Current Affairs Current Affairs - 5 July 2017

General Affairs

Welcome to Israel, my friend Modi: Benjamin Netanyahu at Ben Gurion airport

As Narendra Modi and Benjamin Netanyahu hugged at Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion airport today, the moment saw history in the making as it was the first time an Indian Prime Minister had set foot on Israel.

"My friend Modi, welcome to Israel," Netanyahu said in his address at a ceremony at the aiport marked by an unprecedented bonhomie between the two leaders. "Aapka swagat hai mere dost," the Israeli leader said in Hindi.

In a special gesture, Netanyahu along with his entire Cabinet, received Modi at Ben Gurion Airport, a gesture reserved so far only for US Presidents and the Pope.

"We love India, admire your culture, history, democracy and commitment to progress," Netanyahu went on. "I am confident of the real mathematics of life, of success of our partnership for many reasons; talent of our people."

"I once heard you say sky is the limit in relations with Israel. But let me say that even the sky is not the limit in cooperation between India and Israel," the Israeli Prime Minister said, calling Modi a "great world leader".

"We can do even better together. Welcome to Israel, my friend PM Modi," he said as he closed his short statement.

'GROUNDBREAKING VISIT'

In his short speech, Modi said it is his "singular honour" to be the first ever Prime Minister of India to undertake this "groundbreaking visit" to Israel.

"It is my singular honour to be the first ever PM of India to undertake this groundbreaking visit to Israel," he said.

"I am keen to interact with Indian diaspora in Israel, including large number of Jews of Indian origin," Modi said.

"The Prime Minister has landed in Israel," the Prime Minister's Office tweeted. After Modi's arrival, the national anthems of India and Israel were played.

In Israel, Modi will also meet President Ruven Rivlin apart from paying his respects to courageous Indian soldiers who laid down their lives during the liberation of Haifa in 1918.

The visit coincides with India and Israel marking 25 years of their diplomatic relations.

Modi will be in Israel till July 6 before travelling to Hamburg, Germany, to attend the G-20 summit.

Lynching in name of cow against Hindutva, need national policy on beef: Shiv Sena

Days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly decried violence in the name of cow protection, BJP ally Shiv Sena too has spoken out against incidents of lynching in the name of cow.

The Sena said said lynching people in the name of cow protection is against Hindutva and urged PM Modi to come up with a national policy on beef.

The Maharashtra-focused party's comments were published in its mouthpiece 'Saamana' today and come after a number of a incidents of lynching over either alleged transport of cow for slaughter or beef consumption in parts of India.

The incidents, also reported from several Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled states including Jharkhand, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, have promoted protests, most notably the #NotInMyName rallies that took place in several cities across the country.

Commenting in an editorial in 'Saamana' today, the Shiv Sena said, "The issue of beef is related to eating habits, business and employment. Hence, there should be a national policy over the issue." "Those who were safeguarding cows were Hindus till yesterday. Today, they have become murderers."

Shiv Sena welcomed the prime minister's comments from last week, when a visible charged up Modi admonished the so-called 'gau rakshaks' and said that killing in the name of cow is not acceptable.

"We welcome the stand taken by the prime minister over the issue. Nobody has the right to take law in his hands in the name of cow protection. Lynching people is against the principles of Hindutva," the Sena said in its editorial.

"We thank him (Modi) for clearly defining Hindutva. He should now come up with a national policy on beef to ease tensions," the Sena said.

Previously, BJP chief Amit Shah and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh head Mohan Bhagwat have both hit out at cow vigilante violence. Bhagwat, while demanding a national law to ban cow slaughter, said killing someone in the name of cow protection is wrong.

Shah has struck a more subdued note. The BJP chief recently termed incidents of lynching as "serious", but claimed more of these happened under the previous governments than the three years of NDA rule.

Modi's comments last week followed the lynching of a teenager, Junaid Khan, who was stabbed to death by a group of men on a train when he was returning home to Ballabhgarh in Haryana after shopping for Eid. His assailants termed Junaid, his brother and friends as "beef eaters".

In Jharkhand's Ramgarh, a Muslim meat trader was beaten to death last week by cow vigilantes who alleged he was carrying beef in his vehicle. Nityanand Mahto, a local BJP leader is among those arrested in connection with the incident.

Earlier this year, a cattle farmer - Pehlu Khan - died after being attacked by so-called gau rakshaks who suspected him of illegally ferrying cattle for the purpose of slaughter in Rajasthan's Alwar.

In September 2015, Mohammad Akhlaq was beaten to death at Dadri in Uttar Pradesh over suspicion of storing and consuming beef. Modi had spoken up against cow-related violence even then, but did not explicitly mention the Dadri incident.

Pulwama encounter Day 2: Three terrorists killed, 10 protesters injured

Security forces gunned down the third terrorist today in the ongoing encounter between holed up militants and security forces from Special Operations Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir police in Bamnoo Keller area of Pulwama.

At least 10 protesters have also been injured in the clashes with the forces and protesters near the encounter site.

The three militants killed in encounter so far were newly recruited and one more militant is believed to be hiding in a house.

The encounter began on Monday morning when forces, on specific inputs, cordoned off Bamnoo village in Pulwama district of south Kashmir.

The protesters had clashed with the security forces late on Sunday evening forcing them to call off the operation near the military air base in Koil.

On Saturday (July 1) top Lashkar commander Bashir Lashkari was killed in an encounter in Anantnag.

Hailing from Kokernag area of Anantnag district in south Kashmir Bashir Lashkari crossed to Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) in 1999.

Israel supports 'India hook, line and sinker' on terror: Official

Asserting that both India and Israel suffer from the "evil" forces of terrorism, the Jewish nation has said it completely supports New Delhi in its fight against terror emanating from Pakistan and within the country.

"Israel has never hidden the fact that it supports India hook, line and sinker on the subject of terrorism," the deputy director general of Israels foreign ministry, Mark Sofer, told reporters here.

"We are not asking for a quid pro quo. You have suffered from terrorism from inside India, and not just emanating from Pakistan, which has been seen in recent history," he said.

Condemning terrorism in all forms, the Israeli official said outfits like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hamas were no different from each other and added that both India and Israel have the right to defend themselves.

"We feel that India has a right to defend itself against terrorists in the same way as Israel has a right to defend itself from terrorists. We are both suffering from the same scourge. I really dont see any difference between the Lashkar-e-Taiba and the Hamas. I never did and i dont today. A terrorist is a terrorist is a terrorist," said Sofer, who has served as ambassador to India.

"Killing people for some sort of spurious or inexplicable ideological aim is terrorism, however you look at it. And that is what is happening from outside into India and coming from outside into Israel as well. We both clearly share the same struggle against the forces of evil," he said.

This wheelchair-bound man performs acrobatics, paints and swims despite paralysis

Mohammad Imran Qureshi was 17 when he lost his eyesight. Doctors said the resident of Gyanipur village in Uttar Pradesh's Sultanpur district had multiple sclerosis, a long-term disease that attacks the brain and central nervous system.

After about 18 months of treatment, Imran regained his vision. But his troubles did not end. Two years later, in 2009, paralysis struck both his legs. His family took him to Mumbai where doctors declared that his condition was incurable and he had to use a wheelchair.

"My parents decided to bring me back to the village, but I insisted on staying and joined the rehabilitation centre run by the Mumbai Paraplegic Foundation," recalled Imran, now 27.

Things then started taking a turn for the better and in the next couple of years Imran began performing various acrobatics and synchronised acts.

"My colleagues gave me the nickname 'wheelchair man of India' and I started exploring opportunities," he said.

ROLE IN AKSHAY KUMAR-STARRER HOLIDAY

In a surprising twist of fate in 2014, he bagged the role of a disabled army commando in the Akshay Kumar-starrer Holiday. His talent does not run out here. Imran is a painter, a swimmer, a netball player, a wheelchair performer, etc, and has won many accolades.

"Since childhood I was interested in drawing caricatures and painting. I also used to go to our local pond with friends and enjoyed swimming, until I fell ill," recalled Imran.

However, he pursued his passion for swimming even during rehabilitation and apart from winning some competitions there he also won a gold medal in a state- level swimming contest held in Jalandhar last year. "I also won the first prize in the state-level painting competition that was held in Gujarat in 2014," he informed with delight.

Apart from living his life, Imran now wants others like him to become self- reliant and make their families proud.

SKILL DEVELOPMENT CAMP

"Generally, society and even some parents do not accept us as normal human beings," he said.

Imran plans to organise a 45-day skill development camp for the physically disabled and he will start it from his native place, Sultanpur. The camp was slated to begin from July 2 but he postponed it by a week because of some family problems.

"The training will include becoming self-reliant, personal care, day-to-day activities, using the wheelchair to its capacity, moving around at public places as well as on difficult terrain, first aid, etc," Imran described.

A renowned surgeon of Sultanpur, Dr Sadiq Ali, has offered him space in his nursing home for the workshop.

"He is doing this for a social cause and on knowing this I offered him the space. We also held a discussion and plan to send a letter to the chief minister to organise such camps across the state," Ali said.

Business Affairs

Reserve Bank of India likely to issue Rs 200 notes in coming months

The Reserve Bank is expected to introduce Rs 200 notes in the coming months to ease pressure on lower-denomination currencies that are in short supply.

The new notes of Rs 200 should be out before the end of 2017 and will greatly help in narrowing the demand and supply gap in smaller-denomination currency bills, sources said.

They also said that there is no immediate plan to re- introduce Rs 1,000 notes.

Last year in November, the government had demonetised the old 500 and 1,000 rupee notes.

Soon, a notification may be issued by the Reserve Bank of India with regard to issuance of new Rs 200 bills.

This exercise of printing Rs 200 denomination notes is being undertaken to further improve the currency situation in the country, sources said, adding the problem people are facing due to high-value Rs 2,000 notes would also be taken care of with the circulation of Rs 200 notes.

The central bank had reportedly decided to bring in Rs 200 notes in March after consulting the finance ministry, they said. The notes are going through multiple checks for security and quality at government printing presses.

The shortage of currency notes was trigged by the scrapping of high-denomination bills last year.

In a surprise announcement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced scrapping of old notes of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 notes, wiping out over 85 per cent of the cash in circulation.

The move was aimed at checking black money, counterfeit notes and terror financing.

Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY) launched following the closure of 50-day demonetisation period did not draw a good response with only Rs 5,000 crore unaccounted income being declared under the amnesty scheme.

The scheme was launched in December last year to enable people with black money to come clean by paying tax and penalty of 50 per cent.

Snapdeal board rejects Flipkart's $850 million offer

Snapdeal's board is believed to have rejected a takeover offer of USD 800-850 million (around Rs 5,500 crore) from larger e-commerce rival Flipkart.

According to sources privy to the development, Flipkart has completed the due diligence process and has made an offer of USD 800-850 million to buy Snapdeal.

However, the offer was rejected by the Snapdeal's board which felt the amount undervalues the company as the due diligence report is clean.

"The first offer has been rejected but talks are still on. It is an ongoing discussion," said one of the sources.

When contacted, Snapdeal, SoftBank and Flipkart declined to comment.

SoftBank, the Snapdeal's largest investor, has been proactively mediating the sale for the past few months. The board also has representation from Snapdeal founders (Kunal Bahl and Rohit Bansal), NVP and Kalaari Capital.

Sources said Ernst & Young, which was roped in by Flipkart to conduct a due diligence on Snapdeal, submitted its report a few days ago, following which the offer was made.

The deal between Snapdeal and Flipkart, if completed, would mark the biggest acquisition in the Indian e-commerce space.

One of the leading contenders in the Indian e-commerce space, Snapdeal has seen its fortunes failing amid strong competition from Amazon and Flipkart.

Compared to a valuation of about USD 6.5 billion in February 2016, the sale to Flipkart could see Snapdeal being valued at about USD 1 billion.

SoftBank has already written off over USD 1 billion on valuation of its investment in Snapdeal.

Reprint revised MRP post GST or face legal action: Govt to companies

The government on Tuesday warned that legal action will be initiated against manufacturers for not printing the revised MRP post rollout of the GST.

Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said the government has given three months time till September to reprint the revised maximum retail price (MRP) with the implementation of the landmark Goods and Services Tax (GST).

In a series of tweets, Paswan said that prices of some commodities have fallen, while some have increased with the implementation of GST.

After GST came into effect, the prices of some items have gone up while the prices of others have come down.
â€” Ram Vilas Paswan (@irvpaswan) July 4, 2017

"Fall in prices due to lower GST should be passed on to consumers. ...The government will take legal action against vendors not declaring revised MRP after GST," he said.

The benefits of decreased prices,by reduction of tax after imposition of GS, should reach the consumers.
â€” Ram Vilas Paswan (@irvpaswan) July 4, 2017

The revised rates should be displayed on commodities so that consumers are aware what is the MRP of each item after GST, he added.

We have granted relaxation till 30.9.17 to industry under Packaged Commodities Rules to write new MRP on items of reduced prices due to GST
â€” Ram Vilas Paswan (@irvpaswan) July 4, 2017

"The government has given time till September to reprint the revised MRP under the Packaged Commodities Rule," he said.

New MRP should be mentioned on the items where prices have increased due to GST so that the Consumers can be aware of the impact of GST.
â€” Ram Vilas Paswan (@irvpaswan) July 4, 2017

GST, launched at midnight of June 30, has subsumed all value added tax (VAT) and Octroi. It has four slabs -- 5, 12, 18 and 28 per cent -- for different commodities.

Madhya Pradesh adopts 7th Pay Commission: State Cabinet approves 14 per cent pay hike for govt staff

The Shivraj Singh Chouhan-led Cabinet approved the recommendations of Seventh Pay Commission for state government employees of Madhtya Pradesh. This move will lead to 14 per cent increase in the salaries of around 6.5 lakh government staff in the state, reports suggest.

In its last meeting, the Cabinet decided to implement the recommendations of 7th Pay Commission from January 1, 2016. Arrears against the Pay Commission awards will be paid to state government employees in three installments.

Government will pay arrears of 7th Pay Commission for the time between January 1, 2016 and June 2017 in installments that will be paid in the month of May every year. The first installment will be paid in the financial year 2018-19.

The bump of 14 per cent in paychecks of state government employees will create a burden of Rs 3,828 crore on the state government. Payment of arrears for the duration till which the pay panel recommendations were delayed will put additional weight of Rs 5,742 crore on the state exchequer. For the remaining part of the ongoing financial year, the state government will have to spend another Rs 2,552 crore for implementing the recommendations of 7th Pay Commission in Madhya Pradesh.

Last week only, the Union Cabinet led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the reformed allowance structure recommended by the Seventh Central Pay Commission. Central government employees had to wait for a year to see new allowance rates being implemented.

The Union Cabinet approved the allowance structure with 34 modifications and all of them were hiked except House Rent Allowance. The amount paid under HRA went up still, even though the rates were slashed on recommendations from the pay panel. The new allowances will affect 48 lakh central government employees.

Credit card bill payment exempt from cash dealing limit of Rs 2 lakh

Restrictions on cash dealings of Rs 2 lakh or more will not apply to credit card bill payments, business correspondents appointed by banks and issuers of prepaid instruments, the revenue department has said.

The Finance Act 2017 banned cash transaction of Rs 2 lakh or above with effect April 1, 2017. However, some exceptions were made.

Through a notification, the Income Tax Department has exempted five entities from the purview of this Section.

These include receipts by a business correspondent on behalf of a banking company or co-operative bank; and receipt by a company or institution issuing credit cards against bills raised in respect of one or more credit cards.

Receipt from an agent by an issuer of pre-paid payment instruments, receipt by a white label ATM operator from retail outlet and receipt which is not includible in the total income under clause (17A) of section 10 of the I-T Act, 1961, have been excluded from the purview of the Section 269ST.

"The notification shall be deemed to have come into force with effect from the April 1, 2017," the revenue department said. The notification is dated July 3.

Nangia & Co Director Shailesh Kumar said this would provide much needed relief to the banking sector and also to the rural sector and remove hardship in these genuine cases.

"In order to provide relief to certain genuine cases, which are also regulated under various other government laws relating to banking and payments, the government has now issued a notification exempting certain cash transactions from this limit," Kumar said.

Earlier, the department had said that the Rs 2 lakh restriction will not apply on receipts by government, banking company, post office savings bank or co-operative bank.

The section inserted in the Income Tax Act from the beginning of this fiscal bans cash dealings of Rs 2 lakh or more on a single day, in respect of a single transaction or transactions relating to one event or occasion from an individual.

Contravention of Section 269ST would entail levy of 100 per cent penalty on receiver of the amount.

The move to ban cash transaction above a threshold was aimed at curbing black money by discouraging cash transaction and promoting digital economy.

