starrer Rustom will be first movie under the banner, Plan C Studios.
- Mobile messaging app WhatsApp crossed one billion user milestone globally.
- State Bank of India tied up with travel relatedFINANCIAL services company Thomas Cook to offer online customers a recurring deposit that helps them save toward an inflation proof holiday.
- Government will infuse about Rs.5,000 crore capital in public sector undertaking (PSU) banks in the current fiscal (Fourth Quarter) to strengthen their balancesheet.
- BSE and International Finance Corporation (IFC) partnered to develop a corporate governance scorecard that seeks to help companies assay their corporate governance performances against national or international-benchmarked practices.
- Reliance Group announced to establish Dhirubhai Ambani Centre for Innovation and Research in Bengaluru. The centre is expected to generate over 1,500 highly skilled jobs and support government’s plan for indigenous development of defence equipment.
- Government appointed World Bank’s water and sanitation specialist, Parameshwaran Iyer as Secretary of the Drinking Water and Sanitation Department. He will lookm over Swachh Bharat Mission for 2 years.
- 6 February - International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation.
- Reliance Infrastructure signed a share purchase agreement with Birla Corporation for selling its cement assets to Birla Corp for Rs.4,800 crore.
- Finance Ministry's Official YouTube Channel launched.
- CapitalMARKETS regulator Sebi has set up a task force to review risk management norms for national-level commodity Exchanges.
- BSE Institute launched a new accelerator for start-ups. It will focus on scalable, technology start-ups and will help recreate in India the successful model of Digital Media Zone (DMZ) - Ryerson's flagship programme in Toronto which has incubated over 150 start-ups since 2010.
- Gurdeep Singh appointed Chairman and Managing Director of NTPC.
- Noted dancer-choreographer Ananda Shankar Jayant addressed India Conference at Harvard (USA).
- Noted Former Cricketer Rahul Dravid has been named in ICC's Anti-Corruption Oversight Group.
- Noted Political Catooninst Sudhir Tailang passes away.
- Corporation Bank signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Universal Sompo General Insurance Company for providing accident death coverage to its savings bank account holders.
- Indian Origin Person Vishal Mehta appointed President of newly- formed International Grown Diamond Association (IGDA).
- Indian Crticketer Virat Kohli ranked as Top T20 International Batsman by ICC by replacing Aaron Finch (Australia).
- Ministry of Urban Development approved projects worth over Rs 12 crore for tourist infrastructure in heritage locations in Amaravati (Andhra Pradesh) and Warangal (Telangana).
- India and Sri Lanka signed memorandum of understanding (MoUs) in health sector and renovation of schools with Sri Lanka.
- 24th National Homoeopathic Congress ‘Homeo-Vision 2016’ inaugurated in Nagpur (Maharashtra).
- Swachh Survekshan-2016 report by Urban Development Ministry -
- Top 10 Cleanliest Cities - Mysuru (1st), Chandigarh, Tiruchirapalli, New Delhi, Visakhapatnam, Surat, Rajkot, Gangtok, Pimpri Chindwad and Greater Mumbai
- Bottom 10 cities - Kalyan Dombivili, Varanasi, Jamshedpur, Ghaziabad, Raipur, Meerut, Patna, Itanagar, Asansol and Dhanbad (Ranked 73).
- ICICI Academy and RSETIs (Rural Self Employment Training Institutes) will train over 45,000 candidates in 2017. The academy has already trained over 25000 youths since its inception in 2013.
- Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brijbhushan Sharan Singh is appointed as president of South Asian Wrestling Federation (SAWF).
- Noted Hindi and Urdu Poet Muqtida Hasan Nida Fazli passed away.
- Indian Coast Guard will induct 38 more aircraft and helicopters by 2020, to take total strength of 62 airplanes / helicopters.
- Ashok Chawla is Appointed As New Chairman of TERI (The Energy and Resources Institute). Previous DG R.K. Pachauri is appointed Executive Vice Chairman.
- Nepal's former prime minister Sushil Koirala passed away.
- Government announced that Loans worth over Rs 1 lakh crore have been sanctioned toSMALL ENTREPRENEURS under Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana,in line with Government's vision of turing youth to be job creators and not job seekers.
- New Zealand Cricketer Brendon Mccullum retired from One day Internationals.
- R. K. Verma appointed as Secretary in Railway Board.
- Government announced Prime Minister’s Shram Awards 2014 on 54 people -
- Shram Ratna - No Awardee
- Shram Bhushan - 9 Awardees
- Shram Vir/Shram Veerangana - 19 Awardees
- Shram Shree/Shram Devi - 26 Awardees
- 4-day National Arogya Fair held at Dehradun (Uttarakhand), organized by Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa & Homoeopathy (AYUSH).
- Sultan Al Mansoori, Economy Minister of UAE visited India.
- Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare Minister Radha Mohan Singh announced establishment of National Organic Farming Research Institute (NOFRI) at Gangtok (Sikkim). Note that Sikkim has recently been declared as the first organic state in India.
- Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Visited India. India And UAE Signed 9 Agreements To Boost Bilateral Cooperation.
- Governmemt launched National Framework for Malaria Elimination (NFME) that outlines strategy for elimination of Malaria by 2030.
- National Research Development Corporation (NRDC) signed an agreement with Indian Institute of Chemical Biology to promoteENTREPRENEURSHIP.
- Government launched First Mega Food Parks in states of Madhya Pradesh (Khargone District) and Jharkhand (Getalsud (Ranchi)).
- Government will organize a mega Make in India Week event in Mumbai from February 13-18, 2016.
- Textile Ministry has bestowed Indian Handloom Brand tag on Chettinad cotton saris for its unique designs and identity.
- Ministry of Petroleum and Natural gas released Hydrocarbon Vision 2030 for north-east India.
- Index of Internet Readiness of Indian States (IIRIS) by Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) -
- Top 5 states - Maharashtra (1st), Karnataka, Gujarat, Telengana and Tamil Nadu.
- Among smaller states - Delhi is topmost in terms of Internet readiness index followed by Puducherry and Goa.
- Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has barred telecom service providers (TSPs) from offering or charging discriminatory tariffs for data services on the basis of content accessed by a consumer. In this regard, TRAI issued Prohibition of Discriminatory Tariffs for Data Services Regulations 2016.
- These Regulations ensure that consumers get non-discriminatory and unhindered access to internet and Data tariffs will be non-discriminatory on basis of the content (website visited).
- Note thatFACEBOOK had started a Free Basics Campaign that promoted Differential Pricing of Internet access based on Data / website accessed. TRAI has now ruled out against this andFACEBOOK has taken back its campaign against India's Net Independence and Neutrality.
- Biologists discovered a new species of hydroid polyps emitting green fluorescence in Red Sea (lying between Africa and Asia).
- Four Indian-Americans have been selected to the prestigious US National Academy of Engineering (NAE) - Anil K. Jain, Arati Prabhakar, Ganesh Thakur and K R Sridhar.
- Noted film director Aurobindo Mukherjee passed away.
- Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) released National Air Quality Indices (AQI) for 24 cities. Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) and Muzzafarpur (Bihar) were on top with an AQI value of 409 points each and were coded as severe in terms of air pollution. Delhi ranked 6th.
- Gujarat state government will set up India's first aviation park near Bagodara village in Ahmedabad district to strengthen the aviation sector.
- United States unveiled a cyber-security national action plan to boost security awareness amid of growing risks from new technologies. Under this action plan, President Obama in his budget request asked for 19 billion US dollars for cyber-security efforts.
- Government sanctioned 580 crore rupees for Agartala-Akhaura railway link Project to connect Kolkata (West Bengal) with Tripura via Bangladesh. It is a 15 km long strategic railway route that would connect Indian and Bangladesh Railways.
- UAE's Abu Dhabi National Oil (ADNOC) Company will storeCRUDE OIL in India’s maiden Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPRs) storage. It will be first deal in which India has partner with other country for storing crude oil in SPR storage for emergency purpose.
- Strategic Petroleum Reserves - India is building underground SPR storages at Visakhapatnam (1.33 million tonnes capacity), Mangalore (1.5 million tonnes) and Padur (2.5 million tonnes) to store about 5.33 million tonnes of crude oil.
- Indian-origin Harinder Sidhu has been appointed as Australian High Commissioner to India.
- Indian-origin Person Davinder Singh has been named as Vice-Chairman of International Chamber of Commerce Commission (ICC) on Corporate Responsibility and Anti-corruption.
- Ministry of Railways launched 3 IT (Information Technology) enabled apps.
- Hand Held Terminals for TTEs (Northern Railway)
- Paperless unreserved ticketing mobile application
- E-booking of disposable linen on trains
- Noted Russian football Player Anatoly Ilyin passed away.
- Karnataka's flagship mobile-one governance application wonGOLD medal at fourth World Government Summit in Dubai (UAE) in m-governance category.
- North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and European Union (EU) signed an agreement to improve Cooperation in Cyber Defence to counter modern forms of hybrid warfare.
- First phase of world’s largest concentrated solar power (CSP) plant launched in Morocco as part of Noor Ouarzazate Solar Complex to produce energy for over a million Moroccan households by 2018. Project will be implemented in 3 phases involving Noor I (160MW), Noor II (200MW) and Noor III (150MW).
- Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) banned Pakistani umpire Asad Rauf for five years in IPL after being found for guilty corrupt practices.
- Study claimed that extracts derived from neem tree can treat pancreatic cancer without harming normal cells.
- Tamar Hahn (Israel) has been appointed as Director of United Nations Information Centre (UNIC).
- Intellectual Property Index (IPI) by United States Chamber of Commerce (USCC)
- India ranked 37th among 38 countries. Venezuela ranked lowest (38th).
- Top 10 - US, UK, Germany, France, Sweden, Singapore, Switzerland, Australia, Japan and South Korea.
- India's IT Firm Wipro has acquired US based healthcare technology firm HealthPlan Services for USD 460 million.
- Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has declared Wild Pig (sus scrofa) as vermin (अपराधी) in Uttarakhand for an year.
- Canada, United States (US) and Mexico signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Climate Change and Energy Collaboration to tap into energy cooperation among three countries.
- West Indies won their first ever ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup by defeating India. Event was hosted by Bangladesh.
- Noted Malayalam poet and lyricist O N V Kurup passed away.
- Vilas A. Tonapi is appointed as Director of Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR).