The tax department has already advised people having knowledge of such cash dealings to tip-off the tax department by sending an email to blackmoneyinfo@incometax.gov.in. This email address was started in December last year post the demonetisation of 500 and 1,000 rupee notes.

It had then asked people having knowledge about conversion of black money into white to inform the government through this mail id. Post the demonetisation of 500 and 1,000 rupee notes, people with unaccounted wealth had illegally converted their black money held in old notes to new 500 and 2,000 rupee notes.

General Awareness

Latest Current Affairs - June 2017

Appointments

New Indian Envoys Appointed -

European Union and Belgium - Gaitri Issar Kumar.

Italy- Reenat Sandhu.

Denmark - Ajit Vinayak Gupte

Slovania - Param Jit Mann

South Africa - Ruchira Kamboj

Greece - Shamma Jain

K G Karmakar and Gauri Shankar are appointed as Independent Directors of India Post Payments Bank (IPPB). Ashok Pal Singh is current CEO of IPPB.

193 Member Nations Body UN General Assembly elected Slovakia's Miroslav Lajcak as president of 72nd UN General Assembly (commencing from September 12, 2017).

38 year old Indian Origin Person Leo Varadkar has been elected as prime minister of Ireland. He ia also Ireland’s first gay prime minister. PM of Ireland is also called Taoiseach.

AA Pawar has been appointed as Director General Medical Services (Navy).

Actress Priyanka Chopra has been appointed as ambassador for government’s flagship Skill India campaign, implemented by National Skill Development Corporation.

Aleksandar Vucic has been appointed as President of Serbia.

Ana Brnabic has been appointed as Prime Minister of Serbia.

Automobile Firm Tata Motors appointed Girish Wagh as head of its Commercial Vehicle Business Unit.

Ayurveda physician Rajesh Kotecha has been appointed as special secretary in Ayush Ministry.

British PM Theresa May appointed Damian Green as her first secretary of state (Deputy prime minister of UK).

Ganeshan Neelakanta Iyer became first Indian to be nominated as a member of Umpires and Referees Committee (URC) by International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF).

Government appointed Rajesh V. Shah as Chairperson of National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT).

Hoshiar Singh has been appointed as Registrar of Copyrights for a period of 5 years.

IDFC Bank appointed Sunil Kakar as Its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer for three years.

India re-nominated Dalveer Bhandari for another term as Judge of International Court of Justice (ICJ).

ICJ is based in The Hague (Netherlands).

Indian Law expert Neeru Chadha became First Indian and First Woman Judge to be elected to International Tribunal for the Law of the Seas (ITLOS).

Indian-origin doctor Kailash Chand has been appointed honorary vice-president of UK's prominent medical body.

International Cricket Council (ICC) has appointed Imran Khawaja as its deputy chairman.

Kajal Singh has been appointed as Executive Vice President (Services) in Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN). GSTN is a special purpose vehicle set up to provide Information Technology infrastructure for implementation of the GST.

Kaushik Basu has been appointed as president of International Economic Association (IEA) for 3 years term.

Kenneth Juster has been appointed as new USA Ambassador to India.

Lakshmi Vilas Bank (LVB) appointed B K Manjunath as a part-time chairman for 3 years.

Loknath Behra has been appointed as Director General of Police (DGP) of Kerala.

Manoj Soni has been apponted as a member of Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

Mihai Tudose has been appointed as Prime Minister of Romania.

Narinder Nath Vohra (Jammu and Kashmir Governor) has been appointed as President of India International Centre (IIC).

New Appointments -

Subhash C Garg - Secretary in Department of Economic Affairs Secretary (Finance Ministry).

Rajiv Gauba - Secretary in Ministry of Home Affairs (Also called Home Secretary of India).

N.K.Sinha - Secretary in Ministry of Information & Broadcasting.

Yudhvir Singh Malik - Secretary in Ministry of Road Transport & Highways.

Jagdish Prasad Meena - Secretary in Ministry of Food Processing Industries.

Durga Shanker Mishra - Secretary in Ministry of Urban Development.

Arun Kumar Panda - Secretary in Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME).

Ravi Kant - Secretary in Ministry of Shipping.

Anand Kumar - Secretary in Ministry of New & Renewable Energy.

Ajay Prakash Sawhney - Secretary in Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology.

Ajay Kumar Bhalla - Secretary in Ministry of Power.

Deepak Kumar - Chairman of National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).

Nirupama Rao (Former Indian Ambassador to USA) has been appointed as public policy fellow to Wilson Centre's Asia programme - a top American think-tank based in Washington. She would be working on a project on Indo-China relationship.

Palbinder Kaur Shergill become first turbaned Sikh woman to be appointed as Canada’s Supreme Court judge.

Preet Kaur Gill became first Sikh to be elected to the British Parliament’s House of Commons and Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi become first turban-wearing Sikh to be elected to House of Commons. UK's House of Commons now has record 12 Indian-origin MPs.

Private Airline Jet Airways appointed Vinay Dube as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

R K Pachnanda took charge as Director General of ITBP.

Ramanathan Ramanan has been appointed as head of Atal Innovation Mission Under NITI Aayog.

Reserve Bank of India has appointed S. Ganesh Kumar as Executive Director.

Russian diplomat Vladimir Voronkov has been appointed as head of newly established UN Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT).

SEBI approved appointment of Vikram Limaye as MD and CEO of National Stock Exchange, who was selected for said post In February 2017.

SN Subrahmanyan has been appointed as CEO and Managing Director of Multi Industry Conglomerate Larsen & Toubro.

Sanjiv Singh appointed as Chairman of Indian Oil Corporation.

Shashi Shekar Vempati has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Prasar Bharati.

Sher Bahadur Deuba has been elected as 40th Prime Minister of Nepal. It is his 4th term as PM of Nepal.

USA Appointed Indian-American Krishna R Urs as USA Ambassador to Peru.

USA Prez Donald Trump nominated Christopher Wray as new Director of FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation).

United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) appointed 19-year-old education activist and Syrian refugee Muzoon Almellehan as its newest and youngest Goodwill Ambassador. Muzoon is first person with official refugee status to become an Ambassador for UNICEF.

Vijay Keshav Gokhale has been appointed as economic relations secretary in Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

Awards

Indian agricultural microbiologist Shrihari Chandraghatgi has been conferred Ministry of Environment Award for 2017 in Japan for developing cutting edge technologies to address burning environmental problems.

12-year-old Indian Girl Padmalaya Nanda from Odisha became youngest girl to win Little Miss Universe Internet 2017 and Little Miss Actress titles at Little Miss Universe Pageant 2017 held in Georgia. She will now participate in Little Miss World 2017 competition to be held at Greece in Sept - Oct 2017.

2017 Orwell Prize (Britain's most prestigious prize for political writing) has been bestowed upon John Bew for his extraordinary biography Citizen Clem, which is about Clement Attlee (founder of NHS (National Health Service)).

3 artists from Odisha - Ratikant Mohapatra, Satyabrata Raut and Laxmidhar Raut have been selected for prestigious Kendra Sangeet Natak Akademi 2016 Awards.

Bengali actor, Soumitra Chatterjee will be conferred by France's highest civilian honour - Legion of Honour.

Bollywood Movie Sultan (Salman Khan Starrer) won best action movie award at Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) in China.

David Grossman bacame First Israeli author to win Man Booker International Prize for his novel A Horse Walks Into a Bar. He will share the £50,000 award money with his translator Jessica Cohen.

Defence public sector BEML won Raksha Mantri’s Award for Excellence for design and development of 180-tonne electric hydraulic excavator BE1800E.

Delhi Metro Railway Corporation (DMRC) Principal Adviser E. Sreedharan has been selected for Nanniyode Rajan Memorial Award, instituted by Kerala's Milma Thiruvananthapuram Regional Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union (TRCMPU).

Dr. Sunil Kothari has been selected for coveted Akademi Ratna award by Sangeet natak Akademi.

Fashion label Rheson, owned by actress Sonam Kapoor won Compassionate Business Award 2017 from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) for a line of bags made exclusively of vegan materials.

Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar will be conferred Bharat Gaurav Award by Non Residential Indian (NRI) community of USA.

Godrej Group Chairman Adi Godrej and Dow Chemical CEO Andrew Liveries have been awarded Global Leadership Awards of US-India Business Council for their role in integrating India in global supply chain.

Haryana’s Manushi Chhillar won 54th Femina Miss India World Title 2017. First runner-up is Sana Dua from Jammu and Kashmir and second runner-up is Priyanka Kumari from Bihar.

Health Ministry's mobile application for digitising vaccine logistics - eVIN has won GSMA Asia Mobile Award 2017 (AMO) in Shanghai (China) for outstanding contribution to UNs sustainable development goals in Asia. Electronic Vaccine Intelligence Network (eVIN) is an online real-time vaccine logistics management system.

Hyderabad Based T S Vineeth Bhatt has been conferred with Best astrologer award at Russian-Indian economic dialogue round-table meet held in Moscow.

India's National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) received International Award of Asia Pacific Quality Network's APQN Quality Award 2017 for International Co-operation in Quality Assurance, In Moscow (Russia). APQN Quality Award are among the most prestigious International Awards in quality assurance of higher education.

Indian Anti-hunger activist Ankit Kawatra will be among 60 receivers of UK's prestigious Queen’s Young Leaders Award from 53 Commonwealth countries.

Indian-American filmmaker Mira Nair won Dorothy Arzner Directors Award this year’s Women in Film Crystal and Lucy Awards in USA. Shw won for her film Queen of Katwe.

International Dublin Literary Award 2017 conferred upon Angolan writer Jose Eduardo Agualusa for his 14th novel - A General Theory of Oblivion. It is translated into English by Daniel Hahn.

Dublin Literary Award is the world’s largest prize for a single novel published in English.

Kannada poet H S Shivaprakash has been honoured with Kusumagraja Rashtriya Puraskar and Menka Dhumale has been presented YCMOUs Baburao Bagul story writing award for 2016 for her book Korda Paus.

Ministry of Rural Development selected Vizianagaram among 17 districts for MGNREGA annual award, for its effective implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act during 2015-16.

NASA conferred Exceptional Public Service Medal to American Space Scientist Michael A’Hearn, who passed away recently on 29-05-2017. He was honored for his fundamental work on comets and small bodies of the solar system, leadership in space missions and ensuring public access to data from NASA missions and related projects.

Nisha Dutt, CEO of Intellecap has become first Indian woman leader to have been honoured as Social Entrepreneur of the Year at 7th Asian Awards in London. She has been honoured for her work in making Intellecap a globally known enterprise that focuses on social capital.

Noted Arunachali writer Yeshe Dorjee Thongshi has been honored by 5th Bhupen Hazarika National Award 2017, conferred by Sarhad (Maharashtra-based organisation).

Odia artists Anand Neelakantan, Haraprasad Das and Paramita Satpathy have been chosen for Kalinga Literary Awards.

Anand Neelakantan - Kalinga International Literary Award.

Haraprasad Das - Kalinga Literary Youth Award

Paramita Satpathy - Kalinga Karubaki Award.

Odisha Government conferred Biju Patnaik Award for Scientific Excellence to Lalit Mohan Das for his outstanding contribution to science and research.

President Pranab Mukherjee presented CII President’s Award for Lifetime Achievement to Rahul Bajaj. CII foundation Woman Exemplar Awards were also presented.

RedInk Journalism Awards hosted by Mumbai Press Club -

Lifetime Achievement Award - Vinod Dua.

Journalist of the Year - Raj Kamal Jha, Chief Editor of the Indian Express,.

Print award - R.K. Radhakrishnan of Frontline

Television Award - NDTV’s Sreenivasan Jain

SKYTRAX 2017 World Airline Awards -

Best Airline - Qatar Airways. Also won Best Business Class, Best First Class Lounge and Best Airline in Middle East awards. Other major awards -

World's Best Low-Cost Airline: AirAsia

Best Low-Cost Airline in Asia: AirAsia

Best Airline in Central Asia / India: Air Astana

Best Regional Airline in Asia: Bangkok Airways

Best Low-Cost Airline in Central Asia / India: Indigo

Best Airline in Asia: Singapore Airlines

Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar 2017 and Bal Sahitya Puraskar 2017 (Given in 24 Languages) -

Yuva Puraskar -

Bengali - Shamik Ghosh

Bodo -Bijit Gwra Ramchiary

Dogri - Rajinder Ranjha

English - Manu S. Pillai

Gujrati - Ram Mori

Hindi - Taro Sindik

Kannada -Shanthi K. Appanna

Kashmiri - Nighat Sahiba

Konkani - Amey Vishram Naik

Maithali - Chandan Kumar Jha

Malayalam - Aswathy Sasikumar

Marathi -Rahul Kosambi

Odia - Suryasnata Tripathy

Punjabi - Harman

Sanskrit - Hemchandra Belwal

Santali - Maina Tudu

Sindhi - Rekha Sachdev Pohani

Tamil - J. Jayabharathi (Manushi)

Telugu -Mercy Margaret

Urdu - Rasheed Ashraf Khan

Social activist Annabel Mehta has been awarded Member of Order of British Empire for her service to the underprivileged.

Spain's Princess of Asturias Awards (formerly Prince of Asturias Awards from 1981–2014) -

Arts- William Kentridge (South Africa)

Communications and Humanities - Les Luthiers (Argentina)

Literature - Adam Zagajewski (Poland)

Social Sciences - Karen Armstrong (Britain)

Sports - New Zealand national rugby union team.

Sports Journalists Federation of India (SJFI) conferred best Sportsperson of the Year award on Badminton Player P V Sindhu and Best Team of the Year award to Indian Junior Hockey Squad.

Uttarakhand received award of excellence at the 2nd Global Skill Development Summit held in Paris for innovations and extensive use of IT for skilling state's youth.

Vijaya Bank received Skoch Awards in 9 categories Including Best Bank in Public Secto, Inclusive Wallet – VPAYQWIK etc. Skoch Group is a Gurgaon based think tank dealing with socio-economic issues with a focus on inclusive growth since 1997.

West Bengal received highest prize by United Nations Public Service Award for state government’s Kanyashree Prakalpa (Girl Child) scheme, held in The Hague (Netherlands). Kanyashree Prakalpa scheme came first among 552 project nominations received from 62 countries.

West Bengal has been awarded in Asia-Pacific group for category ‘Reaching the Poorest and Most Vulnerable through Inclusive Services and Participation.

Argentina won in Latin America-Caribbean Group for its programme for early childhood education and UK won in Western Group for its programme to prevent senior citizens from being defrauded.

Wipro Chairman Azim Premji has been honoured with Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy (considered most prestigious prize in philanthropy), for his efforts to reform India’s public school system.

‘Project Jal Sanchay’, a water conservation model which is successfully adopted in Nalanda district of south-central Bihar, has been chosen for national award for excellence in the Mahatma Gandhi national rural employment guarantee programme (MGNREGP) by the Ministry of Rural Development.

Books

Who has seen the Wind book has been written by Canadian author W.O. Mitchell.

Beren and Luthien, book by Lord of the Rings British author John Ronald Reuel Tolkien (JRR Tolkien) has been published after 100 years of its first conceiving.

Book Indira Gandhi: A Life in Nature, authored by Jairam Ramesh has been released.

Book Lalan Shah Fakir Ke Geet, written by Muchkund Dubey has been released, along with DVD of selected songs of Lalan Shah Fakir.

Book The Crisis Within Knowledge and Education in India authored by Ganesh Devy has been released.

Book The Emergency - Indian Democracy’s Darkest Hour, authored by Surya Prakash.

Book The Ministry of Utmost Happiness, authored by Arundhati Roy has been released.

Book Yug Purush, Bharat Ratna, Atal Ji, authored by Former Uttarakhand CM Ramesh Pokhriyal has been launched.

Sarod Platyer Amjad Ali Khan's book Master on Masters has been released, based on lives of 20 greatest icons of Indian Classical Music.

Committees

Government has set up a GST facilitation cell in Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) to facilitate rollout of Goods and Services Tax. The cell is headed by Economic Advisor Sudhansu Sekhar Das.

Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) constituted a committee to analyse few contentious Lodha panel reforms which are being opposed by state units. Committee will be headed by Rajeev Shukla.

HRD ministry constituted a new nine-member committee under space scientist K Kasturirangan to frame a new National Education Policy (NEP).

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis formed committee under Chandrakant Patil, to look into various demands of farmers, including loan waiver. Maharashtra Government also announced loan waiver for farmers with land under 5 acres.

Market Regulator SEBI formed a Committee under chairmanship of Uday Kotak, to suggest measures for improving standards of corporate governance of listed companies.

Reserve Bank of India reconstituted Oversight Committee that was formed to examine process to resolve mounting bad loans in banking sector. Pradeep Kumar will now head reconstituted 5-member panel.

Days

19 June: International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict.

4 June - International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression.

6 Jun, 2017 - First World Pest Day launched in China, aimed at reduction and elimination of pest-borne diseases.

6 June - 20th Establishent Day of BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation). Members are Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bhutan and Nepal.

6 June - UN Russian Language Day.

Father’s Day 2017 - June 18. It is observed globally on third Sunday of June.

Government will observe anti-Emergency day on 25-26 June every year, to remind people how Emergency was clamped by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1975.

June 02 - Telangana Statehood Day. State was formed in 2014. On This Occasion, Telangana CM Chandrasekhar Rao announced 6-point comprehensive plan for farmers.

June 08 -World Oceans Day. 2017 theme is Our oceans, our future.

India and UN Office for South-South Cooperation have launched a partnership fund to promote sustainable development projects across developing world. India-UN Development Partnership Fund will be utilized to carry out country-level projects that would be catalytic towards achieving the 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda. Partnership fund would be managed by UNOSSC.

June 1 - Global Day of Parents.

June 1 - World Milk Day. Established by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of United Nations in 2001.

June 12 - World Day against Child Labour. 2017 Theme is In conflicts and disasters, protect children from child labour.

June 13 - International Albinism Awareness Day.

June 14 - World Blood Donors Day. 2017 Theme is Give Blood. Give Now. Give Often.

June 15 - ASEAN Dengue Day.

June 15 - World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. 2017 Theme is Understand and End Financial Abuse of Older People: A Human Rights Issue.

June 16 - International Day of Family Remittances (IDFR).

June 17 - World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought. 2017 theme is Our Land. Our Home. Our Future.

June 20 - World Refugee Day.

June 21 - World Music Day.

June 21, 2017 - 3rd UN International Yoga Day. 2017 Theme is Yoga for Health.

Science and Technology Minister Harshvardhan Launched Mobile App Celebrating Yoga, to connect people through Yoga for scientific healthy living.

Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute, Pune became he first recipient of the Prime Minister’s Award for outstanding contribution to promotion and development of Yoga.

In total, around 5,000 events have been scheduled to take place in about 180 countries. In United Arab Emirates (UAE) more than 15000 people participated in the celebration of the Yoga Day. China saw second largest celebrations of Yoga Day after India.

June 23 - International Olymics day.

June 23 - UN International Widows’ Day.

June 23 - World Public Service day.

June 25 - Day of the Seafarer observed by International Maritime Organisation (IMO) with 2017 theme's - Seafarers Matter.

June 26 - International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. 2017 theme is Listen First - Listening to children and youth is the first step to help them grow healthy and safe.

June 27 - UN MSME Day (Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises).

On this occasion, India's MSME Minister Kalraj Mishra launched Digital MSME Scheme and exchanged 3 MoUs with SAP India, Intel and HMT.

June 29 - International Day of the Tropics. Started by United Nations in 2016.

June 29, 2017 - National Statistics Day. It marks 125th birth anniversary of renowned statistician Prof. P.C. Mahalanobis.

On This Occasion, Prez Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated exhibition of art works at Academy of Fine Arts, Kolkata. He also received first copies of two Coffee Table books ‘Images and Impressions – Profile and Persona of Pranab Mukherjee’ and ‘Pranab Mukherjee 100 Frames’.

June 5 - World Environment Day. 2017 Theme is Connecting People to Nature and 2017 Host Country is Canada.

On This Day, Axis Bank become first bank to introduce biodegradable cards in the country.

On this occasion, Actress Dia Mirza has appointed brand ambassador for the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI).

Defence

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully test fired anti-tank ‘Nag’ missile in Rajasthan.

Anti-tank Nag missile is one of the 5 missile systems developed by DRDO under integrated guided missile development programme (IGMDP). 4 other missiles under this programme are - Agni, Akash, Trishul and Prithvi.

Nag missile is a third generation anti-tank guided missile which works on “fire and forget” principle.

India successfully test-fired indigenous first all weather tracked-chassis Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QR-SAM). QR-SAM has been jointly developed by Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) and Bharat Electronics Limited. It has range of 30 KMs.

Indian Army received its first batch of bullet-proof helmets, manufactured by Kanpur-based MKU Industries at cost of INR 180 crores. These bullet proof helmets are capable of withstanding the impact of 9mm ammunition fired from a short range.

Indian Army will possibly do away with colonial-era Sahayak System and considers recruiting civilian staff in peace stations, in wake of rising cases of jawans coming out against Sahayak system as Some jawans have been treated as servants by their attached officers.

Sahayak system is when a soldier is attached to officers to help them carry out their responsibilities, including - protecting officers, maintaining their weapons and equipment etc. Approx 50,000 sahayaks serve in Army where Air Force and Navy do not have sahayak system.

Indian and Australian Navies will hold AUSINDEX 17 Joint Naval Exercise in Mid June 2017.

India’s Reliance Defence Ammunition partnered with Serbia’s Yugoimport to manufacture ammunition in India.

Land version of the short range surface–to–surface ballistic missile Prithvi-II successfully test-fired. Missile is capable of carrying 1,000 kg of nuclear as well as conventional warheads, upto range of 350 km.

Larsen & Toubro launched first indigenously built Floating Dock (FDN-2) to repair Indian Navy ships at its Shipyard at Kattupalli (Chennai).

National Board of Wildlife has approved Rutland Island in South Andaman to be the site for the country’s long-range missile test facility.

Noted USA Defence Firm Lockheed Martin and India’s Tata Advanced Systems signed pact to produce F-16 fighter planes in India, during an Airshow at Paris.

Second Scorpene-class submarine INS Khanderi is ready for surface sea trials, built by Mazagon Dock Limited (Mumbai). It is 2nd of 6 submarines being built at MDL in collaboration with France’s DCNS as part of Project 75 of Indian Navy. First was INS Kalvari.

USA Approved sale of state-of-the-art Guardian 22 unmanned Guardian drones to India, in a deal valued between 2 - 3 Billion USD. Guardian UAV technology will strengthen India in protecting areas under Indian Ocean.

USA approved selling one Boeing C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft to India at approx USD 366.2 million cost.

Economy

Indian Online financial services marketplace BankBazaar begun its operations in Malaysia to strengthen its presence in South East Asia.

According to Code Compliance Rating of banks done by Banking Codes and Standards Board of India (BCSBI)

IDBI Bank is Only Bank out of 26 public sector banks to Get High Rating.

8 out of 17 private sector banks got high rating and 3 foreign banks (Citibank, HSBC and Standard Chartered Bank) Received High Rating.

Code compliance rating is based on 5 parameters - information dissemination, transparency, grievance redressal, customer-centricity, and customer feedback.

According to Handbook of Statistics on States 2016-17, gross fiscal deficits of all states has increased to INR 4,93,360 crores in 2016 from INR 18,790 crore in FY1991. This is 2nd edition of RBI’s statistical publication.

According to Reserve Bank of India (RBI), India’s current account deficit (net difference between inflows and outflows of foreign currencies) narrowed during 2016-17 to 0.7% of the GDP, from 1.1% in 2015-16.

CAD came down due to India's trade deficit narrowing down to $112.4 billion in 2016-17 from $130.1 billion in 2015-16.

Net FDI inflows in 2016-17 also got narrowed to $35.6 billion from $36 billion during 2015-16.

According to UNCTAD’s World Investment Report 2017, US, China and India are top 3 FDI Receiving Destinations. FDI inflows into India remained USD 44 billion.

Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) approved $150 million equity investment loan for India Infrastructure Fund as AIIB’s first equity investment to fund private projects. IIIF will invest this amount in mid-cap infrastructure companies in India.

Axis Bank in association with Kochi Metro Rail Corporation (KMRL) has launched KMRL Axis Bank Kochi1 Card as India's first open loop EMV contactless metro card to make travel a convenient and hassle free.

Bank of India conducted a mass-contact programme Star Mahotsav, to contacting every customer at their doorstep for several activities including recovery of bad loans, disbursement of loans such as housing and vehicle loan, disbursement under MSME and agriculture etc.

Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved strategic disinvestment of Air India and five of its subsidiaries.

Canara Bank inked Bancassurance pact with the The New India Assurance Company Ltd, to sell NIACL policies through its branches.

Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) signed MoU with Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO) to enable members of its housing scheme to avail subsidy and interest subvention under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY). Under housing scheme, EPFO allows its subscribers for withdrawing up to 90 % of their EPF accumulations to buy homes.

European Union (EU) released final tranche of Euro 25 million of its euro 80 million grant to the Indian government’s Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA).

European Union released final tranche of Euro 25 million of its euro 80 million grant to the Indian government’s Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA).

Finance Ministry asked all ministries tasked with clearing foreign direct investment proposals in the 12 sectors that require government’s nod to take a decision on such proposals within 60 days. It is being done to speed up the FDI Process.

GST Council constituted 18 Sectoral Groups representing various sectors of economy to ensure smooth implementation of GST by timely responding to the issues and problems of the respective Sector. GST Council also reduced the GST Rates of 66 items.

GST Council decided to set up a five-member anti-profiteering authority to decide on levying the penalty if businesses do not pass on the benefit of price reduction to consumers under GST regime.

Government approved Initial Public Offer of Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited, for issuing 139000000 fresh equity shares of Rs.10 each to The public.

Government approved Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to enter into 2 separate MoUs with Securities market regulators of the European Union and Iran.

Government approved introducing Financial Resolution and Deposit Insurance Bill 2017 that will provide resolution framework for financial sector entities to deal with bankruptcy situation in banks, insurance companies, and other entities.

It will also result in repealing of the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation Act, 1961 to transfer the deposit insurance powers and responsibilities to the Resolution Corporation.

Government approved recommendations of 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) on allowances -

After examining total 197 allowances, 7th CPC recommended that 53 allowances be abolished and 37 be subsumed in an existing or a newly proposed allowance. Government decided not to abolish 12 of 53 allowances which were recommended to be abolished by 7th CPC. It has also been decided that 3 of 37 allowances recommended to be subsumed by 7th CPC will continue as separate identities.

House Rent Allowance - Currently paid @ 30% for X (population of Over 50 lakh), 20% for Y (5 - 50 lakh) and 10% for Z (below 5 lakh) category of cities. 7th CPC recommended reduction in existing rates to 24% for X, 16% for Y and 8% for Z category of cities.

Other Allowances Include -

Siachen Allowance - Over 200 % Increase.

Dress Allowance - To be paid annually in four slabs @ Rs 5000, Rs 10,000, Rs 15,000 and Rs 20,000.

Tough Location Allowance - To be in the ranges of Rs 1000 - Rs 5300 per month.

Allowances paid to D/o Posts (Postmen / Trackmen) were recommended to be abolished by 7th CPC. However, These have been continued and Rates increased INR 90 to 180 per month.

Recommendations of 7th CPC to abolish Launch Campaign Allowance and Space Technology Allowance have not been accepted. Rate of Launch Campaign and Space Technology Allowance has been increased from Rs 7500 to 11250 per annum.

Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA) for Pensioners has been increased from Rs 500 per month to Rs 1000 per month.

Railways -

Rates of Additional Allowance have been increased from Rs 500 / 1000 per month to Rs 1125 / 2250 per month. This has also been extended to Loco Pilot Goods and Senior Passenger Guards also @Rs 750 per month.

New Allowance namely Special Train Controller’s Allowance @5000 per month for Train Controllers of Railways has been introduced.

Recommendations in respect of some important allowances paid to Nurses & Ministerial Staffs of Hospital - Nursing Allowance increased from 4800 to 7200 per month. Operation Theatre Allowance increased from 360 to 540 per month.

Uniformed Services (Defence, CAPFs, Police, Indian Coast Guard and Security Agencies ) -

7th CPC had recommended abolition of Ration Money Allowance (RMA) and free ration to Defence officers posted in peace areas. However, this recommendation has not been accepted and Ration Money Allowance will continue t0 be paid.

Most Other allowances have also seen considerable hike.

Other Misc Alliowances -

Children Education Allowance (CEA) increased from Rs 1500 per month / child (max 2) to Rs 2250 per month / child (max 2). Hostel Subsidy gone up from Rs 4500 to 6750 per month.

Special Allowance for Child Care for Women with Disabilities has been doubled from 1500 to 3000 per month.

Higher Qualification Incentive for Civilians increased from Rs 2000 - 10000 to 10000 - Rs 30000.

Government has cut interest rates on farmers' loans by 5 % (earlier 9% to now 4%), on loan up to Rs 3 lakh. Farmers who do not pay interest in time, will have to pay interest at rate of 7 %.

Government has made Aadhaar card mandatory for government subsidy on purchase of kerosene and benefits of Atal Pension Yojana.

Government made Aadhaar mandatory for Opening bank accounts and Carrying out financial transactions above of Rs 50,000. All existing Bank accounts are to be linked to Aadhaar numbers by December 31, 2017.

HDFC Bank will impose new transaction charges on all outward UPI transactions from July 10, 2017. Transactions from Rs 1 - 25000 will be charged Rs 3 and transactions above Rs 25,000 to 1 lakh will be charged Rs 5.

HSBC (Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation) Predicted India's GDP Growth To Remain 7.1 % In 2017-18. As per Official Data, India's GDP grew 6.1 % during January-March Quarter (Q4 2017) and GDP growth rate for full year (2016-17 ) remained 7.1 %.

India signed $275 Million Loan agreement with Manila (Philippines) based Asian Development Bank (ADB) for improving urban services in 64 small towns in State of Madhya Pradesh.

India signed loan agreement of USD 35 million with World Bank for Assam State Public Financial Institutional Reforms Project.

Indian Overseas Bank (Lead Bank for Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala) has launched Retail Mart as a retail lending concept in Thiruvananthapuram.

Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) took over management of Sahara India Life Insurance Company as it was not acting in customer friendly manner. IRDAI appointed RK Sharma as administrator of Sahara India Life Insurance Company.

Kerala Passed State State Goods and Services Tax (SGST) Act, leaving J & K as only remaining state to not have passed State GST, which is to be implemented from July 01, 2017.

Telangana was first state to Pass State GST (on 9th April 2017).

Largest Indian Bank State Bank of India has cut interest rate on home loans above Rs 75 lakh by 10 basis points (bps) to 8.60 percent (8.55 % For salaried women borrowers).

Leading bourse National Stock Exchange (NSE) launched its international exchange in the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City). NSE IFSC Ltd (global exchange promoted by NSE) will remain operational for a longer period than NSE during a trading day.

Markets regulator SEBI has barred USA Firm Cypress Money from acting as Investment Advisor as it was found guilty of providing unauthorized trading tips to investors.

NHB (National Housing Bank) approved merger of Wadhawan Family Owned Entities Aadhar Housing Finance and DHFL Vysya Housing Finance.

National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) under Union Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation released report Key Indicators of Unincorporated Non-Agricultural Enterprises (Excluding Construction) in India -

Survey coveres non-agricultural enterprises which are not incorporated or not registered under Companies Act, 1956. It Includes, proprietary and partnership enterprises (excluding limited liability partnerships), Self Help Groups (SHGs), Non-Profit Institutions (NPIs) and Trusts etc.

Results are based on sample consisting of 8484 villages and 7839 urban blocks spread over all States and Union Territories.

During 2015-16, 6.34 crore unincorporated non-agricultural enterprises (excluding construction) were estimated at all India level with 11.13 crore workers. Out of These -

31 % are engaged in manufacturing, 36.3 % were in trading and 32.6 % in other services.

Approx about 51 5 are in rural areas and 49 % in urban areas.

Own Account Enterprises (OAEs) have a dominant share of 84.2 %.

Pradesh has highest share of 14.20 % in total number of unincorporated non-agricultural enterprises (and workers), followed by West Bengal (13.99 % cent), Tamil Nadu (7.80 %), Maharashtra (7.54 %) and Karnataka (6.05 %).

Operational Characteristics

Proprietary enterprises had the highest share (96 %), Followed by Partnership enterprises (2 %), Self Help Groups (1.8 %).

During 2015-16, aggregate GVA by the unincorporated non-agricultural enterprises engaged in market production was estimated at Rs 1152338 crores. Delhi reported the highest annual GVA per enterprise of Rs 497524 and West Bengal had the lowest GVA per enterprise of Rs 96686.

Emoluments per hired worker stayed approx Rs 87544 annually. Kerala (Rs 125616) and Assam (Rs 53726) reported highest and lowest value of average annual emoluments per hired worker.

Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) introduced “APY@eNPS” as a digital enrolment processfor Atal Pension Yojana (APY).

Private Bank DCB launched new services – India’s first Aadhaar based iris eye scan customer verification and fingerprint operated ATM in Telangana.