- Scientist have discovered Gravitational Waves (GW) hypothesised by Albert Einstein in 1916. These waves were detected by scientists at LIGO(Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory) facilities in USA. These are produced by collision of two black holes located 1.3 billion light years away from earth.
- Nagaland is changing, But… film directed by Gurmeet Sapal has won Golden Beaver Best Film Award in institutional category and technical excellence award for best sound design at 6th National Science Film Festival in Mumbai.
- India's Ambassador to Tajikistan Biraja Prasad passed away.
- Bollywood actress Vidya Balan has been awarded with Pride of Kerala Award by World Malayalee Council and Kairali TV.
- 69th British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards -
- Best Film - The Revenant
- Outstanding British Film - Brooklyn
- Best Director - Alejandro G. Inarritu (The Revenant)
- Best Actor - Leonardo DiCaprio (The Revenant)
- Best Actress - Brie Larson (Room)
- Best Supporting Actor - Mark Rylance (Bridge of Spies)
- Best Supporting Actress - Kate Winslet (Steve Jobs)
- Best Original Music - Ennio Morricone (The Hateful Eight)
- Best Visual Effects - Star Wars :The Force Awakens
- Best Animated Film - Inside Out
- Best Documentary - Amy
- 10 February - National Deworming Day. Government launched National Deworming Initiative on this occasion, to benefit over 27 crore children.
- Government approved Memorandum of Understanding with Singapore for Cooperation in Urban Planning and Governance.
- Government approved nomination of Chief Executive Officer of NITI Aayog (Presently Amitabh kant) as part-time member of Telecom Commission in place of Secretary of erstwhile Planning Commission.
- Government approved proposal for commitments underTRADE Facilitation Agreement (TFA) of World Trade Organization (WTO). This agreement is part of WTO's Bali ministerial package 2013 containing provisions for expediting movement, release and clearance of goods including goods in transit.
- Government approved LIGO (Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory in India) science proposal for research on gravitational waves. LIGO-India project will establish a gravitational wave observatory in India in collaboration with LIGO Laboratory (USA). The Project is called IndIGO (Indian Initiative in Gravitational-wave Observations).
- Government approved Agreement for co-operation in Traditional Medicine between Ministry of AYUSH and World Health Organization.
- Government launched GeologicalSURVEY of India's (GSI) 'Operation Khanij Khoj' to speed up mineral exploration activity across India.
- From 01-04-2016 onwards, Government announced to reset Interest rates of small savings such as Kisan Vikas Patra, National Savings Certificate and post office recurring deposit schemes every quarter to align it withMARKET rates. It is expected to being Interest rates on these popular schemes.
- Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited commissioned a 101 MW (Mega Watt) gas-based Combined Cycle Power Plant (CCPP) at Monarchak in Tripura.
- Devaraja Reddy is elected as President of Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) for 1 year.
- Sindh became first Pakistani province to adopt landmark Hindu Marriage Bill, 2015 in order to allow minority Hindu community to register their marriages.
- 58th Annual Grammy Awards by Recording Academy -
- Best album of the year - 1989 (Taylor Swift)
- Best record of the year - Uptown Funk (Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars)
- Best song of the year - Thinking Out Loud Ed Sheeran & Amy Wadge
- Best new artist – Meghan Trainor
- Children’s Album - Home (Tim Kubart)
- Best Pop solo performance - Thinking Out Loud (Ed Sheeran)
- Best Pop Duo/Group Performance - Uptown Funk (Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars)
- Best Music Film - Indo-British filmmaker Asif Kapadia (Amy).
- Government unveiled National Capital Goods Policy 2016 to upgrade capital goods sector and Make in India initiative. Key Features ar -
- Increase exports of capital goods from the current 27% to 40 % of production.
- Increase share of domestic capital goods production in terms of demand from 60% to 80% in order to make India a net exporter of capital goods.
- Enhance Indian made capital goods export through a ‘Heavy Industry Export &MARKET Development Assistance Scheme (HIEMDA)
- Former United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali passed away.
- Commemoration 200th Birth Anniversary of Tatya Tope, one of notable generals in India's First War of Independence (1857-58) observed in New Delhi.
- India's first indigenously developed lightest revolver (gun) Nidar weighing 250 grams has been successfully launched. It has been manufactured by Rifle Factory Ishapore (West Bengal).
- First long distance cargo train between Iran and China arrived in Iranian capital city Tehran, covering 9,500-kilometres.
- India and Sweden inked Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Technical Cooperation in Rail Sector.
- Finance Ministry launched Non-Tax Receipt Portal (NTRP) to electronically collect non-tax receipts as part of Digital India campaign. It has been develped by Office of Controller General of Accounts and will reduce manual work involved in non-tax revenues.
- Noted music director Rajamani passed away.
- Swachh Sarvekshan 2016 -
- Cleanliest Cities of India -
- Mysore (Karnataka) (Most Clean)
- Chandigarh
- Tiruchirapalli (Tamil Nadu) (Also ranked as best performer city in Behavioral change Communication)
- New Delhi
- Visakhapatnam
- Surat
- Rajkot
- Gangtok
- Pimpri Chinchwad
- Greater Mumbai
- Dirtiest Cities in India -
- Dhanbad (Jharkhand) (Dirtiest)
- Asansol
- Itanagar
- Patna
- Meerut
- Raipur
- Ghaziabad
- Jamshedpur
- Varanasi
- Kalyan Dombivili
- Cleanliest Cities of India -
- NRDC has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with IACS for commercialisation of technologies and intellectual properties (IP) developed at IACS (Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science).
- St. Petersburg Ladies Trophy -
- Singles - Roberta Vinci (Italy) won by defeating Belinda Bencic (Switzerland).
- Doubles - Indo-Swiss pair Sania Mirza and Martina Hingis won by defeating Russian-Czech team of Vera Dushevina and Barbora Krejcikova
- Jharkhand became first state to auction two of its limestone blocks through an electronic platform after passage of MMDR Act by Parliament.
- Virender Sehwag's Gemini Arabians defeated Brian Lara’s Leo Lions to win inaugural Masters Champions League Cricket title.
- Jaipur International Airport became first one to develop a colour-coded map as part of Indian government easing rules for granting construction permits around airports and monuments by developing colour-coded maps, to give fillip to urban growth.
- Rajasthan government launched an initiative called School on Wheels in Jaipur to educate tribal and nomadic children in association with NGO Taabar Society.
- Chhattisgarh government launched Udyam Aakansha Scheme for promoting micro, small and medium enterprises in the stat.
- According to recent data, India is biggest milk producer in world with 146.31 million tonnes produced in 2014-15. India is followed by USA, China, Pakistan and Brazil.
- Thailand's Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn has been conferred with first world Sanskrit Award.
- Maharashtra government will set up India's first international arbitration centre in Mumbai (Mumbai Centre for International Arbitration (MCIA)).
- Actress Kajol has been appointed as part-time member of Prasar Bharati board.
- Delhi Police partnered with ISRO for effective use of space technology-based tools (Crime Mapping, Analytics and Predictive System (CMAPS)) for ensuring internal security using a predictive policing and live crime mapping mechanism.
- India's first disable friendly beach will come up at Tithal beach in Valsad (Gujarat).
- Book A Kingdom For His Love, written by Vani Mahesh and Shinie Antony has been launched.
- UNESCO world heritage site Elephanta Island (City of Caves, Maharashtra) will be completely electrified by Independence Day 2016.
- Davinder Singh has been named as Vice-Chairman of International Chamber of Commerce Commission (ICC) on Corporate Responsibility and Anti- corruption.
- Vedanta Group's owner Anil Agarwal has announced that his firm Twinstar Display Technologies will set up India's first LCD manufacturing facility (Panel FAB) in Maharashtra withINVESTMENT of $10 billion.
- Indian lawyer Abhinav Bhushan has been appointed as regional director for South Asia in International Court of Arbitration under International Chamber of Commerce (ICC).
- Uttar Pradesh Land Revenue Act 2015 came into effect. It replaced 39 old land revenue acts and will enable Dalits to sell their land to non-Dalits without approval of administration.
- Tamil Nandu Government announced Amma Kudineer Thittam scheme for supplying drinking water to those who cannot afford to buy purified drinking water.
- Air vice marshal RD Mathur promoted to rank of Air marshal of Indian Air Force.
- Saudi Arabia launched North Thunder at King Haled Military City (KKMC) with 20 countries from Arab, Islamic and friendly countries. Aim of this military Exercise is to preserve peace and stability in region and world.
- Wworld's oldest aircraft carrier, INS Viraat will be converted into a luxury hotel to attract tourists once it is decommissioned from Indian Navy service in June 2016.
- England will host Women's Cricket World Cup 2017 while final will be played at Lord's.
- 13 February - World Radio Day. Theme for 2016 is Radio in Times of Emergency and Disaster. International Radio Fair 2016 held at Bhubaneswar (Odisha) on this occasion.
- 6th National Science Film Festival & Competition (NSFF) held at Nehru Science Center in Mumbai, jointly organised by Nehru Science Centre and Vigyan Prasar.
- Siachen Avalanche Survivor Lance Naik Hanamanthappa Passed Away.
- Draft National Wildlife Action Plan (2017-2031) prepared by Committee under JC Kala has been released. Committee was constituted by MoEF (Ministry of Environment and Forests) to review implementation of National Wildlife Action Plan (2002-2016) and to suggest a new Plan of Action for Wildlife Conservation.
- Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has directed banks to accelerate provisioning requirement from April 1 2016 for existingSTOCK of restructured stressed loans.
- Banks have to increase provisioning by 2.5 % every quarter starting April 1, 2016 so that by 2017.
- Banks have provided only 5 % for restructured loans on accounts identified by RBI. However, banks are not allowed to classify these accounts as non-performing assets.
- RBI has given four quarter to banks starting April 1, 2016 to make full provisioning for identified accounts.
- Noted Composr and Pulitzer Winner, Leslie Bassett Passed Away.
- India's Anirban Lahiri won Hilton Asian Tour Golfer of the Year award.
- Lupin's CEO Vinita Gupta and MD Nilesh Gupta have been chosen for EYENTREPRENEUR Of Year 2015.
- They will now represent India at EY WorldENTREPRENEUR of Year Award (WEOY) in Monte Carlo in June 2016.
- Jury led by Adi Godrej selected the winners.
- F. C. Kohli, former Vice-Chairman of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is honored with Lifetime Achievement Award.
- IT Firm Oracle's CEO Safra Catz visited India. Oracle will set up its campus in Bengaluru. It will be Oracle's second largest campus after USA.