Private sector's Yes Bank partnered with mobile payments switch TerraPay to enable real-time money transfer to bank accounts in India. Yes Bank also tied up with messaging app Hike for Launching In-app Wallet.

RBI extended scope of Banking Ombudsman Scheme by enabling customers to lodge a complaint against defaulting bank for its non-adherence to RBI instructions with regard to mobile banking/ electronic banking services. Pecuniary jurisdiction of Banking Ombudsman to pass an award has been also doubled to 20 lakh rupees.

RBI has placed Central Bank of India and Bank of Maharashtra under prompt corrective action (PCA) which puts restricts on banking activities such as from lending, hiring and expanding branches. RBI has so far triggered PCA for 6 banks – IDBI Bank, UCO Bank, Dena Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, Central Bank of India and Bank of Maharashtra.

RBI identified 12 bank accounts constituting nearly 25% of gross bad loans for immediate referral and resolution under the bankruptcy law. Each of 12 identified accounts was having more than 5,000 crore rupees of outstanding loans.

RBI second bi-monthly monetary policy review of 2017 -

Only change in Monetary Policy is that RBI has cut Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR) by 50 basis points to 20% (To be applicable from June 24, 2017). RBI reduced growth projection for the current fiscal to 7.3% from 7.4%.

Monetary policy decision has been taken by the 6 member monetary policy committee headed by RBI Governor (Currently Urjit Patel).

Reliance Communications (RCom) and Aircel's Merged entity will be called Aircom. R-Com will demerge its wireless business and transfer it to the new entity Aircom. Merged company will be one of India’s largest private sector companies with asset base of 65000 crores and net worth of 35000 crores.

Reserve Bank of India identified 12 non-performing accounts representing 25% of gross NPAs in Indian banking system, which will be immediately taken up under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC).

Reserve Bank of India initiated prompt corrective action (PCA) for Dena Bank in view of high net non-performing assets. In May 2017, RBI initiated PCA for IDBI Bank and UCO Bank for similar reasons.

Reserve Bank of India will release new batch of Rs 500 currency notes whose design will be similar to Rs 500 rupee banknotes of the Mahatma Gandhi (New) Series which were released post demonetisation. New batch of Rs 500 banknotes will have inset letter “A” in both the number panels.

SEBI allowed options trading on futures contract of commodities. However, capital market regulator allowed commodity derivatives exchanges to initially launch options on futures of only one commodity. Eligibility critreia for commodity exchanges to start trading in options contract of commodities -

Only top 5 commodities in terms of total trading turnover value of previous 12 months will be allowed.

Average daily turnover of underlying futures contract of such commodities over past 12 months should be minimum 200 crores for agricultural and agri-processed commodities, and 1,000 crore for other commodities.

SEBI asked Commodity derivatives exchanges to compulsorily set up investor protection and service funds, along with separate bank accounts for maintaining corpus of IPF and the ISF.

Investor Service Fund (ISF) - It is aimed at providing minimum facilities at various investor service centres. Initially, commodity exchange has to contribute at least Rs 10 lakh towards ISF. Subsequently, commodity exchanges will be required to transfer 1% of turnover fees charged from its members on monthly basis towards the ISF.

Investor Protection Fund (IPF) - It must have maximum 5 trustees. IPF will comprise of all penalties levied and collected by the commodity exchanges except for the settlement related penalties.

Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) approved Telenor India's Merger with Bharti Airtel. The deal is now pending final approval by other authorities such as CCI (Competition Commission of India).

Software Firm Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) launched BaNCS App Development Kit (ADK), to enable banks to fast design and build their own apps and install it across devices and desktops. Vision for ‘BaNCS ADK’ is to transfer flexibility and increase speed of development in Banking.

State Bank of India (SBI) announced financing of solar rooftop projects worth 400 crores, adding over 100 MW of solar rooftop capacity. It is a significant step towards meeting India’s target for 40 GW of solar rooftop installations.

SBI had earlier availed loan of USD 625 million from World Bank for lending to Grid-Connected Rooftop Solar PV (GRPV) projects.

Uttar Pradesh Government signed agreement with Asian Development Bank (ADB) for loan of 1950 crore rupees for strengthening of roads in different districts.

Vijaya bank developed 5 villages into Digital Villages and plans to develop as many as 100 digital villages in various States.

World Bank approved USD 250-million loan for Skill India mission, aimed at making Indian youth more employable through reskilling. SIMO is a 6 year programme in support of National Policy for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (2017-23). Under this, persons in age group of 15-59 will acquire skill training irrespective of their employment status.

World Bank's Global Economic Prospects (GEP) projected GDP growth rate of 7.2% for India in 2017-18 as against 6.8% growth in 2016-2017. World bank also expects India’s growth rate to remain at 7.5% in 2018 and 7.7% in 2019. Global growth forecast in 2017 and 2018 at 2.7% and 2.9% respectively.

International

Mercer's 23rd annual Cost of Living Survey -

Mumbai is most expensive city for expatriates in India, ranked 57th Globally, followed by New Delhi (99), Chennai (135), Bangalore (166) and Kolkata (184).

Luanda (capital of Angola) is costliest city for expatriates globally, followed by Hong Kong and Tokyo.

16th Global Retail Development Index (GRDI) 2017 - The Age of Focus -

India has been ranked at top among 30 developing countries on ease of doing business in retail sector.

China has been ranked at 2nd place.

2017 Social Progress Index report by Social progress Imperative (SPI) -

India has ranked 93rd among 128 countries (Lower Middle Social Progress).

Top 5 - Denmark (1), Finland (2), Iceland (3, Norway (4), Switzerland (5)

Bottom 5 - Niger (124), Angola (125), Chad (126), Afghanistan (127), Central African Repubic (128)

BRICS - Brazil (43), Russia (67), India (93), China (83), South Africa (66)

Neighbours - Nepal (91), Bangladesh (97), Sri Lanka (73), Pakistan (105)

483-MW gas-steam Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant, built by a China-Russia joint venture, officially started operations. It has been built at total investment of USD 571 million.

6 Gulf Nations - Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt, Yemen, Libya and UAE suspended their diplomatic ties with Qatar. They accused Qatar for supporting Terrorist Groups and such suscpicious activities.

World population Prospectus (The Revision) report by United Nations -

India will become most populous nations by 2024, surpassing China. India's current population is 1.3 Billion and China is at approx 1.4 Billion.

World’s total population will hit 9.8 billion by 2050 and 11.2 Billion in 2020. Annually, 82 Million people are being added.

Nigeria, which is currently at the seventh place is expected to become third most populous country by 2050 replacing USA.

A new wave of cyber-attacks with Name Petya Ransomware has infected computer servers across world.

In India, This ransomware crippled operations at Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust, operated by AP Moller-Maersk.

Petya ransomware is a ransomware, similar to Wannacry ransomware. The attack is believed to have originated against an update used on a third-party Ukrainian software called MeDoc. This explains why Ukraine is the worst affected

According to Fitch group's Firm BMI Research - India is among top 5 consumer markets in Asia offering retailers the strongest consumer spending growth of an average of 6.1% over next 5 years. Other four - China, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and Indonesia. Fitch also estimated that India’s GDP growth will rise from 7.4% to 7.5% in 2018-19 and to 7.6% in 2019-20.

According to London based coverage mapping firm OpenSignal -

India has been ranked 74th (even below Pakistan and Sri Lanka) in terms of internet data speed with Average 4G download speed at 5.1Mbps . It is less than a third of global 4G average and marginally higher than global 3G speed of 4.4 Mbps. Average 3G download speed across India is less than 1 Mbps.

Singapore scored highest in 4G speed while South Korea scored highest in 4G availability. Global average 4G download speed is 16.2 Mbps.

American E-Commerce Major Amazon acquired American Supermarket Firm Whole Foods Market for approx $13.7 billion.

American Telecom giant Verizon acquired Yahoo’s core business for $4.48 Billion.

Verizon will combine Yahoo with AOL which was bought by it two years ago to establish a venture called Oath.

Remainder of Yahoo which is not acquired by Verizon will change its name to Altaba Inc. It will hold 15.5% stakes in Chinese Internet giant Alibaba and 35.5% holding in Yahoo Japan Corp. It will trade under ticker symbol “AABA.”

Thomas McInerney will be made as Altaba’s chief executive officer.

As per One Family at a Time study conducted by UN International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) -

20 Crore million migrants across world sent over USD 445 million in 2016 as remittances to their families.

Top Remittance Receivers - India (USD 62.7 billion), China (USD 61 billion), Philippines (USD 30 billion) and Pakistan (USD 20 billion).

Top Remittance Sending Countries - US, Saudi Arabia and Russia.

As per American commercial real estate services company Cushman & Wakefield -

Hyderabad (Telangana) is ranked at top as a commercial office investment destination in APAC market.

Total 6 Indian cities have been ranked in top 10 emerging investment destinations in APAC.

As per United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), 6.56 crore people are either refugees, asylum seekers or internally displaced across globe by end of 2016.

Australia will launch online facility for filing visa applications by Indians from 1 July, 2017.

Automotive Manufacturer Toyota has been developing a new system that would be able to predict if a car driver is about to have a heart attack.

Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) signed agreement with Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd (KHI) of Japan for manufacturing of stainless steel coaches for metro trains.

Bi-annual Global Prime Office Occupancy Costs survey of US-based CBRE -

India - Delhi's Connaught Place is India's First and Globally ninth most expensive office market with occupancy cost of $153.89 per square feet.

Hong Kong (Central) is world’s highest-priced office market with occupancy cost of $302.51 per sq ft per annum.

BrandZ top 100 Report 2017 -

Google named as most valuable brand US with Brand Value of $235 Billion, Followed by Apple and Microsoft.

Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa (BRICS) grouping established a 1 million USD fund for boosting media cooperation, During BRICS Media Forum held in Beijing (China).

British PM Theresa May won confidence vote in parliament, winning her first major test as PM of a minority government in UK. She is now finally confirmed as British Prime Minister.

China and Asia Development Bank (ADB) launched a green financing platform to cut pollution in the smog-hit Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.

China is constructing world’s first “Forest City “ in Liuzhou, to be situated at 175 hectare land along Liujiang River. It is planned to be completed in 2020.

China launched a research project aimed at compiling historical data obtained during earlier expeditions conducted by its teams to disputed South China Sea since late 1950s.

South China Sea is part of Pacific Ocean spreading an area of some 35 lakh square km with eight littoral countries - China, Taiwan, Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Singapore and Vietnam.

It is located in international shipping route that sees passage of world’s half merchant ships and is rich in energy reserves including petroleum, mineral and fishing resources.

The Dispute is around the fact that China has been aggressively claiming entire South China Sea as its own.

China launched its first X-ray Space Telescope named 'Insight' to study black holes, pulsars and gamma-ray bursts. This 2.5-tonne telescope will allow Chinese scientists to observe magnetic fields and the interiors of pulsars and better understand the evolution of black holes.

China launched its first X-ray space telescope - Hard X-ray Modulation Telescope (HXMT), to study black holes, pulsars and gamma-ray bursts. It weighs 2.5 tonne and was sent to space using China’s Long March-4B rocket.

China launched its first self-developed 'next-generation' bullet train 'Fuxing' with maximum speed of 400kmh.

China launched its most powerful naval destroyer - Type 055, as one among largest warships in world.

Type055 vessels will weigh more than 12,000 tonnes when fully armed, more than 8200 Tonnes Project- 15B Visakhapatnam class destroyer of Indian Navy which is yet to be commissioned.

China launched world’s largest floating solar farm in Anhui province. This 40-megawatt power plant has 160,000 panels resting on a lake that emerged after the collapse of a coal mine in central Anhui province.

China unveiled world’s first train that are battery powered and runs on a virtual track making use of sensor technology instead of metal rails.

This train can reach top speed of 70 kmph. The train which is only about 32 metres long can carry up to 307 passengers.

It has sensors that are capable of detecting thedimensions of the road permitting it to follow the routes without the need for metal rails. This new technology has been copyrighted by Chinese rail corporation.

China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) approved membership of Argentina, Madagascar, and Tonga at its second annual meeting of Governors held in South Korea. It was attended by Finance and Defence Minister Arun Jaitley on India's Behalf.

Chinese archaeologists discovered Fugan Temple, which had been lost for over 1000 years in China's south-western Sichuan province.

Chinese scientists have developed world’s most powerful submarine detector which could find hidden metallic objects, including minerals and submarines - superconductive magnetic anomaly detection array.

Defence Minister Arun Jaitley visited Russia for 17th India-Russia intergovernmental commission on military-technical cooperation meet and 1st India-Russia Joint Committee on Science and Technology Cooperation.

Denmark Government repealed a 334-year-old blasphemy law that forbids public insults of a religion. Denmark was only Scandinavian country with a blasphemy law that provisioned 4 months imprisonment for such acts.

Department of Science and Technology launched VAJRA (Visiting Advanced Joint Research) Faculty scheme that enables NRIs and overseas scientific community to participate and contribute to research and development in India.

It was announced during 14th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention in January 2017.

Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), a Statutory body of the Department of Science and Technology will implement it.

Foreign researchers abroad of Indian origin or otherwise can collaborate with faculties in public funded Indian institutionsThey would be given USD 15,000 in the first month of residency and USD 10,000 for remaining months.

EU and France will give 3.5 million euros to 3 Indian cities- Nagpur, Kochi and Ahmedabad as part of EU’s commitment under Paris Climate agreement to curb emissions and promote sustainability in 100 cities globally under Moblise Your City initiative of French and German governments.

Environmental Impact Survey 2017 released by MoneySuperMarket (UK-based financial services firm). This list ranks countries in terms of the human impact on environment per person.

India has been ranked 75th out of 102 countries. USA has been placed second last as its per capita carbon dioxide emissions are 17 tonnes and USA generates 2.58 kgs of municipal solid waste per person, energy consumption is 312.79 BTU per capita and its reliance on renewable sources are even lower than India at 12.56%.

Top 5 - Mozambique (1st), Ethiopia (2nd), Zambia (3rd), Latvia (4th), Kenya (5th).

Bottom 5 - Trinidad and Tobago (102nd), USA (101st), Sri Lanka (100th), Ireland (99th), Canada (98th).

Estonia and Luxembourg signed agreement on housing data and information systems between two countries. It will create world’s first data embassy that will serve in field of transnational digital cooperation both in Europe and throughout the world.

European Nation Germany’s parliament legalised same-sex marriage.

European Union has fined Google a record 2.42 billion euros for breaching anti-trust rules by illegally favouring its shopping service.

Google has reportedly abused its market dominance by offering an illegal advantage to its another comparison shopping service. This fine exceeds 1.06-billion-euros slapped on Intel in 2009.

EU has asked Google to stop its anti-competitive practice in 90 days or be prepared to pay 5% of Alphabet’s average daily worldwide turnover.

Forbes list of world’s highest-paid celebs 2017-

Indians - Shah Rukh Khan ranked 65th ($38 million), Salman Khan ranked 71st ($37 million) and Akshay Kumar ranked 80th ($35.5 million).

Top 3 - Sean Combs ($130 Million), Beyoncé Knowles ($105 Million), J.K. Rowling ($95 Million).

Fortune magazine’s annual list of America’s top 500 companies 2017 -

Walmart topped the list for fifth year in a row.

Elon Musk led electric car startup Tesla debuted on List for first time (ranked 383rd).

Combined revenue of all companies in list stayed $12.1 trillion, which is 65% of USA GDP. This year’s entry threshold was at least $5.1 billion in annual revenue.

France and Britain announced an anti-terror action plan to crack down on radicalisation through social media.

Global Innovation Index 2017 by Cornell University, INSEAD and World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) -

Most Innovative countries - Switzerland (1), Sweden (2), Netherlands (3), US (4), UK (5). Switzerland leads for 7th consecutive year.

BRICS - Brazil (69), Russia (45), China (22), India (60), South Africa (57). India is top-ranked economy in Central and South Asia.

Neighbours - Nepal (109), Bangladesh (114), Sri Lanka (90), Pakistan (113).

Government approved MOU with USA for co-operation in Homeland Security.

Government approved MoU between Export-Import Bank of India (EXIM Bank) and Export-Import Bank of Korea (KEXIM) for export credit of USD 9 billion for infrastructural development in India and for supply of goods and services as part of projects in third countries.

South Korea also signed agreement for $1 billion in Official development assistance (ODA). With this, South Korea became first non-G-7 countries to become an ODA contributor in India.

Government approved MoU with Israel on National Campaign for Water Conservation in India.

Government approved amending bilateral Social Security Agreement (SSA) with Netherlands, by incorporating 'Country of Residence' Principle into SSA.