- USTRADE and Development Agency signed MoU with Andhra Pradesh on funding for drawing up master plan for Visakhapatnam Smart City and consortium of US companies - AECOM, KPMG and IBM.
- Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) launched a mobile application 'DIAL Cargo' for cargo operations to reduce paperwork and track movement of shipments on real time basis.
- Government will distribute 14 crore Soil Health card by March 2017. Steps taken to achieve the target -
- Foundation stone of Agriculture Technology Application Research Institute laid in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim. New institute will work as the nodal agency of all Krishi Vigyan Kendras for three states.
- Albert Pahimi Padacke is appointed as new prime minster of Chad (Central Africa).
- American publishing company Time announced winners of inaugural TIME India awards -
- Best in class manufacturing - Tata Steel
- Manufacturing innovator of the year - Hero MotoCorp
- Young maker of the year - Yogesh and Rajesh Agrawal of Ajanta Pharma Limited
- UK Sinha got one year extension as chief of India's capital and commoditiesMARKET regulator SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India).
- Mahamagam festival held in Kumbakonam (Tamil Nadu) with devotees taking holy dip in Mahamagam tank. This Festival comes once in 12 years is often termed equivalent to grand religious event Kumbha in Allahabad.
- Apple will make 1st technology centre in India at Hyderabad at a cost of $25 million.
- Yogesh Tyagi is appointed as Vice Chancellor of Delhi University (DU).
- Sri Srinivasan will become first Indian-American Judge of U S Supreme Court. He will replace Justice Antonin Scalia after his passing away.
- Uttar Pradesh Government will celebrate State Tourism day annually on February 14 to highlight its tourism potential.
- LAMITYE 2016, the 7th Joint Military Training Exercise between Indian and Seychelles People’s Defence Forces conducted at in Seychelles.
- Banaras Hindu University (BHU) founded by Freedom fighter Pt Madan Mohan Malviya turned 100 years.
- Indo-Nepal Battalion Level Combined Exercise Surya Kiran IX held.
- India's Vice President Hamid Ansari Visit Thailand and Brunei.
- US Based GFI (GlobalFINANCIAL Integrity)'s BlackMONEY Report - Illicit Financial Flows from Developing Countries: 2004-2013
- At $51 billion per annum, India ranks 4th in black money outflow.
- China is at top with $139 billion average outflow, followed by Russia ($104 billion) and Mexico ($52.8 billion).
- China also had largest illicit outflows of any country in 2013, amounting $258.64 billion in just one year.
- 12th South Asian Games 2016 -
- Host cities - Guwahati (Assam) and Shillong (Meghalaya)
- Motto is Play for Peace, Progress and Prosperity
- Nations participating - 8, Athletes participating - 2,672
- Mascot - Tikhor (baby Rhino)
- India ended up as overall champions with record 308 medals GOLD - 188, Silver - 90 and Bronze - 30). Followed by Sri Lanka (186) and Pakistan (106 Medals)
- India also completed winning 1000 gold medals in South Asian Games.
- Nepal will host the 13th South Asian Games (SAG) in 2018.
- Noted British television and radio personality Terry Wogan passed away.
- International Swimming Federation (FINA) announced that Japanese city of Fukuoka will host 2021 World Aquatics Championships and Qatar's capital Doha will host 2023 event.
- India's NationalINVESTMENT and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with RUSNANO OJSC of Russia to set-up Russia-India High Technology Private Equity Fund.
- World Bank approved 35 million US dollars Loan for improving access to selected public services for state of Madhya Pradesh.
- Government inaugurated construction of Borehole Geophysics Research Laboratory (BGRL) at Hazarmachi, Karad (Maharashtra). BGRL's Purpose is to address challenges of seismological problems (natural calamities) of societal relevance in Koyna Region through drilling investigation.
- Supreme Court appointed a committee under former Chief Justice RM Lodha to sell assets of Pearls Agrotech Corporation Ltd (PACL) and refund 49 thousand crore rupees to investors.
- Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved Rajasthan Electronics and Instruments Limited (Jaipur) to delink from its parent company Instrumentation Limited and turn into an independent Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) under Department of Heavy Industry.
- European Commission (EC) and USA signed a new framework for transatlantic data flows, known as EU-US Privacy Shield and will enable government agencies to transfer data relied on byFACEBOOK and Google across the Atlantic.
- Odisha Government extended Aahar cheap meal scheme to 29 districts in State through 58 centres to provide subsidized food to urban poor.
- Kerala's taxi cab service 'She-Taxi', country's first 24x7 taxi network by women for women, has won Chief Minister's Award for Innovation in Public Policy 2014 in 'developmental interventions' category.
- Tea Board of India issued Version 5.0 of Plant Protection Code (PPC) by expanding list of pesticides and chemicals to 37 from previous 35. 2 new additions in list are Emamectin Benzoate 5 SG and Flubendiamide 20 WG.
- European Union approved 3.3 billion EurosFUNDING to Turkey for coping with issue of approx 3 Million Syrian migrants.
- Odisha government lifted 3 year long ban on visit of foreign tourists to certain tribal areas.
- United Nations Postal Administration launched six commemorative stamps to promote UN Free & Equal, a global United Nations campaign for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) equality.
- First machin harvestable chickpea variety, NBeG 47 released in Andhra Pradesh by International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid-Tropics (ICRISAT). New variety will be harvested in just 75 minutes while normal process of harvesting 2.25 tons of chickpea takes 3 days.
- Zimbabwe declared state of disaster in rural parts of country hit by a drought. It will allow international donors to raiseMONEY quickly to provide food aid to the nation.
- Directors Guild of America (DGA) awards -
- Feature film - Alejandro Gonzalez (The Revenant)
- Drama series - David Nutter (Mother’s Mercy)
- Comedy series - Chris Addison (Election Night)
- Children’s award - Kenny Ortega (Descendants)
- Storm Imogen battered parts of southern Britain with heavy rain and winds up to 96 miles per hour.
- France become first country to ban supermarkets from throwing away or destroying unsold food, forcing them instead to donate it to charities and food banks.
- Ministry of Tourism launched 24×7 Toll Free Multi-Lingual Tourist Info Line for international tourists in 12 international languages - English, Hindi, French, Arabic, Italian, German, Korean, Japanese, Portuguese, Chinese, Russian and Spanish.
- Mukesh Ambani and Sam Pitroda have been elected to National Academy of Engineering (USA).
- Dhirendra Hiralal Waghela appointed as Chief Justice of Bombay High Court.
- Royal Navy of United Kingdom (UK) will officially study India's Huge humanitarian rescue operation in Yemen in 2015.
- NASA announced that first launch of its new rocket, Space Launch System (SLS) with 13 CubeSats and an uncrewed Orion Spacecraft will be in 2018.
- United Nations launched report One Humanity: Shared Responsibility, calling for a global campaign to prevent erosion of humanitarian law and protect civilians in conflict. First-ever World Humanitarian Summit will be held 23 May -24 May 2016 with theme One Humanity: Shared Responsibility.
- Quinton de Kock (South Africa) became fastest to make 10 One Day International (ODI) centuries. He overtook virat kohli who took 80 innings to achieve this.
- Bangladesh cancelled China’s proposal to develop a deep sea port on Sonadia island that lies in Bay of Bengal. The island is seen as potential deepwater port that could serve thelandlocked parts of India, Myanmar and China.
- Sikkim government announced to construct a Mini Sikkim in South Sikkim district, which will be a centre for showcasing state's diverse culture.
- National Assembly, Lower House of Parliament of France passed proposal to strip people convicted of terrorist offences of their French nationality.
- Marine Museum inaugurated at Marine Aquarium and Regional Centre (MARC) of ZoologicalSURVEY of India (ZSI) in Digha(West Bengal), during 1 day Seminar on Coastal Zone Management and Marine Biodiversity at East Medinipur district of West Bengal.
- YES Bank announced to tie-up with Smartbox Ecommerce Solutions for solving challenges related to last mile delivery for e-commerce firms. Yes bank will help power payment solutions for Smartbox network of Automated Parcel Delivery Terminals.
- Cash on delivery (COD) model accounts for over 50 % of e-commerceMARKET which will reach of 100 billion USD by 2020.
- UNESCO report Colour? What Colour? has been presented with measures to fight on racism and discrimination in football sport.
- International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) named Adele as Global Recording Artist of 2015 across all music formats.
- Assam Government unveiled a draft document, 'Vision Assam-2030: Everything for Everyone-Achieving inclusive and Sustainable Development', aimed at ensuring sustainable development of state. With this, Assam became first state to have a vision document on sustainable development goals.
- Two sportspersons from Odisha, Sprinter Jauna Murmu and archer Ranjit Nayak were included in Target Olympic Podium (TOP) Scheme of Government for 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games.
- ICC Cricket for Good, United Nations Children's EmergencyFUND (UNICEF) and BCCI launched clinics during ICC WT20 Host City Tour, aiming to build a social movement for sanitation across India.
- 2016 UNESCO Medals -
- NameCountryContributionIsamu AkasakiJapanCreated the blue light-emitting diodes, which resulted in the discovery of white light sources for illumination.Lei JiangChinaDesigned and fabricated the bio-inspired surfaces with specific wettability.Philippe PernodFranceWorked on active nanostructured magnetic and multiferroic films, Micro-Magneto-Electro-Mechanical Systems and their applications, and multistable nanostructures.Nicholas KotovUSAWorked on biometric self-organization of Nano colloids, ultra-strong nanocomposites, tissue engineering with nanomaterials, and nanoscale drugs.Gennady KrasnikovRussiaFor his efforts to broaden the use of nanotechnologies in manufacturing industriesIgor AshurbeyliRussiaFor his work in the field of the development of new generation microelectronic devices, information systems and technologies.Mikhail DubinaRussiaFor his work in research and development of new medical technologies based on the use of nanostructures in the earlier on-line diagnostics as well as the creation of new nano biotechnological devices that could influence the bioprocesses in the human body.
Natalya Mikhaylova Russia For her work on the application of nanotechnologies in aesthetic medicine, in the fields of cosmetology, polysaccharide development, cancer therapy, reconstructive and plastic surgery.
- West Bengal government launched Utkarsh Bangla Scheme, a welfare scheme for school-dropouts.
- Indian Railways won 36th National Chess team Championship in Odishaby defeating Life Insurance Corporation (LIC).
- South Korean state of Chungcheongbuk and Haryana signed a sister-statehood relationship for development.
- Odisha government introduced a self-certifying scheme for non-hazardous industries to ease process of doing business by shortening inspection process in non-hazardous industries.
- E-commerce FirmAMAZON launched Tatkal, an initiative that enables small and medium businesses (SMBs) to go online and sell products on Amazon. It offers all selling related activities to be completed in about 60 minutes.
- Jharkhand government and Adani Group signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) forINVESTMENT of 15000 crore rupees in state to set up a 1600 MW capacity thermal power plant.
- Tata Motors, Bharat Forge and USA-based General Dynamics tied up for defense bid under Future Infantry Combat Vehicle programme. FICV involves development of compact combat vehicles for Indian Army with cost approx 10 billion USD, known as India’s largest indigenous defense program.
- Renowned Indologist Professor David Shulman won prestigious Israel Prize for Religious Studies for his research into literature and culture of southern India.
- United Nations and Colombia launched a new multi-partner trustFUND to respond to stabilization and peacebuilding needs.
- Tamil Nadu government announced free bus pass scheme for senior citizens.
- Fashion designer Manish Arora awarded with Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur (Knight of the Legion of Honour), France's highest civilian honour.
- Paani Foundation (started by Actor Aamir Khan)tied up with Maharashtra government to work for solving water crisis in state.
- 4th India-Myanmar Coordinated Patrol (IMCOR) held in Andaman Sea along International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).
- Sergo Karapetyan, Armenian Agriculture Minister visited India and signed MoU on Agriculture Cooperation with India.
- Eastern Command Hospital , Kolkata awarded with Best Service Hospital in Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS).
- West Bengal Finance Minister Amit Mitra appointed as Chairman of Empowered Committee of State Finance Ministers on Goods and Services Tax (GST).
- Prasar Bharati signed MoU with Brazil's Empressa de Brazil Communicacao (EBC) for several broadcast related activities.
- Google's Hi-Speed Inrernet Project Loon began its operations in Sri Lanka after first helium-filled balloon landed in Gampola town.
- Noted singer Ustad Abdul Rashid Khan passed away.
- Make in India event concluded in Mumbai(Maharashtra)
- Week-long event securedINVESTMENT commitments of over 15 lakh crores. Maharashtra alone accounted for 8 lakh crore rupees investment.
- 102 countries represented in expo with over 8 lakh visitors.
- 17 Indian states and 3 countries - Germany, Sweden and Poland had pavilions in Make in India Centre.
- Government approved amending section 9 of Representation of People Act, 1950 and section 11 of Delimitation Act, 2002 by introducing Election Laws (Amendment) Bill 2016.
- It will give voting rights to people who became Indian citizens after exchange of enclaves between India and Bangladesh. Election Commission will be able to carry out limited delimitation of Constituencies in Cooch Behar District of West Bengal.
- Noted Malayalam writer Akbar Kakkattil passed away.
- Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways launched Website for Maritime India Summit 2016www.maritimeinvest.in. Maritime India Summit is scheduled to be held in Mumbai in April 2016.
- Japan launched ASTRO-H space observation satellite to probe mysterious black holes.
- State Bank of India (SBI) launched Japan Desk single window for inbound JapaneseINVESTMENTS IN INDIA and vice-versa. It is first initiative that seeks to facilitate Japanese corporates looking to invest in India with banking and advisory services.
- Government cuts interest rates on short-term small saving schemes below five years of maturity by 0.25 % including post office deposits and Kisan Vikas Patras to align interest rates on small savings withMARKET rates and help economy move to lower overall interest rate regime. Interest rate on Employees’ Provident Fund also hiked to 8.8% from 8.75% .
- Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Prakash Javadekar launched Environment Information System (ENVIS) (envis.nic.in) portal and mobile application. ENVIS works on improving digital literacy in environment sector and deliver services digitally.
- Scientists' team in US led by Indian-origin Ashutosh Tiwari discovered Tin Monoxide (SnO) conductor to replace silicon. SnO is a new 2D semiconducting material for electronics that opens door for speedier computers and smartphones that consume less power.
- mRUPEE (Subsidiary of Tata Teleservices) tied up with Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) to provide additional payment gateway for users.
- South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) will set up India's largest coal washery with capacity of 25 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) in Korba district of Chhattisgarh.
- Dominic Thiem (Australia) won Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) Argentina Open 2016 by defeating Nicolas Almagro (Spain).
- Nepal's Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli visited India. Signed 7 Agreements with India -
- Post-earthquake reconstruction assistance - about utilization of USD 250 million Grant by India for nepal for for Post-earthquake reconstruction of Nepal.
- MOU for Strengthening of road infrastructure in Nepal, Performing arts:, Exchange on Transit Routes and Rail Transport etc.
- India's Robin Chaurasiya, who runs a not-for-profit school in Mumbai for girls has been named in top 10 shortlisted for $1 Million Global Teacher Prize 2016.
- Warren Richardson (Australia) Won World Press Photo of 2015.
- Rio Haryanto will become Indonesia's first Formula One driver as will participate in Australian Grand Prix on 20 March 2016.
- TAL Manufacturing Solutions(Tata Group company) will launch first ever India-made robot named Brabo, development at cost of Rs 10 crores.
- Alok Verma will be appointed as new Delhi Police Commissioner.
- Punjab government will sign MoU with British Pig Association (BPA) to promote piggery in the State.
- Karnataka Bank won IBA Banking Technology Award’ in category of Best Risk and Fraud Management Initiative - Runner Up.
- YES Bank partnered with UltraCash Technologies to launch payments processing through sound waves. UltraCash utilises a patent-pending technology through which payment data is securely transferred using unique ultra-high frequency sound waves.
- Jayant Misra is appointed as Director General of Directorate of Revenue Intelligence.
- e-CommerceFLIPKART appointed Nitin Seth as its Chief People Officer.
- Popular lyricist Sameer Anjaan incuded into Guinness Book of World Records for writing most number of Bollywood songs. He wrote 3,524 songs for 650 Bollywood movies.
- Uber signed MoU with Maharashtra government’s Skill Development &ENTREPRENEURSHIP Department (SDED) to help create 75,000ENTREPRENEURSHIP opportunities across state over 5 years.
- World Bank announced $150 million aid to combat Zika Virus in Latin America and the Caribbean.
- Nepal Government constituted a committee under Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Kamal Thapa to study demarcation of federal states on the constitution.
- United States (US) approved new law imposing sanctions against North Korea titled North Korea Sanctions and Policy Enhancement Act of 2016, aimed at punishing North Korea for its provocative recent nuclear test and rocket launch.
- Former West Indies cricketer Andy Ganteaume passed away.
- Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) commissioned a 270 MW generation unit at Goindwal Sahib Thermal Power Project of private producer GVK Power & Infra in Punjab.
- February 20 - World Day of Social Justice.
- Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan Government have set up Special Purpose Vehicles (SPV) for implementation of Smart City Plans for five cities – Jabalpur, Indore and Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh and Jaipur and Udaipur in Rajasthan.
- Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) launched Swachh Himachal – Padhai bhi, Safai bhi campaign.
- Second Vibrant North East event concluded in Guwahati (Assam). It was jointly organized by Centre for Agriculture and Rural Development (CARD) and ASSOCHAM.
- Christine Lagarde from France has been appointed as Managing Director (MD) of the International MonetaryFUND for second five-year term.
- New Zealand's Cricketer Brendon McCullum scored fastest ever Test century off 54 balls, playing against Australia in his last international test match.
- Noted Italian writer and philosopher Umberto Eco passed away.
- Noted USA writer Harper Lee passed away, famous for her novel ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ released in 1960.
- United States InternationalTRADE Commission (USITC) imposed anti-dumping investigations into certain category of tyres imported from India and Sri Lanka.
- Kalikho Pul has been appointed as 9th Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh.
- Faustin Archange Touadera won 2016 Presidential election of Central African Republic.
- Medaram Jatara tribal festival celebrated in Warangal district of Telangana.
- Noted Malayalam novelist and short story writer Akbar Kakkattil passed away.
- Indian Pharmaceutical giant Cipla acquired 2 US generic drug companies - InvaGen Pharmaceuticals and Exelan Pharmaceuticals.
- Minister of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Uma Bharti inaugurated Jal Manthan -2 with theme Integrated Approach for Sustainable Water Management.
- World Bank decided to lend support to Rajasthan government on energy reforms.
- Aditya Birla Nuvo tied up with Idea Cellular for creation of Aditya Birla Idea Payments Bank Ltd.
- As per norms by RBI, payments bank can accept deposits up to Rs 1 lakh from customers, issue ATM and debit cards, offer payments and remittance services, and act as a distributor of simpleFINANCIAL products such as mutual funds units and insurance products. Payments banks can not give loans.
- Cricket Legend Sachin Tendulkar’s autobiography - Playing It My Way entered Limca Book of Records with 1,50,289 copies sold.
- Sikkim Govt will introduce Contract farming in State alongwith One Village One Crop Scheme where one identified potential crop will be cultivated in each village.
- Barack Obama became first U.S. president to visit Cuba in over 80 years.
- 6 Indian Origin Persons won Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) by USA Government. Winners are - Shwetak Patel, Rahul Mangharam, Sachin Patel, Milind Kulkarni, Vikram Shyam and Kiran Musunuru.
- Indian Air Force Chief Marshal Arup Raha Visited Bangladesh.
- Election Commission of India hosted 4th Executive Board meeting of the Association of World Election Bodies (A-WEB) in New Delhi.
- Bihar signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) under Scheme UDAY – “Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana” adn became 6th state for joining the Scheme.
- Government launched Swachh Parayatan Mobile App and shall be monitored by Project Monitoring Unit of Swachh Bharat Mission in Ministry of Tourism.
- Fiji got hit by heacy cyclone Winston.
- Punjab Warriors won fourth edition of Coal India Hockey India League by defeating Kalinga Lancers.
- Jayant Misra is appointed as Director General (DG) of Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI).
- Noted Odia singer Bhubaneshwari Mishra passed away.
- Vinay Kumar Singh appointed as Managing Director of National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC).
- February 21 - International Mother Language Day. Theme for 2016 is Quality education, language(s) of instruction and learning outcomes.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched National Rurban Mission (NRM) from Rajnandgaon district of Chhattisgarh. Mission is also dubbed as Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Rurban mission (SPMRM) and aims to spur development in rural areas by developing cluster of 300 Smart Villages over 3 years. Coastal and plain areas must have population of 25000 - 50000 and Hilly, desert or tribal areas must have 5000 - 15000.