Home Ministry stated that Aadhaar is not a valid identification document for Indians traveling to Nepal and Bhutan.

Indians can travel to Nepal and Bhutan for which they don't need visas, provided that they possess a valid national passport or election ID card of India.

India and Russia celebrated 10 years of establishment of science and technology co-operation. Note that 2017 marks as 70th year of establishment of Diplomatic ties between India and Russia.

India became 71st nation to join United Nations TIR (Transports Internationaux Routiers) Convention. UN confirmed that TIR Convention will enter into force in India in 6 months.

Customs Convention on International Transport of Goods under Cover of TIR Carnets 1975 (TIR Convention) is an international customs transit system under the auspices of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) with widest geographical coverage.

TIR facilitates movement of goods under customs control across international borders without the payment of the duties and taxes.

Accession to TIR will help India in -

Implementing World Trade Organization’s Trade Facilitation Agreement which it has already entered into this year. It is very important for India, keeping in view China’s ambitious ‘One Belt One Road’ (OBOR) project.

On eastern front, It will help India in integrating with Myanmar, Thailand, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal . On western front, it will help in transporting cargo along the International North-South Transport Corridor via Chabahar port in Iran.

It will also give access to landlocked Afghanistan and the energy-rich Eurasian region.

India made voluntary contribution of USD 100000 to United Nations Trust Fund for International Cooperation in Tax Matters (UN Tax Fund).

India moved to World Trade Organisation (WTO) against USA as it has not yet complied with rulings of WTO pertaining to imposition of high import duty on certain Indian steel products.

In December 2014, WTO pronounced a ruling against USA which imposed high import duty on certain Indian steel products.

India signed agreement with Sri Lanka to provide USD 318 million as line of credit for developing Sri Lanka’s railway sector.

India won its re-election to the UN’s principal organ on economic, social and environmental issues for another three-year term. India was one among the 18 nations to win election to the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

India obtained Large Number of votes (183 Total). Pakistan also went for re-election but received a huge set back as it received only 1Vote.

India's CSIR (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research) signed agreement with Ethiopia's Metal Industries Development Institute (MIDI) to implement a twinning programme, aimed at MIDI's capacity augmentation.

Indian Government awarded a Rs 1600 crores contract for constructing 109 km road connecting Paletwa river terminal to Zorinpui in Mizoram border as a part of the $484-million Kaladan multi-modal transport (KMTT) projects in Myanmar which will offer connectivity to Mizoram.

International Institute for Management Development’s (IMD) released World Competitiveness Index 2017. This year’s list comprises 63 countries with Cyprus and Saudi Arabia making their first appearance.

Top 5 - Hong Kong (1),Switzerland (2), Singapore (3), USA (4), Netherlands (5).

India - 45th (down from 41st in 2016 List)

Bottom 5 - Venezuela (63), Mongolia (62), Brazil (61), Ukraine (60), Croatia (59)

International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Tech Firm Intel announced long-term technology partnership (upto 2024) under The Olympic Partner (TOP) worldwide sponsorship programme.

Japan launched Michibiki - 2 satellite to help build a high-precision geolocation system that will complement the US-operated GPS, onboard A 'H-IIA' rocket. Satellite system is capable of covering Asia-Oceania region.

MOUs Approved -

With Netherlands for Cooperation in field of water resources management.

With Portugal for Cooperation in Public Administration and Governance Reforms.

With Portugal for Cooperation in for Cooperation in - Textiles, clothing and fashion sectors.

With Armenia for cooperation in peaceful use of outer space.

With Sri Lanka for cooperation in Traditional Systems of Medicine and Homoeopathy.

MOUs Signed -

With Cyprus on Merchant Shipping.

MOU Bertween Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and Securities and Exchange Organization of Iran for matters pertaining to securities markets.

MoU between Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and Direction Nationale De Industries of Mali on Standardization and Conformity Assessment.

Agreement on Transfer of sentenced persons between Indi and Somalia.

mou in Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) for Mutual Co-operation.

MOUs aproved -

With Palestine on agriculture cooperation.

With Armenia on cooperation on youth matters.

With Bangladesh for cooperation in Information Technology and Electronics

With Mauritius for cooperation between Parliaments of two countries.

Microsoft acquired Israeli Tech Firm Hexadite for $100 million.

Ministry of Food Processing Industries signed MOU to participate in ANUGA - an international business platform for Food Industry to be held in Cologne, Germany.

Ministry of Home Affairs constituted an expert committee to examine rules which allow free movement of people near Indo-Myanmar border.

Indian and Myanmarese citizens are permitted free movement within 16 km of 1643 KM Long international border, but these rules are widely exploited by militants for smuggling arms, drugs, and fake Indian currency.

Mongolia's First university satellite named after Mongolian Gobi bear Mazaalai sent off into space from USA. It is overall second mongolian satellite after Mongol Sat-1.

Montenegro officially joined as 29th Member of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

NASA completed preliminary design review (PDR) of its Quiet Supersonic Transport or QueSST aircraft design, as a significant milestone in its effort to make supersonic passenger jet travel over land a real possibility. QueSST is initial design stage of NASA’s planned Low Boom Flight Demonstration (LBFD) experimental airplane (known as an X-plane).

Nepal signed major deal with China Gezhouba Group Corporation (CGGC) for developing a 1,200 MW Budhigandaki Hydroelectric Project, which will be the biggest hydro project in Nepal. Hydro project would be built under engineering, procurement, construction and finance (EPCF) model.

Nikkei Asian Review’s Asia300 companies list -

There are 20 Indian firms in top 100 and 3 Indian companies in top 10 - HCL Technologies (2nd),Entertainment Enterprises (3rd) and Tata Consultancy Services (4th).

List was topped by Taiwan’s Largan Precision, maker of lenses for smart phone cameras.

PM Narendra Modi Completed His Tri Nation Visitn to Portugal, USA and Netherlands -

Portugal -

11 MOUs for cooperation in areas including double taxation avoidance, science and technology, trade and investment, nanotechnology, space research, administrative reforms and culture were signed.

India and Portugal agreed to set up a joint Science and Technology fund of 4 million euros. MoUs for creation of an India Portugal Space Alliance for advancing collaborative research were also signed.

Both Nations jointly launched India-Portugal International StartUp Hub (IPISH).

USA -

India and USA released a Joint Statement (JS) titled United States and India: Prosperity through Partnership. This visit aso marks 70 years of diplomatic relations between India and USA.

PM Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump agreed to continue strengthening coordination for ensuring peace and Fighting Global Terrorism.

US designated Hizbul Mujahideen Chief Syed Salahuddin as a global terrorist.

Netherlands -

3 MOUs on water management, cultural cooperation and on amending social security arrangement were signed.

PM Narendra Modi Visited France, as Last Leg of his Four Nations Visit - Germany, Spain, Russia and France. Highlights -

Germany -India and Germany signed 12 agreements during visit of PM Narendra Modi to Germany. 12 agreements include 9 joint declarations of intent (JDIs) and 3 memoranda of understanding (MoU).

JDI -

Establishment of a Indo-German Centre for Sustainability.

Cooperation in cyber policy

Advanced training of corporate and junior executives from India

Vocational education and skill development for machine tools.

Collaboration between Foreign Service institutes of both countries.

Cooperation in railway safety.

Cooperation for sustainable urban development

MOU -

Collaboration for facilitation of training of Indian skill development officers and cluster managers.

Cooperation in health sector and alternative medicine.

Spain - PM Narendra Modi's Visited Spain. It was first visit by an Indian PM to Spain 30 years, since Rajiv Gandhi's visit in 1988. 7 MOUs Signed Between India and Spain -

Agreement for Transfer of Sentence Persons.

Cooperation in Organ Transplantation, Cyber Security, Renewable Energy, Technical Cooperation in Civil Aviation, Visa waiver for holders of diplomatic passports and MoU between Foreign Service Institute and Diplomatic Academy of Spain.

Russia - PM Narendra Modi Visited Russia. 18th Annual India Russia Summit held at St. Petersburg. MOUs signed are -

Agreement for Cultural exchanges for 2017-2019.

Agreement for the Construction of the third stage of the Kudankulam NPP (KK5 & KK6) along with Credit Protocol.

Contract between Railways for implementation of high-speed service at Nagpur-Secunderabad section.

MOU for Export of Precious Stones and Jewellery of India.

Indian and Russia also completed 70 Years of Diplomatic Relations on this occasion. 2017 also marks as 10th Year of Partnership in Science and Technology between India and Russia.

France

PM Narendra Modi Visited Russia. 18th Annual India Russia Summit held at St. Petersburg. MOUs signed are -

Agreement for Cultural exchanges for 2017-2019.

Agreement for the Construction of the third stage of the Kudankulam NPP (KK5 & KK6) along with Credit Protocol.

Contract between Railways for implementation of high-speed service at Nagpur-Secunderabad section.

MOU for Export of Precious Stones and Jewellery of India.

Indian and Russia also completed 70 Years of Diplomatic Relations on this occasion.

Panama established formal diplomatic ties with China and broke all of its relationship with Taiwan. It is important for China as it claims Taiwan as its terriroty and ants to isolate it from rest of world.

Portugal handed over digital copies of 62 volumes of collection known as ‘Moncoes do Reino’ (Monsoon correspondence), under recent agreement signed Between India and Portugal for co-operation in field of Archives.

Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings 2018 of 959 Top Universities -

This year, 20 Indian Universities in complete list and 3 Indian universities are among top 200 universities.

Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (179th), Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (172nd) and Indian Institute of Science Bengaluru (190th) are top 3 Indian Uniersities. IISc has been placed at 6th position among 959 universities for ‘Citations per Faculty’ in the 2018 rankings. For the first time, the Delhi University (DU) has entered the top 500 group.

Top 3 -

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (USA) {6TH Consecutive year at top for MIT}

Stanford University (USA)

Harvard University (USA)

Rajiv Kumar has been appointed as Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh.

Russian military test-fired a submarine-launched intercontinental ballistic missile - Bulava. It can carry 6 nuclear warheads and has a range of up to 9,300 kilometers (about 5,770 miles).

Saudi Arabia signed MOU with India's EESL, to Implement Energy Efficiency Programmes.

Saudi Arabia will impose a family tax of 100 riyals (approx 1700 INR) per dependent per month on expatriates, from 1st July Onwards. It will pose a financial burden on over 41 lakh Indian families living in UAE.

Saudi Arabia’s king Salman appointed his son Mohammed bin Salman as crown prince and heir to throne.

King replaced his nephew Mohammed bin Nayef as Throne's heir.

Sharjah (United Arab Emirates) has been named as the World Book Capital for 2019 by UNESCO, for quality of its literary and cultural activities and its efforts to make books accessible to entire population.

Sweden committed to become net-zero carbon emission emitter (greenhouse-gas emissions) by 2045.

Switzerland has ratified automatic exchange of financial account information with India and 40 other countries.

According to Swiss Federal Council, implementation of the exchange sharing agreement is planned for 2018 and first set of data will be exchanged in 2019.

Sydney-based think tank Institute for Economics and Peace's Global Peace Index 2017 (163 Nations) -

Top 105 Peaceful - Iceland (1), New Zealand (2), Portugal (3), Austria (4), Denmark (5).

Top 10 Least Peaceful - Syria (163), Afghanistan (162), Iraq (161), South Sudan (160), Yemen (159).

BRICS - Brazil (108), Russia (151), India (137), China (116), South Africa (123)

Neighbours - Nepal (93), Pakistan (152), Sri Lanka (80), Bangladesh (84)

To save struggling steel manufacturers in Europe, European Union imposed anti-dumping duties (up to 35.9 %) on steel products from China.

UN Security Council approved a resolution for reducing joint UN-African Union peacekeeping force in Sudan’s Darfur region by 44 %.

UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre released first global scientific assessment of climate change impacts on World Heritage coral reefs.
It stated that 29 World Heritage coral reefs across globe (including Great Barrier Reef in Australia, Papahānaumokuākea in USA, Lagoons of New Caledonia in France and Aldabra Atoll in Seychelles) will cease to exist by the end of this century.

USA President Donald Trump announced that USA will withdraw from historic 2015 Paris Accord for Climate Change, that was signed by 195 countries in 2015.

Trump stated Reasons that deal would adversely impact paper, cement, iron and steel, coal, and natural gas sectors of the American economy. It would inflict a loss of $3 trillion in GDP, loss of 6.5 million industrial jobs and $7,000 less in annual income for Americans.

USA is world’s second biggest emitter of greenhouse gases (14.3 %).

USA handed over hundreds of anti-terror weapons including machine guns, pistols and grenade launchers to Philippines, worth 150 Million USD. Note that Philippines has been Fighting terrorist organization ISIS, who have taken over city of Marawi in southern Philippines.

USA issued annual report on the global state of human trafficking and marked China among worst offenders of human trafficking, grouping it with Tier 3 offenders such as Syria, Iran, Russia and North Korea. China has been downgraded to Tier 3 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) because it has not taken steps to end its own complicity in trafficking, including forced labours from North Korea that are located in China.

USA issued new criteria for visa applicants from six Muslim nations (Syria, Sudan, Somalia, Libya, Iran and Yemen) that all refugees will require a close family or business tie to USA.

United Nations General Assembly Members elected Sweden, Bolivia, Ethiopia and Kazakhstan to UN Security Council for 2 years term.

Voting could not yield a clear winner among Italy and Netherlands, for 1 seat. They agreed on sharing 2 year term as one-year each.

United Nations General Assembly establishment of new United Nations office of counter-terrorism to help Member States implement UN’s global counter-terrorism strategy.

Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force Office (CTITF) and the UN Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT) currently under DPA (Department of Political Affairs) will be transferred to new office together with existing staff and associated budgetary resources.

World Bank approved 520 million dollars for Afghanistan to support a various projects to boost Its economy and support Afghan refugees sent back from Pakistan.

World Health Organization (WHO) revised protocol for antibiotics, to curb antibiotic resistance. It is biggest revision of antibiotics section in 40 - year history of the essential medicines list (EML). WHO has divided drugs into 3 categories - access, watch and reserve.

Commonly used antibiotics will be placed under the ‘access’ category.

Slightly potent Antibiotics will be placed under ‘watch‘ category.

Highly potent drugs which should be used only as a last resort will be placed under the ‘reserve’ category.

World's fastest elevator with speed of 1260 metres per minute will be installed in CTF Finance Center, a 530-meter, a skyscraper complex building in China.

World’s first ATM (automated teller machine) celebrates its 50th anniversary.

ATMs were invented by Scottish inventor Shepherd-Barron. First ATM was opened on June 27, 1967 by Barclays Bank in Enfield (England).

World’s largest festival of light, music and ideas - Vivid Sydney entered into Guinness World Book of Records for Largest interactive lighting display. Vivid Sydney installation Dreamscape has been made up of 124,128 lights.

World’s smallest and cheapest single engine private jet Vision Jet launched in USA -

It can carry 5 adults up to 1,150 miles at 28,000 feet.

Meetings

106th Session of International Labour Conference (ILC) held in Geneva (Switzerland). Minister of State for Labour and Employment (IC), Bandaru Dattatreya participated on India's Behalf.

16th North East Region Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (NERCPA) Conference held at Imphal (Manipur).

2017 Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) International Convention held in San Diego (USA), attended by Y S Chowdary on India's Behalf (Minister of State for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences).

2ndMission Innovation Ministerial and 8thClean Energy Ministerial held at Beijing (China). Dr. Harsh Vardhan (Minister for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences and Environment, Forest & Climate Change) represented India.

During This meet, India announced mounting a National Mission on advanced ultra supercritical technologies for cleaner coal utilisation at a total cost of US $ 238 million and setting up of two Centres of Excellence on Clean Coal Technologies at US $5 million each.

Defence Minister Arun Jaitley attended 5th International Forum for Technological Development TECHNOPROM in Russia.

Group of Seven (G7) Environment Ministers Meeting held in Bologna (Italy).

G7 Nations - Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated 2-day national level conference on Capacity Building of SDRF (State Disaster Response Force) -2017, organised by National Disaster Response Force in Delhi.

Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh attended BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meet in Beijing (China).

Shanghai Co-operation Summit (SCO) 2017 -

It was 17th SCO Summit, hosted by Astana (Kazhakhstan). India was represented by PM Narendra Modi.

India and Pakistan are now included as Full members of SCO.

SCO Headquarters is in Beijing (China). All 8 Members are - China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India and Pakistan.

World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Forum 2017 held in Geneva (Switzerland). It represents world’s largest annual gathering of the ICT for development community.

National

Goverment approved setting up 100 Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy (AYUSH) hospitals across country.

ISRO’s First interplanetary mission - Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM),completed 1000 Earth days in orbit, well beyond its designed mission life of six months. MOM completed 388 orbits of Mars in this period. India will launch Mangalyaan 2.0 and new mission to Venus after 2020.