- West Bengal government planning to get Geographical Indication (GI) tag for four traditional sweet delicacies of the state - Moa, Sarpuria, Mihidana and Sitabhog.
- 66th Berlin International Film Festival (American actress Meryl Streep was President of Jury)
- Golden Bear - Italian documentary film Fuocoammare (Fire at Sea) directed by Gianfranco Rosi
- Honorary Golden Bear - Michael Ballhaus
- Silver Bear (best director) - Mia Hansen-Løve (France) for Things to Come
- Silver Bear (Best Actress) - Trine Dyrholm (Denmark) for The Commune
- Silver Bear (Best Actor) - Majd Mastoura (Tunisia) for Hedi
- Silver Bear (Best Script) - Tomasz Wasilewski for United States of Love
- Crystal Bear (best short film) - El inicio de Fabrizio for Argentinian film Fabrizio’s Initiation
- Malayalam film Ottal (The Trap) won best feature-length and best short films in children’s category
- India1's Kumaravel Prem Kumar won silver in long jump in Asian Indoor Athletics Championships in Doha (Qatar).
- KN Vyas appointed as Director of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) for three years.
- Vineet Saran is appointed as Chief Justice of Orissa High Court.
- Udai Kumar appointed as Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MetropolitanSTOCK Exchange of India (MSEI).
- Tamil film Kanavu Variyam won 2016 Remi Award in United States. It has been directed and produced by Arun Chidambaram and Karthik Chidambaram.
- India will host Asia Ministerial Conference on Tiger Conservation to save tigers. It will be third such conference on tiger conservation to be hosted by India.
- World's first anti-rabies drug Rabies Human Monoclonal Antibody (RMAb) will be launched in India by Pune-based Serum Institute of India (SII).
- Indian-origin person Ismail Mahomed from South Africa has been honored by Knight of the Order of Arts and Literature by France for his lifelong devotion to promotion of arts.
- Pakistan's Parliament building in Islamabad became first in world to completely run on solar power.
- 42nd Khajuraho Dance Festival began at Khajuraho in Chhatrapur District in Madhya Pradesh.
- Fifth IBSAMAR 2016 trilateral naval exercise between Brazil, India and South Africa started in Goa.
- India's first indigenously built nuclear armed submarine INS Arihant successfully passed several deep sea tests and became ready for formal induction into Indian Navy.
- Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Dubai Exports to boostTRADE and explore business opportunities.
- Indian-origin Sikh Amar Singh appointed as Police Commissioner of Malaysia’s capital Kuala Lumpur.
- Ukraine's Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk Football Club became first European team to win Sait Nagjee International Club Football Tournament by defeating Brazilian FC Atletico Paranaense. It was held in Kerala.
- Haryana became first state to complete aquifer mapping for its groundwater resources by May 2016. Aquifer is an underground layer of water-bearing rock from which groundwater can be extracted.
- As per report by Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), India remains world’s largest arms importer, accounting for 14% of global arms imports in 2011-2015.
- Largest Importers - India (14%), China (4.7%), Australia (3.6%), Pakistan (3.3%), Vietnam (2.9%) and South Korea (2.6%).
- India has spent over 120 billion dollars on arms acquisitions over the last 15 years.
- United States is largest exporter, followed by Russia and China.
- Government approved 150 million dollars credit for Development of strategically important Chabahar Port in Iran. Credit will be operationalized through EXIM Bank.
- Government approved establishment of Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) and Self Employment and Talent Utilisation (SETU) in NITI Aayog. It seeks to give boost to innovation ecosystem and catalyse entrepreneurial spirit in country.
- Subhro Kamal Mukherjee appointed as 28th Chief Justice of High Court of Karnataka.
- To Boost Production, Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs hiked Minimum Support Price (MSP) of raw jute from 2,700 to 3,200 rupees per quintal for 2016-17.
- Reserve Bank of India extendedCURRENCY swap arrangement to South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) nations till November 2017. All 7 SAARC members - Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Maldives, Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka can avail facility in which RBI offers swap amount of US 2 billion USD.
- India's Yes Bank awarded with inaugural Green Bond Pioneer Award in United Kingdom for its efforts in Green BondsMARKETincluding issuance of India's first ever Green Infrastructure Bonds.
- Government approved Agreement with Maldives for avoidance of double taxation of income from international air transport.
- Government appointed former Chief Justice of India H L Dattu as new Chairman of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
- Yoichiro Ueno appointed as President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Honda Cars India.
- Hyderabad-based GVK Biosciences awarded Global CSR Excellence & Leadership Award in category of Best Environment Friendly Project for its Go Green, Grow Green plantation drive.
- Second edition of Law and Sports in India-Development, Issues and Challenges written by Mukul Mudgal and Vidushpat Singhania launched.
- Odisha Government launched Pucca Ghar Yojana for construction workers. Houses will be built for 50,000 construction workers with cost of Rs. 500 crore.
- Government set up committee headed by Union Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu to look into demand of Jats for reservation in centralGOVERNMENT JOBS.
- China and Indonesia won Badminton Asia Team Championships in women and men’s categories respectively in Hyderabad.
- Rajendra Singh is appointed as Director General (DG) of Coast Guard.
- Hurun (Shanghai-based) report on Billionaires across the world -
- Beijing is new Billionaire Capital, with now 100 billionaires living in Beijing (China). It left new york behind which has 95 Billionaires. Moscow third (66 billionaires).
- India now has total 111 Billionaires with Mukesh Ambani ($26 Billion) and Sub Pharma's Dilip Singhvi ($18 Billion) being top two. Cumulative Indian billionaires’ wealth is $308 billion.
- Globally, 99 new billionaires added in 2016 to take total billionaires to 2,188.
- Dinesh Maheshwari sworn-in as chief justice of Meghalaya High Court.
- PublicINVESTMENT Board (PIB) cleared 800 crore porpsal for a payments bank to be started by India Post.
- New Envoys Appointed - Sujan R. Chinoy (republic of Marshall Islands), Ketan Shukla (Botswana).
- Ministry of Road Transport and Highways formed Empowered Group of State Transport Ministers to suggest measures to boost transport sector, improve public transport and minimise road accidents. It will be headed by Yunus Khan, the PWD and Transport Minister of Rajasthan.
- Government sold 5 % stake in largest power producer NTPC to raise Rs 5,030 crore Government's Holding will now come down to 69.96 % (74.96 % currently).
- 24 Feb - Central Excise Day.
- Scientists discovered 5 new Jupiter-like planets similar to our solar system’s biggest planet. Named - WASP-119 b, WASP-124 b, WASP-126 b, WASP-129 b and WASP-133 b.
- Armenia's Agriculture Minister Sergo Karapetyan visited India.
- Printing and IT solutions firm Ricoh (Japan) won order of Rs 344 crore from Kerala State Electronics Development Corporation to supply computer hardware to 2,000 government schools in Odisha.
- Ri Myong Su Appointed New Military Chief Of North Korea.
- ONGC approvedINVESTMENT of 5,050 crore in Tripura for producing 5.1 mmscmd gas from states fields, as part of Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas' Hydrocarbon Vision 2030.
- Katni (Madhya Pradesh) will have India’s longest railway bridge of 14 km in length (3.5 folds larger than Vembanad rail Bridge connecting Edappally and Vallarpadam). This Project under west central railways will take 5 years for completion with cost 600 crores.
- Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully tested high-thrust cryogenic engine CE-20 of GSLV Mark 3 (LVM3) rocket, paving way for first developmental flight of GSLV Mark 3 in December 2016.
- UNDP Bangladesh appointed Cricket ODI and T20 Captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza as United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) national goodwill ambassador for youth.
- Jet Airways appointed Rahul Taneja as chief people officer.
- 18th Mercer Quality of Life study report -
- Austria’s capital Vienna is best place in world to live, followed by Zurich, Auckland, Munich and Vancouver. Baghdad (Iraq) is worst.
- India - Hyderabad topped with 139th position, followed by Pune (144), Bangalore (145).
- FACEBOOKlaunched Telecom Infra Project,to develop new technologies to build and deploy telecom infrastructure. The Project is working on providing currently unserved rural communities with wireless network efforts.
- Mastercard will launch new technologies to allow customers to authenticate their online purchases using selfies or fingerprints.
- Government will set up wi-fi facilities at 25,000 spots by March 2016, up from 300 spots across India currently.
- State Bank of India launched e-Smart SME, a working capital loan offering for sellers on ecommerce platforms. With this, sellers can apply for loan online on e-commerce platform and get instant sanctioning.
- President Pranab Mukherjee dedicated India's first Information Technology (IT) co-operative society in UL CyberPark in Kozhikode, Kerala. He also inaugurated India's first Gender Park at Kozhikode.
- Former Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) Vinod Rai is appointed as first Chairman of Banks Board Bureau (BBB).
- BBB will consist eminent professionals from public sector banks (PSBs) to replace Appointments Board of Government. BBB was announced by Government in August 2015 as part of 7 point Indradhanush Mission to revamp PSBs.
- Noted pre-independence cricketer Bindiganavile Krishnaswamy Garudachar passed away at age of 99.
- Gianni Infantino of Switzerland has been elected as new President of Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), global governing body of football.
- 13th World Spice Congress (WSC) began in Ahmedabad, Gujarat with theme Target 2020: Clean, Safe and Sustainable Supply Chain.
- Committee under Ajay Shanka submitted its report to DIPP (Department Of Industrial Policy & Promotion) for examining Possibility of Replacing Multiple Prior Permissions with Pre-Existing Regulatory Mechanism.
- Former DRDO Director-General (DG) Avinash Chander is awarded prestigious Aryabhata Award of Astronautical Society of India. He was chief architect of Agni series of ballistic missiles and is known as Agni man of India.
- Government has appointed three Information Commissioners in Central Information Commission - Amitava Bhattacharya, Bimal Julka and Divya Prakash Sinha.
- Government extended e-Tourist Visa Scheme to 37 more countries, to take total count of countries under scheme at 150.
- Chemical scientist Goverdhan Mehta has been conferred with Germany’s prestigious Cross of the Order of Merit (Bundesverdienstkreuz) Award.
- Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will launch country’s first solar mission called Aditya-L1.
- Aditya-L1 satellite will be placed in an orbit about 15 lakh kilometres from earth in a halo orbit around L1 Lagranian point. It will be launched by PSLV XL.