Indian Airline Spicejet named as world’s best-performing airline stock (124% stock gain in 2017) with $26 billion in plane orders to boot.

Recently, SpiceJet announced to purchase 50 Q400 turboprop aircraft worth $1.7 billion (over Rs 10,900 crore) from Bombardier (Canadian Aerospace Firm).

Shipping Corporation of India (Under Ministry of Shipping) organised ‘Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas sammelan in Mumbai (Maharashtra).

22nd APEDA Export awards held in New Delhi. Commerce Secretary Rita Teaotia stated that -

India is now 7th largest exporter of agri-products globally, with India representing over 12 % of total exports.

Total merchandise exports during 2016-2017 are approx 276 billion USD, out of which agricultural exports are nearly 33 billion USD.

82 APEDA awards were presented for 2014-2015 and 2015-2016.

22nd edition of European Union Film Festival (EUFF) started in Delhi with screening of Filmmakers Katrin Maimik and Andres Maimiks Estonian film "Cherry Tobacco".

2nd edition of National Health Editors’ Conference on Yoga held in New Delhi.

31st anniversary of the signing of the historic Mizo peace accord on June 30, 1986 celebrated in Mizoram. Mizo Accord was signed by Mizo National Front (MNF) and Mizoram State Government. It bought peace in state after 20 years of violence and disturbance.

Vatsalya – Maatri Amrit Kosh - National Human Milk Bank and Lactation Counselling Centre has been opened at Lady Hardinge Medical College in New Delhi, as largest public sector human milk bank and lactation counselling centre in North India. It has been opened in collaboration with Norwegian government.

According to NGO Child Rights and You (CRY) Over 8 Lakh children are engaged in Child labour in India -

Top 3 States with Most Children (aged 5 - 6) engaged in Child labour - Uttar Pradesh (2.5 lakh), Bihar (1.3 lakh) and Maharashtra (83000 Thousand).

According to Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) Report - about 31% of the world’s multidimensionally poor children live in India (approx 2 crore). This is followed by Nigeria (8%), Ethiopia (7%) and Pakistan (6%). A multidimensionally poor child is one who lacks at least one-third of ten indicators, grouped into three dimensions of poverty: health, education and standard of living.

Adani Group commissioned 50 megawatts (MW) solar photovoltaic (PV) plant in Mahoba (Uttar Pradesh). The plant has been set up with an investment of 315 crores under National Solar Mission Scheme.

An MoU signed between National Skill Development Corporation and Bird Academy for skilling of unemployed youth in the aviation and aerospace Sector. Under This, 30000 unemployed youth across various states including North Eastern states with special focus to train and empower minimum 5,000 women & tribal youths will be trained.

Andhra Pradesh government launched the AP MSME Development Corporation with a corpus fund of Rs 100 crore to promote micro small and medium enterprises (MSME) in State.

Arunachal Pradesh Government demanded for a separate time zone for northeastern states to improve work efficiency and save electricity in region.

Recently, Bengaluru-based National Institute of Advanced Studies concluded that separate time zone for the northeastern region could help in saving 2.7 billion units of electricity every year.

Arunachal Pradesh government decided to increase retirement age of regular state government employees from 58 years to 60 years, to be implemented from 1st of January 2018.

As per Forbes, Aamir Khan starrer Dangal became first Indian movie to earn INR 2,000 crore worldwide. It also became 5th highest-grossing non-English film ever. Note That Major portion of Dangal's Finances came from China where it earned over 1300 Crores. Baahubali 2 is India's second highest grosser ever with 1700 Crores.

Bengaluru became first city where one can have fuel delivered at one's doorstep, owing to a Startup Mypetrolpump. Deisel can be received at doorstep with One rupee additional per litre.

CSIR-Structural Engineering Research Centre (Chennai) developed a cost-effective toilet, weighing under 500kg, life span of 25-30 years and can be assembled in 5 hours. It has been built with the help of textile reinforced concrete prototyping technology (TRCPT). TRC panels can be used as doors, roofing, walls and even flooring.

Central Council for Research in Yoga & Naturopathy (CCRYN) under Ministry of AYUSH initiated a Yoga Awareness Drive through Mascots and Flash Mobs (YogMob) prior to International Yoga Day (21st June).

Central Government will soon replace Higher Education Bodies University Grants Commission (UGC) and All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) with one Higher Education Regulator - HEERA (Higher Education Empowerment Regulation Agency).

Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) signed MoU, aimed at increasing employability of youth.

Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) launched 24×7 helpline Madadgaar to help Kashmiri citizens at toll free number (14411).

Commerce & Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman launched Startup India Virtual Hub as an online platform for all stakeholders of entrepreneurial ecosystem in India to discover, connect and engage with each other.

Competition Commission of India (CCI), imposed fine of $13.6 million on South Korean automaker Hyundai Motor's India Unit, accusing it of anti-competitive behaviour by imposing certain arrangements upon its dealers including monitoring maximum permissible discount level and mandating use of recommended lubricants and oils.

Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) suspended flying licence of Coimbatore-based carrier Air Carnival, which has not operated a single flight since early April.

Election Commission of India (ECI) announced that election for post of Vice-President of India will be held on 5 August 2017. Note that Elections for Post of President of India will be held on July 17.

Election Commission of India joined hands with Facebook to launch nationwide voter registration reminder, Between July 1- 4, 2017. Facebook will activate a unique ‘Register Now’ button reminding all the eligible Indian users to enrol themselves as voters.

Elections for Electing 14th President of India will be held on 17 July 2017.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj inaugurated Know India Programme (KIP) for NRI and PIO youth, to provide them with an exposure to origin country.

First 50 MW unit of 100 MW Sainj Hydro Power project of Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL) has been commissioned with northern grid through Parvati-Kol Dam transmission line.

First Mega Food Park in state of Odisha - MITS Mega Food Park Pvt. Ltd. at Rayagada.

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) issued draft regulations for organic food products to ensure the authenticity of organic foods, in view of rising demand for organic food products.

Organic foods will have to comply with the government’s provisions under the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) or the Participatory Guarantee System for India (PGS-India) run by Agriculture Ministry.

Goa CM Manohar Parrikar inaugurated 3 day MODI (Making of Developed India Festival) Fest in Panaji. Similar MODI fest was organized in Andhra Pradesh in First Week of June 2017.

Government launched a revamped oil and gas bidding mechanism named Open Acreage Licensing Process (OALP) and National Data Repository (NDR) for major oil field auctions to be held from 1 July. Auctions will be held under a new Hydrocarbon Exploration Licensing Policy (HELP).

New bidding mechanism will allow interested firms to bid for blocks of their choice at any time of the year with the help of National Data Repository. NDR is a comprehensive database of India’s key sedimentary basins that will provide the bidders data on contract areas that will be available for auctioning.

Government Owned Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) will implement first project for rural LED street lighting in country under Government's Street Lighting National Project (SLNP). In first phase, 10 lakh conventional street lights with LED lights in Gram Panchayats of 7 districts in Andhra Pradesh. This will lead to reduction of 12 crore tonnes of CO2 and Approx 90 Crore INR Savings. Project is being funded by French Development Agency Agence Française de Développement (AFD).

Government approved constitution of Indian Naval Material Management Service (INMMS) as an organized Group ‘A’ Engineering Service.

Government approved setting up a new airport in Jewar in Greater Noida, which will cater 3 - 5 crore passengers per year over next 10 - 15 years.

Government launched SPARROW-ITS (Smart Performance Appraisal Report Recording Online Window) to enable Indian Trade Service (ITS) officers to fill their Annual Performance Appraisal Report (APAR) online for 2016-17 onwards.

Government launched a new training program Comprehensive Online Modified Modules on Induction Training (COMMIT) aimed at training State Government officials and improving public service delivery mechanisms. COMMIT will be launched in 6 States Initially - Assam, Haryana, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and West Bengal.

Government launched digital travel experience initiative - Digiyatra. Digiyatra aims to digitally link unique IDs such as Aadhaar, passport or PAN card to the airlines' booking PNR to facilitate a seamless experience of passing through airports for the traveller that would also relieve queues and congestion.

Essentially, system involves linking unique ID digitally at the time of booking to airline PNR. This would allow the passenger to have all the information required for smooth passage digitally.

Government notified that people suffering from tuberculosis will now have to submit their Aadhaar details to avail cash benefits for their treatment, under Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP).

Government will appoint Nyaya Mitras to speed up the hearing of cases that have been pending in the lower courts for the last 10 years across country's courts.

Government's policy think-tank NITI Aayog drafted a New Energy Policy (NEP) and recomended to split 7 units of state-controlled Coal India Limited (CIL) into independent companies, to bring in more competitiveness.

About 70 percent of India's power generation is fired by coal. India is world's third-largest producer and third-biggest importer of coal.

Gujarat Government flagged off Astha Tourist Train, a special Gandhi Darshan train from Sabarmati railway station, On occasion of centenary celebrations of the historic Sabarmati Ashram founded by M K Mahatma Gandhi.

Train will travel for 10 days (to and fro ) to Bihar’s Betitah and Motihari, formerly known as Champaran. Champaran was first place where M K Gandhi staged a satyagraha in 1917 in order to remove misery of indigo farmers.

Habibganj Railway Station (Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh) became India’s first railway station to be redeveloped in a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode.

Haryana Govermemt approved extension of Metro Rail from Narela in Delhi to Kundli in Sonepat district of Haryana with 3 new stations.

Hindi words Chana and Chana Dal are added to coveted Oxford English Dictionary (OED). Chana means Chickpeas and Chana Dal stands for split chickpea lentils.

India Meteorological Department (IMD) will launch forecasting system to give 15-day warnings on likelihood of a malaria or chikungunya outbreak across country.

India ratified 2 fundamental Conventions of the International Labour Office (ILO) concerning elimination of child labour - Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No 138) and Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182).

India signed Loan Agreement for part funding of USD 240 million from World Bank (IBRD) and USD 160 Million from AIIB (60:40 ratio) for 24X7 Power for All in Andhra Pradesh Project.

India signed USD 39.2 Million Loan agreement with World Bank for Assam Citizen Centric Service Delivery Project.

India's textile and fashion heritage became part of Google project 'We Wear Culture'. India's Such vast fashion heritage can now be explored through Google's latest virtual exhibition project We Wear Culture.

Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur developed a wireless technology called AmbuSens, meant for remote monitoring of condition of patients who are ferried in ambulances. Patients will be fitted with wireless body sensors, which will enable monitoroing parameters like ECG, heart-rate, temperature and blood-pressure at a remote location.

Indian Railways started final location survey of 498 km long Bilaspur-Manali-Leh line at Leh in Jammu and Kashmir.

Bilaspur-Manali-Leh line at Leh in Jammu and Kashmir at height of 3,300 metres will be highest rail track in world, overtaking China’s Qinghai–Tibet Railway.

Indian Railways will reduce emission by 33 % by 2030, by involving several green initiatives and promoting low carbon mass transportation system -

Railways aims to achieve 1000 MW of solar power and 170 MW of wind power installed capacities.

Another mainstream target is to Fit bio-toilets in its strong fleet of 55,000 coaches by 2019.

Indian Railways' 1st HR Round Table Conference held in New Delhi.

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched heaviest rocket ever made by India, Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III (GSLV Mk- III) on 5 June 2017.

It is called Fat Boy, as it is India's heaviest (640 tonnes) but smallest rocket (43 metres).

It will enable India to send Manned missions to Space. Only 3 Other nations are currently able to do so - US, Russia and China.

It will be able to place 4-tonne class satellites into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbits (much more than previous rocket's capacity of 2-tonne class).

It will have New indigenous cryogenic engine, developed by the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre of ISRO. A cryogenic engine provides more thrust for every kilogram of cryogenic propellant (liquid hydrogen or liquid oxygen) that it burns.

Indore (Madhya Pradesh) became first city in India where robot is being used on an experimental basis to control its ever growing and unruly traffic.

Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) will develop country's first 'freight village' spread over around 100 acres in Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh).

J P Nadda (Minister for Health and Family Welfare) launched Skill for Life, Save a Life initiative, to promote skill development in the health sector.

Karnataka Goverment launched India’s first public bicycle sharing (PBS) initiative 'Trin Trin' in Mysuru, jointly funded by World Bank, Global Environmental Fund and state govt. Mysuru is the first city in India to have a public bicycle sharing system.

Kerala State government announced a green protocol to make weddings in state more nature-friendly. Under This, plastic and other non-biodegradable articles including disposable glasses and plates and thermocol decorations will not be permitted to be used in weddings.

Madhya Pradesh government launched debt relief scheme Krishi Rin Samadhan Yojana for farmers, allocating INR 1000 crores for this. It Provisons -

Interest Subsidy.

Compensation - 1 crores for passed away farmers and 5 Lakh for injured.

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis launched web portal Mahaswayam, to cater to job seekers, employers, entrepreneurs, and training institutes who can avail details regarding skill development and employment.

Maharashtra Government announced launching of a mobile app named ‘My Plant’, that would help in recording data regarding tree plantations in state. Maharashtra state government also appealed its employees to contribute a day's salary to provide financial assistance to families of farmers in suicide-prone regions.

Mahesh Sharma (Minister of State (IC) for Culture & Tourism) launched National Mission on Cultural Mapping of India in Mathura (Uttar Pradesh). It is part of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat program and aims at converting widespread cultural canvas of India into an objective cultural map.

Manipur CM Biren Singh launched a toll free 24/7 helpline number 181 for women in state .

Meghalaya Assembly passed a resolution demanding immediate withdrawal of Centre's notification banning sale and purchase of cattle from animal markets for slaughter, calling it an infringement of rights of states.

Meghalaya government signed 2 MoUs with State Bank of India as part of migrating government transactions to digital mode. State government will now escalate its transactions for the collection of tax and non-tax revenue through the online system - Government Receipt Accounting System (GRAS) covering all departments in a phased manner.

Minister for Urban Development and Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation M. Venkaiah Naidu announced new batch of 30 smart cities under Smart City Mission, taking number of total cities picked up under Smart City Mission up to 90.

Minister of Railways Suresh Prabhu launched Mission Retro-Fitment to enhance passenger experience by upgrading 40000 existing coaches.

Refurbished coaches will have better amenities and safety features, aimed at providing comfortable travel to railway passengers.

40,000 coaches will be refurbished and retrofitted over 5 years. Mission also aims to induct 40,000 new coaches with upgraded interiors by 2022-23.

It is estimated that cost of refurbishing per coach to be approximately Rs 30 lakhs.

Minister of Road Transport & Highways and Shipping Nitin Gadkari launched INAM-Pro + web portal, for Sale and Purchase of Construction Material and Service.

Minister of State for Power, Coal, New and Renewable Energy and Mines launched Energy Conservation Building Code 2017 (ECBC 2017).

This updated version of ECBC prescribes energy performance standards for new commercial buildings to be constructed across India.

ECBC provides present as well as futuristic advancements in building technology to cut down building energy consumption and promote low-carbon growth. It sets criteria for builders, designers and architects to integrate renewable energy sources in building design through inclusion of passive design strategies.

To be ECBC-compliant, the new buildings should be able to demonstrate minimum energy savings of 25%. Energy savings of 35% and 50% will enable the buildings to achieve higher grades like ECBC Plus or Super ECBC status respectively.

Adoption of ECBC 2017 will achieve 50% reduction in energy use by 2030 which will translate into energy savings of about 300 Billion Units by 2030.

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight (IDCF) to intensify efforts to reduce child deaths due to diarrhoea. Aim is to mobilize health personnel, State Governments and other stakeholders to prioritize investment in control of diarrhoea.

Ministry of Law and Justice approved Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Karnataka Amendment) Bill 2017, to allow Kambala Sport in Karnataka State that Involves Bulls. Karnataka high court November 2016 banned kambala along with bull-cart race in state.

Ministry of Law and Justice has launched Tele-Law initiative in collaboration with Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to provide legal aid services to citizens living in rural areas through Common Service Centres (CSC) at panchayat level. With this, people can seek legal advice through video conferencing facility at Common Service Centres (CSC).

Ministry of Rural Development confrred 144 awards under various categories to states and other organisations, to highlight commendable work done under various schemes of Rural Development Ministry. Notable awards included Bihar that was awarded for constructing most number of rural roads and Madhya Pradesh was awarded for use of non- conventional construction material in road construction under 'Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana’ (PMGSY).

Mizoram Government launched Test and Treat Strategy of Mizoram state AIDS Control Society (MSACS) to improve treatment for HIV affected people in state. Under this, HIV-affected people would be given free Anti Retrovira Therapy (ART) irrespective of CD4 count.