- Primary objective will be to study solar corona and chromosphere in different wavebands, dynamic nature of sun’s outer most layers, and collect data about Coronal Mass Ejections (CME).
- India lost solar case against United States at WorldTRADE Organisation (WTO) for breaching of international trade rules. WTO ruled that India’s domestic content requirement for National Solar Mission (NSM) discriminated against imported solar technology.
- About case - USA dragged India to WTO in 2013 alleging that domestic content requirement on solar power developers discriminated against American and other imported solar technology USA's solar equipments manufactured are looking India's NSM (National Solar Mission) as a big business potential. NSM has set ambitious target of generating 20,000 Mega Watts solar power by 2022.
- India's Ministry of Science and Technology signed MoU with a United Kingdom (UK) for joint India-UK collaboration programme in crop science.
- Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is working to establishment a Satellite Tracking & Data Reception Station and Data Processing Facility for ASEAN Member countries in Vietnam.
- Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu presented Railway Budget 2016-17. It was second railway budget for Suresh Prabhu and third rail budget of PM Narendra Modi. Highlights are -
- Capital plan for Budget is Rs 1.21 lakh crore.
- Operating ratio kept at 92% FY17 as against 90% in FY16.
- Target is to generate revenues of Rs.1,84,820 cr, 10.1% higher than current year.
- Theme of Budget - ‘Chalo, Milkar Kuch Naya Karen’. Three pillars strategy - Nav Arjan, Nav Manak andNav Sanrachna.
- Railway Plans to generate 9 crore man-days employment by 2017-18 and 14 crore man-days by 2018-19.
- Railway Targets To commission 2800 km of new tracks in 2016-17.
- No new hike in passenger fares and Freight fares.
- New Initiatives For unreserved passenger
- Antyodaya Express - superfast unreserved service.
- Deen Dayalu unreserved coaches with more facilities.
- For Reserved Passengers -
- Humsafar Train - Air-conditioned service with an optional service for meals.
- Tejas Train - It will operate at speeds of 130 kmph and above with onboard services such as local cuisine, entertainment, WiFi, etc.
- UDAY (Utkrisht Double-Decker Air-conditioned Yatri) Express - Double-decker express on busiest routes with Potential to increase carrying capacity by almost 40%.
- SMART (Specially Modified Aesthetic Refreshing Travel) Coaches - coaches with more modern facilities.
- Cleanliness - SMS service ‘Clean my Coach’, ranking of A1 and A railway stations based on passenger feedback.
- Awareness - Waste segregation, recycling centres, 30,000 bio-toilets etc.
- Women Quota - 33 % sub-quota for women will be provided under all reserved categories.
- Rail Mitra Sewa - Strengthening existing services for enabling passengers to book battery operated cars, porter services, etc. Expanding Sarathi Seva in Konkan Railway to help disabled and old passengers.
- Ticketing - Capacity of e-ticketing system has been enhanced from 2000 tickets per min to 7,200 per min. Introducing 1,780 ticket-vending machines.
- High Speed Rail - Mumbai to Ahmedabad will be undertaken with assistance of Japan.
- Developing Rail side logistics parks and warehousing in PPP mode, TRANSLOC (Transport Logistics Company of India) will develop 10 goods sheds in 2016-17.
- India’s first rail auto hub will be inaugurated in Chennai. Rail University will come at Vadodara, Gujarat.
- Process Improvements - Finalization of EPC projects standard document to implement at least 20 projects in 2016-17. In future, endeavouring all works valuing above Rs. 300 crore through EPC contracts.
- Rail Development Authority - It will be established as statutory body to enable fair pricing of railway services and promote competition, protect customer interests and determine efficiency standards.
- Tourism - Railways will partner with States for operating tourist circuit trains, promotion of tourism through UNESCO world heritage Railways and Railway museums.
- Railway budget allocation for Himachal Pradesh increased from 255 crore in 2015-16 to 310 crore in 2016-17.
- Setting up a R&D organization -‘SRESTHA (Special Railway Establishment for Strategic Technology & Holistic Advancement) for driving long term research. It will be independent from Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) that tackles day to day issues.
- A Special Unit for Transportation Research and Analytics (SUTRA) would be set up for carrying out detailed analytics leading to optimizedINVESTMENT decisions and operations.
- An Innovation Committee would be set up Under Ratan Tata for seeking solutions to Indian Railway’s most critical problems through an Innovation Challenge.
- LIC toINVEST Rs. 1.5 lakh crore over 5 years.
- All unmanned level crossing to be eliminated by 2020.
- President Pranab Mukherjee has formally declared Kerala as the country’s first digital state, on occasion of launching a digital empowerment campaign (Kanivu).
- Noted pre-independence cricketer Bindiganavile Krishnaswamy Garudachar passed away at age of 99.
- Noted Director Sanjay Leela Bhansali and actor Ranveer Singh have been chosen for 2016 Pandit Dinanath Mangeshkar Award.
- Eastern coast of India will get its Sixth doppler radar in Gopalpur in Odisha to boost weather forecasting system.
- 2016 Dubai ATP Tennis title -
- Men's Sunlges - Stan Wawrinka (Switzerland) won by defeating Marcos Baghdatis (Cyprus)
- Women’s Singles - Sara Errani (Italy) won by defeating Barbora Strýcová (Czech Republic)
- Men’s Doubles - Italian pair of Simone Bolelli and Andreas Seppi
- Women’s Doubles - Chuang Chia-jung (Chinese Taipei) and Darija Jurak (Croatia)
- Micro blogging site Twitter launched #Positionofstrength campaign in India to empower women to raise voices against any form of discrimination.
- Government released Seismic Microzonation reports for Delhi and Kolkata, highlighting vulnerability of specific areas in these megacities and minimizing effects of earthquakes.
- President Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated Kerala Tourism’s Muziris Heritage Project (MHP) at Trissur to reinstate historical and cultural significance of Muziris.
- Dinesh Sharma is elected as Chairperson of InternationalFUND for Agriculture Development (IFAD) (ROME).
- 88th Academy Awards (Oscars) -
- Best Picture - Spotlight.
- Best Actor -Leonardo DiCaprio (The Revenant).
- Best Actress - Brie Larson (Room).
- Best Supporting Actor - Mark Rylance (Bridge of Spies).
- Best Supporting Actress - Alicia Vikander (The Danish Girl).
- Best Director - Alejandro G. Iñárritu (The Revenant).
- Best Original Song: Writing’s on the Wall (Spectre).
- Best Original Score: The Hateful Eight (Ennio Morricone).
- Best Foreign Language Film: Son of Saul (Hungary).
- Best Documentary Feature: Best Documentary Short Subject: A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness.
- Best Animated Feature Film: Inside Out.
- Best Animated Short Film: Bear Story.
- Most awards: Mad Max: Fury Road (6 Awards) followed by The Revenant (3) and Spotlight (2).
- Most nominations in 88th Academy Awards: The Revenant (12), Mad Max: Fury Road (10) and The Martian (7)
- Other Awards -
- Best Makeup and Hairstyling: Lesley Vanderwalt, Elka (Mad Max: Fury Road).
- Best Costume Design: Jenny Beavan (Mad Max: Fury Road).
- Best Visual Effects: Mark Williams Ardington, Sara Bennett, Paul Norris and Andrew Whitehurst (Ex Machina).
- Best Editing: Margaret Sixel (Mad Max: Fury Road).
- Best Cinematography: Emmanuel Lubezki (The Revenant).
- Best Production Design: Colin Gibson and Lisa Thompson (Mad Max: Fury Road).
- Best Original Screenplay: Tom McCarthy (Spotlight).
- Best Adapted Screenplay: Adam McKay (The Big Short).
- Best Sound Editing: Mark A. Mangini and David White (Mad Max: Fury Road).
- Best Sound Mixing: Chris Jenkins, Gregg Rudloff and Ben Osmo (Mad Max: Fury Road).
- Sound designer Resul Pookutty won prestigious American Motion Picture Sound Editors’ (MPSE) Golden Reel Award for documentary India’s Daughter, directed by Leslee Udwin and based on Delhi gangrape incident of December 2012.
- Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) named Long distance runner Lalita Babar as Sports Person of Year in Sports Awards 2015 during Turf 2015-16. She has recently qualified for Rio Olympics in 3000m steeplechase event.
- Kerala's Kasaragod became state's second district to be declared as Zero Landless District, after Kannur.
- Scriptwriter Sagar Sarhadi to be honoured with Lifetime Achievement Award at 2nd International Film Festival of Prayag (IFFP).
- Maharashtra Economic Development Council formed Deepak Naik committee to work towards reviving river Godavari.
- Bengaluru based Ather Energy launched India's first electric scooter S340, that covers distance of 60 Km in one single charge and have Lithium Ion battery pack IP67.
- New Zealand's Kathleen Cross and Clarie Polosak of Australia became first women umpires to be included in ICC Women's World Twenty20 cricket to be held in 2016.
- Odisha government introduced 50 vehicles equipped with Global Positioning System (GPS) to transport medicines to hospitals in remote areas, under Niramaya Yojana.
- NDDB foundation for Nutrition (NFN) launched its novel Gift Milk initiative to provide nutritional support for school children in Ranga Reddy District of Telangana.
- Retirement fund body EPFO (Employees Provident Fund Organisation) tightened norms on withdrawal of provident fund andINVESTMENT in Varishtha Pension Bima Yojana for its five crore subscribers -
- As per new norms, subscribers will not be able to claim withdrawal of their providentFUND after attaining age of 54 years. Earlier, EPFO allowed claiming 90 % accumulations in PF account at age of 54 years. Now EPFO made it mandatory to wait till age of 57 for claiming PF for transferring it to the Insurance Corporation of India forINVESTMENT in Varishtha Pension Bima Yojana.
- Now, Now subscribers can directly file their claims like PF withdrawals without attestation of present or previous employers.
- Ashwini Nangia appointed as Director of CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, Pune.
- Japanese Carmaker Nissan has named Indian cricketer Rohit Sharma as their new global ambassador.
- SEBI approved IDBI Bank to raise Rs 3,771 crore through issue of shares to qualified institutional playersa (QIP). It will reduce government's Holding in IDBI Bank by 36.6 % from currently 80.16 %.
- Taxi aggregator Ola signed agreement with Uttar Pradesh government to create over 50,000ENTREPRENEURSHIP opportunities across state.