Mumbai’s Taj Mahal Palace hotel acquired image trademark under Trademark Act 1999, making it first building in India to acquire intellectual property rights protection for its architectural design. Henceforth, image of Taj Mahal Palace hotel’s dome and exterior can be used only with consent of Taj Hotels Palaces Resorts Safaris.

NITI Aayog chosen CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (Hyderabad) for hosting the Atal Incubation Centre for biotechnology start-ups. CCMB is one of 10 organisations identified to host Atal Incubation Centres. Government will release aid of 10 crores for upto 5 years.

Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) under NITI Aayog is aimed at promoting innovation and entrepreneurship in India. Under It, Atal Incubation centres would encourage start-ups in various sectors.

NITI Aayog launched SATH Sustainable Action for Transforming Human capital with State Governments for strengthening agenda of cooperative federalism. Under this, Government will identify and build 3 future ‘role model’ states for health systems.

For Health Sector, shortlisted states are Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Assam, Karnataka and Gujarat. For Education Sector, shortlisted states are Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Andhra Pradesh.

Nalanda University (Bihar) signed MOU with South Korea’s Academy of Korean Studies for academic cooperation. Two universities have agreed to enhance the bilateral ties through joint research programme.

Narmada Control Authority (NCA) approved final raising of Sardar Sarovar Dam (SSD) in Gujarat by lowering of gates and impounding of water in reservoir up to its Full Reservoir Level (FRL) of EL 138.68 meters.

National Aviation University (NAU) signed MoU with Bird Worldwide Flight Services (India) Private Limited to develop professional aviation and aerospace education programmes for benefit of Indian civil aviation industry.

National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) launched Web Application for freelegal services to prisoners and Legal Services Management System.

NALSA has responsibility to provide legal aid inter-alia to all persons in custody.

National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) approved projects worth INR 1900 crores for creation of sewage treatment infrastructure in Haridwar, Rishikesh, Vrindavan, Varanasi, Allahabad and Delhi.

National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) launched India's first 150 kWp canal top solar PV System on cooling water (CW) channel at 2,320 MW Mouda Thermal Power Project in Maharashtra.

National Workshop on Empowerment of Farmers of Tribal Areas in delhi.

Odisha became first state to open a blood bank for cattle, which is to be set up soon onpremises of Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT).

Odisha state government approved 53 urban projects with a total investment of Rs 538 crore under Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT).

Odisha will commission Early Warning Dissemination System (EWDS) in July, as First Such system in country to warn state's residents along its 480 km-long coast in the event of natural disasters like a tsunami / cyclones.

Warning will be issued just by pressing a button from a control room in event of occurrence of natural disasters. It would trigger loud sirens simultaneously from towers at 122 locations including tourist destinations.

Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) carried joint survey for conservation of Chilika Lake (Odisha), to make it gain world heritage site tag.

On Occasion of completion of 3 Years of NDA Government, Making of Developed India (MODI) festival held in Andhra Pradesh.

PM Narendra Modi inaugurated Kochi Metro as 8th Inter-City Metro rail Project in India (first in Kerala).

DMRC (Delhi Metro Rail Corp) completed its construction in 4 years.

First phase is 13.2 km long and is India’s first integrated multi-mode transport system. System will also provide boat rides with water transport as a feeder service to rail corridor.

Kochi Metro is first public transport system to have reserved jobs for transgenders.

PM Narendra Modi inaugurated centenary celebrations of Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad (Gujarat). He also released the coin and postal stamp in the honour of Jain saint and philosopher Shrimad Rajchandra on his 150th birth anniversary.

PM Narendra Modi inaugurated various irrigation and water-related initiatives at Aji Dam in Rajkot (Gujarat), including filling of Aji dam with Narmada waters under Sauni Yojana.

Piyush Goyal (Minister of State (IC) for Power, Coal , New & Renewable Energy and Mines) launched -

Weather Portal for Power Sector in association with POSOCO and IMD. Information in Portal regarding weather forecast shall help State Discoms to take pro-active steps regarding short term and medium term management processes.

Portal MERIT (Merit Order Despatch of Electricity for Rejuvenation of Income and Transparency) to store and display information regarding merit order of Electricity procured by State(s) such as daily state-wise marginal variable costs of all generators, daily source-wise power purchases of respective states/UTs.

President Pranab Mukherjee launched mobile Application Selfie with Daughter. The Selfie with Daughtercampaign was started by Sunil Jaglan in June 2015 in Haryana.

Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum and Hindustan Petroleum will set up world’s largest refinery and petrochemical complex in Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra.

Indian Oil will hold 50% stake and Hindustan Petroleum Corp Ltd (HPCL) and Bharat Petroleum Corp Ltd (BPCL) will each hold a stake of 25% each in the new complex.

Refinery will be set up at estimated cost of Rs 3 lakh crore and will completed by 2022. It will have 60 million tonnes refining capacity.

Punjab Government announced free education for girls in government schools and colleges from Nursery to Ph.D. Note That Reservation for women in Panchayati Raj Institutions and Urban Local Bodies has already been increased from 33 to 50 %.

Punjab Government presented state budget of Rs 1.18 lakh crore for FY 2017-18 -

It focuses on reducing crushing debt burden and restoring fiscal stability.

Total waiver of crop loans for small and marginal farmers has been announced by Punjab Government.

Punjab government and United Kingdom join hands for imparting skill training and technical education to the students to provide better employment opportunities in abroad.

Punjab government launched Chief Minister Scholarship Scheme, aiming to provide cheaper and quality technical education to the meritorious and poor students of the state.

Railways launche Operation Swarn (gold) aimed at improving services in premium trains like Rajdhani and Shatabdi Express. It has been initiated after several complaints received from passengers about services rendered in these premium trains. In first phase, Mumbai-Delhi Rajdhani Express and Mumbai-Ahmedabad Shatabdi Express will be upgraded.

Railways will soon implement satellite-based chips in Trains, Devveloped by ISRO.

These Chips will enable sending alert people and Train Drivers at unmanned rail crossings. Initially these will be installed in Mumbai and Guwahati Rajdhani trains. Hooters will be installed at unmanned level crossings and will warn road users once a train approaches unmanned level (under 500 metres).

Rajasthan government raised insurance cover by 1 lakh to 6 lakh for farmers who avail crop loan from cooperative banks in State. State government also raised the insurance amount by 1 lakh in the Raj Sahakar Personal Accident Insurance Scheme.

SIERRA ODC building of Coimbatore-based IT Solutions Company is recognised as world’s second highest ranking Green Building, with a score of 103 out of 110 under Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification.

SPIC MACAY (Society for the Promotion of Indian Classical Music And Culture Amongst Youth)'s 5th International Convention held at IIT Delhi.

Samsung signed MoU with Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) for setting up 2 new Samsung Technical Schools in Bengaluru and Jamshedpur as well as to renew partnership for 10 existing schools across country.

As part of government’s Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign, Samsung announced MSME-Samsung Technical School Scholarship programme for girls and differently-abled trainees. Under this, 1,000 girls and differently-abled trainees will be given grant of up to Rs. 20,000.

Sikkim government signed MoU with British Council to enhance the quality of education in the state.

Special Commemorative stamp released on occasion of completion of 50 years of Passport Act (passed on June 24, 1967).

State Bank of India tied up with Tirumala Milk Products that was acquired by French Firm Groupe Lactalis in 2014, to provide loans to dairy farmers who supply milk.

State-run oil marketing companies -Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Hindustan Petroleum Corporation (HPCL) and Bharat Petroleum Corporation (BPCL) will revise prices of petrol and diesel daily from June 16 throughout country. It is aimed at countering undercutting by private retailers as well as to bring India at par with the US oil market.

Sulabh International founder and chief Bindeshwar Pathak has announced that an open defecation-free (ODF) village(Dhanduka village) in Mewat will be named after US President Donald Trump.

Syama Sanju has been declared as Queen of Dhwayah, winner of Kerala’s first ever beauty pageant for transgender women.

Tamil Nadu government announced free education for transgender community in all colleges of state’s Manonmaniam Sundaranar University.

Telangana government launched single-women pension scheme across state. Under this, pension of about 1000 / month would be given to single women on humanitarian grounds. This is the first such welfare scheme by any state in India.

Telangana government launched website to facilitate online sale or purchase of cattle - pashubazar.telangana.gov.in. It will help farmers as the cattle need not be brought to shandies every time and farmers can save on transportation cost on cattle.

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) launched 3 new apps to help customers rate quality of services, speed and performance - Mycall, MySpeed and 'Do not disturb (DND 2.0)' app.

To attract more passengers to buy online train tickets, Indian Railways introduced a service ‘Buy Now, Pay Later’ which allow passengers to make payment for tickets booked online within 15 days. IRCTC tied up Fintech Firm ePayLater for this service.

Union Minister Jitendra Singh launched Hill Area Development Programme (HADP) in Imphal (Manipur), aimed at Hilly areas of Manipur, Tripura and Assam.

Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu launched Pune Municipal Corporation's municipal bond programme. It is first such municipal bond Programme in India.

AA+ rated PMC’s municipal bonds raised Rs 200 crore at 7.59 per cent rate at Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE). This is first issuance since publication of ‘Issue and Listing of Debt Securities by Municipalities Regulations, 2015 by Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). These 10-year bonds will be used by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) for a Rs 2,300-crore water project.

Municipality bonds can be issued by city corporations to fund developmental projects, selling them to Institutional investors and public.

Urban development minister M. Venkaiah Naidu launched City Liveability Index, which will rank country’s 116 major cities on basis of quality of life.

Index will assess cities based on 79 various and rankings based on index would be released in 2018.

Government will Soon select agency for undertaking assessment and data collection for rankings.

Uttar Pradesh state government will replace textbooks meant for Uttar Pradesh Secondary Education Board with ones published by National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), to bring curriculum of UP Board at par with CBSE from academic year 2018-19. NCERT books would be made compulsory from Class IX to Class XII.

Uttarakhand Governor K K Paul launched Vidya-Veerta Abhiyan in state, presenting Vice Chancellors of universities with portraits of Param Vir Chakra recipients.

Uttarakhand and rural Haryana declared themselves 4th and 5th Open Defecation Free (ODF) States of India, after Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh and Kerala.

Vice President Hamid Ansari launched MPower programme under 'Anuyatra' campaign of Government of Kerala. Anuyatra or walking together campaign is for the persons with special needs.

Persons

11 year old Indian origin boy in UK Arnav Sharma secured top possible score of 162 on a Mensa IQ test, 2 points higher than Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking.

Last Month, 12 years old Indian Raj Gauri Pawar also scored 162 on same IQ RTEST

Actress Vidya Balan has been named ambassador of Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) to be held in August 2017.

Ananya Vinay, 12-year-old Indian-American girl won 90th Scripps National Spelling Bee competition of the USA. Ananya became 13t Indian-American in a row to win this spelling bee competition.

Asian Development Bank President Takehiko Nakao Visited India and Committed USD 10 billion support for infrastructure building and immediate development needs of less-developed states in India over next 5 - 6 years.

Bihar Governor Ram Nath Kovind has been chosen by Rulling National Democratic Alliance as its Presidential Candidate.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley visited Paris (France) to participate in Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) meetings and bilateral talks.

Former Chancellor of Germany, Helmut Kohl passed away. He is known as father of German unification as he was responsible for unifying Germany after 1989 fall of the Berlin Wall despite facing stiff resistance.

Former Indian powerlifter and medalist Kavita Devi will become first Indian woman to compete in USA'S WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment).

Former UN General Assembly President Miguel D'Escoto Brockmann (Nicaragua) passed away.

Government appointed Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan as ambassador for promotion of Goods and Services Tax (GST), the sweeping tax reform which is to be implemented from July 1, 2017.

Hollywood Singer Katy Perry became first person to reach 100 million followers on Twitter.

Indian Cricketer Sachin Tendulkar will be among several global celebrities for UNICEF’s ‘Super Dads’ campaign that highlights critical role played by fathers in children’s early development. This initiative is a part of UNICEF’s #EarlyMomentsMatter campaign.

Indian Girl Sahithi Pingali will get a minor planet in Milky Way named after her as a reward for developing an integrated mobile phone app and lake monitoring kit to monitor pollution in water bodies.

Sahithi Pingali presented her paper An Innovative Crowdsourcing Approach to Monitoring Freshwater Bodies at Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). She got 2nd position and 3 special awards in Earth and Environment Sciences category.

She also won a gold medal at International Sustainable World Engineering Energy Environment Project (ISWEEEP) for her research work on Varthur lake.

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur awarded doctorate degree to PT Usha (called Golden Girl of India) at its 50th convocation.

Indian Navy Chief Sunil Lanba visited Israel.

Jnanptih Awardee Telugu Poet, lyricist and writer Cingireddi Narayana Reddy passed away.

Justice Karnan of Calcutta High Court became First HC Judge to retire while absconding. He has been absconding from office since May 2017 to escape arrest after Supreme Court sentenced him to six months imprisonment for contempt of court.

Minister of Finance, Defence and Corporate Affairs Shri Arun Jaitley visited South Korea.

He participated in India-Korea Strategic Economic Dialogue and the 2nd Annual Meeting of Board of Governors of AIIB (Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank). AIIB is headquartered in Beijing (China) with Jin Liqun as its Chief.

AIIB's third Annual Meeting of Board of Governors will be held in Mumbai, India in June 2018.

Minister of State (IC) Youth Affairs and Sports, Vijay Goel visited China.

Myanmar Commerce Minister Than Myint Visited India for participating in 6th India-Myanmar Joint Trade Committee (JTC) Meeting in New Delhi.

NASA selected 12 new astronauts including an Indian-American, Raja “Grinder” Chari. He is a commander of 461st Flight Test Squadron as well as director of F-35 Integrated Test Force in California. It is 22nd class of American spaceflight trainees since 1959.

Noted Fromer Cricketer Anil Kumble resigned as head Coach of Indian Cricket team. He will continue as chairman of ICC’s cricket committee.

Noted Hindi and singer Sabita Chowdhury passed away.

Noted Industrialist Desh Bandhu Gupta, founder and Chairman of Lupin (India’s second-largest pharmaceutical company) passed away.

Noted Malayalam filmmaker K.R. Mohanan passed away.

Noted Scientist Predhiman Krishan Kaw passed away. He was known as father of India's nuclear fusion reactor research program.

Noted Tamil poet S. Abdul Rahman (Known as Kavikko) passed away.

Noted historian and former ICHR chairman Basudev Chatterji passed away.

Noted policymaker Sam Pitroda resigned as Technical Advisor to Odisha Government.

Noted social activist Mehrunnisa Dalwai passed away. Her autobiography Mi Bharun Pawle (Marathi) is considered an inspirational piece for progressive movement.

P.N. Bhagwati (Former Chief Justice of India) Passed Away.

Panjab University and India Post released special commemorative stamp for Centenary Celebrations of Punjabi language artist Balwant Gargi.

Piyush Goyal (Minister of State (IC) for Power, Coal, New & Renewable Energy and Mines) visited Germany.

Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission President Swami Atmasthananda passed away.

Ravi Karunanayake, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka visited India.

Serving President of Vanuatu, Womtelo Reverend Baldwin Lonsdale has passed away.

Sushila Karki, first woman Chief Justice of Nepal Supreme Court retired.

Thailand's Minister of Justice Suwaphan Tanyuvardhana Visited India and signed MoU with India on Cooperation in Controlling Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances, their Precursors and Chemicals and Drug Abuse.

Travis Kalanick resiged as CEO of Global Cab Aggregator Major Uber.

Science

A new summer variety of groundnut has been developed by agro-scientists of the Chandra Shekhar Azad Agriculture Technology University (CSA) at Khanpur in Uttarpradesh.

This Summer variety of groundnut is disease-free as pests cannot attack the crop because of high temperature. Now, during summer people will not have to consume stored groundnuts grown during winter season.

According to Animal Discoveries 2016 - New Species and Records report by Zoological Survey of India and Plant Discoveries 2016, 499 new species have been discovered from various parts of the country last year. Number of animal species in Insia for the first time has crossed one lakh to number 1,00,693.

China successfully tested a solid-fuel variable flow ramjet engine that could enhance the real combat ability of the country’s stealth aircraft and boost firing range of missiles. Ramjet engine has advantage of low cost, high power, and high controllability with compact size.

China launched record breaking swarm (Group) of 119 fixed-wing drones (unmanned aerial vehicles), breaking previous record of a swarm of 67 drones. These drones performed catapult-assisted take-offs and formations in sky.

China will send mini-ecosystems comprising of potato seeds and silkworm eggs to Moon in 2018, along with Chang’e 4 Satellite.

3-kilogramme mini-ecosystem will be developed by research teams under Chongqing University in China.