- OYO Rooms tied up with Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) to offer convenient booking platform to travellers. OYO Rooms will power IRCTC hotel-booking page, offering their inventory and standardised amenities to passengers, consisting approx 45,000 rooms in over 170 cities.
- Diageo-controlled United Spirits USL) appointmed MK Sharma as chairman, after Vijay Mallya resigned from the post.
- EconomicSURVEY 2015 - 16
- GDP Growth - Growth rate of GDP at constantMARKET prices will increase to 7.6% in 2015-16 from 7.2% in 2014-15. Real GDP growth for 2015-16 is expected to be 7% to 7.75%.
- GDP Components - Services Sector - 66.1%. Industry andf agriculture sector account of remaining 34% withb agricuture sector being 11 - 13 %.
- Services - 9.2 % (2015-16), 10.3 % (2014-15), 7.8 % (2013-14)
- India showed fastest service sector growth with a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of 8.6% followed by China at 8.4%.
- Industry - 7.3 % (2015-16), 5.9 % (2014-15), 7.3 % (2013-14)
- Industrial sector broadly comprising mining, manufacturing and electricity attained 3.1 % growth during April-December 2015-16 as compared to 2.6 % during 2014- 15.
- Agricuture - 1.1 % (2015-16), -.2 % (2014-15), 4.2 % (2013-14)
- Services - 9.2 % (2015-16), 10.3 % (2014-15), 7.8 % (2013-14)
- Over 122 lakh toilets constructed in rural areas since beginning of Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) for improving sanitation in rural India.
- India's Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) goals for renewable energy sector aim of achieving 60 GW of wind power and 100 GWs of solar power installed by 2022.
- Industrial sector performed well and growth is expected to strengthen to 7.3 % for 2015-16. Within industrial sector, manufacturing to register a growth of 9.5 5.
- JAM Trinity - Jan dhan, Aadhaar, Mobile can help in implementing large-scale Direct Benefit Transfers (DBTs) to improve economic lives of India’s poor. First variety of JAM- PAHAL scheme of transferring LPG subsidies via DBT has reduced leakages by 24 per cent. JAM has three Components - Identification or First-Mile (Identification of beneficiaries), Transfer or Middle-Mile (Transfer of fund to beneficiaries) and Access or Last-Mile (Access of fund by beneficiaries)
- Agriculture -
- India ranks first in milk production with 18.5 % of world production with milk production growth rate of 6.26 %.
- Percentage share of horticulture output in agriculture is over 33 %
- Share of plan outlay for horticulture, which was 3.9 % during 9th Plan, has increased to 4.6 % during 12th Plan.
- Labour Force -
- Proportion of economically active population (15- 59 years) increased from 57.7 to 63.3 % during 1991 to 2013.
- Employment growth in organized sector increased by 2% in 2012 over 2011
- As per Fourth Annual EmploymentUnemployment SURVEY by Labour Bureau, Unemployment Rate is 4.7 % in rural areas and 5.5% in urban areas while total unemployment rate reported is 4.9%. Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) is 52.5 %.
- Under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, 3.63 crore households Were provided employment of 134.96 crore person days during Current Year.
- Human Capital -
- Expenditure on Social Services including Education, Health, Social Security etc was 7 % of GDP in 2014-15 while it was 6.5% during 2013-14. In this, 19.5 % was spent on Health.
- Climate Change -
- India has second highest number of projects registered under CDM of UNFCCC, with 1593 out of 7685 projects.
- National Adaptation FUND for Climate Change (NAFCC) has been established with cost of 350 crore for 2015-16 and 2016-17
- Food Security -
- According to 66th National Sample SURVEY (2009-10) - average dietary energy intake per person per day was 2147 Kcal for rural and 2123 Kcal for urban India
- India has second highest number of undernourished people (19.4 crore)
- Total Foodgrains Production stood at 253.16 million tonnes in 2015-16, higher than 252.02 MT in 2014-15
- Economy -
- Over 20 Crore bank accounts opened under Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojan (PMJDY) and world’s largest direct benefit transfer programme in case of LPG with 15.1 crore people receiving 29000 crore.
- 4 R - Recognition, Recapitalization, Resolution, and reform required to resolve twin balance sheet challenge of Public Sector Banks (PSBs).
- Fiscal Deficit target of 3.9% for 2015-16 seems achievable.
- Total expenditure for 2015-16 was estimated at Rs.17.77 lakh crore which was 5.7 % higher than estimates of 2014-15.
- Direct taxes grew by 10.7% in the first 9 months of 2015-16 while indirect taxes were also pleasing.
- Aggregate capital expenditure increased by 0.6% in 2015-16
- During April-November 2015-16, FDI inflows were 34.8 billion USD as compared to 27.7 billion USD during April-November 2014-15. FDI equity inflows also increased from 18.9 billion USD to 24.8 billion USD in same period.
- Overall exports declined by about 18% in the first three quarters
- TRADE deficit declined to 106.8 billion USD in April-January 2015-16 from 119.6 billion USD in corresponding period of 2014-15. Exports remained 217.7 Billion USD (17.6% decline) and imports remained 324.5 billion USD (15.5% decline).
- India's FOREX Reserves Stand at 351.5 Billion USD.
- By September 2015, India’s external debt was in safe limits, with long term debt being 82.2%. External debt to GDP ratio of 23.7% and debt service ratio of 7.5% in 2014-15.
- Out of the 23 states and UTs, services sector accounted for 87.5 % of Delhi’s GSDP, followed by Maharashtra at 63.8 %.
- Foreign Touruist Arrivals registered growth of 10.2 % and 9.7 % growth in Foreign Exchange EARNINGS (FEE) in 2014-15.
- Government’s plan to change 77 crore conventional bulbs and 3.5 crore conventional street lights with LED range would save Rs 45,500 crore by reducing 21,500 MW electricity demand
- Number of technology start ups grown by 40 % to over 4,200, making India 3rd largest base of technology start-ups in the world, creating 80000 jobs in 2015.
- CPI (Consumer Price Index Remained) 4.9 % in 2014-15 while WPI (Wholesale Price Index) remained -2.8%.
- IT-BPM sector touched share of 9.5% of GDP and over 45% in total services export in 2015-16.
- Power -
- During 2014-15, electricity generation was 1048.4 billion units (BU), registering growth of 8.4 %. 2014-15 had highest ever increase in generation capacity of 26.5 GW compared to average annual addition of around 19 GW over past 5 years.
- 3030 MW of grid-connected power generation capacity from renewable energy sources like solar and wind added during April – December 2015
- Roads -
- Under National Highways Development Project (NHDP), total 26, 177 km road has been completed as on 31 December 2015.
- Civil aviation -
- It witnessed improvement of 20.4 % in domestic traffic and 7.8 % in international traffic during April - November 2015-16.
- Atul Kumar Jain appointed as Chief of Eastern Naval Command and Bimal Verma appointed as Chief of Andaman and Nicobar Naval Command.
- February 28 - National Science Day. Theme for 2016 is Scientific Issues for Development of the Nation. It marks discovery of Raman Effect by Indian physicist Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman (CV Raman) on February 28, 1928. This discovery was awarded with the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930.
- Ronnie O'Sullivan (UK) won Welsh Open snooker title by beating Neil Robertson (Australia).
- Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation apprpved construction of 82000 houses for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) in urban areas of 163 cities of West Bengal, Telangana, Bihar, Mizoram, Rajashtan, Jharkhand and Uttarakhand.
- Rio Open 2016 -
- Men's Singles - Pablo Cuevas (Uruguay)
- Women's Singles - Francesca Schiavone (Italy)
- Men's Doubles - Colombia 's Juan Sebastián Cabal and Robert Farah
- Women's Doubles - Verónica Cepede Royg (Paraguay) and MarÃa Irigoyen (Argentina)
- Road to Resilience initiative of World Bank, under which a team undertook a bus trip along entire Indian coastline, covering 10000 kilometers. It provided chance to implement support for 6 coastal disaster management and climate resilience projects covering all 10 coastal states, supported by Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR).
- Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cancelled certificate of registration of 26 non-banking FINANCIAL companies (NBFCs) as per Section 45-IA (6) of Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934.
- Assam Government approved setting up Guwahati Metro Rail Corporation Limited (GMRCL).
- 203 kilometres Metro corridor will be completed in three phases. Phase I will cover a length 61.4 kilometres and 54 stations in first phase.
- Trains will have carrying capacity of 975 passengers. Estimated projected cost is 18020 crores.
- National Food Security Act 2013 launched in Mizoram. State decided to allocate 3 kilogram of rice in addition to 5 kilogram covered by Food Security Act. Total 644882 people will be covered by Food Security Act.
- West Bengal Government constituted two task forces for development of Adivasis and Gorkhas living in state. One task force will work for tribals of Terai-Dooars and other for Gorkhas in Darjeeling Hills region.
- Australia won Trans-Tasman Cricket Trophy against New Zealand and became World Number 1 in ICC Test ranking.
- Forbes released its inaugural 30 Under 30 Asia List, including 56 Indians -
- Some noted Indians inlcluded are - Sania Mirza, Virat Kohli, Saina Nehwal, Shraddha Kapoor (Actress), Arunima Sinha (Mountaineer), Ritesh Agarwal (Co-founder OYO Rooms).
- Punjab government imposed a ban on sale of army uniforms across the state.
- Hashim Thaci elected as president of Kosovo (Southeastern Europe).
- Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik elected as president of Biju Janata Dal (BJD) for 7th consecutive term.
- Famous Tamil Comedy actor Kumarimuthu passed away.
- Union Budget 2016-17 - Finance Minister Arun Jaitley presented Union Budget 2016-17 in Lok Sabha. It was second full year Budget of NDA government and Third budget of Arun Jaitley. Main Points are -
- Expenditures (Total 1978060 Crores) (9.02 %
- Planned Expenditure - 550010 Crores
- Non-Planned Expenditure - 1428050 Crores.
- Receipts (Total 1978060 Crores) (9.02 %
- Revenue Receipts - 1377022 Crores
- Tax Revenue - 1054101 Crore Rupees
- Non Tax Revenue - 322921 Crore Rupees
- Capital Receipts - 601038 Crore Rupees (Recoveries of Loans + Other Receipts + Borrowings and other liabilities)
- Revenue Receipts - 1377022 Crores
- Revenue Deficit - 354015 (2.3 % of GDP), Definition - (Revenue Expenditure - Revenue Receipts)
- Fiscal Deficit - 533904 Crore Rupees (3.5% of GDP), Definition - (Total Expenditure - (Revenue Receipts + Recoveries of Loans + Other Receipts))
- Primary Deficit - 41234 Crore Rupees (.3 % of GDP), Definition - (Fiscal Deficit - Interest Payments)
- Capital Given to States - 937735 Crores (11%
- Government EARNING and Expenditure Structure -
- EARNING(Every One Rupee EARNED by government) -
- 21 Paise - Borrowings & Other liabilities
- 19 Paise - Corporation-tax
- 14 Paise - Income-tax
- 13 Paise - Non-tax Revenue
- 12 Paise - Union Excise Duties
- 9 Paise - Customs
- 9 Paise - Service tax & other taxes
- 3 Paise - Non-debt Capital receipts
- Expenditure (Every One Rupee Spent by government) -
- 23 Paise - States' share of taxes & duties
- 19 Paise - Interest Payments
- 12 Paise - Central Plan
- 12 Paise - Other Non-Plan Expenditure
- 10 Paise - Subsidies
- 10 Paise - Defence
- 9 Paise - Plan Assistance to State & UT
- 5 Paise -Non-Plan Assistance to State & UT Govts.
- EARNING(Every One Rupee EARNED by government) -
- Central Assistance for State and Union Territory Plans - 241900 Crores (12 % of Total Expenditure)
- Centrally Sponsored Schemes Allocation - 226820 Crores (11 % of Total Expenditure)
- Core of Core Schemes -
- Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme - 38500 Crores
- National Social Assistance Programme - 9500 Crores
- Schemes for SC / ST / OBC / Minorities Development - 8186 Crores
- Core Schemes -
- National Education Mission - 28010 Crores
- Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna - 20075 Crores
- National Health Mission - 20037 Crores
- Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna - 19000 Crores
- Integrated Child Development Scheme - 16119 Crores
- Green Revolution - 12980 Crores (Krishonnati + Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna) Crores
- Swachh Bharat Abhiyan - 11300 Crores
- Mid-day Meal - 9700 Crores Crores
- Urban Rejuvenation Mission (AMRUT and Mission for Development of 100 Smart Cities) - 7295 Crores
- Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojna - 5717 Crores Crores. Irrigation projects to get Rs 86500 over next five years.
- National Rural Drinking Water Programme - 5000 Crores
- National Livelihood Mission - 3325 Crores
- Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana - 1700
- Rashtriya Swastha Suraksha Yojna - 1500 Crores
- Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme - 1439
- White Revolution - 1274 Crores Crores
- Blue Revolution - 575 Crores Crores
- Stard Up India. Stand up India - 1100 Crores
- Core of Core Schemes -
- Subsidies - 250432 Crores
- Defence Expenditure - 2.58 lakh crore (1.74 % of GDP)
- Taxation -
- No Change in Income Tax Slabs.
- Imposing a Cess, called Krishi Kalyan Cess of 0.5% on all taxable services. New effective service tax will be 15%.
- Raise tax rebate under section 87A from 2000 to 5000 for individuals with income upto 5 lakhs.
- Increase limit of deduction of rent paid under 80 GG from Rs 24,000 per annum to Rs 60,000 to provide relief to those who live in rented houses.
- Increase turnover limit under Presumptive taxation scheme to 2 crores as relief to a large number of assessees in MSME category.
- Service tax exemption for construction of affordable housing up to 60 sq. mt. under state and central housing schemes.
- Extend presumptive taxation scheme to professionals with gross receipt up to Rs 50 lakh with presumption of profit being half of gross receipt.
- 100% deduction of profits for 3 years for startups setup during April 2016 to March 2019.
- Rate of security transaction tax in auction to be increased from 0.17% to 0.15%.
- 1% infrastructure cess on small LPG cars.
- Clean energy cess for coal at Rs 400 per tonne (from 200 per tonne).
- Limited tax compliance window offered from Jun 1 - Sep 30 for declaring undisclosed income at 45% including surcharge and penalties. It includes 7.5 % Krishi Kalyan Cess.
- Commitment to implement General Anti Avoidance Rules (GAAR) from 1.4.2017.
- Exemption of service tax on services provided under Deen Dayal Upadhyay Grameen Kaushalya Yojana and Niramaya Health Insurance Scheme launched by National Trust for Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disability.
- For investors receiving dividend over Rs 10 lakh per annum, an additinal tax of 10% of dividend amount in addition to applicable DDT (Dividend Distribution Tax).
- Surcharge to be raised from 12% to 15% on persons having income above 1 crore.
- New Dispute Resolution Scheme to be introduced. No penalty in respect of cases with disputed tax up to 10 lakh. Cases with disputed tax over 10 lakh to be subjected to 25% of minimum of imposable penalty.
- Penalty rates to be 50% of tax in case of underreporting of income and 200% of tax where there is misreporting of facts.
- 13 cesses, levied by various Ministries in which revenue collection is less than ` 50 crore in a year to be abolished.
- What Will be Costlier -
- Cigarettes - Excise duty increased by 10-15%
- Branded retail garment - 6% excise on price more than Rs.1,000.
- Cars - For cars of over 10 Lakh, 1% tax on gasoline engines, 2.5% tax on diesel and 4% tax on high engine-capacity and sports utility vehicles.
- Imitation jewellery - Basic customs duty increased from 10% to 15%.
- Mobile phones and accessories - exemption from basic customs duty, CV (countervailing) duty and SAD is being withdrawn. CV duty is imposed at 12.5% and SAD at 4%.
- What will be Cheaper
- Refrigerators - Basic customs duty on refrigerated containers being reduced 10% to 5% and excise duty reduced 12.5% to 6%.
- Solar lamps - Exempt from excise duty from 12.5% earlier.
- Perfumes and deodorants
- Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare -
- Total Allocation - 35984 Crores
- Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana to cover 28.5 lakh hectares
- Long Term Irrigation FUND to be created in NABARD with initial corpus of 20,000 crores
- Programme for sustainable management of ground water resources with cost of 6,000 crore to be implemented through 3 multilateralFUNDING
- To reduce burden of loan repayment on farmers, 15,000 crores alotted towards interest subvention.
- Prime Minister Fasal Bima Yojana - 5,500 crore
- 850 crore dairying projects - Pashudhan Sanjivani, Nakul Swasthya Patra, ‘E-Pashudhan Haat and National Genomic Centre for indigenous breeds
- Aim to double Farmers'EARNINGS in 5 years.
- Agriculture credit target is 9 Lakh Crore for 2016-17
- Rural Sector
- 2.87 lakh crore as Aid to Gram Panchayats and Municipalities as per recommendations of 14th Finance Commission
- Allocation for rural sector - 87,765 crore
- Distressed Blocks to be takedn up under Deen Dayal Antyodaya Mission
- 100% village electrification by 1st May, 2018.
- New scheme Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan proposed with allocation of 655 crore.
- Social Sector and Health Care -
- Allocation for social sector including education and health care – 1,51,581 crore.
- 2,000 crore for providing LPG connections to BPL families.
- New health protection scheme will provide health cover up to One lakh per family. For senior citizens an additional package up to 30,000 will be provided.
- 3,000 Stores under Prime Minister’s Jan Aushadhi Yojana will be opened during 2016-17.
- Stand Up India Scheme to facilitate at least 2 projects per bank branch, to benefit min 2.5 lakh ENTREPRENEURS.
- Allocation of 100 crore each for celebrating Birth Centenary of Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay and 350th Birth Anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh
- Education, Skills and Job Creation
- 62 new Navodaya Vidyalayas will be opened
- Higher Education Financing Agency to be set-up with initial capital base of 1000 Crores
- Government will pay 8.33% for of all new employees enrolling in EPFO for first 3 years of employment. Budget provision of 1000 crore for this scheme.
- 1500 Multi Skill Training Institutes to be set-up
- 1804 Crores alloted for skill development.
- Higher Education Financing Agency (HEFA) will be created to empower Higher Educational Institutions so that they become world class. It will be set up an initial capital base of 1000 crore rupees.
- Digital Literacy Mission Scheme to be launched to spread digital literacy in rural India. It is in addition to existing National Digital Literacy Mission and Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (DISHA) and will cover 6 crore households by the end of 2018-19.
- Transport and Infrastructure -
- Total INVESTMENT in road sector including PMGSY is 97,000 crore during 2016-17. Total outlay for infrastructure is 2,21,246 crore.
- 100% FDI through FIPB route in MARKETING of food products manufactured in India.
- Govt plans to revive 160 airports; each to cost Rs 50-100 cr.
- FINANCIALReforms
- Amendments in SARFAESI Act 2002 (Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest ) to enable sponsor of an ARC (Asset Reconstruction Company) to hold up to 100% stake in ARC and permit non institutional investors to INVEST in Securitization Receipts.
- Allocation of 25,000 crore for recapitalisation of Public Sector Banks.
- Target of amount sanctioned under Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana increased to 1,80,000 crore.
- General Insurance Companies owned by Government to be listed in STOCK exchanges.
- Impose tax at time of withdrawal on 60% of contributions made after April 1, 2016, to EPF and other schemes. At present, social security schemes of EPFO are tax free. Withdrawal from NPS corpus of up to 40% at the time of retirement has been made tax exempt.
- Raise exemption limit from Rs 1 to 1.5 lakh for annual contribution in superannuation FUND and non-levy on taxes upon death of an employee under NPS.
- 100% deduction for profits of a housing project for flats upto 30 sq. metres in four metro cities and 60 sq. metres in other cities, approved during June 2016 to March 2019.
- First-time home buyers will get a deduction of an additional interest of Rs 50,000 per annum for loan upto Rs 35 lakh, during 2016-17, provided the house value does not exceed Rs 50 lakh.
- Ease of Doing Business
- Bill for Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services by using the Aadhar framework to be introduced, it will provide Aadhaar a legal tag for Larger Role.
- Price Stabilisation FUND with of 900 crores to help maintain stable prices of Pulses.
- Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat programme to link States and Districts in an annual programme that connects people through exchanges in language,TRADE, culture, travel and tourism.
- Expenditures (Total 1978060 Crores) (9.02 %
- Per capita income of India at current prices for 2015-16 is Rs.93,231, as compated to Rs 86,879 in 2014-15.
- Ramendra Kumar and Gurudas Dasgupta re-elected as President and General Secretary respectively of the All India TRADE Union Congress (AITUC).
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