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is working on Electric Propulsion (EP) system - a new propulsion system that may bring new era of cost effective satellite launches. It converts solar energy into electrical energy which is used to change velocity of a satellite in space.

Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) successfully launched Cartosat-2E weighing 712 KG (Earth observation satellite) along with 30 co-passenger satellites of various countries, aboard Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) C-38.

India’s latest communication satellite GSAT-17 successfully launched from Kourou in French Guiana (France), with a lift-off mass of about 3,477 kg and payloads in C-band and S-band to provide various communication services.

Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) detected another merger of 2 black holes forming gravitational waves, Named as GW170104. This time, detection revealed not merely a black hole merger, but also alignment of spins of black holes. This can help in finding out the way black holes were formed.

NASA Annouuced to launch James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) in October 2018 -

James Webb Space Telescope JWST is a joint project of the NASA, the European Space Agency and the Canadian Space Agency. It will be successor of 26-year-old Hubble Space Telescope and is 100 times powerful than Hubble Space Telescope.

JWST will be the largest telescope ever sent into space. It will have a very large infrared telescope with a 6.5-meter primary mirror with sun shield of 22 metres.

JWST is named after former NASA administrator James Webb, formerly known as Next Generation Space Telescope (NGST).

As JWST's First set of Targets - 2100 observations has been planned by JWST mission handlers.

Another NASA Spacecraft Orion also cleared Tests. It is meant to carry astronauts to deep space destinations like Moon and Mars.

NASA launched world’s lightest satellite weighing only 64 grams designed by 18-year-old boy Rifath Sharook from Tamil Nadu.

Satellite has been named as KalamSat after the former President APJ Abdul Kalam.

KalamSat is a 3-D printed satellite. This is the first time that 3-D printing technology is used to make satellites. Purpose of launching KalamSat is to demonstrate performance of 3D-printed carbon fibre.

NASA tested ROSA (Roll-Out Solar Array) successfully on ISS (International space station) for first time.

ROSA is an advanced, flexible solar array that rolls out like a tape measure. It is very much flexible ad Light weighted so that it can be adapted to different sizes including very large arrays.

ROSA will be an asset for satellite radio and television, weather forecasting, GPS and other services used on Earth.

Unlike Bulky and large traditional solar array panels, ROSA can make solar arrays more compact and weigh lighter.

NASA will launch Terrier-Improved Malemute sounding rocket that will release blue-green and red artificial clouds, to support space studies.

NASA will soon launch Neutron Star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER), world’s first ever mission devoted for studying neutron stars. NICER will focus especially on Pulsars and will also carry out world’s first demonstration of X-ray navigation in space.

NASA’s Kepler Telescope has identified 10 Earth-like planets outside the solar system that are expected to host life due to their right size and temperature. This discovery is part of 219 new planets identified by Kepler telescope as part of the final batch of planets since Kepler was launched in 2009.

NASA’s Mars rover Opportunity found rocks at edge of Endeavour Crater that might have been a lake of liquid water. Opportunity has been investigating near Endeavour Crater since 2011, which is about 22 km across.

Scientists at USA's University of Nebraska-Lincoln created brightest light ever produced on Earth, shining a billion times stronger than surface of sun.

Normally an electron scatters just 1 photon of light at a time but the new light beam produced saw over 1000 photons scattered at a time.

It could be used as a new type of X-ray and also by engineers, scientists and for security purposes.

Scientists discovered a new species of flying squirrel named Glaucomys Oregonensis in North America, that had been hiding in plain sight for over hundreds of years. Known as Humboldt's flying squirrel, this new species resides in the Pacific Coast region of North America.

Scientists discovered hottest known exoplanet - KELT-9b.

Exoplanet is a planet that does not orbit the Sun and instead orbits a different star.

The Planet orbits a massive star KELT-9 with day temperature approx 4,326 degree Celsius.

Scientists reportedly solved centuries-old unexplained mystery of bright nights, the unusual glow that appears in sky after dark and lets observers see distant mountains, read a newspaper or check their watch.

Researchers suggest that when waves in upper atmosphere converge over specific locations on Earth, it amplifies naturally occurring airglow, a faint light in the night sky that often appears green due to the activities of atoms of oxygen in the high atmosphere.

US Space exploration firm SpaceX’s Falcon rocket lifted off carrying Dragon capsule, which was loaded with nearly 6000 pounds of scientific research and station supplies. It is the second time the Dragon has been sent to ISS, becoming First ever Recycled Supply Ship sent to ISS.

World’s first hybrid ‘aeroboat’ which has been built by an Indo-Russian joint venture unveiled at an event by Russia’s Skolkovo Foundation. It is capable of travelling on land, water, snow and sand and is capable of moving at the speed of around 150 kmph or more on water.

World’s oldest fossil mushroom discovered in Brazil, dating back zpprox 115 million years. It has been named as Gondwanag Aricites Magnificus and repprtedly belongs to Agaricales order.

Sports

ISSF Junior World Championship 2017 held in Suhl (Germany) -

India finished 2nd at ISSF Junior World Championship with 3 gold, 2 silver and 3 bronze medals . Gold Medals - Anish Bhanwala, Yashaswini Singh and a Team Event.

China topped tally with 19 medals, including eight gold.

2017 Aegon Ilkley Tennis Trophy (UK)

Men's Singles - Márton Fucsovics (Hungary)

Women's Singles - Magdaléna Rybáriková (Slovakia)

Men's Doubles - Leander Paes (India) AND Adil Shamasdin (Canada)

Women's Doubles - Anna Blinkova (Russia) AND Alla Kudryavtseva (Russia)

2017 Forbes list of ‘The World’s 100 highest paid athletes’ -

Featured athletes in list belong to 11 different sports and hail from 21 countries.

Top 5 -

Christiano Ronaldo (Portugal) - Soccer (93 million USD)

LeBron James (USA) - Basketball ($86.2 million)

Lionel Messi (Argentina) - Football ($80 million)

Roger Federer (Switzerland) - Tennis ($64 million)

Kevin Durant (USA) - basketball ($60 million).

Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli is the sole Indian sportsperson to feature in List with Pay of $22 Million USD.

Tennis star Serena Williams with $27 Million USD Earnings is only female in list, ranked 51st.

2017 Junior Asian Championships concluded in China's Taiwan, with Indian Wrestlers winning 13 medals.

21st Federation Cup National Senior Athletics Championships held in Patiala (Punjab). It provided an opportunity to Indian athletes to qualify for Asian Athletics Championships to be held in Bhubaneswar (Odisha) in July 2017. Some notable events in these championships -

Sarita Singh (Uttar Pradesh) set a new national record in women’s hammer throw with 65.25m throw.

Javelin thrower Anu Rani smashed her own national record after throwing the spear to a 61.86m. She also qualified for World Championships to be held in London in August 2017.

Air Freight Corridor started between Afghanistan and India, between capital cities (Kabul and Delhi).

Asian Junior Tennis Championships held in Pune -

Indian Player Nitin Kumar Sinha defeated Malaysia's Christian Didier Chin to win boys singles title.

Dhanya Shah and Sanmay Gandhi won Under-14 doubles title.

Australian Open Badminton 2017 -

Men's Singles - Kidambi Srikanth (India) by defeating Chen Long (China). This is Kidambi Srikanth's Second Successive Super Series Win after Indonesian Open. He has jumped into BWF's Top 10 Male Players.

Women's Singles - Nozomi Okuhara (Japan)

Man'e Doubles - Japan 's Takeshi Kamura AND Keigo Sonoda

Women's Doubles - Japan's Misaki Matsutomo AND Ayaka Takahashi

Mixed Doubles - China's Zheng Siwei AND Chen Qingchen

Bhumika Sharma from Uttarakhand won Miss World Title in bodybuilding championships held in Venice (Italy).

Chinese mobile handset manufacturer Vivo retained Indian Premier League title sponsorship rights for next five seasons (2018-2022) with a winning bid of INR 2199 crores (approximately US $341 million).

Cricket South Africa (CSA) announced to launch Its Twenty20 cricket league with name T20 Global League, to start in last quarter of 2017.

Cricket board for West Indies re-branded themselves as Cricket West Indies from former West Indies Cricket Board. Board also officially ranamed cricket team from now on as WINDIES.

England won FIFA U-20 World Cup for first time ever, defeating Venezuela. It was hosted by South Korea.

India will host U-17 FIFA World Cup in 2017.

Former Indian hockey captain Dhanraj Pillay would be conferred East Bengal football club's highest honour Bharat Gaurav at its foundation day on 1 August 2017.

French Open Tennis 2017 -

Men's Singles - Rafael Nadal (Spain), won by defeating Stan Wawrinka (Switzerland). It is Nadal's Record 10th French Open and overall 15th Grand Slam Title. After This win, Nadal has been ranked 2nd globally, with UK's Andy Murray at top.

Women's Singles - Jeļena Ostapenko (Latvia), won by defeating Simona Halep (Romania)

Men's Doubles - Ryan Harrison (USA) AND Michael Venus (New Zealand)

Women's Doubles - Bethanie Mattek-Sands (USA) AND Lucie Šafářová (Czech Republic)

Mixed Doubles - Gabriela Dabrowski (Canada) /AND Rohan Bopanna (India)

Halle Open Men's Tennis Tournament (Also called Gerry Weber Open) -

Singles - Roger Federer (Switzerland) by Defeating Alexander Zverev (Germany)

Doubles - Łukasz Kubot (Poland) AND Marcelo Melo (Brazil)

ISSF Shooting World Cup 2017 Third Leg Held in Gabala (Azerbaijan) -

Indian shooters Jitu Rai and Heena Sidhu won Gold Medal in mixed team 10m air pistol event, as India's Only Medal at ISSF Shooting World Cup 2017 Held in Gabala (Azerbaijan).

First Leg of ISSF Shooting World Cup 2017 was held in New Delhi in Feb - Mar 2017. Finals will also be held in India, in oct 2017. So far India has 6 Medals in ISSF Shooting World Cup 2017 tally. China is leading with 28 Medals.

India won 6 medals in Wushu competition of first ever BRICS Games, concluded in Guangzhou (China).

BRICS Games featured approx 300 athletes from 5 BRICS countries- Brazil, China, India, Russia and South Africa. There were 10 events in 3 sports – men’s basketball, women’s volleyball, and Wushu.

India's Shashikant Kutwal won gold medal at 17th World Individual Chess Championship for differently-abled, held in Slovakia.

India's Srinivas Gokulnath and Amit Samarth became first Indians to complete 4,900-km Race Across America (RAAM) in 18-59 age category. Among 9 persons who finish the race, Gokulnath stood 7th while Samarth finished 8. Race was won by Christoph Strasser.

Indian Boxer Ankush Dahiya won gold Medal and L Devendro Singh won silver medal at of Ulaanbaatar Cup boxing tournament in Mongolia.

Indian Cricket Team created record for scoring most 300-plus totals in One Day International (ODI) Cricket, after they scored 310 Runs in an ODI against West Indies. India went past Australia’s record of 95 Times 300+ Scores in ODIs.

Indian men’s and women’s throwball teams won gold medals in World Games held at Kathmandu (Nepal). and it took place from June 15 to 18, 2017 ii. Women’s team defeated Pakistan while men's team defeated Bangladesh.

India’s Ramkumar Ramanathan won ITF (International Tennis Federation) men’s Futures tennis title after defeating USA's Raymond Sarmiento in Singapore.

India’s Virat Kohli created record of becoming fastest Cricketer to score 8000 runs in ODI cricket. He went past South Africa’s AB de Villiers by achieving this Feat in 175 Innings.

Indonesia Open Super Series Badminton 2017 -

Category Winners

Men's singles Srikanth Kidambi (India) (Defeating Japan' Kazumasa Sakai)

Women's singles Sayaka Sato (Japan)

Men's doubles Li Junhui AND Liu Yuchen (China)

Women's doubles Chen Qingchen AND Jia Yifan (China)

Mixed doubles Tontowi Ahmad AND Liliyana Natsir (Indonesia)

International Cricket Council (ICC) conferred Test match status on Ireland and Afghanistan, taking number of test-playing nations to 12.

International Olympic Committee approved adding several new events for 2020 Tokyo Games. Tokyo Olympics would include 321 events which is an increase from 306 events held at Rio 2016. New additions -

Mixed 4x400m relay, 3-on-3 basketball, Mixed swimming, Mixed team archery, BMX freestyle, Mixed triathlon (first time in olympics), Mixed team event for judo, Mixed Doubles Table Tennis etc.

Jeje Lalpekhlua won AIFF player of year for 2016 while Sasmita Malik has been named as 2016 AIFF Women’s player of the year.

Manika Batra and Mouma Das became first Indian pair to reach quarterfinals of World Table Tennis Championships held in Dusseldorf (Germany).

Mercedes' Driver Lewis Hamilton (UK) won Canadian Grand Prix -

2017 Formula 1 Season -

Round Grand Prix Winner Date

1 Australian Grand Prix Sebastian Vettel (Germany) 26 March

2 Chinese Grand Prix Lewis Hamilton (Britain) 9 April

3 Bahrain Grand Prix Sebastian Vettel (Germany) 16 April

4 Russian Grand Prix Valtteri Bottas (Finland) 30 April

5 Spanish Grand Prix Lewis Hamilton (Britain) 14 May

6 Monaco Grand Prix Sebastian Vettel (Germany) 28 May

7 Canadian Grand Prix Lewis Hamilton (UK) 11 June

8 Azerbaijan Grand Prix 25 June

9 Austrian Grand Prix 9 July

10 British Grand Prix 16 July

11 Hungarian Grand Prix 30 July

12 Belgian Grand Prix 27 August

13 Italian Grand Prix 3 September

14 Singapore Grand Prix 17 September

15 Malaysian Grand Prix 1 October

16 Japanese Grand Prix 8 October

17 United States Grand Prix 22 October

18 Mexican Grand Prix 29 October

19 Brazilian Grand Prix 12 November

20 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 26 November

Newzealand Crickdter Luke Ronchi announced his retirement from international Cricket.

Noted Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralidaran inducted into ICC Cricket Hall of Fame.

Pakistan defeated India to win 2017 Cricket ICC Champions Trophy hosted in England. Pakistan’s Hasan Ali was declared Player of the Series.

Real Madrid FC became first team to win back-to-back UEFA Champions League titles. This year they defeated Juventus.

South African Sprinter Wayde Van Niekerk broke World Record in 300m at Golden Spike Meet in Czech Republic by completing in 30.81 Seconds (previous record 30.85).

Thailand Grand Prix Badminton 2017 -

Men's Singles - B. Sai Praneeth (India)

Women's Singles - Ratchanok Intanon (Thailand)

Men's Doubles - Indonesian pair of Berry Angriawan and Hardianto

Women's Doubles - Indonesian pair of Greysia Polii and Apriyani Rahayu

Mixed Doubles - Chinese pair of He Jiting and Du Yue

Vietnam's Nguyen DucHoa won 10th Mumbai Mayor’s Cup International Open Chess Tournament by defeating India's Neelotpal Das.

World Taekwondo Federation changed its name to World Taekwondo (headqurtered in South Korea). It has been considering changing name since slang abbreviation WTF gained popularity among masses.

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Category	Winners
Men's singles	Srikanth Kidambi (India) (Defeating Japan' Kazumasa Sakai)
Women's singles	Sayaka Sato (Japan)
Men's doubles	Li Junhui AND Liu Yuchen (China)
Women's doubles	Chen Qingchen AND Jia Yifan (China)
Mixed doubles	Tontowi Ahmad AND Liliyana Natsir (Indonesia)

Round	Grand Prix	Winner	Date
1	Australian Grand Prix	Sebastian Vettel (Germany)	26 March
2	Chinese Grand Prix	Lewis Hamilton (Britain)	9 April
3	Bahrain Grand Prix	Sebastian Vettel (Germany)	16 April
4	Russian Grand Prix	Valtteri Bottas (Finland)	30 April
5	Spanish Grand Prix	Lewis Hamilton (Britain)	14 May
6	Monaco Grand Prix	Sebastian Vettel (Germany)	28 May
7	Canadian Grand Prix	Lewis Hamilton (UK)	11 June
8	Azerbaijan Grand Prix		25 June
9	Austrian Grand Prix		9 July
10	British Grand Prix		16 July
11	Hungarian Grand Prix		30 July
12	Belgian Grand Prix		27 August
13	Italian Grand Prix		3 September
14	Singapore Grand Prix		17 September
15	Malaysian Grand Prix		1 October
16	Japanese Grand Prix		8 October
17	United States Grand Prix		22 October
18	Mexican Grand Prix		29 October
19	Brazilian Grand Prix		12 November
20	Abu Dhabi Grand Prix		26 November